diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10165-8.txt | 16437 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10165-8.zip | bin | 373895 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10165.txt | 16437 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10165.zip | bin | 373736 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/old-2025-04-16/10165-0.txt | 16074 |
5 files changed, 0 insertions, 48948 deletions
diff --git a/old/10165-8.txt b/old/10165-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 326d945..0000000 --- a/old/10165-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16437 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Across the Zodiac, by Percy Greg - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: Across the Zodiac - -Author: Percy Greg - -Release Date: November 21, 2003 [eBook #10165] -[Last updated: March 19, 2014] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACROSS THE ZODIAC*** - - -E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Keith M. Eckrich, Tom Allen, and the -Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -ACROSS THE ZODIAC: The Story of a Wrecked Record - -DECIPHERED, TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY PERCY GREG - -AUTHOR OF "THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE" ETC. - - - - - - - - "Thoughts he sends to each planet, - Uranus, Venus, and Mars; - Soars to the Centre to span it, - Numbers the infinite Stars." - - _Courthope's Paradise of Birds_ - - - -CONTENTS - - I. SHIPWRECK. - - II. OUTWARD BOUND. - - III. THE UNTRAVELLED DEEP. - - IV. A NEW WORLD. - - V. LANGUAGE, LAWS, AND LIFE. - - VI. AN OFFICIAL VISIT. - - VII. ESCORT DUTY. - - VIII. A FAITH AND ITS FOUNDER. - - IX. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. - - X. WOMAN AND WEDLOCK. - - XI. A COUNTRY DRIVE. - - XII. ON THE RIVER. - - XIII. THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT. - - XIV. BY SEA. - - XV. FUR-HUNTING. - - XVI. TROUBLED WATERS. - - XVII. PRESENTED AT COURT. - - XVIII. A PRINCE'S PRESENT. - - XIX. A COMPLETE ESTABLISHMENT. - - XX. LIFE, SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. - - XXI. PRIVATE AUDIENCES. - - XXII. PECULIAR INSTITUTIONS. - - XXIII. CHARACTERISTICS. - - XXIV. WINTER. - - XXV. APOSTACY. - - XXVI. TWILIGHT. - - XXVII. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW. - - XXVIII. DARKER YET. - - XXIX. AZRAEL. - - XXX. FAREWELL. - - - -CHAPTER I - SHIPWRECK. - -Once only, in the occasional travelling of thirty years, did I lose -any important article of luggage; and that loss occurred, not under -the haphazard, devil-take-the-hindmost confusion of English, or the -elaborate misrule of Continental journeys, but through the absolute -perfection and democratic despotism of the American system. I had to -give up a visit to the scenery of Cooper's best Indian novels--no -slight sacrifice--and hasten at once to New York to repair the loss. -This incident brought me, on an evening near the middle of September -1874, on board a river steamboat starting from Albany, the capital of -the State, for the Empire City. The banks of the lower Hudson are as -well worth seeing as those of the Rhine itself, but even America has -not yet devised means of lighting them up at night, and consequently I -had no amusement but such as I could find in the conversation of my -fellow-travellers. With one of these, whose abstinence from personal -questions led me to take him for an Englishman, I spoke of my visit to -Niagara--the one wonder of the world that answers its warranty--and to -Montreal. As I spoke of the strong and general Canadian feeling of -loyalty to the English Crown and connection, a Yankee bystander -observed-- - -"Wal, stranger, I reckon we could take 'em if we wanted tu!" - -"Yes," I replied, "if you think them worth the price. But if you do, -you rate them even more highly than they rate themselves; and English -colonists are not much behind the citizens of the model Republic in -honest self-esteem." - -"Wal," he said, "how much du yew calc'late we shall hev to pay?" - -"Not more, perhaps, than you can afford; only California, and every -Atlantic seaport from Portland to Galveston." - -"Reckon yew may be about right, stranger," he said, falling back with -tolerable good-humour; and, to do them justice, the bystanders seemed -to think the retort no worse than the provocation deserved. - -"I am sorry," said my friend, "you should have fallen in with so -unpleasant a specimen of the character your countrymen ascribe with -too much reason to Americans. I have been long in England, and never -met with such discourtesy from any one who recognised me as an -American." - -After this our conversation became less reserved; and I found that I -was conversing with one of the most renowned officers of irregular -cavalry in the late Confederate service--a service which, in the -efficiency, brilliancy, and daring of that especial arm, has never -been surpassed since Maharbal's African Light Horse were recognised by -friends and foes as the finest corps in the small splendid army of -Hannibal. - -Colonel A---- (the reader will learn why I give neither his name nor -real rank) spoke with some bitterness of the inquisitiveness which -rendered it impossible, he said, to trust an American with a secret, -and very difficult to keep one without lying. We were presently joined -by Major B----, who had been employed during the war in the conduct of -many critical communications, and had shown great ingenuity in -devising and unravelling ciphers. On this subject a somewhat -protracted discussion arose. I inclined to the doctrine of Poe, that -no cipher can be devised which cannot be detected by an experienced -hand; my friends indicated simple methods of defeating the processes -on which decipherers rely. - -"Poe's theory," said the Major, "depends upon the frequent recurrence -of certain letters, syllables, and brief words in any given language; -for instance, of _e_'s and _t_'s, _tion_ and _ed_, _a_, _and_, and -_the_ in English. Now it is perfectly easy to introduce abbreviations -for each of the common short words and terminations, and equally easy -to baffle the decipherer's reliance thereon by inserting meaningless -symbols to separate the words; by employing two signs for a common -letter, or so arranging your cipher that no one shall without extreme -difficulty know which marks stand for single and which for several -combined letters, where one letter ends and another begins." - -After some debate, Colonel A---- wrote down and handed me two lines in -a cipher whose character at once struck me as very remarkable. - -"I grant," said I, "that these hieroglyphics might well puzzle a more -practised decipherer than myself. Still, I can point out even here a -clue which might help detection. There occur, even in these two lines, -three or four symbols which, from their size and complication, are -evidently abbreviations. Again, the distinct forms are very few, and -have obviously been made to serve for different letters by some slight -alterations devised upon a fixed rule. In a word, the cipher has been -constructed upon a general principle; and though it may take a long -time to find out what that principle is, it affords a clue which, -carefully followed out, will probably lead to detection." - -"You have perceived," said Colonel A----, "a fact which it took me -very long to discover. I have not deciphered all the more difficult -passages of the manuscript from which I took this example; but I have -ascertained the meaning of all its simple characters, and your -inference is certainly correct." - -Here he stopped abruptly, as if he thought he had said too much, and -the subject dropped. - -We reached New York early in the morning and separated, having -arranged to visit that afternoon a celebrated "spiritual" medium who -was then giving _séances_ in the Empire City, and of whom my friend -had heard and repeated to me several more or less marvellous stories. -Our visit, however, was unsatisfactory; and as we came away Colonel -A---- said-- - -"Well, I suppose this experience confirms you in your disbelief?" - -"No," said I. "My first visits have generally been failures, and I -have more than once been told that my own temperament is most -unfavourable to the success of a seance. Nevertheless, I have in some -cases witnessed marvels perfectly inexplicable by known natural laws; -and I have heard and read of others attested by evidence I certainly -cannot consider inferior to my own." - -"Why," he said, "I thought from your conversation last night you were -a complete disbeliever." - -"I believe," answered I, "in very little of what I have seen. But that -little is quite sufficient to dispose of the theory of pure imposture. -On the other hand, there is nothing spiritual and nothing very human -in the pranks played by or in the presence of the mediums. They remind -one more of the feats of traditionary goblins; mischievous, noisy, -untrustworthy; insensible to ridicule, apparently delighting to make -fools of men, and perfectly indifferent to having the tables turned -upon themselves." - -"But do you believe in goblins?" - -"No," I replied; "no more than in table-turning ghosts, and less than -in apparitions. I am not bound to find either sceptics or -spiritualists in plausible explanations. But when they insist on an -alternative to their respective theories, I suggest Puck as at least -equally credible with Satan, Shakespeare, or the parrot-cry of -imposture. It is the very extravagance of illogical temper to call on -me to furnish an explanation _because_ I say 'we know far too little -of the thing itself to guess at its causes;' but of the current -guesses, imposture seems inconsistent with the evidence, and -'spiritual agency' with the character of the phenomena." - -"That," replied Colonel A----, "sounds common sense, and sounds even -more commonplace. And yet, no one seems really to draw a strong, clear -line between non-belief and disbelief. And you are the first and only -man I ever met who hesitates to affirm the impossibility of that which -seems to him wildly improbable, contrary at once to received opinion -and to his own experience, and contrary, moreover, to all known -natural laws, and all inferences hitherto drawn from them. Your men of -science dogmatise like divines, not only on things they have not seen, -but on things they refuse to see; and your divines are half of them -afraid of Satan, and the other half of science." - -"The men of science have," I replied, "like every other class, their -especial bias, their peculiar professional temptation. The -anti-religious bigotry of Positivists is quite as bitter and -irrational as the theological bigotry of religious fanatics. At -present the two powers countervail and balance each other. But, as -three hundred years ago I should certainly have been burnt for a -heretic, so fifty or a hundred years hence, could I live so long, I -should be in equal apprehension of being burnt by some successor of -Mr. Congreve, Mr. Harrison, or Professor Huxley, for presuming to -believe in Providential government." - -"The intolerance of incredulity," returned Colonel A----, "is a sore -subject with me. I once witnessed a phenomenon which was to me quite -as extraordinary as any of the 'spiritual' performances. I have at -this moment in my possession apparently irresistible evidence of the -reality of what then took place; and I am sure that there exists at a -point on the earth's surface, which unluckily I cannot define, strong -corroborative proof of my story. Nevertheless, the first persons who -heard it utterly ridiculed it, and were disposed to treat me either as -a madman, or at best as an audacious trespasser on that privilege of -lying which belonged to them as mariners. I told it afterwards to -three gentlemen of station, character, and intelligence, every one of -whom had known me as soldier, and I hope as gentleman, for years; and -in each case the result was a duel, which has silenced those who -imputed to me an unworthy and purposeless falsehood, but has left a -heavy burden on my conscience, and has prevented me ever since from -repeating what I know to be true and believe to be of greater -interest, and in some sense of greater importance, than any scientific -discovery of the last century. Since the last occasion on which I told -it seven years have elapsed, and I never have met any one but yourself -to whom I have thought it possible to disclose it." - -"I have," I answered, "an intense interest in all occult phenomena; -believing in regard to alleged magic, as the scientists say of -practical science, that every one branch of such knowledge throws -light on others; and if there be nothing in your story which it is -personally painful to relate, you need not be silenced by any -apprehension of discourteous criticism on my part." - -"I assure you," he said, "I have no such wish now to tell the story as -I had at first. It is now associated with the most painful incident of -my life, and I have lost altogether that natural desire for sympathy -and human interest in a matter deeply interesting to myself, which, -like every one else, I felt at first, and which is, I suppose, the -motive that prompts us all to relate often and early any occurrence -that has keenly affected us, in whatever manner. But I think that I -have no right to suppress so remarkable a fact, if by telling it I can -place it effectually on record for the benefit of men sensible enough -to believe that it may have occurred, especially since somewhere in -the world there must yet exist proof that it did occur. If you will -come to my rooms in ---- Street tomorrow, Number 999, I will not -promise, but I think that I shall have made up my mind to tell you -what I have to tell, and to place in your hands that portion of the -evidence which is still at my command--evidence that has a -significance of its own, to which my experience is merely episodical." - -I spent that evening with the family of a friend, one of several -former officers of the Confederacy, whose friendship is the one -permanent and valuable result of my American tour. I mentioned the -Colonel's name, and my friend, the head of the family, having served -with him through the Virginian campaigns, expressed the highest -confidence in his character, the highest opinion of his honour and -veracity; but spoke with bitter regret and pain of the duels in which -he had been engaged, especially of one which had been fatal; remarking -that the motive in each instance remained unknown even to the seconds. -"I am sure," he said "that they were not, could not have been, fought -for the one cause that would justify them and explain the secrecy of -the quarrel--some question involving female honour or reputation. I -can hardly conceive that any one of his adversaries could have called -in question in any way the personal loyalty of Colonel A----; and, as -you remarked of General M----, it is too absurd for a man who had -faced over and over again the fire of a whole brigade, who had led -charges against fourfold numbers, to prove his personal courage with -sword or pistol, or to think that any one would have doubted either -his spirit or his nerve had he refused to fight, whatever the -provocation. Moreover, in each case he was the challenger." - -"Then these duels have injured him in Southern opinion, and have -probably tended to isolate him from society?" - -"No," he replied. "Deeply as they were regretted and disapproved, his -services during the war were so brilliant, and his personal character -stands so high, that nothing could have induced his fellow-soldiers to -put any social stigma upon him. To me he must know that he would be -most welcome. Yet, though we have lived in the same city for five -years, I have only encountered him three or four times in the street, -and then he has passed with the fewest possible words, and has neither -given me his address nor accepted my urgent invitations to visit us -here. I think that there is something in the story of those duels that -will never be known, certainly something that has never been guessed -yet. And I think that either the circumstances in which they must have -had their origin, or the duels themselves, have so weighed upon his -spirits, perhaps upon his conscience, that he has chosen to avoid his -former friends, most of them also the friends of his antagonists. -Though the war ruined him as utterly as any of the thousands of -Southern gentlemen whom it has reduced from wealth to absolute -poverty, he has refused every employment which would bring him before -the public eye." - -"Is there," I asked, "any point of honour on which you could suppose -him to be so exceptionally sensitive that he would think it necessary -to take the life of a man who touched him on that point, though -afterwards his regret, if not repentance, might be keen enough to -crush his spirit or break his heart?" - -The General paused for a moment, and his son then interposed-- - -"I have heard it said that Colonel A---- was in general the least -quarrelsome of Confederate officers; but that on more than one -occasion, where his statement upon some point of fact had been -challenged by a comrade, who did not intend to question his veracity -but simply the accuracy of his observation, their brother officers had -much trouble in preventing a serious difficulty." - -The next day I called as agreed upon my new-found friend, and with -some reluctance he commenced his story. - -"During the last campaign, in February 1865, I was sent by General Lee -with despatches for Kirby Smith, then commanding beyond the -Mississippi. I was unable to return before the surrender, and, for -reasons into which I need not enter, I believed myself to be marked -out by the Federal Government for vengeance. If I had remained within -their reach, I might have shared the fate of Wirz and other victims of -calumnies which, once put in circulation during the war, their -official authors dared not retract at its close. Now I and others, -who, if captured in 1865, might probably have been hanged, are neither -molested nor even suspected of any other offence than that of -fighting, as our opponents fought, for the State to which our -allegiance was due. However, I thought it necessary to escape before -the final surrender of our forces beyond the Mississippi. I made my -way to Mexico, and, like one or two Southern officers of greater -distinction than myself, entered the service of the Emperor -Maximilian, not as mere soldiers of fortune, but because, knowing -better than any but her Southern neighbours knew it the miserable -anarchy of Mexico under the Republic, we regarded conquest as the one -chance of regeneration for that country, and the Emperor Maximilian as -a hero who had devoted himself to a task heroic at once in its danger -and difficulty--the restoration of a people with whom his house had a -certain historical connection to a place among the nations of the -civilised world. After his fall, I should certainly have been shot had -I been caught by the Juarists in pursuit of me. I gained the Pacific -coast, and got on board an English vessel, whose captain--loading for -San Francisco--generously weighed anchor and sailed with but half a -cargo to give me a chance of safety. He transferred me a few days -afterwards to a Dutch vessel bound for Brisbane, for at that time I -thought of settling in Queensland. The crew was weak-handed, and -consisted chiefly of Lascars, Malays, and two or three European -desperadoes of all languages and of no country. Her master was barely -competent to the ordinary duties of his command; and it was no -surprise to me when the first storm that we encountered drove us -completely out of our course, nor was I much astonished that the -captain was for some days, partly from fright and partly from drink, -incapable of using his sextant to ascertain the position of the ship. -One night we were awakened by a tremendous shock; and, to spare you -the details of a shipwreck, which have nothing to do with my story, we -found ourselves when day broke fast on a coral reef, about a mile from -an island of no great size, and out of sight of all other land. The -sextant having been broken to pieces, I had no means of ascertaining -the position of this island, nor do I now know anything of it except -that it lay, in the month of August, within the region of the -southeast trade winds. We pulled on shore, but, after exploring the -island, it was found to yield nothing attractive to seamen except -cocoa-nuts, with which our crew had soon supplied themselves as -largely as they wished, and fish, which were abundant and easily -caught, and of which they were soon tired. The captain, therefore, -when he had recovered his sobriety and his courage, had no great -difficulty in inducing them to return to the ship, and endeavour -either to get her off or construct from her timbers a raft which, -following the course of the winds, might, it was thought, bring them -into the track of vessels. This would take some time, and I meanwhile -was allowed to remain (my own wish) on _terra firma_; the noise, dirt, -and foul smells of the vessel being, especially in that climate, -intolerable. - -"About ten o'clock in the morning of the 25th August 1867, I was lying -towards the southern end of the island, on a little hillock tolerably -clear of trees, and facing a sort of glade or avenue, covered only -with brush and young trees, which allowed me to see the sky within -perhaps twenty degrees of the horizon. Suddenly, looking up, I saw -what appeared at first like a brilliant star considerably higher than -the sun. It increased in size with amazing rapidity, till, in a very -few seconds after its first appearance, it had a very perceptible -disc. For an instant it obscured the sun. In another moment a -tremendous shock temporarily deprived me of my senses, and I think -that more than an hour had elapsed before I recovered them. Sitting -up, somewhat confused, and looking around me, I became aware that some -strange accident had occurred. In every direction I saw such traces of -havoc as I had witnessed more than once when a Confederate force -holding an impenetrable woodland had been shelled at random for some -hours with the largest guns that the enemy could bring into the field. -Trees were torn and broken, branches scattered in all directions, -fragments of stone, earth, and coral rock flung all around. -Particularly I remember that a piece of metal of considerable size had -cut off the tops of two or three trees, and fixed itself at last on -what was now the summit of one about a third of whose length had been -broken off and lay on the ground. I soon perceived that this -miraculous bombardment had proceeded from a point to the -north-eastward, the direction in which at that season and hour the sun -was visible. Proceeding thitherward, the evidences of destruction -became every minute more marked, I might say more universal. Trees had -been thrown down, torn up by the roots, hurled against one another; -rocks broken and flung to great distances, some even thrown up in the -air, and so reversed in falling that, while again half buried in the -soil, they exposed what had been their undermost surface. In a word, -before I had gone two miles I saw that the island had sustained a -shock which might have been that of an earthquake, which certainly -equalled that of the most violent Central American earthquakes in -severity, but which had none of the special peculiarities of that kind -of natural convulsion. Presently I came upon fragments of a shining -pale yellow metal, generally small, but in one or two cases of -remarkable size and shape, apparently torn from some sheet of great -thickness. In one case I found embedded between two such jagged -fragments a piece of remarkably hard impenetrable cement. At last I -came to a point from which through the destruction of the trees the -sea was visible in the direction in which the ship had lain; but the -ship, as in a few moments I satisfied myself, had utterly disappeared. -Reaching the beach, I found that the shock had driven the sea far up -upon the land; fishes lying fifty yards inland, and everything -drenched in salt water. At last, guided by the signs of -ever-increasing devastation, I reached the point whence the mischief -had proceeded. I can give no idea in words of what I there found. The -earth had been torn open, rooted up as if by a gigantic explosion. In -some places sharp-pointed fragments of the coral rock, which at a -depth of several feet formed the bed of the island, were discernible -far below the actual surface. At others, the surface itself was raised -several feet by _dčbris_ of every kind. What I may call the -crater--though it was no actual hole, but rather a cavity torn and -then filled up by falling fragments--was two or three hundred feet in -circumference; and in this space I found considerable masses of the -same metallic substance, attached generally to pieces of the cement. -After examining and puzzling myself over this strange scene for some -time, my next care was to seek traces of the ship and of her crew; and -before long I saw just outside the coral reef what had been her -bowsprit, and presently, floating on the sea, one of her masts, with -the sail attached. There could be little doubt that the shock had -extended to her, had driven her off the reef where she had been fixed -into the deep water outside, where she must have sunk immediately, and -had broken her spars. No traces of her crew were to be seen. They had -probably been stunned at the same time that they were thrown into deep -water; and before I came in sight of the point where she had perished, -whatever animal bodies were to be found must have been devoured by the -sharks, which abounded in that neighbourhood. Dismay, perplexity, and -horror prevented my doing anything to solve my doubts or relieve my -astonishment before the sun went down; and during the night my sleep -was broken by snatches of horrible dreams and intervals of waking, -during which I marvelled over what I had seen, scarcely crediting my -memory or my senses. In the morning, I went back to the crater, and -with some tools that had been left on shore contrived to dig somewhat -deeply among the _debris_ with which it was filled. I found very -little that could enlighten me except pieces of glass, of various -metals, of wood, some of which seemed apparently to have been portions -of furniture; and one damaged but still entire relic, which I -preserved and brought away with me." - -Here the Colonel removed a newspaper which had covered a portion of -his table, and showed me a metallic case beaten out of all shape, but -apparently of what had been a silvery colour, very little rusted, -though much soiled. This he opened, and I saw at once that it was of -enormous thickness and solidity, to which and to favouring -circumstances it owed its preservation in the general ruin he -described. That it had undergone some severe and violent shock there -could be no question. Beside the box lay a less damaged though still -seriously injured object, in which I recognised the resemblance of a -book of considerable thickness, and bound in metal like that of the -case. This I afterwards ascertained beyond doubt to be a metalloid -alloy whereof the principal ingredient was aluminium, or some -substance so closely resembling it as not to be distinguishable from -it by simple chemical tests. A friend to whom I submitted a small -portion broken off from the rest expressed no doubt that it was a kind -of aluminium bronze, but inclined to believe that it contained no -inconsiderable proportion of a metal with which chemists are as yet -imperfectly acquainted; perhaps, he said, silicon; certainly something -which had given to the alloy a hardness and tenacity unknown to any -familiar metallurgical compound. - -"This," said my friend, opening the volume, "is a manuscript which was -contained in this case when I took it from among the debris of the -crater. I should have told you that I found there what I believed to -be fragments of human flesh and bone, but so crushed and mangled that -I could form no positive conclusion. My next care was to escape from -the island, which I felt sure lay far from the ordinary course of -merchant vessels. A boat which had brought me ashore--the smaller of -the two belonging to the ship--had fortunately been left on the end of -the island furthest from that on which the vessel had been driven, and -had, owing to its remoteness, though damaged, not been fatally injured -by the shock. I repaired this, made and fixed a mast, and with no -little difficulty contrived to manufacture a sort of sail from strips -of bark woven together. Knowing that, even if I could sustain life on -the island, life under such circumstances would not be worth having, I -was perfectly willing to embark upon a voyage in which I was well -aware the chances of death were at least as five to one. I caught and -contrived to smoke a quantity of fish sufficient to last me for a -fortnight, and filled a small cask with brackish but still drinkable -water. In this vessel, thus stored, I embarked about a fortnight after -the day of the mysterious shock. On the second evening of my voyage I -was caught by a gale which compelled me to lower the sail, and before -which I was driven for three days and nights, in what direction I can -hardly guess. On the fourth morning the wind had fallen, and by noon -it was a perfect calm. I need not describe what has been described by -so many shipwrecked sailors,--the sufferings of a solitary voyager in -an open boat under a tropical sun. The storm had supplied me with -water more than enough; so that I was spared that arch-torture of -thirst which seems, in the memory of such sufferers, to absorb all -others. Towards evening a slight breeze sprang up, and by morning I -came in sight of a vessel, which I contrived to board. Her crew, -however, and even her captain, utterly discredited such part of my -strange story as I told them. On that point, however, I will say no -more than this: I will place this manuscript in your hands. I will -give you the key to such of its ciphers as I have been able to make -out. The language, I believe, for I am no scholar, is Latin of a -medićval type; but there are words which, if I rightly decipher them, -are not Latin, and hardly seem to belong to any known language; most -of them, I fancy, quasi-scientific terms, invented to describe various -technical devices unknown to the world when the manuscript was -written. I only make it a condition that you shall not publish the -story during my life; that if you show the manuscript or mention the -tale in confidence to any one, you will strictly keep my secret; and -that if after my death, of which you shall be advised, you do publish -it, you will afford no clue by which the donor could be confidently -identified." - -"I promise," said I. "But I should like to ask you one question. What -do you conceive to have been the cause of the extraordinary shock you -felt and of the havoc you witnessed? What, in short, the nature of the -occurrence and the origin of the manuscript you entrust to my care?" - -"Why need you ask me?" he returned. "You are as capable as myself of -drawing a deduction from what I have told you, and I have told you -everything, I believe, that could assist you. The manuscript will tell -the rest." - -"But," said I, "an actual eye-witness often receives from a number of -little facts which he cannot remember, which are perhaps too minute to -have been actually and individually noted by him, an impression which -is more likely to be correct than any that could be formed by a -stranger on the fullest cross-questioning, on the closest examination -of what remains in the witness's memory. I should like to hear, before -opening the manuscript, what you believe to have been its origin. - -"I can only say," he answered, "that what must be inferred from the -manuscript is what I had inferred before I opened it. That same -explanation was the only one that ever occurred to me, even in the -first night. It then seemed to me utterly incredible, but it is still -the only conceivable explanation that my mind can suggest." - -"Did you," asked I, "connect the shock and the relics, which I presume -you know were not on the island before the shock, with the meteor and -the strange obscuration of the sun?" - -"I certainly did," he said. "Having done so, there could be but one -conclusion as to the quarter from which the shock was received." - -The examination and transcription of the manuscript, with all the help -afforded me by my friend's previous efforts, was the work of several -years. There is, as the reader will see, more than one _hiatus valde -deflendus_, as the scholiasts have it, and there are passages in -which, whether from the illegibility of the manuscript or the -employment of technical terms unknown to me, I cannot be certain of -the correctness of my translation. Such, however, as it is, I give it -to the world, having fulfilled, I believe, every one of the conditions -imposed upon me by my late and deeply regretted friend. - -The character of the manuscript is very curious, and its translation -was exceedingly difficult. The material on which it is written -resembles nothing used for such purposes on Earth. It is more like a -very fine linen or silken web, but it is far closer in texture, and -has never been woven in any kind of loom at all like those employed in -any manufacture known to history or archaeology. The letters, or more -properly symbols, are minute, but executed with extraordinary -clearness. I should fancy that something more like a pencil than a -pen, but with a finer point than that of the finest pencil, was -employed in the writing. Contractions and combinations are not merely -frequent, but almost universal. There is scarcely an instance in which -five consecutive letters are separately written, and there is no -single line in which half a dozen contractions, often including from -four to ten letters, do not occur. The pages are of the size of an -ordinary duodecimo, but contain some fifty lines per page, and perhaps -one hundred and fifty letters in each line. What were probably the -first half dozen pages have been utterly destroyed, and the next half -dozen are so mashed, tattered, and defaced, that only a few sentences -here and there are legible. I have contrived, however, to combine -these into what I believe to be a substantially correct representation -of the author's meaning. The Latin is of a monastic--sometimes almost -canine--quality, with many words which are not Latin at all. For the -rest, though here and there pages are illegible, and though some -symbols, especially those representing numbers or chemical compounds, -are absolutely undecipherable, it has been possible to effect what I -hope will be found a clear and coherent translation. I have condensed -the narrative but have not altered or suppressed a line for fear of -offending those who must be unreasonable, indeed, if they lay the -offence to my charge. - -One word more. It is possible, if not likely, that some of those -friends of the narrator, for whom the account was evidently written, -may still be living, and that these pages may meet their eyes. If so, -they may be able to solve the few problems that have entirely baffled -me, and to explain, if they so choose, the secrets to which, -intentionally or through the destruction of its introductory portion, -the manuscript affords no clue. - -I must add that these volumes contain only the first section of the -MS. record. The rest, relating the incidents of a second voyage and -describing another world, remains in my hands; and, should this part -of the work excite general attention, the conclusion will, by myself -or by my executors, be given to the public. Otherwise, on my death, it -will be placed in the library of some national or scientific -institution. - - - -CHAPTER II - OUTWARD BOUND. - -... For obvious reasons, those who possessed the secret of the -Apergy [1] had never dreamed of applying it in the manner I proposed. -It had seemed to them little more than a curious secret of nature, -perhaps hardly so much, since the existence of a repulsive force in -the atomic sphere had been long suspected and of late certainly -ascertained, and its preponderance is held to be the characteristic of -the gaseous as distinguished from the liquid or solid state of matter. -Till lately, no means of generating or collecting this force in large -quantity had been found. The progress of electrical science had solved -this difficulty; and when the secret was communicated to me, it -possessed a value which had never before belonged to it. - -Ever since, in childhood, I learnt that the planets were worlds, a -visit to one or more of the nearest of them had been my favourite -day-dream. Treasuring every hint afforded by science or fancy that -bore upon the subject, I felt confident that such a voyage would be -one day achieved. Helped by one or two really ingenious romances on -this theme, I had dreamed out my dream, realised every difficulty, -ascertained every factor in the problem. I had satisfied myself that -only one thing needful was as yet wholly beyond the reach and even the -proximate hopes of science. Human invention could furnish as yet no -motive power that could fulfil the main requirement of the -problem--uniform or constantly increasing motion _in vacuo_--motion -through a region affording no resisting medium. This must be a -_repulsive_ energy capable of acting through an utter void. Man, -animals, birds, fishes move by repulsion applied at every moment. In -air or water, paddles, oars, sails, fins, wings act by repulsion -exerted on the fluid element in which they work. But in space there is -no such resisting element on which repulsion can operate. I needed a -repulsion which would act like gravitation through an indefinite -distance and in a void--act upon a remote fulcrum, such as might be -the Earth in a voyage to the Moon, or the Sun in a more distant -journey. As soon, then, as the character of the apergic force was made -known to me, its application to this purpose seized on my mind. -Experiment had proved it possible, by the method described at the -commencement of this record, to generate and collect it in amounts -practically unlimited. The other hindrances to a voyage through space -were trivial in comparison with that thus overcome; there were -difficulties to be surmounted, not absent or deficient powers in -nature to be discovered. The chief of these, of course, concerned the -conveyance of air sufficient for the needs of the traveller during the -period of his journey. The construction of an air-tight vessel was -easy enough; but however large the body of air conveyed, even though -its oxygen should not be exhausted, the carbonic acid given out by -breathing would very soon so contaminate the whole that life would be -impossible. To eliminate this element it would only be necessary to -carry a certain quantity of lime-water, easily calculated, and by -means of a fan or similar instrument to drive the whole of the air -periodically through the vessel containing it. The lime in solution -combining with the noxious gas would show by the turbid whiteness of -the water the absorption of the carbonic acid and formation of -carbonate of lime. But if the carbonic acid gas were merely to be -removed, it is obvious that the oxygen of the air, which forms a part -of that gas, would be constantly diminished and ultimately exhausted; -and the effect of highly oxygenated air upon the circulation is -notoriously too great to allow of any considerable increase at the -outset in the proportion of this element. I might carry a fresh supply -of oxygen, available at need, in some solid combination like chlorate -of potash; but the electricity employed for the generation of the -apergy might be also applied to the decomposition of carbonic acid and -the restoration of its oxygen to the atmosphere. - -But the vessel had to be steered as well as propelled; and in order to -accomplish this it would be necessary to command the direction of the -apergy at pleasure. My means of doing this depended on two of the -best-established peculiarities of this strange force: its rectilinear -direction and its conductibility. We found that it acts through air or -in a vacuum in a single straight line, without deflection, and -seemingly without diminution. Most solids, and especially metals, -according to their electric condition, are more or less impervious to -it--antapergic. Its power of penetration diminishes under a very -obscure law, but so rapidly that no conceivable strength of current -would affect an object protected by an intervening sheet half an inch -in thickness. On the other hand, it prefers to all other lines the -axis of a conductive bar, such as may be formed of [undecipherable] in -an antapergic sheath. However such bar may be curved, bent, or -divided, the current will fill and follow it, and pursue indefinitely, -without divergence, diffusion, or loss, the direction in which it -emerges. Therefore, by collecting the current from the generator in a -vessel cased with antapergic material, and leaving no other aperture, -its entire volume might be sent into a conductor. By cutting across -this conductor, and causing the further part to rotate upon the -nearer, I could divert the current through any required angle. Thus I -could turn the repulsion upon the resistant body (sun or planet), and -so propel the vessel in any direction I pleased. - -I had determined that my first attempt should be a visit to Mars. The -Moon is a far less interesting body, since, on the hemisphere turned -towards the Earth, the absence of an atmosphere and of water ensures -the absence of any such life as is known to us--probably of any life -that could be discerned by our senses--and would prevent landing; -while nearly all the soundest astronomers agree in believing, on -apparently sufficient grounds, that even the opposite hemisphere [of -which small portions are from time to time rendered visible by the -libration, though greatly foreshortened and consequently somewhat -imperfectly seen] is equally devoid of the two primary necessaries of -animal and vegetable life. That Mars has seas, clouds, and an -atmosphere was generally admitted, and I held it to be beyond -question. Of Venus, owing to her extraordinary brilliancy, to the fact -that when nearest to the Earth a very small portion of her lighted -surface is visible to us, and above all to her dense cloud-envelope, -very little was known; and though I cherished the intention to visit -her even more earnestly than my resolve to reach the probably less -attractive planet Mars, I determined to begin with that voyage of -which the conditions and the probable result were most obvious and -certain. I preferred, moreover, in the first instance, to employ the -apergy as a propelling rather than as a resisting force. Now, after -passing beyond the immediate sphere of the Earth's attraction, it is -plain that in going towards Mars I should be departing from the Sun, -relying upon the apergy to overcome his attraction; whereas in seeking -to attain Venus I should be approaching the Sun, relying for my main -motive power upon that tremendous attraction, and employing the apergy -only to moderate the rate of movement and control its direction. The -latter appeared to me the more delicate, difficult, and perhaps -dangerous task of the two; and I resolved to defer it until after I -had acquired some practical experience and dexterity in the control of -my machinery. - -It was expedient, of course, to make my vessel as light as possible, -and, at the same time, as large as considerations of weight would -admit. But it was of paramount importance to have walls of great -thickness, in order to prevent the penetration of the outer cold of -space, or rather the outward passage into that intense cold of the -heat generated within the vessel itself, as well as to resist the -tremendous outward pressure of the air inside. Partly for these -reasons, and partly because its electric character makes it especially -capable of being rendered at will pervious or impervious to the -apergic current, I resolved to make the outer and inner walls of an -alloy of ..., while the space between should be filled up with a mass -of concrete or cement, in its nature less penetrable to heat than any -other substance which Nature has furnished or the wit of man -constructed from her materials. The materials of this cement and their -proportions were as follows. [2] - - * * * * * - -Briefly, having determined to take advantage of the approaching -opposition of Mars in MDCCCXX ... [3], I had my vessel constructed with -walls three feet thick, of which the outer six and the inner three -inches were formed of the metalloid. In shape my Astronaut somewhat -resembled the form of an antique Dutch East-Indiaman, being widest and -longest in a plane equidistant from floor and ceiling, the sides and -ends sloping outwards from the floor and again inwards towards the -roof. The deck and keel, however, were absolutely flat, and each one -hundred feet in length and fifty in breadth, the height of the vessel -being about twenty feet. In the centre of the floor and in that of the -roof respectively I placed a large lens of crystal, intended to act as -a window in the first instance, the lower to admit the rays of the -Sun, while through the upper I should discern the star towards which I -was steering. The floor, being much heavier than the rest of the -vessel, would naturally be turned downwards; that is, during the -greater part of the voyage towards the Sun. I placed a similar lens in -the centre of each of the four sides, with two plane windows of the -same material, one in the upper, the other in the lower half of the -wall, to enable me to discern any object in whatever direction. The -crystal in question consisted of ..., which, as those who manufactured -it for me are aware, admits of being cast with a perfection and -equality of structure throughout unattainable with ordinary glass, and -wrought to a certainty and accuracy of curvature which the most -patient and laborious polishing can hardly give to the lenses even of -moderate-sized telescopes, whether made of glass or metal, and is -singularly impervious to heat. I had so calculated the curvature that -several eye-pieces of different magnifying powers which I carried with -me might be adapted equally to any of the window lenses, and throw a -perfect image, magnified by 100, 1000, or 5000, upon mirrors properly -placed. - -I carpeted the floor with several alternate layers of cork and cloth. -At one end I placed my couch, table, bookshelves, and other necessary -furniture, with all the stores needed for my voyage, and with a -further weight sufficient to preserve equilibrium. At the other I made -a garden with soil three feet deep and five feet in width, divided -into two parts so as to permit access to the windows. I filled each -garden closely with shrubs and flowering plants of the greatest -possible variety, partly to absorb animal waste, partly in the hope of -naturalising them elsewhere. Covering both with wire netting extending -from the roof to the floor, I filled the cages thus formed with a -variety of birds. In the centre of the vessel was the machinery, -occupying altogether a space of about thirty feet by twenty. The -larger portion of this area was, of course, taken up by the generator, -above which was the receptacle of the apergy. From this descended -right through the floor a conducting bar in an antapergic sheath, so -divided that without separating it from the upper portion the lower -might revolve in any direction through an angle of twenty minutes -(20'). This, of course, was intended to direct the stream of the -repulsive force against the Sun. The angle might have been extended to -thirty minutes, but that I deemed it inexpedient to rely upon a force, -directed against the outer portions of the Sun's disc, believing that -these are occupied by matter of density so small that it might afford -no sufficient base, so to speak, for the repulsive action. It was -obviously necessary also to repel or counteract the attraction of any -body which might come near me during the voyage. Again, in getting -free from the Earth's influence, I must be able to steer in any -direction and at any angle to the surface. For this purpose I placed -five smaller bars, passing through the roof and four sides, connected, -like the main conductor, with the receptacle or apergion, but so that -they could revolve through a much larger angle, and could at any -moment be detached and insulated. My steering apparatus consisted of a -table in which were three large circles. The midmost and left hand of -these were occupied by accurately polished plane mirrors. The central -circle, or metacompass, was divided by three hundred and sixty fine -lines, radiating from the centre to the circumference, marking as many -different directions, each deviating by one degree of arc from the -next. This mirror was to receive through the lens in the roof the -image of the star towards which I was steering. While this remained -stationary in the centre all was well. When it moved along any one of -the lines, the vessel was obviously deviating from her course in the -opposite direction; and, to recover the right course, the repellent -force must be caused to drive her in the direction in which the image -had moved. To accomplish this, a helm was attached to the lower -division of the main conductor, by which the latter could be made to -move at will in any direction within the limit of its rotation. -Controlling this helm was, in the open or steering circle on the right -hand, a small knob to be moved exactly parallel to the deviation of -the star in the mirror of the metacompass. The left-hand circle, or -discometer, was divided by nineteen hundred and twenty concentric -circles, equidistant from each other. The outermost, about twice as -far from the centre as from the external edge of the mirror, was -exactly equal to the Sun's circumference when presenting the largest -disc he ever shows to an observer on Earth. Each inner circle -corresponded to a diameter reduced by one second. By means of a -vernier or eye-piece, the diameter of the Sun could be read off the -discometer, and from his diameter my distance could be accurately -calculated. On the further side of the machinery was a chamber for the -decomposition of the carbonic acid, through which the air was driven -by a fan. This fan itself was worked by a horizontal wheel with two -projecting squares of antapergic metal, against each of which, as it -reached a certain point, a very small stream of repulsive force was -directed from the apergion, keeping the wheel in constant and rapid -motion. I had, of course, supplied myself with an ample store of -compressed vegetables, preserved meats, milk, tea, coffee, &c., and a -supply of water sufficient to last for double the period which the -voyage was expected to occupy; also a well-furnished tool-chest (with -wires, tubes, &c.). One of the lower windows was made just large -enough to admit my person, and after entering I had to close it and -fix it in its place firmly with cement, which, when I wished to quit -the vessel, would have again to be removed. - -Of course some months were occupied in the manufacture of the -different portions of the vessel and her machinery, and sometime more -in their combination; so that when, at the end of July, I was ready to -start, the opposition was rapidly approaching. In the course of some -fifty days the Earth, moving in her orbit at a rate of about eleven -hundred miles [4] per minute, would overtake Mars; that is to say, -would pass between him and the Sun. In starting from the Earth I -should share this motion; I too should go eleven hundred miles a -minute in the same direction; but as I should travel along an orbit -constantly widening, the Earth would leave me behind. The apergy had -to make up for this, as well as to carry me some forty millions of -miles in a direction at right angles to the former--right outward -towards the orbit of Mars. Again, I should share the motion of that -particular spot of the Earth's surface from which I rose around her -axis, a motion varying with the latitude, greatest at the equator, -nothing at the pole. This would whirl me round and round the Earth at -the rate of a thousand miles an hour; of this I must, of course, get -rid as soon as possible. And when I should be rid of it, I meant to -start at first right upward; that is, straight away from the Sun and -in the plane of the ecliptic, which is not very different from that in -which Mars also moves. Therefore I should begin my effective ascent -from a point of the Earth as far as possible from the Sun; that is, on -the midnight meridian. - -For the same reason which led me to start so long before the date of -the opposition, I resolved, having regard to the action of the Earth's -rotation on her axis, to start some hours before midnight. Taking -leave, then, of the two friends who had thus far assisted me, I -entered the Astronaut on the 1st August, about 4.30 P.M. After sealing -up the entrance-window, and ascertaining carefully that everything was -in order--a task which occupied me about an hour--I set the generator -to work; and when I had ascertained that the apergion was full, and -that the force was supplied at the required rate, I directed the whole -at first into the main conductor. After doing this I turned towards -the lower window on the west--or, as it was then, the right-hand -side--and was in time to catch sight of the trees on the hills, some -half mile off and about two hundred feet above the level of my -starting-point. I should have said that I had considerably compressed -my atmosphere and increased the proportion of oxygen by about ten per -cent., and also carried with me the means of reproducing the whole -amount of the latter in case of need. Among my instruments was a -pressure-gauge, so minutely divided that, with a movable vernier of -the same power as the fixed ones employed to read the glass circles, I -could discover the slightest escape of air in a very few seconds. The -pressure-gauge, however, remained immovable. Going close to the window -and looking out, I saw the Earth falling from me so fast that, within -five minutes after my departure, objects like trees and even houses -had become almost indistinguishable to the naked eye. I had half -expected to hear the whistling of the air as the vessel rushed upward, -but nothing of the kind was perceptible through her dense walls. It -was strange to observe the rapid rise of the sun from the westward. -Still more remarkable, on turning to the upper window, was the rapidly -blackening aspect of the sky. Suddenly everything disappeared except a -brilliant rainbow at some little distance--or perhaps I should rather -have said a halo of more than ordinary rainbow brilliancy, since it -occupied, not like the rainbows seen from below, something less than -half, but nearly two-thirds of a circle. I was, of course, aware that -I was passing through a cloud, and one of very unusual thickness. In a -few seconds, however, I was looking down upon its upper surface, -reflecting from a thousand broken masses of vapour at different -levels, from cavities and hillocks of mist, the light of the sun; -white beams mixed with innumerable rays of all colours in a confusion, -of indescribable brilliancy. I presume that the total obscuration of -everything outside the cloud during my passage through it was due to -its extent and not to its density, since at that height it could not -have been otherwise than exceedingly light and diffuse. Looking upward -through the eastern window, I could now discern a number of brighter -stars, and at nearly every moment fresh ones came into view on a -constantly darkening background. Looking downward to the west, where -alone the entire landscape lay in daylight, I presently discerned the -outline of shore and sea extending over a semicircle whose radius much -exceeded five hundred miles, implying that I was about thirty-five -miles from the sea-level. Even at this height the extent of my survey -was so great in comparison to my elevation, that a line drawn from the -vessel to the horizon was, though very roughly, almost parallel to the -surface; and the horizon therefore seemed to be not very far from my -own level, while the point below me, of course, appeared at a vast -distance. The appearance of the surface, therefore, was as if the -horizon had been, say, some thirty miles higher than the centre of the -semicircle bounding my view, and the area included in my prospect had -the form of a saucer or shallow bowl. But since the diameter of the -visible surface increases only as the square root of the height, this -appearance became less and less perceptible as I rose higher. It had -taken me twenty minutes to attain the elevation of thirty-five miles; -but my speed was, of course, constantly increasing, very much as the -speed of an object falling to the Earth from a great height increases; -and before ten more minutes had elapsed, I found myself surrounded by -a blackness nearly absolute, except in the direction of the -Sun,--which was still well above the sea--and immediately round the -terrestrial horizon, on which rested a ring of sunlit azure sky, -broken here and there by clouds. In every other direction I seemed to -be looking not merely upon a black or almost black sky, but into close -surrounding darkness. Amid this darkness, however, were visible -innumerable points of light, more or less brilliant--the stars--which -no longer seemed to be spangled over the surface of a distant vault, -but rather scattered immediately about me, nearer or farther to the -instinctive apprehension of the eye as they were brighter or fainter. -Scintillation there was none, except in the immediate vicinity of the -eastern horizon, where I still saw them through a dense atmosphere. In -short, before thirty minutes had elapsed since the start, I was -satisfied that I had passed entirely out of the atmosphere, and had -entered into the vacancy of space--if such a thing as vacant space -there be. - -At this point I had to cut off the greater part of the apergy and -check my speed, for reasons that will be presently apparent. I had -started in daylight in order that during the first hundred miles of my -ascent I might have a clear view of the Earth's surface. Not only did -I wish to enjoy the spectacle, but as I had to direct my course by -terrestrial landmarks, it was necessary that I should be able to see -these so as to determine the rate and direction of the Astronaut's -motion, and discern the first symptoms of any possible danger. But -obviously, since my course lay generally in the plane of the ecliptic, -and for the present at least nearly in the line joining the centres of -the Earth and Sun, it was desirable that my real journey into space -should commence in the plane of the midnight meridian; that is, from -above the part of the Earth's surface immediately opposite the Sun. I -had to reach this line, and having reached it, to remain for some time -above it. To do both, I must attain it, if possible, at the same -moment at which I secured a westward impulse just sufficient to -counterbalance the eastward impulse derived from the rotation of the -Earth;--that is, in the latitude from which I started, a thousand -miles an hour. I had calculated that while directing through the main -bar a current of apergy sufficient to keep the Astronaut at a fixed -elevation, I could easily spare for the eastward conductor sufficient -force to create in the space of one hour the impulse required, but -that in the course of that hour the gradually increasing apergic force -would drive me 500 miles westward. Now in six hours the Earth's -rotation would carry an object close to its surface through an angle -of 90°; that is, from the sunset to the midnight meridian. But the -greater the elevation of the object the wider its orbit round the -Earth's centre, and the longer each degree; so that moving eastward -only a thousand miles an hour, I should constantly lag behind a point -on the Earth's surface, and should not reach the midnight meridian -till somewhat later. I had, moreover, to lose 500 miles of the -eastward drift during the last hour in which I should be subject to -it, through the action of the apergic force above-mentioned. Now, an -elevation of 330 miles would give the Astronaut an orbit on which 90° -would represent 6500 miles. In seven hours I should be carried along -that orbit 7000 miles eastward by the impulse my Astronaut had -received from the Earth, and driven back 500 miles by the apergy; so -that at 1 A.M. by my chronometer I should be exactly in the plane of -the midnight meridian, or 6500 miles east of my starting-point in -space, provided that I put the eastward apergic current in action -exactly at 12 P.M. by the chronometer. At 1 A.M. also I should have -generated a westward impulse of 1000 miles an hour. This, once -created, would continue to exist though the force that created it were -cut off, and would exactly counterbalance the opposite rotation -impulse derived from the Earth; so that thenceforward I should be -entirely free from the influence of the latter, though still sharing -that motion of the Earth through space at the rate of nearly nineteen -miles per second, which would carry me towards the line joining at the -moment of opposition her centre with that of Mars. - -All went as I had calculated. I contrived to arrest the Astronaut's -motion at the required elevation just about the moment of sunset on -the region of the Earth immediately underneath. At 12 P.M., or 24h by -the chronometer, I directed a current of the requisite strength into -the eastward conductor, which I had previously pointed to the Earth's -surface, but a little short of the extreme terrestrial horizon, as I -calculated it. At 1 A.M. I found myself, judging by the stars, exactly -where I wished to be, and nearly stationary as regarded the Earth. I -instantly arrested the eastward current, detaching that conductor from -the apergion; and, directing the whole force of the current into the -downward conductor, I had the pleasure of seeing that, after a very -little adjustment of the helm, the stars remained stationary in the -mirror of the metacompass, showing that I had escaped from the -influence of the Earth's rotation. It was of course impossible to -measure the distance traversed during the invisibility of the Earth, -but I reckoned that I had made above 500 miles between 1h. and 2h. -A.M., and that at 4h. I was not less than 4800 miles from the surface. -With this inference the indication of my barycrite substantially -agreed. The latter instrument consisted of a spring whose deflection -by a given weight upon the equator had been very carefully tested. -Gravity diminishing as the square of the distance from the centre, it -was obvious that at about 8000 miles--or 4000 above the Earth's -surface--this spring would be deflected only one quarter as much by a -given weight as on Earth: at 16,000 miles from the surface, or 20,000 -from the centre, one-twenty-fifth as much, and so on. I had graduated -the scale accordingly, and it indicated at present a distance somewhat -less than 9000 miles from the centre. Having adjusted the helm and set -the alarum to wake me in six hours, I lay down upon my bed. - -The anxiety and peril of my position had disturbed me very little -whilst I was actively engaged either in steering and manipulating my -machinery, or in looking upon the marvellous and novel spectacles -presented to my eyes; but it now oppressed me in my sleep, and caused -me frequently to wake from dreams of a hideous character. Two or three -times, on such awaking, I went to examine the metacompass, and on one -occasion found it necessary slightly to readjust the helm; the stars -by which I steered having moved some second or two to the right of -their proper position. - -On rising, I completed the circuit which filled my vessel with -brilliant light emitted from an electric lamp at the upper part of the -stern, and reflected by the polished metallic walls. I then proceeded -to get my breakfast, for which, as I had tasted nothing since some -hours before the start, I had a hearty appetite. I had anticipated -some trouble from the diminished action of gravity, doubting whether -the boiling-point at this immense height above the Earth might not be -affected; but I found that this depends upon the pressure of the -atmosphere alone, and that this pressure was in nowise affected by the -absence of gravity. My atmosphere being somewhat denser than that of -the Earth, the boiling-point was not 100°, but 101° Cent. The -temperature of the interior of the vessel, taken at a point -equidistant from the stove and from the walls, was about 5° C.; -unpleasantly cool, but still, with the help of a greatcoat, not -inconveniently so. I found it absolutely impossible to measure by -means of the thermometers I had placed outside the windows the cold of -space; but that it falls far short of the extreme supposed by some -writers, I confidently believe. It is, however, cold enough to freeze -mercury, and to reduce every other substance employed as a test of -atmospheric or laboratory temperatures to a solidity which admits of -no further contraction. I had filled one outside thermometer with -spirit, but this was broken before I looked at it; and in another, -whose bulb unfortunately was blackened, and which was filled with -carbonic acid gas, an apparent vacuum had been created. Was it that -the gas had been frozen, and had sunk into the lower part of the bulb, -where it would, of course, be invisible? When I had completed my meal -and smoked the very small cigar which alone a prudent consideration -for the state of the atmosphere would allow me, the chronometer showed -10 A.M. It was not surprising that by this time weight had become -almost non-existent. My twelve stone had dwindled to the weight of a -small fowl, and hooking my little finger into the loop of a string -hung from a peg fixed near the top of the stern wall, I found myself -able thus to support my weight without any sense of fatigue for a -quarter of an hour or more; in fact, I felt during that time -absolutely no sense of muscular weariness. This state of things -entailed only one inconvenience. Nothing had any stability; so that -the slightest push or jerk would upset everything that was not fixed. -However, I had so far anticipated this that nothing of any material -consequence was unfixed, and except that a touch with my spoon upset -the egg-cup and egg on which I was about to breakfast, and that this, -falling against a breakfast cup full of coffee, overturned that, I was -not incommoded. I managed to save the greater part of the beverage, -since, the atmospheric pressure being the same though the weight was -so changed, lead, and still more china or liquid, fell in the -Astronaut as slowly as feathers in the immediate vicinity of the -Earth. Still it was a novel experience to find myself able to lean in -any direction, and rest in almost any posture, with but the slightest -support for the body's centre of gravity; and further to find on -experiment that it was possible to remain for a couple of hours with -my heels above my head, in the favourite position of a Yankee's lower -limbs, without any perceptible congestion of blood or confusion of -brain. - -I was occupied all day with abstract calculations; and knowing that -for some time I could see nothing of the Earth--her dark side being -opposite me and wholly obscuring the Sun, while I was as yet far from -having entered within the sphere where any novel celestial phenomena -might be expected--I only gave an occasional glance at the discometer -and metacompass, suppressing of course the electric glare within my -vessel, till I awoke from a short siesta about 19h. (7 P.M.) The Earth -at this time occupied on the sphere of view a space--defined at first -only by the absence of stars--about thirty times greater than the disc -of the Moon as seen through a tube; but, being dark, scarcely seemed -larger to the eye than the full Moon when on the horizon. But a new -method of defining its disc was presently afforded me. I was, in fact, -when looking through the lower window, in the same position as regards -the Earth as would be an inhabitant of the lunar hemisphere turned -towards her, having no external atmosphere interposed between us, but -being at about two-thirds of the lunar distance. And as, during an -eclipse, the Lunarian would see round the Earth a halo created by the -refraction of the Sun's rays in the terrestrial atmosphere--a halo -bright enough on most occasions so to illuminate the Moon as to render -her visible to us--so to my eyes the Earth was surrounded by a halo -somewhat resembling the solar corona as seen in eclipses, if not -nearly so brilliant, but, unlike the solar corona, coloured, with a -preponderance of red so decided as fully to account for the peculiar -hue of the eclipsed Moon. To paint this, unless means of painting -light--the one great deficiency which is still the opprobrium of human -art--were discovered, would task to the uttermost the powers of the -ablest artist, and at best he could give but a very imperfect notion -of it. To describe it so that its beauty, brilliancy, and wondrous -nature shall be in the slightest degree appreciated by my readers -would require a command of words such as no poet since Homer--nay, not -Homer himself--possessed. What was strange, and can perhaps be -rendered intelligible, was the variation, or, to use a phrase more -suggestive and more natural, if not more accurate, the extreme -mobility of the hues of this earthly corona. There were none of the -efflorescences, if one may so term them, which are so generally -visible at four cardinal points of its solar prototype. The outer -portion of the band faded very rapidly into the darkness of space; but -the edge, though absolutely undefined, was perfectly even. But on the -generally rainbow-tinted ground suffused with red--which perhaps might -best be described by calling it a rainbow seen on a background of -brilliant crimson--there were here and there blotches of black or of -lighter or darker grey, caused apparently by vast expanses of cloud, -more or less dense. Round the edges of each of these were little -irregular rainbow-coloured halos of their own interrupting and -variegating the continuous bands of the corona; while throughout all -was discernible a perpetual variability, like the flashing or shooting -of colour in the opal, the mother-of-pearl, or similarly tinted -translucent substances when exposed to the irregular play of bright -light--only that in this case the tints were incomparably more -brilliant, the change more striking, if not more rapid. I could not -say that at any particular moment any point or part of the surface -presented this or that definite hue; and yet the general character of -the rainbow, suffused with or backed by crimson, was constant and -unmistakable. The light sent through the window was too dim and too -imperfectly diffused within my vessel to be serviceable, but for some -time I put out the electric lamp in order that its diffused light -should not impair my view of this exquisite spectacle. As thrown, -after several reflections, upon the mirror destined afterwards to -measure the image of the solar disc, the apparition of the halo was of -course much less bright, and its outer boundary ill defined for -accurate measurement. The inner edge, where the light was bounded by -the black disc of the Earth, shaded off much more quickly from dark -reddish purple into absolute blackness. - -And now a surprise, the first I had encountered, awaited me. I -registered the gravity as shown by the barycrite; and, extinguishing -the electric lamp, measured repeatedly the semi-diameter of the Earth -and of the halo around her upon the discometer, the inner edge of the -latter affording the measurement of the black disc, which of itself, -of course, cast no reflection. I saw at once that there was a signal -difference in the two indications, and proceeded carefully to revise -the earth-measurements. On the average of thirteen measures the halo -was about 87", or nearly 1-1/2' in breadth, the disc, allowing for the -twilight round its edge or limb, about 2° 50'. If the refracting -atmosphere were some 65 miles in depth, these proportions were -correct. Relighting the lamp, I worked out severally on paper the -results indicated by the two instruments. The discometer gave a -distance, roughly speaking, of 40 terrestrial radii, or 160,000 miles. -The barycrite should have shown a gravity, due to the Earth's -attraction, not 40 but 1600 times less than that prevailing on the -Earth's surface; or, to put it in a less accurate form, a weight of -100 lbs. should have weighed an ounce. It did weigh two ounces, the -gravity being not one 1600th but one 800th of terrestrial gravity, or -just double what, I expected. I puzzled myself over this matter -longer, probably, than the intelligent reader will do: the explanation -being obvious, like that of many puzzles that bewilder our minds -intensely, only to humiliate us proportionately when the solution is -found--a solution as simple as that of Columbus's egg-riddle. At -length, finding that the lunar angle--the apparent position of the -Moon--confirmed the reading of the discometer, giving the same apogaic -distance or elevation, I supposed that the barycrite must be out of -order or subject to some unsuspected law of which future observations -might afford evidence and explanation, and turned to other subjects of -interest. - -Looking through the upper window on the left, I was struck by the -rapid enlargement of a star which, when I first noticed it, might be -of the third magnitude, but which in less than a minute attained the -first, and in a minute more was as large as the planet Jupiter when -seen with a magnifying power of one hundred diameters. - -Its disc, however, had no continuous outline; and as it approached I -perceived that it was an irregular mass of whose size I could form not -even a conjectural estimate, since its distance must be absolutely -uncertain. Its brilliancy grew fainter in proportion to the -enlargement as it approached, proving that its light was reflected; -and as it passed me, apparently in the direction of the earth, I had a -sufficiently distinct view of it to know that it was a mainly metallic -mass, certainly of some size, perhaps four, perhaps twenty feet in -diameter, and apparently composed chiefly of iron; showing a more or -less blistered surface, but with angles sharper and faces more -regularly defined than most of those which have been found upon the -earth's surface--as if the shape of the latter might be due in part to -the conflagration they undergo in passing at such tremendous speed -through the atmosphere, or, in an opposite sense, to the fractures -caused by the shock of their falling. Though I made no attempt to -count the innumerable stars in the midst of which I appeared to float, -I was convinced that their number was infinitely greater than that -visible to the naked eye on the brightest night. I remembered how -greatly the inexperienced eye exaggerates the number of stars visible -from the Earth, since poets, and even olden observers, liken their -number to that of the sands on the seashore; whereas the patient work -of map and catalogue makers has shown that there are but a few -thousands visible in the whole heavens to the keenest unaided sight. I -suppose that I saw a hundred times that number. In one word, the -sphere of darkness in which I floated seemed to be filled with points -of light, while the absolute blackness that surrounded them, the -absence of the slightest radiation, or illumination of space at large, -was strange beyond expression to an eye accustomed to that diffusion -of light which is produced by the atmosphere. I may mention here that -the recognition of the constellations was at first exceedingly -difficult. On Earth we see so few stars in any given portion of the -heavens, that one recognises without an effort the figure marked out -by a small number of the brightest amongst them; while in my position -the multitude was so great that only patient and repeated effort -enabled me to separate from the rest those peculiarly brilliant -luminaries by which we are accustomed to define such constellations as -Orion or the Bear, to say nothing of those minor or more arbitrarily -drawn figures which contain few stars of the second magnitude. The eye -had no instinctive sense of distance; any star might have been within -a stone's throw. I need hardly observe that, while on one hand the -motion of the vessel was absolutely imperceptible, there was, on the -other, no change of position among the stars which could enable me to -verify the fact that I was moving, much less suggest it to the senses. -The direction of every recognisable star was the same as on Earth, as -it appears the same from the two extremities of the Earth's orbit, 19 -millions of miles apart. Looking from any one window, I could see no -greater space of the heavens than in looking through a similar -aperture on Earth. What was novel and interesting in my stellar -prospect was, not merely that I could see those stars north and south -which are never visible from the same point on Earth, except in the -immediate neighbourhood of the Equator; but that, save on the small -space concealed by the Earth's disc, I could, by moving from window to -window, survey the entire heavens, looking at one minute upon the -stars surrounding the vernal, and at another, by changing my position, -upon those in the neighbourhood of the autumnal equinox. By little -more than a turn of my head I could see in one direction Polaris -(_alpha_ Ursć Minoris) with the Great Bear, and in another the -Southern Cross, the Ship, and the Centaur. - -About 23h. 30m., near the close of the first day, I again inspected -the barycrite. It showed 1/1100 of terrestrial gravity, an incredibly -small change from the 1/800 recorded at 19h., since it implied a -progress proportionate only to the square root of the difference. The -observation indicated, if the instrument could be trusted, an advance -of only 18,000 miles. It was impossible that the Astronaut had not by -this time attained a very much greater speed than 4000 miles an hour, -and a greater distance from the Earth than 33 terrestrial radii, or -132,000 miles. Moreover, the barycrite itself had given at 19h. a -distance of 28-1/2 radii, and a speed far greater than that which upon -its showing had since been maintained. Extinguishing the lamp, I found -that the Earth's diameter on the discometer measured 2° 3' 52" (?). -This represented a gain of some 90,000 miles; much more approximate to -that which, judging by calculation, I ought to have accomplished -during the last four hours and a half, if my speed approached to that -I had estimated. I inspected the cratometer, which indicated a force -as great as that with which I had started,--a force which should by -this time have given me a speed of at least 22,000 miles an hour. At -last the solution of the problem flashed upon me, suggested by the -very extravagance of the contradictions. Not only did the barycrite -contradict the discometer and the reckoning but it contradicted -itself; since it was impossible that under one continuous impulsation -I should have traversed 28-1/2 radii of the Earth in the first -eighteen hours and no more than 4-1/2 in the next four and a half -hours. In truth, the barycrite was effected by two separate -attractions,--that of the Earth and that of the Sun, as yet operating -almost exactly in the same direction. At first the attraction of the -former was so great that that of the Sun was no more perceived than -upon the Earth's surface. But as I rose, and the Earth's attraction -diminished in proportion to the square of the distance from her -centre--which was doubled at 8000 miles, quadrupled at 16,000, and so -on--the Sun's attraction, which was not perceptibly affected by -differences so small in proportion to his vast distance of 95,000,000 -miles, became a more and more important element in the total gravity. -If, as I calculated, I had by 19h. attained a distance from the earth -of 160,000 miles, the attractions of Earth and Sun were by that time -pretty nearly equal; and hence the phenomenon which had so puzzled me, -that the gravitation, as indicated by the barycrite, was exactly -double that which, bearing in mind the Earth's attraction alone, I had -calculated. From this point forward the Sun's attraction was the -factor which mainly caused such weight as still existed; a change of -position which, doubling my distance from the Earth, reduced her -influence to one-fourth, not perceptibly affecting that of a body four -hundred times more remote. A short calculation showed that, this fact -borne in mind, the indication of the barycrite substantially agreed -with that of the discometer, and that I was in fact very nearly where -I supposed, that is, a little farther than the Moon's farthest -distance from the Earth. It did not follow that I had crossed the -orbit of the Moon; and if I had, she was at that time too far off to -exercise a serious influence on my course. I adjusted the helm and -betook myself to rest, the second day of my journey having already -commenced. - - - -CHAPTER III - THE UNTRAVELLED DEEP. - -Rising at 5h., I observed a drooping in the leaves of my garden, and -especially of the larger shrubs and plants, for which I was not wholly -unprepared, but which might entail some inconvenience if, failing -altogether, they should cease to absorb the gases generated from -buried waste, to consume which they had been planted. Besides this, I -should, of course, lose the opportunity of transplanting them to Mars, -though I had more hope of acclimatising seedlings raised from the seed -I carried with me than plants which had actually begun their life on -the surface of the Earth. The failure I ascribed naturally to the -known connection between the action of gravity and the circulation of -the sap; though, as I had experienced no analogous inconvenience in my -own person, I had hoped that this would not seriously affect -vegetation. I was afraid to try the effect of more liberal watering, -the more so that already the congelation of moisture upon the glasses -from the internal air, dry as the latter had been kept, was a sensible -annoyance--an annoyance which would have become an insuperable trouble -had I not taken so much pains, by directing the thermic currents upon -the walls, to keep the internal temperature, in so far as comfort -would permit--it had now fallen to 4° C.