minutes and then, imagining the launch was turning to the shore, Dick prepared another rocket.
"Get behind the woodwork," he said. "They may take it into their heads to aim at us when this goes up."
All sheltered themselves and with a rush the second rocket flew skyward. It had not been aimed at the launch, yet it cut the water within a yard of the Venus' side, much to the alarm of those on board.
"They are trying to shoot us with rockets!" yelled Dan Baxter.
"Take that!" said Sack Todd, and fired pointblank at the houseboat. The bullet hit a pane of glass in the cabin window, and there was a jingle followed by a yell from Hans.
"Sthop dot! Ton't kill me! I ain't vos tone noddings alretty! Of you schoot me again I vos haf you but in prison for a hundred years, ain't it!"
"Are you hit, Hans?" questioned Dick, running to the German boy.
"Putty near, Dick. Dot pullet knocked owit der glass chust ven I vos going to look owit!"
"They have hit on something!" came from Harold Bird, who had remained outside, behind a barrel.
"Hit?" queried Sam.
