第3章

Theywerethenoccupyingthecenterofarockyplain，whichthesunscorchedwithitsparchingrays。Thiswasformedbyaconsiderableelevationofthesoil，whichseemedtooffertothemembersoftheGunCluballtheconditionsrequisitefortheconstructionoftheirColumbiad。

"Halt！"saidBarbicane，reiningup。"Hasthisplaceanylocalappellation？"

"ItiscalledStonesHill，"repliedoneoftheFloridans。

Barbicane，withoutsayingaword，dismounted，seizedhisinstruments，andbegantonotehispositionwithextremeexactness。Thelittleband，drawnupintherear，watchedhisproceedingsinprofoundsilence。

Atthismomentthesunpassedthemeridian。Barbicane，afterafewmoments，rapidlywrotedowntheresultofhisobservations，andsaid:

"Thisspotissituatedeighteenhundredfeetabovethelevelofthesea，in27@7\'N。lat。and5@7\'W。long。ofthemeridianofWashington。Itappearstomebyitsrockyandbarrencharactertoofferalltheconditionsrequisiteforourexperiment。Onthatplainwillberaisedourmagazines，workshops，furnaces，andworkmen\'shuts；andhere，fromthisveryspot，"saidhe，stampinghisfootonthesummitofStonesHill，"henceshallourprojectiletakeitsflightintotheregionsoftheSolarWorld。"

CHAPTERXIV

PICKAXEANDTROWEL

ThesameeveningBarbicaneandhiscompanionsreturnedtoTampaTown；andMurchison，theengineer，re-embarkedonboardtheTampicoforNewOrleans。Hisobjectwastoenlistanarmyofworkmen，andtocollecttogetherthegreaterpartofthematerials。

ThemembersoftheGunClubremainedatTampaTown，forthepurposeofsettingonfootthepreliminaryworksbytheaidofthepeopleofthecountry。

Eightdaysafteritsdeparture，theTampicoreturnedintothebayofEspirituSanto，withawholeflotillaofsteamboats。

Murchisonhadsucceededinassemblingtogetherfifteenhundredartisans。AttractedbythehighpayandconsiderablebountiesofferedbytheGunClub，hehadenlistedachoicelegionofstokers，iron-founders，lime-burners，miners，brickmakers，andartisansofeverytrade，withoutdistinctionofcolor。Asmanyofthesepeoplebroughttheirfamilieswiththem，theirdepartureresembledaperfectemigration。

Onthe31stofOctober，atteno\'clockinthemorning，thetroopdisembarkedonthequaysofTampaTown；andonemayimaginetheactivitywhichpervadedthatlittletown，whosepopulationwasthusdoubledinasingleday。

Duringthefirstfewdaystheywerebusydischargingthecargobroughtbytheflotilla，themachines，andtherations，aswellasalargenumberofhutsconstructedofironplates，separatelypiecedandnumbered。AtthesameperiodBarbicanelaidthefirstsleepersofarailwayfifteenmilesinlength，intendedtouniteStonesHillwithTampaTown。OnthefirstofNovemberBarbicanequittedTampaTownwithadetachmentofworkmen；andonthefollowingdaythewholetownofhutswaserectedroundStonesHill。Thistheyenclosedwithpalisades；andinrespectofenergyandactivity，itmighthavebeenmistakenforoneofthegreatcitiesoftheUnion。Everythingwasplacedunderacompletesystemofdiscipline，andtheworkswerecommencedinmostperfectorder。

Thenatureofthesoilhavingbeencarefullyexamined，bymeansofrepeatedborings，theworkofexcavationwasfixedforthe4thofNovember。

OnthatdayBarbicanecalledtogetherhisforemenandaddressedthemasfollows:"Youarewellaware，myfriends，oftheobjectwithwhichIhaveassembledyoutogetherinthiswildpartofFlorida。Ourbusinessistoconstructacannonmeasuringninefeetinitsinteriordiameter，sixfeetthick，andwithastonerevetmentofnineteenandahalffeetinthickness。Wehave，therefore，awellofsixtyfeetindiametertodigdowntoadepthofninehundredfeet。Thisgreatworkmustbecompletedwithineightmonths，sothatyouhave2，543，400cubicfeetofearthtoexcavatein255days；thatistosay，inroundnumbers，2，000cubicfeetperday。Thatwhichwouldpresentnodifficultytoathousandnavviesworkinginopencountrywillbeofcoursemoretroublesomeinacomparativelyconfinedspace。However，thethingmustbedone，andIreckonforitsaccomplishmentuponyourcourageasmuchasuponyourskill。"

Ateighto\'clockthenextmorningthefirststrokeofthepickaxewasstruckuponthesoilofFlorida；andfromthatmomentthatprinceoftoolswasneverinactiveforonemomentinthehandsoftheexcavators。Thegangsrelievedeachothereverythreehours。

Onthe4thofNovemberfiftyworkmencommenceddigging，intheverycenteroftheenclosedspaceonthesummitofStonesHill，acircularholesixtyfeetindiameter。Thepickaxefirststruckuponakindofblackearth，sixinchesinthickness，whichwasspeedilydisposedof。Tothisearthsucceededtwofeetoffinesand，whichwascarefullylaidasideasbeingvaluableforservingthecastingoftheinnermould。Afterthesandappearedsomecompactwhiteclay，resemblingthechalkofGreatBritain，whichextendeddowntoadepthoffourfeet。

Thentheironofthepicksstruckuponthehardbedofthesoil；

akindofrockformedofpetrifiedshells，verydry，verysolid，andwhichthepickscouldwithdifficultypenetrate。Atthispointtheexcavationexhibitedadepthofsixandahalffeetandtheworkofthemasonrywasbegun。

Atthebottomoftheexcavationtheyconstructedawheelofoak，akindofcirclestronglyboltedtogether，andofimmensestrength。

ThecenterofthiswoodendiscwashollowedouttoadiameterequaltotheexteriordiameteroftheColumbiad。Uponthiswheelrestedthefirstlayersofthemasonry，thestonesofwhichwereboundtogetherbyhydrauliccement，withirresistibletenacity。

Theworkmen，afterlayingthestonesfromthecircumferencetothecenter，werethusenclosedwithinakindofwelltwenty-onefeetindiameter。Whenthisworkwasaccomplished，theminersresumedtheirpicksandcutawaytherockfromunderneaththewheelitself，takingcaretosupportitastheyadvanceduponblocksofgreatthickness。Ateverytwofeetwhichtheholegainedindepththeysuccessivelywithdrewtheblocks。Thewheelthensanklittlebylittle，andwithitthemassiveringofmasonry，ontheupperbedofwhichthemasonslaboredincessantly，alwaysreservingsomeventholestopermittheescapeofgasduringtheoperationofthecasting。

Thiskindofworkrequiredonthepartoftheworkmenextremenicetyandminuteattention。Morethanone，indiggingunderneaththewheel，wasdangerouslyinjuredbythesplintersofstone。Buttheirardorneverrelaxed，nightorday。Bydaytheyworkedundertheraysofthescorchingsun；bynight，underthegleamoftheelectriclight。Thesoundsofthepicksagainsttherock，theburstingofmines，thegrindingofthemachines，thewreathsofsmokescatteredthroughtheair，tracedaroundStonesHillacircleofterrorwhichtheherdsofbuffaloesandthewarpartiesoftheSeminolesneverventuredtopass。

Nevertheless，theworksadvancedregularly，asthesteam-cranesactivelyremovedtherubbish。Ofunexpectedobstaclestherewaslittleaccount；andwithregardtoforeseendifficulties，theywerespeedilydisposedof。

Attheexpirationofthefirstmonththewellhadattainedthedepthassignedforthatlapseoftime，namely，112feet。ThisdepthwasdoubledinDecember，andtrebledinJanuary。

DuringthemonthofFebruarytheworkmenhadtocontendwithasheetofwaterwhichmadeitswayrightacrosstheoutersoil。

