Elmowhichthrewaprojectileweighing2，500pounds。And，now，whatistheextentofwhatwehaveseenourselves？Armstronggunsdischargingshotof500pounds，andtheRodmangunsprojectilesofhalfaton！Itseems，then，thatifprojectileshavegainedinrange，theyhavelostfarmoreinweight。Now，ifweturnoureffortsinthatdirection，weoughttoarrive，withtheprogressonscience，attentimestheweightoftheshotofMahometII。
andtheKnightsofMalta。"
"Clearly，"repliedthemajor；"butwhatmetaldoyoucalculateuponemploying？"
"Simplycastiron，"saidGeneralMorgan。
"But，"interruptedthemajor，"sincetheweightofashotisproportionatetoitsvolume，anironballofninefeetindiameterwouldbeoftremendousweight。"
"Yes，ifitweresolid，notifitwerehollow。"
"Hollow？thenitwouldbeashell？"
"Yes，ashell，"repliedBarbicane；"decidelyitmustbe。Asolidshotof108incheswouldweighmorethan200，000pounds，aweightevidentlyfartoogreat。Still，aswemustreserveacertainstabilityforourprojectile，Iproposetogiveitaweightof20，000pounds。"
"What，then，willbethethicknessofthesides？"askedthemajor。
"Ifwefollowtheusualproportion，"repliedMorgan，"adiameterof108incheswouldrequiresidesoftwofeetthickness，orless。"
"Thatwouldbetoomuch，"repliedBarbicane；"foryouwillobservethatthequestionisnotthatofashotintendedtopierceanironplate；itwillsufficetogiveitsidesstrongenoughtoresistthepressureofthegas。Theproblem，therefore，isthis——Whatthicknessoughtacast-ironshelltohaveinordernottoweightmorethan20，000pounds？Ourcleversecretarywillsoonenlightenusuponthispoint。"
"Nothingeasier。"repliedtheworthysecretaryofthecommittee；
and，rapidlytracingafewalgebraicalformulaeuponpaper，amongwhich_n_^2and_x_^2frequentlyappeared，hepresentlysaid:
"Thesideswillrequireathicknessoflessthantwoinches。"
"Willthatbeenough？"askedthemajordoubtfully。
"Clearlynot！"repliedthepresident。
"Whatistobedone，then？"saidElphinstone，withapuzzledair。
"Employanothermetalinsteadofiron。"
"Copper？"saidMorgan。
"No！thatwouldbetooheavy。Ihavebetterthanthattooffer。"
"Whatthen？"askedthemajor。
"Aluminum！"repliedBarbicane。
"Aluminum？"criedhisthreecolleaguesinchorus。
"Unquestionably，myfriends。Thisvaluablemetalpossessesthewhitenessofsilver，theindestructibilityofgold，thetenacityofiron，thefusibilityofcopper，thelightnessofglass。Itiseasilywrought，isverywidelydistributed，formingthebaseofmostoftherocks，isthreetimeslighterthaniron，andseemstohavebeencreatedfortheexpresspurposeoffurnishinguswiththematerialforourprojectile。"
"But，mydearpresident，"saidthemajor，"isnotthecostpriceofaluminumextremelyhigh？"
"Itwassoatitsfirstdiscovery，butithasfallennowtoninedollarsapound。"
"Butstill，ninedollarsapound！"repliedthemajor，whowasnotwillingreadilytogivein；"eventhatisanenormousprice。"
"Undoubtedly，mydearmajor；butnotbeyondourreach。"
"Whatwilltheprojectileweighthen？"askedMorgan。
"Hereistheresultofmycalculations，"repliedBarbicane。
"Ashotof108inchesindiameter，andtwelveinchesinthickness，wouldweigh，incast-iron，67，440pounds；castinaluminum，itsweightwillbereducedto19，250pounds。"
"Capital！"criedthemajor；"butdoyouknowthat，atninedollarsapound，thisprojectilewillcost——"
"Onehundredandseventy-threethousandandfiftydollars$173，050。
Iknowitquitewell。Butfearnot，myfriends；themoneywillnotbewantingforourenterprise。Iwillanswerforit。Nowwhatsayyoutoaluminum，gentlemen？"
"Adopted！"repliedthethreemembersofthecommittee。Soendedthefirstmeeting。Thequestionoftheprojectilewasdefinitelysettled。
CHAPTERVIII
HISTORYOFTHECANNON
Theresolutionspassedatthelastmeetingproducedagreateffectoutofdoors。Timidpeopletookfrightattheideaofashotweighing20，000poundsbeinglaunchedintospace；theyaskedwhatcannoncouldevertransmitasufficientvelocitytosuchamightymass。Theminutesofthesecondmeetingweredestinedtriumphantlytoanswersuchquestions。Thefollowingeveningthediscussionwasrenewed。
"Mydearcolleagues，"saidBarbicane，withoutfurtherpreamble，"thesubjectnowbeforeusistheconstructionoftheengine，itslength，itscomposition，anditsweight。Itisprobablethatweshallendbygivingitgiganticdimensions；buthowevergreatmaybethedifficultiesintheway，ourmechanicalgeniuswillreadilysurmountthem。Begoodenough，then，togivemeyourattention，anddonothesitatetomakeobjectionsattheclose。
Ihavenofearofthem。Theproblembeforeusishowtocommunicateaninitialforceof12，000yardspersecondtoashellof108
inchesindiameter，weighing20，000pounds。Nowwhenaprojectileislaunchedintospace，whathappenstoit？Itisacteduponbythreeindependentforces:theresistanceoftheair，theattractionoftheearth，andtheforceofimpulsionwithwhichitisendowed。
Letusexaminethesethreeforces。Theresistanceoftheairisoflittleimportance。Theatmosphereoftheearthdoesnotexceedfortymiles。Now，withthegivenrapidity，theprojectilewillhavetraversedthisinfiveseconds，andtheperiodistoobrieffortheresistanceofthemediumtoberegardedotherwisethanasinsignificant。Proceding，then，totheattractionoftheearth，thatis，theweightoftheshell，weknowthatthisweightwilldiminishintheinverseratioofthesquareofthedistance。
Whenabodylefttoitselffallstothesurfaceoftheearth，itfallsfivefeetinthefirstsecond；andifthesamebodywereremoved257，542milesfurtheroff，inotherwords，tothedistanceofthemoon，itsfallwouldbereducedtoabouthalfalineinthefirstsecond。Thatisalmostequivalenttoastateofperfectrest。
Ourbusiness，then，istoovercomeprogressivelythisactionofgravitation。Themodeofaccomplishingthatisbytheforceofimpulsion。"
"There'sthedifficulty，"brokeinthemajor。
"True，"repliedthepresident；"butwewillovercomethat，fortheforceofimpulsionwilldependonthelengthoftheengineandthepowderemployed，thelatterbeinglimitedonlybytheresistingpoweroftheformer。Ourbusiness，then，to-dayiswiththedimensionsofthecannon。"
"Now，uptothepresenttime，"saidBarbicane，"ourlongestgunshavenotexceededtwenty-fivefeetinlength。Weshallthereforeastonishtheworldbythedimensionsweshallbeobligedtoadopt。Itmustevidentlybe，then，agunofgreatrange，sincethelengthofthepiecewillincreasethedetentionofthegasaccumulatedbehindtheprojectile；butthereisnoadvantageinpassingcertainlimits。"
