Such is the first sensation of going aloft. Then the
rush of air all about her, the slightly swaying motion of the
craft, and the vibration caused by the motor took her attention.
But the sensation of the earth dropping away from beneath her
remained with Mary for some time.
This sensation is much greater in a balloon than in an
aeroplane, for a balloon, unless there is a strong wind blowing,
goes straight up, while an aeroplane ascends on a long slant, and
always into the teeth of the wind, to take advantage of its
lifting power on the underside of the planes. The reason for this
sensation--that of the earth's dropping down, instead of one's
feeling, what really happens, that one is ascending--is because
there are no objects by which comparison can be made. If one
starts off on the earth's surface at slow, or at great speed, one
passes stationary objects--houses, posts, trees, and the like--
and judges the speed by the rapidity with which these are left
behind.
Going up is unlike this. There is nothing to pass. One simply
cleaves the air, and only as it rushes past can one be sure of
movement.
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