"Because if we have to stay here after dark--well, I don't want to
do it if I can help it," finished the hunter.
Neither did the young inventor, and he redoubled his efforts to make
the repairs. It was getting dark when the last belt was in place,
and it was high time, too, for the natives were getting bolder,
creeping up through the forest to within shooting distance with
their arrows and spears.
"There!" cried Tom at length. "Now we'll see if she works!" Once
more he pulled the starting lever, and this time there was the
welcome hiss of the gas.
"Hurrah!" cried Ned.
The young inventor turned the machine on at full power. In a few
minutes the Black Hawk trembled through her length.
"She's going up! Bless my balloon basket! She's going up!" cried Mr.
Damon.
The natives must have suspected that something unusual was going on,
for they made a sudden rush, yelling and beating their drums. Mr.
Durban and the others hurried out on deck and fired at them, but
there vas little more need. With a bound the airship left the earth,
being rapidly carried up by the gas. The blacks sent a final shower
of spears after her, but only one was effective, slightly wounding
the German.
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