The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-03-26
DANGLING FACE DOWN FROM A.
BALLOON.
q Really Thrilling Account Of an In
a Ea-5a- ~ voluntary A Scnnf .a 49,. -.

q Really Thrilling Account Of an In
voluntary Ascent,
! was making the voyage from New
Orleans to New York just after the
close of the civil war. Stories of the
terrific kind were at a premium then.
and remember one told by French
captain, who was a passenger. Shorn
OF the charm of his native accent, it
was substantially as follows:
At Para one fine October nncrning
my vessel was at the landing quay. I
went on shore to see the consignee,
whom knew well. He lived about
half a league out Of the city. had
gone about a third of the way with
out having seen anybody besides sort
of red-headed giant, dressed as a
hunter, who had followed me out Of
the city. He passed me once or twice,
then fell back. then advanced again.
turned round and looked at him, at
the same time moving my hand toward
my revolver and glancing at my belt
to see that my knife was within easy
reach.
l had not time to raise my head, my
dear friends, before 1 was stretched
upon the ground like an OK, half
strangled by laSso which the scoun-
'drel had thrown over my head. I put
up my hands to save my throat; but in
the tWinkling of an eye he dragged me
into garden, the gate of which slam
med to behind him, and became I'M
conscious.
Bound to n Balloon
when recovered my senses I was
seated in a chair, my arms and legs
Tree, IN the midst Of a garden filled
with flowers. Before me stood group
or evll-looking men, foremost among
whom l recognized tall rascal of q
Mexican sailor who three years earlier
had almost caused my crew to break
into mutiny. But I had made him
pay dearly for his freak by giving
him first the wet and then the. dry
hold.
He had begged and prayed, but +
never go back on my word. When
he came out of the water the third
time he was mad with fear and anger.
Then he uttered such threats against
me as had never heart in all my life.
When we landed at Bordeaux he
came very respectfully, hat in hand.
to settle his account, but when he had
signed a receipt and pocketed his
money he clapped his hat upon his
mead, and, selling my hand, said to
me:
"NOw that you have no more power
over me, captain, if you will take a
word Of advice from me. you will pray
your Virgin never to let me meet you
out of France!'
That said, he walked away, darling
at me the glance of a rattlesnake. I
was not much disquieted by his threat.
But now on seeing him before me, sur
rounded by his pals, was astonished
only at one thing-to find myself still
living.
capt. Jean Leblanc" he asked,
smiling like demon, do you remem-
Der me-?
aol Enough of that" I replied. you
want to assassinate me-do il out Of
hand. But you are a coward and I
fear you in the least T. ~
rose with the intention of advance
ing up to them, but felt myself held
back, and ,nen perceived that 1 was
fastened by leathern belt and a long
rope to an enormous balloon, secured
by four ropes to as many trees.
Acme of Torture
"Wretches" I cried; 'at least YOU
are not going to hang me?'
The Mexican advanced a step and
replied to ME: capt. Leblanc, the
punishment about to be inflicted on
you is Of my invention and does not
In any way resemble the penalties
known on earth. For three years I
have suffered by your order and un-
justly, for I was innocent. have
spent days and nights trying to invent