Another day wore away thus. Another night came and the second morning. Then an idea occurred to Harding.
They were confined in one of the staterooms. Vane himself held the cabin, and only a few of the gaucheros, who were dirty fellows, were allowed aboard.
“I will tell you, Barney,” said the young American in an undertone, “we don’t seem to be gaining anything in this way. Can we not work a sharp scheme upon the villains?”
“Shure, sor, av yez kin tell me——”
“I think I can!”
“All roight, sor!”
“Suppose you tell Vane that you have thought well of his proposition, and upon certain conditions will come to his terms?”
“Well, sor?”
“Repair the machinery and then tell him that the air-ship will only carry six people. That will be you and I and Pomp, with Vane and two of his men. You and Pomp can watch your chance after we get up in the air, rush down and cut my bonds, and we will make a fight.”
Barney’s eyes sparkled.