d. Yesterday evening at nine o'clock, the `Giant' was compelled to
descend near the Barcy Marsh, two leagues from Meaux, after three
violent shocks, the last of which completely turned everything in the
car topsy-turvy, and it descended on its side. The rupture of our
valve-pipe rope while travelling by night, forced us to throw out our
anchors. One of the prongs of the first anchor having broken, the
principal anchor fortunately took hold of the ground. We were able to
let out the gas, notwithstanding the violence of the wind, and the car
was set up at half-past one in the morning. Some slight contusions and
a concussion of the knee of one of the passengers--that is our receipt
in full. It is not too dear.

"A. Nadar."

This bold and zealous aeronaut unfortunately paid dearer for his
succeeding ascent as shall be seen in the next chapter.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

SECOND ASCENT OF NADAR'S "GIANT" BALLOON.

Before describing the second ascent, which was decidedly the more
adventurous, we shall give the rules laid down for his party by Monsieur
Nadar, which were remarkably stringent, and somewhat amusing:--

"1. Every traveller on board the `Geant' must, before mounting, take
knowledge of the present rules, and engage himself upon his honour to
respect them, and to make them respected, both in the letter and in the
spirit. He accepts and will obey this obligation until the descent.

"2. From the departure to the return there shall be only one command,
that of the captain. That command shall be absolute.

"3. As legal penalty cannot be enforced, the captain, having the
responsibility of the lives of the passengers, decides alone, and
without appeal, in all circumstances, the means of assuring the
execution of his orders with the aid of all under him. The captain can,
in certain cases, take the advice of the crew, but his own authority is
decisive.

"4. Every passenger declares, at the time of ascending, that he carries
with him no inflammable materials.

"5. Every passenger accepts, by his simple presence on board, his
entire part and perfect co-operation in all manoeuvres, and submits
himself to all the necessities of the service; above all, to the command
of the captain. On landing, he must not quit the balloon without
permission duly acquired.

"6. Silence must be absolutely observed when ordered by the captain.

"7. Victuals and liquors carried up by the travellers must be deposited
in the