“And have you forgotten Zambecarri’s catastrophe? Listen. On the 7th of October, 1804, the clouds seemed to lift a little. On the preceding days, the wind and rain had not ceased; but the announced ascension of Zambecarri could not be postponed. His enemies were already bantering him. It was necessary to ascend, to save the science and himself from becoming a public jest. It was at Boulogne. No one helped him to inflate his balloon. “He rose at midnight, accompanied by Andreoli and Grossetti. The balloon mounted slowly, for it had been perforated by the rain, and the gas was leaking out. The three intrepid aeronauts could only observe the state of the barometer by aid of a dark lantern. Zambecarri had eaten nothing for twenty-four hours. Grossetti was also fasting. “‘My friends,’ said Zambecarri, ‘I am overcome by cold, and exhausted. I am dying.’ “He fell inanimate in the gallery. It was the same with Grossetti. Andreoli alone remained conscious. After long efforts, he succeeded in reviving Zambecarri. “‘What news? Whither are we going? How is the wind? What time is it?’ “‘It is two o’clock.’ “‘Where is the compass?’ “‘Upset!’ “‘Great God! The lantern has gone out!’ “‘It cannot burn in this rarefied air,’ said Zambecarri. “The moon had not risen, and the atmosphere was plunged in murky darkness. “‘I am cold, Andreoli. What shall I do?’ “They slowly descended through a layer of whitish clouds. “‘Sh!’ said Andreoli. ‘Do you hear?’ “‘What?’ asked Zambecarri. “‘A strange noise.’ “‘You are mistaken.’ “‘No.’ “Consider these travellers, in the middle of the night, listening to that unaccountable noise! Are they going to knock against a tower? Are they about to be precipitated on the roofs? “‘Do you hear? One would say it was the noise of the sea.’ “‘Impossible!’ “‘It is the groaning of the waves!’ “‘It is true.’ “‘Light! light!’ “After five fruitless attempts, Andreoli succeeded in obtaining light. It was three o’clock. “The voice of violent waves was heard. They were almost touching the surface of the sea! “‘We are lost!’ cried Zambecarri, seizing a large bag of sand. “‘Help!’ cried Andreoli. “The car touched the water, and the waves came up to their breasts. “‘Throw out the instruments, clothes, money!’ “The aeronauts completely stripped themselves. The balloon, relieved, rose with frightful rapidity. Zambecarri was taken with vomiting. Grossetti bled profusely. The unfortunate men could not speak, so short was their breathing. They were taken with cold, and they were soon crusted over with ice. The moon looked as red as blood. “After traversing the high regions for a half-hour, the balloon again fell into the sea. It was four in the morning. They were half submerged in the water, and the balloon dragged them along, as if under sail, for several hours.