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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10547-h.zip b/10547-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..67b33df --- /dev/null +++ b/10547-h.zip diff --git a/10547-h/10547-h.htm b/10547-h/10547-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1b4611f --- /dev/null +++ b/10547-h/10547-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5673 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <title> + Topsy-Turvy by Jules Verne + </title> + <meta content="MSHTML 6.00.2600.0" name="GENERATOR" /> + <meta content="MSHTML 6.00.2600.0" name="GENERATOR" /> + <meta content="Microsoft Word 97" name="Generator" /> + <meta content="C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\html.dot" name="Template" /> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve">BODY { + BACKGROUND: #ffffec; FONT-FAMILY: georgia, bookman old style, times new roman +} +P { + TEXT-INDENT: 2ex +} +H4 { + TEXT-ALIGN: center +} +P.normal { + TEXT-INDENT: 0px +} +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Topsy-Turvy, by Jules Verne + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Topsy-Turvy + +Author: Jules Verne + +Release Date: December 30, 2003 [EBook #10547] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOPSY-TURVY *** + + + + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders and Norman Wolcott + +Linked Table of Contents produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <h3> + Topsy Turvy by Jules Verne + </h3> + <p class="normal"> + <b>[Redactor's Note:</b> <i>Topsy Turvy</i> (Number <b>V035</b> in the T&M + numerical listing of Verne's works) is a translation of <i>Sans dessus + dessous</i> (1889) . This anonymous translation was first published by J. + G. Ogilvie (New York, 1890). We meet our old friends Barbicane and J.T. + Maston from "Earth to the Moon" who now give us their own approach to + the topic of "global warming". Although they are searching for coal + and not oil, readers will find that the auction of the Arctic energy + reserves has a definite 21st century ring. We are indebted to Mr. Mark + Eccles of Columbia, MD for loaning his rare and disintegrating copy of + this 1890 work.The text was reprinted in an Ace paperback (D-434) in the + late 1950's with the title "The Purchase of the North Pole". There + is another edition published by Sampson & Low (U.K.,1890) also + entitled "The Purchase of the North Pole". The Ogilvie book is more + faithful to the structure of the french-the S&L has 20 chapters + instead of 21 and omits part of 21, but the sense may be sometimes + incorrect-the last sentence of 20 reads "But now, after having read + the article and being <i>unable</i> to understand it without any help, he + began to feel sorry and feel better" where the word <i>able</i> might be + supposed. Both editions leave out some parts of sentences and paragraphs, + the Ogilvie probably worse in this regard. There is one equation in the + book which is represented as a graphic. A Table of Contents has been added + for user convenience. This text contains 42,000 words. (NMW)<b>]</b> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <div> + <br /><br /> + <h2> + "TOPSY-TURVY" + </h2> + <p> + BY + </p> + <p> + <big><b>JULES VERNE</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <i>Author of "Around the World in Eighty Days,"<br />"Twenty + Thousand Leagues under the Sea,"<br />Etc., Etc.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <br /><br /> + <p> + <i>Copyright, 1890 by J.G.Ogilvie</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <br /><br /> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + NEW YORK<br />SEASIDE PUBLISHING COMPANY<br />142-144 Worth Street + </p> + </div> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <div> + <h4> + <b>TABLE OF CONTENTS</b> + </h4> + <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" width="530" border="1"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#I">CHAPTER I.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THE NORTH POLAR PRACTICAL ASSOCIATION RUSHES A DOCUMENT + ACROSS TWO WORLDS + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#II">CHAPTER II.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THE DELEGATES FROM ENGLAND, HOLLAND, SWEDEN, DENMARK + AND RUSSIA ARE PRESENTED TO THE READER + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#III">CHAPTER III.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THE ARCTIC REGIONS ARE SOLD AT AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST + BIDDER + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#IV">CHAPTER IV.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH OLD ACQUAINTANCES APPEAR TO OUR NEW READERS, AND IN + WHICH A WONDERFUL MAN IS DESCRIBED + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#V">CHAPTER V.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THE POSSIBILITY THAT COAL MINES SURROUND THE NORTH POLE + IS CONSIDERED + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#VI">CHAPTER VI.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH A TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MRS SCORBITT AND J. + T. MASTON IS INTERRUPTED + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#VII">CHAPTER VII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH PRESIDENT BARBICANE SAYS NO MORE THAN SUITS HIS PURPOSE + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + YES, JUST LIKE JUPITER + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#IX">CHAPTER IX.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH APPEARS THE FRENCH GENTLEMAN TO WHOM WE REFERRED AT THE + BEGINNING OF THIS TRUTHFUL STORY + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#X">CHAPTER X.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH A LITTLE UNEASINESS BEGINS TO SHOW ITSELF + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XI">CHAPTER XI.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + WHAT WAS FOUND IN THE NOTEBOOK OF J. T. MASTON AND WHAT IT NO + LONGER CONTAINED + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XII">CHAPTER XII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH J. T. MASTON HEROICALLY CONTINUES TO BE SILENT + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + AT THE CLOSE OF WHICH JT MASTON UTTERS AN EPIGRAM + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + VERY SHORT, BUT IN WHICH "X" TAKES A GEOGRAPHICAL VALUE + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XV">CHAPTER XV.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + WHICH CONTAINS A FEW INTERESTING DETAILS FOR THE INHABITANTS OF + THE EARTHLY SPHERE + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH A CROWD OF DISSATISFIED PEOPLE BREAK INTO THE CELL OF + J. T. MASTON + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + WHAT HAD BEEN DONE AT KILIMANJARO DURING EIGHT MONTH OF THIS + MEMORABLE YEAR + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THE POPULATION OF WAMASAI ASSEMBLE TO HEAR PRESIDENT + BARBICANE SAY "FIRE" TO CAPT NICHOLL + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH J. T. MASTON REGRETS THAT THE CROWD DID NOT LYNCH HIM + WHEN HE WAS IN PRISON + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XX">CHAPTER XX.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THIS STORY, AS TRUTHFUL AS IT IS IMPROBABLE, IS + FINISHED + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + VERY SHORT, SINCE ENOUGH HAS BEEN SAID TO MAKE THE WORLD'S + POPULATION FEEL PERFECTLY SURE AGAIN + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h4> + <b>TOPSY TURVY</b> + </h4> + <p> + <a name="I" id="I"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER I.<br /><br />IN WHICH THE NORTH POLAR PRACTICAL ASSOCIATION RUSHES + A DOCUMENT ACROSS TWO WORLDS + </h4> + <p> + "Then Mr Maston, you pretend that a woman has never been able to make + mathematical or experimental-science progress?" + </p> + <p> + "To my extreme regret, I am obliged to, Mrs. Scorbitt," answered J.T. + Maston. + </p> + <p> + "That there have been some very remarkable women in mathematics, + especially in Russia, I fully and willingly agree with you. But, with her + cerebral conformation, she cannot become an Archimedes, much less a + Newton." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Mr. Maston, allow me to protest in the name of my sex." + </p> + <p> + "A sex, Mrs. Scorbitt, much too charming to give itself up to the higher + studies." + </p> + <p> + "Well then, according to your opinion, no woman seeing an apple fall + could have discovered the law of universal gravitation, so that it would + have made her the most illustrious scientific person of the seventeenth + century?" + </p> + <p> + "In seeing an apple fall, Mrs. Scorbitt, a woman would have but the + single idea-to eat it-for example, our mother Eve." + </p> + <p> + "Pshaw, I see very well that you deny us all aptitude for high + speculations." + </p> + <p> + "All aptitude? No, Mrs. Scorbitt, and in the meanwhile I would like to + prove to you that since there are inhabitants on earth, and consequently + women, there has not one feminine brain been found yet to which we owe any + discoveries like those of Aristotle, Euclid, Kepler, Laplace, etc." + </p> + <p> + "Is this a reason? And does the past always prove the future?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, a person who has done nothing in a thousand years, without a + doubt, never will do anything." + </p> + <p> + "I see now that I have to take our part, Mr. Maston, and that we are not + worth much." + </p> + <p> + "In regard to being worth something"-began Mr. Maston, with as much + politeness as he could command. + </p> + <p> + But Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, who was perfectly willing to be satisfied, + answered promptly: "Each one has his or her lot in this world. You may + remain the extraordinary calculator which you are, give yourself up + entirely to the immense work to which your friends and yourself will + devote their existence. I will be the woman in the case and bring to it my + pecuniary assistance." + </p> + <p> + "And we will owe you an eternal gratitude," answered Mr. Maston. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt blushed deliciously, for she felt, according to + report, a singular sympathy for J.T. Maston. Besides, is not the heart of + a woman an unfathomable gulf? + </p> + <p> + It was really an immense undertaking to which this rich American widow had + resolved to devote large sums of money. + </p> + <p> + The scheme and its expected results, briefly outlined, were as follows: + </p> + <p> + The Arctic regions, accurately expressed, include according to Maltebrun, + Roclus, Saint-Martin and other high authorities on geography: + </p> + <p> + 1st. The northern Devon, including the ice-covered islands of Baffin's + Sea and Lancaster Sound. + </p> + <p> + 2d. The northern Georgia, made up of banks and numerous islands, such as + the islands of Sabine, Byam-Martin, Griffith, Cornwallis, and Bathurst. + </p> + <p> + 3d. The archipelago of Baffin-Parry, including different parts of the + circumpolar continent, embracing Cumberland, Southampton, James-Sommerset, + Boothia-Felix, Melville, and other parts nearly unknown. Of this great + area, crossed by the 78th parallel, there are over 1,400,000 square miles + of land and over 700,000 square miles of water. + </p> + <p> + Within this area intrepid modern discoverers have advanced to the + 84th-degree of latitude, reaching seacoasts lost behind the high chain of + icebergs which may be called the Arctic Highlands, given names to capes, + to mountains, to gulfs, to bays, etc. But beyond this 84th degree is + mystery. It is the terra incognita of the chart-makers, and nobody knows + as yet whether behind is hidden land or water for a distance of 6 degrees + over impassable heaps of ice to the North Pole. + </p> + <p> + It was in the year 189- that the Government of the United States conceived + the idea of putting the as yet undiscovered countries around the North + Pole up at auction sale, and an American society had just been formed with + the plan of purchasing this Arctic area and has asked the concession. + </p> + <p> + For several years, it is true, the Conference at Berlin had formulated a + special plan for the guidance of such of the great powers as might wish to + appropriate rights under the claim of colonization or the opening of + commercial markets. This code was not acceptable to all, and the Polar + region had remained without inhabitants. As that which belongs to none + belongs to every one, the new Society did not wish merely to occupy it, + but to purchase it outright, and so avoid further claims. + </p> + <p> + There never is in the United States any project so bold as not to find + people to regard it as practical and back it with large amounts of money. + This was well shown a few years ago when the Gun Club of Baltimore tried + to send a projectile to the moon, hoping to obtain a direct communication + with our satellite. Was it not enterprising Americans who furnished funds + for this undertaking? Large amounts were necessary for this interesting + trial and were promptly found. And, had it been realized, would we not + have to thank the members of that club who had dared to take the risk of + this super-human experience? + </p> + <p> + Should a Lesseps propose to dig a channel across Europe to Asia, from the + banks of the Atlantic to the waters of China; should a well-sinker offer + to bore from the curb-stones to reach the beds of molten silicates, to + bring a supply to your fireplaces; should an enterprising electrician want + to unite the scattered currents over the surface of the globe into one + inexhaustible spring of heat and light; should a bold engineer conceive + the idea of putting the excess of Summer temperature into large reservoirs + for use during the Winter in our then frigid zones; should an anonymous + society be founded to do any of a hundred different similar things, there + would be found Americans ready to head the subscription lists and a + regular stream of dollars would pour into the company safes as freely as + the rivers of America flow into the ocean. + </p> + <p> + It is natural to expect that opinions were very varied when the news + spread that the Arctic region was going to be sold at auction for the + benefit of the highest and final bidder, particularly when no public + subscription list was started in view of this purchase, as the capital had + all been secured beforehand. + </p> + <p> + To use the Arctic region? Why, such an idea could "only be found in the + brain of a fool," was the general verdict. + </p> + <p> + Nothing, however, was more serious than this project. A prospectus was + sent to the papers of the two continents, to the European publications, to + the African, Oceanic, Asiatic, and at the same time to the American + journals. The American newspaper announcement read as follows: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + To the Inhabitants of the Globe: + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The Arctic region situated within the eighty-fourth degree could not + heretofore have been sold at auction for the very excellent reason that + it had not been discovered as yet. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The extreme points reached by navigators of different countries are + the following: + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "82° 45' , reached by the English explorer, Parry, in July, 1847, + on the twenty-eighth meridian, west, to the north of Spitzberg. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "83° 20' 28" , reached by Markham, with the English expedition of + Sir John Georges Nares, in May, 1867, on the fiftieth meridian, west, in + the north of Grinnell Land. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "83° 35' latitude, reached by Lockwood and Brainard, of the + American expedition under Lieut. Greely, in May, 1882, on the + forty-second meridian, west in the north of Nares Land. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The property extending from the eighty-fourth parallel to the pole on + a surface of six degrees must be considered an undivided domain among + the different states of the globe and not liable to be transformed into + private property through a public auction sale. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "No one is compelled to live in this section, and the United States, + relying on this non-ownership, has resolved to provide for the + settlement and use of the domain. A company has been founded at + Baltimore under the name of the North Polar Practical Association, + representing officially the American Union. This Company intends to + purchase the said country according to the common law, which should then + give them an absolute right of proprietorship to the continent, islands, + inlets, waters, rivers, etc.; in fact, of everything of which the Arctic + region is composed. It is well understood by the law of nations that + this title of proprietorship cannot be touched under any circumstances, + no matter what shall happen. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "These conditions having been laid before all the powers, the Arctic + region is to be sold at public auction for the benefit of the highest + and last bidder. The date of the sale is set for the 3d of December of + the current year, in the Auction Hall at Baltimore, Maryland, United + States of America. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Address for information Mr. W.S. Forster, Temporary Agent for the + North Polar Practical Association, 93 High Street, Baltimore." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The reader may imagine how this communication was received by the public + at large. Most people considered it as an absurd idea. Some only saw in it + a sample of characteristic American humbug. Others thought that the + proposition deserved to be fairly considered, and they pointed to the fact + that the newly-founded company did not in any way appeal to the public for + pecuniary help, but was willing to do everything with its own capital. It + was with its own money that it wanted to purchase the Arctic region. The + promoters did not try to put gold, silver, and bank-notes into their + pockets and keep them for their own benefit. No, they only asked + permission to pay for the land with their own money. + </p> + <p> + Some people who claimed to know said that the Company could have gone to + work and taken possession of the country without any further ceremony, as + it was their right as first occupants. But that is just where the + difficulty came in, because until this time the Pole seemed to be + forbidden ground to any one. Therefore, in case the United States should + give possession of the country, the Company wanted a regular title to it + without trouble about the matter in the future. It was unjust to blame + them in any way, as in such an affair too many precautions cannot be + taken. Besides, the circular had a paragraph which provided for all future + chances. This paragraph was capable of so many interpretations that the + exact meaning of it could not be rendered even by those who studied it + closely. It was stipulated that the right of proprietorship should not + depend upon any chances or changes in the country, no matter whether these + changes were in the position or climate of the country. + </p> + <p> + What did this phrase mean? How could there ever be any changes in the + geography or meteorology of a country like this one to be sold at auction? + "Evidently," said some shrewd ones, "there must be something behind + it." + </p> + <p> + The commentators had free swing and exercised it with a will. One paper in + Philadelphia published the following pleasant notice: + </p> + <p> + "Undoubtedly the future purchasers of the Arctic region have information + that a hard stone comet will strike this world under such conditions that + its blow will produce geographic and meteorologic changes such as the + purchasers of the Arctic region will profit by." + </p> + <p> + The idea of a blow with a hard stone planet was not accepted by serious + people. In any case it was not likely that the would-be purchasers would + have been informed of such a coming event. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps," said a New Orleans newspaper, "the new Company thinks the + precession of the equinox will in time favor the conditions likely to lead + to the utilization of this domain." + </p> + <p> + "And why not? Because this movement modifies the direction of the axis + of our spheroid," observed another correspondent. + </p> + <p> + "Really," answered the <i>Scientific Review</i>, of Paris. "As + Adhemar has predicted in his book on the ocean currents, the precession of + the equinox, combined with the movement of the earth's axis, will be + such as to modify in a long period the average temperature of the + different parts of the earth and in the quantities of ice accumulated + around the two poles." + </p> + <p> + "This is not certain," replied the <i>Edinburgh Review</i>, "and, + besides, supposing that this would be the case, is not a lapse of 12,000 + years necessary before Vega becomes our polar star in consequence of this + movement and the situation of the Arctic territory consequently changed in + regard to its climate?" + </p> + <p> + "Well," said the Copenhagen <i>Dagblad</i>, "in 12,000 years it will + be time to make preparations, and before that time risk nothing-not even + a cent." + </p> + <p> + It was possible that the <i>Scientific Review</i> was right with Adhemar. + It was also very probable that the North Polar Practical Association had + never counted on this modification of climate due to the precession of the + equinox. In fact, nobody had clearly discovered what this last paragraph + in the circular meant nor what kind of change it had in view. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps to know it, it would suffice to write to the Secretary of the new + Society, or particularly its President. But the President was unknown. + Unknown as much as the Secretary and all other members of the Council. It + was not even known where the document came from. It was brought to the + offices of the New York newspapers by a certain William S. Forster, a + codfish dealer of Baltimore, a member of the house of Ardrinell & Co. + Everything was so quiet and mysterious in the matter that the best + reporters could not make out what it was all about. This North Polar + Association had been so anonymous that it was impossible even to give it a + definite name. + </p> + <p> + If, however, the promoters of this speculation persisted in making their + <i>personnel</i> an absolute mystery, their intention was clearly + indicated by the document spread before the public of two worlds. + </p> + <p> + Really, after all, the question was the purchase of that part of the + arctic regions bounded by the 84th degree, and of which the North Pole was + the central point. Nothing very exact concerning this region was known. + The modern discoverers who had been nearest to this parallel were Parry, + Markham, Lockwood and Brainard. In regard to the other navigators of the + northern seas they stopped far short of the above-mentioned point-such + as Payez, in 1874, to 82° 15' north of the land of Francis Joseph, of + New Zemble; Leout, in 1870, to 72°74' above Siberia; De Long in the <i>Jeanette</i> + expedition, in 1879, to 78° 45' around the islands which bear his name. + Others went around New Siberia and Greenland to the end of the Cape + Bismarck, but had not passed the 76th, 77th, or 78th degree of latitude. + The North Polar Practical Association wanted then a country which had + never been touched before by mankind or discoverers, and which was + absolutely uninhabited. + </p> + <p> + The length of this portion of the globe surrounded by the 84th degree, + extending from the 84th to the 90th, making six degrees, which at sixty + miles each make a radius of 360 miles and a diameter of 720 miles. The + circumference therefore is, 2,260 miles and the surface 407 [square] + miles. This is about the tenth part of the whole of Europe. A very + desirable slice of land indeed. The document, as we have seen, also stated + that these regions were not yet known geographically, belonged to no one + and therefore belonged to everyone. But it could be foreseen that the + adjoining States at least would consider these regions as the prolongation + of their own possession towards the north and would consequently claim the + right of ownership. Their pretensions would have more justice than those + of discoverers who operated upon the whole of the Arctic countries and + made explorations only for the glory of their own nation. The Federal + Government represented in the new Society intended to make their rights + valuable and to indemnify them for the price of their purchase. However it + was the partisans of the North Polar Practical Association did not + announce; the proprietorship was clear, and nobody being compelled to live + there could object to the auction sale of this vast domain. + </p> + <p> + The countries whose rights were absolutely established as much as those of + any countries could be were six in number-America, England, Russia, + Denmark, Sweden-Norway and Holland. + </p> + <p> + Other countries could claim discoveries made by their mariners and their + travellers. + </p> + <p> + France could interfere because some of her children had taken part in the + expeditions sent out to conquer the territories around the pole. + </p> + <p> + Among the others the courageous Bellot, who died in 1853, in the islands + of Beechey, during the Phoenix Expedition sent in search of Sir John + Franklin. Nor must one forget Dr. Octave Pavy, who died in 1884, near Cape + Sabine, while the Greely Mission was at Fort Conger. And the expedition + which, in 1838-39, had gone to the Sea of Spitzberg with Charles Marmier, + Bravais and his courageous companions, would it not be unfair to forget + them. But despite all this France did not care to interfere in this + commercial rather than scientific matter, and she abandoned all her rights + for a share of the polar pie. The same of Germany. It had sent since 1671 + the Hamburg expedition of Frederic Martens to the Spitsbergen, and in 1869 + and '70 the expeditions of the <i>Germania</i> and of the <i>Hansa</i>, + commanded by Koldervey and Hegeman, which went as far as Cape Bismarck by + going along the coast of Greenland. But even if they had made so many + brilliant discoveries they did not care to add a piece of the polar empire + to that of Germany. The same was true with Austria, which was already + possessor of the land of Francis Joseph, situated north of Siberia. + </p> + <p> + In regard to Italy having no right to interfere, she did not interfere at + all; which is as strange as it is true. Then, also, there were the + Esquimaux, which are at home in those places, and the inhabitants of + Greenland, of Labrador, of Baffin's Archipelago and of the Aleutian + Islands, situated between Asia and America, and also the tribe of + Tchouktchis, who inhabited the old Russian Alaska and who became Americans + in 1867. These people, in reality the real aborigines, had nothing at all + to say about the matter. And how could these poor wretches have said + anything, as they did not even have any sum of money, no matter how small, + with which to pay for the land which the North Polar Practical Association + was going to buy. Perhaps they could have paid a small sum by giving + skins, teeth or oil, and yet the land belonged to them more than to any + others, as they were the first occupants of this domain which was going to + be sold on auction. But the Esquimaux, the Tchouktchis, the Samoyedes were + not consulted at all. So runs the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="II" id="II"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER II.<br /><br />IN WHICH THE DELEGATES FROM ENGLAND, HOLLAND, SWEDEN, + DENMARK AND RUSSIA ARE PRESENTED TO THE READER. + </h4> + <p> + One thing was evident to the whole world at once, namely, that if the new + association should succeed in buying the Arctic regions, those regions + would become absolutely the property of America or rather of the United + States, a country which was always trying to acquire something. This was + not a pleasing prospect to rival governments, but nevertheless, as has + been said, the different States of Europe and of Asia not neighboring to + these regions, refused to take part in the proposed auction sale so long + as its results seemed so problematical to them. Only the powers whose + property touched the eighty-fourth degree resolved to make their rights + valuable by the attendance of official delegates. That was all. They did + not care to buy even at a relatively moderate price land the possession of + which was only a possibility. In this as in all cases insatiable England + gave orders to its financial agents to make an imposing showing. The + cession of the polar countries did not threaten any European trouble nor + any international complication. Herr von Bismarck, the grand Iron + Chancellor, who was yet living, did not even knit his heavy brow. There + remained only England, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Holland and Russia to be + present and make their bids to the Commissioner of Baltimore, against + those of the United States. + </p> + <p> + It was a difficult matter to fix prices for this polar earth cap, the + business value of which was at least very problematic. Their main reason + for presenting themselves at the sale was that some advantage might accrue + to them. Sweden and Norway, proprietors of the North Cape, situated beyond + the seventy-second parallel, did not conceal the fact that they thought + they had certain rights of proprietorship on these vast lands which + extended to Spitsbergen, and from there to the North Pole. Denmark said + that it had already in its possession islands and fiords on the line of + the polar circle where their colonies had been founded, such as Disko + Island, in the Davis Channel; the settlements of Holstein, of Proven, of + Godhaven, of Uppernavik, in the Baffin Sea, and on the west coast of + Greenland. Besides, did not the famous navigator, Behring (of Danish + origin, although he was then in the service of Russia), in the year 1728 + pass over the channel which afterwards carried his name before he started + again, thirteen years later, and died miserably with thirty of his men on + a little island, which also carries his distinguished name. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1619 did not the navigator, Jean Munk, explore the east coast + of Greenland and discover several points formerly totally unknown? + Therefore, Denmark had, she thought, undisputable rights to be proprietor + of these regions. + </p> + <p> + In regard to Holland, there were her sailors Barentz and Heemskerk, who + had visited the Spitsbergen and the New Zealand about the end of the + sixteenth century. It was by one of her children too, Jean Mayen, through + whose courageous campaign against the north the island which carries his + name came in their possession. It is situated below the 72d degree of + latitude. Therefore Holland thought her past had given her rights of + possession. In regard to Russia, with Alexis Tschirikof, having Behring + under his command; with Paulutski, whose expedition advanced in 1751 + beyond the limits of the ice-pack; with Capt. Martin Spangberg, and Lieut. + William Walton, who dared to go into these unknown parts in 1739, she had + taken a notable part in the search across the gulf which separates Asia + and America. + </p> + <p> + Furthermore, the position of the Siberian territories, extending over 120 + degrees to the extreme limits of Kamchatka, the length of the Asiatic + coast, where the Samoyedes, Yakoutes, Tchuoktchis, and other conquered + people lived, did Russia not rule half of the Northern Ocean? And then, on + the 75th parallel to within less than nine hundred miles from the pole, + did she not possess the islands of the new Siberia, the Archipelago of + Liatkow, discovered in the beginning of the eighteenth century? And + finally, since 1764, before the English, before the Americans, before the + Swedes, did not the navigator Tschitschagoff search a passage in the North + to shorten the route between the two continents? However, notwithstanding + this, it seemed that the Americans were more anxious to become possessors + of this particularly inaccessible point of the globe than anyone else. + </p> + <p> + They had often tried to obtain it by devoting themselves to the search of + Sir John Franklin, with Grinnel, with Kane, with Hayes, with Greely, with + De Long, and other courageous navigators. They could also plead the + geographical situation of their country, which develops itself below the + polar circle from the Behring Sea to Hudson's Bay. And were not all + these countries, all these islands-Wollaston, Prince Albert, Victoria, + King William, Melville, Cockburne, Banks, Baffin, not counting the + thousand small pieces of the archipelago-like a leaf spreading to the + 90th degree? And then supposing that the North Pole should be attached by + an uninterrupted line of territory to one of the large continents of the + globe, would it not be more to America than to Asia or Europe? Therefore, + nothing was more natural than the proposition to purchase this region by + the Federal Government for the benefit of an American society. + </p> + <p> + If any power had undisputable modern rights to possess the polar domain it + was certainly the United States of America. It must also be considered + that the United Kingdom of Great Britain, which possessed Canada and + British Columbia, numerous sailors of which had distinguished themselves + in these Arctic countries, urged very good reasons for annexing this part + of the globe to their vast empire. And its journals discussed the matter + at great length. "Yes, without a doubt," answered the great English + geographer, Kliptringan, in an article in a London newspaper, which made a + great sensation; "yes, the Danes, the Hollanders, the Russians, and the + Americans, can be proud of their rights." As for England, she did not + wish to let this country escape her. Did not the northern part of the + continent already belong to them? Have not these lands, these islands + which composed them, been discovered and conquered by English discoverers + since Willoughby, who visited Spitsbergen and New Zealand in 1739, to + McClure, whose vessel made in 1853 the passage of the northwest? And then + were not Frobisher, Davis, Hall, Weymouth, Hudson, Baffin, Cook, Ross, + Parry, Bechey, Belcher, Franklin, Mulgrave, Scoresby, MacClinton, Kennedy, + Nares, Collinson, Archer, all of Anglo-Saxon origin? And what country + could make a more just claim on the portion of these Arctic regions that + that which these navigators had been able to acquire? "Well," said a + California journal, "let us put the matter on its real point, and as + there is a question of <i>amour-propre</i> between the United States and + England, let us ask, If the English Markham of the Nares expedition had + gone 83 degrees 20 minutes of latitude and the Americans, Lockwood and + Brainard, of the Greely expedition, went to 83 degrees 35 minutes, to whom + then does the honor belong of having come nearest to the North Pole?" + </p> + <p> + Such were the demands and explanations, but one could see that the + struggle would only be active between American dollars and English pounds + sterling. However, according to the proposition made by the North Polar + Practical Association all countries had to be consulted and given a chance + at the auction. The sale was announced to take place Dec. 3, at Baltimore. + The sum realized by the sale was to be divided among the States which were + unsuccessful bidders, and they were to accept it as indemnity and renounce + all their rights in the Arctic regions for the future. + </p> + <p> + The delegates, furnished with their letters of credit, left London. The + Hague, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and St. Petersburg, and arrived three weeks + before the day fixed for the auction sale. + </p> + <p> + Up to this time America had only been represented by Mr. W.S. Forster, of + the North Polar Practical Association. + </p> + <p> + The delegates of the European powers who had been chosen were included in + the following list: + </p> + <p> + For Holland-Jacques Jansen, formerly Counsellor of the Netherlandish + India; fifty-three years old, stout, short, well formed, small arms, small + bent legs, round and florid face, gray hair; a worthy man, only a little + incredulous on the subject of an undertaking the practical consequences of + which he failed to see. + </p> + <p> + For Denmark-Eric Baldenak, ex-Sub-Governor of the Greenlandish + possessions; of medium height, a little bent over, large and round head, + so short-sighted that the point of his nose would touch his books; not + willing to listen to any claim denying the rights of his country, which he + considered the legitimate proprietor of the northern region. + </p> + <p> + For the Swedish-Norwegian peninsula-Jan Harald, Professor of Cosmography + in Christiania; a genuine Northern man, red-faced, beard and hair blond; + he regarded it as an established fact that the Polar region, being only + occupied by the Paleocristic Sea, had absolutely no value. He was, + however, not much interested in the matter and went there only as a duty. + </p> + <p> + For Russia-Col. Boris Karkof, semi-military man, semi-diplomat; a stiff, + stubby mustache, seeming uncomfortable in his citizen clothes and feeling + absent-mindedly for his sword which he was accustomed to carry; very much + puzzled to know what was hidden in the proposition of the North Polar + Practical Association, and whether it would not be the cause of + international difficulties. + </p> + <p> + Finally for England-Major Donellan and his secretary, Dean Toodrink. The + last two named represented all the tastes and aspirations of the United + Kingdom, its commercial and industrial instincts, its aptitude to + consider, by a law of nature, the northern regions their own property just + as any country which did not belong to anyone else. + </p> + <p> + If there ever was an Englishman it was Major Donellan, tall, meagre, bony, + nervous, angular, with a little cough, a head a la Palmerston, on bending + shoulders; legs well formed after his sixty years; indefatigable, a + quality he had well shown when he worked on the frontiers of India. He + never laughed in those days, and perhaps never had. And why should he? Did + you ever see a locomotive or a steam-engine or an elevator laugh? On this + point the Major was very much different from his secretary, Dean Toodrink, + a talkative fellow, very pleasant, with large head, and his hair falling + on his forehead, and small eyes. He became well known on account of his + happy manner and his taste for fairy tales. But, even if he was cheerful, + he did not seem any less personally conceited than Major Donellan when he + talked about Great Britain. + </p> + <p> + These two delegates were probably going to be the most desperate opponents + to the American Society. The North Pole belonged to them; it always + belonged to them. It was to them as if the Lord had given the mission to + the English people to keep up the rotation of the earth around its axis, + and as if it was their duty to prevent it passing into strange hands. It + is necessary to observe here that France did not consider it necessary to + send a delegate, but an engineer, of France, was present at the sale, just + for the fun of it. We shall introduce him later on. The delegates of the + Northern European States had arrived in Baltimore on different steamers, + to give it the appearance that they had nothing at all to do with each + other. They were really rivals. Each one of them had in his pocket the + necessary means to fight against the American Society. But they could not + fight with equal force. One could dispose of a sum of money which amounted + to nearly a million, another could pass that amount. And really to + purchase a piece of our globe to reach which seemed an impossibility, this + ought still appear to be dear. In reality the best provided for was the + English delegate, to whose order the Government had opened a very large + credit. Thanks to this credit Major Donellan would not have very hard work + to conquer his adversaries of Sweden, Denmark-Holland, and Russia. In + regard to America-well, that was a different thing. It would be much + more difficult to win against the fusillade of dollars. At least it was + very probable that the mysterious society must have enough money on hand + to go on in their work. Therefore, the highest bidding, which might come + to millions, was between America and England. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the European delegates had landed public opinion became more + excited. The most singular stories were printed in the newspapers. False + theories were established, based on the purchase of the North Pole. What + was the Society going to do with it? And what could they do with it? + Nothing; or perhaps it was all done to corner the iceberg market. There + was even a journal in Paris, the <i>Figaro</i>, which upheld this curious + idea. But for this it would be necessary to pass south of the + eighty-fourth parallel. + </p> + <p> + Be it as it may, however, the delegates who had avoided each other during + their passage over the Atlantic became more and more associated after + having arrived in Baltimore. Here is the reason: Since his arrival each + one had tried to open communications with the North Polar Practical + Association separately, unknown to the other. That which they wished to + know were the motives hidden at the bottom of this affair and what profit + the Society hoped to make out of the sale. Now, until the present time + nothing indicated that the Society had opened an office at Baltimore. No + office, no employees. All that could be learned was, "For information + address only William S. Forster, High Street, Baltimore." And it did not + look as though the honest consignee of codfish knew any more in this + respect than the lowest street porter of the city. + </p> + <p> + The delegates could, therefore, learn nothing from him. They were + accordingly compelled to rely upon the more or less absurd guesses of the + public at large. Was the secret of the Society going to be kept + inpenetrable as long as it did not make it known itself? This was the + question. Without doubt it did not seem inclined to give any information + on the subject until the purchase had been made. Therefore, it came that + the delegates finished by seeing and meeting each other; they made visits + to each other, and finally came in close communication with each other, + perhaps with the idea of making a front against the common enemy, or, + otherwise, the American Company. And so it happened that one evening they + were all together in the Hotel Wolesley, in the suite occupied by Major + Donellan and his secretary, Dean Toodrink, holding a conference. In fact, + this tendency to a common understanding was principally due to the advice + of Col. Boris Karkof, the best diplomat known. At first the conversation + was directed to the commercial and industrial consequences which the + Society pretended to gain by purchase of the Arctic domain. Prof. Jan + Harald asked if any one had been able to gain any information on that + point. All finally agreed that they had tried to get information from Mr. + William S. Forster, to whom all letters should be addressed. + </p> + <p> + "I have failed," said Eric Baldenak. + </p> + <p> + "And I have not succeeded," added Jacques Jansen. + </p> + <p> + "In regard to myself," answered Dean Toodrink, "when I presented + myself at the stores in High Street in the name of Major Donellan I found + a large man in black clothes, wearing a high hat, with a white apron, + which was short enough to show his high boots. When I asked him for + information in the matter he informed me that the South Star had arrived + with a full cargo from Newfoundland and that he was ready to furnish me + with a fresh stock of codfish on account of Messrs. Ardronell & Co." + </p> + <p> + "And," answered the former counsellor of the Dutch Indies, always a + little sceptical, "it would be much better to buy a load of codfish than + to throw one's money into the ice-water of the North." + </p> + <p> + "This is not at all the question," says Major Donellan, with a short + and high voice. "The question is not the codfish, but the Polar + region." + </p> + <p> + "Americans ought to stand on their heads," said Dean Toodrink, + laughing at his own remark. "That will make them catch cold," finally + said Col. Karkof. "The question is not there," said Major Donellan. + "One thing only is certain, that for some reason or another America, + represented by the N.P.P.A. (remark the word 'practical') wants to buy + a surface of 407 square miles around the North Pole, a surface which is + actually (remark the word 'actually') pierced by the eighty-fourth + degree of latitude." + </p> + <p> + "We know it, Major Donellan, and much more," said Jan Harald. "But + what we do not know is how the said company will make use of those + countries or waters, if they are waters, from a commercial standpoint." + </p> + <p> + "This is not the question," answered for the third time Major + Donellan. "A power wants to purchase with money a large part of the + globe which, by its geographical situation, seems to belong especially to + England"-"to Russia," said Col. Karkof; "to Holland," said + Jacques Jansen; "to Sweden-Norway," said Jan Harald; "to Denmark," + said Eric Baldenak. + </p> + <p> + The five delegates jumped to their feet, and it seemed as if the Council + would turn to harsh words, when Dean Toodrink tried to interfere the first + time. "Gentlemen," said he, in a tone of reconciliation, "this is + not the question, following the expression of my chief," of which he + made such frequent use. "As long as it has been decided that the + Northern regions are going to be sold at auction, they will naturally + belong to such representative who will make the highest bid for same. As + long as Sweden, Norway, Russia, Denmark, Holland, and England have given + large credits to their delegates, would it not be best for these nations + to form a syndicate and raise a sum of money against which America could + not make a bid? The delegates looked at each other. It was possible that + Dean Toodrink had found the missing link. A syndicate-at present it is + heard everywhere. Everything is syndicate nowadays, what one drinks, what + one eats, what one reads, what one sleeps on. Nothing is more modern, in + politics as well as business, than a trust. But an objection was started, + or rather an explanation was needed, and Jacques Jansen tried to find out + the sentiments of his colleagues by saying, "and afterwards," yes, + after the purchase of the region by the syndicate, then what? "But it + seems to me that England," said the Major in a rough voice, "and + Russia," said the Colonel, with nostrils terribly dilated, "and + Holland," said the Counsellor; "as God has given Denmark to the + Danish," observed Eric Baldenak-"Excuse me, there is only one + country," interrupted Dean Toodrink, "which has been given by our + Lord, and that is the world." "And why," said the Swedish delegate? + "Did not the poet say + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + 'Deus nobis haec otia fecit,' " + </p> + </blockquote> + <p class="normal"> + said this merryman in translating according to his fashion the close of + the sixth verse of the first eclogue of Virgil. All began to laugh except + Major Donellan, who stopped for the second time the discussion which + threatened to finish badly. Then Dean Toodrink said, "Do not quarrel, + gentlemen. What good will it do us? Let us rather form a syndicate." + </p> + <p> + "And afterwards?" asked Jan Harald. + </p> + <p> + "Afterwards," answered Dean Toodrink, "nothing more simple, + gentlemen. After you shall have bought the polar domain it will remain + undivided among us or will be divided after a regular indemnity to one of + the States which have been purchasers. But our purpose would have already + been obtained, which is to save it from the representative of America." + </p> + <p> + This proposition did some good, at least for the present moment. As very + soon the delegates would not fail to fight with each other, and pull each + other's hair where there was any to pull, it would be at the moment when + it was necessary to elect a final buyer of this immovable region, so much + disputed and so useless. + </p> + <p> + "In all cases," cleverly remarked Dean Toodrink, "the United States + will be entirely out of the question." + </p> + <p> + "It seems to me very sensible," said Eric Baldenak. + </p> + <p> + "Very handy," said Col. Karkof. + </p> + <p> + "Right," said Jan Harald. + </p> + <p> + "Mean," said Jacques Jansen. + </p> + <p> + "Very English," said Major Donellan. + </p> + <p> + Each one had given his opinion hoping to convince his colleagues. + </p> + <p> + "Then, gentlemen, it is perfectly understood that if we form a syndicate + the rights of each State will be absolutely reserved for the future." + ... It is understood. There was only to be found out what credit the + different delegates had received from their governments. It was supposed + that the whole when added up would represent such an enormous sum that + there would not be the least doubt that the A.P.P.A. [N.P.P.A.] would fail + to surpass this amount of money. This question of funds was met by Dean + Toodrink. + </p> + <p> + Complete silence. Nobody would answer, show your pocketbook. Empty their + pockets into the safes of a syndicate. Make known in advance how much each + country would bid at the sale. No haste was shown. And if there should be + a disagreement in this new-formed syndicate in the future, and + circumstances should compel each one to make his own bids? And should the + diplomat Karkof feel insulted at the trickery of Jacques Jansen, who would + be insulted at the underhand intrigues of Jan Harald, who would refuse to + support the high pretensions of Major Donellan, who, himself, would not + stop to embroil each one of his associates. And now to show their + credits-that was showing their play, when it was necessary to live up to + it. There were really two ways only to answer the proper but indiscreet + suggestion of Dean Toodrink. Either to exaggerate the credits, which would + be very embarrassing, because it would then be the question of the + payment, or to diminish them to such a point that they would be ridiculous + and not to the purpose of the scheme. The ex-counsellor had this idea + first, but it must be said to his credit, he did not seriously hold it. + His colleagues, however, followed suit. "Gentlemen," said Holland, + through its mouthpiece, "I regret, but for the purpose of the Arctic + regions I can only dispose of fifty riechsthaler." "And I of + thirty-five rubles," said Russia. "And I of twenty kronors," said + Norway-Sweden. "And I of fifteen cronen," said Denmark. "Well," + said Major Donellan, in a tone well befitting the disdainful attitude so + common and natural to the English character, "then it would be better + that you make the purchase, gentlemen, as England can only put up at the + most one shilling and sixpence." And with this ironical remark the + conference of the delegates of old Europe was at an end. + </p> + <p> + <a name="III" id="III"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER III.<br /><br />IN WHICH THE ARCTIC REGIONS ARE SOLD AT AUCTION TO + THE HIGHEST BIDDER. + </h4> + <p> + Why was this sale on the 3d of December going to be held in the regular + auction hall, where usually only such objects as furniture, utensils, + tools, instruments, etc., or art pieces, pictures, medals, and antique + objects were sold? Why, so long as it was a piece of realty, was it not + sold before a referee or a court of justice appointed for such sales? And + why was the aid of a public auctioneer necessary when a part of our globe + was going to be sold? How could this piece of the world be compared with + any movable object when it was the most fixed thing on the face of the + earth? Really, this seemed to be quite illogical, but it was not so, since + the whole of the Arctic regions was to be sold in such a way that the + contract would be valuable. Did this not indicate that in the opinion of + the N.P.P.A. the immovable object in question contained something movable? + </p> + <p> + This singularity puzzled even the most eminently sagacious minds to be + found in the United States. On the other hand, there had been such a sale + in the past already. One portion of our planet had been sold in the + auction-rooms with the help of a public appraiser to the highest public + bidder. And this case had happened in America. + </p> + <p> + It was some years before, in San Francisco, Cal., an island of the Pacific + Ocean, Spencer Island, was sold to the rich William W. Kolderup, who bid + $500,000 in opposition to J.R. Taskinar, of Stockton. This island had cost + $4,000,000. It is true it was an island which had inhabitants, only a few + miles away from the coast, with forests, water, productive and solid, with + fields and prairies, in condition to be cultivated, and not a vague wild + region of water covered with eternal ice, defended by impenetrable + icebergs, which very probably nobody would ever live in. It was thought, + therefore, that the unknown polar region would never bring so high a price + if sold at auction. Nevertheless, on the day of the sale a great many + serious and curious people assembled to learn the end of the affair. + </p> + <p> + The sale could hardly fail to be interesting. + </p> + <p> + Ever since their arrival in Baltimore the European delegates had found + themselves very much gazed at and always surrounded by many people. Of + course they were much interviewed. In view of all this it was only natural + that the public of America should have become very much excited. One + manner of expressing the public excitement, very characteristic of + Americans, was to make bets upon the result, an example which Europe + quickly began to follow. Divided as the American citizens were into those + of New England, those of the Middle States, Western States, and Eastern + States, there was only one wish, and that was for the well-being of their + country. But there was still a great deal of uncertainty. It was neither + Russia, nor Sweden, nor Norway, nor Denmark, nor Holland, the chances of + which they dreaded most. But it was England, with its territorial + ambitions, with its only too well-known tendency to swallow everything, + and its world-known Bank of England notes. Large sums of money were placed + on the result. Bets were made on America and Great Britain, the same as on + race-horses, and in almost all cases even money was put up. Some offers + were made of 12 and 13½ to 1 on Denmark, Sweden, Holland and Russia, but + none would take such an offer. + </p> + <p> + The sale commenced at 12 o'clock. + </p> + <p> + Since early in the morning all business had been stopped in the street on + account of the large crowd. By telegraph the papers were informed that + most of the bets made by Americans had been taken up by the English, and + Dean Toodrink immediately posted up a notice to that effect in the auction + hall. The nearer the time came the higher grew the excitement. It was + reported that the Government of Great Britain had placed large sums of + money at the disposition of Major Donellan. "At the office of the + Admiralty," observed one of the New York papers, "the Admirals pushed + the sale as much as possible, as they hoped to figure conspicuously in the + expeditions fitted out." How much truth there was in these stories no + one knew. But the most conservative people in Baltimore thought that it + was hardly possible that the amount of money at the command of the + N.P.P.A. could cover the amount which would be bid by England, and + therefore a very strong pressure was put on the Government of the United + States at Washington to protect the interests of the society. In all this + excitement the new society was represented by the single person, its + agent, William S. Forster, who did not seem to worry at all over all these + rumors and seemed quite confident of success. + </p> + <p> + As the time for the auction drew near the crowd grew larger. Three hours + before the sale it was impossible to obtain admission to the auction hall. + All the space set apart for the public was so much filled that there was + danger that the building would fall in. There was only a small space left + empty, surrounded by a railing, which had been reserved for the European + delegates. They had just space enough to follow the progress of the sale, + and were not even comfortably seated. + </p> + <p> + They were Eric Baldenak, Boris Karkof Jacques Jansen, Jan Harald, Major + Donellan and his secretary, Dean Toodrink. They formed a solid group, + standing together like soldiers on a battle-field. And were they not + really going to battle for the possession of the North Pole? On the + American side apparently nobody was represented. Only the codfish dealer + was present and his face had an expression of the most supreme + indifference. + </p> + <p> + He seemed little concerned and appeared to be thinking of his cargo which + was to arrive by the next steamer. Where were the capitalists represented + by this man, who, perhaps, was going to start millions of dollars rolling? + This was such a mystery as to excite public curiosity to the utmost. + </p> + <p> + No one doubted that Mr. J. T. Maston and Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had + something to do with the matter, but what could one guess on? Both were + there, lost in the crowd, without any special place, surrounded by some + members of the Baltimore Gun Club, friends of Mr. Maston. They seemed to + be the least interested spectators in the hall. Mr. William S. Forster + even did not seem to recognize them. + </p> + <p> + The auctioneer began by saying that contrary to the general rule it was + impossible to show the article about to be sold. He could not pass from + hand to hand the North Pole. Neither could they examine it nor look at it + with a magnifying glass or touch it with their fingers to see whether the + plating was real or only artificial, or whether it was an antique, which + it really was, he said. It was as old as stone, it was as old as the + world, since it dated back to the time the world was made. + </p> + <p> + If, however, the North Pole was not on the desk of the Public Appraiser, a + large chart, clear in view of all interested persons, indicated with + marked lines the parts which were going to be sold at auction. Seventeen + degrees below the Polar Circle was a red line, clearly seen on the 84th + parallel, which marked the section on the globe put up for sale. It + appeared that there was only water in this region covered with ice of + considerable thickness. But this was the risk of the purchaser. In any + case he would not be disappointed in the nature of his merchandise by any + misrepresentation. + </p> + <p> + At 12 o'clock exactly the public auctioneer entered by a little + trap-door cut in the boards of the floor and took his place before the + desk. His crier, Flint, had already arrived, and was walking up and down + as agitated as a bear in a cage. Both were glad at the prospect, as they + thought that the sale would run up to an enormous sum and put a large and + acceptable percentage in their pockets. Of course the sale would have to + be made under the regular, real American rule, "ready cash." + </p> + <p> + The amount of money, no matter how large it would be, must be raised by + the delegates. At this moment a large bell ringing with vigor indicated + that the bidding was going to begin. What a solemn moment! Many hearts + quivered in that neighborhood. A minor riot spread among the crowd outside + and reached into the hall, and Andrew R. Gilmour, the auctioneer, had to + wait until quiet was restored. He got up and looked steadily at his + assistants. Then he let his eyeglasses fall on his breast and said in as + quiet a voice as possible: "Gentlemen, according to the plan of the + Federal government, and thanks to the acquiescence given it by the + European powers, we will sell a great fixed mass, situated around the + North Pole, all that is within the limits of the 84th parallel, + continents, waters, bays, islands, icebergs, solid parts or liquid, + whatever they may be." Then, turning towards the wall, he said "Look + at this chart, which has been outlined according to the latest + discoveries. You will see that the surface of this lot contains 407,000 + square miles. Therefore, to make the sale easier, it has been decided that + the bids should be made for each square mile. Each cent bid, for instance, + will be equal to 407,000 cents and each dollar 407,000 dollars on the + total purchase. A little silence, please, gentlemen." + </p> + <p> + This request was not superfluous, because the impatience of the public had + reached such a degree that the voice of a bidder would hardly be heard. + After partial silence had been established, thanks to the industry of the + crier, Flint, who roared like a foghorn, Mr. Gilmour resumed as follows: + "Before beginning I will mention only one condition of the sale. No + matter what changes should happen, either from a geographical or + meteorological standpoint, this region after being sold to the highest + bidder is absolutely his own beyond any dispute, and the other countries + have no right of possession whatever as long as the territory is not + outside of the limits of the 84th degree north latitude." Again was this + singular phrase mentioned at a very important moment. Some laughed at it, + others considered it very seriously. "The bids are open," said the + public auctioneer in a loud voice, and while his little ivory hammer was + rolling in his hand he added in an undertone: "We have offers at 10 + cents the square mile. Ten cents or the tenth part of a dollar-this + would make an amount of $40,700 for the whole of this immovable + property." Whether the auctioneer had had such offers or not does not + matter, because the bid was covered by Eric Baldenak in the name of the + Danish Government. "Twenty cents," said he. + </p> + <p> + "Thirty cents," said Jan Harald, for Sweden-Norway. + </p> + <p> + "Forty cents," said Col. Boris Karkof, for Russia. + </p> + <p> + This represented already a sum of $162,800 to begin with. The + representative of England had not as yet opened his mouth, not even moved + his lips, which were pressed tightly together. On the other side Wm. S. + Forster kept an impenetrable dumbness. Even at this moment he seemed + absorbed in reading a newspaper which contained the shipping arrivals and + the financial reports of the markets each day. + </p> + <p> + "Forty cents per square mile," repeated Flint, in a voice which + resembled a steam whistle, "40 cents." + </p> + <p> + The four colleagues of Major Donellan looked at each other. Had they + already exhausted the credit allowed them at the beginning of the bidding? + Were they already compelled to be silent? + </p> + <p> + "Go on, gentlemen," said the Auctioneer Gilmour, "40 cents. Who goes + higher? Forty cents; why, the North Pole is worth much more than that, for + it is guaranteed to be made of ice." + </p> + <p> + The Danish delegate said 50 cents and the Hollandish delegate promptly + outbid him by 10 cents. + </p> + <p> + Nobody said a word. This 60 cents represented the respectable amount of + $244,200. The lift given by Holland to the sale started a murmur of + satisfaction. It seemed that the persons who had nothing in their pockets + and nothing to their names were the most interested of all in this contest + of dollars. + </p> + <p> + At the moment Jacques Jansen made his offer Major Donellan looked at his + secretary, Dean Toodrink, and, with an almost imperceptible negative sign, + kept him silent. Mr. William S. Forster, seeming very much interested in + his paper, made some pencil notes. Mr. J.T. Maston, only replied to the + smiles of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt with a nod of the head. + </p> + <p> + "Hurry up, gentlemen; a little life. Don't let us linger. This is very + weak, very slow," said the auctioneer. "Let me see. Nobody says more. + Must I knock down the North Pole at such a price?" and as he spoke his + hammer went up and down just like the cross in a priest's hands when he + wishes to bless his people. + </p> + <p> + "Seventy cents," said Jan Harald, with a voice which trembled a + little. + </p> + <p> + "Eighty," immediately responded Col. Boris Karkof. + </p> + <p> + "Hurry up, 80 cents," said Flint, whose eyes were burning with + excitement. + </p> + <p> + A gesture of Dean Toodrink made Major Donellan jump up like a spirit. + "One hundred cents," said he with a short and sharp tone, becoming in + one who represented Great Britain. That one word made England responsible + for $407,000. + </p> + <p> + The friends of the bidders for the United Kingdom made a great hurrah, + which was repeated like an echo by the outside crowd. The bidders for + America looked at each other with disappointment; $407,000; this was + already a very large figure for such a region as the North Pole; $407,000 + for ice, icebergs, and icefields? + </p> + <p> + And the man of the N. P. P. A. did not say one word, did not even raise + his head. Would he decide to make at last one overwhelming bid? If he + wanted to wait until the Danish delegates, those of Sweden, Holland, and + Russia had exhausted their credit, it would seem that the proper moment + had come. Their faces plainly showed that before the "100 cents" of + Major Donellan, they had decided to quit the battlefield. "One hundred + cents the square mile," said the auctioneer for the second time, "One + hundred, one hundred, one hundred," cried out Flint, making a + speaking-trumpet of his half-closed hand. "Nobody goes higher?" + questioned Auctioneer Gilmour. "Is it heard? Is it understood? No + regrets afterwards? We will sell it now." And he took his position and + looking at his clerk, said: "once, twice"- + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and ten," very quietly said William S. Forster, without + even raising his eyes, after having turned the page of his paper. + </p> + <p> + "Hip, hip, hip," shouted the crowd who had put most of the money on + America in the bets. Major Donellan was astonished. His long neck turned + in all directions and he shrugged his shoulders, while his lips worked + with great excitement. He tried to crush this American representative with + one look, but without success, but Mr. Forster, cool as a cucumber, did + not budge. + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and forty," said Major Donellan. + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and sixty," said Forster. + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and eighty," said the Major, with great excitement. + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and ninety," said Forster. + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and ninety-nine," roared the delegate of Great Britain. + With this he crossed his arms and seemed to defy the United States of + America. + </p> + <p> + One might have heard a mouse run, or a miller fly, or a worm creep. All + hearts were beating. A life seemed hanging on the lips of Major Donellan. + His head, generally restless, was still now. Dean Toodrink had sat down + and was pulling out his hairs one by one. Auctioneer Gilmour let a few + moments run by. They seemed as long as centuries. The codfish merchant + continued reading his paper and making pencil figures which had evidently + nothing at all to do wth [with] the question. Was he also at the end of + his credit? Did he intend to make a last offer? Did this amount of 199 + cents for each square mile or $793,000 for the whole of the fixture at + sale seem to him to have reached the last limit of absurdity? + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and ninety-nine cents," repeated the public auctioneer. + "We will sell it," and his hammer fell on the table before him. "One + hundred and ninety-nine," cried the helper. "Sell it! Sell it!" And + every one was looking at the representative of the N.P.P.A. + </p> + <p> + That surprising gentleman was blowing his nose on a large bandanna + handkerchief, which nearly covered his whole face. Mr. J. T. Maston was + looking at him intently, and so was Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. It could + easily be seen by their anxious faces how much they tried to supress their + violent emotion. Why was Forster hesitating to outbid Major Donellan? As + for the imperturbable Forster, he blew his nose a second time, then a + third time, with the noise of a real foghorn. But between the second and + third blow he said as quietly as possible, with a modest and sweet voice. + "Two hundred cents!" + </p> + <p> + A long shudder went through the hall. Then the American backers began to + make such a noise that the very windows trembled. Major Donellan, + overwhelmed, ruined, disappointed, had fallen into a seat by the side of + Dean Toodrink, who himself was not in a much better condition. Two + thousand miles at this price made the enormous sum of $814,000 and it was + apparent that the credit of England did not permit them to overreach it. + </p> + <p> + "Two hundred cents," repeated the auctioneer. "Two hundred cents," + said Flint. "Once, twice," said the auctioneer. "Does anybody go + higher?" Major Donellan raised himself by a strong effort and looked + wistfully at the other delegates. These only looked back their hope that + by his bidding the Arctic region would escape the American bidder and + would become the property of the European powers. But this was his last + effort. The Major opened his mouth, closed it again, and in his person + England sat down on itself. "Hip, hip, hurrah for the United States," + roared the winners for victorious America. And in one instant the news of + the purchase ran all over Baltimore, and by telegraph all over the United + States, and by cable all over the Old World. Thus it was that the N.P.P.A. + through the agency of William S. Forster, became the proprietor of the + Arctic domain, including everything above the eighty-fourth parallel. The + next day when Mr. Forster went to make his deposit for his purchase the + name he gave was Impey Barbicane and the name of the house was Barbicane + & Co. + </p> + <p> + <a name="IV" id="IV"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER IV.