And Cain, as if understanding, nodded and beamed all over his black
face.

With that Jim's idea was born. If the Drilgoes would follow him, he
would lead them against Atlantis. And, before the assault began, he
would fly to the great Eye that guarded it, and blind it.

* * * * *

He thought afterward that it was like a supernatural revelation, this
scheme, that leaped full-fledged into his brain. And Cain had
developed extraordinary executive ability. Outside the cave, through
rifts in the swirls of fog, Jim could see innumerable Drilgoes massing
in the valley, as if they understood Jim's purpose. From Cain's
gesticulations, and the number of times he rubbed his stomach, it was
evident that he counted upon sacking Atlantis and was imagining
innumerable meals of fat captives.

Each flash of lurid light from the volcano disclosed further masses of
Drilgoes, armed with their stone spears, apparently assembling for the
attack. Whether Tode had summoned them before the Atlanteans offered
him the rulership of the city, or whether Jim's own plan had been
communicated to them by some telepathic process, it was impossible to
guess, but there was not the least doubt but that they were prepared
to follow him.

Cain nudged Jim and began strapping the other pair of wings about his
body. Jim saw that the energy was supplied by two tiny, lights burning
in the base, cold fire, stored energy whose strength he did not guess.
For, when Cain took him by the hand, and motioned to him to slide the
knob in the groove, he was hurled skyward like a rocket.

There followed a delirious hour. Tossing and tumbling like a pigeon in
a gale, Jim by degrees acquired mastery over the apparatus. At the end
of the hour he could fly almost as well as Cain, who, like a black
guardian angel kept beside him, reaching out a hand when he
overbalanced, and pulling him out of aerial side-slips.

* * * * *

Suddenly Cain motioned toward the volcano, and started toward it in a
rocketlike swoop. Jim understood. The Drilgoes were ready for the
attack upon Atlantis.

Jim dropped to earth, ran back into the cave, and picked up the rifle
and the carton of ammunition. He filled the magazine, and, with the
rifle on his arm, rose into the air again. Cain was circling back,
uttering weird cries of distress at finding his master absent.

"It's all right, Cain," said Jim. "I'm here."

Side by side