Now, however, they had recovered their senses and were doing all in their power to render the escape of their late prisoners an impossibility. Luckily, however, they did not have enough sense to fire at the balloon bag, or their endeavors might have been crowned with success. Instead, they aimed at the occupants of the suspended car, and what with bad marksmanship and excitement failed to hit any of them. True, a few bullets pinged against the suspension wires and struck the sides of the car; but none punctured the tank, as the boys feared might be the case, or caused any serious injury. A breeze springing up presently wafted the overladen airship into an upper air current, and before long she was rising merrily. More gas had been turned into the bag, increasing its buoyancy, and by the time the dawn began to show grayly the adventurers were far from the scene of their fearfully narrow escape. Behind them, however, they could see, as the light grew stronger, a pillar of dark smoke soaring heavenward and marking the site of what had almost proved their funeral pyre. What with the coming of daylight and the feeling that they had been saved from their greatest peril, the adventurers’ spirits rose wonderfully as they sailed along. Even the crazed sailor showed symptoms of returning sanity, and, as Professor Chadwick expected, his mental disengagement soon passed away. Oddly enough, though, he could never recall the events of that night. They had been wiped from his recollection as an old sum is washed off a slate. Jupe got out canned goods and made a fairly good breakfast, while they were in mid-air. To some of the party it was the most novel meal they had ever eaten. But neither their recent hardships nor unusual surroundings impaired their appetites. All ate ravenously and felt much better after the meal, which included hot coffee cooked on an electric radiator. This radiator was connected with the dynamo that filled the storage batteries and provided engine ignition and light. During the meal, Tom told them how he and Ned and Jupe had waited beside the Flying Road Racer after the departure of Tom and Captain Andrews on their scouting expedition. For some time they stood their ground patiently enough, and occupied their time, according to instructions, by reinflating the bag. This done, there was nothing to do but await the progress of events. Of the search in the jungle they knew nothing. But the sound of shots from the direction of the plantation had first roused their fears that something was wrong. Then they had perceived the red glare of the fire on the night sky. Certain then that something serious was wrong, Tom took it upon himself to get up the anchors and fly to the rescue. Little did he imagine, however, he confessed, what dire straits his friends were in. “We owe you a great debt of gratitude, you and Ned Bangs, for your prompt and brave action,” warmly declared Professor Chadwick.