--as near as possible to that -of the inner surface of the walls and windows. A careful use of the -thermometer indicated that the metallic surface of the former was now -nearly zero C., or 32° F. The inner surface of the windows was somewhat -colder, showing that the crystal was more pervious to heat than the -walls, with their greater thickness, their outer and inner lining of -metal, and massive interior of concrete. I directed a current from the -thermogene upon either division of the garden, hoping thus to protect -the plants from whatever injury they might receive from the cold. -Somewhat later, perceiving that the drooping still continued, I -resolved upon another experiment, and arranging an apparatus of copper -wire beneath the soil, so as to bring the extremities in immediate -contact with their roots, I directed through these wires a prolonged -feeble current of electricity; by which, as I had hoped rather than -expected, the plants were after a time materially benefited, and to -which I believe I owed it that they had not all perished long before -the termination of my voyage. - -It would be mere waste of space and time were I to attempt anything -like a journal of the weeks I spent in the solitude of this artificial -planet. As matter of course, the monotony of a voyage through space is -in general greater than that of a voyage across an ocean like the -Atlantic, where no islands and few ships are to be encountered. It was -necessary to be very frequently, if not constantly, on the look-out -for possible incidents of interest in a journey so utterly novel -through regions which the telescope can but imperfectly explore. It -was difficult, therefore, to sit down to a book, or even to pursue any -necessary occupation unconnected with the actual conduct of the -vessel, with uninterrupted attention. My eyes, the only sense organs I -could employ, were constantly on the alert; but, of course, by far the -greater portion of my time passed without a single new object or -occasion of remark. That a journey so utterly without precedent or -parallel, in which so little could be anticipated or provided for, -through regions absolutely untraversed and very nearly unknown, should -be monotonous, may seem strange. But in truth the novelties of the -situation, such as they were, though intensely striking and -interesting, were each in turn speedily examined, realised, and, so to -speak, exhausted; and this once done, there was no greater occupation -to the mind in the continuance of strange than in that of familiar -scenery. The infinitude of surrounding blackness, filled as it were -with points of light more or less brilliant, when once its effects had -been scrutinised, and when nothing more remained to be noted, afforded -certainly a more agreeable, but scarcely a more interesting or -absorbing, outlook than the dead grey circle of sea, the dead grey -hemisphere of cloud, which form the prospect from the deck of a packet -in mid-Atlantic; while of change without or incident in the vessel -herself there was, of course, infinitely less than is afforded in an -ocean voyage by the variations of weather, not to mention the solace -of human society. Everything around me, except in the one direction in -which the Earth's disc still obscured the Sun, remained unchanged for -hours and days; and the management of my machinery required no more -than an occasional observation of my instruments and a change in the -position of the helm, which occupied but a few minutes some half-dozen -times in the twenty-four hours. There was not even the change of night -and day, of sun and stars, of cloud or clear sky. Were I to describe -the manner in which each day's leisure was spent, I should bore my -readers even more than--they will perhaps be surprised by the -confession--I was bored myself. - -My sleep was of necessity more or less broken. I wished to have eight -hours of rest, since, though seven of continuous sleep might well have -sufficed me, even if my brain had been less quiet and unexcited during -the rest of the twenty-four, it was impossible for me to enjoy that -term of unbroken slumber. I therefore decided to divide my sleep into -two portions of rather more than four hours each, to be taken as a -rule after noon and after midnight; or rather, since noon and midnight -had no meaning for me, from 12h. to 16h. and from 24h. to 4.h. But of -course sleep and everything else, except the necessary management of -the machine, must give way to the chances of observation; it would be -better to remain awake for forty-eight hours at a stretch than to miss -any important phenomenon the period of whose occurrence could be even -remotely calculated. - -At 8h., I employed for the first time the apparatus which I may call -my window telescope, to observe, from a position free from the -difficulties inflicted on terrestrial astronomers by the atmosphere, -all the celestial objects within my survey. As I had anticipated, the -absence of atmospheric disturbance and diffusion of light was of -extreme advantage. In the first place, I ascertained by the barycrite -and the discometer my distance from the Earth, which appeared to be -about 120 terrestrial radii. The light of the halo was of course very -much narrower than when I first observed it, and its scintillations or -coruscations no longer distinctly visible. The Moon presented an -exquisitely fine thread of light, but no new object of interest on the -very small portion of her daylight hemisphere turned towards me. Mars -was somewhat difficult to observe, being too near what may be called -my zenith. But the markings were far more distinct than they appear, -with greater magnifying powers than I employed, upon the Earth. In -truth, I should say that the various disadvantages due to the -atmosphere deprive the astronomer of at least one-half of the -available light-collecting power of his telescope, and consequently of -the defining power of the eye-piece; that with a 200 glass he sees -less than a power of 100 reveals to an eye situated in space; though, -from the nature of the lens through which I looked, I cannot speak -with certainty upon this point. With a magnifying power of 300 the -polar spots of Mars were distinctly visible and perfectly defined. -They were, I thought, less white than they appeared from the Earth, -but their colour was notably different from that of the planet's -general surface, differing almost as widely from the orange hue of -what I supposed to be land as from the greyish blue of the water. The -orange was, I thought, deeper than it appears through a telescope of -similar power on Earth. The seas were distinctly grey rather than -blue, especially when, by covering the greater part of the field, I -contrived for a moment to observe a sea alone, thus eliminating the -effect of contrast. The bands of Jupiter in their turn were more -notably distinct; their variety of colour as well as the contrast of -light and shade much more definite, and their irregularities more -unmistakable. A satellite was approaching the disc, and this afforded -me an opportunity of realising with especial clearness the difference -between observation through seventy or a hundred miles of terrestrial -atmosphere outside the object glass and observation in space. The two -discs were perfectly rounded and separately discernible until they -touched. Moreover, I was able to distinguish upon one of the darker -bands the disc of the satellite itself, while upon a lighter band its -round black shadow was at the same time perfectly defined. This -wonderfully clear presentation of one of the most interesting of -astronomical phenomena so absorbed my attention that I watched the -satellite and shadow during their whole course, though the former, -passing after a time on to a light band, became comparatively -indistinct. The moment, however, that the outer edge passed off the -disc of Jupiter, its outline became perfectly visible against the -black background of sky. What was still more novel was the occultation -for some little time of a star, apparently of the tenth magnitude, not -by the planet but by the satellite, almost immediately after it passed -off the disc of the former. Whether the star actually disappeared at -once, as if instantaneously extinguished, or whether, as I thought at -the moment, it remained for some tenth of a second partially visible, -as if refracted by an atmosphere belonging to the satellite, I will -not venture to say. The bands and rings of Saturn, the division -between the two latter, and the seven satellites, were also perfectly -visible, with a distinctness that a much greater magnifying power -would hardly have attained under terrestrial conditions. I was -perplexed by two peculiarities, not, so far as I know, hitherto [5] -mentioned by astronomers. The circumference did not appear to present -an even curvature. - -I mean that, apart from the polar compression, the shape seemed as if -the spheroid were irregularly squeezed; so that though not broken by -projection or indentation, the limb did not present the regular -quasi-circular curvature exhibited in the focus of our telescopes. -Also, between the inner ring and the planet, with a power of 500, I -discerned what appeared to be a dark purplish ring, semi-transparent, -so that through it the bright surface of Saturn might be discerned as -through a veil. Mercury shone brightly several degrees outside the -halo surrounding the Earth's black disc; and Venus was also visible; -but in neither case did my observations allow me to ascertain anything -that has not been already noted by astronomers. The dim form of Uranus -was better defined than I had previously seen it, but no marking of -any kind was perceptible. - -Rising from my second, or, so to speak, midday rest, and having busied -myself for some little time with what I may call my household and -garden duties, I observed the discometer at 1h. (or 5 P.M.). It -indicated about two hundred terrestrial radii of elevation. I had, of -course, from the first been falling slightly behind the Earth in her -orbital motion, and was no longer exactly in opposition; that is to -say, a line drawn from the Astronaut to the Earth's centre was no -longer a prolongation of that joining the centres of the Earth and -Sun. The effect of this divergence was now perceptible. The earthly -corona was unequal in width, and to the westward was very distinctly -brightened, while on the other side it was narrow and comparatively -faint. While watching this phenomenon through the lower lens, I -thought that I could perceive behind or through the widest portion of -the halo a white light, which at first I mistook for one of those -scintillations that had of late become scarcely discernible. But after -a time it extended visibly beyond the boundary of the halo itself, and -I perceived that the edge of the Sun's disc had come at last into -view. It was but a minute and narrow crescent, but was well worth -watching. The brightening and broadening of the halo at this point I -perceived to be due, not to the Sun's effect upon the atmosphere that -produced it, but chiefly to the twilight now brightening on that limb -of the Earth's disc; or rather to the fact that a small portion of -that part of the Earth's surface, where, if the Sun were not visible, -he was but a very little below the horizon, had been turned towards -me. I saw through the telescope first a tiny solar crescent of intense -brightness, then the halo proper, now exceedingly narrow, and then -what looked like a silver terrestrial crescent, but a mere thread, -finer and shorter than any that the Moon ever displays even to -telescopic observers on Earth; since, when such a minute portion of -her illuminated surface is turned towards the Earth, it is utterly -extinguished to our eyes by the immediate vicinity of the Sun, as was -soon the case with the terrestrial crescent in question. I watched -long and with intense interest the gradual change, but I was called -away from it by a consideration of no little practical moment. I must -now be moving at a rate of nearly, if not quite, 40,000 miles an hour, -or about a million miles per diem. It was not my intention, for -reasons I shall presently explain, ever greatly to exceed this rate; -and if I meant to limit myself to a fixed rate of speed, it was time -to diminish the force of the apergic current, as otherwise before its -reduction could take effect I should have attained an impulse greater -than I desired, and which could not be conveniently or easily -diminished when once reached. Quitting, therefore, though reluctantly, -my observation of the phenomena below me, I turned to the apergion, -and was occupied for some two or three hours in gradually reducing the -force as measured by the cratometer attached to the downward -conductor, and measuring with extreme care the very minute effect -produced upon the barycrite and the discometer. Even the difference -between 200 and 201 radii of elevation or apogaic distance was not -easily perceptible on either. It took, of course, much more minute -observation and a much longer time to test the effect produced by the -regulation of the movement, since whether I traveller forty, -forty-five, or forty-two thousand miles in the course of one hour made -scarcely any difference in the diameter of the Earth's disc, still -less, for reasons above given, in the gravity. By midnight, however, I -was satisfied that I had not attained quite 1,000,000 miles, or 275 -terrestrial radii; also that my speed was not greater than 45,000 -miles (11-1\4 radii) per hour, and was not, I thought, increasing. Of -this last point, however, I could better satisfy myself at the end of -my four hours' rest, to which I now betook myself. - -I woke about 4h. 30m., and on a scrutiny of the instruments, felt -satisfied that I was not far out in my calculations. A later hour, -however, would afford a more absolute certainty. I was about to turn -again to the interesting work of observation through the lens in the -floor, when my attention was diverted by the sight of something like a -whitish cloud visible through the upper window on my left hand. -Examined by the telescope, its widest diameter might be at most ten -degrees. It was faintly luminous, presenting an appearance very -closely resembling that of a star cluster or nebula just beyond the -power of resolution. As in many nebulae, there was a visible -concentration in one part; but this did not occupy the centre, but a -position more resembling that of the nucleus of a small tailless -comet. The cloudlet might be a distant comet, it might be a less -distant body of meteors clustering densely in some particular part of -their orbit; and, unfortunately, I was not likely to solve the -problem. Gradually the nebula changed its position, but not its form, -seeming to move downwards and towards the stern of my vessel, as if I -were passing it without approaching nearer. By the time that I was -satisfied of this, hunger and even faintness warned me that I must not -delay preparing my breakfast. When I had finished this meal and -fulfilled some necessary tasks, practical and arithmetical, the hand -of the chronometer indicated the eighth hour of my third day. I turned -again somewhat eagerly to the discometer, which showed an apparent -distance of 360 terrestrial radii, and consequently a movement which -had not materially varied from the rate of 11-1/4 radii per hour. By -this time the diameter of the Earth was not larger in appearance than -about 19', less than two-thirds that of the Sun; and she consequently -appeared as a black disc covering somewhat more than one-third of his -entire surface, but by no means concentrical. The halo had of course -completely disappeared; but with the vernier it was possible to -discern a narrow band or line of hazy grey around the black limb of -the planet. She was moving, as seen from the Astronaut, very slightly -to the north, and more decidedly, though very slowly, to the eastward; -the one motion due to my deliberately chosen direction in space, the -other to the fact that as my orbit enlarged I was falling, though as -yet slowly, behind her. The sun now shone through, the various -windows, and, reflected from the walls, maintained a continuous -daylight within the Astronaut, as well diffused as by the atmosphere -of Earth, strangely contrasting the star-spangled darkness outside. - -At the beginning as at the end of my voyage, I steered a distinct -course, governed by considerations quite different from those which -controlled the main direction of my voyage. Thus far I had simply -risen straight from the Earth in a direction somewhat to the -southward, but on the whole "in opposition," or right away from the -Sun. So, at the conclusion of my journey, I should have to devote some -days to a gradual descent upon Mars, exactly reversing the process of -my ascent from the Earth. But between these two periods I had -comparatively little to do with either planet, my course being -governed by the Sun, and its direction and rate being uniform. I -wished to reach Mars at the moment of opposition, and during the whole -of the journey to keep the Earth between myself and the Sun, for a -reason which may not at first be obvious. The moment of opposition is -not necessarily that at which Mars is nearest to the Earth, but is -sufficiently so for practical calculation. At that moment, according -to the received measurement of planetary distances, the two would be -more than 40 millions of miles apart. In the meantime the Earth, -travelling on an interior or smaller orbit, and also at a greater -absolute speed, was gaining on Mars. The Astronaut, moving at the -Earth's rate under an impulse derived from the Earth's revolution -round the Sun (that due to her rotation on her own axis having been -got rid of, as aforesaid), traveller in an orbit constantly widening, -so that, while gaining on Mars, I gained on him less than did the -Earth, and was falling behind her. Had I used the apergy only to drive -me directly outward from the Sun, I should move under the impulse -derived from the Earth about 1,600,000 miles a day, or 72 millions of -miles in forty-five days, in the direction common to the two planets. -The effect of the constantly widening orbit would be much as if the -whole motion took place on one midway between those of the Earth and -Mars, say 120 millions of miles from the Sun. The arc described on -this orbit would be equivalent to 86 millions of miles on that of -Mars. The entire arc of his orbit between the point opposite to that -occupied by the Earth when I started and the point of opposition--the -entire distance I had to gain as measured along his path--was about -116 millions of miles; so that, trusting to the terrestrial impulse -alone, I should be some 30 millions behindhand at the critical moment. -The apergic force must make up for this loss of ground, while driving -me in a direction, so to speak, at right angles with that of the -orbit, or along its radius, straight outward from the Sun, forty odd -millions of miles in the same time. If I succeeded in this, I should -reach the orbit of Mars at the point and at the moment of opposition, -and should attain Mars himself. But in this I might fail, and I should -then find myself under the sole influence of the Sun's attraction; -able indeed to resist it, able gradually to steer in any direction -away from it, but hardly able to overtake a planet that should lie far -out of my line of advance or retreat, while moving at full speed away -from me. In order to secure a chance of retreat, it was desirable as -long as possible to keep the Earth between the Astronaut and the Sun; -while steering for that point in space where Mars would lie at the -moment when, as seen from the centre of the Earth, he would be most -nearly opposite the Sun,--would cross the meridian at midnight. It was -by these considerations that the course I henceforward steered was -determined. By a very simple calculation, based on the familiar -principle of the parallelogram of forces, I gave to the apergic -current a force and direction equivalent to a daily motion of about -750,000 miles in the orbital, and rather more than a million in the -radial line. I need hardly observe that it would not be to the apergic -current alone, but to a combination of that current with the orbital -impulse received at first from the Earth, that my progress and course -would be due. The latter was the stronger influence; the former only -was under my control, but it would suffice to determine, as I might -from time to time desire, the resultant of the combination. The only -obvious risk of failure lay in the chance that, my calculations -failing or being upset, I might reach the desired point too soon or -too late. In either case, I should be dangerously far from Mars, -beyond his orbit or within it, at the time when I should come into a -line with him and the Sun; or, again, putting the same mischance in -another form, behind him or before him when I attained his orbit. But -I trusted to daily observation of his position, and verification of my -"dead reckoning" thereby, to find out any such danger in time to avert -it. - -The displacement of the Earth on the Sun's face proved it to be -necessary that the apergic current should be directed against the -latter in order to govern my course as I desired, and to recover the -ground I had lost in respect to the orbital motion. I hoped for a -moment that this change in the action of the force would settle a -problem we had never been able to determine. Our experiments proved -that apergy acts in a straight line when once collected in and -directed along a conductor, and does not radiate, like other forces, -from a centre in all directions. It is of course this radiation-- -diffusing the effect of light, heat, or gravity over the surface of a -sphere, which surface is proportionate to the square of the -radius--that causes these forces to operate with an energy inversely -proportionate, not to the distance, but to its square. We had no -reason to think that apergy, exempt as it is from this law, would be -at all diminished by distance; and this view the rate of acceleration -as I rose from the Earth had confirmed, and my entire experience has -satisfied me that it is correct. None of our experiments, however, had -indicated, or could well indicate, at what rate this force can travel -through space; nor had I yet obtained any light upon this point. From -the very first the current had been continuous, the only interruption -taking place when I was not five hundred miles from the Earth's -surface. Over so small a distance as that, the force would move so -instantaneously that no trace of the interruption would be perceptible -in the motion of the Astronaut. Even now the total interruption of the -action of apergy for a considerable time would not affect the rate at -which I was already moving. It was possible, however, that if the -current had been hitherto wholly intercepted by the Earth, it might -take so long a time in reaching the Sun that the interval between the -movement of the helm and the response of the Astronaut's course -thereto might afford some indication of the time occupied by the -current in traversing the 96-1/2 millions of miles which parted me -from the Sun. My hope, however, was wholly disappointed. I could -neither be sure that the action was instantaneous, nor that it was -otherwise. - -At the close of the third day I had gained, as was indicated by the -instruments, something more than two millions of miles in a direct -line from the Sun; and for the future I might, and did, reckon on a -steady progress of about one and a quarter million miles daily under -the apergic force alone--a gain in a line directly outward from the -Sun of about one million. Henceforward I shall not record my -observations, except where they implied an unexpected or altered -result. - -On the sixth day, I perceived another nebula, and on this occasion in -a more promising direction. It appeared, from its gradual movement, to -lie almost exactly in my course, so that if it were what I suspected, -and were not at any great distance from me, I must pass either near or -through it, and it would surely explain what had perplexed and baffled -me in the case of the former nebula. At this distance the nature of -the cloudlet was imperceptible to the naked eye. The window telescope -was not adjustable to an object which I could not bring conveniently -within the field of view of the lenses. In a few hours the nebula so -changed its form and position, that, being immediately over the -portion of the roof between the front or bow lens and that in the -centre of the roof, its central section was invisible; but the -extremities of that part which I had seen in the first instance -through the upper plane window of the bow were now clearly visible -from the upper windows of either side. What had at first been a mere -greatly elongated oval, with a species of rapidly diminishing tail at -each extremity, had now become an arc spanning no inconsiderable part -of the space above me, narrowing rapidly as it extended downwards and -sternwards. Presently it came in view through the upper lens, but did -not obscure in the least the image of the stars which were then -visible in the metacompass. I very soon ascertained that the cloudlet -consisted, as I had supposed in the former case, of a multitude of -points of light less brilliant than the stars, the distance between -which became constantly wider, but which for some time were separately -so small as to present no disc that any magnifying power at my command -could render measurable. In the meantime, the extremities visible -through the other windows were constantly widening out till lost in -the spangled darkness. By and by, it became impossible with the naked -eye to distinguish the individual points from the smaller stars; and -shortly after this the nearest began to present discs of appreciable -size but somewhat irregular shape. I had now no doubt that I was about -to pass through one of those meteoric rings which our most advanced -astronomers believe to exist in immense numbers throughout space, and -to the Earth's contact with or approach to which they ascribe the -showers of falling, stars visible in August and November. Ere long, -one after another of these bodies passed rapidly before my sight, at -distances varying probably from five yards to five thousand miles. -Where to test the distance was impossible, anything like accurate -measurement was equally out of the question; but my opinion is, that -the diameters of the nearest ranged from ten inches to two hundred -feet. One only passed so near that its absolute size could be judged -by the marks upon its face. This was a rock-like mass, presenting at -many places on the surface distinct traces of metallic veins or -blotches, rudely ovoid in form, but with a number of broken surfaces, -one or two of which reflected the light much more brilliantly than -others. The weight of this one meteoroid was too insignificant as -compared with that of the Astronaut seriously to disturb my course. -Fortunately for me, I passed so nearly through the centre of the -aggregation that its attraction as a whole was nearly inoperative. So -far as I could judge, the meteors in that part of the ring through -which I passed were pretty evenly distributed; and as from the -appearance of the first which passed my window to the disappearance of -the last four hours elapsed, I conceived that the diameter of the -congeries, measured in the direction of my path, which seemed to be -nearly in the diameter of their orbit, was about 180,000 miles, and -probably the perpendicular depth was about the same. - -I may mention here, though somewhat out of place, to avoid -interrupting the narrative of my descent upon Mars, the only -interesting incident that occurred during the latter days of my -journey--the gradual passage of the Earth off the face of the Sun. For -some little time after this the Earth was entirely invisible; but -later, looking through the telescope adjusted to the lens on that -side, I discerned two very minute and bright crescents, which, from -their direction and position, were certainly those of the Earth and -Moon, indeed could hardly be anything else. - -Towards the thirtieth day of my voyage I was disturbed by the -conflicting indications obtained from different instruments and -separate observations. The general result came to this, that the -discometer, where it should have indicated a distance of 333, actually -gave 347. But if my speed had increased, or I had overestimated the -loss by changes of direction, Mars should have been larger in equal -proportion. This, however, was not the case. Supposing my reckoning to -be right, and I had no reason to think it otherwise, except the -indication of the discometer, the Sun's disc ought to have diminished -in the proportion of 95 to 15, whereas the diminution was in the -proportion of 9 to 1. So far as the barycrite could be trusted, its -very minute indications confirmed those of the discometer; and the -only conclusion I could draw, after much thought and many intricate -calculations, was that the distance of 95 millions of miles between -the Earth and the Sun, accepted, though not very confidently, by all -terrestrial astronomers, is an over-estimate; and that, consequently, -all the other distances of the solar system have been equally -overrated. Mars consequently would be smaller, but also his distance -considerably less, than I had supposed. I finally concluded that the -solar distance of the Earth was less than 9 millions of miles, instead -of more than 95. This would involve, of course, a proportionate -diminution in the distance I had to traverse, while it did not imply -an equal error in the reckoning of my speed, which had at first been -calculated from the Earth's disc, and not from that of the Sun. Hence, -continuing my course unchanged, I should arrive at the orbit of Mars -some days earlier than intended, and at a point behind that occupied -by the planet, and yet farther behind the one I aimed at. Prolonged -observation and careful calculation had so fully satisfied me of the -necessity of the corrections in question, that I did not hesitate to -alter my course accordingly, and to prepare for a descent on the -thirty-ninth instead of the forty-first day. I had, of course, to -prepare for the descent very long before I should come within the -direct influence of the attraction of Mars. This would not prevail -over the Sun's attraction till I had come within a little more than -100,000 miles of the surface, and this distance would not allow for -material reduction of my speed, even were I at once to direct the -whole force of the apergic current against the planet. I estimated -that arriving within some two millions of miles of him, with a speed -of 45,000 miles per hour, and then directing the whole force of the -current in his direction, I should arrive at his surface at a speed -nearly equal to that at which I had ascended from the Earth. I knew -that I could spare force enough to make up for any miscalculation -possible, or at least probable. Of course any serious error might be -fatal. I was exposed to two dangers; perhaps to three: but to none -which I had not fully estimated before even preparing for my voyage. -If I should fail to come near enough to the goal of my journey, and -yet should go on into space, or if, on the other hand, I should stop -short, the Astronaut might become an independent planet, pursuing an -orbit nearly parallel to that of the Earth; in which case I should -perish of starvation. It was conceivable that I might, in attempting -to avert this fate, fall upon the Sun, though this seemed exceedingly -improbable, requiring a combination of accidents very unlikely to -occur. On the other hand, I might by possibility attain my point, and -yet, failing properly to calculate the rate of descent, be dashed to -pieces upon the surface of Mars. Of this, however, I had very little -fear, the tremendous power of the apergy having been so fully proved -that I believed that nothing but some disabling accident to -myself--such as was hardly to be feared in the absence of gravitation, -and with the extreme simplicity of the machinery I employed--could -prevent my being able, when I became aware of the danger, to employ in -time a sufficient force to avert it. The first of these perils, then, -was the graver one, perhaps the only grave one, and certainly to my -imagination it was much the most terrible. The idea of perishing of -want in the infinite solitude of space, and being whirled round for -ever the dead denizen of a planet one hundred feet in diameter, had in -it something even more awful than grotesque. - -On the thirty-ninth morning of my voyage, so far as I could calculate -by the respective direction and size of the Sun and of Mars, I was -within about 1,900,000 miles from the latter. I proceeded without -hesitation to direct the whole force of the current permitted to -emerge from the apergion directly against the centre of the planet. -His diameter increased with great rapidity, till at the end of the -first day I found myself within one million of miles of his surface. -His diameter subtended about 15', and his disc appeared about -one-fourth the size of the Moon. Examined through the telescope, it -presented a very different appearance from that either of the Earth or -of her satellite. It resembled the former in having unmistakably air -and water. But, unlike the Earth, the greater portion of its surface -seemed to be land; and, instead of continents surrounded by water, it -presented a number of separate seas, nearly all of them land-locked. -Around the snow-cap of each pole was a belt of water; around this, -again, a broader belt of continuous land; and outside this, forming -the northern and southern boundary between the arctic and temperate -zones, was another broader band of water, connected apparently in one -or two places with the central, or, if one may so call it, equatorial -sea. South of the latter is the one great Martial ocean. The most -striking feature of this new world, as seen from this point, was the -existence of three enormous gulfs, from three to five thousand miles -in length, and apparently varying in breadth from one hundred to seven -hundred miles. In the midst of the principal ocean, but somewhat to -the southward, is an island of unique appearance. It is roughly -circular, and, as I perceived in descending, stands very high, its -table-like summit being some 4000 feet, as I subsequently ascertained, -above the sea-level. Its surface, however, was perfectly -white--scarcely less brilliant, consequently, than an equal area of -the polar icefields. The globe, of course, revolved in some 4-1/ hours -of earthly time, and, as I descended, presented successively every -part of its surface to my view. I speak of descent, but, of course, I -was as yet ascending just as truly as ever, the Sun being visible -through the lens in the floor, and reflected upon the mirror of the -discometer, while Mars was now seen through the upper lens, and his -image received in the mirror of the metacompass. A noteworthy feature -in the meteorology of the planet became apparent during the second day -of the descent. As magnified by the telescope adjusted to the upper -lens, the distinctions of sea and land disappeared from the eastern -and western limbs of the planet; indeed, within 15° or an hour of time -from either. It was plain, therefore, that those regions in which it -was late evening or early morning were hidden from view; and, -independently of the whitish light reflected from them, there could be -little doubt that the obscuration was due to clouds or mists. Had the -whitish light covered the land alone, it might have been attributed to -a snowfall, or, perhaps, even to a very severe hoar frost congealing a -dense moisture. But this last seemed highly improbable; and that mist -or cloud was the true explanation became more and more apparent as, -with a nearer approach, it became possible to discern dimly a broad -expanse of water contrasting the orange tinge of the land through this -annular veil. At 4h. on the second day of the descent, I was about -500,000 miles from Mars, the micrometer verifying, by the increased -angle subtended by the diameter, my calculated rate of approach. On -the next day I was able to sleep in security, and to devote my -attention to the observation of the planet's surface, for at its close -I should be still 15,000 miles from Mars, and consequently beyond the -distance at which his attraction would predominate over that of the -Sun. To my great surprise, in the course of this day I discerned two -small discs, one on each side of the planet, moving at a rate which -rendered measurement impossible, but evidently very much smaller than -any satellite with which astronomers are acquainted, and so small that -their non-discovery by terrestrial telescopes was not extraordinary. -They were evidently very minute, whether ten, twenty, or fifty miles -in diameter I could not say; neither of them being likely, so far as I -could calculate, to come at any part of my descent very near the -Astronaut, and the rapidity of their movement carrying them across the -field, even with the lowest power of my telescopes, too fast for -measurement. That they were Martial moons, however, there could be no -doubt. - -About 10h. on the last day of the descent, the effect of Mars' -attraction, which had for some time so disturbed the position of the -Astronaut as to take his disc completely out of the field of the -meta-compass, became decidedly predominant over that of the Sun. I had -to change the direction of the apergic current first to the left-hand -conductor, and afterwards, as the greater weight of the floor turned -the Astronaut completely over, bringing the planet immediately below -it, to the downward one. I was, of course, approaching Mars on the -daylight side, and nearly in the centre. This, however, did not -exactly suit me. During the whole of this day it was impossible that I -should sleep for a minute; since if at any point I should find that I -had miscalculated my rate of descent, or if any other unforeseen -accident should occur, immediate action would be necessary to prevent -a shipwreck, which must without doubt be fatal. It was very likely -that I should be equally unable to sleep during the first twenty-four -hours of my sojourn upon Mars, more especially should he be inhabited, -and should my descent be observed. It was, therefore, my policy to -land at some point where the Sun was setting, and to enjoy rest during -such part of the twelve hours of the Martial night as should not be -employed in setting my vessel in order and preparing to evacuate it. I -should have to ascertain exactly the pressure of the Martial -atmosphere, so as not to step too suddenly from a dense into what was -probably a very light one. If possible, I intended to land upon the -summit of a mountain, so high as to be untenanted and of difficult -access. At the same time it would not do to choose the highest point -of a very lofty range, since both the cold and the thinness of the air -might in such a place be fatal. I wished, of course, to leave the -Astronaut secure, and, if not out of reach, yet not within easy reach; -otherwise it would have been a simple matter to watch my opportunity -and descend in the dark from my first landing-place by the same means -by which I had made the rest of my voyage. - -At 18h. I was within 8000 miles of the surface, and could observe Mars -distinctly as a world, and no longer as a star. The colour, so -remarkable a feature in his celestial appearance, was almost equally -perceptible at this moderate elevation. The seas are not so much blue -as grey. Masses of land reflected a light between yellow and orange, -indicating, as I thought, that orange must be as much the predominant -colour of vegetation as green upon Earth. As I came still lower, and -only parts of the disc were visible at once, and these through the -side and end windows, this conviction was more and more strongly -impressed upon my mind. What, however, was beyond denial was, that if -the polar ice and snow were not so purely and distinctly white as they -appear at a distance upon Earth, they were yet to a great extent -devoid of the yellow tinge that preponderated everywhere else. The -most that could be said was, that whereas on Earth the snow is of that -white which we consider absolute, and call, as such, snow-white, but -which really has in it a very slight preponderance of blue, upon Mars -the polar caps are rather cream-white, or of that white, so common in -our flowers, which has in it an equally slight tinge of yellow. On the -shore, or about twenty miles from the shore of the principal sea to -the southward of the equator, and but a few degrees from the equator -itself, I perceived at last a point which appeared peculiarly suitable -for my descent. A very long range of mountains, apparently having an -average height of about 14,000 feet, with some peaks of probably twice -or three times that altitude, stretched for several hundred miles -along the coast, leaving, however, between it and the actual -shore-line an alluvial plain of some twenty to fifty miles across. At -the extremity of this range, and quite detached from it, stood an -isolated mountain of peculiar form, which, as I examined it through -the telescope, appeared to present a surface sufficiently broken and -sloped to permit of descent; while, at the same time, its height and -the character of its summit satisfied me that no one was likely to -inhabit it, and that though I might descend-it in a few hours, to -ascend it on foot from the plain would be a day's journey. Towards -this I directed my course, looking out from time to time carefully for -any symptoms of human habitation or animal life. I made out by degrees -the lines of rivers, mountain slopes covered by great forests, -extensive valleys and plains, seemingly carpeted by a low, dense, rich -vegetation. But my view being essentially of a bird's-eye character, -it was only in those parts that lay upon my horizon that I could -discern clearly the height of any object above the general level; and -as yet, therefore, there might well be houses and buildings, -cultivated fields and divisions, which I could not see. - -Before I had satisfied myself whether the planet was or was not -inhabited, I found myself in a position from which its general surface -was veiled by the evening mist, and directly over the mountain in -question, within some twelve miles of its summit. This distance I -descended in the course of a quarter of an hour, and landed without a -shock about half an hour, so far as I could judge, after the Sun had -disappeared below the horizon. The sunset, however, by reason of the -mists, was totally invisible. - - - -CHAPTER IV - A NEW WORLD. - -I will not attempt to express the intensity of the mingled emotions -which overcame me as I realised the complete success of the most -stupendous adventure ever proposed or even dreamed by man. I don't -think that any personal vanity, unworthy of the highest lessons I had -received, had much share in my passionate exultation. The conception -was not original; the means were furnished by others; the execution -depended less on a daring and skill, in which any courageous traveller -or man of science knowing what I knew might well have excelled me, -than on the direct and manifest favour of Providence. But this -enterprise, the greatest that man had ever attempted, had in itself a -charm, a sanctity in my eyes that made its accomplishment an -unspeakable satisfaction. I would have laid down life a dozen times -not only to achieve it myself, but even to know that it had been -achieved by others. All that Columbus can have felt when he first set -foot on a new hemisphere I felt in tenfold force as I assured myself -that not, as often before, in dreams, but in very truth and fact, I -had traversed forty million miles of space, and landed in a new world. -Of the perils that might await me I could hardly care to think. They -might be greater in degree. - -They could hardly be other in kind, than those which a traveller might -incur in Papua, or Central Africa, or in the North-West Passage. They -could have none of that wholly novel, strange, incalculable character -which sometimes had given to the chances of my etherial voyage a vague -horror and mystery that appalled imagination. For the first time -during my journey I could neither eat nor sleep; yet I must do both. I -might soon meet with difficulties and dangers that would demand all -the resources of perfect physical and mental condition, with heavy -calls on the utmost powers of nerve and muscle. I forced myself, -therefore, to sup and to slumber, resorting for the first time in many -years to the stimulus of brandy for the one purpose, and to the aid of -authypnotism for the other. When I woke it was 8h. by my chronometer, -and, as I inferred, about 5h. after midnight of the Martial meridian -on which I lay. Sleep had given me an appetite for breakfast, and -necessary practical employment calmed the excitement natural to my -situation. My first care, after making ready to quit the Astronaut as -soon as the light around should render it safe to venture into scenes -so much more utterly strange, unfamiliar, and unknown than the wildest -of the yet unexplored deserts of the Earth, was to ascertain the -character of the atmosphere which I was presently to breathe. Did it -contain the oxygen essential to Tellurian lungs? Was it, if capable of -respiration, dense enough to sustain life like mine? I extracted the -plug from the tubular aperture through which I had pumped in the extra -quantity of air that the Astronaut contained; and substituted the -sliding valve I had arranged for the purpose, with a small hole which, -by adjustment to the tube, would give the means of regulating the -air-passage at pleasure. The difficulty of this simple work, and the -tremendous outward pressure of the air, showed that the external -atmosphere was very thin indeed. This I had anticipated. Gravity on -the surface of Mars is less than half what it is on Earth; the total -mass of the planet is as two to fifteen. It was consequently to be -expected that the extent of the Martial atmosphere, and its density -even at the sea-level, would be far less than on the heavier planet. -Rigging the air-pump securely round the aperture, exhausting its -chamber, and permitting the Martial air to fill it, I was glad to find -a pressure equal to that which prevails at a height of 16,000 feet on -Earth. Chemical tests showed the presence of oxygen in somewhat -greater proportion than in the purest air of terrestrial mountains. It -would sustain life, therefore, and without serious injury, if the -change from a dense to a light atmosphere were not too suddenly made. -I determined then gradually to diminish the density of the internal -atmosphere to something not very much greater than that outside. For -this purpose I unrigged the air-pump apparatus, and almost, but not -quite, closed the valve, leaving an aperture about the twentieth part -of an inch in diameter. The silence was instantly broken by a whistle -the shrillest and loudest I had ever heard; the dense compressed -atmosphere of the Astronaut rushing out with a force which actually -created a draught through the whole vessel, to the great discomfiture -of the birds, which roughed their feathers and fluttered about in -dismay. The pressure gauge fell with astonishing rapidity, despite the -minuteness of the aperture; and in a few minutes indicated about 24 -barometrical inches. I then checked the exit of the air for a time, -while I proceeded to loosen the cement around the window by which I -had entered, and prepared for my exit. Over a very light flannel -under-vesture I put on a mail-shirt of fine close-woven wire, which -had turned the edge of Mahratta tulwars, repelled the thrust of a -Calabrian stiletto, and showed no mark of three carbine bullets fired -point-blank. Over this I wore a suit of grey broadcloth, and a pair of -strong boots over woollen socks, prepared for cold and damp as well as -for the heat of a sun shining perpendicularly through an Alpine -atmosphere. I had nearly equalised the atmospheric pressure within and -without, at about 17 inches, before the first beams of dawn shone -upward on the ceiling of the Astronaut. A few minutes later I stepped -forth on the platform, some two hundred yards in circumference, -whereon the vessel rested. The mist immediately around me was fast -dispersing; five hundred feet below it still concealed everything. On -three sides descent was barred by sheer precipices; on the fourth a -steep slope promised a practicable path, at least as far as my eye -could reach. I placed the weaker and smaller of my birds in portable -cages, and then commenced my experiment by taking out a strong-winged -cuckoo and throwing him downwards over the precipice. He fell at first -almost like a stone; but before he was quite lost to sight in the -mist, I had the pleasure of seeing that he had spread his wings, and -was able to sustain himself. As the mist was gradually dissolving, I -now ventured to begin my descent, carrying my bird-cages, and -dismissing the larger birds, several of which, however, persistently -clung about me. I had secured on my back an air-gun, arranged to fire -sixteen balls in succession without reloading, while in my belt, -scabbarded in a leathern sheath, I had placed a well and often tried -two-edged sword. I found the way practicable, though not easy, till I -reached a point about 1000 feet below the summit, where farther -progress in the same direction was barred by an abrupt and impassable -cleft some hundred feet deep. To the right, however, the mountain side -seemed to present a safe and sufficiently direct descent. The sun was -a full hour above the horizon, and the mist was almost gone. Still I -had seen no signs of animal life, save, at some distance and in rapid -motion, two or three swarms of flying insects, not much resembling any -with which I was acquainted. The vegetation, mostly small, was of a -yellowish colour, the flowers generally red, varied by occasional -examples of dull green and white; the latter, however, presenting that -sort of creamy tinge which I had remarked in the snow. Here I released -and dismissed my birds one by one. The stronger and more courageous -flew away downwards, and soon disappeared; the weakest, trembling and -shivering, evidently suffering from the thinness of the atmosphere, -hung about me or perched upon the cages. - -The scene I now contemplated was exceedingly novel and striking. The -sky, instead of the brilliant azure of a similar latitude on earth, -presented to my eye a vault of pale green, closely analogous to that -olive tint which the effect of contrast often throws over a small -portion of clear sky distinguished among the golden and rose-coloured -clouds of a sunset in our temperate zones. - -The vapours which still hung around the north-eastern and -south-eastern horizon, though dispelled from the immediate vicinity of -the Sun, were tinged with crimson and gold much deeper than the tints -peculiar to an earthly twilight. The Sun himself, when seen by the -naked eye, was as distinctly golden as our harvest moon; and the whole -landscape, terrestrial, aerial, and celestial, appeared as if bathed -in a golden light, wearing generally that warm summer aspect peculiar -to Tellurian landscapes when seen through glass of a rich yellow tint. -It was a natural inference from all I saw that there takes place in -the Martial atmosphere an absorption of the blue rays which gives to -the sunlight a predominant tinge of yellow or orange. The small rocky -plateau on which I stood, like the whole of the mountainside I had -descended, faced the extremity of the range of which this mountain was -an outpost; and the valley which separated them was not from my -present position visible. I saw that I should have to turn my back -upon this part of the landscape as I descended farther, and therefore -took note at this point of the aspect it presented. The most prominent -object was a white peak in the distant sky, rising to a height above -my actual level, which I estimated conjecturally at 25,000 feet, -guessing the distance at fifty miles. The summit was decidedly more -angular and pointed, less softened in outline by atmospheric -influences, than those of mountains on Earth. Beyond this in the -farthest distance appeared two or three peaks still higher, but of -which, of course, only the summits were visible to me. On this side of -the central peak an apparently continuous double ridge extended to -within three miles of my station, exceedingly irregular in level, the -highest elevations being perhaps 20,000, the lowest visible -depressions 3000 feet above me. There appeared to be a line of -perpetual snow, though in many places above, this line patches of -yellow appeared, the nearer of which were certainly and the more -distant must be inferred to be covered with a low, close herbaceous -vegetation. The lower slopes were entirely clothed with yellow or -reddish foliage. Between the woods and snow-line lay extensive -pastures or meadows, if they might be so called, though I saw nothing -whatever that at all resembled the grass of similar regions on Earth. -Whatever foliage I saw--as yet I had not passed near anything that -could be called a tree, and very few shrubs--consisted distinctly of -leaves analogous to those of our deciduous trees, chiefly of three -shapes: a sort of square rounded at the angles, with short projecting -fingers; an oval, slightly pointed where it joined the stalk; and -lanceolate or sword-like blades of every size, from two inches to four -feet in length. Nearly all were of a dull yellow or copper-red tinge. -None were as fine as the beech-leaf, none succulent or fleshy; nothing -resembling the blades of grass or the bristles of the pine and -cedar tribes was visible. - -My path now wound steadily downward at a slope of perhaps one in eight -along the hillside, obliging me to turn my back to the mountains, -while my view in front was cut off by a sharp cross-jutting ridge -immediately, before me. By the time I turned this, all my birds had -deserted me, and I was not, I think, more than 2000 feet from the -valley below. Just before reaching this point I first caught sight of -a Martial animal. A little creature, not much bigger than a rabbit, -itself of a sort of sandy-yellow colour, bounded from among some -yellow herbage by my feet, and hopped or sprang in the manner of a -kangaroo down the steep slope on my left. When I turned the ridge, a -wide and quite new landscape burst upon my sight. I was looking upon -an extensive plain, the continuation apparently of a valley of which -the mountain range formed the southern limit. To the southward this -plain was bounded by the sea, bathed in the peculiar light I have -tried to describe, and lying in what seemed from this distance a -glassy calm. To eastward and northward the plain extended to the -horizon, and doubtless far beyond it; while from the valley north of -the mountain range emerged a broad river, winding through the plain -till it was lost at the horizon. Plain I have called it, but I do not -mean to imply that it was by any means level. On the contrary, its -surface was broken by undulations, and here and there by hills, but -all so much lower than the point on which I stood that the general -effect was that of an almost flat surface. And now the question of -habitation, and of human habitation, seemed to be solved. Looking -through my field-glass, I saw, following the windings of the river, -what must surely be a road; serving also, perhaps, as an embankment, -since it was raised many feet above the level of the stream. It -seemed, too, that the plain was cultivated. Everywhere appeared -extensive patches, each of a single colour, in every tint between deep -red and yellowish green, and so distinctly rectangular in form as -irresistibly to suggest the idea of artificial, if not human, -arrangement. But there were other features of the scene that dispelled -all doubt upon this point. Immediately to the south-eastward, and -about twenty miles from where I stood, a deep arm of the sea ran up -into the land, and upon the shores of this lay what was unquestionably -a city. It had nothing that looked like fortifications, and even at -this distance I could discern that its streets were of remarkable -width, with few or no buildings so high as mosques, churches, -State-offices, or palaces in Tellurian cities. Their colours were most -various and brilliant, as if reflected from metallic surfaces; and on -the waters of the bay itself rode what I could not doubt to be ships -or rafts. More immediately beneath me, and scattered at intervals over -the entire plain, clustering more closely in the vicinity of the city, -were walled enclosures, and in the centre of each was what could -hardly be anything but a house, though not apparently more than twelve -or fourteen feet high, and covering a space sufficient for an European -or even American street or square. Upon the lower slopes of the hill -whereon I stood were moving figures, which, seen through the -binocular, proved to be animals; probably domestic animals, since they -never ranged very far, and presented none of those signs of -watchfulness and alarm which are peculiar to creatures not protected -by man from their less destructive enemies, and taught to lay aside -their dread of man himself. I had descended, then, not only into an -inhabited world--not only into a world of men, who, however they might -differ in outward form, must resemble in their wants, ideas, and -habits, in short, in mind if not in body, the lords of my own -planet--but into a civilised world and among a race living under a -settled order, cultivating the soil, and taming the brutes to their -service. - -And now, as I came on lower ground, I found at each step new objects -of curiosity and interest. A tree with dark-yellowish leaves, taller -than most timber trees on Earth, bore at the end of drooping twigs -large dark-red fruits--fruits with a rind something like that of a -pomegranate, save for the colour and hardness, and about the size of a -shaddock or melon. One of these, just within reach of my hand, I -gathered, but found it impossible to break the thin, dry rind or -shell, without the aid of a knife. Having pierced this, a stream of -red juice gushed out, which had a sweet taste and a strong flavour, -not unlike the juice expressed from cherries, but darker in colour. -Dissecting the fruit completely, I found it parted by a membrane, -essentially of the same nature as the rind, but much thinner and -rather tough than hard, into sixteen segments, like those of an orange -divided across the middle, each of which enclosed a seed. These seeds -were all joined at the centre, but easily separated. They were of a -yellow colour and about as large as an almond kernel. Some fruits -that, being smaller, I concluded to be less ripe, were of a -reddish-yellow. After walking for about a mile through a grove of such -trees, always tending downwards, I came to another of more varied -character. The most prevalent tree here was of lower stature and with -leaves of great length and comparatively narrow, the fruit of which, -though protected by a somewhat similar rind, was of rich golden -colour, not so easily seen among the yellowish leaves, and contained -one solid kernel of about the size of an almond, enclosed entirely in -a sort of spongy material, very palatable to the taste, and resembling -more the inside of roasted maize than any other familiar vegetable. As -I emerged entirely from the grove, I came upon a ditch about twice as -broad as deep. On Earth I certainly could not have leaped it; but -since landing on Mars, I had forgotten the weightless life of the -Astronaut, and felt as if on Earth, but enjoying great increase of -strength and energy; and with these sensations had come instinctively -an exalted confidence in my physical powers. I took, therefore, a -vigorous run, and leaping with all my strength, landed, somewhat to my -own surprise, a full yard on the other side of the ditch. - -Having done so, I found myself in what was beyond doubt a cultivated -field, producing nothing but one crimson-coloured plant, about a foot -in height. This carpeted the soil with broad leaves shaped something -like those of the laurel, and in colour exactly resembling a withered -laurel leaf, but somewhat thicker, more metallic and brighter in -appearance, and perfectly free from the bitter taste of the bay tribe. -At a little distance I saw half-a-dozen animals somewhat resembling -antelopes, but on a second glance still more resembling the fabled -unicorn. They were like the latter, at all events, in the single -particular from which it derived its name: they had one horn, about -eight inches in length, intensely sharp, smooth and firm in texture as -ivory, but marbled with vermilion and cream white. Their skins were -cream-coloured, dappled with dark red. Their ears were large and -protected by a lap which fell down so as to shelter the interior part -of the organ, but which they had not quite lost the power to erect at -the approach of a sound that startled them. They looked up at me, at -first without alarm, afterwards with some surprise, and presently -bounded away; as if my appearance, at first familiar, had, on a closer -examination, presented some unusual particulars, frightening them, as -everything unusual frightens even those domestic animals on Earth best -acquainted with man and most accustomed to his caprices. I noticed -that all were female, and their abnormally large udders suggested that -they were domestic creatures kept for their milk. Not being able to -see a path through the field, I went straight forward, endeavouring to -trample the pasture as little as I could, but being surprised to -remark how very little the plants had been injured by the feet of the -animals. The leaves had been grazed, but the stems were seldom or -never broken. In fact, the animals seemed to have gathered their food -as man would do, with an intelligent or instinctive care not to injure -the plant so as to deprive it of the power of reproducing their -sustenance. - -In another minute I discerned the object of my paramount interest, of -whose vicinity I had thus far seen nearly every imaginable evidence -except himself. It was undoubtedly a man, but a man very much smaller -than myself. His eyes were fixed upon the ground as if in reverie, and -he did not perceive me till I had come within fifty yards of him, so -that I had full time to remark the peculiarities of his form and -appearance. He was about four feet eight or nine inches in height, -with legs that seemed short in proportion to the length and girth of -the body, but only because, as was apparent on more careful scrutiny, -the chest was proportionately both longer and wider than in our race; -otherwise he greatly resembled the fairer families of the Aryan breed, -the Swede or German. The yellow hair, unshaven beard, whiskers, and -moustache were all close and short. The dress consisted of a sort of -blouse and short pantaloons, of some soft woven fabric, and of a -vermilion colour. The head was protected from the rays of an -equatorial sun by a species of light turban, from which hung down a -short shade or veil sheltering the neck and forehead. His bare feet -were guarded by sandals of some flexible material just covering the -toes and bound round the ankle by a single thong. He carried no -weapon, not even a staff; and I therefore felt that there was no -immediate danger from him. On seeing me he started as with intense -surprise and not a little alarm, and turned to run. Size and length of -limb, however, gave me immense advantage in this respect, and in less -than a minute I had come up with and laid my hand upon him. - -He looked up at me, scanning my face with earnest curiosity. I took -from my pocket first a jewel of very exquisite construction, a -butterfly of turquoise, pearl, and rubies, set on an emerald branch, -upon which he looked without admiration or interest, then a watch very -small and elaborately enamelled and jewelled. To the ornament he paid -no attention whatever; but when I opened the watch, its construction -and movement evidently interested him. Placing it in his hands and -endeavouring to signify to him by signs that he was to retain it, I -then held his arm and motioned to him to guide me towards the houses -visible in the distance. This he seemed