The Washington times., 1903-03-22


the little pocket compass Norbert had
with him. In fact. it was clear that
not only the summit of Tehbali, but the
entire mountain. had been forcibly
transported by some Irresistible power
from one globe to the other.
The heat was intense. owing to the al
most vertical rays of the sun, which
looked much as it did when viewed from
the earth. with the exception that the
protuberances on the surface were now
more clearly visible to the naked eye
than they were even through the tele-
scope in the observatories of the earth
This was joyful discovery to Norbert.
who was an ardent astronomical student.
1t was TO be explained by the extreme
tenuity of the atmosphere. which az
counted also for the appearance at mid
day OF countless starry consultations
The earthly atmosphere is like veil
between our glasses and the stars; but
the lunar atmosphere leaves free pas
sage TO the rays OF light or OF heat, and
unlike that of the earth. IL lends no
azure TO the sky, which. viewed from
the moon. Is black as ink.
Not only did our two explorers find
themselves in a furnace-like heat. but
they also discovered that they were now
OF an extraordinary lightness. They
scarcely felt their feet as they tripped
along rather than walked. Every mo-
ment they were making extraordinary
bounds. sometimes OF four or Ave yards
while meaning TO step aside from some
little obstacle such as a stone or piece
OF rock.
These gymnastics were so involuntary
that each looked at his companion in as
constituent Norbert stared at seeing
The baronet gamboiing along in this way.
leaping lightly like hare. and bounding
aIoft every now and then as II he were a
rubber ball.
There is something marvellous about
this" he thought. He will break his
neck II he goes on in that extravagant
fashion,"
At this moment he himself made q
slight backward movement 10 avoid a
precipice. and was. to his surprise.
taken six or seven yards UP in the air,
falling gently down again on the ground.
The baronet. his own gymnastic ex-
ercise scarcely over. looked at Norber;
with dIspleased surprise at such Undig-
niAed prarks.
Il have it,, suddenly thought Eor-
bert Gravity. is playing us these
tricks. It is six times less on the moon
than on the earth II follows that our
muscular power is skiold greater. and
hence We have become regular aero
bats"
He could not resist the pleasure OF
/ communicating the interesting fact tC
the baronet. and united his mask for
that purpose
We'll. my dear fellow" said he. do
you at last believe you are in the
moon?"
! To his great surprise, there was no
reply. The baronet did not pay the
least attention TO him, but gave a
tremendous leap over a little rivulet
that the rains had left in the road.
Norbert thought at frst from his
silence and the expression OF iudIner-
ence on his countenance that Sir Buce-
phalus was in the suIks. But what had
he done TO offend him? He could not
conceive what his offense had been.
What an odd idea" thought Nor
bert. Such a strange time. too, tC
choose for the sulks. What can he b.
savage with me about? Perhaps he i,
mad because l laughed at his gambols
pNo matter.rI shan.t trouble my heat
about it, r5, g.. d..
But IN the midst OF these reflections
he suddenly went of into a fit o
| laughter fit OF silent laughter
though. He had just discovered tina
had only articulated his words without
pronouncing them. The voice was no
audible. or. to speak more accurately
there was no voice OF sound of any kline
on the moon. because the tenuity of tn
atmosphere preciuded all vibration.
Poor old Bucephalus, And 1 sus
pected him or childish suIking. though
Norbert He has taken his mask of
twice or thrice. Perhaps he has aske
me several questions without getting
any reply; and maybe he is now wonder
ing what is amiss on my side. How OF
earth. or rather on the moon. am
to explain matters There is nothing
for 1T but to wait till we get back"
CHAPTER XVIII.