towards the rocks where the anchor had fixed itself. The aeronef was
not more than fifty feet from the ground.

In a few seconds the cable was cut, and the breeze, which had
increased considerably, striking the "Albatross" on the quarter,
carried her out over the sea.






Chapter XX

THE WRECK OF THE ALBATROSS





It was then twenty minutes after midnight. Five or six shots had been
fired from the aeronef. Uncle Prudent and Frycollin, supporting Phil
Evans, had taken shelter among the rocks. They had not been hit. For
the moment there was nothing to fear.

As the "Albatross" drifted off from Pitt Island she rose obliquely to
nearly three thousand feet. It was necessary to increase the
ascensional power to prevent her falling into the sea.

When the look-out man had got clear of his gag and shouted, Robur and