"Now," said Jason, "a great distinction is going to be conferred upon you—you are going to make the first parachute jump that has ever been witnessed in Pellucidar."
"I don't understand what you mean," said Lajo.
"You will presently," said Jason. "You are going to take Lord Greystoke's message to The Cid."
"But you will have to bring the ship down to the ground before I can," objected Lajo.
"On the contrary we are going to stay right where we are," said Jason; "you are going to jump overboard."
"What?" exclaimed Lajo. "You are going to kill me?"
"No," said Jason with a laugh. "Listen carefully to what I tell you and you will land safely. You have seen some wonderful things on board this ship so you must have some conception of what we of the outer world can do. Now you are going to have a demonstration of another very wonderful invention and you may take my word for it that no harm will befall you if you do precisely as I tell you to. Here is an iron ring," and he touched the ring opposite Lajo's left breast; "take hold of it with your right hand. After you jump from the ship, pull it; give it a good jerk and you will float down to the ground as lightly as a feather."
"I will be killed," objected Lajo.
"If you are a coward," said Jason, "perhaps one of these other men is braver than you. I tell you that you will not be hurt."
"I am not afraid," said Lajo. "I will jump."