第4章

Atthisreply，almostsublimeinitsverysimplicity，theassemblybecamesilent。Butitssilencewasmoreeloquentthancouldhavebeenitscriesofenthusiasm。Theunknownprofitedbytheopportunityandoncemoreprotested:

"Youwillinevitablykillyourself！"hecried；"andyourdeathwillbethatofamadman，uselesseventoscience！"

"Goon，mydearunknown，fortrulyyourpropheciesaremostagreeable！"

"Itreallyistoomuch！"criedMichelArdan\'sadversary。"IdonotknowwhyIshouldcontinuesofrivolousadiscussion！

Pleaseyourselfaboutthisinsaneexpedition！Weneednottroubleourselvesaboutyou！"

"Praydon\'tstanduponceremony！"

"No！anotherpersonisresponsibleforyouract。"

"Who，mayIask？"demandedMichelArdaninanimperioustone。

"Theignoramuswhoorganizedthisequallyabsurdandimpossibleexperiment！"

Theattackwasdirect。Barbicane，eversincetheinterferenceoftheunknown，hadbeenmakingfearfuleffortsofself-control；

now，however，seeinghimselfdirectlyattacked，hecouldrestrainhimselfnolonger。Herosesuddenly，andwasrushingupontheenemywhothusbravedhimtotheface，whenallatoncehefoundhimselfseparatedfromhim。

Theplatformwasliftedbyahundredstrongarms，andthepresidentoftheGunClubsharedwithMichelArdantriumphalhonors。

Theshieldwasheavy，butthebearerscameincontinuousrelays，disputing，struggling，evenfightingamongthemselvesintheireagernesstolendtheirshoulderstothisdemonstration。

However，theunknownhadnotprofitedbythetumulttoquithispost。Besideshecouldnothavedoneitinthemidstofthatcompactcrowd。Thereheheldoninthefrontrowwithcrossedarms，glaringatPresidentBarbicane。

Theshoutsoftheimmensecrowdcontinuedattheirhighestpitchthroughoutthistriumphantmarch。MichelArdantookitallwithevidentpleasure。Hisfacegleamedwithdelight。Severaltimestheplatformseemedseizedwithpitchingandrollinglikeaweatherbeatenship。Butthetwoherosofthemeetinghadgoodsea-legs。Theyneverstumbled；andtheirvesselarrivedwithoutduesattheportofTampaTown。

MichelArdanmanagedfortunatelytoescapefromthelastembracesofhisvigorousadmirers。HemadefortheHotelFranklin，quicklygainedhischamber，andslidunderthebedclothes，whileanarmyofahundredthousandmenkeptwatchunderhiswindows。

Duringthistimeascene，short，grave，anddecisive，tookplacebetweenthemysteriouspersonageandthepresidentoftheGunClub。

Barbicane，freeatlast，hadgonestraightathisadversary。

"Come！"hesaidshortly。

Theotherfollowedhimonthequay；andthetwopresentlyfoundthemselvesaloneattheentranceofanopenwharfonJones\'Fall。

Thetwoenemies，stillmutuallyunknown，gazedateachother。

"Whoareyou？"askedBarbicane。

"CaptainNicholl！"

"SoIsuspected。Hithertochancehasneverthrownyouinmyway。"

"Iamcomeforthatpurpose。"

"Youhaveinsultedme。"

"Publicly！"

"Andyouwillanswertomeforthisinsult？"

"Atthisverymoment。"

"No！Idesirethatallthatpassesbetweenusshallbesecret。

TheirisawoodsituatedthreemilesfromTampa，thewoodofSkersnaw。Doyouknowit？"

"Iknowit。"

"Willyoubesogoodastoenteritto-morrowmorningatfiveo\'clock，ononeside？"

"Yes！ifyouwillenterattheothersideatthesamehour。"

"Andyouwillnotforgetyourrifle？"saidBarbicane。

"Nomorethanyouwillforgetyours？"repliedNicholl。

Thesewordshavingbeencoldlyspoken，thepresidentoftheGunClubandthecaptainparted。Barbicanereturnedtohislodging；

butinsteadofsnatchingafewhoursofrepose，hepassedthenightinendeavoringtodiscoverameansofevadingtherecoiloftheprojectile，andresolvingthedifficultproblemproposedbyMichelArdanduringthediscussionatthemeeting。

CHAPTERXXI

HOWAFRENCHMANMANAGESANAFFAIR

Whilethecontractofthisduelwasbeingdiscussedbythepresidentandthecaptain——thisdreadful，savageduel，inwhicheachadversarybecameaman-hunter——MichelArdanwasrestingfromthefatiguesofhistriumph。Restingishardlyanappropriateexpression，forAmericanbedsrivalmarbleorgranitetablesforhardness。

Ardanwassleeping，then，badlyenough，tossingaboutbetweentheclothswhichservedhimforsheets，andhewasdreamingofmakingamorecomfortablecouchinhisprojectilewhenafrightfulnoisedisturbedhisdreams。Thunderingblowsshookhisdoor。Theyseemedtobecausedbysomeironinstrument。

Agreatdealofloudtalkingwasdistinguishableinthisracket，whichwasrathertooearlyinthemorning。"Openthedoor，"

someoneshrieked，"forheaven\'ssake！"Ardansawnoreasonforcomplyingwithademandsoroughlyexpressed。However，hegotupandopenedthedoorjustasitwasgivingwaybeforetheblowsofthisdeterminedvisitor。ThesecretaryoftheGunClubburstintotheroom。Abombcouldnothavemademorenoiseorhaveenteredtheroomwithlessceremony。

"Lastnight，"criedJ。T。Maston，_exabrupto_，"ourpresidentwaspubliclyinsultedduringthemeeting。Heprovokedhisadversary，whoisnoneotherthanCaptainNicholl！TheyarefightingthismorninginthewoodofSkersnaw。IheardalltheparticularsfromthemouthofBarbicanehimself。Ifheiskilled，thenourschemeisatanend。Wemustpreventhisduel；

andonemanalonehasenoughinfluenceoverBarbicanetostophim，andthatmanisMichelArdan。"

WhileJ。T。Mastonwasspeaking，MichelArdan，withoutinterruptinghim，hadhastilyputonhisclothes；and，inlessthantwominutes，thetwofriendsweremakingforthesuburbsofTampaTownwithrapidstrides。

ItwasduringthiswalkthatMastontoldArdanthestateofthecase。HetoldhimtherealcausesofthehostilitybetweenBarbicaneandNicholl；howitwasofolddate，andwhy，thankstounknownfriends，thepresidentandthecaptainhad，asyet，nevermetfacetoface。Headdedthatitarosesimplyfromarivalrybetweenironplatesandshot，and，finally，thatthesceneatthemeetingwasonlythelong-wished-foropportunityforNicholltopayoffanoldgrudge。

NothingismoredreadfulthanprivateduelsinAmerica。Thetwoadversariesattackeachotherlikewildbeasts。ThenitisthattheymightwellcovetthosewonderfulpropertiesoftheIndiansoftheprairies——theirquickintelligence，theiringeniouscunning，theirscentoftheenemy。Asinglemistake，amoment\'shesitation，asinglefalsestepmaycausedeath。OntheseoccasionsYankeesareoftenaccompaniedbytheirdogs，andkeepupthestruggleforhours。

"Whatdemonsyouare！"criedMichelArdan，whenhiscompanionhaddepictedthisscenetohimwithmuchenergy。

"Yes，weare，"repliedJ。T。modestly；"butwehadbettermakehaste。"

ThoughMichelArdanandhehadcrossedtheplainsstillwetwithdew，andhadtakentheshortestrouteovercreeksandricefields，theycouldnotreachSkersnawinunderfivehoursandahalf。

