87. The Balloon continuing its eccentric Movements from _Side to Side_ across the Meadows; yet still gliding _down_ the River, in a North-West by North Direction, almost at right Angles to that which it _before_ had held; consequently _towards_ the Sea, and in a Line which continued must pass throu’ the Center of the Channel: some Step it was necessary to take, and +soon+. By throwing out Ballast, the Balloon woud instantly rise: but it woud probably, as _before_, rise into +a Calm+, and therefore _descend_ nearly in the same Line: which woud merely _protract_ the Time till the Balloon had reached the Center of the Channel: where, having no Resource, the Ballast being then expended; there might be some Risque in waiting for a Vessel, tho’ the Balloon woud not for +several Hours+, have lost its _levitating_ Power, so as to have sunk with the Aironaut. To him however it immediately occurred, that there might be an +under+ Current of Air, as usual in the Middle of the Day, blowing from Sea to Land: and, that if the Balloon was made to descend +quickly+ into the Sea-Breeze; it might, in a few Minutes, be carried so _far_ within the Country, as to be _soon beyond_ the Influence of the _Sea_ and _River_: and +then+, by throwing out some Pounds of Ballast, woud return into the _upper_ Current, and pursue a _safe_ Course towards Manchester; or even towards Prescot and Liverpool, if an easterly Wind prevailed _above_. 88. In Consequence of these Expectations; he looked downwards _towards_ the Sea, _then_ wholly _invisible_; tho’ the Murmuring of its Waves was _more_ plainly heard. [Sidenote: Smoke blown to Land by a Sea-Breeze.] +Thick Smokes+ were distinguished issuing from _different_ Places along the Marsh near the Coast: and _apparently_ skirting the Ground, as if impelled by a _brisk_ Wind from the Sea. 89. No Time was to be lost. The Balloon having reached the Cascade; and continuing to move more regularly along the Course of the River, past the _Bridge_, and proceeded to _Rock-Savage_. [Sidenote: The Balloon still going to Sea, the Mouth was opened.] 90. The Neck or _Mouth_ which remained shut, by its own Pressure against the Outside of the upper Hoop, as _it_ lay over it; was instantly brought within the Hoop, and set +wide open+ in a perpendicular Situation. Not more than a Couple of Minutes had elapsed before Sounds were more audible and louder. Cattle and Corn in the Fields became visible. [Sidenote: Ballast in Hand ready to throw out.]