A few minutes later Tom started his motors again, and his craft was in the air shortly before the other two hydroplanes took off. But by this time the Red Arrow was only a speck in the sky.
“Hope he won’t get too far ahead!” mused Ned.
“I’m not worrying,” declared Tom Swift.
Up and up soared the Air Monarch and when she was high enough Tom straightened her out and sent her ahead on an eastern course, steering over Spain, the Mediterranean Sea, the lower part of Italy, and, in turn, across Turkey.
It was when sailing rather low over a wooded section of this latter country that something happened which showed Tom how dangerous his trip might be.
He, with Ned, was leaning out of the window of the forward cabin looking down below and trying to figure out just where they were when Ned called:
“Look at the horsemen!”
Below them was a squad of Turks riding along and seemingly much excited by the airship over them. The motors, though muffled, were making too much noise for Tom and Ned to hear what the horsemen were shouting, but their actions were plainly discernible.
Suddenly some of them brought their guns around and aimed up at the airship.
“Look out!” cried Ned. “They’re going to shoot!”