"How would you get them up?" said I.
"First get up one," said Ned. "And when it was well up, fasten the end of the string to the back of the next kite, and let that up, and do the same with the third. Then you would have a straight pull by the whole team in line."
"And the pull of all three kites would come on the last string, and probably break it," said Phaeton.
"I didn't think of that," said Ned. "I see your way is the best, after all. But hurry up and have it over with, for we want you to help us about the printing-office; we can't get along without you."
"It never will be 'over with,'" said Phaeton. "I shall ride out every fine day, when the wind is in the right direction."
"Why, is that all it's for?" said Ned—"merely your own amusement?"
"Not at all," said Phaeton. "It is a great invention, to be introduced all over the country. Better than a locomotive, because it will run on a common road. Better than horses, because it doesn't eat anything. But then, I'm going to enjoy it myself as much as I can. However, we'll find time for the printing."
CHAPTER VIII.
A HORIZONTAL BALLOON-ASCENSION.