Unless in case of the occurrence of some other most improbable accident, reaching the Moon was evidently now impossible.

To failure, therefore, our travellers had to make up their minds.
But was nothing to be gained by the trip?
Though missing actual contact with the Moon, might they not pass near enough to solve several problems in physics and geology over which scientists had been for a long time puzzling their brains in vain?
Even this would be some compensation for all their trouble, courage, and intelligence.

As to what was to be their own fate, to what doom were themselves to be reserved--they never appeared to think of such a thing.

They knew very well that in the midst of those infinite solitudes they should soon find themselves without air.

The slight supply that kept them from smothering could not possibly last more than five or six days longer.