The other three flyers knew the importance of these instructions, but how were they to carry them out?  The reptile was too large to be shoved off with a stick or pole, and would probably squirm through the window while they were attempting it.  And they were afraid to use a gun, as, in the case of a miss or a little lurch of the airplane at the moment of firing, the bullet might puncture the hollow wing or rear fuselage and let helium escape.