April 3d. I found the balloon at an immense height indeed, and the
earth's apparent convexity increased in a material degree. Below me in
the ocean lay a cluster of black specks, which undoubtedly were
islands. Far away to the northward I perceived a thin, white, and
exceedingly brilliant line, or streak, on the edge of the horizon, and
I had no hesitation in supposing it to be the southern disk of the
ices of the Polar Sea. My curiosity was greatly excited, for I had
hopes of passing on much farther to the north, and might possibly,
at some period, find myself placed directly above the Pole itself. I
now lamented that my great elevation would, in this case, prevent my
taking as accurate a survey as I could wish. Much, however, might be
ascertained. Nothing else of an extraordinary nature occurred during
the day. My apparatus all continued in good order, and the balloon
still ascended without any perceptible vacillation. The cold was
intense, and obliged me to wrap up closely in an overcoat.
Pages:
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83