ADVENTURES OF THE CHUMS

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1933, Page 10 (Supplement)

ADVENTURES OF THE CHUMS

The waited impatiently for the arrival of the balloon that Richard had designed to assist him in his effort to fly with wings. And then one morning at breakfast they had a pleasant surprise. There was a letter for Richard which annnnnrpH that the balloon had been despatched. “It ought to arrive to-day,” Richard said.

Richard was quite right in his surinise that the balloon would arrive that day. It did. It was packed in a, huge box. Polly sprang on the top with great joy. “Now we shall soon see Richard flying,” she cried. “Why does it take up so much room?” asked Gwen. “Because,” said Richard, “it is already filled with gas.”

The chums were not long in getting the box open. Then they had their first shock. Ted raised the lid, but before Richard could take hold of the balloon, lo! it had popped up to' the ceiling. “My!” cried Polly, “That is going to be awkward. If we are not careful we shall lose it.” ' - > ' “We’ll soon get over that,” said Richard.

Jumping on a chair, Richard leapt up and grasped the ropes attached to the balloon. As it was just made to carry his weight Gwen had to pull him—holding the balloon—down by the legs. Eventually they succeeded in getting the huge thing captive. “It only shows,” said Richard, “how well they have made it. It just, carries my weight” . ' '

Now we are coming to the great moment when Richard is to put his invention to the test Both Ted and Gwen held the balloon in the open to prevent it from sailing away. Richard got the wings fixed,.and then gave instructions for it to be fastened to the ring on his back.

“Just hook it on and let go,” he said. And Polly, in grfeat excitement, did that.

You can see by the picture that Polly has fixed the balloon to Richard s back, and that Ted and Gwen have let go. Richard sailed gracefully into the air, quite like an eagle. The chums stood watching him. “He seems to be going up pretty high,” said Gwen. . . “Yes,” said Polly, watching carefully, “something tells me this invention is not going to be quite a success, though.”