"We've waited so long for a real
one that I like to hear her buzz."
"We'll let her buzz when we can use the buzz," laughed Ned.
"Gasoline is gasoline, you know."
Night did not stop the work of the eager lads. As soon as they had
eaten a light meal, Ned and Alan, with a couple of lanterns and a
half dozen of candles, began to adjust the sections of the car.
These, seven in number, when joined, were 54.12 feet in length. The
American spruce frame and the aluminum joints were all intact. This
work finished the day.
Blankets on the rough floor were good enough for the explorers that
night. The luxury of the Placida's mattresses and fresh sheets was
missed, as was Elmer's skill as a chef when it was time for
breakfast the next morning. The boys were not so indifferent about
this meal as they had been about that of the evening before. They
had no stove, but they took the time to arrange a regular camp in a
comer of the corral. A little fire was soon burning, at which they
made coffee and toasted some bacon. This, with hardtack and some
preserved fruit, they thought was enough, for they were determined
not to disturb the carefully packed provisions that were to be
carried in the balloon.
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