Atthisreply，almostsublimeinitsverysimplicity，theassemblybecamesilent。Butitssilencewasmoreeloquentthancouldhavebeenitscriesofenthusiasm。Theunknownprofitedbytheopportunityandoncemoreprotested:
"Youwillinevitablykillyourself！"hecried；"andyourdeathwillbethatofamadman，uselesseventoscience！"
"Goon，mydearunknown，fortrulyyourpropheciesaremostagreeable！"
"Itreallyistoomuch！"criedMichelArdan'sadversary。"IdonotknowwhyIshouldcontinuesofrivolousadiscussion！
Pleaseyourselfaboutthisinsaneexpedition！Weneednottroubleourselvesaboutyou！"
"Praydon'tstanduponceremony！"
"No！anotherpersonisresponsibleforyouract。"
"Who，mayIask？"demandedMichelArdaninanimperioustone。
"Theignoramuswhoorganizedthisequallyabsurdandimpossibleexperiment！"
Theattackwasdirect。Barbicane，eversincetheinterferenceoftheunknown，hadbeenmakingfearfuleffortsofself-control；
now，however，seeinghimselfdirectlyattacked，hecouldrestrainhimselfnolonger。Herosesuddenly，andwasrushingupontheenemywhothusbravedhimtotheface，whenallatoncehefoundhimselfseparatedfromhim。
Theplatformwasliftedbyahundredstrongarms，andthepresidentoftheGunClubsharedwithMichelArdantriumphalhonors。
Theshieldwasheavy，butthebearerscameincontinuousrelays，disputing，struggling，evenfightingamongthemselvesintheireagernesstolendtheirshoulderstothisdemonstration。
However，theunknownhadnotprofitedbythetumulttoquithispost。Besideshecouldnothavedoneitinthemidstofthatcompactcrowd。Thereheheldoninthefrontrowwithcrossedarms，glaringatPresidentBarbicane。
Theshoutsoftheimmensecrowdcontinuedattheirhighestpitchthroughoutthistriumphantmarch。MichelArdantookitallwithevidentpleasure。Hisfacegleamedwithdelight。Severaltimestheplatformseemedseizedwithpitchingandrollinglikeaweatherbeatenship。Butthetwoherosofthemeetinghadgoodsea-legs。Theyneverstumbled；andtheirvesselarrivedwithoutduesattheportofTampaTown。
MichelArdanmanagedfortunatelytoescapefromthelastembracesofhisvigorousadmirers。HemadefortheHotelFranklin，quicklygainedhischamber，andslidunderthebedclothes，whileanarmyofahundredthousandmenkeptwatchunderhiswindows。
Duringthistimeascene，short，grave，anddecisive，tookplacebetweenthemysteriouspersonageandthepresidentoftheGunClub。
Barbicane，freeatlast，hadgonestraightathisadversary。
"Come！"hesaidshortly。
Theotherfollowedhimonthequay；andthetwopresentlyfoundthemselvesaloneattheentranceofanopenwharfonJones'Fall。
Thetwoenemies，stillmutuallyunknown，gazedateachother。
"Whoareyou？"askedBarbicane。
"CaptainNicholl！"
"SoIsuspected。Hithertochancehasneverthrownyouinmyway。"
"Iamcomeforthatpurpose。"
"Youhaveinsultedme。"
"Publicly！"
"Andyouwillanswertomeforthisinsult？"
"Atthisverymoment。"
"No！Idesirethatallthatpassesbetweenusshallbesecret。
TheirisawoodsituatedthreemilesfromTampa，thewoodofSkersnaw。Doyouknowit？"
"Iknowit。"
"Willyoubesogoodastoenteritto-morrowmorningatfiveo'clock，ononeside？"
"Yes！ifyouwillenterattheothersideatthesamehour。"
"Andyouwillnotforgetyourrifle？"saidBarbicane。
"Nomorethanyouwillforgetyours？"repliedNicholl。
Thesewordshavingbeencoldlyspoken，thepresidentoftheGunClubandthecaptainparted。Barbicanereturnedtohislodging；
butinsteadofsnatchingafewhoursofrepose，hepassedthenightinendeavoringtodiscoverameansofevadingtherecoiloftheprojectile，andresolvingthedifficultproblemproposedbyMichelArdanduringthediscussionatthemeeting。
CHAPTERXXI
HOWAFRENCHMANMANAGESANAFFAIR
Whilethecontractofthisduelwasbeingdiscussedbythepresidentandthecaptain——thisdreadful，savageduel，inwhicheachadversarybecameaman-hunter——MichelArdanwasrestingfromthefatiguesofhistriumph。Restingishardlyanappropriateexpression，forAmericanbedsrivalmarbleorgranitetablesforhardness。
Ardanwassleeping，then，badlyenough，tossingaboutbetweentheclothswhichservedhimforsheets，andhewasdreamingofmakingamorecomfortablecouchinhisprojectilewhenafrightfulnoisedisturbedhisdreams。Thunderingblowsshookhisdoor。Theyseemedtobecausedbysomeironinstrument。
Agreatdealofloudtalkingwasdistinguishableinthisracket，whichwasrathertooearlyinthemorning。"Openthedoor，"
someoneshrieked，"forheaven'ssake！"Ardansawnoreasonforcomplyingwithademandsoroughlyexpressed。However，hegotupandopenedthedoorjustasitwasgivingwaybeforetheblowsofthisdeterminedvisitor。ThesecretaryoftheGunClubburstintotheroom。Abombcouldnothavemademorenoiseorhaveenteredtheroomwithlessceremony。
"Lastnight，"criedJ。T。Maston，_exabrupto_，"ourpresidentwaspubliclyinsultedduringthemeeting。Heprovokedhisadversary，whoisnoneotherthanCaptainNicholl！TheyarefightingthismorninginthewoodofSkersnaw。IheardalltheparticularsfromthemouthofBarbicanehimself。Ifheiskilled，thenourschemeisatanend。Wemustpreventhisduel；
andonemanalonehasenoughinfluenceoverBarbicanetostophim，andthatmanisMichelArdan。"
WhileJ。T。Mastonwasspeaking，MichelArdan，withoutinterruptinghim，hadhastilyputonhisclothes；and，inlessthantwominutes，thetwofriendsweremakingforthesuburbsofTampaTownwithrapidstrides。
ItwasduringthiswalkthatMastontoldArdanthestateofthecase。HetoldhimtherealcausesofthehostilitybetweenBarbicaneandNicholl；howitwasofolddate，andwhy，thankstounknownfriends，thepresidentandthecaptainhad，asyet，nevermetfacetoface。Headdedthatitarosesimplyfromarivalrybetweenironplatesandshot，and，finally，thatthesceneatthemeetingwasonlythelong-wished-foropportunityforNicholltopayoffanoldgrudge。
NothingismoredreadfulthanprivateduelsinAmerica。Thetwoadversariesattackeachotherlikewildbeasts。ThenitisthattheymightwellcovetthosewonderfulpropertiesoftheIndiansoftheprairies——theirquickintelligence，theiringeniouscunning，theirscentoftheenemy。Asinglemistake，amoment'shesitation，asinglefalsestepmaycausedeath。OntheseoccasionsYankeesareoftenaccompaniedbytheirdogs，andkeepupthestruggleforhours。
"Whatdemonsyouare！"criedMichelArdan，whenhiscompanionhaddepictedthisscenetohimwithmuchenergy。
"Yes，weare，"repliedJ。T。modestly；"butwehadbettermakehaste。"
ThoughMichelArdanandhehadcrossedtheplainsstillwetwithdew，andhadtakentheshortestrouteovercreeksandricefields，theycouldnotreachSkersnawinunderfivehoursandahalf。
Barbicanemusthavepassedtheborderhalfanhourago。
Therewasanoldbushmanworkingthere，occupiedinsellingfagotsfromtreesthathadbeenleveledbyhisaxe。
Mastonrantowardhim，saying，"Haveyouseenamangointothewood，armedwitharifle？Barbicane，thepresident，mybestfriend？"