Itbecamenecessarytoemployverypowerfulpumpsandcompressed-airenginestodrainitoff，soastocloseuptheorificefromwhenceitissued；justasonestopsaleakonboardship。Theyatlastsucceededingettingtheupperhandoftheseuntowardstreams；only，inconsequenceofthelooseningofthesoil，thewheelpartlygaveway，andaslightpartialsettlementensued。Thisaccidentcostthelifeofseveralworkmen。

Nofreshoccurrencethenceforwardarrestedtheprogressoftheoperation；andonthetenthofJune，twentydaysbeforetheexpirationoftheperiodfixedbyBarbicane，thewell，linedthroughoutwithitsfacingofstone，hadattainedthedepthof900feet。Atthebottomthemasonryresteduponamassiveblockmeasuringthirtyfeetinthickness，whileontheupperportionitwaslevelwiththesurroundingsoil。

PresidentBarbicaneandthemembersoftheGunClubwarmlycongratulatedtheirengineerMurchison；thecyclopeanworkhadbeenaccomplishedwithextraordinaryrapidity。

DuringtheseeightmonthsBarbicaneneverquittedStonesHillforasingleinstant。Keepingeverclosebytheworkofexcavation，hebusiedhimselfincessantlywiththewelfareandhealthofhisworkpeople，andwassingularlyfortunateinwardingofftheepidemicscommontolargecommunitiesofmen，andsodisastrousinthoseregionsoftheglobewhichareexposedtotheinfluencesoftropicalclimates。

Manyworkmen，itistrue，paidwiththeirlivesfortherashnessinherentinthesedangerouslabors；butthesemishapsareimpossibletobeavoided，andtheyareclassedamongthedetailswithwhichtheAmericanstroublethemselvesbutlittle。Theyhaveinfactmoreregardforhumannatureingeneralthanfortheindividualinparticular。

Nevertheless，Barbicaneprofessedoppositeprinciplestothese，andputtheminforceateveryopportunity。So，thankstohiscare，hisintelligence，hisusefulinterventioninalldifficulties，hisprodigiousandhumanesagacity，theaverageofaccidentsdidnotexceedthatoftransatlanticcountries，notedfortheirexcessiveprecautions——France，forinstance，amongothers，wheretheyreckonaboutoneaccidentforeverytwohundredthousandfrancsofwork。

CHAPTERXV

THEFETEOFTHECASTING

Duringtheeightmonthswhichwereemployedintheworkofexcavationthepreparatoryworksofthecastinghadbeencarriedonsimultaneouslywithextremerapidity。AstrangerarrivingatStonesHillwouldhavebeensurprisedatthespectacleofferedtohisview。

At600yardsfromthewell，andcircularlyarrangedarounditasacentralpoint，rose1，200reverberatingovens，eachsixfeetindiameter，andseparatedfromeachotherbyanintervalofthreefeet。Thecircumferenceoccupiedbythese1，200ovenspresentedalengthoftwomiles。Beingallconstructedonthesameplan，eachwithitshighquadrangularchimney，theyproducedamostsingulareffect。

ItwillberememberedthatontheirthirdmeetingthecommitteehaddecidedtousecastironfortheColumbiad，andinparticularthewhitedescription。Thismetal，infact，isthemosttenacious，themostductile，andthemostmalleable，andconsequentlysuitableforallmouldingoperations；andwhensmeltedwithpitcoal，isofsuperiorqualityforallengineeringworksrequiringgreatresistingpower，suchascannon，steamboilers，hydraulicpresses，andthelike。

Castiron，however，ifsubjectedtoonlyonesinglefusion，israrelysufficientlyhomogeneous；anditrequiresasecondfusioncompletelytorefineitbydispossessingitofitslastearthlydeposits。SolongbeforebeingforwardedtoTampaTown，theironore，molteninthegreatfurnacesofColdspring，andbroughtintocontactwithcoalandsiliciumheatedtoahightemperature，wascarburizedandtransformedintocastiron。

Afterthisfirstoperation，themetalwassentontoStonesHill。

Theyhad，however，todealwith136，000，000poundsofiron，aquantityfartoocostlytosendbyrailway。Thecostoftransportwouldhavebeendoublethatofmaterial。ItappearedpreferabletofreightvesselsatNewYork，andtoloadthemwiththeironinbars。This，however，requirednotlessthansixty-

eightvesselsof1，000tons，averitablefleet，which，quittingNewYorkonthe3rdofMay，onthe10thofthesamemonthascendedtheBayofEspirituSanto，anddischargedtheircargoes，withoutdues，intheportatTampaTown。ThencetheironwastransportedbyrailtoStonesHill，andaboutthemiddleofJanuarythisenormousmassofmetalwasdeliveredatitsdestination。

Itwilleasilybeunderstoodthat1，200furnaceswerenottoomanytomeltsimultaneouslythese60，000tonsofiron。Eachofthesefurnacescontainednearly140，000poundsweightofmetal。

TheywereallbuiltafterthemodelofthosewhichservedforthecastingoftheRodmangun；theyweretrapezoidalinshape，withahighellipticalarch。Thesefurnaces，constructedoffireproofbrick，wereespeciallyadaptedforburningpitcoal，withaflatbottomuponwhichtheironbarswerelaid。Thisbottom，inclinedatanangleof25degrees，allowedthemetaltoflowintothereceivingtroughs；andthe1，200convergingtrenchescarriedthemoltenmetaldowntothecentralwell。

Thedayfollowingthatonwhichtheworksofthemasonryandboringhadbeencompleted，Barbicanesettoworkuponthecentralmould。Hisobjectnowwastoraisewithinthecenterofthewell，andwithacoincidentaxis，acylinder900feethigh，andninefeetindiameter，whichshouldexactlyfillupthespacereservedfortheboreoftheColumbiad。Thiscylinderwascomposedofamixtureofclayandsand，withtheadditionofalittlehayandstraw。Thespaceleftbetweenthemouldandthemasonrywasintendedtobefilledupbythemoltenmetal，whichwouldthusformthewallssixfeetinthickness。Thiscylinder，inordertomaintainitsequilibrium，hadtobeboundbyironbands，andfirmlyfixedatcertainintervalsbycross-clampsfastenedintothestonelining；afterthecastingsthesewouldbeburiedintheblockofmetal，leavingnoexternalprojection。

Thisoperationwascompletedonthe8thofJuly，andtherunofthemetalwasfixedforthefollowingday。

"This_fete_ofthecastingwillbeagrandceremony，"saidJ。

T。MastontohisfriendBarbicane。

"Undoubtedly，"saidBarbicane；"butitwillnotbeapublic_fete_"

"What！willyounotopenthegatesoftheenclosuretoallcomers？"

"Imustbeverycareful，Maston。ThecastingoftheColumbiadisanextremelydelicate，nottosayadangerousoperation，andIshouldpreferitsbeingdoneprivately。Atthedischargeoftheprojectile，a_fete_ifyoulike——tillthen，no！"

Thepresidentwasright。Theoperationinvolvedunforeseendangers，whichagreatinfluxofspectatorswouldhavehinderedhimfromaverting。Itwasnecessarytopreservecompletefreedomofmovement。NoonewasadmittedwithintheenclosureexceptadelegationofmembersoftheGunClub，whohadmadethevoyagetoTampaTown。AmongthesewasthebriskBilsby，TomHunter，ColonelBlomsberry，MajorElphinstone，GeneralMorgan，andtherestofthelottowhomthecastingoftheColumbiadwasamatterofpersonalinterest。J。T。Mastonbecametheircicerone。

Heomittednopointofdetail；heconductedthemthroughoutthemagazines，workshops，throughthemidstoftheengines，andcompelledthemtovisitthewhole1，200furnacesoneaftertheother。Attheendofthetwelve-hundredthvisittheywereprettywellknockedup。

Thecastingwastotakeplaceattwelveo\'clockprecisely。

Thepreviouseveningeachfurnacehadbeenchargedwith114，000

poundsweightofmetalinbarsdisposedcross-waystoeachother，soastoallowthehotairtocirculatefreelybetweenthem。

Atdaybreakthe1，200chimneysvomitedtheirtorrentsofflameintotheair，andthegroundwasagitatedwithdulltremblings。

