第10章

"Sincethereisnothingelsetobedone，"saidNicholl，"Imakeaproposition。"

"Whatisit？"askedBarbicane。

"Iproposetogotosleep。"

"Whatamotion！"exclaimedMichelArdan。

"Itisfortyhourssinceweclosedoureyes，"saidNicholl。

"Somehoursofsleepwillrestoreourstrength。"

"Never，"interruptedMichel。

"Well，"continuedNicholl，"everyonetohistaste；Ishallgotosleep。"Andstretchinghimselfonthedivan，hesoonsnoredlikeaforty-eightpounder。

"ThatNichollhasagooddealofsense，"saidBarbicane；

"presentlyIshallfollowhisexample。"Somemomentsafterhiscontinuedbasssupportedthecaptain\'sbaritone。

"Certainly，"saidMichelArdan，findinghimselfalone，"thesepracticalpeoplehavesometimesmostopportuneideas。"

Andwithhislonglegsstretchedout，andhisgreatarmsfoldedunderhishead，Michelsleptinhisturn。

Butthissleepcouldbeneitherpeacefulnorlasting，themindsofthesethreemenweretoomuchoccupied，andsomehoursafter，aboutseveninthemorning，allthreewereonfootatthesameinstant。

Theprojectilewasstillleavingthemoon，andturningitsconicalpartmoreandmoretowardher。

Anexplicablephenomenon，butonewhichhappilyservedBarbicane\'sends。

Seventeenhoursmore，andthemomentforactionwouldhavearrived。

Thedayseemedlong。Howeverboldthetravelersmightbe，theyweregreatlyimpressedbytheapproachofthatmomentwhichwoulddecideall——eitherprecipitatetheirfallontothemoon，orforeverchaintheminanimmutableorbit。Theycountedthehoursastheypassedtooslowfortheirwish；BarbicaneandNichollwereobstinatelyplungedintheircalculations，Michelgoingandcomingbetweenthenarrowwalls，andwatchingthatimpassivemoonwithalongingeye。

Attimesrecollectionsoftheearthcrossedtheirminds。TheysawoncemoretheirfriendsoftheGunClub，andthedearestofall，J。T。Maston。Atthatmoment，thehonorablesecretarymustbefillinghispostontheRockyMountains。Ifhecouldseetheprojectilethroughtheglassofhisgigantictelescope，whatwouldhethink？Afterseeingitdisappearbehindthemoon\'ssouthpole，hewouldseethemreappearbythenorthpole！

Theymustthereforebeasatelliteofasatellite！HadJ。T。

Mastongiventhisunexpectednewstotheworld？Wasthisthe_denouement_ofthisgreatenterprise？

Butthedaypassedwithoutincident。Theterrestrialmidnightarrived。The8thofDecemberwasbeginning。

Onehourmore，andthepointofequalattractionwouldbereached。Whatspeedwouldthenanimatetheprojectile？

Theycouldnotestimateit。ButnoerrorcouldvitiateBarbicane\'scalculations。Atoneinthemorningthisspeedoughttobeandwouldbe_nil_。

Besides，anotherphenomenonwouldmarktheprojectile\'sstopping-pointontheneutralline。Atthatspotthetwoattractions，lunarandterrestrial，wouldbeannulled。

Objectswould"weigh"nomore。Thissingularfact，whichhadsurprisedBarbicaneandhiscompanionssomuchingoing，wouldberepeatedontheirreturnundertheverysameconditions。

Atthisprecisemomenttheymustact。

Alreadytheprojectile\'sconicaltopwassensiblyturnedtowardthelunardisc，presentedinsuchawayastoutilizethewholeoftherecoilproducedbythepressureoftherocketapparatus。

Thechanceswereinfavorofthetravelers。Ifitsspeedwasutterlyannulledonthisdeadpoint，adecidedmovementtowardthemoonwouldsuffice，howeverslight，todetermineitsfall。

"Fiveminutestoone，"saidNicholl。

"Allisready，"repliedMichelArdan，directingalightedmatchtotheflameofthegas。

"Wait！"saidBarbicane，holdinghischronometerinhishand。

Atthatmomentweighthadnoeffect。Thetravelersfeltinthemselvestheentiredisappearanceofit。Theywereveryneartheneutralpoint，iftheydidnottouchit。

"Oneo\'clock，"saidBarbicane。

MichelArdanappliedthelightedmatchtoatrainincommunicationwiththerockets。Nodetonationwasheardintheinside，fortherewasnoair。But，throughthescuttles，Barbicanesawaprolongedsmoke，theflamesofwhichwereimmediatelyextinguished。

Theprojectilesustainedacertainshock，whichwassensiblyfeltintheinterior。

Thethreefriendslookedandlistenedwithoutspeaking，andscarcelybreathing。Onemighthaveheardthebeatingoftheirheartsamidthisperfectsilence。

"Arewefalling？"askedMichelArdan，atlength。

"No，"saidNicholl，"sincethebottomoftheprojectileisnotturningtothelunardisc！"

Atthismoment，Barbicane，quittinghisscuttle，turnedtohistwocompanions。Hewasfrightfullypale，hisforeheadwrinkled，andhislipscontracted。

"Wearefalling！"saidhe。

"Ah！"criedMichelArdan，"ontothemoon？"

"Ontotheearth！"

"Thedevil！"exclaimedMichelArdan，addingphilosophically，"well，whenwecameintothisprojectilewewereverydoubtfulastotheeasewithwhichweshouldgetoutofit！"

Andnowthisfearfulfallhadbegun。Thespeedretainedhadbornetheprojectilebeyondthedeadpoint。Theexplosionoftherocketscouldnotdivertitscourse。Thisspeedingoinghadcarrieditovertheneutralline，andinreturninghaddonethesamething。Thelawsofphysicscondemnedit_topassthrougheverypointwhichithadalreadygonethrough_。Itwasaterriblefall，fromaheightof160，000miles，andnospringstobreakit。Accordingtothelawsofgunnery，theprojectilemuststriketheearthwithaspeedequaltothatwithwhichitleftthemouthoftheColumbiad，aspeedof16，000yardsinthelastsecond。

Buttogivesomefiguresofcomparison，ithasbeenreckonedthatanobjectthrownfromthetopofthetowersofNotreDame，theheightofwhichisonly200feet，willarriveonthepavementataspeedof240milesperhour。Heretheprojectilemuststriketheearthwithaspeedof115，200milesperhour。

