Year: 1874

weird and imposing scene lay below US,
while at times we were borne along on
the wings of the wind literally, and all
the time solemn stiffness reigned.


+" At one point of our passage across
the Canada shore our dragrope caught
in the trees and we were steadily
anchored, as it seemed, but not so steadily
either, for the wind lew in strong gusts,
and the aerial monster swayed fearfully
above our heads. Finally, after most
exciting experience, we manage, by
throwing overheard sufficient ballast to
tear the rope loose, and the balloon shot
upward with tremendous jerk, almost
throwing the passengers from their seats.


"After an hour and half of this cloud
experience, as near as we could judge
for, as no fire was allowable near this
gassy monster, we could only judge of
our course and time by guess-work-
King judged it wise to approach our
neither world more closely to take obser-
vations, for it was the opinion of several
familiar with lake navigation that we
were going in the direction of Lake
Huron, course that was to be carefully
avoided in the present state of our ballast
and gas, which had both been largely
drawn upon


"Sighting the earth once more we saw
lights and fires of charcoal burners, and
the top valve was opened freely and
often to expedite our descent. Nearing
the abodes of our fellow men once more
we found that our course had been
changed in all probability, and the lights
of a large town were discerned. AS we
approached the earth and could distin-
guish the dwellings we rent the upper
air with repeated cheers at the extent of
our voices. By and by we could even
distinguish the French Canadian patois.
On our right hand lay river, which |
hardly supposed wide enough for the
ST. Clair, and hundreds of lights were
cleaning in every direction.


"Our drag-rope was now sweeping
over the tops of the trees and the roofs
of dwellings, causing the basket to sway
violently to and fro, and rendering
good, firm grasp almost Intellectual to
hold us in place of safety. Swiftly
now we approached the earth, calling
Justify from time to time for aid from
those below who might hear our earnest
shouts. Still we were doomed to disap-
pointment, for no answering halloo was
borne to our expectant ears. But now
the time had come for decisive and i'm
mediate action, and Mr.. King pulled fire.
quently on the upper valve-rope, causing
a rushing discharge of gas and a conse-
quent rapid descent of the inflated mon
ster which had borne us so swiftly and
safely over the perilous passage of 450
miles, two-thirds of which was over the
waters of Lakes Erie and St. Clair Down,
still down we descended until clear
spot seemed to be close at hand, and ON
a sudden plump came our basket upon
terra fi1T10 once more.


King and Cozad grasped the stump
of burnt tree, and while the latter
clung to it with all his might and main
the Commodore quickly passed the Ian
yards attached to the heavy iron rings at
the base of the balloon around the tree.
Another one took hold of the drag-rope
and securely fastened it around a neigh
boring tree. Each one was cautious not
to leave his seat in the basket, as all the
weight was needed to make our anchor
age secure. Thus we remained, the air.
ship meanwhile swaying fearfully over
head and threatening to tear out anchor
and trees from their earthly hold. One
of our number was dispatched to rouse
the neighborhood and get such aid as we
greatly needed in order to bring our un-
ruly ship to the ground with as little
damage as possible.


"Our highest altitude was attained at
three p. m. of Friday, being 4,697 feet
above the lake level, and our mean alti-
tude was 1000 feet above the sea. In
passing over Mersea Township, Essex
County, on the Canada side, we descended
to within 500 feet of the lake level,
thence sweeping over West Tilbury
Township. We crossed Lake ST. Clair
about half mile above the clouds. The
lowest temperature indicated by the
thermometer was while over the lake,
So degrees, and the highest at 73 degrees,
Fahrenheit"