All four air-ships had now drawn quite close and had come to a stop. All were drifting in the air currents.
“Authority!” called back the spokesman. “You’ll learn that later. Surrender!”
Mortimer was standing in the extreme bow of the air-ship. He turned to his companion.
“Professor, hand me that rifle.”
Professor Dean bent forward and picked up the rifle from the floor of the air-ship. As he rose with the weapon in his hand there came a warning shout from the spokesman.
“Fire one shot,” he cried, “and we will blow you to the moon!”
“You scoundrels!” called back Mortimer, “try it!” And he turned to the Professor, holding out his hand for the rifle.
The Professor calmly drew back and dropped it over the side of the air-ship.
“What have you done—what have you done?” cried Mortimer furiously.
“Saved you from yourself!” replied his companion coolly. “I don’t mind your fighting when you have half a chance, but to resist here is sheer madness.”