CHAPTERXXVIII
ANEWSTAR
Thatverynight，thestartlingnewssoimpatientlyawaited，burstlikeathunderboltovertheUnitedStatesoftheUnion，andthence，dartingacrosstheocean，ranthroughallthetelegraphicwiresoftheglobe。Theprojectilehadbeendetected，thankstothegiganticreflectorofLong\'sPeak！
HereisthenotereceivedbythedirectoroftheObservatoryofCambridge。ItcontainsthescientificconclusionregardingthisgreatexperimentoftheGunClub。
LONG\'SPEAK，December12。
TotheOfficersoftheObservatoryofCambridge。
TheprojectiledischargedbytheColumbiadatStonesHillhasbeendetectedbyMessrs。BelfastandJ。T。Maston，12thofDecember，at8:47P。M。，themoonhavingenteredherlastquarter。
Thisprojectilehasnotarrivedatitsdestination。Ithaspassedbytheside；butsufficientlyneartoberetainedbythelunarattraction。
Therectilinearmovementhasthusbecomechangedintoacircularmotionofextremevelocity，anditisnowpursuinganellipticalorbitroundthemoon，ofwhichithasbecomeatruesatellite。
Theelementsofthisnewstarwehaveasyetbeenunabletodetermine；wedonotyetknowthevelocityofitspassage。
Thedistancewhichseparatesitfromthesurfaceofthemoonmaybeestimatedatabout2，833miles。
However，twohypothesescomehereintoourconsideration。
1。Eithertheattractionofthemoonwillendbydrawingthemintoitself，andthetravelerswillattaintheirdestination；or，2。Theprojectile，followinganimmutablelaw，willcontinuetogravitateroundthemoontilltheendoftime。
Atsomefuturetime，ourobservationswillbeabletodeterminethispoint，buttillthentheexperimentoftheGunClubcanhavenootherresultthantohaveprovidedoursolarsystemwithanewstar。
J。BELFAST。
Tohowmanyquestionsdidthisunexpected_denouement_giverise？
Whatmysteriousresultswasthefuturereservingfortheinvestigationofscience？Atallevents，thenamesofNicholl，Barbicane，andMichelArdanwerecertaintobeimmortalizedintheannalsofastronomy！
WhenthedispatchfromLong\'sPeakhadoncebecomeknown，therewasbutoneuniversalfeelingofsurpriseandalarm。Wasitpossibletogototheaidoftheseboldtravelers？No！fortheyhadplacedthemselvesbeyondthepaleofhumanity，bycrossingthelimitsimposedbytheCreatoronhisearthlycreatures。
Theyhadairenoughfor_two_months；theyhadvictualsenoughfor_twelve；——butafterthat？_Therewasonlyonemanwhowouldnotadmitthatthesituationwasdesperate——healonehadconfidence；andthatwastheirdevotedfriendJ。T。Maston。
Besides，heneverletthemgetoutofsight。HishomewashenceforththepostatLong\'sPeak；hishorizon，themirrorofthatimmensereflector。Assoonasthemoonroseabovethehorizon，heimmediatelycaughtherinthefieldofthetelescope；heneverlethergoforaninstantoutofhissight，andfollowedherassiduouslyinhercoursethroughthestellarspaces。Hewatchedwithuntiringpatiencethepassageoftheprojectileacrosshersilverydisc，andreallytheworthymanremainedinperpetualcommunicationwithhisthreefriends，whomhedidnotdespairofseeingagainsomeday。
\"Thosethreemen，\"saidhe，\"havecarriedintospacealltheresourcesofart，science，andindustry。Withthat，onecandoanything；andyouwillseethat，someday，theywillcomeoutallright。\"
ROUNDTHEMOON
ASEQUELTOFROMTHEEARTHTOTHEMOON
PRELIMINARYCHAPTER
THEFIRSTPARTOFTHISWORK，ANDSERVINGASAPREFACETOTHESECOND
Duringtheyear186-，thewholeworldwasgreatlyexcitedbyascientificexperimentunprecedentedintheannalsofscience。
ThemembersoftheGunClub，acircleofartillerymenformedatBaltimoreaftertheAmericanwar，conceivedtheideaofputtingthemselvesincommunicationwiththemoon！——yes，withthemoon——bysendingtoheraprojectile。Theirpresident，Barbicane，thepromoteroftheenterprise，havingconsultedtheastronomersoftheCambridgeObservatoryuponthesubject，tookallnecessarymeanstoensurethesuccessofthisextraordinaryenterprise，whichhadbeendeclaredpracticablebythemajorityofcompetentjudges。Aftersettingonfootapublicsubscription，whichrealizednearlyL1，200，000，theybeganthegiganticwork。
AccordingtotheadviceforwardedfromthemembersoftheObservatory，thegundestinedtolaunchtheprojectilehadtobefixedinacountrysituatedbetweenthe0and28thdegreesofnorthorsouthlatitude，inordertoaimatthemoonwhenatthezenith；anditsinitiatoryvelocitywasfixedattwelvethousandyardstothesecond。Launchedonthe1stofDecember，at10hrs。
46m。40s。P。M。，itoughttoreachthemoonfourdaysafteritsdeparture，thatisonthe5thofDecember，atmidnightprecisely，atthemomentofherattainingherperigee，thatishernearestdistancefromtheearth，whichisexactly86，410
leaguesFrench，or238，833milesmeandistanceEnglish。
TheprincipalmembersoftheGunClub，PresidentBarbicane，MajorElphinstone，thesecretaryJosephT。Maston，andotherlearnedmen，heldseveralmeetings，atwhichtheshapeandcompositionoftheprojectilewerediscussed，alsothepositionandnatureofthegun，andthequalityandquantityofpowdertobeused。Itwasdecided:First，thattheprojectileshouldbeashellmadeofaluminumwithadiameterof108inchesandathicknessoftwelveinchestoitswalls；andshouldweigh19，250pounds。Second，thatthegunshouldbeaColumbiadcastiniron，900feetlong，andrunperpendicularlyintotheearth。Third，thatthechargeshouldcontain400，000poundsofgun-cotton，which，givingoutsixbillionsoflitresofgasinrearoftheprojectile，wouldeasilycarryittowardtheorbofnight。
ThesequestionsdeterminedPresidentBarbicane，assistedbyMurchisontheengineer，tochooseaspotsituatedinFlorida，in27@7\'Northlatitude，and77@3\'WestGreenwichlongitude。
Itwasonthisspot，afterstupendouslabor，thattheColumbiadwascastwithfullsuccess。Thingsstoodthus，whenanincidenttookplacewhichincreasedtheinterestattachedtothisgreatenterpriseahundredfold。
AFrenchman，anenthusiasticParisian，aswittyashewasbold，askedtobeenclosedintheprojectile，inorderthathemightreachthemoon，andreconnoiterthisterrestrialsatellite。
ThenameofthisintrepidadventurerwasMichelArdan。HelandedinAmerica，wasreceivedwithenthusiasm，heldmeetings，sawhimselfcarriedintriumph，reconciledPresidentBarbicanetohismortalenemy，CaptainNicholl，and，asatokenofreconciliation，persuadedthembothtostartwithhimintheprojectile。Thepropositionbeingaccepted，theshapeoftheprojectilewasslightlyaltered。Itwasmadeofacylindro-conicalform。Thisspeciesofaerialcarwaslinedwithstrongspringsandpartitionstodeadentheshockofdeparture。
