Chapter 25 of 80 · 336 words · ~2 min read

CHAPTER XXV.

THIRD BALLOON-IRIS

[Sidenote: Balloon-shadow.]

Section 135. The _successive_ Operations of untying the Neck, and _repeated_ Trials of the Valve, brought the Observer so low, that he coud trace the _Image_ of the Balloon on the _upper_ Surface of _light silvery_ Clouds beneath him.

[Sidenote: Third Balloon-Iris.]

[Sidenote: Iris remained.]

[Sidenote: The Earth disappeared.]

136. _Iris_, a bright _celestial_ Nymph, his _former_ Attendant, deck’d in gay Attire as usual for the Bow, made her _third_ Appearance: instantly _encircling_ the Balloon. Nor was her Stay so short as before; as if to _recompense_ the Aironaut for the lost Sight of Earth and all _terrestrial_ Objects, which then began to _disappear_.

137. In less than _a Minute_ after the _Deflation_; the Neck of the Balloon continuing to be held tight in the Hand; the Balloon _quickly_ encreased in Bulk, and soared _aloft_, as before.

[Sidenote: Balloon alternately rising and falling.]

138. It continued _rising_ as long as the Hand coud _reach_ to hold the Neck _tight_: and, on loosing it _an Instant_, made a rapid Descent: on Account of the _Gass_ which escaped, and of the atmospheric _Air_ which rushed in by the _same_ Opening at the Bottom.

[Sidenote: The Play of _fast_ and _loose_ repeated.]

139. The alternate Play of +fast and loose+, was frequently and _successfully_ repeated: the Balloon always rising till it swelled out of the Reach of the Hand: at which Time it was let go: and the Neck (as well as the Balloon) descending; was _presently_ caught in the Hand, and made _Air-tight_ as before.

[Sidenote: Manouvres seen at the Distance of 15 Miles.]

140. These Manouvres were performed, at a Height _far_ above the Level of _all_ Clouds, and in Sight of Numbers of People: some of whom were at least 15 Miles distance: yet coud plainly, from an Eminence called _Hoole-Mill_ Field, a Couple of Miles from Chester, discover the Balloon at an amazing Height, darting up and down several Times; or as they expressed themselves, “_quivering and warping in the Air_.”