I repeat, if they attack the upper part of the balloon you will not be able to see them, they will tear the silk which keeps us up, and we are 3,000 feet above the ground!"
At this moment one of the fiercest of the birds swooped right down upon the "Victoria," with beak and claws extended, ready to bite and rend.
"Fire!" roared the doctor.
Scarcely had the word passed his lips, when the bird, shot dead, went tumbling into space.
Kennedy seized one of the double-abrrelled guns; Joe shouldered the other.
Frightened by the report, the falcons drew back for an instant, but they returned to the charge almost immediately with increased fury. Kennedy, with one bullet cut the head clean off the nearest bird; Joe broke the wing of another.
"Only eleven more," said he.
But now the birds changed their tactics and simultaneously rose above the "Victoria." Kennedy looked at Ferguson.
The latter, notwithstanding his energy and fortitude, turned pale. There was a moment of terrified silence. Then a rending noise was heard, as when silk is torn, and the car sank beneath the feet of the three travelers.
"We are lost!" cried Ferguson, as he gazed at the barometer, which was rapidly rising. Then he added: "Throw out the ballast; out with it!"
In a few seconds all the quartz had disappeared. "We are falling still. Empty the water-tanks, do you hear. We are falling into the lake!"
Joe obeyed. The doctor looked down. The lake appeared to be coming up to meet him, objects became more distinct, the car was not 200 feet from the surface of Lake Tchad.
"The provisions!" cried the doctor, and the case which contained them was hurled into space.
The descent became less rapid, but the unhappy travelers still were falling.
"Throw out more!" cried the doctor for the last time.
"There is nothing left," replied Kennedy.
"Yes," said Joe, laconically; and, with a rapid farewell gesture, he threw himself from the balloon.
