The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-07-14

the anchor-rope, or you may get them Torn on!
Look out also for the branches OF the trees lest
they hurl you from the basketF'
The warning came in time: and every man
grasped the rope, and braoed himself for the
shock. On drove the balloon like an enraged
monster over the trees, the strong basket
with iron olasped and with iron bound"
crashing through the tops and tearing away
great branches in its rushing course. The
shock was awful, but though the basket crack
ed aud qulvered, not withe was severed, not
q strand was parted
THROUGH THE NIGHT.
The anchor caught at last upon tree at II
o'clock; and as soon as it vas ascertained that
our j,urney was actually ended, the momen.
tous ques ion arose. how were we to get down
We could distinguish the trunk Of the tree be-
low and the limbs above Us, but We knew not
how far was the ground. or what was beneath
us. Never ut q loss, the eronaut direct ed that
all the string and rope which We could find be
put together aud an attempt made to get
soundings. The two flags were tied to the
ends Of two small sticks, seven feet each IN
length, used for flag staffs, and to these were
added whatever was available in the shape OF
cord and the trial made. No bottom.
HOW TO GET DOWN?
Another cause OF apprehension was that the
wind might arise during the night and drive
the balloon against some OF the limbs with suf-
Hoient force to puncture it, thus letting the gas
escape; but it was agreed that If the wind did
not blow, We might continue suspended in our
basket-four feet six by five feet ak, and three
feet deep-in safety until morning, evsn though
it was careened to an angle OF almost forty-fve
degrees. Then, again, We might remove all
the ropes but four by which the basket was
attached to the hoop. tie them together, a let ct
search OF help. All but all the ropes we could
spare, when tied together. would not reach the
ground, for our flags, and iag-staffs. and cord,
and string, were fo-ty-fve feet In length, as
measured upon the arm. and they did not! =.
What next2 Why shout for assistance
Goodl Altogether, now, and give 1t ell your
power OF lungl "HIllloho-o'o o,o,o-ohF But
only echo answered "Oh-o-o-o-ohp
MAKING NIGHT OF IT.
Again what2 Make the best Of it! That's
it. Le.'s have concert. And didn't we sing!
We sang "Up in Balloon," which, being en-
Syne," "Old Crimes" when the Day with
Rosy Light" and 80 on dd anJinituna. AS q
wlnd-up To that portion Of the entertainment,
Professor King favored us with selections from
the French and German operss-it we may
take his word for it: aud we would take his
word for anything; but decent and becoming
respect for the truth c0mpels the admission
that, however superior the Professor may be
as an @ronaut as slngist he is not q success.
A long per.od Of impatience followed, but
the night came to an end at last.
The MORNING BREAKS.
When it had become sufficiently light to dis
tipgulsh objects about, above, and beneath US
plainly, we found that We were hanging about
sixty feet from the ground; that there were
other trees near us; that Immediately under
the basket there was nothing but small bushes,
and tnat the surface was level. Convinced that
we had nothing but our own efforts to rely
upon tor our release, Professor King decided
to cut the anchor rope and allow the basket to
descend to the ground. Not knowing the
amount OF lifting or resisting force LETT in the
balloon, We proceeded to tighten the basket by
throwing overheard everything it contained
and coffee can, baskets Of provisions, sand
bags, &C., were quickly upon the ground.
TEE DESCENT.
Cutting q smaller rope which had been fss-
tened to the basket and limb Of q tree above,
to lessen the strain upon the anch or rope, the
Professor climbed to the hoop, and cauti ming
all to be in readiness, severed the anchor rope
itself, threw his knife from him, quickly swung
hlmself back into the basket, and in an instant
We we're upon the earth. 1t was 2:20 O'Clock.
Although the shock wss somewhat violent, no
one was hurt in the slightest degree.
The party landed at Kin2us, Warren Coun-
ty, Pa, and after severe jaunt ler bad roads
in spripeless wagon, through a country IN
tested with ra,tlesnakes, reached Buffalo more
tatlgued taan hurt.