第2章

Elmowhichthrewaprojectileweighing2，500pounds。And，now，whatistheextentofwhatwehaveseenourselves？Armstronggunsdischargingshotof500pounds，andtheRodmangunsprojectilesofhalfaton！Itseems，then，thatifprojectileshavegainedinrange，theyhavelostfarmoreinweight。Now，ifweturnoureffortsinthatdirection，weoughttoarrive，withtheprogressonscience，attentimestheweightoftheshotofMahometII。

andtheKnightsofMalta。"

"Clearly，"repliedthemajor；"butwhatmetaldoyoucalculateuponemploying？"

"Simplycastiron，"saidGeneralMorgan。

"But，"interruptedthemajor，"sincetheweightofashotisproportionatetoitsvolume，anironballofninefeetindiameterwouldbeoftremendousweight。"

"Yes，ifitweresolid，notifitwerehollow。"

"Hollow？thenitwouldbeashell？"

"Yes，ashell，"repliedBarbicane；"decidelyitmustbe。Asolidshotof108incheswouldweighmorethan200，000pounds，aweightevidentlyfartoogreat。Still，aswemustreserveacertainstabilityforourprojectile，Iproposetogiveitaweightof20，000pounds。"

"What，then，willbethethicknessofthesides？"askedthemajor。

"Ifwefollowtheusualproportion，"repliedMorgan，"adiameterof108incheswouldrequiresidesoftwofeetthickness，orless。"

"Thatwouldbetoomuch，"repliedBarbicane；"foryouwillobservethatthequestionisnotthatofashotintendedtopierceanironplate；itwillsufficetogiveitsidesstrongenoughtoresistthepressureofthegas。Theproblem，therefore，isthis——Whatthicknessoughtacast-ironshelltohaveinordernottoweightmorethan20，000pounds？Ourcleversecretarywillsoonenlightenusuponthispoint。"

"Nothingeasier。"repliedtheworthysecretaryofthecommittee；

and，rapidlytracingafewalgebraicalformulaeuponpaper，amongwhich_n_^2and_x_^2frequentlyappeared，hepresentlysaid:

"Thesideswillrequireathicknessoflessthantwoinches。"

"Willthatbeenough？"askedthemajordoubtfully。

"Clearlynot！"repliedthepresident。

"Whatistobedone，then？"saidElphinstone，withapuzzledair。

"Employanothermetalinsteadofiron。"

"Copper？"saidMorgan。

"No！thatwouldbetooheavy。Ihavebetterthanthattooffer。"

"Whatthen？"askedthemajor。

"Aluminum！"repliedBarbicane。

"Aluminum？"criedhisthreecolleaguesinchorus。

"Unquestionably，myfriends。Thisvaluablemetalpossessesthewhitenessofsilver，theindestructibilityofgold，thetenacityofiron，thefusibilityofcopper，thelightnessofglass。Itiseasilywrought，isverywidelydistributed，formingthebaseofmostoftherocks，isthreetimeslighterthaniron，andseemstohavebeencreatedfortheexpresspurposeoffurnishinguswiththematerialforourprojectile。"

"But，mydearpresident，"saidthemajor，"isnotthecostpriceofaluminumextremelyhigh？"

"Itwassoatitsfirstdiscovery，butithasfallennowtoninedollarsapound。"

"Butstill，ninedollarsapound！"repliedthemajor，whowasnotwillingreadilytogivein；"eventhatisanenormousprice。"

"Undoubtedly，mydearmajor；butnotbeyondourreach。"

"Whatwilltheprojectileweighthen？"askedMorgan。

"Hereistheresultofmycalculations，"repliedBarbicane。

"Ashotof108inchesindiameter，andtwelveinchesinthickness，wouldweigh，incast-iron，67，440pounds；castinaluminum，itsweightwillbereducedto19，250pounds。"

"Capital！"criedthemajor；"butdoyouknowthat，atninedollarsapound，thisprojectilewillcost——"

"Onehundredandseventy-threethousandandfiftydollars($173，050)。

Iknowitquitewell。Butfearnot，myfriends；themoneywillnotbewantingforourenterprise。Iwillanswerforit。Nowwhatsayyoutoaluminum，gentlemen？"

"Adopted！"repliedthethreemembersofthecommittee。Soendedthefirstmeeting。Thequestionoftheprojectilewasdefinitelysettled。

CHAPTERVIII

HISTORYOFTHECANNON

Theresolutionspassedatthelastmeetingproducedagreateffectoutofdoors。Timidpeopletookfrightattheideaofashotweighing20，000poundsbeinglaunchedintospace；theyaskedwhatcannoncouldevertransmitasufficientvelocitytosuchamightymass。Theminutesofthesecondmeetingweredestinedtriumphantlytoanswersuchquestions。Thefollowingeveningthediscussionwasrenewed。

"Mydearcolleagues，"saidBarbicane，withoutfurtherpreamble，"thesubjectnowbeforeusistheconstructionoftheengine，itslength，itscomposition，anditsweight。Itisprobablethatweshallendbygivingitgiganticdimensions；buthowevergreatmaybethedifficultiesintheway，ourmechanicalgeniuswillreadilysurmountthem。Begoodenough，then，togivemeyourattention，anddonothesitatetomakeobjectionsattheclose。

Ihavenofearofthem。Theproblembeforeusishowtocommunicateaninitialforceof12，000yardspersecondtoashellof108

inchesindiameter，weighing20，000pounds。Nowwhenaprojectileislaunchedintospace，whathappenstoit？Itisacteduponbythreeindependentforces:theresistanceoftheair，theattractionoftheearth，andtheforceofimpulsionwithwhichitisendowed。

Letusexaminethesethreeforces。Theresistanceoftheairisoflittleimportance。Theatmosphereoftheearthdoesnotexceedfortymiles。Now，withthegivenrapidity，theprojectilewillhavetraversedthisinfiveseconds，andtheperiodistoobrieffortheresistanceofthemediumtoberegardedotherwisethanasinsignificant。Proceding，then，totheattractionoftheearth，thatis，theweightoftheshell，weknowthatthisweightwilldiminishintheinverseratioofthesquareofthedistance。

Whenabodylefttoitselffallstothesurfaceoftheearth，itfallsfivefeetinthefirstsecond；andifthesamebodywereremoved257，542milesfurtheroff，inotherwords，tothedistanceofthemoon，itsfallwouldbereducedtoabouthalfalineinthefirstsecond。Thatisalmostequivalenttoastateofperfectrest。

Ourbusiness，then，istoovercomeprogressivelythisactionofgravitation。Themodeofaccomplishingthatisbytheforceofimpulsion。"

"There\'sthedifficulty，"brokeinthemajor。

"True，"repliedthepresident；"butwewillovercomethat，fortheforceofimpulsionwilldependonthelengthoftheengineandthepowderemployed，thelatterbeinglimitedonlybytheresistingpoweroftheformer。Ourbusiness，then，to-dayiswiththedimensionsofthecannon。"

"Now，uptothepresenttime，"saidBarbicane，"ourlongestgunshavenotexceededtwenty-fivefeetinlength。Weshallthereforeastonishtheworldbythedimensionsweshallbeobligedtoadopt。Itmustevidentlybe，then，agunofgreatrange，sincethelengthofthepiecewillincreasethedetentionofthegasaccumulatedbehindtheprojectile；butthereisnoadvantageinpassingcertainlimits。"

