A Trip to Mars
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Title: A Trip to Mars
Creator: Frank Aubrey
Illustrator: William H. C. Groome
Release date: December 28, 2013 [eBook #44534]
Most recently updated: December 20, 2020
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44534
Credits: Produced by Al Haines
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TRIP TO MARS ***
Produced by Al Haines.
[Illustration: They returned his greeting as heartily as it was
given.--_Front_. PAGE 91.]
A TRIP TO MARS
By
FENTON ASH
Author of "The Radium Seekers"
WITH SIX COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS
by
W. H. C. Groome
LONDON: 38 Soho Square, W.
W. & R. CHAMBERS, LIMITED
EDINBURGH: 339 High Street
Philadelphia: J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
1909
Edinburgh:
Printed by W. & R. Chambers, Limited.
*PREFACE.*
In the case of my former book--my first written for young readers--I
inserted a preface stating at some length my reasons for taking up the
writing of stories of the kind. In it I pointed out that I had
endeavoured to combine amusement with a little wholesome instruction;
and that what might at first sight appear to be mere irresponsible
flights of fanciful imagination had, in reality, in all cases some
quasi-scientific foundation.
Doubtless such a preface is unusual in a work of fiction, and even more
so in one intended chiefly for boys; but the result proved that its
intention was understood and appreciated. I should show myself
ungrateful indeed if I omitted, at the first opportunity, to record my
deep sense of the kindly sympathy and approval with which that preface
and the whole book were received by those reviewers--and they were
many--who favoured my work with a notice.
In this, my second attempt in the same direction, I am conscious that I
have set myself a difficult task, for it is not an easy matter to give
verisimilitude to a story of a visit to another planet about which we
necessarily know so little. Yet astronomy as a study is so fascinating,
its mysteries and possibilities are so wonderful, so boundless, its
influences so elevating and ennobling, that little apology is needed for
any effort to attract the attention of youthful readers to it by making
it the subject of a romance.
Amongst other difficulties the story-writer here meets with, by no means
the least confronts him when he is called upon to decide which of
various theories put forward by different scientists he shall adopt as a
starting-point. Mars, for instance, may have an atmosphere which is like
ours, or one that is either thinner or denser, or it may have no
atmosphere at all. As to this nothing is known with certainty, and the
most learned authorities differ one from another. In these
circumstances, I have adopted the supposition which seems best suited to
my story--namely, that the air there may be denser than it is on the
surface of our globe; but I do not wish to be understood as asserting it
as a fact. The same remark applies to the assumption that diamonds or
other precious stones do not exist naturally in Mars. In regard to
these two points, I have felt it may be allowable, as children say, to
'make believe' a little in forming a groundwork upon which to build up a
story. As to the rest, I have refrained, in deference to the known
prejudices of young people, from interjecting constant scientific
explanations in the course of the narrative. Only sufficient has been
introduced here and there to justify the hope that none will sit down to
its perusal without getting up a little the wiser.
We are all of us, as Sir Isaac Newton so aptly yet reverently expressed
it, 'only as children picking up pebbles on the seashore while the great
ocean of knowledge lies stretched out before us.'
I shall be well satisfied if, in addition to affording pleasure to
youthful readers, I enable them to pick up incidentally even so much as
a few grains of the sand which lies beside the pebbles upon that
wondrous, glorious shore.
THE AUTHOR.
*CONTENTS.*
CHAPTER
I. THE FALL OF THE GREAT METEORITE
II. WHAT GERALD SAW
III. STRANGE VISITORS
IV. GERALD CARRIED OFF
V. KING IVANTA
VI. THE KING'S OFFER
VII. OFF ON A TRIP TO MARS
VIII. A NARROW ESCAPE
IX. ARMEATH'S SECRET
X. CAPTURED BY A COMET
XI. 'WELCOME TO MARS!'
XII. PRINCE ALONDRA
XIII. THE PALACE IN THE CLOUDS
XIV. TOM CLINCH'S STATEMENT
XV. HUNTING THE GREAT MARS EAGLE
XVI. IN DIRE PERIL
XVII. LESSONS IN FLYING
XVIII. A ROYAL PROGRESS
XIX. A DARING PLOT
XX. THE DEATH POOL
XXI. A SECRET TREASURE-HOUSE
XXII. MALTO
XXIII. A FOUL DEN
XXIV. AT THE PAVILION
XXV. AGRANDO THROWS OFF THE MASK
XXVI. THE WIRELESS MESSAGE
XXVII. A DESPERATE VENTURE
XXVIII. SAILING ON THE STORM-WIND
XXIX. ATTACKED IN THE DARK
XXX. CAPTURED
XXXI. AT HOME IN A VOLCANO
XXXII. IVANTA A FUGITIVE
XXXIII. A QUEER HUNT
XXXIV. A NIGHT EXPEDITION
XXXV. HOW IVANTA GAINED A FLEET
XXXVI. THE OLD WELL
XXXVII. THE FIGHT FOR THE STRONGHOLD
XXXVIII. A GREAT AERIAL BATTLE
XXXIX. THE END OF THE STRUGGLE
XL. CONCLUSION
*LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.*
[Transcriber's note: In the source book (a reprint), the illustrations
were printed in black and white, not in colour as indicated on the title
page.]
They returned his greeting as heartily as it was given . . .
_Frontispiece_.
He fell backwards upon the floor
There was a flash of light, and a sharp, crackling sound
The wing drooped, and the flier fell heavily to the ground (missing from
source book)
They were then blindfolded, and the march resumed
The assailant was lifted high in the air and flung down with terrible
force
*A TRIP TO MARS.*
*CHAPTER I.*
*THE FALL OF THE GREAT METEORITE.*
'What a magnificent night! What a scene! Jack, old man, I think you
will have to go in to supper without me and leave me to myself. It
seems a sort of sacrilege to go indoors--to exchange the moon's
beautiful light for the miserable glimmer of a little oil-lamp, and this
invigorating air off the sea for the smell of paraffin oil. Ugh!'
'You're a queer chap, Gerald; as dreamy, at times, as any girl, I
declare! You amuse me vastly when you take on these sudden sentimental
fits. When you are in this mood no stranger would ever imagine you were
the same go-ahead, muscular young Christian you can prove yourself to be
at other times.'
'Yes, I suppose I'm a bit of a dreamer, Jack. I 've been told it so many
times that I fancy there must be something in it. Yet "While you sleep,
then am I awake"----you know the quotation.'
'Faith! I believe you there, Gerald. I believe you were cut out for a
night-bird!'
'No, no; now you 've got hold of the wrong end of the stick. It isn't
that I prefer the night to the day; it is simply that by day one cannot
see the stars, and one loses touch with the marvellous thoughts they
inspire. Look at the sky overhead now! Look at those little shining
points of light, and think how that they are all worlds such as ours is,
or was, or will be! Imagine what it would be like if we could sail up
amongst them from this old earth of ours--if we could roam at will
through space, stopping here and calling there upon those which are
inhabited--as I feel assured some must be. What sights we should see!
What wonders we should encounter! Ah, think of it!'
'I'd rather think just now of having a bit of supper,' remarked the
practical-minded Jack, with a yawn. 'And I'm going in to get it too;
so, are you coming with me, or are you not?'
This talk took place upon a headland of a lonely island in the Southern
Seas. A tropical moon cast its wondrous radiance over everything
around, shimmering upon the water, and causing the whole island to
appear as though floating in an ocean of molten silver. There was just
wind enough now and then to start the graceful palms waving--cool,
refreshing zephyrs that set millions of sparkling ripples in motion on
the sea, and sent them dancing merrily shorewards to plash at last upon
the golden sands at the foot of the cliff.
Gerald Wilton and Jack Lawford were two youths, orphans both, who, after
having been brought up and educated in England, found themselves,
through a curious series of chances, passing their time upon this island
under the guardianship of a former friend of Gerald's father, named
Armeath. The latter was a scientist who had chosen to make this
out-of-the-way spot--absolutely uninhabited save for himself and his
establishment--his home for a year or two, in order the better to pursue
certain abstruse studies to which he was ardently devoted.
They were stalwart, well-grown, clean-limbed British youths, these two,
with good-looking faces and well-knit frames, fond of hunting, shooting,
fishing, and all outdoor sports. At first, therefore, it is needless to
say, they had enjoyed the change to this far-off island home, and
entered with zest into its free, open life. If limited as to space,
there were larger islands near, amongst which they could take an
occasional cruise, and where they could go ashore for hunting
expeditions.
But after nearly a year, even this pleasant life had begun to grow a
little monotonous. The two high-spirited youngsters were getting
somewhat tired of it, and beginning to long--almost unconsciously--for
other and more exciting adventures.
Of the two, however, Gerald perhaps was more troubled by these vague,
restless feelings than his chum. As his friend had said, Gerald was
given at times to fits of dreaming. In appearance he was fairer and a
little taller than his companion, with gray eyes which often had in them
an abstracted, far-away look. Jack, on the other hand, was almost
swarthy of skin, with dark hair, firm lips, and keen, alert eyes, which
indicated an active, determined character, and a practical,
matter-of-fact temperament.
That, in effect, constituted the essential difference between these two
firm friends. Gerald was fond of indulging in speculations concerning
all kinds of scientific research. The mysteries of the unknown, and the
as yet 'undiscovered;' the limitless possibilities lying in the worlds
surrounding our globe--speculations concerning such themes as these had
for him an irresistible fascination. Jack, on the other hand, kept his
thoughts and interest fixed upon the practical side of everything about
him. He was a skilful mechanic and a trained mathematician, and had
developed clever engineering abilities; he might possibly some day
become an inventor. But speculative, dreamy fancies had little
attraction for him.
'Jack,' said Gerald impressively, 'I can't come in just now--I really
cannot! I can't exactly say why, but to-night I seem to be unusually
restless. I could not sit down indoors, nor could I rest if I went to
bed. I don't know what it is; but I have a feeling'----
'It's the electricity in the air. I suppose there must be more lying
about loose to-night than suits your constitution,' remarked Jack
prosaically. 'I said a minute or two since that you were as dreamy at
times as any girl. I begin now to think you are developing "nerves" as
well. However, do as you please! Stop here and enjoy yourself with your
"nervy," dreamy fancies if you choose. For my part, I 'm going in to
supper, and'----
'What are you lads talking about?'
This question, which came from some one behind them, caused the two
friends to start suddenly, and then glance at one another with wondering
looks.
It was not that they had not recognised the voice. They knew it at once
to be that of Mr Armeath, their guardian; the wonder was that he should
have come out to them. Usually he spent the whole night shut up in his
own rooms, immersed in his studies, or gazing through his telescope at
the heavens above; for, amongst other things, he was an enthusiastic
astronomer.
'Faith!' exclaimed Jack, in an aside to Gerald, 'I begin to think you
're right after all. There must be something unusual in the air to
account for this new move!'
The new-comer was a tall, fine-looking old man, with an ascetic face and
a kindly voice and manner. His hair and beard were white, but his
deep-set eyes glowed with the liveliness and fire of a vigorous young
man.
With the self-absorbed, thoughtful air that so often marks the devoted
scientist or profound student, Armeath, without waiting for any reply to
the question he had asked, stepped past the two youngsters and walked
almost to the edge of the bluff. There he gazed first at the sandy
shore fifty feet or more below, then out over the glistening sea to the
distant horizon, and finally at the deep-blue, star-spangled sky
overhead.
Behind the three, at a distance of a few hundred yards, was the
building--or rather group of buildings--which formed their home. These
were built bungalow-fashion, save as to one part--the observatory--which
rose above the rest, with detached dwelling-places for their attendants
close by.
Inland, the ground fell away, and there was on one side a winding road
down to the shore. On the other side, the ground rose again towards
higher ridges in the centre of the island.
The old man remained for some minutes gazing fixedly upwards; the two
young fellows, very much surprised, and--if the truth be told--a little
awed by his demeanour, remained also motionless, gazing alternately at
him and at each other.
Suddenly the sage uttered a sort of cry--an exclamation so strange, so
thrilling, that his companions were startled, and stared anxiously
about, seeking for an explanation.
Then they saw him raise an arm and point to the sky, and, following the
direction thus indicated, they both started and stood and gazed fixedly
as though spell-bound.
'Look!' exclaimed Jack. 'It is a meteor!'
And that was all that was said--all, indeed, there was time for. There
was no time for questions, for comments, for anything, in fact, save a
great gasp of astonishment, and scarcely even for that.
Careering towards them through the upper air, at what seemed lightning
speed, was something which left a long, luminous trail behind it. Rays
and flashes of light of different colours burst from it in its course,
darting out in all directions. A low, rushing sound became audible,
which quickly increased in volume until it became a terrific, deafening,
overwhelming roar.
There was a sudden disturbance in the air, as of the approach of a
whirlwind, and a crackling noise as of the discharge of fireworks.
Then something seemed to shoot past them into the sea, the 'wind' from
it almost brushing them aside like that caused by a shell fired from
some colossal cannon.
From the sea came a mighty crash as of a loud explosion, while columns
of water and clouds of vapour rose into the air. The water came right
over the top of the cliff, drenching the amazed spectators, and almost
sweeping one--it was Jack--off his feet.
Hardly had the spray cleared away when there was another commotion in
the water. The sea, boiling and chafing, seemed to rise up into a
pyramid, and from it a huge dark mass shot up into the air, dropping
back into the sea again with a plunge only a little less violent than
that which had accompanied its first fall.
For a brief space it was lost to view, and then it reappeared, shooting
again high into the air, as might a gigantic whale throwing itself out
of the sea in sport or an endeavour to escape some terrible marine foe.
These mad leaps and plunges were repeated again and again, becoming each
time less in height and violence, until at last they ceased.
It was some time, however, before the agitation in the water came to an
end. Great waves rushed booming along the shore, dashing wildly up the
face of the cliffs, sending clouds of spray flying over their summits
far inland.
But after a while the commotion subsided, the sea became smooth on the
surface, and there remained only a gentle heaving, as from a ground
swell.
And there, at a little distance from the shore, the cause of all this
disturbance was plainly to be seen--an immense, egg-shaped mass many
hundreds of feet in length, floating as lightly and buoyantly upon the
still-heaving water as if it had been an immense football.
*CHAPTER II.*
*WHAT GERALD SAW.*
Seldom, perhaps, have there been seen three people more puzzled and
amazed than the little group who had witnessed the tremendous advent of
the wondrous 'meteorite'--for such it appeared to be--and now stood
gazing at it in helpless astonishment as it floated quietly in the sea
only a short distance from the shore.
It was some time before either Jack or Gerald spoke, and when they at
last found speech, they had little to say beyond vague, incoherent
exclamations.
Presently an impulse came upon them to run down the path which led to
the shore, thinking that they might get a better view from there of this
extraordinary new arrival from the realms above. Perhaps a closer look
might yield some clue as to the nature of the strange visitor.
But a nearer view did not help them much. All that they could see, when
they arrived on the sandy margin, was what they had already seen from
above--and that was a huge mass composed of some material not heavy
enough to sink, and--as a natural consequence--light enough to float.
What could it be? It was, presumably, a meteorite--so Armeath
pronounced--but of what kind? Who had ever heard of a meteorite of such
a size, and above all, of a material light enough to float in water?
'Don't you wish you had gone in to your supper, Jack?' Gerald asked
mischievously. 'Had you done so you would not have witnessed this
wonder.'
'It's all very well to pretend to joke about it,' returned Jack,
affecting to grumble; 'but it's rather serious, you know. The giddy
thing might have hit one of us a nasty crack on the head, or something
worse. This all comes of your busying yourself about what doesn't
concern you, Gerald. You've bothered about the stars above us so long
that, as you can't get up to them, one of 'em's come down to pay a visit
to you.'
'Well, it's likely to prove a grand find, anyhow. It must be made of
some substance unknown to science, and its discovery may bring us all
name and fame; so its arrival is bound to be a gain to us.'
'It's been nearer bringing us pain than gain, I guess,' was Jack's
retort. 'But what on earth are we going to do with the thing? How can
we hope to get a great, round affair like that ashore?'
'Well, Tom, you seem to be pondering something very weighty in your
mind. Have you thought of a likely plan for getting this pretty
plaything ashore in the morning?'
Gerald addressed these words to one of their attendants, Tom Clinch by
name, a grizzled, rough, but worthy old sailor, who had known Gerald all
his days. He had been indoors when the meteorite fell, and had not
therefore witnessed its arrival. As the sound of its fall reached his
ears he had rushed out, with others of the attendants--chiefly
natives--most of whom had gone off shrieking and panic-stricken towards
the interior of the island. Only Tom and another sailor had stood their
ground.
'Humph! It's a rum sort o' visitin' star, this 'ere, Mr Gerald,' said
the old mariner, with a wise shake of the head. 'Got out of its coorse,
I reckon, the channel not being buoyed; onless,' he added, a sudden
thought striking him as he noted how lightly the mass floated, 'onless
this be one of the buoys which 'as got loose from its moorin's above,
an' toppled over down 'ere, d'ye see?'
With comments and talk such as this, the islanders passed the time while
waiting for the morning. They felt too restless and excited to 'turn
in,' with the exception of Mr Armeath. He, after a while, deeming that
there was nothing to be gained by waiting outside, went back to his own
rooms, leaving instructions that he was to be called at once if anything
fresh occurred.
His wards remained on the watch, however, and with them their two sailor
hands, Tom Clinch and Bob Reid; and in due course the moon went down and
it became quite dark. Then, behold! there was another wonder to be
added to the rest--the whole great mass became luminous! Not only that,
but queer shadows came and went upon it, as though something were in
motion upon the surface or just beneath it.
The news of this being conveyed to Armeath brought him out again; but he
could not account to his own satisfaction for this new phase.
'It may be that it is composed of some highly phosphorescent mineral,'
was the only explanation he could suggest.
At last the morning dawned, and, immediately it was light, Armeath and
his two young companions, without waiting for breakfast, put off in a
boat, with the two sailors, to examine the meteorite more closely.
It was still there, but the slight wind had drifted it up to a sandy
ledge close inshore, and it appeared to be now resting on the sand.
They rowed up to it and were not a little surprised to find that the
whole mass was perfectly smooth like glass. Still more mystifying was
it to see that there were bands at regular intervals extending 'from
stem to starn,' as Tom expressed it, 'jest for all the world like the
hull of a great boat.'
They rowed all round it, their wonderment and astonishment growing all
the time. They computed that it must be considerably over a thousand
feet in length, by, perhaps, a hundred feet in diameter.
Suddenly Gerald uttered a loud exclamation. Jack, glancing at him, saw
that he was pointing to a place in the side of the mass and staring at
it as though his eyes were about to start out of his head.
'What on earth's up, old man?' he asked in alarm. 'Have you got an
attack of nerves again, or'----
'Jack!' cried Gerald, seizing his chum's arm, 'd-didn't you see--didn't
you see them?'
'Them--what--who?' asked Jack, bewildered.
'People--men--moving about! I declare that I saw some men moving about
inside the--the--thing!'
'You 're barmy, my good Gerald! This little astronomical raree-show has
been too much for those imaginative nerves of yours. I see nothing.
Perhaps you saw shadows thrown by some birds flying overhead.'
'No, oh no! A thousand times no! I tell you I saw people--two or
three--moving about inside that smooth, slippery surface. They were
very dim and shadowy, it is true, but they were there. I saw them just
as one might see anything through very thick, semi-opaque glass. What
does it mean? I tell you it's uncanny! There's some strange mystery
about it all. This thing is not what it seems to be. What, in the name
of all that is wonderful, does it mean?'
Jack looked at the smooth, shining sides which rose from the water and
towered up high in the air. But he could see nothing to account for
Gerald's wild words; and he then glanced inquiringly, with real alarm
and trouble in his eyes, at Armeath.
'I am afraid,' said the scientist, with a grave smile, 'that Gerald is
letting his exuberant imagination run away with him this morning. I
confess I see nothing of the kind he described. It must have been some
strange effect of the rays of the sun, which is not very high yet,
striking at an angle upon these remarkable, shining sides.'
Gerald shook his head impatiently, but made no verbal reply; and they
rowed round and round the phenomenon, without finding anything to
satisfy their curiosity. Armeath examined the smooth sides closely,
sometimes through a magnifying glass. He even tried to chip off a piece
with a hammer and a chisel; but it was so hard that he could make no
impression upon it, and so slippery that his chisel glanced off and flew
from his hand into the sea.
After a good deal of rowing to and fro, and a considerable amount of
critical examination, which threw not the slightest light upon the
puzzling lump of mystery, it was decided to return to shore for their
breakfast.
