"Remember the battle of Fleurus, and you will comprehend the utility of aerostats! Coutelle, by order of the government, organized a company of aerostiers. At the siege of Maubeuge, General Jourdan found this new method of observation so serviceable, that twice a day, accompanied by the General himself, Coutelle ascended into the air; the correspondence between the aeronaut and the aerostiers who held the balloon, was carried on by means of little white, red, and yellow flags. Cannons and carbines were often aimed at the balloon at the moment of its ascension, but without effect. When Jourdan was preparing to invest Charleroi, Coutelle repaired to the neighbourhood of that place, rose from the plain of Jumet, and remained taking observations seven or eight hours, with General Morelot. The Austrians came to deliver the city, and a battle was fought on the heights of Fleurus. General Jourdan publicly proclaimed the assistance he had received from aeronautic observations. Well! notwithstanding the services rendered on this occasion, and during the campaign with Belgium, the year which witnessed the commencement of the military career of balloons, also saw it terminate. And the school of Meuon, founded by government, was closed by Bonaparte, on his return from Egypt. 'What are we to expect from the child which has just been born? ' Franklin had said. But the child was born alive! It need not have been strangled! "
The unknown hid his forehead in his hands, reflected for a few moments, then, without raising his head, said to me:"Notwithstanding my orders, you have opened the upper valve! "
I let go the cord.
"Fortunately," continued he, "we have still two hundred pounds of ballast."
"What are your plans? " said I, with effort.
"You have never crossed the sea? "
I grew frightfully pale, terror froze my veins.
"It is a pity, " said he, "that we are being wafted towards the Adriatic! That is only a streamlet. Higher! we shall find other currents! "
And without looking at me, he lightened the balloon by several bags of sand.
"I allowed you to open the valve, because the dilatation of the gas threatened to burst the balloon. But do not do it again."
I was stupid.
"You know the voyage from Dover to Calais made by Blanchard and Jefferies. It was rich in incident. On the 7th of January, 1785, in a northeast wind, their balloon was filled with gas on the Dover side; scarcely had they risen, when an error in equilibrium compelled them to threw out their ballast, retaining only thirty pounds. The wind drifted them slowly along towards the shores of France. The permeability of the tissue gradually suffered the gas to escape, and at the expiration of an hour and a half, the voyagers perceived that they were descending.
"'What is to be done? ' said Jefferies.
"'We have passed over only three-fourths of the distance,' replied Blanchard 'and at a slight elevation. By ascending we shall expose ourselves to contrary winds. Throw out the remainder of the ballast.'
"The balloon regained its ascensional force, but soon re-descended. About midway of the voyage, the aeronauts threw out their books and tools.
"A quarter of an hour afterwards, Blanchard said to Jefferies: 'The barometer? '
"'It is rising! We are lost; and yet there are the shores of France! '
"A great noise was heard.
"'Is the balloon rent? ' asked Jefferies.
"'No! the escape of the gas has collapsed the lower part of the balloon.'
"'But we are still descending. We are lost! Everything not indispensable must be thrown overboard! '
"Their provisions, oars and helm were thrown out into the sea. They were now only 100 metres in height.
"'We are remounting, ' said the Doctor.
"'No, it is the jerk caused by the diminution of weight. There is not a ship in sight! Not a bark on the horizon! To the sea with our garments! '
"And the unfortunate men stripped, but the balloon continued to descend.
"'Blanchard, ' said Jefferies, 'you were to have made this voyage alone; you consented to take me; I will sacrifice myself to you! I will throw myself into the water, and the balloon, relieved, will reascend! '
"'No, no, it is frightful.' The balloon collapsed more and more, and its concavity forming a parachute, forced the gas against its sides and accelerated its motion.
"'Adieu, my friend, ' said the Doctor. 'May God preserve you! ' He was about to have taken the leap, when Blanchard detained him.
"'One resource remains to us! We can cut the cords by which the car is attached, and cling to the network? perhaps the balloon will rise. Ready! But the barometer falls! We remount! The wind freshens! We are saved! '
"The voyagers perceived Calais! Their joy became delirium; a few moments later, they descended in the forest of Guines. "
"I doubt not, " continued the unknown, "that in similar circumstances you would follow the example of Doctor Jefferies."
The clouds were unrolling beneath our feet in glittering cascades; the balloon cast a deep shadow on this pile of clouds, and was surrounded by them as with an aureola! The thunder growled beneath our feet! All this was frightful!
"Let us descend! " exclaimed I.
"Descend, when the sun is awaiting us yonder! Down with the bags! " And he lightened the balloon of more than fifty pounds. At 3000 metres we remained stationary. The unknown talked incessantly, but I scarcely heard him; I was completely prostrated, while he seemed in his element.
"With a good wind, we shall go far, but we must especially go high! "
"We are lost! "