Chapter
1 Note | NOTE.~“Five Weeks in a Balloon” is, in a measure, a satire
2 II | Africa from east to west IN A BALLOON. If we are well informed,
3 II | required for the body of the balloon; and, finally, the British
4 III | Martyrology.—The Advantages of a Balloon.—Dr. Ferguson’s Secret.~
5 III | madman! Cross Africa in a balloon! Nothing but that was wanted
6 III | as to be certain that my balloon will not fall; but, should
7 III | other explorers. But, my balloon will not deceive me, and
8 III | to be separated from the balloon until I reach the western
9 III | discovered the means of guiding a balloon?”~“Not by any means. That
10 III | where I will inflate my balloon, and from that point we
11 V | the construction of his balloon, with certain modifications;
12 V | possessive adjective:~“‘Our’ balloon; ‘our’ car; ‘our’ expedition.”~
13 VI | Then you haven’t seen his balloon at Mitchell’s factory in
14 VI | fix the equilibrium of his balloon; so he made Dick get up
15 VII | Calculation of the Capacity of the Balloon.—The Double Receptacle.—
16 VII | easy to comprehend that the balloon —that marvellous vehicle
17 VII | in order not to give the balloon too ponderous dimensions,
18 VII | the ascensional force of a balloon capable of raising such
19 VII | thousand pounds.~By giving the balloon these cubic dimensions,
20 VII | the gas contained in the balloon and the weight of the surrounding
21 VII | all introduced into the balloon, it would be entirely filled;
22 VII | not do, because, as the balloon continued to mount into
23 VII | himself, resolved to fill his balloon only one-half; and, since
24 VII | feet of gas, to give his balloon nearly double capacity he
25 VII | larger one. His external balloon, which had the dimensions
26 VII | capacity of this interior balloon was only sixty-seven thousand
27 VII | A valve opened from one balloon into the other, and thus
28 VII | that which was in the outer balloon would go first; and, were
29 VII | encumbrance; and the second balloon, left free to itself, would
30 VII | happening to the outside balloon, such as getting torn, for
31 VII | the surface of the outside balloon being about eleven thousand
32 VII | envelope of the second or inner balloon, having nine thousand two
33 VII | that the equilibrium of a balloon floating in the atmosphere
34 VII | Weight of the outside balloon...... 650 "~ Weight of the
35 VII | Weight of the second balloon....... 510 "~ Car and network....................
36 VIII | that what with showing the balloon, explaining the plans and
37 VIII | a stowing-place for the balloon. The latter was shipped
38 VIII | doctor, “if I am master of my balloon—if I can ascend and descend
39 VIII | the officer, “could any balloon withstand the wear and tear
40 VIII | replied Ferguson.~“And the balloon withstood it?”~“Perfectly
41 VIII | aeronaut, Gernerin, sent up a balloon at Paris, about eleven o’
42 VIII | inhabitants of Rome saw the same balloon soaring above the Vatican,
43 VIII | you see, gentlemen, that a balloon can resist such velocities.”~“
44 VIII | resist such velocities.”~“A balloon—that might be; but a man?”
45 VIII | Yes, a man, too!—for the balloon is always motionless with
46 VIII | An aeronaut in Garnerin’s balloon would not have suffered
47 IX | direct the car than the balloon, and that has been one great
48 IX | of resemblance between a balloon and a ship which is directed
49 IX | while the whole bulk of a balloon is plunged in the atmosphere,
50 IX | cannot manage to guide our balloon, we must, at least, try
51 IX | been once determined, the balloon will merely have to be placed
52 IX | is not how to guide the balloon, but how to take it up and
53 IX | expedition across Africa in a balloon. In twenty-four hours I
54 X | ballast or gas from the balloon. A French aeronaut, M. Meunier,
55 X | contracting the gas that is in the balloon by the application of different
56 X | From the lowest part of my balloon, which is hermetically closed,
57 X | the oscillations of the balloon.~“Both of them run down
58 X | from the lower part of the balloon runs into this cylindrical
59 X | into the upper beds of the balloon.~“The spherical cap of the
60 X | to the upper part of the balloon. A vacuum is created below,
61 X | spiral, which issues from the balloon and then returns to it,
62 X | degrees, the hydrogen of the balloon will dilate 18480 or 1614
