The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-20

been the focus from which its destruc-
tive bolt emana.ed.
The Irresistible vibrations darted from.
The electrical disintegrator had fallen
upon Il and simultaneously shattered
IL into atoms
THAT fixes them" said Mr.. Edison.
turning 10 me with a smila.
And indeed II did fix them. We had
most effectually spiked their gun. IL
would deal no more death blows
The stroke that we had dealt was
taken by several of the electrical SHIPS
as a signal for a common assault. ana
we saw two Of the Martins fall beside
the ruin OF their engine. their headS
having been blown from their bodies.
signal them to stop firing command
ed Mr. Edison. I'VE have got them
down. and we arc not going TO murder
them without necessity.
BESIDES" he added. II want 10 cap
ture some OF them alive
The signal WAS given as he had or
derad. The flagship then alone dropped
slowly toward the place on the asteroid
where the PROSTATE Martians were.
As we got near them a terrible scene
unfolded itself 10 our eyes There had
evidently been not more than half "A
dozen OF the monsters in the beginning.
Two Of these were stretched headless
upon the ground. Three others had
suffered horrible injuries where the IN
visible vibratory beams from the DIS
lntegrators had grazcd them, and they
could not long survive. one only re-
NAMED apparently uninjured.
II is impossible for me 10 describe the
appearance of this creature in terms that
would be readily understood. Was he
like a map? Yes and no. lie possessed
many human characteristics. but they
were exaggerated and mOnstrous IN
scale and detail His head was OF enor-
nous size. and his huge projecting eyes
CLEANED with a strange FIRE OF intelh'
gence. His face was like caricatuie.
but not one TO make the behOlder laugh.
Drawing himself up. he lowered TO
height OF at least fifteen feet.
But with all his horrid characteristics,
and all his suggestion of beast and mon
ster. the Marian produced the impress
sion Of being a person and not mere
animal
have already referred 10 tho cnor-
nous size of his head. and 10 the fact
that his countenance bore considerable
resemblance to that Of a man. There
was something in this face that sent
shiver through the soul of tn. beholder.
one could feel i'm looking upon II that
there was intellect. intelligence developed
to the highest degree, but In the direc-
ton of evil instead OF good.
The appearance Of the Marian was
indeed so threatening and repellant that
we paused at the height Of fifty feet
above the ground. hesitating TO approach
nearer 4 grin of rage and hate over
spread his face. If he had been man.
T should say he shook his INST at us.
What he old was 10 express I'm even
more telling pantomime his hatred and
defiance. and his determination 10 grind
us TO shreds If he could once get us
within his clutches.
Mr.. Edison and ! still stood upon the
deck Of the ship. where several others
had gathered around us. The atino-
sphere OF the little asteroid was 50 rare
that II practically amounted TO nothing.
and we could not possibly have survived
II we had not continued TO wear our
afr-tight suits How the Martians con-
trived to live here was "a mystery 10 us.
II was another of their secrets which we
were yet TO learn.
Mr. Edison retained his disintegratoF
in his hand. ,,r
horrible TO live"
IF we do not kill him we shall never
be able TO land upon the asteroid,' said
mo" said Mr.. Edison. II shall not
kill him. We have got other use Tor
him. Tom" he continued, turning 10
one of his assistants, whom he had
brought from his laboratory. bring me
the anaesthetioer.'
This was something entirely new 10
nearly all the members of the expedition.
Mr.. Edison, however. had coniided to me
before he left the earth the fact that ne
had interviewed "A little instrument by
means of which "A bubble strongly charged
with a powerful anaesthetic agent could
be driven to a considerable distance into
the face Of an enemy, where, exploding
without other damage. it would instantly
put him to sleep.
When Tom had placed the instrument
in his hands, MT. Edison ordered the
electrical ship 10 forge slightly ahead
and drop a little lower toward the Mar
tian. who. with watchful eyes and
threatening gestures noted our approach
in the attitude Of a wild beast on the
spring. Suddenly Mr.. Edison discharged
from the instrument in mis- hand little
gaseous globe. which elittered like ball
of tangled rainbows in the sunshine and
darted with astonishing velocity straight
into the upturned face Of the Marian
It burst as it touched and the monster
fell back senseless upon the ground.
you have killed him." exclaimed all.
mo" said Mr.. Edison, he is not dead.
only asleep. Now we shall drop down
and bind him tight before he can awake. -