“The cannon has burst!”
“Somebody must be killed!”
The excitement was intense and for the moment the balloon was forgotten. Hundreds rushed over to where some gunners had been discharging the old town cannon.
“My son was helpin’ to fire that!” said a man who was working on the balloon ropes. “I must see if he was hurt!” And off he ran.
“My brother was helping to load the cannon,” said another, and off he went likewise.
They had scarcely left when a sudden gust of wind made the big balloon give a tug at the ropes.
“Say, we’ll have to get out of this basket,” ejaculated Jack. “It isn’t safe.”
“Just what I was thinking,” answered Pepper.
“Oh, don’t be afraid,” came from Andy. “Perhaps—— Oh!”
The acrobatic youth’s remark came to a sudden stop, for just then the balloon gave another tug. Crack! snap! went some ropes, and in a twinkling up went the basket, carrying the three cadets with it.