AstothepickaxesanddifferenttoolswhichwereNicholl’sespecialchoice;astothesacksofdifferentkindsofgrainandshrubswhichMichelArdanhopedtotransplantintoSeleniteground，theywerestowedawayintheupperpartoftheprojectile。
Therewasasortofgranarythere，loadedwiththingswhichtheextravagantFrenchmanhadheapedup。Whattheywerenooneknew，andthegood—temperedfellowdidnotexplain。Nowandthenheclimbedupbycramp—ironsrivetedtothewalls，butkepttheinspectiontohimself。Hearrangedandrearranged，heplungedhishandrapidlyintocertainmysteriousboxes，singinginoneofthefalsestofvoicesanoldFrenchrefraintoenliventhesituation。
Barbicaneobservedwithsomeinterestthathisgunsandotherarmshadnotbeendamaged。Thesewereimportant，because，heavilyloaded，theyweretohelplessenthefalloftheprojectile，whendrawnbythelunarattraction（afterhavingpassedthepointofneutralattraction）ontothemoon’ssurface;afallwhichoughttobesixtimeslessrapidthanitwouldhavebeenontheearth’ssurface，thankstothedifferenceofbulk。Theinspectionendedwithgeneralsatisfaction，wheneachreturnedtowatchspacethroughthesidewindowsandthelowerglasscoverlid。
Therewasthesameview。Thewholeextentofthecelestialsphereswarmedwithstarsandconstellationsofwonderfulpurity，enoughtodriveanastronomeroutofhismind！Ononesidethesun，likethemouthofalightedoven，adazzlingdiscwithoutahalo，standingoutonthedarkbackgroundofthesky！
Ontheother，themoonreturningitsfirebyreflection，andapparentlymotionlessinthemidstofthestarryworld。Then，alargespotseeminglynailedtothefirmament，borderedbyasilverycord;itwastheearth！Hereandtherenebulousmasseslikelargeflakesofstarrysnow;andfromthezenithtothenadir，animmenseringformedbyanimpalpabledustofstars，the\"MilkyWay，\"inthemidstofwhichthesunranksonlyasastarofthefourthmagnitude。Theobserverscouldnottaketheireyesfromthisnovelspectacle，ofwhichnodescriptioncouldgiveanadequateidea。Whatreflectionsitsuggested！Whatemotionshithertounknownawokeintheirsouls！Barbicanewishedtobegintherelationofhisjourneywhileunderitsfirstimpressions，andhourafterhourtooknotesofallfactshappeninginthebeginningoftheenterprise。Hewrotequietly，withhislargesquarewriting，inabusiness—likestyle。
DuringthistimeNicholl，thecalculator，lookedovertheminutesoftheirpassage，andworkedoutfigureswithunparalleleddexterity。MichelArdanchattedfirstwithBarbicane，whodidnotanswerhim，andthenwithNicholl，whodidnothearhim，withDiana，whounderstoodnoneofhistheories，andlastlywithhimself，questioningandanswering，goingandcoming，busywithathousanddetails;atonetimebentoverthelowerglass，atanotherroostingintheheightsoftheprojectile，andalwayssinging。InthismicrocosmherepresentedFrenchloquacityandexcitability，andwebegyoutobelievethattheywerewellrepresented。Theday，orrather（fortheexpressionisnotcorrect）thelapseoftwelvehours，whichformsadayupontheearth，closedwithaplentifulsuppercarefullyprepared。Noaccidentofanynaturehadyethappenedtoshakethetravelers’confidence;so，fullofhope，alreadysureofsuccess，theysleptpeacefully，whiletheprojectileunderanuniformlydecreasingspeedwascrossingthesky。
CHAPTERIV
ALITTLEALGEBRA
Thenightpassedwithoutincident。Theword\"night，\"however，isscarcelyapplicable。
Thepositionoftheprojectilewithregardtothesundidnotchange。Astronomically，itwasdaylightonthelowerpart，andnightontheupper;sowhenduringthisnarrativethesewordsareused，theyrepresentthelapseoftimebetweenrisingandsettingofthesunupontheearth。
Thetravelers’sleepwasrenderedmorepeacefulbytheprojectile’sexcessivespeed，foritseemedabsolutelymotionless。
Notamotionbetrayeditsonwardcoursethroughspace。Therateofprogress，howeverrapiditmightbe，cannotproduceanysensibleeffectonthehumanframewhenittakesplaceinavacuum，orwhenthemassofaircirculateswiththebodywhichiscarriedwithit。Whatinhabitantoftheearthperceivesitsspeed，which，however，isattherateof68，000milesperhour？
Motionundersuchconditionsis\"felt\"nomorethanrepose;andwhenabodyisinreposeitwillremainsoaslongasnostrangeforcedisplacesit;ifmoving，itwillnotstopunlessanobstaclecomesinitsway。Thisindifferencetomotionorreposeiscalledinertia。
Barbicaneandhiscompanionsmighthavebelievedthemselvesperfectlystationary，beingshutupintheprojectile;indeed，theeffectwouldhavebeenthesameiftheyhadbeenontheoutsideofit。Haditnotbeenforthemoon，whichwasincreasingabovethem，theymighthaveswornthattheywerefloatingincompletestagnation。
Thatmorning，the3rdofDecember，thetravelerswereawakenedbyajoyousbutunexpectednoise;itwasthecrowingofacockwhichsoundedthroughthecar。MichelArdan，whowasthefirstonhisfeet，climbedtothetopoftheprojectile，andshuttingabox，thelidofwhichwaspartlyopen，saidinalowvoice，\"Willyouholdyourtongue？Thatcreaturewillspoilmydesign！\"
ButNichollandBarbicanewereawake。
\"Acock！\"saidNicholl。
\"Whyno，myfriends，\"Michelansweredquickly;\"itwasIwhowishedtoawakeyoubythisruralsound。\"Sosaying，hegaveventtoasplendidcock—a—doodledoo，whichwouldhavedonehonortotheproudestofpoultry—yards。
ThetwoAmericanscouldnothelplaughing。
\"Finetalentthat，\"saidNicholl，lookingsuspiciouslyathiscompanion。
\"Yes，\"saidMichel;\"ajokeinmycountry。ItisveryGallic;
theyplaythecocksointhebestsociety。\"
Thenturningtheconversation：
\"Barbicane，doyouknowwhatIhavebeenthinkingofallnight？\"
\"No，\"answeredthepresident。