<br /><br />IN WHICH OLD ACQUAINTANCES APPEAR TO OUR NEW + READERS, AND IN WHICH A WONDERFUL MAN IS DESCRIBED.</b> + </h4> + <p> + Barbicane & Co. The president of a gunning club. And really what had + gunners to do in such an operation? You will see. Is it necessary to + present formally Impey Barbicane, President of the Gun Club, of Baltimore, + and Capt. Nicholl, and J. T. Maston, and Tom Hunter with the wooden legs, + and the lively Bilsby, and Col. Bloomsberry, and the other associates? No, + if these strange persons were twenty years older than at the time when the + attention of the world was upon them they had always remained the same, + always as much incomplete personally, but equally noisy, equally + courageous, equally confusing when it was a question of some extraordinary + adventure. Time did not make an impression on these gunners; it respected + them as it respects cannons no longer in use, but which decorate museums + and arsenals. If the Gun Club had 1,833 members in it when it was founded, + names rather than persons, for most of them had lost an arm or leg, if + 30,575 corresponding members were proud to owe allegiance to the Club, + these figures had not decreased. On the contrary, and even thanks to the + incredible attempt which they had made to establish direct communication + between earth and moon, its celebrity had grown in an enormous proportion. + No one can ever forget the report on this subject which was made by this + Club and which deserves a few words of mention here. + </p> + <p> + A few years after the civil war certain members of the Gun Club, tired of + their idleness, proposed to send a projectile to the moon by means of a + Columbiad monster. A cannon 900 feet long, nine feet broad at the bore, + had been especially made at Moon City and had then been charged with + 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton. + </p> + <p> + From this cannon a small cylindro-conical bomb had been flung towards the + stars with a pressure of six millards pounds per square inch. After having + made a grand curve it fell back to the earth only to be swallowed up by + the Pacific Ocean at 27° 7' of latitude and 41° 37' of longitude, + west. It was in this region that the frigate, Susquehanna, of the American + Navy, had fished it up to the surface of the ocean, to the great comfort + of its occupants. Occupants? Yes, occupants; for two members of the Gun + Club-its President, Impey Barbicane, and Capt. Nicholl-accompanied by + a Frenchman well known for his boldness in such cases, had been in this + flying-machine. All three of them came back well and healthy from this + dangerous trip. But if the two Americans were here ready to risk any + similar thing, the French Michel Ardan was not. On his return to Europe he + brought a fortune with him, although it astonished a good many people, and + now he is planting his own cabbage in his own garden, eating them and even + digesting them, if one can believe the best-informed reporters. + </p> + <p> + After this discharge of the cannon, Impey Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl had + lived on their reputation in comparative quietness. As they were always + anxious to do another thing like it, they dreamt and tried to find out + something else. Money they had in plenty. Out of five millions and a half + which had been raised for them by subscription they had nearly $200,000 + left. This money was raised in the Old and New Worlds alike. Besides, all + they had to do was to exhibit themselves in their projectile in America + and they could always realize large amounts of money. They had earned all + the glory which the most ambitious mortal would look for. Impey Barbicane + and Capt. Nicholl would have been well able to keep quiet and idle if this + very idleness did not torment them. And it was simply no doubt to do + something that they had gone to work and bought this part of the Arctic + region. + </p> + <p> + But it must not be forgotten that if the purchase cost $800,000 and more, + that it was Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt who had put the necessary amount into + this affair. Thanks to this generous woman Europe had been conquered by + America. Since their return President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl had + enjoyed a supreme celebrity. But there was another man who deserved credit + in the matter. It is easy to guess that J.T. Maston was the man of whom we + speak, the temporary Secretary of the Gun Club. Did we not owe to this + brilliant calculator all the mathematical formulae which enabled us to + tell the story of the voyage to the moon? If he did not accompany his two + associates on their terrible journey it was not fear which kept him back. + No, indeed, it was only the injuries he had received during the war. For + really it would have made a bad impression on the inhabitants on the moon + to see him in his disabled condition as a representative of our people, + and the moon only our humble satellite. To his extreme regret, Mr. Maston + was compelled to stay at home. Nevertheless he had not been idle. After + having constructed an immense telescope, which was put on the mountain of + Long's Peak, one of the highest mountains of the Rocky range, he went up + there personally, and after he had received the signal that the + cannon-ball had been fired he did not once leave his post. From his place + of observation he essayed the task of following his friends firing across + the vast space. One might readily believe that his friends would be lost + to the world; that it was very easily possible that this projectile could + be compelled by the attraction of the moon to become a sub-satellite. A + deviation which one might call providential had changed the direction of + the projectile, and after having made one trip around the moon, in place + of touching it, it was carried away in a terrible fall and returned to us + with a speed of 576,000 miles a minute to the moment when it was swallowed + up by the ocean. Happy it was that the great liquid mass had deadened the + fall, and that the American frigate Susquehanna was present at the fall. + As soon as the news reached Mr. Maston, the Secretary of the Gun Club, he + rushed with all possible haste from his observation point at Long's Peak + to begin operations to save his friends. Divers were sent to the place + where the projectile had fallen. And Mr. Maston even did not hesitate to + put on a cork jacket to save and find his friends again. It was + unnecessary to go to so much trouble. The projectile was found floating on + the surface of the Pacific Ocean after having made its beautiful fall. And + President Barbicane with Capt. Nicholl and Michel Ardan were found playing + dominoes in their floating prison on the surface of the ocean. + </p> + <p> + To return to J.T. Maston, it is proper to say that his part in the affair + deserves a good deal of credit. It is certain that he was not pretty with + his metallic arm. He was not young, fifty-eight years old, at the time we + write this story. But the originality of his character, the vivacity of + his intelligence, the vigor which animated him, the ardor which he had in + all such things, had made him the ideal of Mrs. Evangeline Scorbitt. His + brain carefully hidden under his cover of gutta-percha was yet untouched, + and he would still pass as one of the most remarkable calculators of his + age. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, although the least figuring gave her a headache, + had yet a great liking for mathematicians, even if she had no taste for + mathematics. She considered them a higher and more endowed race of human + beings. Heads where the X, Y, Z were mixed up like nuts in a barrel, + brains which played with signs of algebra, hands which juggled with the + integral triples, these were what she liked. + </p> + <p> + Yes, these wise people seemed to her worthy of all admiration and support. + She felt herself drawn strongly towards them. And J.T. Maston was exactly + that kind of man and one she adored, and her happiness would be complete + if they two could be made one. This was the end of her mathematics. This + did not disturb the Secretary of the Gun Club, who had never found + happiness in unions of this kind. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Evangelina Scorbitt was not young any more. She was forty-five years + old, had her hair pasted on her temples, like something which had been + dyed and re-dyed; she had a mouth full of very long teeth, with not one + missing; her waist was without shape, her walk without grace; in short, + she had the appearance of an old maid, although she had been married only + a few years before she became a widow. She was an excellent person withal, + and nothing was lacking in her cup of happiness except one thing, namely, + that she wished to make her appearance in the society of Baltimore as Mrs. + J.T. Maston. Her fortune was very considerable. She was not rich like the + Goulds, Mackays, or Vanderbilts, whose fortunes run into the millions, and + who might give alms to the Rothschilds. Neither did she possess three + hundred millions like Mrs. Stewart, eighty millions like Mrs. Crocker, and + two hundred millions like Mrs. Carper. Neither was she rich like Mrs. + Hamersley, Mrs. Hetty Green, Mrs. Mafitt, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Paran + Stevens, Mrs. Minturn, and many others. At any rate she had a right to + take a place at that memorable feast at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New + York, where there were only admitted as guests people who had at least + five millions. In brief, Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had four millions of + good sound dollars, or twenty millions of francs, which came to her from + John P. Scorbitt, who made his fortune both in the business of selling dry + goods and salt pork. Well, this fortune this generous widow would have + been glad to use for the profit of J. T. Maston, to whom she would also + bring a treasure of tenderness much more inexhaustible. + </p> + <p> + Therefore when Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had heard of the requirements of + Mr. Maston she had gladly agreed to put a few hundred thousand dollars in + the affair of the N.P.P.A. without having the least idea of what they + intended to do with it. It is true she was convinced that as long as J.T. + Maston had something to do with the affair it could not help being grand, + sublime, superhuman, etc. Thinking of the Secretary was for her future + enough. One might think that after the auction sale, when it was declared + that Barbicane & Company would be the name of the new firm, and it + would be presided over by the President of the Gun Club, she would enjoy + Mr. Maston's whole confidence. Was she not at the same time the largest + stockholder in the affair? So it came about that Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt + found herself proprietress of this polar region, all beyond the line of + the eighty-fourth parallel. But what would she do with it? Or rather, what + profit would the Society get out of it? This was the question; and if it + interested Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt from a financial standpoint it + interested the whole world, more on account of the general curiosity about + the whole mystery. This excellent woman, otherwise very discreet, had + often tried to get some information from Mr. Maston on this subject before + putting money at the disposal of the purchasers. Without a doubt there was + a grand enterprise, which, as Jean Jacques said, has never had its like + before, and would never have any imitation, and which would far outshine + the reputation made by the Gun Club in sending a projectile to the moon + and trying to get in direct communication with our satellite. But when she + persists with her queries Mr. Maston invariably replied: "Dear madame, + have patience," And if Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had confidence before, + what an immense joy did she feel when the triumph which the United States + of America had won over the combined European powers. "But shall I not + finally know the object?" asked she, smiling at the eminent calculator. + </p> + <p> + "You will soon know it," answered Mr. Maston, shaking heartily the + hand of his partner-the American lady. + </p> + <p> + This calmed for the moment the impatience of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. A + few days afterwards the Old and New World were shaken up quite enough when + the secret object of the company was announced, and for the realization of + which the N.P.P.A. made an appeal to the public for a subscription. + </p> + <p> + The Society had purchased this portion of the circumpolar region to make + use of the coal mines of the North Pole. + </p> + <p> + <a name="V" id="V"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER V.<br /><br />IN WHICH THE POSSIBILITY THAT COAL MINES SURROUND + THE NORTH POLE IS CONSIDERED.</b> + </h4> + <p> + Are there coal mines at the North Pole? This was the first question + suggested to intelligent people. Some asked why should there be coal mines + at the North Pole? Others with equal propriety asked why should there not + be? It is well known that coal mines are spread all over the world. There + are many in different parts of Europe. America also possesses a great + many, and it is probable that the United States mines are the richest of + all. There are also many in Asia, Africa, and Australia. The more our + globe becomes known the more mines are discovered. We will not be in need + of coal for at least hundreds of years to come. England alone produces + 160,000,000 tons every year, and over the whole world it is estimated + 400,000,000 tons are yearly produced. Naturally, this coal output must + grow every year in proportion with the constantly increasing industries. + Even if electricity takes the place of steam, it will still be necessary + to use coal. We are so much in need of it that the world might be called + "an animal of coal," and therefore it is necessary to take good care + of it. Coal is used not only as a fuel, but also as a crude substance of + which science makes great use. With the transformations to which it has + been submitted in the laboratory, it is possible to paint with it, perfume + with it, purify, heat, light with it, and even beautify a diamond with it. + It is as useful as iron or even more so. It is fortunate that this + last-mentioned metal will never be exhausted, as really the world is + composed of it. The world might be considered a vast mass of iron, as + other metals, and even water and stone, stand far behind it in the + composition of our sphere. But if we are sure of a continuous supply for + our consumption of iron, we are not so of coal. Far from it. People who + are competent to speak, and who look into the future for hundreds of + years, always allude to this coal famine. "But," say the opposing + party-and in the United States there are many people who like to + contradict for the mere sake of argument, and who take pleasure in + contradicting-"Why should there be coal around the North Pole?" + </p> + <p> + "Why?" answered those who took the part of President Barbicane, + "because, very probably at the geological formation of the world, the + sun was such that the difference of temperature around the equator and the + poles were not appreciable. Then immense forests covered this unknown + polar region a long time before mankind appeared, and when our planet was + submitted to the incessant action of heat and humidity. This theory the + journals, magazines, and reviews publish in a thousand different articles + either in a joking or serious way. And these large forests, which + disappeared with the gigantic changes of the earth before it had taken its + present form, must certainly have changed and transformed under the lapse + of time and the action of internal heat and water into coal mines. + Therefore nothing seemed more admissible than this theory, and that the + North Pole would open a large field to those who were able to mine it. + These are facts, undeniable facts. Even people who only calculated on + simple probabilities could not deny them. And these facts led many people + to have great faith in them. + </p> + <p> + It was on this subject that Major Donellan and his secretary were talking + together one day in the most obscure corner of the "Two Friends" inn. + "Well," said Dean Toodrink, "there is a possibility that this + Barbicane (who I hope may be hanged some day) is right." + </p> + <p> + "It is probable," said Major Donellan, "and I will almost admit that + it is certain. There will be fortunes made in exploring this region around + the pole. If North America possesses so many coal mines and, according to + the papers, new ones are discovered quite frequently, it is not at all + improbable that there are many yet to be discovered. I may add that Prof. + Nordenskiol has found many kinds of different stones which contain a great + variety of fossil plants in his researches in the Arctic region." + </p> + <p> + "Higher up?" asked Dean Toodrink. + </p> + <p> + "Higher up, or rather further up, in a northerly direction," answered + the Major, "the presence of coal is practically established, and it + seems as if you would only have to bend down to pick it up. Well, if coal + is so plentiful on the surface of these countries, it is right to conclude + that its beds must go all through the crust of the globe." He was right. + Major Donellan knew the geological formation around the North Pole well, + and he was not a safe person to dispute this question with. And he might + have talked about it at length if other people in the inn had not + listened. But he thought it better to keep quiet after asking: "Are you + not surprised at one thing? One would expect to see engineers or at least + navigators figure in this matter, while there are only gunners at the head + of it?" + </p> + <p> + It is not surprising that the newspapers of the civilized world soon began + to discuss the question of coal discoveries at the North Pole. + </p> + <p> + "And why not," asked the editor of an American paper who took the part + of President Barbicane, "when it is remembered that Capt. Nares, in 1875 + and 1876, at the eighty-second degree of latitude, discovered large + flower-beds, hazel trees, poplars, beech trees, etc.?" + </p> + <p> + "And in 1881 and 1884," added a scientific publication of New York, + "during the expedition of Lieut. Greely at Lady Franklin Bay, was not a + layer of coal discovered by our explorers a little way from Fort Conger, + near Waterhouse? And did not Dr. Pavy say that these countries are + certainly full of coal, perhaps placed there to combat at some day the + terrible masses of ice which are found there?" + </p> + <p> + Against such well-established facts brought out by American discoverers + the enemies of President Barbicane did not know what to answer. And the + people who asked why should there be coal mines began to surrender to the + people who asked why should there be none. Certainly there were some, and + very considerable ones, too. The circumpolar ice-cap conceals precious + masses of coal contained in those regions where vegetation was formerly + luxuriant. But if they could no longer dispute that there were really coal + mines in this Arctic region the enemies of the association tried to get + revenge in another way. "Well," said Major Donellan one day after a + hard discussion which had arisen in the meeting-room of the Gun Club and + during which he met President Barbicane face to face, "all right. I + admit that there are coal mines; I even affirm it, there are mines in the + region purchased by your society, but go and explore them-ha! ha! ha!" + </p> + <p> + "That is what we are going to do," said Impey Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + "Go over the eighty-fourth degree, beyond which no explorer as yet has + been able to put his foot?" + </p> + <p> + "We will pass it-reach even the North Pole," said he. "We will + reach it." And after hearing the President of the Gun Club answer with + so much coolness, with so much assurance, to see his opinion so strongly, + so perfectly affirmed, even the strongest opponent began to hesitate. They + seemed to be in the presence of a man who had lost none of his old-time + qualities, quiet, cold, and of an eminently serious mind, exact as a + clock, adventurous, but carrying his practical ideas into the rashest + enterprises. + </p> + <p> + Major Donellan had an ardent wish to strangle his adversary. But President + Barbicane was stout and well able to stand against wind and tide, and + therefore not afraid of the Major. His enemies, his friends and people who + envied him knew it only too well. But there were many jealous people, and + many jokes and funny stories went round in regard to the members of the + Gun Club. Pictures and caricatures were made in Europe and particularly in + England, where people could not get over the loss which they suffered in + the matter of pounds sterling. "Ah," said they, "this Yankee has got + it in his head to reach the North Pole. He wants to put his foot where, up + to the present time, no living soul has yet been. He wants to build + palaces and houses and, perhaps, the White House of the United States, in + a part of the world which has never yet been reached, while every other + part of the world is so well known to us." And then wild caricatures + appeared in the different newspapers. In the large show-windows and + news-depots, as well in small cities of Europe as in the large cities of + America, there appeared drawings and cartoons showing President Barbicane + in the funniest of positions trying to reach the North Pole. One audacious + American cut had all the members of the Gun Club trying to make an + underground tunnel beneath the terrible mass of immovable icebergs, to the + eighty-fourth degree of northern latitude, each with an axe in his hand. + In another, Impey Barbicane, accompanied by Mr. J.T. Maston and Capt. + Nicholl, had descended from a balloon on the much-desired point, and after + many unsuccessful attempts and at the peril of their lives, had captured a + piece of coal weighing about half a pound. This fragment was all they + discovered of the anticipated coal-fields. There were also pictures made + of J. T. Maston, who was as much used for such purposes as his chief. + After having tried to find the electric attraction of the North Pole, the + secretary of the Gun Club became fixed to the ground by his metallic hand. + </p> + <p> + The celebrated calculator was too quick-tempered to find any pleasure in + the drawings which referred to his personal conformation. He was + exceedingly annoyed by them, and Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, it may be + easily understood, was not slow to share his indignation. Another drawing + in the Lanterne of Brussels represented the members of the Council and the + members of the Gun Club tending a large number of fires. The idea was to + melt the large quantities of ice by putting a whole sea of alcohol on + them, which would convert the polar basin into a large quantity of punch. + But of all these caricatures, that which had the largest success was that + which was published by the French <i>Charivari</i>, under the signature of + its designer, "Stop." In the stomach of a whale Impey Barbicane and J. + T. Maston were seated playing checkers and waiting their arrival at a good + point. The new Jonah and his Secretary had got themselves swallowed by an + immense fish, and it was in this way, after having gone under the + icebergs, that they hoped to gain access to the North Pole. The President + of this new Society did not care much about these pictures, and let them + say and write and sing whatever they liked. + </p> + <p> + Immediately after the concession was made and the Society was absolute + master of the northern region, appeal was made for a public subscription + of $15,000,000. Shares were issued at $100, to be paid for at once, and + the credit of Barbicane & Co. was such that the money ran in as fast + as possible. The most of it came from the various States of the Union. + "So much the better," said the people on the part of the N.P.P.A. + "The undertaking will be entirely American." + </p> + <p> + So strong, indeed, were the foundations upon which Barbicane & Co. + were established that the amount necessary to be subscribed was raised in + a very short time, and even thrice the amount. Everybody was interested in + the matter, and the most scientific experts did not doubt its success. + </p> + <p> + The shares were reduced one-third, and on Dec. 16 the capital of the + Society was $15,000,000 in cash. This was about three times as much as the + amount subscribed to the credit of the Gun Club when it was going to send + a projectile from the earth to the moon. + </p> + <p> + <a name="VI" id="VI"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER VI.<br /><br />IN WHICH A TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MRS. + SCORBITT AND J.T. MASTON IS INTERRUPTED</b>. + </h4> + <p> + President Barbicane was not only convinced that he would reach his object + when the amount which had been raised took another obstacle out of his + way. Had he not been perfectly sure of success he would not have made an + application for a public subscription. And now the time had come when the + North Pole would be conquered. It was felt certain that President + Barbicane and his Council of Administration had means to succeed where so + many others had failed. They would do what neither Franklin, nor Kane, nor + De Long, nor Nares, nor Greely had been able to accomplish. They would + pass the 84th parallel, they would take possession of the vast region + purchased at an auction sale, they would make this country the + thirty-ninth star in the flag of the American Union. "Fake," was all + that the European delegates and their friends in the Old World could say. + Nothing was more true, however, and this practical, logical means of + conquering the North Pole, which was so simple that it was almost + childish, was one which J.T. Maston had suggested to them. It was that + brain, where ideas were constantly evolving, which had laid out this great + geographical project in a way which could not but succeed. + </p> + <p> + It cannot be too often repeated that the Secretary of the Gun Club was a + remarkable calculator, we might say a postgraduate calculator. But a + single day was needed by him to solve the most complicated problems in + mathematical science. He laughed at these difficulties whether in algebra + or in plain mathematics. You should have seen him handle his figures, the + signs which make up algebra, the letters in the alphabet, representing the + unknown quantities, the square or crossed lines representing the way in + which quantities are to be operated. All signs and lines, and radicals + used in this complex language were perfectly familiar to him. And how they + flew around under his pen, or rather under the piece of chalk which he + attached to his iron hand, because he preferred to work on a blackboard. + And this blackboard, six feet square, this was all he wanted, he was + perfectly at home in his work. Nor was it figures alone which he used in + his calculations. His figures were fantastic, gigantic, written with a + practiced hand. His "2" and "3" were as nice and round as they could be, + his 7 looked like a crutch and almost invited a person to hang on it. His + 8 was as well formed as a pair of eye-glasses; and the letters with which + he established his formulas, the first of the alphabet, a, b, c, which he + used to represent given or known quantities, and the last, x, y, z, which + he used for unknown quantities to be discovered, particularly the "z," and + those Greek letters d, ?, a. Really an Archimedes might have been well + proud of them. And those other signs, made with a clean hand and without + fault, it was simply astonishing. His + showed well that this sign meant + an addition of one object to the other, his -, if it was a little + smaller, was also in good shape. His =, too, showed that Mr. Maston lived + in a country where equality was not a vain expression, at least amongst + the people of the white race. Just as well were his > and his < and + his ::, used in expressing proportions. And the v , which indicated the + root of a certain number or quantity, it was to him a mark of triumph, and + when he completed it with a horizontal line in this v<sup>--</sup> , + it seemed as if this outline on his blackboard would compel the whole + world to submit to his figuring. + </p> + <p> + But do not think that Mr. J.T. Maston's mathematical intelligence was + confined to elementary algebra! No; no matter what figuring he had to do, + it was alike familiar to him, and with a practised hand he made all the + signs and figures, and even did not hesitate at ? which looks very simple, + but behind which lays a great deal of calculation. The same with the sign + S, which represents the sum of a finished number. Also the sign 8, by + which the mathematicians designate the incomplete, and all those + mysterious symbols which are used in this language and which are unknown + to the common people. This astonishing man was able to do anything even in + the very highest grades of mathematics. Such was J. T. Maston. And + therefore it was that his associates had such perfect confidence in him + when he set out to figure the most difficult problems in his audacious + brain. This it was which led the Gun Club to trust him with the difficult + problem of sending a projectile to the moon. And this was why Mrs. + Evangelina Scorbitt, jealous of his fame, felt for him an admiration which + ended in love. In this present case-that is, how to solve the conquering + of the North Pole, J. T. Maston had but to begin to think and dream + himself into the Arctic regions. To reach the solution the secretary had + but to undertake certain mathematical problems, very complicated, perhaps, + but over which in all cases he would come out ahead. + </p> + <p> + It was safe to trust Mr. J. T. Maston, even where the smallest and + simplest mistake would have meant a loss of millions. Never, since the + time his youthful brain began to think of mathematics had he committed a + mistake-not even one of a thousandth of an inch-if his calculations + were made up on the length of an object. If he had made a mistake of only + the smallest amount he would have torn his gutta-percha cap from his head. + Now let us see him while engaged in his calculations, and for this purpose + we must go back a few weeks. + </p> + <p> + It was about a month before the publication of the circular addressed to + the inhabitants of the Old and New Worlds that Mr. Maston had undertaken + to figure out the elements of a scheme in which he had promised his + associates the greatest success. For a number of years Mr. Maston had + lived at No. 179 Franklin Street, one of the most quiet streets of + Baltimore, far away from the centre of business, for which he did not care + anything, far away from the noise of the great crowd, which disgusted him. + There he occupied a modest little house known by the name of "Ballistic + Cottage," having for his income only his pension allowed to him as a + retired officer of artillery and the salary which he received as Secretary + of the Gun Club. He lived alone, served by his Negro "Fire-Fire." This + Negro was not an ordinary servant; he was rather an appreciative friend + and treated his master as if he were his own brother. Mr. Maston was a + decided bachelor, having an idea that being a bachelor was the only + sensible way of living in the present world. He knew the proverb, "a + woman can draw more with one hair than four oxen at the plough," and he + disproved it. If he occupied his cottage alone it was only because he + wished to do so. We know that he only had to make the motion to change his + solitude of one to a company of two and his small income to the income of + a millionaire. He did not doubt it. Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt would have + been only too happy to... But up to this time Mr. Maston had not been + happy to ... and it seemed certain that these two beings, so well made one + for the other, at least this was the opinion of the tender widow, would + never reach the transformation period. The cottage was a very simple one. + A ground-floor, with a veranda and a floor over it; a small parlor and + small dining-room, with a kitchen and another room in an outbuilding stand + at the back of the garden. Upstairs his sleeping-room and his + working-studio, looking on the garden, and where the noise of the outer + world could never penetrate. Within these walls there had been made + calculations which would have made Newton, Euclid, or Laplace jealous. How + different was the mansion of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, situated in the + richest quarter of New Park, with facade of balconies, finished in the + finest architecture, half Romanesque, half Gothic, with its + richly-furnished apartments, its grand halls, its picture galleries, in + which French artists held the highest places; its magnificent staircase, + its great number of domestics, its stables, its coach-houses, its garden, + with the finest of flowers, statues, fountains, and the tower on the top + of the building, on which the blue and gold coat-of-arms of the Scorbitt + family was upon a glittering banner. Three miles, three long miles at + least separated the Palace at New Park from the "Ballistic Cottage." + But a private telephone wire connected there, and in answer to "Hello! + hello!" a conversation could be carried on between the mansion and + cottage. If the persons could not look at each other they could at least + hear each other. It will astonish none to hear that time upon time Mrs. + Scorbitt began talking and ringing on the telephone to Mr. Maston when he + was busily engaged with his figures. Then the calculator had to quit his + work with some reluctance. He received a friendly "How do you do?" + from Mrs. Scorbitt, which he answered with a grunt, which was sweetened + into a kindly greeting by the distance over the telephone. After a + conversation he was glad to go back to his figures. It was on the 3d of + December, after a long and last conference, that Mr. Maston took leave of + his friends and members of the Club to begin to do his share of the work. + It was a very important work with which he had charged himself, for it was + the question of figure mechanical appliance which would enable him to gain + access to the North Pole, and which would allow him to make use of those + large fields of snow now covered with impenetrable ice. He estimated that + he needed at least a week to accomplish this mysterious calculation, + exceedingly complicated and delicate to handle, involving several deep and + important problems. Therefore, to avoid all unnecessary annoyance, it had + been decided that the Secretary of the Gun Club should retire to his + cottage and that he should not be disturbed by any one. This was a great + disappointment for Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, but she was compelled to + accept it. While President Barbicane, Capt. Nicholl and his associates, + the jolly Bilsby, Col. Bloomsberry, Tom Hunter, with the wooden legs, were + all saying their good-bys to him and wishing him success, Mrs. Evangelina + Scorbitt appeared and made her last visit to Mr. Maston. + </p> + <p> + "You will succeed, my dear," said she at the moment of separation. + </p> + <p> + "And above all do not make a mistake," added President Barbicane. "A + mistake? He?" exclaimed Mrs. Scorbitt. + </p> + <p> + "No more than God has made a mistake in putting together this world," + modestly answered the Secretary. Then, after shaking hands all around and + after several more sighs and wishes of success and suggestions not to make + too severe a work of it, the calculator was left alone. The door of the + Ballistic cottage was closed and Fire-Fire had orders to admit none, not + even if the President of the United States should ask admission. + </p> + <p> + During his first two days of seclusion J.T. Maston thought and thought, + without even touching the piece of chalk, upon the problem which he had + taken on himself. He consulted certain books relative to the elements, the + earth-its size, its thickness, its volume, its form, its rotation upon + its axis-all elements which he had to use as the basis of his + calculations. + </p> + <p> + The principles of these elements which he used, and which we put before + the reader, were as follows: + </p> + <p> + Form of the earth: An ellipsis of revolution the longest radius of which + is 6,377,398 metres; the shortest, 6,356,080 meters. The circumference of + the earth at the equator, 40,000 kilometres. Surface of the earth, + approximate estimate, 510,000,000 of square kilometers. Bulk of the earth, + about 1,000 millards of cubic kilometres; that is, a cube having a metre + in length, height, and thickness. Density of the earth, about five times + that of the water. Time of the earth on the orbit around the sun, 365 + days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, 10 seconds, 37 centimes. This gives the globe a + speed of 30,400 miles travelled over by the rotation of the earth upon its + axis. For a point of its surface situated at the equator, 463 meters per + second. These were the principal measures of space, time, bulk, etc., + which Mr. Maston used in his calculations. + </p> + <p> + It was the 5th of October, about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, it is + important to mention, when this remarkable work was begun, when J. T. + Maston began to work upon it. He began his calculation with a diagram + representing the circumference of the earth around one of its grand + circles, say the equator. The blackboard was there, in a corner of his + study, upon a polished oak easel, with good light shining on it, coming by + one of the windows near by. Small pieces of chalk were on the board + attached to the stand. The sponge was near the hand of the calculator. His + right hand, or rather his right hook, was all ready for the placing of + figures which he was going to use. Standing up, Mr. Maston made a large + round circle, which represented the world. The equator he marked by a + straight line. Then in the right corner of the blackboard he began to put + the figures which represented the circumference of the earth: + </p> + <p> + 40,000,000. + </p> + <p> + This done, he began figuring on his problem. He was so much occupied by it + that he had not observed the weather without. For an hour a storm had + raved through the country which affected all living beings. It was a + terrific storm, the rain was falling in torrents, everything seemed turned + upside down in nature. Two or three times lightning had illuminated the + scene around him. But the mathematician, more and more absorbed in his + work, saw and heard nothing. Suddenly an electric bolt, attracted by the + lightning outside, sparkled in his room, and this disturbed the + calculator. "Well," said Mr. Maston, "if unwelcome visitors cannot + get in by the door they come by telephone. A nice invention for people who + wish to be left alone. I will go to work and cut off the electric wire, so + I will not be disturbed again while my figuring lasts." With this he + went to the telephone and said sternly: "Who wants to talk to me? Just + make it short." The reply came back: "Did you not recognize my voice, + my dear Mr. Maston? It is I, Mrs. Scorbitt." "Mrs. Scorbitt! She will + never give me a moment's rest," uttered Mr. Maston to himself in a low + voice that she could not hear. Then he thought he should at least answer + her in a polite manner, and said: "Oh, is that you, Mrs. Scorbitt?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, dear Mr. Maston." + </p> + <p> + "And what can I do for Mrs. Scorbitt?" asked Maston. + </p> + <p> + "I want to tell you that a terrible storm and lightning is destroying a + large part of our city." "Well," he replied, "I cannot help it." + "But I want to ask whether you have thought to close your windows?" + Mrs. Scorbitt had hardly finished her sentence when a terrible thunderbolt + struck the town. It struck in the neighborhood of the Ballistic cottage, + and the electricity, passing along the wire with which the telephone was + provided, threw the calculator to the floor with a terrible force. J.T. + Maston made the best summersault he ever did in his life. His metal hook + had touched the live wire and he was thrown down like a shuttlecock. The + blackboard, which he had struck in his fall, was sent flying to another + part of the room. Then the electricity passed into other objects and + disappeared through the floor. The stupefied Mr. Maston got up and touched + the different parts of his body to assure himself that he was not hurt + internally. This done, he resumed his cold, calculating way. He picked + everything up in his room, put it in the same place where it had been + before and put his blackboard on the easel, picked up the small pieces of + chalk and began again his work, which had been so suddenly interrupted. He + noticed that on account of the fall the number which he had made on the + right side of the blackboard was partly erased, and he was just about to + replace it when his telephone again rang with a loud noise. "Again," + said J.T, Maston, and going to the telephone he exclaimed, "who is + there?" "Mistress Scorbitt." "And what does Mrs. Scorbitt want?" + "Did not this terrible thunderbolt strike Ballistic cottage? I have good + reason to think so. Ah, great God, the thunderbolt!" + </p> + <p> + "Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Scorbitt." + </p> + <p> + "You have not been injured, Mr. Maston?" + </p> + <p> + "Not at all," he replied. + </p> + <p> + "You are sure you have no injuries whatever," said the lady. + </p> + <p> + "I am only touched by your kindness towards me," replied Mr. Maston, + thinking it the best way to answer. + </p> + <p> + "Good evening, dear Mr. Maston." + </p> + <p> + "Good evening, dear Mrs. Scorbitt." + </p> + <p> + Returning to his work Mr. Maston said, sotto voce, "To the devil with + her. If she had not handled the telephone at such a time I would not have + run the risk of being hurt by electricity." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Maston did not wish to be interrupted in his work again and so took + down his telephone and cut the wire. Then, taking again as basis the + figure which he had written, he added different formulas of it, and + finally a certain formula which he had written on his left side, and then + he began to figure in all the language of algebra. A week later, on the + 11th of October, this magnificent calculation was finished and the + Secretary of the Gun Club brought his solution of the problem with great + pride and satisfaction to the members of the Gun Club, who were awaiting + it with very natural impatience. This then was the practical way to get to + the North Pole mathematically discovered. Here was also a society, under + the name of the N.P.P.A., to which the Government of Washington had + accorded a clear title of the Arctic region in case they should buy it on + auction, and we have told of the purchase made in favor of American buyers + and of the appeal for a subscription of $15,000,000. + </p> + <p> + <a name="VII" id="VII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER VII.<br /><br />IN WHICH PRESIDENT BARBICANE SAYS NO MORE THAN SUITS + HIS PURPOSE. + </h4> + <p> + On the 22nd of December the subscribers to Barbicane & Co. were + summoned to a general meeting. It is hardly necessary to say that the + headquarters of the Gun Club were selected as the place of the meeting. In + reality the whole block would not have been sufficient to give room to the + large crowd of subscribers who assembled on that day. But a meeting in the + fresh air on one of the public squares of Baltimore was not very agreeable + in such cold weather. Usually the large hall of the Gun Club was decorated + with models of all kinds lent by members of the Club. It was a real museum + of artillery. Even the furniture, chairs and tables, sofas and divans, + recalled by their strange shapes those murderous engines which had sent + into a better world many brave people whose greatest wish was to die of + old age. + </p> + <p> + On this meeting day all these things were taken down and out. This was not + a meeting for the purpose of war, but a commercial and peaceful meeting + over which Impey Barbicane was going to preside. All room possible had + been made for the subscribers who arrived from all parts of the United + States. In the hall as well as in the adjoining rooms the crowds were + pushing and pressing each other without heeding the innumerable people who + were standing on the adjoining streets. The members of the Gun Club, as + first subscribers to the affair, had places reserved for them very near + the desk. Among them could be found Col. Bloomsberry, more happy than + ever; Tom Hunter, with his wooden legs, and the jolly Bilsby. Very snug in + a comfortable armchair was Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, who should really + have had a place on the right hand of the President, as she was in reality + the owner of the Arctic region. Several other ladies were in the crowd. + They could readily be seen by their large and much-decorated hats in many + different colors. The large crowd on the outside tried to push into the + hall, and one might easily have thought that all the people present were + not merely helpmates of the members of the Gun Club, but rather their + personal friends. The European delegates-Swedish, Norwegians, Danish, + English, Dutch, and Russian-occupied reserved seats, and if they had + bought any stock in this society it was only each one individually to such + an extent as to justify a vote in the proceedings. After they had been so + closely united in purchasing these regions they were united now only to + annoy the purchasers. It may easily be imagined what intense curiosity + they had to hear the important communication which the President was about + to make to them. This communication undoubtedly would throw some + information on the point as to how the society would proceed to reach the + North Pole. Was this not a more difficult thing than merely to make use of + the coal mines? If there should be any objections to make you may be + assured that Major Donellan, backed up by his secretary, Dean Toodrink, + would make them, and the other delegates would not be very slow in adding + their word also. The Major had firmly decided to harass and annoy his + rival, Impey Barbicane, as much as he possibly could. + </p> + <p> + It was 8 o'clock in the evening. The hall, the parlors, and all quarters + occupied by the Gun Club blazed with lights which the Edison electroliers + throw out. As soon as the doors were thrown open for the public a terrible + crowd jammed into the hall. But everyone became silent as the ushers + announced that the Council of Administration was coming. There, on a + draped platform, with a table covered with black cloth, in full sight, + President Barbicane, his Secretary, J.T. Maston, and his associates, took + their places. A triple round of cheers, followed by hearty "tigers," + rang through the hall and out to the adjoining streets. Very solemnly Mr. + Maston and Capt. Nicholl took their seats. Then the President, who had + remained standing, opened the proceedings. He put his right hand in his + trouser's pocket and his left hand in his vest front and began as + follows: + </p> + <p> + "Lady and gentlemen subscribers, the Council of Administration has + called a meeting in these headquarters of the Gun Club to make an + important communication to you. You have learned by the circulars and + through the discussions in the papers that the object of our Club is to + explore the large coal fields situated in the Arctic regions, which we + have recently purchased and to which we hold a title from the American + Government. The amount of money raised by public subscription will be used + for these purposes. The success which will be attained by it surpasses + belief and the dividends your money will bring you will be unsurpassed in + the commercial or financial history of this or any other country." Here + applause was heard for the first time and for a moment the orator was + interrupted. "You do not forget," said he, "how we have proved to + you that there must be vast coal fields in these regions, perhaps also + fields of fossil ivory. The articles published on this subject do not + allow any doubt that coal fields are there, and coal is now, you know, the + basis of all our commercial industry. Without mentioning the coal which is + used every year in firing and heating, we might think of coal used for + many other purposes, of which I could mention a hundred different ones. It + is certain that coal is the most precious substance, and will some day, on + account of the large consumption of it; fail in its supply. Before 500 + years have passed the coal mines which are at present in use will have + stopped giving coal." + </p> + <p> + "Three hundred years," cried one of those present. "Two hundred + years," answered another. + </p> + <p> + "Let us say at some time sooner or later," continued the President, + calmly, "and let us suppose, too, that we will even discover new coal + fields yet, whose coal will give out, say at the end of the nineteenth + century." Here he stopped to give his listeners a chance to grasp the + idea. Then he began again: "Therefore, we come here, subscribers, and I + ask you to rise and go with me to the North Pole immediately." Everybody + present got up and seemed about to rush away and pack their trunks, as if + President Barbicane had a vessel ready to take them direct to the North + Pole. But a remark made by Major Donellan in a clear and loud voice + brought them back to reality and stopped them at once. "Before + starting" he asked, "I would like to know by what means we can reach + the North Pole?" + </p> + <p> + "Either by water, or land, or by air," quietly answered President + Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + All the people present sat down, and it may readily be understood with + what a feeling of curiosity. + </p> + <p> + "In spite of all the devotion and courage of previous explorers, the + eighty-fourth parallel has thus far been the northern limit reached. And + it may fairly be supposed that this is as far north as anybody will ever + get by the means employed at the present day. Up to the present time we + have only used boats and vessels to reach the icebergs, and rafts to pass + over the fields of ice. People should not adopt such rash means and face + the dangers to which they are exposed through the low temperature. We must + employ other means to reach the North Pole." + </p> + <p> + It could be seen by the excitement which took hold of the auditors, that + they were on the point of hearing the secret which has been so vigorously + searched for by every one. + </p> + <p> + "And how will you reach it?" demanded the delegate of England. + </p> + <p> + "Before ten minutes have passed you will know it, Major Donellan," + said President Barbicane, "and I may add in addressing myself to all the + stockholders, that they should have confidence in us as the promoters of + this affair, for we are the same who have tried to send a projectile to + the moon." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," cried Dean Toodrink, sarcastically, "they tried to go as far + as the moon. And we can easily see that they are here yet." + </p> + <p> + President Barbicane ignored the interruption. Shrugging his shoulders, he + said in a loud voice: "Yes, ladies and gentlemen, in ten minutes you + will know what we are going to do." + </p> + <p> + A murmur, made up of many "Ahs!" and "Ohs!" followed this remark. + It seemed to them as if the orator had said in ten minutes they would be + at the North Pole. He then continued in the following words: + </p> + <p> + "First of all, it is a continent which forms this arctic region, or it + is an ocean, and has Commander Nares been right in calling it + 'paleocrystic ocean,' which means an ocean of old ice? To this + question I must answer that I think he was not right." + </p> + <p> + This is not sufficient," exclaimed Eric Baldenak. "It is not the + question of supposing, it is the question of being certain." + </p> + <p> + "Well, we are certain," came the answer to this furious inquirer. + "Yes, it is a solid continent and not an ice ocean which the N.P.P.A. + has purchased and which now belongs to the United States and which no + European power has the right to touch." + </p> + <p> + A little murmur came from the neighborhood of the delegates of the Old + World. "Bah!" they said. "It is full of water, a regular washbasin + which you will not be able to empty." Dean Toodrink as usual made most + of the remarks and met the hearty applause of his associates. "No, + sir," answered President Barbicane, quickly. "There is a regular + continent, a platform which rises like the Gobi desert in Central Asia, + three or four kilometres above the surface of the ocean. This is very easy + to be seen from the observations made in the neighboring countries, of + which the polar region is only an extension. + </p> + <p> + "After their explorations have not Nordenskiold, Perry and Maaigaard + stated that Greenland gets higher and higher towards the North Pole? + </p> + <p> + "Besides, they have found birds, different products and vegetables in + the northern ice-ivory teeth also-which indicate that this region must + have been inhabited and that animals must have been there, and perhaps + people as well. There used to be large forests there, which must have been + formed into coal-fields, which we will explore. Yes, there is a continent, + without a doubt, around the North Pole-a continent free from all human + beings, and on which we will place the banner of the United States." + </p> + <p> + At this remark the auditors expressed great delight. When the noise had + finally subsided Major Donellan could be heard to remark: "Well, seven + minutes have already gone by of the ten which, as you say, would be + sufficient to reach the North Pole." + </p> + <p> + "We shall be there in three minutes," coolly answered President + Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + "But, even if this be a continent, which constitutes your purchase, and + if it is a raised country, as we may have reasons to believe, it is also + obstructed by eternal ice, and in a condition which will make exploration + extremely difficult," responded the Major. "Impossible," cried Jan + Harald, who emphasized this remark with a wave of his hand. "Impossible, + all right," said Impey Barbicane. "But it is to conquer this + impossibility that we have purchased this region. We will need neither + vessels nor rafts to reach the North Pole; no, thanks to our operations, + the ice and icebergs, new or old, will melt by themselves, and it will not + cost one dollar of our capital nor one minute of our time." At this + there was absolute silence. The most important moment had come. + </p> + <p> + "Gentlemen," said the President of the Gun Club, "Archimedes only + asked for a lever to lift the world. Well, this lever we have found. We + are now in a position to remove the North Pole." + </p> + <p> + "What, remove the North Pole?" cried Eric Baldenak. + </p> + <p> + "Will you bring it to America?" asked Jan Harald. Without doubt + President Barbicane did not wish to explain himself just yet, for he + continued: "In regard to this point of leverage-" "Do not tell it! + do not tell it!" cried one of his associates, with a terrible voice. + </p> + <p> + "In regard to this lever-" + </p> + <p> + "Keep the secret! keep the secret!" cried the majority of the + spectators, taking up the cry. + </p> + <p> + "We will keep it," said President Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + Naturally, the European delegates were very much vexed at this remark. + This will be easily understood. In spite of all these exclamations the + orator never had any intention of making his plan known. He continued to + say: "We obtained our object, thanks to a mechanical device, one which + has no precedent in the annals of industrial art. We will undertake it and + bring it to a successful finish by means of our capital, and how I will + inform you forthwith." + </p> + <p> + "Hear! hear!" said the others present. + </p> + <p> + "First of all, the idea of our plan comes from one of the ablest, most + devoted and illustrious calculators and one of our associates as well," + said President Barbicane. "One to whom we owe all the calculations which + allows us to have our work in such good condition. As the exploration of + the North Pole is not a piece of play the removal of the pole is a problem + which could only be solved by the highest calculations. Therefore we have + called the assistance of the honorable Secretary, Mr. J.T. Maston." + </p> + <p> + "Hip, hip, hip, hurrah, for J. T. Maston," exclaimed all the auditors, + seemingly electrified by the presence of this extraordinary calculator. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt was deeply touched by this recognition of the + celebrated mathematician, who had already entirely gained her heart. He + contented himself with turning his head to the right and left, bowing and + thanking his auditors. + </p> + <p> + "Already, dear subscribers," said President Barbicane, "since the + great meeting in honor of the arrival of the Frenchman, Michel Ardan, in + America, some months before our departure for the moon" (and this + confident Yankee spoke of the trip to the moon as quietly as if it were no + more than a trip to New York), "J T. Maston had already said to himself: + 'We must invent machines to move the North Pole. We must find a point + for action and put the axis of the earth in the right direction from the + object.' Well, any or all of you who listen to me find it if you can. I + can only say the machines have been invented, the point of leverage has + been found, and now let us pay our attention to the question of fixing, in + the right way, for our end of the axis of the earth." Here he stopped + speaking, and the astonishment which was expressed on the faces of his + auditors it is impossible to describe. + </p> + <p> + "What!" cried Major Donellan, "you then have the idea of putting the + axis of the earth in another direction?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir," answered President Barbicane promptly. "We have the + means of making a new one which will hereafter regulate the routine of day + and night." + </p> + <p> + "You want to modify the daily rotation of the earth?" repeated Col. + Karkof, with fire in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Absolutely, but without affecting its duration," answered President + Barbicane. This operation will bring the pole at or about the + sixty-seventh parallel of latitude, then the earth will be similar to the + planet Jupiter, whose axis is nearly perpendicular to the plane of its + orbit. Now this movement of 23 degrees 28 minutes will be sufficient to + give at our North Pole such a degree of heat that it will melt in less + than no time the icebergs and field which have been there for thousands of + years." + </p> + <p> + The audience was out of breath. Nobody thought of interrupting the orator, + even to applaud him. All were taken in by this idea, so ingenious and + simple, of modifying the axis on which this earthly spheroid is rotating. + And as for the European delegates, well, they were simply stupefied, + paralyzed, and crushed, they kept their mouths shut in the last stage of + astonishment. But the hurrahs seemed to rend the hall asunder, when + President Barbicane made the additional remark: "It is the sun which + will take upon himself the melting of the icebergs and fields around the + North Pole, and thus make access to the same very easy. So, as people + cannot go to the pole, the pole will come to them." + </p> + <p> + <a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER VIII.