 Book 2, Chapter 13 of Off on a Comet. Off on a Comet by Jules Verne, translated by Anonymous. Book 2, Chapter 13, Dreary Months. Henceforth, then, with the velocity ever increasing, Gallia would re-approach the sun. Except the thirteen Englishmen who had been left at Gibraltar, every living creature had taken refuge in the dark abyss of the volcano's crater. And with those Englishmen, how had it fared? Far better than ourselves, was the cinnamon that would have been universally accepted in Nina's hive. And there was every reason to conjecture that so it was. The party at Gibraltar, they all agreed, would not, like themselves, have been compelled to have recourse to a stream of lava for their supply of heat. They, no doubt, had had abundance of fuel as well as food. And in their solid casement, with its substantial walls, they would find ample shelter from the rigor of the cold. The time would have been passed at least in comfort and perhaps in contentment. And Colonel Murphy and Major Oliphant would have had leisure more than sufficient for solving the most obstruous problems of the chessboard. All of them, too, would be happy in the confidence that when the time should come, England would have full need of praise to award to the gallant soldiers who had adhered so well and so manfully to their post. It did, indeed, more than once occur to the minds both of Servidak and his friends that if their conditions should become one of extreme emergency, they might, as a last resource, to take themselves to Gibraltar and there seek a refuge. But their former reception had not been the kindest, and they were little disposed to renew an acquaintanceship that was marked by so little cordiality. Not in the least that they would expect to meet any inhospitable rebuff. Far from that, they knew well enough that Englishmen, whatever their faults, would be the last to abandon their fellow creatures in the hour of distress. Nevertheless, except the necessity became far more urgent than it had hitherto proved, they resolved to endeavor to remain in their present quarters. Up till this time, no casualties had diminished their original number, but to undertake so long a journey across that unsheltered expanse of ice could scarcely fail to result in the loss of some of their party. However great was the desire to find a retreat for every living thing in the deep hollow of the crater, it was found necessary to slaughter almost all the domestic animals before the removal of the community from Nenus Hive. To have stabled them all in the cavern below would have been quite impossible. Wills to have left them in the upper galleries would only have been to abandon them to a cruel death. And since meat could be preserved for an indefinite time in the original storeplaces, now colder than ever, the expedient of killing the animals seemed to recommend itself as equally prudent and humane. Naturally, the captain and Benzov were most anxious that their favorite horses should be saved, and accordingly, by dint of the greatest care, all difficulties in the way were overcome, and Zephyr and Galet were conducted down the crater, where they were installed in a large hole and provided with forage, which was still abundant. Birds, subsisting only on scraps thrown out to them did not cease to follow the population in its migration, and so numerous did they become that multitudes of them had repeatedly to be destroyed. The general rearrangement of the new residence was no easy business, and occupied so much time that the end of January arrived before they could be said to be fairly settled, and then began a life of dreary monotony. Then seemed to creep over everyone a kind of moral torpor as well as physical lassitude, which Servodak, the Count, and the Lieutenant did their best not only to combat in themselves, but to counteract in the general community. They provided a variety of intellectual pursuits, they instituted debates in which everybody was encouraged to take part, they read aloud and explained extracts from the elementary manuals of science, or from the books of adventurous travel which their library supplied, and Russians and Spaniards, day after day, might have been seen gathered around the table giving their best attention to instruction which should send them back to Mother Earth less ignorant than they had left her. Selfish and morose, Hakobak could never be induced to be present at these social gatherings. He was far too much occupied in his own appropriated corner, either in conning his accounts, or in counting his money. Altogether, with what he had before, he now possessed the round sum of 150,000 francs, half of which were in sterling gold, but nothing could give him any satisfaction while he knew that the days were passing, and that he was denied the opportunity of putting out his capital in advantageous investments, or securing a proper interest. Neither did Palmyron Rosette find leisure to take any share in the mutual intercourse. His occupation was far too absorbing for him to suffer it to be interrupted, and to him, living as he did perpetually in a world of figures, the winter days seemed neither long nor wearisome. Having ascertained every possible particular about his comment, he was now devoting himself with equal ardor to the analysis of all the properties of the satellite norena, to which he appeared to assert the same claim of proprietorship. In order to investigate norena, it was indispensable that he should make several actual observations at various points of the orbit, and for this purpose, he repeatedly made his way up to the grotto above, where, in spite of the extreme trouble, he would persevere in the use of his telescope till he was all but paralyzed. But what he felt more than anything was the want of some retired apartment, where he could pursue his studies without hindrance or intrusion. It was about the beginning of February, when the professor brought his complaint to Captain Servidak, and begged him to assign him a chamber, no matter how small, in which he should be free to carry on his task in silence and without molestation. So readily did Servidak promise to do everything in his power to provide him with the accommodation for which he asked that the professor was put into such a manifest good temper that the captain ventured to speak upon the matter which was ever uppermost in his mind. I do not mean, he began timidly, to cast the least imputation of inaccuracy upon any of your calculations, but would you allow me, my dear professor, to suggest that you should revise your estimate of the duration of Galia's period of revolution? It is so important, you know, so all important, the difference of one half minute, you know, would so certainly mar the expectation of reunion with the earth. And seeing the cloud gathering on Rosette's face, he added, I am sure Lieutenant Procoke would be only too happy to render you any assistance in the revision. Sir, said the professor, bridling up, I want no assistance, my calculations want no revision. I never make an error. I have made my reckoning as far as Galia is concerned. I am now making a like estimate of the elements of Norena. Conscious of how impolitic it would be to press this matter further, the captain casually remarked that he should have supposed that all the elements of Norena have been calculated long since by astronomers on the earth. It was about as unlucky a speech as he could possibly have made. The professor glared at him fiercely, astounding, sir, he exclaimed. Yes, Norena was a planet then. Everything that appertained to the planet was determined. But Norena is a moon now. And do you not think, sir, that we have a right to know as much about our moon as those terrestrials? And he curled his lip as he spoke with a contentious emphasis, no of theirs? I beg pardon, said the corrected captain. Well then, never mind, replied the professor, quickly appeased. Only will you have the goodness to get me a proper place for study? I will, as I promised, do all I can, answered Servidak. Very good, said the professor. No immediate hurry, and our hence will do. But in spite of this condensation on the part of the man of science, some hours had to elapse before any place of retreat could be discovered likely to suit his requirements. But at length a little nook was found in the side of the cavern just large enough to hold an armchair and a table, and in this the astronomer was soon as sconce to his entire satisfaction. Buried thus, nearly 900 feet below ground, the galleons ought to have had unbounded mental energy to furnish an adequate reaction to the depressing monotony of their existence. But many days would often elapse without any one of them ascending to the surface of the soil. And had it not been for the necessity it was almost probable that there never would have been an effort made to leave the cavern at all. A few excursions, it is true, were made in the downward direction. The three leaders, with Benzouf, made their way to the lower depths of the crater, not with the design of making any further examination as to the nature of the rock, for although it might be true enough that it contained 30% of gold, it was as valueless to them as granite, but with the intention of ascertaining fire it still retained its activity. Satisfied upon this point, they came to the conclusion that the eruption which had so suddenly ceased in one spot had certainly broken out in another. February, March, April, May passed wearily by, but day succeeded today with such gloomy sameness that it was little wonder that no notice was taken of the lapse of time. The people seemed rather to vegetate than to live, and their want of vigor became almost alarming. The readings around the long table ceased to be attractive, and the debates sustained by a few became utterly wanting an animation. The Spaniards could hardly be roused to quit their beds, and seemed to have scarcely enough energy to eat. The Russians, constitutionally of more enduring temperament, did not give way to the same extent, but the long and drear confinement was beginning to tell upon them all. Servidak, the Count, and the Lieutenant all knew well enough that it was the want of air and exercise that was the cause of much of this mental depression, but what could they do? The most serious remonstrances on their part were entirely in vain. In fact, they themselves occasionally felt a prey to the same lassitude both of body and mind. Long fits of drowsiness, combined with an utter aversion of food would overcome them. It almost seemed as if their entire nature had become degenerate, and that, like tortoises, they could sleep and fast till the return of summer. Strange to say, little Nina bore her hardships more bravely than any of them. Flitting about, coaxing one to eat, another to drink, rousing Pablo as often as he seemed yielding to the common langore, the child became the life of the party. Her merry prattle and live in the gloom of the grim cavern like the sweet notes of a bird, her gay Italian songs broke the monotony of the depressing silence, and almost unconscious as the half dormant population of Gallia were of her influence, they still would have missed her bright presence sorely. The months still glided on. How? It seemed impossible for the inhabitants of the living tomb to say. There was a dead level of dullness. At the beginning of June, the generator poor appeared slightly to relax its hold upon its victims. This partial revival was probably due to the somewhat increased influence of the sun, still far, far away. During the first half of the Gallian year, Lieutenant Procope had taken careful note of Rosette's monthly announcements of the comet's progress, and he was able now, without reference to the professor, to calculate the rate of advance on its way back towards the sun. He found that Gallia had recrossed the orbit of Jupiter, but was still at the enormous distance of 197 million leagues from the sun, and he reckoned that in about four months it would have entered the zone of the telescopic planets. Gradually, but