Their Shelter

This curious but certainly correct explanation once given, the three friends returned to their slumbers. Could they have found a calmer or more peaceful spot to sleep in? On the earth, houses, towns, cottages, and country feel every shock given to the exterior of the globe. On sea, the vessels rocked by the waves are still in motion; in the air, the balloon oscillates incessantly on the fluid strata of divers densities. This projectile alone, floating in perfect space, in the midst of perfect silence, offered perfect repose.

Once this curious but certainly correct explanation had been given, the three friends went back to sleep. Could they have found a calmer or more peaceful place to sleep? On Earth, houses, towns, cottages, and the countryside feel every shock to the globe’s surface. At sea, ships are constantly rocked by the waves. In the air, a balloon sways endlessly through layers of air of different densities. Only this projectile, floating in perfect space amid perfect silence, offered perfect rest.

Thus the sleep of our adventurous travelers might have been indefinitely prolonged, if an unexpected noise had not awakened them at about seven o’clock in the morning of the 2nd of December, eight hours after their departure.

The adventurous travelers might have slept indefinitely if an unexpected noise had not awakened them. It was about seven in the morning on December 2, eight hours after their departure.

This noise was a very natural barking.

The noise was a perfectly natural bark.

“The dogs! it is the dogs!” exclaimed Michel Ardan, rising at once.

“The dogs! It’s the dogs!” exclaimed Michel Ardan, standing up at once.

“They are hungry,” said Nicholl.

“They are hungry,” said Nicholl.

“By Jove!” replied Michel, “we have forgotten them.”

“Good grief!” Michel replied. “We forgot them.”

“Where are they?” asked Barbicane.

“Where are they?” asked Barbicane.

They looked and found one of the animals crouched under the divan. Terrified and shaken by the initiatory shock, it had remained in the corner till its voice returned with the pangs of hunger. It was the amiable Diana, still very confused, who crept out of her retreat, though not without much persuasion, Michel Ardan encouraging her with most gracious words.

They looked and found one of the animals crouching under the sofa. Terrified and shaken by the initial shock, she had stayed in the corner until hunger made her cry out. It was the lovable Diana, still very confused. She crept out of her hiding place, but only after much persuasion. Michel Ardan encouraged her with the kindest words.

“Come, Diana,” said he: “come, my girl! thou whose destiny will be marked in the cynegetic annals; thou whom the pagans would have given as companion to the god Anubis, and Christians as friend to St. Roch; thou who art rushing into interplanetary space, and wilt perhaps be the Eve of all Selenite dogs! come, Diana, come here.”

“Come, Diana,” he said. “Come, my girl! Your destiny will be recorded in the history of hunting. The pagans would have given you to the god Anubis as a companion, and Christians to St. Roch as a friend. You are rushing into interplanetary space, and perhaps you will be the Eve of all Selenite dogs! Come, Diana, come here.”

Diana, flattered or not, advanced by degrees, uttering plaintive cries.

Diana, whether flattered or not, moved forward slowly, making sad cries.

“Good,” said Barbicane: “I see Eve, but where is Adam?”

“Good,” said Barbicane. “I see Eve, but where is Adam?”

“Adam?” replied Michel; “Adam cannot be far off; he is there somewhere; we must call him. Satellite! here, Satellite!”

“Adam?” Michel replied. “Adam can't be far away. He's somewhere around here. We must call him. Satellite! Here, Satellite!”

But Satellite did not appear. Diana would not leave off howling. They found, however, that she was not bruised, and they gave her a pie, which silenced her complaints. As to Satellite, he seemed quite lost. They had to hunt a long time before finding him in one of the upper compartments of the projectile, whither some unaccountable shock must have violently hurled him. The poor beast, much hurt, was in a piteous state.

But Satellite did not appear. Diana would not stop howling. They found that she was not bruised and gave her a pie, which stopped her complaints. Satellite seemed to be completely lost. They searched for a long time before finding him in one of the projectile’s upper compartments. Some unexplained jolt must have thrown him there with great force. The poor animal was badly hurt and in a pitiful state.

“The devil!” said Michel.

“Damn!” said Michel.

They brought the unfortunate dog down with great care. Its skull had been broken against the roof, and it seemed unlikely that he could recover from such a shock. Meanwhile, he was stretched comfortably on a cushion. Once there, he heaved a sigh.

