"Uncle Prudent," said he. "Here we are safe from Robur. He is doomed
like his companions to a terrible death. He deserves it, we know. But
if he would swear on his honor not to take us prisoners again --"

"The honor of such a man --"

Uncle Prudent did not finish his sentence.

There was a noise on the "Albatross." Evidently, the alarm had been
given. The escape was discovered.

"Help! Help!" shouted somebody. It was the look-out man, who had got
rid of his gag. Hurried footsteps were heard on deck. Almost
immediately the electric lamps shot beams over a large circle.

"There they are! There they are!" shouted Tom Turner. The fugitives
were seen.

At the same instant an order was given by Robur, and the suspensory
screws being slowed, the cable was hauled in on board, and the
"Albatross" sank towards the ground.

At this moment the voice of Phil Evans was heard shouting, "Engineer
Robur, will you give us your word of honor to leave us free on this
island?"

"Never!" said Robur. And the reply was followed by the report of a
gun, and the bullet grazed Phil's shoulder.

"Ah! The brutes!" said Uncle Prudent. Knife in hand, he rushed