"Quiteso，"saidthemajor。"Whatistheruleinsuchacase？"

"Ordinarilythelengthofagunistwentytotwenty-fivetimesthediameteroftheshot，anditsweighttwohundredandthirty-fivetotwohundredandfortytimesthatoftheshot。"

"Thatisnotenough，"criedJ。T。Mastonimpetuously。

"Iagreewithyou，mygoodfriend；and，infact，followingthisproportionforaprojectileninefeetindiameter，weighing30，000

pounds，thegunwouldonlyhavealengthoftwohundredandtwenty-

fivefeet，andaweightof7，200，000pounds。"

"Ridiculous！"rejoinedMaston。"Aswelltakeapistol。"

"Ithinksotoo，"repliedBarbicane；"thatiswhyIproposetoquadruplethatlength，andtoconstructagunofninehundredfeet。"

Thegeneralandthemajorofferedsomeobjections；nevertheless，theproposition，activelysupportedbythesecretary，wasdefinitelyadopted。

"But，"saidElphinstone，"whatthicknessmustwegiveit？"

"Athicknessofsixfeet，"repliedBarbicane。

"Yousurelydon\'tthinkofmountingamasslikethatuponacarriage？"askedthemajor。

"Itwouldbeasuperbidea，though，"saidMaston。

"Butimpracticable，"repliedBarbicane。"No，Ithinkofsinkingthisengineintheearthalone，bindingitwithhoopsofwroughtiron，andfinallysurroundingitwithathickmassofmasonryofstoneandcement。Thepieceoncecast，itmustbeboredwithgreatprecision，soastoprecludeanypossiblewindage。Sotherewillbenolosswhateverofgas，andalltheexpansiveforceofthepowderwillbeemployedinthepropulsion。"

"Onesimplequestion，"saidElphinstone:"isourguntoberifled？"

"No，certainlynot，"repliedBarbicane；"werequireanenormousinitialvelocity；andyouarewellawarethatashotquitsarifledgunlessrapidlythanitdoesasmooth-bore。"

"True，"rejoinedthemajor。

Thecommitteehereadjournedforafewminutestoteaandsandwiches。

Onthediscussionbeingrenewed，"Gentlemen，"saidBarbicane，"wemustnowtakeintoconsiderationthemetaltobeemployed。

Ourcannonmustbepossessedofgreattenacity，greathardness，beinfusiblebyheat，indissoluble，andinoxidablebythecorrosiveactionofacids。"

"Thereisnodoubtaboutthat，"repliedthemajor；"andasweshallhavetoemployanimmensequantityofmetal，weshallnotbeatalossforchoice。"

"Well，then，"saidMorgan，"Iproposethebestalloyhithertoknown，whichconsistsofonehundredpartsofcopper，twelveoftin，andsixofbrass。"

"Iadmit，"repliedthepresident，"thatthiscompositionhasyieldedexcellentresults，butinthepresentcaseitwouldbetooexpensive，andverydifficulttowork。Ithink，then，thatweoughttoadoptamaterialexcellentinitswayandoflowprice，suchascastiron。Whatisyouradvice，major？"

"Iquiteagreewithyou，"repliedElphinstone。

"Infact，"continuedBarbicane，"castironcoststentimeslessthanbronze；itiseasytocast，itrunsreadilyfromthemouldsofsand，itiseasyofmanipulation，itisatonceeconomicalofmoneyandoftime。Inaddition，itisexcellentasamaterial，andIwellrememberthatduringthewar，atthesiegeofAtlanta，someirongunsfiredonethousandroundsatintervalsoftwentyminuteswithoutinjury。"

"Castironisverybrittle，though，"repliedMorgan。

"Yes，butitpossessesgreatresistance。Iwillnowaskourworthysecretarytocalculatetheweightofacast-irongunwithaboreofninefeetandathicknessofsixfeetofmetal。"

"Inamoment，"repliedMaston。Then，dashingoffsomealgebraicalformulaewithmarvelousfacility，inaminuteortwohedeclaredthefollowingresult:

"Thecannonwillweigh68，040tons。And，attwocentsapound，itwillcost——"

"Twomillionfivehundredandtenthousandsevenhundredandonedollars。"

Maston，themajor，andthegeneralregardedBarbicanewithuneasylooks。

"Well，gentlemen，"repliedthepresident，"IrepeatwhatI

saidyesterday。Makeyourselveseasy；themillionswillnotbewanting。"

Withthisassuranceoftheirpresidentthecommitteeseparated，afterhavingfixedtheirthirdmeetingforthefollowingevening。

CHAPTERIX

THEQUESTIONOFTHEPOWDERS

Thereremainedforconsiderationmerelythequestionofpowders。

Thepublicawaitedwithinterestitsfinaldecision。Thesizeoftheprojectile，thelengthofthecannonbeingsettled，whatwouldbethequantityofpowdernecessarytoproduceimpulsion？

ItisgenerallyassertedthatgunpowderwasinventedinthefourteenthcenturybythemonkSchwartz，whopaidforhisgranddiscoverywithhislife。Itis，however，prettywellprovedthatthisstoryoughttoberankedamongthelegendsofthemiddleages。Gunpowderwasnotinventedbyanyone；itwasthelinealsuccessoroftheGreekfire，which，likeitself，wascomposedofsulfurandsaltpeter。Fewpersonsareacquaintedwiththemechanicalpowerofgunpowder。Nowthisispreciselywhatisnecessarytobeunderstoodinordertocomprehendtheimportanceofthequestionsubmittedtothecommittee。

Alitreofgunpowderweighsabouttwopounds；duringcombustionitproduces400litresofgas。Thisgas，onbeingliberatedandacteduponbytemperatureraisedto2，400degrees，occupiesaspaceof4，000litres:consequentlythevolumeofpowderistothevolumeofgasproducedbyitscombustionas1to4，000。

Onemayjudge，therefore，ofthetremendouspressureonthisgaswhencompressedwithinaspace4，000timestooconfined。

Allthiswas，ofcourse，wellknowntothemembersofthecommitteewhentheymetonthefollowingevening。

ThefirstspeakeronthisoccasionwasMajorElphinstone，whohadbeenthedirectorofthegunpowderfactoriesduringthewar。

"Gentlemen，"saidthisdistinguishedchemist，"Ibeginwithsomefigureswhichwillserveasthebasisofourcalculation。

Theold24-poundershotrequiredforitsdischargesixteenpoundsofpowder。"

"Youarecertainofthisamount？"brokeinBarbicane。

"Quitecertain，"repliedthemajor。"TheArmstrongcannonemploysonlyseventy-fivepoundsofpowderforaprojectileofeighthundredpounds，andtheRodmanColumbiadusesonlyonehundredandsixtypoundsofpowdertosenditshalftonshotadistanceofsixmiles。Thesefactscannotbecalledinquestion，forImyselfraisedthepointduringthedepositionstakenbeforethecommitteeofartillery。"