They brought the unfortunate dog down very carefully. His skull had been broken against the roof, and he seemed unlikely to recover from the shock. Meanwhile, they laid him comfortably on a cushion. Once there, he sighed.

“We will take care of you,” said Michel; “we are responsible for your existence. I would rather lose an arm than a paw of my poor Satellite.”

“We’ll take care of you,” said Michel. “We’re responsible for your life. I’d rather lose an arm than see my poor Satellite lose a paw.”

Saying which, he offered some water to the wounded dog, who swallowed it with avidity.

After saying this, he offered the wounded dog some water, which the dog drank eagerly.

This attention paid, the travelers watched the earth and the moon attentively. The earth was now only discernible by a cloudy disc ending in a crescent, rather more contracted than that of the previous evening; but its expanse was still enormous, compared with that of the moon, which was approaching nearer and nearer to a perfect circle.

Having attended to this, the travelers watched the earth and the moon closely. The earth was now visible only as a cloudy disc ending in a crescent. The crescent was slightly narrower than it had been the previous evening. But the earth still appeared enormous compared with the moon, which was becoming more and more nearly a perfect circle.

“By Jove!” said Michel Ardan, “I am really sorry that we did not start when the earth was full, that is to say, when our globe was in opposition to the sun.”

“By Jove!” said Michel Ardan, “I’m really sorry we didn’t leave when the Earth was full. That is, when our planet was opposite the sun.”

“Why?” said Nicholl.

“Why?” said Nicholl.

“Because we should have seen our continents and seas in a new light—the first resplendent under the solar rays, the latter cloudy as represented on some maps of the world. I should like to have seen those poles of the earth on which the eye of man has never yet rested.”

“Because we would have seen our continents and seas in a new light. The continents would have shone in the sunlight, while the seas would have looked cloudy, as on some world maps. I would have liked to see the earth’s poles, which no human eye has ever seen.”

“I dare say,” replied Barbicane; “but if the earth had been full, the moon would have been new; that is to say, invisible, because of the rays of the sun. It is better for us to see the destination we wish to reach, than the point of departure.”

“I suppose so,” replied Barbicane. “But if the earth had been full, the moon would have been new. That means the sun’s rays would have made the moon invisible. It is better for us to see where we want to go than where we started.”

“You are right, Barbicane,” replied Captain Nicholl; “and, besides, when we have reached the moon, we shall have time during the long lunar nights to consider at our leisure the globe on which our likenesses swarm.”

“You are right, Barbicane,” replied Captain Nicholl. “Besides, once we reach the moon, we will have time during the long lunar nights to study the globe swarming with people like us.”

“Our likenesses!” exclaimed Michel Ardan; “They are no more our likenesses than the Selenites are! We inhabit a new world, peopled by ourselves—the projectile! I am Barbicane’s likeness, and Barbicane is Nicholl’s. Beyond us, around us, human nature is at an end, and we are the only population of this microcosm until we become pure Selenites.”

“Our likenesses!” exclaimed Michel Ardan. “They are no more like us than the Selenites are! We live in a new world, the projectile, and we are its only inhabitants. I am like Barbicane, and Barbicane is like Nicholl. Beyond us and all around us, human nature ends. We are the only people in this little world until we become pure Selenites.”

“In about eighty-eight hours,” replied the captain.

“In about eighty-eight hours,” the captain replied.

“Which means to say?” asked Michel Ardan.

“What does that mean?” asked Michel Ardan.

“That it is half-past eight,” replied Nicholl.

“That it is half past eight,” Nicholl replied.

“Very well,” retorted Michel; “then it is impossible for me to find even the shadow of a reason why we should not go to breakfast.”

“All right,” Michel replied. “Then I can’t think of even the slightest reason why we shouldn’t go to breakfast.”

Indeed the inhabitants of the new star could not live without eating, and their stomachs were suffering from the imperious laws of hunger. Michel Ardan, as a Frenchman, was declared chief cook, an important function, which raised no rival. The gas gave sufficient heat for the culinary apparatus, and the provision box furnished the elements of this first feast.

Indeed, the inhabitants of the new star could not live without eating, and their stomachs were feeling the relentless demands of hunger. Michel Ardan, being French, was named chief cook. It was an important job, but no one competed with him for it. The gas provided enough heat for the cooking equipment, and the provision box supplied the ingredients for this first feast.

