The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-07-22

islads became visIble,and enabled US to deter
mite that we were fast coming upon this great
|, mind sea. We went at quite rapid pace
I over Henry, Ward and Ottawa counties. We
could see men and women below, going into
, IL hs TO attend to their stock or milk cows
We threw out a few papers TO INFORM the peo-
pie of our whereabouts. We also shouted loudly
!, TO lhenr, but got no answer, and probably were
no seen. Aswe sailed on, we had ascended
toa considerable height--so much as to expand
our balloon and endanger its bursting. We
wtre therefore obliged to let out gas and come
down, which we did on gradual incline,
pssin TO and upon the Lake at a point far
fFAea SaDdusky Bay. This was,,the tes. on which
bad lelt important questions depended. We
bad been told that our gas would condensr
over the water, that we should fall into the first
lake we attempted TO cross, and all that sort OF
thing. believed nothing OF the sort, but of course
fell soma anxiety as TO the determination about
to bt made. At 7.20 as we struck the lake
over Cedar Point, shouted to persons below,
asking them "ls this Lake Erie % eyes" was
the answer, "and you had better look out"
small propeller in the bay gave US chase, and
we had good laugh at those on board over the
facility With which we left them out of sight
behind. The effect of water did not condense
ouf gas particle. On the contrary, as had
checked the descent just as we touched the lake,
a very small discharge OF ballast sent US up
again TO a very considerable altitude. We
descended again, however, to within a few
hun. Hred feet OF the water, crossing the entire
lake ithout any peculiar incident. We passed
eight vessels, two propellerS, one paddle steamer
and five sails, saluting and receiving salutes
from ALL We were for few minutes out OF
sight Of land, but soon obtained gGmpSes of the
Canadian shore. This we struck at h4li-paSt
eleven, at spot which pronounced the famous
Long Point, Of pugilistic notorIety, though my
companions insisted we were south OF Buffalo.
The result proved was correct. During the
entire passage but three pounds OF ballast were
thrown out.
We frst came over what is called Sandy
Bluff, about fifteen miles west of the Welland
canal, bearing northeast. We passed very
quickly over the fine stretch OF provincial coun-
try near enough TO irighsen horses, fowls and
men several of the latter, who were at work
in the fields, leaving their implements and run
ning off shouting in evident frignt. There was
general stampede in the country. We hrst
+ f,-.;a..I:-'- = ID then The Welland canal,
DesJaTdins bridge, famous for the terrIoIs uIe8-,
ter by which ii was once marked.
NIAGARA FROM ALoFT.
At ll:43 we passed Niagara river, and
entered New York State at an altitude of two
and half miles, having gained the upper cur
reft aud bearing east by north How insignIf-
can't here seemed the greatest natural wonder
/ o. the world Niagara river was a mill stream,
ADD the point where i: went roaring over the
awful pTecipice of the Falls was barely dis
tngushable by line of white foam, much as
an industrious housewife would make the water
( iok IN a wash tub. For sixty miles on either
SIDE the view was magnificent. Between Lake
ferlp and Lake Ontario there seemed to be
! ply distance enough for an agreeable morning
glIk. Plainly IN sight were Niagara, Fort |
! lragara, Queenstown-witb Brooks monument
temiug like white skewer stuck in piece |
! { green cloth-Lewistown, St. Catharines, |
lHpension Brdge-which seemed TO be the
! lmsiest and most unsubstantial spider web
! hipPewa, Gravel, Port Dahousie, Cattaraugus
! bckport, Medina, Albion and Buffalo ltwas |
j Pw agreed TO come down aud land MIR. eager,
/ Er. Hyde, the machinery and the boat near
( 'ochester, leaving Wise and myself, relieved
( $50 pounds oil ballast, to proceed to the sea
oas, which ! calculated we should strike in
{. le northern portion of the State of Maine.
THE DESCENT.
! Accordingly we commenced descent As
re came within about 1000 feet of the earth
ite were suddenly seized by tremendously
oweriul gale, between two currents of air
lowing in opposite directions, and Carving
along with tremendous velocity. Below
his, we had noticed, as an effect OF the storm
pom US, loss OF ascending power caused by
The condensation OF gas We were then at a
xNfI -
niles Instantly every pound of ordinary
lallast or board was thrown over 10 check our
IeScent, and not withsandng this fact, going at
he awful rate OF. two miles a minute, and .
Iertain to be dashed TO pieces if we struck the
Iarth, and went below the tops of the trees. I
HURRICANE. {
The wind howled with power like that of
he great falls themselves. aud the trees, as we {
Nvept closely over and brushed them, bent
lefore the rushing tornado like blades OF grass.
Things began to wear threatening aspect. Mr..
Eager, who had been in the boat until this $
me. climbed. up the stays into the basket q
with MT. Wise MIR. Hyde remained with me, !
n interested but by no means frightened man. g
Clearing the woods, we commenced ascending =
again, as to get clear of the tornado, but the
upper Current-tt0O miles and half a6ove the n
bio,Oing in the same direciion.-
On looking at my watch, found it was half
ps twelve o'clock. Unfortunately we had no II
upans of regulating our descent, and having y
CUE up until we lost our ascensive power, u
willingly descended, passing over the edge of
Ike Ontario, twenty five miles west of Roches-
to, at the mouth of Sandy creek, end near c
Dv'S Nose. Leaving Rochester to The south Il
We truck boldly across The lake, and when \
sbol twenty-five miles from the New-York n
shni from loss and condemnation Of the ras | :,