"Wearelost！"saidMichelcoolly。

"Verywell！ifwedie，"answeredBarbicane，withasortofreligiousenthusiasm，"theresultsofourtravelswillbemagnificentlyspread。ItisHisownsecretthatGodwilltellus！Intheotherlifethesoulwillwanttoknownothing，eitherofmachinesorengines！Itwillbeidentifiedwitheternalwisdom！"

"Infact，"interruptedMichelArdan，"thewholeoftheotherworldmaywellconsoleusforthelossofthatinferiororbcalledthemoon！"

Barbicanecrossedhisarmsonhisbreast，withamotionofsublimeresignation，sayingatthesametime:

"Thewillofheavenbedone！"

CHAPTERXX

THESOUNDINGSOFTHESUSQUEHANNA

Well，lieutenant，andoursoundings？"

"Ithink，sir，thattheoperationisnearingitscompletion，"

repliedLieutenantBronsfield。"Butwhowouldhavethoughtoffindingsuchadepthsonearinshore，andonly200milesfromtheAmericancoast？"

"Certainly，Bronsfield，thereisagreatdepression，"saidCaptainBlomsberry。"InthisspotthereisasubmarinevalleywornbyHumboldt\'scurrent，whichskirtsthecoastofAmericaasfarastheStraitsofMagellan。"

"Thesegreatdepths，"continuedthelieutenant，"arenotfavorableforlayingtelegraphiccables。Alevelbottom，likethatsupportingtheAmericancablebetweenValentiaandNewfoundland，ismuchbetter。"

"Iagreewithyou，Bronsfield。Withyourpermission，lieutenant，wherearewenow？"

"Sir，atthismomentwehave3，508fathomsoflineout，andtheballwhichdrawsthesoundingleadhasnotyettouchedthebottom；forifso，itwouldhavecomeupofitself。"

"Brook\'sapparatusisveryingenious，"saidCaptainBlomsberry；

"itgivesusveryexactsoundings。"

"Touch！"criedatthismomentoneofthemenattheforewheel，whowassuperintendingtheoperation。

Thecaptainandthelieutenantmountedthequarterdeck。

"Whatdepthhavewe？"askedthecaptain。

"Threethousandsixhundredandtwenty-sevenfathoms，"repliedthelieutenant，enteringitinhisnotebook。

"Well，Bronsfield，"saidthecaptain，"Iwilltakedowntheresult。Nowhaulinthesoundingline。Itwillbetheworkofsomehours。Inthattimetheengineercanlightthefurnaces，andweshallbereadytostartassoonasyouhavefinished。Itisteno\'clock，andwithyourpermission，lieutenant，Iwillturnin。"

"Doso，sir；doso！"repliedthelieutenantobligingly。

ThecaptainoftheSusquehanna，asbraveamanasneedbe，andthehumbleservantofhisofficers，returnedtohiscabin，tookabrandy-grog，whichearnedforthestewardnoendofpraise，andturnedin，notwithouthavingcomplimentedhisservantuponhismakingbeds，andsleptapeacefulsleep。

Itwasthentenatnight。TheeleventhdayofthemonthofDecemberwasdrawingtoacloseinamagnificentnight。

TheSusquehanna，acorvetteof500horse-power，oftheUnitedStatesnavy，wasoccupiedintakingsoundingsinthePacificOceanabout200milesofftheAmericancoast，followingthatlongpeninsulawhichstretchesdownthecoastofMexico。

Thewindhaddroppedbydegrees。Therewasnodisturbanceintheair。Thepennanthungmotionlessfromthemaintop-gallant-

masttruck。

CaptainJonathanBlomsberry(cousin-germanofColonelBlomsberry，oneofthemostardentsupportersoftheGunClub，whohadmarriedanauntofthecaptainanddaughterofanhonorableKentuckymerchant)——CaptainBlomsberrycouldnothavewishedforfinerweatherinwhichtobringtoaclosehisdelicateoperationsofsounding。Hiscorvettehadnotevenfeltthegreattempest，whichbysweepingawaythegroupsofcloudsontheRockyMountains，hadallowedthemtoobservethecourseofthefamousprojectile。

Everythingwentwell，andwithallthefervorofaPresbyterian，hedidnotforgettothankheavenforit。TheseriesofsoundingstakenbytheSusquehanna，hadforitsaimthefindingofafavorablespotforthelayingofasubmarinecabletoconnecttheHawaiianIslandswiththecoastofAmerica。

Itwasagreatundertaking，duetotheinstigationofapowerfulcompany。Itsmanagingdirector，theintelligentCyrusField，purposedevencoveringalltheislandsofOceanicawithavastelectricalnetwork，animmenseenterprise，andoneworthyofAmericangenius。

TothecorvetteSusquehannahadbeenconfidedthefirstoperationsofsounding。Itwasonthenightofthe11th-12thofDecember，shewasinexactly27@7\'northlatitude，and41@37\'

westlongitude，onthemeridianofWashington。

Themoon，theninherlastquarter，wasbeginningtoriseabovethehorizon。

AfterthedepartureofCaptainBlomsberry，thelieutenantandsomeofficerswerestandingtogetheronthepoop。Ontheappearanceofthemoon，theirthoughtsturnedtothatorbwhichtheeyesofawholehemispherewerecontemplating。Thebestnavalglassescouldnothavediscoveredtheprojectilewanderingarounditshemisphere，andyetallwerepointedtowardthatbrilliantdiscwhichmillionsofeyeswerelookingatatthesamemoment。

"Theyhavebeengonetendays，"saidLieutenantBronsfieldatlast。"Whathasbecomeofthem？"

"Theyhavearrived，lieutenant，"exclaimedayoungmidshipman，"andtheyaredoingwhatalltravelersdowhentheyarriveinanewcountry，takingawalk！"

"Oh！Iamsureofthat，ifyoutellmeso，myyoungfriend，"

saidLieutenantBronsfield，smiling。

"But，"continuedanotherofficer，"theirarrivalcannotbedoubted。Theprojectilewastoreachthemoonwhenfullonthe5thatmidnight。Wearenowatthe11thofDecember，whichmakessixdays。Andinsixtimestwenty-fourhours，withoutdarkness，onewouldhavetimetosettlecomfortably。IfancyI

seemybravecountrymenencampedatthebottomofsomevalley，onthebordersofaSelenitestream，nearaprojectilehalf-buriedbyitsfallamidvolcanicrubbish，CaptainNichollbeginninghislevelingoperations，PresidentBarbicanewritingouthisnotes，andMichelArdanembalmingthelunarsolitudeswiththeperfumeofhis——"