Barbicanemusthavepassedtheborderhalfanhourago。

Therewasanoldbushmanworkingthere，occupiedinsellingfagotsfromtreesthathadbeenleveledbyhisaxe。

Mastonrantowardhim，saying，"Haveyouseenamangointothewood，armedwitharifle？Barbicane，thepresident，mybestfriend？"

TheworthysecretaryoftheGunClubthoughtthathispresidentmustbeknownbyalltheworld。Butthebushmandidnotseemtounderstandhim。

"Ahunter？"saidArdan。

"Ahunter？Yes，"repliedthebushman。

"Longago？"

"Aboutanhour。"

"Toolate！"criedMaston。

"Haveyouheardanygunshots？"askedArdan。

"No！"

"Notone？"

"Notone！thathunterdidnotlookasifheknewhowtohunt！"

"Whatistobedone？"saidMaston。

"Wemustgointothewood，attheriskofgettingaballwhichisnotintendedforus。"

"Ah！"criedMaston，inatonewhichcouldnotbemistaken，"IwouldratherhavetwentyballsinmyownheadthanoneinBarbicane\'s。"

"Forward，then，"saidArdan，pressinghiscompanion\'shand。

Afewmomentslaterthetwofriendshaddisappearedinthecopse。

Itwasadensethicket，inwhichrosehugecypresses，sycamores，tulip-trees，olives，tamarinds，oaks，andmagnolias。

Thesedifferenttreeshadinterwoventheirbranchesintoaninextricablemaze，throughwhichtheeyecouldnotpenetrate。

MichelArdanandMastonwalkedsidebysideinsilencethroughthetallgrass，cuttingthemselvesapaththroughthestrongcreepers，castingcuriousglancesonthebushes，andmomentarilyexpectingtohearthesoundofrifles。AsforthetraceswhichBarbicaneoughttohaveleftofhispassagethroughthewood，therewasnotavestigeofthemvisible:sotheyfollowedthebarelyperceptiblepathsalongwhichIndianshadtrackedsomeenemy，andwhichthedensefoliagedarklyovershadowed。

Afteranhourspentinvainpursuitthetwostoppedinintensifiedanxiety。

"Itmustbeallover，"saidMaston，discouraged。"AmanlikeBarbicanewouldnotdodgewithhisenemy，orensnarehim，wouldnotevenmaneuver！Heistooopen，toobrave。Hehasgonestraightahead，rightintothedanger，anddoubtlessfarenoughfromthebushmanforthewindtopreventhishearingthereportoftherifles。"

"Butsurely，"repliedMichelArdan，"sinceweenteredthewoodweshouldhaveheard！"

"Andwhatifwecametoolate？"criedMastonintonesofdespair。

ForonceArdanhadnoreplytomake，heandMastonresumingtheirwalkinsilence。Fromtimetotime，indeed，theyraisedgreatshouts，callingalternatelyBarbicaneandNicholl，neitherofwhom，however，answeredtheircries。Onlythebirds，awakenedbythesound，flewpastthemanddisappearedamongthebranches，whilesomefrighteneddeerfledprecipitatelybeforethem。

Foranotherhourtheirsearchwascontinued。Thegreaterpartofthewoodhadbeenexplored。Therewasnothingtorevealthepresenceofthecombatants。Theinformationofthebushmanwasafteralldoubtful，andArdanwasabouttoproposetheirabandoningthisuselesspursuit，whenallatonceMastonstopped。

"Hush！"saidhe，"thereissomeonedownthere！"

"Someone？"repeatedMichelArdan。

"Yes；aman！Heseemsmotionless。Hisrifleisnotinhishands。

Whatcanhebedoing？"

"Butcanyourecognizehim？"askedArdan，whoseshortsightwasoflittleusetohiminsuchcircumstances。

"Yes！yes！Heisturningtowardus，"answeredMaston。

"Anditis？"

"CaptainNicholl！"

"Nicholl？"criedMichelArdan，feelingaterriblepangofgrief。

"Nichollunarmed！Hehas，then，nolongeranyfearofhisadversary！"

"Letusgotohim，"saidMichelArdan，"andfindoutthetruth。"

Butheandhiscompanionhadbarelytakenfiftysteps，whentheypausedtoexaminethecaptainmoreattentively。Theyexpectedtofindabloodthirstyman，happyinhisrevenge。

Onseeinghim，theyremainedstupefied。

Anet，composedofveryfinemeshes，hungbetweentwoenormoustulip-trees，andinthemidstofthissnare，withitswingsentangled，wasapoorlittlebird，utteringpitifulcries，whileitvainlystruggledtoescape。Thebird-catcherwhohadlaidthissnarewasnohumanbeing，butavenomousspider，peculiartothatcountry，aslargeasapigeon\'segg，andarmedwithenormousclaws。Thehideouscreature，insteadofrushingonitsprey，hadbeatenasuddenretreatandtakenrefugeintheupperbranchesofthetulip-tree，foraformidableenemymenaceditsstronghold。

Here，then，wasNicholl，hisgunontheground，forgetfulofdanger，tryingifpossibletosavethevictimfromitscobwebprison。Atlastitwasaccomplished，andthelittlebirdflewjoyfullyawayanddisappeared。

Nicholllovinglywatcheditsflight，whenheheardthesewordspronouncedbyavoicefullofemotion:

"Youareindeedabraveman。"

Heturned。MichelArdanwasbeforehim，repeatinginadifferenttone:

"Andakindheartedone！"

"MichelArdan！"criedthecaptain。"Whyareyouhere？"

"Topressyourhand，Nicholl，andtopreventyoufromeitherkillingBarbicaneorbeingkilledbyhim。"

"Barbicane！"returnedthecaptain。"Ihavebeenlookingforhimforthelasttwohoursinvain。Whereishehiding？"

"Nicholl！"saidMichelArdan，"thisisnotcourteous！weoughtalwaystotreatanadversarywithrespect；restassureedifBarbicaneisstillaliveweshallfindhimallthemoreeasily；

becauseifhehasnot，likeyou，beenamusinghimselfwithfreeingoppressedbirds，hemustbelookingfor_you_。Whenwehavefoundhim，MichelArdantellsyouthis，therewillbenoduelbetweenyou。"

"BetweenPresidentBarbicaneandmyself，"gravelyrepliedNicholl，"thereisarivalrywhichthedeathofoneofus——"

"Pooh，pooh！"saidArdan。"Bravefellowslikeyouindeed！youshallnotfight！"

"Iwillfight，sir！"

"No！"

"Captain，"saidJ。T。Maston，withmuchfeeling，"Iamafriendofthepresident\'s，his_alterego_，hissecondself；ifyoureallymustkillsomeone，_shootme！_itwilldojustaswell！"

"Sir，"Nichollreplied，seizinghisrifleconvulsively，"thesejokes——"

"OurfriendMastonisnotjoking，"repliedArdan。"Ifullyunderstandhisideaofbeingkilledhimselfinordertosavehisfriend。ButneitherhenorBarbicanewillfallbeforetheballsofCaptainNicholl。IndeedIhavesoattractiveaproposaltomaketothetworivals，thatbothwillbeeagertoacceptit。"

"Whatisit？"askedNichollwithmanifestincredulity。

"Patience！"exclaimedArdan。"IcanonlyrevealitinthepresenceofBarbicane。"

"Letusgoinsearchofhimthen！"criedthecaptain。

Thethreemenstartedoffatonce；thecaptainhavingdischargedhisriflethrewitoverhisshoulder，andadvancedinsilence。

Anotherhalfhourpassed，andthepursuitwasstillfruitless。

Mastonwasoppressedbysinisterforebodings。HelookedfiercelyatNicholl，askinghimselfwhetherthecaptain\'svengeancehadalreadybeensatisfied，andtheunfortunateBarbicane，shot，wasperhapslyingdeadonsomebloodytrack。ThesamethoughtseemedtooccurtoArdan；andbothwerecastinginquiringglancesonNicholl，whensuddenlyMastonpaused。