63 X | equilibrium. The volume of the balloon has been calculated in such
64 X | distention, and inflates the balloon more. The latter, then,
65 X | valve, at the top of the balloon, is nothing more nor less
66 X | than a safety-valve. The balloon always retains the same
67 X | contraction of the gas in the balloon is my means of locomotion,
68 XI | Rain-Makers.—Inflation of the Balloon.—Departure on the 18th of
69 XI | made for disembarking the balloon upon the beach at Zanzibar.
70 XI | when about to land the balloon, the consul was informed
71 XI | one unlucky blow to do the balloon an irreparable injury, so
72 XI | outside of the port; land your balloon on one of them; surround
73 XI | morning of the 16th April, the balloon was placed in safety in
74 XI | the means of elevating the balloon, by the aid of a transverse
75 XI | uninflated. The interior balloon was fastened to the exterior
76 XI | To the lower end of each balloon were fixed the pipes that
77 XI | way, and thence into each balloon by the conduit-pipes. In
78 XI | hours. The next day, the balloon, covered with its network,
79 XI | the pipes issuing from the balloon were securely fitted to
80 XI | island of Koumbeni.~The balloon was swaying gently to and
81 XI | produce a rapid heat, and the balloon, which had rested on the
82 XI | ascensional force of the balloon increased prodigiously,
83 XII | the wind moderate, and the balloon ascended almost perpendicularly
84 XII | decided current carried the balloon toward the southwest. What
85 XII | the concavity beneath the balloon, as the latter sped on its
86 XII | of his cylinder, and the balloon, in a few moments, had descended
87 XII | disagreeable; but never fear—our balloon is hermetically sealed.”~“
88 XII | cotton-wood trees, above which the balloon seemed to disport itself
89 XII | muskets,” he said, “and our balloon would be too conspicuous
90 XII | said the sportsman, as the balloon ascended; “the reflection
91 XII | correctly said that he held his balloon in his hand. Kennedy had
92 XII | the car with agility. The balloon now remained perfectly at
93 XIII | fever.”~“Ah! by Jove, this balloon is a paradise!” exclaimed
94 XIII | the doctor managed his balloon with wondrous dexterity.~“
95 XIII | action of the heat, and the balloon took a very decided ascensional
96 XIII | the vast capacity of the balloon was filled when the barometer,
97 XIII | and, with a very large balloon, one might go far. That
98 XIII | lofty regions; but their balloon burst—”~“And they fell?”
99 XIII | ascensional force in the balloon to keep it in the air. Meanwhile
100 XIV | if we couldn’t find the balloon again.”~“By George, what
101 XIV | coming down again with his balloon; he handles it at his ease.”~“
102 XIV | prevented their seeing the balloon, although they could not
103 XIV | at first glance, saw the balloon in its place and the doctor
104 XIV | of blacks surrounding the balloon!”~And, in fact, there, two
105 XIV | therefore, obliged to keep his balloon up by a quite considerable
106 XIV | Toward seven o’clock, the balloon was sailing over the basin
107 XIV | thousand feet, where the balloon remained motionless. The
108 XIV | changed during the night. The balloon had been bearing about thirty
109 XIV | throw out the anchors!”~The balloon, gradually losing its ascensional
110 XIV | fissure of a rock, and the balloon remained motionless.~It
111 XIV | The equilibrium of the balloon had been calculated at the
112 XIV | seven hundred feet, the balloon would have had a tendency
113 XIV | rest upon the ground, the balloon, thus relieved of a considerable
114 XIV | in the cylinder, and the balloon majestically soared into
115 XIV | and the guidance of the balloon was becoming difficult,
116 XIV | least breath of air, the balloon was floating over the town
117 XV | Market-place.—The Appearance of the Balloon.—The Wangaga.—The Sons of
118 XV | as though by magic. The balloon had just come in sight,
119 XV | too near to them, for the balloon is not iron-clad, and is,
120 XV | make the venture.”~The balloon having, meanwhile, gradually
121 XV | slow in learning that the balloon was mistaken for nothing
122 XV | nothing to fear for the balloon?”~“But, what will you do?”~“
123 XV | ascensional force for the balloon. The anchor is solidly fastened,
