human
Where are they coming from?
gpt
From the surrounding tribes, explained Mr. Durban.
human
They have been summoned to do battle against us.
gpt
But how did the ones we fought get word to the others so soon?
human
Oh, they have ways of signaling, explained Mr. Anderson.
gpt
They can make the notes of some of their hollow-tree drums carry a long distance, and then they are very swift runners, and can penetrate into the jungle along paths that a white man would hardly see. They also use the smoke column as a signal, as our own American Indians used to do. Oh, they can summon all their tribesmen to the fight, and they probably will. Likely the sound of our guns attracted the imps, though if we all had electric rifles like Tom's they wouldn't make any noise.
human
Well, my rifle didn't appear to do so very much good this time, observed the young inventor, as he stopped the forward motion of the ship now, and let it hover over the plain in sight of the village, the gas bag serving to sustain the craft, and there was little wind to cause it to drift.
gpt
Those fellows didn't seem to mind being hurt and killed any more than if mosquitoes were biting them.
human
The trouble is we need a whole army, armed with electric rifles to make a successful attack, said Mr. Durban.
gpt
There are swarms of them there now, and more coming every minute. I do hope Mr. and Mrs. Illingway are alive yet.
human
Yes, added Mr. Anderson solemnly,
gpt
Bless my thinking cap! exclaimed Mr. Damon.
human
It seems to me if we can't fight them openly in the daytime, there's only one other thing to do.
gpt
What's that? asked Tom.
human
Go away? I'll not do it!
gpt
No, not go away, exclaimed Mr. Damon,
human
I say it's the very thing! declared Tom, with sudden enthusiasm.
gpt
We'll attack them to-night, when they're off their guard, and we'll see if we can't get the missionaries out of that hut. And to better fool the savages, we'll just disappear now, and make 'em believe we've flown away.
human
Then the missionaries will think we're deserting them,