Themotionlessfigureofamanleaningagainstagiganticcatalpatwentyfeetoffappeared，half-veiledbythefoliage。

"Itishe！"saidMaston。

Barbicanenevermoved。Ardanlookedatthecaptain，buthedidnotwince。Ardanwentforwardcrying:

"Barbicane！Barbicane！"

Noanswer！Ardanrushedtowardhisfriend；butintheactofseizinghisarms，hestoppedshortandutteredacryofsurprise。

Barbicane，pencilinhand，wastracinggeometricalfiguresinamemorandumbook，whilehisunloadedriflelaybesidehimontheground。

Absorbedinhisstudies，Barbicane，inhisturnforgetfuloftheduel，hadseenandheardnothing。

WhenArdantookhishand，helookedupandstaredathisvisitorinastonishment。

"Ah，itisyou！"hecriedatlast。"Ihavefoundit，myfriend，Ihavefoundit！"

"What？"

"Myplan！"

"Whatplan？"

"Theplanforcounteringtheeffectoftheshockatthedepartureoftheprojectile！"

"Indeed？"saidMichelArdan，lookingatthecaptainoutofthecornerofhiseye。

"Yes！water！simplywater，whichwillactasaspring——ah！

Maston，"criedBarbicane，"youherealso？"

"Himself，"repliedArdan；"andpermitmetointroducetoyouatthesametimetheworthyCaptainNicholl！"

"Nicholl！"criedBarbicane，whojumpedupatonce。"Pardonme，captain，Ihadquiteforgotten——Iamready！"

MichelArdaninterfered，withoutgivingthetwoenemiestimetosayanythingmore。

"Thankheaven！"saidhe。"Itisahappythingthatbravemenlikeyoutwodidnotmeetsooner！weshouldnowhavebeenmourningforoneorotherofyou。But，thankstoProvidence，whichhasinterfered，thereisnownofurthercauseforalarm。

Whenoneforgetsone\'sangerinmechanicsorincobwebs，itisasignthattheangerisnotdangerous。"

MichelArdanthentoldthepresidenthowthecaptainhadbeenfoundoccupied。

"Iputittoyounow，"saidheinconclusion，"aretwosuchgoodfellowsasyouaremadeonpurposetosmasheachother\'sskullswithshot？"

Therewasin"thesituation"somewhatoftheridiculous，somethingquiteunexpected；MichelArdansawthis，anddeterminedtoeffectareconciliation。

"Mygoodfriends，"saidhe，withhismostbewitchingsmile，"thisisnothingbutamisunderstanding。Nothingmore！well！toprovethatitisalloverbetweenyou，acceptfranklytheproposalIamgoingtomaketoyou。"

"Makeit，"saidNicholl。

"OurfriendBarbicanebelievesthathisprojectilewillgostraighttothemoon？"

"Yes，certainly，"repliedthepresident。

"AndourfriendNichollispersuadeditwillfallbackupontheearth？"

"Iamcertainofit，"criedthecaptain。

"Good！"saidArdan。"Icannotpretendtomakeyouagree；butI

suggestthis:Gowithme，andsoseewhetherwearestoppedonourjourney。"

"What？"exclaimedJ。T。Maston，stupefied。

Thetworivals，onthissuddenproposal，lookedsteadilyateachother。Barbicanewaitedforthecaptain\'sanswer。

Nichollwatchedforthedecisionofthepresident。

"Well？"saidMichel。"Thereisnownofearoftheshock！"

"Done！"criedBarbicane。

Butquicklyashepronouncedtheword，hewasnotbeforeNicholl。

"Hurrah！bravo！hip！hip！hurrah！"criedMichel，givingahandtoeachofthelateadversaries。"Nowthatitisallsettled，myfriends，allowmetotreatyouafterFrenchfashion。Letusbeofftobreakfast！"

CHAPTERXXII

THENEWCITIZENOFTHEUNITEDSTATES

ThatsamedayallAmericaheardoftheaffairofCaptainNichollandPresidentBarbicane，aswellasitssingular_denouement_。

Fromthatdayforth，MichelArdanhadnotonemoment\'srest。

DeputationsfromallcornersoftheUnionharassedhimwithoutcessationorintermission。Hewascompelledtoreceivethemall，whetherhewouldorno。Howmanyhandsheshook，howmanypeoplehewas"hail-fellow-well-met"with，itisimpossibletoguess！Suchatriumphalresultwouldhaveintoxicatedanyotherman；buthemanagedtokeephimselfinastateofdelightful_semi_-tipsiness。

Amongthedeputationsofallkindswhichassailedhim，thatof"TheLunatics"werecarefulnottoforgetwhattheyowedtothefutureconquerorofthemoon。Oneday，certainofthesepoorpeople，sonumerousinAmerica，cametocalluponhim，andrequestedpermissiontoreturnwithhimtotheirnativecountry。

"Singularhallucination！"saidhetoBarbicane，afterhavingdismissedthedeputationwithpromisestoconveynumbersofmessagestofriendsinthemoon。"Doyoubelieveintheinfluenceofthemoonupondistempers？"

"Scarcely！"

"NomoredoI，despitesomeremarkablerecordedfactsofhistory。

Forinstance，duringanepidemicin1693，alargenumberofpersonsdiedattheverymomentofaneclipse。ThecelebratedBaconalwaysfaintedduringaneclipse。CharlesVIrelapsedsixtimesintomadnessduringtheyear1399，sometimesduringthenew，sometimesduringthefullmoon。Gallobservedthatinsanepersonsunderwentanaccessionoftheirdisordertwiceineverymonth，attheepochsofnewandfullmoon。Infact，numerousobservationsmadeuponfevers，somnambulisms，andotherhumanmaladies，seemtoprovethatthemoondoesexercisesomemysteriousinfluenceuponman。"

"Butthehowandthewherefore？"askedBarbicane。

"Well，IcanonlygiveyoutheanswerwhichAragoborrowedfromPlutarch，whichisnineteencenturiesold。`Perhapsthestoriesarenottrue！\'"

Intheheightofhistriumph，MichelArdanhadtoencounteralltheannoyancesincidentaltoamanofcelebrity。Managersofentertainmentswantedtoexhibithim。BarnumofferedhimamilliondollarstomakeatouroftheUnitedStatesinhisshow。

Asforhisphotographs，theyweresoldofallsize，andhisportraittakenineveryimaginableposture。Morethanhalfamillioncopiesweredisposedofinanincrediblyshortspaceoftime。

Butitwasnotonlythemenwhopaidhimhomage，butthewomenaswell。Hemighthavemarriedwellahundredtimesover，ifhehadbeenwillingtosettleinlife。Theoldmaids，inparticular，offortyyearsandupward，anddryinproportion，devouredhisphotographsdayandnight。Theywouldhavemarriedhimbyhundreds，evenifhehadimposeduponthemtheconditionofaccompanyinghimintospace。Hehad，however，nointentionoftransplantingaraceofFranco-Americansuponthesurfaceofthemoon。

Hethereforedeclinedalloffers。

Assoonashecouldwithdrawfromthesesomewhatembarrassingdemonstrations，hewent，accompaniedbyhisfriends，topayavisittotheColumbiad。Hewashighlygratifiedbyhisinspection，andmadethedescenttothebottomofthetubeofthisgiganticmachinewhichwaspresentlytolaunchhimtotheregionsofthemoon。ItisnecessaryheretomentionaproposalofJ。T。Maston\'s。WhenthesecretaryoftheGunClubfoundthatBarbicaneandNichollacceptedtheproposalofMichelArdan，hedeterminedtojointhem，andmakeoneofasmugpartyoffour。Soonedayhedeterminedtobeadmittedasoneofthetravelers。Barbicane，painedathavingtorefusehim，gavehimclearlytounderstandthattheprojectilecouldnotpossiblycontainsomanypassengers。Maston，indespair，wentinsearchofMichelArdan，whocounseledhimtoresignhimselftothesituation，addingoneortwoarguments_adhominem_。

