Put nothing discouraged Roziers
and his companions. Places had been arranged in the gallery for
six persons. After the balloon was at last inflated, Prince
Charles and the Comes de Laurencin, Dampierre, and Laporte threw
themselves into the gallery. They were all armed, and were
determined not to quit their places to whoever might come.
Roziers, who wished at the last to enjoy a high ascent, proposed
to reduce the number to three, and to draw lots for the purpose.
But the gentlemen would not descend. The debate became animated.
The four voyagers cried to cut the ropes. The director of the
Academy, to whom application was made in this emergency, admiring
the resolution and the courage of the four gentlemen, wished to
satisfy them in their desire. Accordingly the ropes were cut;
but at that moment M. Montgolfier and Roziers threw themselves
into the gallery. At the same time a certain M. Fontaine, who
had had much to do in the construction of the machine, threw
himself in, although it had not previously been arranged that he
should be of the party. His boldness in jumping in was pardoned,
on the ground of his services and his zeal.
In going away the machine turned to the south-west, and bent a
little.
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