"That will do," Monsieur Teclier said. "We shall be down in time, now."
The boys looked over the car and, accustomed as they had been to face danger, were appalled.
"It is all up with us, this time," Ralph said; "we shall he smashed, altogether."
"No," the aeronaut exclaimed, "the silk is acting as a parachute, now, and checking the descent. Now, help me to throw out all the bundles."
They did so, working silently and with difficulty; for the car was oscillating so greatly that they were obliged to hold on, by its side, not to be thrown out. The descent was less rapid than it had been, but was still sufficiently alarming.
"Is there a chance?" Ralph said.
"We shall get off with a shaking," Monsieur Teclier said. "The car is made of wicker work, and is as elastic as a ball. Drop the grapnel, now; in another minute, we shall be within holding distance."
As the balloon neared the ground, the oscillation became less violent, and the pace diminished.
"The grapnel is on the ground," Percy said, looking over.
"Hold tight, hold tight," Monsieur Teclier said, warningly. "We shall catch fast on to those trees."