"Yousee，oldfellow，"hesaid，"youmustnottakewhatIsayinbadpart；butreally，betweenourselves，youareintooincompleteaconditiontoappearinthemoon！"

"Incomplete？"shriekedthevaliantinvalid。

"Yes，mydearfellow！imagineourmeetingsomeoftheinhabitantsupthere！Wouldyouliketogivethemsuchamelancholynotionofwhatgoesondownhere？toteachthemwhatwaris，toinformthemthatweemployourtimechieflyindevouringeachother，insmashingarmsandlegs，andthattooonaglobewhichiscapableofsupportingahundredbillionsofinhabitants，andwhichactuallydoescontainnearlytwohundredmillions？Why，myworthyfriend，weshouldhavetoturnyououtofdoors！"

"Butstill，ifyouarrivethereinpieces，youwillbeasincompleteasIam。"

"Unquestionably，"repliedMichelArdan；"butweshallnot。"

Infact，apreparatoryexperiment，triedonthe18thofOctober，hadyieldedthebestresultsandcausedthemostwell-groundedhopesofsuccess。Barbicane，desirousofobtainingsomenotionoftheeffectoftheshockatthemomentoftheprojectile\'sdeparture，hadprocureda38-inchmortarfromthearsenalofPensacola。HehadthisplacedonthebankofHillisboroughRoads，inorderthattheshellmightfallbackintothesea，andtheshockbetherebydestroyed。Hisobjectwastoascertaintheextentoftheshockofdeparture，andnotthatofthereturn。

Ahollowprojectilehadbeenpreparedforthiscuriousexperiment。

Athickpaddingfasteneduponakindofelasticnetwork，madeofthebeststeel，linedtheinsideofthewalls。Itwasaveritable_nest_mostcarefullywadded。

"WhatapityIcan\'tfindroominthere，"saidJ。T。Maston，regrettingthathisheightdidnotallowofhistryingtheadventure。

Withinthisshellwereshutupalargecat，andasquirrelbelongingtoJ。T。Maston，andofwhichhewasparticularlyfond。

Theyweredesirous，however，ofascertaininghowthislittleanimal，leastofallotherssubjecttogiddiness，wouldendurethisexperimentalvoyage。

Themortarwaschargedwith160poundsofpowder，andtheshellplacedinthechamber。Onbeingfired，theprojectilerosewithgreatvelocity，describedamajesticparabola，attainedaheightofaboutathousandfeet，andwithagracefulcurvedescendedinthemidstofthevesselsthatlaythereatanchor。

Withoutamoment\'slossoftimeasmallboatputoffinthedirectionofitsfall；somediversplungedintothewaterandattachedropestothehandlesoftheshell，whichwasquicklydraggedonboard。Fiveminutesdidnotelapsebetweenthemomentofenclosingtheanimalsandthatofunscrewingthecoverlidoftheirprison。

Ardan，Barbicane，Maston，andNichollwerepresentonboardtheboat，andassistedattheoperationwithaninterestwhichmayreadilybecomprehended。Hardlyhadtheshellbeenopenedwhenthecatleapedout，slightlybruised，butfulloflife，andexhibitingnosignswhateverofhavingmadeanaerialexpedition。

Notrace，however，ofthesquirrelcouldbediscovered。Thetruthatlastbecameapparent——thecathadeatenitsfellow-traveler！

J。T。Mastongrievedmuchforthelossofhispoorsquirrel，andproposedtoadditscasetothatofothermartyrstoscience。

Afterthisexperimentallhesitation，allfeardisappeared。

Besides，Barbicane\'splanswouldensuregreaterperfectionforhisprojectile，andgofartoannihilatealtogethertheeffectsoftheshock。Nothingnowremainedbuttogo！

TwodayslaterMichelArdanreceivedamessagefromthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，anhonorofwhichheshowedhimselfespeciallysensible。

Aftertheexampleofhisillustriousfellow-countryman，theMarquisdelaFayette，thegovernmenthaddecreedtohimthetitleof"CitizenoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica。"

CHAPTERXXIII

THEPROJECTILE-VEHICLE

OnthecompletionoftheColumbiadthepublicinterestcenteredintheprojectileitself，thevehiclewhichwasdestinedtocarrythethreehardyadventurersintospace。

ThenewplanshadbeensenttoBreadwillandCo。，ofAlbany，withtherequestfortheirspeedyexecution。Theprojectilewasconsequentlycastonthe2ndofNovember，andimmediatelyforwardedbytheEasternRailwaytoStonesHill，whichitreachedwithoutaccidentonthe10thofthatmonth，whereMichelArdan，Barbicane，andNichollwerewaitingimpatientlyforit。

Theprojectilehadnowtobefilledtothedepthofthreefeetwithabedofwater，intendedtosupportawater-tightwoodendisc，whichworkedeasilywithinthewallsoftheprojectile。

Itwasuponthiskindofraftthatthetravelersweretotaketheirplace。Thisbodyofwaterwasdividedbyhorizontalpartitions，whichtheshockofthedeparturewouldhavetobreakinsuccession。Theneachsheetofthewater，fromthelowesttothehighest，runningoffintoescapetubestowardthetopoftheprojectile，constitutedakindofspring；andthewoodendisc，suppliedwithextremelypowerfulplugs，couldnotstrikethelowestplateexceptafterbreakingsuccessivelythedifferentpartitions。Undoubtedlythetravelerswouldstillhavetoencounteraviolentrecoilafterthecompleteescapementofthewater；butthefirstshockwouldbealmostentirelydestroyedbythispowerfulspring。Theupperpartsofthewallswerelinedwithathickpaddingofleather，fasteneduponspringsofthebeststeel，behindwhichtheescapetubeswerecompletelyconcealed；thusallimaginableprecautionshadbeentakenforavertingthefirstshock；andiftheydidgetcrushed，theymust，asMichelArdansaid，bemadeofverybadmaterials。

Theentranceintothismetallictowerwasbyanarrowaperturecontrivedinthewallofthecone。Thiswashermeticallyclosedbyaplateofaluminum，fastenedinternallybypowerfulscrew-pressure。Thetravelerscouldthereforequittheirprisonatpleasure，assoonastheyshouldreachthemoon。

Lightandviewweregivenbymeansoffourthicklenticularglassscuttles，twopiercedinthecircularwallitself，thethirdinthebottom，thefourthinthetop。Thesescuttlesthenwereprotectedagainsttheshockofdeparturebyplatesletintosolidgrooves，whichcouldeasilybeopenedoutwardbyunscrewingthemfromtheinside。Reservoirsfirmlyfixedcontainedwaterandthenecessaryprovisions；andfireandlightwereprocurablebymeansofgas，containedinaspecialreservoirunderapressureofseveralatmospheres。

Theyhadonlytoturnatap，andforsixhoursthegaswouldlightandwarmthiscomfortablevehicle。

Therenowremainedonlythequestionofair；forallowingfortheconsumptionofairbyBarbicane，histwocompanions，andtwodogswhichheproposedtakingwithhim，itwasnecessarytorenewtheairoftheprojectile。Nowairconsistsprincipallyoftwenty-onepartsofoxygenandseventy-nineofnitrogen。

