Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 1.djvu/239

 the moons of Jupiter with the naked eye, and to count fourteen stars in the Pleiades, which last are of the ninth magnitude. He was not proud of this at all; on the contrary, he would salute you respectfully, and, on occasion, he could make use of his eyes to some purpose.

With the confidence Joe displayed towards the doctor, it is not astonishing that frequent discussions would arise between Kennedy and the worthy domestic, with all due regard to their relative positions.

One doubted, the other had faith; one represented a clear-sighted prudence, the other, blind confidence. So the doctor was situated between skepticism and belief, and, I am bound to add, he paid no attention to either.

"Well, Mr. Kennedy," said Joe.

"Well, my lad."

"The time is approaching. It seems that we are about to set off to the moon."

"You mean the land of the moon, which is not quite so far, but quite sufficiently dangerous; so be easy in your mind."

"Dangerous! with a man like Doctor Ferguson?"

"I do not wish to dissipate your delusions, my good Joe, but his enterprise is simple madness. He will never enter upon it."

"Not go? Then you haven't seen the balloon in the workshop of Messrs. Mitchell, in the Borough?"

"I shall take very good care not to go to see it."

"Then you will lose a splendid sight, sir. What a beautiful thing it is; what a lovely shape, and what a charming car! How jolly we shall all be in it!"

"Then you have really made up your mind to accompany your master?"

"I!" replied Joe decisively. "I would go wherever he pleased. As if I should ever let him go alone when we have been round the world together. Who would there be to assist him when he was fatigued if I were not there? Whose strong hand to help him over a precipice? Who would nurse him if he were to fall ill? No, Mr. Richard, Joe will aways be at his post beside the doctor, or rather, I should say, all round him."

"You are a brave fellow."

"Besides, you will come with us," said Joe.