He took them outside the town to a secluded glen, in which was an old cabin and a huge, odd-shaped arrangement of silk, fine wires, and wickerwork. It was, in fact, a balloon, shaped like an egg, and inflated with gas. To it was attached a large and comfortable car, and there were two huge fore and aft rudders, together with some fan-like arrangements that seemed to be sails. This strange contrivance was secured to the ground by strong ropes.
"There!" cried Scudmore; "you now behold the Eagle, a flying-machine that will fly, or, rather, sail. With the wind it will travel at wonderful speed, and it can beat to windward like a vessel. I have been at work upon it for years. Some time ago I perfected it, and I brought it here for my trial voyage. I have set it up and inflated it without attracting attention or advertising myself. I should not have called on Professor Scotch, but I was full of enthusiasm, and thought it would be a fine thing to have an eminent man like him accompany me on my first voyage."
The boys looked at each other.
"Phwat do yez think av it, Frankie?" asked Barney.
"Can't tell," was the reply. "Let's look her over."
"That's right, look her over," urged Professor Scudmore. "I am going to start at once, but I must first get aboard a few things that are in this hut."
So the boys examined the airship, while the inventor brought bundles from the hut and placed them in the car.
"Phwat do yez think now?" asked Barney, when they had looked it over quite thoroughly. "Will she sail?"
"She will rise in the air, like an ordinary balloon," said Frank; "but I am not satisfied that the rudders and sails will work."
"I will soon satisfy you on that point," said the professor, who happened to be near enough to overhear their words.