\"Sincethereisnothingelsetobedone，\"saidNicholl，\"Imakeaproposition。\"
\"Whatisit？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Iproposetogotosleep。\"
\"Whatamotion！\"exclaimedMichelArdan。
\"Itisfortyhourssinceweclosedoureyes，\"saidNicholl。
\"Somehoursofsleepwillrestoreourstrength。\"
\"Never，\"interruptedMichel。
\"Well，\"continuedNicholl，\"everyonetohistaste；Ishallgotosleep。\"Andstretchinghimselfonthedivan，hesoonsnoredlikeaforty-eightpounder。
\"ThatNichollhasagooddealofsense，\"saidBarbicane；
\"presentlyIshallfollowhisexample。\"Somemomentsafterhiscontinuedbasssupportedthecaptain\'sbaritone。
\"Certainly，\"saidMichelArdan，findinghimselfalone，\"thesepracticalpeoplehavesometimesmostopportuneideas。\"
Andwithhislonglegsstretchedout，andhisgreatarmsfoldedunderhishead，Michelsleptinhisturn。
Butthissleepcouldbeneitherpeacefulnorlasting，themindsofthesethreemenweretoomuchoccupied，andsomehoursafter，aboutseveninthemorning，allthreewereonfootatthesameinstant。
Theprojectilewasstillleavingthemoon，andturningitsconicalpartmoreandmoretowardher。
Anexplicablephenomenon，butonewhichhappilyservedBarbicane\'sends。
Seventeenhoursmore，andthemomentforactionwouldhavearrived。
Thedayseemedlong。Howeverboldthetravelersmightbe，theyweregreatlyimpressedbytheapproachofthatmomentwhichwoulddecideall——eitherprecipitatetheirfallontothemoon，orforeverchaintheminanimmutableorbit。Theycountedthehoursastheypassedtooslowfortheirwish；BarbicaneandNichollwereobstinatelyplungedintheircalculations，Michelgoingandcomingbetweenthenarrowwalls，andwatchingthatimpassivemoonwithalongingeye。
Attimesrecollectionsoftheearthcrossedtheirminds。TheysawoncemoretheirfriendsoftheGunClub，andthedearestofall，J。T。Maston。Atthatmoment，thehonorablesecretarymustbefillinghispostontheRockyMountains。Ifhecouldseetheprojectilethroughtheglassofhisgigantictelescope，whatwouldhethink？Afterseeingitdisappearbehindthemoon\'ssouthpole，hewouldseethemreappearbythenorthpole！
Theymustthereforebeasatelliteofasatellite！HadJ。T。
Mastongiventhisunexpectednewstotheworld？Wasthisthe_denouement_ofthisgreatenterprise？
Butthedaypassedwithoutincident。Theterrestrialmidnightarrived。The8thofDecemberwasbeginning。
Onehourmore，andthepointofequalattractionwouldbereached。Whatspeedwouldthenanimatetheprojectile？
Theycouldnotestimateit。ButnoerrorcouldvitiateBarbicane\'scalculations。Atoneinthemorningthisspeedoughttobeandwouldbe_nil_。
Besides，anotherphenomenonwouldmarktheprojectile\'sstopping-pointontheneutralline。Atthatspotthetwoattractions，lunarandterrestrial，wouldbeannulled。
Objectswould\"weigh\"nomore。Thissingularfact，whichhadsurprisedBarbicaneandhiscompanionssomuchingoing，wouldberepeatedontheirreturnundertheverysameconditions。
Atthisprecisemomenttheymustact。
Alreadytheprojectile\'sconicaltopwassensiblyturnedtowardthelunardisc，presentedinsuchawayastoutilizethewholeoftherecoilproducedbythepressureoftherocketapparatus。
Thechanceswereinfavorofthetravelers。Ifitsspeedwasutterlyannulledonthisdeadpoint，adecidedmovementtowardthemoonwouldsuffice，howeverslight，todetermineitsfall。
\"Fiveminutestoone，\"saidNicholl。
\"Allisready，\"repliedMichelArdan，directingalightedmatchtotheflameofthegas。
\"Wait！\"saidBarbicane，holdinghischronometerinhishand。
Atthatmomentweighthadnoeffect。Thetravelersfeltinthemselvestheentiredisappearanceofit。Theywereveryneartheneutralpoint，iftheydidnottouchit。
\"Oneo\'clock，\"saidBarbicane。
MichelArdanappliedthelightedmatchtoatrainincommunicationwiththerockets。Nodetonationwasheardintheinside，fortherewasnoair。But，throughthescuttles，Barbicanesawaprolongedsmoke，theflamesofwhichwereimmediatelyextinguished。
Theprojectilesustainedacertainshock，whichwassensiblyfeltintheinterior。
Thethreefriendslookedandlistenedwithoutspeaking，andscarcelybreathing。Onemighthaveheardthebeatingoftheirheartsamidthisperfectsilence。
\"Arewefalling？\"askedMichelArdan，atlength。
\"No，\"saidNicholl，\"sincethebottomoftheprojectileisnotturningtothelunardisc！\"
Atthismoment，Barbicane，quittinghisscuttle，turnedtohistwocompanions。Hewasfrightfullypale，hisforeheadwrinkled，andhislipscontracted。
\"Wearefalling！\"saidhe。
\"Ah！\"criedMichelArdan，\"ontothemoon？\"
\"Ontotheearth！\"
\"Thedevil！\"exclaimedMichelArdan，addingphilosophically，\"well，whenwecameintothisprojectilewewereverydoubtfulastotheeasewithwhichweshouldgetoutofit！\"
Andnowthisfearfulfallhadbegun。Thespeedretainedhadbornetheprojectilebeyondthedeadpoint。Theexplosionoftherocketscouldnotdivertitscourse。Thisspeedingoinghadcarrieditovertheneutralline，andinreturninghaddonethesamething。Thelawsofphysicscondemnedit_topassthrougheverypointwhichithadalreadygonethrough_。Itwasaterriblefall，fromaheightof160，000miles，andnospringstobreakit。Accordingtothelawsofgunnery，theprojectilemuststriketheearthwithaspeedequaltothatwithwhichitleftthemouthoftheColumbiad，aspeedof16，000yardsinthelastsecond。
Buttogivesomefiguresofcomparison，ithasbeenreckonedthatanobjectthrownfromthetopofthetowersofNotreDame，theheightofwhichisonly200feet，willarriveonthepavementataspeedof240milesperhour。Heretheprojectilemuststriketheearthwithaspeedof115，200milesperhour。
\"Wearelost！\"saidMichelcoolly。
