“Here’s a pretty good tree,” declared Dave Brandon, at length. “Only wish we’d brought our telescope stand along. Still, this lower limb will do as a rest.”
“Yes; that’s the idea,” said Fred.
“Of course,” went on Redfern, “this is a very poor way to use a telescope; a firm stand is essential, even for small instruments; and a moonless night would be much better for observing the stars. But Luna herself is such an interesting object that we should be satisfied. How many of you have seen it?”
“I have,” answered Jack, “at the Harvard observatory.”
“And we fellows have often studied it through Dave’s telescope,” said Bob.
“Who discovered the moon?” asked Joe.
“Do get over your silliness,” said Fred, witheringly. “It’s growing on you.”
Jack was allowed first glimpse through the telescope.
The surface of the moon, with its mountains and deep black craters and portions here and there just a shade less brilliant than the rest, is always an interesting object, and Jack uttered an exclamation of pleasure as he placed his eye to the tube.
“What are those funny light streaks near the bottom?” he asked.