The Lamar register., 1921-02-02

ana exhibited among their fellows.
noted that each WAS armed with
several other wenpons In addition 10
the huge spear which have described.
The weapon which caused me TO de
eide against an attempt at escape by
flight was what was evidently rife
of some description and which felt.
for some reason. they were peculiarly
efficient In handling.
These rifles were OF white metal
stocked with wood. which l learned
later was very light and intensely
hard growth much priced on Mars,
and entirely unknown to us denizens
OF Earth. The metal of the barrel
is an alloy composed principally Of
aluminium and steel which they have
learned TO temper TO hardness far
exceeding that OF the steel with which
we are familiar. The weight of these
rifles Is comparatively little. and with
the small caliber. explosive. radium
projectiles which they use and the
great length Of the barrel. they are
deadly IN the extreme and At ranges
which would be unthinkable on Earth.
The theoreiic effective radius Of this
rifle l. three hundred miles. hut the
best they can do In actual service
when equipped with their wireless
finders and sighters II but tribe
over two hundred miles.
The Martians, after conversing for
short time. turned and rode away
in the direction from which they had
come. leaving one OF their number
alone by the enclosure. When they
had coyered perhaps two hundred
yards they halted and turning their
mounts toward us sat watching the
warrior by the enclosure.
When his force had come TO a halt
he dismounted, threw down his spear
and small arms and came around the
end Of the Incubator toward me. en-
tirely unarmed and as naked as ],
except for the ornaments strapped up
on his head. limbs and breast
When he was within about fifty feet
of me he unciasped an enormous met
al arInlet and holding II toward rhe In
the open palm of his hand. addressed
me In clear. resonant voice. but In
0 language. II Is needless 10 say. ]
could not understand. He then stopped
as though waiting for my reply.
pricking up his antennae-iike ears and
cooking his strange eyes still
further toward me.
As the silence became painful l
concluded to hazard Il littlc CONVERSE
ton on my own part. as | had guessed
that be was making oyertures OF
peace.
Stretching my hand toward him l
advanced and took the arrnlet from
his open palm. ciasping II about my
arm above the elbow smiled al him
and stood waiting. His wide mouth
spread into an answering smile. and
locking one OF his Intermediary arms
In mine we turned and walked back
toward his mount. At the same time
he motioned his followers 10 advance.
He exchanged few words with his
men, motioned TO me that l would ride
behind one OF them. and then mounted
his own animal. The fellow desig.
mated reached down two or three
hands and lifted me up behind him on
the glossy back Of his mount, where
I hung on as best l could by the belts
and straps Whlch neIu the hhTpnh
weapons and ornaments.
The entire cavalcade then turned
and galloped away toward the range
Of hills In the distance.
In short time We gained the foot
of the mountains. and after traversing
a narrow gorge came to an open val
ley. at the far extremity Of which was
a low tableland upon which I beheid
an enormous city. Toward this we
galloped. entering 1t by what appeared
TO be u ruined roadway leading out
from the city. but only to the edge OF
the tableland, where II ended abrupt
iy In a flight of broad steps.
Upon closer observation ] saw as
we passed them that the buildings
were deserted. and while not greatly
decayed had the appearance OF not
having been tenanted for years. pos
sibly for ages. Toward the center of
the city was a large plaza. and upon
this and In the buildings Immediately
surrounding II were camped some nine
or ten hundred creatures Of the same
breed as my captors. for such now
considered them. despite the suave
manner in which ! had been trapped
With the exception Of their orna-
ments all we're naked. The women
varied in appearance but little from
the men, except that their tusks were