<br /><br />YES, JUST LIKE JUPITER. + </h4> + <p> + Since that memorable meeting in honor of Michel Ardan, the Hon. J.T. + Maston had talked and thought of nothing else but the "changing of the + axis of the earth." He had studied the subject as much as possible and + found out all the facts and figures about it. As the problem had been + solved by this eminent calculator a new axis was going to take the place + of the old one upon which the earth was now turning, and the world would + otherwise remain the same. In the scheme it would be possible for the + climate around the North Pole to become exactly the same as that of + Trondhjem, in Norway, in the Spring. Naturally, then the large amount of + ice would melt under the ardent sun. At the same time the climates would + be distributed over our sphere like those now on the surface of Jupiter. + In other words, the new-formed society of Barbicane was going to change + everything at present on the surface of the earth. And the creation of + this new axis was possible, just as soon as the platform of which + Archimedes had dreamed and the lever imagined by J.T. Maston were at the + disposal of these courageous engineers. And as they had decided to make a + secret of their invention until a future time, people could not do + anything else but make their own figures. This was what all the papers + did, calling on the most scientific persons and learning as well something + from the most ignorant persons. If there really were people living on the + surface of Jupiter, they had a good many advantages over those on the + earth, advantages which had all been narrated and explained in the meeting + which was held before the trip to the moon. All these advantages would + come to the people living on the earth if Barbicane & Co. could + accomplish what they intended to do. Twenty-four hours would then always + separate two noons from each other. Twilight and dawn would always be as + they are now. But the most curious thing of all would be the absence of + the different seasons of the year. Now there were Summer, Winter, Fall, + and Spring. The people living on Jupiter did not know these seasons at + all. After this experiment people living on this globe would not know them + either. As soon as the new axis would be in smooth working order there + would be no more ice regions, nor torrid zones, but the whole world would + have an even temperature climate. + </p> + <p> + What, after all, is the torrid zone? It is a part of the surface in which + the people can see the sun twice yearly at its zenith, and the temperate + zone but a part where the sun never goes to the zenith, and the icy region + but a part of the world which the sun forgets entirely for a long time, + and around the North Pole this extends for six months. It is simply the + position of the sun which makes a country exceedingly hot or cold. Well, + these things would not appear any longer on the surface of the world. The + sun would be always over the equator: it would go down every twelve hours + just as regularly as before. "And among the advantages of the new + method," said the friends of President Barbicane, "were these, that + each person could choose a climate which was best for himself and his + health; no more rheumatism, no more colds, no more grippe; the variations + of extreme heat would not be known any more. In short, Barbicane & Co. + were going to change fixtures which had existed ever since the world was + in existence. Certainly the observer would lose a few stars and things + which he perhaps liked to look at now, and the poet would not have any + longer his dreamy nights, etc., but what a great advantage it would be for + the world at large. "And," said certain journals, "the products of + the ground can be regulated so that agriculturists can give to each sort + of plant life the temperature which suits it most." Other newspapers + asked: "Will we no more have rain, or storms, or hail-things upon + which a great deal depends in the harvest time?" "Undoubtedly," said + the friends of Barbicane & Co., but these accidents will be more rare + than they have been, as the temperature will be more even. Yes, taken in + all, it will be a great advantage to humanity. It will be the real + millennium of the earthly globe. And Barbicane & Co. will have done a + service to mankind which but for them would have remained an + impossibility." "Yes," said Michel Ardan, "our hemisphere, the + surface of which is always either too cold or too warm, will no longer be + the place for colds and rheumatism, etc." A New York paper of Dec. 27 + printed the following article: "Honor to President Barbicane! His + associates and himself will not only annex a new province to our American + continent, and thereby enlarge the already vast possessions of the United + States, but they will make the whole world more productive and + inhabitable. It will be possible then to put seed in the ground as soon as + the crop had grown up and been taken out; there would be no more time lost + during the Winter. And the coal mines also would make the country richer + than the value of its entire present realty. Barbicane & Co. will + change the whole world and put it in better condition. Thanks, then, to + the people who have done this greatest of benefits to humanity." + </p> + <p> + <a name="IX" id="IX"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER IX.<br /><br />IN WHICH APPEARS THE FRENCH GENTLEMAN TO WHOM WE + REFERRED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS TRUTHFUL STORY.</b> + </h4> + <p> + Such, then, were to be the profits due to the changes which were to be + wrought by President Barbicane. The earth would continue to revolve and + the course of the year would not be much altered. As the changes would + concern the whole world it was natural that they became of interest to + all. In regard to the new axis which was going to be used that was the + secret which neither President Barbicane nor Capt. Nicholl nor J.T. Maston + seemed to be willing to give to the public. Were they to reveal it before, + or would none know of it until after the change had taken place? A degree + of uncertainty began to fill the American mind. Criticisms very natural + and to be expected were made in the papers. By what mechanical means was + this project to be carried out which would bring about this change? It + would necessarily demand a terrible power. One of the greatest papers at + that time commented in the following article: "If the earth was not + turning on its axis, perhaps a very feeble shock would be sufficient to + give it such a movement as might be chosen, but otherwise it would be very + difficult if not impossible to deviate it a fixed amount." Nothing + seemed more correct after having discussed the effort which the engineers + of the N.P.P.A. were to make. Discussion took on the interesting turn as + to whether this result would be reached insensibly or suddenly. And if the + latter, would not terrible accidents happen at the moment when the change + took place? This troubled scientific people as well as ignorant people. It + was not agreeable to know that a blow was to be struck and not know + precisely what the after effects were to be. + </p> + <p> + It seemed as if the promoters of this undertaking had not fully considered + the consequences - that they would be so very dangerous to the earth, and + that it would not do as much good as first thought. The European + delegates, more than ever angry at the loss which they had suffered, + resolved to make the most of this question and to excite the public as + much as possible upon it so as to turn feeling against the members of the + Gun Club. + </p> + <p> + It will not be forgotten that France had absolutely nothing to do with + these delegates, as it had no intentions of buying the Arctic region. + However, a Frenchman had come to Baltimore, and for his own personal + benefit and information had watched with great interest the proceedings of + the Gun Club. He was an engineer, not more than thirty-five years old. He + had been first in the polytechnic school, and came out of it with the + highest honors. He was without doubt as skilful a calculator as Mr. J.T. + Maston. This engineer was a very intelligent young man, very original, + always pleasant, and with most amiable manners. He always spoke very + frankly and used plain language, no matter whether he was speaking in + earnest or in fun. He even went so far as to use slangy expressions when + they served his purpose. He could sit for hours at his table and figure + and calculate, making his figures and calculations as fast as he could + write with a pen. His greatest pleasure, next to these difficult + mathematical efforts, was in "whist," which he played apparently very + indifferently, not forgetting to figure out all his chances. His name was + Alcide Pierdeux, but he generally signed it, A. Pierd, and sometimes only + A. Pie. He was very tall. His friends remarked that his height measured + about the five millionth part of the quarter of the meridian, and they + were not much mistaken. He had a small head, at least it looked so on his + broad shoulders, but with a most lively expression on his face, and his + blue eyes behind his eye-glasses twinkled merrily. This was characteristic + of him, for he had one of those faces which appear merry, even when they + are in sober earnest. He was at once the best scholar in his class and the + best tempered. But even if his head did seem a little small on his + shoulders, it is safe to say that it was filled to its highest capacity. + He was a mathematician, as all his ancestors had been, but he did not + study mathematics to use them in his profession, for which he never had + any taste, as he disliked trade. No, he studied mathematics for themselves + alone, simply to find them out more and more where there was so much + unknown to man. Let us also remark that Alcide Pierdeux was a bachelor. He + was as yet single, or, as he would express it, equal to one (= 1) although + his greatest wish was to get married. His friends all thought that he + would marry a very charming girl, gay and spirituelle. But, unhappily for + him, the girl's father said that he was too smart and that he would talk + to his daughter in language which she would not be able to understand. How + modest and simple this father was, indeed. And for this reason the young + engineer decided to place between himself and his country the broad ocean. + He asked permission to go abroad for a year and obtained it. He thought + that he could not make any better use of his time than to go to Baltimore + and note the actions of the N.P.P.A. And this is how he came to be at this + time in the United States. However, since he got to Baltimore he had cared + little apparently for the great undertaking of Barbicane & Co. Whether + the earth would have a change of the axis or not, what did it matter to + him? He only wanted to know, and his curiosity was at the highest point to + find out, by what means they were to move the earth. He thought again and + again how they would do it and had several plans in his head and dismissed + them only to consider the matter afresh. He concluded that they wanted + probably to substitute a new axis, but he did not clearly see where their + point of operations was to be. Then, again, he would say, "There is the + daily movement. It is impossible to surpress it; how they will do it, is a + perfect conundrum to me." He had no idea what the plans of Barbicane and + Maston were. It is to be regretted very much that their intentions were + not known to him, as he would have been able to figure out the formulae in + a very short time. And so it came about that on this 29th day of December, + Alcide Pierdeux was walking with his hand at his brow, pondering, about + the streets of Baltimore. + </p> + <p> + <a name="X" id="X"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER X.<br /><br />IN WHICH A LITTLE UNEASINESS BEGINS TO SHOW ITSELF. + </h4> + <p> + A month had elapsed since the meeting of the Gun Club and the stockholders + of the new-formed society, and public opinion was getting much altered. + The advantages of the change to be wrought in the axis of the earth were + forgotten and its disadvantages began to be spoken of. It was very + probable, public opinion said, that a terrible catastrophe would happen, + as the change could only be brought about by a violent shock. What would + this catastrophe exactly be? In regard to the change of climates, was it + so desirable after all? The Esquimaux and the Laps and the Samoyeden and + the Tchuktchees would benefit by it, as they had nothing to lose. The + European delegates were very energetic in their talk against President + Barbicane and his work. To begin with they sent information to their + Government. They used the cable frequently and always sent cipher + messages. They asked questions and received instructions. What, then, were + these instructions, always in cipher and very guarded? "Show energy, but + do not compromise our Government," said one. "Act very considerately, + but do not touch the 'statu[s] quo,'" said another. Major Donellan + and his associates did not fail to predict a terrible accident. "It is + very evident that the American engineers have taken steps so as not to + hurt, or at least as little as possible, the territory of the United + States," thought Col. Boris Karkof. "But how could they do it?" + asked Jan Harald. "If you shake a tree do not all its branches suffer + while you are shaking it?" "And if somebody hits you on the back does + not your whole body feel the pain?" said Jacques Jansen. "That is, + then, what this strange paragraph of the document meant," said Dean + Toodrink. "That is the reason why they mentioned certain geographical + changes." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Eric Baldenak, "that is what we have to fear; this + change will throw the sea out of its basin, and should the ocean leave its + present quarters, would not certain inhabitants of this globe find + themselves so located that they could not readily communicate with their + fellow-citizens?" + </p> + <p> + "It is very possible that they may be brought into such a density of + surrounding medium," said Jan Harald, gravely, "that they will be + unable to breathe." + </p> + <p> + "We will see London at the top of Mount Blanc," exclaimed Major + Donellan. And with his legs crossed and his head thrown back this + gentleman looked straight up as if the capital of his country was already + lost in the clouds. In short, it became a public danger and a most + annoying one. True, it was only a question of a change of 23 degrees and + 28 minutes, but this change might bring about a great movement of the + oceans as the new earth flattened itself around the pole. Protestations + were heard from all over, and the Government of the United States was + asked to interfere. "It was best not to try the operation at all." + "The consequences of it might destroy this world." "God has done all + things well; it was not necessary to better his work," were the + comments. And yet there were people light-hearted enough to make merry at + the whole matter. "Look at these Yankees," they said, "they want to + turn the earth on its axis. If the earth had shown any faults in its + motion it would be all right to better it, but it had gone on for millions + of years and always as regularly as clockwork." + </p> + <p> + Instead of answering such questions Engineer Alcide Pierdeux tried to find + which would be the countries and directions, figured out by Mathematician + Maston, in which the test would take place-the exact point of the globe + where the work would begin. As soon as he should know this he would be + master of the situation and know exactly the place which would be in the + most danger. It has been mentioned before that the countries of the old + continent were probably connected with those of the new across the North + Pole. Was it not possible, it was asked in Europe, that President + Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl and J.T. Maston had considered only how to + save their own country from any ill consequences which might come from the + shock? He was a Yankee-it was pointed out they were all Yankees-and + particularly this man Barbicane, who had created the idea of going to the + moon. In any case, it was argued, the whole new world, from the Arctic + regions to the Gulf of Mexico, would not have to fear anything from the + shock. It is even probable on the other hand that America would profit + immensely by it and gain some territory. "Who knows what is lying in the + two oceans which wash the American coast? Was it not probable that there + was some valuable territory which they wished to take possession of?" + asked people who never saw anything but the dark side of a question. "Is + it sure that there is no danger? Suppose J.T. Maston should make a mistake + in his calculations? And could not the President have made a mistake when + he came to put his apparatus in working order? This might happen to the + smartest people. They might not always put the bullet in the target, or + they might neglect to put the cannonball into the cannon," were the + comments of these nervous folk. This uneasiness was fomented by the + European delegates. Secretary Dean Toodrink published several articles in + this line, and even stronger ones were put by him in the <i>Standard</i>. + Jan Harald put some in the Swedish journal <i>Aftenbladt</i>, and Col. + Boris Karkof in a Russian journal which had a large circulation. Even in + America opinions differed. The Republicans were friends of President + Barbicane, but the Democrats declared themselves against him. A part of + the American press agreed with the European press. And as in the United + States the papers had become great powers, paying yearly for news about + twenty millions of dollars, they had great influence on the people. In + vain did other journals of large circulation speak in favor of the + N.P.P.A. In vain did Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt pay as high as $10 a line + for articles showing the advantages of this invention. In vain did this + ardent widow try to demonstrate that everything was perfectly correct, and + that J.T. Maston could never commit an error in figuring. Finally America + took fright in the matter and was inclined to be governed by Europe. But + neither President Barbicane nor Secretary Maston of the Gun Club seemed to + care what was said. They did not even take the trouble to correct the + different articles. They let people say what they liked and did not try to + change their minds at all. They were too much occupied in preparations for + the immense undertaking. It is indeed strange that the public, who were at + first so enthusiastic and so certain of success, should so suddenly turn + and go against this operation. + </p> + <p> + Soon, however, in spite of the money Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt spent on the + matter, the President and Secretary of the Club came to be considered + dangerous characters by the people of the two worlds. The Government of + the United States was asked officially by the European powers to interfere + and examine the matter. The originators were to openly show their ideas + and by what means they hoped to accomplish what they intended. They would + have to inform the Government which parts of the world would be most in + danger and, in short, tell everything which the public demanded to know. + The Government at Washington was compelled to do what they were asked. The + uprising of public sentiment in the Northern, Southern, and Middle States + of the Union did not allow them any other course. A commission of + engineers, mechanicians, mathematicians, and geographers were + appointed-fifty in all, presided over by John Prestice-by the act of + the 19th of February, with full power to do anything which they considered + necessary in the matter. At first the President of the Society received + orders to appear before this committee. President Barbicane did not + respond. Agents went to his house in Baltimore, but the President was + gone. Where was he? No one knew. When did he depart? Six weeks ago, on the + 11th of January, he had left the city, and the State of Maryland as well, + in company with Capt. Nicholl. + </p> + <p> + Where did they both go? Nobody could tell. Evidently the two members of + the Gun Club went to that mysterious region where preparations were going + on for the great operation. But where could this place be? It was most + important to know where this place was in order to break up and destroy + the plans of these engineers before they had got too far in their work. + </p> + <p> + The consternation produced by this departure of the President and his + associate was enormous. It soon changed public opinion to hatred against + the N.P.P.A. and its managers. But there was one man who ought to know + where the President and his associate had gone. There was one man who + could answer this gigantic question, which at present excited the whole + world and this man was-J.T. Maston. He was ordered to appear before the + Committee of Inquiry under the Presidency of John Prestice. He did not + appear. Had he also left Baltimore? Had he also gone to join his + associates to aid them in their work, the results of which the whole world + now expected with such immense fright? No. J.T. Maston was living still in + his Ballistic Cottage, at No. 179 Franklin Street, working all the time + and already beginning new calculations, only interrupting his work when he + wanted to spend a social evening with Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt at her + magnificent residence at New Park. An agent was sent to him by the + President of the Inquiry Committee with orders to bring him to their + meeting. The agent arrived at the cottage, knocked at the door and + introduced himself. He was harshly received by "Fire-Fire," but much + worse by the proprietor of the house. However, Mr. Maston thought it was + no more than right that he should go to the meeting, and he went with the + agent. As soon as he had arrived they began to question him. + </p> + <p> + The first question was, "Where is President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl + at present?" He answered with a steady voice, "I know where they are, + but I am not at liberty to disclose this information." Second question: + "Have he and his associates made the necessary preparations to put this + operation in working order?" "This," said Maston, "is a part of + the secret which I cannot reveal." "Would he be man enough to let this + Committee examine his own work, so they would be able to judge if his + Society would be in position to accomplish their intentions?" "No, + most certainly I shall not allow it, never; I would rather destroy it. It + is my right as a citizen of free America to refuse to communicate to any + person the result of my work." + </p> + <p> + "But," said President Prestice in a very serious voice, "if it is + your right to keep silent, it is the right of the whole United States to + ask you to stop these rumors and give an explanation of the means which + will be employed by your Company," Mr. Maston did not agree that it was + his right nor that it was his duty to answer further questions. In spite + of their begging, threatening, etc., they could obtain nothing from this + man with the iron hook. Never, never, would he say one word of it, and it + was hardly possible to believe that such a strong will was concealed under + that cover of "gutta-percha." Mr. Maston went away as he had come; he + was congratulated by Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, who was delighted by the + courageous attitude taken by him. When the results of this last meeting of + the Inquiry Committee became known public indignation really took a turn + which threatened the security and safety of the calculator. The pressure + of public opinion was so great that the Cabinet of the Government of the + United States was compelled to give the Committee full permission to do + what they thought most necessary and advisable in the matter. One evening, + the 13th of March, J.T. Maston was in his study at the Ballistic Cottage, + very much interested in different figures, when suddenly the telephone + bell attracted his attention. "Hello! hello!" said he, annoyed by this + sudden interruption, "who wants me?" "Mme. Scorbitt." "What does + Mrs. Scorbitt want?" "She wants to put you on your guard, I am + informed this moment"-and she had not time to finish the phrase when + Mr. Maston heard a terrible noise at the door of his house. On the stairs + which led to his study there was an extraordinary racket. He could hear + loud voices, many angry voices. Then the noise of a whole army of men + moving towards his door. It was his servant Fire-Fire, who was trying to + keep the intruders from breaking, into the house and disturbing the + "home" of the master. A moment afterwards the door was violently + opened and a policeman appeared, followed by several others. This + policeman had a warrant to make a visit to the house and to take + possession of all papers and also of J.T. Maston himself. The angry + Secretary of the Gun Club reached for his revolver, and would have + certainly defended himself had he not been suddenly disarmed. He was held + by officers, and all his papers were put in a bundle. Suddenly he made a + bold effort, freed himself, grabbed his note-book, out of which he tore + the last page and began to chew it very quickly. "Now you can take + it," said he, "for it will be no good to you." An hour afterwards he + was a prisoner in the jail of Baltimore. This was undoubtedly the best + that could happen to him, as it was extremely dangerous for him to be at + liberty due to the then excited state of the public mind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XI" id="XI"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XI.<br /><br />WHAT WAS FOUND IN THE NOTEBOOK OF J.T. MASTON AND + WHAT IT NO LONGER CONTAINED.</b> + </h4> + <p> + The notebook, which was taken possession of by the police, had thirty + pages covered with formulae and figures, including all the calculations of + J.T. Maston. It was a work of the higher mathematics, which could only be + appreciated by the highest mathematicians. The following formula, + </p> + <p> + <img alt="Equation 1" src="images/eq1.png" width="529" /> + </p> + <p> + [Equation 1] + </p> + <p class="normal"> + which was also to be found in the calculation of <i>From the Earth to the + Moon</i>, held a prominent place in these calculations. The majority of + people could not understand anything of what was written in the notebook, + but it would have given satisfaction to give out the results, which every + one expected with so much curiosity. And so it was that all the + newspapers, and the Inquiry Committee as well, tried to read the formulae + of this celebrated calculator. In the work of Mr. Maston were found some + problems correctly executed, others half solved, etc. The calculations had + been made with great exactness and of course the Inquiry Committee + supposed that they were absolutely correct. If the plan was carried out + fully it was seen that without a doubt the earth's axis would be greatly + changed and that the terrible disasters which were predicted would take + place with full force. The reports made by the Inquiry Committee to the + different newspapers ran as follows: + </p> + <p> + "The idea followed by the Administrative Council of the N.P.P.A. and the + object of which is to substitute a new axis for the old one is to be + carried out by means of the recoil of a piece of ordnance fixed at a + certain point of the earth. If the barrel of this device is immovably + fixed to the ground it is not at all doubtful that it will communicate its + shock over our whole planet. The engine adopted by the engineers of the + Society is then nothing else but a monster cannon, the effect of shooting + which would be absolutely nothing if it were pointed vertically. To + produce its highest effect it is necessary to point it horizontally + towards the north or south, and it is this last direction which has been + chosen by Barbicane & Co. Under these conditions the recoil will + produce a movement of the earth towards the north, a movement similar to + that of one billiard ball touched very slightly by another." + </p> + <p> + This was really just what the clever Alcide Pierdeux had predicted. As + soon as the cannon has been fired off, the center line of the earth would + be displaced in a parallel direction to that of the recoil. This would + change the direction of the orbit somewhat, and consequently the duration + of the year, but in such a mild way that it must be considered as + absolutely free from bad results. At the same time the earth takes a new + movement of rotation around an axis in the plane of the equator, and the + daily rotation will then be accomplished indefinitely upon this new axis, + as if no daily movement had existed previous to the shock. At present this + movement is made around the lines of the poles, and in combination with + the accessory force produced by the recoil there was created a new axis, + the pole of which moves from the present to the amount of a quantity + called "x." In other words, if the cannon is fired at the moment when + the vernal equinox-one of the intersections of the equator and the + ecliptic-is at the nadir of the point of shooting, and if the recoil is + sufficiently strong to displace the old pole 23 degrees, 28 minutes, the + new axis becomes perpendicular to the direction of the earth's orbit, + the same as it is for the planet Jupiter. + </p> + <p> + What the consequences were expected to be we already know, as President + Barbicane had indicated them at the meeting of the 22d of December. But, + given the mass of the earth and the quantity of momentum, which she + possesses, is it possible to conceive a piece of ordnance so strong that + its recoil will be able to produce a modification in the actual direction + of the real pole, and especially to the extent of 23 degrees, 28 minutes? + Yes, if a cannon or a series of cannons are built with the dimensions + required by the laws of mechanics, or, in lieu of these dimensions, if the + inventors were in possession of an explosive strong enough to impel a + projectile with the necessary velocity for such a displacement. + </p> + <p> + Now, taking as a basis model the cannon of 27 centimetres of the French + Marine Corps, which throws a projectile of 180 kilograms with an initial + velocity of 500 metres a second, by giving to this piece of ordnance an + increased dimension of 100 times-that is, a million times in volume-it + would throw a projectile of 180,000 tons: or, in other words, if the + powder had strength sufficient to give to the projectile an initial + velocity 5,600 times greater than that of the old black powder used for a + cannon the desired result would be obtained. In fact, with a velocity of + 2,800 kilometres a second, a velocity sufficient to go from Paris to St. + Petersburg in one second, there was no doubt that the recoil of the + projectile, acting against the earth, would put everything again in a + state of quietude. Well, extraordinary as it may appear, J.T. Maston and + his associates had in their possession exactly this explosive, of a nearly + unlimited power, and of which the gunpowder used to throw the ball of the + [C]olumbiad towards the moon gave but a faint idea. It was Capt. Nicholl + who had discovered it. The substances which entered into its composition + were only imperfectly entered in the notebook of Mr. Maston, and he merely + named it "melimelonite." All that was known was that it was formed by + the reaction of a melimelo of organic substances and azotic acids. No + matter what the explosive was, with the power which it possessed it was + more than sufficient to throw a projectile weighing 180,000 tons outside + of the earth's attraction, and it was evident that the recoil which it + would produce to the cannon would have the effect of changing the axis, + displacing the North Pole 23 degrees and 28 minutes, bringing the new axis + in the direction of the ecliptic, and, as a consequence of this, effecting + all the changes so justly dreaded by the inhabitants of the earth. + </p> + <p> + However, there was one chance for humanity to escape the consequences of + this trial, which was to provoke such revulsions in the geographical and + climatic conditions of the globe. Was it possible to build a cannon of + such dimensions that it was to be a million times greater in volume than + the one of 27 centimetres? It was doubtful. That was just the point and + one of the reasons for thinking the attempt of Barbicane & Co. would + not succeed. But there was the other possibility, for it seemed that the + Company had already begun to work on their gigantic project. Now the + question arose, where was their place of operations? No one knew, and + consequently it was impossible to overtake these audacious operations. It + was well known that Barbicane and Nicholl had left Baltimore and America. + They had gone away two months ago. Where were they? Most certainly at that + unknown point of the globe where the operations were under way for their + grand object. It was evident that this place was indicated on the last + page of the notebook of J.T. Maston. On this point there was no doubt. But + this last page had been torn out and eaten up by the accomplice of Impey + Barbicane, and Maston sat imprisoned in the Baltimore City Prison and + absolutely refused to speak. This was the condition of affairs. If the + President succeeded in making this monster cannon and its projectile-in + a word, if the operation was carried out under the above stated + conditions-it would modify the earth's axis, and within six months the + earth would be subject to the consequences of this audacious attempt of + Barbicane & Co. This would come on the 22d day of September, twelve + hours after the passage of the sun over the meridian of the place "x." + </p> + <p> + The facts that were known were: 1st. That the shooting would be done with + a cannon a million times larger than the cannon of 27 centimetres. 2d. + That the cannon would be loaded with a projectile of 180,000 tons. 3d. + That the projectile would be animated with a velocity of 2,800 kilometres. + 4th. That the shooting would take place on the 22d of September, twelve + hours after the passage of the sun over the meridian of the place "x." + Was it possible to deduce, under these facts, where was the spot "x," + where the operation was to take place? Evidently not, said the Inquiry + Committee. There was nothing by which to calculate where the point "x" + was, as nothing in the calculations of Mr. Maston indicated through which + point of the globe the new axis was to pass, or, in other words, on which + part of the present earth the new poles would be situated. Therefore, it + would be impossible to know which would be the elevated and submerged + countries, due to the changed surface of the ocean, or which parts of the + earth would be transformed into water, and where water would be + transformed into land. It was evident that the maximum change in the ocean + surface would be 8.415 metres, and that in certain points of the globe + various areas would be lowered and raised to this amount. All, however, + depended upon the location of the point "x," or where the shooting was + to take place. In other words, "x" was the secret of the promoter of + this uncertain affair. "We have," said the Committee, "only to + mention again that the inhabitants of the world, no matter in what part of + it they are living, are directly interested in knowing this secret, as + they are all directly t[h]reatened by the actions of Barbicane & Co. + Therefore all the inhabitants of Europe, Africa, Asia, America, and + Australia are advised to watch all gun foundries, powder factories, etc., + which are situated in their territory and to note the presence of all + strangers whose arrival may appear suspicious, and to advise the Inquiry + Committee at Baltimore by wire immediately. Heaven grant that this news + may arrive before the 22d of September of the present year, as that date + threatens to disturb the order established since the creation in our + earthly system. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XII" id="XII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER XII.<br /><br />IN WHICH J.T. MASTON HEROICALLY CONTINUES TO BE + SILENT. + </h4> + <p> + According to a former story a gun was to be employed to throw the + projectile from the earth to the moon; now the gun was to be employed to + change the earth's axis. The cannon, always the cannon; these gunners of + the Gun Club had nothing else in their heads but the cannon. They had a + real craze for the cannon. Was this brutal engine again threatening the + universe? Yes, we are sorry to confess it, it was a cannon which was + uppermost in the mind of President Barbicane and his associates. After the + Columbiad of Florida, they had gone on to the monster cannon of the place + "x." We may almost hear them shout with a loud voice: "Take aim at + the moon." First act, "Fire." "Change the axis of the earth." + Second act, "Fire." And the wish which the whole world had for them + was, "To hell." Third act, "Fire." And really their scheme + justified the popular opinion. + </p> + <p> + As it was, the publication of this last report of the Committee in the + newspapers produced an effect of which one can scarcely form an ideal. The + operation to be tried by President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl, it was + very clear, was going to bring about one of the most disastrous + interruptions in the daily routine of the earth. Everybody understood what + the consequences of it would be. Therefore the experiment of Barbicane + & Co. was generally cursed, denounced, etc. In the Old as well as in + the New World the members of the N.P.P.A. had at the time only enemies. If + there were indeed a few friends left to them among their cranky American + admirers, they were very few. + </p> + <p> + Regarding only their personal security, President Barbicane and Capt. + Nicholl had acted wisely in leaving Baltimore and America. It was safe to + believe that some accident had happened to them. They could not without + divine punishment threaten fourteen hundred million inhabitants by a + change wrought in the habitability of the earth. + </p> + <p> + But how was it possible that the two leaders of the Gun Club had + disappeared without leaving any trace behind them? How could they have + sent away the material and assistants which were necessary to such an + operation without any one seeing them? A hundred railroad cars, if it was + by rail, a hundred vessels, if it was by water, would not have been more + than sufficient to transport the loads of metal of coal, and of + melimelonite. It was entirely incomprehensible how this departure could + have been made incognito. However, it was done. And still more serious it + appeared when it was known after inquiry that no orders had been sent to + the gun foundries or powder factories, or the factories which produce + chemical products in either of the two continents. How inexplicable all + this was! Without doubt it would be explained some day. + </p> + <p> + At any rate, if President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl, who had + mysteriously disappeared, were sheltered from any immediate danger, their + colleague, Mr. Maston, was under lock and key, and had to face all the + public indignation. Nothing could make him yield, however. Deep at the + bottom of the cell which he occupied in the prison of Baltimore, the + Secretary of the Gun Club gave himself up more and more to thinking of + those distant associates whom he was not able to follow. He pictured the + vision of President Barbicane and his associate, Capt. Nicholl, preparing + their gigantic operation at this unknown point of the globe, with nothing + in their way. He saw them build their enormous device, combining their + melimelonite, moulding the projectile which the sun would so soon count as + one of its small satellites. This new star was to have the charming name + "Scorbetta," in gallant acknowledgment of the love and esteem felt + towards the rich capitalist widow of New Park. J.T. Maston calculated the + days which would elapse before the one on which the gun would be fired. + </p> + <p> + It was already the beginning of April. In two months and a half the + meridian star, after having stopped on the Tropic of Cancer, would go back + towards the Tropic of Capricorn. Three months later it would traverse the + equatorial line at the Fall equinox. + </p> + <p> + And then these seasons, which have appeared annually for millions of + years, and which have changed so regularly, will be brought to an end. For + the last time in 189-the sphere would have submitted to this succession + of days and nights. Truly, this was a magnificent work, superhuman, even + divine. J.T. Maston forgot the Arctic region and the exploration of the + coal mines around the pole, and he only saw, in his mind's eye, the + cosmographic consequences of the operation. The principal object of the + association was now to make those changes and displacements which were to + remodel the face of the earth. + </p> + <p> + But that was just the point. Did the earth wish to change her face at all? + Was she not still young and charming with the one which God had given her + at the first hour of her creation? + </p> + <p> + Alone and defenseless in his prison cell, nothing could induce Mr. Maston + to speak about the matter, no matter what plan was tried. The members of + the Inquiry Committee urged him daily to speak, and visited him daily, but + they could obtain nothing. It was about this time that John Prestice had + the idea of using an influence which might possibly succeed, and this was + the aid of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. Every one knew what feelings the + generous widow entertained for Mr. Maston, how devoted she was to him, and + what unlimited interest she had in this celebrated calculator. Therefore, + after deliberation of the Committee, Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt was + authorized to come and go, visiting the prisoner as much as she liked. + </p> + <p> + Was she not threatened just as well as any other person on this earth by + the recoil of this monster cannon? Would her palace at New Park be spared + any more than the smallest hut of the Indian? Was not her very existence + just as much in doubt as that of the savage living on the furthest isle of + the Pacific Ocean? That is what the President of the Inquiry Committee + gave her to understand, and for this reason she was begged to use her + influence with the mathematician. If he would consent to speak, and would + say at what place President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl were, and how many + people they had with them to accomplish their ends, it would yet be time + to go and stop them and put an end to their project, and thus save + humanity from this most dangerous catastrophe which threatened the world. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt was therefore admitted to the prison whenever she + wished it. She was most desirous of seeing J.T. Maston again after he had + been taken from his comfortable study at Ballistic Cottage by those rough + police agents. If any impolite person had on the 9th of April put his ear + at the door of his cell the first time when Mrs. Scorbitt entered he would + have heard the following conversation: + </p> + <p> + "Ah, at last, my dear Maston, I see you again." + </p> + <p> + "You, Mrs. Scorbitt!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, my dear friend, after four weeks-four long weeks of + separation." + </p> + <p> + "Exactly twenty-eight days, five hours and forty-five minutes," + answered J.T. Maston, after having consulted his watch. + </p> + <p> + "Finally we are reunited." + </p> + <p> + "But how did it happen that they allowed you to penetrate as far as this + cell to see me, dear Mrs. Scorbitt?" + </p> + <p> + "Under the condition of using all my influence over you, thanks to my + affection for you, in advising you to disclose the secret of the + whereabouts of President Barbicane." + </p> + <p> + "What, Evangelina!" cried Mr. Maston, "and you have consented to + give me such advice. You have entertained the thought that I could betray + my associates." + </p> + <p> + "Me, dear Maston! Do you consider me so bad? Me! To sacrifice your + security for your honor. Me! To persuade you to an act which would shame a + life consecrated entirely to the highest speculations of pure + mathematics." + </p> + <p> + "Bravo, Mrs. Scorbitt! I see in you once more the generous patron of our + Society. No, I have never doubted your great heart." + </p> + <p> + "Thank you, Mr. Maston." + </p> + <p> + "In regard to myself," continued Maston, "allow me to say, before + telling the point of the earth where our great shooting will take + place-sell, so to speak, the secret which I have been able to keep so + well, to allow these barbarians to fly and pursue our friends, to + interrupt their works, which will make our profit and glory, I would + rather die." + </p> + <p> + "Splendid, Mr. Maston!" cried Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. + </p> + <p> + And these two beings, united by the same enthusiasm, crazed by it if you + will, one as well as the other, were well matched in understanding each + other perfectly. + </p> + <p> + "No, they will never know the name of the country which my calculations + have designated, and the reputation of which will become immortal," said + J.T. Maston. "They can silence me if they like, but they will never have + the secret from me." + </p> + <p> + "And they can kill me with you," said Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt; "I + will also be mute." + </p> + <p> + "It is lucky, dear Evangelina, that they are ignorant of your knowledge + of the place." + </p> + <p> + "Do you believe that I would be capable of betraying it, because I am + only a woman? Betray my associates and you! No, my friend, no. If they + should raise the whole city and country against you-if the whole world + would come to the door of this cell to take you away, I shall be there, + too, and we will at least have one consolation-we will die together." + </p> + <p> + As if there could be any greater consolation and Mr. Maston could dream of + a sweeter death than dying in the arms of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt! And so + ended the conversation every time that this excellent woman visited the + prisoner. And when the Inquiry Committee asked her what the result was, + she would say: "Nothing as yet; perhaps with time I shall be able to + reach my point." + </p> + <p> + Ah, women, women! What are women? "In time," she urged. But time went + on with fast steps. Weeks went 'round like days, days like hours and + hours like minutes. + </p> + <p> + It was already May. Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had not been able to get any + information from J.T. Maston, and where she had failed there was no hope + of any other person succeeding. + </p> + <p> + Was it, then, necessary to accept this terrible shock without interfering + in any way? No, no! Under such circumstances resignation was impossible. + The European delegates became more and more out of spirits. There was + wrangling between them every day. Even Jacques Jansen woke up out of his + Dutch placidity and annoyed his colleagues greatly by his daily charges + and countercharges. Col. Boris Karkof even had a duel with the Secretary + of the Inquiry Committee in which he only slightly injured his adversary. + And Major Donellan; well, he neither fought with firearms nor with bare + fists, quite contrary to English use, and he only looked on while his + Secretary, Dean Toodrink, exchanged a few blows according to prize-ring + rules with William S. Forster, the phlegmatic dealer in codfish, the straw + man of the N.P.P.A., who really knew absolutely nothing of the affair. + </p> + <p> + The whole world was leagued against the United States and wanted to hold + the Americans responsible for the actions of one of their number-the + celebrated Impey Barbicane. There was talk of recalling the ambassadors + and the foreign Ministers at present accredited to this most reckless + Government at Washington and of declaring war against the United States. + Poor United States! It only wished to lay its hands on Barbicane & Co. + In vain did the Republic reply to the Powers of Europe, Asia, Africa and + Australia that they were at liberty to arrest these adventurous Americans + wherever they found them. Nobody would listen patiently to such talk. And + so, far away President Barbicane and his associate were occupied in + preparing their great operation. As nothing could be found of them the + foreign countries began to say: "You have their accomplice; now it is + sure that Mr. Maston knows where these people are and what they are doing. + Make him speak, this man, Mr. Maston. Why not use hot oil, melted lead, + etc.? Why not use such means as were used formerly under circumstances + less grave and for cases which only interested a few private people? But + it was answered that, while such means were justified in former times, + they could not be used at the end of a century as far advanced as the + nineteenth century was. Therefore, J.T. Maston had nothing to fear in that + line; all that was left to hope was that he would finally consider the + enormity of his crime and would decide to reveal his secret, or that some + accident would reveal it for him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XIII" id="XIII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER XIII.<br /><br />AT THE CLOSE OF WHICH J.T. MASTON UTTERS AN + EPIGRAM. + </h4> + <p> + Time went on, however, and very likely also the works of Barbicane and + Capt. Nicholl who were going on also under these very surprising + conditions, no one knew where. + </p> + <p> + How was it possible, it was asked, that an operation which required the + establishment of a considerable iron foundry, the erection of high blast + furnaces, capable of melting a mass of metal a million times as large as + the marine corps cannon of 27 centimeters, and a projectile weighing + 180,000 tons, all of which necessitated the employment of several thousand + workmen, their transport, their management, etc., -yes, how was it + possible that such an operation could go on without the interested world + getting any knowledge of it. In which part of the Old or New World had + Barbicane & Co. secretly established a foothold so that no hint was + given to people living in the vicinity? Was it on a deserted island in the + Pacific Ocean or in the Indian Ocean? But there were no more deserted + islands: the English had gobbled them all up. Perhaps the new Society had + discovered one for this special purpose. Perhaps, one remarked, they might + be in some part of the arctic regions. No, this could not be, as it was + simply because they could not be reached that the N.P.P.A. was going to + remove them. Therefore, to look for President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl + on one of these islands or in some inaccessible point was simply wasting + time. Did not the notebook taken away from J.T. Maston state that the + shooting would take place on or about the equator? And all the countries + around it were inhabited by some people. It seemed impossible for them to + be so secreted in any part of the habitable world without some one + informing the committee at Baltimore. + </p> + <p> + Now, what did Alcide Pierdeux think of all this? He was dreaming of all + kinds of consequences which this operation would have. That Capt. Nicholl + had invented an explosive of such tremendous power, that he had found the + melimelonite, with an expansive force three or four thousand times + stronger than that of the most violent explosive known, and 5,600 times + stronger than the good old black gunpowder of our ancestors, this was + astonishing enough-very astonishing. But it was not impossible at all. + One can hardly know what the future will bring in these days of progress + when devices exist to destroy whole armies at very long distances. In any + event, the change of the earth's axis, produced by the recoil of a piece + of ordnance, was not sufficiently novel to astonish the French engineer. + Then, considering the plans of President Barbicane, he said: "It is + evident that the earth receives daily the recoil of all the blows which + are given on its surface. Hundreds of thousands of people amuse themselves + daily by sending thousands of projectiles weighing a few kilograms or + millions of projectiles weighing a few grammes, and even when I walk or + jump, or when I stretch out my arm, all this takes place on the surface of + our sphere and adds to or checks its motion. Is, then, your great machine + of such a nature as to produce the recoil asked for? How in the name of + candor can this recoil be sufficient to move the earth? And if the + calculations of this fellow, J.T. Maston, prove it, it is easy enough to + show it. Alcide Pierdeux could not but admire the ingenious calculations + of the Secretary of the Gun Club, which were communicated by the members + of the Inquiry Committee to those wise people who were able to understand + them. And Alcide Pierdeux, who was able to read algebra like one would + read a newspaper, found in this sort of reading matter an inexpressible + charm. If these changes were to take place, what a terrible catastrophe it + would be! Towns would be turned upside down, oceans would be thrown out of + their beds, people killed by millions. It would be an earthquake of + incomparable violence. If besides, said Alcide Pierdeux, this damnable + powder of Capt. Nicholl were less strong, we might hope that the + projectile would again strike the earth after the shooting, and after + having made the trip around the globe, then everything would be replaced + in a very short time and without having caused any very great destruction. + But do not worry about that. Thanks to their melimelonite, the bullet will + go its way and not return to the earth to beg her pardon for having + deranged her by putting her back again in her place. Pierdeux finally + said: "If the place of shooting were known I would soon be able to say + upon which places the movement would have the least and where the greatest + effect. The people might be informed in time to save themselves before + their cities and houses had fallen under the blow." But how were we to + know it? "I think," he said, "the consequences of the shock may be + more complicated than can even be imagined. The volcanoes, profiting by + this occasion, would vomit like a person who is seasick. Perhaps a part of + the ocean might fall into one of their craters. It would make small + difference then. It is entirely possible that we might have explosions + which would make our earth jump. Ah, this Satan Maston, imagine him + juggling with our earthly globe and playing with it as if he were playing + billiards!" + </p> + <p> + So talked and reasoned Alcide Pierdeux. Soon these terrible hypotheses + were taken up and discussed by the newspapers. The confusion which would + be the result of the scheme of Barbicane & Co. could only result in + terrible accidents. And so it happened that the nearer the day came the + greater the fright which took possession of the bravest people. It was the + same as it was in the year 1000, when all living people supposed that they + would be thrown suddenly into the jaws of death. It maybe recalled what + happened at this period. According to the Apocalypse the people were led + to believe that the judgment day had come. In the last year of the 10th + century, says H. Martin, everything was interrupted-pleasures, business, + interest, all, even the public works of the country. Thinking only of the + eternity which was to begin on the morrow, provision was made only for the + most necessary articles for one or two days. All possessions, real estate, + castles, were bequeathed to the Church, so as to acquire protection in + that kingdom of heaven where all were so soon to enter. Many donations to + the churches were made with these words: "As the end of the world has + come, and its ruin is imminent." When this fatal time came, all the + people ran to the churches and places set apart for religious meetings, + and waited to hear the seven trumpets of the seven angels of the judgment + day sound and call from heaven. We know that the first day of 1,000 came + and went, and nothing was changed. But this time it was not the question + of a disturbance simply based upon some verse of the Bible. It was the + question of removing the axis of the earth, and this was founded on very + reliable calculations, and was very probable. + </p> + <p> + Under these conditions the situation of J.T. Maston became each day more + and more critical. Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt trembled lest he would become + the victim of a universal cry for vengeance. Perhaps she even had in her + mind the idea of making him give up the information which he so heroically + held to himself. But she did not dare to mention it to him and she did + well. It would have been unwise for her to expose herself to the volley of + rebukes he would have given her. As we may well understand, fright had + taken a strong foothold in the city of Baltimore and the inhabitants + became nearly unmanageable. The excitement was increased by articles + appearing in the daily papers. In any case, if J.T. Maston had been found + among the crowd of people, his fate would have been soon settled. He would + have been given to the wild beast. But he was content and said: "I am + ready for it." No matter what happened, J.T. Maston refused to make + known the situation of the "x," knowing very well that if he should + unveil the secret President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl would be unable to + finish their work. It was an interesting struggle-this fight of one man + against the whole world. It only made J.T. Maston a grander and better man + in the eyes of Evangelina Scorbitt, and also in the opinion of his + associates of the Gun Club. The Secretary of the Gun Club became such a + celebrated person that he began to receive letters, as all criminals do, + from people who wished to have a few lines from the hand which was going + to turn the world over. But even if this was all very nice it became every + day more and more dangerous for our Secretary. The population hung day and + night around the prison, with great noise and great tumult. The enraged + crowd wanted to lynch J.T. Maston. The police saw the moment would come + when they would be unable to defend the prison and the prisoner J.T. + Maston. Being desirous of giving satisfaction and information to the + American people, as well as to the people of other countries, the + Government at Washington decided to put J.T. Maston before a court of + justice. "What other people have not been able to accomplish the Judges + will not," said Alcide Pierdeux, who had after all a kind of a friendly + feeling for the unhappy calculator. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the 5th September the President of the Commission went + personally to the cell of the prisoner. Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, at her + own request, had been allowed to accompany him. Perhaps at this last + attempt the influence of this excellent lady would succeed and bring the + hoped-for result. There was nothing to be left undone. All means possible + were to be used to make this last attempt successful. If it was + not-well, we will see. "Yes, we will see." What we would see is the + hanging of this brute Maston, said the people, and the event would have + come off in all its horror if the people could have it their way. So it + happened that at 11 o'clock J.T. Maston was ushered into the presence of + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt and John Prestice, President of the Inquiry + Committee. + </p> + <p> + The opening was a very simple one. The conversation consisted of the + following questions and answers, very rapid on one side and very quiet on + the other. And even under these circumstances the calm, quiet speaker was + J.T. Maston. + </p> + <p> + "For the last time will you answer?" asked John Prestice. + </p> + <p> + "Answer what?" ironically observed the Secretary of the Gun Club. + </p> + <p> + "Answer the question, where is the place in which your associate, + Barbicane, is at present." + </p> + <p> + "I have told it to you a hundred times." + </p> + <p> + "Repeat it for the one hundred and first time." + </p> + <p> + "He is where the shooting will take place." + </p> + <p> + "Where will the shooting take place?" + </p> + <p> + "Where my associate, Barbicane, is." + </p> + <p> + "Have a care, J.T. Maston." + </p> + <p> + "For what?" + </p> + <p> + "For the consequences of your refusal to answer, the result of which + will be-" + </p> + <p> + "To prevent you from learning that which you should not know." + </p> + <p> + "What we have the right to know." + </p> + <p> + "That is not my opinion." + </p> + <p> + "We will bring you before the court." + </p> + <p> + "Go ahead." + </p> + <p> + "And the jury will condemn you." + </p> + <p> + "What care I." + </p> + <p> + "And as soon as judgment is rendered it will be executed." + </p> + <p> + "All right." + </p> + <p> + "Dear Maston," ventured Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, whose heart nearly + broke on account of these terrible threats. + </p> + <p> + "What! You, madam?" said J.T. Maston. + </p> + <p> + She hung her head and was silent. + </p> + <p> + "And do you want to know what this judgment will be?" + </p> + <p> + "If you wish to tell it," said J.T. Maston. + </p> + <p> + "That you will suffer capital punishment, as you deserve." + </p> + <p> + "Really?" + </p> + <p> + "That you will be hanged as sure, sir, as two and two make four." + </p> + <p> + "Then, sir, I have yet a chance," said J.T. Maston, reflectingly. + "If you were a little better mathematician you would not say that two + and two are four. You simply prove that all mathematicians have been fools + until to-day in affirming that the sum of two numbers is equal to one of + their parts; that is, two and two are exactly four." + </p> + <p> + "Sir!" cried the President, absolutely puzzled. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said J.T. Maston, "if you would say, as sure as one and one + are two, all right. That is absolutely evident, because that is no longer + a theorem; this is a definition." + </p> + <p> + After this lesson in simple arithmetic the President of the Committee went + out, followed by Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, who had so much admiration for + the calculator that she did not venture to look at him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XIV" id="XIV"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER XIV.<br /><br />VERY SHORT, BUT IN WHICH "X" TAKES A + GEOGRAPHICAL VALUE. + </h4> + <p> + Very luckily for J.T. Maston, the Federal Government received the + following telegram sent by the American Consul stationed at Zanzibar: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "To John S. Wright, Minister of State, Washington, U.S.A.: + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + Zanzibar, Sept. 13, 5 A.M. (local time).-Great works are being + executed in the Wamasai, south of the chain of Kilimanjaro. For eight + months President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl have been established there + with a great number of black help under the authority of Sultan + Bali-Bali. This is brought to the knowledge of the Government by its + devoted + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "RICHARD W. TRUST, Consul" + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + And this was how the secret of J.T. Maston became known. And therefore, + were the Secretary of the Gun Club still in prison, he could not have been + hanged. + </p> + <p> + But, after all, who knows whether he would not rather have been glad to + meet with death in the full glory of his life than to live on with all the + chances of disappointment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XV" id="XV"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XV.<br /><br />WHICH CONTAINS A FEW INTERESTING DETAILS FOR THE + INHABITANTS OF THE EARTHLY SPHERE.