e letting hand drop to belt where a revolver was habitually carried, but which was lacking

and Waldo, almost in the same breath, as t

glow of yonder camp-fire he fumbled inside the magic lock

sten for-

e been an echo of that first wild screech, only loud

from shrinking and shuddering, so hideously that cry sounde

A panther or mountain lion, I dare say, scenting the

h, uncle Phaeton?" ventured Wa

oungsters would have done under like circumstances, the brothers grasped t

r terrors; and knowing now that prowling beasts surely were drawing nigh the camp-fire, the flying machine wa

heir eyes roved restlessly around, striving to sight th

ing a low hiss of warning to his nephews, that same sound serving to check further progress

fraction of an instant later followed a sharp explosion, th

words were barely across his lips when, with a vicious snarl, a furry shape came flying through the ai

confused scramble, out of which the brothers singled their enemy, Waldo opening fire with

gain, fairly in front of the enraged brute; but ere worse came, Waldo and Bruno were to the rescue, one firing as

hen the gaunt and muscular brute stretched its length

if they loved him; at which Waldo laughed outright, although never had he felt a wa

ow's it with you,

hasty account of stock. "No fault of his, though!" giving that carcass a kick as he spoke. "My gracious! I caught

eclared Waldo, stooping far enough to lift one of those armed pa

e was neither sound nor sign of further danger from like source, one and all satisfied th

fair show," gravely uttered the professor. "Only for your promp

please remember, uncle. And even so,

, who was constitutionally averse to aught which savoured o

rch around his head until it burst into clear flame, then lowering it closer to a

ents of skin and a few splinters of bone alone remaining

then patted the compact little rifle with which he had wrought such extraordinary

neat little contrivance I could fairly well hold

ely added Bruno, while

had only lived in the good old days! I wish-and yet I don't, either! Of course,

n in fairyland romance, my dear son," earnestly spoke the professor. "And when the astoun

m 'way up the crick'!" exploded the youngster, making a wry grimace

, in lowered tones. "He would not knowingly h

urely I am not one to

ds it impossible to realise all that has happened this afternoon, when one feels afraid to even make an effort

ghing up his pompadour and brushing his closely trimmed beard wit

id, turning back towards the flying-machine. "And, after all, what has happened to

gion, do yo

ay encompass,-yes," curtly spoke the man of hopes, stepping

towards whose destruction he had so liberally contributed

make a far from agreeable burden. And if what I fancy lies before us is to come true, the more lightly w

aeton is really in earnest abou

r know him to speak idly, or to be

uncle is all righ

hance have left a sting behind. And yet the worthy professor had no more enthusias

ere rested the aeromotor, finding the professor busily engaged in rigging up a series of fine

could turn in for all night, eh,

r than customary," dryly said Waldo, winking rapidly. "I believe there must have been a b

ply in words. And then, his arrangements perfected save for closing the circuit, whi

till further trouble in store, here in this unknown land. Better make sure of

fresh water from yonder stream, the two youngsters stepped within that charmed circle, permitting the

h blended inharmoniously with the ringing of nearer bells, all producing a nois

clared the professor, chucklingly, then sinking down and wrapping hims

goblin, do you rec

intrude, yes. Go to sl

scle enough to make even the thought of slumber agreeable; but their recent experience had been so thrilling, so nerve-stra

complete, and after that neither Bruno nor Waldo stirred hand or foot until, well after th

! A new day, and plen