Asmanypoundsofmetalasthereweretocast，somanypoundsofcoalweretheretoburn。Thustherewere68，000tonsofcoalwhichprojectedinthefaceofthesunathickcurtainofsmoke。

Theheatsoonbecameinsupportablewithinthecircleoffurnaces，therumblingofwhichresembledtherollingofthunder。Thepowerfulventilatorsaddedtheircontinuousblastsandsaturatedwithoxygentheglowingplates。Theoperation，tobesuccessful，requiredtobeconductedwithgreatrapidity。Onasignalgivenbyacannon-shoteachfurnacewastogiveventtothemoltenironandcompletelytoemptyitself。Thesearrangementsmade，foremenandworkmenwaitedthepreconcertedmomentwithanimpatiencemingledwithacertainamountofemotion。Notasoulremainedwithintheenclosure。Eachsuperintendenttookhispostbytheapertureoftherun。

Barbicaneandhiscolleagues，perchedonaneighboringeminence，assistedattheoperation。Infrontofthemwasapieceofartilleryreadytogivefireonthesignalfromtheengineer。

Someminutesbeforemiddaythefirstdribletsofmetalbegantoflow；thereservoirsfilledlittlebylittle；and，bythetimethatthewholemeltingwascompletelyaccomplished，itwaskeptinabeyanceforafewminutesinordertofacilitatetheseparationofforeignsubstances。

Twelveo\'clockstruck！Agunshotsuddenlypealedforthandshotitsflameintotheair。Twelvehundredmelting-troughsweresimultaneouslyopenedandtwelvehundredfieryserpentscrepttowardthecentralwell，unrollingtheirincandescentcurves。

There，downtheyplungedwithaterrificnoiseintoadepthof900feet。Itwasanexcitingandamagnificentspectacle。

Thegroundtrembled，whilethesemoltenwaves，launchingintotheskytheirwreathsofsmoke，evaporatedthemoistureofthemouldandhurleditupwardthroughthevent-holesofthestoneliningintheformofdensevapor-clouds。Theseartificialcloudsunrolledtheirthickspiralstoaheightof1，000yardsintotheair。Asavage，wanderingsomewherebeyondthelimitsofthehorizon，mighthavebelievedthatsomenewcraterwasforminginthebosomofFlorida，althoughtherewasneitheranyeruption，nortyphoon，norstorm，norstruggleoftheelements，noranyofthoseterriblephenomenawhichnatureiscapableofproducing。

No，itwasmanalonewhohadproducedthesereddishvapors，thesegiganticflamesworthyofavolcanoitself，thesetremendousvibrationsresemblingtheshockofanearthquake，thesereverberationsrivalingthoseofhurricanesandstorms；

anditwashishandwhichprecipitatedintoanabyss，dugbyhimself，awholeNiagaraofmoltenmetal！

CHAPTERXVI

THECOLUMBIAD

Hadthecastingsucceeded？Theywerereducedtomereconjecture。

Therewasindeedeveryreasontoexpectsuccess，sincethemouldhasabsorbedtheentiremassofthemoltenmetal；stillsomeconsiderabletimemustelapsebeforetheycouldarriveatanycertaintyuponthematter。

ThepatienceofthemembersoftheGunClubwassorelytriedduringthisperiodoftime。Buttheycoulddonothing。J。T。Mastonescapedroastingbyamiracle。FifteendaysafterthecastinganimmensecolumnofsmokewasstillrisingintheopenskyandthegroundburnedthesolesofthefeetwithinaradiusoftwohundredfeetroundthesummitofStonesHill。Itwasimpossibletoapproachnearer。Alltheycoulddowastowaitwithwhatpatiencetheymight。

"Hereweareatthe10thofAugust，"exclaimedJ。T。Mastononemorning，"onlyfourmonthstothe1stofDecember！Weshallneverbereadyintime！"Barbicanesaidnothing，buthissilencecoveredseriousirritation。

However，dailyobservationsrevealedacertainchangegoingoninthestateoftheground。Aboutthe15thofAugustthevaporsejectedhadsensiblydiminishedinintensityandthickness。

Somedaysafterwardtheearthexhaledonlyaslightpuffofsmoke，thelastbreathofthemonsterenclosedwithinitscircleofstone。Littlebylittlethebeltofheatcontracted，untilonthe22ndofAugust，Barbicane，hiscolleagues，andtheengineerwereenabledtosetfootontheironsheetwhichlayleveluponthesummitofStonesHill。

"Atlast！"exclaimedthepresidentoftheGunClub，withanimmensesighofrelief。

Theworkwasresumedthesameday。Theyproceededatoncetoextracttheinteriormould，forthepurposeofclearingouttheboringofthepiece。Pickaxesandboringironsweresettoworkwithoutintermission。Theclayeyandsandysoilshadacquiredextremehardnessundertheactionoftheheat；but，bytheaidofthemachines，therubbishonbeingdugoutwasrapidlycartedawayonrailwaywagons；andsuchwastheardorofthework，sopersuasivetheargumentsofBarbicane\'sdollars，thatbythe3rdofSeptemberalltracesofthemouldhadentirelydisappeared。

Immediatelytheoperationofboringwascommenced；andbytheaidofpowerfulmachines，afewweekslater，theinnersurfaceoftheimmensetubehadbeenrenderedperfectlycylindrical，andtheboreofthepiecehadacquiredathoroughpolish。

Atlength，onthe22dofSeptember，lessthanatwelvemonthafterBarbicane\'soriginalproposition，theenormousweapon，accuratelybored，andexactlyverticallypointed，wasreadyforwork。Therewasonlythemoonnowtowaitfor；andtheywereprettysurethatshewouldnotfailintherendezvous。

TheecstasyofJ。T。Mastonknewnobounds，andhenarrowlyescapedafrightfulfallwhilestaringdownthetube。ButforthestronghandofColonelBlomsberry，theworthysecretary，likeamodernErostratus，wouldhavefoundhisdeathinthedepthsoftheColumbiad。

Thecannonwasthenfinished；therewasnopossibledoubtastoitsperfectcompletion。So，onthe6thofOctober，CaptainNichollopenedanaccountbetweenhimselfandPresidentBarbicane，inwhichhedebitedhimselftothelatterinthesumoftwothousanddollars。Onemaybelievethatthecaptain\'swrathwasincreasedtoitshighestpoint，andmusthavemadehimseriouslyill。

However，hehadstillthreebetsofthree，four，andfivethousanddollars，respectively；andifhegainedtwooutofthese，hispositionwouldnotbeverybad。Butthemoneyquestiondidnotenterintohiscalculations；itwasthesuccessofhisrivalincastingacannonagainstwhichironplatessixtyfeetthickwouldhavebeenineffectual，thatdealthimaterribleblow。

Afterthe23rdofSeptembertheenclosureofStoneshillwasthrownopentothepublic；anditwillbeeasilyimaginedwhatwastheconcourseofvisitorstothisspot！TherewasanincessantflowofpeopletoandfromTampaTownandtheplace，whichresembledaprocession，orrather，infact，apilgrimage。

Itwasalreadycleartobeseenthat，onthedayoftheexperimentitself，theaggregateofspectatorswouldbecountedbymillions；fortheywerealreadyarrivingfromallpartsoftheearthuponthisnarrowstripofpromontory。EuropewasemigratingtoAmerica。

Uptothattime，however，itmustbeconfessed，thecuriosityofthenumerouscomerswasbutscantilygratified。Mosthadcounteduponwitnessingthespectacleofthecasting，andtheyweretreatedtonothingbutsmoke。Thiswassorryfoodforhungryeyes；butBarbicanewouldadmitnoonetothatoperation。

Thenensuedgrumbling，discontent，murmurs；theyblamedthepresident，taxedhimwithdictatorialconduct。Hisproceedingsweredeclared"un-American。"TherewasverynearlyariotroundStonesHill；butBarbicaneremainedinflexible。When，however，theColumbiadwasentirelyfinished，thisstateofcloseddoorscouldnolongerbemaintained；besidesitwouldhavebeenbadtaste，andevenimprudence，toaffrontthepublicfeeling。

