The airship seemed to vibrate to several thuds.
“They’re boarding us!” exclaimed Jerry.
“And they’re not firing a shot!” came from Harvey Brill. “Boys, I see what this means! They’re trying to scare us, but they haven’t got nerve enough to use their guns. Maybe this is only part of the band, that has sneaked off without the chief knowing it, to get what they can from us. Come on! We’ll give ’em a warm reception!”
He leaped to a window, flung it open and began discharging his weapon, taking care to aim in the air so as not to hit any of the Indians by accident. Yells greeted the shot from his rifle, but Mr. Brill knew what he was doing, and felt sure he had hit no one.
“That’s the way!” yelled Jim Nestor. “Maybe we can scare ’em off!”
He, too, began firing, an example followed by Bob and Ned. The yelling increased in intensity, and the thuds on the deck of the Comet continued, showing that more of the savages were climbing over the rail, which offered a slight obstacle.
Suddenly the door of the cabin was pushed open, and one of the blanketed braves leaped in. He had no weapon, but, seeing some shining tools that Ned and Jerry had been using on the rudder that day, he made a grab for them, evidently thinking them of great value.
“Hi! Drop those!” yelled Jerry.
“Indian take!” grunted the redman, as he rushed out again.