that the arrival
of the monster aerial visitant to the country was being orally
telegraphed forward in the direction of her course. Mounted men were
seen dashing madly along until they reached some eminence favourably
situated for the exercise of their powers, when, dismounting, the
messenger would raise his hands to his lips, and, in a peculiar high-
pitched tone of voice which seemed to have the power of penetrating the
air for an immense distance, send his message echoing forward over hill
and dale, to be instantly caught up and repeated by another. So smartly
was this novel system of telegraphy performed, that the message actually
outsped the ship, and the travellers found the inhabitants of every
village along their route awaiting _en masse_ their appearance, which
was instantly greeted with loud shouts of astonishment. At one village
or settlement, which, from its size, appeared to be of more than
ordinary importance, they found, in addition to the general inhabitants,
a squadron of about fifty mounted warriors awaiting them, fully armed
with bow, spear, and shield, and upon the appearance of the _Flying
Fish_ these troops most pluckily ranged themselves directly across her
course and prepared to treat her to a shower of arrows.

"Now is our time to create a wholesome impression of our invincibility
upon these fellows," remarked the baronet, and hurrying to the pilot-
house he caused the ship to sink well within range of the projected
salute.

In an instant every bow was drawn to its utmost tension, a second or two
sufficed the warriors to steady their aim, and then, with a simultaneous
_twang_ of bowstrings, the fifty arrows sped through the air, and,
rattling harmlessly against the ship's gleaming hull, glanced off and
fell to the earth again. The baronet smartly raised the fore end of the
tiller, and, obedient to her helm, the _Flying Fish_ made a sudden swoop
earthward in the direction of the audacious cavalry, who, already
disconcerted at the utter failure of their attack, at once wheeled short
about, and, with piercing yells of terror, took headlong flight,
jostling and overthrowing each other without the least compunction in
their frantic eagerness to escape.

"There," remarked the baronet, as, steadying the helm, the ship once
more soared to her former elevation, "I hope that will suffice to
convince them that we are not to be attacked with impunity. If not, we
shall be compelled to read them a sh