Frank Reade Library, No. 15 — page 11: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

FRANK READE JR.'S ELECTRIC AIR CANOR. 9 | Fomp broaght the hatchet mercilessly down upon their f Frank's fears were verified at once, and a thrill of horror selsed ek d weat down him. Wits: a ebri two monsters relaxed their hold an Hike rockets to the earth. All rashed to the rail to see the result. They struck the earth in a heap and lay there. It was safe enough to assume that they bad been instantly killed. Barney now checked the upward flight of the air-ship. The Air Canoe uow hung over the Valley of Diamonds motionless. They were fally a thousand feet from the earth. What was to be done? There wasa lexed look in Frank Reade, Jr.'s eyes. “ Begorra, I’m thinkin’ they'll be afther havin’ a hot reception fer us if we go down there agin.” averred Barney. The gorillas could be seen far below, stalking about and apparent- ly in an excited state. Surely it would not do to alight in that spot in. And at this moment Frank Reade, Jr., detected a startling sight at the other end of the valley. Seemingly elevated full two hundred feet abuve the level of the val- Jey he saw a vast body of water. Tt was a broad lake, and the stream which coursed through the dia- mond valley seemed to be the overflow. This was a matter of only transient interest, however. : Upon the shore of the lake there was a vast collection of native ute. Indeed, it was the largest native settlement yet encountered, and weil merited the name of city. There were fally two thousand of the thatched huts. The natives themselves could be seen lounging about or engaged in various occupations. Frank was much surprised at this evidence of human life in the midet of sach a fearful wild region. He, however, was iuclined to make the acquaintance of these Datives. It occurred to him that he could make them of good service to him. Bat a serious question arose, Were they friendly? This could only be determined by making a test. Frank, therefore, decided to descend and make a parley. ‘* Bejabers, how do we know but they're gorillas loike the othere?” cried Barney. ** Nonsense!” exclaimed Frank. ‘‘Go ahead the necessary distance and then lower the ship.” ‘¢ A’right, sor.” Barney was never the one to disobey. The Air Canoe was propelled forward the necessary distance and then suffered to descend. Down it settled, and now the natives In the village saw it. TLe effect was tirilling. The greatest excitement seemed to take possession of them. tant’ could be seen rusbing hither and thither in the wildest of con- 00, be appearance of tke air-ship to them must bave had a superstitious meaning. as rra, we've scared the loife out av thim already!” cried Bar- ney. Frank appeared at the rail and held up his hands as a token of am- ity to the astonished and terrified natives. The air-ship settled down upon a clear spot, and within a few yards of the village. Frank did not fear attack, for he rightly counted upon the terror of the savages for proteciion. The natives retreated to the cover of their buts, and for a time seem- ed afraid to come out. Theo by degrees their courage and confidence returned. Frank ventured to descend from the Air Canoe’s derk and went boldly among the buts. He carried in his bunds presents of various trinkets which he threw in at the bat doors. In this way he succeeded in gaining bis ends. The natives, seeing that be was, after all, a humap belong, flesh and et like themselves, gradually regained their coniidence and came for Niece they seemed to make a friendly acquaintance with the ex- orers. P Yet Frank could not say that he was favorably impressed with m. They were giants in stature, with features of a repulsive type. Their foreheads showed intellect of the lowest type, and Cheir enaky, black eyes seemed to indicate a marderous temperament. At least this was the impression received by the young inventor. Succeeding events proved it to be wholly correct also. Frank learned by sign talk that the savages regarded the Valley of Diamonds as a sacred valley. They stood in deadly terror of the pythons and the gorillas. Bat it seemed that these never ventured upon the upper land, which ‘Was @ most re assoring statement. Frank also learned by sign talk that they were not the first white men who had visited the piace. The chief of the tribe led him to a row of tall stakes upon the top of each one of which there was a skall. «ne it was the skull of a Caucasian, and there were fourteen 1m. These natives were the very tribe of whom be bad been tokd who ag. Saeed the previous visitors, only one escaping to tell the CHAPTER X. TREACHERY OF THE NATIVES. Tus effect of this discovery upon the young ioventor may well be penpnet. H ae inclination was to turn about and visit vengeance upon the assansins. This he could easily have done with his dynamite gun. But apon second thought he refrained from so dolng. And then he committed a breach of judgment. Thinking to impress the wretches with the power of hie invent‘on, he took four of the rascals aboard tbe air-sbip. It was a great mistake. Their keen eyes and shrewd natures took in ev ng. The electric current, which Frank exbibied to them, was in thelr estimation but a trick. They considered the voyagers as no more than they were themeelves —haman belpge—and the cupidity of the savage was aroused at once. Right then and there the determination seized them to take poa- session of the Alr Canoe. Frank never committed a greater breach of discretion in his life. He saw it when too late. ne iret and natural trick of the desigcing savages was to profess endship. They came around the air-ship in a friendly manner, and Burney and Pomp bartered articles with them for small diamonds which the natives declared came from the sacred valley. 3 Of courso our adventurers were only too glad of the opportunity to procare the precious stoner #0 cheaply. But they did not dream of the crash eo near at hand. For two days the voy remained at the native village. en Frank began to think of paying a visit again to the diamond ey. . The chief assured him that the diamonds were to be procured no- where else. Then he took Frank to the outlet of the lake. Here a startling sight was reveal sd. A long natural flume led down {ato the valley. At its apper end, what seemed like a precarious collection, served alone to hold back the waters of the lake. The chief grinned when Frank remarked this. The savages seemed eager enough to engage in the pursuit of dia- mond bunting at this apper end of the valley. The other end was where the gorillas were to be encountered, and nothing would induce them to go there. Frank considered this all natural enough, and did not demur. Arrangements were made to np work the next day. Early the next morning Frank saw the chief and a dozen of the na- tives approaching. They came boidly onto the air-ship’s deck. Frank was surprised at this action. Barney was in the cabin and) Pomp was on the forward deck. The chief made signs as if to epeuk with Frank. The young inventor drew near. Quick as a flash the chief made a sign to bis men, and they were upon Frank like buraan wolves. The young inventor was crushed to the deck instantly. In a flash of time he was a prisoner in the power of the natives. A sensation of horror swept over him. Too late he saw his folly. Pomp was overtaken the next moment by the natives. He was also overpowered. But Barney had seen the danger just in time and was quick to act. He darted into the cabin and closed the door velund hin. There was a bolt which he shot into place. The natives dashed their weight againet it, bat in vain. The windows were iron barred, and they could not enter that way. Barney was safe, ‘‘ Begorra, Misther Frank!” he cried, ‘‘phwativer qball Ido? If I come out to help ye, they’ll grab me too!” ‘Tarn the lever, Barney!” cried Frank, with quick thought. Swift as a flash Barney complied. It was certainly the best move under the circumstences. He turned the lever. With a great whic and rash the rotascopes began to revolve, and up shot the Air Canoe. Up like a dash, and in a twinkling the earth was a thousand feet ow. lon effect upon the natives was just what might have been ex- pected. The seneation was a new and startling one to them. They became seized with a panic, and rushed to the rail. Frank and Pomp were both left free and uninjured. Barney flung open the cabin door, and both rushed In. The natives meanwhile were cintching the rail with chattering teeth and wildest terror. ‘¢ Begorra, we fooled the spalpeens that toime!” cried Barney. ** You're right!” agreed Frank, ‘* vat it was a close call!” conniclooolxs (CO