Volcano weekly ledger., 1855-11-17

Mr. Brown in his fight; but as it would
seem, his courage failed, and he came not
/ Nowise discouraged, however. Mr. Brown
was just about to step into his gria car,
when tall, strongly built man suddenly step.
ped forward, and politely saluting the gro-
naut said; MAY | ask you a question,
Sr2p
Certainly
Is it true that you are going to Amer
icag
No; merely to Belfast, wind and weather
permitting"
Belfast repeated the stranger in a mus
ing manner" the north of Ireland Well,
that is just the direction toward which want
to go, and hate land travelling. viii you,
Sir, accept me as companion ?'
Mr.. Brown hesitated for moment, but as
he really wished for some one to accompany
him. he saw no serious objection to the plan
and accordingly signified his acqueiscence
merely remarking to the stranger that his
costume seemed too light for the regions of
cold air which they would have to traverse.
Bah!' was the reply Il have passed
through more changes of climate than that,
and ] am happily very robust
We'll" said Mr. Brown, looking at the
massive frame of the unknown, Gear is large
enough. Come, in the name of providence
80 they took their places, and the word was
given; Let got"
The fifteen men whose hands were severely
pressed by the straning cords. desired moth
ing better, and in moment the freed balloon
began to ascend majestically. The crowd
shouted and clapped their hands.
ALL " cried Mr.. Brown, this is delight
full. don't you think so?" Not receiving any
answer, he turned and looked at his travelling
companion. There he was, living almost fiat
on his face and hands, with his head over the
side Of the car; his eyes were fixed, his hair
bristIing
Are You afrad?" asked Mr.. Brown.
No answer. The balloon ascended rapidly
and ere long arrived at the region of the
clouds. Turning once more to his immova-
BILE companion, Mr. Brown shook him slight
| ly by the arm, and said: Are you ill!H-
Still no reply, but fixed and stolid stare
| They were now at great elevation: clouds
lay beneath their feet, above their heads
burning sun, and infinite space around them.
Suddenly the stranger stood upright his
face pald as that of corpse
Faster! faster!" he exclaimed in a
tone of authority; and seizing in succession
three of the bags of sand which served MS
ballast, he flung them out of the car. at the
same time laughing in a strange wild manner,
lla! he cried, that's the way to travel!
| We shall distance the swallow. we shall tower
above the eagle. When wasin the Abruzzi
with my rifle in my hand, watching for stray
] traY oil | fol 1
Then their lives were in danger, now it is my
own
Very pleasant thought the owner of the
balloon, | have picked up some rascally Ital-
ian brigand.
Better to fight with the elements than
with custom house oficcrs!' continued his
companion The balloon ascended at a ter
rifle rate. In his turn, Mr.. Brown stood up,
and laying his hand on the strangers arm,
said
For heavens sake don't stir Our lives
are at stake | must allow some of the gas
to escape in order to repair your imprudence y
How do you do thaty
have only to draw this string, which
is connected with the valve"
And if you had not that resource, what
would be the consequence p
We should continue to ascend until eve.
/ rything would burst from excessive dilation.
The man continued for few moments in deer
| thought; then suddenly drawing out knife
he cut the cord as high up as he could reach
Faster faster Y he reiterated The
stranger was a giant compared with Mr.
Brown, who, perceiving that he could dc
nothing by force, began to try Cancellation.
Sir" said he, in a soothing tone, "you
are a Christian, make no doubt Well, ouI
religion forbids homicide"
Faster y shouted the giant and sezing
the remaining sacks of sand, he scattered
their contents to the clouds, Mr. Brown fell
upon his knees
All !" he exclaimed, if you have no re-
gard for your own life, at least have some pity
on mine | am young, rich, happy have
a mother and sister; in their name | coniure
you to stretch your hand up to the valve, and
save us from dreadful death, by allowing
some gas to escape
Shaking his wild locks, the stranger drew
off his coat and exclaiming We are not
ascending Y flung it out
Your turn now p he continued and with
out any ceremony he despoiled the unfortu
nate Brown of his palctot and threw it over
The balloon continued its wild career with.
out stop or stay.
la! ha!' said the stranger; "while we
are thIls climbing so pleasantly toward the
SKY, III tell you a story--shall ~ His un-
happy companion did notstir. Already, from
the extreme rarity of the air, the blood was
gushing from his eyes and ears Listen
! Three wears ago | lived in Madrid | wns q