"Quiteso，"saidthemajor。"Whatistheruleinsuchacase？"
"Ordinarilythelengthofagunistwentytotwenty-fivetimesthediameteroftheshot，anditsweighttwohundredandthirty-fivetotwohundredandfortytimesthatoftheshot。"
"Thatisnotenough，"criedJ。T。Mastonimpetuously。
"Iagreewithyou，mygoodfriend；and，infact，followingthisproportionforaprojectileninefeetindiameter，weighing30，000
pounds，thegunwouldonlyhavealengthoftwohundredandtwenty-
fivefeet，andaweightof7，200，000pounds。"
"Ridiculous！"rejoinedMaston。"Aswelltakeapistol。"
"Ithinksotoo，"repliedBarbicane；"thatiswhyIproposetoquadruplethatlength，andtoconstructagunofninehundredfeet。"
Thegeneralandthemajorofferedsomeobjections；nevertheless，theproposition，activelysupportedbythesecretary，wasdefinitelyadopted。
"But，"saidElphinstone，"whatthicknessmustwegiveit？"
"Athicknessofsixfeet，"repliedBarbicane。
"Yousurelydon'tthinkofmountingamasslikethatuponacarriage？"askedthemajor。
"Itwouldbeasuperbidea，though，"saidMaston。
"Butimpracticable，"repliedBarbicane。"No，Ithinkofsinkingthisengineintheearthalone，bindingitwithhoopsofwroughtiron，andfinallysurroundingitwithathickmassofmasonryofstoneandcement。Thepieceoncecast，itmustbeboredwithgreatprecision，soastoprecludeanypossiblewindage。Sotherewillbenolosswhateverofgas，andalltheexpansiveforceofthepowderwillbeemployedinthepropulsion。"
"Onesimplequestion，"saidElphinstone:"isourguntoberifled？"
"No，certainlynot，"repliedBarbicane；"werequireanenormousinitialvelocity；andyouarewellawarethatashotquitsarifledgunlessrapidlythanitdoesasmooth-bore。"
"True，"rejoinedthemajor。
Thecommitteehereadjournedforafewminutestoteaandsandwiches。
Onthediscussionbeingrenewed，"Gentlemen，"saidBarbicane，"wemustnowtakeintoconsiderationthemetaltobeemployed。
Ourcannonmustbepossessedofgreattenacity，greathardness，beinfusiblebyheat，indissoluble，andinoxidablebythecorrosiveactionofacids。"
"Thereisnodoubtaboutthat，"repliedthemajor；"andasweshallhavetoemployanimmensequantityofmetal，weshallnotbeatalossforchoice。"
"Well，then，"saidMorgan，"Iproposethebestalloyhithertoknown，whichconsistsofonehundredpartsofcopper，twelveoftin，andsixofbrass。"
"Iadmit，"repliedthepresident，"thatthiscompositionhasyieldedexcellentresults，butinthepresentcaseitwouldbetooexpensive，andverydifficulttowork。Ithink，then，thatweoughttoadoptamaterialexcellentinitswayandoflowprice，suchascastiron。Whatisyouradvice，major？"
"Iquiteagreewithyou，"repliedElphinstone。
"Infact，"continuedBarbicane，"castironcoststentimeslessthanbronze；itiseasytocast，itrunsreadilyfromthemouldsofsand，itiseasyofmanipulation，itisatonceeconomicalofmoneyandoftime。Inaddition，itisexcellentasamaterial，andIwellrememberthatduringthewar，atthesiegeofAtlanta，someirongunsfiredonethousandroundsatintervalsoftwentyminuteswithoutinjury。"
"Castironisverybrittle，though，"repliedMorgan。
"Yes，butitpossessesgreatresistance。Iwillnowaskourworthysecretarytocalculatetheweightofacast-irongunwithaboreofninefeetandathicknessofsixfeetofmetal。"
"Inamoment，"repliedMaston。Then，dashingoffsomealgebraicalformulaewithmarvelousfacility，inaminuteortwohedeclaredthefollowingresult:
"Thecannonwillweigh68，040tons。And，attwocentsapound，itwillcost——"
"Twomillionfivehundredandtenthousandsevenhundredandonedollars。"
Maston，themajor，andthegeneralregardedBarbicanewithuneasylooks。
"Well，gentlemen，"repliedthepresident，"IrepeatwhatI
saidyesterday。Makeyourselveseasy；themillionswillnotbewanting。"
Withthisassuranceoftheirpresidentthecommitteeseparated，afterhavingfixedtheirthirdmeetingforthefollowingevening。
CHAPTERIX
THEQUESTIONOFTHEPOWDERS
Thereremainedforconsiderationmerelythequestionofpowders。
Thepublicawaitedwithinterestitsfinaldecision。Thesizeoftheprojectile，thelengthofthecannonbeingsettled，whatwouldbethequantityofpowdernecessarytoproduceimpulsion？
ItisgenerallyassertedthatgunpowderwasinventedinthefourteenthcenturybythemonkSchwartz，whopaidforhisgranddiscoverywithhislife。Itis，however，prettywellprovedthatthisstoryoughttoberankedamongthelegendsofthemiddleages。Gunpowderwasnotinventedbyanyone；itwasthelinealsuccessoroftheGreekfire，which，likeitself，wascomposedofsulfurandsaltpeter。Fewpersonsareacquaintedwiththemechanicalpowerofgunpowder。Nowthisispreciselywhatisnecessarytobeunderstoodinordertocomprehendtheimportanceofthequestionsubmittedtothecommittee。
Alitreofgunpowderweighsabouttwopounds；duringcombustionitproduces400litresofgas。Thisgas，onbeingliberatedandacteduponbytemperatureraisedto2，400degrees，occupiesaspaceof4，000litres:consequentlythevolumeofpowderistothevolumeofgasproducedbyitscombustionas1to4，000。
Onemayjudge，therefore，ofthetremendouspressureonthisgaswhencompressedwithinaspace4，000timestooconfined。
Allthiswas，ofcourse，wellknowntothemembersofthecommitteewhentheymetonthefollowingevening。
ThefirstspeakeronthisoccasionwasMajorElphinstone，whohadbeenthedirectorofthegunpowderfactoriesduringthewar。
"Gentlemen，"saidthisdistinguishedchemist，"Ibeginwithsomefigureswhichwillserveasthebasisofourcalculation。
Theold24-poundershotrequiredforitsdischargesixteenpoundsofpowder。"
"Youarecertainofthisamount？"brokeinBarbicane。
"Quitecertain，"repliedthemajor。"TheArmstrongcannonemploysonlyseventy-fivepoundsofpowderforaprojectileofeighthundredpounds，andtheRodmanColumbiadusesonlyonehundredandsixtypoundsofpowdertosenditshalftonshotadistanceofsixmiles。Thesefactscannotbecalledinquestion，forImyselfraisedthepointduringthedepositionstakenbeforethecommitteeofartillery。"
"Quitetrue，"saidthegeneral。
"Well，"repliedthemajor，"thesefiguresgotoprovethatthequantityofpowderisnotincreasedwiththeweightoftheshot；
