The morning call., 1893-07-16

against the cliffs that rose above and the
wind was amusing itself by humping IL
around like a football
Al this stage of the journey Henry began
to realize for the first time that there was
some danger attached TO balloon voyage
over mountain range. lie wlsheu that
he had stuck 10 the old reliable wagon
road, rough rs il was.
But that wouldn't get hun out OF MS IlX
and for some time he did not know JUST
what 20 do Various plans suggested them
selves. but at last he concluded to cut the
rope and leave the graDnel behinu as he
had another one IN the basket.
The balloon had swung close up against
th. cliff and one corner of the basket had
caught under projecting rock so that 1t
was ouite sta atlOnary wnen Henry reached
over the side and severed the rope. He
eynecte1 to shoot into the air like a flash
as soon a he had done this, but somehow
he didn't
In an instant it flashed across Henry's
mlnd that there was a leak somewhere
and be was losing gas. Over went several
bags of ballast and the balloon commenced
TO rise slowly. Several more were sent
after them and another journey toward
the clouds commenced.
This was a big relief. and Henry felt
safe, although the sun was getting low.
He looked over the side at the grand sight
spread beneath. He saw mountains and
rivers in such position that he couldn't
recognize them.
While absorbed in his sightseeing
sound struck his ear that WAS most horri-
Bile in tile awe-nspring silence of the
higher altitude of space lie looked all
around. but there was nothing in sight
within hundreds of feet. 1t was myS-
teriOus sound and seemed 10 come from
space. For moment the man thought he
was running into a strata of atmosphere
that was freQuented by spirits.
La moment the sound was repeated and
this time il struck Henry'S car as we'll
defined growl close at haud He looked
around the basket and at the opposite side
saw the head and shoulders OF a lion
There was nothing ghOstly about it and
Henry knew at once why the balloon would
not rise w hen he cut loose from the grap-
mel The creature must have been asleep
in the rocks near where the basket struck,
and. seeing chance for dinner, made Il
Jump for il. but only succeeded iii getting
entangled in the ropes underneath. When
the balloon rose it still managed to hang
on and had at last succeeded in getting TO
the top of the basket.
Tie sight of the animal almost took
Henry's breath away. There was 10 way
for him 10 fight II, because he had no re-
volver ana only pOcket-knife.
For several minutes man and lion gaZed
at one another, both afraid to make
move. Ine ndlIooH HI tue tIMe was IIo-
ing in the clear atmosphere and had got
above the top Of Mount Lennon. which l.
something over 10000 feet Henry had
thrown ont So much ballast that tie
balloon still continued TO rise until even
the top of the grand old peak was lar be-
meath and looked as If it was no more than
a bump on the vast plains OF Arizona.
The lion at last got tired OF hanging on to
the edge Of the basket and climbed inside
and made q rush at Henry.
There was nothing for him TO do but get
out of the way by climbing into the ring
that held the rigging above.
The lion now had the basket to himself
and gained Considera bic courage wh"n lie
saw his enemy retreat. He could not
climb the ropes. bat would stand on the
edge of the basket and reach up as high as
he conld growing feroclously. Henry
knew that he would sool be finished if
ever he got within reach of the ferOciouS
animal.
The balloon had got so high that Henry
could not tell whether they were rising or
falling. The sky was still flooded with
light but tho landscape below had faded
into nothing mere than sheet Of purple.
The balloon had reached very high
altitude and the air was growing cold.
Henry felt like pulling the cord and de-
scending, but knew that as soon as he
reached the earth he would have 10 fight
10. i.ie life and bod aothios< to do it -vi.h.
He was safe III bis present condition. but
was thinking very hard OF a way TO
change it.
The lion continued TO walk around the
cage and would occasi 0nalIy look over the
side. Henry was IN Ropes that the animal
would jump out into :he gathering dark
ness; but 1t had no such Intention.
III its walk it stepped on the graphing
hook ana Henry thought that If he had
paSsessi on Of that he would be better able
TO defend himself.
He cut one OF the guyropes with his
poche;-knife, and tying loop on the end,
managed to slip 1t over one OF the hooks
and draw it up toward him. The Ion
made grab for it, but Henry was TOO
quick, and he was soon In possession OF the
coveted hook.
TIE lions attempt to catch 1t had given
Henry hint. and taking the rope of the
grapnel in his hand, he dropped the hook
down and commenced TO fish for the lien.
1t did not take long. for the beast rushed
at the hook as soon AZ it came W ithin his
reach. Henry jerked it up as hard as he
could, and, after several attempts. one OF
the hooks caught behind one Of the lions
forelegs.
Henry now had his enemy in his power
and pulled Oh The rope and raised ;he lion
OFF his feet. He eXerted all lis strength