4. That the Columbiad would burst at the first discharge, 4,000 dols. 5. That the projectile would not even go six miles, and would fall a few seconds after its discharge, 5,000 dols. It will be seen that the captain was risking an important sum in his invincible obstinacy. No less than 15,000 dols. were at stake. Notwithstanding the importance of the wager, he received on the 19th of October a sealed packet of superb laconism, couched in these terms:-- "Baltimore, October 18th. "Done. "BARBICANE." CHAPTER XI. FLORIDA AND TEXAS. There still remained one question to be decided--a place favourable to the experiment had to be chosen. According to the recommendation of the Cambridge Observatory the gun must be aimed perpendicularly to the plane of the horizon--that is to say, towards the zenith. Now the moon only appears in the zenith in the places situated between 0° and 28° of latitude, or, in other terms, when her declination is only 28°. The question was, therefore, to determine the exact point of the globe where the immense Columbiad should be cast. On the 20th of October the Gun Club held a general meeting. Barbicane brought a magnificent map of the United States by Z. Belltropp. But before he had time to unfold it J.T. Maston rose with his habitual vehemence, and began to speak as follows:-- "Honourable colleagues, the question we are to settle to-day is really of national importance, and will furnish us with an occasion for doing a great act of patriotism." The members of the Gun Club looked at each other without understanding what the orator was coming to. "Not one of you," he continued, "would think of doing anything to lessen the glory of his country, and if there is one right that the Union may claim it is that of harbouring in its bosom the formidable cannon of the Gun Club. Now, under the present circumstances--" "Will you allow me--" said Barbicane. "I demand the free discussion of ideas," replied the impetuous J.T. Maston, "and I maintain that the territory from which our glorious projectile will rise ought to belong to the Union." "Certainly," answered several members. "Well, then, as our frontiers do not stretch far enough, as on the south the ocean is our limit, as we must seek beyond the United States and in a neighbouring country this 28th parallel, this is all a legitimate _casus belli_, and I demand that war should be declared against Mexico!" "No, no!" was cried from all parts. "No!" replied J.T. Maston. "I am much astonished at hearing such a word in these precincts!" "But listen--" "Never! never!" cried the fiery orator. "Sooner or later this war will be declared, and I demand that it should be this very day."