For several hours they talked over the project, most of them saying, recklessly, that it would be a fine experience to draw the world to them and let the mutineers almost step off one to the other, arguing that as the worlds were practically equal in gravitating power, and the atmospheres, though different in chemical composition, equally capable of supporting Earth-life, by careful manipulation the two planets could be brought together safely and their atmospheres would not explode but would commingle; the harebrained section were certain that with the power at their disposal they could overcome all the probable dangers, and bring the two worlds actually into contact at their equators, like two balls, and the rebels could and _should_ jump from one sphere to the other, no matter what happened, and then the worlds should be separated, neither the worse. Rollsborough and his party said nothing, and without more than these passing thoughts to the possible consequences, that same evening—so precipitate were they—the _Regina’s_ attractive force was directed towards the runaway world. “It is speeding away from us rapidly,” said Dennis, “but before we breakfast it will have begun to pull up until its present force is broken, when it will veer round and come to us!” and most of them cheered; but Rollsborough, taking off his glasses and putting them in their case, said, severely,—“You are lightheaded, gentlemen, and intoxicated with the previous success; but what will the end be?” No one spoke, and Sorrel quietly got up to go, but as he was passing out of the saloon he turned and said,— “The price will be a heavy one; very heavy indeed. It is a mad project. Good-night!” and he went to his cabin, followed by Rollsborough, who silently passed on to his at the other side. For a few minutes this open disapproval put a damper on the jollity, which was not lightened when several others rose and merely saying “Good-night” left for their cabins, but this soon passed, and Allan Gardner asked Ross,—“Are you going to tell the people here?” “That is as we may all decide,” answered Ross, already almost regretting the scheme; “perhaps we had better say nothing, but let it come as a surprise.” “Yes, that will be best,” agreed all; and so it came to pass that, reckless of consequences, eleven men who were regarded as the coolest, most matter-of-fact, most noted and reliable scientists Earth could produce—for the sake of doing something bizarre in order to impress a circle of new-found friends—so far forgot themselves as to wrench a planet from its course and find it another. CHAPTER XVI “A RACE OF LAUGHING PHILOSOPHERS” “At length corruption, like a general flood, So long by watchful ministers withstood, Shall deluge all; and avarice creeping on, Spread like a low-born mist and blot the sun.” (+Pope.+)