TheworthysecretaryoftheGunClubthoughtthathispresidentmustbeknownbyalltheworld。Butthebushmandidnotseemtounderstandhim。
"Ahunter？"saidArdan。
"Ahunter？Yes，"repliedthebushman。
"Longago？"
"Aboutanhour。"
"Toolate！"criedMaston。
"Haveyouheardanygunshots？"askedArdan。
"No！"
"Notone？"
"Notone！thathunterdidnotlookasifheknewhowtohunt！"
"Whatistobedone？"saidMaston。
"Wemustgointothewood，attheriskofgettingaballwhichisnotintendedforus。"
"Ah！"criedMaston，inatonewhichcouldnotbemistaken，"IwouldratherhavetwentyballsinmyownheadthanoneinBarbicane's。"
"Forward，then，"saidArdan，pressinghiscompanion'shand。
Afewmomentslaterthetwofriendshaddisappearedinthecopse。
Itwasadensethicket，inwhichrosehugecypresses，sycamores，tulip-trees，olives，tamarinds，oaks，andmagnolias。
Thesedifferenttreeshadinterwoventheirbranchesintoaninextricablemaze，throughwhichtheeyecouldnotpenetrate。
MichelArdanandMastonwalkedsidebysideinsilencethroughthetallgrass，cuttingthemselvesapaththroughthestrongcreepers，castingcuriousglancesonthebushes，andmomentarilyexpectingtohearthesoundofrifles。AsforthetraceswhichBarbicaneoughttohaveleftofhispassagethroughthewood，therewasnotavestigeofthemvisible:sotheyfollowedthebarelyperceptiblepathsalongwhichIndianshadtrackedsomeenemy，andwhichthedensefoliagedarklyovershadowed。
Afteranhourspentinvainpursuitthetwostoppedinintensifiedanxiety。
"Itmustbeallover，"saidMaston，discouraged。"AmanlikeBarbicanewouldnotdodgewithhisenemy，orensnarehim，wouldnotevenmaneuver！Heistooopen，toobrave。Hehasgonestraightahead，rightintothedanger，anddoubtlessfarenoughfromthebushmanforthewindtopreventhishearingthereportoftherifles。"
"Butsurely，"repliedMichelArdan，"sinceweenteredthewoodweshouldhaveheard！"
"Andwhatifwecametoolate？"criedMastonintonesofdespair。
ForonceArdanhadnoreplytomake，heandMastonresumingtheirwalkinsilence。Fromtimetotime，indeed，theyraisedgreatshouts，callingalternatelyBarbicaneandNicholl，neitherofwhom，however，answeredtheircries。Onlythebirds，awakenedbythesound，flewpastthemanddisappearedamongthebranches，whilesomefrighteneddeerfledprecipitatelybeforethem。
Foranotherhourtheirsearchwascontinued。Thegreaterpartofthewoodhadbeenexplored。Therewasnothingtorevealthepresenceofthecombatants。Theinformationofthebushmanwasafteralldoubtful，andArdanwasabouttoproposetheirabandoningthisuselesspursuit，whenallatonceMastonstopped。
"Hush！"saidhe，"thereissomeonedownthere！"
"Someone？"repeatedMichelArdan。
"Yes；aman！Heseemsmotionless。Hisrifleisnotinhishands。
Whatcanhebedoing？"
"Butcanyourecognizehim？"askedArdan，whoseshortsightwasoflittleusetohiminsuchcircumstances。
"Yes！yes！Heisturningtowardus，"answeredMaston。
"Anditis？"
"CaptainNicholl！"
"Nicholl？"criedMichelArdan，feelingaterriblepangofgrief。
"Nichollunarmed！Hehas，then，nolongeranyfearofhisadversary！"
"Letusgotohim，"saidMichelArdan，"andfindoutthetruth。"
Butheandhiscompanionhadbarelytakenfiftysteps，whentheypausedtoexaminethecaptainmoreattentively。Theyexpectedtofindabloodthirstyman，happyinhisrevenge。
Onseeinghim，theyremainedstupefied。
Anet，composedofveryfinemeshes，hungbetweentwoenormoustulip-trees，andinthemidstofthissnare，withitswingsentangled，wasapoorlittlebird，utteringpitifulcries，whileitvainlystruggledtoescape。Thebird-catcherwhohadlaidthissnarewasnohumanbeing，butavenomousspider，peculiartothatcountry，aslargeasapigeon'segg，andarmedwithenormousclaws。Thehideouscreature，insteadofrushingonitsprey，hadbeatenasuddenretreatandtakenrefugeintheupperbranchesofthetulip-tree，foraformidableenemymenaceditsstronghold。
Here，then，wasNicholl，hisgunontheground，forgetfulofdanger，tryingifpossibletosavethevictimfromitscobwebprison。Atlastitwasaccomplished，andthelittlebirdflewjoyfullyawayanddisappeared。
Nicholllovinglywatcheditsflight，whenheheardthesewordspronouncedbyavoicefullofemotion:
"Youareindeedabraveman。"
Heturned。MichelArdanwasbeforehim，repeatinginadifferenttone:
"Andakindheartedone！"
"MichelArdan！"criedthecaptain。"Whyareyouhere？"
"Topressyourhand，Nicholl，andtopreventyoufromeitherkillingBarbicaneorbeingkilledbyhim。"
"Barbicane！"returnedthecaptain。"Ihavebeenlookingforhimforthelasttwohoursinvain。Whereishehiding？"
"Nicholl！"saidMichelArdan，"thisisnotcourteous！weoughtalwaystotreatanadversarywithrespect；restassureedifBarbicaneisstillaliveweshallfindhimallthemoreeasily；
becauseifhehasnot，likeyou，beenamusinghimselfwithfreeingoppressedbirds，hemustbelookingfor_you_。Whenwehavefoundhim，MichelArdantellsyouthis，therewillbenoduelbetweenyou。"
"BetweenPresidentBarbicaneandmyself，"gravelyrepliedNicholl，"thereisarivalrywhichthedeathofoneofus——"
"Pooh，pooh！"saidArdan。"Bravefellowslikeyouindeed！youshallnotfight！"
"Iwillfight，sir！"
"No！"
"Captain，"saidJ。T。Maston，withmuchfeeling，"Iamafriendofthepresident's，his_alterego_，hissecondself；ifyoureallymustkillsomeone，_shootme！_itwilldojustaswell！"
"Sir，"Nichollreplied，seizinghisrifleconvulsively，"thesejokes——"
"OurfriendMastonisnotjoking，"repliedArdan。"Ifullyunderstandhisideaofbeingkilledhimselfinordertosavehisfriend。ButneitherhenorBarbicanewillfallbeforetheballsofCaptainNicholl。IndeedIhavesoattractiveaproposaltomaketothetworivals，thatbothwillbeeagertoacceptit。"
"Whatisit？"askedNichollwithmanifestincredulity。
"Patience！"exclaimedArdan。"IcanonlyrevealitinthepresenceofBarbicane。"
"Letusgoinsearchofhimthen！"criedthecaptain。
Thethreemenstartedoffatonce；thecaptainhavingdischargedhisriflethrewitoverhisshoulder，andadvancedinsilence。
Anotherhalfhourpassed，andthepursuitwasstillfruitless。
Mastonwasoppressedbysinisterforebodings。HelookedfiercelyatNicholl，askinghimselfwhetherthecaptain'svengeancehadalreadybeensatisfied，andtheunfortunateBarbicane，shot，wasperhapslyingdeadonsomebloodytrack。ThesamethoughtseemedtooccurtoArdan；andbothwerecastinginquiringglancesonNicholl，whensuddenlyMastonpaused。
Themotionlessfigureofamanleaningagainstagiganticcatalpatwentyfeetoffappeared，half-veiledbythefoliage。
"Itishe！"saidMaston。
Barbicanenevermoved。Ardanlookedatthecaptain，buthedidnotwince。Ardanwentforwardcrying:
"Barbicane！Barbicane！"
Noanswer！Ardanrushedtowardhisfriend；butintheactofseizinghisarms，hestoppedshortandutteredacryofsurprise。
