One by one the restraining bags of sand were taken off, but still the balloon sat on the ground without any inclination to do otherwise.
A wave of disappointment spread over the crowd.

Suddenly a brilliant inspiration struck the gallant aeronaut.

He took off one of his heavy hunting boots and cast it overboard.

The balloon arose a foot or two and then sagged back to earth.

Then the other boot was cast over and the balloon rose several feet, swaying and whipping savagely over the heads of the crowd.