Beneath their feet was extended the basin of the Gallian Sea. An inconsiderable speck4 to the north marked the site of Gourbi Island. Ceuta and Gibraltar, which might have been expected in the west, had utterly5 disappeared. On the south rose the volcano, the extremity6 of the promontory7 that jutted8 out from the continent that formed the framework of the sea; whilst in every direction the strange soil, with its commixture of tellurium and gold, gleamed under the sun’s rays with a perpetual iridescence9.
Apparently10 rising with them in their ascent11, the horizon was well-defined. The sky above them was perfectly12 clear; but away in the northwest, in opposition13 to the sun, floated a new sphere, so small that it could not be an asteroid14, 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 luster15.
The object, however, of supreme16 interest was the great expanse of the terrestrial disc, which was rapidly drawing down obliquely17 towards them. It totally eclipsed an enormous portion of the firmament19 above, and approaching with an ever-increasing velocity20, 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 betokening21 the continents, the more somber22 indicating the oceans that absorbed the solar rays. Above, there were broad white bands, darkened on the side averted23 from the sun, exhibiting a slow but unintermittent movement; these were the vapors24 that pervaded25 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, depicted26 on a map, the surface of the earth appeared as though modelled in relief.
Twenty-seven minutes past two, and Gallia is only 72,000 miles from the terrestrial sphere; quicker and quicker is the velocity; ten minutes later, and they are only 36,000 miles apart!
The whole configuration27 of the earth is clear.
“Europe! Russia! France!” shout Procope, the count, and Servadac, 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 possibility of error in distinguishing continent from continent.
The surprise only kindled28 their emotion to yet keener intensity29, and it would be hard to describe the excitement with which they gazed at the panorama30 that was before them. The crisis of peril31 was close at hand, but imagination overleaped all consideration of danger; and everything was absorbed in the one idea that they were again within reach of that circle of humanity from which they had supposed themselves severed32 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 conspicuous33 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 dame34 towards the east, trailing her ample skirts and coroneted with the cluster of her little islets; Sweden and Norway, with their bristling35 spine36 of mountains, seemed like a splendid lion eager to spring down from the bosom37 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 watchful38 sleep; Spain, with Portugal as a pennant39, like an unfurled banner, floated from the extremity of the continent; Turkey, like an insolent40 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 juggling41 deftly42 with the islands of Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica; Prussia, a formidable hatchet43 imbedded 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 Ben Zoof breaks the silence: “Montmartre! I see Montmartre!” And, smile at the absurdity44 as others might, nothing could induce the worthy45 orderly to surrender his belief that he could actually make out the features of his beloved home.
The only individual whose soul seemed unstirred by the approaching earth was Palmyrin Rosette. Leaning over the side of the car, he kept his eyes fixed46 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.
Chronometer47 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 replenish48 the stove, that the montgolfier might retain its necessary level. Servadac and the count continued to gaze upon the earth with an eagerness that almost amounted to awe49. The balloon was slightly in the rear of Gallia, a circumstance that augured50 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 vessel51 be within hail to rescue them from their critical position? Truly, as the count observed to his comrades, none but a Divine Pilot could steer52 them now.
“Forty-two minutes past!” 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. Five minutes more and collision must ensue!
But was it so? Just at this moment, Lieutenant Procope observed that the comet deviated53 sensibly in an oblique18 course. Was it possible that after all collision would not occur?
The deviation54, however, was not great; it did not justify55 any anticipation56 that Gallia would merely graze the earth, as it had done before; it left it certain that the two bodies would inevitably57 impinge.
“No doubt,” said Ben Zoof, “this time we shall stick together.”
Another thought occurred. Was it not only too likely that, in the fusion58 of the two atmospheres, the balloon itself, in which they were being conveyed, would be rent into ribbons, and every one of its passengers hurled59 into destruction, so that not a Gallian should survive to tell the tale of their strange peregrinations?
Moments were precious; but Hector Servadac resolved that he would adopt a device to secure that at least some record of their excursion in solar distances should survive themselves.
Tearing a leaf from his note-book, 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 aphelion60; and having subscribed61 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 imprinting62 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 interval63 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 equilibrium64 of the car in which they were making their aerial adventure.
“Forty-six minutes!” announced the lieutenant.
The glowing expanse of the earth’s disc seemed like a vast funnel65, yawning to receive the comet and its atmosphere, balloon and all, into its open mouth.
“Forty-seven!” cried Procope.
There was half a minute yet. A thrill ran through every vein66. A vibration67 quivered through the atmosphere. The montgolfier, elongated68 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 amalgamated69, clouds accumulated in heavy masses, involving all around in dense70 obscurity, while flashes of lurid71 flame threw a weird72 glimmer73 on the scene.
In a mystery every one 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 vestige74 remained, and contrary to previous computation, the comet had merely grazed the earth, and was traversing the regions of space, again far away!
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1
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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promontory
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| n.海角；岬 | |
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jutted
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| v.（使）突出( jut的过去式和过去分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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iridescence
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| n.彩虹色；放光彩；晕色；晕彩 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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asteroid
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| n.小行星；海盘车(动物) | |
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15
luster
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| n.光辉；光泽，光亮；荣誉 | |
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16
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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17
obliquely
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| adv.斜； 倾斜； 间接； 不光明正大 | |
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18
oblique
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| adj.斜的，倾斜的，无诚意的，不坦率的 | |
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firmament
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| n.苍穹；最高层 | |
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20
velocity
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| n.速度，速率 | |
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21
betokening
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的现在分词 ) | |
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22
somber
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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23
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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24
vapors
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| n.水汽，水蒸气，无实质之物( vapor的名词复数 )；自夸者；幻想 [药]吸入剂 [古]忧郁（症）v.自夸，（使）蒸发( vapor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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25
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26
depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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27
configuration
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| n.结构，布局，形态，(计算机)配置 | |
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28
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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29
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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30
panorama
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| n.全景，全景画，全景摄影，全景照片[装置] | |
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31
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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32
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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33
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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34
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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36
spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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38
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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39
pennant
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| n.三角旗；锦标旗 | |
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40
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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41
juggling
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| n. 欺骗, 杂耍(=jugglery) adj. 欺骗的, 欺诈的 动词juggle的现在分词 | |
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42
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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43
hatchet
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| n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀 | |
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44
absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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45
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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46
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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47
chronometer
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| n.精密的计时器 | |
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48
replenish
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| vt.补充；(把…)装满；(再)填满 | |
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49
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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50
augured
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| v.预示，预兆，预言( augur的过去式和过去分词 )；成为预兆；占卜 | |
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51
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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52
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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53
deviated
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| v.偏离，越轨( deviate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
deviation
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| n.背离，偏离；偏差，偏向；离题 | |
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55
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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56
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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57
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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58
fusion
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| n.溶化；熔解；熔化状态，熔和；熔接 | |
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59
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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60
aphelion
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| n.远日点；远核点 | |
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61
subscribed
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| v.捐助( subscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；签署，题词；订阅；同意 | |
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62
imprinting
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| n.胚教，铭记（动物生命早期即起作用的一种学习机能）；印记 | |
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63
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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64
equilibrium
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| n.平衡，均衡，相称，均势，平静 | |
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65
funnel
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| n.漏斗；烟囱；v.汇集 | |
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66
vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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67
vibration
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| n.颤动，振动；摆动 | |
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68
elongated
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| v.延长，加长( elongate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
amalgamated
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| v.（使）（金属）汞齐化( amalgamate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）合并；联合；结合 | |
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70
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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71
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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72
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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73
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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74
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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