Daybreak: A Romance of an Old World | Page 7

moon was
enough to fill them with the greatest enthusiasm. But, while thousands were ready to
investigate the mysterious visitor, one great difficulty stood in the way of all progress. It
seemed impossible to get a foothold on the surface. The great globe rose from the waves
on all sides at such an angle on account of its shape that a lodgment could not easily be
made. Ships sailed under the overhanging sides, and in a calm sea they would send out
their boats, which approached near enough to secure huge specimens. These were broken
into fragments and were soon sold on the streets of every city.
The first to really set foot on the dead satellite were some adventurous advertisers, who
shot an arrow and cord over a projecting crag, pulled a rope after it, and finally drew
themselves up, and soon the lunar cliffs were put to some practical use, blazoning forth a
few staring words. These men could not go beyond their narrow standing place, for the
general curve of the surface, although broken up by many irregularities, presented no
opportunities for the most skillful climbing.
But it was impossible that, with the moon so near, the problem of reaching it could long
remain unsolved. Dr. Schwartz, an eminent scientist, was the first to suggest that it must
be approached in a balloon, and at the same time he announced that he would be one of
two men, if another could be found, to undertake to effect a landing in that way. Here, I
saw, was my opportunity. I had often dreamed of visiting the moon and other heavenly
bodies, and now here was a chance to go in reality. I had some acquaintance with Dr.
Schwartz, and my prompt application for the vacant place in the proposed expedition was
successful. The doctor kindly wrote me that my enthusiasm in the cause was just what he
was looking for, and he was sure I would prove a plucky and reliable companion. The
matter attracted so much attention that the United States Government, moved to action by
the public nature of the enterprise, took it up and offered to bear all the expense of the
equipment and carrying out of the expedition. Encouraged by this assistance, the doctor
began his plans at once. All recognized that one great object was to settle the question as
to the existence of life on the other side of the moon; for, in spite of its rude collisions
with mountains and continents before it rested as near the heart of the earth as it could get,
it had insisted, with an almost knowing perversity, in keeping its old, familiar face next to
us. To solve this problem might take much time, and so we determined to go so well
prepared that, if we once reached the upper surface of the moon, we could stay as long as
our errand demanded.

It was decided to make the ascent from a town near the coast of the southern part of Chile,
and thither we went with our balloon, some scientific apparatus, and a large quantity of
dried provisions. We took with us also papers from the State Department showing that we
were accredited agents from our Government to the inhabitants of the moon, if we should
find any. Our arrangements were speedily made, and on a still, bright morning we bade
adieu to our friends who had accompanied us thus far, mounted our car, and set sail.
We left the earth with light hearts, excited with the novel and interesting character of the
enterprise, and but little realizing its difficulty and danger. Ordinary balloon journeys had
become frequent, and the evolution of the air ship had almost passed beyond the
experimental stage, but nothing like our present undertaking had ever been attempted.
Our starting place was far enough from the resting point of the moon to enable us to clear
the rounded side, but in order to reach the equatorial line of the fallen globe we would be
obliged to ascend over a thousand miles.
The fact that we were not appalled by the mere thought of rising to such a height shows
how thoroughly we were carried away with the excitement. But we were better prepared
for a lofty flight than might be supposed. For among the recent wonders of science had
been the invention of an air- condensing machine, by which the rarefied atmosphere of
the upper regions could be converted into good food for the lungs. These machines had
been successfully tested more than once by voyagers of the air, but the present occasion
promised to give them a much more severe trial than they had yet received. And, indeed,
it is impossible to imagine how we could have survived without them.