NAVIGATING THE AIR 



cabin, the nature of some of these giving a cue to the 

 peculiar attitude of mind of the originator of the scheme. 

 For example, it was ordered that "Silence must be 

 absolutely observed when ordered by the captain." 

 "All gambling is expressly prohibited." "On landing 

 no passenger must quit the balloon without permission 

 duly acquired from the captain." 



The ascent was again successful, the balloon travelling 

 in a northeasterly direction during the night, all the 

 passengers remaining awake and alert, having con- 

 stantly in mind the danger of falling into the sea. The 

 following morning on descending to a lower altitude 

 through the clouds, the voyagers found that they were 

 passing the border of Holland, near the sea. At this 

 point an attempt was made to land, but a violent gale 

 having arisen, the anchor cables were broken, and the 

 car was dragged along the surface of the ground at 

 terrific speed, striking and rebounding into the air, 

 dragging through marshes and rivers, bruising and 

 battering the occupants who were unable either to leave 

 the balloon or to check its flight. As they were whirling 

 across the country in this manner an immense forest 

 came into view directly in their path, and believing that 

 when this was reached every occupant of the car would 

 be dashed to pieces against the trees, they decided to 

 take their chances by leaping. One after another they 

 jumped, striking the earth and turning over and over, 

 breaking bones, and mangling faces and bodies. The 

 only female occupant of the car, Mr3. Nadar, was for- 

 tunate in alighting in a river without serious injury. 

 Others received only slight bruises or a severe jolting 



[255] 



