Followed by the boys he descended from the little platform in the tower, and to the door that opened on the deck.
“Shall we go out?” he asked.
“We can’t be much worse off,” replied Mark. “Let’s chance it.”
So, not without many misgivings, they slid back the portal and stepped out to face the strange and terrible being who had so suddenly come to their rescue.
The giant in the golden armor did not seem surprised to see them. In fact he acted as though he rather expected them. He continued to hold up one hand, with the palm, outward, while, with the other, he removed his helmet and bowed low. Then he cast his sword on the ground and advanced toward the ship. When within ten feet he sat down on the ground, and this brought his head nearer the earth, so that his auditors could both see and hear him to better advantage.
As soon as the giant saw the travelers were outside their ship he began to speak to them in a voice, which, though he might have meant it to be low and gentle, was like the bellowing of a bull. At the same time he made many gestures, pointing to the ship, to himself and to Mark.
“What is he saying, professor?” asked Jack.
“I can’t understand all he says,” Mr. Henderson replied. “He uses some words derived from the Latin and some from the Greek. But by piecing it out here and there, and by interpreting his motions I am able to get at something.”
“And what is it all about?”
“It is a strange story,” the scientist replied. “He has only gone about half way through it. Wait until he finishes and I will tell you.”