"We'll get wiped out."
"The balloon——"
"Won't carry more'n two—possibly three. In with ye, boy! You may escape! It don't make any diffrunce 'bout an old coon like me."
"Not much will I get in and leave you!" cried Frank. "We are partners in this expedition, and partners we'll stay to the end!"
"But ther others—ther professor an' ther Dutch boy! They might escape if——"
"They shall escape!"
Out flashed a knife in Frank Merriwell's hand, and, with one sweeping slash, he severed the strong rope that held the tugging, tossing balloon to the earth. Away shot the balloon, a cry of amazement and horror breaking from the lips of the professor and Hans.
"Mein gootness!" gasped the Dutch boy. "Vot vos happened?"
"I'll tell you," groaned the professor. "The balloon could not carry all four of us, and Frank Merriwell, like the noble, generous, hot-headed, foolish boy he is, refused to leave Bushnell. At the same time he would not doom us, and he cut the rope, setting the balloon free. He has remained behind to die at Bushnell's side."
"Led me git oudt!" sobbed Hans. "I vant to go pack und die mit him!"