</b> + </h4> + <p> + Finally the Government of Washington had found out the place where + Barbicane & Co. were operating. Should they doubt the authenticity of + this cable? No, that was not reasonable. The Consul at Zanzibar was a very + reliable person, and his information could be accepted without doubt. It + was further corroborated by later telegrams. It was really in the center + of the region of Kilimanjaro in the African Wamasai, a little under the + equatorial line, where the engineers of the N.P.P.A. were going to + accomplish their gigantic works. + </p> + <p> + How could they have secretly reached this lost country, at the foot of the + celebrated mountain, discovered in 1849 by Drs. Rebviani and Krapf, + ascended by the travellers Otto Ehlers and Abbot? How were they able to + establish their workshops there, erect a foundry and bring a large number + of help, or at least enough to succeed? How had they been able to + establish friendly relations with the dangerous tribes of the country and + their sover[e]igns, as cunning as they were cruel? This we do not know. + And perhaps it would never be known, as there were only a few days left + before the 22d of September would arrive. J.T. Maston heard from Mrs. + Evangelina Scorbitt that the mystery of Kilimanjaro had been unveiled by a + telegram sent from Zanzibar. "Great Scott!" he exclaimed, sawing the + air with his iron hand. "Well, we do not travel by telegram yet, nor by + the telephone, and in six days the matter will be finished." + </p> + <p> + Those who saw and heard this remarkable man utter these words were + astonished at the energy in the old gunner. + </p> + <p> + J.T. Maston was right. There was no time left to send agents to Wamasai + with orders to arrest President Barbicane. They would even have been too + late had they departed from Algiers or Egypt, even from Aden, Madagascar, + or Zanzibar, as they would have met thousands of difficulties in this + mountainous region, and perhaps they would have met with an army composed + of followers of the Sultan, who was interested in the matter. Therefore + all hope of preventing this operation had to be given up. But if + prevention was impossible nothing seemed more easy than the figuring out + of the terrible consequences, as the exact situation of "x" was now + known. + </p> + <p> + This problem was difficult enough, but all algebraists and mathematicians + of large reputation ought to be able to solve it. As the cable of the + Consul of Zanzibar had been sent direct to the Minister of State at + Washington, the Federal Government wanted to keep it secret at first. They + wished as well that its contents were published all over the country, so + that they could indicate what the results would be of this displacement of + the axis and the uprising of the oceans, and thus the inhabitants of the + world might learn which place of refuge was open to them according to the + section of the globe in which they lived. And it is easy to understand how + anxious the people were to learn their fate. + </p> + <p> + On the 14th of September the cable dispatch was sent to the office of the + Observatory at Washington, with orders to figure out the final + consequences upon geographical locations. Two days afterwards the problem + was all worked out. The Old World was notified of the results by cable and + the New World by telegram. After this calculation had been published by + thousands of papers, it was the only thing talked of in the great cities + and everywhere. What will happen? + </p> + <p> + This was the question which everybody was asking at every point of the + globe. + </p> + <p> + The following was the notice made by the Observatory at Washington: + </p> + <p> + <b>IMPORTANT NOTICE</b> + </p> + <p> + The operation which is being tried by President Barbicane and Capt. + Nicholl is as follows: + </p> + <p> + The production of a recoil, on the 22d of September, at midnight, by means + of a cannon a million times larger in volume than the cannon of + twenty-seven centimetres, throwing a projectile of 180,000 tons, with a + powder giving it a velocity of 2,800 kilometres. + </p> + <p> + Now, if this shooting takes place below the equatorial line, nearly on the + thirty-fourth degree of latitude west of the meridian of Paris, at the + foot of Kilimanjaro, and if it is directed towards the south, these are + the mechanical effects which it will have on the earth's sphere: + Instantly, in consequence of the shock acting with the daily movement a + new axis will be formed and, as the old axis will be displaced to the + amount of twenty-three degrees and twenty-eight minutes, according to the + figures obtained by J.T. Maston, the new axis will be perpendicular to the + direction of the ecliptic. + </p> + <p> + Which point will the new axis start from? As the point of shooting is + known, it has been easy to calculate this. + </p> + <p> + In the North the extremity of the new axis will be situated between + Greenland and Grinnelland, exactly on that part of Baffin's Sea where it + cuts the Arctic polar circle. In the South it will be on the line of the + antarctic circle, a few degrees east of Adelialand. Under these conditions + a new zero meridian, starting from the new North Pole, will pass through + Dublin in Ireland, Paris in France, Palermo in Sicily, the Gulf of Grand + Sytre on the coast of Tripoli, Obed in Darfur, the mountain chain of + Kilimanjaro, Madagascar; the Kerguelen Island, in the Central Pacific; the + new antarctic pole, the antipodes of Paris, Cook Island, the Island of + Quadra, Vancouver, on the margin of British Columbia; across North America + to Melville Island, in the neighborhood of the North Pole. + </p> + <p> + In connection with this new axis of rotation, starting from Baffins' Bay + in the north, to Adelialand in the south, a new equator will be formed + above which the sun will travel without ever changing his daily course. + The equinoctial line will cross the Kilimanjaro, at Wamasai, the Indian + Ocean, Goa and Chicacola, a little below Calcutta in India, Mandalay in + the Kingdom of Siam, Kesho in Tonquin, Hong Kong in China, Risa Island, + Marshall Island, Gaspar Rico, Walker Island in the Pacific, the + Cordilleras in the Argentine Republic, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, the + islands of Trinity and St. Helena in the Atlantic Ocean, St. Paul de + Loando on the Congo, and finally it will meet again in the territories of + Wamasai, back of Kilimanjaro. This new equator being thus determined by + the creation of the new axis, it became possible to calculate the changes + of the ocean tides, which was so important for the security of the + inhabitants of the earth. It is just to observe that the directors of the + North Polar Practical Association had taken measure to weaken the shock as + much as possible. If the shooting had been towards the north the + consequences of it would have been much more disastrous for the more + civilized parts of the earth. On the other hand, shooting towards the + south the consequences would only be felt most in parts less populated and + less civilized. The careful calculations made showed how the waters would + be distributed when thrown out of their beds by the flattening of the + sphere around the new poles. The globe would be divided by two great + circles, intersecting in a right angle at Kilimanjaro, and at its + antipodes in the equinoctial ocean. This would form four sections, two in + the north and two in the south, separated by the lines upon which the + ocean upheaval would be zero. + </p> + <p> + In the northern hemisphere: The first section west of Kilimanjaro would + take in Africa from the Congo to Egypt, Europe from Turkey to Greenland, + America from English Columbia to Peru, and from Brazil as high as San + Salvador, and finally the whole northern Atlantic Ocean and the largest + part of the temperate Atlantic zone. + </p> + <p> + The second section, east of Kilimanjaro, would include the greater part of + Europe, from the Black Sea to Sweden, European and Asiatic Russia, Arabia, + nearly the whole of India, Persia, Beloochistan, Afganistan, Turkestan, + the Celestial Empire, Mongolia, Japan, Corea, the Black Sea, the Caspian + Sea, the greater part of the Pacific Ocean, the territories of Alaska in + North America, and also the polar region which belonged to the American + society, North Polar Practical Association. + </p> + <p> + The southern hemisphere would embrace the third section east of + Kilimanjaro, which would include Madagascar, the islands of Marion, + Kerguelen, Maurice, Reunion, and all the islands of the Indian Ocean, the + Antarctic Ocean (as far as the new pole), half the island of Malacca, + Java, Sumatra, Borneo, the islands of Sonde, the Philippines, Australia, + New Zealand, New Guinea, New Caledonia, all the northern parts of the + Pacific and its numerous archipelagos, nearly up to the 160th meridian. + </p> + <p> + The fourth section, west of Kilimanjaro, would comprise the southern part + of Africa, from the Congo to the canal of Mozambique to the Cape of Good + Hope, the southern Atlantic Ocean from Pernambuco and Lima, Bolivia, + Paraguay, Uraguay, the Argentine Republic, Patagonia, the Fire Islands, + the Malouine Islands, Sandwich and Shetland Islands, and the southern part + of the Pacific Ocean east of the present 160th degree of latitude. + </p> + <p> + These would be the four sections, separated by the line of zero in + calculating the sea-level changes. Now, the question was to indicate the + effects produced on the surface of the four sections in consequence of the + displacement of the oceans. + </p> + <p> + Upon each of these sections there was a central point on which the effect + would be at a maximum, either by the oceans rising up or by the waters + retiring entirely. The calculations of J. T. Maston had established + without a doubt, that at each of these maxima points the greatest height + obtained would be 8,415 metres. It was therefore certain that the + consequences would be most severe against the security of those points + through the operation carried out by Barbicane & Co. The two effects + may be considered separate in their action. + </p> + <p> + In two of the sections situated opposite each other in the northern + hemisphere and in the southern as well, the oceans would retreat and + invade the two other sections, opposing each other in each of the two + hemispheres. + </p> + <p> + In the first section: The Atlantic Ocean would be nearly entirely emptied + and the maximum point of depression being nearly at the region of Bermuda, + where the ground would appear, if the depth of the ocean was inferior at + that point to 8,415 metres. Consequently between Europe and America vast + territories would be discovered which the United States, England, France, + Spain, and Portugal could claim according to the geographical situation, + as these powers might wish to do. It must be observed that in consequence + of the falling of the oceans the air will also fall equally as much. + Therefore the barometric pressure of Europe and that of America will be + modified to such an extent that cities, situated even 20 or 30 degrees + from the maxima points would only have the quantity of air which is now + actually found in a height of one league in the atmosphere. The principal + cities, such as New York, Philadelphia, Charleston, Panama, Lisbon, + Madrid, Paris, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Cairo, Constantinople, Dantzig, + Stockholm, on one side, and the cities corresponding in latitude on the + other side, would keep their normal position with regard to the general + level of the air. In regard to Bermuda, air would be missing there the + same as it would be wanting to aeronauts who go higher than 8,000 metres. + Therefore, it would be impossible to live there. + </p> + <p> + The same effect would obtain in the opposite section, which would contain + the Indian Ocean, Australia, and a part of the Pacific Ocean, which would + be thrown partly on the southern seacoasts of Australia. + </p> + <p> + The air into which they would be thrown would be very clear; there was no + doubt on that point, but it would not be dense enough for human wants. + </p> + <p> + These in general were a part of the modifications which would take place + in the two sections in which the oceans would be more or less emptied. + There would undoubtedly appear new islands and mountains in such parts as + the water did not entirely abandon. + </p> + <p> + But if the diminuation of the thickness of the air did not bring enough + inconveniences to those parts of the new continents raised to the high + zones of the atmosphere, what was to be the case of those parts which the + erruption of waters put below the surface? We may still breathe under the + diminished pressure of air below the atmospheric pressure. On the + contrary, under a very few inches of water we cannot breathe at all, and + this was the condition in which the other two sections found themselves. + In the section northwest of Kilimanjaro the maximum point would be at + Yakoutsk, in Siberia. + </p> + <p> + From this city submerged 8,415 metres under the water, less its present + actual altitude, the liquid mass, decreasing, would extend to the neutral + lines, drowning the greater part of Asiatic Russia and of India, of China, + of Japan, and of American Alaska, to the Behring Sea. In regard to St. + Petersburg and Moscow on one side, and Calcutta, Bangkok, Saigon, Pekin, + Hong Kong and Yeddo on the other side, these cities would disappear under + a cover of water sufficient to drown all Russians, Hindoos, Siamese, + Cochin Chinese, Chinese and Japanese, if they did not have time to + emigrate before the catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + In the section southeast of Kilimanjaro the disasters would be equally + marked. This section is in a great part covered by the Atlantic and + Pacific oceans, the level of which would raise 8,415 metres at the + Archipelagos of the Azores. All this vast area would disappear under this + artificial deluge, among others the angle of Southern Africa from Guinea + and Kilimanjaro to the Cape of Good Hope, and the triangle of South + America formed by Peru, Central Brazil, Chili, and the Argentine Republic, + as far as Terra del Fuego and Cape Horn. The Patagonians, high as they are + located, would not escape this immersion, and would not even have + opportunity of taking refuge on that part of the Andes, as the highest + points of that range would not be visible at all in this part of the + globe. + </p> + <p> + This, then, must be the result, the lowering of the upper and raising of + the lower sections, and an entirely new surface to the oceans, produced by + the corruscations in the surface of the earth's sphere. Such were the + happenings which would result, and against which the people of this world + had no help if they could not prompdy stop Barbicane & Co. in their + criminal attempt. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XVI" id="XVI"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XVI.<br /><br />IN WHICH A CROWD OF DISSATISFIED PEOPLE BREAK + INTO THE CELL OF J. T. MASTON.</b> + </h4> + <p> + After this public notice there was nothing left but to wait for the coming + danger or to run away to the neutral lines, where there would be no + danger. The threatened people were, in general, divided into two + classes-"the people who would be suffocated and those who would be + drowned." This communication roused many different suggestions, which, + however, all turned into the strongest and most violent protestations + against the schemer and schemers. Among those who would suffocate were the + Americans in the United States, the Europeans of France, England, Spain, + etc. Even the prospect of annexing territories now at the bottom of the + ocean was not sufficient to make them quietly accept these changes. Paris, + carried towards the new pole a distance about equal to that which + separates it now from the old one, would gain nothing by it. It would have + a continued Spring, it is true, but it would lose considerable air. And + this was not satisfactory to the Parisians, who like to have as much air + as possible, and boulevard property and cafés went begging. Among those + who would be drowned were the inhabitants of South America, of Australia, + Canada, India, Zealand, etc. Great Britain would suffer the loss of her + richest colonies, which Barbicane & Co. would take away from her + through their operation. Evidently the Gulf of Mexico would constitute a + vast kingdom of the Antilles, of which the Yankees and Mexicans could + claim possession by the principles of the Monroe doctrine. The islands of + the Philippines, Celebes and the water around them would leave vast + territories of which the English and Spanish people could take possession. + It is a vain compensation. It did not at all balance the loss due to the + terrible flood. + </p> + <p> + If under the new oceans only Samoyedens, Lapons of Siberia, Feugans, + Patogonians-even Tartars, Chinese, Japanese, or a few Argentines-would + suffer and be lost, perhaps the civilized powers would have accepted this + sacrifice complacently. But too many powers took part in the great + catastrophe not to raise a torrent of protest. + </p> + <p> + And what especially concerned Europe was, that although the central part + of it would be nearly intact, it would be raised in the west and lowered + in the east, half suffocated on one side and half drowned on the other. + This was not very acceptable. The Mediterranean Sea would be almost + emptied, and this would not be very agreeable to the Frenchmen, Italians, + Spaniards, Greeks, Turks, and Egyptians, who by their situation on the + coast, had indisputable rights in ocean travel. And then, what good would + be the Suez Canal, which would be saved by its position on the neutral + line? But what use could be made of this immense work of Lesseps when + there was no longer the Mediterranean on one side of the isthmus and the + Red Sea on the other, at least, within any reasonable distance of it? + </p> + <p> + No, never, never would England consent to see Gibralter, Malta, and Cyprus + transformed into mountain-tops, lost in the clouds, so that its men-of-war + could no longer approach them. No, she would not be satisfied with the + possession of some of the territory which would be gained from the + Atlantic Ocean. Major Donellan had, however, prepared already to return to + Europe to secure his rights on this new territory in case the operation of + Barbicane & Co. should succeed. It is seen how protests came from all + parts of the world, even from States where the changes would be + imperceptible, because their people were interested in some other + direction more or less. + </p> + <p> + These protestations became more and more violent after the arrival of the + cablegram from Zanzibar which indicated the point of shooting, and which + it was found necessary to publish the above report to explain. President + Barbicane and Captain Nicholl as well as J.T. Maston, were put under the + ban of humanity and declared outlaws. But what a business all this created + for the newspapers. What sales they had, and how the circulations ran up; + how on many occasions they were forced to print extra editions. It is + perhaps the first time in journalistic history that they were all united + with each other, as they generally quarrel incessantly. This was not a + European or an American affair; it was an affair which concerned the whole + world. It was like a bomb falling into a powder magazine. + </p> + <p> + In regard to Maston, it looked as if his last hour had come. A rabid crowd + rushed into his prison on the evening of Sept. 17, with the intention of + lynching him, and the jailer did not put any obstacles in their way. They + rushed along the corridor but the cell of J.T. Maston was empty. Mrs. + Evangelina Scorbitt had come to his help with a heavy purse of gold, and + he had made his escape. The jailer had been bribed by an amount of money + on which he could live the rest of his life without working. He remembered + that Baltimore, Washington, New York, and many of the principal cities of + America were on the line of those parts which would be raised, and which + would still have enough air for the daily consumption of their + inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + J.T. Maston had gained a quiet resting spot and a safe place from the + enraged crowd of people, and so this great man owed his life to the + devotion of a loving woman. There were only four days to wait, four days + only before the gigantic operation of Barbicane & Co. would be + accomplished. The public notice had been read far and wide and had created + as much public excitement as such a momentous document only could. If + there were at the beginning a few sceptics on the subject, there were none + at present. The various governments had notified in haste those of their + provinces which would be raised into the air and those, a much larger + number, the territory of which would be overrun with water. In consequence + of this advice sent by telegraph over the five continents of the world an + emigration began such as had never been seen before. Every race was + represented, white, black, brown, yellow, etc., in one chromatic + procession. Unhappily, time was wanting for all to secure safety. The + hours were now counted. A few months notice would be required for the + Chinese to leave China, the Australians, Australia, the Siberians, + Siberia. In some instances the danger was a local one as soon as the place + of the shooting was known, so the fright became less general. Some + provinces and even some States began to feel easy again. In a word, except + in the regions directly threatened, there was only felt an apprehension of + the terrible shock. And during all this time Alcide Pierdeux was saying to + himself, "How in the wide world can President Barbicane make a cannon a + million times larger than that of twenty-seven centimetre? This Maston, I + would like very much to meet him-to have with him a talk upon this + subject. This does not agree with anything sensible, it is too enormous + and too improbable." + </p> + <p> + Be this as it may, the failure of the operation was the only hope which + was left for certain parts of the world to escape more terrible + destruction. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XVII" id="XVII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XVII.<br /><br />WHAT HAD BEEN DONE AT KILIMANJARO DURING EIGHT + MONTH OF THIS MEMORABLE YEAR.</b> + </h4> + <p> + The country of Wamasai is situated in the eastern part of Central Africa, + between the coast of Zanzibar and the regions of the large lakes, where + the Victoria Nyanza and the Tanganiyka form a great interior ocean. The + part best known is that which has been visited by the Englishman Johnston, + Count Tekeli and the German doctor Meyer. This mountainous land is under + the sovereignty of Sultan Bali-Bali, whose people consist of 30,000 or + 40,000 Negroes. + </p> + <p> + Three degrees below the Equator is situated the chain of Kilimanjaro, + which here reaches its greatest altitude. Among other peaks is the Mount + of Kibo, with an altitude of 5,704 metres. The important ruler of this + region has under his domination towards the south, north, and west the + vast and fertile plains of Wamasai, which stretch from the lake of + Victoria Nyanza across the province of Mozambique. + </p> + <p> + A few leagues below Kilimanjaro is the small village of Kisongo, the + regular residence of the Sultan. This capital is in reality only a large + hamlet. It is occupied by a very intelligent and industrious people, who + work themselves as industriously as their slaves under the iron rule which + Bali-Bali imposes on them. + </p> + <p> + This Sultan rightly ranked as one of the most remarkable rulers of those + people of Central Africa who try to escape the influence, or more + correctly the domination of England. At this capital of Kisongo, President + Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl accompanied by six men who were devoted to + them, arrived in the first week of January of the current year. On leaving + the United States, whence their departure was only known to Mrs. + Evangelina Scorbitt, and J. T. Maston, they had embarked in New York for + the Cape of Good Hope, whence a vessel transported them to Zanzibar, on + the island of the same name. There a bark secretly chartered by the Sultan + brought them to the port of Mombas, on the African border on the other + side of the channel. An escort sent by the Sultan waited for them at this + port, and after a hard voyage nearly a hundred leagues across this + terrible region, obstructed by forests, deep marshes, etc., they arrived + at the royal residence. After knowing the calculations of J.T. Maston, + President Barbicane had already put himself in communication with + Bali-Bali through the help of a Swedish explorer, who had passed several + years in this part of Africa. As the Sultan had become one of their most + ardent admirers since their trip to the moon, a trip whose reputation had + gone as far as these countries, he had a great friendship for these + courageous Yankees. Without telling him for what purpose it was, Impey + Barbicane had easily obtained permission from the Sultan to undertake + important works at the southern foot of Kilimanjaro. In return for a large + sum, estimated at $300,000, Bali-Bali had bound himself to furnish them + all the workmen necessary. In other words, the captain and his friends + were authorized to do at Kilimanjaro whatever they liked to do. They could + dispose of the large chain of mountains according to their desires; they + could tear them down if they liked, or they could take them away if they + would be able to do so. In consequence of these arrangements, which the + Sultan had made at his own figure, the North Polar Practical Association + was as much proprietor of this country as they already were to the polar + region. The reception which President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl received + at Kisongo was very cordial. Bali-Bali displayed an admiration amounting + to adoration for these celebrated travellers who had made this dangerous + voyage to reach the country around the North Pole. + </p> + <p> + He had in short an extraordinary sympathy for the creators of these + mysterious operations which were going to be accomplished in his kingdom. + He also promised them absolute secrecy on his part as well as on the part + of his people, whose co-operation was assured to them. Not a single Negro + who worked at their shop would be allowed to leave them for a single day + under pain of the most severe punishment. This is how this operation was + veiled in mystery so that the most active and sharpest agents of America + and Europe failed to penetrate it. If it was finally discovered it must + have been that the Sultan modified his severe rules after the + accomplishment of the works and that there were traitors and babblers even + amongst the Negroes. In this way Richard W. Trust, consul at Zanzibar, had + received wind of what was going on at Kilimanjaro. But then at that date, + the 13th of September, it was too late to stop President Barbicane in the + accomplishment of his design. + </p> + <p> + And now, why had Barbicane & Co. chosen the Wamasai for the theatre of + their operations? First, because the country suited them in regard to its + geographical situation, as it was in a very little known part of Africa, + and as it was very far from the territory usually visited by travellers. + Then, the mass of Kilimanjaro offered them all the qualities of solidity + and material necessary for their work. And, moreover, on the surface of + this country were found the raw materials which they needed in a condition + very easy to handle. A few months before leaving the United States + President Barbicane had learnt from the Swedish explorer that at the foot + of Kilimanjaro iron and coal were plentiful on the ground. No mines to dig + into, no fields to explore a thousand feet deep in the earth's shell. + Iron and coal were so plentiful even for this great undertaking that they + only had to stoop down to pick it up. In other words, there existed in the + neighborhood of this mountain enormous fields of nitrate of soda and of + iron pyrites, which were necessary for the manufacture of melimelonite. + President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl had taken with them only ten people, + of whom they were absolutely sure, and no one else. These ten men had to + supervise the 10,000 Negroes put at their disposal by Bali-Bali, and to + them was given the task of manufacturing the monster cannon and its not + less monster projectile. Two weeks after the arrival of President + Barbicane and his associate at Wamasai three large workshops were + established at the southern foot of Kilimanjaro, one for the cannon + foundry, the second for the manufacture of the projectile, and the third + for the manufacture of the melimelonite. + </p> + <p> + Now, first of all, how had Barbicane & Co. met the problem of + manufacturing a cannon of such colossal dimensions? We will see and + understand at the same time that the difficulty of creating such a device + was not easily comprehensible by the inhabitants of the world. In reality + the making of a cannon a million times larger than that of twenty-seven + centimetres was a superhuman work. Already great difficulties had been met + in the manufacture of pieces of forty-two centimetres diameter, which + would throw projectiles of 780 kilos with 274 kilograms of powder. + Barbicane & Co. did not think of these difficulties. It was not a + cannon, not even a mortar, which they intended to make, but simply a + gallery bored in the massive rock of Kilimanjaro,-a shaft of a mine, if + you wish to call it so. + </p> + <p> + Evidently this shaft of a mine, this enormous elongated mine, could + replace a metal cannon the fabrication of which would have been as dear as + difficult and to which it would. be necessary to give an unwieldy + thickness to avoid all risk of an explosion. Barbicane & Co. had + always entertained the idea of operating in this manner, and if the + notebook of J. T. Maston mentioned a cannon it was that of 27 centimetres + which had been used in the calculations as a basis. Consequently a spot + was chosen at a height of a hundred feet on the southern slope of the + chain. Nothing would be in the way of the projectile when it would fly out + of the mouth of this tunnel bored in the massive rock of Kilimanjaro. It + was with extreme precision and not without very hard work that the men + could dig this gallery. But Barbicane & Co. could readily make + perforations with simple machines put in action by means of compressed air + which was secured by using the powerful falls of water from the mountains. + In the holes bored through the headings of the shaft were placed charges + of melimelonite. And nothing more was necessary than this violent + explosive to shiver the rock, extremely hard as it was. + </p> + <p> + The thousands of workmen, led by their ten co-operators under the general + direction of Barbicane & Co., labored with a great deal of zeal and + intelligence to bring the work to a speedy end. At the end of six months + the shaft measured 27 metres in diameter and the lining of it 6 metres in + thickness. As it was absolutely necessary that the projectile should glide + through a bore perfectly smooth the interior of it was covered with a + casting exactly prepared. In reality this part of the work was very + similar to that of the celebrated Columbiad, of Moon City, which had sent + the projectile to the moon. But such work as this is impossible to the + ordinary engineers of this world at present. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the boring was finished the workmen pushed on with the work at + the second workshop. + </p> + <p> + At the same time that this metallic lining was being made they were also + employed at making the enormous projectile. For this operation it was + necessary to obtain a cylindrical mass which would weigh 80,000,000 + kilograms, or 180,000 tons. It must be understood that there was never any + idea of melting this projectile in one single piece. It had to be + manufactured in thousand-ton pieces, which would be hoisted one after the + other into the shaft and put in place over the chamber where the + melimelonite was stored. After having been jointed each to the other, + these pieces would form a compact whole, which would fit the sides of the + tubular lining. In regard to the construction of the massive furnaces to + effect the melting of the metal, there was met perhaps the greatest + difficulty. Ten furnaces of ten metres each in height were at the end of a + month in working order and able to produce each 180 tons per day. This + would be 1,800 tons for twenty-four hours-180,000 tons after 100 + work-days. + </p> + <p> + In regard to the third workshop, made for the manufacture of the + melimelonite, the work was easily done, but under such secret precautions, + that the composition of this explosive it has not been possible to state + perfectly. Everything went along splendidly. It could not have been + possible to have met with more success in any factory. One would hardly + expect to escape an accident of some sort on a three-hundred-thousand + franc job. It is easily understood that the Sultan was delighted. He + followed the operation with indefatigable interest. And the presence of + His Majesty helped greatly to make these Negroes work as hard as possible. + One day Bali-Bali asked what all these operations were going on for. He + received his reply from President Barbicane: "It is a work," said he, + "which will change the face of the earth-a work which will bring the + greatest glory on the greatest Sultan of all the Eastern kings." + </p> + <p> + By the 29th of August the works were entirely finished. + </p> + <p> + The shaft was bored to the wished-for point. It was provided with a smooth + bore of six metres diameter. At the bottom of the shaft were placed the + 2,000 tons of melimelonite; then came the projectile 105 metres long. + After deducting the space occupied by the powder and projectile there + remained still 492 metres before the muzzle was reached, which secured all + the effect possible by the recoil produced by the expansion of the gas. + </p> + <p> + Now, the first question which might come up was, would the projectile + deviate from the trajectory assigned to it by the calculations of J.T. + Maston? In no way, for the calculations were absolutely correct. They + indicated to what extent the projectile would deviate to the east of the + meridian of Kilimanjaro because of the rotation of the earth on its axis, + and what would be the form of the curve which it would describe because of + its enormous initial velocity. Secondly, would it be visible during its + course? No, because in going out of the shaft it would be thrown in the + shadow of the earth and it could not be seen, for in consequence of its + low trajectory it would have a very sharp angle of velocity compared with + the earth's course. In fact, Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl could well be + proud of their work, which had so far succeeded in its every detail. Why + was J.T. Maston not there to watch this great operation, founded on the + figuring which he had done? And who was it that kept him so far away, so + very far, when this terrible detonation would wake the echoes as far as + the furthermost horizon of Africa? + </p> + <p> + Thinking of him, his two associates did not know that the Secretary had + been compelled to keep away from Ballistic Cottage after having got out of + prison and hidden himself in a safe place away from the savage people. + They did not know to what extent indignation had been roused against the + engineer of the N. P. P. A. They did not know that they, too, would have + been burnt or hanged and tortured to death if it had been possible to have + reached them. Really, they ought to have been glad that at the moment when + the shooting would take place they would only be saluted by the cries of + this Negro people of Eastern Africa, "Well, at last!" said Capt. + Nicholl to President Barbicane, when on the 22d of September they were + standing before their finished work. "Yes, at last," said Impey + Barbicane. "What a chance it was that placed at our disposition this + admirable melimelonite!" said Capt. Nicholl. "Which will make you the + most illustrious person on the earth, Nicholl." "Without doubt, + Barbicane," modestly answered Capt. Nicholl. "But do you know how much + it would have been necessary to dig out Kilimanjaro if we only had + gun-cotton equal to that which threw our projectile to the moon?" + </p> + <p> + "How much, Nicholl?" + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and eighty galleries, Barbicane." + </p> + <p> + "Well, we would have digged them, Captain." + </p> + <p> + "And 180 projectiles of 180,000 tons." + </p> + <p> + "We would have melted them, Nicholl." + </p> + <p> + "It was useless to expect reasonable conversation between two persons of + this type. But after they made the trip to the moon, what would they not + be capable of? On the very same evening only a few hours before the minute + when the gun was to be fired, and while President Barbicane and Capt. + Nicholl were congratulating themselves, Alcide Pierdeux, closeted in his + studio at Baltimore, uttered a cry of hurrah! as if he were crazy. + </p> + <p> + Then, suddenly getting up from the table, which was covered with figures + and calculations, he cried out: + </p> + <p> + "Ah! What a fool Maston is!-what a stupid fellow! His whole problem + will go in the soup! Christopher Columbus! Why did I not see this before? + If I only knew where he was at this moment I would invite him to have + supper with me and to sip a glass of champagne at the very moment when + they are going to fire off the gun." + </p> + <p> + And after these and many exclamations which he generally used in playing + whist he said: "Oh, the old fool! Without a doubt he must have been dull + when he made his calculations for this affair of Kilimanjaro. He will find + it very necessary to make another. Oh, what a fool with his cannon!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="XVIII" id="XVIII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /><br />IN WHICH THE POPULATION OF WAMASAI ASSEMBLE TO + HEAR PRESIDENT BARBICANE SAY "FIRE" TO CAPT. NICHOLL.</b> + </h4> + <p> + It was in the evening of the 22d of September, that memorable date which + public opinion credited with an influence as unlucky as that of the 1st of + January of the year 1000. Twelve hours after the sun had passed the + meridian of Kilimanjaro, that is at midnight, Capt. Nicholl was to touch + off the terrible cannon. + </p> + <p> + Kilimanjaro being 35 degrees east of the meridian of Paris, and Baltimore + 79 degrees east of said meridian, there was a difference of 114 degrees + between these two places, or 456 minutes in time, or 7 hours and 36 + minutes. So the exact moment at which the shooting would take place would + be 5 hours and 24 minutes post meridian in that great city of Maryland. + The weather was magnificent. The sun had just gone down on the plains of + Wamasai, behind a horizon of perfect purity. It was impossible to wish for + a prettier night, one more calm or starry, in which to throw the + projectile across space. Not a cloud would be mixed with the artificial + vapors developed by the deflagration of the melimelonite. + </p> + <p> + Who knows, perhaps President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl regretted that + they were not able to get into the projectile. In the first second they + would have travelled 2,800 kilometres. Sultan Bali-Bali, with the great + personages of his court, that is, his Finance Ministers and his Ministers + of Public Works, together with the Black Brigade, who had helped in the + great work, were all assembled to watch the different steps of the + shooting. + </p> + <p> + But, with great precaution, they had all taken a position three kilometres + from the shaft bored in the Kilimanjaro, so that they would have nothing + to fear from the concussion of the air. + </p> + <p> + Several thousand natives, deputed from Kisongo and neighboring States in + the south of the province, by the orders of the Sultan, were present to + witness this splendid spectacle. A wire was stretched, connecting an + electric battery to the touch-hole of the shaft, ready to send the current + and start the deflagration of the melimelonite. As a preliminary an + excellent meal had been served at the table of the Sultan for his American + guests and the persons of his court, all at the expense of Bali-Bali, who + did everything very grandly as long as he was reimbursed by the members of + the firm of Barbicane & Co. + </p> + <p> + It was 11 o'clock when this feast, commenced at 7:30, was finished, and + at the end of it the Sultan proposed a toast to the engineers of the N. P. + P. A. and to the success of their great enterprise. An hour yet, and the + change in the geographical and climatic conditions of the earth would be + accomplished. + </p> + <p> + President Barbicane, his associate, and his ten helpers took their places + around the cannon, to the interior of which ran the wire of the electric + battery. Barbicane with his chronometer in his hand counted the minutes, + and never in his life did they seem so long to him. The minutes seemed not + merely years but centuries. At ten minutes before midnight Capt. Nicholl + and Barbicane approached the key which put the electric thread in + communication with the shaft of Kilimanjaro. The Sultan, his court and the + crowd of natives formed an immense circle around the cannon. It was + important that the shooting should take place at the exact moment + indicated in the calculations of J. T. Maston-that is, at the moment + when the sun would cut that equinoctial line which it would never leave + again in its apparent orbit around the earth. Five minutes to twelve, four + minutes, three minutes, two minutes, one minute to twelve- + </p> + <p> + President Barbicane watched the hands of his chronometer, lighted by a + lantern which was held by one of his helpers, while Capt. Nicholl, his + finger on the button of the apparatus, was ready to connect the circuit of + electricity. + </p> + <p> + Twenty seconds, ten seconds, five seconds, one second. Not the slightest + tremor could be noted in the hand of the impassive Nicholl. His partner + and himself were no more excited than, at the moment when they waited, + sitting in the projectile, for the Columbiad to fire them to the regions + of the moon. + </p> + <p> + "Fire," ordered President Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + At this moment Capt. Nicholl pressed the button. A terrible detonation + followed, the echoes of which spread to the furthest corners of the + province of Wamasai. A sharp whistle passed the crowd, a terrible rush of + air, caused by the milliards of milliards of measures of gas, made by the + instantaneous deflagrations of the 2,000 tons of melimelonite. It might be + described as one of those meteors in which all the violence of nature is + accumulated sweeping across the earth. The effect could not have been more + terrible if all the cannons of the whole globe had been joined together + with all the thunderbolts of heaven and all had united in one grand + report. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XIX" id="XIX"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XIX.<br /><br />IN WHICH J.T. MASTON REGRETS THAT THE CROWD DID + NOT LYNCH HIM WHEN HE WAS IN PRISON.</b> + </h4> + <p> + The capitals of two worlds, the largest cities as well as the smaller + ones, stood waiting terror-stricken. Thanks to the journals which had + published the news broadcast over the world, every one knew the precise + hour at which the shooting would take place and the local hour which + corresponded with that of Kilimanjaro, situated 35 degrees east, allowing + for the difference of longitude. + </p> + <p> + A few of the principal cities, the sun travelling a degree in four minutes + were as follows: + </p> + <p> + At Paris, 9:40 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At St. Petersburg, 11:31 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At London, 9:30 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At Rome, 10:20 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At Madrid, 9:15 P.M. + </p> + <p> + AtBerlin, 11:20 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At Constantinople, 11:26 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At Calcutta, 3:04 A.M. + </p> + <p> + At Nanking, 5:05 A.M. + </p> + <p> + At Baltimore, it was said, twelve hours after the passage of the sun of + the meridian of Kilimanjaro, it was 5:24 P.M. It is impossible to describe + the pangs which were produced at this moment. The most powerful of modern + pens would be helpless at the task. The people of Baltimore stood fearing + that they would be swept off the surface of the earth by the terrible mass + of water which would fall on their city. They expected to see the Bay of + Chesapeake empty itself upon them. Then, besides, the city, even should + the waters not come upon it, would be terribly shaken up by the shock + which would be produced. The monuments would be destroyed; its best + quarters swallowed up at the bottom of the abysses which would open + through the surface of the ground. These fears ran through the different + parts of the globe which were not scheduled for submersion by the upheaval + of the oceans. + </p> + <p> + Every human being felt the marrow in his bones creep and shake at this + fearful moment. + </p> + <p> + Yes, all trembled, all save one person, and that one was the engineer + Alcide Pierdeux. As he had not had time to make known to the public the + discoveries which he had made by means of his last calculations, he drank + a bumper of champagne to the health of both worlds in the café of one of + the best known hotels. Just as the twenty-fourth minute after 5 o'clock, + corresponding with midnight at Kilimanjaro, was reached- + </p> + <p> + At Baltimore, nothing. + </p> + <p> + At London, Paris, Constantinople, Berlin, nothing, not the least shock. + </p> + <p> + Mr. John Milne, standing in his coal mine at Shamokui with a seismometer + which he had arranged there, did not note the least abnormal movement in + the earth's shell in this part of the globe. In Baltimore the heavens + were cloudy and it was impossible to note in the apparent movement of the + stars any derangement which would have indicated the change in the + earth's axis. + </p> + <p> + What a night J.T. Maston passed in his place of safety which was unknown + to all save Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt! He was beside himself, this + visionary engineer. He could not rest in his place of hiding. He seemed to + have grown old in one day and looked sharply out to see if the daily + course of the sun was modified. This would have been a certain proof of + the success of his work. This change could not be seen even on the morning + of the 23d of September, because at this date the star invariably rises in + the east for all points of the globe. The next day the sun travelled over + the horizon the same as it had always done. + </p> + <p> + The European delegates had assembled on the platform of their hotel. They + had by their side instruments of extreme precision which would enable them + to note if the sun took a course in the direction of the equator. + </p> + <p> + Well, nothing changed. A few minutes after the rising of the sun the great + disc inclined away towards the Australian hemisphere. Nothing was changed + in its apparent course. + </p> + <p> + Major Donellan and his associates saluted the heavenly torch with + enthusiastic hurrahs, and gave it a reception like a favorite star in the + theatre. The heavens were in superb condition, the horizon free from the + vapors of the night, never did the great sun-god present a more beautiful + aspect in such splendid condition before the astonished public. "And + precisely at the place marked by the laws of astronomy," said Eric + Baldenak. + </p> + <p> + "Yes by our old astronomy," said Boris Karkof, "and these fools + pretended to destroy it." + </p> + <p> + "Well, they will have their expenses to pay and ridicule to endure + besides," added Jacques Jansen, by whose voice Holland seemed to speak + all alone. + </p> + <p> + "And the Arctic regions will eternally stay under the ice as they have + discovered," said Prof. Jan Harald. + </p> + <p> + "Hurrah for the sun," said Major Donellan. "Such as it is, it has + been and always will be sufficient for our earth." + </p> + <p> + "Hurrah, hurrah," repeated in single voice the representatives of old + Europe. At this moment Dean Toodrink, who had not said anything so far, + made this very cautious remark: + </p> + <p> + But perhaps they did not shoot yet. + </p> + <p> + "Not shoot yet," said the Major. "Heaven grant that they have fired + off the cannon twice rather than once." + </p> + <p> + And that was exactly what J. T. Maston and Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt were + saying. + </p> + <p> + The wise and the ignorant were united this time by the logic of the + situation. Even Alcide Pierdeux repeated it, and added: "Even if they + did shoot, what is the difference? The earth will not stop waltzing on its + old axis and turning as it used to do." + </p> + <p> + In fact no one knew what had happened at Kilimanjaro. But at the close of + the day an answer came to the question which was engrossing the attention + of mankind. + </p> + <p> + A cablegram arrived in the United States, and here is what this dispatch, + sent by Richard W. Trust, Consul at Zanzibar, contained: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Zanzibar, Sept. 23, 7:25 A.M." "To <i>John S. Wright, Minister of + State</i>: + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The cannon was fired off yesterday evening at midnight exactly by the + device bored in the southern part of Kilimanjaro. Passage of the + projectile was accompanied with a powerful whirr and terrible + detonation. Whole provinces destroyed by the concussion of the air. + Ocean agitated as far as the Mozambique channel. A large number of + vessels disabled and thrown on the coast. Towns and villages destroyed. + Everything else is well. RICHARD W. TRUST." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Yes, everything else went on well. Nothing had been changed in the state + of worldly affairs save the terrible disasters produced in Wamasai, which + was partly deluged by the artificial waterspout, and the shipwrecks which + were produced by the current of air. The same thing precisely happened + when the Columbiad threw its projectile to the moon. The shock to the + ground of Florida, was it not felt through a radius of 100 miles? Yes, + certainly, but this time the effect should have been a hundred times + stronger. + </p> + <p> + Whatever had happened the dispatch gave two pieces of information to the + interested people of the old and new worlds. + </p> + <p> + First-That the enormous cannon had been erected in the flank of + Kilimanjaro. + </p> + <p> + Second-That the gun had been fired at the fixed hour. And now, the whole + world uttered an exclamation of intense satisfaction, followed by a great + burst of laughter. + </p> + <p> + The trial which Barbicane & Co. had made had entirely failed. The + calculations of J.T. Maston were good only for the waste basket. The + N.P.P.A. could only announce its failure. But, perhaps, it might be that + the secretary of the Gun Club had made a mistake in his calculations. + </p> + <p> + "Rather would I believe that I have been mistaken in the affection which + I feel for him," said Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. + </p> + <p> + But beyond all, the most discontented human being was J.T. Maston. When he + saw that nothing had been changed in the movement of the earth, that the + conditions remained precisely the same as they were since the creation, he + hoped that some accident had prevented the success of Barbicane & Co., + and that his associates had met with some disaster. + </p> + <p> + But there was the cablegram from Zanzibar which stated without a doubt + that the operation had taken place. + </p> + <p> + Failed! ! And what of the formulas and calculations on which he had spent + so much time? Is it possible that a cylinder 600 metres long, 27 metres + wide, throwing a projectile of 180,000 kilograms, with the deflagration of + 200 tons of melimelonite, with an initial velocity of 2,800 kilometres, + would not be sufficient to move the earthly axis? It did not seem + probable. + </p> + <p> + But why? + </p> + <p> + So J.T. Maston, in a state of violent excitement, declared that he would + quit his retreat. Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt tried in vain to prevent it. + Not that she feared for his life, as all danger of that sort had passed. + But the insults which he would have to bear, the jokes which would be + cracked about him, the remarks which would be made in regard to his + work-she wanted to spare him from these. And then, moreover, what would + his associates of the Gun Club say? Did they not have to thank this man + for the want of success of their operation and for making them ridiculous? + Was he not the man who had figured out the whole affair and on whose + shoulders rested all the responsibility? + </p> + <p> + J.T. Maston would not listen to any one. He resisted the begging and tears + of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. He went out of the house where he had kept + himself hiding. He was recognized, and those who had trembled for fear of + the consequences of his work now took revenge by joking and laughing at + him, and this in many thousand different ways. He was forced to listen to + jeering remarks, even from the street gamins. "Ah," they shouted, + "here he is who wanted to change the axis of the earth, who wanted to + discover coal mines around the North Pole, who even wanted to remove + it." In short, the Secretary of the Gun Club was compelled to return to + the mansion of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, who used all her wealth of + tenderness to console him. It was in vain, however. J.T. Maston could not + be consoled, as his cannon had produced upon the earth's sphere no more + effect than a simple popgun would have done. A fortnight went by in this + way, and the world resumed its daily routine and did not even think any + longer of the projects of the N.P.P.A. + </p> + <p> + A fortnight and no news yet from President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl. + Had they perished by the discharge in the land of Wamasai? Had they + sacrificed their lives in the most mysterious operation of modern times? + No. + </p> + <p> + After the detonation both were overthrown along with the Sultan arid his + court, and a thousand natives in one grand tumble, but they all got up + after a little time strong and hearty. + </p> + <p> + "Did you succeed?" asked Bali-Bali, rubbing his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Do you doubt it?" + </p> + <p> + "Me doubt it?" + </p> + <p> + "But when will you know?" + </p> + <p> + "In a few days," said Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + Did he appreciate that the operation had failed? Perhaps. But he never + would have acknowledged it before the Sultan at Wamasai. + </p> + <p> + Forty-eight hours later the two partners had taken leave of Wamasai, not, + however, before having paid an enormous sum for the damage done to the + country. As this amount of money went into the private purse of the + Sultan, and as his subjects did not receive one cent of it, he had no + reason to complain of the operation. + </p> + <p> + Then the two associates, followed by their ten helpers, reached Zanzibar, + where they found a vessel to take them to Suez. From there under false + names the steamer Morris brought them to Marseilles; then they took the + train to Paris, where they arrived without having had any collision or + accident, and taking the railroad to Havre they arrived in time to go to + America by the Bourgogne of the Transatlantic line. In twenty-two days + they made the trip from Wamasai to New York, and on the 15th day of + October the two knocked at the door of the mansion of New Park, at three + minutes past noon. An instant afterwards they found themselves in the + presence of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt and J. T. Maston. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XX" id="XX"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER XX.<br /><br />IN WHICH THIS STORY, AS TRUTHFUL AS IT IS IMPROBABLE, + IS FINISHED. + </h4> + <p> + "Barbicane!!! Nicholl!!" + </p> + <p> + "Maston." + </p> + <p> + "You." + </p> + <p> + "We." + </p> + <p> + And in this plural pronoun, uttered simultaneously by the two associates + in a single voice, might be heard a flood of irony and reproaches. + </p> + <p> + J.T. Maston pressed his iron hook on his forehead. Then, with a voice + which seemed to stick in his throat, he said: + </p> + <p> + "Did your shaft at Kilimanjaro really have a diameter of twenty-seven + metres?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Did your projectile really weigh 180,000,000 of kilograms?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "And was the shooting really done with 2,000 pounds of melimelonite?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + This thrice-repeated "yes" fell on J. T. Maston like masses of stone + on his head. + </p> + <p> + "Then I can only conclude"-said he. + </p> + <p> + "What?" asked President Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + "As follows," said J. T. Maston. "As the operation did not succeed, + the powder did not give to the projectile an initial velocity of 2,800 + kilometres." + </p> + <p> + "Really?" said Capt. Nicholl, with a tone of sarcasm. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, your melimelonite is good only to charge pistols of straw." + </p> + <p> + Capt. Nicholl sprang up at this remark, which was an outrageous insult to + him. + </p> + <p> + "Maston!" said he. + </p> + <p> + "Nicholl!" + </p> + <p> + "You ought to be blown up with the melimelonite." + </p> + <p> + "No, gun cotton; that is more sure." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had to interfere and cool these two enraged + gunners down. + </p> + <p> + "Gentlemen," said she, between associates. + </p> + <p> + "And anyhow," President Barbicane resumed, with a very calm + expression, "what is the good of criminations? It is certain that the + calculations of our friend, J. T. Maston, were correct, as it is certain + that the explosive of our friend Nicholl had sufficient power. Yes, we + have only employed known quantities of science. We lacked experience. Why + did we fail? Perhaps we may never know." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said the Secretary of the Gun Club, "we will commence all + over again." "And the money then which has been spent for this + operation is a dead loss," observed Capt. Nicholl. + </p> + <p> + "But public opinion," said Evangelina Scorbitt, "would not allow you + a second trial." + </p> + <p> + "What will become of our Arctic region?" said Capt. Nicholl." + "Where will the stock of the N.P.P.A. fall to?" said President + Barbicane. Well, it had already fallen so far that the stock was offered + at the price of old paper. + </p> + <p> + This, then, was the result of the gigantic operation. This was the + memorable fiasco to which the superhuman projects of Barbicane & Co. + had led. + </p> + <p> + If ever engineers, unlucky engineers were laughed at in public, if ever + the newspaper made drawings, songs, and paragraphs not at all flattering + to the people mentioned in them, this occasion exceeded them all. + President Barbicane, the Directors of the new Society and their associates + of the Gun Club were universally sneered at. In every language they were + made ridiculous, and to make it easier to the whole population of the + world to read the scornful articles were printed in "Volapuk." In + Europe, especially, all the remarks and songs to make the persons of the + N.P.P.A. ridiculous were spread broadcast. The greatest hit was made by a + Frenchman, who composed a ballad which was sung in every concert hall of + France and America. But will we never know to what the failure of this + enterprise was due? Did this failure prove that the operation was + impossible of realization; that the powers at the disposal of mankind + would never be sufficient to bring about a change in the earth's + movement? Did it prove that the country around the North Pole would never + be removed to those regions where the sun and heat would melt the ice + without human help? + </p> + <p> + Information on this subject came a few days after the return of President + Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl to the United States. A very simple paragraph + appeared in the <i>Times</i> of the 17th of October. Here is the article: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "We all know that the result of the operation to create a new axis has + been nothing. However, the calculations of J.T. Maston, founded on + established facts, would have produced the desired result if through an + unexplainable slip an error had not been embraced in them from the + beginning. When the celebrated secretary of the Gun Club took for a + basis of his calculations the circumference of the earth's sphere, he + figured it at 40,000 metres in place of 40,000,000 metres, and to which + the failing of the operation is due. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Where could such an error come from? Who could have provoked it?... + How could such a remarkable calculator commit such an error? + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "It is certain that had the problem of the modification of the + earth's axis been correctly figured, it would have had been exactly + solved. But this forgetting of three zeros has made a change at the end + of the calculation of twelve naughts. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "It is not a cannon one million times larger than that of twenty-seven + centimetres, which was necessary. A trillion of these cannons throwing a + trillion projectiles of 80,000 tons each would be necessary to displace + the North Pole, admitting that the melimelonite had the expansive power + which had been attributed to it by Capt. Nicholl. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Therefore the whole shock under the conditions under which it was + produced has displaced the North Pole only three-thousandths of a + milimeter, and has only changed the level of the ocean at the most + nine-thousandths of three-thousandths of a milimetre. In regard to the + projectile fired, it will be a small planet, and will belong in future + to the solar system, sustained by solar attraction. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + ALCIDE PIERDEUX ". + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + So this want of attention on the part of J.T. Maston at the beginning of + his calculations had produced such a humiliating result for his Company. + </p> + <p> + But even if his associates were very angry against him, if everybody + laughed and joked at him, it is only fair to state in his favor that this + mistake which had wrecked the operation had spared the world a terrible + catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + A flood of telegrams and letters arrived from all parts of the world + congratulating J.T. Maston on his mistake of three naughts. J.T. Maston, + more downhearted and crushed than ever, would not listen to the hurrahs + which the world now uttered for him. President Barbicane, Capt. Nicholl, + Tom Hunter, with wooden legs; Col. Bloomsberry, the gay Bilsby, and his + associates would never pardon him. But Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt she could + not be angry with him, most excellent lady. + </p> + <p> + J.T. Maston had begun to do his calculations over again, refusing to admit + that he was wrong at that point. + </p> + <p> + He was, however; the Engineer Alcide Pierdeux had not made a mistake. + Having learnt his error at the last moment, when he had no time to make it + known, he had remained perfectly composed among all the fright and terror + of those about him. That was why he proposed a toast in champagne at the + moment when the shooting was taking place in the Old World. Yes, indeed, + three naughts had been forgotten in the circumference of the earth. + Suddenly J.T. Maston remembered the whole matter. + </p> + <p> + It was at the beginning of his work when he had shut himself up in the + "Ballistic Cottage," and written the number 40,000,000 on his + blackboard. At that moment the electric bell began to ring with great + force. J.T. Maston went to the phone. He exchanged a few words with Mrs. + Evangelina Scorbitt. Suddenly a terrible stroke of lightning from the + storm through the telephone knocked over his blackboard and himself. He + got up, commenced to write over again the numbers which had been half + rubbed out on his blackboard. He had just written the numbers 40,000 when + the telephone rang for the second time. He went again to listen to Mme. + Scorbitt, and when he did begin his work he forgot to put on the last + three naughts of the earth's circumference. + </p> + <p> + It was the fault of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. If she had not interrupted + him he would not have been thrown on the floor by the shock from the + telephone. He would not have noticed anything of lightning and thunder, + and all his mass of figures and calculations would not have ended in a + mistake. + </p> + <p> + What a terrible blow it was to this unhappy lady when J.T. Maston was + compelled to tell her the circumstances which had produced the mistake! + Yes, she was the cause of the disaster. It was on her account that J.T. + Maston found himself dishonored through the long years which he bad yet to + live, as nearly every member of the Gun Club usually lived to the age of a + hundred years. + </p> + <p> + After this conversation at New Park, J. T. Maston had gone away from the + mansion. He went back to his Ballistic Cottage and walked into his study + muttering to himself: "Well, now I am not good for anything any more in + this world." + </p> + <p> + "Not even good enough to get married," said a broken voice at his + elbow. + </p> + <p> + It was that of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. Absolutely crushed and + heart-broken, she had followed him. + </p> + <p> + "Dear Maston"-she began. + </p> + <p> + "Well, yes," said he, "but only under one condition-that I shall + never make any mathematical calculations." + </p> + <p> + "My dear friend, I have a horror of them," answered the excellent + widow. + </p> + <p> + Thus it happened that the Secretary of the Gun Club made Mrs. Evangelina + Scorbitt Mrs. J. T. Maston. + </p> + <p> + In regard to the article of Alcide Pierdeux, we might say that it brought + him into great celebrity and reputation. + </p> + <p> + It was translated into all languages, printed in every paper, and thus his + name became known all over the world. The father of his old sweetheart had + refused him his daughter's hand, after telling him that he could not + give him his daughter, as he was too smart. But now, after having read + this article and being unable to understand it without any help, he began + to feel sorry and know better. He sent him an invitation to dine with him + and his daughter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XXI" id="XXI"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XXI.<br /><br />VERY SHORT, SINCE ENOUGH HAS BEEN SAID TO MAKE + THE WORLD'S POPULATION FEEL PERFECTLY SURE AGAIN.