The High Tariff now awakened the utmost enthusiasm. Men came by tens and hundreds to make offers for the risky trip.
"Blank it all, she's chartered, the High Tariff is," was the aeronaut's invariable reply. "She don't belong to me this trip. Ask the owners."
At ten minutes after one precisely Swift appeared upon the ground. He had just sent off the following message to his paper:
"Start immediately for Russell by thousand dollar balloon."
He had sold his horse and team and had purchased provisions with the proceeds. Five minutes after the sale the horse backed into the hotel and smashed the buggy into Chinese joss-sticks.
Swift walked calmly to the car and ordered the provisions aboard.
"Have you a long ladder and grapnel?" he inquired.
"Two hundred and fifty feet each."
"Anchor?"
"Two hundred pounds."