He looked as if equipped for a privateering or piratical cruise, and Frank could not help a smile.
“You look as if you expected trouble,” he exclaimed. “Why have you armed yourself?”
“Hang me high!” cried the captain, fiercely; “are we not going into a land full of sharks and cuttlefish? Keep your eye on your outfit, lad. We will need a little powder and ball and cold steel before we get home.”
“Well,” said Frank, “you may be right; but I never employ arms until the necessary time comes. You are taking time by the forelock.”
“Which is correct, skipper. I once knew a fair ship to become overrun with pirates out in the Maldives, just because the skipper would not carry powder for fear of blowing up the ship. He had an aversion to the smell.”
Frank could not but laugh.
“Well,” he agreed, “you may be right. However, this air-ship is an adjunct of Liberty Hall, so that you are all right. Keep your eye out for sharks.”
“Depend on it, skipper. But will we wait long at this port?”
“Not another moment,” declared Frank; “let us be off at once.”
He made a motion to Barney and the air-ship left the roof. As it soared aloft, the streets below were seen to be crowded with curious people craning their necks.