The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-26

, In the balloon are harmonized therinally.
Several ounces will keep Il up for mile or
two. However, the wind II beginning to
veer, and we are actually being carried
| backward.
SEEKING LoFTrER ATTITUDES.
We ascend into higher current, but It
| Il no use the direction II the same and
we cannot alter Il. For fifteen minutes we
drift southwark, and then the wind
changes again In sudden gust, which
sends us booming forward. The lightning
increases In the frequence OF its flashes.
and short, sharp growls OF thunder tell Of
the gathering storms. A pattering sound
Is heard on the sides OF the balloon, and
we know that the rain has begun. Per-
baps the rain comes from surface
clouds and we can lift ourselves
out OF the moisture. Another length
OF rope gone, and still 1t rains. The
muttering heavens still are ftful with light
nings and we must come down, for the
weight Of the water on the air-ship IL al
ready causing us to sink rapidly. Grimley
SEXES the throttle-vaive rope, which hangs
down through the gaping mouth OF the
balloon, and giving 1t sudden jerk, tells
me TO catch on and pull it with all my
might. We both tug away at 1t until the
rome cuts into the skin and draws the
blood. Down, down we come, and at
every flash of lightning the earth appears
to be rushing upward. Nearer and still
nearer until, with sudden crash, which
sends the blood into my head, we strike the
ground. Now we hold on to the valve-rope
for dear life, and the car tears across field
on its side as the gale sweeps the balloon
along. Crash again, now into the trees. l
am on my back in the car. with my feet in
the air-not a very digniied position, but
rather safe one just now. Grimley's leg
has a rope twisted around il. but he has
maintained his position on the concen-
trating ring, which he straddles firmly.
Away through corn-felds, meadows, and
bushes we go; over fences and through
them we dash.
LANDED IN MIRE.
At last we splash into a swamp and tear
among the trees, the car ploughing up the
mire in lively style. All at once Grimley
gives yell. The balloon has ripped itself
apart on tree, and has poured its soul
FORTH
Phew
The odor is almost overwhelming, but
there the monster lies as helpless and as
harmless rs can be. And all this time the
rain is pclting down upon us pitilessly.
But why should we care? We have got
rs wet as il is possible to be, unless orr
bodies are liquified. The poor little
accomplishing pigeons are alive, and
they are first in the thoughts OF the Pro-
fessor as he wrggleS out from among the
tangled ropes and wades over to as
sst me out Of the mess | am in. Great
Moses from the Nile what a place this is
Mud is no name for it, and it would be a
libel TO call the ooze in which we are wading
water. We have to put one foot before the
other very cautiously and wait for n flash
OF lightning at each step, so dark is it.
Another flash and another step. And so
on until we get to the side OF stone fence
at the foot OF hill. Over we go. and into
a field Of ruStling corn, which mods above
our heads and drips withal. Another fence
and another field and we are on country
road near farmhouse. Is there dog?
Wen see. The dwelling is approached very
cannily and Grimley taps on the door. No
response. He raps sharply. Same result.
Then he pounds the panel with his knuckles
and rough voice drawls out, "Who's
thercf'
aid correspondent. Our balloon is wrecked |
and we want shelter.
Voice: Where did you light?
Grimley: We came down in the swamp. |
Voice. Good. You haven't spilled any
of my corn. Now, am man with eight |
children. and can't take you in, cause |
amt got room. They can at the next house,
though. Try.
This IN pitiless rain-storm! We did try, |
and we tried the capabilities of the Queens |
English in expressing our opinion Of such |
man. When we had walked q few hun |
dred yards we came across an open gate |
which led TO a very neat white farmhouse. |
We Knocked boldly at the door, and q |
light at the window answered us. After a |
little delay, the owner, Mr.. Jackson Hustled.
stood in tue open threshold, and confess
was ashamed OF my appearance. He ques-
toned us briefly, but seeing that we were
wet and shyering he extended his hand
with true Yankee hospitality, and said
" Come in, gentlemen. No matter who
you are, you are in need" And so we
were. Our dripping clothing was laid
by fire TO dry, and we "walked" into Il
cold-chicken lunch without ceremony: az
ter which we retired to rest for the night.
THE MORNING AFTER.
This morning, bright and early, we arose
ana went down 10 the swamp where orr |
balloon lay wrecked, with one half of its
netting swinging from the tree which did |
Us such Il good service last night. The
place is over ten miles from Poughkecpsie,
and taking into consideration the course
we travelled the distance covered by Ills
was over a hundred miles easily. The !
greatest height we reached was a trifle over |
5000 feet, and our greatest rate of speed |
we estimate at about forty miles an hour
during spurts. a number OF bucolc Wis |
itors helped the Professor to pack |
his balloon and cart it to meadow,
where it was dried. They had hayseed in |
their hair, perhaps, but plenty of hospitali-
ty in their hearts. All their jokes were |
old; family heirlooms, probably. But |
they all laughed when one was perpetrated |
They understand the old ones from long |
experience. The Professor and cracked |
some really modern bon mOtS, patience" |
Jokes, sunfower and lily Jokes, but we
were stared at in blank establishment and |
gave it up in despair. When everything |
was tied up carefully we rode over to Salt |
Point and took the train for New York.
permanent restoration of exhausted |