The Transient Lake

rom the moment he had first seen Dooley on the

really was, was keen enough t

f, and he did not believe that the captai

er for a moment after this virt

elongs to me. You shall have a fa

that gold you'll see, I can tell you. It belongs t

u w

es

e a sco

me are a dozen faithful fellows who will do

as now

menacing

l!" he gritted. "I'v

way, I am inclined to believe that you are a dangerou

whistle. The resu

nded. Dooley made a quick sign, a

that moment that

inly meant him harm. The

"I'll keelhaul every mother's son of y

elled Dooley. "

ws, which were like the kick of a horse.

was over

uriously. But the odds were too

was e

to have any living man stan

red. Then the v

. First, I want to learn whethe

errogated h

aid, sternly; "how many companio

self," said Beere, firmly. "I

lips. He took a step toward th

mouth. Before I've done with yo

d, though the situation was a serious

is footprints backward along the beach. When they had reac

onishing spec

ectre to see three men aboard her, one of them

Dooley to deci

aid; "how in the world it got away up th

Spectre was an air-ship. He had fa

upon and the capture of the air-ship

had been attending to the routine

ptain's prolonged absence was n

has happened to Beere?

cried Barney. "Phwere d

long dat shore early dis

aid Frank. "We had better set out

ed up his rifle and flu

ney, hastening to join him.

l be back as soon as possible. Reme

at, sah," affirmed Po

walked on until they came upon Nicodemus's trac

re other

azement, "what does this mean? The captain has f

lt was that, after two miles of patient tramping, they ca

wiser and kep

astonished to see Nicodemus tied to a palm tree. A rascally-look

enture forth upon some daring errand

pture of Nicodemus showed that. Was it

ty retreat and give them a hot receptio

demus and saw that

" he reflected; "he can easil

to crouch low in the bus

not long

, set forth to capture the air-ship. This left

of mind. Just as despair was getting a firm gri

ot travel beyond his ears.

isper cam

uraged-we are he

d the captain.

es

ry Dooley, one of my ship's crew, who has come b

d the tree. He skilfully

kin' at all jest slip into the bushes and cum wid us.

arney," agree

d the suggestion. In the undergr

e palms. They had made several hundred yards before a l

ame pu

eep out of the way. And right

the fugitives next dashed into a copse near. H

But the fate of the air-ship no

epel the attack? But the question was the ne

attle of fire

tack," cried Frank. "N

ur," cried Barney. "Shure, h

more rapid and clear. It was plain tha

of the air-ship would seem certain unless the darky should e

eparing to charge upon him,

. His companions in hiding below sud

"Pomp was on his guard.

ise to Jerry Dooley

fther seeing us," cried Barney. "It's

," said Frank. "Supp

ttery and a steel tube with a pneumatic chamber. H

the air shot a small ball of fire. Up it wen

k, explanatively. "I don't see

ith exultation. "See, shure he

pidly to the spot where the trio stood.

ped not fifty feet from the ground. Then the

to fin' yo'!" he cried w

ype="