Barbicane，pencilinhand，wastracinggeometricalfiguresinamemorandumbook，whilehisunloadedriflelaybesidehimontheground。
Absorbedinhisstudies，Barbicane，inhisturnforgetfuloftheduel，hadseenandheardnothing。
WhenArdantookhishand，helookedupandstaredathisvisitorinastonishment。
"Ah，itisyou！"hecriedatlast。"Ihavefoundit，myfriend，Ihavefoundit！"
"What？"
"Myplan！"
"Whatplan？"
"Theplanforcounteringtheeffectoftheshockatthedepartureoftheprojectile！"
"Indeed？"saidMichelArdan，lookingatthecaptainoutofthecornerofhiseye。
"Yes！water！simplywater，whichwillactasaspring——ah！
Maston，"criedBarbicane，"youherealso？"
"Himself，"repliedArdan；"andpermitmetointroducetoyouatthesametimetheworthyCaptainNicholl！"
"Nicholl！"criedBarbicane，whojumpedupatonce。"Pardonme，captain，Ihadquiteforgotten——Iamready！"
MichelArdaninterfered，withoutgivingthetwoenemiestimetosayanythingmore。
"Thankheaven！"saidhe。"Itisahappythingthatbravemenlikeyoutwodidnotmeetsooner！weshouldnowhavebeenmourningforoneorotherofyou。But，thankstoProvidence，whichhasinterfered，thereisnownofurthercauseforalarm。
Whenoneforgetsone'sangerinmechanicsorincobwebs，itisasignthattheangerisnotdangerous。"
MichelArdanthentoldthepresidenthowthecaptainhadbeenfoundoccupied。
"Iputittoyounow，"saidheinconclusion，"aretwosuchgoodfellowsasyouaremadeonpurposetosmasheachother'sskullswithshot？"
Therewasin"thesituation"somewhatoftheridiculous，somethingquiteunexpected；MichelArdansawthis，anddeterminedtoeffectareconciliation。
"Mygoodfriends，"saidhe，withhismostbewitchingsmile，"thisisnothingbutamisunderstanding。Nothingmore！well！toprovethatitisalloverbetweenyou，acceptfranklytheproposalIamgoingtomaketoyou。"
"Makeit，"saidNicholl。
"OurfriendBarbicanebelievesthathisprojectilewillgostraighttothemoon？"
"Yes，certainly，"repliedthepresident。
"AndourfriendNichollispersuadeditwillfallbackupontheearth？"
"Iamcertainofit，"criedthecaptain。
"Good！"saidArdan。"Icannotpretendtomakeyouagree；butI
suggestthis:Gowithme，andsoseewhetherwearestoppedonourjourney。"
"What？"exclaimedJ。T。Maston，stupefied。
Thetworivals，onthissuddenproposal，lookedsteadilyateachother。Barbicanewaitedforthecaptain'sanswer。
Nichollwatchedforthedecisionofthepresident。
"Well？"saidMichel。"Thereisnownofearoftheshock！"
"Done！"criedBarbicane。
Butquicklyashepronouncedtheword，hewasnotbeforeNicholl。
"Hurrah！bravo！hip！hip！hurrah！"criedMichel，givingahandtoeachofthelateadversaries。"Nowthatitisallsettled，myfriends，allowmetotreatyouafterFrenchfashion。Letusbeofftobreakfast！"
CHAPTERXXII
THENEWCITIZENOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
ThatsamedayallAmericaheardoftheaffairofCaptainNichollandPresidentBarbicane，aswellasitssingular_denouement_。
Fromthatdayforth，MichelArdanhadnotonemoment'srest。
DeputationsfromallcornersoftheUnionharassedhimwithoutcessationorintermission。Hewascompelledtoreceivethemall，whetherhewouldorno。Howmanyhandsheshook，howmanypeoplehewas"hail-fellow-well-met"with，itisimpossibletoguess！Suchatriumphalresultwouldhaveintoxicatedanyotherman；buthemanagedtokeephimselfinastateofdelightful_semi_-tipsiness。
Amongthedeputationsofallkindswhichassailedhim，thatof"TheLunatics"werecarefulnottoforgetwhattheyowedtothefutureconquerorofthemoon。Oneday，certainofthesepoorpeople，sonumerousinAmerica，cametocalluponhim，andrequestedpermissiontoreturnwithhimtotheirnativecountry。
"Singularhallucination！"saidhetoBarbicane，afterhavingdismissedthedeputationwithpromisestoconveynumbersofmessagestofriendsinthemoon。"Doyoubelieveintheinfluenceofthemoonupondistempers？"
"Scarcely！"
"NomoredoI，despitesomeremarkablerecordedfactsofhistory。
Forinstance，duringanepidemicin1693，alargenumberofpersonsdiedattheverymomentofaneclipse。ThecelebratedBaconalwaysfaintedduringaneclipse。CharlesVIrelapsedsixtimesintomadnessduringtheyear1399，sometimesduringthenew，sometimesduringthefullmoon。Gallobservedthatinsanepersonsunderwentanaccessionoftheirdisordertwiceineverymonth，attheepochsofnewandfullmoon。Infact，numerousobservationsmadeuponfevers，somnambulisms，andotherhumanmaladies，seemtoprovethatthemoondoesexercisesomemysteriousinfluenceuponman。"
"Butthehowandthewherefore？"askedBarbicane。
"Well，IcanonlygiveyoutheanswerwhichAragoborrowedfromPlutarch，whichisnineteencenturiesold。`Perhapsthestoriesarenottrue！'"
Intheheightofhistriumph，MichelArdanhadtoencounteralltheannoyancesincidentaltoamanofcelebrity。Managersofentertainmentswantedtoexhibithim。BarnumofferedhimamilliondollarstomakeatouroftheUnitedStatesinhisshow。
Asforhisphotographs，theyweresoldofallsize，andhisportraittakenineveryimaginableposture。Morethanhalfamillioncopiesweredisposedofinanincrediblyshortspaceoftime。
Butitwasnotonlythemenwhopaidhimhomage，butthewomenaswell。Hemighthavemarriedwellahundredtimesover，ifhehadbeenwillingtosettleinlife。Theoldmaids，inparticular，offortyyearsandupward，anddryinproportion，devouredhisphotographsdayandnight。Theywouldhavemarriedhimbyhundreds，evenifhehadimposeduponthemtheconditionofaccompanyinghimintospace。Hehad，however，nointentionoftransplantingaraceofFranco-Americansuponthesurfaceofthemoon。
Hethereforedeclinedalloffers。
Assoonashecouldwithdrawfromthesesomewhatembarrassingdemonstrations，hewent，accompaniedbyhisfriends，topayavisittotheColumbiad。Hewashighlygratifiedbyhisinspection，andmadethedescenttothebottomofthetubeofthisgiganticmachinewhichwaspresentlytolaunchhimtotheregionsofthemoon。ItisnecessaryheretomentionaproposalofJ。T。Maston's。WhenthesecretaryoftheGunClubfoundthatBarbicaneandNichollacceptedtheproposalofMichelArdan，hedeterminedtojointhem，andmakeoneofasmugpartyoffour。Soonedayhedeterminedtobeadmittedasoneofthetravelers。Barbicane，painedathavingtorefusehim，gavehimclearlytounderstandthattheprojectilecouldnotpossiblycontainsomanypassengers。Maston，indespair，wentinsearchofMichelArdan，whocounseledhimtoresignhimselftothesituation，addingoneortwoarguments_adhominem_。
"Yousee，oldfellow，"hesaid，"youmustnottakewhatIsayinbadpart；butreally，betweenourselves，youareintooincompleteaconditiontoappearinthemoon！"
"Incomplete？"shriekedthevaliantinvalid。
"Yes，mydearfellow！imagineourmeetingsomeoftheinhabitantsupthere！Wouldyouliketogivethemsuchamelancholynotionofwhatgoesondownhere？toteachthemwhatwaris，toinformthemthatweemployourtimechieflyindevouringeachother，insmashingarmsandlegs，andthattooonaglobewhichiscapableofsupportingahundredbillionsofinhabitants，andwhichactuallydoescontainnearlytwohundredmillions？Why，myworthyfriend，weshouldhavetoturnyououtofdoors！"
