The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1894-03-01
ADRIFT IN MIDAIR.
A Frenchman's Adventure in Sgd
ney, Australia

It was near midnight and the gates
of the exposition would soon be closed.
In the various pavilions, with their
multitudinous attractions, the orches-
tras were already attacking that God
Save the Queen" of an altogether con-
ventional loyalty without which no
British ceremony ends. And as, with the
aim of getting nearer to the Macquarie
fort where | thought more easily to re-
gain my vessel in the roadstead, l had
made the tour of the galleries. l found
myself unexpectedly before the circu-
lar grating Of the captive balloon.
Flaming, but beneath the force of
the breeze which had arisen in the
evening, quivering greatly, a line of
gas permitted me yet to read upon the
triumphal panel of the monumental
gate: Government of New South
Wales. Australian and Universal Expo
sition of Sydney. Captive balloon,
after the model of the Paris exposition.
Visitors ascend four hundred yards"
One hundred more than at the Place
du Carrousel! l felt myself led into
temptation.
With my hand directed mechanically
toward my vest pocket had approached
still nearer. 1t was the ticket seller for
the aerial voyage who decided me by
the apostrophe: MAKE haste, gentle
men; it is the last ascension of the
evening"
Resolutely / threw him the half
pound exacted as the price of the pas
sage, and introduced myself into the
ring incrmbered with chairs. A loose
footbridge formed the communication
between the platform and the car sus-
pended over shallow ditch. l passed
across it amid the resounding accords
OF the brasses with flourish, and
scarcely was l installed in the huge
osler basket when the footbridge 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Withdrawn and the door of the car,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 to unron very rapidly on
It's Wlndlass at the command of the
captain.
1t was my first aerostatic debut, and,
as l assembled on board the Condor
OF the Andes, l did not fail to ex-
perlence a certain prehension, alto
gether nervous, a sort of involuntary
1rlght which, by reasoning and force
OF will, | was able to control. l had
1eit at first great sensation of empti-
ness; my respiration seemed cut off,
and as knew that 1 was susceptible
10 vertigo | only ventured with precau-
non to look over the elbow rest of the
car.
Wholly contrary to my expectations,
11ound myself instantly at ease. The
sues OF the osier basket, mounting as
nigh as my breast, seemed to me suf-
neient protection against my ambition,
and' completely treasured, l realized
that l was restored to myself.
FROM that time l looked toward the
earth, from which the balloon was NOV
ing away with a rapiditv which I
judged to be giddy, although it was
methodically regulated by the number
ol turns OF the gigantic bobbin of the
"lnolass In the depths of the night
oelow me l sought to distinguish the
inherent streets of the city over which
we were hovering; and the greater or
iess intensity of the lights served me as
an Indicating mark. l made ont with
eAactitude the park of the exposition,
'ne palace OF the governor lord Loft
usJ' with its double range of candle
. AURA, then George and King streets,
then Circular quay.
honored monsieur" said the can
'ain' addressing me, whom, on seeing me
step into the car, he had Immediately
u nleeognlzed from my uniform as an of
aoer Oh the French cruiser, "do you see
uo"n there in the midst of the road
''eao ssM the position lights of your ship?"
les, yes! l see it, captain; mon.
0ieur French man-of-war!"
uetting ahead of mine, this replv
vas thrown by the very fresh voice of
aNgnt and slender woman, who was
rIuonlng me with her skirt, and whom
e., nao not yet noticed. But I could not
ose oi the features of the unknown;
sne balloon, which cast a shadow over
70 ana seemed like an immense sinister
mass OF vellum above our heads. pre-
.s en'eo me from doing So Nevertheless,
roh the mere sound of her voice l
S;s.; s.neo that she was quite young; her
cIa; n and accent undeniably pro-
.a,iheo that she was of good family
and lady.
'hen had the curiosity to ascertain
~ ~ many travelling companions were
,au ,sn me | walked through the circu-
nat!; M gailery which below the hoop of the
s',ng the car formed around large
SpV space, but found no other trav.