Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-10-30
,,can, which we could yet see in the di'n


OCEAN, which we could yet see in the dim
distance
We had no idea at this time that the
"Star-Spangled Banner" was floating over
the British Provinces. but such was the
case. On we went, until soon there were
no signs of life or animation to greet us.
Solitude is always grand and impressive,
but in our situation the sublimity Of the
occasion surpasses all description. No
wonder then that we should sit for long
intervals gazing out upon the wondrous
scene without moving muscle or vcntur.
ing single syllable.
But the mind becomes weary at last.
and We long to discern some signs Of civi.
lization. One ventures to suggest that
eve are out OF humanitys reach," and
another inquiries "will We ever get home I"
while still another more practically pro-
poses to divide the rations, and ascertain
how many matches we possess for building
camp fires. 1t is also suggested that thrs
must be plenty of partridges in the woods
that could be easily knocked over with
sticks or stones A damper comes, how
ever, when we remember that there may
be wild beasts, too, and we have not %
much as pistol However. on the whole
We make ourselves very easy. and As tho
darkness approaches conclude that ws
could not do worse than to make a landing
under such unfayorable circumstances,sn and
so conclude to stay up all night rather
than come down here.
But look there ahcad-a light. boys; .
light hip hip hurra But stop, dont
be too gleeful-it must be fifteen or twen.
ty miles distant, and by the time We get
there it will be pitch dark" Besides.
the sky is overcast with clouds, and
storm is immircnt.
But, with all our thoughts, we keep
watching the light Sometimes We fear
We shall go too far to the right; and then
again we are certain We shall leave it
away to the left but our course is steadi.
ly onward, nevertheless, and soon we have
the pleasure of knowing certainly that We
shall pass directly over the light. We
soon descry other lights, and with the
valve cord in one hand and bag of bal
last in the other, We near the tree.tops--
a little sand out to check the descent, and
a little gas out to keep her down. "Fields
ahead 'Are you sure? it might be wa
tcr." Down little lower-theres rail
fence. Drop the ropc-over with tho
anchor. Now it catches, and here We arc
all right. The grapnel holds, but little
assistance would be very acceptable. and
so all hands commence halooine, but for
a long time in vain. At last We heard
man inquiring, "What is it anyhow ?"-
and by dint of explanation and peasuas.
ion we succeeded in getting him to como
to us. Seeing there was no danger, hc
number of others that their
assistance was needed. and that they had
nothing to fear With this assurance
they gathered around, and assisted to
move the balloon to point nearer the
road. where it was exhausted Of its gas.
On inquiry we ascertaned that our de.
scent had been made at Hart's Mills,
Blissyile Parish on the Oromucto River,
- miles south Of Fredericton, n. B.
We were so fortunate as to obtain aeon.
notation that night at the house of Mrs.
Rcbecca Kelley, and the next morning.
after folding the balloon and packing. it
in the basket, we were taken by Mr.. Hart
in u team, to Fredericton, where we ar.
rived about o'clock that afternoon.
We have returned safely to Bangor,
highly pleased with our journey through.
out. AS / said in the commencement, We
did not 90 for scientific purposes. but We
did 90 for fun, and we had it. never,
in all my experience, and this is my one
hundred and thirteenth ascension enjoyed
an nrial trip so much as this one. Of
my company, | must say, a jollier set Of
good fellows could not be found.
Oar thanks are due to the many kind
friends. Of this city, who have assisted US
in various ways in making the ascension
perfect success, and also to those persons
in Her Majesty's dominions who received
US with such an open-hearted welcome.
SAMUEL \. KING, Aerouaut.