He and Gerald had drawn their revolvers, and were looking to the hammers as they raced onwards, to make quite sure that they were in working order. Everything would depend upon making good practice with their first shots. ’You aim at one wing, Gerald,’ said Jack; ’I will aim at the fellow’s arm which carries the trident. Take it easy! Don’t run too fast; it will make your hand shake.’ They continued on their way for some distance farther. The pavilion was now not far off; so also, unfortunately, was the flying man with his trident. Jack gave a sign to Gerald, and they both turned and faced him. Alondra stopped too; and the others, although they did not exactly understand what was likely to happen, immediately halted, because they would not leave the three to their fate. As it happened, this was the best thing they could have done. The flying man interpreted their action as an abject surrender. He slackened speed and came on carelessly. Then two shots rang out. Jack’s aim was true; his bullet struck the man’s right arm, and the trident flew from the hand which had grasped it. Gerald’s first shot missed, but his second struck one wing and smashed the light framework. The wing drooped, and the flier fell heavily to the ground. *[Illustration: The wing drooped, and the flier fell heavily to the ground (missing from source book)]* ’Good! Good! Capital!’ Malto and Malandris cried out, in surprised wonder and delight at this turn of affairs, for neither of them understood anything about pistols. ’Now, run for it, my friends! We shall get there first yet!’ Jack called out. ’Let me have his trident, though,’ said Alondra, as he picked up the fallen man’s weapon. ’This may come in useful, you know.’ There was a great outcry behind them as the pursuers witnessed the discomfiture of the aeronaut. The crowd at once took up the chase in a manner which showed how confidently they had been counting upon his ability to capture the fugitives without their aid. As has been stated, the men in the dark-purple dresses were big, fine men, all of them. There was that in their aspect, too, which betokened a fierce nature, used to warfare. They quickly made it evident that they were good runners, and they started off now in earnest and came on swiftly. But they had lost whatever chance they might at first have had of overtaking those they were chasing, by trusting too confidently to the man with the wings. By the time they reached the base of the tower the fugitives had already dashed up the steps leading to the entrance, had opened and passed through some barred gates, fastened them behind them, and gained the shelter of the doorway. A minute or two afterwards they appeared upon a balcony, of which there were several running round the tower on the outside, one above the other, and complacently smiled down upon their baffled foes.