“I almost wish it had gotten loose,” said Ned. “I’d like to take a long trip.”
“We’ll try it again to-morrow,” said Bart, “only don’t you go wishing it would break loose, Ned. It might happen, you know.”
“That wire cable couldn’t break.”
“All right. I don’t want it to.”
For a long while the boys remained to watch the balloon go up and down with the scores who ventured in it. Then, as there were many other things to see at the fair, they made a tour of the grounds.
They were on hand the next day, and made another trip in the balloon. This time it was a little foggy and they could not see so well.
“Half price to-morrow boys,” remarked the manager, as they came down. “It’s the last day.”
“We’ll have to take it in,” declared Fenn. “Can’t miss a bargain like that.”
So great an attraction did the reduced rate prove that it was afternoon of the last day of the fair before the four chums had a chance to go up in the balloon again. Once more they got into the big basket. The captive airship had been freshly filled with gas and was pulling and tugging at the restraining cable as though it wanted to be free.