\"OfourCambridgefriends。YouhavealreadyremarkedthatIamanignoramusinmathematicalsubjects;anditisimpossibleformetofindouthowthesavantsoftheobservatorywereabletocalculatewhatinitiatoryspeedtheprojectileoughttohaveonleavingtheColumbiadinordertoattainthemoon。\"
\"Youmeantosay，\"repliedBarbicane，\"toattainthatneutralpointwheretheterrestrialandlunarattractionsareequal;
for，startingfromthatpoint，situatedaboutnine—tenthsofthedistancetraveledover，theprojectilewouldsimplyfalluponthemoon，onaccountofitsweight。\"
\"Sobeit，\"saidMichel;\"but，oncemore;howcouldtheycalculatetheinitiatoryspeed？\"
\"Nothingcanbeeasier，\"repliedBarbicane。
\"Andyouknewhowtomakethatcalculation？\"askedMichelArdan。
\"Perfectly。NichollandIwouldhavemadeit，iftheobservatoryhadnotsavedusthetrouble。\"
\"Verywell，oldBarbicane，\"repliedMichel;\"theymighthavecutoffmyhead，beginningatmyfeet，beforetheycouldhavemademesolvethatproblem。\"
\"Becauseyoudonotknowalgebra，\"answeredBarbicanequietly。
\"Ah，thereyouare，youeatersof_x_^1;youthinkyouhavesaidallwhenyouhavesaid`Algebra。’\"
\"Michel，\"saidBarbicane，\"canyouuseaforgewithoutahammer，oraplowwithoutaplowshare？\"
\"Hardly。\"
\"Well，algebraisatool，liketheploworthehammer，andagoodtooltothosewhoknowhowtouseit。\"
\"Seriously？\"
\"Quiteseriously。\"
\"Andcanyouusethattoolinmypresence？\"
\"Ifitwillinterestyou。\"
\"Andshowmehowtheycalculatedtheinitiatoryspeedofourcar？\"
\"Yes，myworthyfriend;takingintoconsiderationalltheelementsoftheproblem，thedistancefromthecenteroftheearthtothecenterofthemoon，oftheradiusoftheearth，ofitsbulk，andofthebulkofthemoon，Icantellexactlywhatoughttobetheinitiatoryspeedoftheprojectile，andthatbyasimpleformula。\"
\"Letussee。\"
\"Youshallseeit;onlyIshallnotgiveyoutherealcoursedrawnbytheprojectilebetweenthemoonandtheearthinconsideringtheirmotionroundthesun。No，Ishallconsiderthesetwoorbsasperfectlymotionless，whichwillanswerallourpurpose。\"
\"Andwhy？\"
\"Becauseitwillbetryingtosolvetheproblemcalled`theproblemofthethreebodies，’forwhichtheintegralcalculusisnotyetfarenoughadvanced。\"
\"Then，\"saidMichelArdan，inhisslytone，\"mathematicshavenotsaidtheirlastword？\"
\"Certainlynot，\"repliedBarbicane。
\"Well，perhapstheSeleniteshavecarriedtheintegralcalculusfartherthanyouhave;and，bythebye，whatisthis`integralcalculus？’\"
\"Itisacalculationtheconverseofthedifferential，\"repliedBarbicaneseriously。
\"Muchobliged;itisallveryclear，nodoubt。\"
\"Andnow，\"continuedBarbicane，\"aslipofpaperandabitofpencil，andbeforeahalf—hourisoverIwillhavefoundtherequiredformula。\"
HalfanhourhadnotelapsedbeforeBarbicane，raisinghishead，showedMichelArdanapagecoveredwithalgebraicalsigns，inwhichthegeneralformulaforthesolutionwascontained。
\"Well，anddoesNichollunderstandwhatthatmeans？\"
\"Ofcourse，Michel，\"repliedthecaptain。\"Allthesesigns，whichseemcabalistictoyou，formtheplainest，theclearest，andthemostlogicallanguagetothosewhoknowhowtoreadit。\"
\"Andyoupretend，Nicholl，\"askedMichel，\"thatbymeansofthesehieroglyphics，moreincomprehensiblethantheEgyptianIbis，youcanfindwhatinitiatoryspeeditwasnecessarytogivetheprojectile？\"
\"Incontestably，\"repliedNicholl;\"andevenbythissameformulaIcanalwaystellyouitsspeedatanypointofitstransit。\"
\"Onyourword？\"
\"Onmyword。\"
\"Thenyouareascunningasourpresident。\"
\"No，Michel;thedifficultpartiswhatBarbicanehasdone;thatis，togetanequationwhichshallsatisfyalltheconditionsoftheproblem。Theremainderisonlyaquestionofarithmetic，requiringmerelytheknowledgeofthefourrules。\"
\"Thatissomething！\"repliedMichelArdan，whoforhislifecouldnotdoadditionright，andwhodefinedtheruleasaChinesepuzzle，whichallowedonetoobtainallsortsoftotals。
\"Theexpression_v_zero，whichyouseeinthatequation，isthespeedwhichtheprojectilewillhaveonleavingtheatmosphere。\"
\"Justso，\"saidNicholl;\"itisfromthatpointthatwemustcalculatethevelocity，sinceweknowalreadythatthevelocityatdeparturewasexactlyoneandahalftimesmorethanonleavingtheatmosphere。\"
\"Iunderstandnomore，\"saidMichel。
\"Itisaverysimplecalculation，\"saidBarbicane。
\"NotassimpleasIam，\"retortedMichel。
\"Thatmeans，thatwhenourprojectilereachedthelimitsoftheterrestrialatmosphereithadalreadylostone—thirdofitsinitiatoryspeed。\"
\"Asmuchasthat？\"
\"Yes，myfriend;merelybyfrictionagainsttheatmosphericstrata。
Youunderstandthatthefasteritgoesthemoreresistanceitmeetswithfromtheair。\"
\"ThatIadmit，\"answeredMichel;\"andIunderstandit，althoughyourx’sandzero’s，andalgebraicformula，arerattlinginmyheadlikenailsinabag。\"
\"Firsteffectsofalgebra，\"repliedBarbicane;\"andnow，tofinish，wearegoingtoprovethegivennumberofthesedifferentexpressions，thatis，workouttheirvalue。\"
\"Finishme！\"repliedMichel。
Barbicanetookthepaper，andbegantomakehiscalculationswithgreatrapidity。Nicholllookedoverandgreedilyreadtheworkasitproceeded。
\"That’sit！that’sit！\"atlasthecried。
\"Isitclear？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Itiswritteninlettersoffire，\"saidNicholl。
\"Wonderfulfellows！\"mutteredArdan。
\"Doyouunderstanditatlast？\"askedBarbicane。
\"DoIunderstandit？\"criedArdan;\"myheadissplittingwithit。\"
\"Andnow，\"saidNicholl，\"tofindoutthespeedoftheprojectilewhenitleavestheatmosphere，wehaveonlytocalculatethat。\"
Thecaptain，asapracticalmanequaltoalldifficulties，begantowritewithfrightfulrapidity。Divisionsandmultiplicationsgrewunderhisfingers;thefigureswerelikehailonthewhitepage。
Barbicanewatchedhim，whileMichelArdannursedagrowingheadachewithbothhands。
