"They're waiting for us!" cried Ned. "I wonder why?" for the rascals had come to a halt, setting down the packs they carried on the trail. One of the things they had was undoubtedly Tom's camera.
"They probably want us to save their lives," said Tom. "They know they can't out-run this fire. They've given up! We have them now!"
"Are you going to save them?" asked Mr. Damon.
"Of course. I wouldn't let my worst enemy run the chances of danger in that terrible blaze. I'd save them even if they had smashed my camera. I'll go down, and get them, and take them back to the native village, but that's as far as I will carry them. They'll have to get away as best they can, after that."
It was the work of but a few minutes to lower the airship to the trail. Fortunately it widened a bit at this point, or Tom could never have gotten his craft down through the trees.
"Hand up that camera!" ordered our hero curtly, when he had stopped near the Englishmen.
"Yes, my dear chap," spoke the tall Britisher, "but will you oblige us, by taking us—"
"Hand up the camera first!" sharply ordered Tom again.
They passed it to him.
"I know we treated you beastly mean," went on Kenneth, "but, my dear chap—"