Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-05-12
family GJiircle.
A DUEL IN A BALLOON.

francs for the privilege of sharing in the
perils of his expedition. The weather
could not have been more propitious, and
the lalloon shot up rapidly to a consid-
cradle altitude.
What effect does that produce upon
you 2" asked Mr.. GODDARD to his com.
panion.
Nothing" said the latter, laconicallv.
My compliments to you,n said Mr..
GODDARD. "You are the first whom T
have ever seen arrive at such an altitude
without betraying some emotion"
keep on mounting" said the traveller,
with gravity supreme.
M. GODDARD threw out some ballast. and
the balloon assembled some 500 feet high
err. And now," added M. GODDARD,
" does your heart beat % Nothing
yet" replied his companion, with an air
which approached closely to. Impotence.
The deuce" exclaimed M. GODDARD :;
you have really. my dear sir, the most
perfect qualification to be an mroraut.
The balloon still assembled when 1000
feet higher. M. GODDARD Intercepted his
companion" And now ?n "Nothing.
nothing not the shadow of a fear what
ever !" answered the traveller, with a tone
positively discontinued, and like a man
who had experienced a profound decep-
ton.
Goodness me! so much the worse
item" said the @ronaut, smiling /" Unjust
renounce all hopes of making you afraid.
The balloon is high enough !; we are go.
ing to descend"
To descend p
Certainly there would be danger in
mounting higher"
That don't make the slightest differ
ence to me /; I do not choose to descend"
"Youl what ?" asked NJ. GODDARD.
II say that I wish to ascend higher.
keep on mounting. I have given 1000
francs in order to experience some emo.
ton | must do SO and will not descend
before | have felt some emotion /"
M. GODDARD commenced to laugh he
believed at once that it was all a Joke.
"Wil you ascend ?" once more de.
handed the traveller, selling him by the
throat and shaking him with violence ;
when shall [ feel some emotion ?"
M. GODDARD relates that at this moment
he felt himself lost. A sudden and dread
full revelation broke upon him in regard
ing the strangely diIated eyes of the
campagnon du Uoyage he had to deal
with a madman
Ii even the unfortunate @ronaut had
had any defensive weapon, he would have
been incapable of defending himself but
1t is not usual for people to furnish them
selves with pistols for a voyage in a bal
loon and certainly one would not dream
of meeting with a warlike encounter in
the stars.
The earth was 5000 feet beneath
most horrible depth, and the movement
OF the now furious mailman might cause
the balloon to capsize. M. GODDARD, with
the presence of mind acquired by him in
so many Of his daring aerial expeditions.
made all these reflection in the short
space of a second.
All! ah you are hooking NE, nv
fine fellow" continued the mailman, with.
out loosening the grip. "Ah! you think
to rob me of 1000 francs as well as nv
emotion. Very well, be quiet. It's my
turn to laugh. It's you now who is going
to cut a caper."
The madmar was possessed of prodi.
gious muscular force. NJ. GODDARD did
not attempt to defend himself. What
do you wish from me ?" asked he, with
a calm tone and submissive air.
Simply to amuse myself in seeing you
turn a summersault," answered the man,
with a ferocious smile. But first, (the
madman appeared to bethink himself,) I
have my ideas. l wish to see if l cannot
find some emotion up there. | must put
myself astride on the semi-circle.
The mailman indicated with his finger
the upper part of the balloon. Just in
speaking, he commenced to climb along
the cords which held the car attached to
the balloon. M. GODDARD, who had not
before trembled for himself was forced
to do so now for the mailman.
But, miserable man, you are going to
kill yourself; you will be seized with
vertigo"
mo remarks Kissed the madman,
Selling him again by the collar, cor
will at once pitch you into the abyss"
"At least" observed NJ. GODDARD, "al.
low me to put this cord around your body,
SO that you may remain attached to the
balloon" BE it So" said t e mad nan,
who seemed to comprehend the utility Of
the precaution. This done, furnished
with his cord of safety, the madman com
menced to climb the rope with the agility
of d squirrel. re reached the balloon
and placed himself astride the semi.circle,
as he said. Once there, he rent the air
with a shout Of triumph, and drew his
knife from his pocket.
What are you going to do 2" asked
M. GODDARD, who feared that he might
haye the idea Of ripping the balloon
10 make myself comfortable forthwith"
Utterlng these words, the madman cut
slowly the cord of safety which M. God.
ard had attached to his body. With a
single put OF wind to shake the balloon
the miserable creature must roll oyer into
the abyss! NJ. GODDARD shut his ewes in
order not to see him. The mailman clans
his hand he cannot contain himself with
delight. He spurs the balloon with his
heel, as if on horse back, to guide its
fight.
And now," yelled forth the mailman.
lorandlshing his knife, 1--WE are going to
laugh. All, robber, you thought to make