uninterruptedly, life and spirits continued to revive, and by the end of the month Cervadec and his little colony had regained most of their ordinary physical and mental energies. Benzouf, in particular, roused himself with redoubled vigor, like a giant refreshed from his slumbers. The visits, consequently, to the long-neglected galleries of Nienus Hive, became more and more frequent. One day, an excursion was made to the shore. It was still bitterly cold, but the atmosphere had lost nothing of its former stillness, and not a cloud was visible from horizon to zenith. The old foot marks were all as distinct as on the day in which they had been imprinted, and the only portion of the shore where any change was apparent was in the little creek. Here, the elevation of the ice had gone on increasing until the schooner and the tartan had been uplifted to a height of 8, not only rendering them quite inaccessible, but exposing them to all but certain destruction in the event of a thaw. Isaac Hacabut, immovable from the personal oversight of his property in the cavern, had not accompanied the party, and consequently was in blissful ignorance of the fate that threatened his vessel. A good thing the old fellow wasn't there to see, observed Benzouf, he would have screamed like a peacock. What a misfortune it is, he added, speaking to himself, to have a peacock's voice without its plumage. During the months of July and August, Gallia advanced 164 million leagues along her orbit. At night, the cold was still intense, but in the daytime the sun, here full upon the equator, caused an appreciable difference of 20 degrees in the temperature. Like birds, the population spent whole days exposed to its grateful warmth, rarely returning till nightfall to the state of their gloomy home. This springtime, if such it may be called, had a most enlivening influence upon them all. Hope and courage revived as day by day the sun's disc expanded into heavens, and every evening the earth assumed a greater magnitude amongst the fixed stars. It was distant yet, but the goal was cheeringly in view. I can't believe that yonder little speck of light contains my mountain of Montmartre, said Benzouf, one night after he had been gazing long and steadily at the far-off world. You will, I hope, someday find out that it does, answered his master. I hope so, said the orderly, without moving his eye from the distant sphere. After meditating a while, he spoke again. I suppose Professor Rosette couldn't make his comet go straight back, could he? Hush, cried Servidak. Benzouf understood the correction. No, continue the captain. It is not for man to disturb the order of the universe. That belongs to a higher power than ours. End of Book 2, Chapter 13 Book No. 2, Chapter 14 of Off on a Comet This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org This recording by Kirby Bonds Off on a Comet by Jules Verne Translated by Anonymous Book 2, Chapter 14 The Professor Perplexed Another month passed away, and it was now September. But it was still impossible to leave the warmth of the subterranean retreat for the more airy and commodious quarters of the hive, where the bees would certainly have been frozen to death in their cells. It was altogether quite as much a matter of congratulation as of regret that the volcano showed no symptoms of resuming its activity. For although a return of the eruptions might have rendered their former resort again habitable, any sudden outbreak would have been disastrous to them where they were, the crater being the sole outlet by which the burning lava could escape. A wretched time we have had for the past seven months, said the orderly one day to his master. But what a comfort little Nina has been to us all. Yes, indeed, replied Servidak. She is a charming little creature. I hardly know how we should have gotten on without her. What is to become of her when we arrive back at earth? Not much fear, Benzoof, but that she will be well taken care of. Perhaps you and I had better adopt her. Ah, yes, assented the orderly. You can be her father, and I can be her mother. Servidak laughed. You and I shall be man and wife. We have been as good as that for a long time, observed Benzoof gravely. By the beginning of October the temperature had so far moderated that it could scarcely be said to be intolerable. The commonest distance was scarcely three times as great from the sun as the earth from the sun, so that the thermometer rarely sunk below 35 degrees below zero. The whole party began to make almost daily visits to the hive, and frequently proceeded to the shore where they resumed their skating exercise, rejoicing in their recovered freedom like prisoners liberated from a dungeon. Whilst the rest were enjoying their recreation, Servidak and the Count would hold long conversations with Lieutenant Prokope about their present position and future prospects, discussing all manner of speculation as to the results of the anticipated collision with the earth, and wondering whether any measures could be devised for mitigating the violence of a shock which might be terrible in its consequences, even if it did not entail a total annihilation of themselves. There was no visitor to the hive more regular than Rosette. He had already directed his telescope to be moved back to his former observatory, where, as much as the cold weather would permit him, he persisted in making his all-absorbing studies of the heaven. The result of these studies no one ventured to inquire, but it became generally noticed that something was very seriously disturbing the professor's equanimity. Not only would he be seen toiling more frequently up the arduous way that lay between his nook below and his telescope above, but he would be heard muttering in an angry tone that indicated considerable agitation. One day, as he was hurrying down to his study, he met Benzouf, who, secretly entertaining a feeling of delight at the professor's manifested discomforture, made some casual remark about things not being very straight. The way in which his advice was received the good orderly indulged, but henceforward he maintained the firm conviction that there was something very much amiss in the sky. To Servidak and his friends, this continual disquietude and ill-humour on the part of the professor occasioned no little anxiety. From what, they asked, could his dissatisfaction arise? They could only conjecture that he had discovered some flaw in his reckonings, and if this were so, might there not be reason to apprehend that their anticipations of the coming contact with the earth at the settled time might all be falsified. Day followed day, and still there was no cessation of the professor's discomposure. He was the most miserable of mortals. If really his calculations and his observations were at variance, this in a man of his irritable temperament found for his perpetual perturbation. But he entered into no explanation. He only climbed up to his telescope, looking haggard and distressed, and when compelled by the frost to retire, he would make his way back down to his study more furious than ever. At times he was heard giving vent to his vexation. Confound it! What does it mean? What is she doing all behind? Is Newton a fool? Is the law of universal gravitation the law of universal nonsense? And the little man would seize his head in both his hands and tear away at the scanty locks which he could ill afford to lose. Enough was overheard to confirm the suspicion that there was some irreconcilable discrepancy between the results of his computation and what he had actually observed. And yet, if he had been called upon to say, he would have sooner insisted that there was derangement in the laws of celestial mechanism, that have owned that there was the least probability of error in any of his own calculations. Assuredly, if the poor professor had any flesh to lose, he would have withered away to a shadow. But this state of things was before long to come to an end. On the twelfth, Ben Zoof, who was hanging about outside the great hall of the cavern, heard the professor inside utter a loud cry. Hurrying in to ascertain the cause, he found Rosette in a state of perfect frenzy in which ecstasy and rage seemed to be struggling for the predominance. Eureka, Eureka, yelled the excited astronomer. What in the name of peace do you mean, bald Ben Zoof in open-mouthed amazement? Eureka again shrieked the little man. How? What? Where? roared the bewildered orderly. Eureka, I say, repeated Rosette. And if you don't understand me, you may go to the devil. Without availing himself of this polite invitation, Ben Zoof betook himself to his master. Something has happened to the professor, he said. He is rushing about like a madman, screeching and yelling Eureka. He exclaimed the servitech. That means he has made a discovery and, full of anxiety, he hurried off to meet the professor. But, however great was his desire to ascertain what this discovery implied, his curiosity was not yet destined to be gratified. The professor kept muttering in incoherent phrases. Rascal! He shall pay for it yet. I will be even with him. Cheat! Throw me out! But he did not vouchsafe any reply to servitech's inquiries and withdrew to his study. From that day Rosette, for some reason, had present incomprehensible, quite altered his behavior to Isaac Hakobot, a man for whom he had always hitherto evinced the greatest repugnance and contempt. All at once he began to show a remarkable interest in the Jew and his affairs, in a little storehouse, making inquiries as to the state of business and expressing some solicitude about the state of the ex-checker. The wily Jew was taken somewhat by surprise, but came to an immediate conclusion that the professor was contemplating borrowing some money. He was, consequently, very cautious in all his replies. It was not Hakobot's habit ever to advance alone except at an extravagant rate of interest, or without demanding far more than an adequate security. Count Timoshev, a Russian nobleman, was evidently rich, to him, perhaps, for a proper consideration, alone might be made. Captain Servidak was a Gaskon, and Gaskons are proverbially poor. It would never do to lend any money to him. But here was a professor, Professor of Science, with circumscribed means. Did he expect to borrow? Certainly Isaac would as soon to think of flying as of lending money to him. Such were the thoughts that made him receive all Rosette's approaches with a careful reservation. It was not long, however, before Hakobot had to be called upon to apply his money to a purpose for which he had not reckoned. In his eagerness to effect sales, he had parted with all the elementary articles in his cargo without having the precautionary prudence to reserve enough for his own consumption. Amongst other things that failed him was his stock of coffee, and as coffee was a beverage without which he deemed it impossible to exist, he found himself in considerable perplexity. He pondered the matter over for a long time, and ultimately persuaded himself that after all, the stores were the common property of all, and that he had as much right to share as anyone else. Accordingly, he made his way to Benzoof, and in the most amiable tone he could assume begged as a favor that he would let him have a pound of coffee. The orderly shook his head dubiously. A pound of coffee, old Nathan? I can't say. Why not? You have some, said Isaac. Oh, yes, plenty. A hundred kilograms. Then let me have one pound. I shall be grateful. Hang your gratitude. Only one pound! You would not refuse anybody else. That's just the very point, old Samuel. If you were anybody else, I should know very well what to do. I must refer the matter to his excellency. Oh, his excellency will do me justice. Perhaps you will find his justice rather too much for you, and with this consoling remark the orderly went to seek his master. Rosette, meanwhile, had been listening to the conversation and secretly rejoicing that an opportunity for which he had been watching had arrived. What's the matter, Master