The damage was the same, a twisting from the violence of the hurricane during the passage across the southern pole.
But to get the screw on board it seemed best to stop the progress of the aeronef for a few minutes, and even to drive her backwards.

The engines were reversed.

The aeronef began to fall astern, when Tom Turner was surprised by a peculiar odor.
This was from the gas given off by the match, which had accumulated in the box, and was now escaping from the cabin.

"Hallo!" said the mate, with a sniff.
"What is the matter ?" asked Robur.
"Don't you smell something?
Isn't it burning powder ?" "So it is, Tom." "And it comes from that cabin." "Yes, the very cabin--" "Have those scoundrels set it on fire ?" "Suppose it is something else!" exclaimed Robur.

"Force the door, Tom; drive in the door!" But the mate had not made one step towards it when a fearful explosion shook the "Albatross." The cabins flew into splinters.