\"Verywell！ifwedie，\"answeredBarbicane，withasortofreligiousenthusiasm，\"theresultsofourtravelswillbemagnificentlyspread。ItisHisownsecretthatGodwilltellus！Intheotherlifethesoulwillwanttoknownothing，eitherofmachinesorengines！Itwillbeidentifiedwitheternalwisdom！\"
\"Infact，\"interruptedMichelArdan，\"thewholeoftheotherworldmaywellconsoleusforthelossofthatinferiororbcalledthemoon！\"
Barbicanecrossedhisarmsonhisbreast，withamotionofsublimeresignation，sayingatthesametime:
\"Thewillofheavenbedone！\"
CHAPTERXX
THESOUNDINGSOFTHESUSQUEHANNA
Well，lieutenant，andoursoundings？\"
\"Ithink，sir，thattheoperationisnearingitscompletion，\"
repliedLieutenantBronsfield。\"Butwhowouldhavethoughtoffindingsuchadepthsonearinshore，andonly200milesfromtheAmericancoast？\"
\"Certainly，Bronsfield，thereisagreatdepression，\"saidCaptainBlomsberry。\"InthisspotthereisasubmarinevalleywornbyHumboldt\'scurrent，whichskirtsthecoastofAmericaasfarastheStraitsofMagellan。\"
\"Thesegreatdepths，\"continuedthelieutenant，\"arenotfavorableforlayingtelegraphiccables。Alevelbottom，likethatsupportingtheAmericancablebetweenValentiaandNewfoundland，ismuchbetter。\"
\"Iagreewithyou，Bronsfield。Withyourpermission，lieutenant，wherearewenow？\"
\"Sir，atthismomentwehave3，508fathomsoflineout，andtheballwhichdrawsthesoundingleadhasnotyettouchedthebottom；forifso，itwouldhavecomeupofitself。\"
\"Brook\'sapparatusisveryingenious，\"saidCaptainBlomsberry；
\"itgivesusveryexactsoundings。\"
\"Touch！\"criedatthismomentoneofthemenattheforewheel，whowassuperintendingtheoperation。
Thecaptainandthelieutenantmountedthequarterdeck。
\"Whatdepthhavewe？\"askedthecaptain。
\"Threethousandsixhundredandtwenty-sevenfathoms，\"repliedthelieutenant，enteringitinhisnotebook。
\"Well，Bronsfield，\"saidthecaptain，\"Iwilltakedowntheresult。Nowhaulinthesoundingline。Itwillbetheworkofsomehours。Inthattimetheengineercanlightthefurnaces，andweshallbereadytostartassoonasyouhavefinished。Itisteno\'clock，andwithyourpermission，lieutenant，Iwillturnin。\"
\"Doso，sir；doso！\"repliedthelieutenantobligingly。
ThecaptainoftheSusquehanna，asbraveamanasneedbe，andthehumbleservantofhisofficers，returnedtohiscabin，tookabrandy-grog，whichearnedforthestewardnoendofpraise，andturnedin，notwithouthavingcomplimentedhisservantuponhismakingbeds，andsleptapeacefulsleep。
Itwasthentenatnight。TheeleventhdayofthemonthofDecemberwasdrawingtoacloseinamagnificentnight。
TheSusquehanna，acorvetteof500horse-power，oftheUnitedStatesnavy，wasoccupiedintakingsoundingsinthePacificOceanabout200milesofftheAmericancoast，followingthatlongpeninsulawhichstretchesdownthecoastofMexico。
Thewindhaddroppedbydegrees。Therewasnodisturbanceintheair。Thepennanthungmotionlessfromthemaintop-gallant-
masttruck。
CaptainJonathanBlomsberrycousin-germanofColonelBlomsberry，oneofthemostardentsupportersoftheGunClub，whohadmarriedanauntofthecaptainanddaughterofanhonorableKentuckymerchant——CaptainBlomsberrycouldnothavewishedforfinerweatherinwhichtobringtoaclosehisdelicateoperationsofsounding。Hiscorvettehadnotevenfeltthegreattempest，whichbysweepingawaythegroupsofcloudsontheRockyMountains，hadallowedthemtoobservethecourseofthefamousprojectile。
Everythingwentwell，andwithallthefervorofaPresbyterian，hedidnotforgettothankheavenforit。TheseriesofsoundingstakenbytheSusquehanna，hadforitsaimthefindingofafavorablespotforthelayingofasubmarinecabletoconnecttheHawaiianIslandswiththecoastofAmerica。
Itwasagreatundertaking，duetotheinstigationofapowerfulcompany。Itsmanagingdirector，theintelligentCyrusField，purposedevencoveringalltheislandsofOceanicawithavastelectricalnetwork，animmenseenterprise，andoneworthyofAmericangenius。
TothecorvetteSusquehannahadbeenconfidedthefirstoperationsofsounding。Itwasonthenightofthe11th-12thofDecember，shewasinexactly27@7\'northlatitude，and41@37\'
westlongitude，onthemeridianofWashington。
Themoon，theninherlastquarter，wasbeginningtoriseabovethehorizon。
AfterthedepartureofCaptainBlomsberry，thelieutenantandsomeofficerswerestandingtogetheronthepoop。Ontheappearanceofthemoon，theirthoughtsturnedtothatorbwhichtheeyesofawholehemispherewerecontemplating。Thebestnavalglassescouldnothavediscoveredtheprojectilewanderingarounditshemisphere，andyetallwerepointedtowardthatbrilliantdiscwhichmillionsofeyeswerelookingatatthesamemoment。
\"Theyhavebeengonetendays，\"saidLieutenantBronsfieldatlast。\"Whathasbecomeofthem？\"
\"Theyhavearrived，lieutenant，\"exclaimedayoungmidshipman，\"andtheyaredoingwhatalltravelersdowhentheyarriveinanewcountry，takingawalk！\"
\"Oh！Iamsureofthat，ifyoutellmeso，myyoungfriend，\"
saidLieutenantBronsfield，smiling。
\"But，\"continuedanotherofficer，\"theirarrivalcannotbedoubted。Theprojectilewastoreachthemoonwhenfullonthe5thatmidnight。Wearenowatthe11thofDecember，whichmakessixdays。Andinsixtimestwenty-fourhours，withoutdarkness，onewouldhavetimetosettlecomfortably。IfancyI
seemybravecountrymenencampedatthebottomofsomevalley，onthebordersofaSelenitestream，nearaprojectilehalf-buriedbyitsfallamidvolcanicrubbish，CaptainNichollbeginninghislevelingoperations，PresidentBarbicanewritingouthisnotes，andMichelArdanembalmingthelunarsolitudeswiththeperfumeofhis——\"
