“Yes. He was afraid some one would visit the roof as soon as the natives found that the airship had been taken away. So, while every one was on the water front, he intended to steal away and hide in the room that used to be your prison, at the back of the temple. He said no one would think of looking for him there, and he could get in through the windows and get out again when it grew dark.” I didn’t like that plan very well, and began to be worried about my friend. I found my strength returning rapidly and as soon as I could get about I began to examine the airship, to see if it was in proper order. Alfonso, his arm in a sling and his head well bandaged, sauntered up to me and said: “You fellows seem to have little respect for the property of others. See what trouble you’ve caused by stealing my _Antoinette_.” “You are right,” I admitted. “What will you take for the machine?” “I won’t sell it. It belongs to the revolution.” “Well, the revolution can’t use it just now, and I can,” I returned. “So if you won’t sell it I’ll borrow it.” “What are you going to do?” he inquired. “I’m going to look for Joe. Those Faytans are in an ugly temper just now, and they’ll make a quick end of him if they find him.” “Don’t be a fool, Sam,” cautioned Uncle Naboth. “Joe can take care of himself,” added my father. “I thought I could, too; but if Joe hadn’t tried to help me I’d be drowned by this time. Do you think I ought to desert a comrade, father?” He looked at me thoughtfully a moment. Then he muttered as he turned away: “Do as you like, Sam. You know best.” I turned to Alfonso. “How about the biplane?” I asked. “Can I borrow it, or must I steal it again?” “Take it and welcome,” he replied. “Joe’s a good fellow. I wish I could go after him myself.” Alfonso wasn’t half bad for a South American. He had his faults, but a lot of good qualities with them. “You can’t go just now,” warned Lucia, who had been listening to us with nervous attention. “Why not?” I asked. “Look!” She pointed to the sky, and for the first time I noticed that it was a leaden gray. The sun had not wholly disappeared, but was a half luminous ball glowing through murky clouds. “Another of them blamed storms is comin’,” remarked Uncle Naboth; “but we don’t have to shorten sail for ’em while we’re floatin’ on dry land.” “The other storm didn’t come that way, sir,” observed Ned Britton, gravely. We were silent now, for darkness fell upon us suddenly. It was almost as if a light had been extinguished at night. There wasn’t a breath of air stirring and the sea was like glass, but a queer moaning sound came to our ears and we could not discover what caused it. “Better get below, Lucia, and look after your mother,” said Alfonso. I could hear her move away obediently, but was unable to see any of the forms that stood around me. We waited for we knew not what, and the unseen but recognized danger filled us with awe.