The Putnam Hall Rivals

“Didn’t they pass?” asked Stuffer.

“They did not.”

“I had a tight squeeze, with old Crabtree,” came from Bart Conners. “He came close to cutting me out of the fun.”

“The same here,” said Henry Lee. “Oh, but I do wish we could get rid of him.”

“Your wish is to be gratified – at least for awhile,” said Joe Nelson. “I just got the news. Mr. Crabtree is going to Boston on business and may not come back for the balance of this term.”

“Hurrah!” shouted several students in unison.

“I thought you would like to get up a petition, asking him to remain,” went on Joe, with a wink.

“Great hambones!” gasped Pepper. “Remain? Not for a thousand plates of ice cream!”

“He can stay away and he never will be missed,” added Andy.

The boys were on hand promptly on Saturday morning, and after an early breakfast they piled into the carryall and the stages, and with shouts and cheers set off for Datport. Not one of them dreamed of the strange adventures and odd discovery ahead of them.

The way to Datport was level for the most part and the three turnouts made good time, the boys singing and cheering as they passed through villages and by prosperous farms. Many cheered and waved their hands in return. They were beginning to be known far and wide as “those Putnam Hall soldier boys.”

“I see some of the old soldiers now!” cried Jack, as the turnouts approached the town where the reunion was to occur. And soon they reached a green where many old veterans were assembled. The cadets, in their neat uniforms, were given a warm welcome and soon made themselves at home.

“This is all right,” said Pepper, as a fine band struck up a patriotic air. “I am glad I came.”

“I want to see that balloon ascension,” returned Andy.

“Wouldn’t you like to go up, Andy?” asked Jack, by way of a joke.

“Sure I would,” was the quick answer.

“Do you really mean it, Andy?” asked Dale.

“I certainly do – I shouldn’t like anything better.”

“I’d be afraid to go up,” said Hogan. “I’ll take my balloon trips on the ground, so I will!”

The balloon ascension was advertised for two o’clock in the afternoon, and after listening to an address by an old army general, and getting some lunch, the cadets walked to the field where the balloon was located.

“Hullo! How are you?” said a man to Jack, and the young major recognized him as one of the pair who had come out in the farm-wagon after the balloon when the battalion had been on the march.

“First-rate,” answered Jack. “Found your balloon, eh?”

“Oh, yes, and all right, too. Much obliged.”

“Say, doesn’t the professor want somebody to go up with him?” asked Andy, brushing forward.

“I guess not!” said another man, standing by. “Not a greenhorn, anyway.”

“Where is the professor?”

“In his tent yonder, getting ready for the exhibition.”

The balloon was in a small roped-off enclosure and some men were at work filling it with hot air. Beside the balloon rested a big basket. It had been advertised that the professor would take somebody up with him provided that person would remain in the balloon after the aëronaut cut loose with his parachute, but so far nobody had come forward to take up the offer.

CHAPTER XXVII

UP IN A BALLOON

“This would just suit me to death,” said Andy, as he gazed with longing eyes at the balloon.

“Get in the basket and see how it feels,” suggested Jack.

The acrobatic youth was quick to comply. The men working around were good-natured and did not interfere.

“Come in here with me,” said Andy, and Pepper and Jack did as requested. Then Andy began to examine the ropes which held the basket to the balloon.

“The balloon is filling,” said Jack.

“Hi, what are you fellows doing in that balloon?” came from Nick Paxton, as he strode up. He was the only one of the Baxter crowd that had come to the celebration.

“That is none of your business,” answered Pepper.

At that moment came a shout from another part of the grounds. Then followed a big explosion.

“The cannon has burst!”

“Somebody must be killed!”

The excitement was intense and for the moment the balloon was forgotten. Hundreds rushed over to where some gunners had been discharging the old town cannon.

“My son was helpin’ to fire that!” said a man who was working on the balloon ropes. “I must see if he was hurt!” And off he ran.

“My brother was helping to load the cannon,” said another, and off he went likewise.

They had scarcely left when a sudden gust of wind made the big balloon give a tug at the ropes.

“Say, we’ll have to get out of this basket,” ejaculated Jack. “It isn’t safe.”

“Just what I was thinking,” answered Pepper.

“Oh, don’t be afraid,” came from Andy. “Perhaps – Oh!”

The acrobatic youth’s remark came to a sudden stop, for just then the balloon gave another tug. Crack! snap! went some ropes, and in a twinkling up went the basket, carrying the three cadets with it.

“Hold fast!” gasped Jack. “If you don’t, you’ll be killed!”

He clutched at the rim of the basket and so did the others. Almost before they knew it they were a hundred feet above the crowd.