Elmowhichthrewaprojectileweighing2，500pounds。And，now，whatistheextentofwhatwehaveseenourselves？Armstronggunsdischargingshotof500pounds，andtheRodmangunsprojectilesofhalfaton！Itseems，then，thatifprojectileshavegainedinrange，theyhavelostfarmoreinweight。Now，ifweturnoureffortsinthatdirection，weoughttoarrive，withtheprogressonscience，attentimestheweightoftheshotofMahometII。
andtheKnightsofMalta。\"
\"Clearly，\"repliedthemajor；\"butwhatmetaldoyoucalculateuponemploying？\"
\"Simplycastiron，\"saidGeneralMorgan。
\"But，\"interruptedthemajor，\"sincetheweightofashotisproportionatetoitsvolume，anironballofninefeetindiameterwouldbeoftremendousweight。\"
\"Yes，ifitweresolid，notifitwerehollow。\"
\"Hollow？thenitwouldbeashell？\"
\"Yes，ashell，\"repliedBarbicane；\"decidelyitmustbe。Asolidshotof108incheswouldweighmorethan200，000pounds，aweightevidentlyfartoogreat。Still，aswemustreserveacertainstabilityforourprojectile，Iproposetogiveitaweightof20，000pounds。\"
\"What，then，willbethethicknessofthesides？\"askedthemajor。
\"Ifwefollowtheusualproportion，\"repliedMorgan，\"adiameterof108incheswouldrequiresidesoftwofeetthickness，orless。\"
\"Thatwouldbetoomuch，\"repliedBarbicane；\"foryouwillobservethatthequestionisnotthatofashotintendedtopierceanironplate；itwillsufficetogiveitsidesstrongenoughtoresistthepressureofthegas。Theproblem，therefore，isthis——Whatthicknessoughtacast-ironshelltohaveinordernottoweightmorethan20，000pounds？Ourcleversecretarywillsoonenlightenusuponthispoint。\"
\"Nothingeasier。\"repliedtheworthysecretaryofthecommittee；
and，rapidlytracingafewalgebraicalformulaeuponpaper，amongwhich_n_^2and_x_^2frequentlyappeared，hepresentlysaid:
\"Thesideswillrequireathicknessoflessthantwoinches。\"
\"Willthatbeenough？\"askedthemajordoubtfully。
\"Clearlynot！\"repliedthepresident。
\"Whatistobedone，then？\"saidElphinstone，withapuzzledair。
\"Employanothermetalinsteadofiron。\"
\"Copper？\"saidMorgan。
\"No！thatwouldbetooheavy。Ihavebetterthanthattooffer。\"
\"Whatthen？\"askedthemajor。
\"Aluminum！\"repliedBarbicane。
\"Aluminum？\"criedhisthreecolleaguesinchorus。
\"Unquestionably，myfriends。Thisvaluablemetalpossessesthewhitenessofsilver，theindestructibilityofgold，thetenacityofiron，thefusibilityofcopper，thelightnessofglass。Itiseasilywrought，isverywidelydistributed，formingthebaseofmostoftherocks，isthreetimeslighterthaniron，andseemstohavebeencreatedfortheexpresspurposeoffurnishinguswiththematerialforourprojectile。\"
\"But，mydearpresident，\"saidthemajor，\"isnotthecostpriceofaluminumextremelyhigh？\"
\"Itwassoatitsfirstdiscovery，butithasfallennowtoninedollarsapound。\"
\"Butstill，ninedollarsapound！\"repliedthemajor，whowasnotwillingreadilytogivein；\"eventhatisanenormousprice。\"
\"Undoubtedly，mydearmajor；butnotbeyondourreach。\"
\"Whatwilltheprojectileweighthen？\"askedMorgan。
\"Hereistheresultofmycalculations，\"repliedBarbicane。
\"Ashotof108inchesindiameter，andtwelveinchesinthickness，wouldweigh，incast-iron，67，440pounds；castinaluminum，itsweightwillbereducedto19，250pounds。\"
\"Capital！\"criedthemajor；\"butdoyouknowthat，atninedollarsapound，thisprojectilewillcost——\"
\"Onehundredandseventy-threethousandandfiftydollars$173，050。
Iknowitquitewell。Butfearnot，myfriends；themoneywillnotbewantingforourenterprise。Iwillanswerforit。Nowwhatsayyoutoaluminum，gentlemen？\"
\"Adopted！\"repliedthethreemembersofthecommittee。Soendedthefirstmeeting。Thequestionoftheprojectilewasdefinitelysettled。
CHAPTERVIII
HISTORYOFTHECANNON
Theresolutionspassedatthelastmeetingproducedagreateffectoutofdoors。Timidpeopletookfrightattheideaofashotweighing20，000poundsbeinglaunchedintospace；theyaskedwhatcannoncouldevertransmitasufficientvelocitytosuchamightymass。Theminutesofthesecondmeetingweredestinedtriumphantlytoanswersuchquestions。Thefollowingeveningthediscussionwasrenewed。
\"Mydearcolleagues，\"saidBarbicane，withoutfurtherpreamble，\"thesubjectnowbeforeusistheconstructionoftheengine，itslength，itscomposition，anditsweight。Itisprobablethatweshallendbygivingitgiganticdimensions；buthowevergreatmaybethedifficultiesintheway，ourmechanicalgeniuswillreadilysurmountthem。Begoodenough，then，togivemeyourattention，anddonothesitatetomakeobjectionsattheclose。
Ihavenofearofthem。Theproblembeforeusishowtocommunicateaninitialforceof12，000yardspersecondtoashellof108
inchesindiameter，weighing20，000pounds。Nowwhenaprojectileislaunchedintospace，whathappenstoit？Itisacteduponbythreeindependentforces:theresistanceoftheair，theattractionoftheearth，andtheforceofimpulsionwithwhichitisendowed。
Letusexaminethesethreeforces。Theresistanceoftheairisoflittleimportance。Theatmosphereoftheearthdoesnotexceedfortymiles。Now，withthegivenrapidity，theprojectilewillhavetraversedthisinfiveseconds，andtheperiodistoobrieffortheresistanceofthemediumtoberegardedotherwisethanasinsignificant。Proceding，then，totheattractionoftheearth，thatis，theweightoftheshell，weknowthatthisweightwilldiminishintheinverseratioofthesquareofthedistance。
Whenabodylefttoitselffallstothesurfaceoftheearth，itfallsfivefeetinthefirstsecond；andifthesamebodywereremoved257，542milesfurtheroff，inotherwords，tothedistanceofthemoon，itsfallwouldbereducedtoabouthalfalineinthefirstsecond。Thatisalmostequivalenttoastateofperfectrest。
Ourbusiness，then，istoovercomeprogressivelythisactionofgravitation。Themodeofaccomplishingthatisbytheforceofimpulsion。\"
\"There\'sthedifficulty，\"brokeinthemajor。
\"True，\"repliedthepresident；\"butwewillovercomethat，fortheforceofimpulsionwilldependonthelengthoftheengineandthepowderemployed，thelatterbeinglimitedonlybytheresistingpoweroftheformer。Ourbusiness，then，to-dayiswiththedimensionsofthecannon。\"