Thelungsabsorbtheoxygen，whichisindispensableforthesupportoflife，andrejectthenitrogen。Theairexpiredlosesnearlyfivepercent。oftheformerandcontainsnearlyanequalvolumeofcarbonicacid，producedbythecombustionoftheelementsoftheblood。Inanair-tightenclosure，then，afteracertaintime，alltheoxygenoftheairwillbereplacedbythecarbonicacid——agasfataltolife。Thereweretwothingstobedonethen——first，toreplacetheabsorbedoxygen；secondly，todestroytheexpiredcarbonicacid；botheasyenoughtodo，bymeansofchlorateofpotassiumandcausticpotash。Theformerisasaltwhichappearsundertheformofwhitecrystals；whenraisedtoatemperatureof400degreesitistransformedintochlorureofpotassium，andtheoxygenwhichitcontainsisentirelyliberated。Nowtwenty-eightpoundsofchlorateofpotassiumproducessevenpoundsofoxygen，or2，400litres——thequantitynecessaryforthetravelersduringtwenty-fourhours。

Causticpotashhasagreataffinityforcarbonicacid；anditissufficienttoshakeitinorderforittoseizeupontheacidandformbicarbonateofpotassium。Bythesetwomeanstheywouldbeenabledtorestoretothevitiatedairitslife-

supportingproperties。

Itisnecessary，however，toaddthattheexperimentshadhithertobeenmade_inanimavili_。Whateveritsscientificaccuracywas，theywereatpresentignoranthowitwouldanswerwithhumanbeings。ThehonorofputtingittotheproofwasenergeticallyclaimedbyJ。T。Maston。

"SinceIamnottogo，"saidthebraveartillerist，"Imayatleastliveforaweekintheprojectile。"

Itwouldhavebeenhardtorefusehim；sotheyconsentedtohiswish。Asufficientquantityofchlorateofpotassiumandofcausticpotashwasplacedathisdisposal，togetherwithprovisionsforeightdays。Andhavingshakenhandswithhisfriends，onthe12thofNovember，atsixo\'clockA。M。，afterstrictlyinformingthemnottoopenhisprisonbeforethe20th，atsixo\'clockP。M。，hesliddowntheprojectile，theplateofwhichwasatoncehermeticallysealed。Whatdidhedowithhimselfduringthatweek？Theycouldgetnoinformation。

Thethicknessofthewallsoftheprojectilepreventedanysoundreachingfromtheinsidetotheoutside。Onthe20thofNovember，atsixP。M。exactly，theplatewasopened。

ThefriendsofJ。T。Mastonhadbeenallalonginastateofmuchanxiety；buttheywerepromptlyreassuredonhearingajollyvoiceshoutingaboisteroushurrah。

PresentlyafterwardthesecretaryoftheGunClubappearedatthetopoftheconeinatriumphantattitude。Hehadgrownfat！

CHAPTERXXIV

THETELESCOPEOFTHEROCKYMOUNTAINS

Onthe20thofOctoberintheprecedingyear，afterthecloseofthesubscription，thepresidentoftheGunClubhadcreditedtheObservatoryofCambridgewiththenecessarysumsfortheconstructionofagiganticopticalinstrument。Thisinstrumentwasdesignedforthepurposeofrenderingvisibleonthesurfaceofthemoonanyobjectexceedingninefeetindiameter。

AttheperiodwhentheGunClubessayedtheirgreatexperiment，suchinstrumentshadreachedahighdegreeofperfection，andproducedsomemagnificentresults。Twotelescopesinparticular，atthistime，werepossessedofremarkablepowerandofgiganticdimensions。Thefirst，constructedbyHerschel，wasthirty-sixfeetinlength，andhadanobject-glassoffourfeetsixinches；itpossessedamagnifyingpowerof6，000。

ThesecondwasraisedinIreland，inParsonstownPark，andbelongstoLordRosse。Thelengthofthistubeisforty-eightfeet，andthediameterofitsobject-glasssixfeet；itmagnifies6，400

times，andrequiredanimmenseerectionofbrickworkandmasonryforthepurposeofworkingit，itsweightbeingtwelveandahalftons。

Still，despitethesecolossaldimensions，theactualenlargementsscarcelyexceeded6，000timesinroundnumbers；

consequently，themoonwasbroughtwithinnoneareranapparentdistancethanthirty-ninemiles；andobjectsoflessthansixtyfeetindiameter，unlesstheywereofveryconsiderablelength，werestillimperceptible。

Inthepresentcase，dealingwithaprojectileninefeetindiameterandfifteenfeetlong，itbecamenecessarytobringthemoonwithinanapparentdistanceoffivemilesatmost；andforthatpurposetoestablishamagnifyingpowerof48，000times。

SuchwasthequestionproposedtotheObservatoryofCambridge，Therewasnolackoffunds；thedifficultywaspurelyoneofconstruction。

Afterconsiderablediscussionastothebestformandprincipleoftheproposedinstrumenttheworkwasfinallycommenced。

AccordingtothecalculationsoftheObservatoryofCambridge，thetubeofthenewreflectorwouldrequiretobe280feetinlength，andtheobject-glasssixteenfeetindiameter。

Colossalasthesedimensionsmayappear，theywerediminutiveincomparisonwiththe10，000foottelescopeproposedbytheastronomerHookeonlyafewyearsago！

Regardingthechoiceoflocality，thatmatterwaspromptlydetermined。Theobjectwastoselectsomeloftymountain，andtherearenotmanyoftheseintheUnitedStates。

Infacttherearebuttwochainsofmoderateelevation，betweenwhichrunsthemagnificentMississippi，the"kingofrivers"

astheseRepublicanYankeesdelighttocallit。

EastwardsrisetheAppalachians，theveryhighestpointofwhich，inNewHampshire，doesnotexceedtheverymoderatealtitudeof5，600feet。

Onthewest，however，risetheRockyMountains，thatimmenserangewhich，commencingattheStraightsofMagellan，followsthewesterncoastofSouthernAmericaunderthenameoftheAndesortheCordilleras，untilitcrossestheIsthmusofPanama，andrunsupthewholeofNorthAmericatotheverybordersofthePolarSea。Thehighestelevationofthisrangestilldoesnotexceed10，700feet。Withthiselevation，nevertheless，theGunClubwerecompelledtobecontent，inasmuchastheyhaddeterminedthatbothtelescopeandColumbiadshouldbeerectedwithinthelimitsoftheUnion。

AllthenecessaryapparatuswasconsequentlysentontothesummitofLong\'sPeak，intheterritoryofMissouri。

NeitherpennorlanguagecandescribethedifficultiesofallkindswhichtheAmericanengineershadtosurmount，oftheprodigiesofdaringandskillwhichtheyaccomplished。Theyhadtoraiseenormousstones，massivepiecesofwroughtiron，heavycorner-clampsandhugeportionsofcylinder，withanobject-glassweighingnearly30，000pounds，abovethelineofperpetualsnowformorethan10，000feetinheight，aftercrossingdesertprairies，impenetrableforests，fearfulrapids，farfromallcentersofpopulation，andinthemidstofsavageregions，inwhicheverydetailoflifebecomesanalmostinsolubleproblem。Andyet，notwithstandingtheseinnumerableobstacles，Americangeniustriumphed。Inlessthanayearafterthecommencementoftheworks，towardthecloseofSeptember，thegiganticreflectorroseintotheairtoaheightof280feet。

Itwasraisedbymeansofanenormousironcrane；aningeniousmechanismallowedittobeeasilyworkedtowardallthepointsoftheheavens，andtofollowthestarsfromtheonehorizontotheotherduringtheirjourneythroughtheheavens。

Ithadcost$400，000。Thefirsttimeitwasdirectedtowardthemoontheobserversevincedbothcuriosityandanxiety。Whatweretheyabouttodiscoverinthefieldofthistelescopewhichmagnifiedobjects48，000times？Wouldtheyperceivepeoples，herdsoflunaranimals，towns，lakes，seas？No！therewasnothingwhichsciencehadnotalreadydiscovered！andonallthepointsofitsdiscthevolcanicnatureofthemoonbecamedeterminablewiththeutmostprecision。

