terville, called at the house,
the next morning after breakfast, and related the whole circumstance.

And when Frank and Jerry were called down from the den, where, in company
with the others, they were doing some packing, they blushed under the
hearty words of praise heaped upon them by the two gentlemen.

"Why, I'm going South myself, boys," declared the balloonist, when he
heard of their contemplated trip, "and wouldn't it be a queer thing now
if we happened to come across one another down in Dixieland? I'm heading
for Atlanta, to steer my big balloon to the eastward at the first
favorable chance, in order to settle some questions about air currents
that have long been baffling us all. Depend on it, if I could do you any
sort of a favor I'd go far out of my way to try and even up the debt I
owe you."

Little did any of them suspect under what strange conditions their next
meeting would really be.

All Centerville was ringing with the story of the brave exploit of Frank
and Jerry. When the latter reached home that noon he was overwhelmed
with hysterical words of praise from his mother; while his father had
come home from his office, beset by a dozen acquaintances desirous of
congratulating him on having a son of such heroic mould.

Jerry was very uneasy under all this favorable comment. He did not like
to be looked upon as differing in any degree from other boys.

"Any fellow would have done the same thing. We were lucky enough to have
the chance, that's all," he insisted, as his mother kissed him again and
again, crying a little at the same time at the thought of what might have
happened; while his father gripped his hand and patted him on the back
affectionately.

By afternoon the boys decided that they had everything packed they could
think of, and after that they began to try and possess their souls in
patience.

"No sleep for me to-night, fellows," declared Jerry, as he prepared to go
home, as supper-time came around.

"I'd advise you to try and get a few winks if you can. To-morrow night
we'll be on the train, and not much chance then. It's a lucky thing
that all of us know something about machinery. Our experience with our
motor-cycles will come in good play now. And here's Jerry been studying
up on the running of an automobile with that retired chauffeur, Garrison,
who's teaching Andy Lasher how to run a car."

"Yes, but, Frank, how about you taking lessons about the engine of a
motor-boat? I know