The Journal of a Sporting Nomad 



if he so wished it, immediately free the ropes 

 from the car and leave them behind him. Thus 

 in an emergency, in case, that is, the ropes fouled 

 in a crevice in the ice or rocks, he could get rid 

 of them. Freed from this weight the balloon 

 would then rise to a considerable height again, 

 when he could, should he wish, put over the 

 side the duplicate drag-ropes he had in reserve. 

 These ropes were so hard that a blade of a pen- 

 knife could not penetrate them ; they were, 

 towards their extremities, provided with weak 

 spots, like a rat's tail, that would break in case 

 of a foul, and so free him to resume his journey. 

 All his food, water, and stores were carried in 

 aluminium tins. The anchor, all instruments, etc., 

 were made of bronze the only articles of steel 

 that he took with him were a knife and rifle. 

 The food and stores were carried in canvas 

 pockets that were affixed to the ropes that led 

 from the netting that covered the balloon and 

 that supported the car, the total weight carried 

 by the balloon, including passengers, being about 

 five tons. The balloon being more or less flat 

 on the top was provided with a cap of oiled silk ; 

 this was to prevent snow, should any fall, from 

 becoming lodged there. The neck of the balloon 

 was provided with a patent valve which would 

 automatically open if the pressure of the gas, 

 owing perhaps to the heat of the sun, became 



excessive, thereby preventing a burst. She was 



162 