Even over their meal, however, their talk continued to run upon the
all-engrossing subject. Jack rallied his chum unmercifully upon the
extraordinary statement he had made; but Gerald refused to admit that he
might have been mistaken.
'I saw what I told you!' he persisted doggedly. 'I may be a bit of a
dreamer at times, but I don't "see visions" to that extent. No, there
is some awful, inscrutable, incredible mystery about it all! Well, we
'll wait and see. We shall find out, I suppose, in good time.'
With such discussions and speculations the day passed, without bringing
anything fresh in the way of enlightenment.
When evening came, Jack declared his fixed resolution not to allow the
puzzle to deprive him of another night's sleep. After supper,
therefore, he went off incontinently to bed; and as Armeath shut himself
up as usual, Gerald was left to himself.
Still restless and perplexed, dissatisfied with the explanations and
theories which had been propounded, Gerald felt no inclination to 'turn
in.' Something within him--some vague impulse he could not analyse,
above all, the recollection of the mysterious, shadowy figures he
believed he had seen through the semi-transparent 'shell,' as Jack now
called it--urged him to remain on the watch.
'As Mr Armeath says,' he thought to himself, 'if a wind were to spring
up it might be gone by to-morrow. We may as well, therefore, keep an
eye on it while it is here, and watch its departure when it goes.'
In order to carry out his idea, he required a reliable assistant, and
this he found in Tom Clinch. Not only had Tom known Gerald all his
life, as already stated, but he had served his father before him, and he
had now transferred his devotion to the son. When, therefore, the young
fellow sought him out and told him what he required, Tom was ready
enough to lend his aid.
'We 'll keep a watch, Mr Gerald,' he responded, 'turn and turn about,
all night, an' have the boat ready in case we wants it. Fur my part, I
think ye're only actin' cautious-like. Nobody can tell what's goin' to
happen next when things like this once begin fallin' from the skies.
I've 'eerd it said as 'ow theer's supposed to be a great bear, an'
scorpions, an' crabs in the sky. An' after this, who can say but they
might come a-rainin' down on us an' eat us all up in our sleep?'
Honest Tom had heard vaguely of the constellations of stars called by
those names, and had very loose notions as to what they meant.
'Well, I hope it won't be as bad as that,' Gerald answered with a smile.
'But I shall be very glad of your company on my night-watch, all the
same.'
So it was arranged; and the two betook themselves to a part of the shore
where there was a cave which had been utilised as a boathouse, and here
they began their watch.
The night turned out as fine as the previous one, except that there were
a few drifting clouds which now and again obscured the light of the
moon. There was scarcely any breeze, however, and the sea was, as Tom
put it, 'as calm and still as a pint of stale beer.'
For a long time nothing occurred, though they kept up their watch till
the moon had set, and it had become quite dark. Then they saw again the
luminous appearance which they had noticed before.
'Now this is what I want to investigate, Tom,' said Gerald. 'Get out
the boat quickly, and let us pull close up as silently as we can.'
The boat, which had been placed ready for launching, was slipped into
the water, Gerald putting in the stern a dark lantern, which he had
lighted.
Like a gliding shadow, the boat and her two occupants--the sailor rowing
and Gerald steering--approached the huge 'meteorite,' now all aglow with
a strange, dim light. The oars, well greased, made no sound, and they
passed silently along the side nearest the shore, rounded the end, and
were making their way back upon the outer side, when Gerald put a hand
upon his companion as a signal to stop rowing.
They were then about the centre of the great mass, on the side which was
away from the shore and faced the sea. There the boat remained
stationary, Gerald staring intently at the curious shimmering wall which
towered up at a distance of twenty or thirty feet.
'See, Tom! Look!' he suddenly whispered excitedly. 'See! There are
the shadows--the forms of people! There! Now, who was right?'
'Heaven defend us!' breathed Tom fervently. 'Whatever do it mean? Be
the thing bewitched?'
'Hush! Whatever you see, do not utter a word--not a sound--on your
life! I believe they're coming out!'
Decidedly it was no trick of the imagination this time, at any rate.
There were actually figures, as of men, moving about inside. They could
be dimly seen through the semi-opaque outer wall or shell. What they
were, how they were dressed, or what they were doing, was not clear; but
actual, moving, living beings they certainly were.
Something now seemed to be shifted inside, as though a screen had been
removed, and at once the figures could be distinguished more plainly.
But ere Gerald could fix his attention upon one or another among them, a
sort of door had opened in the smooth, shining side, a platform had been
run out, and now remained extended in a horizontal position.
Then a tall, noble-looking man appeared in the doorway, stepped on to
the platform, and remained there, gazing out over the darkling waters.
*CHAPTER III.*
*STRANGE VISITORS.*
Gerald, resting almost spell-bound upon his seat in the boat, with
difficulty repressed a gasp of astonished admiration as his gaze fell
upon the stranger, whom he could see very clearly, even down to the
smallest detail of his dress, in the soft but intense light which issued
from the opening behind him.
Gerald saw before him a man, tall and commanding in stature, yet so
exactly proportioned as scarcely to look his real height--muscular
without being stout, light and graceful in carriage without being thin.
His refined, clear-cut features, which were free from any trace of beard
or moustache, were those of a man in the very prime of life. The skin
was smooth and clear, and as light in hue as in the average English
type. The mouth was delicately chiselled, and very expressive; and the
high, massive brow had a character all its own, conveying an idea of
lofty serenity. Beneath, as it were, were traces of an irresistible
will and a certain sense of latent power, which were somehow felt by the
spectator rather than openly declared. The eyes were large, dark, and
luminous, and their gaze searching and penetrating, appearing to be
capable either of winning gentleness or the most terrible sternness.
Altogether, Gerald decided, a man to be loved and trusted, or hated and
dreaded, according to whether he were a friend or an enemy; a born
leader of men, a being of indescribable majesty and dignity in general
appearance, yet possessed of a singular simplicity and charm of manner.
As to the dress of this attractive stranger, it is more difficult to
describe, for the reason that Gerald perceived at once that the material
was unlike anything he had ever seen before. There was a long tunic,
with a belt of gold, and a very picturesque head-dress not unlike that
in vogue in England in the days of Henry the Eighth; while the arms and
legs were encased in garments which fitted closely, showing the figure
clearly. That much was plainly to be seen. But what the dress
consisted of was a puzzle, for it seemed to have a sheen of its own, a
sort of shimmer which did not appear to be altogether reflected light.
There were several little ornaments here and there, such as buckles on
the shoes and another on the shoulder; but the chief embellishment was a
large star upon the breast, which flashed and sparkled and seemed to be
worked in diamonds.
Behind this regal figure were three or four others, who stood
respectfully in the background, evidently in attendance upon him.
Suddenly, while Gerald still gazed in ever-increasing wonder upon the
unexpected scene, the stranger reeled as though suffering from an attack
of faintness. He put his hand to his breast, and appeared to be panting
for breath. Blood showed upon his face and ran off on to his dress, and
the next moment he staggered and fell off the platform into the sea.
Gerald did not hesitate. He guessed that the man must have fainted; he
knew that the spot where he had fallen in was outside the ledge on which
the supposed 'meteorite' was resting; that it was of unfathomable depth,
and that, therefore, his danger was imminent and deadly. Throwing off
his jacket, therefore, Gerald dived into the water, and that with such
promptitude that the second splash followed closely upon the first.
But the stranger had fallen from a height, and the impetus carried him
down faster than that gained by Gerald's dive from the boat, so that he
failed to grasp the fainting stranger, and was compelled to swim
downwards in the hope of finding him.
Down, down, ever down, he went, clawing at the water with fierce energy,
and battling his way with feverish determination, knowing that, with
those awful depths beneath him, the stranger's one and only chance of
life lay in his--Gerald's--overtaking and gripping him.
It was a long and terrible struggle--long, that is, comparatively--and
the pressure of the water became oppressive, when, at last, just as the
plucky diver felt he must give up and return to the surface, his hand
touched something. His fingers closed at once upon it, and he felt that
he had secured his prize.
A few seconds later he had regained the surface, and found himself,
panting, and all but exhausted, close to the boat, from which Clinch was
watching for him. The sailor was aiding his search upon the waters
around by throwing on them the rays from the dark lantern, which had
been lighted and placed ready to hand in the stern.
A stroke or two brought the boat close enough for Gerald to get a hold
upon it with one arm, while with the other he supported in the water the
stranger's insensible form.
'Wait, sir; wait an' get yer breath!' counselled the old sailor. 'Take
it easy, Mr Gerald! I 'll hold on to t' other chap, never fear! You
let go on 'im, an' get yer breath!'
So Gerald loosed his hold upon the one he had rescued, and a little
later had recovered sufficiently to be able to scramble into the boat.
Then he gave his aid to Clinch, and between them they lifted the
stranger in also.
'Where to now, Mr Gerald?' asked Tom, a little dazedly. All these
sudden happenings, as he afterwards phrased it, had been 'a little
trying to the works of the upper story, an' had set 'em spinnin'.' In
other words, his brain was in a whirl.
Gerald looked round, and saw that a ladder had been lowered from the
platform; and seizing the oars, he rowed the boat to the place. Two
strangers were waiting on the lower part of the ladder. To Gerald's
surprise they wore masks upon their faces, and he noted that all the
other strangers were now masked also.
As the boat came alongside, and Tom raised the inanimate form in his
arms, the two on the ladder seized it, and carried it up the ladder,
across the platform, and out of sight. A moment or two later the ladder
was drawn up in very sudden fashion, the platform was run in, and then
the doorway closed up completely, leaving nothing to mark the place
where it had been.
The great mass lost its luminous appearance, and the two in the boat
found themselves in complete darkness.
'Well, I 'm sugared!' exclaimed Tom, or words to that effect. 'If that
don't take the cake! Never so much as a "good-bye," or "thank yer
kindly," or---- Well!' He gave a great gasp, words altogether failing
to explain his feelings.
'You forget, Tom, that they probably don't know our language, and we
shouldn't understand theirs,' said Gerald. 'You must remember that they
are foreigners--er--that is--h'm!--strangers, you know, from
another'----
He hesitated, and broke off. For what could he say? Strangers these
people certainly were; but foreigners? Well, that depended upon the
point of view--travellers from where? Another world? The suggestion
seemed monstrous--preposterous! Yet where else could they have come
from? If it seemed impossible--incredible--to think of them as
travellers from another sphere, it was certainly no less impossible to
regard them as inhabitants of the Earth. No mortal upon our globe had
yet succeeded in manufacturing an affair like this 'meteorite,' and
travelling about in it; that much was certain. To conceive it possible
was to imagine a miracle quite as wonderful as to suppose that this
extraordinary flying-machine--for something of that sort Gerald now felt
certain it must be--had come from another planet.
However, Gerald realised that he was not in a state of mind to be able
to think clearly or logically about the matter at all. His brain, like
honest Tom's, was in a whirl; and he tried in vain to collect and
marshal his thoughts. The whole affair was too puzzling, too
extraordinary for sober thought.
'Tom, row me ashore,' he said abruptly. 'This is too much for me. I'm
going to bed.'
'Ay, ay, sir; I can unnerstan',' said Clinch, wagging his head
helplessly. 'I feels jest the same, Mr Gerald. Lawks! To think as I
should ever 'a lived to see this day!'
Gerald went ashore, but was far too excited in mind to really go to bed.
He passed the remaining two or three hours of darkness in restless
pacing up and down between the dwelling-house and the bluff, whence he
could keep observation upon the cause of his wonderment, as it lay
placidly in the water below.
Great was the astonishment of his friends when, in the morning, he
related to them the adventures of the night. It is scarcely to be
wondered at that they were--Jack certainly was--disposed at first to
regard it all as an extraordinary hallucination which had seized upon
the relater. But there was Clinch's confirmation; and in the end they
saw that there was no room left for doubt.
'Then it comes to this,' said Jack, 'we have to face the fact that we
have here, close by us, some people who are paying us a visit from
another planet! Phew! What a wake-up for our scientists! What a snub
for those wiseacres who have declared that the planets could not
possibly be inhabited! But why have our visitors shut themselves up
again? It's rather churlish after your saving that johnny from
drowning! What do they mean by it? And what was the matter with him?'
'I read it this way,' said Armeath thoughtfully. And it may as well be
here stated that after-events fully proved the correctness of his
deductions. 'These people from another world either came
involuntarily--that is to say, by accident--or they made some mistake
which resulted in their being landed upon the Earth in a fashion
different from that which they had intended. They narrowly escaped
destruction, which would certainly have come to them had they struck the
ground--this island for instance, instead of the sea--or if they had
fallen in the sea at a place where it was shallow.
'Even as it was, I imagine, their method of arrival came very near to
being a disaster. In all probability something has gone wrong with
their engines or machinery--whatever they may be--and also, probably,
some of the voyagers were injured by the shock, and required time to
recover from it. This would explain how it is that they have not shown
themselves outside sooner.'
'It's a far-reaching sort of guess, sir,' said Jack reflectively; 'but
it seems to fit the situation. It scarcely explains, however, why the
beggars should have gone off without signifying their thanks in some
way. It appears pretty certain that Gerald saved that chap's life.'
'Yes,' said Armeath slowly; 'Gerald certainly saved his life. Let us
hope that the circumstance is of good augury; that it may lead to their
being friendly when the sufferer has thoroughly recovered, and they
venture out again.'
*CHAPTER IV.*
*GERALD CARRIED OFF.*
Several days went by after the adventure recorded in the last chapter
without anything further being seen of the strangers. The friends kept
a watch upon their curious-looking abode from the shore, and sometimes
from the water; but the voyagers gave no sign. At times a muffled
hammering and clanging could be heard from inside, 'which,' as Tom
Clinch expressed it, 'confirmed Mr Armeath's 'pinion as there's summat
wrong with the works.'
To the impatient youngsters the time seemed to drag by slowly, and even
Mr Armeath himself did not conceal the curiosity he felt.
'I confess,' said he, 'that I am waiting with the most intense interest
to see what developments are in store for us. Before these people could
have constructed such a machine, they must have made many wonderful
discoveries in the sciences. What marvels they will be able to show us!'
But Gerald's feelings in the matter went beyond mere scientific
curiosity. He had been most strangely attracted by the face and general
appearance of the man whose life he had saved. The recollection of his
countenance, the expression of lofty nobility, and wondrous, indefinable
graciousness which he had read there, had fascinated him, and now seemed
to haunt him. He looked forward with eager expectation to meeting this
wonderful being again, and longed for an opportunity of becoming
friendly with him.
Under the influence of these feelings, Gerald became more restless from
day to day. He could not sleep at night, and took to staying out upon
the beach instead. There he passed the time marching to and fro
opposite to the great dark mass which, sphinx-like, remained silent and
inscrutable, and refused to divulge any more of its mysterious secrets.
One night, as he thus paced up and down in the darkness, he suddenly saw
one part of the structure light up as though screens inside had been
removed. He heard voices, and dimly saw a gangway open, after which
something which looked like a boat was pushed out quietly and smoothly
on to the water. Then shadowy figures stepped into her, and began to
row or paddle towards the shore.
'At last! At last!' thought Gerald, highly pleased. 'They are coming
ashore at last! I will go forward to greet them!'
Had he not been so taken up with the expectation of meeting again the
one who had so attracted his interest, he would probably have felt some
distrust at the fact that these strangers should be coming ashore thus
stealthily in the darkness instead of in the daylight. No suspicion,
however, entered his mind, and he ran forward to welcome them just as
the boat grounded on the sand. From her stepped out three figures, who
came towards him.
What happened next he was never able to say with certainty. He was
conscious of a quick movement on the part of one of the three, and he
felt a slight pricking sensation in one of his hands, somewhat as though
he had been touched by a very sharp needle.
Then a giddiness seized him, his legs seemed to give way under him, and
he sank, rather than fell, to the ground, and rolled over. When he
tried to rise he found that he had no sort of control over his muscles;
they refused to act, and he was unable to move so much as a finger.
Even his voice refused to obey his will, for he vainly tried to cry out;
no sound issued from his lips.
Two of the dark figures who had just landed came forward, picked him up,
and carried him to the waiting boat. There he was thrown down very much
as if he had been a deer which had been captured. He next felt the
craft moving through the water, he heard the _lap, lap_ of the ripple
against the sides, followed by a bump when it reached the end of its
short voyage.
Then he was hauled up through the air and carried some distance through
seemingly interminable passages, which he knew were well-lighted; for,
though he could not move, he was quite conscious, and could not only
hear but could see whatever came within the range of his eyes.
Presently he was cast down upon the floor of a small chamber, where he
was left to himself, his captors closing the door with noisy
accompaniments which sounded like the turning of keys and the shooting
of bolts into their sockets.
And there he lay, utterly unable to move, in an agony of mind which can
be better conceived than described. He was like one in a trance; and
wild, weird tales came into his mind of persons who had fallen into a
similar state, and had been believed to be dead when they were really
still alive. Did the people who had brought him there think he was
dead, he wondered, or were they aware of the true state of the case?
The question suggested terrible possibilities. These strangers must be
formidable beings indeed! Seemingly, they possessed dread powers and
strange secrets. It looked as though they could throw an enemy at will
into this terrible condition. But why they should regard him as an
enemy to be treated thus, more especially after what he had been able to
do for the one who had fallen into the sea, poor Gerald was at a loss to
guess.
In his helplessness and dread of what the end might be, he prayed
earnestly for help and deliverance. It seemed as though no earthly
friends could aid him, but he did not lose faith in the power of the one
Great Friend above, and to Him his prayers were many and fervent. And
after a while it seemed as though those supplications were heard.
Slowly, but surely, feeling crept back into his useless muscles, and the
power to use them returned. Little by little the control over his limbs
returned, until at last, with a long breath of relief and a grateful
prayer of thankfulness, he was able to stand up and move about his
prison-chamber.
First he examined himself to see if there was any wound which would
account for what had happened to him; but he could find nothing save a
slight mark on the right hand. He remembered that he had felt a
pricking sensation there just before he had collapsed upon the beach;
after which there had been a tingling which had spread quickly all over
his body. And that was all he knew.
Ere, however, he could carry his memory and his speculations further,
the door of the chamber was opened, and several persons entered abruptly
and stood for a while regarding him in silence.
Gerald, on his side, looked back at them curiously, and he was not by
any means favourably impressed by his first survey of them. He decided
at once that they were soldiers, though their dress and accoutrements
were very different from anything he had ever seen before. They all
wore beards, and were dark, both as to their hair and their complexions.
Their costumes, which were a curious dull-gray in tint, had that
peculiar, shimmering sheen which he had noted in the dress of the
stranger who had fallen into the sea. The fashion, too, was much the
same, the principal garment being the tunic, with a belt, and the
picturesque head-dress.
These people all bore shields, which, strange to say, seemed to be of
glass, for they were perfectly transparent; and by way of arms each had
an odd-looking twisted pole or spear, which looked like two rods of
polished steel entwined together. At the top was a flat, spear-shaped
piece of light-coloured silvery metal, with three points or prongs
instead of one. Stuck into the belt of each, as people might stick
pistols, were two or three smaller articles. One of them looked like a
hunting-knife or dagger; but regarding the others, Gerald could form no
sort of idea as to their use or meaning, and could only vaguely guess
that they were probably weapons of a kind unknown to dwellers upon the
Earth.
One of these men, who appeared to be their officer, motioned to Gerald
to follow him, and turned and led the way. Outside there were half a
dozen more men in waiting, all similarly dressed. The officer signed to
Gerald to follow a couple of these, while he himself, with the others,
fell in behind; and thus they all marched onwards in double file, like a
squad of soldiers.
They traversed many passages and galleries, where Gerald saw plenty to
attract attention and excite wonder. They passed also people standing
about in small groups, and these looked as curiously at the
prisoner--for such he felt himself to be--as did he at them. There was,
however, no time or opportunity for more than a fleeting glance; he was
hurried onwards, till suddenly there came a great surprise.
Passing through an entrance, which in massiveness and design seemed to
the wondering captive more like the gateway to a medieval castle than a
doorway one might expect to find in such a place, they emerged into a
large open space.
Gerald looked round, and as he did so, a gasp of astonishment escaped
him. He found himself in what had all the appearance of a spacious,
lofty hall, with a domed roof, around which glittered numerous lights.
