Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-08-25

nj must speedily come. TINS terrible
ook IN the Captains face made him sick
Il heart
mr.. Smith," said the Captain, speak !
ny scarcely above II whisper, but his
;oice sounded as If he were shouting
rom the ho,isetops, "you told me you
were not married man.
Yes" said Josiah, ~ have never been
"That is so, or should not have asked
you to come with me. And you have not
many relations %
"No," said Josiah, "tlcre are not
many that would miss me. !"
Every WE'LL" said the Captain II
have: but your life is Ms valuable as
mine, and would hold you at no lsad-
vantage. 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 we'll give up all hope. There
is wind overhead, l know, and it is going
straight for France. II we could get up |
another thousand feet or so. we would |
minutes. But oil the ballast has gone, |
and there is only one thing to be done ?"
Whats that p asked Josiah, family
Zone of lis must go overheard" said
the Captain.
Josiah felt his heart sink within him.
II am not sure that it would be much
use my going over" the Captain con-
tinued, discussing the matter MS quietly
az if he were arranging what they should
have for dinner. I'm 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 If was gone. Still, I 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 If | go,
you will find the balloon shoot mp; but
don't be frightened, you'll be all right in
n bit and can let out few feet of gas.
If you cant get me over-well, l must
try to get you over. Hold on bit till |
light cigar
In the calm still air the Captain struck
light, bending low in the car to avoid
contact of flame and gas, bit the end OF
cigar, and lighted it. Josiah, shaking
with terror, could see in the shadow of
the balloon on the cloud the smoke curl
ing up from the cigar and lazily spread
ing itself out. "Now old chappie," said
the Captain, "I'm ready. Heave hard,
and over l 60"
What was the use of disputing with a
man like this? Josiah never had been
inclined to fight with men oil 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 cur, the
Captain encouraging him and cheerfully
smoking.
Very we'll done old man. A few more
tugs and over we go. I'll Just have time
to finish my cigar before | get to the bot
TOM"
Josiah tugged and tngged till he felt
the warm blood rushing through his veins
and his breath came short. But though
he might move one of the Captains col
ossal legs, which seemed to his disorder
ed fancy to be the size Of the Monument,
he could do no more. The Captain sat
passive, encouraging him by every kind
ly phrase he could think of. But it was
Of no use, and after ten minutes violent
struggling Josiah threw himself back in
the car.
VERY sorry, old man. said the Cap
tain, with tone Of unmistakable sinceri-
ty. Thought once you'd have done it ;
but I've got little out Of training lately
and run up half stun. Now must see
what can do with you"
First of all he tore off some slips OF
paper and threw them out Josiah look.
cd 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 move.
ment for the balloon.
"Well, Mr., Smith, it's your turn now
l must see what can do. It's not nice
for either of us but it would be no nicer
to stay here aud be starved to death OIL
blown out to sea. You won't feel any
thing after the first rush. Good by.
am sorry there will be no opportunity OF
my communicating with you as to the
result of this interesting experiment.
don't suppose" the Captain added, his
love of scientific research increasing his
unfeigned regret for the inconvenience
Josiah was about to suffer, "that ever
before ten stun was dropped ont Of car
in lump. reckon III get a. high rs
most people have been. Now, If you've
any message Just hand it over. II L can
do anything for you in King-street or
anywhere else You may depend upon
me-"
"No," said Josiah, gulping down a
great sob ''if you will only say l went
off bravely and didn't finch that will be
all. Perhaps you might write q few lines
by way Of preface 70 Underground
England pointing out that died in the
interests of science"
Certainly, my dear fellow, it shall be
DONE" said the Captain, with quite a
glow Of honest energy. "If you'd like a
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 train. Give us a shake OF
your paw, then shut your eyes, for
fancy shan't have much difficulty with
you. Heave your watch over or take il
with you?"
"If you wouldn't mind accepting it, y
said Josiah, pulling out his fine old tur,
nip shaped time piece, las momento OF
our friendship-which, though brief, has
J trust, been sincere-it would give mt
great pleasure.
Certainly" said the Captain, weigh
ing it in his hand critically, and think
ing to himself that it might serve at
ballast in a last emergency. "I'll hang
it over my bed, and will think of yoi
whenever it ticks. Nothing more t,
say?"
No." said Josiah "only please t,
drop me feet first"
The Captain took him up i'll his arm
as il he were child, held him for mo
ment over the side Of the car, and, will
CHEEKY farewell, dropped him.
Josiah felt his hat go, and could see tn
balloon shoot up with tremendous rapid
! ity, though, as he reckoned, the rate o
Z velocity would need to be divided b,
about half, as he was simultaneously de
scending rapidly. He felt the rush q
air, and shrank from the moment, cominI
nearer and nearer, when he should strik
the earth. He seemed an unconscionabl
/; long time falling. Still, through tn
! clouds he went, and, as it seemed to hin
! at the end of five minutes, began to &c