the midday sun
There three hundred thousand people braved for many hours the stifling heat while awaiting the arrival of the Frenchman . Of this crowd of spectators a first set could both see and hear ; a second set saw badly and heard nothing at all ; and as for the third , it could neither see nor hear anything at all . At three o'clock Michel Ardan made his appearance , accompanied by the principal members of the Gun Club . He was supported on his right by President Barbicane , and on his left by J. T. Maston , more radiant than the midday sun , and nearly as ruddy . Ardan mounted a platform , from the top of which his view extended over a sea of black hats . He exhibited not the slightest embarrassment ; he was just as gay , familiar , and pleasant as if he were at home . To the hurrahs which greeted him he replied by a graceful bow ; then , waving his hands to request silence , he spoke in perfectly correct English as follows : `` Gentlemen , despite the very hot weather I request your patience for a short time while I offer some explanations regarding the projects which seem to have so interested you .