thatistosay，ifa24-poundershotrequiressixteenpoundsofpowder；——inotherwords，ifinordinarygunsweemployaquantityofpowderequaltotwo-thirdsoftheweightoftheprojectile，thisproportionisnotconstant。Calculate，andyouwillseethatinplaceofthreehundredandthirty-threepoundsofpowder，thequantityisreducedtonomorethanonehundredandsixtypounds。"
"Whatareyouaimingat？"askedthepresident。
"Ifyoupushyourtheorytoextremes，mydearmajor，"saidJ。T。
Maston，"youwillgettothis，thatassoonasyourshotbecomessufficientlyheavyyouwillnotrequireanypowderatall。"
"OurfriendMastonisalwaysathisjokes，eveninseriousmatters，"criedthemajor；"butlethimmakehismindeasy，Iamgoingpresentlytoproposegunpowderenoughtosatisfyhisartillerist'spropensities。IonlykeeptostatisticalfactswhenIsaythat，duringthewar，andfortheverylargestguns，theweightofthepowderwasreduced，astheresultofexperience，toatenthpartoftheweightoftheshot。"
"Perfectlycorrect，"saidMorgan；"butbeforedecidingthequantityofpowdernecessarytogivetheimpulse，Ithinkitwouldbeaswell——"
"Weshallhavetoemployalarge-grainedpowder，"continuedthemajor；"itscombustionismorerapidthanthatofthesmall。"
"Nodoubtaboutthat，"repliedMorgan；"butitisverydestructive，andendsbyenlargingtheboreofthepieces。"
"Granted；butthatwhichisinjurioustoagundestinedtoperformlongserviceisnotsotoourColumbiad。Weshallrunnodangerofanexplosion；anditisnecessarythatourpowdershouldtakefireinstantaneouslyinorderthatitsmechanicaleffectmaybecomplete。"
"Wemusthave，"saidMaston，"severaltouch-holes，soastofireitatdifferentpointsatthesametime。"
"Certainly，"repliedElphinstone；"butthatwillrendertheworkingofthepiecemoredifficult。Ireturnthentomylarge-grainedpowder，whichremovesthosedifficulties。
InhisColumbiadchargesRodmanemployedapowderaslargeaschestnuts，madeofwillowcharcoal，simplydriedincast-
ironpans。Thispowderwashardandglittering，leftnotraceuponthehand，containedhydrogenandoxygeninlargeproportion，tookfireinstantaneously，and，thoughverydestructive，didnotsensiblyinjurethemouth-piece。"
UptothispointBarbicanehadkeptalooffromthediscussion；
helefttheotherstospeakwhilehehimselflistened；hehadevidentlygotanidea。Henowsimplysaid，"Well，myfriends，whatquantityofpowderdoyoupropose？"
Thethreememberslookedatoneanother。
"Twohundredthousandpounds。"atlastsaidMorgan。
"Fivehundredthousand，"addedthemajor。
"Eighthundredthousand，"screamedMaston。
Amomentofsilencefollowedthistripleproposal；itwasatlastbrokenbythepresident。
"Gentlemen，"hequietlysaid，"Istartfromthisprinciple，thattheresistanceofagun，constructedunderthegivenconditions，isunlimited。IshallsurpriseourfriendMaston，then，bystigmatizinghiscalculationsastimid；andIproposetodoublehis800，000poundsofpowder。"
"Sixteenhundredthousandpounds？"shoutedMaston，leapingfromhisseat。
"Justso。"
"Weshallhavetocomethentomyidealofacannonhalfamilelong；foryousee1，600，000poundswilloccupyaspaceofabout20，000cubicfeet；andsincethecontentsofyourcannondonotexceed54，000cubicfeet，itwouldbehalffull；andtheborewillnotbemorethanlongenoughforthegastocommunicatetotheprojectilesufficientimpulse。"
"Nevertheless，"saidthepresident，"Iholdtothatquantityofpowder。Now，1，600，000poundsofpowderwillcreate6，000，000，000litresofgas。Sixthousandmillions！
Youquiteunderstand？"
"Whatistobedonethen？"saidthegeneral。
"Thethingisverysimple；wemustreducethisenormousquantityofpowder，whilepreservingtoititsmechanicalpower。"
"Good；butbywhatmeans？"
"Iamgoingtotellyou，"repliedBarbicanequietly。
"Nothingismoreeasythantoreducethismasstoonequarterofitsbulk。Youknowthatcuriouscellularmatterwhichconstitutestheelementarytissuesofvegetable？Thissubstanceisfoundquitepureinmanybodies，especiallyincotton，whichisnothingmorethanthedownoftheseedsofthecottonplant。
Nowcotton，combinedwithcoldnitricacid，becometransformedintoasubstanceeminentlyinsoluble，combustible，andexplosive。
Itwasfirstdiscoveredin1832，byBraconnot，aFrenchchemist，whocalleditxyloidine。In1838anotherFrenchman，Pelouze，investigateditsdifferentproperties，andfinally，in1846，Schonbein，professorofchemistryatBale，proposeditsemploymentforpurposesofwar。Thispowder，nowcalledpyroxyle，orfulminatingcotton，ispreparedwithgreatfacilitybysimplyplungingcottonforfifteenminutesinnitricacid，thenwashingitinwater，thendryingit，anditisreadyforuse。"
"Nothingcouldbemoresimple，"saidMorgan。
"Moreover，pyroxyleisunalteredbymoisture——avaluablepropertytous，inasmuchasitwouldtakeseveraldaystochargethecannon。Itignitesat170degreesinplaceof240，anditscombustionissorapidthatonemaysetlighttoitonthetopoftheordinarypowder，withoutthelatterhavingtimetoignite。"
"Perfect！"exclaimedthemajor。
"Onlyitismoreexpensive。"
"Whatmatter？"criedJ。T。Maston。
"Finally，itimpartstoprojectilesavelocityfourtimessuperiortothatofgunpowder。Iwillevenadd，thatifwemixitwithone-eighthofitsownweightofnitrateofpotassium，itsexpansiveforceisagainconsiderablyaugmented。"
"Willthatbenecessary？"askedthemajor。
"Ithinknot，"repliedBarbicane。"So，then，inplaceof1，600，000poundsofpowder，weshallhavebut400，000poundsoffulminatingcotton；andsincewecan，withoutdanger，compress500poundsofcottonintotwenty-sevencubicfeet，thewholequantitywillnotoccupyaheightofmorethan180feetwithintheboreoftheColumbiad。Inthiswaytheshotwillhavemorethan700feetofboretotraverseunderaforceof6，000，000，000
litresofgasbeforetakingitsflighttowardthemoon。"
AtthisjunctureJ。T。Mastoncouldnotrepresshisemotion；heflunghimselfintothearmsofhisfriendwiththeviolenceofaprojectile，andBarbicanewouldhavebeenstoveinifhehadnotbeenboom-proof。
Thisincidentterminatedthethirdmeetingofthecommittee。
Barbicaneandhisboldcolleagues，towhomnothingseemedimpossible，hadsucceedinginsolvingthecomplexproblemsofprojectile，cannon，andpowder。Theirplanwasdrawnup，anditonlyremainedtoputitintoexecution。
"Amerematterofdetail，abagatelle，"saidJ。T。Maston。
