Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-02-10

each species, and with almost super
natural foresight they regulate the
birth rate to merely offset the loss by
death. Each adult Marian female
brings forth about thirteen eggs each
year, and those which meet the size.
weight and specific gravity tests are
hidden In the recesses of some subter-
ranean vault where the temperature
is too low for incubation. Every year
these eggs are carefully examined by
a council of twenty chieftains, and all
but about one hundred Of the most
perfect are destroyed out of each
yearly supply. At the end of five
years about five hundred almost per-
feet eggs have been chosen from the
thousands brought forth. These are
then placed In the almost alright in
,cubators to be Matched by the suns
rays after period of another five
years.
The incubators are built In remote
Businesses, where there is little or nc
likelihood of their being discovered
by other tribes. The result of such q
catastrophe would mean no children
in the community for another five
years. was later to witness the re-
suits Of the discovery Of an alien incu-
bator.
Sola's duties were now doubled, as
she was compelled to care for the
young Marian as well as for me, but
neither one of US required much at
tention, and as we were both about
equally advanced in Marian educa-
ton. Sofa took 1t upon herself to train
US together.
Her prize consisted In a male about
four feet tall, very strong and phys.
ically perfect; also, he learned quick
ly, and we had considerable amuse-
ment, at least I did, over the keen
rivalry we displayed. The Marian
language, as have said, is extremely
simple, and In a week could make
all my wants known and understand
nearly everything that was said to me.
Likewise, under Sola's tutelage, / de
velOped my telepathic powers so tina
I shortly could sense practically every
thing that went on around me.
The third day after the incubator
ceremony we set forth toward home,
but scarcely had the head Of the pro-
cession debouched into the open
ground before the city than orders
were given for an immediate and
hasty return. AS though trained for
years in this particular evolution, the
green Martians melted like mist into
the spacious doorways Of the nearby
buildings, until, i'm less than three
minutes, the entire cavalcade Of
chariots, mastodons and mounted war
riors was nowhere to be seen.
Sofa and I had entered a building
upon the front of the city, in fact, the
sane one in which I had had my en-
counter with the apes, and, wishing to
see what had caused the sudden re-
treat, mounted to an upper floor and
peered from the window out over the
valley and the hills beyond; and there
I saw the cause of their sudden sour
rying to cover. A huge craft, long,
low and gray painted, swung slowly
over the crest of the nearest hill. Fol-
lowing it came another, and another,
and another, until twenty Of them,
swinging low above the ground, sailed
slowly and majestically toward US.
Each carried a strange banner
swung from stem to stern above the
upper works, and upon the prov of
each was painted some odd device that
cleaned in the sunlight and showed
plainly even at the distance at which
we were from the vessels. could see
figures crowding the forward decks
and upper works Of the aircraft.
Whether they had discovered US or
simply were looking at the deserted
city could not say, but in any event
they received a rude reception, for
suddenly and without warning the
green Marian warriors fred terrific
volley from the windows Of the build
ings facing the little valley across
which the great ships were so peace
fully advancing.
Instantly the scene changed as by
magic; the foremost vessel swung
broadside toward US, and bringing her
guns into play returned our fire, at the
same time moving parallel to our front
for a short distance and then turning
back with the evident intention of
completing a great circle which would
bring her up to position once more
opposite our firing line; the other yes
sells followed in her wake, each one
opening upon US as she swung into
position. Our own fire never dimin-
ished, and I doubt If % per cent Of
our shots went wild. 1t had never
been given me to see such deadly &C.