Jerry had arranged to hire a big tent from Boston, and this had been set up in the midst of a field owned by Mr. Baker. Of course, after this had been done, there crowded out to the canvas shelter nearly every inhabitant of Cresville, for every one was anxious to get a view of the wonderful airship.
But the boys hired several men to mount guard, for, though they did not want to deprive their friends of an opportunity to see the invention, they feared lest some too-curious one might cause damage by handling parts of the machinery or ship.
So they only admitted a few at a time, and this only after working hours, when they and Mr. Glassford could be on hand to watch over their property. The Comet was beginning to assume shape now, and looked like a real airship, though the big bag was only half filled with gas, enough to partly distend it, so that the cord netting could be constructed over it.
One day, when the boys and Mr. Glassford were quite busy, there entered the tent an old man. The boys did not see him at first, as he was on the opposite side of the gas bag, but Jerry’s attention was attracted by seeing the gas envelope sway, and when he looked he saw the old man trying to tear it.
“Here! What are you doing?” cried Jerry. “Keep your hands off that. How’d you get in here, anyhow?”
“I jest walked in. I ain’t never seen a airship, an’ I wanted to see if this here stuff was strong,” was the answer given in a high-pitched, unpleasant voice. The old man continued to pull on the bag, though it was strong enough to resist his efforts.
“Drop that and clear out of here!” cried Jerry, recognizing the old man as Sid Joffy, a sort of recluse and town character, who was a general nuisance. He was too lazy to work, and how he managed to live no one knew. He had an old cabin in the woods, on the edge of a clearing, and resided there all alone.
“What’s this? Your engine?” went on Joffy, letting go of the gas bag and beginning to turn some wheels and valves on the gasolene motor, which stood in one corner of the tent.
“Can’t you leave things alone?” cried Mr. Glassford sharply. “Who let him in, boys?”
“Guess he must have slipped past Tom Johnson at the tent flap,” replied Jerry. “Come, now, Sid, clear out of here. You can see us when we go up.”