\"Now，uptothepresenttime，\"saidBarbicane，\"ourlongestgunshavenotexceededtwenty-fivefeetinlength。Weshallthereforeastonishtheworldbythedimensionsweshallbeobligedtoadopt。Itmustevidentlybe，then，agunofgreatrange，sincethelengthofthepiecewillincreasethedetentionofthegasaccumulatedbehindtheprojectile；butthereisnoadvantageinpassingcertainlimits。\"
\"Quiteso，\"saidthemajor。\"Whatistheruleinsuchacase？\"
\"Ordinarilythelengthofagunistwentytotwenty-fivetimesthediameteroftheshot，anditsweighttwohundredandthirty-fivetotwohundredandfortytimesthatoftheshot。\"
\"Thatisnotenough，\"criedJ。T。Mastonimpetuously。
\"Iagreewithyou，mygoodfriend；and，infact，followingthisproportionforaprojectileninefeetindiameter，weighing30，000
pounds，thegunwouldonlyhavealengthoftwohundredandtwenty-
fivefeet，andaweightof7，200，000pounds。\"
\"Ridiculous！\"rejoinedMaston。\"Aswelltakeapistol。\"
\"Ithinksotoo，\"repliedBarbicane；\"thatiswhyIproposetoquadruplethatlength，andtoconstructagunofninehundredfeet。\"
Thegeneralandthemajorofferedsomeobjections；nevertheless，theproposition，activelysupportedbythesecretary，wasdefinitelyadopted。
\"But，\"saidElphinstone，\"whatthicknessmustwegiveit？\"
\"Athicknessofsixfeet，\"repliedBarbicane。
\"Yousurelydon\'tthinkofmountingamasslikethatuponacarriage？\"askedthemajor。
\"Itwouldbeasuperbidea，though，\"saidMaston。
\"Butimpracticable，\"repliedBarbicane。\"No，Ithinkofsinkingthisengineintheearthalone，bindingitwithhoopsofwroughtiron，andfinallysurroundingitwithathickmassofmasonryofstoneandcement。Thepieceoncecast，itmustbeboredwithgreatprecision，soastoprecludeanypossiblewindage。Sotherewillbenolosswhateverofgas，andalltheexpansiveforceofthepowderwillbeemployedinthepropulsion。\"
\"Onesimplequestion，\"saidElphinstone:\"isourguntoberifled？\"
\"No，certainlynot，\"repliedBarbicane；\"werequireanenormousinitialvelocity；andyouarewellawarethatashotquitsarifledgunlessrapidlythanitdoesasmooth-bore。\"
\"True，\"rejoinedthemajor。
Thecommitteehereadjournedforafewminutestoteaandsandwiches。
Onthediscussionbeingrenewed，\"Gentlemen，\"saidBarbicane，\"wemustnowtakeintoconsiderationthemetaltobeemployed。
Ourcannonmustbepossessedofgreattenacity，greathardness，beinfusiblebyheat，indissoluble，andinoxidablebythecorrosiveactionofacids。\"
\"Thereisnodoubtaboutthat，\"repliedthemajor；\"andasweshallhavetoemployanimmensequantityofmetal，weshallnotbeatalossforchoice。\"
\"Well，then，\"saidMorgan，\"Iproposethebestalloyhithertoknown，whichconsistsofonehundredpartsofcopper，twelveoftin，andsixofbrass。\"
\"Iadmit，\"repliedthepresident，\"thatthiscompositionhasyieldedexcellentresults，butinthepresentcaseitwouldbetooexpensive，andverydifficulttowork。Ithink，then，thatweoughttoadoptamaterialexcellentinitswayandoflowprice，suchascastiron。Whatisyouradvice，major？\"
\"Iquiteagreewithyou，\"repliedElphinstone。
\"Infact，\"continuedBarbicane，\"castironcoststentimeslessthanbronze；itiseasytocast，itrunsreadilyfromthemouldsofsand，itiseasyofmanipulation，itisatonceeconomicalofmoneyandoftime。Inaddition，itisexcellentasamaterial，andIwellrememberthatduringthewar，atthesiegeofAtlanta，someirongunsfiredonethousandroundsatintervalsoftwentyminuteswithoutinjury。\"
\"Castironisverybrittle，though，\"repliedMorgan。
\"Yes，butitpossessesgreatresistance。Iwillnowaskourworthysecretarytocalculatetheweightofacast-irongunwithaboreofninefeetandathicknessofsixfeetofmetal。\"
\"Inamoment，\"repliedMaston。Then，dashingoffsomealgebraicalformulaewithmarvelousfacility，inaminuteortwohedeclaredthefollowingresult:
\"Thecannonwillweigh68，040tons。And，attwocentsapound，itwillcost——\"
\"Twomillionfivehundredandtenthousandsevenhundredandonedollars。\"
Maston，themajor，andthegeneralregardedBarbicanewithuneasylooks。
\"Well，gentlemen，\"repliedthepresident，\"IrepeatwhatI
saidyesterday。Makeyourselveseasy；themillionswillnotbewanting。\"
Withthisassuranceoftheirpresidentthecommitteeseparated，afterhavingfixedtheirthirdmeetingforthefollowingevening。
CHAPTERIX
THEQUESTIONOFTHEPOWDERS
Thereremainedforconsiderationmerelythequestionofpowders。
Thepublicawaitedwithinterestitsfinaldecision。Thesizeoftheprojectile，thelengthofthecannonbeingsettled，whatwouldbethequantityofpowdernecessarytoproduceimpulsion？
ItisgenerallyassertedthatgunpowderwasinventedinthefourteenthcenturybythemonkSchwartz，whopaidforhisgranddiscoverywithhislife。Itis，however，prettywellprovedthatthisstoryoughttoberankedamongthelegendsofthemiddleages。Gunpowderwasnotinventedbyanyone；itwasthelinealsuccessoroftheGreekfire，which，likeitself，wascomposedofsulfurandsaltpeter。Fewpersonsareacquaintedwiththemechanicalpowerofgunpowder。Nowthisispreciselywhatisnecessarytobeunderstoodinordertocomprehendtheimportanceofthequestionsubmittedtothecommittee。
Alitreofgunpowderweighsabouttwopounds；duringcombustionitproduces400litresofgas。Thisgas，onbeingliberatedandacteduponbytemperatureraisedto2，400degrees，occupiesaspaceof4，000litres:consequentlythevolumeofpowderistothevolumeofgasproducedbyitscombustionas1to4，000。
Onemayjudge，therefore，ofthetremendouspressureonthisgaswhencompressedwithinaspace4，000timestooconfined。
Allthiswas，ofcourse，wellknowntothemembersofthecommitteewhentheymetonthefollowingevening。
ThefirstspeakeronthisoccasionwasMajorElphinstone，whohadbeenthedirectorofthegunpowderfactoriesduringthewar。
\"Gentlemen，\"saidthisdistinguishedchemist，\"Ibeginwithsomefigureswhichwillserveasthebasisofourcalculation。
Theold24-poundershotrequiredforitsdischargesixteenpoundsofpowder。\"
\"Youarecertainofthisamount？\"brokeinBarbicane。
\"Quitecertain，\"repliedthemajor。\"TheArmstrongcannonemploysonlyseventy-fivepoundsofpowderforaprojectileofeighthundredpounds，andtheRodmanColumbiadusesonlyonehundredandsixtypoundsofpowdertosenditshalftonshotadistanceofsixmiles。Thesefactscannotbecalledinquestion，forImyselfraisedthepointduringthedepositionstakenbeforethecommitteeofartillery。\"
\"Quitetrue，\"saidthegeneral。
