r than an ordinary
walk.

"At this rate I'll get home some time next year," he grumbled.
"However, I suppose I ought to be glad the machine works at all." And
he really was glad.

All the afternoon and all the long summer night he moved slowly over
the water. It was annoying to go at "a reg'lar jog-trot," as Rob
called it, after his former swift flight; but there was no help for it.

Just as dawn was breaking he saw in the distance a small vessel,
sailing in the direction he was following, yet scarcely moving for lack
of wind. He soon caught up with it, but saw no one on deck, and the
craft had a dingy and uncared-for appearance that was not reassuring.
But after hovering over it for some time Rob decided to board the ship
and rest for a while. He alighted near the bow, where the deck was
highest, and was about to explore the place when a man came out of the
low cabin and espied him.

This person had a most villainous countenance, and was dark-skinned,
black-bearded and dressed in an outlandish, piratical costume. On
seeing the boy he gave a loud shout and was immediately joined by four
companions, each as disagreeable in appearance as the first.

Rob knew there would be trouble the moment he looked at this evil crew,
and when they drew their daggers and pistols and began fiercely
shouting in an unknown tongue, the boy sighed and took the electric
tube from his coat pocket.

The buccaneers did not notice the movement, but rushed upon him so
quickly that he had to press the button at a lively rate. The tube
made no noise at all, so it was a strange and remarkable sight to see
the pirates suddenly drop to the deck and lie motionless. Indeed, one
was so nearly upon him when the electric current struck him that his
head, in falling, bumped into Rob's stomach and sent him reeling
against the side of the vessel.

He quickly recovered himself, and seeing his enemies were rendered
harmless, the boy entered the cabin and examined it curiously. It was
dirty and ill-smelling enough, but the corners and spare berths were
heaped with merchandise of all kinds which had been taken from those so
unlucky as to have met these cruel and desperate men.

After a short inspection of the place he returned to the deck and again
seated himself in the bow.

The crippled condition of his traveling machine was now his chief
trouble, and although a good breeze had sprung up to fill the sails and
the little bark was making fair