"Yes！itmustbeso，itisso！"exclaimedtheyoungmidshipman，workeduptoapitchofenthusiasmbythisidealdescriptionofhissuperiorofficer。

"Ishouldliketobelieveit，"repliedthelieutenant，whowasquiteunmoved。"Unfortunatelydirectnewsfromthelunarworldisstillwanting。"

"Begpardon，lieutenant，"saidthemidshipman，"butcannotPresidentBarbicanewrite？"

Aburstoflaughtergreetedthisanswer。

"Noletters！"continuedtheyoungmanquickly。"Thepostaladministrationhassomethingtoseetothere。"

"Mightitnotbethetelegraphicservicethatisatfault？"

askedoneoftheofficersironically。

"Notnecessarily，"repliedthemidshipman，notatallconfused。

"Butitisveryeasytosetupagraphiccommunicationwiththeearth。"

"Andhow？"

"BymeansofthetelescopeatLong\'sPeak。YouknowitbringsthemoontowithinfourmilesoftheRockyMountains，andthatitshowsobjectsonitssurfaceofonlyninefeetindiameter。

Verywell；letourindustriousfriendsconstructagiantalphabet；letthemwritewordsthreefathomslong，andsentencesthreemileslong，andthentheycansendusnewsofthemselves。"

Theyoungmidshipman，whohadacertainamountofimagination，wasloudlyapplauded；LieutenantBronsfieldallowingthattheideawaspossible，butobservingthatifbythesemeanstheycouldreceivenewsfromthelunarworldtheycouldnotsendanyfromtheterrestrial，unlesstheSeleniteshadinstrumentsfitfortakingdistantobservationsattheirdisposal。

"Evidently，"saidoneoftheofficers；"butwhathasbecomeofthetravelers？whattheyhavedone，whattheyhaveseen，thataboveallmustinterestus。Besides，iftheexperimenthassucceeded(whichIdonotdoubt)，theywilltryitagain。

TheColumbiadisstillsunkinthesoilofFlorida。Itisnowonlyaquestionofpowderandshot；andeverytimethemoonisatherzenithacargoofvisitorsmaybesenttoher。"

"Itisclear，"repliedLieutenantBronsfield，"thatJ。T。Mastonwillonedayjoinhisfriends。"

"Ifhewillhaveme，"criedthemidshipman，"Iamready！"

"Oh！volunteerswillnotbewanting，"answeredBronsfield；"andifitwereallowed，halfoftheearth\'sinhabitantswouldemigratetothemoon！"

ThisconversationbetweentheofficersoftheSusquehannawaskeptupuntilnearlyoneinthemorning。Wecannotsaywhatblunderingsystemswerebroached，whatinconsistenttheoriesadvancedbytheseboldspirits。SinceBarbicane\'sattempt，nothingseemedimpossibletotheAmericans。Theyhadalreadydesignedanexpedition，notonlyofsavants，butofawholecolonytowardtheSeleniteborders，andacompletearmy，consistingofinfantry，artillery，andcavalry，toconquerthelunarworld。

Atoneinthemorning，thehaulinginofthesounding-linewasnotyetcompleted；1，670fathomswerestillout，whichwouldentailsomehours\'work。Accordingtothecommander\'sorders，thefireshadbeenlighted，andsteamwasbeinggotup。

TheSusquehannacouldhavestartedthatveryinstant。

Atthatmoment(itwasseventeenminutespastoneinthemorning)LieutenantBronsfieldwaspreparingtoleavethewatchandreturntohiscabin，whenhisattentionwasattractedbyadistanthissingnoise。Hiscomradesandhimselffirstthoughtthatthishissingwascausedbythelettingoffofsteam；butliftingtheirheads，theyfoundthatthenoisewasproducedinthehighestregionsoftheair。Theyhadnottimetoquestioneachotherbeforethehissingbecamefrightfullyintense，andsuddenlythereappearedtotheirdazzledeyesanenormousmeteor，ignitedbytherapidityofitscourseanditsfrictionthroughtheatmosphericstrata。

Thisfierymassgrewlargertotheireyes，andfell，withthenoiseofthunder，uponthebowsprit，whichitsmashedclosetothestem，andburieditselfinthewaveswithadeafeningroar！

Afewfeetnearer，andtheSusquehannawouldhavefounderedwithallonboard！

AtthisinstantCaptainBlomsberryappeared，half-dressed，andrushingontotheforecastle-deck，whitheralltheofficershadhurried，exclaimed，"Withyourpermission，gentlemen，whathashappened？"

Andthemidshipman，makinghimselfasitweretheechoofthebody，cried，"Commander，itis`they\'comebackagain！"

CHAPTERXXI

J。T。MASTONRECALLED

"Itis`they\'comebackagain！"theyoungmidshipmanhadsaid，andeveryonehadunderstoodhim。NoonedoubtedbutthatthemeteorwastheprojectileoftheGunClub。Astothetravelerswhichitenclosed，opinionsweredividedregardingtheirfate。

"Theyaredead！"saidone。

"Theyarealive！"saidanother；"thecraterisdeep，andtheshockwasdeadened。"

"Buttheymusthavewantedair，"continuedathirdspeaker；

"theymusthavediedofsuffocation。"

"Burned！"repliedafourth；"theprojectilewasnothingbutanincandescentmassasitcrossedtheatmosphere。"

"Whatdoesitmatter！"theyexclaimedunanimously；"livingordead，wemustpullthemout！"

ButCaptainBlomsberryhadassembledhisofficers，and"withtheirpermission，"washoldingacouncil。Theymustdecideuponsomethingtobedoneimmediately。Themorehastyoneswereforfishinguptheprojectile。Adifficultoperation，thoughnotanimpossibleone。Butthecorvettehadnopropermachinery，whichmustbebothfixedandpowerful；soitwasresolvedthattheyshouldputinatthenearestport，andgiveinformationtotheGunCluboftheprojectile\'sfall。

Thisdeterminationwasunanimous。Thechoiceoftheporthadtobediscussed。Theneighboringcoasthadnoanchorageon27@latitude。Higherup，abovethepeninsulaofMonterey，standstheimportanttownfromwhichittakesitsname；but，seatedonthebordersofaperfectdesert，itwasnotconnectedwiththeinteriorbyanetworkoftelegraphicwires，andelectricityalonecouldspreadtheseimportantnewsfastenough。

SomedegreesaboveopenedthebayofSanFrancisco。ThroughthecapitalofthegoldcountrycommunicationwouldbeeasywiththeheartoftheUnion。AndinlessthantwodaystheSusquehanna，byputtingonhighpressure，couldarriveinthatport。Shemustthereforestartatonce。