The breakfast began with three bowls of excellent soup, thanks to the liquefaction in hot water of those precious cakes of Liebig, prepared from the best parts of the ruminants of the Pampas. To the soup succeeded some beefsteaks, compressed by an hydraulic press, as tender and succulent as if brought straight from the kitchen of an English eating-house. Michel, who was imaginative, maintained that they were even “red.”

Breakfast began with three bowls of excellent soup. They had dissolved those precious Liebig cakes in hot water to make it. The cakes were made from the best cuts of meat from the grazing animals of the Pampas. After the soup came beefsteaks compressed by a hydraulic press. They were as tender and juicy as if they had come straight from the kitchen of an English restaurant. Michel, who had a lively imagination, insisted that they were even “red.”

Preserved vegetables (“fresher than nature,” said the amiable Michel) succeeded the dish of meat; and was followed by some cups of tea with bread and butter, after the American fashion.

Preserved vegetables followed the meat. The amiable Michel called them “fresher than nature.” Then came cups of tea with bread and butter, American-style.

The beverage was declared exquisite, and was due to the infusion of the choicest leaves, of which the emperor of Russia had given some chests for the benefit of the travelers.

The travelers declared the beverage exquisite. It was made from the finest leaves, and the emperor of Russia had given them several chests of these leaves for their journey.

And lastly, to crown the repast, Ardan had brought out a fine bottle of Nuits, which was found “by chance” in the provision-box. The three friends drank to the union of the earth and her satellite.

Finally, to top off the meal, Ardan brought out a fine bottle of Nuits, found “by chance” in the provision box. The three friends drank to the union of Earth and its satellite.

And, as if he had not already done enough for the generous wine which he had distilled on the slopes of Burgundy, the sun chose to be part of the party. At this moment the projectile emerged from the conical shadow cast by the terrestrial globe, and the rays of the radiant orb struck the lower disc of the projectile direct occasioned by the angle which the moon’s orbit makes with that of the earth.

And, as if he had not already done enough for the fine wine he had made on the slopes of Burgundy, the sun decided to join the party. At that moment, the projectile emerged from the cone-shaped shadow cast by the earth. The sun’s rays struck the projectile’s lower disc directly because of the angle between the moon’s orbit and the earth’s orbit.

“The sun!” exclaimed Michel Ardan.

“The sun!” Michel Ardan exclaimed.

“No doubt,” replied Barbicane; “I expected it.”

“No doubt,” Barbicane replied. “I expected it.”

“But,” said Michel, “the conical shadow which the earth leaves in space extends beyond the moon?”

“But,” said Michel, “does the Earth's cone-shaped shadow extend beyond the Moon?”

“Far beyond it, if the atmospheric refraction is not taken into consideration,” said Barbicane. “But when the moon is enveloped in this shadow, it is because the centers of the three stars, the sun, the earth, and the moon, are all in one and the same straight line. Then the nodes coincide with the phases of the moon, and there is an eclipse. If we had started when there was an eclipse of the moon, all our passage would have been in the shadow, which would have been a pity.”

“Far beyond it, if we don’t take atmospheric refraction into account,” said Barbicane. “But the moon is enveloped in this shadow when the centers of all three heavenly bodies, the sun, the earth, and the moon, lie in a straight line. Then the nodes coincide with the moon’s phases, and an eclipse occurs. If we had started during a lunar eclipse, our entire journey would have been in shadow, which would have been a pity.”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Because, though we are floating in space, our projectile, bathed in the solar rays, will receive light and heat. It economizes the gas, which is in every respect a good economy.”

“Because, although we are floating in space, the sun’s rays will give our projectile light and heat. That saves gas, which is a good saving in every respect.”

Indeed, under these rays which no atmosphere can temper, either in temperature or brilliancy, the projectile grew warm and bright, as if it had passed suddenly from winter to summer. The moon above, the sun beneath, were inundating it with their fire.

Indeed, no atmosphere could soften the heat or brightness of these rays. The projectile grew warm and bright, as if it had suddenly passed from winter into summer. The moon above and the sun below flooded it with their fire.

“It is pleasant here,” said Nicholl.

“It’s nice here,” said Nicholl.

