Accordingly he started the Steam Man across the court-yard. With clanking tread the Man crossed the space.
This brought him out upon the roadway. The pigmies pursued hurling their lances at the cage.
But the steel netting was proof against them, and they fell off harmlessly.
However, Frank saw that they were planning to annihilate the Steam Man with a huge log thrown across the roadway by a party who had headed the Man off.
The tree would prevent the Man’s progress in that direction, and Frank set his lips grimly.
“They are after our lives, Pomp. I hate to fire into them, but it is self-defense.”
“Ob co’se it am, Marse Frank,” protested Pomp. “You’se jes’ a good right to shoot ebery one ob dem, fo’ suah.”
Frank picked up his rifle.
The foe were swarming down upon the Steam Man.
They evidently believed that they had their mysterious visitor cornered. Loud cries of triumph pealed from their lips.