"Quitetrue，"saidthegeneral。

"Well，"repliedthemajor，"thesefiguresgotoprovethatthequantityofpowderisnotincreasedwiththeweightoftheshot；

thatistosay，ifa24-poundershotrequiressixteenpoundsofpowder；——inotherwords，ifinordinarygunsweemployaquantityofpowderequaltotwo-thirdsoftheweightoftheprojectile，thisproportionisnotconstant。Calculate，andyouwillseethatinplaceofthreehundredandthirty-threepoundsofpowder，thequantityisreducedtonomorethanonehundredandsixtypounds。"

"Whatareyouaimingat？"askedthepresident。

"Ifyoupushyourtheorytoextremes，mydearmajor，"saidJ。T。

Maston，"youwillgettothis，thatassoonasyourshotbecomessufficientlyheavyyouwillnotrequireanypowderatall。"

"OurfriendMastonisalwaysathisjokes，eveninseriousmatters，"criedthemajor；"butlethimmakehismindeasy，Iamgoingpresentlytoproposegunpowderenoughtosatisfyhisartillerist\'spropensities。IonlykeeptostatisticalfactswhenIsaythat，duringthewar，andfortheverylargestguns，theweightofthepowderwasreduced，astheresultofexperience，toatenthpartoftheweightoftheshot。"

"Perfectlycorrect，"saidMorgan；"butbeforedecidingthequantityofpowdernecessarytogivetheimpulse，Ithinkitwouldbeaswell——"

"Weshallhavetoemployalarge-grainedpowder，"continuedthemajor；"itscombustionismorerapidthanthatofthesmall。"

"Nodoubtaboutthat，"repliedMorgan；"butitisverydestructive，andendsbyenlargingtheboreofthepieces。"

"Granted；butthatwhichisinjurioustoagundestinedtoperformlongserviceisnotsotoourColumbiad。Weshallrunnodangerofanexplosion；anditisnecessarythatourpowdershouldtakefireinstantaneouslyinorderthatitsmechanicaleffectmaybecomplete。"

"Wemusthave，"saidMaston，"severaltouch-holes，soastofireitatdifferentpointsatthesametime。"

"Certainly，"repliedElphinstone；"butthatwillrendertheworkingofthepiecemoredifficult。Ireturnthentomylarge-grainedpowder，whichremovesthosedifficulties。

InhisColumbiadchargesRodmanemployedapowderaslargeaschestnuts，madeofwillowcharcoal，simplydriedincast-

ironpans。Thispowderwashardandglittering，leftnotraceuponthehand，containedhydrogenandoxygeninlargeproportion，tookfireinstantaneously，and，thoughverydestructive，didnotsensiblyinjurethemouth-piece。"

UptothispointBarbicanehadkeptalooffromthediscussion；

helefttheotherstospeakwhilehehimselflistened；hehadevidentlygotanidea。Henowsimplysaid，"Well，myfriends，whatquantityofpowderdoyoupropose？"

Thethreememberslookedatoneanother。

"Twohundredthousandpounds。"atlastsaidMorgan。

"Fivehundredthousand，"addedthemajor。

"Eighthundredthousand，"screamedMaston。

Amomentofsilencefollowedthistripleproposal；itwasatlastbrokenbythepresident。

"Gentlemen，"hequietlysaid，"Istartfromthisprinciple，thattheresistanceofagun，constructedunderthegivenconditions，isunlimited。IshallsurpriseourfriendMaston，then，bystigmatizinghiscalculationsastimid；andIproposetodoublehis800，000poundsofpowder。"

"Sixteenhundredthousandpounds？"shoutedMaston，leapingfromhisseat。

"Justso。"

"Weshallhavetocomethentomyidealofacannonhalfamilelong；foryousee1，600，000poundswilloccupyaspaceofabout20，000cubicfeet；andsincethecontentsofyourcannondonotexceed54，000cubicfeet，itwouldbehalffull；andtheborewillnotbemorethanlongenoughforthegastocommunicatetotheprojectilesufficientimpulse。"

"Nevertheless，"saidthepresident，"Iholdtothatquantityofpowder。Now，1，600，000poundsofpowderwillcreate6，000，000，000litresofgas。Sixthousandmillions！

Youquiteunderstand？"

"Whatistobedonethen？"saidthegeneral。

"Thethingisverysimple；wemustreducethisenormousquantityofpowder，whilepreservingtoititsmechanicalpower。"

"Good；butbywhatmeans？"

"Iamgoingtotellyou，"repliedBarbicanequietly。

"Nothingismoreeasythantoreducethismasstoonequarterofitsbulk。Youknowthatcuriouscellularmatterwhichconstitutestheelementarytissuesofvegetable？Thissubstanceisfoundquitepureinmanybodies，especiallyincotton，whichisnothingmorethanthedownoftheseedsofthecottonplant。

Nowcotton，combinedwithcoldnitricacid，becometransformedintoasubstanceeminentlyinsoluble，combustible，andexplosive。

Itwasfirstdiscoveredin1832，byBraconnot，aFrenchchemist，whocalleditxyloidine。In1838anotherFrenchman，Pelouze，investigateditsdifferentproperties，andfinally，in1846，Schonbein，professorofchemistryatBale，proposeditsemploymentforpurposesofwar。Thispowder，nowcalledpyroxyle，orfulminatingcotton，ispreparedwithgreatfacilitybysimplyplungingcottonforfifteenminutesinnitricacid，thenwashingitinwater，thendryingit，anditisreadyforuse。"

"Nothingcouldbemoresimple，"saidMorgan。

"Moreover，pyroxyleisunalteredbymoisture——avaluablepropertytous，inasmuchasitwouldtakeseveraldaystochargethecannon。Itignitesat170degreesinplaceof240，anditscombustionissorapidthatonemaysetlighttoitonthetopoftheordinarypowder，withoutthelatterhavingtimetoignite。"

"Perfect！"exclaimedthemajor。

"Onlyitismoreexpensive。"

"Whatmatter？"criedJ。T。Maston。

"Finally，itimpartstoprojectilesavelocityfourtimessuperiortothatofgunpowder。Iwillevenadd，thatifwemixitwithone-eighthofitsownweightofnitrateofpotassium，itsexpansiveforceisagainconsiderablyaugmented。"

"Willthatbenecessary？"askedthemajor。

"Ithinknot，"repliedBarbicane。"So，then，inplaceof1，600，000poundsofpowder，weshallhavebut400，000poundsoffulminatingcotton；andsincewecan，withoutdanger，compress500poundsofcottonintotwenty-sevencubicfeet，thewholequantitywillnotoccupyaheightofmorethan180feetwithintheboreoftheColumbiad。Inthiswaytheshotwillhavemorethan700feetofboretotraverseunderaforceof6，000，000，000

litresofgasbeforetakingitsflighttowardthemoon。"

AtthisjunctureJ。T。Mastoncouldnotrepresshisemotion；heflunghimselfintothearmsofhisfriendwiththeviolenceofaprojectile，andBarbicanewouldhavebeenstoveinifhehadnotbeenboom-proof。

Thisincidentterminatedthethirdmeetingofthecommittee。

Barbicaneandhisboldcolleagues，towhomnothingseemedimpossible，hadsucceedinginsolvingthecomplexproblemsofprojectile，cannon，andpowder。Theirplanwasdrawnup，anditonlyremainedtoputitintoexecution。