CHAPTERX
ONEENEMY_v。_TWENTY-FIVEMILLIONSOFFRIENDS
TheAmericanpublictookalivelyinterestinthesmallestdetailsoftheenterpriseoftheGunClub。Itfolloweddaybydaythediscussionofthecommittee。Themostsimplepreparationsforthegreatexperiment，thequestionsoffigureswhichitinvolved，themechanicaldifficultiestoberesolved——
inoneword，theentireplanofwork——rousedthepopularexcitementtothehighestpitch。
Thepurelyscientificattractionwassuddenlyintensifiedbythefollowingincident:
WehaveseenwhatlegionsofadmirersandfriendsBarbicane'sprojecthadralliedrounditsauthor。Therewas，however，onesingleindividualaloneinalltheStatesoftheUnionwhoprotestedagainsttheattemptoftheGunClub。Heattackeditfuriouslyoneveryopportunity，andhumannatureissuchthatBarbicanefeltmorekeenlytheoppositionofthatonemanthanhedidtheapplauseofalltheothers。Hewaswellawareofthemotiveofthisantipathy，theoriginofthissolitaryenmity，thecauseofitspersonalityandoldstanding，andinwhatrivalryofself-loveithaditsrise。
ThisperseveringenemythepresidentoftheGunClubhadneverseen。
Fortunatethatitwasso，forameetingbetweenthetwomenwouldcertainlyhavebeenattendedwithseriousconsequences。Thisrivalwasamanofscience，likeBarbicanehimself，ofafiery，daring，andviolentdisposition；apureYankee。HisnamewasCaptainNicholl；helivedatPhiladelphia。
MostpeopleareawareofthecuriousstrugglewhicharoseduringtheFederalwarbetweenthegunsandarmorofiron-platedships。
Theresultwastheentirereconstructionofthenavyofboththecontinents；astheonegrewheavier，theotherbecamethickerinproportion。TheMerrimac，theMonitor，theTennessee，theWeehawkendischargedenormousprojectilesthemselves，afterhavingbeenarmor-cladagainsttheprojectilesofothers。Infacttheydidtoothersthatwhichtheywouldnottheyshoulddotothem——
thatgrandprincipleofimmortalityuponwhichreststhewholeartofwar。
NowifBarbicanewasagreatfounderofshot，Nichollwasagreatforgerofplates；theonecastnightanddayatBaltimore，theotherforgeddayandnightatPhiladelphia。AssoonaseverBarbicaneinventedanewshot，Nichollinventedanewplate；
eachfollowedacurrentofideasessentiallyopposedtotheother。
Happilyforthesecitizens，sousefultotheircountry，adistanceoffromfiftytosixtymilesseparatedthemfromoneanother，andtheyhadneveryetmet。Whichofthesetwoinventorshadtheadvantageovertheotheritwasdifficulttodecidefromtheresultsobtained。Bylastaccounts，however，itwouldseemthatthearmor-platewouldintheendhavetogivewaytotheshot；
nevertheless，therewerecompetentjudgeswhohadtheirdoubtsonthepoint。
Atthelastexperimentthecylindro-conicalprojectilesofBarbicanestucklikesomanypinsintheNichollplates。
OnthatdaythePhiladelphiairon-forgerthenbelievedhimselfvictorious，andcouldnotevincecontemptenoughforhisrival；
butwhentheotherafterwardsubstitutedforconicalshotsimple600-poundshells，atverymoderatevelocity，thecaptainwasobligedtogivein。Infact，theseprojectilesknockedhisbestmetalplatetoshivers。
Matterswereatthisstage，andvictoryseemedtorestwiththeshot，whenthewarcametoanendontheverydaywhenNichollhadcompletedanewarmor-plateofwroughtsteel。Itwasamasterpieceofitskind，andbiddefiancetoalltheprojectilesoftheworld。ThecaptainhaditconveyedtothePolygonatWashington，challengingthepresidentoftheGunClubtobreakit。
Barbicane，peacehavingbeendeclared，declinedtotrytheexperiment。
Nicholl，nowfurious，offeredtoexposehisplatetotheshockofanyshot，solid，hollow，round，orconical。Refusedbythepresident，whodidnotchoosetocompromisehislastsuccess。
Nicholl，disgustedbythisobstinacy，triedtotemptBarbicanebyofferinghimeverychance。Heproposedtofixtheplatewithintwohundredyardsofthegun。Barbicanestillobstinateinrefusal。Ahundredyards？Notevenseventy-five！
"Atfiftythen！"roaredthecaptainthroughthenewspapers。
"Attwenty-fiveyards！andI'llstandbehind！"
Barbicanereturnedforanswerthat，evenifCaptainNichollwouldbesogoodastostandinfront，hewouldnotfireanymore。
Nichollcouldnotcontainhimselfatthisreply；threwouthintsofcowardice；thatamanwhorefusedtofireacannon-shotwasprettynearbeingafraidofit；thatartilleristswhofightatsixmilesdistancearesubstitutingmathematicalformulaeforindividualcourage。
TotheseinsinuationsBarbicanereturnednoanswer；perhapsheneverheardofthem，soabsorbedwasheinthecalculationsforhisgreatenterprise。
WhenhisfamouscommunicationwasmadetotheGunClub，thecaptain'swrathpassedallbounds；withhisintensejealousywasmingledafeelingofabsoluteimpotence。Howwashetoinventanythingtobeatthis900-feetColumbiad？Whatarmor-platecouldeverresistaprojectileof30，000poundsweight？
Overwhelmedatfirstunderthisviolentshock，hebyandbyrecoveredhimself，andresolvedtocrushtheproposalbyweightofhisarguments。
HethenviolentlyattackedthelaborsoftheGunClub，publishedanumberoflettersinthenewspapers，endeavoredtoproveBarbicaneignorantofthefirstprinciplesofgunnery。Hemaintainedthatitwasabsolutelyimpossibletoimpressuponanybodywhateveravelocityof12，000yardspersecond；thatevenwithsuchavelocityaprojectileofsuchaweightcouldnottranscendthelimitsoftheearth'satmosphere。Furtherstill，evenregardingthevelocitytobeacquired，andgrantingittobesufficient，theshellcouldnotresistthepressureofthegasdevelopedbytheignitionof1，600，000poundsofpowder；andsupposingittoresistthatpressure，itwouldbelessabletosupportthattemperature；itwouldmeltonquittingtheColumbiad，andfallbackinared-hotshowerupontheheadsoftheimprudentspectators。
Barbicanecontinuedhisworkwithoutregardingtheseattacks。
Nichollthentookupthequestioninitsotheraspects。Withouttouchinguponitsuselessnessinallpointsofview，heregardedtheexperimentasfraughtwithextremedanger，bothtothecitizens，whomightsanctionbytheirpresencesoreprehensibleaspectacle，andalsotothetownsintheneighborhoodofthisdeplorablecannon。Healsoobservedthatiftheprojectiledidnotsucceedinreachingitsdestinationaresultabsolutelyimpossible，itmustinevitablyfallbackupontheearth，andthattheshockofsuchamass，multipliedbythesquareofitsvelocity，wouldseriouslyendangereverypointoftheglobe。