\"Yes！itmustbeso，itisso！\"exclaimedtheyoungmidshipman，workeduptoapitchofenthusiasmbythisidealdescriptionofhissuperiorofficer。
\"Ishouldliketobelieveit，\"repliedthelieutenant，whowasquiteunmoved。\"Unfortunatelydirectnewsfromthelunarworldisstillwanting。\"
\"Begpardon，lieutenant，\"saidthemidshipman，\"butcannotPresidentBarbicanewrite？\"
Aburstoflaughtergreetedthisanswer。
\"Noletters！\"continuedtheyoungmanquickly。\"Thepostaladministrationhassomethingtoseetothere。\"
\"Mightitnotbethetelegraphicservicethatisatfault？\"
askedoneoftheofficersironically。
\"Notnecessarily，\"repliedthemidshipman，notatallconfused。
\"Butitisveryeasytosetupagraphiccommunicationwiththeearth。\"
\"Andhow？\"
\"BymeansofthetelescopeatLong\'sPeak。YouknowitbringsthemoontowithinfourmilesoftheRockyMountains，andthatitshowsobjectsonitssurfaceofonlyninefeetindiameter。
Verywell；letourindustriousfriendsconstructagiantalphabet；letthemwritewordsthreefathomslong，andsentencesthreemileslong，andthentheycansendusnewsofthemselves。\"
Theyoungmidshipman，whohadacertainamountofimagination，wasloudlyapplauded；LieutenantBronsfieldallowingthattheideawaspossible，butobservingthatifbythesemeanstheycouldreceivenewsfromthelunarworldtheycouldnotsendanyfromtheterrestrial，unlesstheSeleniteshadinstrumentsfitfortakingdistantobservationsattheirdisposal。
\"Evidently，\"saidoneoftheofficers；\"butwhathasbecomeofthetravelers？whattheyhavedone，whattheyhaveseen，thataboveallmustinterestus。Besides，iftheexperimenthassucceededwhichIdonotdoubt，theywilltryitagain。
TheColumbiadisstillsunkinthesoilofFlorida。Itisnowonlyaquestionofpowderandshot；andeverytimethemoonisatherzenithacargoofvisitorsmaybesenttoher。\"
\"Itisclear，\"repliedLieutenantBronsfield，\"thatJ。T。Mastonwillonedayjoinhisfriends。\"
\"Ifhewillhaveme，\"criedthemidshipman，\"Iamready！\"
\"Oh！volunteerswillnotbewanting，\"answeredBronsfield；\"andifitwereallowed，halfoftheearth\'sinhabitantswouldemigratetothemoon！\"
ThisconversationbetweentheofficersoftheSusquehannawaskeptupuntilnearlyoneinthemorning。Wecannotsaywhatblunderingsystemswerebroached，whatinconsistenttheoriesadvancedbytheseboldspirits。SinceBarbicane\'sattempt，nothingseemedimpossibletotheAmericans。Theyhadalreadydesignedanexpedition，notonlyofsavants，butofawholecolonytowardtheSeleniteborders，andacompletearmy，consistingofinfantry，artillery，andcavalry，toconquerthelunarworld。
Atoneinthemorning，thehaulinginofthesounding-linewasnotyetcompleted；1，670fathomswerestillout，whichwouldentailsomehours\'work。Accordingtothecommander\'sorders，thefireshadbeenlighted，andsteamwasbeinggotup。
TheSusquehannacouldhavestartedthatveryinstant。
AtthatmomentitwasseventeenminutespastoneinthemorningLieutenantBronsfieldwaspreparingtoleavethewatchandreturntohiscabin，whenhisattentionwasattractedbyadistanthissingnoise。Hiscomradesandhimselffirstthoughtthatthishissingwascausedbythelettingoffofsteam；butliftingtheirheads，theyfoundthatthenoisewasproducedinthehighestregionsoftheair。Theyhadnottimetoquestioneachotherbeforethehissingbecamefrightfullyintense，andsuddenlythereappearedtotheirdazzledeyesanenormousmeteor，ignitedbytherapidityofitscourseanditsfrictionthroughtheatmosphericstrata。
Thisfierymassgrewlargertotheireyes，andfell，withthenoiseofthunder，uponthebowsprit，whichitsmashedclosetothestem，andburieditselfinthewaveswithadeafeningroar！
Afewfeetnearer，andtheSusquehannawouldhavefounderedwithallonboard！
AtthisinstantCaptainBlomsberryappeared，half-dressed，andrushingontotheforecastle-deck，whitheralltheofficershadhurried，exclaimed，\"Withyourpermission，gentlemen，whathashappened？\"
Andthemidshipman，makinghimselfasitweretheechoofthebody，cried，\"Commander，itis`they\'comebackagain！\"
CHAPTERXXI
J。T。MASTONRECALLED
\"Itis`they\'comebackagain！\"theyoungmidshipmanhadsaid，andeveryonehadunderstoodhim。NoonedoubtedbutthatthemeteorwastheprojectileoftheGunClub。Astothetravelerswhichitenclosed，opinionsweredividedregardingtheirfate。
\"Theyaredead！\"saidone。
\"Theyarealive！\"saidanother；\"thecraterisdeep，andtheshockwasdeadened。\"
\"Buttheymusthavewantedair，\"continuedathirdspeaker；
\"theymusthavediedofsuffocation。\"
\"Burned！\"repliedafourth；\"theprojectilewasnothingbutanincandescentmassasitcrossedtheatmosphere。\"
\"Whatdoesitmatter！\"theyexclaimedunanimously；\"livingordead，wemustpullthemout！\"
ButCaptainBlomsberryhadassembledhisofficers，and\"withtheirpermission，\"washoldingacouncil。Theymustdecideuponsomethingtobedoneimmediately。Themorehastyoneswereforfishinguptheprojectile。Adifficultoperation，thoughnotanimpossibleone。Butthecorvettehadnopropermachinery，whichmustbebothfixedandpowerful；soitwasresolvedthattheyshouldputinatthenearestport，andgiveinformationtotheGunCluboftheprojectile\'sfall。
Thisdeterminationwasunanimous。Thechoiceoftheporthadtobediscussed。Theneighboringcoasthadnoanchorageon27@latitude。Higherup，abovethepeninsulaofMonterey，standstheimportanttownfromwhichittakesitsname；but，seatedonthebordersofaperfectdesert，itwasnotconnectedwiththeinteriorbyanetworkoftelegraphicwires，andelectricityalonecouldspreadtheseimportantnewsfastenough。
SomedegreesaboveopenedthebayofSanFrancisco。ThroughthecapitalofthegoldcountrycommunicationwouldbeeasywiththeheartoftheUnion。AndinlessthantwodaystheSusquehanna，byputtingonhighpressure，couldarriveinthatport。Shemustthereforestartatonce。
