And we ought to be ready at any moment." "But," asked Evans, "how are we to get out ?" "Listen to me," said Uncle Prudent.

"It may happen during the night that the "Albatross" may drop to within a few hundred feet of the ground.

Now there are on board several ropes of that length, and, with a little pluck we might slip down them--" "Yes," said Evans.

"If the case is desperate I don't mind--" "Nor I.During the night there's no one about except the man at the wheel.

And if we can drop one of the ropes forward without being seen or heard--" "Good! I am glad to see you are so cool; that means business.