But his attention was at once drawn to the other end of the room. Here
was a dais, and upon it were several persons. They were seated, for the
most part, on handsomely carved and upholstered armchairs; but two of
the latter were higher and larger than the rest, so that they partook
rather of the character of thrones, and of these one again was larger
and more important-looking than the other. Very strange affairs were
these two high seats, ornamented as they were with carvings representing
heads of the queerest-looking creatures that can well be imagined. The
high backs curled over above, fashioned again in the shapes of heads of
most horrible, fantastic monsters; smaller heads, vying with them in
frightful ugliness, formed the ends of the arms.
Behind this array of chairs hung a curtain on which was worked weird
pictures of the chase. They depicted men hunting, and the creatures they
were in pursuit of were again strange beasts, such as, Gerald thought,
seemed rather the outcome of a bad nightmare than the representation of
anything which had ever lived. Over all was a canopy with more carved
heads as corner-pieces.
Noting these details in two or three quick glances, Gerald turned his
attention to the occupants of the chairs; and as he did so his spirits
fell considerably.
He had hoped--expected indeed.--that he was about to be ushered into the
presence of the man whom he had rescued from the sea. Gerald had
already made up his mind to like this man of the noble countenance, and
therefore, notwithstanding that the treatment he had received had not
been over friendly, he had felt no great anxiety or misgiving as to what
was in store for him.
But now, as he looked round, he very quickly perceived that the one he
had hoped to meet was not there. Instead, upon the large chairs or
thrones, he saw two dark, bearded men, who returned his looks with
anything but friendly gaze, and whose general appearance filled him with
feelings of dislike and alarm. Looking round the semicircle, he found
it was much the same with the others. There were no friendly glances at
all; they gazed at him in solemn, gloomy silence; and the expression
upon their faces was at the best merely a sort of contemptuous
curiosity.
As to one of them in the centre--the one who sat upon the second highest
seat--Gerald thought he had never looked upon a more unprepossessing
being. His frame was large and muscular, his head massive; but his
dark, bearded face seemed full of brooding evil. His eyes were crafty,
and lighted now and then with cruel, cunning gleams. He reminded Gerald
somehow of ancient tales of horrible old ogres, whose principal
amusement might consist in planning new tortures for the unfortunate
victims who fell into their power.
Nor was his master--as Gerald judged him to be, the one seated upon the
principal seat--much more attractive. His, too, was a huge figure, and
his countenance was dark and forbidding; but it was relieved by a
certain air of haughty authority and natural ease, imparting to his
bearing a dignity which was lacking in the case of the other.
The more Gerald looked at the men before him the more he wondered at the
innocent, open-hearted expectation with which he and his friends on the
island had welcomed the coming of this wonderful 'chariot of the skies.'
Had they known--he now bitterly reflected--had they but known the sort
of beings it was peopled with, they would certainly have regarded its
advent with very different feelings!
What evil fate, he vaguely and sadly wondered, had they in store for
him?
*CHAPTER V.*
*KING IVANTA.*
Gerald stood in the midst of his captors, regarding them with steady
eyes and undaunted mien. Critical though his situation might be, he was
determined that these strangers from another world should have no reason
for deeming him wanting in courage. He gazed round, and took note of
everything about him with an outward appearance of calmness; though the
more he saw of the people in whose hands he was the more he
instinctively distrusted their intentions. He noted that the man who was
seated upon the higher of the two chairs was treated with great
deference by all the rest, and was evidently a sort of chief amongst
them. The next in rank--the one Gerald had privately dubbed the
'Ogre'--appeared to be his principal councillor, while the others seated
on the dais were officers of lesser degree. The rest of the people
present were attired much as the soldiers had been who had brought
Gerald to the place, save that their costumes were handsomer, and bore
many ornaments and special marks denoting superior rank.
As regards their ornaments, it was noticeable that only the chief and
the 'Ogre' wore jewels. The former had upon the breast of his robe a
large, curious figure worked in diamonds, and the latter a similar
ornamentation of a smaller kind. But Gerald, who knew something about
precious stones, was surprised that these people, if they wore diamonds
at all, did not display something larger and finer. In his own mind he
appraised the value of those he saw at a very moderate figure, and
considered that they were altogether paltry as compared with what he
would have expected such men to wear.
'Diamonds must be scarce where these people come from!' was the idea
which flashed through his mind; and therein he had made, as it
afterwards turned out, a very shrewd guess.
And now the chief addressed some words to the prisoner, which, being
spoken in a strange language, Gerald could not understand. Then the
other one--the Ogre--rose up, and stepping off the dais, came close to
him. Taking him by the shoulders, he turned and twisted him round, now
this way, now that, as one might a fat bullock that was offered for
sale.
Under this treatment Gerald became indignant. There was something in the
man's manner so contemptuous, so insulting, that the young fellow's
blood grew hot in his veins. He clenched his hands and bit his lips,
striving his best to keep down his fast-rising anger.
But the man's behaviour only became more intolerable; and another now
came up to join in the amusement--for such it seemed to be considered.
Then Gerald, exasperated beyond all control, struggled fiercely to get
free, throwing one of his persecutors off with so much force that he
fell backwards upon the floor. His head must have struck against
something, for there was a heavy thump, which was followed at once by an
angry outcry from the man's friends.
[Illustration: He fell backwards upon the floor.]
The latter rushed upon the hapless captive, and began to pommel him in
cruel and brutal fashion.
How the scene might have ended if no interruption had occurred it is
impossible to say. As it happened, however, it was brought to an end in
an unexpected manner.
A man came rushing in, calling out in tones of warning. Evidently he
was the bearer of news, for every one turned to listen to what he said;
and it was curious to see the effect it produced upon the assembly when
they had gathered its purport. They appeared not unlike a lot of unruly
schoolboys who had ventured to amuse themselves in some forbidden manner
in the absence of their master.
They looked at one another inquiringly, and somewhat guiltily. Those
who had been mixed up in the fray busied themselves in hastily trying to
remove all traces of the struggle; while others who felt themselves less
compromised tried their best to appear innocent and at their ease.
Then were heard the blare of trumpets, hoarse calls, as of men in
authority giving words of command or ordering people to clear the way,
and the rattle and clatter of accoutrements. Great, massive doors at
the end opposite to the dais swung apart, throwing open to the view
another and larger hall, and a brilliant and unexpected scene.
Gerald turned and stared in mute wonder. There, before him, was a vista
presenting one of the most magnificent spectacles it is possible to
imagine. He had thought the hall he was in large and imposing when he
had been ushered into it; but it was small and almost commonplace
compared with the great space into which he now gazed.
Ranged on either side were ranks of magnificently dressed persons, who
looked like courtiers attending a levee. Above, from the ceiling, hung
gorgeous banners, and the walls were decorated with beautifully coloured
frescoes. Spiral columns of sparkling lights rose here and there, ever
turning and ever ascending, and dazzling the eyes with their splendour.
Music clashed from some unseen band of musicians; and, as the strains
floated through the air, they came mingled with the scent of subtle and
delicious perfumes. At the farthest end of all was an empty throne,
evidently awaiting its occupant.
Gazing in wonder at all these things, Gerald shortly became aware that
he was himself becoming an object of curiosity to the whole of this
brilliant company. He had turned his back to the dais upon which his
persecutors had been seated, and he was standing out alone in the open
space in front, his homely dress contrasting curiously with the splendid
costumes around.
The music ceased, there was another blare of trumpets, and then a man
entered near the throne. He stood upon the steps for a few moments, his
keen eyes travelling round the whole assembled throng as they all bowed
their heads in respectful salutation. He was about to seat himself,
when his eagle glance fell upon the wondering captive. At the same
moment Gerald recognised him--he was the man whose life he had saved!
Evidently he was the real chief. He was the king of these people; not
the evil-looking, cruel man whose prisoner he had been. Gerald's heart
gave a great bound of relief and thankfulness; for he no longer felt
fear or doubt. One look at that stately figure, one glance in return
from those flashing eyes, told him all he wished to know. He felt that
he was saved! Such a being as this was incapable of either cruelty or
injustice!
The king--for such he was--ordered Gerald to be brought up to him; and
two of the principal officers, whom he knew afterwards as Arelda and
Abralda, came down the long hall and conducted him to the steps of the
throne.
There Gerald stood, whilst he whom he afterwards knew as King Ivanta
made inquiries concerning him. For as yet, though Gerald had recognised
him, he, on his side, had no idea that Gerald was the one who had saved
his life; having been, it will be remembered, insensible when he had
fallen into the sea.
There followed much talking in a strange language. The king was
evidently making inquiries; and the more questions he asked the darker
grew the lowering cloud upon his brow. A tense silence fell upon the
assembled company, the hush that tells of coming trouble.
Then one of the officers suddenly recognised Gerald. He was the officer
who had been with the king when he had fainted, and he was the only one
who had seen his rescuer's face. He now informed his master, who turned
and regarded the young stranger with new interest, in which there was a
kindly and friendly welcome. Then his brow grew darker than ever, his
eyes seemed literally to flash fire, and he looked truly terrible, as,
with outstretched arm, he thundered out some stern orders.
What these were, or what was their effect, Gerald could not learn.
There was some stir near the place where his captors had been seated,
and he guessed that they were being brought forward to be dealt with.
But he himself was led out through a small side doorway into an
antechamber, where there were only a few officers in waiting; and these
in turn conducted him into another and still smaller room, where they
bade him be seated. Then they went out and left him alone.
*CHAPTER VI.*
*THE KING'S OFFER.*
Gerald felt like one in a dream. His adventure had been such a strange
one, events had followed one another so quickly, the change from fear
and almost despair to hope and safety had come so unexpectedly, that he
had scarcely had time to realise all that was going forward. And then
the stately magnificence of the scene at which he had been present, the
sudden revelation of the personality of the being he had rescued--all
these things, crowding into the short space of a single night, made his
brain reel.
For some time he remained alone, turning these things over and over in
his mind. He almost doubted the evidence of his own senses, and began
vaguely to wonder whether it could all be real, or whether he had fallen
asleep and was dreaming some extraordinary, fantastic dream.
After what seemed a long time, the door opened, and some one entered
behind him; some one who, even before Gerald caught sight of him, was
adding to the confusion of his ideas by speaking to him in English!
Turning round sharply, he found himself face to face with a tall,
good-looking man with a shrewd, intellectual face, who was regarding him
with a smile which seemed to be half-kindly, half-amused. He was
dressed like some of the principal officers he had seen; but there was
that in his manner and general appearance which, apart from his speech,
seemed to tell Gerald that he was one of his own race.
'Well, young sir, will you tell me your name?' was the query which came
to Gerald's consciousness after a moment or two of bewilderment.
'My name is Gerald Wilton,' he said simply.
'And how did you come into these parts? Parents live round here?'
Gerald shook his head. 'I have none,' he answered sadly. 'I have a
guardian, who is at present living on the island, however. His name is
Armeath--Mr Marcus Armeath.'
The stranger uttered a long whistle, then he exclaimed, 'So, so! Marcus
Armeath living on this island! I knew him some years ago. He was then
in England engaged in some experiments, trying to discover---- But
never mind that now.'
He broke off abruptly, and regarded Gerald again with his enigmatic
smile, which, however, now seemed to have in it more of friendly
interest. Then he took to pacing up and down the room, his hands behind
him, as though lost in thought.
'Young sir,' said he presently, 'I don't know what star you were born
under, but it seems perfectly clear that you are marked out for some
experiences such as scarcely any one else on this Earth can boast of.
You are in possession of a great secret, which we wished to keep to
ourselves; and, further, it has been ordained that you should save the
life of--of--well, of one who is never ungrateful to those who do him
even the smallest service. He is my most gracious master, and he will
talk with you himself later on; but, meanwhile, he has deputed me to see
you, and prepare your mind for some tremendous facts which you might
otherwise find it difficult to grasp all at once. I am instructed to
tell you certain things which must appear to you so incredible, so
impossible, that I doubt if you will believe them without further
proof.'
'I think I can give a good guess at one or two of them, sir; or, rather,
my guardian has done so. This monster airship, or whatever you call it,
has found its way here from some other planet--probably Mars'----
'My word, young gentleman, you've hit it!' cried the other, in very
evident surprise.
'And,' continued Gerald, 'you made some mistake in arriving here, and
very nearly came to awful grief.'
'Yes, yes! There, too, you guessed well,' returned the other. 'It was
but a slight miscalculation, but it nearly smashed us up! It was a
fearfully narrow escape!' He drew out a handkerchief and passed it over
his forehead, as though the mere recollection made him hot. 'I expect
that was Mr Armeath's guess too, wasn't it?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Ah well! there are certain other things, however, which you do not
know--cannot know--which I will now explain. In the first place, you do
not know that my master is a great king in Mars--a mighty ruler over
nearly half the population of that globe. His name is Ivanta; he reigns
over the empire of Ivenia--which, by-the-by, is the name of this
airship, as you called it. He named her the _Ivenia_, after his own
country.'
Gerald listened with growing wonder, and eyes that lighted up more and
more as the stranger continued:
'Very well! The next thing is that this is not the first visit my
master has paid to this Earth. He came here some years ago.'
At this Gerald stared harder than ever. 'Is it possible?' he exclaimed.
'I never heard of it!'
'Nobody--on the Earth--ever heard of it, save myself and one or two
others who were all sworn to secrecy. My royal master came here for
purposes of his own, and did not wish--and does not wish now--that his
visits should be made known. If they were, he would have a lot of
people pestering him with questions, and possibly some one might imitate
his inventions and build airships like this one, and he might have
explorers from here coming over to Mars--which he does not wish. Do you
understand?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Very well! At his first visit he came to this very island, and made it
his headquarters. It was uninhabited then'----
'Yes; so it was when we came to it. We have only been here a year or
so.'
'I see. Well, my master hoped to find the place still uninhabited, and
that he would be able to hide the _Ivenia_ away here this time, as he
did before, when no one upon the Earth was ever the wiser, save the one
or two I have referred to. He had brought with him a yacht of his own.
She made a bit of a stir, being unlike anything previously seen, but no
one suspected the truth. In her he made a tour of the world, travelling
about for three years, during which time he and his chosen companions
picked up English, a little French, and so on. They also picked me up,
and I also saved the king's life, even as you have done, though in a
different manner. He was so grateful for what I did that he told me his
secret, and offered to enrol me in his service and take me back to Mars
with him. I had nothing particular to tie me here, and I am fond of
adventure, so I took him at his royal word. Now you can begin to
understand how it is that I, an Englishman by birth, Kendal Monck by
name, engineer by profession, happen to be here, in these days, in the
suite of this great king from another planet, and talking to you in your
own tongue!'
'Yes, sir, I understand,' answered Gerald, his face aglow with interest
and excitement. 'It's very, very wonderful! What strange, marvellous
scenes and adventures you must have passed through!'
'I have that, my lad! I have passed through many grave dangers too;
have had many hair-breadth escapes in the service of my royal master,
who is of a very adventurous disposition. His search after knowledge
has led us into queer places, I can assure you. But he is a wonderful
being! This marvellous airship was constructed from his own inventions
and designs. And then, as a man---- Ah!' Here the stranger drew a
long breath. 'His is a character which makes you feel you would go
through fire and water for him!'
'I 'm sure of it!' cried Gerald with enthusiasm. 'I felt it the first
moment I set eyes upon him! How I should like to do as you have done--go
with him to Mars and back! What an experience!'
'Ah!' exclaimed the engineer again, 'it would do you good, my lad. It
would do anybody--everybody--good, physically, morally, in every way.
It gives you a different, a more glorious, outlook on life when you
realise that the mighty works of the Creator are not confined to this
globe on which we live, but extend through endless "universes" in space.
Even comparatively near us there are great planets compared with which
this Earth is scarcely more than a big football. There is Saturn, for
instance. When we were there'----
'You have visited other planets, then, as well?' Gerald gasped.
Monck nodded. 'Yes, even great Jupiter, but we could not get very near
to him. Saturn, however, we landed on, and spent some weeks
there--awful, terrible weeks they were. My young friend, even to think
of the things to be seen there is almost too much for the ordinary human
brain. But, as I have said, it does one good. It instils into the mind
some faint conception of the vastness, the greatness, the endless
variety to be everywhere found in what we call the creation!'
'Would that your king would make me the offer he made to you!' cried
Gerald, with glistening eyes.
'Perhaps he will. What if he has?' was the unexpected reply.
Gerald started up from the chair he had been sitting on. 'You cannot
mean it!' he exclaimed.
'What would be your reply if he made you the offer?'
'I would accept only too gladly!'
'You see,' Monck explained, 'the service you rendered is one that a man
like my master would never forget. I dare say you wonder how it
happened that he fell into the sea. It was because the air here is so
different from that which he is used to upon Mars, and which we all had
been living in inside this airship. At his first visit to the Earth,
years ago, he was extremely careful, and made the change gradually and
cautiously. This time he seems to have been rash, or to have forgotten.
Hence the air here--which is thinner and lighter than that on
Mars--served him as the air on the top of a very high mountain would
serve you if you were suddenly transported there. He was attacked with
what you have doubtless heard of as mountain-sickness. There is
vertigo, bleeding at the nose and ears, and fainting. However, his
danger was your opportunity; and I must say you acted very promptly and
pluckily.'
'I only did what I would have done for any one,' said Gerald modestly.
'I am sure of that, my boy. But I won't keep you in suspense any
longer. To come to the point, my master said I could make you the offer
I have hinted at if I found you were likely to regard it with favour. I
do not want your answer now, of course. You can take time to
consider--there are lots of things we can talk over first. Briefly,
however, when we go back to Mars we shall only be away a few months. At
the end of that time we shall return here again; and if you are then
tired of the adventure you will be free to leave his service and remain
here.'
'I do not need any time to make up my mind,' Gerald burst out
impetuously. 'All I should hesitate about would be as to whether my
guardian'----
'Well, we can talk to him.'
'And Jack!'
'Who is Jack?'
'My chum! He must come too!'
'Oh--h'm! I don't know what to say about that! You had better ask King
Ivanta yourself when you see him!'
'I will!' cried Gerald. And he did, with what result will presently
appear.
*CHAPTER VII*
*OFF ON A TRIP TO MARS.*
'Our last morning upon the Earth, Jack, for many a day to come! Think
of it! It scarcely seems possible, does it?'
'It's true enough, though, old chap! In a few hours we shall "sail
away," as the song says, and shall be winging our way through space!'
'Fancy gazing down and taking our last look at our own globe! The
daring of the thing gives me a bit of a shock, now that the event itself
is so near at hand! How is it with you?'
'Well, I confess, Gerald, that I have to brace my mind up to it, as it
were. But it's always the same when you start upon a journey or a new
adventure. One never exactly likes saying good-bye to the old familiar
places.'
Many months had passed since the events recorded in the last chapter.
King Ivanta had been to Europe and finished the business he had in
hand--for it was generally understood, amongst those who knew of his
presence on the Earth, that he had come here on his second visit for
some definite purpose. What the purpose was remained for the present a
secret confined to the Martian monarch himself and the few he chose to
take into his confidence.
Amongst those who shared the secret Mr Armeath was probably one; for he
had grown high in favour with the illustrious traveller, and had been
invited to accompany him in the forthcoming trip to Mars and back. He
had also been accorded the privilege of taking with him his two wards
Gerald and Jack, and his two servitors Tom Clinch and Bob Reid; and the
latter, loyal and faithful followers that they were, had not shrunk from
the risks of the adventure.
There were some other passengers also--namely, Amos Zuanstroom the
multi-millionaire (the well-known 'Diamond King'), his son Silas (who
was about the same age as Jack), and a much younger lad, named Freddy
Whitcomb, his nephew.
Why King Ivanta should choose these particular persons from all the
millions of inhabitants of the Earth was another matter which was
wrapped in mystery, and which, for the time being, he kept strictly to
himself.
As the engineer Mr Monck had predicted, Gerald had good reason to
congratulate himself upon the fortunate chance which had enabled him to
render so great a service to the Martian king. The latter had shown
himself extremely grateful, and had conferred upon the young fellow many
marks of his favour. In particular, he had confirmed the offer Mr Monck
had made, and had graciously extended it, as stated, to his guardian and
his chum.
And now, behold them all, then, on board the _Ivenia_, the colossal
'chariot of the skies,' awaiting the moment when she should rise in the
air and commence her tremendous journey.
She lay in a sort of natural harbour in the island, a spacious
salt-water lake almost landlocked.
