midnight
His idiot enemies already scoffed at him . To save himself and science from public ridicule , it became necessary for him to ascend . It was at Bologna ! No one aided him in filling his balloon ; he rose at midnight , accompanied by Andreoli and Grossetti . The balloon ascended slowly ; it had been rent by the wind , and the gas escaped . The three intrepid voyagers could observe the state of the barometer only by the aid of a dark lantern . Zambecarri had not eaten during twenty-four hours ; Grossetti was also fasting . ''