"Butstill，ifyouarrivethereinpieces，youwillbeasincompleteasIam。"
"Unquestionably，"repliedMichelArdan；"butweshallnot。"
Infact，apreparatoryexperiment，triedonthe18thofOctober，hadyieldedthebestresultsandcausedthemostwell-groundedhopesofsuccess。Barbicane，desirousofobtainingsomenotionoftheeffectoftheshockatthemomentoftheprojectile'sdeparture，hadprocureda38-inchmortarfromthearsenalofPensacola。HehadthisplacedonthebankofHillisboroughRoads，inorderthattheshellmightfallbackintothesea，andtheshockbetherebydestroyed。Hisobjectwastoascertaintheextentoftheshockofdeparture，andnotthatofthereturn。
Ahollowprojectilehadbeenpreparedforthiscuriousexperiment。
Athickpaddingfasteneduponakindofelasticnetwork，madeofthebeststeel，linedtheinsideofthewalls。Itwasaveritable_nest_mostcarefullywadded。
"WhatapityIcan'tfindroominthere，"saidJ。T。Maston，regrettingthathisheightdidnotallowofhistryingtheadventure。
Withinthisshellwereshutupalargecat，andasquirrelbelongingtoJ。T。Maston，andofwhichhewasparticularlyfond。
Theyweredesirous，however，ofascertaininghowthislittleanimal，leastofallotherssubjecttogiddiness，wouldendurethisexperimentalvoyage。
Themortarwaschargedwith160poundsofpowder，andtheshellplacedinthechamber。Onbeingfired，theprojectilerosewithgreatvelocity，describedamajesticparabola，attainedaheightofaboutathousandfeet，andwithagracefulcurvedescendedinthemidstofthevesselsthatlaythereatanchor。
Withoutamoment'slossoftimeasmallboatputoffinthedirectionofitsfall；somediversplungedintothewaterandattachedropestothehandlesoftheshell，whichwasquicklydraggedonboard。Fiveminutesdidnotelapsebetweenthemomentofenclosingtheanimalsandthatofunscrewingthecoverlidoftheirprison。
Ardan，Barbicane，Maston，andNichollwerepresentonboardtheboat，andassistedattheoperationwithaninterestwhichmayreadilybecomprehended。Hardlyhadtheshellbeenopenedwhenthecatleapedout，slightlybruised，butfulloflife，andexhibitingnosignswhateverofhavingmadeanaerialexpedition。
Notrace，however，ofthesquirrelcouldbediscovered。Thetruthatlastbecameapparent——thecathadeatenitsfellow-traveler！
J。T。Mastongrievedmuchforthelossofhispoorsquirrel，andproposedtoadditscasetothatofothermartyrstoscience。
Afterthisexperimentallhesitation，allfeardisappeared。
Besides，Barbicane'splanswouldensuregreaterperfectionforhisprojectile，andgofartoannihilatealtogethertheeffectsoftheshock。Nothingnowremainedbuttogo！
TwodayslaterMichelArdanreceivedamessagefromthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，anhonorofwhichheshowedhimselfespeciallysensible。
Aftertheexampleofhisillustriousfellow-countryman，theMarquisdelaFayette，thegovernmenthaddecreedtohimthetitleof"CitizenoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica。"
CHAPTERXXIII
THEPROJECTILE-VEHICLE
OnthecompletionoftheColumbiadthepublicinterestcenteredintheprojectileitself，thevehiclewhichwasdestinedtocarrythethreehardyadventurersintospace。
ThenewplanshadbeensenttoBreadwillandCo。，ofAlbany，withtherequestfortheirspeedyexecution。Theprojectilewasconsequentlycastonthe2ndofNovember，andimmediatelyforwardedbytheEasternRailwaytoStonesHill，whichitreachedwithoutaccidentonthe10thofthatmonth，whereMichelArdan，Barbicane，andNichollwerewaitingimpatientlyforit。
Theprojectilehadnowtobefilledtothedepthofthreefeetwithabedofwater，intendedtosupportawater-tightwoodendisc，whichworkedeasilywithinthewallsoftheprojectile。
Itwasuponthiskindofraftthatthetravelersweretotaketheirplace。Thisbodyofwaterwasdividedbyhorizontalpartitions，whichtheshockofthedeparturewouldhavetobreakinsuccession。Theneachsheetofthewater，fromthelowesttothehighest，runningoffintoescapetubestowardthetopoftheprojectile，constitutedakindofspring；andthewoodendisc，suppliedwithextremelypowerfulplugs，couldnotstrikethelowestplateexceptafterbreakingsuccessivelythedifferentpartitions。Undoubtedlythetravelerswouldstillhavetoencounteraviolentrecoilafterthecompleteescapementofthewater；butthefirstshockwouldbealmostentirelydestroyedbythispowerfulspring。Theupperpartsofthewallswerelinedwithathickpaddingofleather，fasteneduponspringsofthebeststeel，behindwhichtheescapetubeswerecompletelyconcealed；thusallimaginableprecautionshadbeentakenforavertingthefirstshock；andiftheydidgetcrushed，theymust，asMichelArdansaid，bemadeofverybadmaterials。
Theentranceintothismetallictowerwasbyanarrowaperturecontrivedinthewallofthecone。Thiswashermeticallyclosedbyaplateofaluminum，fastenedinternallybypowerfulscrew-pressure。Thetravelerscouldthereforequittheirprisonatpleasure，assoonastheyshouldreachthemoon。
Lightandviewweregivenbymeansoffourthicklenticularglassscuttles，twopiercedinthecircularwallitself，thethirdinthebottom，thefourthinthetop。Thesescuttlesthenwereprotectedagainsttheshockofdeparturebyplatesletintosolidgrooves，whichcouldeasilybeopenedoutwardbyunscrewingthemfromtheinside。Reservoirsfirmlyfixedcontainedwaterandthenecessaryprovisions；andfireandlightwereprocurablebymeansofgas，containedinaspecialreservoirunderapressureofseveralatmospheres。
Theyhadonlytoturnatap，andforsixhoursthegaswouldlightandwarmthiscomfortablevehicle。
Therenowremainedonlythequestionofair；forallowingfortheconsumptionofairbyBarbicane，histwocompanions，andtwodogswhichheproposedtakingwithhim，itwasnecessarytorenewtheairoftheprojectile。Nowairconsistsprincipallyoftwenty-onepartsofoxygenandseventy-nineofnitrogen。
Thelungsabsorbtheoxygen，whichisindispensableforthesupportoflife，andrejectthenitrogen。Theairexpiredlosesnearlyfivepercent。oftheformerandcontainsnearlyanequalvolumeofcarbonicacid，producedbythecombustionoftheelementsoftheblood。Inanair-tightenclosure，then，afteracertaintime，alltheoxygenoftheairwillbereplacedbythecarbonicacid——agasfataltolife。Thereweretwothingstobedonethen——first，toreplacetheabsorbedoxygen；secondly，todestroytheexpiredcarbonicacid；botheasyenoughtodo，bymeansofchlorateofpotassiumandcausticpotash。Theformerisasaltwhichappearsundertheformofwhitecrystals；whenraisedtoatemperatureof400degreesitistransformedintochlorureofpotassium，andtheoxygenwhichitcontainsisentirelyliberated。Nowtwenty-eightpoundsofchlorateofpotassiumproducessevenpoundsofoxygen，or2，400litres——thequantitynecessaryforthetravelersduringtwenty-fourhours。