\"Verywell？\"askedBarbicane，aftersomeminutes’silence。
\"Well！\"repliedNicholl;everycalculationmade，_v_zero，thatistosay，thespeednecessaryfortheprojectileonleavingtheatmosphere，toenableittoreachtheequalpointofattraction，oughttobe————\"
\"Yes？\"saidBarbicane。
\"Twelvethousandyards。\"
\"What！\"exclaimedBarbicane，starting;\"yousay————\"
\"Twelvethousandyards。\"
\"Thedevil！\"criedthepresident，makingagestureofdespair。
\"Whatisthematter？\"askedMichelArdan，muchsurprised。
\"Whatisthematter！why，ifatthismomentourspeedhadalreadydiminishedone—thirdbyfriction，theinitiatoryspeedoughttohavebeen————\"
\"Seventeenthousandyards。\"
\"AndtheCambridgeObservatorydeclaredthattwelvethousandyardswasenoughatstarting;andourprojectile，whichonlystartedwiththatspeed————\"
\"Well？\"askedNicholl。
\"Well，itwillnotbeenough。\"
\"Good。\"
\"Weshallnotbeabletoreachtheneutralpoint。\"
\"Thedeuce！\"
\"Weshallnotevengethalfway。\"
\"Inthenameoftheprojectile！\"exclaimedMichelArdan，jumpingasifitwasalreadyonthepointofstrikingtheterrestrialglobe。
\"Andweshallfallbackupontheearth！\"
CHAPTERV
THECOLDOFSPACE
Thisrevelationcamelikeathunderbolt。Whocouldhaveexpectedsuchanerrorincalculation？Barbicanewouldnotbelieveit。Nichollrevisedhisfigures：theywereexact。
Astotheformulawhichhaddeterminedthem，theycouldnotsuspectitstruth;itwasevidentthataninitiatoryvelocityofseventeenthousandyardsinthefirstsecondwasnecessarytoenablethemtoreachtheneutralpoint。
Thethreefriendslookedateachothersilently。Therewasnothoughtofbreakfast。Barbicane，withclenchedteeth，knittedbrows，andhandsclaspedconvulsively，waswatchingthroughthewindow。Nichollhadcrossedhisarms，andwasexamininghiscalculations。MichelArdanwasmuttering：
\"Thatisjustlikethesescientificmen：theyneverdoanythingelse。
IwouldgivetwentypistolesifwecouldfallupontheCambridgeObservatoryandcrushit，togetherwiththewholelotofdabblersinfigureswhichitcontains。\"
Suddenlyathoughtstruckthecaptain，whichheatoncecommunicatedtoBarbicane。
\"Ah！\"saidhe;\"itisseveno’clockinthemorning;wehavealreadybeengonethirty—twohours;morethanhalfourpassageisover，andwearenotfallingthatIamawareof。\"
Barbicanedidnotanswer，butafterarapidglanceatthecaptain，tookapairofcompasseswherewithtomeasuretheangulardistanceoftheterrestrialglobe;thenfromthelowerwindowhetookanexactobservation，andnoticedthattheprojectilewasapparentlystationary。Thenrisingandwipinghisforehead，onwhichlargedropsofperspirationwerestanding，heputsomefiguresonpaper。Nichollunderstoodthatthepresidentwasdeductingfromtheterrestrialdiametertheprojectile’sdistancefromtheearth。Hewatchedhimanxiously。
\"No，\"exclaimedBarbicane，aftersomemoments，\"no，wearenotfalling！no，wearealreadymorethan50，000leaguesfromtheearth。
Wehavepassedthepointatwhichtheprojectilewouldhavestoppedifitsspeedhadonlybeen12，000yardsatstarting。Wearestillgoingup。\"
\"Thatisevident，\"repliedNicholl;\"andwemustconcludethatourinitialspeed，underthepowerofthe400，000poundsofgun—cotton，musthaveexceededtherequired12，000yards。
NowIcanunderstandhow，afterthirteenminutesonly，wemetthesecondsatellite，whichgravitatesroundtheearthatmorethan2，000leagues’distance。\"
\"Andthisexplanationisthemoreprobable，\"addedBarbicane，\"Because，inthrowingoffthewaterenclosedbetweenitspartition—breaks，theprojectilefounditselflightenedofaconsiderableweight。\"
\"Justso，\"saidNicholl。
\"Ah，mybraveNicholl，wearesaved！\"
\"Verywellthen，\"saidMichelArdanquietly;\"aswearesafe，letushavebreakfast。\"
Nichollwasnotmistaken。Theinitialspeedhadbeen，veryfortunately，muchabovethatestimatedbytheCambridgeObservatory;buttheCambridgeObservatoryhadneverthelessmadeamistake。
Thetravelers，recoveredfromthisfalsealarm，breakfastedmerrily。
Iftheyateagooddeal，theytalkedmore。Theirconfidencewasgreaterafterthanbefore\"theincidentofthealgebra。\"
\"Whyshouldwenotsucceed？\"saidMichelArdan;\"whyshouldwenotarrivesafely？Wearelaunched;wehavenoobstaclebeforeus，nostonesintheway;theroadisopen，moresothanthatofashipbattlingwiththesea;moreopenthanthatofaballoonbattlingwiththewind;andifashipcanreachitsdestination，aballoongowhereitpleases，whycannotourprojectileattainitsendandaim？\"
\"It_will_attainit，\"saidBarbicane。
\"IfonlytodohonortotheAmericans，\"addedMichelArdan，\"theonlypeoplewhocouldbringsuchanenterprisetoahappytermination，andtheonlyonewhichcouldproduceaPresidentBarbicane。Ah，nowwearenolongeruneasy，Ibegintothink，Whatwillbecomeofus？
Weshallgetrightroyallyweary。\"
BarbicaneandNichollmadeagestureofdenial。
\"ButIhaveprovidedforthecontingency，myfriends，\"repliedMichel;\"youhaveonlytospeak，andIhavechess，draughts，cards，anddominoesatyourdisposal;nothingiswantingbutabilliard—table。\"
\"What！\"exclaimedBarbicane;\"youbroughtawaysuchtrifles？\"
\"Certainly，\"repliedMichel，\"andnotonlytodistractourselves，butalsowiththelaudableintentionofendowingtheSelenitesmokingdivanswiththem。\"
\"Myfriend，\"saidBarbicane，\"ifthemoonisinhabited，itsinhabitantsmusthaveappearedsomethousandsofyearsbeforethoseoftheearth，forwecannotdoubtthattheirstarismucholderthanours。IfthentheseSeleniteshaveexistedtheirhundredsofthousandsofyears，andiftheirbrainisofthesameorganizationofthehumanbrain，theyhavealreadyinventedallthatwehaveinvented，andevenwhatwemayinventinfutureages。
Theyhavenothingtolearnfrom_us_，andwehaveeverythingtolearnfrom_them_。\"
