Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-08-26

which makes us look for death without power
even to divine the instant Of its coming.
Florence, almost swooned with terror, had
concealed her face against the breast Of her
brother, who, w%avering himself between fear,
astonishment and Affections, found no encour-
agement to give her.
Christian LOTHIAN, seated at the other extrem-
ity Of the boat, appeared less troubled, and cast
from time to time a look of commiseration upon
Michel Ritter and his sister, but the recollection
of their a%ntipathy and the reciprocal insults
which they had heaped upon each other, still
filed up these two souls and kept them a%lienated,
even in this common danger.
In the meanwhile, the balloon, abandoned TO
the night winds, noated by chance in the heav-
ems, sometimes cutting the air swiftly like a
swallow which returns to its nest, and again,
like %vulture, lowering over mountains. Now
and then Ritter and Loffnan leaned without,
and at the bottom of this gulf of darkness, they
perceived trembling and confused lights which
showed them the towns or hamlets. But little
by little these last traces of the earth disappear
ed; the balloon had attained the most elevated
regions, and the air became every instant more
scarce. Our three voyOgers began to feel OPP
pressed. Confused buzzings jlngled in their
ears; smartIng pangs ran over their bodies, and
the air continually growing colder, chilled their
benumbed limbs Florence, whose strength
was exhausted, slipped down at the feet of her
brother.
What are you doing! cried the latter.
Il would like to sleep, murmured the young
girl.
Wake upT answered Michel frightened, sleep,
it is death. Get up Florence!'
She still remained immovable.
'Florence' repe ated Michel damaged. Oh,
my God! she does not hear me; and there is no
means Of warming
Take this MANTLE said a voice.
lie raised his head, and perceived LOTHIAN
who pulled off a sort of fur cloak in which he
was enveloped.
But y~ourself' demanded Ritter surprised
and touched.
She suffers the most, replied Christian, open
ing the cloak.
Michel aided him in covering his sister, and
as in doing this his hand come in contact with
that Of the young man, he seized it vigorously
what you have done here redeems all the
rest said he, land I regret having pronounced
those words which have wounded you
Regret nothing replied LOTHIAN, moved
for | am the most to blame
Let us then be induIgent to one another, sale
Michel. we shall soon have to Justify before
God our thoughts and actions; let us at leas
cast off our hatred before entering his presence.
i have no more enmity,' exclaimed Christian
here is my hand, Michel Ritter, and it is tina
of friend
Il accept it as SUCH said Michel with eviden
emotion. we have both been deceived, Loft
man, each of US thought that the other wa
wicked, only because our interests were opposed
and We have slandered for want of knowing eacl
other. Alas this is too much the case anon!
men; their hatred is only ignorance or misun
derst1nding. Let US thank Providence for hav
ING tcconciIcd US at this sovereign time in ordeI
that we might present ourselves before God with
out animosity.'
'Oh! | will thank him With you, Michel SAT-
Florence, who began to revive.
Let u pray to him then, cried Ritter, CLASP
ing her in his arms, 'and may he pardon us a
we have each other
After these words, he uncovered himself, a
also Christian, and those three souls joined then
selves in common prayer. AS they were c%losin
it, a pale light colored the east-it vas day.
The reconciliation had moreover revived thei
courage. Isolated until then by hatred, eac
: one Of them had had only himself to console an
strengthen, whilst now they Jointly e%ncourag
and support themselves.
r The sun rose, and they perceived the glor
Gus country. 1t was like a resurrection to then
1 They were alone no more in this gulf of darl
e ness; the sun shonc, the earth still existed
They saw it below them-they saw the river
mountains, towns-there we're men, like then
selves, whose eyes followed them perhaps in tn
d clouds, who prayed for their safety.
And the balloon continued to descend. f
naIly they were able to distinguish the 6eld:
houses, persons, Suddenly Ritter raised a lo
d full exclamation. He recognized Loerrach, an
oHj dlhoIS VIZ HIS, Ills VllldB6 dllC nelu
e The wind carried them nearer. Soon they al
i rived over some meadows which bordered tn
q hills.
e Florence had joined her hands in sobbing.-
She distinguished the roof of their dwelling
the grove of oaks where she used to sit an
work, the little rivulet which wound the bottol
, of the rocks. Michel himself wept. At tn
moment the balloon, which had until then cor
is tlnued to descend, rose up again lightly, life
l. by the breeze. The young girl and her broth,
d raised a cry of despair, leaned upon the sic
of the boat, and stretched ont their arms
e though they wished to leap toward their habit
ton.
ooh! my God, is there no means of re-descer
ding! exclaimed Florence.
There is one,' replied LOTHIAN, but daI
gerous.'
Whatever it may be, anything, sooner tina
this agony said Ritter, quickly. Think of II