The Tucson citizen., 1902-07-04
TIRED OF THE TRIP.
30 HE GOT OUT OF THE BALLOON
BY THE JUMP ROUTE.

II went up in a balloon once. and
never want 10 make such a trip again."
said Colonel A. Noel Brakeman. My
experience as an Aeronaut was in Lon
don" he continued land it would
| never have occurred but for friend
ehanced 10 meet there. He was going
TO make an ascent. and be persuaded
me 10 accompany him.
The balloon was n feature OF some
big exhibition, and every day il was
Inflated and made an ascent, with four
i or five passengers, IN charge Of an ex-
perienced aeronaut. There were about
eve in the party the day took the trip.
We got into the basket, which was
boxed in quite high, then let the rope
&C. and we shot UP about 1000 feet Ii
was interesting 10 look down on the
world and hear the noises Of London
streets coming from 40 far below The
balloon sailed along smoothly. and We
drified for about eight miles.
at was when we tried TO descend
that the trouble began. The method
was 10 threw out anchors as the bal.
loon settled toward the earth. The
aeronaut said that when one OF these
anchors caught firmly he would haul
the balloon down TO the tree In which
the anchor was expected TO become
fastened. This would be done by wind
Ing in the rope on winch In the car.
We would be expected to climb out OF
the balloon into the tree, he said. and
he would then take hold OF the valve
rope and. standing a safe distance
away. open the valve, let the gas es-
cape. and the big affair would collapse
and sink. He informed us that we
must get clear OF the sink ing folds, as
they wonld come down fast. and IL
they caught and covered US we would
be In an atmosphere OF most poisonous
gas.
"All this was very interesting. but
we did not seem to be making very
much progress toward the point here
We would have tn look out for the de-
scending folds of the collapsing bal
loon. The anchors caught In a whole
lCt of trees. but they did not hold One
would get tangled In a tree, and then
The balloon would sway far over, till.
Ing the basket In which we were until
It seemed that we would he spilled out.
Then the anchor would break loose.
and we would shoot mp again.
Il became very tired OF this and told
the aeronaut that | thought it was time
to bring the voyage to conclusion. /
jump out. At first | thought he was
simply Tesentful of my remark. but be
said be meant what he said.
when the car tilts over again. you
climb out on the edge he said, and let I
so. II will probably be a piowed fefd !
us, and you won't get hurt +,
We'll, did as he suggested When !
the anchor caught again. climbed out !
and hung 10 the edge Of the car. When
| saw thai The car was as low as II was (
likely TO get, let go. | dropped about T
IL feet, and. as he expected. a plowed .
Geld was below us.
"As soon az / dropped out the bah /
loon. relieved OF my weight. shot up In /
the air again aud scared of. walked !
70 the nearest road and continued along I
Il until came 10 an inn. /
Il asked the landlord how far II was
10 London. and he told NE il was eight /
niles. ordered carriage to take me |
there, and while | was waiting the
landlord asked me where | had come
from.
II took him to the door OF the inn,
md. pointing to the balloon. which was
hen sailing along about quarter Of
mile above the ground, | said. 4 jump
ID out OF that
THE man looked at me In alarmed
ashton. and after had returned to the
'itting room noticed that several peO,
,le peered through the window at me.
FINALLY my four wheeler was ready.
md set of for London. After we had
lriven along for half an hour or so the
suddenly turned the horse In
Trough gate and we drove into big
courtyard. | yelled TO him and asked
lin what be meant. that | wanted to
% straight TO London. bot he paid no
'ttNbt'ob ohh SIONly NlICItu tue court. !
When he stopped on the other side, a
nan wearing glasses stuck his head In
he carriage. scrutinizing me closely
'ulled back, said something to the
Qachman, and we drove on TO London
"Nlnally We reached my lodgings :
nd when we did so the coacbman {
uRlped of the box. ran up the steps
MI as soon as his knock was answered
sked II Mr.. Brakeman lived there
be maid was Just answering that
tdawhen reached the top OF the steps
nd eoilared the fellow.
What was that place you drove me
ITO on our way to LoudonY ! asked
I'm.
IT was hinsane hasylum. sir he
eplied. When you said you had jump
d out O that balloon. we thought you