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Do you live at Port Orford?" inquired the sailor.

That's what we do, friend; an' if your party wants to join us we'll do our

best to make you comf'table, bein' as you're shipwrecked an' need help."

Just then a loud laugh came from another group, where the elder sailor

had been trying to explain Rob's method of flying through the air.

Laugh all you want to," said the sailor, sullenly; "it's true--ev'ry word of

it!"

Mebbe you think it, friend," answered a big, good-natured fisherman;

but it's well known that shipwrecked folks go crazy sometimes, an'

imagine strange things. Your mind seems clear enough in other ways, so

I advise you to try and forget your dreams about flyin'."

Rob now stepped forward and shook hands with the sailors.

I see you have found friends," he said to them, "so I will leave you and

continue my journey, as I'm in something of a hurry."

Both sailors began to thank him profusely for their rescue, but he cut

them short.

That's all right. Of course I couldn't leave you on that island to starve to

death, and I'm glad I was able to bring you away with me."

But you threatened to drop me into the sea," remarked the little sailor,

in a grieved voice.

So I did," said Rob, laughing; "but I wouldn't have done it for the world--

not even to have saved my own life. Good-by!"

He turned the indicator and mounted skyward, to the unbounded

amazement of the fishermen, who stared after him with round eyes and

wide open mouths.

This sight will prove to them that the sailors are not crazy," he thought,

as he turned to the south and sped away from the bluff. "I suppose

those simple fishermen will never forget this wonderful occurrence, and

they'll probably make reg'lar heroes of the two men who have crossed the

Pacific through the air."

He followed the coast line, keeping but a short distance above the earth,

and after an hour's swift flight reached the city of San Francisco.

The Master Key