Thefiresweremadeup；theycouldsetoffimmediately。

Twothousandfathomsoflinewerestillout，whichCaptainBlomsberry，notwishingtoloseprecioustimeinhaulingin，resolvedtocut。

"wewillfastentheendtoabuoy，"saidhe，"andthatbuoywillshowustheexactspotwheretheprojectilefell。"

"Besides，"repliedLieutenantBronsfield，"wehaveoursituationexact——27@7\'northlatitudeand41@37\'westlongitude。"

"Well，Mr。Bronsfield，"repliedthecaptain，"now，withyourpermission，wewillhavethelinecut。"

Astrongbuoy，strengthenedbyacoupleofspars，wasthrownintotheocean。Theendoftheropewascarefullylashedtoit；

and，leftsolelytotheriseandfallofthebillows，thebuoywouldnotsensiblydeviatefromthespot。

Atthismomenttheengineersenttoinformthecaptainthatsteamwasupandtheycouldstart，forwhichagreeablecommunicationthecaptainthankedhim。Thecoursewasthengivennorth-northeast，andthecorvette，wearing，steeredatfullsteamdirectforSanFrancisco。Itwasthreeinthemorning。

Fourhundredandfiftymilestocross；itwasnothingforagoodvesselliketheSusquehanna。Inthirty-sixhoursshehadcoveredthatdistance；andonthe14thofDecember，attwenty-sevenminutespastoneatnight，sheenteredthebayofSanFrancisco。

Atthesightofashipofthenationalnavyarrivingatfullspeed，withherbowspritbroken，publiccuriositywasgreatlyroused。

Adensecrowdsoonassembledonthequay，waitingforthemtodisembark。

Aftercastinganchor，CaptainBlomsberryandLieutenantBronsfieldenteredaneight-paredcutter，whichsoonbroughtthemtoland。

Theyjumpedontothequay。

"Thetelegraph？"theyasked，withoutansweringoneofthethousandquestionsaddressedtothem。

Theofficeroftheportconductedthemtothetelegraphofficethroughaconcourseofspectators。BlomsberryandBronsfieldentered，whilethecrowdcrushedeachotheratthedoor。

Someminuteslaterafourfoldtelegramwassentout——thefirsttotheNavalSecretaryatWashington；thesecondtothevice-presidentoftheGunClub，Baltimore；thethirdtotheHon。

J。T。Maston，Long\'sPeak，RockyMountains；andthefourthtothesub-directoroftheCambridgeObservatory，Massachusetts。

Itwaswordedasfollows:

In20@7\'northlatitude，and41@37\'westlongitude，onthe12thofDecember，atseventeenminutespastoneinthemorning，theprojectileoftheColumbiadfellintothePacific。

Sendinstructions——BLOMSBERRY，CommanderSusquehanna。

FiveminutesafterwardthewholetownofSanFranciscolearnedthenews。BeforesixintheeveningthedifferentStatesoftheUnionhadheardthegreatcatastrophe；andaftermidnight，bythecable，thewholeofEuropeknewtheresultofthegreatAmericanexperiment。Wewillnotattempttopicturetheeffectproducedontheentireworldbythatunexpecteddenouement。

OnreceiptofthetelegramtheNavalSecretarytelegraphedtotheSusquehannatowaitinthebayofSanFranciscowithoutextinguishingherfires。Dayandnightshemustbereadytoputtosea。

TheCambridgeobservatorycalledaspecialmeeting；and，withthatcomposurewhichdistinguisheslearnedbodiesingeneral，peacefullydiscussedthescientificbearingsofthequestion。

AttheGunClubtherewasanexplosion。Allthegunnerswereassembled。Vice-PresidenttheHon。Wilcomewasintheactofreadingtheprematuredispatch，inwhichJ。T。MastonandBelfastannouncedthattheprojectilehadjustbeenseeninthegiganticreflectorofLong\'sPeak，andalsothatitwasheldbylunarattraction，andwasplayingthepartofundersatellitetothelunarworld。

Weknowthetruthonthatpoint。

ButonthearrivalofBlomsberry\'sdispatch，sodecidelycontradictingJ。T。Maston\'stelegram，twopartieswereformedinthebosomoftheGunClub。Ononesidewerethosewhoadmittedthefalloftheprojectile，andconsequentlythereturnofthetravelers；ontheother，thosewhobelievedintheobservationsofLong\'sPeak，concludedthatthecommanderoftheSusquehannahadmadeamistake。Tothelatterthepretendedprojectilewasnothingbutameteor！nothingbutameteor，ashootingglobe，whichinitsfallhadsmashedthebowsofthecorvette。Itwasdifficulttoanswerthisargument，forthespeedwithwhichitwasanimatedmusthavemadeobservationverydifficult。ThecommanderoftheSusquehannaandherofficersmighthavemadeamistakeinallgoodfaith；oneargumenthowever，wasintheirfavor，namely，thatiftheprojectilehadfallenontheearth，itsplaceofmeetingwiththeterrestrialglobecouldonlytakeplaceonthis27@northlatitude，and(takingintoconsiderationthetimethathadelapsed，andtherotarymotionoftheearth)betweenthe41@andthe42@ofwestlongitude。Inanycase，itwasdecidedintheGunClubthatBlomsberrybrothers，Bilsby，andMajorElphinstoneshouldgostraighttoSanFrancisco，andconsultastothemeansofraisingtheprojectilefromthedepthsoftheocean。

Thesedevotedmensetoffatonce；andtherailroad，whichwillsooncrossthewholeofCentralAmerica，tookthemasfarasSt。

Louis，wheretheswiftmail-coachesawaitedthem。AlmostatthesamemomentinwhichtheSecretaryofMarine，thevice-presidentoftheGunClub，andthesub-directoroftheObservatoryreceivedthedispatchfromSanFrancisco，theHonorableJ。T。Mastonwasundergoingthegreatestexcitementhehadeverexperiencedinhislife，anexcitementwhicheventheburstingofhispetgun，whichhadmorethanoncenearlycosthimhislife，hadnotcausedhim。

