Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-10
A ualloou Voyage.

Inc GaZette, Vi tauiuIayi gives az ~
count of the arrival at that place OF the
balloon Washington, and of the journey
of the @ronauts from Paris. The Wash
iogton left Paris at I o'clock on the
morning of the 18th. II was under the
care of the eronaut Bertant, and also
carried NJ. Lefavre, an envoy, with DIS
patches to Vienna, and N. Van Roose-
bitehe, Belgian, whose speciality rs to
rear and manage carrier-pigeons. When
the balloon assembled at Paris it stopped
at 500 metres. At this elevation there
was danger from the Prussian rifles, and
soon. indeed, bullets were whistllng past
the ears of the travellers. Some lodged
in the balloon, which, causing 1t to sink
lower. by no means diminished the dan
ger. 1t was necessary to have recourse
to extreme measures. All the sacks oil
ballast were thrown out, and the car
rapidly rose 1900 to 1900 metres. 1t
then set at defiance 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 seemed at an
end. 1t was not so, however,
for half an hour afterwards the bal
loon sank again. 1t hung over town
evidently occupied by the enemy for
three-quarters Of an hour, and was ex-
posed 10 continuous fire of muskctry.
Soon, however, high wind from the
south rose, and the balloon, whirling
about in wild manner, was carried far
out of reach of the enemy. Ii sank at
last to within reach Of the ground. This
was near the railway station at Cambray.
1t rose and sank again. The aeronaut
thought the moment favorable 70 throw
out his grappling-iron, with its 400 me
tiers of cable. The wind was high, and
there was not a moment to spare. While
high gale was blowing, he unwound
rapidly the rope. The grappling-iron
was about to catch the ground, and had
il done SO the journey would have ended.
But mol The aeronaut was caught in
the folds Of the rope, which had got tan
gled and be was dragged out of the car.
He fell, and his death seemed certain;
but by an incredible piece Of good for
tune he was entangled in the cable. He
fell nearly twenty meters, yet, strange
IN say, he had only few slight bruises.
Not one limb was broken The balloon.
left to the direction Of the two other tray
elers-the diplomatic envoy and the pig
on-trainer-continued its course. The
graphing irons caught the ground, and
threw TO one side both car and the bal
loon They continued on their course,
striking against trees, which they broke
in o shock against the ground. Another
of the travellers, NJ. Lefavre, was pitched
out Of the ear. 1t remained occupied by
the pigeon-traineF only, who exhibited,
however, the greatest ooolness Making
use OF the ropes which connected the
car with the balloon, be climbed ND to
the latter, and opened it with knife.
He pulled away large shreds from it,and
at last it shrank and fell. Country PEG
pie to the number Of two hundred then
came up, and it was stopped. The Bel
gian had not, however, got to the end Of
his troubles. The peasants mistook him
for Prussian, and threatened him with
summary punishment "Dowith me what
: ever you ike, he said, "but help, in tn,
first place, to save the dispatches which
: | bring from Paris. Cut, destroy thu
balloon, but hold on 10 the car, which
contains important papers" These word
were spoken in tone which pu
an end 10 al alarm. At the same tim,
Ql:30 am N. Brieourt made his ap
pearance. He aided the traveller, anC
helped TO secure his valuable cargo
Soon after NJ. Lefavre came up, he hag
: ing followed at no very great distance
1t was not known as yet how Berant hat
Jared, but in a short time peasant cam
running up, who brought the news tina
he had been saved, and that his injurie
were being attended to at farm hous
at some distance Three-quarters Of al
hour afterward all the three traveller
= we're dining With NJ. Bricourt, and the
, were able 10 reach Cambray three hous
later, and convey to the postoffce tn,
FIVE enormous bags Of dispatches which
they brought fromlParis, weighing 400 xii
: logrammes. The place a; which the bal
loon came 10 the ground wRs Avesnes
eight Kilometres from Csmbray.