Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-06-08

I with the agility of a squirrel. He reached
the balloon and placed himself astride the
semicircle, as he said. Once there, he rent
the air with shout of triumph, and drew his
knife from his pocket.
ssWhat are you going to dO?'' asked Mr..
GODDARD, who feared that he might have the
idea of ripping the balloon. ssTo make my
self comfortable forthwith Uttering these
words the madman cut slowly the cord of safe
ty which Nj. GODDARD had attached to his body.
With single puff of wind to shake the bal
loon the miserable creature must roll over
the abyss. Mr.. GODDARD shut his eyes in or
der not 10 see him. The madman clasps his
hands, he cannot contain himself with delight.
He spurs the balloon with his heel, as If on
horseback, to guide its fight.
ssAnd now,'' yelled forth the madman, bran
dishing his knife; sswe are going TO laugh.
All, robber, you thought to make me descend.
Very we'll. 1t is you who are going to tum-
BILE down in a moment, and quicker than that
Mr.. GODDARD had no time to make movement
or put in a single word. Before he was able
| to divine the internal intention of the mad
man, the latter, still astride the semi-circle,
had cut-oh! (! horror -four of the cordages
which suspended the car to the balloon. The
car inclnes horribly it only held by two. 1t
would have been al over with Mr.. GODDARD if
he had not graSped desperately at these. The
knife of the madman approaches the last cord
yet moment and all will be over.
81 do not ask for pardon; on the contrary
ssWhat is it you wish then 20 said the mad
man astonished.
cat this moment, now," continued the ero-
naut hurredly, sswe are at a height of 5000
feet"
ssStop,'' said the madman, ssthat will be
charming to tumble down such height.''
sYet," said Mr.. GODDARD, ssmy experience as
an eronaut has taught me that death is not
certain to ensue from fall from that eleva-
Tt1p,l lIa for fuD Ia 7 n
fall from such height and be killed outright:
rather than risk being only lamed; have the
charity to prccipitate me from height OF
5000 only.''
"Ah, that will - said the mailman, whom
the mention of a more dreadful fall charmed
| amazingly.
Mons. GODDARD follows heroically his pur-
pose, and throws over enormous quantity
| of ballast. The balloon made a powerful
bound, and mounted five hundred feet in a few
| seconds. Only then, and while the madman
surveys this operation with menacing air
the eronaut thinks to accomplish another
| quite contrary. The quick eye OF Mr.. God
ard had remarked that among the cords spared
by the madnan, figures the one leading to the
valve. His plan is taken. He draws the cord,
it opens the valve placed in the upper part OF
the balloon for tho purpose of allowing any
excess for the hydrogen gas to escape, and the
result which he hoped for, not long in
| making itself apparent. Little by little the
mailman became drowsy, asphyxiated and in
| sensible by the vapors of the gas which sur
| rounded him.
| The madman being sufficiently asphyxiated
| for his purpose, Mr.. GODDARD allowed the bal
| loon to descend slowly to the earth. The dra-
| ma is finished!
Arrived on terra .frma, Mr.. GODDARD, not
! bearing any hatred to the author of his peril
Gus voyage, hastened to restore him to anima-
| ton, ard had him conveyed, hands and feet
bound, to the neighboring station.