Itsheighttotheroofwastwelvefeet。Carefullylaidoutintheinside，andlittleencumberedbyinstrumentsandtravelingutensils，whicheachhadtheirparticularplace，itleftthethreetravelersacertainfreedomofmovement。Thethickwindowinsertedinthebottomcouldbearanyamountofweight，andBarbicaneandhiscompanionswalkeduponitasifitweresolidplank；butthesunstrikingitdirectlywithitsrayslittheinterioroftheprojectilefrombeneath，thusproducingsingulareffectsoflight。
Theybeganbyinvestigatingthestateoftheirstoreofwaterandprovisions，neitherofwhichhadsuffered，thankstothecaretakentodeadentheshock。Theirprovisionswereabundant，andplentifulenoughtolastthethreetravelersformorethanayear。Barbicanewishedtobecautious，incasetheprojectileshouldlandonapartofthemoonwhichwasutterlybarren。
Astowaterandthereserveofbrandy，whichconsistedoffiftygallons，therewasonlyenoughfortwomonths；butaccordingtothelastobservationsofastronomers，themoonhadalow，dense，andthickatmosphere，atleastinthedeepvalleys，andtherespringsandstreamscouldnotfail。Thus，duringtheirpassage，andforthefirstyearoftheirsettlementonthelunarcontinent，theseadventurousexplorerswouldsufferneitherhungernorthirst。
Nowabouttheairintheprojectile。There，too，theyweresecure。
ReisetandRegnaut\'sapparatus，intendedfortheproductionofoxygen，wassuppliedwithchlorateofpotassiumfortwomonths。
Theynecessarilyconsumedacertainquantityofgas，fortheywereobligedtokeeptheproducingsubstanceatatemperatureofabove400@。Butthereagaintheywereallsafe。Theapparatusonlywantedalittlecare。Butitwasnotenoughtorenewtheoxygen；theymustabsorbthecarbonicacidproducedbyexpiration。
Duringthelasttwelvehourstheatmosphereoftheprojectilehadbecomechargedwiththisdeleteriousgas。NicholldiscoveredthestateoftheairbyobservingDianapantingpainfully。
Thecarbonicacid，byaphenomenonsimilartothatproducedinthefamousGrottodelCane，hadcollectedatthebottomoftheprojectileowingtoitsweight。PoorDiana，withherheadlow，wouldsufferbeforehermastersfromthepresenceofthisgas。
ButCaptainNichollhastenedtoremedythisstateofthings，byplacingonthefloorseveralreceiverscontainingcausticpotash，whichheshookaboutforatime，andthissubstance，greedyofcarbonicacid，sooncompletelyabsorbedit，thuspurifyingtheair。
Aninventoryofinstrumentswasthenbegun。Thethermometersandbarometershadresisted，allbutoneminimumthermometer，theglassofwhichwasbroken。Anexcellentaneroidwasdrawnfromthewaddedboxwhichcontaineditandhungonthewall。
Ofcourseitwasonlyaffectedbyandmarkedthepressureoftheairinsidetheprojectile，butitalsoshowedthequantityofmoisturewhichitcontained。Atthatmomentitsneedleoscillatedbetween25。24and25。08。
Itwasfineweather。
Barbicanehadalsobroughtseveralcompasses，whichhefoundintact。
Onemustunderstandthatunderpresentconditionstheirneedleswereacting_wildly_，thatiswithoutany_constant_direction。
Indeed，atthedistancetheywerefromtheearth，themagneticpolecouldhavenoperceptibleactionupontheapparatus；buttheboxplacedonthelunardiscmightperhapsexhibitsomestrangephenomena。Inanycaseitwouldbeinterestingtoseewhethertheearth\'ssatellitesubmittedlikeherselftoitsmagneticinfluence。
Ahypsometertomeasuretheheightofthelunarmountains，asextanttotaketheheightofthesun，glasseswhichwouldbeusefulastheynearedthemoon，alltheseinstrumentswerecarefullylookedover，andpronouncedgoodinspiteoftheviolentshock。
AstothepickaxesanddifferenttoolswhichwereNicholl\'sespecialchoice；astothesacksofdifferentkindsofgrainandshrubswhichMichelArdanhopedtotransplantintoSeleniteground，theywerestowedawayintheupperpartoftheprojectile。
Therewasasortofgranarythere，loadedwiththingswhichtheextravagantFrenchmanhadheapedup。Whattheywerenooneknew，andthegood-temperedfellowdidnotexplain。Nowandthenheclimbedupbycramp-ironsrivetedtothewalls，butkepttheinspectiontohimself。Hearrangedandrearranged，heplungedhishandrapidlyintocertainmysteriousboxes，singinginoneofthefalsestofvoicesanoldFrenchrefraintoenliventhesituation。
Barbicaneobservedwithsomeinterestthathisgunsandotherarmshadnotbeendamaged。Thesewereimportant，because，heavilyloaded，theyweretohelplessenthefalloftheprojectile，whendrawnbythelunarattractionafterhavingpassedthepointofneutralattractionontothemoon\'ssurface；afallwhichoughttobesixtimeslessrapidthanitwouldhavebeenontheearth\'ssurface，thankstothedifferenceofbulk。Theinspectionendedwithgeneralsatisfaction，wheneachreturnedtowatchspacethroughthesidewindowsandthelowerglasscoverlid。
Therewasthesameview。Thewholeextentofthecelestialsphereswarmedwithstarsandconstellationsofwonderfulpurity，enoughtodriveanastronomeroutofhismind！Ononesidethesun，likethemouthofalightedoven，adazzlingdiscwithoutahalo，standingoutonthedarkbackgroundofthesky！
Ontheother，themoonreturningitsfirebyreflection，andapparentlymotionlessinthemidstofthestarryworld。Then，alargespotseeminglynailedtothefirmament，borderedbyasilverycord；itwastheearth！Hereandtherenebulousmasseslikelargeflakesofstarrysnow；andfromthezenithtothenadir，animmenseringformedbyanimpalpabledustofstars，the\"MilkyWay，\"inthemidstofwhichthesunranksonlyasastarofthefourthmagnitude。Theobserverscouldnottaketheireyesfromthisnovelspectacle，ofwhichnodescriptioncouldgiveanadequateidea。Whatreflectionsitsuggested！Whatemotionshithertounknownawokeintheirsouls！Barbicanewishedtobegintherelationofhisjourneywhileunderitsfirstimpressions，andhourafterhourtooknotesofallfactshappeninginthebeginningoftheenterprise。Hewrotequietly，withhislargesquarewriting，inabusiness-likestyle。
