atross" 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
Tom Turner had rushed up to him and torn off his bandage. The mate
had then run back to the stern cabin. It was empty! Tapage had
searched Frycollin's cabin, and that also was empty.

When he saw that the prisoners had escaped, Robur was seized with a
paroxysm of anger. The escape meant the revelation of his secret to
the world. He had not been much concerned at the document thrown
overboard while they were crossing Europe, for there were so many
chances that it would be lost in its fall; but now!

As he grew calm, "They have escaped," said he. "Be it so! But they
cannot get away from Pitt Island, and in a day or so I will go back!
I will recapture them! And then--"

In fact, the safety of the three fugitives was by no means assured.
The "Albatross" would be repaired, and return well in hand. Before
the day was out they might again be in the power of the engineer.

Before the day was out! But in two hours the "Albatross" would be
annihilated! The dynamite cartridge was like a torpedo fastened to
her hull, and would accomplish her destruction in mid-air. The breeze
freshened, and the aeronef was carried to the northeast. Although her
speed was but moderate, she would be out of sight of the Chatham
Islands before sunrise. To return against the wind she must have her
propellers going, particularly the one in the bow.

"Tom," said the engineer, "turn the lights full on."

"Yes, Sir."

"And all hands to work."

"Yes, Sir."

There was no longer any idea of putting off the work till tomorrow.
There was now no thought of fatigue. Not one of the men of the
"Albatross" failed to share in the feelings of his chief. Not one but
was ready to do anything to recapture the fugitives!

As soon as the screw was in place they would return to the island and
drop another anchor, and give chase to the fugitives. Then only woul