Part 19 (1/2)
The day of the ascent was that of the great Septehting gas, of a perfect quality and of great lifting power, had been furnished to me in excellent condition, and about eleven o'clock the balloon was filled; but only three-quarters filled,--an indispensable precaution, for, as one rises, the atmosphere diminishes in density, and the fluid enclosed within the balloon, acquiring ht burst its sides My calculations had furnished as necessary to carry up my companions and myself
We were to start at noon The impatient crohich pressed around the enclosed space, filling the enclosed square, overflowing into the contiguous streets, and covering the houses fro scene The high winds of the preceding days had subsided An oppressive heat fell from the cloudless sky Scarcely a breath aniain upon the very spot whence he had risen
I carried three hundred pounds of ballast in bags; the car, quite round, four feet in diaed; the hempen cords which supported it stretched symmetrically over the upper hemisphere of the balloon; the compass was in place, the baro cords, and the anchor carefully put in order All was now ready for the ascent
A those who pressed around the enclosure, I reitated features The sight of hier spectator of my ascents, whom I had already met in several German cities With an uneasy air, he closely watched the curious round; and he re those about him
Twelve o'clock ca companions did not appear
I sent to their houses, and learnt that one had left for Ha, another for Vienna, and the third for London Their courage had failed the one of those excursions which, thanks to the ability of living aeronauts, are free froraht be forced to execute it faithfully, and they had fled far fro filled Their courage was evidently the inverse ratio of their speed--in deca
The multitude, half deceived, showed not a little ill-humour I did not hesitate to ascend alone In order to re-establish the equilibriuht which had thus proved wanting, I replaced ot into the car The twelve men who held the balloon by twelve cords fastened to the equatorial circle, let theers, and the balloon rose several feet higher There was not a breath of wind, and the atmosphere was so leaden that it see ready?” I cried
The lance told o
”Attention!”
There was athe enclosure
”Let go!”
The balloon rose slowly, but I experienced a shock which threw ot up, I found er,--the pale young man
”Monsieur, I salute you,” said he, with the utmost coolness
[Illustration: ”Monsieur, I salute you,”]
”By what right--”
”A rid of me confers”
I was amazed! His cal to reply I looked at the intruder, but he took no notice of e your equilibrium, monsieur?” he asked
”You will per for s, which he threw into space
”Monsieur,” said I, taking the only course now possible, ”you have cos the ement of the balloon”
”Monsieur,” said he, ”your urbanity is French all over: it comes from my own country I morally press the hand you refuse me Make all precautions, and act as seems best to you I ait till you have done--”
”For what?”