Barbicane，therefore，openedtheenclosuretoallcomers；but，truetohispracticaldisposition，hedeterminedtocoinmoneyoutofthepubliccuriosity。

Itwassomething，indeed，tobeenabledtocontemplatethisimmenseColumbiad；buttodescendintoitsdepths，thisseemedtotheAmericansthe_neplusultra_ofearthlyfelicity。

Consequently，therewasnotonecuriousspectatorwhowasnotwillingtogivehimselfthetreatofvisitingtheinteriorofthisgreatmetallicabyss。Basketssuspendedfromsteam-cranespermittedthemtosatisfytheircuriosity。Therewasaperfectmania。Women，children，oldmen，allmadeitapointofdutytopenetratethemysteriesofthecolossalgun。

Thefareforthedescentwasfixedatfivedollarsperhead；

anddespitethishighcharge，duringthetwomonthswhichprecededtheexperiment，theinfluxofvisitorsenabledtheGunClubtopocketnearlyfivehundredthousanddollars！

ItisneedlesstosaythatthefirstvisitorsoftheColumbiadwerethemembersoftheGunClub。Thisprivilegewasjustlyreservedforthatillustriousbody。Theceremonytookplaceonthe25thofSeptember。Abasketofhonortookdownthepresident，J。T。Maston，MajorElphinstone，GeneralMorgan，ColonelBlomsberry，andothermembersoftheclub，tothenumberofteninall。Howhotitwasatthebottomofthatlongtubeofmetal！Theywerehalfsuffocated。Butwhatdelight！

Whatecstasy！AtablehadbeenlaidwithsixcoversonthemassivestonewhichformedthebottomoftheColumbiad，andlightedbyajetofelectriclightresemblingthatofdayitself。

Numerousexquisitedishes，whichseemedtodescendfromheaven，wereplacedsuccessivelybeforetheguests，andtherichestwinesofFranceflowedinprofusionduringthissplendidrepast，servedninehundredfeetbeneaththesurfaceoftheearth！

Thefestivalwasanimated，nottosaysomewhatnoisy。Toastsflewbackwardandforward。Theydranktotheearthandtohersatellite，totheGunClub，theUnion，theMoon，Diana，Phoebe，Selene，the"peacefulcourierofthenight！"Allthehurrahs，carriedupwarduponthesonorouswavesoftheimmenseacoustictube，arrivedwiththesoundofthunderatitsmouth；andthemultituderangedroundStonesHillheartilyunitedtheirshoutswiththoseofthetenrevelershiddenfromviewatthebottomofthegiganticColumbiad。

J。T。Mastonwasnolongermasterofhimself。Whetherheshoutedorgesticulated，ateordrankmost，wouldbeadifficultmattertodetermine。Atallevents，hewouldnothavegivenhisplaceupforanempire，"notevenifthecannon——loaded，primed，andfiredatthatverymoment——weretoblowhiminpiecesintotheplanetaryworld。"

CHAPTERXVII

ATELEGRAPHICDISPATCH

ThegreatworksundertakenbytheGunClubhadnowvirtuallycometoanend；andtwomonthsstillremainedbeforethedayforthedischargeoftheshottothemoon。Tothegeneralimpatiencethesetwomonthsappearedaslongasyears！Hithertothesmallestdetailsoftheoperationhadbeendailychronicledbythejournals，whichthepublicdevouredwitheagereyes。

Justatthismomentacircumstance，themostunexpected，themostextraordinaryandincredible，occurredtorouseafreshtheirpantingspirits，andtothroweverymindintoastateofthemostviolentexcitement。

Oneday，the30thofSeptember，at3:47P。M。，atelegram，transmittedbycablefromValentia(Ireland)toNewfoundlandandtheAmericanMainland，arrivedattheaddressofPresidentBarbicane。

Thepresidenttoreopentheenvelope，readthedispatch，and，despitehisremarkablepowersofself-control，hislipsturnedpaleandhiseyesgrewdim，onreadingthetwentywordsofthistelegram。

Hereisthetextofthedispatch，whichfiguresnowinthearchivesoftheGunClub:

FRANCE，PARIS，30September，4A。M。

Barbicane，TampaTown，Florida，UnitedStates。

Substituteforyoursphericalshellacylindro-conicalprojectile。

Ishallgoinside。ShallarrivebysteamerAtlanta。

MICHELARDAN。

CHAPTERXVIII

THEPASSENGEROFTHEATLANTA

Ifthisastoundingnews，insteadofflyingthroughtheelectricwires，hadsimplyarrivedbypostintheordinarysealedenvelope，Barbicanewouldnothavehesitatedamoment。Hewouldhaveheldhistongueaboutit，bothasameasureofprudence，andinordernottohavetoreconsiderhisplans。Thistelegrammightbeacoverforsomejest，especiallyasitcamefromaFrenchman。

Whathumanbeingwouldeverhaveconceivedtheideaofsuchajourney？and，ifsuchapersonreallyexisted，hemustbeanidiot，whomonewouldshutupinalunaticward，ratherthanwithinthewallsoftheprojectile。

Thecontentsofthedispatch，however，speedilybecameknown；

forthetelegraphicofficialspossessedbutlittlediscretion，andMichelArdan\'spropositionranatoncethroughouttheseveralStatesoftheUnion。Barbicane，had，therefore，nofurthermotivesforkeepingsilence。Consequently，hecalledtogethersuchofhiscolleaguesaswereatthemomentinTampaTown，andwithoutanyexpressionofhisownopinionssimplyreadtothemthelaconictextitself。Itwasreceivedwitheverypossiblevarietyofexpressionsofdoubt，incredulity，andderisionfromeveryone，withtheexceptionofJ。T。Maston，whoexclaimed，"Itisagrandidea，however！"

WhenBarbicaneoriginallyproposedtosendashottothemooneveryonelookedupontheenterpriseassimpleandpracticableenough——amerequestionofgunnery；butwhenaperson，professingtobeareasonablebeing，offeredtotakepassagewithintheprojectile，thewholethingbecameafarce，or，inplainerlanguageahumbug。

Onequestion，however，remained。Didsuchabeingexist？

ThistelegramflashedacrossthedepthsoftheAtlantic，thedesignationofthevesselonboardwhichhewastotakehispassage，thedateassignedforhisspeedyarrival，allcombinedtoimpartacertaincharacterofrealitytotheproposal。

Theymustgetsomeclearernotionofthematter。Scatteredgroupsofinquirersatlengthcondensedthemselvesintoacompactcrowd，whichmadestraightfortheresidenceofPresidentBarbicane。

Thatworthyindividualwaskeepingquietwiththeintentionofwatchingeventsastheyarose。Buthehadforgottentotakeintoaccountthepublicimpatience；anditwaswithnopleasantcountenancethathewatchedthepopulationofTampaTowngatheringunderhiswindows。Themurmursandvociferationsbelowpresentlyobligedhimtoappear。Hecameforward，therefore，andonsilencebeingprocured，acitizenputpoint-blanktohimthefollowingquestion:"Isthepersonmentionedinthetelegram，underthenameofMichelArdan，onhiswayhere？Yesorno。"

"Gentlemen，"repliedBarbicane，"Iknownomorethanyoudo。"

"Wemustknow，"roaredtheimpatientvoices。

"Timewillshow，"calmlyrepliedthepresident。

"Timehasnobusinesstokeepawholecountryinsuspense，"

repliedtheorator。"Haveyoualteredtheplansoftheprojectileaccordingtotherequestofthetelegram？"

"Notyet，gentlemen；butyouareright！wemusthavebetterinformationtogoby。Thetelegraphmustcompleteitsinformation。"

"Tothetelegraph！"roaredthecrowd。

Barbicanedescended；andheadingtheimmenseassemblage，ledthewaytothetelegraphoffice。AfewminuteslateratelegramwasdispatchedtothesecretaryoftheunderwritersatLiverpool，requestinganswerstothefollowingqueries:

"AbouttheshipAtlanta——whendidsheleaveEurope？HadsheonboardaFrenchmannamedMichelArdan？"

