The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-03-13

Mount Diablo and tho Coast Range
SUBMITS. North~srd rippled Sacrs-
mento Bay. with golden dust Of cloud
hanging over it. The prospect invig-
Grated us and soda water was appro-
priately absorbed by all present.
stronger beverages being interdicted.
Sunset came on. We had been
gradually reaching the speed of ninety
miles an hour. Not that 1t was possible
to perceive the fact without scientific
help. Even if q hurricane be blowing.
there is still the endless sensation OF
floating, floating, for the air-current
and the air-ship keep exact pace.
Thanks to the pieces of tissue paper
which were flung out lavishly from
time to time, and to the gauze stream
ers fiuttering from our cordage, We
could ascertain the direction of the
wind. Even q few handfuls of sand
thrown out from the ballast bags hang
perceptibly, for the best and most deli
cate scales in the chemists laboratory
cannot register the fractions Of an
ounce as does the balloon. The sun
went down. Dusk advanced. I'VE
must descend and put up for the night,
friends" said our Captain. With the
vault above turning to a. deep indigo,
we sank gently, and skirted along the
country from which the Coast Range
rises.
We We're just in time to attract the
attention of number of farm hands
returning from work through the fields.
With much shouting back and forth,
our dragging ropes were caught and
made fast. "Tie it to anything, from O
gate-post to q steeple," suggested our
artist, in series of whoops worthy Of
calliope. After stiff battle, in
which some of our kind assisterss1ere
pretty severely pulled about, we found
ourselves on terra firma, and on the
way to neighboring farmhouse.
There We made light of famous sup
per. washed down gayly with superb
California wine. Our first stage
was accomplished, and wo slept
tho sleep which it would be great
pity for only the just to enjoy.
Daylight already? ?" was the common
exclamation when our vigilant Captain
administered sundry shakings to each
one of us. In an hour breakfast was
over, and We were retracing our steps
through the fields. The anchors were
loosed after hearty handshakes with
our hospitable hosts; once more the de-
| lightful sensation of boundless freedom
and buoyancy. Isn't this rising early
in the morning with vengeance? ?"
queried one of the fraternity, as the
Captain announced us to be overlapping
| 10000 feet.
"The man who will make a Joke of
that character under such matutinal
| circumstances, deserves to be thrown
out of this conveyance" responded the
Captain, grimly. But our atmospheric
conditions were not long favorable to
joking. The cold grew intense. Our
voices seemed mysteriouslv muffied, and
it was necessary to shout instead of
chat. Ears tingled, and the rush of
blood to the forehead foreshadowed the
sudden -bleedings that followed.
Our Captain, prudent sailor, thorough
ly approved of outstanding the ascen-
sional powers of his craft We
dropped apace to warmer and more
normal level, where life was livable at
lower pressure.
BY this time our second day was we'll
begun. The morning mists evaporated
around, above and below us. The west
wind spun us toward the gigantic peaks
Of the Sierra Nevada, which finally
mounted the eastern sky in full sight
We greeted them with cheers.
"Ah, old fellows, we will be on the
other side of you soon!" cried one of
the party.
take care" responded the Captain,
smilingly; you ore by no means there
yet"
Beautifully penciled in green and
black, the forest slopes extended to our
view. "Look over there calculated
the Captain. do you make out the
There is q train climbing up that
gradel" Our artist did make out rail-
road and train, and contrived to sketch
the same. In little time We passed
nearly over both, aud caught the rumble
and roar of wheels and the sight of a
furry of handkerchiefs from the car
windows. But eur mighty air ship
could not delay for courtesies; the
lightning express fell far behind Stead
lily, wind and all else favorable, we rose
and swept forward. With fresh cheer
we saw the highest peak of the lofty
mountain wilderness lying 5000 feet
beneath US.
AT this rate we shall be on the other
side, and asleep in Salt Lake City to-
night" cried two of US.
Alas this boast was scarcely uttered
before its punishment came upon us.
Streaks of cloud suddenly appeared
above the great Nevada table lands.
The wind veered to the north. Its
speed and ours increased Our Cap
tain's uneasiness grew evident A
moisture like dew began to freeze over
us. We began to sink rapidly. Clearly
we were in train for experiences of q
most unexpected sort.
"Throw out the BALLAST" called our
Captain. Rising once more, We darted
into dense cloud, and there drifted
with lightning speed still northward.
Water froze upon our cordage. There
was only one thing now to do. "Over
with all the ballastl" commanded our
leader. 1t was in vain. We shot down
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