giddy heights, and, as it were, engage in mortal combat with the
demons of the air. But, courageous though these deeds are, they
are not more so than those of the pioneers of ballooning.

In the eighteenth century nothing was known definitely of the
conditions of the upper regions of the air, where, indeed, no
human being had ever been; and though the frail Montgolfier
balloons had ascended and descended with no outward happenings,
yet none could tell what might be the risk to life in committing
oneself to an ascent. There was, too, very special danger in
making an ascent in a hot-air balloon. Underneath the huge
envelope was suspended a brazier, so that the fabric of the
balloon was in great danger of catching fire.

It was at first suggested that two French criminals under
sentence of death should be sent up, and, if they made a safe
descent, then the way would be open for other aeronauts to
venture aloft. But everyone interested in aeronautics in those
days saw that the man who first traversed the unexplored regions
of the air would be held in high honour, and it seemed hardly
right that this honour should fall to criminals. At any rate
this was the view of M. Pilatre de Rozier, a French gentleman,
and he determined himself to make the pioneer ascent.

De Rozier had no false notion of the risks he was prepared to
run, and he superintended with the greatest care the construction
of his balloon. It was of enormous size, with a cage slung
underneath the brazier for heating the air. Befors making his
free ascent De Rozier made a trial ascent with the balloon held
captive by a long rope.