“What a fine thing it is to be martyrs to science! They are canonized by posterity!”
I heard no more. The unknown looked around him with horror, and knelt at my ear.
“On the 7th of October, 1804, the weather had began to clear up a little; for several days preceding, the wind and rain had been incessant. But the ascension announced by Zambecarri could not be postponed! His idiot enemies already scoffed at him. To save himself and science from public ridicule, it became necessary for him to ascend. It was at Bologna! No one aided him in filling his balloon; he rose at midnight, accompanied by Andreoli and Grossetti. The balloon ascended slowly; it had been rent by the wind, and the gas escaped. The three intrepid voyagers could observe the state of the barometer only by the aid of a dark lantern. Zambecarri had not eaten during twenty-four hours; Grossetti was also fasting.
“‘My friends,’ said Zambecarri, ‘I am benumbed with the cold; I am exhausted; I must die;’ and he fell senseless in the gallery.
“It was the same with Grossetti. Andreoli alone remained awake. After long efforts he succeeded in arousing Zambecarri from his stupor.
“‘What is there new? Where are we going? In which direction is the wind? What time is it?’
“‘ It is two o’clock!’
“‘ Where is the compass?’
“‘It has fallen out.’
“‘ Great God! the lamp is extinguished!’