“They do, indeed,” said the professor. “One could readily imagine such creatures tearing unfortunate human beings to pieces.”
“They don’t seem afraid of us, anyhow,” said Nat suddenly, as one of the great condors swept by quite close to the Discoverer and uttered a wild scream that sounded like a cry of defiance.
“No, they don’t. I—— Bless my soul, they are attacking us!” cried the professor as two or three of the birds flew at the gas bag with beak and claw.
“Now, boys,” spoke the professor, “we must use our best marksmanship on these creatures.”
“Get out the rifles, quick!” cried Nat. “They’ll tear the bag open if they keep that up.”
“They will, indeed!” said the professor apprehensively. “Shoo!”
But he might as well have said “Shoo!” to a tiger as to the giant birds of prey that now surrounded the Discoverer on every side. Angry screams and the rushing noise of huge wings filled the air.