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He dropped to a lower position in the air, and when he judged himself to
be over the center of the island he turned the indicator to zero and
stopped short.
The country was beautifully wooded, while pretty brooks sparkled
through the rich green foliage of the trees. The island sloped upwards
from the sea-coast in all directions, rising to a hill that was almost a
mountain in the center. There were two open spaces, one on each side of
the island, and Rob saw that these spaces were occupied by queer-
looking huts built from brushwood and branches of trees. This showed
that the island was inhabited, but as Rob had no idea what island it was
he wisely determined not to meet the natives until he had discovered
what they were like and whether they were disposed to be friendly.
So he moved over the hill, the top of which proved to be a flat, grass-
covered plateau about fifty feet in diameter. Finding it could not be
easily reached from below, on account of its steep sides, and contained
neither men nor animals, he alighted on the hill-top and touched his feet
to the earth for the first time in twenty-four hours.
The ride through the air had not tired him in the least; in fact, he felt as
fresh and vigorous as if he had been resting throughout the journey. As
he walked upon the soft grass of the plateau he felt elated, and compared
himself to the explorers of ancient days; for it was evident that
civilization had not yet reached this delightful spot.
There was scarcely any twilight in this tropical climate and it grew dark
quickly. Within a few minutes the entire island, save where he stood,
became dim and indistinct. He ate his daily tablet, and after watching
the red glow fade in the western sky and the gray shadows of night settle
around him he stretched himself comfortably upon the grass and went to
sleep.
The events of the day must have deepened his slumber, for when he
awoke the sun was shining almost directly over him, showing that the
day was well advanced. He stood up, rubbed the sleep from his eyes and
decided he would like a drink of water. From where he stood he could
see several little brooks following winding paths through the forest, so he
settled upon one that seemed farthest from the brushwood villages, and
turning his indicator in that direction soon floated through the air to a
sheltered spot upon the bank.
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