\"Well，\"repliedthemajor，\"thesefiguresgotoprovethatthequantityofpowderisnotincreasedwiththeweightoftheshot；
thatistosay，ifa24-poundershotrequiressixteenpoundsofpowder；——inotherwords，ifinordinarygunsweemployaquantityofpowderequaltotwo-thirdsoftheweightoftheprojectile，thisproportionisnotconstant。Calculate，andyouwillseethatinplaceofthreehundredandthirty-threepoundsofpowder，thequantityisreducedtonomorethanonehundredandsixtypounds。\"
\"Whatareyouaimingat？\"askedthepresident。
\"Ifyoupushyourtheorytoextremes，mydearmajor，\"saidJ。T。
Maston，\"youwillgettothis，thatassoonasyourshotbecomessufficientlyheavyyouwillnotrequireanypowderatall。\"
\"OurfriendMastonisalwaysathisjokes，eveninseriousmatters，\"criedthemajor；\"butlethimmakehismindeasy，Iamgoingpresentlytoproposegunpowderenoughtosatisfyhisartillerist\'spropensities。IonlykeeptostatisticalfactswhenIsaythat，duringthewar，andfortheverylargestguns，theweightofthepowderwasreduced，astheresultofexperience，toatenthpartoftheweightoftheshot。\"
\"Perfectlycorrect，\"saidMorgan；\"butbeforedecidingthequantityofpowdernecessarytogivetheimpulse，Ithinkitwouldbeaswell——\"
\"Weshallhavetoemployalarge-grainedpowder，\"continuedthemajor；\"itscombustionismorerapidthanthatofthesmall。\"
\"Nodoubtaboutthat，\"repliedMorgan；\"butitisverydestructive，andendsbyenlargingtheboreofthepieces。\"
\"Granted；butthatwhichisinjurioustoagundestinedtoperformlongserviceisnotsotoourColumbiad。Weshallrunnodangerofanexplosion；anditisnecessarythatourpowdershouldtakefireinstantaneouslyinorderthatitsmechanicaleffectmaybecomplete。\"
\"Wemusthave，\"saidMaston，\"severaltouch-holes，soastofireitatdifferentpointsatthesametime。\"
\"Certainly，\"repliedElphinstone；\"butthatwillrendertheworkingofthepiecemoredifficult。Ireturnthentomylarge-grainedpowder，whichremovesthosedifficulties。
InhisColumbiadchargesRodmanemployedapowderaslargeaschestnuts，madeofwillowcharcoal，simplydriedincast-
ironpans。Thispowderwashardandglittering，leftnotraceuponthehand，containedhydrogenandoxygeninlargeproportion，tookfireinstantaneously，and，thoughverydestructive，didnotsensiblyinjurethemouth-piece。\"
UptothispointBarbicanehadkeptalooffromthediscussion；
helefttheotherstospeakwhilehehimselflistened；hehadevidentlygotanidea。Henowsimplysaid，\"Well，myfriends，whatquantityofpowderdoyoupropose？\"
Thethreememberslookedatoneanother。
\"Twohundredthousandpounds。\"atlastsaidMorgan。
\"Fivehundredthousand，\"addedthemajor。
\"Eighthundredthousand，\"screamedMaston。
Amomentofsilencefollowedthistripleproposal；itwasatlastbrokenbythepresident。
\"Gentlemen，\"hequietlysaid，\"Istartfromthisprinciple，thattheresistanceofagun，constructedunderthegivenconditions，isunlimited。IshallsurpriseourfriendMaston，then，bystigmatizinghiscalculationsastimid；andIproposetodoublehis800，000poundsofpowder。\"
\"Sixteenhundredthousandpounds？\"shoutedMaston，leapingfromhisseat。
\"Justso。\"
\"Weshallhavetocomethentomyidealofacannonhalfamilelong；foryousee1，600，000poundswilloccupyaspaceofabout20，000cubicfeet；andsincethecontentsofyourcannondonotexceed54，000cubicfeet，itwouldbehalffull；andtheborewillnotbemorethanlongenoughforthegastocommunicatetotheprojectilesufficientimpulse。\"
\"Nevertheless，\"saidthepresident，\"Iholdtothatquantityofpowder。Now，1，600，000poundsofpowderwillcreate6，000，000，000litresofgas。Sixthousandmillions！
Youquiteunderstand？\"
\"Whatistobedonethen？\"saidthegeneral。
\"Thethingisverysimple；wemustreducethisenormousquantityofpowder，whilepreservingtoititsmechanicalpower。\"
\"Good；butbywhatmeans？\"
\"Iamgoingtotellyou，\"repliedBarbicanequietly。
\"Nothingismoreeasythantoreducethismasstoonequarterofitsbulk。Youknowthatcuriouscellularmatterwhichconstitutestheelementarytissuesofvegetable？Thissubstanceisfoundquitepureinmanybodies，especiallyincotton，whichisnothingmorethanthedownoftheseedsofthecottonplant。
Nowcotton，combinedwithcoldnitricacid，becometransformedintoasubstanceeminentlyinsoluble，combustible，andexplosive。
Itwasfirstdiscoveredin1832，byBraconnot，aFrenchchemist，whocalleditxyloidine。In1838anotherFrenchman，Pelouze，investigateditsdifferentproperties，andfinally，in1846，Schonbein，professorofchemistryatBale，proposeditsemploymentforpurposesofwar。Thispowder，nowcalledpyroxyle，orfulminatingcotton，ispreparedwithgreatfacilitybysimplyplungingcottonforfifteenminutesinnitricacid，thenwashingitinwater，thendryingit，anditisreadyforuse。\"
\"Nothingcouldbemoresimple，\"saidMorgan。
\"Moreover，pyroxyleisunalteredbymoisture——avaluablepropertytous，inasmuchasitwouldtakeseveraldaystochargethecannon。Itignitesat170degreesinplaceof240，anditscombustionissorapidthatonemaysetlighttoitonthetopoftheordinarypowder，withoutthelatterhavingtimetoignite。\"
\"Perfect！\"exclaimedthemajor。
\"Onlyitismoreexpensive。\"
\"Whatmatter？\"criedJ。T。Maston。
\"Finally，itimpartstoprojectilesavelocityfourtimessuperiortothatofgunpowder。Iwillevenadd，thatifwemixitwithone-eighthofitsownweightofnitrateofpotassium，itsexpansiveforceisagainconsiderablyaugmented。\"
\"Willthatbenecessary？\"askedthemajor。
\"Ithinknot，\"repliedBarbicane。\"So，then，inplaceof1，600，000poundsofpowder，weshallhavebut400，000poundsoffulminatingcotton；andsincewecan，withoutdanger，compress500poundsofcottonintotwenty-sevencubicfeet，thewholequantitywillnotoccupyaheightofmorethan180feetwithintheboreoftheColumbiad。Inthiswaytheshotwillhavemorethan700feetofboretotraverseunderaforceof6，000，000，000
litresofgasbeforetakingitsflighttowardthemoon。\"
AtthisjunctureJ。T。Mastoncouldnotrepresshisemotion；heflunghimselfintothearmsofhisfriendwiththeviolenceofaprojectile，andBarbicanewouldhavebeenstoveinifhehadnotbeenboom-proof。
Thisincidentterminatedthethirdmeetingofthecommittee。
Barbicaneandhisboldcolleagues，towhomnothingseemedimpossible，hadsucceedinginsolvingthecomplexproblemsofprojectile，cannon，andpowder。Theirplanwasdrawnup，anditonlyremainedtoputitintoexecution。
