The laughter of the deranged professor rang out louder and wilder than ever. "Oi think we're in fer it, me b'y!" gasped Barney. "It looks like that," confessed Frank, as they barely cleared the crest of a mountain and went diving down into the unknown depths of a valley. "This confounded thing----" Snap!--something broke, and their swift descent was suddenly checked, but they continued to settle gently. "Ah!" breathed Frank, with relief. "If this keeps up, we'll come down all right." "But it's nivver a bit can we tell where we'll land, me laddybuck." "We'll have the satisfaction of getting on solid ground again, at least. I am yearning to feel it beneath my feet once more." It was not long before the _Eagle_ sank gently into the valley, settling to the ground as lightly as a bird. Out leaped the boys, ropes in their hands, and they quickly made the air ship fast. "Well, we are still living," said Frank. "It's mesilf thot belaves we've much to be thankful fer," declared Barney. "I wonder where we are, and how near we are to civilization. I am inclined to believe we cannot be far from the very region where the colony of Danites is said to be located." "Suffering cats!" gasped the Irish boy. "If thot is the case, how are we ivver goin' to get out av here?" "We'll have to trust to luck." "Oi'll nivver thrust mesilf to thot air ship again." "I do not care to do so, but we may have to do so whether we want to or not." "Well, we have enough to ate, an' some guns to protict oursilves with. Oi am fer ixplorin' th' country before we do anything ilse." "We can't do any exploring to-night." "But we can early in th' marnin'." So they provided themselves with two of the rifles, plenty of ammunition, and much of the provisions in the car. In the shelter of the valley the night was no longer cool, but was warm and pleasant. They found an overhanging shelf of rock where they could get close up under a bluff, and it made quite a satisfactory camp. For some time the boys lay and talked over their adventure, wondering if they would get out of the predicament all right. At last they became drowsy, and finally fell asleep. They slept soundly till morning. Frank was the first to awaken, and he shook Barney to rouse him. "Come, you bit of the Old Sod," called Frank. "Turn out and pay for your lodging." "Begobs! Oi fale loike th' bed had been shtuffed with bricks. Hurro! Oi must have fell out av bed in th' noight, an' dropped clane out av th' windy. It's a bit av a kink Oi have in th' small av me back." Barney sat up, making a wry face, and staring about in a bewildered way. "Phwat howtil is this, Oi dunno?" he cried. "Have Oi been slapin', or have Oi been in a thrance?" "We came here in a flying-machine, you will remember." "In a floying-machine? Oi thought Oi dramed it." "It was no dream." "Well, may Oi nivver live to see th' back av me neck!" It took some time for the Irish boy to recover from his amazement.