Argosy, Volume XXIII — Index Page, 1897 — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

746 A MONTH IN THE MOON. A far more important discovery, however, is that of an opening into the crater of an extinct volcano, which has become filled with air from the earth. In order to preserve as much of this _ as possible for future use, Norbert hastens back to the observatory for help and tools, leaving Sir Bucephalus to gather together as many stones as he can for the barricade in the mean time. The whole party accompany the young astronomer on his return, but the baronet has disappeared and cannot be found. | On the return to the observatory the body of the dwarf is discovered exposed to view by the recent catastrophe, and perceiving signs of life init, Dr. Briet sets to work and soon has Kaddour restored to life, he having forced himself into a state of catalepsy. He is kindly treated by all and sensibly melts under these influences. Meanwhile petty thefts of food have been noticed, aud one day the valet, Smith, catches sight of the thief and pursuit is made, It is then discovered that Gryphins, Vogel, and Wagner are also on the moon, have captured the baronet, robbed him of his respirator, and used that asa means of getting to the observatory and stealing two others. The baronet is released and the three directors placed in captivity. On first beholding them Kaddour becomes much excited and begs Mauny to hand them over to him for punishment, for it turns out that they had kidnapped him when a boy and distorted his body in order to fit him to fill the place of a dwarf who had died and whom they had been exhibiting. Time passes and the moon’s night of two weeks approaches. CHAPTER XXXVII.—TueE INVISIBLE HEMISPHERE. \V\ BILE making preparations for a visit to the invisible hemisphere, Norbert did not content himself with merely laying in a good store of chlorate of potassium wherewith to renew the oxygen in the respirators; he also invented, as a protection from the burning sun, a kind of hat parasol furnished with a curtain behind, to protect the back of the neck, and in front a linen peak, having at the level of the eyes two blue glasses let in as a pre- ventative of ophthalmia. Thanks to this ingenious precaution, Kaddour and he, with their scientific apparatus and sufficient provisions for two days, got through the journey of three hundred leagues from the crater of Rheticus to the other lunar hemi- sphere within eighteen hours, and without any accident. Had they not taken all this care, they must have succumbed to the heat at the end of a few hours. It was trying at all times, but it became really intolerable when walking was prolonged. Norbert and his companion remem- bered the experiences of the desert, and knew exactly when it was time to rest, eat, or renew the gas in the apparatus with the aid of a little spirit lamp, fed by a modicum of oxygen, and a glass globe full of chlorate of potas- sium. ‘They reached the end of their weary stage, therefore, less tired than they might have been. It was a cruel privation, however, not to be able to exchange ideas on a journey like this. But they managed to converse by signs, and Norbert im- proved in this simple art as they went along; in a few hours he was able to express himself intelligibly, and to understand all the dwarf intended. As they drew near the hidden face of the moon, Norbert could scarcely contain his impatience, and kept gesticulating from time to time as follows : ‘‘Iam positively dying to know what it is we are going to see! Just think, Kaddour, what a singular piece of luck for an astronomer! I am actually about to behold what no one as yet has any idea of! ‘The sublime panorama of the lunar night is to be unfolded for our benefit alone, and from EComichbooks 7“ a be ho com -