The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-07-19


by the Englanians awakened a spirit OF
emulation among the adventurous sci
entists and several expeditions of a SINH
lar nature were launched into space
However those who returned found moth
ing of Importance that had not already
been discovered by Polenix and his fame
rested secure.
After several disastrous attempts to
explore Uranus rad proven total failures
and the colonization Of Venus had been
found impracticab1e there was cessa-
tion of aerial explorations which lasted
for perhaps an entire cycle. The Petrol
line of air ships to the moon made regu-
lar trips. and communication with Mars
was kept up but there we're no departures
from the usual routes followed by aerial
pilots. However, the thirst for know
ledge of the universe was not dead
among the Englanian philosophers and
preparations were quietly going forward
for one of the most stupencous achieve
ments ever attempted by people Of the
earth
In the year 100000 A. D., all prepara-
tions were complete in the great scienti-
fic workshop of the renowned Pellex, one
of the most famous and learned astrono-
mers of that day There was much ex-
citement in Petrax when 1t became known
that an expedition would start out to
leave the solar universe behind and ex-
plore that wonderful system ruled over
by Sirius. The Englanians had made
careful studies Of the great sun with the
most improved scientific apparatus OF
that advanced day and were well inform
ed on conditions existing within the Sir
ian universe, although no one had yet
dreamed of attempting to drive an air.
ship to those regions.
On the appointed day a vast concourse
Of people assembled on the outskirts of
Petrax to witness the departure of Pei
lex and his companions on their long
trip to other worlds. The huge ship Of
the air was gaily decorated with PEN
nants. and at intervals the deep boom
ing of chemical guns heralded far and
wide that the explorers would soon be
off. A great quantity of concentrated
foods. water cubes enough to Stake the
thirst of an army for centuries. air radi-
ators, scientific apparat, and all things
needful for a billion mile journey were
stored with the cartel
At last the eventfu moment arrived
With a great crash of chemical artillery
and a mighty shout from the assembled
I0RldDldnSf the nuBe snip rose B6Htly
into the air. Accelerating speed, she
soon entered the clouds and passed from
view. leaving the Englanians to dispense
In silent groups and wonder If the Cartel
would return in some distant age to find
the world locked In Ice. The airship rose
first by its own power, but when the
heavy layer Of cloud was reached Pellex
fired the first I ercussion gun against the
earth. Two of these powerful weapons
were fixed in the stern of the ship, and
when set off the impact of the chemicals
generated against the atmosphere was
so great that the ship was sent hurtling
into space with the speed of a comet.
When the Cartel shot upward Pellex
shouted with joy. The problem Of get
ting beyond the attraction of the solar
bodies had been a difficult one, and the
success OF the expedition depended upon
the power of the guns to drive the ship
into space with such force that the solar
universe would be left behind. The first
gun had met all the expectations of the
inventor and If the second. and more
powerful one, were equally as successful
the Cartel would be sent well on her way
to Sirian lands. At the distance of fifty
miles up the earth's atmosphere ended
The Cartel had passed through the last
part Of the atmosphere almost instantan-
but in a second Pellex had sprung the
second. The impact was terrific and
those within the airship were thrown
unconscious to the floor. When they re-
covered their senses the Cartel was
nearing the outskirts of the solar uni
verse and was speeding In the direction
of Sirius.
The ship was enveloped in stardust
but the solar matter parted before the
flying earth projectile without retarding
its progress The Cartel was now trav-
cling at the rate of 100, e00,G00 miles an
hour, and in an atmosphere under usual
conditions would have long ago become a
molten mass from the friction. This con-
tingency had been provided FOR by Pei
lex, and the contact with particles of
matter had no effect on his airship. This
was the only danger to be feared at pres
emit as there was no atmosphere to re-
tard the speed of the boat and the ex-
plorers were suffering from cold more
than their speed could counteract. They
were glad to keep themselves warm with
radium of which they had an abundant
supply
The days passed swiftly. The explor-
ers were rapidly drawing near to the
great glowing mass of Sirius. which, al
though still hundreds of millions of miles
range of their vision. The speed of the
airship was undated, and Pellex had no
fear of being unable to reach the goal.
Strange worlds were constantly whrling
by but they were all several million
miles away. The course of the ship has
been carefully directed before leaving the
earth so that there would be no collisions
with the bodies In space. Pellex was,
nevertheless, kept in unceasng fear OF
meeting with a dark star that the En-
glanians had failed to locate. Such an
accident would have been emlnently dis
us. but happily it did not happen.
The binding blue rays OF Sirius soon
became so intense that the explorers on
the Cartel were unable to use their in
struments effectively and it was decided
to change the course. AS soon as this
was effectively done a radiant star was
seen that had until this time been over
looked. 1t appeared to be at a distance
of 10000, 900 miles from Sirius and was
remarkably beautiful As the heat from
the central sun would soon become too
great for the explorers to endure, even
within the protection OF their ship, 1t
was decided to make for the new star
and the course was accordingly adjusted.
The nearer the new star became, the
more brightly 1t shone among Its fellows.
There was intense excitement among The
occupants of the Cartel. Speculation was
rife as to whether the new world were
inhabited and the conditions of life that
would be encountered AS the explorers
drew nearer. the varied beauties of the
planet opened before their eyes with be-
wiidering rapidly. The reflection of the
blue rays from Sirius upon the planet
a. - af.ly ~ an RI N