\"Amerematterofdetail，abagatelle，\"saidJ。T。Maston。
CHAPTERX
ONEENEMY_v。_TWENTY-FIVEMILLIONSOFFRIENDS
TheAmericanpublictookalivelyinterestinthesmallestdetailsoftheenterpriseoftheGunClub。Itfolloweddaybydaythediscussionofthecommittee。Themostsimplepreparationsforthegreatexperiment，thequestionsoffigureswhichitinvolved，themechanicaldifficultiestoberesolved——
inoneword，theentireplanofwork——rousedthepopularexcitementtothehighestpitch。
Thepurelyscientificattractionwassuddenlyintensifiedbythefollowingincident:
WehaveseenwhatlegionsofadmirersandfriendsBarbicane\'sprojecthadralliedrounditsauthor。Therewas，however，onesingleindividualaloneinalltheStatesoftheUnionwhoprotestedagainsttheattemptoftheGunClub。Heattackeditfuriouslyoneveryopportunity，andhumannatureissuchthatBarbicanefeltmorekeenlytheoppositionofthatonemanthanhedidtheapplauseofalltheothers。Hewaswellawareofthemotiveofthisantipathy，theoriginofthissolitaryenmity，thecauseofitspersonalityandoldstanding，andinwhatrivalryofself-loveithaditsrise。
ThisperseveringenemythepresidentoftheGunClubhadneverseen。
Fortunatethatitwasso，forameetingbetweenthetwomenwouldcertainlyhavebeenattendedwithseriousconsequences。Thisrivalwasamanofscience，likeBarbicanehimself，ofafiery，daring，andviolentdisposition；apureYankee。HisnamewasCaptainNicholl；helivedatPhiladelphia。
MostpeopleareawareofthecuriousstrugglewhicharoseduringtheFederalwarbetweenthegunsandarmorofiron-platedships。
Theresultwastheentirereconstructionofthenavyofboththecontinents；astheonegrewheavier，theotherbecamethickerinproportion。TheMerrimac，theMonitor，theTennessee，theWeehawkendischargedenormousprojectilesthemselves，afterhavingbeenarmor-cladagainsttheprojectilesofothers。Infacttheydidtoothersthatwhichtheywouldnottheyshoulddotothem——
thatgrandprincipleofimmortalityuponwhichreststhewholeartofwar。
NowifBarbicanewasagreatfounderofshot，Nichollwasagreatforgerofplates；theonecastnightanddayatBaltimore，theotherforgeddayandnightatPhiladelphia。AssoonaseverBarbicaneinventedanewshot，Nichollinventedanewplate；
eachfollowedacurrentofideasessentiallyopposedtotheother。
Happilyforthesecitizens，sousefultotheircountry，adistanceoffromfiftytosixtymilesseparatedthemfromoneanother，andtheyhadneveryetmet。Whichofthesetwoinventorshadtheadvantageovertheotheritwasdifficulttodecidefromtheresultsobtained。Bylastaccounts，however，itwouldseemthatthearmor-platewouldintheendhavetogivewaytotheshot；
nevertheless，therewerecompetentjudgeswhohadtheirdoubtsonthepoint。
Atthelastexperimentthecylindro-conicalprojectilesofBarbicanestucklikesomanypinsintheNichollplates。
OnthatdaythePhiladelphiairon-forgerthenbelievedhimselfvictorious，andcouldnotevincecontemptenoughforhisrival；
butwhentheotherafterwardsubstitutedforconicalshotsimple600-poundshells，atverymoderatevelocity，thecaptainwasobligedtogivein。Infact，theseprojectilesknockedhisbestmetalplatetoshivers。
Matterswereatthisstage，andvictoryseemedtorestwiththeshot，whenthewarcametoanendontheverydaywhenNichollhadcompletedanewarmor-plateofwroughtsteel。Itwasamasterpieceofitskind，andbiddefiancetoalltheprojectilesoftheworld。ThecaptainhaditconveyedtothePolygonatWashington，challengingthepresidentoftheGunClubtobreakit。
Barbicane，peacehavingbeendeclared，declinedtotrytheexperiment。
Nicholl，nowfurious，offeredtoexposehisplatetotheshockofanyshot，solid，hollow，round，orconical。Refusedbythepresident，whodidnotchoosetocompromisehislastsuccess。
Nicholl，disgustedbythisobstinacy，triedtotemptBarbicanebyofferinghimeverychance。Heproposedtofixtheplatewithintwohundredyardsofthegun。Barbicanestillobstinateinrefusal。Ahundredyards？Notevenseventy-five！
\"Atfiftythen！\"roaredthecaptainthroughthenewspapers。
\"Attwenty-fiveyards！andI\'llstandbehind！\"
Barbicanereturnedforanswerthat，evenifCaptainNichollwouldbesogoodastostandinfront，hewouldnotfireanymore。
Nichollcouldnotcontainhimselfatthisreply；threwouthintsofcowardice；thatamanwhorefusedtofireacannon-shotwasprettynearbeingafraidofit；thatartilleristswhofightatsixmilesdistancearesubstitutingmathematicalformulaeforindividualcourage。
TotheseinsinuationsBarbicanereturnednoanswer；perhapsheneverheardofthem，soabsorbedwasheinthecalculationsforhisgreatenterprise。
WhenhisfamouscommunicationwasmadetotheGunClub，thecaptain\'swrathpassedallbounds；withhisintensejealousywasmingledafeelingofabsoluteimpotence。Howwashetoinventanythingtobeatthis900-feetColumbiad？Whatarmor-platecouldeverresistaprojectileof30，000poundsweight？
Overwhelmedatfirstunderthisviolentshock，hebyandbyrecoveredhimself，andresolvedtocrushtheproposalbyweightofhisarguments。
HethenviolentlyattackedthelaborsoftheGunClub，publishedanumberoflettersinthenewspapers，endeavoredtoproveBarbicaneignorantofthefirstprinciplesofgunnery。Hemaintainedthatitwasabsolutelyimpossibletoimpressuponanybodywhateveravelocityof12，000yardspersecond；thatevenwithsuchavelocityaprojectileofsuchaweightcouldnottranscendthelimitsoftheearth\'satmosphere。Furtherstill，evenregardingthevelocitytobeacquired，andgrantingittobesufficient，theshellcouldnotresistthepressureofthegasdevelopedbytheignitionof1，600，000poundsofpowder；andsupposingittoresistthatpressure，itwouldbelessabletosupportthattemperature；itwouldmeltonquittingtheColumbiad，andfallbackinared-hotshowerupontheheadsoftheimprudentspectators。
Barbicanecontinuedhisworkwithoutregardingtheseattacks。
Nichollthentookupthequestioninitsotheraspects。Withouttouchinguponitsuselessnessinallpointsofview，heregardedtheexperimentasfraughtwithextremedanger，bothtothecitizens，whomightsanctionbytheirpresencesoreprehensibleaspectacle，andalsotothetownsintheneighborhoodofthisdeplorablecannon。Healsoobservedthatiftheprojectiledidnotsucceedinreachingitsdestinationaresultabsolutelyimpossible，itmustinevitablyfallbackupontheearth，andthattheshockofsuchamass，multipliedbythesquareofitsvelocity，wouldseriouslyendangereverypointoftheglobe。