Isaac? With all your coffee, he asked, in a sympathizing voice when Ben Zoof was gone. Ah, yes indeed, groaned hack-a-butt, and now I require some for my own use. In my little black hole I cannot live without my coffee. Of course you cannot, agreed the professor. And don't you think the governor ought to let me have it? No doubt. Oh, I must have coffee, said the Jew again. Suddenly the professor assented. Coffee is nutritious. It warms the blood. How much do you want? A pound will last me for a long time. And who will weigh it for you, asked Rosette, scarcely able to conceal the eagerness that prompted the question. Why, they will weigh it with my steel-yard, of course. There is no other balance here. And as the Jew spoke the professor fancied he could detect the faintest of size. Good Master Isaac, all the better for you. You will get your seven pounds instead of one. Yes, well, seven, or thereabouts, thereabouts, stambered the Jew with considerable hesitation. Rosette scanned his countenance narrowly and was about to probe him with further questions when Ben Zuf returned. And what does his excellency say, inquired hack-a-butt? Why, ne'amaya, he says, he shan't give you any. Merciful heavens began the Jew. He says he doesn't mind selling you a little. But by the holy city why does he make me pay for what anybody else could have for nothing? As I told you before you are not anybody else. So come along. You can afford to buy what you want. We should like to see the color of your money. Merciful heavens, the old man whined once more. Now none of that. Yes or no? If you are going to buy, say so at once. If not, I shall shut up shop. Hack-a-butt knew well enough that the orderly was not a man to be trifled with and said in a tremulous voice, Yes, I will buy. The professor who had been looking on with much interest betrayed manifest symptoms of satisfaction. How much do you want? What will you charge for it? Ask Isaac, mournfully putting his hands into his pocket and chinking his money. Oh, we will deal gently with you. We will not make any profit. You shall have it for the same price that we paid for it. Ten francs a pound, you know. The Jew hesitated. Calm now. What's the use of your hesitating? You will have no value when you go back to the world. What do you mean?" asked Hack-a-butt, startled. You will find out someday, answered Benzoove, significantly. Hack-a-butt drew out a small piece of gold from his pocket, took it close under the lamp, rolled it over in his hand and pressed it to his lips. Shall you weigh me the coffee with my steel-yard?" he asked in a quavering voice that confirmed the professor's suspicions. There is nothing else to weigh it with. You know that well enough, old Schiem, said Benzoove. The steel-yard was then produced, a tray was suspended to the hook, and upon this coffee was thrown until the needle registered the weight of one pound. Of course, it took seven pounds of coffee to do this. There you are. There's your coffee, man, Benzoove said. Are you sure, inquired Hack-a-butt, peering down close to the dial? Are you quite sure that the needle touches the point? Yes, look and see. Give it a little push, please. Why? Well, because because well, because of what, cried the orderly impatiently. Because I think perhaps I'm not quite sure perhaps the steel-yard is not quite correct. The words were not uttered before the professor, fierce as a tiger, had rushed at the Jew, had seized him by the throat, and was shaking him until he was black in the face. Help! Help! screamed Hack-a-butt. I shall be strangled! Rascal! Consimate rascal! Thief! Villain! The professor reiterated and continued to shake the Jew furiously. Benzoove looked on and laughed, making no attempt to interfere. He had no sympathy either. The sound of the scuffling, however, drew the attention of Servidak, who, followed by his companions, hastened to the scene. The combatants were soon parted. What's the meaning of all this, demanded the captain? As soon as the professor had recovered his breath, exhausted by his exertions, he said, the old reprobate! The rascal has cheated us! His steel-yard is wrong! He is a thief! Captain Servidak looked sternly at Hack-a-butt. How is this Hack-a-butt? Is this a fact? No! No! Yes! No! You're ecstasy only! He is a cheat! A thief! roared the excited astronomer. His weight's deceived! Stop! Stop! interposed Servidak. Let us hear. Tell me, Hack-a-butt. The steel-yard lies! It cheats! It lies! roared the irrepressible Rosette. Tell me, Hack-a-butt, I say. Repeated Servidak. The Jew only kept on stammering. Yes! No! I don't know! But heedless of any eruption, the professor continued. False weights! That confound steel-yard! It gave a false result! The mass was wrong! The observations contradicted the calculations. They were wrong! She was out of place! Yes! Out of place entirely! What? Cried Servidak and Procope in a breath? Out of place? Yes! Completely, said the professor. Galea, out of place, repeated Servidak, agitated with alarm. I did not say Galea replied Rosette, stamping his foot impestuously. I said Narina. Oh-ho! Narina answered Servidak. But what of Galea? he inquired, still nervously. I told you so. But that Jew is a rascal. End of Book 2, Chapter 14 Book No. 2, Chapter 15 of Off on a Comet This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Kirby Bonds Off on a Comet Off on a Comet by Jules Verne Translated by Anonymous Book No. 2 Chapter 15 A Journey and a Disappointment It was, as the professor had said, from the day that Isaac Hackebut had entered upon his mercantile career. His dealings had all been carried on by a system of false weights. That deceitful steel-yard had been the main spring of his fortune. But when it had become his lot to be the purchaser instead of the vendor, his spirit had grown within him at being compelled to reap the fruits of his own dishonesty. No one who had studied his character could be much surprised at the confession that was extorted from him. That for every supposed kilogram that he had ever sold the true weight of was only 750 grams or just five and twenty percent less than it ought to have been. The professor, however, had ascertained all that he wanted to know. By estimating his Comet at a third as much again as its proper weight, he found that his calculations were always at variance with the observed situation of the satellite, which was immediately influenced by the mass of its primary. But now, besides enjoying the satisfaction of having punished old Hackebut, Rosette was able to commence his calculations with reference to the elements of Narina upon a correct basis, a task to which he devoted himself with redoubled energy. It will be easy to imagine that Isaac Hackebut, thus caught in his own trap, was jeered most unmercifully by those whom he attempted to make his dupes. Ben Zoof, in particular, was never worried of telling him on his return to the world he would be prosecuted for using satellites, and would certainly become acquainted with the inside of a prison. Thus badgered, he secluded himself more than ever in his dismal whole, never venturing except when absolutely obliged to face the other members of the community. On the 7th of October the Comet re-entered the zone of the telescopic planets, one of which had been captured as a satellite, and the origin of the whole of which is most attributed to the disintegration of some large planet that formerly revolved between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. By the beginning of the following month, half of this zone had been traversed, and only two months remained before the collision with the Earth was now to be expected. The temperature was now rarely below 12 degrees below zero, but that was far too cold to permit the slightest symptoms of a thaw. The surface of the sea remained as frozen as ever, and the two vessels high upon their icy pedestals remained unaltered in their critical position. It was about this time that the question began to be mooted whether it would not be right to reopen some communication with the Englishman at Gibraltar. Not that any doubt was entertained as to their having been able successfully to cope with the rigors of the winter, but Captain Jack, in a way that did honor to his generosity, represented that, however uncourteous might have been their previous behavior, it was at least do them that they should be informed of the true conditions of things which they had no opportunity of learning, and, moreover, that they should be invited to cooperate with the population of Nina's hive in the event any measure being suggested by which the shock of collision could be mitigated. The Count and the Lieutenant both heartily concurred in Servidaq's sentiments of humanity and prudence, and all agreed that if the intercourse were to be opened at all, no time could be so suitable as the present, while the surface of the sea presented a smooth and solid footing. After a thought should set in, neither the yacht nor the tartan could be reckoned on for service, nor be inexpedient to make use of the steam launch for which only a few tons of coal had been reserved, just sufficient to convey them to Gorby Island when the occasion should arise, whilst as to the yaw which transformed into a sledge had performed so successful a trip to Forman Terra, the absence of wind would make that quite unavailable. It was true that with the return of summer temperature there would be a derangement in the atmosphere of Galea, which would result in wind, but for the present the air was altogether too still for the yaw to have any prospects of making its way to Gibraltar. The only question remaining was as to the possibility of going on foot. The distance was somewhere about 240 miles. Captain Servidaq declared himself quite equal to the undertaking. To skate 60 or 70 miles a day would be nothing, he said, to a practical skater like himself. The whole journey there and back might be performed in eight days. Provided with a compass, sufficient supply of cold meat and a spirit lamp by which he might boil his coffee, he was perfectly sure he should, without the least difficulty, accomplish an enterprise that chimed in so exactly with his adventurous spirit. Equally urgent were both the Count and the Lieutenant to be allowed to accompany him. Nay, they even offered to go instead. But Servidaq, expressing himself as most grateful for their consideration, declined their offer and avowed his resolution of taking no other companion than his own orderly. Highly delighted at his master's decision, Ben Zoof expressed his satisfaction at the prospects of stretching his legs a bit, declaring that nothing could induce him to permit the Captain to go alone. There was no delay. The departure was fixed for the following morning, the 2nd of November. Although it is not to be questioned that a genuine desire of doing an act of kindness to his fellow creatures was a leading motive to Servidaq's proposed visit to Gibraltar, it must be owned that another idea, convited to nobody, at least of all to Count Temeshev, had been conceived in the brain of his con. Ben Zoof had an inkling that his master was up to some other little game, when, just before starting, he asked him privately whether there was a French tricolor among the stores. "'I believe so,' said the orderly. "'Then don't say a word to anyone, but fasten it up tight in your knapsack.' Ben Zoof found the flag and folded it up as he was going to explain this somewhat enigmatic conduct of Servidaq. It is necessary to refer to a certain physiological fact coincident but unconnected with celestial phenomenon, originating entirely in the frailty of human nature. The nearer that Gallia approached the earth, the more a sort of reserve began to spring up between the captain and Count Temeshev. Though they could not be said the remembrance of their formal rivalry, so completely buried in oblivion for the last year and ten months, was insensibly recovering its hold upon their minds, and the question was all but coming to the surface as to what would happen if, on