ButthetelescopeoftheRockyMountains，beforedoingitsdutytotheGunClub，renderedimmenseservicestoastronomy。Thankstoitspenetrativepower，thedepthsoftheheavensweresoundedtotheutmostextent；theapparentdiameterofagreatnumberofstarswasaccuratelymeasured；andMr。Clark，oftheCambridgestaff，resolvedtheCrabnebulainTaurus，whichthereflectorofLordRossehadneverbeenabletodecompose。

CHAPTERXXV

FINALDETAILS

Itwasthe22ndofNovember；thedeparturewastotakeplaceintendays。Oneoperationaloneremainedtobeaccomplishedtobringalltoahappytermination；anoperationdelicateandperilous，requiringinfiniteprecautions，andagainstthesuccessofwhichCaptainNichollhadlaidhisthirdbet。Itwas，infact，nothinglessthantheloadingoftheColumbiad，andtheintroductionintoitof400，000poundsofgun-cotton。Nichollhadthought，notperhapswithoutreason，thatthehandlingofsuchformidablequantitiesofpyroxylewould，inallprobability，involveagravecatastrophe；andatanyrate，thatthisimmensemassofeminentlyinflammablematterwouldinevitablyignitewhensubmittedtothepressureoftheprojectile。

TherewereindeeddangersaccruingasbeforefromthecarelessnessoftheAmericans，butBarbicanehadsethisheartonsuccess，andtookallpossibleprecautions。Inthefirstplace，hewasverycarefulastothetransportationofthegun-cottontoStonesHill。Hehaditconveyedinsmallquantities，carefullypackedinsealedcases。ThesewerebroughtbyrailfromTampaTowntothecamp，andfromthenceweretakentotheColumbiadbybarefootedworkmen，whodepositedthemintheirplacesbymeansofcranesplacedattheorificeofthecannon。Nosteam-enginewaspermittedtowork，andeveryfirewasextinguishedwithintwomilesoftheworks。

EveninNovembertheyfearedtoworkbyday，lestthesun\'sraysactingonthegun-cottonmightleadtounhappyresults。Thisledtotheirworkingatnight，bylightproducedinavacuumbymeansofRuhmkorff\'sapparatus，whichthrewanartificialbrightnessintothedepthsoftheColumbiad。Therethecartridgeswerearrangedwiththeutmostregularity，connectedbyametallicthread，destinedtocommunicatetothemallsimultaneouslytheelectricspark，bywhichmeansthismassofgun-cottonwaseventuallytobeignited。

Bythe28thofNovembereighthundredcartridgeshadbeenplacedinthebottomoftheColumbiad。Sofartheoperationhadbeensuccessful！Butwhatconfusion，whatanxieties，whatstruggleswereundergonebyPresidentBarbicane！InvainhadherefusedadmissiontoStonesHill；everydaytheinquisitiveneighborsscaledthepalisades，someevencarryingtheirimprudencetothepointofsmokingwhilesurroundedbybalesofgun-cotton。

Barbicanewasinaperpetualstateofalarm。J。T。Mastonsecondedhimtothebestofhisability，bygivingvigorouschasetotheintruders，andcarefullypickingupthestilllightedcigarendswhichtheYankeesthrewabout。Asomewhatdifficulttask！seeingthatmorethan300，000personsweregatheredroundtheenclosure。MichelArdanhadvolunteeredtosuperintendthetransportofthecartridgestothemouthoftheColumbiad；butthepresident，havingsurprisedhimwithanenormouscigarinhismouth，whilehewashuntingouttherashspectatorstowhomhehimselfofferedsodangerousanexample，sawthathecouldnottrustthisfearlesssmoker，andwasthereforeobligedtomountaspecialguardoverhim。

Atlast，Providencebeingpropitious，thiswonderfulloadingcametoahappytermination，CaptainNicholl\'sthirdbetbeingthuslost。ItremainednowtointroducetheprojectileintotheColumbiad，andtoplaceitonitssoftbedofgun-cotton。

Butbeforedoingthis，allthosethingsnecessaryforthejourneyhadtobecarefullyarrangedintheprojectilevehicle。

Thesenecessarieswerenumerous；andhadArdanbeenallowedtofollowhisownwishes，therewouldhavebeennospaceremainingforthetravelers。ItisimpossibletoconceiveofhalfthethingsthischarmingFrenchmanwishedtoconveytothemoon。

Averitablestockofuselesstrifles！ButBarbicaneinterferedandrefusedadmissiontoanythingnotabsolutelyneeded。

Severalthermometers，barometers，andtelescopeswerepackedintheinstrumentcase。

Thetravelersbeingdesirousofexamingthemooncarefullyduringtheirvoyage，inordertofacilitatetheirstudies，theytookwiththemBoeerandMoeller\'sexcellent_MappaSelenographica_，amasterpieceofpatienceandobservation，whichtheyhopedwouldenablethemtoidentifythosephysicalfeaturesinthemoon，withwhichtheywereacquainted。

Thismapreproducedwithscrupulousfidelitythesmallestdetailsofthelunarsurfacewhichfacestheearth；themountains，valleys，craters，peaks，andridgeswereallrepresented，withtheirexactdimensions，relativepositions，andnames；fromthemountainsDoerfelandLeibnitzontheeasternsideofthedisc，tothe_Marefrigoris_oftheNorthPole。

Theytookalsothreeriflesandthreefowling-pieces，andalargequantityofballs，shot，andpowder。

"Wecannottellwhomweshallhavetodealwith，"saidMichelArdan。

"Menorbeastsmaypossiblyobjecttoourvisit。Itisonlywisetotakeallprecautions。"

Thesedefensiveweaponswereaccompaniedbypickaxes，crowbars，saws，andotherusefulimplements，nottomentionclothingadaptedtoeverytemperature，fromthatofpolarregionstothatofthetorridzone。

Ardanwishedtoconveyanumberofanimalsofdifferentsorts，notindeedapairofeveryknownspecies，ashecouldnotseethenecessityofacclimatizingserpents，tigers，alligators，oranyothernoxiousbeastsinthemoon。"Nevertheless，"hesaidtoBarbicane，"somevaluableandusefulbeasts，bullocks，cows，horses，anddonkeys，wouldbearthejourneyverywell，andwouldalsobeveryusefultous。"

"Idaresay，mydearArdan，"repliedthepresident，"butourprojectile-vehicleisnoNoah\'sark，fromwhichitdiffersbothindimensionsandobject。Letusconfineourselvestopossibilities。"

Afteraprolongeddiscussion，itwasagreedthatthetravelersshouldrestrictthemselvestoasporting-dogbelongingtoNicholl，andtoalargeNewfoundland。Severalpacketsofseedswerealsoincludedamongthenecessaries。MichelArdan，indeed，wasanxioustoaddsomesacksfullofearthtosowthemin；asitwas，hetookadozenshrubscarefullywrappedupinstrawtoplantinthemoon。

Theimportantquestionofprovisionsstillremained；itbeingnecessarytoprovideagainstthepossibilityoftheirfindingthemoonabsolutelybarren。Barbicanemanagedsosuccessfully，thathesuppliedthemwithsufficientrationsforayear。

Theseconsistedofpreservedmeatsandvegetables，reducedbystronghydraulicpressuretothesmallestpossibledimensions。

Theywerealsosuppliedwithbrandy，andtookwaterenoughfortwomonths，beingconfident，fromastronomicalobservations，thattherewasnolackofwateronthemoon\'ssurface。Astoprovisions，doubtlesstheinhabitantsofthe_earth_wouldfindnourishmentsomewhereinthe_moon_。Ardanneverquestionedthis；indeed，hadhedoneso，hewouldneverhaveundertakenthejourney。