\"What！\"saidMichel;\"youbelievethattheyhaveartistslikePhidias，MichaelAngelo，orRaphael？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"PoetslikeHomer，Virgil，Milton，Lamartine，andHugo？\"
\"Iamsureofit。\"
\"PhilosopherslikePlato，Aristotle，Descartes，Kant？\"
\"Ihavenodoubtofit。\"
\"ScientificmenlikeArchimedes，Euclid，Pascal，Newton？\"
\"Icouldswearit。\"
\"ComicwriterslikeArnal，andphotographerslike——likeNadar？\"
\"Certain。\"
\"Then，friendBarbicane，iftheyareasstrongasweare，andevenstronger——theseSelenites——whyhavetheynottriedtocommunicatewiththeearth？whyhavetheynotlaunchedalunarprojectiletoourterrestrialregions？\"
\"Whotoldyouthattheyhaveneverdoneso？\"saidBarbicaneseriously。
\"Indeed，\"addedNicholl，\"itwouldbeeasierforthemthanforus，fortworeasons;first，becausetheattractiononthemoon’ssurfaceissixtimeslessthanonthatoftheearth，whichwouldallowaprojectiletorisemoreeasily;secondly，becauseitwouldbeenoughtosendsuchaprojectileonlyat8，000leaguesinsteadof80，000，whichwouldrequiretheforceofprojectiontobetentimeslessstrong。\"
\"Then，\"continuedMichel，\"Irepeatit，whyhavetheynotdoneit？\"
\"AndIrepeat，\"saidBarbicane;\"whotoldyouthattheyhavenotdoneit？\"
\"When？\"
\"Thousandsofyearsbeforemanappearedonearth。\"
\"Andtheprojectile——whereistheprojectile？Idemandtoseetheprojectile。\"
\"Myfriend，\"repliedBarbicane，\"theseacoversfive—sixthsofourglobe。Fromthatwemaydrawfivegoodreasonsforsupposingthatthelunarprojectile，ifeverlaunched，isnowatthebottomoftheAtlanticorthePacific，unlessitspedintosomecrevasseatthatperiodwhenthecrustoftheearthwasnotyethardened。\"
\"OldBarbicane，\"saidMichel，\"youhaveananswerforeverything，andIbowbeforeyourwisdom。Butthereisonehypothesisthatwouldsuitmebetterthanalltheothers，whichis，theSelenites，beingolderthanwe，arewiser，andhavenotinventedgunpowder。\"
AtthismomentDianajoinedintheconversationbyasonorousbarking。
Shewasaskingforherbreakfast。
\"Ah！\"saidMichelArdan，\"inourdiscussionwehaveforgottenDianaandSatellite。\"
Immediatelyagood—sizedpiewasgiventothedog，whichdevouredithungrily。
\"Doyousee，Barbicane，\"saidMichel，\"weshouldhavemadeasecondNoah’sarkofthisprojectile，andbornewithustothemoonacoupleofeverykindofdomesticanimal。\"
\"Idaresay;butroomwouldhavefailedus。\"
\"Oh！\"saidMichel，\"wemighthavesqueezedalittle。\"
\"Thefactis，\"repliedNicholl，\"thatcows，bulls，andhorses，andallruminants，wouldhavebeenveryusefulonthelunarcontinent，butunfortunatelythecarcouldneitherhavebeenmadeastablenorashed。\"
\"Well，wemighthaveatleastbroughtadonkey，onlyalittledonkey;thatcourageousbeastwhicholdSilenuslovedtomount。
Ilovethoseolddonkeys;theyaretheleastfavoredanimalsincreation;theyarenotonlybeatenwhilealive，butevenaftertheyaredead。\"
\"Howdoyoumakethatout？\"askedBarbicane。\"Why，\"saidMichel，\"theymaketheirskinsintodrums。\"
BarbicaneandNichollcouldnothelplaughingatthisridiculousremark。
Butacryfromtheirmerrycompanionstoppedthem。ThelatterwasleaningoverthespotwhereSatellitelay。Herose，saying：
\"MygoodSatelliteisnolongerill。\"
\"Ah！\"saidNicholl。
\"No，\"answeredMichel，\"heisdead！There，\"addedhe，inapiteoustone，\"thatisembarrassing。Imuchfear，mypoorDiana，thatyouwillleavenoprogenyinthelunarregions！\"
IndeedtheunfortunateSatellitehadnotsurviveditswound。
Itwasquitedead。MichelArdanlookedathisfriendswitharuefulcountenance。
\"Onequestionpresentsitself，\"saidBarbicane。\"Wecannotkeepthedeadbodyofthisdogwithusforthenextforty—eighthours。\"
\"No！certainlynot，\"repliedNicholl;\"butourscuttlesarefixedonhinges;theycanbeletdown。Wewillopenone，andthrowthebodyoutintospace。\"
Thepresidentthoughtforsomemoments，andthensaid：
\"Yes，wemustdoso，butatthesametimetakingverygreatprecautions。\"
\"Why？\"askedMichel。
\"Fortworeasonswhichyouwillunderstand，\"answeredBarbicane。
\"Thefirstrelatestotheairshutupintheprojectile，andofwhichwemustloseaslittleaspossible。\"
\"Butwemanufacturetheair？\"
\"Onlyinpart。Wemakeonlytheoxygen，myworthyMichel;andwithregardtothat，wemustwatchthattheapparatusdoesnotfurnishtheoxygenintoogreataquantity;foranexcesswouldbringusveryseriousphysiologicaltroubles。Butifwemaketheoxygen，wedonotmaketheazote，thatmediumwhichthelungsdonotabsorb，andwhichoughttoremainintact;andthatazotewillescaperapidlythroughtheopenscuttles。\"
\"Oh！thetimeforthrowingoutpoorSatellite？\"saidMichel。
\"Agreed;butwemustactquickly。\"
\"Andthesecondreason？\"askedMichel。
\"Thesecondreasonisthatwemustnotlettheoutercold，whichisexcessive，penetratetheprojectileorweshallbefrozentodeath。\"
\"Butthesun？\"
\"Thesunwarmsourprojectile，whichabsorbsitsrays;butitdoesnotwarmthevacuuminwhichwearefloatingatthismoment。
Wherethereisnoair，thereisnomoreheatthandiffusedlight;
andthesamewithdarkness;itiscoldwherethesun’sraysdonotstrikedirect。Thistemperatureisonlythetemperatureproducedbytheradiationofthestars;thatistosay，whattheterrestrialglobewouldundergoifthesundisappearedoneday。\"
\"Whichisnottobefeared，\"repliedNicholl。
\"Whoknows？\"saidMichelArdan。\"But，inadmittingthatthesundoesnotgoout，mightitnothappenthattheearthmightmoveawayfromit？\"
\"There！\"saidBarbicane，\"thereisMichelwithhisideas。\"
\"And，\"continuedMichel，\"dowenotknowthatin1861theearthpassedthroughthetailofacomet？Orletussupposeacometwhosepowerofattractionisgreaterthanthatofthesun。
