The Shasta courier., 1853-09-10
Wonderful Adrcnture.

A, Contra Costa the other day, boy, named
Gates. some twelve years OF age, undertook to
ascend ia balloon. His only seat was piece
oi board, attached by ropes He seems TO have
got of from mother earth in too much of hur-
ry. even before Mr. Kelly. the aronaui, had time
10 explain The modts optranai. He was consider
ed lost boyi but one of the newspapers gives
the following account of his safety:
''tle game down last night on the steamer An
teope from Bencia, in excellent condition and
fine spirits. He states that for two or three min
ttes alter he shot up, his head grew dizzy, and
he had 10 cling conclusYcly 10 the cords and shu,
his eyes 10 avoid falling. This soon wore off
and he seemed to look around him perfectly self
possessed. He enjoyed his ride wonderfully
somewhat cramped by straddhng the narrow
board. The scene presented from his lofty perch
ne represents as magnificent The mountains,
bay ocean and plains all extended in one grand
panorama before him. Several times the plank
which was but loosely resting upon the hoop,
seemed disposed to tilt, while at others, the bal
loon propelled by gust of wind, would swing
10 and fro, rendering it somewhat difficult 10
keep his seat. He preserved his presence of
mind, however, and managed to keep things in
position. He sailed leisurely along for some
miles before gentle breeze, until he struck the
counter current of air. when the of The bal
loon changed TO The northwest and he was
swept along at IA much more rapid pace. AS he
moved with the wind he was only conscious of
his progress by the rapdity with which he pass
ed over objects upon the earth below. AS he
continued TO ascend, he began to experience
chilly sensation, although at no time did he suf-
fer severly from the cold. To use his own ex-
preston. ,''he enjoyed himself first rate" aud
his only fear was that he nigh land in some
mole place in the mountains, away from the set
Elements and exposed to the attacks OF the "griz-
zlies.'
When he had gone as far as he thought agree
able, he took hold OF the valve rope TO let off the
gas, in order to descend. HI pulled it with all
his force, but it would not work; it appeared
to have got entangled in the cords extending
from the globe of the balloon to the hoop upon
which the seat was resting. This somewhat
alarmed him. He tugged and jerked at the rope
and II broke. Imagine now the condition of the
gallant boy. floating miles above the earth on a
frail unsteady plank. in a balloon which he
had no control The fate of the ship in the vor-
tex of the malestroom could not have seemed
more helpless. When his last stay parted with
the rope, he clung for few minutes to his seat
and collected his thoughts. Was he 10 float for
ever In the air, wonder to the birds and a
spectacle to men, or was he to be precipited
from that fearful height to the mountains be-
neath7 Finally the conviction forced itself up
on him, that he must puncture the body OF the
balloon in some manner, if he would eyer de-
scend in safety. He therefore determined TO
climb up the ropes which extended from the
hoop to the balloon and cut it--and this he actu-
ally did He took his knife out of his pocket
opened it and held il in his teeth, and then
tiously raised himself ina standing position up
on his unsteady seat, firmly clasped the ropes,
and to use his own expression, commenced to
" shin 1t up to the balloon. His weight thrown
on side caused it to tilt slightly, but he man.
aged to make his way up distance of eight or,
ten feet-unclasped one hand took the knife,
and ripped large hole in the silk. The gas
immediately gushed out, and the balloon COM
menced to descend very rapidly. He succeeded
In reaching his seat again in safety. 1t was
about six O'Clock in the evening. The balloon
rapidly approached the earth. He prepared
himself and just as it was about to strike. he
jumped off, and was once more on terra frma.
In the leap, however, he slightly sprained his
ance. The place where he landed proved to
be in Suisun Plains, about fifteen miles from
Benecia, and FIVE miles from the nearest house.
No sooner had he leaped of, than the balloon,
lightened OF his weight, shot up again like
rocket into the air, darted off, and was lost
Young Gates walked TO house about FIVE miles
off, where he was kindly received, supplied with
good supper and bed, slept soundly, and
awoke next morning greatly refreshed. he
started off and walked 10 Benicia. where he re-
manned until the Antelope came by last night