But there is
another view of the case possible, which might annul the bet."
"What other view?" asked Barbican, quickly.
"Suppose," said the Captain, very drily, "that the powder had not
caught, and that we were still lying quietly at the bottom of the
Columbiad!"
"By Jove!" laughed Ardan, "there's an idea truly worthy of my own
nondescript brain! We must surely have changed heads during that
concussion! No matter, there is some sense left in us yet. Come now,
Captain, consider a little, if you can. Weren't we both half-killed by
the shock? Didn't I rescue you from certain death with these two hands?
Don't you see Barbican's shoulder still bleeding by the violence of the
shock?"
"Correct, friend Michael, correct in every particular," replied the
Captain, "But one little question."
"Out with it!"
"Friend Michael, you say we're moving?"
"Yes."
"In consequence of the explosion?"
"Certainly!"
"Which must have been attended with a tremendous report?"
"Of course!"
"Did you hear that report, friend Michael?"
"N--o," replied Ardan, a little disconcerted at the question. "Well, no;
I can't say that I did hear any report."
"Did you, friend Barbican?"
"No," replied Barbican, promptly.
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