Путешествие на Луну
The Fete of the Casting
Hisobjectnowwastoraisewithinthecenterofthewell,andwithacoincidentaxis,acylinder900feethigh,andninefeetindiameter,whichshouldexactlyfillupthespacereservedfortheboreoftheColumbiad.Thiscylinderwascomposedofamixtureofclayandsand,withtheadditionofalittlehayandstraw.Thespaceleftbetweenthemouldandthemasonrywasintendedtobefilledupbythemoltenmetal,whichwouldthusformthewallssixfeetinthickness.Thiscylinder,inordertomaintainitsequilibrium,hadtobeboundbyironbands,andfirmlyfixedatcertainintervalsbycross-clampsfastenedintothestonelining;afterthecastingsthesewouldbeburiedintheblockofmetal,leavingnoexternalprojection.
Thisoperationwascompletedonthe8thofJuly,andtherunofthemetalwasfixedforthefollowingday.
"Thisfeteofthecastingwillbeagrandceremony,"saidJ.T.MastontohisfriendBarbicane.
"Undoubtedly,"saidBarbicane;"butitwillnotbeapublicfete"
"What!willyounotopenthegatesoftheenclosuretoallcomers?"
"Imustbeverycareful,Maston.ThecastingoftheColumbiadisanextremelydelicate,nottosayadangerousoperation,andIshouldpreferitsbeingdoneprivately.Atthedischargeoftheprojectile,afeteifyoulike—tillthen,no!"
Thepresidentwasright.Theoperationinvolvedunforeseendangers,whichagreatinfluxofspectatorswouldhavehinderedhimfromaverting.Itwasnecessarytopreservecompletefreedomofmovement.