"Besides，"hesaidonedaytohisfriends，"weshallnotbecompletelyabandonedbyourterrestrialfriends；theywilltakecarenottoforgetus。"

"No，indeed！"repliedJ。T。Maston。

"Nothingwouldbesimpler，"repliedArdan；"theColumbiadwillbealwaysthere。Well！wheneverthemoonisinafavorableconditionastothezenith，ifnottotheperigee，thatistosayaboutonceayear，couldyounotsendusashellpackedwithprovisions，whichwemightexpectonsomeappointedday？"

"Hurrah！hurrah！"criedJ。T。Matson；"whataningeniousfellow！

whatasplendididea！Indeed，mygoodfriends，weshallnotforgetyou！"

"Ishallreckonuponyou！Then，yousee，weshallreceivenewsregularlyfromtheearth，andweshallindeedbestupidifwehituponnoplanforcommunicatingwithourgoodfriendshere！"

Thesewordsinspiredsuchconfidence，thatMichelArdancarriedalltheGunClubwithhiminhisenthusiasm。Whathesaidseemedsosimpleandsoeasy，sosureofsuccess，thatnonecouldbesosordidlyattachedtothisearthastohesitatetofollowthethreetravelersontheirlunarexpedition。

Allbeingreadyatlast，itremainedtoplacetheprojectileintheColumbiad，anoperationabundantlyaccompaniedbydangersanddifficulties。

TheenormousshellwasconveyedtothesummitofStonesHill。

There，powerfulcranesraisedit，andhelditsuspendedoverthemouthofthecylinder。

Itwasafearfulmoment！Whatifthechainsshouldbreakunderitsenormousweight？Thesuddenfallofsuchabodywouldinevitablycausethegun-cottontoexplode！

Fortunatelythisdidnothappen；andsomehourslatertheprojectile-vehicledescendedgentlyintotheheartofthecannonandrestedonitscouchofpyroxyle，averitablebedofexplosiveeider-down。Itspressurehadnoresult，otherthanthemoreeffectualrammingdownofthechargeintheColumbiad。

"Ihavelost，"saidthecaptain，whoforthwithpaidPresidentBarbicanethesumofthreethousanddollars。

Barbicanedidnotwishtoacceptthemoneyfromoneofhisfellow-travelers，butgavewayatlastbeforethedeterminationofNicholl，whowishedbeforeleavingtheearthtofulfillallhisengagements。

"Now，"saidMichelArdan，"Ihaveonlyonethingmoretowishforyou，mybravecaptain。"

"Whatisthat？"askedNicholl。

"Itisthatyoumayloseyourtwootherbets！Thenweshallbesurenottobestoppedonourjourney！"

CHAPTERXXVI

FIRE！

ThefirstofDecemberhadarrived！thefatalday！for，iftheprojectilewerenotdischargedthatverynightat10h。48m。40s。

P。M。，morethaneighteenyearsmustrollbybeforethemoonwouldagainpresentherselfunderthesameconditionsofzenithandperigee。

Theweatherwasmagnificent。Despitetheapproachofwinter，thesunshonebrightly，andbathedinitsradiantlightthatearthwhichthreeofitsdenizenswereabouttoabandonforanewworld。

Howmanypersonslosttheirrestonthenightwhichprecededthislong-expectedday！Allheartsbeatwithdisquietude，saveonlytheheartofMichelArdan。Thatimperturbablepersonagecameandwentwithhishabitualbusiness-likeair，whilenothingwhateverdenotedthatanyunusualmatterpreoccupiedhismind。

Afterdawn，aninnumerablemultitudecoveredtheprairiewhichextends，asfarastheeyecanreach，roundStonesHill。Everyquarterofanhourtherailwaybroughtfreshaccessionsofsightseers；and，accordingtothestatementoftheTampaTown_Observer_，notlessthanfivemillionsofspectatorsthrongedthesoilofFlorida。

Forawholemonthpreviously，themassofthesepersonshadbivouackedroundtheenclosure，andlaidthefoundationsforatownwhichwasafterwardcalled"Ardan\'sTown。"Thewholeplainwascoveredwithhuts，cottages，andtents。Everynationunderthesunwasrepresentedthere；andeverylanguagemightbeheardspokenatthesametime。ItwasaperfectBabelre-enacted。

AllthevariousclassesofAmericansocietyweremingledtogetherintermsofabsoluteequality。Bankers，farmers，sailors，cotton-planters，brokers，merchants，watermen，magistrates，elbowedeachotherinthemostfree-and-easyway。

LouisianaCreolesfraternizedwithfarmersfromIndiana；

KentuckyandTennesseegentlemenandhaughtyVirginiansconversedwithtrappersandthehalf-savagesofthelakesandbutchersfromCincinnati。Broad-brimmedwhitehatsandPanamas，blue-cottontrousers，light-coloredstockings，cambricfrills，wereallheredisplayed；whileuponshirt-fronts，wristbands，andneckties，uponeveryfinger，evenupontheveryears，theyworeanassortmentofrings，shirt-pins，brooches，andtrinkets，ofwhichthevalueonlyequaledtheexecrabletaste。Women，children，andservants，inequallyexpensivedress，surroundedtheirhusbands，fathers，ormasters，whoresembledthepatriarchsoftribesinthemidstoftheirimmensehouseholds。

Atmeal-timesallfelltoworkuponthedishespeculiartotheSouthernStates，andconsumedwithanappetitethatthreatenedspeedyexhaustionofthevictualingpowersofFlorida，fricasseedfrogs，stuffedmonkey，fishchowder，underdone\'possum，andraccoonsteaks。Andasfortheliquorswhichaccompaniedthisindigestiblerepast！Theshouts，thevociferationsthatresoundedthroughthebarsandtavernsdecoratedwithglasses，tankards，andbottlesofmarvelousshape，mortarsforpoundingsugar，andbundlesofstraws！

"Mint-julep"roarsoneofthebarmen；"Claretsangaree！"

shoutsanother；"Cocktail！""Brandy-smash！""Realmint-julepinthenewstyle！"Allthesecriesintermingledproducedabewilderinganddeafeninghubbub。

Butonthisday，1stofDecember，suchsoundswererare。Noonethoughtofeatingordrinking，andatfourP。M。therewerevastnumbersofspectatorswhohadnoteventakentheircustomarylunch！And，astillmoresignificantfact，eventhenationalpassionforplayseemedquelledforthetimeunderthegeneralexcitementofthehour。

Uptillnightfall，adull，noiselessagitation，suchasprecedesgreatcatastrophes，ranthroughtheanxiousmultitude。

Anindescribableuneasinesspervadedallminds，anindefinablesensationwhichoppressedtheheart。Everyonewisheditwasover。

However，aboutseveno\'clock，theheavysilencewasdissipated。

Themoonroseabovethehorizon。Millionsofhurrahshailedherappearance。Shewaspunctualtotherendezvous，andshoutsofwelcomegreetedheronallsides，asherpalebeamsshonegracefullyintheclearheavens。Atthismomentthethreeintrepidtravelersappeared。Thiswasthesignalforrenewedcriesofstillgreaterintensity。Instantlythevastassemblage，aswithoneaccord，struckupthenationalhymnoftheUnitedStates，and"YankeeDoodle，"sungbyfivemillionofheartythroats，roselikearoaringtempesttothefarthestlimitsoftheatmosphere。Thenaprofoundsilencereignedthroughoutthecrowd。

TheFrenchmanandthetwoAmericanshadbythistimeenteredtheenclosurereservedinthecenterofthemultitude。TheywereaccompaniedbythemembersoftheGunClub，andbydeputationssentfromalltheEuropeanObservatories。Barbicane，coolandcollected，wasgivinghisfinaldirections。Nicholl，withcompressedlips，hisarmscrossedbehindhisback，walkedwithafirmandmeasuredstep。MichelArdan，alwayseasy，dressedinthoroughtraveler\'scostume，leatherngaitersonhislegs，pouchbyhisside，inloosevelvetsuit，cigarinmouth，wasfullofinexhaustiblegayety，laughing，joking，playingprankswithJ。