Causticpotashhasagreataffinityforcarbonicacid；anditissufficienttoshakeitinorderforittoseizeupontheacidandformbicarbonateofpotassium。Bythesetwomeanstheywouldbeenabledtorestoretothevitiatedairitslife-
supportingproperties。
Itisnecessary，however，toaddthattheexperimentshadhithertobeenmade_inanimavili_。Whateveritsscientificaccuracywas，theywereatpresentignoranthowitwouldanswerwithhumanbeings。ThehonorofputtingittotheproofwasenergeticallyclaimedbyJ。T。Maston。
"SinceIamnottogo，"saidthebraveartillerist，"Imayatleastliveforaweekintheprojectile。"
Itwouldhavebeenhardtorefusehim；sotheyconsentedtohiswish。Asufficientquantityofchlorateofpotassiumandofcausticpotashwasplacedathisdisposal，togetherwithprovisionsforeightdays。Andhavingshakenhandswithhisfriends，onthe12thofNovember，atsixo'clockA。M。，afterstrictlyinformingthemnottoopenhisprisonbeforethe20th，atsixo'clockP。M。，hesliddowntheprojectile，theplateofwhichwasatoncehermeticallysealed。Whatdidhedowithhimselfduringthatweek？Theycouldgetnoinformation。
Thethicknessofthewallsoftheprojectilepreventedanysoundreachingfromtheinsidetotheoutside。Onthe20thofNovember，atsixP。M。exactly，theplatewasopened。
ThefriendsofJ。T。Mastonhadbeenallalonginastateofmuchanxiety；buttheywerepromptlyreassuredonhearingajollyvoiceshoutingaboisteroushurrah。
PresentlyafterwardthesecretaryoftheGunClubappearedatthetopoftheconeinatriumphantattitude。Hehadgrownfat！
CHAPTERXXIV
THETELESCOPEOFTHEROCKYMOUNTAINS
Onthe20thofOctoberintheprecedingyear，afterthecloseofthesubscription，thepresidentoftheGunClubhadcreditedtheObservatoryofCambridgewiththenecessarysumsfortheconstructionofagiganticopticalinstrument。Thisinstrumentwasdesignedforthepurposeofrenderingvisibleonthesurfaceofthemoonanyobjectexceedingninefeetindiameter。
AttheperiodwhentheGunClubessayedtheirgreatexperiment，suchinstrumentshadreachedahighdegreeofperfection，andproducedsomemagnificentresults。Twotelescopesinparticular，atthistime，werepossessedofremarkablepowerandofgiganticdimensions。Thefirst，constructedbyHerschel，wasthirty-sixfeetinlength，andhadanobject-glassoffourfeetsixinches；itpossessedamagnifyingpowerof6，000。
ThesecondwasraisedinIreland，inParsonstownPark，andbelongstoLordRosse。Thelengthofthistubeisforty-eightfeet，andthediameterofitsobject-glasssixfeet；itmagnifies6，400
times，andrequiredanimmenseerectionofbrickworkandmasonryforthepurposeofworkingit，itsweightbeingtwelveandahalftons。
Still，despitethesecolossaldimensions，theactualenlargementsscarcelyexceeded6，000timesinroundnumbers；
consequently，themoonwasbroughtwithinnoneareranapparentdistancethanthirty-ninemiles；andobjectsoflessthansixtyfeetindiameter，unlesstheywereofveryconsiderablelength，werestillimperceptible。
Inthepresentcase，dealingwithaprojectileninefeetindiameterandfifteenfeetlong，itbecamenecessarytobringthemoonwithinanapparentdistanceoffivemilesatmost；andforthatpurposetoestablishamagnifyingpowerof48，000times。
SuchwasthequestionproposedtotheObservatoryofCambridge，Therewasnolackoffunds；thedifficultywaspurelyoneofconstruction。
Afterconsiderablediscussionastothebestformandprincipleoftheproposedinstrumenttheworkwasfinallycommenced。
AccordingtothecalculationsoftheObservatoryofCambridge，thetubeofthenewreflectorwouldrequiretobe280feetinlength，andtheobject-glasssixteenfeetindiameter。
Colossalasthesedimensionsmayappear，theywerediminutiveincomparisonwiththe10，000foottelescopeproposedbytheastronomerHookeonlyafewyearsago！
Regardingthechoiceoflocality，thatmatterwaspromptlydetermined。Theobjectwastoselectsomeloftymountain，andtherearenotmanyoftheseintheUnitedStates。
Infacttherearebuttwochainsofmoderateelevation，betweenwhichrunsthemagnificentMississippi，the"kingofrivers"
astheseRepublicanYankeesdelighttocallit。
EastwardsrisetheAppalachians，theveryhighestpointofwhich，inNewHampshire，doesnotexceedtheverymoderatealtitudeof5，600feet。
Onthewest，however，risetheRockyMountains，thatimmenserangewhich，commencingattheStraightsofMagellan，followsthewesterncoastofSouthernAmericaunderthenameoftheAndesortheCordilleras，untilitcrossestheIsthmusofPanama，andrunsupthewholeofNorthAmericatotheverybordersofthePolarSea。Thehighestelevationofthisrangestilldoesnotexceed10，700feet。Withthiselevation，nevertheless，theGunClubwerecompelledtobecontent，inasmuchastheyhaddeterminedthatbothtelescopeandColumbiadshouldbeerectedwithinthelimitsoftheUnion。
AllthenecessaryapparatuswasconsequentlysentontothesummitofLong'sPeak，intheterritoryofMissouri。
NeitherpennorlanguagecandescribethedifficultiesofallkindswhichtheAmericanengineershadtosurmount，oftheprodigiesofdaringandskillwhichtheyaccomplished。Theyhadtoraiseenormousstones，massivepiecesofwroughtiron，heavycorner-clampsandhugeportionsofcylinder，withanobject-glassweighingnearly30，000pounds，abovethelineofperpetualsnowformorethan10，000feetinheight，aftercrossingdesertprairies，impenetrableforests，fearfulrapids，farfromallcentersofpopulation，andinthemidstofsavageregions，inwhicheverydetailoflifebecomesanalmostinsolubleproblem。Andyet，notwithstandingtheseinnumerableobstacles，Americangeniustriumphed。Inlessthanayearafterthecommencementoftheworks，towardthecloseofSeptember，thegiganticreflectorroseintotheairtoaheightof280feet。
Itwasraisedbymeansofanenormousironcrane；aningeniousmechanismallowedittobeeasilyworkedtowardallthepointsoftheheavens，andtofollowthestarsfromtheonehorizontotheotherduringtheirjourneythroughtheheavens。
Ithadcost$400，000。Thefirsttimeitwasdirectedtowardthemoontheobserversevincedbothcuriosityandanxiety。Whatweretheyabouttodiscoverinthefieldofthistelescopewhichmagnifiedobjects48，000times？Wouldtheyperceivepeoples，herdsoflunaranimals，towns，lakes，seas？No！therewasnothingwhichsciencehadnotalreadydiscovered！andonallthepointsofitsdiscthevolcanicnatureofthemoonbecamedeterminablewiththeutmostprecision。
ButthetelescopeoftheRockyMountains，beforedoingitsdutytotheGunClub，renderedimmenseservicestoastronomy。Thankstoitspenetrativepower，thedepthsoftheheavensweresoundedtotheutmostextent；theapparentdiameterofagreatnumberofstarswasaccuratelymeasured；andMr。Clark，oftheCambridgestaff，resolvedtheCrabnebulainTaurus，whichthereflectorofLordRossehadneverbeenabletodecompose。