DuringthistimeNicholl，thecalculator，lookedovertheminutesoftheirpassage，andworkedoutfigureswithunparalleleddexterity。MichelArdanchattedfirstwithBarbicane，whodidnotanswerhim，andthenwithNicholl，whodidnothearhim，withDiana，whounderstoodnoneofhistheories，andlastlywithhimself，questioningandanswering，goingandcoming，busywithathousanddetails；atonetimebentoverthelowerglass，atanotherroostingintheheightsoftheprojectile，andalwayssinging。InthismicrocosmherepresentedFrenchloquacityandexcitability，andwebegyoutobelievethattheywerewellrepresented。Theday，orratherfortheexpressionisnotcorrectthelapseoftwelvehours，whichformsadayupontheearth，closedwithaplentifulsuppercarefullyprepared。Noaccidentofanynaturehadyethappenedtoshakethetravelers\'confidence；so，fullofhope，alreadysureofsuccess，theysleptpeacefully，whiletheprojectileunderanuniformlydecreasingspeedwascrossingthesky。
CHAPTERIV
ALITTLEALGEBRA
Thenightpassedwithoutincident。Theword\"night，\"however，isscarcelyapplicable。
Thepositionoftheprojectilewithregardtothesundidnotchange。Astronomically，itwasdaylightonthelowerpart，andnightontheupper；sowhenduringthisnarrativethesewordsareused，theyrepresentthelapseoftimebetweenrisingandsettingofthesunupontheearth。
Thetravelers\'sleepwasrenderedmorepeacefulbytheprojectile\'sexcessivespeed，foritseemedabsolutelymotionless。
Notamotionbetrayeditsonwardcoursethroughspace。Therateofprogress，howeverrapiditmightbe，cannotproduceanysensibleeffectonthehumanframewhenittakesplaceinavacuum，orwhenthemassofaircirculateswiththebodywhichiscarriedwithit。Whatinhabitantoftheearthperceivesitsspeed，which，however，isattherateof68，000milesperhour？
Motionundersuchconditionsis\"felt\"nomorethanrepose；andwhenabodyisinreposeitwillremainsoaslongasnostrangeforcedisplacesit；ifmoving，itwillnotstopunlessanobstaclecomesinitsway。Thisindifferencetomotionorreposeiscalledinertia。
Barbicaneandhiscompanionsmighthavebelievedthemselvesperfectlystationary，beingshutupintheprojectile；indeed，theeffectwouldhavebeenthesameiftheyhadbeenontheoutsideofit。Haditnotbeenforthemoon，whichwasincreasingabovethem，theymighthaveswornthattheywerefloatingincompletestagnation。
Thatmorning，the3rdofDecember，thetravelerswereawakenedbyajoyousbutunexpectednoise；itwasthecrowingofacockwhichsoundedthroughthecar。MichelArdan，whowasthefirstonhisfeet，climbedtothetopoftheprojectile，andshuttingabox，thelidofwhichwaspartlyopen，saidinalowvoice，\"Willyouholdyourtongue？Thatcreaturewillspoilmydesign！\"
ButNichollandBarbicanewereawake。
\"Acock！\"saidNicholl。
\"Whyno，myfriends，\"Michelansweredquickly；\"itwasIwhowishedtoawakeyoubythisruralsound。\"Sosaying，hegaveventtoasplendidcock-a-doodledoo，whichwouldhavedonehonortotheproudestofpoultry-yards。
ThetwoAmericanscouldnothelplaughing。
\"Finetalentthat，\"saidNicholl，lookingsuspiciouslyathiscompanion。
\"Yes，\"saidMichel；\"ajokeinmycountry。ItisveryGallic；
theyplaythecocksointhebestsociety。\"
Thenturningtheconversation:
\"Barbicane，doyouknowwhatIhavebeenthinkingofallnight？\"
\"No，\"answeredthepresident。
\"OfourCambridgefriends。YouhavealreadyremarkedthatIamanignoramusinmathematicalsubjects；anditisimpossibleformetofindouthowthesavantsoftheobservatorywereabletocalculatewhatinitiatoryspeedtheprojectileoughttohaveonleavingtheColumbiadinordertoattainthemoon。\"
\"Youmeantosay，\"repliedBarbicane，\"toattainthatneutralpointwheretheterrestrialandlunarattractionsareequal；
for，startingfromthatpoint，situatedaboutnine-tenthsofthedistancetraveledover，theprojectilewouldsimplyfalluponthemoon，onaccountofitsweight。\"
\"Sobeit，\"saidMichel；\"but，oncemore；howcouldtheycalculatetheinitiatoryspeed？\"
\"Nothingcanbeeasier，\"repliedBarbicane。
\"Andyouknewhowtomakethatcalculation？\"askedMichelArdan。
\"Perfectly。NichollandIwouldhavemadeit，iftheobservatoryhadnotsavedusthetrouble。\"
\"Verywell，oldBarbicane，\"repliedMichel；\"theymighthavecutoffmyhead，beginningatmyfeet，beforetheycouldhavemademesolvethatproblem。\"
\"Becauseyoudonotknowalgebra，\"answeredBarbicanequietly。
\"Ah，thereyouare，youeatersof_x_^1；youthinkyouhavesaidallwhenyouhavesaid`Algebra。\'\"
\"Michel，\"saidBarbicane，\"canyouuseaforgewithoutahammer，oraplowwithoutaplowshare？\"
\"Hardly。\"
\"Well，algebraisatool，liketheploworthehammer，andagoodtooltothosewhoknowhowtouseit。\"
\"Seriously？\"
\"Quiteseriously。\"
\"Andcanyouusethattoolinmypresence？\"
\"Ifitwillinterestyou。\"
\"Andshowmehowtheycalculatedtheinitiatoryspeedofourcar？\"
\"Yes，myworthyfriend；takingintoconsiderationalltheelementsoftheproblem，thedistancefromthecenteroftheearthtothecenterofthemoon，oftheradiusoftheearth，ofitsbulk，andofthebulkofthemoon，Icantellexactlywhatoughttobetheinitiatoryspeedoftheprojectile，andthatbyasimpleformula。\"
\"Letussee。\"
\"Youshallseeit；onlyIshallnotgiveyoutherealcoursedrawnbytheprojectilebetweenthemoonandtheearthinconsideringtheirmotionroundthesun。No，Ishallconsiderthesetwoorbsasperfectlymotionless，whichwillanswerallourpurpose。\"
\"Andwhy？\"
\"Becauseitwillbetryingtosolvetheproblemcalled`theproblemofthethreebodies，\'forwhichtheintegralcalculusisnotyetfarenoughadvanced。\"
\"Then，\"saidMichelArdan，inhisslytone，\"mathematicshavenotsaidtheirlastword？\"
\"Certainlynot，\"repliedBarbicane。
\"Well，perhapstheSeleniteshavecarriedtheintegralcalculusfartherthanyouhave；and，bythebye，whatisthis`integralcalculus？\'\"