Thefiresweremadeup；theycouldsetoffimmediately。
Twothousandfathomsoflinewerestillout，whichCaptainBlomsberry，notwishingtoloseprecioustimeinhaulingin，resolvedtocut。
\"wewillfastentheendtoabuoy，\"saidhe，\"andthatbuoywillshowustheexactspotwheretheprojectilefell。\"
\"Besides，\"repliedLieutenantBronsfield，\"wehaveoursituationexact——27@7\'northlatitudeand41@37\'westlongitude。\"
\"Well，Mr。Bronsfield，\"repliedthecaptain，\"now，withyourpermission，wewillhavethelinecut。\"
Astrongbuoy，strengthenedbyacoupleofspars，wasthrownintotheocean。Theendoftheropewascarefullylashedtoit；
and，leftsolelytotheriseandfallofthebillows，thebuoywouldnotsensiblydeviatefromthespot。
Atthismomenttheengineersenttoinformthecaptainthatsteamwasupandtheycouldstart，forwhichagreeablecommunicationthecaptainthankedhim。Thecoursewasthengivennorth-northeast，andthecorvette，wearing，steeredatfullsteamdirectforSanFrancisco。Itwasthreeinthemorning。
Fourhundredandfiftymilestocross；itwasnothingforagoodvesselliketheSusquehanna。Inthirty-sixhoursshehadcoveredthatdistance；andonthe14thofDecember，attwenty-sevenminutespastoneatnight，sheenteredthebayofSanFrancisco。
Atthesightofashipofthenationalnavyarrivingatfullspeed，withherbowspritbroken，publiccuriositywasgreatlyroused。
Adensecrowdsoonassembledonthequay，waitingforthemtodisembark。
Aftercastinganchor，CaptainBlomsberryandLieutenantBronsfieldenteredaneight-paredcutter，whichsoonbroughtthemtoland。
Theyjumpedontothequay。
\"Thetelegraph？\"theyasked，withoutansweringoneofthethousandquestionsaddressedtothem。
Theofficeroftheportconductedthemtothetelegraphofficethroughaconcourseofspectators。BlomsberryandBronsfieldentered，whilethecrowdcrushedeachotheratthedoor。
Someminuteslaterafourfoldtelegramwassentout——thefirsttotheNavalSecretaryatWashington；thesecondtothevice-presidentoftheGunClub，Baltimore；thethirdtotheHon。
J。T。Maston，Long\'sPeak，RockyMountains；andthefourthtothesub-directoroftheCambridgeObservatory，Massachusetts。
Itwaswordedasfollows:
In20@7\'northlatitude，and41@37\'westlongitude，onthe12thofDecember，atseventeenminutespastoneinthemorning，theprojectileoftheColumbiadfellintothePacific。
Sendinstructions——BLOMSBERRY，CommanderSusquehanna。
FiveminutesafterwardthewholetownofSanFranciscolearnedthenews。BeforesixintheeveningthedifferentStatesoftheUnionhadheardthegreatcatastrophe；andaftermidnight，bythecable，thewholeofEuropeknewtheresultofthegreatAmericanexperiment。Wewillnotattempttopicturetheeffectproducedontheentireworldbythatunexpecteddenouement。
OnreceiptofthetelegramtheNavalSecretarytelegraphedtotheSusquehannatowaitinthebayofSanFranciscowithoutextinguishingherfires。Dayandnightshemustbereadytoputtosea。
TheCambridgeobservatorycalledaspecialmeeting；and，withthatcomposurewhichdistinguisheslearnedbodiesingeneral，peacefullydiscussedthescientificbearingsofthequestion。
AttheGunClubtherewasanexplosion。Allthegunnerswereassembled。Vice-PresidenttheHon。Wilcomewasintheactofreadingtheprematuredispatch，inwhichJ。T。MastonandBelfastannouncedthattheprojectilehadjustbeenseeninthegiganticreflectorofLong\'sPeak，andalsothatitwasheldbylunarattraction，andwasplayingthepartofundersatellitetothelunarworld。
Weknowthetruthonthatpoint。
ButonthearrivalofBlomsberry\'sdispatch，sodecidelycontradictingJ。T。Maston\'stelegram，twopartieswereformedinthebosomoftheGunClub。Ononesidewerethosewhoadmittedthefalloftheprojectile，andconsequentlythereturnofthetravelers；ontheother，thosewhobelievedintheobservationsofLong\'sPeak，concludedthatthecommanderoftheSusquehannahadmadeamistake。Tothelatterthepretendedprojectilewasnothingbutameteor！nothingbutameteor，ashootingglobe，whichinitsfallhadsmashedthebowsofthecorvette。Itwasdifficulttoanswerthisargument，forthespeedwithwhichitwasanimatedmusthavemadeobservationverydifficult。ThecommanderoftheSusquehannaandherofficersmighthavemadeamistakeinallgoodfaith；oneargumenthowever，wasintheirfavor，namely，thatiftheprojectilehadfallenontheearth，itsplaceofmeetingwiththeterrestrialglobecouldonlytakeplaceonthis27@northlatitude，andtakingintoconsiderationthetimethathadelapsed，andtherotarymotionoftheearthbetweenthe41@andthe42@ofwestlongitude。Inanycase，itwasdecidedintheGunClubthatBlomsberrybrothers，Bilsby，andMajorElphinstoneshouldgostraighttoSanFrancisco，andconsultastothemeansofraisingtheprojectilefromthedepthsoftheocean。
Thesedevotedmensetoffatonce；andtherailroad，whichwillsooncrossthewholeofCentralAmerica，tookthemasfarasSt。
Louis，wheretheswiftmail-coachesawaitedthem。AlmostatthesamemomentinwhichtheSecretaryofMarine，thevice-presidentoftheGunClub，andthesub-directoroftheObservatoryreceivedthedispatchfromSanFrancisco，theHonorableJ。T。Mastonwasundergoingthegreatestexcitementhehadeverexperiencedinhislife，anexcitementwhicheventheburstingofhispetgun，whichhadmorethanoncenearlycosthimhislife，hadnotcausedhim。
