The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-06

before tnefN.
XIV.
Tbs thing that gave us the most UNI
easlness was the fact that we did not
yet know what powers the Martians
might have In reserve. IL was but nat
urol 10 suppose that here. on their own
ground. they would possess means or
defence even more effective than the
offensive engines they had employed in
attacking enemies so many millions Of
miles from home.
il was important that we should
waste no time. and II was equally inn
portant that We should select the most
vulnerable point for attack. Ii was self
evident. therefore. that our first duty
would be 20 reconnoitre the surface OF
the planet and determine it's weakest
point
Thus far we had remained suspended
at so great height above the planet
that We had hardly entered into tn.
perceptible limits Of its atmosphere. and
there was no evidence that we had been
seen by the Inhabitants OF Mars: hut be-
forc starting on our VOYAGE of explora-
ton Il was determined 10 drop down
closer TO the surface I'm order that we
might the more certainly identify the
Localities over which we passed
When we had arrived within a dis
tttiAf VI Aiilft iif IS HUM the surface
Of Mars, we suddenly perceived ap-
preaching from the eastward large
airship which was navigating the Mar
tian atmosphere at a height of perhaps
half a mile above the ground.
This airsh'p moved rapidly on TO a
point nearly beneath us. when IL sud
denly paused. and made signals. In
short time we found ourselves surrounds
ed by at least twenty similar aerostats
approaching swiftly from different sides
IL was a great mystery 10 US where so
many airshps had been concealed pre-
vious to their sudden appearance In an
swer TO the signals.
Put the mystery was Quickly solved
when We saw detaching itself from the
surface OF the planet beneath us where,
while IL remained immoVable its color
had blended with that OF the soil so as
TO render II Invisible. another of the
mysterious ships
In short time the atmosphere a mile
or two below us. and TO a dis.s nee OF
perhaps twenty miles around in every
direction. was. alive with airsh'ps Of var
ious sizes. and some OF most extraordl-
nary forms. exchanging signals. rushing
TO and fro. and all finally concentrating
beneath the place where our squadron
was suspended.
We had poked the hornets nest with
vengeance!
As yet there had been no sting but
We might quickly expect to feel It If we
did not get out OF range.
Accordingly instructions were flashed
throughout the squadron TO Instantly re-
verso poiarties and rise as swiftly az
pcssirle 10 a great height. .. .....
il was evident that this manoeuvre
would save US from danger II il were
quickly effected. because the airships
OF the Martians were simply airships and
nothing more They could only Aoat Ia
the atmosphere and had no means o.
rising above Il, or Of navigating empty
space.
To have turned our dlsntegrators unon
them. and 10 have begun a battle thsn
ard there. would have been folly
They outnum bered US Overwhelmingly
the majority OF them were YET al a con.
siderable distance enl we could rot have
done battle even with our entire squad
icn acting together with more than ona
quarter OF them simultaneously. We
must fret ser some idea o. the planets
nears - denfence before we ventured 10
ossal a.
Having risen rapidly 10 a hei~ht OF
twenty-five or thirty niles so that we
could feel confident that our ships had
vanished at least from the naked eye
view Of our enemies beneath brief
consultation IVES held.
10 was resolved 10 take our nostior
In the twilight space separating day and
night and then hover over the plane,
~ That point. allowing II 10 turn benca 2
rs. so That as We looked down we should
see In succession the entire circuit cf the
globe OF Mars while IL rolled under our
eyes.
In thus remaining suspended over the
planet on the line OF daybreak. so 10
speak, We believed that we should be
peculiarly safe from detection by the
eyes Of the Inhabitants Even astrono-
mers are not likely 70 be wide awake
just at the peep Of dawn. Almost all
Of the Inhabitants. We confidently be-
iisved. would still be sound asleep upon
that part Of the planet passing directly
beneath us. ard those who were awake
would not be likely to watch for unex-
pected appearance In the sky.
Besides. our height was 80 great thar
Notwithstanding the numbers OF the
squadron. We could not easily be seen
from the surface OF the planet. and II
seen at all. We might be mistaken for
h!sh-nying birds.
Hare we remained then through an
entire rotation OF Mrs. which Is but
little over lwenty-fcur hours.
We saw pass beneath US the curious,
hajf-dTownsd continent known to az