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。