willing to do, but before we -had gone many paces he repeated two or three times a phrase or word -which sounded like "r'mo-ah-el" ("whence-who-what" do you want?). I -shook my head; but, that he might not suppose me dumb, I answered him -in Latin. The sound seemed to astonish him exceedingly; and as I went -on to repeat several questions in the same tongue, for the purpose of -showing him that I could speak and was desirous of doing so, I -observed that his wonder grew deeper and deeper, and was evidently -mingled first with alarm and afterwards with anger, as if he thought I -was trying to impose upon him. I pointed to the sky, to the summit of -the mountain from which I had descended, and then along the course by -which I had come, explaining aloud at the same time the meaning of my -signs. I thought that he had caught the latter, but if so, it only -provoked an incredulous indignation, contempt of a somewhat angry -character being the principal expression visible in his countenance. I -saw that it was of little use to attempt further conversation for the -present, and, still holding his hand and allowing him to direct me, -looked round again at the scenes through which we were passing. The -lower hill slopes before us appeared to be divided into fields of -large extent, perhaps some 100 acres each, separated by ditches. We -followed a path about two yards broad, raised two or three inches -above the level of the ground, and paved with some kind of hard -concrete. Each ditch was crossed by a bridge of planks, in the middle -of which was a stake or short pole, round which we passed with ease, -but which would obviously baffle a four-footed animal of any size. The -crops were of great variety, and wonderfully free from weeds. Most of -them showed fruit of one kind or another, sometimes gourd-like globes -on the top of upright stalks, sometimes clusters of a sort of nut on -vines creeping along the soil, sometimes a number of pulpy fruits -about the size of an orange hanging at the end of pendulous stalks -springing from the top of a stiff reed-like stem. One field was bare, -its surface of an ochreish colour deeper than that of clay, broken and -smoothed as perfectly as the surface of the most carefully tended -flower-bed. Across this was ranged a row of birds, differing, though -where and how I had hardly leisure to observe, from the form of any -earthly fowl, about twice the size of a crow, and with beaks -apparently at least as powerful but very much longer. Extending -entirely across the field, they kept line with wonderful accuracy, and -as they marched across it, slowly and constantly dug their beaks into -the soil as if seeking grubs or worms beneath the surface. They went -on with their work perfectly undisturbed by our presence. In the next -field was a still odder sight; here grew gourd-like heads on erect -reed-like stems, and engaged in plucking the ripe purple fruit, -carefully distinguishing them from the scarlet unripened heads, were -half-a-score of creatures which, from their occupation and demeanour, -I took at first to be human; but which, as we approached nearer, I saw -were only about half the size of my companion, and thickly covered -with hair, with bushy tails, which they kept carefully erect so as not -to touch the ground; creatures much resembling monkeys in movement, -size, and length, and flexibility of limb, but in other respects more -like gigantic squirrels. They held the stalks of the fruit they -plucked in their mouths, filling with them large bags left at -intervals, and from the manner in which they worked I suspected that -they had no opposable thumbs--that the whole hand had to be used like -the paw of a squirrel to grasp an object. I pointed to these, -directing my companion's attention and asking, "What are they?" -"Ambau," he said, but apparently without the slightest interest in -their proceedings. Indeed, the regularity and entire freedom from -alarm or vigilance which characterised their movements, convinced me -that both these and the birds we passed were domesticated creatures, -whose natural instincts had been turned to such account by human -training. - -After a few moments more, we came in sight of a regular road, in a -direction nearly at right angles to that which followed the course of -the river. Like the path, it was constructed of a hard polished -concrete. It was about forty paces broad, and in the centre was a -raised way about four inches higher than the general surface, and -occupying about one-fourth of the entire width. Along the main way on -either side passed from time to time with great rapidity light -vehicles of shining metal, each having three wheels, one small one in -front and two much larger behind, with box-like seat and steering -handle; otherwise resembling nothing so much as the velocipedes I have -seen ridden for amusement by eccentric English youths. It was clear, -however, that these vehicles were not moved by any effort on the part -of their drivers, and their speed was far greater than that of the -swiftest mail-coach:--say, from fifteen to thirty miles an hour. All -risk of collision was avoided, as those proceeding in opposite -directions took opposite sides of the road, separated by the raised -centre I have described. Crossing the road with caution, we came upon -a number of small houses, perhaps twenty feet square, each standing in -the midst of a garden marked out by a narrow ditch, some of them -having at either side wings of less height and thrown a little -backward. In the centre of each, and at the end of the wings where -these existed, was what seemed to be a door of some translucent -material about twelve feet in height. But I observed that these doors -were divided by a scarcely perceptible line up to six feet from the -ground, and presently one of these parted, and a figure, closely -resembling that of my guide, came out. - -We had now reached another road which led apparently towards the -larger houses I had seen in the distance, and were proceeding along -the raised central pathway, when some half-dozen persons from the -cottages followed us. At a call from my guide, these, and presently as -many more, ran after and gathered around us. I turned, took down my -air-gun from my back, and waving it around me, signalled to them to -keep back, not choosing to incur the danger of a sudden rush, since -their bearing, if not plainly hostile, was not hospitable or friendly. -Thus escorted, but not actually assailed, I passed on for three or -four miles, by which time we were among the larger dwellings of which -I have spoken. Each of them stood in grounds enclosed by walls about -eight feet high, each of some uniform colour, contrasting agreeably -with that chosen for the exterior of the house. The enclosures varied -in size from about six to sixty acres. The houses were for the most -part some twelve feet in height, and from one to four hundred feet -square. On several flat roofs, guarded by low parapets, other persons, -all about the size of my guide, now showed themselves, all of them -interested, and, as it seemed, somewhat excited by my appearance. In a -few cases groups differently dressed, and, from their somewhat smaller -stature, slighter figures, and the long hair here and there visible, -probably consisting of women, were gathered on a remoter portion of -the roof. But these, when seen by those in front, were always waived -back with an impatient or threatening gesture, and instantly retired. -Presently two or three men more richly dressed than my escort, and in -various colours, came out upon the road. Addressing one of these, I -pointed again to the sky, and again endeavoured to describe my -journey, holding out to him at the same time, as the thing most likely -to conciliate him, a watch somewhat larger than that I had bestowed -upon my guide. He, however, did not come within arm's length; and when -I repeated my signs, he threw back his head with a sort of sneer and -uttered a few words in a sharp tone, at which my escort rushed upon -and attempted to throw me down. For this, however, I had been long -prepared, and striking right and left with my air-gun--for I was -determined not to shed blood except in the last extremity--I speedily -cleared a circle round me, still grasping my guide with the left hand, -from a providential instinct which suggested that his close contiguity -might in some way protect me. A call from the chief of my antagonists -was answered from the roof of a neighbouring house. I heard a whizzing -through the air, and presently something like a winged serpent, but -with a slender neck, and shoulders of considerable breadth, and a head -much larger than a serpent's in proportion to the body, and shaped -more like a bird's, with a sharp, short beak, sprang upon and coiled -round my left arm. That it was trying to sting with an erectile organ -placed about midway between the shoulders and the tail I became -instinctively aware, and presently felt something like a weak electric -thrill over all my body, while my left hand, which was naked, -sustained a severe shock, completely numbing it for the moment. I -caught the beast by the neck, and flung him with all my force right in -the face of my chief antagonist, who fell with a cry of terror. -Looking in the direction from which this dangerous assailant had come, -I perceived another in the air, and saw that not a moment was to be -lost. Dropping my gun with the muzzle between my feet, and holding it -so far as I could with my numbed left hand--releasing also my guide, -but throwing him to the ground as I released him--I drew my sword; and -but just in time, with the same motion with which I drew it, I cut -right through the neck of the dragon that had been launched against -me. My principal enemy had quickly recovered his feet and presence of -mind, and spoke very loudly and at some length to the person who had -launched the dragons. The latter disappeared, and at the same time the -group around me began to disperse. Whatever suited them was certain -not to suit me, and accordingly, still holding my sword, I caught one -of them with each hand. It was well I had done so, for within another -minute the owner of the dragons reappeared with a weapon not wholly -unlike a long cannon of very small bore fixed upon a sort of stand. -This he levelled at me, and I, seeing that a danger of whose magnitude -and nature I could form no exact estimate was impending, caught up -instinctively one of my prisoners, and held him as a shield between -myself and the weapon pointed at me. This checked my enemy, who for -the moment seemed almost as much at a loss as myself. Fortunately his -hostile intention evidently endangered not only my life but all near -me, and secured me from any close attack. - -At this moment a somewhat remarkable personage came to the front of -the group which had gathered some few yards before me. He wore a long -frock of emerald green and trousers of the same colour, gathered in at -the waist by a belt of a red metal. On earth I should have taken him -for a hale and vigorous gentleman of some fifty years; he was two -inches short of five feet, but well proportioned as a man of middle -size. Gentleman I say emphatically; for something of dignity, gravity, -and calm good-breeding, was conspicuous in his manner, as authority -unmixed with menace was evident in his tone. He called, somewhat -peremptorily as I thought, to the man who was still aiming his weapon -at my head, then waived back those behind him, and presently advanced -towards me, looking me straight in the eyes with a steadiness and -intensity of gaze far exceeding, both in expressiveness and in effect, -the most fixed stare of the most successful mesmerists I have known. I -doubt whether I should have had the power to resist his will had I -thought it wise to do so. But I was perfectly aware that, however -successful in repelling the first tumultuous attack, prolonged -self-defence was hopeless. - -I must, probably at the next move, certainly in a few minutes, succumb -to the enemies around me. I could not conciliate those whose malignity -I could not comprehend. I had done them no injury, and they could -hardly be maddened by fear, since my size and strength did not seem to -overawe them save at close quarters, and of my weapons they were -certainly less afraid than I of theirs. My only chance must lie in -finding favour with an individual protector. When, therefore, the -new-comer fearlessly laid his hand on an arm which could have killed -him at a blow, and rather by gesture than by force released my -captives, policy as well as instinct dictated submission. I allowed -him to disarm and make me in some sense his prisoner without a show of -resistance. He took me by the left hand, first placing my fingers upon -his own wrist and then grasping mine, and led me quietly through the -crowd, which gave way before him reluctantly and not without angry -murmurs, but with a certain awe as before one superior either in power -or rank. - -Thus he led me for about half a mile, till we reached the crystal gate -of an enclosure of exceptional size, the walls of which, like the gate -itself, were of a pale rose-colour. Through grounds laid out in -symmetrical alternation of orchard and grove, shrubbery, -close-carpeted field, and garden beds, arranged with evident regard to -effect in form and colour, as well as to fitting distribution of shade -and sun, we followed a straight path which sloped under a canopy of -flowering creepers up to the terrace on which stood the house itself. -There were some eight or nine crystal doors (or windows) in the front, -and in the centre one somewhat larger than the others, which, as we -came immediately in front of it, opened, not turning on hinges, but, -like every other door I had seen, dividing and sliding rapidly into -the walls to the right and left. We entered, and it immediately closed -behind us in the same way. Turning my head for a moment, I was -surprised to observe that, whereas I could see nothing through the -door from the outside, the scene without was as visible from within as -through the most perfectly transparent glass. The chamber in which I -found myself had walls of bright emerald green, with all the brilliant -transparency of the jewel; their surface broken by bas-reliefs of -minutely perfect execution, and divided into panels--each of which -seemed to contain a series of distinct scenes, one above the other--by -living creepers with foliage of bright gold, and flowers sometimes -pink, sometimes cream-white of great size, both double and single; the -former mostly hemispherical and the latter commonly shaped as hollow -cones or Avide shallow champagne glasses. In these walls two or three -doors appeared, reaching, from the floor to the roof, which was -coloured like the walls, and seemingly of the same material. Through -one of these my guide led me into a passage which appeared to run -parallel with the front of the house, and turning down this, a door -again parted on the right hand, through which he led me into a similar -but smaller apartment, some twenty feet in width and twenty-five in -length. The window--if I should so call that which was simply another -door--of this apartment looked into one corner of a flower-garden of -great extent, beyond and at each end of which were other portions of -the dwelling. The walls of this chamber were pink, the surface -appearing as before of jewel-like lustre; the roof and floor of a -green lighter than that of the emerald. In two corners were piles of -innumerable cushions and pillows covered with a most delicate -satin-like fabric, embroidered with gold, silver, and feathers, all -soft as eider-down and of all shapes and sizes. There were three or -four light tables, apparently of metal, silver, or azure, or golden in -colour, in various parts of the chamber, with one or two of different -form, more like small office-tables or desks. In one of the walls was -sunk a series of shelves closed by a transparent sheet of crystal of -pale yellow tinge. There were three or four movable seats resembling -writing or easy-chairs, but also of metal, luxurious all though all -different. In the corner to the left, farthest from the inner court or -peristyle, was a screen, which, as my host showed me, concealed a bath -and some other convenient appurtenances. The bath was a cylinder some -five feet in depth and about two in diameter, with thin double walls, -the space between which was filled with an apparatus of small pipes. -By pressing a spring, as my protector pointed out, countless minute -jets of warm perfumed water were thrown from every part of the -interior wall, forming the most delicious and perfect shower-bath that -could well be devised. - -My host then led me to a seat among the cushions, and placed himself -beside me, looking for some time intently and gravely into my face, -but with nothing of offensive curiosity, still less of menace in his -gaze. It appeared to me as if he wished to read the character and -perhaps the thoughts of his guest. The scrutiny seemed to satisfy him. -He stretched out his left hand, and grasping mine, placed it on his -heart, and then dropping my hand, placed his upon my breast. He then -spoke in words whose meaning I could not guess, but the tone sounded -to me as that of inquiry. The question most likely to be asked -concerned my character and the place from which I had come. I again -explained, again pointing upward. He seemed dubious or perplexed, and -it occurred to me that drawing might assist explanation; since, from -the bas-reliefs and tracery, it was evident that the art was carried -to no common excellence in Mars. I drew, therefore, in the first -place, a globe to represent the Earth, traced its orbit round the Sun, -and placed a crescent Moon at some little distance, indicating its -path round the Earth. It was evident that my host understood my -meaning, the more clearly when I marked upon the form of the Earth a -crescent, such as she would often present through a Martial telescope. -Sketches in outline roughly exhibiting different stages of my voyage, -from the first ascent to the final landing, appeared to convince my -host of my meaning, if not of my veracity. Signing to me to remain -where I was, he left the room. In a few minutes he returned, -accompanied by one of the strange squirrel-like animals I had seen in -the fields. I was right in conjecturing that the creature had no -opposable thumb; but a little ingenuity had compensated this so far as -regarded the power of carrying. A little chain hung down from each -wrist, and to these was suspended a tray, upon which were arranged a -variety of fruits and what seemed to be small loaves of various -materials. Breaking one of these and cutting open with a small knife, -apparently of silver, one of the fruits, my host tasted each and then -motioned to me to eat. The attendant had placed the tray upon a table, -disengaged the chains, and disappeared; the door opening and closing -as he trod, somewhat more heavily than had been necessary for my host, -upon particular points of the floor. - -The food offered me was very delicious and various in flavour. My host -showed me how to cut the top from some of the hard-rind fruits, so as -to have a cup full of the most delicately-flavoured juice, the whole -pulp having been reduced to a liquid syrup by a process with which -some semicivilised cultivators on Earth are familiar. When I had -finished my meal, my host whistled, and the attendant, returning, -carried away the tray. His master gave him at the same time what was -evidently an order, repeating it twice, and speaking with signal -clearness of intonation. The little creature bowed its head, -apparently as a sign of intelligence, and in a few minutes returned -with what seemed like a pencil or stylus and writing materials, and -with a large silver-like box of very curious form. To one side was -affixed a sort of mouthpiece, consisting of a truncated cone expanding -into a saucer-shaped bowl. Across the wider and outer end of the cone -was stretched a membrane or diaphragm about three inches in diameter. -Into the mouth of the bowl, two or three inches from the diaphragm, my -host spoke one by one a series of articulate but single sounds, -beginning with _â, a, aa, au, o, oo, ou, u, y or ei (long), i (short), -oi, e,_ which I afterwards found to be the twelve vowels of their -language. After he had thus uttered some forty distinct sounds, he -drew from the back of the instrument a slip of something like -goldleaf, on which as many weird curves and angular figures were -traced in crimson. Pointing to these in succession, he repeated the -sounds in order. I made out that the figures in question represented -the sounds spoken into the instrument, and taking out my pencil, -marked under each the equivalent character of the Roman alphabet, -supplemented by some letters not admitted therein but borrowed from -other Aryan tongues. My host looked on with some interest whilst I did -this, and bent his head as if in approval. Here then was the alphabet -of the Martial tongue--an alphabet not arbitrary, but actually -produced by the vocal sounds it represented! The elaborate machinery -modifies the rough signs which are traced by the mere aerial -vibrations; but each character is a true physical type, a visual -image, of the spoken sound; the voice, temper, accent, sex, of a -speaker affect the phonograph, and are recognisable in the record. The -instrument wrote, so to speak, different hands under my voice and -under Esmo's; and those who knew him could identify his phonogram, as -my friends my manuscript. - -After I had been employed for some time in fixing these forms and the -corresponding sounds in my memory, my host advanced to the window, and -opening it, led me into the interior garden; which, as I had supposed, -was a species of central court around which the house was built. - -The construction of the house was at once apparent. It consisted of a -front portion, divided by the gallery of which I have spoken, all the -rooms on one side thereof looking, like the chamber I first entered, -into the outer enclosure; those on the other into the interior garden -or peristyle. Beyond the latter was a single row of chambers opening -upon it, appropriated to the ladies and children of the household. The -court was roofed over with the translucent material of the windows. It -was about 360 feet in length by 300 in width. At either end were -chambers entirely formed of the same material as the roof, in one of -which the various birds and animals employed either in domestic -service or in agriculture, in another the various stores of the -household, were kept. In front of these, two inclined planes of the -same material as the walls of the house led up to the several parts of -the roof. The court was divided by broad concrete paths into four -gardens. In the centre of each was a basin of water and a fountain, -above which was a square opening of some twenty feet in the roof. Each -garden was, so to speak, turfed with minute plants, smaller than daisy -roots, and even more closely covering the soil than English lawn -grass. These were of different colours--emerald, gold, and -purple--arranged in bands. This turf was broken by a number of beds of -all shapes, the crescent, circle, and six-rayed star being apparently -the chief favourites. The smaller of these were severally filled with -one or two flowers; in the larger, flowers of different colours were -set in patterns, generally rising from the outside to the centre, and -never allowing the soil to be seen through a single interval. The -contrast of colours and tints was admirably ordered; the size, form, -and structure of the flowers wonderfully various and always -exquisitely beautiful. The exact tints of silver and gold were -frequent and especially favoured, At each corner of every garden was a -hollow silvery pillar, up which creepers with flowers of marvellous -size and beauty, and foliage of hues almost as striking as those of -the flowers, were conducted to form a perfect arch overhead, parting -off the gardens from the walks. In each basin were fishes whose -brilliancy of colouring and beauty of form far surpassed anything I -have seen in earthly seas or rivers. - -At the meeting of the four cross paths was a wide space covered with a -soft woven carpet, upon which were strown cushions similar to those in -my room. On these several ladies were reclining, who rose as the head -of the family approached. One who seemed by her manner to be the -mistress, and by her resemblance to some of her younger companions the -mother, of the family, wore a sort of light golden half-helmet on the -head, and over this, falling round her half-way to the waist, a -crimson veil, intended apparently to protect her head and neck from -the sun as much as to conceal them. Her face was partially uncovered. -The dress of all was, except in colour and in certain omissions and -additions, much the same. The under-garments must have been slight in -material and few in number. Nothing was to be seen of them save the -sleeves, which were of a delicate substance, resembling that of the -finest Parisian kid gloves, but far softer and finer. Over all was a -robe almost without shape, save what it took from the figure to which -it closely adapted itself, suspended by broad ribbons and jewelled -clasps from the shoulders, falling nearly to the ankles, and gathered -in by a zone at the waist. This garment left the neck, shoulders, and -the upper part of the bosom uncovered; but the veil, whether covering -the head completely, drawn round all save the face, or consisting only -of two separate muslin falls behind either ear, was always so arranged -as to render the general effect far more decorous than the "low -dresses" of European matrons and maidens. The ankles and feet were -entirely bare, save for sandals with an embroidered velvety covering -for the toes, and silver bands clasped round the ankles. The eldest -lady wore a pale green robe of a fine but very light silken-seeming -fabric. Three younger ones wore a similar material of pink, with -silver head-dresses and veils hiding everything but the eyes. All -these had sleeves reaching to the wrist, ending in gloves of the same -fabric. Two young girls were robed in white gauze, with gauze veils -attached over either ear to a very slight silver coronal; their arms -bare till the sleeve of the under-robe appeared, a couple of inches -below the shoulder; their bright soft faces and their long hair (which -fell freely down the back, kept in graceful order here and there by -almost invisible silver clasps or bands) were totally uncovered. "A -maiden," says the Martialist, "may make the most of her charms; a -wife's beauty is her lord's exclusive right." One of the girls, my -host's daughters, might almost have veiled her entire form above the -knees in the masses of rich soft brown hair inherited from her father, -but mingled with tresses of another tinge, shimmering like gold under -certain lights. Her eyes, of deepest violet, were shaded by dark thick -lashes, so long that when the lids were closed they traced a clear -black curve on either cheek. The other maiden had, like their mother, -and, I believe, like the younger matrons, the bright hair--flaxen in -early childhood, pale gold in maturer years--and the blue or grey eyes -characteristic of the race. My host spoke two or three words to the -chief of the party, indicating me by a graceful and courteous wave of -the hand, upon which the person addressed slightly bent her head, -laying her hand at the same time upon her heart. The others -acknowledged the introduction by a similar but slighter inclination, -and all resumed their places as soon as my host, seating himself -between us, signed to me to occupy some pillows which one of the young -ladies arranged on his left hand, I had observed by this time that the -left hand was used by preference, as we use the right, for all -purposes, and therefore was naturally extended in courtesy; and the -left side was, for similar reasons, the place of honour. - -Three or four children were playing in another part of the court. All, -with one exception, were remarkably beautiful and healthy-looking, -certainly not less graceful in form and movement than the happiest and -prettiest in our own world. Their tones were soft and gentle, and -their bearing towards each other notably kind and considerate. One -unfortunate little creature differed from the rest in all respects. It -was slightly lame, misshapen rather than awkward, and with a face that -indicated bad health, bad temper, or both. Its manner was peevish and -fractious, its tones sharp and harsh, and its actions rough and hasty. -I took it for a mother's sickly favourite, deformed in character to -compensate for physical deformity. Watching them for a short time, I -saw the little creature repeatedly break out in all the humours of an -ill-tempered, over-indulged youngest-born in an ill-managed family; -snatching toys from the others, and now and then slapping or pinching -them. But they never returned either word or blow, even when pain or -vexation brought the tears to their eyes. When its caprices became -intolerable most of its companions withdrew; one, however, always -remaining on the watch, even if driven from the immediate -neighbourhood by its intolerably provoking temper, tones, and acts. - -Before sunset we were joined by a young man, who, first approaching my -host with a respectful inclination of the head, stood before him till -apparently desired by a few quiet words to speak; when he addressed -the head of the family in some short sentences, and then, at a sign -from him, turned to two of the squirrel-like animals, "ambau," which -followed him. These then laid at my feet two large baskets, or open -bags of golden network, containing many of the smaller objects left in -the Astronaut. Emptying these, they brought several more, till they -had laid before me the whole of my wardrobe and my store of intended -presents, books, and drawings, with such of my instruments as were not -attached to the walls. It was evident that great care had been taken -not to injure or dismantle the vessel. Nothing that actually belonged -to it had been taken away, and of the articles brought not one had -been broken or damaged. It was equally evident that there was no -intention or idea of appropriating them. They were brought and handed -over to me as a host on Earth might send for the baggage of an -unexpected guest. Of the various toys and ornaments that I had brought -for the purpose, I offered several of the most precious to my host. He -accepted one of the smallest and least valuable, rather declining to -understand than refusing the offer of the rest. The bringer did the -same. Then placing in the chief's hands an open jewel-box containing a -variety of the choicest jewellery, I requested by signs his permission -to offer them to the ladies. The elder ones imitated his example, and -graciously accepted one or two tasteful feminine ornaments, of far -less beauty and value than any of the few splendid jewels that adorned -their belts and clasped their robes at the shoulder, or fastened their -veils. The white-robed maidens shrank back shyly until the box was -pressed upon them, when each, at a word from the mistress, selected -some small gold or silver locket or chain; each at once placing the -article accepted about her person, with an evident intention of adding -to the grace with which it was received and acknowledging the intended -courtesy. How valueless the most valuable of these trifles must have -been in their eyes I had begun to suspect from what I saw, and was -afterwards made fully aware. As the shades of evening fell, the -fountains ceased to play, the young man pressed electric springs which -closed the openings in the roof, and, finally, turning a small handle, -caused a bright light to diffuse itself over the whole garden, and -through the doors into the chambers opening upon it. At the same time -a warmer air gradually spread throughout the interior of the building. -A meal was then served in small low trays, which was eaten by all of -us reclining on our cushions; after which the ladies retired, and my -host conducted me back to my chamber, and left me to repose. - -My books and sketches, as well as the portfolios of popular prints -which I had selected to assist me in describing the life and scenery -of our world, were, with my wardrobe and other properties, arranged on -my shelves by the _ambau_, under the direction of Kevimâ, the young -gentleman who had superintended their removal and conveyance to his -father's house. The portfolios gave me occasional means and topics of -pleasant intercourse with the family of my host, before we could -converse at ease in their language. The children, though never -troublesome or importunate, took frequent opportunities of stealing -into the room to look over the prints I produced for their amusement. -The ladies also, particularly the violet-eyed maiden, who seemed to be -the especial guardian of the little ones, would draw near to look and -listen. The latter, though she never entered the room or directly -addressed me, often assisted in explaining my broken sentences to her -charges, some of them not many years younger than herself. I took -sincere pleasure in the children's company and growing confidence, but -they were not the less welcome because they drew their sisters to -listen to my descriptions of an existence so strange and so remote in -habits and character, as well as in space. Perhaps their gentle -governess learned more than any other member of the family respecting -Earth-life, and my own adventures by land and water, in air and space. -For, though just not child enough to share the children's freedom, she -took in all they heard; she listened in silence during our evening -gatherings to the conversation in which her father and brother -encouraged me to practise the language I was laboriously studying. She -had, therefore, double opportunities of acquiring a knowledge which -seemed to interest her deeply; naturally, since it was so absolutely -novel, and communicated by one whose very presence was the most -marvellous of the marvels it attested. How much she understood I could -not judge. Except her mother, the ladies did not take a direct part in -my talk with the children, and but very seldom interposed, through my -host, a shy brief question when the evening brought us all together. -The maidens, despite their theoretical privileges, were even more -reserved than their elders, and the dark-haired Eveena the most silent -and shy of all. - -I learned afterwards that the privilege of intercourse with the ladies -of the household, restricted as it was, was wholly exceptional, and -even in this family was conceded only out of consideration for one who -could not safely be allowed to leave the house. - - - -CHAPTER V - LANGUAGE, LAWS, AND LIFE. - -Though treated with the greatest kindness and courtesy, I soon found -reason to understand that I was, at least for the present, a prisoner. -My host or his son never failed to invite me each day to spend some -time in the outer enclosure, but never intentionally left me alone -there. On one occasion, when Kevimâ had been called away and I -ventured to walk down towards the gate, my host's youngest child, who -had been playing on the roof, ran after me, and reaching me just as my -foot was set on the spring that opened the gate or outer door, caught -me by the hand, and looking up into my face, expressed by glance and -gesture a negative so unmistakable that I thought it expedient at once -to comply and return to the house. There my time was occupied, for as -great a part of each day as I could give to such a task without -extreme fatigue, in mastering the language of the country. This was a -much simpler task than might have been supposed. I soon found that, -unlike any Terrestrial tongue, the language of this people had not -grown but been made--constructed deliberately on set principles, with -a view to the greatest possible simplicity and the least possible -taxation of the memory. There were no exceptions or irregularities, -and few unnecessary distinctions; while words were so connected and -related that the mastery of a few simple grammatical forms and of a -certain number of roots enabled me to guess at, and by and by to feel -tolerably sure of, the meaning of a new word. The verb has six tenses, -formed by the addition of a consonant to the root, and six persons, -plural and singular, masculine and feminine. - - Singular. | Masc. | Fem. || Plural. | Masc. | Fem. - --------------|-------|------||----------|-------|-------- - I am | avâ | ava || We are | avau | avaa - Thou art | avo | avoo || You are | avou | avu - He or she is | avy | ave || They are | avoi | avee - --------------|-------|------||----------|-------|-------- - -The terminations are the three pronouns, feminine and masculine, -singular and plural, each represented by one of twelve vowel -characters, and declined like nouns. When a nominative immediately -follows the verb, the pronominal suffix is generally dropped, unless -required by euphony. Thus, "a man strikes" is _dak klaftas_, but in -the past tense, _dakny klaftas_, the verb without the suffix being -unpronounceable. The past tense is formed by the insertion of _n_ -(_avnâ_: "I have been"), the future by _m_: _avmâ_. The imperative, -_avsâ_; which in the first person is used to convey determination or -resolve; _avsâ_, spoken in a peremptory tone, meaning "I _will_ be," -while _avso_, according to the intonation, means "be" or "thou shalt -be;" i.e., shalt whether or no. _R_ forms the conditional, _avrâ_, and -_ren_ the conditional past, _avrenâ_, "I should have been." The need -for a passive voice is avoided by the simple method of putting the -pronoun in the accusative; thus, _dâcâ_ signifies "I strike," _dâcal_ -(me strike) "I am struck." The infinitive is _avi; avyta_, "being;" -_avnyta_, "having been;" _avmyta_, "about to be." These are declined -like nouns, of which latter there are six forms, the masculine in _â, -o, and y,_ the feminine in _a, oo, and e;_ the plurals being formed -exactly as in the pronominal suffixes of the verb. The root-word, -without inflexion, alone is used where the name is employed in no -connection with a verb, where in every terrestrial language the -nominative would be employed. Thus, my guide had named the -squirrel-monkeys _ambau_ (sing. _ambâ_); but the word is declined as -follows:-- - - _Singular._ _Plural._ - - _Nominative_ ambâs ambaus - - _Accusative_ ambâl ambaul - - _Dative, to_ or _in_ ambân ambaun - - _Ablative, by_ or _from_ ambâm ambaum - -The five other forms are declined in the same manner, the vowel of the -last syllable only differing. Adjectives are declined like nouns, but -have no comparative or superlative degree; the former being expressed -by prefixing the intensitive syllable _ca_, the latter, when used -(which is but seldom) by the prefix _ela_, signifying _the_ in an -emphatic sense, as his Grace of Wellington is in England called _The_ -Duke _par excellence_. Prepositions and adverbs end in _t_ or _d_. - -Each form of the noun has, as a rule, its special relation to the verb -of the same root: thus from dâc, "strike," are derived _dâcâ_, -"weapon" or "hammer;", _dâco_, a "stroke" or "striking" [as given] -both masculine; _dâca_, "anvil;" _dâcoo_, "blow" or "beating" [as -received]; and _dâke_, "a thing beaten," feminine. The sixth form, -_dâky_, masculine, has in this case no proper signification, and not -being wanted, is not used. Individual letters or syllables are largely -employed in combination to give new and even contradictory meanings to -a root. Thus _n_, like the Latin _in_, signifies "penetration," -"motion towards," or simply "remaining in a place," or, again, -"permanence." _M_, like the Latin _ab_ or _ex_, indicates "motion -from." _R_ expresses "uncertainty" or "incompleteness," and is -employed to convert a statement into a question, or a relative pronoun -into one of inquiry. _G_, like the Greek _a_ or _anti_, generally -signifies "opposition" or "negation;" _ca_ is, as aforesaid, -intensitive, and is employed, for example, to convert _âfi_, "to -breathe," into _câfi_, "to speak." _Cr_ is by itself an interjection -of abhorrence or disgust; in composition it indicates detestation or -destruction: thus, _crâky_ signifies "hatred;" _crâvi_, "the -destruction of life" or "to kill." _L_ for the most part indicates -passivity, but with different effect according to its place in the -word. Thus _mepi_ signifies "to rule;" _mepil_, "to be ruled;" -_melpi_, "to control one's self;" _lempi_, "to obey." The -signification of roots themselves is modified by a modification of the -principal vowel or consonant, _i.e._, by exchanging the original for -one closely related. Thus _avi_, "exist;" _âvi_, "be," in the positive -sense of being this or that; _afi_, "live;" _âfi_, "breathe." _Z_ is a -diminutive; _zin_, "with," often abbreviated to _zn_, "combination," -"union." Thus _znaftau_ means "those who were brought into life -together," or "brethren." - -I may add, before I quit this subject, that the Martial system of -arithmetic differs from ours principally in the use of a duodecimal -instead of a decimal basis. Figures are written on a surface divided -into minute squares, and the value of a figure, whether it signify so -many units, dozens, twelve dozens, and so forth, depends upon the -square in which it is placed. The central square of a line represents -the unit's place, and is marked by a line drawn above it. Thus a -figure answering to our I, if placed in the fourth square to the left, -represents 1728. In the third place to the right, counting the unit -square in both cases, it signifies 1/144, and so forth. - -In less than a fortnight I had obtained a general idea of the -language, and was able to read easily the graven representations of -spoken sound which I have described; and by the end of a month (to use -a word which had no meaning here) I could speak intelligibly if not -freely. Only in a language so simple could my own anxiety to overcome -as soon as possible a fatal obstacle to all investigation of this new -world, and the diligent and patient assistance given by my host or his -son for a great part of every day, have enabled me to make such rapid -progress. I had noted even, during the short evening gatherings when -the whole family was assembled, the extreme taciturnity of both sexes; -and by the time I could make myself understood, I was not surprised to -learn that the Martials have scarcely the idea of what we mean by -conversation, not talking for the sake of talking, or speaking unless -they have something to discuss, explain, or communicate. I found, -again, that a new and much more difficult task, though fortunately one -not so indispensable, was still in store for me. The Martials have two -forms of writing: the one I have described, which is simply a -mechanical rendering of spoken words into artificially simplified -visible signs; the other, written by hand, with a fine pencil of some -chemical material on a prepared surface, textile or metallic. The -characters of the latter are, like ours wholly arbitrary; but the -contractions and abbreviations are so numerous that the mastery of the -mere alphabet, the forty or fifty single letters employed, is but a -single step in the first stage of the hard task of learning to read. -In no country on Earth, except China, is this task half so severe as -in Mars. On the other hand, when it is once mastered, a far superior -instrument has been gained; the Martial writing being a most terse but -perfectly legible shorthand. Every Martial can write at least as -quickly as he can speak, and can read the written character more -rapidly than the quickest eye can peruse the best Terrestrial print. -Copies, whether of the phonographic or stylographic writing, are -multiplied with extreme facility and perfection. The original, once -inscribed in either manner upon the above-mentioned _tafroo_ or -gold-leaf, is placed upon a sheet of a species of linen, smoother than -paper, called _difra_. A current of electricity sent through the -former reproduces the writing exactly upon the latter, which has been -previously steeped in some chemical composition; the effect apparently -depending on the passage of the electricity through the untouched -metal, and its absolute interception by the ink, if I may so call it, -of the writing, which bites deeply into the leaf. This process can be -repeated almost _ad libitum_; and it is equally easy to take at any -time a fresh copy upon _tafroo_, which serves again for the -reproduction of any number of _difra_ copies. The book, for the -convenience of this mode of reproduction, consists of a single sheet, -generally from four to eight inches in breadth and of any length -required. The writing intended to be thus copied is always minute, and -is read for the most part through magnifying spectacles. A roller is -attached to each end of the sheet, and when not in use the latter is -wound round that attached to the conclusion. When required for -reading, both rollers are fixed in a stand, and slowly moved by -clockwork, which spreads before the eyes of the reader a length of -about four inches at once. The motion is slackened or quickened at the -reader's pleasure, and can be stopped altogether, by touching a -spring. Another means of reproducing, not merely writings or drawings, -but natural objects, consists in a simple adaptation of the _camera -obscura_. [The only essential difference from our photographs being -that the Martial art reproduces colour as well as outline, I omit this -description.] - -While I was practising myself in the Martial language my host turned -our experimental conversations chiefly, if not exclusively, upon -Terrestrial subjects; endeavouring to learn all that I could convey to -him of the physical peculiarities of the Earth, of geology, geography, -vegetation, animal life in all its forms, human existence, laws, -manners, social and domestic order. Afterwards, when, at the end of -some fifty days, he found that we could converse, if not with ease yet -without fear of serious misapprehension, he took an early opportunity -of explaining to me the causes and circumstances of my unfriendly -reception among his people. - -"Your size and form," he said, "startled and surprised them. I gather -from what you have told me that on Earth there are many nations very -imperfectly known to one another, with different dress, language, and -manners. This planet is now inhabited by a single race, all speaking -the same tongue, using much the same customs, and differing from one -another in form and size much less widely than (I understand) do men -upon your Earth. There you might have been taken for a visitor from -some strange and unexplored country. Here it was clear that you were -not one of our race, and yet it was inconceivable what else you could -be. We have no giants; the tallest skeleton preserved in our museums -is scarcely a hand's breadth taller than myself, and does not, of -course, approach to your stature. Then, as you have pointed out, your -limbs are longer and your chest smaller in proportion to the rest of -the body; probably because, as you seem to say, your atmosphere is -denser than ours, and we require ampler lungs to inhale the quantity -of air necessary at each breath for the oxidation of the blood. Then -you were not dumb, and yet affected not to understand our language and -to speak a different one. No such creature could have existed in this -planet without having been seen, described, and canvassed. You did -not, therefore, belong to us. The story you told by signs was quickly -apprehended, and as quickly rejected as an audacious impossibility. It -was an insult to the intelligence of your hearers, and a sufficient -ground for suspecting a being of such size and physical strength of -some evil or dangerous design. The mob who first attacked you were -probably only perplexed and irritated; those who subsequently -interfered may have been animated also by scientific curiosity. You -would have been well worth anatomisation and chemical analysis. Your -mail-shirt protected you from the shock of the dragon, which was meant -to paralyse and place you at the mercy of your assailants; the metal -distributing the current, and the silken lining resisting its passage. -Still, at the moment when I interposed, you would certainly have been -destroyed but for your manoeuvre of laying hold of two of your -immediate escort. Our destructive weapons are far superior to any you -possess or have described. That levelled at you by my neighbour would -have sent to ten times your distance a small ball, which, bursting, -would have asphyxiated every living thing for several yards around. -But our laws regarding the use of such weapons are very stringent, and -your enemy dared not imperil the lives of those you held. Those laws -would not, he evidently thought, apply to yourself, who, as he would -have affirmed, could not be regarded as a man and an object of legal -protection." - -He explained the motives and conduct of his countrymen with such -perfect coolness, such absence of surprise or indignation, that I felt -slightly nettled, and answered sarcastically, "If the slaughter of -strangers whose account of themselves appears improbable be so -completely a matter of course among you, I am at a loss to understand -your own interference, and the treatment I have received from yourself -and your family, so utterly opposite in spirit as well as in form to -that I met from everybody else." - -"I do not," he answered, "always act from the motives in vogue among -my fellow-creatures of this planet; but why and how I differ from them -it might not be well to explain. It is for the moment of more -consequence to tell you why you have been kept in some sense a -prisoner here. My neighbours, independently of general laws, are for -certain reasons afraid to do me serious wrong. While in my company or -in my dwelling they could hardly attempt your life without endangering -mine or those of my family. If you were seen alone outside my -premises, another attempt, whether by the asphyxiator or by a -destructive animal, would probably be made, and might this time prove -successful. Till, therefore, the question of your humanity and right -to the protection of our law is decided by those to whom it has been -submitted, I will beg you not to venture alone beyond the bounds that -afford you security; and to believe that in this request, as in -detaining you perforce heretofore, I am acting simply for your own -welfare, and not," he added, smiling, "with a view to secure the first -opportunity of putting your relation to our race to the tests of the -dissecting table and the laboratory." - -"But my story explained everything that seemed inexplicable; why was -it not believed? It was assumed that I could not belong to Mars; yet I -was a living creature in the flesh, and must therefore have come from -some other planet, as I could hardly be supposed to be an inhabitant -of space." - -"We don't reason on impossibilities," replied my friend. "We have a -maxim that it is more probable that any number of witnesses should -lie, that the senses of any number of persons should be deluded, than -that a miracle should be true; and by a miracle we mean an -interruption or violation of the known laws of nature." - -"One eminent terrestrial sceptic," I rejoined, "has said the same -thing, and masters of the science of probabilities have supported his -assertion. But a miracle should be a violation not merely of the known -but of all the laws of nature, and until you know all those laws, how -can you tell what is a miracle? The lifting of iron by a magnet--I -suppose you have iron and loadstones here as we have on Earth--was, to -the first man who witnessed it, just as complete a violation of the -law of gravity as now appears my voyage through space, accomplished by -a force bearing some relation to that which acts through the magnet." - -"Our philosophers," he answered, "are probably satisfied that they -know nearly all that is to be known of natural laws and forces; and to -delusion or illusion human sense is undeniably liable." - -"If," I said, "you cannot trust your senses, you may as well -disbelieve in your own existence and in everything around you, for you -know nothing save through those senses which are liable to illusion. -But we know practically that there are limits to illusion. At any -rate, your maxim leads directly and practically to the inference that, -since I do not belong to Mars and cannot have come from any other -world, I am not here, and in fact do not exist. Surely it was somewhat -illogical to shoot an illusion and intend to dissect a spectre! Is not -a fact the complete and unanswerable refutation of its impossibility?" - -"A good many facts to which I could testify," he replied, "are in this -world confessed impossibilities, and if my neighbours witnessed them -they would pronounce them to be either impostures or illusions." - -"Then," said I, somewhat indignantly, "they must prefer inferences -from facts to facts themselves, and the deductions of logic to the -evidence of their senses. Yet, if that evidence be wanting in -certainty, then, since no chain can be stronger than its weakest -point, inferences are doubly uncertain; first, because they are drawn -from facts reported by sense, and, secondly, because a flaw in the -logic is always possible." - -"Do not repeat that out of doors," he answered, smiling. "It is not -permitted here to doubt the infallibility of science; and any one who -ventures to affirm persistently a story which science pronounces -impossible (like your voyage through space), if he do not fall at once -a victim to popular piety, would be consigned to the worse than living -death of life-long confinement in a lunatic hospital." - -"In that case I fear very much that I have little chance of being put -under the protection of your laws, since, whatever may be the -impression of those who have seen me, every one else must inevitably -pronounce me non-existent; and a nonentity can hardly be the subject -of legal wrong or have a right to legal redress." - -"Nor," he replied, "can there be any need or any right to annihilate -that which does not exist. This alternative may occupy our Courts of -Justice, for aught I know, longer than you or I can hope to live. What -I have asked is that, till these have decided between two -contradictory absurdities, you shall be provisionally and without -prejudice considered as a human reality and an object of legal -protection." - -"And who," I asked, "has authority _ad interim_ to decide this point?" - -"It was submitted," he answered, "in the first place, to the Astyntâ -(captain, president) who governs this district; but, as I expected, he -declined to pronounce upon it, and referred it to the Mepta (governor) -of the province. Half-an-hour's argument so bewildered the latter that -he sent the question immediately to the Zamptâ (Regent) of this -dominion, and he, after hearing by telegraph the opening of the case, -at once pronounced that, as affecting the entire planet, it must be -decided by the Camptâ or Suzerain. Now this gentleman is impatient of -the dogmatism of the philosophers, who have tried recently to impose -upon him one or two new theoretical rules which would limit the amount -of what he calls free will that he practically enjoys; and as the -philosophers are all against you, and as, moreover, he has a strong -though secret hankering after curious phenomena--it would not do to -say, after impossibilities--I do not think he will allow you to be -destroyed, at least till he has seen you." - -"Is it possible," I said, "that even your monarch cherishes a belief -in the incredible or logically impossible, and yet escapes the lunatic -asylum with which you threaten me?" - -"I should not escape grave consequences were I to attribute to him a -heresy so detestable," said my host. "Even the Camptâ would not be -rash enough to let it be said that he doubts the infallibility of -science, or of public opinion as its exponent. But as it is the worst -of offences to suggest the existence of that which is pronounced -impossible or unscientific, the supreme authority can always, in -virtue of the enormity of the guilt, insist on undertaking himself the -executive investigation of all such cases; and generally contrives to -have the impossibility, if a tangible one, brought into the presence -either as evidence or as accomplice." - -"Well," I rejoined, after a few minutes' reflection, "I don't know -that I have much right to complain of ideas which, after all, are but -the logical development of those which, are finding constantly more -and more favour among our most enlightened nations. I can quite -believe, from what I have seen of our leading scientists, that in -another century it may be dangerous in my own country for my -descendants to profess that belief in a Creator and a future life -which I am superstitious enough to prefer to all the revelations of -all the material sciences." - -"As you value your life and freedom," he replied, "don't speak of such -a belief here, save to the members of my own family, and to those with -whom I may tell you you are safe. Such ideas were held here, almost as -generally as you say they now are on Earth, some twelve thousand years -ago, and twenty thousand years ago their profession was compulsory. -But for the last hundred centuries it has been settled that they are -utterly fatal to the progress of the race, to enlightenment, to -morality, and to the practical devotion of our energies to the -business of life; and they are not merely disavowed and denounced, but -hated with an earnestness proportioned to the scientific enthusiasm of -classes and individuals." - -"But," said I, "if so long, so severely, and so universally -discountenanced, how can their expression by one man here or there be -considered perilous?" - -"Our philosophers say," he replied, "that the attractiveness of these -ideas to certain minds is such that no reasoning, no demonstration of -their absurdity, will prevent their exercising a mischievous influence -upon weak, and especially upon feminine natures; and perhaps the -suspicion that they are still held in secret may contribute to keep -alive the bitterness with which they are repudiated and repressed. But -if they are so held, if there be any who believe that the order of the -universe was at first established, and that its active forces are -still sustained and governed, by a conscious Intelligence--if there be -those who think that they have proof positive of the continued -existence of human beings after death--their secret has been well -kept. For very many centuries have elapsed since the last victim of -such delusions, as they were solemnly pronounced by public vote in the -reign of the four-hundredth predecessor of the present Camptâ, was -sent as incurable to the dangerous ward of our strictest hospital for -the insane." - -A tone of irony, and at the same time an air of guarded reserve, -seemed to pervade all my host's remarks on this subject, and I -perceived that for some reason it was so unpleasant to him that -courtesy obliged me to drop it. I put, therefore, to turn the -conversation, some questions as to the political organisation of which -his words had afforded me a glimpse; and in reply he undertook to give -me a summary of the political history of his planet during the last -few hundred generations. - -"If," he said, "in giving you this sketch of the process by which our -present social order has been established, I should mention a class or -party who have stood at certain times distinctly apart from or in -opposition to the majority, I must, in the first place, beg you to ask -no questions about them, and in the next not to repeat incautiously -the little I may tell you, or to show, by asking questions of others, -what you have heard from me." - -I gave my promise frankly, of course, and he then gave me the -following sketch of Martial history:-- - -We date events from the union of all races and nations in a single -State, a union which was formally established 13,218 years ago. At -that time the large majority of the inhabitants of this planet -possessed no other property than their houses, clothes, and tools, -their furniture, and a few other trifles. The land was owned by fewer -than 400,000 proprietors. Those who possessed movable wealth may have -numbered thrice as many. Political and social power was in the hands -of the owners of property, and of those, generally connected with them -by birth or marriage, who were at any rate not dependent on manual -labour for their bread. But among these there were divisions and -factions on various questions more or less trivial, none of them -approaching in importance or interest to the fundamental and -irreconcilable conflict sure one day to arise between those who had -accumulated wealth and those who had not. To gain their ends in one or -another of these frivolous quarrels, each party in turn admitted to -political influence section after section of what you call the -proletariat; till in the year 3278 universal suffrage was granted, -every man and woman over the age of twelve years [6] being entitled to -a single and equal vote. - -About the same time the change in opinion of which I have spoken had -taken general effect, and the vast majority of the men, at any rate, -had ceased to believe in a future life wherein the inequalities and -iniquities of this might be redressed. It followed that they were -fiercely impatient of hardships and suffering, especially such as they -thought might be redressed by political and social changes. The -leaders of the multitude, for the most part men belonging to the -propertied classes who had either wasted their wealth or never -possessed any, demanded the abolition of private ownership, first of -land, then of movable wealth; a demand which fiercely excited the -passions of those who possessed neither, and as bitterly provoked the -anger and alarm of those who did. The struggle raged for some -generations and ended by an appeal to the sword; in which, since the -force of the State was by law in the hands of the majority, the -intelligent, thrifty, careful owners of property with their adherents -were signally defeated. Universal communism was established in 3412, -none being permitted to own, or even to claim, the exclusive use of -any portion of the planet's surface, or of any other property except -the share of food and clothing allotted to him. One only privilege was -allowed to certain sectaries who still clung to the habits of the -past, to the permanence and privacy of family life. They were -permitted to have houses or portions of houses to themselves, and to -live there on the share of the public produce allotted to the several -members of each household. It had been assumed as matter of course by -the majority that when every one was forced to work there would be -more than enough for all; that public spirit, and if necessary -coercion, would prove as effectual stimulants to exertion and industry -as interest and necessity had done under the system of private -ownership. - -Those who relied on the refutation of this theory forgot that with -poor and suffering men who look to no future, and acknowledge no law -but such as is created by their own capricious will and pleasure, envy -is even a more powerful passion than greed. The Many preferred that -wealth and luxury should be destroyed, rather than that they should be -the exclusive possession of the Few. The first and most visible effect -of Communism was the utter disappearance of all perishable luxuries, -of all food, clothing, furniture, better than that enjoyed by the -poorest. Whatever could not be produced in quantities sufficient to -give each an appreciable share was not produced at all. Next, the -quarrels arising out of the apportionment of labour were bitter, -constant, and savage. Only a grinding despotism could compose them, -and those who wielded such despotism for a short time excited during -the period of their rule such fierce and universal hatred, that they -were invariably overturned and almost invariably murdered before their -very brief legal term of office had closed. It was not only that those -engaged in the same kind of labour quarrelled over the task assigned -to each, whether allotted in proportion to his strength, or to the -difficulty of his labour, or by lot equally to all. Those to whom the -less agreeable employments were assigned rebelled or murmured, and at -last it was necessary to substitute rotation for division of labour, -since no one would admit that he was best fitted for the lower or less -agreeable. Of course we thus wasted silver tools in doing the work of -iron, and reduced enormously the general production of wealth. Next, -it was found that since one man's industry or idleness could produce -no appreciable effect upon the general wealth, still less upon the -particular share assigned to him, every man was as idle as the envy -and jealousy of his neighbours would allow. Finally, as the produce -annually diminished and the number of mouths to be fed became a -serious consideration, the parents of many children were regarded as -public enemies. The entire independence of women, as equal citizens, -with no recognised relation to individual men, was the inevitable -outcome, logically and practically, of the Communistic principle; but -this only made matters worse. Attempts were of course made to restrain -multiplication by law, but this brought about inquisitions so utterly -intolerable that human nature revolted against them. The sectaries I -have mentioned--around whom, without adopting or even understanding -their principles, gradually gathered all the better elements of -society, every man of intellect and spirit who had not been murdered, -with a still larger proportion of women--seceded separately or in -considerable numbers at once; established themselves in those parts of -the planet whose less fertile soil or less genial climate had caused -them to be abandoned, and there organised societies on the old -principles of private ownership and the permanence of household ties. -By and by, as they visibly prospered, they attracted the envy and -greed of the Communists. They worked under whatever disadvantage could -be inflicted by climate and soil, but they had a much more than -countervailing advantage in mutual attachment, in freedom from the -bitter passions necessarily excited by the jealousy and incessant -mutual interference inseparable from the Communistic system, and in -their escape from the caprice and instability of popular -government--these societies, whether from wisdom or mere reaction, -submitting to the rule of one or a few chief magistrates selected by -the natural leaders of each community. Moreover, they had not merely -the adhesion of all the more able, ambitious, and intellectual who -seceded from a republic in which neither talent nor industry could -give comfort or advantage, but also the full benefit of inventive -genius, stimulated by the hope of wealth in addition to whatever -public spirit the habits of Communism had not extinguished. They -systematically encouraged the cultivation of science, which the -Communists had very early put down as a withdrawal of energy from the -labour due to the community at large. They had a monopoly of -machinery, of improvement, of invention both in agriculture, in -manufactures, and in self-defence. They devised weapons far more -destructive than those possessed by the old _régime_, and still more -superior to such as, after centuries of anarchy and decline, the -Communists were able to procure. Finally, when assailed by the latter, -vast superiority of numbers was annulled by immeasurable superiority -in weapons and in discipline. The secessionists were animated, too, by -a bitter resentment against their assailants, as the authors of the -general ruin and of much individual suffering; and when the victory -was gained, they not infrequently improved it to the utter destruction -of all who had taken part in the attack. Whichever side were most to -blame in the feud, no quarter was given by either. It was an -internecine war of numbers, ignorance, and anarchy against science and -order. On both sides there still remained much of the spirit generated -in times when life was less precious than the valour by which alone it -could be held, and preserved through milder ages by the belief that -death was not annihilation--enough to give to both parties courage to -sacrifice their lives for the victory of their cause and the -destruction of their enemies. But after a few crushing defeats, the -Communists were compelled to sue for peace, and to cede a large part -of their richest territory. Driven back into their own chaotic misery, -deterred by merciless punishment from further invasion of their -neighbours' dominions, they had leisure to contrast their wretched -condition with that of those who prospered under the restored system -of private ownership, family interest, strong, orderly, permanent -government, material and intellectual civilisation. Machinery did for -the new State, into which the seceding societies were consolidated by -the necessity of self-defence, much more than it had done before -Communism declared war on it. The same envy which, if war had been any -longer possible, would have urged the Communists again and again to -plunder the wealth that contrasted so forcibly their own increasing -poverty, now humbled them to admire and covet the means which had -produced it. At last, after bitter intestine struggles, they -voluntarily submitted to the rule of their rivals, and entreated the -latter to accept them as subjects and pupils. Thus in the 39th century -order and property were once more established throughout the planet. - -"But, as I have said, what you call religion had altogether -disappeared--had ceased, at least as an avowed principle, to affect -the ideas and conduct of society or of individuals. The -re-establishment of peace and order concentrated men's energies on the -production of material wealth and the achievement of physical comfort -and ease. Looking forward to nothing after death, they could only make -the best of the short life permitted to them and do their utmost to -lengthen it. In the assurance of speedy separation, affection became a -source of much more anxiety and sorrow than happiness. All ties being -precarious and their endurance short, their force became less and -less; till the utmost enjoyment of the longest possible life for -himself became the sole, or almost the sole, animating motive, the one -paramount interest, of each individual. The equality which logic had -established between the sexes dissolved the family tie. It was -impossible for law to dictate the conditions on which two free and -equal individuals should live together, merely because they differed -in sex. All the State could do it did; it insisted on a provision for -the children. But when parental affection was extinguished, such -provision could only be secured by handing over the infant and its -portion to the guardianship of the State. As children were troublesome -and noisy, the practice of giving them up to public officers to be -brought up in vast nurseries regulated on the strictest scientific -principles became the general rule, and was soon regarded as a duty; -what was at first almost openly avowed selfishness soon justifying and -glorifying itself on the ground that the children were better off -under the care of those whose undivided attention was given to them, -and in establishments where everything was regulated with sole regard -to their welfare, than they could be at home. No law compels us to -send our children to these establishments. In rare cases a favourite -will persuade her lord to retain her pet son and make him heir, but -both the Courts and public opinion discountenance this practice. Some -families, like my own, systematically retain their children and -educate them at home; but it is generally thought that in doing so we -do them a wrong, and our neighbours look askance upon so signal a -deviation from custom; the more so, perhaps, that they half suspect us -of dissenting from their views on other subjects, on which our -opinions do not so directly or so obviously affect our conduct, and on -which therefore we are not so easily convicted of free choice" -[heresy]. Here I inquired whether the birth and parentage of the -children sent to the public establishments were registered, so as to -permit their being reclaimed or inheriting property. - -"No," he replied. "Inheritance by mere descent is a notion no longer -favoured. I believe that young mothers sometimes, before parting with -their children, impress upon them some indelible mark by which it may -be possible hereafter to recognise them; but such recognitions seldom -occur. Maternal affection is discountenanced as a purely animal -instinct, a survival from a lower grade of organisation, and does not -generally outlast a ten years' separation; while paternal love is -utterly scouted as an absurdity to which even the higher animals are -not subject. Boys are kept in the public establishments until the age -of twelve, those from ten to twelve being separated from the younger -ones and passing through the higher education in separate colleges. -The girls are educated apart till they complete their tenth year, and -are almost invariably married in the course of the next. At first, -under the influence of the theory of sexual equality, both received -their intellectual instruction in the same classes and passed through -the same examinations. Separation was soon