CHAPTER XX
FIGHTING INDIANS WITH A SEARCHLIGHT
"Stop her!" It was Ned's voice in quick command. The young aeronaut, peering over the side of the car of the Cibola into the black night, had suddenly seen something that prompted the order. It was a distant flash of light. This was followed by an echoing explosion. The other boys heard the explosion and all instantly knew that it was a shot from a firearm. Almost before Alan could shut off the power Ned had disappeared into the cabin to help head the balloon in the direction of the spurt of fire. The Cibola slackened speed and they waited, drifting slowly toward the east. Then, suddenly, and almost together came two streaks of fire and two more explosions.
"One of them might mean a signal," said Ned gravely, "but they were not from the same spot. If it were Elmer he would have the three fires. If it is Elmer and Buck and they can't make a fire and are shooting I am afraid it means trouble."
"It may mean Indians," suggested Bob, "and they may have put out their fires for safety."
"They might even be holding off an attack of some kind," added Alan anxiously.
Just then there was another crack of a firearm now a little nearer. The Cibola was drifting directly toward the sound, but very slowly, and would soon have lost all headway.
"I don't want to be presumptuous," said Bob in a low voice, "but can't we land and find out what the trouble is?"
"We can find out without landing," replied Alan.