From this she presently rose easily and smoothly, like a huge bird
wending its way upwards in a series of graceful circles. Like a bird,
too, she had at first enormous wings spread out to the air. But after a
time, as she gained the upper air, these were folded away, the upper
covering was replaced, and she became once more the great, egg-shaped
mass she had appeared when she had arrived beside the island. How,
afterwards, she continued to force her way upwards against the
attraction of the Earth, was King Ivanta's own secret. It was believed
that he had discovered a means of using the sun's more powerful
attractive force, and so controlling it as to make it do whatever he
required; but that was probably only a guess. What is certain is that
the whole structure continued to rise steadily and smoothly upwards,
till presently Gerald and Jack were called by Mr Armeath and the
engineer, Mr Monck, to come to a sort of periscope, from which they
could take their last look at the Earth.
They stepped forward and stared through the opening in startled wonder.
There, they saw our globe, looking like an enormous ball. The great
airship itself was perfectly steady, and appeared to be absolutely
motionless. Not a tremor was to be felt, and it seemed as though it was
the Earth which was receding from them at a rapid rate, not they from
the Earth. No longer, however, could they make out details upon its
surface; the distance was already too great. All they could distinguish
were the respective masses of land and water, broadly mapped and marked
out as they are upon a school globe representing the Earth. The side
they were looking at showed the New World--the great continents of North
and South America and the oceans surrounding them--and that was all.
Who shall attempt to describe their feelings, or guess their thoughts,
as they stood there gazing at this strange appearance of the planet upon
which they had lived all their lives? Probably they then for the first
time fully realised the actual nature of the risks they were running;
and it is more than likely that they were wondering whether they were
looking their last upon the Earth, as they watched it sinking silently
away into the immeasurable distance!
*CHAPTER VIII.*
*A NARROW ESCAPE.*
The first part of the time which followed upon the departure from the
Earth of the _Ivenia_ on her long journey through space was one of great
enjoyment to the two chums. The marvels and mysteries of the great
airship--or aerostat, as Mr Armeath preferred to call her--seemed to be
inexhaustible. 'Every day' the young people found something new and
strange, to puzzle over. Every time they moved about they came upon
some unexpected revelation of the wondrous inventions and contrivances
which it had been necessary to bring to perfection before the great
machine could start upon the adventurous journeys she had undertaken.
The above words, 'every day,' require an explanation. Of course, once
they were really out in 'the realms of starry space,' there were really
no alternations of day and night, for the sun shone upon them
continuously. But within the aerostat artificial nights, so to speak,
were produced by drawing huge screens across the semi-transparent outer
casing.
Mr Monck explained this to the young voyagers, giving them,
incidentally, a little lecture, as it were, in astronomy and general
science; and on this occasion he had as his auditors all four of the
young passengers--including, that is to say, the two cousins, Silas and
Freddy.
'I expect you all know,' he said, 'that out in what is called space,
where there is no atmosphere--no air--the sun's rays seem to have no
heat. The cold there is most intense--far greater than anything ever
experienced upon Earth. You feel the sun's rays warm on your globe
because they pass through the Earth's atmosphere, which acts like a lens
or magnifying-glass. Here the same effect is obtained by passing them
through the wonderful semi-transparent metal of which the outer shell of
the airship is composed. It is harder than the hardest steel, yet
almost transparent like glass, without being brittle, while it is far
lighter than aluminium. It was discovered by King Ivanta, and is called
"ivantium" after him. He found that when the sun's rays were passed
through it the result was exactly the same as when they pass through the
atmosphere of the Earth or of Mars. That is how it is we are so warm
and comfortable on board here. But for the discovery of that metal such
a journey as we are taking would be impossible. We should be frozen to
death.'
'Then there is no need to have day and night unless you like,' Freddy
observed, his blue eyes opening in surprise. He was a fair,
good-looking youngster, and a great favourite with Monck and the chums.
'No, my lad. But King Ivanta considers it best to keep up the same
habits as those you and his people are all accustomed to "at home;" for
Mars turns on its axis in about the same time as the Earth--namely,
twenty-four hours or thereabouts. That is to say, the average day on
Mars is just about the same length as the average day on the Earth.'
On many other occasions, when he had the time and opportunity, the
good-natured engineer 'trotted them round' and explained to the young
people, in similar fashion, the why and the wherefore of many of the
things that puzzled them--so far, that is, as he himself understood
them. But as to a great many, and those some of the most surprising, he
was obliged to confess his own entire ignorance.
'There are most essential secrets connected with the structure and
working of this remarkable "chariot of the skies" which no one but my
master understands, and he takes good care to keep them to himself,' he
declared. 'When you reach Mars, for instance, you will see there
numerous airships and flying-machines of many kinds. It has, indeed,
been much easier for the Martians to learn to build such contrivances
than for the dwellers upon the Earth, because, as I have before
mentioned, the air upon Mars is so much denser. But though you will see
many such things flying about, you will not see one that can compare
with this; not one that can venture out into space, or, indeed, very far
above the surface of the planet.'
Often Mr Armeath accompanied the young people, and listened with
interest to the engineer's explanations; for, scientist though he was,
he found he had almost as much to learn in their new surroundings as
they had.
Truly, the great airship was a wonder from every point of view. It may
assist readers to understand the stupendous scale upon which she had
been designed if it is explained that she was more than twice the size
of Britain's great warship the _Dreadnought_. But nothing less in bulk
would have been of any use if we consider the tremendous strength
required, and the accommodation necessary for the number of people she
carried--of whom there were between two and three thousand. In
addition, room had to be provided for enormous quantities of stores and
other equipment.
Another feature which illustrates the gigantic scale upon which
everything was carried out was to be found in the fact that a large
space was given up to ornamental gardens and conservatories. In these
were graceful, waving, palm-like trees, wondrous flowers and shrubs, and
trees growing delicious fruits, interspersed amongst fountains and
pleasant walks, with what appeared to be a sunny sky overhead. There
was even a sort of 'Zoo' or menagerie on board, in which were many very
curious animals which the new passengers had never seen or heard of
before. To these had now been added quite a collection of more familiar
creatures which King Ivanta had acquired during his stay upon Earth, and
was taking back for the edification of his subjects at home.
The chums were fond of wandering about in this miniature zoological
garden, looking at those creatures which were new to them, and studying
their ways and habits. Some were natives of Mars; these were mostly
small, for--as they soon learned from Monck--just as Mars was a smaller
globe than the Earth, so the animals generally were smaller in
proportion. But in this Zoo were specimens brought, as it appeared,
from the great planet Saturn, some of which were large and terrible
creatures.
It was with one of these that Gerald met with an unpleasant adventure
one day when they had been but a short time 'out.' He had strolled in
alone, in the early morning, as was now his almost constant habit, and
went towards the cage of a creature called by the Martians an _amalpi_.
Gerald was especially interested in it on account of its resemblance to
an immense unicorn. It was, indeed, something between that fabled
creature and a rhinoceros. It had a very long, straight, sharp horn
upon the frontal bone, and a body very much like a heavily-built
cart-horse, covered with skin almost as thick as that of an elephant.
It was a most savage, dangerous creature, and all attempts to tame it,
even in the smallest degree, had failed.
When Gerald walked up to its cage on this particular occasion he met
with a surprise, for the cage was empty and the barred gate was standing
ajar. Ere he had time to consider what this might mean he received a
second surprise. There was a loud, bellowing roar, and the next he knew
was that the creature itself was charging down upon him with lowered
head like a bull, the terrible, long, sharp horn pointed straight at
him.
For an instant the young fellow stood as if spell-bound; then, by a
happy flash of thought, he dashed into the empty cage and pulled the
gate to after him. It fastened, as he knew, automatically, with a huge
spring-catch. A moment later there was a frightful crash as the
ferocious animal ran full tilt at the bars, its long horn pushing
between them, and just failing to reach Gerald by some few inches.
For some time he had the novel experience of being a prisoner in the
great cage, while his enemy, furious with disappointment, charged again
and again at the bars. Such was the strength and determination of its
rushes that it seemed almost as if the bars must give way.
At last the noise of its bellowing brought some of the keepers upon the
scene. Then Gerald had an opportunity of learning more of the weapons
the Martians were armed with, and how they used them. Each keeper
carried in his hand one of the large wands or staves, with triple points
at the top, similar to those the soldiers had carried who had marched
Gerald as a prisoner before the 'Ogre' and his chief. Gerald had seen
similar wands many times since, but had never seen how they were used.
Nor was he, indeed, much the wiser now. All he saw was a slight flash
of very brilliant light which seemed to leap from the tridents towards
the great roaring animal, as it stood for a moment tossing its head and
stamping its feet ere charging down upon the rescue-party. But it never
started upon its rush, for, lo! it suddenly sank upon its knees and
rolled helplessly over upon the ground, where it lay quiet and still--a
big, inert mass.
The keepers opened the gate, and Gerald walked out, wondering greatly at
what he had seen, but unable to ask any questions, because he could not
speak their language.
Just then, however, Monck arrived upon the scene. He looked very grave
when informed what had occurred, and examined the lock with a perplexed
air and many dubious shakes of the head.
'What will they do with the dead _amalpi_?' Gerald asked, as he walked
away with the engineer.
'Put it back again. It is not dead; it will recover in a few hours, and
to-morrow will be as lively as ever,' was the answer. Then the speaker
went on to explain. 'Those tridents,' he said, alluding to the
three-pronged wands, 'are really a kind of electric gun, if I may use
the term. This weapon also--like so many of the Martians' greatest
discoveries--is the invention of our royal master, King Ivanta. He
tried for years to discover a weapon which would stun or paralyse and
not kill. He has a horror of bloodshed, and he set himself to devise a
weapon which should do away with the horrors of war by rendering killing
and maiming unnecessary. He found it at last in this weapon, which
simply paralyses the muscles for a certain time, without killing or
inflicting any permanent injury. People or animals--even the largest
and most ferocious creatures, as you have here seen--struck in this way
are merely rendered quite helpless for a time, so that you can bind
them, or do what you please with them.'
'Ah! like I was! I understand now!' cried Gerald. 'All I felt was a
slight prick, as if some one had hurt me with a needle, and immediately
I collapsed and rolled over, utterly unable to move, yet not
unconscious.'
Monck nodded thoughtfully. 'Ay, I remember,' said he.
'So do I,' said Gerald, in a tone which indicated that the remembrance
was a sore one. 'And that reminds me that you have never given me any
explanation as to why I was treated in that fashion! I frequently see
the chap I have to thank for it--who, I have been given to understand,
is a sort of king in his own country--and his confederate, the one I
called the Ogre. I know their names too--Agrando and Kazzaro. Whenever
they catch sight of me they glare at me as though they would like to eat
me!'
'Well, they got a precious good wigging from King Ivanta over that
affair before the whole Court,' Monck declared with a smile. 'So it is
not surprising that they do not exactly fall upon your neck and embrace
you.'
'But what was their object?' Gerald persisted.
Monck seemed to be ruminating. 'I cannot say with certainty; I can only
guess,' he answered thoughtfully. 'Agrando, you must know, is the ruler
of one of the last countries which Ivanta conquered and brought under
his sway. He reigned over a numerous and powerful nation, and there was
a long and bitter struggle ere Ivanta was completely successful.
Agrando did not like giving in, and I don't think he has become quite
reconciled to it even yet.'
'Was that why King Ivanta brought him with him--so that he might be able
to keep an eye on him?' asked Gerald shrewdly.
Monck laughed. 'Perhaps,' he said.
'Well, my impression is--and always has been--that the old ruffian
intended to keep me there as prisoner in secret, and carry me secretly
to his own country, and there exhibit me as a raree-show, or keep me as
a slave to wait on him, or some infamy of that sort.'
Monck looked puzzled. 'I hardly know what to say as to that,' he said
musingly. 'But I feel sure that you have no friend in him or his chief
councillor. I should keep clear of them if I were you. Have you any
other enemies, think you, on board?'
Gerald started. 'Why do you ask?' he queried.
'Because this little business of the _amalpi_ is a rather strange
affair. It looks to me as if it had been done on purpose. That lock
did not open itself, nor did the animal burst it open. It is not
injured in any way. Now, you are in the habit of going there regularly
in the early morning, are you not?'
'Yes, Mr Monck,' returned Gerald gravely. 'But I don't like to think
there is any one on board who hates me enough to plan such a wicked
thing! I know, of course, that the Zuanstrooms are anything but pleased
at the fact that King Ivanta invited us to come with you on this trip;
and Silas has behaved very strangely once or twice, just as if he were
jealous, or envious, or something. But still--I could not imagine they
would carry their dislike as far as that!'
'Well, to me it looks very much as though it had not been altogether an
accident,' Monck declared bluntly. 'So, take my advice, my lad, and
keep your eyes open; and if you get into any trouble, or suspect any
danger, do not hesitate to let me know at once.'
*CHAPTER IX.*
*ARMEATH'S SECRET.*
The weeks passed on, and still the _Ivenia_ continued on her tremendous
journey through space to meet the advancing planet Mars. She travelled
at a rate which would make the heads of young readers swim if it were
set down in figures. Yet she glided on so smoothly that those on board
might well have thought she was all the time standing motionless in one
place. How this was accomplished was one of those secrets which Monck
confessed himself unable to explain. And the same may here be said of
some other mysteries which puzzled Mr Armeath not a little. One was,
that there was a feeling of weight or gravity on board much the same as
upon the Earth. Another puzzle was, how was the supply of air kept
always pure and wholesome? These were among the things that Ivanta kept
to himself. The Earth sank away into the distance, gradually diminishing
in size till it became no larger to the view than the moon when it is
full. Then came a time when it looked like a rather large star of a
pale-bluish tint.
On board, the time passed, for the most part, pleasantly enough. There
was plenty to do--plenty of work and plenty of amusement. King Ivanta
was a ruler who believed in the policy of keeping his people busy in one
way or another. Every person on board was compelled to give a certain
amount of time each day to work or study of some kind; while a certain
interval was also set aside for recreations. The latter were of many
kinds. There were concerts--for the Martians seemed to be all fond of
music--games, somewhat after the style of football, tennis, and other
athletic sports; and, not least, military exercises, in which the
soldiers took part and contended for prizes. These--which the chums
always watched with the utmost interest--often took the form of actual
combats. Sometimes they were between two champions, sometimes between
parties of fifty or a hundred; and amongst the latter there were often
many 'slain' on both sides; but they always came to life a little later,
none the worse for the experience.
Then it was that the chums saw the use made of the shields borne by the
soldiers, which Gerald had first noticed when he had been a prisoner.
They were, as stated, transparent, and it now appeared that they were
used as a protection against the mysterious power of the 'tridents,' or
'electric guns.' Just as electricity will not pass through glass, so
the curious 'flash' from the tridents could not pass through these
shields. The heads, feet, and legs of the combatants, and some other
parts of their bodies, were also protected in similar fashion, so that
they appeared to be partly dressed in shining armour. They wore
helmets, breastplates, and leg and thigh pieces, which looked like
glass, yet were not brittle, and which, like the shields, were proof
against the power of the tridents.
Thus, a duel between two antagonists equipped in this manner resolved
itself, to a great extent, into a trial of skill in the use of the
shield. Through it each could see the other; and many were the feints
and stratagems resorted to by a practised fighter to get at his foe
behind his shield.
Every night King Ivanta held a levee or other Court function, which all
who were off duty were free to attend, and at which very curious
entertainments were sometimes provided.
Altogether there was no lack either of occupation or amusement during
the three months which the voyage lasted.
Gerald and Jack applied themselves assiduously to learn the Martian
language, and in this they were joined by Mr Armeath. Then, by way of
relaxation, they gained the king's permission to learn the mysteries and
use of the trident and shield. Monck fitted them out in suits of the
shining armour, and they practised under the instruction of one named
Aveena, a young noble of the Court. Thanks to his tuition, they became
so expert that they entered for contests before the king, and came off
victorious in more than one bout with others of their own age. Silas
Zuanstroom was one of those they each vanquished in turn; only with the
result, however, of increasing the coldness which had grown up between
the two parties of travellers from the Earth.
One day, Gerald met with yet another disagreeable adventure in the Zoo,
and again narrowly escaped a terrible death. This time it was a large
venomous serpent of vicious and aggressive disposition, which (again by
some 'accident') had got loose just about the time when Gerald, unarmed
and unsuspicious of danger, was taking his stroll round the cages.
Monck came upon him, a little later, clinging to the upper branches of a
tall palm-like tree, which the serpent was slowly climbing, bent on
reaching him.
This time the engineer reported the matter to the king, who sternly
ordered a strict inquiry with the object of finding out who was to
blame. But no evidence was forthcoming to show that the occurrence had
been other than an accident; and the affair ended in the punishment of
one of the keepers in charge for negligence.
But more exciting events were steadily preparing, and began to develop
as the voyage went on.
One morning the two chums were called into Armeath's private apartment,
where he was awaiting them with Monck. He explained that he had
received the king's permission to impart to them an important piece of
information. 'I am going to entrust you with a bit of a secret,' said
he, 'and I must ask you to regard it as confidential, and say nothing
about it to any one--particularly to the Zuanstrooms; which, of course,
includes the two lads. Doubtless you have wondered what it was which
induced King Ivanta to pay a second visit to our Earth. It is this,
that what we call precious stones do not exist naturally in Mars. None
were ever seen there until the king brought back a quantity after his
first visit.'
Gerald burst into an exclamation. 'Just what I guessed, sir,' he cried.
'I have had that idea in my mind for some time!'
'It was a shrewd guess, lad,' Monck observed. 'The fact is, that once
the Martians had set eyes on them they went almost mad over them, and
became clamorous for a larger supply to be brought, in order that those
who could afford it might be able to purchase some.
'Our gracious master, who is continually thinking what new thing he can
do to please his people, determined to pay a second visit to the Earth
specially to secure a large supply. Hence his taking up with
Zuanstroom, the "Diamond King." But Zuanstroom was not easy to arrange
with. When he learned the actual state of the case, he insisted, as a
part of the bargain, that my master should promise to bring him over to
Mars for a trip, and take him safely back. Nothing less would satisfy
him.'
'I see,' said Jack. 'And I suppose his diamonds are on board too--a
whole shipload of them, so to speak?'
'Exactly. The greatest load of treasure, I suppose, that has ever been
carried on any ship of the air or the sea.'
'But,' said Gerald, 'the Zuanstrooms know all this. Why mustn't we
speak to them about it?'
'Because, at this point, I come to my story,' Armeath said, with a
half-smile. 'For years I have been experimenting, trying to manufacture
precious stones artificially. At last I succeeded in getting diamonds
from a certain mineral; only to find, however, that the discovery was
almost valueless, because I could not get enough of the particular
mineral. I found out that there was some in the island we have been
living on, and that was the reason I went there to stay for a time.
When, however, I understood what King Ivanta wanted, I told him of my
experiments, showed him the results, and he was highly delighted. He
said it would be easier and cheaper to manufacture diamonds than to buy
them from the Diamond King on his own terms.'
'But how can that be done, sir, if the necessary material is so scarce?'
asked practical Jack.
'You shall hear. King Ivanta recognised the mineral, and declares that
there is plenty of it to be obtained from the planet Saturn. He saw
quantities of it when he was there!'
'Then we are to go to Saturn to obtain a supply; I suppose?' cried
Gerald, full of enthusiasm at the prospect of this new and unexpected
addition to their programme of adventure.
'That I cannot yet say,' replied Armeath. 'We must hear what the king
says.'
'But, sir,' exclaimed Jack, 'you would not think of leaving us
alone--stranded--upon a strange planet! Suppose you never came back!'
'It is not a pleasant place to visit; I can tell you that much,' Monck
put in. 'Saturn, at the present time, is in the stage which the
scientists tell us the Earth was in, ages ago, when the great
antediluvian monsters existed. Those monsters--or similar ones--are
alive now on Saturn; and terrible creatures they are, I can assure you!
The _amalpi_--the unicorn-like animal which hunted you, Master
Gerald--is one which we managed to capture and bring back from Saturn.
But it is small and almost harmless compared with some of the animals
and reptiles we saw there! I do not think I would go there again, Mr
Armeath, of my own choice, even for the sake of bushels of diamonds!'
'If I go, it will not be exactly for the reason you suppose, my friend,'
returned Armeath. He spoke very gravely, and with a note of sadness in
his tone. 'Your king, in most things, has shown himself a very wise
monarch; but I think he has made a mistake in introducing jewels at all
amongst his subjects. Upon our globe they have always been the cause of
heartburning, envy, jealousy, and all kinds of evil passions. In too
many cases they have proved, as all of us know, a veritable curse, and
have led to crimes innumerable. But, for good or for evil, your master
has made certain promises, and arranged certain things with the Diamond
King. King Ivanta's people are all agog, waiting in clamorous
impatience for the cargo of jewels which we are taking to them. It is
too late now to alter that; but, look you! what if I prove to them that
jewels just as good can be made as cheaply as bits of glass? What will
be the consequence?'
