The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 190: what you’re looking at

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

190 A MONTH IN THE MOON. It was shaped like a triumphal arch, and bore in front a steel arm that turned freely on two well greased hinges. From the arm hung the cord that suspended the parachute, and a small electric cable was wound round the latter, having direct communication with the terminal of the magnetic mechanism, Close by hung a chopping knife in its sheath, and by pressing a spring this knife would cut the cord and electric cable clean through. This would, at one and the same time, set the parachute free and arrest the magnetic action of Tehbali. No one but Norbert knew the secret of this machinery, and he fully intended to keep it to himself, and leave nothing this time to chance. The parachute was thirty yards across. It was made of the pieces of silk prepared in the storeroom, and pieced together by Gertrude and Fatima, under Norbert’s superintendence. The cords of suspension were passed through a large hole in the center, and it was held open by a steel frame like an umbrella. The car was hung by silken cords to the edge of the parachute, and was made of a slight circular framework two yards in diameter. Round this was a silk netting at elbow level, with eleven spaces left for the oxygen respirators that were subsequently to serve also for seats. A basket of provisions, a box of clothing, an aneroid barometer, and a thermometer completed the contents of the car. The parachute had been ready for two or three hours, when the sun dis- appeared anew behind the terrestrial screen, and deep night prevailed in that part of the esplanade where the travelers were assembled. It was darker than any night they had ever seen, for not only was there not the x slightest stream of starlight, but the sky itself was completely gone—its place was occupied by the terrestrial globe. wv CHAPTER XLVI.—Kappour BARS THE Way. SEATED ‘ound a table, on which burnt an electric lamp, in the observa- tory drawing room, the castaways were silently awaiting Norbert’s signal for departure. On a sudden Norbert rose, and, turning to Gertrude, said: “It is time. We have been a hundred and fifty four hours on the jour- ney. In thirty eight minutes we shall be on the earth. It is time to seat ourselves in the car.’’ ‘‘ Iam ready,’’ answered Gertrude, rising at once. ‘‘ Come, Fatima.’’ Led by the doctor, they went out to the esplanade, and took their seats in the car of the parachute. Norbert, who had accompanied them, returned to hurry Sir Bucephalus and Smith. ‘There is no time to lose,’’? he added. ‘‘I have just ascertained that the parachute is considerably out of the vertical position. Ina quarter of an hour, at most, all must be finished! Do youtake your places. Virgil, Kaddour, and I will go and bring the prisoners.’’ The baronet and his model domestic hastened to the esplanade, while | (S(O) Eomichbooks