It was now dusk, and, as they looked over the side of the basket they could dimly distinguish the earth coming up to meet them.
“Can you see where we are?” asked Ned.
“Too dark,” replied Bart.
He opened the valve wider. The balloon shot downward with a sickening swiftness.
“Not so fast,” called Frank.
He got up to look over the edge. As he did so he uttered a cry.
“We’re near the river!” he exclaimed.
Bart let out more gas, hoping to land the balloon before the water was reached, but he miscalculated. An instant later the airship, with the big bag almost collapsed, came down with a rush and the willow basket struck the water with a great splash.
“Jump out and swim for it!” yelled Bart. “The balloon will smother you!”