"Uncle Prudent," said Phil Evans, "it seems that this astonishing
"Albatross" never has anything to fear."

"That we shall see!" answered the president of the Weldon Institute.

"The fog lasted three days, the 19th, 20th, and 21st of June, with
regrettable persistence. An ascent had to be made to clear the
Japanese mountain of Fujiyama. When the curtain of mist was drawn
aside there lay below them an immense city, with palaces, villas,
gardens, and parks. Even without seeing it Robur had recognized it by
the barking of the innumerable dogs, the cries of the birds of prey,
and above all, by the cadaverous odor which the bodies of its
executed criminals gave off into space.

The two colleagues were out on the deck while the engineer was taking
his observations in case. he thought it best to continue his course
through the fog.

"Gentlemen," said he, "I have no reason for concealing from you that
this town is Tokyo, the capital of Japan."

Uncle Prudent did not reply. In the presence of the engineer he was
almost choked, as if his lungs were short of air.

"This view of Tokyo," continued Robur, "is very curious."

"Curious as it may be --" replied Phil Evans.

"It is not as good as Peking?" interrupted the engineer.