Theterrestrialorbitwillbendtowardthewanderingstar，andtheearth，becomingitssatellite，willbedrawnsuchadistancethattheraysofthesunwillhavenoactiononitssurface。\"
\"That_might_happen，indeed，\"repliedBarbicane，\"buttheconsequencesofsuchadisplacementneednotbesoformidableasyousuppose。\"
\"Andwhynot？\"
\"Becausetheheatandcoldwouldbeequalizedonourglobe。
Ithasbeencalculatedthat，hadourearthbeencarriedalonginitscoursebythecometof1861，atitsperihelion，thatis，itsnearestapproachtothesun，itwouldhaveundergoneaheat28，000timesgreaterthanthatofsummer。Butthisheat，whichissufficienttoevaporatethewaters，wouldhaveformedathickringofcloud，whichwouldhavemodifiedthatexcessivetemperature;hencethecompensationbetweenthecoldoftheaphelionandtheheatoftheperihelion。\"
\"Athowmanydegrees，\"askedNicholl，\"isthetemperatureoftheplanetaryspacesestimated？\"
\"Formerly，\"repliedBarbicane，\"itwasgreatlyexagerated;butnow，afterthecalculationsofFourier，oftheFrenchAcademyofScience，itisnotsupposedtoexceed60@Centigradebelowzero。\"
\"Pooh！\"saidMichel，\"that’snothing！\"
\"Itisverymuch，\"repliedBarbicane;\"thetemperaturewhichwasobservedinthepolarregions，atMelvilleIslandandFortReliance，thatis76@Fahrenheitbelowzero。\"
\"IfImistakenot，\"saidNicholl，\"M。Pouillet，anothersavant，estimatesthetemperatureofspaceat250@Fahrenheitbelowzero。
Weshall，however，beabletoverifythesecalculationsforourselves。\"
\"Notatpresent;becausethesolarrays，beatingdirectlyuponourthermometer，wouldgive，onthecontrary，averyhightemperature。But，whenwearriveinthemoon，duringitsfifteendaysofnightateitherface，weshallhaveleisuretomaketheexperiment，foroursatelliteliesinavacuum。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbyavacuum？\"askedMichel。\"Isitperfectlysuch？\"
\"Itisabsolutelyvoidofair。\"
\"Andistheairreplacedbynothingwhatever？\"
\"Bytheetheronly，\"repliedBarbicane。
\"Andpraywhatistheether？\"
\"Theether，myfriend，isanagglomerationofimponderableatoms，which，relativelytotheirdimensions，areasfarremovedfromeachotherasthecelestialbodiesareinspace。Itistheseatomswhich，bytheirvibratorymotion，producebothlightandheatintheuniverse。\"
TheynowproceededtotheburialofSatellite。Theyhadmerelytodrophimintospace，inthesamewaythatsailorsdropabodyintothesea;but，asPresidentBarbicanesuggested，theymustactquickly，soastoloseaslittleaspossibleofthatairwhoseelasticitywouldrapidlyhavespreaditintospace。
Theboltsoftherightscuttle，theopeningofwhichmeasuredabouttwelveinchesacross，werecarefullydrawn，whileMichel，quitegrieved，preparedtolaunchhisdogintospace。Theglass，raisedbyapowerfullever，whichenabledittoovercomethepressureoftheinsideaironthewallsoftheprojectile，turnedrapidlyonitshinges，andSatellitewasthrownout。
Scarcelyaparticleofaircouldhaveescaped，andtheoperationwassosuccessfulthatlateronBarbicanedidnotfeartodisposeoftherubbishwhichencumberedthecar。
CHAPTERVI
QUESTIONANDANSWER
Onthe4thofDecember，whenthetravelersawokeafterfifty—fourhours’journey，thechronometermarkedfiveo’clockoftheterrestrialmorning。Intimeitwasjustoverfivehoursandfortyminutes，halfofthatassignedtotheirsojournintheprojectile;buttheyhadalreadyaccomplishednearlyseven—tenthsoftheway。Thispeculiaritywasduetotheirregularlydecreasingspeed。
Nowwhentheyobservedtheearththroughthelowerwindow，itlookedlikenothingmorethanadarkspot，drownedinthesolarrays。Nomorecrescent，nomorecloudylight！Thenextday，atmidnight，theearthwouldbe_new_，attheverymomentwhenthemoonwouldbefull。Above，theorbofnightwasnearingthelinefollowedbytheprojectile，soastomeetitatthegivenhour。Allaroundtheblackvaultwasstuddedwithbrilliantpoints，whichseemedtomoveslowly;but，atthegreatdistancetheywerefromthem，theirrelativesizedidnotseemtochange。
Thesunandstarsappearedexactlyastheydotousuponearth。
Astothemoon，shewasconsiderablylarger;butthetravelers’
glasses，notverypowerful，didnotallowthemasyettomakeanyusefulobservationsuponhersurface，orreconnoiterhertopographicallyorgeologically。
Thusthetimepassedinnever—endingconversationsallaboutthemoon。Eachonebroughtforwardhisowncontingentofparticularfacts;BarbicaneandNichollalwaysserious，MichelArdanalwaysenthusiastic。Theprojectile，itssituation，itsdirection，incidentswhichmighthappen，theprecautionsnecessitatedbytheirfallontothemoon，wereinexhaustiblemattersofconjecture。
Astheywerebreakfasting，aquestionofMichel’s，relatingtotheprojectile，provokedratheracuriousanswerfromBarbicane，whichisworthrepeating。Michel，supposingittoberoughlystopped，whilestillunderitsformidableinitialspeed，wishedtoknowwhattheconsequencesofthestoppagewouldhavebeen。
\"But，\"saidBarbicane，\"Idonotseehowitcouldhavebeenstopped。\"
\"Butletussupposeso，\"saidMichel。
\"Itisanimpossiblesupposition，\"saidthepracticalBarbicane;
\"unlessthatimpulsiveforcehadfailed;buteventhenitsspeedwoulddiminishbydegrees，anditwouldnothavestoppedsuddenly。\"
\"Admitthatithadstruckabodyinspace。\"
\"Whatbody？\"
\"Whythatenormousmeteorwhichwemet。\"
\"Then，\"saidNicholl，\"theprojectilewouldhavebeenbrokenintoathousandpieces，andwewithit。\"
\"Morethanthat，\"repliedBarbicane;\"weshouldhavebeenburnedtodeath。\"
\"Burned？\"exclaimedMichel，\"byJove！Iamsorryitdidnothappen，`justtosee。’\"
\"Andyouwouldhaveseen，\"repliedBarbicane。\"Itisknownnowthatheatisonlyamodificationofmotion。Whenwateriswarmed——thatistosay，whenheatisaddedtoit——itsparticlesaresetinmotion。\"
