Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-06-14
ADUELIN RALIOON.

u, i
Paris. Mr.. GODDARD took with him that day rs
his eOHPagaoH dH rOyage, n wealthy private
gentleman, who had paid 200 francs for the
privilege of sharing in the perils of his expedi-
tIOn. The weather could not have been more
propitious, and the balloon shot up rapidly to
n considerable altitude.
What effect does that produce upon you ?n
asked Mr.. GODDARD to his companion.
- Nothing said the latter, lacOnically.
My compliments to you, said Mr.. GODDARD.
You are the first whom have ever seen ar
rive at such an altitude without betrayiDg some
emotion
Keep on mounting" said the traveller, with
gravity supreme.
NJ GODDARD threw out some ballast, and the
balloon sSeended some 500 feet higher. " And
now" added NJ. GODDARD, ''does your heart
beat l' - Nothing yet, replied his compan-
Jon, with an air which approached closely to
impationce.
. The Deuce exclaimed NJ GODDARD; "you
have really, my. dear sir, the most perfect
qualifications to be an 9ronaut."
The balloon still assembled; when 900 feet
higher, Nj. GODDARD interrOgated his compan-
i"n-'. And nOw?' Nothing, nothing not
the shadow of fear whatever" answered the
traveller, with a tone positively discontented,
and like man who had experienced pro-
found deception.
Goodness me! so much the worst then,' said
the eTOnaut, smiling; ''must renOunce all
high enough; we are going to descend"
- To descend W
Certainly; there would be danger in mount
ins higher"
That don't make the slightest difference to
me; do not choose to descend
You, what" asked NJ. GODDARD
Il say that L wish to ascend higher keep On
mounting. / have given 900 francs in order
In experience some emotion; must do so, and
will not descend before l have felt some emo
tion'
NJ. GODDARD commenced to laugh he believed
at once, that it was all joke.
VIII you ascendl'' once more demanded
the traveller, seizing him by the throat and
shaking him violence; when shall feel some
emotiOu'"
VI. GODDARD relates that at this moment he
felt himself lost. A sudden and dreadful rev.
elaiiOn broke upon him in regarding the
strangely dilated eyes of the compagN0ll du
cOyIee, he hal to deal with a mad man:
To try to make a maniac listen to reason,
To ask for help amid the clouds
III even the unfortunate &TOnaut had had
any defensive weapon, lie would have been in
capable Of defending himself; but it is not usu-
ri for people TO furnish themselves with pistols
for a voyage in a balloon, and certainly one
would not dream of meeting with a warlike
encounter IN the stars. The earth was 900
Ie=t beneath-most horrible depth, and the
tesst movement Of the now furious mad man.
might cause the car to capsize. 81 GODDARD,
with the presence of mind acquired by him in
- many of his daring arial expeditions made
all these reflections III The short space Of sec
Ond
''Ah, ah' you are mocking me, my fne fell
low, continued the mad man, without loosen
ing the grip. ''Ah you think to rob me of
voo francs a. well as my emotion. Very well,
be quiet. Its my turn to laugh. It's you
now who IS now going to cut u caPcr."
The mHd man was possessed of u prodigious
q n
tn defend himself. Nv hat do you wish from
me- asked he, with u calm tone and submis-
siye air
Simply to amuse myself in seeing you turn
a summersauit, answered the man. with fe-
rOcious smile. . But first (the madman ap-
peared to bethink himSelf) have my ideas
/ wish to see if l cannot find some emotion I'D
there L must put myself astride on the semi
circle.
The msdman 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. NJ God
dard, who had not before trembled for himself
was forced to do 50 now for the msdman.
- But, miserable man, you going tO kill
yourself; you will be seized with vertigo
No remarks, Kissed the msdman, seizng
hun again by the collar, or l will at once
pitch you into the abyss"
'' At least observed NJ. Goddard, allow
me To put this cord around your body SO that
you may remain attached to the balloon"
- Be n 50, said the mailman, who seemed
tn comprehend the utility Of the precaution
This done, furnished with his cord of safety
the madman commenced to climb the rope with
the agility Of n Squirrel. lie reached the bal
l'nn and placed himself astride the semi-circle
~ ne said. Once there, he rent the air with a
shout Of triumph, and drew his knife from his
pocket.
What arc you going to do 90 asked NJ God
bsa irhf har tba a
of ripping the balloon.
'' To make myself comfortable forthwith
ucTIuS these words, the madmau cut cloWIy
the cord Of safety which NJ. Goddard had at
tAched to his body- With a single puff If wind
q shake the balloon. the miserable creature
must roll over into the abyss, NJ Goddard
Shut his eyes IN order not TO see him. The
madman clasps his hand; he cannot contain
himself with delight lie spurs the balloon
with his heel, as If on horseback, TO guide its
fight.
And now, - yelled forth the madman, bran
dishing his knife, I'VE are going 10 laugh. All,
rObbcT, you thought 90 make me descend Very
well 1t Is you who are going to tumble down
IN moment, and quicker than that"
VI. GODDARD had no time 10 make movement
or pat IN "A word. Before he was able to divine
the Internal intention Of the madman, the lat
ter, still sStride Uf the semi-circle, had cut
1h. hITrOr.-fOur of the cords which suspended
the ear to the balloon. The car incIincs hor-
IIbly' 1t only holds by two-it was by one cord,
- slight do they appear, 1t would have been
all over with NJ. GODDARD if he had not grasped
S.sp"rately at the remaining two The knife
"i The madman approaches the last eOrds-yet
a moDient. and all will be over
i do not ask for pardon; On the contrary
w hat Is it you wish. then % said the mad
man. as'Onished.
At this moment; aow," continued the ero-
maui, hurredly, I'VE are at height Of 5000
stop said the madman. THAT will be
charming 7" tumble down from such a height -
ies. said VI. GODDARD, my experience as
"H "5'naut has taught me that death is not
1.'',i,i ~ ehsue from fail from that elevation
lun'oie Tor tumble much prefer to fall from
'-n h'iSht a. t" be killed outright, rather
.I,n i';A '..lng only lamed; have the charity
To prcclPItate me from a height of 9 600 only. :
Ah. that will do, said the m,dman which
'"e mcniIon Of more dreadful fall charmed
amazingly. '' '""i i''u
Mo- : " "iard follows herUicaIIy his purnose
AMI throws over an enormous ausntitY oc Ri
last The balloon makes a powerful ho,','i