their return to earth, the handsome Madame de El should still be free. From companions in peril would they not again be avowed rivals? Conceal it as they would, that coolness was undeniably stealing over the intimacy which though it could never be called affectionate had been uniformly friendly and courteous. Under these circumstances it was not surprising that Hector Servidaq should not have confided to the Count a project which, while as it was, could scarcely have failed to widen the unacknowledged breach that was opening in their friendship. The project was the annexation of Ceuta to the French Dominion. The Englishmen, rightly enough, had continued to occupy the fragment of Gibraltar, and their claim was indisputable. But the island of Ceuta, which before the shock had commanded the opposite side of the Strait, and had been occupied by Spaniers, had since been abandoned, and was therefore free to the first occupant who should lay claim to it. To plant the tricolor upon it in the name of France was now the cherished wish of Servidaq's heart. Who knows, he said to himself, whether Ceuta, on his return to earth, may not occupy a grand and commanding situation. What a proud thing it would be to have secured its possession to France. Next morning, as soon as they had taken their brief farewell of their friends, and were fairly out of sight of the shore, he departed his design to Benzouf. Who entered into the project with the greatest zest, and expressed himself delighted, not only at the prospect of adding to the dominion of his beloved country, but of stealing a march upon England. Both travelers were warmly clad. The orderly knapsack contained all the necessary provisions. The journey was accomplished without special incident. Hulse were made at regular intervals for the purpose of taking food and rest. The temperature by night, as well as by day, was quite indurable. And on the fourth afternoon, after starting, thanks to the straight course which their compass enabled them to maintain, the adventurers found themselves within a few miles of Ceuta. As soon as Benzouf caught sight of the rock on the western horizon, he was all excitement, just as if he were in a regiment going into action. He talked wildly about columns and chargers and charges. The captain, although less demonstrative, was hardly less eager to reach the rock. They both pushed forward with all possible speed until they were within a mile and a half of the shore when Benzouf, who had a very keen vision, stopped suddenly and said that he was sure he could see something moving on the top of the island. Never mind, let us hasten on, said Servedak. A few minutes carried them over another mile when Benzouf arrived. What is it, Benzouf, asked the captain. It looks to me like a man on a rock waving his arms in the air, said the orderly. A plague on it, muttered Servedak. Hope we are not too late. Again they went on, but soon Benzouf stopped for the third time. It is a semaphorser, I see it quite distinctly, and he was not mistaken. It had been a telegraph in motion that had caught his eye. Plague on it, said the captain. Too late, sir, do you think? Said Benzouf. Yes, Benzouf, if that is a telegraph and there is no doubt of it. Somebody has been before us and erected it, and moreover if it is moving there must be somebody working it now. He was keenly disappointed. Looking toward the north he could distinguish Gibraltar faintly visible in the extreme distance. And upon the summit of the rock Benzouf and himself fancied they could make out another semaphore, giving signals no doubt in response to the ones here. Yes, it is only too clear. They have already occupied it and established their communication, said Servedak. And what are we to do then, asked Benzouf. We must pocket our chagrin and put as good a face on the matter as we can, replied the captain. But perhaps there are only men to protect the place, said Benzouf, as if meditating an assault. No, no, Benzouf, answered Servedak. We must do nothing rash. We have had our warning and unless our representations can induce them to yield their position we must resign our hope. Thus discomfited they had reached the foot of the rock when all at once like a jack in the box a sentinel started up before them with the challenge. Who goes there? Friends, Viva la France, cried the captain. Hurrah for England, replied the soldier. By this time four other men had made their appearance from the upper parts of the rock. What do you want, asked one of them, whom Servedak remembered to have seen before a Gibraltar? Can I speak to your commanding officer, Servedak inquired? Which, said the man, the officer in command of Sayuda? Yes, if there is one. I will acquaint him with your arrival, answered the Englishman, and disappeared. In a few minutes the commanding officer, attired in full uniform, was seen descending to the shore. It was Major Aliphant himself. Servedak could no longer entertain a doubt that the Englishman had forestalled him in the occupation of Sayuda. Provisions and fuel had been evidently conveyed thither in the boat from Gibraltar before the sea had frozen The solid casemate, hollowed in the rock, had afforded Major Aliphant and his contingent ample protection from the rigors of the winter. The ascending smoke that rose above the rock was sufficient evidence that good fires were still kept up. The soldiers appeared to have driven well on what, no doubt, had been a generous diet, and the Major himself, although he would scarcely have been willing to allow it, was slightly stouter than before. Being only about 12 miles distance from Gibraltar, the little garrison at Sayuda had felt itself by no means isolated in its position, but by frequent excursions across the frozen strait and by the constant use of the telegraph had kept up their communication with their fellow countrymen on the other island. Colonel Murphy and the Major had not even been forced to forego the pleasure of the chess board. The game that had been interrupted by Captain Servedak's former visit was not yet concluded. Like the two American clubs that played their celebrated game in 1846 between Washington and Baltimore, the two Gallant officers made use of the semaphore to communicate their well-digested moves. The Major stood waiting for his visitor to speak. Major Oliphant, I believe, said Servedak with a courteous bow. Yes, sir. Major Oliphant, officer in command of the garrison at Sayuda, was the Englishman's reply, and to whom, he added, may I have the honor of speaking. To Captain Servedak, the Governor General of Gallia, indeed said the Major with a supercilious look. Allow me to express my surprise, resumed the Captain, at seeing you installed as commanding officer upon what I have always understood to be Spanish soil. May I demand your claim to your position? My claim is that of first occupant. But do you not think that the party of Spaniards now resident with me may at some future time assert a prior right to the proprietorship? I think not, Captain Servedak. But why not, persisted the Captain, because these very Spaniards have, by formal contract, made over Sayuda in its integrity to the British Government. Servedak uttered an exclamation of surprise, and, as the price of that important session, continued Major Elephant, they have received a fair equivalent in British gold. Ah! cried Ben Zoof. That accounts for that fellow Negrete and his people having such a lot of money. Servedak was silent. It had become clear to his mind what had been the object of that secret visit to Sayuda, which he had heard of as being made by the two English officers. The arguments that he intended to use had completely fallen through. All that he had now to do was carefully prevent any suspicion of his disappointed project. May I be allowed to ask, Captain Servedak, to what I am indebted for the honour of this visit, asked Major Elephant presently? I have come, Major Elephant, in the hope of doing you and your companions a service. Replied Servedak, posing himself from his reverie. I, indeed, replied the Major as though he felt himself quite independent of all services from exterior sources. I thought, Major, that it was not unlikely you or in ignorance of the fact that both Sayuda and Gibraltar have been traversing the solar regions on the surface of a comet. The Major smiled incredulously, but Servedak, nothing daunted, went on to detail the results of the collision between the comet and the Earth, adding that, as there was almost immediate prospect of another concussion, it had occurred to him that it might be advisable for the whole population of Galea to unite in taking precautionary measures for the common welfare. In fact, Major Elephant, he said in conclusion, I am here to inquire whether you and your friends would be disposed to join us in our present quarters. The captain, Servedak, answered the Major stiffly, but we have not the slightest intention of abandoning our post. We have received no government orders to the fact. Indeed, we have received no orders at all. Our own dispatch to the First Lord of the Admiralty still awaits the mail. But allow me to repeat, insisted Servedak, that we are no longer on the Earth, although we expect to come in contact with it again in about eight weeks. But the Major answered that England will make every effort to reclaim us. Servedak felt perplexed. It was quite evident that Major Elephant had not been convinced of the truth of one syllable of what he had been saying. Then I am to understand that you are determined to retain your two garrisons here and at Gibraltar, asked Servedak with one last effort of persuasion. Certainly, these two posts command the entrance of the Mediterranean. But supposing there is no longer any Mediterranean, retorted the captain, growing impatient. Oh, England will always take care of that, was Major Elephant's cool reply. But excuse me, he added presently. I see that Colonel Murphy has just telegraphed his next move. Allow me to wish you good afternoon. And without further parlay, followed by his soldiers, he retired into the case-mate, leaving Captain Servedak gnawing his mustache with mingled rage and mortification. A fine piece of business we have made of this, said Ben Zoof when he found himself alone with his master. We will make our way back at once, replied Captain Servedak. Yes, the sooner the better with our tails between our legs, rejoined the orderly, who this time felt no inclination to start off to the march of the Algerian Zephyrs. And so the French tricolor returned as it had set out, in Ben Zoof's knapsack. On the eighth evening after starting, the travelers again set foot on the volcanic promontory just in time to witness a great commotion. Palmarin Rosette was in a furious rage. He had completed all his calculations about Narina. But that perfidious satellite had totally disappeared. The astronomer was frantic at the loss of his moon. Captured probably by some larger body, it was revolving in its proper zone of the minor planets. End of Book 2, Chapter 15. Book 2, Chapter 16 of Off on a Comet. This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org Recording by Kirby Bonds Off on a Comet by Jules Verne Book 2, Chapter 16. A bold proposition. On his return, Servidac communicated to the Count the result of his expedition. And though perfectly silent on the subject of his personal project, did not conceal the fact that the Spaniards without the smallest right had sold Sayuta to the English. Having refused to quit their post, the Englishmen had virtually excluded themselves from any further consideration. They had had their warning and now must take the consequences of their own credulity. Although it proved that not a single creature, either at Gorby Island, Gibraltar, Sayuta, Madalina or Formantera had received any injury whatever at the time of the first concussion, there was nothing in the least to make it certain that a like immunity from harm would attend the second. The previous escape was doubtless owing to some slight, though unaccountable modification in the