CHAPTERXXV
FINALDETAILS
Itwasthe22ndofNovember；thedeparturewastotakeplaceintendays。Oneoperationaloneremainedtobeaccomplishedtobringalltoahappytermination；anoperationdelicateandperilous，requiringinfiniteprecautions，andagainstthesuccessofwhichCaptainNichollhadlaidhisthirdbet。Itwas，infact，nothinglessthantheloadingoftheColumbiad，andtheintroductionintoitof400，000poundsofgun-cotton。Nichollhadthought，notperhapswithoutreason，thatthehandlingofsuchformidablequantitiesofpyroxylewould，inallprobability，involveagravecatastrophe；andatanyrate，thatthisimmensemassofeminentlyinflammablematterwouldinevitablyignitewhensubmittedtothepressureoftheprojectile。
TherewereindeeddangersaccruingasbeforefromthecarelessnessoftheAmericans，butBarbicanehadsethisheartonsuccess，andtookallpossibleprecautions。Inthefirstplace，hewasverycarefulastothetransportationofthegun-cottontoStonesHill。Hehaditconveyedinsmallquantities，carefullypackedinsealedcases。ThesewerebroughtbyrailfromTampaTowntothecamp，andfromthenceweretakentotheColumbiadbybarefootedworkmen，whodepositedthemintheirplacesbymeansofcranesplacedattheorificeofthecannon。Nosteam-enginewaspermittedtowork，andeveryfirewasextinguishedwithintwomilesoftheworks。
EveninNovembertheyfearedtoworkbyday，lestthesun'sraysactingonthegun-cottonmightleadtounhappyresults。Thisledtotheirworkingatnight，bylightproducedinavacuumbymeansofRuhmkorff'sapparatus，whichthrewanartificialbrightnessintothedepthsoftheColumbiad。Therethecartridgeswerearrangedwiththeutmostregularity，connectedbyametallicthread，destinedtocommunicatetothemallsimultaneouslytheelectricspark，bywhichmeansthismassofgun-cottonwaseventuallytobeignited。
Bythe28thofNovembereighthundredcartridgeshadbeenplacedinthebottomoftheColumbiad。Sofartheoperationhadbeensuccessful！Butwhatconfusion，whatanxieties，whatstruggleswereundergonebyPresidentBarbicane！InvainhadherefusedadmissiontoStonesHill；everydaytheinquisitiveneighborsscaledthepalisades，someevencarryingtheirimprudencetothepointofsmokingwhilesurroundedbybalesofgun-cotton。
Barbicanewasinaperpetualstateofalarm。J。T。Mastonsecondedhimtothebestofhisability，bygivingvigorouschasetotheintruders，andcarefullypickingupthestilllightedcigarendswhichtheYankeesthrewabout。Asomewhatdifficulttask！seeingthatmorethan300，000personsweregatheredroundtheenclosure。MichelArdanhadvolunteeredtosuperintendthetransportofthecartridgestothemouthoftheColumbiad；butthepresident，havingsurprisedhimwithanenormouscigarinhismouth，whilehewashuntingouttherashspectatorstowhomhehimselfofferedsodangerousanexample，sawthathecouldnottrustthisfearlesssmoker，andwasthereforeobligedtomountaspecialguardoverhim。
Atlast，Providencebeingpropitious，thiswonderfulloadingcametoahappytermination，CaptainNicholl'sthirdbetbeingthuslost。ItremainednowtointroducetheprojectileintotheColumbiad，andtoplaceitonitssoftbedofgun-cotton。
Butbeforedoingthis，allthosethingsnecessaryforthejourneyhadtobecarefullyarrangedintheprojectilevehicle。
Thesenecessarieswerenumerous；andhadArdanbeenallowedtofollowhisownwishes，therewouldhavebeennospaceremainingforthetravelers。ItisimpossibletoconceiveofhalfthethingsthischarmingFrenchmanwishedtoconveytothemoon。
Averitablestockofuselesstrifles！ButBarbicaneinterferedandrefusedadmissiontoanythingnotabsolutelyneeded。
Severalthermometers，barometers，andtelescopeswerepackedintheinstrumentcase。
Thetravelersbeingdesirousofexamingthemooncarefullyduringtheirvoyage，inordertofacilitatetheirstudies，theytookwiththemBoeerandMoeller'sexcellent_MappaSelenographica_，amasterpieceofpatienceandobservation，whichtheyhopedwouldenablethemtoidentifythosephysicalfeaturesinthemoon，withwhichtheywereacquainted。
Thismapreproducedwithscrupulousfidelitythesmallestdetailsofthelunarsurfacewhichfacestheearth；themountains，valleys，craters，peaks，andridgeswereallrepresented，withtheirexactdimensions，relativepositions，andnames；fromthemountainsDoerfelandLeibnitzontheeasternsideofthedisc，tothe_Marefrigoris_oftheNorthPole。
Theytookalsothreeriflesandthreefowling-pieces，andalargequantityofballs，shot，andpowder。
"Wecannottellwhomweshallhavetodealwith，"saidMichelArdan。
"Menorbeastsmaypossiblyobjecttoourvisit。Itisonlywisetotakeallprecautions。"
Thesedefensiveweaponswereaccompaniedbypickaxes，crowbars，saws，andotherusefulimplements，nottomentionclothingadaptedtoeverytemperature，fromthatofpolarregionstothatofthetorridzone。
Ardanwishedtoconveyanumberofanimalsofdifferentsorts，notindeedapairofeveryknownspecies，ashecouldnotseethenecessityofacclimatizingserpents，tigers，alligators，oranyothernoxiousbeastsinthemoon。"Nevertheless，"hesaidtoBarbicane，"somevaluableandusefulbeasts，bullocks，cows，horses，anddonkeys，wouldbearthejourneyverywell，andwouldalsobeveryusefultous。"
"Idaresay，mydearArdan，"repliedthepresident，"butourprojectile-vehicleisnoNoah'sark，fromwhichitdiffersbothindimensionsandobject。Letusconfineourselvestopossibilities。"
Afteraprolongeddiscussion，itwasagreedthatthetravelersshouldrestrictthemselvestoasporting-dogbelongingtoNicholl，andtoalargeNewfoundland。Severalpacketsofseedswerealsoincludedamongthenecessaries。MichelArdan，indeed，wasanxioustoaddsomesacksfullofearthtosowthemin；asitwas，hetookadozenshrubscarefullywrappedupinstrawtoplantinthemoon。
Theimportantquestionofprovisionsstillremained；itbeingnecessarytoprovideagainstthepossibilityoftheirfindingthemoonabsolutelybarren。Barbicanemanagedsosuccessfully，thathesuppliedthemwithsufficientrationsforayear。
Theseconsistedofpreservedmeatsandvegetables，reducedbystronghydraulicpressuretothesmallestpossibledimensions。
Theywerealsosuppliedwithbrandy，andtookwaterenoughfortwomonths，beingconfident，fromastronomicalobservations，thattherewasnolackofwateronthemoon'ssurface。Astoprovisions，doubtlesstheinhabitantsofthe_earth_wouldfindnourishmentsomewhereinthe_moon_。Ardanneverquestionedthis；indeed，hadhedoneso，hewouldneverhaveundertakenthejourney。
"Besides，"hesaidonedaytohisfriends，"weshallnotbecompletelyabandonedbyourterrestrialfriends；theywilltakecarenottoforgetus。"
"No，indeed！"repliedJ。T。Maston。