“I should think so,” said Michel Ardan. “With a little earth spread on our aluminum planet we should have green peas in twenty-four hours. I have but one fear, which is that the walls of the projectile might melt.”

“I should think so,” said Michel Ardan. “With a little soil spread on our aluminum planet, we would have green peas in twenty-four hours. I have only one fear. The walls of the projectile might melt.”

“Calm yourself, my worthy friend,” replied Barbicane; “the projectile withstood a very much higher temperature than this as it slid through the strata of the atmosphere. I should not be surprised if it did not look like a meteor on fire to the eyes of the spectators in Florida.”

“Calm yourself, my good friend,” replied Barbicane. “The projectile withstood a much higher temperature as it passed through the layers of the atmosphere. I wouldn't be surprised if it looked like a burning meteor to the spectators in Florida.”

“But then J. T. Maston will think we are roasted!”

“But then J. T. Maston will think we've been roasted!”

“What astonishes me,” said Barbicane, “is that we have not been. That was a danger we had not provided for.”

“What surprises me,” said Barbicane, “is that we haven’t been. We hadn’t prepared for that danger.”

“I feared it,” said Nicholl simply.

“I was afraid of that,” Nicholl said simply.

“And you never mentioned it, my sublime captain,” exclaimed Michel Ardan, clasping his friend’s hand.

“And you never mentioned it, my wonderful captain!” exclaimed Michel Ardan, clasping his friend’s hand.

Barbicane now began to settle himself in the projectile as if he was never to leave it. One must remember that this aerial car had a base with a superficies of fifty-four square feet. Its height to the roof was twelve feet. Carefully laid out in the inside, and little encumbered by instruments and traveling utensils, which each had their particular place, it left the three travelers a certain freedom of movement. The thick window inserted in the bottom could bear any amount of weight, and Barbicane and his companions walked upon it as if it were solid plank; but the sun striking it directly with its rays lit the interior of the projectile from beneath, thus producing singular effects of light.

Barbicane now began settling into the projectile as if he would never leave it. Remember that this aerial car had a base with a surface area of fifty-four square feet. It was twelve feet high to the roof. The interior was carefully arranged, and the instruments and travel supplies took up little space. Each had its own place, leaving the three travelers some freedom to move around. The thick window set into the floor could bear any amount of weight. Barbicane and his companions walked on it as if it were solid wood. But the sun shone directly through the window, lighting the projectile’s interior from below and creating strange effects of light.

They began by investigating the state of their store of water and provisions, neither of which had suffered, thanks to the care taken to deaden the shock. Their provisions were abundant, and plentiful enough to last the three travelers for more than a year. Barbicane wished to be cautious, in case the projectile should land on a part of the moon which was utterly barren. As to water and the reserve of brandy, which consisted of fifty gallons, there was only enough for two months; but according to the last observations of astronomers, the moon had a low, dense, and thick atmosphere, at least in the deep valleys, and there springs and streams could not fail. Thus, during their passage, and for the first year of their settlement on the lunar continent, these adventurous explorers would suffer neither hunger nor thirst.

They began by checking their water and provisions. Neither had been damaged, thanks to the care taken to soften the shock. They had enough provisions to last the three travelers more than a year. Barbicane wanted to be cautious in case the projectile landed on a completely barren part of the moon. Their water and reserve of fifty gallons of brandy would last only two months. But astronomers’ latest observations showed that the moon had a low, dense, thick atmosphere, at least in its deep valleys. Springs and streams were sure to be found there. Thus, these adventurous explorers would suffer neither hunger nor thirst during their journey or their first year on the lunar continent.

Now about the air in the projectile. There, too, they were secure. Reiset and Regnaut’s apparatus, intended for the production of oxygen, was supplied with chlorate of potassium for two months. They necessarily consumed a certain quantity of gas, for they were obliged to keep the producing substance at a temperature of above 400°. But there again they were all safe. The apparatus only wanted a little care. But it was not enough to renew the oxygen; they must absorb the carbonic acid produced by expiration. During the last twelve hours the atmosphere of the projectile had become charged with this deleterious gas. Nicholl discovered the state of the air by observing Diana panting painfully. The carbonic acid, by a phenomenon similar to that produced in the famous Grotto del Cane, had collected at the bottom of the projectile owing to its weight. Poor Diana, with her head low, would suffer before her masters from the presence of this gas. But Captain Nicholl hastened to remedy this state of things, by placing on the floor several receivers containing caustic potash, which he shook about for a time, and this substance, greedy of carbonic acid, soon completely absorbed it, thus purifying the air.