WemayrememberthatthesecretaryoftheGunClubhadstartedsoonaftertheprojectileandalmostasquicklyforthestationonLong\'sPeak，intheRockyMountains，J。Belfast，directoroftheCambridgeObservatory，accompanyinghim。Arrivedthere，thetwofriendshadinstalledthemselvesatonce，neverquittingthesummitoftheirenormoustelescope。Weknowthatthisgiganticinstrumenthadbeensetupaccordingtothereflectingsystem，calledbytheEnglish\"frontview。\"Thisarrangementsubjectedallobjectstobutonereflection，makingtheviewconsequentlymuchclearer；theresultwasthat，whentheyweretakingobservation，J。T。MastonandBelfastwereplacedinthe_upper_
partoftheinstrumentandnotinthelower，whichtheyreachedbyacircularstaircase，amasterpieceoflightness，whilebelowthemopenedametalwellterminatedbythemetallicmirror，whichmeasuredtwohundredandeightyfeetindepth。
Itwasonanarrowplatformplacedabovethetelescopethatthetwosavantspassedtheirexistence，execratingthedaywhichhidthemoonfromtheireyes，andthecloudswhichobstinatelyveiledherduringthenight。
What，then，wastheirdelightwhen，aftersomedaysofwaiting，onthenightofthe5thofDecember，theysawthevehiclewhichwasbearingtheirfriendsintospace！Tothisdelightsucceededagreatdeception，when，trustingtoacursoryobservation，theylaunchedtheirfirsttelegramtotheworld，erroneouslyaffirmingthattheprojectilehadbecomeasatelliteofthemoon，gravitatinginanimmutableorbit。
Fromthatmomentithadnevershownitselftotheireyes——adisappearanceallthemoreeasilyexplained，asitwasthenpassingbehindthemoon\'sinvisibledisc；butwhenitwastimeforittoreappearonthevisibledisc，onemayimaginetheimpatienceofthefumingJ。T。Mastonandhisnotlessimpatientcompanion。Eachminuteofthenighttheythoughttheysawtheprojectileoncemore，andtheydidnotseeit。
Henceconstantdiscussionsandviolentdisputesbetweenthem，Belfastaffirmingthattheprojectilecouldnotbeseen，J。T。
Mastonmaintainingthat\"ithadputhiseyesout。\"
\"Itistheprojectile！\"repeatedJ。T。Maston。
\"No，\"answeredBelfast；\"itisanavalanchedetachedfromalunarmountain。\"
\"Well，weshallseeitto-morrow。\"
\"No，weshallnotseeitanymore。Itiscarriedintospace。\"
\"Yes！\"
\"No！\"
Andatthesemoments，whencontradictionsrainedlikehail，thewell-knownirritabilityofthesecretaryoftheGunClubconstitutedapermanentdangerfortheHonorableBelfast。
Theexistenceofthesetwotogetherwouldsoonhavebecomeimpossible；butanunforseeneventcutshorttheireverlastingdiscussions。
Duringthenight，fromthe14thtothe15thofDecember，thetwoirreconcilablefriendswerebusyobservingthelunardisc，J。T。
MastonabusingthelearnedBelfastasusual，whowasbyhisside；thesecretaryoftheGunClubmaintainingforthethousandthtimethathehadjustseentheprojectile，andaddingthathecouldseeMichelArdan\'sfacelookingthroughoneofthescuttles，atthesametimeenforcinghisargumentbyaseriesofgestureswhichhisformidablehookrenderedveryunpleasant。
AtthismomentBelfast\'sservantappearedontheplatformitwastenatnightandgavehimadispatch。ItwasthecommanderoftheSusquehanna\'stelegram。
Belfasttoretheenvelopeandread，andutteredacry。
\"What！\"saidJ。T。Maston。
\"Theprojectile！\"
\"Well！\"
\"Hasfallentotheearth！\"
Anothercry，thistimeaperfecthowl，answeredhim。HeturnedtowardJ。T。Maston。Theunfortunateman，imprudentlyleaningoverthemetaltube，haddisappearedintheimmensetelescope。
Afalloftwohundredandeightyfeet！Belfast，dismayed，rushedtotheorificeofthereflector。
Hebreathed。J。T。Maston，caughtbyhismetalhook，washoldingonbyoneoftheringswhichboundthetelescopetogether，utteringfearfulcries。
Belfastcalled。Helpwasbrought，tacklewasletdown，andtheyhoistedup，notwithoutsometrouble，theimprudentsecretaryoftheGunClub。
Hereappearedattheupperorificewithouthurt。
\"Ah！\"saidhe，\"ifIhadbrokenthemirror？\"
\"Youwouldhavepaidforit，\"repliedBelfastseverely。
\"Andthatcursedprojectilehasfallen？\"askedJ。T。Maston。
\"IntothePacific！\"
\"Letusgo！\"
AquarterofanhourafterthetwosavantsweredescendingthedeclivityoftheRockyMountains；andtwodaysafter，atthesametimeastheirfriendsoftheGunClub，theyarrivedatSanFrancisco，havingkilledfivehorsesontheroad。
Elphinstone，thebrothersBlomsberry，andBilsbyrushedtowardthemontheirarrival。
\"Whatshallwedo？\"theyexclaimed。
\"Fishuptheprojectile，\"repliedJ。T。Maston，\"andthesoonerthebetter。\"
CHAPTERXXII
RECOVEREDFROMTHESEA
Thespotwheretheprojectilesankunderthewaveswasexactlyknown；butthemachinerytograspitandbringittothesurfaceoftheoceanwasstillwanting。Itmustfirstbeinvented，thenmade。Americanengineerscouldnotbetroubledwithsuchtrifles。Thegrappling-ironsoncefixed，bytheirhelptheyweresuretoraiseitinspiteofitsweight，whichwaslessenedbythedensityoftheliquidinwhichitwasplunged。
Butfishing-uptheprojectilewasnottheonlythingtobethoughtof。
Theymustactpromptlyintheinterestofthetravelers。Noonedoubtedthattheywerestillliving。
\"Yes，\"repeatedJ。T。Mastonincessantly，whoseconfidencegainedovereverybody，\"ourfriendsarecleverpeople，andtheycannothavefallenlikesimpletons。Theyarealive，quitealive；
butwemustmakehasteifwewishtofindthemso。Foodandwaterdonottroubleme；theyhaveenoughforalongwhile。
Butair，air，thatiswhattheywillsoonwant；soquick，quick！\"
Andtheydidgoquick。TheyfitteduptheSusquehannaforhernewdestination。Herpowerfulmachinerywasbroughttobearuponthehauling-chains。Thealuminumprojectileonlyweighed19，250pounds，aweightveryinferiortothatofthetransatlanticcablewhichhadbeendrawnupundersimilarconditions。Theonlydifficultywasinfishingupacylindro-conicalprojectile，thewallsofwhichweresosmoothastooffernoholdforthehooks。
