The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-01-09

long puzzled the minds of men. When
on the moon, we had unexpectedly tc
ourselves settled the question that had
been debated from the beginning Of as.
Economical history of the former habita
bility of that globe.
Now, on Mars, we had put to rest no
less mysterious questions relating to the
past history of our own planet. AIDE
lung, as the Heidelberg professor assert
ed, had named the vale of Cashmere as
the probable site of the garden of Eden,
and the place of origin of the human
race, but later investigators had taken
issue with this opinion. and the ques-
ton where the Aryans originated upon
the earth had long been one of the most
puzzling that science presented.
This question seemed now to have
been settled.
Alma had said that Mars had com
pleted 1000 circuits about the sun since
her people were brought to it as cap
tives. One circuit of Mars occupies 6S7
days More than 5000 years had there
lore elapsed since the first invasion of
the earth by the Martians.
Another great mystery, that of the
origin of those gigantic and inexplicable
monuments, the great pyramids and the
sphinx, on the banks of the Nile, had
also apparently been solved by us, al
though these Egyptian wonders had
been the furthest things from our
thoughts when we set ont for the planet
of Mars
We had travelled more than 30, OOO.-
600 OF miles in order to get answers to
questions which could not be solved at
home.
But from these speoulations and retro.
Spects we were recalled by the COM
mander of the expedition
This isall very interesting and very
romantic, gentlemen, he said, "but
now let us get at the practical side of
It, We have learned Ainas language
and have heard her story. Let us next
ascertain whether she cannot place in
our hands some key which will put
Mars at our mercy. Remem Der what we
came here fer, and remember that the
earth expects every man of us to do his
duty"
This Nelsonlike summons again
changed the current of our thoughts.
and we instantly set to work to learn
from Alma if Mars like Achilles, had
not some vulnerable point where a blow
would be mortal.
III was a curious scene when the mo-
mentous interview which was to deter
mine our fate and that of Mars began
ANA had been warned of what was
coming We in the flagship had all
learned to speak her language with
more or less ease, but it was deemed
best that the Heidelberg professor. as
sisted by one of his colleagues. should
act as interpreter.
The girl, flushed with the exoitement
OF the novel situation, fully appreciate
ing the Importance of what was about
to occur and, looking more charming
than before, stood at one side of the
principal apartment Directly facing
her were the interpreters, and the rest
OF us, all with ears intent and ewes
focused upon Alma, stood in a double row
behind them.
AS heretofore. am setting down her
words translated into our own topgue.
having taken only so much liberty as tn |
connect the sentences into stricter
sequence than they had when falling |
from her lips in reply to the questions
that were showered upon her.
You will never be victorious, " she
said, IF You attack them OPENLY as
you have been doing, They are too
strong and too numerous. They are we'll
prepared for such attacks, because thew
nave had to resist them before.
They have waged war with the in.
habitants of the asteroid Ceres, whose
people are giants greater than them
serves Their enemies from Ceres have
attacked them here. Hence these FORTH.
'atlons' with weapons pointing sky.
Ward, and the great air fleets which
you have encountered.
But there must be some point, +" said
Mr. Edison, where we cam"
Yes yes" interrupted the girl
quickly, there is one blow Won car
Zeal them which they could not with.
tand."
commander. '"'
You can drown them out"
How? With the canals,"
Yes, will explain to you. / have