"Albatross," knowing there was no time to lose, set to work vigorously.
While they were busy in the bow of the aeronef, Uncle Prudent and Phil Evans held a little conversation together which had exceptionally important consequences.
"Phil Evans," said Uncle Prudent, "you have resolved, as I have, to sacrifice your life?"
"Yes, like you."
"It is evident that we can expect nothing from Robur."
"Nothing."
"Well, Phil Evans, I have made up my mind.
If the "Albatross" leaves this place tonight, the night will not pass without our having accomplished our task.
We will smash the wings of this bird of Robur's!
This night I will blow it into the air!"
"The sooner the better," said Phil Evans.
It will be seen that the two colleagues were agreed on all points even in accepting with indifference the frightful death in store for them.
"Have you all you want?" asked Evans.
"Yes.
Last night, while Robur and his people had enough to do to look after the safety of the ship, I slipped into the magazine and got hold of a dynamite cartridge."
"Let us set to work, Uncle Prudent."
"No. Wait till tonight.
When the night comes we will go into our cabin, and you shall see something that will surprise you."
At six o'clock the colleagues dined together as usual.
Two hours afterwards they retired to their cabin like men who wished to make up for a sleepless night.
Neither Robur nor any of his companions had a suspicion Of the catastrophe that threatened the
"Albatross."
This was Uncle Prudent's plan.
As he had said, he had stolen into the magazine, and there had possessed himself of some powder and cartridge like those used by Robur in Dahomey.
Returning to his cabin, he had carefully concealed the cartridge with which he had resolved to blow up the "Albatross" in mid-air.
Phil Evans, screened by his companion, was now examining the infernal machine, which was a metallic canister containing about two pounds of dynamite, enough to shatter the aeronef to atoms.
If the explosion did not destroy her at once, it would do so in her fall.
Nothing was easier than to place this cartridge in a corner of the cabin, so that it would blow in the deck and tear away the framework of the hull.
But to obtain the explosion it was necessary to adjust the fulminating cap with which the cartridge was fitted.
This was the most delicate part of the operation, for the explosion would have to be carefully timed, so as not to occur too soon or too late.
Uncle Prudent had carefully thought over the matter. His conclusions were as follows. As soon as the fore propeller was repaired the aeronef would resume her course to the north, and that done Robur and his crew would probably come aft to put the other screw into order.
The presence of these people about the cabin might interfere with his plans, and so he had resolved to make a slow match do duty as a time-fuse.
"When I got the cartridge," said he to Phil Evans, "I took some gunpowder as well. With the powder I will make a fuse that will take some time to burn, and which will lead into the fulminate.
My idea is to light it about midnight, so that the explosion will take place about three or four o'clock in the morning."
"Well planned!" said Phil Evans.
The colleagues, as we see had arrived at such a stage as to look with the greatest nonchalance on the awful destruction in which they were about to perish.
Their hatred against Robur and his people had so increased that they would sacrifice their own lives to destroy the
"Albatross" and all she bore.
The act was that of madmen, it was horrible; but at such a pitch had they arrived after five weeks of anger that could not vent itself, of rage that could not he gratified.
And Frycollin?" asked Phil Evans, "have we the right to dispose of his life?"
"We shall sacrifice ours as well!" said Uncle Prudent.
But it is doubtful if Frycollin would have thought the reason sufficient.
Immediately Uncle Prudent set to work, while Evans kept watch in the neighborhood of the cabin.
The crew were all at work forward. There was no fear of being surprised.
Uncle Prudent began by rubbing a small quantity of the powder very fine; and then, having slightly moistened it, he wrapped it up in a piece of rag in the shape of a match.
When it was lighted he calculated it would burn about an inch in five minutes, or a yard in three hours.
The match was tried and found to answer, and was then wound round with string and attached to the cap of the cartridge.
Uncle Prudent had all finished about ten o'clock in the evening without having excited the least suspicion.
During the day the work on the fore screw had been actively carried on, but it had had to be taken on board to adjust the twisted blades.
Of the piles and accumulators and the machinery that drove the ship nothing was damaged.