Evidently it had entirely escaped the ravages of the fierce forest fire.
The prairie grass was burned in spots, but that was all.
The village could be distinctly seen, but they knew it was, nevertheless, several miles off.
One can see a long distance over a prairie, the same as over the water.
The middle of the afternoon saw them safe in the village of Rallings, footsore and weary.
The people were astonished to hear their tale.
“It’s lucky ye escaped with your lives,” said one old inhabitant, and Leo and Larry Greson agreed with him.
To keep the circus folks from worrying, Leo sent Barton Reeve a telegram stating they were both safe. That very day they started back to join the “Greatest Show on Earth.”
When they returned it was found that Professor Ricardo was still sick. He had another balloon, but this would be of no use unless somebody was found to take his place.
“I’ll become balloonist for awhile,” said Leo, “that is, if you don’t ask me to go up near any burning forests again.”