nine P.M.
Indeed , the direction I had hitherto taken , had filled me with uneasiness ; for it was evident that , had I continued it much longer , there would have been no possibility of my arriving at the moon at all , whose orbit is inclined to the ecliptic at only the small angle of 5 degrees 8 ' 48 '' . `` April 9th . To-day the earth 's diameter was greatly diminished , and the color of the surface assumed hourly a deeper tint of yellow . The balloon kept steadily on her course to the southward , and arrived , at nine P.M. , over the northern edge of the Mexican Gulf . `` April 10th . I was suddenly aroused from slumber , about five o'clock this morning , by a loud , crackling , and terrific sound , for which I could in no manner account . It was of very brief duration , but , while it lasted resembled nothing in the world of which I had any previous experience .