The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-07-10
A VOYAGE IN THE air.

4 VOYAGE In THE AIR.
''Paull Paull come down-do! The
Frenchmsn has brought his balloon t.
Mr.. Brooks's big lot, and they are FILL
ing It from tank in the she'd"
"Is it . big balloon, Walter?" asked
Paul, thrusting his head out of the win.
dow and looking down at the boy be.
low.
"A monster, replied Walter. care
you ooming%
Eyes" }" said Paul, disappearing from
the window.
In another moment the two friends
were hurry,ng along the road together.
Presently they reached large grassy
field whore great number of people
were assembled to watch the filling Of
the balloon. Plscards were posted on
the neighboring fences announcing that
Monsieur Lie Clerc. for the sum of one
dollar apiece. would allow the public
to ascend to the height of GOO feet
sbove the earth.
When Paul and Walter drew near
they saw that there was cable attached
to the car Of the balloon, which ran
over two pulleys, and then around q
windlass which was securely fastened in
to the ground. A horse was standing
near, waiting to be attached to the wind.
lass 10 draw the balloon back to earth.
"Thats Mr.. LIE Clerc," said Paul,
pointing out small man with bright,
black eyes and heavy gray moustacl,e.
who was busily engaged in examining
the cable. pulleys. and the apparatus for
filing the great silk bags with gas.
II know him. He is as nice as he
can be. Let us go and talk to him."
Paul, followed by Walter. found his
way to the Frenchman's side and said
Good afternoon, Mr.. LIE Clerc."
us that you, my little frlend?" re-.
piled Monsieur LIE Clerc with pleasant
smile.
"Is the balloon almost readyq" asked
Paul.
almost" said the Frenchman glauc-
ing upward.
'what kind of gas is it filled with p
asked Paul. --.-
Hydrogen gas" replied Monsieur
LIE Clerc. "Do you see that pipe run.
ming from the neck of the balloon to
the shed? The gas is forced from the
tank in the shed into the balloon until
it is nearly full, then the pipe is taken
of, and the mouth of the balloon
fastened up"
"And when you want the gas to COM Q
out, do you take off the fastening ?"
asked Walter.
"Oh no" replied Monsieur LIE Clerc.
'eDo yoq see that cord hanging down in
the car? Well, that cord runs through
the balloon and is attached to valve,
which is kept closed by spring. When
you pull the cord, it opens the valve
and let's out the gas"
"How delightful il must be to float
above the earth like q bird, {" sail Paul,
looking Of the balloon longingly.
"Would you like to make the trial
trip?" asked Monsieur LIE Clerc.
eyes, indeed" replied Paul, "if Wal
ter could go with me. But
"But what?" said Monsieur LIE Clerc.
1T is perfectly safe"
"That Is not it, replied Paul. "But
! have no money with me-"
"Nevsr mind that" said the French
man. II will only send you upa short
distance, and use you as kind of ad.
You can tell oil your &C.
queintances how pleasant it was. This
time You shall go alone; when the bal
loon takes the full trip shall he obliged
to accompany every party myself"
aThank YOU" said Paul. "Walter,
Will you go?"
Walter nodded his head and smiled,
After this the two boys waited i'm
until the preparations were
completed.
They climbed into the little cur, and
Monsieur LIE Clerc gave the order to
start. Breathless silence held the spec-
tators for few seconds, and then, when
the monster arose, controlled only by
the cable, which unwound as the bal
loon ascended, they gave q loud cheer.
The boys looked over the side OF the
car, and saw the people and objects
grow smaller and smaller, and they be-
gan to feel just little frightened. But
after short time they grew used to the
new sensation, and began to point out to
each other distant and familiar objects,
such as the school. house, the church.
and the small stream that wound in and
out among the bushes and trees like a
glittering snake. As they were laugh
ing and talking merrily they felt slight
jar, and . yell arose from the crowd be-
low. Looking down, the boys perceived
Ill were hurrying about, waving their
hands a. i in the widest excitement.
And they heard the Frenchman shout.
ng, but they could not make ont what
he was saying. '''
what can have happened?" said
Walter: Perhaps the horse has run
aQh nos replied Paul. ~But u
ihink Mr.. LIE Clerc has concluded 10
of ~ 60 higher than he intended 10 st
4rst. and the people are pleased. Wave
Ioar handkerchief, Walter"
".Ihat must be II, I" said Walter. "Jnst
'ee how high We are now,"
"Who would think that 600 feet
would seem 90 high ?" said Paul. grow.
ng puzzled.
"see Paul. the people look like little
lnts crawling axodnd, exclaimed Wal.
|eE,
Paul looked downward steadily for o
lew moments; then he turned a white
ACE TO his companion, and said;
Walter, whst is that floating out be-
|ow ns?"
*:The rope. I Think replied Walter.
II is not fastened TO anything. f" said
DO yoY think the balloon has broken
Hwsy ~ aeked Walter. his eyes growing
Iarge With astonishment and fright.
"Yes,"" said Paul. il q low voice;
.that 4 Just what hes happened"
Yha two boys sat perfectly still, and
watched the earth below them as it
lsAmed to 6oat quickly away, although
lot Q breath Of air stirred around them.