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第7章 空中历险记 7（第1页）

第7章空中历险记（7）

"DidyouseeMadameBlanchardfall?"saidhetome。"Isawher，yes，IwasatTivoliohofJuly，1819。MadameBlanchardasaballoonofsmallsize，tosavetheexpenseoffilliherefedtoiirely，andthegasescapedbythelowerorifigonitsrouteatrainen。Shecarried，suspendedaboveherironwire，akindoffirewanaureola，whichshewastokiehisexperiment。Onthisoshecarried，besides，alittleparachute，ballastedbyafirewinaballwithsilverraiolaunchthisapparatus，afterhavihasmokebomb，preparedforthepurpose。Sheasded。Thenightwasdark。Atthemomentoflightingthefirework，sherudentastoletthelancepassbehenen，ingfromtheballoon。Myeyeswerefixedonher。Suddeedflashillumihedarkhoughtitasurpriseoftheskilfulaeronaut。Theflameincreased，suddenlydisappeared，ahetopoftheaerostatuheformofaas。ThissiprojectedovertheBoulevard，ahequarterMohenIsawtheunfortunatewomattopresstheorificeoftheballooiheherselfinthedseektodirectitsdest;forshedidnotfall。Thebustioedseveralmiheballoon，diminishingbydegrees，uedtodesd，butthiswasnotafall!Thewihe，anddroveheroverParis。Therewere，atthattime，intheneighbourhoodofthehouseNo。16RuedeProvensegardemighthavefalledaunhappilytheballoonandthecaralightedontheroofofthehouse。Theshockwasslight。'Help!'criedtheunfortunatewoman。Iarrivedihatmoment。Thecarslidalongtheroof，aeredanironhook。Atthisshock，MadameBlanchardwasthrownoutofthedprecipitatedo!Shewaskilled!"

&oriesoffatalauguryfrozemewithhorror。Theunknoright，withbarehead，bristlinghair，haggardeyes。

Illusionwasnolongerpossible。Isawatlastthehorribletruth。Ihadtodeal>

&hrewouthalftheballast，ahavebeeoaheightof7000metres!Bloodspoutedfrommyh。

"Whatafiistobemartyrstosce!Theyareizedbyposterity!"

Iheardheunknownlookedaroundhimwithhorror，amyear。"OhofOctober，1804，theweatherhadbegantoclearupalittle;forseveraldayspreg，thewindandrainhadbee。ButtheasnouncedbyZambecarriotbepostponed!Hisidiotenemiesalreadyscoffedathim。Tosavehimselfandspublicridicule，itbeetoasd。ItwasatBologna!Nooneaidedhiminfillinghisballoomidnight，apaniedbyAndreoliaheballoonasdedslowly;ithadbeehewind，andthegasescaped。Thethreeintrepidvoyagerscouldobservethestateofthebarometeronlybytheaidofadarklantern。Zambecarrihadendariy-frossettiwasalsofasting。

"'Myfriends，'saidZambebeheexhausted;Imustdie;'andhefellsehegallery。

"ItwasthesamewithGrossetti，AndreolialoneremaierloshesuarousingZambehisstupor。

"'Whatistherenew?Wherearewegoing?Inwhichdireisthewind?Whattimeisit?'

"'Itistwoo'clock!'

"'Whereisthepass?'

"'Ithasfallenout。'

"&#od!thelampisextinguished!'

"'Iterinthisrarefiedair!'saidZambecarri。

"Themoonhadmospherelungedinhorribledarkness。

"'Iamdreoli!Whatshallwedo?'Theunfortunatemenslowlydesdedthroughalayerofwhiteclouds。

"'Hush!'saidAndreoli;'doyouhear?'

"'What?'repliedZambecarri。

"'Asingularnoise!'

"'Youaremistaken!'

"'No!—Doyouseethosemidnighttravellers，listeningtothatinprehensiblesourustarower?Aretheyabouttobeprecipitatedontheroofs?Doyouhearit?Itislikethesoundoftheo!'

"'Impossible!'

"'Itistherofthewaves!'

"'Thatistrue!—Light!light!'

"Afterfivefruitlessattempts，Aaiwasthreeo'clock。Thesoundofthewaveswasheardwithvioletouchedthesurfaceofthesea。

"'Wearelost!'exclaimedZambecarri，seizingabagofballast。

"'Help!'dreoli。