She was holding her course beautifully.
Then Ned appeared and tested the gas exhaust and oil feed of the
engine.
"Were you ever in a balloon before?" he said when he had finished,
turning sharply towards Bob.
"Never," answered Bob, glad enough for a chance to say something.
"Have you any matches?" somewhat sternly asked the commander of the
Cibola.
"Sure," replied Bob reaching in his pocket and finding one.
"Any more? All of them."
Surprised, Bob searched his clothes and discovered a few more which
he obediently handed over to his superior officer. Noting the look
of surprise in the reporter's face Ned laughed.
"The first rule in a balloon is 'No fire.' But beginners forget,
sometimes; we can't take this chance with you."
"Take anything I have got," answered Bob with his old smile, which
had now been in eclipse for some time, "and if I can speak at last I
want to say that you boys are white, clean white, through and
through. Didn't you need that ballast?"
"We may need it badly," said Ned, laughing. "If it should become
necessary I suppose you won't mind if we throw you overboard.
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