Argosy, Volume XXIII — Index Page, 1897 — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

, 752 A MONTH IN THE MOON. ‘This fact also explains the perfect transparency of this atmosphere and its absolute dryness. Another phenomenon which puzzled me is now also made plain—that we can breathe for three or four hours or more with the small provision of oxygen in our respirators. A proportion of twenty to twenty three per cent of this oxygen, mingled with lunar nitrogen, gives us air as breathable as that of earth. As our respirators do not fit quite tightly on our faces, the two gases are able to unite, and so we are able to breathe freely.’’ ‘“ Well, that is something worth hearing,’’ said the doctor. ‘‘ We are certain,’’ continued Norbert, ‘‘ to have sufficient air now, for, instead of our being obliged, as I thought, to consume pure oxygen towards the end, we need only manufacture a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen, or in other words make as much artificial air as we want for internal use in the observatory.’’ ‘“Then you are decidedly of opinion,’’ inquired the doctor, ‘‘ that the air of the moon has been analogous to ours in pioporton to its destiny, and that she has gradually used up her oxygen ?’”’ ‘‘ Precisely. We have the proof in the remnant of old air in the crypt of the selenic building, and the fact that life, once existent on the moon, has now disappeared. You will note also the visible predominance of iron in all the surrounding rocks ; they are all deeply oxidized. The animal, vege- table, and mineral world of the moon absorbed all its oxygen, and life then became extinct.’’ Norbert’s news had put every one into good humor. ‘They were all, therefore, eager to help him after dinner in storing up heat for the needs of the long lunar night. For this purpose a number of solar condensers were set to work to heat gigantic stones to a white heat, which were then laid under the floor of the store rooms. At the same time large quantities of oxygen were fabricated to renew the air of the crater, which was beginning to rarefy. It only remained to bear patiently the long monotonous lunar night, until, with the return of the sun, the conical mirrors would be once more set going, and the weary travelers attempt to regain their native soil. But what untold ne ig might not attend this grand effort of the casta- ways! Norbert was resolved to leave nothing to chance, or to the noses 1m- prudence of one of his companions, as the whole responsibility rested upon him, the leader and chief. He invented a new mechanism to set the central apparatus at work, but resolved to keep it a profound secret. It was similar to the patented lock of a strong box, and opened at a given word only. He alone had it in his power to establish the contact, and transform the rock of Tehbali into a magnet once more. The last hours of the day were devoted to constructing a lofty iron fence on the esplanade to support a horizontal axis of polished steel. On this was to be suspended at the right moment a large silken parachute, held open by movable framework, and furnished with a car, in which the eleven castaways were to seat themselves, in readiness for the descent the moment the moon ~~ a ot ~ (€(o) Gomichbooks