I was afraid the windlass might creak, and her thoughtful hint decided me.

I bent my back to the task, and in a few seconds they were on the platform on which they, at Teuta's suggestion, lay flat, one at each side of my seat, so as to keep the best balance possible.
I took off the clamps, lifted the bags of ballast to the top of the wall, so that there should be no sound of falling, and started the engine.

The machine moved forward a few inches, so that it tilted towards the outside of the wall.

I threw my weight on the front part of the platform, and we commenced our downward fall at a sharp angle.

A second enlarged the angle, and without further ado we slid away into the darkness.