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Among other appalling disasters we have an example of a terrific descent from a vast height in which the adventurers yet escape with their lives. It was the summer of 1808, and the aeronauts, MM. Andreoli and Brioschi, ascending from Padua, reach a height at which a barometer sinks to eight inches, indicating upwards of 30,000 feet.
Still, however, he continued his labours, with the help of two companions, Andreoli and Grassetti. Wearied with his long-continued efforts, dis-appointed and hungry, he took his place in the car. The two companions whom we have named went with him. They rose gently at first, and hovered over the town of Bologna.
'The same misfortune overtook my companion Grassetti. Andreoli was the only one who remained awake and able for duty no doubt because he had taken plenty of food and a large quantity of rum. Still he suffered from the cold, which was excessive, and his endeavours to wake me were for a long time vain.
The lantern has gone out! "'It cannot burn in this rarefied air, said Zambecarri. "The moon had not risen, and the atmosphere was plunged in murky darkness. "'I am cold, Andreoli. What shall I do? "They slowly descended through a layer of whitish clouds. "'Sh! said Andreoli. 'Do you hear? "'What? asked Zambecarri. "'A strange noise. "'You are mistaken. "'No.
"'My friends, said Zambecarri, 'I am overcome by cold, and exhausted. I am dying. "He fell inanimate in the gallery. It was the same with Grossetti. Andreoli alone remained conscious. After long efforts, he succeeded in reviving Zambecarri. "'What news? Whither are we going? How is the wind? What time is it? "'It is two o'clock. "'Where is the compass? "'Upset! "'Great God!
We descended gently across a thick layer of whitish clouds, and when we had got below them, Andreoli heard a sound, muffled and almost inaudible, which he immediately recognised as the breaking of waves in the distance. Instantly he announced to me this new and fearful danger. I listened, and had not long to wait before I was convinced that he was speaking the truth.
Grassati of Rome, and M. Pascal Andreoli of Antona ascended on a November night from Bologna, allowing their balloon to rise with excessive velocity. In consequence of this rapid transition to an extreme altitude the Count and the Doctor became insensible, leaving Andreoli alone in possession of his faculties.
"He rose at midnight, accompanied by Andreoli and Grossetti. The balloon mounted slowly, for it had been perforated by the rain, and the gas was leaking out. The three intrepid aeronauts could only observe the state of the barometer by aid of a dark lantern. Zambecarri had eaten nothing for twenty-four hours. Grossetti was also fasting.
" We are lost! exclaimed Zambecarri, seizing a bag of ballast. " Help! cried Andreoli. "The car touched the water, and the waves covered them breast high. To the sea with instruments, garments, money! The aeronauts stripped entirely. The lightened balloon rose with frightful rapidity. Zambecarri was seized with violent vomiting. Grossetti bled freely.
The three intrepid voyagers could observe the state of the barometer only by the aid of a dark lantern. Zambecarri had not eaten during twenty-four hours; Grossetti was also fasting. "'My friends, said Zambecarri, 'I am benumbed with the cold; I am exhausted; I must die; and he fell senseless in the gallery. "It was the same with Grossetti. Andreoli alone remained awake.
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