“Why,” said I, “you seem to have studied the science of aerostation profoundly.” “Yes, monsieur, yes! From Phaethon, Icarus, Architas, I have searched for, examined, learnt everything. I could render immense services to the world in this art, if God granted me life. But that will not be!” “Why?” “Because my name is Empedocles, or Erostratus.” Meanwhile, the balloon was happily approaching the earth; but when one is falling, the danger is as great at a hundred feet as at five thousand. “Do you recall the battle of Fleurus?” resumed my companion, whose face became more and more animated. “It was at that battle that Contello, by order of the Government, organized a company of balloonists. At the siege of Manbenge General Jourdan derived so much service from this new method of observation that Contello ascended twice a day with the general himself. The communications between the aeronaut and his agents who held the balloon were made by means of small white, red, and yellow flags. Often the gun and cannon shot were directed upon the balloon when he ascended, but without result. When General Jourdan was preparing to invest Charleroi, Contello went into the vicinity, ascended from the plain of Jumet, and continued his observations for seven or eight hours with General Morlot, and this no doubt aided in giving us the victory of Fleurus. General Jourdan publicly acknowledged the help which the aeronautical observations had afforded him. Well, despite the services rendered on that occasion and during the Belgian campaign, the year which had seen the beginning of the military career of balloons saw also its end. The school of Meudon, founded by the Government, was closed by Buonaparte on his return from Egypt. And now, what can you expect from the new-born infant? as Franklin said. The infant was born alive; it should not be stifled!” [Illustration: “He continued his observations for seven or eight hours with General Morlot”] The unknown bowed his head in his hands, and reflected for some moments; then raising his head, he said,— “Despite my prohibition, monsieur, you have opened the valve.” I dropped the cord. “Happily,” he resumed, “we have still three hundred pounds of ballast.” “What is your purpose?” said I. “Have you ever crossed the seas?” he asked. I turned pale. “It is unfortunate,” he went on, “that we are being driven towards the Adriatic. That is only a stream; but higher up we may find other currents.” And, without taking any notice of me, he threw over several bags of sand; then, in a menacing voice, he said,— “I let you open the valve because the expansion of the gas threatened to burst the balloon; but do not do it again!” Then he went on as follows:—