oughts not only when we
were upon the moon, but during our flight through space. This was the
almost entire absence of weight.

On the moon, where the force of gravitation is one-sixth as great as upon
the earth, we had found ourselves astonishingly light. Five-sixths of our
own weight, and of the weight of the air-tight suits in which we were
incased, had magically dropped from us. It was therefore comparatively
easy for us, encumbered as we were, to make our way about on the moon.

But when we were far from both the earth and the moon, the loss of
weight was more astonishing still--not astonishing because we had not
known that it would be so, but nevertheless a surprising phenomenon in
contrast with our lifelong experience on the earth.

Men Without Weight.

In open space we were practically without weight. Only the mass of
the electrical car in which we were enclosed attracted us, and inside
that we could place ourselves in any position without falling. We could
float in the air. There were no up and no down, no top and no bottom for
us. Stepping outside the car, it would have been easy for us to spring
away from it and leave it forever.

One of the most startling experiences that I have ever had was one
day when we were navigating space about half way between the earth
and Mars. I had stepped outside the car with Lord Kelvin, both of us,
of course, wearing our air-tight suits. We were perfectly well aware
what would be the consequence of detaching ourselves from the car as
we moved along. We should still retain the forward motion of the car,
and of course accompany it in its flight. There would be no falling one
way or the other. The car would have a tendency to draw us back again by
its attraction, but this tendency would be very slight, and practically
inappreciable at a distance.

Stepping Into Space.

"I am going to step off," I suddenly said to Lord Kelvin. "Of course
I shall keep right along with the car, and step aboard again when I
am ready."

"Quite right on general principles, young man," replied the great savant,
"but beware in what manner you step off. Remember, if you give your body
an impulse sufficient to carry it away from the car to any considerable
distance, you will be unable to get back again, unless we can catch you
with a boathook or a fishline. Out there in empty space you will have
nothing to kick against, and you will be unable to propel yourself in
the direction of the car, an