when the volcano on krakatoa erupts, the families and sherman escape on a platform held aloft by twenty balloons. as the platform drifts westward around the world, the families parachute off to india and belgium to start their new lives. sherman remains on the platform and finally descends onto the waters of the atlantic ocean, where he is rescued. the professor concludes his speech by telling the audience he intends to build an improved balloon for a year of life in the air, financed by the diamond cufflinks he obtained in krakatoa.