human
So we have become diverted from our route, said Michel;
gpt
I very much fear, answered Nicholl,
human
Then they must have aimed badly?
gpt
I do not think so, replied Barbicane.
human
The perpendicularity of the gun was exact, its direction to the zenith of the spot incontestible; and the moon passing to the zenith of the spot, we ought to reach it at the full. There is another reason, but it escapes me.
gpt
Are we not arriving too late?
human
Too late?
gpt
Yes, continued Nicholl.
human
The Cambridge Observatory's note says that the transit ought to be accomplished in ninety-seven hours thirteen minutes and twenty seconds; which means to say, that _sooner_ the moon will _not_ be at the point indicated, and that _later_ it will have passed it.
gpt
True, replied Barbicane.
human
But we started the 1st of December, at thirteen minutes and twenty-five seconds to eleven at night; and we ought to arrive on the 5th at midnight, at the exact moment when the moon would be full; and we are now at the 5th of December. It is now half past three in the evening; half past eight ought to see us at the end of our journey. Why do we not arrive?
gpt
Might it not be an excess of speed? answered Nicholl;
human
No! a hundred times, No! replied Barbicane.
gpt
An excess of speed, if the direction of the projectile had been right, would not have prevented us reaching the moon. No, there has been a deviation. We have been turned out of our course.
human
By whom? by what?
gpt
I cannot say,
human
Very well, then, Barbicane, said Michel,
gpt
Speak.
human
I would not give half a dollar to know it. That we have deviated is a fact. Where we are going to matters little; we shall soon see. Since we are being borne along in space we shall end by falling into some centre of attraction or other.