Flushed with success, he came up to Harding’s prostrate form and gave it a kick.
“Well,” he cried, contemptuously, “the tables have turned, haven’t they? This time I’m on top. Do you know, why I spared the lives of all of you? That nigger and Irishman are to show me how to work the machinery of this air-ship. Then I shall take you up a cool thousand feet and let you drop gently to the earth. Will not that be pleasant?”
“Villain!” groaned Harding, helplessly.
Vane now went to Barney and Pomp.
He pleaded and threatened in turn, but the two faithful servitors were obdurate.
“The loikes av yez can’t fool me!” declared Barney.
Then from Harding Vane learned that the machinery was out of kilter.
Vane offered to allow Barney and Pomp to go on with their work of repairing, but they declined.
Thus the day passed.
The next morning found the crew of the Kite just as obdurate.