Itwasprovidedwithfoodforayear，waterforsomemonths，andgasforsomedays。Aself-actingapparatussuppliedthethreetravelerswithairtobreathe。Atthesametime，ononeofthehighestpointsoftheRockyMountains，theGunClubhadagigantictelescopeerected，inorderthattheymightbeabletofollowthecourseoftheprojectilethroughspace。Allwasthenready。
Onthe30thofNovember，atthehourfixedupon，fromthemidstofanextraordinarycrowdofspectators，thedeparturetookplace，andforthefirsttime，threehumanbeingsquittedtheterrestrialglobe，andlaunchedintointer-planetaryspacewithalmostacertaintyofreachingtheirdestination。Theseboldtravelers，MichelArdan，PresidentBarbicane，andCaptainNicholl，oughttomakethepassageinninety-sevenhours，thirteenminutes，andtwentyseconds。Consequently，theirarrivalonthelunardisccouldnottakeplaceuntilthe5thofDecemberattwelveatnight，attheexactmomentwhenthemoonshouldbefull，andnotonthe4th，assomebadlyinformedjournalistshadannounced。
Butanunforeseencircumstance，viz。，thedetonationproducedbytheColumbiad，hadtheimmediateeffectoftroublingtheterrestrialatmosphere，byaccumulatingalargequantityofvapor，aphenomenonwhichexciteduniversalindignation，forthemoonwashiddenfromtheeyesofthewatchersforseveralnights。
TheworthyJosephT。Maston，thestaunchestfriendofthethreetravelers，startedfortheRockyMountains，accompaniedbytheHon。J。Belfast，directoroftheCambridgeObservatory，andreachedthestationofLong\'sPeak，wherethetelescopewaserectedwhichbroughtthemoonwithinanapparentdistanceoftwoleagues。ThehonorablesecretaryoftheGunClubwishedhimselftoobservethevehicleofhisdaringfriends。
Theaccumulationofthecloudsintheatmospherepreventedallobservationonthe5th，6th，7th，8th，9th，and10thofDecember。
Indeeditwasthoughtthatallobservationswouldhavetobeputofftothe3dofJanuaryinthefollowingyear；forthemoonenteringitslastquarteronthe11th，wouldthenonlypresentanever-decreasingportionofherdisc，insufficienttoallowoftheirfollowingthecourseoftheprojectile。
Atlength，tothegeneralsatisfaction，aheavystormclearedtheatmosphereonthenightofthe11thand12thofDecember，andthemoon，withhalf-illuminateddisc，wasplainlytobeseenupontheblacksky。
ThatverynightatelegramwassentfromthestationofLong\'sPeakbyJosephT。MastonandBelfasttothegentlemenoftheCambridgeObservatory，announcingthatonthe11thofDecemberat8h。47m。P。M。，theprojectilelaunchedbytheColumbiadofStonesHillhadbeendetectedbyMessrs。BelfastandMaston——
thatithaddeviatedfromitscoursefromsomeunknowncause，andhadnotreacheditsdestination；butthatithadpassednearenoughtoberetainedbythelunarattraction；thatitsrectilinearmovementhadbeenchangedtoacircularone，andthatfollowinganellipticalorbitroundthestarofnightithadbecomeitssatellite。Thetelegramaddedthattheelementsofthisnewstarhadnotyetbeencalculated；andindeedthreeobservationsmadeuponastarinthreedifferentpositionsarenecessarytodeterminetheseelements。Thenitshowedthatthedistanceseparatingtheprojectilefromthelunarsurface\"might\"
bereckonedatabout2，833miles。
Itendedwiththedoublehypothesis:eithertheattractionofthemoonwoulddrawittoherself，andthetravelersthusattaintheirend；orthattheprojectile，heldinoneimmutableorbit，wouldgravitatearoundthelunardisctoalleternity。
Withsuchalternatives，whatwouldbethefateofthetravelers？
Certainlytheyhadfoodforsometime。Butsupposingtheydidsucceedintheirrashenterprise，howwouldtheyreturn？
Couldtheyeverreturn？Shouldtheyhearfromthem？
Thesequestions，debatedbythemostlearnedpensoftheday，stronglyengrossedthepublicattention。
Itisadvisableheretomakearemarkwhichoughttobewellconsideredbyhastyobservers。Whenapurelyspeculativediscoveryisannouncedtothepublic，itcannotbedonewithtoomuchprudence。Nooneisobligedtodiscovereitheraplanet，acomet，orasatellite；andwhoevermakesamistakeinsuchacaseexposeshimselfjustlytothederisionofthemass。
Farbetterisittowait；andthatiswhattheimpatientJosephT。Mastonshouldhavedonebeforesendingthistelegramforthtotheworld，which，accordingtohisidea，toldthewholeresultoftheenterprise。Indeedthistelegramcontainedtwosortsoferrors，aswasprovedeventually。First，errorsofobservation，concerningthedistanceoftheprojectilefromthesurfaceofthemoon，foronthe11thofDecemberitwasimpossibletoseeit；andwhatJosephT。Mastonhadseen，orthoughthesaw，couldnothavebeentheprojectileoftheColumbiad。Second，errorsoftheoryonthefateinstoreforthesaidprojectile；forinmakingitasatelliteofthemoon，itwasputtingitindirectcontradictionofallmechanicallaws。
OnesinglehypothesisoftheobserversofLong\'sPeakcouldeverberealized，thatwhichforesawthecaseofthetravelersifstillaliveunitingtheireffortswiththelunarattractiontoattainthesurfaceofthedisc。
Nowthesemen，ascleverastheyweredaring，hadsurvivedtheterribleshockconsequentontheirdeparture，anditistheirjourneyintheprojectilecarwhichishererelatedinitsmostdramaticaswellasinitsmostsingulardetails。Thisrecitalwilldestroymanyillusionsandsurmises；butitwillgiveatrueideaofthesingularchangesinstoreforsuchanenterprise；itwillbringoutthescientificinstinctsofBarbicane，theindustriousresourcesofNicholl，andtheaudacioushumorofMichelArdan。Besidesthis，itwillprovethattheirworthyfriend，JosephT。Maston，waswastinghistime，whileleaningoverthegigantictelescopehewatchedthecourseofthemoonthroughthestarryspace。
CHAPTERI
TWENTYMINUTESPASTTENTOFORTY-SEVENMINUTESPASTTENP。M。
Asteno\'clockstruck，MichelArdan，Barbicane，andNicholl，tookleaveofthenumerousfriendstheywereleavingontheearth。
Thetwodogs，destinedtopropagatethecanineraceonthelunarcontinents，werealreadyshutupintheprojectile。
