Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-12

soon perceived il was foolish to try to
descend. 1t soon became evident TO me
that landing in Canada was out Of the
question, and that all arrangement must
be made to be driven across the lakes.
The first thing that struck me was to
drop the grapnel to the full extent, l20
feet This acted as guide to the dis
tanc0 the balloon might be kept above
the surface Of the water; being now
dark, and, by 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 tho water, a
couple of handfulls of sand we're thrown
out-and TO this plan alone ! owe my
own preservation and success.
THE ballast taken was about three
hundred and fifty pounds For three
hours that plan was carried out, and then
came on one of the most drenching and
merciless rains have ever felt Icould
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
drenched to the skin. l now began to
perceive my position more acutely,
though l determined not to give up until
all the ballast and movabes were gone.
The rain was making the balloon heavier
every moment, and the ballast was thrown
out more freely, till about ten o'clock,
when the fatigue overcame me- / fell
into stupor 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 mile, entirely
through the rain clouds, and then the
moon shone brilliantly, and in this posi-
tion it remained about quarter of an
hour. The effect of the moon shining on
the clouds beneath was such as any artist
might be proud OF. The shadow of the
balloon was distinctly to be seen travel
ing over tho rough and uneven clouds,
giving the idea of balloon race.
Everything now became calm. No longer
the huia 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
change had come over the scene. The
rain had ceased, and the appearance of
everything was of the darkest hue;
whether it was an under stratum of dark
clouds could not be known. Suddenly
a glimmer of light was seen for mo
ment; then, with anxious eyes cast down
to perceive any object, at last smPll
squares with darker margins we're clearly
visible These proved to be the fields
and hedges, and they appeared to vanish
as objects passed when in an express
train. A town was at last seen, and
heard the sound of musical instruments.
| then called out to know where / was,
but the reply was unintelligible. They,
however, saw it was balloon. About
two miles farther on the grapnel caught
in large oak tree, and held fast This
afterward proved to be little village
near Cleveland. | then called out Justify;
the sounds of persons singing and play
ing music were heard These proved to
be four young men who had been to
ball. They were natives of Cleveland,
aud as they advanced nearer my voice
was heard. They at once set to work to
pull the balloon ont of the woods and
convey it TO field, where IL could be
folded up. 1t was then three clock in
the morning : CleUeland Pldindedler.