We described a curve,
crossing the road from Dijon to Langres. The mercury had
descended to 24 inches 8 lines, which announced that we were
gradually rising. We attempted for some time to follow the route
to I Langres, but the wind drove us off our course in spite of
all our efforts. At nine o'clock our barometer informed us that
we had ascended to the height of 6,000 feet. M. de Verley took
advantage of this elevation to put some touch wood to a
burning-glass 18 lines in diameter, and the touch wood lighted
immediately."
The aeronauts decided to direct their course for Dijon. After
re-setting the helm with this intention, they worked their oars,
and proceeded in that direction more than 1,000 feet. But heat
and fatigue obliged them to suspend their endeavours, and the
current drove them upon Mirebeau, where, throwing out the last of
their ballast and regulating their descent, they came softly down
upon a corn-field.
The adventurers were cordially welcomed by the ecclesiastics and
the magistrates of the place, and after a time they, with their
balloon, were carried back on men's shoulders to Dijon.
Chapter III. Experiment in Montgolfiers--Roziers and Proust--The
Duke of Chartres--The Comte d'Artois--Voyage of the Abbe Carnus
to Rodez.
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