The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-12-21
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it. The priest, however, commanded
silence, and rushed with several men
up to the ladder, seized the grapnel
rope, and tried to pull the Victoria
down to the ground by main force
the other men who could not reach
the rope, caught hold Of the priests
long gown, and pulled manfully at it.
Ferguson had already seized the axe
with which to cut the rope; at this
moment the grapnel was lOosened by
the tugging of the priest and his fol
lowers, the balloon rose, the grapnel
caught the priest between the legs,
and raised him in riding position,
while the men held a portion Of his
rent garments in their hands. The
priest uttered q horrible yell. but the
new Pegasus was inexorable; it would
not let its rider go; and the crowd be
meath was speechless with fury and
terror when they saw one Of their dig
nitaries borne away through the air.
"iiurrah"' Joe shouted: that fellow
holds .lght.'
Wen, a short drive will do him no
harm. Kennedy said.
30 you really mean to carry the
niger away to Europe! :" asked Joe.
whose compassion was at once arous-
ed
% dear. nom Ferguson replied,
with q laugh; I'VE Will drop him again
Oh he first favorable opportunity; and
/ believe jh&t his being carried away
70 day by the 1iend (as it is sure to be
considered that. tor something of the
-ortl viii not injure his reputation
With his country men,
They were soon out Of sight Of the
town. Ferguson reduced the fire.
,he balloon fell. and when the car was
about forty feet from the ground the
graprel grazed tree. The priest
straightway c0mprehended the pos
~Ibility Of escape, seized the tree, slip
ped down it, and ran off hot foot III
the direction Of kazch.
! cannot follow in all their details
the adventures Of this modern Nun
chausen. The ~ Victoria passed over
the source Of the Nile; and FERGUSON
confirmed the discovery OF Andrea
DobouO, who travelled farthest up the
Nile; and he also found the small island
in the centre OF the stream, on which
Debouo carved his name IN letters
ard in length In the third week
they reached Lake Tchad and the
Niger. passed over Timbuctoo; and at
the end OF the fifth week they We're on
the Senegal, near the coast of west
Africa and the French colonies. Here
tie balloon met with tragical end.
On the right bank Of the Senegal there
lives a very savage and bloodthirsty
tribe, the Tallbas. The balloon was
obliged to be kept rather low, owing
to storms IN the higher regions; and
the Talibas followed it, on foot and on
horseback, and shot at it, though with
ont inhicting any injury. On the
evening Of the thirty fifth day they
had already been three days in the
country Of the Talibas; the persecution
seemed to relax: FERGUSON, who had
not anchored during the two proceed
ing nights. resolved to venture it now,
and the "Eietoria" was brought up to
a large wood that lay very high. 1t
was A. NJ. when the travellers We're
startled by strange noise, that con
stantly drew nearer, and was presently
accompanied by sitting smoke
The Talibas," said Ferguson, have
discovered our stopping place, and
are resolved TO burn or smoke US out
Let us be off at once"
But matters did not progress so
rapidly; as they did not like to sacri
fec The grapnel; they tried to liberate
it. and did not succeed. This took up
time; the hot air of the contlagration
constantly came nearer, and the cable
had to be cut. The ''Nictoria" rose,
but did so slantingly and irregularly;
she had suffered some dsmage. The
balloon had scarce got away from the
forest and the fire when loud yells
burst from beneath it the Talibas had
placed sentries in the direction in
which the wind blew. and some thirty
horsemen were the guard Of honor of
of the Victoria" Shots which were
constantly fired at the balloon missed
the mark. it is true; but Ferguson
began t. grow very anxious. and told
his companions that they could no
longer trust to the Victoria" The
wind. too, blew very favorably towards
the coast but still the balloon sank.
The firing Of the TaIibas became more
frequent: one bullet passed through
the balloon. and it sank still lower;
the TaIibas came up with a loud
h1rrah, but Ferguson commanded,
Fire and the three foremost of the
enemy fell from their horses.
That viii not help Us much" said
. Ferguson; we will have to Tighten
the balloon at all risks"
what shall | throw OUT" Joe ask
ed.
The rest Of our proyisions-thatls,
thirty pounds"
Joe at once obeyed. The car, which
was almost touching the ground. rose;
the pursuing Talibas broke out into a
yell Of fury, but continued their pur-
suit.
won't the bloodhounds soon give
up the chase" Kennedy asked.
Hardly" Ferguson replied: they
think they are pretty certain of trap
ping us, and are not far wrong"
The Victoria" again sank, and the
! gas poured out Of several small holes.
/ The enemy hurried up at gallop,
Throw all the instruments and
books, our remaining clothes, and the
reserve anchor overboard"' Ferguson
! commanded
+ Joe obeyed. The balloon rose, drag
ged along for about half a mile, and
then sank again. in a faccid state.
Throw out the two double-barrel
led guns
Not until we have fred them off