“Mercy on us!” cried the professor, “our men are in great danger.”
“Dat dey are, sir!”
Pomp rushed into the cabin and brought out a dynamite bomb, an invention of Frank Reade, Jr.’s. This he dropped right in the midst of the barbarians.
Instantly there was a terrific explosion. Fully a dozen of the wretches were blown into eternity.
Then the airship began to descend.
The barbarians seemed to have acquired a fearful terror of the airship. At sight of it now they beat an inglorious retreat.
Up the valley they rushed, in headlong haste. The Dart descended until within one hundred feet of the ground.
“All right, Pomp!” cried Frank, “hold right where you are. We are going to invade that big, stone building. Be ready to give us help!”
“A’right, Marse Frank!” replied Pomp, readily.
The victorious explorers now charged the barbarians’ settlement. They deserted their houses and fled incontinently.