OnthataccountEngineerMurchisonhastenedtoSanFrancisco，andhadsomeenormousgrappling-ironsfixedonanautomaticsystem，whichwouldneverlettheprojectilegoifitoncesucceededinseizingitinitspowerfulclaws。Diving-dresseswerealsoprepared，whichthroughthisimperviouscoveringallowedthediverstoobservethebottomofthesea。Healsohadputonboardanapparatusofcompressedairverycleverlydesigned。
Therewereperfectchamberspiercedwithscuttles，which，withwaterletintocertaincompartments，coulddrawitdownintogreatdepths。TheseapparatuseswereatSanFrancisco，wheretheyhadbeenusedintheconstructionofasubmarinebreakwater；
andveryfortunatelyitwasso，fortherewasnotimetoconstructany。Butinspiteoftheperfectionofthemachinery，inspiteoftheingenuityofthesavantsentrustedwiththeuseofthem，thesuccessoftheoperationwasfarfrombeingcertain。
Howgreatwerethechancesagainstthem，theprojectilebeing20，000feetunderthewater！Andifevenitwasbroughttothesurface，howwouldthetravelershavebornetheterribleshockwhich20，000feetofwaterhadperhapsnotsufficientlybroken？
Atanyratetheymustactquickly。J。T。Mastonhurriedtheworkmendayandnight。Hewasreadytodonthediving-dresshimself，ortrytheairapparatus，inordertoreconnoiterthesituationofhiscourageousfriends。
Butinspiteofallthediligencedisplayedinpreparingthedifferentengines，inspiteoftheconsiderablesumplacedatthedisposaloftheGunClubbytheGovernmentoftheUnion，fivelongdaysfivecenturies！elapsedbeforethepreparationswerecomplete。Duringthistimepublicopinionwasexcitedtothehighestpitch。Telegramswereexchangedincessantlythroughouttheentireworldbymeansofwiresandelectriccables。
ThesavingofBarbicane，Nicholl，andMichelArdanwasaninternationalaffair。EveryonewhohadsubscribedtotheGunClubwasdirectlyinterestedinthewelfareofthetravelers。
Atlengththehauling-chains，theair-chambers，andtheautomaticgrappling-ironswereputonboard。J。T。Maston，EngineerMurchison，andthedelegatesoftheGunClub，werealreadyintheircabins。Theyhadbuttostart，whichtheydidonthe21stofDecember，ateighto\'clockatnight，thecorvettemeetingwithabeautifulsea，anortheasterlywind，andrathersharpcold。ThewholepopulationofSanFranciscowasgatheredonthequay，greatlyexcitedbutsilent，reservingtheirhurrahsforthereturn。Steamwasfullyup，andthescrewoftheSusquehannacarriedthembrisklyoutofthebay。
Itisneedlesstorelatetheconversationsonboardbetweentheofficers，sailors，andpassengers。Allthesemenhadbutonethought。Alltheseheartsbeatunderthesameemotion。
Whiletheywerehasteningtohelpthem，whatwereBarbicaneandhiscompanionsdoing？Whathadbecomeofthem？Weretheyabletoattemptanyboldmaneuvertoregaintheirliberty？Nonecouldsay。
Thetruthisthateveryattemptmusthavefailed！Immersednearlyfourmilesundertheocean，thismetalprisondefiedeveryeffortofitsprisoners。
Onthe23rdinst。，ateightinthemorning，afterarapidpassage，theSusquehannawasdueatthefatalspot。Theymustwaittilltwelvetotakethereckoningexactly。Thebuoytowhichthesoundinglinehadbeenlashedhadnotyetbeenrecognized。
Attwelve，CaptainBlomsberry，assistedbyhisofficerswhosuperintendedtheobservations，tookthereckoninginthepresenceofthedelegatesoftheGunClub。Thentherewasamomentofanxiety。Herpositiondecided，theSusquehannawasfoundtobesomeminuteswestwardofthespotwheretheprojectilehaddisappearedbeneaththewaves。
Theship\'scoursewasthenchangedsoastoreachthisexactpoint。
Atforty-sevenminutespasttwelvetheyreachedthebuoy；itwasinperfectcondition，andmusthaveshiftedbutlittle。
\"Atlast！\"exclaimedJ。T。Maston。
\"Shallwebegin？\"askedCaptainBlomsberry。
\"Withoutlosingasecond。\"
Everyprecautionwastakentokeepthecorvettealmostcompletelymotionless。Beforetryingtoseizetheprojectile，EngineerMurchisonwantedtofinditsexactpositionatthebottomoftheocean。Thesubmarineapparatusdestinedforthisexpeditionwassuppliedwithair。Theworkingoftheseengineswasnotwithoutdanger，forat20，000feetbelowthesurfaceofthewater，andundersuchgreatpressure，theywereexposedtofracture，theconsequencesofwhichwouldbedreadful。
J。T。Maston，thebrothersBlomsberry，andEngineerMurchison，withoutheedingthesedangers，tooktheirplacesintheair-chamber。Thecommander，postedonhisbridge，superintendedtheoperation，readytostoporhaulinthechainsontheslightestsignal。Thescrewhadbeenshipped，andthewholepowerofthemachinerycollectedonthecapstanwouldhavequicklydrawntheapparatusonboard。Thedescentbeganattwenty-fiveminutespastoneatnight，andthechamber，drawnunderbythereservoirsfullofwater，disappearedfromthesurfaceoftheocean。
Theemotionoftheofficersandsailorsonboardwasnowdividedbetweentheprisonersintheprojectileandtheprisonersinthesubmarineapparatus。Astothelatter，theyforgotthemselves，and，gluedtothewindowsofthescuttles，attentivelywatchedtheliquidmassthroughwhichtheywerepassing。
Thedescentwasrapid。Atseventeenminutespasttwo，J。T。
MastonandhiscompanionshadreachedthebottomofthePacific；
buttheysawnothingbutanariddesert，nolongeranimatedbyeitherfaunaorflora。Bythelightoftheirlamps，furnishedwithpowerfulreflectors，theycouldseethedarkbedsoftheoceanforaconsiderableextentofview，buttheprojectilewasnowheretobeseen。
Theimpatienceofthesebolddiverscannotbedescribed，andhavinganelectricalcommunicationwiththecorvette，theymadeasignalalreadyagreedupon，andforthespaceofamiletheSusquehannamovedtheirchamberalongsomeyardsabovethebottom。
Thustheyexploredthewholesubmarineplain，deceivedateveryturnbyopticalillusionswhichalmostbroketheirhearts。