Underthecircumstances，therefore，andwithoutinterferingwiththerightsoffreecitizens，itwasacasefortheinterventionofGovernment，whichoughtnottoendangerthesafetyofallforthepleasureofoneindividual。
Inspiteofallhisarguments，however，CaptainNichollremainedaloneinhisopinion。Nobodylistenedtohim，andhedidnotsucceedinalienatingasingleadmirerfromthepresidentoftheGunClub。Thelatterdidnoteventakethepainstorefutetheargumentsofhisrival。
Nicholl，drivenintohislastentrenchments，andnotabletofightpersonallyinthecause，resolvedtofightwithmoney。
Hepublished，therefore，intheRichmond_Inquirer_aseriesofwagers，conceivedintheseterms，andonanincreasingscale:
No。1$1，000——ThatthenecessaryfundsfortheexperimentoftheGunClubwillnotbeforthcoming。
No。2$2，000——Thattheoperationofcastingacannonof900
feetisimpracticable，andcannotpossiblysucceed。
No。3$3，000——ThatisitimpossibletoloadtheColumbiad，andthatthepyroxylewilltakefirespontaneouslyunderthepressureoftheprojectile。
No。4$4，000——ThattheColumbiadwillburstatthefirstfire。
No。5$5，000——Thattheshotwillnottravelfartherthansixmiles，andthatitwillfallbackagainafewsecondsafteritsdischarge。
Itwasanimportantsum，therefore，whichthecaptainriskedinhisinvincibleobstinacy。Hehadnolessthan$15，000atstake。
Notwithstandingtheimportanceofthechallenge，onthe19thofMayhereceivedasealedpacketcontainingthefollowingsuperblylaconicreply:
\"BALTIMORE，October19。
\"Done。
\"BARBICANE。\"
CHAPTERXI
FLORIDAANDTEXAS
Onequestionremainedyettobedecided；itwasnecessarytochooseafavorablespotfortheexperiment。AccordingtotheadviceoftheObservatoryofCambridge，thegunmustbefiredperpendicularlytotheplaneofthehorizon，thatistosay，towardthezenith。Nowthemoondoesnottraversethezenith，exceptinplacessituatedbetween0@and28@oflatitude。Itbecame，then，necessarytodetermineexactlythatspotontheglobewheretheimmenseColumbiadshouldbecast。
Onthe20thofOctober，atageneralmeetingoftheGunClub，BarbicaneproducedamagnificentmapoftheUnitedStates。
\"Gentlemen，\"saidhe，inopeningthediscussion，\"IpresumethatweareallagreedthatthisexperimentcannotandoughtnottobetriedanywherebutwithinthelimitsofthesoiloftheUnion。
Now，bygoodfortune，certainfrontiersoftheUnitedStatesextenddownwardasfarasthe28thparallelofthenorthlatitude。
Ifyouwillcastyoureyeoverthismap，youwillseethatwehaveatourdisposalthewholeofthesouthernportionofTexasandFlorida。\"
Itwasfinallyagreed，then，thattheColumbiadmustbecastonthesoilofeitherTexasorFlorida。Theresult，however，ofthisdecisionwastocreatearivalryentirelywithoutprecedentbetweenthedifferenttownsofthesetwoStates。
The28thparallel，onreachingtheAmericancoast，traversesthepeninsulaofFlorida，dividingitintotwonearlyequalportions。
Then，plungingintotheGulfofMexico，itsubtendsthearcformedbythecoastofAlabama，Mississippi，andLouisiana；
thenskirtingTexas，offwhichitcutsanangle，itcontinuesitscourseoverMexico，crossestheSonora，OldCalifornia，andlosesitselfinthePacificOcean。Itwas，therefore，onlythoseportionsofTexasandFloridawhichweresituatedbelowthisparallelwhichcamewithintheprescribedconditionsoflatitude。
Florida，initssouthernpart，reckonsnocitiesofimportance；
itissimplystuddedwithfortsraisedagainsttherovingIndians。
Onesolitarytown，TampaTown，wasabletoputinaclaiminfavorofitssituation。
InTexas，onthecontrary，thetownsaremuchmorenumerousandimportant。CorpusChristi，inthecountyofNueces，andallthecitiessituatedontheRioBravo，Laredo，Comalites，SanIgnacioontheWeb，RioGrandeCityontheStarr，EdinburghintheHidalgo，SantaRita，Elpanda，BrownsvilleintheCameron，formedanimposingleagueagainstthepretensionsofFlorida。
So，scarcelywasthedecisionknown，whentheTexanandFloridandeputiesarrivedatBaltimoreinanincrediblyshortspaceoftime。
FromthatverymomentPresidentBarbicaneandtheinfluentialmembersoftheGunClubwerebesiegeddayandnightbyformidableclaims。IfsevencitiesofGreececontendedforthehonorofhavinggivenbirthtoaHomer，hereweretwoentireStatesthreateningtocometoblowsaboutthequestionofacannon。
Therivalpartiespromenadedthestreetswitharmsintheirhands；
andateveryoccasionoftheirmeetingacollisionwastobeapprehendedwhichmighthavebeenattendedwithdisastrousresults。
HappilytheprudenceandaddressofPresidentBarbicaneavertedthedanger。ThesepersonaldemonstrationsfoundadivisioninthenewspapersofthedifferentStates。TheNewYork_Herald_andthe_Tribune_supportedTexas，whilethe_Times_andthe_AmericanReview_espousedthecauseoftheFloridandeputies。ThemembersoftheGunClubcouldnotdecidetowhichtogivethepreference。
Texasproduceditsarrayoftwenty-sixcounties；Floridarepliedthattwelvecountieswerebetterthantwenty-sixinacountryonlyone-sixthpartofthesize。
Texasplumeditselfuponits330，000natives；Florida，withafarsmallerterritory，boastedofbeingmuchmoredenselypopulatedwith56，000。
TheTexans，throughthecolumnsofthe_Herald_claimedthatsomeregardshouldbehadtoaStatewhichgrewthebestcottoninallAmerica，producedthebestgreenoakfortheserviceofthenavy，andcontainedthefinestoil，besidesironmines，inwhichtheyieldwasfiftypercent。ofpuremetal。
Tothisthe_AmericanReview_repliedthatthesoilofFlorida，althoughnotequallyrich，affordedthebestconditionsforthemouldingandcastingoftheColumbiad，consistingasitdidofsandandargillaceousearth。
\"Thatmaybeallverywell，\"repliedtheTexans；\"butyoumustfirstgettothiscountry。NowthecommunicationswithFloridaaredifficult，whilethecoastofTexasoffersthebayofGalveston，whichpossessesacircumferenceoffourteenleagues，andiscapableofcontainingthenaviesoftheentireworld！\"
\"Aprettynotiontruly，\"repliedthepapersintheinterestofFlorida，\"thatofGalvestonbay_belowthe29thparallel！_
HavewenotgotthebayofEspirituSanto，openingpreciselyupon_the28thdegree_，andbywhichshipscanreachTampaTownbydirectroute？\"
