The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-05-17

land in the rebel country. / would very much
have preferred going into the rebel army
quietly, if had to go at all. Another danger
was that the long range English rifle guns
would be able to put hole in it and let the
gas out too suddenly.
When we reached the necessary altitude the
Professor crawIed inside the basket, saying that
this was as far as he cared to go just then, and
asked me to look out and see what thought of
the prospect
The balloon was not only pitching like an
empty schooner at anchor in storm, but it
was whirling and twisting half way round un-
til the guy rope stopped it with a sudden jerk,
then it would twirl back again, and so on. In
this way that basket kept up a rocking, twist
ing, perpetual motion. 1t was entirely differ
ent from the sloW-sailing, graceful motion of
balloon that is not anchored.
] could see the country, of course, but every
thing was in notion even the woods, the
houses and the river below us, all were jerking
themselves into all sorts of fantastic shapes
If the rebels had tried to conceal themselves
by some kind of a covering, it would not have
been nearly so effective as did this motion Of
the balloon. 1t was not only impossible to place
the glasses on any one object, but every little
feature in the landscape became magnifed and
one tree or stump changed position so rapidly
as TO give an appearance of there being double
the number of inanimate things. The expert
ment was a failure from this cause. It will be
seen that in an anchored balloon the suspended
basket becomes as the tail or bob of a kite; it
cannot be controlled sufficiently to admit its
being utilized as a reliable signal station. Not
only this, but the occupants are likely to be-
come seasick from the everlasting pitching and
swinging in the air.
l got sick-very sick-and was only able to
signal down below the few words that we
couldn't do anything, and to haul us down.
This is why balloon is not reliable spy. It's
use answered one good purpose however, that
was not thought of at the time When it was
in the air, the rebels imagined the occupant
saw all they had, and they concealed them
selves and lay dormant as an old hen and young
chickens when a hawk is in the air. As a
means of escape over the heads of a besieging
army, there is of course great risk, but it may
sometimes avail.
insert here in connection with the signal
ing / proposed by means Of telegraph wire,
both from under the water and from balloon,
a brief explanation Of the method or adaptation
of the Morse code of telegraphing applied to
ordinary army signaling as at present adopted
in our army and navy, and which other ma
ti0ns are adopting.
THE MORSE ALPHABET.
This Morse alphabet, as slightly amended, is
now known as the international Telegraph al
phabet. 1t is used everywhere, so that in fact il
has become in actual practice the longlooked- for
universal language. III the reader IS sufhclently
interested in the subject to study it up, he will
find that this alphabet, cut from this paper and
carried in a pocketbook, will enable him to
! conyerse-in writing or by sound or by motion
with a Chinese telegraph man who has never
seen an Englishman, or if necessary by simple
motions of fans or flags with Frenchman OF
German who understands the simple alphabet
! but knows not a word of English
1t is composed of two Of the simplest known
/ elements or forpo--a dot and q 1aEb TIM 1iF
ferent arrangements or combinations Of these
two simple characters form the alphabet, which
/ is given herewith as the same that is officially
] in use in the Lnited Statas A rnv and NaYv.