he replied, "but its scientific value swallows up all personal
considerations."

I believed this to be true, and I will say right here that in all our
future experiences the doctor showed the same indifference to everything
like fear, and seemed content to go to any length in the interest of
science.

We were now able to govern our movements by the ordinary methods of
ballooning, and after sailing over the surface of the moon a few hours,
studying its rugged outlines, we began to think of selecting a place for
landing. There was no water to be seen and no forests nor other
vegetation, but everywhere were huge mountains and deep valleys, all as
bare and uninviting as it is possible to imagine.

But it would not do to turn a cold shoulder to her now, and so we
descended gracefully to make her close acquaintance, cast out our anchor,
and were soon on the moon in reality.




CHAPTER III.

TWO MEN IN THE MOON.


"Well, Doctor," said I, as soon as our feet touched the ground, "the moon
is inhabited now if never before."