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

a
squadron having assembled under the
OF the flagship. We started again for
Mars
This time. as It proved, there was TO
be no further interruption, and when
next we paused it was in the presence OF
the world inhabited by our enemies. and
facing their frowning batteries.
In consequence Of the comparatively
small size of the asteroid. its electric in
duence was very much less than that OF
the earth and Notwithstanding the ap-
pliances which we possessed for intensi-
fving the electrical effect, 1t was not
possible 10 produce sufficient repuision
TO start us off for Mars with anything
like the impulse which we had received
from the earth on our original departure.
The utmost velocity that we could gem
er9te did not exceed three miles in "A
second. and 10 get this required our ut
most efforts In fact IL had not seemed
possible that we should attain even so
great A speed as that II was far more
than we could have expected and even
Mr. Edison was surprised, as we'll as
greatly grauned. when he found that we
were moving with the velocity that have
named.
We were still about 5000 600 miles from
Mars. so that. travelling three miles in
second. We should require at least TWEEN
tv-three days to reach the immediate
neighborhood Of the planet.
Meanwhile, We had plenty OF occu-
nation 10 make the time pass quickly.
our prisoner was transported along with
rs and we now began our attempts 10
ascertain what his language was, II posi-
bic. TO master it ourselves.
before quitting the asteroid we had
found that Il was necessary for him 10
swallow one Of his ''air pills. as Prof.
Moissan called them. at least three times
in the course OF every twenty-four hours.
one OF us supplied him regularly, ana
7 thought l could detect evidences or
certain degree Of gratitude in his express
sion. This was encouraging, because II
gave additional promise OF the posslplilly
of our being able 10 communicate win
him in some more effective way than by
mere signs Eat once inside the car where
no had a supply Of air kept at the ordi-
nary pressure experienced on the EARTH
ne could breathe ike the rest Of US.
The best linguists OF the expedition,
az Mr. Edison had suggested. were now
assembled in the flagship, where the
prisoner was. and they set to work 10
oovise some means Of aScertaining the
r,aner in which he was accustomed 10
ex press his thoughts. We had not heard
him speak. because until We carrier MN
into our car there was not atmosoacre
,epable II conveying any sounds ne might
attempt TO utter.
II seemd a fair assumption that the
LANGUAGE Of the Martians would re SCI
rr,ta.c in its structure We had so much
e,idei7ce OF the practical bent o, their
minds. end Of the immense PROCESS Whi.h
they hs Il made in the direction or inc
scientific conquest of nature. that " was
rot 10 be supposed their medium OF com
munit alton with one another would be
lacking in clearnoss, or would possess any
of The puzzling or unnecessary ambigui-
ties that characterized the languages
spoken on the earth.
II think" said a German enthusiast.
THAT II will be n universal language,
the Nolapuk of Mars. spoken by all the
inhah itants Of that planet"
But all these speculauons," broke In
Mr.. Edison. do not help you much.
Why not begin in a practical manner
by fin ding out what the Marian calls
himself for instance"
This seemed a good suggestion and ac-
cording ~ several OF the bystanders be-
gan ar. expressive pantomime, intended
TO indicate TO the giant, VINO was follow
ing all their motions with his eyes, tnal
they wished to know by what name he
called himself. Pointing their fingers 70
their own breasts they repeated one after
the other. the word man.
IL our prisoner had been stupid saw
age. OF course any such attempt as this
to make him understand would have been
idle. But it must be remembered that we
were dealing with a parsonage who had
presumably inherited from hundreds OF
generations the results OF civilization,
and an Intellectual advance. measured by
the constant progress OF millions of years.
According we were not very much aston
ished when. after few repctitions OF the
exneriment. the Martian-one Of whose
arms had been partly released from Its
bonds in or der 10 give hina "A little free
dom Of motjon-imitated the action Of his
interroeators by pressing his finger over
his heart.
Then opening his mouth he gave utter
ance 10 n sound which shook the air OF
rhe car like the hoarse roar OF lion.
he seemed himself surprised by the noise
ne made. for he had not been used TO
sneak in so dense an atmosphere.
our ears were deafened and confused,
and We recoiled IN establishment, not %
say. half in terror.
with an ugly grin distorting his face
as ~ he enjoyed our discontinue, the
Marian repeated the motion and the
sound.
.sR-r-r-r-r-r-r-h"
II was not artlculate 20 our ears, and
not 10 be repeated by any combination
OF letters.
'.Faith." exclaimed Dublin University
professor. "if that's what they call them
selves. how shall we ever translate how
shall we ever translate their names when
we come 10 write the history OF the con-
quest?'
whist. rnon." replied professor from
the University Of Aberdeen. let us whip
the siliravaging Williams first. and then we
can describe them by any intitulRtion that
may suit our deesposfuon~"