Part 24 (1/2)

REGAINING THE s.h.i.+P

At first the others did not know what he meant. Andy seemed much excited, and for a time the professor thought the heat and worry might have affected the hunter's mind.

”We'll show 'em a thing or two!” cried Andy. ”I once scared a lot of Indians this way so they didn't know whether they were on their head or their feet. Hurrah!”

”What are you talking about?” asked Mr. Henderson. ”Hadn't you better sit down and rest a bit?”

”I'm all right,” replied Andy. ”I'm talking about those sky rockets.

They'll be better than bullets. You see,” he went on, ”after it gets dark we'll shoot the rockets over the s.h.i.+p. The savages will think they are in the midst of a lot of falling stars, and if they don't take to their boats and leave us the s.h.i.+p I'll miss my guess, that's all.”

”Good!” exclaimed the inventor. ”We'll try it.”

The rockets were taken out and examined. They were big affairs of several pound weight and were intended for far-off signalling at sea.

Andy, with the aid of the boys, Tom and Bill, soon constructed a rough sort of support from which to set off the fire-works. As soon as it grew dark, which it did about seven o'clock, preparations were made to try the experiment.

With a whizz and roar the first rocket went sailing skyward. Up through the black night it went, trailing behind it a shower of fire and sparks.

Then, with a loud report like that of a gun it burst directly over the s.h.i.+p and a rain of brilliantly colored globes of flame descended.

”Shot number one!” cried Andy, who was setting off the rockets.

For a few seconds after the first flight there came no sound from the natives at the s.h.i.+p. Then, just as the second rocket was set off there issued a long-drawn howl, which was succeeded by cries of fear.

”We've waked 'em up!” shouted Jack.

In rapid succession several more rockets were sent over the _Porpoise_.

By the light of them could be seen a ma.s.s of natives crowded out on the small deck, while others were in their canoes.

”I think I'll try it a little lower this time,” remarked Andy. ”Maybe I can hit some of 'em!”

He slanted the support closer to the ground and set off two rockets at once. Straight across the sandy beach they flew, directly toward the crowd of natives on the s.h.i.+p. Right into the midst of the savages the trailing comet of fire shot, with a hiss, roar and sputter that was enough to strike terror into the bravest heart.

There was a long piercing howl of fear. Then, as the natives felt the hot sparks scatter over their half-naked bodies, they broke into a wild stampede. Over the side of the s.h.i.+p they plunged, into the sea, and swam off. Those in boats paddled quickly away.

For good measure Andy sent another rocket into the midst of the fleeing ones, and this served to quicken their departure. By the light of the last one it could be seen that the s.h.i.+p was deserted, though the water all about her was black with the swimming savages, and the canoes.

”I guess they won't come back in a hurry!” cried Andy. ”Come on! We'll board the s.h.i.+p now, and get the electric guns to ward off any further attacks!”

”That's the talk!” cried Mark.

Toward the _Porpoise_ all started on a run. As they neared her they found that the rising tide had floated her.

”We must see if the natives damaged her,” spoke Mr. Henderson as soon as he set foot on deck. ”If they have it will be a hard matter to make repairs so far from civilization.”

A hasty examination, however, showed that the savages had disturbed little. The engine was soon set in motion, and, in ten minutes the s.h.i.+p was steaming away from the coast, headed toward the south, the goal they were so eagerly seeking.

As soon as they were well out to sea, and all sight of the canoes of the savages had been lost, supper was served, and all brought good appet.i.tes to the table. For, though the improvised meals on sh.o.r.e had tasted good, there had not been much to them.

For several days the _Porpoise_ was kept on her course, sailing along under the water by day, and upon the surface at night. It was one pleasant afternoon, while Nellie, Jack and Mark were sitting out on the deck, during one of the times when the boat had risen to the surface to renew the air supply, that a strange commotion was observed off their lee. The ocean seemed to be boiling.