WemayrememberthatthesecretaryoftheGunClubhadstartedsoonaftertheprojectile(andalmostasquickly)forthestationonLong\'sPeak，intheRockyMountains，J。Belfast，directoroftheCambridgeObservatory，accompanyinghim。Arrivedthere，thetwofriendshadinstalledthemselvesatonce，neverquittingthesummitoftheirenormoustelescope。Weknowthatthisgiganticinstrumenthadbeensetupaccordingtothereflectingsystem，calledbytheEnglish"frontview。"Thisarrangementsubjectedallobjectstobutonereflection，makingtheviewconsequentlymuchclearer；theresultwasthat，whentheyweretakingobservation，J。T。MastonandBelfastwereplacedinthe_upper_

partoftheinstrumentandnotinthelower，whichtheyreachedbyacircularstaircase，amasterpieceoflightness，whilebelowthemopenedametalwellterminatedbythemetallicmirror，whichmeasuredtwohundredandeightyfeetindepth。

Itwasonanarrowplatformplacedabovethetelescopethatthetwosavantspassedtheirexistence，execratingthedaywhichhidthemoonfromtheireyes，andthecloudswhichobstinatelyveiledherduringthenight。

What，then，wastheirdelightwhen，aftersomedaysofwaiting，onthenightofthe5thofDecember，theysawthevehiclewhichwasbearingtheirfriendsintospace！Tothisdelightsucceededagreatdeception，when，trustingtoacursoryobservation，theylaunchedtheirfirsttelegramtotheworld，erroneouslyaffirmingthattheprojectilehadbecomeasatelliteofthemoon，gravitatinginanimmutableorbit。

Fromthatmomentithadnevershownitselftotheireyes——adisappearanceallthemoreeasilyexplained，asitwasthenpassingbehindthemoon\'sinvisibledisc；butwhenitwastimeforittoreappearonthevisibledisc，onemayimaginetheimpatienceofthefumingJ。T。Mastonandhisnotlessimpatientcompanion。Eachminuteofthenighttheythoughttheysawtheprojectileoncemore，andtheydidnotseeit。

Henceconstantdiscussionsandviolentdisputesbetweenthem，Belfastaffirmingthattheprojectilecouldnotbeseen，J。T。

Mastonmaintainingthat"ithadputhiseyesout。"

"Itistheprojectile！"repeatedJ。T。Maston。

"No，"answeredBelfast；"itisanavalanchedetachedfromalunarmountain。"

"Well，weshallseeitto-morrow。"

"No，weshallnotseeitanymore。Itiscarriedintospace。"

"Yes！"

"No！"

Andatthesemoments，whencontradictionsrainedlikehail，thewell-knownirritabilityofthesecretaryoftheGunClubconstitutedapermanentdangerfortheHonorableBelfast。

Theexistenceofthesetwotogetherwouldsoonhavebecomeimpossible；butanunforseeneventcutshorttheireverlastingdiscussions。

Duringthenight，fromthe14thtothe15thofDecember，thetwoirreconcilablefriendswerebusyobservingthelunardisc，J。T。

MastonabusingthelearnedBelfastasusual，whowasbyhisside；thesecretaryoftheGunClubmaintainingforthethousandthtimethathehadjustseentheprojectile，andaddingthathecouldseeMichelArdan\'sfacelookingthroughoneofthescuttles，atthesametimeenforcinghisargumentbyaseriesofgestureswhichhisformidablehookrenderedveryunpleasant。

AtthismomentBelfast\'sservantappearedontheplatform(itwastenatnight)andgavehimadispatch。ItwasthecommanderoftheSusquehanna\'stelegram。

Belfasttoretheenvelopeandread，andutteredacry。

"What！"saidJ。T。Maston。

"Theprojectile！"

"Well！"

"Hasfallentotheearth！"

Anothercry，thistimeaperfecthowl，answeredhim。HeturnedtowardJ。T。Maston。Theunfortunateman，imprudentlyleaningoverthemetaltube，haddisappearedintheimmensetelescope。

Afalloftwohundredandeightyfeet！Belfast，dismayed，rushedtotheorificeofthereflector。

Hebreathed。J。T。Maston，caughtbyhismetalhook，washoldingonbyoneoftheringswhichboundthetelescopetogether，utteringfearfulcries。

Belfastcalled。Helpwasbrought，tacklewasletdown，andtheyhoistedup，notwithoutsometrouble，theimprudentsecretaryoftheGunClub。

Hereappearedattheupperorificewithouthurt。

"Ah！"saidhe，"ifIhadbrokenthemirror？"

"Youwouldhavepaidforit，"repliedBelfastseverely。

"Andthatcursedprojectilehasfallen？"askedJ。T。Maston。

"IntothePacific！"

"Letusgo！"

AquarterofanhourafterthetwosavantsweredescendingthedeclivityoftheRockyMountains；andtwodaysafter，atthesametimeastheirfriendsoftheGunClub，theyarrivedatSanFrancisco，havingkilledfivehorsesontheroad。

Elphinstone，thebrothersBlomsberry，andBilsbyrushedtowardthemontheirarrival。

"Whatshallwedo？"theyexclaimed。

"Fishuptheprojectile，"repliedJ。T。Maston，"andthesoonerthebetter。"

CHAPTERXXII

RECOVEREDFROMTHESEA

Thespotwheretheprojectilesankunderthewaveswasexactlyknown；butthemachinerytograspitandbringittothesurfaceoftheoceanwasstillwanting。Itmustfirstbeinvented，thenmade。Americanengineerscouldnotbetroubledwithsuchtrifles。Thegrappling-ironsoncefixed，bytheirhelptheyweresuretoraiseitinspiteofitsweight，whichwaslessenedbythedensityoftheliquidinwhichitwasplunged。

Butfishing-uptheprojectilewasnottheonlythingtobethoughtof。

Theymustactpromptlyintheinterestofthetravelers。Noonedoubtedthattheywerestillliving。

"Yes，"repeatedJ。T。Mastonincessantly，whoseconfidencegainedovereverybody，"ourfriendsarecleverpeople，andtheycannothavefallenlikesimpletons。Theyarealive，quitealive；

butwemustmakehasteifwewishtofindthemso。Foodandwaterdonottroubleme；theyhaveenoughforalongwhile。

Butair，air，thatiswhattheywillsoonwant；soquick，quick！"

Andtheydidgoquick。TheyfitteduptheSusquehannaforhernewdestination。Herpowerfulmachinerywasbroughttobearuponthehauling-chains。Thealuminumprojectileonlyweighed19，250pounds，aweightveryinferiortothatofthetransatlanticcablewhichhadbeendrawnupundersimilarconditions。Theonlydifficultywasinfishingupacylindro-conicalprojectile，thewallsofwhichweresosmoothastooffernoholdforthehooks。