Now for the air in the projectile. They were safe there, too. Reiset and Regnaut’s apparatus produced oxygen, and it had enough potassium chlorate to last two months. They had to use some gas to keep the substance at a temperature above 400°. But they were safe on that count, too. The apparatus needed only a little attention. Renewing the oxygen was not enough, though. They also had to absorb the carbon dioxide they breathed out. Over the last twelve hours, this harmful gas had built up in the projectile’s atmosphere. Nicholl realized what had happened when he saw Diana panting painfully. Because of its weight, the carbon dioxide had collected at the bottom of the projectile. A similar phenomenon occurred in the famous Grotto del Cane. With her head low, poor Diana would suffer from the gas before her masters did. But Captain Nicholl quickly set things right. He placed several containers of caustic potash on the floor and shook them for a while. The potash readily absorbed carbon dioxide, and soon absorbed it all, purifying the air.

An inventory of instruments was then begun. The thermometers and barometers had resisted, all but one minimum thermometer, the glass of which was broken. An excellent aneroid was drawn from the wadded box which contained it and hung on the wall. Of course it was only affected by and marked the pressure of the air inside the projectile, but it also showed the quantity of moisture which it contained. At that moment its needle oscillated between 25.24 and 25.08.

They then began to inventory the instruments. All the thermometers and barometers had survived except one minimum thermometer, whose glass was broken. They took an excellent aneroid barometer from its padded box and hung it on the wall. Of course, it responded only to the air pressure inside the projectile, but it also showed the moisture in the air. At that moment, its needle moved between 25.24 and 25.08.

It was fine weather.

The weather was fine.

Barbicane had also brought several compasses, which he found intact. One must understand that under present conditions their needles were acting wildly, that is without any constant direction. Indeed, at the distance they were from the earth, the magnetic pole could have no perceptible action upon the apparatus; but the box placed on the lunar disc might perhaps exhibit some strange phenomena. In any case it would be interesting to see whether the earth’s satellite submitted like herself to its magnetic influence.

Barbicane had also brought several compasses, which he found intact. Under the present conditions, their needles were behaving wildly. That is, they did not point in any constant direction. At their distance from Earth, the magnetic pole could have no perceptible effect on the instruments. But the box, placed on the lunar disc, might perhaps show some strange phenomena. In any case, it would be interesting to see whether Earth’s satellite was subject to its magnetic influence, as Earth was.

A hypsometer to measure the height of the lunar mountains, a sextant to take the height of the sun, glasses which would be useful as they neared the moon, all these instruments were carefully looked over, and pronounced good in spite of the violent shock.

They had a hypsometer to measure the height of the lunar mountains and a sextant to measure the sun's height. They also had glasses that would be useful as they neared the moon. All the instruments were carefully checked and found to be in good condition despite the violent shock.

As to the pickaxes and different tools which were Nicholl’s especial choice; as to the sacks of different kinds of grain and shrubs which Michel Ardan hoped to transplant into Selenite ground, they were stowed away in the upper part of the projectile. There was a sort of granary there, loaded with things which the extravagant Frenchman had heaped up. What they were no one knew, and the good-tempered fellow did not explain. Now and then he climbed up by cramp-irons riveted to the walls, but kept the inspection to himself. He arranged and rearranged, he plunged his hand rapidly into certain mysterious boxes, singing in one of the falsest of voices an old French refrain to enliven the situation.

The pickaxes and other tools Nicholl had specially chosen were stored in the upper part of the projectile. So were the sacks of grain and shrubs that Michel Ardan hoped to transplant into Selenite ground. There was a sort of storeroom there, filled with things the extravagant Frenchman had piled up. No one knew what they were, and the good-natured fellow did not explain. Now and then he climbed up using iron rungs riveted to the walls, but inspected the contents alone. He arranged and rearranged things, quickly plunging his hand into certain mysterious boxes. As he worked, he sang an old French refrain in a terribly off-key voice to liven things up.

