The Columbus journal., 1909-06-02

showing the direction took swift
leap and pointed to the northwest.
The kaiser stepped back from the
hood, while Jenkins vainly strove to
bring the Norma back into her east
ward course. Rapidly he pulled the
switches to and fro; but no answering
spark showed that they we're In con-
tact. In alarm he checked the> speed
Of the radioplane, and called to Brock
ton, who, frightened by the erratic
movements of the craft, had entered
the hood.
Il have to report. SIR Jenkins said,
that the steering currents of the
radiOplane are out of order, and that
we can no longer direct her course.
She is now heading nor-nor'west."
Brockton's brows came together in
a scowl. Nothing but the presence of
his majesty prevented an explosion.
What do you fuggest?" he asked,
sharply.
THAT we come To land and make
an examination and whatever repairs
are necessary. SIR
Very well. Do so At once!"
Within q few minutes the Norma
had found a lower level and her
searchlights were bringing into view
the ground beneath. They we're travel
ing slowly over the primeval forest
in far upper Canada. A spot came to
view where there were no trees, and
into this. like a crippled bird. the
Norma came to q stop and rested.
The emperor watched the first at
tempts to define the difficulty with
anxiety, and then. yielding to his de-
sire for sight of the open, asked and
obtained the enclosing of the port.
through -hich he sauntered into the
night. ,.ithout observing what was
around him. he stood leaning against
the shell of the radioplane. thinking
with annoyance of the difficulties of
state which might accrue if his alb
sence extended over a day. He was
aroused by the sounds of hammering
and rending within, and re-entered the
craft, which was now flooded with a
binding glare of radiance brought into
life by the ceasslessly turning dyn-
amos.
On their knees, with uniforms cast
aside, and recklessly tearing away the
carefully wrought woodwork of the
paneled side. were the admiral and the
engineer, while back of them the dis
tracted chancellor of the empire held
short crOwbar in his hands and
displayed muscular arms which had
been barred to the elbow.
Il am sorry, your majesty" apollo
gized the admiral, looking up from
his work. but l am afraid that a
confused handling of the levers has ex-
posed a weakness. A cross current, a
burned insulation and a bad connec-
ton have fused our wires somewhere,
and We may be delayed for a short
time"
How long,"
Il cannot say. Aside from the de-
lay, there need be no apprehension,
because we have abundant food. We
shall have to uncover the damaged
section before We can estimate the
length of our stay"
Fairly gritting his teeth in rage, the
kaiser turned on his heel and strobe
out into the open air again. What a
fool he had been to intrust himself to
strange mechanism which at best
was treacherous! A days delay would
not mean much; but what II they were
detained for many? The waning moon
had risen, and in its light he marched
up and down a stretch of turf with
military precision. until his anger be-
gan to disappear and his natural phil
osophy to afford relaxation. He be-
came conscious of the beauties of the
night and the wilderness, and as time
went on was engrossed in contemplat-
ing them.