Viewing page 93 of 323

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

12 THE MAN IN THE MOON

was such, that it formed the most remarkable object during the voyage, and was only exceeded in intensity by the
 
[[Black and white image - boy running full out]]

ALARM OF THE BOY WHOM WE CALLLED TO;

for he being uneducated, and of a feeble mind, the minute he perceived us, started off across the marshes, and was never seen more. 

So we came down unaided, and the first bump that the balloon gave against the ground was productive of the most

[Black and white image - men thrown about the gondola]]

EXTRAORDINARY CONFUSION OF DESCENDING.
[[end page]]

[[start page]]
THE MAN IN THE MOON 13
Those on the hoop smashing the hats of those in the car, turning each into a Gibus, which shut up very readily, but would not open again into the soup-plate hat, now so fashionable. But, after being so long in suspense, it was comfortable to find ourselves on solid earth.
 
[[Black and white image - open field with gate, barn and trees in background, lone cow]]

THE ESSEX MARSHES

are not lively pieces of ground. They are amphibious pastures - so much so, that it is , at times difficult to tell where the land ends and the water begins, At last, after many ups and downs, like the india-rubber ball thrown out of a nursery window, the balloon was sufficiently steady for us to alight, And then - as it gave up the gas through the "butterfly valve" - it settled over, and like the dead elephant, majestically sank to the ground. We can scarcely picture
 
[[Black and white image - balloon on ground deflating]]

THE DELIGHT OF THE PASSENGERS, AT ONCE MORE FINDING SOMETHING TANGIBLE TO BE UPON.
[[end page]]