All were on the alert and watched the gradual settling of the big balloon with interest. The hot air had become cooled, and in a few seconds the basket struck the top of a tree and went over. The three cadets were spilled out in a most undignified fashion. They caught hold of the limbs as best they could and swung themselves towards the tree trunk. Then the balloon settled down over the top of the tree, forming a regular tent.
CHAPTER XXVIII
THREE BOYS AND THREE DOGS
“Are you all right, Jack?”
“Yes.”
“How about you, Pep?”
“As right as a button. Say, that was a ride worth talking about, wasn’t it?”
“I should say it was,” said the young major. “I must say, though, I shouldn’t care for another like it.”
“It suits me to a T!” cried Andy. “I don’t know but what I’d like to be a balloon acrobat.”
The weight of the big balloon made the upper branches of the tree bend far down, while a few of them were broken. Fearing the whole top of the tree might snap off, the three cadets climbed down with caution until they reached the ground.
“Here we are, safe and sound!” cried Andy, doing a handspring, just to work off his high spirits.