Their arrival created considerable excitement at “Eagle Camp.” Major Carroll and Kindale received the batteries with profuse thanks.
By means of lariats, which Pete had attached to heavy stakes driven into the ground, the boys lowered themselves one by one to the spur.
The Major strode toward the balloon, with the others almost at his heels.
Climbing up through the network of branches wasn’t an easy task, and the interested boys watched them with some trepidation, all uttering sighs of relief when a hail told them that the men had reached the “Border City” in safety.
During the next hour, there was a great deal of tinkering done by the two above the tree tops, and every sound excited an immense amount of curiosity on the part of those below. Encouraging reports, however, kept coming at intervals. Kindale finally stated his belief that the engine would work as well as ever.
“Here comes bulletin number fifteen,” said Tim Lovell, as the Major’s voice was heard again.
“We’re ready to free the propeller now, boys,” he shouted; “so let Willie come along.”
The crowd grew enthusiastic.
Willie, boosted up on Cranny’s sturdy shoulders, seized a low branch and began his climb. The big lad followed him from limb to limb. Mr. Beaumont’s ward soon reached the rope ladder, and presently Cranny had the satisfaction of seeing him peer downward from over the rail of the “Border City.”
Cranny, obeying instructions from Major Carroll, emptied the bag of sand, and released the ladder, which was promptly drawn up. Then, sitting astride a convenient limb, he watched the men clearing away the branches with hatchets and saws.