Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-11-05
MISCELLAN EOUS.
From the Cleveland Plain Dcaler.l
Perilous Night Ride in a Balloon.

An exchange informs US that an ;cronaut
named Thompson, who ascended recently
from Toronto, descended safely near this city,
the balloon having been taken by 4 strong
upper current across the lakes. Much anX-
iety was felt in Toronto as to Thompson's fate,
before the telegram arrived announcing his
safe landing. Mr.. Thompson gives the fol>
lowing account of his adventure The bal
loon ascended at 4:4O and from the velocity
the balloon was travelling at, l soon perceived
it was foolish 20 try to descend. 1t soon be-
came evident to me that landing in Canada
was out Of the question, and that all arrange
ments must be made to be driven across the
lakes. The first thing that struck me was to
drop the grapuel to the full extent, 120 feet.
This acted as a guide to the distance the ball
loon might be kept above the surface of the
water; it being now dark, and4by placing one
hand on the rope the effect of the grapnel
striking the water was distinctly felt. With
an open bag Of ballast on my knee, every time
the grapnel struck the water a couple Of hand
fuls of sand were thrown Out-and to this
plan alone l owe my own preservation and
success. The ballast taken was about $50
pounds.
For three hours that plan was carried out,
and then came on one of the most drenching
L L
not see fifteen feet before me, and the noise
Of the rain on the balloon and the water was
such as to entirely unnerve me. My hands
became numb, and was drcnched to the skin.
l now began to perceive my position more
acutely, though l determined not to give up
until all the ballast aud movables were gone.
The rain was making the balloon heavier
every moment, and the ballast was thrown
out more freely till about 10 o'clock, when
the fatigue overcame me. fell into a stu
pOr for few moments. BY this time the
balloon had descended to within six feet of
the water, and instantly out went twenty eight
pounds of ballast. The effect of this was that
the balloon rose to an altitude of n mile, en-
tirely through the rain-clouds, and then the
moon shOne brilliantly, and in this position it
remained about quarter of an hour. The
effect of the moon shining on the cloud be-
meath was such as any artist might be proud
of. The shadow of the balloon was distinct
ly to be seen, travelling over the rough and
uneven clouds, giving the idea of a balloon
race. Every thing now became calm. No
longer the hum of the lake or the rain. All
was still, but whether the storm still ragged
beneath was unknown.
As the balloon descended, it was evident
a change had come over the scene. The rain
nau ceased, anu the appearance OF every
thing was of the darkest hue whether it
was an under stratum of dark cloud could not
be known. Suddenly glimmer of light was
seen for a moment; then, with anxious eyes
cast down TO perceive any object, at last small
squares, with darker margins, we're clearly
visible. These proved to be the fields and
hedges, and they appeared to vanish as quick
ly as objects passed when in an express train.
4 town was at last seen, and l heard the
sound Of musical instruments. then called
out to know where l was, but the reply was
unin'elligible. They, however, saw it was
balloon.
About two miles further on the grapneI
caught in a large oak tree, aud held fast
This atterward proved to be little village
near Cleveland. | then called out Justify :;
the sounds Of persons singing and playing
music were heard. These proved to be four
young men who had been to ball They
were natives of Cleveland, and As thev ad-
vanced nearer my voice was heard. They
at once set to work to pull the balloon out
OF the woods, and convey it to field where
it could be folded up. 1t was then three
O'Clock in the morning.