TwohoursafterwardBarbicanereceivedinformationtooexacttoleaveroomforthesmallestremainingdoubt。

"ThesteamerAtlantafromLiverpoolputtoseaonthe2ndofOctober，boundforTampaTown，havingonboardaFrenchmanborneonthelistofpassengersbythenameofMichelArdan。"

ThatveryeveninghewrotetothehouseofBreadwillandCo。，requestingthemtosuspendthecastingoftheprojectileuntilthereceiptoffurtherorders。Onthe10thofOctober，atnineA。M。，thesemaphoresoftheBahamaCanalsignaledathicksmokeonthehorizon。Twohourslateralargesteamerexchangedsignalswiththem。thenameoftheAtlantaflewatonceoverTampaTown。Atfouro\'clocktheEnglishvesselenteredtheBayofEspirituSanto。AtfiveitcrossedthepassageofHillisboroughBayatfullsteam。AtsixshecastanchoratPortTampa。TheanchorhadscarcelycaughtthesandybottomwhenfivehundredboatssurroundedtheAtlanta，andthesteamerwastakenbyassault。Barbicanewasthefirsttosetfootondeck，andinavoiceofwhichhevainlytriedtoconcealtheemotion，called"MichelArdan。"

"Here！"repliedanindividualperchedonthepoop。

Barbicane，witharmscrossed，lookedfixedlyatthepassengeroftheAtlanta。

Hewasamanofaboutforty-twoyearsofage，oflargebuild，butslightlyround-shouldered。Hismassiveheadmomentarilyshookashockofreddishhair，whichresembledalion\'smane。

Hisfacewasshortwithabroadforehead，andfurnishedwithamoustacheasbristlyasacat\'s，andlittlepatchesofyellowishwhiskersuponfullcheeks。Round，wildisheyes，slightlynear-sighted，completedaphysiognomyessentiallyfeline。

Hisnosewasfirmlyshaped，hismouthparticularlysweetinexpression，highforehead，intelligentandfurrowedwithwrinkleslikeanewly-plowedfield。Thebodywaspowerfullydevelopedandfirmlyfixeduponlonglegs。Musculararms，andageneralairofdecisiongavehimtheappearanceofahardy，jolly，companion。Hewasdressedinasuitofampledimensions，looseneckerchief，openshirtcollar，disclosingarobustneck；

hiscuffswereinvariablyunbuttoned，throughwhichappearedapairofredhands。

Onthebridgeofthesteamer，inthemidstofthecrowd，hebustledtoandfro，neverstillforamoment，"dragginghisanchors，"asthesailorssay，gesticulating，makingfreewitheverybody，bitinghisnailswithnervousavidity。Hewasoneofthoseoriginalswhichnaturesometimesinventsinthefreakofamoment，andofwhichshethenbreaksthemould。

Amongotherpeculiarities，thiscuriositygavehimselfoutforasublimeignoramus，"likeShakespeare，"andprofessedsupremecontemptforallscientificmen。Those"fellows，"ashecalledthem，"areonlyfittomarkthepoints，whileweplaythegame。"

Hewas，infact，athoroughBohemian，adventurous，butnotanadventurer；ahare-brainedfellow，akindofIcarus，onlypossessingrelaysofwings。Fortherest，hewaseverinscrapes，endinginvariablybyfallingonhisfeet，likethoselittlefigureswhichtheysellforchildren\'stoys。Inafewwords，hismottowas"Ihavemyopinions，"andtheloveoftheimpossibleconstitutedhisrulingpassion。

SuchwasthepassengeroftheAtlanta，alwaysexcitable，asifboilingundertheactionofsomeinternalfirebythecharacterofhisphysicalorganization。Ifevertwoindividualsofferedastrikingcontrasttoeachother，thesewerecertainlyMichelArdanandtheYankeeBarbicane；both，moreover，beingequallyenterprisinganddaring，eachinhisownway。

ThescrutinywhichthepresidentoftheGunClubhadinstitutedregardingthisnewrivalwasquicklyinterruptedbytheshoutsandhurrahsofthecrowd。Thecriesbecameatlastsouproarious，andthepopularenthusiasmassumedsopersonalaform，thatMichelArdan，afterhavingshakenhandssomethousandsoftimes，attheimminentriskofleavinghisfingersbehindhim，wasfainatlasttomakeaboltforhiscabin。

Barbicanefollowedhimwithoututteringaword。

"YouareBarbicane，Isuppose？"saidMichelArdan，inatoneofvoiceinwhichhewouldhaveaddressedafriendoftwentyyears\'standing。

"Yes，"repliedthepresidentoftheGunClub。

"Allright！howd\'yedo，Barbicane？howareyougettingon——

prettywell？that\'sright。"

"So，"saidBarbicanewithoutfurtherpreliminary，"youarequitedeterminedtogo。"

"Quitedecided。"

"Nothingwillstopyou？"

"Nothing。Haveyoumodifiedyourprojectileaccordingtomytelegram。"

"Iwaitedforyourarrival。But，"askedBarbicaneagain，"haveyoucarefullyreflected？"

"Reflected？haveIanytimetospare？Ifindanopportunityofmakingatourinthemoon，andImeantoprofitbyit。Thereisthewholegistofthematter。"

Barbicanelookedhardatthismanwhospokesolightlyofhisprojectwithsuchcompleteabsenceofanxiety。"But，atleast，"

saidhe，"youhavesomeplans，somemeansofcarryingyourprojectintoexecution？"

"Excellent，mydearBarbicane；onlypermitmetoofferoneremark:

Mywishistotellmystoryonceforall，toeverybody，andthenhavedonewithit；thentherewillbenoneedforrecapitulation。

So，ifyouhavenoobjection，assembleyourfriends，colleagues，thewholetown，allFlorida，allAmericaifyoulike，andto-morrowIshallbereadytoexplainmyplansandansweranyobjectionswhateverthatmaybeadvanced。YoumayrestassuredIshallwaitwithoutstirring。Willthatsuityou？"

"Allright，"repliedBarbicane。

Sosaying，thepresidentleftthecabinandinformedthecrowdoftheproposalofMichelArdan。Hiswordswerereceivedwithclappingsofhandsandshoutsofjoy。Theyhadremovedalldifficulties。

To-morroweveryonewouldcontemplateathiseasethisEuropeanhero。

However，someofthespectators，moreinfatuatedthantherest，wouldnotleavethedeckoftheAtlanta。Theypassedthenightonboard。AmongothersJ。T。Mastongothishookfixedinthecombingofthepoop，anditprettynearlyrequiredthecapstantogetitoutagain。

"Heisahero！ahero！"hecried，athemeofwhichhewasnevertiredofringingthechanges；"andweareonlylikeweak，sillywomen，comparedwiththisEuropean！"

Astothepresident，afterhavingsuggestedtothevisitorsitwastimetoretire，here-enteredthepassenger\'scabin，andremainedtheretillthebellofthesteamermadeitmidnight。

Butthenthetworivalsinpopularityshookhandsheartilyandpartedontermsofintimatefriendship。

CHAPTERXIX

AMONSTERMEETING

OnthefollowingdayBarbicane，fearingthatindiscreetquestionsmightbeputtoMichelArdan，wasdesirousofreducingthenumberoftheaudiencetoafewoftheinitiated，hisowncolleaguesforinstance。HemightaswellhavetriedtochecktheFallsofNiagara！hewascompelled，therefore，togiveuptheidea，andlethisnewfriendrunthechancesofapublicconference。Theplacechosenforthismonstermeetingwasavastplainsituatedintherearofthetown。Inafewhours，thankstothehelpoftheshippinginport，animmenseroofingofcanvaswasstretchedovertheparchedprairie，andprotecteditfromtheburningraysofthesun。TherethreehundredthousandpeoplebravedformanyhoursthestiflingheatwhileawaitingthearrivaloftheFrenchman。Ofthiscrowdofspectatorsafirstsetcouldbothseeandhear；asecondsetsawbadlyandheardnothingatall；andasforthethird，itcouldneitherseenorhearanythingatall。Atthreeo\'clockMichelArdanmadehisappearance，accompaniedbytheprincipalmembersoftheGunClub。HewassupportedonhisrightbyPresidentBarbicane，andonhisleftbyJ。T。Maston，moreradiantthanthemiddaysun，andnearlyasruddy。Ardanmountedaplatform，fromthetopofwhichhisviewextendedoveraseaofblackhats。

