All rushed into the cabin.
Pomp and Barney picked up their rifles and gave the brigands a shot. But Harding, who was much excited, cried:
“Oh, that will never do! They will be upon us in another moment. Once they get on board the ship we are lost!”
“Huh! dey will nebber do dat!” cried Pomp. “Not if dis chile knows it.”
The darky with this rushed into the pilot-house.
It was but a moment’s work to press the key and the air-ship shot up into space.
The baffled brigands gathered below upon the spot where the Kite had been.
They seemed to view the ascension of the air-ship with profound astonishment and mystification.
“Begorra, they don’t know phwat to make av it, do they?” cried Barney, with a laugh.
Harding held up a shot-riddled hat.