Then from without came a chorus of excited shouts.
“Whoa, there! Consarn ye all, what d’ ye mean by backin’ and fillin’ that a-way? Stand still, pesky mule critters that ye be! Ye wouldn’t pull this shebang when I wanted ye to, an’ now ye’re tryin’ t’ run away with it. Whoa!”
“Who’s there?” cried Mr. King.
“What is going on?” demanded Mr. Dale.
“Something has happened!” shouted Professor Leblance.
“That’s right!” agreed Dave, “and it’s going on now.”
“Someone is trying to make off with the airship,” added Hiram.
“Make off with the airship!” repeated the professor. “Can it be——”
He did not finish, but in a moment he had switched on a number of lights, including the two big ones outside the craft. Then, as they looked from the windows, they saw a strange sight.
An unkempt man, with a team of sorry-looking mules, had fastened a rope to the Albatross and was evidently trying to drag it away. He started back in alarm at the sudden illumination, and hastily began taking off the rope.