CHAPTER XXIII
A SURPRISE IN THE NIGHT
Tom and his friends could scarcely believe their good fortune. Itseemed incredible that they should have induced two of the biggestgiants to accompany them back, and, not only that, but that they hadthe promise of the strong men to aid them.
"Now we must get busy," declared Tom, when their visitors had gone."We've got lots of work to do on the aeroplane, and we must try outthe engine. Then we've got to fix the side of the hut so it willfall out when we're ready for it. And we've got to plan how to meetthe giants later in the forest."
"Yes," agreed the circus man, "and we must take care that Hank Delbydoesn't spoil our plans."
Then ensued busy days. In the seclusion of their hut the prisonerscould work undisturbed at the aeroplane, which had been almostassembled.
The engine was installed and tried, and, when the motor began itsthundering explosions, there was consternation among the giants, whohad again surrounded the hut to see that the prisoners did notescape.
Meanwhile Delby seemed to be unusually active. He could be observedgoing in and out from his hut to that of the king, and he oftencarried large bundles.
"He's making himself solid with his royal highness," declared Tom."Well, if all goes right, we won't have to worry much longer aboutwhat he does."
"If only those twin giants don't fail us," put in Ned.
"Oh, you can depend on them," said Mr. Poddington. "These giants arecurious creatures, but once they give their word they stick to it."
He told much about the strange big men, confirming Tom's theory thatfavorable natural conditions, for a number of generations, hadcaused ordinary South American natives to develope into such largespecimens.
Our friends were under quite a nervous tension, for they could notbe sure of what would happen from day to day. They continued to workon the aeroplane, and then, finding that it would work in theseclusion of the hut, they were anxious for the time to come whenthey could try it in the open.
"Do you think it will carry the five of us with safety?" asked thecircus man, as he gazed rather dubiously at the somewhat frail-appearingaffair.
"Sure!" exclaimed Tom. "We'll get away all right if I can get enoughof a start. Now we must see to opening the side of the hut."
This work had to be done cautiously, yet the prisoners had a certainfreedom, for the guards were afraid to approach too closely.
The supporting and cross beams were sawed through, for Tom hadbrought a number of carpenter tools along with him. Then, in thesilence of the night, the two royal brothers brought other beamsthat could be put in place temporarily to hold up the roof when theothers were pulled out to allow the aeroplane to rush forth.
In due time all was in readiness for the attempt to escape. Theroyal twins had agreed to slip off at a certain signal, and awaitTom and his party in the forest at the foot of a very large hill,that was a landmark for miles around. The giants could travel fast,but not as fast as the aeroplane, so it was planned that they wereto have a day and night's start. They would take along food, andwould arrange to have a number of Tom's mules hidden in the woods,so that our hero and his friends would have means of transportationback to the coast, after they had ended their flight in the airship.
"I wish we had brought along the larger one, so we could take thegiants with us," said Tom, "but I guess they're strong enough towalk to the coast. We'll take what provisions we can carry, ourelectric rifles, and the rest of the things we'll leave here for theking, though he doesn't deserve them."
"What do you think Delby will do?" asked Ned.
"Give it up. He's got some plan though. I only hope he doesn't get agiant. Then ours will be a greater attraction."
Several days passed, and the last of the preparations had been made.
"The giant twins will pretend to go off on a hunting trip to-morrowmorning," said the circus man one night, "but they won't come back.They'll wait for us at the big hill."
"Then we must escape the following morning," decided Tom. "Well, I'mready for it."
From their hut, surrounded as it was still by the giant guards, ourfriends watched the royal brothers start off, seemingly on a huntingexpedition.
The day passed slowly. Tom went carefully over the aeroplane, to seethat it was in shape for a quick flight, and he looked to the wallof the hut--the wall that was to be pulled from place to affordegress for the air craft.
They went to bed early that night--the night they hoped would betheir last in giant land. It must have been about midnight when Tomsuddenly awoke. He thought he heard a noise outside the hut and in amoment he had jumped up.
"Repel boarders!" cried Tom.