“Temporarily,” answered the inventor.
A quarter of an hour passed slowly by.
At the end of that time the distant booming of a gun was heard coming from the direction of the forts.
A shell flew through the air and landed in the lagoon, not far from where the Jove lay.
Frank gave a start.
A troubled look crossed his face.
“That’s bad!” he muttered.
“Whar dat shot cum from?” asked Pomp, uneasily.
“One of the forts.”
“Faith! it’s bombarded we are, thin?” asked Barney.