\"Itisacalculationtheconverseofthedifferential，\"repliedBarbicaneseriously。
\"Muchobliged；itisallveryclear，nodoubt。\"
\"Andnow，\"continuedBarbicane，\"aslipofpaperandabitofpencil，andbeforeahalf-hourisoverIwillhavefoundtherequiredformula。\"
HalfanhourhadnotelapsedbeforeBarbicane，raisinghishead，showedMichelArdanapagecoveredwithalgebraicalsigns，inwhichthegeneralformulaforthesolutionwascontained。
\"Well，anddoesNichollunderstandwhatthatmeans？\"
\"Ofcourse，Michel，\"repliedthecaptain。\"Allthesesigns，whichseemcabalistictoyou，formtheplainest，theclearest，andthemostlogicallanguagetothosewhoknowhowtoreadit。\"
\"Andyoupretend，Nicholl，\"askedMichel，\"thatbymeansofthesehieroglyphics，moreincomprehensiblethantheEgyptianIbis，youcanfindwhatinitiatoryspeeditwasnecessarytogivetheprojectile？\"
\"Incontestably，\"repliedNicholl；\"andevenbythissameformulaIcanalwaystellyouitsspeedatanypointofitstransit。\"
\"Onyourword？\"
\"Onmyword。\"
\"Thenyouareascunningasourpresident。\"
\"No，Michel；thedifficultpartiswhatBarbicanehasdone；thatis，togetanequationwhichshallsatisfyalltheconditionsoftheproblem。Theremainderisonlyaquestionofarithmetic，requiringmerelytheknowledgeofthefourrules。\"
\"Thatissomething！\"repliedMichelArdan，whoforhislifecouldnotdoadditionright，andwhodefinedtheruleasaChinesepuzzle，whichallowedonetoobtainallsortsoftotals。
\"Theexpression_v_zero，whichyouseeinthatequation，isthespeedwhichtheprojectilewillhaveonleavingtheatmosphere。\"
\"Justso，\"saidNicholl；\"itisfromthatpointthatwemustcalculatethevelocity，sinceweknowalreadythatthevelocityatdeparturewasexactlyoneandahalftimesmorethanonleavingtheatmosphere。\"
\"Iunderstandnomore，\"saidMichel。
\"Itisaverysimplecalculation，\"saidBarbicane。
\"NotassimpleasIam，\"retortedMichel。
\"Thatmeans，thatwhenourprojectilereachedthelimitsoftheterrestrialatmosphereithadalreadylostone-thirdofitsinitiatoryspeed。\"
\"Asmuchasthat？\"
\"Yes，myfriend；merelybyfrictionagainsttheatmosphericstrata。
Youunderstandthatthefasteritgoesthemoreresistanceitmeetswithfromtheair。\"
\"ThatIadmit，\"answeredMichel；\"andIunderstandit，althoughyourx\'sandzero\'s，andalgebraicformula，arerattlinginmyheadlikenailsinabag。\"
\"Firsteffectsofalgebra，\"repliedBarbicane；\"andnow，tofinish，wearegoingtoprovethegivennumberofthesedifferentexpressions，thatis，workouttheirvalue。\"
\"Finishme！\"repliedMichel。
Barbicanetookthepaper，andbegantomakehiscalculationswithgreatrapidity。Nicholllookedoverandgreedilyreadtheworkasitproceeded。
\"That\'sit！that\'sit！\"atlasthecried。
\"Isitclear？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Itiswritteninlettersoffire，\"saidNicholl。
\"Wonderfulfellows！\"mutteredArdan。
\"Doyouunderstanditatlast？\"askedBarbicane。
\"DoIunderstandit？\"criedArdan；\"myheadissplittingwithit。\"
\"Andnow，\"saidNicholl，\"tofindoutthespeedoftheprojectilewhenitleavestheatmosphere，wehaveonlytocalculatethat。\"
Thecaptain，asapracticalmanequaltoalldifficulties，begantowritewithfrightfulrapidity。Divisionsandmultiplicationsgrewunderhisfingers；thefigureswerelikehailonthewhitepage。
Barbicanewatchedhim，whileMichelArdannursedagrowingheadachewithbothhands。
\"Verywell？\"askedBarbicane，aftersomeminutes\'silence。
\"Well！\"repliedNicholl；everycalculationmade，_v_zero，thatistosay，thespeednecessaryfortheprojectileonleavingtheatmosphere，toenableittoreachtheequalpointofattraction，oughttobe——\"
\"Yes？\"saidBarbicane。
\"Twelvethousandyards。\"
\"What！\"exclaimedBarbicane，starting；\"yousay——\"
\"Twelvethousandyards。\"
\"Thedevil！\"criedthepresident，makingagestureofdespair。
\"Whatisthematter？\"askedMichelArdan，muchsurprised。
\"Whatisthematter！why，ifatthismomentourspeedhadalreadydiminishedone-thirdbyfriction，theinitiatoryspeedoughttohavebeen——\"
\"Seventeenthousandyards。\"
\"AndtheCambridgeObservatorydeclaredthattwelvethousandyardswasenoughatstarting；andourprojectile，whichonlystartedwiththatspeed——\"
\"Well？\"askedNicholl。
\"Well，itwillnotbeenough。\"
\"Good。\"
\"Weshallnotbeabletoreachtheneutralpoint。\"
\"Thedeuce！\"
\"Weshallnotevengethalfway。\"
\"Inthenameoftheprojectile！\"exclaimedMichelArdan，jumpingasifitwasalreadyonthepointofstrikingtheterrestrialglobe。
\"Andweshallfallbackupontheearth！\"
CHAPTERV
THECOLDOFSPACE
Thisrevelationcamelikeathunderbolt。Whocouldhaveexpectedsuchanerrorincalculation？Barbicanewouldnotbelieveit。Nichollrevisedhisfigures:theywereexact。
Astotheformulawhichhaddeterminedthem，theycouldnotsuspectitstruth；itwasevidentthataninitiatoryvelocityofseventeenthousandyardsinthefirstsecondwasnecessarytoenablethemtoreachtheneutralpoint。
Thethreefriendslookedateachothersilently。Therewasnothoughtofbreakfast。Barbicane，withclenchedteeth，knittedbrows，andhandsclaspedconvulsively，waswatchingthroughthewindow。Nichollhadcrossedhisarms，andwasexamininghiscalculations。MichelArdanwasmuttering:
\"Thatisjustlikethesescientificmen:theyneverdoanythingelse。
IwouldgivetwentypistolesifwecouldfallupontheCambridgeObservatoryandcrushit，togetherwiththewholelotofdabblersinfigureswhichitcontains。\"
Suddenlyathoughtstruckthecaptain，whichheatoncecommunicatedtoBarbicane。
\"Ah！\"saidhe；\"itisseveno\'clockinthemorning；wehavealreadybeengonethirty-twohours；morethanhalfourpassageisover，andwearenotfallingthatIamawareof。\"