found necessary; but still -girls passed through the same intellectual training as their brothers. -Experience, however, showed that this would not answer. Those girls -who distinguished themselves in the examinations were, with scarcely -an exception, found unattractive as wives and unfit to be mothers. A -very much larger number, a number increasing in every generation, -suffered unmistakably from the severity of the mental discipline to -which they were subjected. The advocates of female equality made a -very hard fight for equal culture; but the physical consequences were -perfectly clear and perfectly intolerable. When a point was reached at -which one half the girls of each generation were rendered invalids for -life, and the other half protected only by a dense stupidity or -volatile idleness which no school punishments could overcome, the -Equalists were driven from one untenable point to another, and forced -at last to demand a reduction of the masculine standard of education -to the level of feminine capacities. Upon this ground they took their -last stand, and were hopelessly beaten. The reaction was so complete -that for the last two hundred and forty generations, the standard of -female education has been lowered to that which by general confession -ordinary female brains can stand without injury to the physique. The -practical consequences of sexual equality have re-established in a -more absolute form than ever the principle that the first purpose of -female life is marriage and maternity; and that, for their own sakes -as for the sake of each successive generation, women should be so -trained as to be attractive wives and mothers of healthy children, all -other considerations being subordinated to these. A certain small -number of ladies avail themselves of the legal equality they still -enjoy, and live in the world much as men. But we regard them as -third-rate men in petticoats, hardly as women at all. Marriage with -one of them is the last resource to which a man too idle or too -foolish to earn his own living will betake himself. Whatever their -education, our women have always found that such independence as they -could earn by hard work was less satisfactory than the dependence, -coupled with assured comfort and ease, which they enjoy as the -consorts, playthings, or slaves of the other sex; and they are only -too glad to barter their legal equality for the certainty of -protection, indolence, and permanent support." - -"Then your marriages," I said, "are permanent?" - -"Not by law," he replied. "Nothing like what our remote ancestors -called marriage is recognised at all. The maidens who come of age each -year sell themselves by a sort of auction, those who purchase them -arranging with the girls themselves the terms on which the latter will -enter their family. Custom has fixed the general conditions which -every girl expects, and which only the least attractive are forced to -forego. They are promised a permanent maintenance from their master's -estate, and promise in return a fixed term of marriage. After two or -three years they are free to rescind the contract; after ten or twelve -they may leave their husbands with a stipulated pension. They receive -an allowance for dress and so forth proportionate to their personal -attractions or to the fancy of the suitor; and of course the richest -men can offer the best terms, and generally secure the most agreeable -wives, in whatever number they please or think they can without -inconvenience support." - -"Then," I said, "the women can divorce themselves at pleasure, but the -men cannot dismiss them! This hardly looks like equality." - -"The practical result," he answered, "is that men don't care for a -release which would part them from complaisant slaves, and that women -dare not seek a divorce which can only hand them over to another -master on rather worse terms. When the longer term has expired, the -latter almost always prefer the servitude to which they are accustomed -to an independent life of solitude and friendlessness." - -"And what becomes," I asked, "of the younger men who must enter the -world without property, without parents or protectors?" - -"We are, after youth has passed, an indolent race. We hardly care, as -a rule, to cultivate our fields or direct our factories; but prefer -devoting the latter half at least of our lives to a somewhat -easy-going cultivation of that division of science which takes hold of -our fancy. These divisions are such as your conversation leads me to -think you would probably consider absurdly minute. A single class of -insects, a single family of plants, the habits of one race of fishes, -suffice for the exclusive study of half a lifetime. Minds of a more -active or more practical bent will spend an equal time over the -construction of a new machine more absolutely automatic than any that -has preceded it. Physical labour is thrown as much as possible on the -young; and even they are now so helped by machinery and by trained -animals, that the eight hours' work which forms their day's labour -hardly tires their muscles. Our tastes render us very anxious to -devolve upon others as soon as possible the preservation and -development of the property we have acquired. A man of moderate means, -long before he has reached his thirtieth [7] year, generally seeks one -assistant; men of larger fortune may want two, five, or ten. These are -chosen, as a rule, by preference from those who have passed the most -stringent and successful collegiate examination. Martial parents are -not prolific, and the mortality in our public nurseries is very large. -I impute it to moral influences, since the chief cause of death is low -vitality, marked nervous depression and want of animal spirits, such -as the total absence of personal tenderness and sympathy must produce -in children. It is popularly ascribed to the over-cultivation of the -race, as plants and animals highly civilised--that is, greatly -modified and bred to an artificial excellence by human agency--are -certainly delicate, unprolific, and especially difficult to rear. -There is little disease in the nurseries, but there is little health -and a deficiency of nervous energy. One fact is significant, however -interpreted, and bears directly on your last question. Since the wide -extension of polygamy, female births are to male about as seven to -six; but the deaths in public nurseries between the first and tenth -years are twenty-nine in twelve dozen admissions in the stronger sex, -and only about ten in the weaker. Read these facts as we may, they -ensure employment to the young men when their education is -completed--the two last years of severe study adding somewhat to the -mortality among them. - -"A large number find employment in superintending the property of -others. To give them a practical interest in its preservation and -improvement, they are generally, after a shorter or longer probation, -adopted by their employers as heirs to their estate; our experience of -Communism having taught us that immediate and obvious self-interest is -the only motive that certainly and seriously affects human action. The -distance at which they are kept, and the absolute seclusion of our -family life, enables us easily to secure ourselves against any -over-anxiety on their part to anticipate their inheritance. The -minority who do not thus find a regular place in society are employed -in factories, as artisans, or on the lands belonging to the State. To -ensure their zeal, the last receive a fixed proportion of the produce, -or are permitted to rent land at fixed rates, and at the end of ten -years receive a part thereof in full property. By these means we are -free from all the dangers and difficulties of that state of society -which preceded the Communistic cataclysm. We have poor men, and men -who can live only by daily labour; but these have dissipated their -wealth, or are looking forward at no very distant period to a -sufficient competence. The entire population of our planet does not -exceed two hundred millions, and is not much increased from generation -to generation. The area of cultivable land is about ten millions of -square miles, and half a square mile in these equatorial continents, -which alone are at all generally inhabited, will, if well cultivated -and cared for, furnish the largest household with every luxury that -man's heart can desire. Eight hours' labour in the day for ten years -of life will secure to the least fortunate a reasonable competence; -and an ambitious man, with quick intelligence and reasonable industry, -may always hope to become rich, if he thinks wealth worth the labour -of invention or of exceptionally troublesome work." - -"Mars ought, then," I said, "to be a material paradise. You have -attained nearly all that our most advanced political economists regard -as the perfection of economical order--a population nearly stationary, -and a soil much more than adequate to their support; a general -distribution of property, total absence of permanent poverty, and -freedom from that gnawing anxiety regarding the future of ourselves or -our children which is the great evil of life upon Earth and the -opprobrium of our social arrangements. You have carried out, moreover, -the doctrines of our most advanced philosophers; you have absolute -equality before the law, competitive examination among the young for -the best start in life, with equal chances wherever equality is -possible; and again, perfect freedom and full legal equality as -regards the relations of the sexes. Are your countrymen satisfied with -the results?" - -"Yes," answered my host, "in so far, at least, that they have no wish -to change them, no idea that any great social or political reforms -could improve our condition. Our lesson in Communism has rendered all -agitation on such matters, all tendency to democratic institutions, -all appeals to popular passions, utterly odious and alarming to us. -But that we are happy I will venture neither to affirm nor to deny. -Physically, no doubt, we have great advantages over you, if I rightly -understand your description of life on Earth. We have got rid of old -age, and, to a great extent, of disease. Many of our scientists -persist in the hope to get rid of death; but, since all that has been -accomplished in this direction was accomplished some two thousand -years back, and yet we continue to die, general opinion hardly concurs -in this hope." - -"How do you mean," I inquired, "that you have got rid of old age and -of disease?" - -"We have," he replied, "learned pretty fully the chemistry of life. We -have found remedies for that hardening of the bones and weakening of -the muscles which used to be the physical characteristics of declining -years. Our hair no longer whitens; our teeth, if they decay, are now -removed and naturally replaced by new ones; our eyes retain to the -last the clearness of their sight. A famous physician of five thousand -years back said in controversy on this subject, that 'the clock was -not made to go for ever;' by which he meant that human bodies, like -the materials of machines, wore out by lapse of time. In his day this -was true, since it was impossible fully to repair the waste and -physical wear and tear of the human frame. This is no longer so. The -clock does not wear out, but it goes more and more slowly and -irregularly, and stops at last for some reason that the most skilful -inspection cannot discover. The body of him who dies, as we say, 'by -efflux of time' at the age of fifty is as perfect as it was at -five-and twenty. [8] Yet few men live to be fifty-five, [9] and most -have ceased to take much interest in practical life, or even in -science, by forty-five." [10] - -"That seems strange," I said. "If no foreign body gets into the -machinery, and the machinery itself does not wear out, it is difficult -to understand why the clock should cease to go." - -"Would not some of your race," he asked, "explain the mystery by -suggesting that the human frame is not a clock, but contains, and owes -its life to, an essence beyond the reach of the scalpel, the -microscope, and the laboratory?" - -"They hold that it is so. But then it is not the soul but the body -that is worn out in seventy or eighty of the Earth's revolutions." - -"Ay," he said; "but if man were such a duplex being, it might be that -the wearing out of the body was necessary, and had been adapted to -release the soul when it had completed its appropriate term of service -in the flesh." - -I could not answer this question, and he did not pursue the theme. -Presently I inquired, "If you allow no appeal to popular feeling or -passion, to what was I so nearly the victim? And what is the terrorism -that makes it dangerous to avow a credulity or incredulity opposed to -received opinion?" - -"Scientific controversies," he replied, "enlist our strongest and -angriest feelings. It is held that only wickedness or lunacy can -resist the evidence that has convinced a vast majority. By -arithmetical calculation the chances that twelve men are wrong and -twelve thousand [11] right, on a matter of inductive or deductive -proof, are found to amount to what must be taken for practical -certainty; and when the twelve still hold out, they are regarded as -madmen or knaves, and treated accordingly by their fellows. If it be -thought desirable to invoke a legal settlement of the issue, a council -of all the overseers of our scientific colleges is called, and its -decision is by law irrevocable and infallible, especially if ratified -by the popular voice. And if a majority vote be worth anything at all, -I think this modern theory at least as sound as the democratic theory -of politics which prevailed here before the Communistic revolution, -and which seems by your account to be gaining ground on Earth." - -"And what," I inquired, "is your political constitution? What are the -powers of your rulers; and how, in the absence of public discussion -and popular suffrage, are they practically limited?" - -"In theory they are unlimited," he answered; "in practice they are -limited by custom, by caution, and, above all, by the lack of motives -for misrule. The authority of each prince over those under him, from -the Sovereign to the local president or captain, is absolute. But the -Executive leaves ordinary matters of civil or criminal law to the -Courts of Justice. Cases are tried by trained judges; the old -democratic usage of employing untrained juries having been long ago -discarded, as a worse superstition than simple decision by lot. The -lot is right twelve times in two dozen; the jury not oftener than -half-a-dozen times. The judges don't heat or bias their minds by -discussion. They hear all that can be elicited from parties, accuser, -accused, and witnesses, and all that skilled advocates can say. Then -the secretary of the Court draws up a summary of the case, each judge -takes it home to consider, each writes out his judgment, which is read -by the secretary, none but the author knowing whose it is. If the -majority be five to two, judgment is given; if less, the case is tried -again before a higher tribunal of twice as many judges. If no decision -can be reached, the accused is acquitted for the time, or, in a civil -dispute, a compromise is imposed. The rulers cannot, without incurring -such general anger as would be fatal to their power, disregard our -fundamental laws. Gross tyranny to individuals is too dangerous to be -carried far. It is a capital crime for any but the officers of the -Sovereign and of the twelve Regents to possess the fearfully -destructive weapons that brought our last wars to an end. But any man, -driven to desperation, can construct and use similar weapons so easily -that no ruler will drive a man to such revengeful despair. Again, the -tyranny of subordinate officials would be checked by their chief, who -would be angry at being troubled and endangered by misconduct in which -he had no direct interest. And finally, _personal_ malice is not a -strong passion among us; and our manners render it unlikely that a -ruler should come into such collision with any of his subjects as -would engender such a feeling. Of those immediately about him, he can -and does at once get rid as soon as he begins to dislike, and before -he has cause to hate them. It is our maxim that greed of wealth or -lust of power are the chief motives of tyranny. Our rulers cannot well -hope to extend a power already autocratic, and we take care to leave -them nothing to covet in the way of wealth. We can afford to give them -all that they can desire of luxury and splendour. To enrich to the -uttermost a few dozen governors costs us nothing comparable to the -cost of democracy, with its inseparable party conflicts, -maladministration, neglect, and confusion." - -"A clever writer on Earth lately remarked that it would be easy to -satiate princes with all personal enjoyments, but impossible to -satiate all their hangers-on, or even all the members of their -family." - -"You must remember," he replied, "that we have here, save in such -exceptional cases as my own, nothing like what you call a family. The -ladies of a prince's house have everything they can wish for within -their bounds and cannot go outside of these. As for dependents, no man -here, at least of such as are likely to be rulers, cares for his -nearest and dearest friends enough to incur personal peril, public -displeasure, or private resentment on their account. The officials -around a ruler's person are few in number, so that we can afford to -make their places too comfortable and too valuable to be lightly -risked. Neglect, again, is pretty sure to be punished by superior -authority. Activity in the promotion of public objects is the only -interest left to princes, while tyranny is, for the reasons I have -given, too dangerous to be carried far." - - - -CHAPTER VI - AN OFFICIAL VISIT. - -At this point of our conversation an ambâ entered the room and made -certain signs which my host immediately understood. - -"The Zamptâ," he said, "has called upon me, evidently on your account, -and probably with some message from his Suzerain. You need not be -afraid," he added. "At worst they would only refuse you protection, -and I could secure you from danger under my own roof, and in the last -extremity effect your retreat and return to your own planet; supposing -for a moment," he added, smiling, "that you are a real being and come -from a real world." - -The Regent of that dominion, the only Martialist outside my host's -family with whom I had yet been able to converse, awaited us in the -hall or entrance chamber. I bowed low to him, and then remained -standing. My host, also saluting his visitor, at once took his seat. -The Regent, returning the salute and seating himself, proceeded to -address us; very little ceremony on either side being observed between -this autocratic deputy of an absolute Sovereign and his subjects. - -"Esmo _dent Ecasfen_" said the Regent, "will you point out the person -you declare yourself to have rescued from assault and received into -your house on the 431st day of this year?" - -"That is the person, Regent," said my host, pointing to me. - -The visitor then asked my name, which I gave, and addressing me -thereby, he continued-- - -"The Camptâ has requested me to ascertain the truth regarding your -alleged size, so far exceeding anything hitherto known among us. You -will permit me, therefore, to measure your height and girth." - -I bowed, and he proceeded to ascertain that I was about a foot taller -and some ten inches larger round the waist than himself. Of these -facts he took note, and then proceeded-- - -"The signs you made to those who first encountered you were understood -to mean that you descended from the sky, in a vessel which is now left -on the summit of yonder mountain, Asnyca." - -"I did not descend from the sky," I replied, "for the sky is, as we -both know, no actual vault or boundary of the atmospheric depths. I -ascended from a world nearer to the Sun, and after travelling for -forty days through space, landed upon this planet in the vessel you -mention." - -"I am directed," he answered, "to see this vessel, to inspect your -machinery and instruments, and to report thereon to the Suzerain. You -will doubtless be ready to accompany me thither to-morrow two hours -after sunrise. You may be accompanied, if you please, by your host or -any members of his family; I shall be attended by one or more of my -officers. In the meantime I am to inform you that, until my report has -been received and considered, you are under the protection of the law, -and need not apprehend any molestation of the kind you incurred at -first. You will not, however, repeat to any one but myself the -explanation you have offered of your appearance--which, I understand, -has been given in fuller detail to Esmo--until the decision of the -Camptâ shall have been communicated to you." - -I simply bowed my assent; and after this brief but sufficient -fulfilment of the purpose for which he had called, the Regent took his -leave. - -"What," I asked, when we re-entered my chamber, "is the meaning of the -title by which the Regent addressed you?" - -"In speaking to officials," he replied, "of rank so high as his, it is -customary to address them simply by their titles, unless more than one -of the same rank be present, in which case we call them, as we do -inferior officials, by their name with the title appended. For -instance, in the Court of the Sovereign our Regent would be called -Endo Zamptâ. Men of a certain age and social position, but having no -office, are addressed by their name and that of their residence; and, -_asfe_ meaning a town or dwelling, usage gives me the name of Esmo, in -or of the town of Eca. - -"I am sorry," he went on, "that neither my son nor myself can -accompany you to-morrow. All the elder members of my family are -engaged to attend at some distance hence before the hour at which you -can return. But I should not like you to be alone with strangers; and, -independently of this consideration, I should perhaps have asked of -you a somewhat unusual favour. My daughter Eveena, who, like most of -_our_ women" (he laid a special emphasis on the pronoun) "has received -a better education than is now given in the public academies, has been -from the first greatly interested in your narrative and in all you -have told us of the world from which you come. She is anxious to see -your vessel, and I had hoped to take her when I meant to visit it in -your company. But after to-morrow I cannot tell when you may be -summoned to visit the Camptâ, or whether after that visit you are -likely to return hither. I will ask you, therefore, if you do not -object to what I confess is an unusual proceeding, to take Eveena -under your charge to-morrow." - -"Is it," I inquired, "permissible for a young lady to accompany a -stranger on such an excursion?" - -"It is very unusual," returned my host; "but you must observe that -here family ties are, as a rule, unknown. It cannot be usual for a -maiden to be attended by father or brother, since she knows neither. -It is only by a husband that a girl can, as a rule, be attended -abroad. Our usages render such attendance exceedingly close, and, on -the other hand, forbid strangers to interrupt or take notice thereof. -In Eveena's presence the Regent will find it difficult to draw you -into conversation which might be inconvenient or dangerous; and -especially cannot attempt to gratify, by questioning you, any -curiosity as to myself or my family." - -"But," I said, "from what you say, it seems that the Regent and any -one who might accompany him would draw inferences which might not be -agreeable to you or to the young lady." - -"I hardly understand you," he replied. "The only conjecture they could -make, which they will certainly make, is that you are, or are about to -be, married to her; and as they will never see her again, and, if they -did, could not recognise her--as they will not to-morrow know anything -save that she belongs to my household, and certainly will not speak to -her--I do not see how their inference can affect her. When I part with -her, it will be to some one of my own customs and opinions; and to us -this close confinement of girls appears to transcend reasonable -restraint, as it contradicts the theoretical freedom and equality -granted by law to the sex, but utterly withheld by the social usages -which have grown out of that law." - -"I can only thank you for giving me a companion more agreeable than -the official who is to report upon my reality," I said. - -"I do not desire," he continued, "to bind you to any reserve in -replying to questions, beyond what I am sure you will do without a -pledge--namely, to avoid betraying more than you can help of that -which is not known outside my own household. But on this subject I may -be able to speak more fully after to-morrow. Now, if you will come -into the peristyle, we shall be in time for the evening meal." - -Eveena's curiosity had in nowise overcome her silent shyness. She -might possibly have completed her tenth year, which epoch in the life -of Mars is about equivalent to the seventeenth birthday of a damsel -nurtured in North-Western Europe. I hardly think that I had addressed -her directly half-a-dozen times, or had received from her a dozen -words in return. I had been attracted, nevertheless, not only by her -grace and beauty, but by the peculiar sweetness of her voice and the -gentleness of her manner and bearing when engaged in pacifying dispute -or difficulty among the children, and particularly in dealing with the -half-deformed spoilt infant of which I have spoken. This evening that -little brat was more than usually exasperating, and having exhausted -the patience or repelled the company of all the rest, found itself -alone, and set up a fretful, continuous scream, disagreeable even to -me, and torturing to Martial ears, which, adapted to hear in that thin -air, are painfully alive to strident, harsh, or even loud sounds. -Instantly obeying a sign from her mother, Eveena rose in the middle of -a conversation to which she had listened with evident interest, and -devoted herself for half-an-hour to please and pacify this -uncomfortable child. The character and appearance of this infant, so -utterly unlike all its companions, had already excited my curiosity, -but I had found no opportunity of asking a question without risking an -impertinence. On this occasion, however, I ventured to make some -remark on the extreme gentleness and forbearance with which not only -Eveena but the children treated their peevish and exacting brother. - -"He is no brother of theirs," said Zulve, the mistress of the house. -"You would hardly find in any family like ours a child with so -irritable a temper or a disposition so selfish, and nowhere a creature -so hardly treated by Nature in body as well as mind." - -"Indeed," I said, hardly understanding her answer. - -"No," said my host. "It is the rule to deprive of life, promptly and -painlessly, children to whom, from physical deformity or defect, life -is thought unlikely to be pleasant, and whose descendants might be a -burden to the public and a cause of physical deterioration to the -race. It is, however, one of the exceptional tenets to which I have -been obliged to allude, that man should not seek to be wiser than -Nature; and that life should neither be cut short, except as a -punishment for great crimes, nor prolonged artificially contrary to -the manifest intention, or, as our philosophers would say, the common -course of Nature. Those who think with me, therefore, always -endeavour, when we hear in time of their approaching fate, to preserve -children so doomed. Precautions against undue haste or readiness to -destroy lives that might, after all, grow up to health and vigour are -provided by law. No single physician or physiologist can sign a -death-warrant; and I, though no longer a physician by craft, am among -the arbiters, one or more of whom must be called in to approve or -suspend the decision. On these occasions I have rescued from -extinction several children of whose unfitness to live, according to -the standard of the State Nurseries, there was no question, and placed -them in families, mostly childless, that were willing to receive them. -Of this one it was our turn to take charge; and certainly his chance -is better for being brought up among other children, and under the -influence of their gentler dispositions and less exacting -temperaments." - -"And is such ill-temper and selfishness," I asked, "generally found -among the deformed?" - -"I don't think," replied Esmo, "that this child is much worse than -most of my neighbours' children, except that physical discomfort makes -him fretful. What you call selfishness in him is only the natural -inheritance derived from an ancestry who for some hundred generations -have certainly never cared for anything or any one but themselves. I -thought I had explained to you by what train of circumstances and of -reasoning family affection, such as it is reputed to have been -thousands of years ago, has become extinct in this planet; and, family -affection extinguished, all weaker sentiments of regard for others -were very quickly withered up." - -"You told me something of the kind," I said; "but the idea of a life -so utterly swallowed up in self that no one even thinks it necessary -to affect regard for and interest in others, was to me so -unintelligible and inconceivable that I did not realise the full -meaning of your account. Nor even now do I understand how a society -formed of such members can be held together. On Earth we should expect -them either to tear one another to pieces, or to relapse into -isolation and barbarism lower than that of the lowest tribe which -preserves social instincts and social organisation. A society composed -of men resembling that child, but with the intelligence, force, and -consistent purpose of manhood, would, I should have thought, be little -better than a congregation of beasts of prey." - -"We have such beasts," said Esmo, "in the wild lands, and they are -certainly unsociable and solitary. But men, at least civilised men, -are governed not only by instinct but by interest, and the interest of -each individual in the preservation of social co-operation and social -order is very evident and very powerful. Experience and school -discipline cure children of the habit of indulging mere temper and -spite before they come to be men, and they are taught by practice as -well as by precept the absolute necessity of co-operation. Egotism, -therefore, has no tendency to dissolve society as a mere organisation, -though it has utterly destroyed society as a source of pleasure." - -"Does your law," I asked, "confine the principle of euthanasia to -infants, or do you put out of the world adults whose life is supposed, -for one reason or another, to be useless and joyless?" - -"Only," he answered, "in the case of the insane. When the doctors are -satisfied that a lunatic cannot be cured, an inquest is held; and if -the medical verdict be approved, he is quietly and painlessly -dismissed from existence. Logically, of course, the same principle -should be applied to all incurable disease; and I suspect--indeed I -know--that it is applied when the household have become weary, and the -patient is utterly unable to protect himself or appeal to the law. But -the general application of the principle has been successfully -resisted, on the ground that the terror it would cause, the constant -anxiety and alarm in which men would live if the right of judging when -life had become worthless to them were left to others, would far -outweigh any benefit which might be derived from the legalised -extinction of existences which had become a prolonged misery; and such -cases, as I have told you, are very rare among us. A case of hopeless -bodily suffering, not terminating very speedily in death, does not -occur thrice a year among the whole population of the planet, except -through accident. We have means of curing at the outset almost all of -those diseases which the observance for hundreds of generations of -sound physical conditions of life has not extirpated; and in the worst -instances our anćsthetics seldom fail to extinguish the sense of pain -without impairing intellect. Of course, any one who is tired of his -life is at liberty to put an end to it, and any one else may assist -him. But, though the clinging to existence is perhaps the most -irrational of all those purely animal instincts on emancipation from -which we pride ourselves, it is the strongest and the most lasting. -The life of most of my countrymen would be to me intolerable -weariness, if only from the utter want, after wealth is attained, of -all warmer and less isolated interest than some one pet scientific -pursuit can afford; and yet more from the total absence of affection, -family duties, and the various mental occupations which interest in -others affords. But though the question whether life is worth living -has long ago been settled among us in the negative, suicide, the -logical outcome of that conviction, is the rarest of all the methods -by which life is terminated." - -"Which seems to show that even in Mars logic does not always dominate -life and prevail over instinct. But what is the most usual cause of -death, where neither disease nor senility are other than rare -exceptions?" - -"Efflux of time," Esmo replied with an ironical smile. "That is the -chief fatal disease recognised by our physicians." - -"And what is its nature?" - -"Ah, that neither I nor any other physician can tell you. Life 'goes -out,' like a lamp when the materials supplying the electric current -are exhausted; and yet here all the waste of which physic can take -cognisance is fully repaired, and the circuit is not broken." - -"What are the symptoms, then?" - -"They are all reducible to one--exhaustion of the will, the prime -element of personality. The patient ceases to _care_. It is too much -trouble to work; then too much trouble to read; then too much trouble -to exert even those all but mechanical powers of thought which are -necessary to any kind of social intercourse--to give an order, to -answer a question, to recognise a name or a face: then even the -passions die out, till the patient cannot be provoked to rate a stupid -ambâ or a negligent wife; finally, there is not energy to dress or -undress, to rise up or sit down. Then the patient is allowed to die: -if kept alive perforce, he would finally lack the energy to eat or -even to breathe. And yet, all this time, the man is alive, the self is -there; and I have prolonged life, or rather renewed it, for a time, by -some chance stimulus that has reached the inner sight through the -thickening veil, and shocked the essential man into willing and -thinking once more as he thought and willed when he was younger than -his grandchildren are now.... It is well that some of us who know best -how long the flesh may be kept in life, are, in right of that very -knowledge, proof against the wish to keep the life in the flesh for -ever." - - - -CHAPTER VII - ESCORT DUTY. - -Immediately after breakfast the next morning my host invited me to the -gate of his garden, where stood one of the carriages I had seen before -in the distance, but never had an opportunity of examining. It rested -on three wheels, the two hind ones by far larger than that in front, -which merely served to sustain the equilibrium of the body and to -steer. The material was the silver-like metal of which most Martial -vessels and furniture are formed, every spar, pole, and cross-piece -being a hollow cylinder; a construction which, with the extreme -lightness of the metal itself, made the carriage far lighter than any -I had seen on Earth. The body consisted of a seat with sides, back, -and footboard, wide enough to accommodate two persons with ease. It -was attached by strong elastic fastenings to a frame consisting of -four light poles rising from the framework in which the axles turned; -completely dispensing with the trouble of springs, while affording a -more complete protection from anything like jolting. The steering gear -consisted of a helm attached to the front wheel and coming up within -easy reach of the driver's hand. The electric motive power and -machinery were concealed in a box beneath the seat, which was indeed -but the top of this most important and largest portion of the -carriage. The poles sustained a light framework supporting a canopy, -which could be drawn over the top and around three sides of the -carriage, leaving only the front open. This canopy, in the present -instance, consisted of a sort of very fine silken material, thickly -embroidered within and without with feathers of various colours and -sizes, combined in patterns of exquisite beauty. My host requested me -to mount the carriage with him, and drove for some distance, teaching -me how to steer, and how, by pressing a spring, to stop or slacken the -motion of the vehicle, also how to direct it over rough ground and up -or down the steepest slope on which it was available. When we -returned, the Regent's carriage was standing by the gate, and two -others were waiting at a little distance in the rear. The Regent, with -a companion, was already seated, and as soon as we reached the gate, -Eveena appeared. She was enveloped from head to foot in a cloak of -something like swans-down covering her whole figure, loose, like the -ordinary outer garments of both sexes, and gathered in at the waist by -a narrow zone of silver, with a sort of clasp of some bright green -jewel; and a veil of white satin-looking material covered the whole -head and face, and fell half-way to the waist. Her gloved right hand -was hidden by the sleeve of her cloak; that of the left arm was turned -back, and the hand which she gave me as I handed her to the seat on my -left was bare--a usage both of convenience and courtesy. At Esmo's -request, the Regent, who led the way, started at a moderate pace, not -exceeding some ten miles an hour. I observed that on the roofs of all -the houses along the road the inhabitants had gathered to watch us; -and as my companion was so completely veiled, I did not baulk their -curiosity by drawing the canopy. I presently noticed that the girl -held something concealed in her right sleeve, and ventured to ask her -what she had there. - -"Pardon me," she said; "if we had been less hurried, I meant to have -asked your permission to bring my pet _esvč_ with me." Drawing back -her sleeve, she showed a bird about the size of a carrier-pigeon, but -with an even larger and stronger beak, white body, and wings and tail, -like some of the plumage of the head and neck, tinted with gold and -green. Around its neck was a little string of silver, and suspended -from this a small tablet with a pencil or style. Since by her look and -manner she seemed to expect an answer, I said-- - -"I am very glad you have given me the opportunity of making -acquaintance with another of those curiously tame and manageable -animals which your people seem to train to such wonderful intelligence -and obedience. We have birds on Earth which will carry a letter from a -strange place to their home, but only homewards." - -"These," she answered, "will go wherever they are directed, if they -have been there before and know the name of the place; and if this -bird had been let loose after we had left, he would have found me, if -not hidden by trees or other shelter, anywhere within a score of -miles." - -"And have your people," I asked, "many more such wonderfully -intelligent and useful creatures tamed to your service, besides the -ambau, the tyree, and these letter-carriers?" - -"Oh yes!" she answered. "Nearly all our domestic animals will do -anything they are told which lies within their power. You have seen -the tyree marching in a line across a field to pick up every single -worm or insect, or egg of such, within the whole space over which they -move, and I think you saw the ambau gathering fruit. It is not very -usual to employ the latter for this purpose, except in the trees. Have -you not seen a big creature--I should call it a bird, but a bird that -cannot fly, and is covered with coarse hair instead of feathers? It is -about as tall as myself, but with a neck half as long as its body, and -a very sharp powerful beak; and four of these _carvee_ would clear a -field the size of our garden (some 160 acres) of weeds in a couple of -days. We can send them, moreover, with orders to fetch a certain -number of any particular fruit or plant, and they scarcely ever forget -or blunder. Some of them, of course, are cleverer than others. The -cleverest will remember the name of every plant in the garden, and -will, perhaps, bring four or even six different kinds at a time; but -generally we show them a leaf of the plant we want, or point out to -them the bed where it is to be found, and do not trouble their memory -with more than two different orders at a time. The Unicorns, as you -call them, come regularly to be milked at sunset, and, if told -beforehand, will come an hour earlier or later to any place pointed -out to them. There were many beasts of burden before the electric -carriages were invented, so intelligent that I have heard the rider -never troubled himself to guide them except when he changed his -purpose, or came to a road they had not traversed before. He would -simply tell them where to go, and they would carry him safely. The -only creature now kept for this purpose is the largest of our birds -(the _caldecta_), about six feet long from head to tail, and with -wings measuring thrice as much from tip to tip. They will sail through -the air and carry their rider up to places otherwise inaccessible. But -they are little used except by the hunters, partly because the danger -is thought too great, partly because they cannot rise more than about -4000 feet from the sea-level with a rider, and within that height -there are few places worth reaching that cannot be reached more -safely. People used to harness them to balloons till we found means to -drive these by electricity--the last great invention in the way of -locomotion, which I think was completed within my grandfather's -memory." - -"And," I asked, "have you no animals employed in actually cultivating -the soil?" - -"No," she replied, "except the weeding birds of whom I have told you. -When we have a piece of ground too small for our electric ploughs, we -sometimes set them to break it up, and they certainly reduce the soil -to a powder much finer than that produced by the machine." - -"I should like to see those machines at work." - -"Well," answered Eveena, "I have no doubt we shall pass more than one -of them on our way." - -As she said this we reached the great road I had crossed on my -arrival, and turning up this for a short distance, sufficient, -however, to let me perceive that it led to the seaport town of which I -have spoken, we came to a break in the central footpath, just wide -enough to allow us to pass. Looking back on this occasion, I observed -that we were followed by the two other carriages I have mentioned, but -at some distance. We then proceeded up the mountain by a narrow road I -had not seen in descending it. On either side of this lay fields of -the kind already described, one of which was in course of cultivation, -and here I saw the ploughs of which my companion had spoken. Evidently -constructed on the same principle as the carriages, but of much -greater size, and with heavier and broader wheels, they tore up and -broke to pieces a breadth of soil of some two yards, working to a -depth of some eighteen inches, with a dozen sharp powerful triangular -shares, and proceeding at a rate of about fifty yards per minute. -Eveena explained that these fields were generally from 200 to 600 -yards square. The machine having traversed the whole field in one -direction, then recommenced its work, ploughing at right angles to the -former, and carrying behind it a sort of harrow, consisting of hooks -supported by light, hollow, metallic poles fixed at a certain angle to -the bar forming the rearward extremity of the plough, by which the -surface was levelled and the soil beaten into small fragments; broken -up, in fact, as I had seen, not less completely than ordinary garden -soil in England or Flanders. When it reached the end of its course, -the plough had to be turned; and this duty required the employment of -two men, one at each end of the field, who, however, had no other or -more difficult labour than that of turning the machine at the -completion of each set of furrows. In another field, already doubly -ploughed, a sowing machine was at work. The large seeds were placed -singly by means of an instrument resembling a magnified ovipositor, -such as that possessed by many insects, which at regulated intervals -made a hole in the ground and deposited a seed therein. Eveena -explained that where the seed and plant were small, a continuous -stream was poured into a small furrow made by a different instrument -attached to the same machine, while another arm, placed a little to -the rear, covered in the furrow and smoothed the surface. In reply to -another question of mine--"There are," she said, "some score of -different wool or hair bearing animals, which are shorn twice in the -year, immediately after the rains, and furnish the fibre which is -woven into most of the materials we use for dress and other household -purposes. These creatures adapt themselves to the shearing machines -with wonderful equanimity and willingness, so that they are seldom or -never injured." - -"Not even," I asked, "by inexperienced or clumsy hands?" - -"Hands," she said, "have nothing to do with the matter. They have only -to send the animal into the machine, and, indeed, each goes in of his -own accord as he sees his fellow come out." - -"And have you no vegetable fibres," I said, "that are used for -weaving?" - -"Oh yes," she answered, "several. The outer dress I wear indoors is -made of a fibre found inside the rind of the fruit of the algyro tree, -and the stalks of three or four different kinds of plants afford -materials almost equally soft and fine." - -"And your cloak," I asked, "is not that made of the skin of some -animal?" - -"Yes," she replied, "and the most curious creature I have heard of. It -is found only in the northern and southern Arctic land-belts, to which -indeed nearly all wild animals, except the few small ones that are -encouraged because they prey upon large and noxious insects, are now -confined. It is about as large as the Unicorns, and has, like them, -four limbs; but otherwise it more resembles a bird. It has a bird's -long slight neck, but a very small and not very bird-like head, with a -long horny snout, furnished with teeth, something between a beak and a -mouth. Its hind limbs are those of a bird, except that they have more -flesh upon the lowest joints and are covered with this soft down. Its -front limbs, my father says, seem as if nature had hesitated between -wings and arms. They have attached to them several long, sharp, -featherless quills starting from a shrivelled membrane, which make -them very powerful and formidable weapons, so that no animal likes to -attack it; while the foot has four fingers or claws with, which it -clasps fish or small dragons, especially those electric dragons of -which you have seen a tame and very much enlarged specimen, and so -holds them that they cannot find a chance of delivering their electric -shock. But for the _Thernee_ these dragons, winged as they are, would -make those lands hardly habitable either for man, or other beasts. All -our furs are obtained from those countries, and the creatures from -which they are derived are carefully preserved for that purpose, it -being forbidden to kill more than a certain number of each every year, -which makes these skins by far the costliest articles we use." - -By this time we had reached the utmost point to which the carriages -could take us, about a furlong from the platform on which I had rested -during my descent. Seeing that the Regent and his companion had -dismounted, I stopped and sprang down from my carriage, holding out my -hand to assist Eveena's descent, an attention which I thought seemed -to surprise her. Up to the platform the path was easy enough; after -that it became steep even for me, and certainly a troublesome and -difficult ascent for a lady dressed as I have described, and hardly -stronger than a child of the same height and size on earth. Still my -companion did not seem to expect, and certainly did not invite -assistance. That she found no little difficulty in the walk was -evident from her turning back both sleeves and releasing her bird, -which hovered closely round her. Very soon her embarrassments and -stumbles threatened such actual danger as overcame my fear of -committing what, for aught I knew, might be an intrusion. Catching her -as she fell, and raising her by the left hand, I held it fast in my -own right, begging to be permitted to assist her for the rest of the -journey. Her manner and the tone of her voice made it evident that -such an attention, if unusual, was not offensive; but I observed that -those who were following us looked at us with some little surprise, -and spoke together in words which I could not catch, but the tone of -which was not exactly pleasant or complimentary. The Regent, a few -steps in advance of us, turned back from time to time to ask me some -trivial question. At last we reached the summit, and here I released -my companion's hand and stepped forward a pace or two to point out to -the Regent the external structure of the Astronaut. I was near enough, -of course, to be heard by Eveena, and endeavoured to address my -explanations as much to her as to the authority to whom I was required -to render an account. But from the moment that we had actually joined -him she withdrew from all part and all apparent interest in the -conversation. When our companions moved forward to reach the entrance, -which I had indicated, I again offered my hand, saying, "I am afraid -you will find some little difficulty in getting into the vessel by the -window by which I got out." - -The Regent, however, had brought with him several light metal poles, -which I had not observed while carried by his companion, but which -being put together formed a convenient ladder of adequate length. He -desired me to ascend first and cut the riband by means of which the -window had been sealed; the law being so strict that even he would not -violate the symbol of private ownership which protected my vessel. -Having done this and opened the window, I sprang down, and he, -followed by his companion, ascended the ladder, and resting himself -upon the broad inner ledge of the window--which afforded a convenient -seat, since the crystal was but half the thickness of the wall--first -took a long look all round the interior, and then leaped down, -followed by his attendant. Eveena drew back, but was at last persuaded -to mount the ladder with my assistance, and rest on the sill till I -followed her and lifted her down inside. The Regent had by this time -reached the machinery, and was examining it very curiously, with -greater apparent appreciation of its purpose than I should have -expected. When we joined them, I found little difficulty in explaining -the purpose and working of most parts of the apparatus. The nature and -generation of the apergic power I took care not to explain. The -existence of such a repulsive force was the point on which the Regent -professed incredulity; as it was, of course, the critical fact on -which my whole narrative turned--on which its truth or falsehood -depended. I resolved ere the close of the inspection to give him clear -practical evidence on this score. In the meantime, listening without -answer to his expressions of doubt, I followed him round the interior, -explaining to him and to Eveena the use and structure of the -thermometer, barycrite, and other instruments. My fair companion -seemed to follow my explanation almost as easily as the officials. Our -followers, who had now entered the vessel, kept within hearing of my -remarks; but, evidently aware that they were there on sufferance, -asked no questions, and made their comments in a tone too low to allow -me to understand their purport. The impression made on the Regent by -the instruments, so far as I could gather from his brief remarks and -the expression of his face, was one of contemptuous surprise rather -than the interest excited by the motive machinery. Most of them were -evidently, in his opinion, clumsy contrivances for obtaining results -which the scientific knowledge and inventive genius of his countrymen -had long ago secured more completely and more easily. But he was -puzzled by the combination of such imperfect knowledge or -semi-barbaric ignorance with the possession of a secret of such -immense importance as the repulsive current, not yet known nor, as I -gathered, even conceived by the inhabitants of this planet. When he -had completed his inspection, he requested permission to remove some -of the objects I had left there; notably many of the dead plants, and -several books of drawings, mathematical, mechanical, and ornamental, -which I had left, and which had not been brought away by my host's son -when he visited the vessel. These I begged him to present to the -Camptâ, adding to them a few smaller curiosities, after which I drew -him back towards the machinery. He summoned his attendant, and bade -him take away to the carriages the articles I had given him, calling -upon the intruders to assist. - -I was thus left with him and with Eveena alone in the building; and -with a partly serious, partly mischievous desire to prove to him the -substantial reality of objects so closely related to my own disputed -existence, and to demonstrate the truth of my story, I loosened one of -the conductors, connected it with the machinery, and, directing it -against him, sent through it a very slight apergic current. I was not -quite prepared for the result. His Highness was instantly knocked head -over heels to a considerable distance. Turning to interrupt the -current before going to his assistance, I was startled to perceive -that an accident of graver moment, in my estimation at least, than the -discomfiture of this exalted official, had resulted from my -experiment. I had not noticed that a conductive wire was accidentally -in contact with the apergion, while its end hung down towards the -floor Of this I suppose Eveena had carelessly taken hold, and a part -of the current passing through it had lessened the shock to the Regent -at the expense of one which, though it could not possibly have injured -her, had from its suddenness so shaken her nerves as to throw her into -a momentary swoon. She was recovering almost at soon as I reached her; -and by the time her fellow-sufferer had picked himself up in great -disgust and astonishment, was partly aware what had happened. She was, -however; much more anxious to excuse herself, in the manner of a -frightened child, for meddling with the machinery than to hear my -apologies for the accident. Noting her agitation, and seeing that she -was still trembling all over, I was more anxious to get her into the -open air, and out of reach of the apparatus she seemed to regard with -considerable alarm, than to offer any due apology to the exalted -personage to whom I had afforded much stronger evidence, if not of my -own substantiality, yet of the real existence of a repulsive energy, -than I had seriously intended. With a few hurried words to him, I -raised Eveena to the window, and lifted her to the ground outside. I -felt, however, that I could not leave the Regent to find his own way -out, the more so that I hardly saw how he could reach the window from -the inside without my assistance. I excused myself, therefore, and -seating her on a rock close to the ladder, promised to return at once. -This, however, I found impossible. By the time the injured officer had -recovered the physical shock to his nerves and the moral effect of the -disrespect to his person, his anxiety to verify what he had heard -entirely occupied his mind; and he requested further experiments, not -upon himself, which occupied some half-hour. He listened and spoke, I -must admit, with temper; but his air of displeasure was evident -enough, and I was aware that I had not entitled myself to his good -word, whether or not he would permit his resentment to colour his -account of facts. He was compelled, however, to request my help in -reaching the window, which I gave with all possible deference. - -But, to my alarm, when we reached the foot of the ladder, Eveena was -nowhere to be seen. Calling her and receiving no reply, calling again -and hearing what sounded like her voice, but in a faint tone and -coming I knew not whither, I ran round the platform to seek her. I -could see nothing of her; but at one point, just where the projecting -edge of the platform overhung the precipice below, I recognised her -bird fluttering its wings and screaming as if in pain or terror. The -Regent was calling me in a somewhat imperious tone, but of course -received neither answer nor attention. Reaching the spot, I looked -over the edge and with some trouble discovered what had happened. Not -merely below but underneath the overhanging edge was a shelf about -four feet long and some ten inches in breadth, covered with a flower -equally remarkable in form and colour, the former being that of a -hollow cylindrical bell, about two inches in diameter; the latter a -bluish lilac, the nearest approach to azure I have seen in Mars--the -whole ground one sheet of flowers. On this, holding in a -half-insensible state to the outward-sloping rock above her, Eveena -clung, her veil and head-dress fallen, her face expressing utter -bewilderment as well as terror. I saw, though at the moment I hardly -understood, how she had reached this point. A very narrow path, some -hundred feet in length, sloped down from the table-rock of the summit -to the shelf on which she stood, with an outer hedge of shrubs and the -summits of small trees, which concealed, and in some sort guarded, the -precipice below, so that even a timid girl might pursue the path -without fear. But this path ended several feet from the commencement -of the shelf. Across the gap had lain a fallen tree, with boughs -affording such a screen and railing on the outward side as might at -once conceal the gulf below, and afford assistance in crossing the -chasm. But in crossing this tree Eveena's footsteps had displaced it, -and it had so given way as not only to be unavailable, but a serious -obstacle to my passage. Had I had time to go round, I might have been -able to leap the chasm; I certainly could not return that way with a -burden even so light as that of my precious charge. The only chance -was to lift her by main force directly to where I stood; and the -outward projection of the rock at this point rendered this peculiarly -difficult, as I had nothing to cling or hold by. The Regent had by -this time reached me, and discerned what had occurred. - -"Hold me fast," I said, "or sit upon me if you like, to hold me with -your weight whilst I lean over." The man stood astounded, not by the -danger of another but by the demand on himself; and evidently without -the slightest intention of complying. - -"You are mad!" he said. "Your chance is ten times greater to lose your -own life than to save hers." - -"Lose my life!" I cried. "Could I dare return alive without her? Throw -your whole weight on me, I say, as I lean over, and waste no more -time!" - -"What!" he rejoined. "You are twice as heavy as I, and if you are -pulled over I shall probably go over too. Why am I to endanger myself -to save a girl from the consequences of her folly?" - -"If you do not," I swore, "I will fling you where the carcass of which -you are so careful shall be crushed out of the very form of the -manhood you disgrace." - -Even this threat failed to move him. Meantime the bird, fluttering on -my shoulder, suggested a last chance; and snatching the tablet round -its neck, I wrote two words thereon, and calling to it, "Home!" the -intelligent creature flew off at fullest speed. - -"Now," I said, "if you do not help me I will kill you here and now. If -you pretend to help and fail me, that bird carries to Esmo my request -to hold you answerable for our lives." - -I invoked, in utter desperation, the awe with which, as his hints and -my experience implied, Esmo was regarded by his neighbours; and -slender as seemed this support, it did not fail me. The Regent's -countenance fell, and I saw that I might depend at least on his -passive compliance. Clasping his arm with my left hand, I said, "Pull -back with all your might. If I go over, you _shall_ go over too." Then -pulling him down with me, and stretching myself over the precipice so -far that but for this additional support I must have fallen, I reached -Eveena, whose closed eyes and relaxing limbs indicated that another -moment's delay might be fatal. - -"Give me your hand," I cried in despair, seeing how tightly she still -grasped the tough fibrous shoots growing in the crevices of the rock, -whereof she had taken hold. "Give me your hand, and let go!" - -To give me her hand was beyond the power of her will; to let go -without giving me hold would have been fatal. Beaching over to the -uttermost, I contrived to lay a firm grasp upon her wrist. But this -would not do. I could hardly drag her up by one arm, especially if she -would not relax her grasp. I must release the Regent and depend upon -his obedience, or forfeit the chance of saving her, as in a few more -moments she would certainly swoon and fall. - -"Throw yourself upon me, and sit firm, if you value your life," I -cried, and I relaxed my hold on his arm, stretching both hands to -grasp Eveena. I felt the man's weight on my body, and with both arms -extended to the uttermost hanging over the edge, I caught firm bold of -the girl's shoulders. Even now, with any girl of her age on earth, and -for aught I know with many Martial damsels, the case would have been -hopeless. My whole strength was required to raise her; I had none to -spare to force her loose from her hold. Fortunately my rough and tight -clasp seemed to rouse her. Her eyes half opened, and semi-consciousness -appeared to have returned. - -"Let go!" I cried in that sharp tone of imperious anger which--with -some tempers at least--is the natural expression of the outward -impulse produced by supreme and agonizing terror. Obedience is the -hereditary lesson taught to her sex by the effects of equality in -Mars. Eveena had been personally trained in a principle long discarded -by Terrestrial women; and not half aware what she did, but yielding -instinctively to the habit of compliance with imperative command -spoken in a masculine voice, she opened her hands just as I had lost -all hope. With one desperate effort I swung her fairly on to the -platform, and, seeing her safe there, fell back myself scarcely more -sensible than she was. - -The whole of this terrible scene, which it has taken so long to -relate, did not occupy more than a minute in action. I know not -whether my readers can understand the full difficulty and danger of -the situation. I know that no words of mine can convey the impression -graven into my own memory, never to be effaced or weakened while -consciousness remains. The strongest man on Earth could not have done -what I did; could not, lying half over the precipice, have swung a -girl of eighteen right out from underneath him, and to his own level. -But Eveena was of slighter, smaller frame than a healthy French girl -of twelve, while I retained the full strength of a man adapted to the -work of a world where every weight is twice as heavy as on Mars. What -I had practically to do was to lift not seven or eight stone of -European girlhood, not even the six Eveena might possibly have weighed -on Earth, but half that weight. And yet the position was such that all -the strength I had acquired through ten years of constant practice in -the field and in the chase, all the power of a frame in healthful -maturity, and of muscles whose force seemed doubled by the tension of -the nerves, hardly availed. When I recovered my own senses, and had -contrived to restore Eveena's, my unwilling assistant had disappeared. - -It was an hour before Eveena seemed in a condition to be removed, and -perhaps I was not very urgent to hurry her away. I had done no more -than any man, the lowest and meanest on Earth, must have done under -the circumstances. I can scarcely enter into the feelings of the -fellow-man who, in my position, could have recognised a choice but -between saving and perishing with the helpless creature entrusted to -his charge. But hereditary disbelief in any power above the physical -forces of Nature, in any law higher than that of man's own making, has -rendered human nature in Mars something utterly different from, -perhaps, hardly intelligible to, the human nature of a planet forty -million miles nearer the Sun. Though brought up in an affectionate -home, Eveena shared the ideas of the world in which she was born; and -so far accepted its standards of opinion and action as natural if not -right, that the risk I had run, the effort I had made to save her, -seemed to her scarcely less extraordinary than it had appeared to the -Zamptâ. She rated its devotion and generosity as highly as he -appreciated its extravagance and folly; and if he counted me a madman, -she was disposed to elevate me into a hero or a demi-god. The tones -and looks of a maiden in such a temper, however perfect her maidenly -reserve, would, I fancy, be very agreeable to men older than I was, -either in constitution or even in experience. I doubt whether any man -under fifty would have been more anxious than myself to cut short our -period of repose, broken as it was, when I refused to listen to her -tearful penitence and self-reproach, by occasional words and looks of -gratitude and admiration. I did, however, remember that it was -expedient to refasten the window, and re-attach the seals, before -departing. At the end of the hour's rest I allowed my charge and -myself, I had recovered more or less completely the nervous force -which had been for a while utterly exhausted, less by the effort than -by the terror that preceded it. I was neither surprised, nor perhaps -as much grieved as I should have been, to find that Eveena could -hardly walk; and felt to the full the value of those novel conditions -which enabled me to carry her the more easily in my arms, though much -oppressed even by so slight an effort in that thin air, to the place -where we had left our carriage--no inconsiderable distance by the path -we had to pursue. Before starting on our return I had, in despite of -her most earnest entreaties, managed to recover her head-dress and -veil, at a risk which, under other circumstances, I might not have -cared to encounter. But had she been seen without it on our return, -the comments of the whole neighbourhood would have been such as might -have disturbed even her father's cool indifference. We reached her -home in safety, and with little notice, having, of course, drawn the -canopy around us as completely as possible. I was pleased to find that -only her younger sister, to whose care I at once committed her, was -there at present, the elders not having yet returned. I took care to -detach from the bird's neck the tablet which had served its purpose so -well. The creature had found his way home within half-an-hour after I -dismissed him, and had frightened Zevle [Stella] not a little; though -the message, which a fatal result would have made sufficiently -intelligible to Esmo, utterly escaped her comprehension. - - - -CHAPTER VIII - A FAITH AND ITS FOUNDER. - -On the return of the family, my host was met at the door with such -accounts of what had happened as led him at once to see and question -his daughter. It was not, therefore, till he had heard her story that -I saw him. More agitated than I should have expected from one under -ordinary circumstances so calm and self-possessed, he entered my room -with a face whose paleness and compressed lips indicated intense -emotion; and, laying his hand on my shoulder, expressed his feeling -rather in look and tone than in his few broken and not very -significant words. After a few moments, however, he recovered his -coolness, and asked me to supply the deficiencies of Eveena's story. I -told him briefly but exactly what had passed from the moment when I -missed her to that of her rescue. He listened without the slightest -symptom of surprise or anger to the tale of the Regent's indifference, -and seemed hardly to understand the disgust and indignation with which -I dwelt upon it. When I had finished-- - -"You have made," he said, "an enemy, and a dangerous one; but you have -also secured friends against whose support even the anger of a greater -than the Zamptâ might break as harmlessly as waves upon a rock. He -behaved only as any one else would have done; and it is useless to be -angry with men for being what they habitually and universally are. -What you did for Eveena, one of ourselves, perhaps, but no other, -might have risked for a first bride on the first day of her marriage. -Indeed, though I am most thankful to you, I should, perhaps, have -withheld my consent to my daughter's request had I supposed that you -felt so strongly for her." - -"I think," I replied with some displeasure, "that I may positively -affirm that I have spoken no word to your daughter which I should not -have spoken in your presence. I am too unfamiliar with your ideas to -know whether your remark has the same force and meaning it would have -borne among my own people; but to me it conveys a grave reproach. When -I accepted the charge of your daughter during this day's excursion, I -thought of her only as every man thinks of a young, pretty, and gentle -girl of whom he has seen and knows scarcely anything. To avail myself -of what has since happened to make a deeper impression on her feelings -than you might approve would have seemed to me unpardonable -treachery." - -"You do utterly misunderstand me," he answered. "It may be that Eveena -has received an impression which will not be effaced from her mind. It -may be that this morning, could I have foreseen it, I should have -decidedly wished to avoid anything that would so impress her. But that -feeling, if it exist, has been caused by your acts and not by your -words. That you should do your utmost, at any risk to yourself, to -save her, is consistent with what I know of your habit of mind, and -ought not much to surprise me. But, from your own account of what you -said to the Zamptâ, you were not merely willing to risk life for life. -When you deemed it impossible to return without her, you spoke as few -among us would seriously speak of a favourite bride." - -"I spoke and felt," I replied, "as any man trained in the hereditary -thought of my race and rank would have spoken of any woman committed -to his care. All that I said and did for Eveena, I should have said -and done, I hope, for the least attractive or least amiable maiden in -this planet who had been similarly entrusted to my charge. How could -any but the vilest coward return and say to a father, 'You trusted -your daughter to me, and she has perished by my fault or neglect'?" - -"Not so," he answered, "Eveena alone was to blame--and much to blame. -She says herself that you had told her to remain where you left her -till your return; and if she had not disobeyed, neither her life nor -yours would have been imperilled." - -"One hardly expects a young lady to comply exactly with such -requests," I said. "At any rate, Terrestrial feelings of honour and -even of manhood would have made it easier to leap the precipice than -to face you and the world if, no matter by whose fault, my charge had -died in such a manner under my eyes and within my reach." - -Esmo's eyes brightened and his cheek flushed a little as I spoke, with -more of earnestness or passion than any incident, however exciting, is -wont to provoke among his impassive race. - -"Of one thing," he said, "you have assured me--that the proposal I was -about to make rather invites honour than confers it. I have been -obliged, in speaking of the manners and ideas of my countrymen, to let -you perceive not only that I differ from them, but that there are -others who think and act as I do. We have for ages formed a society -bound together by our peculiar tenets. That we individually differ in -conduct, and, therefore, probably in ideas, from our countrymen, they -necessarily know; that we form a body apart with laws and tenets of -our own, is at least suspected. But our organisation, its powers, its -methods, its rules of membership, and its doctrines are, and have -always been, a secret, and no man's connection with it is avowed or -provable. Our chief distinctive and essential doctrines you hold as -strongly as we do--the All-perfect Existence, the immortal human soul. -From these necessarily follow conceptions of life and principles of -conduct alien to those that have as necessarily grown up among a race -which repudiates, ignores, and hates our two fundamental premises. -After what has happened, I can promise you immediate and eager -acceptance among those invested with the fullest privileges of our -order. They will all admire your action and applaud your motives, -though, frankly speaking, I doubt whether any of us would carry your -views so far as you have done. The best among us would have flinched, -unless under the influence of the very strongest personal affection, -from the double peril of which you seemed to think so lightly. They -might indeed have defied the Regent but it would have been in reliance -on the protection of, a power superior to his of which you knew -nothing." - -"Then," I said, "I suppose your engagement of to-day was a meeting of -this society?" - -"Yes," he answered, "a meeting of the Chamber to which I and the elder -members of my household, including my son and his wife, belong." -"But," I said, "if you are more powerful than the rulers of your -people, what need of such careful secrecy?" - -"You will understand the reason," he answered, "when you learn the -nature of our powers. Hundreds among millions, we are no match for the -fighting force of our unbelieving countrymen. Our safety lies in the -terror inspired by a tradition, verified by repeated and invariable -experience, that no one who injures one of us but has reason to rue -it, that no mortal enemy of _the Star_ has ever escaped signal -punishment, more terrible for the mystery attending it. Were we known, -were our organisation avowed, we might be hunted down and -exterminated, and should certainly suffer frightful havoc, even if in -the end we were able to frighten or overcome our enemies. But if you -are disposed to accept my offer--and enrolment among us gives you at -once your natural place in this planet and your best security against -the enmity you have incurred and will incur here--I should prefer to -make the rest of the explanation that must precede your admission in -presence of my family. The first step, the preliminary instruction in -our creed and our simpler mysteries, which is the work of the -Novitiate, is a solemn epoch in the lives of our children. They are -not trusted with our secret till we can rely on the maturity of their -intelligence and loyalty of their nature. Eveena would in any case -have been received as a novice within some dozen days. It will now be -easy for me, considering her education and intelligence and my own -position in the Order, to obtain, for her as for you, exemption from -the usual probation on proof that you both know all that is usually -taught therein, and admission on the same occasion; and it will add -solemnity and interest to her first initiation, that this chief lesson -of her life should be shared this evening with him to whom she owes it -that she lives to enter the society, to which her ancestors have -belonged since its institution." - -We passed into the peristyle, where the ladies were as usual -assembled; but the children had been dismissed, and of the maidens -Eveena only was present. Fatigue and agitation had left her very pale, -and she was resting at full length on the cushions with her head -pillowed on her mother's knee. As we approached, however, they all -rose, the other ladies greeting me eagerly and warmly, Eveena rising -with difficulty and faltering the welcome which the rest had spoken -with enthusiastic earnestness. Forgetting for the moment the prudence -which ignorance of Martial customs had hitherto dictated, I lifted to -my lips the hand that she, following the example of the rest, but -shyly and half reluctantly, laid on my shoulder--a form very different -to the distant greeting I had heretofore received, and marking that I -was no longer to be treated as a stranger to the family. My unusual -salute brought the colour back to her cheeks, but no one else took -notice of it. I observed, however, that on this occasion, instead of -interposing himself between me and the ladies as usual, her father -left vacant the place next to her; and I seated myself at her feet. -She would have exchanged her reclining posture for that of the others, -but her mother gently drew her down to her former position. - -"Eveena," said my host, "I have told our friend, what you know, that -there is in this world a society, of which I am a member, whose -principles are not those of our countrymen, but resemble rather those -which supplied the impulses on which he acted to-day. This much you -know. What you would have learned a few days hence, I mean that you -and he shall now hear at the same time." - -"Before you enter on that subject," interposed Zulve timidly--for it -is most unusual for a lady to interfere in her husband's conversation, -much more to offer a suggestion or correction--but yet earnestly, "let -me say, on my own part, what I am sure you must have said already on -yours. If there be now, or ever shall be, anything we can do for our -guest, anything we can give that he would value, not in requital, but -in memory of what he has done for us--whatever it should cost us, -though he should ask the most precious thing we possess, it will be -our pride and pleasure--the greatest pleasure he can afford us--to -grant it." - -The time and the surroundings were not perhaps exactly suitable to the -utterance of the wish suggested by these words; but I knew so little -what might be in store for me, and understood so well the difficulty -and uncertainty of finding future opportunities of intercourse with -the ladies at least of the family, that I dared not lose the present. -I spoke at once upon the impulse of the moment, with a sense of -reckless desperation not unlike that with which an artillerist fires -the train whose explosion may win for him the obsidional wreath or -blow him into atoms. "You and my host," I said, "have one treasure -that I have learned to covet, but it is exactly the most precious -thing you possess, and one which it would be presumptuous to ask as -reward; even had I not owed to Esmo the life I perilled for Eveena, -and if I had acted from choice and freely, instead of doing only what -only the vilest of cowards could have failed to attempt. In asking it -indeed, I feel that I cancel whatever claim your extravagant estimate -of that act can possibly ascribe to me." - -"We don't waste words," answered Esmo, "in saying what we don't mean, -and I confirm fully what my wife has said. There is nothing we possess -that we shall not delight to give as token of regard and in -remembrance of this day to the saviour of our child." - -"If," I said, "I find a neighbour's purse containing half his fortune, -and return it to him, he may offer me what reward I ask, but would -hardly think it reasonable if I asked for the purse and its contents. -But you have only one thing I care to possess--that which I have, by -God's help, been enabled to save to-day. If I must ask a gift, give me -Eveena herself." - -Utilitarianism has extinguished in Mars the use of compliment and -circumlocution; and until I concluded, their looks of mild perplexity -showed that neither Zulve nor her husband caught my purpose. I -fancied--for, not daring to look them in the face, I had turned my -downcast glance on Eveena--that she had perhaps somewhat sooner -divined the object of my thoughts. However, a silence of surprise--was -it of reluctance?