Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-20

greater altitude than any one time pre-.
viously, and were nearing the south shore.
At six o'clock we passed over the beach
and proceeded landward.
At four minutes to eight the gas com.
menced escaping from the mouth of the
Hyperion, and now, for the FIRST time,
Professor King opened the valve. This
was done to relieve the pressure upon
the balloon, which was distended to the
utmost in consequence of the lightness of
the atmosphere. At six minutes past
eight, threw out more sand to enable us
to clear large piece of forest towards
which we were going, in the hope OF ind
ing suitable place to land. At this
point the silence was almost painful
Again saw the reflection of the setting
sun, as we were getting well across the
woods.
We we're now reduced to the last bag
of ballast and still in search of resting
place. At eight o'clock we passed over
Cataraugus creek; soon it became too
dark to make additional memoranda and
pencils and note book were put aside.
We could now distinctly see the trees,
apparently in front and on either side
of us, and here again Professor King
counseled us: Hold fast to the ropes of
the basket, but be careful to keep your
hands out of the way of the anchor rope,
or you may get them torn off. Look out
also for the branches of the trees, lest
they hurl you from the basketl'
The warning came in time, and every
man grasped the ropes and braced him
self for the shock. On drove the balloon
like an eHraged monster over the trees.
Once more the voice of our good men
tor: "On no account touch those two
small cords hanging from the mouth of
the balloon. One is the valve cord-the
other the explosion cord. BY pulling
the latter the balloon can be instantan-
eously exploded"
On again and another tree was borne
down, and. though the dry limbs cracked
and fell about US. All remained un'
scathedl Now the anchor caught in the
ground, and for a moment our progress
was checked. Tearing loose, again, how.
ever, almost Immediately, it was carried
to the top of an immense pine tree,
where it held For a moment the bal.
loon swayed and surged as if 'twould
break from all restraint. In couple OF
minutes it became stationary. The iron
hoop, between the balloon and the bas-
ket, caught in the branches, and after the
first shock was over, also ceased to
move.
It was eleven o'clock when we were
brought up by this tree and as soon as 1T
was ascertained that our journey was
actually ended, the momentous question
arose, how we're we to get DOWN. We
could distinguish the trunk of the tree
below and the limbs above US, but we
knew not how far it was to the ground,
or what was beneath us !
Never at loss, the eronaut directed
that all the string and rope which we
could find be put together and an attempt
made TO get soundings. The two hsgs
were tied to the ends of two small sticks,
seven feet each in length, used for flag
stats, and to these were added whatever
was available in the shape OF cord, and
the trial made. No bottom
Cutting smaller rope which had been
fastened to the basket and limb OF the
tree above, to lessen the strain upon the
anchor rope, the Professor climbed to the
hoop, and cautioning all to be in readi-
ness, severed the anchor rope itself, threw
his knife from him, quickly swung him
self back into the basket, and in an In
slant we were upon the earth 1t was
twenty minutes past five o'clock. AL
though the shock was somewhat violent,
no one was hurt in the slightest degree.
Almost by instinct, as it were, hands
were clasped and congratulations ex-
changed, and then ell eyes were turned
upon the balloon. We know not what
the feelings of our comrades were, but
when we gazed upon the grievous rents
the euyious limbs had made in the beau
tiful fabric, feeling of keen sadness and
sorrow came over us. The net was hang
ing from an upper limb, while on one a
little lower hung q large piece of the bal
loon, which had been torn completely
out.
Breakfast over, one of the party started
on prospecting tour, and soon returned
with the welcome intelligence that he had
found Q road at the distance of q few
rods. He was soon Joined BY the others,
and all started for-wheref With the
fresh hoof- prints of cattle for our guide,
we started on what proved weary tramp.
After going some distance on an ordin-
arily level road, we commenced descend
ing and winding down declivity, and
with our stiffened limbs it seemed that
we were destined never to reach the foot.
Eventually we came TO house, aud
further on we saw cluster OF houses-a
small village, in fact. Observing boy
standing in front of the tenement first
named, we accosted him, when the follow
ing dialogue took place:
"Boy, what place is this =
His reply was unintelligible to Us, aud
the question was repeated twice, thrice,
four times At length We made out to
understand:
Kinzool"
"What county is it inf"
"Warren county,"
"Whatl Warren, Pennsylvania 2"
"Yes, Pennsylvania
1t was Indeed 90, and subsequent in
ouiry on reaching the small settlement
showed that We had landed on what is
known as Rock Robbie "-on the line
Of Mexican and Warren eognties--a spur