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。
CaptainJonathanBlomsberry（cousin—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，iftheexperimenthassucceeded（whichIdonotdoubt），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。
Atthatmoment（itwasseventeenminutespastoneinthemorning）LieutenantBronsfieldwaspreparingtoleavethewatchandreturntohiscabin，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，and（takingintoconsiderationthetimethathadelapsed，andtherotarymotionoftheearth）betweenthe41@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。
WemayrememberthatthesecretaryoftheGunClubhadstartedsoonaftertheprojectile（andalmostasquickly）forthestationonLong’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’sservantappearedontheplatform（itwastenatnight）andgavehimadispatch。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，fivelongdays（fivecenturies！）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！