The Moon-Voyage eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 384 pages of information about The Moon-Voyage.

The Moon-Voyage eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 384 pages of information about The Moon-Voyage.

J.T.  Maston could contain himself no longer.  Whether he shouted or ate, gesticulated or talked most would be difficult to determine.  Any way he would not have given up his place for an empire, “not even if the cannon—­loaded, primed, and fired at that very moment—­were to blow him in pieces into the planetary universe.”

CHAPTER XVII.

A TELEGRAM.

The great work undertaken by the Gun Club was now virtually ended, and yet two months would still elapse before the day the projectile would start for the moon.  These two months would seem as long as two years to the universal impatience.  Until then the smallest details of each operation had appeared in the newspapers every day, and were eagerly devoured by the public, but now it was to be feared that this “interest dividend” would be much diminished, and every one was afraid of no longer receiving his daily share of emotions.

They were all agreeably disappointed:  the most unexpected, extraordinary, incredible, and improbable incident happened in time to keep up the general excitement to its highest pitch.

On September 30th, at 3.47 p.m., a telegram, transmitted through the Atlantic Cable, arrived at Tampa Town for President Barbicane.

He tore open the envelope and read the message, and, notwithstanding his great self-control, his lips grew pale and his eyes dim as he read the telegram.

The following is the text of the message stored in the archives of the Gun Club:—­

“France, Paris,

“September 30th, 4 a.m.

“Barbicane, Tampa Town, Florida, United States.

“Substitute a cylindro-conical projectile for your spherical shell. 
Shall go inside.  Shall arrive by steamer Atlanta.

“MICHEL ARDAN.”

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE PASSENGER OF THE ATLANTA.

If this wonderful news, instead of coming by telegraph, had simply arrived by post and in a sealed envelope—­if the French, Irish, Newfoundland, and American telegraph clerks had not necessarily been acquainted with it—­Barbicane would not have hesitated for a moment.  He would have been quite silent about it for prudence’ sake, and in order not to throw discredit on his work.  This telegram might be a practical joke, especially as it came from a Frenchman.  What probability could there be that any man should conceive the idea of such a journey?  And if the man did exist was he not a madman who would have to be inclosed in a strait-waistcoat instead of in a cannon-ball?

But the message was known, and Michel Ardan’s proposition was already all over the States of the Union, so Barbicane had no reason for silence.  He therefore called together his colleagues then in Tampa Town, and, without showing what he thought about it or saying a word about the degree of credibility the telegram deserved, he read coldly the laconic text.

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The Moon-Voyage from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.