Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1896-09-10

was evidently 70 destroy tnem, so
that he might get clear OF with his
booty.
I've shall be starved to death,
said the jeweler.
Not to-day, nor yet tomorrow.
said Vidal, knocking over small
basket he had not hitherto noticed.
Ii contained . stone bottle of water
and some bread aud cheese.
Hutchinson threw himself at the
bottom Of the car and gave way to
paroxysm of grief.
Nothing more was said till morn
ing. The commissionaire, feeling
tired, lay down by the side of the
jeweler, and they snatched few
hours Of uneasy slumber.
When he woke, he found the
wind had changed, and the balloon
was beating about amidst variety
of conflicting currents, making no
particular headway.
They drifted at last in direc-
ton totally opposite to that in
which they had been going at first.
The jeweler did nothing but pray
and utter unavailing laments at in
tervals.
Vidal grew alarmed, but he did
not become coward; his time was
wholly occupied in studying the
balloon.
The safety-valve, by means of
which they could have descended at
will, was in sight, but out of reach.
The string which should have
given those in the car control over
1t had been purposelv cut.
Four days and nights went by;
the balloon remained tossing about
in space. Its occupants had been
drenched in more than one storm.
Their condition was miserable in
the extreme.
Vidal had made several attem pts
to reach the safety-valve without
success.
The air was cold; tho illimitable
sea rolled below them. II the bal
loon descended into the water, there
would be some chance of saving
their lives.
To fall violently spon the earth
was to be dashed to pieces; to fall
in the sea gave them an opportuni-
ty of being picked up by q ship, and
keeping afloat for certain time by
their own exertions.
Vidal determined to make an ef-
fort to save his life and that OF his
companion.
With the utmost care, yet with
dauntless bravery, he climbed up
the ropes which held the car to the
balloon.
At q certain height he could see
the valve.
In his hand he carried piece Of
string, which he wished to attach
to the valve.
II he could succeed in doing this,
their salvation would be secured
Should he miss his footing, he
would be dashed into the abyss be-
low.
Better such q death than one of
slow starvation Atlast he reached
the valve, and placed the string
over the hook which was attached to
it.
Then his strength gave way and
he fell down.
Fortunately he tumbled into The
car, which shook and strained very
much, but the cordage being goc d,
it did not give way.
The piece of string foated in tn,
breeze.
His next task was to lay hold o
it. BY robbing the wicker worl
car of some OF its minor component
parts, he constructed a sort of fish
ing-rod, and hooked the string.
Pulling it gently, he awaited th,
result with feyerish impatience.
The balloon began to descend.
The finale was now very simple
The balloon fell into the sea with
, in half a mile of a large steamship
which instantly lowered boat.
? The jeweler and the commission
aire were taken out Of the see:h;n,
waves, extremely glad to be res
cued from their perllous position
: They were taken on board tn
r ship, which proved to be BiscI
Prince, from Liverpool to Ne,
York; consequently they had dss
cended in the Atlantic.
Profoundly thankful for their es
d cape, they thanked the captain se
e his kindness, and promised to re
late their adventures when they Is
recovered from the fatigue of thei
= novel journey.
: Suddenly Mr.. Parker Hutehir
J; son caught sight of an individ1s
q in the crowd of passengers who wa
intently regarding him.
With a cry like that Of q tigs
y rushing on his prey, be sprang for
y ward and seizing him by the coils
= shouted:
J, 'Thief villain I! robber at iss
i I have found you.'
e Every Ole was astonished.
1t was the Duke S'Alvarez.