</b> + </h4> + <p> + And now the inhabitants of the world could again be perfectly easy. + President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl will not again begin that enterprise + so woefully miscarried, J.T. Maston will not again figure out any + calculations, however free from mistakes. The article of Alcide Pierdeux + has told the truth. What the law of mechanics proves to us is that to + produce a displacement of the axis of 23 degrees and 28 minutes, even with + the melimelonite, a trillion cannons similar to the one which had been + bored into the cliff of Kilimanjaro would be necessary. But our whole + sphere, bored over its whole surface, is too small to accommodate them. + Therefore the inhabitants of the earth may sleep in peace. To modify the + conditions in which the earth is moving is beyond the efforts of humanity. + It is not meet that mere humanity should change anything in the order + established by our Creator in the system of the universe. + </p> + <h4> + END OF THE VOYAGE EXTRAORDINAIRE + </h4> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Topsy-Turvy, by Jules Verne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOPSY-TURVY *** + +***** This file should be named 10547-h.htm or 10547-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/5/4/10547/ + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders and Norman Wolcott + +Linked Table of Contents produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Topsy-Turvy + +Author: Jules Verne + +Release Date: December 30, 2003 [EBook #10547] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOPSY-TURVY *** + + + + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders and Norman Wolcott + +Linked Table of Contents produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <h3> + Topsy Turvy by Jules Verne + </h3> + <p class="normal"> + <b>[Redactor's Note:</b> <i>Topsy Turvy</i> (Number <b>V035</b> in the T&M + numerical listing of Verne's works) is a translation of <i>Sans dessus + dessous</i> (1889) . This anonymous translation was first published by J. + G. Ogilvie (New York, 1890). We meet our old friends Barbicane and J.T. + Maston from "Earth to the Moon" who now give us their own approach to + the topic of "global warming". Although they are searching for coal + and not oil, readers will find that the auction of the Arctic energy + reserves has a definite 21st century ring. We are indebted to Mr. Mark + Eccles of Columbia, MD for loaning his rare and disintegrating copy of + this 1890 work.The text was reprinted in an Ace paperback (D-434) in the + late 1950's with the title "The Purchase of the North Pole". There + is another edition published by Sampson & Low (U.K.,1890) also + entitled "The Purchase of the North Pole". The Ogilvie book is more + faithful to the structure of the french-the S&L has 20 chapters + instead of 21 and omits part of 21, but the sense may be sometimes + incorrect-the last sentence of 20 reads "But now, after having read + the article and being <i>unable</i> to understand it without any help, he + began to feel sorry and feel better" where the word <i>able</i> might be + supposed. Both editions leave out some parts of sentences and paragraphs, + the Ogilvie probably worse in this regard. There is one equation in the + book which is represented as a graphic. A Table of Contents has been added + for user convenience. This text contains 42,000 words. (NMW)<b>]</b> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <div> + <br /><br /> + <h2> + "TOPSY-TURVY" + </h2> + <p> + BY + </p> + <p> + <big><b>JULES VERNE</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <i>Author of "Around the World in Eighty Days,"<br />"Twenty + Thousand Leagues under the Sea,"<br />Etc., Etc.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <br /><br /> + <p> + <i>Copyright, 1890 by J.G.Ogilvie</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <br /><br /> + <p> + + </p> + <p> + NEW YORK<br />SEASIDE PUBLISHING COMPANY<br />142-144 Worth Street + </p> + </div> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <div> + <h4> + <b>TABLE OF CONTENTS</b> + </h4> + <table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" width="530" border="1"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#I">CHAPTER I.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THE NORTH POLAR PRACTICAL ASSOCIATION RUSHES A DOCUMENT + ACROSS TWO WORLDS + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#II">CHAPTER II.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THE DELEGATES FROM ENGLAND, HOLLAND, SWEDEN, DENMARK + AND RUSSIA ARE PRESENTED TO THE READER + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#III">CHAPTER III.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THE ARCTIC REGIONS ARE SOLD AT AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST + BIDDER + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#IV">CHAPTER IV.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH OLD ACQUAINTANCES APPEAR TO OUR NEW READERS, AND IN + WHICH A WONDERFUL MAN IS DESCRIBED + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#V">CHAPTER V.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THE POSSIBILITY THAT COAL MINES SURROUND THE NORTH POLE + IS CONSIDERED + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#VI">CHAPTER VI.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH A TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MRS SCORBITT AND J. + T. MASTON IS INTERRUPTED + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#VII">CHAPTER VII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH PRESIDENT BARBICANE SAYS NO MORE THAN SUITS HIS PURPOSE + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + YES, JUST LIKE JUPITER + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#IX">CHAPTER IX.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH APPEARS THE FRENCH GENTLEMAN TO WHOM WE REFERRED AT THE + BEGINNING OF THIS TRUTHFUL STORY + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#X">CHAPTER X.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH A LITTLE UNEASINESS BEGINS TO SHOW ITSELF + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XI">CHAPTER XI.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + WHAT WAS FOUND IN THE NOTEBOOK OF J. T. MASTON AND WHAT IT NO + LONGER CONTAINED + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XII">CHAPTER XII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH J. T. MASTON HEROICALLY CONTINUES TO BE SILENT + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + AT THE CLOSE OF WHICH JT MASTON UTTERS AN EPIGRAM + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + VERY SHORT, BUT IN WHICH "X" TAKES A GEOGRAPHICAL VALUE + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XV">CHAPTER XV.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + WHICH CONTAINS A FEW INTERESTING DETAILS FOR THE INHABITANTS OF + THE EARTHLY SPHERE + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH A CROWD OF DISSATISFIED PEOPLE BREAK INTO THE CELL OF + J. T. MASTON + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + WHAT HAD BEEN DONE AT KILIMANJARO DURING EIGHT MONTH OF THIS + MEMORABLE YEAR + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THE POPULATION OF WAMASAI ASSEMBLE TO HEAR PRESIDENT + BARBICANE SAY "FIRE" TO CAPT NICHOLL + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH J. T. MASTON REGRETS THAT THE CROWD DID NOT LYNCH HIM + WHEN HE WAS IN PRISON + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XX">CHAPTER XX.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + IN WHICH THIS STORY, AS TRUTHFUL AS IT IS IMPROBABLE, IS + FINISHED + </p> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + <a href="#XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a> + </p> + </td> + <td> + <p class="normal"> + VERY SHORT, SINCE ENOUGH HAS BEEN SAID TO MAKE THE WORLD'S + POPULATION FEEL PERFECTLY SURE AGAIN + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h4> + <b>TOPSY TURVY</b> + </h4> + <p> + <a name="I" id="I"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER I.<br /><br />IN WHICH THE NORTH POLAR PRACTICAL ASSOCIATION RUSHES + A DOCUMENT ACROSS TWO WORLDS + </h4> + <p> + "Then Mr Maston, you pretend that a woman has never been able to make + mathematical or experimental-science progress?" + </p> + <p> + "To my extreme regret, I am obliged to, Mrs. Scorbitt," answered J.T. + Maston. + </p> + <p> + "That there have been some very remarkable women in mathematics, + especially in Russia, I fully and willingly agree with you. But, with her + cerebral conformation, she cannot become an Archimedes, much less a + Newton." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, Mr. Maston, allow me to protest in the name of my sex." + </p> + <p> + "A sex, Mrs. Scorbitt, much too charming to give itself up to the higher + studies." + </p> + <p> + "Well then, according to your opinion, no woman seeing an apple fall + could have discovered the law of universal gravitation, so that it would + have made her the most illustrious scientific person of the seventeenth + century?" + </p> + <p> + "In seeing an apple fall, Mrs. Scorbitt, a woman would have but the + single idea-to eat it-for example, our mother Eve." + </p> + <p> + "Pshaw, I see very well that you deny us all aptitude for high + speculations." + </p> + <p> + "All aptitude? No, Mrs. Scorbitt, and in the meanwhile I would like to + prove to you that since there are inhabitants on earth, and consequently + women, there has not one feminine brain been found yet to which we owe any + discoveries like those of Aristotle, Euclid, Kepler, Laplace, etc." + </p> + <p> + "Is this a reason? And does the past always prove the future?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, a person who has done nothing in a thousand years, without a + doubt, never will do anything." + </p> + <p> + "I see now that I have to take our part, Mr. Maston, and that we are not + worth much." + </p> + <p> + "In regard to being worth something"-began Mr. Maston, with as much + politeness as he could command. + </p> + <p> + But Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, who was perfectly willing to be satisfied, + answered promptly: "Each one has his or her lot in this world. You may + remain the extraordinary calculator which you are, give yourself up + entirely to the immense work to which your friends and yourself will + devote their existence. I will be the woman in the case and bring to it my + pecuniary assistance." + </p> + <p> + "And we will owe you an eternal gratitude," answered Mr. Maston. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt blushed deliciously, for she felt, according to + report, a singular sympathy for J.T. Maston. Besides, is not the heart of + a woman an unfathomable gulf? + </p> + <p> + It was really an immense undertaking to which this rich American widow had + resolved to devote large sums of money. + </p> + <p> + The scheme and its expected results, briefly outlined, were as follows: + </p> + <p> + The Arctic regions, accurately expressed, include according to Maltebrun, + Roclus, Saint-Martin and other high authorities on geography: + </p> + <p> + 1st. The northern Devon, including the ice-covered islands of Baffin's + Sea and Lancaster Sound. + </p> + <p> + 2d. The northern Georgia, made up of banks and numerous islands, such as + the islands of Sabine, Byam-Martin, Griffith, Cornwallis, and Bathurst. + </p> + <p> + 3d. The archipelago of Baffin-Parry, including different parts of the + circumpolar continent, embracing Cumberland, Southampton, James-Sommerset, + Boothia-Felix, Melville, and other parts nearly unknown. Of this great + area, crossed by the 78th parallel, there are over 1,400,000 square miles + of land and over 700,000 square miles of water. + </p> + <p> + Within this area intrepid modern discoverers have advanced to the + 84th-degree of latitude, reaching seacoasts lost behind the high chain of + icebergs which may be called the Arctic Highlands, given names to capes, + to mountains, to gulfs, to bays, etc. But beyond this 84th degree is + mystery. It is the terra incognita of the chart-makers, and nobody knows + as yet whether behind is hidden land or water for a distance of 6 degrees + over impassable heaps of ice to the North Pole. + </p> + <p> + It was in the year 189- that the Government of the United States conceived + the idea of putting the as yet undiscovered countries around the North + Pole up at auction sale, and an American society had just been formed with + the plan of purchasing this Arctic area and has asked the concession. + </p> + <p> + For several years, it is true, the Conference at Berlin had formulated a + special plan for the guidance of such of the great powers as might wish to + appropriate rights under the claim of colonization or the opening of + commercial markets. This code was not acceptable to all, and the Polar + region had remained without inhabitants. As that which belongs to none + belongs to every one, the new Society did not wish merely to occupy it, + but to purchase it outright, and so avoid further claims. + </p> + <p> + There never is in the United States any project so bold as not to find + people to regard it as practical and back it with large amounts of money. + This was well shown a few years ago when the Gun Club of Baltimore tried + to send a projectile to the moon, hoping to obtain a direct communication + with our satellite. Was it not enterprising Americans who furnished funds + for this undertaking? Large amounts were necessary for this interesting + trial and were promptly found. And, had it been realized, would we not + have to thank the members of that club who had dared to take the risk of + this super-human experience? + </p> + <p> + Should a Lesseps propose to dig a channel across Europe to Asia, from the + banks of the Atlantic to the waters of China; should a well-sinker offer + to bore from the curb-stones to reach the beds of molten silicates, to + bring a supply to your fireplaces; should an enterprising electrician want + to unite the scattered currents over the surface of the globe into one + inexhaustible spring of heat and light; should a bold engineer conceive + the idea of putting the excess of Summer temperature into large reservoirs + for use during the Winter in our then frigid zones; should an anonymous + society be founded to do any of a hundred different similar things, there + would be found Americans ready to head the subscription lists and a + regular stream of dollars would pour into the company safes as freely as + the rivers of America flow into the ocean. + </p> + <p> + It is natural to expect that opinions were very varied when the news + spread that the Arctic region was going to be sold at auction for the + benefit of the highest and final bidder, particularly when no public + subscription list was started in view of this purchase, as the capital had + all been secured beforehand. + </p> + <p> + To use the Arctic region? Why, such an idea could "only be found in the + brain of a fool," was the general verdict. + </p> + <p> + Nothing, however, was more serious than this project. A prospectus was + sent to the papers of the two continents, to the European publications, to + the African, Oceanic, Asiatic, and at the same time to the American + journals. The American newspaper announcement read as follows: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + To the Inhabitants of the Globe: + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The Arctic region situated within the eighty-fourth degree could not + heretofore have been sold at auction for the very excellent reason that + it had not been discovered as yet. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The extreme points reached by navigators of different countries are + the following: + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "82° 45' , reached by the English explorer, Parry, in July, 1847, + on the twenty-eighth meridian, west, to the north of Spitzberg. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "83° 20' 28" , reached by Markham, with the English expedition of + Sir John Georges Nares, in May, 1867, on the fiftieth meridian, west, in + the north of Grinnell Land. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "83° 35' latitude, reached by Lockwood and Brainard, of the + American expedition under Lieut. Greely, in May, 1882, on the + forty-second meridian, west in the north of Nares Land. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The property extending from the eighty-fourth parallel to the pole on + a surface of six degrees must be considered an undivided domain among + the different states of the globe and not liable to be transformed into + private property through a public auction sale. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "No one is compelled to live in this section, and the United States, + relying on this non-ownership, has resolved to provide for the + settlement and use of the domain. A company has been founded at + Baltimore under the name of the North Polar Practical Association, + representing officially the American Union. This Company intends to + purchase the said country according to the common law, which should then + give them an absolute right of proprietorship to the continent, islands, + inlets, waters, rivers, etc.; in fact, of everything of which the Arctic + region is composed. It is well understood by the law of nations that + this title of proprietorship cannot be touched under any circumstances, + no matter what shall happen. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "These conditions having been laid before all the powers, the Arctic + region is to be sold at public auction for the benefit of the highest + and last bidder. The date of the sale is set for the 3d of December of + the current year, in the Auction Hall at Baltimore, Maryland, United + States of America. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Address for information Mr. W.S. Forster, Temporary Agent for the + North Polar Practical Association, 93 High Street, Baltimore." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The reader may imagine how this communication was received by the public + at large. Most people considered it as an absurd idea. Some only saw in it + a sample of characteristic American humbug. Others thought that the + proposition deserved to be fairly considered, and they pointed to the fact + that the newly-founded company did not in any way appeal to the public for + pecuniary help, but was willing to do everything with its own capital. It + was with its own money that it wanted to purchase the Arctic region. The + promoters did not try to put gold, silver, and bank-notes into their + pockets and keep them for their own benefit. No, they only asked + permission to pay for the land with their own money. + </p> + <p> + Some people who claimed to know said that the Company could have gone to + work and taken possession of the country without any further ceremony, as + it was their right as first occupants. But that is just where the + difficulty came in, because until this time the Pole seemed to be + forbidden ground to any one. Therefore, in case the United States should + give possession of the country, the Company wanted a regular title to it + without trouble about the matter in the future. It was unjust to blame + them in any way, as in such an affair too many precautions cannot be + taken. Besides, the circular had a paragraph which provided for all future + chances. This paragraph was capable of so many interpretations that the + exact meaning of it could not be rendered even by those who studied it + closely. It was stipulated that the right of proprietorship should not + depend upon any chances or changes in the country, no matter whether these + changes were in the position or climate of the country. + </p> + <p> + What did this phrase mean? How could there ever be any changes in the + geography or meteorology of a country like this one to be sold at auction? + "Evidently," said some shrewd ones, "there must be something behind + it." + </p> + <p> + The commentators had free swing and exercised it with a will. One paper in + Philadelphia published the following pleasant notice: + </p> + <p> + "Undoubtedly the future purchasers of the Arctic region have information + that a hard stone comet will strike this world under such conditions that + its blow will produce geographic and meteorologic changes such as the + purchasers of the Arctic region will profit by." + </p> + <p> + The idea of a blow with a hard stone planet was not accepted by serious + people. In any case it was not likely that the would-be purchasers would + have been informed of such a coming event. + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps," said a New Orleans newspaper, "the new Company thinks the + precession of the equinox will in time favor the conditions likely to lead + to the utilization of this domain." + </p> + <p> + "And why not? Because this movement modifies the direction of the axis + of our spheroid," observed another correspondent. + </p> + <p> + "Really," answered the <i>Scientific Review</i>, of Paris. "As + Adhemar has predicted in his book on the ocean currents, the precession of + the equinox, combined with the movement of the earth's axis, will be + such as to modify in a long period the average temperature of the + different parts of the earth and in the quantities of ice accumulated + around the two poles." + </p> + <p> + "This is not certain," replied the <i>Edinburgh Review</i>, "and, + besides, supposing that this would be the case, is not a lapse of 12,000 + years necessary before Vega becomes our polar star in consequence of this + movement and the situation of the Arctic territory consequently changed in + regard to its climate?" + </p> + <p> + "Well," said the Copenhagen <i>Dagblad</i>, "in 12,000 years it will + be time to make preparations, and before that time risk nothing-not even + a cent." + </p> + <p> + It was possible that the <i>Scientific Review</i> was right with Adhemar. + It was also very probable that the North Polar Practical Association had + never counted on this modification of climate due to the precession of the + equinox. In fact, nobody had clearly discovered what this last paragraph + in the circular meant nor what kind of change it had in view. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps to know it, it would suffice to write to the Secretary of the new + Society, or particularly its President. But the President was unknown. + Unknown as much as the Secretary and all other members of the Council. It + was not even known where the document came from. It was brought to the + offices of the New York newspapers by a certain William S. Forster, a + codfish dealer of Baltimore, a member of the house of Ardrinell & Co. + Everything was so quiet and mysterious in the matter that the best + reporters could not make out what it was all about. This North Polar + Association had been so anonymous that it was impossible even to give it a + definite name. + </p> + <p> + If, however, the promoters of this speculation persisted in making their + <i>personnel</i> an absolute mystery, their intention was clearly + indicated by the document spread before the public of two worlds. + </p> + <p> + Really, after all, the question was the purchase of that part of the + arctic regions bounded by the 84th degree, and of which the North Pole was + the central point. Nothing very exact concerning this region was known. + The modern discoverers who had been nearest to this parallel were Parry, + Markham, Lockwood and Brainard. In regard to the other navigators of the + northern seas they stopped far short of the above-mentioned point-such + as Payez, in 1874, to 82° 15' north of the land of Francis Joseph, of + New Zemble; Leout, in 1870, to 72°74' above Siberia; De Long in the <i>Jeanette</i> + expedition, in 1879, to 78° 45' around the islands which bear his name. + Others went around New Siberia and Greenland to the end of the Cape + Bismarck, but had not passed the 76th, 77th, or 78th degree of latitude. + The North Polar Practical Association wanted then a country which had + never been touched before by mankind or discoverers, and which was + absolutely uninhabited. + </p> + <p> + The length of this portion of the globe surrounded by the 84th degree, + extending from the 84th to the 90th, making six degrees, which at sixty + miles each make a radius of 360 miles and a diameter of 720 miles. The + circumference therefore is, 2,260 miles and the surface 407 [square] + miles. This is about the tenth part of the whole of Europe. A very + desirable slice of land indeed. The document, as we have seen, also stated + that these regions were not yet known geographically, belonged to no one + and therefore belonged to everyone. But it could be foreseen that the + adjoining States at least would consider these regions as the prolongation + of their own possession towards the north and would consequently claim the + right of ownership. Their pretensions would have more justice than those + of discoverers who operated upon the whole of the Arctic countries and + made explorations only for the glory of their own nation. The Federal + Government represented in the new Society intended to make their rights + valuable and to indemnify them for the price of their purchase. However it + was the partisans of the North Polar Practical Association did not + announce; the proprietorship was clear, and nobody being compelled to live + there could object to the auction sale of this vast domain. + </p> + <p> + The countries whose rights were absolutely established as much as those of + any countries could be were six in number-America, England, Russia, + Denmark, Sweden-Norway and Holland. + </p> + <p> + Other countries could claim discoveries made by their mariners and their + travellers. + </p> + <p> + France could interfere because some of her children had taken part in the + expeditions sent out to conquer the territories around the pole. + </p> + <p> + Among the others the courageous Bellot, who died in 1853, in the islands + of Beechey, during the Phoenix Expedition sent in search of Sir John + Franklin. Nor must one forget Dr. Octave Pavy, who died in 1884, near Cape + Sabine, while the Greely Mission was at Fort Conger. And the expedition + which, in 1838-39, had gone to the Sea of Spitzberg with Charles Marmier, + Bravais and his courageous companions, would it not be unfair to forget + them. But despite all this France did not care to interfere in this + commercial rather than scientific matter, and she abandoned all her rights + for a share of the polar pie. The same of Germany. It had sent since 1671 + the Hamburg expedition of Frederic Martens to the Spitsbergen, and in 1869 + and '70 the expeditions of the <i>Germania</i> and of the <i>Hansa</i>, + commanded by Koldervey and Hegeman, which went as far as Cape Bismarck by + going along the coast of Greenland. But even if they had made so many + brilliant discoveries they did not care to add a piece of the polar empire + to that of Germany. The same was true with Austria, which was already + possessor of the land of Francis Joseph, situated north of Siberia. + </p> + <p> + In regard to Italy having no right to interfere, she did not interfere at + all; which is as strange as it is true. Then, also, there were the + Esquimaux, which are at home in those places, and the inhabitants of + Greenland, of Labrador, of Baffin's Archipelago and of the Aleutian + Islands, situated between Asia and America, and also the tribe of + Tchouktchis, who inhabited the old Russian Alaska and who became Americans + in 1867. These people, in reality the real aborigines, had nothing at all + to say about the matter. And how could these poor wretches have said + anything, as they did not even have any sum of money, no matter how small, + with which to pay for the land which the North Polar Practical Association + was going to buy. Perhaps they could have paid a small sum by giving + skins, teeth or oil, and yet the land belonged to them more than to any + others, as they were the first occupants of this domain which was going to + be sold on auction. But the Esquimaux, the Tchouktchis, the Samoyedes were + not consulted at all. So runs the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="II" id="II"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER II.<br /><br />IN WHICH THE DELEGATES FROM ENGLAND, HOLLAND, SWEDEN, + DENMARK AND RUSSIA ARE PRESENTED TO THE READER. + </h4> + <p> + One thing was evident to the whole world at once, namely, that if the new + association should succeed in buying the Arctic regions, those regions + would become absolutely the property of America or rather of the United + States, a country which was always trying to acquire something. This was + not a pleasing prospect to rival governments, but nevertheless, as has + been said, the different States of Europe and of Asia not neighboring to + these regions, refused to take part in the proposed auction sale so long + as its results seemed so problematical to them. Only the powers whose + property touched the eighty-fourth degree resolved to make their rights + valuable by the attendance of official delegates. That was all. They did + not care to buy even at a relatively moderate price land the possession of + which was only a possibility. In this as in all cases insatiable England + gave orders to its financial agents to make an imposing showing. The + cession of the polar countries did not threaten any European trouble nor + any international complication. Herr von Bismarck, the grand Iron + Chancellor, who was yet living, did not even knit his heavy brow. There + remained only England, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Holland and Russia to be + present and make their bids to the Commissioner of Baltimore, against + those of the United States. + </p> + <p> + It was a difficult matter to fix prices for this polar earth cap, the + business value of which was at least very problematic. Their main reason + for presenting themselves at the sale was that some advantage might accrue + to them. Sweden and Norway, proprietors of the North Cape, situated beyond + the seventy-second parallel, did not conceal the fact that they thought + they had certain rights of proprietorship on these vast lands which + extended to Spitsbergen, and from there to the North Pole. Denmark said + that it had already in its possession islands and fiords on the line of + the polar circle where their colonies had been founded, such as Disko + Island, in the Davis Channel; the settlements of Holstein, of Proven, of + Godhaven, of Uppernavik, in the Baffin Sea, and on the west coast of + Greenland. Besides, did not the famous navigator, Behring (of Danish + origin, although he was then in the service of Russia), in the year 1728 + pass over the channel which afterwards carried his name before he started + again, thirteen years later, and died miserably with thirty of his men on + a little island, which also carries his distinguished name. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1619 did not the navigator, Jean Munk, explore the east coast + of Greenland and discover several points formerly totally unknown? + Therefore, Denmark had, she thought, undisputable rights to be proprietor + of these regions. + </p> + <p> + In regard to Holland, there were her sailors Barentz and Heemskerk, who + had visited the Spitsbergen and the New Zealand about the end of the + sixteenth century. It was by one of her children too, Jean Mayen, through + whose courageous campaign against the north the island which carries his + name came in their possession. It is situated below the 72d degree of + latitude. Therefore Holland thought her past had given her rights of + possession. In regard to Russia, with Alexis Tschirikof, having Behring + under his command; with Paulutski, whose expedition advanced in 1751 + beyond the limits of the ice-pack; with Capt. Martin Spangberg, and Lieut. + William Walton, who dared to go into these unknown parts in 1739, she had + taken a notable part in the search across the gulf which separates Asia + and America. + </p> + <p> + Furthermore, the position of the Siberian territories, extending over 120 + degrees to the extreme limits of Kamchatka, the length of the Asiatic + coast, where the Samoyedes, Yakoutes, Tchuoktchis, and other conquered + people lived, did Russia not rule half of the Northern Ocean? And then, on + the 75th parallel to within less than nine hundred miles from the pole, + did she not possess the islands of the new Siberia, the Archipelago of + Liatkow, discovered in the beginning of the eighteenth century? And + finally, since 1764, before the English, before the Americans, before the + Swedes, did not the navigator Tschitschagoff search a passage in the North + to shorten the route between the two continents? However, notwithstanding + this, it seemed that the Americans were more anxious to become possessors + of this particularly inaccessible point of the globe than anyone else. + </p> + <p> + They had often tried to obtain it by devoting themselves to the search of + Sir John Franklin, with Grinnel, with Kane, with Hayes, with Greely, with + De Long, and other courageous navigators. They could also plead the + geographical situation of their country, which develops itself below the + polar circle from the Behring Sea to Hudson's Bay. And were not all + these countries, all these islands-Wollaston, Prince Albert, Victoria, + King William, Melville, Cockburne, Banks, Baffin, not counting the + thousand small pieces of the archipelago-like a leaf spreading to the + 90th degree? And then supposing that the North Pole should be attached by + an uninterrupted line of territory to one of the large continents of the + globe, would it not be more to America than to Asia or Europe? Therefore, + nothing was more natural than the proposition to purchase this region by + the Federal Government for the benefit of an American society. + </p> + <p> + If any power had undisputable modern rights to possess the polar domain it + was certainly the United States of America. It must also be considered + that the United Kingdom of Great Britain, which possessed Canada and + British Columbia, numerous sailors of which had distinguished themselves + in these Arctic countries, urged very good reasons for annexing this part + of the globe to their vast empire. And its journals discussed the matter + at great length. "Yes, without a doubt," answered the great English + geographer, Kliptringan, in an article in a London newspaper, which made a + great sensation; "yes, the Danes, the Hollanders, the Russians, and the + Americans, can be proud of their rights." As for England, she did not + wish to let this country escape her. Did not the northern part of the + continent already belong to them? Have not these lands, these islands + which composed them, been discovered and conquered by English discoverers + since Willoughby, who visited Spitsbergen and New Zealand in 1739, to + McClure, whose vessel made in 1853 the passage of the northwest? And then + were not Frobisher, Davis, Hall, Weymouth, Hudson, Baffin, Cook, Ross, + Parry, Bechey, Belcher, Franklin, Mulgrave, Scoresby, MacClinton, Kennedy, + Nares, Collinson, Archer, all of Anglo-Saxon origin? And what country + could make a more just claim on the portion of these Arctic regions that + that which these navigators had been able to acquire? "Well," said a + California journal, "let us put the matter on its real point, and as + there is a question of <i>amour-propre</i> between the United States and + England, let us ask, If the English Markham of the Nares expedition had + gone 83 degrees 20 minutes of latitude and the Americans, Lockwood and + Brainard, of the Greely expedition, went to 83 degrees 35 minutes, to whom + then does the honor belong of having come nearest to the North Pole?" + </p> + <p> + Such were the demands and explanations, but one could see that the + struggle would only be active between American dollars and English pounds + sterling. However, according to the proposition made by the North Polar + Practical Association all countries had to be consulted and given a chance + at the auction. The sale was announced to take place Dec. 3, at Baltimore. + The sum realized by the sale was to be divided among the States which were + unsuccessful bidders, and they were to accept it as indemnity and renounce + all their rights in the Arctic regions for the future. + </p> + <p> + The delegates, furnished with their letters of credit, left London. The + Hague, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and St. Petersburg, and arrived three weeks + before the day fixed for the auction sale. + </p> + <p> + Up to this time America had only been represented by Mr. W.S. Forster, of + the North Polar Practical Association. + </p> + <p> + The delegates of the European powers who had been chosen were included in + the following list: + </p> + <p> + For Holland-Jacques Jansen, formerly Counsellor of the Netherlandish + India; fifty-three years old, stout, short, well formed, small arms, small + bent legs, round and florid face, gray hair; a worthy man, only a little + incredulous on the subject of an undertaking the practical consequences of + which he failed to see. + </p> + <p> + For Denmark-Eric Baldenak, ex-Sub-Governor of the Greenlandish + possessions; of medium height, a little bent over, large and round head, + so short-sighted that the point of his nose would touch his books; not + willing to listen to any claim denying the rights of his country, which he + considered the legitimate proprietor of the northern region. + </p> + <p> + For the Swedish-Norwegian peninsula-Jan Harald, Professor of Cosmography + in Christiania; a genuine Northern man, red-faced, beard and hair blond; + he regarded it as an established fact that the Polar region, being only + occupied by the Paleocristic Sea, had absolutely no value. He was, + however, not much interested in the matter and went there only as a duty. + </p> + <p> + For Russia-Col. Boris Karkof, semi-military man, semi-diplomat; a stiff, + stubby mustache, seeming uncomfortable in his citizen clothes and feeling + absent-mindedly for his sword which he was accustomed to carry; very much + puzzled to know what was hidden in the proposition of the North Polar + Practical Association, and whether it would not be the cause of + international difficulties. + </p> + <p> + Finally for England-Major Donellan and his secretary, Dean Toodrink. The + last two named represented all the tastes and aspirations of the United + Kingdom, its commercial and industrial instincts, its aptitude to + consider, by a law of nature, the northern regions their own property just + as any country which did not belong to anyone else. + </p> + <p> + If there ever was an Englishman it was Major Donellan, tall, meagre, bony, + nervous, angular, with a little cough, a head a la Palmerston, on bending + shoulders; legs well formed after his sixty years; indefatigable, a + quality he had well shown when he worked on the frontiers of India. He + never laughed in those days, and perhaps never had. And why should he? Did + you ever see a locomotive or a steam-engine or an elevator laugh? On this + point the Major was very much different from his secretary, Dean Toodrink, + a talkative fellow, very pleasant, with large head, and his hair falling + on his forehead, and small eyes. He became well known on account of his + happy manner and his taste for fairy tales. But, even if he was cheerful, + he did not seem any less personally conceited than Major Donellan when he + talked about Great Britain. + </p> + <p> + These two delegates were probably going to be the most desperate opponents + to the American Society. The North Pole belonged to them; it always + belonged to them. It was to them as if the Lord had given the mission to + the English people to keep up the rotation of the earth around its axis, + and as if it was their duty to prevent it passing into strange hands. It + is necessary to observe here that France did not consider it necessary to + send a delegate, but an engineer, of France, was present at the sale, just + for the fun of it. We shall introduce him later on. The delegates of the + Northern European States had arrived in Baltimore on different steamers, + to give it the appearance that they had nothing at all to do with each + other. They were really rivals. Each one of them had in his pocket the + necessary means to fight against the American Society. But they could not + fight with equal force. One could dispose of a sum of money which amounted + to nearly a million, another could pass that amount. And really to + purchase a piece of our globe to reach which seemed an impossibility, this + ought still appear to be dear. In reality the best provided for was the + English delegate, to whose order the Government had opened a very large + credit. Thanks to this credit Major Donellan would not have very hard work + to conquer his adversaries of Sweden, Denmark-Holland, and Russia. In + regard to America-well, that was a different thing. It would be much + more difficult to win against the fusillade of dollars. At least it was + very probable that the mysterious society must have enough money on hand + to go on in their work. Therefore, the highest bidding, which might come + to millions, was between America and England. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the European delegates had landed public opinion became more + excited. The most singular stories were printed in the newspapers. False + theories were established, based on the purchase of the North Pole. What + was the Society going to do with it? And what could they do with it? + Nothing; or perhaps it was all done to corner the iceberg market. There + was even a journal in Paris, the <i>Figaro</i>, which upheld this curious + idea. But for this it would be necessary to pass south of the + eighty-fourth parallel. + </p> + <p> + Be it as it may, however, the delegates who had avoided each other during + their passage over the Atlantic became more and more associated after + having arrived in Baltimore. Here is the reason: Since his arrival each + one had tried to open communications with the North Polar Practical + Association separately, unknown to the other. That which they wished to + know were the motives hidden at the bottom of this affair and what profit + the Society hoped to make out of the sale. Now, until the present time + nothing indicated that the Society had opened an office at Baltimore. No + office, no employees. All that could be learned was, "For information + address only William S. Forster, High Street, Baltimore." And it did not + look as though the honest consignee of codfish knew any more in this + respect than the lowest street porter of the city. + </p> + <p> + The delegates could, therefore, learn nothing from him. They were + accordingly compelled to rely upon the more or less absurd guesses of the + public at large. Was the secret of the Society going to be kept + inpenetrable as long as it did not make it known itself? This was the + question. Without doubt it did not seem inclined to give any information + on the subject until the purchase had been made. Therefore, it came that + the delegates finished by seeing and meeting each other; they made visits + to each other, and finally came in close communication with each other, + perhaps with the idea of making a front against the common enemy, or, + otherwise, the American Company. And so it happened that one evening they + were all together in the Hotel Wolesley, in the suite occupied by Major + Donellan and his secretary, Dean Toodrink, holding a conference. In fact, + this tendency to a common understanding was principally due to the advice + of Col. Boris Karkof, the best diplomat known. At first the conversation + was directed to the commercial and industrial consequences which the + Society pretended to gain by purchase of the Arctic domain. Prof. Jan + Harald asked if any one had been able to gain any information on that + point. All finally agreed that they had tried to get information from Mr. + William S. Forster, to whom all letters should be addressed. + </p> + <p> + "I have failed," said Eric Baldenak. + </p> + <p> + "And I have not succeeded," added Jacques Jansen. + </p> + <p> + "In regard to myself," answered Dean Toodrink, "when I presented + myself at the stores in High Street in the name of Major Donellan I found + a large man in black clothes, wearing a high hat, with a white apron, + which was short enough to show his high boots. When I asked him for + information in the matter he informed me that the South Star had arrived + with a full cargo from Newfoundland and that he was ready to furnish me + with a fresh stock of codfish on account of Messrs. Ardronell & Co." + </p> + <p> + "And," answered the former counsellor of the Dutch Indies, always a + little sceptical, "it would be much better to buy a load of codfish than + to throw one's money into the ice-water of the North." + </p> + <p> + "This is not at all the question," says Major Donellan, with a short + and high voice. "The question is not the codfish, but the Polar + region." + </p> + <p> + "Americans ought to stand on their heads," said Dean Toodrink, + laughing at his own remark. "That will make them catch cold," finally + said Col. Karkof. "The question is not there," said Major Donellan. + "One thing only is certain, that for some reason or another America, + represented by the N.P.P.A. (remark the word 'practical') wants to buy + a surface of 407 square miles around the North Pole, a surface which is + actually (remark the word 'actually') pierced by the eighty-fourth + degree of latitude." + </p> + <p> + "We know it, Major Donellan, and much more," said Jan Harald. "But + what we do not know is how the said company will make use of those + countries or waters, if they are waters, from a commercial standpoint." + </p> + <p> + "This is not the question," answered for the third time Major + Donellan. "A power wants to purchase with money a large part of the + globe which, by its geographical situation, seems to belong especially to + England"-"to Russia," said Col. Karkof; "to Holland," said + Jacques Jansen; "to Sweden-Norway," said Jan Harald; "to Denmark," + said Eric Baldenak. + </p> + <p> + The five delegates jumped to their feet, and it seemed as if the Council + would turn to harsh words, when Dean Toodrink tried to interfere the first + time. "Gentlemen," said he, in a tone of reconciliation, "this is + not the question, following the expression of my chief," of which he + made such frequent use. "As long as it has been decided that the + Northern regions are going to be sold at auction, they will naturally + belong to such representative who will make the highest bid for same. As + long as Sweden, Norway, Russia, Denmark, Holland, and England have given + large credits to their delegates, would it not be best for these nations + to form a syndicate and raise a sum of money against which America could + not make a bid? The delegates looked at each other. It was possible that + Dean Toodrink had found the missing link. A syndicate-at present it is + heard everywhere. Everything is syndicate nowadays, what one drinks, what + one eats, what one reads, what one sleeps on. Nothing is more modern, in + politics as well as business, than a trust. But an objection was started, + or rather an explanation was needed, and Jacques Jansen tried to find out + the sentiments of his colleagues by saying, "and afterwards," yes, + after the purchase of the region by the syndicate, then what? "But it + seems to me that England," said the Major in a rough voice, "and + Russia," said the Colonel, with nostrils terribly dilated, "and + Holland," said the Counsellor; "as God has given Denmark to the + Danish," observed Eric Baldenak-"Excuse me, there is only one + country," interrupted Dean Toodrink, "which has been given by our + Lord, and that is the world." "And why," said the Swedish delegate? + "Did not the poet say + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + 'Deus nobis haec otia fecit,' " + </p> + </blockquote> + <p class="normal"> + said this merryman in translating according to his fashion the close of + the sixth verse of the first eclogue of Virgil. All began to laugh except + Major Donellan, who stopped for the second time the discussion which + threatened to finish badly. Then Dean Toodrink said, "Do not quarrel, + gentlemen. What good will it do us? Let us rather form a syndicate." + </p> + <p> + "And afterwards?" asked Jan Harald. + </p> + <p> + "Afterwards," answered Dean Toodrink, "nothing more simple, + gentlemen. After you shall have bought the polar domain it will remain + undivided among us or will be divided after a regular indemnity to one of + the States which have been purchasers. But our purpose would have already + been obtained, which is to save it from the representative of America." + </p> + <p> + This proposition did some good, at least for the present moment. As very + soon the delegates would not fail to fight with each other, and pull each + other's hair where there was any to pull, it would be at the moment when + it was necessary to elect a final buyer of this immovable region, so much + disputed and so useless. + </p> + <p> + "In all cases," cleverly remarked Dean Toodrink, "the United States + will be entirely out of the question." + </p> + <p> + "It seems to me very sensible," said Eric Baldenak. + </p> + <p> + "Very handy," said Col. Karkof. + </p> + <p> + "Right," said Jan Harald. + </p> + <p> + "Mean," said Jacques Jansen. + </p> + <p> + "Very English," said Major Donellan. + </p> + <p> + Each one had given his opinion hoping to convince his colleagues. + </p> + <p> + "Then, gentlemen, it is perfectly understood that if we form a syndicate + the rights of each State will be absolutely reserved for the future." + ... It is understood. There was only to be found out what credit the + different delegates had received from their governments. It was supposed + that the whole when added up would represent such an enormous sum that + there would not be the least doubt that the A.P.P.A. [N.P.P.A.] would fail + to surpass this amount of money. This question of funds was met by Dean + Toodrink. + </p> + <p> + Complete silence. Nobody would answer, show your pocketbook. Empty their + pockets into the safes of a syndicate. Make known in advance how much each + country would bid at the sale. No haste was shown. And if there should be + a disagreement in this new-formed syndicate in the future, and + circumstances should compel each one to make his own bids? And should the + diplomat Karkof feel insulted at the trickery of Jacques Jansen, who would + be insulted at the underhand intrigues of Jan Harald, who would refuse to + support the high pretensions of Major Donellan, who, himself, would not + stop to embroil each one of his associates. And now to show their + credits-that was showing their play, when it was necessary to live up to + it. There were really two ways only to answer the proper but indiscreet + suggestion of Dean Toodrink. Either to exaggerate the credits, which would + be very embarrassing, because it would then be the question of the + payment, or to diminish them to such a point that they would be ridiculous + and not to the purpose of the scheme. The ex-counsellor had this idea + first, but it must be said to his credit, he did not seriously hold it. + His colleagues, however, followed suit. "Gentlemen," said Holland, + through its mouthpiece, "I regret, but for the purpose of the Arctic + regions I can only dispose of fifty riechsthaler." "And I of + thirty-five rubles," said Russia. "And I of twenty kronors," said + Norway-Sweden. "And I of fifteen cronen," said Denmark. "Well," + said Major Donellan, in a tone well befitting the disdainful attitude so + common and natural to the English character, "then it would be better + that you make the purchase, gentlemen, as England can only put up at the + most one shilling and sixpence." And with this ironical remark the + conference of the delegates of old Europe was at an end. + </p> + <p> + <a name="III" id="III"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER III.<br /><br />IN WHICH THE ARCTIC REGIONS ARE SOLD AT AUCTION TO + THE HIGHEST BIDDER. + </h4> + <p> + Why was this sale on the 3d of December going to be held in the regular + auction hall, where usually only such objects as furniture, utensils, + tools, instruments, etc., or art pieces, pictures, medals, and antique + objects were sold? Why, so long as it was a piece of realty, was it not + sold before a referee or a court of justice appointed for such sales? And + why was the aid of a public auctioneer necessary when a part of our globe + was going to be sold? How could this piece of the world be compared with + any movable object when it was the most fixed thing on the face of the + earth? Really, this seemed to be quite illogical, but it was not so, since + the whole of the Arctic regions was to be sold in such a way that the + contract would be valuable. Did this not indicate that in the opinion of + the N.P.P.A. the immovable object in question contained something movable? + </p> + <p> + This singularity puzzled even the most eminently sagacious minds to be + found in the United States. On the other hand, there had been such a sale + in the past already. One portion of our planet had been sold in the + auction-rooms with the help of a public appraiser to the highest public + bidder. And this case had happened in America. + </p> + <p> + It was some years before, in San Francisco, Cal., an island of the Pacific + Ocean, Spencer Island, was sold to the rich William W. Kolderup, who bid + $500,000 in opposition to J.R. Taskinar, of Stockton. This island had cost + $4,000,000. It is true it was an island which had inhabitants, only a few + miles away from the coast, with forests, water, productive and solid, with + fields and prairies, in condition to be cultivated, and not a vague wild + region of water covered with eternal ice, defended by impenetrable + icebergs, which very probably nobody would ever live in. It was thought, + therefore, that the unknown polar region would never bring so high a price + if sold at auction. Nevertheless, on the day of the sale a great many + serious and curious people assembled to learn the end of the affair. + </p> + <p> + The sale could hardly fail to be interesting. + </p> + <p> + Ever since their arrival in Baltimore the European delegates had found + themselves very much gazed at and always surrounded by many people. Of + course they were much interviewed. In view of all this it was only natural + that the public of America should have become very much excited. One + manner of expressing the public excitement, very characteristic of + Americans, was to make bets upon the result, an example which Europe + quickly began to follow. Divided as the American citizens were into those + of New England, those of the Middle States, Western States, and Eastern + States, there was only one wish, and that was for the well-being of their + country. But there was still a great deal of uncertainty. It was neither + Russia, nor Sweden, nor Norway, nor Denmark, nor Holland, the chances of + which they dreaded most. But it was England, with its territorial + ambitions, with its only too well-known tendency to swallow everything, + and its world-known Bank of England notes. Large sums of money were placed + on the result. Bets were made on America and Great Britain, the same as on + race-horses, and in almost all cases even money was put up. Some offers + were made of 12 and 13½ to 1 on Denmark, Sweden, Holland and Russia, but + none would take such an offer. + </p> + <p> + The sale commenced at 12 o'clock. + </p> + <p> + Since early in the morning all business had been stopped in the street on + account of the large crowd. By telegraph the papers were informed that + most of the bets made by Americans had been taken up by the English, and + Dean Toodrink immediately posted up a notice to that effect in the auction + hall. The nearer the time came the higher grew the excitement. It was + reported that the Government of Great Britain had placed large sums of + money at the disposition of Major Donellan. "At the office of the + Admiralty," observed one of the New York papers, "the Admirals pushed + the sale as much as possible, as they hoped to figure conspicuously in the + expeditions fitted out." How much truth there was in these stories no + one knew. But the most conservative people in Baltimore thought that it + was hardly possible that the amount of money at the command of the + N.P.P.A. could cover the amount which would be bid by England, and + therefore a very strong pressure was put on the Government of the United + States at Washington to protect the interests of the society. In all this + excitement the new society was represented by the single person, its + agent, William S. Forster, who did not seem to worry at all over all these + rumors and seemed quite confident of success. + </p> + <p> + As the time for the auction drew near the crowd grew larger. Three hours + before the sale it was impossible to obtain admission to the auction hall. + All the space set apart for the public was so much filled that there was + danger that the building would fall in. There was only a small space left + empty, surrounded by a railing, which had been reserved for the European + delegates. They had just space enough to follow the progress of the sale, + and were not even comfortably seated. + </p> + <p> + They were Eric Baldenak, Boris Karkof Jacques Jansen, Jan Harald, Major + Donellan and his secretary, Dean Toodrink. They formed a solid group, + standing together like soldiers on a battle-field. And were they not + really going to battle for the possession of the North Pole? On the + American side apparently nobody was represented. Only the codfish dealer + was present and his face had an expression of the most supreme + indifference. + </p> + <p> + He seemed little concerned and appeared to be thinking of his cargo which + was to arrive by the next steamer. Where were the capitalists represented + by this man, who, perhaps, was going to start millions of dollars rolling? + This was such a mystery as to excite public curiosity to the utmost. + </p> + <p> + No one doubted that Mr. J. T. Maston and Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had + something to do with the matter, but what could one guess on? Both were + there, lost in the crowd, without any special place, surrounded by some + members of the Baltimore Gun Club, friends of Mr. Maston. They seemed to + be the least interested spectators in the hall. Mr. William S. Forster + even did not seem to recognize them. + </p> + <p> + The auctioneer began by saying that contrary to the general rule it was + impossible to show the article about to be sold. He could not pass from + hand to hand the North Pole. Neither could they examine it nor look at it + with a magnifying glass or touch it with their fingers to see whether the + plating was real or only artificial, or whether it was an antique, which + it really was, he said. It was as old as stone, it was as old as the + world, since it dated back to the time the world was made. + </p> + <p> + If, however, the North Pole was not on the desk of the Public Appraiser, a + large chart, clear in view of all interested persons, indicated with + marked lines the parts which were going to be sold at auction. Seventeen + degrees below the Polar Circle was a red line, clearly seen on the 84th + parallel, which marked the section on the globe put up for sale. It + appeared that there was only water in this region covered with ice of + considerable thickness. But this was the risk of the purchaser. In any + case he would not be disappointed in the nature of his merchandise by any + misrepresentation. + </p> + <p> + At 12 o'clock exactly the public auctioneer entered by a little + trap-door cut in the boards of the floor and took his place before the + desk. His crier, Flint, had already arrived, and was walking up and down + as agitated as a bear in a cage. Both were glad at the prospect, as they + thought that the sale would run up to an enormous sum and put a large and + acceptable percentage in their pockets. Of course the sale would have to + be made under the regular, real American rule, "ready cash." + </p> + <p> + The amount of money, no matter how large it would be, must be raised by + the delegates. At this moment a large bell ringing with vigor indicated + that the bidding was going to begin. What a solemn moment! Many hearts + quivered in that neighborhood. A minor riot spread among the crowd outside + and reached into the hall, and Andrew R. Gilmour, the auctioneer, had to + wait until quiet was restored. He got up and looked steadily at his + assistants. Then he let his eyeglasses fall on his breast and said in as + quiet a voice as possible: "Gentlemen, according to the plan of the + Federal government, and thanks to the acquiescence given it by the + European powers, we will sell a great fixed mass, situated around the + North Pole, all that is within the limits of the 84th parallel, + continents, waters, bays, islands, icebergs, solid parts or liquid, + whatever they may be." Then, turning towards the wall, he said "Look + at this chart, which has been outlined according to the latest + discoveries. You will see that the surface of this lot contains 407,000 + square miles. Therefore, to make the sale easier, it has been decided that + the bids should be made for each square mile. Each cent bid, for instance, + will be equal to 407,000 cents and each dollar 407,000 dollars on the + total purchase. A little silence, please, gentlemen." + </p> + <p> + This request was not superfluous, because the impatience of the public had + reached such a degree that the voice of a bidder would hardly be heard. + After partial silence had been established, thanks to the industry of the + crier, Flint, who roared like a foghorn, Mr. Gilmour resumed as follows: + "Before beginning I will mention only one condition of the sale. No + matter what changes should happen, either from a geographical or + meteorological standpoint, this region after being sold to the highest + bidder is absolutely his own beyond any dispute, and the other countries + have no right of possession whatever as long as the territory is not + outside of the limits of the 84th degree north latitude." Again was this + singular phrase mentioned at a very important moment. Some laughed at it, + others considered it very seriously. "The bids are open," said the + public auctioneer in a loud voice, and while his little ivory hammer was + rolling in his hand he added in an undertone: "We have offers at 10 + cents the square mile. Ten cents or the tenth part of a dollar-this + would make an amount of $40,700 for the whole of this immovable + property." Whether the auctioneer had had such offers or not does not + matter, because the bid was covered by Eric Baldenak in the name of the + Danish Government. "Twenty cents," said he. + </p> + <p> + "Thirty cents," said Jan Harald, for Sweden-Norway. + </p> + <p> + "Forty cents," said Col. Boris Karkof, for Russia. + </p> + <p> + This represented already a sum of $162,800 to begin with. The + representative of England had not as yet opened his mouth, not even moved + his lips, which were pressed tightly together. On the other side Wm. S. + Forster kept an impenetrable dumbness. Even at this moment he seemed + absorbed in reading a newspaper which contained the shipping arrivals and + the financial reports of the markets each day. + </p> + <p> + "Forty cents per square mile," repeated Flint, in a voice which + resembled a steam whistle, "40 cents." + </p> + <p> + The four colleagues of Major Donellan looked at each other. Had they + already exhausted the credit allowed them at the beginning of the bidding? + Were they already compelled to be silent? + </p> + <p> + "Go on, gentlemen," said the Auctioneer Gilmour, "40 cents. Who goes + higher? Forty cents; why, the North Pole is worth much more than that, for + it is guaranteed to be made of ice." + </p> + <p> + The Danish delegate said 50 cents and the Hollandish delegate promptly + outbid him by 10 cents. + </p> + <p> + Nobody said a word. This 60 cents represented the respectable amount of + $244,200. The lift given by Holland to the sale started a murmur of + satisfaction. It seemed that the persons who had nothing in their pockets + and nothing to their names were the most interested of all in this contest + of dollars. + </p> + <p> + At the moment Jacques Jansen made his offer Major Donellan looked at his + secretary, Dean Toodrink, and, with an almost imperceptible negative sign, + kept him silent. Mr. William S. Forster, seeming very much interested in + his paper, made some pencil notes. Mr. J.T. Maston, only replied to the + smiles of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt with a nod of the head. + </p> + <p> + "Hurry up, gentlemen; a little life. Don't let us linger. This is very + weak, very slow," said the auctioneer. "Let me see. Nobody says more. + Must I knock down the North Pole at such a price?" and as he spoke his + hammer went up and down just like the cross in a priest's hands when he + wishes to bless his people. + </p> + <p> + "Seventy cents," said Jan Harald, with a voice which trembled a + little. + </p> + <p> + "Eighty," immediately responded Col. Boris Karkof. + </p> + <p> + "Hurry up, 80 cents," said Flint, whose eyes were burning with + excitement. + </p> + <p> + A gesture of Dean Toodrink made Major Donellan jump up like a spirit. + "One hundred cents," said he with a short and sharp tone, becoming in + one who represented Great Britain. That one word made England responsible + for $407,000. + </p> + <p> + The friends of the bidders for the United Kingdom made a great hurrah, + which was repeated like an echo by the outside crowd. The bidders for + America looked at each other with disappointment; $407,000; this was + already a very large figure for such a region as the North Pole; $407,000 + for ice, icebergs, and icefields? + </p> + <p> + And the man of the N. P. P. A. did not say one word, did not even raise + his head. Would he decide to make at last one overwhelming bid? If he + wanted to wait until the Danish delegates, those of Sweden, Holland, and + Russia had exhausted their credit, it would seem that the proper moment + had come. Their faces plainly showed that before the "100 cents" of + Major Donellan, they had decided to quit the battlefield. "One hundred + cents the square mile," said the auctioneer for the second time, "One + hundred, one hundred, one hundred," cried out Flint, making a + speaking-trumpet of his half-closed hand. "Nobody goes higher?" + questioned Auctioneer Gilmour. "Is it heard? Is it understood? No + regrets afterwards? We will sell it now." And he took his position and + looking at his clerk, said: "once, twice"- + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and ten," very quietly said William S. Forster, without + even raising his eyes, after having turned the page of his paper. + </p> + <p> + "Hip, hip, hip," shouted the crowd who had put most of the money on + America in the bets. Major Donellan was astonished. His long neck turned + in all directions and he shrugged his shoulders, while his lips worked + with great excitement. He tried to crush this American representative with + one look, but without success, but Mr. Forster, cool as a cucumber, did + not budge. + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and forty," said Major Donellan. + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and sixty," said Forster. + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and eighty," said the Major, with great excitement. + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and ninety," said Forster. + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and ninety-nine," roared the delegate of Great Britain. + With this he crossed his arms and seemed to defy the United States of + America. + </p> + <p> + One might have heard a mouse run, or a miller fly, or a worm creep. All + hearts were beating. A life seemed hanging on the lips of Major Donellan. + His head, generally restless, was still now. Dean Toodrink had sat down + and was pulling out his hairs one by one. Auctioneer Gilmour let a few + moments run by. They seemed as long as centuries. The codfish merchant + continued reading his paper and making pencil figures which had evidently + nothing at all to do wth [with] the question. Was he also at the end of + his credit? Did he intend to make a last offer? Did this amount of 199 + cents for each square mile or $793,000 for the whole of the fixture at + sale seem to him to have reached the last limit of absurdity? + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and ninety-nine cents," repeated the public auctioneer. + "We will sell it," and his hammer fell on the table before him. "One + hundred and ninety-nine," cried the helper. "Sell it! Sell it!" And + every one was looking at the representative of the N.P.P.A. + </p> + <p> + That surprising gentleman was blowing his nose on a large bandanna + handkerchief, which nearly covered his whole face. Mr. J. T. Maston was + looking at him intently, and so was Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. It could + easily be seen by their anxious faces how much they tried to supress their + violent emotion. Why was Forster hesitating to outbid Major Donellan? As + for the imperturbable Forster, he blew his nose a second time, then a + third time, with the noise of a real foghorn. But between the second and + third blow he said as quietly as possible, with a modest and sweet voice. + "Two hundred cents!" + </p> + <p> + A long shudder went through the hall. Then the American backers began to + make such a noise that the very windows trembled. Major Donellan, + overwhelmed, ruined, disappointed, had fallen into a seat by the side of + Dean Toodrink, who himself was not in a much better condition. Two + thousand miles at this price made the enormous sum of $814,000 and it was + apparent that the credit of England did not permit them to overreach it. + </p> + <p> + "Two hundred cents," repeated the auctioneer. "Two hundred cents," + said Flint. "Once, twice," said the auctioneer. "Does anybody go + higher?" Major Donellan raised himself by a strong effort and looked + wistfully at the other delegates. These only looked back their hope that + by his bidding the Arctic region would escape the American bidder and + would become the property of the European powers. But this was his last + effort. The Major opened his mouth, closed it again, and in his person + England sat down on itself. "Hip, hip, hurrah for the United States," + roared the winners for victorious America. And in one instant the news of + the purchase ran all over Baltimore, and by telegraph all over the United + States, and by cable all over the Old World. Thus it was that the N.P.P.A. + through the agency of William S. Forster, became the proprietor of the + Arctic domain, including everything above the eighty-fourth parallel. The + next day when Mr. Forster went to make his deposit for his purchase the + name he gave was Impey Barbicane and the name of the house was Barbicane + & Co. + </p> + <p> + <a name="IV" id="IV"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER IV.