Thethreetravelersapproachedtheorificeoftheenormouscast-irontube，andacraneletthemdowntotheconicaltopoftheprojectile。There，anopeningmadeforthepurposegavethemaccesstothealuminumcar。Thetacklebelongingtothecranebeinghauledfromoutside，themouthoftheColumbiadwasinstantlydisencumberedofitslastsupports。
Nicholl，onceintroducedwithhiscompanionsinsidetheprojectile，begantoclosetheopeningbymeansofastrongplate，heldinpositionbypowerfulscrews。Otherplates，closelyfitted，coveredthelenticularglasses，andthetravelers，hermeticallyenclosedintheirmetalprison，wereplungedinprofounddarkness。
\"Andnow，mydearcompanions，\"saidMichelArdan，\"letusmakeourselvesathome；Iamadomesticatedmanandstronginhousekeeping。Weareboundtomakethebestofournewlodgings，andmakeourselvescomfortable。Andfirstletustryandseealittle。Gaswasnotinventedformoles。\"
Sosaying，thethoughtlessfellowlitamatchbystrikingitonthesoleofhisboot；andapproachedtheburnerfixedtothereceptacle，inwhichthecarbonizedhydrogen，storedathighpressure，sufficedforthelightingandwarmingoftheprojectileforahundredandforty-fourhours，orsixdaysandsixnights。Thegascaughtfire，andthuslightedtheprojectilelookedlikeacomfortableroomwiththicklypaddedwalls，furnishedwithacirculardivan，andaroofroundedintheshapeofadome。
MichelArdanexaminedeverything，anddeclaredhimselfsatisfiedwithhisinstallation。
\"Itisaprison，\"saidhe，\"butatravelingprison；and，withtherightofputtingmynosetothewindow，Icouldwellstandaleaseofahundredyears。Yousmile，Barbicane。Haveyouany_arriere-pensee_？Doyousaytoyourself，`Thisprisonmaybeourtomb？\'Tomb，perhaps；stillIwouldnotchangeitforMahomet\'s，whichfloatsinspacebutneveradvancesaninch！\"
WhileMichelArdanwasspeaking，BarbicaneandNichollweremakingtheirlastpreparations。
Nicholl\'schronometermarkedtwentyminutespasttenP。M。whenthethreetravelerswerefinallyenclosedintheirprojectile。
ThischronometerwassetwithinthetenthofasecondbythatofMurchisontheengineer。Barbicaneconsultedit。
\"Myfriends，\"saidhe，\"itistwentyminutespastten。Atforty-
sevenminutespasttenMurchisonwilllaunchtheelectricsparkonthewirewhichcommunicateswiththechargeoftheColumbiad。
Atthatprecisemomentweshallleaveourspheroid。Thuswestillhavetwenty-sevenminutestoremainontheearth。\"
\"Twenty-sixminutesthirteenseconds，\"repliedthemethodicalNicholl。
\"Well！\"exclaimedMichelArdan，inagood-humoredtone，\"muchmaybedoneintwenty-sixminutes。Thegravestquestionsofmoralsandpoliticsmaybediscussed，andevensolved。
Twenty-sixminuteswellemployedareworthmorethantwenty-sixyearsinwhichnothingisdone。SomesecondsofaPascaloraNewtonaremorepreciousthanthewholeexistenceofacrowdofrawsimpletons——\"
\"Andyouconclude，then，youeverlastingtalker？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Iconcludethatwehavetwenty-sixminutesleft，\"repliedArdan。
\"Twenty-fouronly，\"saidNicholl。
\"Well，twenty-four，ifyoulike，mynoblecaptain，\"saidArdan；
\"twenty-fourminutesinwhichtoinvestigate——\"
\"Michel，\"saidBarbicane，\"duringthepassageweshallhaveplentyoftimetoinvestigatethemostdifficultquestions。
Forthepresentwemustoccupyourselveswithourdeparture。\"
\"Arewenotready？\"
\"Doubtless；buttherearestillsomeprecautionstobetaken，todeadenasmuchaspossiblethefirstshock。\"
\"Havewenotthewater-cushionsplacedbetweenthepartition-
breaks，whoseelasticitywillsufficientlyprotectus？\"
\"Ihopeso，Michel，\"repliedBarbicanegently，\"butIamnotsure。\"
\"Ah，thejoker！\"exclaimedMichelArdan。\"Hehopes！——Heisnotsure！——andhewaitsforthemomentwhenweareencasedtomakethisdeplorableadmission！Ibegtobeallowedtogetout！\"
\"Andhow？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Humph！\"saidMichelArdan，\"itisnoteasy；weareinthetrain，andtheguard\'swhistlewillsoundbeforetwenty-fourminutesareover。\"
\"Twenty，\"saidNicholl。
Forsomemomentsthethreetravelerslookedateachother。
Thentheybegantoexaminetheobjectsimprisonedwiththem。
\"Everythingisinitsplace，\"saidBarbicane。\"Wehavenowtodecidehowwecanbestplaceourselvestoresisttheshock。
Positioncannotbeanindifferentmatter；andwemust，asmuchaspossible，preventtherushofbloodtothehead。\"
\"Justso，\"saidNicholl。
\"Then，\"repliedMichelArdan，readytosuittheactiontotheword，\"letusputourheadsdownandourfeetintheair，liketheclownsinthegrandcircus。\"
\"No，\"saidBarbicane，\"letusstretchourselvesonoursides；weshallresisttheshockbetterthatway。Rememberthat，whentheprojectilestarts，itmatterslittlewhetherweareinitorbeforeit；itamountstomuchthesamething。\"
\"Ifitisonly`muchthesamething，\'Imaycheerup，\"saidMichelArdan。
\"Doyouapproveofmyidea，Nicholl？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Entirely，\"repliedthecaptain。\"We\'vestillthirteenminutesandahalf。\"
\"ThatNichollisnotaman，\"exclaimedMichel；\"heisachronometerwithseconds，anescape，andeightholes。\"
Buthiscompanionswerenotlistening；theyweretakinguptheirlastpositionswiththemostperfectcoolness。Theywereliketwomethodicaltravelersinacar，seekingtoplacethemselvesascomfortablyaspossible。
WemightwellaskourselvesofwhatmaterialsaretheheartsoftheseAmericansmade，towhomtheapproachofthemostfrightfuldangeraddednopulsation。
Threethickandsolidly-madecoucheshadbeenplacedintheprojectile。NichollandBarbicaneplacedtheminthecenterofthediscformingthefloor。Therethethreetravelersweretostretchthemselvessomemomentsbeforetheirdeparture。
Duringthistime，Ardan，notbeingabletokeepstill，turnedinhisnarrowprisonlikeawildbeastinacage，chattingwithhisfriends，speakingtothedogsDianaandSatellite，towhom，asmaybeseen，hehadgivensignificantnames。
\"Ah，Diana！Ah，Satellite！\"heexclaimed，teasingthem；\"soyouaregoingtoshowthemoon-dogsthegoodhabitsofthedogsoftheearth！Thatwilldohonortothecaninerace！Ifeverwedocomedownagain，Iwillbringacrosstypeof`moon-dogs，\'
whichwillmakeastir！\"
\"Ifthere_are_dogsinthemoon，\"saidBarbicane。
\"Thereare，\"saidMichelArdan，\"justastherearehorses，cows，donkeys，andchickens。Ibetthatweshallfindchickens。\"
