"Are you sure we're over the ocean?" asked Mark.

"Positive!" the professor called back. "We have been traveling
straight south over the Atlantic for the last week. We will land in
the midst of the waters and float safely."

Lower and lower went the Mermaid. The wind was now blowing with the
force of a tornado, and, as the craft had to slant in order to
descend, it felt the power of the gale more than if it had scudded
before it. But, by skilful use of the directing tube, the professor
was able to keep the boat from turning over. As they came further down
toward the earth the force of the wind was felt less and less, until,
as they came within two hundred feet of the water which they saw below
them in the gathering dusk, it died out altogether.

"Now we are free from it," said the professor as the Mermaid came down
on the waves like an immense swan.

"Are you going ahead or going to stop here?" asked Mark

"We'll keep right on," Mr. Henderson answered. "No telling when the
storm may strike down here. We'll go as far as we can to-night."

CHAPTER VII

A QUEER SAIL

NOW that the fear and worriment was over they all began to feel
hungry, and, while Mark and Jack took charge of the conning tower
Washington got breakfast. The professor seemed preoccupied during the