<br /><br />IN WHICH OLD ACQUAINTANCES APPEAR TO OUR NEW + READERS, AND IN WHICH A WONDERFUL MAN IS DESCRIBED.</b> + </h4> + <p> + Barbicane & Co. The president of a gunning club. And really what had + gunners to do in such an operation? You will see. Is it necessary to + present formally Impey Barbicane, President of the Gun Club, of Baltimore, + and Capt. Nicholl, and J. T. Maston, and Tom Hunter with the wooden legs, + and the lively Bilsby, and Col. Bloomsberry, and the other associates? No, + if these strange persons were twenty years older than at the time when the + attention of the world was upon them they had always remained the same, + always as much incomplete personally, but equally noisy, equally + courageous, equally confusing when it was a question of some extraordinary + adventure. Time did not make an impression on these gunners; it respected + them as it respects cannons no longer in use, but which decorate museums + and arsenals. If the Gun Club had 1,833 members in it when it was founded, + names rather than persons, for most of them had lost an arm or leg, if + 30,575 corresponding members were proud to owe allegiance to the Club, + these figures had not decreased. On the contrary, and even thanks to the + incredible attempt which they had made to establish direct communication + between earth and moon, its celebrity had grown in an enormous proportion. + No one can ever forget the report on this subject which was made by this + Club and which deserves a few words of mention here. + </p> + <p> + A few years after the civil war certain members of the Gun Club, tired of + their idleness, proposed to send a projectile to the moon by means of a + Columbiad monster. A cannon 900 feet long, nine feet broad at the bore, + had been especially made at Moon City and had then been charged with + 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton. + </p> + <p> + From this cannon a small cylindro-conical bomb had been flung towards the + stars with a pressure of six millards pounds per square inch. After having + made a grand curve it fell back to the earth only to be swallowed up by + the Pacific Ocean at 27° 7' of latitude and 41° 37' of longitude, + west. It was in this region that the frigate, Susquehanna, of the American + Navy, had fished it up to the surface of the ocean, to the great comfort + of its occupants. Occupants? Yes, occupants; for two members of the Gun + Club-its President, Impey Barbicane, and Capt. Nicholl-accompanied by + a Frenchman well known for his boldness in such cases, had been in this + flying-machine. All three of them came back well and healthy from this + dangerous trip. But if the two Americans were here ready to risk any + similar thing, the French Michel Ardan was not. On his return to Europe he + brought a fortune with him, although it astonished a good many people, and + now he is planting his own cabbage in his own garden, eating them and even + digesting them, if one can believe the best-informed reporters. + </p> + <p> + After this discharge of the cannon, Impey Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl had + lived on their reputation in comparative quietness. As they were always + anxious to do another thing like it, they dreamt and tried to find out + something else. Money they had in plenty. Out of five millions and a half + which had been raised for them by subscription they had nearly $200,000 + left. This money was raised in the Old and New Worlds alike. Besides, all + they had to do was to exhibit themselves in their projectile in America + and they could always realize large amounts of money. They had earned all + the glory which the most ambitious mortal would look for. Impey Barbicane + and Capt. Nicholl would have been well able to keep quiet and idle if this + very idleness did not torment them. And it was simply no doubt to do + something that they had gone to work and bought this part of the Arctic + region. + </p> + <p> + But it must not be forgotten that if the purchase cost $800,000 and more, + that it was Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt who had put the necessary amount into + this affair. Thanks to this generous woman Europe had been conquered by + America. Since their return President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl had + enjoyed a supreme celebrity. But there was another man who deserved credit + in the matter. It is easy to guess that J.T. Maston was the man of whom we + speak, the temporary Secretary of the Gun Club. Did we not owe to this + brilliant calculator all the mathematical formulae which enabled us to + tell the story of the voyage to the moon? If he did not accompany his two + associates on their terrible journey it was not fear which kept him back. + No, indeed, it was only the injuries he had received during the war. For + really it would have made a bad impression on the inhabitants on the moon + to see him in his disabled condition as a representative of our people, + and the moon only our humble satellite. To his extreme regret, Mr. Maston + was compelled to stay at home. Nevertheless he had not been idle. After + having constructed an immense telescope, which was put on the mountain of + Long's Peak, one of the highest mountains of the Rocky range, he went up + there personally, and after he had received the signal that the + cannon-ball had been fired he did not once leave his post. From his place + of observation he essayed the task of following his friends firing across + the vast space. One might readily believe that his friends would be lost + to the world; that it was very easily possible that this projectile could + be compelled by the attraction of the moon to become a sub-satellite. A + deviation which one might call providential had changed the direction of + the projectile, and after having made one trip around the moon, in place + of touching it, it was carried away in a terrible fall and returned to us + with a speed of 576,000 miles a minute to the moment when it was swallowed + up by the ocean. Happy it was that the great liquid mass had deadened the + fall, and that the American frigate Susquehanna was present at the fall. + As soon as the news reached Mr. Maston, the Secretary of the Gun Club, he + rushed with all possible haste from his observation point at Long's Peak + to begin operations to save his friends. Divers were sent to the place + where the projectile had fallen. And Mr. Maston even did not hesitate to + put on a cork jacket to save and find his friends again. It was + unnecessary to go to so much trouble. The projectile was found floating on + the surface of the Pacific Ocean after having made its beautiful fall. And + President Barbicane with Capt. Nicholl and Michel Ardan were found playing + dominoes in their floating prison on the surface of the ocean. + </p> + <p> + To return to J.T. Maston, it is proper to say that his part in the affair + deserves a good deal of credit. It is certain that he was not pretty with + his metallic arm. He was not young, fifty-eight years old, at the time we + write this story. But the originality of his character, the vivacity of + his intelligence, the vigor which animated him, the ardor which he had in + all such things, had made him the ideal of Mrs. Evangeline Scorbitt. His + brain carefully hidden under his cover of gutta-percha was yet untouched, + and he would still pass as one of the most remarkable calculators of his + age. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, although the least figuring gave her a headache, + had yet a great liking for mathematicians, even if she had no taste for + mathematics. She considered them a higher and more endowed race of human + beings. Heads where the X, Y, Z were mixed up like nuts in a barrel, + brains which played with signs of algebra, hands which juggled with the + integral triples, these were what she liked. + </p> + <p> + Yes, these wise people seemed to her worthy of all admiration and support. + She felt herself drawn strongly towards them. And J.T. Maston was exactly + that kind of man and one she adored, and her happiness would be complete + if they two could be made one. This was the end of her mathematics. This + did not disturb the Secretary of the Gun Club, who had never found + happiness in unions of this kind. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Evangelina Scorbitt was not young any more. She was forty-five years + old, had her hair pasted on her temples, like something which had been + dyed and re-dyed; she had a mouth full of very long teeth, with not one + missing; her waist was without shape, her walk without grace; in short, + she had the appearance of an old maid, although she had been married only + a few years before she became a widow. She was an excellent person withal, + and nothing was lacking in her cup of happiness except one thing, namely, + that she wished to make her appearance in the society of Baltimore as Mrs. + J.T. Maston. Her fortune was very considerable. She was not rich like the + Goulds, Mackays, or Vanderbilts, whose fortunes run into the millions, and + who might give alms to the Rothschilds. Neither did she possess three + hundred millions like Mrs. Stewart, eighty millions like Mrs. Crocker, and + two hundred millions like Mrs. Carper. Neither was she rich like Mrs. + Hamersley, Mrs. Hetty Green, Mrs. Mafitt, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Paran + Stevens, Mrs. Minturn, and many others. At any rate she had a right to + take a place at that memorable feast at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New + York, where there were only admitted as guests people who had at least + five millions. In brief, Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had four millions of + good sound dollars, or twenty millions of francs, which came to her from + John P. Scorbitt, who made his fortune both in the business of selling dry + goods and salt pork. Well, this fortune this generous widow would have + been glad to use for the profit of J. T. Maston, to whom she would also + bring a treasure of tenderness much more inexhaustible. + </p> + <p> + Therefore when Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had heard of the requirements of + Mr. Maston she had gladly agreed to put a few hundred thousand dollars in + the affair of the N.P.P.A. without having the least idea of what they + intended to do with it. It is true she was convinced that as long as J.T. + Maston had something to do with the affair it could not help being grand, + sublime, superhuman, etc. Thinking of the Secretary was for her future + enough. One might think that after the auction sale, when it was declared + that Barbicane & Company would be the name of the new firm, and it + would be presided over by the President of the Gun Club, she would enjoy + Mr. Maston's whole confidence. Was she not at the same time the largest + stockholder in the affair? So it came about that Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt + found herself proprietress of this polar region, all beyond the line of + the eighty-fourth parallel. But what would she do with it? Or rather, what + profit would the Society get out of it? This was the question; and if it + interested Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt from a financial standpoint it + interested the whole world, more on account of the general curiosity about + the whole mystery. This excellent woman, otherwise very discreet, had + often tried to get some information from Mr. Maston on this subject before + putting money at the disposal of the purchasers. Without a doubt there was + a grand enterprise, which, as Jean Jacques said, has never had its like + before, and would never have any imitation, and which would far outshine + the reputation made by the Gun Club in sending a projectile to the moon + and trying to get in direct communication with our satellite. But when she + persists with her queries Mr. Maston invariably replied: "Dear madame, + have patience," And if Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had confidence before, + what an immense joy did she feel when the triumph which the United States + of America had won over the combined European powers. "But shall I not + finally know the object?" asked she, smiling at the eminent calculator. + </p> + <p> + "You will soon know it," answered Mr. Maston, shaking heartily the + hand of his partner-the American lady. + </p> + <p> + This calmed for the moment the impatience of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. A + few days afterwards the Old and New World were shaken up quite enough when + the secret object of the company was announced, and for the realization of + which the N.P.P.A. made an appeal to the public for a subscription. + </p> + <p> + The Society had purchased this portion of the circumpolar region to make + use of the coal mines of the North Pole. + </p> + <p> + <a name="V" id="V"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER V.<br /><br />IN WHICH THE POSSIBILITY THAT COAL MINES SURROUND + THE NORTH POLE IS CONSIDERED.</b> + </h4> + <p> + Are there coal mines at the North Pole? This was the first question + suggested to intelligent people. Some asked why should there be coal mines + at the North Pole? Others with equal propriety asked why should there not + be? It is well known that coal mines are spread all over the world. There + are many in different parts of Europe. America also possesses a great + many, and it is probable that the United States mines are the richest of + all. There are also many in Asia, Africa, and Australia. The more our + globe becomes known the more mines are discovered. We will not be in need + of coal for at least hundreds of years to come. England alone produces + 160,000,000 tons every year, and over the whole world it is estimated + 400,000,000 tons are yearly produced. Naturally, this coal output must + grow every year in proportion with the constantly increasing industries. + Even if electricity takes the place of steam, it will still be necessary + to use coal. We are so much in need of it that the world might be called + "an animal of coal," and therefore it is necessary to take good care + of it. Coal is used not only as a fuel, but also as a crude substance of + which science makes great use. With the transformations to which it has + been submitted in the laboratory, it is possible to paint with it, perfume + with it, purify, heat, light with it, and even beautify a diamond with it. + It is as useful as iron or even more so. It is fortunate that this + last-mentioned metal will never be exhausted, as really the world is + composed of it. The world might be considered a vast mass of iron, as + other metals, and even water and stone, stand far behind it in the + composition of our sphere. But if we are sure of a continuous supply for + our consumption of iron, we are not so of coal. Far from it. People who + are competent to speak, and who look into the future for hundreds of + years, always allude to this coal famine. "But," say the opposing + party-and in the United States there are many people who like to + contradict for the mere sake of argument, and who take pleasure in + contradicting-"Why should there be coal around the North Pole?" + </p> + <p> + "Why?" answered those who took the part of President Barbicane, + "because, very probably at the geological formation of the world, the + sun was such that the difference of temperature around the equator and the + poles were not appreciable. Then immense forests covered this unknown + polar region a long time before mankind appeared, and when our planet was + submitted to the incessant action of heat and humidity. This theory the + journals, magazines, and reviews publish in a thousand different articles + either in a joking or serious way. And these large forests, which + disappeared with the gigantic changes of the earth before it had taken its + present form, must certainly have changed and transformed under the lapse + of time and the action of internal heat and water into coal mines. + Therefore nothing seemed more admissible than this theory, and that the + North Pole would open a large field to those who were able to mine it. + These are facts, undeniable facts. Even people who only calculated on + simple probabilities could not deny them. And these facts led many people + to have great faith in them. + </p> + <p> + It was on this subject that Major Donellan and his secretary were talking + together one day in the most obscure corner of the "Two Friends" inn. + "Well," said Dean Toodrink, "there is a possibility that this + Barbicane (who I hope may be hanged some day) is right." + </p> + <p> + "It is probable," said Major Donellan, "and I will almost admit that + it is certain. There will be fortunes made in exploring this region around + the pole. If North America possesses so many coal mines and, according to + the papers, new ones are discovered quite frequently, it is not at all + improbable that there are many yet to be discovered. I may add that Prof. + Nordenskiol has found many kinds of different stones which contain a great + variety of fossil plants in his researches in the Arctic region." + </p> + <p> + "Higher up?" asked Dean Toodrink. + </p> + <p> + "Higher up, or rather further up, in a northerly direction," answered + the Major, "the presence of coal is practically established, and it + seems as if you would only have to bend down to pick it up. Well, if coal + is so plentiful on the surface of these countries, it is right to conclude + that its beds must go all through the crust of the globe." He was right. + Major Donellan knew the geological formation around the North Pole well, + and he was not a safe person to dispute this question with. And he might + have talked about it at length if other people in the inn had not + listened. But he thought it better to keep quiet after asking: "Are you + not surprised at one thing? One would expect to see engineers or at least + navigators figure in this matter, while there are only gunners at the head + of it?" + </p> + <p> + It is not surprising that the newspapers of the civilized world soon began + to discuss the question of coal discoveries at the North Pole. + </p> + <p> + "And why not," asked the editor of an American paper who took the part + of President Barbicane, "when it is remembered that Capt. Nares, in 1875 + and 1876, at the eighty-second degree of latitude, discovered large + flower-beds, hazel trees, poplars, beech trees, etc.?" + </p> + <p> + "And in 1881 and 1884," added a scientific publication of New York, + "during the expedition of Lieut. Greely at Lady Franklin Bay, was not a + layer of coal discovered by our explorers a little way from Fort Conger, + near Waterhouse? And did not Dr. Pavy say that these countries are + certainly full of coal, perhaps placed there to combat at some day the + terrible masses of ice which are found there?" + </p> + <p> + Against such well-established facts brought out by American discoverers + the enemies of President Barbicane did not know what to answer. And the + people who asked why should there be coal mines began to surrender to the + people who asked why should there be none. Certainly there were some, and + very considerable ones, too. The circumpolar ice-cap conceals precious + masses of coal contained in those regions where vegetation was formerly + luxuriant. But if they could no longer dispute that there were really coal + mines in this Arctic region the enemies of the association tried to get + revenge in another way. "Well," said Major Donellan one day after a + hard discussion which had arisen in the meeting-room of the Gun Club and + during which he met President Barbicane face to face, "all right. I + admit that there are coal mines; I even affirm it, there are mines in the + region purchased by your society, but go and explore them-ha! ha! ha!" + </p> + <p> + "That is what we are going to do," said Impey Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + "Go over the eighty-fourth degree, beyond which no explorer as yet has + been able to put his foot?" + </p> + <p> + "We will pass it-reach even the North Pole," said he. "We will + reach it." And after hearing the President of the Gun Club answer with + so much coolness, with so much assurance, to see his opinion so strongly, + so perfectly affirmed, even the strongest opponent began to hesitate. They + seemed to be in the presence of a man who had lost none of his old-time + qualities, quiet, cold, and of an eminently serious mind, exact as a + clock, adventurous, but carrying his practical ideas into the rashest + enterprises. + </p> + <p> + Major Donellan had an ardent wish to strangle his adversary. But President + Barbicane was stout and well able to stand against wind and tide, and + therefore not afraid of the Major. His enemies, his friends and people who + envied him knew it only too well. But there were many jealous people, and + many jokes and funny stories went round in regard to the members of the + Gun Club. Pictures and caricatures were made in Europe and particularly in + England, where people could not get over the loss which they suffered in + the matter of pounds sterling. "Ah," said they, "this Yankee has got + it in his head to reach the North Pole. He wants to put his foot where, up + to the present time, no living soul has yet been. He wants to build + palaces and houses and, perhaps, the White House of the United States, in + a part of the world which has never yet been reached, while every other + part of the world is so well known to us." And then wild caricatures + appeared in the different newspapers. In the large show-windows and + news-depots, as well in small cities of Europe as in the large cities of + America, there appeared drawings and cartoons showing President Barbicane + in the funniest of positions trying to reach the North Pole. One audacious + American cut had all the members of the Gun Club trying to make an + underground tunnel beneath the terrible mass of immovable icebergs, to the + eighty-fourth degree of northern latitude, each with an axe in his hand. + In another, Impey Barbicane, accompanied by Mr. J.T. Maston and Capt. + Nicholl, had descended from a balloon on the much-desired point, and after + many unsuccessful attempts and at the peril of their lives, had captured a + piece of coal weighing about half a pound. This fragment was all they + discovered of the anticipated coal-fields. There were also pictures made + of J. T. Maston, who was as much used for such purposes as his chief. + After having tried to find the electric attraction of the North Pole, the + secretary of the Gun Club became fixed to the ground by his metallic hand. + </p> + <p> + The celebrated calculator was too quick-tempered to find any pleasure in + the drawings which referred to his personal conformation. He was + exceedingly annoyed by them, and Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, it may be + easily understood, was not slow to share his indignation. Another drawing + in the Lanterne of Brussels represented the members of the Council and the + members of the Gun Club tending a large number of fires. The idea was to + melt the large quantities of ice by putting a whole sea of alcohol on + them, which would convert the polar basin into a large quantity of punch. + But of all these caricatures, that which had the largest success was that + which was published by the French <i>Charivari</i>, under the signature of + its designer, "Stop." In the stomach of a whale Impey Barbicane and J. + T. Maston were seated playing checkers and waiting their arrival at a good + point. The new Jonah and his Secretary had got themselves swallowed by an + immense fish, and it was in this way, after having gone under the + icebergs, that they hoped to gain access to the North Pole. The President + of this new Society did not care much about these pictures, and let them + say and write and sing whatever they liked. + </p> + <p> + Immediately after the concession was made and the Society was absolute + master of the northern region, appeal was made for a public subscription + of $15,000,000. Shares were issued at $100, to be paid for at once, and + the credit of Barbicane & Co. was such that the money ran in as fast + as possible. The most of it came from the various States of the Union. + "So much the better," said the people on the part of the N.P.P.A. + "The undertaking will be entirely American." + </p> + <p> + So strong, indeed, were the foundations upon which Barbicane & Co. + were established that the amount necessary to be subscribed was raised in + a very short time, and even thrice the amount. Everybody was interested in + the matter, and the most scientific experts did not doubt its success. + </p> + <p> + The shares were reduced one-third, and on Dec. 16 the capital of the + Society was $15,000,000 in cash. This was about three times as much as the + amount subscribed to the credit of the Gun Club when it was going to send + a projectile from the earth to the moon. + </p> + <p> + <a name="VI" id="VI"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER VI.<br /><br />IN WHICH A TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MRS. + SCORBITT AND J.T. MASTON IS INTERRUPTED</b>. + </h4> + <p> + President Barbicane was not only convinced that he would reach his object + when the amount which had been raised took another obstacle out of his + way. Had he not been perfectly sure of success he would not have made an + application for a public subscription. And now the time had come when the + North Pole would be conquered. It was felt certain that President + Barbicane and his Council of Administration had means to succeed where so + many others had failed. They would do what neither Franklin, nor Kane, nor + De Long, nor Nares, nor Greely had been able to accomplish. They would + pass the 84th parallel, they would take possession of the vast region + purchased at an auction sale, they would make this country the + thirty-ninth star in the flag of the American Union. "Fake," was all + that the European delegates and their friends in the Old World could say. + Nothing was more true, however, and this practical, logical means of + conquering the North Pole, which was so simple that it was almost + childish, was one which J.T. Maston had suggested to them. It was that + brain, where ideas were constantly evolving, which had laid out this great + geographical project in a way which could not but succeed. + </p> + <p> + It cannot be too often repeated that the Secretary of the Gun Club was a + remarkable calculator, we might say a postgraduate calculator. But a + single day was needed by him to solve the most complicated problems in + mathematical science. He laughed at these difficulties whether in algebra + or in plain mathematics. You should have seen him handle his figures, the + signs which make up algebra, the letters in the alphabet, representing the + unknown quantities, the square or crossed lines representing the way in + which quantities are to be operated. All signs and lines, and radicals + used in this complex language were perfectly familiar to him. And how they + flew around under his pen, or rather under the piece of chalk which he + attached to his iron hand, because he preferred to work on a blackboard. + And this blackboard, six feet square, this was all he wanted, he was + perfectly at home in his work. Nor was it figures alone which he used in + his calculations. His figures were fantastic, gigantic, written with a + practiced hand. His "2" and "3" were as nice and round as they could be, + his 7 looked like a crutch and almost invited a person to hang on it. His + 8 was as well formed as a pair of eye-glasses; and the letters with which + he established his formulas, the first of the alphabet, a, b, c, which he + used to represent given or known quantities, and the last, x, y, z, which + he used for unknown quantities to be discovered, particularly the "z," and + those Greek letters d, ?, a. Really an Archimedes might have been well + proud of them. And those other signs, made with a clean hand and without + fault, it was simply astonishing. His + showed well that this sign meant + an addition of one object to the other, his -, if it was a little + smaller, was also in good shape. His =, too, showed that Mr. Maston lived + in a country where equality was not a vain expression, at least amongst + the people of the white race. Just as well were his > and his < and + his ::, used in expressing proportions. And the v , which indicated the + root of a certain number or quantity, it was to him a mark of triumph, and + when he completed it with a horizontal line in this v<sup>--</sup> , + it seemed as if this outline on his blackboard would compel the whole + world to submit to his figuring. + </p> + <p> + But do not think that Mr. J.T. Maston's mathematical intelligence was + confined to elementary algebra! No; no matter what figuring he had to do, + it was alike familiar to him, and with a practised hand he made all the + signs and figures, and even did not hesitate at ? which looks very simple, + but behind which lays a great deal of calculation. The same with the sign + S, which represents the sum of a finished number. Also the sign 8, by + which the mathematicians designate the incomplete, and all those + mysterious symbols which are used in this language and which are unknown + to the common people. This astonishing man was able to do anything even in + the very highest grades of mathematics. Such was J. T. Maston. And + therefore it was that his associates had such perfect confidence in him + when he set out to figure the most difficult problems in his audacious + brain. This it was which led the Gun Club to trust him with the difficult + problem of sending a projectile to the moon. And this was why Mrs. + Evangelina Scorbitt, jealous of his fame, felt for him an admiration which + ended in love. In this present case-that is, how to solve the conquering + of the North Pole, J. T. Maston had but to begin to think and dream + himself into the Arctic regions. To reach the solution the secretary had + but to undertake certain mathematical problems, very complicated, perhaps, + but over which in all cases he would come out ahead. + </p> + <p> + It was safe to trust Mr. J. T. Maston, even where the smallest and + simplest mistake would have meant a loss of millions. Never, since the + time his youthful brain began to think of mathematics had he committed a + mistake-not even one of a thousandth of an inch-if his calculations + were made up on the length of an object. If he had made a mistake of only + the smallest amount he would have torn his gutta-percha cap from his head. + Now let us see him while engaged in his calculations, and for this purpose + we must go back a few weeks. + </p> + <p> + It was about a month before the publication of the circular addressed to + the inhabitants of the Old and New Worlds that Mr. Maston had undertaken + to figure out the elements of a scheme in which he had promised his + associates the greatest success. For a number of years Mr. Maston had + lived at No. 179 Franklin Street, one of the most quiet streets of + Baltimore, far away from the centre of business, for which he did not care + anything, far away from the noise of the great crowd, which disgusted him. + There he occupied a modest little house known by the name of "Ballistic + Cottage," having for his income only his pension allowed to him as a + retired officer of artillery and the salary which he received as Secretary + of the Gun Club. He lived alone, served by his Negro "Fire-Fire." This + Negro was not an ordinary servant; he was rather an appreciative friend + and treated his master as if he were his own brother. Mr. Maston was a + decided bachelor, having an idea that being a bachelor was the only + sensible way of living in the present world. He knew the proverb, "a + woman can draw more with one hair than four oxen at the plough," and he + disproved it. If he occupied his cottage alone it was only because he + wished to do so. We know that he only had to make the motion to change his + solitude of one to a company of two and his small income to the income of + a millionaire. He did not doubt it. Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt would have + been only too happy to... But up to this time Mr. Maston had not been + happy to ... and it seemed certain that these two beings, so well made one + for the other, at least this was the opinion of the tender widow, would + never reach the transformation period. The cottage was a very simple one. + A ground-floor, with a veranda and a floor over it; a small parlor and + small dining-room, with a kitchen and another room in an outbuilding stand + at the back of the garden. Upstairs his sleeping-room and his + working-studio, looking on the garden, and where the noise of the outer + world could never penetrate. Within these walls there had been made + calculations which would have made Newton, Euclid, or Laplace jealous. How + different was the mansion of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, situated in the + richest quarter of New Park, with facade of balconies, finished in the + finest architecture, half Romanesque, half Gothic, with its + richly-furnished apartments, its grand halls, its picture galleries, in + which French artists held the highest places; its magnificent staircase, + its great number of domestics, its stables, its coach-houses, its garden, + with the finest of flowers, statues, fountains, and the tower on the top + of the building, on which the blue and gold coat-of-arms of the Scorbitt + family was upon a glittering banner. Three miles, three long miles at + least separated the Palace at New Park from the "Ballistic Cottage." + But a private telephone wire connected there, and in answer to "Hello! + hello!" a conversation could be carried on between the mansion and + cottage. If the persons could not look at each other they could at least + hear each other. It will astonish none to hear that time upon time Mrs. + Scorbitt began talking and ringing on the telephone to Mr. Maston when he + was busily engaged with his figures. Then the calculator had to quit his + work with some reluctance. He received a friendly "How do you do?" + from Mrs. Scorbitt, which he answered with a grunt, which was sweetened + into a kindly greeting by the distance over the telephone. After a + conversation he was glad to go back to his figures. It was on the 3d of + December, after a long and last conference, that Mr. Maston took leave of + his friends and members of the Club to begin to do his share of the work. + It was a very important work with which he had charged himself, for it was + the question of figure mechanical appliance which would enable him to gain + access to the North Pole, and which would allow him to make use of those + large fields of snow now covered with impenetrable ice. He estimated that + he needed at least a week to accomplish this mysterious calculation, + exceedingly complicated and delicate to handle, involving several deep and + important problems. Therefore, to avoid all unnecessary annoyance, it had + been decided that the Secretary of the Gun Club should retire to his + cottage and that he should not be disturbed by any one. This was a great + disappointment for Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, but she was compelled to + accept it. While President Barbicane, Capt. Nicholl and his associates, + the jolly Bilsby, Col. Bloomsberry, Tom Hunter, with the wooden legs, were + all saying their good-bys to him and wishing him success, Mrs. Evangelina + Scorbitt appeared and made her last visit to Mr. Maston. + </p> + <p> + "You will succeed, my dear," said she at the moment of separation. + </p> + <p> + "And above all do not make a mistake," added President Barbicane. "A + mistake? He?" exclaimed Mrs. Scorbitt. + </p> + <p> + "No more than God has made a mistake in putting together this world," + modestly answered the Secretary. Then, after shaking hands all around and + after several more sighs and wishes of success and suggestions not to make + too severe a work of it, the calculator was left alone. The door of the + Ballistic cottage was closed and Fire-Fire had orders to admit none, not + even if the President of the United States should ask admission. + </p> + <p> + During his first two days of seclusion J.T. Maston thought and thought, + without even touching the piece of chalk, upon the problem which he had + taken on himself. He consulted certain books relative to the elements, the + earth-its size, its thickness, its volume, its form, its rotation upon + its axis-all elements which he had to use as the basis of his + calculations. + </p> + <p> + The principles of these elements which he used, and which we put before + the reader, were as follows: + </p> + <p> + Form of the earth: An ellipsis of revolution the longest radius of which + is 6,377,398 metres; the shortest, 6,356,080 meters. The circumference of + the earth at the equator, 40,000 kilometres. Surface of the earth, + approximate estimate, 510,000,000 of square kilometers. Bulk of the earth, + about 1,000 millards of cubic kilometres; that is, a cube having a metre + in length, height, and thickness. Density of the earth, about five times + that of the water. Time of the earth on the orbit around the sun, 365 + days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, 10 seconds, 37 centimes. This gives the globe a + speed of 30,400 miles travelled over by the rotation of the earth upon its + axis. For a point of its surface situated at the equator, 463 meters per + second. These were the principal measures of space, time, bulk, etc., + which Mr. Maston used in his calculations. + </p> + <p> + It was the 5th of October, about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, it is + important to mention, when this remarkable work was begun, when J. T. + Maston began to work upon it. He began his calculation with a diagram + representing the circumference of the earth around one of its grand + circles, say the equator. The blackboard was there, in a corner of his + study, upon a polished oak easel, with good light shining on it, coming by + one of the windows near by. Small pieces of chalk were on the board + attached to the stand. The sponge was near the hand of the calculator. His + right hand, or rather his right hook, was all ready for the placing of + figures which he was going to use. Standing up, Mr. Maston made a large + round circle, which represented the world. The equator he marked by a + straight line. Then in the right corner of the blackboard he began to put + the figures which represented the circumference of the earth: + </p> + <p> + 40,000,000. + </p> + <p> + This done, he began figuring on his problem. He was so much occupied by it + that he had not observed the weather without. For an hour a storm had + raved through the country which affected all living beings. It was a + terrific storm, the rain was falling in torrents, everything seemed turned + upside down in nature. Two or three times lightning had illuminated the + scene around him. But the mathematician, more and more absorbed in his + work, saw and heard nothing. Suddenly an electric bolt, attracted by the + lightning outside, sparkled in his room, and this disturbed the + calculator. "Well," said Mr. Maston, "if unwelcome visitors cannot + get in by the door they come by telephone. A nice invention for people who + wish to be left alone. I will go to work and cut off the electric wire, so + I will not be disturbed again while my figuring lasts." With this he + went to the telephone and said sternly: "Who wants to talk to me? Just + make it short." The reply came back: "Did you not recognize my voice, + my dear Mr. Maston? It is I, Mrs. Scorbitt." "Mrs. Scorbitt! She will + never give me a moment's rest," uttered Mr. Maston to himself in a low + voice that she could not hear. Then he thought he should at least answer + her in a polite manner, and said: "Oh, is that you, Mrs. Scorbitt?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, dear Mr. Maston." + </p> + <p> + "And what can I do for Mrs. Scorbitt?" asked Maston. + </p> + <p> + "I want to tell you that a terrible storm and lightning is destroying a + large part of our city." "Well," he replied, "I cannot help it." + "But I want to ask whether you have thought to close your windows?" + Mrs. Scorbitt had hardly finished her sentence when a terrible thunderbolt + struck the town. It struck in the neighborhood of the Ballistic cottage, + and the electricity, passing along the wire with which the telephone was + provided, threw the calculator to the floor with a terrible force. J.T. + Maston made the best summersault he ever did in his life. His metal hook + had touched the live wire and he was thrown down like a shuttlecock. The + blackboard, which he had struck in his fall, was sent flying to another + part of the room. Then the electricity passed into other objects and + disappeared through the floor. The stupefied Mr. Maston got up and touched + the different parts of his body to assure himself that he was not hurt + internally. This done, he resumed his cold, calculating way. He picked + everything up in his room, put it in the same place where it had been + before and put his blackboard on the easel, picked up the small pieces of + chalk and began again his work, which had been so suddenly interrupted. He + noticed that on account of the fall the number which he had made on the + right side of the blackboard was partly erased, and he was just about to + replace it when his telephone again rang with a loud noise. "Again," + said J.T, Maston, and going to the telephone he exclaimed, "who is + there?" "Mistress Scorbitt." "And what does Mrs. Scorbitt want?" + "Did not this terrible thunderbolt strike Ballistic cottage? I have good + reason to think so. Ah, great God, the thunderbolt!" + </p> + <p> + "Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Scorbitt." + </p> + <p> + "You have not been injured, Mr. Maston?" + </p> + <p> + "Not at all," he replied. + </p> + <p> + "You are sure you have no injuries whatever," said the lady. + </p> + <p> + "I am only touched by your kindness towards me," replied Mr. Maston, + thinking it the best way to answer. + </p> + <p> + "Good evening, dear Mr. Maston." + </p> + <p> + "Good evening, dear Mrs. Scorbitt." + </p> + <p> + Returning to his work Mr. Maston said, sotto voce, "To the devil with + her. If she had not handled the telephone at such a time I would not have + run the risk of being hurt by electricity." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Maston did not wish to be interrupted in his work again and so took + down his telephone and cut the wire. Then, taking again as basis the + figure which he had written, he added different formulas of it, and + finally a certain formula which he had written on his left side, and then + he began to figure in all the language of algebra. A week later, on the + 11th of October, this magnificent calculation was finished and the + Secretary of the Gun Club brought his solution of the problem with great + pride and satisfaction to the members of the Gun Club, who were awaiting + it with very natural impatience. This then was the practical way to get to + the North Pole mathematically discovered. Here was also a society, under + the name of the N.P.P.A., to which the Government of Washington had + accorded a clear title of the Arctic region in case they should buy it on + auction, and we have told of the purchase made in favor of American buyers + and of the appeal for a subscription of $15,000,000. + </p> + <p> + <a name="VII" id="VII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER VII.<br /><br />IN WHICH PRESIDENT BARBICANE SAYS NO MORE THAN SUITS + HIS PURPOSE. + </h4> + <p> + On the 22nd of December the subscribers to Barbicane & Co. were + summoned to a general meeting. It is hardly necessary to say that the + headquarters of the Gun Club were selected as the place of the meeting. In + reality the whole block would not have been sufficient to give room to the + large crowd of subscribers who assembled on that day. But a meeting in the + fresh air on one of the public squares of Baltimore was not very agreeable + in such cold weather. Usually the large hall of the Gun Club was decorated + with models of all kinds lent by members of the Club. It was a real museum + of artillery. Even the furniture, chairs and tables, sofas and divans, + recalled by their strange shapes those murderous engines which had sent + into a better world many brave people whose greatest wish was to die of + old age. + </p> + <p> + On this meeting day all these things were taken down and out. This was not + a meeting for the purpose of war, but a commercial and peaceful meeting + over which Impey Barbicane was going to preside. All room possible had + been made for the subscribers who arrived from all parts of the United + States. In the hall as well as in the adjoining rooms the crowds were + pushing and pressing each other without heeding the innumerable people who + were standing on the adjoining streets. The members of the Gun Club, as + first subscribers to the affair, had places reserved for them very near + the desk. Among them could be found Col. Bloomsberry, more happy than + ever; Tom Hunter, with his wooden legs, and the jolly Bilsby. Very snug in + a comfortable armchair was Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, who should really + have had a place on the right hand of the President, as she was in reality + the owner of the Arctic region. Several other ladies were in the crowd. + They could readily be seen by their large and much-decorated hats in many + different colors. The large crowd on the outside tried to push into the + hall, and one might easily have thought that all the people present were + not merely helpmates of the members of the Gun Club, but rather their + personal friends. The European delegates-Swedish, Norwegians, Danish, + English, Dutch, and Russian-occupied reserved seats, and if they had + bought any stock in this society it was only each one individually to such + an extent as to justify a vote in the proceedings. After they had been so + closely united in purchasing these regions they were united now only to + annoy the purchasers. It may easily be imagined what intense curiosity + they had to hear the important communication which the President was about + to make to them. This communication undoubtedly would throw some + information on the point as to how the society would proceed to reach the + North Pole. Was this not a more difficult thing than merely to make use of + the coal mines? If there should be any objections to make you may be + assured that Major Donellan, backed up by his secretary, Dean Toodrink, + would make them, and the other delegates would not be very slow in adding + their word also. The Major had firmly decided to harass and annoy his + rival, Impey Barbicane, as much as he possibly could. + </p> + <p> + It was 8 o'clock in the evening. The hall, the parlors, and all quarters + occupied by the Gun Club blazed with lights which the Edison electroliers + throw out. As soon as the doors were thrown open for the public a terrible + crowd jammed into the hall. But everyone became silent as the ushers + announced that the Council of Administration was coming. There, on a + draped platform, with a table covered with black cloth, in full sight, + President Barbicane, his Secretary, J.T. Maston, and his associates, took + their places. A triple round of cheers, followed by hearty "tigers," + rang through the hall and out to the adjoining streets. Very solemnly Mr. + Maston and Capt. Nicholl took their seats. Then the President, who had + remained standing, opened the proceedings. He put his right hand in his + trouser's pocket and his left hand in his vest front and began as + follows: + </p> + <p> + "Lady and gentlemen subscribers, the Council of Administration has + called a meeting in these headquarters of the Gun Club to make an + important communication to you. You have learned by the circulars and + through the discussions in the papers that the object of our Club is to + explore the large coal fields situated in the Arctic regions, which we + have recently purchased and to which we hold a title from the American + Government. The amount of money raised by public subscription will be used + for these purposes. The success which will be attained by it surpasses + belief and the dividends your money will bring you will be unsurpassed in + the commercial or financial history of this or any other country." Here + applause was heard for the first time and for a moment the orator was + interrupted. "You do not forget," said he, "how we have proved to + you that there must be vast coal fields in these regions, perhaps also + fields of fossil ivory. The articles published on this subject do not + allow any doubt that coal fields are there, and coal is now, you know, the + basis of all our commercial industry. Without mentioning the coal which is + used every year in firing and heating, we might think of coal used for + many other purposes, of which I could mention a hundred different ones. It + is certain that coal is the most precious substance, and will some day, on + account of the large consumption of it; fail in its supply. Before 500 + years have passed the coal mines which are at present in use will have + stopped giving coal." + </p> + <p> + "Three hundred years," cried one of those present. "Two hundred + years," answered another. + </p> + <p> + "Let us say at some time sooner or later," continued the President, + calmly, "and let us suppose, too, that we will even discover new coal + fields yet, whose coal will give out, say at the end of the nineteenth + century." Here he stopped to give his listeners a chance to grasp the + idea. Then he began again: "Therefore, we come here, subscribers, and I + ask you to rise and go with me to the North Pole immediately." Everybody + present got up and seemed about to rush away and pack their trunks, as if + President Barbicane had a vessel ready to take them direct to the North + Pole. But a remark made by Major Donellan in a clear and loud voice + brought them back to reality and stopped them at once. "Before + starting" he asked, "I would like to know by what means we can reach + the North Pole?" + </p> + <p> + "Either by water, or land, or by air," quietly answered President + Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + All the people present sat down, and it may readily be understood with + what a feeling of curiosity. + </p> + <p> + "In spite of all the devotion and courage of previous explorers, the + eighty-fourth parallel has thus far been the northern limit reached. And + it may fairly be supposed that this is as far north as anybody will ever + get by the means employed at the present day. Up to the present time we + have only used boats and vessels to reach the icebergs, and rafts to pass + over the fields of ice. People should not adopt such rash means and face + the dangers to which they are exposed through the low temperature. We must + employ other means to reach the North Pole." + </p> + <p> + It could be seen by the excitement which took hold of the auditors, that + they were on the point of hearing the secret which has been so vigorously + searched for by every one. + </p> + <p> + "And how will you reach it?" demanded the delegate of England. + </p> + <p> + "Before ten minutes have passed you will know it, Major Donellan," + said President Barbicane, "and I may add in addressing myself to all the + stockholders, that they should have confidence in us as the promoters of + this affair, for we are the same who have tried to send a projectile to + the moon." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," cried Dean Toodrink, sarcastically, "they tried to go as far + as the moon. And we can easily see that they are here yet." + </p> + <p> + President Barbicane ignored the interruption. Shrugging his shoulders, he + said in a loud voice: "Yes, ladies and gentlemen, in ten minutes you + will know what we are going to do." + </p> + <p> + A murmur, made up of many "Ahs!" and "Ohs!" followed this remark. + It seemed to them as if the orator had said in ten minutes they would be + at the North Pole. He then continued in the following words: + </p> + <p> + "First of all, it is a continent which forms this arctic region, or it + is an ocean, and has Commander Nares been right in calling it + 'paleocrystic ocean,' which means an ocean of old ice? To this + question I must answer that I think he was not right." + </p> + <p> + This is not sufficient," exclaimed Eric Baldenak. "It is not the + question of supposing, it is the question of being certain." + </p> + <p> + "Well, we are certain," came the answer to this furious inquirer. + "Yes, it is a solid continent and not an ice ocean which the N.P.P.A. + has purchased and which now belongs to the United States and which no + European power has the right to touch." + </p> + <p> + A little murmur came from the neighborhood of the delegates of the Old + World. "Bah!" they said. "It is full of water, a regular washbasin + which you will not be able to empty." Dean Toodrink as usual made most + of the remarks and met the hearty applause of his associates. "No, + sir," answered President Barbicane, quickly. "There is a regular + continent, a platform which rises like the Gobi desert in Central Asia, + three or four kilometres above the surface of the ocean. This is very easy + to be seen from the observations made in the neighboring countries, of + which the polar region is only an extension. + </p> + <p> + "After their explorations have not Nordenskiold, Perry and Maaigaard + stated that Greenland gets higher and higher towards the North Pole? + </p> + <p> + "Besides, they have found birds, different products and vegetables in + the northern ice-ivory teeth also-which indicate that this region must + have been inhabited and that animals must have been there, and perhaps + people as well. There used to be large forests there, which must have been + formed into coal-fields, which we will explore. Yes, there is a continent, + without a doubt, around the North Pole-a continent free from all human + beings, and on which we will place the banner of the United States." + </p> + <p> + At this remark the auditors expressed great delight. When the noise had + finally subsided Major Donellan could be heard to remark: "Well, seven + minutes have already gone by of the ten which, as you say, would be + sufficient to reach the North Pole." + </p> + <p> + "We shall be there in three minutes," coolly answered President + Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + "But, even if this be a continent, which constitutes your purchase, and + if it is a raised country, as we may have reasons to believe, it is also + obstructed by eternal ice, and in a condition which will make exploration + extremely difficult," responded the Major. "Impossible," cried Jan + Harald, who emphasized this remark with a wave of his hand. "Impossible, + all right," said Impey Barbicane. "But it is to conquer this + impossibility that we have purchased this region. We will need neither + vessels nor rafts to reach the North Pole; no, thanks to our operations, + the ice and icebergs, new or old, will melt by themselves, and it will not + cost one dollar of our capital nor one minute of our time." At this + there was absolute silence. The most important moment had come. + </p> + <p> + "Gentlemen," said the President of the Gun Club, "Archimedes only + asked for a lever to lift the world. Well, this lever we have found. We + are now in a position to remove the North Pole." + </p> + <p> + "What, remove the North Pole?" cried Eric Baldenak. + </p> + <p> + "Will you bring it to America?" asked Jan Harald. Without doubt + President Barbicane did not wish to explain himself just yet, for he + continued: "In regard to this point of leverage-" "Do not tell it! + do not tell it!" cried one of his associates, with a terrible voice. + </p> + <p> + "In regard to this lever-" + </p> + <p> + "Keep the secret! keep the secret!" cried the majority of the + spectators, taking up the cry. + </p> + <p> + "We will keep it," said President Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + Naturally, the European delegates were very much vexed at this remark. + This will be easily understood. In spite of all these exclamations the + orator never had any intention of making his plan known. He continued to + say: "We obtained our object, thanks to a mechanical device, one which + has no precedent in the annals of industrial art. We will undertake it and + bring it to a successful finish by means of our capital, and how I will + inform you forthwith." + </p> + <p> + "Hear! hear!" said the others present. + </p> + <p> + "First of all, the idea of our plan comes from one of the ablest, most + devoted and illustrious calculators and one of our associates as well," + said President Barbicane. "One to whom we owe all the calculations which + allows us to have our work in such good condition. As the exploration of + the North Pole is not a piece of play the removal of the pole is a problem + which could only be solved by the highest calculations. Therefore we have + called the assistance of the honorable Secretary, Mr. J.T. Maston." + </p> + <p> + "Hip, hip, hip, hurrah, for J. T. Maston," exclaimed all the auditors, + seemingly electrified by the presence of this extraordinary calculator. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt was deeply touched by this recognition of the + celebrated mathematician, who had already entirely gained her heart. He + contented himself with turning his head to the right and left, bowing and + thanking his auditors. + </p> + <p> + "Already, dear subscribers," said President Barbicane, "since the + great meeting in honor of the arrival of the Frenchman, Michel Ardan, in + America, some months before our departure for the moon" (and this + confident Yankee spoke of the trip to the moon as quietly as if it were no + more than a trip to New York), "J T. Maston had already said to himself: + 'We must invent machines to move the North Pole. We must find a point + for action and put the axis of the earth in the right direction from the + object.' Well, any or all of you who listen to me find it if you can. I + can only say the machines have been invented, the point of leverage has + been found, and now let us pay our attention to the question of fixing, in + the right way, for our end of the axis of the earth." Here he stopped + speaking, and the astonishment which was expressed on the faces of his + auditors it is impossible to describe. + </p> + <p> + "What!" cried Major Donellan, "you then have the idea of putting the + axis of the earth in another direction?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir," answered President Barbicane promptly. "We have the + means of making a new one which will hereafter regulate the routine of day + and night." + </p> + <p> + "You want to modify the daily rotation of the earth?" repeated Col. + Karkof, with fire in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Absolutely, but without affecting its duration," answered President + Barbicane. This operation will bring the pole at or about the + sixty-seventh parallel of latitude, then the earth will be similar to the + planet Jupiter, whose axis is nearly perpendicular to the plane of its + orbit. Now this movement of 23 degrees 28 minutes will be sufficient to + give at our North Pole such a degree of heat that it will melt in less + than no time the icebergs and field which have been there for thousands of + years." + </p> + <p> + The audience was out of breath. Nobody thought of interrupting the orator, + even to applaud him. All were taken in by this idea, so ingenious and + simple, of modifying the axis on which this earthly spheroid is rotating. + And as for the European delegates, well, they were simply stupefied, + paralyzed, and crushed, they kept their mouths shut in the last stage of + astonishment. But the hurrahs seemed to rend the hall asunder, when + President Barbicane made the additional remark: "It is the sun which + will take upon himself the melting of the icebergs and fields around the + North Pole, and thus make access to the same very easy. So, as people + cannot go to the pole, the pole will come to them." + </p> + <p> + <a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER VIII.