CHAPTER VIII
SURROUNDED BY EAGLES
There was a sudden tremor all over the airship as Washington, in the engine room, in obedience to the signals, turned off the power. Then sounded a hiss as the captain let some gas from the bag. The ship began to sink toward the earth.
The black cloud that the professor had been gazing at came nearer. It grew larger and seemed to be made up of a number of small moving objects.
"Quick, Andy!" cried the old inventor. "We shall need your services now!"
"What's the matter?" exclaimed the old hunter, as he hurried forward with his gun in readiness.
"Eagles!" cried Amos Henderson.
"Eagles?"
"Yes! A whole flock of them. Just ahead! See that dark cloud! They are coming this way! They think the ship is a rival bird and they will attack it. Strong as the Monarch is, the silk in the gas bag is frail. If the birds tear that we will fall to the earth and be killed! Use your gun! See if you can drive them off!"
Andy kneeled down on the forward part of the ship. He aimed at the black mass, in which scores and scores of birds could now be seen. Then his gun sent out fire and lead.