'Nobody will want them,' Monck answered, laughing.
'Just so! And that, in my opinion, would be for the future benefit of
all the inhabitants of Mars! It is for that--and with that idea
alone--that I am ready to risk the danger of a trip to Saturn.'
'If that be so, then I am with you,' exclaimed the engineer. 'It is a
worthy object, and I will help you all I can! But to obtain the mineral
you want will be almost like undertaking over again the fabled labours
of Hercules, for the place where it exists is guarded by creatures more
formidable than the fabled Hydra, and more terrible than the worst of
the ancient dragons!'
*CHAPTER X.*
*CAPTURED BY A COMET.*
The _Ivenia_, the great Martian airship, sped onwards upon its wonderful
voyage for a period of nearly two months without anything occurring to
interrupt its continuous progress. Then, one night, there came a
startling interruption of its smooth, gliding flight through space--one
that nearly terminated it for good and all.
It so happened that the two chums were sitting up that night with Mr
Armeath in the conning-tower, a privilege but seldom accorded to any one
not actually engaged in the navigation of the ship. The officer in
charge, however, was one named Malanda, the one who had been in
attendance on the king when Gerald had saved his life. He it was who
had recognised the lad at the critical moment when he had been a
prisoner, and since that time he had treated him with marked kindness.
The conning-tower was a roomy apartment, very curiously constructed. It
could be raised or depressed by mechanical means, so that at some times
it projected above the outer surface of the ship, while at others it was
just level with it. In the former case there was a clear view in all
directions except immediately beneath; in the latter there was no direct
view save upwards; but the images of outside objects were then thrown on
to a screen, as in a camera-obscura.
Upon this eventful night the conning-tower had been raised, and the two
chums had been amusing themselves by peering through powerful telescopes
at the heavenly bodies around them.
It was truly a wonderful, a fascinating sight, and one which Gerald,
especially, was never tired of contemplating. The various
constellations blazed out with a vividness and beauty far exceeding
their appearance as seen through our atmosphere from the surface of the
Earth. Thanks to Malanda, the two lads had learned to distinguish the
planets from the far-more distant fixed stars. They knew that the
latter were at such tremendous distances that they 'didn't count,' as
Jack put it; the only ones they were likely to have anything to do with
being the planets, which, like our Earth, are always revolving round our
sun.
Of course, as they were going to visit Mars, they watched that orb
particularly; and they felt a special interest in noting how its
pinkish-red light increased in size and intensity as they drew nearer.
Next in interest came our Earth, which they had so recently left, whose
bluish light waned exactly in proportion as that of Mars waxed stronger.
Then there was beautiful Saturn, with its wondrous rings of light;
perhaps they were also to visit that mysterious orb, and learn what
those lustrous bands were composed of!
Besides these, there were plenty of curious things to watch and admire.
The planets had their moons in attendance upon them--some having two,
some as many as eight--all behaving as our own moon does--each, that is
to say, showing in turn as a thin crescent, a half-moon, a full-moon,
and so on; and the voyagers had watched these changes with interest
which never flagged. It seemed such a strange thing to think of:
several moons round one planet; one, perhaps, a new moon; and two or
three others near the full, all shining at the same time!
Now, it was while they were gazing at these beautiful sights that Jack
noticed a tiny speck of light which struck him as unfamiliar. He
mentioned it in an undertone to Gerald, who, just then, was
half-watching what was to be seen of Saturn, half-dreaming of what lay
beyond. Gerald pointed his telescope in the direction indicated, and
looked at the speck of light, but seeing nothing particular in its
appearance, turned his attention again to other objects.
Jack, however, was more observant. His acute, practical sense had told
him that here was something different from anything he had seen before.
He promptly recognised two or three very important points in connection
with it. One was that its light was different in colour from that of
anything else he could see. Another was that it was very unsteady, yet
it did not 'twinkle' as do the far-distant stars; and yet another was
that it was growing in intensity very quickly.
'Therefore,' said Jack to himself, 'I believe it must be comparatively
near, and coming towards us at a most tremendous rate.' Finally, he
drew Mr Armeath's attention to the phenomenon.
Armeath in turn pointed it out to Malanda, who had no sooner glanced at
it than he rushed across the floor of the chamber to some levers, which
he began to manipulate, at the same time setting a number of bells
ringing in various parts of the great aerostat. One of these, as it
afterwards appeared, rang out its urgent message in the
sleeping-apartment of the king, who roused at once from his slumber and
hurried to the conning-tower.
Before his arrival, however, the alarm bells had summoned others to the
place, and from their excited talk the chums quickly learnt the cause of
the excitement. For they had worked at the study of the Martian
language to such good purpose that by this time they could understand
most of what was said.
There were many confused exclamations, and much incoherent talk; but
amidst it all they heard again and again the cry, 'A comet! A comet!'
Just then Jack found the engineer Monck beside him, and he asked for
further information.
'I cannot tell you much about it now, my lad,' was the reply; 'but I
know that this is one of the gravest dangers of our voyage. Comets have
well been called "the spectres of space." The planets and their moons
move in certain well-defined orbits or tracks, and you know exactly
where you are likely to meet them and what to do if you wish to avoid
them. But comets seem to be controlled by no known law, and you never
can tell where you may encounter them. Compared with any of the planets,
they are, of course, small; but they are enormous compared with our
aerostat, and quite big enough to accomplish our destruction if one of
them ran against us. So you can understand that great care is necessary
when one is sighted.'
'These people seem very excited; do you think there is serious danger,
sir?' Gerald asked.
'No, no--a--at least, I hope not. But when a comet is anywhere near it
is always a relief when we are safely past it. You will see, however,
that all will quiet down when our royal master is here. He is the only
one, I believe, who really knows how to meet the danger.'
The words were scarcely spoken when they were verified by the king's
arrival. As his stately form strode into the chamber, a great hush fell
upon those assembled there, and, like magic, quiet and orderly procedure
took the place of what had looked very much like unreasoning panic.
He stood for a few moments gazing around to take in the situation, then
he looked at the advancing comet, which could now be plainly seen
without any telescope furiously rushing, at tremendous speed, seemingly
straight at the ship.
Flashes and bursts of light accompanied it like explosions of mighty
bombshells, lighting up the interior of the conning-tower as might
flashes of terrible lightning. Already it had grown from a tiny speck
of light to a ball of fire as large as our moon looks at the full; and
it was rapidly growing bigger and bigger.
Then Ivanta gave a series of orders in sharp, commanding tones, and some
of the crowd of officers went off to execute them. The doors of the
chamber were closed, and a moment later the conning-tower sank down, and
all became dark save for a fiery image which was now to be seen upon a
large screen. This gave a view of the comet as it would have appeared
if they had still been looking direct at it. From the apparent size of
a moon it had now grown to twice as large as our sun looks to us. Its
shape was no longer round, but was changing each second, the continual
explosions sending out irregular masses of fire upon all sides in turn.
Even as seen upon the screen it was an awful sight to look upon. It
seemed like some gigantic, fiery monster bent upon devouring them.
Armeath put a hand affectionately upon each of his wards. He could see
that the position of the aerostat was critical, and that they were all
in terrible danger. It was not a moment for talk or comment, but he
bent down and whispered a few words in the ears of the two lads. 'We
are in the hands of God, my boys,' he said devoutly. 'Such things as
these are but some of the smallest and most puny of His great works! If
He so wills it we shall pass the danger safely, and live to remember it
with admiration and wonder in place of fear!'
The fiery shape grew in size till it covered the whole screen, and in
intensity till, even as thus reflected, the light from it was almost
blinding. Then there came a close, stifling feeling, and the chamber
grew so hot as to become almost intolerable. They were conscious of
something which whizzed past them with a frightful roar. In a second it
was gone, and the heat and light grew perceptibly less.
'It has passed!' murmured Armeath; and he breathed a prayer of
thankfulness.
Monck, who had remained alongside them, gave a gasp of relief.
'That's the nearest brush we've ever had since I 've been on board!' he
muttered.
'Has it really gone? Are we safe now, do you think, sir?' Gerald asked
in a whisper. Both lads had held their breath at the critical moment.
Though they had shown no signs of panic, the strain had been pretty
severe, and they breathed more freely now.
'Yes, it has gone--shot past us like a flash. And now'----
Suddenly the aerostat gave a lurch, and then swerved from its course so
abruptly as almost to throw the voyagers off their feet. To them it
felt as if it had swung round in a great half-circle, and was now flying
along in the opposite direction to that in which they had been going.
It was the first time since leaving the Earth that the travellers had
experienced anything that could be called a jar or swerve; and they now
stared at one another in startled surprise.
What could it mean?
Ivanta's voice was heard issuing hurried orders, and his officers
hastened to execute them. Malanda crossed the floor to handle a lever
near to where Monck was standing.
'What is it, friend Malanda?' asked the engineer, in an anxious
undertone.
'We are caught in the attractive power of the comet,' was the answer,
'and it is pulling us along after it. Unless we can manage to fight
free, this ship will follow the comet through space as long as it may
continue to rush about on its erratic journey, which would probably mean
at least a thousand years!'
*CHAPTER XI.*
*'WELCOME TO MARS!'*
The minutes which followed Malanda's startling announcement were anxious
ones indeed for those of the voyagers who had heard it. The great
majority on board, however, were happily ignorant of what had happened,
and knew nothing about it till subsequently.
Even Armeath and his companions could not afterwards tell much more
about it than has been here set down, for the reason that Ivanta ordered
the conning-tower to be cleared of every one save two or three of his
officers. So they had to march out with the others; and of what went on
inside, or whether the aerostat was likely ever to struggle out of its
fearful position, they in the meanwhile knew nothing. For what seemed a
long, weary time they could only wait on in suspense while the issue was
being decided.
It was a good half-hour before the welcome news was brought to them that
the king had succeeded in getting his ship free from the comet's
sinister influence; and then no further particulars were vouchsafed.
How it had been done was again one of those secrets which Ivanta kept
strictly to himself. All that was made known was that the aerostat had
now resumed her voyage, and that, as it happened, no harm had been done.
A few days later, Gerald was seated in one of the large conservatories,
reading a book which he had borrowed. Both he and Jack could now read
the Martian language fairly well, and they found in the library on board
a new storehouse of wonders of the most fascinating description. Hearing
footsteps, he glanced up, and saw that Tom Clinch had come to seek him.
'Could I 'ave a wurd wi' you, Mr Gerald?' Clinch asked.
'Certainly, Tom. What's the trouble?'
'Well, Mr Gerald, it be like this. I've 'eerd--it's odd 'ow things do
get about--as we was nearly run down t'other night by a comet or some
such blamed foolishness.'
Gerald looked with surprise upon the weather-beaten features of the
faithful henchman, and with difficulty repressed a smile as he noted
their woe-begone expression.
'I don't know how you managed to learn so much, Tom,' he answered
quietly; 'but something of the kind did occur, I believe. Still, there
is no occasion for you to take it so seriously. The danger is past; and
they tell me it's not likely to happen again during the rest of our
journey.'
But Tom Clinch was not so easily comforted. He shook his head with a
dissatisfied grunt.
''Ow does they know?' he asked dubiously. 'They doan't keep a proper
lookout, Mr Gerald, that's what's the matter, else they 'd 'a sighted
this reckless galoot afore she got so near. They'd 'a seen as she
wurn't under proper control, an' they should 'a sounded the siren. Why
doan't they 'ave somebody perched on the top, outside, in a little sort
o' crow's-nest? They could 'ave a speakin'-tube to shout through if ye
like.'
'I 'm afraid it wouldn't answer; it would be rather uncomfortable--and,
um--well, a little cold for the man outside,' replied Gerald gravely,
though his eyes were twinkling. 'But is that all you wish to say?'
'Why, no, sir. Me an' Bob Reid, we've talked it over, an' we's agreed
t' offer t' run the look-out for 'em, turn an' turn about, if ye likes.
We's old sailors, an' we knows the ropes, an' we 'd keep a proper watch.
Seems t' me as the people aboord 'ere be mostly landlubbers, what ain't
got no nautical knollidge like.'
Gerald listened with a sympathetic air, for though he was naturally
vastly amused, Tom looked so very much in earnest that he had not the
heart to seem to ridicule his well-meant suggestion.
Promising, therefore, that he would make the generous offer known in the
proper quarter, he dismissed the old sailor, just as his chum Jack came
upon the scene.
Gerald did not notice at the moment that Jack looked serious too, and
proceeded to tell him, with a laugh, what Clinch had been saying.
'Fancy the two honest old worthies talking this over, and coming
sedately to me with such an offer!' said he. 'What an idea--that they
should have a lookout placed outside, where the temperature runs far
below that of liquid air! Jupiter!'
Then he noticed, for the first time, that his chum was also looking
troubled.
'Why, what's amiss?' he asked. 'You and Tom Clinch seem alike
to-day--you both remind me of the Knight of the Troubled Countenance.
You look as if you wanted cheering up. You should read this book I 've
got hold of; it would make you laugh.'
'What is it about?'
'It's written by some old Martian crank of an astronomer, and contains
his speculations upon the subject of the Earth. They call us, you know,
the evening star; for so our planet appears to them, just as Venus does
to us. Well, he is writing and speculating about their evening
star--that is, about our world--and he declares his conviction that it
cannot be inhabited by human beings like those living on Mars. He
argues that because the light from our Earth shines with a bluish tint,
therefore, if there are people on it, they must have blue skins. He
brings forward a lot of most convincing arguments to support this
theory, and winds up by declaring that if our world is really inhabited,
it can only be by a race of ape-like creatures, with blue skins and
bodies partly covered with green hair!'
'H'm! So much for some people's scientific theories. However, I 've
got something else to talk to you about just now. While you 've been
reading and dreaming, and going about with your head in the clouds'----
'Above the clouds, Jack--far, far above the clouds! Be practical, now.
Consider! Are we not far above the clouds?'
'Will you listen, you incorrigible dreamer?' exclaimed Jack impatiently.
'I want to tell you that I am afraid there is some fresh trouble brewing
in which those Zuanstrooms are mixed up. Two or three times lately I
have come upon their youngster, Freddy, wandering about in melancholy
fashion, and when I asked him why he was alone, he said, each time, that
they had sent him out because the "ugly old man" had come there to talk,
and he was in the way. Now, by "ugly old man" Freddy means the one you
called the Ogre--Kazzaro. The question naturally suggests itself, why
should there be secret conferences between that worthy and the Diamond
King?'
'Seems funny, doesn't it? Have you mentioned anything about it to our
guardian or Mr Monck?'
'Not yet. You see, I haven't anything definite to go upon. But I 'm
going to keep my eyes open, and I mean, if I can, to find out what it
really is that is going on between the Zuanstrooms and the crowd they've
become so thick with.'
'Well, I'll help you to keep an eye on them too. Neither Kazzaro nor Mr
Zuanstroom is any friend of ours; that we know. I do believe that if
they could have their way they would throw us off the ship, and leave us
to go whizzing about in space like a couple of little comets.'
However, time passed on without anything further occurring to strengthen
Jack's suspicions; and soon they were almost forgotten in the interest
and excitement which sprang up and grew from day to day as they neared
the end of the voyage.
The apparent size of Mars was visibly increasing each time they looked
at it, till at last it seemed to take up the whole of the firmament in
front of them. It was a wonderful, and in many ways an awe-inspiring,
sight. For, just as when they had been leaving the Earth it seemed to
be our globe which was travelling away from them--not they from the
Earth--so now Mars appeared to be coming towards them, and at a
frightful pace. Majestic, magnificent, inconceivably grand, it certainly
was; but there was something oppressive in its very grandeur, something
awful in its swift, silent approach, something terrible in its
overwhelming greatness.
Seas and continents began to show upon its surface, till the wondering
spectators could see the whole of one side laid out as on a gigantic
map. And there, plain to the eye, were the so-called 'canals,' those
curious constructions or formations which our earthly astronomers have
viewed through their telescopes and puzzled over for so many years, and
which are supposed to be artificial canals upon a gigantic scale.
At last, the _Ivenia_ entered the planet's atmosphere, through which
they had been viewing everything as through a faint-pinkish haze. Then
a great change took place in the outward appearance of the aerostat.
The upper covering was removed, the immense wings were spread, a
beautifully carved and decorated 'figurehead,' like the head of a
colossal bird, was run out at one end and a tail-like addition at the
other.
Monck led Mr Armeath and his companions out on to the upper deck.
'You may now safely venture into the open air,' he observed; 'for,
unknown to you, the air within the aerostat has been gradually changing,
and becoming denser. We are all, therefore, now acclimatised, and you
will feel no ill effects.'
As they looked through their glasses, the two lads uttered exclamations
of astonishment and admiration.
Below them could be seen an extensive city, built beside an arm of the
sea, which, instead of being blue, was of an ethereal, rosy tint. There
were towering palaces and noble buildings, vast embankments and
terraces, surrounded by beautiful gardens, amidst which could be
distinguished stately colonnades, winding streams, and glistening
fountains and cascades.
The _Ivenia_ swept downwards with a swift, gliding motion, in a series
of wide circles, like some giant bird poised on outstretched wings.
There was no vibration, no jar, no motion even of the wide-spreading
wings as she sank lightly and gracefully through the air.
And as she descended, the air below became filled with what at first had
the appearance of a great flight of birds.
Gerald asked what they were, and Monck bade him look again through his
glasses. Then he saw that what he had mistaken for distant birds were
in reality numbers of flying-machines mounting upwards to meet the
_Ivenia_.
A little later these smaller air-craft were swarming round the great
aerostat, the occupants uttering shouts and cries of joyous welcome to
their returning king. These flying-machines were of all shapes and
kinds, and they thronged round Ivanta's superb 'chariot of the skies' as
might a swarm of steamers, yachts, and other craft round a mighty
warship bearing our own king back to England's shores after a foreign
trip.
Finally, the wondrous structure landed easily and quietly upon the
ground in the midst of a vast crowd of people; and, as she came to rest,
King Ivanta stepped out from the conning-tower and showed himself to the
shouting throng.
Then, turning to Armeath and the others whom he had brought with him as
guests, he said, with a charming mixture of royal dignity and kindly
condescension, 'Welcome, my friends! Welcome to our world! Welcome to
Mars!'
*CHAPTER XII.*
*PRINCE ALONDRA.*
As King Ivanta spoke to his visitors the words 'Welcome to Mars!' there
came a rustling sound, and a strange figure, shining and glistening in
the sunlight, suddenly appeared on the deck beside him.
So rapidly had it arrived that the startled spectators scarcely saw more
than the sheen from its resplendent body before it was amongst them,
alighting with the grace and ease of a swallow close to the king, whom
it addressed in joyous, laughing accents, 'Welcome, father! welcome
home!'
Even King Ivanta was evidently taken by surprise, for at first he
scarcely seemed to understand this arrival any more than the strangers
from Earth did. The next moment, however, he had clasped the radiant
vision in his arms in a close embrace. Then he drew back and regarded
the youth--for such the figure was--critically. 'Why, Alondra, my son,'
said he, 'what is this surprise?'
Alondra, as the visitors were soon to learn, was Ivanta's son, his only
child. He was about the same age as Gerald, with an exceedingly
handsome, open, merry-looking countenance, lithe and graceful in figure
and in every movement. On this occasion he was clad in a most bizarre
costume, which included two large wings, just now folded back behind the
shoulders, and trailing on the floor of the deck.
It was impossible to guess what these wings could be made of. The
surface was composed of thin, feathery flakes in constant motion, which
glistened in the sunshine with iridescent brilliance, something between
the sheen of silver and the sparkle of crystal. A tunic of the same
marvellous material covered the body to the knees, below which were
attachments like smaller wings, which now fitted closely round the
ankles.
Evidently this wondrous outfit was as new and surprising to the king as
it was to the strangers.
The youth seemed delighted at the impression he had created. He walked
to and fro, opening and folding his wings, and turning this way and that
to show them off to advantage.
'Almost all my own invention, father,' he laughed, as he moved
about--'mine and Amaldo's! We were afraid we should not get it finished
and in working order before your return. Indeed, I only took my
trial-flight in it yesterday! Is it not a splendid creation'?'
He opened the wings and fluttered them in the sunlight. Ripples of
light and dancing colours ran incessantly over the surface, producing
effects so exquisitely varied and beautiful as to be absolutely
indescribable.
