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diff --git a/44278.txt b/44278.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 37303a7..0000000 --- a/44278.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12460 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, From the Earth to the Moon, Direct in -Ninety-Seven Hours and Twenty Minutes: and a Trip Round It, by Jules -Verne, Translated by Louis Mercier and Eleanor E. King - - -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: From the Earth to the Moon, Direct in Ninety-Seven Hours and Twenty Minutes: and a Trip Round It - - -Author: Jules Verne - - - -Release Date: November 24, 2013 [eBook #44278] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON, DIRECT -IN NINETY-SEVEN HOURS AND TWENTY MINUTES: AND A TRIP ROUND IT*** - - -E-text prepared by by an anonymous volunteer from page images generously -made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 44278-h.htm or 44278-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/44278/44278-h/44278-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/44278/44278-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/fromearthtomoond00vern - - -Transcriber's note: - - A carat character is used to denote superscription. A - single character following the carat is superscripted - (example: n^2). - - - - - -Illustration: Frontispiece. PROJECTILE TRAINS FOR THE MOON. - - -FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON, DIRECT IN NINETY-SEVEN HOURS -AND TWENTY MINUTES: AND A TRIP ROUND IT: - -by - -JULES VERNE, - -Author of "A Journey to the Centre of the Earth." - -Translated from the French by -Louis Mercier, M.A., (Oxon,) and Eleanor E. King. - -With Eighty Full Page Illustrations. - - - - - - - -New York: -Scribner, Armstrong & Company. -1874. - - - * * * * * * - -_BY THE SAME AUTHOR._ - ------------------- - -A Journey to the Centre of the Earth. - -With 53 Illustrations. One Vol. 12mo, $2.00. - - * * * * * * - - - -CONTENTS - - -FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON. - -ROUND THE MOON. - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE GUN CLUB - - -CHAPTER II. - -PRESIDENT BARBICANE'S COMMUNICATION - - -CHAPTER III. - -EFFECT OF THE PRESIDENT'S COMMUNICATION - - -CHAPTER IV. - -REPLY FROM THE OBSERVATORY OF CAMBRIDGE - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE PERMISSIVE LIMITS OF IGNORANCE AND BELIEF IN THE UNITED STATES - - -CHAPTER VII. - -THE HYMN OF THE CANNON-BALL - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -HISTORY OF THE CANNON - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE QUESTION OF THE POWDERS - - -CHAPTER X. - -ONE ENEMY _v._ TWENTY-FIVE MILLIONS OF FRIENDS - - -CHAPTER XI. - -FLORIDA AND TEXAS - - -CHAPTER XII. - -URBI ET ORBI - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -STONES HILL - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -PICKAXE AND TROWEL - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE FETE OF THE CASTING - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE COLUMBIAD - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -A TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE PASSENGER OF THE "ATLANTA" - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -A MONSTER MEETING - - -CHAPTER XX. - -ATTACK AND RIPOSTE - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -HOW A FRENCHMAN MANAGES AN AFFAIR - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -THE NEW CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE PROJECTILE-VEHICLE - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE TELESCOPE OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -FINAL DETAILS - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -FIRE! - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -FOUL WEATHER - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -A NEW STAR - - - -ROUND THE MOON - - -PRELIMINARY CHAPTER - -RECAPITULATORY - - -CHAPTER I. - -FROM TWENTY MINUTES PAST TEN TO FORTY-SEVEN MINUTES PAST TEN P.M. - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE FIRST HALF-HOUR - - -CHAPTER III. - -THEIR PLACE OF SHELTER - - -CHAPTER IV. - -A LITTLE ALGEBRA - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE COLD OF SPACE - - -CHAPTER VI. - -QUESTION AND ANSWER - - -CHAPTER VII. - -A MOMENT OF INTOXICATION - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -AT SEVENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN LEAGUES - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE CONSEQUENCES OF A DEVIATION - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE OBSERVERS OF THE MOON - - -CHAPTER XI. - -FANCY AND REALITY - - -CHAPTER XII. - -OROGRAPHIC DETAILS - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -LUNAR LANDSCAPES - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE NIGHT OF THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FOUR HOURS AND A HALF - - -CHAPTER XV. - -HYPERBOLA OR PARABOLA - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -TYCHO - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -GRAVE QUESTIONS - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -A STRUGGLE AGAINST THE IMPOSSIBLE - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE SOUNDINGS OF THE "SUSQUEHANNA" - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -J. T. MASTON RECALLED - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -RECOVERED FROM THE SEA - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE END - - - ------ - - FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON. - - ------ - - ROUND THE MOON. - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - The Artillery-men of the Gun Club - - President Barbicane - - Meeting of the Gun Club - - The Torchlight Procession - - Cambridge Observatory - - The Moon's Disc - - Barbicane holds forth - - The Rodman Columbiad - - Cannon at Malta in the time of the Knights - - Ideal Sketch of J. T. Maston's Gun - - The invention of Gunpowder by the Monk Schwartz - - Captain Nicholl - - Nicholl published a number of Letters in the Newspapers - - It became necessary to keep an eye upon the Deputies - - The Subscription was opened - - The Manufactory at Coldspring, near New York - - Tampa Town, previous to the undertaking - - They were compelled to ford several Rivers - - The Work progressed regularly - - The Casting - - Tampa Town, after the undertaking - - The Banquet in the Columbiad - - President Barbicane at his Window - - Michel Ardan - - The Meeting - - Projectile Trains for the Moon - - Attack and Riposte - - The Platform was suddenly carried away - - Maston burst into the Room - - In the midst of this Snare was a poor little Bird - - "Go with me, and see whether we are stopped on our journey" - - The Cat taken out of the Shell - - The Arrival of the Projectile at Stones Hill - - J. T. Maston had grown fat - - The Telescope of the Rocky Mountains - - The Interior of the Projectile - - An innumerable Multitude covered the Prairie round Stones Hill - - Fire!! - - Effect of the Explosion - - The Director at his Post - - The Gas caught fire - - Diana and Satellite - - The courageous Frenchman - - They raised Barbicane - - It was an enormous Disc - - They gave her a pie - - The Sun chose to be of the party - - Ardan plunged his hand rapidly into certain mysterious boxes - - "Do I understand it?" cried Ardan; "my head is splitting with it". - - Satellite was thrown out - - It was the Body of Satellite - - "I could have ventured out on the top of the Projectile" - - They struck up a frantic dance - - "The Oxygen!" he exclaimed - - "Ah! if Raphael had seen us thus" - - The Telescope at Parsonstown - - How many people have heard speak of the Moon! - - "This plain would then be nothing but an immense Cemetery" - - "What Giant Oxen!" - - He could distinguish nothing but Desert Beds - - "It is the fault of the Moon" - - Nothing could equal the splendour of this starry world - - "The vapour of our breath will fall in snow around us" - - A Discussion arose - - A Prey to frightful Terror - - What a sight! - - "The Sun!" - - "Light and Heat; all Life is contained in them" - - He distinguished all this - - Can you picture to yourselves - - A violent Contraction of the Lunar Crust - - Around the Projectile were the Objects which had been thrown out - - "These practical people have sometimes most inopportune ideas" - - Ardan applied the lighted Match - - "I fancy I see them" - - A few feet nearer - - The unfortunate man had disappeared - - The Descent began - - "White all, Barbicane" - - The Apotheosis was worthy of the three Heroes - - - - - - - - FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON. - - - ------ - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - THE GUN CLUB. - - -During the War of the Rebellion, a new and influential club was -established in the city of Baltimore in the State of Maryland. It is well -known with what energy the taste for military matters became developed -amongst that nation of ship-owners, shopkeepers, and mechanics. Simple -tradesmen jumped their counters to become extemporized captains, colonels, -and generals, without having ever passed the School of Instruction at -West Point: nevertheless, they quickly rivalled their compeers of the -old continent, and, like them, carried off victories by dint of lavish -expenditure in ammunition, money, and men. - -But the point in which the Americans singularly distanced the Europeans -was in the science of _gunnery._ Not, indeed, that their weapons retained -a higher degree of perfection than theirs, but that they exhibited -unheard-of dimensions, and consequently attained hitherto unheard-of -ranges. In point of grazing, plunging, oblique, or enfilading, or -point-blank firing, the English, French, and Prussians have nothing to -learn; but their cannon, howitzers, and mortars are mere pocket-pistols -compared with the formidable engines of the American artillery. - -This fact need surprise no one. The Yankees, the first mechanicians in -the world, are engineers--just as the Italians are musicians and the -Germans metaphysicians--by right of birth. Nothing is more natural, -therefore, than to perceive them applying their audacious ingenuity to -the science of gunnery. Witness the marvels of Parrott, Dahlgren, and -Rodman. The Armstrong, Palliser, and Beaulieu guns were compelled to bow -before their transatlantic rivals. - -Now when an American has an idea, he directly seeks a second American to -share it. If there be three, they elect a president and two secretaries. -Given _four,_ they name a keeper of records, and the office is ready -for work; _five,_ they convene a general meeting, and the club is fully -constituted. So things were managed in Baltimore. The inventor of a new -cannon associated himself with the caster and the borer. Thus was formed -the nucleus of the "Gun Club." In a single month after its formation it -numbered 1833 effective members and 30,565 corresponding members. - -One condition was imposed as a _sine qua non_ upon every candidate for -admission into the association, and that was the condition of having -designed, or (more or less) perfected a cannon; or, in default of a -cannon, at least a firearm of some description. It may, however, be -mentioned that mere inventions of revolvers, five-shooting carbines, -and similar small arms, met with but little consideration. Artillerists -always commanded the chief place of favour. - -The estimation in which these gentlemen were held, according to one -of the most scientific exponents of the Gun Club, was "proportional to -the masses of their guns, and in the direct ratio of the square of the -distances attained by their projectiles." - -The Gun Club once founded, it is easy to conceive the result of the -inventive genius of the Americans. Their military weapons attained colossal -proportions, and their projectiles, exceeding the prescribed limits, -unfortunately occasionally cut in two some unoffending pedestrians. -These inventions, in fact, left far in the rear the timid instruments of -European artillery. - -It is but fair to add that these Yankees, brave as they have ever proved -themselves to be, did not confine themselves to theories and formulae, -but that they paid heavily, in _propria persona,_ for their inventions. -Amongst them were to be counted officers of all ranks, from lieutenants -to generals; military men of every age, from those who were just making -their _debut_ in the profession of arms up to those who had grown old on -the gun-carriage. Many had found their rest on the field of battle whose -names figured in the "Book of Honour" of the Gun Club; and of those who -made good their return the greater proportion bore the marks of their -indisputable valour. Crutches, wooden legs, artificial arms, steel hooks, -caoutchouc jaws, silver craniums, platinum noses, were all to be found in -the collection; and it was calculated by the great statistician Pitcairn -that throughout the Gun Club there was not quite one arm between four -persons and exactly two legs between six. - -Nevertheless, these valiant artillerists took no particular account of -these little facts, and felt justly proud when the despatches of a battle -returned the number of victims at tenfold the quantity of the projectiles -expended. - -One day, however--sad and melancholy day!--peace was signed between -the survivors of the war; the thunder of the guns gradually ceased, -the mortars were silent, the howitzers were muzzled for an indefinite -period, the cannon, with muzzles depressed, were returned into the -arsenal, the shot were repiled, all bloody reminiscences were effaced; -the cotton-plants grew luxuriantly in the well-manured fields, all -mourning garments were laid aside, together with grief; and the Gun Club -was relegated to profound inactivity. - -Some few of the more advanced and inveterate theorists set themselves -again to work upon calculations regarding the laws of projectiles. They -reverted invariably to gigantic shells and howitzers of unparalleled -calibre. Still, in default of practical experience what was the value -of mere theories? Consequently, the club-rooms became deserted, the -servants dozed in the antechambers, the newspapers grew mouldy on the -tables, sounds of snoring came from dark corners, and the members of the -Gun Club, erstwhile so noisy in their seances, were reduced to silence -by this disastrous peace and gave themselves up wholly to dreams of a -Platonic kind of artillery. - -"This is horrible!" said Tom Hunter one evening, while rapidly carbonizing -his wooden legs in the fireplace of the smoking-room; "nothing to do! -nothing to look forward to! what a loathsome existence! When again shall -the guns arouse us in the morning with their delightful reports?" - -"Those days are gone by," said jolly Bilsby, trying to extend his missing -arms. "It was delightful once upon a time! One invented a gun, and hardly -was it cast, when one hastened to try it in the face of the enemy! Then -one returned to camp with a word of encouragement from Sherman or a -friendly shake of the hand from M'Clellan. But now the generals are gone -back to their counters; and in place of projectiles, they despatch bales -of cotton. By Jove, the future of gunnery in America is lost!" - -"Ay! and no war in prospect!" continued the famous James T. Maston, -scratching with his steel hook his gutta-percha cranium. "Not a cloud in -the horizon! and that too at such a critical period in the progress of -the science of artillery! Yes, gentlemen! I who address you have myself -this very morning perfected a model (plan, section, elevation, &c.) of -a mortar destined to change all the conditions of warfare!" - -"No! is it possible?" replied Tom Hunter, his thoughts reverting -involuntarily to a former invention of the Hon. J. T. Maston, by which, -at its first trial, he had succeeded in killing three hundred and -thirty-seven people. - - -Illustration: THE ARTILLERY MEN OF THE GUN CLUB. - - -"Fact!" replied he. "Still, what is the use of so many studies worked -out, so many difficulties vanquished? It's mere waste of time! The New -World seems to have made up its mind to live in peace; and our bellicose -_Tribune_ predicts some approaching catastrophes arising out of this -scandalous increase of population." - -"Nevertheless," replied Colonel Blomsberry, "they are always struggling -in Europe to maintain the principle of nationalities." - -"Well?" - -"Well, there might be some field for enterprise down there; and if they -would accept our services--" - -"What are you dreaming of?" screamed Bilsby; "work at gunnery for the -benefit of foreigners?" - -"That would be better than doing nothing here," returned the colonel. - -"Quite so," said J. T. Maston; "but still we need not dream of that -expedient." - -"And why not?" demanded the colonel. - -"Because their ideas of progress in the Old World are contrary to our -American habits of thought. Those fellows believe that one can't become -a general without having served first as an ensign; which is as much as -to say that one can't point a gun without having first cast it oneself!" - -"Ridiculous!" replied Tom Hunter, whittling with his bowie-knife the arms -of his easy-chair; "but if that be the case there, all that is left for -us is to plant tobacco and distil whale-oil." - -"What!" roared J. T. Maston, "shall we not employ these remaining -years of our life in perfecting fire-arms? Shall there never be a fresh -opportunity of trying the ranges of projectiles? Shall the air never again -be lighted with the glare of our guns? No international difficulty ever -arise to enable us to declare war against some transatlantic power? Shall -not the French sink one of our steamers, or the English, in defiance of -the rights of nations, hang a few of our countrymen?" - -"No such luck," replied Colonel Blomsberry; "nothing of the kind is likely -to happen; and even if it did, we should not profit by it. American -susceptibility is fast declining, and we are all going to the dogs." - -"It is too true," replied J. T. Maston, with fresh violence; "there are -a thousand grounds for fighting, and yet we don't fight. We save up our -arms and legs for the benefit of nations who don't know what to do with -them! But stop--without going out of one's way to find a cause for -war--did not North America once belong to the English?" - -"Undoubtedly," replied Tom Hunter, stamping his crutch with fury. - -"Well then," replied J. T. Maston, "why should not England in her turn -belong to the Americans?" - -"It would be but just and fair," returned Colonel Blomsberry. - -"Go and propose it to the President of the United States," cried J. T. -Maston, "and see how he will receive you." - -"Bah!" growled Bilsby between the four teeth which the war had left him; -"that will never do!" - -"By Jove!" cried J. T. Maston, "he mustn't count on my vote at the next -election!" - -"Nor on ours," replied unanimously all the bellicose invalids. - -"Meanwhile," replied J. T. M., "allow me to say that, if I cannot get an -opportunity to try my new mortars on a real field of battle, I shall say -good-bye to the members of the Gun Club, and go and bury myself in the -prairies of Arkansas!" - -"In that case we will accompany you," cried the others. - -Matters were in this unfortunate condition, and the club was threatened -with approaching dissolution, when an unexpected circumstance occurred -to prevent so deplorable a catastrophe. - -On the morrow after this conversation every member of the association -received a sealed circular couched in the following terms:-- - - "BALTIMORE, _Oct._ 3. - - "The President of the Gun Club has the honour to inform his colleagues - that, at the meeting of the 5th instant, he will bring before them - a communication of an extremely interesting nature. He requests, - therefore, that they will make it convenient to attend in accordance - with the present invitation.--Very cordially, - - Impey Barbicane, P.G.C." - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - PRESIDENT BARBICANE'S COMMUNICATION. - - -On the 5th of October, at 8 p.m., a dense crowd pressed towards the -saloons of the Gun Club at No. 21, Union Square. All the members of -the association resident in Baltimore attended the invitation of their -president. As regards the corresponding members, notices were delivered -by hundreds throughout the streets of the city, and, large as was the -great hall, it was quite inadequate to accommodate the crowd of _savants_. -They overflowed into the adjoining rooms, down the narrow passages, into -the outer courtyards. There they ran against the vulgar herd who pressed -up to the doors, each struggling to reach the front ranks, all eager to -learn the nature of the important communication of President Barbicane; -all pushing, squeezing, crushing with that perfect freedom of action which -is peculiar to the masses when educated in ideas of "self-government." - -On that evening a stranger who might have chanced to be in Baltimore -could not have gained admission for love or money into the great hall. -That was reserved exclusively for resident or corresponding members; no -one else could possibly have obtained a place; and the city magnates, -municipal councillors, and "select men" were compelled to mingle with the -mere townspeople in order to catch stray bits of news from the interior. - -Nevertheless the vast hall presented a curious spectacle. Its immense -area was singularly adapted to the purpose. Lofty pillars formed of -cannon, superposed upon huge mortars as a base, supported the fine -ironwork of the arches, a perfect piece of cast-iron lacework. Trophies -of blunderbuses, matchlocks, arquebuses, carbines, all kinds of fire-arms, -ancient and modern, were picturesquely interlaced against the walls. -The gas lit up in full glare myriads of revolvers grouped in the form -of lustres, whilst groups of pistols, and candelabra formed of muskets -bound together, completed this magnificent display of brilliance. Models -of cannon, bronze castings, sights covered with dents, plates battered by -the shots of the Gun Club, assortments of rammers and sponges, chaplets -of shells, wreaths of projectiles, garlands of howitzers--in short, all -the apparatus of the artillerist, enchanted the eye by this wonderful -arrangement and induced a kind of belief that their real purpose was -ornamental rather than deadly. - -At the further end of the saloon the president, assisted by four -secretaries, occupied a large platform. His chair, supported by a carved -gun-carriage, was modelled upon the ponderous proportions of a 32-inch -mortar. It was pointed at an angle of ninety degrees, and suspended upon -trunnions, so that the president could balance himself upon it as upon -a rocking-chair, a very agreeable fact in the very hot weather. Upon the -table (a huge iron plate supported upon six carronnades) stood an inkstand -of exquisite elegance, made of a beautifully chased Spanish piece, and a -sonnette, which, when required, could give forth a report equal to that -of a revolver. During violent debates this novel kind of bell scarcely -sufficed to drown the clamour of these excitable artillerists. - -In front of the table benches arranged in zigzag form, like the -circumvallations of a retrenchment, formed a succession of bastions and -curtains set apart for the use of the members of the club; and on this -especial evening one might say, "All the world was on the ramparts." The -president was sufficiently well known, however, for all to be assured -that he would not put his colleagues to discomfort without some very -strong motive. - -Impey Barbicane was a man of forty years of age, calm, cold, austere; -of a singularly serious and self-contained demeanour, punctual as a -chronometer, of imperturbable temper and immovable character; by no means -chivalrous, yet adventurous withal, and always bringing practical ideas -to bear upon the very rashest enterprises; an essentially New-Englander, -a Northern colonist, a descendant of the old anti-Stuart Roundheads, -and the implacable enemy of the gentlemen of the South, those ancient -Cavaliers of the mother-country. In a word, he was a Yankee to the -backbone. - -Barbicane had made a large fortune as a timber-merchant. Being nominated -Director of Artillery during the war, he proved himself fertile in -invention. Bold in his conceptions, he contributed powerfully to -the progress of that arm and gave an immense impetus to experimental -researches. - -He was a personage of the middle height, having, by a rare exception -in the Gun Club, all his limbs complete. His strongly-marked features -seemed drawn by square and rule; and if it be true that, in order to -judge of a man's character one must look at his profile, Barbicane, so -examined, exhibited the most certain indications of energy, audacity, -and _sang-froid._ - -At this moment he was sitting in his armchair, silent, absorbed, lost in -reflection, sheltered under his high-crowned hat--a kind of black silk -cylinder which always seems firmly screwed upon the head of an American. - -Just when the deep-toned clock in the great hall struck eight, Barbicane, -as if he had been set in motion by a spring, raised himself up. A profound -silence ensued, and the speaker, in a somewhat emphatic tone of voice, -commenced as follows:-- - -"My brave colleagues, too long already a paralyzing peace has plunged -the members of the Gun Club in deplorable inactivity. After a period of -years full of incidents we have been compelled to abandon our labours, -and to stop short on the road of progress. I do not hesitate to state, -boldly, that any war which should recall us to arms would be welcome!" -(_Tremendous applause!_) - - -Illustration: PRESIDENT BARBICANE. - - -"But war, gentlemen, is impossible under existing circumstances; and, -however we may desire it, many years may elapse before our cannon shall -again thunder in the field of battle. We must make up our minds, then, -to seek in another train of ideas some field for the activity which we -all pine for." - -The meeting felt that the president was now approaching the critical -point, and redoubled their attention accordingly. - -"For some months past, my brave colleagues," continued Barbicane, "I -have been asking myself whether, while confining ourselves to our own -particular objects, we could not enter upon some grand experiment worthy -of the nineteenth century; and whether the progress of artillery science -would not enable us to carry it out to a successful issue. I have been -considering, working, calculating; and the result of my studies is the -conviction that we are safe to succeed in an enterprise which to any -other country would appear wholly impracticable. This project, the result -of long elaboration, is the object of my present communication. It is -worthy of yourselves, worthy of the antecedents of the Gun Club; and it -cannot fail to make some noise in the world." - -A thrill of excitement ran through the meeting. - -Barbicane, having by a rapid movement firmly fixed his hat upon his head, -calmly continued his harangue:-- - -"There is no one among you, my brave colleagues, who has not seen _the -Moon,_ or, at least, heard speak of it. Don't be surprised if I am about -to discourse to you regarding this Queen of the Night. It is perhaps -reserved for us to become the Columbuses of this unknown world. Only enter -into my plans, and second me with all your power, and I will lead you -to its conquest, and its name shall be added to those of the thirty-six -States which compose this Great Union." - -"Three cheers for the Moon!" roared the Gun Club, with one voice. - -"The moon, gentlemen, has been carefully studied," continued Barbicane; -"her mass, density, and weight; her constitution, motions, distance, as -well as her place in the solar system, have all been exactly determined. -Selenographic charts have been constructed with a perfection which equals, -if it does not even surpass, that of our terrestrial maps. Photography -has given us proofs of the incomparable beauty of our satellite; in short, -all is known regarding the moon which mathematical science, astronomy, -geology, and optics can learn about her. But up to the present moment no -direct communication has been established with her." - -A violent movement of interest and surprise here greeted this remark of -the speaker. - -"Permit me," he continued, "to recount to you briefly how certain ardent -spirits, starting on imaginary journeys, have penetrated the secrets -of our satellite. In the seventeenth century a certain David Fabricius -boasted of having seen with his own eyes the inhabitants of the moon. In -1649 a Frenchman, one Jean Baudoin, published a 'Journey performed from -the Earth to the Moon by Domingo Gonzalez,' a Spanish Adventurer. At -the same period Cyrano de Bergerac published that celebrated 'Journeys -in the Moon' which met with such success in France. Somewhat later -another Frenchman, named Fontenelle, wrote 'The Plurality of Worlds,' -a _chef-d'oeuvre_ of its time. About 1835 a small treatise, translated -from the _New York American_, related how Sir John Herschell, having -been despatched to the Cape of Good Hope for the purpose of making there -some astronomical calculations, had, by means of a telescope brought to -perfection by means of internal lighting, reduced the apparent distance of -the moon to eighty yards! He then distinctly perceived caverns frequented -by hippopotami, green mountains bordered by golden lace-work, sheep with -horns of ivory, a white species of deer and inhabitants with membranous -wings, like bats. This _brochure,_ the work of an American named Locke, -had a great sale. But, to bring this rapid sketch to a close, I will -only add that a certain Hans Pfaal, of Rotterdam, launching himself in -a balloon filled with a gas extracted from nitrogen, thirty-seven times -lighter than hydrogen, reached the moon after a passage of nineteen -hours. This journey, like all the previous ones, was purely imaginary; -still, it was the work of a popular American author--I mean Edgar Poe!" - - -Illustration: MEETING OF THE GUN CLUB. - - -"Cheers for Edgar Poe!" roared the assemblage, electrified by their -president's words. - -"I have now enumerated," said Barbicane, "the experiments which I -call purely paper ones, and wholly insufficient to establish serious -relations with the Queen of Night. Nevertheless, I am bound to add that -some practical geniuses have attempted to establish actual communication -with her. Thus, a few years ago, a German geometrician proposed to -send a scientific expedition to the steppes of Siberia. There, on those -vast plains, they were to describe enormous geometric figures, drawn -in characters of reflecting luminosity, amongst which was the prop. -regarding the 'square of the hypothenuse,' commonly called the '_Ass's -bridge_' by the French. 'Every intelligent being,' said the geometrician, -'must understand the scientific meaning of that figure. The Selenites, do -they exist, will respond by a similar figure; and, a communication being -thus once established, it will be easy to form an alphabet which shall -enable us to converse with the inhabitants of the moon.' So spoke the -German geometrician; but his project was never put into practice, and up -to the present day there is no bond in existence between the earth and -her satellite. It is reserved for the practical genius of Americans to -establish a communication with the sidereal world. The means of arriving -thither are simple, easy, certain, infallible--and that is the purpose -of my present proposal." - -A storm of acclamations greeted these words. There was not a single -person in the whole audience who was not overcome, carried away, lifted -out of himself by the speaker's words! - -Long continued applause resounded from all sides. - -As soon as the excitement had partially subsided, Barbicane resumed his -speech in a somewhat graver voice. - -"You know," said he, "what progress artillery science has made during -the last few years, and what a degree of perfection firearms of every -kind have reached. Moreover, you are well aware that, in general terms, -the resisting power of cannon and the expansive force of gunpowder are -practically unlimited. Well! starting from this principle, I ask myself -whether, supposing sufficient apparatus could be obtained constructed -upon the conditions of ascertained resistance, it might not be possible -to project a shot up to the moon?" - -At these words a murmur of amazement escaped from a thousand panting -chests; then succeeded a moment of perfect silence, resembling that -profound stillness which precedes the bursting of a thunderstorm. In -point of fact, a thunderstorm did peal forth, but it was the thunder of -applause, of cries, and of uproar which made the very hall tremble. The -president attempted to speak, but could not. It was fully ten minutes -before he could make himself heard. - -"Suffer me to finish," he calmly continued. "I have looked at the -question in all its bearings, I have resolutely attacked it, and by -incontrovertible calculations I find that a projectile endowed with an -initial velocity of 12,000 yards per second, and aimed at the moon, must -necessarily reach it. I have the honour, my brave colleagues, to propose -a trial of this little experiment." - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - EFFECT OF THE PRESIDENT'S COMMUNICATION. - - -It is impossible to describe the effect produced by the last words of -the honorable president--the cries, the shouts, the succession of roars, -hurrahs, and all the varied vociferations which the American language -is capable of supplying. It was a scene of indescribable confusion and -uproar. They shouted, they clapped, they stamped on the floor of the -hall. All the weapons in the museum discharged at once could not have more -violently set in motion the waves of sound. One need not be surprised at -this. There are some cannoneers nearly as noisy as their -own guns. - -Barbicane remained calm in the midst of this enthusiastic clamour; perhaps -he was desirous of addressing a few more words to his colleagues, for by -his gestures he demanded silence, and his powerful alarum was worn out -by its violent reports. No attention, however, was paid to his request. -He was presently torn from his seat and passed from the hands of his -faithful colleagues into the arms of a no less excited crowd. - -Nothing can astound an American. It has often been asserted that the word -"impossible" is not a French one. People have evidently been deceived -by the dictionary. In America, all is easy, all is simple; and as for -mechanical difficulties, they are overcome before they arise. Between -Barbicane's proposition and its realization no true Yankee would have -allowed even the semblance of a difficulty to be possible. A thing with -them is no sooner said than done. - -The triumphal progress of the president continued throughout the evening. -It was a regular torchlight procession. Irish, Germans, French, Scotch, -all the heterogeneous units which make up the population of Maryland -shouted in their respective vernaculars; and the "vivas," "hurrahs," and -"bravos" were intermingled in inexpressible enthusiasm. - -Just at this crisis, as though she comprehended all this agitation -regarding herself, the Moon shone forth with serene splendour, eclipsing -by her intense illumination all the surrounding lights. The Yankees -all turned their gaze towards her resplendent orb, kissed their hands, -called her by all kinds of endearing names. Between eight o'clock and -midnight one optician in Jones'-Fall Street made his fortune by the sale -of opera-glasses. - -Midnight arrived, and the enthusiasm showed no signs of diminution. -It spread equally among all classes of citizens--men of science, -shopkeepers, merchants, porters, chair-men, as well as "greenhorns," -were stirred in their innermost fibres. A national enterprise was at -stake. The whole city, high and low, the quays bordering the Patapsco, -the ships lying in the basins, disgorged a crowd drunk with joy, gin, -and whisky. Every one chattered, argued, discussed, disputed, applauded, -from the gentleman lounging upon the barroom settee with his tumbler of -sherry-cobbler before him down to the waterman who got drunk upon his -"knock-me-down" in the dingy taverns of Fell Point. - -About 2 a.m., however, the excitement began to subside. President -Barbicane reached his house, bruised, crushed, and squeezed almost -to a mummy. A Hercules could not have resisted a similar outbreak of -enthusiasm. The crowd gradually deserted the squares and streets. The -four railways from Philadelphia and Washington, Harrisburg and Wheeling, -which converge at Baltimore, whirled away the heterogeneous population -to the four corners of the United States, and the city subsided into -comparative tranquillity. - - -Illustration: THE TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION. - - -On the following day, thanks to the telegraphic wires, five hundred -newspapers and journals, daily, weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly, all -took up the question. They examined it under all its different aspects, -physical, meteorological, economical, or moral, up to its bearings on -politics or civilization. They debated whether the moon was a finished -world, or whether it was destined to undergo any further transformation. -Did it resemble the earth at the period when the latter was destitute as -yet of an atmosphere? What kind of spectacle would its hidden hemisphere -present to our terrestrial spheroid? Granting that the question at -present was simply that of sending a projectile up to the moon, every one -must see that that involved the commencement of a series of experiments. -All must hope that some day America would penetrate the deepest secrets -of that mysterious orb; and some even seemed to fear lest its conquest -should not sensibly derange the equilibrium of Europe. - -The project once under discussion, not a single paragraph suggested a doubt -of its realization. All the papers, pamphlets, reports--all the journals -published by the scientific, literary, and religious societies enlarged -upon its advantages; and the Society of Natural History of Boston, the -Society of Science and Art of Albany, the Geographical and Statistical -Society of New York, the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, and the -Smithsonian of Washington sent innumerable letters of congratulation to -the Gun Club, together with offers of immediate assistance and money. - -From that day forward Impey Barbicane became one of the greatest citizens -of the United States, a kind of Washington of Science. A single trait of -feeling, taken from many others, will serve to show the point which this -homage of a whole people to a single individual attained. - -Some few days after this memorable meeting of the Gun Club, the manager -of an English company announced, at the Baltimore theatre, the production -of "Much ado about Nothing." But the populace, seeing in that title an -allusion damaging to Barbicane's project, broke into the auditorium, -smashed the benches, and compelled the unlucky director to alter his -playbill. Being a sensible man, he bowed to the public will and replaced -the offending comedy by "As you like it;" and for many weeks he realized -fabulous profits. - - -Illustration: CAMBRIDGE OBSERVATORY. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - REPLY FROM THE OBSERVATORY OF CAMBRIDGE. - - -Barbicane, however, lost not one moment amidst all the enthusiasm of which -he had become the object. His first care was to reassemble his colleagues -in the board-room of the Gun Club. There, after some discussion, it was -agreed to consult the astronomers regarding the astronomical part of the -enterprize. Their reply once ascertained, they could then discuss the -mechanical means, and nothing should be wanting to ensure the success of -this great experiment. - -A note couched in precise terms, containing special interrogatories, -was then drawn up and addressed to the Observatory of Cambridge in -Massachusetts. This city, where the first University of the United States -was founded, is justly celebrated for its astronomical staff. There are -to be found assembled all the most eminent men of science. Here is to -be seen at work that powerful telescope which enabled Bond to resolve -the nebula of Andromeda, and Clarke to discover the satellite of Sirius. -This celebrated institution fully justified on all points the confidence -reposed in it by the Gun Club. - -So, after two days, the reply so impatiently awaited was placed in the -hands of President Barbicane. - -It was couched in the following terms:-- - -"_The Director of the Cambridge Observatory to the President of the Gun -Club at Baltimore._ - -"CAMBRIDGE, _Oct._ 7. - -"On the receipt of your favour of the 6th inst., addressed to the -Observatory of Cambridge in the name of the Members of the Baltimore -Gun Club, our staff was immediately called together, and it was judged -expedient to reply as follows:-- - -"The questions which have been proposed to it are these,-- - -"'1. Is it possible to transmit a projectile up to the moon? - -"'2. What is the exact distance which separates the earth from its -satellite? - -"'3. What will be the period of transit of the projectile when endowed -with sufficient initial velocity? and, consequently, at what moment ought -it to be discharged in order that it may touch the moon at a particular -point? - -"'4. At what precise moment will the moon present herself in the most -favourable position to be reached by the projectile? - -"'5. What point in the heavens ought the cannon to be aimed at which is -intended to discharge the projectile? - -"'6. What place will the moon occupy in the heavens at the moment of the -projectile's departure?' - -"Regarding the _first_ question, 'Is it possible to transmit a projectile -up to the moon?' - -"_Answer_.--Yes; provided it possess an initial velocity of 1200 yards -per second; calculations prove that to be sufficient. In proportion as -we recede from the earth the action of gravitation diminishes in the -inverse ratio of the square of the distance; that is to say, _at three -times a given distance the action is nine times less._ Consequently, the -weight of a shot will decrease, and will become reduced to zero at the -instant that the attraction of the moon exactly counterpoises that of -the earth; that is to say, at 47/52 of its passage. At that instant the -projectile will have no weight whatever; and, if it passes that point, -it will fall into the moon by the sole effect of the lunar attraction. -The _theoretical possibility_ of the experiment is therefore absolutely -demonstrated; its success must depend upon the power of the engine -employed. - -"As to the _second question_, 'What is the exact distance which separates -the earth from its satellite?' - -"_Answer._--The moon does not describe a circle round the earth, but -rather an _ellipse_, of which our earth occupies one of the _foci;_ the -consequence, therefore, is, that at certain times it approaches nearer -to, and at others it recedes farther from, the earth; in astronomical -language, it is at one time in _apogee_, at another in _perigee._ Now the -difference between its greatest and its least distance is too considerable -to be left out of consideration. In point of fact, in its apogee the moon -is 247,552 miles, and in its perigee, 218,657 miles only distant; a fact -which makes a difference of 28,895 miles, or more than one ninth of the -entire distance. The perigee distance, therefore, is that which ought to -serve as the basis of all calculations. - -"To the _third_ question:-- - -"_Answer._--If the shot should preserve continuously its initial velocity -of 12,000 yards per second, it would require little more than nine -hours to reach its destination; but, inasmuch as that initial velocity -will be continually decreasing, it results that, taking everything into -consideration, it will occupy 300,000 seconds, that is 83hrs. 20m. in -reaching the point where the attraction of the earth and moon will be -_in equilibrio._ From this point it will fall into the moon in 50,000 -seconds, or 13hrs. 53m. 20sec. It will be desirable, therefore, to -discharge it 97hrs. 13m. 20sec. before the arrival of the moon at the -point aimed at. - -"Regarding question _four_, 'At what precise moment will the moon present -herself in the most favourable position, &c.?' - -"_Answer_.--After what has been said above, it will be necessary, first -of all, to choose the period when the moon will be in perigee, and also -the moment when she will be crossing the zenith, which latter event will -further diminish the entire distance by a length equal to the radius of -the earth, i.e. 3919 miles; the result of which will be that the final -passage remaining to be accomplished will be 214,976 miles. But although -the moon passes her perigee every month, she does not reach the zenith -always at _exactly the same moment._ She does not appear under these two -conditions simultaneously, except at long intervals of time. It will be -necessary, therefore, to wait for the moment when her passage in perigee -shall coincide with that in the zenith. Now, by a fortunate circumstance, -on the 4th December in the ensuing year the moon _will_ present these two -conditions. At midnight she will be in perigee, that is, at her shortest -distance from the earth, and at the same moment she will be crossing the -zenith. - -"On the _fifth_ question, 'At what point in the heavens ought the cannon -to be aimed?' - -"_Answer_.--The preceding remarks being admitted, the cannon ought to -be pointed to the zenith of the place. Its fire, therefore, will be -perpendicular to the plane of the horizon; and the projectile will soonest -pass beyond the range of the terrestrial attraction. But, in order that -the moon should reach the zenith of a given place, it is necessary that -the place should not exceed in latitude the declination of the luminary; -in other words, it must be comprised within the degrees 0 deg. and 28 deg. -of lat. N. or S. In every other spot the fire must necessarily be oblique, -which would seriously militate against the success of the experiment. - -"As to the _sixth_ question, 'What place will the moon occupy in the -heavens at the moment of the projectile's departure?' - -"_Answer_.--At the moment when the projectile shall be discharged -into space, the moon, which travels daily forward 13 deg. 10' 35", will -be distant from the zenith point by four times that quantity, i.e. by -52 deg. 42' 20", a space which corresponds to the path which she will -describe during the entire journey of the projectile. But, inasmuch as -it is equally necessary to take into account the deviation which the -rotary motion of the earth will impart to the shot, and as the shot -cannot reach the moon until after a deviation equal to 16 radii of the -earth, which, calculated upon the moon's orbit, are equal to about eleven -degrees, it becomes necessary to add these eleven degrees to those which -express the retardation of the moon just mentioned: that is to say, in -round numbers, about 64 degrees. Consequently, at the moment of firing -the visual radius applied to the moon will describe, with the vertical -line of the place, an angle of sixty-four degrees. - -"These are our answers to the questions proposed to the Observatory of -Cambridge by the members of the Gun Club:-- - -"To sum up,-- - -"1st. The cannon ought to be planted in a country situated between -between 0 deg. and 28 deg. of N. or S. lat. - -"2ndly. It ought to be pointed directly towards the zenith of the place. - -"3rdly. The projectile ought to be propelled with an initial velocity of -12,000 yards per second. - -"4thly. It ought to be discharged at 10hrs. 46m. 40sec. of the 1st -December of the ensuing year. - -"5thly. It will meet the moon four days after its discharge, precisely -at midnight on the 4th December, at the moment of its transit across the -zenith. - -"The members of the Gun Club ought, therefore, without delay, to commence -the works necessary for such an experiment, and to be prepared to set -to work at the moment determined upon; for, if they should suffer this -4th December to go by, they will not find the moon again under the same -conditions of perigee and of zenith until eighteen years and eleven days -afterwards. - -"The Staff of the Cambridge Observatory place themselves entirely at -their disposal in respect of all questions of theoretical astronomy; and -herewith add their congratulations to those of all the rest of America. - - - "For the Astronomical Staff, - - "J. M. BELFAST, - - "_Director of the Observatory of Cambridge._" - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON. - - -An observer endued with an infinite range of vision, and placed in -that unknown centre around which the entire world revolves, might have -beheld myriads of atoms filling all space during the chaotic epoch of -the universe. Little by little, as ages went on, a change took place; -a general law of attraction manifested itself, to which the hitherto -errant atoms became obedient: these atoms combined together chemically -according to their affinities, formed themselves into molecules, and -composed those nebulous masses with which the depths of the heavens are -strewed. - -These masses became immediately endued with a rotary motion around -their own central point. This centre, formed of indefinite molecules, -began to revolve round its own axis during its gradual condensation; -then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its -bulk diminished by condensation, its rotary motion became accelerated, -and these two effects continuing, the result was the formation of one -principal star, the centre of the nebulous mass. - -By attentively watching, the observer would then have perceived the -other molecules of the mass, following the example of this central -star, become likewise condensed by gradually accelerated rotation, and -gravitating round it in the shape of innumerable stars. Thus was formed -the _Nebulae,_ of which astronomers have reckoned up nearly 5000. - -Amongst these 5000 nebulae there is one which has received the name of -the Milky Way, and which contains eighteen millions of stars, each of -which has become the centre of a solar world. - -If the observer had then specially directed his attention to one of the -more humble and less brilliant of these stellar bodies, a star of the -fourth class, that which is arrogantly called the Sun, all the phenomena -to which the formation of the Universe is to be ascribed would have -been successively fulfilled before his eyes. In fact, he would have -perceived this sun, as yet in the gaseous state, and composed of moving -molecules, revolving round its axis in order to accomplish its work of -concentration. This motion, faithful to the laws of mechanics, would -have been accelerated with the diminution of its volume; and a moment -would have arrived when the centrifugal force would have overpowered the -centripetal, which causes the molecules all to tend towards the centre. - -Another phenomenon would now have passed before the observer's eye, and -the molecules situated on the plane of the equator escaping, like a stone -from a sling of which the cord had suddenly snapped, would have formed -around the sun sundry concentric rings resembling that of Saturn. In -their turn, again, these rings of cosmical matter, excited by a rotary -motion round the central mass, would have been broken up and decomposed -into secondary nebulosities, that is to say, into planets. Similarly he -would have observed these planets throw off one or more rings each, which -became the origin of the secondary bodies which we call satellites. - -Thus, then, advancing from atom to molecule, from molecule to nebulous -mass, from that to a principal star, from star to sun, from sun to planet, -and hence to satellite, we have the whole series of transformations -undergone by the heavenly bodies during the first days of the world. - -Now, of those attendant bodies which the sun maintains in their elliptical -orbits by the great law of gravitation, some few in their turn possess -satellites. Uranus has eight, Saturn eight, Jupiter four, Neptune possibly -three, and the Earth _one._ This last, one of the least important of the -entire solar system, we call _the Moon_; and it is she whom the daring -genius of the Americans professed their intention of conquering. - - -Illustration: THE MOON'S DISC. - - -The moon, by her comparative proximity, and the constantly varying -appearances produced by her several phases, has always occupied a -considerable share of the attention of the inhabitants of the earth. - -From the time of Thales of Miletus, in the fifth century b.c., down to -that of Copernicus in the fifteenth and Tycho Brahe in the sixteenth -century a.d., observations have been from time to time carried on with -more or less correctness, until in the present day the altitudes of the -lunar mountains have been determined with exactitude. Galileo explained -the phenomena of the lunar light produced during certain of her phases -by the existence of mountains, to which he assigned a mean altitude of -27,000 feet. After him Hevelius, an astronomer of Dantzic, reduced the -highest elevations to 15,000 feet; but the calculations of Riccioli -brought them up again to 21,000 feet. - -At the close of the eighteenth century Herschell, armed with a powerful -telescope, considerably reduced the preceding measurements. He assigned -a height of 11,400 feet to the maximum elevations, and reduced the mean -of the different altitudes to little more than 2400 feet. But Herschell's -calculations were in their turn corrected by the observations of Halley, -Nasmyth, Bianchini, Gruithuysen, and others; but it was reserved for -the labours of Boeer and Maedler finally to solve the question. They -succeeded in measuring 1905 different elevations, of which six exceed -15,000 feet, and twenty-two exceed 14,400 feet. The highest summit of all -towers to a height of 22,606 feet above the surface of the lunar disc. At -the same period the examination of the moon was completed. She appeared -completely riddled with craters, and her essentially volcanic character -was apparent at each observation. By the absence of refraction in the -rays of the planets occulted by her we conclude that she is absolutely -devoid of an atmosphere. The absence of air entails the absence of water. -It became, therefore, manifest that the Selenites, to support life under -such conditions, must possess a special organization of their own, must -differ remarkably from the inhabitants of the earth. - -At length, thanks to modern art, instruments of still higher perfection -searched the moon without intermission, not leaving a single point of -her surface unexplored; and notwithstanding that her diameter measures -2150 miles, her surface equals the 1-15th part of that of our globe, and -her bulk the 1-49th part of that of the terrestrial spheroid--not one -of her secrets was able to escape the eyes of the astronomers; and these -skilful men of science carried to even greater degree their prodigious -observations. - -Thus they remarked that, during full moon, the disc appeared scored in -certain parts with _white_ lines; and, during the phases, with _black._ -On prosecuting the study of these with still greater precision, they -succeeded in obtaining an exact account of the nature of these lines. -They were long and narrow furrows sunk between parallel ridges, bordering -generally upon the edges of the craters. Their length varied between -ten and 100 miles, and their width was about 1600 yards. Astronomers -called them chasms, but they could not get any farther. Whether these -chasms were the dried-up beds of ancient rivers or not they were unable -thoroughly to ascertain. - -The Americans, amongst others, hoped one day or other to determine this -geological question. They also undertook to examine the true nature -of that system of parallel ramparts discovered on the moon's surface -by Gruithuysen, a learned professor of Munich, who considered them to -be "a system of fortifications thrown up by the Selenitic engineers." -These two points, yet obscure, as well as others, no doubt, could not be -definitively settled except by direct communication with the moon. - -Regarding the degree of intensity of its light, there was nothing more -to learn on this point. It was known that it is 300,000 times weaker -than that of the sun, and that its heat has no appreciable effect upon -the thermometer. As to the phenomenon known as the "ashy light," it is -explained naturally by the effect of the transmission of the solar rays -from the earth to the moon, which give the appearance of completeness to -the lunar disc, while it presents itself under the crescent form during -its first and last phases. - -Such was the state of knowledge acquired regarding the earth's satellite, -which the Gun Club undertook to perfect in all its aspects, cosmographic, -geological, political, and moral. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - THE PERMISSIVE LIMITS OF IGNORANCE AND BELIEF IN THE - UNITED STATES. - - -The immediate result of Barbicane's proposition was to place upon the -orders of the day all the astronomical facts relative to the Queen of -Night. Everybody set to work to study assiduously. One would have thought -that the moon had just appeared for the first time, and that no one had -ever before caught a glimpse of her in the heavens. The papers revived -all the old anecdotes in which the "sun of the wolves" played a part; -they recalled the influences which the ignorance of past ages ascribed -to her; in short, all America was seized with seleno-mania, or had become -moon-mad. - -The scientific journals, for their part, dealt more especially with the -questions which touched upon the enterprise of the Gun Club. The letter -of the Observatory of Cambridge was published by them, and commented upon -with unreserved approval. - -Until that time most people had been ignorant of the mode in which the -distance which separates the moon from the earth is calculated. They took -advantage of this fact to explain to them that this distance was obtained -by measuring the parallax of the moon. The term parallax proving "caviare -to the general," they further explained that it meant the angle formed -by the inclination of two straight lines drawn from either extremity -of the earth's radius to the moon. On doubts being expressed as to the -correctness of this method, they immediately proved that not only was -the mean distance 234,347 miles, but that astronomers could not possibly -be in error in their estimate by more than 70 miles either way. - -To those who were not familiar with the motions of the moon, they -demonstrated that she possesses two distinct motions, the first being -that of rotation upon her axis, the second that of revolution round the -earth, accomplishing both together in an equal period of time, that is -to say, in 27-1/3 days. - -The motion of rotation is that which produces day and night on the -surface of the moon; save that there is only one day and one night in -the lunar month, each lasting 354-1/3 hours. But, happily for her, the -face turned towards the terrestrial globe is illuminated by it with an -intensity equal to the light of fourteen moons. As to the other face, -always invisible to us, it has of necessity 354 hours of absolute night, -tempered only by that "pale glimmer which falls upon it from the stars." - -Some well-intentioned but rather obstinate persons, could not at first -comprehend how, if the moon displays invariably the same face to the earth -during her revolution, she can describe one turn round herself. To such -they answered, "Go into your dining-room, and walk round the table in -such a way as always to keep your face turned towards the centre; by the -time you will have achieved one complete round you will have completed -one turn round yourself, since your eye will have traversed successively -every point of the room. Well, then, the room is the heavens, the table -is the earth, and the moon is yourself." And they would go away delighted. - -So, then, the moon displays invariably the same face to the earth; -nevertheless, to be quite exact, it is necessary to add that, in -consequence of certain fluctuations of north and south, and of west and -east, termed her libration, she permits rather more than the half, that -is to say, five-sevenths, to be seen. - -As soon as the ignoramuses came to understand as much as the Director of -the Observatory himself knew, they began to worry themselves regarding -her revolution round the earth, whereupon twenty scientific reviews -immediately came to the rescue. They pointed out to them then that the -firmament, with its infinitude of stars, may be considered as one vast -dial-plate, upon which the moon travels, indicating the true time to all -the inhabitants of the earth; that it is during this movement that the -Queen of Night exhibits her different phases; that the moon is _full_ -when she is in _opposition_ with the sun, that is when the three bodies -are on the same straight line, the earth occupying the centre; that she -is _new_ when she is in _conjunction_ with the sun, that is, when she -is between it and the earth; and lastly, that she is in her _first_ or -_last_ quarter, when she makes with the sun and the earth an angle of -which she herself occupies the apex. - -Regarding the altitude which the moon attains above the horizon, the -letter of the Cambridge Observatory had said all that was to be said -in that respect. Every one knew that this altitude varies according to -the latitude of the observer. But the only zones of the globe in which -the moon passes the zenith, that is, the point directly over the head -of the spectator, are of necessity comprised between the twenty-eighth -parallels and the equator. Hence the importance of the advice to try -the experiment upon some point of that part of the globe, in order that -the projectile might be discharged perpendicularly, and so the soonest -escape the action of gravitation. This was an essential condition to the -success of the enterprise, and continued actively to engage the public -attention. - -Regarding the path described by the moon in her revolution round the -earth, the Cambridge Observatory had demonstrated that this path is a -re-entering curve, not a perfect circle, but an ellipse, of which the -earth occupies one of the _foci_. It was also well understood that it is -farthest removed from the earth during its _apogee,_ and approaches most -nearly to it at its _perigee._ - -Such then was the extent of knowledge possessed by every American on the -subject, and of which no one could decently profess ignorance. Still, -while these true principles were being rapidly disseminated many errors -and illusory fears proved less easy to eradicate. - -For instance, some worthy persons maintained that the moon was an ancient -comet which, in describing its elongated orbit round the sun, happened to -pass near the earth, and became confined within her circle of attraction. -These drawing-room astronomers professed so to explain the charred aspect -of the moon--a disaster which they attributed to the intensity of the -solar heat; only, on being reminded that comets have an atmosphere, and -that the moon has little or none, they were fairly at a loss for a reply. - -Others again, belonging to the doubting class expressed certain fears as -to the position of the moon. They had heard it said that, according to -observations made in the time of the Caliphs, her revolution had become -accelerated in a certain degree. Hence they concluded, logically enough, -that an acceleration of motion ought to be accompanied by a corresponding -diminution in the distance separating the two bodies; and that, supposing -the double effect to be continued to infinity, the moon would end by -one day falling into the earth. However, they became reassured as to -the fate of future generations on being apprised that, according to the -calculations of Laplace, this acceleration of motion is confined within -very restricted limits, and that a proportional diminution of speed will -be certain to succeed it. So, then, the stability of the solar system -would not be deranged in ages to come. - -There remains but the third class, the superstitious. These worthies were -not content merely to rest in ignorance; they must know all about things -which had no existence whatever, and as to the moon, they had long known -all about her. One set regarded her disc as a polished mirror, by means -of which people could see each other from different points of the earth -and interchange their thoughts. Another set pretended that out of one -thousand new moons that had been observed, nine hundred and fifty had been -attended with remarkable disturbances, such as cataclysms, revolutions, -earthquakes, the deluge, &c. Then they believed in some mysterious -influence exercised by her over human destinies--that every Selenite -was attached to some inhabitant of the earth by a tie of sympathy; they -maintained that the entire vital system is subject to her control, &c., -&c. But in time the majority renounced these vulgar errors, and espoused -the true side of the question. As for the Yankees, they had no other -ambition than to take possession of this new continent of the sky, and to -plant upon the summit of its highest elevation the star-spangled banner -of the United States of America. - - -Illustration: BARBICANE HOLDS FORTH. