Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-25
CHAPTER XXI-Continued
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

F71HIS ray, like the ninth ray, is unknown
Il on earth, but the Martians have discov-
cred that 1t is an Inherent property Of all
light no matter from what source It
emanates. They have learned that It is
the solar eighth ray which propels tho
light of the sun TO the various planets, and
that II is the individual eighth ray Of
each planet which reflects" or propels,
the light thus obtained out into space once
more.
The solar eighth ray would be absorbed
by the surface of Barsoom, but the Bar
sooman eighth ray, which tends to propel
light from Mars into space. Is constantly
streaming out from the planet, constitut-
ing force of repulsion OF gravity which,
when confined, Is able to lift enormous
weights from the surface of the ground.
IL Is this ray which has enabled them
30 to perfect aviation that battleships far
outweighng anything known upon earth
sall as gracefully and lightly through the
thin air of Barsoom as n toy balloon in
the heavy atmosphere of earth.
During the early years OF the discovery
of this ray many strange accidents oc.
CURED before the Martians learned to
measure and control the wonderful power
they had found.
In one instance, some 300 years before,
the first great batleship to be built with
elghth-ray reservoirs was stored with too
great a quantity OF the rays. and she had
sailed up from Helium with 500 officers
and men, never to return. Her power Of
repulsion for the planet was so great that
It had carried her far into space, where
she can be seen today, by the aid OF pow
erful telescopes. hurtling through the
heavens 10000 miles from Mars--a tiny
satellite, that will thus encrcle Barsoom
to the end of time
The fourth day after my arrival at 10
danga, made my first flight. and as n re.
suit OF II | won promotion which in
cluded quarters In the palace at Than
Kosls.
As / rose above the city circled sew.
erel times, as had seen Kantos Kan do;
and then, throwing my engine into top
speed, / raced at terrific velocity toward
the south, following one Of the great
waterways which enter Iodanga from
that direction.
had traversed perhaps 200 miles in a
little less than an hour when l deserted
far below me a party of green warriors
racing madly toward small figure on
foot, which seemed to- he trying to reach
the confines of one of the walled fields.
Dropping my machine rapidly toward
them and circling to- the rear of the war
riors. | soon saw that the object of their
pursuit was a red Martlan wearing tile
metal OF the scout squadron to which I
was attached.
A short distance away lay his tiny tiier
surrounded by the tools with which he
had evidently been occupied In repairing
some damage when surprised by the green
warriors.
They were now almost upon him, their
flying mounts charging down on the rela-
lively puny figures at terrific speed, while
the warriors leaned low to the right, with
their great metal.shot spears.
Each seemed striving to be the first to
impale the poor Zodangan, and In another
R..Aa
had It not been for my timely arrival
Driving my fleet aircraft at high speed
directly behind the warriors. I soon over
took them, and. without diminishing my
speed, rammed the prov of my little hier
between the shoulders of the nearest. The
impact sufficient to have torn through
inchet OF solid steel, hurled the fellows
headless body into the air over the head
of his thoat where II fell sprawllng upon
the moss. The mounts of the other two