nearly one in the morning
`` If he will have me , '' cried the midshipman , `` I am ready ! '' `` Oh ! volunteers will not be wanting , '' answered Bronsfield ; `` and if it were allowed , half of the earth 's inhabitants would emigrate to the moon ! '' This conversation between the officers of the Susquehanna was kept up until nearly one in the morning . We can not say what blundering systems were broached , what inconsistent theories advanced by these bold spirits . Since Barbicane 's attempt , nothing seemed impossible to the Americans . They had already designed an expedition , not only of savants , but of a whole colony toward the Selenite borders , and a complete army , consisting of infantry , artillery , and cavalry , to conquer the lunar world .