<br /><br />YES, JUST LIKE JUPITER. + </h4> + <p> + Since that memorable meeting in honor of Michel Ardan, the Hon. J.T. + Maston had talked and thought of nothing else but the "changing of the + axis of the earth." He had studied the subject as much as possible and + found out all the facts and figures about it. As the problem had been + solved by this eminent calculator a new axis was going to take the place + of the old one upon which the earth was now turning, and the world would + otherwise remain the same. In the scheme it would be possible for the + climate around the North Pole to become exactly the same as that of + Trondhjem, in Norway, in the Spring. Naturally, then the large amount of + ice would melt under the ardent sun. At the same time the climates would + be distributed over our sphere like those now on the surface of Jupiter. + In other words, the new-formed society of Barbicane was going to change + everything at present on the surface of the earth. And the creation of + this new axis was possible, just as soon as the platform of which + Archimedes had dreamed and the lever imagined by J.T. Maston were at the + disposal of these courageous engineers. And as they had decided to make a + secret of their invention until a future time, people could not do + anything else but make their own figures. This was what all the papers + did, calling on the most scientific persons and learning as well something + from the most ignorant persons. If there really were people living on the + surface of Jupiter, they had a good many advantages over those on the + earth, advantages which had all been narrated and explained in the meeting + which was held before the trip to the moon. All these advantages would + come to the people living on the earth if Barbicane & Co. could + accomplish what they intended to do. Twenty-four hours would then always + separate two noons from each other. Twilight and dawn would always be as + they are now. But the most curious thing of all would be the absence of + the different seasons of the year. Now there were Summer, Winter, Fall, + and Spring. The people living on Jupiter did not know these seasons at + all. After this experiment people living on this globe would not know them + either. As soon as the new axis would be in smooth working order there + would be no more ice regions, nor torrid zones, but the whole world would + have an even temperature climate. + </p> + <p> + What, after all, is the torrid zone? It is a part of the surface in which + the people can see the sun twice yearly at its zenith, and the temperate + zone but a part where the sun never goes to the zenith, and the icy region + but a part of the world which the sun forgets entirely for a long time, + and around the North Pole this extends for six months. It is simply the + position of the sun which makes a country exceedingly hot or cold. Well, + these things would not appear any longer on the surface of the world. The + sun would be always over the equator: it would go down every twelve hours + just as regularly as before. "And among the advantages of the new + method," said the friends of President Barbicane, "were these, that + each person could choose a climate which was best for himself and his + health; no more rheumatism, no more colds, no more grippe; the variations + of extreme heat would not be known any more. In short, Barbicane & Co. + were going to change fixtures which had existed ever since the world was + in existence. Certainly the observer would lose a few stars and things + which he perhaps liked to look at now, and the poet would not have any + longer his dreamy nights, etc., but what a great advantage it would be for + the world at large. "And," said certain journals, "the products of + the ground can be regulated so that agriculturists can give to each sort + of plant life the temperature which suits it most." Other newspapers + asked: "Will we no more have rain, or storms, or hail-things upon + which a great deal depends in the harvest time?" "Undoubtedly," said + the friends of Barbicane & Co., but these accidents will be more rare + than they have been, as the temperature will be more even. Yes, taken in + all, it will be a great advantage to humanity. It will be the real + millennium of the earthly globe. And Barbicane & Co. will have done a + service to mankind which but for them would have remained an + impossibility." "Yes," said Michel Ardan, "our hemisphere, the + surface of which is always either too cold or too warm, will no longer be + the place for colds and rheumatism, etc." A New York paper of Dec. 27 + printed the following article: "Honor to President Barbicane! His + associates and himself will not only annex a new province to our American + continent, and thereby enlarge the already vast possessions of the United + States, but they will make the whole world more productive and + inhabitable. It will be possible then to put seed in the ground as soon as + the crop had grown up and been taken out; there would be no more time lost + during the Winter. And the coal mines also would make the country richer + than the value of its entire present realty. Barbicane & Co. will + change the whole world and put it in better condition. Thanks, then, to + the people who have done this greatest of benefits to humanity." + </p> + <p> + <a name="IX" id="IX"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER IX.<br /><br />IN WHICH APPEARS THE FRENCH GENTLEMAN TO WHOM WE + REFERRED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS TRUTHFUL STORY.</b> + </h4> + <p> + Such, then, were to be the profits due to the changes which were to be + wrought by President Barbicane. The earth would continue to revolve and + the course of the year would not be much altered. As the changes would + concern the whole world it was natural that they became of interest to + all. In regard to the new axis which was going to be used that was the + secret which neither President Barbicane nor Capt. Nicholl nor J.T. Maston + seemed to be willing to give to the public. Were they to reveal it before, + or would none know of it until after the change had taken place? A degree + of uncertainty began to fill the American mind. Criticisms very natural + and to be expected were made in the papers. By what mechanical means was + this project to be carried out which would bring about this change? It + would necessarily demand a terrible power. One of the greatest papers at + that time commented in the following article: "If the earth was not + turning on its axis, perhaps a very feeble shock would be sufficient to + give it such a movement as might be chosen, but otherwise it would be very + difficult if not impossible to deviate it a fixed amount." Nothing + seemed more correct after having discussed the effort which the engineers + of the N.P.P.A. were to make. Discussion took on the interesting turn as + to whether this result would be reached insensibly or suddenly. And if the + latter, would not terrible accidents happen at the moment when the change + took place? This troubled scientific people as well as ignorant people. It + was not agreeable to know that a blow was to be struck and not know + precisely what the after effects were to be. + </p> + <p> + It seemed as if the promoters of this undertaking had not fully considered + the consequences - that they would be so very dangerous to the earth, and + that it would not do as much good as first thought. The European + delegates, more than ever angry at the loss which they had suffered, + resolved to make the most of this question and to excite the public as + much as possible upon it so as to turn feeling against the members of the + Gun Club. + </p> + <p> + It will not be forgotten that France had absolutely nothing to do with + these delegates, as it had no intentions of buying the Arctic region. + However, a Frenchman had come to Baltimore, and for his own personal + benefit and information had watched with great interest the proceedings of + the Gun Club. He was an engineer, not more than thirty-five years old. He + had been first in the polytechnic school, and came out of it with the + highest honors. He was without doubt as skilful a calculator as Mr. J.T. + Maston. This engineer was a very intelligent young man, very original, + always pleasant, and with most amiable manners. He always spoke very + frankly and used plain language, no matter whether he was speaking in + earnest or in fun. He even went so far as to use slangy expressions when + they served his purpose. He could sit for hours at his table and figure + and calculate, making his figures and calculations as fast as he could + write with a pen. His greatest pleasure, next to these difficult + mathematical efforts, was in "whist," which he played apparently very + indifferently, not forgetting to figure out all his chances. His name was + Alcide Pierdeux, but he generally signed it, A. Pierd, and sometimes only + A. Pie. He was very tall. His friends remarked that his height measured + about the five millionth part of the quarter of the meridian, and they + were not much mistaken. He had a small head, at least it looked so on his + broad shoulders, but with a most lively expression on his face, and his + blue eyes behind his eye-glasses twinkled merrily. This was characteristic + of him, for he had one of those faces which appear merry, even when they + are in sober earnest. He was at once the best scholar in his class and the + best tempered. But even if his head did seem a little small on his + shoulders, it is safe to say that it was filled to its highest capacity. + He was a mathematician, as all his ancestors had been, but he did not + study mathematics to use them in his profession, for which he never had + any taste, as he disliked trade. No, he studied mathematics for themselves + alone, simply to find them out more and more where there was so much + unknown to man. Let us also remark that Alcide Pierdeux was a bachelor. He + was as yet single, or, as he would express it, equal to one (= 1) although + his greatest wish was to get married. His friends all thought that he + would marry a very charming girl, gay and spirituelle. But, unhappily for + him, the girl's father said that he was too smart and that he would talk + to his daughter in language which she would not be able to understand. How + modest and simple this father was, indeed. And for this reason the young + engineer decided to place between himself and his country the broad ocean. + He asked permission to go abroad for a year and obtained it. He thought + that he could not make any better use of his time than to go to Baltimore + and note the actions of the N.P.P.A. And this is how he came to be at this + time in the United States. However, since he got to Baltimore he had cared + little apparently for the great undertaking of Barbicane & Co. Whether + the earth would have a change of the axis or not, what did it matter to + him? He only wanted to know, and his curiosity was at the highest point to + find out, by what means they were to move the earth. He thought again and + again how they would do it and had several plans in his head and dismissed + them only to consider the matter afresh. He concluded that they wanted + probably to substitute a new axis, but he did not clearly see where their + point of operations was to be. Then, again, he would say, "There is the + daily movement. It is impossible to surpress it; how they will do it, is a + perfect conundrum to me." He had no idea what the plans of Barbicane and + Maston were. It is to be regretted very much that their intentions were + not known to him, as he would have been able to figure out the formulae in + a very short time. And so it came about that on this 29th day of December, + Alcide Pierdeux was walking with his hand at his brow, pondering, about + the streets of Baltimore. + </p> + <p> + <a name="X" id="X"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER X.<br /><br />IN WHICH A LITTLE UNEASINESS BEGINS TO SHOW ITSELF. + </h4> + <p> + A month had elapsed since the meeting of the Gun Club and the stockholders + of the new-formed society, and public opinion was getting much altered. + The advantages of the change to be wrought in the axis of the earth were + forgotten and its disadvantages began to be spoken of. It was very + probable, public opinion said, that a terrible catastrophe would happen, + as the change could only be brought about by a violent shock. What would + this catastrophe exactly be? In regard to the change of climates, was it + so desirable after all? The Esquimaux and the Laps and the Samoyeden and + the Tchuktchees would benefit by it, as they had nothing to lose. The + European delegates were very energetic in their talk against President + Barbicane and his work. To begin with they sent information to their + Government. They used the cable frequently and always sent cipher + messages. They asked questions and received instructions. What, then, were + these instructions, always in cipher and very guarded? "Show energy, but + do not compromise our Government," said one. "Act very considerately, + but do not touch the 'statu[s] quo,'" said another. Major Donellan + and his associates did not fail to predict a terrible accident. "It is + very evident that the American engineers have taken steps so as not to + hurt, or at least as little as possible, the territory of the United + States," thought Col. Boris Karkof. "But how could they do it?" + asked Jan Harald. "If you shake a tree do not all its branches suffer + while you are shaking it?" "And if somebody hits you on the back does + not your whole body feel the pain?" said Jacques Jansen. "That is, + then, what this strange paragraph of the document meant," said Dean + Toodrink. "That is the reason why they mentioned certain geographical + changes." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said Eric Baldenak, "that is what we have to fear; this + change will throw the sea out of its basin, and should the ocean leave its + present quarters, would not certain inhabitants of this globe find + themselves so located that they could not readily communicate with their + fellow-citizens?" + </p> + <p> + "It is very possible that they may be brought into such a density of + surrounding medium," said Jan Harald, gravely, "that they will be + unable to breathe." + </p> + <p> + "We will see London at the top of Mount Blanc," exclaimed Major + Donellan. And with his legs crossed and his head thrown back this + gentleman looked straight up as if the capital of his country was already + lost in the clouds. In short, it became a public danger and a most + annoying one. True, it was only a question of a change of 23 degrees and + 28 minutes, but this change might bring about a great movement of the + oceans as the new earth flattened itself around the pole. Protestations + were heard from all over, and the Government of the United States was + asked to interfere. "It was best not to try the operation at all." + "The consequences of it might destroy this world." "God has done all + things well; it was not necessary to better his work," were the + comments. And yet there were people light-hearted enough to make merry at + the whole matter. "Look at these Yankees," they said, "they want to + turn the earth on its axis. If the earth had shown any faults in its + motion it would be all right to better it, but it had gone on for millions + of years and always as regularly as clockwork." + </p> + <p> + Instead of answering such questions Engineer Alcide Pierdeux tried to find + which would be the countries and directions, figured out by Mathematician + Maston, in which the test would take place-the exact point of the globe + where the work would begin. As soon as he should know this he would be + master of the situation and know exactly the place which would be in the + most danger. It has been mentioned before that the countries of the old + continent were probably connected with those of the new across the North + Pole. Was it not possible, it was asked in Europe, that President + Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl and J.T. Maston had considered only how to + save their own country from any ill consequences which might come from the + shock? He was a Yankee-it was pointed out they were all Yankees-and + particularly this man Barbicane, who had created the idea of going to the + moon. In any case, it was argued, the whole new world, from the Arctic + regions to the Gulf of Mexico, would not have to fear anything from the + shock. It is even probable on the other hand that America would profit + immensely by it and gain some territory. "Who knows what is lying in the + two oceans which wash the American coast? Was it not probable that there + was some valuable territory which they wished to take possession of?" + asked people who never saw anything but the dark side of a question. "Is + it sure that there is no danger? Suppose J.T. Maston should make a mistake + in his calculations? And could not the President have made a mistake when + he came to put his apparatus in working order? This might happen to the + smartest people. They might not always put the bullet in the target, or + they might neglect to put the cannonball into the cannon," were the + comments of these nervous folk. This uneasiness was fomented by the + European delegates. Secretary Dean Toodrink published several articles in + this line, and even stronger ones were put by him in the <i>Standard</i>. + Jan Harald put some in the Swedish journal <i>Aftenbladt</i>, and Col. + Boris Karkof in a Russian journal which had a large circulation. Even in + America opinions differed. The Republicans were friends of President + Barbicane, but the Democrats declared themselves against him. A part of + the American press agreed with the European press. And as in the United + States the papers had become great powers, paying yearly for news about + twenty millions of dollars, they had great influence on the people. In + vain did other journals of large circulation speak in favor of the + N.P.P.A. In vain did Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt pay as high as $10 a line + for articles showing the advantages of this invention. In vain did this + ardent widow try to demonstrate that everything was perfectly correct, and + that J.T. Maston could never commit an error in figuring. Finally America + took fright in the matter and was inclined to be governed by Europe. But + neither President Barbicane nor Secretary Maston of the Gun Club seemed to + care what was said. They did not even take the trouble to correct the + different articles. They let people say what they liked and did not try to + change their minds at all. They were too much occupied in preparations for + the immense undertaking. It is indeed strange that the public, who were at + first so enthusiastic and so certain of success, should so suddenly turn + and go against this operation. + </p> + <p> + Soon, however, in spite of the money Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt spent on the + matter, the President and Secretary of the Club came to be considered + dangerous characters by the people of the two worlds. The Government of + the United States was asked officially by the European powers to interfere + and examine the matter. The originators were to openly show their ideas + and by what means they hoped to accomplish what they intended. They would + have to inform the Government which parts of the world would be most in + danger and, in short, tell everything which the public demanded to know. + The Government at Washington was compelled to do what they were asked. The + uprising of public sentiment in the Northern, Southern, and Middle States + of the Union did not allow them any other course. A commission of + engineers, mechanicians, mathematicians, and geographers were + appointed-fifty in all, presided over by John Prestice-by the act of + the 19th of February, with full power to do anything which they considered + necessary in the matter. At first the President of the Society received + orders to appear before this committee. President Barbicane did not + respond. Agents went to his house in Baltimore, but the President was + gone. Where was he? No one knew. When did he depart? Six weeks ago, on the + 11th of January, he had left the city, and the State of Maryland as well, + in company with Capt. Nicholl. + </p> + <p> + Where did they both go? Nobody could tell. Evidently the two members of + the Gun Club went to that mysterious region where preparations were going + on for the great operation. But where could this place be? It was most + important to know where this place was in order to break up and destroy + the plans of these engineers before they had got too far in their work. + </p> + <p> + The consternation produced by this departure of the President and his + associate was enormous. It soon changed public opinion to hatred against + the N.P.P.A. and its managers. But there was one man who ought to know + where the President and his associate had gone. There was one man who + could answer this gigantic question, which at present excited the whole + world and this man was-J.T. Maston. He was ordered to appear before the + Committee of Inquiry under the Presidency of John Prestice. He did not + appear. Had he also left Baltimore? Had he also gone to join his + associates to aid them in their work, the results of which the whole world + now expected with such immense fright? No. J.T. Maston was living still in + his Ballistic Cottage, at No. 179 Franklin Street, working all the time + and already beginning new calculations, only interrupting his work when he + wanted to spend a social evening with Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt at her + magnificent residence at New Park. An agent was sent to him by the + President of the Inquiry Committee with orders to bring him to their + meeting. The agent arrived at the cottage, knocked at the door and + introduced himself. He was harshly received by "Fire-Fire," but much + worse by the proprietor of the house. However, Mr. Maston thought it was + no more than right that he should go to the meeting, and he went with the + agent. As soon as he had arrived they began to question him. + </p> + <p> + The first question was, "Where is President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl + at present?" He answered with a steady voice, "I know where they are, + but I am not at liberty to disclose this information." Second question: + "Have he and his associates made the necessary preparations to put this + operation in working order?" "This," said Maston, "is a part of + the secret which I cannot reveal." "Would he be man enough to let this + Committee examine his own work, so they would be able to judge if his + Society would be in position to accomplish their intentions?" "No, + most certainly I shall not allow it, never; I would rather destroy it. It + is my right as a citizen of free America to refuse to communicate to any + person the result of my work." + </p> + <p> + "But," said President Prestice in a very serious voice, "if it is + your right to keep silent, it is the right of the whole United States to + ask you to stop these rumors and give an explanation of the means which + will be employed by your Company," Mr. Maston did not agree that it was + his right nor that it was his duty to answer further questions. In spite + of their begging, threatening, etc., they could obtain nothing from this + man with the iron hook. Never, never, would he say one word of it, and it + was hardly possible to believe that such a strong will was concealed under + that cover of "gutta-percha." Mr. Maston went away as he had come; he + was congratulated by Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, who was delighted by the + courageous attitude taken by him. When the results of this last meeting of + the Inquiry Committee became known public indignation really took a turn + which threatened the security and safety of the calculator. The pressure + of public opinion was so great that the Cabinet of the Government of the + United States was compelled to give the Committee full permission to do + what they thought most necessary and advisable in the matter. One evening, + the 13th of March, J.T. Maston was in his study at the Ballistic Cottage, + very much interested in different figures, when suddenly the telephone + bell attracted his attention. "Hello! hello!" said he, annoyed by this + sudden interruption, "who wants me?" "Mme. Scorbitt." "What does + Mrs. Scorbitt want?" "She wants to put you on your guard, I am + informed this moment"-and she had not time to finish the phrase when + Mr. Maston heard a terrible noise at the door of his house. On the stairs + which led to his study there was an extraordinary racket. He could hear + loud voices, many angry voices. Then the noise of a whole army of men + moving towards his door. It was his servant Fire-Fire, who was trying to + keep the intruders from breaking, into the house and disturbing the + "home" of the master. A moment afterwards the door was violently + opened and a policeman appeared, followed by several others. This + policeman had a warrant to make a visit to the house and to take + possession of all papers and also of J.T. Maston himself. The angry + Secretary of the Gun Club reached for his revolver, and would have + certainly defended himself had he not been suddenly disarmed. He was held + by officers, and all his papers were put in a bundle. Suddenly he made a + bold effort, freed himself, grabbed his note-book, out of which he tore + the last page and began to chew it very quickly. "Now you can take + it," said he, "for it will be no good to you." An hour afterwards he + was a prisoner in the jail of Baltimore. This was undoubtedly the best + that could happen to him, as it was extremely dangerous for him to be at + liberty due to the then excited state of the public mind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XI" id="XI"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XI.<br /><br />WHAT WAS FOUND IN THE NOTEBOOK OF J.T. MASTON AND + WHAT IT NO LONGER CONTAINED.</b> + </h4> + <p> + The notebook, which was taken possession of by the police, had thirty + pages covered with formulae and figures, including all the calculations of + J.T. Maston. It was a work of the higher mathematics, which could only be + appreciated by the highest mathematicians. The following formula, + </p> + <p> + <img alt="Equation 1" src="images/eq1.png" width="529" /> + </p> + <p> + [Equation 1] + </p> + <p class="normal"> + which was also to be found in the calculation of <i>From the Earth to the + Moon</i>, held a prominent place in these calculations. The majority of + people could not understand anything of what was written in the notebook, + but it would have given satisfaction to give out the results, which every + one expected with so much curiosity. And so it was that all the + newspapers, and the Inquiry Committee as well, tried to read the formulae + of this celebrated calculator. In the work of Mr. Maston were found some + problems correctly executed, others half solved, etc. The calculations had + been made with great exactness and of course the Inquiry Committee + supposed that they were absolutely correct. If the plan was carried out + fully it was seen that without a doubt the earth's axis would be greatly + changed and that the terrible disasters which were predicted would take + place with full force. The reports made by the Inquiry Committee to the + different newspapers ran as follows: + </p> + <p> + "The idea followed by the Administrative Council of the N.P.P.A. and the + object of which is to substitute a new axis for the old one is to be + carried out by means of the recoil of a piece of ordnance fixed at a + certain point of the earth. If the barrel of this device is immovably + fixed to the ground it is not at all doubtful that it will communicate its + shock over our whole planet. The engine adopted by the engineers of the + Society is then nothing else but a monster cannon, the effect of shooting + which would be absolutely nothing if it were pointed vertically. To + produce its highest effect it is necessary to point it horizontally + towards the north or south, and it is this last direction which has been + chosen by Barbicane & Co. Under these conditions the recoil will + produce a movement of the earth towards the north, a movement similar to + that of one billiard ball touched very slightly by another." + </p> + <p> + This was really just what the clever Alcide Pierdeux had predicted. As + soon as the cannon has been fired off, the center line of the earth would + be displaced in a parallel direction to that of the recoil. This would + change the direction of the orbit somewhat, and consequently the duration + of the year, but in such a mild way that it must be considered as + absolutely free from bad results. At the same time the earth takes a new + movement of rotation around an axis in the plane of the equator, and the + daily rotation will then be accomplished indefinitely upon this new axis, + as if no daily movement had existed previous to the shock. At present this + movement is made around the lines of the poles, and in combination with + the accessory force produced by the recoil there was created a new axis, + the pole of which moves from the present to the amount of a quantity + called "x." In other words, if the cannon is fired at the moment when + the vernal equinox-one of the intersections of the equator and the + ecliptic-is at the nadir of the point of shooting, and if the recoil is + sufficiently strong to displace the old pole 23 degrees, 28 minutes, the + new axis becomes perpendicular to the direction of the earth's orbit, + the same as it is for the planet Jupiter. + </p> + <p> + What the consequences were expected to be we already know, as President + Barbicane had indicated them at the meeting of the 22d of December. But, + given the mass of the earth and the quantity of momentum, which she + possesses, is it possible to conceive a piece of ordnance so strong that + its recoil will be able to produce a modification in the actual direction + of the real pole, and especially to the extent of 23 degrees, 28 minutes? + Yes, if a cannon or a series of cannons are built with the dimensions + required by the laws of mechanics, or, in lieu of these dimensions, if the + inventors were in possession of an explosive strong enough to impel a + projectile with the necessary velocity for such a displacement. + </p> + <p> + Now, taking as a basis model the cannon of 27 centimetres of the French + Marine Corps, which throws a projectile of 180 kilograms with an initial + velocity of 500 metres a second, by giving to this piece of ordnance an + increased dimension of 100 times-that is, a million times in volume-it + would throw a projectile of 180,000 tons: or, in other words, if the + powder had strength sufficient to give to the projectile an initial + velocity 5,600 times greater than that of the old black powder used for a + cannon the desired result would be obtained. In fact, with a velocity of + 2,800 kilometres a second, a velocity sufficient to go from Paris to St. + Petersburg in one second, there was no doubt that the recoil of the + projectile, acting against the earth, would put everything again in a + state of quietude. Well, extraordinary as it may appear, J.T. Maston and + his associates had in their possession exactly this explosive, of a nearly + unlimited power, and of which the gunpowder used to throw the ball of the + [C]olumbiad towards the moon gave but a faint idea. It was Capt. Nicholl + who had discovered it. The substances which entered into its composition + were only imperfectly entered in the notebook of Mr. Maston, and he merely + named it "melimelonite." All that was known was that it was formed by + the reaction of a melimelo of organic substances and azotic acids. No + matter what the explosive was, with the power which it possessed it was + more than sufficient to throw a projectile weighing 180,000 tons outside + of the earth's attraction, and it was evident that the recoil which it + would produce to the cannon would have the effect of changing the axis, + displacing the North Pole 23 degrees and 28 minutes, bringing the new axis + in the direction of the ecliptic, and, as a consequence of this, effecting + all the changes so justly dreaded by the inhabitants of the earth. + </p> + <p> + However, there was one chance for humanity to escape the consequences of + this trial, which was to provoke such revulsions in the geographical and + climatic conditions of the globe. Was it possible to build a cannon of + such dimensions that it was to be a million times greater in volume than + the one of 27 centimetres? It was doubtful. That was just the point and + one of the reasons for thinking the attempt of Barbicane & Co. would + not succeed. But there was the other possibility, for it seemed that the + Company had already begun to work on their gigantic project. Now the + question arose, where was their place of operations? No one knew, and + consequently it was impossible to overtake these audacious operations. It + was well known that Barbicane and Nicholl had left Baltimore and America. + They had gone away two months ago. Where were they? Most certainly at that + unknown point of the globe where the operations were under way for their + grand object. It was evident that this place was indicated on the last + page of the notebook of J.T. Maston. On this point there was no doubt. But + this last page had been torn out and eaten up by the accomplice of Impey + Barbicane, and Maston sat imprisoned in the Baltimore City Prison and + absolutely refused to speak. This was the condition of affairs. If the + President succeeded in making this monster cannon and its projectile-in + a word, if the operation was carried out under the above stated + conditions-it would modify the earth's axis, and within six months the + earth would be subject to the consequences of this audacious attempt of + Barbicane & Co. This would come on the 22d day of September, twelve + hours after the passage of the sun over the meridian of the place "x." + </p> + <p> + The facts that were known were: 1st. That the shooting would be done with + a cannon a million times larger than the cannon of 27 centimetres. 2d. + That the cannon would be loaded with a projectile of 180,000 tons. 3d. + That the projectile would be animated with a velocity of 2,800 kilometres. + 4th. That the shooting would take place on the 22d of September, twelve + hours after the passage of the sun over the meridian of the place "x." + Was it possible to deduce, under these facts, where was the spot "x," + where the operation was to take place? Evidently not, said the Inquiry + Committee. There was nothing by which to calculate where the point "x" + was, as nothing in the calculations of Mr. Maston indicated through which + point of the globe the new axis was to pass, or, in other words, on which + part of the present earth the new poles would be situated. Therefore, it + would be impossible to know which would be the elevated and submerged + countries, due to the changed surface of the ocean, or which parts of the + earth would be transformed into water, and where water would be + transformed into land. It was evident that the maximum change in the ocean + surface would be 8.415 metres, and that in certain points of the globe + various areas would be lowered and raised to this amount. All, however, + depended upon the location of the point "x," or where the shooting was + to take place. In other words, "x" was the secret of the promoter of + this uncertain affair. "We have," said the Committee, "only to + mention again that the inhabitants of the world, no matter in what part of + it they are living, are directly interested in knowing this secret, as + they are all directly t[h]reatened by the actions of Barbicane & Co. + Therefore all the inhabitants of Europe, Africa, Asia, America, and + Australia are advised to watch all gun foundries, powder factories, etc., + which are situated in their territory and to note the presence of all + strangers whose arrival may appear suspicious, and to advise the Inquiry + Committee at Baltimore by wire immediately. Heaven grant that this news + may arrive before the 22d of September of the present year, as that date + threatens to disturb the order established since the creation in our + earthly system. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XII" id="XII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER XII.<br /><br />IN WHICH J.T. MASTON HEROICALLY CONTINUES TO BE + SILENT. + </h4> + <p> + According to a former story a gun was to be employed to throw the + projectile from the earth to the moon; now the gun was to be employed to + change the earth's axis. The cannon, always the cannon; these gunners of + the Gun Club had nothing else in their heads but the cannon. They had a + real craze for the cannon. Was this brutal engine again threatening the + universe? Yes, we are sorry to confess it, it was a cannon which was + uppermost in the mind of President Barbicane and his associates. After the + Columbiad of Florida, they had gone on to the monster cannon of the place + "x." We may almost hear them shout with a loud voice: "Take aim at + the moon." First act, "Fire." "Change the axis of the earth." + Second act, "Fire." And the wish which the whole world had for them + was, "To hell." Third act, "Fire." And really their scheme + justified the popular opinion. + </p> + <p> + As it was, the publication of this last report of the Committee in the + newspapers produced an effect of which one can scarcely form an ideal. The + operation to be tried by President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl, it was + very clear, was going to bring about one of the most disastrous + interruptions in the daily routine of the earth. Everybody understood what + the consequences of it would be. Therefore the experiment of Barbicane + & Co. was generally cursed, denounced, etc. In the Old as well as in + the New World the members of the N.P.P.A. had at the time only enemies. If + there were indeed a few friends left to them among their cranky American + admirers, they were very few. + </p> + <p> + Regarding only their personal security, President Barbicane and Capt. + Nicholl had acted wisely in leaving Baltimore and America. It was safe to + believe that some accident had happened to them. They could not without + divine punishment threaten fourteen hundred million inhabitants by a + change wrought in the habitability of the earth. + </p> + <p> + But how was it possible that the two leaders of the Gun Club had + disappeared without leaving any trace behind them? How could they have + sent away the material and assistants which were necessary to such an + operation without any one seeing them? A hundred railroad cars, if it was + by rail, a hundred vessels, if it was by water, would not have been more + than sufficient to transport the loads of metal of coal, and of + melimelonite. It was entirely incomprehensible how this departure could + have been made incognito. However, it was done. And still more serious it + appeared when it was known after inquiry that no orders had been sent to + the gun foundries or powder factories, or the factories which produce + chemical products in either of the two continents. How inexplicable all + this was! Without doubt it would be explained some day. + </p> + <p> + At any rate, if President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl, who had + mysteriously disappeared, were sheltered from any immediate danger, their + colleague, Mr. Maston, was under lock and key, and had to face all the + public indignation. Nothing could make him yield, however. Deep at the + bottom of the cell which he occupied in the prison of Baltimore, the + Secretary of the Gun Club gave himself up more and more to thinking of + those distant associates whom he was not able to follow. He pictured the + vision of President Barbicane and his associate, Capt. Nicholl, preparing + their gigantic operation at this unknown point of the globe, with nothing + in their way. He saw them build their enormous device, combining their + melimelonite, moulding the projectile which the sun would so soon count as + one of its small satellites. This new star was to have the charming name + "Scorbetta," in gallant acknowledgment of the love and esteem felt + towards the rich capitalist widow of New Park. J.T. Maston calculated the + days which would elapse before the one on which the gun would be fired. + </p> + <p> + It was already the beginning of April. In two months and a half the + meridian star, after having stopped on the Tropic of Cancer, would go back + towards the Tropic of Capricorn. Three months later it would traverse the + equatorial line at the Fall equinox. + </p> + <p> + And then these seasons, which have appeared annually for millions of + years, and which have changed so regularly, will be brought to an end. For + the last time in 189-the sphere would have submitted to this succession + of days and nights. Truly, this was a magnificent work, superhuman, even + divine. J.T. Maston forgot the Arctic region and the exploration of the + coal mines around the pole, and he only saw, in his mind's eye, the + cosmographic consequences of the operation. The principal object of the + association was now to make those changes and displacements which were to + remodel the face of the earth. + </p> + <p> + But that was just the point. Did the earth wish to change her face at all? + Was she not still young and charming with the one which God had given her + at the first hour of her creation? + </p> + <p> + Alone and defenseless in his prison cell, nothing could induce Mr. Maston + to speak about the matter, no matter what plan was tried. The members of + the Inquiry Committee urged him daily to speak, and visited him daily, but + they could obtain nothing. It was about this time that John Prestice had + the idea of using an influence which might possibly succeed, and this was + the aid of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. Every one knew what feelings the + generous widow entertained for Mr. Maston, how devoted she was to him, and + what unlimited interest she had in this celebrated calculator. Therefore, + after deliberation of the Committee, Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt was + authorized to come and go, visiting the prisoner as much as she liked. + </p> + <p> + Was she not threatened just as well as any other person on this earth by + the recoil of this monster cannon? Would her palace at New Park be spared + any more than the smallest hut of the Indian? Was not her very existence + just as much in doubt as that of the savage living on the furthest isle of + the Pacific Ocean? That is what the President of the Inquiry Committee + gave her to understand, and for this reason she was begged to use her + influence with the mathematician. If he would consent to speak, and would + say at what place President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl were, and how many + people they had with them to accomplish their ends, it would yet be time + to go and stop them and put an end to their project, and thus save + humanity from this most dangerous catastrophe which threatened the world. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt was therefore admitted to the prison whenever she + wished it. She was most desirous of seeing J.T. Maston again after he had + been taken from his comfortable study at Ballistic Cottage by those rough + police agents. If any impolite person had on the 9th of April put his ear + at the door of his cell the first time when Mrs. Scorbitt entered he would + have heard the following conversation: + </p> + <p> + "Ah, at last, my dear Maston, I see you again." + </p> + <p> + "You, Mrs. Scorbitt!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, my dear friend, after four weeks-four long weeks of + separation." + </p> + <p> + "Exactly twenty-eight days, five hours and forty-five minutes," + answered J.T. Maston, after having consulted his watch. + </p> + <p> + "Finally we are reunited." + </p> + <p> + "But how did it happen that they allowed you to penetrate as far as this + cell to see me, dear Mrs. Scorbitt?" + </p> + <p> + "Under the condition of using all my influence over you, thanks to my + affection for you, in advising you to disclose the secret of the + whereabouts of President Barbicane." + </p> + <p> + "What, Evangelina!" cried Mr. Maston, "and you have consented to + give me such advice. You have entertained the thought that I could betray + my associates." + </p> + <p> + "Me, dear Maston! Do you consider me so bad? Me! To sacrifice your + security for your honor. Me! To persuade you to an act which would shame a + life consecrated entirely to the highest speculations of pure + mathematics." + </p> + <p> + "Bravo, Mrs. Scorbitt! I see in you once more the generous patron of our + Society. No, I have never doubted your great heart." + </p> + <p> + "Thank you, Mr. Maston." + </p> + <p> + "In regard to myself," continued Maston, "allow me to say, before + telling the point of the earth where our great shooting will take + place-sell, so to speak, the secret which I have been able to keep so + well, to allow these barbarians to fly and pursue our friends, to + interrupt their works, which will make our profit and glory, I would + rather die." + </p> + <p> + "Splendid, Mr. Maston!" cried Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. + </p> + <p> + And these two beings, united by the same enthusiasm, crazed by it if you + will, one as well as the other, were well matched in understanding each + other perfectly. + </p> + <p> + "No, they will never know the name of the country which my calculations + have designated, and the reputation of which will become immortal," said + J.T. Maston. "They can silence me if they like, but they will never have + the secret from me." + </p> + <p> + "And they can kill me with you," said Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt; "I + will also be mute." + </p> + <p> + "It is lucky, dear Evangelina, that they are ignorant of your knowledge + of the place." + </p> + <p> + "Do you believe that I would be capable of betraying it, because I am + only a woman? Betray my associates and you! No, my friend, no. If they + should raise the whole city and country against you-if the whole world + would come to the door of this cell to take you away, I shall be there, + too, and we will at least have one consolation-we will die together." + </p> + <p> + As if there could be any greater consolation and Mr. Maston could dream of + a sweeter death than dying in the arms of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt! And so + ended the conversation every time that this excellent woman visited the + prisoner. And when the Inquiry Committee asked her what the result was, + she would say: "Nothing as yet; perhaps with time I shall be able to + reach my point." + </p> + <p> + Ah, women, women! What are women? "In time," she urged. But time went + on with fast steps. Weeks went 'round like days, days like hours and + hours like minutes. + </p> + <p> + It was already May. Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had not been able to get any + information from J.T. Maston, and where she had failed there was no hope + of any other person succeeding. + </p> + <p> + Was it, then, necessary to accept this terrible shock without interfering + in any way? No, no! Under such circumstances resignation was impossible. + The European delegates became more and more out of spirits. There was + wrangling between them every day. Even Jacques Jansen woke up out of his + Dutch placidity and annoyed his colleagues greatly by his daily charges + and countercharges. Col. Boris Karkof even had a duel with the Secretary + of the Inquiry Committee in which he only slightly injured his adversary. + And Major Donellan; well, he neither fought with firearms nor with bare + fists, quite contrary to English use, and he only looked on while his + Secretary, Dean Toodrink, exchanged a few blows according to prize-ring + rules with William S. Forster, the phlegmatic dealer in codfish, the straw + man of the N.P.P.A., who really knew absolutely nothing of the affair. + </p> + <p> + The whole world was leagued against the United States and wanted to hold + the Americans responsible for the actions of one of their number-the + celebrated Impey Barbicane. There was talk of recalling the ambassadors + and the foreign Ministers at present accredited to this most reckless + Government at Washington and of declaring war against the United States. + Poor United States! It only wished to lay its hands on Barbicane & Co. + In vain did the Republic reply to the Powers of Europe, Asia, Africa and + Australia that they were at liberty to arrest these adventurous Americans + wherever they found them. Nobody would listen patiently to such talk. And + so, far away President Barbicane and his associate were occupied in + preparing their great operation. As nothing could be found of them the + foreign countries began to say: "You have their accomplice; now it is + sure that Mr. Maston knows where these people are and what they are doing. + Make him speak, this man, Mr. Maston. Why not use hot oil, melted lead, + etc.? Why not use such means as were used formerly under circumstances + less grave and for cases which only interested a few private people? But + it was answered that, while such means were justified in former times, + they could not be used at the end of a century as far advanced as the + nineteenth century was. Therefore, J.T. Maston had nothing to fear in that + line; all that was left to hope was that he would finally consider the + enormity of his crime and would decide to reveal his secret, or that some + accident would reveal it for him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XIII" id="XIII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER XIII.<br /><br />AT THE CLOSE OF WHICH J.T. MASTON UTTERS AN + EPIGRAM. + </h4> + <p> + Time went on, however, and very likely also the works of Barbicane and + Capt. Nicholl who were going on also under these very surprising + conditions, no one knew where. + </p> + <p> + How was it possible, it was asked, that an operation which required the + establishment of a considerable iron foundry, the erection of high blast + furnaces, capable of melting a mass of metal a million times as large as + the marine corps cannon of 27 centimeters, and a projectile weighing + 180,000 tons, all of which necessitated the employment of several thousand + workmen, their transport, their management, etc., -yes, how was it + possible that such an operation could go on without the interested world + getting any knowledge of it. In which part of the Old or New World had + Barbicane & Co. secretly established a foothold so that no hint was + given to people living in the vicinity? Was it on a deserted island in the + Pacific Ocean or in the Indian Ocean? But there were no more deserted + islands: the English had gobbled them all up. Perhaps the new Society had + discovered one for this special purpose. Perhaps, one remarked, they might + be in some part of the arctic regions. No, this could not be, as it was + simply because they could not be reached that the N.P.P.A. was going to + remove them. Therefore, to look for President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl + on one of these islands or in some inaccessible point was simply wasting + time. Did not the notebook taken away from J.T. Maston state that the + shooting would take place on or about the equator? And all the countries + around it were inhabited by some people. It seemed impossible for them to + be so secreted in any part of the habitable world without some one + informing the committee at Baltimore. + </p> + <p> + Now, what did Alcide Pierdeux think of all this? He was dreaming of all + kinds of consequences which this operation would have. That Capt. Nicholl + had invented an explosive of such tremendous power, that he had found the + melimelonite, with an expansive force three or four thousand times + stronger than that of the most violent explosive known, and 5,600 times + stronger than the good old black gunpowder of our ancestors, this was + astonishing enough-very astonishing. But it was not impossible at all. + One can hardly know what the future will bring in these days of progress + when devices exist to destroy whole armies at very long distances. In any + event, the change of the earth's axis, produced by the recoil of a piece + of ordnance, was not sufficiently novel to astonish the French engineer. + Then, considering the plans of President Barbicane, he said: "It is + evident that the earth receives daily the recoil of all the blows which + are given on its surface. Hundreds of thousands of people amuse themselves + daily by sending thousands of projectiles weighing a few kilograms or + millions of projectiles weighing a few grammes, and even when I walk or + jump, or when I stretch out my arm, all this takes place on the surface of + our sphere and adds to or checks its motion. Is, then, your great machine + of such a nature as to produce the recoil asked for? How in the name of + candor can this recoil be sufficient to move the earth? And if the + calculations of this fellow, J.T. Maston, prove it, it is easy enough to + show it. Alcide Pierdeux could not but admire the ingenious calculations + of the Secretary of the Gun Club, which were communicated by the members + of the Inquiry Committee to those wise people who were able to understand + them. And Alcide Pierdeux, who was able to read algebra like one would + read a newspaper, found in this sort of reading matter an inexpressible + charm. If these changes were to take place, what a terrible catastrophe it + would be! Towns would be turned upside down, oceans would be thrown out of + their beds, people killed by millions. It would be an earthquake of + incomparable violence. If besides, said Alcide Pierdeux, this damnable + powder of Capt. Nicholl were less strong, we might hope that the + projectile would again strike the earth after the shooting, and after + having made the trip around the globe, then everything would be replaced + in a very short time and without having caused any very great destruction. + But do not worry about that. Thanks to their melimelonite, the bullet will + go its way and not return to the earth to beg her pardon for having + deranged her by putting her back again in her place. Pierdeux finally + said: "If the place of shooting were known I would soon be able to say + upon which places the movement would have the least and where the greatest + effect. The people might be informed in time to save themselves before + their cities and houses had fallen under the blow." But how were we to + know it? "I think," he said, "the consequences of the shock may be + more complicated than can even be imagined. The volcanoes, profiting by + this occasion, would vomit like a person who is seasick. Perhaps a part of + the ocean might fall into one of their craters. It would make small + difference then. It is entirely possible that we might have explosions + which would make our earth jump. Ah, this Satan Maston, imagine him + juggling with our earthly globe and playing with it as if he were playing + billiards!" + </p> + <p> + So talked and reasoned Alcide Pierdeux. Soon these terrible hypotheses + were taken up and discussed by the newspapers. The confusion which would + be the result of the scheme of Barbicane & Co. could only result in + terrible accidents. And so it happened that the nearer the day came the + greater the fright which took possession of the bravest people. It was the + same as it was in the year 1000, when all living people supposed that they + would be thrown suddenly into the jaws of death. It maybe recalled what + happened at this period. According to the Apocalypse the people were led + to believe that the judgment day had come. In the last year of the 10th + century, says H. Martin, everything was interrupted-pleasures, business, + interest, all, even the public works of the country. Thinking only of the + eternity which was to begin on the morrow, provision was made only for the + most necessary articles for one or two days. All possessions, real estate, + castles, were bequeathed to the Church, so as to acquire protection in + that kingdom of heaven where all were so soon to enter. Many donations to + the churches were made with these words: "As the end of the world has + come, and its ruin is imminent." When this fatal time came, all the + people ran to the churches and places set apart for religious meetings, + and waited to hear the seven trumpets of the seven angels of the judgment + day sound and call from heaven. We know that the first day of 1,000 came + and went, and nothing was changed. But this time it was not the question + of a disturbance simply based upon some verse of the Bible. It was the + question of removing the axis of the earth, and this was founded on very + reliable calculations, and was very probable. + </p> + <p> + Under these conditions the situation of J.T. Maston became each day more + and more critical. Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt trembled lest he would become + the victim of a universal cry for vengeance. Perhaps she even had in her + mind the idea of making him give up the information which he so heroically + held to himself. But she did not dare to mention it to him and she did + well. It would have been unwise for her to expose herself to the volley of + rebukes he would have given her. As we may well understand, fright had + taken a strong foothold in the city of Baltimore and the inhabitants + became nearly unmanageable. The excitement was increased by articles + appearing in the daily papers. In any case, if J.T. Maston had been found + among the crowd of people, his fate would have been soon settled. He would + have been given to the wild beast. But he was content and said: "I am + ready for it." No matter what happened, J.T. Maston refused to make + known the situation of the "x," knowing very well that if he should + unveil the secret President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl would be unable to + finish their work. It was an interesting struggle-this fight of one man + against the whole world. It only made J.T. Maston a grander and better man + in the eyes of Evangelina Scorbitt, and also in the opinion of his + associates of the Gun Club. The Secretary of the Gun Club became such a + celebrated person that he began to receive letters, as all criminals do, + from people who wished to have a few lines from the hand which was going + to turn the world over. But even if this was all very nice it became every + day more and more dangerous for our Secretary. The population hung day and + night around the prison, with great noise and great tumult. The enraged + crowd wanted to lynch J.T. Maston. The police saw the moment would come + when they would be unable to defend the prison and the prisoner J.T. + Maston. Being desirous of giving satisfaction and information to the + American people, as well as to the people of other countries, the + Government at Washington decided to put J.T. Maston before a court of + justice. "What other people have not been able to accomplish the Judges + will not," said Alcide Pierdeux, who had after all a kind of a friendly + feeling for the unhappy calculator. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the 5th September the President of the Commission went + personally to the cell of the prisoner. Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, at her + own request, had been allowed to accompany him. Perhaps at this last + attempt the influence of this excellent lady would succeed and bring the + hoped-for result. There was nothing to be left undone. All means possible + were to be used to make this last attempt successful. If it was + not-well, we will see. "Yes, we will see." What we would see is the + hanging of this brute Maston, said the people, and the event would have + come off in all its horror if the people could have it their way. So it + happened that at 11 o'clock J.T. Maston was ushered into the presence of + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt and John Prestice, President of the Inquiry + Committee. + </p> + <p> + The opening was a very simple one. The conversation consisted of the + following questions and answers, very rapid on one side and very quiet on + the other. And even under these circumstances the calm, quiet speaker was + J.T. Maston. + </p> + <p> + "For the last time will you answer?" asked John Prestice. + </p> + <p> + "Answer what?" ironically observed the Secretary of the Gun Club. + </p> + <p> + "Answer the question, where is the place in which your associate, + Barbicane, is at present." + </p> + <p> + "I have told it to you a hundred times." + </p> + <p> + "Repeat it for the one hundred and first time." + </p> + <p> + "He is where the shooting will take place." + </p> + <p> + "Where will the shooting take place?" + </p> + <p> + "Where my associate, Barbicane, is." + </p> + <p> + "Have a care, J.T. Maston." + </p> + <p> + "For what?" + </p> + <p> + "For the consequences of your refusal to answer, the result of which + will be-" + </p> + <p> + "To prevent you from learning that which you should not know." + </p> + <p> + "What we have the right to know." + </p> + <p> + "That is not my opinion." + </p> + <p> + "We will bring you before the court." + </p> + <p> + "Go ahead." + </p> + <p> + "And the jury will condemn you." + </p> + <p> + "What care I." + </p> + <p> + "And as soon as judgment is rendered it will be executed." + </p> + <p> + "All right." + </p> + <p> + "Dear Maston," ventured Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, whose heart nearly + broke on account of these terrible threats. + </p> + <p> + "What! You, madam?" said J.T. Maston. + </p> + <p> + She hung her head and was silent. + </p> + <p> + "And do you want to know what this judgment will be?" + </p> + <p> + "If you wish to tell it," said J.T. Maston. + </p> + <p> + "That you will suffer capital punishment, as you deserve." + </p> + <p> + "Really?" + </p> + <p> + "That you will be hanged as sure, sir, as two and two make four." + </p> + <p> + "Then, sir, I have yet a chance," said J.T. Maston, reflectingly. + "If you were a little better mathematician you would not say that two + and two are four. You simply prove that all mathematicians have been fools + until to-day in affirming that the sum of two numbers is equal to one of + their parts; that is, two and two are exactly four." + </p> + <p> + "Sir!" cried the President, absolutely puzzled. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said J.T. Maston, "if you would say, as sure as one and one + are two, all right. That is absolutely evident, because that is no longer + a theorem; this is a definition." + </p> + <p> + After this lesson in simple arithmetic the President of the Committee went + out, followed by Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, who had so much admiration for + the calculator that she did not venture to look at him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XIV" id="XIV"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER XIV.<br /><br />VERY SHORT, BUT IN WHICH "X" TAKES A + GEOGRAPHICAL VALUE. + </h4> + <p> + Very luckily for J.T. Maston, the Federal Government received the + following telegram sent by the American Consul stationed at Zanzibar: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "To John S. Wright, Minister of State, Washington, U.S.A.: + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + Zanzibar, Sept. 13, 5 A.M. (local time).-Great works are being + executed in the Wamasai, south of the chain of Kilimanjaro. For eight + months President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl have been established there + with a great number of black help under the authority of Sultan + Bali-Bali. This is brought to the knowledge of the Government by its + devoted + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "RICHARD W. TRUST, Consul" + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + And this was how the secret of J.T. Maston became known. And therefore, + were the Secretary of the Gun Club still in prison, he could not have been + hanged. + </p> + <p> + But, after all, who knows whether he would not rather have been glad to + meet with death in the full glory of his life than to live on with all the + chances of disappointment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XV" id="XV"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XV.<br /><br />WHICH CONTAINS A FEW INTERESTING DETAILS FOR THE + INHABITANTS OF THE EARTHLY SPHERE.