Heexhibitednottheslightestembarrassment；hewasjustasgay，familiar，andpleasantasifhewereathome。Tothehurrahswhichgreetedhimherepliedbyagracefulbow；then，wavinghishandstorequestsilence，hespokeinperfectlycorrectEnglishasfollows:

"Gentlemen，despitetheveryhotweatherIrequestyourpatienceforashorttimewhileIoffersomeexplanationsregardingtheprojectswhichseemtohavesointerestedyou。Iamneitheranoratornoramanofscience，andIhadnoideaofaddressingyouinpublic；butmyfriendBarbicanehastoldmethatyouwouldliketohearme，andIamquiteatyourservice。Listentome，therefore，withyoursixhundredthousandears，andpleaseexcusethefaultsofthespeaker。Nowpraydonotforgetthatyouseebeforeyouaperfectignoramuswhoseignorancegoessofarthathecannotevenunderstandthedifficulties！Itseemedtohimthatitwasamatterquitesimple，natural，andeasytotakeone\'splaceinaprojectileandstartforthemoon！

Thatjourneymustbeundertakensoonerorlater；and，asforthemodeoflocomotionadopted，itfollowssimplythelawofprogress。

Manbeganbywalkingonall-fours；then，onefineday，ontwofeet；theninacarriage；theninastage-coach；andlastlybyrailway。Well，theprojectileisthevehicleofthefuture，andtheplanetsthemselvesarenothingelse！Nowsomeofyou，gentlemen，mayimaginethatthevelocityweproposetoimparttoitisextravagant。Itisnothingofthekind。Allthestarsexceeditinrapidity，andtheearthherselfisatthismomentcarryingusroundthesunatthreetimesasrapidarate，andyetsheisamereloungeronthewaycomparedwithmanyothersoftheplanets！Andhervelocityisconstantlydecreasing。

Isitnotevident，then，Iaskyou，thattherewillsomedayappearvelocitiesfargreaterthanthese，ofwhichlightorelectricitywillprobablybethemechanicalagent？

"Yes，gentlemen，"continuedtheorator，"inspiteoftheopinionsofcertainnarrow-mindedpeople，whowouldshutupthehumanraceuponthisglobe，aswithinsomemagiccirclewhichitmustneveroutstep，weshallonedaytraveltothemoon，theplanets，andthestars，withthesamefacility，rapidity，andcertaintyaswenowmakethevoyagefromLiverpooltoNewYork！

Distanceisbutarelativeexpression，andmustendbybeingreducedtozero。"

Theassembly，stronglypredisposedastheywereinfavoroftheFrenchhero，wereslightlystaggeredatthisboldtheory。

MichelArdanperceivedthefact。

"Gentlemen，"hecontinuedwithapleasantsmile，"youdonotseemquiteconvinced。Verygood！Letusreasonthematterout。

Doyouknowhowlongitwouldtakeforanexpresstraintoreachthemoon？Threehundreddays；nomore！Andwhatisthat？

Thedistanceisnomorethanninetimesthecircumferenceoftheearth；andtherearenosailorsortravelers，ofevenmoderateactivity，whohavenotmadelongerjourneysthanthatintheirlifetime。AndnowconsiderthatIshallbeonlyninety-

sevenhoursonmyjourney。Ah！Iseeyouarereckoningthatthemoonisalongwayofffromtheearth，andthatonemustthinktwicebeforemakingtheexperiment。Whatwouldyousay，then，ifweweretalkingofgoingtoNeptune，whichrevolvesatadistanceofmorethantwothousandsevenhundredandtwentymillionsofmilesfromthesun！Andyetwhatisthatcomparedwiththedistanceofthefixedstars，someofwhich，suchasArcturus，arebillionsofmilesdistantfromus？Andthenyoutalkofthedistancewhichseparatestheplanetsfromthesun！Andtherearepeoplewhoaffirmthatsuchathingasdistanceexists。

Absurdity，folly，idioticnonsense！WouldyouknowwhatIthinkofourownsolaruniverse？ShallItellyoumytheory？Itisverysimple！Inmyopinionthesolarsystemisasolidhomogeneousbody；theplanetswhichcomposeitareinactualcontactwitheachother；andwhateverspaceexistsbetweenthemisnothingmorethanthespacewhichseparatesthemoleculesofthedensestmetal，suchassilver，iron，orplatinum！Ihavetheright，therefore，toaffirm，andIrepeat，withtheconvictionwhichmustpenetrateallyourminds，`Distanceisbutanemptyname；distancedoesnotreallyexist！\'"

"Hurrah！"criedonevoice(needitbesaiditwasthatofJ。T。Maston)。"Distancedoesnotexist！"Andovercomebytheenergyofhismovements，henearlyfellfromtheplatformtotheground。Hejustescapedaseverefall，whichwouldhaveprovedtohimthatdistancewasbynomeansanemptyname。

"Gentlemen，"resumedtheorator，"Irepeatthatthedistancebetweentheearthandhersatelliteisameretrifle，andundeservingofseriousconsideration。Iamconvincedthatbeforetwentyyearsareoverone-halfofourearthwillhavepaidavisittothemoon。Now，myworthyfriends，ifyouhaveanyquestiontoputtome，youwill，Ifear，sadlyembarrassapoormanlikemyself；stillIwilldomybesttoansweryou。"

UptothispointthepresidentoftheGunClubhadbeensatisfiedwiththeturnwhichthediscussionhadassumed。

Itbecamenow，however，desirabletodivertArdanfromquestionsofapracticalnature，withwhichhewasdoubtlessfarlessconversant。Barbicane，therefore，hastenedtogetinaword，andbeganbyaskinghisnewfriendwhetherhethoughtthatthemoonandtheplanetswereinhabited。

"Youputbeforemeagreatproblem，myworthypresident，"

repliedtheorator，smiling。"Still，menofgreatintelligence，suchasPlutarch，Swedenborg，BernardindeSt。Pierre，andothershave，ifImistakenot，pronouncedintheaffirmative。

Lookingatthequestionfromthenaturalphilosopher\'spointofview，Ishouldsaythatnothinguselessexistedintheworld；

and，replyingtoyourquestionbyanother，Ishouldventuretoassert，thatiftheseworldsarehabitable，theyeitherare，havebeen，orwillbeinhabited。"

"Noonecouldanswermorelogicallyorfairly，"repliedthepresident。"Thequestionthenrevertstothis:Aretheseworldshabitable？FormyownpartIbelievetheyare。"

"Formyself，Ifeelcertainofit，"saidMichelArdan。

"Nevertheless，"retortedoneoftheaudience，"therearemanyargumentsagainstthehabitabilityoftheworlds。Theconditionsoflifemustevidentlybegreatlymodifieduponthemajorityofthem。Tomentiononlytheplanets，weshouldbeeitherbroiledaliveinsome，orfrozentodeathinothers，accordingastheyaremoreorlessremovedfromthesun。"