\"Afinebay；halfchokedwithsand！\"
\"Chokedyourselves！\"returnedtheothers。
Thusthewarwentonforseveraldays，whenFloridaendeavoredtodrawheradversaryawayontofreshground；andonemorningthe_Times_hintedthat，theenterprisebeingessentiallyAmerican，itoughtnottobeattempteduponotherthanpurelyAmericanterritory。
TothesewordsTexasretorted，\"American！arewenotasmuchsoasyou？WerenotTexasandFloridabothincorporatedintotheUnionin1845？\"
\"Undoubtedly，\"repliedthe_Times_；\"butwehavebelongedtotheAmericanseversince1820。\"
\"Yes！\"returnedthe_Tribune_；\"afterhavingbeenSpaniardsorEnglishfortwohundredyears，youweresoldtotheUnitedStatesforfivemilliondollars！\"
\"Well！andwhyneedweblushforthat？WasnotLouisianaboughtfromNapoleonin1803atthepriceofsixteenmilliondollars？\"
\"Scandalous！\"roaredtheTexasdeputies。\"AwretchedlittlestripofcountrylikeFloridatodaretocompareitselftoTexas，who，inplaceofsellingherself，assertedherownindependence，droveouttheMexicansinMarch2，1846，anddeclaredherselfafederalrepublicafterthevictorygainedbySamuelHouston，onthebanksoftheSanJacinto，overthetroopsofSantaAnna！——acountry，infine，whichvoluntarilyannexeditselftotheUnitedStatesofAmerica！\"
\"Yes；becauseitwasafraidoftheMexicans！\"repliedFlorida。
\"Afraid！\"Fromthismomentthestateofthingsbecameintolerable。
AsanguinaryencounterseemeddailyimminentbetweenthetwopartiesinthestreetsofBaltimore。Itbecamenecessarytokeepaneyeuponthedeputies。
PresidentBarbicaneknewnotwhichwaytolook。Notes，documents，lettersfullofmenacesshowereddownuponhishouse。Whichsideoughthetotake？Asregardedtheappropriationofthesoil，thefacilityofcommunication，therapidityoftransport，theclaimsofbothStateswereevenlybalanced。Asforpoliticalprepossessions，theyhadnothingtodowiththequestion。
Thisdeadblockhadexistedforsomelittletime，whenBarbicaneresolvedtogetridofitallatonce。Hecalledameetingofhiscolleagues，andlaidbeforethemapropositionwhich，itwillbeseen，wasprofoundlysagacious。
\"Oncarefullyconsidering，\"hesaid，\"whatisgoingonnowbetweenFloridaandTexas，itisclearthatthesamedifficultieswillrecurwithallthetownsofthefavoredState。
TherivalrywilldescendfromStatetocity，andsoondownward。
NowTexaspossesseseleventownswithintheprescribedconditions，whichwillfurtherdisputethehonorandcreateusnewenemies，whileFloridahasonlyone。Igoin，therefore，forFloridaandTampaTown。\"
Thisdecision，onbeingmadeknown，utterlycrushedtheTexandeputies。Seizedwithanindescribablefury，theyaddressedthreateningletterstothedifferentmembersoftheGunClubbyname。Themagistrateshadbutonecoursetotake，andtheytookit。Theycharteredaspecialtrain，forcedtheTexansintoitwhethertheywouldorno；andtheyquittedthecitywithaspeedofthirtymilesanhour。
Quickly，however，astheyweredespatched，theyfoundtimetohurlonelastandbittersarcasmattheiradversaries。
AlludingtotheextentofFlorida，amerepeninsulaconfinedbetweentwoseas，theypretendedthatitcouldneversustaintheshockofthedischarge，andthatitwould\"bustup\"attheveryfirstshot。
\"Verywell，letitbustup！\"repliedtheFloridans，withabrevityofthedaysofancientSparta。
CHAPTERXII
URBIETORBI
Theastronomical，mechanical，andtopographicaldifficultiesresolved，finallycamethequestionoffinance。Thesumrequiredwasfartoogreatforanyindividual，orevenanysingleState，toprovidetherequisitemillions。
PresidentBarbicaneundertook，despiteofthematterbeingapurelyAmericanaffair，torenderitoneofuniversalinterest，andtorequestthefinancialco-operationofallpeoples。
Itwas，hemaintained，therightanddutyofthewholeearthtointerfereintheaffairsofitssatellite。ThesubscriptionopenedatBaltimoreextendedproperlytothewholeworld——_Urbietorbi_。
Thissubscriptionwassuccessfulbeyondallexpectation；
notwithstandingthatitwasaquestionnotoflendingbutofgivingthemoney。Itwasapurelydisinterestedoperationinthestrictestsenseoftheterm，andofferednottheslightestchanceofprofit。
Theeffect，however，ofBarbicane\'scommunicationwasnotconfinedtothefrontiersoftheUnitedStates；itcrossedtheAtlanticandPacific，invadingsimultaneouslyAsiaandEurope，AfricaandOceanica。TheobservatoriesoftheUnionplacedthemselvesinimmediatecommunicationwiththoseofforeigncountries。Some，suchasthoseofParis，Petersburg，Berlin，Stockholm，Hamburg，Malta，Lisbon，Benares，Madras，andothers，transmittedtheirgoodwishes；therestmaintainedaprudentsilence，quietlyawaitingtheresult。AsfortheobservatoryatGreenwich，secondedasitwasbythetwenty-
twoastronomicalestablishmentsofGreatBritain，itspokeplainlyenough。Itboldlydeniedthepossibilityofsuccess，andpronouncedinfavorofthetheoriesofCaptainNicholl。
ButthiswasnothingmorethanmereEnglishjealousy。
Onthe8thofOctoberPresidentBarbicanepublishedamanifestofullofenthusiasm，inwhichhemadeanappealto\"allpersonsofgoodwilluponthefaceoftheearth。\"Thisdocument，translatedintoalllanguages，metwithimmensesuccess。
SubscriptionlistswereopenedinalltheprincipalcitiesoftheUnion，withacentralofficeattheBaltimoreBank，9
BaltimoreStreet。
Inaddition，subscriptionswerereceivedatthefollowingbanksinthedifferentstatesofthetwocontinents:
AtVienna，withS。M。deRothschild。
AtPetersburg，StieglitzandCo。
AtParis，TheCreditMobilier。
AtStockholm，TottieandArfuredson。
AtLondon，N。M。RothschildandSon。
AtTurin，ArdouinandCo。
AtBerlin，Mendelssohn。
AtGeneva，Lombard，OdierandCo。
AtConstantinople，TheOttomanBank。
AtBrussels，J。Lambert。
AtMadrid，DanielWeisweller。
AtAmsterdam，NetherlandsCreditCo。
AtRome，TorloniaandCo。
AtLisbon，Lecesne。
AtCopenhagen，PrivateBank。
AtRiodeJaneiro，PrivateBank。
AtMontevideo，PrivateBank。
AtValparaisoandLima，ThomaslaChambreandCo。
AtMexico，MartinDaranandCo。
ThreedaysafterthemanifestoofPresidentBarbicane$4，000，000
werepaidintothedifferenttownsoftheUnion。WithsuchabalancetheGunClubmightbeginoperationsatonce。Butsomedayslateradviceswerereceivedtotheeffectthatforeignsubscriptionswerebeingeagerlytakenup。Certaincountriesdistinguishedthemselvesbytheirliberality；othersuntiedtheirpurse-stringswithlessfacility——amatteroftemperament。
