201. The Resistance made by the _Surface_ of the Balloon, against the _least Breath_ of Air moving _horizontally_, was _frequently_ tried by occasionally holding the Grapple: and it was a decided Point, that the _least Motion of the Air_ was sufficient, together with the Action of _Levitation_, to prevent the Person, who held the Grapple when the Cable was extended, from transporting the Balloon against the Current: nay it was with Difficulty he coud remain in the _same_ Place: the Balloon sometimes pulling him forwards, and almost off his Feet. [Sidenote: Effect of _calm_ Air on the Surface of the Balloon.] 202. When the Air was perfectly _calm_, which frequently happened while the Balloon migrated with different Passengers, as the Evening was the finest in the World, and the Country flat and woody in the Hedge-Rows; it was with _Difficulty_ that the Conductor coud draw the Balloon after him, faster than the Rate of a moderate _Walk_: viz. three Miles an Hour. CHAPTER XXXVI. [Sidenote: Sun set at 34 Minutes past VI.] Section 203. The Sun set at 34 Minutes past VI. and, tho’ it was _then_ near that Time, the Post-Chaise was _not_ arrived. 204. On Enquiry for a dry smooth Meadow, he was recommended to proceed a little farther, to a Place on the Road within three Miles of Warrington. 205. Having by this Time gratified the Curiosity of the Country in admitting Boys and Girls to the Age of six or seven Years, into the Car; and being arrived after Sun-set at the Place appointed, viz. _Milton’s Croft-Green_; he ordered the Balloon to be laid on its Side along the Ground: having removed the Car, and opened the Mouth; the inflammable Air or Gass, was soon pressed out by Means of a _long Pole_ rolled _across_ it by two Men, standing one at each End of the Pole: beginning at the Top or upper Valve, which was held down close to the Ground; and ending at the Mouth or Neck. It was then rolled up, put into the Car; and the whole Apparatus placed on the Top of the Chaise which arrived the Moment wanted. [Sidenote: Balloon put up at 53 Minutes past VI.] 206. The Operation was completed at 53 Minutes past VI: the Conductor having accompanied the Balloon on Foot exactly +three+ Hours. [Sidenote: Balloon in the Air five Hours and a Quarter.] 207. The Balloon had therefore continued _floating_ in the Air, with different Persons, in the whole, for the Space of five Hours and a Quarter. The Conductor, promising to accept the very polite Invitation offered him by Mr. _Stanton_, a Gentleman who is principally concerned in the Gunpowder-Works upon the Mersey; called at his House, and partook of some Refreshments. He then drove to Warrington, where he was met by a Person whom Curiosity had inspired to follow the Balloon _on Foot_ from Chester, as long as he coud keep it _in View_.