The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 143: what you’re looking at

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

A MONTH IN THE MOON. 335 filled with air when it was suddenly capped, that is to say, corked up by the rock of Tehbali. It is this modicum of earth’s air that we are now breathing.’’ ‘*Tn that case,’’ said the baronet pensively, ‘‘ we must indeed be sparing of this unexpected treasure !”’ ‘‘Not only sparing of it, but we must prevent its escaping by the opening that gave us ingress! We had better go back to the observatory as quickly as possible for tools to build it up tight ; else the air will escape little by little.’’ This wise advice was at once put into practice. The two explorers resumed their masks, and were turning back to the opening, when Norbert proposed an amendment. ‘‘There is not an instant to lose,’’ he said, ‘‘ for each minute costs us hundreds of gallons of air. Why need we both go back? One of us could fetch what tools we shall want whilst the other remains here and sets to work at once.”’ ‘“'That’s true,’’ replied Sir Bucephalus. ‘‘Do you go, then, my dear fellow, since youl know exactly what is needed. But what can I do in your absence ?”’ ‘* You can gather together a lot of stones, wherewith to make a wall and close up the opeaing when I come back.”’ ‘Very well. There is no lack of stones here. You shall have a good heap here on your return, I promise.’’ Satisfied with this assurance, Norbert bounded off to the observatory, and was there in a few minutes. As soon as they all heard the news, every one wanted to join the expedi- tion. ‘The doctor, Virgil, Smith, Fatima, and even Gertrude were all anxious to become assistant masons. Smith had laid out a splendid lunch for the explorers on their return. But it was settled to postpone the repast for another hour, as Norbert did not think it would take longer to close the opening. He had already given his instructions to Virgil, who had hurried off to the storeroom in search of a shovel, a trowel, a sack of cement, and a barrel of water. - Meanwhile all prepared for the adventure by providing themselves with oxygen respirators, and Norbert warned his companions of the singular phe- nomena that awaited them outside. Briet’s countenance lengthened considerably when he heard that he was about.to be condemned to absolute silence. Gertrude took it all in her usual courageous way. ‘“‘ What is that majestic planet that has appeared since your departure?’ she asked, going to the window to point out to Norbert a large pale white crescent in the heavens similar in appearance to the new moon when viewed from the earth, only four times as large. 7 “That is ovr country, the earth!’’ he replied. ‘‘We shall have the pleasure of constantly seeing her, for she is the great time piece of the lunar world ; she is always present in the heavens, and in this hemisphere she is visible all day and all night.’’ The earth!”’ said Gertrude, with a sigh. ‘‘To think that my poor Eomicbooks 3