“Yes, but it would amount simply to wanton slaughter, as they have actually done us no harm yet, and cannot fight us on a fair basis, protected as we are by these walls. I have a plan to electrify the boat. See if you can turn the dynamo flywheel a few minutes.”
While they were doing this Frank turned the current into the deck of the engine, and a chorus of yells escaped the natives as their bare feet received the current.
It caused them to hastily leave the machine.
In the meantime Frank and Barney procured a new shaft for the oil engine, and set it in place.
Several hours were required to get the engine in good condition, but they finally accomplished it.
The natives had retreated.
They then opened fire upon the machine.
Of course, their weapons were simply wasted against the metal hull of the Pegasus, but they kept up the fusillade.
It was necessary for somebody to go to the pilot-house to cause the Pegasus to ascend, but a trip there from the deck-house was now highly dangerous.
Any of the poisoned missiles were apt to hit the one who attempted to venture it and kill him.