\"Ahundreddollarsweshallfindnone！\"saidNicholl。
\"Done，mycaptain！\"repliedArdan，claspingNicholl\'shand。
\"But，bythebye，youhavealreadylostthreebetswithourpresident，asthenecessaryfundsfortheenterprisehavebeenfound，astheoperationofcastinghasbeensuccessful，andlastly，astheColumbiadhasbeenloadedwithoutaccident，sixthousanddollars。\"
\"Yes，\"repliedNicholl。\"Thirty-sevenminutessixsecondspastten。\"
\"Itisunderstood，captain。Well，beforeanotherquarterofanhouryouwillhavetocountninethousanddollarstothepresident；fourthousandbecausetheColumbiadwillnotburst，andfivethousandbecausetheprojectilewillrisemorethansixmilesintheair。\"
\"Ihavethedollars，\"repliedNicholl，slappingthepocketofthiscoat。\"Ionlyasktobeallowedtopay。\"
\"Come，Nicholl。Iseethatyouareamanofmethod，whichIcouldneverbe；butindeedyouhavemadeaseriesofbetsofverylittleadvantagetoyourself，allowmetotellyou。\"
\"Andwhy？\"askedNicholl。
\"Because，ifyougainthefirst，theColumbiadwillhaveburst，andtheprojectilewithit；andBarbicanewillnolongerbetheretoreimburseyourdollars。\"
\"MystakeisdepositedatthebankinBaltimore，\"repliedBarbicanesimply；\"andifNichollisnotthere，itwillgotohisheirs。\"
\"Ah，youpracticalmen！\"exclaimedMichelArdan；\"Iadmireyouthemorefornotbeingabletounderstandyou。\"
\"Forty-twominutespastten！\"saidNicholl。
\"Onlyfiveminutesmore！\"answeredBarbicane。
\"Yes，fivelittleminutes！\"repliedMichelArdan；\"andweareenclosedinaprojectile，atthebottomofagun900feetlong！
Andunderthisprojectilearerammed400，000poundsofgun-cotton，whichisequalto1，600，000poundsofordinarypowder！AndfriendMurchison，withhischronometerinhand，hiseyefixedontheneedle，hisfingerontheelectricapparatus，iscountingthesecondspreparatorytolaunchingusintointerplanetaryspace。\"
\"Enough，Michel，enough！\"saidBarbicane，inaseriousvoice；
\"letusprepare。Afewinstantsaloneseparateusfromaneventfulmoment。Oneclaspofthehand，myfriends。\"
\"Yes，\"exclaimedMichelArdan，moremovedthanhewishedtoappear；andthethreeboldcompanionswereunitedinalastembrace。
\"Godpreserveus！\"saidthereligiousBarbicane。
MichelArdanandNichollstretchedthemselvesonthecouchesplacedinthecenterofthedisc。
\"Forty-sevenminutespastten！\"murmuredthecaptain。
\"Twentysecondsmore！\"Barbicanequicklyputoutthegasandlaydownbyhiscompanions，andtheprofoundsilencewasonlybrokenbythetickingofthechronometermarkingtheseconds。
Suddenlyadreadfulshockwasfelt，andtheprojectile，undertheforceofsixbillionsoflitresofgas，developedbythecombustionofpyroxyle，mountedintospace。
CHAPTERII
THEFIRSTHALF-HOUR
Whathadhappened？Whateffecthadthisfrightfulshockproduced？
Hadtheingenuityoftheconstructorsoftheprojectileobtainedanyhappyresult？Hadtheshockbeendeadened，thankstothesprings，thefourplugs，thewater-cushions，andthepartition-breaks？
Hadtheybeenabletosubduethefrightfulpressureoftheinitiatoryspeedofmorethan11，000yards，whichwasenoughtotraverseParisorNewYorkinasecond？Thiswasevidentlythequestionsuggestedtothethousandspectatorsofthismovingscene。Theyforgottheaimofthejourney，andthoughtonlyofthetravelers。Andifoneofthem——JosephT。Mastonforexample——couldhavecastoneglimpseintotheprojectile，whatwouldhehaveseen？
Nothingthen。Thedarknesswasprofound。Butitscylindro-
conicalpartitionshadresistedwonderfully。Notarentoradentanywhere！Thewonderfulprojectilewasnotevenheatedundertheintensedeflagrationofthepowder，norliquefied，astheyseemedtofear，inashowerofaluminum。
Theinteriorshowedbutlittledisorder；indeed，onlyafewobjectshadbeenviolentlythrowntowardtheroof；butthemostimportantseemednottohavesufferedfromtheshockatall；
theirfixtureswereintact。
Onthemovabledisc，sunkdowntothebottombythesmashingofthepartition-breaksandtheescapeofthewater，threebodieslayapparentlylifeless。Barbicane，Nicholl，andMichelArdan——
didtheystillbreathe？orwastheprojectilenothingnowbutametalcoffin，bearingthreecorpsesintospace？
Someminutesafterthedepartureoftheprojectile，oneofthebodiesmoved，shookitsarms，lifteditshead，andfinallysucceededingettingonitsknees。ItwasMichelArdan。Hefelthimselfallover，gaveasonorous\"Hem！\"andthensaid:
\"MichelArdaniswhole。Howabouttheothers？\"
ThecourageousFrenchmantriedtorise，butcouldnotstand。
Hisheadswam，fromtherushofblood；hewasblind；hewasadrunkenman。
\"Bur-r！\"saidhe。\"ItproducesthesameeffectastwobottlesofCorton，thoughperhapslessagreeabletoswallow。\"
Then，passinghishandseveraltimesacrosshisforeheadandrubbinghistemples，hecalledinafirmvoice:
\"Nicholl！Barbicane！\"
Hewaitedanxiously。Noanswer；notevenasightoshowthattheheartsofhiscompanionswerestillbeating。Hecalledagain。
Thesamesilence。
\"Thedevil！\"heexclaimed。\"Theylookasiftheyhadfallenfromafifthstoryontheirheads。Bah！\"headded，withthatimperturbableconfidencewhichnothingcouldcheck，\"ifaFrenchmancangetonhisknees，twoAmericansoughttobeabletogetontheirfeet。Butfirstletuslightup。\"
Ardanfeltthetideoflifereturnbydegrees。Hisbloodbecamecalm，andreturnedtoitsaccustomedcirculation。Anothereffortrestoredhisequilibrium。Hesucceededinrising，drewamatchfromhispocket，andapproachingtheburnerlightedit。
Thereceiverhadnotsufferedatall。Thegashadnotescaped。
Besides，thesmellwouldhavebetrayedit；andinthatcaseMichelArdancouldnothavecarriedalightedmatchwithimpunitythroughthespacefilledwithhydrogen。Thegasmixingwiththeairwouldhaveproducedadetonatingmixture，andtheexplosionwouldhavefinishedwhattheshockhadperhapsbegun。
Whentheburnerwaslit，Ardanleanedoverthebodiesofhiscompanions:theywerelyingoneontheother，aninertmass，Nichollabove，Barbicaneunderneath。
Ardanliftedthecaptain，proppedhimupagainstthedivan，andbegantorubvigorously。Thismeans，usedwithjudgment，restoredNicholl，whoopenedhiseyes，andinstantlyrecoveringhispresenceofmind，seizedArdan\'shandandlookedaroundhim。
\"AndBarbicane？\"saidhe。
