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the balloon became motionless. I could plainly see and hear the storm sweeping over the ground as it approached. I considered the advisability of making a quick landing or trying to go above the storm and to outride it. As a matter of fact, I had no choice in the matter!

The balloon was soon enveloped in a dense black cloud. It pitched and tossed about like a skiff in a squall. Static electricity snapped and cracked about the cordage and about my clothing. It was decidedly unpleasant. As the balloon was inflated with hydrogen gas, it seemed quite possible that the highly inflamable gas might ignite. I threw overboard sand ballast and as the balloon lost weight, it began a very rapid ascent, in an effort to get over the top of the storm.

All this took place in less time than it takes to tell it. In total darkness, except for the blinding flashes of lightning which were followed by deafening and hideously terrifying blasts of thunder, I was scared more than I care to confess. Then came a flash alongside of the balloon followed instantly by a crash of thunder that I thought must be the explosion of the hydrogen gas. The concussion was terrific! I thought that the end of the world had come, but the next moment we came out of the clouds into bright sunshine, out of the tossing darkness into clear calm! I was so genuinely thankful that I offered a silent prayer of gratitude.

The storm continued to rage under me for some time but it finally cleared and, as soon as I was able to see the ground, I pulled the valve rope and started to descend. The storm had blown itself out completely and there was not a trace of wind. I floated down and made a landing without difficulty--fifty miles from the grounds!