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position above the air currents. This was the first time he had slept with
the indicator at zero.
The huge birds at once renewed their attack, but Rob had now recovered
his wits sufficiently to draw the electric tube from his pocket. The first
one to dart towards him received the powerful electric current direct from
the tube, and fell stunned and fluttering to the surface of the sea, where
it floated motionless. Its mate, perhaps warned by this sudden disaster,
renewed its circling flight, moving so swiftly that Rob could scarcely
follow it, and drawing nearer and nearer every moment to its intended
victim. The boy could not turn in the air very quickly, and he feared an
attack in the back, mistrusting the saving power of the Garment of
Repulsion under such circumstances; so in desperation he pressed his
finger upon the button of the tube and whirled the instrument around
his head in the opposite direction to that in which the monster was
circling. Presently the current and the bird met, and with one last
scream the creature tumbled downwards to join its fellow upon the
waves, where they lay like two floating islands.
Their presence had left a rank, sickening stench in the surrounding
atmosphere, so Rob made haste to resume his journey and was soon
moving rapidly eastward.
He could not control a shudder at the recollection of his recent combat,
and realized the horror of a meeting with such creatures by one who had
no protection from their sharp beaks and talons.
"
It's no wonder the Japs draw ugly pictures of those monsters," he
thought. "People who live in these parts must pass most of their lives in
a tremble."
The sun was now shining brilliantly, and when the beautiful islands of
Japan came in sight Rob found that he had recovered his wonted
cheerfulness. He moved along slowly, hovering with curious interest over
the quaint and picturesque villages and watching the industrious
Japanese patiently toiling at their tasks. Just before he reached Tokio he
came to a military fort, and for nearly an hour watched the skilful
maneuvers of a regiment of soldiers at their morning drill. They were not
very big people, compared with other nations, but they seemed alert and
well trained, and the boy decided it would require a brave enemy to face
them on a field of battle.
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