\"Eachinturn，\"repliedMichelArdan。\"Ibeganwithyou，Nicholl，becauseyouwereonthetop。NowletuslooktoBarbicane。\"Sayingwhich，ArdanandNichollraisedthepresidentoftheGunClubandlaidhimonthedivan。Heseemedtohavesufferedmorethaneitherofhiscompanions；hewasbleeding，butNichollwasreassuredbyfindingthatthehemorrhagecamefromaslightwoundontheshoulder，ameregraze，whichheboundupcarefully。
Still，Barbicanewasalongtimecomingtohimself，whichfrightenedhisfriends，whodidnotsparefriction。
\"Hebreathesthough，\"saidNicholl，puttinghiseartothechestofthewoundedman。
\"Yes，\"repliedArdan，\"hebreatheslikeamanwhohassomenotionofthatdailyoperation。Rub，Nicholl；letusrubharder。\"
AndthetwoimprovisedpractitionersworkedsohardandsowellthatBarbicanerecoveredhissenses。Heopenedhiseyes，satup，tookhistwofriendsbythehands，andhisfirstwordswere——
\"Nicholl，arewemoving？\"
NichollandArdanlookedateachother；theyhadnotyettroubledthemselvesabouttheprojectile；theirfirstthoughthadbeenforthetraveler，notforthecar。
\"Well，arewereallymoving？\"repeatedMichelArdan。
\"OrquietlyrestingonthesoilofFlorida？\"askedNicholl。
\"OratthebottomoftheGulfofMexico？\"addedMichelArdan。
\"Whatanidea！\"exclaimedthepresident。
Andthisdoublehypothesissuggestedbyhiscompanionshadtheeffectofrecallinghimtohissenses。Inanycasetheycouldnotdecideonthepositionoftheprojectile。Itsapparentimmovability，andthewantofcommunicationwiththeoutside，preventedthemfromsolvingthequestion。Perhapstheprojectilewasunwindingitscoursethroughspace。Perhapsafterashortriseithadfallenupontheearth，orevenintheGulfofMexico——
afallwhichthenarrownessofthepeninsulaofFloridawouldrendernotimpossible。
Thecasewasserious，theprobleminteresting，andonethatmustbesolvedassoonaspossible。Thus，highlyexcited，Barbicane\'smoralenergytriumphedoverphysicalweakness，andherosetohisfeet。Helistened。Outsidewasperfectsilence；butthethickpaddingwasenoughtointerceptallsoundscomingfromtheearth。ButonecircumstancestruckBarbicane，viz。，thatthetemperatureinsidetheprojectilewassingularlyhigh。
Thepresidentdrewathermometerfromitscaseandconsultedit。
Theinstrumentshowed81@Fahr。
\"Yes，\"heexclaimed，\"yes，wearemoving！Thisstiflingheat，penetratingthroughthepartitionsoftheprojectile，isproducedbyitsfrictionontheatmosphericstrata。Itwillsoondiminish，becausewearealreadyfloatinginspace，andafterhavingnearlystifled，weshallhavetosufferintensecold。
\"What！\"saidMichelArdan。\"Accordingtoyourshowing，Barbicane，wearealreadybeyondthelimitsoftheterrestrialatmosphere？\"
\"Withoutadoubt，Michel。Listentome。Itisfifty-fiveminutespastten；wehavebeengoneabouteightminutes；andifourinitiatoryspeedhasnotbeencheckedbythefriction，sixsecondswouldbeenoughforustopassthroughthefortymilesofatmospherewhichsurroundstheglobe。\"
\"Justso，\"repliedNicholl；\"butinwhatproportiondoyouestimatethediminutionofspeedbyfriction？\"
\"Intheproportionofone-third，Nicholl。Thisdiminutionisconsiderable，butaccordingtomycalculationsitisnothingless。
If，then，wehadaninitiatoryspeedof12，000yards，onleavingtheatmospherethisspeedwouldbereducedto9，165yards。Inanycasewehavealreadypassedthroughthisinterval，and——\"
\"Andthen，\"saidMichelArdan，\"friendNichollhaslosthistwobets:fourthousanddollarsbecausetheColumbiaddidnotburst；
fivethousanddollarsbecausetheprojectilehasrisenmorethansixmiles。Now，Nicholl，payup。\"
\"Letusproveitfirst，\"saidthecaptain，\"andwewillpayafterward。ItisquitepossiblethatBarbicane\'sreasoningiscorrect，andthatIhavelostmyninethousanddollars。Butanewhypothesispresentsitselftomymind，anditannulsthewager。\"
\"Whatisthat？\"askedBarbicanequickly。
\"Thehypothesisthat，forsomereasonorother，firewasneversettothepowder，andwehavenotstartedatall。\"
\"Mygoodness，captain，\"exclaimedMichelArdan，\"thathypothesisisnotworthyofmybrain！Itcannotbeaseriousone。Forhavewenotbeenhalfannihilatedbytheshock？DidInotrecallyoutolife？Isnotthepresident\'sshoulderstillbleedingfromtheblowithasreceived？\"
\"Granted，\"repliedNicholl；\"butonequestion。\"
\"Well，captain？\"
\"Didyouhearthedetonation，whichcertainlyoughttobeloud？\"
\"No，\"repliedArdan，muchsurprised；\"certainlyIdidnothearthedetonation。\"
\"Andyou，Barbicane？\"
\"NorI，either。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidNicholl。
\"Wellnow，\"murmuredthepresident\"whydidwenothearthedetonation？\"
Thethreefriendslookedateachotherwithadisconcertedair。
Itwasquiteaninexplicablephenomenon。Theprojectilehadstarted，andconsequentlytheremusthavebeenadetonation。
\"Letusfirstfindoutwhereweare，\"saidBarbicane，\"andletdownthispanel。\"
Thisverysimpleoperationwassoonaccomplished。
Thenutswhichheldtheboltstotheouterplatesoftheright-handscuttlegavewayunderthepressureoftheEnglishwrench。Theseboltswerepushedoutside，andthebufferscoveredwithIndia-rubberstoppeduptheholeswhichletthemthrough。Immediatelytheouterplatefellbackuponitshingeslikeaporthole，andthelenticularglasswhichclosedthescuttleappeared。Asimilaronewasletintothethickpartitionontheoppositesideoftheprojectile，anotherinthetopofthedome，andfinallyafourthinthemiddleofthebase。
Theycould，therefore，makeobservationsinfourdifferentdirections；thefirmamentbythesideandmostdirectwindows，theearthorthemoonbytheupperandunderopeningsintheprojectile。
Barbicaneandhistwocompanionsimmediatelyrushedtotheuncoveredwindow。Butitwaslitbynorayoflight。
Profounddarknesssurroundedthem，which，however，didnotpreventthepresidentfromexclaiming:
\"No，myfriends，wehavenotfallenbackupontheearth；no，norarewesubmergedintheGulfofMexico。Yes！wearemountingintospace。Seethosestarsshininginthenight，andthatimpenetrabledarknessheapedupbetweentheearthandus！\"
\"Hurrah！hurrah！\"exclaimedMichelArdanandNichollinonevoice。
