He made his own damaged craft fast close to the shore, and then the
searching party set off through the woods to look for a cabin, a
rowboat, and for the missing children.
"It ought to be easy to see that balloon, it's so big," said Captain
Craig.
"I can spot that balloon of mine as soon as any one, I guess," said Mr.
Trench. "This isn't the first time I've hunted for it. You never can
tell exactly where a balloon will come down."
Through the underbrush, between trees, and in the dripping rain and
swirling fog, the searching party tramped on. Suddenly one of the men
gave a cry.
"I see something!" he shouted.
"Is it my children?" Mrs. Bobbsey asked, her voice trembling with
eagerness.
"No, I think it's the balloon," was the answer.
And the balloon it was. Draped over bushes and trees was the big gas
bag, now almost emptied of the vapor that had lifted it and carried it
away from the fair grounds with Flossie and Freddie in the basket.
"Oh, but where are my little ones--my Bobbsey twins?" cried the mother.
"They must be somewhere around here," said Captain Craig.
And then, thrilling the hearts of all, came two young voices, calling:
"Daddy! Mother! Here we are! Oh, we're so glad you came! Here we are!"
Out of the woods rushed Flossie and Freddie, to be caught up in the arms
of Mother and Daddy Bobbsey.
"We--we were in the hut!" breathlessly explained Flossie. "And I heard a
noise, and I said for Freddie to hark, and he harked, and then we heard
talking and we ran out and--and here we are!"
"Yes, darlings, here you are!" cried Mrs.
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