Now the great trouble is this: If the _Aposelenetic_ point should coincide with the point of lunar attraction, our velocity must certainly become _nil_, and the Projectile must remain relatively motionless forever!" "What do you mean by 'relatively motionless' ?" asked M'Nicholl, who was carefully studying the situation.
"I mean, of course, not absolutely motionless," answered Barbican; "absolute immobility is, as you are well aware, altogether impossible, but motionless with regard to the Earth and the--" "By Mahomet's jackass!" interrupted Ardan hastily, "I must say we're a precious set of _imbeciles_!" "I don't deny it, dear friend," said Barbican quietly, notwithstanding the unceremonious interruption; "but why do you say so just now ?" "Because though we are possessed of the power of retarding the velocity that takes us from the Moon, we have never thought of employing it!" "What do you mean ?" "Do you forget the rockets ?" "It's a fact!" cried M'Nicholl.

"How have we forgotten them ?" "I'm sure I can't tell," answered Barbican, "unless, perhaps, because we had too many other things to think about.

Your thought, my dear friend, is a most happy one, and, of course, we shall utilize it." "When?
How soon ?" "At the first favorable opportunity, not sooner.

For you can see for yourselves, dear friends," he went on explaining, "that with the present obliquity of the Projectile with regard to the lunar disc, a discharge of our rockets would be more likely to send us away from the Moon than towards her.

Of course, you are both still desirous of reaching the Moon ?" "Most emphatically so!" "Then by reserving our rockets for the last chance, we may possibly get there after all.