rate of the motion, but whether the inhabitants of the earth had fared so fortunately was a question that had still to be determined. The day following Servidaq's return, he and the Count and Lieutenant Procope met by agreement in the cave, formally to discuss what would be the most advisable method of proceeding under their present prospects. Ben Zoof was, as a matter of course, allowed to be present, and Professor Rosette had been asked to attend, but he declined on the plea of taking no interest in the matter. Indeed, the disappearance of his moon had utterly disconcerted him and the probability that he should soon lose his comet also plunged him into an excess of grief which he preferred to bear in solitude. Although the barrier of cool reserve was secretly increasing between the Captain and the Count, they scrupulously concealed any outward token of their inner feeling, and without any personal bias applied their best energies to the discussion of the question, which was of mutual way if such universal interest. Servidak was the first to speak. In fifty-one days if Professor Rosette has made no error in his calculation, there is to be a reoccurrence of collision between this comet and the Earth. The inquiry that we now have to make is whether we are prepared for the coming shock. I ask myself and I ask you whether it is in our power to make any means to avert the evil consequences that are only too likely to follow. Count Temachev in a voice that seemed to thrill with solemnity said, in such events we are at the disposal of an overruling providence. Human precautions cannot sway the Divine Will. But with the most profound reverence for the Will of Providence replied the Captain, I beg to submit that it is our duty to devise whatever means we can to escape the threatening mischief. Heaven helps them that help themselves. And what means have you to suggest, may I ask, said the Count, with a faint accent of satire. Servidak was forced to acknowledge that nothing tangible had hitherto presented itself to his mind. I don't want to intrude, observe Benzouf, but I don't understand why such learned gentleman as you cannot make the comet go where you want it to go. You are mistaken, Benzouf, about our learning, said the Captain. Even Professor Rosette, with all his learning, has not a shadow of power to prevent the comet and the earth from knocking against each other. Then I cannot see what is the use of all this learning, the orderly replied. One great use of learning, said the Count Temachev with a smile, in his own ignorance. While this conversation had been going on, Lieutenant Procope had been sitting in thoughtful silence. Looking up, he now said, incident to this expected shock, there may be a variety of dangers. If, gentlemen, you will allow me, I will enumerate them, and we shall perhaps by taking them, seratim, be in a better position to judge whether we can successfully grapple with them, or, in any way, mitigate their consequences. There was a general attitude of attention. It was surprising how calmly they proceeded to discuss the circumstances that looked so threatening and ominous. First of all, resumed the Lieutenant, we will specify the different ways in which the shock may happen. And the prime fact to be remembered, interposed Servidak, is that the combined velocity of the two bodies will be about 21,000 miles an hour. Express speed and no mistake, muttered Benzoof. Just so, assented Procope, now the two bodies may impinge each other directly or obliquely. If the impact is sufficiently oblique, Galia may do precisely what she did before. She may graze the earth. She may or may not carry off a portion of the Earth's atmosphere and substance, and so she may float away again into space. But her orbit would undoubtedly be deranged, and if we survive the shock, we shall have small chance of ever returning to the world of our fellow creatures. Professor Rosette, I suppose, Benzoof remarked, would pretty soon find out all about that. But we will leave this hypothesis, said the Lieutenant. Our own experience has sufficiently shown us its advantages and its disadvantages. We will proceed to consider the infinitely more serious alternative of direct impact, of a shock that would hurl the comet straight on to the Earth, to which it would become attached. A great ward upon her face, said Benzoof, laughing. The captain held up his finger to his orderly, making him understand that he should hold his tongue. It is, I presume, to be taken for granted, continued Lieutenant Procope, that the presence of the Earth is comparatively so large that in the event of a direct collision her own motion would not be sensibly retarded and that she would carry the comet along with her as a part of herself. Very little question of that, I should think, said Servidak. Well then, the Lieutenant went on, what part of this comet of ours will be the part to come into collision with the Earth? It may be our equator, where we are. It may be at the exactly opposite point, at our anabodes, or it may be at either pole. In any case, it seems hard to foresee whence there is to come the faintest chance of deliverance. Is the case so desperate? asked Servidak. I will tell you why it seems so. If the side of the comet on which we are resident impinges on the Earth, it stands to reason that we must be crushed to atoms by the violence of the concussion. Regular mincemeat, said Ben Zoof, whom no admonitions would quite reduce to silence. And if, said the Lieutenant, after a moment's pause, and the slightest possible frown at the interruption, and if the collision should occur at our anabodes, the sudden check to velocity of the comet would be quite equivalent to a shock in situ, and another thing we should run the risk of being suffocated for all our comet's atmosphere should be assimilated with the terrestrial atmosphere, and we, supposing we were not dashed to atoms, should be left, as it were, upon the summit of an enormous mountain. For such to all intents and purposes, Gallia would be 450 miles above the level of the surface of the globe without a particle of air to breathe. But would not our chances of escape be considerably better? Ask Count Timichev in the event of either of the comet's poles being the point of contact? Taking the combined velocity into account, answered the Lieutenant, I confess that I fear the violence of the shock will be too great to permit our destruction to be averted. A general silence ensued which was broken by the Lieutenant himself. Even if none of these contingencies occur in the way we have contemplated, I am driven to the suspicion that we should be burnt alive. Burnt alive, they all exclaimed in a chorus of horror. Yes, if the deductions of modern science be true, the speed of the comet when suddenly checked will be transmuted into heat. That heat will be so intense that the temperature of the comet will be raised to some millions of degrees. No one having anything definite to a ledge compared to Lieutenant Procope's forebodings, they all relapsed into silence. Presently, Ben Zoof asked whether it was not possible for the comet to fall into the middle of the Atlantic. Procope shook his head. Even so, we should only be adding the fate of drowning to the list of our other perils. Then as I understand, said Captain Servidak, in whatever way or in wherever place it occurs, we must either be crushed, suffocated, roasted, or drowned. Is that your conclusion, Lieutenant? I confess I see no other alternatives, answered Procope, calmly. But isn't there another thing to be done? Said Ben Zoof. What do you mean, his master asked? Why, to get off the comet before the shock comes. How could you get off Galia? I can't say that, replied the orderly. I am not sure that could not be accomplished, said the Lieutenant. All eyes in a moment were riveted upon him, as, with his head resting in his hands, he was manifestly cogitating a new idea. Yes, I think it could be accomplished, he repeated. The project may appear extravagant, but I do not know why it should be impossible. Ben Zoof has hit the right nail We must try and leave Galia before the shock. Leave Galia? How? said Count Temeshev. The Lieutenant did not at once reply. He continued pondering for a time, and at last said, slowly and distinctly, by making a balloon. Servidax heart sank. A balloon, he exclaimed, out of the question. Balloons are exploded things. You hardly find them in novels. Balloons, indeed. Listen to me, replied Procope. Perhaps I can convince you that my idea is not so chimerical as you imagine. And, knitting his brow, he proceeded to establish the feasibility of his plan. If we can ascertain the precise moment when the shock is to happen, and can succeed in launching a time beforehand into Galia's atmosphere, I believe it will transpire, that this atmosphere will amalgamate with that of the earth, and that a balloon whirled along by the combined velocity would glide into the mingled atmosphere and remain suspended in mid-air until the shock of the collision is over-past. Count Temeshev reflected for a minute, and said, I think, Lieutenant, I understand your project. The scheme seems tenable, and I shall be ready to cooperate with you to the best of my power in putting it into execution. Only remember, continued Procope, that there are many chances to one against our success. One instant obstruction and stoppage in our passage and our balloon is burnt to ashes. Still, reluctant as I am to acknowledge it, I confess that I feel our sole hope of safety rests in our getting free from this comet. If the chances were ten thousand to one against us, said Servodak, I think the attempt ought to be made. But have we hydrogen enough to inflate a balloon, ask the Count? Hot air will be all that we shall require, the Lieutenant answered. We are only contemplating about an hour's journey. A fire balloon a mongolfier cried Servodak, but what are you going to do for a casing? I have thought of that. We must cut it out of the sails of the Dobria. They are both light and strong, rejoined the Lieutenant. Count Temeshev complimented the Lieutenant upon his ingenuity, and Benzouf could not resist bringing the meeting to a conclusion by a ringing cheer. Truly daring was the plan Lieutenant Procope had thus become the originator. But the very existence of them all was at stake, and the design must be executed resolutely. For the success of the enterprise it was absolutely necessary to know, almost to a minute, the precise time at which the collusion would occur, and Captain Servodak undertook the task by gentle means or by stern of extracting the secret from the Professor. Lieutenant Procope himself was entrusted the superintendents of the construction of the Mongolfir. It was to be large enough to carry the whole of the twenty-three residents in the volcano, and in order to provide the means of floating aloft long enough to give time for selecting a proper place for descent the Lieutenant was anxious to make it carry enough hay or straw to maintain combustion for a while and keep up the necessary supply of heated air. The sails of the Dobria, which had all been carefully stowed away in the hive, were of a texture unusually close, and quite capable of being made airtight by means of a varnish, the ingredients of which were rummaged out of the promiscuous stores of the tartan. The Lieutenant himself traced out the pattern and cut out the strips, and all hands were employed in seaming them together. It was hardly the work for little fingers, but Nina persisted in accomplishing her own share of it. The Russians were quite at home at occupation of this sort, and having initiated the Spaniards into its mysteries, the task of joining together the casings was soon complete. Isaac Hakobut and the Professor were the only two members of the community who took no part in this somewhat tedious proceeding. A month passed away, but Servodak found no opportunity of getting at the information he had pledged himself to gain. On the sole occasion when he had ventured to broach the subject with the