Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-11-24
CHAPTER MI.

CHAPTER XII
II reported that the Martians were
coming
The alarm was spread instantly among
those upon the planet and through the
remainder of the fleet.
one of the men from tho returning
electrical ship dropped down upon the
asterOid and gave more detailed ac-
cCUrr of what tl'ey had seen.
Has ship had been the ons which had
zone to the greatest distance in the di-
rection If Mars. While cruising tbore
with all eyes intent, they had suddenly
perceived glittcring object moving
from the direction of the rudy planet
and manifestly approaching them. \
little inspection with the telescope lad
shown that it was one of the projectile
cars used by the Martians.
Our ship had venturcd so far from
tho aStcroid that for moment it seemed
doubtful whether it would be able to
return In time to give warming because
the electrical influence of the asteroid
was comparatively slight at such dis
lance, and after they had reversed their
polarity and applied their intensifier so
as to make that influence effective their
motion was at first exceedingly slow.
! Fortunately, after time they got I'M
| der way with sufficient velocity to bring
them back to us before the approaching
Martians could overtake them.
| The latter were not moving with
great velocity, having evidently project
ed themselves from Mars with only lust
sufficient force to throw them within
the feeble sphere of gravitation Of tho
asteroid, SO that they should very gen.
tly land upon its surface.
Indeed, looking out behind the cleo
trical ship which had brought us the
warning, we Immediately saw the pro-
jectilc of the Martians approaching. 1t
sparkled like u star in tho black sky as
the sunlight fell upon it.
The ships of the squadron whose
crews had not landed upon the planet
were signaled to prepare for action,
while those who were upon the asteroid
made ready for battle there A number
OF disintegrators were trained upon the
approaching Martians, but Mr. Edison
gave strict orders that no attempt
should be made to discharge the vibra-
tory force at random.
They do not know that we are
here, he said, "and ! am convinced
that they are unable to control their
motions as we can do with our cleo
trical ships They depend simply upon
the force Of gravitation. Having passed
the limit of the attraction of Mars, they
have now fallen within tho attraction
of the asteroid and they must slowly
sink to its surface.
"Having, as I am convinced, no
means of producing or controlling cleo
trical attraction and repulsion, thew
cannot stop themselves, but must come
down upon the asteroid. Having got
here they could never get away again,
except AS we know the survivors got
away from the earth, by propelling their
proJectile against gravitation with the
aid Of an explosive.
Therefore to certain extent they
will beat cur mercy. Let us allow them
quietly to land upon the planet and
then l think, if it becomes necessary,
we can master them"
Notwithstanding Mr.. Edison's reas.
surfing words and manner, the company
upon tho asteroid experienced dread
full suspense while the projectile, which
seemed very formidable as it drew near,
sank with slow and graceful motion
toward the surface Of the ground. Evil
| IDENTIFY it was about to land very near
IL hprn or "a .
Its inmates had apparently just
caught sight of us They cvincod signs
of astonishment and seemed at q loss
exactly what to do We could see pro.
Jecting from the fore part Of their car
at least two of the polished knobs,
whose fearful use and power we well
| comprehended.
Several of our men cried out to Mr..
Edison in an extremity of terror
"Why do you not destroy them? Be
quick, or we shall all perish"
NO" said Mr.. Edison, "there is no
danger You can sec that they arc not
prepared. They will not attempt to at
tack us until they have made their land.
ing"
And Mr.. Edison was right. With
gradually accelerated velocity and yet
very, very slowly in comparison with
the speed they would have exhibited in
falling upon such a planet as the earth
the MartiaDs anG their car came down
to tho ground.
We stood at n distance Of perhaps 300
feet from tho point where they touched
the asteroid. Instantly dozen of the
giants sprang from the car and gazed
about for moment with look of in
tense surprise. at first it was doubtfu
whether they meant to attack us at all
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