T。Maston。Inoneword，hewasthethorough"Frenchman"(andworse，a"Parisian")tothelastmoment。

Teno\'clockstruck！Themomenthadarrivedfortakingtheirplacesintheprojectile！Thenecessaryoperationsforthedescent，andthesubsequentremovalofthecranesandscaffoldingthatinclinedoverthemouthoftheColumbiad，requiredacertainperiodoftime。

BarbicanehadregulatedhischronometertothetenthpartofasecondbythatofMurchisontheengineer，whowaschargedwiththedutyoffiringthegunbymeansofanelectricspark。

Thusthetravelersenclosedwithintheprojectilewereenabledtofollowwiththeireyestheimpassiveneedlewhichmarkedtheprecisemomentoftheirdeparture。

Themomenthadarrivedforsaying"good-by！"Thescenewasatouchingone。Despitehisfeverishgayety，evenMichelArdanwastouched。J。T。Mastonhadfoundinhisowndryeyesoneancienttear，whichhehaddoubtlessreservedfortheoccasion。

Hedroppeditontheforeheadofhisdearpresident。

"CanInotgo？"hesaid，"thereisstilltime！"

"Impossible，oldfellow！"repliedBarbicane。Afewmomentslater，thethreefellow-travelershadensconcedthemselvesintheprojectile，andscreweddowntheplatewhichcoveredtheentrance-aperture。ThemouthoftheColumbiad，nowcompletelydisencumbered，wasopenentirelytothesky。

Themoonadvancedupwardinaheavenofthepurestclearness，outshininginherpassagethetwinklinglightofthestars。

ShepassedovertheconstellationoftheTwins，andwasnownearingthehalfwaypointbetweenthehorizonandthezenith。

Aterriblesilenceweighedupontheentirescene！Notabreathofwindupontheearth！notasoundofbreathingfromthecountlesschestsofthespectators！Theirheartsseemedafraidtobeat！

AlleyeswerefixedupontheyawningmouthoftheColumbiad。

Murchisonfollowedwithhiseyethehandofhischronometer。

Itwantedscarcefortysecondstothemomentofdeparture，buteachsecondseemedtolastanage！Atthetwentieththerewasageneralshudder，asitoccurredtothemindsofthatvastassemblagethattheboldtravelersshutupwithintheprojectilewerealsocountingthoseterribleseconds。Somefewcrieshereandthereescapedthecrowd。

"Thirty-five！——thirty-six！——thirty-seven！——thirty-eight！——

thirty-nine！——forty！FIRE！！！"

InstantlyMurchisonpressedwithhisfingerthekeyoftheelectricbattery，restoredthecurrentofthefluid，anddischargedthesparkintothebreechoftheColumbiad。

Anappallingunearthlyreportfollowedinstantly，suchascanbecomparedtonothingwhateverknown，noteventotheroarofthunder，ortheblastofvolcanicexplosions！Nowordscanconveytheslightestideaoftheterrificsound！Animmensespoutoffireshotupfromthebowelsoftheearthasfromacrater。

Theearthheavedup，andwithgreatdifficultysomefewspectatorsobtainedamomentaryglimpseoftheprojectilevictoriouslycleavingtheairinthemidstofthefieryvapors！

CHAPTERXXVII

FOULWEATHER

Atthemomentwhenthatpyramidoffirerosetoaprodigiousheightintotheair，theglareofflamelitupthewholeofFlorida；andforamomentdaysupersedednightoveraconsiderableextentofthecountry。Thisimmensecanopyoffirewasperceivedatadistanceofonehundredmilesoutatsea，andmorethanoneship\'scaptainenteredinhislogtheappearanceofthisgiganticmeteor。

ThedischargeoftheColumbiadwasaccompaniedbyaperfectearthquake。Floridawasshakentoitsverydepths。

Thegasesofthepowder，expandedbyheat，forcedbacktheatmosphericstratawithtremendousviolence，andthisartificialhurricanerushedlikeawater-spoutthroughtheair。

Notasinglespectatorremainedonhisfeet！Men，womenchildren，alllayprostratelikeearsofcornunderatempest。

Thereensuedaterribletumult；alargenumberofpersonswereseriouslyinjured。J。T。Maston，who，despitealldictatesofprudence，hadkeptinadvanceofthemass，waspitchedback120

feet，shootinglikeaprojectileovertheheadsofhisfellow-citizens。Threehundredthousandpersonsremaineddeafforatime，andasthoughstruckstupefied。

Assoonasthefirsteffectswereover，theinjured，thedeaf，andlastly，thecrowdingeneral，wokeupwithfrenziedcries。

"HurrahforArdan！HurrahforBarbicane！HurrahforNicholl！"

rosetotheskies。Thousandsofpersons，nosesinair，armedwithtelescopesandrace-glasses，werequestioningspace，forgettingallcontusionsandemotionsintheoneideaofwatchingfortheprojectile。Theylookedinvain！Itwasnolongertobeseen，andtheywereobligedtowaitfortelegramsfromLong\'sPeak。ThedirectoroftheCambridgeObservatorywasathispostontheRockyMountains；andtohim，asaskillfulandperseveringastronomer，allobservationshadbeenconfided。

Butanunforeseenphenomenoncameintosubjectthepublicimpatiencetoaseveretrial。

Theweather，hithertosofine，suddenlychanged；theskybecameheavywithclouds。Itcouldnothavebeenotherwiseaftertheterriblederangementoftheatmosphericstrata，andthedispersionoftheenormousquantityofvaporarisingfromthecombustionof200，000poundsofpyroxyle！

Onthemorrowthehorizonwascoveredwithclouds——athickandimpenetrablecurtainbetweenearthandsky，whichunhappilyextendedasfarastheRockyMountains。Itwasafatality！

Butsincemanhadchosensotodisturbtheatmosphere，hewasboundtoaccepttheconsequencesofhisexperiment。

Supposing，now，thattheexperimenthadsucceeded，thetravelershavingstartedonthe1stofDecember，at10h。46m。40s。P。M。，weredueonthe4that0h。P。M。attheirdestination。Sothatuptothattimeitwouldhavebeenverydifficultafteralltohaveobserved，undersuchconditions，abodysosmallastheshell。

Thereforetheywaitedwithwhatpatiencetheymight。

Fromthe4thtothe6thofDecemberinclusive，theweatherremainingmuchthesameinAmerica，thegreatEuropeaninstrumentsofHerschel，Rosse，andFoucault，wereconstantlydirectedtowardthemoon，fortheweatherwasthenmagnificent；

butthecomparativeweaknessoftheirglassespreventedanytrustworthyobservationsbeingmade。

Onthe7ththeskyseemedtolighten。Theywereinhopesnow，buttheirhopewasofbutshortduration，andatnightagainthickcloudshidthestarryvaultfromalleyes。

Matterswerenowbecomingserious，whenonthe9ththesunreappearedforaninstant，asifforthepurposeofteasingtheAmericans。Itwasreceivedwithhisses；andwounded，nodoubt，bysuchareception，showeditselfverysparingofitsrays。

Onthe10th，nochange！J。T。Mastonwentnearlymad，andgreatfearswereentertainedregardingthebrainofthisworthyindividual，whichhadhithertobeensowellpreservedwithinhisgutta-perchacranium。

Butonthe11thoneofthoseinexplicabletempestspeculiartothoseintertropicalregionswasletlooseintheatmosphere。

Aterrificeastwindsweptawaythegroupsofcloudswhichhadbeensolonggathering，andatnightthesemi-discoftheorbofnightrodemajesticallyamidthesoftconstellationsofthesky。