Underthecircumstances，therefore，andwithoutinterferingwiththerightsoffreecitizens，itwasacasefortheinterventionofGovernment，whichoughtnottoendangerthesafetyofallforthepleasureofoneindividual。
Inspiteofallhisarguments，however，CaptainNichollremainedaloneinhisopinion。Nobodylistenedtohim，andhedidnotsucceedinalienatingasingleadmirerfromthepresidentoftheGunClub。Thelatterdidnoteventakethepainstorefutetheargumentsofhisrival。
Nicholl，drivenintohislastentrenchments，andnotabletofightpersonallyinthecause，resolvedtofightwithmoney。
Hepublished，therefore，intheRichmond_Inquirer_aseriesofwagers，conceivedintheseterms，andonanincreasingscale:
No。1$1，000——ThatthenecessaryfundsfortheexperimentoftheGunClubwillnotbeforthcoming。
No。2$2，000——Thattheoperationofcastingacannonof900
feetisimpracticable，andcannotpossiblysucceed。
No。3$3，000——ThatisitimpossibletoloadtheColumbiad，andthatthepyroxylewilltakefirespontaneouslyunderthepressureoftheprojectile。
No。4$4，000——ThattheColumbiadwillburstatthefirstfire。
No。5$5，000——Thattheshotwillnottravelfartherthansixmiles，andthatitwillfallbackagainafewsecondsafteritsdischarge。
Itwasanimportantsum，therefore，whichthecaptainriskedinhisinvincibleobstinacy。Hehadnolessthan$15，000atstake。
Notwithstandingtheimportanceofthechallenge，onthe19thofMayhereceivedasealedpacketcontainingthefollowingsuperblylaconicreply:
"BALTIMORE，October19。
"Done。
"BARBICANE。"
CHAPTERXI
FLORIDAANDTEXAS
Onequestionremainedyettobedecided；itwasnecessarytochooseafavorablespotfortheexperiment。AccordingtotheadviceoftheObservatoryofCambridge，thegunmustbefiredperpendicularlytotheplaneofthehorizon，thatistosay，towardthezenith。Nowthemoondoesnottraversethezenith，exceptinplacessituatedbetween0@and28@oflatitude。Itbecame，then，necessarytodetermineexactlythatspotontheglobewheretheimmenseColumbiadshouldbecast。
Onthe20thofOctober，atageneralmeetingoftheGunClub，BarbicaneproducedamagnificentmapoftheUnitedStates。
"Gentlemen，"saidhe，inopeningthediscussion，"IpresumethatweareallagreedthatthisexperimentcannotandoughtnottobetriedanywherebutwithinthelimitsofthesoiloftheUnion。
Now，bygoodfortune，certainfrontiersoftheUnitedStatesextenddownwardasfarasthe28thparallelofthenorthlatitude。
Ifyouwillcastyoureyeoverthismap，youwillseethatwehaveatourdisposalthewholeofthesouthernportionofTexasandFlorida。"
Itwasfinallyagreed，then，thattheColumbiadmustbecastonthesoilofeitherTexasorFlorida。Theresult，however，ofthisdecisionwastocreatearivalryentirelywithoutprecedentbetweenthedifferenttownsofthesetwoStates。
The28thparallel，onreachingtheAmericancoast，traversesthepeninsulaofFlorida，dividingitintotwonearlyequalportions。
Then，plungingintotheGulfofMexico，itsubtendsthearcformedbythecoastofAlabama，Mississippi，andLouisiana；
thenskirtingTexas，offwhichitcutsanangle，itcontinuesitscourseoverMexico，crossestheSonora，OldCalifornia，andlosesitselfinthePacificOcean。Itwas，therefore，onlythoseportionsofTexasandFloridawhichweresituatedbelowthisparallelwhichcamewithintheprescribedconditionsoflatitude。
Florida，initssouthernpart，reckonsnocitiesofimportance；
itissimplystuddedwithfortsraisedagainsttherovingIndians。
Onesolitarytown，TampaTown，wasabletoputinaclaiminfavorofitssituation。
InTexas，onthecontrary，thetownsaremuchmorenumerousandimportant。CorpusChristi，inthecountyofNueces，andallthecitiessituatedontheRioBravo，Laredo，Comalites，SanIgnacioontheWeb，RioGrandeCityontheStarr，EdinburghintheHidalgo，SantaRita，Elpanda，BrownsvilleintheCameron，formedanimposingleagueagainstthepretensionsofFlorida。
So，scarcelywasthedecisionknown，whentheTexanandFloridandeputiesarrivedatBaltimoreinanincrediblyshortspaceoftime。
FromthatverymomentPresidentBarbicaneandtheinfluentialmembersoftheGunClubwerebesiegeddayandnightbyformidableclaims。IfsevencitiesofGreececontendedforthehonorofhavinggivenbirthtoaHomer，hereweretwoentireStatesthreateningtocometoblowsaboutthequestionofacannon。
Therivalpartiespromenadedthestreetswitharmsintheirhands；
andateveryoccasionoftheirmeetingacollisionwastobeapprehendedwhichmighthavebeenattendedwithdisastrousresults。
HappilytheprudenceandaddressofPresidentBarbicaneavertedthedanger。ThesepersonaldemonstrationsfoundadivisioninthenewspapersofthedifferentStates。TheNewYork_Herald_andthe_Tribune_supportedTexas，whilethe_Times_andthe_AmericanReview_espousedthecauseoftheFloridandeputies。ThemembersoftheGunClubcouldnotdecidetowhichtogivethepreference。
Texasproduceditsarrayoftwenty-sixcounties；Floridarepliedthattwelvecountieswerebetterthantwenty-sixinacountryonlyone-sixthpartofthesize。
Texasplumeditselfuponits330，000natives；Florida，withafarsmallerterritory，boastedofbeingmuchmoredenselypopulatedwith56，000。
TheTexans，throughthecolumnsofthe_Herald_claimedthatsomeregardshouldbehadtoaStatewhichgrewthebestcottoninallAmerica，producedthebestgreenoakfortheserviceofthenavy，andcontainedthefinestoil，besidesironmines，inwhichtheyieldwasfiftypercent。ofpuremetal。
Tothisthe_AmericanReview_repliedthatthesoilofFlorida，althoughnotequallyrich，affordedthebestconditionsforthemouldingandcastingoftheColumbiad，consistingasitdidofsandandargillaceousearth。
"Thatmaybeallverywell，"repliedtheTexans；"butyoumustfirstgettothiscountry。NowthecommunicationswithFloridaaredifficult，whilethecoastofTexasoffersthebayofGalveston，whichpossessesacircumferenceoffourteenleagues，andiscapableofcontainingthenaviesoftheentireworld！"
"Aprettynotiontruly，"repliedthepapersintheinterestofFlorida，"thatofGalvestonbay_belowthe29thparallel！_
HavewenotgotthebayofEspirituSanto，openingpreciselyupon_the28thdegree_，andbywhichshipscanreachTampaTownbydirectroute？"
"Afinebay；halfchokedwithsand！"
