The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-02-10
ADRIFT IN MIDAlR.
A Frenchman's Adventure in Sgd
ney, Australia.


| -
1t 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 che Queen of an altogether con-
ventional loyalty without which no
British ceremony ends. And as, with the
aim of getting searer to the Macquarie
fort, where ! thought more easily to re.
gain my vessel in the roadstead, had
made the tour of the galleries. ] 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 into
temptation.
With my hand directed mechanically
toward my vest pocket had approached
still nearer. 1t was the ticket seller for
tie 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 incumbered 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 a flourish, and
scarcely was I installed in the huge
withdrawn and the door of the car,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 / ascended on board the Condor
of the Andes, | did not fail to eX-
perience certain apprehension, alto
| gether nervous. a sort of involuntary
fright. which, by reasoning and force
of WILL was able to control. l had
felt at first a great sensation of empti-
ness: my respiration seemed cut of,
and as ! knew that / was susceptible
TO vertigo l only ventured with precau-
ton to look over the elbow rest of the
car.
Wholly contrary to my expectations,
l 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 ambition,
and. completely reassured realized
that was restored to myself.
From that time looked toward the
earth, from which the balloon was mov-
ing away with 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 ! sought to distinguish the
different streets of the city over which
we were lowering; and the greater OF
less intensity of the lights served me as
IN indicating mark. j made out with
cXactitude the park of the exposition,
the palace of the governor (Lord Loft
us), with its double range of candle
la 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?"
"ies, yes! see it, captain; mon.
sieur's French man-of-war!'
Getting ahead of mine. this reply
was thrown by the very fresh voice Of
a slight and slender woman, who was
touching me with her skirt, and whom
l had not yet noticed. But could not
judge of the features of the unknown:
the balloon, which cast shadow over
us and seemed like an immense sinister
mass of vellum above our heads, pre-
vented me from doing so. Nevertheless,
| from the mere sound of her voice l
OWNED that she was quite young: her
diction and accent undeniably pro-
claimed that she was of good family
and lady.
l then had the curiosity to ascertain
how many travelling companions were
with me. ! walked through the circu-
lar gallery which below the hoop of the
netting the car formed around large
empty space. but found no other trav.
eler. And, not without stumbling
awkwardly over the bags of ballast of
the Condor Of the AnGes. speedily re-
turned to the point of departure.
We were still ascending.
'Three hundred and ten yardsl' said
the captain, sententiously, pointing
out to me the registering barometer
| fastened close to small lantern to one
of the ropes.
The breeze had grown stronger; two
or three times the enormo us balloon of
vanished taffeta, which was bearing
us away, swayed wildly and gave fu-
rious shock to the car.
1.-The cable can resist traction of
one hundred thousand TONS" said the
captain.
at is truly magnifcent!" TRANQUILITY
uttered the exceedingly calm voice of
the lady passenger.
was forced to admit to myself that
my blood did not circulate SO coldly.
The excitement made it even rush
back TO my heart But stiffened my
i