w was perfect silence … and then , a most ominous hiss of air .
" You crazy fool !" The pirate yelped . " You pulled the lever !"
" I never pulled the lever !" Hammerhorn yelled back .
We all looked up through the glass . There was at first no difference to be seen , but then the great balloon above us buckled inward as though punched by some invisible fist . Underneath us , the decking dropped by several feet as the balloon ' s ability to carry us was diminished . In fact , it was not merely a downward lurch , but an actual plunge .
The First Mate ' s voice came over the intercom . " Good afternoon . We regret to inform you that we have lost control of the ship ." It said this as it had once before , as if it were a standard announcement . " We would like to remind all passengers that there is no such thing as a water landing . It is called crashing into the ocean . We are sorry for any inconvenience . Our estimated time of arrival today is thirty-seven seconds . We thank you for flying with us ."
Our previous crash was an easy crash . It took three minutes and was slowed by both the First Mate ' s abilities and the tall grasses . This crash was happening far too fast ! I clung to the wall as I stared out the window at the expanse of sky and sea surrounding us . One could almost not tell the difference ; how strange to think I would likely be killed by something so serene . " We can yet survive this ," I said to Percy . " If ," he said , " we survive the crash itself , the deflated balloon is likely to fall across us and smother us all within minutes ... We could suffocate . There are also sharks ."
Perhaps comforting a person in distress was not one of his strong suits .
PIRATES !
Calling Cards R