OnthataccountEngineerMurchisonhastenedtoSanFrancisco，andhadsomeenormousgrappling-ironsfixedonanautomaticsystem，whichwouldneverlettheprojectilegoifitoncesucceededinseizingitinitspowerfulclaws。Diving-dresseswerealsoprepared，whichthroughthisimperviouscoveringallowedthediverstoobservethebottomofthesea。Healsohadputonboardanapparatusofcompressedairverycleverlydesigned。

Therewereperfectchamberspiercedwithscuttles，which，withwaterletintocertaincompartments，coulddrawitdownintogreatdepths。TheseapparatuseswereatSanFrancisco，wheretheyhadbeenusedintheconstructionofasubmarinebreakwater；

andveryfortunatelyitwasso，fortherewasnotimetoconstructany。Butinspiteoftheperfectionofthemachinery，inspiteoftheingenuityofthesavantsentrustedwiththeuseofthem，thesuccessoftheoperationwasfarfrombeingcertain。

Howgreatwerethechancesagainstthem，theprojectilebeing20，000feetunderthewater！Andifevenitwasbroughttothesurface，howwouldthetravelershavebornetheterribleshockwhich20，000feetofwaterhadperhapsnotsufficientlybroken？

Atanyratetheymustactquickly。J。T。Mastonhurriedtheworkmendayandnight。Hewasreadytodonthediving-dresshimself，ortrytheairapparatus，inordertoreconnoiterthesituationofhiscourageousfriends。

Butinspiteofallthediligencedisplayedinpreparingthedifferentengines，inspiteoftheconsiderablesumplacedatthedisposaloftheGunClubbytheGovernmentoftheUnion，fivelongdays(fivecenturies！)elapsedbeforethepreparationswerecomplete。Duringthistimepublicopinionwasexcitedtothehighestpitch。Telegramswereexchangedincessantlythroughouttheentireworldbymeansofwiresandelectriccables。

ThesavingofBarbicane，Nicholl，andMichelArdanwasaninternationalaffair。EveryonewhohadsubscribedtotheGunClubwasdirectlyinterestedinthewelfareofthetravelers。

Atlengththehauling-chains，theair-chambers，andtheautomaticgrappling-ironswereputonboard。J。T。Maston，EngineerMurchison，andthedelegatesoftheGunClub，werealreadyintheircabins。Theyhadbuttostart，whichtheydidonthe21stofDecember，ateighto\'clockatnight，thecorvettemeetingwithabeautifulsea，anortheasterlywind，andrathersharpcold。ThewholepopulationofSanFranciscowasgatheredonthequay，greatlyexcitedbutsilent，reservingtheirhurrahsforthereturn。Steamwasfullyup，andthescrewoftheSusquehannacarriedthembrisklyoutofthebay。

Itisneedlesstorelatetheconversationsonboardbetweentheofficers，sailors，andpassengers。Allthesemenhadbutonethought。Alltheseheartsbeatunderthesameemotion。

Whiletheywerehasteningtohelpthem，whatwereBarbicaneandhiscompanionsdoing？Whathadbecomeofthem？Weretheyabletoattemptanyboldmaneuvertoregaintheirliberty？Nonecouldsay。

Thetruthisthateveryattemptmusthavefailed！Immersednearlyfourmilesundertheocean，thismetalprisondefiedeveryeffortofitsprisoners。

Onthe23rdinst。，ateightinthemorning，afterarapidpassage，theSusquehannawasdueatthefatalspot。Theymustwaittilltwelvetotakethereckoningexactly。Thebuoytowhichthesoundinglinehadbeenlashedhadnotyetbeenrecognized。

Attwelve，CaptainBlomsberry，assistedbyhisofficerswhosuperintendedtheobservations，tookthereckoninginthepresenceofthedelegatesoftheGunClub。Thentherewasamomentofanxiety。Herpositiondecided，theSusquehannawasfoundtobesomeminuteswestwardofthespotwheretheprojectilehaddisappearedbeneaththewaves。

Theship\'scoursewasthenchangedsoastoreachthisexactpoint。

Atforty-sevenminutespasttwelvetheyreachedthebuoy；itwasinperfectcondition，andmusthaveshiftedbutlittle。

"Atlast！"exclaimedJ。T。Maston。

"Shallwebegin？"askedCaptainBlomsberry。

"Withoutlosingasecond。"

Everyprecautionwastakentokeepthecorvettealmostcompletelymotionless。Beforetryingtoseizetheprojectile，EngineerMurchisonwantedtofinditsexactpositionatthebottomoftheocean。Thesubmarineapparatusdestinedforthisexpeditionwassuppliedwithair。Theworkingoftheseengineswasnotwithoutdanger，forat20，000feetbelowthesurfaceofthewater，andundersuchgreatpressure，theywereexposedtofracture，theconsequencesofwhichwouldbedreadful。

J。T。Maston，thebrothersBlomsberry，andEngineerMurchison，withoutheedingthesedangers，tooktheirplacesintheair-chamber。Thecommander，postedonhisbridge，superintendedtheoperation，readytostoporhaulinthechainsontheslightestsignal。Thescrewhadbeenshipped，andthewholepowerofthemachinerycollectedonthecapstanwouldhavequicklydrawntheapparatusonboard。Thedescentbeganattwenty-fiveminutespastoneatnight，andthechamber，drawnunderbythereservoirsfullofwater，disappearedfromthesurfaceoftheocean。

Theemotionoftheofficersandsailorsonboardwasnowdividedbetweentheprisonersintheprojectileandtheprisonersinthesubmarineapparatus。Astothelatter，theyforgotthemselves，and，gluedtothewindowsofthescuttles，attentivelywatchedtheliquidmassthroughwhichtheywerepassing。

Thedescentwasrapid。Atseventeenminutespasttwo，J。T。

MastonandhiscompanionshadreachedthebottomofthePacific；

buttheysawnothingbutanariddesert，nolongeranimatedbyeitherfaunaorflora。Bythelightoftheirlamps，furnishedwithpowerfulreflectors，theycouldseethedarkbedsoftheoceanforaconsiderableextentofview，buttheprojectilewasnowheretobeseen。

Theimpatienceofthesebolddiverscannotbedescribed，andhavinganelectricalcommunicationwiththecorvette，theymadeasignalalreadyagreedupon，andforthespaceofamiletheSusquehannamovedtheirchamberalongsomeyardsabovethebottom。

Thustheyexploredthewholesubmarineplain，deceivedateveryturnbyopticalillusionswhichalmostbroketheirhearts。

