human
By Jove! he exclaimed,
gpt
I must admit we are downright simpletons!
human
I do not say we are not, replied Barbicane;
gpt
Because we have a very simple means of checking this speed which is bearing us from the moon, and we do not use it!
human
And what is the means?
gpt
To use the recoil contained in our rockets.
human
Done!
gpt
We have not used this force yet, said Barbicane,
human
When?
gpt
When the time comes. Observe, my friends, that in the position occupied by the projectile, an oblique position with regard to the lunar disc, our rockets, in slightly altering its direction, might turn it from the moon instead of drawing it nearer?
human
Just so,
gpt
Let us wait, then. By some inexplicable influence, the projectile is turning its base towards the earth. It is probable that at the point of equal attraction, its conical cap will be directed rigidly towards the moon; at that moment we may hope that its speed will be _nil_; then will be the moment to act, and with the influence of our rockets we may perhaps provoke a fall directly on the surface of the lunar disc.
human
Bravo! said Michel.
gpt
What we did not do, what we could not do on our first passage at the dead point, because the projectile was then endowed with too great a speed.
human
Very well reasoned,
gpt
Let us wait patiently, continued Barbicane.
human
Putting every chance on our side, and after having so much despaired, I may say I think that we shall gain our end.