\"Well，\"saidmichel，\"thatisaningenioustheory！\"
\"Andatrueone，myworthyfriend;foritexplainseveryphenomenonofcaloric。Heatisbutthemotionofatoms，asimpleoscillationoftheparticlesofabody。Whentheyapplythebraketoatrain，thetraincomestoastop;butwhatbecomesofthemotionwhichithadpreviouslypossessed？Itistransformedintoheat，andthebrakebecomeshot。Whydotheygreasetheaxlesofthewheels？Topreventtheirheating，becausethisheatwouldbegeneratedbythemotionwhichisthuslostbytransformation。\"
\"Yes，Iunderstand，\"repliedMichel，\"perfectly。Forexample，whenIhaverunalongtime，whenIamswimming，whenIamperspiringinlargedrops，whyamIobligedtostop？
Simplybecausemymotionischangedintoheat。\"
BarbicanecouldnothelpsmilingatMichel’sreply;then，returningtohistheory，said：
\"Thus，incaseofashock，itwouldhavebeenwithourprojectileaswithaballwhichfallsinaburningstateafterhavingstruckthemetalplate;itisitsmotionwhichisturnedintoheat。ConsequentlyIaffirmthat，ifourprojectilehadstruckthemeteor，itsspeedthussuddenlycheckedwouldhaveraisedaheatgreatenoughtoturnitintovaporinstantaneously。\"
\"Then，\"askedNicholl，\"whatwouldhappeniftheearth’smotionweretostopsuddenly？\"
\"Hertemperaturewouldberaisedtosuchapitch，\"saidBarbicane，\"thatshewouldbeatoncereducedtovapor。\"
\"Well，\"saidMichel，\"thatisawayofendingtheearthwhichwillgreatlysimplifythings。\"
\"Andiftheearthfelluponthesun？\"askedNicholl。
\"Accordingtocalculation，\"repliedBarbicane，\"thefallwoulddevelopaheatequaltothatproducedby16，000globesofcoal，eachequalinbulktoourterrestrialglobe。\"
\"Goodadditionalheatforthesun，\"repliedMichelArdan，\"ofwhichtheinhabitantsofUranusorNeptunewoulddoubtlessnotcomplain;theymustbeperishedwithcoldontheirplanets。\"
\"Thus，myfriends，\"saidBarbicane，\"allmotionsuddenlystoppedproducesheat。Andthistheoryallowsustoinferthattheheatofthesolardiscisfedbyahailofmeteorsfallingincessantlyonitssurface。Theyhaveevencalculated————\"
\"Oh，dear！\"murmuredMichel，\"thefiguresarecoming。\"
\"Theyhaveevencalculated，\"continuedtheimperturbableBarbicane，\"thattheshockofeachmeteoronthesunoughttoproduceaheatequaltothatof4，000massesofcoalofanequalbulk。\"
\"Andwhatisthesolarheat？\"askedMichel。
\"Itisequaltothatproducedbythecombustionofastratumofcoalsurroundingthesuntoadepthofforty—sevenmiles。\"
\"Andthatheat————\"
\"Wouldbeabletoboiltwobillionsninehundredmillionsofcubicmyriameters[2]ofwater。\"
[2]Themyriameterisequaltorathermorethan10，936
cubicyardsEnglish。
\"Anditdoesnotroastus！\"exclaimedMichel。
\"No，\"repliedBarbicane，\"becausetheterrestrialatmosphereabsorbsfour—tenthsofthesolarheat;besides，thequantityofheatinterceptedbytheearthisbutabillionthpartoftheentireradiation。\"
\"Iseethatallisforthebest，\"saidMichel，\"andthatthisatmosphereisausefulinvention;foritnotonlyallowsustobreathe，butitpreventsusfromroasting。\"
\"Yes！\"saidNicholl，\"unfortunately，itwillnotbethesameinthemoon。\"
\"Bah！\"saidMichel，alwayshopeful。\"Ifthereareinhabitants，theymustbreathe。Iftherearenolongerany，theymusthaveleftenoughoxygenforthreepeople，ifonlyatthebottomofravines，whereitsownweightwillcauseittoaccumulate，andwewillnotclimbthemountains;thatisall。\"AndMichel，rising，wenttolookatthelunardisc，whichshonewithintolerablebrilliancy。
\"ByJove！\"saidhe，\"itmustbehotupthere！\"
\"Withoutconsidering，\"repliedNicholl，\"thatthedaylasts360hours！\"
\"Andtocompensatethat，\"saidBarbicane，\"thenightshavethesamelength;andasheatisrestoredbyradiation，theirtemperaturecanonlybethatoftheplanetaryspace。\"
\"Aprettycountry，that！\"exclaimedMichel。\"Nevermind！
IwishIwasthere！Ah！mydearcomrades，itwillberathercurioustohavetheearthforourmoon，toseeitriseonthehorizon，torecognizetheshapeofitscontinents，andtosaytooneself，`ThereisAmerica，thereisEurope;’thentofollowitwhenitisabouttoloseitselfinthesun’srays！Bythebye，Barbicane，havetheSeleniteseclipses？\"
\"Yes，eclipsesofthesun，\"repliedBarbicane，\"whenthecentersofthethreeorbsareonaline，theearthbeinginthemiddle。
Buttheyareonlypartial，duringwhichtheearth，castlikeascreenuponthesolardisc，allowsthegreaterportiontobeseen。\"
\"Andwhy，\"askedNicholl，\"istherenototaleclipse？Doesnottheconeoftheshadowcastbytheearthextendbeyondthemoon？\"
\"Yes，ifwedonottakeintoconsiderationtherefractionproducedbytheterrestrialatmosphere。No，ifwetakethatrefractionintoconsideration。Thuslet
\"Oh！\"saidMichel。\"Dospeakplainly，youmanofalgebra！\"
\"Verywell，repliedBarbicane;\"inpopularlanguagethemeandistancefromthemoontotheearthbeingsixtyterrestrialradii，thelengthoftheconeoftheshadow，onaccountofrefraction，isreducedtolessthanforty—tworadii。
Theresultisthatwhenthereareeclipses，themoonfindsitselfbeyondtheconeofpureshadow，andthatthesunsendsheritsrays，notonlyfromitsedges，butalsofromitscenter。\"
\"Then，\"saidMichel，inamerrytone，\"whyarethereeclipses，whenthereoughtnottobeany？\"
\"Simplybecausethesolarraysareweakenedbythisrefraction，andtheatmospherethroughwhichtheypassextinguishedthegreaterpartofthem！\"
\"Thatreasonsatisfiesme，\"repliedMichel。\"Besidesweshallseewhenwegetthere。Now，tellme，Barbicane，doyoubelievethatthemoonisanoldcomet？\"
\"There’sanidea！\"
\"Yes，\"repliedMichel，withanamiableswagger，\"Ihaveafewideasofthatsort。\"
\"ButthatideadoesnotspringfromMichel，\"answeredNicholl。
\"Well，then，Iamaplagiarist。\"
