human
And when arrived at this dead point, what will become of us?
gpt
We don't know,
human
But one can draw some hypotheses, I suppose?
gpt
Two, answered Barbicane;
human
I prefer the other hypothesis, whatever it may be,
gpt
Or, continued Barbicane,
human
A revolution not at all consoling, said Michel,
gpt
You do not answer,
human
There is nothing to answer,
gpt
Is there nothing to try?
human
No, answered Barbicane.
gpt
Do you pretend to fight against the impossible?
human
Why not? Do one Frenchman and two Americans shrink from such a word?
gpt
But what would you do?
human
Subdue this motion which is bearing us away.
gpt
Subdue it?
human
Yes, continued Michel, getting animated,
gpt
And how?
human
That is your affair. If artillerymen are not masters of their projectile they are not artillerymen. If the projectile is to command the gunner, we had better ram the gunner into the gun. My faith! fine savants! who do not know what is to become of us after inducing me—
gpt
Inducing you! cried Barbicane and Nicholl.
human
Inducing you! What do you mean by that?
gpt
No recrimination, said Michel.
human
I do not complain; the trip has pleased me, the projectile agrees with me; but let us do all that is humanly possible to do to fall somewhere, even if only on the moon.
gpt
We ask no better, my worthy Michel, replied Barbicane,
human
We cannot alter the motion of the projectile?
gpt
No.
human
Nor diminish its speed?
gpt
No.
human
Not even by lightening it, as they lighten an overloaded vessel?
gpt
What would you throw out? said Nicholl.
human
We have no ballast on board; and indeed it seems to me that if lightened it would go much quicker.
gpt
Slower.
human
Quicker.
gpt
Neither slower nor quicker, said Barbicane, wishing to make his two friends agree;
human
Very well, cried Michel Ardan in a decided voice;
gpt
What is it?
human
Breakfast,