"Iceland and Spitzbergen. Neither island was seriously hurt. Of course there was no danger of our starving, even if we hadn't been able to get anything from outside. Greenland had a population of about twenty thousand people. They could easily take care of us." "What's happened to Europe? I suppose it wasn't hurt as badly as the United States?" Billy shook his head gravely. "We're not absolutely certain yet, of course, but we think it's all gone except northern Norway, Sweden and northern Russia." By this time we had reached a house that had apparently not been damaged by the earthquakes. It was curious to see furniture again and a bed with mattresses and sheets. I wanted to hear more, but Billy insisted that we must get some sleep before we did anything else. I was inclined to rebel, but it did no good. * * * * * A New Danger "There's something I didn't intend to tell you until tomorrow. We have a few astronomers and scientists here, and they brought some of their instruments. The seismographs have been acting funny for the past forty-eight hours." "Well, what about it? What's another earthquake after all we've been through?" I asked flippantly. Billy remained grave. "It's something more than that, but what we don't know. Two days ago the seismographs began to record a steady vibration which has been increasing in intensity hour by hour. We're probably all right for the next twelve hours. After that--" he paused significantly. "Anyhow, I want you fellows to get three hours' sleep. You'll need to be in good shape. I'll call you if things get worse." I did not realize how tired I was until I threw myself on the bed. I had a vivid dream of hunting lions in Africa and wounding one. The lion was not killed and springing at me, caught my shoulder in his jaws. He was shaking me to and fro when I awoke and found Billy standing over me. "I thought I'd never get you awake. Get up and come to the flying field." I was suddenly conscious of a trembling beneath me, as if I were on the deck of a boat near the engine. Jim was already up and we both looked questioningly at Billy's grave face. "What is it?" I asked. "Possibly a new cataclysm that will wipe all surviving human beings from the face of the earth. You know about as much as any of us." By this time I was wide awake. "What are we to do when we get to the flying field?" "There is a dispute among the fliers as to whether it would be better to take to the air in the machines with as many passengers as they can carry, or wait developments here with the planes sheltered as much as possible. They want your advice."