The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-12-12
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
1t reported that the Martians were
coming
The alarm was spread instantly among
those upon the planet and through the
remainder of the feet.
One of the men from the returning
electrical ship dropped down upon the
asteroid and gave a more detailed ao-
count of what they had seen.
His ship had been the one which had
gone to the greatest distance in the d.
rectiop of Mars. While cruising there
with all eyes infant they had suddenly
perceived glittering object moving
from the direction Of the ruddy planet
and manifestly approaching them. A
little inspection with the telescope had
shown that it was one of the projeotile
cars used by the Martians.
Our ship had ventured so far from
the asteroid that for a moment it seemed
doubtful whether it would be able to
return in time to give warning, because
the electrical influence of the astel did
was comparatively slight at such dis
lance, and after they had reversed their
polarity and applied their intensifier so
as to make that influence effective their
motion was at first exceedingly slow.
Fortunately, after time they got I'm.
der way with sufficient velocity to bring
them back to us before the approaching
Martians could overtake them.
The latter were not moving with
great velocity, having evidently project
ed themselves from Mars with only just
sufficient force to throw them within
the feeble sphere of gravitation of the
asteroid, SO that they should very gen.
thy land upon it's surface.
Indeed, looking out behind the cleo
trioal ship which had brought us the
warning, we Immediately saw the pro-
jectile of the Martians approaching 1t
sparkled like star in the black sky as
the sunlight fell upon it.
The ships of the squadron whose
crews had not landed upon the planet
were signaled to prepare for action,
while those who were upon the asteroid
made ready for battle there. A number
of disintegrators were trained upon the
approaching Martians, but Mr.. Edison
gave strict orders that no attempt
should be made to discharge the vibra-
tory force at random.
"They 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 cleo
trical ships. They depend simply upon
the force Of gravitation. Having passed
the limit of the attraction of Mars, they
have now fallen within the attraction
Of the asteroid, and they must slowly
sink to it's surface.
"Having, as I am convinced, no
means Of producing or controlling cleo
trical attraction 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
projectile against gravitation with the
aid of an explosive.
Therefore to a certain extent they
will be at our mercy. Let us allow them
quietly to land upon the planet and
then think, if it becomes necessary,
we can master them.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Edison's reas-
surfing words and manner, the company
upon the asteroid experienced a dread
full suspense while the projectile, which
seemed very formidable as it drew near,
sank with slow and graceful motion
toward the surface Of the ground. Evil
IDENTIFY it was about to land very near
the spot where we stood awaiting it.
It's inmates had apparently just
caught sight Of us. They evinced signs
of establishment and seemed at loss
exactly what to do. We could see pro-
jecting from the fore part of their car
at least two of the polished knobs
whose fearful use and power we we'll
oomprehended.
Several of our men cried out to Mr..
Edison in an extremity Of terror:
"Why do you not destroy themP Be
quick, or we shall all perish"
"No," said Mr.. Edison, "there is no
danger. You can see that they are not
prepared. They will not attempt to at
tack us until they have made their land
ing.'
And Mr.. Edison was right. With
gradually accelerated velocity and yet
very, very slowly in comparison with
the speed they would have exhibited in
falling upon such planet as the earth
the Martians and their car came down
to the ground.
We stood at distance Of perhaps 300
feet from the point where they touched