Barbicanedidnotanswer，butafterarapidglanceatthecaptain，tookapairofcompasseswherewithtomeasuretheangulardistanceoftheterrestrialglobe；thenfromthelowerwindowhetookanexactobservation，andnoticedthattheprojectilewasapparentlystationary。Thenrisingandwipinghisforehead，onwhichlargedropsofperspirationwerestanding，heputsomefiguresonpaper。Nichollunderstoodthatthepresidentwasdeductingfromtheterrestrialdiametertheprojectile\'sdistancefromtheearth。Hewatchedhimanxiously。
\"No，\"exclaimedBarbicane，aftersomemoments，\"no，wearenotfalling！no，wearealreadymorethan50，000leaguesfromtheearth。
Wehavepassedthepointatwhichtheprojectilewouldhavestoppedifitsspeedhadonlybeen12，000yardsatstarting。Wearestillgoingup。\"
\"Thatisevident，\"repliedNicholl；\"andwemustconcludethatourinitialspeed，underthepowerofthe400，000poundsofgun-cotton，musthaveexceededtherequired12，000yards。
NowIcanunderstandhow，afterthirteenminutesonly，wemetthesecondsatellite，whichgravitatesroundtheearthatmorethan2，000leagues\'distance。\"
\"Andthisexplanationisthemoreprobable，\"addedBarbicane，\"Because，inthrowingoffthewaterenclosedbetweenitspartition-breaks，theprojectilefounditselflightenedofaconsiderableweight。\"
\"Justso，\"saidNicholl。
\"Ah，mybraveNicholl，wearesaved！\"
\"Verywellthen，\"saidMichelArdanquietly；\"aswearesafe，letushavebreakfast。\"
Nichollwasnotmistaken。Theinitialspeedhadbeen，veryfortunately，muchabovethatestimatedbytheCambridgeObservatory；buttheCambridgeObservatoryhadneverthelessmadeamistake。
Thetravelers，recoveredfromthisfalsealarm，breakfastedmerrily。
Iftheyateagooddeal，theytalkedmore。Theirconfidencewasgreaterafterthanbefore\"theincidentofthealgebra。\"
\"Whyshouldwenotsucceed？\"saidMichelArdan；\"whyshouldwenotarrivesafely？Wearelaunched；wehavenoobstaclebeforeus，nostonesintheway；theroadisopen，moresothanthatofashipbattlingwiththesea；moreopenthanthatofaballoonbattlingwiththewind；andifashipcanreachitsdestination，aballoongowhereitpleases，whycannotourprojectileattainitsendandaim？\"
\"It_will_attainit，\"saidBarbicane。
\"IfonlytodohonortotheAmericans，\"addedMichelArdan，\"theonlypeoplewhocouldbringsuchanenterprisetoahappytermination，andtheonlyonewhichcouldproduceaPresidentBarbicane。Ah，nowwearenolongeruneasy，Ibegintothink，Whatwillbecomeofus？
Weshallgetrightroyallyweary。\"
BarbicaneandNichollmadeagestureofdenial。
\"ButIhaveprovidedforthecontingency，myfriends，\"repliedMichel；\"youhaveonlytospeak，andIhavechess，draughts，cards，anddominoesatyourdisposal；nothingiswantingbutabilliard-table。\"
\"What！\"exclaimedBarbicane；\"youbroughtawaysuchtrifles？\"
\"Certainly，\"repliedMichel，\"andnotonlytodistractourselves，butalsowiththelaudableintentionofendowingtheSelenitesmokingdivanswiththem。\"
\"Myfriend，\"saidBarbicane，\"ifthemoonisinhabited，itsinhabitantsmusthaveappearedsomethousandsofyearsbeforethoseoftheearth，forwecannotdoubtthattheirstarismucholderthanours。IfthentheseSeleniteshaveexistedtheirhundredsofthousandsofyears，andiftheirbrainisofthesameorganizationofthehumanbrain，theyhavealreadyinventedallthatwehaveinvented，andevenwhatwemayinventinfutureages。
Theyhavenothingtolearnfrom_us_，andwehaveeverythingtolearnfrom_them_。\"
\"What！\"saidMichel；\"youbelievethattheyhaveartistslikePhidias，MichaelAngelo，orRaphael？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"PoetslikeHomer，Virgil，Milton，Lamartine，andHugo？\"
\"Iamsureofit。\"
\"PhilosopherslikePlato，Aristotle，Descartes，Kant？\"
\"Ihavenodoubtofit。\"
\"ScientificmenlikeArchimedes，Euclid，Pascal，Newton？\"
\"Icouldswearit。\"
\"ComicwriterslikeArnal，andphotographerslike——likeNadar？\"
\"Certain。\"
\"Then，friendBarbicane，iftheyareasstrongasweare，andevenstronger——theseSelenites——whyhavetheynottriedtocommunicatewiththeearth？whyhavetheynotlaunchedalunarprojectiletoourterrestrialregions？\"
\"Whotoldyouthattheyhaveneverdoneso？\"saidBarbicaneseriously。
\"Indeed，\"addedNicholl，\"itwouldbeeasierforthemthanforus，fortworeasons；first，becausetheattractiononthemoon\'ssurfaceissixtimeslessthanonthatoftheearth，whichwouldallowaprojectiletorisemoreeasily；secondly，becauseitwouldbeenoughtosendsuchaprojectileonlyat8，000leaguesinsteadof80，000，whichwouldrequiretheforceofprojectiontobetentimeslessstrong。\"
\"Then，\"continuedMichel，\"Irepeatit，whyhavetheynotdoneit？\"
\"AndIrepeat，\"saidBarbicane；\"whotoldyouthattheyhavenotdoneit？\"
\"When？\"
\"Thousandsofyearsbeforemanappearedonearth。\"
\"Andtheprojectile——whereistheprojectile？Idemandtoseetheprojectile。\"
\"Myfriend，\"repliedBarbicane，\"theseacoversfive-sixthsofourglobe。Fromthatwemaydrawfivegoodreasonsforsupposingthatthelunarprojectile，ifeverlaunched，isnowatthebottomoftheAtlanticorthePacific，unlessitspedintosomecrevasseatthatperiodwhenthecrustoftheearthwasnotyethardened。\"
\"OldBarbicane，\"saidMichel，\"youhaveananswerforeverything，andIbowbeforeyourwisdom。Butthereisonehypothesisthatwouldsuitmebetterthanalltheothers，whichis，theSelenites，beingolderthanwe，arewiser，andhavenotinventedgunpowder。\"
AtthismomentDianajoinedintheconversationbyasonorousbarking。
Shewasaskingforherbreakfast。
\"Ah！\"saidMichelArdan，\"inourdiscussionwehaveforgottenDianaandSatellite。\"
Immediatelyagood-sizedpiewasgiventothedog，whichdevouredithungrily。
\"Doyousee，Barbicane，\"saidMichel，\"weshouldhavemadeasecondNoah\'sarkofthisprojectile，andbornewithustothemoonacoupleofeverykindofdomesticanimal。\"
\"Idaresay；butroomwouldhavefailedus。\"