--followed, and then Zulve bent over her daughter and -looked into her half-averted face, while Esmo answered-- - -"What you should ask I promised to give; what you have asked I give, -in so far as it is mine to give, in willing fulfilment of my pledge. -But, of course, what I can give is but my free permission to my -daughter to answer for herself. You will be, I hope, within a few days -at furthest, one of those in whose possession alone a woman of my -house could be safe or content; and, free by the law of the land to -follow her own wish, she is freed by her father's voice from the rule -which the usage of ten thousand years imposes on the daughters of our -brotherhood." - -Zulve then looked up, for Eveena had hidden her face in her mother's -robe, and said-- - -"If my child will not speak for herself I must speak for her, and in -my own name and in hers I fulfil her father's promise. And now let my -husband tell his story, for nothing can solemnise more appropriately -the betrothal of a daughter of the Star, than her admission to the -knowledge of the Order whose privileges are her heritage." - -"At the time," Esmo began, "when material science had gained a decided -ascendant, and enforced the recognition of its methods as the only -ones whereby certain knowledge and legitimate belief could be -attained, those who clung most earnestly to convictions not acquired -or favoured by scientific logic were sorely dismayed. They were -confounded, not so much by the yet informal but irrevocable -majority-vote against them, as by an instinctive misgiving that -Science was right; and by irrepressible doubts whether that which -would not bear the application of scientific method could in any sense -be true or trustworthy knowledge. At the same time, to apply a -scientific method to the cherished beliefs threatened only to dissolve -them. Fortunately for them and their successors, there was living at -that time one of the most remarkable and original thinkers whom our -race has produced. From him came the suggestions that gave impulse to -our learning and birth to our Order. 'The reasonings, the processes of -Science,' he affirmed,'are beyond challenge. Their trustworthiness -depends not on their subject-matter, but on their own character; not -on their relation to outward Nature, but on their conformity to the -laws of thought. Their upholders are right in affirming that what will -not ultimately bear the test of their application cannot be knowledge, -and probably--for the practical purposes of human life we may say -certainly--cannot be truth. They are wrong in alleging that the ideas -for which they can find no foundation in the subjects to which -scientific method has hitherto been applied, are therefore -unscientific, or sure to disappear under scientific investigation. I -hold that the existence of a Creator and Ruler of the Universe can be -logically deduced from first principles, as well as justly inferred -from cumulative evidences of overwhelming weight. The existence of -something in Man that is not merely corporeal, of powers that can act -beyond the reach of any corporeal instruments at his command, or -without the range of their application, is not proven; it may be, only -because the facts that indicate without proving it have never yet been -subject to systematic verification or scientific analysis. But of such -facts there exists a vast accumulation; unsifted, untested, and -therefore as yet ineffective for proof, but capable, I can scarcely -doubt, of reduction to methodical order and scientific treatment. -There are records and traditions of every degree of value, from utter -worthlessness to the worth of the most authentic history, preserving -the evidences of powers which may be generally described as spiritual. -Through all ages, among all races, the living have alleged themselves -from time to time to have seen the forms and even heard the voices of -the dead. Scientific men have been forced by the actual and public -exercise of the power under the most crucial tests--for instance, to -produce insensibility in surgical operations--to admit that the will -of one man can control the brain, the senses, the physical frame of -another without material contact, perhaps at a distance. There are -narratives of marvels wrought by human will, chiefly in remote, but -occasionally in recent times, transcending and even contradicting or -overruling the known laws of Nature. All these evidences point to one -conclusion; all corroborate and confirm one another. The men of -science ridicule them because in so many cases the facts are -imperfectly authenticated, and because in others the action of the -powers is uncertain, dependent on conditions imperfectly ascertained, -and not of that material kind to which material science willingly -submits. But if they be facts, if they relate to any element of human -nature, all these things can be systematically investigated, the true -separated from the false, the proven from the unproven. The powers can -be investigated, their conditions of action laid down. Probably they -may be so developed as to be exercised with comparative certainty, -whether by every one or only by those special constitutions in which -they may inhere. Such investigations will at present only enlist the -attention and care of a few qualified persons, and, that they may be -carried on in peace and safety, should be carried on in secrecy. But -upon them may, I hope, be founded a certainty as regards the higher -side of man's nature not less complete than that which science, by -similar methods, has gradually acquired in regard to its purely -physical aspects.' - -"For this end he instituted a secret society, which has subsisted in -constantly increasing strength and cohesion to the present hour. It -has collected evidence, conducted experiments, investigated records, -studied methodically the abnormal phenomena you call occult or -spiritual, and reduced them to something like the certainty of -science. Discoveries from the first curious and interesting have -become more and more complete, practical, and effective. Our results -have surpassed the hopes of our Founder, and transcend in importance, -while they equal in certainty, the contemporary achievements of -physical science,--some of the chief of which belong to us. All that -profound knowledge of human nature could suggest to bring its weakness -to the support of its strength, and enlist both in the work, was done -by our Founder, and by those who have carried out his scheme. The -corporate character of the society, its rites and formularies, its -grades and ranks, are matter of deep interest to all its members, have -linked them together by an inviolable bond, and given them a strength -infinitely greater than numbers without such cohesion could possibly -have afforded. The Founder left us no moral code, imposed on us none -of his own most cherished ethical convictions, as he pledged us to -none of the conclusions which his own occult studies had led him to -anticipate, nearly all of which have been verified by later -investigation. Such rules as he imposed were directed only to the -cohesion and efficiency of the Order. Our creed still consists only of -the two fundamental doctrines; two settled principles only are laid -down by our aboriginal law. We are taught to cultivate the closest -personal affection, the most intimate and binding ties among -ourselves; to defend the Order and one another, whether by strenuous -resistance or severe reprisals, against all who injure us individually -or collectively, and especially against persecutors of the Order. But -the few laws our Founder has left are given in the form of striking -precepts, brief, and often even paradoxical. For example, the law of -defence or reprisal is concentrated in one antithetic phrase:--_Gavart -dax Zveltâ, gavart gedex Zinta_ [Never let the member strike, never -let the Order spare]. As it is a rule with us to embody none of our -symbols, forms, or laws in writing, this manner of statement served to -impress them on the memory, as well as to leave the utmost freedom in -their application, by the gathered experience of ages, and the -prudence of those who had to deal with the circumstances of each -successive period. Another maxim says, 'Who kisses a brother's hand -may kick the Camptâ,' thus enforcing at once the value of ceremonial -courtesy, and the power conferred by union. We observe more ceremony -in family life than others in the most formal public relations. Their -theory of life being utterly utilitarian, no form is observed that -serves no distinct practical purpose. We wish to make life graceful -and elegant, as well as easy. Principles originally inculcated upon us -by the necessity of self-protection have been enforced and graven on -our very nature, by the reaction of our experience against the rough -and harsh relations, the jarring and often unfriendly intercourse, of -external society. Aliens to our Order--that is, ninety-nine hundredths -of our race--take delight in the infliction of petty personal -annoyance, at least never take care not to 'jar each other's -elbow-nerves,' or set on edge the teeth that never bit them. _We_ are -careful not to wound the feelings or even the weaknesses of a brother. -Punctilious courtesy, frank apology for unintentional wrong, is with -us a point of honour. Disputes, when by any chance they arise, are -referred to the arbitration of our chiefs, who never consider their -work done till the disputants are cordially reconciled. Envy, the most -dangerous source of ill-will among men, can hardly exist among us. -Rank has been well earned by its holder, or in a few cases by his -ancestors; and authority is a trust never to be used for its holder's -benefit. Wealth never provokes covetousness, since no member is ever -allowed to be poor. Not only the Order but each member is bound to -take every opportunity of assisting every other by every method within -his power. We employ them, we promote them, we give them the -preference in every kind of patronage at our command. But these -obligations are points of honour rather than of law. Only apostasy or -treason to the Order involve compulsory penalties; and the latter, if -it ever occurred in these days, would be visited with instant -death,--inflicted, as it is inflicted upon irreconcilable enemies, in -such a manner that none could know who passed the sentence, or by whom -it was executed." - -"And have you," I asked, "no apostates, as you have no traitors?" - -"No," he said. "In the first place, none who has lived among us could -endure to fall into the ordinary Martial life. Secondly, the -foundations of our simple creed are so clear, so capable of being made -apparent to every one, that none once familiar with the evidences can -well cease to believe them." - -Here he paused, and I asked, "How is it possible that the means you -employ to punish those who have wronged you should not, in some cases -at least, indicate the person who has employed them?" - -"Because," he said, "the means of vengeance are not corporeal; the -agency does not in the least resemble any with which our countrymen, -or apparently your race on Earth, are acquainted. A traitor would be -found dead with no sign of suffering or injury, and the physician -would pronounce that he had died of apoplexy or heart disease. A -persecutor, or one who had unpardonably wronged any of the Children of -the Star, might go mad, might fling himself from a precipice, might be -visited with the most terrible series of calamities, all natural in -their character, all distinctly traceable to natural causes, but -astonishing and even apparently supernatural in their accumulation, -and often in their immediate appropriateness to the character of his -offence. Our neighbours would, of course, destroy the avenger, if they -could find him out--would attempt to exterminate our society, could -they prove its agency." - -"But surely your countrymen must either disbelieve in such agency, in -which case they can hardly fear your vengeance, or they must believe -it, and then would deem it just and necessary to retaliate." - -"No," he said. "They disbelieve in the possibility while they are -forced to see the fact. It is impossible, they would say, that a man -should be injured in mind or body, reputation or estate, that the -forces of Nature or the feelings of men should be directed against -him, without the intervention of any material agent, by the mere will -of those who take no traceable means to give that will effect. At the -same time, tradition and even authentic history record, what -experience confirms, that every one who has wronged us deeply has come -to some terrible, awe-striking end. Each man would ridicule heartily a -neighbour who should allege such a ground for fearing to injure one of -us; but there is none who is so true to his own unbelief as to do that -which, in every instance, has been followed by signal and awful -disaster. Moreover, we do by visible symbols suggest a relation -between the vengeance and the crime. Over the heart of criminals who -have paid with their lives, no matter by what immediate agency, for -wrong to us, is found after death the image of a small blood-red star; -the only case in which any of our sacred symbols are exposed to -profane eyes." - -"Surely," I said, "in the course of generations, and with your -numbers, you must be often watched and traced; and some one spy, on -one out of a million occasions, must have found access to your -meetings and heard and seen all that passed." - -"Our meetings," he said, "are held where no human eye can possibly -see, no human ear hear what passes. The Chambers meet in apartments -concealed within the dwellings of individual members. When we meet the -doors are guarded, and can be passed only by those who give a token -and a password. And if these could become known to an enemy, the -appearance of a stranger would lead to questions that would at once -expose his ignorance of our simplest secrets. He would learn nothing, -and would never tell his story to the outer world." ... - -Opening the door, or rather window, of his private chamber, Esmo -directed our eyes to a portrait sunk in the wall, and usually -concealed by a screen which fitted exactly the level and the patterns -of the general surface. It displayed, in a green vesture not unlike -his own, but with a gold ribbon and emerald symbol like the cross of -an European knighthood over the right shoulder, a spare soldierly -form, with the most striking countenance I have ever seen; one which, -once seen, none could forget. The white long hair and beard, the -former reaching the shoulders, the latter falling to the belt, were -not only unlike the fashion of this generation, but gave tokens of age -never discerned in Mars for the last three or four thousand years. The -form, though erect and even stately, was that of one who had felt the -long since abolished infirmity of advancing years. The countenance -alone bore no marks of old age. It was full, unwrinkled, firm in -physical as in moral character; calm in the unresisted power of -intellect and will over the passions, serene in a dignity too absolute -and self-contained for pride, but expressing a consciousness of -command over others as evident as the unconscious, effortless command -of self to which it owed its supreme and sublime quietude. The lips -were not set as with a habit of reserve or self-restraint, but close -and even as in the repose to which restraint had never been necessary. -The features were large, clearly defined, and perfect in shape, -proportion, and outline. The brow was massive and broad, but strangely -smooth and even; the head had no single marked development or -deficiency that could have enlightened a phrenologist, as the face -told no tale that a physiognomist could read. The dark deep eyes were -unescapable; while in presence of the portrait you could not for a -moment avoid or forget their living, fixed, direct look into your own. -Even in the painted representation of that gaze, almost too calm in -its absolute mastery to be called searching or scrutinising, yet -seeming to look through the eyes into the soul, there was an almost -mesmeric influence; as if, across the abyss of ten thousand years, the -Master could still control the wills and draw forth the inner thoughts -of the living, as he had dominated the spirits of their remotest -ancestors. - - - -CHAPTER IX - MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. - -Next morning Esmo asked me to accompany him on a visit to the seaport -I have mentioned. In the course of this journey I had opportunities of -learning many things respecting the social and practical conditions of -human life and industry on Mars that had hitherto been unknown to me, -and to appreciate the enormous advance in material civilisation which -has accompanied what seems to me, as it would probably seem to any -other Earth-dweller, a terrible moral degeneration. Most of these -things I learned partly from my own observation, partly from the -explanations of my companion; some exclusively from what he told me. -We passed a house in process of building, and here I learned the -manner in which the wonders of domestic architecture, which had so -surprised me by their perfection and beauty, are accomplished. The -material employed in all buildings is originally liquid, or rather -viscous. In the first place, the foundation is excavated to a depth of -two or three feet, the ground beaten hard, and the liquid concrete -poured into the level tank thus formed. When this has hardened -sufficiently to admit of their erection, thin frames of metal are -erected, enclosing the spaces to be occupied by the several outer and -interior walls. - -These spaces are filled with the concrete at a temperature of about -80° C. The tracery and the bas-reliefs impressed on the walls are -obtained by means of patterns embossed or marked upon thinner sheets -placed inside the metallic frames. The hardening is effected partly by -sudden cooling, partly by the application of electricity under great -hydraulic pressure. The flat roof is constructed in the same manner, -the whole mass, when the fluid concrete is solidified, being simply -one continuous stone, as hard and cohesive as granite. Where a flat -roof would be liable to give way or break from its own weight, the -arch or dome is employed to give the required strength, and -consequently all the largest Martial buildings are constructed in the -form of vaults or domes. As regards the form of the building, -individual or public taste is absolutely free, it being just as easy -to construct a circular or octagonal as a rectangular house or -chamber; but the latter form is almost exclusively employed for -private dwellings. The jewel-like lustre and brilliancy I have -described are given to the surfaces of the walls by the simultaneous -action of cold, electricity, and pressure, the principle of which Esmo -could not so explain as to render it intelligible to me. Almost the -whole physical labour is done by machinery, from the digging and -mixing of the materials to their conveyance and delivery into the -place prepared for them by the erection of the metallic frames, and -from the erection to the removal of the latter. The translucent -material for the windows I have described is prepared by a separate -process, and in distinct factories, and, ready hardened and cut into -sheets of the required size, is brought to the building and fixed in -its place by machinery. It can be tinted to the taste of the -purchaser; but, as a rule, a tintless crystal is preferred. The entire -work of building a large house, from the foundation to the finishing -and removal of the metallic frames, occupies from half-a-dozen to -eighteen workmen from four to eight days. This, like most other labour -in Mars, goes on continuously; the electric lamps, raised to a great -height on hollow metallic poles, affording by night a very sufficient -substitute for the light of the sun. All work is done by three relays -of artisans; the first set working from noon till evening, the next -from evening till morning, and the third from morning to noon. The -Martial day, which consists of about twenty-four hours forty minutes -of our time, is divided in a somewhat peculiar manner. The two-hour -periods, of which "mean" sunrise and sunset are severally the middle -points, are respectively called the morning and evening _zydau_. Two -periods of the same length before and after noon and midnight are -distinguished as the first and second dark, the first and second -mid-day zyda. There remain four intervals of three hours each, -popularly described as the sleeping, waking, after-sunrise, and -fore-sunset zyda respectively. This is the popular reckoning, and that -marked upon the instruments which record time for ordinary purposes, -and by these the meals and other industrial and domestic epochs are -fixed. But for purposes of exact calculation, the day, beginning an -hour before mean sunrise, is distributed into twelve periods, or -antoi, of a little more than two terrestrial hours each. These again -are subdivided by twelve into periods of a little more than 10m., -50s., 2-1/2s., and 5/24s respectively; but of these the second and -last are alone employed in common speech. The uniform employment of -twelve as the divisor and multiplier in tables of weight, distance, -time, and space, as well as in arithmetical notation, has all the -conveniences of the decimal system of France, and some others besides -due to the greater convenience of twelve as a base. But as regards the -larger divisions of time, the Martials are placed at a great -disadvantage by the absence of any such intermediate divisions as the -Moon has suggested to Terrestrials. The revolutions of the satellites -are too rapid and their periods too brief to be of service in dividing -their year of 668-2/3 solar days. Martial civilisation having taken -its rise within the tropics--indeed the equatorial continents, which -only here and there extend far into the temperate zone, and two minor -continents in the southern ocean, are the only well-peopled portions -of the planet--the demarcation of the seasons afforded by the -solstices have been comparatively disregarded. The year is divided -into winter and summer, each beginning with the Equinox, and -distinguished as the North and South summer respectively. But these -being exceedingly different in duration--the Northern half of the -planet having a summer exceeding by seventy-six days that of the -Southern hemisphere--are of no use as accurate divisions of time. Time -is reckoned, accordingly, from the first day of the year; the 669th -day being incomplete, and the new year beginning at the moment of the -Equinox with the 0th day. In remote ages the lapse of time was marked -by festivals and holidays occurring at fixed periods; but the -principle of utility has long since abolished all anniversaries, -except those fixed by Nature, and these pass without public observance -and almost without notice. - -The climate is comparatively equable in the Northern hemisphere, the -summer of the South being hotter and the winter colder, as the planet -is much nearer the Sun during the former. On an average, the solar -disc seems about half as large as to eyes on Earth; but the continents -lying in a belt around the middle of the planet, nearly the whole of -its population enjoy the advantages of tropical regularity. There are -two brief rainy seasons on the Equator and in its neighbourhood, and -one at each of the tropics. Outside these the cold of winter is -aggravated by cloud and mist. The barometer records from 20 inches to -21 inches at the sea-level. Storms are slight, brief, and infrequent; -the tides are insignificant; and sea-voyages were safe and easy even -before Martial ingenuity devised vessels which are almost independent -of weather. During the greater part of the year a clear sky from the -morning to the evening zyda may be reckoned upon with almost absolute -confidence. A heavy dew, thoroughly watering the whole surface, -rendering the rarity of rain no inconvenience to agriculture, falls -during the earlier hours of the night, which nevertheless remains -cloudy; while the periods of sunset and sunrise are, as I have already -said, marked almost invariably by dense mist, extending from one to -four thousand feet above the sea-level, according to latitude and -season. From the dissipation of the morning to the fall of the evening -mist, the tropical temperature ranges, according to the time of the -day and year, from 24° to 35° C. A very sudden change takes place at -sunset. Except within 28° of the Equator, night frosts prevail during -no small part of the year. Fine nights are at all times chilly, and -men employed out of doors from the fall of the evening to the -dispersal of the morning mists rely on an unusually warm under-dress -of soft leather, as flexible as kid, but thicker, which is said to -keep in the warmth of the body far better than any woven material. -Women who, from whatever reason, venture out at night, wear the -warmest cloaks they can procure. Those of limited means wear a loosely -woven hair or woollen over-robe in lieu of their usual outdoor -garment, resembling tufted cotton. Those who can afford them -substitute for the envelope of down, described a while back, warm skin -or fur overgarments, obtained from the sub-arctic lands and seas, and -furnished sometimes by a creature not very unlike our Polar bear, but -passing half his time in the water and living on fish; sometimes by a -mammal more resembling something intermediate between the mammoth and -the walrus, with the habits of the hippopotamus and a fur not unlike -the sealskin so much affected in Europe. - -Outside the city, at a distance protecting it from any unpleasant -vapours, which besides were carried up metallic tubes of enormous -height, were several factories of great extent, some chemical, some -textile, others reducing from their ores, purifying, forging, and -producing in bulk and forms convenient for their various uses, the -numerous metals employed in Mars. The most important of -these--_zorinta_--is obtained from a tenacious soil much resembling -our own clay. [12] It is far lighter than tin, has the colour and -lustre of silver, and never tarnishes, the only rust produced by -oxidation of its surface being a white loose powder, which can be -brushed or shaken off without difficulty. Of this nearly all Martial -utensils and furniture are constructed; and its susceptibility to the -electric current renders it especially useful for mechanical purposes, -electricity supplying the chief if not the sole motive-power employed -in Martial industry. The largest factories, however, employ but a few -hands, the machinery being so perfect as to perform, with very little -interposition from human hands, the whole work, from the first -purification to the final arrangement. I saw a mass of ore as dug out -from the ground put into one end of a long series of machines, which -came out, without the slightest manual assistance, at the close of a -course of operations so directed as to bring it back to our feet, in -the form of a thin sheet of lustrous metal. In another factory a mass -of dry vegetable fibre was similarly transformed by machinery alone -into a bale of wonderfully light woven drapery resembling satin in -lustre, muslin or gauze in texture. - -The streets were what, even in the finest and latest-built American -cities, would be thought magnificent in size and admirable in -construction. The roadway was formed of that concrete, harder than -granite, which is the sole material employed in Martial building, and -which, as I have shown, can take every form and texture, from that of -jewels or of the finest marble to that of plain polished slate. Along -each side ran avenues of magnificent trees, whose branches met at a -height of thirty feet over the centre. Between these and the houses -was a space reserved for the passage of light carriages exclusively. -The houses, unlike those in the country, were from two to four stories -in height. - -All private dwellings, however, were built, as in the country, around -a square interior garden, and the windows, except those of the front -rooms employed for business purposes, looked out upon this. The space -occupied, however, was of course much smaller than where ground was -less precious, few dwellings having four chambers on the same floor -and front. The footway ran on the level of what we call the first -story, over a part of the roof of the ground floor; and the business -apartments were always the front chambers of the former, while the -stores of the merchants were collected in a single warehouse occupying -the whole of the ground front. No attempt was made to exhibit them as -on Earth. I entered with my host a number of what we should call -shops. In every case he named exactly the article he wanted, and it -was either produced at once or he was told that it was not to be had -there, a thing which, however, seldom happened. The traders are few in -number. One or two firms engaged in a single branch of commerce do the -whole business of an extensive province. For instance, all the textile -fabrics on sale in the province were to be seen in one or other of two -warehouses; all metals in sheets, blocks, and wires in another; in a -third all finished metal-work, except writing materials; all writing, -phonographic, and telegraphic conveniences in a fourth; all furs, -feathers, and fabrics made from these in a fifth. The tradesman sells -on commission, as we say, receiving the goods from the manufacturer, -the farmer, or the State, and paying only for what are sold at the end -of each year, reserving to himself one-twenty-fourth of the price. -Prices, however, do not vary from year to year, save when, on rare -occasions, an adverse season or a special accident affects the supply -and consequently the price of any natural product--choice fruit, -skins, silver, for instance--obtained only from some peculiarly -favoured locality. - -The monetary system, like so many other Martial institutions, is -purely artificial and severely logical. It is held that the exchange -value of any article of manufacture or agricultural produce tends -steadily downwards, while any article obtained by mining labour, or -supplied by nature alone, tends to become more and more costly. The -use of any one article of either class as a measure of value tends in -the long-run to injustice either towards creditors or debtors. Labour -may be considered as the most constant in intrinsic value of all -things capable of sale or barter; but the utmost ingenuity of Martial -philosophers has failed to devise a fixed standard by which one kind -of labour can be measured against another, and their respective -productive force, and consequently their value in exchange, -ascertained. One thing alone retains in their opinion an intrinsic -value always the same, and if it increase in value, increases only in -proportion as all produce is obtained in greater quantities or with -greater facility. Land, therefore, is in their estimation -theoretically the best available measure of value--a dogma which has -more practical truth in a planet where population is evenly diffused -and increases very slowly, if at all, than it might have in the -densely but unevenly peopled countries of Europe or Asia. A _staltâ_, -or square of about fifty yards (rather more than half an acre), is the -primary standard unit of value. For purposes of currency this is -represented by a small engraved document bearing the Government stamp, -which can always at pleasure be exchanged for so much land in a -particular situation. The region whose soil is chosen as the standard -lies under the Equator, and the State possesses there some hundreds of -square miles, let out on terms thought to ensure its excellent -cultivation and the permanence of its condition. The immediate -convertibility of each such document, engraven on a small piece of -metal about two inches long by one in breadth, and the fortieth part -of an inch in thickness, is the ultimate cause and permanent guarantee -of its value. Large payments, moreover, have to be made to the State -by those who rent its lands or purchase the various articles of which -it possesses a monopoly; or, again, in return for the services it -undertakes, as lighting roads and supplying water to districts -dependent on a distant source. Great care is taken to keep the issue -of these notes within safe limits; and as a matter of fact they are -rather more valuable than the land they represent, and are in -consequence seldom presented for redemption therein. To provide -against the possibility of such an over-issue as might exhaust the -area of standard land at command of the State, it is enacted that, -failing this, the holder may select his portion of State domain -wherever he pleases, at twelve years' purchase of the rental; but in -point of fact these provisions are theoretically rather than -practically important, since not one note in a hundred is ever -redeemed or paid off. The "square measure," upon which the coinage, if -I may so call it is based, following exactly the measure of length, -each larger area in the ascending scale represents 144 times that -below it. Thus the _styly_ being a little more than a foot, the -_steely_ is about 13 feet, or one-twelfth of the _stâly_; but the -_steeltâ_ (or square steely) is 1/144th part of the _stâltâ_. The -_stoltâ_, again, is about 600 yards square, or 360,000 square yards, -144 times the _stâltâ_. The highest note, so to speak, in circulation -represents this last area; but all calculations are made in _staltau_, -or twelfths thereof. The _stâltâ_ will purchase about six ounces of -gold. Notes are issued for the third, fourth, and twelfth parts of -this: values smaller than the latter are represented by a token -coinage of square medals composed of an alloy in which gold and silver -respectively are the principal elements. The lowest coin is worth -about threepence of English money. - -Stopping at the largest public building in the city, a central hexagon -with a number of smaller hexagons rising around it, we entered one of -the latter, each side of which might be some 30 feet in length and 15 -in height. Here were ranged a large number of instruments on the -principle of the voice-writer, but conveying the sound to a vast -distance along electric wires into one which reverses the -voice-recording process, and repeats the vocal sound itself. Through -one of these, after exchanging a few words with one of the officials -in charge of them, Esmo carried on a conversation of some length, the -instrument being so arranged that while the mouth is applied to one -tube another may be held to the ear to receive the reply. In the -meantime I fell in with one of the officers, apparently very young, -who was strongly interested at the sight of the much-canvassed -stranger, and, perhaps on this account, far more obliging than is -common among his countrymen. From him I learnt that this, with another -method I will presently describe, is the sole means of distant -communication employed in Mars. Those who have not leisure or do not -care to visit one of the offices, never more than twelve-miles distant -from one another, in which the public instruments are kept, can have a -wire conveyed to their own house. Almost every house of any pretension -possesses such a wire. Leading me into the next apartment, my friend -pointed out an immense number of instruments of a box-like shape, with -a slit in which a leaf of about four inches by two was placed. These -were constantly ejected and on the instant mechanically replaced. The -fallen leaves were collected and sorted by the officers present, and -at once placed in one or other of another set of exactly similar -instruments. Any one possessing a private wire can write at his own -desk in the manual character a letter or message on one of these -slips. Placing it in his own instrument, it at once reproduces itself -exactly in his autograph, and with every peculiarity, blot, or -erasure, at the nearest office. Here the copy is placed in the proper -box, and at once reproduced in the office nearest the residence of the -person to whom it is addressed, and forwarded in the same manner to -him. A letter, therefore, covering one of these slips, and saying as -much as we could write in an average hand upon a large sheet of -letter-paper, is delivered within five minutes at most from the time -of despatch, no matter how great the distance. - -I remarked that this method of communication made privacy impossible. - -"But," replied the official, "how could we possibly have time to -indulge in curiosity? We have to sort hundreds of these papers in an -hour. We have just time to look at the address, place them in the -proper box, and touch the spring which sets the electric current at -work. If secrecy were needed a cipher would easily secure it, for you -will observe that by this telegraph whatever is inscribed on the sheet -is mechanically reproduced; and it would be as easy to send a picture -as a message." - -I learnt that a post of marvellous perfection had, some thousand years -ago, delivered letters all over Mars, but it was now employed only for -the delivery of parcels. Perhaps half the commerce of Mars, except -that in metals and agricultural produce, depends on this post. -Purchasers of standard articles describe by the telegraph-letter to a -tradesman the exact amount and pattern of the goods required, and -these are despatched at once; a system of banking, very completely -organised, enabling the buyer to pay at once by a telegraphic order. - -When Esmo had finished his business, we walked down, at my request, to -the port. Around three sides of the dock formed by walls, said to be -fifty feet in depth and twenty in thickness, ran a road close to the -water's edge, beyond which was again a vast continuous warehouse. The -inner side was reserved for passenger vessels, and everywhere the -largest ships could come up close, landing either passengers or cargo -without even the intervention of a plank. The appearance of the ships -is very unlike that of Terrestrial vessels. They have no masts or -rigging, are constructed of the zorinta, which in Mars serves much -more effectively all the uses of iron, and differ entirely in -construction as they are intended for cargo or for travel. Mercantile -ships are in shape much like the finest American clippers, but with -broad, flat keel and deck, and with a hold from fifteen to twenty feet -in depth. Like Malayan vessels, they have attached by strong bars an -external beam about fifty feet from the side, which renders -overturning almost impossible. Passenger ships more resemble the form -of a fish, but are alike at both ends. Six men working in pairs four -hours at a time compose the entire crew of the largest ship, and half -this number are required for the smallest that undertakes a voyage of -more than twelve hours. - -I may here mention that the system of sewage is far superior to any -yet devised on Earth. No particle of waste is allowed to pollute the -waters. The whole is deodorised by an exceedingly simple process, and, -whether in town or country, carried away daily and applied to its -natural use in fertilising the soil. Our practice of throwing away, -where it is an obvious and often dangerous nuisance, material so -valuable in its proper place, seemed to my Martial friends an -inexplicable and almost incredible absurdity. - -As we returned, Esmo told me that he had been in communication with -the Camptâ, who had desired that I should visit him with the least -possible delay. - -"This," he said, "will hurry us in matters where I at any rate should -have preferred a little delay. The seat of Government is by a direct -route nearly six thousand miles distant, and you will have opportunity -of travelling in all the different ways practised on this planet. A -long land-journey in our electric carriages, with which you are not -familiar, is, I think, to be avoided. The Camptâ would wish to see -your vessel as well as yourself; but, on the whole, I think it is -safer to leave it where it is. Kevimâ, and I propose to accompany you -during the first part of your journey. At our first halt, we will stay -one night with a friend, that you may be admitted a brother of our -Order." - -"And," said I, "what sort of a reception may I expect at the end of my -journey?" - -"I think," he answered, "that you are more likely to be embarrassed by -the goodwill of the Camptâ than by the hostility of some of those -about him. His character is very peculiar, and it is difficult to -reckon upon his action in any given case. But he differs from nearly -all his subjects in having a strong taste for adventure, none the less -if it be perilous; and since his position prevents him from indulging -this taste in person, he is the more disposed to take extreme interest -in the adventures of others. He has, moreover, a great value for what -you call courage, a virtue rarely needed and still more rarely shown -among us; and I fancy that your venture through space has impressed -him with a very high estimate of your daring. Assuredly none of us, -however great his scientific curiosity, would have dreamed of -incurring such a peril, and incurring it alone. But I must give you -one warning. It is not common among us to make valuable gifts: we do -not care enough for any but ourselves to give except with the idea of -getting something valuable in return. Our princes are, however, so -wealthy that they can give without sacrifice, and it is considered a -grave affront to refuse any present from a superior. Whatever, then, -our Suzerain may offer you--and he is almost sure, unless he should -take offence, to give you whatever he thinks will induce you to settle -permanently in the neighbourhood of his Court--you must accept -graciously, and on no account, either then or afterwards, lead him to -think that you slight his present." - -"I must say," I replied, "that while I wish to remain in your world -till I have learnt, if not all that is to be learnt, yet very much -more than I at present know about it, the whole purpose of my voyage -would be sacrificed if I could not effect my return to Earth." - -"I suppose so," he answered, "and for that reason I wish to keep your -vessel safe and within your reach; for to get away at all you may have -to depart suddenly. But you will not do wisely to make the Prince -suspect that such is your intention. Tell him of what you wish to see -and to explore in this world; tell him freely of your own, for he will -not readily fancy that you prefer it to this; but say as little as -possible of your hopes of an ultimate return, and, if you are forced -to acknowledge them, let them seem as indefinite as possible." - -By this time, returning by another road, Esmo stopped the carriage at -the gate of an enclosed garden of moderate size, about two miles from -Ecasfe. Entering alone, he presently returned with another gentleman, -wearing a dress of grey and silver, with a white ribbon over the -shoulder; a badge, I found, of official rank or duties. Mounting his -own carriage, this person accompanied us home. - - - -CHAPTER X - WOMAN AND WEDLOCK. - -We arrived at home in the course of some few minutes, and here my host -requested us to wait in the hall, where in about half-an-hour he -rejoined us, accompanied by all the members of his family, the ladies -all closely veiled. Looking among them instinctively for Eveena, I -observed that she had exchanged her usual light veil for one fuller -and denser, and wore, contrary to the wont of maidens indoors, sleeves -and gloves. She held her father's hand, and evinced no little -agitation or alarm. The visitor stood by a table on which had been -placed the usual pencils or styles, and a sort of open portfolio, on -one side of which was laid a small strip of the golden tafroo, -inscribed with crimson characters of unusual size, leaving several -blanks here and there. Most of these he filled up, and then, leading -forward his daughter, Esmo signed to me also to approach the table. -The others stood just behind us, and the official then placed the -document in Eveena's hand. She looked through it and replaced it on -the table with the gesture of assent usual among her people, inclining -her head and raising her left hand to her lips. The document was then -handed to me, but I, of course, was unable to read it. I said so, and -the official read it aloud:-- - -"Between Eveena, daughter of Esmo dent Ecasfen, and ---- [13] -_reclamomortâ_ (the alleged arch-traveller), covenant: Eveena will -live with ---- in wedlock for two years, foregoing during that period -the liberty to quit his house, or to receive any one therein save by -his permission. In consideration whereof he will maintain her, -clothing her to her satisfaction, at a cost not exceeding five stâltau -by the year. He will provide for any child or children she may bear -while living with him, or within twice twelve dozen days thereafter. -And if at any time he shall dismiss her or permit her to leave him, or -if she shall desire to leave him after the expiration of eight years, -he will ensure to her for her life an annual payment of fifteen -stâltau. Neither shall appeal to a court of law or public authority -against the other on account of anything done during the time they -shall live together, except for attempt to kill or for grave bodily -injury." - -Such is the form of marriage covenant employed in Mars. The occasion -was unfit for discussion, and I simply intimated my acceptance of the -covenants, oo which Eveena and myself forthwith were instructed to -write our names where they appear in the above translation. The -official then inquired whether I recognised the lady standing beside -me as Eveena, daughter of Esmo. It then struck me that, though I felt -pretty certain of her identity, marriage under such conditions might -occasionally lead to awkward mistakes. There was no such difference -between my bride and her companions as, but for her dress and her -agitation, would have enabled me positively to distinguish them, -veiled and silent as all were. I expressed no doubt, however, and the -official then proceeded to affix his own stamp to the document; and -then lifting up that on which our names had actually been written, -showed that, by some process I hardly understand, the signature had -been executed and the agreement filled up in triplicate, the officer -preserving one copy, the others being given to the bride and -bridegroom respectively. The ladies then retired, Esmo, his son, and -the official remaining, when two ambau brought in a tray of -refreshments. The official tasted each article offered to him, -evidently more as a matter of form than of pleasure. I took this -opportunity to ask some questions regarding the Martial cuisine, and -learnt that all but the very simplest cookery is performed by -professional confectioners, who supply twice a day the households in -their vicinity; unmarried men taking their meals at the shop. The -preparation of fruit, roasted grain, beverages consisting of juices -mixed with a prepared nectar, and the vegetables from the garden, -which enter into the composition of every meal, are the only culinary -cares of the ladies of the family. Everything can be warmed or -freshened on the stove which forms a part of that electric machinery -by which in every household the baths and lights are supplied and the -house warmed at night. The ladies have therefore very little household -work, and the greater part of this is performed under their -superintendence by the animals, which are almost as useful as any -human slaves on earth, with the one unquestionable advantage that they -cannot speak, and therefore cannot be impertinent, inquisitive, or -treacherous. No fermented liquors form part of the Martial diet; but -some narcotics resembling haschisch and opium are much relished. When -the official had retired, I said to my host-- - -"I thought it best to raise no question or objection in signing the -contract put before me with your sanction; but you must be aware, in -the first place, that I have no means here of performing the pecuniary -part of the covenant, no means of providing either maintenance or -pin-money." - -The explanation of the latter phrase, which was immediately demanded, -produced not a little amusement, after which Esmo replied gravely-- - -"It will be very easy for you, if necessary, to realise a competence -in the course of half a year. A book relating your adventures, and -describing the world you have left, would bring you in a very -comfortable fortune; and you might more than double this by giving -addresses in each of our towns, which, if only from the curiosity our -people would entertain to see you with their own eyes, would attract -crowded audiences. You could get a considerable sum for the exclusive -right to take your likeness; and, if you chose to explain it, you -might fix your own price on the novel motive power you have -introduced. But there is another point in regard to the contract which -you have overlooked, but which I was bound to bear in mind. What you -have promised is, I believe, what Eveena would have obtained from any -suitor she was likely to accept. But since you left the matter -entirely to my discretion, I am bound to make it impossible that you -should be a loser; and this document (and he handed me a small slip -very much like that which contained the marriage covenant) imposes on -my estate the payment of an income for Eveena's life equal to that you -have promised her." - -With much reluctance I found myself obliged to accept a dowry which, -however natural and proper on Earth, was, I felt, unusual in Mars. I -may say that such charges do not interfere with the free sale of land. -They are registered in the proper office, and the State trustee -collects them from the owner for the time being as quit-rents are -collected in Great Britain or land revenue in India. Turning to -another but kindred question, I said-- - -"Your marriage contract, like our own laws, appears to favour the -weaker sex more than strict theoretical equality would permit. This is -quite right and practically inevitable; but it hardly agrees with the -theory which supposes bride and bridegroom, husband and wife, to enter -on and maintain a coequal voluntary partnership." - -"How so?" he inquired. - -"The right of divorce," I said, "at the end of two years belongs to -the wife alone. The husband cannot divorce her except under a heavy -penalty." - -"Observe," he answered, "that there is a grave practical inequality -which even theory can hardly ignore. The wife parts with something by -the very fact of marriage. At the end of two years, when she has borne -two, three, or four children, her value in marriage is greatly -lessened. Her capacity of maintaining herself, in the days when women -did work, was found practically to be even smaller than before -marriage. You may say that this really amounts to a recognition by -custom of the natural inequality denied by law; but at any rate, it is -an inequality which it was scarcely possible to overlook. Examine the -practical working of the covenants, and you will find that in -affecting to treat unequals as equals they merely make the weaker the -slave of the stronger." - -"Surely," I said, "husband and wife are so far equal, where neither is -tied to the children, that each can make the other heartily glad to -assent to a divorce." - -"Perhaps, where law interferes to enforce monogamy, and thereby to -create an artificial equality of mutual dependence. But our law cannot -dictate to equals, whose sex it ignores, the terms or numbers of -partnership. So, the terms of the contract being voluntary, men of -course insist on excluding legal interference in household quarrels; -and before the prohibitive clause was generally adopted, legal -interposition did more harm than good. As you will find, equality -before the law gives absolute effect to the real inequality, and -chiefly through its coarsest element, superior physical force. The -liberty that is a necessary logical consequence of equality takes from -the woman her one natural safeguard--the man's need of her goodwill, -if not of her affection." - -"In our world," I replied, "I always held that even slaves, so they be -household slaves, are secure against gross cruelty. The owner cannot -make life a burden to them without imperilling his own. To reduce the -question to its lowest terms--malice will always be a match for -muscle, and poison an efficient antidote to the _ferula_." - -"So," rejoined Esmo, "our men have perceived, and consequently they -have excepted attempts to murder, as the women have excepted serious -bodily injury, from the general rule prohibiting appeals to a court of -law." - -"And," said I, "are there many such appeals?" - -"Not one in two years," he replied; "and for a simple reason. Our law, -as matter of course and of common sense, puts murder, attempted or -accomplished, on the same footing, and visits both with its supreme -penalty. Consequently, a wife detected in such an attempt is at her -husband's mercy; and if he consent to spare her life, she must submit -to any infliction, however it may transgress the covenanted limit. In -fact, if he find her out in such an attempt, he may do anything but -put her to death on his own authority." - -"Still," I answered, "as long as she remains in the house, she must -have frequent opportunity of repeating her attempt at revenge; and to -live in constant fear of assassination would break down the strongest -nerves." - -"Our physicians," he said, "are more skilful in antidotes than our -women in poisons, even when the latter have learned chemistry. No -poisonous plants are grown near our houses; and as wives never go out -alone, they have little chance of getting hold of any fatal drug. I -believe that very few attempts to poison are successful, and that many -women have suffered very severely on mere suspicion." - -"And what," I asked, "is the legal definition of 'grave bodily -injury'?" - -"Injury," he said, "of which serious traces remain at the end of -twenty-four days; the destruction of a limb, or the deprivation, -partial or total, of a sense. I have often thought bitterly," he -continued, "of that boasted logic and liberality of our laws under -which my daughters might have to endure almost any maltreatment from -their husbands, so long as these have but the sense not to employ -weapons that leave almost ineffaceable marks. This is one main reason -why we so anxiously avoid giving them save to those who are bound by -the ties of our faith to treat them as kindly as children--for whom, -at the worst, they remain sisters of the Order. If women generally had -parents, our marriage law could never have carried out the fiction of -equality to its logical perfection and practical monstrosity." - -"Equality, then, has given your women a harder life and a worse -position than that of those women in our world who are, not only by -law but by fact and custom, the slaves of their husbands?" - -"Yes, indeed," he said; "and our proverbs, though made by men, express -this truth with a sharpness in which there is little exaggeration. Our -school textbooks tell us that action and reaction are equal and -opposite; and this familiar phrase gives meaning to the saw, _Pelmavč -dakâl dakč,_ 'She is equal, the thing struck to the hammer,' meaning -that woman's equality to man is no more effective than the reaction of -the leather on the mallet. 'Bitterer smiles of twelve than tears of -ten' (referring to the age of marriage). _Thleen delkint treen lalfe -zevleen_, ''Twixt fogs and clouds she dreams of stars.'" - -"What _does_ that mean?" - -"Would you not render it in the terminology of the hymn you translated -for us, 'Between Purgatory and Hell, one dream of Heaven?' Still -puzzled? 'Between the harshness of school and the misery of marriage, -the illusions of the bride.' Again, _Zefoo zevleel, zave marneel, -clafte cratheneel_, 'A child [cries] for the stars, a maiden for the -matron's dress, a woman for her shroud.'" - -"Do you mean to say that that is not exaggerated?" - -"I suppose it is, as women are even less given to suicide than men. -That is perhaps the ugliest proverb of its kind. I will only quote one -more, and that is two-edged-- - - "'Fool he who heeds a woman's tears, to woman's tongue replies; - Fool she who braves man's hand--but when was man or woman wise?'" - -Here Zulve came to the door and made a sign to her husband. Waiting -courteously to ascertain that I had finished speaking, and until his -son had somewhat ceremoniously taken leave of me, he led me to the -door of a chamber next to that I had hitherto occupied. Pausing here -himself, he motioned me to go on, and the door parting, I found myself -in a room I had not before entered, about the same size as my own and -similarly furnished, but differently coloured, now communicating with -it by a door which I knew had not previously existed. Here were -Eveena's mother and sister, dressed as usual. - -Eveena herself had exchanged her maiden white for the light pink of a -young matron, but was closely veiled in a similar material. Her mother -and sister kissed her with much emotion, though without the tears and -lamentations, real or affected, with which--alike among the nomads of -Asia and the most cultivated races of Europe--even those relatives who -have striven hardest to marry a daughter or sister think it necessary -to celebrate the fulfilment of their hopes, and the termination of -their often prolonged and wearisome labours. I was then left alone -with my bride, who remained half-seated, half-crouching on the -cushions in a corner of the room. I could not help feeling keenly how -much a marriage so unceremonious and with so little previous -acquaintance, or rather so great a reserve and distance in our former -intercourse, intensified the awkwardness many a man on Earth feels -when first left alone with the partner of his future life. But a -single glance at the small drooping figure half-hidden in the cushions -brought the reflection that a situation, embarrassing to the -bridegroom, must be in the last degree alarming and distressing to the -bride. But for her visit to the Astronaut we should have been almost -strangers; I could hardly have recognised even her voice. I must, -however, speak; and naturally my first sentence was a half-articulate -request that she would remove her veil. - -"No," she whispered, rising, "_you_ must do that." - -Taking off the glove of her left hand, she came up to me shyly and -slowly, and placed it in my right--a not unmeaning ceremony. Having -obeyed her instruction, my lips touched for the first time the brow of -my young wife. That she was more than shy and startled, was even -painfully agitated and frightened, became instantly apparent now that -her countenance was visible. What must be the state of Martial brides -in general, when the signature of the contract immediately places them -at the disposal of an utter stranger, it was beyond the power of my -imagination to conceive, if their feelings were at all to be measured -by Eveena's under conditions sufficiently trying, but certainly far -better than theirs. Nothing was so likely to quiet her as perfect -calmness on my side; and, though with a heart beating almost as fast -as her own, if with very different emotions, I led her gently back to -her place, and resting on a cushion just out of reach, began to talk -to her. Choosing as the easiest subject our adventure of yesterday, I -asked what could have induced her to place herself in a situation so -dangerous. - -"Do not be angry with me now," she pleaded. "I am exceedingly fond of -flowers; they have been my only amusement except the training of my -pets. You can see how little women have to do, how little occupation -or interest is permitted us. The rearing of rare flowers, or the -creation of new ones, is almost the only employment in which we can -find exercise for such intelligence as we possess. I had never seen -before the flower that grew on that shelf. I believe, indeed, that it -only grows on a few of our higher mountains below the snow-line, and I -was anxious to bring it home and see what could be made of it in the -garden. I thought it might be developed into something almost as -beautiful as that bright _leenoo_ you admired so greatly in my -flower-bed." - -"But," said I, "the two flowers are not of the same shape or colour; -and, though I am not learned in botany, I should say hardly belong to -the same family." - -"No," she said. "But with care, and with proper management of our -electric apparatus, I accomplished this year a change almost as great. -I can show you in my flower-bed one little white flower, of no great -beauty and conical in shape, from which I have produced in two years -another, saucer-shaped, pink, and of thrice the size, almost exactly -realising an imaginary flower, drawn by my sister-in-law to represent -one of which she had dreamed. We can often produce the very shape, -size, and colour we wish from something that at first seems to have no -likeness to it whatever; and I have been told that a skilful farmer -will often obtain a fruit, or, what is more difficult, an animal, to -answer exactly the ideal he has formed." - -"Some of our breeders," I said, "profess to develop a sort of ideal of -any given species; but it takes many generations, by picking and -choosing those that vary in the right direction, to accomplish -anything of the kind; and, after all, the difference between the -original and the improved form is mere development, not essential -change." - -She hardly seemed to understand this, but answered-- - -"The seedling or rootlet would be just like the original plant, if we -did not from the first control its growth by means of our electric -frames. But if you will allow me, I will show you to-morrow what I -have done in my own flower-bed, and you will have opportunities of -seeing afterwards how very much more is done by agriculturists with -much more time and much more potent electricities." - -"At any rate," I said, "if I had known your object, you certainly -should have had the flowers for which you risked so much: and if I -remain here three days longer, I promise you plenty of specimens for -your experiment." - -"You do not mean to go back to the Astronaut?" she asked, with an air -of absolute consternation. - -"I had not intended to do so," I replied, "for it seems to be -perfectly safe under your father's seal and your stringent laws of -property. But now, if time permit, I must get these flowers to which -you tell me I am so deeply indebted." - -"You are very kind," returned Eveena earnestly, "but I entreat you not -to venture there again. I should be utterly miserable while you were -running such a risk again, and for such a trifle." - -"It is no such terrible risk to me, and to please you is not quite a -trifle. Besides, I ought to deserve my prize better than I have yet -done. But you seem to have some especial spite against the unlucky -vessel that brought me here; and that," I added, smiling, "seems -hardly gracious in a bride of an hour." - -"No, no!" she murmured, evidently much distressed; "but the vessel -that brought you here may take you away." - -"I will not pain you yet by saying that I hope it may. At all events, -it shall not do so till you are content that it should." - -She made no answer, and seemed for some time to hesitate, as if afraid -or unwilling to say something which rose irrepressibly to her lips. A -few persuasive words, however, encouraged her, and she found her -voice, though with a faltering accent, which greatly surprised me when -I learned at last the purport of her request. - -"I do not understand," she said, "your ideas or customs, but I know -they are different from ours. I have found at least that they make you -much more indulgent and tender to women than our own; and I hope, -therefore, you will forgive me if I ask more than I have any right to -do." - -"I could scarcely refuse my bride's first request, whatever it might -be. But your hesitation and your apologies might make me fear that you -are about to ask something which one or both of us may wish hereafter -had neither been asked nor granted." - -She still hesitated and faltered, till I began to fancy that her wish -must have a much graver import than I at first supposed. Perhaps to -treat the matter lightly and sportively would be the course most -likely to encourage her to explain it. - -"What is it, child," I asked, "which you think the stranger of another -world more likely to grant than one of your own race, and which is so -extravagant, nevertheless, that you tremble to ask it even from me? Is -it too much to be bound not to appeal against me to the law, which -cannot yet determine whether I am a reality or a fiction? Or have I -proved my arm a little too substantial? Must the giant promise not to -exercise the masculine prerogative of physical force safely conceded -to the dwarf? Fie, Eveena! I am almost afraid to touch you, lest I -should hurt you unawares; lest tenderness itself should transgress the -limit of legal cruelty, and do grave bodily harm to a creature so much -more like a fairy than a woman!" - -"No, no!" she expostulated, not at all reciprocating the jesting tone -in which I spoke. "If you would consent to give such a promise, it is -just one of those we should wish unmade. How could I ask you to -promise that I may behave as ill as I please? I dare say I shall be -frightened to tears when you are angry; but I shall never wish you to -retain your anger rather than vent it and forgive. The proverb says, -'Who punishes pardons; who hates awaits.' No, pray do not play with -me; I am so much in earnest. I know that I don't understand where and -why your thoughts and ways are so unlike ours. But--but--I thought--I -fancied--you seemed to hold the tie between man and wife something -more--faster--more lasting--than--our contract has made it." - -"Certainly! With us it lasts for life at least; and even here, where -it may be broken at pleasure, I should not have thought that, on the -very bridal eve, the coldest heart could willingly look forward to its -dissolution." - -She was too innocent of such a thought--perhaps too much absorbed by -her own purpose--to catch the hint of unjust reproach. - -"Well, then," she said, with a desperate effort, in a voice that -trembled between the fear of offending by presumption or exaction, and -the desire to give utterance to her wish--"I want ... will you say -that--if by that time you do not think that I have been too faulty, -too undeserving--that I shall go with you when you quit this world?" -And, her eagerness at last overpowering her shyness, she looked up -anxiously into my face. - -We wholly misconceived each other. She drooped in bitter -disappointment, mistaking my blank surprise for displeasure; her words -brought over my mind a rush of that