Перші люди на Місяці

           Slumberingthererestedmegreatly,Ithink,andthesunwassettingandtheviolenceoftheheatabating,throughallthetimeIslumbered.WhenatlastIwasrousedfrommyslumbersbyaremoteclamour,Ifeltactiveandcapableagain.Irubbedmyeyesandstretchedmyarms.Irosetomyfeet—Iwasalittlestiff—andatoncepreparedtoresumemysearch.Ishoulderedmygoldenclubs,oneoneachshoulder,andwentonoutoftheravineofthegold-veinedrocks.

           Thesunwascertainlylower,muchlowerthanithadbeen;theairwasverymuchcooler.IperceivedImusthavesleptsometime.Itseemedtomethatafainttouchofmistybluenesshungaboutthewesterncliff.Ileapttoalittlebossofrockandsurveyedthecrater.IcouldseenosignsofmooncalvesorSelenites,norcouldIseeCavor,butIcouldseemyhandkerchieffaroff,spreadoutonitsthicketofthorns.Ilookedaboutme,andthenleaptforwardtothenextconvenientview-point.

           Ibeatmywayroundinasemicircle,andbackagaininastillremotercrescent.Itwasveryfatiguingandhopeless.Theairwasreallyverymuchcooler,anditseemedtomethattheshadowunderthewestwardcliffwasgrowingbroad.EverandagainIstoppedandreconnoitred,buttherewasnosignofCavor,nosignofSelenites;anditseemedtomethemooncalvesmusthavebeendrivenintotheinterioragain—Icouldseenoneofthem.IbecamemoreandmoredesirousofseeingCavor.Thewingedoutlineofthesunhadsunknow,untilitwasscarcelythedistanceofitsdiameterfromtherimofthesky.