The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12
CHAPTER XXXIX.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE RETURN.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE RETURN
Norbert. at this moment returning IRON
the chemical laboratory. where he had
been shu up for some time alone. in
CURED what was the subject they wert
discussing.
L should be very much disposed. for
my part" ne said a. once. TO admit
/ Kaddour's theory. Il has tendency 10
/ prove that the seIenites were accustom-
/ cd 10 take the names Of stars. which is
appropriate TO q race that possessed
such exceptional opportunities Of know
/ ing the science OF the heavens. The
/ cycle here mentioned Is probably a great
+ astronomical cycle. which is a conhrna-
ton Of our first impression. concerning
/ the very great antiquity Of the paDyrus.
/ I myself. moreover" continued Norbert,
have made the importent discovery thar
the lunar atmosphere IS. composed Of nj
+ togen. mingled with some traces Of
oxygen.
This feet also explains the perfect
/ transparency OF this atmosphere and
+ its absolute dryness Another phenona~
non which puzzled me is pow also made
plaia-that Ne can breathe for three or
four hours or more with the small pro-
vision OF oxygen in our respirators. \
proportion OF % TO % per cent OF this
/ oxygen, mingled with lunar nitrogen,
gives rs air as breathable as that OF the
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
breath freely
Well that is something worth hear
ing. SAID he doctor
We are ~yrtain. continued Norbert.
Ito have sufficient air nov, for, instead
of our beine obliged. as / thought. 10
consume pure oxygen toward the end.
We need only manufacture a mixture of
Nitrogen and oxygen. or, in orther words,
as much artificial air as we want Tor in
terual use In me observe tory
Then srou ara decidedly OF opinion
inquired the doctor, that the air Of the
moon has been analogous to ours in
proportion to its density. and that she
has gradual used up her oxygen? -
Precisely. We have the proof IN the
remnant of old air in the crypt OF the
selenie building. ard the fact that life.
once existent on the moon. has now dis
appeared. You viii note also the visible
predominance of iron IN all the sur
rounding rocks; they are all deeply OK
idized. The animal. vegetable. and min
eraI world of the moon absorbed all It's
oxygen. and life then became extinct"
Norbert's news had put everyone 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 Fer this purpose a number of
solar condensers were set to work to
heat gigantic stones TO a white heat.
which wc.e inen 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 |
rarely
Il only remained 10 bear patiently the /
long, monotouous lunar night. until. /!
with the return of the sun. the conicaI 1
mirrors would be once more set going. |
and The weary travellers attempt TO re- /
gain their native soil.
But what untold dangers might not /
attend this grand effort Of the casta- /
ways,
Norbert was resolved 10 leave moth /
ing TO chance, or 30 the possible i'm /
prudence of one of his companions,
as the wholeresponsib rested upon /
him. the leader and chief He invented .
a new mechanism to set the central ap-
oarstus q work. but resolved 20 keep il
a profound secret It was similar 10
he patented lock of strong box. and
opened at a given word only. He alone
lad it in his power 20 establish the con-
act. and transform the rock OF TehbaIf
nto magnet once more.
The last hours of he DAY were de-
'oted 20 constructing a lofty iron fence
n The esplanade 20 support horizontal
lEts OF polished steel On this was to
]e suspended AZ The right moment a
arge siIken parachute. held open by
movable framework. md furnished With
i car. IN which the eleven castawayz
we're 20 seat themselves. in readiness to~
he descent the moment the noon was
uficiearly near The earth. Their weight
rould ACT as ballas-. and bear The aerial
hip toward The greater attracting
.Ov-pr tra aar-b