Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-10-22

up his hoad grew dizzy, and he had to
cling convulsiyoly to the cords and shut
his eyes to avoid falling. This soon
wore off, aud he proceeded tolook a.
round him perfectly self.possessed. He
enjoyed his ride wondcrfully-some-
what cramped from straddlihg the mar
row board. Tho scene presented from
his lofty perch he represents as mag
nifcent. The mountains, bay, ocean,
and plains, all extended in ono grand
panorama before him. Several times
The plank, which was but loosely rest
ing upon the hoop, seemed disposedto
tilt, while at others the balloon, propell-
cd by gust of wind, would swing to
and fro, rendering it somewhat ditticnlt
to keep his scat. He preserved his
presence of mind. however, and mana
ged to keep things in position. He
sailed loisurcly along for some miles be-
fore gentle breeze, until he struck the
counter current of air, when the course
of the balloon was changed to the north
west, and he was swept along at q much
more rapid pace. AS he moved with
the wind, he was only conscious of his
progress by the rapidity with which he
passed over objects upon tho earth be-
low. As he continued to ascend, he be-
gan to experience chilly sensation, al
lhouoh at no time did he suffer severely
fromTlho cold. To use his own express
sion, she enjoyed himself frst-ra,c,"
and his only fear was that he might land
in some remote place in the mountains,
away from the settlement and exposed
to the attacks of the grizzlies" When
he had gone as far as he thought agree
able, e,hestook hold of the valve rope to
let off tlielgas, in order to descend. He
pulled it with all his force, but it wond
not work; it itappearedto have got en-
tangled in the cords extending from the
globe of tho balloon to the hoop upon
which his seat was resting. This some
what alarmed him. He tuggea andjerk-
ed at ,licropc, and it broke! Imagine
now the condition Of tho gallant boy,
floatingimiles above the earth upon a
frail unsteady plank, in a balloon over
which 'heihad lost all control. pFle fate
Of the shipsih tile ivor.ex of the mael-
s,rdrn coaidnot have eseemed moteIhope-
less. When lis last stay parted dwitl,
the rope,,h clung for few 'minutessto
his seat, and collected his thoughts.
Was he to,iloat forever intlie ARIA won
der to the birds and aspectacleto men,
OF was he to be prccipitated from that
fearful height uponEthe mountains be-
meath? Finally, the conviction forced
itself upon him that he must puncture
the body Of the balloon in some man
ner, If acwonld ever descend in safety.
He therefore determined to climb up
the ropes which extended fromthe hoop
10 tho balloon, aud cut it-andstlis he
actually did! lie took his knife outsof
his pocket; opened it and held tinlhis
teeth: then cautiously raised tlimselfm
d standing position on his unsteady seal,
firmly clasped tho ropes, and, 10 use li4
own expression, commenced.to "shiu
i" up 10 the balloon His weight
brown on one side caused it to, Ill.
slightly, but he managed to make his
way up . distance of eight or ten tecs,
one hand, took bis knife, aud
tipped large hole in the silk. n The
,ass Immediately gushed out, and the
balloon commenced to descend very
'apidly. He succeeded inreaching his
seat again in safety. 1t was now about
six o'clock in the evening. The balloon
rapidly approached the earth Hepre-
pared himself, aud just as i, was about
10 strike ho jumped off,, and was once
more upon terra .tfrmal In the leap,
however, he slightly sprained his ankle.
The place where he landed proved to
be in Suisun Plains. about, fifteen miles
rom Benicia and five miles, from the
nearest house. No sooner had he leap
I'd of, than tho balloon, lighteneil Of
lis weight, shot UP again IKE q rocket
nto the air, dartel of, and was lost.
Young Gates walked 10 u house about
i've miles of, where he was kindly re-
:eived, supplied with good supper
nd bed, slept sounlly, and awoke
leXt morning greatly refreshed. He
tar,ed of and walkedto Benicia, where
Ie remained until the Antelope came
" last night. Altogether it is,he most
extraordinary balloon ascension onsre-
ord. Iho escape Of the boylis, under
he circumstances, almost miraculous.
ie is certainly q hero. The above
tatcmont cmbodies the facts gathered
rom several gentlemenwho came down
N the boat last night and conyersed
With him. He is now at lis fathers
ousc in the neighborhood of the hospi-
al, and was TOO iudisposed last night to
i've any fdrthet account Of his adyen-
urcs.
Tho Colorod Baptist Churches Of Sa,