The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-08-08

madman might cause the car to cap
size.
M. GODDARD, with the presence of
mind acquired by him in so many of
his daring serial expeditions, made all
these reflections in the space of a
second.
ssAh, ah, you are mocking me, my
fine fellow" continued the mailman,
without loosening his grip. ssAh, YOU
think to rob me of 1000 francs, rs
well as my emotion. Very well, be
| qniet. It's my turu to laugh. It's
you now who are going to cut 4 capcr."
The mailman was possessed of pro-
digious muscular strength NJ. Go
dard did not even attempt to defend
himself.
''What do you wish from me?''
Simply to amuse myself IN seeing
you turn o s',nmersault," answered
the mailman, with ferocious smile.
But first" the madman seemed to
bethink himself 81 have my. idea. [
wish to see if I can't frU some emo
. ton up there. I must put myself
astride on the semi-circlc."
The mailman Indicated with his
finger the upper part of the balloon.
just in speaking, he commenced to
climb along the ,rds which held the
car attached to the balloon.
NJ. GODDARD, who had before tren-
blcd for himself, was forced to do 50
now for the madlnan.
''Hnt, miserable man, you are going
to Kill yourself; you will be seize,.
with vertigo"
''No remarks, hissed the madr,an,
seizing him again hy the collar, cor I
will at once pitch you into the abyss
.'At least" observed NJ. Go,lard.
''allow me to put this cord around
your body, SO that YOU may remain
attached to Tie balloon"
''Be it so, said tie mailman, who
appeared to comprehend the utility of
the prec.ution.
'i'hi' done, furnished with his cord
of safety, the madman commenced to
climb among t'.cropcs with the agility
OF Il squirrel. He reached the balloon,
and placed himself astrida the sc:.i-
circle as he had said Once therr, he
rent the air with lout sho0t OF tri-
umph, and drew his knife from his
pocket.
What arc vow going to do?" asked
NJ. GODDARD, who feared that he might
have an idea of ripping open the bal
loon.
''To make myself comfortable forth
with. " Utte,inS these words. the
mauman slowly cut the cord of safety
which NJ. Goddard had attached to his
body.
With single puff Of wind to shake
the balloon, the miserable creature
must roll over into the abyss! NJ.
Goddard shEt his eyes. in order not to
sec. Tho nadlnan claps his hunds;
he cannot contain himself with de-
light. He spurs the balloon with
his heel, as if on horseback, to .ruide
it's flight.
"And now," yelled forth the mad
man, brandish;ng his knife, eve are
going to laugh. All, robber, You
thought to make me descend! Very
well. 1t is You who are going to tum-
be down, III u moment, and quicker
than that"
NJ. GODDARD had mot time to make a
or put in n single word
Defore he was able to divine the in
fernal intention OF the mailman, the
latter, still astride of the semi-circle,
had cut-oh, Aorror!-four of the
cordages which suspended the car to
the balloon! The car inclines horri-
bly-lt only holds by two, 1 was
going to say by one cord, so slight do
they appear! 1t would have been all
over with GODDARD il he had not gra:p-
ed desperately ut The two remaining.
The knife Of the mailman approaches
the last of the cords-yet a moment
and all will be oyer!
"A word, a single word" cried NJ.
GODDARD.
"No; no pardon vocifcratcd the
madman,
II do'not ask for pardon. On the
contrary
'sWhat is ~ Won vish +ber on cr;od