Первые люди на Луне

           InspiteoftheinordinatefatigueIwasbeginningtofeel,Iwasexcitednow,andforatimehopeful,inafeverish,impatientway,thatsomytravellingmightend.

           ButatlastIceasedtomoveabout,andsat,wristsonknees,staringatadistantredlight.Itswayedupanddown,rocking,rocking.Myexcitementpassed.IrealisedIhadyettospendanothernightatleastinthesphere.Iperceivedmyselfinfinitelyheavyandfatigued.AndsoIfellasleep.

           Achangeinmyrhythmicmotionawakenedme.Ipeeredthroughtherefractingglass,andsawthatIhadcomeagrounduponahugeshallowofsand.FarawayIseemedtoseehousesandtrees,andseawardacurved,vaguedistortionofashiphungbetweenseaandsky.

           Istoodupandstaggered.Myonedesirewastoemerge.Themanholewasupward,andIwrestledwiththescrew.SlowlyIopenedthemanhole.Atlasttheairwassinginginagainasonceithadsungout.ButthistimeIdidnotwaituntilthepressurewasadjusted.InanothermomentIhadtheweightofthewindowonmyhands,andIwasopen,wideopen,totheoldfamiliarskyofearth.

           TheairhitmeonthechestsothatIgasped.Idroppedtheglassscrew.Icriedout,putmyhandstomychest,andsatdown.ForatimeIwasinpain.ThenItookdeepbreaths.AtlastIcouldriseandmoveaboutagain.

           Itriedtothrustmyheadthroughthemanhole,andthesphererolledover.Itwasasthoughsomethinghadluggedmyheaddowndirectlyitemerged.Iduckedbacksharply,orIshouldhavebeenpinnedfaceunderwater.