The vigilants were having a running fight with the savages.
But Frank Reade, Jr., was doomed to disappointment.
He failed to cut off the band of abductors, and they vanished from sight in a deep pass.
It was too rocky a trail for the Steam Man to follow. Thus far the villains had the best of it.
“Golly sakes, Marse Frank!” cried Pomp, “dey done git away wif dem prisoners fo’ suah.”
“It looks like it,” agreed Frank, in a baffled tone, “but there ought to be some way to cut them off.”
“Begorra, there’s only won way,” declared Barney.
“What is that?”
“Let the naygur sthay with the man, an’ you an’ I will go afther the divils a-foot,” said the Celt.
For a moment Frank entertained no hopes of the success of such a plan.