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