Servadac, with the count and lieutenant, did not follow immediately; but shortly afterwards they proceeded to join them, when on their way they were startled by loud cries from those in advance.
Their first impression was that they were cries of distress, and they were greatly relieved to find that they were shouts of delight, which the dryness and purity of the atmosphere caused to re-echo like a volley of musketry.
Reaching the mouth of the gallery, they found the entire group pointing with eager interest to the sky.
"Well, Ben Zoof," asked the captain, "what's the matter now ?" "Oh, your Excellency," ejaculated the orderly, "look there! look there! The moon! the moon's come back!" And, sure enough, what was apparently the moon was rising above the mists of evening..