This settled matters.
All now started to go on board the Kite. Harding had put his hand on the rail when there was a series of sharp reports, and bullets went whistling past.
Astounded, the adventurers turned to behold a thrilling sight.
There, rushing across the bluff, was a large number of the Peruvian brigands.
They were yelling fiendishly and brandishing their weapons.
“Bejabbers, here comes the inemy!” cried Barney, in wild excitement.
“Golly, I done fink we bettah run fo’ our lives!” yelled Pomp.
“Aboard, both of you!” cried Harding, who had reached the deck. “For your lives!”
But there was little need of the admonition.
The two faithful servitors were aboard the Kite in a twinkling.