d in quest of still further confirmation.

He took note of the windy walls about their vessel, rising upward
for many yards, irregular in shape and curvature here and there, but
retaining the general semblance of a tube with flaring top. He peered
over the edge of the basket, to draw back dizzily as he saw naught but
yeasty, boiling, seething clouds below,--a veritable air-cushion which
had served to save the pet of his brain from utter destruction at the
time of falling within--

Yes, there was no longer room for doubt,--they were actually inside the
distorted balloon, so dreaded by all residents of the tornado belt!

"What is it, uncle?" huskily asked Bruno, likewise rallying under that
beneficial influence. "Where are we now?"

"Where I'm wishing mighty hard we wasn't, anyhow!" contributed Waldo,
with something of his usual energy, although, judging from his face
and eyes, the youngster had suffered more severely than either of his
comrades in peril.

Professor Featherwit broke into a queerly sounding laugh, as he waved
his free hand in exultation before speaking:

"Where no living being ever was before us, my lads,--riding the tornado
like a--ugh!"

The air-ship gave an awkward lurch just then, and down went the little
professor to thump his head heavily against one corner of the locker.
Swaying drunkenly from side to side, then tossing up and down, turning
in unison with those fiercely whirling clouds, the aeromotor seemed at
the point of wreck and ruin.

Desperately the trio clung to the life-lines, clenching teeth upon the
life-giving tubes as that terrible pressure increased so much that it
seemed impossible for the human frame to longer resist.

Fortunately that ordeal did not long endure, and again relief came to
those so sorely oppressed. A brief gasping, sighing, stretching as the
aerostat resumed its level position, merely rocking easily within that
partial vacuum, and then Waldo huskily suggested:

"Looks like the blame thing was sick at the stomach!"

No doubt this was meant for a feeble attempt at joking, but Professor
Featherwit took it for earnest, and made quick reply:

"That is precisely the case, my dear lad, and I am greatly joyed to
find that you are not so badly frightened but that you can assist me in
taking notes of this wondrous happening. To think that we are the ones
selected for--"

"I say, uncle Phaeton."

"Well, my lad?"

"If this thing is really sick at the stomach, wh