A moment later a damp mist appeared to settle down over the balloon. So dense was it that they could no longer make out the big bag over their heads.
“We’re above the clouds,” came from Bart in solemn tones.
CHAPTER XXIV
INTO THE RIVER
For a moment the announcement struck such a chill of terror to the hearts of the boys that they did not know what to say. The thought of being more than a mile above the earth was fearful to the lads who had never been even on a high mountain. Now they were far up in the air, with only the frail willow basket, and the lifting power of the gas in the silken bag, between them and death.
“Maybe it’s a fog from the river. Perhaps we’ve dropped down,” said Fenn, anxious to derive some consolation from their perilous position.
“We haven’t come down a foot,” said Bart. “Might as well admit it.”
He tossed some more pieces of the torn paper over the side. This time they remained stationary.