\"Oh！\"saidMichel，\"wemighthavesqueezedalittle。\"
\"Thefactis，\"repliedNicholl，\"thatcows，bulls，andhorses，andallruminants，wouldhavebeenveryusefulonthelunarcontinent，butunfortunatelythecarcouldneitherhavebeenmadeastablenorashed。\"
\"Well，wemighthaveatleastbroughtadonkey，onlyalittledonkey；thatcourageousbeastwhicholdSilenuslovedtomount。
Ilovethoseolddonkeys；theyaretheleastfavoredanimalsincreation；theyarenotonlybeatenwhilealive，butevenaftertheyaredead。\"
\"Howdoyoumakethatout？\"askedBarbicane。\"Why，\"saidMichel，\"theymaketheirskinsintodrums。\"
BarbicaneandNichollcouldnothelplaughingatthisridiculousremark。
Butacryfromtheirmerrycompanionstoppedthem。ThelatterwasleaningoverthespotwhereSatellitelay。Herose，saying:
\"MygoodSatelliteisnolongerill。\"
\"Ah！\"saidNicholl。
\"No，\"answeredMichel，\"heisdead！There，\"addedhe，inapiteoustone，\"thatisembarrassing。Imuchfear，mypoorDiana，thatyouwillleavenoprogenyinthelunarregions！\"
IndeedtheunfortunateSatellitehadnotsurviveditswound。
Itwasquitedead。MichelArdanlookedathisfriendswitharuefulcountenance。
\"Onequestionpresentsitself，\"saidBarbicane。\"Wecannotkeepthedeadbodyofthisdogwithusforthenextforty-eighthours。\"
\"No！certainlynot，\"repliedNicholl；\"butourscuttlesarefixedonhinges；theycanbeletdown。Wewillopenone，andthrowthebodyoutintospace。\"
Thepresidentthoughtforsomemoments，andthensaid:
\"Yes，wemustdoso，butatthesametimetakingverygreatprecautions。\"
\"Why？\"askedMichel。
\"Fortworeasonswhichyouwillunderstand，\"answeredBarbicane。
\"Thefirstrelatestotheairshutupintheprojectile，andofwhichwemustloseaslittleaspossible。\"
\"Butwemanufacturetheair？\"
\"Onlyinpart。Wemakeonlytheoxygen，myworthyMichel；andwithregardtothat，wemustwatchthattheapparatusdoesnotfurnishtheoxygenintoogreataquantity；foranexcesswouldbringusveryseriousphysiologicaltroubles。Butifwemaketheoxygen，wedonotmaketheazote，thatmediumwhichthelungsdonotabsorb，andwhichoughttoremainintact；andthatazotewillescaperapidlythroughtheopenscuttles。\"
\"Oh！thetimeforthrowingoutpoorSatellite？\"saidMichel。
\"Agreed；butwemustactquickly。\"
\"Andthesecondreason？\"askedMichel。
\"Thesecondreasonisthatwemustnotlettheoutercold，whichisexcessive，penetratetheprojectileorweshallbefrozentodeath。\"
\"Butthesun？\"
\"Thesunwarmsourprojectile，whichabsorbsitsrays；butitdoesnotwarmthevacuuminwhichwearefloatingatthismoment。
Wherethereisnoair，thereisnomoreheatthandiffusedlight；
andthesamewithdarkness；itiscoldwherethesun\'sraysdonotstrikedirect。Thistemperatureisonlythetemperatureproducedbytheradiationofthestars；thatistosay，whattheterrestrialglobewouldundergoifthesundisappearedoneday。\"
\"Whichisnottobefeared，\"repliedNicholl。
\"Whoknows？\"saidMichelArdan。\"But，inadmittingthatthesundoesnotgoout，mightitnothappenthattheearthmightmoveawayfromit？\"
\"There！\"saidBarbicane，\"thereisMichelwithhisideas。\"
\"And，\"continuedMichel，\"dowenotknowthatin1861theearthpassedthroughthetailofacomet？Orletussupposeacometwhosepowerofattractionisgreaterthanthatofthesun。
Theterrestrialorbitwillbendtowardthewanderingstar，andtheearth，becomingitssatellite，willbedrawnsuchadistancethattheraysofthesunwillhavenoactiononitssurface。\"
\"That_might_happen，indeed，\"repliedBarbicane，\"buttheconsequencesofsuchadisplacementneednotbesoformidableasyousuppose。\"
\"Andwhynot？\"
\"Becausetheheatandcoldwouldbeequalizedonourglobe。
Ithasbeencalculatedthat，hadourearthbeencarriedalonginitscoursebythecometof1861，atitsperihelion，thatis，itsnearestapproachtothesun，itwouldhaveundergoneaheat28，000timesgreaterthanthatofsummer。Butthisheat，whichissufficienttoevaporatethewaters，wouldhaveformedathickringofcloud，whichwouldhavemodifiedthatexcessivetemperature；hencethecompensationbetweenthecoldoftheaphelionandtheheatoftheperihelion。\"
\"Athowmanydegrees，\"askedNicholl，\"isthetemperatureoftheplanetaryspacesestimated？\"
\"Formerly，\"repliedBarbicane，\"itwasgreatlyexagerated；butnow，afterthecalculationsofFourier，oftheFrenchAcademyofScience，itisnotsupposedtoexceed60@Centigradebelowzero。\"
\"Pooh！\"saidMichel，\"that\'snothing！\"
\"Itisverymuch，\"repliedBarbicane；\"thetemperaturewhichwasobservedinthepolarregions，atMelvilleIslandandFortReliance，thatis76@Fahrenheitbelowzero。\"
\"IfImistakenot，\"saidNicholl，\"M。Pouillet，anothersavant，estimatesthetemperatureofspaceat250@Fahrenheitbelowzero。
Weshall，however，beabletoverifythesecalculationsforourselves。\"
\"Notatpresent；becausethesolarrays，beatingdirectlyuponourthermometer，wouldgive，onthecontrary，averyhightemperature。But，whenwearriveinthemoon，duringitsfifteendaysofnightateitherface，weshallhaveleisuretomaketheexperiment，foroursatelliteliesinavacuum。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbyavacuum？\"askedMichel。\"Isitperfectlysuch？\"
\"Itisabsolutelyvoidofair。\"
\"Andistheairreplacedbynothingwhatever？\"
\"Bytheetheronly，\"repliedBarbicane。
\"Andpraywhatistheether？\"
\"Theether，myfriend，isanagglomerationofimponderableatoms，which，relativelytotheirdimensions，areasfarremovedfromeachotherasthecelestialbodiesareinspace。Itistheseatomswhich，bytheirvibratorymotion，producebothlightandheatintheuniverse。\"
TheynowproceededtotheburialofSatellite。Theyhadmerelytodrophimintospace，inthesamewaythatsailorsdropabodyintothesea；but，asPresidentBarbicanesuggested，theymustactquickly，soastoloseaslittleaspossibleofthatairwhoseelasticitywouldrapidlyhavespreaditintospace。
