Путешествие на Луну
Fire!
Andasfortheliquorswhichaccompaniedthisindigestiblerepast!Theshouts,thevociferationsthatresoundedthroughthebarsandtavernsdecoratedwithglasses,tankards,andbottlesofmarvelousshape,mortarsforpoundingsugar,andbundlesofstraws!"Mint-julep"roarsoneofthebarmen;"Claretsangaree!"shoutsanother;"Cocktail!""Brandy-smash!""Realmint-julepinthenewstyle!"Allthesecriesintermingledproducedabewilderinganddeafeninghubbub.
Butonthisday,1stofDecember,suchsoundswererare.Noonethoughtofeatingordrinking,andatfourP.M.therewerevastnumbersofspectatorswhohadnoteventakentheircustomarylunch!And,astillmoresignificantfact,eventhenationalpassionforplayseemedquelledforthetimeunderthegeneralexcitementofthehour.
Uptillnightfall,adull,noiselessagitation,suchasprecedesgreatcatastrophes,ranthroughtheanxiousmultitude.Anindescribableuneasinesspervadedallminds,anindefinablesensationwhichoppressedtheheart.Everyonewisheditwasover.
However,aboutseveno’clock,theheavysilencewasdissipated.Themoonroseabovethehorizon.Millionsofhurrahshailedherappearance.Shewaspunctualtotherendezvous,andshoutsofwelcomegreetedheronallsides,asherpalebeamsshonegracefullyintheclearheavens.Atthismomentthethreeintrepidtravelersappeared.Thiswasthesignalforrenewedcriesofstillgreaterintensity.
