132. In Consequence of having _held tight_ the Neck of the Balloon, the Gass _within_ began _again_ to expand, and the Machine became _more bloated_ than when _stationary_ at the first Ascent: the Bottom of the Balloon being drawn up to the Height of his Hand, when the Arm was stretched, and himself on Tip-toe. [Sidenote: The Valve first tried.] 133. Tho’ the late Descent, at the last +Opening+ of the Balloon, had been rapid; which was known _chiefly_ by the Want of Reaction from the Bottom of the Car against the Soles of the Feet; yet being still _far above all_ Clouds; fearless of the _Currents_, _Rocks_, and _Shoals_, to which +all maritime+ _Navigation_ is subject; he took the Opportunity of trying the upper Valve; _purposely_ to know the Effect. So retaining the Bottom of the Balloon in his _right_ Hand, he drew the Valve Cord with his _left_. Immediately he heard it _click_: which proved that it was quite open, and in good Order. [Sidenote: The Valve answered.] 134. He tried the Valve three Times _smartly_, and deliberately. The Escape of the inflammable Air or Gass was like the _growling_ Sound made in a Mill by the Grinding of the Mill-stones, but by no Means so loud. CHAPTER XXV. THIRD BALLOON-IRIS [Sidenote: Balloon-shadow.] Section 135. The _successive_ Operations of untying the Neck, and _repeated_ Trials of the Valve, brought the Observer so low, that he coud trace the _Image_ of the Balloon on the _upper_ Surface of _light silvery_ Clouds beneath him. [Sidenote: Third Balloon-Iris.] [Sidenote: Iris remained.] [Sidenote: The Earth disappeared.] 136. _Iris_, a bright _celestial_ Nymph, his _former_ Attendant, deck’d in gay Attire as usual for the Bow, made her _third_ Appearance: instantly _encircling_ the Balloon. Nor was her Stay so short as before; as if to _recompense_ the Aironaut for the lost Sight of Earth and all _terrestrial_ Objects, which then began to _disappear_. 137. In less than _a Minute_ after the _Deflation_; the Neck of the Balloon continuing to be held tight in the Hand; the Balloon _quickly_ encreased in Bulk, and soared _aloft_, as before. [Sidenote: Balloon alternately rising and falling.] 138. It continued _rising_ as long as the Hand coud _reach_ to hold the Neck _tight_: and, on loosing it _an Instant_, made a rapid Descent: on Account of the _Gass_ which escaped, and of the atmospheric _Air_ which rushed in by the _same_ Opening at the Bottom. [Sidenote: The Play of _fast_ and _loose_ repeated.] 139. The alternate Play of +fast and loose+, was frequently and _successfully_ repeated: the Balloon always rising till it swelled out of the Reach of the Hand: at which Time it was let go: and the Neck (as well as the Balloon) descending; was _presently_ caught in the Hand, and made _Air-tight_ as before. [Sidenote: Manouvres seen at the Distance of 15 Miles.]