The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 141: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A MONTH IN THE MOON. 333 At last the two young men sat down side by side and looked at each other with a perplexed expression, mingled on Norbert’s side with one of amuse- ment. ‘‘T will explain these phenomena to you,’’ began the astronomer, again forgetting that he could not make the least sound. Sir Bucephalus, seeing his lips move, turned the most attentive ear in hopes of hearing, but all in vain. “T give it up!’’ gesticulated Norbert, shrugging his shoulders. “‘It would take too long to write it.’’ He tried to explain the situation to his friend by a succession of gestures. The baronet looked on in amazement while his companion leaped over enor- mous obstacles, lifted weights that looked colossal, and then, coming up to Sir Bucephalus, took hoid of him, not round the body, but as if he had been a doll, by both hands, and throwing him up in the air, caught him as one catches a ball. The baronet did not much care for ieee liberties. * No sooner cid Norbert pause in his acrobatic feats than his companion did the same to him, with all the while a most serious and offended air, which amused Norbert greatly. 7 ‘‘Tt is not without reason that madmen are called /unatics,’’ thought the baronet. ‘‘ Can it be possible that only a few hours’ sojourn on the moon has had such an effect'on a mind like Norbert’s. For it is evident that he has lost his senses, and he is as strong as a bull with it all. Soam I; indeed, I have never seen myself in such good form asI am now. It must be owing to the physical education at Eton. Something always remains of such a train- ing, and it only requires opportunity to bring it forth. But I trust Iam not going to lose my head like this poor fellow.’’ He had got so far in his reflections when Norbert seized him round the waist, and, throwing him over his shoulder like a bundle of feathers, ran with all his might along the terrace formed by the lip of the crater. The baronet, somewhat alarmed and much offended by this exploit, struggled with the energy of despair. Norbert would not let go. He stopped only at the end of the terrace, and set down Sir Bucephalus, who was crimson with rage. ‘‘T am surprised, sir,’’ he tried to say. But seeing that he was unheard, he stopped short. ‘The extreme absurdity of the situation suddenly overcame him, and his rage evaporating under Norbert’s affectionate smile, Sir Bucephalus went off into a peal of laughter that shook his sides, but made not a sound. CHAPTER XXIX.—TuHE CRATER OF RHETICUS. ‘Ta chief point now,’’ said Norbert to himself, as he sat beside Sir Bucephalus on the edge of the terrace formed by the crater, ‘‘ is to ascertain the condition of the isolating base of our great artificial magnet ! If, by good chance, it is intact, so much the better! We might then have some reason- able hope of seeing Earth again! Well! well! we shall soon see !”’ EOMIichooksnco =