The moment had arrived for saying "good-by!" The scene was a touching one. Despite his feverish gayety,even Michel Ardan was touched. J. T. Maston had found in his own dry eyes one ancient tear, which he had doubtless reserved for the occasion. He dropped it on the forehead of his dear president.
"Can I not go?" he said, "there is still time!"
"Impossible, old fellow!" replied Barbicane. A few moments later, the three fellow-travelers had ensconced themselves in the projectile, and screwed down the plate which covered the entrance-aperture.The mouth of the Columbiad, now completely disencumbered, was open entirely to the sky.