She put on her helmet, signified to me to close mine and led me to a tiny aeroplane, the body of which reminded me of our own taxis. I sank back in the cushioned seat and examined it carefully with a little trepidation. In front of us an automaton in shape like a giant insect had its multiple antennae fixed on the levers. Acquilla turned a switch. Immediately a low purring sound began above us as we rose easily in the air, poised a moment and shot off into space. “Of course we could put on electronized belts and walk,” said Acquilla relaxing in the seat beside me. “But if you’ve never done it before it might be distressing.” “What, you have overcome the force of gravity?” I said astonished. “You can walk on air?” “Oh, long ago. Michaelson’s discovery of the disassociation of protons is over a hundred years old now.” So many revolutionary ideas had crowded in upon my imagination, that for the moment I postponed the flood of questions on the tip of my tongue. Besides, I was too keen for first impressions to wish to have my attention diverted. I looked up and saw that the floating island which we had just left was a raft at most only twenty feet in thickness and consequently, unless supported by some extraordinary new chemical gas, owed its stability to a new principle. I next examined with care the aeromat in which we were riding. The first thing that struck me was that except for the purring sound I had first heard, it was virtually noiseless. Nor could I discern any signs of a gasoline tank. To my question, Acquilla pointed to a small box, about a foot square placed before us which she called the electronoid and which she assured me contained enough energy to fly twenty thousand miles if necessary. “Besides which,” she added, “we carry an auxiliary battery from which we can get any amount of energy from the wireless power stations at Niagara or Fundy. But that is only in case of emergency,--if we should run short out at sea.” “But you are not directing the car so far as I can see.” “No indeed, I have given the directions to the machinot. There is nothing to worry about.” “And you will land where you wish like this?” “Certainly.” “But the danger of collision?” Acquilla looked at me in surprise. “Why that’s the abc’s of mechanics.” She drew my attention to the telescopic lenses which were set in either side of the machinot’s head and which evidently signalled the approach of an impending aeroplane. “The magnetic field immediately operates and the aeromat veers to the right until the passing is completed and then returns to its course. In a highway the machine slows up as it approaches congestion. A collision is quite impossible, for both machines come to a standstill if forced too close to each other. It’s warm enough now to take off your helmet. Besides, the car is automatically heated.”