“Now you know!” she sobbed. “Whatever happens, you know! I could not leave you so, without——”
“God bless and keep you, my own!” said Dick, thrusting her from him into his brother’s grasp. “Quick, Ev! It’s coming!”
With another metallic cry, the pteranodon increased its speed in a wide, dropping curve. Instantly Dick became the man of action again.
“Professor, I want you with your pistol on the right. Ev, stand by the gully and guard the girls. Johnston, take the left; don’t fire until it is close. Fire for the head.”
“For the wing-joint where it meets the body, if you will allow me,” amended the scientist, putting away his notes carefully in his pocket.
“Thank you. For the wing-joint,” said Dick coolly. “If it strikes, throw yourselves on the ground, all of you. Look out for the beak. Whalley, give me your knife.”
“I keep eet,” returned the little juggler. He had regained his courage now, and with an intelligent eye had stationed himself on a hummock above the depression whither Everard had guarded the two women. “What can you do wiz eet? But me, I show you! Now come ze death-bird!”
“That’s all right then,” said Dick approvingly. “Remember, Whalley, whatever happens, you are to save the ladies.”
Throwing off his coat, he swung the heavy net-butt in the air, and stationed himself.
“If it tackles me first,” thought he, “the pistol shots may do the business, while I check it.”