CHAPTER IX
"CALIFORNY KID" GETS A JOB
Old Buck's horse-corral had blossomed over night into a modern
balloon factory. And the proprietor, with his bronco team, and the
superintending Ned and Alan made big gaps the next day in the
precious freight of the Placida. By noon the five casks for
generating hydrogen, the cooling and purifying box, and the lead
pipe and other equipment, had been transferred to the old horse
yard. Three tons of iron turnings, forwarded by freight in advance,
were found in the keeping of the railroad agent. It took Buck six
trips to move this, and that consumed the afternoon.
A special trip was made by the wagon just after luncheon. This was
to transport the tool chest--practically two chests, for it was a
large one containing both wood and iron-working tools. With it rode
the two boys, both in overalls and ready to begin the setting up and
adjustment of the generating tanks.
After their arrival at the corral, the rest of the afternoon, in
spite of the heat, slipped quickly away. But by night a foundation
had been leveled in a corner of the yard and the five barrel-like
generators were firmly anchored and connected by lead pipes with the
cooling and purifying box.
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