The three women of the party were placed in the middle, with the men grouped around them. Jerry and Ned were in the lead, while Nestor, with Professor Snodgrass, and one of the younger men of the prisoners, brought up the rear.
Suddenly there was a hissing sound in the air, and something seemed to fly over the heads of the escaping ones.
“Arrows!” exclaimed Mr. Deering. “They are shooting arrows at us. Few of the Indians have guns, but those few may use them.”
His fear proved correct a little later, when the darkness of the night was cut by slivers of flame, and bullets sang over the heads of our friends, and those they were trying to save.
“If they don’t shoot any better than that we have little to fear,” said Jerry.
“Wow!” exclaimed Ned, ducking as something sang over his head. “That was closer. I’m going to fire, Jerry!”
As he spoke he leveled his revolver at the black mass of pursuing Indians, and fired. Jerry did the same. It was the only thing to do to save their lives and protect the prisoners. Jim Nestor now opened fire, and the professor, anxious to protect the flying lizard he had so unexpectedly secured, plucked up courage to use the extra revolver, which the miner had thrust into his hand. Jerry, Ned and Nestor each had two, fully loaded.
The fight was now on in earnest, the Indians battling desperately, for they wanted to keep their prisoners, punish those who had dared interrupt the sacred rites, and they wanted to secure the flying lizard. With howls and yells they came on, now sending a flight of arrows and again using their guns. Fortunately none of our friends were hurt, but occasional cries of pain from the Indians told that some had been struck. The battle went on in the rain and darkness, the four rescuers seeking to get the prisoners to the airship. On they rushed, firing and being fired upon. The ceremonial lights were less frequent now, and the fugitives were better protected by darkness.
“Aren’t we near the airship?” panted the professor, as he fired the last shot in his revolver. None of the bullets could have found a mark, as he aimed the weapon high in the air.
“We’re almost there,” answered Jerry. “Are they coming any nearer, Jim?”
“They’re pressing us close,” replied the miner.