The herald., 1898-03-20

overhead as we swiftly piOu8n6u Oul
smooth way at q great height through
the now imperceptible atmosphere Of
the planet, I saw the two moons oi
Mars meeting in the sky exactly ovei
US.
Before our arrival at Mars, there had
been considerable discussion among the
learned men as to the advisability OF
touching at one of their moons, and
when the discovery was made that oul
provisions were nearly exhausted. II
had been suggested that the Martiar
satellites might furnish us with an ad-
ditional supply.
But it had appeared q sufficient reply
to this suggestion that the moons ol
Mars are both insignificant bodies, moi
much larger than the asteroid we hat
fallen in with, and that there could not
possibly be any form of vegetation OF
other edible products upon them.
This view having prevailed. we ha6
ceased to take an interest in the
satellites, further than to regard then
as objects of great curiosity on account
of their motions.
The nearer of these moons, Phobos
is only $500 miles from the surface OF
Mars. and we watched it travelling
around the planet three times in the
course of every day. The more distant
one. Deimos, 1850 miles away, required
considerably more than one day tc
make it's circuit.
1t now happened that the two had
come into conjunction, as have said
just over our heads, and, throwing my
self down on my back on the deck oi
hn al atv.tn 11s~
watched the race between the two
satellites. until Phobos, rapidly gaining
upon the other, had left it's rival fal
behind.
Suddenly Colonel Smith, who took
very little interest in these astronom-
ical curiosities, touched me, and point
ing ahead, said:
There they are"
/ looked. and sure enough there were
the signal lights of the principa
squadron, and as we gazed we occa-
sionally saw, darting up from the vast
cloud mass beneath, an electric bay
onet, fiercely thrust into the sky, which
showed that the siege was still active
ly going on, and that the Martians We're
jabbing away at their invisible enemies
outside the curtain.
In a short time the two fleets had
Joined, and Colonel Smith and imme
diately transferred ourselves to the
flagship.
We'll, what have you done?" asked
Mr.. Edison, while others crowded
around with eager attention.
IF we have not captured their pro-
vision train" said Colonel Smith. I'VE
have done something just about as
good. We have foraged on the country
and have collected a supply that !
reckon will last this fleet for at least
a month"
Whats that? What's that?"
It's just what l say" and Colonel
Smith brought out of his pocket one OF
the square cakes of compressed food
Set your teeth on that and see what
you think of it, but don't take toe
much, for it's powerful strong.
II say" he continued, I'VE have got
enough of that stuff to last us all for
e month, but We've done more than
that: we have got surprise for you
that will make you open your eyes
Just wait a minute
Colonel Smith made a signal to the
electrical ship which we had just quit
ted to draw near. 1t came alongside
so that one could step from it's deck
on the flagship. Colonel Smith disap-
peared for a minute in the interior of
his ship, then re-emerged leading the
girl whom he had found upon the
planet.
'Take her inside quick, for she is not
used to this thin air."