"Chokedyourselves！"returnedtheothers。
Thusthewarwentonforseveraldays，whenFloridaendeavoredtodrawheradversaryawayontofreshground；andonemorningthe_Times_hintedthat，theenterprisebeingessentiallyAmerican，itoughtnottobeattempteduponotherthanpurelyAmericanterritory。
TothesewordsTexasretorted，"American！arewenotasmuchsoasyou？WerenotTexasandFloridabothincorporatedintotheUnionin1845？"
"Undoubtedly，"repliedthe_Times_；"butwehavebelongedtotheAmericanseversince1820。"
"Yes！"returnedthe_Tribune_；"afterhavingbeenSpaniardsorEnglishfortwohundredyears，youweresoldtotheUnitedStatesforfivemilliondollars！"
"Well！andwhyneedweblushforthat？WasnotLouisianaboughtfromNapoleonin1803atthepriceofsixteenmilliondollars？"
"Scandalous！"roaredtheTexasdeputies。"AwretchedlittlestripofcountrylikeFloridatodaretocompareitselftoTexas，who，inplaceofsellingherself，assertedherownindependence，droveouttheMexicansinMarch2，1846，anddeclaredherselfafederalrepublicafterthevictorygainedbySamuelHouston，onthebanksoftheSanJacinto，overthetroopsofSantaAnna！——acountry，infine，whichvoluntarilyannexeditselftotheUnitedStatesofAmerica！"
"Yes；becauseitwasafraidoftheMexicans！"repliedFlorida。
"Afraid！"Fromthismomentthestateofthingsbecameintolerable。
AsanguinaryencounterseemeddailyimminentbetweenthetwopartiesinthestreetsofBaltimore。Itbecamenecessarytokeepaneyeuponthedeputies。
PresidentBarbicaneknewnotwhichwaytolook。Notes，documents，lettersfullofmenacesshowereddownuponhishouse。Whichsideoughthetotake？Asregardedtheappropriationofthesoil，thefacilityofcommunication，therapidityoftransport，theclaimsofbothStateswereevenlybalanced。Asforpoliticalprepossessions，theyhadnothingtodowiththequestion。
Thisdeadblockhadexistedforsomelittletime，whenBarbicaneresolvedtogetridofitallatonce。Hecalledameetingofhiscolleagues，andlaidbeforethemapropositionwhich，itwillbeseen，wasprofoundlysagacious。
"Oncarefullyconsidering，"hesaid，"whatisgoingonnowbetweenFloridaandTexas，itisclearthatthesamedifficultieswillrecurwithallthetownsofthefavoredState。
TherivalrywilldescendfromStatetocity，andsoondownward。
NowTexaspossesseseleventownswithintheprescribedconditions，whichwillfurtherdisputethehonorandcreateusnewenemies，whileFloridahasonlyone。Igoin，therefore，forFloridaandTampaTown。"
Thisdecision，onbeingmadeknown，utterlycrushedtheTexandeputies。Seizedwithanindescribablefury，theyaddressedthreateningletterstothedifferentmembersoftheGunClubbyname。Themagistrateshadbutonecoursetotake，andtheytookit。Theycharteredaspecialtrain，forcedtheTexansintoitwhethertheywouldorno；andtheyquittedthecitywithaspeedofthirtymilesanhour。
Quickly，however，astheyweredespatched，theyfoundtimetohurlonelastandbittersarcasmattheiradversaries。
AlludingtotheextentofFlorida，amerepeninsulaconfinedbetweentwoseas，theypretendedthatitcouldneversustaintheshockofthedischarge，andthatitwould"bustup"attheveryfirstshot。
"Verywell，letitbustup！"repliedtheFloridans，withabrevityofthedaysofancientSparta。
CHAPTERXII
URBIETORBI
Theastronomical，mechanical，andtopographicaldifficultiesresolved，finallycamethequestionoffinance。Thesumrequiredwasfartoogreatforanyindividual，orevenanysingleState，toprovidetherequisitemillions。
PresidentBarbicaneundertook，despiteofthematterbeingapurelyAmericanaffair，torenderitoneofuniversalinterest，andtorequestthefinancialco-operationofallpeoples。
Itwas，hemaintained，therightanddutyofthewholeearthtointerfereintheaffairsofitssatellite。ThesubscriptionopenedatBaltimoreextendedproperlytothewholeworld——_Urbietorbi_。
Thissubscriptionwassuccessfulbeyondallexpectation；
notwithstandingthatitwasaquestionnotoflendingbutofgivingthemoney。Itwasapurelydisinterestedoperationinthestrictestsenseoftheterm，andofferednottheslightestchanceofprofit。
Theeffect，however，ofBarbicane'scommunicationwasnotconfinedtothefrontiersoftheUnitedStates；itcrossedtheAtlanticandPacific，invadingsimultaneouslyAsiaandEurope，AfricaandOceanica。TheobservatoriesoftheUnionplacedthemselvesinimmediatecommunicationwiththoseofforeigncountries。Some，suchasthoseofParis，Petersburg，Berlin，Stockholm，Hamburg，Malta，Lisbon，Benares，Madras，andothers，transmittedtheirgoodwishes；therestmaintainedaprudentsilence，quietlyawaitingtheresult。AsfortheobservatoryatGreenwich，secondedasitwasbythetwenty-
twoastronomicalestablishmentsofGreatBritain，itspokeplainlyenough。Itboldlydeniedthepossibilityofsuccess，andpronouncedinfavorofthetheoriesofCaptainNicholl。
ButthiswasnothingmorethanmereEnglishjealousy。
Onthe8thofOctoberPresidentBarbicanepublishedamanifestofullofenthusiasm，inwhichhemadeanappealto"allpersonsofgoodwilluponthefaceoftheearth。"Thisdocument，translatedintoalllanguages，metwithimmensesuccess。
SubscriptionlistswereopenedinalltheprincipalcitiesoftheUnion，withacentralofficeattheBaltimoreBank，9
BaltimoreStreet。
Inaddition，subscriptionswerereceivedatthefollowingbanksinthedifferentstatesofthetwocontinents:
AtVienna，withS。M。deRothschild。
AtPetersburg，StieglitzandCo。
AtParis，TheCreditMobilier。
AtStockholm，TottieandArfuredson。
AtLondon，N。M。RothschildandSon。
AtTurin，ArdouinandCo。
AtBerlin，Mendelssohn。
AtGeneva，Lombard，OdierandCo。
AtConstantinople，TheOttomanBank。
AtBrussels，J。Lambert。
AtMadrid，DanielWeisweller。
AtAmsterdam，NetherlandsCreditCo。
AtRome，TorloniaandCo。
AtLisbon，Lecesne。
AtCopenhagen，PrivateBank。
AtRiodeJaneiro，PrivateBank。
AtMontevideo，PrivateBank。
AtValparaisoandLima，ThomaslaChambreandCo。
AtMexico，MartinDaranandCo。
ThreedaysafterthemanifestoofPresidentBarbicane$4，000，000
werepaidintothedifferenttownsoftheUnion。WithsuchabalancetheGunClubmightbeginoperationsatonce。Butsomedayslateradviceswerereceivedtotheeffectthatforeignsubscriptionswerebeingeagerlytakenup。Certaincountriesdistinguishedthemselvesbytheirliberality；othersuntiedtheirpurse-stringswithlessfacility——amatteroftemperament。
