This time Willie experienced no feeling of nervousness or fear as he saw the ground being rapidly left behind. Viewed from the cozy interior of the car, it seemed to be a perfectly safe proceeding, although, at first, the decided tilt of the balloon made his footing rather insecure.
When the “Border City” came to an even keel again the hangar was far below.
“We have reached an altitude of about a thousand feet,” explained Major Carroll, who was at the wheel.
“If the balloon goes much higher it’ll be cloud-scrapin’,” murmured Willie. Then he added, to himself: “After this, those dubs at Lone Pine won’t think I’m afraid of everything.”
Entranced by the view, he gazed earnestly out of the mica-covered window. The town lay off to one side, a scattered group of houses on the dark, loam-covered prairie.
The balloon answered to the slightest movement of the helm, forcing its way against the wind, or rising and descending when the levers which controlled the balancing device were operated.
“It’s simply stunning!” cried Willie. “Please don’t sail back just yet, Major Carroll.”
“We’ll take a short trip across the prairie,” replied the aeronaut, with a smile.
As they rose still higher a stronger current of air was encountered. The engine pounding away at full speed, and the steady wind, now at its back, sent the “Border City” through the air with a rapid but easy gliding motion.
Before the hills which cut across the prairie were reached Major Carroll sought a lower level, piloted his air-ship about, and she was presently beating a passage slowly back to Border City.