Chapter 2 Chapter two

The few people who were thrown on the coast by the hurricane just now were not balloon pilots at all, neither professional nor amateur, but a group of prisoners of war.It is precisely because they are all brave and heroic that they came up with this whimsical way to escape. They have been born and died hundreds of times!They've also nearly dropped into the ocean's abyss hundreds of times from bursting balloons.But for some reason, God preserved their lives with special intentions.They escaped from Richmond on March 20th, and after five days in flight they were now seven thousand miles from the Virginia capital.Richmond was the stronghold of the South during the terrible Civil War and was being occupied by Ulysses.General Grant's troops surrounded.

The escape process of the prisoners of war is as follows: In February, 1865, General Grant's surprise attempt to take Richmond was unsuccessful, and several of his officers fell into enemy hands and were imprisoned in the city.One of the most prominent is Cyrus of the Federal General Staff.smith.A native of Massachusetts, he was a learned scholar who, during the war, had been entrusted with the management of the strategically important railroads at the time.He was a true Northerner, a bony man of about forty-five, with graying short hair and a bushy beard.His head was so well built, as if he had been born for medals, his eyes were shining, his mouth was solemn, and his features gave him the appearance of a radical scholar.He is an engineer who started out wielding a hammer and an axe, just like a general who came out of the army.He is not only smart, but also dexterous.His muscles appeared very strong.He is an activist and a thinker at the same time.He is enthusiastic and optimistic, and nothing can trouble him.He is well-informed and good at adapting to changing circumstances. At any critical moment, he can maintain a clear head, unlimited confidence and strong perseverance; these three conditions make him always his own master.He often quotes the words of William of Orange in the sixteenth century as his motto: Even when there is no hope of success, I can undertake the task and persevere.

Cyrus.Smith is the embodiment of bravery.He fought in various battles of the Civil War.He has since volunteered for Ulysses in Illinois.Since Grant's command, he has fought in Baduka, Permont, Pittsburgh, etc., and has always been brave in the siege of Corinth, Gibson Port, Black River, Chattanooga, Wilderness, Potomac, etc. He is good at fighting, and he has lived up to the teachings of the general who said that I will never count my casualties.Hundreds of times Smith was nearly a casualty not counted by the majestic Grant.He was, however, fortunately unscathed in these battles until he was wounded and taken prisoner on Richmond Field.On the day Smith was captured, another important figure also fell into the hands of the Confederate Army.This is the "New York Herald" correspondent Ji Ding.Spilett, he was ordered to follow the Northern Army to report the battle.

Ji Ding.Spilett is also a well-known figure among British and American news reporters. Just like Stanley and others, no matter what difficulties, he cannot shrink back. Give yourself a newspaper.Many of the newspapers of the Union, such as the New York Herald, were strong, represented by their correspondents.Ji Ding.Spilett was again a first-class reporter; he was a man of ability, strength, quickness, and intellect; he traveled all over the world; he was a soldier as well as an artist; he talked with enthusiasm, He is very resolute when he acts, neither worrying about fatigue nor being afraid of danger; when covering news, he is first of all for himself and for his newspapers; all novel and unpublished things are unknown to others and cannot be interviewed He knew everything about the war; he was a courageous war correspondent who was used to writing in the hail of bullets. For him, danger was the best reporting material.

He fought in every campaign, always at the front, with his revolver in one hand and his notebook in the other; grapeshot never made his pencil tremble; It was a tireless telegram; each of his reports was short, strong, clear, and able to get to the point.Also, he has a good sense of humor.After the war in Heihe was over, he was the one who determined to monopolize the window of the telegraph office at any cost.After he reported the results of the battle to his newspaper, he then photographed the first few chapters of the Bible. It took two hours to shoot, and although it cost two thousand dollars, the New York Herald was the first to publish it. information.

Ji Ding.Spilett was tall, about forty years old.A reddish beard framed his face.Eyes are firm and lively, and change rapidly.With just a glance, he can see everything at a glance.He had a strong physique, able to adapt to all weathers, like a steel bar hardened in cold water. Ji Ding.Spilett had been a correspondent for the New York Herald for ten years.He was not only beautiful in writing, but also good at drawing. His correspondence and illustrations greatly enriched the content of the newspaper. When he was captured, he was still describing battles and sketching. Pointed the gun at me, but the Confederate soldier didn't hit Keating.Spilett, who is always lucky, was not injured at all in this incident.