Barbicane observed with some interest that his guns and other arms had not been damaged. These were important, because, heavily loaded, they were to help lessen the fall of the projectile, when drawn by the lunar attraction (after having passed the point of neutral attraction) on to the moon’s surface; a fall which ought to be six times less rapid than it would have been on the earth’s surface, thanks to the difference of bulk. The inspection ended with general satisfaction, when each returned to watch space through the side windows and the lower glass coverlid.

Barbicane noted with some interest that his guns and other weapons were undamaged. They were important because, heavily loaded, they were meant to help slow the projectile’s fall. After passing the point of neutral attraction, the projectile would be pulled toward the moon’s surface by lunar gravity. Because of the difference in size, the fall should be six times slower than a fall toward Earth’s surface. Everyone was satisfied with the inspection. They each returned to watching space through the side windows and the lower glass cover.

There was the same view. The whole extent of the celestial sphere swarmed with stars and constellations of wonderful purity, enough to drive an astronomer out of his mind! On one side the sun, like the mouth of a lighted oven, a dazzling disc without a halo, standing out on the dark background of the sky! On the other, the moon returning its fire by reflection, and apparently motionless in the midst of the starry world. Then, a large spot seemingly nailed to the firmament, bordered by a silvery cord; it was the earth! Here and there nebulous masses like large flakes of starry snow; and from the zenith to the nadir, an immense ring formed by an impalpable dust of stars, the “Milky Way,” in the midst of which the sun ranks only as a star of the fourth magnitude. The observers could not take their eyes from this novel spectacle, of which no description could give an adequate idea. What reflections it suggested! What emotions hitherto unknown awoke in their souls! Barbicane wished to begin the relation of his journey while under its first impressions, and hour after hour took notes of all facts happening in the beginning of the enterprise. He wrote quietly, with his large square writing, in a business-like style.

The view was unchanged. The entire sky swarmed with stars and constellations of incredible clarity, enough to drive an astronomer out of his mind! On one side, the sun looked like the opening of a blazing oven. Its dazzling disc had no halo and stood out against the dark sky. On the other side, the moon reflected the sun’s light and seemed motionless among the stars. Then there was a large spot that seemed fixed to the sky, edged with a silvery rim. It was the earth! Here and there were cloudy masses like great flakes of starry snow. From the zenith to the nadir stretched an immense ring of fine stardust, the “Milky Way.” Within it, the sun ranks only as a star of the fourth magnitude. The observers could not take their eyes off this new spectacle. No description could do it justice. What thoughts it inspired! What emotions, never before felt, awakened in their souls! Barbicane wanted to begin writing his account of the journey while his first impressions were fresh. Hour by hour, he noted everything that happened at the start of the enterprise. He wrote calmly, in large, square handwriting and a businesslike style.

During this time Nicholl, the calculator, looked over the minutes of their passage, and worked out figures with unparalleled dexterity. Michel Ardan chatted first with Barbicane, who did not answer him, and then with Nicholl, who did not hear him, with Diana, who understood none of his theories, and lastly with himself, questioning and answering, going and coming, busy with a thousand details; at one time bent over the lower glass, at another roosting in the heights of the projectile, and always singing. In this microcosm he represented French loquacity and excitability, and we beg you to believe that they were well represented. The day, or rather (for the expression is not correct) the lapse of twelve hours, which forms a day upon the earth, closed with a plentiful supper carefully prepared. No accident of any nature had yet happened to shake the travelers’ confidence; so, full of hope, already sure of success, they slept peacefully, while the projectile under an uniformly decreasing speed was crossing the sky.

Meanwhile, Nicholl, the calculator, reviewed the minutes of their journey and worked out figures with unmatched skill. Michel Ardan chatted first with Barbicane, who did not answer him, and then with Nicholl, who did not hear him. He talked to Diana, who understood none of his theories, and finally to himself, asking and answering questions. He went back and forth, busy with a thousand details. At one moment he leaned over the lower window. At another he perched high inside the projectile. And he was always singing. In this little world he represented French talkativeness and excitability, and we assure you that he represented them well. The day ended with a plentiful, carefully prepared supper. Or rather, since “day” is not the right word, it was the twelve hours that make up a day on Earth. No accident of any kind had yet shaken the travelers’ confidence. So, full of hope and already sure of success, they slept peacefully. Meanwhile, the projectile crossed the sky at a steadily decreasing speed.