124 XV | steps immediately toward the balloon, for it was now six o’clock
125 XV | what had caused it, and the balloon, powerfully urged by the
126 XV | she, indeed—she and the balloon!—both in one sky!~Either
127 XV | bows and muskets at the balloon.~But one of the sorcerers
128 XV | moment, by the start of the balloon, caught the rascal between
129 XV | Huzza!” roared Joe, as the balloon—thanks to its ascensional
130 XV | west wind was sweeping the balloon right over the town, and
131 XV | toward Kazeh; while the balloon, suddenly relieved of his
132 XVI | from the earth, drove the balloon toward the north-northeast;
133 XVI | we must try to get the balloon into a medium zone of the
134 XVI | said Kennedy.~“No! the balloon could not stand it. Let
135 XVI | a zone of fire, with our balloon filled as it is with inflammable
136 XVI | cylinder at full heat, and the balloon dilated and went up, while
137 XVI | curtains of the awning. The balloon whirled round wildly enough
138 XVI | form in the silk of the balloon as the wind fiercely bent
139 XVI | along the network of the balloon.~The latter whirled and
140 XVII | gaze of our travellers. The balloon, whirled about by opposing
141 XVII | necessary, and will make the balloon like a ship that casts anchor,
142 XVII | careful inspection of the balloon: so the flame of the cylinder
143 XVII | eight feet in height.~The balloon skimmed this tall grass
144 XVII | necessary to detach the balloon from its draught-animal
145 XVII | fearful bound; the car and balloon cracked as though every
146 XVII | of our aeronauts, and the balloon was rushing headlong toward
147 XVII | assaults of his enemies in the balloon.~“A bullet in his heart!”
148 XVII | on the ground, while the balloon, now half emptied, hovered
149 XVII | make an inspection of the balloon, and, while they’re busy
150 XVII | thorough examination of the balloon. The latter did not appear
151 XVII | ascensional force of the balloon, our aeronaut saw, with
152 XVII | the oscillations of the balloon. His examination ended,
153 XVII | forest of calmadores, and the balloon resting motionless over
154 XVIII | the elephant’s tusks. The balloon, restored to liberty, sped
155 XVIII | that the appearance of the balloon excited; he took note of
156 XVIII | promontory at low tide.~The balloon approached the lake more
157 XVIII | clock in the evening the balloon alighted on a small desert
158 XVIII | Wednesday, April 23d, the balloon started at four o’clock
159 XVIII | the mists, and, after the balloon had been swung to and fro
160 XVIII | equator duly celebrated.~The balloon made rapid headway. In the
161 XVIII | While busy managing the balloon, Dr. Ferguson never ceased
162 XVIII | less than ten minutes the balloon was soaring at a height
163 XVIII | care.”~And, upon this, the balloon was lowered about two thousand
164 XVIII | Good!”~In a few moments the balloon was advancing along the
165 XVIII | in a boat just under the balloon, Kennedy saluted them with
166 XVIII | was at the zenith as the balloon approached the island.~The
167 XVIII | arrows, but without doing the balloon any damage, where it rested
168 XVIII | now,” said he—“now for the balloon!”~“Quickly, then, for I
169 XVIII | Ten minutes more, and the balloon was majestically ascending,
170 XIX | Shrewd Cogitations.—The Balloon runs the Gantlet.—Aerostatic
171 XIX | must not complain.”~The balloon was now receding gradually
172 XIX | The wind was carrying the balloon toward the northwest, and,
173 XIX | and Kennedy.~About ten the balloon anchored on the side of
174 XIX | the lower cavities of the balloon and shook the appendage
175 XIX | that the orifice of the balloon still remained hermetically
176 XIX | Blanchard. She ignited her balloon while sending off fireworks,
177 XX | violent and irregular; the balloon was running the gantlet
178 XX | needle of the compass.~“The balloon is rushing at the rate of
179 XX | peasants, when they first saw a balloon, fired at it, thinking that
180 XX | moment, they had to raise the balloon so as to pass over a forest
181 XX | time, for the silk of our balloon could not resist their sharp
182 XX | could hitch them to the balloon, and they’d haul us through
183 XX | notice the arrival of the balloon; there were about three
184 XX | last caught sight of the balloon, there was a momentary pause;
185 XX | Joe, “it’s sickening.”~The balloon rose as it expanded; the