Cyrus.Smith and Keating.Spilett had only heard the name but never met, and they were escorted to Richmond together.The engineer's wounds healed quickly, and it was during his convalescence that he made the acquaintance of the correspondent.They strike up a friendship as soon as they meet.Soon after, they had a common purpose, which was to escape back to Grant's army and continue to fight for the unity of the Union. The two Americans were at first looking for a chance to escape; and though they were free to roam the town, Richmond was so heavily guarded that escape seemed impossible.During this time, Smith met a former servant who was willing to do his best for Smith.He was a warrior and a Negro, born of engineers to slave parents.Cyrus, however, was against slavery both in faith and in morals, and so had set him free long ago.The one-time slave, though freed, was still unwilling to leave his master.He is willing to die for his master. He is about thirty years old, strong, lively, intelligent, clever, gentle, docile, sometimes innocent, always cheerful, hard-working and honest.His name was Nabganitsa, but he was used to being called Nab for short.

When Neb heard the news that his master had been captured, he left Massachusetts and came to Richmond without hesitation. After risking his life more than twenty times with his wit, he finally sneaked into the besieged city .Smith's joy at seeing Neb, and Neb's joy at finding his master, is indescribable. Although Neb was able to get into Richmond, it was a different matter trying to sneak out, because the Union prisoners of war were strictly guarded.If you want to escape smoothly, unless you encounter a special opportunity!Such opportunities not only do not come to you, but are difficult to find.

During this period, General Grant continued to fight.He won Pittsburgh at great cost.On the Richmond front, however, his combined attack with Bartley's forces had not yet been successful, so there was little hope for the prisoners' early release. There was nothing worth writing about in this dreary captivity, and the correspondent could bear it no longer.His always active mind could only think of one thing, how to get out of Richmond at any cost.He even tried a few times, but was held back by insurmountable obstacles.The siege continues!If the prisoners of war were eager to flee back to Grant's army, then the besieged were also eager to get in touch with the Confederate Army, among them Jonathan.Foster was one of the Confederates who fervently hoped so.Of course, the captured northern army could not leave the city, and the southern army could not leave either, because they were all surrounded by the northern army.The governor of Richmond hadn't been able to get in touch with General Lee for a long time. He wanted to tell General Lee the local situation so that he could get reinforcements quickly.So Jonathan.Foster suggested using hydrogen balloons to cross the encirclement line and reach the Confederate barracks.

The Governor approved the plan.A hydrogen balloon was built for Foster's use, and five others were sent as his assistants.They carried weapons for self-defense when they landed, and dry food in case the voyage was delayed. The balloon is expected to set sail on March 18.Takeoff must be at night with a mild northwesterly wind.According to the pilot's estimate, they could reach General Lee's barracks within a few hours. However, what is blowing is not a gentle northwest wind.From the 18th it was evident that it had become a hurricane.The storm soon became violent, and Foster had to postpone his departure, because passengers and balloons could not take risks in such severe weather.