Figuresare，however，moreeloquentthanwords，andhereistheofficialstatementofthesumswhichwerepaidintothecreditoftheGunClubatthecloseofthesubscription。
Russiapaidinashercontingenttheenormoussumof368，733roubles。
Nooneneedbesurprisedatthis，whobearsinmindthescientifictasteoftheRussians，andtheimpetuswhichtheyhavegiventoastronomicalstudies——thankstotheirnumerousobservatories。
FrancebeganbyderidingthepretensionsoftheAmericans。
Themoonservedasapretextforathousandstalepunsandascoreofballads，inwhichbadtastecontestedthepalmwithignorance。ButasformerlytheFrenchpaidbeforesinging，sonowtheypaidafterhavinghadtheirlaugh，andtheysubscribedforasumof1，253，930francs。Atthatpricetheyhadarighttoenjoythemselvesalittle。
Austriashowedherselfgenerousinthemidstofherfinancialcrisis。
Herpubliccontributionsamountedtothesumof216，000florins——
aperfectgodsend。
Fifty-twothousandrix-dollarsweretheremittanceofSwedenandNorway；theamountislargeforthecountry，butitwouldundoubtedlyhavebeenconsiderablyincreasedhadthesubscriptionbeenopenedinChristianasimultaneouslywiththatatStockholm。ForsomereasonorothertheNorwegiansdonotliketosendtheirmoneytoSweden。
Prussia，byaremittanceof250，000thalers，testifiedherhighapprovaloftheenterprise。
Turkeybehavedgenerously；butshehadapersonalinterestinthematter。Themoon，infact，regulatesthecycleofheryearsandherfastofRamadan。Shecouldnotdolessthangive1，372，640piastres；andshegavethemwithaneagernesswhichdenoted，however，somepressureonthepartofthegovernment。
Belgiumdistinguishedherselfamongthesecond-ratestatesbyagrantof513，000francs——abouttwocentimesperheadofherpopulation。
Hollandandhercoloniesinterestedthemselvestotheextentof110，000florins，onlydemandinganallowanceoffivepercent。
discountforpayingreadymoney。
Denmark，alittlecontractedinterritory，gavenevertheless9，000ducats，provingherloveforscientificexperiments。
TheGermanicConfederationpledgeditselfto34，285florins。
Itwasimpossibletoaskformore；besides，theywouldnothavegivenit。
Thoughverymuchcrippled，Italyfound200，000lireinthepocketsofherpeople。IfshehadhadVenetiashewouldhavedonebetter；butshehadnot。
TheStatesoftheChurchthoughtthattheycouldnotsendlessthan7，040Romancrowns；andPortugalcarriedherdevotiontoscienceasfaras30，000cruzados。Itwasthewidow'smite——
eighty-sixpiastres；butself-constitutedempiresarealwaysrathershortofmoney。
Twohundredandfifty-sevenfrancs，thiswasthemodestcontributionofSwitzerlandtotheAmericanwork。Onemustfreelyadmitthatshedidnotseethepracticalsideofthematter。Itdidnotseemtoherthatthemeredespatchofashottothemooncouldpossiblyestablishanyrelationofaffairswithher；anditdidnotseemprudenttohertoembarkhercapitalinsohazardousanenterprise。Afterall，perhapsshewasright。
AstoSpain，shecouldnotscrapetogethermorethan110reals。
Shegaveasanexcusethatshehadherrailwaystofinish。
Thetruthis，thatscienceisnotfavorablyregardedinthatcountry，itisstillinabackwardstate；andmoreover，certainSpaniards，notbyanymeanstheleasteducated，didnotformacorrectestimateofthebulkoftheprojectilecomparedwiththatofthemoon。Theyfearedthatitwoulddisturbtheestablishedorderofthings。Inthatcaseitwerebettertokeepaloof；whichtheydidtothetuneofsomereals。
ThereremainedbutEngland；andweknowthecontemptuousantipathywithwhichshereceivedBarbicane'sproposition。
TheEnglishhavebutonesoulforthewholetwenty-sixmillionsofinhabitantswhichGreatBritaincontains。TheyhintedthattheenterpriseoftheGunClubwascontrarytothe"principleofnon-intervention。"Andtheydidnotsubscribeasinglefarthing。
AtthisintimationtheGunClubmerelyshruggeditsshouldersandreturnedtoitsgreatwork。WhenSouthAmerica，thatistosay，Peru，Chili，Brazil，theprovincesofLaPlataandColumbia，hadpouredforththeirquotaintotheirhands，thesumof$300，000，itfounditselfinpossessionofaconsiderablecapital，ofwhichthefollowingisastatement:
UnitedStatessubscriptions，……$4，000，000
Foreignsubscriptions……$1，446，675——
Total，……$5，446，675
SuchwasthesumwhichthepublicpouredintothetreasuryoftheGunClub。
Letnoonebesurprisedatthevastnessoftheamount。Theworkofcasting，boring，masonry，thetransportofworkmen，theirestablishmentinanalmostuninhabitedcountry，theconstructionoffurnacesandworkshops，theplant，thepowder，theprojectile，andincipientexpenses，would，accordingtotheestimates，absorbnearlythewhole。Certaincannon-shotsintheFederalwarcostonethousanddollarsapiece。ThisoneofPresidentBarbicane，uniqueintheannalsofgunnery，mightwellcostfivethousandtimesmore。
Onthe20thofOctoberacontractwasenteredintowiththemanufactoryatColdspring，nearNewYork，whichduringthewarhadfurnishedthelargestParrott，cast-ironguns。ItwasstipulatedbetweenthecontractingpartiesthatthemanufactoryofColdspringshouldengagetotransporttoTampaTown，insouthernFlorida，thenecessarymaterialsforcastingtheColumbiad。Theworkwasboundtobecompletedatlatestbythe15thofOctoberfollowing，andthecannondeliveredingoodconditionunderpenaltyofaforfeitofonehundreddollarsadaytothemomentwhenthemoonshouldagainpresentherselfunderthesameconditions——thatistosay，ineighteenyearsandelevendays。
Theengagementoftheworkmen，theirpay，andallthenecessarydetailsofthework，devolvedupontheColdspringCompany。
Thiscontract，executedinduplicate，wassignedbyBarbicane，presidentoftheGunClub，oftheonepart，andT。MurchisondirectoroftheColdspringmanufactory，oftheother，whothusexecutedthedeedonbehalfoftheirrespectiveprincipals。
CHAPTERXIII
STONESHILL
WhenthedecisionwasarrivedatbytheGunClub，tothedisparagementofTexas，everyoneinAmerica，wherereadingisauniversalacquirement，settoworktostudythegeographyofFlorida。Neverbeforehadtherebeensuchasaleforworkslike"Bertram'sTravelsinFlorida，""Roman'sNaturalHistoryofEastandWestFlorida，""William'sTerritoryofFlorida，"and"ClelandontheCultivationoftheSugar-CaneinFlorida。"
