Through the gang he broke, knocking them right and left. An angry series of yells went up, and the dark forms began to pile over the rail.
Frank Reade, Jr., had heard the racket, and sprang out upon deck.
At that moment Barney sprang over the rail, crying:
“Ochone, but the divils have attacked us, an’ shure they’ll be the death av the whole av us!”
Frank saw the dark forms coming over the rail.
Instinctively he knew what had happened. The situation was plain to him.
The mountains were infested with bands of Peruvian brigands, made up of half-breed natives and cut-throat Spaniards.
There was no doubt but that a gang of these had attacked the Kite.
Frank knew well what the result would be should they gain a footing on the deck.
There was no doubt but that the brigands would murder every one of the party and loot and burn the air-ship.