National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-10-01
A balloon in a Maine UHdefness.

Mr.. Sameul 4. Kiug.the Eronaut,
gives the following amusing account
of All adventure III the northern
wilds of Maine: | had an unusually
long air-voyagc from Bangor, with
several companions, and was pass
ing over an almost unbroken Wild
erness of forest and lake looking In
vain for landing place. Night was
coming on, and the question where
to land became serious one. NO
sound of civilization, not IA gun or
an axe, nothing but prlmatlve sounds
of nature. Here is an opening,
cried one passenger, why not land
here y No. boys, have a little pa
thence we can do better by runlng
down to the coast i'll the counter cur
rent above us. Darkness had come
on, but sea light! a light tins
was the exclamation OF one who
moment before thought he was DOOM
ed to starve in the wilderness. Sure
enough there was light but 1t
was a great way off, aud might be
in our course; yet gradually we ap-
proach it. At one time 1t seems TO
he off to the right and then away to
the left; but nearer it comes TIL II
is seen streaming from window oe-
meath us. There is ~ dark, open
space below lis it land or water : l
see fence. Over with the anchor,
and in a moment more we find our
selves swinging by the hnchor-Iope
over newly cleared field, among the
stumps and logs. We had landed
in the only Inhabited spot within
twenty miles. near saw mill on the
Oromucto River. The people who
run the mill lived near by,and it was
from their window that we saw the
light. Wishing for some assistance
to remove the balloon to smoother
ground,if possible. before letting the
Gas out we remained in the car, and
taking up my speaking trumpet |
hallooed, but the unearthly sound
was adding terror to the already
frightened inhabitants. One man,
however, a little Drawer than the
rest, ventured out after awhile, and
inquired what is it anyhow ! by
dint of explanation and persuasion
we succeeded in getting him to come
TO us. Giving him line that was
attached to the car, he was request
ed to make it fast to certain log tt
preycnt the ballon from swaying
abont till we could get more help. Be
coming impressed with the idea thai
our lives were in danger, and that
our safety depended on him, he frozt
to that rope in a wonderful manner
1t was a little short, and, though ht
tried hard to make it fast every
time the balloon would settle, still
he could not get it fastened. Thel
the balloon would rise, and up hi
would 90 twenty feet or more, ant
down again to try the same thing
over, but, he soon began to feel OK
hausted, and remembering his com
panions, broke ont with Say 80,
blasted, golldumed, cowarlly sneaks
come out and help me the darnc'
thing III kill mcn This started theI
soon five others made their appear
ance and assisted in moving the ba
loon to "A better place. The frs
they knew of the balloon was frol
one of the women who was Just I,
turning from milking, seeing tn
monster Just above her,and descend
ing,she dropped her pail and fled
the house, screaming in the mos
frantic manner; when asked til
matter. she could only reply. 'Ol
it's forerunner know it's for
runnerv In this backwoods pla'
they had never heard OF a balloon
and many were the wonders an
suImises rs to TIE meaning of OF
strange appearance among theI
The oldest man of them all howevc
seemed to have hit upon the rig
idea, and coming up to me, in j
cose way says he: All We Skeda
lcrsr / shook my head, and poil
ing to the balloon, he asked, 'ilt
many more is there up thd'er
didn't take so big a coach to bril-
SO few of ye" He was induced
change his mind ut last when 'b
coach lay prone upon the ground