Yet even there the "Albatross" rose above her, and circled round her with ease.
Suddenly an explosion was heard.

The enormous gas-bag of the "Go-Ahead," expanding under the dilation of its contents at this great height, had finally burst.
Half-emptied, the balloon fell rapidly.
Then to our universal astonishment, the "Albatross" shot down after her rival, not to finish the work of destruction but to bring rescue.
Yes! Robur, forgetting his vengeance, rejoined the sinking "Go-Ahead," and his men lifted Mr.Prudent, Mr.Evans, and the aeronaut who accompanied them, onto the platform of his craft.

Then the balloon, being at length entirely empty, fell to its destruction among the trees of Fairmount Park.
The public was overwhelmed with astonishment, with fear! Now that Robur had recaptured his prisoners, how would he avenge himself?
Would they be carried away, this time, forever?
The "Albatross" continued to descend, as if to land in the clearing at Fairmount Park.

But if it came within reach, would not the infuriated crowd throw themselves upon the airship, tearing both it and its inventor to pieces?
The "Albatross" descended within six feet of the ground.

I remember well the general movement forward with which the crowd threatened to attack it.