The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-02-08
ADRIFT IN MIDAIR.
A Frenchman's Adventure in Sgd
ney, Australia. "A

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, 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! / felt myself led in TO
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 l threw him the half
pound exacted as the price of the pas
sage, and introduced myself into the
ring incrmbered with chairs. 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 a flourish, and
scarcely was | installed in the huge
osier 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withdrawn and the door of the car,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 unroll very rapidly on
its windlass at the command of the
captain.
1t was my first aerostatic debut, and,
as | assembled on board the Condor
of the Andes, | did not fail to ex-
perience a certain apprehension, alto
gether nervous, a sort of involuntary
fright, which, by reasoning and force
of will, was able to control. l had
felt al first a great sensation of empti-
ness; my respiration seemed cut off,
and as knew that | was susceptible
to vertigo | only ventured with precau-
ton to look over the elbow rest of the
car
Wholly contrary to my expectations,
found myself instantly at ease. The
sides of the osier basket, mounting as
high as my breast, seemed to me suf-
ticient protection against my am ition,
and, completely treasured, l realized
that l was restored to myself.
From that time looked toward the
earth, from which the balloon was NOV
ing away with a rapidity which l
judged to be giddy, although it was
methOdically regulated by the number
of turns of the gigantic bobbin of the
windlass, In the depths of the night
below me l sought to distinguish 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
exactitude the park of the exposition,
the palace of the governor (Lord Loft
u.s. with its double range of candle
lab bra, then George and King streets,
then Circular quay.
"Honored monsieur" said the cap
tain, addressing me, whom, on seeing me
step into the car, he had immediately
recognized from my uniform as an Of
ficer of the French cruiser, do you see
down there in the midst of the road
stead the position lights of your ship?"
Eyes, yes! l see it, captain; mon
sieur's French man-of-war.'
Getting ahead of mine, this reply
was thrown by the very fresh voice of
slight and slender woman, who was
touching me with her skirt, and whom
| had not yet noticed. But l could not
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