A STIFF BREEZE. 173 



nature of an Indian can be aroused sufficiently to 

 manifest any outward show of surprise or admira- 

 tion. 



Joe had feasted his eyes upon the gayly colored 

 lanterns that hung upon ropes encircling our camp, 

 had watched my preparations for the aerial flight 

 with mute wonder and astonishment ; but when the 

 ball of cotton, which he had seen saturated with 

 alcohol, was set on fire, and the upheld balloon, 

 swelling out. to its full capacity, was let loose to 

 seek its pathway among the stars, for once Joe for- 

 got his stoicism, and became almost frantic with 

 delight, dancing about, and cutting the wildest 

 , capers, fairly rivalling the clown in a pantomime. 



We found it necessary to send up three more 

 before bringing Joe down to his normal state ; and 

 by the time they had followed each other, in the 

 trackless space, we were quite ready to seek repose, 

 and dream, perchance, of those unknown worlds, 

 that were showering down upon us their sparkling 

 glories. 



