"
Both Ned and Alan went below, and with the engine shut down to half
speed the Cibola was turned on her course in a wide sweep. Bob
alone watched with anxious eyes, until he was joined in a short time
by Ned. There was no sound but the soft chug-chug of the engine,
and for some time neither spoke. The breeze of the early evening
had died and there was not a breath of air. Alan in the dark cabin
below held the wheel and Ned and Bob alone, hanging over the side
net, watched and listened in vain.
CHAPTER XX
FIGHTING INDIANS WITH A SEARCHLIGHT
"Stop her!" It was Ned's voice in quick command. The young
aeronaut, peering over the side of the car of the Cibola into the
black night, had suddenly seen something that prompted the order.
It was a distant flash of light. This was followed by an echoing
explosion. The other boys heard the explosion and all instantly
knew that it was a shot from a firearm. Almost before Alan could
shut off the power Ned had disappeared into the cabin to help head
the balloon in the direction of the spurt of fire. The Cibola
slackened speed and they waited, drifting slowly toward the east.
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