The Portland daily press., 1870-11-07

PERILs OF A BALLOON VoYAGE.-The
Gazette, OF Cambray, gives an account Of the
arrival at that place of the balloon Washing
ton, and of the journey of the aeronauts from
Paris. The Washington left Paris at 7
o'clock on the morning of the 18th. 1t was
under the care of the aeronaut Bertant. and
also carried M. Leiaivre, an envoy, with dis
patches to Vienna, and M. Van Roosebiche, a
Belgian, whose specially is to rear and man
age carrier pigeons. When the balloon as.
cended at Paris it stopped at 500 metres. At
this elevation there was danger from the
Prussian rifles, and soon, indeed, bullets were
whistling past the ears of the travellers. Some
even lodged in the balloon, which causing it
to sink lower, by no means diminished the
danger. 1t was necessary to have recourse to
extreme measures AL! the sacks of ballast
were thrown out, and tue car rapidly rose
from 1900 to 1900 metres. 1t then set at de-
fiance the bullets, which fell short OF it. But
it was not yet out OF reach of the balls sent
after it. The wind rose and all danger SEEM
ed at an end. 1t was not so, however, for
half an hour afterwards the balloon sank
again. 1t hung over a town evidently occu-
pied by the enemy for three quarters of an
hour, and was exposed to a continuous fire of
musketry. Soon, however, a high wind from
the south rose, and the balloon, whIrling
about in wild manner, was carried far out
of reach of the enemy. 1t sank at last within
reach Of the ground. This was near the rail-
way station at Cambray. 1t rose and sank
again. The aeronaut thought the moment
favorable to throw out his graphing iron with
its 400 metres OF fcable. The wind was high,
and there was not moment to spare. While
a high gale was blowing he unwOund rapidly
the rope. The graphing iren was about to
catch the ground, and had it done so the
journey would have ended. But, no! The
aerOnaut was caught in the folds OF the rope,
which had got tangled, and he was dragged
out of the car. He fell, and his death seemed
certain, but by an incredible piece of good
fortune he Was entaneed In the cable He
fell nearly ~ metres, yet, strange to say, he
had only few slight bruises. Not one limb
was broken. The balloon, left to the direc-
tion OF the two other travellers the diplomat
ic envoy and the ol-trainer-continued
its course. The graphing irons caught the
ground, and threw to one side both car and
balloon. They continued on their course,
striking against trees, which they broke in
shock against the ground. Another of the
travellers, NJ. Lefaivre, was pitched out of the
car. 1t remained occupied by the pigeon
| trainer only, who exhibited, however, the
greatest cooness. Making use of the ropes
which connected the car with the balloon, he
climbed up to the latter and opened it with a
knife. He pulled away large, shreds from it,
and at last it shrank and fell Country peo-
pie 20 the number of 200 then came up, and
it was stopped. The Belgian had not, how
ever, got to the end of his troubles.
The peasants mistook lhimI for Prussian,
and threatened him with summary punish
ment. "DO with me whatever you like" he
said, "but help, in the first instance to save
the dispatches which bring from Paris. Cut
destroy the balloon, but hold on by the car
which contains important papers," These
words were spoken in a tone which mt am
end to all alarm. At the same time, 11.3O A.
NJ, M. Bricourt made his appearance. He
aided the traveller, and helped him TO secure
MS Vaiuaoie cargo, Soon after NJ. Lelaivre
came up, ne having followed at no great dis
tance. 1t was not known as Vet how Bertant
had Iareu. but in short time peasant came
running up, who brought the news that he
mad been saved, and that at that very time
MS injuries were being attended to at larm
house at some distance. Tbree-quarters OF an
hour afterwards all three travellers were din
ing with NJ. Bricourt, and they were able to
| reach Cambray three hours later, and convey
TO the post office the five enormous bags of
dispatches which they brought from Paris,
weighing about 400 kiloerammes. The place
at which this balloon came to the ground was
Avesnes, eight kilometres from Cambray.
A gentleman, whose taste for collecting for
est leaves is well known, was walking on the
track of the Boston and Providence railroad
last week with huge bunch of glazing red
oak leaves. The sun shining on them gave
an intensity to the color. The Dedbam snec.
lal train under command Of Col. Rice was
approaching in an opposite direction and the
engineer mistaking the red display for a red
nag, immediately whistled on the brakes
which brought all hands to the platform. Dis,
covering the mistake, the brakes were whis-
tied Oft. The gentleman in turn mistaking
the demonstration as a mark of respect,
gracefully bowed his acknowledgements