'It is perfect, Alondra! Truly, as you say, a splendid creation!' said
Ivanta admiringly.
'These things, however, are a little too long when folded, as you can
see,' Alondra continued, looking down at them with a critical air. 'I
must have them shortened. You can see that if you are not careful you
may catch your feet in them and get a tumble.'
In order the better to explain his meaning, he stepped backwards towards
Gerald, who was standing near, watching everything with intense
interest.
Scarcely had the young experimenter uttered the words than he
involuntarily illustrated them, in the most practical fashion, by
tripping on one of the wings, and rolling over at Gerald's feet.
Gerald stepped quickly forward to help him up, and in doing so was
astonished at the youth's seeming lightness. So light was he that
Gerald, in trying to raise him, lifted him clean off his feet, almost as
though he had been made of cork. As a consequence, Alondra came near to
losing his balance and rolling over again. Then the two stood staring
and smiling at one another.
'Why, how strong you must be!' exclaimed the young prince.
'H--how light you must be!' was Gerald's answer. And he looked so very
puzzled and perplexed that the other burst into a merry peal of
laughter. Then he turned to the king. 'Father,' he began, but stopped
and hesitated.
Ivanta interpreted the inquiring look. 'Your surprising creation has
made me forgetful of other matters, my son,' said he. 'I owe an apology
to our friends here. These gentlemen, Alondra, are visitors from
Lokris, the planet I have been to visit. They are our guests. I need
not say more than that to commend them to your attention and care.--My
guests, this is my son, Prince Alondra, who, I am sure, is ready to add
his welcome to my own!'
'That I am!' cried the young prince, his handsome face alight with
interest and surprise. 'A warm welcome to you all! Welcome to Zotis!'
'Ah, they do not know our world by our name!' Ivanta reminded him.
'They call it Mars.'
'Welcome, then, to Mars!' said Alondra.
He held out both hands at once; and, as it happened, he caught hold of
one each of Gerald and Jack, and they returned his greeting as heartily
as it was given. Then he caught sight of Monck, who was standing a
little in the background. At once he made a dart for him.
'Why, there is Monck Affelda!' he cried. 'You have returned, then!
Welcome, dear friend! I was afraid that, perhaps, when you got back to
your own world you would stay there, and we should never see you more!'
'Alondra, here are others waiting to know you!' the king reminded him.
And the lad at once turned obediently, with a look of quick apology at
Monck for not saying more at the moment.
All the rest of the strangers having been duly presented, Ivanta gave
his attention to his own subjects, who were now streaming up the ladders
which had been let down the sides of the aerostat and crowding the deck
to pay their respects to their sovereign.
Alondra, meantime, stepped back to where the two chums were standing
with their guardian and the engineer, and commenced a lively chat,
asking them a hundred questions concerning the world they came from, the
incidents of the voyage, and so forth.
Both Gerald and Jack took to him at once. It was almost impossible,
indeed, to do otherwise. His frank, gay, smiling manner, his attractive
face, and easy, graceful air captivated them completely. Never, they
afterwards declared, had they met so attractive a personality. 'A true
son of the stars,' Jack dubbed him. Glad were they then that they had
made such good use of their time and had learned the language of their
hosts in advance. Even Silas, who presently joined the group, became
quite amiable under the young prince's genial influence; and little
Freddy fell in love with him then and there.
Naturally, amongst these young people, there was a lot to ask about on
both sides. Question followed question, inquiries and explanations were
interrupted with exclamations of surprise, wonder, admiration, and
delight.
Then Alondra caught sight of others who were known to him, among them
Aveena the young noble, and went off to greet them on their return.
'He is a splendid youngster, the prince,' observed Monck admiringly.
'Everybody loves him. Clever, too--quite a young inventor, I can assure
you.'
'What is this flying-dress affair?' asked Jack. 'Do people fly here,
then? Or is this the first time it has been done?'
'To the last question the reply would be both yes and no,' Monck
answered. 'If you had noticed, as we came down, you would have seen
many aeronauts flying about singly amongst the various airships and
flying-machines.'
'I thought I saw something of the kind,' Jack returned. 'But we circled
about so rapidly, and there were so many buzzing around, that I scarcely
had a chance to make them out.'
'As you now know, the air here is very dense.'
'To me it seems very light and exhilarating,' Gerald put in. 'I
expected, when you used to tell us it was so dense, to find, when we
arrived here, that we should scarcely be able to breathe.'
'Ah, that is another matter which I will explain directly. As I have
told you before, the air here is so dense that to make a flying-machine
was never a matter of any great difficulty. For the same reason, with a
properly constructed pair of wings, you can, after a little practice
under expert tuition, very soon learn to soar into the air, and fly
about after a fashion. It has, however, hither-to, it must be
confessed, been a rather clumsy fashion. Now, this is the first time I
have seen it really gracefully and easily done. I knew before we went
away that Prince Alondra and his tutor--an old scientist named Amaldo,
who was also the king's tutor when he was a boy--were at work upon some
new device which was understood to be the prince's own idea originally.
What it was I never knew exactly, for they kept it a sort of
half-secret. Here, however, it seems, is the outcome of the idea; and a
very successful outcome too, so far as I can judge.'
'What is the invention?' asked practical Jack. 'Does it consist, I mean,
in the dress, in the material of which it is composed--wonderful stuff
it certainly seems to be--or in a new shape for the wings, or what?'
'Ah, that is exactly what I do not yet know any more than you.
Doubtless, the prince will enlighten us ere long--when he has enjoyed
the general mystification a little longer.
'Well, now, to turn to the other point. You say the air here feels to
you light and exhilarating rather than dense and heavy. It is not
exactly the air which gives you this feeling; it is due rather to the
difference in what we call gravity. On Mars, things weigh only half what
they would weigh on our Earth. It follows that our muscles feel
stronger in proportion. It requires less strength, less exertion, to
lift your leg or your arm. Every action or movement, great or small, is
easier--even breathing. Therefore, you have a sense of lightness, of
ease, of unusual strength.'
A light broke upon Gerald. 'I see! That was why the prince seemed so
light to me when I went to help him up just now!' he cried.
'Exactly. We who have come from Earth, and who possess muscles used to
the greater weight of everything there, are all "strong men" here. You
will find this one of the first and one of the most curious of your
experiences here.'
Just then they saw King Ivanta approaching, bringing Alondra with him.
They had left the crowd of richly arrayed courtiers and officers to come
across to Gerald.
'Alondra,' said the king, indicating Gerald as they drew near, 'I wish
to commend this brave young gentleman to your especial care; and I hope
you two will become good friends. You must teach him to fly. If he
learns to fly as well as he has learned to swim, then I can testify that
he should make a clever performer; for he saved your father's life!'
*CHAPTER XIII.*
*THE PALACE IN THE CLOUDS.*
Ivanta said a few more kindly words, and then returned to the brilliant
circle he had left, this time beckoning the Diamond King to accompany
him.
'My father says I may conduct you to our home,' said Alondra, as the
king went away. 'So, if you are agreeable, we will start at once. My
yacht is waiting close by.'
'We are ready, I think,' said Armeath. But in his manner there was some
hesitation.
Monck interposed. 'You are thinking of your baggage,' he said, with a
smile; 'but you need not trouble. It will be looked after, and whatever
you want will be brought on afterwards.'
'Good! That being so, we are at your service, Prince. Shall our
attendants come with us?'
'I dare say they will feel a bit lost if you leave them alone in a
strange world,' laughed Alondra. 'So, by all means bring them with you,
if it so pleases you.'
So Tom Clinch and Bob Reid, looking very confused and wonderstruck at
their new surroundings, were sent for; and the whole party followed
Alondra--who had been joined by Aveena--to the other end of the deck.
Here, to their surprise, they found a most beautiful structure awaiting
them, moored, so to speak, to the _Ivenia_.
Compared with the great aerostat in which they had made their memorable
voyage, she was like a tiny, graceful yacht beside one of our modern
warships; yet she was large and roomy enough to accommodate a numerous
party.
Alondra led his guests across a gangway on to the deck, and then,
begging them to excuse him, he dived into a cabin. In a minute or two
he returned, having divested himself of his 'flying dress,' and
appearing now in a rich costume similar to that usually worn by the king
and his courtiers.
He gave the signal, ropes were cast off, unseen engines began to work
with a quiet, smooth, scarcely perceptible vibration, setting in motion
several curious spiral contrivances which revolved round three masts.
The 'yacht' rose quietly through the air, and when she was clear of the
_Ivenia_, wings spread out on each side. Then she sailed swiftly away
in a direction a little to the right of the city they had seen.
'What a curious arrangement!' exclaimed Jack, as he watched the
revolving spirals.
'They take the place of fans,' Monck explained. 'They are far more handy
and more powerful.'
'And far prettier too!' cried Gerald. 'What lovely coloured devices
they make as they twirl round! They are like kaleidoscopes; and the
wings, too, seem to be spangled with gold.'
'She is a beautifully designed structure in every way,' observed Monck.
'One of the latest and best, and also one of the fastest of our pleasure
yachts.'
Meanwhile, a little apart, Tom Clinch and Bob Reid sat together, staring
about, noticing everything, and making their comments in low, awe-struck
tones.
'Well, well! that ever I should live t' see the likes o' this!' said
Clinch. 'What d'ye think of it all, Bob?'
'I 'm thinkin' what 'd happen if she was t' shift 'er ballast, Tom. I
do 'ope it be well stowed.'
'Ay, ay, Bob. Theer be a lot in the way a ship be ballasted. But 'ow
do she manage t' keep up? That 's what beats me! Them wings scarcely
moves at all.'
'Tom,' said Reid, leaning over to speak almost in a whisper, 'don't ye
notice what queer sort o' air this be 'ere? 'Tain't a bit like ourn at
'ome.'
'No, it ain't. I notices that. What about it?'
'It must be some o' the liquid air I've read of, as scientific chaps
thinks a lot of in our world. Depend on it, this is where it comes
from!'
Tom slapped his thigh.
'Right ye are, mate! That explanations it. That 's 'ow 'tis she floats
like this 'ere. They be all a-livin' 'ere in liquid air! An' them
wings bain't wings at all! They be fins!'
Just then Monck drew Armeath's attention to a comparatively large,
heavy-looking airship which was just rising into the air from near where
the _Ivenia_ lay.
'That,' said he, 'is one of King Agrando's war-vessels; or rather she
was formerly a war-craft, but now she serves the purpose of a private
yacht. She is just starting off to carry him and his people back to
their own country.'
'Is that far away, Mr Monck?' Gerald asked.
'Yes. A pretty good distance as distances are reckoned on this globe.'
'The farther away the better, I should say,' muttered Jack. 'Good
riddance go with him!'
A little while afterwards they neared a grand-looking mass of rock which
rose abruptly from the plains below. It was a precipitous mountain, and
upon its lofty summit, literally amongst the clouds, rose the noble
towers and domes of the most stately building the strangers had ever
seen.
They realised at once that none of our earthly buildings could compare
with this magnificent pile. As the yacht rose in the air, and they
obtained a better view, their amazement increased, every moment
exhibiting more clearly its vast proportions and revealing some fresh
surprise. What it might be built of was a puzzle; for it shone through
the rosy haze with a golden lustre, and looked a veritable fairy palace
of the upper air.
'Wh-what is that wonderful sight? Is it another town--a real town--or
an effect of sunlight among the clouds?' gasped Gerald.
'That is King Ivanta's palace,' said Monck quietly. 'It is Alondra's
home--the place we are going to stay at.'
'But how do you get to it?'
'The way we are getting to it now; there is no other way. No person
could climb up that mountain. There is no road, no path to it. It can
only be approached by airship.'
Just then a hoarse shout was heard, and there came a loud clanging of
bells and gongs.
Amidst it all, Tom Clinch's voice was clearly heard. 'Avast theer, ye
galoots!' he cried. 'Port yer helm, ye blunderin' lubbers! Can't ye
see yer runnin' inter us?'
So absorbed had the strangers been in gazing at the palace on the
mountain-top that they had not noticed a flying-craft which had been
travelling behind them, and had almost overtaken them. Alondra and his
attendants, seeing the effect produced upon his guests by the scene
before them, had reduced the speed, and allowed the yacht to float
upwards in leisurely fashion, omitting to look out for what might be
behind them.
There was now a sudden bustle on board as the navigators rushed to the
various levers, and a moment later the yacht dropped suddenly with a
downward swoop, allowing the strange craft to pass harmlessly overhead.
'Jupiter!' cried Gerald, 'that was a near squeak! What careless people
they must be! Is that sort of thing common here?'
Monck scowled and shook his head. 'No,' he said curtly. 'And there
will be trouble about it to-morrow. Some one will be called to account
for it, you may be sure!'
Alondra made no remark, but coolly resumed the journey as though nothing
out of the way had happened.
Gradually they drew nearer to the mountain-top, and all the while fresh
beauties burst upon their view. Down the rocky sides tumbled mighty
waterfalls, which gleamed like masses of molten gold till they were lost
in clouds of golden spray below. Around the wondrous edifice itself
were now seen groves and terraces upon a tableland broken by hills and
dales extending far into the clouds beyond.
The travellers from the distant Earth, reassured by Alondra's coolness,
gazed upon the scene of grandeur and sublimity in wondering silence, and
seemed for a while scarcely to breathe. So entranced were they that
they scarcely noticed when their yacht 'grounded' upon the summit of the
mountain, at a short distance from an imposing gateway which formed the
main entrance to the palace.
A minute or two later they passed down a gangway, and then followed
their young host towards the gateway, which seemed to loom up larger and
higher as they approached it.
Suddenly the massive gates were thrown open, and a stream of attendants
sallied forth and ranged themselves in two rows, between which the
guests were ushered into the building. Through wide galleries, open
courtyards, where fountains played among strange plants and flowers, and
up spacious staircases, they passed onwards to a central hall, where
they found another assembly of nobles and officials, evidently waiting
to receive them.
At one end, upon a dais, was a throne of ivory and gold, and on each
side of it a number of richly upholstered seats.
Alondra signed to his chief guests to seat themselves upon the latter,
while he himself occupied the throne.
'Good friends,' said he, addressing the assembly, 'I bring you glorious
news--the news of the safe return of the king, my father! You have
doubtless already seen that his "chariot of the skies" has arrived? To
that I am rejoiced to be able to add the welcome tidings that my royal
father, and all who accompanied him, have come back safely and in good
health.'
At this there was much shouting and clapping of hands upon the part of
the hitherto silent crowd. Evidently they had been awaiting news in
some suspense, anxious as to whether, though they knew the _Ivenia_ had
returned, some untoward accident might have happened to any of those on
board.
'I am also the bearer, good friends, of commands to you from the king,'
continued Alondra, when the shouting had died down. 'By his wish I take
my seat here in his absence, to welcome in his name to his royal home
some strangers he has brought with him from a far-distant planet. Good
friends, that is all I need say to you! These strangers are the king's
friends and guests, and as such he bids you receive and treat them until
he comes himself to attend to their pleasure and comfort.'
Then such a clamour was heard as fairly took the visitors by surprise.
It seemed even to surpass that which had greeted the announcement of the
king's safe return. Hands, handkerchiefs, banners, were waved, trumpets
blared, cymbals sounded. Finally, at a sign from the prince, there was
a general rush towards the dais, the friendly crowd almost tumbling over
one another, as each seemed determined to be the first to shake hands
with these strangers from a distant world.
*CHAPTER XIV.*
*TOM CLINCH'S STATEMENT.*
When the plaudits which greeted the strangers had subsided, and the
strenuous handshaking had come to an end, Monck, at a signal from
Alondra, conducted them from the great hall to a private suite of
apartments.
'These are assigned to you for your own use during your stay here,' he
explained. 'I may tell you, in confidence, that they have never been
occupied by any save guests of consequence. Therefore, the fact that
they have been allotted to you is one more proof that my royal master
desires to pay you special honour in the eyes of his people.'
'It is very kind of him,' murmured Armeath, 'but a little embarrassing.
It is likely to cause misapprehension. We are no royal visitors, you
know.'
'My master knows it also,' Monck reminded him. 'But he is not like
other monarchs. You know by this time, for instance, that he never
allows any one to address him as "your Majesty." He looks upon it as
unnecessary, and resents it as he does any kind of adulation or
flattery. He expects that we shall treat him with due respect as the
head of the State. If you go beyond that, so far from pleasing him, you
only offend him.'
'And if you do less,' observed Gerald, 'why then'----
'I cannot tell you what would happen,' returned Monck drily. 'So far as
my experience extends, I have never seen it attempted.'
'Truly, these are sumptuous quarters,' said Armeath, gazing round at the
richly furnished rooms.
'You will find your sleeping apartments equally comfortable, with marble
baths attached, where you can have a swim before breakfast if it so
please you. Also, you will see there is an ample wardrobe from which to
select your Court dress'----
'Eh, what's that? Are we to put on Court dress, sir?' Jack stared, and
looked first at the engineer and then at his guardian in serio-comic
distress. 'Must we do that? We've never been used to that sort of
thing, you know!'
'What does that matter?' said Gerald. 'When one goes to Rome one must
do as Rome does.'
A little while later the two chums were looking over a collection of the
most gorgeous raiment they had ever set eyes upon. Gerald viewed the
dazzling costumes with enthusiastic admiration; but Jack was inclined to
regard them almost with disfavour.
'Beautiful! Splendid!' exclaimed Gerald. 'Just what I have seen in my
sleep when I was a child, and I used to gaze at the stars and dream that
I went up into the heavens to visit them! In those dreams I went from
one star to another, and saw the most charming countries and places, and
all the good people in them were dressed in clothes something like
these.'
'And how were the bad ones dressed?' asked Jack quizzically.
'There weren't any,' Gerald declared stoutly.
'What! No ogres, or giants, or bad fairies? However, it's odd, now, to
think of those old dreams of yours! I remember how you used to recount
them to us afterwards. It's curious to think how, after all, they seem
to be coming true, isn't it?'
'Yes,' answered Gerald slowly, as the dreamy, far-away look came again
into his eyes. 'But this is only the beginning. If they are all coming
true, we have experiences before us more wonderful even than anything
that has happened yet! Perhaps it will turn out so. Who can tell?'
'Well, I've got to that state of mind now that I sha'n't be so very much
surprised if they do; and if they don't, I 'm quite content with what we
have in hand,' said practical-minded Jack.
Their two attendants were lodged in adjacent rooms, so that they might
be within call when wanted. Presently, Gerald looked in upon them to
see how they were getting on, and was much amused to see Reid staring
blankly at a heap of clothes, much as Jack had been doing but a little
while before. These costumes, it is true, were much plainer and less
pretentious; but they were, nevertheless, far finer clothes than either
of the two worthies had ever yet worn, or ever expected to.
'Why, Bob, what's the matter?' Gerald asked. 'You look as dismal as if
you were going to have a tooth out!'
''E 's a poor sort o' creechure sometimes, be Bob Reid,' said Clinch
sententiously. Tom was busy picking out the most showy dress he could
find, and attiring himself therein. ''E often doan't seem to know when
'e's in luck. What's these yer fine things sent for if we ain't t' wear
'em? Take what Providence sends ye, an' be thankful! Them's my
sentiments.'
As he spoke he selected a coloured hat with a very high crown and poised
it on his head, opposite a looking-glass.
'I never 'ad no 'igh 'at to wear afore, an' I ain't a-goin' t' throw
this chance away,' said Tom.--'Look at that, Bob Reid,' he continued, as
he surveyed himself in the glass and strutted to and fro. 'See 'ow it
sets off yer figger, me lad!'
Gerald smiled, and was turning away, when Tom suddenly threw the hat on
one side, and, looking very serious, said, 'Mr Gerald, I wants a wurd
wi' ye. Ye knows as we was nearly run down a while since a-comin' up
'ere?'
'Yes, Tom. Well?'
'D' ye know who was in that blunderin' pirate as tried t' send us
rattlin' down on the rocks below?'
'No, I saw no one. It was a strange-looking craft, and seemed to have
no one on board; though, I suppose, the people were really boxed up and
out of sight.'
Tom looked cautiously round, as if doubtful whether there were any
hidden listeners. Then he came close to Gerald, and said in a whisper,
'But I see one on 'em! 'E were a-peepin' out o' a porthole! Nobody but
me was lookin', an' as soon as 'e see me 'e bobbed back.'
'Well, who was it?' Gerald asked, impressed by Tom's manner. 'Any one
we--you or I--know?'
Tom nodded portentously.
'Ay, ay, sir; one who ain't no frien' o' yourn--the one ye call the
Ogre--an' a jolly good name for 'im too!'