186 XX | details.~At nightfall, the balloon cast anchor in twenty-seven
187 XXI | air was stirring; and the balloon, kept in its place by only
188 XXI | you expect to manage the balloon?” asked Kennedy.~“This is
189 XXI | altered the equilibrium of the balloon. But, then, if I want to
190 XXI | reappeared at his post; while the balloon, thus liberated, hung almost
191 XXII | The baobab, over which the balloon was hanging almost motionless,
192 XXII | A hundred feet below the balloon stood a large post, or stake,
193 XXII | blacks, when they saw the balloon over their heads, like a
194 XXII | breath of air impelled the balloon directly over the prisoner,
195 XXII | fantastic appearance of the balloon throwing out rays, as vivid
196 XXII | to his calculations, the balloon, after going up some three
197 XXII | tossed it overboard. The balloon, thus suddenly lightened,
198 XXII | comrades.~Suddenly, the balloon took a fresh leap, which
199 XXII | resumed the guidance of the balloon.~The latter, after taking
200 XXII | greatly.~Toward evening the balloon remained stationary in the
201 XXII | morning of the next day, the balloon had moved, but very slightly,
202 XXII | trying to cross Africa in a balloon, and, on our way, we have
203 XXII | that no one saw him.~The balloon made little progress, and
204 XXII | certainty was carrying the balloon directly toward this blazing
205 XXII | its utmost power, and the balloon rose to the height of six
206 XXII | flame; the lower half of the balloon glowed redly in the upper
207 XXII | on the horizon, and the balloon tranquilly pursued her course
208 XXIII | from the south, and the balloon moved slowly over a vast
209 XXIII | the valve of the outside balloon. The hydrogen escaped, and
210 XXIII | the gas dilated; but the balloon did not stir an inch.~Joe
211 XXIII | as you perceive. But the balloon will not rise until you
212 XXIII | he threw it out.~But the balloon did not budge.~“Humph!”
213 XXIII | some ten pounds, but the balloon stood still.~Joe got very
214 XXIII | began at last to lighten the balloon; but, from time to time,
215 XXIII | tossed it out of the car. The balloon rose a hundred feet or so,
216 XXIII | think of it!”~By evening the balloon had made ninety miles to
217 XXIV | Joe. —One Night more.~The balloon, having been made fast to
218 XXIV | purity and its heat. The balloon ascended, and, after several
219 XXIV | the close of the day, the balloon had not made thirty miles.~
220 XXIV | a considerable time, the balloon remained immovable in the
221 XXIV | therefore, with keeping the balloon at one hundred feet from
222 XXIV | dilates the hydrogen in the balloon, and diminishes the amount
223 XXIV | doctor calculated that the balloon had not made twenty miles
224 XXV | Midst of a Fog.—The Strange Balloon.—An Exact View of the Victoria.—
225 XXV | stillness of the atmosphere. The balloon rose to an elevation of
226 XXV | of the sun’s heat on our balloon?” asked Kennedy, addressing
227 XXV | and intense heat, sent the balloon rapidly aloft.~About fifteen
228 XXV | the slightest degree. The balloon, completely enveloped in
229 XXV | very quietly.~“Another balloon! and other passengers, like
230 XXV | enough, there was another balloon about two hundred paces
231 XXV | travellers by the other balloon had just the same idea,
232 XXV | ourselves in the second balloon, which is no other than
233 XXV | have a view of our noble balloon in that style? She’s a beauty,
234 XXV | rose higher, leaving the balloon, which made no further attempt
235 XXV | it.”~At six o’clock the balloon was floating over the palm-trees.~
236 XXVI | The distance made by the balloon during the preceding day
237 XXVI | descend. But the gas in his balloon was his blood, his very
238 XXVI | raised the hydrogen in the balloon to an elevated temperature,
239 XXVI | ceased to work, and the balloon, shrinking together, gently
240 XXVI | coast of Africa.~On the balloon taking ground, Kennedy and
241 XXVI | and, consequently, the balloon remained in perfect equilibrium,
242 XXVI | is to say—a nothing! The balloon had disappeared entirely
243 XXVI | and let us get back to the balloon.”~And the doctor, leaning
244 XXVII | fleeting pang of regret. The balloon at once began to ascend.~“
245 XXVII | and a moment later the balloon would have been crushed,