astronomer, he had received for answer that as there was no hurry to get back to Earth, there need be no concern about any danger of transit. Indeed, as time passed on, the Professor seemed to become more and more inaccessible. A pleasant temperature enabled him to live entirely in his observatory, from which intruders were rigidly shut out, but Servodak bided his time. He grew more and more impressed with the importance of finding out the exact moment at which the impact would take place, but was content to wait for a promising opportunity to put any fresh questions on the subject to the two reticent astronomer. Meanwhile, the Earth's disc was daily increasing in magnitude. The comet traveled 50 million leagues during the month, at the close of which it was not more than 78 million leagues from the sun. A thaw had now barely set in. The breaking up of the frozen ocean was a magnificent spectacle, and the great voice of the sea, as the whalers graphically described it, was heard in all its solemnity. Little streams of water began to trickle down the declivities of the mountain and along the shelving shore, only to be transformed as the melting of the snow continued into torrents or cascades. Light vapors gathered on the horizon and clouds were formed and rapidly carried along by breezes to which the galleon atmosphere had long been unaccustomed. All these were doubtless but the prelude to the atmospheric disturbance of a more startling character. But, as indications of returning spring, they were greeted with a welcome which no apprehensions for the future could prevent being glad and hearty. A double disaster was the inevitable consequence of the war. Both the schooner and the tartan were entirely destroyed. The basement of the icy pedestal on which the ships had been upheaved was gradually undermined like the icebergs of the Arctic Ocean by warm currents of water, and on the night of the twelfth the huge block collapsed en masse so that on the following morning nothing remained of the Domria and the Hansa except the fragments scattered on the shore. Although certainly expected the catastrophe could not fail to cause a sense of general depression. Well and I, one of their last ties to Mother Earth had been broken. The ships were gone and they had only a balloon to replace them. To describe Isaac Hakobot's rage at the destruction of the tartan would be impossible. His oaths were simply dreadful. His implications on the cursed race were full of wrath. He swore that Servidak and his people were responsible for his loss. He vowed that they should be sued and made to pay him damages. He asserted that he had been brought from the Gorby Island only to be plundered and in fact he became so intolerably abusive that Servidak threatened to put him into irons unless he conducted himself properly. Whore upon the Jew finding that the captain was an earnest and would not hesitate to carry the threat into effect was feigned to hold his tongue and slunk back into his dim hole. By the fourteenth the balloon was finished and carefully sewn and well varnished as it had been it was really a very substantial structure. It was covered with a network that had been made from the light rigging of the yacht and the car composed of worker work that had formed partitions in the hold of the Hansa quite commodious enough to hold the twenty-three passengers it was intended to convey. No thought had been bestowed upon the comfort or convenience as the ascent was to last for so short a time merely long enough for making the transit from atmosphere to atmosphere. The necessity was becoming more and more urgent to get to the true hour of the approaching contact. But the professor seemed to grow more obstinate than ever in his resolution to keep his secret. On the fifteenth the comet crossed the orbit of Mars at the safe distance of fifty-six million leagues. But during that night the community thought their last hour had taken them unawares. The volcano rocked and trembled with the convulsions of internal disturbance and Servidak and his companions convinced that the mountain was doomed to some sudden disruption rushed into the open air. The first object that caught their attention as they emerged upon open rocks was the unfortunate professor who was scrambling down the mountainside piteously displaying a fragment of his shattered telescope. It was no time for condolence. A new marvel arrested every eye. A fresh satellite in the gloom of the night was shining conspicuously before them. That satellite was a part of Galea itself. By the expansive action of the inner heat Galea, like Gambard's Comet, had been severed in twain. An enormous fragment had been detached and launched into space. The fragment included Ceuta and Gibraltar with the two English garrisons. End of book 2 Chapter 16 Book number 2 Chapter 17 of Off on a Comet This is a Librovox recording. All Librovox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit Librovox.org Recording by Kirby Bonds Off on a Comet by Jules Verne Translated by Anonymous Book number 2 Chapter number 17 The Venture Made What would be the consequences of this sudden and complete disruption Servidak and his people hardly dared to think? The first change that came under their observation was the rapidity of the sun's appearances and disappearances. Forcing them to the conviction that although the comet still rotated on its axis from east to west, yet the period of its rotation had been diminished by about one half. Only six hours instead of twelve elapsed between sunrise and sunrise. Three hours after rising in the west the sun was sinking again in the east. We are coming to something exclaimed Servidak. We've got a year of something like 2,880 days. I shouldn't think that it would be an easy matter to find saints enough for a calendar such as that, said Benthoof. Servidak laughed and remarked that they should have the professor talking about the 238th of June and the 325th of December. It soon became evident that the detached portion was not revolving around the comet but was gradually retreating into space. Whether it had carried with it any portion of the atmosphere, whether it possessed any other condition for supporting life, and whether it was likely ever again to approach the earth were all questions that there were no means of determining. For themselves the all important problem was what effect would the rendering ascender of the comet have upon its rate of progress as they were already conscious of a further increase of muscular power and a fresh diminution of specific gravity Servidak and his associates could not but wonder whether the alteration in mass of the comet would not result in its missing the expected coincidence with the earth altogether. Although he professed himself incompetent to pronounce a decided opinion, Lt. Procope manifestly inclined to the belief that no alteration would ensue in the rate of Gallia's velocity. But Rosette, no doubt, would answer the question directly and the time had now arrived in which he must be compelled to divulge the precise moment of collision. But the professor was in the worst of tempers. Generally taciturn and morose he was more than usually uncivil whenever anyone ventured to speak to him. The loss of his telescope had doubtless a great deal to do with his ill humor. But the captain drew the most favorable conclusion from Rosette's continued irritation. Had the comet been in any way projected from its course so as to be likely to fail in coming into contact with the earth the professor would have been quite unable to conceal his satisfaction. But they required to know more than the general truth and felt they had no time to lose in getting at the exact detail. The opportunity that was wanted soon came. On the 18th Rosette was overheard in a furious altercation with Ben Zoof. The orderly had been taunting the astronomer with the mutilation of his little comet. A fine thing he said to split in two like a child's toy. It had cracked like a dry nut and mightened one as well live up on an exploding bomb with much more to the same effect. The professor, by way of retaliation, had commenced sneering at the prodigious mountain of Montmartre and the dispute was beginning to look serious when Servidac entered. Thinking he could turn the wrangling to some good account, so as to arrive at the information he was so anxiously seeking, the captain pretended to espouse the views of his orderly. He consequently brought upon himself the full force of the professor's wrath. Rosette's language became more and more violent. Till Servidac, feigning to be provoked beyond endurance, cried You forget, sir, that you are addressing the Governor General of Gallia. Governor General Humbug, roared Rosette. Gallia is my comet. I deny it, said Servidac. Gallia has lost its chance of getting back to earth. Gallia has nothing to do with you. Gallia is mine and you must submit to the government which I please to ordain. And who told you that Gallia is not going back to earth? The professor with a look of withering scorn. Why, isn't her mass diminished? Isn't she split in half? Isn't her velocity all altered, demanded the captain? And pray, who told you this again, said the professor with a sneer. Everybody, everybody knows it, of course, replied Servidac. Everybody is very clever and you always were a very clever scholar too. We remember that of old, don't we? Sir You nearly mastered the first element of science, didn't you? Sir A credit to your class. Hold your tongue, sir. Bellowed the captain again as if his anger was uncontrollable. Not I, said the professor. Hold your tongue, repeated Servidac. Just because the mass is altered you think the velocity is altered. Hold your tongue, cried the captain, louder than ever. What has mass to do with orbit? Of how many comets do you know the mass, and yet you know their movements? Ignorance, shouted Rosette. Insolence, retorted Servidac. Ben Zoof, really thinking that his master was angry, made a threatening movement towards the professor. Touch me if you dare, screamed Rosette, drawing himself up to the fullest height of his diminutive figure would allow. You shall answer for your contact before a court of justice. Where? On Galea? asked the captain. On Earth. The Earth, pshaw. You know we shall never get there. Our velocity has changed. On the Earth, repeated the professor with decision. Trash, cried Ben Zoof, the Earth will be too far off. Not too far off for us to come across her orbit at forty-two minutes and thirty-five point six seconds past two o'clock in the morning of this coming first of January. Professor, many thanks. You have given me all the information I required, and with a low bow and a gracious smile the captain withdrew. The orderly made an equally polite bow and followed his master. The professor, completely nonplussed, was left alone. Thirteen days, then twenty-six of the original Galean days, fifty-two of the present, was all the time for preparation that now remained. Every preliminary arrangement was hurried on with the greatest earnestness. There was a general eagerness to be quit of Galea indifferent to the dangers that must necessarily attend a balloon ascent under such unparalleled circumstances, and heedless of Lieutenant Procope's warning that the slightest check in their progress would result in instantaneous combustion. They all seemed to conclude that it must be the simplest thing possible to glide from one atmosphere to another, so that they were quite sanguine as to the successful issue of their enterprise. Captain Servodak made a point of showing himself quite enthusiastic in his anticipations, and to Ben Zoof, the going up in a balloon was the supreme height of his ambition. The count and the lieutenant of colder and less demonstrative temperament alike seemed to realize the possible perils of the undertaking, but even they were determined to put a bold face upon every difficulty. The sea had now become navigable, and the three voyages were made to Gorby Island in the steam launch consuming the last of their little reserves