"Amerematterofdetail，abagatelle，"saidJ。T。Maston。

CHAPTERX

ONEENEMY_v。_TWENTY-FIVEMILLIONSOFFRIENDS

TheAmericanpublictookalivelyinterestinthesmallestdetailsoftheenterpriseoftheGunClub。Itfolloweddaybydaythediscussionofthecommittee。Themostsimplepreparationsforthegreatexperiment，thequestionsoffigureswhichitinvolved，themechanicaldifficultiestoberesolved——

inoneword，theentireplanofwork——rousedthepopularexcitementtothehighestpitch。

Thepurelyscientificattractionwassuddenlyintensifiedbythefollowingincident:

WehaveseenwhatlegionsofadmirersandfriendsBarbicane\'sprojecthadralliedrounditsauthor。Therewas，however，onesingleindividualaloneinalltheStatesoftheUnionwhoprotestedagainsttheattemptoftheGunClub。Heattackeditfuriouslyoneveryopportunity，andhumannatureissuchthatBarbicanefeltmorekeenlytheoppositionofthatonemanthanhedidtheapplauseofalltheothers。Hewaswellawareofthemotiveofthisantipathy，theoriginofthissolitaryenmity，thecauseofitspersonalityandoldstanding，andinwhatrivalryofself-loveithaditsrise。

ThisperseveringenemythepresidentoftheGunClubhadneverseen。

Fortunatethatitwasso，forameetingbetweenthetwomenwouldcertainlyhavebeenattendedwithseriousconsequences。Thisrivalwasamanofscience，likeBarbicanehimself，ofafiery，daring，andviolentdisposition；apureYankee。HisnamewasCaptainNicholl；helivedatPhiladelphia。

MostpeopleareawareofthecuriousstrugglewhicharoseduringtheFederalwarbetweenthegunsandarmorofiron-platedships。

Theresultwastheentirereconstructionofthenavyofboththecontinents；astheonegrewheavier，theotherbecamethickerinproportion。TheMerrimac，theMonitor，theTennessee，theWeehawkendischargedenormousprojectilesthemselves，afterhavingbeenarmor-cladagainsttheprojectilesofothers。Infacttheydidtoothersthatwhichtheywouldnottheyshoulddotothem——

thatgrandprincipleofimmortalityuponwhichreststhewholeartofwar。

NowifBarbicanewasagreatfounderofshot，Nichollwasagreatforgerofplates；theonecastnightanddayatBaltimore，theotherforgeddayandnightatPhiladelphia。AssoonaseverBarbicaneinventedanewshot，Nichollinventedanewplate；

eachfollowedacurrentofideasessentiallyopposedtotheother。

Happilyforthesecitizens，sousefultotheircountry，adistanceoffromfiftytosixtymilesseparatedthemfromoneanother，andtheyhadneveryetmet。Whichofthesetwoinventorshadtheadvantageovertheotheritwasdifficulttodecidefromtheresultsobtained。Bylastaccounts，however，itwouldseemthatthearmor-platewouldintheendhavetogivewaytotheshot；

nevertheless，therewerecompetentjudgeswhohadtheirdoubtsonthepoint。

Atthelastexperimentthecylindro-conicalprojectilesofBarbicanestucklikesomanypinsintheNichollplates。

OnthatdaythePhiladelphiairon-forgerthenbelievedhimselfvictorious，andcouldnotevincecontemptenoughforhisrival；

butwhentheotherafterwardsubstitutedforconicalshotsimple600-poundshells，atverymoderatevelocity，thecaptainwasobligedtogivein。Infact，theseprojectilesknockedhisbestmetalplatetoshivers。

Matterswereatthisstage，andvictoryseemedtorestwiththeshot，whenthewarcametoanendontheverydaywhenNichollhadcompletedanewarmor-plateofwroughtsteel。Itwasamasterpieceofitskind，andbiddefiancetoalltheprojectilesoftheworld。ThecaptainhaditconveyedtothePolygonatWashington，challengingthepresidentoftheGunClubtobreakit。

Barbicane，peacehavingbeendeclared，declinedtotrytheexperiment。

Nicholl，nowfurious，offeredtoexposehisplatetotheshockofanyshot，solid，hollow，round，orconical。Refusedbythepresident，whodidnotchoosetocompromisehislastsuccess。

Nicholl，disgustedbythisobstinacy，triedtotemptBarbicanebyofferinghimeverychance。Heproposedtofixtheplatewithintwohundredyardsofthegun。Barbicanestillobstinateinrefusal。Ahundredyards？Notevenseventy-five！

"Atfiftythen！"roaredthecaptainthroughthenewspapers。

"Attwenty-fiveyards！andI\'llstandbehind！"

Barbicanereturnedforanswerthat，evenifCaptainNichollwouldbesogoodastostandinfront，hewouldnotfireanymore。

Nichollcouldnotcontainhimselfatthisreply；threwouthintsofcowardice；thatamanwhorefusedtofireacannon-shotwasprettynearbeingafraidofit；thatartilleristswhofightatsixmilesdistancearesubstitutingmathematicalformulaeforindividualcourage。

TotheseinsinuationsBarbicanereturnednoanswer；perhapsheneverheardofthem，soabsorbedwasheinthecalculationsforhisgreatenterprise。

WhenhisfamouscommunicationwasmadetotheGunClub，thecaptain\'swrathpassedallbounds；withhisintensejealousywasmingledafeelingofabsoluteimpotence。Howwashetoinventanythingtobeatthis900-feetColumbiad？Whatarmor-platecouldeverresistaprojectileof30，000poundsweight？

Overwhelmedatfirstunderthisviolentshock，hebyandbyrecoveredhimself，andresolvedtocrushtheproposalbyweightofhisarguments。

HethenviolentlyattackedthelaborsoftheGunClub，publishedanumberoflettersinthenewspapers，endeavoredtoproveBarbicaneignorantofthefirstprinciplesofgunnery。Hemaintainedthatitwasabsolutelyimpossibletoimpressuponanybodywhateveravelocityof12，000yardspersecond；thatevenwithsuchavelocityaprojectileofsuchaweightcouldnottranscendthelimitsoftheearth\'satmosphere。Furtherstill，evenregardingthevelocitytobeacquired，andgrantingittobesufficient，theshellcouldnotresistthepressureofthegasdevelopedbytheignitionof1，600，000poundsofpowder；andsupposingittoresistthatpressure，itwouldbelessabletosupportthattemperature；itwouldmeltonquittingtheColumbiad，andfallbackinared-hotshowerupontheheadsoftheimprudentspectators。

Barbicanecontinuedhisworkwithoutregardingtheseattacks。

Nichollthentookupthequestioninitsotheraspects。Withouttouchinguponitsuselessnessinallpointsofview，heregardedtheexperimentasfraughtwithextremedanger，bothtothecitizens，whomightsanctionbytheirpresencesoreprehensibleaspectacle，andalsotothetownsintheneighborhoodofthisdeplorablecannon。Healsoobservedthatiftheprojectiledidnotsucceedinreachingitsdestination(aresultabsolutelyimpossible)，itmustinevitablyfallbackupontheearth，andthattheshockofsuchamass，multipliedbythesquareofitsvelocity，wouldseriouslyendangereverypointoftheglobe。

