rault, while rapidly making his
cocktail disappear, "the Callisto's cost with its outfit will be very
great, especially if you use glucinum, which, though the ideal metal
for the purpose, comes pretty high? I suggest that you apply to
Congress for an appropriation. This experiment comes under the
'Promotion of Science Act,' and any bill for it would certainly pass."

"No, indeed," replied Ayrault; "the Callisto trip will be a privilege
and glory I would not miss, and building her will be a part of it. I
shall put in everything conducive to success, but will come to the
Government only for advice."

"I will send a letter to all our ambassadors and consuls," said
Stillman, "to telegraph the department anything they may know or learn
that will be of use in adjusting the batteries, controlling the
machine, or anything else, and will turn over to you in a succinct form
all information that may be relevant, for without such sorting you
would be overwhelmed."

"And I," said Deepwaters, "will order the commanders of our vessels to
give you a farewell salute at starting, and to pick you up in case you
fail. When you have demonstrated the suitability of apergy," he
continued, "and the habitability of Jupiter and Saturn--,which, with
their five and eight moons, respectively, and rings thrown in, must
both be vastly superior to our little second-rate globe--we will see
what can be done towards changing our orbit, and if we cannot swing a
little nearer to our new world or worlds. Then we'll lower, or rather
raise, the boats in the shape of numerous Callistos, and have a
landing-party ready at each opposition, while a man or two can be
placed in charge of each projectile to bring it back in ballast. Thus
we may soon have regular interplanetary lines."

"As every place seems to have been settled from some other," said
Cortlandt, "I do not see why, with increased scientific facilities,
history should not repeat itself, and this be the point from which to
colonize the solar system; for, for the present at least, it would seem
that we could not get beyond that."

"As it will be quite an undertaking to change the orbit," said
Deepwaters, "we shall have time meanwhile to absorb or run out all
inferior races, so that we shall not make the mistake of extending the
Tower of Babel."

"He is putting on his war-paint," said Stillman, "and will soon want a
planet to himself."

"I see no necessity for even changing the orbit," said