of coal. The first voyage had been made by Servodak with several of the sailors. They found the Gorby and the adjacent building quite uninjured by the severity of the winter. Numbers of little rivulets intersected the pasture land. The rivulets were springing up under the influence of the equatorial sun, and the luxuriant foliage was teneted by the birds which had flown back from the volcano. Summer had almost abruptly succeeded to winter, and the days, though only three hours long, were intensely hot. Another of the voyages to the island had been to collect the dry grass and straw which was necessary for inflating the balloon. Had the balloon been less cumbersome had it been conveyed to the island whence the start would have been affected. But as it was, it was more convenient to bring the combustible material to the balloon. The last of the coal having been consumed, the fragments of the shipped wreck vessels had to be used day by day for fuel. Hacobut began making a great hubbub when he found they were burning some of the spars of the Hansa. But he was effectually silenced by Benzouf who told him that if he made any more fuss he should be compelled to pay 50,000 francs for a balloon ticket or else he should be left behind. By Christmas day everything was in readiness for immediate departure. The festival was observed with a solemnity still more marked than the anniversary of the preceding year. Everyone looked forward to spending New Year's Day in another sphere altogether and Benzouf had already promised Pablo and Nina all sorts of New Year's gifts. It may seem strange but the nearer the critical moment approached the last Hector Servodak and Count Temeshev had to say to each other on the subject. Their mutual reserve became more apparent. The experiences of the last two years were fading from their minds like a dream and the fair image that had been the cause of their original rivalry was ever rising as a vision between them. The captain's thoughts began to turn into a diminished rondo in his leisure moments. Rhymes suitable and unsuitable possible and impossible were perpetually jingling in his imagination. He labored under the conviction that he had a work of genius to complete. A poet he had left the earth and a poet he must return. Count Temeshev's desire to return to the world was quite equal by Lieutenant Procopes. The Russian sailors only thought was to follow their master and return to the world. The Spaniards though they would have been unconcerned to know that they were to remain upon Gallia were nevertheless looking forward with some degree of pleasure to revisting the Plains of Antelousia and Nina and Pablo were only too delighted at the prospect of accompanying their kind protectors on any fresh excursion whatever. The only malcontent was Palmarin Rosette. Day and night he persevered in his comical pursuits declared his intentions of never abandoning his comet and swore positively that nothing should induce him to set foot in the car of the balloon. The misfortune that had befallen his telescope was a never-ending theme of complaint. And just now when Gallia was entering the narrow zone of shooting stars and new discoveries might have been within his reach his loss made him more inconsolable than ever. In sheer desperation he endeavored to increase the intensity of his vision by applying to his eyes some Belladonna which he found in the Dobria's medicine chest. With heroic fortitude he endured the tortures of the experiment and gazed up into the sky until he was nearly blind but all in vain. Single fresh discovery re-boarded his sufferings. No one was quite exempt from the feverish excitement which prevailed during the last days of December. Lieutenant Procope superintended his final arrangements. The two low masts of the schooner had been erected firmly on the shore and formed supports for the longulfior which had been duly covered with netting and was ready at any moment to be inflated. The car was close at hand. Some inflated skins had been attached to its sides so that the balloon might float for a time in the event of its descending in the sea at a short distance from the shore. If unfortunately it should come down in mid-ocean nothing but happy chance of some passing vessel could save them all from the certain fate of being drowned. The thirty-first came. Twenty-four hours hence in the balloon with its large living freight would be high in the air. The atmosphere was less buoyant than that of the earth but no difficulty in ascending was to be apprehended. Gallia was now within six million miles of the sun. Consequently not much more than four million miles from the earth and this interval was being diminished at the rate of nearly 208,000 miles an hour. The speed of the earth being about 70,000 miles that of the comet being a little less than 138,000 miles an hour. It was determined to make the start at two o'clock, three-quarters of an hour or to speak correctly forty-two minutes and thirty-five seconds before the time predicted by the professor as the instant of collision. The modified rotation of the comet caused it to be daylight at the time. An hour previously the balloon was inflated with perfect success and the car was securely attached to the network. It only awaited the stowage of the passengers. Isaac Hackabut was the first to take his place in the car. Scarcely had he done so when Servidac noticed that his waist was encompassed by an enormous girdle that bulged out to be a very extraordinary extent. What's all this, Hackabut? He asked. It's only my little bit of money, Your Excellency, my modest little fortune. I'm your bagatelle, said the Jew. And what may your little fortune weigh? inquired the captain. Only about sixty-six pounds, said Isaac. Sixty-six pounds, cried Servidac. We haven't reckoned for this. Merciful heavens began the Jew. Sixty-six pounds, repeated Servidac. We can hardly carry ourselves. We have any dead weight here. Pitch it out, man. Pitch it out. God of Israel, whined Hackabut. Out with it, I say, cried Servidac. What, all my money which I have saved so long and toiled for so hard? It can't be helped, said the captain, Oh, Your Excellency, cried the Jew. Now, old Nicodemus, listen to me in your posed Benzoof. You just get rid of that pouch of yours, or we'll get rid of you. Take your choice quick, or out you go. The avaricious old man was found to value his life above his money. He made a lamentable outcry about it, but he unfastened his girdle at last and put it out of the car. Very different was the case with Palmer and Rosette. He avowed over and over again his intentions of never quitting the nucleus of his comet. Why should he trust himself to a balloon that would blaze up like a piece of paper? Why should he leave the comet? Why should he not go once again upon its surface into the far-off realms of space? His volubility was brought to a sudden check by Servedeck's bidding two of the sailors without more ado to take him in their arms and put him quietly down at the bottom of the car. To the great regate of their owners the two horses and Nina's pet goat were obliged to be left behind. The only creature for which there was found a place was the carrier pigeon that had brought the professor's message to the hive. Servedeck thought it might probably be of service in carrying some communication to the earth. When everyone except the captain and his orderly had taken their places Servedeck said, Get in, Benzouf. After you, sir," said Benzouf, respectfully, No, no," insisted Servedeck. The captain must be the last to leave the ship. A moment's hesitation and the orderly clambered over the side of the car Servedeck followed. The cords were cut. The balloon rose with a stately coneless into the air. Chapter 17 Book II. Chapter 18. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Holly Sheard. Often a comet by Jules Verne translated by Anonymous. Book II. Spence. When the balloon had reached an elevation of about 2,500 yards Lieutenant Procope determined to maintain it at that level. A wirework stove suspended below the casing and filled with lighted hay served to keep the air in the interior at a proper temperature. Beneath their feet was extended the basin of the Garlean Sea. An inconsiderable speck to the north marked the site of Gorby Island. Suter and Gibraltar, which might have been expected in the west had utterly disappeared. On the south rose the volcano the extremity of the premontery that jutted out from the continent that formed the framework of the sea whilst in every direction the strange soil with its mixture of tellurium and gold gleamed under the sun's rays with a perpetual iridescence. Apparently rising with them the horizon was well defined. The sky above them was perfectly clear but away in the northwest in opposition to the sun floated a new sphere so small that it could not be an asteroid but like a dim meteor. It was the fragment that the internal convulsion had rent from the surface of the comet and which was now many thousands of leagues away pursuing the new orbit into which it had been projected. During the hours of daylight it was far from distinct but after nightfall it would assume a definite luster. The object however of supreme interest was the great expanse of the terrestrial disc which was rapidly drawing down obliquely towards them. It totally eclipsed an enormous portion of the firmament above and approaching with an ever increasing velocity was now within half its average distance from the moon. So close was it that the two poles could not be embraced in one focus. Irregular patches of greater or less brilliancy alternated on its surface the brighter betokening the continents the more somber indicating the oceans that absorbed the solar rays. Above there were broad white bands darkened on the side averted from the sun exhibiting a slow but unintermittent movement these were the vapours that invaded the terrestrial atmosphere. But as the aeronauts were being hurried on at a speed of 70 miles a second this vague aspect of the earth soon developed itself into definite outlines mountains and plains were no longer confused the distinction between sea and shore was more plainly identified and instead of being as it were depicted on a map the surface of the earth appeared as though modelled in relief. Europe, Russia, France shout precoat, the count and server-dac almost in a breath and they are not mistaken the eastern hemisphere lies before them in the full blaze of light and there is no part of them and they are only 32,000 miles from the terrestrial sphere quicker and quicker is the velocity ten minutes later and they are only 36,000 miles apart the whole configuration of the earth is clear the whole blaze of light and there is no possibility of error in distinguishing continent from continent the surprise only kindled their emotion to yet keener intensity and it would be hard to describe the excitement with which they gazed at the panorama that was before them the crisis of peril was close at hand but imagination overleaped to all consideration of danger and everything was absorbed in the one idea that they were again within reach that circle of humanity from which they had supposed themselves severed forever and truly if they could have paused to study it that panorama of the states of Europe which was outstretched before their eyes was conspicuous for the fantastic resemblances with which nature on the one hand and international relations on the other have associated them there was England marching like some stately dame trailing her ample skirts and coroneted with the cluster of her little islets Sweden and Norway with their bristling spine of mountains seemed like a splendid lion eager to spring down from the bosom of the ice-bound north Russia, a gigantic polar bear stood with its head towards Asia its left paw resting upon Turkey its right upon Mount Caucasus Austria resembled a huge cat curled up and sleeping a watchful sleep Spain, with Portugal as a penant like an unfurled banner floated from the extremity of the continent