CHAPTER V.
THE ALBATROSS RELEASED.
Frank Reade, Jr., saw at once how useless it was to attempt to treat with the ignorant horde.
It was folly to think of such a thing. Murder was in their hearts and the only way to wipe it out was to give them battle.
So the young inventor cried:
“Look out, friends! Stand by and don’t let them get to close quarters!”
The barbarians hurled their javelins with vengeful aim.
Some of them went true to the mark. But the points being only of flint or fish bone were easily turned against the armor of the white men.
So that the white men in this respect held a great advantage.
They fired almost point blank with their Winchesters. Several of the natives dropped dead.
But this did not deter them. Charging with such blind fury the battle could not help but be brought to close quarters.