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - THE HYMN OF THE CANNON-BALL. - - -The Observatory of Cambridge in its memorable letter had treated the -question from a purely astronomical point of view. The mechanical part -still remained. - -President Barbicane had, without loss of time, nominated a Working -Committee of the Gun Club. The duty of this Committee was to resolve the -three grand questions of the cannon, the projectile, and the powder. It -was composed of four members of great technical knowledge, Barbicane (with -a casting vote in case of equality), General Morgan, Major Elphinstone, -and J. T. Maston, to whom were confided the functions of secretary. On -the 8th of October the Committee met at the house of President Barbicane, -3, Republican Street. The meeting was opened by the president himself. - -"Gentlemen," said he, "we have to resolve one of the most important -problems in the whole of the noble science of gunnery. It might appear, -perhaps, the most logical course to devote our first meeting to the -discussion of the engine to be employed. Nevertheless, after mature -consideration, it has appeared to me that the question of the projectile -must take precedence of that of the cannon, and that the dimensions of -the latter must necessarily depend upon those of the former." - -"Suffer me to say a word," here broke in J. T. Maston. Permission -having been granted, "Gentlemen," said he, with an inspired accent, "our -president is right in placing the question of the projectile above all -others. The ball we are about to discharge at the moon is our ambassador -to her, and I wish to consider it from a moral point of view. The -cannon-ball, gentlemen, to my mind, is the most magnificent manifestation -of human power. If Providence has created the stars and the planets, -man has called the cannon-ball into existence. Let Providence claim -the swiftness of electricity and of light, of the stars, the comets, -and the planets, of wind and sound--we claim to have invented the -swiftness of the cannon-ball, a hundred times superior to that of the -swiftest horses or railway train. How glorious will be the moment when, -infinitely exceeding all hitherto attained velocities, we shall launch -our new projectile with the rapidity of seven miles a second! Shall it -not, gentlemen--shall it not be received up there with the honours due -to a terrestrial ambassador?" - -Overcome with emotion the orator sat down and applied himself to a huge -plate of sandwiches before him. - -"And now," said Barbicane, "let us quit the domain of poetry and come -direct to the question." - -"By all means," replied the members, each with his mouth full of sandwich. - -"The problem before us," continued the president, "is how to communicate -to a projectile a velocity of 12,000 yards per second. Let us at present -examine the velocities hitherto attained. General Morgan will be able to -enlighten us on this point." - -"And the more easily," replied the general, "that during the war I was -a member of the Committee of experiments. I may say, then, that the -100-pounder Dahlgrens, which carried a distance of 5000 yards, impressed -upon their projectile an initial velocity of 500 yards a second. The -Rodman Columbiad threw a shot weighing half a ton a distance of six -miles, with a velocity of 800 yards per second--a result which Armstrong -and Palisser have never obtained in England." - -"This," replied Barbicane, "is, I believe, the maximum velocity ever -attained?" - -"It is so," replied the general. - - -Illustration: THE RODMAN COLUMBIAD. - - -"Ah!" groaned J. T. Maston, "if my mortar had not burst--" - -"Yes," quietly replied Barbicane, "but it did burst. We must take, then, -for our starting-point this velocity of 800 yards. We must increase it -twenty-fold. Now, reserving for another discussion the means of producing -this velocity, I will call your attention to the dimensions which it will -be proper to assign to the shot. You understand that we have nothing to -do here with projectiles weighing at most but half a ton." - -"Why not?" demanded the major. - -"Because the shot," quickly replied J. T. Maston, "must be big enough to -attract the attention of the inhabitants of the moon, if there are any?" - -"Yes," replied Barbicane, "and for another reason more important still." - -"What mean you?" asked the major. - -"I mean that it is not enough to discharge a projectile, and then take -no further notice of it; we must follow it throughout its course, up to -the moment when it shall reach its goal." - -"What?" shouted the general and the major in great surprise. - -"Undoubtedly," replied Barbicane composedly, "or our experiment would -produce no result." - -"But then," replied the major, "you will have to give this projectile -enormous dimensions." - -"No! Be so good as to listen. You know that optical instruments have -acquired great perfection; with certain telescopes we have succeeded in -obtaining enlargements of 6000 times and reducing the moon to within forty -miles' distance. Now, at this distance, any objects sixty feet square -would be perfectly visible. If, then, the penetrative power of telescopes -has not been further increased, it is because that power detracts from -their light; and the moon, which is but a reflecting mirror, does not -give back sufficient light to enable us to perceive objects of lesser -magnitude." - -"Well, then, what do you propose to do?" asked the general. "Would you -give your projectile a diameter of sixty feet?" - -"Not so." - -"Do you intend, then, to increase the luminous power of the moon?" - -"Exactly so. If I can succeed in diminishing the density of the atmosphere -through which the moon's light has to travel I shall have rendered her -light more intense. To effect that object it will be enough to establish -a telescope on some elevated mountain. That is what we will do." - -"I give it up," answered the major. "You have such a way of simplifying -things. And what enlargement do you expect to obtain in this way?" - -"One of 48,000 times, which should bring the moon within an apparent -distance of five miles; and, in order to be visible, objects need not -have a diameter of more than nine feet." - -"So, then," cried J. T. Maston, "our projectile need not be more than -nine feet in diameter." - -"Let me observe, however," interrupted Major Elphinstone, "this will -involve a weight such as--" - -"My dear major," replied Barbicane, "before discussing its weight, permit -me to enumerate some of the marvels which our ancestors have achieved in -this respect. I don't mean to pretend that the science of gunnery has -not advanced, but it is as well to bear in mind that during the middle -ages they obtained results more surprising, I will venture to say, than -ours. For instance, during the siege of Constantinople by Mahomet II., -in 1453, stone shot of 1900 lbs. weight were employed. At Malta, in the -time of the knights, there was a gun of the fortress of St. Elmo which -threw a projectile weighing 2500 lbs. And, now, what is the extent of -what we have seen ourselves? Armstrong guns discharging shot of 500 lbs., -and the Rodman guns projectiles of half a ton! It seems, then, that if -projectiles have gained in range, they have lost far more in weight. Now, -if we turn our efforts in that direction, we ought to arrive, with the -progress of science, at ten times the weight of the shot of Mahomet II. -and the Knights of Malta." - - -Illustration: CANNON AT MALTA IN THE TIME OF THE KNIGHTS. - - -"Clearly," replied the major; "but what metal do you calculate upon -employing?" - -"Simply cast iron," said General Morgan. - -"But," interrupted the major, "since the weight of a shot is proportionate -to its volume, an iron ball of nine feet in diameter would be of -tremendous weight." - -"Yes, if it were solid, not if it were hollow." - -"Hollow? then it would be a shell?" - -"Yes, a shell," replied Barbicane; "decidedly it must be. A solid shot of -108 inches would weigh more than 200,000 lbs., a weight evidently far too -great. Still, as we must reserve a certain stability for our projectile, -I propose to give it a weight of 20,000 lbs." - -"What, then, will be the thickness of the sides?" asked the major. - -"If we follow the usual proportion," replied Morgan, "a diameter of 108 -inches would require sides of two feet thickness, or less." - -"That would be too much," replied Barbicane; "for you will observe that -the question is not that of a shot intended to pierce an iron plate: it -will suffice, therefore, to give it sides strong enough to resist the -pressure of the gas. The problem, therefore, is this--What thickness -ought a cast-iron shell to have in order not to weigh more than 20,000 -lbs.? Our clever secretary will soon enlighten us upon this point." - -"Nothing easier," replied the worthy secretary of the Committee; and, -rapidly tracing a few algebraical formulae upon paper, among which -_n_^2 and _x_^2 frequently appeared, he presently said,-- - -"The sides will require a thickness of less than two inches." - -"Will that be enough?" asked the major doubtfully. - -"Clearly not!" replied the president. - -"What is to be done, then?" said Elphinstone, with a puzzled air. - -"Employ another metal instead of iron." - -"Copper?" said Morgan. - -"No; that would be too heavy. I have better than that to offer." - -"What then?" asked the major. - -"Aluminium!" replied Barbicane. - -"Aluminium?" cried his three colleagues in chorus. - -"Unquestionably, my friends. This valuable metal possesses the whiteness -of silver, the indestructibility of gold, the tenacity of iron, the -fusibility of copper, the lightness of glass. It is easily wrought, is -very widely distributed, forming the base of most of the rocks, is three -times lighter than iron, and seems to have been created for the express -purpose of furnishing us with the material for our projectile." - -"But, my dear president," said the major, "is not the cost price of -aluminium extremely high?" - -"It was so at its first discovery, but it has fallen now to nine dollars -the pound." - -"But still, nine dollars the pound!" replied the major, who was not -willing readily to give in; "even that is an enormous price." - -"Undoubtedly, my dear major; but not beyond our reach." - -"What will the projectile weigh then?" asked Morgan. - -"Here is the result of my calculations," replied Barbicane. "A shot of -108 inches in diameter, and 12 inches in thickness, would weigh, in -cast-iron, 67,440 lbs.; cast in aluminium, its weight will be reduced to -19,250 lbs." - -"Capital!" cried the major; "but do you know that, at nine dollars the -pound, this projectile will cost--" - -"One hundred and seventy-three thousand and fifty dollars ($173,050). -I know it quite well. But fear not, my friends; the money will not be -wanting for our enterprise, I will answer for it. Now what say you to -aluminium, gentlemen?" - -"Adopted!" replied the three members of the Committee. So ended the first -meeting. The question of the projectile was definitively settled. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - HISTORY OF THE CANNON. - - -The resolutions passed at the last meeting produced a great effect -out of doors. Timid people took fright at the idea of a shot weighing -20,000 lbs. being launched into space; they asked what cannon could ever -transmit a sufficient velocity to such a mighty mass. The minutes of the -second meeting were destined triumphantly to answer such questions. The -following evening the discussion was renewed. - -"My dear colleagues," said Barbicane, without further preamble, "the -subject now before us is the construction of the engine, its length, its -composition, and its weight. It is probable that we shall end by giving -it gigantic dimensions; but however great may be the difficulties in the -way, our mechanical genius will readily surmount them. Be good enough, -then, to give me your attention, and do not hesitate to make objections -at the close. I have no fear of them. The problem before us is how to -communicate an initial force of 12,000 yards per second to a shell of 108 -inches in diameter, weighing 20,000 lbs. Now when a projectile is launched -into space, what happens to it? It is acted upon by three independent -forces, the resistance of the air, the attraction of the earth, and the -force of impulsion with which it is endowed. Let us examine these three -forces. The resistance of the air is of little importance. The atmosphere -of the earth does not exceed forty miles. Now, with the given rapidity, -the projectile will have traversed this in five seconds, and the period -is too brief for the resistance of the medium to be regarded otherwise -than as insignificant. Proceeding, then, to the attraction of the earth, -that is, the weight of the shell, we know that this weight will diminish -in the inverse ratio of the square of the distance. When a body left to -itself falls to the surface of the earth, it falls five feet in the first -second; and if the same body were removed 257,542 miles farther off, in -other words, to the distance of the moon, its fall would be reduced to -about half a line in the first second. That is almost equivalent to a -state of perfect rest. Our business, then, is to overcome progressively -this action of gravitation. The mode of accomplishing that is by the -force of impulsion." - -"There's the difficulty," broke in the major. - -"True," replied the president; "but we will overcome that, for this force -of impulsion will depend upon the length of the engine and the powder -employed, the latter being limited only by the resisting power of the -former. Our business, then, to-day is with the dimensions of the cannon." - -"Now, up to the present time," said Barbicane, "our longest guns have -not exceeded twenty-five feet in length. We shall therefore astonish the -world by the dimensions we shall be obliged to adopt. It must evidently -be, then, a gun of great range, since the length of the piece will -increase the detention of the gas accumulated behind the projectile; but -there is no advantage in passing certain limits." - -"Quite so," said the major. "What is the rule in such a case?" - -"Ordinarily the length of a gun is 20 to 25 times the diameter of the -shot, and its weight 235 to 240 times that of the shot." - -"That is not enough," cried J. T. Maston impetuously. - -"I agree with you, my good friend; and, in fact, following this proportion -for a projectile nine feet in diameter, weighing 30,000 lbs., the gun -would only have a length of 225 feet, and a weight of 7,200,000 lbs." - -"Ridiculous!" rejoined Maston. "As well take a pistol." - -"I think so too," replied Barbicane; "that is why I propose to quadruple -that length, and to construct a gun of 900 feet." - -The general and the major offered some objections; nevertheless, the -proposition, actively supported by the secretary, was definitively -adopted. - -"But," said Elphinstone, "what thickness must we give it?" - -"A thickness of six feet," replied Barbicane. - -"You surely don't think of mounting a mass like that upon a carriage?" -asked the major. - -"It would be a superb idea, though," said Maston. - -"But impracticable," replied Barbicane. "No; I think of sinking this -engine in the earth alone, binding it with hoops of wrought iron, and -finally surrounding it with a thick mass of masonry of stone and cement. -The piece once cast, it must be bored with great precision, so as to -preclude any possible windage. So there will be no loss whatever of -gas, and all the expansive force of the powder will be employed in the -propulsion." - -"One simple question," said Elphinstone: "is our gun to be rifled?" - -"No, certainly not," replied Barbicane; "we require an enormous initial -velocity; and you are well aware that a shot quits a rifled gun less -rapidly than it does a smooth-bore." - -"True," rejoined the major. - -The Committee here adjourned for a few minutes to tea and sandwiches. - -On the discussion being renewed, "Gentlemen," said Barbicane, "we must -now take into consideration the metal to be employed. Our cannon must -be possessed of great tenacity, great hardness, be infusible by heat, -indissoluble, and inoxydable by the corrosive action of acids." - -"There is no doubt about that," replied the major; "and as we shall have -to employ an immense quantity of metal, we shall not be at a loss for -choice." - - -Illustration: IDEAL SKETCH OF J. T. MASTON'S GUN. - - -"Well, then," said Morgan, "I propose the best alloy hitherto known, -which consists of 100 parts of copper, 12 of tin, and 6 of brass." - -"I admit," replied the president, "that this composition has yielded -excellent results, but in the present case it would be too expensive, and -very difficult to work. I think, then, that we ought to adopt a material -excellent in its way and of low price, such as cast iron. What is your -advice, major?" - -"I quite agree with you," replied Elphinstone. - -"In fact," continued Barbicane, "cast iron cost ten times less than -bronze; it is easy to cast, it runs readily from the moulds of sand, -it is easy of manipulation, it is at once economical of money and of -time. In addition, it is excellent as a material, and I well remember -that during the war, at the siege of Atlanta, some iron guns fired one -thousand rounds at intervals of twenty minutes without injury." - -"Cast iron is very brittle, though," replied Morgan. - -"Yes, but it possesses great resistance. I will now ask our worthy -secretary to calculate the weight of a cast-iron gun with a bore of nine -feet and a thickness of six feet of metal." - -"In a moment," replied Maston. Then, dashing off some algebraical formulae -with marvellous facility, in a minute or two he declared the following -result:-- - -"The cannon will weigh 68,040 tons. And, at two cents a pound, it will -cost--?" - -"2,510,701 dollars." - -Maston, the major, and the general regarded Barbicane with uneasy looks. - -"Well, gentlemen," replied the president, "I repeat what I said yesterday. -Make yourselves easy; the millions will not be wanting." - -With this assurance of their president the Committee separated, after -having fixed their third meeting for the following evening. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - THE QUESTION OF THE POWDERS. - - -There remained for consideration merely the question of powders. -The public awaited with interest its final decision. The size of the -projectile, the length of the cannon being settled, what would be the -quantity of powder necessary to produce impulsion? - -It is generally asserted that gunpowder was invented in the fourteenth -century by the monk Schwartz, who paid for his grand discovery with his -life. It is, however, pretty well proved that this story ought to be -ranked amongst the legends of the middle ages. Gunpowder was not invented -by any one; it was the lineal successor of the Greek fire, which, like -itself, was composed of sulphur and saltpetre. Few persons are acquainted -with the mechanical power of gunpowder. Now this is precisely what is -necessary to be understood in order to comprehend the importance of the -question submitted to the committee. - -A litre of gunpowder weighs about 2 lbs.; during combustion it produces -400 litres of gas. This gas, on being liberated and acted upon by a -temperature raised to 2400 degrees, occupies a space of 4000 litres: -consequently the volume of powder is to the volume of gas produced by -its combustion as 1 to 4000. One may judge, therefore, of the tremendous -pressure of this gas when compressed within a space 4000 times too -confined. All this was, of course, well known to the members of the -committee when they met on the following evening. - -The first speaker on this occasion was Major Elphinstone, who had been -the director of the gunpowder factories during the war. - - -Illustration: THE INVENTION OF GUNPOWDER BY THE MONK SCHWARTZ. - - -"Gentlemen," said this distinguished chemist, "I begin with some figures -which will serve as the basis of our calculation. The old 24-pounder shot -required for its discharge 16 lbs. of powder." - -"You are certain of the amount?" broke in Barbicane. - -"Quite certain," replied the major. "The Armstrong cannon employs only -75 lbs. of powder for a projectile of 800 lbs., and the Rodman Columbiad -uses only 160 lbs. of powder to send its half-ton shot a distance of six -miles. These facts cannot be called in question, for I myself raised the -point during the depositions taken before the Committee of Artillery." - -"Quite true," said the general. - -"Well," replied the major, "these figures go to prove that the quantity -of powder is not increased with the weight of the shot; that is to say, -if a 24-pounder shot requires 16 lbs. of powder;--in other words, if in -ordinary guns we employ a quantity of powder equal to two-thirds of the -weight of the projectile, this proportion is not constant. Calculate, -and you will see that in place of 333 lbs. of powder, the quantity is -reduced to no more than 160 lbs." - -"What are you aiming at?" asked the president. - -"If you push your theory to extremes, my dear major," said J. T. Maston, -"you will get to this, that as soon as your shot becomes sufficiently -heavy you will not require any powder at all." - -"Our friend Maston is always at his jokes, even in serious matters," -cried the major; "but let him make his mind easy, I am going presently -to propose gunpowder enough to satisfy his artillerist's propensities. -I only keep to statistical facts when I say that during the war, and for -the very largest guns, the weight of powder was reduced, as the result -of experience, to a tenth part of the weight of the shot." - -"Perfectly correct," said Morgan; "but before deciding the quantity of -powder necessary to give the impulse, I think it would be as well--" - -"We shall have to employ a large-grained powder," continued the major, -"its combustion is more rapid than that of the small." - -"No doubt about that," replied Morgan, "but it is very destructive, and -ends by enlarging the bore of the pieces." - -"Granted; but that which is injurious to a gun destined to perform long -service is not so to our Columbiad. We shall run no danger of an explosion; -and it is necessary that our powder should take fire instantaneously in -order that its mechanical effect may be complete." - -"We must have," said Maston, "several touch-holes, so as to fire it at -different points at the same time." - -"Certainly," replied Elphinstone; "but that will render the working of -the piece more difficult. I return then to my large-grained powder, which -removes those difficulties. In his Columbiad charges Rodman employed a -powder as large as chestnuts, made of willow charcoal, simply dried in -cast-iron pans. This powder was hard and glittering, left no trace upon -the hand, contained hydrogen and oxygen in large proportion, took fire -instantaneously, and, though very destructive, did not sensibly injure -the mouth-piece." - -Up to this point Barbicane had kept aloof from the discussion; he left -the others to speak while he himself listened; he had evidently got an -idea. He now simply said, "Well, my friends, what quantity of powder do -you propose?" - -The three members look at one another. - -"Two hundred thousand pounds," at last said Morgan. - -"Five hundred thousand," added the major. - -"Eight hundred thousand," screamed Maston. - -A moment of silence followed this triple proposal; it was at last broken -by the president. - -"Gentlemen," he quietly said, "I start from this principle, that the -resistance of a gun, constructed under the given conditions, is unlimited. -I shall surprise our friend Maston, then, by stigmatizing his calculations -as timid; and I propose to double his 800,000 lbs. of powder." - -"Sixteen hundred thousand pounds?" shouted Maston, leaping from his seat. - -"Just so." - -"We shall have to come then to my ideal of a cannon half a mile long; for -you see 1,600,000 lbs. will occupy a space of about 20,000 cubic feet; -and since the contents of your cannon do not exceed 54,000 cubic feet, -it would be half full; and the bore will not be more than long enough -for the gas to communicate to the projectile sufficient impulse." - -"Nevertheless," said the president, "I hold to that quantity of powder. -Now, 1,600,000 lbs. of powder will create 6,000,000,000 of litres of gas. -Six thousand millions! You quite understand?" - -"What is to be done then?" said the general. - -"The thing is very simple; we must reduce this enormous quantity of -powder, while preserving to it its mechanical power." - -"Good; but by what means?" - -"I am going to tell you," replied Barbicane quietly. "Nothing is more -easy than to reduce this mass to one quarter of its bulk. You know that -curious cellular matter which constitutes the elementary tissues of -vegetables? This substance is found quite pure in many bodies, especially -in cotton, which is nothing more than the down of the seeds of the cotton -plant. Now cotton, combined with cold nitric acid, becomes transformed -into a substance eminently insoluble, combustible, and explosive. It was -first discovered in 1832, by Braconnot, a French chemist, who called it -xyloidine. In 1838 another Frenchman, Pelouze, investigated its different -properties, and finally, in 1846, Schonbein, Professor of Chemistry at -Bale, proposed its employment for purposes of war. This powder, now -called pyroxyle, or fulminating cotton, is prepared with great facility -by simply plunging cotton for fifteen minutes in nitric acid, then -washing it in water, then drying it, and it is ready for use." - -"Nothing could be more simple," said Morgan. - -"Moreover, pyroxyle is unaltered by moisture--a valuable property to us, -inasmuch as it would take several days to charge the cannon. It ignites -at 170 degrees in place of 240, and its combustion is so rapid that one -may set light to it on the top of ordinary powder, without the latter -having time to ignite." - -"Perfect!" exclaimed the major. - -"Only it is more expensive." - -"What matter?" cried J. T. Maston. - -"Finally, it imparts to projectiles a velocity four times superior to -that of gunpowder. I will even add, that if we mix with it one-eighth -of its own weight of nitrate of potass, its expansive force is again -considerably augmented." - -"Will that be necessary?" asked the major. - -"I think not," replied Barbicane. "So, then, in place of 1,600,000 lbs. -of powder, we shall have but 400,000 lbs. of fulminating cotton; and -since we can, without danger, compress 500 lbs. of cotton into 27 cubic -feet, the whole quantity will not occupy a height of more than 180 feet -within the bore of the Columbiad. In this way the shot will have more -than 700 feet of bore to traverse under a force of 6,000,000,000 litres -of gas before taking its flight towards the moon." - -At this junction J. T. Maston could not repress his emotion; he flung -himself into the arms of his friend with the violence of a projectile, -and Barbicane would have been stove in if he had not been bomb-proof. - -This incident terminated the third meeting of the Committee. - -Barbicane and his bold colleagues, to whom nothing seemed impossible, -had succeeded in solving the complex problems of projectile, cannon, -and powder. Their plan was drawn up, and it only remained to put it in -execution. - -"A mere matter of detail, a bagatelle," said J. T. Maston. - - -Illustration: CAPTAIN NICHOLL - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - ONE ENEMY _v._ TWENTY-FIVE MILLIONS OF FRIENDS. - - -The American public took a lively interest in the smallest details of -the enterprise of the Gun Club. It followed day by day the discussions of -the committee. The most simple preparation for the great experiment, the -questions of figures which it involved, the mechanical difficulties to -be resolved--in one word, the entire plan of work--roused the popular -excitement to the highest pitch. - -The purely scientific attraction was suddenly intensified by the following -incident:-- - -We have seen what legions of admirers and friends Barbicane's project -had rallied round its author. There was, however, one single individual -alone in all the States of the Union who protested against the attempt -of the Gun Club. He attacked it furiously on every opportunity, and human -nature is such that Barbicane felt more keenly the opposition of that one -man than he did the applause of all the others. He was well aware of the -motive of this antipathy, the origin of this solitary enmity, the cause -of its personality and old standing, and in what rivalry of self-love it -had its rise. - -This persevering enemy the President of the Gun Club had never seen. -Fortunate that it was so, for a meeting between the two men would -certainly have been attended with serious consequences. This rival was a -man of science, like Barbicane himself, of a fiery, daring, and violent -disposition; a pure Yankee. His name was Captain Nicholl; he lived at -Philadelphia. - -Most people are aware of the curious struggle which arose during the -Federal war between the guns and the armour of iron-plated ships. The -result was the entire reconstruction of the navy of both the continents; -as the one grew heavier, the other became thicker in proportion. The -"Merrimac," the "Monitor," the "Tennessee," the "Weehawken" discharged -enormous projectiles themselves, after having been armour-clad against -the projectiles of others. In fact they did to others that which they -would not they should do to them--that grand principle of immorality -upon which rests the whole art of war. - -Now if Barbicane was a great founder of shot, Nicholl was a great forger -of plates; the one cast night and day at Baltimore, the other forged day -and night at Philadelphia. As soon as ever Barbicane invented a new shot, -Nicholl invented a new plate, each followed a current of ideas essentially -opposed to the other. Happily for these citizens, so useful to their -country, a distance of from fifty to sixty miles separated them from one -another, and they had never yet met. Which of these two inventors had -the advantage over the other it was difficult to decide from the results -obtained. By last accounts, however, it would seem that the armour-plate -would in the end have to give way to the shot; nevertheless, there were -competent judges who had their doubts on the point. - -At the last experiment the cylindro-conical projectiles of Barbicane stuck -like so many pins in the Nicholl plates. On that day the Philadelphia -iron-forger then believed himself victorious, and could not evince -contempt enough for his rival; but when the other afterwards substituted -for conical shot simple 600 lb. shells, at very moderate velocity, the -captain was obliged to give in. In fact, these projectiles knocked his -best metal plate to shivers. - -Matters were at this stage, and victory seemed to rest with the shot, -when the war came to an end on the very day when Nicholl had completed -a new armour-plate of wrought steel. It was a masterpiece of its kind, -and bid defiance to all the projectiles in the world. The captain had it -conveyed to the Polygon at Washington, challenging the President of the -Gun Club to break it. Barbicane, peace having been declared, declined to -try the experiment. - - -Illustration: NICHOLL PUBLISHED A NUMBER OF LETTERS IN THE - NEWSPAPERS. - - -Nicholl, now furious, offered to expose his plate to the shock of any -shot, solid, hollow, round, or conical. Refused by the president, who -did not choose to compromise his last success. - -Nicholl, disgusted by this obstinacy, tried to tempt Barbicane by offering -him every chance. He proposed to fix the plate within two hundred yards -of the gun. Barbicane still obstinate in refusal. A hundred yards? Not -even _seventy-five!_ - -"At fifty then!" roared the captain through the newspapers. "At twenty-five -yards!! and I'll stand behind!!!" - -Barbicane returned for answer that, even if Captain Nicholl would be so -good as to stand in front, he would not fire any more. - -Nicholl could not contain himself at this reply; threw out hints of -cowardice; that a man who refused to fire a cannon-shot was pretty near -being afraid of it; that artillerists who fight at six miles' distance -are substituting mathematical formulas for individual courage. - -To these insinuations Barbicane returned no answer; perhaps he never -heard of them, so absorbed was he in the calculations for his great -enterprise. - -When his famous communication was made to the Gun Club, the captain's -wrath passed all bounds; with his intense jealousy was mingled a feeling -of absolute impotence. How was he to invent anything to beat this 900-feet -Columbiad? What armour-plate could ever resist a projectile of 30,000 -lbs. weight? Overwhelmed at first under this violent shock, he by and by -recovered himself, and resolved to crush the proposal by the weight of -his arguments. - -He then violently attacked the labours of the Gun Club, published a -number of letters in the newspapers, endeavoured to prove Barbicane -ignorant of the first principles of gunnery. He maintained that it was -absolutely impossible to impress upon any body whatever a velocity of -12,000 yards per second; that even with such a velocity a projectile of -such a weight could not transcend the limits of the earth's atmosphere. -Further still, even regarding the velocity to be acquired, and granting -it to be sufficient, the shell could not resist the pressure of the gas -developed by the ignition of 1,600,000 lbs. of powder; and supposing -it to resist that pressure, it would be the less able to support that -temperature; it would melt on quitting the Columbiad, and fall back in -a red-hot shower upon the heads of the imprudent spectators. - -Barbicane continued his work without regarding these attacks. - -Nicholl then took up the question in its other aspects. Without touching -upon its uselessness in all points of view, he regarded the experiment -as fraught with extreme danger, both to the citizens, who might sanction -by their presence so reprehensible a spectacle, and also to the towns -in the neighbourhood of this deplorable cannon. He also observed that -if the projectile did not succeed in reaching its destination (a result -absolutely impossible), it must inevitably fall back upon the earth, -and that the shock of such a mass, multiplied by the square of its -velocity, would seriously endanger every point of the globe. Under the -circumstances, therefore, and without interfering with the rights of free -citizens, it was a case for the intervention of Government, which ought -not to endanger the safety of all for the pleasure of one individual. - -Spite of all his arguments, however, Captain Nicholl remained alone in -his opinion. Nobody listened to him, and he did not succeed in alienating -a single admirer from the President of the Gun Club. The latter did not -even take the pains to refute the arguments of his rival. - -Nicholl, driven into his last entrenchments, and not able to fight -personally in the cause, resolved to fight with money. He published, -therefore, in the _Richmond Inquirer_ a series of wagers, conceived in -these terms, and on an increasing scale:-- - -No. 1 (1000 dols.).--That the necessary funds for the experiment of the -Gun Club will not be forthcoming. - -No. 2 (2000 dols.).--That the operation of casting a cannon of 900 feet -is impracticable, and cannot possibly succeed. - -No. 3 (3000 dols.).--That it is impossible to load the Columbiad, and -that the pyroxyle will take fire spontaneously under the pressure of the -projectile. - -No. 4 (4000 dols.).--That the Columbiad will burst at the first fire. - -No. 5 (5000 dols.).--That the shot will not travel farther than six -miles, and that it will fall back again a few seconds after its discharge. - -It was an important sum, therefore, which the captain risked in his -invincible obstinacy. He had no less than 15,000 dollars at stake. - -Notwithstanding the importance of the challenge, on the 19th of May -he received a sealed packet containing the following superbly laconic -reply:-- - - - "Baltimore, _Oct._ 19. - - "Done. - - "Barbicane." - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - FLORIDA AND TEXAS. - - -One question yet remained to be decided: it was necessary to choose -a favourable spot for the experiment. According to the advice of the -Observatory of Cambridge, the gun must be fired perpendicularly to the -plane of the horizon, that is to say, towards the zenith. Now the moon -does not traverse the zenith, except in places situated between 0 deg. -and 28 deg. of latitude. It became, then, necessary to determine exactly -that spot on the globe where the immense Columbiad should be cast. - -On the 20th of October, at a general meeting of the Gun Club, Barbicane -produced a magnificent map of the United States. "Gentlemen," said he, -in opening the discussion, "I presume that we are all agreed that this -experiment cannot and ought not to be tried anywhere but within the -limits of the soil of the Union. Now, by good fortune, certain frontiers -of the United States extend downwards as far as the 28th parallel of the -north latitude. If you will cast your eye over this map, you will see -that we have at our disposal the whole of the southern portion of Texas -and Florida." - -It was finally agreed, then, that the Columbiad must be cast on the soil -of either Texas or Florida. The result, however, of this decision was to -create a rivalry entirely without precedent between the different towns -of these two states. - -The 28th parallel, on reaching the American coast, traverses the peninsula -of Florida, dividing it into two nearly equal portions. Then, plunging -into the Gulf of Mexico, it subtends the arc formed by the coast of -Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana; then skirting Texas, off which it -cuts an angle, it continues its course over Mexico, crosses the Sonora, -Old California, and loses itself in the Pacific Ocean. It was, therefore, -only those portions of Texas and Florida which were situated below this -parallel which came within the prescribed conditions of latitude. - -Florida, in its southern part, reckons no cities of importance; it is -simply studded with forts raised against the roving Indians. One solitary -town, Tampa Town, was able to put in a claim in favour of its situation. - -In Texas, on the contrary, the towns are much more numerous and important. -Corpus Christi, in the county of Nuaces, and all the cities situated on -the Rio Bravo, Laredo, Comalites, San Ignacio on the Web, Rio Grande City -on the Starr, Edinburgh in the Hidalgo, Santa Rita, Elpanda, Brownsville -in the Cameron, formed an imposing league against the pretensions of -Florida. So, scarcely was the decision known, when the Texan and Floridan -deputies arrived at Baltimore in an incredibly short space of time. From -that very moment President Barbicane and the influential members of the -Gun Club were besieged day and night by formidable claims. If seven cities -of Greece contended for the honour of having given birth to Homer, here -were two entire states threatening to come to blows about the question -of a cannon. - -The rival parties promenaded the streets with arms in their hands; and at -every occasion of their meeting a collision was to be apprehended which -might have been attended with disastrous results. Happily the prudence -and address of President Barbicane averted the danger. These personal -demonstrations found a division in the newspapers of the different -states. The _New York Herald_ and the _Tribune_ supported Texas, while -the _Times_ and the _American Review_ espoused the cause of the Floridan -Deputies. The members of the Gun Club could not decide to which to give -the preference. - -Texas produced its array of twenty-six counties; Florida replied that -twelve counties were better than twenty-six in a country only one-sixth -part of the size. - -Texas plumed itself upon its 330,000 natives; Florida with a far smaller -territory, boasted of being much more densely populated with 56,000. - -The Texians, through the columns of the _Herald_, claimed that some regard -should be had to a state which grew the best cotton in all America, -produced the best green oak for the service of the navy, and contained -the finest oil, besides iron mines, in which the yield was fifty per -cent. of pure metal. - -To this the _American Review_ replied that the soil of Florida, although -not equally rich, afforded the best conditions for the moulding and -casting of the Columbiad, consisting as it did of sand and argillaceous -earth. - -"That may be all very well," replied the Texians; "but you must first -get to this country. Now the communications with Florida are difficult, -while the coast of Texas offers the bay of Galveston, which possesses -a circumference of fourteen leagues, and is capable of containing the -navies of the entire world!" - -"A pretty notion truly," replied the papers in the interest of Florida, -"that of Galveston Bay _below the 29th parallel!_ Have _we_ not got the -bay of Espiritu Santo, opening precisely upon _the_ 28_th degree_, and -by which ships can reach Tampa Town by direct route?" - -"A fine bay! half choked with sand!" "Choked yourselves!" returned the -others. - -Thus the war went on for several days, when Florida endeavoured to draw -her adversary away on to fresh ground; and one morning the _Times_ hinted -that, the enterprise being essentially American, it ought not to be -attempted upon other than purely American territory. - -To these words Texas retorted, "American! are we not as much so as you? -Were not Texas and Florida both incorporated into the Union in 1845?" - - -Illustration: IT BECAME NECESSARY TO KEEP AN EYE UPON THE DEPUTIES. - - -"Undoubtedly," replied the _Times_; "but we have belonged to the Americans -ever since 1820." - -"Yes!" returned the _Tribune_; "after having been Spaniards or English -for 200 years, you were sold to the United States for five million -dollars!" - -"Well! and why need we blush for that? Was not Louisiana bought from -Napoleon in 1803 at the price of sixteen million dollars?" - -"Scandalous!" roared the Texan deputies. "A wretched little strip of -country like Florida to dare to compare itself to Texas, who, in place -of selling herself, asserted her own independence, drove out the Mexicans -in March 2, 1836, and declared herself a federal republic after the -victory gained by Samuel Houston, on the banks of the San Jacinto, over -the troops of Santa Anna!--a country, in fine, which voluntarily annexed -itself to the United States of America!" - -"Yes; because it was afraid of the Mexicans!" replied Florida. - -"Afraid!" From this moment the state of things became intolerable. A -sanguinary encounter seemed daily imminent between the two parties in -the streets of Baltimore. It became necessary to keep an eye upon the -deputies. - -President Barbicane knew not which way to look. Notes, documents, -letters full of menaces showered down upon his house. Which side ought -he to take? As regarded the appropriation of the soil, the facility of -communication, the rapidity of transport, the claims of both states were -evenly balanced. As for political prepossessions, they had nothing to do -with the question. - -This dead block had existed for some little time, when Barbicane resolved -to get rid of it at once. He called a meeting of his colleagues, and -laid before them a proposition which, it will be seen, was profoundly -sagacious. - -"On carefully considering," he said, "what is going on now between Florida -and Texas, it is clear that the same difficulties will recur with all -the towns of the favoured state. The rivalry will descend from state to -city, and so on downwards. Now Texas possesses _eleven_ towns within the -prescribed conditions, which will further dispute the honour and create -us new enemies, while Florida has only _one._ I go in, therefore, for -Florida and Tampa Town." - -This decision, on being made known, utterly crushed the Texan deputies. -Seized with an indescribable fury, they addressed threatening letters to -the different members of the Gun Club by name. The magistrates had but -one course to take, and they took it. They chartered a special train, -forced the Texians into it whether they would or no; and they quitted -the city with a speed of thirty miles an hour. - -Quickly, however, as they were despatched, they found time to hurl one -last and bitter sarcasm at their adversaries. - -Alluding to the extent of Florida, a mere peninsula confined between -two seas, they pretended that it could never sustain the shock of the -discharge, and that it would "bust up" at the very first shot. - -"Very well, let it bust up!" replied the Floridans, with a brevity worthy -of the days of ancient Sparta. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - URBI ET ORBI. - - -The astronomical, mechanical, and topographical difficulties resolved, -finally came the question of finance. The sum required was far too great -for any individual, or even any single state, to provide the requisite -millions. - -President Barbicane undertook, despite of the matter being a purely -American affair, to render it one of universal interest, and to request -the financial co-operation of all peoples. It was, he maintained, the -right and the duty of the whole earth to interfere in the affairs of its -satellite. The subscription opened at Baltimore extended properly to the -whole world--_Urbi et orbi._ - -This subscription was successful beyond all expectation; notwithstanding -that it was a question not of _lending_ but of _giving_ the money. It -was a purely disinterested operation in the strictest sense of the term, -and offered not the slightest chance of profit. - -The effect, however, of Barbicane's communication was not confined to -the frontiers of the United States; it crossed the Atlantic and Pacific, -invading simultaneously Asia and Europe, Africa and Oceania. The -observatories of the Union placed themselves in immediate communication -with those of foreign countries. Some, such as those of Paris, Petersburg, -Berlin, Stockholm, Hamburg, Malta, Lisbon, Benares, Madras, and others, -transmitted their good wishes; the rest maintained a prudent silence, -quietly awaiting the result. As for the observatory at Greenwich, seconded -as it was by the twenty-two astronomical establishments of Great Britain, -it spoke plainly enough. It boldly denied the possibility of success, -and pronounced in favour of the theories of Captain Nicholl. But this -was nothing more than mere English jealousy. - -On the 8th of October President Barbicane published a manifesto full of -enthusiasm, in which he made an appeal to "all persons of good will upon -the face of the earth." This document, translated into all languages, -met with immense success. - -Subscription lists were opened in all the principal cities of the Union, -with a central office at the Baltimore Bank, 9, Baltimore Street. - -In addition, subscriptions were received at the following banks in the -different states of the two continents:-- - -At Vienna, with S. M. de Rothschild. -" Petersburg, Stieglitz and Co. -" Paris, The Credit Mobilier. -" Stockholm, Tottie and Arfuredson. -" London, N. M. Rothschild and Son. -" Turin, Ardouin and Co. -" Berlin, Mendelssohn. -" Geneva, Lombard, Odier, and Co. -" Constantinople, The Ottoman Bank. -" Brussels, J. Lambert. -" Madrid, Daniel Weisweller. -" Amsterdam, Netherlands Credit Co. -" Rome, Torlonia and Co. -" Lisbon, Lecesne. -" Copenhagen, Private Bank. -" Rio Janeiro, do. -" Monte Video, do. -" Valparaiso and Lima, Thomas la Chambre and Co. " Mexico, Martin -Daran and Co. - -Three days after the manifesto of President Barbicane 4,000,000 of dollars -were paid into the different towns of the Union. With such a balance -the Gun Club might begin operations at once. But some days later advices -were received to the effect that the foreign subscriptions were being -eagerly taken up. Certain countries distinguished themselves by their -liberality; others untied their purse-strings with less facility--matter -of temperament. Figures are, however, more eloquent than words, and here -is the official statement of the sums which were paid in to the credit -of the Gun Club at the close of the subscription. - - -Illustration: THE SUBSCRIPTION WAS OPENED. - - -Russia paid in as her contingent the enormous sum of 368,733 roubles. -No one need be surprised at this, who bears in mind the scientific taste -of the Russians, and the impetus which they have given to astronomical -studies--thanks to their numerous observatories. - -France began by deriding the pretensions of the Americans. The moon -served as a pretext for a thousand stale puns and a score of ballads, -in which bad taste contested the palm with ignorance. But as formerly -the French paid before singing, so now they paid after having had their -laugh, and they subscribed for a sum of 1,253,930 francs. At that price -they had a right to enjoy themselves a little. - -Austria showed herself generous in the midst of her financial crisis. Her -public contributions amounted to the sum of 216,000 florins--a perfect -godsend. - -52,000 rix-dollars were the remittance of Sweden and Norway; the amount -is large for the country, but it would undoubtedly have been considerably -increased had the subscription been opened in Christiania simultaneously -with that at Stockholm. For some reason or other the Norwegians do not -like to send their money to Sweden. - -Prussia, by a remittance of 250,000 thalers, testified her high approval -of the enterprise. - -Turkey behaved generously; but she had a personal interest in the matter. -The moon, in fact, regulates the cycle of her years and her fast of -Ramadan. She could not do less than give 1,372,640 piastres; and she gave -them with an eagerness which denoted, however, some pressure on the part -of the Government. - -Belgium distinguished herself among the second-rate states by a grant of -513,000 francs--about two centimes per head of her population. - -Holland and her colonies interested themselves to the extent of 110,000 -florins, only demanding an allowance of five per cent, discount for -paying ready money. - -Denmark, a little contracted in territory, gave nevertheless 9000 ducats, -proving her love for scientific experiments. - -The Germanic Confederation pledged itself to 34,285 florins. It was -impossible to ask for more; besides, they would not have given it. - -Though very much crippled, Italy found 200,000 lire in the pockets of -her people. If she had had Venetia she would have done better; but she -had not. - -The States of the Church thought that they could not send less than -7040 Roman crowns; and Portugal carried her devotion to science as far -as 30,000 cruzados. It was the widow's mite--eighty-six piastres; but -self-constituted empires are always rather short of money. - -257 francs, this was the modest contribution of Switzerland to the -American work. One must freely admit that she did not see the practical -side of the matter. It did not seem to her that the mere despatch of a -shot to the moon could possibly establish any relation of affairs with -her; and it did not seem prudent to her to embark her capital in so -hazardous an enterprise. After all, perhaps she was right. - -As to Spain, she could not scrape together more than 110 reals. She -gave as an excuse that she had her railways to finish. The truth is, -that science is not favourably regarded in that country, it is still -in a backward state; and moreover, certain Spaniards, not by any means -the least educated, did not form a correct estimate of the bulk of the -projectile compared with that of the moon. They feared that it would -disturb the established order of things. In that case it were better to -keep aloof; which they did to the tune of some reals. - - -Illustration: THE MANUFACTORY AT COLDSPRING, NEAR NEW YORK. - - -There remained but England; and we know the contemptuous antipathy with -which she received Barbicane's proposition. The English have but one -soul for the whole twenty-six millions of inhabitants which Great Britain -contains. They hinted that the enterprise of the Gun Club was contrary to -the "principle of non-intervention." And they did not subscribe a single -farthing. - -At this intimation the Gun Club merely shrugged its shoulders and -returned to its great work. When South America, that is to say, Peru, -Chili, Brazil, the provinces of La Plata and Columbia, had poured forth -their quota into their hands, the sum of 300,000 dollars, it found itself -in possession of a considerable capital, of which the following is a -statement:-- - -United States subscriptions . . 4,000,000 dollars. -Foreign subscriptions . . . . 1,446,675 " - - ------------------ -Total, 5,446,675 " - - -Such was the sum which the public poured into the treasury of the Gun -Club. - -Let no one be surprised at the vastness of the amount. The work of -casting, boring, masonry, the transport of workmen, their establishment -in an almost uninhabited country, the construction of furnaces and -workshops, the plant, the powder, the projectile, and incidental expenses, -would, according to the estimates, absorb nearly the whole. Certain -cannon shots in the Federal war cost 1000 dollars a-piece. This one of -President Barbicane, unique in the annals of gunnery, might well cost -five thousand times more. - -On the 20th of October a contract was entered into with the manufactory -at Coldspring, near New York, which during the war had furnished the -largest Parrott cast-iron guns. It was stipulated between the contracting -parties that the manufactory of Coldspring should engage to transport -to Tampa Town, in southern Florida, the necessary materials for casting -the Columbiad. The work was bound to be completed at latest by the 15th -of October following, and the cannon delivered in good condition under -penalty of a forfeit of 100 dollars a day to the moment when the moon -should again present herself under the same conditions--that is to say, -in eighteen years and eleven days. - -The engagement of the workmen, their pay, and all the necessary details -of the work, devolved upon the Goldspring Company. - -This contract, executed in duplicate, was signed by Barbicane, President -of the Gun Club, of the one part, and T. Murphison, director of the -Coldspring manufactory, of the other, who thus executed the deed on -behalf of their respective principals. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - STONES HILL. - - -When the decision was arrived at by the Gun Club, to the disparagement of -Texas, every one in America, where reading is an universal acquirement, -set to work to study the geography of Florida. Never before had there -been such a sale for works like _Bertram's Travels in Florida, Roman's -Natural History of East and West Florida, William's Territory of Florida,_ -and _Cleland on the Cultivation of the Sugar-Cane in Florida._ It became -necessary to issue fresh editions of these works. - -Barbicane had something better to do than to read. He desired to see -things with his own eyes, and to mark the exact position of the proposed -gun. So, without a moment's loss of time, he placed at the disposal of -the Cambridge Observatory the funds necessary for the construction of a -telescope, and entered into negotiations with the house of Breadwill and -Co., of Albany, for the construction of an aluminium projectile of the -required size. He then quitted Baltimore, accompanied by J. T. Maston, -Major Elphinstone, and the manager of the Coldspring Factory. - -On the following day, the four fellow-travellers arrived at New Orleans. -There they immediately embarked on board the "Tampico," a despatch-boat -belonging to the Federal navy, which the Government had placed at their -disposal; and, getting up steam, the banks of the Louisiana speedily -disappeared from sight. - -The passage was not long. Two days after starting, the "Tampico," -having made four hundred and eighty miles, came in sight of the coast of -Florida. On a nearer approach Barbicane found himself in view of a low, -flat country of somewhat barren aspect. After coasting along a series of -creeks abounding in lobsters and oysters, the "Tampico" entered the bay -of Espiritu Santo, where she finally anchored in a small natural harbour, -formed by the _embouchure_ of the River Hillisborough, at seven p.m., on -the 22d October. - -Our four passengers disembarked at once. "Gentlemen," said Barbicane, -"we have no time to lose; tomorrow we must obtain horses, and proceed to -reconnoitre the country." - -Barbicane had scarcely set his foot on shore when three thousand of the -inhabitants of Tampa Town came forth to meet him, an honour due to the -president who had signalized their country by his choice. - -Declining, however, every kind of ovation, Barbicane ensconced himself -in a room of the Franklin Hotel. - -On the morrow some of those small horses of the Spanish breed, full of -vigour and of fire, stood snorting under his windows; but instead of -_four_ steeds, here were _fifty,_ together with their riders. Barbicane -descended with his three fellow-travellers; and much astonished were they -all to find themselves in the midst of such a cavalcade. He remarked that -every horseman carried a carbine slung across his shoulders and pistols -in his holsters. - -On expressing his surprise at these preparations, he was speedily -enlightened by a young Floridan, who quietly said,-- - -"Sir, there are Seminoles there." - -"What do you mean by Seminoles?" - -"Savages who scour the prairies. We thought it best, therefore, to escort -you on your road." - -"Pooh!" cried J. T. Maston, mounting his steed. - -"All right," said the Floridan; "but it is true enough, nevertheless." - -"Gentlemen," answered Barbicane, "I thank you for your kind attention; -but it is time to be off." - - -Illustration: TAMPA TOWN PREVIOUS TO THE UNDERTAKING. - - -It was five a.m. when Barbicane and his party, quitting Tampa Town, -made their way along the coast in the direction of Alifia Creek. This -little river falls into Hillisborough Bay twelve miles above Tampa Town. -Barbicane and his escort coasted along its right bank to the eastward. -Soon the waves of the bay disappeared behind a bend of rising ground, -and the Floridan "champagne" alone offered itself to view. - -Florida, discovered on Palm Sunday, in 1512, by Juan Ponce de Leon, was -originally named _Pascha Florida_. It little deserved that designation -with its dry and parched coasts. But after some few miles of tract the -nature of the soil gradually changes and the country shows itself worthy -of the name. Cultivated plains soon appear, where are united all the -productions of the northern and tropical floras, terminating in prairies -abounding with pineapples and yams, tobacco, rice, cotton-plants, and -sugar-canes, which extend beyond reach of sight, flinging their riches -broadcast with careless prodigality. - -Barbicane appeared highly pleased on observing the progressive elevation -of the land; and in answer to a question of J. T. Maston, replied,-- - -"My worthy friend, we cannot do better than sink our Columbiad in these -high grounds." - -"To get nearer to the moon, perhaps?" said the secretary of the Gun Club. - -"Not exactly," replied Barbicane, smiling; "do you not see that amongst -these elevated plateaus we shall have a much easier work of it? No -struggles with the water-springs, which will save us long and expensive -tubings; and we shall be working in daylight instead of down a deep and -narrow well. Our business, then, is to open our trenches upon ground some -hundreds of yards above the level of the sea." - -"You are right, sir," struck in Murchison, the engineer; "and, if I -mistake not, we shall ere long find a suitable spot for our purpose." - -"I wish we were at the first stroke of the pickaxe," said the president. - -"And I wish we were at the _last_," cried J. T. Maston. - -About ten a.m. the little band had crossed a dozen miles. To fertile -plains succeeded a region of forests. There perfumes of the most varied -kinds mingled together in tropical profusion. These almost impenetrable -forests were composed of pomegranates, orange-trees, citrons, figs, -olives, apricots, bananas, huge vines, whose blossoms and fruits rivalled -each other in colour and perfume. Beneath the odorous shade of these -magnificent trees fluttered and warbled a little world of brilliantly -plumaged birds. - -J. T. Maston and the major could not repress their admiration on finding -themselves in presence of the glorious beauties of this wealth of -nature. President Barbicane, however, less sensitive to these wonders, -was in haste to press forward; the very luxuriance of the country was -displeasing to him. They hastened onwards, therefore, and were compelled -to ford several rivers, not without danger, for they were infested with -huge alligators from fifteen to eighteen feet long. Maston courageously -menaced them with his steel hook, but he only succeeded in frightening -some pelicans and teal, while tall flamingos stared stupidly at the -party. - -At length these denizens of the swamps disappeared in their turn; smaller -trees became thinly scattered among less dense thickets--a few isolated -groups detached in the midst of endless plains over which ranged herds -of startled deer. - -"At last," cried Barbicane, rising in his stirrups, "here we are at the -region of pines!" - -"Yes! and of savages too," replied the major. - -In fact, some Seminoles had just come in sight upon the horizon; they -rode violently backwards and forwards on their fleet horses, brandishing -their spears or discharging their guns with a dull report. These hostile -demonstrations, however, had no effect upon Barbicane and his companions. - - -Illustration: THEY WERE COMPELLED TO FORD SEVERAL RIVERS. - - -They were then occupying the centre of a rocky plain, which the sun -scorched with its parching rays. This was formed by a considerable -elevation of the soil, which seemed to offer to the members of the Gun -Club all the conditions requisite for the construction of their Columbiad. - -"Halt!" said Barbicane, reining up. "Has this place any local appellation?" - -"It is called Stones Hill," replied one of the Floridans. - -Barbicane, without saying a word, dismounted, seized his instruments, -and began to note his position with extreme exactness. The little band, -drawn up in rear, watched his proceedings in profound silence. - -At this moment the sun passed the meridian. Barbicane, after a few -moments, rapidly wrote down the result of his observations, and said,-- - -"This spot is situated 1800 feet above the level of the sea, in 27 deg. -7' N. lat. and 5 deg. 7' W. long. of the meridian of Washington. It -appears to me by its rocky and barren character to offer all the -conditions requisite for our experiment. On that plain will be raised -our magazines, workshops, furnaces, and workmen's huts; and here, from -this very spot," said he, stamping his foot on the summit of Stones -Hill, "hence shall our projectile take its flight into the regions of -the Solar World." - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - PICKAXE AND TROWEL. - - -The same evening Barbicane and his companions returned to Tampa Town; -and Murchison, the engineer, re-embarked on board the "Tampico" for New -Orleans. His object was to enlist an army of workmen, and to collect -together the greater part of the materials. The members of the Gun Club -remained at Tampa Town, for the purpose of setting on foot the preliminary -works by the aid of the people of the country. - -Eight days after its departure, the "Tampico" returned into the bay -of Espiritu Santo, with a whole flotilla of steamboats. Murchison had -succeeded in assembling together fifteen hundred artisans. Attracted -by the high pay and considerable bounties offered by the Gun Club, he -had enlisted a choice legion of stokers, iron-founders, lime-burners, -miners, brickmakers, and artisans of every trade, without distinction of -colour. As many of these people brought their families with them, their -departure resembled a perfect emigration. - -On the 31st October, at ten o'clock in the morning, the troop disembarked -on the quays of Tampa Town; and one may imagine the activity which -pervaded that little town, whose population was thus doubled in a single -day. - -During the first few days they were busy discharging the cargo brought -by the flotilla, the machines, and the rations, as well as a large number -of huts constructed of iron plates, separately pieced and numbered. At -the same period Barbicane laid the first sleepers of a railway fifteen -miles in length intended to unite Stones Hill with Tampa Town. On the -first of November Barbicane quitted Tampa Town with a detachment of -workmen; and on the following day the whole town of huts was erected -round Stones Hill. This they enclosed with palisades; and in respect of -energy and activity, it might have shortly been mistaken for one of the -great cities of the Union. Everything was placed under a complete system -of dicipline, and the works were commenced in most perfect order. - -The nature of the soil having been carefully examined, by means of -repeated borings, the work of excavation was fixed for the 4th of -November. - -On that day Barbicane called together his foremen and addressed them as -follows:--"You are well aware, my friends, of the object with which I -have assembled you together in this wild part of Florida. Our business -is to construct a cannon measuring nine feet in its interior diameter, -six feet thick, and with a stone revetment of nineteen and a half feet -in thickness. We have, therefore, a well of sixty feet in diameter -to dig down to a depth of nine hundred feet. This great work must be -completed _within eight months,_ so that you have 2,543,400 cubic feet -of earth to excavate in 255 days; that is to say, in round numbers, 2000 -cubic feet per day. That which would present no difficulty to a thousand -navvies working in open country will be of course more troublesome in -a comparatively confined space. However, the thing must be done, and -I reckon for its accomplishment upon your courage as much as upon your -skill." - -At eight o'clock in the morning the first stroke of the pickaxe was -struck upon the soil of Florida; and from that moment that prince of -tools was never inactive for one moment in the hands of the excavators. -The gangs relieved each other every three hours. - -On the 4th of November fifty workmen commenced digging, in the very -centre of the enclosed space on the summit of Stones Hill, a circular -hole sixty feet in diameter. The pickaxe first struck upon a kind of -black earth, six inches in thickness, which was speedily disposed of. -To this earth succeeded two feet of fine sand, which was carefully laid -aside as being valuable for serving for the casting of the inner mould. -After the sand appeared some compact white clay, resembling the chalk -of Great Britain, which extended down to a depth of four feet. Then the -iron of the picks struck upon the hard bed of the soil; a kind of rock -formed of petrified shells, very dry, very solid, and which the picks -could with difficulty penetrate. At this point the excavation exhibited -a depth of six feet and a half and the work of the masonry was begun. - -At the bottom of this excavation they constructed a wheel of oak, a kind -of circle strongly bolted together, and of immense strength. The centre -of this wooden disc was hollowed out to a diameter equal to the exterior -diameter of the Columbiad. Upon this wheel rested the first layers of -the masonry, the stones of which were bound together by hydraulic cement, -with irresistible tenacity. The workmen, after laying the stones from -the circumference to the centre, were thus enclosed within a kind of -well twenty-one feet in diameter. When this work was accomplished, the -miners resumed their picks and cut away the rock from underneath the -_wheel_ itself, taking care to support it as they advanced upon blocks -of great thickness. At every two feet which the hole gained in depth they -successively withdrew the blocks. The _wheel_ then sank little by little, -and with it the massive ring of masonry, on the upper bed of which the -masons laboured incessantly, always reserving some vent holes to permit -the escape of gas during the operation of casting. - -This kind of work required on the part of the workmen extreme nicety and -minute attention. More than one, in digging underneath the wheel, was -dangerously injured by the splinters of stone. But their ardour never -relaxed, night or day. By day they worked under the rays of the scorching -sun; by night, under the gleam of the electric light. The sounds of -the picks against the rock, the bursting of mines, the grinding of the -machines, the wreaths of smoke scattered through the air, traced around -Stones Hill a circle of terror which the herds of buffaloes and the war -parties of the Seminoles never ventured to pass. Nevertheless, the works -advanced regularly, as the steam-cranes actively removed the rubbish. -Of unexpected obstacles there was little account; and with regard to -foreseen difficulties, they were speedily disposed of. - - -Illustration: THE WORK PROGRESSED REGULARLY. - - -At the expiration of the first month the well had attained the depth -assigned for that lapse of time, viz. 112 feet. This depth was doubled -in December, and trebled in January. - -During the month of February the workmen had to contend with a sheet of -water which made its way right across the outer soil. It became necessary -to employ very powerful pumps and compressed engines to drain it off, -so as to close up the orifice from whence it issued; just as one stops -a leak on board ship. They at last succeeded in getting the upper hand -of these untoward streams; only, in consequence of the loosening of the -soil, the wheel partly gave way, and a slight partial settlement ensued. -This accident cost the life of several workmen. - -No fresh occurrence thenceforward arrested the progress of the operation; -and on the 10th of June, twenty days before the expiration of the period -fixed by Barbicane, the well, lined throughout with its facing of stone, -had attained the depth of 900 feet. At the bottom the masonry rested upon -a massive block measuring thirty feet in thickness, whilst on the upper -portion it was level with the surrounding soil. - -President Barbicane and the members of the Gun Club warmly congratulated -their engineer Murchison: the cyclopean work had been accomplished with -extraordinary rapidity. - -During these eight months Barbicane never quitted Stones Hill for a -single instant. Keeping ever close by the work of excavation, he busied -himself incessantly with the welfare and health of his workpeople, and -was singularly fortunate in warding off the epidemics common to large -communities of men, and so disastrous in those regions of the globe which -are exposed to the influences of tropical climates. - -Many workmen, it is true, paid with their lives for the rashness inherent -in these dangerous labours; but these mishaps are impossible to be -avoided, and they are classed amongst details with which the Americans -trouble themselves but little. They have in fact more regard for human -nature in general than for the individual in particular. - -Nevertheless, Barbicane professed opposite principles to these, and -put them in force at every opportunity. So, thanks to his care, his -intelligence, his useful intervention in all difficulties, his prodigious -and humane sagacity, the average of accidents did not exceed that of -transatlantic countries, noted for their excessive precautions, France, -for instance, among others, where they reckon about one accident for -every two hundred thousand francs of work. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - THE FETE OF THE CASTING. - - -During the eight months which were employed in the work of excavation -the preparatory works of the casting had been carried on simultaneously -with extreme rapidity. A stranger arriving at Stones Hill would have been -surprised at the spectacle offered to his view. - -At 600 yards from the well, and circularly arranged around it as a central -point, rose 1200 reverberating ovens, each six feet in diameter, and -separated from each other by an interval of three feet. The circumference -occupied by these 1200 ovens presented a length of two miles. Being all -constructed on the same plan, each with its high quadrangular chimney, -they produced a most singular effect. - -It will be remembered that on their third meeting the Committee had -decided to use cast-iron for the Columbiad, and in particular the _white_ -description. This metal in fact is the most tenacious, the most ductile, -and the most malleable, and consequently suitable for all moulding -operations; and when smelted with pit coal, is of superior quality for -all engineering works requiring great resisting power, such as cannon, -steam-boilers, hydraulic presses, and the like. - -Cast-iron, however, if subjected to only one single fusion, is rarely -sufficiently homogeneous; and it requires a second fusion completely to -refine it by dispossessing it of its last earthly deposits. So before -being forwarded to Tampa Town, the iron ore, molten in the great furnaces -of Coldspring, and brought into contact with coal and silicium heated to -a high temperature, was carburized and transformed into cast-iron. After -this first operation, the metal was sent on to Stones Hill. They had, -however, to deal with 136,000,000 lbs. of iron, a quantity far too costly -to send by railway. The cost of transport would have been double that of -material. It appeared preferable to freight vessels at New York, and to -load them with the iron in bars. This, however, required not less than -sixty-eight vessels of 1000 tons, a veritable fleet, which, quitting New -York on the 3rd of May, on the 10th of the same month ascended the Bay -of Espiritu Santo, and discharged their cargoes, without dues, in the -port at Tampa Town. Thence the iron was transported by rail to Stones -Hill, and about the middle of January this enormous mass of metal was -delivered at its destination. - -It will be easily understood that 1200 furnaces were not too many to -melt simultaneously these 60,000 tons of iron. Each of these furnaces -contained nearly 140,000 lbs. weight of metal. They were all built after -the model of those which served for the casting of the Rodman gun, they -were trapezoidal in shape, with a high elliptical arch. These furnaces, -constructed of fireproof brick, were especially adapted for burning -pit coal, with a flat bottom upon which the iron bars were laid. This -bottom, inclined at an angle of 25 deg., allowed the metal to flow into -the receiving troughs; and the 1200 converging trenches carried the -molten metal down to the central well. - -The day following that on which the works of the masonry and boring had -been completed, Barbicane set to work upon the central mould. His object -now was to raise within the centre of the well, and with a coincident -axis, a cylinder 900 feet high, and 9 feet in diameter, which should -exactly fill up the space reserved for the bore of the Columbiad. This -cylinder was composed of a mixture of clay and sand, with the addition of -a little hay and straw. The space left between the mould and the masonry -was intended to be filled up by the molten metal, which would thus form -the walls six feet in thickness. This cylinder, in order to maintain its -equilibrium, had to be bound by iron bands, and firmly fixed at certain -intervals by cross-clamps fastened into the stone lining; after the -castings these would be buried in the block of metal, leaving no external -projection. - - -Illustration: THE CASTING. - - -This operation was completed on the 8th of July, and the run of the metal -was fixed for the following day. - -"This fete of the casting will be a grand ceremony," said J. T. Maston -to his friend Barbicane. - -"Undoubtedly," said Barbicane; "but it will not be a public fete." - -"What! will you not open the gates of the enclosure to all comers?" - -"I must be very careful, Maston. The casting of the Columbiad is an -extremely delicate, not to say a dangerous operation, and I should prefer -its being done privately. At the discharge of the projectile, a fete if -you like--till then, no!" - -The president was right. The operation involved unforeseen dangers, which -a great influx of spectators would have hindered him from averting. It was -necessary to preserve complete freedom of movement. No one was admitted -within the enclosure except a delegation of members of the Gun Club, -who had made the voyage to Tampa Town. Among these was the brisk Bilsby, -Tom Hunter, Colonel Blomsberry, Major Elphinstone, General Morgan, and -the rest of the lot to whom the casting of the Columbiad was a matter -of personal interest. J. T. Maston became their cicerone. He omitted no -point of detail; he conducted them throughout the magazines, workshops, -through the midst of the engines, and compelled them to visit the whole -1200 furnaces one after the other. At the end of the twelve-hundredth -visit they were pretty well knocked up. - -The casting was to take place at 12 o'clock precisely. The previous -evening each furnace had been charged with 114,000 lbs. weight of metal -in bars disposed cross-ways to each other, so as to allow the hot air -to circulate freely between them. At daybreak the 1200 chimneys vomited -their torrents of flame into the air, and the ground was agitated with -dull tremblings. As many pounds of metal as there were to _cast_, so many -pounds of coal were there to _burn_. Thus there were 68,000 tons of coal -which projected in the face of the sun a thick curtain of smoke. The heat -soon became insupportable within the circle of furnaces, the rumbling of -which resembled the rolling of thunder. The powerful ventilators added -their continuous blasts and saturated with oxygen the glowing plates. The -operation, to be successful, required to be conducted with great rapidity. -On a signal given by a cannon-shot each furnace was to give vent to the -molten iron and completely to empty itself. These arrangements made, -foremen and workmen waited the preconcerted moment with an impatience -mingled with a certain amount of emotion. Not a soul remained within the -enclosure. Each superintendent took his post by the aperture of the run. - -Barbicane and his colleagues, perched on a neighbouring eminence, -assisted at the operation. In front of them was a piece of artillery -ready to give fire on the signal from the engineer. Some minutes before -midday the first driblets of metal began to flow; the reservoirs filled -little by little; and, by the time that the whole melting was completely -accomplished, it was kept in abeyance for a few minutes in order to -facilitate the separation of foreign substances. - -Twelve o'clock struck! A gunshot suddenly pealed forth and shot its -flame into the air. Twelve hundred melting-troughs were simultaneously -opened and twelve hundred fiery serpents crept towards the central -well, unrolling their incandescent curves. There, down they plunged -with a terrific noise into a depth of 900 feet. It was an exciting and -a magnificent spectacle. The ground trembled, while these molten waves, -launching into the sky their wreaths of smoke, evaporated the moisture -of the mould and hurled it upwards through the vent-holes of the stone -lining in the form of dense vapour-clouds. These artificial clouds -unrolled their thick spirals to a height of 1000 yards into the air. -A savage, wandering somewhere beyond the limits of the horizon, might -have believed that some new crater was forming in the bosom of Florida, -although there was neither any eruption, nor typhoon, nor storm, nor -struggle of the elements, nor any of those terrible phenomena which -nature is capable of producing. No, it was man alone who had produced -these reddish vapours, these gigantic flames worthy of a volcano itself, -these tremendous vibrations resembling the shock of an earthquake, these -reverberations rivalling those of hurricanes and storms; and it was his -hand which precipitated into an abyss, dug by himself, a whole Niagara -of molten metal! - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - THE COLUMBIAD. - - -Had the casting succeeded? They were reduced to mere conjecture. There -was indeed every reason to expect success, since the mould had absorbed -the entire mass of the molten metal; still some considerable time must -elapse before they could arrive at any certainty upon the matter. - -The patience of the members of the Gun Club was sorely tried during this -period of time. But they could do nothing. J. T. Maston escaped roasting -by a miracle. Fifteen days after the casting an immense column of smoke -was still rising in the open sky and the ground burnt the soles of the -feet within a radius of 200 feet round the summit of Stones Hill. It was -impossible to approach nearer. All they could do was to wait with what -patience they might. - -"Here we are at the 10th August," exclaimed J. T. Maston one morning, -"only four months to the 1st of December! We shall never be ready in -time!" Barbicane said nothing, but his silence covered serious irritation. - -However, daily observations revealed a certain change going on in the -state of the ground. About the 15th August the vapours ejected had -sensibly diminished in intensity and thickness. Some days afterwards the -earth exhaled only a slight puff of smoke, the last breath of the monster -enclosed within its circle of stone. Little by little the belt of heat -contracted, until on the 22d August Barbicane, his colleagues, and the -engineer were enabled to set foot on the iron sheet which lay level upon -the summit of Stones Hill. - -"At last!" exclaimed the President of the Gun Club, with an immense sigh -of relief. - -The work was resumed the same day. They proceeded at once to extract the -interior mould, for the purpose of clearing out the boring of the piece. -Pickaxes and boring irons were set to work without intermission. The -clayey and sandy soils had acquired extreme hardness under the action of -the heat; but by the aid of the machines, the rubbish on being dug out -was rapidly carted away on railway waggons; and such was the ardour of -the work, so persuasive the arguments of Barbicane's dollars, that by -the 3rd of September all traces of the mould had entirely disappeared. - -Immediately the operation of boring was commenced; and by the aid of -powerful machines, a few weeks later, the inner surface of the immense -tube had been rendered perfectly cylindrical, and the bore of the piece -had acquired a thorough polish. - -At length, on the 22nd of September, less than a twelvemonth after -Barbicane's original proposition, the enormous weapon, accurately bored, -and exactly vertically pointed, was ready for work. There was only the -moon now to wait for; and they were pretty sure that she would not fail -in the rendezvous. - -The ecstacy of J. T. Maston knew no bounds, and he narrowly escaped a -frightful fall while staring down the tube. But for the strong hand of -Colonel Blomsberry, the worthy secretary, like a modern Erostratus, would -have found his death in the depths of the Columbiad. - -The cannon was then finished; there was no possible doubt as to its -perfect completion. So, on the 6th of October, Captain Nicholl opened -an account between himself and President Barbicane, in which he debited -himself to the latter in the sum of 2000 dollars. One may believe that -the Captain's wrath was increased to its highest point, and must have -made him seriously ill. However, he had still three bets of three, four, -and five thousand dollars, respectively; and if he gained two out of -these, his position would not be very bad. But the money question did -not enter into his calculations; it was the success of his rival in -casting a cannon against which iron plates sixty feet thick would have -been ineffectual, that dealt him a terrible blow. - -After the 23rd of September the enclosure of Stones Hill was thrown open -to the public; and it will be easily imagined what was the concourse of -visitors to this spot! There was an incessant flow of people to and from -Tampa Town and the place, which resembled a procession, or rather, in -fact, a pilgrimage. - -It was already clear to be seen that, on the day of the experiment itself, -the aggregate of spectators would be counted by millions; for they were -already arriving from all parts of the earth upon this narrow strip of -promontory. Europe was emigrating to America. - -Up to that time, however, it must be confessed, the curiosity of the -numerous comers was but scantily gratified. Most had counted upon -witnessing the spectacle of the casting, and they were treated to -nothing but smoke. This was sorry food for hungry eyes; but Barbicane -would admit no one to that operation. Then ensued grumbling, discontent, -murmurs; they blamed the President, taxed him with dictatorial conduct. -His proceedings were declared "un-American." There was very nearly a -riot round Stones Hill; but Barbicane remained inflexible. When, however, -the Columbiad was entirely finished, this state of closed doors could -no longer be maintained; besides it would have been bad taste, and even -imprudence, to affront the public feeling. Barbicane, therefore, opened -the enclosure to all comers; but, true to his practical disposition, he -determined to coin money out of the public curiosity. - -It was something, indeed, to be enabled to contemplate this immense -Columbiad; but to descend into its depths, this seemed to the Americans -the _ne plus ultra_ of earthly felicity. Consequently, there was not -one curious spectator who was not willing to give himself the treat of -visiting the interior of this metallic abyss. Baskets suspended from -steam-cranes permitted them to satisfy their curiosity. There was a -perfect mania. Women, children, old men, all made it a point of duty to -penetrate the mysteries of the colossal gun. The fare for the descent was -fixed at five dollars per head; and despite this high charge, during the -two months which preceded the experiment, the influx of visitors enabled -the Gun Club to pocket nearly 500,000 dollars! - - -Illustration: TAMPA TOWN AFTER THE UNDERTAKING. - - -It is needless to say that the first visitors of the Columbiad were the -members of the Gun Club. This privilege was justly reserved for that -illustrious body. The ceremony took place on the 25th September. A basket -of honour took down the President, J. T. Maston, Major Elphinstone, -General Morgan, Colonel Blomsberry, and other members of the club, to -the number of ten in all. How hot it was at the bottom of that long tube -of metal! They were half suffocated. But what delight! What ecstasy! A -table had been laid with six covers on the massive stone which formed -the bottom of the Columbiad, and lighted by a jet of electric light -resembling that of day itself. Numerous exquisite dishes, which seemed -to descend from heaven, were placed successively before the guests, and -the richest wines of France flowed in profusion during this splendid -repast, served nine hundred feet beneath the surface of the earth! - -The festival was animated, not to say somewhat noisy. Toasts flew -backwards and forwards. They drank to the earth and to her satellite, to -the Gun Club, the Union, the moon, Diana, Phoebe, Selene, the "peaceful -courier of the night"! All the hurrahs, carried upwards upon the sonorous -waves of the immense acoustic tube, arrived with the sound of thunder -at its mouth; and the multitude ranged round Stones Hill heartily united -their shouts with those of the ten revellers hidden from view at the -bottom of the gigantic Columbiad. - -J. T. Maston was no longer master of himself. Whether he shouted or -gesticulated, ate or drank most, would be a difficult matter to determine. -At all events, he would not have given his place up for an empire, "not -even if the cannon--loaded, primed, and fired at that very moment--were -to blow him in pieces into the planetary world." - - -Illustration: THE BANQUET IN THE COLUMBIAD. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - A TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH. - - -The great works undertaken by the Gun Club had now virtually come to an -end; and two months still remained before the day for the discharge of -the shot to the moon. To the general impatience these two months appeared -as long as years! Hitherto the smallest details of the operation had been -daily chronicled by the journals, which the public devoured with eager -eyes. - -Just at this moment a circumstance, the most unexpected, the most -extraordinary and incredible, occurred to rouse afresh their panting -spirits, and to throw every mind into a state of the most violent -excitement. - -One day, the 30th September, at 3.47 p.m., a telegram, transmitted by -cable from Valentia (Ireland) to Newfoundland and the American mainland, -arrived at the address of President Barbicane. - -The President tore open the envelope, read the despatch, and, despite -his remarkable powers of self-control, his lips turned pale and his eyes -grew dim, on reading the twenty words of this telegram. - -Here is the text of the despatch, which figures now in the archives of -the Gun Club:-- - - - "France, Paris, - - "30 _September_, 4 _a.m._ - - "Barbicane, Tampa Town, Florida, United States. - - "Substitute for your spherical shell a cylindro-conical projectile. - I shall go inside. Shall arrive by steamer 'Atlanta.' - - "Michel Ardan." - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - THE PASSENGER OF THE "ATLANTA." - - -If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, -had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane -would not have hesitated a moment. He would have held his tongue about -it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider -his plans. This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as -it came from a Frenchman. What human being would ever have conceived the -idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be -an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within -the walls of the projectile. - -The contents of the despatch, however, speedily became known; for -the telegraphic officials possessed but little discretion, and Michel -Ardan's proposition ran at once throughout the several States of the -Union. Barbicane had, therefore, no further motive for keeping silence. -Consequently, he called together such of his colleagues as were at the -moment in Tampa Town, and without any expression of his own opinions -simply read to them the laconic text itself. It was received with every -possible variety of expressions of doubt, incredulity, and derision from -every one, with the exception of J. T. Maston, who exclaimed, "It is a -grand idea, however!" - -When Barbicane originally proposed to send a shot to the moon every one -looked upon the enterprise as simple and practicable enough--a mere -question of gunnery; but when a person, professing to be a reasonable -being, offered to take passage within the projectile, the whole thing -became a farce, or, in plainer language a _humbug._ - - -Illustration: PRESIDENT BARBICANE AT HIS WINDOW. - - -One question, however, remained. Did such a being exist? This telegram -flashed across the depths of the Atlantic, the designation of the vessel -on board which he was to take his passage, the date assigned for his -speedy arrival, all combined to impart a certain character of reality to -the proposal. They must get some clearer notion of the matter. Scattered -groups of inquirers at length condensed themselves into a compact crowd, -which made straight for the residence of President Barbicane. That worthy -individual was keeping quiet with the intention of watching events as they -arose. But he had forgotten to take into account the public impatience; -and it was with no pleasant countenance that he watched the population -of Tampa Town gathering under his windows. The murmurs and vociferations -below presently obliged him to appear. He came forward, therefore, and -on silence being procured, a citizen put point-blank to him the following -question:--"Is the person mentioned in the telegram, under the name of -Michel Ardan, on his way here? Yes or no." - -"Gentlemen," replied Barbicane, "I know no more than you do." - -"We must know," roared the impatient voices. - -"Time will show," calmly replied the President. - -"Time has no business to keep a whole country in suspense," replied the -orator. "Have you altered the plans of the projectile according to the -request of the telegram?" - -"Not yet, gentlemen; but you are right! we must have better information -to go by. The telegraph must complete its information." - -"To the telegraph!" roared the crowd. - -Barbicane descended; and heading the immense assemblage, led the way to -the telegraph office. A few minutes later a telegram was despatched to -the secretary of the underwriters at Liverpool, requesting answers to -the following queries:-- - -"About the ship 'Atlanta'--when did she leave Europe? Had she on board -a Frenchman named Michel Ardan?" - -Two hours afterwards Barbicane received information too exact to leave -room for the smallest remaining doubt. - -"The steamer 'Atlanta' from Liverpool put to sea on the 2nd October, -bound for Tampa Town, having on board a Frenchman borne on the list of -passengers by the name of Michel Ardan." - -That very evening he wrote to the house of Breadwill and Co., requesting -them to suspend the casting of the projectile until the receipt of -further orders. On the 20th October, at 9 a.m., the semaphores of the -Bahama Canal signalled a thick smoke on the horizon. Two hours later a -large steamer exchanged signals with them. The name of the Atlanta flew -at once over Tampa Town. At four o'clock the English vessel entered the -Bay of Espiritu Santo. At five it crossed the passage of Hillisborough -Bay at full steam. At six she cast anchor at Port Tampa. The anchor had -scarcely caught the sandy bottom when 500 boats surrounded the "Atlanta," -and the steamer was taken by assault. Barbicane was the first to set foot -on deck, and in a voice of which he vainly tried to conceal the emotion, -called "Michel Ardan." - -"Here!" replied an individual perched on the poop. - -Barbicane, with arms crossed, looked fixedly at the passenger of the -"Atlanta." - -He was a man of about 42 years of age, of large build, but slightly -round-shouldered. His massive head momentarily shook a shock of reddish -hair, which resembled a lion's mane. His face was short with a broad -forehead, and furnished with a moustache as bristly as a cat's, and little -patches of yellowish whisker upon full cheeks. Round, wildish eyes, -slightly near-sighted, completed a physiognomy essentially _feline._ His -nose was firmly shaped, his mouth particularly sweet in expression, high -forehead, intelligent and furrowed with wrinkles like a newly-ploughed -field. The body was powerfully developed and firmly fixed upon long legs. -Muscular arms, and a general air of decision gave him the appearance of -a hardy, jolly companion. He was dressed in a suit of ample dimensions, -loose neckerchief, open shirt-collar, disclosing a robust neck; his cuffs -were invariably unbuttoned, through which appeared a pair of red hands. - - -Illustration: MICHEL ARDEN. - - -On the bridge of the steamer, in the midst of the crowd, he bustled to -and fro, never still for a moment, "dragging his anchors," as the sailors -say, gesticulating, making free with everybody, biting his nails with -nervous avidity. He was one of those originals which nature sometimes -invents in the freak of a moment, and of which she then breaks the mould. - -Amongst other peculiarities, this curiosity gave himself out for a -sublime ignoramus, "like Shakespeare," and professed supreme contempt -for all scientific men. Those "fellows," as he called them, "are only -fit to mark the points, while we play the game." He was, in fact, a -thorough Bohemian, adventurous, but not an adventurer; a hair-brained -fellow, a kind of Icarus, only possessing relays of wings. For the rest, -he was ever in scrapes, ending invariably by falling on his feet, like -those little pith figures which they sell for children's toys. In two -words, his motto was "I have my opinions," and the love of the impossible -constituted his ruling passion. - -Such was the passenger of the "Atlanta," always excitable, as if boiling -under the action of some internal fire by the character of his physical -organization. If ever two individuals offered a striking contrast to each -other, these were certainly Michel Ardan and the Yankee Barbicane; both, -moreover, being equally enterprising and daring, each in his own way. - -The scrutiny which the President of the Gun Club had instituted regarding -this new rival was quickly interrupted by the shouts and hurrahs of the -crowd. The cries became at last so uproarious, and the popular enthusiasm -assumed so personal a form, that Michel Ardan, after having shaken hands -some thousands of times, at the imminent risk of leaving his fingers -behind him, was fain at last to make a bolt for his cabin. - -Barbicane followed him without uttering a word. - -"You are Barbicane, I suppose?" said Michel Ardan in a tone of voice in -which he would have addressed a friend of twenty years' standing. - -"Yes," replied the President of the G. C. - -"All right! how d'ye do, Barbicane? how are you getting on--pretty well? -that's right." - -"So," said Barbicane without further preliminary, "you are quite -determined to go." - -"Quite decided." - -"Nothing will stop you?" - -"Nothing. Have you modified your projectile according to my telegram." - -"I waited for your arrival. But," asked Barbicane again, "have you -carefully reflected?" - -"Reflected? have I any time to spare? I find an opportunity of making a -tour in the moon, and I mean to profit by it. There is the whole gist of -the matter." - -Barbicane looked hard at this man who spoke so lightly of his project -with such complete absence of anxiety. "But, at least," said he, "you -have some plans, some means of carrying your project into execution?" - -"Excellent, my dear Barbicane; only permit me to offer one remark:--My -wish is to tell my story once for all, to everybody, and then to have -done with it; then there will be no need for recapitulation. So, if you -have no objection, assemble your friends, colleagues, the whole town, -all Florida, all America if you like, and to-morrow I shall be ready to -explain my plans and answer any objections whatever that may be advanced. -You may rest assured I shall wait without stirring. Will that suit you?" - -"All right," replied Barbicane. - -So saying, the President left the cabin and informed the crowd of the -proposal of Michel Ardan. His words were received with clappings of hands -and shouts of joy. They had removed all difficulties. To-morrow every -one would contemplate at his ease this European hero. However, some of -the spectators, more infatuated than the rest, would not leave the deck -of the "Atlanta." They passed the night on board. Amongst others, J. -T. Maston got his hook fixed in the combing of the poop, and it pretty -nearly required the capstan to get it out again. - -"He is a hero! a hero!" he cried, a theme of which he was never tired of -ringing the changes; "and we are only like weak, silly women, compared -with this European!" - -As to the president, after having suggested to the visitors it was time -to retire, he re-entered the passenger's cabin, and remained there till -the bell of the steamer made it midnight. - -But then the two rivals in popularity shook hands heartily and parted on -terms of intimate friendship. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - A MONSTER MEETING. - - -On the following day Barbicane, fearing that indiscreet questions might -be put to Michel Ardan, was desirous of reducing the number of the -audience to a few of the initiated, his own colleagues for instance. He -might as well have tried to check the Falls of Niagara! He was compelled, -therefore, to give up the idea, and to let his new friend run the chances -of a public conference. The place chosen for this monster meeting was a -vast plain situated in the rear of the town. In a few hours, thanks to the -help of the shipping in port, an immense roofing of canvas was stretched -over the parched prairie, and protected it from the burning rays of the -sun. There 300,000 people braved for many hours the stifling heat while -awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman. Of this crowd of spectators a first -set could both see and hear; a second set saw badly and heard nothing -at all; and as for the third, it could neither see nor hear anything at -all. At three o'clock Michel Ardan made his appearance, accompanied by -the principal members of the Gun Club. He was supported on his right by -President Barbicane, and on his left by J. T. Maston, more radiant than -the midday sun and nearly as ruddy. Ardan mounted a platform, from the -top of which his view extended over a sea of black hats. He exhibited not -the slightest embarrassment; he was just as gay, familiar, and pleasant -as if he were at home. To the hurrahs which greeted him he replied by -a graceful bow; then, waving his hand to request silence, he spoke in -perfectly correct English as follows:-- - - -Illustration: THE MEETING. - - -"Gentlemen, despite the very hot weather I request your patience for a -short time while I offer some explanations regarding the projects which -seem to have so interested you. I am neither an orator nor a man of -science, and I had no idea of addressing you in public; but my friend -Barbicane has told me that you would like to hear me, and I am quite at -your service. Listen to me, therefore, with your 600,000 ears, and please -to excuse the faults of the speaker. Now pray do not forget that you see -before you a perfect ignoramus whose ignorance goes so far that he cannot -even understand the difficulties! It seemed to him that it was a matter -quite simple, natural, and easy to take one's place in a projectile and -start for the moon! That journey must be undertaken sooner or later; -and, as for the mode of locomotion adopted, it follows simply the law of -progress. Man began by walking on all-fours; then, one fine day, on two -feet; then in a carriage; then in a stage-coach; and lastly by railway. -Well, the projectile is the vehicle of the future, and the planets -themselves are nothing else! Now some of you, gentlemen, may imagine that -the velocity we propose to impart to it is extravagant. It is nothing -of the kind. All the stars exceed it in rapidity, and the earth herself -is at this moment carrying us round the sun at three times as rapid a -rate, and yet she is a mere lounger on the way compared with many others -of the planets! And her velocity is constantly _decreasing._ Is it not -evident, then, I ask you, that there will some day appear velocities far -greater than these, of which light or electricity will probably be the -mechanical agent? - -"Yes, gentlemen," continued the orator, "in spite of the opinions of -certain narrow-minded people, who would shut up the human race upon -this globe, as within some magic circle which it must never outstep, we -shall one day travel to the moon, the planets, and the stars, with the -same facility, rapidity, and certainty as we now make the voyage from -Liverpool to New York! Distance is but a relative expression, and must -end by being reduced to zero." - -The assembly, strongly predisposed as they were in favour of the French -hero, were slightly staggered at this bold theory. Michel Ardan perceived -the fact. - -"Gentlemen," he continued with a pleasant smile, "you do not seem quite -convinced. Very good! Let us reason the matter out. Do you know how long -it would take for an _express train_ to reach the moon? Three hundred -days; no more! And what is that? The distance is no more than nine times -the circumference of the earth; and there are no sailors or travellers, -of even moderate activity, who have not made longer journeys than that -in their lifetime. And now consider that I shall be only ninety-seven -hours on my journey. Ah! I see you are reckoning that the moon is a long -way off from the earth, and that one must think twice before making the -experiment. What would you say, then, if we were talking of going to -Neptune, which revolves at a distance of more than two thousand seven -hundred and twenty millions of miles from the sun! And yet what is that -compared with the distance of the fixed stars, some of which, such as -Arcturus, are at billions of miles distant from us? And then you talk -of the _distance_ which separates the planets from the sun! And there -are people who affirm that such a thing as distance exists. Absurdity, -folly, idiotic nonsense! Would you know what I think of our own solar -universe? Shall I tell you my theory? It is very simple! In my opinion -the solar system is a solid, homogeneous body; the planets which compose -it are in _actual contact_ with each other; and whatever space exists -between them is nothing more than the space which separates the molecules -of the densest metal, such as silver, iron, or platinum! I have the -right, therefore, to affirm, and I repeat, with the conviction which must -penetrate all your minds, 'Distance is but an empty name; distance does -not really exist!'" - -"Hurrah!" cried one voice (need it be said it was that of J. T. Maston?). -"Distance does not exist!" And overcome by the energy of his movements, -he nearly fell from the platform to the ground. He just escaped a severe -fall, which would have proved to him that distance was by no means _an -empty name._ - - -Illustration: PROJECTILE TRAINS FOR THE MOON. - - -"Gentlemen," resumed the orator, "I repeat that the distance between the -earth and her satellite is a mere trifle, and undeserving of serious -consideration. I am convinced that before twenty years are over one half -of our earth will have paid a visit to the moon. Now, my worthy friends, -if you have any question to put to me, you will, I fear, sadly embarrass -a poor man like myself; still I will do my best to answer you." - -Up to this point the President of the Gun Club had been satisfied with the -turn which the discussion had assumed. It became now, however, desirable -to divert Ardan from questions of a practical nature, with which he was -doubtless far less conversant. Barbicane, therefore, hastened to get in -a word, and began by asking his new friend whether he thought that the -moon and the planets were inhabited. - -"You put before me a great problem, my worthy President," replied the -orator, smiling. "Still, men of great intelligence, such as Plutarch, -Swedenborg, Bernardin de St. Pierre, and others have, if I mistake not, -pronounced in the affirmative. Looking at the question from the natural -philosopher's point of view, I should say that _nothing useless_ existed -in the world; and, replying to your question by another, I should venture -to assert, that if these worlds are _habitable_, they either are, have -been, or will be inhabited." - -"No one could answer more logically or fairly," replied the president. -"The question then reverts to this: _Are_ these worlds habitable? For my -own part I believe they are." - -"For myself, I feel certain of it," said Michel Ardan. - -"Nevertheless," retorted one of the audience, "there are many arguments -_against_ the habitability of the worlds. The conditions of life must -evidently be greatly modified upon the majority of them. To mention -only the planets, we should be either broiled alive in some, or frozen -to death in others, according as they are more or less removed from the -sun." - -"I regret," replied Michel Ardan, "that I have not the honour of personally -knowing my contradictor, for I would have attempted to answer him. His -objection has its merits, I admit; but I think we may successfully combat -it, as well as all others which affect the habitability of the other -worlds. If I were a _natural philosopher,_ I would tell him that if less -of caloric were _set in motion_ upon the planets which are nearest to -the sun, and more, on the contrary, upon those which are farthest removed -from it, this simple fact would alone suffice to equalize the heat, and -to render the temperature of those worlds supportable by beings organized -like ourselves. If I were a _naturalist_, I would tell him that, according -to some illustrious men of science, nature has furnished us with instances -upon the earth of animals existing under very varying conditions of life; -that fish respire in a medium fatal to other animals; that amphibious -creatures possess a double existence very difficult of explanation; that -certain denizens of the seas maintain life at enormous depths, and there -support a pressure equal to that of fifty or sixty atmospheres without -being crushed; that several aquatic insects, insensible to temperature, -are met with equally among boiling springs and in the frozen plains -of the Polar Sea; in fine, that we cannot help recognizing in nature a -diversity of means of operation oftentimes incomprehensible, but not the -less real. If I were a _chemist_, I would tell him that the aerolites, -bodies evidently formed exteriorly of our terrestrial globe, have, upon -analysis, revealed indisputable traces of carbon, a substance which -owes its origin solely to organized beings, and which, according to the -experiments of Reichenbach, must necessarily itself have been _endued -with animation._ And lastly, were I a theologian, I would tell him that -the scheme of the Divine Redemption, according to St. Paul, seems to be -applicable, not merely to the earth, but to all the celestial worlds. -But, unfortunately I am neither theologian, nor chemist, nor naturalist, -nor philosopher; therefore, in my absolute ignorance of the great laws -which govern the universe, I confine myself to saying in reply, 'I do not -know whether the worlds are inhabited or not; and since I do not know, -_I am going to see!_" - -Whether Michel Ardan's antagonist hazarded any further arguments or -not it is impossible to say, for the uproarious shouts of the crowd -would not allow any expression of opinion to gain a hearing. On silence -being restored, the triumphant orator contented himself with adding the -following remarks:-- - -"Gentlemen, you will observe that I have but slightly touched upon -this great question. There is another altogether different line of -arguments in favour of the habitability of the stars, which I omit for -the present. I only desire to call attention to one point. To those who -maintain that the planets are _not_ inhabited one may reply:--You might -be perfectly in the right, if you could only show that the earth is the -_best possible world,_ spite of what Voltaire has said. She has but _one_ -satellite, while Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, Neptune have each several, -an advantage by no means to be despised. But that which renders our own -globe so uncomfortable is the inclination of its axis to the plane of its -orbit. Hence the inequality of days and nights; hence the disagreeable -diversity of the seasons. On the surface of our unhappy spheroid we -are always either too hot or too cold; we are frozen in winter, broiled -in summer; it is the planet of rheumatism, coughs, bronchitis; while -on the surface of Jupiter, for example, where the axis is but slightly -inclined, the inhabitants may enjoy uniform temperatures. It possesses -zones of perpetual springs, summers, autumns, and winters; every Jovian -may choose for himself what climate he likes, and there spend the whole -of his life in security from all variations of temperature. You will, I -am sure, readily admit this superiority of Jupiter over our own planet, -to say nothing of his years, which each equal twelve of ours! Under -such auspices, and such marvellous conditions of existence, it appears -to me that the inhabitants of so fortunate a world must be in every -respect superior to ourselves. All we require, in order to attain to -such perfection, is the mere trifle of having an axis of rotation less -inclined to the plane of its orbit!" - -"Hurrah!" roared an energetic voice, "let us unite our efforts, invent -the necessary machines, and rectify the earth's axis!" - -A thunder of applause followed this proposal, the author of which was, of -course, no other than J. T. Maston. And, in all probability, if the truth -must be told, if the Yankees could only have found a point of application -for it, they would have constructed a lever capable of raising the earth -and rectifying its axis. It was just this deficiency which baffled these -daring mechanicians. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - ATTACK AND RIPOSTE. - - -As soon as the excitement had subsided, the following words were heard -uttered in a strong and determined voice:-- - -"Now that the speaker has favoured us with so much imagination, would he -be so good as to return to his subject, and give us a little practical -view of the question?" - -All eyes were directed towards the person who spoke. He was a little -dried-up man, of an active figure, with an American "goatee" beard. -Profiting by the different movements in the crowd, he had managed by -degrees to gain the front row of spectators. There, with arms crossed -and stern gaze, he watched the hero of the meeting. After having put -his question he remained silent, and appeared to take no notice of -the thousands of looks directed towards himself, nor of the murmur of -disapprobation excited by his words. Meeting at first with no reply, he -repeated his question with marked emphasis, adding, "We are here to talk -about the _moon_ and not about the _earth_." - -"You are right, sir," replied Michel Ardan; "the discussion has become -irregular. We will return to the moon." - -"Sir," said the unknown, "you pretend that our satellite is inhabited. -Very good; but if Selenites do exist, that race of beings assuredly must -live without breathing, for--I warn you for your own sake--there is -not the smallest particle of air on the surface of the moon." - -At this remark Ardan pushed up his shock of red hair; he saw that he was -on the point of being involved in a struggle with this person upon the -very gist of the whole question. He looked sternly at him in his turn -and said,-- - -"Oh! so there is no air in the moon? And pray, if you are so good, who -ventures to affirm that?" - -"The men of science." - -"Really?" - -"Really." - -"Sir," replied Michel, "pleasantry apart, I have a profound respect for -men of science who do possess science, but a profound contempt for men -of science who do not." - -"Do you know any who belong to the latter category?" - -"Decidedly. In France there are some who maintain that, mathematically, -a bird cannot possibly fly; and others who demonstrate theoretically that -fishes were never made to live in water." - -"I have nothing to do with persons of that description, and I can quote, -in support of my statement, names which you cannot refuse deference to." - -"Then, sir, you will sadly embarrass a poor ignorant, who, besides, asks -nothing better than to learn." - -"Why, then, do you introduce scientific questions if you have never -studied them?" asked the unknown somewhat coarsely. - -"For the reason that 'he is always brave who never suspects danger.' I -know nothing, it is true; but it is precisely my very weakness which -constitutes my strength." - -"Your weakness amounts to folly," retorted the unknown in a passion. - -"All the better," replied our Frenchman, "if it carries me up to the -_moon._" - -Barbicane and his colleagues devoured with their eyes the intruder who had -so boldly placed himself in antagonism to their enterprise. Nobody knew -him, and the president, uneasy as to the result of so free a discussion, -watched his new friend with some anxiety. The meeting began to be somewhat -fidgety also, for the contest directed their attention to the dangers, -if not the actual impossibilities, of the proposed expedition. - - -Illustration: ATTACK AND RIPOSTE. - - -"Sir," replied Ardan's antagonist, "there are many and incontrovertible -reasons which prove the absence of an atmosphere in the moon. I might -say that, _a priori_, if one ever did exist, it must have been absorbed -by the earth; but I prefer to bring forward indisputable facts." - -"Bring them forward then, sir, as many as you please." - -"You know," said the stranger, "that when any luminous rays cross a -medium such as the air, they are deflected out of the straight line; in -other words, they undergo _refraction._ Well! When stars are occulted by -the moon, their rays, on grazing the edge of her disc, exhibit not the -least deviation, nor offer the slightest indication of refraction. It -follows, therefore, that the moon cannot be surrounded by an atmosphere." - -"In point of fact," replied Ardan, "this is your chief, if not your _only_ -argument; and a really scientific man might be puzzled to answer it. For -myself, I will simply say that it is defective, because it assumes that -the angular diameter of the moon has been completely determined, which -is not the case. But let us proceed. Tell me, my dear sir, do you admit -the existence of volcanoes on the moon's surface?" - -"_Extinct_, yes! In activity, no!" - -"These volcanoes, however, were at one time in a state of activity?" - -"True! but, as they furnished themselves the oxygen necessary for -combustion, the mere fact of their eruption does not prove the presence -of an atmosphere." - -"Proceed again, then; and let us set aside this class of arguments in -order to come to direct observations. In 1715 the astronomers Louville -and Halley, watching the eclipse of the 3rd May, remarked some very -extraordinary scintillations. These jets of light, rapid in nature, and -of frequent recurrence, they attributed to thunderstorms generated in -the lunar atmosphere." - -"In 1715," replied the unknown, "the astronomers Louville and Halley -mistook for lunar phenomena some which were purely terrestrial, such as -meteoric or other bodies which are generated in our own atmosphere. This -was the scientific explanation at the time of the facts; and that is my -answer now." - -"On again, then," replied Ardan; "Herschel, in 1787, observed a great -number of luminous points on the moon's surface, did he not?" - -"Yes! but without offering any solution of them. Herschel himself never -inferred from them the necessity of a lunar atmosphere. And I may add -that Boeer and Moedler, the two great authorities upon the moon, are -quite agreed as to the entire absence of air on its surface." - -A movement was here manifest among the assemblage, who appeared to be -growing excited by the arguments of this singular personage. - -"Let us proceed," replied Ardan, with perfect coolness, "and come to one -important fact. A skilful French astronomer, M. Laussedat, in watching -the eclipse of July 18, 1860, proved that the horns of the solar crescent -were _rounded and truncated._ Now, this appearance could only have been -produced by a deviation of the solar rays in traversing the atmosphere -of the moon. There is no other possible explanation of the fact." - -"But is this established as a fact?" - -"Absolutely certain!" - -A counter-movement here took place in favour of the hero of the meeting, -whose opponent was now reduced to silence. Ardan resumed the conversation; -and without exhibiting any exultation at the advantage he had gained, -simply said,-- - -"You see, then, my dear sir, we must not pronounce with absolute -positiveness against the existence of an atmosphere in the moon. That -atmosphere is, probably, of extreme rarity; nevertheless at the present -day science generally admits that it exists." - -"Not in the mountains, at all events," returned the unknown, unwilling -to give in. - -"No! but at the bottom of the valleys, and not exceeding a few hundred -feet in height." - -"In any case you will do well to take every precaution, for the air will -be terribly rarified." - -"My good sir, there will always be enough for a solitary individual; -besides, once arrived up there, I shall do my best to economize, and not -to breathe except on grand occasions!" - -A tremendous roar of laughter rang in the ears of the mysterious -interlocutor, who glared fiercely round upon the assembly. - -"Then," continued Ardan, with a careless air, "since we are in accord -regarding the presence of a certain atmosphere, we are forced to admit -the presence of a certain quantity of water. This is a happy consequence -for me. Moreover, my amiable contradictor, permit me to submit to you -one further observation. We only know one side of the moon's disc; and -if there is but little air on the face presented to us, it is possible -that there is plenty on the one turned away from us." - -"And for what reason?" - -"Because the moon, under the action of the earth's attraction, has -assumed the form of an egg, which we look at from the smaller end. Hence -it follows, by Hausen's calculations, that its centre of gravity is -situated in the other hemisphere. Hence it results that the great mass -of air and water must have been drawn away to the other face of our -satellite during the first days of its creation." - -"Pure fancies!" cried the unknown. - -"No! Pure theories! which are based upon the laws of mechanics, and it -seems difficult to me to refute them. I appeal then to this meeting, and -I put it to them whether life, such as exists upon the earth, is possible -on the surface of the moon?" - -Three hundred thousand auditors at once applauded the proposition. -Ardan's opponent tried to get in another word, but he could not obtain -a hearing. Cries and menaces fell upon him like hail. - -"Enough! enough!" cried some. - -"Drive the intruder off!" shouted others. - -"Turn him out!" roared the exasperated crowd. - -But he, holding firmly on to the platform, did not budge an inch, and let -the storm pass on, which would soon have assumed formidable proportions, -if Michel Ardan had not quieted it by a gesture. He was too chivalrous -to abandon his opponent in an apparent extremity. - -"You wished to say a few more words?" he asked, in a pleasant voice. - -"Yes, a thousand; or rather, no, only one! If you persevere in your -enterprise, you must be a--" - -"Very rash person! How can you treat me as such? me, who have demanded a -cylindro-conical projectile, in order to prevent turning round and round -on my way like a squirrel?" - -"But, unhappy man, the dreadful recoil will smash you to pieces at your -starting." - -"My dear contradictor, you have just put your finger upon the true and -the only difficulty; nevertheless, I have too good an opinion of the -industrial genius of the Americans not to believe that they will succeed -in overcoming it." - -"But the heat developed by the rapidity of the projectile in crossing -the strata of air?" - -"Oh! the walls are thick, and I shall soon have crossed the atmosphere." - -"But victuals and water?" - -"I have calculated for a twelvemonth's supply, and I shall be only four -days on the journey." - -"But for air to breathe on the road?" - -"I shall make it by chemical process." - -"But your fall on the moon, supposing you ever reach it?" - -"It will be six times less dangerous than a sudden fall upon the earth, -because the weight will be only one-sixth as great on the surface of the -moon." - -"Still it will be enough to smash you like glass!" - -"What is to prevent my retarding the shock by means of rockets conveniently -placed, and lighted at the right moment?" - -"But after all, supposing all difficulties surmounted, all obstacles -removed, supposing everything combined to favour you, and granting that -you may arrive safe and sound in the moon, how will you come back?" - -"I am not coming back!" - -At this reply, almost sublime in its very simplicity, the assembly became -silent. But its silence was more eloquent than could have been its cries -of enthusiasm. The unknown profited by the opportunity and once more -protested,-- - -"You will inevitably kill yourself!" he cried; "and your death will be -that of a madman, useless even to science!" - -"Go on, my dear unknown, for truly your prophecies are most agreeable!" - -"It really is too much!" cried Michel Ardan's adversary. "I do not know -why I should continue so frivolous a discussion! Please yourself about -this insane expedition! We need not trouble ourselves about you!" - -"Pray don't stand upon ceremony!" - -"No! another person is responsible for your act." - -"Who, may I ask?" demanded Michel Ardan in an imperious tone. - -"The ignoramus who organized this equally absurd and impossible -experiment!" - -The attack was direct. Barbicane, ever since the interference of the -unknown, had been making fearful efforts of self-control; now, however, -seeing himself directly attacked, he could restrain himself no longer. -He rose suddenly, and was rushing upon the enemy who thus braved him to -the face, when all at once he found himself separated from him. - -The platform was lifted by a hundred strong arms, and the President of -the Gun Club shared with Michel Ardan triumphal honours. The shield was -heavy, but the bearers came in continuous relays, disputing, struggling, -even fighting among themselves in their eagerness to lend their shoulders -to this demonstration. - -However, the unknown had not profited by the tumult to quit his post. -Besides he could not have done it in the midst of that compact crowd. -There he held on in the front row with crossed arms, glaring at President -Barbicane. - -The shouts of the immense crowd continued at their highest pitch throughout -this triumphant march. Michel Ardan took it all with evident pleasure. -His face gleamed with delight. Several times the platform seemed seized -with pitching and rolling like a weather-beaten ship. But the two heroes -of the meeting had good sea-legs. They never stumbled; and their vessel -arrived without dues at the port of Tampa Town. - -Michel Ardan managed fortunately to escape from the last embraces of -his vigorous admirers. He made for the Hotel Franklin, quickly gained -his chamber, and slid under the bedclothes, while an army of a hundred -thousand men kept watch under his windows. - -During this time a scene, short, grave, and decisive, took place between -the mysterious personage and the President of the Gun Club. - -Barbicane, free at last, had gone straight at his adversary. - -"Come!" he said shortly. - -The other followed him on to the quay; and the two presently found -themselves alone at the entrance of an open wharf on Jones' Fall. - -The two enemies, still mutually unknown, gazed at each other. - -"Who are you?" asked Barbicane. - - -Illustration: THE PLATFORM WAS SUDDENLY CARRIED AWAY. - - -"Captain Nicholl!" - -"So I suspected. Hitherto chance has never thrown you in my way." - -"I am come for that purpose." - -"You have insulted me." - -"Publicly!" - -"And you will answer to me for this insult?" - -"At this very moment." - -"No! I desire that all that passes between us shall be secret. There is -a wood situated three miles from Tampa, the wood of Skersnaw. Do you know -it?" - -"I know it." - -"Will you be so good as to enter it to-morrow morning at five o'clock, -on one side?" - -"Yes! if you will enter at the other side at the same hour." - -"And you will not forget your rifle?" said Barbicane. - -"No more than you will forget yours," replied Nicholl. - -These words having been coldly spoken, the President of the Gun Club and -the captain parted. Barbicane returned to his lodging; but instead of -snatching a few hours of repose, he passed the night in endeavouring to -discover a means of evading the recoil of the projectile, and resolving -the difficult problem proposed by Michel Ardan during the discussion at -the meeting. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - HOW A FRENCHMAN MANAGES AN AFFAIR. - - -While the contract of this duel was being discussed by the president and -the captain--this dreadful, savage duel, in which each adversary became -a man-hunter--Michel Ardan was resting from the fatigues of his triumph. -_Resting_ is hardly an appropriate expression, for American beds rival -marble or granite tables for hardness. - -Ardan was sleeping, then, badly enough, tossing about between the cloths -which served him for sheets, and he was dreaming of making a more -comfortable couch in his projectile when a frightful noise disturbed his -dreams. Thundering blows shook his door. They seemed to be caused by some -iron instrument. A great deal of loud talking was distinguishable in this -racket, which was rather too early in the morning. "Open the door," some -one shrieked, "for Heaven's sake!" Ardan saw no reason for complying with -a demand so roughly expressed. However, he got up and opened the door -just as it was giving way before the blows of this determined visitor. -The secretary of the Gun Club burst into the room. A bomb could not have -made more noise or have entered the room with less ceremony. - -"Last night," cried J. T. Maston, _ex abrupto_, "our president was -publicly insulted during the meeting. He provoked his adversary, who is -none other than Captain Nicholl! They are fighting this morning in the -wood of Skersnaw. I heard all particulars from the mouth of Barbicane -himself. If he is killed, then our scheme is at end. We must prevent this -duel; and one man alone has enough influence over Barbicane to stop him, -and that man is Michel Ardan." - - -Illustration: MASTON BURST INTO THE ROOM. - - -While J. T. Maston was speaking, Michel Ardan, without interrupting him, -had hastily put on his clothes; and, in less than two minutes, the two -friends were making for the suburbs of Tampa Town with rapid strides. - -It was during this walk that Maston told Ardan the state of the case. He -told him the real causes of the hostility between Barbicane and Nicholl; -how it was of old date, and why, thanks to unknown friends, the president -and the captain had, as yet, never met face to face. He added that it -arose simply from a rivalry between iron plates and shot, and, finally, -that the scene at the meeting was only the long-wished-for opportunity -for Nicholl to pay off an old grudge. - -Nothing is more dreadful than private duels in America. The two adversaries -attack each other like wild beasts. Then it is that they might well covet -those wonderful properties of the Indians of the prairies--their quick -intelligence, their ingenious cunning, their scent of the enemy. A single -mistake, a moment's hesitation, a single false step may cause death. On -these occasions Yankees are often accompanied by their dogs, and keep up -the struggle for hours. - -"What demons you are!" cried Michel Ardan, when his companion had depicted -this scene to him with much energy. - -"Yes we are," replied J. T. modestly; "but we had better make haste." - -Though Michel Ardan and he had crossed the plain still wet with dew, and -had taken the shortest route over creeks and ricefields, they could not -reach Skersnaw under five hours and a half. - -Barbicane must have passed the border half an hour ago. - -There was an old bushman working there, occupied in selling faggots from -trees that had been levelled by his axe. - -Maston ran towards him, saying, "Have you seen a man go into the wood, -armed with a rifle? Barbicane, the president, my best friend?" - -The worthy secretary of the Gun Club thought that his president must be -known by all the world. But the bushman did not seem to understand him. - -"A hunter?" said Ardan. - -"A hunter? Yes," replied the bushman. - -"Long ago?" - -"About an hour." - -"Too late!" cried Maston. - -"Have you heard any gun-shots?" asked Ardan. - -"No!" - -"Not one?" - -"Not one! that hunter did not look as if he knew how to hunt!" - -"What is to be done?" said Maston. - -"We must go into the wood, at the risk of getting a ball which is not -intended for us." - -"Ah!" cried Maston, in a tone which could not be mistaken, "I would -rather have twenty balls in my own head than one in Barbicane's." - -"Forward, then," said Ardan, pressing his companion's hand. - -A few moments later the two friends had disappeared in the copse. It was -a dense thicket, in which rose huge cypresses, sycamores, tulip-trees, -olives, tamarinds, oaks, and magnolias. These different trees had -interwoven their branches into an inextricable maze, through which the -eye could not penetrate. Michel Ardan and Maston walked side by side in -silence through the tall grass, cutting themselves a path through the -strong creepers, casting curious glances on the bushes, and momentarily -expecting to hear the sound of rifles. As for the traces which Barbicane -ought to have left of his passage through the wood, there was not a -vestige of them visible: so they followed the barely perceptible paths -along which Indians had tracked some enemy, and which the dense foliage -darkly overshadowed. - -After an hour spent in vain pursuit the two stopped in intensified -anxiety. - -"It must be all over," said Maston, discouraged. "A man like Barbicane -would not dodge with his enemy, or ensnare him, would not even manoeuvre! -He is too open, too brave. He has gone straight ahead, right into the -danger, and doubtless far enough from the bushman for the wind to prevent -his hearing the report of the rifles." - -"But surely," replied Michel Ardan, "since we entered the wood we should -have heard!" - -"And what if we came too late?" cried Maston in tones of despair. - -For once Ardan had no reply to make, he and Maston resuming their walk -in silence. From time to time, indeed, they raised great shouts, calling -alternately Barbicane and Nicholl, neither of whom, however, answered -their cries. Only the birds, awakened by the sound, flew past them -and disappeared among the branches, while some frightened deer fled -precipitately before them. - -For another hour their search was continued. The greater part of the -wood had been explored. There was nothing to reveal the presence of the -combatants. The information of the bushman was after all doubtful, and -Ardan was about to propose their abandoning this useless pursuit, when -all at once Maston stopped. - -"Hush!" said he, "there is some one down there!" - -"Some one?" repeated Michel Ardan. - -"Yes; a man! He seems motionless. His rifle is not in his hands. What -can he be doing?" - -"But can you recognize him?" asked Ardan, whose short sight was of little -use to him in such circumstances. - -"Yes! yes! He is turning towards us," answered Maston. - -"And it is?" - -"Captain Nicholl!" - -"Nicholl?" cried Michel Ardan, feeling a terrible pang of grief. - -"Nicholl unarmed! He has, then, no longer any fear of his adversary!" - -"Let us go to him," said Michel Ardan, "and find out the truth." - -But he and his companion had barely taken fifty steps when they paused to -examine the captain more attentively. They expected to find a bloodthirsty -man, happy in his revenge! - -On seeing him, they remained stupefied. - -A net, composed of very fine meshes, hung between two enormous -tulip-trees, and in the midst of this snare, with its wings entangled, -was a poor little bird, uttering pitiful cries, while it vainly struggled -to escape. The bird-catcher who had laid this snare was no human being, -but a venomous spider, peculiar to that country, as large as a pigeon's -egg, and armed with enormous claws. The hideous creature, instead of -rushing on its prey, had beaten a sudden retreat and taken refuge in -the upper branches of the tulip-tree, for a formidable enemy menaced its -stronghold. - -Here, then, was Nicholl, his gun on the ground, forgetful of danger, -trying if possible to save the victim from its cobweb prison. At last it -was accomplished, and the little bird flew joyfully away and disappeared. - -Nicholl lovingly watched its flight, when he heard these words pronounced -by a voice full of emotion,-- - -"You are indeed a brave man!" - -He turned. Michel Ardan was before him, repeating in a different tone,-- - -"And a kindhearted one!" - -"Michel Ardan!" cried the captain. "Why are you here?" - -"To press your hand, Nicholl, and to prevent you from either killing -Barbicane or being killed by him." - -"Barbicane!" returned the captain. "I have been looking for him for the -last two hours in vain. Where is he hiding?" - - -Illustration: IN THE MIDST OF THIS SNARE WAS A POOR LITTLE BIRD. - - -"Nicholl!" said Michel Ardan, "this is not courteous! we ought always to -treat an adversary with respect; rest assured if Barbicane is still alive -we shall find him all the more easily; because if he has not, like you, -been amusing himself with freeing oppressed birds, he must be looking -for _you_. When we have found him, Michel Ardan tells you this, there -will be no duel between you." - -"Between President Barbicane and myself," gravely replied Nicholl, "there -is a rivalry which the death of one of us--" - -"Pooh, pooh!" said Ardan. "Brave fellows like you indeed! you shall not -fight!" - -"I will fight, sir!" - -"No!" - -"Captain," said J. T. Maston, with much feeling, "I am a friend of the -president's, his _alter ego_, his second self; if you really must kill -some one, _shoot me!_ it will do just as well!" - -"Sir," Nicholl replied, seizing his rifle convulsively, "these jokes--" - -"Our friend Maston is not joking," replied Ardan. "I fully understand -his idea of being killed himself in order to save his friend. But neither -he nor Barbicane will fall before the balls of Captain Nicholl. Indeed I -have so attractive a proposal to make to the two rivals, that both will -be eager to accept it." - -"What is it?" asked Nicholl with manifest incredulity. - -"Patience!" exclaimed Ardan. "I can only reveal it in the presence of -Barbicane." - -"Let us go in search of him then!" cried the captain. - -The three men started off at once; the captain having discharged his -rifle threw it over his shoulder, and advanced in silence. - -Another half-hour passed, and the pursuit was still fruitless. Maston was -oppressed by sinister forebodings. He looked fiercely at Nicholl, asking -himself whether the captain's vengeance had been already satisfied, and -the unfortunate Barbicane, shot, was perhaps lying dead on some bloody -track. The same thought seemed to occur to Ardan; and both were casting -inquiring glances on Nicholl, when suddenly Maston paused. - -The motionless figure of a man leaning against a gigantic catalpa twenty -feet off appeared, half-veiled by the foliage. "It is he!" said Maston. - -Barbicane never moved. Ardan looked at the captain, but he did not wince. -Ardan went forward crying,-- - -"Barbicane, Barbicane!" - -No answer! Ardan rushed towards his friend; but in the act of seizing -his arms, he stopped short and uttered a cry of surprise. - -Barbicane, pencil in hand, was tracing geometrical figures in a memorandum -book, whilst his unloaded rifle lay beside him on the ground. - -Absorbed in his studies, Barbicane, in his turn forgetful of the duel, -had seen and heard nothing. - -When Ardan took his hand, he looked up and stared at his visitor in -astonishment. - -"Ah, it is you!" he cried at last. "I have found it, my friend, I have -found it!" - -"What?" - -"My plan!" - -"What plan?" - -"The plan for counteracting the effect of the shock at the departure of -the projectile!" - -"Indeed?" said Michel Ardan, looking at the captain out of the corner of -his eye. - -"Yes! water! simply water, which will act as a spring--ah! Maston," -cried Barbicane, "you here also?" - -"Himself," replied Ardan; "and permit me to introduce to you at the same -time the worthy Captain Nicholl!" - -"Nicholl!" cried Barbicane, who jumped up at once. "Pardon me, captain, -I had quite forgotten--I am ready!" - -Michel Ardan interfered, without giving the two enemies time to say -anything more. - - -Illustration: "GO WITH ME, AND SEE WHETHER WE ARE STOPPED - ON OUR JOURNEY." - - -"Thank Heaven!" said he. "It is a happy thing that brave men like you two -did not meet sooner! we should now have been mourning for one or other -of you. But, thanks to Providence, which has interfered, there is now no -further cause for alarm. When one forgets one's anger in mechanics or in -cobwebs, it is a sign that the anger is not dangerous." - -Michel Ardan then told the president how the captain had been found -occupied. - -"I put it to you now," said he in conclusion, "are two such good fellows -as you are made on purpose to smash each other's skulls with shot?" - -There was in "the situation" somewhat of the ridiculous, something -quite unexpected; Michel Ardan saw this, and determined to effect a -reconciliation. - -"My good friends," said he, with his most bewitching smile, "this is -nothing but a misunderstanding. Nothing more! well! to prove that it is -all over between you, accept frankly the proposal I am going to make to -you." - -"Make it," said Nicholl. - -"Our friend Barbicane believes that his projectile will go straight to -the moon?" - -"Yes, certainly," replied the president. - -"And our friend Nicholl is persuaded it will fall back upon the earth?" - -"I am certain of it," cried the captain. - -"Good!" said Ardan. "I cannot pretend to make you agree; but I suggest -this:--Go with me, and so see whether we are stopped on our journey." - -"What?" exclaimed J. T. Maston, stupefied. - -The two rivals, on this sudden proposal, looked steadily at each other. -Barbicane waited for the captain's answer. Nicholl watched for the -decision of the president. - -"Well?" said Michel. "There is now no fear of the shock!" - -"Done!" cried Barbicane. - -But quickly as he pronounced the word, he was not before Nicholl. - -"Hurrah! bravo! hip! hip! hurrah!" cried Michel, giving a hand to each -of the late adversaries. "Now that it is all settled, my friends, allow -me to treat you after French fashion. Let us be off to breakfast!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - THE NEW CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES. - - -That same day all America heard of the affair of Captain Nicholl and -President Barbicane, as well as its singular _denouement_. From that -day forth, Michel Ardan had not one moment's rest. Deputations from all -corners of the Union harassed him without cessation or intermission. -He was compelled to receive them all, whether he would or no. How many -hands he shook, how many people he was "hail-fellow-well-met" with, it -is impossible to guess! Such a triumphal result would have intoxicated -any other man; but he managed to keep himself in a state of delightful -_semi_-tipsiness. - -Among the deputations of all kinds which assailed him, that of "The -Lunatics" were careful not to forget what they owed to the future -conqueror of the moon. One day, certain of these poor people, so numerous -in America, came to call upon him, and requested permission to return -with him to their native country. - -"Singular hallucination!" said he to Barbicane, after having dismissed -the deputation with promises to convey numbers of messages to friends in -the moon. "Do you believe in the influence of the moon upon distempers?" - -"Scarcely!" - -"No more do I, despite some remarkable recorded facts of history. For -instance, during an epidemic in 1693, a large number of persons died -at the very moment of an eclipse. The celebrated Bacon always fainted -during an eclipse. Charles VI. relapsed six times into madness during -the year 1399, sometimes during the new, sometimes during the full -moon. Gall observed that insane persons underwent an accession of their -disorder twice in every month, at the epochs of new and full moon. In -fact, numerous observations made upon fevers, somnambulisms, and other -human maladies, seem to prove that the moon does exercise some mysterious -influence upon man." - -"But the how and the wherefore?" asked Barbicane. - -"Well, I can only give you the answer which Arago borrowed from Plutarch, -which is nineteen centuries old. 