\"Nodoubtaboutit。Accordingtotheancients，theArcadianspretendthattheirancestorsinhabitedtheearthbeforethemoonbecamehersatellite。Startingfromthisfact，somescientificmenhaveseeninthemoonacometwhoseorbitwillonedaybringitsoneartotheearththatitwillbeheldtherebyitsattraction。\"
\"Isthereanytruthinthishypothesis？\"askedMichel。
\"Nonewhatever，\"saidBarbicane，\"andtheproofis，thatthemoonhaspreservednotraceofthegaseousenvelopewhichalwaysaccompaniescomets。\"
\"But，\"continuedNicholl，\"Beforebecomingtheearth’ssatellite，couldnotthemoon，wheninherperihelion，passsonearthesunasbyevaporationtogetridofallthosegaseoussubstances？\"
\"Itispossible，friendNicholl，butnotprobable。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"Because——FaithIdonotknow。\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedMichel，\"whathundredofvolumeswemightmakeofallthatwedonotknow！\"
\"Ah！indeed。Whattimeisit？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Threeo’clock，\"answeredNicholl。
\"Howtimegoes，\"saidMichel，\"intheconversationofscientificmensuchasweare！Certainly，IfeelIknowtoomuch！IfeelthatIambecomingawell！\"
Sayingwhich，Michelhoistedhimselftotheroofoftheprojectile，\"toobservethemoonbetter，\"hepretended。Duringthistimehiscompanionswerewatchingthroughthelowerglass。Nothingnewtonote！
WhenMichelArdancamedown，hewenttothesidescuttle;andsuddenlytheyheardanexclamationofsurprise！
\"Whatisit？\"askedBarbicane。
Thepresidentapproachedthewindow，andsawasortofflattenedsackfloatingsomeyardsfromtheprojectile。Thisobjectseemedasmotionlessastheprojectile，andwasconsequentlyanimatedwiththesameascendingmovement。
\"Whatisthatmachine？\"continuedMichelArdan。\"Isitoneofthebodieswhichourprojectilekeepswithinitsattraction，andwhichwillaccompanyittothemoon？\"
\"Whatastonishesme，\"saidNicholl，\"isthatthespecificweightofthebody，whichiscertainlylessthanthatoftheprojectile，allowsittokeepsoperfectlyonalevelwithit。\"
\"Nicholl，\"repliedBarbicane，afteramoment’sreflection，\"Idonotknowwhattheobjectit，butIdoknowwhyitmaintainsourlevel。\"
\"Andwhy？\"
\"Becausewearefloatinginspace，mydearcaptain，andinspacebodiesfallormove（whichisthesamething）withequalspeedwhateverbetheirweightorform;itistheair，whichbyitsresistancecreatesthesedifferencesinweight。Whenyoucreateavacuuminatube，theobjectsyousendthroughit，grainsofdustorgrainsoflead，fallwiththesamerapidity。Hereinspaceisthesamecauseandthesameeffect。\"
\"Justso，\"saidNicholl，\"andeverythingwethrowoutoftheprojectilewillaccompanyituntilitreachesthemoon。\"
\"Ah！foolsthatweare！\"exclaimedMichel。
\"Whythatexpletive？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Becausewemighthavefilledtheprojectilewithusefulobjects，books，instruments，tools，etc。Wecouldhavethrownthemallout，andallwouldhavefollowedinourtrain。Buthappythought！
Whycannotwewalkoutsidelikethemeteor？Whycannotwelaunchintospacethroughthescuttle？Whatenjoymentitwouldbetofeeloneselfthussuspendedinether，morefavoredthanthebirdswhomustusetheirwingstokeepthemselvesup！\"
\"Granted，\"saidBarbicane，\"buthowtobreathe？\"
\"Hangtheair，tofailsoinopportunely！\"
\"Butifitdidnotfail，Michel，yourdensitybeinglessthanthatoftheprojectile，youwouldsoonbeleftbehind。\"
\"Thenwemustremaininourcar？\"
\"Wemust！\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedMichel，inaloadvoice。
\"Whatisthematter，\"askedNicholl。
\"Iknow，Iguess，whatthispretendedmeteoris！Itisnoasteroidwhichisaccompanyingus！Itisnotapieceofaplanet。\"
\"Whatisitthen？\"askedBarbicane。
\"Itisourunfortunatedog！ItisDiana’shusband！\"
Indeed，thisdeformed，unrecognizableobject，reducedtonothing，wasthebodyofSatellite，flattenedlikeabagpipewithoutwind，andevermounting，mounting！
CHAPTERVII
AMOMENTOFINTOXICATION
Thusaphenomenon，curiousbutexplicable，washappeningunderthesestrangeconditions。
Everyobjectthrownfromtheprojectilewouldfollowthesamecourseandneverstopuntilitdid。Therewasasubjectforconversationwhichthewholeeveningcouldnotexhaust。
Besides，theexcitementofthethreetravelersincreasedastheydrewneartheendoftheirjourney。Theyexpectedunforseenincidents，andnewphenomena;andnothingwouldhaveastonishedthemintheframeofmindtheythenwerein。Theiroverexcitedimaginationwentfasterthantheprojectile，whosespeedwasevidentlydiminishing，thoughinsensiblytothemselves。Butthemoongrewlargertotheireyes，andtheyfanciediftheystretchedouttheirhandstheycouldseizeit。
Thenextday，the5thofNovember，atfiveinthemorning，allthreewereonfoot。Thatdaywastobethelastoftheirjourney，ifallcalculationsweretrue。Thatverynight，attwelveo’clock，ineighteenhours，exactlyatthefullmoon，theywouldreachitsbrilliantdisc。Thenextmidnightwouldseethatjourneyended，themostextraordinaryofancientormoderntimes。Thusfromthefirstofthemorning，throughthescuttlessilveredbyitsrays，theysalutedtheorbofnightwithaconfidentandjoyoushurrah。
Themoonwasadvancingmajesticallyalongthestarryfirmament。
Afewmoredegrees，andshewouldreachtheexactpointwherehermeetingwiththeprojectilewastotakeplace。
Accordingtohisownobservations，Barbicanereckonedthattheywouldlandonhernorthernhemisphere，wherestretchimmenseplains，andwheremountainsarerare。Afavorablecircumstanceif，astheythought，thelunaratmospherewasstoredonlyinitsdepths。
\"Besides，\"observedMichelArdan，\"aplainiseasiertodisembarkuponthanamountain。ASelenite，depositedinEuropeonthesummitofMontBlanc，orinAsiaonthetopoftheHimalayas，wouldnotbequiteintherightplace。\"
