The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-13

be left helpless and at the mercy or It's
implacable Zoe in the sky?
VIII
At length we gave ourselves up for
lost. There seemed TO be no possible
way 10 free ourselves from the balefui
grip of this terrible and unlooked-for
enemy.
As the comet approached the sun Its
electrical energy rapidly increased, and
watching II with telescopes. for We could
not withdraw our fascinated eyes from
il. we could clearly behold the fearful
things that went on in Its nucleus.
This consisted OF an immense number
Of separate meteCrs Of no very great
size individually. but which were In con-
slant motion among one another dart
ing 20 and fro. clashing and smashing
together. while fountains or blazing me-
talllc particles and hot mineral vaDors
poured out in every direction.
As watched II. unable TO withdraw
my eyes. I saw imaginary forms reveal
ing themselves amid the flaming meteor.
They seemed like creatures in agony.
tossing their arms, bewailing In their
attitudes the awful fate that had over
taken them, and fairly chilling my blood
with the pantOmime OF torture which
they exhibited. 7 thought OF an old SUI
the earth. and exclaimed: Yes, surely.
this Is a flying hell!'
As the electric activity Of the comet
increased, It's continued changes Of pO-
tenual and polarity became more fire.
ouent and the electrical ships dar,ed
about with an even greater confusion
than before. Occasionally one OF them.
seized With n sudden impulse. would
spring toward the nucleus OF the comet
with 4 SUDDEN access OF velocity that
would fling every one OF It's crew from
his feet. and all would Ne sprawlins on
the floor Of the car while e. rushed M
Il seemed 10 inevitable and Instant de-
struction
So great was our excitement and so
complete our absorption in the fearful
perll that We had not noticed the pre-
else direction In which the comet was
CARRYING US. II was enough TO know
that the goal OF the journey was the
furnace OF the sun. But presently
some one in the flagship recalled US to
a moro accurate sense OF four situation
In space by exclaming:
why. there Is the earthv"
And there. indeed II was. rs great
globe rolling under our eyes. with tho
contrasted coiors OF the continents and
clouds. and the watery CLEAN OF the
ocean spread beneath us.
I'VE are going to strike IT. exclaim-
cd somebody. The comet Is going TO
dash into the earth"
Such a collision at first seemed inevi-
table. but presently II was noticed that
the direction OF the comets motion was
such that while il might Craze the earth
Il would not actually strike IL.
And 50. IKE a swarm OF giant insects
circling about an electric light from
whose magic inhuerce they cannot es-
cape our ships went on. 10 be whipped
against the earth In passing and then
to continue their swift journey TO de-
struction.
THANK Cod. this saves u.s." sudden
~ cried Mr.. Edison
"What-what2"
why. the earth OF course. DO you
not sec that as the comet sweeps Gloss
to the great planet the superior attrae-
ton OF the latter will suach Ms from
It's grasp. and that thus we shall be abs
to escaDey
And IL was indeed as Mr. Edison had
predicted. In a blaze OF falling meteors
the comet swept the outer limits OF the
earth's atmosphere and passed on. whiis
the swaying ships. having been instruct
ed by signals what 10 do. desperately
applied their electrical machinery TO re-
verse the attraction and threw themsei-
YES into the arms OF their mother earth.
In another instant we were all free.
settling down through the quiet atmos-
phcre with the Atlantic Ocean spark
ling In the morning sun far bslow.
We looked at one another In amaze
ment So this was the end OF our voy-
age, This was the completion OF our
warllke enterprise. We had started out
20 conquer a world. and We had CONS
hack tremendously dragged In the train
OF comet
II would be impossible 10 describe the
chagrin OF every member OF the expe-
ditlon.
The electric ships rapidly assembled
and lowered high In the air. while their
commanders consulted about what
should be done. universal feeling or
shame almost drove them to decision
not 10 land upon the surface OF the
planet. and II possible not 10 let It's In
habltants know what had occurred.
7 shall not delay my narrative by uns
dertsking TO describe the astonishmsnt
and the disappointment OF the inhahit.
ants OF the earth when. within fort.
night from our departure. thsy saw "
back again. with no laurels OF victory
GROWING our brows.
GRO BE 'coNTINUEpl