Perhaps the "Terror" was about to traverse immense distances; perhaps even, the captain intended to regain his Island X, in the midst of the Pacific.
Sometimes I saw him wander about the Eyrie buried in thought, or he would stop and raise his arm toward heaven as if in defiance of that God with Whom he assumed to divide the empire of the world.

Was not his overweening pride leading him toward insanity?
An insanity which his two companions, hardly less excited than he, could do nothing to subdue! Had he not come to regard himself as mightier than the elements which he had so audaciously defied even when he possessed only an airship, the "Albatross ?" And now, how much more powerful had he become, when earth, air and water combined to offer him an infinite field where none might follow him! Hence I had much to fear from the future, even the most dread catastrophes.

It was impossible for me to escape from the Great Eyrie, before being dragged into a new voyage.

After that, how could I possibly get away while the "Terror" sped through the air or the ocean?
My only chance must be when she crossed the land, and did so at some moderate speed.

Surely a distant and feeble hope to cling to! It will be recalled that after our arrival at the Great Eyrie, I had attempted to obtain some response from Robur, as to his purpose with me; but I had failed.