\"And，\"addedCaptainNicholl，\"onaflatground，theprojectilewillremainmotionlesswhenithasoncetouched;whereasonadeclivityitwouldrolllikeanavalanche，andnotbeingsquirrelsweshouldnotcomeoutsafeandsound。Soitisallforthebest。\"
Indeed，thesuccessoftheaudaciousattemptnolongerappeareddoubtful。ButBarbicanewaspreoccupiedwithonethought;butnotwishingtomakehiscompanionsuneasy，hekeptsilenceonthissubject。
Thedirectiontheprojectilewastakingtowardthemoon’snorthernhemisphere，showedthathercoursehadbeenslightlyaltered。Thedischarge，mathematicallycalculated，wouldcarrytheprojectiletotheverycenterofthelunardisc。
Ifitdidnotlandthere，theremusthavebeensomedeviation。
Whathadcausedit？Barbicanecouldneitherimaginenordeterminetheimportanceofthedeviation，fortherewerenopointstogoby。
Hehoped，however，thatitwouldhavenootherresultthanthatofbringingthemnearertheupperborderofthemoon，aregionmoresuitableforlanding。
Withoutimpartinghisuneasinesstohiscompanions，Barbicanecontentedhimselfwithconstantlyobservingthemoon，inordertoseewhetherthecourseoftheprojectilewouldnotbealtered;forthesituationwouldhavebeenterribleifitfailedinitsaim，andbeingcarriedbeyondthediscshouldbelaunchedintointerplanetaryspace。Atthatmoment，themoon，insteadofappearingflatlikeadisc，showeditsconvexity。Ifthesun’srayshadstruckitobliquely，theshadowthrownwouldhavebroughtoutthehighmountains，whichwouldhavebeenclearlydetached。
Theeyemighthavegazedintothecrater’sgapingabysses，andfollowedthecapriciousfissureswhichwoundthroughtheimmenseplains。Butallreliefwasasyetleveledinintensebrilliancy。Theycouldscarcelydistinguishthoselargespotswhichgivethemoontheappearanceofahumanface。
\"Face，indeed！\"saidMichelArdan;\"butIamsorryfortheamiablesisterofApollo。Averypittedface！\"
Butthetravelers，nowsoneartheend，wereincessantlyobservingthisnewworld。Theyimaginedthemselveswalkingthroughitsunknowncountries，climbingitshighestpeaks，descendingintoitslowestdepths。Hereandtheretheyfanciedtheysawvastseas，scarcelykepttogetherundersorarefiedanatmosphere，andwater—coursesemptyingthemountaintributaries。
Leaningovertheabyss，theyhopedtocatchsomesoundsfromthatorbforevermuteinthesolitudeofspace。Thatlastdayleftthem。
Theytookdownthemosttriflingdetails。Avagueuneasinesstookpossessionofthemastheynearedtheend。Thisuneasinesswouldhavebeendoubledhadtheyfelthowtheirspeedhaddecreased。
Itwouldhaveseemedtothemquiteinsufficienttocarrythemtotheend。Itwasbecausetheprojectilethen\"weighed\"almostnothing。
Itsweightwaseverdecreasing，andwouldbeentirelyannihilatedonthatlinewherethelunarandterrestrialattractionswouldneutralizeeachother。
Butinspiteofhispreoccupation，MichelArdandidnotforgettopreparethemorningrepastwithhisaccustomedpunctuality。
Theyatewithagoodappetite。Nothingwassoexcellentasthesoupliquefiedbytheheatofthegas;nothingbetterthanthepreservedmeat。SomeglassesofgoodFrenchwinecrownedtherepast，causingMichelArdantoremarkthatthelunarvines，warmedbythatardentsun，oughttodistillevenmoregenerouswines;thatis，iftheyexisted。Inanycase，thefar—seeingFrenchmanhadtakencarenottoforgetinhiscollectionsomepreciouscuttingsoftheMedocandCoted’Or，uponwhichhefoundedhishopes。
ReisetandRegnaut’sapparatusworkedwithgreatregularity。
Notanatomofcarbonicacidresistedthepotash;andastotheoxygen，CaptainNichollsaid\"itwasofthefirstquality。\"
Thelittlewateryvaporenclosedintheprojectilemixingwiththeairtemperedthedryness;andmanyapartmentsinLondon，Paris，orNewYork，andmanytheaters，werecertainlynotinsuchahealthycondition。
Butthatitmightactwithregularity，theapparatusmustbekeptinperfectorder;soeachmorningMichelvisitedtheescaperegulators，triedthetaps，andregulatedtheheatofthegasbythepyrometer。Everythinghadgonewelluptothattime，andthetravelers，imitatingtheworthyJosephT。Maston，begantoacquireadegreeofembonpointwhichwouldhaverenderedthemunrecognizableiftheirimprisonmenthadbeenprolongedtosomemonths。Inaword，theybehavedlikechickensinacoop;
theyweregettingfat。
InlookingthroughthescuttleBarbicanesawthespecterofthedog，andotherdiversobjectswhichhadbeenthrownfromtheprojectile，obstinatelyfollowingthem。DianahowledlugubriouslyonseeingtheremainsofSatellite，whichseemedasmotionlessasiftheyreposedonsolidearth。
\"Doyouknow，myfriends，\"saidMichelArdan，\"thatifoneofushadsuccumbedtotheshockconsequentondeparture，weshouldhavehadagreatdealoftroubletoburyhim？WhatamIsaying？
to_etherize_him，ashereethertakestheplaceofearth。
Youseetheaccusingbodywouldhavefollowedusintospacelikearemorse。\"
\"Thatwouldhavebeensad，\"saidNicholl。
\"Ah！\"continuedMichel，\"whatIregretisnotbeingabletotakeawalkoutside。Whatvoluptuousnesstofloatamidthisradiantether，tobatheoneselfinit，towraponeselfinthesun’spurerays。
IfBarbicanehadonlythoughtoffurnishinguswithadivingapparatusandanair—pump，Icouldhaveventuredoutandassumedfancifulattitudesoffeignedmonstersonthetopoftheprojectile。\"
\"Well，oldMichel，\"repliedBarbicane，\"youwouldnothavemadeafeignedmonsterlong，forinspiteofyourdiver’sdress，swollenbytheexpansionofairwithinyou，youwouldhaveburstlikeashell，orratherlikeaballoonwhichhasrisentoohigh。Sodonotregretit，anddonotforgetthis——aslongaswefloatinspace，allsentimentalwalksbeyondtheprojectileareforbidden。\"
MichelArdanallowedhimselftobeconvincedtoacertainextent。