Underthecircumstances，therefore，andwithoutinterferingwiththerightsoffreecitizens，itwasacasefortheinterventionofGovernment，whichoughtnottoendangerthesafetyofallforthepleasureofoneindividual。

Inspiteofallhisarguments，however，CaptainNichollremainedaloneinhisopinion。Nobodylistenedtohim，andhedidnotsucceedinalienatingasingleadmirerfromthepresidentoftheGunClub。Thelatterdidnoteventakethepainstorefutetheargumentsofhisrival。

Nicholl，drivenintohislastentrenchments，andnotabletofightpersonallyinthecause，resolvedtofightwithmoney。

Hepublished，therefore，intheRichmond_Inquirer_aseriesofwagers，conceivedintheseterms，andonanincreasingscale:

No。1($1，000)——ThatthenecessaryfundsfortheexperimentoftheGunClubwillnotbeforthcoming。

No。2($2，000)——Thattheoperationofcastingacannonof900

feetisimpracticable，andcannotpossiblysucceed。

No。3($3，000)——ThatisitimpossibletoloadtheColumbiad，andthatthepyroxylewilltakefirespontaneouslyunderthepressureoftheprojectile。

No。4($4，000)——ThattheColumbiadwillburstatthefirstfire。

No。5($5，000)——Thattheshotwillnottravelfartherthansixmiles，andthatitwillfallbackagainafewsecondsafteritsdischarge。

Itwasanimportantsum，therefore，whichthecaptainriskedinhisinvincibleobstinacy。Hehadnolessthan$15，000atstake。

Notwithstandingtheimportanceofthechallenge，onthe19thofMayhereceivedasealedpacketcontainingthefollowingsuperblylaconicreply:

"BALTIMORE，October19。

"Done。

"BARBICANE。"

CHAPTERXI

FLORIDAANDTEXAS

Onequestionremainedyettobedecided；itwasnecessarytochooseafavorablespotfortheexperiment。AccordingtotheadviceoftheObservatoryofCambridge，thegunmustbefiredperpendicularlytotheplaneofthehorizon，thatistosay，towardthezenith。Nowthemoondoesnottraversethezenith，exceptinplacessituatedbetween0@and28@oflatitude。Itbecame，then，necessarytodetermineexactlythatspotontheglobewheretheimmenseColumbiadshouldbecast。

Onthe20thofOctober，atageneralmeetingoftheGunClub，BarbicaneproducedamagnificentmapoftheUnitedStates。

"Gentlemen，"saidhe，inopeningthediscussion，"IpresumethatweareallagreedthatthisexperimentcannotandoughtnottobetriedanywherebutwithinthelimitsofthesoiloftheUnion。

Now，bygoodfortune，certainfrontiersoftheUnitedStatesextenddownwardasfarasthe28thparallelofthenorthlatitude。

Ifyouwillcastyoureyeoverthismap，youwillseethatwehaveatourdisposalthewholeofthesouthernportionofTexasandFlorida。"

Itwasfinallyagreed，then，thattheColumbiadmustbecastonthesoilofeitherTexasorFlorida。Theresult，however，ofthisdecisionwastocreatearivalryentirelywithoutprecedentbetweenthedifferenttownsofthesetwoStates。

The28thparallel，onreachingtheAmericancoast，traversesthepeninsulaofFlorida，dividingitintotwonearlyequalportions。

Then，plungingintotheGulfofMexico，itsubtendsthearcformedbythecoastofAlabama，Mississippi，andLouisiana；

thenskirtingTexas，offwhichitcutsanangle，itcontinuesitscourseoverMexico，crossestheSonora，OldCalifornia，andlosesitselfinthePacificOcean。Itwas，therefore，onlythoseportionsofTexasandFloridawhichweresituatedbelowthisparallelwhichcamewithintheprescribedconditionsoflatitude。

Florida，initssouthernpart，reckonsnocitiesofimportance；

itissimplystuddedwithfortsraisedagainsttherovingIndians。

Onesolitarytown，TampaTown，wasabletoputinaclaiminfavorofitssituation。

InTexas，onthecontrary，thetownsaremuchmorenumerousandimportant。CorpusChristi，inthecountyofNueces，andallthecitiessituatedontheRioBravo，Laredo，Comalites，SanIgnacioontheWeb，RioGrandeCityontheStarr，EdinburghintheHidalgo，SantaRita，Elpanda，BrownsvilleintheCameron，formedanimposingleagueagainstthepretensionsofFlorida。

So，scarcelywasthedecisionknown，whentheTexanandFloridandeputiesarrivedatBaltimoreinanincrediblyshortspaceoftime。

FromthatverymomentPresidentBarbicaneandtheinfluentialmembersoftheGunClubwerebesiegeddayandnightbyformidableclaims。IfsevencitiesofGreececontendedforthehonorofhavinggivenbirthtoaHomer，hereweretwoentireStatesthreateningtocometoblowsaboutthequestionofacannon。

Therivalpartiespromenadedthestreetswitharmsintheirhands；

andateveryoccasionoftheirmeetingacollisionwastobeapprehendedwhichmighthavebeenattendedwithdisastrousresults。

HappilytheprudenceandaddressofPresidentBarbicaneavertedthedanger。ThesepersonaldemonstrationsfoundadivisioninthenewspapersofthedifferentStates。TheNewYork_Herald_andthe_Tribune_supportedTexas，whilethe_Times_andthe_AmericanReview_espousedthecauseoftheFloridandeputies。ThemembersoftheGunClubcouldnotdecidetowhichtogivethepreference。

Texasproduceditsarrayoftwenty-sixcounties；Floridarepliedthattwelvecountieswerebetterthantwenty-sixinacountryonlyone-sixthpartofthesize。

Texasplumeditselfuponits330，000natives；Florida，withafarsmallerterritory，boastedofbeingmuchmoredenselypopulatedwith56，000。

TheTexans，throughthecolumnsofthe_Herald_claimedthatsomeregardshouldbehadtoaStatewhichgrewthebestcottoninallAmerica，producedthebestgreenoakfortheserviceofthenavy，andcontainedthefinestoil，besidesironmines，inwhichtheyieldwasfiftypercent。ofpuremetal。

Tothisthe_AmericanReview_repliedthatthesoilofFlorida，althoughnotequallyrich，affordedthebestconditionsforthemouldingandcastingoftheColumbiad，consistingasitdidofsandandargillaceousearth。

"Thatmaybeallverywell，"repliedtheTexans；"butyoumustfirstgettothiscountry。NowthecommunicationswithFloridaaredifficult，whilethecoastofTexasoffersthebayofGalveston，whichpossessesacircumferenceoffourteenleagues，andiscapableofcontainingthenaviesoftheentireworld！"

"Aprettynotiontruly，"repliedthepapersintheinterestofFlorida，"thatofGalvestonbay_belowthe29thparallel！_

HavewenotgotthebayofEspirituSanto，openingpreciselyupon_the28thdegree_，andbywhichshipscanreachTampaTownbydirectroute？"

"Afinebay；halfchokedwithsand！"

