'That is very nearly a load, I think,' said Snap, 'and there won't be much fear of our going up too high when Dick gets in.'
'No,' said Frank, 'we had better throw out something more.'
'Very well,' said Snap, throwing out everything he could lay his hands on, 'but if it won't carry us now I don't know what we shall do. Come on, Dick.'
Dick stepped in, and still the balloon strained upwards.
'She'll fly all right,' cried Towzer.
'Then cut the cord and take care that you don't roll out,' commanded Snap.
The cord was cut, and suddenly the earth and the mountain peak began to recede from the balloon. At least so it seemed to the boys. As for the balloon, it seemed exactly poised in the air, steady as an eagle on widespread wings, and even as they sat and gazed the earth drew back and faded until it was gone, and they hung alone, in a sad and absolute silence, whither no voice of bird or insect ever penetrated.
The boys were smitten as it were with dumbness. No one spoke, though, strangely enough, no fear possessed them—only a great stillness and peace. The balloon had now apparently reached that point at which it could rest in equilibrium, and hung motionless over the peak from which the boys had risen. The cold had grown intense, and the evening was approaching, though the sun's rays still spread colour through the great cloudland below them. At last Frank broke the silence:
'What is this, Snap,' he said, 'floating round the car?' and he drew in his hand covered with minute fragments of ice.
'It looks like powdered ice,' replied Snap.