CHAPTER XXI.
VAULTING TO THE RESCUE.
"What awful luck," muttered Tom.
"Isn't there any way we can get by?" inquired the doctor anxiously. "It's important that I should reach Mr. Chadwick as soon as possible."
Jack made no reply, but bent over the gas-valve. In an instant the gas was hissing into the balloon bag. Its wet folds swelled out, and presently Jack started the propellers. Like a racehorse leaping a barrier, the Wondership rose skyward.
"Hold fast!" cried the boy in a triumphant voice.
"Wow!" yelled Tom, "there are more ways of killing a cat than by choking it with cream."
The next moment the Wondership was in the road on the other side of the hay wagon, having hurdled it like a high jumper, and was once more on her way.