'Are you sure--quite sure, Tom? This may be a serious matter! You
should not say such a thing unless you are absolutely certain.'
'As sure as I am that me 'ead be on me shoulders, sir. The ugly swab!
As if anybody could mistake 'is phizog!'
Gerald reflected a while, then said, 'Say nothing to any one else about
this, Tom. Keep your own counsel. There may be nothing in it, and if
you talk it may get you into trouble.'
'Ay, ay, sir! I shall be dumb about it onless ye tells me t' speak.'
Presently a loud flourish of trumpets and sounds of shouting and a
general commotion announced that the king himself was approaching.
Monck led the visitors to a post of vantage outside the palace, from
which they could obtain a good view.
The sun was near to setting, and its beams cast a lurid glow over the
scene--redder than any sunset they had ever seen on Earth.
Below them was a vast plain with a few low hills, upon and round which
was the great city of Ivenia, looking vast and glorious, with
magnificent buildings extending in one direction pile upon pile almost
as far as the eye could see. On the other side lay the sea, glistening
like molten copper.
The king's air-yacht--larger and more beautiful even than the one they
had come in--was seen rising majestically towards them, surrounded by
hundreds of smaller air-craft, their decorations glittering and
sparkling in the sun's red beams. There was no booming of cannon, as
would be the case with us, but a loud, musical, humming sound, which was
curiously agreeable to the ear.
When in due course Ivanta landed upon the height, a few of the craft
accompanying him landed also, and from them poured out a stream of
people splendidly arrayed, who trooped after him in procession to attend
the reception in the palace.
This was a repetition upon a larger scale, so to speak, of the function
at which Prince Alondra had presided, Ivanta this time occupying the
throne himself, with the young prince beside him. As before, places of
honour were given to the strangers, amongst whom the Zuanstrooms were
now included; and the proceedings were even more enthusiastic and of
longer duration, winding up with a grand banquet. It would take too
long to describe all that followed. It must suffice to say that the two
chums voted it the most wonderful entertainment that they had ever heard
of or that imagination could picture; and when at last they lay down
together for their night's rest they were both about tired out.
Now, however, that the dazzling excitement of this wonderful day was
over, and they were once more alone and quiet, the memory of their
narrow escape from death and of what Tom Clinch had said came back to
Gerald's mind like the proverbial skeleton of the feast.
He had had a talk with Monck about it, and had been rather snubbed for
his pains. The engineer said he had seen Kazzaro go with his master on
board the large ex-warship which he had pointed out as serving now as
Agrando's private yacht. Therefore, the Ogre could not possibly have
been where Clinch said he was.
And Monck had ended the talk by rather curtly advising Gerald not to
hunt for mares' nests, and warning him to be careful not to mention such
suspicions to any one else.
'We shall make inquiries and find out who the people were who so nearly
ran us down,' Monck assured him; 'and they will be called to account for
their reckless navigation of the air. But I do not myself believe that
there was anything more than carelessness, nor that Kazzaro could have
been on board.'
Gerald felt a little sore at the engineer's blunt refusal to believe
honest Tom Clinch; and Jack sympathised with him, and tried to comfort
him by declaring that he agreed with his view.
'Depend upon it, Tom would not be likely to make a mistake in such a
matter,' Jack agreed. 'He is an old sailor, and is as sharp as a needle
in a case of emergency like that. My own opinion--strictly, of course,
between ourselves--is that that imp of evil we call the Ogre was there,
and that he deliberately tried to run us down and to kill us all,
including the king's son. You will remember my saying I believed that
some understanding existed between the Ogre and Zuanstroom. I am still
positive that I was right, and that there is some sinister mischief
brewing. Mr Monck may disbelieve it and laugh at the idea if he chooses
to, but don't you feel sore, old chap. I am afraid he will wish
by-and-by that he had treated our hints more seriously.'
Gerald shivered. 'I would rather it should turn out that it is Monck
who is right and we who are wrong,' he returned. 'It's horrible to
think that we have come all this way, and incurred so many risks, only
to meet with plots and murderous attempts. It used not to be so in my
dreams,' he added moodily. 'I wonder why it should be so now? Mr Monck
gave us to understand that we were coming to a place where there were no
more wars, where King Ivanta reigned in peace and security, beloved by
all his subjects. Why does it not seem to be as he led us to believe?
Are we the cause? Is it due simply to the fact that the Zuanstrooms
don't like us--that they are angry because we came, or jealous because
the king shows more favour to you than he does to Silas?'
'No; I don't think it is our fault,' said Jack, with decision.
'Zuanstroom has brought with him the biggest cargo of diamonds ever
seen; and, as Mr Armeath said, trouble was sure to follow. Now, dismiss
it from your thoughts, old chap, and go to sleep.'
'I will; and perhaps some of the old dreams about the stars will come
back to me,' Gerald finished, with a sigh. 'I hope, if they do, there
will be no diamonds there!'
*CHAPTER XV.*
*HUNTING THE GREAT MARS EAGLE.*
The time that followed upon their arrival on Mars was a period of great
enjoyment for the two chums. The gloomy feeling which had been caused
by their narrow escape upon that first day quickly passed away and was
now almost forgotten.
Agrando and the Ogre stayed at home in their own country, and the chums
saw and heard nothing of them. Zuanstroom and his son went their own
way, for the most part making friends with the nobles and the chief
citizens, and seemingly bent only upon the acquisition of useful
knowledge concerning the country they were in and its inhabitants.
Gerald and Jack, on the other hand, became the daily companions of the
young prince; and the three grew more friendly and intimate as the weeks
passed by.
Alondra showed himself a charming host in his behaviour towards his
young guests, and did all he could to make their stay pleasant. He took
them about, showing and explaining such things as were new to them and
likely to excite their interest, and in particular initiating them into
the mysteries of the Martian sports and pastimes. In some of these, as
has been related, the two lads had already made themselves proficient
during the voyage; but those had necessarily been only of such a kind as
were possible in a comparatively confined space.
To attempt to tell of the many strange things the visitors met with, the
novel and surprising sights they saw, and all their curious experiences,
would, however, extend this narrative to too great a length. It is only
possible to relate some of the more noteworthy.
The one great marvel of the place--naturally, the one which had first
attracted their attention, and which was always in evidence--was the
fact that everybody went about in the air. No one ever thought of
travelling far in any other manner; no other kind of mechanical
locomotion was to be seen, except as regards the transport of heavy
goods. These were still carried to and fro on railways of various
kinds, or on other motor vehicles--'slow, old-fashioned affairs,' as
Alondra called them--or still slower 'electric ships.' None of these,
Monck explained, could travel at a faster rate than a hundred miles or
so an hour--reckoning miles as we do on Earth, and that was far too slow
to suit the Martians of to-day.
'Fancy any one travelling at such an absurdly slow speed!' observed
Alondra, laughing at the idea. 'Yet, ages ago, in what some here call
the good, old-fashioned days, people, even upon the longest journeys,
had to be content with crawling about our world no faster than that! We
can travel far more quickly now, in our racing air-yachts, and I suppose
that on your planet, which we know is bigger than ours, you travel more
swiftly still?'
Gerald thought of some of our old-fashioned, slow-going railways, and
blushed. 'I am sorry to have to confess that we do not,' he returned, a
little shamefacedly. He did not like having to admit at every turn how
far his native Earth was 'behind the age,' as things were understood in
Mars. But it was constantly the case, nevertheless.
They sailed about almost daily in the young prince's yacht--the one
which had carried them up to the king's palace the first day--and they
were astounded at the speed she attained in the air. No doubt, as Jack
remarked, the marvellous _Ivenia_ must have travelled immeasurably
faster, or they would have been years upon their journey instead of
months. But they had scarcely been aware of her real speed, because
they had passed no object near enough to give any idea of the actual
rate at which they were being whirled through space.
It happened that the prince's air-yacht had been named after our Earth.
She was called _Lokris_, which, as has been already made known, was the
name by which the Martians knew our planet.
'She was built shortly after my father's return from his first visit to
your world,' Alondra explained; 'and I felt so interested in all he had
to tell me about it that I called her by that name.'
At times there were 'air-regattas,' at which races were arranged for
various classes of airships and flying-machines. The prizes at these
were valuable and were eagerly competed for, and the _Lokris_ was
frequently one of the competitors. In these contests the young prince
showed himself a skilful and daring navigator of the air; and sometimes,
when the two chums accompanied him, they had some exciting experiences,
as the competing yachts whirled along, often neck and neck, at almost
incredible speed. At such times it was often the most
venturesome--almost, one might say, the most reckless--who came in
winners.
Alondra was delighted to discover that in his two visitors he had gained
sailing companions after his own heart. He took special pains to teach
them to assist him in the handling of the yacht, and they soon grew
expert. Then the two sailors were instructed, and took the place of the
former crew; and the five became celebrated for their skilful and
fearless manoeuvring and for the number of races they won.
Tom Clinch and Bob Reid entered into the spirit of the thing with great
gusto, and soon proved themselves as clever in the air as ever they had
been in the handling of sailing-boats on the water at home. And when
the prizes began to come in--half of which Alondra allotted to them, the
other half being distributed in charity--their satisfaction and delight
may well be imagined.
It should be explained that these Earth-born assistants gained a
considerable advantage from the fact, which has already been noted, that
their muscles were stronger comparatively than those of the natives.
Thus the four on board the _Lokris_ could do the work of nearly double
the number of Martians--and as in this kind of racing the work was often
heavy, and required considerable physical exertion, the saving in weight
effected by carrying a smaller crew made an important difference.
But the great sport of the Martians, it presently appeared, was
eagle-hunting. A species of eagle, very much larger than any on Earth,
had their eyries amongst some mountain peaks in a wild district some
distance away. In regard to size, the visitors found that birds were
larger on the average, while some animals were often smaller, than those
species on our earth which correspond to them. Certainly these
eagles--known by the name of krondos--were gigantic birds, swift and
very high flyers, and terribly savage, powerful creatures when attacked.
Doubtless they would have been exterminated long ago but for the fact
that they had been expressly preserved for the purposes of sport, just
as foxes are in England.
Packs of smaller tame eagles, of a different breed, were trained to hunt
them. Assisted by these, a party of Martian nobles would sally forth in
their air-yachts and chase the formidable giant eagles from peak to
peak, following them in their circling flights into the upper air or
their dizzy downward swoops, until some expert hunter-aeronaut contrived
to throw a net over the quarry and capture it alive.
That was, briefly, the general procedure, Monck explained; but, as he
further remarked, it did not always come off as per programme.
Sometimes the krondos assumed the offensive against the hunters; and
cases had been even known of their dragging men out of the airships and
carrying them off, or dashing them down upon the rocks below.
'The king has arranged for a grand krondo-hunt to-morrow, in your
honour!' Alondra one day informed the chums. 'We must be astir early in
the morning. You are to come with me in my yacht. Now you will see
some truly royal sport. Our air-yacht races are but as a children's game
compared with this!'
It came to pass, accordingly, that at dawn a great procession of
air-craft, headed by the king in his own yacht--known as the
_Nelda_--started off in the beams of the rising sun for the district
which was the haunt of the great birds.
An hour's run brought them to the hunting-ground, and the chums thought
they had never seen a more desolate tract. Great, rocky cliffs and
heights, and soaring mountain-peaks above, with dark, gloomy ravines and
valleys below, were its chief features--truly a suitable region for the
ferocious winged monsters they were in search of.
Alondra was the first to sight one of the creatures; and, following the
rules of the hunt, turned his yacht quickly and dashed away in pursuit.
He was wearing, as it happened, through a fancy of his own, his new
flying-dress. Why, exactly, the chums who were with him did not know;
though he had hinted mysteriously at some new experiment he was desirous
of trying.
As the _Lokris_ shot upwards, and then swerved to round a towering peak,
something went wrong with one of the revolving spirals; and Gerald, as
he had done before in a similar case, climbed up the mast to try to
right it.
In the meantime, the speed was checked, and the craft passed closer to
the rock than had been intended.
Other yachts, which had turned aside to follow, were catching them up;
and Alondra, who did not like this, was shouting excited instructions to
Gerald, when there came a loud rushing of wings as two immense dark
forms rose unexpectedly from off the rock and sailed upwards within a
few yards of him. One of the giant birds swung round in a narrow
circle, poised, and then swooped down upon the busy worker on the top of
the mast.
So sudden and unlooked for was the rush, so powerful the clutch which
gripped him, that Gerald was forced from his hold; and a moment later
the bird, with its prey, was seen either flying or falling headlong down
towards the valley, thousands of feet below.
A great shout of horror and dismay went up from the spectators; but,
even as the cries were heard, a glistening, shining figure flashed from
the side of the yacht.
Alondra had dived through the air after his friend!
*CHAPTER XVI.*
*IN DIRE PERIL.*
As Alondra disappeared over the side of the _Lokris_, Jack made a dart
at the controlling-gear and began handling the levers. They were placed
on a raised platform or bridge situated in the bow, in such a position
as to give the best all-round view for directing and managing the craft.
He had seen that Gerald had cleared the spiral just before he had been
attacked by the giant eagle, and that everything, therefore, was now
again in working order. Just before leaping off, Alondra had paused a
second to give him a look which said as plainly as words could have
done, 'I leave you in charge;' and Jack acted promptly upon the unspoken
wish.
'Hold tight, everybody!' he shouted, and a moment later the airship
plunged downward.
The _Nelda_, carrying King Ivanta and his party, had turned and dived
too; and the two airships came close together, and raced for a while
side by side in their swift descent.
King Ivanta was directing his own craft, and he made signs to Jack,
indicating in dumb show his line of action.
Below them, and, as yet, far ahead, could be seen the feathered monster
bearing off his prey, in what was now a more gradual downward sweep.
Alondra could be seen, too, in close pursuit behind.
Jack understood Ivanta's meaning, and the two airships parted
company--one going off to the right and the other to the left.
Then followed a most strange and terribly exciting chase.
The desolate valley at its farther end opened out, and there, away in
the distance, could be seen a sheet of water forming an extensive lake.
It was the object of the pursuers to drive the krondo in that direction.
This required very delicate and careful manoeuvring. If, on the one
hand, the bird were pressed too closely, it might drop its prey upon the
rocks beneath, which would mean for Gerald certain death. On the other
hand, it was advisable to force it to fly its hardest, so that it would
have no leisure to peck at its victim _en route_. Once it was over the
water, Alondra, who had armed himself with his trident, would probably
be able to deal with it.
All this King Ivanta had conveyed to Jack in pantomime, for no words
could be heard amidst the rush through the air as the airships plunged
madly downwards. Jack had been quick to divine what was intended, and
now took his share in the hunt accordingly.
The krondo, however, also seemed to guess what its pursuers were trying
to do, and it exhibited a desire to balk them by making for one or other
of the rocky precipices which rose like colossal walls on either side of
the valley. Every time it tried to do this, the king on the one side,
or Jack on the other, immediately swept round to head it off.
Behind them came a number of other airships, which had formed now into
more or less orderly ranks, some above and some below. Their occupants
were watching all that took place with breathless interest, and held
themselves ready to close up if the bird should elude the leading
pursuers and break back.
The position was rendered yet more difficult by the appearance of four
other krondos, which swooped down with blood-curdling screams, and
followed the first one, quite ready and willing to fight it on their own
account for the possession of its prize.
In one respect this, perhaps, was an advantage, as it had the effect of
causing the robber to hold on to its prey more obstinately, and rendered
it less likely to drop it. But there was also the danger of the other
krondos closing round and pecking Gerald to death amongst them.
Suddenly a new factor was added. From the king's yacht quite a flock of
birds emerged and began flying about with shrill cries and hoarse calls.
These were Ivanta's tame eagles--small birds, comparatively speaking,
but still, in actual fact, strong creatures, which had been trained to
hunt their giant cousins.
At first they circled round and darted this way and that in seeming
confusion, no doubt dazzled by the light, for they had thus far been
kept hooded. But they quickly became accustomed to their surroundings,
and then a close observer might have seen that they were all watching
their master the king, as he stood plainly in view upon the prow of his
craft.
He waved his hands, and away they flew in a compact cloud, heading
straight for the four krondos, just as they were beginning to 'mob' the
one which was carrying Gerald.
Then ensued a battle-royal in mid-air, the sagacious, trained birds
dashing at the bigger ones and darting away again, harrying and worrying
them, as clever hounds will rush in at a wild boar, snap at it, and dart
away before the bigger beast has time to turn and rend them.
This attack of the trained birds had the effect of turning the pursuing
krondos from their intended purpose. They had now enough to do to
defend themselves; and clouds of feathers could be seen falling through
the air, testifying to the severity of the combat.
During the melee the first robber, glad of the opportunity of making its
escape with its prize, winged its way steadily onwards until at last it
was over the waters of the lake.
Here its speed grew perceptibly less, and it began to dip in its
flight--unmistakable signs that it was tiring. For, large and powerful
as the creature was, the weight it was carrying was bound to tell upon
it sooner or later.
The pursuing airships now came up, and while some forged on ahead, the
others closed round in such a manner as to hem the robber in.
Alondra, who had been following the heavily burdened thief without any
great effort, made a sudden spurt, and, sweeping round, passed close to
it. There was a flash of light, and a sharp, crackling sound.
[Illustration: There was a flash of light, and a sharp, crackling
sound.]
Then the spreading wings drooped, the gigantic bird seemed to stagger
and shrink, and finally it collapsed. Robber and prey fell together
into the lake, and the waters closed over them.
There were a few moments of anxious suspense. Was Gerald injured? Would
he be able to swim? These and similar questions were in the minds of the
spectators as they scanned the surface of the lake.
Jack had turned his airship downwards as he saw Alondra make his rush,
and a moment or two after the bird's fall the craft alighted on the
water and lay gently rocking within a few yards of the spot.
Jack and Clinch both sprang to the side, and there were two splashes as
they dived almost simultaneously.
Just, however, as they disappeared from sight beneath the water, two
other forms emerged. One was the krondo, which floated motionless; the
other was Gerald, who was swimming vigorously, seemingly none the worse
for what he had undergone.
A great cheer went up from the assembled crowd, which was renewed again
and again as first Jack and then Clinch reappeared, and, catching sight
of their friend, hastened towards him to offer their help.
Just then the king's yacht descended close to the swimmers; a ladder was
thrown from her side, and Ivanta himself stepped down and assisted them
to climb on hoard.
He soon satisfied himself by actual examination that no great harm had
been done. Gerald had some nasty scratches, and the muscles were
bruised in places; but otherwise he was unhurt, and was inclined to make
light of his adventure.
'It's an experience that no one on our own planet can boast of,' he
observed with a smile. 'No one since the days of Sindbad the Sailor has
ever been carried off by a bird.'
'I am thankful that it has been no worse, my lad,' said Ivanta, and in
his tone there was a note of deep and kindly feeling. 'It is an
unpleasant variation of our usual sport.'
'I confess I was on tenterhooks the whole time,' said Armeath, who was
one of the king's party, 'and I am more relieved than I can tell you.'
'Oh, it's all right, sir!' answered Gerald cheerfully. 'I am none the
worse, and I am quite ready to go on with the hunt. Don't let me spoil
your day's sport. Besides, I want to get a bit of my own back. Those
feathered brutes have hunted me; I want to hunt them before I 've done
with them!'
'So you shall!' returned the king. 'But you must first put on some dry
clothes. Go down to my cabin, and Alondra will find you a change.'
'I haven't thanked him yet for following up the beast so promptly,'
cried Gerald, turning to Alondra, who had just alighted on the deck and
grasped his hand. 'I saw all that went on! I saw you, Alondra, leap
down after me; and it was that really which turned the bird in the right
direction, for he was heading the other way!'
'I noticed that,' said Alondra modestly. 'I remembered that there was
this lake ahead of us, and it struck me in a flash that the best--almost
the only--chance of saving you was to drive the krondo towards it. Of
course, I could have overtaken him and mastered him; but I could not
have supported you and battled with him too--to say nothing of the
others which would have been after us.'
''Twas wisely thought out, my son,' Ivanta declared. 'I caught your
idea directly I noted that you had purposely turned the bird from the
line it had first taken. Our young friend here was prompt, too, in
following it up and aiding me to prevent it from breaking back,' he
added, indicating Jack. 'Now, go and change your clothes; and we will
give you your revenge upon the krondos.'
Half an hour later they were back again in the valley which had been the
scene of Gerald's startling adventure. A desultory fight was still
going on between Ivanta's trained eagles and a pair of their foes. Upon
the rocky ground below lay one dead krondo and several of the smaller
birds. Of the fourth krondo nothing was to be seen; it had probably
taken refuge in flight.
