“I want to watch ’em get the balloon ready,” said Ned, after they had seen the main tent well under way.
“So do I,” chimed in Bart.
The big bag that was destined to sail through the air was being prepared off to one side, and men were laying pipes from a gas main to where it was to be filled. It was a modern affair, intended to be inflated with illuminating vapor instead of hot air as is sometimes the case.
“I wonder how high up it goes?” asked Bart.
“Let’s inquire of one of the men,” suggested Frank.
There was such a big crowd around the laborers that they found it almost impossible to work. They fairly had to shove some of the boys and other spectators out of the way.
“Don’t believe they’ll have much time to answer questions,” ventured Fenn.
Just then a big man, who seemed to be in charge of matters, called to one of the assistants, a short chap.
“Hi, Sam, bring five of those ballast bags over here and get a move on! Don’t go to sleep! We haven’t got all day!”
The little man glanced at a pile of bags of sand near where the boys were standing. Each bag had a rope handle with a hook attached to it. The little man dropped the coil of rope he had in his arms.