fr:Hector Servadac - II - Chapitre XVII
CHAPTER XVII.A BOLD PROPOSITION.
On his return Servadac communicated to the count the
result of his expedition, and, though perfectly silent on
the subject of his personal project, did not conceal the fact
that the Spaniards, without the smallest right, had sold
Ceuta to the English.
Having refused to quit their post, the Englishmen had
virtually excluded themselves from any further consideration; they had had their warning, and must now take the consequences of their own incredulity.
Although it had proved that not a single creature
either at Gourbi Island, Gibraltar, Ceuta, Madalena, or
Formentera had received any injury whatever at the time
of the first concussion, there was nothing in the least to
make it certain that a like immunity from harm would
attend the second. The previous escape was doubtless
owing to some slight, though unaccountable, modification
in the rate of motion; but whether the inhabitants of the
earth had fared so fortunately, was a question that had still
to be determined.
The day following Servadac's return, he and the count
and Lieutenant Procope met by agreement in the cave, formally to discuss what would be the most advisable method of proceeding under their present prospects. Ben Zoof was, as a matter of course, allowed to be present, and Professor Rosette had been asked to attend; but he
declined on the plea of taking no interest in the matter. Indeed, the disappearance of his moon had utterly disconcerted him, and the probability that he should soon lose his comet also, plunged him into an excess of grief which he preferred to bear in solitude.
Although the barrier of cool reserve was secretly increasing
between the captain and the count, they scrupulously
concealed any outward token of their inner feelings, and without any personal bias applied their best energies to the discussion of the question which was of such mutual, nay, of such universal interest.
Servadac was the first to speak.
“In fifty-one days, if Professor Rosette has made no
error in his calculations, there is to be a recurrence of
collision between this comet and the earth. The inquiry
that we have now to make is whether we are prepared for
the coming shock. I ask myself, and I ask you, whether
it is in our power, by any means, to avert the evil consequences
that are only too likely to follow?”
Count Timascheff, in a voice that seemed to thrill with
solemnity, said:
“In such events we are at the disposal of an overruling
Providence; human precautions cannot sway the
Divine will.”
“But with the most profound reverence for the will of
Providence,” replied the captain, “I beg to submit that
it is our duty to devise whatever means we can to escape
the threatening mischief. Heaven helps them that help
themselves.”
“And what means have you to suggest, may I ask?” said the count, with a faint accent of satire.
Servadac was forced to acknowledge that nothing
tangible had hitherto presented itself to his mind.
“I don't want to intrude,” observed Ben Zoof, “but
I don't understand why such learned gentlemen as you
cannot make the comet go where you want it to go.”
“You are mistaken, Ben Zoof, about our learning,” said the captain; “even Professor Rosette, with all his
learning, has not a shadow of power to prevent the comet
and the earth from knocking against each other.”
“Then I cannot see what is the use of all this learning,” the orderly replied.
“One great use of learning,” said Count Timascheff, with a smile, “is to make us know our own ignorance.”
While this conversation had been going on, Lieutenant
Procope had been sitting in thoughtful silence. Looking
up, he now said:
“Incident to this expected shock, there may be a
variety of dangers. If, gentlemen, you will allow me, I
will enumerate them; and we shall, perhaps, by taking
them seriatim, be in a better position to judge whether we
can successfully grapple with them, or in any way mitigate
their consequences.”
There was a general attitude of attention. It was surprising
how calmly they proceeded to discuss the circumstances
that looked so threatening and ominous.
“First of all,” resumed the lieutenant, “we will specify
the different ways in which the shock may happen.”