horror with which I ever recall -the scenes I witnessed but too often at Indian funerals. - -"That, of course, will rest with yourself. But even should I hereafter -deserve and win such love as would prompt the wish, I trust you will -never dream of cutting short your life because--in the ordinary course -of nature--mine should end long before the term of yours." - -Her face again brightened, and she looked up more shyly but not less -earnestly. - -"I did not make my meaning clear," she replied. "I spoke not, as my -father sometimes speaks, of leaving this world, when he means to -remind us that death is only a departure to another; though that was, -not so long ago, the only meaning the words could bear. I was thinking -of your journey, and I want you to take me with you when you go." - -"You have quite settled in your own mind that I shall go! And in truth -you have now removed, as you yesterday created, the only obstacle. If -you would not go with me, I might, rather than give you up, have given -up the whole purpose of my enterprise, and have left my friends, and -the world from which I came, ignorant whether it had ever been -accomplished. But if you accompany me, I shall certainly try to regain -my own planet." - -"Then," she said hopefully, but half confidently, "when you go, if I -have not given you cause of lasting displeasure, you _will_ take me -with you? Most men do not think much of promises, especially of -promises made to women; but I have heard you speak as if to break a -plighted word were a thing impossible." - -"I promise," I returned earnestly, very much moved by a proof of real -affection such as I had no right to expect, and certainly had not -anticipated. "I give you the word of one who has never lied, that if, -when the time comes, you wish to go with me, you shall. But by that -time, you will probably have a better idea what are the dangers you -are asking to share." - -"What can that matter?" she answered. "I suppose in almost any case we -should escape or die together? To leave me here is to inflict -certainly, and at once, the worst that can possibly befall me; to take -me gives me the hope of living or dying with you; and even if I were -killed, I should be with you, and feel that you were kind to me, to -the last." - -"I little thought," said I, hesitating long for some expression of -tenderness, which the language of Mars refuses to furnish,--"I little -thought to find in a world of which selfishness seems to be the -paramount principle, and the absence of real love even between man and -woman the most prevalent characteristic, a wife so true to the best -and deepest meaning of wedlock. Still less could I have hoped to find -such a wife in one who had scarcely spoken to me twenty-four hours -before our marriage. If my unexampled adventure had had no other -reward--if I had cared nothing for the triumph of discovering a new -world with all its wonders--Eveena, this discovery alone is reward in -full for all my studies, toils, and perils. For all I have done and -risked already, for all the risks of the future, I am tenfold repaid -in winning you." - -She looked up at these words with an expression in which there was -more of bewilderment and incredulity than of satisfaction, evidently -touched by the earnestness of my tone, but scarcely understanding my -words better than if I had spoken in my own tongue. It would not be -worth while to record the next hour's conversation; I would only note -the strong and painful impression it left upon my mind. There was in -Eveena's language and demeanour a timidity--a sort of tentative -fearful venturing as on dangerous ground, feeling her way, as it were, -in almost every sentence--which could not be wholly attributed to the -shyness of a very young and very suddenly wedded bride. There was -enough and to spare of this shyness; but more of the sheer physical or -nervous fear of a child suddenly left in hands whose reputed severity -has thoroughly frightened her; not daring to give offence by silence, -but afraid at each word to give yet more fatal offence in speaking. -Longer experience of a world in which even the first passion of love -is devoid of tenderness--in which asserted equality has long since -deprived women of that claim to indulgence which can only rest on -acknowledged weakness--taught me but too well the meaning of this -fearful, trembling anxiety to please, or rather not to offend. I -suppose that even a brutal master hardly likes to see a child cower in -his presence as if constantly expecting a blow; and this cowering was -so evident in my bride's demeanour, that, after trying for a couple of -hours to coax her into confidence and unreserved feminine fluency, I -began to feel almost impatient. It was fortunate that, just as my tone -involuntarily betrayed to her quick and watchful ear some shade of -annoyance, just as I caught a furtive upward glance that seemed to ask -what error she had committed and how it might be repaired, a -scratching on the door startled her. She did not, however, venture to -disengage herself from the hand which now held her own, but only moved -half-imperceptibly aside with a slight questioning look and gesture, -as if tacitly asking to be released. As I still held her fast, she was -silent, till the unnoticed scratching had been two or three times -repeated, and then half-whispered, "Shall I tell them to come in?" -When I released her, there appeared to my surprise at her call, no -human intruder, but one of the ambau, bearing on a tray a goblet, -which, as he placed it on a table beside us, I perceived to contain a -liquid rather different from any yet offered me. The presence of these -mute servants is generally no more heeded than that of our cats and -dogs; but I now learnt that Martial ideas of delicacy forbid them, -even as human servants would be forbidden, to intrude unannounced on -conjugal privacy. When the little creature had departed, I tasted the -liquid, but its flavour was so unpleasant that I set down the vessel -immediately. Eveena, however, took it up, and drinking a part of it, -with an effort to control the grimace of dislike it provoked, held it -up to me again, so evidently expecting and inviting me to share it -that courtesy permitted no further demur. A second sign or look, when -I set it down unemptied, induced me to finish the draught. Regarding -the matter as some trivial but indispensable ceremonial, I took no -further notice of it; but, thankful for the diversion it had given to -my thoughts, continued my endeavours to soothe and encourage my fair -companion. After a few minutes it seemed as if she were somewhat -suddenly gaining courage and confidence. At the same time I myself -became aware of a mental effect which I promptly ascribed to the -draught. Nor was I wrong. It contained one of those drugs which I have -mentioned; so rarely used in this house that I had never before seen -or tasted any of them, but given, as matter of course, on any occasion -that is supposed to involve unusual agitation or make an exceptional -call on nerves or spirits. But for the influence of this cup I should -still have withheld the remark which, nevertheless, I had resolved to -make as soon as I could hope to do so without annoying or alarming -Eveena. - -"Are you afraid of me?" I asked somewhat abruptly. The question may -have startled her, but I was more startled by the answer. - -"Of course," she said in a tone which would have been absolutely -matter of fact, except that the doubt evidently surprised her. "Ought -I not to be so? But what made you ask? And what had I done to -displease you, just before they sent us the 'courage cup'?" - -"I did not mean to show anything like displeasure," I replied. "But I -was thinking then, and I may tell you now, that you remind me not of -the women of my own Earth, but of petted children suddenly transferred -to a harsh school. You speak and look like such a child, as if you -expected each moment at least to be severely scolded, if not beaten, -without knowing your fault." - -"Not yet," she murmured, with a smile which seemed to me more painful -than tears would have been. "But please don't speak as if I should -fear anything so much as being scolded by you. We have a saying that -'the hand may bruise the skin, the tongue can break the heart.'" - -"True enough," I said; "only on Earth it is mostly woman's tongue that -breaks the heart, and men must not in return bruise the skin." - -"Why not?" she asked. "You said to my mother the other day that Argâ -(the fretful child of Esmo's adoption) deserved to be beaten." - -"Women are supposed," I answered, "to be amenable to milder -influences; and a man must be drunk or utterly brutal before he could -deal harshly with a creature so gentle and so fragile as yourself." - -"Don't spoil me," she said, with a pretty half-mournful, half-playful -glance. "'A petted bride makes an unhappy wife.' Surely it is no true -kindness to tempt us to count on an indulgence that cannot last." - -"There is among us," I rejoined, "a saying about 'breaking a butterfly -on the wheel'--as if one spoke of driving away the tiny birds that -nestle and feed in your flowers with a hammer. To apply your proverbs -to yourself would be to realise this proverb of ours. Can you not let -me pet and spoil my little flower-bird at least till I have tamed her, -and trust me to chastise her as soon as she shall give reason--if I -can find a tendril or flower-stem light enough for the purpose?" - -"Will you promise to use a hammer when you wish to be rid of her?" -said she, glancing up for one moment through her drooping lashes with -a look exactly attuned to the mingled archness and pathos of her tone. - - - -CHAPTER XI - A COUNTRY DRIVE. - -Like all Martialists, I had been accustomed since my landing to wake -with the first light of dawn; but the draught, though its earlier -effects were anything but narcotic or stupifying, deepened and -prolonged my sleep. It was not till the rays of sunlight came clear -and full through the crystal roof of the peristyle, and the window of -our bridal chamber, that my eyes unclosed. The first object on which -they opened startled me into full waking recollection. Exactly where -the sunbeams fell, just within reach of my hand, Eveena stood; the -loveliest creature I ever beheld, a miniature type of faultless -feminine grace and beauty. By the standard of Terrestrial humanity she -was tiny rather than small: so light, so perfect in proportion, form, -and features, so absolutely beautiful, so exquisitely delicate, as to -suggest the ideal Fairy Queen realised in flesh and blood, rather than -any properly human loveliness. In the transparent delicacy of a -complexion resembling that of an infant child of the fairest and most -tenderly nurtured among the finest races of Europe, in the ideally -perfect outline of face and features--the noble but even forehead--the -smooth, straight, clearly pencilled eyebrows--the large almond-shaped -eyes and drooping lids, with their long, dark, soft fringe--the little -mouth and small, white, even regular teeth--the rosy lips, slightly -compressed, save when parted in speech, smile, or eager attention--she -exhibited in their most perfect but by no means fullest development -the characteristics of Martial physiognomy; or rather the -characteristic beauty of a family in which the finest traits of that -physiognomy are unmixed with any of its meaner or harsher -peculiarities. The hands, long, slight, and soft, the unsandalled -feet, not less perfectly shaped, could only have belonged to the child -of ancestors who for more than a hundred generations have never known -hard manual toil, rough exposure, or deforming, cramping costume; even -as every detail of her beauty bore witness to an immemorial -inheritance of health unbroken by physical infirmity, undisturbed by -violent passions, and developed by an admirable system of physical and -mental discipline and culture. The absence of veil and sleeves left -visible the soft rounded arms and shoulders, in whose complexion a -tinge of pale rose seemed to shine through a skin itself of -translucent white; the small head, and the perfection of the slender -neck, with the smooth unbroken curve from the ear to the arm. Her long -hair, fastened only by a silver band woven in and out behind the small -rounded ears, fell almost to her knee; and, as it caught the bright -rays of the morning sun, I discerned for the first time the full -beauty of that tinge of gold which varied the colour of the rich, -soft, brown tresses. As her sex are seldom exposed to the cold of the -night or the mists, their underclothing is slight and close fitting. -Eveena's thin robe, of the simplest possible form--two wide straight -pieces of a material lustrous as satin but rivalling the finest -cambric in texture (lined with the same fabric reversed), sewn -together from the hem of the skirt to the arm, and fastened again by -the shoulder clasps--fell perfectly loose save where compressed by the -zone or by the movements of the wearer; and where so compressed, -defined the outlines of the form as distinctly as the lightest wet -drapery of the studio. Her dress, in short, achieved in its pure -simplicity all at which the artistic skill of matrons, milliners, and -maidens aims in a Parisian ball costume, without a shadow of that -suggestive immodesty from which ball costumes are seldom wholly free. -Exactly reversing Terrestrial practice, a Martial wife reserves for -strictest domestic privacy that undressed full-dress, that frank -revelation of her beauty, which the matrons of London, Paris, or New -York think exclusively appropriate to the most public occasions. Till -now, while still enjoying the liberty allowed to maidens in this -respect, Eveena, by the arrangement of her veil, had always given to -her costume a reserve wholly unexceptionable, even according to the -rules enforced by the customs of Western Europe on young girls not yet -presented in the marriage market of society. A new expression, or one, -at least, which I had never before seen there, gave to her face a -strange and novel beauty; the beauty, I wish to think, of shy, but -true happiness; felt, it may be, for the first time, and softened, I -fear, by a doubt of its possible endurance which rendered it as -touching as attractive. Never was the sleep even of the poet of the -_Midsummer Night's Dream_ visited by a lovelier vision--especially -lovely as the soft rose blush suffused her cheeks under my gaze of -admiration and delight. Springing up, I caught her with both hands and -drew her on my knee. Some minutes passed before either of us cared to -speak. Probably as she rested her head on my arm and looked into my -eyes, each read the other's character more truly and clearly than -words the most frank and open could ever enable us to do. I had taught -her last night a few substitutes in the softest tongue I knew for -those words of natural tenderness in which her language is signally -deficient: taught her to understand them, certainly not to use them, -for it was long before I could even induce her to address me by name. - -"My father bade me yesterday," she said at last, "ask you in future to -wear the dress of our people. Not that you will be the less an object -of attention and wonder, but that in retaining a distinction which -depends entirely on your own choice, you will seem intentionally to -prefer your own habits to ours." - -"I comply of course," I observed. "Naturally the dress of every -country is best suited to its own conditions. Yet I should have -thought that a preference for my own world, even were it wholly -irrational, might seem at least natural and pardonable." - -"People don't," she answered simply, "like any sign of individual -fancy or opinion. They don't like any one to show that he thinks them -wrong even on a matter of taste." - -"I fear, then, _carissima_, that I must be content with unpopularity. -I may wear the costume of your people; but their thought, their -conduct, their inner and outer life, as your father reports them, and -as thus far I have seen them, are to me so unnatural, that the more I -resemble them externally the more my unlikeness in all else is likely -to attract notice. I am sorry for this, because women are by nature -prone to judge even their nearest and dearest by the standard of -fashion, and to exact from men almost as close a conformity to that -standard as they themselves display. I fear you will have to forgive -many heresies in my conduct as well as in my thoughts." - -"You cannot suppose," she answered earnestly--she seemed incapable of -apprehending irony or jest,--"that I should wish you more like others -than you are. Whatever may happen hereafter, I shall always feel -myself the happiest of women in having belonged to one who cares for -something beside himself, and holds even life cheaper than love." -"I hope so, _carissima_. But in that matter there was scarcely more of -love than of choice. What I did for you I must have done no less for -Zevle [her sister]. If I had feared death as much as the Regent does, -I could not have returned alive and alone. My venture into infinite -space involved possibilities of horror more appalling than the mere -terrors of death. You asked of me as my one bridal gift leave to share -its perils. How unworthy of you should I be, if I did not hold the -possession of Eveena, even for the two years of her promise, well -worth dying for!" - -The moral gulf between the two worlds is wider than the material. -Utterly unselfish and trustful, Eveena was almost pained to be -reminded that the service she so extravagantly overprized was rendered -to her sex rather than herself; while yet more deeply gratified, -though still half incredulous, by the commonplace that preferred love -to life. I had yet to learn, however, that Eveena's nature was as -utterly strange in her own world as the ideas in which she was -educated would seem in mine. - -I left her for a few minutes to dress for the first time in the -costume which Esmo's care had provided. The single under-vestment of -softest hide, closely fitting from neck to knees, is of all garments -the best adapted to preserve natural warmth under the rapid and -extreme changes of the external atmosphere. The outer garb consisted -of blouse and trousers, woven of a fabric in which a fine warp of -metallic lustre was crossed by a strong silken weft, giving the effect -of a diapered scarlet and silver; both fastened by the belt, a broad -green strap of some species of leather, clasped with gold. Masculine -dress is seldom brilliant, as is that of the women, but convenient and -comfortable beyond any other, and generally handsome and elegant. The -one part of the costume which I could never approve is the sandal, -which leaves the feet exposed to dust and cold. Rejoining my bride, I -said-- - -"I have had no opportunity of seeing much of this country, and I fancy -from what I have seen of feminine seclusion that an excursion would be -as much a holiday treat to you as to myself. If your father will lend -us his carriage, would you like to accompany me to one or two places -Kevimâ has described not far from this, and which I am anxious to -visit?" - -She bent her head, but did not answer; and fancying that the proposal -was not agreeable to her, I added-- - -"If you prefer to spend our little remaining time here with your -mother and sister, I will ask your brother to accompany me, though I -am selfishly unwilling to part with you to-day." - -She looked up for a moment with an air of pain and perplexity, and as -she turned away I saw the tears gather in her eyes. - -"What _is_ the matter?" I asked, surprised and puzzled as one on Earth -who tries to please a woman by offering her her own way, and finds -that, so offered, it is the last thing she cares to have. It did not -occur to me that, even in trifles, a Martial wife never dreams that -her taste or wish can signify, or be consulted where her lord has a -preference of his own. To invite instead of commanding her -companionship was unusual; to withdraw the expression of my own wish, -and bid her decide for herself, was in Eveena's eyes to mark formally -and deliberately that I did not care for her society. - -"What have I done," she faltered, "to be so punished? I have not, save -the day before yesterday, left the house this year; and you offer me -the greatest of pleasures only to snatch it away the next moment." - -"Nay, Eveena!" I answered. "If I had not told you, you must know that -I cannot but wish for your company; but by your silence I fancied you -disliked my proposal, yet did not like to decline it." - -The expression of surprise and perplexity in her face, though half -pathetic, seemed so comical that I with difficulty suppressed a laugh, -because for her it was evidently no laughing matter. After giving her -time, as I thought, to recover herself, I said-- - -"Well, I suppose we may now join them at the morning -meal?" - -Something was still wrong, the clue to which I gathered by observing -her shy glance at her head-dress and veil. - -"Must you wear those?" I asked--a question which gave her some such -imperfect clue to my thoughts as I had found to hers. - -"How foolish of me," she said, smiling, "to forget how little you can -know of our customs! Of course I must wear my veil and sleeves; but -to-day you must put on the veil, as you removed it last night." - -The awkwardness with which I performed this duty had its effect in -amusing and cheering her; and the look of happiness and trust had come -back to her countenance before the veil concealed it. - -I made my request to Esmo, who answered, with some amusement-- - -"Every house like ours has from six to a dozen larger or lighter -carriages. Of course they cost nothing save the original purchase. -They last for half a lifetime, and are not costly at the outset. But I -have news for you which, I venture to think, will be as little -agreeable to you as to ourselves. Your journey must begin tomorrow, -and this, therefore, is the only opportunity you will have for such an -excursion as you propose." - -"Then," I said, "will Eveena still wish to share it?" - -Even her mother's face seemed to ask what in the world that could -matter; but a movement of the daughter's veiled head reminded me that -I was blundering; and pressing her little hand as she lay beside me, I -took her compliance for granted. - -The morning mist had given place to hot bright sunshine when we -started. At first our road lay between enclosures like that which -surrounded Esmo's dwelling. - -Presently the lines were broken here and there by such fields as I had -seen in descending from Asnyca; some filled with crops of human food, -some with artificial pastures, in which Unicorns or other creatures -were feeding. I saw also more than one field wherein the _carvee_ were -weeding or gathering fruit, piling their burdens in either case as -soon as their beaks were full into bags or baskets. Pointing out to -Eveena the striking difference of colour between the cultivated fields -and gardens and the woods or natural meadows on the mountain sides, I -learned from her that this distinction is everywhere perceptible in -Mars. Natural objects, plants or animals, rocks and soil, are for the -most part of dimmer, fainter, or darker tints than on Earth; probably -owing to the much less intense light of the Sun; partly, perhaps, to -that absorption of the blue rays by the atmosphere, which diminishes, -I suppose, even that light which actually reaches the planet. But -uncultivated ground, except on the mountains above the ordinary range -of crops or pastures, scarcely exists in the belt of Equatorial -continents; the turf itself, like the herbage or fruit shrubs in the -fields, is artificial, consisting of plants developed through long -ages into forms utterly unlike the native original by the skill and -ingenuity of man. Even the great fruit trees have undergone material -change, not only in the size, flavour, and appearance of the fruits -themselves, which have been the immediate object of care, but, -probably through some natural correlation between, the different -organs, in the form and colour of the foliage, the arrangement of the -branches, and the growth of the trunk, all of which are much more -regular, and, so to speak, more perfect, than is the case either here -or on Earth with those left to the control of Nature and locality, or -the effects of the natural competition, which is in its way perhaps as -keen among plants and animals as among men. Martialists have the same -delight in bright colours as Orientals, with far greater taste in -selection and combination; and the favourite hues not only of their -flowers, tame birds, fishes, and quadrupeds, but of plants in whose -cultivation utility has been the primary object, contrast signally, as -I have said, with the dull tints of the undomesticated flora and -fauna, of which comparatively scanty remnants were visible here and -there in this rich country. - -Presently we came within sight of the river, over which was a single -bridge, formed by what might be called a tube of metal built into -strong walls on either bank. In fact, however, the sides were of open -work, and only the roof and floor were solid. The river at this, its -narrowest point, was perhaps a furlong in breadth, and it was not -without instinctive uneasiness that I trusted to the security of a -single piece of metal spanning, without even the strength afforded by -the form of the arch, so great a space. - -The first object we were to visit lay at some distance down the -stream. As we approached the point, we passed a place where the river -widened considerably. The main channel in the centre was kept clear -and deep to afford an uninterrupted course for navigation; but on -either side were rocks that broke the river into pools and shallows, -such as here, no less than on Earth, form the favourite haunts or -spawning places of the fish. In some of the lesser pools birds larger -than the stork, bearing under the throat an expansible bag like that -of the pelican, were seeking for prey. They were watched and directed -by a master on the shore, and carried to a square tank, fixed on a -wheeled frame not unlike that of the ordinary carriage, which -accompanied him, each fish they took. I observed that the latter were -carefully seized, with the least possible violence or injury, placed -by a jerk head-downmost in the throat-bag, which, though when empty it -was scarcely perceptible, would contain prey of very considerable size -and weight, and as carefully disgorged into the tank. In one of the -most extensive pools, too deep for these birds, a couple of men had -spread a sort of net, not unlike those used on Earth, but formed of -twisted metal threads with very narrow meshes, enclosing the whole -pool, a space of perhaps some 400 square yards. In the centre of this -an electric lamp was let down into the water, some feet below the -surface. The fish crowded towards it, and a sudden shock of -electricity transmitted through the meshes of the net, as well as from -the wires of the lamp circuit, stunned for a few minutes all life -within the enclosure. The fish then floated on the surface, the net -was drawn together, and they were collected and sorted; some which, as -I afterwards learned, were required for breeding, being carefully and -separately preserved in a smaller tank, those fit for food cast into -the larger one, those too small for the one purpose and not needed for -the other being thrown back into the water. I noted, however, that -many fish apparently valuable were among those thus rejected. I spoke -to one of the fishermen, who, regarding me with great surprise and -curiosity, at last answered briefly that a stringent law forbids the -catching of spawning fish except for breeding purposes. Those, -therefore, for which the season was close-time were invariably spared. - -In sea-fishing a much larger net, sometimes enclosing more than 10,000 -square yards, is employed. This fishing is conducted chiefly at night, -the electric lamp being then much more effective in attracting the -prey, and lowered only a few inches below the surface. Many large -destructive creatures, unfit for food, generally of a nature -intermediate between fish and reptiles, haunt the seas. It is held -unwise to exterminate them, since they do their part in keeping down -an immense variety of smaller creatures, noxious for one reason or -another, and also in clearing the water from carrion and masses of -seaweed which might otherwise taint the air of the sea-coasts, -especially near the mouths of large tropical rivers. But these -sea-monsters devour enormous quantities of fish, and the hunters -appointed to deal with them are instructed to limit their numbers to -the minimum required. Their average increase is to be destroyed each -year. If at any time it appear that, for whatever cause, the total -number left alive is falling off, the chief of this service suspends -it partially or wholly at his discretion. - -We now came to the entrance of a vast enclosure bordering on the -river, the greatest fish-breeding establishment on this continent, or -indeed in this world. One of its managers courteously showed me over -it. It is not necessary minutely to describe its arrangements, from -the spawning ponds and the hatching tanks--the latter contained in a -huge building, whose temperature is preserved with the utmost care at -the rate found best suited to the ova--to the multitude of streams, -ponds, and lakes in which the different kinds of fish are kept during -the several stages of their existence. The task of the breeders is -much facilitated by the fact that the seas of Mars are not, like ours, -salt; and though sea and river fish are almost as distinct as on -Earth, each kind having its own habitat, whose conditions are -carefully reproduced in the breeding or feeding reservoirs, the same -kind of water suits all alike. It is necessary, however, to keep the -fishes of tropical seas and streams in water of a very different -temperature from that suited to others brought from arctic or -sub-arctic climates; and this, like every other point affecting the -natural peculiarities and habits of the fish, is attended to with -minute and accurate care. The skill and science brought to bear on the -task of breeding accomplish this and much more difficult operations -with marvellous ease and certainty. - -On one of the buildings I observed one of the most remarkable, -largest, and most complete timepieces I had yet seen; and I had on -this occasion an opportunity of examining it closely. The dial was -oblong, enclosed in a case of clear transparent crystal, somewhat -resembling in form the open portion of a mercurial barometer. At the -top were three circles of different colours, divided by twelve -equidistant lines radiating from the centres and subdivided again and -again by the same number. Exactly at the uppermost point of each was a -golden indicator. One of these circles marked the temperature, -graduated from the lowest to the highest degree ever known in that -latitude. Another indicated the direction of the wind, while the depth -of colour in the circle itself, graduated in a manner carefully -explained to me, but my notes of which are lost, showed the exact -force of the atmospheric current. The third served the purpose of a -barometer. A coloured band immediately below indicated by the -variations of tint the character of the coming weather. This band -stretched right across the face; below it were figures indicating the -day of the year. The central portion of the face was occupied by a -larger circle, half-green and half-black; the former portion -representing the colour of the daylight sky, the latter emblematic of -night. On this circle the Sun and the planets were represented by -figures whose movement showed exactly the actual place of each in the -celestial sphere. The two Moons were also figured, their phases and -position at each moment being accurately presented to the eye. Around -this circle was a narrow band divided into strips of different length -of various colours, each representing one of the peculiar divisions of -the Martial day; that point which came under the golden indicator -showing the _zyda_ and the exact moment of the _zyda_, while the -movement of the inner circle fixed with equal accuracy the period of -day or night. Below were other circles from which the observer could -learn the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, the intensity of the -sunlight, and the electric tension at the moment. Each of the six -smaller circles registered on a moving ribbon the indications of every -successive moment, these ribbons when unrolled forming a perfect -record of temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, and so forth, in -the form of a curve--a register kept for more than 8000 Martial years. - -Four times during the revolution of the great circle each large clock -emits for a couple of minutes a species of chime, the nature of which -my ignorance of music renders me unable to describe:--viz., when the -line dividing the green and black semicircles is horizontal at noon -and midnight, and an hour before, at average sunrise and sunset, it -becomes perpendicular. The individual character of the several chimes, -tunes, or peals, whatever they should be called, is so distinct that -even I appreciated it. Further, as the first point of the coloured -strip distinguishing each several _zyda_ reaches the golden indicator, -a single slightly prolonged sound--I fancy what is known on Earth as a -single chord--is emitted. Of these again each is peculiar, so that no -one with an ear for music can doubt what is the period of the day -announced. The sound is never, even in the immediate vicinity of the -clock, unpleasantly loud; while it penetrates to an amazing distance. -It would be perfectly easy, if needful, to regulate all clocks by -mechanical control through the electric network extended all over the -face of the planet; but the perfect accuracy of each individual -timepiece renders any such check needless. In those latitudes where -day and night during the greater part of the year are not even -approximately equal, the black and green semicircles are so enlarged -or diminished by mechanical means, that the hour of the day or night -is represented as accurately as on the Equator itself. - -The examination of this establishment occupied us for two or three -hours, and when we remounted our carriage it seemed to me only -reasonable that Eveena should be weary both in mind and body. I -proposed, therefore, to return at once, but against this she earnestly -protested. - -"Well," I said, "we will finish our excursion, then. Only remember -that whenever you do feel tired you must tell me at once. I do not -know what exertion you can bear, and of course it would be most -inconsiderate to measure your endurance by my own." - -She promised, and we drove on for another hour in the direction of a -range of hills to the north-eastward. The lower and nearer portion of -this range might he 400 feet above the general level of the plain; -beyond, the highest peaks rose to perhaps 1500 feet, the average -summit being about half that height. Where our road brought us to the -foot of the first slope, large groves of the _calmyra_, whose fruit -contains a sort of floury pulp like roasted potato, were planted on -ground belonging to the State, and tenanted by young men belonging to -that minority which, as Esmo had told me not being fortunate enough to -find private employment, is thus provided for. Encountering one of -these, he pointed out to us the narrow road which, winding up the -slope, afforded means of bringing down in waggons during the two -harvest seasons, each of which lasts for about fifty days, the fruit -of these groves, which furnishes a principal article of food. The -trees do not reach to a higher level than about 400 feet; and above -this we had to ascend on foot by a path winding through meadows, which -I at first supposed to be natural. Eveena, however, quickly undeceived -me, pointing out the prevalence of certain plants peculiar to the -cultivated pastures we had seen in the plain. These were so -predominant as to leave no reasonable doubt that they had been -originally sown by the hand of man, though the irregularity of their -arrangement, and the encroachment of one species upon the ground of -another, enabled my companion to prove to me with equal clearness that -since its first planting the pasture had been entirely neglected. It -was, she thought, worth planting once for all with the most nutritious -herbage, but not worth the labour of subsequent close cultivation. Any -lady belonging to a civilised people, and accustomed to a country -life, upon Earth might easily have perceived all that Eveena -discovered; but considering how seldom the latter had left her home, -how few opportunities she had to see anything of practical -agriculture, the quickness of her perception and the correctness of -her inferences not a little surprised me. The path we pursued led -directly to the object of our visit. The waters of the higher hills -were collected in a vast tank excavated in an extensive plateau at the -mid-level. At the summit of the first ascent we met and were escorted -by one of the officials entrusted with the charge of these works, -which supply water of extraordinary purity to a population of perhaps -a quarter of a million, inhabiting a district of some 10,000 square -miles in extent. The tank was about sixty feet in depth, and perhaps a -mile in length, with half that breadth. Its sides and bottom-were -lined with the usual concrete. Our guide informed me that in many -cases tanks were covered with the crystal employed for doors and -windows; but in the-pure air of these hills such a precaution was -thought unnecessary, as it would have been exceedingly costly. The -water itself was of wonderful purity, so clear that the smallest -object at the bottom was visible where the Sun, still high in the -heavens, shone directly upon the surface. But this purity would by no -means satisfy the standard of Martial sanitary science. In the first -place, it is passed into a second division of the tank, where it is -subjected to some violent electric action till every kind of organic -germ it may contain is supposed to be completely destroyed. It is then -passed through several covered channels and mechanically or chemically -cleansed from every kind of inorganic impurity, and finally oxygenated -or aerated with air which has undergone a yet more elaborate -purification. At every stage in this process, a phial of water is -taken out and examined in a dark chamber by means of a beam of light -emanating from a powerful electric lamp and concentrated by a huge -crystal lens. If this beam detect any perceptible dust or matter -capable of scattering the light, the water is pronounced impure and -passed through further processes. Only when the contents of the bottle -remain absolutely dark, in the midst of an atmosphere whose floating -dust renders the beam visible on either side, so that the phial, while -perfectly transparent to the light, nevertheless interrupts the beam -with a block of absolute darkness, is it considered fit for human -consumption. It is then distributed through pipes of concrete, into -which no air can possibly enter, to cisterns equally, air-tight in -every house. The water in these is periodically examined by officers -from the waterworks, who ascertain that it has contracted no impurity -either in the course of its passage through hundreds of miles of -piping or in the cisterns themselves. The Martialists consider that to -this careful purification of their water they owe in great measure -their exemption from the epidemic diseases which were formerly not -infrequent. They maintain that all such diseases are caused by organic -self-multiplying germs, and laugh to scorn the doctrine of spontaneous -generation, either of disease, or of even such low organic life as can -propagate it. I suggested that the atmosphere itself must, if their -theory were true, convey the microscopic seeds of disease even more -freely and universally than the water. - -"Doubtless," replied our guide, "it would scatter them more widely; -but it does not enable them to penetrate and germinate in the body -half so easily as when conveyed by water. You must be aware that the -lining of the upper air-passages arrests most of the impurities -contained in the inhaled air before it comes into contact with the -blood in the lungs themselves. Moreover, the extirpation of one -disease after another, the careful isolation of all infectious cases, -and the destruction of every article that could preserve or convey the -poisonous germs, has in the course of ages enabled us utterly to -destroy them." - -This did not seem to me consistent with the confession that disorders -of one kind or another still not infrequently decimate their -highly-bred domestic animals, however the human race itself may have -been secured against contagion. I did not, however, feel competent to -argue the question with one who had evidently studied physiology much -more deeply than myself; and had mastered the records of an experience -infinitely longer, guided by knowledge far more accurate, than is -possessed by the most accomplished of Terrestrial physiologists. - -The examination of these works of course occupied us for a long time, -and obliged us to traverse several miles of ground. More than once I -had suggested to Eveena that we should leave our work unfinished, and -on every opportunity had insisted that she should rest. I had been too -keenly interested in the latter part of the explanation given me, to -detect the fatigue she anxiously sought to conceal; but when we left -the works, I was more annoyed than surprised to find that the walk -down-hill to our carriage was too much for her. The vexation I felt -with myself gave, after the manner of men, some sharpness to the tone -of my remonstrance with her. - -"I bade you, and you promised, to tell me as soon as you felt tired; -and you have let me almost tire you to death! Your obedience, however -strict in theory, reminds me in practice of that promised by women on -Earth in their marriage-vow--and never paid or remembered afterwards." - -She did not answer; and finding that her strength was utterly -exhausted, I carried her down the remainder of the hill and placed her -in the carriage. During our return neither of us spoke. Ascribing her -silence to habit or fatigue, perhaps to displeasure, and busied in -recalling what I had seen and heard, I did not care to "make -conversation," as I certainly should have done had I guessed what -impression my taciturnity made on my companion's mind. I was heartily -glad for her sake when we regained the gate of her father's garden. -Committing the carriage to the charge of an ambâ, I half led, half -carried Eveena along the avenue, overhung with the grand conical -bells--gold, crimson, scarlet, green, white, or striped or variegated -with some or all these colours--of the glorious _leveloo_, the Martial -convolvulus. Its light clinging stems and foliage hid the _astyra's_ -arched branches overhead, and formed a screen on either side. From its -bells flew at our approach a whole flock of the tiny and beautiful -caree, which take the chief part in rendering to the flora of Mars -such services as the flowers of Earth receive from bees and -butterflies. They feed on the nectar, farina, syrup, and other -secretions, sweet or bitter, in which the artificial flowers of Mars -are peculiarly abundant, and make their nests in the calyx or among -the petals. These lovely little birds--about the size of a hornet, but -perfect birds in miniature, with wings as large as those of the -largest Levantine _papilio_, and feathery down equally fine and -soft--are perhaps the most shy and timid of all creatures familiar -with the presence of Martial humanity. The varied colours of their -plumage, combined and intermingled in marvellously minute patterns, -are all of those subdued or dead tints agreeable to the taste of -Japanese artists, and perhaps to no other. They signally contrast the -vivid and splendid colouring of objects created or developed by human -genius and patience, from the exquisite decorations and jewel-like -masses of domestic and public architecture to the magnificent flowers -and fruit produced, by the labour of countless generations, from -originals so dissimilar that only the records of past ages can trace -or the searching comparisons of science recognise them. I am told that -the present race of flower-birds themselves are a sort of indirect -creation of art. They certainly vary in size, shape, and colour -according to the flower each exclusively frequents; and those which -haunt the cultivated bells of the _leveloo_ present an amazing -contrast to the far tinier and far less beautiful _caree_ which have -not yet abandoned the wildflowers for those of the garden. Above two -hundred varieties distinguished by ornithologists frequent only the -domesticated flowers. - -The flight of this swarm of various beauty recalled the conversation -of last night; and breaking off unobserved a long fine tendril of the -leveloo, I said lightly-- - -"Flower-birds are not so well-trained as _esvee_, bambina." - -Never forgetting a word of mine, and never failing to catch with quick -intelligence the sense of the most epigrammatic or delicate metaphor, -Eveena started and looked up, as if stung by a serious reproach. -Fancying that overpowering fatigue had so shaken her nerves, I would -not allow her to speak. But I did not understand how much she had been -distressed, till in her own chamber, cloak and veil thrown aside, she -stood beside my seat, her sleeveless arms folded behind her, drooping -like a lily beaten down by a thunderstorm. Then she murmured sadly-- - -"I did not think of offending. But you are quite right; disobedience -should never pass." - -"Certainly not," I replied, with a smile she did not see. Taking both -the little hands in my left, I laid the tendril on her soft white -shoulders, but so gently that in her real distress she did not feel -the touch. "You see I can keep my word; but never let me tire you -again. My flower-bird cannot take wing if she anger me in earnest." - -"Are you not angered now?" she asked, glancing up in utter surprise. - -My eyes, or the sight of the leveloo, answered her; and a sweet bright -smile broke through her look of frightened, penitent submission, as -she snatched the tendril and snapped it in my hand. - -"Cruel!" she said, with a pretty assumption of ill-usage, "to visit a -first fault with the whip." - -"You are hard to please, bambina! I knew no better. Seriously, until I -can measure your strength more truly, never again let me feel that in -inviting your company I have turned my pleasure into your pain." - -"No, indeed," she urged, once more in earnest. "Girls so seldom pass -the gate, and men never walk where a carriage will go, or I should not -have been so stupid. But if I had blistered my feet, and the leveloo -had been a nut-vine, the fruit was worth the scratches." - -"What do you know, my child, either of blisters or stripes?" - -"You will teach me----No, you know I don't mean that! But you will -take me with you sometimes till I learn better! If you are going to -leave me at home in future "---- - -"My child, can you not trust me to take you for my own pleasure?" - -The silvery tone of her low sweet laugh was truly perfectly musical. - -"Forgive me," she said, nestling in the cushions at my knee, and -seeking with upturned eyes, like a child better assured of pardon than -of full reconciliation, to read my face, "it is very naughty to laugh, -and very ungrateful, when you speak to please me; but is it real -kindness to say what I should be very silly to believe?" - -"You will believe whatever I tell you, child. If you wish to anger a -man, even with you, tell him that he is lying." - -"I do nothing but misbehave," she said, in earnest despondency. -"I----" But I sealed her lips effectually for the moment. - -"Why did you not speak as we came home?" - -"You were tired, and I was thinking over all I had seen. Besides, who -talks air?" [makes conversation]. - -"You always talk when you are pleased. The lip-sting (scolding) and -silence frightened me so, you nearly heard me crying." - -"Crying for fear? You did well to break the leveloo!... And so you -think I must be tired of my bride, before the colours have gone round -on the dial?" - -"Not tired of her. You will like a little longer to find her in the -cushions when you are vexed or idle; but you don't want her where her -ignorance wearies and her weakness hampers you." - -"Are you an _esve_, to be caged at home, and played with for lack of -better employment? We shall never understand each other, child." - -"What more can I be? But don't say we shall never understand each -other," she pleaded earnestly. "It took time and trouble to make my -pet understand and obey each word and sign. Zevle gave hers more slaps -and fewer sweets, and it learned sooner. But, like me, you want your -esve to be happy, not only to fly straight and play prettily. She will -try hard to learn if you will teach her, and not be so afraid of -hurting her, as if she expected sweets from both hands. It is easy for -you to see through her empty head: do not give her up till she has had -time to look a little way into your eyes." - -"Eveena," I answered, almost as much pained as touched by the -unaffected humility which had so accepted and carried out my ironical -comparison, "one simple magnet-key would unlock the breast whose -secrets seem so puzzling; but it has hardly a name in your tongue, and -cannot yet be in your hands." - -"Ah, yes!" she said softly, "you gave it me; do you think I have lost -it in two nights? But the esve cannot be loved as she loves her -master. I could half understand the prodigal heart that would buy a -girl's life with yours, and all that is bound up in yours. No other -_man_ would have done it--in our world," she added, answering my -gesture of dissent; "but they say that the terrible _kargynda_ will -stand by his dying mate till he is shot down. You bought my heart, my -love, all I am, when you bought my life, and never asked the cost." -She continued almost in a whisper, her rose-suffused cheeks and moist -eyes hidden from my sight as the lips murmured their loving words into -my ear,--"Though the nestling never looked from under the wing, do you -think she knows not what to expect when she is bought from the nest? -She dares not struggle in the hand that snatches her; much more did -she deserve to be rated and rapped for fluttering in that which saved -her life. Bought twice over, caged by right as by might--was her -thought midnight to your eyes, when she wondered at the look that -watched her so quietly, the hand that would not try to touch lest it -should scare her, the patience that soothed and coaxed her to perch on -the outstretched finger, like a flower-bird tamed at last? Do you -think that name, given her by lips which softened even their words of -fondness for her ear, did not go to her heart straight as the esve -flies home, or that it could ever be forgotten? There is a chant young -girls are fond of, which tells more than I can say." - -Her tones fell so low that I should have lost them, had her lips not -actually touched my ear while she chanted the strange words in the -sweetest notes of her sweet voice:-- - - "Never yet hath single sun - Seen a flower-bird tamed and won; - Sun and stars shall quit the sky - Ere a bird so tamed shall fly. - - "Never human lips have kissed - Flower-bird tamed 'twixt mist and mist; - Bird so tamed from tamer's heart - Night of death shall hardly part." - - - -CHAPTER XII - ON THE RIVER. - -The next morning saw our journey commenced. Eveena's wardrobe, with my -own and my books, portfolios, models, and specimens of Terrestrial art -and mechanism, were packed in light metallic cases adapted to the -larger form of carriage whereof I have made mention. I was fortunate -in escaping the actual parting scene between Eveena and her family, -and my own leave-taking was hurried. Esmo and his son accompanied us, -leading the way in one carriage, while Eveena and myself occupied that -which we had used on our memorable trip to the Astronaut. Half an hour -brought us to the road beside the river, and a few minutes more to the -point at which a boat awaited us. The road being some eight or ten -feet above the level of the water, a light ladder not three feet long -was ready to assist our descent to the deck. The difference of size -between the Martial race and my own was forcibly impressed upon me, in -seeing that Esmo and his son found this assistance needful, or at -least convenient, while I simply stepped rather than jumped to the -deck, and lifted Eveena straight from her carriage to her seat under -the canopy that covered the stern of the vessel. Intended only for -river navigation, propelled by a small screw like two fishtails set at -right angles, working horizontally; the vessel had but two cabins, one -on either side of the central part occupied by the machinery. The -stern apartment was appropriated to myself and my bride, the -forecastle, if I may so call it, to our companions, the boatmen having -berths in the corners of the machine-room. The vessel was -flat-bottomed, drawing about eighteen inches of water and rising about -five feet from the surface, leaving an interior height which obliged -me to be cautious in order not to strike my head against every -projection or support of the cabin roof. We spent the whole of the -day, however, on deck, and purposely slackened the speed of the boat, -which usually travels some thirty miles an hour, in order to enjoy the -effect and observe the details of the landscape. For the first few -miles our voyage lay through the open plain. Then we passed, on the -left as we ascended the stream, the mountain on whose summit I tried -with my binocular to discern the Astronaut, but unsuccessfully, the -trees on the lower slopes intercepting the view. Eveena, seeing my -eyes fixed on that point, extended her hand and gently drew the glass -out of mine. - -"Not yet," she said; which elicited from me the excuse-- - -"That mountain has for me remembrances more interesting than those of -my voyage, or even than the hopes of return." - -Presently, as we followed the course of the stream, we lost sight -altogether of the rapidly dwindling patches of colour representing the -enclosures of Ecasfe. On our left, at a distance varying from three to -five miles, but constantly increasing as the stream bent to the -northward, was the mountain range I had scanned in my descent. On our -right the plain dipped below the horizon while still but a few feet -above the level of the river; but in the distant sky we discerned some -objects like white clouds, which from their immobility and fixedness -of outline I soon discovered to be snow-crowned hills, lower, however, -than those to the northward, and perhaps some forty miles distant. The -valley is one of the richest and most fertile portions of this -continent, and was consequently thoroughly cultivated and more densely -peopled than most parts even of the Equatorial zone. An immediate -river frontage being as convenient as agreeable, the enclosures on -either bank were continuous, and narrow in proportion to their depth; -the largest occupying no more than from one hundred and fifty to two -hundred yards of the bank, the smaller from half to one quarter of -that length. Most had a tunnel pierced under the road bordering the -river, through which the water was admitted to their grounds and -carried in a minute stream around and even through the house; for -ornament rather than for use, since every house in a district so -populous has a regular artificial water supply, and irrigation, as I -have explained, is not required. The river itself was embellished with -masses of water-flowers; and water-birds, the smallest scarcely larger -than a wagtail, the largest somewhat exceeding the size of a swan, of -a different form and dark grey plumage, but hardly less graceful, -seemed to be aware of the stringent protection they enjoyed from the -law. They came up to our boat and fed out of Eveena's hand with -perfect fearlessness. I could not induce any of them to be equally -familiar with myself, my size probably surprising them as much as -their masters, and leading them to the same doubt whether I were -really and wholly human. The lower slopes of the hills were covered -with orchards of every kind, each species occupying the level best -suited to it, from the reed-supported orange-like _alva_ of the -lowlands to the tall _astyra_, above which stretched the timber -forests extending as high as trees could grow, while between these and -the permanent snow-line lay the yellowish herbage of extensive -pastures. A similar mountain range on earth would have presented a -greater variety of colouring and scenery, the total absence of -glaciers, even in the highest valleys, creating a notable difference. -The truth is that the snows of Mars are nowhere deep, and melt in the -summer to such an extent that that constant increase whose downward -tendency feeds Terrestrial glaciers cannot take place. Probably the -thin atmosphere above the snow-line can hold but little watery vapour. -Esmo was of opinion that the snow on the highest steeps, even on a -level plateau, was never more than two feet in depth; and in more than -one case a wind-swept peak or pinnacle was kept almost clear, and -presented in its grey, green, or vermilion rocks a striking contrast -to the masses of creamy white around it. This may explain the very -rapid diminution of the polar ice-caps in the summer of either, but -especially of the Southern hemisphere; and also the occasional -appearance of large dark spots in their midst, where the shallow snow -has probably been swept away by the rare storms of this planet from an -extensive land surface. It is supposed that no inconsiderable part of -the ice and snow immediately surrounding the poles covers land; but, -though balloon parties have of late occasionally reached the poles, -they have never ventured to remain there long enough to disembark and -ascertain the fact. - -Towards evening the stream turned more decidedly to the north, and at -this point Esmo brought out an instrument constructed somewhat on the -principle of a sextant or quadrant, but without the mirror, by which -we were enabled to take reliable measures of the angles. By a process -which at that time I did not accurately follow, and which I had not -subsequently the means of verifying, the distance as well as the angle -subtended by the height was obtained. Kevimâ, after working out his -father's figures, informed me that the highest peak in view--the -highest in Mars--was not less than 44,000 feet. No Martial balloonist, -much less any Martial mountain-climber, has ever, save once, reached a -greater height than 16,000 feet--the air at the sea-level being -scarcely more dense than ours at 10,000 feet. Kevimâ indicated one -spot in the southern range of remarkable interest, associated with an -incident which forms an epoch in the records of Martial geography. A -sloping plateau, some 19,000 feet above the sea-level, is defined with -remarkable clearness in the direction from which we viewed it. The -forests appeared to hide, though they do not of course actually -approach, its lower edge. On one side and to the rear it is shut in by -precipices so abrupt that the snow fails to cling to them, while on -the remaining side it is separated by a deep, wide cleft from the -western portion of the range. Here for centuries were visible the -relics of an exploring party, which reached this plateau and never -returned. Attempts have, since the steering of balloons has become an -accomplished fact, been made to reach the point, but without success, -and those who have approached nearest have failed to find any of the -long-visible remains of an expedition which perished four or five -thousand years ago. Kevimâ thought it probable that the metallic poles -even then employed for tents and for climbing purposes might still be -intact; but if so, they were certainly buried in the snow, and Esmo -believed it more likely that even these had perished. - -As the mists of evening fell we retreated to our cabin, which was -warmed by a current of heated air from the electric machinery. Here -our evening meal was served, at which Esmo and his son joined us, -Eveena resuming, even in their presence, the veil she had worn on deck -but had laid aside the moment we were alone. An hour or two after -sunset, the night (an unusual occurrence in Mars) was clear and fine, -and I took this opportunity of observing from a new standpoint the -familiar constellations. The scintillation so characteristic of the -fixed stars, especially in the temperate climates of the Earth, was -scarcely perceptible. Scattered once more over the surface of a -defined sky, it was much easier than in space to recognise the several -constellations; but their new and strange situations were not a little -surprising at first sight, some of those which, as seen on Earth -revolved slowly in the neighbourhood of the poles, being now not far -from the tropics, and some, which had their place within the tropics, -now lying far to north or south. Around the northern pole the Swan -swings by its tail, as in our skies the Lesser Bear; Arided being a -Pole-Star which needs no Pointers to indicate its position. Vega is -the only other brilliant star in the immediate neighbourhood; and, -save for the presence of the Milky Way directly crossing it, the -arctic circle is distinctly less bright than our own. The south pole -lies in one of the dullest regions of the heavens, near the chief star -of the Peacock. Arcturus, the Great Bear, the Twins, the Lion, the -Scorpion, and Fomalhaut are among the ornaments of the Equatorial -zone: the Cross, the Centaur, and the Ship of our antarctic -constellations, are visible far into the northern hemisphere. On the -present occasion the two Moons were both visible in the west, the -horns of both crescents pointing in the same direction, though the one -was in her last, the other in her first phase. - -As we were watching them, Eveena, wrapped in a cloak of fur not a -little resembling that of the silver fox, but far softer, stole her -hand into mine and whispered a request that I would lend her the -instrument I was using. With some instruction and help she contrived -to adjust it, her sight requiring a decided alteration of the focus -and an approach of the two eye-pieces; the eyes of her race being set -somewhat nearer than in an average Aryan countenance. She expressed no -little surprise at the clearness of definition, and the marked -enlargement of the discs of the two satellites, and would have used -the instrument to scan the stars and visible planets had I not -insisted on her retirement; the light atmosphere, as is always the -case on clear nights, when no cloud-veil prevents rapid radiation from -the surface, being bitterly cold, and her life not having accustomed -her to the night air even in the most genial season. - -As we could, of course, see nothing of the country through which we -passed during the night, and as Esmo informed me that little or -nothing of special interest would occur during this part of our -voyage, our vessel went at full speed, her pilot being thoroughly -acquainted with the river, and an electric light in the bow enabling -him to steer with perfect confidence and safety. When, therefore, we -came on deck after the dissipation of the morning mist, we found -ourselves in a scene very different from that which we had left. Our -course was north by west. On either bank lay a country cultivated -indeed, but chiefly pastoral, producing a rich herbage, grazed by -innumerable herds, among which I observed with interest several flocks -of large birds, kept, as Esmo informed me, partly for their plumage. -This presented remarkable combinations of colour, far surpassing in -brilliancy and in variety of pattern the tail of the peacock, and -often rivalling in length and delicacy, while exceeding in beauty of -colouring, the splendid feathers which must have embarrassed the Bird -of Paradise, even before they rendered him an object of pursuit by -those who have learnt the vices and are eager to purchase the wares of -civilised man. Immediately across our course, at a distance of some -thirty miles, stretched a range of mountains. I inquired of Esmo how -the river turned in order to avoid them, since no opening was visible -even through my glass. - -"The proper course of the river," he said, "lies at the foot of those -hills. But this would take us out of our road, and, moreover, the -stream is not navigable for many stoloi above the turning-point. We -shall hold on nearly in the same direction as the present till we land -at their foot." - -"And how," I said, "are we to cross them?" - -"At your choice, either by carriage or by balloon," he said. "There is -at our landing-place a town in which we shall easily procure either." - -"But," said I, "though our luggage is far less heavy than would be -that of a bride on Earth, and Eveena's forms the smallest portion of -it, I should fancy that it must be inconveniently heavy for a -balloon." - -"Certainly," he replied; "but we could send it by carriage even over -the mountain roads. The boat, however, will go on, and will meet us -some thirty miles beyond the point where we leave it." - -"And how is the boat to pass over the hills?" - -"Not over, but under," he said, smiling. "There is no natural passage -entirely through the range, but there is within it a valley the bottom -of which is not much higher than this plain. Of the thirty miles to be -traversed, about one-half lies in the course of this valley, along -which an artificial canal has been made. Through the hills at either -end a tunnel has been cut, the one of six, the other of about nine -miles in length, affording a perfectly safe and easy course for the -boat; and it is through these that nearly all the heavy traffic -passing in this direction is conveyed." - -"I should like," I said, "if it be possible, to pass through one at -least of these tunnels, unless there be on the mountains themselves -something especially worth seeing." - -"Nothing," he replied. "They are low, none much exceeding the height -of that from which you descended." - -Eveena now joined us on deck, and we amused ourselves for the next two -hours in observing the different animals, of which such numbers were -to be seen at every turn, domesticated and trained for one or other of -the many methods in which the brutes can serve the convenience, the -sustenance, or the luxury of man. Animal food is eaten on Mars; but -the flesh of birds and fish is much more largely employed than that of -quadrupeds, and eggs and milk enter into the cuisine far more -extensively than either. In fact, flesh and fish are used much as they -seem to have been in the earlier period of Greek civilisation, as -relish and supplement to fruits, vegetables, and farinaceous dishes, -rather than as the principal element of food. As their training and -their extreme tameness indicate, domestic creatures, even those -destined only to serve as food or to furnish clothing, are treated not -indeed with tenderness, but with gentleness, and without either the -neglect or the cruelty which so revolt humane men in witnessing the -treatment of Terrestrial animals by those who have personal charge of -them. To describe any considerable number of the hundred forms I saw -during this short period would be impossible. I have drawings, or -rather pictures, of most, taken by the light-painting process, which I -hope herewith to remit to Earth, and which at least serve to give a -general idea of the points in which the Martial chiefly differs from -the Terrestrial fauna. Those animals whose coats furnish a textile -fibre more resemble reindeer and goats than sheep; their wool is -softer, longer, and less curly, free also from the greasiness of the -sheep. - -It seemed to me that an extreme quaintness characterised the domestic -creatures kept for special purposes. This was not the effect of mere -novelty, for animals like the _ambâ_ and birds like the _esve_, -trained to the performance of services congenial to their natural -habits, however dissimilar to Terrestrial species, had not the same -air of singularity, or rather of monstrosity. But in the creatures -bred to furnish wool, feathers, or the like, some single feature was -always exaggerated into disproportionate dimensions. Thus the -_elnerve_ is loaded with long plumes, sometimes twice the length of -the body, and curled upward at the extremity, so that it can neither -fly nor run; and though its plumage is exquisitely beautiful, the -creature itself is simply ludicrous. It bears the same popular repute -for sagacity as the goose of European farmyards. The _angasto_ has -hair or wool so long that its limbs are almost hidden, just before -shearing-time, in the tresses that hang from the body half way to the -ground. The _calperze_, a bird no larger than a Norfolk turkey, has -the hinder part developed to an enormous size, so that the graceful -peacock-like neck and shoulders appear as if lost in the huge -proportions of the body, and the little wings are totally unfit to -raise it in the air; while it lays almost daily eggs as large as those -of the ostrich and of peculiar richness and flavour. Nearly all the -domestic birds kept for the sake of eggs or feathers have wings that -look as if they had been clipped, and are incapable of flight. -Creatures valued for their flesh, such as the _quorno_ (somewhat like -the eland, but with the single horn so common among its congeners in -Mars, and with a soft white hide), and the _viste_, a bird about the -size of the peacock, with the form of the partridge and the flavour of -grouse or black game, preserve more natural proportions. The -wing-quills of the latter, however, having been systematically plucked -for hundreds of generations, are now dwarfed and useless. These -animals are not encouraged to make fat on the one hand, or to develop -powerful muscles and sinews on the other. They are fed for part of the -year on the higher and thinner pastures of the mountains. When brought -down to the meadows of the plain, they are allowed to graze only for a -few hours before sunset and after sunrise. They thus preserve much of -the flavour of game or mountain sheep and cattle, which the oxen and -poultry of Europe have lost; flavour, not quantity, being the chief -object of care with Martial graziers. Sometimes, however, some -peculiarity perfectly useless, or even inconvenient, appears to be -naturally associated with that which is artificially developed. Thus -the beak of the _elnerve_ is weak and often splits, so as to render -its rearing troublesome and entail considerable losses; while the -horns of the wool-bearing animals are long and strong enough to be -formidable, but so rough and coarsely grained that they are turned to -no account for use or ornament. - -We were rapidly approaching the foot of the hills, where the river -made another and abrupt turn. At this point the produce of the whole -upper valley is generally embarked, and supplies from all other -quarters are here received and distributed. In consequence, a town -large and important for this planet, where no one who can help it -prefers the crowded street to the freedom and expanse of the country, -had grown up, with about a hundred and fifty houses, and perhaps a -thousand inhabitants. It was so much matter of course that voyagers -should disembark to cross the hills or to pursue their journey along -the upper part of the river by road, that half-a-dozen different -partnerships made it their business to assist in the transfer of -passengers and light wares. Ahead of us was a somewhat steep -hill-slope, in the lower part of which a wall absolutely perpendicular -had been cut by those who pierced the tunnel, the mouth of which was -now clearly visible immediately before us. It was about twelve feet in -height, and perhaps twenty feet in width. The stream, which, like -nearly all Martial rivers, is wide and shallow, had during the last -fifty miles of our course grown narrower, with a depth at the same -time constantly lessening, so that some care was required on the part -of the pilot to avoid running aground. A stream of twenty inches in -depth, affording room for two boats to pass abreast, is considered -navigable for vessels only carrying passengers; thirty inches are -required to afford a course which for heavy freight is preferable to -the road. Eveena had taken it for granted that we should disembark -here, and it was not till we had come within a hundred yards of the -landing-place--where the bank was perpendicular and levelled to a -height above the water, which enabled passengers to step directly from -the deck of the boat--without slackening our speed, that the -possibility of our intending to accompany the boat on its subterrene -course occurred to her. As she did not speak, but merely drew closer -to me, and held fast my hand, I had no idea of her real distress till -we were actually at the mouth of the black and very frightful-looking -passage, and the pilot had lighted the electric lamp. As the boat shot -under the arch she could not repress a cry of terror. Naturally -putting my arm round her at this sign of alarm, I felt that she was -trembling violently, and a single look, despite her veil, convinced me -that she was crying, though in silence and doing her utmost to conceal -her tears. - -"Are you so frightened, child?" I asked. "I have been through many -subterranean