"Iregret，"repliedMichelArdan，"thatIhavenotthehonorofpersonallyknowingmycontradictor，forIwouldhaveattemptedtoanswerhim。Hisobjectionhasitsmerits，Iadmit；butI

thinkwemaysuccessfullycombatit，aswellasallotherswhichaffectthehabitabilityofotherworlds。IfIwereanaturalphilosopher，Iwouldtellhimthatiflessofcaloricweresetinmotionupontheplanetswhicharenearesttothesun，andmore，onthecontrary，uponthosewhicharefarthestremovedfromit，thissimplefactwouldalonesufficetoequalizetheheat，andtorenderthetemperatureofthoseworldssupportablebybeingsorganizedlikeourselves。IfIwereanaturalist，Iwouldtellhimthat，accordingtosomeillustriousmenofscience，naturehasfurnisheduswithinstancesupontheearthofanimalsexistingunderveryvaryingconditionsoflife；

thatfishrespireinamediumfataltootheranimals；thatamphibiouscreaturespossessadoubleexistenceverydifficultofexplanation；thatcertaindenizensoftheseasmaintainlifeatenormousdepths，andtheresupportapressureequaltothatoffiftyorsixtyatmosphereswithoutbeingcrushed；thatseveralaquaticinsects，insensibletotemperature，aremetwithequallyamongboilingspringsandinthefrozenplainsofthePolarSea；infine，thatwecannothelprecognizinginnatureadiversityofmeansofoperationoftentimesincomprehensible，butnotthelessreal。IfIwereachemist，Iwouldtellhimthattheaerolites，bodiesevidentlyformedexteriorlyofourterrestrialglobe，have，uponanalysis，revealedindisputabletracesofcarbon，asubstancewhichowesitsoriginsolelytoorganizedbeings，andwhich，accordingtotheexperimentsofReichenbach，mustnecessarilyitselfhavebeenenduedwithanimation。Andlastly，wereIatheologian，IwouldtellhimthattheschemeoftheDivineRedemption，accordingtoSt。Paul，seemstobeapplicable，notmerelytotheearth，buttoallthecelestialworlds。But，unfortunately，Iamneithertheologian，norchemist，nornaturalist，norphilosopher；therefore，inmyabsoluteignoranceofthegreatlawswhichgoverntheuniverse，Iconfinemyselftosayinginreply，`Idonotknowwhethertheworldsareinhabitedornot:andsinceIdonotknow，Iamgoingtosee！\'"

WhetherMichelArdan\'santagonisthazardedanyfurtherargumentsornotitisimpossibletosay，fortheuproariousshoutsofthecrowdwouldnotallowanyexpressionofopiniontogainahearing。

Onsilencebeingrestored，thetriumphantoratorcontentedhimselfwithaddingthefollowingremarks:

"Gentlemen，youwillobservethatIhavebutslightlytoucheduponthisgreatquestion。Thereisanotheraltogetherdifferentlineofargumentinfavorofthehabitabilityofthestars，whichIomitforthepresent。Ionlydesiretocallattentiontoonepoint。Tothosewhomaintainthattheplanetsare_not_

inhabitedonemayreply:Youmightbeperfectlyintheright，ifyoucouldonlyshowthattheearthisthebestpossibleworld，inspiteofwhatVoltairehassaid。Shehasbut_one_

satellite，whileJupiter，Uranus，Saturn，Neptunehaveeachseveral，anadvantagebynomeanstobedespised。Butthatwhichrendersourownglobesouncomfortableistheinclinationofitsaxistotheplaneofitsorbit。Hencetheinequalityofdaysandnights；hencethedisagreeablediversityoftheseasons。

Onthesurfaceofourunhappyspheroidwearealwayseithertoohotortoocold；wearefrozeninwinter，broiledinsummer；

itistheplanetofrheumatism，coughs，bronchitis；whileonthesurfaceofJupiter，forexample，wheretheaxisisbutslightlyinclined，theinhabitantsmayenjoyuniformtemperatures。

Itpossesseszonesofperpetualsprings，summers，autumns，andwinters；everyJovianmaychooseforhimselfwhatclimatehelikes，andtherespendthewholeofhislifeinsecurityfromallvariationsoftemperature。Youwill，Iamsure，readilyadmitthissuperiorityofJupiteroverourownplanet，tosaynothingofhisyears，whicheachequaltwelveofours！

Undersuchauspicesandsuchmarvelousconditionsofexistence，itappearstomethattheinhabitantsofsofortunateaworldmustbeineveryrespectsuperiortoourselves。Allwerequire，inordertoattainsuchperfection，isthemeretrifleofhavinganaxisofrotationlessinclinedtotheplaneofitsorbit！"

"Hurrah！"roaredanenergeticvoice，"letusuniteourefforts，inventthenecessarymachines，andrectifytheearth\'saxis！"

Athunderofapplausefollowedthisproposal，theauthorofwhichwas，ofcourse，nootherthanJ。T。Maston。And，inallprobability，ifthetruthmustbetold，iftheYankeescouldonlyhavefoundapointofapplicationforit，theywouldhaveconstructedalevercapableofraisingtheearthandrectifyingitsaxis。Itwasjustthisdeficiencywhichbaffledthesedaringmechanicians。

CHAPTERXX

ATTACKANDRIPOSTE

Assoonastheexcitementhadsubsided，thefollowingwordswereheardutteredinastronganddeterminedvoice:

"Nowthatthespeakerhasfavoreduswithsomuchimagination，wouldhebesogoodastoreturntohissubject，andgiveusalittlepracticalviewofthequestion？"

Alleyesweredirectedtowardthepersonwhospoke。Hewasalittledried-upman，ofanactivefigure，withanAmerican"goatee"beard。Profitingbythedifferentmovementsinthecrowd，hehadmanagedbydegreestogainthefrontrowofspectators。

There，witharmscrossedandsterngaze，hewatchedtheheroofthemeeting。Afterhavingputhisquestionheremainedsilent，andappearedtotakenonoticeofthethousandsoflooksdirectedtowardhimself，norofthemurmurofdisapprobationexcitedbyhiswords。Meetingatfirstwithnoreply，herepeatedhisquestionwithmarkedemphasis，adding，"Weareheretotalkaboutthe_moon_andnotaboutthe_earth_。"

"Youareright，sir，"repliedMichelArdan；"thediscussionhasbecomeirregular。Wewillreturntothemoon。"

"Sir，"saidtheunknown，"youpretendthatoursatelliteisinhabited。

Verygood，butifSelenitesdoexist，thatraceofbeingsassuredlymustlivewithoutbreathing，for——Iwarnyouforyourownsake——

thereisnotthesmallestparticleofaironthesurfaceofthemoon。"

AtthisremarkArdanpusheduphisshockofredhair；hesawthathewasonthepointofbeinginvolvedinastrugglewiththispersonupontheverygistofthewholequestion。Helookedsternlyathiminhisturnandsaid:

"Oh！sothereisnoairinthemoon？Andpray，ifyouaresogood，whoventurestoaffirmthat？

"Themenofscience。"

"Really？"

"Really。"

"Sir，"repliedMichel，"pleasantryapart，Ihaveaprofoundrespectformenofsciencewhodopossessscience，butaprofoundcontemptformenofsciencewhodonot。"

"Doyouknowanywhobelongtothelattercategory？"

"Decidedly。InFrancetherearesomewhomaintainthat，mathematically，abirdcannotpossiblyfly；andotherswhodemonstratetheoreticallythatfisheswerenevermadetoliveinwater。"

"Ihavenothingtodowithpersonsofthatdescription，andI

canquote，insupportofmystatement，nameswhichyoucannotrefusedeferenceto。"

"Then，sir，youwillsadlyembarrassapoorignorant，who，besides，asksnothingbetterthantolearn。"

"Why，then，doyouintroducescientificquestionsifyouhaveneverstudiedthem？"askedtheunknownsomewhatcoarsely。

"Forthereasonthat`heisalwaysbravewhoneversuspectsdanger。\'

Iknownothing，itistrue；butitispreciselymyveryweaknesswhichconstitutesmystrength。"

"Yourweaknessamountstofolly，"retortedtheunknowninapassion。

"Allthebetter，"repliedourFrenchman，"ifitcarriesmeuptothemoon。"

Barbicaneandhiscolleaguesdevouredwiththeireyestheintruderwhohadsoboldlyplacedhimselfinantagonismtotheirenterprise。

Nobodyknewhim，andthepresident，uneasyastotheresultofsofreeadiscussion，watchedhisnewfriendwithsomeanxiety。

Themeetingbegantobesomewhatfidgetyalso，forthecontestdirectedtheirattentiontothedangers，ifnottheactualimpossibilities，oftheproposedexpedition。