'Perhaps the stories are not true!'" - -In the height of his triumph, Michel Ardan had to encounter all the -annoyances incidental to a man of celebrity. Managers of entertainments -wanted to exhibit him. Barnum offered him a million dollars to make the -tour of the United States in his show. As for his photographs, they were -sold of all sizes, and his portrait taken in every imaginable posture. -More than half a million copies were disposed of in an incredibly short -space of time. - -But it was not only the men who paid him homage, but the women also. He -might have married well a hundred times over, if he had been willing to -settle in life. The old maids, in particular, of forty years and upwards, -and dry in proportion, devoured his photographs day and night. They -would have married him by hundreds, even if he had imposed upon them the -condition of accompanying him into space. He had, however, no intention -of transplanting a race of Franco-Americans upon the surface of the moon. - -He therefore declined all offers. - -As soon as he could withdraw from these somewhat embarrassing -demonstrations, he went, accompanied by his friends, to pay a visit to -the Columbiad. He was highly gratified by his inspection, and made the -descent to the bottom of the tube of this gigantic machine which was -presently to launch him to the regions of the moon. - -It is necessary here to mention a proposal of J. T. Maston's. When the -secretary of the Gun Club found that Barbicane and Nicholl accepted the -proposal of Michel Ardan, he determined to join them, and make one of -a snug party of four. So one day he determined to be admitted as one -of the travellers. Barbicane, pained at having to refuse him, gave him -clearly to understand that the projectile could not possibly contain -so many passengers. Maston, in despair, went in search of Michel Ardan, -who counselled him to resign himself to the situation, adding one or two -arguments _ad hominem_. - -"You see, old fellow," he said, "you must not take what I say in bad part; -but really, between ourselves, you are in too incomplete a condition to -appear in the moon!" - -"Incomplete?" shrieked the valiant invalid. - -"Yes, my dear fellow! imagine our meeting some of the inhabitants up -there! Would you like to give them such a melancholy notion of what goes -on down here? to teach them what war is, to inform them that we employ -our time chiefly in devouring each other, in smashing arms and legs, and -that too on a globe which is capable of supporting a hundred billions of -inhabitants, and which actually does contain nearly two hundred millions? -Why, my worthy friend, we should have to turn you out of doors!" - -"But still, if you arrive there in pieces, you will be as _incomplete_ -as I am." - -"Unquestionably," replied Michel Ardan; "but we shall not." - -In fact, a preparatory experiment, tried on the 18th October, had yielded -the best results and caused the most well-grounded hopes of success. -Barbicane, desirous of obtaining some notion of the effect of the shock -at the moment of the projectile's departure, had procured a 38-inch -mortar from the arsenal of Pensacola. He had this placed on the bank of -Hillisborough Roads, in order that the shell might fall back into the -sea, and the shock be thereby destroyed. His object was to ascertain the -extent of the shock of departure, and not that of the return. - -A hollow projectile had been prepared for this curious experiment. A thick -padding fastened upon a kind of elastic network, made of the best steel, -lined the inside of the walls. It was a veritable _nest_ most carefully -wadded. - -"What a pity I can't find room in there," said J. T. Maston, regretting -that his height did not allow of his trying the adventure. - -Within this shell were shut up a large cat, and a squirrel belonging to -J. T. Maston, and of which he was particularly fond. They were desirous, -however, of ascertaining how this little animal, least of all others -subject to giddiness, would endure this experimental voyage. - -The mortar was charged with 160 lbs. of powder, and the shell placed in -the chamber. On being fired, the projectile rose with great velocity, -described a majestic parabola, attained a height of about a thousand -feet, and with a graceful curve descended in the midst of the vessels -that lay there at anchor. - -Without a moment's loss of time a small boat put off in the direction of -its fall; some active divers plunged into the water and attached ropes -to the handles of the shell, which was quickly dragged on board. Five -minutes did not elapse between the moment of enclosing the animals and -that of unscrewing the coverlid of their prison. - -Ardan, Barbicane, Maston, and Nicholl were present on board the boat, -and assisted at the operation with an interest which may readily be -comprehended. Hardly had the shell been opened when the cat leaped out, -slightly bruised, but full of life, and exhibiting no signs whatever of -having made an aerial expedition. No trace, however, of the squirrel -could be discovered. The truth at last became apparent;--the cat had -eaten its fellow-traveller! - -J. T. Maston grieved much for the loss of his poor squirrel, and proposed -to add its case to that of other martyrs to science. - -After this experiment all hesitation, all fear disappeared. - - -Illustration: THE CAT TAKEN OUT OF THE SHELL. - - -Besides, Barbicane's plans would ensure greater perfection for his -projectile, and go far to annihilate altogether the effects of the shock. -Nothing now remained but to go! - -Two days later Michel Ardan received a message from the President of the -United States, an honour of which he showed himself especially sensible. - -After the example of his illustrious fellow-countryman, the Marquis de -la Fayette, the government had decreed to him the title of "Citizen of -the United States of America." - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - THE PROJECTILE-VEHICLE. - - -On the completion of the Columbiad the public interest centred in the -projectile itself, the vehicle which was destined to carry the three -hardy adventurers into space. - -The new plans had been sent to Breadwill and Co., of Albany, with the -request for their speedy execution. The projectile was consequently cast -on the 2d November, and immediately forwarded by the Eastern Railway to -Stones Hill, which it reached without accident on the 10th of that month, -where Michel Ardan, Barbicane, and Nicholl were waiting impatiently for -it. - -The projectile had now to be filled to the depth of three feet with a -bed of water, intended to support a watertight wooden disc, which worked -easily within the walls of the projectile. It was upon this kind of -raft that the travellers were to take their place. This body of water -was divided by horizontal partitions, which the shock of the departure -would have to break in succession. Then each sheet of the water, from -the lowest to the highest, running off into escape tubes toward the top -of the projectile, constituted a kind of spring; and the wooden disc, -supplied with extremely powerful plugs, could not strike the lowest plate -except after breaking successively the different partitions. Undoubtedly -the travellers would still have to encounter a violent _recoil_ after -the complete escapement of the water; but the first shock would be almost -entirely destroyed by this powerful spring. The upper part of the walls -were lined with a thick padding of leather, fastened upon springs of the -best steel, behind which the escape tubes were completely concealed; thus -all imaginable precautions had been taken for averting the first shock; -and if they _did_ get crushed, they must, as Michel Ardan said, be made -of very bad materials. - - -Illustration: THE ARRIVAL OF THE PROJECTILE AT STONE'S HILL. - - -The entrance into this metallic tower was by a narrow aperture contrived -in the wall of the cone. This was hermetically closed by a plate of -aluminium, fastened internally by powerful screw-pressure. The travellers -could therefore quit their prison at pleasure, as soon as they should -reach the moon. - -Light and view were given by means of four thick lenticular glass -scuttles, two pierced in the circular wall itself, the third in the -bottom, the fourth in the top. These scuttles then were protected against -the shock of departure by plates let into solid grooves, which could -easily be opened outwards by unscrewing them from the inside. Reservoirs -firmly fixed contained water and the necessary provisions; and fire and -light were procurable by means of gas, contained in a special reservoir -under a pressure of several atmospheres. They had only to turn a tap, -and for six hours the gas would light and warm this comfortable vehicle. - -There now remained only the question of air; for allowing for the -consumption of air by Barbicane, his two companions, and two dogs which -he proposed taking with him, it was necessary to renew the air of the -projectile. Now air consists principally of twenty-one parts of oxygen -and seventy-nine of nitrogen. The lungs absorb the oxygen, which is -indispensable for the support of life, and reject the nitrogen. The air -expired loses nearly five per cent. of the former and contains nearly an -equal volume of carbonic acid, produced by the combustion of the elements -of the blood. In an air-tight enclosure, then, after a certain time, all -the oxygen of the air will be replaced by the carbonic acid--a gas fatal -to life. There were two things to be done then--first, to replace the -absorbed oxygen; secondly, to destroy the expired carbonic acid; both -easy enough to do, by means of chlorate of potassium and caustic potash. -The former is a salt which appears under the form of white crystals; -when raised to a temperature of 400 deg. it is transformed into chlorate -of potass, and the oxygen which it contains is entirely liberated. Now -twenty-eight pounds of chlorate of potassium produce seven pounds of -oxygen, or 2400 _litres_--the quantity necessary for the travellers -during twenty-four hours. - -Caustic potash has a great affinity for carbonic acid; and it is -sufficient to shake it in order for it to seize upon the acid and form -bi-carbonate of potass. By these two means they would be enabled to -restore to the vitiated air its life-supporting properties. - -It is necessary, however, to add that the experiments had hitherto been -made _in anima vili_. Whatever its scientific accuracy was, they were at -present ignorant how it would answer with human beings. The honour of -putting it to the proof was energetically claimed by J. T. Maston. - -"Since I am not to go," said the brave artillerist, "I may at least live -for a week in the projectile." - -It would have been hard to refuse him; so they consented to his wish. -A sufficient quantity of chlorate of potassium and of caustic potash -was placed at his disposal, together with provisions for eight days. -And having shaken hands with his friends, on the 12th November, at six -o'clock a.m., after strictly informing them not to open his prison before -the 20th, at six o'clock p.m., he slid down the projectile, the plate -of which was at once hermetically sealed. What did he do with himself -during that week? They could get no information. The thickness of the -walls of the projectile prevented any sound reaching from the inside -to the outside. On the 20th of November, at six p.m. exactly, the plate -was opened. The friends of J. T. Maston had been all along in a state of -much anxiety; but they were promptly reassured on hearing a jolly voice -shouting a boisterous hurrah. - -Presently afterwards the secretary of the Gun Club appeared at the top -of the cone in a triumphant attitude. He had grown fat! - - -Illustration: J. T. MASTON HAD GROWN FAT. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - THE TELESCOPE OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. - - -On the 20th October in the preceding year, after the close of the -subscription, the president of the Gun Club had credited the Observatory -of Cambridge with the necessary sums for the construction of a gigantic -optical instrument. This instrument was designed for the purpose of -rendering visible on the surface of the moon any object exceeding nine -feet in diameter. - -At the period when the Gun Club essayed their great experiment, such -instruments had reached a high degree of perfection, and produced some -magnificent results. Two telescopes in particular, at this time, were -possessed of remarkable power and of gigantic dimensions. The first, -constructed by Herschel, was thirty-six feet in length, and had an -object-glass of four feet six inches; it possessed a magnifying power -of 6000. The second was raised in Ireland, in Parsonstown Park, and -belongs to Lord Rosse. The length of this tube is forty-eight feet, and -the diameter of its object-glass six feet; it magnifies 6400 times, and -required an immense erection of brickwork and masonry for the purpose of -working it, its weight being twelve tons and a half. - -Still, despite these colossal dimensions, the actual enlargements -scarcely exceeded 6000 times in round numbers; consequently, the moon -was brought within no nearer an apparent distance than thirty-nine miles; -and objects of less than sixty feet in diameter, unless they were of very -considerable length, were still imperceptible. - -In the present case, dealing with a projectile nine feet in diameter -and fifteen feet long, it became necessary to bring the moon within an -apparent distance of five miles at most; and for that purpose to establish -a magnifying power of 48,000 times. - -Such was the question proposed to the Observatory of Cambridge. There -was no lack of funds; the difficulty was purely one of construction. - -After considerable discussion as to the best form and principle of -the proposed instrument the work was finally commenced. According to -the calculations of the Observatory of Cambridge, the tube of the new -reflector would require to be 280 feet in length, and the object-glass -sixteen feet in diameter. Colossal as these dimensions may appear, they -were diminutive in comparison with the 10,000 foot telescope proposed by -the astronomer Hooke only a few years ago! - -Regarding the choice of locality, that matter was promptly determined. -The object was to select some lofty mountain, and there are not many of -these in the United States. In fact there are but two chains of moderate -elevation, between which runs the magnificent Mississippi, the "king of -rivers," as these Republican Yankees delight to call it. - -Eastwards rise the Apalachians, the very highest point of which, in New -Hampshire, does not exceed the very moderate altitude of 5600 feet. - -On the west, however, rise the Rocky Mountains, that immense range which, -commencing at the Straits of Magellan, follows the western coast of -Southern America under the name of the Andes or the Cordilleras, until -it crosses the Isthmus of Panama, and runs up the whole of North America -to the very borders of the Polar Sea. The highest elevation of this range -still does not exceed 10,700 feet. With this elevation, nevertheless, the -Gun Club were compelled to be content, inasmuch as they had determined -that both telescope and Columbiad should be erected within the limits of -the Union. All the necessary apparatus was consequently sent on to the -summit of Long's Peak, in the territory of Missouri. - - -Illustration: THE TELESCOPE OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. - - -Neither pen nor language can describe the difficulties of all kinds -which the American engineers had to surmount, or the prodigies of daring -and skill which they accomplished. They had to raise enormous stones, -massive pieces of wrought iron, heavy corner-clamps and huge portions -of cylinder, with an object-glass weighing nearly 30,000 lbs., above -the line of perpetual snow for more than 10,000 feet in height, after -crossing desert prairies, impenetrable forests, fearful rapids, far -from all centres of population, and in the midst of savage regions, in -which every detail of life becomes an almost insoluble problem. And yet, -notwithstanding these innumerable obstacles, American genius triumphed. -In less than a year after the commencement of the works, towards the close -of September, the gigantic reflector rose into the air to a height of -280 feet. It was raised by means of an enormous iron crane; an ingenious -mechanism allowed it to be easily worked towards all the points of the -heavens, and to follow the stars from the one horizon to the other during -their journey through the heavens. - -It had cost 400,000 dollars. The first time it was directed towards the -moon the observers evinced both curiosity and anxiety. What were they -about to discover in the field of this telescope which magnified objects -48,000 times? Would they perceive peoples, herds of lunar animals, -towns, lakes, seas? No! there was nothing which science had not already -discovered! and on all the points of its disc the volcanic nature of the -moon became determinable with the utmost precision. - -But the telescope of the Rocky Mountains, before doing its duty to the Gun -Club, rendered immense services to astronomy. Thanks to its penetrative -power, the depths of the heavens were sounded to the utmost extent; the -apparent diameter of a great number of stars was accurately measured; and -Mr. Clark, of the Cambridge staff, resolved the Crab nebula in Taurus, -which the reflector of Lord Rosse had never been able to decompose. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - FINAL DETAILS. - - -It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days. -One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy -termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite -precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid -his third bet. It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the -Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton. -Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of -such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve -a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently -inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure -of the projectile. - -There were indeed dangers accruing as before from the carelessness of -the Americans, but Barbicane had set his heart on success, and took all -possible precautions. In the first place, he was very careful as to the -transportation of the gun-cotton to Stones Hill. He had it conveyed in -small quantities, carefully packed in sealed cases. These were brought -by rail from Tampa Town to the camp, and from thence were taken to the -Columbiad by barefooted workmen, who deposited them in their places by -means of cranes placed at the orifice of the cannon. No steam-engine was -permitted to work, and every fire was extinguished within two miles of -the works. - -Even in November they feared to work by day, lest the sun's rays acting -on the gun-cotton might lead to unhappy results. This led to their -working at night, by light produced in a vacuum by means of Ruehmkorff's -apparatus, which threw an artificial brightness into the depths of the -Columbiad. There the cartridges were arranged with the utmost regularity, -connected by a metallic thread, destined to communicate to them all -simultaneously the electric spark, by which means this mass of gun-cotton -was eventually to be ignited. - -By the 28th of November 800 cartridges had been placed in the bottom -of the Columbiad. So far the operation had been successful! But what -confusion, what anxieties, what struggles were undergone by President -Barbicane! In vain had he refused admission to Stones Hill; every day -the inquisitive neighbours scaled the palisades, some even carrying -their imprudence to the point of smoking while surrounded by bales of -gun-cotton. Barbicane was in a perpetual state of alarm. J. T. Maston -seconded him to the best of his ability, by giving vigorous chase to the -intruders, and carefully picking up the still lighted cigar ends which -the Yankees threw about. A somewhat difficult task! seeing that more -than 300,000 persons were gathered round the enclosure. Michel Ardan -had volunteered to superintend the transport of the cartridges to the -mouth of the Columbiad; but the president, having surprised him with an -enormous cigar in his mouth, while he was hunting out the rash spectators -to whom he himself offered so dangerous an example, saw that he could not -trust this fearless smoker, and was therefore obliged to mount a special -guard over him. - -At last, Providence being propitious, this wonderful loading came to -a happy termination, Captain Nicholl's third bet being thus lost. It -remained now to introduce the projectile into the Columbiad, and to place -it on its soft bed of gun-cotton. - -But before doing this, all those things necessary for the journey had to -be carefully arranged in the projectile-vehicle. These necessaries were -numerous; and had Ardan been allowed to follow his own wishes, there -would have been no space remaining for the travellers. It is impossible -to conceive of half the things this charming Frenchman wished to convey to -the moon. A veritable stock of useless trifles! But Barbicane interfered -and refused admission to anything not absolutely needed. Several -thermometers, barometers, and telescopes were packed in the instrument -case. - -The travellers being desirous of examining the moon carefully during -their voyage, in order to facilitate their studies, they took with them -Boeer and Moedler's excellent _Mappa Selenographica_, a masterpiece of -patience and observation, which they hoped would enable them to identify -those physical features in the moon, with which they were acquainted. -This map reproduced with scrupulous fidelity the smallest details of the -lunar surface which faces the earth; the mountains, valleys, craters, -peaks, and ridges were all represented, with their exact dimensions, -relative positions, and names; from the mountains Doerfel and Leibnitz -on the eastern side of the disc, to the _Mare frigoris_ of the North -Pole. - -They took also three rifles and three fowling-pieces, and a large quantity -of balls, shot, and powder. - -"We cannot tell whom we shall have to deal with," said Michel Ardan. "Men -or beasts may possibly object to our visit. It is only wise to take all -precautions." - -These defensive weapons were accompanied by pickaxes, crowbars, saws, -and other useful implements, not to mention clothing adapted to every -temperature, from that of the polar regions to that of the torrid zone. - -Ardan wished to convey a number of animals of different sorts (not -indeed a pair of every known species), as he could not see the necessity -of acclimatizing serpents, tigers, alligators, or any other noxious -beasts in the moon. "Nevertheless," he said to Barbicane, "some valuable -and useful beasts, bullocks, cows, horses, and donkeys, would bear the -journey very well, and would also be very useful to us." - -"I dare say, my dear Ardan," replied the president, "but our -projectile-vehicle is no Noah's ark, from which it differs both in -dimensions and object. Let us confine ourselves to possibilities." - - -Illustration: THE INTERIOR OF THE PROJECTILE. - - -After a prolonged discussion, it was agreed that the travellers should -restrict themselves to a sporting-dog belonging to Nicholl, and to a -large Newfoundland. Several packets of seeds were also included among the -necessaries. Michel Ardan, indeed, was anxious to add some sacks full of -earth to sow them in; as it was, he took a dozen shrubs carefully wrapped -up in straw to plant in the moon. - -The important question of provisions still remained; it being necessary -to provide against the possibility of their finding the moon absolutely -barren. Barbicane managed so successfully, that he supplied them with -sufficient rations for a year. These consisted of preserved meats and -vegetables, reduced by strong hydraulic pressure to the smallest possible -dimensions. They were also supplied with brandy, and took water enough -for two months, being confident, from astronomical observations, that -there was no lack of water on the moon's surface. As to provisions, -doubtless the inhabitants of the _earth_ would find nourishment somewhere -in the _moon_. Ardan never questioned this; indeed, had he done so, he -would never have undertaken the journey. - -"Besides," he said one day to his friends, "we shall not be completely -abandoned by our terrestrial friends; they will take care not to forget -us." - -"No, indeed!" replied J. T. Maston. - -"What do you mean?" asked Nicholl. - -"Nothing would be simpler," replied Ardan; "the Columbiad will be always -there. Well! whenever the moon is in a favourable condition as to the -zenith, if not to the perigee, that is to say about once a year, could -you not send us a shell packed with provisions, which we might expect on -some appointed day?" - -"Hurrah! hurrah!" cried J. T. Maston; "what an ingenious fellow! what a -splendid idea! Indeed, my good friends, we shall not forget you!" - -"I shall reckon upon you! Then, you see, we shall receive news regularly -from the earth, and we shall indeed be stupid if we hit upon no plan for -communicating with our good friends here!" - -These words inspired such confidence, that Michel Ardan carried all the -Gun Club with him in his enthusiasm. What he said seemed so simple and -so easy, so sure of success, that none could be so sordidly attached to -this earth as to hesitate to follow the three travellers on their lunar -expedition. - -All being ready at last, it remained to place the projectile in the -Columbiad, an operation abundantly accompanied by dangers and difficulties. - -The enormous shell was conveyed to the summit of Stones Hill. There, -powerful cranes raised it, and held it suspended over the mouth of the -cylinder. - -It was a fearful moment! What if the chains should break under its -enormous weight? The sudden fall of such a body would inevitably cause -the gun-cotton to explode! - -Fortunately this did not happen; and some hours later the -projectile-vehicle descended gently into the heart of the cannon and -rested on its couch of pyroxyle, a veritable bed of explosive eider-down. -Its pressure had no result, other than the more effectual ramming down -of the charge of the Columbiad. - -"I have lost," said the Captain, who forthwith paid President Barbicane -the sum of 3000 dollars. - -Barbicane did not wish to accept the money from one of his -fellow-travellers, but gave way at last before the determination of -Nicholl, who wished before leaving the earth to fulfil all his -engagements. - -"Now," said Michel Ardan, "I have only one thing more to wish for you, -my brave Captain." - -"What is that?" asked Nicholl. - -"It is that you may lose your two other bets! Then we shall be sure not -to be stopped on our journey!" - - -Illustration: AN INNUMERABLE MULTITUDE COVERED THE PRAIRIE ROUND STONE'S -HILL. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - FIRE! - - -The first of December had arrived! the fatal day! for, if the projectile -were not discharged that very night at 10h. 46m. 40s. p.m., more than -eighteen years must roll by before the moon would again present herself -under the same conditions of zenith and perigee. - -The weather was magnificent. Despite the approach of winter, the sun -shone brightly, and bathed in its radiant light that earth which three -of its denizens were about to abandon for a new world. - -How many persons lost their rest on the night which preceded this -long-expected day! All hearts beat with disquietude, save only the heart -of Michel Ardan. That imperturbable personage came and went with his -habitual business-like air, while nothing whatever denoted that any -unusual matter preoccupied his mind. - -After dawn, an innumerable multitude covered the prairie which extends, -as far as the eye can reach, round Stones Hill. Every quarter of an hour -the railway brought fresh accessions of sightseers; and, according to -the statement of the _Tampa Town Observer_, not less than five millions -of spectators thronged the soil of Florida. - -For a whole month previously, the mass of these persons had bivouacked -round the enclosure, and laid the foundations for a town which was -afterwards called "Ardan's Town." The whole plain was covered with huts, -cottages, and tents. Every nation under the sun was represented there; -and every language might be heard spoken at the same time. It was a -perfect Babel re-enacted. All the various classes of American society were -mingled together in terms of absolute equality. Bankers, farmers, sailors, -cotton-planters, brokers, merchants, watermen, magistrates, elbowed -each other in the most free-and-easy way. Louisiana Creoles fraternised -with farmers from Indiana; Kentucky and Tennessee gentlemen and haughty -Virginians conversed with trappers and the half-savages of the lakes -and butchers from Cincinnati. Broad-brimmed white hats and Panamas, blue -cotton trowsers, light coloured stockings, cambric frills, were all here -displayed; while upon shirt-fronts, wristbands, and neckties, upon every -finger, even upon the very _ears_, they wore an assortment of rings, -shirt-pins, brooches, and trinkets, of which the value only equalled -the execrable taste. Women, children, and servants, in equally expensive -dress, surrounded their husbands, fathers, or masters, who resembled the -patriarchs of tribes in the midst of their immense households. - -At meal-times, all fell to work upon the dishes peculiar to the Southern -States, and consumed with an appetite that threatened speedy exhaustion -of the victualling powers of Florida, fricasseed frogs, stuffed monkey, -fish chowder, underdone 'possum, and raccoon steaks. And as for the -liquors which accompanied this indigestible repast! The shouts, the -vociferations that resounded through the bars and taverns decorated with -glasses, tankards, and bottles of marvellous shape, mortars for pounding -sugar, and bundles of straws! "Mint-julep!" roars one of the barmen; -"Claret sangaree!" shouts another; "Cocktail!" "Brandy-smash!" "Real -mint-julep in the new style!" All these cries intermingled produced a -bewildering and deafening hubbub. - -But on this day, 1st December, such sounds were rare. No one thought -of eating or drinking, and at four p.m. there were vast numbers of -spectators who had not even taken their customary lunch! And, a still -more significant fact, even the national passion for play seemed quelled -for the time under the general excitement of the hour. - -Up till nightfall, a dull, noiseless agitation, such as precedes great -catastrophes, ran through the anxious multitude. An indescribable -uneasiness pervaded all minds, an indefinable sensation which oppressed -the heart. Every one wished it was over. - -However, about seven o'clock, the heavy silence was dissipated. The moon -rose above the horizon. Millions of hurrahs hailed her appearance. She -was punctual to the rendezvous, and shouts of welcome greeted her on all -sides, as her pale beams shone gracefully in the clear heavens. At this -moment the three intrepid travellers appeared. This was the signal for -renewed cries of still greater intensity. Instantly the vast assemblage, -as with one accord, struck up the national hymn of the United States, -and "Yankee Doodle," sung by five millions of hearty throats, rose like a -roaring tempest to the farthest limits of the atmosphere. Then a profound -silence reigned throughout the crowd. - -The Frenchman and the two Americans had by this time entered the enclosure -reserved in the centre of the multitude. They were accompanied by the -members of the Gun Club, and by deputations sent from all the European -Observatories. Barbicane, cool and collected, was giving his final -directions. Nicholl, with compressed lips, his arms crossed behind his -back, walked with a firm and measured step. Michel Ardan, always easy, -dressed in thorough traveller's costume, leathern gaiters on his legs, -pouch by his side, in loose velvet suit, cigar in mouth, was full of -inexhaustible gaiety, laughing, joking, playing pranks with J. T. Maston. -In one word, he was the thorough "Frenchman" (and worse, a "Parisian") -to the last moment. - -Ten o'clock struck! The moment had arrived for taking their places in the -projectile! The necessary operations for the descent, and the subsequent -removal of the cranes and scaffolding that inclined over the mouth of -the Columbiad, required a certain period of time. - -Barbicane had regulated his chronometer to the tenth part of a second by -that of Murchison the engineer, who was charged with the duty of firing -the gun by means of an electric spark. Thus the travellers enclosed -within the projectile were enabled to follow with their eyes the impassive -needle which marked the precise moment of their departure. - -The moment had arrived for saying "Good-bye!" The scene was a touching -one. Despite his feverish gaiety, even Michel Ardan was touched. J. T. -Maston had found in his own dry eyes one ancient tear, which he had -doubtless reserved for the occasion. He dropped it on the forehead of -his dear president. - -"Can I not go?" he said, "there is still time!" - -"Impossible, old fellow!" replied Barbicane. A few moments later, the -three fellow-travellers had ensconced themselves in the projectile, and -screwed down the plate which covered the entrance-aperture. The mouth of -the Columbiad, now completely disencumbered, was open entirely to the -sky. - -The moon advanced upwards in a heaven of the purest clearness, outshining -in her passage the twinkling light of the stars. She passed over the -constellation of the Twins, and was now nearing the halfway point between -the horizon and the zenith. A terrible silence weighed upon the entire -scene! Not a breath of wind upon the earth! not a sound of breathing -from the countless chests of the spectators! Their hearts seemed afraid -to beat! All eyes were fixed upon the yawning mouth of the Columbiad. - -Murchison followed with his eye the hand of his chronometer. It wanted -scarce forty seconds to the moment of departure, but each second seemed -to last an age! At the twentieth there was a general shudder, as it -occurred to the minds of that vast assemblage that the bold travellers -shut up within the projectile were also counting those terrible seconds. -Some few cries here and there escaped the crowd. - -"Thirty-five!--thirty-six!--thirty-seven!--thirty-eight!--thirty-nine! ---forty! Fire!!!" - - -Illustration: FIRE. - - -Instantly Murchison pressed with his finger the key of the electric -battery, restored the current of the fluid, and discharged the spark into -the breach of the Columbiad. - -An appalling unearthly report followed instantly, such as can be compared -to nothing whatever known, not even to the roar of thunder, or the blast -of volcanic explosions! No words can convey the slightest idea of the -terrific sound! An immense spout of fire shot up from the bowels of the -earth as from a crater. The earth heaved up, and with great difficulty -some few spectators obtained a momentary glimpse of the projectile -victoriously cleaving the air in the midst of the fiery vapours! - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - FOUL WEATHER. - - -At the moment when that pyramid of fire rose to a prodigious height into -the air, the glare of the flame lit up the whole of Florida; and for a -moment day superseded night over a considerable extent of the country. -This immense canopy of fire was perceived at a distance of 100 miles -out at sea, and more than one ship's captain entered in his log the -appearance of this gigantic meteor. - -The discharge of the Columbiad was accompanied by a perfect earthquake. -Florida was shaken to its very depths. The gases of the powder, expanded -by heat, forced back the atmospheric strata with tremendous violence, -and this artificial hurricane rushed like a waterspout through the air. - -Not a single spectator remained on his feet! Men, women, children, all -lay prostrate like ears of corn under a tempest. There ensued a terrible -tumult; a large number of persons were seriously injured. J. T. Maston, -who, despite of all dictates of prudence had kept in advance of the mass, -was pitched back 120 feet, shooting like a projectile over the heads of -his fellow-citizens. Three hundred thousand persons remained deaf for a -time, and as though struck stupefied. - -As soon as the first effects were over, the injured, the deaf, and lastly, -the crowd in general, woke up with frenzied cries. "Hurrah for Ardan! -Hurrah for Barbicane! Hurrah for Nicholl!" rose to the skies. Thousands -of persons, noses in air, armed with telescopes and race-glasses, were -questioning space, forgetting all contusions and emotions in the one idea -of watching for the projectile. They looked in vain! It was no longer to -be seen, and they were obliged to wait for telegrams from Long's Peak. -The Director of the Cambridge Observatory was at his post on the Rocky -Mountains; and to him, as a skilful and persevering astronomer, all -observations had been confided. - - -Illustration: EFFECT OF THE EXPLOSION. - - -Illustration: THE DIRECTOR AT HIS POST. - - -But an unforeseen phenomenon came in to subject the public impatience to -a severe trial. - -The weather, hitherto so fine, suddenly changed; the sky became heavy with -clouds. It could not have been otherwise after the terrible derangement -of the atmospheric strata, and the dispersion of the enormous quantity -of vapour arising from the combustion of 200,000 lbs. of -pyroxyle! - -On the morrow the horizon was covered with clouds--a thick and -impenetrable curtain between earth and sky, which unhappily extended as -far as the Rocky Mountains. It was a fatality! But since man had chosen -so to disturb the atmosphere, he was bound to accept the consequences of -his experiment. - -Supposing, now, that the experiment had succeeded, the travellers having -started on the 1st of December, at 10h. 46m. 40s. p.m., were due on -the 4th at 0h. p.m. at their destination. So that up to that time it -would have been very difficult after all to have observed, under such -conditions, a body so small as the shell. Therefore they waited with what -patience they might. - -From the 4th to the 6th of December inclusive, the weather remaining much -the same in America, the great European instruments of Herschel, Rosse, -and Foucault, were constantly directed towards the moon, for the weather -was then magnificent; but the comparative weakness of their glasses -prevented any trustworthy observations being made. - -On the 7th the sky seemed to lighten. They were in hopes now, but their -hope was of but short duration, and at night again thick clouds hid the -starry vault from all eyes. - -Matters were now becoming serious, when on the 9th, the sun reappeared -for an instant, as if for the purpose of teasing the Americans. It was -received with hisses; and wounded, no doubt, by such a reception, showed -itself very sparing of its rays. - -On the 10th, no change! J. T. Maston went nearly mad, and great fears -were entertained regarding the brain of this worthy individual, which -had hitherto been so well preserved within his gutta-percha cranium. - -But on the 11th one of those inexplicable tempests peculiar to those -intertropical regions was let loose in the atmosphere. A terrific east -wind swept away the groups of clouds which had been so long gathering, -and at night the semi-disc of the orb of night rode majestically amidst -the soft constellations of the sky. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - A NEW STAR. - - -That very night, the startling news so impatiently awaited, burst like -a thunderbolt over the United States of the Union, and thence, darting -across the ocean, ran through all the telegraphic wires of the globe. -The projectile had been detected, thanks to the gigantic reflector of -Long's Peak! Here is the note received by the Director of the Observatory -of Cambridge. It contains the scientific conclusion regarding this great -experiment of the Gun Club. - -"Long's Peak December 12. - -"To the Officers of the Observatory of Cambridge. - -"The projectile discharged by the Columbiad at Stones Hill has been -detected by Messrs. Belfast and J. T. Maston, 12th December, at 8.47 -p.m., the moon having entered her last quarter. This projectile has not -arrived at its destination. It has passed by the side; but sufficiently -near to be retained by the lunar attraction. - -"The rectilinear movement has thus become changed into a circular motion -of extreme velocity, and it is now pursuing an elliptical orbit round -the moon, of which it has become a true satellite. - -"The elements of this new star we have as yet been unable to determine; -we do not yet know the velocity of its passage. The distance which -separates it from the surface of the moon may be estimated at about 2833 -miles. - -"However, two hypothesis come here into our consideration. - -"1. Either the attraction of the moon will end by drawing them into -itself, and the travellers will attain their destination; or,-- - -"2. The projectile, following an immutable law, will continue to gravitate -round the moon till the end of time. - -"At some future time, our observations will be able to determine this -point, but till then the experiment of the Gun Club can have no other -result than to have provided our solar system with a new star. - -"J. Belfast." - -To how many questions did this unexpected denouement give rise? What -mysterious results was the future reserving for the investigations of -science? At all events, the names of Nicholl, Barbicane, and Michel Ardan -were certain to be immortalized in the annals of astronomy! - -When the despatch from Long's Peak had once become known, there was but -one universal feeling of surprise and alarm. Was it possible to go to the -aid of these bold travellers? No! for they had placed themselves beyond -the pale of humanity, by crossing the limits imposed by the Creator on -his earthly creatures. They had air enough for _two_ months; they had -victuals enough for _twelve;--but after that?_ There was only one man -who would not admit that the situation was desperate,--he alone had -confidence; and that was their devoted friend J. T. Maston. - -Besides, he never let them get out of sight. His home was henceforth the -post at Long's Peak; his horizon, the mirror of that immense reflector. -As soon as the moon rose above the horizon, he immediately caught her in -the field of the telescope; he never let her go for an instant out of -his sight, and followed her assiduously in her course through the stellar -spaces. He watched with untiring patience the passage of the projectile -across her silvery disc, and really the worthy man remained in perpetual -communication with his three friends, whom he did not despair of seeing -again some day. - -"Those three men," said he, "have carried into space all the resources -of art, science, and industry. With that, one can do anything; and you -will see that, some day, they will come out all right." - - - - - ROUND THE MOON: - - A Sequel To - - FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON. - - ------------ - - - - - PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. - - RECAPITULATING THE FIRST PART OF THIS WORK, AND - SERVING AS A PREFACE TO THE SECOND. - - -During the year 186--, the whole world was greatly excited by a scientific -experiment unprecedented in the annals of science. The members of the -Gun Club, a circle of artillerymen formed at Baltimore after the American -war, conceived the idea of putting themselves in communication with the -moon!--yes, with the moon,--by sending to her a projectile. Their -president, Barbicane, the promoter of the enterprise, having consulted -the astronomers of the Cambridge Observatory upon the subject, took all -necessary means to ensure the success of this extraordinary enterprise, -which had been declared practicable by the majority of competent judges. -After setting on foot a public subscription, which realized nearly -1,200,000_l._ they began the gigantic work. - -According to the advice forwarded from the members of the Observatory, -the gun destined to launch the projectile had to be fixed in a country -situated between the 0 and 28th degrees of north or south latitude, in -order to aim at the moon when at the zenith; and its initiatory velocity -was fixed at twelve thousand yards to the second. Launched on the 1st -of December, at 10hrs. 46m. 40s. p.m., it ought to reach the moon four -days after its departure, that is on the 5th of December, at midnight -precisely, at the moment of her attaining her _perigee_, that is her -nearest distance from the earth, which is exactly 86,410 leagues (French), -or 238,833 miles _mean distance_ (English). - -The principal members of the Gun Club, President Barbicane, Major -Elphinstone, the secretary Joseph T. Maston, and other learned men, held -several meetings, at which the shape and composition of the projectile -were discussed, also the position and nature of the gun, and the quality -and quantity of the powder to be used. It was decided: 1st, that the -projectile should be a shell made of aluminium with a diameter of 108 -inches and a thickness of twelve inches to its walls; and should weigh -19,250 lbs. 2ndly, that the gun should be a Columbiad cast in iron, -900 feet long, and run perpendicularly into the earth. 3rdly, that the -charge should contain 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton, which, giving out -six billions of litres of gas in rear of the projectile, would easily -carry it towards the orb of night. - -These questions determined President Barbicane, assisted by Murchison -the engineer, to choose a spot situated in Florida, in 27 deg. 7' North -latitude, and 77 deg. 3' West (Greenwich) longitude. It was on this spot, -after stupendous labour, that the Columbiad was cast with full success. -Things stood thus, when an incident took place which increased the -interest attached to this great enterprise a hundredfold. - -A Frenchman, an enthusiastic Parisian, as witty as he was bold, asked -to be enclosed in the projectile, in order that he might reach the moon, -and reconnoitre this terrestrial satellite. The name of this intrepid -adventurer was Michel Ardan. He landed in America, was received with -enthusiasm, held meetings, saw himself carried in triumph, reconciled -President Barbicane to his mortal enemy, Captain Nicholl, and, as a -token of reconciliation, persuaded them both to start with him in the -projectile. The proposition being accepted, the shape of the projectile -was slightly altered. It was made of a cylindro-conical form. This species -of aerial car was lined with strong springs and partitions to deaden the -shock of departure. It was provided with food for a year, water for some -months, and gas for some days. A self-acting apparatus supplied the three -travellers with air to breathe. At the same time, on one of the highest -points of the Rocky Mountains, the Gun Club had a gigantic telescope -erected, in order that they might be able to follow the course of the -projectile through space. All was then ready. - -On the 30th November, at the hour fixed upon, from the midst of an -extraordinary crowd of spectators, the departure took place; and for the -first time, three human beings quitted the terrestrial globe, and launched -into interplanetary space with almost a certainty of reaching their -destination. These bold travellers, Michel Ardan, President Barbicane, -and Captain Nicholl, ought to make the passage in ninety-seven hours, -thirteen minutes, and twenty seconds. Consequently, their arrival on -the lunar disc could not take place until the 5th December at twelve at -night, at the exact moment when the moon should be full, and not on the -4th, as some badly-informed journals had announced. - -But an unforeseen circumstance, viz., the detonation produced by -the Columbiad, had the immediate effect of troubling the terrestrial -atmosphere, by accumulating a large quantity of vapour, a phenomenon -which excited universal indignation, for the moon was hidden from the -eyes of the watchers for several nights. - -The worthy Joseph T. Maston, the staunchest friend of the three -travellers, started for the Rocky Mountains, accompanied by the Hon. J. -Belfast, director of the Cambridge Observatory, and reached the station -of Long's Peak, where the telescope was erected which brought the moon -within an apparent distance of two leagues. The honorable secretary of -the Gun Club wished himself to observe the vehicle of his daring friends. - -The accumulation of clouds in the atmosphere prevented all observations -on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th of December. Indeed it was -thought that all observations would have to be put off to the 3rd of -January in the following year; for the moon entering its last quarter on -the 11th, would then only present an ever-decreasing portion of her disc, -insufficient to allow of their following the course of the projectile. - -At length, to the general satisfaction, a heavy storm cleared the -atmosphere on the night of the 11th and 12th December, and the moon, with -half illuminated disc, was plainly to be seen upon the black -sky. - -That very night a telegram was sent from the station of Long's Peak -by Joseph T. Maston and Belfast to the gentlemen of the Cambridge -Observatory, announcing that on the 11th of December at 8h. 47m. p.m., -the projectile launched by the Columbiad of Stones Hill had been detected -by Messrs. Belfast and Maston,--that it had deviated from its course -from some unknown cause, and had not reached its destination; but that -it had passed near enough to be retained by the lunar attraction; that -its rectilinear movement had been changed to a circular one, and that -following an elliptical orbit round the star of night it had become its -_satellite._ The telegram added that the elements of this new star had -not yet been calculated; and indeed three observations made upon a star -in three different positions are necessary to determine these elements. -Then it showed that the distance separating the projectile from the lunar -surface "might" be reckoned at about 2833 miles. - -It ended with this double hypothesis; either the attraction of the moon -would draw it to herself, and the travellers thus attain their end; or -that the projectile, held in one immutable orbit, would gravitate around -the lunar disc to all eternity. - -With such alternatives, what would be the fate of the travellers? -Certainly they had food for some time. But supposing they did succeed -in their rash enterprise, how would they return? Could they ever return? -Should they hear from them? These questions, debated by the most learned -pens of the day, strongly engrossed the public attention. - -It is advisable here to make a remark which ought to be well considered -by hasty observers. When a purely speculative discovery is announced to -the public, it cannot be done with too much prudence. No one is obliged -to discover either a planet, a comet, or a satellite; and whoever makes -a mistake in such a case exposes himself justly to the derision of the -mass. Far better is it to wait; and that is what the impatient Joseph T. -Maston should have done before sending this telegram forth to the world, -which, according to his idea, told the whole result of the enterprise. -Indeed this telegram contained two sorts of errors, as was proved -eventually. 1st, errors of observation, concerning the distance of the -projectile from the surface of the moon, for on the 11th December it was -impossible to see it; and what Joseph T. Maston had seen, or thought he -saw, could not have been the projectile of the Columbiad. 2ndly, errors -of theory on the fate in store for the said projectile; for in making it -a satellite of the moon, it was putting it in direct contradiction to -all mechanical laws. - -One single hypothesis of the observers of Long's Peak could ever be -realized, that which foresaw the case of the travellers (if still alive) -uniting their efforts with the lunar attraction to attain the surface of -the disc. - -Now these men, as clever as they were daring, _had_ survived the terrible -shock consequent on their departure, and it is their journey in the -projectile car which is here related in its most dramatic as well as in -its most singular details. This recital will destroy many illusions and -surmises; but it will give a true idea of the singular changes in store -for such an enterprise; it will bring out the scientific instincts of -Barbicane, the industrious resources of Nicholl, and the audacious humour -of Michel Ardan. - -Besides this, it will prove that their worthy friend, Joseph T. Maston, -was wasting his time, while leaning over the gigantic telescope he -watched the course of the moon through the starry space. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - FROM TWENTY MINUTES PAST TEN TO FORTY-SEVEN MINUTES - PAST TEN P.M. - - -As ten o'clock struck, Michel Ardan, Barbicane, and Nicholl, took leave -of the numerous friends they were leaving on the earth. The two dogs, -destined to propagate the canine race on the lunar continents, were -already shut up in the projectile. - -The three travellers approached the orifice of the enormous cast-iron -tube, and a crane let them down to the conical top of the projectile. -There, an opening made for the purpose gave them access to the aluminium -car. The tackle belonging to the crane being hauled from outside, the -mouth of the Columbiad was instantly disencumbered of its last supports. - -Nicholl, once introduced with his companions inside the projectile, -began to close the opening by means of a strong plate, held in position -by powerful screws. Other plates, closely fitted, covered the lenticular -glasses, and the travellers, hermetically enclosed in their metal prison, -were plunged in profound darkness. - -"And now, my dear companions," said Michel Ardan, "let us make ourselves -at home; I am a domesticated man and strong in housekeeping. We are bound -to make the best of our new lodgings, and make ourselves comfortable. -And first let us try and see a little. Gas was not invented for moles." - -So saying, the thoughtless fellow lit a match by striking it on the -sole of his boot; and approached the burner fixed to the receptacle, -in which the carbonized hydrogen, stored at high pressure, sufficed for -the lighting and warming of the projectile for a hundred and forty-four -hours, or six days and six nights. The gas caught fire, and thus lighted -the projectile looked like a comfortable room with thickly padded walls, -furnished with a circular divan, and a roof rounded in the shape of a -dome. - -The objects it contained, arms, instruments, and utensils securely -fastened against the rounds of wadding, could bear the shock of departure -with impunity. Humanly speaking, every possible precaution had been taken -to bring this rash experiment to a successful termination. - -Michel Ardan examined everything, and declared himself satisfied with -his installation. - -"It is a prison," said he, "but a travelling prison; and, with the right -of putting my nose to the window, I could well stand a lease of a hundred -years. You smile, Barbicane. Have you any _arriere-pensee?_ Do you say -to yourself, 'This prison may be our tomb?' Tomb, perhaps; still I would -not change it for Mahomet's, which floats in space but never advances an -inch!" - -Whilst Michel Ardan was speaking, Barbicane and Nicholl were making their -last preparations. - -Nicholl's chronometer marked twenty minutes past ten p.m. when the three -travellers were finally enclosed in their projectile. This chronometer -was set within the tenth of a second by that of Murchison the engineer. -Barbicane consulted it. - -"My friends," said he, "it is twenty minutes past ten. At forty-seven -minutes past ten Murchison will launch the electric spark on the wire -which communicates with the charge of the Columbiad. At that precise -moment we shall leave our spheroid. Thus we have still twenty-seven -minutes to remain on the earth." - -"Twenty-six minutes thirteen seconds," replied the methodical Nicholl. - -"Well!" exclaimed Michel Ardan, in a good-humoured tone, "much may be -done in twenty-six minutes. The gravest questions of morals and politics -may be discussed, and even solved. Twenty-six minutes well employed are -worth more than twenty-six years in which nothing is done. Some -_seconds_ of a Pascal or a Newton are more precious than the whole -existence of a crowd of raw simpletons--" - - -Illustration: THE GAS CAUGHT FIRE. - - -"And you conclude, then, you everlasting talker?" asked Barbicane. - -"I conclude that we have twenty-six minutes left," replied Ardan. - -"Twenty-four only," said Nicholl. - -"Well, twenty-four, if you like, my noble captain," said Ardan; -"twenty-four minutes in which to investigate--" - -"Michel," said Barbicane, "during the passage we shall have plenty of -time to investigate the most difficult questions. For the present we must -occupy ourselves with our departure." - -"Are we not ready?" - -"Doubtless; but there are still some precautions to be taken, to deaden -as much as possible the first shock." - -"Have we not the water-cushions placed between the partition-breaks, -whose elasticity will sufficiently protect us?" - -"I hope so, Michel," replied Barbicane gently, "but I am not sure." - -"Ah, the joker!" exclaimed Michel Ardan. "He hopes!--He is not -sure!--and he waits for the moment when we are encased to make this -deplorable admission! I beg to be allowed to get out!" - -"And how?" asked Barbicane. - -"Humph!" said Michel Ardan, "it is not easy; we are in the train, and -the guard's whistle will sound before twenty-four minutes are over." - -"_Twenty_," said Nicholl. - -For some moments the three travellers looked at each other. Then they -began to examine the objects imprisoned with them. - -"Everything is in its place," said Barbicane. "We have now to decide how -we can best place ourselves to resist the shock. Position cannot be an -indifferent matter; and we must, as much as possible, prevent the rush -of blood to the head." - -"Just so," said Nicholl. - -"Then," replied Michel Ardan, ready to suit the action to the word, "let -us put our heads down and our feet in the air, like the clowns in the -grand circus." - -"No," said Barbicane, "let us stretch ourselves on our sides; we shall -resist the shock better that way. Remember that, when the projectile -starts, it matters little whether we are in it or before it; it amounts -to much the same thing." - -"If it is only 'much the same thing,' I may cheer up," said Michel Ardan. - -"Do you approve of my idea, Nicholl?" asked Barbicane. - -"Entirely," replied the captain. "We've still thirteen minutes and a -half." - -"That Nicholl is not a man," exclaimed Michel; "he is a chronometer with -seconds, an escape, and eight holes." - -But his companions were not listening; they were taking up their last -positions with the most perfect coolness. They were like two methodical -travellers in a car, seeking to place themselves as comfortably as -possible. - -We might well ask ourselves of what materials are the hearts of these -Americans made, to whom the approach of the most frightful danger added -no pulsation. - -Three thick and solidly-made couches had been placed in the projectile. -Nicholl and Barbicane placed them in the centre of the disc forming the -floor. There the three travellers were to stretch themselves some moments -before their departure. - -During this time, Ardan, not being able to keep still, turned in his -narrow prison like a wild beast in a cage, chatting with his friends, -speaking to the dogs Diana and Satellite, to whom, as may be seen, he -had given significant names. - -"Ah, Diana! Ah, Satellite!" he exclaimed, teazing them; "so you are going -to show the moon-dogs the good habits of the dogs of the earth! That -will do honour to the canine race! If ever we do come down again, I will -bring a cross type of 'moon-dogs,' which will make a stir!" - - -Illustration: DIANA AND SATELLITE. - - -"If there _are_ dogs in the moon," said Barbicane. - -"There are," said Michel Ardan, "just as there are horses, cows, donkeys, -and chickens. I bet that we shall find chickens." - -"A hundred dollars we shall find none!" said Nicholl. - -"Done, my captain!" replied Ardan, clasping Nicholl's hand. "But, by -the bye, you have already lost three bets with our president, as the -necessary funds for the enterprise have been found, as the operation of -casting has been successful, and lastly, as the Columbiad has been loaded -without accident, six thousand dollars." - -"Yes," replied Nicholl. "Thirty-seven minutes six seconds past ten." - -"It is understood, captain. Well, before another quarter of an hour -you will have to count 9000 dollars to the president; 4000 because the -Columbiad will not burst, and 5000 because the projectile will rise more -than six miles in the air." - -"I have the dollars," replied Nicholl, slapping the pocket of his coat. -"I only ask to be allowed to pay." - -"Come, Nicholl, I see that you are a man of method, which I could never -be; but indeed you have made a series of bets of very little advantage -to yourself, allow me to tell you." - -"And why?" asked Nicholl. - -"Because, if you gain the first, the Columbiad will have burst, and the -projectile with it; and Barbicane will no longer be there to reimburse -your dollars." - -"My stake is deposited at the bank in Baltimore," replied Barbicane -simply; "and if Nicholl is not there, it will go to his heirs." - -"Ah, you practical men!" exclaimed Michel Ardan; "I admire you the more -for not being able to understand you." - -"Forty-two minutes past ten!" said Nicholl. - -"Only five minutes more!" answered Barbicane. - -"Yes, five little minutes!" replied Michel Ardan; "and we are enclosed -in a projectile, at the bottom of a gun 900 feet long! And under this -projectile are rammed 400,000 lbs. of gun-cotton, which is equal to -1,600,000 lbs. of ordinary powder! And friend Murchison, with his -chronometer in hand, his eye fixed on the needle, his finger on the -electric apparatus, is counting the seconds preparatory to launching us -into interplanetary space." - -"Enough, Michel, enough!" said Barbicane, in a serious voice; "let us -prepare. A few instants alone separate us from an eventful moment. One -clasp of the hand, my friends." - -"Yes," exclaimed Michel Ardan, more moved than he wished to appear; and -the three bold companions were united in a last embrace. - -"God preserve us!" said the religious Barbicane. - -Michel Ardan and Nicholl stretched themselves on the couches placed in -the centre of the disc. - -"Forty seven minutes past ten!" murmured the captain. - -"Twenty seconds more!" Barbicane quickly put out the gas and lay down by -his companions, and the profound silence was only broken by the ticking -of the chronometer marking the seconds. - -Suddenly a dreadful shock was felt, and the projectile, under the force -of six billions of litres of gas, developed by the combustion of the -pyroxyle, mounted into space. - - -Illustration: THE COURAGEOUS FRENCHMAN. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - THE FIRST HALF-HOUR. - - -What had happened? What effect had this frightful shock produced? Had -the ingenuity of the constructors of the projectile obtained any happy -result? Had the shock been deadened, thanks to the springs, the four -plugs, the water-cushions, and the partition-breaks? Had they been able -to subdue the frightful pressure of the initiatory speed of more than -11,000 yards, which was enough to traverse Paris or New York in a second? -This was evidently the question suggested to the thousand spectators -of this moving scene. They forgot the aim of the journey, and thought -only of the travellers. And if one amongst them--Joseph T. Maston for -example--could have cast one glimpse into the projectile, what would he -have seen? - -Nothing then. The darkness was profound. But its cylindro-conical -partitions had resisted wonderfully. Not a rent or a dent anywhere! The -wonderful projectile was not even heated under the intense deflagration -of the powder, nor liquefied, as they seemed to fear, in a shower of -aluminium. - -The interior showed but little disorder; indeed, only a few objects had -been violently thrown towards the roof; but the most important seemed -not to have suffered from the shock at all; their fixtures were intact. - -On the movable disc, sunk down to the bottom by the smashing of the -partition-breaks and the escape of the water, three bodies lay apparently -lifeless. Barbicane, Nicholl, and Michel Ardan-- did they still breathe? -or was the projectile nothing now but a metal coffin, bearing three -corpses into space? - -Some minutes after the departure of the projectile, one of the bodies -moved, shook its arms, lifted its head, and finally succeeded in getting -on its knees. It was Michel Ardan. He felt himself all over, gave a -sonorous "Hem!" and then said,-- - -"Michel Ardan is whole. How about the others?" - -The courageous Frenchman tried to rise, but could not stand. His head -swam, from the rush of blood; he was blind; he was like a drunken man. - -"Bur-r!" said he. "It produces the same effect as two bottles of Corton, -though perhaps less agreeable to swallow." Then, passing his hand several -times across his forehead and rubbing his temples, he called in a firm -voice,-- - -"Nicholl! Barbicane!" - -He waited anxiously. No answer; not even a sigh to show that the hearts -of his companions were still beating. He called again. The same silence. - -"The devil!" he exclaimed. They look as if they had fallen from a fifth -story on their heads. "Bah!" he added, with that imperturbable confidence -which nothing could check, "if a Frenchman can get on his knees, two -Americans ought to be able to get on their feet. But first let us light -up." - -Ardan felt the tide of life return by degrees. His blood became calm, -and returned to its accustomed circulation. Another effort restored his -equilibrium. He succeeded in rising, drew a match from his pocket, and -approaching the burner lighted it. The receiver had not suffered at all. -The gas had not escaped. Besides, the smell would have betrayed it; and -in that case Michel Ardan could not have carried a lighted match with -impunity through the space filled with hydrogen. The gas mixing with the -air would have produced a detonating mixture, and the explosion would -have finished what the shock had perhaps begun. When the burner was lit, -Ardan leaned over the bodies of his companions: they were lying one on -the other, an inert mass, Nicholl above, Barbicane underneath. - - -Illustration: THEY RAISED BARBICANE. - - -Ardan lifted the captain, propped him up against the divan, and began to -rub vigorously. This means, used with judgment, restored Nicholl, who -opened his eyes, and instantly recovering his presence of mind, seized -Ardan's hand and looked around him. - -"And Barbicane?" said he. - -"Each in turn," replied Michel Ardan. "I began with you, Nicholl, because -you were on the top. Now let us look to Barbicane." Saying which, Ardan -and Nicholl raised the president of the Gun Club and laid him on the -divan. He seemed to have suffered more than either of his companions; he -was bleeding, but Nicholl was reassured by finding that the hemorrhage -came from a slight wound on the shoulder, a mere graze, which he bound -up carefully. - -Still, Barbicane was a long time coming to himself, which frightened his -friends, who did not spare friction. - -"He breathes though," said Nicholl, putting his ear to the chest of the -wounded man. - -"Yes," replied Ardan, "he breathes like a man who has some notion of that -daily operation. Rub, Nicholl; let us rub harder." And the two improvised -practitioners worked so hard and so well that Barbicane recovered his -senses. He opened his eyes, sat up, took his two friends by the hands, -and his first words were-- - -"Nicholl, are we moving?" - -Nicholl and Barbicane looked at each other; they had not yet troubled -themselves about the projectile; their first thought had been for the -traveller, not for the car. - -"Well, are we really moving?" repeated Michel Ardan. - -"Or quietly resting on the soil of Florida?" asked Nicholl. - -"Or at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico?" added Michel Ardan. - -"What an idea!" exclaimed the president. - -And this double hypothesis suggested by his companions had the effect -of recalling him to his senses. In any case they could not yet decide -on the position of the projectile. Its apparent immovability, and the -want of communication with the outside, prevented them from solving the -question. Perhaps the projectile was unwinding its course through space. -Perhaps after a short rise it had fallen upon the earth, or even in the -Gulf of Mexico--a fall which the narrowness of the peninsula of Florida -would render not impossible. - -The case was serious, the problem interesting, and one that must be -solved as soon as possible. Thus, highly excited, Barbicane's moral -energy triumphed over physical weakness, and he rose to his feet. He -listened. Outside was perfect silence; but the thick padding was enough -to intercept all sounds coming from the earth. But one circumstance -struck Barbicane, viz., that the temperature inside the projectile was -singularly high. The president drew a thermometer from its case and -consulted it. The instrument showed 81 deg. Fahr. - -"Yes," he exclaimed, "yes, we are moving! This stifling heat, penetrating -through the partitions of the projectile, is produced by its friction on -the atmospheric strata. It will soon diminish, because we are already -floating in space, and after having been nearly stifled, we shall have -to suffer intense cold." - -"What!" said Michel Ardan. "According to your showing, Barbicane, we are -already beyond the limits of the terrestrial atmosphere?" - -"Without a doubt, Michel. Listen to me. It is fifty-five minutes past -ten; we have been gone about eight minutes; and if our initiatory speed -has not been checked by the friction, six seconds would be enough for us -to pass through the forty miles of atmosphere which surrounds the globe." - -"Just so," replied Nicholl; "but in what proportion do you estimate the -diminution of speed by friction?" - -"In the proportion of one-third, Nicholl. This diminution is considerable, -but according to my calculations it is nothing less. If, then, we had -an initiatory speed of 12,000 yards, on leaving the atmosphere this -speed would be reduced to 9165 yards. In any case we have already passed -through this interval, and--" - -"And then," said Michel Ardan, "friend Nicholl has lost his two bets: -four thousand dollars because the Columbiad did not burst; five thousand -dollars because the projectile has risen more than six miles. Now, -Nicholl, pay up." - -"Let us prove it first," said the captain, "and we will pay afterwards. -It is quite possible that Barbicane's reasoning is correct, and that I -have lost my nine thousand dollars. But a new hypothesis presents itself -to my mind, and it annuls the wager." - -"What is that?" asked Barbicane quickly. - -"The hypothesis that, for some reason or other, fire was never set to -the powder, we have not started at all." - -"My goodness, captain," exclaimed Michel Ardan, "that hypothesis is -worthy of my brain! It cannot be a serious one. For have we not been -half annihilated by the shock? Did I not recall you to life? Is not the -president's shoulder still bleeding from the blow it has received?" - -"Granted," replied Nicholl; "but one question." - -"Well, captain?" - -"Did you hear the detonation, which certainly ought to be loud?" - -"No," replied Ardan, much surprised; "certainly I did not hear the -detonation." - -"And you, Barbicane?" - -"Nor I, either." - -"Very well," said Nicholl. - -"Well now," murmured the president "why did we not hear the detonation?" - -The three friends looked at each other with a disconcerted air. It -was quite an inexplicable phenomenon. The projectile had started, and -consequently there must have been a detonation. - -"Let us first find out where we are," said Barbicane, "and let down the -panel." - -This very simple operation was soon accomplished. - -The nuts which held the bolts to the outer plates of the right-hand -scuttle gave way under the pressure of the English wrench. These bolts -were pushed outside, and buffers covered with india-rubber stopped up -the holes which let them through. Immediately the outer plate fell back -upon its hinges like a porthole, and the lenticular glass which closed -the scuttle appeared. A similar one was let into the thick partition on -the opposite side of the projectile, another in the top of the dome, and -finally a fourth in the middle of the base. They could, therefore, make -observations in four different directions: the firmament by the side -and most direct windows, the earth or the moon by the upper and under -openings in the projectile. - -Barbicane and his two companions immediately rushed to the uncovered -window. But it was lit by no ray of light. Profound darkness surrounded -them, which, however, did not prevent the president from exclaiming,-- - -"No, my friends, we have not fallen back upon the earth; no, nor are we -submerged in the Gulf of Mexico. Yes! we are mounting into space. See -those stars shining in the night, and that impenetrable darkness heaped -up between the earth and us!" - -"Hurrah! hurrah!" exclaimed Michel Ardan and Nicholl in one voice. - -Indeed, this thick darkness proved that the projectile had left the earth, -for the soil, brilliantly lit by the moonbeams, would have been visible -to the travellers, if they had been lying on its surface. This darkness -also showed that the projectile had passed the atmospheric strata, for -the diffused light spread in the air would have been reflected on the -metal walls, which reflection was wanting. This light would have lit -the window, and the window was dark. Doubt was no longer possible; the -travellers had left the earth. - - -Illustration: IT WAS AN ENORMOUS DISC. - - -"I have lost," said Nicholl. - -"I congratulate you," replied Ardan. - -"Here are the nine thousand dollars," said the captain, drawing a roll -of paper dollars from his pocket. - -"Will you have a receipt for it?" asked Barbicane, taking the sum. - -"If you do not mind," answered Nicholl; "it is more business-like." - -And coolly and seriously, as if he had been at his strong-box, the -president drew forth his note-book, tore out a blank leaf, wrote a proper -receipt in pencil, dated and signed it with the usual flourish,* and gave -it to the captain, who carefully placed it in his pocketbook. Michel -Ardan, taking off his hat, bowed to his two companions without speaking. -So much formality under such circumstances left him speechless. He had -never before seen anything so "American." - -* This is a purely French habit. - -This affair settled, Barbicane and Nicholl had returned to the window, -and were watching the constellations. The stars looked like bright points -on the black sky. But from that side they could not see the orb of night, -which, travelling from east to west, would rise by degrees towards the -zenith. Its absence drew the following remark from Ardan. - -"And the moon; will she perchance fail at our rendezvous?" - -"Do not alarm yourself," said Barbicane; "our future globe is at its -post, but we cannot see her from this side; let us open the other." - -As Barbicane was about leaving the window to open the opposite scuttle, -his attention was attracted by the approach of a brilliant object. It -was an enormous disc, whose colossal dimension could not be estimated. -Its face, which was turned to the earth, was very bright. One might have -thought it a small moon reflecting the light of the larger one. She -advanced with great speed, and seemed to describe an orbit round the -earth, which would intersect the passage of the projectile. This body -revolved upon its axis, and exhibited the phenomena of all celestial -bodies abandoned in space. - -"Ah!" exclaimed Michel Ardan, "what is that? another projectile?" - -Barbicane did not answer. The appearance of this enormous body surprised -and troubled him. A collision was possible, and might be attended with -deplorable results; either the projectile would deviate from its path, -or a shock, breaking its impetus, might precipitate it to the earth; or, -lastly, it might be irresistibly drawn away by the powerful asteroid. The -president caught at a glance the consequences of these three hypotheses, -either of which would, one way or the other, bring their experiment to -an unsuccessful and fatal termination. His companions stood silently -looking into space. The object grew rapidly as it approached them, and -by an optical illusion the projectile seemed to be throwing itself before -it. - -"By Jove!" exclaimed Michel Ardan, "we shall run into one another!" - -Instinctively the travellers drew back. Their dread was great, but it -did not last many seconds. The asteroid passed several hundred yards -from the projectile and disappeared, not so much from the rapidity of -its course, as that its face being opposite the moon, it was suddenly -merged into the perfect darkness of space. - -"A happy journey to you," exclaimed Michel Ardan, with a sigh of relief. -"Surely infinity of space is large enough for a poor little projectile -to walk through without fear. Now, what is this portentous globe which -nearly struck us?" - -"I know," replied Barbicane. - -"Oh, indeed! you know everything." - -"It is," said Barbicane, "a simple meteorite, but an enormous one, which -the attraction of the earth has retained as a satellite." - -"Is it possible!" exclaimed Michel Ardan; "the earth then has two moons -like Neptune?" - -"Yes, my friend, two moons, though it passes generally for having only -one; but this second moon is so small, and its speed so great, that the -inhabitants of the earth cannot see it. It was by noticing disturbances -that a French astronomer, M. Petit, was able to determine the existence -of this second satellite and calculate its elements. According to his -observations, this meteorite will accomplish its revolution round the -earth in three hours and twenty minutes, which implies a wonderful rate -of speed." - -"Do all astronomers admit the existence of this satellite?" asked Nicholl. - -"No," replied Barbicane; "but if, like us, they had met it, they could -no longer doubt it. Indeed, I think that this meteorite, which, had it -struck the projectile, would have much embarrassed us, will give us the -means of deciding what our position in space is." - -"How?" said Ardan. - -"Because its distance is known, and when we met it, we were exactly 4650 -miles from the surface of the terrestrial globe." - -"More than 2000 French leagues," exclaimed Michel Ardan. "That beats the -express trains of the pitiful globe called the earth." - -"I should think so," replied Nicholl, consulting his chronometer; "it -is eleven o'clock, and it is only thirteen minutes since we left the -American Continent." - -"Only thirteen minutes?" said Barbicane. - -"Yes," said Nicholl; "and if our initiatory speed of 12,000 yards has -been kept up, we shall have made about 20,000 miles in the hour." - -"That is all very well, my friends," said the president, "but the -insoluble question still remains. Why did we not hear the detonation of -the Columbiad?" - -For want of an answer the conversation dropped, and Barbicane began -thoughtfully to let down the shutter of the second side. He succeeded; -and through the uncovered glass the moon filled the projectile with -a brilliant light. Nicholl, as an economical man, put out the gas, -now useless, and whose brilliancy prevented any observation of the -interplanetary space. - -The lunar disc shone with wonderful purity. Her rays, no longer filtered -through the vapoury atmosphere of the terrestrial globe, shone through -the glass, filling the air in the interior of the projectile with silvery -reflections. The black curtain of the firmament in reality heightened the -moon's brilliancy, which in this void of ether unfavourable to diffusion -did not eclipse the neighbouring stars. The heavens, thus seen, presented -quite a new aspect, and one which the human eye could never dream of. -One may conceive the interest with which these bold men watched the orb -of night, the great aim of their journey. - -In its motion the earth's satellite was insensibly nearing the zenith, -the mathematical point which it ought to attain ninety-six hours later. -Her mountains, her plains, every projection was as clearly discernible -to their eyes as if they were observing it from some spot upon the earth; -but its light was developed through space with wonderful intensity. The -disc shone like a platinum mirror. Of the earth flying from under their -feet, the travellers had lost all recollection. - -It was Captain Nicholl who first recalled their attention to the vanishing -globe. - -"Yes," said Michel Ardan, "do not let us be ungrateful to it. Since we -are leaving our country, let our last looks be directed to it. I wish to -see the earth once more before it is quite hidden from my eyes." - -To satisfy his companions, Barbicane began to uncover the window at the -bottom of the projectile, which would allow them to observe the earth -direct. The disc, which the force of the projection had beaten down to -the base, was removed, not without difficulty. Its fragments, placed -carefully against the wall, might serve again upon occasion. Then a -circular gap appeared, nineteen inches in diameter, hollowed out of -the lower part of the projectile. A glass cover, six inches thick and -strengthened with upper fastenings, closed it tightly. Beneath was fixed -an aluminium plate, held in place by bolts. The screws being undone, -and the bolts let go, the plate fell down, and visible communication was -established between the interior and the exterior. - -Michel Ardan knelt by the glass. It was cloudy, seemingly opaque. - -"Well!" he exclaimed, "and the earth?" - -"The earth?" said Barbicane. "There it is." - -"What! that little thread; that silver crescent?" - -"Doubtless, Michel. In four days, when the moon will be full, at the -very time we shall reach it, the earth will be new, and will only appear -to us as a slender crescent which will soon disappear, and for some days -will be enveloped in utter darkness." - -"That the earth?" repeated Michel Ardan, looking with all his eyes at -the thin slip of his native planet. - -The explanation given by President Barbicane was correct. The earth, -with respect to the projectile, was entering its last phase. It was in -its octant, and showed a crescent finely traced on the dark background -of the sky. Its light, rendered bluish by the thick strata of the -atmosphere was less intense than that of the crescent moon, but it was -of considerable dimensions, and looked like an enormous arch stretched -across the firmament. Some parts brilliantly lighted, especially on its -concave part, showed the presence of high mountains, often disappearing -behind thick spots, which are never seen on the lunar disc. They were -rings of clouds placed concentrically round the terrestrial globe. - -Whilst the travellers were trying to pierce the profound darkness, a -brilliant cluster of shooting stars burst upon their eyes. Hundreds of -meteorites, ignited by the friction of the atmosphere, irradiated the -shadow of the luminous train, and lined the cloudy parts of the disc -with their fire. At this period the earth was in its perihelium, and -the month of December is so propitious to these shooting stars, that -astronomers have counted as many as twenty-four thousand in an hour. But -Michel Ardan, disdaining scientific reasonings, preferred thinking that -the earth was thus saluting the departure of her three children with her -most brilliant fireworks. - -Indeed this was all they saw of the globe lost in the shadow, an inferior -orb of the solar world, rising and setting to the great planets like a -simple morning or evening star! This globe, where they had left all their -affections, was nothing more than a fugitive crescent! - -Long did the three friends look without speaking, though united in heart, -whilst the projectile sped onward with an ever-decreasing speed. Then -an irresistible drowsiness crept over their brain. Was it weariness both -of body and mind? No doubt; for after the over-excitement of those last -hours passed upon earth, reaction was inevitable. - -"Well," said Nicholl, "since we must sleep, let us sleep." - -And stretching themselves on their couches, they were all three soon in -a profound slumber. - -But they had not forgotten themselves more than a quarter of an hour, -when Barbicane sat up suddenly, and rousing his companions with a loud -voice, exclaimed,-- - -"I have found it!" - -"What have you found?" asked Michel Ardan, jumping from his bed. - -"The reason why we did not hear the detonation of the Columbiad." - -"And it is--?" said Nicholl. - -"Because our projectile travelled _faster than the sound!_" - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - THEIR PLACE OF SHELTER. - - -This curious but certainly correct explanation once given, the three -friends returned to their slumbers. Could they have found a calmer or -more peaceful spot to sleep in? On the earth, houses, towns, cottages, -and country feel every shock given to the exterior of the globe. On sea, -the vessels rocked by the waves are still in motion; in the air, the -balloon oscillates incessantly on the fluid strata of divers densities. -This projectile alone, floating in perfect space, in the midst of perfect -silence, offered perfect repose. - -Thus the sleep of our adventurous travellers might have been indefinitely -prolonged, if an unexpected noise had not awakened them at about seven -o'clock in the morning of the 2nd of December, eight hours after their -departure. - -This noise was a very natural barking. - -"The dogs! it is the dogs!" exclaimed Michel Ardan, rising at once. - -"They are hungry," said Nicholl. - -"By Jove!" replied Michel, "we have forgotten them." - -"Where are they?" asked Barbicane. - -They looked and found one of the animals crouched under the divan. -Terrified and shaken by the initiatory shock, it had remained in the -corner till its voice returned with the pangs of hunger. It was the -amiable Diana, still very confused, who crept out of her retreat, though -not without much persuasion, Michel Ardan encouraging her with most -gracious words. - -"Come, Diana," said he; "come, my girl! thou whose destiny will be -marked in the cynegetic annals; thou whom the pagans would have given as -companion to the god Anubis, and Christians as friend to St. Roch; thou -who art rushing into interplanetary space, and wilt perhaps be the Eve -of all Selenite dogs! come, Diana, come here." - -Diana, flattered or not, advanced by degrees, uttering plaintive cries. - -"Good," said Barbicane; "I see Eve, but where is Adam?" - -"Adam?" replied Michel; "Adam cannot be far off; he is there somewhere; -we must call him. Satellite! here, Satellite!" - -But Satellite did not appear. Diana would not leave off howling. They -found, however, that she was not bruised, and they gave her a pie, which -silenced her complaints. As to Satellite, he seemed quite lost. They had -to hunt a long time before finding him in one of the upper compartments -of the projectile, whither some unaccountable shock must have violently -hurled him. The poor beast, much hurt, was in a piteous state. - -"The devil!" said Michel. - -They brought the unfortunate dog down with great care. Its skull had been -broken against the roof, and it seemed unlikely that he could recover -from such a shock. Meanwhile, he was stretched comfortably on a cushion. -Once there, he heaved a sigh. - -"We will take care of you," said Michel; "we are responsible for your -existence. I would rather lose an arm than a paw of my poor Satellite." - -Saying which, he offered some water to the wounded dog, who swallowed it -with avidity. - -This attention paid, the travellers watched the earth and the moon -attentively. The earth was now only discernible by a cloudy disc ending -in a crescent, rather more contracted than that of the previous evening; -but its expanse was still enormous, compared with that of the moon, which -was approaching nearer and nearer to a perfect circle. - - -Illustration: THEY GAVE HER A PIE. - - -"By Jove!" said Michel Ardan, "I am really sorry that we did not start -when the earth was full, that is to say, when our globe was in opposition -to the sun." - -"Why?" asked Nicholl. - -"Because we should have seen our continents and seas in a new light,--the -first resplendent under the solar rays, the latter cloudy as represented -on some maps of the world. I should like to have seen those poles of the -earth on which the eye of man has never yet rested. - -"I dare say," replied Barbicane; "but if the earth had been _full_, the -moon would have been _new_; that is to say, invisible, because of the -rays of the sun. It is better for us to see the destination we wish to -reach, than the point of departure." - -"You are right, Barbicane," replied Captain Nicholl; "and, besides, when -we have reached the moon, we shall have time during the long lunar nights -to consider at our leisure the globe on which our likenesses swarm." - -"Our likenesses!" exclaimed Michel Ardan; "they are no more our likenesses -than the Selenites are! We inhabit a new world, peopled by ourselves--the -projectile! I am Barbicane's likeness, and Barbicane is Nicholl's. Beyond -us, around us, human nature is at an end, and we are the only population -of this microcosm until we become pure Selenites." - -"In about eighty-eight hours," replied the captain. - -"Which means to say?" asked Michel Ardan. - -"That it is half-past eight," replied Nicholl. - -"Very well," retorted Michel; "then it is impossible for me to find even -the shadow of a reason why we should not go to breakfast." - -Indeed the inhabitants of the new star could not live without eating, and -their stomachs were suffering from the imperious laws of hunger. Michel -Ardan, as a Frenchman, was declared chief cook, an important function, -which raised no rival. The gas gave sufficient heat for the culinary -apparatus, and the provision-box furnished the elements of this first -feast. - -The breakfast began with three bowls of excellent soup, thanks to the -liquefaction in hot water of those precious cakes of Liebig, prepared from -the best parts of the ruminants of the Pampas. To the soup succeeded some -beefsteaks, compressed by an hydraulic press, as tender and succulent as -if brought straight from the kitchen of an English eating-house. Michel, -who was imaginative, maintained that they were even "red." - -Preserved vegetables ("fresher than nature," said the amiable Michel) -succeeded the dish of meat; and was followed by some cups of tea with -bread and butter, after the American fashion. - -The beverage was declared exquisite, and was due to the infusion of the -choicest leaves, of which the Emperor of Russia had given some chests -for the benefit of the travellers. - -And lastly, to crown the repast, Ardan brought out a fine bottle of Nuits, -which was found "by chance" in the provision-box. The three friends drank -to the union of the earth and her satellite. - -And, as if he had not already done enough for the generous wine which -he had distilled on the slopes of Burgundy, the sun chose to be of the -party. At this moment the projectile emerged from the conical shadow -cast by the terrestrial globe, and the rays of the radiant orb struck -the lower disc of the projectile direct occasioned by the angle which -the moon's orbit makes with that of the earth. - -"The sun!" exclaimed Michel Ardan. - -"No doubt," replied Barbicane; "I expected it." - -"But," said Michel, "the conical shadow which the earth leaves in space -extends beyond the moon?" - -"Far beyond it, if the atmospheric refraction is not taken into -consideration," said Barbicane. "But when the moon is enveloped in this -shadow, it is because the centres of the three stars, the sun, the earth, -and the moon, are all in one and the same straight line. Then the _nodes_ -coincide with the _phases_ of the moon, and there is an eclipse. If we -had started when there was an eclipse of the moon, all our passage would -have been in the shadow, which would have been a pity." - - -Illustration: THE SUN CHOSE TO BE OF THE PARTY. - - -"Why?" - -"Because, though we are floating in space, our projectile, bathed in the -solar rays, will receive their light and heat. It economizes the gas, -which is in every respect a good economy." - -Indeed, under these rays which no atmosphere can temper, either in -temperature or brilliancy, the projectile grew warm and bright, as if -it had passed suddenly from winter to summer. The moon above, the sun -beneath, were inundating it with their fire. - -"It is pleasant here," said Nicholl. - -"I should think so," said Michel Ardan. "With a little earth spread on -our aluminium planet we should have green peas in twenty-four hours. I -have but one fear, which is that the walls of the projectile might melt." - -"Calm yourself, my worthy friend," replied Barbicane; "the projectile -withstood a very much higher temperature than this as it slid through -the strata of the atmosphere. I should not be surprised if it did not -look like a meteor on fire to the eyes of the spectators in Florida." - -"But then Joseph T. Maston will think we are roasted!" - -"What astonishes me," said Barbicane, "is that we have not been. That -was a danger we had not provided for." - -"I feared it," said Nicholl simply. - -"And you never mentioned it, my sublime captain," exclaimed Michel Ardan, -clasping his friend's hand. - -Barbicane now began to settle himself in the projectile as if he was -never to leave it. One must remember that this aerial car had a base -with a superficies of fifty-four square feet. Its height to the roof -was twelve feet. Carefully laid out in the inside, and little encumbered -by instruments and travelling utensils which each had their particular -place, it left the three travellers a certain freedom of movement. The -thick window inserted in the bottom could bear any amount of weight, and -Barbicane and his companions walked upon it as if it were solid plank; -but the sun striking it directly with its rays lit the interior of the -projectile from beneath, thus producing singular effects of light. - -They began by investigating the state of their store of water and -provisions, neither of which had suffered, thanks to the care taken to -deaden the shock. Their provisions were abundant, and plentiful enough -to last the three travellers for more than a year. Barbicane wished to -be cautious, in case the projectile should land on a part of the moon -which was utterly barren. As to water and the reserve of brandy, which -consisted of fifty gallons, there was only enough for two months; but -according to the last observations of astronomers, the moon had a low, -dense, and thick atmosphere, at least in the deep valleys, and there -springs and streams could not fail. Thus, during their passage, and -for the first year of their settlement on the lunar continent, these -adventurous explorers would suffer neither hunger nor thirst. - -Now about the air in the projectile. There, too, they were secure. -Reiset and Regnaut's apparatus, intended for the production of oxygen, -was supplied with chlorate of potassium for two months. They necessarily -consumed a certain quantity of gas, for they were obliged to keep the -producing substance at a temperature of above 400 deg. But there again -they were all safe. The apparatus only wanted a little care. But it was -not enough to renew the oxygen; they must absorb the carbonic acid -produced by expiration. During the last twelve hours the atmosphere of -the projectile had become charged with this deleterious gas. Nicholl -discovered the state of the air by observing Diana panting painfully. The -carbonic acid, by a phenomenon similar to that produced in the famous -Grotto del Cane, had collected at the bottom of the projectile owing to -its weight. Poor Diana, with her head low, would suffer before her masters -from the presence of this gas. But Captain Nicholl hastened to remedy this -state of things, by placing on the floor several receivers containing -caustic potash which he shook about for a time, and this substance, greedy -of carbonic acid, soon completely absorbed it, thus purifying the air. - -An inventory of instruments was then begun. The thermometers and -barometers had resisted, all but one minimum thermometer, the glass of -which was broken. An excellent aneroid was drawn from the wadded box -which contained it and hung on the wall. Of course it was only affected -by and marked the pressure of the air inside the projectile, but it also -showed the quantity of moisture which it contained. At that moment its -needle oscillated between 25.24 and 25.08. - -It was fine weather. - -Barbicane had also brought several compasses, which he found intact. -One must understand that under present conditions their needles were -acting _wildly_, that is without any _constant_ direction. Indeed, at -the distance they were from the earth, the magnetic pole could have no -perceptible action upon the apparatus; but the box placed on the lunar -disc might perhaps exhibit some strange phenomena. In any case it would -be interesting to see whether the earth's satellite submitted like -herself to its magnetic influence. - -A hypsometer to measure the height of the lunar mountains, a sextant -to take the height of the sun, glasses which would be useful as they -neared the moon, all these instruments were carefully looked over, and -pronounced good in spite of the violent shock. - -As to the pickaxes and different tools which were Nicholl's especial -choice; as to the sacks of different kinds of grain and shrubs which -Michel Ardan hoped to transplant into Selenite ground, they were stowed -away in the upper part of the projectile. There was a sort of granary -there, loaded with things which the extravagant Frenchman had heaped up. -What they were no one knew, and the good-tempered fellow did not explain. -Now and then he climbed up by cramp-irons riveted to the walls, but kept -the inspection to himself. He arranged and rearranged, he plunged his -hand rapidly into certain mysterious boxes, singing in one of the falsest -of voices an old French refrain to enliven the situation. - -Barbicane observed with some interest that his guns and other arms had -not been damaged. These were important, because, heavily loaded, they -were to help to lessen the fall of the projectile, when drawn by the -lunar attraction (after having passed the point of neutral attraction) on -to the moon's surface; a fall which ought to be six times less rapid than -it would have been on the earth's surface, thanks to the difference of -bulk. The inspection ended with general satisfaction, when each returned -to watch space through the side windows and the lower glass -coverlid. - -There was the same view. The whole extent of the celestial sphere swarmed -with stars and constellations of wonderful purity, enough to drive an -astronomer out of his mind! On one side the sun, like the mouth of a -lighted oven, a dazzling disc without a halo, standing out on the dark -background of the sky! On the other, the moon returning its fire by -reflection, and apparently motionless in the midst of the starry world. -Then, a large spot seemingly nailed to the firmament, bordered by a -silvery cord: it was the earth! Here and there nebulous masses like large -flakes of starry snow; and from the zenith to the nadir, an immense ring -formed by an impalpable dust of stars, the "Milky Way," in the midst of -which the sun ranks only as a star of the fourth magnitude. The observers -could not take their eyes from this novel spectacle, of which no -description could give an adequate idea. What reflections it suggested! -What emotions hitherto unknown awoke in their souls! Barbicane wished -to begin the relation of his journey while under its first impressions, -and hour after hour took notes of all facts happening in the beginning -of the enterprise. He wrote quietly, with his large square writing, in -a businesslike style. - - - -Illustration: ARDAN PLUNGED HIS HAND RAPIDLY INTO CERTAIN - MYSTERIOUS BOXES. - - -During this time Nicholl, the calculator, looked over the minutes of -their passage, and worked out figures with unparalleled dexterity. Michel -Ardan chatted first with Barbicane, who did not answer him, and then -with Nicholl, who did not hear him, with Diana, who understood none of -his theories, and lastly with himself, questioning and answering, going -and coming, busy with a thousand details; at one time bent over the -lower glass, at another roosting in the heights of the projectile, and -always singing. In this microcosm he represented French loquacity and -excitability, and we beg you to believe that they were well represented. -The day, or rather (for the expression is not correct) the lapse of -twelve hours, which forms a day upon earth, closed with a plentiful -supper carefully prepared. No accident of any nature had yet happened -to shake the travellers' confidence; so, full of hope, already sure of -success, they slept peacefully, whilst the projectile under an uniformly -decreasing speed was crossing the sky. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - A LITTLE ALGEBRA. - - -The night passed without incident. The word "night," however, is scarcely -applicable. - -The position of the projectile with regard to the sun did not change. -Astronomically, it was daylight on the lower part, and night on the upper; -so when during this narrative these words are used, they represent the -lapse of time between the rising and setting of the sun upon the earth. - -The travellers' sleep was rendered more peaceful by the projectile's -excessive speed, for it seemed absolutely motionless. Not a motion -betrayed its onward course through space. The rate of progress, however -rapid it might be, cannot produce any sensible effect on the human frame -when it takes place in a vacuum, or when the mass of air circulates -with the body which is carried with it. What inhabitant of the earth -perceives its speed, which, however, is at the rate of 68,000 miles per -hour? Motion under such conditions is "felt" no more than repose; and -when a body is in repose it will remain so as long as no strange force -displaces it; if moving, it will not stop unless an obstacle comes in -its way. This indifference to motion or repose is called inertia. - -Barbicane and his companions might have believed themselves perfectly -stationary, being shut up in the projectile; indeed, the effect would -have been the same if they had been on the outside of it. Had it not been -for the moon, which was increasing above them, they might have sworn that -they were floating in complete stagnation. - -That morning, the 3rd of December, the travellers were awakened by a -joyous but unexpected noise; it was the crowing of a cock which sounded -through the car. Michel Ardan, who was the first on his feet, climbed -to the top of the projectile, and shutting a box, the lid of which -was partly open, said in a low voice, "Will you hold your tongue? That -creature will spoil my design!" - -But Nicholl and Barbicane were awake. - -"A cock!" said Nicholl. - -"Why no, my friends," Michel answered quickly; "it was I who wished to -awake you by this rural sound." So saying, he gave vent to a splendid -cock-a-doodledoo, which would have done honour to the proudest of -poultry-yards. - -The two Americans could not help laughing. - -"Fine talent that," said Nicholl, looking suspiciously at his companion. - -"Yes," said Michel; "a joke in my country. It is very Gallic; they play -the cock so in the best society." - -Then turning the conversation,-- - -"Barbicane, do you know what I have been thinking of all night?" - -"No," answered the president. - -"Of our Cambridge friends. You have already remarked that I am an -ignoramus in mathematical subjects; and it is impossible for me to -find out how the savants of the Observatory were able to calculate what -initiatory speed the projectile ought to have on leaving the Columbiad -in order to attain the moon." - -"You mean to say," replied Barbicane, "to attain that neutral point where -the terrestrial and lunar attractions are equal; for, starting from that -point, situated about nine-tenths of the distance travelled over, the -projectile would simply fall upon the moon, on account of its weight." - -"So be it," said Michel; "but, once more; how could they calculate the -initiatory speed?" - -"Nothing can be easier," replied Barbicane. - -"And you knew how to make that calculation?" asked Michel Ardan. - -"Perfectly. Nicholl and I would have made it, if the Observatory had not -saved us the trouble." - -"Very well, old Barbicane," replied Michel; "they might have cut off my -head, beginning at my feet, before they could have made me solve that -problem." - -"Because you do not know algebra," answered Barbicane quietly. - -"Ah, there you are, you eaters of _x_^1; you think you have said all -when you have said 'Algebra.'" - -"Michel," said Barbicane, "can you use a forge without a hammer, or -plough without a ploughshare?" - -"Hardly." - -"Well, algebra is a tool, like the plough or the hammer, and a good tool -to those who know how to use it." - -"Seriously?" - -"Quite seriously." - -"And can you use that tool in my presence?" - -"If it will interest you." - -"And show me how they calculated the initiatory speed of our car?" - -"Yes, my worthy friend; taking into consideration all the elements of -the problem, the distance from the centre of the earth to the centre of -the moon, of the radius of the earth, of its bulk, and of the bulk of -the moon, I can tell exactly what ought to be the initiatory speed of -the projectile, and that by a simple formula." - -"Let us see." - -"You shall see it; only I shall not give you the real course drawn -by the projectile between the moon and the earth in considering their -motion round the sun. No, I shall consider these two orbs as perfectly -motionless, which will answer all our purpose." - -"And why?" - -"Because it will be trying to solve the problem called 'the problem of -the three bodies,' for which the integral calculus is not yet far enough -advanced." - -"Then," said Michel Ardan, in his sly tone, "mathematics have not said -their last word?" - -"Certainly not," replied Barbicane. - -"Well, perhaps the Selenites have carried the integral calculus farther -than you have; and, by the bye, what is 'integral calculus?'" - -"It is a calculation the converse of the differential," replied Barbicane -seriously. - -"Much obliged; it is all very clear, no doubt." - -"And now," continued Barbicane, "a slip of paper and a bit of pencil, -and before a half-hour is over I will have found the required formula." - -Half an hour had not elapsed before Barbicane, raising his head, showed -Michel Ardan a page covered with algebraical signs, in which the general -formula for the solution was contained. - -"Well, and does Nicholl understand what that means?" - -"Of course, Michel," replied the captain. "All these signs, which seem -cabalistic to you, form the plainest, the clearest, and the most logical -language to those who know how to read it." - -"And you pretend, Nicholl," asked Michel, "that by means of these -hieroglyphics, more incomprehensible than the Egyptian Ibis, you can find -what initiatory speed it was necessary to give to the projectile?" - -"Incontestably," replied Nicholl; "and even by this same formula I can -always tell you its speed at any point of its transit." - -"On your word?" - -"On my word." - -"Then you are as cunning as our president." - -"No, Michel; the difficult part is what Barbicane has done; that is, to -get an equation which shall satisfy all the conditions of the problem. -The remainder is only a question of arithmetic, requiring merely the -knowledge of the four rules." - -"That is something!" replied Michel Ardan, who for his life could not -do addition right, and who defined the rule as a Chinese puzzle, which -allowed one to obtain all sorts of totals. - -"The expression _v_ zero, which you see in that equation, is the speed -which the projectile will have on leaving the atmosphere." - -"Just so," said Nicholl; "it is from that point that we must calculate -the velocity, since we know already that the velocity at departure was -exactly one and a half times more than on leaving the atmosphere." - -"I understand no more," said Michel. - -"It is a very simple calculation," said Barbicane. - -"Not as simple as I am," retorted Michel. - -"That means, that when our projectile reached the limits of the terrestrial -atmosphere it had already lost one-third of its initiatory speed." - -"As much as that?" - -"Yes, my friend; merely by friction against the atmospheric strata. You -understand that the faster it goes the more resistance it meets with from -the air." - -"That I admit," answered Michel; "and I understand it, although your x's -and zero's, and algebraic formulae, are rattling in my head like nails -in a bag." - -"First effects of algebra," replied Barbicane; "and now, to finish, we -are going to prove the given number of these different expressions, that -is, work out their value." - -"Finish me!" replied Michel. - -Barbicane took the paper, and began again to make his calculations with -great rapidity. Nicholl looked over and greedily read the work as it -proceeded. - -"That's it! that's it!" at last he cried. - -"Is it clear?" asked Barbicane. - - -Illustration: "DO I UNDERSTAND IT?" CRIED ARDAN; - "MY HEAD IS SPLITTING WITH IT." - - -"It is written in letters of fire," said Nicholl. - -"Wonderful fellows!" muttered Ardan. - -"Do you understand it at last?" asked Barbicane. - -"Do I understand it?" cried Ardan; "my head is splitting with it." - -"And now," said Nicholl, "to find out the speed of the projectile when -it left the atmosphere, we have only to calculate that." - -The captain, as a practical man equal to all difficulties, began to write -with frightful rapidity. Divisions and multiplications grew under his -fingers; the figures were like hail on the white page. Barbicane watched -him, whilst Michel Ardan nursed a growing headache with both hands. - -"Very well?" asked Barbicane, after some minutes' silence. - -"Well!" replied Nicholl; "every calculation made, _v_ zero, that is to -say, the speed necessary for the projectile on leaving the atmosphere, -to enable it to reach the equal point of attraction, ought to be--" - -"Yes?" said Barbicane. - -"Twelve thousand yards." - -"What!" exclaimed Barbicane, starting; "you say--" - -"Twelve thousand yards." - -"The devil!" cried the president, making a gesture of despair. - -"What is the matter?" asked Michel Ardan, much surprised. - -"What is the matter! why, if at this moment our speed had already -diminished one-third by friction, the initiatory speed ought to have -been--" - -"Seventeen thousand yards." - -"And the Cambridge Observatory declared that 12,000 yards was enough at -starting; and our projectile, which only started with that speed--" - -"Well?" asked Nicholl. - -"Well, it will not be enough." - -"Good." - -"We shall not be able to reach the neutral point." - -"The deuce!" - -"We shall not even get half way." - -"In the name of the projectile!" exclaimed Michel Ardan, jumping as if -it was already on the point of striking the terrestrial globe. - -"And we shall fall back upon the earth!" - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - THE COLD OF SPACE. - - -This revelation came like a thunderbolt. Who could have expected such an -error in calculation? Barbicane would not believe it. Nicholl revised -his figures: they were exact. As to the formula which had determined -them, they could not suspect its truth; it was evident that an initiatory -velocity of 17,000 yards in the first second was necessary to enable them -to reach the neutral point. - -The three friends looked at each other silently. There was no thought -of breakfast. Barbicane, with clenched teeth, knitted brows, and hands -clasped convulsively, was watching through the window. Nicholl had -crossed his arms, and was examining his calculations. Michel Ardan was -muttering,-- - -"That is just like those scientific men: they never do anything else. I -would give twenty pistoles if we could fall upon the Cambridge Observatory -and crush it, together with the whole lot of dabblers in figures which -it contains." - -Suddenly a thought struck the captain, which he at once communicated to -Barbicane. - -"Ah!" said he; "it is seven o'clock in the morning; we have already been -gone thirty-two hours; more than half our passage is over, and we are -not falling that I am aware of." - -Barbicane did not answer, but after a rapid glance at the captain, -took a pair of compasses wherewith to measure the angular distance -of the terrestrial globe; then from the lower window he took an exact -observation, and noticed that the projectile was apparently stationary. -Then rising and wiping his forehead, on which large drops of perspiration -were standing, he put some figures on paper. Nicholl understood that the -president was deducting from the terrestrial diameter the projectile's -distance from the earth. He watched him anxiously. - -"No," exclaimed Barbicane, after some moments, "no, we are not falling! -no, we are already more than 50,000 leagues from the earth. We have -passed the point at which the projectile would have stopped if its speed -had only been 12,000 yards at starting. We are still going up." - -"That is evident," replied Nicholl; "and we must conclude that our -initial speed, under the power of the 400,000 lbs. of gun-cotton, must -have exceeded the required 12,000 yards. Now I can understand how, after -thirteen minutes only, we met the second satellite, which gravitates -round the earth at more than 2000 leagues' distance." - -"And this explanation is the more probable," added Barbicane, "because, -in throwing off the water enclosed between its partition-breaks, the -projectile found itself lightened of a considerable weight." - -"Just so," said Nicholl. - -"Ah, my brave Nicholl, we are saved!" - -"Very well then," said Michel Ardan quietly; "as we are safe, let us have -breakfast." - -Nicholl was not mistaken. The initial speed had been, very fortunately, -much above that estimated by the Cambridge Observatory; but the Cambridge -Observatory had nevertheless made a mistake. - -The travellers, recovered from this false alarm, breakfasted merrily. If -they ate a great deal, they talked more. Their confidence was greater -after than before "the incident of the algebra." - -"Why should we not succeed?" said Michel Ardan; "why should we not arrive -safely? We are launched; we have no obstacle before us, no stones in our -way; the road is open, more so than that of a ship battling with the sea; -more open than that of a balloon battling with the wind; and if a ship -can reach its destination, a balloon go where it pleases, why cannot our -projectile attain its end and aim?" - -"It _will_ attain it," said Barbicane. - -"If only to do honour to the Americans," added Michel Ardan, "the only -people who could bring such an enterprise to a happy termination, and -the only one which could produce a President Barbicane. Ah, now we are -no longer uneasy, I begin to think, What will become of us? We shall get -right royally weary." - -Barbicane and Nicholl made a gesture of denial. - -"But I have provided for the contingency, my friends," replied Michel; -"you have only to speak, and I have chess, draughts, cards, and dominoes -at your disposal; nothing is wanting but a billiard-table." - -"What!" exclaimed Barbicane; "you brought away such trifles?" - -"Certainly," replied Michel, "and not only to distract ourselves, but -also with the laudable intention of endowing the Selenite smoking divans -with them." - -"My friend," said Barbicane, "if the moon is inhabited, its inhabitants -must have appeared some thousands of years before those of the earth, for -we cannot doubt that their star is much older than ours. If then these -Selenites have existed their hundreds of thousands of years, and if their -brain is of the same organization as the human brain, they have already -invented all that we have invented, and even what we may invent in future -ages. They have nothing to learn from _us_, and we have everything to -learn from _them_." - -"What!" said Michel; "you believe that they have artists like Phidias, -Michael Angelo, or Raphael?" - -"Yes." - -"Poets like Homer, Virgil, Milton, Lamartine, and Hugo?" - -"I am sure of it." - -"Philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant?" - -"I have no doubt of it." - -"Scientific men like Archimedes, Euclid, Pascal, Newton?" - -"I could swear it." - -"Comic writers like Arnal, and photographers like--like Nadar?" - -"Certain." - -"Then, friend Barbicane, if they are as strong as we are, and even -stronger--these Selenites--why have they not tried to communicate -with the earth? why have they not launched a lunar projectile to our -terrestrial regions?" - -"Who told you that they have never done so?" said Barbicane seriously. - -"Indeed," added Nicholl, "it would be easier for them than for us, for -two reasons; first, because the attraction on the moon's surface is six -times less than on that of the earth, which would allow a projectile to -rise more easily; secondly, because it would be enough to send such a -projectile only at 8000 leagues instead of 80,000, which would require -the force of projection to be ten times less strong." - -"Then," continued Michel, "I repeat it, why have they not done it?" - -"And I repeat," said Barbicane; "who told you that they have not done -it?" - -"When?" - -"Thousands of years before man appeared on earth." - -"And the projectile--where is the projectile? I demand to see the -projectile." - -"My friend," replied Barbicane, "the sea covers five-sixths of our globe. -From that we may draw five good reasons for supposing that the lunar -projectile, if ever launched, is now at the bottom of the Atlantic or -the Pacific, unless it sped into some crevasse at that period when the -crust of the earth was not yet hardened." - -"Old Barbicane," said Michel, "you have an answer for everything, and I -bow before your wisdom. But there is one hypothesis that would suit me -better than all the others, which is, that the Selenites, being older -than we, are wiser, and have not invented _gunpowder_." - -At this moment Diana joined in the conversation by a sonorous barking. -She was asking for her breakfast. - -"Ah!" said Michel Ardan, "in our discussion we have forgotten Diana and -Satellite." - -Immediately a good-sized pie was given to the dog, which devoured it -hungrily. - -"Do you see, Barbicane," said Michel, "we should have made a second -Noah's Ark of this projectile, and borne with us to the moon a couple of -every kind of domestic animal." - -"I dare say; but room would have failed us." - -"Oh!" said Michel, "we might have squeezed a little." - -"The fact is," replied Nicholl, "that cows, bulls, and horses, and all -ruminants, would have been very useful on the lunar continent, but -unfortunately the car could neither have been made a stable nor a shed." - -"Well, we might at least have brought a donkey, only a little donkey; -that courageous beast which old Silenus loved to mount. I love those old -donkeys; they are the least favoured animals in creation; they are not -only beaten while alive, but even after they are dead." - -"How do you make that out?" asked Barbicane. - -"Why," said Michel, "they make their skins into drums." - -Barbicane and Nicholl could not help laughing at this ridiculous remark. -But a cry from their merry companion stopped them. The latter was leaning -over the spot where Satellite lay. He rose, saying,-- - -"My good Satellite is no longer ill." - -"Ah!" said Nicholl. - -"No," answered Michel, "he is dead! There," added he, in a piteous tone, -"that is embarrassing. I much fear, my poor Diana, that you will leave -no progeny in the lunar regions!" - -Indeed the unfortunate Satellite had not survived its wound. - -It was quite dead. Michel Ardan looked at his friends with a rueful -countenance. - -"One question presents itself," said Barbicane. "We cannot keep the dead -body of this dog with us for the next forty-eight hours." - -"No! certainly not," replied Nicholl; "but our scuttles are fixed on -hinges; they can be let down. We will open one, and throw the body out -into space." - -The president thought for some moments, and then said,-- - -"Yes, we must do so, but at the same time taking very great precautions." - -"Why?" asked Michel. - -"For two reasons which you will understand," answered Barbicane. "The -first relates to the air shut up in the projectile, and of which we must -lose as little as possible." - -"But we manufacture the air?" - -"Only in part. We make only the oxygen, my worthy Michel; and with -regard to that, we must watch that the apparatus does not furnish the -oxygen in too great a quantity; for an excess would bring us very serious -physiological troubles. But if we make the oxygen, we do not make the -azote, that medium which the lungs do not absorb, and which ought to -remain intact; and that azote will escape rapidly through the open -scuttles." - -"Oh! the time for throwing out poor Satellite?" said Michel. - -"Agreed; but we must act quickly." - -"And the second reason?" asked Michel. - -"The second reason is that we must not let the outer cold, which is -excessive, penetrate the projectile or we shall be frozen to death." - -"But the sun?" - -"The sun warms our projectile, which absorbs its rays; but it does not -warm the vacuum in which we are floating at this moment. Where there is -no air, there is no more heat than diffused light; and the same with -darkness: it is cold where the sun's rays do not strike direct. This -temperature is only the temperature produced by the radiation of the -stars; that is to say, what the terrestrial globe would undergo if the -sun disappeared one day." - -"Which is not to be feared," replied Nicholl. - -"Who knows?" said Michel Ardan. "But, in admitting that the sun does not -go out, might it not happen that the earth might move away from it?" - -"There!" said Barbicane, "there is Michel with his ideas." - -"And," continued Michel, "do we not know that in 1861 the earth passed -through the tail of a comet? Or let us suppose a comet whose power of -attraction is greater than that of the sun. The terrestrial orbit will -bend towards the wandering star, and the earth, becoming its satellite, -will be drawn such a distance that the rays of the sun will have no -action on its surface." - -"That _might_ happen, indeed," replied Barbicane, "but the consequences -of such a displacement need not be so formidable as you suppose." - -"And why not?" - -"Because the heat and the cold would be equalized on our globe. It has -been calculated that, had our earth been carried along in its course by -the comet of 1861, at its perihelion, that is, its nearest approach to -the sun, it would have undergone a heat 28,000 times greater than that -of summer. But this heat, which is sufficient to evaporate the waters, -would have formed a thick ring of cloud, which would have modified that -excessive temperature; hence the compensation between the cold of the -aphelion and the heat of the perihelion." - -"At how many degrees," asked Nicholl, "is the temperature of the planetary -spaces estimated?" - -"Formerly," replied Barbicane, "it was greatly exaggerated; but now, -after the calculations of Fourier, of the French Academy of Science, it -is not supposed to exceed 60 deg. Centigrade below zero." - -"Pooh!" said Michel, "that's nothing!" - -"It is very much," replied Barbicane; "the temperature which was observed -in the polar regions, at Melville Island and Fort Reliance, that is 76 -deg. Fahrenheit below zero." - -"If I mistake not," said Nicholl, "M. Pouillet, another savant, estimates -the temperature of space at 250 deg. Fahrenheit below zero. We shall, -however, be able to verify these calculations for ourselves." - -"Not at present; because the solar rays, beating directly upon our -thermometer, would give, on the contrary, a very high temperature. But, -when we arrive in the moon, during its fifteen days of night at either -face, we shall have leisure to make the experiment, for our satellite -lies in a vacuum." - -"What do you mean by a _vacuum?_" asked Michel. "Is it perfectly such?" - -"It is absolutely void of air." - -"And is the air replaced by nothing whatever?" - -"By the ether only," replied Barbicane. - -"And pray what is the ether?" - -"The ether, my friend, is an agglomeration of imponderable atoms, which, -relatively to their dimensions, are as far removed from each other as -the celestial bodies are in space. It is these atoms which, by their -vibratory motion, produce both light and heat in the universe." - -They now proceeded to the burial of Satellite. They had merely to drop -him into space, in the same way that sailors drop a body into the sea; -but, as President Barbicane suggested, they must act quickly, so as to -lose as little as possible of that air whose elasticity would rapidly -have spread it into space. The bolts of the right scuttle, the opening -of which measured about twelve inches across, were carefully drawn, -whilst Michel, quite grieved, prepared to launch his dog into space. -The glass, raised by a powerful lever, which enabled it to overcome the -pressure of the inside air on the walls of the projectile, turned rapidly -on its hinges, and Satellite was thrown out. Scarcely a particle of air -could have escaped, and the operation was so successful, that later on -Barbicane did not fear to dispose of the rubbish which encumbered the -car. - - -Illustration: SATELLITE WAS THROWN OUT. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - QUESTION AND ANSWER. - - -On the 4th of December, when the travellers awoke after fifty-four -hours' journey, the chronometer marked five o'clock of the terrestrial -morning. In time it was just over five hours and forty minutes, half of -that assigned to their sojourn in the projectile; but they had already -accomplished nearly seven-tenths of the way. This peculiarity was due to -their regularly decreasing speed. - -Now when they observed the earth through the lower window, it looked -like nothing more than a dark spot, drowned in the solar rays. No more -crescent, no more cloudy light! The next day, at midnight, the earth -would be _new_, at the very moment when the moon would be full. Above, -the orb of night was nearing the line followed by the projectile, so -as to meet it at the given hour. All around the black vault was studded -with brilliant points, which seemed to move slowly; but, at the great -distance they were from them, their relative size did not seem to change. -The sun and stars appeared exactly as they do to us upon earth. As to -the moon, she was considerably larger; but the travellers' glasses, not -very powerful, did not allow them as yet to make any useful observations -upon her surface, or reconnoitre her topographically or -geologically. - -Thus the time passed in never-ending conversations all about the -moon. Each one brought forward his own contingent of particular facts; -Barbicane and Nicholl always serious, Michel Ardan always enthusiastic. -The projectile, its situation, its direction, incidents which might -happen, the precautions necessitated by their fall on to the moon, were -inexhaustible matters of conjecture. - -As they were breakfasting, a question of Michel's, relating to the -projectile, provoked rather a curious answer from Barbicane, which is -worth repeating. Michel, supposing it to be roughly stopped, while still -under its formidable initial speed, wished to know what the consequences -of the stoppage would have been. - -"But," said Barbicane, "I do not see how it could have been stopped." - -"But let us suppose so," said Michel. - -"It is an impossible supposition," said the practical Barbicane; "unless -the impulsive force had failed; but even then its speed would diminish -by degrees, and it would not have stopped suddenly." - -"Admit that it had struck a body in space." - -"What body?" - -"Why that enormous meteor which we met." - -"Then," said Nicholl, "the projectile would have been broken into a -thousand pieces, and we with it." - -"More than that," replied Barbicane; "we should have been burnt to -death." - -"Burnt?" exclaimed Michel, "by Jove! I am sorry it did not happen, 'just -to see.'" - -"And you would have seen," replied Barbicane. "It is known now that heat -is only a modification of motion. When water is warmed--that is to say, -when heat is added to it--its particles are set in motion." - -"Well," said Michel, "that is an ingenious theory!" - -"And a true one, my worthy friend; for it explains every phenomenon of -caloric. Heat is but the motion of atoms, a simple oscillation of the -particles of a body. When they apply the brake to a train, the train -comes to a stop; but what becomes of the motion which it had previously -possessed? It is transformed into heat, and the brake becomes hot. -Why do they grease the axles of the wheels? To prevent their heating, -because this heat would be generated by the motion which is thus lost by -transformation." - -"Yes, I understand," replied Michel, "perfectly. For example, when I -have run a long time, when I am swimming, when I am perspiring in large -drops, why am I obliged to stop? Simply because my motion is changed into -heat." - -Barbicane could not help smiling at Michel's reply; then, returning to -his theory, said,-- - -"Thus, in case of a shock, it would have been with our projectile as -with a ball which falls in a burning state after having struck the metal -plate; it is its motion which is turned into heat. Consequently I affirm -that, if our projectile had struck the meteor, its speed thus suddenly -checked would have raised a heat great enough to turn it into vapour -instantaneously." - -"Then," asked Nicholl, "what would happen if the earth's motion were to -stop suddenly?" - -"Her temperature would be raised to such a pitch," said Barbicane, "that -she would be at once reduced to vapour." - -"Well," said Michel, "that is a way of ending the earth which will -greatly simplify things." - -"And if the earth fell upon the sun?" asked Nicholl. - -"According to calculation," replied Barbicane, "the fall would develope -a heat equal to that produced by 16,000 globes of coal, each equal in -bulk to our terrestrial globe." - -"Good additional heat for the sun," replied Michel Ardan, "of which the -inhabitants of Uranus or Neptune would doubtless not complain; they must -be perished with cold on their planets." - -"Thus, my friends," said Barbicane, "all motion suddenly stopped produces -heat. And this theory allows us to infer that the heat of the solar disc -is fed by a hail of meteors falling incessantly on its surface. They have -even calculated--" - -"Oh, dear!" murmured Michel, "the figures are coming." - -"They have even calculated," continued the imperturbable Barbicane, "that -the shock of each meteor on the sun ought to produce a heat equal to that -of 4000 masses of coal of an equal bulk." - -"And what is the solar heat?" asked Michel. - -"It is equal to that produced by the combustion of a stratum of coal -surrounding the sun to a depth of forty-seven miles." - -"And that heat--" - -"Would be able to boil two billions nine hundred millions of cubic -myriameters* of water." - - *The myriameter is equal to rather more than 10,936 cubic yards - English.