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。