“I wonder if they are going to try the flailing method, and beat poor Andy and Washington,” said Mr. Henderson.  “It looks so.”

The two rescuers were now about a quarter through their hard task.  The throwing of the oranges had ceased.  But the giants were up to a new trick.  They divided into two sections, one taking up a position on one side of the ship, and the other on the opposite.  There were about two hundred in each crowd, while the others in the horde drew some distance back.

“They’re up to some queer dodge,” observed Jack.  “What are they placing those sticks to their mouths for?”

The professor observed the throng curiously for a few seconds.  Then he exclaimed: 

“They are using blow-guns!  They are going to shoot arrows at Washington and Andy!  We must get them in at once!”

He darted toward a door that opened from the conning tower out on the deck.

“Don’t go!” cried Jack.  “It’s too late!  They are beginning to blow!”

He pointed to the throng of giants.  The professor could see their cheeks puffed out as the big creatures filled their lungs with air and prepared to expel it through the hollow tubes.

Then there came a sound as if a great wind was blowing.  It howled and roared over the ship, not unlike a hurricane in its fury.  But there was no flight of arrows through the air, such as would have come from regular blow guns.

“That is strange,” said the professor.  He thought for a moment.  “I have it!” he cried.  “They are trying to blow Washington and Andy, off the ship by the power of their breaths!  They are not blowing arrows at them!  My, but they must have strong lungs!”

And, in truth, that was the plan of the giants.  The hollow tubes, made from some sort of big weed, sent a blast of air at the two men on the ship’s deck, that made them lie flat and cling with both hands to avoid being sent flying into the midst of the giants, on one side or the other.  But the giants had reckoned without the weight of the diving suits, and it was those, with the big lead soles of the shoes, that helped to hold Washington and Andy in place.

“Come back!  Came back!” cried the professor, opening the conning tower door and calling to the two brave men.  “Come back, both of you!  Do you hear?”

As the portal slid back the rush of air was almost like that of a cyclone.  Then it suddenly ceased, as the giants saw their plan was not likely to succeed.

But now there arose from the outer circle of the horde a shout of triumph.  It was caused by the return of those who had, a little while before, hurried off to the woods.  They came back bearing big trees, tall and slender, stripped of their branches, so that they resembled flag staffs.  It took a dozen giants to carry each one.

The whole throng was soon busy laying the poles in a row in front of the ship.

“What can they be up to now?” asked Jack.