Herearock，thereaprojectionfromtheground，seemedtobethemuch-sought-forprojectile；buttheirmistakewassoondiscovered，andthentheywereindespair。

"Butwherearethey？wherearethey？"criedJ。T。Maston。AndthepoormancalledloudlyuponNicholl，Barbicane，andMichelArdan，asifhisunfortunatefriendscouldeitherhearoranswerhimthroughsuchanimpenetrablemedium！Thesearchcontinuedundertheseconditionsuntilthevitiatedaircompelledthediverstoascend。

Thehaulinginbeganaboutsixintheevening，andwasnotendedbeforemidnight。

"To-morrow，"saidJ。T。Maston，ashesetfootonthebridgeofthecorvette。

"Yes，"answeredCaptainBlomsberry。

"Andonanotherspot？"

"Yes。"

J。T。Mastondidnotdoubtoftheirfinalsuccess，buthiscompanions，nolongerupheldbytheexcitementofthefirsthours，understoodallthedifficultyoftheenterprise。

WhatseemedeasyatSanFrancisco，seemedhereinthewideoceanalmostimpossible。Thechancesofsuccessdiminishedinrapidproportion；anditwasfromchancealonethatthemeetingwiththeprojectilemightbeexpected。

Thenextday，the24th，inspiteofthefatigueofthepreviousday，theoperationwasrenewed。Thecorvetteadvancedsomeminutestowestward，andtheapparatus，providedwithair，borethesameexplorerstothedepthsoftheocean。

Thewholedaypassedinfruitlessresearch；thebedoftheseawasadesert。The25thbroughtnootherresult，northe26th。

Itwasdisheartening。Theythoughtofthoseunfortunatesshutupintheprojectilefortwenty-sixdays。Perhapsatthatmomenttheywereexperiencingthefirstapproachofsuffocation；

thatis，iftheyhadescapedthedangersoftheirfall。Theairwasspent，anddoubtlesswiththeairalltheir_morale_。

"Theair，possibly，"answeredJ。T。Mastonresolutely，"buttheir_morale_never！"

Onthe28th，aftertwomoredaysofsearch，allhopewasgone。

Thisprojectilewasbutanatomintheimmensityoftheocean。

Theymustgiveupallideaoffindingit。

ButJ。T。Mastonwouldnothearofgoingaway。Hewouldnotabandontheplacewithoutatleastdiscoveringthetombofhisfriends。ButCommanderBlomsberrycouldnolongerpersist，andinspiteoftheexclamationsoftheworthysecretary，wasobligedtogivetheordertosail。

Onthe29thofDecember，atnineA。M。，theSusquehanna，headingnortheast，resumedhercoursetothebayofSanFrancisco。

Itwasteninthemorning；thecorvettewasunderhalf-steam，asitwasregrettingtoleavethespotwherethecatastrophehadtakenplace，whenasailor，perchedonthemain-top-gallantcrosstrees，watchingthesea，criedsuddenly:

"Abuoyontheleebow！"

Theofficerslookedinthedirectionindicated，andbythehelpoftheirglassessawthattheobjectsignalledhadtheappearanceofoneofthosebuoyswhichareusedtomarkthepassagesofbaysorrivers。But，singularlytosay，aflagfloatingonthewindsurmounteditscone，whichemergedfiveorsixfeetoutofwater。Thisbuoyshoneundertheraysofthesunasifithadbeenmadeofplatesofsilver。

CommanderBlomsberry，J。T。Maston，andthedelegatesoftheGunClubweremountedonthebridge，examiningthisobjectstrayingatrandomonthewaves。

Alllookedwithfeverishanxiety，butinsilence。Nonedaredgiveexpressiontothethoughtswhichcametothemindsofall。

Thecorvetteapproachedtowithintwocables\'lengthsoftheobject。

Ashudderranthroughthewholecrew。ThatflagwastheAmericanflag！

Atthismomentaperfecthowlingwasheard；itwasthebraveJ。

T。Mastonwhohadjustfallenallinaheap。Forgettingontheonehandthathisrightarmhadbeenreplacedbyanironhook，andontheotherthatasimplegutta-perchacapcoveredhisbrain-box，hehadgivenhimselfaformidableblow。

Theyhurriedtowardhim，pickedhimup，restoredhimtolife。

Andwhatwerehisfirstwords？

"Ah！treblybrutes！quadruplyidiots！quintuplyboobiesthatweare！"

"Whatisit？"exclaimedeveryonearoundhim。

"Whatisit？"

"Come，speak！"

"Itis，simpletons，"howledtheterriblesecretary，"itisthattheprojectileonlyweighs19，250pounds！"

"Well？"

"Andthatitdisplacestwenty-eighttons，orinotherwords56，000pounds，andthatconsequently_itfloats_！"

Ah！whatstresstheworthymanhadlaidontheverb"float！"

Anditwastrue！All，yes！allthesesavantshadforgottenthisfundamentallaw，namely，thatonaccountofitsspecificlightness，theprojectile，afterhavingbeendrawnbyitsfalltothegreatestdepthsoftheocean，mustnaturallyreturntothesurface。Andnowitwasfloatingquietlyatthemercyofthewaves。

Theboatswereputtosea。J。T。Mastonandhisfriendshadrushedintothem！Excitementwasatitsheight！Everyheartbeatloudlywhiletheyadvancedtotheprojectile。Whatdiditcontain？Livingordead？

Living，yes！living，atleastunlessdeathhadstruckBarbicaneandhistwofriendssincetheyhadhoistedtheflag。

Profoundsilencereignedontheboats。Allwerebreathless。

Eyesnolongersaw。Oneofthescuttlesoftheprojectilewasopen。

Somepiecesofglassremainedintheframe，showingthatithadbeenbroken。Thisscuttlewasactuallyfivefeetabovethewater。

Aboatcamealongside，thatofJ。T。Maston，andJ。T。Mastonrushedtothebrokenwindow。

Atthatmomenttheyheardaclearandmerryvoice，thevoiceofMichelArdan，exclaiminginanaccentoftriumph:

"Whiteall，Barbicane，whiteall！"

Barbicane，MichelArdan，andNichollwereplayingatdominoes！

CHAPTERXXIII

THEEND

Wemayremembertheintensesympathywhichhadaccompaniedthetravelersontheirdeparture。Ifatthebeginningoftheenterprisetheyhadexcitedsuchemotionbothintheoldandnewworld，withwhatenthusiasmwouldtheybereceivedontheirreturn！ThemillionsofspectatorswhichhadbesetthepeninsulaofFlorida，wouldtheynotrushtomeetthesesublimeadventurers？Thoselegionsofstrangers，hurryingfromallpartsoftheglobetowardtheAmericanshores，wouldtheyleavetheUnionwithouthavingseenBarbicane，Nicholl，andMichelArdan？No！andtheardentpassionofthepublicwasboundtorespondworthilytothegreatnessoftheenterprise。

