The boys returned to the grounds about nine o’clock. It was after ten o’clock before the first ascension was made. Four young men from town went up, that being all the car would hold. The manager cautioned them about touching the cords and then, while the anxious throng watched and waited, the cable began to unwind and the balloon went up.
“That looks easy enough,” declared Bart. “Us for the trip next time.”
Up and up the balloon went until it looked about the size of an apple. It remained up about ten minutes and then the windlass was turned by the steam engine, which was part of the outfit, and the airship came slowly down.
“How’d you like it?” asked the manager as the young men got out.
“Fine!” they exclaimed as one. “It was great. I could see clear to Woodport.”
“Now who’s going to be the next?” asked the manager in his professional voice. “Try a trip in the airship! View the earth spread out like a map beneath you, the fields mere patches of green, the river a silver ribbon and the forest a mere bit of fuzz like the wool on Mary’s little lamb. Who’s next?”
“We are!” cried Bart, and he and his chums paid their money and took their places in the basket.
“Let her go,” cried the manager, and the boys, looking over the edge of the car, saw the earth dropping away below them.