Itbecamenecessarytoissuefresheditionsoftheseworks。
Barbicanehadsomethingbettertodothantoread。Hedesiredtoseethingswithhisowneyes，andtomarktheexactpositionoftheproposedgun。So，withoutamoment'slossoftime，heplacedatthedisposaloftheCambridgeObservatorythefundsnecessaryfortheconstructionofatelescope，andenteredintonegotiationswiththehouseofBreadwillandCo。，ofAlbany，fortheconstructionofanaluminumprojectileoftherequiredsize。
HethenquittedBaltimore，accompaniedbyJ。T。Maston，MajorElphinstone，andthemanageroftheColdspringfactory。
Onthefollowingday，thefourfellow-travelersarrivedatNewOrleans。Theretheyimmediatelyembarkedonboardthe_Tampico_，adespatch-boatbelongingtotheFederalnavy，whichthegovernmenthadplacedattheirdisposal；and，gettingupsteam，thebanksofLouisianaspeedilydisappearedfromsight。
Thepassagewasnotlong。Twodaysafterstarting，the_Tampico_，havingmadefourhundredandeightymiles，cameinsightofthecoastofFlorida。OnanearerapproachBarbicanefoundhimselfinviewofalow，flatcountryofsomewhatbarrenaspect。
Aftercoastingalongaseriesofcreeksaboundinginlobstersandoysters，the_Tampico_enteredthebayofEspirituSanto，whereshefinallyanchoredinasmallnaturalharbor，formedbythe_embouchure_oftheRiverHillisborough，atsevenP。M。，onthe22dofOctober。
Ourfourpassengersdisembarkedatonce。"Gentlemen，"saidBarbicane，"wehavenotimetolose；tomorrowwemustobtainhorses，andproceedtoreconnoiterthecountry。"
BarbicanehadscarcelysethisfootonshorewhenthreethousandoftheinhabitantsofTampaTowncameforthtomeethim，anhonorduetothepresidentwhohadsignalizedtheircountrybyhischoice。
Declining，however，everykindofovation，BarbicaneensconcedhimselfinaroomoftheFranklinHotel。
OnthemorrowsomeofthesmallhorsesoftheSpanishbreed，fullofvigorandoffire，stoodsnortingunderhiswindows；
butinsteadoffoursteeds，herewerefifty，togetherwiththeirriders。Barbicanedescendedwithhisthreefellow-
travelers；andmuchastonishedweretheyalltofindthemselvesinthemidstofsuchacavalcade。Heremarkedthateveryhorsemancarriedacarbineslungacrosshisshouldersandpistolsinhisholsters。
Onexpressinghissurpriseatthesepreparations，hewasspeedilyenlightenedbyayoungFloridan，whoquietlysaid:
"Sir，thereareSeminolesthere。"
"WhatdoyoumeanbySeminoles？"
"Savageswhoscourtheprairies。Wethoughtitbest，therefore，toescortyouonyourroad。"
"Pooh！"criedJ。T。Maston，mountinghissteed。
"Allright，"saidtheFloridan；"butitistrueenough，nevertheless。"
"Gentlemen，"answeredBarbicane，"Ithankyouforyourkindattention；butitistimetobeoff。"
ItwasfiveA。M。whenBarbicaneandhisparty，quittingTampaTown，madetheirwayalongthecoastinthedirectionofAlifiaCreek。
ThislittleriverfallsintoHillisboroughBaytwelvemilesaboveTampaTown。Barbicaneandhisescortcoastedalongitsrightbanktotheeastward。Soonthewavesofthebaydisappearedbehindabendofrisingground，andtheFloridan"champagne"aloneoffereditselftoview。
Florida，discoveredonPalmSunday，in1512，byJuanPoncedeLeon，wasoriginallynamed_PaschaFlorida_。Itlittledeservedthatdesignation，withitsdryandparchedcoasts。Butaftersomefewmilesoftractthenatureofthesoilgraduallychangesandthecountryshowsitselfworthyofthename。Cultivatedplainssoonappear，whereareunitedalltheproductionsofthenorthernandtropicalfloras，terminatinginprairiesaboundingwithpineapplesandyams，tobacco，rice，cotton-plants，andsugar-canes，whichextendbeyondreachofsight，flingingtheirrichesbroadcastwithcarelessprodigality。
Barbicaneappearedhighlypleasedonobservingtheprogressiveelevationoftheland；andinanswertoaquestionofJ。T。
Maston，replied:
"Myworthyfriend，wecannotdobetterthansinkourColumbiadinthesehighgrounds。"
"Togetnearerthemoon，perhaps？"saidthesecretaryoftheGunClub。
"Notexactly，"repliedBarbicane，smiling；"doyounotseethatamongtheseelevatedplateausweshallhaveamucheasierworkofit？Nostruggleswiththewater-springs，whichwillsaveuslongexpensivetubings；andweshallbeworkingindaylightinsteadofdownadeepandnarrowwell。Ourbusiness，then，istoopenourtrenchesupongroundsomehundredsofyardsabovethelevelofthesea。"
"Youareright，sir，"struckinMurchison，theengineer；"and，ifI
mistakenot，weshallerelongfindasuitablespotforourpurpose。"
"Iwishwewereatthefirststrokeofthepickaxe，"saidthepresident。
"AndIwishwewereatthe_last_，"criedJ。T。Maston。
AbouttenA。M。thelittlebandhadcrossedadozenmiles。
Tofertileplainssucceededaregionofforests。Thereperfumesofthemostvariedkindsmingledtogetherintropicalprofusion。
Thesealmostimpenetrableforestswerecomposedofpomegranates，orange-trees，citrons，figs，olives，apricots，bananas，hugevines，whoseblossomsandfruitsrivaledeachotherincolorandperfume。
Beneaththeodorousshadeofthesemagnificenttreesflutteredandwarbledalittleworldofbrilliantlyplumagedbirds。
J。T。Mastonandthemajorcouldnotrepresstheiradmirationonfindingthemselvesinthepresenceofthegloriousbeautiesofthiswealthofnature。PresidentBarbicane，however，lesssensitivetothesewonders，wasinhastetopressforward；
theveryluxurianceofthecountrywasdispleasingtohim。
Theyhastenedonward，therefore，andwerecompelledtofordseveralrivers，notwithoutdanger，fortheywereinfestedwithhugealligatorsfromfifteentoeighteenfeetlong。
Mastoncourageouslymenacedthemwithhissteelhook，butheonlysucceededinfrighteningsomepelicansandteal，whiletallflamingosstaredstupidlyattheparty。
Atlengththesedenizensoftheswampsdisappearedintheirturn；smallertreesbecamethinlyscatteredamonglessdensethickets——afewisolatedgroupsdetachedinthemidstofendlessplainsoverwhichrangedherdsofstartleddeer。
"Atlast，"criedBarbicane，risinginhisstirrups，"hereweareattheregionofpines！"
"Yes！andofsavagestoo，"repliedthemajor。
Infact，someSeminoleshadjustcameinsightuponthehorizon；
theyrodeviolentlybackwardandforwardontheirfleethorses，brandishingtheirspearsordischargingtheirgunswithadullreport。
Thesehostiledemonstrations，however，hadnoeffectuponBarbicaneandhiscompanions。