"Yes, and to think that there may be people on the other side of the moon even now," added Mark. "We must take a look if it's possible." "Well," remarked Mr. Henderson, after a while, "are we going out and see what it's like or not." "Of course, we are," said Jack. "Come on, Mark, I'm not afraid." "Me either. Do we have to do anything to the torches to make them operate, Professor Roumann?" "Merely press this lever," and the scientist showed them where there was one in the handle of the steel rod. "As soon as that is pressed, it admits a liquid to the chemicals and the oxygen gas is formed, rising all around you, like a protecting vapor. After that it is automatic." "How long will the supply of chemical last?" inquired Jack. "Each one is calculated to give out gas for nearly two weeks," was the reply; "possibly for a little longer. But come, I want to see how they work. Here is your life-torch, Professor Henderson, and there is one for you, too, Andy, and Washington." "'Scuse me!" exclaimed the colored man hastily, as he started back toward the kitchen. "Why, what's the matter?" asked Jack. "Don't you want to go out, and walk around the moon, and pick up diamonds?" "Diamonds am all right," answered Washington, "but I jest done fo'got dat I ain't fed my Shanghai rooster to-day, an' I 'spects he's mighty hungry. You folks go on out an' pick up a few obde sparklers, an' when I gits de Shanghai fed I'll prognosticate myse'f inter conjunction wif yo' all." "You mean you'll join us?" asked Mark. "Dat's what I means, suah." "Why, I do believe Washington's afraid!" cried Jack jokingly. "Askeered! Who's afraid?" retorted the colored man boldly. "Didn't I done tole yo' dat I got t' feed my rooster? Heah him crowin' now? Yo' all go 'long, an' I'll meet yo' later," and with that Washington disappeared quickly. "Well, he'll soon pluck up courage and come out," declared Professor Henderson. "Let him go now, and we'll go out and see what it is like on the moon." "I hope we find those diamonds," murmured Jack, and Mark smiled. In order not to admit the poisonous gases into the projectile, it was decided to leave the Annihilator and return to it by means of a double door, forming a sort of air lock. It was similar to the water lock used on the submarine. That is, the adventurers entered a chamber built in between the two steel walls of their craft. The interior door was then sealed shut automatically. Next the outer door was opened, and they could step directly to the surface of the moon and into the deadly atmosphere. "Well, are we all ready?" asked Mr. Roumann, as he picked up one of the chemical torches. "I guess so," responded Andy Sudds, who had his gun with him. "I hope I see some game. I haven't had a shot in a long while." "You're not likely to up here," spoke Mr. Henderson. "Game is scarce on the moon, unless it's some of that green cheese Washington talked about."