CHAPTER IX.
A FUTILE QUEST.
It is needless to say that the three adventurers lost no time in climbing up the gang ladder.
They were not a moment too soon.
Frank had just cleared the rail when men burst from a thicket and sent a hail storm of bullets upward. They rattled on the steel hull of the air-ship.
“Give it to ’em!” shouted Nicodemus, angrily. “They deserve it richly.”
Barney and Pomp grabbed rifles and rushed to the rail.
But Frank cried:
“Wait! Do not take life unnecessarily! We are safe just now. Let us have a talk with them.”
Taking care not to expose himself, Frank shouted over the rail:
“Ahoy down there!”