Humancreatureswhohadlefttheterrestrialsphere，andreturnedafterthisstrangevoyageintocelestialspace，couldnotfailtobereceivedastheprophetEliaswouldbeifhecamebacktoearth。Toseethemfirst，andthentohearthem，suchwastheuniversallonging。

Barbicane，MichelArdan，Nicholl，andthedelegatesoftheGunClub，returningwithoutdelaytoBaltimore，werereceivedwithindescribableenthusiasm。ThenotesofPresidentBarbicane\'svoyagewerereadytobegiventothepublic。TheNewYork_Herald_boughtthemanuscriptatapricenotyetknown，butwhichmusthavebeenveryhigh。Indeed，duringthepublicationof"AJourneytotheMoon，"thesaleofthispaperamountedtofivemillionsofcopies。Threedaysafterthereturnofthetravelerstotheearth，theslightestdetailoftheirexpeditionwasknown。Thereremainednothingmorebuttoseetheheroesofthissuperhumanenterprise。

TheexpeditionofBarbicaneandhisfriendsroundthemoonhadenabledthemtocorrectthemanyadmittedtheoriesregardingtheterrestrialsatellite。Thesesavantshadobserved_devisu_，andunderparticularcircumstances。Theyknewwhatsystemsshouldberejected，whatretainedwithregardtotheformationofthatorb，itsorigin，itshabitability。Itspast，present，andfuturehadevengivenuptheirlastsecrets。Whocouldadvanceobjectionsagainstconscientiousobservers，whoatlessthantwenty-fourmilesdistancehadmarkedthatcuriousmountainofTycho，thestrangestsystemoflunarorography？HowanswerthosesavantswhosesighthadpenetratedtheabyssofPluto\'scircle？Howcontradictthoseboldoneswhomthechancesoftheirenterprisehadborneoverthatinvisiblefaceofthedisc，whichnohumaneyeuntilthenhadeverseen？Itwasnowtheirturntoimposesomelimitonthatselenographicscience，whichhadreconstructedthelunarworldasCuvierdidtheskeletonofafossil，andsay，"Themoon_was_this，ahabitableworld，inhabitedbeforetheearth。Themoon_is_that，aworlduninhabitable，andnowuninhabited。"

Tocelebratethereturnofitsmostillustriousmemberandhistwocompanions，theGunClubdecidedupongivingabanquet，butabanquetworthyoftheconquerors，worthyoftheAmericanpeople，andundersuchconditionsthatalltheinhabitantsoftheUnioncoulddirectlytakepartinit。

AlltheheadlinesofrailroadsintheStateswerejoinedbyflyingrails；andonalltheplatforms，linedwiththesameflags，anddecoratedwiththesameornaments，weretableslaidandallservedalike。Atcertainhours，successivelycalculated，markedbyelectricclockswhichbeatthesecondsatthesametime，thepopulationwereinvitedtotaketheirplacesatthebanquettables。Forfourdays，fromthe5thtothe9thofJanuary，thetrainswerestoppedastheyareonSundaysontherailwaysoftheUnitedStates，andeveryroadwasopen。

Oneengineonlyatfullspeed，drawingatriumphalcarriage，hadtherightoftravelingforthosefourdaysontherailroadsoftheUnitedStates。

Theenginewasmannedbyadriverandastoker，andbore，byspecialfavor，theHon。J。T。Maston，secretaryoftheGunClub。

ThecarriagewasreservedforPresidentBarbicane，ColonelNicholl，andMichelArdan。Atthewhistleofthedriver，amidthehurrahs，andalltheadmiringvociferationsoftheAmericanlanguage，thetrainlefttheplatformofBaltimore。Ittraveledataspeedofonehundredandsixtymilesinthehour。ButwhatwasthisspeedcomparedwiththatwhichhadcarriedthethreeheroesfromthemouthoftheColumbiad？

Thustheyspedfromonetowntotheother，findingwholepopulationsattableontheirroad，salutingthemwiththesameacclamations，lavishingthesamebravos！TheytraveledinthiswaythroughtheeastoftheUnion，Pennsylvania，Connecticut，Massachusetts，Vermont，Maine，andNewHampshire；thenorthandwestbyNewYork，Ohio，Michigan，andWisconsin；returningtothesouthbyIllinois，Missouri，Arkansas，Texas，andLouisiana；

theywenttothesoutheastbyAlabamaandFlorida，goingupbyGeorgiaandtheCarolinas，visitingthecenterbyTennessee，Kentucky，Virginia，andIndiana，and，afterquittingtheWashingtonstation，re-enteredBaltimore，whereforfourdaysonewouldhavethoughtthattheUnitedStatesofAmericawereseatedatoneimmensebanquet，salutingthemsimultaneouslywiththesamehurrahs！Theapotheosiswasworthyofthesethreeheroeswhomfablewouldhaveplacedintherankofdemigods。

Andnowwillthisattempt，unprecedentedintheannalsoftravels，leadtoanypracticalresult？Willdirectcommunicationwiththemooneverbeestablished？Willtheyeverlaythefoundationofatravelingservicethroughthesolarworld？Willtheygofromoneplanettoanother，fromJupitertoMercury，andafterawhilefromonestartoanother，fromthePolartoSirius？Willthismeansoflocomotionallowustovisitthosesunswhichswarminthefirmament？

Tosuchquestionsnoanswercanbegiven。ButknowingtheboldingenuityoftheAnglo-Saxonrace，noonewouldbeastonishediftheAmericansseektomakesomeuseofPresidentBarbicane\'sattempt。

Thus，sometimeafterthereturnofthetravelers，thepublicreceivedwithmarkedfavortheannouncementofacompany，limited，withacapitalofahundredmillionofdollars，dividedintoahundredthousandsharesofathousanddollarseach，underthenameofthe"NationalCompanyofInterstellaryCommunication。"

President，Barbicane；vice-president，CaptainNicholl；secretary，J。T。Maston；directorofmovements，MichelArdan。

AndasitispartoftheAmericantemperamenttoforeseeeverythinginbusiness，evenfailure，theHonorableHarryTrolloppe，judgecommissioner，andFrancisDrayton，magistrate，werenominatedbeforehand！

End