The travellers were getting too near to notice it.

They were beginning to survey the Moon as balloonists survey the Earth.

The Projectile was now moving with great rapidity--with nothing like its initial velocity, but still eight or nine times faster than an express train.

Its line of movement, however, being oblique instead of direct, was so deceptive as to induce Ardan to flatter himself that they might still reach the lunar surface.

He could never persuade himself to believe that they should get so near their aim and still miss it.