Robur had been carried by the storm into the Pacific over the polar
region, accomplishing four thousand three hundred and fifty miles in
nineteen hours, or about three miles a minute, a speed almost double
that which the "Albatross" was equal to with her propellers under
ordinary circumstances. But he did not know where he then was owing
to the disturbance of the needle in the neighborhood of the magnetic
pole, and he would have to wait till the sun shone out under
convenient conditions for observation. Unfortunately, heavy clouds
covered the sky all that day and the sun did not appear.

This was a disappointment more keenly felt as both propelling screws
had sustained damage during the tempest. Robur, much disconcerted at
this accident, could only advance at a moderate speed during this
day, and when he passed over the antipodes of Paris was only going
about eighteen miles an hour. It was necessary not to aggravate the
damage to the screws, for if the propellers were rendered useless the
situation of the aeronef above the vast seas of the Pacific would be
a very awkward one. And the engineer began to consider if he could
not effect his repairs on the spot, so as to make sure of continuing
his voyage.

In the morning of the 27th of July, about seven o'clock, land was
sighted to the north. It was soon seen to be an island. But which
island was it of the thousands that dot the Pacific? However, Robur
decided to stop at it without landing. He thought, that he could
repair damages during the day and start in the evening.

The wind had died away completely and this was a favorable
circumstance for the maneuver he desired to execute. At least, if she