Figuresare，however，moreeloquentthanwords，andhereistheofficialstatementofthesumswhichwerepaidintothecreditoftheGunClubatthecloseofthesubscription。
Russiapaidinashercontingenttheenormoussumof368，733roubles。
Nooneneedbesurprisedatthis，whobearsinmindthescientifictasteoftheRussians，andtheimpetuswhichtheyhavegiventoastronomicalstudies——thankstotheirnumerousobservatories。
FrancebeganbyderidingthepretensionsoftheAmericans。
Themoonservedasapretextforathousandstalepunsandascoreofballads，inwhichbadtastecontestedthepalmwithignorance。ButasformerlytheFrenchpaidbeforesinging，sonowtheypaidafterhavinghadtheirlaugh，andtheysubscribedforasumof1，253，930francs。Atthatpricetheyhadarighttoenjoythemselvesalittle。
Austriashowedherselfgenerousinthemidstofherfinancialcrisis。
Herpubliccontributionsamountedtothesumof216，000florins——
aperfectgodsend。
Fifty-twothousandrix-dollarsweretheremittanceofSwedenandNorway；theamountislargeforthecountry，butitwouldundoubtedlyhavebeenconsiderablyincreasedhadthesubscriptionbeenopenedinChristianasimultaneouslywiththatatStockholm。ForsomereasonorothertheNorwegiansdonotliketosendtheirmoneytoSweden。
Prussia，byaremittanceof250，000thalers，testifiedherhighapprovaloftheenterprise。
Turkeybehavedgenerously；butshehadapersonalinterestinthematter。Themoon，infact，regulatesthecycleofheryearsandherfastofRamadan。Shecouldnotdolessthangive1，372，640piastres；andshegavethemwithaneagernesswhichdenoted，however，somepressureonthepartofthegovernment。
Belgiumdistinguishedherselfamongthesecond-ratestatesbyagrantof513，000francs——abouttwocentimesperheadofherpopulation。
Hollandandhercoloniesinterestedthemselvestotheextentof110，000florins，onlydemandinganallowanceoffivepercent。
discountforpayingreadymoney。
Denmark，alittlecontractedinterritory，gavenevertheless9，000ducats，provingherloveforscientificexperiments。
TheGermanicConfederationpledgeditselfto34，285florins。
Itwasimpossibletoaskformore；besides，theywouldnothavegivenit。
Thoughverymuchcrippled，Italyfound200，000lireinthepocketsofherpeople。IfshehadhadVenetiashewouldhavedonebetter；butshehadnot。
TheStatesoftheChurchthoughtthattheycouldnotsendlessthan7，040Romancrowns；andPortugalcarriedherdevotiontoscienceasfaras30，000cruzados。Itwasthewidow\'smite——
eighty-sixpiastres；butself-constitutedempiresarealwaysrathershortofmoney。
Twohundredandfifty-sevenfrancs，thiswasthemodestcontributionofSwitzerlandtotheAmericanwork。Onemustfreelyadmitthatshedidnotseethepracticalsideofthematter。Itdidnotseemtoherthatthemeredespatchofashottothemooncouldpossiblyestablishanyrelationofaffairswithher；anditdidnotseemprudenttohertoembarkhercapitalinsohazardousanenterprise。Afterall，perhapsshewasright。
AstoSpain，shecouldnotscrapetogethermorethan110reals。
Shegaveasanexcusethatshehadherrailwaystofinish。
Thetruthis，thatscienceisnotfavorablyregardedinthatcountry，itisstillinabackwardstate；andmoreover，certainSpaniards，notbyanymeanstheleasteducated，didnotformacorrectestimateofthebulkoftheprojectilecomparedwiththatofthemoon。Theyfearedthatitwoulddisturbtheestablishedorderofthings。Inthatcaseitwerebettertokeepaloof；whichtheydidtothetuneofsomereals。
ThereremainedbutEngland；andweknowthecontemptuousantipathywithwhichshereceivedBarbicane\'sproposition。
TheEnglishhavebutonesoulforthewholetwenty-sixmillionsofinhabitantswhichGreatBritaincontains。TheyhintedthattheenterpriseoftheGunClubwascontrarytothe\"principleofnon-intervention。\"Andtheydidnotsubscribeasinglefarthing。
AtthisintimationtheGunClubmerelyshruggeditsshouldersandreturnedtoitsgreatwork。WhenSouthAmerica，thatistosay，Peru，Chili，Brazil，theprovincesofLaPlataandColumbia，hadpouredforththeirquotaintotheirhands，thesumof$300，000，itfounditselfinpossessionofaconsiderablecapital，ofwhichthefollowingisastatement:
UnitedStatessubscriptions，……$4，000，000
Foreignsubscriptions……$1，446，675——
Total，……$5，446，675
SuchwasthesumwhichthepublicpouredintothetreasuryoftheGunClub。
Letnoonebesurprisedatthevastnessoftheamount。Theworkofcasting，boring，masonry，thetransportofworkmen，theirestablishmentinanalmostuninhabitedcountry，theconstructionoffurnacesandworkshops，theplant，thepowder，theprojectile，andincipientexpenses，would，accordingtotheestimates，absorbnearlythewhole。Certaincannon-shotsintheFederalwarcostonethousanddollarsapiece。ThisoneofPresidentBarbicane，uniqueintheannalsofgunnery，mightwellcostfivethousandtimesmore。
Onthe20thofOctoberacontractwasenteredintowiththemanufactoryatColdspring，nearNewYork，whichduringthewarhadfurnishedthelargestParrott，cast-ironguns。ItwasstipulatedbetweenthecontractingpartiesthatthemanufactoryofColdspringshouldengagetotransporttoTampaTown，insouthernFlorida，thenecessarymaterialsforcastingtheColumbiad。Theworkwasboundtobecompletedatlatestbythe15thofOctoberfollowing，andthecannondeliveredingoodconditionunderpenaltyofaforfeitofonehundreddollarsadaytothemomentwhenthemoonshouldagainpresentherselfunderthesameconditions——thatistosay，ineighteenyearsandelevendays。
Theengagementoftheworkmen，theirpay，andallthenecessarydetailsofthework，devolvedupontheColdspringCompany。
Thiscontract，executedinduplicate，wassignedbyBarbicane，presidentoftheGunClub，oftheonepart，andT。MurchisondirectoroftheColdspringmanufactory，oftheother，whothusexecutedthedeedonbehalfoftheirrespectiveprincipals。
CHAPTERXIII
STONESHILL
WhenthedecisionwasarrivedatbytheGunClub，tothedisparagementofTexas，everyoneinAmerica，wherereadingisauniversalacquirement，settoworktostudythegeographyofFlorida。Neverbeforehadtherebeensuchasaleforworkslike\"Bertram\'sTravelsinFlorida，\"\"Roman\'sNaturalHistoryofEastandWestFlorida，\"\"William\'sTerritoryofFlorida，\"and\"ClelandontheCultivationoftheSugar-CaneinFlorida。\"