</b> + </h4> + <p> + Finally the Government of Washington had found out the place where + Barbicane & Co. were operating. Should they doubt the authenticity of + this cable? No, that was not reasonable. The Consul at Zanzibar was a very + reliable person, and his information could be accepted without doubt. It + was further corroborated by later telegrams. It was really in the center + of the region of Kilimanjaro in the African Wamasai, a little under the + equatorial line, where the engineers of the N.P.P.A. were going to + accomplish their gigantic works. + </p> + <p> + How could they have secretly reached this lost country, at the foot of the + celebrated mountain, discovered in 1849 by Drs. Rebviani and Krapf, + ascended by the travellers Otto Ehlers and Abbot? How were they able to + establish their workshops there, erect a foundry and bring a large number + of help, or at least enough to succeed? How had they been able to + establish friendly relations with the dangerous tribes of the country and + their sover[e]igns, as cunning as they were cruel? This we do not know. + And perhaps it would never be known, as there were only a few days left + before the 22d of September would arrive. J.T. Maston heard from Mrs. + Evangelina Scorbitt that the mystery of Kilimanjaro had been unveiled by a + telegram sent from Zanzibar. "Great Scott!" he exclaimed, sawing the + air with his iron hand. "Well, we do not travel by telegram yet, nor by + the telephone, and in six days the matter will be finished." + </p> + <p> + Those who saw and heard this remarkable man utter these words were + astonished at the energy in the old gunner. + </p> + <p> + J.T. Maston was right. There was no time left to send agents to Wamasai + with orders to arrest President Barbicane. They would even have been too + late had they departed from Algiers or Egypt, even from Aden, Madagascar, + or Zanzibar, as they would have met thousands of difficulties in this + mountainous region, and perhaps they would have met with an army composed + of followers of the Sultan, who was interested in the matter. Therefore + all hope of preventing this operation had to be given up. But if + prevention was impossible nothing seemed more easy than the figuring out + of the terrible consequences, as the exact situation of "x" was now + known. + </p> + <p> + This problem was difficult enough, but all algebraists and mathematicians + of large reputation ought to be able to solve it. As the cable of the + Consul of Zanzibar had been sent direct to the Minister of State at + Washington, the Federal Government wanted to keep it secret at first. They + wished as well that its contents were published all over the country, so + that they could indicate what the results would be of this displacement of + the axis and the uprising of the oceans, and thus the inhabitants of the + world might learn which place of refuge was open to them according to the + section of the globe in which they lived. And it is easy to understand how + anxious the people were to learn their fate. + </p> + <p> + On the 14th of September the cable dispatch was sent to the office of the + Observatory at Washington, with orders to figure out the final + consequences upon geographical locations. Two days afterwards the problem + was all worked out. The Old World was notified of the results by cable and + the New World by telegram. After this calculation had been published by + thousands of papers, it was the only thing talked of in the great cities + and everywhere. What will happen? + </p> + <p> + This was the question which everybody was asking at every point of the + globe. + </p> + <p> + The following was the notice made by the Observatory at Washington: + </p> + <p> + <b>IMPORTANT NOTICE</b> + </p> + <p> + The operation which is being tried by President Barbicane and Capt. + Nicholl is as follows: + </p> + <p> + The production of a recoil, on the 22d of September, at midnight, by means + of a cannon a million times larger in volume than the cannon of + twenty-seven centimetres, throwing a projectile of 180,000 tons, with a + powder giving it a velocity of 2,800 kilometres. + </p> + <p> + Now, if this shooting takes place below the equatorial line, nearly on the + thirty-fourth degree of latitude west of the meridian of Paris, at the + foot of Kilimanjaro, and if it is directed towards the south, these are + the mechanical effects which it will have on the earth's sphere: + Instantly, in consequence of the shock acting with the daily movement a + new axis will be formed and, as the old axis will be displaced to the + amount of twenty-three degrees and twenty-eight minutes, according to the + figures obtained by J.T. Maston, the new axis will be perpendicular to the + direction of the ecliptic. + </p> + <p> + Which point will the new axis start from? As the point of shooting is + known, it has been easy to calculate this. + </p> + <p> + In the North the extremity of the new axis will be situated between + Greenland and Grinnelland, exactly on that part of Baffin's Sea where it + cuts the Arctic polar circle. In the South it will be on the line of the + antarctic circle, a few degrees east of Adelialand. Under these conditions + a new zero meridian, starting from the new North Pole, will pass through + Dublin in Ireland, Paris in France, Palermo in Sicily, the Gulf of Grand + Sytre on the coast of Tripoli, Obed in Darfur, the mountain chain of + Kilimanjaro, Madagascar; the Kerguelen Island, in the Central Pacific; the + new antarctic pole, the antipodes of Paris, Cook Island, the Island of + Quadra, Vancouver, on the margin of British Columbia; across North America + to Melville Island, in the neighborhood of the North Pole. + </p> + <p> + In connection with this new axis of rotation, starting from Baffins' Bay + in the north, to Adelialand in the south, a new equator will be formed + above which the sun will travel without ever changing his daily course. + The equinoctial line will cross the Kilimanjaro, at Wamasai, the Indian + Ocean, Goa and Chicacola, a little below Calcutta in India, Mandalay in + the Kingdom of Siam, Kesho in Tonquin, Hong Kong in China, Risa Island, + Marshall Island, Gaspar Rico, Walker Island in the Pacific, the + Cordilleras in the Argentine Republic, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, the + islands of Trinity and St. Helena in the Atlantic Ocean, St. Paul de + Loando on the Congo, and finally it will meet again in the territories of + Wamasai, back of Kilimanjaro. This new equator being thus determined by + the creation of the new axis, it became possible to calculate the changes + of the ocean tides, which was so important for the security of the + inhabitants of the earth. It is just to observe that the directors of the + North Polar Practical Association had taken measure to weaken the shock as + much as possible. If the shooting had been towards the north the + consequences of it would have been much more disastrous for the more + civilized parts of the earth. On the other hand, shooting towards the + south the consequences would only be felt most in parts less populated and + less civilized. The careful calculations made showed how the waters would + be distributed when thrown out of their beds by the flattening of the + sphere around the new poles. The globe would be divided by two great + circles, intersecting in a right angle at Kilimanjaro, and at its + antipodes in the equinoctial ocean. This would form four sections, two in + the north and two in the south, separated by the lines upon which the + ocean upheaval would be zero. + </p> + <p> + In the northern hemisphere: The first section west of Kilimanjaro would + take in Africa from the Congo to Egypt, Europe from Turkey to Greenland, + America from English Columbia to Peru, and from Brazil as high as San + Salvador, and finally the whole northern Atlantic Ocean and the largest + part of the temperate Atlantic zone. + </p> + <p> + The second section, east of Kilimanjaro, would include the greater part of + Europe, from the Black Sea to Sweden, European and Asiatic Russia, Arabia, + nearly the whole of India, Persia, Beloochistan, Afganistan, Turkestan, + the Celestial Empire, Mongolia, Japan, Corea, the Black Sea, the Caspian + Sea, the greater part of the Pacific Ocean, the territories of Alaska in + North America, and also the polar region which belonged to the American + society, North Polar Practical Association. + </p> + <p> + The southern hemisphere would embrace the third section east of + Kilimanjaro, which would include Madagascar, the islands of Marion, + Kerguelen, Maurice, Reunion, and all the islands of the Indian Ocean, the + Antarctic Ocean (as far as the new pole), half the island of Malacca, + Java, Sumatra, Borneo, the islands of Sonde, the Philippines, Australia, + New Zealand, New Guinea, New Caledonia, all the northern parts of the + Pacific and its numerous archipelagos, nearly up to the 160th meridian. + </p> + <p> + The fourth section, west of Kilimanjaro, would comprise the southern part + of Africa, from the Congo to the canal of Mozambique to the Cape of Good + Hope, the southern Atlantic Ocean from Pernambuco and Lima, Bolivia, + Paraguay, Uraguay, the Argentine Republic, Patagonia, the Fire Islands, + the Malouine Islands, Sandwich and Shetland Islands, and the southern part + of the Pacific Ocean east of the present 160th degree of latitude. + </p> + <p> + These would be the four sections, separated by the line of zero in + calculating the sea-level changes. Now, the question was to indicate the + effects produced on the surface of the four sections in consequence of the + displacement of the oceans. + </p> + <p> + Upon each of these sections there was a central point on which the effect + would be at a maximum, either by the oceans rising up or by the waters + retiring entirely. The calculations of J. T. Maston had established + without a doubt, that at each of these maxima points the greatest height + obtained would be 8,415 metres. It was therefore certain that the + consequences would be most severe against the security of those points + through the operation carried out by Barbicane & Co. The two effects + may be considered separate in their action. + </p> + <p> + In two of the sections situated opposite each other in the northern + hemisphere and in the southern as well, the oceans would retreat and + invade the two other sections, opposing each other in each of the two + hemispheres. + </p> + <p> + In the first section: The Atlantic Ocean would be nearly entirely emptied + and the maximum point of depression being nearly at the region of Bermuda, + where the ground would appear, if the depth of the ocean was inferior at + that point to 8,415 metres. Consequently between Europe and America vast + territories would be discovered which the United States, England, France, + Spain, and Portugal could claim according to the geographical situation, + as these powers might wish to do. It must be observed that in consequence + of the falling of the oceans the air will also fall equally as much. + Therefore the barometric pressure of Europe and that of America will be + modified to such an extent that cities, situated even 20 or 30 degrees + from the maxima points would only have the quantity of air which is now + actually found in a height of one league in the atmosphere. The principal + cities, such as New York, Philadelphia, Charleston, Panama, Lisbon, + Madrid, Paris, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Cairo, Constantinople, Dantzig, + Stockholm, on one side, and the cities corresponding in latitude on the + other side, would keep their normal position with regard to the general + level of the air. In regard to Bermuda, air would be missing there the + same as it would be wanting to aeronauts who go higher than 8,000 metres. + Therefore, it would be impossible to live there. + </p> + <p> + The same effect would obtain in the opposite section, which would contain + the Indian Ocean, Australia, and a part of the Pacific Ocean, which would + be thrown partly on the southern seacoasts of Australia. + </p> + <p> + The air into which they would be thrown would be very clear; there was no + doubt on that point, but it would not be dense enough for human wants. + </p> + <p> + These in general were a part of the modifications which would take place + in the two sections in which the oceans would be more or less emptied. + There would undoubtedly appear new islands and mountains in such parts as + the water did not entirely abandon. + </p> + <p> + But if the diminuation of the thickness of the air did not bring enough + inconveniences to those parts of the new continents raised to the high + zones of the atmosphere, what was to be the case of those parts which the + erruption of waters put below the surface? We may still breathe under the + diminished pressure of air below the atmospheric pressure. On the + contrary, under a very few inches of water we cannot breathe at all, and + this was the condition in which the other two sections found themselves. + In the section northwest of Kilimanjaro the maximum point would be at + Yakoutsk, in Siberia. + </p> + <p> + From this city submerged 8,415 metres under the water, less its present + actual altitude, the liquid mass, decreasing, would extend to the neutral + lines, drowning the greater part of Asiatic Russia and of India, of China, + of Japan, and of American Alaska, to the Behring Sea. In regard to St. + Petersburg and Moscow on one side, and Calcutta, Bangkok, Saigon, Pekin, + Hong Kong and Yeddo on the other side, these cities would disappear under + a cover of water sufficient to drown all Russians, Hindoos, Siamese, + Cochin Chinese, Chinese and Japanese, if they did not have time to + emigrate before the catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + In the section southeast of Kilimanjaro the disasters would be equally + marked. This section is in a great part covered by the Atlantic and + Pacific oceans, the level of which would raise 8,415 metres at the + Archipelagos of the Azores. All this vast area would disappear under this + artificial deluge, among others the angle of Southern Africa from Guinea + and Kilimanjaro to the Cape of Good Hope, and the triangle of South + America formed by Peru, Central Brazil, Chili, and the Argentine Republic, + as far as Terra del Fuego and Cape Horn. The Patagonians, high as they are + located, would not escape this immersion, and would not even have + opportunity of taking refuge on that part of the Andes, as the highest + points of that range would not be visible at all in this part of the + globe. + </p> + <p> + This, then, must be the result, the lowering of the upper and raising of + the lower sections, and an entirely new surface to the oceans, produced by + the corruscations in the surface of the earth's sphere. Such were the + happenings which would result, and against which the people of this world + had no help if they could not prompdy stop Barbicane & Co. in their + criminal attempt. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XVI" id="XVI"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XVI.<br /><br />IN WHICH A CROWD OF DISSATISFIED PEOPLE BREAK + INTO THE CELL OF J. T. MASTON.</b> + </h4> + <p> + After this public notice there was nothing left but to wait for the coming + danger or to run away to the neutral lines, where there would be no + danger. The threatened people were, in general, divided into two + classes-"the people who would be suffocated and those who would be + drowned." This communication roused many different suggestions, which, + however, all turned into the strongest and most violent protestations + against the schemer and schemers. Among those who would suffocate were the + Americans in the United States, the Europeans of France, England, Spain, + etc. Even the prospect of annexing territories now at the bottom of the + ocean was not sufficient to make them quietly accept these changes. Paris, + carried towards the new pole a distance about equal to that which + separates it now from the old one, would gain nothing by it. It would have + a continued Spring, it is true, but it would lose considerable air. And + this was not satisfactory to the Parisians, who like to have as much air + as possible, and boulevard property and cafés went begging. Among those + who would be drowned were the inhabitants of South America, of Australia, + Canada, India, Zealand, etc. Great Britain would suffer the loss of her + richest colonies, which Barbicane & Co. would take away from her + through their operation. Evidently the Gulf of Mexico would constitute a + vast kingdom of the Antilles, of which the Yankees and Mexicans could + claim possession by the principles of the Monroe doctrine. The islands of + the Philippines, Celebes and the water around them would leave vast + territories of which the English and Spanish people could take possession. + It is a vain compensation. It did not at all balance the loss due to the + terrible flood. + </p> + <p> + If under the new oceans only Samoyedens, Lapons of Siberia, Feugans, + Patogonians-even Tartars, Chinese, Japanese, or a few Argentines-would + suffer and be lost, perhaps the civilized powers would have accepted this + sacrifice complacently. But too many powers took part in the great + catastrophe not to raise a torrent of protest. + </p> + <p> + And what especially concerned Europe was, that although the central part + of it would be nearly intact, it would be raised in the west and lowered + in the east, half suffocated on one side and half drowned on the other. + This was not very acceptable. The Mediterranean Sea would be almost + emptied, and this would not be very agreeable to the Frenchmen, Italians, + Spaniards, Greeks, Turks, and Egyptians, who by their situation on the + coast, had indisputable rights in ocean travel. And then, what good would + be the Suez Canal, which would be saved by its position on the neutral + line? But what use could be made of this immense work of Lesseps when + there was no longer the Mediterranean on one side of the isthmus and the + Red Sea on the other, at least, within any reasonable distance of it? + </p> + <p> + No, never, never would England consent to see Gibralter, Malta, and Cyprus + transformed into mountain-tops, lost in the clouds, so that its men-of-war + could no longer approach them. No, she would not be satisfied with the + possession of some of the territory which would be gained from the + Atlantic Ocean. Major Donellan had, however, prepared already to return to + Europe to secure his rights on this new territory in case the operation of + Barbicane & Co. should succeed. It is seen how protests came from all + parts of the world, even from States where the changes would be + imperceptible, because their people were interested in some other + direction more or less. + </p> + <p> + These protestations became more and more violent after the arrival of the + cablegram from Zanzibar which indicated the point of shooting, and which + it was found necessary to publish the above report to explain. President + Barbicane and Captain Nicholl as well as J.T. Maston, were put under the + ban of humanity and declared outlaws. But what a business all this created + for the newspapers. What sales they had, and how the circulations ran up; + how on many occasions they were forced to print extra editions. It is + perhaps the first time in journalistic history that they were all united + with each other, as they generally quarrel incessantly. This was not a + European or an American affair; it was an affair which concerned the whole + world. It was like a bomb falling into a powder magazine. + </p> + <p> + In regard to Maston, it looked as if his last hour had come. A rabid crowd + rushed into his prison on the evening of Sept. 17, with the intention of + lynching him, and the jailer did not put any obstacles in their way. They + rushed along the corridor but the cell of J.T. Maston was empty. Mrs. + Evangelina Scorbitt had come to his help with a heavy purse of gold, and + he had made his escape. The jailer had been bribed by an amount of money + on which he could live the rest of his life without working. He remembered + that Baltimore, Washington, New York, and many of the principal cities of + America were on the line of those parts which would be raised, and which + would still have enough air for the daily consumption of their + inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + J.T. Maston had gained a quiet resting spot and a safe place from the + enraged crowd of people, and so this great man owed his life to the + devotion of a loving woman. There were only four days to wait, four days + only before the gigantic operation of Barbicane & Co. would be + accomplished. The public notice had been read far and wide and had created + as much public excitement as such a momentous document only could. If + there were at the beginning a few sceptics on the subject, there were none + at present. The various governments had notified in haste those of their + provinces which would be raised into the air and those, a much larger + number, the territory of which would be overrun with water. In consequence + of this advice sent by telegraph over the five continents of the world an + emigration began such as had never been seen before. Every race was + represented, white, black, brown, yellow, etc., in one chromatic + procession. Unhappily, time was wanting for all to secure safety. The + hours were now counted. A few months notice would be required for the + Chinese to leave China, the Australians, Australia, the Siberians, + Siberia. In some instances the danger was a local one as soon as the place + of the shooting was known, so the fright became less general. Some + provinces and even some States began to feel easy again. In a word, except + in the regions directly threatened, there was only felt an apprehension of + the terrible shock. And during all this time Alcide Pierdeux was saying to + himself, "How in the wide world can President Barbicane make a cannon a + million times larger than that of twenty-seven centimetre? This Maston, I + would like very much to meet him-to have with him a talk upon this + subject. This does not agree with anything sensible, it is too enormous + and too improbable." + </p> + <p> + Be this as it may, the failure of the operation was the only hope which + was left for certain parts of the world to escape more terrible + destruction. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XVII" id="XVII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XVII.<br /><br />WHAT HAD BEEN DONE AT KILIMANJARO DURING EIGHT + MONTH OF THIS MEMORABLE YEAR.</b> + </h4> + <p> + The country of Wamasai is situated in the eastern part of Central Africa, + between the coast of Zanzibar and the regions of the large lakes, where + the Victoria Nyanza and the Tanganiyka form a great interior ocean. The + part best known is that which has been visited by the Englishman Johnston, + Count Tekeli and the German doctor Meyer. This mountainous land is under + the sovereignty of Sultan Bali-Bali, whose people consist of 30,000 or + 40,000 Negroes. + </p> + <p> + Three degrees below the Equator is situated the chain of Kilimanjaro, + which here reaches its greatest altitude. Among other peaks is the Mount + of Kibo, with an altitude of 5,704 metres. The important ruler of this + region has under his domination towards the south, north, and west the + vast and fertile plains of Wamasai, which stretch from the lake of + Victoria Nyanza across the province of Mozambique. + </p> + <p> + A few leagues below Kilimanjaro is the small village of Kisongo, the + regular residence of the Sultan. This capital is in reality only a large + hamlet. It is occupied by a very intelligent and industrious people, who + work themselves as industriously as their slaves under the iron rule which + Bali-Bali imposes on them. + </p> + <p> + This Sultan rightly ranked as one of the most remarkable rulers of those + people of Central Africa who try to escape the influence, or more + correctly the domination of England. At this capital of Kisongo, President + Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl accompanied by six men who were devoted to + them, arrived in the first week of January of the current year. On leaving + the United States, whence their departure was only known to Mrs. + Evangelina Scorbitt, and J. T. Maston, they had embarked in New York for + the Cape of Good Hope, whence a vessel transported them to Zanzibar, on + the island of the same name. There a bark secretly chartered by the Sultan + brought them to the port of Mombas, on the African border on the other + side of the channel. An escort sent by the Sultan waited for them at this + port, and after a hard voyage nearly a hundred leagues across this + terrible region, obstructed by forests, deep marshes, etc., they arrived + at the royal residence. After knowing the calculations of J.T. Maston, + President Barbicane had already put himself in communication with + Bali-Bali through the help of a Swedish explorer, who had passed several + years in this part of Africa. As the Sultan had become one of their most + ardent admirers since their trip to the moon, a trip whose reputation had + gone as far as these countries, he had a great friendship for these + courageous Yankees. Without telling him for what purpose it was, Impey + Barbicane had easily obtained permission from the Sultan to undertake + important works at the southern foot of Kilimanjaro. In return for a large + sum, estimated at $300,000, Bali-Bali had bound himself to furnish them + all the workmen necessary. In other words, the captain and his friends + were authorized to do at Kilimanjaro whatever they liked to do. They could + dispose of the large chain of mountains according to their desires; they + could tear them down if they liked, or they could take them away if they + would be able to do so. In consequence of these arrangements, which the + Sultan had made at his own figure, the North Polar Practical Association + was as much proprietor of this country as they already were to the polar + region. The reception which President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl received + at Kisongo was very cordial. Bali-Bali displayed an admiration amounting + to adoration for these celebrated travellers who had made this dangerous + voyage to reach the country around the North Pole. + </p> + <p> + He had in short an extraordinary sympathy for the creators of these + mysterious operations which were going to be accomplished in his kingdom. + He also promised them absolute secrecy on his part as well as on the part + of his people, whose co-operation was assured to them. Not a single Negro + who worked at their shop would be allowed to leave them for a single day + under pain of the most severe punishment. This is how this operation was + veiled in mystery so that the most active and sharpest agents of America + and Europe failed to penetrate it. If it was finally discovered it must + have been that the Sultan modified his severe rules after the + accomplishment of the works and that there were traitors and babblers even + amongst the Negroes. In this way Richard W. Trust, consul at Zanzibar, had + received wind of what was going on at Kilimanjaro. But then at that date, + the 13th of September, it was too late to stop President Barbicane in the + accomplishment of his design. + </p> + <p> + And now, why had Barbicane & Co. chosen the Wamasai for the theatre of + their operations? First, because the country suited them in regard to its + geographical situation, as it was in a very little known part of Africa, + and as it was very far from the territory usually visited by travellers. + Then, the mass of Kilimanjaro offered them all the qualities of solidity + and material necessary for their work. And, moreover, on the surface of + this country were found the raw materials which they needed in a condition + very easy to handle. A few months before leaving the United States + President Barbicane had learnt from the Swedish explorer that at the foot + of Kilimanjaro iron and coal were plentiful on the ground. No mines to dig + into, no fields to explore a thousand feet deep in the earth's shell. + Iron and coal were so plentiful even for this great undertaking that they + only had to stoop down to pick it up. In other words, there existed in the + neighborhood of this mountain enormous fields of nitrate of soda and of + iron pyrites, which were necessary for the manufacture of melimelonite. + President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl had taken with them only ten people, + of whom they were absolutely sure, and no one else. These ten men had to + supervise the 10,000 Negroes put at their disposal by Bali-Bali, and to + them was given the task of manufacturing the monster cannon and its not + less monster projectile. Two weeks after the arrival of President + Barbicane and his associate at Wamasai three large workshops were + established at the southern foot of Kilimanjaro, one for the cannon + foundry, the second for the manufacture of the projectile, and the third + for the manufacture of the melimelonite. + </p> + <p> + Now, first of all, how had Barbicane & Co. met the problem of + manufacturing a cannon of such colossal dimensions? We will see and + understand at the same time that the difficulty of creating such a device + was not easily comprehensible by the inhabitants of the world. In reality + the making of a cannon a million times larger than that of twenty-seven + centimetres was a superhuman work. Already great difficulties had been met + in the manufacture of pieces of forty-two centimetres diameter, which + would throw projectiles of 780 kilos with 274 kilograms of powder. + Barbicane & Co. did not think of these difficulties. It was not a + cannon, not even a mortar, which they intended to make, but simply a + gallery bored in the massive rock of Kilimanjaro,-a shaft of a mine, if + you wish to call it so. + </p> + <p> + Evidently this shaft of a mine, this enormous elongated mine, could + replace a metal cannon the fabrication of which would have been as dear as + difficult and to which it would. be necessary to give an unwieldy + thickness to avoid all risk of an explosion. Barbicane & Co. had + always entertained the idea of operating in this manner, and if the + notebook of J. T. Maston mentioned a cannon it was that of 27 centimetres + which had been used in the calculations as a basis. Consequently a spot + was chosen at a height of a hundred feet on the southern slope of the + chain. Nothing would be in the way of the projectile when it would fly out + of the mouth of this tunnel bored in the massive rock of Kilimanjaro. It + was with extreme precision and not without very hard work that the men + could dig this gallery. But Barbicane & Co. could readily make + perforations with simple machines put in action by means of compressed air + which was secured by using the powerful falls of water from the mountains. + In the holes bored through the headings of the shaft were placed charges + of melimelonite. And nothing more was necessary than this violent + explosive to shiver the rock, extremely hard as it was. + </p> + <p> + The thousands of workmen, led by their ten co-operators under the general + direction of Barbicane & Co., labored with a great deal of zeal and + intelligence to bring the work to a speedy end. At the end of six months + the shaft measured 27 metres in diameter and the lining of it 6 metres in + thickness. As it was absolutely necessary that the projectile should glide + through a bore perfectly smooth the interior of it was covered with a + casting exactly prepared. In reality this part of the work was very + similar to that of the celebrated Columbiad, of Moon City, which had sent + the projectile to the moon. But such work as this is impossible to the + ordinary engineers of this world at present. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the boring was finished the workmen pushed on with the work at + the second workshop. + </p> + <p> + At the same time that this metallic lining was being made they were also + employed at making the enormous projectile. For this operation it was + necessary to obtain a cylindrical mass which would weigh 80,000,000 + kilograms, or 180,000 tons. It must be understood that there was never any + idea of melting this projectile in one single piece. It had to be + manufactured in thousand-ton pieces, which would be hoisted one after the + other into the shaft and put in place over the chamber where the + melimelonite was stored. After having been jointed each to the other, + these pieces would form a compact whole, which would fit the sides of the + tubular lining. In regard to the construction of the massive furnaces to + effect the melting of the metal, there was met perhaps the greatest + difficulty. Ten furnaces of ten metres each in height were at the end of a + month in working order and able to produce each 180 tons per day. This + would be 1,800 tons for twenty-four hours-180,000 tons after 100 + work-days. + </p> + <p> + In regard to the third workshop, made for the manufacture of the + melimelonite, the work was easily done, but under such secret precautions, + that the composition of this explosive it has not been possible to state + perfectly. Everything went along splendidly. It could not have been + possible to have met with more success in any factory. One would hardly + expect to escape an accident of some sort on a three-hundred-thousand + franc job. It is easily understood that the Sultan was delighted. He + followed the operation with indefatigable interest. And the presence of + His Majesty helped greatly to make these Negroes work as hard as possible. + One day Bali-Bali asked what all these operations were going on for. He + received his reply from President Barbicane: "It is a work," said he, + "which will change the face of the earth-a work which will bring the + greatest glory on the greatest Sultan of all the Eastern kings." + </p> + <p> + By the 29th of August the works were entirely finished. + </p> + <p> + The shaft was bored to the wished-for point. It was provided with a smooth + bore of six metres diameter. At the bottom of the shaft were placed the + 2,000 tons of melimelonite; then came the projectile 105 metres long. + After deducting the space occupied by the powder and projectile there + remained still 492 metres before the muzzle was reached, which secured all + the effect possible by the recoil produced by the expansion of the gas. + </p> + <p> + Now, the first question which might come up was, would the projectile + deviate from the trajectory assigned to it by the calculations of J.T. + Maston? In no way, for the calculations were absolutely correct. They + indicated to what extent the projectile would deviate to the east of the + meridian of Kilimanjaro because of the rotation of the earth on its axis, + and what would be the form of the curve which it would describe because of + its enormous initial velocity. Secondly, would it be visible during its + course? No, because in going out of the shaft it would be thrown in the + shadow of the earth and it could not be seen, for in consequence of its + low trajectory it would have a very sharp angle of velocity compared with + the earth's course. In fact, Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl could well be + proud of their work, which had so far succeeded in its every detail. Why + was J.T. Maston not there to watch this great operation, founded on the + figuring which he had done? And who was it that kept him so far away, so + very far, when this terrible detonation would wake the echoes as far as + the furthermost horizon of Africa? + </p> + <p> + Thinking of him, his two associates did not know that the Secretary had + been compelled to keep away from Ballistic Cottage after having got out of + prison and hidden himself in a safe place away from the savage people. + They did not know to what extent indignation had been roused against the + engineer of the N. P. P. A. They did not know that they, too, would have + been burnt or hanged and tortured to death if it had been possible to have + reached them. Really, they ought to have been glad that at the moment when + the shooting would take place they would only be saluted by the cries of + this Negro people of Eastern Africa, "Well, at last!" said Capt. + Nicholl to President Barbicane, when on the 22d of September they were + standing before their finished work. "Yes, at last," said Impey + Barbicane. "What a chance it was that placed at our disposition this + admirable melimelonite!" said Capt. Nicholl. "Which will make you the + most illustrious person on the earth, Nicholl." "Without doubt, + Barbicane," modestly answered Capt. Nicholl. "But do you know how much + it would have been necessary to dig out Kilimanjaro if we only had + gun-cotton equal to that which threw our projectile to the moon?" + </p> + <p> + "How much, Nicholl?" + </p> + <p> + "One hundred and eighty galleries, Barbicane." + </p> + <p> + "Well, we would have digged them, Captain." + </p> + <p> + "And 180 projectiles of 180,000 tons." + </p> + <p> + "We would have melted them, Nicholl." + </p> + <p> + "It was useless to expect reasonable conversation between two persons of + this type. But after they made the trip to the moon, what would they not + be capable of? On the very same evening only a few hours before the minute + when the gun was to be fired, and while President Barbicane and Capt. + Nicholl were congratulating themselves, Alcide Pierdeux, closeted in his + studio at Baltimore, uttered a cry of hurrah! as if he were crazy. + </p> + <p> + Then, suddenly getting up from the table, which was covered with figures + and calculations, he cried out: + </p> + <p> + "Ah! What a fool Maston is!-what a stupid fellow! His whole problem + will go in the soup! Christopher Columbus! Why did I not see this before? + If I only knew where he was at this moment I would invite him to have + supper with me and to sip a glass of champagne at the very moment when + they are going to fire off the gun." + </p> + <p> + And after these and many exclamations which he generally used in playing + whist he said: "Oh, the old fool! Without a doubt he must have been dull + when he made his calculations for this affair of Kilimanjaro. He will find + it very necessary to make another. Oh, what a fool with his cannon!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="XVIII" id="XVIII"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /><br />IN WHICH THE POPULATION OF WAMASAI ASSEMBLE TO + HEAR PRESIDENT BARBICANE SAY "FIRE" TO CAPT. NICHOLL.</b> + </h4> + <p> + It was in the evening of the 22d of September, that memorable date which + public opinion credited with an influence as unlucky as that of the 1st of + January of the year 1000. Twelve hours after the sun had passed the + meridian of Kilimanjaro, that is at midnight, Capt. Nicholl was to touch + off the terrible cannon. + </p> + <p> + Kilimanjaro being 35 degrees east of the meridian of Paris, and Baltimore + 79 degrees east of said meridian, there was a difference of 114 degrees + between these two places, or 456 minutes in time, or 7 hours and 36 + minutes. So the exact moment at which the shooting would take place would + be 5 hours and 24 minutes post meridian in that great city of Maryland. + The weather was magnificent. The sun had just gone down on the plains of + Wamasai, behind a horizon of perfect purity. It was impossible to wish for + a prettier night, one more calm or starry, in which to throw the + projectile across space. Not a cloud would be mixed with the artificial + vapors developed by the deflagration of the melimelonite. + </p> + <p> + Who knows, perhaps President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl regretted that + they were not able to get into the projectile. In the first second they + would have travelled 2,800 kilometres. Sultan Bali-Bali, with the great + personages of his court, that is, his Finance Ministers and his Ministers + of Public Works, together with the Black Brigade, who had helped in the + great work, were all assembled to watch the different steps of the + shooting. + </p> + <p> + But, with great precaution, they had all taken a position three kilometres + from the shaft bored in the Kilimanjaro, so that they would have nothing + to fear from the concussion of the air. + </p> + <p> + Several thousand natives, deputed from Kisongo and neighboring States in + the south of the province, by the orders of the Sultan, were present to + witness this splendid spectacle. A wire was stretched, connecting an + electric battery to the touch-hole of the shaft, ready to send the current + and start the deflagration of the melimelonite. As a preliminary an + excellent meal had been served at the table of the Sultan for his American + guests and the persons of his court, all at the expense of Bali-Bali, who + did everything very grandly as long as he was reimbursed by the members of + the firm of Barbicane & Co. + </p> + <p> + It was 11 o'clock when this feast, commenced at 7:30, was finished, and + at the end of it the Sultan proposed a toast to the engineers of the N. P. + P. A. and to the success of their great enterprise. An hour yet, and the + change in the geographical and climatic conditions of the earth would be + accomplished. + </p> + <p> + President Barbicane, his associate, and his ten helpers took their places + around the cannon, to the interior of which ran the wire of the electric + battery. Barbicane with his chronometer in his hand counted the minutes, + and never in his life did they seem so long to him. The minutes seemed not + merely years but centuries. At ten minutes before midnight Capt. Nicholl + and Barbicane approached the key which put the electric thread in + communication with the shaft of Kilimanjaro. The Sultan, his court and the + crowd of natives formed an immense circle around the cannon. It was + important that the shooting should take place at the exact moment + indicated in the calculations of J. T. Maston-that is, at the moment + when the sun would cut that equinoctial line which it would never leave + again in its apparent orbit around the earth. Five minutes to twelve, four + minutes, three minutes, two minutes, one minute to twelve- + </p> + <p> + President Barbicane watched the hands of his chronometer, lighted by a + lantern which was held by one of his helpers, while Capt. Nicholl, his + finger on the button of the apparatus, was ready to connect the circuit of + electricity. + </p> + <p> + Twenty seconds, ten seconds, five seconds, one second. Not the slightest + tremor could be noted in the hand of the impassive Nicholl. His partner + and himself were no more excited than, at the moment when they waited, + sitting in the projectile, for the Columbiad to fire them to the regions + of the moon. + </p> + <p> + "Fire," ordered President Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + At this moment Capt. Nicholl pressed the button. A terrible detonation + followed, the echoes of which spread to the furthest corners of the + province of Wamasai. A sharp whistle passed the crowd, a terrible rush of + air, caused by the milliards of milliards of measures of gas, made by the + instantaneous deflagrations of the 2,000 tons of melimelonite. It might be + described as one of those meteors in which all the violence of nature is + accumulated sweeping across the earth. The effect could not have been more + terrible if all the cannons of the whole globe had been joined together + with all the thunderbolts of heaven and all had united in one grand + report. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XIX" id="XIX"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XIX.<br /><br />IN WHICH J.T. MASTON REGRETS THAT THE CROWD DID + NOT LYNCH HIM WHEN HE WAS IN PRISON.</b> + </h4> + <p> + The capitals of two worlds, the largest cities as well as the smaller + ones, stood waiting terror-stricken. Thanks to the journals which had + published the news broadcast over the world, every one knew the precise + hour at which the shooting would take place and the local hour which + corresponded with that of Kilimanjaro, situated 35 degrees east, allowing + for the difference of longitude. + </p> + <p> + A few of the principal cities, the sun travelling a degree in four minutes + were as follows: + </p> + <p> + At Paris, 9:40 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At St. Petersburg, 11:31 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At London, 9:30 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At Rome, 10:20 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At Madrid, 9:15 P.M. + </p> + <p> + AtBerlin, 11:20 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At Constantinople, 11:26 P.M. + </p> + <p> + At Calcutta, 3:04 A.M. + </p> + <p> + At Nanking, 5:05 A.M. + </p> + <p> + At Baltimore, it was said, twelve hours after the passage of the sun of + the meridian of Kilimanjaro, it was 5:24 P.M. It is impossible to describe + the pangs which were produced at this moment. The most powerful of modern + pens would be helpless at the task. The people of Baltimore stood fearing + that they would be swept off the surface of the earth by the terrible mass + of water which would fall on their city. They expected to see the Bay of + Chesapeake empty itself upon them. Then, besides, the city, even should + the waters not come upon it, would be terribly shaken up by the shock + which would be produced. The monuments would be destroyed; its best + quarters swallowed up at the bottom of the abysses which would open + through the surface of the ground. These fears ran through the different + parts of the globe which were not scheduled for submersion by the upheaval + of the oceans. + </p> + <p> + Every human being felt the marrow in his bones creep and shake at this + fearful moment. + </p> + <p> + Yes, all trembled, all save one person, and that one was the engineer + Alcide Pierdeux. As he had not had time to make known to the public the + discoveries which he had made by means of his last calculations, he drank + a bumper of champagne to the health of both worlds in the café of one of + the best known hotels. Just as the twenty-fourth minute after 5 o'clock, + corresponding with midnight at Kilimanjaro, was reached- + </p> + <p> + At Baltimore, nothing. + </p> + <p> + At London, Paris, Constantinople, Berlin, nothing, not the least shock. + </p> + <p> + Mr. John Milne, standing in his coal mine at Shamokui with a seismometer + which he had arranged there, did not note the least abnormal movement in + the earth's shell in this part of the globe. In Baltimore the heavens + were cloudy and it was impossible to note in the apparent movement of the + stars any derangement which would have indicated the change in the + earth's axis. + </p> + <p> + What a night J.T. Maston passed in his place of safety which was unknown + to all save Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt! He was beside himself, this + visionary engineer. He could not rest in his place of hiding. He seemed to + have grown old in one day and looked sharply out to see if the daily + course of the sun was modified. This would have been a certain proof of + the success of his work. This change could not be seen even on the morning + of the 23d of September, because at this date the star invariably rises in + the east for all points of the globe. The next day the sun travelled over + the horizon the same as it had always done. + </p> + <p> + The European delegates had assembled on the platform of their hotel. They + had by their side instruments of extreme precision which would enable them + to note if the sun took a course in the direction of the equator. + </p> + <p> + Well, nothing changed. A few minutes after the rising of the sun the great + disc inclined away towards the Australian hemisphere. Nothing was changed + in its apparent course. + </p> + <p> + Major Donellan and his associates saluted the heavenly torch with + enthusiastic hurrahs, and gave it a reception like a favorite star in the + theatre. The heavens were in superb condition, the horizon free from the + vapors of the night, never did the great sun-god present a more beautiful + aspect in such splendid condition before the astonished public. "And + precisely at the place marked by the laws of astronomy," said Eric + Baldenak. + </p> + <p> + "Yes by our old astronomy," said Boris Karkof, "and these fools + pretended to destroy it." + </p> + <p> + "Well, they will have their expenses to pay and ridicule to endure + besides," added Jacques Jansen, by whose voice Holland seemed to speak + all alone. + </p> + <p> + "And the Arctic regions will eternally stay under the ice as they have + discovered," said Prof. Jan Harald. + </p> + <p> + "Hurrah for the sun," said Major Donellan. "Such as it is, it has + been and always will be sufficient for our earth." + </p> + <p> + "Hurrah, hurrah," repeated in single voice the representatives of old + Europe. At this moment Dean Toodrink, who had not said anything so far, + made this very cautious remark: + </p> + <p> + But perhaps they did not shoot yet. + </p> + <p> + "Not shoot yet," said the Major. "Heaven grant that they have fired + off the cannon twice rather than once." + </p> + <p> + And that was exactly what J. T. Maston and Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt were + saying. + </p> + <p> + The wise and the ignorant were united this time by the logic of the + situation. Even Alcide Pierdeux repeated it, and added: "Even if they + did shoot, what is the difference? The earth will not stop waltzing on its + old axis and turning as it used to do." + </p> + <p> + In fact no one knew what had happened at Kilimanjaro. But at the close of + the day an answer came to the question which was engrossing the attention + of mankind. + </p> + <p> + A cablegram arrived in the United States, and here is what this dispatch, + sent by Richard W. Trust, Consul at Zanzibar, contained: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Zanzibar, Sept. 23, 7:25 A.M." "To <i>John S. Wright, Minister of + State</i>: + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The cannon was fired off yesterday evening at midnight exactly by the + device bored in the southern part of Kilimanjaro. Passage of the + projectile was accompanied with a powerful whirr and terrible + detonation. Whole provinces destroyed by the concussion of the air. + Ocean agitated as far as the Mozambique channel. A large number of + vessels disabled and thrown on the coast. Towns and villages destroyed. + Everything else is well. RICHARD W. TRUST." + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Yes, everything else went on well. Nothing had been changed in the state + of worldly affairs save the terrible disasters produced in Wamasai, which + was partly deluged by the artificial waterspout, and the shipwrecks which + were produced by the current of air. The same thing precisely happened + when the Columbiad threw its projectile to the moon. The shock to the + ground of Florida, was it not felt through a radius of 100 miles? Yes, + certainly, but this time the effect should have been a hundred times + stronger. + </p> + <p> + Whatever had happened the dispatch gave two pieces of information to the + interested people of the old and new worlds. + </p> + <p> + First-That the enormous cannon had been erected in the flank of + Kilimanjaro. + </p> + <p> + Second-That the gun had been fired at the fixed hour. And now, the whole + world uttered an exclamation of intense satisfaction, followed by a great + burst of laughter. + </p> + <p> + The trial which Barbicane & Co. had made had entirely failed. The + calculations of J.T. Maston were good only for the waste basket. The + N.P.P.A. could only announce its failure. But, perhaps, it might be that + the secretary of the Gun Club had made a mistake in his calculations. + </p> + <p> + "Rather would I believe that I have been mistaken in the affection which + I feel for him," said Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. + </p> + <p> + But beyond all, the most discontented human being was J.T. Maston. When he + saw that nothing had been changed in the movement of the earth, that the + conditions remained precisely the same as they were since the creation, he + hoped that some accident had prevented the success of Barbicane & Co., + and that his associates had met with some disaster. + </p> + <p> + But there was the cablegram from Zanzibar which stated without a doubt + that the operation had taken place. + </p> + <p> + Failed! ! And what of the formulas and calculations on which he had spent + so much time? Is it possible that a cylinder 600 metres long, 27 metres + wide, throwing a projectile of 180,000 kilograms, with the deflagration of + 200 tons of melimelonite, with an initial velocity of 2,800 kilometres, + would not be sufficient to move the earthly axis? It did not seem + probable. + </p> + <p> + But why? + </p> + <p> + So J.T. Maston, in a state of violent excitement, declared that he would + quit his retreat. Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt tried in vain to prevent it. + Not that she feared for his life, as all danger of that sort had passed. + But the insults which he would have to bear, the jokes which would be + cracked about him, the remarks which would be made in regard to his + work-she wanted to spare him from these. And then, moreover, what would + his associates of the Gun Club say? Did they not have to thank this man + for the want of success of their operation and for making them ridiculous? + Was he not the man who had figured out the whole affair and on whose + shoulders rested all the responsibility? + </p> + <p> + J.T. Maston would not listen to any one. He resisted the begging and tears + of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. He went out of the house where he had kept + himself hiding. He was recognized, and those who had trembled for fear of + the consequences of his work now took revenge by joking and laughing at + him, and this in many thousand different ways. He was forced to listen to + jeering remarks, even from the street gamins. "Ah," they shouted, + "here he is who wanted to change the axis of the earth, who wanted to + discover coal mines around the North Pole, who even wanted to remove + it." In short, the Secretary of the Gun Club was compelled to return to + the mansion of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt, who used all her wealth of + tenderness to console him. It was in vain, however. J.T. Maston could not + be consoled, as his cannon had produced upon the earth's sphere no more + effect than a simple popgun would have done. A fortnight went by in this + way, and the world resumed its daily routine and did not even think any + longer of the projects of the N.P.P.A. + </p> + <p> + A fortnight and no news yet from President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl. + Had they perished by the discharge in the land of Wamasai? Had they + sacrificed their lives in the most mysterious operation of modern times? + No. + </p> + <p> + After the detonation both were overthrown along with the Sultan arid his + court, and a thousand natives in one grand tumble, but they all got up + after a little time strong and hearty. + </p> + <p> + "Did you succeed?" asked Bali-Bali, rubbing his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "Do you doubt it?" + </p> + <p> + "Me doubt it?" + </p> + <p> + "But when will you know?" + </p> + <p> + "In a few days," said Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + Did he appreciate that the operation had failed? Perhaps. But he never + would have acknowledged it before the Sultan at Wamasai. + </p> + <p> + Forty-eight hours later the two partners had taken leave of Wamasai, not, + however, before having paid an enormous sum for the damage done to the + country. As this amount of money went into the private purse of the + Sultan, and as his subjects did not receive one cent of it, he had no + reason to complain of the operation. + </p> + <p> + Then the two associates, followed by their ten helpers, reached Zanzibar, + where they found a vessel to take them to Suez. From there under false + names the steamer Morris brought them to Marseilles; then they took the + train to Paris, where they arrived without having had any collision or + accident, and taking the railroad to Havre they arrived in time to go to + America by the Bourgogne of the Transatlantic line. In twenty-two days + they made the trip from Wamasai to New York, and on the 15th day of + October the two knocked at the door of the mansion of New Park, at three + minutes past noon. An instant afterwards they found themselves in the + presence of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt and J. T. Maston. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XX" id="XX"></a> + </p> + <h4> + CHAPTER XX.<br /><br />IN WHICH THIS STORY, AS TRUTHFUL AS IT IS IMPROBABLE, + IS FINISHED. + </h4> + <p> + "Barbicane!!! Nicholl!!" + </p> + <p> + "Maston." + </p> + <p> + "You." + </p> + <p> + "We." + </p> + <p> + And in this plural pronoun, uttered simultaneously by the two associates + in a single voice, might be heard a flood of irony and reproaches. + </p> + <p> + J.T. Maston pressed his iron hook on his forehead. Then, with a voice + which seemed to stick in his throat, he said: + </p> + <p> + "Did your shaft at Kilimanjaro really have a diameter of twenty-seven + metres?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Did your projectile really weigh 180,000,000 of kilograms?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "And was the shooting really done with 2,000 pounds of melimelonite?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + This thrice-repeated "yes" fell on J. T. Maston like masses of stone + on his head. + </p> + <p> + "Then I can only conclude"-said he. + </p> + <p> + "What?" asked President Barbicane. + </p> + <p> + "As follows," said J. T. Maston. "As the operation did not succeed, + the powder did not give to the projectile an initial velocity of 2,800 + kilometres." + </p> + <p> + "Really?" said Capt. Nicholl, with a tone of sarcasm. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, your melimelonite is good only to charge pistols of straw." + </p> + <p> + Capt. Nicholl sprang up at this remark, which was an outrageous insult to + him. + </p> + <p> + "Maston!" said he. + </p> + <p> + "Nicholl!" + </p> + <p> + "You ought to be blown up with the melimelonite." + </p> + <p> + "No, gun cotton; that is more sure." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had to interfere and cool these two enraged + gunners down. + </p> + <p> + "Gentlemen," said she, between associates. + </p> + <p> + "And anyhow," President Barbicane resumed, with a very calm + expression, "what is the good of criminations? It is certain that the + calculations of our friend, J. T. Maston, were correct, as it is certain + that the explosive of our friend Nicholl had sufficient power. Yes, we + have only employed known quantities of science. We lacked experience. Why + did we fail? Perhaps we may never know." + </p> + <p> + "Well," said the Secretary of the Gun Club, "we will commence all + over again." "And the money then which has been spent for this + operation is a dead loss," observed Capt. Nicholl. + </p> + <p> + "But public opinion," said Evangelina Scorbitt, "would not allow you + a second trial." + </p> + <p> + "What will become of our Arctic region?" said Capt. Nicholl." + "Where will the stock of the N.P.P.A. fall to?" said President + Barbicane. Well, it had already fallen so far that the stock was offered + at the price of old paper. + </p> + <p> + This, then, was the result of the gigantic operation. This was the + memorable fiasco to which the superhuman projects of Barbicane & Co. + had led. + </p> + <p> + If ever engineers, unlucky engineers were laughed at in public, if ever + the newspaper made drawings, songs, and paragraphs not at all flattering + to the people mentioned in them, this occasion exceeded them all. + President Barbicane, the Directors of the new Society and their associates + of the Gun Club were universally sneered at. In every language they were + made ridiculous, and to make it easier to the whole population of the + world to read the scornful articles were printed in "Volapuk." In + Europe, especially, all the remarks and songs to make the persons of the + N.P.P.A. ridiculous were spread broadcast. The greatest hit was made by a + Frenchman, who composed a ballad which was sung in every concert hall of + France and America. But will we never know to what the failure of this + enterprise was due? Did this failure prove that the operation was + impossible of realization; that the powers at the disposal of mankind + would never be sufficient to bring about a change in the earth's + movement? Did it prove that the country around the North Pole would never + be removed to those regions where the sun and heat would melt the ice + without human help? + </p> + <p> + Information on this subject came a few days after the return of President + Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl to the United States. A very simple paragraph + appeared in the <i>Times</i> of the 17th of October. Here is the article: + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "We all know that the result of the operation to create a new axis has + been nothing. However, the calculations of J.T. Maston, founded on + established facts, would have produced the desired result if through an + unexplainable slip an error had not been embraced in them from the + beginning. When the celebrated secretary of the Gun Club took for a + basis of his calculations the circumference of the earth's sphere, he + figured it at 40,000 metres in place of 40,000,000 metres, and to which + the failing of the operation is due. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Where could such an error come from? Who could have provoked it?... + How could such a remarkable calculator commit such an error? + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "It is certain that had the problem of the modification of the + earth's axis been correctly figured, it would have had been exactly + solved. But this forgetting of three zeros has made a change at the end + of the calculation of twelve naughts. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "It is not a cannon one million times larger than that of twenty-seven + centimetres, which was necessary. A trillion of these cannons throwing a + trillion projectiles of 80,000 tons each would be necessary to displace + the North Pole, admitting that the melimelonite had the expansive power + which had been attributed to it by Capt. Nicholl. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Therefore the whole shock under the conditions under which it was + produced has displaced the North Pole only three-thousandths of a + milimeter, and has only changed the level of the ocean at the most + nine-thousandths of three-thousandths of a milimetre. In regard to the + projectile fired, it will be a small planet, and will belong in future + to the solar system, sustained by solar attraction. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote> + <p> + ALCIDE PIERDEUX ". + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + So this want of attention on the part of J.T. Maston at the beginning of + his calculations had produced such a humiliating result for his Company. + </p> + <p> + But even if his associates were very angry against him, if everybody + laughed and joked at him, it is only fair to state in his favor that this + mistake which had wrecked the operation had spared the world a terrible + catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + A flood of telegrams and letters arrived from all parts of the world + congratulating J.T. Maston on his mistake of three naughts. J.T. Maston, + more downhearted and crushed than ever, would not listen to the hurrahs + which the world now uttered for him. President Barbicane, Capt. Nicholl, + Tom Hunter, with wooden legs; Col. Bloomsberry, the gay Bilsby, and his + associates would never pardon him. But Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt she could + not be angry with him, most excellent lady. + </p> + <p> + J.T. Maston had begun to do his calculations over again, refusing to admit + that he was wrong at that point. + </p> + <p> + He was, however; the Engineer Alcide Pierdeux had not made a mistake. + Having learnt his error at the last moment, when he had no time to make it + known, he had remained perfectly composed among all the fright and terror + of those about him. That was why he proposed a toast in champagne at the + moment when the shooting was taking place in the Old World. Yes, indeed, + three naughts had been forgotten in the circumference of the earth. + Suddenly J.T. Maston remembered the whole matter. + </p> + <p> + It was at the beginning of his work when he had shut himself up in the + "Ballistic Cottage," and written the number 40,000,000 on his + blackboard. At that moment the electric bell began to ring with great + force. J.T. Maston went to the phone. He exchanged a few words with Mrs. + Evangelina Scorbitt. Suddenly a terrible stroke of lightning from the + storm through the telephone knocked over his blackboard and himself. He + got up, commenced to write over again the numbers which had been half + rubbed out on his blackboard. He had just written the numbers 40,000 when + the telephone rang for the second time. He went again to listen to Mme. + Scorbitt, and when he did begin his work he forgot to put on the last + three naughts of the earth's circumference. + </p> + <p> + It was the fault of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. If she had not interrupted + him he would not have been thrown on the floor by the shock from the + telephone. He would not have noticed anything of lightning and thunder, + and all his mass of figures and calculations would not have ended in a + mistake. + </p> + <p> + What a terrible blow it was to this unhappy lady when J.T. Maston was + compelled to tell her the circumstances which had produced the mistake! + Yes, she was the cause of the disaster. It was on her account that J.T. + Maston found himself dishonored through the long years which he bad yet to + live, as nearly every member of the Gun Club usually lived to the age of a + hundred years. + </p> + <p> + After this conversation at New Park, J. T. Maston had gone away from the + mansion. He went back to his Ballistic Cottage and walked into his study + muttering to himself: "Well, now I am not good for anything any more in + this world." + </p> + <p> + "Not even good enough to get married," said a broken voice at his + elbow. + </p> + <p> + It was that of Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt. Absolutely crushed and + heart-broken, she had followed him. + </p> + <p> + "Dear Maston"-she began. + </p> + <p> + "Well, yes," said he, "but only under one condition-that I shall + never make any mathematical calculations." + </p> + <p> + "My dear friend, I have a horror of them," answered the excellent + widow. + </p> + <p> + Thus it happened that the Secretary of the Gun Club made Mrs. Evangelina + Scorbitt Mrs. J. T. Maston. + </p> + <p> + In regard to the article of Alcide Pierdeux, we might say that it brought + him into great celebrity and reputation. + </p> + <p> + It was translated into all languages, printed in every paper, and thus his + name became known all over the world. The father of his old sweetheart had + refused him his daughter's hand, after telling him that he could not + give him his daughter, as he was too smart. But now, after having read + this article and being unable to understand it without any help, he began + to feel sorry and know better. He sent him an invitation to dine with him + and his daughter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="XXI" id="XXI"></a> + </p> + <h4> + <b>CHAPTER XXI.<br /><br />VERY SHORT, SINCE ENOUGH HAS BEEN SAID TO MAKE + THE WORLD'S POPULATION FEEL PERFECTLY SURE AGAIN.</b> + </h4> + <p> + And now the inhabitants of the world could again be perfectly easy. + President Barbicane and Capt. Nicholl will not again begin that enterprise + so woefully miscarried, J.T. Maston will not again figure out any + calculations, however free from mistakes. The article of Alcide Pierdeux + has told the truth. What the law of mechanics proves to us is that to + produce a displacement of the axis of 23 degrees and 28 minutes, even with + the melimelonite, a trillion cannons similar to the one which had been + bored into the cliff of Kilimanjaro would be necessary. But our whole + sphere, bored over its whole surface, is too small to accommodate them. + Therefore the inhabitants of the earth may sleep in peace. To modify the + conditions in which the earth is moving is beyond the efforts of humanity. + It is not meet that mere humanity should change anything in the order + established by our Creator in the system of the universe. + </p> + <h4> + END OF THE VOYAGE EXTRAORDINAIRE + </h4> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Topsy-Turvy, by Jules Verne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOPSY-TURVY *** + +***** This file should be named 10547-h.htm or 10547-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/5/4/10547/ + +Produced by Distributed Proofreaders and Norman Wolcott + +Linked Table of Contents produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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