Ivanta looked at his dead birds with grave concern and regret.
'This is my fault! I forgot to call them off!' said he. 'I do not like
to have my faithful feathered friends treated like this.'
He put a whistle to his lips, and at the sound of it his eagles
obediently left the krondos they were 'mobbing;' and the latter at once
flew off. Evidently they had had quite enough of the fray, and were glad
of the chance of making good their retreat without further trouble.
'We will find some more to chase presently,' observed Ivanta. 'First,
let us see what can be done for those of my eagles which are hurt but
not killed.'
Armeath and his wards looked on with wondering approval as they saw the
attention Ivanta proceeded to bestow upon his wounded birds. It was
curiously characteristic of the man to delay the proceedings and keep
all his friends waiting for such a cause.
Later on, the hunt was resumed, and the visitors had some lively
experiences among the mountain-peaks, though none quite so startling as
the first one.
They found it, as Alondra had said they would, splendid sport. The
krondos were hunted out and pursued by the small eagles in all their
turns, and these were followed by the airships, just as the huntsmen
follow the hounds. There was the same rivalry, too, amongst the latter
to be 'in at the death.'
Naturally, this necessitated some bold manoeuvring on the part of the
airships. At one time they would be circling through the upper air to
dizzy heights far above the highest mountains; then suddenly there would
be a turn and a mad plunge downwards for thousands of feet, as their
quarry swooped down almost to the level of the ground below. There were
many hairbreadth escapes from collisions; and altogether the sport was
about as exciting as the most daring or the most reckless could desire.
'It beats the switchback railway business and all that sort of thing
hollow!' exclaimed Gerald that evening, when relating their experiences
to Freddy; for the Zuanstrooms had not joined the hunting-party.
'Looping the loop's nothing to it!' Jack declared.
Freddy looked wistful. 'How I wished I was with you!' he sighed.
'H'm! I 'm afraid you are not old enough yet for that sort of thing,
youngster,' remarked Jack loftily. 'What has Silas been doing to amuse
you to-day?'
'He hasn't been amusing me at all,' was the answer. 'It's been one of
my "bad days" again. The nasty, ugly old man has come back, and has been
with uncle and Silas all day; and whenever he comes I am always sent off
and left to amuse myself as best I can!'
Gerald and Jack looked at each other. Jack gave a long, low whistle;
Gerald exclaimed under his breath, 'The Ogre again!'
*CHAPTER XVII.*
*LESSONS IN FLYING.*
'It bain't no sort o' use; I shall never l'arn t' fly!' grumbled Bob
Reid, as he stood rubbing his bruises. He had just come 'a nasty
cropper,' and seemed, as he expressed it, to have 'hurt meself all over
at wanst.' One hand was rubbing a leg, while the other was busy with a
shoulder. 'If I 'ad 'alf a dozen more 'ands I could find plenty for 'em
t' do!' he continued ruefully. 'I seem t' be bruised everywhere. Let's
give it up, Tom, afore we suicides ourselves unintentional.'
'Not I!' cried Tom Clinch, who was balancing himself on a ladder. He
flung his arms--to which two great wings were attached--about wildly,
and leaped into the air, gasping as he came floundering down. 'You see,
Bob, I 'll master it yet!'
The two sailors had had some 'flying-dresses' lent them, and had been
practising and striving for all they were worth to learn the mystic art;
but somehow they could not, as Tom put it, 'fall into the knack.'
'It be like swimmin',' Tom went on, between leaps and jumps which would
have done credit to a Spring-heeled Jack. 'It takes a long time t' fall
inter the knack'----
'Ye'll fall inter the ditch d'reckly,' Bob tittered, as Tom rolled over
on the ground. 'It's no use, Tom! Let's be sensible, an' give it up.
It ain't dignerfied like fur us two chaps at our time o' life!'
'I be goin' t' try another jump from that there ladder,' returned Tom
obstinately. 'You needn't try no more if ye funks it! But when I
starts out to do a thing I don't like t' be beat! Other people 'ere
does it, so why shouldn't we?'
'Ay, but they l'arns it in their young days,' said Bob.
'Theer 's Mr Gerald--he's gettin' on fine! An' Mr Jack, too, ain't
doin' bad at it! He be a-practisin' now just out yonder--t'other side
that fence! There he goes now--a-soarin' up in grand style! I 'd give
'alf me month's wages t' be able t' go like that!'
'It's that puff o' wind's took 'old o' 'im,' Bob declared, as he watched
Jack perform some rather curious aerial evolutions. 'Strikes me the
wind's got 'old of 'im, an 'e can't 'elp 'isself! Yes! Look out fur 'im
t' stop 'im, Tom!'
Tom had just succeeded, at the moment this urgent warning was uttered,
in again climbing laboriously up the ladder on to a narrow platform
which had been erected as a 'jumping-off place' for fliers.
There were several of these platforms, of various heights, placed at
intervals in some spacious fields laid out specially near the city of
Ivenia, for the use of those who were learning to fly, or experimenting
with small flying-machines. They might be likened to the
diving-platforms, with ladders leading up to them, which are to be seen
at some bathing-places. They were open to all, and were freely used by
old and young--especially the latter. It was no uncommon sight to see
numbers of boys and girls--some almost babies--fluttering about like so
many large butterflies.
This particular morning the two sailors were practising on their own
account in one part, while Gerald and Jack were similarly engaged, not
far away, under Alondra's tuition.
It was a windy day, with violent squalls at intervals, and lulls
between. Just at the time Tom climbed to the platform there had arisen
a very violent gust, which came sweeping across, bearing with it the
figure of Jack, with large wings whirling about like the sails of a
windmill. Whether he was purposely heading for the platform as a refuge
to which he could cling, or whether the unexpected violence of the wind
carried him there, it would be difficult to say. All that is certain
about it is that he cannoned against Tom Clinch, and a moment later the
two were gyrating and spinning in the air like a couple of gigantic
bluebottles. Then, as though poor Bob Reid had not already enough
bruises to attend to, the two descended like an avalanche plump on top
of him. Finally, Gerald, who had followed Jack in his involuntary
flight, sailed straight into the struggling group. Fortunately, at this
point Alondra arrived. He had come after the two chums to render them
his assistance, and was now able to help to disentangle them.
'One o' my wings is broke!' cried Tom, as he sat up and surveyed the
wreck.
'I'm afraid both mine are,' said Jack.
'You 've broke my back atween ye!' Bob spluttered, as he rolled over.
'This settles it! No more flyin' fur me!'
'I've had enough for to-day too!' Jack laughingly owned, as he proceeded
to divest himself of his flying outfit. 'It's a mistake for beginners
to practise on a windy day.'
'I doan't practise no more--wind or no wind,' Bob declared in a tone of
conviction. 'All I wants now be some limbrokation--an' plenty on it!'
'I think you only require a little more practice,' Alondra afterwards
assured the two chums, as they were walking home towards his yacht,
leaving their outfits to be brought after them by the two sailors.
'I don't know,' said Jack doubtfully. 'We've been trying it for a good
while now, and we don't seem to make much progress. I begin to doubt if
we ever shall. It's different with you, you see. Your people have
learnt it more or less for generations, and it's in the blood, I fancy.
I think we shall have to be content with motor-wings.'
Jack referred to the smallest form of flying-machine in use. It
consisted merely of a pair of wings worked by a small motor, a balancing
tail, and a saddle-seat on which the aeronaut perched himself. In many
respects it might be described as the aerial counterpart of our
motor-bicycle.
From the incidents just related it will be gathered that the visitors
had not made much progress in learning the use of artificial wings.
Whether there was something different in their physical constitution, or
whether it was, as Jack was inclined to think, that the knack of flying
was becoming hereditary amongst the Martians, it is certain that neither
the youthful aspirants nor the two elderly sailors had so far been able
to master the tantalising secret of soaring into the air at will with
artificial wings alone. They could come down--from a height; but then,
as Tom Clinch remarked, 'Most people can do that wi'out any l'arnin'.'
When, an hour or two later, Alondra's yacht landed them again at
Karendia, as the king's palace was called (the name meant literally 'the
palace in the clouds'), they found Monck awaiting them.
'I have some news for you young people,' said he. 'Our royal master has
honoured me by entrusting me with a special mission to Sedenia (King
Agrando's country); and he will let you accompany me, so that you may
see something of another part of our world.'
'I 'm willing, if you others are going, of course,' Gerald answered
readily, but without enthusiasm. He glanced at Alondra as he spoke.
'I shall like very much to go with you,' said Alondra. 'It is a country
well worth visiting. There are many curious natural wonders to be seen
there. Moreover, we shall be able to visit other countries on our way.'
That night, as the two chums were retiring to rest, Gerald said, with a
shiver, 'Do you know, Jack, I would give a good deal if we could get out
of this trip. I've got a feeling--a sort of presentiment'----
'Nerves again!' murmured Jack sleepily. 'We shall be all right! We go
as the king's guests or ambassadors, or whatever it is; and not even the
Ogre will dare to harm us. Ivanta has a long arm, it strikes me.'
'Maybe he has, and maybe it will, as you say, be all right,' was
Gerald's reply. 'All the same, something tells me we're in for trouble
in some way or another.'
*CHAPTER XVIII.*
*A ROYAL PROGRESS.*
'There are the famous canals--the great waterways which the astronomers
of the Earth have seen through their telescopes and puzzled over for so
many years. The curious thing is that the scientists of Mars have
puzzled over them almost as much, and can tell you practically just as
little about them.'
Thus spoke Monck, as the _Lokris_ sailed through the upper air on her
way to the country of King Agrando.
Below them the voyagers saw seas and continents spread out as upon an
enormous map. And there, quite plain to the eye, were the strange
channels Monck had referred to. They looked like great arms of the sea;
but there was that in their regular shape which proclaimed, even to the
unscientific eye, that they must have been constructed artificially.
'Their origin is lost in the mists of past ages,' Monck explained.
'Some mighty race in the past must have made them at a time when to be
able to travel by water was all-important.'
Jack, who was looking through a powerful telescope, exclaimed in
surprise, 'I can see vessels going about on them! The curious thing is
that in one channel they are all going one way, and in the other channel
they are all moving along in the opposite direction.'
'Exactly!' Monck replied. 'And that, you perceive, seems to suggest a
reason for their construction. There are strong currents running
through them just as you see the vessels going--that is to say, in
opposite directions. It is supposed that the ancients, in the days
before mechanical propulsion was invented, saw in that fact an easy way
of getting about. At any rate, that is the general supposition
nowadays. Of course, it is only a guess.'
The _Lokris_ had been at this time two days and nights on her journey.
She was accompanied by several airships, forming, in effect, a small
squadron. 'Escorted' would be perhaps a more fitting term, for several
of them were war-vessels, while others again were craft in attendance,
carrying supplies.
The progress of the whole fleet was methodical, and was conducted with a
good deal of ceremony. It was all ordered very much as would be the case
with the fleet of one of the Great Powers on Earth escorting the yacht
carrying the son of a powerful monarch on a visit or tour to a distant
realm. One of the war-vessels carried the Diamond King and his party;
while Armeath and his wards travelled with Prince Alondra in his yacht.
As they continued their journey they passed over various cities and
countries. Sometimes strange war-vessels, seeing from a distance that a
small fleet was approaching, came soaring up to inquire who and what
they were. Continually, all day long, other craft, of every size and
kind, passed them. Some were great liners, carrying passengers, going
swiftly to and fro like our greyhounds of the Atlantic; some were
private yachts; and others again war-craft, alone, or in twos and
threes. All, as they went by, ran up signals; and when they learnt from
the answering signals who the illustrious travellers were, saluted in
token of respect.
Their progress was leisurely, and there were many halts. There were
certain places where their coming was expected, and preparations had
been made to give them a brilliant reception. Airships, splendidly
decorated, came up to welcome them, and beg them to descend to receive
addresses.
Then it was that the strangers saw how much diversity it was possible to
introduce into the decoration of the various air-craft, and how their
outward appearance could be varied and altered according to the taste
and ingenuity of the owners. Every kind of bird was imitated upon a
large scale. There were gigantic swans, eagles, swallows, and other
birds such as are familiar to us upon Earth, and a number of strange
bird-forms which exist only on Mars. There were grotesque creatures,
too, representations of beasts and fish, and uncanny-looking monsters,
some of the latter resembling what we know as dragons, griffins,
wyverns, and so on.
At night there would be fêtes, when all these creatures were lighted up
in curious and ingenious fashion, revealing to the astonished and
delighted travellers most weird and marvellous effects, as they
performed intricate evolutions and manoeuvres in the air in the dark.
Then there were fireworks such as have probably never been dreamed of by
even our most skilful pyrotechnists. Illuminated airships soared up into
the heavens and formed brilliant constellations of huge coloured stars,
or rained down showers of fire, like colossal, inverted, fiery
fountains. Chariots of fire sailed to and fro and engaged in races,
contests, or in sham-fights upon a grand scale. Fiery monsters, which
left long, shining trails of light behind them like the tails of comets,
darted to and fro with a roar which startled those who heard it for the
first time. Luminous clouds--red, yellow, blue, or green--formed
mysteriously, and aeronauts played hide-and-seek amongst them with their
lighted cars, vanishing suddenly into them and reappearing quite
unexpectedly in a different place.
Such were some--only a few--of the spectacles with which the travellers
from our Earth were entertained by the hospitable inhabitants of the
countries over which they passed in the course of their journey to
Sedenia. It would require too much space to describe all the marvellous
sights they gazed upon, the novelties they met with, the quaint
costumes, manners, and customs of the various nations they encountered,
or the numerous zoological curiosities which were brought under their
notice. Weeks were occupied in this manner, and it may safely be said
that each day brought some fresh surprise, something which was new,
unexpected, or curiously interesting to the visitors.
Altogether, the two chums and their guardian had a memorable
journey--one to be remembered with delight and wonder for the rest of
their lives, one which was in every sense a truly royal progress. Not
the least interesting part of it consisted in the frank curiosity
displayed by the inhabitants in themselves as natives of another world.
Many showed great surprise at finding that they were just human beings,
very much the same as the Martians were, neither more nor less.
'I suppose,' remarked Gerald, 'they expected that we should turn out to
be monsters like those which that philosopher of theirs, whose book I
was reading on the way here, declared us to be: "ape-like creatures,
with blue skins covered with green hair."'
But whatever the expectations of the Martians had been, they soon
demonstrated that they were well pleased with the reality, for they
overwhelmed the visitors with the most lavish hospitality, and accorded
them places of great honour at every public function.
One note there was, however, not exactly of discord, but a jarring
note--an undercurrent--of disappointment and dissatisfaction,
nevertheless. In every place at which they arrived, one of the first
questions addressed to Monck was: 'Have you brought the diamonds?' or
'When are the diamonds to be offered for sale?' These, or some similar
inquiries concerning the great shipload of gems which it was now known
throughout the Martian world had been brought by King Ivanta from the
'evening star,' met them at every halting-place.
It was evident that the answer which Monck, as the king's messenger, was
compelled to make to these queries, caused considerable surprise and
disappointment. In certain extreme cases they even threw a certain air
of restraint into the exhibitions of public rejoicings.
'What has been done with the diamonds, Mr Monck?' asked Jack one day.
'What is going to be done with them? If they were brought here to be
offered for sale to those who could afford to buy them, why are they
kept back?'
'At present they are under lock and key--that is to say, they are
deposited in the strong room of the treasury in the city of Ivenia.'
'When are they going to be brought out again?'
'That is more than I can say, young sir. It is at present a secret
known only to my royal master.'
'It's no business of mine, sir,' Jack went on modestly, 'and perhaps you
will think I have no right to say anything; but I can't help seeing that
keeping them locked up is causing a great deal of ill-feeling. I know
that Mr Armeath thinks--and I feel sure that he is right--that it is a
pity they were ever brought here at all. But since they have been
brought, it does seem a bit funny that so much time should be allowed to
go by without any one being allowed even to see them.'
'It is the king's will, and that is all I can tell you. I may just hint
to you privately, however, that I have an idea--it is only my own guess,
mind you--that the king wishes to defer taking any decided step till
after his return from his visit to Kondris--that is, to the planet you
know as Saturn.'
Jack whistled. 'Oh, oh!' he cried, nodding his head shrewdly. 'I see!
Then he is really bent on making that trip?'
'Undoubtedly. At least, I believe he is now completing the necessary
preparations.'
'Mr Zuanstroom--he won't like that, will he?'
'He will have to wait the king's pleasure.'
'I suppose he will; but he won't like it. And you will find he will
begin to kick if something isn't done soon. I have heard hints to that
effect. Silas let it out in an indiscreet moment.'
'My royal master has a way of doing what he chooses without regard to
the opinions of private individuals,' was Monck's answer; and it was
given in a tone which effectually closed the conversation.
*CHAPTER XIX.*
*A DARING PLOT.*
In due course the travellers reached the country of Sedenia. They were
met upon--or rather over--its borders by the ruler of the realm, King
Agrando. He was accompanied by his chief councillor, Kazzaro--otherwise
the Ogre--Gorondo his chief General, and his principal officers of
State. He also had with him a number of war-airships of various sizes.
Under his conduct the travellers passed on to his capital, the city of
Dyrania, a rambling town of considerable size, built upon the slopes of
a high mountain and overlooking a large lake.
The visitors left their airships, and took up their abode for the time
being in suites of apartments assigned to them for their use in the
royal palace.
Here King Agrando dispensed his hospitality with a sort of semi-barbaric
dignity. To Gerald, in particular, as may be imagined, it seemed a
curious thing to find himself attending his Court as a guest. It cannot
be said that it was a pleasant experience, and he entered into it with
very mixed feelings.
So far as the outward conduct of his host went, however, he had nothing
to complain of. He had come there with Prince Alondra and Monck, King
Ivanta's special representative; and he, Mr Armeath, and Jack, were
treated upon that footing with the strictest regard to everything that
courtesy and etiquette required. At the same time, try as he would, he
could not feel exactly comfortable. Every time he attended any
function, and saw before him King Agrando and his chief officers, there
came back to him the memory of that time when he had been brought before
those same men as a helpless prisoner, and treated with contumely and
insult. His cheeks would flush, and the hot blood rush through his
veins even now, as he recalled how Kazzaro had prodded and pommelled him
as a farmer might a bullock offered for sale, and remembered the
sinister and forbidding aspect of the whole crowd as they gazed upon
him.
Still, so far as they were concerned, all this might have been a mere
dream. Nothing in their behaviour showed that they even recollected it.
The king, indeed, in a certain fashion of his own, seemed to wish to
convey to Gerald that he desired the whole 'regrettable incident' to be
forgotten.
As King Agrando plays an important part in this history, some further
particulars concerning him may be given here.
His had been one of the last countries to be brought under the sway of
the all-powerful, all-conquering Ivanta. He now occupied a
semi-independent position, one somewhat similar to that of some of the
richest and most powerful of the native princes of India. In his time
he had himself been a great fighter and conqueror, having invaded and
conquered several adjoining countries. He had ruled over these--and over
his own subjects also--with an iron hand; and at times, it was said,
with tyrannical cruelty. There had been, indeed, dark rumours afloat of
terrible deeds carried out by him with the aid of the band of
councillors he kept about him, of whom Kazzaro was the chief. If these
tales were anywhere near the truth, then the title of Ogre, which the
chums had bestowed upon Kazzaro, might have been quite as suitably given
to his master.
But those days were past--or supposed to be past. Agrando was now on
his best behaviour. Ivanta had insisted that there should be no more
fighting or quarrelling with his neighbours, and no more cruelty and
oppression within his realm. Thus the tyrant's 'occupation was gone,'
and he had little left to him to do save to occupy himself and his
select circle with such more or less harmless amusements as the
circumstances permitted.
For one thing, he had become a great collector of curios of all kinds,
animate and inanimate. That is to say, he had got together the finest
collection of curios and zoological and botanical specimens of any upon
the planet. Some of these had been contributed by Ivanta--brought by
him from distant planets, Earth and Saturn--who possibly thought it good
policy to encourage his restless vassal in so blameless a hobby. Thus
the gardens surrounding the palace formed a sort of glorified Zoo and
Kew Gardens rolled into one. His palace, too, was filled to overflowing
with the most remarkable works of art that money could buy and the
countries of his globe could produce. The fame of his collections had
spread throughout the world of Mars, and people travelled immense
distances and made long pilgrimages to see them.
It is sca
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