Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-05-07
A DUEL IN A BALLOON.

casion of tne last ascent nut one OF the ceie-
brated and lucky gronant' Mons GODDARD. NJ.
Oouaru TOOK Win MN tnat uay' as ms comPo9-
non an soyage, ;nG a wealthy private gentleman
VINO paiu iooc francs ior lhe PriVhege Oh shar-
ing IN tne periis OF tne eXpeuitlon' Inc weath,
er eouio not nave Deen more proptious, ana
tne oailooh shot up rapldly 10 considerable
altitude.
what effect does that produce upon your
asked W. Uodard OF ms companion;
'Nothlng, sald the latter iaconcaiiy'
My compliments to you, SAID NJ. GODDARD.
You are the hrst whom L have ever seen ar
rive at such an altitude without betraying some
emouon.
'heep on mounting, SAID the traveller, with
gravity supreme.
NJ. GODDARD threw out some ballast, and the
balloon assembled some 1000 feet higher. And
now, added NJ. GODDARD, does your heart beat p
Nothing yet replied his companion, with an
AIR which approached closely to lmpatlence
The deuce exclaimed NJ GODDARD: you have
Already my dear sir' the most perfect quallhca-
tons to be an Ironaut.
The balloon still ascended; when 1000 feet
higher, NJ. GODDARD interrogated his companion
land nowT Nothing, nothing not the shad-
ow OF fear Whatever answered the traveller,
with tone positively discontented, and like a
man who had experienced profound decep-
ton.
Goodness me- so much the worse, then, said
| the 9ronaut smillngi but | must renounce all
hopes of making you afraid. The balloon is
high enough; we are going to descend
10 descend
Certainly; there would be danger in mount
ing higher. That don't make the slightest diff
ference to me; do not choose to descend.
You, what asked NJ GODDARD. Il say wish
to ascend hgheri keep on mounting l have
given 1000 francs in order to experience some
emotion: l must do so, and Will not descend.
NJ GODDARD commenced to laugh; he believed
at once, that it was all joke.
Will you ascend" once more demanded the
traveller, seizng him by the throat and shaking
him with vlolence when shall feel some emo
uon!
VI. GODDARD relates that at this moment he
ielt himself lost. A sudden and dreadful reve-
iatlon broke upon him In regarding the strange
iy dilated eyes Of his compdgnon du roydge;
he mad to deal with mailman
10 try to make mailman listen to reason:
10 ask for help amidst the clouds
If even the unfortunate @ronaut had had any
defensive weapon, he would have been capable
OF defending himself; but 1t is not usual for
people to furnish themselves with pistols for
voyage III balloon, and certainly one would
not dream of meeting with warlike encounter
in the stars. The earth was 1000 feet beneath
most horrible depth, and the least movement
OF the now furious madman might cause the car
to capslze NJ. GODDARD, with the presence Of
mind acquired by him in so many OF his daring
griai expeditions, made all these reflections In
the short space OF second.
An! ah you are mocking me, my hne tel-
low, continued the madman, without loosenlng
the grlpe. An. you think to rob me OF 1000
francs, as well as my emotion. Very well, be
quiet. It's my turn to laugh. It's you now
who are going to cut caper
The madman was possessed of prodiglous
muscular force. NJ GODDARD did not even at
tempt to defend himself. What do you wish
from me" asked he, with calm tone and sub
missive air.
Simply to amuse myself in seeing you turn
summersault answered the mailman, with a
ferocious smile. But first, 1.-THE madman, ap-
peared to bethnk himself) | have my idea. l
wish to see if cannot find some emotion up
there. must put myself astride on the semi
circle
The madman indicated with his finger the
upper part of the balloon Just in speaking,
he commenced to climb along the cords which
heId the car attached to the balloon: M: Ood-
ard, who had not before trembed for himself,
was forced TO 40 SO now Tor the mailman;
but miserable man, you Will be seized with
the vertigo.
NO remarks, hissed the madman, seizing
him again by the collar, 'or will at once pitch
you into the abyss
AT least observed M. Godard ALLOW me to
put this cord around your body, so that you
may remain attached to the balloon BE it So
said the madman, who seemed to comprehend
the utility of the precaution. This done, fur
nished with his cord OF safety, the madman
commenced to climb along the ropes with the
agility OF squirrel. He reached the balloon
and placed himself astrde the semlclrcle, as he
had said. Once there he rent the air with
shout OF triumph, and drew his knife from his
pocket.
What are you going to dop asked Nj. God
ard, who feared that he might have the idea OF
ripping open the balloon: 10 make myself
comfortable forthwith Uttering these words,
the man cut slowly the cord of safety which NJ.
GODDARD had attached to his body. With a sim