Daily Kennebec journal., 1882-08-10
Gales ano Sk3ttkfs.
sHIfH,s BALLOON youRyEY.
Continued from yesterdsy.)


Josiah didn't know, but he was sensible
Of . sudden iciness in the atmosphere.
tipRling Of the blood at bis finger ends,
and strong disposition to bleed at the
nose. The Captain threw out some more
bits of paper. Still they circled round
and round dropping into the car or falling
TO the distant earth row utterly out of
sight. They hadpassed through the cloud,
and had above them chilly sun and an
intensely blue sky. Below them were the
clouds. on one of which was clearly
caught the shadow Of the balloon. Josiah,
when be moved his head, could see an
answering motion on the cloud. and rec
ognized the reflection Of the Captains
figure, sitting stern and erect, with his
teeth set and look Of angry determine
ton on his brow.
This frightened Josiah a great deal
more than the Captains words. He felt
that they were lost in space, and that the
end must speedily come. This terrible
look on the Captains face made him sick
at heart.
"Mr. Smith, said the Captain, speak
ing scarcely above a whisper, but his
voice sounded as If he were shouting
from the housetops, you told me you
were not married man"
YES" said Josiah? II have never
been married.
THAT Is 80. or should not have asked
you to come with me. And you have not
many relations -
NO" said Josiah. there are not many
that would miss me-
Very well,'' said the Captain. II
have; but your lite is a. valuable as mine,
and ] would hold you at no disadvantage.
The fact Is, we are becalmed, and there Is
no prospect of any wind reaching US here
till night, when we shan't know which
way we are drifting and may as well give
up all hope. There Is wind overhead
know, and it is going straight for France.
If we could get up another thousand feet
OF 50, we should catch the current and be
over land in ten minutes. But all the
ballast Is gone. and there is only one
thing to he done"
whats that ''' asked josiah family.
Zone Of Us must 20 overheard" said
the Captain
Josiah felt his heart sink within him.
IL am not snre that ii would be much
use my going over the Captain cOntinu-
ed, discussing the matter as quietly as it
he were arranging what they should have
for dinner. IL am such laundering
weight. you'd shoot up till you bumped
your head against Jupiter; and besides.
you would not know what to do with the
balloon il was gone. Still. think we
should have equal chances. Now. I'll
give YOU the first chance. You get hold
Of me and try to push me over. IL
20. you will find the balloon shoot up:
but don't be frightened; you'll be all
right in bit. and can let out few feet
Of gas. If you can't get me over-well,
| must try to get YOU over. Hold on IA
bit till light cigar"
In the calm still air the Captain struk
light. bending low in the car to avoid con-
tact of flame and gas. bit the end of a ci-
gar. and lit it. Josiah, shaking with ter
ror. could see in the shadow on the cloud
the smoke curling up from the cigar and
lazily spreading itself out.
'Now old chappie." said the Captain.
"Fm ready. Heave hard. and over go"
What was the use of dsputing with man
like this ? Josiah never had been inclined
to fight with men of strong will. He was
certain he could not move the Captain. but
he was able to try and try he did. He got
one foot over the car. the Captain encour-
aging him and cheerfully smoking.
Very well done. old man. A few more
tugs and over we 60. I'll just have time
to finish my cigar before | get to the bot
TOM"
Josiah tugged and tugged till he felt
the warm blood rushing through his veins
and his breath came short. But thought
he might move one of the Captains col
lossal legs, which seemed to his distorted
fancy to be the size of the monument. he |
could do no more. The Captain lat pas
sive, encouraging him by every kindly |
phase he could think of; but it was of Go |
use, and after ten minutes violent strug- |
Cling Josiah threw himself back in the car. |
VERY sorry. old man. said the Cap |
tain, with tone of unmistakable sincer- |
ty. Thought once you'd done it: but
I've got little out of training lately and
run up half Il stun. Now | must see what
l can do with YOU
First of all he tore off some slips of pa
per and threw them out. Josiah looked
at them with hungry eyes. Round and
round they spun. falling back into the car
or dropping TO the world beyond the
clouds. There was no hope of movement
ior the balloon.
well. Mr.. Smith. its your turn now.
| must see what can do. It's not nice
for either of us. but it would be no nicer
TO stay here and be starved to death or
blown out to sea. You wont feel any
thing after the first rush. Good bye. !
am sorry there will be no opportunity OF
communicating with YOU as to the result
of this interesting experiment. don't
suppose" the Captain added. his love of
scientific research increasing his uni-igned
regret Tor the Inconvenience Josiah was
about to suffer. THAT ever before ten stun
was dropped out of car in lump.
reckon I'll get rs high as most people
have been. Now If you've any message
just hand ii over. II can do anything
for you in King street or anywhere else.
you may depend upon me-
No." said Josiah, gulping down an
honest sob; "if you will only say went
off bravely and didn't finch, that will be
all. Perhaps you might write few lines
Of preface to Underground England
pointing out that died in the interests of
science"
Certainly. my dear fellow, it shall be
done, said the Captain. with quite glow
Of honest energy. ''If you'd like little
monument. or anything of that sort. I'll
see it's run up. Now, over You go.
Times getting on, and don't want to
miss the Paris tram. Give us y shake of