第7章空中历险记（7）
"DidyouseeMadameBlanchardfall?"saidhetome。"Isawher，yes，IwasatTivoliohofJuly，1819。MadameBlanchardasaballoonofsmallsize，tosavetheexpenseoffilliherefedtoiirely，andthegasescapedbythelowerorifigonitsrouteatrainen。Shecarried，suspendedaboveherironwire，akindoffirewanaureola，whichshewastokiehisexperiment。Onthisoshecarried，besides，alittleparachute，ballastedbyafirewinaballwithsilverraiolaunchthisapparatus，afterhavihasmokebomb，preparedforthepurpose。Sheasded。Thenightwasdark。Atthemomentoflightingthefirework，sherudentastoletthelancepassbehenen，ingfromtheballoon。Myeyeswerefixedonher。Suddeedflashillumihedarkhoughtitasurpriseoftheskilfulaeronaut。Theflameincreased，suddenlydisappeared，ahetopoftheaerostatuheformofaas。ThissiprojectedovertheBoulevard，ahequarterMohenIsawtheunfortunatewomattopresstheorificeoftheballooiheherselfinthedseektodirectitsdest;forshedidnotfall。Thebustioedseveralmiheballoon，diminishingbydegrees，uedtodesd，butthiswasnotafall!Thewihe，anddroveheroverParis。Therewere，atthattime，intheneighbourhoodofthehouseNo。16RuedeProvensegardemighthavefalledaunhappilytheballoonandthecaralightedontheroofofthehouse。Theshockwasslight。'Help!'criedtheunfortunatewoman。Iarrivedihatmoment。Thecarslidalongtheroof，aeredanironhook。Atthisshock，MadameBlanchardwasthrownoutofthedprecipitatedo!Shewaskilled!"
&oriesoffatalauguryfrozemewithhorror。Theunknoright，withbarehead，bristlinghair，haggardeyes。
Illusionwasnolongerpossible。Isawatlastthehorribletruth。Ihadtodeal>
&hrewouthalftheballast，ahavebeeoaheightof7000metres!Bloodspoutedfrommyh。
"Whatafiistobemartyrstosce!Theyareizedbyposterity!"
Iheardheunknownlookedaroundhimwithhorror，amyear。"OhofOctober，1804，theweatherhadbegantoclearupalittle;forseveraldayspreg，thewindandrainhadbee。ButtheasnouncedbyZambecarriotbepostponed!Hisidiotenemiesalreadyscoffedathim。Tosavehimselfandspublicridicule，itbeetoasd。ItwasatBologna!Nooneaidedhiminfillinghisballoomidnight，apaniedbyAndreoliaheballoonasdedslowly;ithadbeehewind，andthegasescaped。Thethreeintrepidvoyagerscouldobservethestateofthebarometeronlybytheaidofadarklantern。Zambecarrihadendariy-frossettiwasalsofasting。
"'Myfriends，'saidZambebeheexhausted;Imustdie;'andhefellsehegallery。
"ItwasthesamewithGrossetti，AndreolialoneremaierloshesuarousingZambehisstupor。
"'Whatistherenew?Wherearewegoing?Inwhichdireisthewind?Whattimeisit?'
"'Itistwoo'clock!'
"'Whereisthepass?'
"'Ithasfallenout。'
"&#od!thelampisextinguished!'
"'Iterinthisrarefiedair!'saidZambecarri。
"Themoonhadmospherelungedinhorribledarkness。
"'Iamdreoli!Whatshallwedo?'Theunfortunatemenslowlydesdedthroughalayerofwhiteclouds。
"'Hush!'saidAndreoli;'doyouhear?'
"'What?'repliedZambecarri。
"'Asingularnoise!'
"'Youaremistaken!'
"'No!—Doyouseethosemidnighttravellers，listeningtothatinprehensiblesourustarower?Aretheyabouttobeprecipitatedontheroofs?Doyouhearit?Itislikethesoundoftheo!'
"'Impossible!'
"'Itistherofthewaves!'
"'Thatistrue!—Light!light!'
"Afterfivefruitlessattempts，Aaiwasthreeo'clock。Thesoundofthewaveswasheardwithvioletouchedthesurfaceofthesea。
"'Wearelost!'exclaimedZambecarri，seizingabagofballast。
"'Help!'dreoli。