The morning call., 1893-10-22

sition. Visitors ascend 400 yardsP
One hundred yards more than at the
Place du Carrousel! / felt myself led into
temptation.
With my hand directed mechanically to-
ward my vest pocket. had approached
still nearer. 1t was the ticket-seller for
the aerial voyage who decided me by this
apostrophe: MAKE haste. gentlemen; it is
the last ascension of the EVENING"
Resolutey / threw him the half pound
exacted as the price of the passage and in
troduced myself into the ring incumbered
with chairs. A loose footbridge formed
the communication between the platform
and the car suspended over shallow
ditch. I passed across it amid the resound-
ing accords of the brasses of flourish,
and scarcely was ! installed in the huge
0sier basket when the footbrdge was
Withdrawn, and the door of the car, which
was padded on the inside, was closed again.
The enormous cable, which alone was to
bind us to the earth. began so unroll very
rapidly upon its windlass at the command
of the captain.
1t was my first aerostatic debut, and, as
ascended on board the Condor of the
Andes, l did not fail to experience GER
tain apprehension, altogether nervous, a
sort of involuntary fright, which by reas-
oning and force Of will was able to con-
troll. / had felt at first great sensation
of emptiness; my respiration seemed cut
off, and as l knew that was susceptible to
vertigo / only ventured with precauton to
look without over the elbOw-rest Of the
car.
Wholly contrary to my expecta tions l
found myself instantly at ease. The sides
of the osier basket mounting as high as
my breast seemed to me sufficient protec-
tion against my am bitiOn, and. completely
reassured, realized that was restored to
myself.
From that time 1 looked toward the
earth. from which the balloon was moving
away with rapidity which judged TO be
giddy, although it was methodicaliy regu-
lated by the number of turns of the gigan-
tic bobbin of the windlasS. In the depths
of the night below me / sought to distin-
guish the different streets Of the city over
which we were lowering; and the greater
or less intensity of the lights served me as
an indicating mark. l made out with eX-
actitude the park of the exposition, the
palace of the Governor, Lord Lotus, with
its double range OF ca1delabra, then
George and King streets. then Circular
quay.
"Honored monsieur" said the captain,
addressing me, whom. on seeing me step
niZed from my uniform as an officer Of the
French cruiser. do you see down there In
the midst of the r0adstead the position
lights Of your ship?"
Yes. yes! see it. captain, monsieur's
French maD-0f-war!
Getting ahead of mine. this reply was
thrown by the very fresh voice of slight
and slender woman, who was touching
INC with her skirt and whom l had not
yet noticed. But could not judge OF the
features of the unknown; the surface OF
the balloon which cast shadow over us
and seemed like an immense sinister mass
of veilum above our heads prevented me
from doing so. Nevertheless from the
,iuere sound of her voice OWNED that she
was quite young; her dlction and accent
undeniably proclaimed that she was OF
good family and lady.
then had the curiosity to ascertain how
many travelling companions were with me.
Iwalked through the circular gallery which
below the hoop OF the netting the car
formed around large empty space. but
found no other traveller. And not without
stun bling awKwardly over the bags OF bal
last Of the Condor Of the Andes. speedily
returned to the point of departure.
We were still ascending.
"Three hundred and ten yardSp said
the captain. sententiously, pointing out
to mo the registering barometer fastened
close to q small lantern 70 one OF the ropes.
The breeze had grown stronger; two or
three times the enormous balloon Of var
nished iaffeta which was bearing us away
swayed wildly and gave furious shock to
the car.
1.-THE cable can resist traction of a
hundred thousand tons," said the captain.
sit is truly magnificent TRANQUILITY ut
tered the exceedingly calm voice of the
lady passenger.
was forced 10 admit to myself that my
L. ~ As- 4
citem ent made it even rush back to my
heart But / stiffened myself eDergeti-
cally and leaned over the interior void to
thoroughly assure myself that We had re-
sumed the straight line.
Three hundred and sixty yards!" an
nounced the aeronaut.
Scarcely had he spoken when the balloon
stopped for second hs il 1t had struck
against some very soft and eastic invisible
buffer. Then. with q bound, it shot off