ind on the shore of Black
Rock Creek. One of them, I knew, was wounded; perhaps the others were
also. Having seen me dragged overboard by the hawser, could they
possibly suppose that I had been rescued by the "Terror?" Surely not!
Doubtless the news of my death had already been telegraphed to Mr.
Ward from Toledo. And now who would dare to undertake a new campaign
against this "Master of the World"?

These thoughts occupied my mind as I awaited the captain's appearance
on the deck. He did not appear.

I soon began to feel very hungry; for I must have fasted now nearly
twenty-four hours. I had eaten nothing since our hasty meal in the
woods, even if that had been the night before. And judging by the
pangs which now assailed my stomach, I began to wonder if I had not
been snatched on board the "Terror" two days before,--or even more.

Happily the question if they meant to feed me, and how they meant to
feed me, was solved at once. The man at the bow left his post,
descended, and reappeared. Then, without saying a word, he placed
some food before me and returned to his place. Some potted meat,
dried fish, sea-biscuit, and a pot of ale so strong that I had to mix
it with water, such was the meal to which I did full justice. My
fellow travelers had doubtless eaten before I came out of the cabin,
and they did not join me.

There was nothing further to attract my eyes, and I sank again into
thought. How would this adventure finish? Would I see this invisible
captain at length, and would he restore me to liberty? Could I regain
it in spite of him? That would depend on circumstances! But if the
"Terror" kept thus far away from the shore, or if she traveled
beneath the water, how could I escape from her? Unless we landed, and
the machine became an automobile, must I not abandon all hope of
escape?

Moreover--why should I not admit it?--to escape without having
learned anything of the "Terror's" secrets would not have contented
me at all. Although I could not thus far flatter myself upon the
success of my campaign, and though I had come within a hairbreadth of
losing my life and though the future promised far more of evil than
of good, yet after all, a step forward had been attained. To be sure,
if I was never to be able to re-enter into communication with the
world, if, like this Master of the World who had voluntarily placed
himself outside the law, I was now placed outside humanity, then the
fact that I had reached the