246 XXVII | former tranquillity.~The balloon, which had again lost its
247 XXVIII | satisfied himself that the balloon party were the only living
248 XXVIII | swallow the pieces of the balloon, without either salt or
249 XXVIII | and obstinately fair. The balloon remained motionless, without
250 XXVIII | reestablish the equilibrium of the balloon, and Joe was obliged to
251 XXVIII | But it is a storm! The balloon! Let us hasten to the balloon!”~
252 XXVIII | balloon! Let us hasten to the balloon!”~It was high time for them
253 XXVIII | accidentally thrown out, the balloon would have been swept away,
254 XXVIII | checked the car, while the balloon beat upon the sand, at the
255 XIX | travellers drawn along in a balloon by a team of camels; then
256 XIX | tow-rope, and hauls the balloon in their stead; and so on
257 XIX | meteor. That evening the balloon halted about forty miles
258 XIX | violent wind beat upon the balloon with such force as to throw
259 XIX | the oscillations of the balloon ceased to be alarming.~On
260 XIX | eighty degrees, gave the balloon a fresh ascensional force
261 XIX | descend; the covering of the balloon gave indications of bursting,
262 XXX | The doctor lowered the balloon in order to get a better
263 XXX | of natives; but, as the balloon grew larger to their eyes,
264 XXX | explaining the mechanism of a balloon to the savants of this country,
265 XXX | Half an hour later the balloon hung motionless about two
266 XXX | battle; but by this time the balloon was expanding, and rising
267 XXX | musket and aimed it at the balloon; but, Kennedy, who was watching
268 XXX | were even surrounding the balloon, the sides of which, reflecting
269 XXX | go.”~“Why, positively, a balloon need fear no enemies!”~“
270 XXXI | be denied that our noble balloon has behaved wonderfully
271 XXXII | An Attack in Mid-air.—The Balloon Covering torn.—The Fall.—
272 XXXII | arrival at Lake Tchad, the balloon had struck a current that
273 XXXII | stones and arrows, but the balloon quickly passed their islands,
274 XXXII | closer and closer to the balloon. They swept through the
275 XXXII | dilated the hydrogen in his balloon, and it rapidly rose.~But
276 XXXII | attack the upper part of the balloon, what would you do? How
277 XXXII | attack the upper part of the balloon, you could not get a sight
278 XXXII | birds darted right at the balloon, with outstretched beak
279 XXXII | consent soared above the balloon. Kennedy glanced at Ferguson.
280 XXXIII | security to the position of the balloon. It was necessary to watch
281 XXXIII | but at length the inner balloon once completely extricated
282 XXXIII | equipoise of the second balloon. He found that there were
283 XXXIII | the hydrogen in the first balloon, the ascensional force at
284 XXXIII | his equilibrium. The new balloon measured sixty-seven thousand
285 XXXIII | ascensional force of the new balloon was then about three thousand
286 XXXIII | unforeseen emergencies, and the balloon would be in exact balance
287 XXXIII | would have been nothing—the balloon’s anchor was detached from
288 XXXIII | terrified at the sight of the balloon, would plunge into the water
289 XXXIII | By eleven o’clock the balloon had gone ninety miles. It
290 XXXIII | different altitudes: the balloon always came back toward
291 XXXIII | difficulty in restraining the balloon; but at length the wind
292 XXXIV | disengage it; while the balloon, drawing in the opposite
293 XXXIV | if we have to abandon the balloon! if we should be forced
294 XXXIV | could no longer manage their balloon, which went whirling round
295 XXXIV | blew furiously, and the balloon fairly flew through the
296 XXXV | welcome apparition of the balloon—the Victoria herself—moving
297 XXXV | breeze was sweeping the balloon away with a speed that deprived
298 XXXVI | not taken notice of the balloon, which was now but five
299 XXXVI | the same direction as the balloon. He relies upon our intelligence.
300 XXXVII | all the time to see the balloon tacking about and waiting
301 XXXVII | telling his experience, the balloon had rapidly passed over
302 XXXVII | a light wind coaxed the balloon westward, and even a little
303 XXXVIII| said he, “with only one balloon? The second balloon is like
304 XXXVIII| one balloon? The second balloon is like the life-boat to
305 XXXVIII| violence, and not only had the balloon to resist the power of this
