Year: 1873

and n half above sea level. The air
current still went steadily TO the east,
and the great theory OF al eastern cur
rent seemed about to be established.
The air ship, released from the
fetters Of earth, seemed TO soar aloft
with Joy and gladness. Up, up II went,
and at half-past four the barometer
marked an altitude Of two miles. Still
going eastward across the bay, the bas-
ket OF the balloon was spinning round
like top, and il was a difficult matter
TO determine which way the balloon was
really going. The compass appeared 10
point in all directions Still il was pos
sible TO make an estimate by the land.
marks, and up to this time the air-ship
had undoubtedly gone east, Within two
minutes, however. the balloon began to
verge toward the westward. The mist


in the distance became mere apparent.
At this time the air.ship must have been
travelling at great speed. The mist the
commander took 10 be the sea, and he
at ence attempted a descent. They
we're lowering Just over the Golden Gate.
Il was evident TO the Chrsnicle man
that the only course left was TO ascend:
Accordingly ballast was throws out, and
the air-ship once more rose among the
clouds. Up for three miles the balloon
assembled. Then a current OF wind,
blowing directly toward the north.
west, struck it. Suddenly and with
out any warning the car began TO de-
scend. II was at this time about three
miles high, and il came down with
rapidity which would have been start
ling TO any one but an experienced bal
loonist. Bag after bag Of sand was cast
into the sea, but still the Balloon was
sinking. Next went the lunch which
had been prepared for the landing.
Overcoats followed, and with a sigh and
almost tear the soda water was sacri-
feed. Still the air ship came rapidly
down, and the anchor. as last resort,
was cast into the yawning sea. A dash,
a splurge, and the basket touched the
water. The balloon careened over, and
saved the lives Of its inmates BY keeping
the basket aAost. Through the raging
waves of the ocean the basket ploughed
its way, dragged along by clinging 10 the
ropes. The Chronicle man. unfortunate
ly, was at the bottom of the basket, and
as it rolled around, tearing its way
through the waves, he was battered and
beaten, and carried beneath the waters,
emerging in the condition Of ducked
duck. Said his companion:


"Cling on, old boy; there's boat
coming TO us" rn. .f.


Two sturdy men bent their muscles TO
the utmost, and soon the boat was along
side the dismantled balloon. Grab the
beat" cried one of the men. Clough
grabbed and was soon safe on board the
boat. The Chronicle man tried to grab,
too. but he was further of and the boat
veered off. Relieved OF the weight Of
one man, the balloon at once arose,
carrying the Chronicle man with it. UP,
up, the balloon went, lightened and
bouyant. The reporter saw that it was
going out to sea. His only hope was to
pull the valve rope, bring it down again,
and trust to the boat. Bring her
down" shouted one of the boatmen;
"Tll follow you" She came down with
a vengeance, and with it came the re-
porter. Once again he was immersed in
the waters of the Pacific.


"Get out of the basket" shouted the
boatmen; "Get on the outside; we'll
have you all right yet The reporter
tried to obey instructions, knowing, full
we'll that all hope Of saving the balloon
was gone. He was SO exhausted, how
ever, that it was utterly impossible for
him to extricate himself from the in
tricate meshes of the basket.


A pair Of hands grasped the reporters
head, another pair took his right arm,
and still another his left arm. He was
fairly dragged from the balloon. The
moment his weight was taken from the
air-ship it sprang aloft, shooting away
until it appeared mere dot in the dis
taBes.