"Nothingwouldbesimpler，"repliedArdan；"theColumbiadwillbealwaysthere。Well！wheneverthemoonisinafavorableconditionastothezenith，ifnottotheperigee，thatistosayaboutonceayear，couldyounotsendusashellpackedwithprovisions，whichwemightexpectonsomeappointedday？"
"Hurrah！hurrah！"criedJ。T。Matson；"whataningeniousfellow！
whatasplendididea！Indeed，mygoodfriends，weshallnotforgetyou！"
"Ishallreckonuponyou！Then，yousee，weshallreceivenewsregularlyfromtheearth，andweshallindeedbestupidifwehituponnoplanforcommunicatingwithourgoodfriendshere！"
Thesewordsinspiredsuchconfidence，thatMichelArdancarriedalltheGunClubwithhiminhisenthusiasm。Whathesaidseemedsosimpleandsoeasy，sosureofsuccess，thatnonecouldbesosordidlyattachedtothisearthastohesitatetofollowthethreetravelersontheirlunarexpedition。
Allbeingreadyatlast，itremainedtoplacetheprojectileintheColumbiad，anoperationabundantlyaccompaniedbydangersanddifficulties。
TheenormousshellwasconveyedtothesummitofStonesHill。
There，powerfulcranesraisedit，andhelditsuspendedoverthemouthofthecylinder。
Itwasafearfulmoment！Whatifthechainsshouldbreakunderitsenormousweight？Thesuddenfallofsuchabodywouldinevitablycausethegun-cottontoexplode！
Fortunatelythisdidnothappen；andsomehourslatertheprojectile-vehicledescendedgentlyintotheheartofthecannonandrestedonitscouchofpyroxyle，averitablebedofexplosiveeider-down。Itspressurehadnoresult，otherthanthemoreeffectualrammingdownofthechargeintheColumbiad。
"Ihavelost，"saidthecaptain，whoforthwithpaidPresidentBarbicanethesumofthreethousanddollars。
Barbicanedidnotwishtoacceptthemoneyfromoneofhisfellow-travelers，butgavewayatlastbeforethedeterminationofNicholl，whowishedbeforeleavingtheearthtofulfillallhisengagements。
"Now，"saidMichelArdan，"Ihaveonlyonethingmoretowishforyou，mybravecaptain。"
"Whatisthat？"askedNicholl。
"Itisthatyoumayloseyourtwootherbets！Thenweshallbesurenottobestoppedonourjourney！"
CHAPTERXXVI
FIRE！
ThefirstofDecemberhadarrived！thefatalday！for，iftheprojectilewerenotdischargedthatverynightat10h。48m。40s。
P。M。，morethaneighteenyearsmustrollbybeforethemoonwouldagainpresentherselfunderthesameconditionsofzenithandperigee。
Theweatherwasmagnificent。Despitetheapproachofwinter，thesunshonebrightly，andbathedinitsradiantlightthatearthwhichthreeofitsdenizenswereabouttoabandonforanewworld。
Howmanypersonslosttheirrestonthenightwhichprecededthislong-expectedday！Allheartsbeatwithdisquietude，saveonlytheheartofMichelArdan。Thatimperturbablepersonagecameandwentwithhishabitualbusiness-likeair，whilenothingwhateverdenotedthatanyunusualmatterpreoccupiedhismind。
Afterdawn，aninnumerablemultitudecoveredtheprairiewhichextends，asfarastheeyecanreach，roundStonesHill。Everyquarterofanhourtherailwaybroughtfreshaccessionsofsightseers；and，accordingtothestatementoftheTampaTown_Observer_，notlessthanfivemillionsofspectatorsthrongedthesoilofFlorida。
Forawholemonthpreviously，themassofthesepersonshadbivouackedroundtheenclosure，andlaidthefoundationsforatownwhichwasafterwardcalled"Ardan'sTown。"Thewholeplainwascoveredwithhuts，cottages，andtents。Everynationunderthesunwasrepresentedthere；andeverylanguagemightbeheardspokenatthesametime。ItwasaperfectBabelre-enacted。
AllthevariousclassesofAmericansocietyweremingledtogetherintermsofabsoluteequality。Bankers，farmers，sailors，cotton-planters，brokers，merchants，watermen，magistrates，elbowedeachotherinthemostfree-and-easyway。
LouisianaCreolesfraternizedwithfarmersfromIndiana；
KentuckyandTennesseegentlemenandhaughtyVirginiansconversedwithtrappersandthehalf-savagesofthelakesandbutchersfromCincinnati。Broad-brimmedwhitehatsandPanamas，blue-cottontrousers，light-coloredstockings，cambricfrills，wereallheredisplayed；whileuponshirt-fronts，wristbands，andneckties，uponeveryfinger，evenupontheveryears，theyworeanassortmentofrings，shirt-pins，brooches，andtrinkets，ofwhichthevalueonlyequaledtheexecrabletaste。Women，children，andservants，inequallyexpensivedress，surroundedtheirhusbands，fathers，ormasters，whoresembledthepatriarchsoftribesinthemidstoftheirimmensehouseholds。
Atmeal-timesallfelltoworkuponthedishespeculiartotheSouthernStates，andconsumedwithanappetitethatthreatenedspeedyexhaustionofthevictualingpowersofFlorida，fricasseedfrogs，stuffedmonkey，fishchowder，underdone'possum，andraccoonsteaks。Andasfortheliquorswhichaccompaniedthisindigestiblerepast！Theshouts，thevociferationsthatresoundedthroughthebarsandtavernsdecoratedwithglasses，tankards，andbottlesofmarvelousshape，mortarsforpoundingsugar，andbundlesofstraws！
"Mint-julep"roarsoneofthebarmen；"Claretsangaree！"
shoutsanother；"Cocktail！""Brandy-smash！""Realmint-julepinthenewstyle！"Allthesecriesintermingledproducedabewilderinganddeafeninghubbub。
Butonthisday，1stofDecember，suchsoundswererare。Noonethoughtofeatingordrinking，andatfourP。M。therewerevastnumbersofspectatorswhohadnoteventakentheircustomarylunch！And，astillmoresignificantfact，eventhenationalpassionforplayseemedquelledforthetimeunderthegeneralexcitementofthehour。
Uptillnightfall，adull，noiselessagitation，suchasprecedesgreatcatastrophes，ranthroughtheanxiousmultitude。
Anindescribableuneasinesspervadedallminds，anindefinablesensationwhichoppressedtheheart。Everyonewisheditwasover。
However，aboutseveno'clock，theheavysilencewasdissipated。
Themoonroseabovethehorizon。Millionsofhurrahshailedherappearance。Shewaspunctualtotherendezvous，andshoutsofwelcomegreetedheronallsides，asherpalebeamsshonegracefullyintheclearheavens。Atthismomentthethreeintrepidtravelersappeared。Thiswasthesignalforrenewedcriesofstillgreaterintensity。Instantlythevastassemblage，aswithoneaccord，struckupthenationalhymnoftheUnitedStates，and"YankeeDoodle，"sungbyfivemillionofheartythroats，roselikearoaringtempesttothefarthestlimitsoftheatmosphere。Thenaprofoundsilencereignedthroughoutthecrowd。
TheFrenchmanandthetwoAmericanshadbythistimeenteredtheenclosurereservedinthecenterofthemultitude。TheywereaccompaniedbythemembersoftheGunClub，andbydeputationssentfromalltheEuropeanObservatories。Barbicane，coolandcollected，wasgivinghisfinaldirections。Nicholl，withcompressedlips，hisarmscrossedbehindhisback，walkedwithafirmandmeasuredstep。MichelArdan，alwayseasy，dressedinthoroughtraveler'scostume，leatherngaitersonhislegs，pouchbyhisside，inloosevelvetsuit，cigarinmouth，wasfullofinexhaustiblegayety，laughing，joking，playingprankswithJ。