"Chokedyourselves！"returnedtheothers。

Thusthewarwentonforseveraldays，whenFloridaendeavoredtodrawheradversaryawayontofreshground；andonemorningthe_Times_hintedthat，theenterprisebeingessentiallyAmerican，itoughtnottobeattempteduponotherthanpurelyAmericanterritory。

TothesewordsTexasretorted，"American！arewenotasmuchsoasyou？WerenotTexasandFloridabothincorporatedintotheUnionin1845？"

"Undoubtedly，"repliedthe_Times_；"butwehavebelongedtotheAmericanseversince1820。"

"Yes！"returnedthe_Tribune_；"afterhavingbeenSpaniardsorEnglishfortwohundredyears，youweresoldtotheUnitedStatesforfivemilliondollars！"

"Well！andwhyneedweblushforthat？WasnotLouisianaboughtfromNapoleonin1803atthepriceofsixteenmilliondollars？"

"Scandalous！"roaredtheTexasdeputies。"AwretchedlittlestripofcountrylikeFloridatodaretocompareitselftoTexas，who，inplaceofsellingherself，assertedherownindependence，droveouttheMexicansinMarch2，1846，anddeclaredherselfafederalrepublicafterthevictorygainedbySamuelHouston，onthebanksoftheSanJacinto，overthetroopsofSantaAnna！——acountry，infine，whichvoluntarilyannexeditselftotheUnitedStatesofAmerica！"

"Yes；becauseitwasafraidoftheMexicans！"repliedFlorida。

"Afraid！"Fromthismomentthestateofthingsbecameintolerable。

AsanguinaryencounterseemeddailyimminentbetweenthetwopartiesinthestreetsofBaltimore。Itbecamenecessarytokeepaneyeuponthedeputies。

PresidentBarbicaneknewnotwhichwaytolook。Notes，documents，lettersfullofmenacesshowereddownuponhishouse。Whichsideoughthetotake？Asregardedtheappropriationofthesoil，thefacilityofcommunication，therapidityoftransport，theclaimsofbothStateswereevenlybalanced。Asforpoliticalprepossessions，theyhadnothingtodowiththequestion。

Thisdeadblockhadexistedforsomelittletime，whenBarbicaneresolvedtogetridofitallatonce。Hecalledameetingofhiscolleagues，andlaidbeforethemapropositionwhich，itwillbeseen，wasprofoundlysagacious。

"Oncarefullyconsidering，"hesaid，"whatisgoingonnowbetweenFloridaandTexas，itisclearthatthesamedifficultieswillrecurwithallthetownsofthefavoredState。

TherivalrywilldescendfromStatetocity，andsoondownward。

NowTexaspossesseseleventownswithintheprescribedconditions，whichwillfurtherdisputethehonorandcreateusnewenemies，whileFloridahasonlyone。Igoin，therefore，forFloridaandTampaTown。"

Thisdecision，onbeingmadeknown，utterlycrushedtheTexandeputies。Seizedwithanindescribablefury，theyaddressedthreateningletterstothedifferentmembersoftheGunClubbyname。Themagistrateshadbutonecoursetotake，andtheytookit。Theycharteredaspecialtrain，forcedtheTexansintoitwhethertheywouldorno；andtheyquittedthecitywithaspeedofthirtymilesanhour。

Quickly，however，astheyweredespatched，theyfoundtimetohurlonelastandbittersarcasmattheiradversaries。

AlludingtotheextentofFlorida，amerepeninsulaconfinedbetweentwoseas，theypretendedthatitcouldneversustaintheshockofthedischarge，andthatitwould"bustup"attheveryfirstshot。

"Verywell，letitbustup！"repliedtheFloridans，withabrevityofthedaysofancientSparta。

CHAPTERXII

URBIETORBI

Theastronomical，mechanical，andtopographicaldifficultiesresolved，finallycamethequestionoffinance。Thesumrequiredwasfartoogreatforanyindividual，orevenanysingleState，toprovidetherequisitemillions。

PresidentBarbicaneundertook，despiteofthematterbeingapurelyAmericanaffair，torenderitoneofuniversalinterest，andtorequestthefinancialco-operationofallpeoples。

Itwas，hemaintained，therightanddutyofthewholeearthtointerfereintheaffairsofitssatellite。ThesubscriptionopenedatBaltimoreextendedproperlytothewholeworld——_Urbietorbi_。

Thissubscriptionwassuccessfulbeyondallexpectation；

notwithstandingthatitwasaquestionnotoflendingbutofgivingthemoney。Itwasapurelydisinterestedoperationinthestrictestsenseoftheterm，andofferednottheslightestchanceofprofit。

Theeffect，however，ofBarbicane\'scommunicationwasnotconfinedtothefrontiersoftheUnitedStates；itcrossedtheAtlanticandPacific，invadingsimultaneouslyAsiaandEurope，AfricaandOceanica。TheobservatoriesoftheUnionplacedthemselvesinimmediatecommunicationwiththoseofforeigncountries。Some，suchasthoseofParis，Petersburg，Berlin，Stockholm，Hamburg，Malta，Lisbon，Benares，Madras，andothers，transmittedtheirgoodwishes；therestmaintainedaprudentsilence，quietlyawaitingtheresult。AsfortheobservatoryatGreenwich，secondedasitwasbythetwenty-

twoastronomicalestablishmentsofGreatBritain，itspokeplainlyenough。Itboldlydeniedthepossibilityofsuccess，andpronouncedinfavorofthetheoriesofCaptainNicholl。

ButthiswasnothingmorethanmereEnglishjealousy。

Onthe8thofOctoberPresidentBarbicanepublishedamanifestofullofenthusiasm，inwhichhemadeanappealto"allpersonsofgoodwilluponthefaceoftheearth。"Thisdocument，translatedintoalllanguages，metwithimmensesuccess。

SubscriptionlistswereopenedinalltheprincipalcitiesoftheUnion，withacentralofficeattheBaltimoreBank，9

BaltimoreStreet。

Inaddition，subscriptionswerereceivedatthefollowingbanksinthedifferentstatesofthetwocontinents:

AtVienna，withS。M。deRothschild。

AtPetersburg，StieglitzandCo。

AtParis，TheCreditMobilier。

AtStockholm，TottieandArfuredson。

AtLondon，N。M。RothschildandSon。

AtTurin，ArdouinandCo。

AtBerlin，Mendelssohn。

AtGeneva，Lombard，OdierandCo。

AtConstantinople，TheOttomanBank。

AtBrussels，J。Lambert。

AtMadrid，DanielWeisweller。

AtAmsterdam，NetherlandsCreditCo。

AtRome，TorloniaandCo。

AtLisbon，Lecesne。

AtCopenhagen，PrivateBank。

AtRiodeJaneiro，PrivateBank。

AtMontevideo，PrivateBank。

AtValparaisoandLima，ThomaslaChambreandCo。

AtMexico，MartinDaranandCo。

ThreedaysafterthemanifestoofPresidentBarbicane$4，000，000

werepaidintothedifferenttownsoftheUnion。WithsuchabalancetheGunClubmightbeginoperationsatonce。Butsomedayslateradviceswerereceivedtotheeffectthatforeignsubscriptionswerebeingeagerlytakenup。Certaincountriesdistinguishedthemselvesbytheirliberality；othersuntiedtheirpurse-stringswithlessfacility——amatteroftemperament。