The hydrogen balloon was fully inflated and placed on a square in Richmond, waiting for the wind to weaken before setting sail.It is not difficult to imagine the feelings of those trapped in the city looking forward to the easing of the storm. The eighteenth and nineteenth days of March have passed, and the weather has not changed much.The balloon tethered to the ground was being tossed about and bumped so violently by the wind that it was difficult to even protect the balloon. The night of the nineteenth passed.The next morning the storm doubled in intensity, making it even more impossible for the balloon to take off. That day, engineer Cyrus.Smith was stopped by a stranger on a street in Richmond.He was a sailor, named Pencroft, about thirty-five to forty years of age, of a strong build, and very tanned.With a pair of bright eyes and a very handsome face.Pencroft was an American northerner, who had sailed all over the oceans, participated in all possible and almost impossible expeditions, and encountered everything that a creature without wings but legs could encounter.As you can imagine, he is a bold and fierce fellow, and nothing can frighten him when he dares to do anything.At the beginning of the year, Pencroft came to Richmond on business, and he took a boy from New Jersey, the orphan of a former captain, only fifteen years old, and Pencroft loved him as if he were his own child.He had not been able to leave the city before the siege, and was very sorry to find himself surrounded.But he never bowed to difficulties, so he decided to find a way to escape.He had heard the name of the engineer-officer, and he knew the anguish of this strong man in captivity.Therefore, on this day, without hesitation, he greeted the engineer directly: Mr. Smith, have you been in Richmond enough? The engineer stared blankly at the person speaking to him, and the other person added in a low voice: Sir, are you going to run away? when?The engineer asked quickly, obviously blurting out this sentence, because he hadn't seen clearly who the stranger who was talking to him was.But when he looked keenly at the sailor's bright face, he was convinced that he was an honest man. Who are you?he asked curtly. Pencroft introduced himself. Well, replied Smith, how are you going to escape? with that balloon, it's doing nothing there, i think it's just for us Before the sailor had finished speaking, the engineer understood what he meant.He took Pencroft by the arm, and drew him to his lodging.There, the sailor revealed his plan.The plan is very simple, and there is no need to risk any danger except life.Of course, the hurricane is powerful, but, like Cyrus.An engineer as shrewd as Smith knew how to maneuver a balloon.Had Pencroft been as acquainted with flying as with sailing, he would have set out without hesitation, taking his little friend Herbert; Can't live with him. Smith listened to the sailor in silence, his eyes shining with satisfaction.The long-awaited opportunity had finally arrived and he was by no means one to let it slip by.This plan is feasible, but it must be admitted that it is very dangerous.In spite of the presence of sentries at night, they might approach the balloon, sneak into the basket, and cut the ropes holding it to it.Of course, they may be killed, but on the other hand, they also have the hope of success.If it were not for this storm!But then again, if it hadn't been for the storm, the balloon would have set sail long ago, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would never have occurred. I am not alone!Smith said finally. How many people are you bringing?asked the sailor. Two people.My friend Spilett, and my servant Neb. That was three, said Pencroft, and Herbert and I were five.The balloon holds six That's all right, we must go.Smith said firmly. We include Spilett in this, for Smith knows very well that the correspondent is not for the faint of heart.When Spilett heard of the plan, he fully agreed with it.What surprised him was that he had never thought of such a simple method before.As for Neb, he followed his master everywhere. Then, to-night, said Pencroft, all must assemble there. At ten o'clock this evening, Smith replied, "May God keep the wind alive until we are gone." Pencroft said good-bye to the engineer, and went to his lodgings.Young Herbert.Brown was left there alone.The brave boy knew the sailor's plan, and anxiously awaited the result of his proposal to the engineer.So these five determined souls decided to try their luck in the storm! No!The wind has not abated, Jonathan.Neither Foster nor his mates were willing to let the wind and rain blow in an unsecured gondola. It's not a good day.The engineer was only worried about one thing, that the balloon tethered to the ground might be torn to pieces under the violent blow of the gale.For hours, he walked up and down the almost deserted square, looking at the flying machine.Pencroft did the same thing, putting his hands in his pockets, as if trying to pass the time, yawning now and then, but in fact, like his friend, he was very anxious whether the balloon would break, or the wind Won't break its cords, blow it up to the sky.It's getting late.It was very dark.Fog hung over the ground like dark clouds.The sky was raining and snowing at the same time.The climate is very cold.Thick fog hung over Richmond.The violent storm seemed to have created a truce between attackers and defenders, and the sound of the cannon was lost in the howling wind.The streets of the city were deserted, and in such inclement weather the officials seemed unaware of the loss of balloons, and therefore saw no need to post guards in the squares.All these are favorable conditions for the captives to escape, but what will happen to their risky attempt in the storm? The weather is so bad!cried Pencroft, throwing his fist down on the hat which was about to be blown away from his head.But, ah, we'll still make it! At half past nine, Smith and his companions came to the square from different directions. The strong wind blew out the gas lamps, and the square was completely dark.Even the big balloon, which was almost blown to the ground, was no longer visible.The net rope is attached to the sandbag, but the gondola is alone by a strong steel cable which is passed through an iron ring in the sidewalk.The five captives rendezvoused beside the gondola.They were not seen, and because of the darkness they could not even see each other. Smith, Spilett, Neb and Herbert sat down in the gondola without saying a word, and Pencroft loosened the sandbags one by one according to the engineer's instructions.It took only a few minutes for the sailor to return to his companions. There is only one steel cable left to tie the balloon, and it can take off as long as the engineer gives an order. At this moment, suddenly a dog jumped into the basket.It turned out to be the engineer's pet dog Top.The faithful beast broke free from the chain and overtook its master.Fearing that the extra weight would interfere with their ascent, the engineers wanted to send it away. Poor beast!Just one more!As Pencroft said, he threw out two sacks of sand, which lightened the weight of the gondola, and untied the steel cable, and the balloon ascended obliquely, and the gondola touched the two chimneys with such violence, and then Disappeared without a trace. The hurricane roared terribly.Descending at night, the engineer dared not even think about it; at dawn, the land below was obscured by thick fog. It was five days later that they saw the vast ocean below through the gaps in the clouds.Pushed by the hurricane, the balloon flew at an astonishing speed. Everyone knows: Of these five people who took off on March 20th, four people were abandoned on March 24th on a desolate coast six thousand miles away from their homeland, and one person was lost!This lost man is their leader, Engineer Smith!No sooner had they landed than they rushed to the beach to rescue him.