Indeed，thisthickdarknessprovedthattheprojectilehadlefttheearth，forthesoil，brilliantlylitbythemoon-beamswouldhavebeenvisibletothetravelers，iftheyhadbeenlyingonitssurface。Thisdarknessalsoshowedthattheprojectilehadpassedtheatmosphericstrata，forthediffusedlightspreadintheairwouldhavebeenreflectedonthemetalwalls，whichreflectionwaswanting。Thislightwouldhavelitthewindow，andthewindowwasdark。Doubtwasnolongerpossible；thetravelershadlefttheearth。
\"Ihavelost，\"saidNicholl。
\"Icongratulateyou，\"repliedArdan。
\"Herearetheninethousanddollars，\"saidthecaptain，drawingarollofpaperdollarsfromhispocket。
\"Willyouhaveareceiptforit？\"askedBarbicane，takingthesum。
\"Ifyoudonotmind，\"answeredNicholl；\"itismorebusiness-like。\"
Andcoollyandseriously，asifhehadbeenathisstrong-box，thepresidentdrewforthhisnotebook，toreoutablankleaf，wroteaproperreceiptinpencil，datedandsigneditwiththeusualflourish，[1]andgaveittothecaptain，whocarefullyplaceditinhispocketbook。MichelArdan，takingoffhishat，bowedtohistwocompanionswithoutspeaking。Somuchformalityundersuchcircumstanceslefthimspeechless。Hehadneverbeforeseenanythingso\"American。\"
[1]ThisisapurelyFrenchhabit。
Thisaffairsettled，BarbicaneandNichollhadreturnedtothewindow，andwerewatchingtheconstellations。Thestarslookedlikebrightpointsontheblacksky。Butfromthatsidetheycouldnotseetheorbofnight，which，travelingfromeasttowest，wouldrisebydegreestowardthezenith。ItsabsencedrewthefollowingremarkfromArdan:
\"Andthemoon；willsheperchancefailatourrendezvous？\"
\"Donotalarmyourself，\"saidBarbicane；\"ourfutureglobeisatitspost，butwecannotseeherfromthisside；letusopentheother。\"
\"AsBarbicanewasaboutleavingthewindowtoopentheoppositescuttle，hisattentionwasattractedbytheapproachofabrilliantobject。Itwasanenormousdisc，whosecolossaldimensioncouldnotbeestimated。Itsface，whichwasturnedtotheearth，wasverybright。Onemighthavethoughtitasmallmoonreflectingthelightofthelargeone。Sheadvancedwithgreatspeed，andseemedtodescribeanorbitroundtheearth，whichwouldintersectthepassageoftheprojectile。Thisbodyrevolveduponitsaxis，andexhibitedthephenomenaofallcelestialbodiesabandonedinspace。
\"Ah！\"exclaimedMichelArdan，\"Whatisthat？anotherprojectile？\"
Barbicanedidnotanswer。Theappearanceofthisenormousbodysurprisedandtroubledhim。Acollisionwaspossible，andmightbeattendedwithdeplorableresults；eithertheprojectilewoulddeviatefromitspath，orashock，breakingitsimpetus，mightprecipitateittoearth；or，lastly，itmightbeirresistiblydrawnawaybythepowerfulasteroid。Thepresidentcaughtataglancetheconsequencesofthesethreehypotheses，eitherofwhichwould，onewayortheother，bringtheirexperimenttoanunsuccessfulandfataltermination。Hiscompanionsstoodsilentlylookingintospace。Theobjectgrewrapidlyasitapproachedthem，andbyanopticalillusiontheprojectileseemedtobethrowingitselfbeforeit。
\"ByJove！\"exclaimedMichelArdan，\"weshallrunintooneanother！\"
Instinctivelythetravelersdrewback。Theirdreadwasgreat，butitdidnotlastmanyseconds。Theasteroidpassedseveralhundredyardsfromtheprojectileanddisappeared，notsomuchfromtherapidityofitscourse，asthatitsfacebeingoppositethemoon，itwassuddenlymergedintotheperfectdarknessofspace。
\"Ahappyjourneytoyou，\"exclaimedMichelArdan，withasighofrelief。\"Surelyinfinityofspaceislargeenoughforapoorlittleprojectiletowalkthroughwithoutfear。Now，whatisthisportentousglobewhichnearlystruckus？\"
\"Iknow，\"repliedBarbicane。
\"Oh，indeed！youknoweverything。\"
\"Itis，\"saidBarbicane，\"asimplemeteorite，butanenormousone，whichtheattractionoftheearthhasretainedasasatellite。\"
\"Isitpossible！\"exclaimedMichelArdan；\"theearththenhastwomoonslikeNeptune？\"
\"Yes，myfriends，twomoons，thoughitpassesgenerallyforhavingonlyone；butthissecondmoonissosmall，anditsspeedsogreat，thattheinhabitantsoftheearthcannotseeit。
ItwasbynoticingdisturbancesthataFrenchastronomer，M。Petit，wasabletodeterminetheexistenceofthissecondsatelliteandcalculateitselements。Accordingtohisobservations，thismeteoritewillaccomplishitsrevolutionaroundtheearthinthreehoursandtwentyminutes，whichimpliesawonderfulrateofspeed。\"
\"Doallastronomersadmittheexistenceofthissatellite？\"
askedNicholl。
\"No，\"repliedBarbicane；\"butif，likeus，theyhadmetit，theycouldnolongerdoubtit。Indeed，Ithinkthatthismeteorite，which，haditstrucktheprojectile，wouldhavemuchembarrassedus，willgiveusthemeansofdecidingwhatourpositioninspaceis。\"
\"How？\"saidArdan。
\"Becauseitsdistanceisknown，andwhenwemetit，wewereexactlyfourthousandsixhundredandfiftymilesfromthesurfaceoftheterrestrialglobe。\"
\"MorethantwothousandFrenchleagues，\"exclaimedMichelArdan。
\"Thatbeatstheexpresstrainsofthepitifulglobecalledtheearth。\"
\"Ishouldthinkso，\"repliedNicholl，consultinghischronometer；\"itiseleveno\'clock，anditisonlythirteenminutessincewelefttheAmericancontinent。\"
\"Onlythirteenminutes？\"saidBarbicane。
\"Yes，\"saidNicholl；\"andifourinitiatoryspeedoftwelvethousandyardshasbeenkeptup，weshallhavemadeabouttwentythousandmilesinthehour。\"
\"Thatisallverywell，myfriends，\"saidthepresident，\"buttheinsolublequestionstillremains。WhydidwenothearthedetonationoftheColumbiad？\"
Forwantofananswertheconversationdropped，andBarbicanebeganthoughtfullytoletdowntheshutterofthesecondside。
Hesucceeded；andthroughtheuncoveredglassthemoonfilledtheprojectilewithabrilliantlight。Nicholl，asaneconomicalman，putoutthegas，nowuseless，andwhosebrilliancypreventedanyobservationoftheinter-planetaryspace。
Thelunardiscshonewithwonderfulpurity。Herrays，nolongerfilteredthroughthevaporyatmosphereoftheterrestrialglobe，shonethroughtheglass，fillingtheairintheinterioroftheprojectilewithsilveryreflections。Theblackcurtainofthefirmamentinrealityheightenedthemoon\'sbrilliancy，whichinthisvoidofetherunfavorabletodiffusiondidnoteclipsetheneighboringstars。Theheavens，thusseen，presentedquiteanewaspect，andonewhichthehumaneyecouldneverdreamof。
Onemayconceivetheinterestwithwhichtheseboldmenwatchedtheorbofnight，thegreataimoftheirjourney。
