human
Thinking of going into the business?
gpt
Don't know but what I might some day, replied Frank, in the same vein.
human
What are the inducements?
gpt
Well, if you happen to have any troubles on your mind, this is pretty apt to end them all for you, once and for all. I can't give you any testimonials from others who have used this cure, because after they took it they weren't giving testimonials any more, but I give you my word that it's all that I claim for it
human
Yes, but you've been up quite a few times probably, and you're still in the land of the living so it can't be quite as bad as you say it is,
gpt
Oh, it's safe enough now, as far as that goes, said the other.
human
But when actual fighting is going on, then it's a different matter altogether.
gpt
Were you ever attacked while you were up?
human
I surely was, replied the observer.
gpt
I was up over No Man's Land one day, right on the edge of the clouds, when suddenly a Boche airplane came darting out of the clouds and opened on me with his machine gun before I knew what had happened. Just by luck, I didn't get hit, but the bullets tore big holes in the balloon and it started to drop fast. I had time to jump clear with my parachute though, and landed without a scratch not a hundred feet from the wreckage of my balloon.
human
You were pretty lucky, at that,
gpt
You bet I was! assented the other.
human
Another time I had to jump for it, too; only this time the balloon caught fire from some incendiary bullets fired at it. After I jumped the parachute was mighty slow in acting, and I dropped two thirds of the way before it finally took hold. I gave myself up for lost that time, and, as it was, I landed so hard that my left leg was broken, but even at that I wasn't doing much kicking.
gpt
No, you wouldn't, with a leg broken,
human
That's one on me, conceded the observer, with a laugh.
gpt
At the time, though, I couldn't see much humor in it. Take it altogether, I guess a balloon will give a man his fair share of thrills.
human
Gosh! I'd like to try it once,
gpt
If you'd really like to try it so much, I don't know but what I can arrange it for you, said the observer slowly.
human
The trouble is, though, that I can take only two of you, because I have only two extra parachutes.
gpt
We're not apt to need them, are we?
human
Oh, of course, the chances are that we won't, seeing that we won't be attacked now by a hostile machine, as we would likely have been a few months ago, responded the other.
gpt
Just the same, it's always possible for accidents to happen, and so I'll have to limit it to two passengers, although I'd like to take you all up.
human
You and Bart go, Frank, said Billy.
gpt
Tom and I will come around some other time, and then maybe we'll get a chance.
human
Well, if you and Tom don't mind, I guess we will,
gpt
I'm afraid you'll find it rather tame, said the latter.
human
It's not nearly as exciting as you might think when looking at it from the ground.