The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-03


our heads, with the disintegrators turned
upon the palace and the crowd below
Mr.. Edison and myself. accompanied by
Alma. stepped out upon the ground.
There was a forward movement in the
immense crowd. hut the guards ~sternly
kept everybody back. 4 party of a dozen
giants. preceded by one who seemed 10
be their commander. gorgeously attired
In jeweled garments. advanced from the
entrance Of the palace to meet us. Alma
addressed a few words to the leader. who
replied sternly, and then. reckoning us
to follow, Tetraced his steps into the pal
ace.
Notwithstanding our confidence that all
resistance had ceased. we did not deem
il wise actually 10 venture into the lions
den without having taken every precau-
ton against q surprise. Accordingly. he
fore following the Marian into the pal
ace. we had twenty Of the electrical
ships moOred around it in such positions
that they commanded not only the en-
trance but all Of the principal windows.
and then a party of forty picked men.
each dOubly armed with powerful disinte-
orators. was selected TO attend us into
the building. This party was placed IN
der the command Of Colonel Smith, and
Sidney Phillips insisted on being a mem
Der Of IT.
In the meantime the Marian with
his attendants who had first invited
us TO enter. finding that we did not fol-
low him. had returned to the front OF
the palace. He saw the disposition that
we had made OF our forces. and instant
~ comprehended its significance, for his
manner changed somewhat. and ne seem
ed more DESTROYS than befole TO con-
ciliate US.
When he again beckoned US TO enter.
we unhesitatingly followed him. and,
passing through the magnificent en-
trance, found ourselves in a vast ante
chamber. adorned after the manner Of
the Martians in the most expensive man.
ncr. Thence we passed into a great cir
cular apartment with a dome painted in
imitation Of the sky, and so lofty that
to our eyes II seemed like the armament
itself. Here We found ourselves APP
preaching an elevated throne situated in
the csnter Of the apartment. while long
rows of brilliantly armored guards flank
ed us on either side. and, grouped around
the throne. some standing and others re-
clining upon the flights of steps which
appeared to be Of solid gold. was an ar
ray Of Marian women, beautifully and
becomingly attired, all of whom greatly
~astOnished us by the singular charm of
their faces and bearing. SO different from
the aspect of most Of the Martians whom
we mac already encountered
Despite their stature-for these women
averaged twelve or thirteen feet I'm
heieht-the beauty Of their compilations.
Of a dark. olive tint, was no less brilliant
than that of the women Of Italy or
Spain.
At the top Of the steps on n magnih-
cent golden throne, sat the Emperor
himself. There are some busts Of Car
acolla which I have seen that are almost
as ugly as the face Of the Marian ruler.
He was Of gigantic stature. larger than
the majority Of his subjects. and as near
as I could judge must have been be-
tween fifteen and sixteen feet In height.
1 had learned from Alma that Mars
was under military government. and that
the military ciass had absolute control
OF the planet. / was somewhat startled.
then. I'm looking at the head and center
of the great military system of Mars 10
find in his appearance a striking con
hrmation Of the speculations Of our ter
r~estrial Psychologists. His broad, mis-
shapen head bulged in those parts where
they have placed the so-called organs Of
combativeness destructiveness etc.
Plainly. this was an effect of his train
ing and education. His very brain had
become a military engine; and the aspect
Of his face, the pitiless lines Of his
mouth and chin. the evil glare OF his
eyes, the attitude and carriage Of his
muscular body. all tended 10 complete
the warlike ensemble.
He was magnihcently dressed in some
vesture that had the luster Of a polished
plate Of gold with the suppleness Of vel
vet. As we approached he fixed his i'm
mense, deep-set eyes sternly upon our
faces.
Mr.. Edison. Colonel Smith. Sidney Phil
lips. Alma. and myself, advanced at the
head of the procession. our guard follow
ing in close order behind Us. II had been
evident from the moment that we en-
tered the palace that Alma was regarded
with aversion by all Of The Martians.
Even the women about the throne gazed
scowlingly at her as we drew near. APP
parently. the bitterness Of feeling which
had led TO the awful massacre of all her
race had not yet vanished.
II was clear TO me that the feeling
aroused by her appearance was every
moment becoming more intense. Still,
the thought Of q violent outbreak did
not occur to me, because our recent
triumph had seemed 50 complete that
I believed the Martians would be awcd
by our presence, and would not under
take actually 10 injure the girl.
I think we all had the same impress
sion, but as the event proved, we were
mistaken.
Suddenly one OF the gigantic guards,
as II actuated by a fit OF ungovernaSle
hatred, lifted his foot and kicked Alma.
With a loud Shrek she fell 10 the floor.
The blow was so unexpected that for
2. second we al remained riveted 10 the
spot. Then I saw Colonel Smiths face
turn livid, and at the same instant heard
the whirr OF his disintsgrator, while Sid
ney Phillips. forgetting the deadly instru-
ment hat he carried in his hand. sprang
madly toward the brute who had kicked
Alma. as If he intended TO throttle him,
colossus as he was.
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