Theboltsoftherightscuttle，theopeningofwhichmeasuredabouttwelveinchesacross，werecarefullydrawn，whileMichel，quitegrieved，preparedtolaunchhisdogintospace。Theglass，raisedbyapowerfullever，whichenabledittoovercomethepressureoftheinsideaironthewallsoftheprojectile，turnedrapidlyonitshinges，andSatellitewasthrownout。
Scarcelyaparticleofaircouldhaveescaped，andtheoperationwassosuccessfulthatlateronBarbicanedidnotfeartodisposeoftherubbishwhichencumberedthecar。
CHAPTERVI
QUESTIONANDANSWER
Onthe4thofDecember，whenthetravelersawokeafterfifty-fourhours\'journey，thechronometermarkedfiveo\'clockoftheterrestrialmorning。Intimeitwasjustoverfivehoursandfortyminutes，halfofthatassignedtotheirsojournintheprojectile；buttheyhadalreadyaccomplishednearlyseven-tenthsoftheway。Thispeculiaritywasduetotheirregularlydecreasingspeed。
Nowwhentheyobservedtheearththroughthelowerwindow，itlookedlikenothingmorethanadarkspot，drownedinthesolarrays。Nomorecrescent，nomorecloudylight！Thenextday，atmidnight，theearthwouldbe_new_，attheverymomentwhenthemoonwouldbefull。Above，theorbofnightwasnearingthelinefollowedbytheprojectile，soastomeetitatthegivenhour。Allaroundtheblackvaultwasstuddedwithbrilliantpoints，whichseemedtomoveslowly；but，atthegreatdistancetheywerefromthem，theirrelativesizedidnotseemtochange。
Thesunandstarsappearedexactlyastheydotousuponearth。
Astothemoon，shewasconsiderablylarger；butthetravelers\'
glasses，notverypowerful，didnotallowthemasyettomakeanyusefulobservationsuponhersurface，orreconnoiterhertopographicallyorgeologically。
Thusthetimepassedinnever-endingconversationsallaboutthemoon。Eachonebroughtforwardhisowncontingentofparticularfacts；BarbicaneandNichollalwaysserious，MichelArdanalwaysenthusiastic。Theprojectile，itssituation，itsdirection，incidentswhichmighthappen，theprecautionsnecessitatedbytheirfallontothemoon，wereinexhaustiblemattersofconjecture。
Astheywerebreakfasting，aquestionofMichel\'s，relatingtotheprojectile，provokedratheracuriousanswerfromBarbicane，whichisworthrepeating。Michel，supposingittoberoughlystopped，whilestillunderitsformidableinitialspeed，wishedtoknowwhattheconsequencesofthestoppagewouldhavebeen。
\"But，\"saidBarbicane，\"Idonotseehowitcouldhavebeenstopped。\"
\"Butletussupposeso，\"saidMichel。
\"Itisanimpossiblesupposition，\"saidthepracticalBarbicane；
\"unlessthatimpulsiveforcehadfailed；buteventhenitsspeedwoulddiminishbydegrees，anditwouldnothavestoppedsuddenly。\"
\"Admitthatithadstruckabodyinspace。\"
\"Whatbody？\"
\"Whythatenormousmeteorwhichwemet。\"
\"Then，\"saidNicholl，\"theprojectilewouldhavebeenbrokenintoathousandpieces，andwewithit。\"
\"Morethanthat，\"repliedBarbicane；\"weshouldhavebeenburnedtodeath。\"
\"Burned？\"exclaimedMichel，\"byJove！Iamsorryitdidnothappen，`justtosee。\'\"
\"Andyouwouldhaveseen，\"repliedBarbicane。\"Itisknownnowthatheatisonlyamodificationofmotion。Whenwateriswarmed——thatistosay，whenheatisaddedtoit——itsparticlesaresetinmotion。\"
\"Well，\"saidmichel，\"thatisaningenioustheory！\"
\"Andatrueone，myworthyfriend；foritexplainseveryphenomenonofcaloric。Heatisbutthemotionofatoms，asimpleoscillationoftheparticlesofabody。Whentheyapplythebraketoatrain，thetraincomestoastop；butwhatbecomesofthemotionwhichithadpreviouslypossessed？Itistransformedintoheat，andthebrakebecomeshot。Whydotheygreasetheaxlesofthewheels？Topreventtheirheating，becausethisheatwouldbegeneratedbythemotionwhichisthuslostbytransformation。\"
\"Yes，Iunderstand，\"repliedMichel，\"perfectly。Forexample，whenIhaverunalongtime，whenIamswimming，whenIamperspiringinlargedrops，whyamIobligedtostop？
Simplybecausemymotionischangedintoheat。\"
BarbicanecouldnothelpsmilingatMichel\'sreply；then，returningtohistheory，said:
\"Thus，incaseofashock，itwouldhavebeenwithourprojectileaswithaballwhichfallsinaburningstateafterhavingstruckthemetalplate；itisitsmotionwhichisturnedintoheat。ConsequentlyIaffirmthat，ifourprojectilehadstruckthemeteor，itsspeedthussuddenlycheckedwouldhaveraisedaheatgreatenoughtoturnitintovaporinstantaneously。\"
\"Then，\"askedNicholl，\"whatwouldhappeniftheearth\'smotionweretostopsuddenly？\"
\"Hertemperaturewouldberaisedtosuchapitch，\"saidBarbicane，\"thatshewouldbeatoncereducedtovapor。\"
\"Well，\"saidMichel，\"thatisawayofendingtheearthwhichwillgreatlysimplifythings。\"
\"Andiftheearthfelluponthesun？\"askedNicholl。
\"Accordingtocalculation，\"repliedBarbicane，\"thefallwoulddevelopaheatequaltothatproducedby16，000globesofcoal，eachequalinbulktoourterrestrialglobe。\"
\"Goodadditionalheatforthesun，\"repliedMichelArdan，\"ofwhichtheinhabitantsofUranusorNeptunewoulddoubtlessnotcomplain；theymustbeperishedwithcoldontheirplanets。\"
\"Thus，myfriends，\"saidBarbicane，\"allmotionsuddenlystoppedproducesheat。Andthistheoryallowsustoinferthattheheatofthesolardiscisfedbyahailofmeteorsfallingincessantlyonitssurface。Theyhaveevencalculated——\"
\"Oh，dear！\"murmuredMichel，\"thefiguresarecoming。\"
\"Theyhaveevencalculated，\"continuedtheimperturbableBarbicane，\"thattheshockofeachmeteoronthesunoughttoproduceaheatequaltothatof4，000massesofcoalofanequalbulk。\"
\"Andwhatisthesolarheat？\"askedMichel。
\"Itisequaltothatproducedbythecombustionofastratumofcoalsurroundingthesuntoadepthofforty-sevenmiles。\"
\"Andthatheat——\"
\"Wouldbeabletoboiltwobillionsninehundredmillionsofcubicmyriameters[2]ofwater。\"