passages, though none so long and dark as this. But you -see our lamp lights up not only the boat but the whole vault around -and before us, and there can be no danger whatever." - -"I am frightened, though," she said, "I cannot help it. I never saw -anything of the kind before; and the darkness behind and before us, -and the black water on either side, do make me shiver." - -"Stop!" I called to the boatman. - -"Now, Eveena," I said, "I do not care to persist in this journey if it -really distresses you. I wished to see so wonderful a work of -engineering; but, after all, I have been in a much uglier and more -wonderful place, and I can see nothing here stranger than when I was -rowed for three-quarters of a mile on the river in the Mammoth Cave. -In any case I shall see little but a continuation of what I see -already; so if you cannot bear it, we will go back." - -By this time Esmo, who had been in the bows, had joined us, wishing to -know why I had stopped the boat. - -"This child," I said, "is not used to travelling, and the tunnel -frightens her; so that I think, after all, we had better take the -usual course across the mountains." - -"Nonsense!" he answered. "There is no danger here; less probably than -in an ordinary drive, certainly less than in a balloon. Don't spoil -her, my friend. If you begin by yielding to so silly a caprice as -this, you will end by breaking her heart before the two years are -out." - -"Do go on," whispered Eveena. "I was very silly; I am not so -frightened now, and if you will hold me fast, I will not misbehave -again." - -Esmo had taken the matter out of my hands, desiring the boatman to -proceed; and though I sympathised with my bride's feminine terror much -more than her father appeared to do, I was selfishly anxious, in spite -of my declaration that there could be no novelty in this tunnel, to -see one thing certainly original--the means by which so narrow and so -long a passage could be efficiently ventilated. The least I could do, -however, was to appease Eveena's fear before turning my attention to -the objects of my own curiosity. The presence of physical strength, -which seemed to her superhuman, produced upon her nerves the quieting -effect which, however irrationally, great bodily force always -exercises over women; partly, perhaps, from the awe it seems to -inspire, partly from a yet more unreasonable but instinctive reliance -on its protection even in dangers against which it is obviously -unavailing. - -Presently a current of air, distinctly warmer than that of the tunnel, -which had been gradually increasing in force for some minutes, became -so powerful that I could no longer suppose it accidental. Kevimâ being -near us, I asked him what it meant. - -"Ventilation," he answered. "The air in these tunnels would be foul -and stagnant, perhaps unbreathable, if we did not drive a constant -current of air through them. You did not notice, a few yards from the -entrance, a wheel which drives a large fan. One of these is placed at -every half mile, and drives on the air from one end of the tunnel to -the other. They are reversed twice in a zyda, so that they may create -no constant counter-current outside." - -"But is not the power exerted to drive so great a body of air -exceedingly costly?" - -"No," he answered. "As you are aware, electricity is almost our only -motive power, and we calculate that the labour of two men, even -without the help of machines, could in their working zydau [eight -hours] collect and reduce a sufficient amount of the elements by which -the current is created to do the work of four hundred men during a -whole day and night." - -"And how long," I inquired, "has electricity had so complete a -monopoly of mechanical work?" - -"It was first brought into general use," he replied, "about eight -thousand years ago. Before that, heated air supplied our principal -locomotive force, as well as the power of stationary machines wherever -no waterfall of sufficient energy was at hand. For several centuries -the old powers were still employed under conditions favourable to -their use. But we have found electricity so much cheaper than the -cheapest of other artificial forces, so much more powerful than any -supplied by Nature, that we have long discontinued the employment of -any other. Even when we obtain electricity by means of heat, we find -that the gain in application more than compensates the loss in the -transmutation of one force into another." - -In the course of little more than half an hour we emerged from the -tunnel, whose gloom, when once the attraction of novelty was gone, was -certainly unpleasant to myself, if not by any means so frightful as -Eveena still found it. There was nothing specially attractive or -noticeable in the valley through which our course now ran, except the -extreme height of its mountain walls, which, though not by any means -perpendicular, rose to a height of some 3000 feet so suddenly that to -climb their sides would have been absolutely impossible. Only during -about two hours in the middle of the day is the sun seen from the -level of the stream; and it is dark in the bottom of this valley long -before the mist has fallen on the plain outside. We had presently, -however, to ascend a slope of some twenty-five feet in the mile, and I -was much interested in the peculiar method by which the ascent was -made. A mere ascent, not greater than that of some rapids up which -American boatmen have managed to carry their barques by manual force, -presented no great difficulty; but some skill is required at -particular points to avoid being overturned by the rush of the water, -and our vessel so careened as to afford much more excuse for Eveena's -outbreak of terror than the tunnel had done. Had I not held her fast -she must certainly have been thrown overboard, the pilot, used to the -danger, having forgotten to warn us. For the rest, in the absence of -rocks, the vessel ascended more easily than a powerful steamer, if she -could find sufficient depth, could make her way up the rapids of the -St. Lawrence or similar streams. We entered the second tunnel without -any sign of alarm from Eveena perceptible to others; only her clinging -to my hand expressed the fear of which she was ashamed but could not -rid herself. Emerging from its mouth, we found ourselves within sight -of the sea and of the town and harbour of Serocasfe, where we were -next day to embark. Landing from the boat, we were met by the friend -whose hospitality Esmo had requested. At his house, half a mile -outside the town, for the first time since our marriage I had to part -for a short period with Eveena, who was led away by the veiled -mistress of the house, while we remained in the entrance chamber or -hall. The evening meal was anticipated by two hours, in order that we -might attend the meeting at which my bride and I were to receive our -formal admission into the Zinta. - - - -CHAPTER XIII - THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT. - -"Probably," said Esmo, when, apparently at a sign from him, our host -left us for some minutes alone, "much through which you are about to -pass will seem to you childish or unmeaning. Ceremonial rendered -impressive to us by immemorial antiquity, and cherished the more -because so contrary to the absence of form and ceremony in the life -around us--symbolism which is really the more useful, the more -valuable, because it contains much deeper meaning than is ever -apparent at first sight--have proved their use by experience; and, as -they are generally witnessed for the first time in early youth, make a -sharper impression than they are likely to effect upon a mind like -yours. But they may seem strangely inconsistent with a belief which is -in itself so limited, and founded so absolutely upon logical proof or -practical evidence. The best testimony to the soundness of our policy -in this respect is the fact that our vows, and the rites by which they -are sanctioned, are never broken, that our symbols are regarded with -an awe which no threats, no penalties, can attach to the highest of -civil authorities or the most solemn legal sanctions. The language of -symbol, moreover, has for us two great advantages--one dependent upon -the depth of thought and knowledge with which the symbols themselves -were selected by our Founder, owing to which each generation finds in -them some new truth of which we never dreamed before; the other -arising from the fact that we are a small select body in the midst of -a hostile and jealous race, from whom it is most important to keep the -key of communications which, without the appearance, have all the -effect of ciphers." - -"I find," I replied, "in my own world that every religion and every -form of occult mysticism, nay, every science, in its own way and -within its own range, attaches great importance to symbols in -themselves apparently arbitrary. Experience shows that these, symbols -often contain a clue to more than they were originally meant to -convey, and can be employed in reasonings far beyond the grasp of -those who first invented or adopted them. That a body like the _Zinta_ -could be held together without ceremonial and without formalities, -which, if they had no other value, would have the attraction of -secresy and exclusiveness, seems obviously impossible." - -Here our host rejoined us. We passed into the gallery, where several -persons were awaiting us; the men for the most part wearing a small -vizor dependent from the turban, which concealed their faces; the -women all, without exception, closely veiled. As soon as Esmo -appeared, the party formed themselves into a sort of procession two -and two. Motioning me to take the last place, Esmo passed himself to -its head. If the figure beside me were not at once recognised, I could -not mistake the touch of the hand that stole into my own. The lights -in the gallery were extinguished, and then I perceived a lamp held at -the end of a wand of crystal, which gleamed above Esmo's head, and -sufficed to guide us, giving light enough to direct our footsteps and -little more. Perhaps this half-darkness, the twilight which gave a -certain air of mystery to the scene and of uncertainty to the forms of -objects encountered on our route, had its own purpose. We reached very -soon the end of the gallery, and then the procession turned and passed -suddenly into another chamber, apparently narrow, but so faintly -lighted by the lamp in our leader's hands that its dimensions were -matter of mere conjecture. That we were descending a somewhat steep -incline I was soon aware; and when we came again on to level ground I -felt sure that we were passing through a gallery cut in natural rock. -The light was far too dim to enable me to distinguish any openings in -the walls; but the procession constantly lengthened, though it was -impossible to see where and when new members joined. Suddenly the -light disappeared. I stood still for a moment in surprise, and when I -again went forward I became speedily conscious that all our companions -had vanished, and that we stood alone in utter darkness. Fearing to -lead Eveena further where my own steps were absolutely uncertain, I -paused for some time, and with little difficulty decided to remain -where I was, until something should afford an indication of the -purpose of those who had brought us so far, and who must know, if they -had not actual means of observing, that in darkness and solitude I -should not venture to proceed. - -Presently, as gradually as in Northern climates the night passes into -morning twilight, the darkness became less absolute. Whence the light -came it was impossible to perceive. Diffused all around and slowly -broadening, it just enabled me to discern a few paces before us the -verge of a gulf. This might have been too shallow for inconvenience, -it might have been deep enough for danger. I waited till my eyes -should be able to penetrate its interior; but before the light entered -it I perceived, apparently growing across it, really coming gradually -into view under the brightening gleam, a species of bridge which--when -the twilight ceased to increase, and remained as dim as that cast by -the crescent moon--assumed the outline of a slender trunk supported by -wings, dark for the most part but defined along the edge by a narrow -band of brightest green, visible in a gleam too faint to show any -object of a deeper shade. Somewhat impatient of the obvious symbolism, -I hurried Eveena forward. Immediately on the other side of the bridge -the path turned almost at right angles; and here a gleam of light -ahead afforded a distinct guidance to our steps. Approaching it, we -were challenged, and I gave the answer with which I had been -previously furnished; an answer which may not be, as it never has -been, written down. A door parted and admitted us into a small -vestibule, at the other end of which a full and bright light streamed -through a portal of translucent crystal. A sentinel, armed only with -the antiquated spear which may have been held by his first predecessor -in office ten thousand Martial years ago, now demanded our names. Mine -he simply repeated, but as I gave that of Eveena, daughter of Esmo, he -lowered his weapon in the salute still traditional among Martial -sentries; and bending his head, touched with his lips the long sleeve -of the cloak of _therne_-down in which she was on this occasion again -enveloped. This homage appeared to surprise her almost as much as -myself, but we had no leisure for observation or inquiry. From behind -the crystal door another challenge was uttered. To this it was the -sentry's part to reply, and as he answered the door parted; that at -the other end of the vestibule having, I observed, closed as we -entered, and so closed that its position was undiscoverable. Before us -opened a hall of considerable size, consisting of three distinct -vaults, defined by two rows of pillars, slender shafts resembling tall -branchless trees, the capital of each being formed by a branching head -like that of the palm. The trunks were covered with golden scales; the -fern-like foliage at the summit was of a bright sparkling emerald. It -was evident to my observation that the entire hall had been excavated -from solid rock, and the pillars left in their places. Each of the -side aisles, if I may so call them, was occupied by four rows of seats -similarly carved in the natural stone; but lined after Martial -fashion, with cushions embroidered in feathers and metals, and covered -by woven fabrics finer than any known to the looms of Lyons or -Cashmere. About two-thirds of the seats were occupied; those to the -right as we entered (that is, on the left of the dais at the end of -the hall) by men, those opposite by women. All, I observed, rose for a -moment as Eveena's name was announced, from the further end of the -hall, by the foremost of three or four persons vested in silver, with -belts of the crimson metal which plays the part of our best-tempered -steel, and bearing in their hands wands of a rose-coloured jewel -resembling a clouded onyx in all but the hue. Each of them wore over -his dress a band or sash of gold, fastened on the left shoulder and -descending to the belt on the right, much resembling the ribbons of -European knighthood. These supported on the left breast a silver star, -or heraldic mullet, of six points. Throughout the rest of the assembly -a similar but smaller star glimmered on every breast, supported, -however, by green or silver bands, the former worn by the body of the -assembly, the latter by a few persons gathered together for the most -part at the upper end of the chamber.... The chief who had first -addressed us bade us pass on, and we left the Hall of the Novitiate as -accepted members of the Order.... That into which we next entered was -so dark that its form and dimensions were scarcely defined to my eyes. -I supposed it, however, to be circular, surmounted by a dome -resembling in colour the olive green Martial sky and spangled by -stars, among which I discerned one or two familiar constellations, but -most distinctly, brightened far beyond its natural brilliancy, the -arch of the _Via Lactea_. Presently, not on any apparent sheet or -screen but as in the air before us, appeared a narrow band of light -crossing the entire visible space. It resembled a rope twisted of -three strands, two of a deep dull hue, the one apparently orange, the -other brown or crimson, contrasting the far more brilliant emerald -strand that formed the third portion of the threefold cord. I had -learnt by this time that metallic cords so twined serve in Mars most -of the uses for which chains are employed on Earth, and I assumed that -this symbol possessed the significance which poetry or ritual might -attach to the latter. - -This cord or band retained its position throughout, crossing the dark -background of the scenes now successively presented, each of which -melted into its successor--rapidly, but so gradually that there was -never a distinct point of division, a moment at which it was possible -to say that any new feature was first introduced. - -A bright mist of various colours intermixed in inextricable confusion, -an image of chaos but for the dim light reflected from all the -particles, filled a great part of the space before us, but the cord -was still discernible in the background. Presently, a bright -rose-coloured point of light, taking gradually the form of an Eye, -appeared above the cord and beyond the mist; and, emanating from it, a -ray of similar light entered the motionless vapour. Then a movement, -whose character it was not easy to discern, but which constantly -became more and more evidently rhythmical and regular, commenced in -the mist. Within a few moments the latter had dissolved, leaving in -its place the semblance of stars, star-clusters, and golden nebulae, -as dim and confused as that in the sword-belt of Orion, or as well -defined as any of those called by astronomers planetary. -"What seest thou?" said a voice whose very direction I could not -recognise. - -"Cosmos evolved out of confusion by Law; Law emanating from Supreme -Wisdom and irresistible Will." - -"And in the triple band?" - -"The continuity of Time and Space preserved by the continuity of Law, -and controlled by the Will that gave Law." - -While I spoke a single nebula grew larger, brighter, and filled the -entire space given throughout to the pictures presented to us; stars -and star-clusters gradually fading away into remoter distance. This -nebula, of spherical shape--formed of coarser particles than the -previous mist, and reflecting or radiating a more brilliant -effulgence--was in rapid whirling motion. It flattened into the form -of a disc, apparently almost circular, of considerable depth or -thickness, visibly denser in the centre and thinner towards the -rounded edge. Presently it condensed and contracted, leaving at each -of the several intervals a severed ring. Most of these rings broke up, -their fragments conglomerated and forming a sphere; one in particular -separating into a multitude of minuter spheres, others assuming a -highly elliptical form, condensing here and thinning out there; while -the central mass grew brighter and denser as it contracted; till there -lay before me a perfect miniature of the solar system, with planets, -satellites, asteroids, and meteoric rings. - -"What seest thou?" again I heard. - -"Intelligence directing Will, and Will by Law developing the microcosm -of which this world is one of the smallest parts." - -The orb which represented Mars stood still in the centre of the space, -and this orb soon occupied the whole area. It assumed at first the -form of a vast vaporous globe; then contracted to a comparatively -small sphere, glowing as if more than red-hot, and leaving as it -contracted two tiny balls revolving round their primary. The latter -gradually faded till it gave out no light but that which from some -unseen source was cast upon it, one-half consequently contrasting in -darkness the reflected brightness of the other. Ere long it presented -the appearance of sea and land, of cloud, of snow, and ice, and became -a perfect image of the Martial sphere. Then it gave place to a globe -of water alone, within which the processes of crystallisation, as -exhibited first in its simpler then in its more complicated forms, -were beautifully represented. Then there appeared, I knew not how, but -seemingly developed by the same agency and in the same manner as the -crystals, a small transparent sphere within the watery globe, -containing itself a spherical nucleus. From this were evolved -gradually two distinct forms, one resembling very much some of the -simplest of those transparent creatures which the microscope exhibits -to us in the water drop, active, fierce, destructive in their scale of -size and life as the most powerful animals of the sea and land. The -other was a tiny fragment of tissue, gradually shaping itself into the -simplest and smallest specimens of vegetable life. The watery globe -disappeared, and these two were left alone. From each gradually -emerged, growing in size, complexity, and distinctness, one form after -another of higher organisation. - -"What seest thou?" - -"Life called out of lifelessness by Law." - -Again, so gradually that no step of the process could be separately -distinguished, formed a panorama of vegetable and animal life; a -landscape in which appeared some dozen primal shapes of either -kingdom. Each of these gradually dissolved, passing by slow degrees -into several higher or more perfect shapes, till there stood before -our eyes a picture of life as it exists at present; and Man in its -midst, more obviously even than on Earth, dominating and subduing the -fellow-creatures of whom he is lord. From which of the innumerable -animal forms that had been presented to us in the course of these -transmutations this supreme form had arisen, I did not note or cannot -remember. But that no true ape appeared among them, I do distinctly -recollect, having been on the watch for the representation of such an -epoch in the pictured history. - -What was now especially noteworthy was that, solid as they appeared, -each form was in some way transparent. From the Emblem before -mentioned a rose-coloured light pervaded the scene; scarcely -discernible in the general atmosphere, faintly but distinctly -traceable in every herb, shrub, and tree, more distinguishable and -concentrated in each animal. But in plant or animal the condensed -light was never separated and individualised, never parted from, -though obviously gathered and agglomerated out of, the generally -diffused rosy sheen that tinged the entire landscape. It was as though -the rose-coloured light formed an atmosphere which entered and passed -freely through the tissues of each animal and plant, but brightened -and deepened in those portions which at any moment pervaded any -organised shape, while it flowed freely in and out of all. The -concentration was most marked, the connection with the diffused -atmosphere least perceptible, in those most intelligent creatures, -like the _ambâ_ and _carve_, which in the service of man appear to -have acquired a portion of human intelligence. But turning to the type -of Man himself, the light within his body had assumed the shape of the -frame it filled and appeared to animate. In him the rose-coloured -image which exactly corresponded to the body that encased it was -perfectly individualised, and had no other connection with the -remainder of the light than that it appeared to emanate and to be fed -from the original source. As I looked, the outward body dissolved, the -image of rosy light stood alone, as human and far more beautiful than -before, rose upward, and passed away. - -"What seest thou?" was uttered in an even more earnest and solemn tone -than heretofore. - -"Life," I said, "physical and spiritual; the one sustained by the -other, the spiritual emanating from the Source of Life, pervading all -living forms, affording to each the degree of individuality and of -intelligence needful to it, but in none forming an individual entity -apart from the race, save in Man himself; and in Man forming the -individual being, whereof the flesh is but the clothing and the -instrument." - -The whole scene suddenly vanished in total darkness; only again in one -direction a gleam of light appeared, and guided us to a portal through -which we entered another long and narrow passage, terminating in a -second vestibule before a door of emerald crystal, brilliantly -illuminated by a light within. Here, again, our steps were arrested. -The door was guarded by two sentries, in whom I recognised Initiates -of the Order, wearers of the silver sash and star. The password and -sign, whispered to me as we left the Hall of the Novitiate, having -been given, the door parted and exposed to our view the inmost -chamber, a scene calculated to strike the eye and impress the mind not -more by its splendour and magnificence than by the unexpected -character it displayed. It represented a garden, but the boundaries -were concealed by the branching trees, the arches of flowering -creepers, the thickets of flowers, shrubs, and tall reeds, which in -every direction imitated so perfectly the natural forms that the -closest scrutiny would have been required to detect their -artificiality. The general form, however, seemed to be that of a -square entered by a very short, narrow passage, and divided by broad -paths, forming a cross of equal arms. At the central point of this -cross was placed on a pedestal of emerald a statue in gold, which -recalled at once the features of the Founder. The space might have -accommodated two thousand persons, but on the seats--of a material -resembling ivory, each of them separately formed and gathered in -irregular clusters--there were not, I thought, more than four hundred -or five hundred men and women intermingled; the former dressed for the -most part in green, the latter in pink or white, and all wearing the -silver band and star. At the opposite end, closing the central aisle, -was a low narrow platform raised by two steps carved out of the -natural rock, but inlaid with jewellery imitating closely the -variegated turf of a real garden. On this were placed, slanting -backward towards the centre, two rows of six golden seats or thrones, -whose occupants wore the golden band over silver robes. That next the -interval, but to the left, was filled by Esmo, who to my surprise wore -a robe of white completely covering his figure, and contrasting -signally the golden sash to which his star was attached. On his left -arm, bare below the elbow, I noticed a flat thick band of plain gold, -with an emerald seal, bearing the same proportion to the bracelet as a -large signet to its finger ring. What struck me at once as most -remarkable was, that the seats on the dais and the forms of their -occupiers were signally relieved against a background of intense -darkness, whose nature, however, I could not discern. The roof was in -form a truncated pyramid; its material a rose-coloured crystal, -through which a clear soft light illuminated the whole scene. Across -the floor of the entrance, immediately within the portal, was a broad -band of the same crystal, marking the formal threshold of the Hall. -Immediately inside this stood the same Chief who had received us in -the former Hall; and as we stood at the door, stretching forth his -left hand, he spoke, or rather chanted, what, by the rhythmical -sequence of the words, by the frequent recurrence of alliteration and -irregular rhyme, was evidently a formula committed to the verse of the -Martial tongue: a formula, like all those of the Order, never written, -but handed down by memory, and therefore, perhaps, cast in a shape -which rendered accurate remembrance easier and more certain. - - "Ye who, lost in outer night, - Reach at last the Source of Light, - Ask ye in that light to dwell? - None we urge and none repel; - Opens at your touch the door, - Bright within the lamp of lore. - Yet beware! The threshold passed, - Fixed the bond, the ball is cast. - Failing heart or faltering feet - Find nor pardon nor retreat. - Loyal faith hath guerdon given - Boundless as the star-sown Heaven; - Horror fathomless and gloom - Rayless veil the recreant's doom. - Warned betimes, in time beware--Freely - turn, or frankly swear." - -"What am I to swear?" I asked. - -A voice on my left murmured in a low tone the formula, which I -repeated, Eveena accompanying my words in an almost inaudible -whisper-- - - "Whatsoe'er within the Shrine - Eyes may see or soul divine, - Swear we secret as the deep, - Silent as the Urn to keep. - By the Light we claim to share, - By the Fount of Light, we swear." - -As these words were uttered, I became aware that some change had taken -place at the further end of the Hall. Looking up, the dark background -had disappeared, and under a species of deep archway, behind the seats -of the Chiefs, was visible a wall diapered in ruby and gold, and -displaying in various interwoven patterns the several symbols of the -Zinta. Towards the roof, exactly in the centre, was a large silver -star, emitting a light resembling that which the full moon sheds on a -tropical scene, but far more brilliant. Around this was a broad golden -circle or band; and beneath, the silver image of a serpent--perfectly -reproducing a typical terrestrial snake, but coiled, as no snake ever -coils itself, in a double circle or figure of eight, with the tail -wound around the neck. On the left was a crimson shield or what seemed -to be such, small, round, and swelling in the centre into a sharp -point; on the right three crossed spears of silver with crimson blades -pointed upward. But the most remarkable object--immediately filling -the interval between the seats of the Chiefs, and carved from a huge -cubic block of emerald--was a Throne, ascended on each side by five or -six steps, the upper step or seat extending nearly across the whole -some two feet below the surface, the next forming a footstool thereto. -Above this was a canopy, seemingly self-supported, of circular form. A -chain formed by interlaced golden circles was upheld by four great -emerald wings. Within the chain, again, was the silver Serpent, coiled -as before and resting upon a surface of foliage and flowers. In the -centre of all was repeated the silver Star within the golden band; the -emblem from which the Order derives its name, and in which it embodies -its deepest symbolism. Following again the direction of my unseen -prompter, I repeated words which may be roughly translated as -follows:-- - - "By the outer Night of gloom, - By the ray that leads us home, - By the Light we claim to share, - By the Fount of Light, we swear. - Prompt obedience, heart and hand, - To the Signet's each command: - For the Symbols, reverence mute, - In the Sense faith absolute. - Link by link to weld the Chain, - Link with link to bear the strain; - Cherish all the Star who wear, - As the Starlight's self--we swear. - By the Life the Light to prove, - In the Circle's bound to move; - Underneath the all-seeing Eye - Act, nor speak, nor think the lie; - Live, as warned that Life shall last, - And the Future reap the Past: - Clasp in faith the Serpent's rings, - Trust through death the Emerald Wings, - Hand and voice we plight the Oath: - Fade the life ere fail the troth!" - -Rising from his seat and standing immediately before and to the left -of the Throne, Esmo replied. But before he had spoken half-a-dozen -words, a pressure on my arm drew my eyes from him to Eveena. She stood -fixed as if turned to stone, in an attitude which for one fleeting -instant recalled that of the sculptured figures undergoing sudden -petrifaction at the sight of the Gorgon's head. This remembered -resemblance, or an instinctive sympathy, at once conveyed to me the -consciousness that the absolute stillness of her attitude expressed a -horror or an awe too deep for trembling. Looking into her eyes, which -alone were visible, their gaze fixed intently on the Throne, at once -caught and controlled my own; and raising my eyes again to the same -point, I stood almost equally petrified by consternation and -amazement. I need not say how many marvels of no common character I -have seen on Earth; how many visions that, if I told them, none who -have not shared them would believe; wonders that the few who have seen -them can never forget, nor--despite all experience and all theoretical -explanation--recall without renewing the thrill of awe-stricken dismay -with which the sight was first beheld. But no marvel of the Mystic -Schools, no spectral scene, objective or subjective, ever evoked by -the rarest of occult powers, so startled, so impressed me as what I -now saw, or thought I saw. The Throne, on which but a few moments -before my eyes had been steadily fixed, and which had then assuredly -been vacant, was now occupied; and occupied by a Presence which, -though not seen in the flesh for ages, none who had ever looked on the -portrait that represented it could forget or mistake. The form, the -dress, the long white hair and beard, the grave, dignified -countenance, above all the deep, scrutinising, piercing eyes of the -Founder--as I had seen them on a single occasion in Esmo's house--were -now as clearly, as forcibly, presented to my sight as any figure in -the flesh I ever beheld. The eyes were turned on me with a calm, -searching, steady gaze, whose effect was such as Southey ascribes to -Indra's:-- - - "The look he gave was solemn, not severe; - No hope to Kailyal it conveyed, - And yet it struck no fear." - -For a moment they rested on Eveena's veiled and drooping figure with a -widely different expression. That look, as I thought, spoke a grave -but passionless regret or pity, as of one who sees a child -unconsciously on the verge of peril or sorrow that admits neither of -warning nor rescue. That look happily she did not read; but we both -saw the same object and in the same instant; we both stood amazed and -appalled long enough to render our hesitation not only apparent, but -striking to all around, many of whom, following the direction of my -gaze, turned their eyes upon the Throne. What they saw or did not see -I know not, and did not then care to think. The following formula, -pronounced by Esmo, had fallen not unheard, but almost unheeded on my -ears, though one passage harmonised strangely with the sight before -me:-- - - "Passing sign and fleeting breath - Bind the Soul for life and death! - Lifted hand and plighted word - Eyes have seen and ears have heard; - Eyes have seen--nor ours alone; - Fell the sound on ears unknown. - Age-long labour, strand by strand, - Forged the immemorial band; - Never thread hath known decay, - Never link hath dropped away." - -Here he paused and beckoned us to advance. The sign, twice repeated -before I could obey it, at last broke the spell that enthralled me. -Under the most astounding or awe-striking circumstances, instinct -moves our limbs almost in our own despite, and leads us to do with -paralysed will what has been intended or is expected of us. This -instinct, and no conscious resolve to overcome the influence that held -me spell-bound, enabled me to proceed; and I led Eveena forward by -actual if gentle force, till we reached the lower step of the -platform. Here, at a sign from her father, we knelt, while, laying his -hands on our heads, and stooping to kiss each upon the brow--Eveena -raising her veil for one moment and dropping it again--he continued-- - - "So we greet you evermore, - Brethren of the deathless Lore; - So your vows our own renew, - Sworn to all as each to you. - Yours at once the secrets won - Age by age, from sire to son; - Yours the fruit through countless years - Grown by thought and toil and tears. - He who guards you guards his own, - He who fails you fails the Throne." - -The last two lines were repeated, as by a simultaneous impulse, in a -low but audible tone by the whole assembly. In the meantime Esmo had -invested each of us with the symbol of our enrolment in the Zinta, the -silver sash and Star of the Initiates. The ceremonial seemed to me to -afford that sort of religious sanction and benediction which had been -so signally wanting to the original form of our union. As we rose I -turned my eyes for a moment upon the Throne, now vacant as at first. -Another Chief, followed by the voices of the assembly, repeated, in a -low deep tone, which fell on our ears as distinctly as the loudest -trumpet-note in the midst of absolute silence, the solemn -imprecation-- - - "Who denies a brother's need, - Who in will, or word, or deed, - Breaks the Circle's bounded line, - Rends the Veil that guards the Shrine, - Lifts the hand to lips that lie, - Fronts the Star with soothless eye:--. - Dreams of horror haunt his rest, - Storms of madness vex his breast, - Snares surround him, Death beset, - Man forsake--and God forget!" - -It was probably rather the tone of profound conviction and almost -tremulous awe with which these words were slowly enunciated by the -entire assemblage, than their actual sense, though the latter is -greatly weakened by my translation, that gave them an effect on my own -mind such as no oath and no rite, however solemn, no religious -ceremonial, no forms of the most secret mysteries, had ever produced. -I was not surprised that Eveena was far more deeply affected. Even the -earlier words of the imprecation had caused her to shudder; and ere it -closed she would have sunk to the ground, but for the support of my -arm. Disengaging the bracelet, Esmo held out to our lips the signet, -which, as I now perceived, reproduced in miniature the symbols that -formed the canopy above the throne. A few moments of deep and solemn -silence had elapsed, when one of the Chiefs, who, except Esmo, had now -resumed their seats, rose, and addressing himself to the latter, -said-- - -"The Initiate has shown in the Hall of the Vision a knowledge of the -sense embodied in our symbols, of the creed and thoughts drawn from -them, which he can hardly have learned in the few hours that have -elapsed since you first spoke to him of their existence. If there be -not in his world those who have wrought out for themselves similar -truths in not dissimilar forms, he must possess a rare and almost -instinctive power to appreciate the lessons we can teach. I will ask -your permission, therefore, to put to him but one question, and that -the deepest and most difficult of all." - -Esmo merely bent his head in reply. - -"Can you," said the speaker, turning to me with marked courtesy, "draw -meaning or lesson from the self-entwined coil of the Serpent?" - -I need not repeat an answer which, to those familiar with the oldest -language of Terrestrial symbolism, would have occurred as readily as -to myself; and which, if they could understand it, it would not be -well to explain to others. The three principal elements of thought -represented by the doubly-coiled serpent are the same in Mars as on -Earth, confirming in so far the doctrine of the Zinta, that their -symbolic language is not arbitrary, but natural, formed on principles -inherent in the correspondence between things spiritual and physical. -Some similar but trivial query, whose purport I have now forgotten, -was addressed by the junior of the Chiefs to Eveena; and I was struck -by the patient courtesy with which he waited till, after two or three -efforts, she sufficiently recovered her self-possession to understand -and her voice to answer. We then retired, taking our place on seats -remote from the platform, and at some distance from any of our -neighbours. - -On a formal invitation, one after another of the brethren rose and -read a brief account of some experiment or discovery in the science of -the Order. The principles taken for granted as fundamental and -notorious truths far transcend the extremest speculations of -Terrestrial mysticism. The powers claimed as of course so infinitely -exceed anything alleged by the most ardent believers in mesmerism, -clairvoyance, or spiritualism, that it would be useless to relate the -few among these experiments which I remember and might be permitted to -repeat. I observed that a phonographic apparatus of a peculiarly -elaborate character wrote down every word of these accounts without -obliging the speakers to approach it; and I was informed that this -automatic reporting is employed in every Martial assembly, scientific, -political, or judicial. - -I listened with extreme interest, and was more than satisfied that -Esmo had even underrated the powers claimed by and for the lowest and -least intelligent of his brethren, when he said that these, and these -alone, could give efficient protection or signal vengeance against all -the tremendous physical forces at command of those State authorities, -one of the greatest of whom I had made my personal enemy. One -battalion of Martial guards or police, accompanied by a single battery -of what I may call their artillery, might, even without the aid of a -balloon-squadron, in half-an-hour annihilate or scatter to the winds -the mightiest and bravest army that Europe could send forth. Yet the -Martial State had deliberately, and, I think, with only a due -prudence, shrunk during ages from an open conflict of power with the -few thousand members of this secret but inevitably suspected -organisation. - -Esmo called on me in my turn to give such account as I might choose of -my own world, and my journey thence. I frankly avowed my indisposition -to explain the generation and action of the apergic force. The power -which a concurrent knowledge of two separate kinds of science had -given to a very few Terrestrials, and which all the science of a far -more enlightened race had failed to attain, was in my conscientious -conviction a Providential trust; withheld from those in whose hands it -might be a fearful temptation and an instrument of unbounded evil. My -reserve was perfectly intelligible to the Children of the Star, and -evidently raised me in their estimation. I was much impressed by the -simple and unaffected reliance placed on my statements, as on those of -every other member of the Order. As a rule, Martialists are both, and -not without reason, to believe any unsupported statement that might be -prompted by interest or vanity. But the _Zveltau_ can trust one -another's word more fully than the followers of Mahomet that of his -strictest disciples, or the most honest nations of the West the most -solemn oaths of their citizens; while that bigotry of scientific -unbelief, that narrowness of thought which prevails among their -countrymen, has been dispelled by their wider studies and loftier -interests. They have a saying, whose purport might be rendered in the -proverbial language of the Aryans by saying that the liar "kills the -goose that lays the golden eggs." Again, "The liar is like an -opiatised tunneller" (miner), i.e., more likely to blow himself to -pieces than to effect his purpose. Again, "The liar drives the point -into a friend's heart, and puts the hilt into a foe's hand." The maxim -that "a lie is a shield in sore need, but the spear of a scoundrel," -affirms the right in extremity to preserve a secret from impertinent -inquisitiveness. Rarely, but on some peculiarly important occasions, -the Zveltau avouch their sincerity by an appeal to their own symbols; -and it is affirmed that an oath attested by the Circle and the Star -has never, in the lapse of ages, been broken or evaded. - -Before midnight Esmo dismissed the assembly by a formula which dimly -recalled to memory one heard in my boyhood. It is not in the power of -my translation to preserve the impressive solemnity of the immemorial -ritual of the Zinta, deepened alike by the earnestness of its -delivery, and the reverence of the hearers. There was something -majestic in the mere antiquity of a liturgy whereof no word has ever -been committed to writing. Five hundred generations have, it is -alleged, gathered four times in each year in the Hall of Initiation; -and every meeting has been concluded by the utterance from the same -spot and in the same words of the solemn but simple _Zulvakalfe_ [word -of peace]:-- - - "Peace be with you, near and far, - Children of the Silver Star; - Lore undoubting, conscience clean, - Hope assured, and life serene. - By the Light that knows no flaw, - By the Circle's perfect law, - By the Serpent's life renewed, - By the Wings' similitude-- - Peace be yours no force can break; - Peace not death hath power to shake; - Peace from passion, sin, and gloom, - Peace of spirit, heart, and home; - Peace from peril, fear, and pain; - Peace, until we meet again-- - Meet--before yon sculptured stone, - Or the All-Commander's Throne." - -Before we finally parted, Esmo gave me two or three articles to which -he attached especial value. The most important of these was a small -cube of translucent stone, in which a multitude of diversely coloured -fragments were combined; so set in a tiny swivel or swing of gold that -it might be conveniently attached to the watch-chain, the only -Terrestrial article that I still wore. "This," he said, "will test -nearly every poison known to our science; each poison discolouring for -a time one or another of the various substances of which it is -composed; and poison is perhaps the weapon least unlikely to be -employed against you when known to be connected with myself, and, I -will hope, to possess the favour of the Sovereign. If you are curious -to verify its powers, the contents of the tiny medicine-chest I have -given you will enable you to do so. There is scarcely one of those -medicines which is not a single or a combined poison of great power. I -need not warn you to be careful lest you give to any one the means of -reaching them. I have shown you the combination of magnets which will -open each of your cases; that demanded by the chest is the most -complicated of all, and one which can hardly be hit upon by accident. -Nor can any one force or pick open a case locked by our electric -apparatus, save by cutting to pieces the metal of the case itself, and -this only special tools will accomplish; and, unless peculiarly -skilful, the intruder would 'probably be maimed or paralysed, if not -killed by ... - - "Thoughts he sends to each planet, - Uranus, Venus, and Mars; - Soars to the Centre to span it, - Numbers the infinite Stars." - - _Courthope's Paradise of Birds_ - - - -CHAPTER XIV - BY SEA. - -An hour after sunrise next morning. Esmo, his son, and our host -accompanied us to the vessel in which we were to make the principal -part of our journey. We were received by an officer of the royal -Court, who was to accompany us during the rest of our journey, and -from whom, Esrno assured me, I might obtain the fullest information -regarding the various objects of interest, to visit which we had -adopted an unusual and circuitous course. We embarked on a gulf -running generally from east to west, about midway between the northern -tropic and the arctic circle. As this was the summer of the northern -hemisphere, we should thus enjoy a longer day, and should not suffer -from the change of climate. After taking leave of our friends, we went -down below to take possession of the fore part of the vessel, which -was assigned as our exclusive quarters. Immediately in front of the -machine-room, which occupied the centre of the vessel, were two -cabins, about sixteen feet square, reaching from side to side. Beyond -these, opening out of a passage running along one side, were two -smaller cabins about eight feet long. All these apartments were -furnished and ornamented with the luxury and elegance of chambers in -the best houses on shore. In the foremost of the larger cabins were a -couple of desks, and three or four writing or easy chairs. In the -outer cabin nearest to the engine-room, and entered immediately by the -ladder descending from the deck, was fixed a low central table. In all -we found abundance of those soft exquisitely covered and embroidered -cushions which in Mars, as in Oriental countries, are the most -essential and most luxurious furniture. The officer had quarters in -the stern of the vessel, which was an exact copy of the fore part. But -the first of these rooms was considered as public or neutral ground. -Leaving Eveena below, I went on deck to examine, before she started, -the construction of the vessel. Her entire length was about one -hundred and eighty feet, her depth, from the flat deck to the wide -keel, about one half of her breadth; the height of the cabins not much -more than eight feet; her draught, when most completely lightened, not -more than four feet. Her electric machinery drew in and drove out with -great force currents of water which propelled her with a speed greater -than that afforded by the most powerful paddles. It also pumped in or -out, at whatever depth, the quantity of water required as ballast, not -merely to steady the vessel, but to keep her in position on the -surface or to sink her to the level at which the pilot might choose to -sail. At either end was fixed a steering screw, much resembling the -tail-fin of a fish, capable of striking sideways, upwards, or -downwards, and directing our course accordingly. - -Ergimo, our escort, had not yet reached middle age, but was a man of -exceptional intellect and unusual knowledge. He had made many voyages, -and had occupied for some time an important official post on one of -those Arctic continents which are inhabited only by the hunters -employed in collecting the furs and skins furnished exclusively by -these lands. The shores of the gulf were lofty, rocky, and -uninteresting. It was difficult to see any object on shore from the -deck of the vessel, and I assented, therefore, without demur, after -the first hour of the voyage, to his proposal that the lights, -answering to our hatches, should be closed, and that the vessel should -pursue her course below the surface. This was the more desirable that, -though winds and storms are, as I have said, rare, these long and -narrow seas with their lofty shores are exposed to rough currents, -atmospheric and marine, which render a voyage on the surface no more -agreeable than a passage in average weather across the Bay of Biscay. -After descending I was occupied for some time in studying, with -Ergimo's assistance, the arrangement of the machinery, and the simple -process by which electric force is generated in quantities adequate to -any effort at a marvellously small expenditure of material. In this -form the Martialists assert that they obtain without waste all the -potential energy stored in ... [About half a score lines, or two pages -of an ordinary octavo volume like this, are here illegible.] She -(Eveena?) was somewhat pale, but rose quickly, and greeted me with a -smile of unaffected cheerfulness, and was evidently surprised as well -as pleased that I was content to remain alone with her, our -conversation turning chiefly on the lessons of last night. Our time -passed quickly till, about the middle of the day, we were startled by -a shock which, as I thought, must be due to our having run aground or -struck against a rock. But when I passed into the engine-room, Ergimo -explained that the pilot was nowise in fault. We had encountered one -of those inconveniences, hardly to be called perils, which are -peculiar to the waters of Mars. Though animals hostile or dangerous to -man have been almost extirpated upon the land, creatures of a type -long since supposed to be extinct on Earth still haunt the depths of -the Martial seas; and one of these--a real sea-serpent of above a -hundred feet in length and perhaps eight feet in circumference--had -attacked our vessel, entangling the steering screw in his folds and -trying to crush it, checking, at the same time, by his tremendous -force the motion of the vessel. - -"We shall soon get rid of him, though," said Ergimo, as I followed him -to the stern, to watch with great interest the method of dealing with -the monster, whose strange form was visible through a thick crystal -pane in the stern-plate. The asphyxiator could not have been used -without great risk to ourselves. But several tubes, filled with a soft -material resembling cork, originally the pith of a Martial cane of -great size, were inserted in the floor, sides, and deck of the vessel, -and through the centre of each of these passed a strong metallic wire -of great conducting power. Two or three of those in the stern were -placed in contact with some of the electric machinery by which the -rudder was usually turned, and through them were sent rapid and -energetic currents, whose passage rendered the covering of the wires, -notwithstanding their great conductivity, too hot to be touched. We -heard immediately a smothered sound of extraordinary character, which -was, in truth, no other than a scream deadened partly by the water, -partly by the thick metal sheet interposed between us and the element. -The steering screw was set in rapid motion, and at first revolving -with some difficulty, afterwards moving faster and more regularly, -presently released us. Its rotation was stopped, and we resumed our -course. The serpent had relaxed his folds, stunned by the shock, but -had not disentangled himself from the screw, till its blades, no -longer checked by the tremendous force of his original grasp, striking -him a series of terrific blows, had broken the vertebrae and paralysed -if not killed the monstrous enemy. - -At each side of the larger chambers and of the engine-room were fixed -small thick circular windows, through which we could see from time to -time the more remarkable objects in the water. We passed along one -curious submarine bank, built somewhat like our coral rocks, not by -insects, however, but by shellfish, which, fixing themselves as soon -as hatched on the shells below or around them, extended slowly upward -and sideways. As each of these creatures perished, the shell, about -half the size of an oyster, was filled with the same sort of material -as that of which its hexagonic walls were originally formed, drawn in -by the surrounding and still living neighbours; and thus, in the -course of centuries, were constructed solid reefs of enormous extent. -One of these had run right across the gulf, forming a complete bridge, -ceasing, however, within some five feet of the surface; but on this a -regular roadway had been constructed by human art and mechanical -labour, while underneath, at the usual depth of thirty feet, several -tunnels had been pierced, each large enough to admit the passage of a -single vessel of the largest size. At every fourth hour our vessel -rose to the surface to renew her atmosphere, which was thus kept purer -than that of an ordinary Atlantic packet between decks, while the -temperature was maintained at an agreeable point by the warmth -diffused from the electric machinery. - -On the sixth day of our voyage, we reached a point where the Gulf of -Serocasfe divides, a sharp jutting cape or peninsula parting its -waters. We took the northern branch, about fifteen miles in width, and -here, rising to the surface and steering a zigzag course from coast to -coast, I was enabled to see something of the character of this most -extraordinary strait. Its walls at first were no less than 2000 feet -in height, so that at all times we were in sight, so to speak, of -land. A road had been cut along the sea-level, and here and there -tunnels ascending through the rock rendered this accessible from the -plateau above. The strata, as upon Earth, were of various character, -none of them very thick, seldom reproducing exactly the geology of our -own planet, but seldom very widely deviating in character from the -rocks with which we are acquainted. The lowest were evidently of the -same hard, fused, compressed character as those which our terminology -calls plutonic. Above these were masses which, bike the carboniferous -strata of Earth, recalled the previous existence of a richer but less -highly organised form of vegetation than at present exists anywhere -upon the surface. Intermixed with these were beds of the peculiar -submarine shell-rock whose formation I have just described. Above -these again come strata of diluvial gravel, and about 400 feet below -the surface rocks that bore evident traces of a glacial period. As we -approached the lower end of the gulf the shores sloped constantly -downward, and where they were no more than 600 feet in height I was -able to distinguish an upper stratum of some forty yards in depth, -preserving through its whole extent traces of human life and even of -civilisation. This implied, if fairly representative of the rest of -the planet's crust, an existence of man upon its surface ten, twenty, -or even a hundred-fold longer than he is supposed to have enjoyed upon -Earth. About noon on the seventh day we entered the canal which -connects this arm of the gulf with the sea of the northern temperate -zone. It varies in height from 400 to 600 feet, in width from 100 to -300 yards, its channel never exceeds 20 feet in depth, Ergimo -explained that the length had been thought to render a tunnel -unsuitable, as the ordinary method of ventilation could hardly have -been made to work, and to ventilate such a tunnel through shafts sunk -to so great a depth would have been almost as costly as the method -actually adopted. A much smaller breadth might have been thought to -suffice, and was at first intended; but it was found that the current -in a narrow channel, the outer sea being many inches higher than the -water of the gulf, would have been too rapid and violent for safety. -The work had occupied fifteen Martial years, and had been opened only -for some eight centuries. The water was not more than twenty feet in -depth; but the channel was so perfectly scoured by the current that no -obstacle had ever arisen and no expense had been incurred to keep it a -clear. We entered the Northern sea where a bay ran up some half dozen -miles towards the end of the gulf, shortening the canal by this -distance. The bay itself was shallow, the only channel being scarcely -wider than the canal, and created or preserved by the current setting -in to the latter; a current which offered a very perceptible -resistance to our course, and satisfied me that had the canal been no -wider than the convenience of navigation would have required in the -absence of such a stream, its force would have rendered the work -altogether useless. We crossed the sea, holding on in the same -direction, and a little before sunset moored our vessel at the wharf -of a small harbour, along the sides of which was built the largest -town of this subarctic landbelt, a village of some fifty houses named -Askinta. - - - -CHAPTER XV - FUR-HUNTING. - -Ergimo landed to make arrangements for the chase, to witness which was -the principal object of this deviation from what would otherwise have -been our most convenient course. Not only would it be possible to take -part in the pursuit of the wild fauna of the continent, but I also -hoped to share in a novel sport, not unlike a whale-hunt in Baffin's -Bay. A large inland sea, occupying no inconsiderable part of the area -of this belt, lay immediately to the northward, and one wide arm -thereof extended within a few miles of Askirita, a distance which, -notwithstanding the interposition of a mountain range, might be -crossed in a couple of hours. One or two days at most would suffice -for both adventures. I had not yet mentioned my intention to Eveena. -During the voyage I had been much alone with her, and it was then only -that our real acquaintance began. Till then, however close our -attachment, we were, in knowledge of each other's character and -thought, almost as strangers. While her painful timidity had in some -degree worn off, her anxious and watchful deference was even more -marked than before. True to the strange ideas derived chiefly from her -training, partly from her own natural character, she was the more -careful to avoid giving the slightest pain or displeasure, as she -ceased to fear that either would be immediately and intentionally -visited upon herself. She evidently thought that on this account there -was the greater danger lest a series of trivial annoyances, unnoticed -at the time, might cool the affection she valued so highly. Diffident -of her own charms, she knew how little hold the women of her race -generally have on the hearts of men after the first fever of passion -has cooled. It was difficult for her to realise that her thoughts or -wishes could truly interest me, that compliance with her inclinations -could be an object, or that I could be seriously bent on teaching her -to speak frankly and openly. But as this new idea became credible and -familiar, her unaffected desire to comply with all that was expected -from her drew out her hitherto undeveloped powers of conversation, and -enabled me day by day to appreciate more thoroughly the real -intelligence and soundness of judgment concealed at first by her -shyness, and still somewhat obscured by her childlike simplicity and -absolute inexperience. In the latter respect, however, she was, of -course, at the less disadvantage with a stranger to the manners and -life of her world. A more perfectly charming companion it would have -been difficult to desire and impossible to find. If at first I had -been secretly inclined to reproach her with exaggerated timidity, it -became more and more evident that her personal fears were due simply -to that nervous susceptibility which even men of reputed courage have -often displayed in situations of sudden and wholly unfamiliar peril. -Her tendency to overrate all dangers, not merely as they affected -herself, but as they might involve others, and above all her husband, -I ascribed to the ideas and habits of thought now for so many -centuries hereditary among a people in whom the fear of -annihilation--and the absence of all the motives that impel men on -earth to face danger and death with calmness, or even to enjoy the -excitement of deadly peril--have extinguished manhood itself. - -I could not, however, conceal from Eveena that I was about to leave -her for an adventure which could not but seem to her foolhardy and -motiveless. She was more than terrified when she understood that I -really intended to join the professional hunters in an enterprise -which, even on their part, is regarded by their countrymen with a -mixture of admiration and contempt, as one wherein only the hope of -large remuneration would induce any sensible man to share; and which, -from my utter ignorance of its conditions, must be obviously still -more dangerous to me. The confidence she was slowly learning from what -seemed to her extravagant indulgence, to me simply the consideration -due to a rational being, wife or comrade, slave or free, first found -expression in the freedom of her loving though provoking -expostulations. - -"You must be tired of me," she said at last, "if you are so ready to -run the risk of parting out of mere curiosity." - -"Sheer petulance!" I answered. "You know well that you are dearer to -me every day as I learn to understand you better; but a man cannot -afford to play the coward because marriage has given new value to -life. And you might remember that I have threefold the strength which -emboldens your hunters to incur all the dangers that seem to your -fancy so terrible." - -That no shade of mere cowardice or feminine affectation influenced her -remonstrance was evident from her next words. - -"Well, then, if you will go, however improper and outrageous the thing -may be, let me go with you. I cannot bear to wait alone, fancying at -every moment what may be happening to you, and fearing to see them -carry you back wounded or killed." - -Touched by the unselfishness of her terror, and feeling that there was -some truth in her representation of the state of mind in which she -would spend the hours of my absence, I tried to quiet her by caresses -and soft words. But these she received as symptoms of yielding on my -part; and her persistence brought upon her at last the resolute and -somewhat sharp rebuke with which men think it natural and right to -repress the excesses of feminine fear. - -"This is nonsense, Eveena. You cannot accompany me; and, if you could, -your presence would multiply tenfold the danger to me, and utterly -unnerve me if any real difficulty should call for presence of mind. -You must be content to leave me in the hands of Providence, and allow -me to judge what becomes a man, and what results are worth the risks -they may involve. I hear Ergimo's step on deck, and I must go and -learn from him what arrangements he has been able to make for -to-morrow." - -My escort had found no difficulty in providing for the fulfilment of -both my wishes. We were to beat the forests which covered the southern -seabord in the neighbourhood, driving our game out upon the open -ground, where alone we should have a chance of securing it. By noon we -might hope to have seen enough of this sport, and to find ourselves at -no great distance from that part of the inland sea where a yet more -exciting chase was to employ the rest of the day. Failing to bring -both adventures within the sixteen hours of light which at this season -and in this latitude we should enjoy, we were to bivouac for the night -on the northern sea-coast and pursue our aquatic game in the morning -of the morrow, returning before dark to our vessel. - -Ergimo, however, was more of Eveena's mind than of mine. "I have -complied," he said, "with your wishes, as the Camptâ ordered me to do. -But I am equally bound, by his orders and by my duty, to tell you that -in my opinion you are running risks altogether out of proportion to -any object our adventure can serve. Scarcely any of the creatures we -shall hunt are other than very formidable. Eyen the therne, with the -spikes on its fore-limbs, can inflict painful if not dangerous wounds, -and its bite is said to be not unfrequently venomous. You are not used -to our methods of hunting, to the management of the _caldecta_, or to -the use of our weapons. I can conceive no reason why you should incur -what is at any rate a considerable chance, not merely of death, but of -defeating the whole purpose of your extraordinary journey, simply to -do or to see the work on which we peril only the least valuable lives -among us." - -I was about to answer him even more decidedly than I had replied to -Eveena, when a pressure on my arm drew my eyes in the other direction; -and, to my extreme mortification, I perceived that Eveena herself, in -all-absorbing eagerness to learn the opinion of an intelligent and -experienced hunter, had stolen on deck and had heard all that had -passed. I was too much vexed to make any other reply to Ergimo's -argument than the single word, "I shall go." Really angry with her for -the first and last time, but not choosing to express my displeasure in -the presence of a third person, I hurried Eveena down the ladder into -our cabin. - -"Tell me," I said, "what, according to your own rules of feminine -reserve and obedience, you deserve? What would one of your people say -to a wife who followed him without leave into the company of a -stranger, to listen to that which she knew she was not meant to hear?" - -She answered by throwing off her veil and head-dress, and standing up -silent before me. - -"Answer me, child," I repeated, more than half appeased by the mute -appeal of her half-raised eyes and submissive attitude. "I know you -will not tell me that you have not broken all the restraints of your -own laws and customs. What would your father, for instance, say to -such an escapade?" - -She was silent, till the touch of my hand, contradicting perhaps the -harshness of my words, encouraged her to lift her eyes, full of tears, -to mine. - -"Nothing," was her very unexpected reply. - -"Nothing?" I rejoined. "If you can tell me that you have not done -wrong, I shall be sorry to have reproved you so sharply." - -"I shall tell you no such lie!" she answered almost indignantly. "You -asked what would be _said_." - -I was fairly at a loss. The figure which Martial grammarians call "the -suppressed alternative" is a great favourite, and derives peculiar -force from the varied emphasis their syntax allows. But, resolved not -to understand a meaning much more distinctly conveyed in her words -than in my translation, I replied, "_I_ shall say nothing then, -except--don't do it again;" and I extricated myself promptly if -ignominiously from the dilemma, by leaving the cabin and closing the -door, so sharply and decidedly as to convey a distinct intimation that -it was not again to be opened. - -We breakfasted earlier than usual. My gentle bride had been subdued -into a silence, not sullen, but so sad that when her wistful eyes -followed my every movement as I prepared to start, I could willingly, -to bring back their brightness, have renounced the promise of the day. -But this must not be; and turning to take leave on the threshold, I -said-- - -"Be sure I shall come to no harm; and if I did, the worst pang of -death would be the memory of the first sharp words I have spoken to -you, and which, I confess, were an ill return for the inconvenient -expression of your affectionate anxiety." - -"Do not speak so," she half whispered. "I deserved any mark of your -displeasure; I only wish I could persuade you that the sharpest sting -lies in the lips we love. Do remember, since you would not let me run -the slightest risk of harm, that if you come to hurt you will have -killed me." - -"Rest assured I shall come to no serious ill. I hope this evening to -laugh with you at your alarms; and so long as you do not see me either -in the flesh or in the spirit, you may know that I am safe. I _could -not_ leave you for ever without meeting you again." - -This speech, which I should have ventured in no other presence, would -hardly have established my lunacy more decisively in Martial eyes than -in those of Terrestrial common sense. It conveyed, however, a real if -not sufficient consolation to Eveena; the idea it implied being not -wholly unfamiliar to a daughter of the Star. I was surprised that, -almost shrinking from my last embrace, Eveena suddenly dropped her -veil around her; till, turning, I saw that Ergimo was standing at the -top of the ladder leading to the deck, and just in sight. - -"I will send word," he said, addressing himself to me, but speaking -for her ears, "of your safety at noon and at night. So far as my -utmost efforts can ensure it you will be safe; an obligation higher, -and enforced by sanctions graver, than even the Camptâ's command -forbids me to lead a _brother_ into peril, and fail to bring him out -of it." - -The significant word was spoken in so low a tone that it could not -possibly reach the ears of our companions of the chase, who had -mustered on shore within a few feet of the vessel. But Eveena -evidently caught both the sound and the meaning, and I was glad that -they should convey to her a confidence which seemed to myself no -better founded than her alarms. To me its only value lay in the -friendly relation it established with one I had begun greatly to like. -I relied on my own strength and nerve for all that human exertion -could do in such peril as we might encounter; and, in a case in which -these might fail me, I doubted whether even the one tie that has -binding force on Mars would avail me much. - -Immediately outside the town were waiting, saddled but not bridled, -some score of the extraordinary riding-birds Eveena had described. The -seat of the rider is on the back, between the wings; but the saddle -consists only of a sort of girth immediately in front, to which a pair -of stirrups, resembling that of a lady's side-saddle, were attached. -The creature that was to carry my unusual weight was the most powerful -of all, but I felt some doubt whether even his strength might not -break down. One of the hunters had charge of a carriage on which was -fixed a cage containing two dozen birds of a dark greenish grey, about -the size of a crow, and with the slender form, piercing eyes, and -powerful beak of the falcon. They were not intended, however, to -strike the prey, but simply to do the part of dogs in tracing out the -game, and driving it from the woods into the open ground. Our birds, -rising at once into the air, carried us some fifty feet above the tops -of the trees. Here the chief huntsman took the guidance of the party, -keeping in front of the line in which we were ranged, and watching -through a pair of what might be called spectacles, save that a very -short tube with double lenses was substituted for the single glass, -the movement of the hawks, which had been released in the wood below -us. These at first dispersed in every direction, extending at -intervals from end to end of a line some three miles in length, and -moving slowly forwards, followed by the hunters. A sharp call from one -bird on the left gathered the rest around him, and in a few moments -the rustling and rushing of an invisible flock through the glades of -the forest apprised us that we had started, though we could not see, -the prey. Ergimo, who kept close beside me, and who had often -witnessed the sport before, kept me informed of what was proceeding -underneath us, of which I could see but little. Glimpses here and -there showed that we were pursuing a numerous flock of large -white-plumed or white-haired creatures, standing at most some four -feet in height; but what they were, even whether birds or quadrupeds, -their movements left me in absolute uncertainty. Worried and -frightened by the falcons, which, however, never ventured to close -upon them, they were gradually driven in the direction intended by the -huntsman towards the open plain, which bordered the forest at a -distance of about six miles