The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-03-28
A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE.
lExchanRe.l

pened during the Franco Prusslan war in which the art of ballooning played so important part. The city of Paris was formally invested on September 2sth, and the imprisoned inhabitants had no means Of communication with the out side werld save by means of carrier pigeons and balloons. So complete, however, was the system carried out that every event which happened in Paris was duly chronicled at Tours, the seat of the governing powers, dispatch balloons journeying to and fro daily.
 It Is six o'clock a. m. The morning is extremely fine, considering that il is late in October. On an immense open space in front of the large hall at Tours, space set apart for the accommodation of the numerous experienced aeronauts then employed in the government service. walks to and fro Mons eur Gustave Nadar, one of the most celebrated professors ot aerostation. Occasionally he looks up at and anon he turns his gaze in the direc- ton of huge balloon, then in c urse of being filled at short distance from him Any one could see that Monsieur Nadar was getting impatient. He IS waiting the arrival of the private secretary of the minister with important despatches, which he is 10 convey that day to Paris It is a service of great danger. The in- trepid voysger will have to pass over the Prussian lines, where thousands of men engaged in grim-visaged war" will watch him, and secretly hope for some fatality to befall him. His balloon, the lntrepide, sways about majestically, as though cha6ng under the restraint placed upon it.
 All is prepared, when Monsieur Barre, the secretary, appears, carrying with him a packet ot documents neatly tied nn and presenting them to Monsieur Nadar, speaks few words of caution and ex- planation. The aeronaut takes the packet, and in company with the secretary bur res to the balloon. Nadar lightly springs into the car he stoops and places the precious documents in kind of secret pocket aytfully concealed under the drapsry. Having done this, he looked around thoughtfully at the necessary paraphernalia placed ready to hand. as l though mentally assuring himself that his assistants had omitted nothing to- ward the means of carrying out his peril ooS NOyo&W AA S0HCkys AG tlk ened strong belt which he wore round his waist, from which could be plainly seen pair of bright. looking six ix-chamber revolvers. In a quiet but firm toae he called to the men, Make ready" Then shaking hands hurriedly with Monsieur Barre, who wished him success" the men grasping the ropes had eased the huge machine up some ten or fifteen feet, when directly came the sharp command, Let go."
 Away the Intrepide rises straight and swift as an arrow from the bow. For the first ten minutes the balloon, although checked in speed, seemed as fit had not swerved yard from a direct upward course. Soon the current of air neces- sary, ard calculated upon by the aeron- aut, was felt, and shs drifted swiftly C fl in the direction of Paris. Steadily and quickly was the journey being accom- plished. Eleven o'clock had arrived. Monsieur Nadar was three thousand metres in the air, and over the opposing forces of the Prussians, which appeared as though lilliputian host had taken to the field. so minute did they appear by distance. Fort Charenton was reached, and Paris could plainly be observed. Monsieur Nadsr quietly congratulated himself upon the ease with which he was apparently accomplishing his journey. He was taking but little heed of the sur rounding prospect, his eyes being fixed intently upon the distant capital. | Suddenly an exclamation of surprise came from him. On his right hand ap- peared a huge balloon. He shades Ais eyss with his hand to gain clearer view, for the sums rays were bright and strong in Illuminating the atmosphere around him. A second now came to view on his left hand. Monsieur Nadar became alarmed, although long before he had mentally resolved to die rather than suf- fer himself to be made prisoner.
 The French colors were soon flying from the car of tho lntrepide. Both the stranger balloons immediately responded by exhibiting the same tokens of nation ality.
 "Friends, by all that's luckyi" cried the excited Monsieur Nadar. But vain were his endeavors to make out the faces of his friends" Nearer and nearer the machines were drawn toward each other. The occupant of the car beneath the first balloon was no ' near enough to be hailed by Monsieur Nadar.
 Halloa !' shouted the aeronaat of the government.
 Halloa 1" answered the stranger.
 "Who are you2 What is your name, and whatis your purpose ?" were quss- tions asked one after another in tones of hurried excitement.
 "l am beside you. Monsieur Nadar," came the reply; "you sec know you. As to my name, it is Carl Won Pack, principal aeronaut to the Prussian forces, now in thousands below us and am going to carry you prisoner to them"
 At the conclusion of the above remarks the Prussian hauled in the French cclors, substituting in their place those of his own nation. He had, in point of fact, been sent up by the Prussian commander less with view to capture the aeronaut himself than to obtain possession of his despatches.
 Monster Nadar, nothing daunted. |