Initsmotiontheearth\'ssatellitewasinsensiblynearingthezenith，themathematicalpointwhichitoughttoattainninety-sixhourslater。Hermountains，herplains，everyprojectionwasasclearlydiscernibletotheireyesasiftheywereobservingitfromsomespotupontheearth；butitslightwasdevelopedthroughspacewithwonderfulintensity。Thediscshonelikeaplatinummirror。Oftheearthflyingfromundertheirfeet，thetravelershadlostallrecollection。
ItwascaptainNichollwhofirstrecalledtheirattentiontothevanishingglobe。
\"Yes，\"saidMichelArdan，\"donotletusbeungratefultoit。
Sinceweareleavingourcountry，letourlastlooksbedirectedtoit。Iwishtoseetheearthoncemorebeforeitisquitehiddenfrommyeyes。\"
Tosatisfyhiscompanions，Barbicanebegantouncoverthewindowatthebottomoftheprojectile，whichwouldallowthemtoobservetheearthdirect。Thedisc，whichtheforceoftheprojectionhadbeatendowntothebase，wasremoved，notwithoutdifficulty。Itsfragments，placedcarefullyagainstawall，mightserveagainuponoccasion。Thenacirculargapappeared，nineteeninchesindiameter，hollowedoutofthelowerpartoftheprojectile。Aglasscover，sixinchesthickandstrengthenedwithupperfastenings，closedittightly。Beneathwasfixedanaluminumplate，heldinplacebybolts。Thescrewsbeingundone，andtheboltsletgo，theplatefelldown，andvisiblecommunicationwasestablishedbetweentheinteriorandtheexterior。
MichelArdankneltbytheglass。Itwascloudy，seeminglyopaque。
\"Well！\"heexclaimed，\"andtheearth？\"
\"Theearth？\"saidBarbicane。\"Thereitis。\"
\"What！thatlittlethread；thatsilvercrescent？\"
\"Doubtless，Michel。Infourdays，whenthemoonwillbefull，attheverytimeweshallreachit，theearthwillbenew，andwillonlyappeartousasaslendercrescentwhichwillsoondisappear，andforsomedayswillbeenvelopedinutterdarkness。\"
\"Thattheearth？\"repeatedMichelArdan，lookingwithallhiseyesatthethinslipofhisnativeplanet。
TheexplanationgivenbyPresidentBarbicanewascorrect。
Theearth，withrespecttotheprojectile，wasenteringitslastphase。Itwasinitsoctant，andshowedacrescentfinelytracedonthedarkbackgroundofthesky。Itslight，renderedbluishbythethickstrataoftheatmospherewaslessintensethanthatofthecrescentmoon，butitwasofconsiderabledimensions，andlookedlikeanenormousarchstretchedacrossthefirmament。Somepartsbrilliantlylighted，especiallyonitsconcavepart，showedthepresenceofhighmountains，oftendisappearingbehindthickspots，whichareneverseenonthelunardisc。Theywereringsofcloudsplacedconcentricallyroundtheterrestrialglobe。
Whilethetravelersweretryingtopiercetheprofounddarkness，abrilliantclusterofshootingstarsburstupontheireyes。
Hundredsofmeteorites，ignitedbythefrictionoftheatmosphere，irradiatedtheshadowoftheluminoustrain，andlinedthecloudypartsofthediscwiththeirfire。Atthisperiodtheearthwasinitsperihelion，andthemonthofDecemberissopropitioustotheseshootingstars，thatastronomershavecountedasmanyastwenty-fourthousandinanhour。ButMichelArdan，disdainingscientificreasonings，preferredthinkingthattheearthwasthussalutingthedepartureofherthreechildrenwithhermostbrilliantfireworks。
Indeedthiswasalltheysawoftheglobelostinthesolarworld，risingandsettingtothegreatplanetslikeasimplemorningoreveningstar！Thisglobe，wheretheyhadleftalltheiraffections，wasnothingmorethanafugitivecrescent！
Longdidthethreefriendslookwithoutspeaking，thoughunitedinheart，whiletheprojectilespedonwardwithanever-decreasingspeed。Thenanirresistibledrowsinesscreptovertheirbrain。Wasitwearinessofbodyandmind？Nodoubt；
foraftertheover-excitementofthoselasthourspasseduponearth，reactionwasinevitable。
\"Well，\"saidNicholl，\"sincewemustsleep，letussleep。\"
Andstretchingthemselvesontheircouches，theywereallthreesooninaprofoundslumber。
Buttheyhadnotforgottenthemselvesmorethanaquarterofanhour，whenBarbicanesatupsuddenly，androusinghiscompanionswithaloudvoice，exclaimed——
\"Ihavefoundit！\"
\"Whathaveyoufound？\"askedMichelArdan，jumpingfromhisbed。
\"ThereasonwhywedidnothearthedetonationoftheColumbiad。\"
\"Anditis——？\"saidNicholl。
\"Becauseourprojectiletraveledfasterthanthesound！\"
CHAPTERIII
THEIRPLACEOFSHELTER
Thiscuriousbutcertainlycorrectexplanationoncegiven，thethreefriendsreturnedtotheirslumbers。Couldtheyhavefoundacalmerormorepeacefulspottosleepin？Ontheearth，houses，towns，cottages，andcountryfeeleveryshockgiventotheexterioroftheglobe。Onsea，thevesselsrockedbythewavesarestillinmotion；intheair，theballoonoscillatesincessantlyonthefluidstrataofdiversdensities。
Thisprojectilealone，floatinginperfectspace，inthemidstofperfectsilence，offeredperfectrepose。
Thusthesleepofouradventuroustravelersmighthavebeenindefinitelyprolonged，ifanunexpectednoisehadnotawakenedthemataboutseveno\'clockinthemorningofthe2ndofDecember，eighthoursaftertheirdeparture。
Thisnoisewasaverynaturalbarking。
\"Thedogs！itisthedogs！\"exclaimedMichelArdan，risingatonce。
\"Theyarehungry，\"saidNicholl。
\"ByJove！\"repliedMichel，\"wehaveforgottenthem。\"
\"Wherearethey？\"askedBarbicane。
Theylookedandfoundoneoftheanimalscrouchedunderthedivan。
Terrifiedandshakenbytheinitiatoryshock，ithadremainedinthecornertillitsvoicereturnedwiththepangsofhunger。
ItwastheamiableDiana，stillveryconfused，whocreptoutofherretreat，thoughnotwithoutmuchpersuasion，MichelArdanencouragingherwithmostgraciouswords。
\"Come，Diana，\"saidhe:\"come，mygirl！thouwhosedestinywillbemarkedinthecynegeticannals；thouwhomthepaganswouldhavegivenascompaniontothegodAnubis，andChristiansasfriendtoSt。Roch；thouwhoartrushingintointerplanetaryspace，andwiltperhapsbetheEveofallSelenitedogs！come，Diana，comehere。\"
Diana，flatteredornot，advancedbydegrees，utteringplaintivecries。
\"Good，\"saidBarbicane:\"IseeEve，butwhereisAdam？\"
\"Adam？\"repliedMichel；\"Adamcannotbefaroff；heistheresomewhere；wemustcallhim。Satellite！here，Satellite！\"
ButSatellitedidnotappear。Dianawouldnotleaveoffhowling。
