The notice from Long’s Peak once made known, there spread throughout the universe a feeling of surprise and horror.  Was it possible to go to the aid of these bold inhabitants of the earth?  Certainly not, for they had put themselves outside of the pale of humanity by crossing the limits imposed by the Creator on His terrestrial creatures.  They could procure themselves air for two months; they had provisions for one year; but after?  The hardest hearts palpitated at this terrible question.

One man alone would not admit that the situation was desperate.  One alone had confidence, and it was their friend—­devoted, audacious, and resolute as they—­the brave J.T.  Maston.

He resolved not to lose sight of them.  His domicile was henceforth the post of Long’s Peak—­his horizon the immense reflector.  As soon as the moon rose above the horizon he immediately framed her in the field of his telescope; he did not lose sight of her for an instant, and assiduously followed her across the stellar spaces; he watched with eternal patience the passage of the projectile over her disc of silver, and in reality the worthy man remained in perpetual communication with his three friends, whom he did not despair of seeing again one day.

“We will correspond with them,” said he to any one who would listen, “as soon as circumstances will allow.  We shall have news from them, and they will have news from us.  Besides, I know them—­they are ingenious men.  Those three carry with them into space all the resources of art, science, and industry.  With those everything can be accomplished, and you will see that they will get out of the difficulty.”

(FOR SEQUEL, SEE “AROUND THE MOON.”)

[Illustration:  “They watched thus through the lateral windows.”]

* * * * *

ROUND THE MOON.

* * * * *

INTRODUCTION.

PRELIMINARY CHAPTER.

CONTAINING A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST PART OF THIS WORK TO SERVE AS PREFACE TO THE SECOND.

During the course of the year 186——­ the entire world was singularly excited by a scientific experiment without precedent in the annals of science.  The members of the Gun Club, a circle of artillerymen established at Baltimore after the American war, had the idea of putting themselves in communication with the moon—­yes, with the moon—­by sending a bullet to her.  Their president, Barbicane, the promoter of the enterprise, having consulted the astronomers of the Cambridge Observatory on this subject, took all the precautions necessary for the success of the extraordinary enterprise, declared practicable by the majority of competent people.  After having solicited a public subscription which produced nearly 30,000,000 of francs, it began its gigantic labours.