Путешествие на Луну

           Theworkmen,afterlayingthestonesfromthecircumferencetothecenter,werethusenclosedwithinakindofwelltwenty-onefeetindiameter.Whenthisworkwasaccomplished,theminersresumedtheirpicksandcutawaytherockfromunderneaththewheelitself,takingcaretosupportitastheyadvanceduponblocksofgreatthickness.Ateverytwofeetwhichtheholegainedindepththeysuccessivelywithdrewtheblocks.Thewheelthensanklittlebylittle,andwithitthemassiveringofmasonry,ontheupperbedofwhichthemasonslaboredincessantly,alwaysreservingsomeventholestopermittheescapeofgasduringtheoperationofthecasting.

           Thiskindofworkrequiredonthepartoftheworkmenextremenicetyandminuteattention.Morethanone,indiggingunderneaththewheel,wasdangerouslyinjuredbythesplintersofstone.Buttheirardorneverrelaxed,nightorday.Bydaytheyworkedundertheraysofthescorchingsun;bynight,underthegleamoftheelectriclight.Thesoundsofthepicksagainsttherock,theburstingofmines,thegrindingofthemachines,thewreathsofsmokescatteredthroughtheair,tracedaroundStonesHillacircleofterrorwhichtheherdsofbuffaloesandthewarpartiesoftheSeminolesneverventuredtopass.Nevertheless,theworksadvancedregularly,asthesteam-cranesactivelyremovedtherubbish.Ofunexpectedobstaclestherewaslittleaccount;andwithregardtoforeseendifficulties,theywerespeedilydisposedof.