306 XLIX | rush there in crowds.”~“Our balloon is hardly large enough to
307 XLIX | the ascending force of the balloon is evidently growing weaker,
308 XL | because the speed of the balloon was constantly increasing.
309 XL | well-worn tissue of the balloon.~He made no remark, but
310 XL | On the other hand, the balloon was visibly wearing out,
311 XL | a hundred paces from the balloon, they settled down upon
312 XL | thereby managed to keep the balloon in a belt of the atmosphere
313 XL | came to the worst, and the balloon were to fail us, we might
314 XLI | Approaches to Senegal.—The Balloon sinks lower and lower.—They
315 XLI | ascending and falling again; the balloon, like another rock of Sisyphus,
316 XLI | a crack or a tear in the balloon?” he asked.~“No, but the
317 XLI | extravagant with cloth.”~The balloon had risen a little, but
318 XLI | with the covering of the balloon.”~“I tell you, again, Dick,
319 XLI | but I foresee that our balloon will not be able to carry
320 XLI | ascensional force of the balloon, even with the greatest
321 XLI | while he eyed her. “Poor balloon!”~“Unless I am deceived,”
322 XLI | fresh, was hurrying the balloon toward the sharp peaks.
323 XLI | shouted Joe.~“Does the balloon rise at all?” asked Kennedy.~“
324 XLI | rushing down upon them. The balloon was far from rising above
325 XLI | heavy meat.”~Thereupon the balloon was again lightened by some
326 XLI | mountain still overtopped the balloon by sixty feet.~Joe took
327 XLI | of bullets and lead.~The balloon went up still higher; it
328 XLI | disappear over the edge of the balloon.~“Joe! Joe!” cried Kennedy.~“
329 XLI | mountain, thus lightening the balloon of his whole weight. He
330 XLI | during the night with a balloon that could no longer be
331 XLI | anchors dangled below the balloon.~“I see large forests ahead
332 XLII | hazards, cross it with the balloon, and, in order to do that,
333 XLII | means of lightening the balloon.”~“What will that be? I
334 XLII | that were fastened in the balloon and connected with the spiral.
335 XLII | the oscillations of the balloon, in climbing to the upper
336 XLII | counted implicitly on his balloon; the time had gone by when
337 XLII | flames, leaping up at the balloon, already quivered on its
338 XLII | of fire-arms, while the balloon, caught in a current of
339 XLIII | Provisions.—The Leaps of the Balloon.—A Defence with Fire-arms.—
340 XLIII | precaution to lighten the balloon yesterday evening, we should
341 XLIII | queried Kennedy. “The balloon can’t descend without your
342 XLIII | steeds, the direction of the balloon, which was moving at only
343 XLIII | are at the mercy of the balloon!”~“That is vexatious!” rejoined
344 XLIII | within range also, and our balloon would offer only too plain
345 XLIII | Besides, he remarked that the balloon tended to fall considerably.
346 XLIII | halting for a moment, the balloon gained upon them.~“They
347 XLIII | half an hour later, the balloon was again falling rapidly,
348 XLIII | happens in like cases, the balloon had scarcely touched the
349 XLIII | amounted to little; and the balloon, which had risen for an
350 XLIII | to the ground just as the balloon was sinking for the last
351 XLIII | furious gallop; but the balloon, falling in with a much
352 XLIII | to happen thus; the empty balloon descended slowly upon a
353 XLIII | left the covering of the balloon.~“We have at least an hour’
354 XLIII | enlarged the orifice of the balloon by cutting it open at the
355 XLIII | quantity of grass under the balloon, and set fire to it.~It
356 XLIII | little while to inflate a balloon with hot air. A head of
357 XLIII | assiduous efforts, and the balloon grew fuller every instant.~
358 XLIII | few jerking motions by the balloon indicated that it was disposed
359 XLIII | the fire.~With this the balloon, now completely inflated
360 XLIII | hailed the departure of the balloon, which had at once ascended
361 XLIII | amazement when they saw the balloon rise from the right bank
362 XLIII | real state of the case.~The balloon, losing its inflation little
363 XLIII | from the river, while the balloon, half-empty, and borne away
364 XLIV | cordage and network of a balloon, and that the said balloon
365 XLIV | balloon, and that the said balloon fell at a distance of a
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