ten o'clock
Now these men , as clever as they were daring , had survived the terrible shock consequent on their departure , and it is their journey in the projectile car which is here related in its most dramatic as well as in its most singular details . This recital will destroy many illusions and surmises ; but it will give a true idea of the singular changes in store for such an enterprise ; it will bring out the scientific instincts of Barbicane , the industrious resources of Nicholl , and the audacious humor of Michel Ardan . Besides this , it will prove that their worthy friend , Joseph T. Maston , was wasting his time , while leaning over the gigantic telescope he watched the course of the moon through the starry space . As ten o'clock struck , Michel Ardan , Barbicane , and Nicholl , took leave of the numerous friends they were leaving on the earth . The two dogs , destined to propagate the canine race on the lunar continents , were already shut up in the projectile . The three travelers approached the orifice of the enormous cast-iron tube , and a crane let them down to the conical top of the projectile . There , an opening made for the purpose gave them access to the aluminum car .