"The descent came easily, in spite of the wind. Seeing that I was
heading uncomfortably close to the battered concrete roof of a building, I
collapsed one side of my chute violently and thus avoided too much drift. Just
as the earth seemed about to hit me, I released my hold, and the chute again
jerked open to its full diameter, thus easing the jolt of the fall. Once on the
ground, the wind caught my chute so hard that I was dragged up a slope about ten
feet; but, before I could manipulate my ropes to correct this, the chute caught
against a high bush and gave me time to release the awkward snap-fasteners of my
leg and chest straps. Others, who continued to drop all around me, were going
through similar experiences. Owing to the skill and judgment of our jump-master,
we had been lucky enough to escape all hazards, and to land unhurt on the parade
ground itself . Now, there was work to be done! "
