“There they come!” he cried.
Low on the horizon there appeared three long, low sailing vessels.
“Natives!” said Johnny in dismay.
“That’s what,” agreed Pant; “and what’s more, we’ve got to do something about it quickly or they’ll be swarming ashore with murder in their eyes. We’ve got to get to the plane.”
“Will you go along?” asked Pant, pausing to address the Professor.
“I thank you,” said the Professor. “I don’t blame you for seeking safety. As for myself, I shall stay here until I have succeeded in proving certain conclusions I have come to, or else have disproved them.”
The boys rushed on down to the beach, then pushing the canvas boat off, rowed rapidly toward the “Dust Eater.”
“I am afraid,” said Pant, “that our professor friend doesn’t understand us very well.”
“And I fear I don’t understand this move very well, myself.”
“You will shortly.” They had arrived at the seaplane. “You take the wheel; I’ll stay in the cabin.”