CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.
MAKING READY FOR THE ASCENT.
Karl was the only one of the three who knew anything about a balloon, or the mode of inflating it.

Had it been their intention of navigating the air, an apparatus would have been required to carry up a fire.

This Karl could easily have contrived.

A basket of wicker-work, as he had said, well lined with clay, would have answered the purpose after a fashion; but as they did not intend to use the balloon for any purpose beyond making the single ascent to lift them over the cliffs, a continuous fire would not be required.

The first inflation would answer that end well enough; and therefore a grate or fire-basket was not thought of.
The car to carry the passengers--or boat, as it is sometimes styled: since, for reasons easily understood, it is usually a boat--was quite another affair; and had it been designed for more than a mere temporary use, would have taken a considerable time in the making; but for what they wanted almost anything would serve; and all that they intended employing was a sort of wicker basket, or deep hamper, suspended by stout ropes.