Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1895-09-19

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can't you? I'm not going down again
to-day. I'm going TO see what's up
there. and don't you try to stop me-"
and he glared fereely at me-
The horrible nature OF my situation
was now only too apparent-there
could no longsr be any doubt OF Tun-
nicliffe's condition. was in a balloon
with a madman, and about four miles
on my brow, and my brain began to
reel But with a tremendous effort l
pulled myself together, for my only
chance of safety was in retaining my
self-possession. To attempt to over
power him was out of the question
the strength of maiman is so well
known. My only hope of escape was
to outwit him But how? Forced in
to unnatural activity as my brain was
by my desperate situation, and by the
necessity of prompt action, could
think of no device or ruse that would
do any good; | was completely at the
mercy of the madman.
The hopelessness Of my case para
lyzed all my energies. felt unable to
move or speak, and even the power to
think was almost gone. In my despair
/ glanced at the valve cord Owing
to the rotary motion of the balloon it
had unfortunately become entangled.
To free 1t should be obliged to leave
the car and climb into the ring But
TO attempt such thing (evcn if l were
physically capable of i.) would be GER
tain to lead to struggle which would
ms certainly send one or both of us out
of the car.
We were now at such a height that
asphyxia was imminent. could hear
my heart throb quite plainly. I
breathed with difficulty, and a horri-
BILE sensation like that of sea-sicliness
came over me. The cold was SO in
tense that shivered, notwithstanding
my wraps. The mental strain was ter
rible. was almost frantic. Know
ing, however. that in few minutes |
should be unconscious, md that then
all would be over with me, nerved
myself for one last effort
AS rose from my seat my eye fell
on the grapneL Fortunately IL was on
struck me, here was weapon to
hand. II was an awful thought-it
would be terrible deed. But there
was now no alternative, no time for
delay. My senses were going.
stretched out my hand, but the mad
man, who never took his eye off me.
had detected my purpose. With sud
den movement he darted forward and
seized tho grapnel. but In his eager
ness to forestall nue. he had precipitat-
ed himself too far over the side of the
car and almost lost his balance. He
made n desperate effort to recover
himself. but, seized with a sudden and
irresistible impulse. pushed him over,
and with q horrible yell, which rings
In my ears whenever l recall the oc-
currence, the madman disappeared
from my sight.
Almost mad myself an not sure
that was not quito SO just then-I
climbed into the ring to reach the
valve line. But my hands were SO
stiff and numb with tho cold that |
could not grasp the cord. by kind
OF inspiration which seemed providen-
and after two or three tugs the valve
opened with n loud clang, and the bal
loon began TO descend. Thank heav-
enl | was saved. My hands being use
less, l was obliged to throw up my
arms and drop into the car, where !
lay motionless and unconscious for
awhile.
NY swoon could not have lasted more
than few seconds, for when recov-
cred the barometer showed that | was
still In n high altitude, although the
balloon was descending rapidly. !
rubbed and beat my hands until the
circulation was restored. Then | set
about taking the necessary precautions
against q too rapid descent But |
acted moro like an automaton than n
conscious agent, for ! seemed in n kind
OF stupor or trance all tho time.
How and where reached the solid
earth cannot say. l have only dim,
hazy recollection OF being surrounded
by crowd OF people. Some were
bending over mo and seemed to bo
questioning me, but | couldn't make
out what they said. folt an awful
pain In my head. and remember moth
Ing more until l found myself In bed
In N dark room and my wife bending
over me. This was several days after
ward. and I learned then that had
been brought home In n dclirious state
and had had brain fever.
When recovered my friends con-
graduated me. aud tried 10 persuade
me that as my homicidal act was done
In self-defensc It was justidable.
hope IL was, but ! can never recall II
without misgivings and horror. and I
have never made "a balloon ascent since.
Tit Bits