The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-10-12
The Late Eronaut Trip.


whistle, and occasionally could hear wagons
rumbling along the ground or over bridge,
while the dogs kept up an almost ceaslesf
serenade, ns IL conscious there was some
thing in the sky monstrous and unusual
We sailed along, contented and chatty, until
about half past seven, when we distinctly
saw lights and heard the roaring of mighty
waterfall. We descended into valley neal
a very high mountain, but as the place sp.
peared rather forbidding, we concluded to
90 up again. Over with 80 lbs. OF ballast,
and skywar we sailed. In about twenty
minutes we sgain descended, but this time
no friendly light or "deep mouthed watch
dogs heavy bay" greeted US. We were
over dense wilderness, and settled down
over small lake. We had our life preser-
vers ready for use, but got up again by
throwing over all our ballast except about
eighteen pounds. Mr.. La Mountain now
said it was folly and madness to stay up any
longer, that we were over a great wilder.
ness, and the sooner we descended the bet.
ter. We concluded to settle down by the
side of tree, tie up and wait until morning.
In moment we were near the earth, and
as we grssped the extreme top of very tall
spruce, which stopped her descent, and we
were soon fastened to it by very large
drag rope. The touch of that spruce sent a
thrill OF discomfort to my heart, for knew
that its kind did not grow in any well settled
nor any warm country.
Mr.. La Mountain said, after he locke
around and made as much of an examination
of the scenery as we could do for the dark.
ness end rain, (for it had rained the past
hour.) that the "Atlantic was played out
we were far into the woods and if we got
out alive we ought to be thankful.
We rolled ourselves up in our blankets,
and patiently waited until morning. The
rain drpped down upon US in rivulets from
the great balloon, and it was not long be-
fore we were as wet as men could be. Al.
ter night passed in great discomfort we
were GLAD to see the first faint ray Of day.
light. Cold, and wet, and rainy, the morn
ing broke, the typical precursor, we were TO
learn, of many other mornings to be spent
in those uninhabited wilds. We waited
until six O'Clock, in hopes the rain would
cease, and that the rays of the sun, by
warming the gas in the balloon, would give
us ascending power sufficient to get up
again, for the purpose, if no other, of obtain
ing view OF the country into which we had
descended. The rain did not cease, and we
concluded to throw over ell we had in the
balloon, except a coat apiece, the life pre-
servers, the anchor and the compass
Overheard, then, they went-good shawls
and blankets, Mr.. Fayel's overcoat, bottles
of ale ond flask of cordial, ropes and traps
of all kinds. The Atlantic, relieved Of her
wet load, rose moiestically with US, and we
were able to behold the country below. 1t
was on unbroken wilderness of lakes and
spruce, and we felt then that we had gone
too far, through miscalcuation OF the We
locity of the balloon. AS the current was
driving US still to the north, we dare not stay
up, as we were drifting farther and still far.
ther to that "frozen tide" from which we
knew there could be no escape. MIR. La NJ.
seized the valve cord and discharged gas,
and we descended in safety by the side OF a
large spruce. We made the Atlantic fast
by her anchor, and for a moment talked
over what we shond do. We had not a
mouthful to eat. No protect at night
from the damp ground, were distant we
knew not how far from habitation, were
hungry to start with, no earthly hope Of
raising a fire, and no distinct idea as to
where we were. We concluded TO trust to
the compass, kindly loaned by II. X. New.
comb, E,q., and take course which would
bring US cut of any wilderness we might be
in. We settled in our minds that we were
either in John Browns tract or in the great
- th ennfh wo fhn1f
OF the Ottawa, end knew that course south
by east would take us out il we had strength
enough to travel the distance. La Noun
tain stepped up TO the balloon, and gave the
edge of the basket parting shake, saying,
GOOD bye, old Atlantic" and | fancled
could see tear in his honest eye when he
said it. He seemed greatly to regret his
inability to perform his engagements at the
Kingston and New York State Fairs, at
both of which he was advertised to make
ascensions.
TRAMPING IN THE WOODS.
To the southeast, then, we started. After
travelling about mile and half we came
to the bank of a small creek flowing dow n
from the westward. At this point we were
ogreeably surprised to find that some human
being had been there before US for we found
several small trees cut down, the Goals from
an old fire, and half barrel which had con.
tained pork. Ieagerly examined the stamp.
1t read, "Mess Pork, P. NJ, Montreal."-
This settled the question that we were in
Canada-for very we'll knew that no Mon.
trea inspection of pork ever found its way
into the interior of New York State. We
travelled all day Friday up the unknown
creek which kept its general course to the
south of west, crossing it about noon on q
floating log and striking on its southern
bank "blazed" track, which led US up to O
deserted timber road, lying on the opposite
side from large numbering shanty. We
hoped one of the lumber roads mi ght take
us out to settlement, but alter travelling up
them all until they terminated in the wilder.
ness, we concluded 10 cross the creek to the
shanty, and stay in it all night. LaMoun.
tain got across safely but my weight was
greater than his, and the raft let me into the
lstream. sank in all over, and swan ou,
hough it required all my strength to do SO
and on reaching the bank l found myself &c
chilled as scarcely to be able TO stand.
took off my clothes, wrung them, and W.
proceeded to the shanty, where we fount
plenty OF refuse straw, but it was dry, ant
under pile OF it we crawled, pulling it owe
our heads and faces in the hope that ou
breath might aid in warming our chilled bo
dies. ! think the most revengeful stony
heart would have pitied our condition then
The weary hours Of night at last wore away
and we held new counsel. 1t was evident
we reasoned, that the creek we were upo,
was used for "driving" logs in the sprin!
season. If, then, we followed it to its con
Huence with the Ottawa or some streau
which emptied into the Ottawa, we could il
time get out the same way the timber wen
out. The roof of the shuntv was covere,