The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-03-13

which were flung out lavishly from
time to time, and to the ga,lze stream
ers huttering from our corlage, we
could ascertain the direction Of the
wind. Even few handfuls OF sand
thrown out from the ballast bags hang
ing over the rail caused MS to rise
pcrceptibly, for the best and most deli
cate scales in the chemists laboratory
cannot register the fractions of an
ounce rs does the balloon. The sun
went down. Dusk advanced. we
must descend and put up for the night,
friends" said our Captain. With the
| vault above turning to deep indigo,
We sank gently, and skirted along the.
country from which the Coast Range.
rises.
We were just i'll time to attract the
attention Of number Of farm hands
returning from work through tho fields.
With much shouting back and FORTH,
our dragging ropes were caught and
made fast. Tie it to anything, from
gate-post to a steeple,' suggested our
artist, in series Of whoops worthy of
calliope. After stiff battle, in
which some of our kind assisters we're
pretty severely pulled about, We found
ourselves on terra firma, and on the
way to neighboring farmhouse.
There we made hight Of famous sup
per. washed down gayly with superb
California wine. Our first stage
was accomplished, and we slept
the 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 all 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, rs the
Captain announced us to be overtopping
16, 600 feet.
"The man who will make q 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 muffled, and
it was necessary to shout instead of
chat. Ears tingled, and the rush Of
blood to the forehead foreshadowed the
sudden nose-bleedings that followed.
Our Captain, prudent sailor, thorough
" 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 eyaporated
around, above and below u.s. 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 are 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 tho
track of the Central Pacific? See
There is train climbing up that
grade!" Our artist did make out rail
road and train, and contrivel to sketch
the same. In little time We passed
nearly over both, and caught the rumble
and roar of wheels and the sight Of a
furry of handkerchiefs from the car
windows. But our mighty air ship
could not delay for courtesies; the
lightning express fell far behind Stead
ily, wind and all else favorable, we rose
and swept forward. With fresh cheer
we saw the highest peak of the lofty
mountain wilderness lying 1900 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 a
most unexpected sort.
"Throw out the BALLAST" called our
Captain. Rising once more, we darted
into a dense cloud, and there drifted
with lightning speed still northward.
Water froze upon our cordage. There
was only one thing now to do. "Ovel
; with all the ballast" commanded oul
leader. It was in vain. We shot down
: perpendicularly with the speed of q
bullet, 500 feet in each second
J Presently the whizzing OF the gale in
the tree tops of the mountain SUNNI,
became terribly audible. To land
: under such circumstances was impos
) ible. Everything We possessed was
tossed oyerloard--our spare clothing
our provisions-still to no purpose.
A moment or two later, with series
of crashes, and bounds, and leaps thai
made us hold on like grim death itself
our basket was dragging through tn,
thick-set pine tops. Who could titl,
. describe the frightful sensations thai
( ensued? With all visions dissipated o.
: success in our expedition, and possibl,
5 reaching Salt Lake City or anywher.
. else alive, We crouched with clinched
hold and set teeth in the basket. DC
casionally, rs we were borne across some
: depression in the mountain sides, WI
: were free from collisions, and were
swept somewhat upward. I well re
: member that during one OF thes.
intervals our Captain, finding the rope
Of the escape valve had become
entangled above, with ma.terl,
address clambered the network
of the bounding globe, and
elinging tightly to what slender hol,
he found, adjusted it. 1t was feat t,
! tremble at III recollecting. In less thar
) ten minutes after ii had been accom-
, plished We struck the tree tops again
. and We're hurled more mercilessly thai
4 ever among their creaking branches
| Oh