Itbecamenecessarytoissuefresheditionsoftheseworks。
Barbicanehadsomethingbettertodothantoread。Hedesiredtoseethingswithhisowneyes，andtomarktheexactpositionoftheproposedgun。So，withoutamoment\'slossoftime，heplacedatthedisposaloftheCambridgeObservatorythefundsnecessaryfortheconstructionofatelescope，andenteredintonegotiationswiththehouseofBreadwillandCo。，ofAlbany，fortheconstructionofanaluminumprojectileoftherequiredsize。
HethenquittedBaltimore，accompaniedbyJ。T。Maston，MajorElphinstone，andthemanageroftheColdspringfactory。
Onthefollowingday，thefourfellow-travelersarrivedatNewOrleans。Theretheyimmediatelyembarkedonboardthe_Tampico_，adespatch-boatbelongingtotheFederalnavy，whichthegovernmenthadplacedattheirdisposal；and，gettingupsteam，thebanksofLouisianaspeedilydisappearedfromsight。
Thepassagewasnotlong。Twodaysafterstarting，the_Tampico_，havingmadefourhundredandeightymiles，cameinsightofthecoastofFlorida。OnanearerapproachBarbicanefoundhimselfinviewofalow，flatcountryofsomewhatbarrenaspect。
Aftercoastingalongaseriesofcreeksaboundinginlobstersandoysters，the_Tampico_enteredthebayofEspirituSanto，whereshefinallyanchoredinasmallnaturalharbor，formedbythe_embouchure_oftheRiverHillisborough，atsevenP。M。，onthe22dofOctober。
Ourfourpassengersdisembarkedatonce。\"Gentlemen，\"saidBarbicane，\"wehavenotimetolose；tomorrowwemustobtainhorses，andproceedtoreconnoiterthecountry。\"
BarbicanehadscarcelysethisfootonshorewhenthreethousandoftheinhabitantsofTampaTowncameforthtomeethim，anhonorduetothepresidentwhohadsignalizedtheircountrybyhischoice。
Declining，however，everykindofovation，BarbicaneensconcedhimselfinaroomoftheFranklinHotel。
OnthemorrowsomeofthesmallhorsesoftheSpanishbreed，fullofvigorandoffire，stoodsnortingunderhiswindows；
butinsteadoffoursteeds，herewerefifty，togetherwiththeirriders。Barbicanedescendedwithhisthreefellow-
travelers；andmuchastonishedweretheyalltofindthemselvesinthemidstofsuchacavalcade。Heremarkedthateveryhorsemancarriedacarbineslungacrosshisshouldersandpistolsinhisholsters。
Onexpressinghissurpriseatthesepreparations，hewasspeedilyenlightenedbyayoungFloridan，whoquietlysaid:
\"Sir，thereareSeminolesthere。\"
\"WhatdoyoumeanbySeminoles？\"
\"Savageswhoscourtheprairies。Wethoughtitbest，therefore，toescortyouonyourroad。\"
\"Pooh！\"criedJ。T。Maston，mountinghissteed。
\"Allright，\"saidtheFloridan；\"butitistrueenough，nevertheless。\"
\"Gentlemen，\"answeredBarbicane，\"Ithankyouforyourkindattention；butitistimetobeoff。\"
ItwasfiveA。M。whenBarbicaneandhisparty，quittingTampaTown，madetheirwayalongthecoastinthedirectionofAlifiaCreek。
ThislittleriverfallsintoHillisboroughBaytwelvemilesaboveTampaTown。Barbicaneandhisescortcoastedalongitsrightbanktotheeastward。Soonthewavesofthebaydisappearedbehindabendofrisingground，andtheFloridan\"champagne\"aloneoffereditselftoview。
Florida，discoveredonPalmSunday，in1512，byJuanPoncedeLeon，wasoriginallynamed_PaschaFlorida_。Itlittledeservedthatdesignation，withitsdryandparchedcoasts。Butaftersomefewmilesoftractthenatureofthesoilgraduallychangesandthecountryshowsitselfworthyofthename。Cultivatedplainssoonappear，whereareunitedalltheproductionsofthenorthernandtropicalfloras，terminatinginprairiesaboundingwithpineapplesandyams，tobacco，rice，cotton-plants，andsugar-canes，whichextendbeyondreachofsight，flingingtheirrichesbroadcastwithcarelessprodigality。
Barbicaneappearedhighlypleasedonobservingtheprogressiveelevationoftheland；andinanswertoaquestionofJ。T。
Maston，replied:
\"Myworthyfriend，wecannotdobetterthansinkourColumbiadinthesehighgrounds。\"
\"Togetnearerthemoon，perhaps？\"saidthesecretaryoftheGunClub。
\"Notexactly，\"repliedBarbicane，smiling；\"doyounotseethatamongtheseelevatedplateausweshallhaveamucheasierworkofit？Nostruggleswiththewater-springs，whichwillsaveuslongexpensivetubings；andweshallbeworkingindaylightinsteadofdownadeepandnarrowwell。Ourbusiness，then，istoopenourtrenchesupongroundsomehundredsofyardsabovethelevelofthesea。\"
\"Youareright，sir，\"struckinMurchison，theengineer；\"and，ifI
mistakenot，weshallerelongfindasuitablespotforourpurpose。\"
\"Iwishwewereatthefirststrokeofthepickaxe，\"saidthepresident。
\"AndIwishwewereatthe_last_，\"criedJ。T。Maston。
AbouttenA。M。thelittlebandhadcrossedadozenmiles。
Tofertileplainssucceededaregionofforests。Thereperfumesofthemostvariedkindsmingledtogetherintropicalprofusion。
Thesealmostimpenetrableforestswerecomposedofpomegranates，orange-trees，citrons，figs，olives，apricots，bananas，hugevines，whoseblossomsandfruitsrivaledeachotherincolorandperfume。
Beneaththeodorousshadeofthesemagnificenttreesflutteredandwarbledalittleworldofbrilliantlyplumagedbirds。
J。T。Mastonandthemajorcouldnotrepresstheiradmirationonfindingthemselvesinthepresenceofthegloriousbeautiesofthiswealthofnature。PresidentBarbicane，however，lesssensitivetothesewonders，wasinhastetopressforward；
theveryluxurianceofthecountrywasdispleasingtohim。
Theyhastenedonward，therefore，andwerecompelledtofordseveralrivers，notwithoutdanger，fortheywereinfestedwithhugealligatorsfromfifteentoeighteenfeetlong。
Mastoncourageouslymenacedthemwithhissteelhook，butheonlysucceededinfrighteningsomepelicansandteal，whiletallflamingosstaredstupidlyattheparty。
Atlengththesedenizensoftheswampsdisappearedintheirturn；smallertreesbecamethinlyscatteredamonglessdensethickets——afewisolatedgroupsdetachedinthemidstofendlessplainsoverwhichrangedherdsofstartleddeer。
\"Atlast，\"criedBarbicane，risinginhisstirrups，\"hereweareattheregionofpines！\"
\"Yes！andofsavagestoo，\"repliedthemajor。
Infact，someSeminoleshadjustcameinsightuponthehorizon；
theyrodeviolentlybackwardandforwardontheirfleethorses，brandishingtheirspearsordischargingtheirgunswithadullreport。
Thesehostiledemonstrations，however，hadnoeffectuponBarbicaneandhiscompanions。