"Sir，"repliedArdan\'santagonist，"therearemanyandincontrovertiblereasonswhichprovetheabsenceofanatmosphereinthemoon。Imightsaythat，_apriori_，ifoneeverdidexist，itmusthavebeenabsorbedbytheearth；butI

prefertobringforwardindisputablefacts。"

"Bringthemforwardthen，sir，asmanyasyouplease。"

"Youknow，"saidthestranger，"thatwhenanyluminousrayscrossamediumsuchastheair，theyaredeflectedoutofthestraightline；inotherwords，theyundergorefraction。Well！

Whenstarsareoccultedbythemoon，theirrays，ongrazingtheedgeofherdisc，exhibitnottheleastdeviation，noroffertheslightestindicationofrefraction。Itfollows，therefore，thatthemooncannotbesurroundedbyanatmosphere。

"Inpointoffact，"repliedArdan，"thisisyourchief，ifnotyour_only_argument；andareallyscientificmanmightbepuzzledtoanswerit。Formyself，Iwillsimplysaythatitisdefective，becauseitassumesthattheangulardiameterofthemoonhasbeencompletelydetermined，whichisnotthecase。

Butletusproceed。Tellme，mydearsir，doyouadmittheexistenceofvolcanoesonthemoon\'ssurface？"

"Extinct，yes！Inactivity，no！"

"Thesevolcanoes，however，wereatonetimeinastateofactivity？"

"True，but，astheyfurnishthemselvestheoxygennecessaryforcombustion，themerefactoftheireruptiondoesnotprovethepresenceofanatmosphere。"

"Proceedagain，then；andletussetasidethisclassofargumentsinordertocometodirectobservations。In1715theastronomersLouvilleandHalley，watchingtheeclipseofthe3rdofMay，remarkedsomeveryextraordinaryscintillations。

Thesejetsoflight，rapidinnature，andoffrequentrecurrence，theyattributedtothunderstormsgeneratedinthelunaratmosphere。"

"In1715，"repliedtheunknown，"theastronomersLouvilleandHalleymistookforlunarphenomenasomewhichwerepurelyterrestrial，suchasmeteoricorotherbodieswhicharegeneratedinourownatmosphere。Thiswasthescientificexplanationatthetimeofthefacts；andthatismyanswernow。"

"Onagain，then，"repliedArdan；"Herschel，in1787，observedagreatnumberofluminouspointsonthemoon\'ssurface，didhenot？"

"Yes！butwithoutofferinganysolutionofthem。Herschelhimselfneverinferredfromthemthenecessityofalunaratmosphere。

AndImayaddthatBaeerandMaedler，thetwogreatauthoritiesuponthemoon，arequiteagreedastotheentireabsenceofaironitssurface。"

Amovementwasheremanifestamongtheassemblage，whoappearedtobegrowingexcitedbytheargumentsofthissingularpersonage。

"Letusproceed，"repliedArdan，withperfectcoolness，"andcometooneimportantfact。AskillfulFrenchastronomer，M。

Laussedat，inwatchingtheeclipseofJuly18，1860，probedthatthehornsofthelunarcrescentwereroundedandtruncated。

Now，thisappearancecouldonlyhavebeenproducedbyadeviationofthesolarraysintraversingtheatmosphereofthemoon。Thereisnootherpossibleexplanationofthefacts。"

"Butisthisestablishedasafact？"

"Absolutelycertain！"

Acounter-movementheretookplaceinfavoroftheheroofthemeeting，whoseopponentwasnowreducedtosilence。Ardanresumedtheconversation；andwithoutexhibitinganyexultationattheadvantagehehadgained，simplysaid:

"Yousee，then，mydearsir，wemustnotpronouncewithabsolutepositivenessagainsttheexistenceofanatmosphereinthemoon。

Thatatmosphereis，probably，ofextremerarity；neverthelessatthepresentdaysciencegenerallyadmitsthatitexists。"

"Notinthemountains，atallevents，"returnedtheunknown，unwillingtogivein。

"No！butatthebottomofthevalleys，andnotexceedingafewhundredfeetinheight。"

"Inanycaseyouwilldowelltotakeeveryprecaution，fortheairwillbeterriblyrarified。"

"Mygoodsir，therewillalwaysbeenoughforasolitaryindividual；besides，oncearrivedupthere，Ishalldomybesttoeconomize，andnottobreatheexceptongrandoccasions！"

Atremendousroaroflaughterrangintheearsofthemysteriousinterlocutor，whoglaredfiercelyroundupontheassembly。

"Then，"continuedArdan，withacarelessair，"sinceweareinaccordregardingthepresenceofacertainatmosphere，weareforcedtoadmitthepresenceofacertainquantityofwater。

Thisisahappyconsequenceforme。Moreover，myamiablecontradictor，permitmetosubmittoyouonefurtherobservation。

Weonlyknow_one_sideofthemoon\'sdisc；andifthereisbutlittleaironthefacepresentedtous，itispossiblethatthereisplentyontheoneturnedawayfromus。"

"Andforwhatreason？"

"Becausethemoon，undertheactionoftheearth\'sattraction，hasassumedtheformofanegg，whichwelookatfromthesmallerend。Henceitfollows，byHausen\'scalculations，thatitscenterofgravityissituatedintheotherhemisphere。

Henceitresultsthatthegreatmassofairandwatermusthavebeendrawnawaytotheotherfaceofoursatelliteduringthefirstdaysofitscreation。"

"Purefancies！"criedtheunknown。

"No！Puretheories！whicharebaseduponthelawsofmechanics，anditseemsdifficulttometorefutethem。Iappealthentothismeeting，andIputittothemwhetherlife，suchasexistsupontheearth，ispossibleonthesurfaceofthemoon？"

Threehundredthousandauditorsatonceapplaudedtheproposition。

Ardan\'sopponenttriedtogetinanotherword，buthecouldnotobtainahearing。Criesandmenacesfelluponhimlikehail。

"Enough！enough！"criedsome。

"Drivetheintruderoff！"shoutedothers。

"Turnhimout！"roaredtheexasperatedcrowd。

Buthe，holdingfirmlyontotheplatform，didnotbudgeaninch，andletthestormpasson，whichwouldsoonhaveassumedformidableproportions，ifMichelArdanhadnotquieteditbyagesture。Hewastoochivalroustoabandonhisopponentinanapparentextremity。

"Youwishedtosayafewmorewords？"heasked，inapleasantvoice。

"Yes，athousand；orrather，no，onlyone！Ifyoupersevereinyourenterprise，youmustbea——"

"Veryrashperson！Howcanyoutreatmeassuch？me，whohavedemandedacylindro-conicalprojectile，inordertopreventturningroundandroundonmywaylikeasquirrel？"

"But，unhappyman，thedreadfulrecoilwillsmashyoutopiecesatyourstarting。"

"Mydearcontradictor，youhavejustputyourfingeruponthetrueandonlydifficulty；nevertheless，IhavetoogoodanopinionoftheindustrialgeniusoftheAmericansnottobelievethattheywillsucceedinovercomingit。"

"Buttheheatdevelopedbytherapidityoftheprojectileincrossingthestrataofair？"

"Oh！thewallsarethick，andIshallsoonhavecrossedtheatmosphere。"

"Butvictualsandwater？"

"Ihavecalculatedforatwelvemonth\'ssupply，andIshallbeonlyfourdaysonthejourney。"

"Butforairtobreatheontheroad？"

"Ishallmakeitbyachemicalprocess。"

"Butyourfallonthemoon，supposingyoueverreachit？"

"Itwillbesixtimeslessdangerousthanasuddenfallupontheearth，becausetheweightwillbeonlyone-sixthasgreatonthesurfaceofthemoon。"

"Stillitwillbeenoughtosmashyoulikeglass！"

"Whatistopreventmyretardingtheshockbymeansofrocketsconvenientlyplaced，andlightedattherightmoment？"

"Butafterall，supposingalldifficultiessurmounted，allobstaclesremoved，supposingeverythingcombinedtofavoryou，andgrantingthatyoumayarrivesafeandsoundinthemoon，howwillyoucomeback？"

"Iamnotcomingback！"