Herearock，thereaprojectionfromtheground，seemedtobethemuch-sought-forprojectile；buttheirmistakewassoondiscovered，andthentheywereindespair。
\"Butwherearethey？wherearethey？\"criedJ。T。Maston。AndthepoormancalledloudlyuponNicholl，Barbicane，andMichelArdan，asifhisunfortunatefriendscouldeitherhearoranswerhimthroughsuchanimpenetrablemedium！Thesearchcontinuedundertheseconditionsuntilthevitiatedaircompelledthediverstoascend。
Thehaulinginbeganaboutsixintheevening，andwasnotendedbeforemidnight。
\"To-morrow，\"saidJ。T。Maston，ashesetfootonthebridgeofthecorvette。
\"Yes，\"answeredCaptainBlomsberry。
\"Andonanotherspot？\"
\"Yes。\"
J。T。Mastondidnotdoubtoftheirfinalsuccess，buthiscompanions，nolongerupheldbytheexcitementofthefirsthours，understoodallthedifficultyoftheenterprise。
WhatseemedeasyatSanFrancisco，seemedhereinthewideoceanalmostimpossible。Thechancesofsuccessdiminishedinrapidproportion；anditwasfromchancealonethatthemeetingwiththeprojectilemightbeexpected。
Thenextday，the24th，inspiteofthefatigueofthepreviousday，theoperationwasrenewed。Thecorvetteadvancedsomeminutestowestward，andtheapparatus，providedwithair，borethesameexplorerstothedepthsoftheocean。
Thewholedaypassedinfruitlessresearch；thebedoftheseawasadesert。The25thbroughtnootherresult，northe26th。
Itwasdisheartening。Theythoughtofthoseunfortunatesshutupintheprojectilefortwenty-sixdays。Perhapsatthatmomenttheywereexperiencingthefirstapproachofsuffocation；
thatis，iftheyhadescapedthedangersoftheirfall。Theairwasspent，anddoubtlesswiththeairalltheir_morale_。
\"Theair，possibly，\"answeredJ。T。Mastonresolutely，\"buttheir_morale_never！\"
Onthe28th，aftertwomoredaysofsearch，allhopewasgone。
Thisprojectilewasbutanatomintheimmensityoftheocean。
Theymustgiveupallideaoffindingit。
ButJ。T。Mastonwouldnothearofgoingaway。Hewouldnotabandontheplacewithoutatleastdiscoveringthetombofhisfriends。ButCommanderBlomsberrycouldnolongerpersist，andinspiteoftheexclamationsoftheworthysecretary，wasobligedtogivetheordertosail。
Onthe29thofDecember，atnineA。M。，theSusquehanna，headingnortheast，resumedhercoursetothebayofSanFrancisco。
Itwasteninthemorning；thecorvettewasunderhalf-steam，asitwasregrettingtoleavethespotwherethecatastrophehadtakenplace，whenasailor，perchedonthemain-top-gallantcrosstrees，watchingthesea，criedsuddenly:
\"Abuoyontheleebow！\"
Theofficerslookedinthedirectionindicated，andbythehelpoftheirglassessawthattheobjectsignalledhadtheappearanceofoneofthosebuoyswhichareusedtomarkthepassagesofbaysorrivers。But，singularlytosay，aflagfloatingonthewindsurmounteditscone，whichemergedfiveorsixfeetoutofwater。Thisbuoyshoneundertheraysofthesunasifithadbeenmadeofplatesofsilver。
CommanderBlomsberry，J。T。Maston，andthedelegatesoftheGunClubweremountedonthebridge，examiningthisobjectstrayingatrandomonthewaves。
Alllookedwithfeverishanxiety，butinsilence。Nonedaredgiveexpressiontothethoughtswhichcametothemindsofall。
Thecorvetteapproachedtowithintwocables\'lengthsoftheobject。
Ashudderranthroughthewholecrew。ThatflagwastheAmericanflag！
Atthismomentaperfecthowlingwasheard；itwasthebraveJ。
T。Mastonwhohadjustfallenallinaheap。Forgettingontheonehandthathisrightarmhadbeenreplacedbyanironhook，andontheotherthatasimplegutta-perchacapcoveredhisbrain-box，hehadgivenhimselfaformidableblow。
Theyhurriedtowardhim，pickedhimup，restoredhimtolife。
Andwhatwerehisfirstwords？
\"Ah！treblybrutes！quadruplyidiots！quintuplyboobiesthatweare！\"
\"Whatisit？\"exclaimedeveryonearoundhim。
\"Whatisit？\"
\"Come，speak！\"
\"Itis，simpletons，\"howledtheterriblesecretary，\"itisthattheprojectileonlyweighs19，250pounds！\"
\"Well？\"
\"Andthatitdisplacestwenty-eighttons，orinotherwords56，000pounds，andthatconsequently_itfloats_！\"
Ah！whatstresstheworthymanhadlaidontheverb\"float！\"
Anditwastrue！All，yes！allthesesavantshadforgottenthisfundamentallaw，namely，thatonaccountofitsspecificlightness，theprojectile，afterhavingbeendrawnbyitsfalltothegreatestdepthsoftheocean，mustnaturallyreturntothesurface。Andnowitwasfloatingquietlyatthemercyofthewaves。
Theboatswereputtosea。J。T。Mastonandhisfriendshadrushedintothem！Excitementwasatitsheight！Everyheartbeatloudlywhiletheyadvancedtotheprojectile。Whatdiditcontain？Livingordead？
Living，yes！living，atleastunlessdeathhadstruckBarbicaneandhistwofriendssincetheyhadhoistedtheflag。
Profoundsilencereignedontheboats。Allwerebreathless。
Eyesnolongersaw。Oneofthescuttlesoftheprojectilewasopen。
Somepiecesofglassremainedintheframe，showingthatithadbeenbroken。Thisscuttlewasactuallyfivefeetabovethewater。
Aboatcamealongside，thatofJ。T。Maston，andJ。T。Mastonrushedtothebrokenwindow。
Atthatmomenttheyheardaclearandmerryvoice，thevoiceofMichelArdan，exclaiminginanaccentoftriumph:
\"Whiteall，Barbicane，whiteall！\"
Barbicane，MichelArdan，andNichollwereplayingatdominoes！
CHAPTERXXIII
THEEND
Wemayremembertheintensesympathywhichhadaccompaniedthetravelersontheirdeparture。Ifatthebeginningoftheenterprisetheyhadexcitedsuchemotionbothintheoldandnewworld，withwhatenthusiasmwouldtheybereceivedontheirreturn！ThemillionsofspectatorswhichhadbesetthepeninsulaofFlorida，wouldtheynotrushtomeetthesesublimeadventurers？Thoselegionsofstrangers，hurryingfromallpartsoftheglobetowardtheAmericanshores，wouldtheyleavetheUnionwithouthavingseenBarbicane，Nicholl，andMichelArdan？No！andtheardentpassionofthepublicwasboundtorespondworthilytothegreatnessoftheenterprise。
