A horrible glare of light flashed out.
It was followed by a report like thunder.
Half of the hut was blown to fragments, and the ground shook.
Jack saw at a glance that the hut was deserted.
He heard the distant voices of men among the trees, and realizing that the bandits had gone into the woods, he drove the stage along a road that wound among the trees.
In a few moments he neared the quicksand lake.
The bandits saw him coming, and aiming their rifles at the gallant young inventor they fired at him.
A storm of bullets struck Jack.
They did not pierce his armor, however.
He stooped over and picked up one of the grenades.