"I've been--"
But he was interrupted. The boys, aboard the Cibola again, were
just about to cast off when Alan cut short Ned's remark with an
exclamation.
"Isn't that a balloon?" he exclaimed pointing to an orange-like
object high in the heavens toward the west.
Ned caught up the binoculars and had a quick look at the rapidly
moving ball which was rushing toward them from over the distant
Tunit Chas Mountains.
"No question about it," answered Ned, handing Alan the glasses; "a
balloon, and a big one."
"And out here, too!" commented Alan in surprise. "I guess the world
is pretty small after all."
"Everything ready?" asked Ned eagerly. And then as the retaining
rope was untied from the frame of the car and slipped down and out
from under the cottonwood snag the Cibola shot upward.
"I have an idea," continued Ned, "and please don't object until you
think it over. Let's make a little social call on the stranger!"
"A call!" exclaimed Alan, plainly showing his astonishment; "a call
on a balloon five thousand feet in the air?"
"Certainly. We are going that high anyway.
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