Frank pulled the whistle valve and let out an ear-splitting shriek.
For a moment the pigmies appeared to be literally paralyzed.
They were thrown into the wildest confusion. Terror seemed to be predominant, until the little old man ran in front of them and exhorted them.
His words seemed to act like magic upon them.
They re-formed and once more the outlook became serious.
With bristling lances they once more advanced toward the Steam Man.
There was no evading the issue now.
Frank saw this at a glance.
He was averse to killing any of the strange people unless compelled to.
Discretion seemed the better part of valor, and it appeared in order to retreat in as graceful a manner as possible.