Short as the time seemed, it was in reality nearly an hour before the airship once more rested on the roof of the kasbah. While it was still hovering above, Tom manœuvring for a landing, there came the muffled sound of shots and the rending of wood.
“They’ve broken in,” cried Oliphant.
The Moors had indeed burst through the lower doors, released the infuriated sheikh, and, finding themselves unable to lift the trapdoor, were firing upwards through it. Schwab, who had been sitting on the pile of stones which he and Abdul had heaped on the covering, to reinforce their weight with his own, slipped off with amazing alacrity just as the airship came to rest.
“Gott sei Dank!” he exclaimed, as Tom joined him.
“TOM, SEIZING A BIG STONE, THREW IT WITH ALL
HIS FORCE INTO THE BLACK ROOM BENEATH.”
He needed no invitation to hurry into the car. As soon as Abdul was aboard Tom started the engines. To his consternation the airship again refused to rise.