Chapter 29

_At one fifth after dawn on_ (here followed a symbol of date, which conveyed no meaning to my mind) _the fourteenth patrol, on reaching the coast-ridge, observed two Antipodeans approaching from the east. After skirting the protective belt for some distance, one of them attempted to turn into it, lost balance, and recovered with difficulty. They then soared to a height of ..._ (about four miles) _when one of them drew backward, and charged the belt at a very high speed. It fell when the most part of its bulk was…