The atmosphere was still quite clear round the 'Geant,' although
there was a thick haze underneath, through which we could
occasionally see lights glimmering from the earth. We had
attained a sufficient altitude to be only just able to hear
noises from villages that we left beneath us, and were beginning
to enjoy the delicious calm and repose peculiar to aerial
ascents.
"There is, however, a talk about dinner, or rather supper, and
night is now fast approaching. Every one eats with the best
possible appetite. Hams, fowls and dessert only appear to
disappear with an equal promptitude, and we quench our thirst
with bordeaux and champagne. I remind our companions of the
pigeons we brought with us, and which are hanging in a cage
outside the railing. I knew there was no danger of their flying
away, so fearlessly opened the cage. The three or four birds I
had put in the car seemed struck with terror. They flew
awkwardly towards the centre of our party, tumbling among the
plates and dishes and under our feet. It was not a case of
hunger with them, and I ought to have remembered that their
feeding time was long since past. I replaced them in their cage.
"Meanwhile, the sun has left us for some time.
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