Then came an interruption that struck both parties with fear and dismay.
From the gulf rose a huge, bat-like thing which swept down upon them with a whirling, sucking mumble.
"De haunts," shrieked Chris, and fled as fast as his shaking legs would carry him.
CHAPTER XXXV.
AND THE LAST.
The others were hardly less frightened than the little darkey. The Greeks fell to their knees and mumbled prayers, while the fishermen stood white-faced and panic-stricken. Even the party with the rifles in their hands felt a thrill of fear as the gruesome object swept down on them. Suddenly the whirling sound ceased and the creature of the night glided down to the ground before them.
"A hydroplane," cried Walter, with a sigh of relief, fervently echoed by his companions.
From the air-ship stepped out three men, two of whom they recognized with a thrill of joy. They were Sheriff Daley and his deputy. The third man was a stranger to them.
The three approached the panic-stricken group of smugglers with drawn revolvers.