CHAPTER XXVIII.

[Sidenote: An uncommon Sound in the Air.]

Section 162. At 40 Minutes past III, when the Balloon was _apparently_ some Miles above the Level and Summit of the Clouds; a +sudden+ and uncommon _Sound_ was heard for three or four Seconds only.

A Sort of _hollow_ Wind seemed issuing from a Plain of Clouds in the North-East Quarter, greatly below the Balloon: which as +suddenly+ ceased.

[Sidenote: An unusual Motion communicated to the Balloon.]

The Instant the Sound was heard; a gentle Motion was _impressed_ on the _Balloon_, as if by a Hand touching _it_ near the _Top_.

163. Clouds to the North-East appeared, for the first Time, in _rapid_ Motion towards the Balloon.

They _sailed_ directly _under_ it: filled up the Chasm, and drew a _white_ Veil over _all terrestrial_ Objects.

[Sidenote: Conjecture in the Cause of the Motion.]

164. It has been _since_ imagined, that a fresh Wind _descended_ from the South-West Quarter in the upper Current, and was heard in the North-East, being ecchoed from the upper Tier of Clouds _below_: and that the Balloon, finding less Resistance than the +range+ of Clouds, soon overtook and passed them: particularly as the lower Part of the _white_ Flag vibrated only in the usual Direction.

165. The _encreased_ progressive Motion of the Balloon was _not_ perceived (Section 18): being considered as at _Rest_, and the _apparent_ Motion _referred_ to the _Clouds_.