Jack, seeing how successful his comrade was, attacked the three giants who were striving to make him a captive. He succeeded in disposing of them, knocking one down so hard that the man was unable to rise until his companions helped him. “That’s the way!” cried Washington. “They’re soft as snow men!” The vanquished giants set up a sort of roar, which was answered by their fellows, and soon there was a terrible din. “All get together!” called the professor. “They are evidently going to make a rush for us. If we stand by one another we may fight them off, though they outnumber us a hundred to one. Besides it will soon be dark, and we may be able to escape!” Washington, Jack and Mark retreated toward the ship, in the direction of which the others had also made their way. The big men had gathered in a compact mass and were advancing on the adventurers. “What do you suppose makes them so soft?” asked Mark. “I believe I could manage half a dozen.” “It must be the effect of the climate and conditions here,” the professor replied. “Probably they have to be big to stand the pressure of the thick water, and the increased attraction of gravitation. Then too, being without the weight of the atmosphere to which we are accustomed, they have probably expanded. If they were to go up to earth, they might shrink to our size.” “Do you think that possible?” “Of course. Why do you ask?” “Nothing in particular,” replied Mark. But to himself, he added: “That would explain it all.” It was getting dusk now. The travelers had reached their ship, and rushed inside and tried to close the doors in the face of the advancing horde. But, by this time the giants were so close that one or two of them thrust their big feet in, and prevented this movement. At the same time they set up a great howling. “Quick!” cried the professor. “We must start the ship and get away!” “I can’t close the door!” yelled Washington, who had been the last to enter. “Never mind that! _Go_ up with it open! Drag them along if they won’t let go!” answered Mr. Henderson, as he ran toward the engine room. There was a sudden rush among the giants, and a sound as if something was being thrown over the top and ends of the ship. Mark turned the gas machine on, while Jack worked the negative gravity apparatus. They waited for the ship to rise. “Why don’t we go up?” asked the professor. “'Cause they’ve caught us!” called out Washington. “Caught us? How?” “They’ve thrown ropes over the top and ends of the ship, and fastened them to their big houses!” Running to a side window the professor saw that the _Mermaid_ was fastened down by a score of cables, each one six inches thick. They were held captives by the enemy. CHAPTER XXVII A FRIEND INDEED