"Very well," responded the aged scientist, as he grasped the steering wheel.
The progress of the Annihilator was gradually checked. More and more slowly it approached the moon. The mountains seemed even higher now, and the craters deeper.
"What a terrible place," murmured Jack. "I shouldn't want to live there."
"Me either," said Mark.
"Can you see a place to land?" called Professor Roumann through the speaking-tube from the engine room to the steering tower.
"Yes, we seem to be approaching a fairly level plateau," was Mr.
Henderson's reply.
"Very well, then, I'll start the repelling machine."
The Cardite motor was stopped. The projectile was now being drawn toward the moon by the gravity force of the dead ball that once had been a world like ours. Slowly and more slowly moved the great projectile.
There was a moment of suspense. Mr. Henderson threw over the steering
wheel. The Annihilator moved more slowly. Then came a gentle shock.
The dishes in the galley rattled, and there was the clank of machinery.
The Shanghai rooster crowed.
"We're on the moon at last!" cried jack, peering from an observation window at the rugged surface outside.