Figuresare，however，moreeloquentthanwords，andhereistheofficialstatementofthesumswhichwerepaidintothecreditoftheGunClubatthecloseofthesubscription。

Russiapaidinashercontingenttheenormoussumof368，733roubles。

Nooneneedbesurprisedatthis，whobearsinmindthescientifictasteoftheRussians，andtheimpetuswhichtheyhavegiventoastronomicalstudies——thankstotheirnumerousobservatories。

FrancebeganbyderidingthepretensionsoftheAmericans。

Themoonservedasapretextforathousandstalepunsandascoreofballads，inwhichbadtastecontestedthepalmwithignorance。ButasformerlytheFrenchpaidbeforesinging，sonowtheypaidafterhavinghadtheirlaugh，andtheysubscribedforasumof1，253，930francs。Atthatpricetheyhadarighttoenjoythemselvesalittle。

Austriashowedherselfgenerousinthemidstofherfinancialcrisis。

Herpubliccontributionsamountedtothesumof216，000florins——

aperfectgodsend。

Fifty-twothousandrix-dollarsweretheremittanceofSwedenandNorway；theamountislargeforthecountry，butitwouldundoubtedlyhavebeenconsiderablyincreasedhadthesubscriptionbeenopenedinChristianasimultaneouslywiththatatStockholm。ForsomereasonorothertheNorwegiansdonotliketosendtheirmoneytoSweden。

Prussia，byaremittanceof250，000thalers，testifiedherhighapprovaloftheenterprise。

Turkeybehavedgenerously；butshehadapersonalinterestinthematter。Themoon，infact，regulatesthecycleofheryearsandherfastofRamadan。Shecouldnotdolessthangive1，372，640piastres；andshegavethemwithaneagernesswhichdenoted，however，somepressureonthepartofthegovernment。

Belgiumdistinguishedherselfamongthesecond-ratestatesbyagrantof513，000francs——abouttwocentimesperheadofherpopulation。

Hollandandhercoloniesinterestedthemselvestotheextentof110，000florins，onlydemandinganallowanceoffivepercent。

discountforpayingreadymoney。

Denmark，alittlecontractedinterritory，gavenevertheless9，000ducats，provingherloveforscientificexperiments。

TheGermanicConfederationpledgeditselfto34，285florins。

Itwasimpossibletoaskformore；besides，theywouldnothavegivenit。

Thoughverymuchcrippled，Italyfound200，000lireinthepocketsofherpeople。IfshehadhadVenetiashewouldhavedonebetter；butshehadnot。

TheStatesoftheChurchthoughtthattheycouldnotsendlessthan7，040Romancrowns；andPortugalcarriedherdevotiontoscienceasfaras30，000cruzados。Itwasthewidow\'smite——

eighty-sixpiastres；butself-constitutedempiresarealwaysrathershortofmoney。

Twohundredandfifty-sevenfrancs，thiswasthemodestcontributionofSwitzerlandtotheAmericanwork。Onemustfreelyadmitthatshedidnotseethepracticalsideofthematter。Itdidnotseemtoherthatthemeredespatchofashottothemooncouldpossiblyestablishanyrelationofaffairswithher；anditdidnotseemprudenttohertoembarkhercapitalinsohazardousanenterprise。Afterall，perhapsshewasright。

AstoSpain，shecouldnotscrapetogethermorethan110reals。

Shegaveasanexcusethatshehadherrailwaystofinish。

Thetruthis，thatscienceisnotfavorablyregardedinthatcountry，itisstillinabackwardstate；andmoreover，certainSpaniards，notbyanymeanstheleasteducated，didnotformacorrectestimateofthebulkoftheprojectilecomparedwiththatofthemoon。Theyfearedthatitwoulddisturbtheestablishedorderofthings。Inthatcaseitwerebettertokeepaloof；whichtheydidtothetuneofsomereals。

ThereremainedbutEngland；andweknowthecontemptuousantipathywithwhichshereceivedBarbicane\'sproposition。

TheEnglishhavebutonesoulforthewholetwenty-sixmillionsofinhabitantswhichGreatBritaincontains。TheyhintedthattheenterpriseoftheGunClubwascontrarytothe"principleofnon-intervention。"Andtheydidnotsubscribeasinglefarthing。

AtthisintimationtheGunClubmerelyshruggeditsshouldersandreturnedtoitsgreatwork。WhenSouthAmerica，thatistosay，Peru，Chili，Brazil，theprovincesofLaPlataandColumbia，hadpouredforththeirquotaintotheirhands，thesumof$300，000，itfounditselfinpossessionofaconsiderablecapital，ofwhichthefollowingisastatement:

UnitedStatessubscriptions，……$4，000，000

Foreignsubscriptions……$1，446，675——

Total，……$5，446，675

SuchwasthesumwhichthepublicpouredintothetreasuryoftheGunClub。

Letnoonebesurprisedatthevastnessoftheamount。Theworkofcasting，boring，masonry，thetransportofworkmen，theirestablishmentinanalmostuninhabitedcountry，theconstructionoffurnacesandworkshops，theplant，thepowder，theprojectile，andincipientexpenses，would，accordingtotheestimates，absorbnearlythewhole。Certaincannon-shotsintheFederalwarcostonethousanddollarsapiece。ThisoneofPresidentBarbicane，uniqueintheannalsofgunnery，mightwellcostfivethousandtimesmore。

Onthe20thofOctoberacontractwasenteredintowiththemanufactoryatColdspring，nearNewYork，whichduringthewarhadfurnishedthelargestParrott，cast-ironguns。ItwasstipulatedbetweenthecontractingpartiesthatthemanufactoryofColdspringshouldengagetotransporttoTampaTown，insouthernFlorida，thenecessarymaterialsforcastingtheColumbiad。Theworkwasboundtobecompletedatlatestbythe15thofOctoberfollowing，andthecannondeliveredingoodconditionunderpenaltyofaforfeitofonehundreddollarsadaytothemomentwhenthemoonshouldagainpresentherselfunderthesameconditions——thatistosay，ineighteenyearsandelevendays。

Theengagementoftheworkmen，theirpay，andallthenecessarydetailsofthework，devolvedupontheColdspringCompany。

Thiscontract，executedinduplicate，wassignedbyBarbicane，presidentoftheGunClub，oftheonepart，andT。MurchisondirectoroftheColdspringmanufactory，oftheother，whothusexecutedthedeedonbehalfoftheirrespectiveprincipals。

CHAPTERXIII

STONESHILL

WhenthedecisionwasarrivedatbytheGunClub，tothedisparagementofTexas，everyoneinAmerica，wherereadingisauniversalacquirement，settoworktostudythegeographyofFlorida。Neverbeforehadtherebeensuchasaleforworkslike"Bertram\'sTravelsinFlorida，""Roman\'sNaturalHistoryofEastandWestFlorida，""William\'sTerritoryofFlorida，"and"ClelandontheCultivationoftheSugar-CaneinFlorida。"

