The supporting and cross beams were sawed through, for Tom had brought a number of carpenter tools along with him.  Then, in the silence of the night, the two royal brothers brought other beams that could be put in place temporarily to hold up the roof when the others were pulled out to allow the aeroplane to rush forth.

In due time all was in readiness for the attempt to escape.  The royal twins had agreed to slip off at a certain signal, and await Tom 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 were to have a day and night’s start.  They would take along food, and would arrange to have a number of Tom’s mules hidden in the woods, so that our hero and his friends would have means of transportation back 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 the giants with us,” said Tom, “but I guess they’re strong enough to walk to the coast.  We’ll take what provisions we can carry, our electric rifles, and the rest of the things we’ll leave here for the king, 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 a giant.  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-morrow morning,” 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’m ready for it.”

From their hut, surrounded as it was still by the giant guards, our friends watched the royal brothers start off, seemingly on a hunting expedition.

The day passed slowly.  Tom went carefully over the aeroplane, to see that it was in shape for a quick flight, and he looked to the wall of the hut—­the wall that was to be pulled from place to afford egress for the air craft.

They went to bed early that night—­the night they hoped would be their last in giant land.  It must have been about midnight when Tom suddenly awoke.  He thought he heard a noise outside the hut and in a moment he had jumped up.

“Repel boarders!” cried Tom.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE AIRSHIP FLIGHT

For a few moments there was confusion inside the hut that was to be the last stronghold of our friends against the approaching force of giants.  Confusion and not a little fear were mingled, for Tom’s words sent a chill to every heart.  Then, after the first panic, there came a calmer feeling—­a feeling that each one would do his duty in the face of danger and, if he had to die, he would die fighting.