[CHAPTER XII]
NEW USE FOR AN AIRSHIP
Indeed it did seem as if a miniature battle was in progress, but the people fired at did not appear to be in any fear. There was only a slight movement among them, though the boys and the professor in the airship could plainly see a black object, which they took to be a cannon ball, speeding across the wide, turgid, rushing river. But the projectile fell short, and landed about twenty feet from shore, splashing the water high.
Immediately there was a flash of flame and a puff of smoke from the other side of the stream, and the fire was returned, another black object speeding toward the crowd that had first discharged a cannon.
“It’s a regular battle!” cried the professor. “Don’t go any lower, boys. They may fire on us!”
But Jerry, Ned and Bob were too interested in the curious fight going on below them, to want to steer out of the way. The airship was slowed up, and hovered over the queer scene.
“The second projectile fell short, too,” remarked Ned, as he saw it splash into the water, twenty-five feet from the western shore. “Why don’t they put in more powder if they want ’em to reach across?”
“But why are they firing at each other, anyhow?” questioned Bob, too interested, for the time being, to think of eating. “Two towns can’t be at war with one another.”
“We’ll soon see what it is,” said Jerry. “They are getting ready to fire again.”
Indeed preparations could be noticed among the group of men surrounding a small brass cannon. But, just as they were loading it several in the crowd uttered cries of astonishment, and pointed upward. Instantly the two throngs on either side of the river seemed to forget their animosity toward one another, and began making excited motions to those in the airship.
“They evidently want us to come down,” said Bob.