A MYSTERIOUS FRIEND
In an instant of time the whole complexion of affairs had changed. The
young aviator and his two companions crouched, staring at the scene
before them, which now seemed the stage setting to some intense drama.
“Hello!” gasped the excitable Hiram.
“What does that mean?” echoed Mr. King, in a truly astonished way.
Dave was quite as fully amazed and puzzled. Suddenly and unexpectedly a
form had sprung into view just beyond one of the floats of the
_Albatross_. It was that of a lithe person, young and energetic. To all
appearance he was a negro, for hands and face at that distance were of
seeming ebony hue.
This extraordinary person, a stranger to all who looked upon him, held
leveled a short but heavy rifle. At once the watchers from the
underbrush recognized it as one of several weapons provided for the
arsenal of the giant airship before the _Albatross_ had left Croydon.
“It’s the magazine rifle Mr. Dale showed us!” exclaimed Hiram. “Who’s
the fellow holding it, and how did he get it?”
“Who is he, indeed?” murmured the airman, staring hard at the person who
had so startlingly pronounced that mandatory word—“Halt!”
The outlaw leader had come to a dead stop. He dropped the arm of the
professor, who took in this last strange incident of the moment in a
very bewildered way.
“Stand still or I will fire,” rang out now in clear, vibrant tones.
Those of the band guarding the rest of the crew of the _Albatross_ stood
mute and staring, taken aback by the determined and threatening attitude
of the person near the balloon.
“If one of your men so much as raises a weapon, I will shoot,” came
floating distinctly on the still mountain air. “I hold a magazine rifle
in my hand loaded for one hundred rounds, that will shoot eighty times
in a minute. Order your men to put down their guns.”
The outlaw leader hesitated. Bang! ten times in incredibly rapid
succession at a light pressure the formidable magazine rifle rang out,
aimed, however, at the boughs of a nearby tree, some of the leaves of
which fell in scraps and ribbands under the destructive effect of the
powerful fusillade.
“One, two, three—I can pick them off before they can raise a trigger!”
shouted the sable champion of the airship crew. “I’ll do it, too, if
that order is not given double-quick.”
The outlaw leader quailed. Then he turned and made a sign to his men.
The last one of them placed his gun on the ground.
“March,” came the inflexible order. “Down that path to the left, so we
can keep you in view. You will find your weapons safe when you return
and we are gone. Go!”
The menace of the powerful magazine rifle cowed the outlaw gang. The
breathless spectators from the brush saw them join their leader unarmed,
take the path as directed, and file away from the plateau.
The person who had so marvellously accomplished all this never lowered
his weapon. Still holding it ready for instant use, he walked over to
where a ledge of rocks rose like a sentinel tower above the level of the
plateau. There posting himself, he held the discomfited retreating foe
in constant sight. He swung his hand towards the stupefied crew of the
airship. He spoke some order or suggestion to them that Dave did not
overhear. The party, however, at once possessed themselves of some of
the abandoned rifles of the outlaws and stood ready for attack and
defence.
Mr. King arose and hurried over to where Professor Leblance stood, and
Dave and Hiram followed him.
“Professor!” cried the airman. “Here are some strange happenings. Who is
that person—not one of the crew?”
“I never saw him before,” replied the dazed Frenchman. “He has saved
us.”
“And the _Albatross_. We have the quicksilver. This is a dangerous
ruffian-infested district. Let us leave as soon as possible.”
“Yes, yes,” said the Frenchman, in a hurried tone. “After what has
happened we cannot be too quickly nor fast on our way.”
The animated engineer of the _Albatross_ bustled about into immediate
action. He ordered two of his men to join their rescuer on the rocks.
All the others were impressed into service in assisting to get the giant
airship ready for a new and longer flight.
It did not take fifteen minutes to accomplish this. One by one Professor
Leblance told off his expert assistants to their duties. Dave and Hiram
had been kept busy, but more than once the young aviator had glanced in
the direction of the heroic figure on the rocks.
He saw the Frenchman say some quick words to Mr. King, and the latter
then approach the stranger. Some conversation took place between them.
As a signal for starting was sounded from the engine room, Mr. King
turned towards the airship. He was accompanied by the person with the
magazine rifle.
All hands got quickly aboard. When the young aviator reached the cabin
he found their mysterious friend seated in a shaded corner of the place.
Then the activity and excitement of the ascent engrossed all minds.
The magnificent _Albatross_ arose in the air like a bird. It attained a
high altitude. All the recent troubles of its crew faded away like light
feather down.
Mr. King came into the cabin inside of half an hour, quickly followed by
Professor Leblance. Both looked intensely curious. The _Albatross_
safely started on a steady course, they had evidently hastened to
explore the mystery of the strange friend who had aided them in their
sorest need.
The airman approached the silent, timid-appearing figure in the corner
of the cabin. He extended his hand warmly, grasping that of the
shrinking stranger.
“My friend,” he said, “come up to the table. We want to have a talk with
you. You asked to be taken aboard, and said you would then explain your
being here.”
The stranger somewhat reluctantly took a chair at the cabin table. For
all his recent heroic attitude, he acted rather embarrassed and
frightened now.
He looked down. Then he trembled visibly. And then he made the
remarkable statement:
“I am a stowaway.”