Itbecamenecessarytoissuefresheditionsoftheseworks。

Barbicanehadsomethingbettertodothantoread。Hedesiredtoseethingswithhisowneyes，andtomarktheexactpositionoftheproposedgun。So，withoutamoment\'slossoftime，heplacedatthedisposaloftheCambridgeObservatorythefundsnecessaryfortheconstructionofatelescope，andenteredintonegotiationswiththehouseofBreadwillandCo。，ofAlbany，fortheconstructionofanaluminumprojectileoftherequiredsize。

HethenquittedBaltimore，accompaniedbyJ。T。Maston，MajorElphinstone，andthemanageroftheColdspringfactory。

Onthefollowingday，thefourfellow-travelersarrivedatNewOrleans。Theretheyimmediatelyembarkedonboardthe_Tampico_，adespatch-boatbelongingtotheFederalnavy，whichthegovernmenthadplacedattheirdisposal；and，gettingupsteam，thebanksofLouisianaspeedilydisappearedfromsight。

Thepassagewasnotlong。Twodaysafterstarting，the_Tampico_，havingmadefourhundredandeightymiles，cameinsightofthecoastofFlorida。OnanearerapproachBarbicanefoundhimselfinviewofalow，flatcountryofsomewhatbarrenaspect。

Aftercoastingalongaseriesofcreeksaboundinginlobstersandoysters，the_Tampico_enteredthebayofEspirituSanto，whereshefinallyanchoredinasmallnaturalharbor，formedbythe_embouchure_oftheRiverHillisborough，atsevenP。M。，onthe22dofOctober。

Ourfourpassengersdisembarkedatonce。"Gentlemen，"saidBarbicane，"wehavenotimetolose；tomorrowwemustobtainhorses，andproceedtoreconnoiterthecountry。"

BarbicanehadscarcelysethisfootonshorewhenthreethousandoftheinhabitantsofTampaTowncameforthtomeethim，anhonorduetothepresidentwhohadsignalizedtheircountrybyhischoice。

Declining，however，everykindofovation，BarbicaneensconcedhimselfinaroomoftheFranklinHotel。

OnthemorrowsomeofthesmallhorsesoftheSpanishbreed，fullofvigorandoffire，stoodsnortingunderhiswindows；

butinsteadoffoursteeds，herewerefifty，togetherwiththeirriders。Barbicanedescendedwithhisthreefellow-

travelers；andmuchastonishedweretheyalltofindthemselvesinthemidstofsuchacavalcade。Heremarkedthateveryhorsemancarriedacarbineslungacrosshisshouldersandpistolsinhisholsters。

Onexpressinghissurpriseatthesepreparations，hewasspeedilyenlightenedbyayoungFloridan，whoquietlysaid:

"Sir，thereareSeminolesthere。"

"WhatdoyoumeanbySeminoles？"

"Savageswhoscourtheprairies。Wethoughtitbest，therefore，toescortyouonyourroad。"

"Pooh！"criedJ。T。Maston，mountinghissteed。

"Allright，"saidtheFloridan；"butitistrueenough，nevertheless。"

"Gentlemen，"answeredBarbicane，"Ithankyouforyourkindattention；butitistimetobeoff。"

ItwasfiveA。M。whenBarbicaneandhisparty，quittingTampaTown，madetheirwayalongthecoastinthedirectionofAlifiaCreek。

ThislittleriverfallsintoHillisboroughBaytwelvemilesaboveTampaTown。Barbicaneandhisescortcoastedalongitsrightbanktotheeastward。Soonthewavesofthebaydisappearedbehindabendofrisingground，andtheFloridan"champagne"aloneoffereditselftoview。

Florida，discoveredonPalmSunday，in1512，byJuanPoncedeLeon，wasoriginallynamed_PaschaFlorida_。Itlittledeservedthatdesignation，withitsdryandparchedcoasts。Butaftersomefewmilesoftractthenatureofthesoilgraduallychangesandthecountryshowsitselfworthyofthename。Cultivatedplainssoonappear，whereareunitedalltheproductionsofthenorthernandtropicalfloras，terminatinginprairiesaboundingwithpineapplesandyams，tobacco，rice，cotton-plants，andsugar-canes，whichextendbeyondreachofsight，flingingtheirrichesbroadcastwithcarelessprodigality。

Barbicaneappearedhighlypleasedonobservingtheprogressiveelevationoftheland；andinanswertoaquestionofJ。T。

Maston，replied:

"Myworthyfriend，wecannotdobetterthansinkourColumbiadinthesehighgrounds。"

"Togetnearerthemoon，perhaps？"saidthesecretaryoftheGunClub。

"Notexactly，"repliedBarbicane，smiling；"doyounotseethatamongtheseelevatedplateausweshallhaveamucheasierworkofit？Nostruggleswiththewater-springs，whichwillsaveuslongexpensivetubings；andweshallbeworkingindaylightinsteadofdownadeepandnarrowwell。Ourbusiness，then，istoopenourtrenchesupongroundsomehundredsofyardsabovethelevelofthesea。"

"Youareright，sir，"struckinMurchison，theengineer；"and，ifI

mistakenot，weshallerelongfindasuitablespotforourpurpose。"

"Iwishwewereatthefirststrokeofthepickaxe，"saidthepresident。

"AndIwishwewereatthe_last_，"criedJ。T。Maston。

AbouttenA。M。thelittlebandhadcrossedadozenmiles。

Tofertileplainssucceededaregionofforests。Thereperfumesofthemostvariedkindsmingledtogetherintropicalprofusion。

Thesealmostimpenetrableforestswerecomposedofpomegranates，orange-trees，citrons，figs，olives，apricots，bananas，hugevines，whoseblossomsandfruitsrivaledeachotherincolorandperfume。

Beneaththeodorousshadeofthesemagnificenttreesflutteredandwarbledalittleworldofbrilliantlyplumagedbirds。

J。T。Mastonandthemajorcouldnotrepresstheiradmirationonfindingthemselvesinthepresenceofthegloriousbeautiesofthiswealthofnature。PresidentBarbicane，however，lesssensitivetothesewonders，wasinhastetopressforward；

theveryluxurianceofthecountrywasdispleasingtohim。

Theyhastenedonward，therefore，andwerecompelledtofordseveralrivers，notwithoutdanger，fortheywereinfestedwithhugealligatorsfromfifteentoeighteenfeetlong。

Mastoncourageouslymenacedthemwithhissteelhook，butheonlysucceededinfrighteningsomepelicansandteal，whiletallflamingosstaredstupidlyattheparty。

Atlengththesedenizensoftheswampsdisappearedintheirturn；smallertreesbecamethinlyscatteredamonglessdensethickets——afewisolatedgroupsdetachedinthemidstofendlessplainsoverwhichrangedherdsofstartleddeer。

"Atlast，"criedBarbicane，risinginhisstirrups，"hereweareattheregionofpines！"

"Yes！andofsavagestoo，"repliedthemajor。

Infact，someSeminoleshadjustcameinsightuponthehorizon；

theyrodeviolentlybackwardandforwardontheirfleethorses，brandishingtheirspearsordischargingtheirgunswithadullreport。

Thesehostiledemonstrations，however，hadnoeffectuponBarbicaneandhiscompanions。