--(Ed.) - -"And it does not roast us!" exclaimed Michel. - -"No," replied Barbicane, "because the terrestrial atmosphere absorbs -four-tenths of the solar heat; besides, the quantity of heat intercepted -by the earth is but a billionth part of the entire radiation." - -"I see that all is for the best," said Michel, "and that this atmosphere -is a useful invention; for it not only allows us to breathe, but it -prevents us from roasting." - -"Yes!" said Nicholl, "unfortunately, it will not be the same in the -moon." - -"Bah!" said Michel, always hopeful. "If there are inhabitants, they must -breathe. If there are no longer any, they must have left enough oxygen -for three people, if only at the bottom of ravines, where its own weight -will cause it to accumulate, and we will not climb the mountains; that -is all." And Michel, rising, went to look at the lunar disc, which shone -with intolerable brilliancy. - -"By Jove!" said he, "it must be hot up there!" - -"Without considering," replied Nicholl, "that the day lasts 360 hours!" - -"And to compensate that," said Barbicane, "the nights have the same -length; and as heat is restored by radiation, their temperature can only -be that of the planetary space." - -"A pretty country, that!" exclaimed Michel. "Never mind! I wish I was -there! Ah! my dear comrades, it will be rather curious to have the earth -for our moon, to see it rise on the horizon, to recognize the shape -of its continents, and to say to oneself, 'There is America, there is -Europe;' then to follow it when it is about to lose itself in the sun's -rays! By-the-bye, Barbicane, have the Selenites eclipses?" - -"Yes, eclipses of the sun," replied Barbicane, "when the centres of the -three orbs are on a line, the earth being in the middle. But they are -only partial, during which the earth, cast like a screen upon the solar -disc, allows the greater portion to be seen." - -"And why," asked Nicholl, "is there no total eclipse? Does not the cone -of the shadow cast by the earth extend beyond the moon?" - -"Yes, if we do not take into consideration the refraction produced by the -terrestrial atmosphere. No, if we take that refraction into consideration. -Thus delta be the horizontal parallel, and _p_ the apparent -semidiameter--" - -"Oh!" said Michel. "Do speak plainly, you man of algebra!" - -"Very well;" replied Barbicane, "in popular language the mean distance -from the moon to the earth being sixty terrestrial radii, the length of -the cone of the shadow, on account of the refraction, is reduced to less -than forty-two radii. The result is that when there are eclipses, the -moon finds itself beyond the cone of pure shadow, and that the sun sends -her its rays, not only from its edges, but also from its centre." - -"Then," said Michel, in a merry tone, "why are there eclipses, when there -ought not to be any?" - -"Simply because the solar rays are weakened by this refraction, and -the atmosphere through which they pass extinguishes the greater part of -them!" - -"That reason satisfies me," replied Michel. "Besides we shall see when -we get there. Now, tell me, Barbicane, do you believe that the moon is -an old comet?" - -"There's an idea!" - -"Yes," replied Michel, with an amiable swagger, "I have a few ideas of -that sort." - -"But that idea does not spring from Michel," answered Nicholl. - -"Well, then, I am a plagiarist." - -"No doubt about it. According to the ancients, the Arcadians pretend -that their ancestors inhabited the earth before the moon became her -satellite. Starting from this fact, some scientific men have seen in the -moon a comet whose orbit will one day bring it so near to the earth that -it will be held there by its attraction." - -"Is there any truth in this hypothesis?" asked Michel. - -"None whatever," said Barbicane, "and the proof is, that the moon has -preserved no trace of the gaseous envelope which always accompanies -comets." - -"But," continued Nicholl, "before becoming the earth's satellite, -could not the moon, when in her perihelion, pass so near the sun as by -evaporation to get rid of all those gaseous substances?" - -"It is possible, friend Nicholl, but not probable." - -"Why not?" - -"Because--Faith I do not know." - -"Ah!" exclaimed Michel, "what hundreds of volumes we might make of all -that we do not know!" - -"Ah! indeed. What time is it?" asked Barbicane. - -"Three o'clock," answered Nicholl. - -"How time goes," said Michel, "in the conversation of scientific men such -as we are! Certainly, I feel I know too much! I feel that I am becoming -a well!" - -Saying which, Michel hoisted himself to the roof of the projectile, "to -observe the moon better," he pretended. During this time his companions -were watching through the lower glass. Nothing new to note! - -When Michel Ardan came down, he went to the side scuttle; and suddenly -they heard an exclamation of surprise! - -"What is it?" asked Barbicane. - -The president approached the window, and saw a sort of flattened sack -floating some yards from the projectile. This object seemed as motionless -as the projectile, and was consequently animated with the same ascending -movement. - -"What is that machine?" continued Michel Ardan. "Is it one of the bodies -of space which our projectile keeps within its attraction, and which will -accompany it to the moon?" - -"What astonishes me," said Nicholl, "is that the specific weight of the -body, which is certainly less than that of the projectile, allows it to -keep so perfectly on a level with it." - -"Nicholl," replied Barbicane, after a moment's reflection, "I do not know -what the object is, but I do know why it maintains our level." - -"And why?" - -"Because we are floating in space, my dear captain, and in space bodies -fall or move (which is the same thing) with equal speed whatever be their -weight or form; it is the air, which by its resistance creates these -differences in weight. When you create a vacuum in a tube, the objects -you send through it, grains of dust or grains of lead, fall with the same -rapidity. Here in space is the same cause and the same effect." - -"Just so," said Nicholl, "and everything we throw out of the projectile -will accompany it until it reaches the moon." - -"Ah! fools that we are!" exclaimed Michel. - -"Why that expletive?" asked Barbicane. - -"Because we might have filled the projectile with useful objects, books, -instruments, tools, &c. We could have thrown them all out, and all would -have followed in our train. But happy thought! Why cannot we walk outside -like the meteor? Why cannot we launch into space through the scuttle? -What enjoyment it would be to feel oneself thus suspended in ether, more -favoured than the birds who must use their wings to keep themselves up!" - - -Illustration: IT WAS THE BODY OF SATELLITE. - - -"Granted," said Barbicane, "but how to breathe?" - -"Hang the air, to fail so inopportunely!" - -"But if it did not fail, Michel, your density being less than that of -the projectile, you would soon be left behind." - -"Then we must remain in our car?" - -"We must!" - -"Ah!" exclaimed Michel, in a loud voice. - -"What is the matter," asked Nicholl. - -"I know, I guess, what this pretended meteor is! It is no asteroid which -is accompanying us! It is not a piece of a planet." - -"What is it then?" asked Barbicane. - -"It is our unfortunate dog! It is Diana's husband!" - -Indeed, this deformed, unrecognizable object, reduced to nothing, was -the body of Satellite, flattened like a bagpipe without wind, and ever -mounting, mounting! - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - A MOMENT OF INTOXICATION. - - -Thus a phenomenon, curious but explicable, was happening under these -strange conditions. - -Every object thrown from the projectile would follow the same course and -never stop until it did. There was a subject for conversation which the -whole evening could not exhaust. - -Besides, the excitement of the three travellers increased as they drew -near the end of their journey. They expected unforeseen incidents, and -new phenomena; and nothing would have astonished them in the frame of -mind they then were in. Their over-excited imagination went faster than -the projectile, whose speed was evidently diminishing, though insensibly -to themselves. But the moon grew larger to their eyes, and they fancied -if they stretched out their hands they could seize it. - -The next day, the 5th of November, at five in the morning, all three -were on foot. That day was to be the last of their journey, if all -calculations were true. That very night, at twelve o'clock, in eighteen -hours, exactly at the full moon, they would reach its brilliant disc. -The next midnight would see that journey ended, the most extraordinary -of ancient or modern times. Thus from the first of the morning, through -the scuttles silvered by its rays, they saluted the orb of night with a -confident and joyous hurrah. - -The moon was advancing majestically along the starry firmament. A few -more degrees, and she would reach the exact point where her meeting with -the projectile was to take place. - -According to his own observations, Barbicane reckoned that they would -land on her northern hemisphere, where stretch immense planes, and where -mountains are rare. A favourable circumstance if, as they thought, the -lunar atmosphere was stored only in its depths. - -"Besides," observed Michel Ardan, "a plain is easier to disembark upon -than a mountain. A Selenite, deposited in Europe on the summit of Mont -Blanc, or in Asia on the top of the Himalayas, would not be quite in the -right place." - -"And," added Captain Nicholl, "on a flat ground, the projectile will -remain motionless when it has once touched; whereas on a declivity it -would roll like an avalanche, and not being squirrels we should not come -out safe and sound. So it is all for the best." - -Indeed, the success of the audacious attempt no longer appeared doubtful. -But Barbicane was preoccupied with one thought; but not wishing to make -his companions uneasy, he kept silence on the subject. - -The direction the projectile was taking towards the moon's northern -hemisphere, showed that her course had been slightly altered. The -discharge, mathematically calculated, would carry the projectile to the -very centre of the lunar disc. If it did not land there, there must have -been some deviation. What had caused it? Barbicane could neither imagine -nor determine the importance of the deviation, for there were no points -to go by. - -He hoped, however, that it would have no other result than that of -bringing them near the upper border of the moon, a region more suitable -for landing. - -Without imparting his uneasiness to his companions, Barbicane contented -himself with constantly observing the moon, in order to see whether the -course of the projectile would not be altered; for the situation would -have been terrible if it failed in its aim, and being carried beyond -the disc should be launched into interplanetary space. At that moment, -the moon, instead of appearing flat like a disc, showed its convexity. -If the sun's rays had struck it obliquely, the shadow thrown would have -brought out the high mountains, which would have been clearly detached. -The eye might have gazed into the crater's gaping abysses, and followed -the capricious fissures which wound through the immense plains. But all -relief was as yet levelled in intense brilliancy. They could scarcely -distinguish those large spots which give to the moon the appearance of -a human face. - -"Face, indeed!" said Michel Ardan; "but I am sorry for the amiable sister -of Apollo. A very pitted face!" - -But the travellers, now so near the end, were incessantly observing -this new world. They imagined themselves walking through its unknown -countries, climbing its highest peaks, descending into its lowest depths. -Here and there they fancied they saw vast seas, scarcely kept together -under so rarefied an atmosphere, and watercourses emptying the mountain -tributaries. Leaning over the abyss, they hoped to catch some sounds -from that orb for ever mute in the solitude of space. That last day left -them. - -They took down the most trifling details. A vague uneasiness took -possession of them as they neared the end. This uneasiness would have -been doubled had they felt how their speed had decreased. It would -have seemed to them quite insufficient to carry them to the end. It was -because the projectile then "weighed" almost nothing. Its weight was -ever decreasing, and would be entirely annihilated on that line where -the lunar and terrestrial attractions would neutralize each other. - -But in spite of his preoccupation, Michel Ardan did not forget to prepare -the morning repast with his accustomed punctuality. They ate with a good -appetite. Nothing was so excellent as the soup liquefied by the heat of -the gas; nothing better than the preserved meat. Some glasses of good -French wine crowned the repast, causing Michel Ardan to remark that -the lunar vines, warmed by that ardent sun, ought to distil even more -generous wines; that is, if they existed. In any case, the far-seeing -Frenchman had taken care not to forget in his collection some precious -cuttings of the Medoc and Cote d'Or, upon which he founded his hopes. - -Reiset and Regnault's apparatus worked with great regularity. Not an -atom of carbonic acid resisted the potash; and as to the oxygen, Captain -Nicholl said "it was of the first quality." The little watery vapour -enclosed in the projectile mixing with the air tempered the dryness; and -many apartments in London, Paris, or New York, and many theatres, were -certainly not in such a healthy condition. - -But that it might act with regularity, the apparatus must be kept in -perfect order; so each morning Michel visited the escape regulators, -tried the taps, and regulated the heat of the gas by the pyrometer. -Everything had gone well up to that time, and the travellers, imitating -the worthy Joseph T. Maston, began to acquire a degree of embonpoint, -which would have rendered them unrecognizable if their imprisonment had -been prolonged to some months. In a word, they behaved like chickens in -a coop; they were getting fat. - -In looking through the scuttle Barbicane saw the spectre of the dog, -and other divers objects which had been thrown from the projectile -obstinately following them. Diana howled lugubriously on seeing the -remains of Satellite, which seemed as motionless as if they reposed on -the solid earth. - -"Do you know, my friends," said Michel Ardan, "that if one of us had -succumbed to the shock consequent on departure, we should have had a -great deal of trouble to bury him? What am I saying? to _etherize_ him, -as here ether takes the place of earth. You see the accusing body would -have followed us into space like a remorse." - -"That would have been sad," said Nicholl. - -"Ah!" continued Michel, "what I regret is not being able to take a walk -outside. What voluptuousness to float amid this radiant ether, to bathe -oneself in it, to wrap oneself in the sun's pure rays. If Barbicane had -only thought of furnishing us with a diving apparatus and an air-pump, -I could have ventured out and assumed fanciful attitudes of feigned -monsters on the top of the projectile." - -"Well, old Michel," replied Barbicane, "you would not have made a feigned -monster long, for in spite of your diver's dress, swollen by the expansion -of air within you, you would have burst like a shell, or rather like a -balloon which has risen too high. So do not regret it, and do not forget -this--as long as we float in space, all sentimental walks beyond the -projectile are forbidden." - -Michel Ardan allowed himself to be convinced to a certain extent. He -admitted that the thing was difficult but not _impossible_, a word which -he never uttered. - -The conversation passed from this subject to another, not failing for -an instant. It seemed to the three friends as though, under present -conditions, ideas shot up in their brains as leaves shoot at the first -warmth of spring. They felt bewildered. In the middle of the questions -and answers which crossed each other, Nicholl put one question which did -not find an immediate solution. - -"Ah, indeed!" said he; "it is all very well to go to the moon, but how -to get back again?" - -His two interlocutors looked surprised. One would have thought that this -possibility now occurred to them for the first time. - -"What do you mean by that, Nicholl?" asked Barbicane gravely. - -"To ask for means to leave a country," added Michel, "when we have not -yet arrived there, seems to me rather inopportune." - -"I do not say that, wishing to draw back," replied Nicholl; "but I repeat -my question, and I ask, 'How shall we return?'" - -"I know nothing about it," answered Barbicane. - -"And I," said Michel, "if I had known how to return, I would never have -started." - - -Illustration: "I COULD HAVE VENTURED OUT ON THE TOP OF - THE PROJECTILE." - - -"There's an answer!" cried Nicholl. - -"I quite approve of Michel's words," said Barbicane; "and add, that the -question has no real interest. Later, when we think it advisable to -return, we will take counsel together. If the Columbiad is not there, -the projectile will be." - -"That is a step certainly. A ball without a gun!" - -"The gun," replied Barbicane, "can be manufactured. The powder can be -made. Neither metals, saltpetre, nor coal can fail in the depths of -the moon, and we need only go 8000 leagues in order to fall upon the -terrestrial globe by virtue of the mere laws of weight." - -"Enough," said Michel with animation. "Let it be no longer a question of -returning: we have already entertained it too long. As to communicating -with our former earthly colleagues, that will not be difficult." - -"And how?" - -"By means of meteors launched by lunar volcanos." - -"Well thought of, Michel," said Barbicane in a convinced tone of voice. -"Laplace has calculated that a force five times greater than that of -our gun would suffice to send a meteor from the moon to the earth, and -there is not one volcano which has not a greater power of propulsion than -that." - -"Hurrah!" exclaimed Michel; "these meteors are handy postmen, and -cost nothing. And how we shall be able to laugh at the post-office -administration. But now I think of it--" - -"What do you think of?" - -"A capital idea. Why did we not fasten a thread to our projectile, and -we could have exchanged telegrams with the earth?" - -"The deuce!" answered Nicholl. "Do you consider the weight of a thread -250,000 miles long nothing?" - -"As nothing. They could have trebled the Columbiad's charge; they could -have quadrupled or quintupled it!" exclaimed Michel, with whom the verb -took a higher intonation each time. - -"There is but one little objection to make to your proposition," replied -Barbicane, "which is that, during the rotary motion of the globe, our -thread would have wound itself round it like a chain on a capstan, and -that it would inevitably have brought us to the ground." - -"By the thirty-nine stars of the Union!" said Michel, "I have nothing -but impracticable ideas to-day; ideas worthy of J. T. Maston. But I have -a notion that, if we do not return to earth, J. T. Maston will be able -to come to us." - -"Yes, he'll come," replied Barbicane; "he is a worthy and a courageous -comrade. Besides, what is easier? Is not the Columbiad still buried -in the soil of Florida? Is cotton and nitric acid wanted wherewith to -manufacture the pyroxile? Will not the moon again pass to the zenith of -Florida? In eighteen years' time will she not occupy exactly the same -place as to-day?" - -"Yes," continued Michel, "yes, Marston will come, and with him our -friends Elphinstone, Blomsberry, all the members of the Gun Club, and they -will be well received. And by and by they will run trains of projectiles -between the earth and the moon! Hurrah for J. T. Maston!" - -It is probable that, if the Hon. J. T. Maston did not hear the hurrahs -uttered in his honour, his ears at least tingled. What was he doing then? -Doubtless posted in the Rocky Mountains, at the station of Long's Peak, -he was trying to find the invisible projectile gravitating in space. If -he was thinking of his dear companions, we must allow that they were not -far behind him; and that, under the influence of a strange excitement, -they were devoting to him their best thoughts. - -But whence this excitement, which was evidently growing upon the -tenants of the projectile? Their sobriety could not be doubted. This -strange irritation of the brain, must it be attributed to the peculiar -circumstances under which they found themselves, to their proximity to -the orb of night, from which only a few hours separated them, to some -secret influence of the moon acting upon their nervous system? Their -faces were as rosy as if they had been exposed to the roaring flames -of an oven; their voices resounded in loud accents; their words escaped -like a champagne cork driven out by carbonic acid; their gestures became -annoying, they wanted so much room to perform them; and, strange to say, -they none of them noticed this great tension of the mind. - -"Now," said Nicholl, in a short tone, "now that I do not know whether we -shall ever return from the moon, I want to know what we are going to do -there?" - -"What we are going to do there?" replied Barbicane, stamping with his -foot as if he was in a fencing saloon; "I do not know." - -"You do not know!" exclaimed Michel, with a bellow which provoked a -sonorous echo in the projectile. - -"No, I have not even thought about it," retorted Barbicane, in the same -loud tone. - -"Well, I know," replied Michel. - -"Speak, then," cried Nicholl, who could no longer contain the growling -of his voice. - -"I shall speak if it suits me," exclaimed Michel, seizing his companions' -arms with violence. - -"_It must_ suit you," said Barbicane, with an eye on fire and a threatening -hand. "It was you who drew us into this frightful journey, and we want -to know what for." - -"Yes," said the captain, "now that I do not know where I am going, I want -to know _why_ I am going." - -"Why?" exclaimed Michel, jumping a yard high, "why? To take possession -of the moon in the name of the United States; to add a fortieth State to -the Union; to colonize the lunar regions; to cultivate them, to people -them, to transport thither all the prodigies of art, of science, and -industry; to civilize the Selenites, unless they are more civilized than -we are; and to constitute them a republic, if they are not already one!" - -"And if there are no Selenites?" retorted Nicholl, who, under the -influence of this unaccountable intoxication, was very contradictory. - -"Who said that there were no Selenites?" exclaimed Michel in a threatening -tone. - -"I do," howled Nicholl. - -"Captain," said Michel, "do not repeat that insolence, or I will knock -your teeth down your throat!" - -The two adversaries were going to fall upon each other, and the incoherent -discussion threatened to merge into a fight, when Barbicane intervened -with one bound. - -"Stop, miserable men," said he, separating his two companions; "if there -are no Selenites, we will do without them." - -"Yes," exclaimed Michel, who was not particular; "yes, we will do without -them. We have only to make Selenites. Down with the Selenites!" - -"The empire of the moon belongs to us," said Nicholl. "Let us three -constitute the republic." - -"I will be the congress," cried Michel. - -"And I the senate," retorted Nicholl. - -"And Barbicane, the president," howled Michel. - -"Not a president elected by the nation," replied Barbicane. - -"Very well, a president elected by the congress," cried Michel; "and as -I am the congress, you are unanimously elected!" - -"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! for President Barbicane," exclaimed Nicholl. - -"Hip! hip! hip!" vociferated Michel Ardan. - -Then the President and the Senate struck up in a tremendous voice the -popular song "Yankee Doodle," whilst from the Congress resounded the -masculine tones of the "Marseillaise." - -Then they struck up a frantic dance, with maniacal gestures, idiotic -stampings, and somersaults like those of the boneless clowns in the -circus. Diana, joining in the dance, and howling in her turn, jumped to -the top of the projectile. An unaccountable flapping of wings was then -heard amidst most fantastic cock-crows, while five or six hens fluttered -like bats against the walls. - - -Illustration: THEY STRUCK UP A FRANTIC DANCE. - - -Then the three travelling companions, acted upon by some unaccountable -influence above that of intoxication, inflamed by the air which had set -their respiratory apparatus on fire, fell motionless to the bottom of -the projectile. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - AT SEVENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND - FOURTEEN LEAGUES. - - -What had happened? Whence the cause of this singular intoxication, the -consequences of which might have been very disastrous? A simple blunder -of Michel's, which, fortunately, Nicholl was able to correct in time. - -After a perfect swoon, which lasted some minutes, the captain, recovering -first, soon collected his scattered senses. Although he had breakfasted -only two hours before, he felt a gnawing hunger, as if he had not eaten -anything for several days. Everything about him, stomach and brain, were -overexcited to the highest degree. He got up and demanded from Michel a -supplementary repast. Michel, utterly done up, did not answer. - -Nicholl then tried to prepare some tea destined to help the absorption -of a dozen sandwiches. He first tried to get some fire, and struck a -match sharply. What was his surprise to see the sulphur shine with so -extraordinary a brilliancy as to be almost unbearable to the eye. From -the gas-burner which he lit rose a flame equal to a jet of electric -light. - -A revelation dawned on Nicholl's mind. That intensity of light, the -physiological troubles which had arisen in him, the overexcitement of -all his moral and quarrelsome faculties,--he understood all. - -"The oxygen!" he exclaimed. - -And leaning over the air apparatus, he saw that the tap was allowing -the scentless colourless gas to escape freely, life-giving, but in its -pure state producing the gravest disorders in the system. Michel had -blunderingly opened the tap of the apparatus to the full. - - -Illustration: "THE OXYGEN!" HE EXCLAIMED. - - -Nicholl hastened to stop the escape of oxygen with which the atmosphere -was saturated, which would have been the death of the travellers, not by -suffocation, but by combustion. An hour later, the air less charged with -it restored the lungs to their normal condition. By degrees the three -friends recovered from their intoxication; but they were obliged to sleep -themselves sober over their oxygen as a drunkard does over his wine. - -When Michel learnt his share of the responsibility of this incident, -he was not much disconcerted. This unexpected drunkenness broke the -monotony of the journey. Many foolish things had been said while under -its influence, but also quickly forgotten. - -"And then," added the merry Frenchman, "I am not sorry to have tasted -a little of this heady gas. Do you know, my friends, that a curious -establishment might be founded with rooms of oxygen, where people whose -system is weakened could for a few hours live a more active life. Fancy -parties where the room was saturated with this heroic fluid, theatres -where it should be kept at high pressure; what passion in the souls of -the actors and spectators! what fire, what enthusiasm! And if, instead of -an assembly only a whole people could be saturated, what activity in its -functions, what a supplement to life it would derive. From an exhausted -nation they might make a great and strong one, and I know more than one -state in old Europe which ought to put itself under the regime of oxygen -for the sake of its health!" - -Michel spoke with so much animation that one might have fancied that the -tap was still too open. But a few words from Barbicane soon scattered -his enthusiasm. - -"That is all very well, friend Michel," said he, "but will you inform -us where these chickens came from which have mixed themselves up in our -concert?" - -"Those chickens?" - -"Yes." - -Indeed, half a dozen chickens and a fine cock were walking about, flapping -their wings and chattering. - -"Ah, the awkward things!" exclaimed Michel. "The oxygen has made them -revolt." - -"But what do you want to do with these chickens?" asked Barbicane. - -"To acclimatize them in the moon, by Jove!" - -"Then why did you hide them?" - -"A joke, my worthy president, a simple joke, which has proved a miserable -failure. I wanted to set them free on the lunar continent, without -saying anything. Oh, what would have been your amazement on seeing these -earthly-winged animals pecking in the lunar fields!" - -"You rascal, you unmitigated rascal," replied Barbicane, "you do not -want oxygen to mount to the head. You are always what _we_ were under -the influence of the gas; you are always foolish!" - -"Ah, who says that we were not wise then?" replied Michel Ardan. - -After this philosophical reflection, the three friends set about restoring -the order of the projectile. Chickens and cock were reinstated in their -coup. But whilst proceeding with this operation, Barbicane and his two -companions had a most desired perception of a new phenomenon. From the -moment of leaving the earth, their own weight, that of the projectile, -and the objects it enclosed, had been subject to an increasing diminution. -If they could not prove this loss of the projectile, a moment would -arrive when it would be sensibly felt upon themselves and the utensils -and instruments they used. - -It is needless to say that a _scale_ would not show this loss; for the -weight destined to weigh the object would have lost exactly as much as -the object itself; but a spring steelyard for example, the tension of -which was independent of the attraction, would have given a just estimate -of this loss. - -We know that the attraction, otherwise called the _weight_, is in -proportion to the densities of bodies, and inversely as the squares of -the distances. Hence this effect: If the earth had been alone in space, if -the other celestial bodies had been suddenly annihilated, the projectile, -according to Newton's laws, would weigh less as it got farther from the -earth, but without ever losing its weight _entirely_, for the terrestrial -attraction would always have made itself felt, at whatever distance. - -But, in reality, a time must come when the projectile would no longer -be subject to the law of weight, after allowing for the other celestial -bodies whose effect could not be set down as zero. Indeed, the -projectile's course was being traced between the earth and the moon. -As it distanced the earth, the terrestrial attraction diminished: but -the lunar attraction rose in proportion. There must then come a point -where these two attractions would neutralize each other: the projectile -would possess weight no longer. If the moon's and the earth's densities -had been equal, this point would have been at an equal distance between -the two orbs. But taking the different densities into consideration, it -was easy to reckon that this point would be situated at 47-60ths of the -whole journey, i.e. at 78,114 leagues from the earth. At this point, a -body having no principle of speed or displacement in itself, would remain -immovable for ever, being attracted equally by both orbs, and not being -drawn more towards one than towards the other. - -Now if the projectile's impulsive force had been correctly calculated, it -would attain this point without speed, having lost all trace of weight, -as well as all the objects within it. What would happen then? Three -hypotheses presented themselves. - -1. Either it would retain a certain amount of motion, and pass the point -of equal attraction, and fall upon the moon by virtue of the excess of -the lunar attraction over the terrestrial. - -2. Or, its speed failing, and unable to reach the point of equal -attraction, it would fall upon the moon by virtue of the excess of the -lunar attraction over the terrestrial. - -3. Or, lastly, animated with sufficient speed to enable it to reach the -neutral point, but not sufficient to pass it, it would remain for ever -suspended in that spot like the pretended tomb of Mahomet, between the -zenith and the nadir. - -Such was their situation; and Barbicane clearly explained the consequences -to his travelling companions, which greatly interested them. But how -should they know when the projectile had reached this neutral point -situated at that distance, especially when neither themselves, nor the -objects enclosed in the projectile, would be any longer subject to the -laws of weight? - -Up to this time, the travellers, whilst admitting that this action was -constantly decreasing, had not yet become sensible to its total absence. - -But that day, about eleven o'clock in the morning, Nicholl having -accidentally let a glass slip from his hand, the glass, instead of -falling, remained suspended in the air. - -"Ah!" exclaimed Michel Ardan, "that is rather an amusing piece of natural -philosophy." - -And immediately divers other objects, firearms and bottles, abandoned -to themselves, held themselves up as by enchantment. Diana too, placed -in space by Michel, reproduced, but without any trick, the wonderful -suspension practised by Caston and Robert Houdin. Indeed the dog did not -seem to know that she was floating in air. - -The three adventurous companions were surprised and stupefied, despite -their scientific reasonings. They felt themselves being carried into the -domain of wonders! they felt that _weight_ was really wanting to their -bodies. If they stretched out their arms, they did not attempt to fall. -Their heads shook on their shoulders. Their feet no longer clung to the -floor of the projectile. They were like drunken men having no stability -in themselves. - - -Illustration: "AH! IF RAPHAEL HAD SEEN US THUS." - - -Fancy has depicted men without reflection, others without shadow. But -here _reality,_ by the neutralisation of attractive forces, produced men -in whom nothing had any weight, and who weighed nothing themselves. - -Suddenly Michel, taking a spring, left the floor and remained suspended -in the air, like Murillo's monk of the _Cusine des Anges._ - -The two friends joined him instantly, and all three formed a miraculous -"Ascension" in the centre of the projectile. - -"Is it to be believed? is it probable? is it possible?" exclaimed Michel; -"and yet it is so. Ah! if Raphael had seen us thus, what an 'Assumption' -he would have thrown upon canvas!" - -"The 'Assumption' cannot last," replied Barbicane. "If the projectile -passes the neutral point, the lunar attraction will draw us to the moon." - -"Then our feet will be upon the roof," replied Michel. - -"No," said Barbicane, "because the projectile's centre of gravity is very -low; it will only turn by degrees." - -"Then all our portables will be upset from top to bottom, that is a -fact." - -"Calm yourself, Michel," replied Nicholl; "no upset is to be feared; not -a thing will move, for the projectile's evolution will be imperceptible." - -"Just so," continued Barbicane; "and when it has passed the point of equal -attraction, its base, being the heavier, will draw it perpendicularly to -the moon; but, in order that this phenomenon should take place, we must -have passed the neutral line." - -"Pass the neutral line!" cried Michel; "then let us do as the sailors do -when they cross the equator." - -A slight side movement brought Michel back towards the padded side; -thence he took a bottle and glasses, placed them "in space" before his -companions, and, drinking merrily, they saluted the line with a triple -hurrah. The influence of these attractions scarcely lasted an hour; -the travellers felt themselves insensibly drawn towards the floor, and -Barbicane fancied that the conical end of the projectile was varying a -little from its normal direction towards the moon. By an inverse motion -the base was approaching first; the lunar attraction was prevailing -over the terrestrial; the fall towards the moon was beginning, almost -imperceptibly as yet, but by degrees the attractive force would become -stronger, the fall would be more decided, the projectile, drawn by its -base, would turn its cone to the earth, and fall with ever-increasing -speed on to the surface of the Selenite continent; their destination -would then be attained. Now nothing could prevent the success of their -enterprise, and Nicholl and Michel Ardan shared Barbicane's joy. - -Then they chatted of all the phenomena which had astonished them one -after the other, particularly the neutralization of the laws of weight. -Michel Ardan, always enthusiastic, drew conclusions which were purely -fanciful. - -"Ah, my worthy friends," he exclaimed, "what progress we should make -if on earth we could throw off some of that weight, some of that chain -which binds us to her; it would be the prisoner set at liberty; no more -fatigue of either arms or legs. Or, if it is true that in order to fly -on the earth's surface, to keep oneself suspended in the air merely by -the play of the muscles, there requires a strength a hundred and fifty -times greater than that which we possess, a simple act of volition, a -caprice, would bear us into space, if attraction did not exist." - -"Just so," said Nicholl, smiling; "if we could succeed in suppressing -weight as they suppress pain by anaesthesia, that would change the face -of modern society!" - -"Yes," cried Michel, full of his subject, "destroy weight, and no more -burdens!" - -"Well said," replied Barbicane; "but if nothing had any weight, nothing -would keep in its place, not even your hat on your head, worthy Michel; -nor your house, whose stones only adhere by weight; not a boat, whose -stability on the water is caused only by weight; not even the ocean, -whose waves would no longer be equalized by terrestrial attraction; and -lastly, not even the _atmosphere,_ whose atoms, being no longer held in -their places, would disperse in space!" - -"That is tiresome," retorted Michel; "nothing like these matter-of-fact -people for bringing one back to the bare reality." - -"But console yourself, Michel," continued Barbicane, "for if no orb -exists from whence all laws of weight are banished, you are at least -going to visit one where it is much less than on the earth." - -"The moon?" - -"Yes, the moon, on whose surface objects weigh six times less than on -the earth, a phenomenon easy to prove." - -"And we shall feel it?" asked Michel. - -"Evidently, as 200 lbs. will only weigh 30 pounds on the surface of the -moon." - -"And our muscular strength will not diminish?" - -"Not at all; instead of jumping one yard high, you will rise eighteen -feet high." - -"But we shall be regular Herculeses in the moon!" exclaimed Michel. - -"Yes," replied Nicholl; "for if the height of the Selenites is in -proportion to the density of their globe, they will be scarcely a foot -high." - -"Lilliputians!" ejaculated Michel; "I shall play the part of Gulliver. -We are going to realize the fable of the giants. This is the advantage -of leaving one's own planet and overrunning the solar world." - -"One moment, Michel," answered Barbicane; "if you wish to play the part -of Gulliver, only visit the inferior planets, such as Mercury, Venus, or -Mars, whose density is a little less than that of the earth; but do not -venture into the great planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune; for -there the order will be changed, and you will become Lilliputian." - -"And in the sun?" - -"In the sun, if its density is thirteen hundred and twenty-four thousand -times greater, and the attraction is twenty-seven times greater than -on the surface of our globe, keeping everything in proportion, the -inhabitants ought to be at least two hundred feet high." - -"By Jove!" exclaimed Michel; "I should be nothing more than a pigmy, a -shrimp!" - -"Gulliver with the giants," said Nicholl. - -"Just so," replied Barbicane. - -"And it would not be quite useless to carry some pieces of artillery to -defend oneself." - -"Good," replied Nicholl; "your projectiles would have no effect on the -sun; they would fall back on the earth after some minutes." - -"That is a strong remark." - -"It is certain," replied Barbicane; "the attraction is so great on this -enormous orb, that an object weighing 70,000 lbs. on the earth would -weigh but 1920 lbs. on the surface of the sun. If you were to fall upon -it you would weigh--let me see--about 5000 lbs., a weight which you -would never be able to raise again." - -"The devil!" said Michel; "one would want a portable crane. However, we -will be satisfied with the moon for the present; there at least we shall -cut a great figure. We will see about the sun by and by." - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - THE CONSEQUENCES OF A DEVIATION. - - -Barbicane had now no fear of the issue of the journey, at least as far -as the projectile's impulsive force was concerned; its own speed would -carry it beyond the neutral line; it would certainly not return to earth; -it would certainly not remain motionless on the line of attraction. One -single hypothesis remained to be realized, the arrival of the projectile -at its destination by the action of the lunar attraction. - -It was in reality a fall of 8296 leagues on an orb, it is true, where -weight could only be reckoned at one-sixth of terrestrial weight; a -formidable fall, nevertheless, and one against which every precaution -must be taken without delay. - -These precautions were of two sorts, some to deaden the shock when the -projectile should touch the lunar soil, others to delay the fall, and -consequently make it less violent. - -To deaden the shock, it was a pity that Barbicane was no longer able to -employ the means which had so ably weakened the shock at departure, that -is to say, by water used as springs and the partition-breaks. - -The partitions still existed but water failed, for they could not use -their reserve, which was precious, in case during the first days the -liquid element should be found wanting on lunar soil. - -And indeed this reserve would have been quite insufficient for a spring. -The layer of water stored in the projectile at their departure, and on -which the waterproof disc lay, occupied no less than three feet in depth, -and spread over a surface of not less than fifty-four square feet. Besides, -the cistern did not contain one fifth part of it; they must therefore -give up this efficient means of deadening the shock of arrival. Happily, -Barbicane, not content with employing water, had furnished the movable -disc with strong spring plugs, destined to lessen the shock against the -base after the breaking of the horizontal partitions. These plugs still -existed; they had only to readjust them and replace the movable disc; -every piece, easy to handle, as their weight was now scarcely felt, was -quickly mounted. - -The different pieces were fitted without trouble, it being only a matter -of bolts and screws; tools were not wanting, and soon the reinstated -disc lay on its steel plugs, like a table on its legs. One inconvenience -resulted from the replacing of the disc, the lower window was blocked -up; thus it was impossible for the travellers to observe the moon from -that opening while they were being precipitated perpendicularly upon -her; but they were obliged to give it up; even by the side openings they -could still see vast lunar regions, as an aeronaut sees the earth from -his car. - -This replacing of the disc was at least an hour's work. It was past twelve -when all preparations were finished. Barbicane took fresh observations -on the inclination of the projectile, but to his annoyance it had not -turned over sufficiently for its fall; it seemed to take a curve parallel -to the lunar disc. The orb of night shone splendidly into space, while -opposite, the orb of day blazed with fire. - -Their situation began to make them uneasy. - -"Are we reaching our destination?" said Nicholl. - -"Let us act as if we were about reaching it," replied Barbicane. - -"You are sceptical," retorted Michel Ardan. "We shall arrive, and that, -too, quicker than we like." - -This answer brought Barbicane back to his preparations, and he occupied -himself with placing the contrivances intended to break their descent. -We may remember the scene of the meeting held at Tampa Town, in Florida, -when Captain Nicholl came forward as Barbicane's enemy and Michel Ardan's -adversary. To Captain Nicholl's maintaining that the projectile would -smash like glass, Michel replied that he would break their fall by means -of rockets properly placed. - -Thus, powerful fireworks, taking their starting-point from the base and -bursting outside, could, by producing a recoil, check to a certain degree -the projectile's speed. These rockets were to burn in space, it is true; -but oxygen would not fail them, for they could supply themselves with -it, like the lunar volcanoes, the burning of which has never yet been -stopped by the want of atmosphere round the moon. - -Barbicane had accordingly supplied himself with these fireworks, enclosed -in little steel guns, which could be screwed on to the base of the -projectile. Inside, these guns were flush with the bottom; outside, they -protruded about eighteen inches. There were twenty of them. An opening -left in the disc allowed them to light the match with which each was -provided. All the effect was felt outside. The burning mixture had been -already rammed into each gun. They had, then, nothing to do but to raise -the metallic buffers fixed in the base, and replace them by the guns, -which fitted closely in their places. - -This new work was finished about three o'clock, and after taking all -these precautions there remained but to wait. But the projectile was -perceptibly nearing the moon, and evidently succumbed to her influence -to a certain degree; though its own velocity also drew it in an oblique -direction. From these conflicting influences resulted a line which might -become a tangent. But it was certain that the projectile would not fall -directly on the moon; for its lower part, by reason of its weight, ought -to be turned towards her. - -Barbicane's uneasiness increased as he saw his projectile resist the -influence of gravitation. The Unknown was opening before him, the Unknown -in interplanetary space. The man of science thought he had foreseen the -only three hypotheses possible--the return to the earth, the return to -the moon, or stagnation on the neutral line; and here a fourth hypothesis, -big with all the terrors of the Infinite, surged up inopportunely. To -face it without flinching, one must be a resolute savant like Barbicane, -a phlegmatic being like Nicholl, or an audacious adventurer like Michel -Ardan. - -Conversation was started upon this subject. Other men would have -considered the question from a practical point of view; they would have -asked themselves whither their projectile carriage was carrying them. -Not so with these; they sought for the cause which produced this effect. - -"So we have become diverted from our route," said Michel; "but why?" - -"I very much fear," answered Nicholl, "that, in spite of all precautions -taken, the Columbiad was not fairly pointed. An error, however small, -would be enough to throw us out of the moon's attraction." - -"Then they must have aimed badly?" asked Michel. - -"I do not think so," replied Barbicane. "The perpendicularity of the gun -was exact, its direction to the zenith of the spot incontestible; and -the moon passing to the zenith of the spot, we ought to reach it at the -full. There is another reason, but it escapes me." - -"Are we not arriving too late?" asked Nicholl. - -"Too late?" said Barbicane. - -"Yes," continued Nicholl. "The Cambridge Observatory's note says that the -transit ought to be accomplished in ninety-seven hours thirteen minutes -and twenty seconds; which means to say, that _sooner_ the moon will _not_ -be at the point indicated, and that _later_ it will have passed it." - -"True," replied Barbicane. "But we started the 1st of December, at -thirteen minutes and twenty-five seconds to eleven at night; and we -ought to arrive on the 5th at midnight, at the exact moment when the moon -would be full; and we are now at the 5th of December. It is now half past -three in the evening; half past eight ought to see us at the end of our -journey. Why do we not arrive?" - -"Might it not be an excess of speed?" answered Nicholl; "for we know now -that its initial velocity was greater than they supposed." - -"No! a hundred times, No!" replied Barbicane. "An excess of speed, if the -direction of the projectile had been right, would not have prevented us -reaching the moon. No, there has been a deviation. We have been turned -out of our course." - -"By whom? by what?" asked Nicholl. - -"I cannot say," replied Barbicane. - -"Very well, then, Barbicane," said Michel, "do you wish to know my -opinion on the subject of finding out this deviation?" - -"Speak." - -"I would not give half a dollar to know it. That we have deviated is a -fact. Where we are going to matters little; we shall soon see. Since we -are being borne along in space we shall end by falling into some centre -of attraction or other." - -Michel Ardan's indifference did not content Barbicane. Not that he was -uneasy about the future, but he wanted to know at any cost _why_ his -projectile had deviated. - -But the projectile continued its course sideways to the moon, and with -it the mass of things thrown out. Barbicane could even prove, by the -elevations which served as landmarks upon the moon, which was only 2000 -leagues distant, that its speed was becoming uniform--fresh proof that -there was no fall. Its impulsive force still prevailed over the lunar -attraction, but the projectile's course was certainly bringing it nearer -to the moon, and they might hope that at a nearer point the weight, -predominating, would cause a decided fall. - -The three friends, having nothing better to do, continued their -observations; but they could not yet determine the topographical position -of the satellite; every relief was levelled under the reflection of the -solar rays. - -They watched thus through the side windows until eight o'clock at night. -The moon had then grown so large in their eyes that it filled half of -the firmament. The sun on one side, and the orb of night on the other, -flooded the projectile with light. - -At that moment Barbicane thought he could estimate the distance which -separated them from their aim at no more than 700 leagues. The speed of -the projectile seemed to him to be more than 200 yards, or about 170 -leagues a second. Under the centripetal force, the base of the projectile -tended towards the moon; but the centrifugal still prevailed; and it was -probable that its rectilineal course would be changed to a curve of some -sort, the nature of which they could not at present determine. - -Barbicane was still seeking the solution of his insoluble problem. Hours -passed without any result. The projectile was evidently _nearing_ the -moon, but it was also evident that it would never _reach_ her. As to the -nearest distance at which it would pass her, that must be the result of -the two forces, attraction and repulsion, affecting its motion. - -"I ask but one thing," said Michel; "that we may pass near enough to -penetrate her secrets." - -"Cursed be the thing that has caused our projectile to deviate from its -course," cried Nicholl. - -And, as if a light had suddenly broken in upon his mind, Barbicane -answered, "Then cursed be the meteor which crossed our path." - -"What?" said Michel Ardan. - -"What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicholl. - -"I mean," said Barbicane in a decided tone, "I mean that our deviation -is owing solely to our meeting with this erring body." - -"But it did not even brush us as it passed," said Michel. - -"What does that matter? Its mass, compared to that of our projectile, -was enormous, and its attraction was enough to influence our course." - -"So little?" cried Nicholl. - -"Yes, Nicholl; but however little it might be," replied Barbicane, "in a -distance of 84,000 leagues, it wanted no more to make us miss the moon." - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - THE OBSERVERS OF THE MOON. - - -Barbicane had evidently hit upon the only plausible reason of this -deviation. However slight it might have been, it had sufficed to modify -the course of the projectile. It was a fatality. The bold attempt had -miscarried by a fortuitous circumstance; and unless by some exceptional -event, they could now never reach the moon's disc. - -Would they pass near enough to be able to solve certain physical and -geological questions until then insoluble? This was the question, and -the only one, which occupied the minds of these bold travellers. As to -the fate in store for themselves, they did not even dream of it. - -But what would become of them amid these infinite solitudes, these who -would soon want air? A few more days, and they would fall stifled in -this wandering projectile. But some days to these intrepid fellows was a -century; and they devoted all their time to observe that moon which they -no longer hoped to reach. - -The distance which then separated the projectile from the satellite -was estimated at about 200 leagues. Under these conditions, as regards -the visibility of the details of the disc, the travellers were farther -from the moon than are the inhabitants of the earth with their powerful -telescopes. - - -Illustration: THE TELESCOPE AT PARSONTOWN. - - -Indeed, we know that the instrument mounted by Lord Rosse at Parsonstown, -which magnifies 6500 times, brings the moon to within an apparent -distance of sixteen leagues. And more than that, with the powerful one -set up at Long's Peak, the orb of night, magnified 48,000 times, is -brought to within less than two leagues, and objects having a diameter -of thirty feet are seen very distinctly. So that, at this distance, the -topographical details of the moon, observed without glasses, could not -be determined with precision. The eye caught the vast outline of those -immense depressions inappropriately called "seas," but they could not -recognize their nature. The prominence of the mountains disappeared -under the splendid irradiation produced by the reflection of the solar -rays. The eye, dazzled as if it was leaning over a bath of molten silver, -turned from it involuntarily; but the oblong form of the orb was quite -clear. It appeared like a gigantic egg, with the small end turned towards -the earth. Indeed the moon, liquid and pliable in the first days of its -formation, was originally a perfect sphere; but being soon drawn within -the attraction of the earth, it became elongated under the influence -of gravitation. In becoming a satellite, she lost her native purity of -form; her centre of gravity was in advance of the centre of her figure; -and from this fact some savants draw the conclusion that the air and -water had taken refuge on the opposite surface of the moon, which is -never seen from the earth. This alteration in the primitive form of the -satellite was only perceptible for a few moments. The distance of the -projectile from the moon diminished very rapidly under its speed, though -that was much less than its initial velocity,--but eight or nine times -greater than that which propels our express trains. The oblique course -of the projectile, from its very obliquity, gave Michel Ardan some hopes -of striking the lunar disc at some point or other. He could not think -that they would never reach it. No! he could not believe it; and this -opinion he often repeated. But Barbicane, who was a better judge, always -answered him with merciless logic. - -"No, Michel, no! We can only reach the moon by a fall, and we are not -falling. The centripetal force keeps us under the moon's influence, but -the centrifugal force draws us irresistibly away from it." - -This was said in a tone which quenched Michel Ardan's last hope. - -The portion of the moon which the projectile was nearing was the northern -hemisphere, that which the Selenographic maps place below; for these -maps are generally drawn after the outline given by the glasses, and we -know that they reverse the objects. Such was the _Mappa Selenographica_ -of Boeer and Moedler which Barbicane consulted. This northern hemisphere -presented vast plains, dotted with isolated mountains. - -At midnight the moon was full. At that precise moment the travellers -should have alighted upon it, if the mischievous meteor had not diverted -their course. The orb was exactly in the condition determined by the -Cambridge Observatory. It was mathematically at its perigee, and at the -zenith of the twenty-eighth parallel. An observer placed at the bottom -of the enormous Columbiad, pointed perpendicularly to the horizon, would -have framed the moon in the mouth of the gun. A straight line drawn -through the axis of the piece would have passed through the centre of -the orb of night. It is needless to say, that during the night of the -5th--6th of December, the travellers took not an instant's rest. Could -they close their eyes when so near this new world? No! All their feelings -were concentrated in one single thought:--See! Representatives of the -earth, of humanity, past and present, all centred in them! It is through -their eyes that the human race look at these lunar regions, and penetrate -the secrets of their satellite! A strange emotion filled their hearts as -they went from one window to the other. - -Their observations, reproduced by Barbicane, were rigidly determined. To -take them, they had glasses; to correct them, maps. - -As regards the optical instruments at their disposal, they had excellent -marine glasses specially constructed for this journey. - -They possessed magnifying powers of 100. They would thus have brought the -moon to within a distance (apparent) of less than 2000 leagues from the -earth. But then, at a distance which for three hours in the morning did -not exceed sixty-five miles, and in a medium free from all atmospheric -disturbances, these instruments could reduce the lunar surface to within -less than 1500 yards! - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - FANCY AND REALITY. - - -"Have you ever seen the moon?" asked a professor, ironically, of one of -his pupils. - -"No, sir!" replied the pupil, still more ironically, "but I must say I -have heard it spoken of." - -In one sense, the pupil's witty answer might be given by a large majority -of sublunary beings. How many people have heard speak of the moon who -have never seen it--at least through a glass or a telescope! How many -have never examined the map of their satellite! - -In looking at a selenographic map, one peculiarity strikes us. Contrary -to the arrangement followed for that of the Earth and Mars, the continents -occupy more particularly the southern hemisphere of the lunar globe. -These continents do not show such decided, clear, and regular boundary -lines as South America, Africa, and the Indian peninsula. Their angular, -capricious, and deeply indented coasts are rich in gulfs and peninsulas. -They remind one of the confusion in the islands of the Sound, where the -land is excessively indented. If navigation ever existed on the surface -of the moon, it must have been wonderfully difficult and dangerous; and -we may well pity the Selenite sailors and hydrographers; the former, -when they came upon these perilous coasts, the latter when they took the -soundings of its stormy banks. - - -Illustration: HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HEARD SPEAK OF THE MOON. - - -We may also notice that, on the lunar sphere, the south pole is much more -continental than the north pole. On the latter, there is but one slight -strip of land separated from other continents by vast seas. Towards the -south, continents clothe almost the whole of the hemisphere. It is even -possible that the Selenites have already planted the flag on one of -their poles, whilst Franklin, Ross, Kane, Dumont d'Urville, and Lambert -have never yet been able to attain that unknown point of the terrestrial -globe. - -As to islands, they are numerous on the surface of the moon. Nearly -all oblong or circular, and as if traced with the compass, they seem to -form one vast Archipelago, equal to that charming group lying between -Greece and Asia Minor, and which mythology in ancient times adorned with -most graceful legends. Involuntarily the names of Naxos, Tenedos, and -Carpathos, rise before the mind, and we seek vainly for Ulysses' vessel -or the "clipper" of the Argonauts. So at least it was in Michel Ardan's -eyes. To him it was a Grecian Archipelago that he saw on the map. To -the eyes of his matter-of-fact companions, the aspect of these coasts -recalled rather the parcelled-out land of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; -and where the Frenchman discovered traces of the heroes of fable, these -Americans were marking the most favourable points for the establishment -of stores in the interests of lunar commerce and industry. - -After wandering over these vast continents, the eye is attracted by still -greater seas. Not only their formation, but their situation and aspect -remind one of the terrestrial oceans; but again, as on earth, these seas -occupy the greater portion of the globe. But in point of fact, these -are not liquid spaces, but plains, the nature of which the travellers -hoped soon to determine. Astronomers, we must allow, have graced these -pretended seas with at least odd names, which science has respected up to -the present time. Michel Ardan was right when he compared this map to a -"Tendre card," got up by a Scudary or a Cyrano de Bergerac. "Only," said -he, "it is no longer the sentimental card of the seventeenth century, it -is the card of life, very neatly divided into two parts, one feminine, -the other masculine; the right hemisphere for woman, the left for man." - -In speaking thus, Michel made his prosaic companions shrug their -shoulders. Barbicane and Nicholl looked upon the lunar map from a very -different point of view to that of their fantastic friend. Nevertheless, -their fantastic friend was a little in the right. Judge for yourselves. - -In the left hemisphere stretches the "Sea of Clouds," where human reason -is so often shipwrecked. Not far off lies the "Sea of Rains," fed by all -the fever of existence. Near this is the "Sea of Storms," where man is -ever fighting against his passions, which too often gain the victory. -Then, worn out by deceit, treasons, infidelity, and the whole body of -terrestrial misery, what does he find at the end of his career? that vast -"Sea of Humours," barely softened by some drops of the waters from the -"Gulf of Dew!" Clouds, rain, storms, and humours,--does the life of man -contain aught but these? and is it not summed up in these four words? - -The right hemisphere, "dedicated to the ladies," encloses smaller seas, -whose significant names contain every incident of a feminine existence. -There is the "Sea of Serenity," over which the young girl bends; "The -Lake of Dreams," reflecting a joyous future; "the Sea of Nectar," with its -waves of tenderness and breezes of love; "The Sea of Fruitfulness;" "The -Sea of Crises;" then the "Sea of Vapours," whose dimensions are perhaps -a little too confined; and lastly, that vast "Sea of Tranquillity," in -which every false passion, every useless dream, every unsatisfied desire -is at length absorbed, and whose waves emerge peaceably into the "Lake -of Death!" - -What a strange succession of names! What a singular division of the moon's -two hemispheres, joined to one another like man and woman, and forming -that sphere of life carried into space! And was not the fantastic Michel -right in thus interpreting the fancies of the ancient astronomers? But -whilst his imagination thus roved over "the seas," his grave companions -were considering things more geographically. They were learning this new -world by heart. They were measuring angles and diameters. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - OROGRAPHIC DETAILS. - - -The course taken by the projectile, as we have before remarked, was -bearing it towards the moon's northern hemisphere. The travellers were -far from the central point which they would have struck, had their course -not been subject to an irremediable deviation. It was past midnight; and -Barbicane then estimated the distance at 750 miles, which was a little -greater than the length of the lunar radius, and which would diminish -as it advanced nearer to the North Pole. The projectile was then not -at the altitude of the equator; but across the tenth parallel, and from -that latitude, carefully taken on the map to the pole, Barbicane and his -two companions were able to observe the moon under the most favourable -conditions. Indeed, by means of glasses, the above named distance was -reduced to little more than fourteen miles. The telescope of the Rocky -Mountains brought the moon much nearer; but the terrestrial atmosphere -singularly lessened its power. Thus Barbicane, posted in his projectile, -with the glasses to his eyes, could seize upon details which were almost -imperceptible to earthly observers. - -"My friends," said the president, in a serious voice, "I do not know -whither we are going; I do not know if we shall ever see the terrestrial -globe again. Nevertheless, let us proceed as if our work would one day -be useful to our fellow-men. Let us keep our minds free from every other -consideration. We are astronomers; and this projectile is a room in the -Cambridge University, carried into space. Let us make our observations!" - -This said, work was begun with great exactness; and they faithfully -reproduced the different aspects of the moon, at the different distances -which the projectile reached. - -At the time that the projectile was as high as the tenth parallel, -north latitude, it seemed rigidly to follow the twentieth degree, east -longitude. We must here make one important remark with regard to the map -by which they were taking observations. In the selenographical maps where, -on account of the reversing of the objects by the glasses, the south -is above and the north below, it would seem natural that, on account of -that inversion, the east should be to the left hand, and the west to the -right. But it is not so. If the map were turned upside down, showing the -moon as we see her, the east would be to the _left_, and the west to the -_right_, contrary to that which exists on terrestrial maps. The following -is the reason of this anomaly. Observers in the northern hemisphere -(say in Europe) see the moon in the south,-- according to them. When -they take observations, they turn their backs to the north, the reverse -position to that which they occupy when they study a terrestrial map. As -they turn their backs to the north, the east is on their left, and the -west to their right. To observers in the southern hemisphere (Patagonia -for example), the moon's west would be quite to their left, and the east -to their right, as the south is behind them. Such is the reason of the -apparent reversing of these two cardinal points, and we must bear it in -mind in order to be able to follow President Barbicane's -observations. - -With the help of Boeer and Moedler's _Mappa Selenographica_, the travellers -were able at once to recognise that portion of the disc enclosed within -the field of their glasses. - -"What are we looking at, at this moment?" asked Michel. - -"At the northern part of the 'Sea of Clouds,'" answered Barbicane. "We -are too far off to recognize its nature. Are these plains composed of -arid sand, as the first astronomer maintained? Or are they nothing but -immense forests, according to M. Warren de la Rue's opinion, who gives -the moon an atmosphere, though a very low and a very dense one? That we -shall know by and by. We must affirm nothing until we are in a position -to do so." - -This "Sea of Clouds" is rather doubtfully marked out upon the maps. It -is supposed that these vast plains are strewn with blocks of lava from -the neighbouring volcanoes on its right, Ptolemy, Purbach, Arzachel. -But the projectile was advancing, and sensibly nearing it. Soon there -appeared the heights which bound this sea at this northern limit. Before -them rose a mountain radiant with beauty, the top of which seemed lost -in an eruption of solar rays. - -"That is--?" asked Michel. - -"Copernicus," replied Barbicane. - -"Let us see Copernicus." - -This mount situated in 9 deg. north latitude and 20 deg. east longitude, -rose to a height of 10,600 feet above the surface of the moon. It is -quite visible from the earth; and astronomers can study it with ease, -particularly during the phase between the last quarter and the new -moon, because then the shadows are thrown lengthways from east to west, -allowing them to measure the heights. - -This Copernicus forms the most important of the radiating system, situated -in the southern hemisphere, according to Tycho Brahe. It rises isolated -like a gigantic lighthouse on that portion of the Sea of Clouds, which is -bounded by the "Sea of Tempests," thus lighting by its splendid rays two -oceans at a time. It was a sight without an equal, those long luminous -trains, so dazzling in the full moon, and which, passing the boundary -chain on the north, extends to the "Sea of Rains." At one o'clock of the -terrestrial morning, the projectile, like a balloon borne into space, -overlooked the top of this superb mountain. Barbicane could recognize -perfectly its chief features. Copernicus is comprised in the series of -ringed mountains of the first order, in the division of great circles. -Like Kepler and Aristarchus, which overlook the Ocean of Tempests, -sometimes it appeared like a brilliant point through the cloudy light, -and was taken for a volcano in activity. But it is only an extinct -one,--like all on that side of the moon. Its circumference showed a -diameter of about twenty-two leagues. The glasses discovered traces of -stratification produced by successive eruptions, and the neighbourhood -was strewn with volcanic remains which still choked some of the craters. - -"There exist," said Barbicane, "several kinds of circles on the surface -of the moon, and it is easy to see that Copernicus belongs to the -radiating class. If we were nearer, we should see the cones bristling on -the inside, which in former times were so many fiery mouths. A curious -arrangement, and one without an exception on the lunar disc, is that -the interior surface of these circles is the reverse of the exterior, -and contrary to the form taken by terrestrial craters. It follows, then, -that the general curve of the bottom of these circles gives a sphere of -a smaller diameter than that of the moon." - -"And why this peculiar disposition?" asked Nicholl. - -"We do not know," replied Barbicane. - -"What splendid radiation!" said Michel. "One could hardly see a finer -spectacle, I think." - -"What would you say, then," replied Barbicane, "if chance should bear us -towards the southern hemisphere?" - -"Well, I should say that it was still more beautiful," retorted Michel -Ardan. - -At this moment the projectile hung perpendicularly over the circle. The -circumference of Copernicus formed almost a perfect circle, and its steep -escarpments were clearly defined. They could even distinguish a second -ringed enclosure. Around spread a greyish plain, of a wild aspect, on -which every relief was marked in yellow. At the bottom of the circle, -as if enclosed in a jewel case, sparkled for one instant two or three -eruptive cones, like enormous dazzling gems. Towards the north the -escarpments were lowered by a depression which would probably have given -access to the interior of the crater. - -In passing over the surrounding plains, Barbicane noticed a great number -of less important mountains; and among others a little ringed one called -Guy Lussac, the breadth of which measured twelve miles. - -Towards the south, the plain was very flat, without one elevation, -without one projection. Towards the north, on the contrary, till where it -was bounded by the Sea of Storms it resembled a liquid surface agitated -by a storm, of which the hills and hollows formed a succession of waves -suddenly congealed. Over the whole of this, and in all directions, lay -the luminous lines, all converging to the summit of Copernicus. - -The travellers discussed the origin of these strange rays; but they could -not determine their nature any more than terrestrial observers. - -"But why," said Nicholl, "should not these rays be simply spurs of -mountains which reflect more vividly the light of the sun?" - -"No," replied Barbicane; "if it was so, under certain conditions of the -moon, these ridges would cast shadows, and they do not cast any." - -And indeed, these rays only appeared when the orb of day was in opposition -to the moon, and disappeared as soon as its rays became oblique. - -"But how have they endeavoured to explain these lines of light?" asked -Michel; "for I cannot believe that savants would ever be stranded for -want of an explanation." - -"Yes," replied Barbicane; "Herschel has put forward an opinion, but he -did not venture to affirm it." - -"Never mind. What was the opinion?" - -"He thought that these rays might be streams of cooled lava which shone -when the sun beat straight upon them. It may be so; but nothing can -be less certain. Besides, if we pass nearer to Tycho, we shall be in a -better position to find out the cause of this radiation." - - -Illustration: "THIS PLAIN WOULD THEN BE NOTHING BUT AN IMMENSE - CEMETERY." - - -"Do you know, my friends, what that plain, seen from the height we are -at, resembles?" said Michel. - -"No," replied Nicholl. - -"Very well; with all those pieces of lava lengthened like rockets, it -resembles an immense game of spelikans thrown pell-mell. There wants but -the hook to pull them out one by one." - -"Do be serious," said Barbicane. - -"Well, let us be serious," replied Michel quietly; "and instead of -spelikans, let us put bones. This plain would then be nothing but an -immense cemetery, on which would repose the mortal remains of thousands -of extinct generations. Do you prefer that high-flown comparison?" - -"One is as good as the other," retorted Barbicane. - -"My word, you are difficult to please," answered Michel. - -"My worthy friend," continued the matter-of-fact Barbicane, "it matters -but little what it _resembles_, when we do not know what it _is_." - -"Well answered," exclaimed Michel. "That will teach me to reason with -savants." - -But the projectile continued to advance with almost uniform speed around -the lunar disc. The travellers, we may easily imagine, did not dream of -taking a moment's rest. Every minute changed the landscape which fled -from beneath their gaze. About half-past one o'clock in the morning, they -caught a glimpse of the tops of another mountain. Barbicane, consulting -his map, recognized Eratosthenes. - -It was a ringed mountain 9000 feet high, and one of those circles so -numerous on this satellite. With regard to this, Barbicane related -Kepler's singular opinion on the formation of circles. According to that -celebrated mathematician, these crater-like cavities had been dug by the -hand of man. - -"For what purpose?" asked Nicholl. - -"For a very natural one," replied Barbicane. "The Selenites might have -undertaken these immense works and dug these enormous holes for a refuge -and shield from the solar rays which beat upon them during fifteen -consecutive days." - -"The Selenites are not fools," said Michel. - -"A singular idea," replied Nicholl; "but it is probable that Kepler did -not know the true dimensions of these circles, for the digging of them -would have been the work of giants quite impossible for the Selenites." - -"Why? if weight on the moon's surface is six times less than on the -earth?" said Michel. - -"But if the Selenites are six times smaller?" retorted Nicholl. - -"And if there are no Selenites?" added Barbicane. - -This put an end to the discussion. - -Soon Eratosthenes disappeared under the horizon without the projectile -being sufficiently near to allow of close observation. This mountain -separated the Apennines from the Carpathians. In the lunar orography they -have discerned some chains of mountains, which are chiefly distributed -over the northern hemisphere. Some, however, occupy certain portions of -the southern hemisphere also. - -About two o'clock in the morning Barbicane found that they were above the -twentieth lunar parallel. The distance of the projectile from the moon -was not more than 600 miles. Barbicane, now perceiving that the projectile -was steadily approaching the lunar disc, did not despair, if of reaching -her, at least of discovering the secrets of her configuration. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - LUNAR LANDSCAPES. - - -At half-past two in the morning, the projectile was over the thirteenth -lunar parallel and at the effective distance of 500 miles, reduced by -the glasses to five. It still seemed impossible, however, that it could -ever touch any part of the disc. Its motive speed, comparatively so -moderate, was inexplicable to President Barbicane. At that distance from -the moon it must have been considerable, to enable it to bear up against -her attraction. Here was a phenomenon the cause of which escaped them -again. Besides, time failed them to investigate the cause. All lunar -relief was defiling under the eyes of the travellers, and they would not -lose a single detail. - -Under the glasses the disc appeared at the distance of five miles. What -would an aeronaut, borne to this distance from the earth, distinguish on -its surface? We cannot say, since the greatest ascension has not been -more than 25,000 feet. - -This, however, is an exact description of what Barbicane and his companions -saw at this height. Large patches of different colours appeared on the -disc. Selenographers are not agreed upon the nature of these colours. -There are several, and rather vividly marked. Julius Schmidt pretends -that, if the terrestrial oceans were dried up, a Selenite observer could -not distinguish on the globe a greater diversity of shades between the -oceans and the continental plains than those on the moon present to a -terrestrial observer. According to him, the colour common to the vast -plains known by the name of "seas" is a dark grey mixed with green and -brown. Some of the large craters present the same appearance. Barbicane -knew this opinion of the German selenographer, an opinion shared by Boeer -and Moedler. Observation has proved that right was on their side, and not -on that of some astronomers who admit the existence of only grey on the -moon's surface. In some parts green was very distinct, such as springs, -according to Julius Schmidt, from the seas of Serenity and Humours. -Barbicane also noticed large craters, without any interior cones, which -shed a bluish tint similar to the reflection of a sheet of steel freshly -polished. These colours belonged really to the lunar disc, and did not -result, as some astronomers say, either from the imperfection in the -objective of the glasses or from the interposition of the terrestrial -atmosphere. - -Not a doubt existed in Barbicane's mind with regard to it, as he observed -it through space, and so could not commit any optical error. He considered -the establishment of this fact as an acquisition to science. Now, were -these shades of green, belonging to tropical vegetation, kept up by a -low dense atmosphere? He could not yet say. - -Farther on, he noticed a reddish tint, quite defined. The same shade had -before been observed at the bottom of an isolated enclosure, known by -the name of Lichtenburg's circle, which is situated near the Hercynian -mountains, on the borders of the moon; but they could not tell the nature -of it. - -They were not more fortunate with regard to another peculiarity of the -disc, for they could not decide upon the cause of it. - -Michel Ardan was watching near the president, when he noticed long -white lines, vividly lighted up by the direct rays of the sun. It was -a succession of luminous furrows, very different from the radiation of -Copernicus not long before; they ran parallel with each other. - -Michel, with his usual readiness, hastened to exclaim,-- "Look there! -cultivated fields!" - - -Illustration: "WHAT GIANT OXEN." - - -"Cultivated fields!" replied Nicholl, shrugging his shoulders. - -"Ploughed, at all events," retorted Michel Ardan; "but what labourers -those Selenites must be, and what giant oxen they must harness to their -plough to cut such furrows!" - -"They are not furrows," said Barbicane; "they are _rifts_." - -"Rifts? stuff!" replied Michel mildly; "but what do you mean by 'rifts' -in the scientific world?" - -Barbicane immediately enlightened his companion as to what he knew about -lunar rifts. He knew that they were a kind of furrow found on every part -of the disc which was not mountainous; that these furrows, generally -isolated, measured from 400 to 500 leagues in length; that their breadth -varied from 1000 to 1500 yards, and that their borders were strictly -parallel; but he knew nothing more either of their formation or their -nature. - -Barbicane, through his glasses, observed these rifts with great attention. -He noticed that their borders were formed of steep declivities; they -were long parallel ramparts, and with some small amount of imagination -he might have admitted the existence of long lines of fortifications, -raised by Selenite engineers. Of these different rifts some were perfectly -straight, as if cut by a line; others were slightly curved, though still -keeping their borders parallel; some crossed each other, some cut through -craters; here they wound through ordinary cavities, such as Posidonius or -Petavius; there they wound through the seas, such as the Sea of Serenity. - -These natural accidents naturally excited the imaginations of these -terrestrial astronomers. The first observations had not discovered these -rifts. Neither Hevelius, Cassim, La Hire, nor Herschel seemed to have -known them. It was Schroeter who in 1789 first drew attention to them. -Others followed who studied them, as Pastorff, Gruithuysen, Boeer, and -Moedler. At this time their number amounts to seventy; but, if they -have been counted, their nature has not yet been determined; they are -certainly not fortifications, any more than they are the ancient beds of -dried-up rivers; for, on one side, the waters, so slight on the moon's -surface, could never have worn such drains for themselves; and, on the -other, they often cross craters of great elevation. - -We must, however, allow that Michel Ardan had "an idea," and that, -without knowing it, he coincided in that respect with Julius Schmidt. - -"Why," said he, "should not these unaccountable appearances be simply -phenomena of vegetation?" - -"What do you mean?" asked Barbicane quickly. - -"Do not excite yourself, my worthy president," replied Michel; "might it -not be possible that the dark lines forming that bastion were rows of -trees regularly placed?" - -"You stick to your vegetation, then?" said Barbicane. - -"I like," retorted Michel Ardan, "to explain what you savants cannot -explain; at least my hypothesis has the advantage of indicating why these -rifts disappear, or seem to disappear, at certain seasons." - -"And for what reason?" - -"For the reason that the trees become invisible when they lose their -leaves, and visible when they regain them." - -"Your explanation is ingenious, my dear companion," replied Barbicane, -"but inadmissible." - -"Why?" - -"Because, so to speak, there are no seasons on the moon's surface, and -that, consequently, the phenomena of vegetation of which you speak cannot -occur." - -Indeed, the slight obliquity of the lunar axis keeps the sun at an almost -equal height in every latitude. Above the equatorial regions the radiant -orb almost invariably occupies the zenith, and does not pass the limits -of the horizon in the polar regions; thus, according to each region, -there reigns a perpetual winter, spring, summer, or autumn, as in the -planet Jupiter, whose axis is but little inclined upon its orbit. - - -Illustration: HE COULD DISTINGUISH NOTHING BUT DESERT BEDS. - - -What origin do they attribute to these rifts? That is a question difficult -to solve. They are certainly anterior to the formation of craters and -circles, for several have introduced themselves by breaking through their -circular ramparts. Thus it may be that, contemporary with the latter -geological epochs, they are due to the expansion of natural forces. - -But the projectile had now attained the 40 deg. of lunar lat., at a -distance not exceeding 400 miles. Through the glasses objects appeared -to be only four miles distant. - -At this point, under their feet, rose Mount Helicon, 1520 feet high, -and round about the left rose moderate elevations, enclosing a small -portion of the "Sea of Rains," under the name of the Gulf of Iris. The -terrestrial atmosphere would have to be one hundred and seventy times more -transparent than it is, to allow astronomers to make perfect observations -on the moon's surface; but in the void in which the projectile floated -no fluid interposed itself between the eye of the observer and the -object observed. And more, Barbicane found himself carried to a greater -distance than the most powerful telescopes had ever done before, either -that of Lord Rosse or that of the Rocky Mountains. He was, therefore, -under extremely favourable conditions for solving that great question -of the habitability of the moon; but the solution still escaped him; he -could distinguish nothing but desert beds, immense plains, and towards -the north, arid mountains. Not a work betrayed the hand of man; not a -ruin marked his course; not a group of animals was to be seen indicating -life, even in an inferior degree. In no part was there life, in no part -was there an appearance of vegetation. Of the three kingdoms which share -the terrestrial globe between them, one alone was represented on the -lunar and that the mineral. - -"Ah, indeed!" said Michel Ardan, a little out of countenance; "then you -see no one?" - -"No," answered Nicholl; "up to this time not a man, not an animal, not -a tree! After all, whether the atmosphere has taken refuge at the bottom -of cavities, in the midst of the circles, or even on the opposite face -of the moon, we cannot decide." - -"Besides," added Barbicane, "even to the most piercing eye a man cannot -be distinguished farther than three miles and a half off; so that, if -there are any Selenites, they can see our projectile, but we cannot see -them." - -Towards four in the morning, at the height of the fiftieth parallel, the -distance was reduced to 300 miles. To the left ran a line of mountains -capriciously shaped, lying in the full light. To the right, on the -contrary, lay a black hollow resembling a vast well, unfathomable and -gloomy, drilled into the lunar soil. - -This hole was the "Black Lake;" it was Pluto, a deep circle which can be -conveniently studied from the earth, between the last quarter and the -new moon, when the shadows fall from west to east. - -This black colour is rarely met with on the surface of the satellite. As -yet it has only been recognized in the depths of the circle of Endymion, -to the east of the Cold Sea, in the northern hemisphere, and at the -bottom of Grimaldi's circle, on the equator, towards the eastern border -of the orb. - -Pluto is an annular mountain, situated in 51 deg. north latitude, and 9 -deg. east longitude. Its circuit is forty-seven miles long and thirty-two -broad. - -Barbicane regretted that they were not passing directly above this vast -opening. There was an abyss to fathom, perhaps some mysterious phenomenon -to surprise; but the projectile's course could not be altered. They must -rigidly submit. They could not guide a balloon, still less a projectile, -when once enclosed within its walls. Towards five in the morning the -northern limits of the Sea of Rains was at length passed. The mounts -of Condamine and Fontenelle remained--one on the right, the other on -the left. That part of the disc beginning with 60 deg. was becoming quite -mountainous. The glasses brought them to within two miles, less than -that separating the summit of Mont Blanc from the level of the sea. The -whole region was bristling with spikes and circles. Towards the 60 deg. -Philolaus stood predominant at a height of 5550 feet with its elliptical -crater, and seen from this distance, the disc showed a very fantastical -appearance. Landscapes were presented to the eye under very different -conditions from those on the earth, and also very inferior to -them. - -The moon having no atmosphere, the consequences arising from the absence -of this gaseous envelope have already been shown. No twilight on her -surface; night following day and day following night with the suddenness -of a lamp which is extinguished or lighted amidst profound darkness,--no -transition from cold to heat, the temperature falling in an instant from -boiling point to the cold of space. - -Another consequence of this want of air is that absolute darkness -reigns where the sun's rays do not penetrate. That which on earth is -called diffusion of light, that luminous matter which the air holds in -suspension, which creates the twilight and the daybreak, which produces -the _umbrae_ and the _penumbrae_, and all the magic of _chiaro-oscuro_, -does not exist on the moon. Hence the harshness of contrasts, which only -admit of two colours, black and white. If a Selenite were to shade his -eyes from the sun's rays, the sky would seem absolutely black, and the -stars would shine to him as on the darkest night. Judge of the impression -produced on Barbicane and his three friends by this strange scene! Their -eyes were confused. They could no longer grasp the respective distances -of the different plains. A lunar landscape without the softening of the -phenomena of _chiaro-oscuro_ could not be rendered by an earthly landscape -painter: it would be spots of ink on a white page--nothing -more. - -This aspect was not altered even when the projectile, at the height of -80 deg., was only separated from the moon by a distance of fifty miles; -nor even when, at five in the morning, it passed at less than twenty-five -miles from the mountain of Gioja, a distance reduced by the glasses to -a quarter of a mile. It seemed as if the moon might be touched by the -hand! It seemed impossible that, before long, the projectile would not -strike her, if only at the north pole, the brilliant arch of which was -so distinctly visible on the black sky. - -Michel Ardan wanted to open one of the scuttles and throw himself on to -the moon's surface! A very useless attempt; for if the projectile could -not attain any point whatever of the satellite, Michel, carried along by -its motion, could not attain it either. - -At that moment, at six o'clock, the lunar pole appeared. The disc only -presented to the travellers' gaze one half brilliantly lit up, whilst -the other disappeared in the darkness. Suddenly the projectile passed -the line of demarcation between intense light and absolute darkness, and -was plunged in profound night! - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - THE NIGHT OF THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FOUR HOURS - AND A HALF. - - -At the moment when this phenomenon took place so rapidly, the projectile -was skirting the moon's north pole at less than twenty-five miles -distance. Some seconds had sufficed to plunge it into the absolute -darkness of space. The transition was so sudden, without shade, without -gradation of light, without attenuation of the luminous waves, that the -orb seemed to have been extinguished by a powerful blow. - -"Melted, disappeared!" Michel Ardan exclaimed, aghast. - -Indeed, there was neither reflection nor shadow. Nothing more was to be -seen of that disc, formerly so dazzling. The darkness was complete, and -rendered even more so by the rays from the stars. It was "that blackness" -in which the lunar nights are insteeped, which last three hundred and -four hours and a half at each point of the disc, a long night resulting -from the equality of the translatory and rotary movements of the moon. The -projectile, immerged in the conical shadow of the satellite, experienced -the action of the solar rays no more than any of its invisible points. - -In the interior, the obscurity was complete. They could not see each -other. Hence the necessity of dispelling the darkness. However desirous -Barbicane might be to husband the gas, the reserve of which was small, -he was obliged to ask from it a fictitious light, an expensive brilliancy -which the sun then refused. - -"Devil take the radiant orb!" exclaimed Michel Ardan, "which forces us -to expend gas, instead of giving us his rays gratuitously." - -"Do not let us accuse the sun," said Nicholl, "it is not his fault, but -that of the moon, which has come and placed herself like a screen between -us and it." - -"It is the sun!" continued Michel. - -"It is the moon!" retorted Nicholl. - -An idle dispute, which Barbicane put an end to by saying,-- - -"My friends, it is neither the fault of the sun nor of the moon; it is -the fault of the _projectile_, which, instead of rigidly following its -course, has awkwardly missed it. To be more just, it is the fault of that -unfortunate meteor which has so deplorably altered our first direction." - -"Well," replied Michel Ardan, "as the matter is settled, let us have -breakfast. After a whole night of watching it is fair to build ourselves -up a little." - -This proposal meeting with no contradiction, Michel prepared the repast -in a few minutes. But they ate for eating's sake, they drank without -toasts, without hurrahs. The bold travellers being borne away into gloomy -space, without their accustomed cortege of rays, felt a vague uneasiness -at their hearts. The "strange" shadow so dear to Victor Hugo's pen bound -them on all sides. But they talked over the interminable night of three -hundred and fifty-four hours and a half, nearly fifteen days, which the -law of physics has imposed on the inhabitants of the moon. - -Barbicane gave his friends some explanation of the causes and the -consequences of this curious phenomenon. - -"Curious indeed," said they; "for, if each hemisphere of the moon is -deprived of solar light for fifteen days, that above which we now float -does not even enjoy during its long night any view of the earth so -beautifully lit up. In a word she has no moon (applying this designation -to our globe) but on one side of her disc. Now if this were the case -with the earth,--if, for example, Europe never saw the moon, and she -was only visible at the Antipodes, imagine to yourself the astonishment -of a European on arriving in Australia." - - -Illustration: "IT IS THE FAULT OF THE MOON." - - -"They would make the voyage for nothing but to see the moon!" replied -Michel. - -"Very well!" continued Barbicane, "that astonishment is reserved for the -Selenites who inhabit the face of the moon opposite to the earth, a face -which is ever invisible to our countrymen of the terrestrial globe." - -"And which we should have seen," added Nicholl, "if we had arrived here -when the moon was new, that is to say fifteen days later." - -"I will add, to make amends," continued Barbicane, "that the inhabitants -of the visible face are singularly favoured by nature, to the detriment -of their brethren on the invisible face. The latter, as you see, have -dark nights of 354 hours, without one single ray to break the darkness. -The other, on the contrary, when the sun which has given its light for -fifteen days sinks below the horizon, see a splendid orb rise on the -opposite horizon. It is the earth, which is thirteen times greater than -that diminutive moon that we know;--the earth which develops itself -at a diameter of two degrees, and which sheds a light thirteen times -greater than that qualified by atmospheric strata--the earth which only -disappears at the moment when the sun reappears in its turn!" - -"Nicely worded!" said Michel, "slightly academical perhaps." - -"It follows, then," continued Barbicane, without knitting his brows, -"that the visible face of the disc must be very agreeable to inhabit, -since it always looks on either the sun when the moon is full, or on the -earth when the moon is new." - -"But," said Nicholl, "that advantage must be well compensated by the -insupportable heat which the light brings with it." - -"The inconvenience, in that respect, is the same for the two faces, for -the earth's light is evidently deprived of heat. But the invisible face -is still more searched by the heat than the visible face. I say that for -_you_, Nicholl, because Michel will probably not understand." - -"Thank you," said Michel. - -"Indeed," continued Barbicane, "when the invisible face receives at -the same time light and heat from the sun, it is because the moon is -new; that is to say, she is situated between the sun and the earth. It -follows, then, considering the position which she occupies in opposition -when full, that she is nearer to the sun by twice her distance from the -earth; and that distance may be estimated at the two-hundredth part of -that which separates the sun from the earth, or in round numbers 400,000 -miles. So that invisible face is so much nearer to the sun when she -receives its rays." - -"Quite right," replied Nicholl. - -"On the contrary," continued Barbicane. - -"One moment," said Michel, interrupting his grave companion. - -"What do you want?" - -"I ask to be allowed to continue the explanation." - -"And why?" - -"To prove that I understand." - -"Get along with you," said Barbicane, smiling. - -"On the contrary," said Michel, imitating the tone and gestures of the -president, "on the contrary, when the visible face of the moon is lit by -the sun, it is because the moon is full, that is to say, opposite the -sun with regard to the earth. The distance separating it from the radiant -orb is then increased in round numbers to 400,000 miles, and the heat -which she receives must be a little less." - -"Very well said!" exclaimed Barbicane. "Do you know, Michel, that, for -an amateur, you are intelligent." - -"Yes," replied Michel coolly, "we are all so on the Boulevard des -Italiens." - -Barbicane gravely clasped the hand of his amiable companion, and continued -to enumerate the advantages reserved for the inhabitants of the visible -face. - -Amongst others, he mentioned eclipses of the sun, which only take place -on this side of the lunar disc; since, in order that they may take place, -it is necessary for the moon to be _in opposition_. These eclipses, -caused by the interposition of the earth between the moon and the sun, -can last _two hours_; during which time, by reason of the rays refracted -by its atmosphere, the terrestrial globe can appear as nothing but a -black point upon the sun. - -"So," said Nicholl, "there is a hemisphere, that invisible hemisphere -which is very ill supplied, very ill treated, by nature." - -"Never mind," replied Michel; "if we ever become Selenites, we will -inhabit the visible face. I like the light." - -"Unless, by any chance," answered Nicholl, "the atmosphere should be -condensed on the other side, as certain astronomers pretend." - -"That would be a consideration," said Michel. - -Breakfast over, the observers returned to their post. They tried to -see through the darkened scuttles by extinguishing all light in the -projectile; but not a luminous spark made its way through the darkness. - -One inexplicable fact preoccupied Barbicane. Why, having passed within -such a short distance of the moon--about twenty-five miles only--why -the projectile had not fallen? If its speed had been enormous, he could -have understood that the fall would not have taken place; but, with -a relatively moderate speed, that resistance to the moon's attraction -could not be explained. Was the projectile under some foreign influence? -Did some kind of body retain it in the ether? It was quite evident that -it could never reach any point of the moon. Whither was it going? Was -it going farther from, or nearing, the disc? Was it being borne in that -profound darkness through the infinity of space? How could they learn, -how calculate, in the midst of this night? All these questions made -Barbicane uneasy, but he could not solve them. - -Certainly, the invisible orb was _there_, perhaps only some few miles -off; but neither he nor his companions could see it. If there was any -noise on its surface, they could not hear it. Air, that medium of sound, -was wanting to transmit the groanings of that moon which the Arabic -legends call "a man already half granite, and still breathing." - -One must allow that that was enough to aggravate the most patient -observers. It was just that unknown hemisphere which was stealing from -their sight. That face which fifteen days sooner, or fifteen days later, -had been, or would be, splendidly illuminated by the solar rays, was then -being lost in utter darkness. In fifteen days where would the projectile -be? Who could say? Where would the chances of conflicting attractions -have drawn it to? The disappointment of the travellers in the midst of -this utter darkness may be imagined. All observation of the lunar disc -was impossible. The constellations alone claimed all their attention; -and we must allow that the astronomers Faye, Charconac, and Secchi, never -found themselves in circumstances so favourable for their -observation. - -Indeed, nothing could equal the splendour of this starry world, bathed -in limpid ether. Its diamonds set in the heavenly vault sparkled -magnificently. The eye took in the firmament from the Southern Cross to -the North Star, those two constellations which in 12,000 years, by reason -of the succession of equinoxes, will resign their part of polar stars, -the one to Canopus in the southern hemisphere, the other to Wega in -the northern. Imagination loses itself in this sublime Infinity, amidst -which the projectile was gravitating, like a new star created by the -hand of man. From a natural cause, these constellations shone with a soft -lustre; they did not _twinkle_, for there was no atmosphere which, by -the intervention of its layers unequally dense and of different degrees -of humidity, produces this scintillation. These stars were soft eyes, -looking out into the dark night, amidst the silence of absolute -space. - - -Illustration: NOTHING COULD EQUAL THE SPLENDOR OF THIS STARRY WORLD. - - -Long did the travellers stand mute, watching the constellated firmament, -upon which the moon, like a vast screen, made an enormous black hole. -But at length a painful sensation drew them from their watchings. This -was an intense cold, which soon covered the inside of the glass of the -scuttles with a thick coating of ice. The sun was no longer warming the -projectile with its direct rays, and thus it was losing the heat stored -up in its walls by degrees. This heat was rapidly evaporating into space -by radiation, and a considerably lower temperature was the result. The -humidity of the interior was changed into ice upon contact with the -glass, preventing all observation. - -Nicholl consulted the thermometer, and saw that it had fallen to seventeen -degrees (centigrade) below zero.* So that, in spite of the many reasons -for economizing, Barbicane, after having begged light from the gas, was -also obliged to beg for heat. The projectile's low temperature was no -longer endurable. Its tenants would have been frozen to death. - -*1 deg. Fahr. (Ed.) - -"Well!" observed Michel, "we cannot reasonably complain of the monotony -of our journey! What variety we have had, at least in temperature. Now -we are blinded with light and saturated with heat, like the Indians of -the Pampas! now plunged into profound darkness, amidst the cold like the -Esquimauxs of the north pole. No, indeed! we have no right to complain; -nature does wonders in our honour." - -"But," asked Nicholl, "what is the temperature outside?" - -"Exactly that of the planetary space," replied Barbicane. - -"Then," continued Michel Ardan, "would not this be the time to make the -experiment which we dared not attempt when we were drowned in the sun's -rays?" - -"It is now or never," replied Barbicane, "for we are in a good position -to verify the temperature of space, and see if Fourier or Pouillet's -calculations are exact." - -"In any case it is cold," said Michel. "See! the steam of the interior -is condensing on the glasses of the scuttles. If the fall continues, the -vapour of our breath will fall in snow around us." - -"Let us prepare a thermometer," said Barbicane. - -We may imagine that an ordinary thermometer would afford no result under -the circumstances in which this instrument was to be exposed. The mercury -would have been frozen in its ball, as below forty-two degrees below -zero* it is no longer liquid. But Barbicane had furnished himself with -a spirit thermometer on Wafferdin's system, which gives the minima of -excessively low temperatures. - -*-44 deg. Fahr. - -Before beginning the experiment, this instrument was compared with an -ordinary one, and then Barbicane prepared to use it. - -"How shall we set about it?" asked Nicholl. - -"Nothing is easier," replied Michel Ardan, who was never at a loss. -"We open the scuttle rapidly; throw out the instrument; it follows the -projectile with exemplary docility; and a quarter of an hour after, draw -it in." - -"With the hand?" asked Barbicane. - -"With the hand," replied Michel. - -"Well then, my friend, do not expose yourself," answered Barbicane, "for -the hand that you draw in again will be nothing but a stump frozen and -deformed by the frightful cold." - -"Really!" - -"You will feel as if you had had a terrible burn, like that of iron at -a white heat; for whether the heat leaves our bodies briskly or enters -briskly, it is exactly the same thing. Besides, I am not at all certain -that the objects we have thrown out are still following us." - -"Why not?" asked Nicholl. - -"Because, if we are passing through an atmosphere of the slightest -density, these objects will be retarded. Again, the darkness prevents -our seeing if they still float around us. But in order not to expose -ourselves to the loss of our thermometer, we will fasten it, and we can -then more easily pull it back again." - - -Illustration: "THE VAPOR OF OUR BREATH WILL FALL IN SNOW - AROUND US." - - -Barbicane's advice was followed. Through the scuttle rapidly opened, -Nicholl threw out the instrument which was held by a short cord, so that -it might be more easily drawn up. The scuttle had not been opened more -than a second, but that second had sufficed to let in a most intense -cold. - -"The devil!" exclaimed Michel Ardan, "it is cold enough to freeze a white -bear." - -Barbicane waited until half an hour had elapsed, which was more than time -enough to allow the instrument to fall to the level of the surrounding -temperature. Then it was rapidly pulled in. - -Barbicane calculated the quantity of spirits of wine overflowed into the -little phial soldered to the lower part of the instrument, and said,-- - -"A hundred and forty degrees centigrade* below zero!" - -*-218 deg. Fahr. (Ed.) - -M. Pouillet was right and Fourier wrong. That was the undoubted temperature -of the starry space. Such is, perhaps, that of the lunar continents, when -the orb of night has lost by radiation all the heat which fifteen days -of sun have poured into her. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - HYPERBOLA OR PARABOLA. - - -We may, perhaps, be astonished to find Barbicane and his companions so -little occupied with the future reserved for them in their metal prison -which was bearing them through the infinity of space. Instead of asking -where they were going, they passed their time making experiments, as if -they had been quietly installed in their own study. - -We might answer that men so strong-minded were above such anxieties--that -they did not trouble themselves about such trifles--and that they had -something else to do than to occupy their minds with the future. - -The truth was that they were not masters of their projectile; they could -neither check its course, nor alter its direction. - -A sailor can change the head of his ship as he pleases; an aeronaut can -give a vertical motion to his balloon. They, on the contrary, had no power -over their vehicle. Every maneuver was forbidden. Hence the inclination -to let things alone, or as the sailors say, "let her run." - -Where did they find themselves at this moment, at eight o'clock in the -morning of the day called upon the earth the 6th of December? Very -certainly in the neighbourhood of the moon, and even near enough for her -to look to them like an enormous black screen upon the firmament. As to -the distance which separated them, it was impossible to estimate it. The -projectile, held by some unaccountable force, had been within four miles -of grazing the satellite's north pole. - - -Illustration: A DISCUSSION AROSE. - - -But since entering the cone of shadow these last two hours, had the -distance increased or diminished? Every point of mark was wanting by -which to estimate both the direction and the speed of the projectile. - -Perhaps it was rapidly leaving the disc, so that it would soon quit the -pure shadow. Perhaps, again, on the other hand, it might be nearing it -so much that in a short time it might strike some high point on the -invisible hemisphere, which would doubtlessly have ended the journey much -to the detriment of the travellers. - -A discussion arose on this subject, and Michel Ardan, always ready with -an explanation, gave it as his opinion that the projectile, held by the -lunar attraction, would end by falling on the surface of the terrestrial -globe like an aerolite. - -"First of all, my friend," answered Barbicane, "every aerolite does not -fall to the earth; it is only a small proportion which do so; and if we -had passed into an aerolite, it does not necessarily follow that we -should ever reach the surface of the moon." - -"But how if we get near enough?" replied Michel. - -"Pure mistake," replied Barbicane. "Have you not seen shooting stars rush -through the sky by thousands at certain seasons?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, these stars, or rather corpuscules, only shine when they are -heated by gliding over the atmospheric layers. Now, if they enter the -atmosphere, they pass at least within forty miles of the earth, but they -seldom fall upon it. The same with our projectile. It may approach very -near to the moon, and yet not fall upon it." - -"But then," asked Michel, "I shall be curious to know how our erring -vehicle will act in space?" - -"I see but two hypotheses," replied Barbicane, after some moments' -reflection. - -"What are they?" - -"The projectile has the choice between two mathematical curves, and it -will follow one or the other according to the speed with which it is -animated, and which at this moment I cannot estimate." - -"Yes," said Nicholl, "it will follow either a parabola or a hyperbola." - -"Just so," replied Barbicane. "With a certain speed it will assume the -parabola, and with a greater the hyperbola." - -"I like those grand words," exclaimed Michel Ardan; "one knows directly -what they mean. And pray what is your parabola, if you please?" - -"My friend," answered the captain, "the parabola is a curve of the -second order, the result of the section of a cone intersected by a plane -parallel to one of its sides." - -"Ah! ah!" said Michel, in a satisfied tone. - -"It is very nearly," continued Nicholl, "the course described by a bomb -launched from a mortar." - -"Perfect! And the hyperbola?" - -"The hyperbola, Michel, is a curve of the second order, produced by the -intersection of a conic surface and a plane parallel to its axis, and -constitutes two branches separated one from the other, both tending -indefinitely in the two directions." - -"Is it possible!" exclaimed Michel Ardan in a serious tone, as if they -had told him of some serious event. "What I particularly like in your -definition of the hyperbola (I was going to say hyperblague) is that it -is still more obscure than the word you pretend to define." - -Nicholl and Barbicane cared little for Michel Ardan's fun. They were deep -in a scientific discussion. What curve would the projectile follow? was -their hobby. One maintained the hyperbola, the other the parabola. They -gave each other reasons bristling with _x_. Their arguments were couched -in language which made Michel jump. The discussion was hot, and neither -would give up his chosen curve to his adversary. - -This scientific dispute lasted so long that it made Michel very impatient. - -"Now, gentlemen cosines, will you cease to throw parabolas and hyperbolas -at each other's heads? I want to understand the only interesting question -in the whole affair. We shall follow one or other of these curves? Good. -But where will they lead us to?" - -"Nowhere," replied Nicholl. - -"How, nowhere?" - -"Evidently," said Barbicane, "they are open curves, which may be prolonged -indefinitely." - -"Ah, savants!" cried Michel; "and what are either the one or the other -to us from the moment we know that they equally lead us into infinite -space?" - -Barbicane and Nicholl could not forbear smiling. They had just been -creating "art for art's sake." Never had so idle a question been raised -at such an inopportune moment. The sinister truth remained that, whether -hyperbolically or parabolically borne away, the projectile would never -again meet either the earth or the moon. - -What would become of these bold travellers in the immediate future? If -they did not die of hunger, if they did not die of thirst, in some days, -when the gas failed, they would die from want of air, unless the cold -had killed them first. Still, important as it was to economize the gas, -the excessive lowness of the surrounding temperature obliged them to -consume a certain quantity. Strictly speaking, they could do without its -_light_, but not without its _heat_. Fortunately the caloric generated by -Reiset's and Regnaut's apparatus raised the temperature of the interior -of the projectile a little, and without much expenditure they were able -to keep it bearable. - -But observations had now become very difficult. The dampness of the -projectile was condensed on the windows and congealed immediately. This -cloudiness had to be dispersed continually. In any case they might hope -to be able to discover some phenomena of the highest interest. - -But up to this time the disc remained dumb and dark. It did not answer -the multiplicity of questions put by these ardent minds; a matter which -drew this reflection from Michel, apparently a just one,-- - -"If ever we begin this journey over again, we shall do well to choose -the time when the moon is at the full." - -"Certainly," said Nicholl, "that circumstance will be more favourable. -I allow that the moon, immersed in the sun's rays, will not be visible -during the transit, but instead we should see the earth, which would -be full. And what is more, if we were drawn round the moon, as at this -moment, we should at least have the advantage of seeing the invisible -part of her disc magnificently lit." - -"Well said, Nicholl," replied Michel Ardan. "What do you think, Barbicane?" - -"I think this," answered the grave president: "If ever we begin this -journey again, we shall start at the same time and under the same -conditions. Suppose we had attained our end, would it not have been -better to have found continents in broad daylight than a country plunged -in utter darkness? Would not our first installation have been made under -better circumstances? Yes, evidently. As to the _invisible_ side, we -could have visited it in our exploring expeditions on the lunar globe. -So that the time of the full moon was well chosen. But we ought to have -arrived at the end; and in order to have so arrived, we ought to have -suffered no deviation on the road." - -"I have nothing to say to that," answered Michel Ardan. "Here is, however, -a good opportunity lost of observing the other side of the moon." - -But the projectile was now describing in the shadow that incalculable -course which no sight-mark would allow them to ascertain. Had its -direction been altered, either by the influence of the lunar attraction, -or by the action of some unknown star? Barbicane could not say. But -a change had taken place in the relative position of the vehicle; and -Barbicane verified it about four in the morning. - -The change consisted in this, that the base of the projectile had -turned towards the moon's surface, and was so held by a perpendicular -passing through its axis. The attraction, that is to say the _weight_, -had brought about this alteration. The heaviest part of the projectile -inclined towards the invisible disc as if it would fall upon it. - -Was it falling? Were the travellers attaining that much desired end? No. -And the observation of a sign-point, quite inexplicable in itself, showed -Barbicane that his projectile was not nearing the moon, and that it had -shifted by following an almost concentric curve. - -This point of mark was a luminous brightness, which Nicholl sighted -suddenly, on the limit of the horizon formed by the black disc. This -point could not be confounded with a star. It was a reddish incandescence -which increased by degrees, a decided proof that the projectile was -shifting towards it and not falling normally on the surface of the moon. - -"A volcano! it is a volcano in action!" cried Nicholl; "a disembowelling -of the interior fires of the moon! That world is not quite extinguished." - -"Yes, an eruption," replied Barbicane, who was carefully studying the -phenomenon through his night glass. "What should it be, if not a volcano?" - -"But, then," said Michel Ardan, "in order to maintain that combustion, -there must be air. So an atmosphere _does_ surround that part of the -moon." - -"_Perhaps_ so," replied Barbicane, "but not necessarily. The volcano, -by the decomposition of certain substances, can provide its own oxygen, -and thus throw flames into space. It seems to me that the deflagration, -by the intense brilliancy of the substances in combustion, is produced -in pure oxygen. We must not be in a hurry to proclaim the existence of -a lunar atmosphere." - -The fiery mountain must have been situated about the 45 deg. south -latitude on the invisible part of the disc; but, to Barbicane's great -displeasure, the curve which the projectile was describing was taking -it far from the point indicated by the eruption. Thus he could not -determine its nature exactly. Half an hour after being sighted, this -luminous point had disappeared behind the dark horizon; but the -verification of this phenomenon was of considerable consequence in their -selenographic studies. It proved that all heat had not yet disappeared -from the bowels of this globe; and where heat exists, who can affirm -that the vegetable kingdom, nay, even the animal kingdom itself, has not -up to this time resisted all destructive influences? The existence of -this volcano in eruption, unmistakably seen by these earthly savants, -would doubtless give rise to many theories favourable to the grave -question of the habitability of the moon. - -Barbicane allowed himself to be carried away by these reflections. He -forgot himself in a deep reverie in which the mysterious destiny of the -lunar world was uppermost. He was seeking to combine together the facts -observed up to that time, when a new incident recalled him briskly to -reality. This incident was more than a cosmical phenomenon; it was a -threatened danger, the consequences of which might be disastrous in the -extreme. - -Suddenly, in the midst of the ether, in the profound darkness, an -enormous mass appeared. It was like a moon, but an incandescent moon -whose brilliancy was all the more intolerable as it cut sharply on the -frightful darkness of space. This mass, of a circular form, threw a -light which filled the projectile. The forms of Barbicane, Nicholl, and -Michel Ardan, bathed in its white sheets, assumed that livid spectral -appearance which physicians produce with the fictitious light of alcohol -impregnated with salt. - - -Illustration: A PREY TO FRIGHTFUL TERROR. - - -"By Jove!" cried Michel Ardan, "we are hideous. What is that -ill-conditioned moon?" - -"A meteor," replied Barbicane. - -"A meteor burning in space?" - -"Yes." - -This shooting globe suddenly appearing in shadow at a distance of at most -200 miles, ought, according to Barbicane, to have a diameter of 2000 -yards. It advanced at a speed of about one mile and a half per second. -It cut the projectile's path and must reach it in some minutes. As it -approached it grew to enormous proportions. - -Imagine, if possible, the situation of the travellers! It is impossible -to describe it. In spite of their courage, their _sang-froid_, their -carelessness of danger, they were mute, motionless with stiffened limbs, -a prey to frightful terror. Their projectile, the course of which they -could not alter, was rushing straight on this ignited mass, more intense -than the open mouth of an oven. It seemed as though they were being -precipitated towards an abyss of fire. - -Barbicane had seized the hands of his two companions, and all three -looked through their half-open eyelids upon that asteroid heated to a -white heat. If thought was not destroyed within them, if their brains -still worked amidst all this awe, they must have given themselves up for -lost. - -Two minutes after the sudden appearance of the meteor (to them two -centuries of anguish) the projectile seemed almost about to strike it, -when the globe of fire burst like a bomb, but without making any noise -in that void where sound, which is but the agitation of the layers of -air, could not be generated. - -Nicholl uttered a cry, and he and his companions rushed to the scuttle. -What a sight! What pen can describe it? What palette is rich enough in -colours to reproduce so magnificent a spectacle? - -It was like the opening of a crater, like the scattering of an immense -conflagration. Thousands of luminous fragments lit up and irradiated -space with their fires. Every size, every colour, was there intermingled. -There were rays of yellow and pale yellow, red, green, grey--a crown -of fireworks of all colours. Of the enormous and much-dreaded globe -there remained nothing but these fragments carried in all directions, -now become asteroids in their turn, some flaming like a sword, some -surrounded by a whitish cloud, and others leaving behind them trains of -brilliant cosmical dust. - -These incandescent blocks crossed and struck each other, scattering -still smaller fragments, some of which struck the projectile. Its left -scuttle was even cracked by a violent shock. It seemed to be floating -amidst a hail of howitzer shells, the smallest of which might destroy it -instantly. - -The light which saturated the ether was so wonderfully intense, that -Michel, drawing Barbicane and Nicholl to his window, exclaimed, "The -invisible moon, visible at last!" - -And through a luminous emanation, which lasted some seconds, the whole -three caught a glimpse of that mysterious disc which the eye of man now -saw for the first time. What could they distinguish at a distance which -they could not estimate? Some lengthened bands along the disc, real clouds -formed in the midst of a very confined atmosphere, from which emerged -not only all the mountains, but also projections of less importance; its -circles, its yawning craters, as capriciously placed as on the visible -surface. Then immense spaces, no longer arid plains, but real seas, -oceans, widely distributed, reflecting on their liquid surface all the -dazzling magic of the fires of space; and, lastly, on the surface of the -continents, large dark masses, looking like immense forests under the -rapid illumination of a brilliance. - -Was it an illusion, a mistake, an optical illusion? Could they give a -scientific assent to an observation so superficially obtained? Dared -they pronounce upon the question of its habitability after so slight a -glimpse of the invisible disc? - - -Illustration: WHAT A SIGHT. - - -But the lightnings in space subsided by degrees; its accidental -brilliancy died away; the asteroids dispersed in different directions -and were extinguished in the distance. The ether returned to its -accustomed darkness; the stars, eclipsed for a moment, again twinkled in -the firmament, and the disc, so hastily discerned, was again buried in -impenetrable night. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE. - - -The projectile had just escaped a terrible danger, and a very unforeseen -one. Who would have thought of such a rencontre with meteors? These -erring bodies might create serious perils for the travellers. They were -to them so many sandbanks upon that sea of ether which, less fortunate -than sailors, they could not escape. But did these adventurers complain -of space? No, not since nature had given them the splendid sight of a -cosmical meteor bursting from expansion, since this inimitable firework, -which no Ruggieri could imitate, had lit up for some seconds the invisible -glory of the moon. In that flash, continents, seas, and forests had -become visible to them. Did an atmosphere, then, bring to this unknown -face its life-giving atoms? Questions still insoluble, and for ever -closed against human curiosity! - -It was then half past three in the afternoon. The projectile was -following its curvilinear direction round the moon. Had its course been -again altered by the meteor? It was to be feared so. But the projectile -must describe a curve unalterably determined by the laws of mechanical -reasoning. Barbicane was inclined to believe that this curve would be -rather a parabola than a hyperbola. But admitting the parabola, the -projectile must quickly have passed through the cone of shadow projected -into space opposite the sun. This cone, indeed, is very narrow, the -angular diameter of the moon being so little when compared with the -diameter of the orb of day; and up to this time the projectile had -been floating in this deep shadow. Whatever had been its speed (and it -could not have been insignificant) its period of occultation continued. -That was evident, but perhaps that would not have been the case in a -supposed rigidly parabolical trajectory,--a new problem which tormented -Barbicane's brain, imprisoned as he was in a circle of unknowns which he -could not unravel. - - -Illustration: "THE SUN!" - - -Neither of the travellers thought of taking an instant's repose. Each -one watched for an unexpected fact, which might throw some new light on -their uranographic studies. About five o'clock, Michel Ardan distributed, -under the name of dinner, some pieces of bread and cold meat, which were -quickly swallowed without either of them abandoning their scuttle, the -glass of which was incessantly encrusted by the condensation of vapour. - -About forty-five minutes past five in the evening, Nicholl, armed with -his glass, sighted towards the southern border of the moon, and in the -direction followed by the projectile, some bright points cut upon the -dark shield of the sky. They looked like a succession of sharp points -lengthened into a tremulous line. They were very bright. Such appeared -the terminal line of the moon when in one of her octants. - -They could not be mistaken. It was no longer a simple meteor. This -luminous ridge had neither colour nor motion. Nor was it a volcano in -eruption. And Barbicane did not hesitate to pronounce upon it. - -"The sun!" he exclaimed. - -"What! the sun?" answered Nicholl and Michel Ardan. - -"Yes, my friends, it is the radiant orb itself lighting up the summit -of the mountains situated on the southern borders of the moon. We are -evidently nearing the south pole." - -"After having passed the north pole," replied Michel. "We have made the -circuit of our satellite, then?" - -"Yes, my good Michel." - -"Then, no more hyperbolas, no more parabolas, no more open curves to -fear?" - -"No, but a _closed_ curve." - -"Which is called--" - -"An ellipse. Instead of losing itself in interplanetary space, it is -probable that the projectile will describe an elliptical orbit around -the moon." - -"Indeed!" - -"And that it will become _her_ satellite." - -"Moon of the moon!" cried Michel Ardan. - -"Only, I would have you observe, my worthy friend," replied Barbicane, -"that we are none the less lost for that." - -"Yes, in another manner, and much more pleasantly," answered the careless -Frenchman with his most amiable smile. - - -Illustration: "LIGHT AND HEAT; ALL LIFE IS CONTAINED IN THEM." - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - TYCHO. - - -At six in the evening the projectile passed the south pole at less than -forty miles off, a distance equal to that already reached at the north -pole. The elliptical curve was being rigidly carried out. - -At this moment the travellers once more entered the blessed rays of the -sun. They saw once more those stars which move slowly from east to west. -The radiant orb was saluted by a triple hurrah. With its light it also -sent heat, which soon pierced the metal walls. The glass resumed its -accustomed appearance. The layers of ice melted as if by enchantment; and -immediately, for economy's sake, the gas was put out, the air apparatus -alone consuming its usual quantity. - -"Ah!" said Nicholl, "these rays of heat are good. With what impatience -must the Selenites wait the reappearance of the orb of day." - -"Yes," replied Michel Ardan, "imbibing as it were the brilliant ether, -light and heat, all life is contained in them." - -At this moment the bottom of the projectile deviated somewhat from the -lunar surface, in order to follow the slightly lengthened elliptical -orbit. From this point, had the earth been at the full, Barbicane and -his companions could have seen it, but immersed in the sun's irradiation -she was quite invisible. Another spectacle attracted their attention, -that of the southern part of the moon, brought by the glasses to within -450 yards. They did not again leave the scuttles, and noted every detail -of this fantastical continent. - -Mounts Doerfel and Leibnitz formed two separate groups very near the -south pole. The first group extended from the pole to the eighty-fourth -parallel, on the eastern part of the orb; the second occupied the eastern -border, extending from the 65 deg. of latitude to the pole. - -On their capriciously formed ridge appeared dazzling sheets, as mentioned -by Pere Secchi. With more certainty than the illustrious Roman astronomer, -Barbicane was enabled to recognize their nature. - -"They are snow," he exclaimed. - -"Snow?" repeated Nicholl. - -"Yes, Nicholl, snow; the surface of which is deeply frozen. See how they -reflect the luminous rays. Cooled lava would never give out such intense -reflection. There must then be water, there must be air on the moon. As -little as you please, but the fact can no longer be contested." No, it -could not be. And if ever Barbicane should see the earth again, his notes -will bear witness to this great fact in his selenographic observations. - -These mountains of Doerfel and Leibnitz rose in the midst of plains of a -medium extent, which were bounded by an indefinite succession of circles -and annular ramparts. These two chains are the only ones met with in -this region of circles. Comparatively but slightly marked, they throw up -here and there some sharp points, the highest summit of which attains an -altitude of 24,600 feet. - -But the projectile was high above all this landscape, and the projections -disappeared in the intense brilliancy of the disc. And to the eyes of the -travellers there reappeared that original aspect of the lunar landscapes, -raw in tone, without gradation of colours, and without degrees of shadow, -roughly black and white, from the want of diffusion of light. - - -Illustration: HE DISTINGUISHED ALL THIS. - - -But the sight of this desolate world did not fail to captivate them by its -very strangeness. They were moving over this region as if they had been -borne on the breath of some storm, watching heights defile under their -feet, piercing the cavities with their eyes, going down into the rifts, -climbing the ramparts, sounding these mysterious holes, and levelling all -cracks. But no trace of vegetation, no appearance of cities; nothing but -stratification, beds of lava, overflowings polished like immense mirrors, -reflecting the sun's rays with overpowering brilliancy. Nothing belonging -to a _living_ world--everything to a dead world, where avalanches, -rolling from the summits of the mountains, would disperse noiselessly at -the bottom of the abyss, retaining the motion, but wanting the sound. In -any case it was the image of death, without its being possible even to -say that life had ever existed there. - -Michel Ardan, however, thought he recognized a heap of ruins, to which -he drew Barbicane's attention. It was about the 80th parallel, in 30 deg. -longitude. This heap of stones, rather regularly placed, represented a -vast fortress, overlooking a long rift, which in former days had served -as a bed to the rivers of prehistorical times. Not far from that, rose -to a height of 17,400 feet the annular mountain of Short, equal to the -Asiatic Caucasus. Michel Ardan, with his accustomed ardour, maintained -"the evidences" of his fortress. Beneath it he discerned the dismantled -ramparts of a town; here the still intact arch of a portico, there two -or three columns lying under their base; farther on, a succession of -arches which must have supported the conduit of an aqueduct; in another -part the sunken pillars of a gigantic bridge, run into the thickest parts -of the rift. He distinguished all this, but with so much imagination in -his glance, and through glasses so fantastical, that we must mistrust -his observation. But who could affirm, who would dare to say, that the -amiable fellow did not really see that which his two companions would -not see? - -Moments were too precious to be sacrificed in idle discussion. The -Selenite city, whether imaginary or not, had already disappeared afar off. -The distance of the projectile from the lunar disc was on the increase, -and the details of the soil were being lost in a confused jumble. The -reliefs, the circles, the craters and plains alone remained, and still -showed their boundary lines distinctly. At this moment, to the left, -lay extended one of the finest circles of lunar orography, one of the -curiosities of this continent. It was Newton, which Barbicane recognized -without trouble, by referring to the _Mappa Selenographica_. - -Newton is situated in exactly 77 deg. south lat., and 16 deg. east long. -It forms an annular crater, the ramparts of which, rising to a height of -21,300 feet, seemed to be impassable. - -Barbicane made his companions observe that the height of this mountain -above the surrounding plain was far from equalling the depth of its -crater. This enormous hole was beyond all measurement, and formed a -gloomy abyss, the bottom of which the sun's rays could never reach. -There, according to Humboldt, reigns utter darkness, which the light of -the sun and the earth cannot break. Mythologists could well have made it -the mouth of hell. - -"Newton," said Barbicane, "is the most perfect type of these annular -mountains, of which the earth possesses no sample. They prove that -the moon's formation, by means of cooling, is due to violent causes; -for whilst under the pressure of internal fires the reliefs rise to -considerable height, the depths withdraw far below the lunar level." - -"I do not dispute the fact," replied Michel Ardan. - -Some minutes after passing Newton, the projectile directly overlooked -the annular mountain of Moret. It skirted at some distance the summits -of Blancanus, and at about half-past seven in the evening reached the -circle of Clavius. - -This circle, one of the most remarkable of the disc, is situated in 58 -deg. south lat., and 15 deg. east long. Its height is estimated at 22,950 -feet. The travellers, at a distance of twenty-four miles (reduced to four -by their glasses), could admire this vast crater in its entirety. - - - -Illustration: CAN YOU PICTURE TO YOURSELVES? - - -"Terrestrial volcanoes," said Barbicane, "are but molehills compared -with those of the moon. Measuring the old craters formed by the first -eruptions of Vesuvius and Etna, we find them little more than three miles -in breadth. In France the circle of Cantal measures six miles across; at -Ceyland the circle of the island is forty miles, which is considered the -largest on the globe. What are these diameters against that of Clavius, -which we overlook at this moment?" - -"What is its breadth?" asked Nicholl. - -"It is 150 miles," replied Barbicane. "This circle is certainly the most -important on the moon, but many others measure 150, 100, or 75 miles." - -"Ah! my friends," exclaimed Michel, "can you picture to yourselves what -this now peaceful orb of night must have been when its craters, filled -with thunderings, vomited at the same time smoke and tongues of flame. -What a wonderful spectacle then, and now what decay! This moon is nothing -more than a thin carcase of fireworks, whose squibs, rockets, serpents -and suns, after a superb brilliancy, have left but sadly broken cases. -Who can say the cause, the reason, the motive force of these cataclysms?" - -Barbicane was not listening to Michel Ardan; he was contemplating those -ramparts of Clavius, formed by large mountains spread over several -miles. At the bottom of the immense cavity burrowed hundreds of small -extinguished craters, riddling the soil like a colander, and overlooked -by a peak 15,000 feet high. - -Around the plain appeared desolate. Nothing so arid as these reliefs, -nothing so sad as these ruins of mountains, and (if we may so express -ourselves) these fragments of peaks and mountains which strewed the soil. -The satellite seemed to have burst at this spot. - -The projectile was still advancing, and this movement did not subside. -Circles, craters, and uprooted mountains succeeded each other incessantly. -No more plains; no more seas. A never-ending Switzerland and Norway. And -lastly, in the centre of this region of crevasses, the most splendid -mountain on the lunar disc, the dazzling Tycho, in which posterity will -ever preserve the name of the illustrious Danish astronomer. - -In observing the full moon in a cloudless sky no one has failed to remark -this brilliant point of the southern hemisphere. Michel Ardan used every -metaphor that his imagination could supply to designate it by. To him this -Tycho was a focus of light, a centre of irradiation, a crater vomiting -rays. It was the tire of a brilliant wheel, an _asteria_ enclosing the -disc with its silver tentacles, an enormous eye filled with flames, a -glory carved for Pluto's head, a star launched by the Creator's hand, -and crushed against the face of the moon! - -Tycho forms such a concentration of light that the inhabitants of the -earth can see it without glasses, though at a distance of 240,000 miles! -Imagine, then, its intensity to the eye of observers placed at a distance -of only fifty miles! Seen through this pure ether, its brilliancy was so -intolerable that Barbicane and his friends were obliged to blacken their -glasses with the gas smoke before they could bear the splendour. Then -silent, scarcely uttering an interjection of admiration, they gazed, they -contemplated. All their feelings, all their impressions, were concentrated -in that look, as under any violent emotion all life is concentrated at -the heart. - -Tycho belongs to the system of radiating mountains, like Aristarchus -and Copernicus; but it is of all the most complete and decided, showing -unquestionably the frightful volcanic action to which the formation of -the moon is due. Tycho is situated in 43 deg. south lat., and 12 deg. east -long. Its centre is occupied by a crater fifty miles broad. It assumes -a slightly elliptical form, and is surrounded by an enclosure of annular -ramparts, which on the east and west overlook the outer plain from a -height of 15,000 feet. It is a group of Mont Blancs, placed round one -common centre and crowned by radiating beams. - -What this incomparable mountain really is, with all the projections -converging towards it, and the interior excrescences of its crater, -photography itself could never represent. Indeed, it is during the full -moon that Tycho is seen in all its splendour. Then all shadows disappear, -the foreshortening of perspective disappears, and all proofs become -white--a disagreeable fact; for this strange region would have been -marvellous if reproduced with photographic exactness. It is but a group -of hollows, craters, circles, a network of crests; then, as far as the -eye could see, a whole volcanic network cast upon this encrusted soil. -One can then understand that the bubbles of this central eruption have -kept their first form. Crystallized by cooling, they have stereotyped -that aspect which the moon formerly presented when under the Plutonian -forces. - -The distance which separated the travellers from the annular summits of -Tycho was not so great but that they could catch the principal details. -Even on the causeway forming the fortifications of Tycho, the mountains -hanging on to the interior and exterior sloping flanks rose in stories -like gigantic terraces. They appeared to be higher by 300 or 400 feet -to the west than to the east. No system of terrestrial encampment could -equal these natural fortifications. A town built at the bottom of this -circular cavity would have been utterly inaccessible. - -Inaccessible and wonderfully extended over this soil covered with -picturesque projections! Indeed, nature had not left the bottom of -this crater flat and empty. It possessed its own peculiar orography, a -mountainous system, making it a world in itself. The travellers could -distinguish clearly cones, central hills, remarkable positions of the soil, -naturally placed to receive the chefs-d'oeuvre of Selenite architecture. -There was marked out the place for a temple, here the ground of a forum, -on this spot the plan of a palace, in another the plateau for a citadel; -the whole overlooked by a central mountain of 1500 feet. A vast circle, -in which ancient Rome could have been held in its entirety ten times -over. - -"Ah!" exclaimed Michel Ardan, enthusiastic at the sight; "what a grand -town might be constructed within that ring of mountains! A quiet city, -a peaceful refuge, beyond all human misery. How calm and isolated those -misanthropes, those haters of humanity might live there, and all who have -a distaste for social life!" - -"All! It would be too small for them," replied Barbicane simply. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - GRAVE QUESTIONS. - - -But the projectile had passed the enceinte of Tycho, and Barbicane and -his two companions watched with scrupulous attention the brilliant rays -which the celebrated mountain shed so curiously all over the horizon. - -What was this radiant glory? What geological phenomenon had designed -these ardent beams? This question occupied Barbicane's mind. - -Under his eyes ran in all directions luminous furrows, raised at the edges -and concave in the centre, some twelve miles, others thirty miles broad. -These brilliant trains extended in some places to within 600 miles of -Tycho, and seemed to cover, particularly towards the east, the northeast -and the north, the half of the southern hemisphere. One of these jets -extended as far as the circle of Neander, situated on the 40th meridian. -Another by a slight curve furrowed the Sea of Nectar, breaking against -the chain of Pyrenees, after a circuit of 800 miles. Others, towards the -west, covered the Sea of Clouds and the Sea of Humours with a luminous -network. What was the origin of these sparkling rays, which shone on the -plains as well as on the reliefs, at whatever height they might be? All -started from a common centre, the crater of Tycho. They sprang from him. -Herschel attributed their brilliancy to currents of lava congealed by the -cold; an opinion, however, which has not been generally adopted. Other -astronomers have seen in these inexplicable rays a kind of _moraines_, -rows of erratic blocks, which had been thrown up at the period of Tycho's -formation. - -"And why not?" asked Nicholl of Barbicane, who was relating and rejecting -these different opinions. - -"Because the regularity of these luminous lines, and the violence -necessary to carry volcanic matter to such distances, is inexplicable." - -"Eh! by Jove!" replied Michel Ardan, "it seems easy enough to me to -explain the origin of these rays." - -"Indeed?" said Barbicane. - -"Indeed," continued Michel. "It is enough to say that it is a vast star, -similar to that produced by a ball or a stone thrown at a square of -glass!" - -"Well!" replied Barbicane, smiling. "And what hand would be powerful -enough to throw a ball to give such a shock as that?" - -"The hand is not necessary," answered Nicholl, not at all confounded; -"and as to the stone, let us suppose it to be a comet." - -"Ah! those much-abused comets!" exclaimed Barbicane. "My brave Michel, -your explanation is not bad; but your comet is useless. The shock which -produced that rent must have come from the inside of the star. A violent -contraction of the lunar crust, while cooling, might suffice to imprint -this gigantic star." - -"A contraction! something like a lunar stomach-ache," said Michel Ardan. - -"Besides," added Barbicane, "this opinion is that of an English savant, -Nasmyth, and it seems to me to sufficiently explain the radiation of -these mountains." - -"That Nasmyth was no fool!" replied Michel. - -Long did the travellers, whom such a sight could never weary, admire -the splendours of Tycho. Their projectile, saturated with luminous -gleams in the double irradiation of sun and moon, must have appeared -like an incandescent globe. They had passed suddenly from excessive cold -to intense heat. Nature was thus preparing them to become Selenites. -Become Selenites! That idea brought up once more the question of the -habitability of the moon. After what they had seen, could the travellers -solve it? Would they decide for or against it? Michel Ardan persuaded his -two friends to form an opinion, and asked them directly if they thought -that men and animals were represented in the lunar world. - - -Illustration: A VIOLENT CONTRACTION OF THE LUNAR CRUST. - - -"I think that we can answer," said Barbicane; "but according to my -idea the question ought not to be put in that form. I ask it to be put -differently." - -"Put it your own way," replied Michel. - -"Here it is," continued Barbicane. "The problem is a double one, and -requires a double solution. Is the moon _habitable?