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

The alarm was spread instantly among
those upon the planet and through the
remainder Of the fleet.
One Of the men from the returning
electrical ship dropped down upon the
asteroid and gave more detailed ac-
count OF what they had seen.
His ship had been the one Which had
gone 10 the greatest distance in the
direction OF Mars. While cruising there
with ali eyes intent, they had suddenly
perceived gnttering object moving
from the direction of the rudy planet
and manifesly approaching them.
little inspection with the telescope had
shown that II was one Of the projectle
cars used by the Martians.
Our ship had yentared so far from
the asteroid that for a moment 1t seem
cd doubtful whether il would be able 10
return IN time 10 give warning. because
the electrical influence Of the asteroid
was comparatively slight
Fortunately after a time they got I'M
der way with sufficient velocity to bring
them back 10 us before the approaching
Martians could overtake them.
The latter were not moving with great
velocity. having evidently projected
themselves from Mars with only just
sufficient force to throw them within the
feeble sphere of gravitation of the as
teroid. so that they should very gently
land upon its surface.
Indeed. looking out behind the electri-
cal ship which had brought as the warm
ing. we Immediately saw the projectile
OF the Martians approaching.
The ships of the squadron whose
crews had not landed upon the planet
were signaled 10 prepare for action.
while those who were upon the asteroid
made ready for battle there. a num-
Der Of dsintegratOrs were trained upon
the approaching Martians, but -ir. Ed
son gave strict orders that no attempt
should be made 10 discharge the vibra-
tory force at random.
i hey do not know that we are here"
he said. "and l am convinced that they
are unable TO control their motions as
we can do with our electrical ships.
They depend simply upon the force or
graVitatiOn. Having passed the limit
OF tho attraction of Mars. they have
now fallen within the attraction OF the
asteroid and they must slowly sink TO
It's surface.
Having. as / am convinced, no means
OF producing or controlling electrical at
traction and repulsion. they 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 proJectie
against gravitauon with the aid OF an
explosive
Notwithstanding Mr.. Edisons reassur-
ing words and manner. the company
upon the asteroid experienced a dreadful
suspense while the projectile which
seemed very formidable as II drew near,
sank with a slow and graceful motion
toward the surface.
L.. 10 fsfSt
sight OF ms. They eyinced signs OF as
tonishment, and seemed at loss exactly
what 20 do. We could see projecting
from the fore part OF their car al 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 thsm7 BE
quick OF we shall all perish"
mo" said Nr. Edison, there Is no
danger. You can see mat they are not
prepared. Thew will not attempt to at
tack us until they have made their land
ins."
And Mr.. Edison was right With erod-
ually accelerated velocity. and yet very.
very slowly in comrarison with the speed
fhoy would have exhibited IN falling upon
such rlanet as the earth. the Martians
and their car catne down 10 the ground.
We stood az a distsnce Of perhaps three
hundred feet from the roint where they
touched the az aroif. Instantly a dozen
of the elanis Jumped from The car and
eazed about for a moment with 81 look
81 Intense S'rp'rse Al first il was
doubtful whether they meant 10 attack
Ne IT all
We s'~rd 81 orr suard several car
rying dsintegraters in our hands, while
"a score more ~ thcss fe~rible engines
were turned upon the Martians from the
slec'-'cai shi-s whloh hcvered near.
Suddenly he who seemed 20 he the
leader OF the Martiuns BEGAN 20 speak
to them IN paDtomime. using his nm
gers after the manner In which they
are used for conversation by deaf and
dumb people
OF course. we did not know what re |
wac saying. hut his neHnlng became per- /
fectly evident a moment later. Instead |
Of turning their destructive engines up- |
on ~, they sdvsrcec on a run. with tire |
evident purpose II making us prisoners |
or crushing US by main force.
The soft whirr OF the disinsesrator in i
ne hsndv Of Mr.. Edison standing near ]