Humancreatureswhohadlefttheterrestrialsphere，andreturnedafterthisstrangevoyageintocelestialspace，couldnotfailtobereceivedastheprophetEliaswouldbeifhecamebacktoearth。Toseethemfirst，andthentohearthem，suchwastheuniversallonging。
Barbicane，MichelArdan，Nicholl，andthedelegatesoftheGunClub，returningwithoutdelaytoBaltimore，werereceivedwithindescribableenthusiasm。ThenotesofPresidentBarbicane\'svoyagewerereadytobegiventothepublic。TheNewYork_Herald_boughtthemanuscriptatapricenotyetknown，butwhichmusthavebeenveryhigh。Indeed，duringthepublicationof\"AJourneytotheMoon，\"thesaleofthispaperamountedtofivemillionsofcopies。Threedaysafterthereturnofthetravelerstotheearth，theslightestdetailoftheirexpeditionwasknown。Thereremainednothingmorebuttoseetheheroesofthissuperhumanenterprise。
TheexpeditionofBarbicaneandhisfriendsroundthemoonhadenabledthemtocorrectthemanyadmittedtheoriesregardingtheterrestrialsatellite。Thesesavantshadobserved_devisu_，andunderparticularcircumstances。Theyknewwhatsystemsshouldberejected，whatretainedwithregardtotheformationofthatorb，itsorigin，itshabitability。Itspast，present，andfuturehadevengivenuptheirlastsecrets。Whocouldadvanceobjectionsagainstconscientiousobservers，whoatlessthantwenty-fourmilesdistancehadmarkedthatcuriousmountainofTycho，thestrangestsystemoflunarorography？HowanswerthosesavantswhosesighthadpenetratedtheabyssofPluto\'scircle？Howcontradictthoseboldoneswhomthechancesoftheirenterprisehadborneoverthatinvisiblefaceofthedisc，whichnohumaneyeuntilthenhadeverseen？Itwasnowtheirturntoimposesomelimitonthatselenographicscience，whichhadreconstructedthelunarworldasCuvierdidtheskeletonofafossil，andsay，\"Themoon_was_this，ahabitableworld，inhabitedbeforetheearth。Themoon_is_that，aworlduninhabitable，andnowuninhabited。\"
Tocelebratethereturnofitsmostillustriousmemberandhistwocompanions，theGunClubdecidedupongivingabanquet，butabanquetworthyoftheconquerors，worthyoftheAmericanpeople，andundersuchconditionsthatalltheinhabitantsoftheUnioncoulddirectlytakepartinit。
AlltheheadlinesofrailroadsintheStateswerejoinedbyflyingrails；andonalltheplatforms，linedwiththesameflags，anddecoratedwiththesameornaments，weretableslaidandallservedalike。Atcertainhours，successivelycalculated，markedbyelectricclockswhichbeatthesecondsatthesametime，thepopulationwereinvitedtotaketheirplacesatthebanquettables。Forfourdays，fromthe5thtothe9thofJanuary，thetrainswerestoppedastheyareonSundaysontherailwaysoftheUnitedStates，andeveryroadwasopen。
Oneengineonlyatfullspeed，drawingatriumphalcarriage，hadtherightoftravelingforthosefourdaysontherailroadsoftheUnitedStates。
Theenginewasmannedbyadriverandastoker，andbore，byspecialfavor，theHon。J。T。Maston，secretaryoftheGunClub。
ThecarriagewasreservedforPresidentBarbicane，ColonelNicholl，andMichelArdan。Atthewhistleofthedriver，amidthehurrahs，andalltheadmiringvociferationsoftheAmericanlanguage，thetrainlefttheplatformofBaltimore。Ittraveledataspeedofonehundredandsixtymilesinthehour。ButwhatwasthisspeedcomparedwiththatwhichhadcarriedthethreeheroesfromthemouthoftheColumbiad？
Thustheyspedfromonetowntotheother，findingwholepopulationsattableontheirroad，salutingthemwiththesameacclamations，lavishingthesamebravos！TheytraveledinthiswaythroughtheeastoftheUnion，Pennsylvania，Connecticut，Massachusetts，Vermont，Maine，andNewHampshire；thenorthandwestbyNewYork，Ohio，Michigan，andWisconsin；returningtothesouthbyIllinois，Missouri，Arkansas，Texas，andLouisiana；
theywenttothesoutheastbyAlabamaandFlorida，goingupbyGeorgiaandtheCarolinas，visitingthecenterbyTennessee，Kentucky，Virginia，andIndiana，and，afterquittingtheWashingtonstation，re-enteredBaltimore，whereforfourdaysonewouldhavethoughtthattheUnitedStatesofAmericawereseatedatoneimmensebanquet，salutingthemsimultaneouslywiththesamehurrahs！Theapotheosiswasworthyofthesethreeheroeswhomfablewouldhaveplacedintherankofdemigods。
Andnowwillthisattempt，unprecedentedintheannalsoftravels，leadtoanypracticalresult？Willdirectcommunicationwiththemooneverbeestablished？Willtheyeverlaythefoundationofatravelingservicethroughthesolarworld？Willtheygofromoneplanettoanother，fromJupitertoMercury，andafterawhilefromonestartoanother，fromthePolartoSirius？Willthismeansoflocomotionallowustovisitthosesunswhichswarminthefirmament？
Tosuchquestionsnoanswercanbegiven。ButknowingtheboldingenuityoftheAnglo-Saxonrace，noonewouldbeastonishediftheAmericansseektomakesomeuseofPresidentBarbicane\'sattempt。
Thus，sometimeafterthereturnofthetravelers，thepublicreceivedwithmarkedfavortheannouncementofacompany，limited，withacapitalofahundredmillionofdollars，dividedintoahundredthousandsharesofathousanddollarseach，underthenameofthe\"NationalCompanyofInterstellaryCommunication。\"
President，Barbicane；vice-president，CaptainNicholl；secretary，J。T。Maston；directorofmovements，MichelArdan。
AndasitispartoftheAmericantemperamenttoforeseeeverythinginbusiness，evenfailure，theHonorableHarryTrolloppe，judgecommissioner，andFrancisDrayton，magistrate，werenominatedbeforehand！
End