_ Has the moon ever -been _inhabitable?_" - -"Good!" replied Nicholl. "First let us see whether the moon is habitable." - -"To tell the truth, I know nothing about it," answered Michel. - -"And I answer in the negative," continued Barbicane. "In her actual -state, with her surrounding atmosphere certainly very much reduced, -her seas for the most part dried up, her insufficient supply of water -restricted, vegetation, sudden alterations of cold and heat, her days -and nights of 354 hours; the moon does not seem habitable to me, nor does -she seem propitious to animal development, nor sufficient for the wants -of existence as we understand it." - -"Agreed," replied Nicholl. "But is not the moon habitable for creatures -differently organized from ourselves?" - -"That question is more difficult to answer, but I will try; and I ask -Nicholl if _motion_ appears to him to be a necessary result of _life_, -whatever be its organization?" - -"Without a doubt!" answered Nicholl. - -"Then, my worthy companion, I would answer that we have observed the -lunar continent at a distance of 500 yards at most, and that nothing -seemed to us to move on the moon's surface. The presence of any kind -of life would have been betrayed by its attendant marks, such as divers -buildings, and even by ruins. And what have we seen? Everywhere and always -the geological works of nature, never the work of man. If, then, there -exist representatives of the animal kingdom on the moon, they must have -fled to those unfathomable cavities which the eye cannot reach; which -I cannot admit, for they must have left traces of their passage on those -plains which the atmosphere must cover, however slightly raised it may be. -These traces are nowhere visible. There remains but one hypothesis, that -of a living race to which motion, which is life, is foreign." - -"One might as well say, living creatures which do not live," replied -Michel. - -"Just so," said Barbicane, "which for us has no meaning." - -"Then we may form our opinion?" said Michel. - -"Yes," replied Nicholl. - -"Very well," continued Michel Ardan, "the Scientific Commission assembled -in the projectile of the Gun Club, after having founded their argument -on facts recently observed, decide unanimously upon the question of the -habitability of the moon--_'No!_ the moon is not habitable.'" - -This decision was consigned by President Barbicane to his notebook, where -the process of the sitting of the 6th of December may be seen. - -"Now," said Nicholl, "let us attack the second question, an indispensable -complement of the first. I ask the honourable Commission, if the moon is -not habitable, has she ever been inhabited, Citizen Barbicane?" - -"My friends," replied Barbicane, "I did not undertake this journey in -order to form an opinion on the past habitability of our satellite; but I -will add that our personal observations only confirm me in this opinion. -I believe, indeed I affirm, that the moon has been inhabited by a human -race organized like our own; that she has produced animals anatomically -formed like the terrestrial animals; but I add that these races, human -or animal, have had their day, and are now for ever extinct!" - -"Then," asked Michel, "the moon must be older than the earth?" - -"No!" said Barbicane decidedly, "but a world which has grown old quicker, -and whose formation and deformation have been more rapid. Relatively, -the organizing force of matter has been much more violent in the interior -of the moon than in the interior of the terrestrial globe. The actual -state of this cracked twisted, and burst disc abundantly proves this. -The moon and the earth were nothing but gaseous masses originally. These -gases have passed into a liquid state under different influences, and -the solid masses have been formed later. But most certainly our sphere -was still gaseous or liquid, when the moon was solidified by cooling, -and had become habitable." - -"I believe it," said Nicholl. - -"Then," continued Barbicane, "an atmosphere surrounded it, the waters -contained within this gaseous envelope could not evaporate. Under the -influence of air, water, light, solar heat, and central heat, vegetation -took possession of the continents prepared to receive it, and certainly -life showed itself about this period, for nature does not expend herself -in vain; and a world so wonderfully formed for habitation must necessarily -be inhabited. - -"But," said Nicholl, "many phenomena inherent in our satellite might -cramp the expansion of the animal and vegetable kingdom. For example, -its days and nights of 354 hours?" - -"At the terrestrial poles they last six months," said Michel. - -"An argument of little value, since the poles are not inhabited." - -"Let us observe, my friends," continued Barbicane, "that if in the actual -state of the moon its long nights and long days created differences -of temperature insupportable to organization, it was not so at the -historical period of time. The atmosphere enveloped the disc with a -fluid mantle; vapour deposited itself in the shape of clouds; this -natural screen tempered the ardour of the solar rays, and retained the -nocturnal radiation. Light, like heat, can diffuse itself in the air; -hence an equality between the influences which no longer exists, now that -that atmosphere has almost entirely disappeared. And now I am going to -astonish you." - -"Astonish us?" said Michel Ardan. - -"I firmly believe that at the period when the moon was inhabited, the -nights and days did not last 354 hours!" - -"And why?" asked Nicholl quickly. - -"Because most probably then the rotary motion of the moon upon her axis -was not equal to her revolution, an equality which presents each part of -her disc during fifteen days to the action of the solar rays." - -"Granted," replied Nicholl, "but why should not these two motions have -been equal, as they are really so?" - -"Because that equality has only been determined by terrestrial attraction. -And who can say that this attraction was powerful enough to alter the -motion of the moon at that period when the earth was still fluid?" - -"Just so," replied Nicholl; "and who can say that the moon has always -been a satellite of the earth?" - -"And who can say," exclaimed Michel Ardan, "that the moon did not exist -before the earth?" - -Their imaginations carried them away into an indefinite field of -hypothesis. Barbicane sought to restrain them. - -"Those speculations are too high," said he; "problems utterly insoluble. -Do not let us enter upon them. Let us only admit the insufficiency of the -primordial attraction; and then by the inequality of the two motions of -rotation and revolution, the days and nights could have succeeded each -other on the moon as they succeed each other on the earth. Besides, even -without these conditions, life was possible." - -"And so," asked Michel Ardan, "humanity has disappeared from the moon?" - -"Yes," replied Barbicane, "after having doubtless remained persistently -for millions of centuries; by degrees the atmosphere becoming rarefied, -the disc became uninhabitable, as the terrestrial globe will one day -become by cooling." - -"By cooling?" - -"Certainly," replied Barbicane; "as the internal fires became extinguished, -and the incandescent matter concentrated itself, the lunar crust cooled. -By degrees the consequences of these phenomena showed themselves in the -disappearance of organized beings, and by the disappearance of vegetation. -Soon the atmosphere was rarefied, probably withdrawn by terrestrial -attraction; then aerial departure of respirable air, and disappearance -of water by means of evaporation. At this period the moon becoming -uninhabitable, was no longer inhabited. It was a dead world, such as we -see it to-day." - -"And you say that the same fate is in store for the earth?" - -"Most probably." - -"But when?" - -"When the cooling of its crust shall have made it uninhabitable." - -"And have they calculated the time which our unfortunate sphere will take -to cool?" - -"Certainly." - -"And you know these calculations?" - -"Perfectly." - -"But speak, then, my clumsy savant," exclaimed Michel Ardan, "for you -make me boil with impatience!" - -"Very well, my good Michel," replied Barbicane quietly, "we know what -diminution of temperature the earth undergoes in the lapse of a century. -And according to certain calculations, this mean temperature will, after -a period of 400,000 years, be brought down to zero!" - -"Four hundred thousand years!" exclaimed Michel. "Ah! I breathe again. -Really I was frightened to hear you; I imagined that we had not more than -50,000 years to live." - -Barbicane and Nicholl could not help laughing at their companion's -uneasiness. Then Nicholl, who wished to end the discussion, put the -second question, which had just been considered again. - -"Has the moon been inhabited?" he asked. - -The answer was unanimously in the affirmative. But during this discussion, -fruitful in somewhat hazardous theories, the projectile was rapidly -leaving the moon; the lineaments faded away from the travellers' eyes, -mountains were confused in the distance; and of all the wonderful, -strange, and fantastical form of the earth's satellite, there soon -remained nothing but the imperishable remembrance. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - A STRUGGLE AGAINST THE IMPOSSIBLE. - - -For a long time Barbicane and his companions looked silently and sadly -upon that world which they had only seen from a distance, as Moses saw -the land of Canaan, and which they were leaving without a possibility of -ever returning to it. The projectile's position with regard to the moon -had altered, and the base was now turned to the earth. - -This change, which Barbicane verified, did not fail to surprise them. -If the projectile was to gravitate round the satellite in an elliptical -orbit, why was not its heaviest part turned towards it, as the moon turns -hers to the earth? That was a difficult point. - -In watching the course of the projectile they could see that on leaving -the moon it followed a course analogous to that traced in approaching -her. It was describing a very long ellipse, which would most likely -extend to the point of equal attraction, where the influences of the -earth and its satellite are neutralized. - -Such was the conclusion which Barbicane very justly drew from facts -already observed, a conviction which his two friends shared with him. - -"And when arrived at this dead point, what will become of us?" asked -Michel Ardan. - -"We don't know," replied Barbicane. - -"But one can draw some hypotheses, I suppose?" - -"Two," answered Barbicane; "either the projectile's speed will be -insufficient, and it will remain for immovable on this line of double -attraction--" - -"I prefer the other hypothesis, whatever it may be," interrupted Michel. - -"Or," continued Barbicane, "its speed will be sufficient, and it will -continue its elliptical course, to gravitate for ever around the orb of -night." - -"A revolution not at all consoling," said Michel, "to pass to the state -of humble servants to a moon whom we are accustomed to look upon as our -own handmaid. So that is the fate in store for us?" - -Neither Barbicane nor Nicholl answered. - -"You do not answer," continued Michel impatiently. - -"There is nothing to answer," said Nicholl. - -"Is there nothing to try?" - -"No," answered Barbicane. "Do you pretend to fight against the impossible?" - -"Why not? Do one Frenchman and two Americans shrink from such a word?" - -"But what would you do?" - -"Subdue this motion which is bearing us away." - -"Subdue it?" - -"Yes," continued Michel, getting animated, "or else alter it, and employ -it to the accomplishment of our own ends." - -"And how?" - -"That is your affair. If artillerymen are not masters of their projectile -they are not artillerymen. If the projectile is to command the gunner, -we had better ram the gunner into the gun. My faith! fine savants! who -do not know what is to become of us after inducing me--" - -"Inducing you!" cried Barbicane and Nicholl. "Inducing you! What do you -mean by that?" - -"No recrimination," said Michel. "I do not complain; the trip has pleased -me, the projectile agrees with me; but let us do all that is humanly -possible to do to fall somewhere, even if only on the moon." - - -Illustration: AROUND THE PROJECTILE WERE THE OBJECTS WHICH - HAD BEEN THROWN OUT. - - -"We ask no better, my worthy Michel," replied Barbicane, "but means fail -us." - -"We cannot alter the motion of the projectile?" - -"No." - -"Nor diminish its speed?" - -"No." - -"Not even by lightening it, as they lighten an overloaded vessel?" - -"What would you throw out?" said Nicholl. "We have no ballast on board; -and indeed it seems to me that if lightened it would go much quicker." - -"Slower." - -"Quicker." - -"Neither slower nor quicker," said Barbicane, wishing to make his two -friends agree; "for we float in space, and must no longer consider -specific weight." - -"Very well," cried Michel Ardan in a decided voice; "then there remains -but one thing to do." - -"What is it?" said Nicholl. - -"Breakfast," answered the cool, audacious Frenchman, who always brought -up this solution at the most difficult juncture. - -In any case, if this operation had no influence on the projectile's -course, it could at least be tried without inconvenience, and even with -success from a stomachic point of view. Certainly Michel had none but -good ideas. - -They breakfasted then at two in the morning; the hour mattered little. -Michel served his usual repast, crowned by a glorious bottle drawn from -his private cellar. If ideas did not crowd on their brains, we must -despair of the Chambertin of 1853. The repast finished, observations -began again. Around the projectile, at an invariable distance, were -the objects which had been thrown out. Evidently, in its translatory -motion round the moon, it had not passed through any atmosphere, for -the specific weight of these different objects would have checked their -relative speed. - -On the side of the terrestrial sphere nothing was to be seen. The earth -was but a day old, having been new the night before at twelve; and two -days must elapse before its crescent, freed from the solar rays, would -serve as a clock to the Selenites, as in its rotary movement each of its -points after twenty-four hours repasses the same lunar meridian. - -On the moon's side the sight was different; the orb shone in all her -splendour amidst innumerable constellations, whose purity could not be -troubled by her rays. On the disc, the plains were already returning to -the dark tint which is seen from the earth. The other part of the nimbus -remained brilliant, and in the midst of this general brilliancy Tycho -shone prominently like a sun. - -Barbicane had no means of estimating the projectile's speed, but -reasoning showed that it must uniformly decrease, according to the laws of -mechanical reasoning. Having admitted that the projectile was describing -an orbit round the moon, this orbit must necessarily be elliptical; -science proves that it must be so. No motive body circulating round an -attracting body fails in this law. Every orbit described in space is -elliptical. And why should the projectile of the Gun Club escape this -natural arrangement? In elliptical orbits, the attracting body always -occupies one of the foci; so that at one moment the satellite is nearer, -and at another farther from the orb around which it gravitates. When the -earth is nearest the sun she is in her perihelion; and in her aphelion -at the farthest point. Speaking of the moon, she is nearest to the earth -in her perigee, and farthest from it in her apogee. To use analogous -expressions, with which the astronomers' language is enriched, if the -projectile remains as a satellite of the moon, we must say that it is -in its "aposelene" at its farthest point, and in its "periselene" at its -nearest. In the latter case, the projectile would attain its maximum of -speed; and in the former its minimum. It was evidently moving towards -its aposelenitical point; and Barbicane had reason to think that its -speed would decrease up to this point, and then increase by degrees as -it neared the moon. This speed would even become _nil_, if this point -joined that of equal attraction. Barbicane studied the consequences of -these different situations, and thinking what inference he could draw -from them, when he was roughly disturbed by a cry from Michel Ardan. - -"By Jove!" he exclaimed, "I must admit we are downright simpletons!" - -"I do not say we are not," replied Barbicane; "but why?" - -"Because we have a very simple means of checking this speed which is -bearing us from the moon, and we do not use it!" - -"And what is the means?" - -"To use the recoil contained in our rockets." - -"Done!" said Nicholl. - -"We have not used this force yet," said Barbicane, "it is true, but we -will do so." - -"When?" asked Michel. - -"When the time comes. Observe, my friends, that in the position occupied -by the projectile, an oblique position with regard to the lunar disc, -our rockets, in slightly altering its direction, might turn it from the -moon instead of drawing it nearer?" - -"Just so," replied Michel. - -"Let us wait, then. By some inexplicable influence, the projectile is -turning its base towards the earth. It is probable that at the point -of equal attraction, its conical cap will be directed rigidly towards -the moon; at that moment we may hope that its speed will be _nil_; then -will be the moment to act, and with the influence of our rockets we may -perhaps provoke a fall directly on the surface of the lunar disc." - -"Bravo!" said Michel. "What we did not do, what we could not do on our -first passage at the dead point, because the projectile was then endowed -with too great a speed." - -"Very well reasoned," said Nicholl. - -"Let us wait patiently," continued Barbicane. "Putting every chance on -our side, and after having so much despaired, I may say I think that we -shall gain our end." - -This conclusion was a signal for Michel Ardan's hips and hurrahs. And -none of the audacious boobies remembered the question that they themselves -had solved in the negative. No! the moon is not inhabited; no! the moon -is probably not habitable. And yet they were going to try every thing to -reach her. - -One single question remained to be solved. At what precise moment the -projectile would reach the point of equal attraction, on which the -travellers must play their last card. In order to calculate this to -within a few seconds, Barbicane had only to refer to his notes, and -to reckon the different heights taken on the lunar parallels. Thus the -time necessary to travel over the distance between the dead point and -the south pole would be equal to the distance separating the north pole -from the dead point. The hours representing the time travelled over -were carefully noted, and the calculation was easy. Barbicane found that -this point would be reached at one in the morning on the night of the -7th--8th of December. So that, if nothing interfered with its course, -it would reach the given point in twenty-two hours. - -The rockets had primarily been placed to check the fall of the projectile -upon the moon, and now they were going to employ them for a directly -contrary purpose. In any case they were ready, and they had only to wait -for the moment to set fire to them. - -"Since there is nothing else to be done," said Nicholl, "I make a -proposition." - -"What is it?" asked Barbicane. - -"I propose to go to sleep." - -"What a motion!" exclaimed Michel Ardan. - -"It is forty hours since we closed our eyes," said Nicholl. "Some hours -of sleep will restore our strength." - - -Illustration: "THESE PRACTICAL PEOPLE HAVE SOMETIMES MOST - OPPORTUNE IDEAS." - - -"Never," interrupted Michel. - -"Well," continued Nicholl, "every one to his taste; I shall go to sleep." -And stretching himself on the divan, he soon snored like a forty-eight -pounder. - -"That Nicholl has a good deal of sense," said Barbicane, "presently I -shall follow his example." Some moments after his continued base supported -the captain's barytone. - -"Certainly," said Michel Ardan, finding himself alone, "these practical -people have sometimes most opportune ideas." - -And with his long legs stretched out, and his great arms folded under -his head, Michel slept in his turn. - -But this sleep could be neither peaceful nor lasting, the minds of these -three men were too much occupied, and some hours after, about seven in -the morning, all three were on foot at the same instant. - -The projectile was still leaving the moon, and turning its conical part -more and more towards her. - -An explicable phenomenon, but one which happily served Barbicane's ends. - -Seventeen hours more, and the moment for action would have arrived. - -The day seemed long. However bold the travellers might be, they were -greatly impressed by the approach of that moment which would decide -all--either precipitate their fall on to the moon, or for ever chain -them in an immutable orbit. They counted the hours as they passed too -slow for their wish; Barbicane and Nicholl were obstinately plunged in -their calculations, Michel going and coming between the narrow walls, -and watching that impassive moon with a longing eye. - -At times recollections of the earth crossed their minds. They saw once -more their friends of the Gun Club, and the dearest of all, J. T. Maston. -At that moment, the honourable secretary must be filling his post on -the Rocky Mountains. If he could see the projectile through the glass of -his gigantic telescope, what would he think? After seeing it disappear -behind the moon's south pole, he would see them reappear by the north -pole! They must therefore be a satellite of a satellite! Had J. T. Maston -given this unexpected news to the world? Was this the denouement of this -great enterprise? - -But the day passed without incident. The terrestrial midnight arrived. -The 8th of December was beginning. One hour more, and the point of equal -attraction would be reached. What speed would then animate the projectile? -They could not estimate it. But no error could vitiate Barbicane's -calculations. At one in the morning this speed ought to be and would be -_nil._ - -Besides, another phenomenon would mark the projectile's stopping-point on -the neutral line. At that spot the two attractions, lunar and terrestrial, -would be annulled. Objects would "weigh" no more. This singular fact, -which had surprised Barbicane and his companions so much in going, would -be repeated on their return under the very same conditions. At this -precise moment they must act. - -Already the projectile's conical top was sensibly turned towards the -lunar disc, presented in such a way as to utilize the whole of the recoil -produced by the pressure of the rocket apparatus. The chances were in -favour of the travellers. If its speed was utterly annulled on this dead -point, a decided movement towards the moon would suffice, however slight, -to determine its fall. - -"Five minutes to one," said Nicholl. - -"All is ready," replied Michel Ardan, directing a lighted match to the -flame of the gas. - -"Wait!" said Barbicane, holding his chronometer in his hand. - -At that moment weight had no effect. The travellers felt in themselves -the entire disappearance of it. They were very near the neutral point, -if they did not touch it. - -"One o'clock," said Barbicane. - -Michel Ardan applied the lighted match to a train in communication with -the rockets. No detonation was heard in the inside, for there was no air. -But, through the scuttles Barbicane saw a prolonged smoke, the flames of -which were immediately extinguished. - - -Illustration: ARDEN APPLIED THE LIGHTED MATCH. - - -The projectile sustained a certain shock, which was sensibly felt in the -interior. - -The three friends looked and listened without speaking, and scarcely -breathing. One might have heard the beating of their hearts amidst this -perfect silence. - -"Are we falling?" asked Michel Ardan, at length. - -"No," said Nicholl, "since the bottom of the projectile is not turning -to the lunar disc!" - -At this moment, Barbicane, quitting the scuttle, turned to his two -companions. He was frightfully pale, his forehead wrinkled, and his lips -contracted. - -"We are falling!" said he. - -"Ah!" cried Michel Ardan, "on to the moon?" - -"On to the earth!" - -"The devil!" exclaimed Michel Ardan, adding philosophically, "well, when -we came into this projectile we were very doubtful as to the ease with -which we should get out of it!" - -And now this fearful fall had begun. The speed retained had borne the -projectile beyond the dead point. The explosion of the rockets could not -divert its course. This speed in going had carried it over the neutral -line, and in returning had done the same thing. The laws of physics -condemned _it to pass through every point which it had already gone -through_. It was a terrible fall, from a height of 160,000 miles, and no -springs to break it. According to the laws of gunnery, the projectile -must strike the earth with a speed equal to that with which it left the -mouth of the Columbiad, a speed of 16,000 yards in the last second. - -But to give some figures of comparison, it has been reckoned that an -object thrown from the top of the towers of Notre Dame, the height of -which is only 200 feet, will arrive on the pavement at a speed of 240 -miles per hour. Here the projectile must strike the earth with a speed -of 115,200 miles per hour. - -"We are lost!" said Michel coolly. - -"Very well! if we die," answered Barbicane, with a sort of religious -enthusiasm, "the result of our travels will be magnificently spread. -It is His own secret that God will tell us! In the other life the soul -will want to know nothing, either of machines or engines! It will be -identified with eternal wisdom!" - -"In fact," interrupted Michel Ardan, "the whole of the other world may -well console us for the loss of that inferior orb called the moon!" - -Barbicane crossed his arms on his breast, with a motion of sublime -resignation, saying at the same time,-- - -"The will of heaven be done!" - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - THE SOUNDINGS OF THE "SUSQUEHANNA." - - -"Well, lieutenant, and our soundings?" - -"I think, sir, that the operation is nearing its completion," replied -Lieutenant Bronsfield. "But who would have thought of finding such a -depth so near in shore, and only 200 miles from the American coast?" - -"Certainly, Bronsfield, there is a great depression," said Captain -Blomsberry. "In this spot there is a submarine valley worn by Humboldt's -current, which skirts the coast of America as far as the Straits of -Magellan." - -"These great depths," continued the lieutenant, "are not favourable for -laying telegraphic cables. A level bottom, like that supporting the -American cable between Valentia and Newfoundland, is much better." - -"I agree with you, Bronsfield. With your permission, lieutenant, where -are we now?" - -"Sir, at this moment we have 3508 fathoms of line out, and the ball which -draws the sounding lead has not yet touched the bottom; for if so, it -would have come up of itself." - -"Brook's apparatus is very ingenious," said Captain Blomsberry; "it gives -us very exact soundings." - -"Touch!" cried at this moment one of the men at the fore-wheel, who was -superintending the operation. - -The captain and the lieutenant mounted the quarter-deck. "What depth have -we?" asked the captain. - -"Three thousand six hundred and twenty-seven fathoms," replied the -lieutenant, entering it in his note-book. - -"Well, Bronsfield," said the captain, "I will take down the result. Now -haul in the sounding line. It will be the work of some hours. In that time -the engineer can light the furnaces, and we shall be ready to start as -soon as you have finished. It is ten o'clock, and with your permission, -lieutenant, I will turn in." - -"Do so, sir; do so!" replied the lieutenant obligingly. - -The captain of the "Susquehanna," as brave a man as need be, and the -humble servant of his officers, returned to his cabin, took a brandy-grog, -which earned for the steward no end of praise, and turned in, not without -having complimented his servant upon his making beds, and slept a peaceful -sleep. - -It was then ten at night. The eleventh day of the month of December was -drawing to a close in a magnificent night. - -The "Susquehanna," a corvette of 500 horse-power, of the United States' -navy, was occupied in taking soundings in the Pacific Ocean about -200 miles off the American coast, following that long peninsula which -stretches down the coast of New Mexico. - -The wind had dropped by degrees. There was no disturbance in the air. -Their pennant hung motionless from the maintop-gallant-mast truck. - -Captain Jonathan Blomsberry (cousin-german of Colonel Blomsberry, one of -the most ardent supporters of the Gun Club, who had married an aunt of -the captain and daughter of an honourable Kentucky merchant,)--Captain -Blomsberry could not have wished for finer weather in which to bring to -a close his delicate operations of sounding. His corvette had not even -felt the great tempest, which by sweeping away the groups of clouds on -the Rocky Mountains, had allowed them to observe the course of the famous -projectile. - -Everything went well, and with all the fervour of a Presbyterian, he did -not forget to thank heaven for it. The series of soundings taken by the -"Susquehanna," had for its aim the finding of a favourable spot for the -laying of a submarine cable to connect the Hawaiian Islands with the -coast of America. - - -Illustration: "I FANCY I SEE THEM." - - -It was a great undertaking, due to the instigation of a powerful company. -Its managing director, the intelligent Cyrus Field, purposed even covering -all the islands of Oceania with a vast electrical network, an immense -enterprise, and one worthy of American genius. - -To the corvette Susquehanna had been confided the first operations of -sounding. It was on the night of the 11th--12th of December, she was in -exactly 27 deg. 7' north lat., and 41 deg. 37' west long., on the meridian -of Washington. - -The moon, then in her last quarter, was beginning to rise above the -horizon. - -After the departure of Captain Blomsberry, the lieutenant and some -officers were standing together on the poop. On the appearance of -the moon, their thoughts turned to that orb which the eyes of a whole -hemisphere were contemplating. The best naval glasses could not have -discovered the projectile wandering around its hemisphere, and yet all -were pointed towards that brilliant disc which millions of eyes were -looking at at the same moment. - -"They have been gone ten days," said Lieutenant Bronsfield at last. "What -has become of them?" - -"They have arrived, lieutenant," exclaimed a young midshipman, "and -they are doing what all travellers do when they arrive in a new country, -taking a walk!" - -"Oh! I am sure of that, if you tell me so, my young friend," said -Lieutenant Bronsfield, smiling. - -"But," continued another officer, "their arrival cannot be doubted. -The projectile was to reach the moon when full on the 5th at midnight. -We are now at the 11th of December, which makes six days. And in six -times twenty-four hours, without darkness, one would have time to settle -comfortably. I fancy I see my brave countrymen encamped at the bottom of -some valley, on the borders of a Selenite stream, near a projectile half -buried by its fall amidst volcanic rubbish, Captain Nicholl beginning -his levelling operations, President Barbicane writing out his notes, and -Michel Ardan embalming the lunar solitudes with the perfume of his--" - -"Yes! it must be so, it is so!" exclaimed the young midshipman, worked -up to a pitch of enthusiasm by this ideal description of his superior -officer. - -"I should like to believe it," replied the lieutenant, who was quite -unmoved. "Unfortunately direct news from the lunar world is still -wanting." - -"Beg pardon, lieutenant," said the midshipman, "but cannot President -Barbicane write?" - -A burst of laughter greeted this answer. - -"No letters!" continued the young man quickly. "The postal administration -has something to see to there." - -"Might it not be the telegraphic service that is at fault?" asked one of -the officers ironically. - -"Not necessarily," replied the midshipman, not at all confused. "But it -is very easy to set up a graphic communication with the earth." - -"And how?" - -"By means of the telescope at Long's Peak. You know it brings the moon -to within four miles of the Rocky Mountains, and that it shows objects on -its surface of only nine feet in diameter. Very well; let our industrious -friends construct a gigantic alphabet; let them write words three fathoms -long, and sentences three miles long, and then they can send us news of -themselves?" - -The young midshipman, who had a certain amount of imagination, was loudly -applauded; Lieutenant Bronsfield allowing that the idea was possible, -but observing that if by these means they could _receive_ news from the -lunar world they could not send any from the terrestrial, unless the -Selenites had instruments fit for taking distant observations at their -disposal. - -"Evidently," said one of the officers; "but what has become of the -travellers? what they have done, what they have seen, that above all -must interest us. Besides, if the experiment has succeeded (which I do -not doubt), they will try it again. The Columbiad is still sunk in the -soil of Florida. It is now only a question of powder and shot; and every -time the moon is at her zenith a cargo of visitors may be sent to her." - -"It is clear," replied Lieutenant Bronsfield, "that J. T. Maston will -one day join his friends." - -"If he will have me," cried the midshipman, "I am ready!" - -"Oh! volunteers will not be wanting," answered Bronsfield; "and if it -were allowed, half of the earth's inhabitants would emigrate to the -moon!" - -This conversation between the officers of the Susquehanna was kept up -until nearly one in the morning. We cannot say what blundering systems -were broached, what inconsistent theories advanced by these bold spirits. -Since Barbicane's attempt, nothing seemed impossible to the Americans. -They had already designed an expedition, not only of savants, but of a -whole colony towards the Selenite borders, and a complete army, consisting -of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, to conquer the lunar world. - -At one in the morning, the hauling in of the sounding-line was not yet -completed; 1670 fathoms were still out, which would entail some hours' -work. According to the commander's orders, the fires had been lighted, -and steam was being got up. The Susquehanna could have started that very -instant. - -At that moment (it was seventeen minutes past one in the morning) -Lieutenant Bronsfield was preparing to leave the watch and return to his -cabin, when his attention was attracted by a distant hissing noise. His -comrades and himself first thought that this hissing was caused by the -letting off of steam; but lifting their heads, they found that the noise -was produced in the highest regions of the air. They had not time to -question each other before the hissing became frightfully intense, and -suddenly there appeared to their dazzled eyes an enormous meteor, ignited -by the rapidity of its course and its friction through the atmospheric -strata. - -This fiery mass grew larger to their eyes, and fell, with the noise -of thunder, upon the bowsprit, which it smashed close to the stem, and -buried itself in the waves with a deafening roar! - -A few feet nearer, and the Susquehanna would have foundered with all on -board! - -At this instant Captain Blomsberry appeared, half dressed, and rushing on -to the forecastle-deck, whither all the officers had hurried, exclaimed, -"With your permission, gentlemen, what has happened?" - -And the midshipman, making himself as it were the echo of the body, -cried, "Commander, it is 'they' come back again!" - - -Illustration: A FEW FEET NEARER. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - J. T. MASTON RECALLED. - - -"It is 'they' come back again!" the young midshipman had said; and -every one had understood him. No one doubted but that that meteor was -the projectile of the Gun Club. As to the travellers which it enclosed, -opinions were divided regarding their fate. - -"They are dead!" said one. - -"They are alive!" said another; "the crater is deep, and the shock was -deadened." - -"But they must have wanted air," continued a third speaker; "they must -have died of suffocation." - -"Burnt!" replied a fourth; "the projectile was nothing but an incandescent -mass as it crossed the atmosphere." - -"What does it matter!" they exclaimed unanimously; "living or dead, we -must pull them out!" - -But Captain Blomsberry had assembled his officers, and "with their -permission," was holding a council. They must decide upon something -to be done immediately. The more hasty ones were for fishing up the -projectile. A difficult operation, though not an impossible one. But the -corvette had no proper machinery, which must be both fixed and powerful; -so it was resolved that they should put in at the nearest port, and give -information to the Gun Club of the projectile's fall. - -This determination was unanimous. The choice of the port had to be -discussed. The neighbouring coast had no anchorage on 27 deg. lat. Higher -up, above the peninsula of Monterey, stands the important town from which -it takes its name; but, seated on the borders of a perfect desert, it -was not connected with the interior by a network of telegraphic wires, -and electricity alone could spread these important news fast enough. - -Some degrees above opened the bay of San Francisco. Through the capital -of the gold country communication would be easy with the heart of the -Union. And in less than two days the "Susquehanna," by putting on high -pressure, could arrive in that port. She must therefore start at once. - -The fires were made up; they could set off immediately. Two thousand -fathoms of line were still out, which Captain Blomsberry, not wishing to -lose precious time in hauling in, resolved to cut. - -"We will fasten the end to a buoy," said he, "and that buoy will show us -the exact spot where the projectile fell." - -"Besides," replied Lieutenant Bronsfield, "we have our situation -exact--27 deg. 7' north lat. and 41 deg. 37' west long." - -"Well, Mr. Bronsfield," replied the captain, "now, with your permission, -we will have the line cut." - -A strong buoy, strengthened by a couple of spars, was thrown into the -ocean. The end of the rope was carefully lashed to it; and, left solely -to the rise and fall of the billows, the buoy would not sensibly deviate -from the spot. - -At this moment the engineer sent to inform the captain that steam was -up and they could start, for which agreeable communication the captain -thanked him. The course was then given north-north-east, and the corvette, -wearing, steered at full steam direct for San Francisco. It was three in -the morning. - -Four hundred and fifty miles to cross; it was nothing for a good vessel -like the "Susquehanna." In thirty-six hours she had covered that distance; -and on the 14th of December, at twenty-seven minutes past one at night, -she entered the bay of San Francisco. - -At the sight of a ship of the national navy arriving at full speed, with -her bowsprit broken, public curiosity was greatly roused. A dense crowd -soon assembled on the quay, waiting for them to disembark. - -After casting anchor, Captain Blomsberry and Lieutenant Bronsfield -entered an eight-oared cutter, which soon brought them to land. - -They jumped on to the quay. - -"The telegraph?" they asked, without answering one of the thousand -questions addressed to them. - -The officer of the port conducted them to the telegraph-office through -a concourse of spectators. Blomsberry and Bronsfield entered, while the -crowd crushed each other at the door. - -Some minutes later a fourfold telegram was sent out--the first to the -Naval Secretary at Washington; the second to the Vice-President of the Gun -Club, Baltimore; the third to the Hon. J. T. Maston, Long's Peak, Rocky -Mountains; the fourth to the Sub-Director of the Cambridge Observatory, -Massachusetts. - -It was worded as follows:-- - - - "In 20 deg. 7' north lat., and 41 deg. 37' west long., on the 12th of - December, at 17 past one in the morning, the projectile of the - Columbiad fell into the Pacific. Send instructions.--Blomsberry, - Commander 'Susquehanna.'" - - -Five minutes afterwards the whole town of San Francisco learned the news. -Before six in the evening the different States of the Union had heard -the great catastrophe; and after midnight, by the cable, the whole of -Europe knew the result of the great American experiment. - -We will not attempt to picture the effect produced on the entire world -by that unexpected denouement. - -On receipt of the telegram the Naval Secretary telegraphed to the -Susquehanna to wait in the bay of San Francisco without extinguishing -her fires. Day and night she must be ready to put to sea. - -The Cambridge Observatory called a special meeting; and, with that -composure which distinguishes learned bodies in general, peacefully -discussed the scientific bearings of the question. At the Gun Club there -was an explosion. All the gunners were assembled. Vice-President the -Hon. Wilcome was in the act of reading the premature despatch, in which -J. T. Maston and Belfast announced that the projectile had just been -seen in the gigantic reflector of Long's Peak, and also that it was held -by lunar attraction, and was playing the part of under satellite to the -lunar world. - -We know the truth on that point. - -But on the arrival of Blomsberry's despatch, so decidedly contradicting -J. T. Maston's telegram, two parties were formed in the bosom of the Gun -Club. On one side were those who admitted the fall of the projectile, and -consequently the return of the travellers; on the other, those who believed -in the observations of Long's Peak, concluded that the commander of the -Susquehanna had made a mistake. To the latter the pretended projectile -was nothing but a meteor! nothing but a meteor, a shooting globe, which -in its fall had smashed the bows of the corvette. It was difficult to -answer this argument, for the speed with which it was animated must have -made observation very difficult. The commander of the Susquehanna and -her officers might have made a mistake in all good faith; one argument -however, was in their favour, namely, that if the projectile had fallen -on the earth, its place of meeting with the terrestrial globe could only -take place on this 27 deg. north lat., and (taking into consideration the -time that had elapsed, and the rotary motion of the earth) between the -forty-first and the forty-second degree of west longitude. In any case, -it was decided in the Gun Club that Blomsberry brothers, Bilsby, and -Major Elphinstone should go straight to San Francisco, and consult as to -the means of raising the projectile from the depths of the ocean. - -These devoted men set off at once; and the railroad, which will soon -cross the whole of central America, took them as far as St. Louis, where -the swift mail-coaches awaited them. Almost at the same moment in which -the Secretary of Marine, the Vice-President of the Gun Club, and the -Sub-Director of the Observatory received the despatch from San Francisco, -the Honourable J. T. Maston was undergoing the greatest excitement he -had ever experienced in his life, an excitement which even the bursting -of his pet gun, which had more than once nearly cost him his life, had -not caused him. We may remember that the Secretary of the Gun Club had -started soon after the projectile (and almost as quickly) for the station -in Long's Peak, in the Rocky Mountains, J. Belfast, Director of the -Cambridge Observatory, accompanying him. Arrived there, the two friends -had installed themselves at once, never quitting the summit of their -enormous telescope. We know that this gigantic instrument had been set up -according to the reflecting system, called by the English "front view." -This arrangement subjected all objects to but one reflection, making -the view consequently much clearer; the result was that, when they were -taking observations, J. T. Maston and Belfast were placed in the upper -part of the instrument and not in the lower, which they reached by a -circular staircase, a masterpiece of lightness, while below them opened -a metal well terminated by the metallic mirror, which measured 280 feet -in depth. - -It was on a narrow platform placed above the telescope that the two -savants passed their existence, execrating the day which hid the moon -from their eyes, and the clouds which obstinately veiled her during the -night. - -What, then, was their delight when, after some days of waiting, on the -night of the 5th of December, they saw the vehicle which was bearing their -friends into space! To this delight succeeded a great deception, when, -trusting to a cursory observation, they launched their first telegram -to the world, erroneously affirming that the projectile had become a -satellite of the moon, gravitating in an immutable orbit. - -From that moment it had never shown itself to their eyes--a disappearance -all the more easily explained, as it was then passing behind the moon's -invisible disc; but when it was time for it to reappear on the visible -disc, one may imagine the impatience of the fuming J. T. Maston and his -not less impatient companion. Each minute of the night they thought they -saw the projectile once more, and they did not see it. Hence constant -discussions and violent disputes between them, Belfast affirming that -the projectile could not be seen, J. T. Maston maintaining that "it had -put his eyes out." - -"It is the projectile!" repeated J. T. Maston. - -"No," answered Belfast; "it is an avalanche detached from a lunar -mountain." - -"Well, we shall see it to-morrow." - -"No, we shall not see it any more. It is carried into space." - -"Yes!" - -"No!" - -And at these moments, when contradictions rained like hail, the well-known -irritability of the Secretary of the Gun Club constituted a permanent -danger for the Honorable Belfast. The existence of these two together -would soon have become impossible; but an unforeseen event cut short -their everlasting discussions. - -During the night, from the 14th to the 15th of December, the two -irreconcilable friends were busy observing the lunar disc, J. T. Maston -abusing the learned Belfast as usual, who was by his side; the Secretary -of the Gun Club maintaining for the thousandth time that he had just seen -the projectile, and adding that he could see Michel Ardan's face looking -through one of the scuttles, at the same time enforcing his argument by -a series of gestures which his formidable hook rendered very unpleasant. - -At this moment Belfast's servant appeared on the platform (it was -ten at night) and gave him a despatch. It was the commander of the -"Susquehanna's" telegram. - -Belfast tore the envelope and read, and uttered a cry. - -"What!" said J. T. Maston. - - -Illustration: THE UNFORTUNATE MAN HAD DISAPPEARED. - - -"The projectile!" - -"Well!" - -"Has fallen to the earth!" - -Another cry, this time a perfect howl, answered him. He turned towards J. -T. Maston. The unfortunate man, imprudently leaning over the metal tube, -had disappeared in the immense telescope. A fall of 280 feet! Belfast, -dismayed, rushed to the orifice of the reflector. - -He breathed. J. T. Maston, caught by his metal hook was holding on by -one of the rings which bound the telescope together, uttering fearful -cries. - -Belfast called. Help was brought, tackle was let down, and they hoisted -up, not without some trouble, the imprudent Secretary of the Gun Club. - -He reappeared at the upper orifice without hurt. - -"Ah!" said he, "if I had broken the mirror?" - -"You would have paid for it," replied Belfast severely. - -"And that cursed projectile has fallen?" asked J. T. Maston. - -"Into the Pacific!" - -"Let us go!" - -A quarter of an hour after the two savants were descending the declivity -of the Rocky Mountains; and two days after, at the same time as their -friends of the Gun Club, they arrived at San Francisco, having killed -five horses on the road. - -Elphinstone, the brothers Blomsberry, and Bilsby rushed towards them on -their arrival. - -"What shall we do?" they exclaimed. - -"Fish up the projectile," replied J. T. Maston, "and the sooner the -better." - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - RECOVERED FROM THE SEA. - - -The spot where the projectile sank under the waves was exactly known; -but machinery to grasp it and bring it to the surface of the ocean was -still wanting. It must first be invented, then made. American engineers -could not be troubled with such trifles. The grappling-irons once fixed, -by their help they were sure to raise it in spite of its weight, which -was lessened by the density of the liquid in which it was plunged. - -But fishing-up the projectile was not the only thing to be thought of. -They must act promptly in the interest of the travellers. No one doubted -that they were still living. - -"Yes," repeated J. T. Maston incessantly, whose confidence gained over -everybody, "our friends are clever people, and they cannot have fallen -like simpletons. They are alive, quite alive; but we must make haste if -we wish to find them so. Food and water do not trouble me; they have -enough for a long while. But air, air, that is what they will soon want; -so quick, quick!" - -And they did go quick. They fitted up the Susquehanna for her new -destination. Her powerful machinery was brought to bear upon the -hauling-chains. The aluminium projectile only weighed 19,250 lbs., a -weight very inferior to that of the transatlantic cable which had been -drawn up under similar conditions. The only difficulty was in fishing-up -a cylindro-conical projectile, the walls of which were so smooth as to -offer no hold for the hooks. On that account Engineer Murchison hastened -to San Francisco, and had some enormous grappling-irons fixed on an -automatic system, which would never let the projectile go if it once -succeeded in seizing it in its powerful claws. Diving-dresses were also -prepared, which through this impervious covering allowed the divers to -observe the bottom of the sea. He also had put on board an apparatus -of compressed air very cleverly designed. There were perfect chambers -pierced with scuttles, which, with water let into certain compartments, -could draw it down into great depths. These apparatuses were at San -Francisco, where they had been used in the construction of a submarine -breakwater; and very fortunately it was so, for there was no time to -construct any. But in spite of the perfection of the machinery, in spite -of the ingenuity of the savants entrusted with the use of them, the -success of the operation was far from being certain. How great were the -chances against them, the projectile being 20,000 feet under the water! -And if even it was brought to the surface, how would the travellers -have borne the terrible shock which 20,000 feet of water had perhaps -not sufficiently broken? At any rate they must act quickly. J. T. Maston -hurried the workmen day and night. He was ready to don the diving-dress -himself, or try the air apparatus, in order to reconnoitre the situation -of his courageous friends. - -But in spite of all diligence displayed in preparing the different -engines, in spite of the considerable sum placed at the disposal of -the Gun Club by the Government of the Union, five long days (five -centuries!) elapsed before the preparations were complete. During this -time public opinion was excited to the highest pitch. Telegrams were -exchanged incessantly throughout the entire world by means of wires and -electric cables. The saving of Barbicane, Nicholl, and Michel Ardan was -an international affair. Every one who had subscribed to the Gun Club -was directly interested in the welfare of the travellers. - -At length the hauling-chains, the air-chambers, and the automatic -grappling-irons were put on board. J. T. Maston, Engineer Murchison, and -the delegates of the Gun Club, were already in their cabins. They had -but to start, which they did on the 21st of December, at eight o'clock -at night, the corvette meeting with a beautiful sea, a north-easterly -wind, and rather sharp cold. The whole population of San Francisco was -gathered on the quay, greatly excited but silent, reserving their hurrahs -for the return. Steam was fully up, and the screw of the Susquehanna -carried them briskly out of the bay. - -It is needless to relate the conversations on board between the officers, -sailors, and passengers. All these men had but one thought. All these -hearts beat under the same emotion. Whilst they were hastening to help -them, what were Barbicane and his companions doing? What had become -of them? Were they able to attempt any bold maneuver to regain their -liberty? None could say. The truth is that every attempt must have -failed! Immersed nearly four miles under the ocean, this metal prison -defied every effort of its prisoners. - -On the 23rd inst., at eight in the morning, after a rapid passage, the -Susquehanna was due at the fatal spot. They must wait till twelve to -take the reckoning exactly. The buoy to which the sounding line had been -lashed had not yet been recognized. - -At twelve, Captain Blomsberry, assisted by his officers who superintended -the observations, took the reckoning in the presence of the delegates of -the Gun Club. Then there was a moment of anxiety. Her position decided, -the Susquehanna was found to be some minutes to westward of the spot -where the projectile had disappeared beneath the waves. - -The ship's course was then changed so as to reach this exact point. - -At forty-seven minutes past twelve they reached the buoy, it was in -perfect condition, and must have shifted but little. - -"At last!" exclaimed J. T. Maston. - -"Shall we begin?" asked Captain Blomsberry. - -"Without losing a second." - - -Illustration: THE DESCENT BEGAN. - - -Every precaution was taken to keep the corvette almost completely -motionless. Before trying to seize the projectile, Engineer Murchison -wanted to find its exact position at the bottom of the ocean. The -submarine apparatus destined for this expedition was supplied with air. -The working of these engines was not without danger, for at 20,000 feet -below the surface of the water, and under such great pressure, they were -exposed to fracture, the consequences of which would be dreadful. - -J. T. Maston, the Brothers Blomsberry, and Engineer Murchison, without -heeding these dangers, took their places in the air-chamber. The -commander, posted on his bridge, superintended the operation, ready to -stop or haul in the chains on the slightest signal. The screw had been -shipped, and the whole power of the machinery collected on the capstan -would have quickly drawn the apparatus on board. The descent began at -twenty-five minutes past one at night, and the chamber, drawn under by -the reservoirs full of water, disappeared from the surface of the ocean. - -The emotion of the officers and sailors on board was now divided between -the prisoners in the projectile and the prisoners in the submarine -apparatus. As to the latter, they forgot themselves, and, glued to the -windows of the scuttles, attentively watched the liquid mass through -which they were passing. - -The descent was rapid. At seventeen minutes past two, J. T. Maston -and his companions had reached the bottom of the Pacific; but they saw -nothing but an arid desert, no longer animated by either fauna or flora. -By the light of their lamps, furnished with powerful reflectors, they -could see the dark beds of the ocean for a considerable extent of view, -but the projectile was nowhere to be seen. - -The impatience of these bold divers cannot be described, and having an -electrical communication with the corvette, they made a signal already -agreed upon, and for the space of a mile the Susquehanna moved their -chamber along some yards above the bottom. - -Thus they explored the whole submarine plain, deceived at every turn by -optical illusions which almost broke their hearts. Here a rock, there a -projection from the ground, seemed to be the much-sought-for projectile; -but their mistake was soon discovered, and then they were in despair. - -"But where are they? where are they?" cried J. T. Maston. And the poor -man called loudly upon Nicholl, Barbicane, and Michel Ardan, as if his -unfortunate friends could either hear or answer him through such an -impenetrable medium! The search continued under these conditions until -the vitiated air compelled the divers to ascend. - -The hauling in began about six in the evening, and was not ended before -midnight. - -"To-morrow," said J. T. Maston, as he set foot on the bridge of the -corvette. - -"Yes," answered Captain Blomsberry. - -"And on another spot?" - -"Yes." - -J. T. Maston did not doubt of their final success, but his companions, -no longer upheld by the excitement of the first hours, understood all -the difficulty of the enterprise. What seemed easy at San Francisco, -seemed here in the wide ocean almost impossible. The chances of success -diminished in rapid proportion; and it was from chance alone that the -meeting with the projectile might be expected. - -The next day, the 24th, in spite of the fatigue of the previous day, the -operation was renewed. The corvette advanced some minutes to westward, -and the apparatus, provided with air, bore the same explorers to the -depths of the ocean. - -The whole day passed in fruitless research; the bed of the sea was a -desert. The 25th brought no other result, nor the 26th. - -It was disheartening. They thought of those unfortunates shut up in -the projectile for twenty-six days. Perhaps at that moment they were -experiencing the first approach of suffocation; that is, if they had -escaped the dangers of their fall. The air was spent, and doubtless with -the air all their _morale_. - -"The air, possibly," answered J. T. Maston resolutely, "but their _morale_ -never!" - -On the 28th, after two more days of search, all hope was gone. This -projectile was but an atom in the immensity of the ocean. They must give -up all idea of finding it. - -But J. T. Maston would not hear of going away. He would not abandon the -place without at least discovering the tomb of his friends. But Commander -Blomsberry could no longer persist, and in spite of the exclamations of -the worthy Secretary, was obliged to give the order to sail. - -On the 29th of December, at nine a.m., the "Susquehanna," heading N.E., -resumed her course to the bay of San Francisco. - -It was ten in the morning; the corvette was under half steam, as if -regretting to leave the spot where the catastrophe had taken place, when -a sailor, perched on the maintop gallant crosstrees, watching the sea, -cried suddenly,-- - -"A buoy on the lee bow!" - -The officers looked in the direction indicated, and by the help of -their glasses saw that the object signalled had the appearance of one -of those buoys which are used to mark the passages of bays or rivers. -But, singularly to say, a flag floating on the wind surmounted its cone, -which emerged five or six feet out of water. This buoy shone under the -rays of the sun as if it had been made of plates of silver. Commander -Blomsberry, J. T. Maston, and the delegates of the Gun Club were mounted -on the bridge, examining this object straying at random on -the waves. - -All looked with feverish anxiety, but in silence. None dared give -expression to the thoughts which came to the minds of all. - -The corvette approached to within two cables' lengths of the object. - -A shudder ran through the whole crew. That flag was the American flag! - -At this moment a perfect howling was heard; it was the brave J. T. Maston -who had just fallen all in a heap. Forgetting on the one hand that his -right arm had been replaced by an iron hook, and on the other that a -simple gutta-percha cap covered his brain-box, he had given himself a -formidable blow. - -They hurried towards him, picked him up, restored him to life. And what -were his first words? - -"Ah! trebly brutes! quadruply idiots! quintuply boobies that we are!" - -"What is it?" exclaimed every one around him. - -"What is it?" - -"Come, speak!" - -"It is, simpletons," howled the terrible Secretary, "it is that the -projectile only weighs 19,250 lbs.!" - -"Well?" - -"And that it displaces twenty-eight tons, or in other words 56,000 lbs., -and that consequently _it floats!_" - -Ah! what stress the worthy man laid on the verb "float!" And it was -true! All, yes! all these savants had forgotten this fundamental law, -namely, that on account of its specific lightness, the projectile, after -having been drawn by its fall to the greatest depths of the ocean, must -naturally return to the surface. And now it was floating quietly at the -mercy of the waves. - -The boats were put to sea. J. T. Maston and his friends had rushed into -them! Excitement was at its height! Every heart beat loudly whilst they -advanced to the projectile. What did it contain? Living or dead? Living, -yes! living, at least unless death had struck Barbicane and his two -friends since they had hoisted the flag. Profound silence reigned on -the boats. All were breathless. Eyes no longer saw. One of the scuttles -of the projectile was open. Some pieces of glass remained in the frame, -showing that it had been broken. This scuttle was actually five feet -above the water. - -A boat came alongside, that of J. T. Maston, and J. T. Maston rushed to -the broken window. - -At that moment they heard a clear and merry voice, the voice of Michel -Ardan, exclaiming in an accent of triumph,-- - -"White all, Barbicane, white all!" - -Barbicane, Michel Ardan, and Nicholl were playing at dominoes! - - -Illustration: WHITE ALL BARBICANE. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - THE END - - -We may remember the intense sympathy which had accompanied the travellers -on their departure. If at the beginning of the enterprise they had excited -such emotion both in the old and new world, with what enthusiasm would -they be received on their return! The millions of spectators which had -beset the peninsula of Florida, would they not rush to meet these sublime -adventurers? Those legions of strangers, hurrying from all parts of the -globe towards the American shores, would they leave the Union without -having seen Barbicane, Nicholl, and Michel Ardan? No! and the ardent -passion of the public was bound to respond worthily to the greatness of -the enterprise. Human creatures who had left the terrestrial sphere, and -returned after this strange voyage into celestial space, could not fail -to be received as the prophet Elias would be if he came back to earth. To -see them first, and then to hear them, such was the universal longing. - -Barbicane, Michel Ardan, Nicholl, and the delegates of the Gun Club, -returning without delay to Baltimore, were received with indescribable -enthusiasm. The notes of President Barbicane's voyage were ready to be -given to the public. The _New York Herald_ bought the manuscript at a -price not yet known, but which must have been very high. Indeed, during -the publication of "A Journey to the Moon," the sale of this paper -amounted to five millions of copies. Three days after the return of -the travellers to the earth, the slightest detail of their expedition -was known. There remained nothing more but to see the heroes of this -superhuman enterprise. - -The expedition of Barbicane and his friends round the moon had enabled -them to correct the many admitted theories regarding the terrestrial -satellite. These savants had observed _de visu_, and under particular -circumstances. They knew what systems should be rejected, what retained -with regard to the formation of that orb, its origin, its habitability. -Its past, present, and future had even given up their last secrets. Who -could advance objections against conscientious observers, who at less -than twenty-four miles distance had marked that curious mountain of -Tycho, the strangest system of lunar orography? How answer those savants -whose sight had penetrated the abyss of Pluto's circle? How contradict -those bold ones whom the chances of their enterprise had borne over that -invisible face of the disc, which no human eye until then had ever seen? -It was now their turn to impose some limit on that Selenographic science, -which had reconstructed the lunar world as Cuvier did the skeleton of a -fossil, and say, "The moon _was_ this, a habitable world, inhabited before -the earth! The moon _is_ that, a world uninhabitable, and now uninhabited." - -To celebrate the return of its most illustrious member and his two -companions, the Gun Club decided upon giving a banquet, but a banquet -worthy of the conquerors, worthy of the American people, and under such -conditions that all the inhabitants of the Union could directly take part -in it. - -All the head lines of railroads in the State were joined by flying rails; -and on all the platforms, lined with the same flags, and decorated with -the same ornaments, were tables laid and all served alike. At certain -hours, successively calculated, marked by electric clocks which beat -the seconds at the same time, the population were invited to take their -place at the banquet tables. For four days, from the 5th to the 9th of -January, the trains were stopped as they are on Sundays on the railways -of the United States, and every road was open. One engine only at full -speed, drawing a triumphal carriage, had the right of travelling for -those four days on the railroads of the United States. The engine was -manned by a driver and a stoker, and bore, by special favour, the Hon. -J. T. Maston, Secretary of the Gun Club. The carriage was reserved for -President Barbicane, Colonel Nicholl, and Michel Ardan. At the whistle -of the driver, amid the hurrahs, and all the admiring vociferations -of the American language, the train left the platform of Baltimore. It -travelled at a speed of 160 miles in the hour. But what was this speed -compared with that which had carried the three heroes from the mouth of -the Columbiad? - -Thus they sped from one town to the other, finding whole populations -at table on their road, saluting them with the same acclamations, -lavishing the same bravos! They travelled in this way through the east -of the Union, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, -and New Hampshire; the north and the west by New York, Ohio, Michigan, -and Wisconsin; returning to the south by Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, -Texas, and Louisiana; they went to the southeast by Alabama and Florida, -going up by Georgia and the Carolinas, visiting the centre by Tennessee, -Kentucky, Virginia, and Indiana, and, after quitting the Washington -station, re-entered Baltimore, where for four days one would have thought -that the United States of America were seated at one immense banquet, -saluting them simultaneously with the same hurrahs! The apotheosis was -worthy of these three heroes whom fable would have placed in the rank of -demigods. - -And now will this attempt, unprecedented in the annals of travels, lead -to any practical result? Will direct communication with the moon ever be -established? Will they ever lay the foundation of a travelling service -through the solar world? Will they go from one planet to another, from -Jupiter to Mercury, and after awhile from one star to another, from the -Polar to Sirius? Will this means of locomotion allow us to visit those -suns which swarm in the firmament? - -To such questions no answer can be given. But knowing the bold ingenuity -of the Anglo-Saxon race, no one would be astonished if the Americans seek -to make some use of President Barbicane's attempt. - - -Illustration: THE APOTHEOSIS WAS WORTHY OF THE THREE HEROES. - - -Thus, some time after the return of the travellers, the public received -with marked favour the announcement of a company, limited, with a capital -of a hundred million of dollars, divided into a hundred thousand shares -of a thousand dollars each, under the name of the "_National Company -of Interstellary Communication._" President Barbicane; Vice-president, -Captain Nicholl; Secretary, J. T. Maston; Director of Movements, Michel -Ardan. - -And as it is part of the American temperament to foresee everything in -business, even failure, the Honourable Harry Trolloppe, judge commissioner, -and Francis Drayton, magistrate, were nominated beforehand! - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - -Minor inconsistencies in the spelling of character names have been -regularized. - -The spelling of the names of historical scientists "Boeer and Moedler" -have been regularized to be consistent as possible with the author's -inconsistent spelling, which today are spelled variously but perhaps -most commonly "Beer and Moedler". - -Obvious minor typesetting errors have been silently corrected. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON, DIRECT -IN NINETY-SEVEN HOURS AND TWENTY MINUTES: AND A TRIP ROUND IT*** - - -******* This file should be named 44278.txt or 44278.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/4/2/7/44278 - - - -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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