“We not long since descended on a barren waste of land some half hour since.”
“Enter gentlemen, and I will call together a number of the household and assist you to recover the balloon and bring it up to the Hall.”
Lanterns were at once procured, a couple of horses with a cart put to, and, with half-a-dozen followers, the Baron and ourselves repaired to the common; but alas! all was blank and desolate.
The difficulty of finding the balloon then presented itself to our minds, and we looked like the veriest impostors when we were rather sharply interrogated as to where the property was situated.
As the only hope of finding it was by catching the disagreeable odour of the gas, I volunteered myself to go forth like a hound and endeavour to find it by the assistance of the nasal organ.
I was wandering almost in despair when I caught the aroma, or whatever else one may style it, and cried out lustily, “Here it is.” The searching party came up in a trot, and when once the Baron ascertained the truthfulness of our statements, he shook hands warmly and escorted us to the Hall, where we were treated with every kindness, and had beds provided, and a carriage in the morning, until we came to a place where extra post was to be met with.
Several other ascents were made in Berlin before I left, but being anxious to visit Prague I made the best of my way thither while the summer was yet in its prime, and after exhibiting the “Sylph” first of all partially filled with atmospheric air I then arranged an ascent, and having in that town a good friend in the person of Herr Leonhart, a gentleman very fond of aërostation who had ascended with me before, all went swimmingly, and my first appearance before a Bohemian assemblage was made on the 13th of July, when we ascended and travelled forty miles in two hours.
Two or three other ascents took place in Prague before I left, but on reaching Vienna I was taken ill, and before I recovered it became too late to avail myself of the Emperor’s hint to visit the Prater.
My next movements were directed to Leipsig, where I intended to do business during the great October fair.
My reputation, such as it was, preceded me, for I found the newspapers already welcoming my arrival, and speaking of my numerous ascents in Germany in a liberal and encouraging tone.