The herald., 1898-03-06

his language that would otherwise.
probably, never have occurred to
our minds.
In fact, in a very short time he had
turned teacher, and all these learned
men, pressing around him with eager
attention had become his pupils.
cannot undertake to say precisely
how much of the Martian language
had been acquired by the chief linz
gusts Of the expedition before the
time when we arrived so near to Mars
that 1t became necessary for most Of
us to abandon our studies In order to
make ready for the more serious busi-
ness which now confronted us.
But, at any rate, the acquisition was
so considerable as to allow Of the In
terchange of ordinary ideas with our
prisoner and there was no longer any
doubt that he would be able to give VI
much information when we landed on
his native planet.
At the end Of twenty-three days, an
measured by terrestrial time, after our
departure from the asteroid, we ar
rived in the sky of Mars.
For a long time the ruddy planet had
been growing larger and more formid-
able, gradually turning from a huge
star into a great red moon. and then
expanding more and more until 1t be-
gan to shut out from sight the con-
stellations behind 1t.
We were approaching the southern
hemisphere of h4ars in about latitude
45 degrees south. 1t was near the time
of the vernal equinox in that hemis-
phere of the planet, and under the
stimulating influence Of the Spring
sun, rising higher and higher every
day, some such awakening Of life and
activity upon it's surface as occurs on
the earth under similar circumstances
was evidently going on.
Around the South Pole were spread
immense fields of snow and ice, gleam-
ing with great brilliance. 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 q
broad oval region. light red in color.
to which terrestrial astronomers had
given the name of Hellas. Toward the
south. between Hellas and the borders
OF the polar ice. was a great belt of
darkness that astronomers had always
been inclined to regard as a sea. Look
ing toward the north we could per-
ceive the immense red expanses of the
continents Of Mars, with the long
curved line Of the Syrtis Major. or
"The Hour Glass Sea-" sweeping
through the midst of them toward the
north until it disappeared under the
horizon.
Crossing and recrossing the red con-
tinents in every direction, were tho
canals of Schiaparelli.
Plentifully sprinkled over the sur
face we could see brilliant points. some
of dazzling brightness. outshining the
daylight. There was also an astonish-
ing variety in the colors of the broad
expanses beneath us. Activity, viva
city and beauty, such as we were ut
terly unprepared to behold, expressed
their presence on all sides.
There could be no longer any ques-
tion that it was a world which, II not
absolutely teeming with inhabitants.
like gigantic ant-hill. at any rate
bore on every side the marks Of their
presence and of their incredible un-
dertakings and achievements.
Many of the cleaning points that we
saw upon the surface of the planet
were evidently reflections from the
polished roofs and domes Of vast
metallic edifices. At certain places.
where a large number of canals met
and crossed, there were assemblages Of
these brilliant reflections. indicating.
as we thought. the existence of towns
or cities.
Here and there clouds Of smoke arose
and spread slowly through the atmo-
sphere beneath us. Floating higher
above the surface Of the planet were
clouds of vapor. assuming the fami-
liar forms of stratus and cumulus
with which we were acquainted upon
the earth.
AS we continued to study the phe-
nomena that were gradually unfolded
beneath us, we thought that we could
detect in many places evidences of the
existence of strong Notifications. The
planet of war appeared to be prepared
for the attacks of enemies. Since. az
our own experience had shown, it
sometimes waged var with distant
planets, it was but natural that 1t
should be found prepared to resist foes
who might be disposed to revenge
themselves for injuries suffered at its
hands.
AS had been expected, our prisoner
now proved to be of very great assist
ance to us. Apparently he took GER
tain pride in exhibiting to strangers
from a distant world the beauties and
the wonders Of his own planet.
We could not understand by any
means all that he said, but we could
readily comprehend. from his gestures.
and from the manner in which his fea-
lures lighted up at the recognition Of
familiar scenes and objects, what his
sentiments in regard to them were.
and, in a general way. what part they
played in the life of the planet.
He confirmed our opinion that GER
tain of the works which we saw be-
meath us were fortifications, intended
for the protection of the planet against
invaders from outer space. A cunning
and almost diabolical look came into
his eyes as he pointed to one Of these
strongholds, and then with sweep Of
his hand-for we had thought it safe
to release his bonds to such an extent
that he could partially use one Of his
arms-indicated our squadron and
snapped his fingers with an expression
showing that in his opinion we should
have no chance against the prodigious
energies that would be launched
against us.
His confidence and his mocking looks
were not reassuring to us. He knew