"Our answer is--yes," spoke Tom."We will not try to get out-- just yet," he added significantly.
A key was heard grating in the lock, and, a moment later, the door slid back.Through the opening could be seen La Foy and some of his men standing armed.Others had packages of food and jugs of water.A plentiful supply of the latter was carried aboard the Mars.
"Keep back from the door!" was the stern command of La Foy."The food and drink will be passed in only if you keep away from the entrance.Remember my men are armed!"The warning was hardly needed, for the weapons could plainly be seen.Tom had half a notion that perhaps a concerted rush would carry the dayfor him and his friends, but he was forced to abandon that idea.
While the guards looked on, others of the "pirate crew," as Ned dubbed them, passed in food and water.Then the door was locked again.
They all felt better after drinking the water, which was made cool by evaporation, for the airship was quite high above the earth when Tom's enemies captured it, and the young inventor felt sure it had not descended any.
No one felt much like eating, however, so the food was put away for a time.And then, somewhat refreshed, they began looking about for some means of getting out of their prison.
"Of course we might batter down the door, in time, by using some of these boxes as rams," said Tom."But the trouble is, that would make a noise, and they could stand outside and drive us back with guns and pistols, of which they seem to have plenty.""Yes, and they could turn some of your own quick-firers on us," added Captain Warner."No, we must work quietly, I think, and take them unawares, as they took us.That is our only plan.""We will be better able to see what we have here by daylight," Tom said."Suppose we wait until morning?"That plan was deemed best, and preparations made for spending the night in their prison.
It was a most uncomfortable night for all of them.The floor was their only bed, and their only covering some empty bags that had contained supplies.But even under these circumstances they managed to doze off fitfully.
Once they were all awakened by a violent plunging of the airship.The craft seemed to be trying to stand on her head, and then she rocked violently from side to side, nearly turning turtle."What is it?" gasped Ned, who was lying next to Tom.
"They must be trying some violent stunts," replied the young inventor, "or else we have run into a storm.""I think the latter is the case," observed Lieutenant Marbury.
And, as the motion of the craft kept up, though less violently, this was accepted as the explanation.Through the night the Mars flew, but whitherthe captives knew not.
The first gray streaks of dawn finally shone through the only window of their prison.Sore, lame and stiff, wearied in body and disturbed in mind, the captives awoke.Tom's first move was toward the window.It was high up, but, by standing on a box, he could look through it.He uttered an exclamation.
"What is it?" asked Ned, swaying to and fro from the violent motion ef the aerial warship.
"We are away out over the sea," spoke Tom, "and in the midst of a bad storm."
