s time, and turned her across the
limpid waters of Biscayne Bay, cutting a huge circle above the town and
slowly swooping downward toward the broad white beach, as he picked out
a level stretch for landing. Townspeople who had been watching the
strange airplane, so much like a great bird, now ran forward to see it
land.

A moment later, with a graceful drop and upward curve, it struck the
sandy beach and ran forward lightly until the brakes were applied and
it was brought to a standstill.

CHAPTER XII

FIGHTING A DEVIL-FISH

Many questions were asked our friends by the onlookers, but they gave
them evasive replies, being careful to let out no hint as to their real
identity and connection with the approaching race around the world.
Two husky negroes were engaged to watch the airplane until relieved
from such responsibility, and Mr. Giddings then led the boys to the
home of a Mr. Choate, a close and trusted friend and superintendent of
the big Miami Aquarium, one of the most noted repositories for live
fish in the country.

Mr. Choate was astonished beyond measure when he learned that his old
friend had come in the big airplane which he and his wife had noticed
over the town a short time before, and was still further surprised when
Mr. Giddings bound him to secrecy and told him that the young men with
him constituted the crew of one of the two airplanes which was so soon
to circle the earth by way of the equator. He shook hands warmly with
them, and with his charming wife made them all very much at home.

Than Mr. Choate, no man in the South knew more about the multitudinous
varieties of fish inhabiting Florida waters. He was not only an
authority on them, but he was also recognized as a most skillful
catcher of fish. For over an hour that evening he told them absorbing
stories of the habits of Gulf Stream denizens, and recited stirring
tales of battles with some of the biggest of them. And when he finally
announced, "To-morrow I shall see that you are given a taste of our
wonderful fish-life by joining me in a fishing expedition," they could
hardly get to sleep for thinking of the fine prospect.

After breakfast the next morning, their host conducted them down to the
waterside and into the beautiful white concrete buildings of the
aquarium, and here he proceeded to show them, swimming about in great
glass tanks, the most wonderful collection of fish they had ever seen
outside of the big New York aquar