“Yes, we ought to get right over the hut, and then make a sudden swoop down,” admitted Ned, “but if we can’t see it—­”

“I have it!” cried Tom suddenly.  “Tomba!  That African can see in the dark like a cat.  Why, just before we started I dropped a wrench, and I didn’t have any matches handy to look for it.  I was groping around in the dark trying to get my hands on it, and you know it was pretty black in the jungle.  Well, along come Tomba. and he spotted it at once and picked it up.  We’ll call him here and get him to point out the hut.  He can tell me how to steer.”

“Good!” cried Ned, and the black was soon standing in the pilot house.  He comprehended what was wanted of him, and peered down, seeking to penetrate the darkness.

“Shall I go down a little lower?” asked Tom.

For a moment Tomba did not answer.  Then be uttered an exclamation of pleasure.

“Me see hut!” he said, clutching Tom’s arm.  “Down dere!” He pointed, but neither Tom nor Ned could see it.  However, as Tomba was now giving directions, telling Tom when to go to the left or the right, as the wind currents deflected they were certain of soon reaching the place where Mr. and Mrs. Illingway were concealed, if they were still alive.

The Black Hawk was moving slowly, and was not under as good control as if she had been making ninety miles an hour.  As it was desired to proceed as quietly as possible, the craft was being used as a dirigible balloon, and the propellers were whirled around by means of a small motor, worked by a storage battery.  While not much power was obtained this way, there was the advantage of silence, which was very necessary.  Slowly the Black Hawk sailed on through the night.  In silence the adventurers waited for the moment of action.  They had their weapons in readiness.  Mr. Durban was to work the electric rifle, as all Tom’s attention would be needed at the machinery.  As soon as the craft had made a landing he was to leap out, carrying a revolver in either hand, and, followed by Tomba, would endeavor to gain entrance to the hut, break through the flimsy grass-woven curtain over the doorway, and get Mr. and Mrs. Illingway out.  Ned, Mr. Damon and the other two men would stand by to fire on the red pygmies as soon as they commenced the attack, which they would undoubtedly do as soon as the guards of the captives raised the alarm.

The airship was in darkness, for it would have been dangerous to show a light.  Some wakeful dwarf might see the moving illumination in the sky, and raise a cry.

“Mos’ dere,” announced Tomba at length.  And then, for the first time, Ned and Tom had a glimpse of the hut.  It stood away from the others, and was easy to pick out in daylight, but even the darkness offered no handicap to Tomba.  “Right over him now,” he suddenly called, as he leaned out of the pilot house window, and looked down.  “Right over place.  Oh, Tomba glad when he see Missy an’ Massy!”