The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-20

must not lose much time In making mp
our minds how IL IS 10 be done. Evidently
this is our only chance. We have not
force enough 10 contend I'm open battle
with tho Marti1ns. but II we can flood
them out and thereby render the engines
contained Goo their fortihcations useless,
perhaps we shall be able 10 deal with
the arships, which viii be all the means
OF defence that viii then remain 10
them"
This idea commended itself 20 oil the
leaders OF the expedition IL was deter
mined 10 make "a reconnaissance at once
But 10 would not do for us 10 approach
the planet too hastily and we certainly
could not think OF landing upon II IN
broad daylight still as long as we were
yet at q considerable distance from Mars,
we felt that we should be safe from OBJ
ecrvatiOu. because so much time had
elapsed while wc were hidden behind Del
mos that the Mariians had undoubtedly
concluded that we were no longer In cx-
istence.
So we boldly quilted the little satellite
with our entire squadron and once more
rapidly approached the red planet Of war.
This time So was 20 be a death grapple.
and our chances Of victory still seemed
good.
AS soon rs VIC arrived so near tho
planet that there was danger Of our being
actually seen. We took pains to keep con
tinually in the shadow Of Mars. and the
more surely TO conceal our presence all
lights uD0n tie ships were extinguished.
Tho preelution of the commander even
went 30 FAR as to have tho smooth me-
tallic sides OF the cars blackened over
SD that they should not reflect light and
thus become visible 20 the Martians as
shining spectks. moving suspiciously
among the stars.
The precise location Of the great power
house Oh the shores of the Syrtis Major
having been carefully ascertained' the
squadron dropped down one night into
tlo upper limits OF the Marian atmos-
phore. directly over the gulf.
Whcn "a consultation was called on the
flagship and a. plan of campaign was
quickly devised.
IL was deemed wise that the attempt
should De made with q single electrical
ship. but that the others should be kept
lowering near ready TO respond on the
instant ID any .gn1i for aid which might
come from below. 10 was thought that
notwithstanding the wonderful defcnces
which. according Co Aipa'5 account. sur
rounded tine building small party would
have better chance OF success than
large one.
Dir Edison was certain that tho cleo
t,t.er rcfo.orl- which was described as
..,.'- .., ,,,,..,,. b.,.o would NOT
..-.... D., ...,,,,,, ,r..t,,,o.ior 20 ms booauso
1900 e.,-.. ,.,.,.-.,,.. thl sn,oe vvhore we
i-t.-rI.I ~ ,.... Win fho disintogrators
torore ouft,re tho Shin. the netting could
Dc sufficiently cleared away 20 give as
uuiul.rruptcI passaco
At 0t.t The Intention was 20 have
twenty mon each armed with two dis
lnt,rlaf0rs thlt being The largest num-
Der chat ou- person could carry to adj
vautaee1. descend from the electrical ship
ami make tho venture. But after further
al ilr. fhif number was reduced; first
fo a dozen. arl finally TO only four
These four con .aild OF Nf. EDISON, COL
n-.i smith, Mr sidney fhlAps ana my
self
Both by her own request ana because
Ue could nor helm feeling tnat her knoWl-
edge oi the locality would bo indlspensa-
bic TO us. Alma was also included IN our
party bu- NOT Oh COURSE as hshlihs
i''u W H.. 40. r.-... .,... ,,t7,,,t.
~, .,.. .,,., f., ,..,,,-l, ,., ,.or, ~. r,s,-o
e.. ,.,~.,rs rarta7 from tho remainder
NJ +he SQUADRON and droppod cautiously
11r, ma bl.zo of electric Iiabts RIM
nina AWAY fla various directions indicated
.-... limos. ,.r f,,,r,,oar,,fo canals. with h4b-
iafions crowded along thoir banks. which
..,--. b, , f..r- ID n roint ON the conti-
mont Of Alma westward from the Syrtis
t,l.
~. s'opI-~ ii,' '.ol- Ily.A su'p .l '' s'I.
CHIIlDN NI I"i..|" I-t'H lNlIl'h i"'r