Theyfound，however，thatshewasnotbruised，andtheygaveherapie，whichsilencedhercomplaints。AstoSatellite，heseemedquitelost。Theyhadtohuntalongtimebeforefindinghiminoneoftheuppercompartmentsoftheprojectile，whithersomeunaccountableshockmusthaveviolentlyhurledhim。Thepoorbeast，muchhurt，wasinapiteousstate。
\"Thedevil！\"saidMichel。
Theybroughttheunfortunatedogdownwithgreatcare。Itsskullhadbeenbrokenagainsttheroof，anditseemedunlikelythathecouldrecoverfromsuchashock。Meanwhile，hewasstretchedcomfortablyonacushion。Oncethere，heheavedasigh。
\"Wewilltakecareofyou，\"saidMichel；\"weareresponsibleforyourexistence。IwouldratherloseanarmthanapawofmypoorSatellite。\"
Sayingwhich，heofferedsomewatertothewoundeddog，whoswalloweditwithavidity。
Thisattentionpaid，thetravelerswatchedtheearthandthemoonattentively。Theearthwasnowonlydiscerniblebyacloudydiscendinginacrescent，rathermorecontractedthanthatofthepreviousevening；butitsexpansewasstillenormous，comparedwiththatofthemoon，whichwasapproachingnearerandnearertoaperfectcircle。
\"ByJove！\"saidMichelArdan，\"Iamreallysorrythatwedidnotstartwhentheearthwasfull，thatistosay，whenourglobewasinoppositiontothesun。\"
\"Why？\"saidNicholl。
\"Becauseweshouldhaveseenourcontinentsandseasinanewlight——thefirstresplendentunderthesolarrays，thelattercloudyasrepresentedonsomemapsoftheworld。Ishouldliketohaveseenthosepolesoftheearthonwhichtheeyeofmanhasneveryetrested。
\"Idaresay，\"repliedBarbicane；\"butiftheearthhadbeen_full_，themoonwouldhavebeen_new_；thatistosay，invisible，becauseoftheraysofthesun。Itisbetterforustoseethedestinationwewishtoreach，thanthepointofdeparture。\"
\"Youareright，Barbicane，\"repliedCaptainNicholl；\"and，besides，whenwehavereachedthemoon，weshallhavetimeduringthelonglunarnightstoconsideratourleisuretheglobeonwhichourlikenessesswarm。\"
\"Ourlikenesses！\"exclaimedMichelArdan；\"TheyarenomoreourlikenessesthantheSelenitesare！Weinhabitanewworld，peopledbyourselves——theprojectile！IamBarbicane\'slikeness，andBarbicaneisNicholl\'s。Beyondus，aroundus，humannatureisatanend，andwearetheonlypopulationofthismicrocosmuntilwebecomepureSelenites。\"
\"Inabouteighty-eighthours，\"repliedthecaptain。
\"Whichmeanstosay？\"askedMichelArdan。
\"Thatitishalf-pasteight，\"repliedNicholl。
\"Verywell，\"retortedMichel；\"thenitisimpossibleformetofindeventheshadowofareasonwhyweshouldnotgotobreakfast。\"
Indeedtheinhabitantsofthenewstarcouldnotlivewithouteating，andtheirstomachsweresufferingfromtheimperiouslawsofhunger。MichelArdan，asaFrenchman，wasdeclaredchiefcook，animportantfunction，whichraisednorival。
Thegasgavesufficientheatfortheculinaryapparatus，andtheprovisionboxfurnishedtheelementsofthisfirstfeast。
Thebreakfastbeganwiththreebowlsofexcellentsoup，thankstotheliquefactioninhotwaterofthosepreciouscakesofLiebig，preparedfromthebestpartsoftheruminantsofthePampas。
Tothesoupsucceededsomebeefsteaks，compressedbyanhydraulicpress，astenderandsucculentasifbroughtstraightfromthekitchenofanEnglisheating-house。Michel，whowasimaginative，maintainedthattheywereeven\"red。\"
Preservedvegetables\"fresherthannature，\"saidtheamiableMichelsucceededthedishofmeat；andwasfollowedbysomecupsofteawithbreadandbutter，aftertheAmericanfashion。
Thebeveragewasdeclaredexquisite，andwasduetotheinfusionofthechoicestleaves，ofwhichtheemperorofRussiahadgivensomechestsforthebenefitofthetravelers。
Andlastly，tocrowntherepast，ArdanhadbroughtoutafinebottleofNuits，whichwasfound\"bychance\"intheprovision-box。Thethreefriendsdranktotheunionoftheearthandhersatellite。
And，asifhehadnotalreadydoneenoughforthegenerouswinewhichhehaddistilledontheslopesofBurgundy，thesunchosetobepartoftheparty。Atthismomenttheprojectileemergedfromtheconicalshadowcastbytheterrestrialglobe，andtheraysoftheradiantorbstruckthelowerdiscoftheprojectiledirectoccasionedbytheanglewhichthemoon\'sorbitmakeswiththatoftheearth。
\"Thesun！\"exclaimedMichelArdan。
\"Nodoubt，\"repliedBarbicane；\"Iexpectedit。\"
\"But，\"saidMichel，\"theconicalshadowwhichtheearthleavesinspaceextendsbeyondthemoon？\"
\"Farbeyondit，iftheatmosphericrefractionisnottakenintoconsideration，\"saidBarbicane。\"Butwhenthemoonisenvelopedinthisshadow，itisbecausethecentersofthethreestars，thesun，theearth，andthemoon，areallinoneandthesamestraightline。Thenthe_nodes_coincidewiththe_phases_ofthemoon，andthereisaneclipse。Ifwehadstartedwhentherewasaneclipseofthemoon，allourpassagewouldhavebeenintheshadow，whichwouldhavebeenapity。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Because，thoughwearefloatinginspace，ourprojectile，bathedinthesolarrays，willreceivelightandheat。
Iteconomizesthegas，whichisineveryrespectagoodeconomy。\"
Indeed，undertheserayswhichnoatmospherecantemper，eitherintemperatureorbrilliancy，theprojectilegrewwarmandbright，asifithadpassedsuddenlyfromwintertosummer。
Themoonabove，thesunbeneath，wereinundatingitwiththeirfire。
\"Itispleasanthere，\"saidNicholl。
\"Ishouldthinkso，\"saidMichelArdan。\"Withalittleearthspreadonouraluminumplanetweshouldhavegreenpeasintwenty-fourhours。Ihavebutonefear，whichisthatthewallsoftheprojectilemightmelt。\"
\"Calmyourself，myworthyfriend，\"repliedBarbicane；\"theprojectilewithstoodaverymuchhighertemperaturethanthisasitslidthroughthestrataoftheatmosphere。IshouldnotbesurprisedifitdidnotlooklikeameteoronfiretotheeyesofthespectatorsinFlorida。\"
\"ButthenJ。T。Mastonwillthinkweareroasted！\"
\"Whatastonishesme，\"saidBarbicane，\"isthatwehavenotbeen。
Thatwasadangerwehadnotprovidedfor。\"
\"Ifearedit，\"saidNichollsimply。
\"Andyounevermentionedit，mysublimecaptain，\"exclaimedMichelArdan，claspinghisfriend\'shand。
Barbicanenowbegantosettlehimselfintheprojectileasifhewasnevertoleaveit。Onemustrememberthatthisaerialcarhadabasewitha_superficies_offifty-foursquarefeet。