Positively, there could not have intervened the tenth part of a second
between the disengagement of the basket and its absolute and total
disappearance with all that it contained. My good wishes followed it
to the earth, but of course, I had no hope that either cat or
kittens would ever live to tell the tale of their misfortune.
At six o'clock, I perceived a great portion of the earth's visible
area to the eastward involved in thick shadow, which continued to
advance with great rapidity, until, at five minutes before seven,
the whole surface in view was enveloped in the darkness of night. It
was not, however, until long after this time that the rays of the
setting sun ceased to illumine the balloon; and this circumstance,
although of course fully anticipated, did not fail to give me an
infinite deal of pleasure. It was evident that, in the morning, I
should behold the rising luminary many hours at least before the
citizens of Rotterdam, in spite of their situation so much farther
to the eastward, and thus, day after day, in proportion to the
height ascended, would I enjoy the light of the sun for a longer and a
longer period.
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