THRUST AND PARRY.
This incident seemed to have terminated the discussion,
but when the agitation had subsided these words were
heard uttered in a loud and severe voice:—
“Now that the orator has allowed his fancy to
roam, perhaps he would kindly go back to his subject,
pay less attention to theories, and discuss the practical
part of his expedition.”
All eyes were turned towards the person who spoke
thus. He was a thin, dry-looking man, with an
energetic face and an American beard. By taking
advantage of the agitation in the assembly from time
to time he had gained, by degrees, the front row of
spectators. There, with his arms crossed, his
eyes brilliant and bold, he stared imperturbably at
the hero of the meeting. After having asked his
question he kept silence, and did not seem disturbed
by the thousands of eyes directed towards him nor
by the disapproving murmur excited by his words.
The answer being delayed he again put the question
with the same clear and precise accent; then he added—
“We are here to discuss the moon, not the earth.”
“You are right, sir,” answered Michel
Ardan, “the discussion has wandered from the
point; we will return to the moon.”
“Sir,” resumed the unknown man, “you
pretend that our satellite is inhabited. So far
so good; but if Selenites do exist they certainly live
without breathing, for—I tell you the fact
for your good—there is not the least particle
of air on the surface of the moon.”
At this affirmation Ardan shook his red mane; he understood
that a struggle was coming with this man on the real
question. He looked at him fixedly in his turn,
and said—
“Ah! there is no air in the moon! And who
says so, pray?”
“The savants.”
“Indeed?”
“Indeed.”
“Sir,” resumed Michel, “joking apart,
I have a profound respect for savants who know,
but a profound contempt for savants who do not
know.”
“Do you know any who belong to the latter category?”
“Yes; in France there is one who maintains that,
‘mathematically,’ a bird cannot fly, and
another who demonstrates that a fish is not made to
live in water.”
“There is no question of those two, sir, and
I can quote in support of my proposition names that
you will not object to.”
“Then, sir, you would greatly embarrass a poor
ignorant man like me!”
“Then why do you meddle with scientific questions
which you have never studied?” asked the unknown
brutally.
“Why?” answered Ardan; “because
the man who does not suspect danger is always brave!
I know nothing, it is true, but it is precisely my
weakness that makes my strength.”
“Your weakness goes as far as madness,”
exclaimed the unknown in a bad-tempered tone.
“So much the better,” replied the Frenchman,
“if my madness takes me to the moon!”