[2]Themyriameterisequaltorathermorethan10，936
cubicyardsEnglish。
\"Anditdoesnotroastus！\"exclaimedMichel。
\"No，\"repliedBarbicane，\"becausetheterrestrialatmosphereabsorbsfour-tenthsofthesolarheat；besides，thequantityofheatinterceptedbytheearthisbutabillionthpartoftheentireradiation。\"
\"Iseethatallisforthebest，\"saidMichel，\"andthatthisatmosphereisausefulinvention；foritnotonlyallowsustobreathe，butitpreventsusfromroasting。\"
\"Yes！\"saidNicholl，\"unfortunately，itwillnotbethesameinthemoon。\"
\"Bah！\"saidMichel，alwayshopeful。\"Ifthereareinhabitants，theymustbreathe。Iftherearenolongerany，theymusthaveleftenoughoxygenforthreepeople，ifonlyatthebottomofravines，whereitsownweightwillcauseittoaccumulate，andwewillnotclimbthemountains；thatisall。\"AndMichel，rising，wenttolookatthelunardisc，whichshonewithintolerablebrilliancy。
\"ByJove！\"saidhe，\"itmustbehotupthere！\"
\"Withoutconsidering，\"repliedNicholl，\"thatthedaylasts360hours！\"
\"Andtocompensatethat，\"saidBarbicane，\"thenightshavethesamelength；andasheatisrestoredbyradiation，theirtemperaturecanonlybethatoftheplanetaryspace。\"
\"Aprettycountry，that！\"exclaimedMichel。\"Nevermind！
IwishIwasthere！Ah！mydearcomrades，itwillberathercurioustohavetheearthforourmoon，toseeitriseonthehorizon，torecognizetheshapeofitscontinents，andtosaytooneself，`ThereisAmerica，thereisEurope；\'thentofollowitwhenitisabouttoloseitselfinthesun\'srays！Bythebye，Barbicane，havetheSeleniteseclipses？\"
\"Yes，eclipsesofthesun，\"repliedBarbicane，\"whenthecentersofthethreeorbsareonaline，theearthbeinginthemiddle。
Buttheyareonlypartial，duringwhichtheearth，castlikeascreenuponthesolardisc，allowsthegreaterportiontobeseen。\"
\"Andwhy，\"askedNicholl，\"istherenototaleclipse？Doesnottheconeoftheshadowcastbytheearthextendbeyondthemoon？\"
\"Yes，ifwedonottakeintoconsiderationtherefractionproducedbytheterrestrialatmosphere。No，ifwetakethatrefractionintoconsideration。Thusletbethehorizontalparallel，and_p_theapparentsemidiameter——\"
\"Oh！\"saidMichel。\"Dospeakplainly，youmanofalgebra！\"
\"Verywell，repliedBarbicane；\"inpopularlanguagethemeandistancefromthemoontotheearthbeingsixtyterrestrialradii，thelengthoftheconeoftheshadow，onaccountofrefraction，isreducedtolessthanforty-tworadii。
Theresultisthatwhenthereareeclipses，themoonfindsitselfbeyondtheconeofpureshadow，andthatthesunsendsheritsrays，notonlyfromitsedges，butalsofromitscenter。\"
\"Then，\"saidMichel，inamerrytone，\"whyarethereeclipses，whenthereoughtnottobeany？\"
\"Simplybecausethesolarraysareweakenedbythisrefraction，andtheatmospherethroughwhichtheypassextinguishedthegreaterpartofthem！\"
\"Thatreasonsatisfiesme，\"repliedMichel。\"Besidesweshallseewhenwegetthere。Now，tellme，Barbicane，doyoubelievethatthemoonisanoldcomet？\"
\"There\'sanidea！\"
\"Yes，\"repliedMichel，withanamiableswagger，\"Ihaveafewideasofthatsort。\"
\"ButthatideadoesnotspringfromMichel，\"answeredNicholl。
\"Well，then，Iamaplagiarist。\"
\"Nodoubtaboutit。Accordingtotheancients，theArcadianspretendthattheirancestorsinhabitedtheearthbeforethemoonbecamehersatellite。Startingfromthisfact，somescientificmenhaveseeninthemoonacometwhoseorbitwillonedaybringitsoneartotheearththatitwillbeheldtherebyitsattraction。\"
\"Isthereanytruthinthishypothesis？\"askedMichel。
\"Nonewhatever，\"saidBarbicane，\"andtheproofis，thatthemoonhaspreservednotraceofthegaseousenvelopewhichalwaysaccompaniescomets。\"
\"But，\"continuedNicholl，\"Beforebecomingtheearth\'ssatellite，couldnotthemoon，wheninherperihelion，passsonearthesunasbyevaporationtogetridofallthosegaseoussubstances？\"
\"Itispossible，friendNicholl，butnotprobable。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"Because——FaithIdonotknow。\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedMichel，\"whathundredofvolumeswemightmakeofallthatwedonotknow！\"
\"Ah！indeed。Whattimeisit？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Threeo\'clock，\"answeredNicholl。
\"Howtimegoes，\"saidMichel，\"intheconversationofscientificmensuchasweare！Certainly，IfeelIknowtoomuch！IfeelthatIambecomingawell！\"
Sayingwhich，Michelhoistedhimselftotheroofoftheprojectile，\"toobservethemoonbetter，\"hepretended。Duringthistimehiscompanionswerewatchingthroughthelowerglass。Nothingnewtonote！
WhenMichelArdancamedown，hewenttothesidescuttle；andsuddenlytheyheardanexclamationofsurprise！
\"Whatisit？\"askedBarbicane。
Thepresidentapproachedthewindow，andsawasortofflattenedsackfloatingsomeyardsfromtheprojectile。Thisobjectseemedasmotionlessastheprojectile，andwasconsequentlyanimatedwiththesameascendingmovement。
\"Whatisthatmachine？\"continuedMichelArdan。\"Isitoneofthebodieswhichourprojectilekeepswithinitsattraction，andwhichwillaccompanyittothemoon？\"
\"Whatastonishesme，\"saidNicholl，\"isthatthespecificweightofthebody，whichiscertainlylessthanthatoftheprojectile，allowsittokeepsoperfectlyonalevelwithit。\"
\"Nicholl，\"repliedBarbicane，afteramoment\'sreflection，\"Idonotknowwhattheobjectit，butIdoknowwhyitmaintainsourlevel。\"
\"Andwhy？\"
\"Becausewearefloatinginspace，mydearcaptain，andinspacebodiesfallormovewhichisthesamethingwithequalspeedwhateverbetheirweightorform；itistheair，whichbyitsresistancecreatesthesedifferencesinweight。Whenyoucreateavacuuminatube，theobjectsyousendthroughit，grainsofdustorgrainsoflead，fallwiththesamerapidity。Hereinspaceisthesamecauseandthesameeffect。\"
