I replied by begging the doctor to empty a bag of sand, and did so myself as quickly as possible.
There was little doubt in my own mind that we had been made a target of, because I distinctly heard the “Sylph” struck in the region of the equator, and discovered holes in that part afterwards.
Our downward course having been checked, we glided in a slanting direction towards the earth; but the attitude of the country people confirmed the belief that we were viewed as hostile rather than friendly visitors, and instead of the villagers greeting us as usual, they kept aloof, fired, and were presently joined by others with rifles, and had I not requested Herr Zeise to tell them we were friends from Hamburg, we should no doubt have received another volley directed at our own heads instead of the “Sylph.”
When this was explained the people ran to us and stated that they had taken us for Danish spies, and had really shot at the balloon.
I now proposed that instead of letting off the gas two of us should go a little farther.
Herr Zeise was allowed by general consent to have the preference, the other gentlemen being anxious to get back and report themselves.
We took in some earth to make up for the loss of weight, but the Holsteiners very correctly guessed that by ascending again we were not over well satisfied with our reception, notwithstanding the explanations about being taken for Danes.
We left the place where we were fired into at 4h. 27m., after which the following readings were taken of the second voyage:—
| Time. | Barometer. | Height in Feet. | Thermometer. |
| 4·45 | 24·6·0 | 3306 | 5° R. |
| 4·50 | 23·7·3 | 4378 | |
| 4·55 | 23·1·7 | 4950 | 3° R. |
| 5· 0 | 23·6·8 | 4430 | |
| 5·15 | descended near Kiel. | ||
It was only the lateness of the season that prevented the repetition of my autumnal ascents; the public were anxious that they should not cease, and the seats in the car were bespoken for at least half-a-dozen trips. I determined then to re-commence in the spring of 1850, and went back to England in order to spend the winter at home.