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10. How Rob Served a Mighty King
The new traveling machine was a distinct improvement over the old one,
for it carried Rob with wonderful speed across the broad Atlantic.
He fell asleep soon after starting, and only wakened when the sun was
high in the heavens. But he found himself whirling along at a good rate,
with the greenish shimmer of the peaceful ocean waves spread beneath
him far beyond his range of vision.
Being in the track of the ocean steamers it was not long before he found
himself overtaking a magnificent vessel whose decks were crowded with
passengers. He dropped down some distance, to enable him to see these
people more plainly, and while he hovered near he could hear the excited
exclamations of the passengers, who focused dozens of marine glasses
upon his floating form. This inspection somewhat embarrassed him, and
having no mind to be stared at he put on additional speed and soon left
the steamer far behind him.
About noon the sky clouded over, and Rob feared a rainstorm was
approaching. So he rose to a point considerably beyond the clouds,
where the air was thin but remarkably pleasant to inhale and the rays of
the sun were not so hot as when reflected by the surface of the water.
He could see the dark clouds rolling beneath him like volumes of smoke
from a factory chimney, and knew the earth was catching a severe
shower of rain; yet he congratulated himself on his foresight in not being
burdened with umbrella or raincoat, since his elevated position rendered
him secure from rain-clouds.
But, having cut himself off from the earth, there remained nothing to see
except the clear sky overhead and the tumbling clouds beneath; so he
took from his pocket the Automatic Record of Events, and watched with
breathless interest the incidents occurring in different parts of the world.
A big battle was being fought in the Philippines, and so fiercely was it
contested that Rob watched its progress for hours, with rapt attention.
Finally a brave rally by the Americans sent their foes to the cover of the
woods, where they scattered in every direction, only to form again in a
deep valley hidden by high hills.
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