Подорож на Місяць

           WhileJ.T.Mastonwasspeaking,MichelArdan,withoutinterruptinghim,hadhastilyputonhisclothes;and,inlessthantwominutes,thetwofriendsweremakingforthesuburbsofTampaTownwithrapidstrides.

           ItwasduringthiswalkthatMastontoldArdanthestateofthecase.HetoldhimtherealcausesofthehostilitybetweenBarbicaneandNicholl;howitwasofolddate,andwhy,thankstounknownfriends,thepresidentandthecaptainhad,asyet,nevermetfacetoface.Headdedthatitarosesimplyfromarivalrybetweenironplatesandshot,and,finally,thatthesceneatthemeetingwasonlythelong-wished-foropportunityforNicholltopayoffanoldgrudge.

           NothingismoredreadfulthanprivateduelsinAmerica.Thetwoadversariesattackeachotherlikewildbeasts.ThenitisthattheymightwellcovetthosewonderfulpropertiesoftheIndiansoftheprairies—theirquickintelligence,theiringeniouscunning,theirscentoftheenemy.Asinglemistake,amoment’shesitation,asinglefalsestepmaycausedeath.OntheseoccasionsYankeesareoftenaccompaniedbytheirdogs,andkeepupthestruggleforhours.

           "Whatdemonsyouare!"criedMichelArdan,whenhiscompanionhaddepictedthisscenetohimwithmuchenergy.

           "Yes,weare,"repliedJ.T.modestly;"butwehadbettermakehaste."

           ThoughMichelArdanandhehadcrossedtheplainsstillwetwithdew,andhadtakentheshortestrouteovercreeksandricefields,theycouldnotreachSkersnawinunderfivehoursandahalf.

           Barbicanemusthavepassedtheborderhalfanhourago.