Turkey, like an insolent cock appeared to clutch the shores of Asia with the one claw and the land of Greece with the other Italy, as it were a foot and leg encased in a tight-fitting boot was juggling deftly with the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica Prussia, a formidable hatchet embedded in the heart of Germany was juggling deftly with the islands the hatchet embedded in the heart of Germany its edge just grazing the frontiers of France whilst France itself suggested a vigorous torso with Paris at its breast all at once, Benzouf breaks the silence Montmartre, I see Montmartre and smile at the absurdity as others might nothing could induce the worthy orderly to surrender his belief that he could actually make out of his beloved home the only individual whose soul seemed unstirred by the approaching earth was Palmer and Rosette leaning over the side of the car he kept his eyes fixed upon the abandoned comet now floating about a mile and a half below him bright in the general irradiation which was flooding the surrounding space chronometer in hand Lieutenant Procope stood marking the minutes and seconds as they fled and the stillness which had once again fallen upon them all was only broken by his order to replenish the stove that the Mongol fear might retain its necessary level Cerverdac in the Count continued to gaze upon the earth with an eagerness that almost amounted to awe the balloon was slightly in the rear of Galia a circumstance that augured somewhat favorably because it might be presumed that if the comet preceded the balloon in its contact with the earth there would be a break in the suddenness of transfer from one atmosphere to the other the next question of anxiety was where would the balloon alight if upon terra firma would it be in a place where adequate resources for safety would be at hand if upon the ocean would any passing vessel be within hail to rescue them from their critical position truly as the Count observed to his comrades none but a divine pilot could steer them now 42 minutes passed said the lieutenant and his voice seemed to thrill through the silence of expectation there were not 20,000 miles between the comet and the earth the calculated time of impact was 2 hours, 47 minutes 35.6 seconds 5 minutes more and collision must ensue but was it so just at this moment Lieutenant Procope observed that the comet deviated sensibly in an oblique course was it possible that after all collision would not occur the deviation however was not great it did not justify any anticipation that Galeo would merely graze the earth as it had done before it left it certain that the two bodies would inevitably impinge no doubt said Benzouf we shall stick together another thought occurred was it not only too likely that in the fusion of the two atmospheres the balloon itself in which they were being conveyed would be rent into ribbons and every one of its passengers hurled into destruction so that not a garlion should survive to tell a tale of their strange peregrinations moments were precious but Hector Servadat resolved that he would adopt a device to secure at least some record of their excursion in solar distances should survive themselves tearing a leaf from his notebook he wrote down the name of the comet the list of the fragments of the earth it had carried off the names of his companions and the date of the comet's aphelion and having subscribed it with his signature turned to Nina and told her he must have the carrier pigeon which was nestling in her bosom the child's eyes filled with tears she did not say a word but in printing a kiss upon its soft plumage she surrendered it at once and the message was hurriedly fastened to its neck the bird wheeled round and round in a few circles that widened in their diameter and quickly sunk to an altitude in the comet's atmosphere much inferior to the balloon some minutes more were thus consumed and the interval of distance was reduced to less than 8,000 miles the velocity became inconceivably great but the increased rate of motion was in no way perceptible there was nothing to disturb the equilibrium of the car in which they were making their aerial adventure 46 minutes announced the lieutenant the glowing expanse of the earth's disk seemed like a vast funnel yawning to receive the comet and its atmosphere balloon and all into its open mouth 47 there was half a minute yet a thrill ran through every vein a vibration quivered through the atmosphere the mongolfia elongated to its utmost stretch was manifestly being sucked into a vortex every passenger in the quivering car involuntarily clung spasmodically to its sides and as the two atmospheres amalgamated clouds accumulated in heavy masses involving all around in dense obscurity while flashes of lurid flame threw a weird glimmer on the scene in a mystery everyone found himself upon the earth again they could not explain it but here they were once more upon terrestrial soil in a swoon they had left the earth and in a similar swoon they had come back of the balloon not a vestige remained and contrary to previous computation the comet had merely grazed the earth and was traversing the regions of space again far away end of chapter 18 of book 2 recording by holly sheared www.hollysheared.co.uk for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Nadine Kertboulez often a comet by Jules Verne translated by Anonymous book 2 chapter 19 back again in Algeria captain yes Benzouf in Algeria and not far from Mostaganem such were the first words which after their return to consciousness were exchanged between Cerverdac and his orderly they had resided so long in the province that they could not for a moment be mistaken as to their whereabouts and although they were incapable of clearing up the mysteries that shrouded the miracle yet they were convinced at the first glance that they had been returned to the earth at the very identical spot where they had quitted it in fact they were scarcely more than a mile from Mostaganem and in the course of an hour when they had all recovered from the bewilderment occasioned by the shock they started off in a body and made their way to the town it was a matter of extreme surprise to find no symptom of the least excitement anywhere as they went along the population was perfectly calm everyone was pursuing his ordinary evocation the cattle were browsing quietly upon the pastures that were moist with the view of an ordinary January morning it was about 8 o'clock the sun was rising in the east nothing could be noticed to indicate that any abnormal incident had either transpired or been expected by the inhabitants as to a collision with a comet there was not the faintest trace of any such phenomenon crossing man's minds and awaken in as it surely would a panic little short of the desired approach of the millennium nobody expects us said Servadak that is very certain no indeed and Sir Benzouf with a sigh he was manifestly disappointed that his return to Mostaganem was not welcome with a triumphal reception they reached the mascara gate the first persons that Servadak recognized were the two friends that he had invited to be his second in the duel the colonel of the second fusiliers and the captain of the eighth artillery in return to his somewhat hesitating salutation the colonel greeted him heartily ah Servadak old fellow is it you I myself said the captain where on earth have you been to all this time in the name of peace what have you been doing with yourself you would never believe me colonel answered Servadak if I were to tell you so on that point I had better hold my tongue hang your mysteries said the colonel tell me where have you been no my friend excuse me replied Servadak but shake hands with me in earnest that I may be sure I am not dreaming Hector Servadak had made up his mind and no amount of persuasion could induce him to divulge his incredible experiences anxious to turn the subject Servadak took the earliest opportunity of asking and what about Madame de El Madame de El exclaimed the colonel taking the words out of his mouth the lady is married long ago you did not suppose that she was going to wait for you out of sight out of mind you know true replied Servadak and turning to the count he said do you hear that we shall not have to fight or duel after all most happy to be excused rejoin the count the rivals took each other by the hand and were united henceforth in the bonds of a sincere and confinding friendship an immense relief said Servadak to himself that I have no occasion to finish that confounded rondo it was agreed between the captain and the count that it would be desirable in every way to maintain the most rigid silence upon the subject of the inexplicable phenomena which had come within their experience it was to them both a subject of the greatest perplexity to find that the shores of the Mediterranean had undergone no change but they coincided in the opinion that it was prudent to keep their bewilderment entirely to themselves nothing induced them to break their reserve the very next day the small community was broken up the Duprenes crew with the count and the lieutenant of Russia and the Spaniards provided by the count's liberality with a competency that ensured them from want were dispatched to their native shores the leave taken was accompanied by genuine tokens of regard and goodwill for Isaac Haggerbert alone there was no feeling of regret doubly ruined by the loss of his tartan and by the abandonment of his fortune he disappeared entirely from the scene it is needless to say that no one troubled himself to institute a search after him and as Benzouf sententiously remarked perhaps Algerum is making money in America by exhibiting himself as the latest arrival from a comet but however great was the reserve which Captain Servedak might make on his part nothing could induce Professor Rosette to conceal his experiences in spite of the denial which astronomer after astronomer gave to the appearance of such a comet as Goliath at all and of its being refused admission to the catalogue he published a voluminous treatise not only detailing his own adventures but setting forth with the most elaborate precision all the elements which settled its period and its orbit discussions arose in scientific circles an overwhelming majority decided against the representations of the professor an unimportant minority declared themselves in his favour and a pamphlet obtained some degree of notice ridiculing the whole debate under the title of the history of an hypothesis and replied to this impertinent criticism of his labors Rosette issued a rejoinder full with the most vehement expressions of indignation and reitering his as separation that a fragment of Gibraltar was still traversing the regions of space carrying 13 Englishmen upon its surface and concluding by saying that it was the great disappointment of his life that he had not been taken with him Pablo and little Nina were adopted the one by Servatac the other by the count and under the supervision of their guardians were well educated and cared for some years later Colonell no longer captain Servatac his hair slightly streaked with gray had the pleasure of seeing the handsome young Spaniard united in marriage to the Italian now grown into a charming girl upon whom the count bestowed an ample dowry the young people's happiness in no way marred by the fact that they had not been distinned as once similarly to be the Adam and Eve of a new world the career of the comet was ever a mystery which neither Servatac nor his orderly could eliminate from the regions of doubt anyhow they were firmer and more confiding friends than ever one day in the environs of Montmartre where they were secure from eavesdroppers Benzouf incidentally referred to the experiences in the depth of Nina's hive but stopped short and said however those things never happen sir did they his master could only reply confounded Benzouf what is a man to believe book 2 chapter 19 end of book 2 end of often the comet by Jules Verne translated by Anonymous