The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-27

bic. gradually turning from a huge s']
into a great red moon. and then e1ps.
ing more and more until IL began 70 snus
ont from sight the considerations bchina
e.
We were approaching the southern he"-
isphere OF Mars In about latitude 70 DC
grces south. 10 was near the time or ING
vcrnal equinox I'm that hemisphere OK VIC
planet. and under the stimulating innu-
onco OF the spring sun. rising higher sno
higher every day. some such Awakening
or life and activity upon It's surface as
occurs on tho earth under similar cir
cnmstanccs was evidently going on.
Around the South Pole were spread
immense fields OF snow and ice. glcann-
ing with great brlllance. Cutting deep
into the borders OF these ice fields We
could see broad channels Of open water
indicating the rapid breaking OF the grip
OF the frost
Almost directly beneath Us was a broad
oval region. light red in color. to when
Terrestrial astronomers had given ths
name Of Hcilas. Toward tho south. PC
tween Helas and the borders OF the polst
lee. was great belt OF darkness thai
astronomers had always been inclined q
regard "a a sea. Looking toward tho
morrill, W. NONIW perceive lnf lNtHfho'
red exDanses Of the continents of Mars
with the long curved line Of the Syrtis
Major. or "The flour Glass Sea-" sweep
ing through the midst OF them toward the
north until 10 disappeared under the hor'
z0n
Crossing and recrossng the red CONT
nents i'm every direction were the canals
Of Schiaparolh.
Plenufuny sprlnkod over the surface
we could see brilliant points. some 81
dazzling brightness. outshinng tho day
lighr. There was also am astonishing va
ricty IN the colors of the broad expsnses
beneath us. Activity. vivacity and beauty
such as we ere utterly unprepared 20 be-
hold expressed their presence on az
Sides
There could ha no longer any question
that it was % world which DO not ahso-
luoly tcemine with inhabitants. like
gigantic ant-hillsa t any rate bore on everI
side the marks lof their presence and 81
, their incredible undertlkncs and achieves
ments.
Many or fho cleaning points that W
saw unon tho surface of The planet were
evidently. reflections from thc polished
roofs aud domoe OFF vast metalic cdihces
At certain places whore large number
off canals mcf and crossed. there we're
assem- 1laees of those brilliant reflections
indicating. as we Thought tle existence
of towns or cities.
Hero and thre clouds off smoke aros'
/ and s0reld slowly ihrou-h thc atmos'
phere beneath us FLOATING higher above
+ the surface 81 ihe planes wore clouds 81
8 yaDor assuming tae familiar forms ri
stratus and aumGius with which We were
acquainted upon tho earth.
As we continued FOB study ne nhenomenI
I chat were gradually mf0I0cd beneath us
! We Thought chat we could detect FOO many
places evidence off tnr existence ~ strong
J fertilization Tho planet OF var appeared
TOD Doe prepared Tor the attacks of enemies
! Since. as our own experience had shown
20 sometime wagri war with distant
planets. it was but natural that be- shoult
! De found prepared to resist foes whf
might bo dis1l-ed Too revenge themselvef
, for injuries suffered af Dos hands.
As had been expected, our prisoner
now proved to bc of very great assistance
10 ms. Apparently Doe took 20 certain pride
in exhibiting tO strangers from a distant
world the beauties and wonders Of hh
own planet
We could not understand by any meant
an that Boz said. but We could readily
comnrehond from DIS gestures. and from
the manager boo which his features lighted
up at the recognition OF familiar scenes
aud objects. what his sentiments Do re-.
gard to them were and. in genera.
way what part they played in the iifs
of the planet
ITO De continued)