The atmosphere may have taken refuge in the depths of the chasms, in the interior of the craters, or even on the opposite side of the Moon, for all we know!" "Still we must remember," observed Barbican, "that even the sharpest eye cannot detect a man at a distance greater than four miles and a-half, and our glasses have not yet brought us nearer than five." "Which means to say," observed Ardan, "that though we can't see the Selenites, they can see our Projectile!" But matters had not improved much when, towards four o'clock in the morning, the travellers found themselves on the 50th parallel, and at a distance of only about 375 miles from the lunar surface.

Still no trace of the least movement, or even of the lowest form of life.
"What peaked mountain is that which we have just passed on our right ?" asked Ardan.

"It is quite remarkable, standing as it does in almost solitary grandeur in the barren plain." "That is _Pico_," answered Barbican.

"It is at least 8000 feet high and is well known to terrestrial astronomers as well by its peculiar shadow as on account of its comparative isolation.

See the collection of perfectly formed little craters nestling around its base." "Barbican," asked M'Nicholl suddenly, "what peak is that which lies almost directly south of _Pico_?
I see it plainly, but I can't find it on my map." "I have remarked that pyramidal peak myself," replied Barbican; "but I can assure you that so far it has received no name as yet, although it is likely enough to have been distinguished by the terrestrial astronomers.