and the craters deeper.

"What a terrible place," murmured Jack. "I shouldn't want to live
there."

"Me either," said Mark.

"Can you see a place to land?" called Professor Roumann through the
speaking-tube from the engine room to the steering tower.

"Yes, we seem to be approaching a fairly level plateau," was Mr.
Henderson's reply.

"Very well, then, I'll start the repelling machine."

The Cardite motor was stopped. The projectile was now being drawn
toward the moon by the gravity force of the dead ball that once had
been a world like ours. Slowly and more slowly moved the great
projectile.

There was a moment of suspense. Mr. Henderson threw over the steering
wheel. The _Annihilator_ moved more slowly. Then came a gentle shock.
The dishes in the galley rattled, and there was the clank of machinery.
The Shanghai rooster crowed.

"We're on the moon at last!" cried jack, peering from an observation
window at the rugged surface outside.

"Yes; and now to see what it's like," added Mark. "We'll go outside,
and----"