T。Maston。Inoneword，hewasthethorough"Frenchman"andworse，a"Parisian"tothelastmoment。
Teno'clockstruck！Themomenthadarrivedfortakingtheirplacesintheprojectile！Thenecessaryoperationsforthedescent，andthesubsequentremovalofthecranesandscaffoldingthatinclinedoverthemouthoftheColumbiad，requiredacertainperiodoftime。
BarbicanehadregulatedhischronometertothetenthpartofasecondbythatofMurchisontheengineer，whowaschargedwiththedutyoffiringthegunbymeansofanelectricspark。
Thusthetravelersenclosedwithintheprojectilewereenabledtofollowwiththeireyestheimpassiveneedlewhichmarkedtheprecisemomentoftheirdeparture。
Themomenthadarrivedforsaying"good-by！"Thescenewasatouchingone。Despitehisfeverishgayety，evenMichelArdanwastouched。J。T。Mastonhadfoundinhisowndryeyesoneancienttear，whichhehaddoubtlessreservedfortheoccasion。
Hedroppeditontheforeheadofhisdearpresident。
"CanInotgo？"hesaid，"thereisstilltime！"
"Impossible，oldfellow！"repliedBarbicane。Afewmomentslater，thethreefellow-travelershadensconcedthemselvesintheprojectile，andscreweddowntheplatewhichcoveredtheentrance-aperture。ThemouthoftheColumbiad，nowcompletelydisencumbered，wasopenentirelytothesky。
Themoonadvancedupwardinaheavenofthepurestclearness，outshininginherpassagethetwinklinglightofthestars。
ShepassedovertheconstellationoftheTwins，andwasnownearingthehalfwaypointbetweenthehorizonandthezenith。
Aterriblesilenceweighedupontheentirescene！Notabreathofwindupontheearth！notasoundofbreathingfromthecountlesschestsofthespectators！Theirheartsseemedafraidtobeat！
AlleyeswerefixedupontheyawningmouthoftheColumbiad。
Murchisonfollowedwithhiseyethehandofhischronometer。
Itwantedscarcefortysecondstothemomentofdeparture，buteachsecondseemedtolastanage！Atthetwentieththerewasageneralshudder，asitoccurredtothemindsofthatvastassemblagethattheboldtravelersshutupwithintheprojectilewerealsocountingthoseterribleseconds。Somefewcrieshereandthereescapedthecrowd。
"Thirty-five！——thirty-six！——thirty-seven！——thirty-eight！——
thirty-nine！——forty！FIRE！！！"
InstantlyMurchisonpressedwithhisfingerthekeyoftheelectricbattery，restoredthecurrentofthefluid，anddischargedthesparkintothebreechoftheColumbiad。
Anappallingunearthlyreportfollowedinstantly，suchascanbecomparedtonothingwhateverknown，noteventotheroarofthunder，ortheblastofvolcanicexplosions！Nowordscanconveytheslightestideaoftheterrificsound！Animmensespoutoffireshotupfromthebowelsoftheearthasfromacrater。
Theearthheavedup，andwithgreatdifficultysomefewspectatorsobtainedamomentaryglimpseoftheprojectilevictoriouslycleavingtheairinthemidstofthefieryvapors！
CHAPTERXXVII
FOULWEATHER
Atthemomentwhenthatpyramidoffirerosetoaprodigiousheightintotheair，theglareofflamelitupthewholeofFlorida；andforamomentdaysupersedednightoveraconsiderableextentofthecountry。Thisimmensecanopyoffirewasperceivedatadistanceofonehundredmilesoutatsea，andmorethanoneship'scaptainenteredinhislogtheappearanceofthisgiganticmeteor。
ThedischargeoftheColumbiadwasaccompaniedbyaperfectearthquake。Floridawasshakentoitsverydepths。
Thegasesofthepowder，expandedbyheat，forcedbacktheatmosphericstratawithtremendousviolence，andthisartificialhurricanerushedlikeawater-spoutthroughtheair。
Notasinglespectatorremainedonhisfeet！Men，womenchildren，alllayprostratelikeearsofcornunderatempest。
Thereensuedaterribletumult；alargenumberofpersonswereseriouslyinjured。J。T。Maston，who，despitealldictatesofprudence，hadkeptinadvanceofthemass，waspitchedback120
feet，shootinglikeaprojectileovertheheadsofhisfellow-citizens。Threehundredthousandpersonsremaineddeafforatime，andasthoughstruckstupefied。
Assoonasthefirsteffectswereover，theinjured，thedeaf，andlastly，thecrowdingeneral，wokeupwithfrenziedcries。
"HurrahforArdan！HurrahforBarbicane！HurrahforNicholl！"
rosetotheskies。Thousandsofpersons，nosesinair，armedwithtelescopesandrace-glasses，werequestioningspace，forgettingallcontusionsandemotionsintheoneideaofwatchingfortheprojectile。Theylookedinvain！Itwasnolongertobeseen，andtheywereobligedtowaitfortelegramsfromLong'sPeak。ThedirectoroftheCambridgeObservatorywasathispostontheRockyMountains；andtohim，asaskillfulandperseveringastronomer，allobservationshadbeenconfided。
Butanunforeseenphenomenoncameintosubjectthepublicimpatiencetoaseveretrial。
Theweather，hithertosofine，suddenlychanged；theskybecameheavywithclouds。Itcouldnothavebeenotherwiseaftertheterriblederangementoftheatmosphericstrata，andthedispersionoftheenormousquantityofvaporarisingfromthecombustionof200，000poundsofpyroxyle！
Onthemorrowthehorizonwascoveredwithclouds——athickandimpenetrablecurtainbetweenearthandsky，whichunhappilyextendedasfarastheRockyMountains。Itwasafatality！
Butsincemanhadchosensotodisturbtheatmosphere，hewasboundtoaccepttheconsequencesofhisexperiment。
Supposing，now，thattheexperimenthadsucceeded，thetravelershavingstartedonthe1stofDecember，at10h。46m。40s。P。M。，weredueonthe4that0h。P。M。attheirdestination。Sothatuptothattimeitwouldhavebeenverydifficultafteralltohaveobserved，undersuchconditions，abodysosmallastheshell。
Thereforetheywaitedwithwhatpatiencetheymight。
Fromthe4thtothe6thofDecemberinclusive，theweatherremainingmuchthesameinAmerica，thegreatEuropeaninstrumentsofHerschel，Rosse，andFoucault，wereconstantlydirectedtowardthemoon，fortheweatherwasthenmagnificent；
butthecomparativeweaknessoftheirglassespreventedanytrustworthyobservationsbeingmade。
Onthe7ththeskyseemedtolighten。Theywereinhopesnow，buttheirhopewasofbutshortduration，andatnightagainthickcloudshidthestarryvaultfromalleyes。
Matterswerenowbecomingserious，whenonthe9ththesunreappearedforaninstant，asifforthepurposeofteasingtheAmericans。Itwasreceivedwithhisses；andwounded，nodoubt，bysuchareception，showeditselfverysparingofitsrays。
Onthe10th，nochange！J。T。Mastonwentnearlymad，andgreatfearswereentertainedregardingthebrainofthisworthyindividual，whichhadhithertobeensowellpreservedwithinhisgutta-perchacranium。
Butonthe11thoneofthoseinexplicabletempestspeculiartothoseintertropicalregionswasletlooseintheatmosphere。
Aterrificeastwindsweptawaythegroupsofcloudswhichhadbeensolonggathering，andatnightthesemi-discoftheorbofnightrodemajesticallyamidthesoftconstellationsofthesky。