She had landed on her side.
Everybody was knocked down.
As soon as they were assured that she was safely on the ground they forgot their bumps and bruises, crept out, and all hands left the machine.
They only had a lantern, but its dim light showed them that they had fallen into a forest of ironwood, gutta percha, camphor and other trees.
The marshes were alive with elephants and rhinoceros, the woods swarmed with leopards, babyroussas and monkeys, while bears roamed the rocky sections and buffaloes the valleys.
Birds of paradise, flamingoes, swallows that built edible nests, peacocks and various other birds abounded in vast numbers; every bird, beast and reptile filled with fear of the storm.
Their cries all around the fallen engine raised a fearful din.
“The hull and flying apparatus is intact,” said Frank, when he had finished his inspection.
“Do you think she is safe for the present?” the detective asked.
“We can’t get her out in this storm.”