Part 10 (1/2)
The balloon was about filled with hot air and the men were merely keeping the air warm until the professor should arrive.
As Leo stood by watching the arrangements an outsider came up.
”Too bad!” he said.
”What's too bad?”
”The professor can't get here to-day.”
”Why not?”
”He has been taken sick and is at the hotel in New Haven.”
”That will be a big disappointment to this crowd.”
”I admit it, but it can't be helped.”
The boy listened to the conversation with interest.
He pushed his way to where the man in charge of the balloon stood.
”I'll go up in the balloon for you, if you'll pay me,” he said.
”You!” the man looked at him in astonishment.
”Yes.”
”It won't do, my lad. The crowd want somebody who will make a parachute jump, and all that.”
”I'll make the parachute jump if you'll give me a few instructions.”
The man laughed.
”You're a daring youngster, to say the least,” he remarked. ”Why, you might break your neck.”
”No, I wouldn't,” returned Leo confidently.
”Well, I'm much obliged, but I can't use your services.”
”Let me get in the basket and see how it feels, will you?” asked the boy, after a pause.
”Well, seeing as you are so anxious, I'll oblige you,” laughed the man.
The basket rested on the ground, directly to one side of the fire, with which the air in the swaying monster was kept hot.
Hardly had the man given permission than Leo entered the wicker inclosure.
It was about six feet in diameter and filled with bags of sand for ballast.
To one side of the basket was attached a parachute. This the balloonist used in making his daring jumps from the clouds.