The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-01-02

| the apex or al enormous dome, arC11ng
above the surface of the planet mile
beneath us, which sparkled on all sides
with innumerable lights.
These lights were so numerous and sc
brilliant as to produce faint imitation
of daylight even at our immense height
above the ground and the dome of cloud
out of which we had emerged assumed o
soft fawn color that produced an indie
scribably beautiful effect.
For moment we recoiled from ou1
undertaking and arrested the motion OF
the electric ship.
But, on closely examining the surface
beneath us, we found that there was q
broad region where com paratively few
bright lights were to be seen. From my
knowledge Of the geography of Mars |
knew that this was a part of the land OF
Ausonia, situated few hundred miles
northeast of Hellas, where we had first
seen the planet
Evidently it was not so thickly popu-
lated as some of the other parts of Mars,
and its comparative darkness was an at
traction to us. We determined to APP
proach within few hundred feet of the
ground with the electric ship and then,
in case no enemies appeared, to visit
the soil itself
Perhaps we shall see or hear some
thing that will be of use to us, - said
Colonel Smith, and for the purposes of
this first reconnaissance it is better that
we should be few, in number The other
ships will await our return, and, at any
rate, we shall not be gone long -
AS our car approached the ground we
found ourselves near the tops of some
lofty trees
"This will do, said Colonel Smith
to the electrical steersman. "Stay right
here. Z"
He and l then lowered ourselves into
the branches of the trees. each carrying
small disintegrator, and cautiously
clamhered down to the ground.
We believed we were the first of the
descendants of Adam to set foot on the
planet of Mars.
At first we suffered somewhat from
the effects of the rare atmosphere. 1t
was SO lacking in density that it resem-
bled the air on the SUBMITS of the loft
lest terrestrial mountains.
Having reached the foot of the tree
In safety, we lay down for a moment
on the ground to recover ourselves and
to become accustomed to our new sur
roundings.
A thrill born half of wonder, half of
inoredulity, ran through me at the
touch of the soil of Mars. Here was l
actually on that planet which had
gapma6 far
so full OF mysteries when viewed from
the earth, and yet surrounding me
were things gigantic, it is true, but
still resembling and recalling the famil-
lar sights of my own world
After little while our lungs became
accustomed to the rarity of the atmos-
phere and we experienced a certain
stimulation in breathing.
We then got upon our feet and step
ped out from under the shadow of the
gigantic tree. High above we could
1alntly see our electrical ship, gently
swaylng In the air close to the tree top.
There were no electric lights in our
neighborhood, but we no.
ticed that the whole surface of the
planet around Us was cleaning with
them, producing an effect like the glow
OF great city seen from distance at
night. The glare was family reflected
from the vast dome of clouds above.
producing the general impression of a
moonlight night upon the earth.
IL was wonderfully quiet and beau
tl1ul spot where we had come down.
The air had delicate feel and q brao-
ing temperature, while soft breeze
soughed through the leaves of the tree
above our head.
Not FAR away was the bank of o ca
nal, bordered by magnificent avenue
shaded by double row of immense
outrageous trees
We approached the canal, and get
ting upon the road turned to the left to
make an exploration in that direction
The shadow of the trees falling upon
the roadway produced dense gloom.
In the midst of which we felt that we
should be safe unless the Martians had
eyes like those of cats.
AS we pushed along, our hearts |
confess, betting little quickly, a shad-
ow stirred III front of us.
Something darker than the night it,
9~AA FbAOoNhcu
As 1t drew near it assumed the an.
pearance of an enormous dog, as tall as
an OK, which ran swiftly our way with
threatening motion of its head. But |
before 1T could even utter snarl the !
whlr of Colonel Smiths disinteerator
was heard and the creature vanished in
the shadow
"Graciousl Did you ever see such a |
oeast! said the colonel. "Why, he was /
As big as grizzly"
The people he belonged to must be
near by" l said. VERY likely he was
watch on guard "
But see no signs of habitation. /"
True, but you observe there is a
thick hedge ON the side of the road on.
poslte the canal. If we get through
mat, perhaps we shall catch sight of
something"
cautiously wo pushed our way
through the hedge, which was compos.
ID OF shrubs as large as small trees, and
very thick at the bottom, and. having
rayersed it, found ourselves in great
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