\"Justso，\"saidNicholl，\"andeverythingwethrowoutoftheprojectilewillaccompanyituntilitreachesthemoon。\"
\"Ah！foolsthatweare！\"exclaimedMichel。
\"Whythatexpletive？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Becausewemighthavefilledtheprojectilewithusefulobjects，books，instruments，tools，etc。Wecouldhavethrownthemallout，andallwouldhavefollowedinourtrain。Buthappythought！
Whycannotwewalkoutsidelikethemeteor？Whycannotwelaunchintospacethroughthescuttle？Whatenjoymentitwouldbetofeeloneselfthussuspendedinether，morefavoredthanthebirdswhomustusetheirwingstokeepthemselvesup！\"
\"Granted，\"saidBarbicane，\"buthowtobreathe？\"
\"Hangtheair，tofailsoinopportunely！\"
\"Butifitdidnotfail，Michel，yourdensitybeinglessthanthatoftheprojectile，youwouldsoonbeleftbehind。\"
\"Thenwemustremaininourcar？\"
\"Wemust！\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedMichel，inaloadvoice。
\"Whatisthematter，\"askedNicholl。
\"Iknow，Iguess，whatthispretendedmeteoris！Itisnoasteroidwhichisaccompanyingus！Itisnotapieceofaplanet。\"
\"Whatisitthen？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Itisourunfortunatedog！ItisDiana\'shusband！\"
Indeed，thisdeformed，unrecognizableobject，reducedtonothing，wasthebodyofSatellite，flattenedlikeabagpipewithoutwind，andevermounting，mounting！
CHAPTERVII
AMOMENTOFINTOXICATION
Thusaphenomenon，curiousbutexplicable，washappeningunderthesestrangeconditions。
Everyobjectthrownfromtheprojectilewouldfollowthesamecourseandneverstopuntilitdid。Therewasasubjectforconversationwhichthewholeeveningcouldnotexhaust。
Besides，theexcitementofthethreetravelersincreasedastheydrewneartheendoftheirjourney。Theyexpectedunforseenincidents，andnewphenomena；andnothingwouldhaveastonishedthemintheframeofmindtheythenwerein。Theiroverexcitedimaginationwentfasterthantheprojectile，whosespeedwasevidentlydiminishing，thoughinsensiblytothemselves。Butthemoongrewlargertotheireyes，andtheyfanciediftheystretchedouttheirhandstheycouldseizeit。
Thenextday，the5thofNovember，atfiveinthemorning，allthreewereonfoot。Thatdaywastobethelastoftheirjourney，ifallcalculationsweretrue。Thatverynight，attwelveo\'clock，ineighteenhours，exactlyatthefullmoon，theywouldreachitsbrilliantdisc。Thenextmidnightwouldseethatjourneyended，themostextraordinaryofancientormoderntimes。Thusfromthefirstofthemorning，throughthescuttlessilveredbyitsrays，theysalutedtheorbofnightwithaconfidentandjoyoushurrah。
Themoonwasadvancingmajesticallyalongthestarryfirmament。
Afewmoredegrees，andshewouldreachtheexactpointwherehermeetingwiththeprojectilewastotakeplace。
Accordingtohisownobservations，Barbicanereckonedthattheywouldlandonhernorthernhemisphere，wherestretchimmenseplains，andwheremountainsarerare。Afavorablecircumstanceif，astheythought，thelunaratmospherewasstoredonlyinitsdepths。
\"Besides，\"observedMichelArdan，\"aplainiseasiertodisembarkuponthanamountain。ASelenite，depositedinEuropeonthesummitofMontBlanc，orinAsiaonthetopoftheHimalayas，wouldnotbequiteintherightplace。\"
\"And，\"addedCaptainNicholl，\"onaflatground，theprojectilewillremainmotionlesswhenithasoncetouched；whereasonadeclivityitwouldrolllikeanavalanche，andnotbeingsquirrelsweshouldnotcomeoutsafeandsound。Soitisallforthebest。\"
Indeed，thesuccessoftheaudaciousattemptnolongerappeareddoubtful。ButBarbicanewaspreoccupiedwithonethought；butnotwishingtomakehiscompanionsuneasy，hekeptsilenceonthissubject。
Thedirectiontheprojectilewastakingtowardthemoon\'snorthernhemisphere，showedthathercoursehadbeenslightlyaltered。Thedischarge，mathematicallycalculated，wouldcarrytheprojectiletotheverycenterofthelunardisc。
Ifitdidnotlandthere，theremusthavebeensomedeviation。
Whathadcausedit？Barbicanecouldneitherimaginenordeterminetheimportanceofthedeviation，fortherewerenopointstogoby。
Hehoped，however，thatitwouldhavenootherresultthanthatofbringingthemnearertheupperborderofthemoon，aregionmoresuitableforlanding。
Withoutimpartinghisuneasinesstohiscompanions，Barbicanecontentedhimselfwithconstantlyobservingthemoon，inordertoseewhetherthecourseoftheprojectilewouldnotbealtered；forthesituationwouldhavebeenterribleifitfailedinitsaim，andbeingcarriedbeyondthediscshouldbelaunchedintointerplanetaryspace。Atthatmoment，themoon，insteadofappearingflatlikeadisc，showeditsconvexity。Ifthesun\'srayshadstruckitobliquely，theshadowthrownwouldhavebroughtoutthehighmountains，whichwouldhavebeenclearlydetached。
Theeyemighthavegazedintothecrater\'sgapingabysses，andfollowedthecapriciousfissureswhichwoundthroughtheimmenseplains。Butallreliefwasasyetleveledinintensebrilliancy。Theycouldscarcelydistinguishthoselargespotswhichgivethemoontheappearanceofahumanface。
\"Face，indeed！\"saidMichelArdan；\"butIamsorryfortheamiablesisterofApollo。Averypittedface！\"
Butthetravelers，nowsoneartheend，wereincessantlyobservingthisnewworld。Theyimaginedthemselveswalkingthroughitsunknowncountries，climbingitshighestpeaks，descendingintoitslowestdepths。Hereandtheretheyfanciedtheysawvastseas，scarcelykepttogetherundersorarefiedanatmosphere，andwater-coursesemptyingthemountaintributaries。
Leaningovertheabyss，theyhopedtocatchsomesoundsfromthatorbforevermuteinthesolitudeofspace。Thatlastdayleftthem。
Theytookdownthemosttriflingdetails。Avagueuneasinesstookpossessionofthemastheynearedtheend。Thisuneasinesswouldhavebeendoubledhadtheyfelthowtheirspeedhaddecreased。