CHAPTER XXIX
AN UNEXPECTED MEETING
It took considerable explanation to set things straight but it was finally accomplished. The boys told as much of their story as they thought proper, from the time they went up in the balloon until they saw the crowd after them.
In turn they were informed that during the night two prisoners had escaped from the jail at Blissville, the next town to Pentkirk, which was the village they were then in.
“Lucky you mentioned balloon,” spoke Mr. Weldon, the farmer who had come to the chum’s aid.
“Did you hear of it?” asked Ned.
“Well, I guess! Circulars describin’ ye have been sent to every postoffice around here.”
“Then Captain Needham hasn’t telephoned word to our folks!” cried Bart. “We must do it at once. Is there a wire in town?” he asked.
“Yep, an’ ye can use it all ye want to,” said Mr. Weldon. “There’s a hundred dollars reward for news of each of ye, an’ maybe ye wouldn’t mind lettin’ some of th’ boys earn it by telephonin’ t’ th’ Darewell police?”
“Of course not,” replied Bart, “so long as our folks are told, at once, that’s all we care.”