to the northward. In half-an-hour after -the "find," the leader of the flock broke out of the wood two or three -hundred yards ahead of us, and was closely followed by his companions. -I then recognised in the objects of the chase the strange _thernee_ -described by Eveena, whose long soft down furnished the cloak she wore -on our visit to the Astronaut. Their general form, and especially the -length and graceful curve of the neck, led one instinctively to regard -them as birds; but the fore-limbs, drawn up as they ran, but now and -then outstretched with a sweep to strike at a falcon that ventured -imprudently near, had, in the distance, much more resemblance to the -arm of a baboon than to the limb of any other creature, and bore no -likeness whatever to the wing even of the bat. The object of the -hunters was not to strike these creatures from a distance, but to run -them down and capture them by sheer exhaustion. This the great -wing-power of the _caldectaa_ enabled us to do, though by the time we -had driven the thernee to bay my own Pegasus was fairly tired. The -hunters, separating and spreading out in the form of a semicircle, -assisted the movements of the hawks, driving the prey gradually into a -narrow defile among the hills bordering the plain to the -north-eastward, whose steep upward slope greatly hindered and fatigued -creatures whose natural habitat consists of level plains or seabord -forests. At last, under a steep half-precipitous rock which defended -them in rear, and between clumps of trees which guarded either -flank--protected by both overhead--the flock, at the call of their -leader, took up a position which displayed an instinctive strategy, -whereof an Indian or African chief might have been proud. The -_caldectaa_, however, well knew the vast superiority of their own -strength and of their formidable beaks, and did not hesitate to carry -us close to but somewhat above the thernee, as these stood ranged in -line with extended fore-limbs and snouts; the latter armed with teeth -about an inch and a half in length tapering singly to a sharp point, -the former with spikes stronger, longer, and sharper than those of the -porcupine; but, as I satisfied myself by a subsequent inspection, -formed by rudimentary, or, more properly speaking, transformed or -degenerated quills. The bite was easily avoided. It was not so easy to -keep out of reach of the powerful fore-limb while endeavouring to -strike a fatal blow at the neck with the long rapier-like cutting -weapons carried by the hunters. My own shorter and sharp sword, to -which I had trusted, preferring a familiar weapon to one, however -suitable, to which I was not accustomed, left me no choice but to -abandon the hope of active participation in the slaughter, or to -venture dangerously near. Choosing the latter alternative, I received -from the arm of the thernee I had singled out a blow which, caught -upon my sword, very nearly smote it from my hand, and certainly would -have disarmed at once any of my weaker companions. As it was, the -stroke maimed the limb that delivered it; but with its remaining arm -the creature maintained a fight so stubborn that, had both been -available, the issue could not have been in my favour. This conflict -reminded me singularly of an encounter with the mounted swordsmen of -Scindiah and the Peishwah; all my experience of sword-play being -called into use, and my brute opponent using its natural weapon with -an instinctive skill not unworthy of comparison with that of a trained -horse-soldier; at the same time that it constantly endeavoured to -seize with its formidable snout either my own arm or the wing or body -of the caldecta, which, however, was very well able to take care of -itself. In fact, the prey was secured at last not by my sword but by a -blow from the caldecta's beak, which pierced and paralysed the slender -neck of our antagonist. Some twenty thernee formed the booty of a -chase certainly novel, and possessing perhaps as many elements of -peril and excitement as that finest of Earthly sports which the -affected cynicism of Anglo-Indian speech degrades by the name of -"pig-sticking." - -When the falcons had been collected and recaged, and the bodies of the -thernee consigned to a carriage brought up for the purpose by a -subordinate who had watched the hunters' course, our birds, from which -we had dismounted, were somewhat rested; and Ergimo informed me that -another and more formidable, as well as more valuable, prey was -thought to be in sight a few miles off. Mounted on a fresh bird, and -resolutely closing my ears to his urgent and reasonable dissuasion, I -joined the smaller party which was detached for this purpose. As we -were carried slowly at no great distance from the ground, managing our -birds with ease by a touch on either side of the neck--they are -spurred at need by a slight electric shock communicated from the hilt -of the sword, and are checked by a forcible pressure on the wings--I -asked Ergimo why the thernee were not rather shot than hunted, since -utility, not sport, governs the method of capturing the wild beasts of -Mars. - -"We have," he replied, "two weapons adapted to strike at a distance. -The asphyxiator is too heavy to be carried far or fast, and pieces of -the shell inflict such injuries upon everything in the immediate -neighbourhood of the explosion, as to render it useless where the -value of the prey depends upon the condition of its skin. Our other -and much more convenient, if less powerful, projective weapon has also -its own disadvantage. It can be used only at short distances; and at -these it is apt to burn and tear a skin so soft and delicate as that -of the thernee. Moreover, it so terrifies the caldecta as to render it -unmanageable; and we are compelled to dismount before using it, as you -may presently see. Four or five of our party are now armed with it, -and I wish you had allowed me to furnish you with one." - -"I prefer," I answered, "my own weapon, an air-gun which I can fire -sixteen times without reloading, and which will kill at a hundred -yards' distance. With a weapon unknown to me I might not only fail -altogether, but I might not improbably do serious injury, by my -clumsiness and inexperience, to my companions." - -"I wish, nevertheless," he said, "that you carried the _mordyta_. You -will have need of an efficient weapon if you dismount to share the -attack we are just about to make. But I entreat you not to do so. You -can see it all in perfect safety, if only you will keep far enough -away to avoid danger from the fright of your bird." - -As he spoke, we had come into proximity to our new game, a large and -very powerful animal, about four feet high at the shoulders, and about -six feet from the head to the root of the tail. The latter carries, as -that of the lion was fabled to do, a final claw, not to lash the -creature into rage, but for the more practical purpose of striking -down an enemy endeavouring to approach it in flank or rear. Its hide, -covered with a long beautifully soft fur, is striped alternately with -brown and yellow, the ground being a sort of silver-grey. The head -resembles that of the lion, but without the mane, and is prolonged -into a face and snout more like those of the wild boar. Its limbs are -less unlike those of the feline genus than any other Earthly type, but -have three claws and a hard pad in lieu of the soft cushion. The upper -jaw is armed with two formidable tusks about twelve inches in length, -and projecting directly forwards. A blow from the claw-furnished tail -would plough up the thigh or rip open the abdomen of a man. A stroke -from one of the paws would fracture his skull, while a wound from the -tusk in almost any part of the body must prove certainly fatal. -Fortunately, the _kargynda_ has not the swiftness of movement -belonging to nearly all our feline races, otherwise its skins, the -most valuable prize of the Martial hunter, would yearly be taken at a -terrible cost of life. Two of these creatures were said to be reposing -in a thick jungle of reeds bordering a narrow stream immediately in -our front. The hunters, with Ergimo, now dismounted and advanced some -two hundred yards in front of their birds, directing the latter to -turn their heads in the opposite direction. I found some difficulty in -making my wish to descend intelligible to the docile creature which -carried me, and was still in the air when one of the enormous -creatures we were hunting rushed out of its hiding-place. The nearest -hunter, raising a shining metal staff about three and a half feet in -length (having a crystal cylinder at the hinder end, about six inches -in circumference, and occupying about one-third the entire length of -the weapon), levelled it at the beast. A flash as of lightning darted -through the air, and the creature rolled over. Another flash from a -similar weapon in the hands of another hunter followed. By this time, -however, my bird was entirely unmanageable, and what happened I -learned afterwards from Ergimo. Neither of the two shots had wounded -the creature, though the near passage of the first had for a moment -stunned and overthrown him. His rush among the party dispersed them -all, but each being able to send forth from his piece a second flash -of lightning, the monster was mortally wounded before they fairly -started in pursuit of their scared birds, which--their attention being -called by the roar of the animal, by the crash accompanying each -flash, and probably above all by the restlessness of my own _caldecta_ -in their midst--had flown off to some distance. My bird, floundering -forwards, flung me to the ground about two hundred yards from the -jungle, fortunately at a greater distance from the dying but not yet -utterly disabled prey. Its companion now came forth and stood over the -tortured creature, licking its sores till it expired. By this time I -had recovered the consciousness I had lost with the shock of my fall, -and had ascertained that my gun was safe. I had but time to prepare -and level it when, leaving its dead companion, the brute turned and -charged me almost as rapidly as an infuriated elephant. I fired -several times and assured, if only from my skill as a marksman, that -some of the shots had hit it, was surprised to see that at each it was -only checked for a moment and then resumed its charge. It was so near -now that I could aim with some confidence at the eye; and if, as I -suspected, the previous shots had failed to pierce the hide, no other -aim was likely to avail. I levelled, therefore, as steadily as I could -at its blazing eyeballs and fired three or four shots, still without -doing more than arrest or rather slacken its charge, each shot -provoking a fearful roar of rage and pain. I fired my last within -about twenty yards, and then, before I could draw my sword, was dashed -to the ground with a violence that utterly stunned me. When I -recovered my senses Ergimo was kneeling beside me pouring down my -throat the contents of a small phial; and as I lifted my head and -looked around, I saw the enormous carcass from under which I had been -dragged lying dead almost within reach of my hand. One eye was pierced -through the very centre, the other seriously injured. But such is the -creature's tenacity of life, that, though three balls were actually in -its brain, it had driven home its charge, though far too unconscious -to make more than convulsive and feeble use of any of its formidable -weapons. When I fell it stood for perhaps a second, and then dropped -senseless upon my lower limbs, which were not a little bruised by its -weight. That no bone was broken or dislocated by the shock, deadened -though it must have been by the repeated pauses in the kargynda's -charge and by its final exhaustion, was more than I expected or could -understand. Before I rose to my feet, Ergimo had peremptorily insisted -on the abandonment of the further excursion we had intended, declaring -that he could not answer to his Sovereign, after so severe a lesson, -for my exposure to any future peril. The Camptâ had sent him to bring -me into his presence for purposes which would not be fulfilled by -producing a lifeless carcass, or a maimed and helpless invalid; and -the discipline of the Court and central Administration allowed no -excuse for disobedience to orders or failure in duty. My protest was -very quickly silenced. On attempting to stand, I found myself so -shaken, torn, and shattered that I could not again mount a _caldecta_ -or wield a weapon; and was carried back to Askinta on a sort of -inclined litter placed upon the carriage which had conveyed our booty. - -I was mortified, as we approached the place where our vessel lay, to -observe a veiled female figure on the deck. Eveena's quick eye had -noted our return some minutes before, and inferred from the early -abandonment of the chase some serious accident. Happily our party were -so disposed that I had time to assume the usual position before she -caught sight of me. I could not, however, deceive her by a desperate -effort to walk steadily and unaided. She stood by quietly and calmly -while the surgeon of the hunters dressed my hurts, observing exactly -how the bandages and lotions were applied. Only when we were left -alone did she in any degree give way to an agitation by which she -feared to increase my evident pain and feverishness. It was impossible -to satisfy her that black bruises and broad gashes meant no danger, -and would be healed by a few days' rest. But when she saw that I could -talk and smile as usual, she was unsparing in her attempts to coax -from me a pledge that I would never again peril life or limb to -gratify my curiosity regarding the very few pursuits in which, for the -highest remuneration, Martialists can be induced to incur the -probability of injury and the chance of that death they so abjectly -dread. Scarcely less reluctant to repeat the scolding she felt so -acutely than to employ the methods of rebuke she deemed less severe, I -had no little difficulty in evading her entreaties. Only a very -decided request to drop the subject at once and for ever, enforced on -her conscience by reminding her that it would be enforced no -otherwise, at last obtained me peace without the sacrifice of liberty. - - - -CHAPTER XVI - TROUBLED WATERS. - -We were now in Martial N. latitude 57°, in a comparatively open part -of the narrow sea which encloses the northern land-belt, and to the -south-eastward lay the only channel by which this sea communicates -with the main ocean of the southern hemisphere. Along this we took our -course. Rather against Ergimo's advice, I insisted on remaining on the -surface, as the sea was tolerably calm. Eveena, with her usual -self-suppression, professed to prefer the free air, the light of the -long day, and such amusement as the sight of an occasional sea-monster -or shoal of fishes afforded, to the fainter light and comparative -monotony of submarine travelling. Ergimo, who had in his time -commanded the hunters of the Arctic Sea, was almost as completely -exempt as myself from sea-sickness; but I was surprised to find that -the crew disliked, and, had they ventured, would have grumbled at, the -change, being so little accustomed to any long superficial voyage as -to suffer like landsmen from rough weather. The difference between -sailing on and below the surface is so great, both in comfort and in -the kind of skill and knowledge required, that the seamen of passenger -and of mercantile vessels are classes much more distinct than those of -the mercantile and national marine of England, or any other maritime -Power on Earth. I consented readily that, except on the rare occasions -when the heavens were visible, the short night, from the fall of the -evening to the dissipation of the morning mists, should be passed -under water. I have said that gales are comparatively rare and the -tides insignificant; but the narrow and exceedingly long channels of -the Martial seas, with the influence of a Solar movement from north to -south more extensive though slower than that which takes place between -our Winter and Summer Solstices, produce currents, atmospheric and -oceanic, and sudden squalls that often give rise to that worst of all -disturbances of the surface, known as a "chopping sea." When we -crossed the tropic and came fairly into the channel separating the -western coast of the continent on which the Astronaut had landed from -the eastern seabord of that upon whose southern coast I was presently -to disembark, this disturbance was even worse than, except on -peculiarly disagreeable occasions, in the Straits of Dover. After -enduring this for two or three hours, I observed that Eveena had -stolen from her seat beside me on the deck. Since we left Askinta her -spirits had been unusually variable. She had been sometimes lively and -almost excitable; more generally quiet, depressed, and silent even -beyond her wont. Still, her manner and bearing were always so equable, -gentle, and docile that, accustomed to the caprices of the sex on -Earth, I had hardly noticed the change. I thought, however, that she -was to-day nervous and somewhat pale; and as she did not return, after -permitting the pilot to seek a calmer stratum at some five fathoms -depth, I followed Eveena into our cabin or chamber. Standing with her -back to the entrance and with a goblet to her lips, she did not hear -me till I had approached within arm's length. She then started -violently, so agitated that the colour faded at once from her -countenance, leaving it white as in a swoon, then as suddenly -returning, flushed her neck and face, from the emerald shoulder clasps -to the silver snood, with a pink deeper than that of her robe. - -"I am very sorry I startled you," I said. "You are certainly ill, or -you would not be so easily upset." - -I laid my hand as I spoke on her soft tresses, but she withdrew from -the touch, sinking down among the cushions. Leaving her to recover her -composure, I took up the half-empty cup she had dropped on the central -table. Thirsty myself, I had almost drained without tasting it, when a -little half-stifled cry of dismay checked me. The moment I removed the -cup from my mouth I perceived its flavour--the unmistakable taste of -the _dravadoné_ ("courage cup"), so disagreeable to us both, which we -had shared on our bridal evening. Wetting with one drop the test-stone -attached to my watch-chain, it presented the local discoloration -indicating the narcotic poison which is the chief ingredient of this -compound. - -"I don't think this is wise, child," I said, turning once more to -Eveena. To my amazement, far from having recovered the effect of her -surprise, she was yet more overcome than at first; crouching among the -cushions with her head bent down over her knees, and covering her face -with her hands. Reclining in the soft pile, I held her in my arms, -overcoming perforce what seemed hysterical reluctance; but when I -would have withdrawn the little hands, she threw herself on my knee, -burying her face in the cushions. - -"It is very wicked," she sobbed; "I cannot ask you to forgive me." - -"Forgive what, my child? Eveena, you are certainly ill. Calm yourself, -and don't try to talk just now." - -"I am not ill, I assure you," she faltered, resisting the arm that -sought to raise her; "but ..." - -In my hands, however, she was powerless as an infant; and I would hear -nothing till I held her gathered within my arm and her two hands fast -in my right. Now that I could look into the face she strove to avert, -it was clear that she was neither hysterical nor simply ill; her -agitation, however unreasonable and extravagant, was real. - -"What troubles you, my own? I promise you not to say one word of -reproach; I only want to understand with what you so bitterly reproach -yourself." - -"But you cannot help being angry," she urged, "if you understand what -I have done. It is the _charny_, which I never tasted till that night, -and never ought to have tasted again. I know you cannot forgive me; -only take my fault for granted, and don't question me." - -These incoherent words threw the first glimpse of light on the meaning -of her distress and penitence. I doubt if the best woman in -Christendom would so reproach and abase herself, if convicted of even -a worse sin than the secret use of those stimulants for which the -_charny_ is a Martial equivalent. No Martialist would dream of -poisoning his blood and besotting his brain with alcohol in any form. -But their opiates affect a race addicted to physical repose, to -sensuous enjoyment rather than to sensual excitement, and to lucid -intellectual contemplation, with a sense of serene delight as -supremely delicious to their temperament as the dreamy illusions of -haschisch to the Turk, the fierce frenzy of bhang to the Malay, or the -wild excitement of brandy or Geneva to the races of Northern Europe. -But as with the luxury of intoxication in Europe, so in Mars -indulgence in these drugs, freely permitted to the one sex, is -strictly forbidden by opinion and domestic rule to the other. A lady -discovered in the use of _charny_ is as deeply disgraced as an -European matron detected in the secret enjoyment of spirits and -cigars; and her lord and master takes care to render her sufficiently -conscious of her fault. - -And there was something stranger here than a violation of the -artificial restraint of sex. Slightly and seldom as the Golden Circle -touches the lines defining personal or social morality--carefully as -the Founder has abstained from imposing an ethical code of his own, or -attaching to his precepts any rule not directly derived from the -fundamental tenets or necessary to the cohesion of the Order--he had -expressed in strong terms his dread and horror of narcotism; the use -for pleasure's sake, not to relieve pain or nervous excitement, of -drugs which act, as he said, through the brain upon the soul. His -judgment, expressed with unusual directness and severity and enforced -by experience, has become with his followers a tradition not less -imperative than the most binding of their laws. It was so held, above -all, in that household in which Eveena and I had first learnt the -"lore of the Starlight." Esmo, indeed, regarded not merely as an -unscientific superstition, but as blasphemous folly, the rejection of -any means of restoring health or relieving pain which Providence has -placed within human reach. But he abhorred the use for pleasure's sake -of poisons affirmed to reduce the activity and in the long-run to -impair the energies of the mind, and weaken the moral sense and the -will, more intensely than the strictest follower of the Arabian -Prophet abhors the draughts which deprive man of the full use of the -senses, intelligence, and conscience which Allah has bestowed, and -degrade him below the brute, Esmo's children, moreover, were not more -strictly compelled to respect the letter than carefully instructed in -the principle of every command for which he claimed their obedience. - -But in such measure as Eveena's distress became intelligible, the -fault of which she accused herself became incredible. I could not -believe that she could be wilfully disloyal to me--still less that she -could have suddenly broken through the fixed ideas of her whole life, -the principles engraved on her mind by education more stringently than -the maxims of the Koran or the Levitical Law on the children of -Ishmael or of Israel; and this while the impressive rites of -Initiation, the imprecation at which I myself had shuddered, were -fresh in her memory--their impression infinitely deepened, moreover, -by the awful mystery of that Vision of which even yet we were half -afraid to speak to one another. While I hesitated to reply, gathering -up as well as I could the thread of these thoughts as they passed in a -few seconds through my mind, my left hand touched an object hidden in -my bride's zone. I drew out a tiny crystal phial three parts full, -taken, as I saw, from the medicine-chest Esmo had carefully stocked -and as carefully fastened. As, holding this, I turned again to her, -Eveena repeated: "Punish, but don't question me!" - -"My own," I said, "you are far more punished already than you deserve -or I can bear to see. How did you get this?" - -Releasing her hands, she drew from the folds of her robe the electric -keys, which, by a separate combination, would unlock each of my -cases;--without which it was impossible to open or force them. - -"Yes, I remember; and you were surprised that I trusted them to you. -And now you expect me to believe that you have abused that trust, -deceived me, broken a rule which in your father's house and by all our -Order is held sacred as the rings of the Signet, for a drug which -twelve days ago you disliked as much as I?" - -"It is true." - -The words were spoken with downcast eyes, in the low faltering tone -natural to a confession of disgrace. - -"It is not true, Eveena; or if true in form, false in matter. If it -were possible that you could wish to deceive me, you knew it could not -be for long." - -"I meant to be found out," she interrupted, "only not yet." - -She had betrayed herself, stung by words that seemed to express the -one doubt she could not nerve herself to endure--doubt of her loyalty -to me. Before I could speak, she looked up hastily, and began to -retract. I stopped her. - -"I see--when you had done with it. But, Eveena, why conceal it? Do you -think I would not have given this or all the contents of the chest -into your hands, and asked no question?" - -"Do you mean it? Could you have so trusted me?" - -"My child! is it difficult to trust where I know there is no -temptation to wrong? Do you think that to-day I have doubted or -suspected you, even while you have accused yourself? I cannot guess at -your motive, but I am as sure as ever of your loyalty. Take these -things,"--forcing back upon her the phial and the magnets,--"yes, and -the test-stone." ... She burst into passionate tears. - -"I cannot endure this. If I had dreamed your patience would have borne -with me half so far, I would never have tried it so, even for your own -sake. I meant to be found out and accept the consequences in silence. -But you trust me so, that I must tell you what I wanted to conceal. -When you kept on the surface it made me so ill"--- - -"But, Eveena, if the remedy be not worse than the sickness, why not -ask for it openly?" - -"It was not that. Don't you understand? Of course, I would bear any -suffering rather than have done this; but then you would have found me -out at once. I wanted to conceal my suffering, not to escape it." - -"My child! my child! how could you put us both to all this pain?" - -"You know you would not have given me the draught; you would have left -the surface at once; and I cannot bear to be always in the way, always -hindering your pleasures, and even your discoveries. You came across a -distance that makes a bigger world than this look less than that -light, through solitude and dangers and horrors I cannot bear to think -of, to see and examine this world of ours. And then you leave things -unseen or half-seen, you spoil your work, because a girl is seasick! -You ran great risk of death and got badly hurt to see what our hunting -was like, and you will not let my head ache that you may find out what -our sea-storms and currents are! How can I bear to be such a burden -upon you? You trust me, and, I believe," (she added, colouring), "you -love me, twelvefold more than I deserve; yet you think me unwilling or -unworthy to take ever so small an interest in your work, to bear a few -hours' discomfort for it and for you. And yet," she went on -passionately, "I may sit trembling and heart-sick for a whole day -alone that you may carry out your purpose. I may receive the only real -sting your lips have given, because I could not bear that pain without -crying. And so with everything. It is not that I must not suffer pain, -but that the pain must not come from without. Your lips would punish a -fault with words that shame and sting for a day, a summer, a year; -your hand must never inflict a sting that may smart for ten minutes. -And it is not only that you do this, but you pride yourself on it. -Why? It is not that you think the pain of the body so much worse than -that of the spirit:--you that smiled at me when you were too badly -bruised and torn to stand, yet could scarcely keep back your tears -just now, when you thought that I had suffered half an hour of sorrow -I did not quite deserve. Why then? Do you think that women feel so -differently? Have the women of your Earth hearts so much harder and -skins so much softer than ours?" - -She spoke with most unusual impetuosity, and with that absolute -simplicity and sincerity which marked her every look and word, which -gave them, for me at least, an unspeakable charm, and for all who -heard her a characteristic individuality unlike the speech or manner -of any other woman. As soon suspect an infant of elaborate sarcasm as -Eveena of affectation, irony, or conscious paradox. Nay, while her -voice was in my ears, I never could feel that her views _were_ -paradoxical. The direct straightforwardness and simple structure of -the Martial language enhanced this peculiar effect of her speech; and -much that seems infantine in translation was all but eloquent as she -spoke it. Often, as on this occasion, I felt guilty of insincerity, of -a verbal fencing unworthy of her unalloyed good faith and earnestness, -as I endeavoured to parry thrusts that went to the very heart of all -those instinctive doctrines which I could the less defend on the -moment, because I had never before dreamed that they could be doubted. - -"At any rate," I said at last, "your sex gain by my heresy, since they -are as richly gifted in stinging words as we in physical force." - -"So much the worse for them, surely," she answered simply, "if it be -right that men should rule and women obey?" - -"That is the received doctrine on Earth," I answered. "In practice, -men command and women disobey them; men bully and women lie. But in -truth, Eveena, having a wife only too loyal and too loving, I don't -care to canvass the deserts of ordinary women or the discipline of -other households. I own that it was wrong to scold you. Do not insist -on making me say that it would have been a little less wrong to beat -you!" - -She laughed--her low, sweet, silvery laugh, the like of which I have -hardly heard among Earthly women, even of the simpler, more child-like -races of the East and South; a laugh still stranger in a world where -childhood is seldom bright and womanhood mostly sad and fretful. Of -the very few satisfactory memories I bore away from that world, the -sweetest is the recollection of that laugh, which I heard for the -first time on the morrow of our bridals, and for the last time on the -day before we parted. I cherish it as evidence that, despite many and -bitter troubles, my bride's short married life was not wholly unhappy. -By this time she had found out that we had left the surface, and began -to remonstrate. - -"Nay, I have seen all I care to see, my own. I confess the justice of -your claim, as the partner of my life, to be the partner of its -paramount purpose. You are more precious to me than all the -discoveries of which I ever dreamed, and I will not for any purpose -whatsoever expose you to real peril or serious pain. But henceforth I -will ask you to bear discomfort and inconvenience when the object is -worth it, and to help me wherever your help can avail." - -"I can help you?" - -"Much, and in many ways, my Eveena. You will soon learn to understand -what I wish to examine and the use of the instruments I employ; and -then you will be the most useful of assistants, as you are the best -and most welcome of companions." - -As I spoke a soft colour suffused her face, and her eyes brightened -with a joy and contentment such as no promise of pleasure or -indulgence could have inspired. To be the partner of adventure and -hardship, the drudge in toil and sentinel in peril, was the boon she -claimed, the best guerdon I could promise. If but the promise might -have been better fulfilled! - -It was not till in latitude 9° S. we emerged into the open ocean, and -presently found ourselves free from the currents of the narrow waters, -that, in order to see the remarkable island of which I had caught -sight in my descent, I requested Ergimo to remain for some hours above -the surface. The island rises directly out of the sea, and is -absolutely unascendible. Balloons, however, render access possible, -both to its summit and to its cave-pierced sides. It is the home of -enormous flocks of white birds, which resemble in form the heron -rather than the eider duck, but which, like the latter, line with down -drawn from their own breasts the nests which, counted by millions, -occupy every nook and cranny of the crystalline walls, about ten miles -in circumference. Each of the nests is nearly as large as that of the -stork. They are made of a jelly digested from the bones of the fish -upon which the birds prey, and are almost as white in colour as the -birds themselves. Freshly formed nest dissolved in hot water makes -dishes as much to the taste of Martialists as the famous bird-nest -soup to that of the Chinese. Both down and nests, therefore, are -largely plundered; but the birds are never injured, and care is taken -in robbing them to leave enough of the outer portion of the nest to -constitute a bed for the eggs, and encourage the creatures to rebuild -and reline it. - -One harvest only is permitted, the second stripping of feathers and -the rebuilt nest being left undisturbed. The caverns are lined with a -white guano, now some feet thick, since it has ceased to be sought for -manure; the Martialists having discovered means of saturating the soil -with ammonia procured from the nitrogen of the atmosphere, which with -the sewage and other similar materials enables them to dispense with -this valuable bird manure. Whether the white colour of the island, -perceptible even in a large Terrestrial telescope, is in any degree -due to the whiteness of the birds, their nests, and leavings, or -wholly to reflection from the bright spar-like surface of the rock -itself, and especially of the flat table-like summit, I will not -pretend to say. - -From this point we held our course south-westward, and entered the -northernmost of two extraordinary gulfs of exactly similar shape, -separated by an isthmus and peninsula which assume on a map the form -of a gigantic hammer. The strait by which each gulf is entered is -about a hundred miles in length and ten in breadth. The gulf itself, -if it should not rather be called an inland sea, occupies a total area -of about 100,000 square miles. The isthmus, 500 miles in length by 50 -in breadth, ends in a roughly square peninsula of about 10,000 square -miles in extent, nearly the whole of which is a plateau 2000 feet -above the sea-level. On the narrowest point of the isthmus, just where -it joins the mainland, and where a sheltered bay runs up from either -sea, is situated the great city of Amâkasfe, the natural centre of -Martial life and commerce. At this point we found awaiting us the -balloon which was to convey us to the Court of the Suzerain. A very -light but strong metallic framework maintained the form of the -"fish-shaped" or spindle-shaped balloon itself, which closely -resembled that of our vessel, its dimensions being of necessity -greater. Attached to this framework was the car of similar form, about -twelve feet in length and six in depth, the upper third of the sides, -however, being of open-work, so as not to interfere with the survey of -the traveller. Eveena could not help shivering at the sight of the -slight vehicle and the enormous machine of thin, bladder-like material -by which it was to be upheld. She embarked, indeed, without a word, -her alarm betraying itself by no voluntary sign, unless it were the -tight clasp of my hand, resembling that of a child frightened, but -ashamed to confess its fear. I noticed, however, that she so arranged -her veil as to cover her eyes when the signal for the start was given. -She was, therefore, wholly unconscious of the sudden spring, -unattended by the slightest jolt or shake, which raised us at once 500 -feet above the coast, and under whose influence, to my eyes, the -ground appeared suddenly to fall from us. When I drew out the folds of -her veil, it was with no little amazement that she saw the sky around -her, the sea and the city far below. An aerial current to the -north-westward at our present level, which had been selected on that -account, carried us at a rate of some twelve miles an hour; a rate -much increased, however, by the sails at the stern of the car, sails -of thin metal fixed on strong frames, and striking with a screw-like -motion. Their lack of expanse was compensated by a rapidity of motion -such that they seemed to the eye not to move at all, presenting the -appearance of an uniform disc reflecting the rays of the Sun, which -was now almost immediately above us. Towards evening the Residence of -the Camptâ became visible on the north-western horizon. It was built -on a plateau about 400 feet above the sea-level, towards which the -ground from all sides sloped up almost imperceptibly. Around it was a -garden of great extent with a number of trees of every sort, some of -them masses of the darkest green, others of bright yellow, contrasting -similarly shaped masses of almost equal size clothed from base to top -in a continuous sheet of pink, emerald, white or crimson flowers. The -turf presented almost as great a variety of colours, arranged in. -every conceivable pattern, above which rose innumerable flower-beds, -uniform or varied, the smallest perhaps two, the largest more than 200 -feet in diameter; each circle of bloom higher than that outside it, -till in some cases the centre rose even ten feet above the general -level. The building itself was low, having nowhere more than two -stories. One wing, pointed out to me by Ergimo, was appropriated to -the household of the Prince; the centre standing out in front and -rear, divided by a court almost as wide as the wings; the further wing -accommodating the attendants and officials of the Court. We landed, -just before the evening mist began to gather, at the foot of an -inclined way of a concrete resembling jasper, leading up to the main -entrance of the Palace. - - - -CHAPTER XVII - PRESENTED AT COURT. - -Leading Eveena by the hand--for to hold my arm after the European -fashion was always an inconvenience and fatigue to her--and preceded -by Ergimo, I walked unnoticed to the closed gate of pink crystal, -contrasting the emerald green of the outer walls. Along the front of -this central portion of the residence was a species of verandah, -supported by pillars overlaid with a bright red metal, and wrought in -the form of smooth tree trunks closely clasped by creepers, the silver -flowers of the latter contrasting the dense golden foliage and -ruby-like stems. Under this, and in front of the gate itself, were two -sentries armed with a spear, the shaft of which was about six feet in -length, hollow, and almost as light as the cane or reed handle of an -African assegai. The blade more resembled the triangular bayonet. -Beside each, however, was the terrible asphyxiator, fixed on its -stand, with a bore about as great as that of a nine-pounder, but -incomparably lighter. These two weapons might at one discharge have -annihilated a huge mob of insurgents threatening to storm the palace, -were insurrections known in Mars, These men saluted us by dropping the -points of their weapons and inclining the handle towards us; gazing -upon me with surprise, and with something of soldierly admiration for -physical superiority. The doors, wide enough to admit a dozen -Martialists abreast, parted, and we entered a vaulted hall whose -arched roof was supported not by pillars but by gigantic statues, each -presenting the lustre of a different jewel, and all wrought with -singular perfection of proportion and of beauty. Here we were met by -two officers wearing the same dress as the sentries outside--a diaper -of crimson and silver. The rank of those who now received us, however, -was indicated by a silver ribbon passing over the left shoulder, and -supporting what I should have called a staff, save that it was of -metal and had a sharp point, rendering it almost as formidable a -weapon as the rapier. Exchanging a word or two with Ergimo, these -gentlemen ushered us into a small room on the right, where -refreshments were placed before us. Eveena whispered me that she must -not share our meal in presence of these strangers; an intimation which -somewhat blunted the keen appetite I always derived from a journey -through the Martial atmosphere. Checked as it was, however, that -appetite seemed a new astonishment to our attendants; the need of food -among their race being proportionate to their inferior size and -strength. When we rose, I asked Ergimo what was to become of Eveena, -as the officers were evidently waiting to conduct me into the presence -of their Sovereign, where it would not be appropriate for her to -appear. He repeated my question to the principal official, and the -latter, walking to a door in the farther corner of the room, sounded -an electric signal; a few seconds after which the door opened, showing -two veiled figures, the pink ground of whose robes indicated their -matronhood, if I may apply such a term to the relation of his hundred -temporary wives to the Camptâ. But this ground colour was almost -hidden in the embroidery of crimson, gold, and white, which, as I soon -found, were the favourite colours of the reigning Prince. To these -ladies I resigned Eveena, the officer saying, as I somewhat -reluctantly parted from her, "What you entrust to the Camptâ's -household you will find again in your own when your audience is over." -Whether this avoidance of all direct mention of women were matter of -delicacy or contempt I hardly knew, though I had observed it on former -occasions. - -When the door closed, I noticed that Ergimo had left us, and the -officers indicated by gesture rather than by words that they were to -lead me immediately into the presence. I had considered with some care -how I was, on so critical an occasion, to conduct myself, and had -resolved that the most politic course would probably be an assumption -of courteous but absolute independence; to treat the Autocrat of this -planet much as an English envoy would treat an Indian Prince. It was -in accordance with this intention that I had assumed a dress somewhat -more elaborate than is usually worn here, a white suit of a substance -resembling velvet in texture, and moire in lustre, with collar and -belt of silver. On my breast I wore my order of [illegible], and in my -belt my one cherished Terrestrial possession--the sword, reputed the -best in Asia, that had twice driven its point home within a finger's -breadth of my life; and that clove the turban on my brow but a minute -before it was surrendered--just in time to save its gallant owner and -his score of surviving comrades. In its hilt I had set the emerald -with which alone the Commander of the Faithful rewarded my services. -The turban is not so unlike the masculine head-dress of Mars as to -attract any special attention. Re-entering the hall, I was conducted -along a gallery and through another crystal door into the immediate -presence of the Autocrat. The audience chamber was of no extraordinary -size, perhaps one-quarter as large as the peristyle of Esmo's -dwelling. Along the emerald walls ran a series of friezes wrought in -gold, representing various scenes of peace and war, agricultural, -judicial, and political; as well as incidents which, I afterwards -learnt, preserved the memory of the long struggles wherein the -Communists were finally overthrown. The lower half of the room was -empty, the upper was occupied by a semicircle of seats forming part of -the building itself and directly facing the entrance. These took up -about one-third of the space, the central floor being divided from the -upper portion of the room by a low wall of metal surmounted by arches -supporting the roof and hung with drapery, which might be so lowered -as to conceal the whole occupied part of the chamber. The seats rose -in five tiers, one above the other. The semicircle, however, was -broken exactly in the middle, that is, at the point farthest from the -entrance, by a broad flight of steps, at the summit of which, and -raised a very little above the seats of the highest tier, was the -throne, supported by two of the royal brutes whose attack had been so -nearly fatal to myself, wrought in silver, their erect heads forming -the arms and front. About fifty persons were present, occupying only -the seats nearest to the throne. On the upper tier were nine or ten -who wore a scarlet sash, among whom I recognised a face I had not seen -since the day of my memorable visit to the Astronaut; not precisely -the face of a friend--Endo Zamptâ. Behind the throne were ranged a -dozen guards, armed with the spear and with the lightning gun used in -hunting. That a single Martial battalion with its appropriate -artillery could annihilate the best army of the Earth I could not but -be aware; yet the first thought that occurred to me, as I looked on -these formidably armed but diminutive soldiers, was that a score of my -Arab horsemen would have cut a regiment of them to pieces. But by the -time I had reached the foot of the steps my attention was concentrated -on a single figure and face--the form and countenance of the Prince, -who rose from his throne as I approached. Those who remember that -Louis XIV., a prince reputed to have possessed the most majestic and -awe-inspiring presence of his age, was actually beneath the ordinary -height of Frenchmen, may be able to believe me when I say that the -Autocrat of Mars, though scarcely five feet tall, was in outward -appearance and bearing the most truly royal and imposing prince I have -ever seen. His stature, rising nearly two inches over the tallest of -those around him, perhaps added to the effect of a mien remarkable for -dignity, composure, and self-confidence. The predominant and most -immediately observable expression of his face was one of serene calm -and command. A closer inspection and a longer experience explained -why, notwithstanding, my first conception of his character (and it was -a true one) ascribed to him quite as much of fire and spirit as of -impassive grandeur. His voice, though its tone was gentle and almost -strikingly quiet, had in it something of the ring peculiar to those -which have sent the word of command along a line of battle. I felt as -I heard it more impressed with the personal greatness, and even with -the rank and power, of the Prince before me, than when I knelt to kiss -the hand of the Most Christian King, or stood barefooted before the -greatest modern successor of the conqueror of Stamboul. - -"I am glad to receive you," he said. "It will be among the most -memorable incidents of my reign that I welcome to my Court the first -visitor from another world, or," he added, after a sudden pause, and -with an inflection of unmistakable irony in his tone, "the first who -has descended to our world from a height to which no balloon could -reach and at which no balloonist could live." - -"I am honoured, Prince," I replied, "in the notice of a greater -potentate than the greatest of my own world." - -These compliments exchanged, the Prince at once proceeded to more -practical matters, aptly, however, connecting his next sentence with -the formal phrases preceding it. - -"Nevertheless, you have not shown excessive respect for my power in -the person of one of my greatest officers. If you treated the princes -of Earth as unceremoniously as the Regent of Elcavoo, I can understand -that you found it convenient to place yourself beyond their reach." - -I thought that this speech afforded me an opportunity of repairing my -offence with the least possible loss of dignity. - -"The proudest of Earthly princes," I replied, "would, I think, have -pardoned the roughness which forgot the duty of a subject in the first -obligations of humanity. No Sovereign whom I have served, but would -have forgiven me more readily for rough words spoken at such a moment, -than for any delay or slackness in saving the life of a woman in -danger under his own eyes. Permit me to take this opportunity of -apologizing to the Regent in your presence, and assuring him that I -was influenced by no disrespect to him, but only by overpowering -terror for another." - -"The lives of a dozen women," said the Camptâ, still with that covert -irony or sarcasm in his tone, "would seem of less moment than threats -and actual violence offered to the ruler of our largest and wealthiest -dominion. The excuse which Endo Zamptâ must accept" (with a slight but -perceptible emphasis on the imperative) "is the utter difference -between our laws and ideas and your own." - -The Regent, at this speech from his Sovereign, rose and made the usual -gesture of assent, inclining his head and lifting his left hand to his -mouth. But the look on his face as he turned it on me, thus partly -concealing it from the camptâ, boded no good should I ever fall into -his power. The Prince then desired me to give an account of the -motives which had induced my voyage and the adventures I had -encountered. In reply, I gave him, as briefly and clearly as I could, -a summary of all that is recorded in the earlier part of this -narrative, carefully forbearing to afford any explanation of the -manner in which the apergic force was generated. This omission the -Prince noticed at once with remarkable quickness. - -"You do not choose," he said, "to tell us your secret, and of course -it is your property. Hereafter, however, I shall hope to purchase it -from you." - -"Prince," I answered, "if one of your subjects-found himself in the -power of a race capable of conquering this world and destroying its -inhabitants, would you forgive him if he furnished them with the means -of reaching you?" - -"I think," he replied, "my forgiveness would be of little consequence -in that case. But go on with your story." - -I finished my narration among looks of surprise and incredulity from -no inconsiderable part of the audience, which, however, I noticed the -less because the Prince himself listened with profound interest; -putting in now and then a question which indicated his perfect -comprehension of my account, of the conditions of such a journey and -of the means I had employed to meet them. - -"Before you were admitted," he said, "Endo Zamptâ had read to us his -report upon your vessel and her machinery, an account which in every -respect consists with and supports the truth of your relation. Indeed, -were your story untrue, you have run a greater risk in telling it here -than in the most daring adventure I have ever known or imagined. The -Court is dismissed. Reclamomortâ will please me by remaining with me -for the present." - -When the assembly dispersed, I followed their Autocrat at his desire -into his private apartments, where, resting among a pile of cushions -and motioning me to take a place in immediate proximity to himself, he -continued the conversation in a tone and manner so exactly the same as -that he had employed in public as to show that the latter was not -assumed for purposes of monarchical stage-play, but was the natural -expression of his own character as developed under the influence of -unlimited and uncontradicted power. He only exchanged, for unaffected -interest and implied confidence, the tone of ironical doubt by which -he had rendered it out of the question for his courtiers to charge him -with a belief in that which public opinion might pronounce impossible, -while making it apparent to me that he regarded the bigotry of -scepticism with scarcely veiled contempt. - -"I wish," he said, "I had half-a-dozen subjects capable of imagining -such an enterprise and hardy enough to undertake it. But though we all -profess to consider knowledge, and especially scientific knowledge, -the one object for which it is worth while to live, none of us would -risk his life in such an adventure for all the rewards that science -and fame could give." - -"I think, Prince," I replied, "that I am in presence of one inhabitant -of this planet who would have dared at least as much as I have done." - -"Possibly," he said. "Because, weary as most of us profess to be of -existence, the weariest life in this world is that of him who rules -it; living for ever under the silent criticism which he cannot answer, -and bound to devote his time and thoughts to the welfare of a race -whose utter extermination would be, on their own showing, the greatest -boon he could confer upon them. Certainly I would rather be the -discoverer of a world than its Sovereign." - -He asked me numerous questions about the Earth, the races that inhabit -it, their several systems of government, and their relations to one -another; manifesting a keener interest, I thought, in the great wars -which ended while I was yet a youth, than in any other subject. At -last he permitted me to take leave. "You are," he said, "the most -welcome guest I ever have or could have received; a guest -distinguished above all others by a power independent of my own. But -what honour I can pay to courage and enterprise, what welcome I can -give such a guest, shall not be unworthy of him or of myself. Retire -now to the home you will find prepared for you. I will only ask you to -remember that I have chosen one near my own in order that I may see -you often, and learn in private all that you can tell me." - -At the entrance of the apartment I was met by the officer who had -introduced me into the presence, and conducted at once to a door -opening on the interior court or peristyle of the central portion of -the Palace. This was itself a garden, but, unlike those of private -houses, a garden open to the sky and traversed by roads in lieu of -mere paths; not serving, as in private dwellings, the purposes of a -common living room. Here a carriage awaited us, and my escort -requested me to mount. I had some misgivings on Eveena's account, but -felt it necessary to imitate the reserve and affected indifference on -such subjects of those among whom I had been thrown, at least until I -somewhat better understood their ways, and had established my own -position. Traversing a vaulted passage underneath the rearward portion -of the Palace, we emerged into the outer garden, and through this into -a road lighted with a brilliancy almost equal to that of day. Our -journey occupied nearly half an hour, when we entered an enclosure -apparently of great size, the avenue of which was so wide that, -without dismounting, our carriage passed directly up to the door of a -larger house than I had yet seen. - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - A PRINCE'S PRESENT. - -"This," said my escort, as we dismounted, "is the residence assigned -to you by the Camptâ. Besides the grounds here enclosed, he has -awarded you, by a deed which will presently be placed in your hands, -an estate of some ten _stoltau_, which you can inspect at your -leisure, and which will afford you a revenue as large as is enjoyed by -any save by the twelve Regents. He has endeavoured to add to this -testimony of his regard by rendering your household as complete as -wealth and forethought could make it. What may be wanting to your own -tastes and habits you will find no difficulty in adding." - -We now entered that first and principal chamber of the mansion wherein -it is customary to receive all visitors and transact all business. The -hall was one of unusual size and magnificence. Here, at a table not -far from the entrance, stood another official, not wearing the uniform -of the Court, with several documents in his hand. As he turned to -salute me, his face wore an expression of annoyance and discomfiture -which not a little surprised me, till, by following his sidelong, -uncomfortable glances, I perceived a veiled feminine figure, which -could be no other than Eveena's. Misreading my surprise, the official -said-- - -"It is no fault of mine, and I have not spoken except to remonstrate, -as far as might be allowed, against so unusual a proceeding." - -He must have been astonished and annoyed indeed to take such notice of -a stranger's wife; and, above all, to take upon himself to comment on -her conduct for good or ill. I thought it best to make no reply, and -simply saluted him in form as I received the first paper handed to me, -to which, by the absence of any blank space, I perceived that my -signature was not required. This was indeed the document which -bestowed on me the house and estate presented by the Sovereign. The -next paper handed to me appeared to resemble the marriage-contract I -had already signed, save that but one blank was left therein. Unable -to decipher it, I was about to ask the official to read it aloud, when -Eveena, who had stolen up to me unperceived, caught my arm and drew me -a little way aside, indifferent to the wondering glances of the -officials; who had probably never seen a woman venture uncalled into -the public apartments of her husband's house, still less interpose in -any matter of business, and no doubt thought that she was taking -outrageous advantage of my ignorance and inexperience. - -"I will scold you presently, child," I said quickly and low. "What is -it?" - -"Sign at once," she whispered, "and ask no questions. Deal with me as -you will afterwards. You must take what is given you now, without -comment or objection, simply expressing your thanks." - -"_Must_! Eveena?" - -"It is not safe to refuse or slight gifts from such a quarter," she -answered, in the same low tone. "Trust me so far; please do what I -entreat of you now. I must bear your displeasure if I fail to satisfy -you when we are alone." - -Her manner was so agitated and so anxious that it recalled to me at -once the advice of Esmo upon the same point, though the fears which -had prompted so strange an intervention were wholly incomprehensible -to me. I knew her, however, by this time too well to refuse the trust -she now for the first time claimed, and taking the documents one by -one as if I had perfectly understood them, I wrote my name in the -space left blank for it, and allowed the official to stamp the slips -without a word. I then expressed briefly but earnestly my thanks both -to the Autocrat and to the officials who had been the agents of his -kindness. They retired, and I looked round for Eveena; but as soon as -she saw that I was about to comply with her request, she had quitted -the room. Alone in my own house, knowing nothing of its geography, -having no notion how to summon the brute domestics--if, indeed, the -dwelling were furnished with those useful creatures, without whom a -Martial household would be signally incomplete--I could only look for -the spring that opened the principal door. This should lead into the -gallery which, as I judged, must divide the hall and the front -apartments from those looking into the peristyle. Having found and -pressed this spring, the door opened on a gallery longer, wider, and -more elaborately ornamented than that of the only Martial mansions -into which I had been hitherto admitted. Looking round in no little -perplexity, I observed a niche in which stood a statue of white -relieved by a scarlet background; and beside this statue, crouching -and half hidden, a slight pink object, looking at first like a bundle -of drapery, but which in a moment sprang up, and, catching my hand, -made me aware that Eveena had been waiting for me. - -"I beg you," she said with an earnestness I could not understand, "I -beg you to come _this_ way," leading me to the right, for I had turned -instinctively to the left in entering the gallery, perhaps because my -room in Esmo's house had lain in that direction. Reaching the end of -the gallery, she turned into one of the inner apartments; and as the -door closed behind us, I felt that she was sinking to the ground, as -if the agitation she had manifested in the hall, controlled till her -object was accomplished, had now overpowered her. I caught and carried -her to the usual pile of cushions in the corner. The room, according -to universal custom in Martial houses after sunset, was brilliantly -lighted by the electric lamp in the peristyle, and throwing back her -veil, I saw that she was pale to ghastliness and almost fainting. In -my ignorance of my own house, I could call for no help, and employ no -other restoratives than fond words and caresses. Under this treatment, -nevertheless, she recovered perhaps as quickly as under any which the -faculty might have prescribed. She was, still, however, much more -distressed than mere consciousness of the grave solecism she had -committed could explain. But I had no other clue to her trouble, and -could only hope that in repudiating this she would explain its real -cause. - -"Come, bambina!" I expostulated, "we understand one another too well -by this time for you to wrong me by all this alarm. I know that you -would not have broken through the customs of your people without good -reason; and you know that, even if your reason were not sufficient, I -should not be hard upon the error." - -"I am sure you would not," she said. "But this time you have to -consider others, and you cannot let it be supposed that you do not -know a wife's duty, or will allow your authority to be set at naught -in your own household." - -"What matter? Do you suppose I listen in the roads?" [care for -gossip], I rejoined. "Household rule is a matter of the veil, and no -one--not even your autocratic Prince--will venture to lift it." - -"You have not lifted it yourself yet," she answered. "You will -understand me, when you have looked at the slips you were about to -make them read aloud, had I not interrupted you." - -"Bead them yourself," I said, handing to her the papers I still held, -and which, after her interposition, I had not attempted to decipher. -She took them, but with a visible shudder of reluctance--not stronger -than came over me before she had read three lines aloud. Had I known -their purport, I doubt whether even Eveena's persuasion and the -Autocrat's power together could have induced me to sign them. They -were in very truth contracts of marriage--if marriage it can be -called. The Sovereign had done me the unusual, but not wholly -unprecedented, favour of selecting half a dozen of the fairest maidens -of those waiting their fate in the Nurseries of his empire; had -proffered on my behoof terms which satisfied their ambition, gratified -their vanity, and would have induced them to accept any suitor so -recommended, without the insignificant formality of a personal -courtship. It had seemed to him only a gracious attention to complete -my household; and he had furnished me with a bevy of wives, as I -presently found he had selected a complete set of the most intelligent -_amlau, carvee,_ and _tyree_ which he could procure. Without either -the one or the other, the dwelling he had given me would have seemed -equally empty or incomplete. - -This mark of royal favour astounded and dismayed me more than Eveena -herself. If she had entertained the wish, she would hardly have -acknowledged to herself the hope, that she might remain permanently -the sole partner of my home. But so sudden, speedy, and wholesale an -intrusion thereon she certainly had not expected. Even in Mars, a -first bride generally enjoys for some time a monopoly of her husband's -society, if she cannot be said to enchain his affection. It was hard, -indeed, before the thirtieth day after her marriage, to find herself -but one in a numerous family--the harder that our union had from the -first been close, intimate, unrestrainedly confidential, as it can -hardly be where neither expects that the tie can remain exclusive; and -because she had learned to realise and rest upon such love as belongs -to a life in which woman, never affecting the independence of coequal -partnership, has never yet sunk by reaction into a mere slave and toy. -It was hard, cruelly hard, on one who had given in the first hour of -marriage, and never failed to give, a love whose devotion had no -limit, no reserve or qualification; a submission that was less -self-sacrifice or self-suppression than the absolute surrender of -self--of will, feeling, and self-interest--to the judgment and -pleasure of him she loved: hard on her who had neither thought nor -care for herself as apart from me. - -When I understood to what I had actually committed myself, I snatched -the papers from her, and might have torn them to pieces but for the -gentle restraining hand she laid upon mine. - -"You cannot help it," she said, the tears falling from her eyes, but -with a self-command of which I could not have supposed her capable. -"It seems hard on me; but it is better so. It is not that you are not -content with me, not that you love me less. I can bear it better when -it comes from a stranger, and is forced upon you without, and even, I -think, against your will." - -The pressure of the arm that clasped her waist, and the hand that held -her own, was a sufficient answer to any doubt that might be implied in -her last words; and, lifting her eyes to mine, she said-- - -"I shall always remember this. I shall always think that you were -sorry not to have at least a little while longer alone with me. It is -selfish to feel glad that you are pained; but your sympathy, your -sharing my own feeling, comforts me as I never could have been -comforted when, as must have happened sooner or later, you had found -for yourself another companion." - -"Child, do you mean to say there is 'no portal to this passage;' and -that, however much against my will, I am bound to women I have never -seen, and never wish to see?" - -"You have signed," replied Eveena gently. "The contracts are stamped, -and are in the official's hands; and you could not attempt to break -them without giving mortal offence to the Prince, who has intended you -a signal favour. Besides, these girls themselves have done no wrong, -and deserve no affront or unkindness from you." - -I was silent for some minutes; at first simply astounded at the calm -magnanimity which was mingled with her perfect simplicity, then, -pondering the possibilities of the situation-- - -"Can we not escape?" I said at last, rather to myself than to her. - -"Escape!" she repeated with surprise. "And from what? The favour shown -you by our Sovereign, the wealth he has bestowed, the personal -interest he has taken in perfecting every detail of one of the most -splendid homes ever given save to a prince--every incident of your -position--make you the most envied man in this world; and you would -escape from them?" - -Gazing for a few moments in my face, she added-- - -"These maidens were chosen as the loveliest in all the Nurseries of -two continents; every one of them far more beautiful than I can be, -even in your eyes. Pray do not, for my sake, be unkind to them or try -to dislike them. What is it you would escape?" - -"Being false to you," I answered, "if nothing else." - -"False!" she echoed, in unaffected wonder. "What did you promise me?" - -Again I was silenced by the loyal simplicity with which she followed -out ideas so strange to me that their consequences, however logical, I -could never anticipate; and could hardly admit to be sound, even when -so directly and distinctly deduced as now from the intolerable -consistency of the premises. - -"But," I answered at last, "how much did _you_ promise, Eveena? and -how much more have you given?" - -"Nothing," she replied, "that I did not owe. You won your right to all -the love I could give before you asked for it, and since." - -"We 'drive along opposite lines,' Madonna; but we would both give and -risk much to avoid what is before us. Let me ask your father whether -it be not yet possible to return to my vessel, and leave a world so -uncongenial to both of us." - -"You cannot!" she answered. "Try to escape--you insult the Prince; you -put yourself and me, for whom you fear more, in the power of a -malignant enemy. You cannot guide a balloon or a vessel, if you could -get possession of one; and within a few hours after your departure was -known, every road and every port would be closed to you." - -"Can I not send to your father?" I said. - -"Probably," she replied. "I think we shall find a telegraph in your -office, if you will allow me to enter there, now there is no one to -see; and it must be morning in Ecasfe." - -Familiar with the construction and arrangement of a Martial house, -Eveena immediately crossed the gallery to what she called the -office--the front room on the right, where the head of the house -carries on his work or study. Here, above a desk attached to the wall, -was one of those instruments whose manipulation was simple enough for -a novice like myself. - -"But," I said, "I cannot write your stylic characters; and if I used -the phonic letters, a message from me would be very likely to excite -the curiosity of officials who would care about no other." - -"May I," she suggested, "write your message for you, and put your -purport in words that will be understood by my father alone?" - -"Do," I rejoined, "but do it in my name, and I will sign it." - -Under her direction, I took the stylus or pencil and the slip of -_tafroo_ she offered me, and wrote my name at the head. After -eliciting the exact purport of the message I desired to send, and -meditating for some moments, she wrote and read out to me words -literally translated as follows:-- - -"The rich aviary my flower-bird thought over full. I would breathe -home [air]. Health-speak." The sense of which, as I could already -understand, was-- - -"A splendid mansion has been given us, but my flower-bird has found it -too full. I wish for my native air. Prescribe." - -The brevity of the message was very characteristic of the language. -Equally characteristic of the stylography was the fact that the words -occupied about an inch beyond the address. Following her pencil as she -pointed to the ciphers, I said-- - -"Is not _asny caré_ a false concord? And why have you used the past -tense?" - -This ill-timed pedantry, applying to Martial grammar the rules of that -with which my boyhood had been painfully familiarised, provoked, amid -all our trouble, Eveena's low silver-toned laugh. - -"I meant it," she answered. "My father will look at his pupil's -writing with both eyes." - -"Well, you are out of reach even of the leveloo." - -She laughed again. - -"Asnyca-re," she said; the changed accentuation turning the former -words into the well-remembered name of my landing-place, with the -interrogative syllable annexed. - -This message despatched, we could only await the reply. Nestling among -the cushions at my knee, her head resting on my breast, Eveena said-- - -"And now, forgive my presumption in counselling you, and my reminding -you of what is painful to both. But what to us is as the course of the -clock, is strange as the stars to you. You must see--_them_, and must -order all household arrangements; and" (glancing at a dial fixed in -the wall) "the black is driving down the green." - -"So much the better," I said. "I shall have less time to speak to -them, and less chance of speaking or looking my mind. And as to -arrangements, those, of course, you must make." - -"I! forgive me," she answered, "that is impossible. It is for you to -assign to each of us her part in the household, her chamber, her rank -and duties. You forget that I hold exactly the same position with the -youngest among them, and cannot presume even to suggest, much less to -direct." - -I was silent, and after a pause she went on-- - -"It is not for me to advise you; but"-- - -"Speak your thought, now and always, Eveena. Even if I did not stand -in so much need of your guidance in a new world, I never yet refused -to hear counsel; and it is a wife's right to offer it." - -"Is it? We are not so taught," she answered. "I am afraid you have -rougher ground to steer over than you are aware. Alone with you, I -hope I should have done nay best, remembering the lesson of the -leveloo, never to give you the pain of teaching a different one. But -we shall no longer be alone; and you cannot hope to manage seven as -you might manage one. Moreover, these girls have neither had that -first experience of your nature which made that lesson so impressive -to me, nor the kindly and gentle training, under a mother's care and a -father's mild authority, that I had enjoyed. They would not understand -the control that is not enforced. They will obey when they must; and -will feel that they must obey when they cannot deceive, and dare not -rebel. Do not think hardly of them for this. They have known no life -but that of the strict clockwork routine of a great Nursery, where no -personal affection and no rule but that of force is possible." - -"I understand, Madonna. Your Prince's gift puts a man in charge of -young ladies, hitherto brought up among women only, and, of course, -petty, petulant, frivolous, as women left to themselves ever are! I -wish you could see the ridiculous side of the matter which occurs to -me, as I see the painful aspect which alone is plain to you. I can -scarcely help laughing at the chance which has assigned to me the -daily personal management of half-a-dozen school-girls; and -school-girls who must also be wives! I don't think you need fear that -I shall deal with them as with you: as a man of sense and feeling must -deal with a woman whose own instincts, affection, and judgment are -sufficient for her guidance. I never saw much of girls or children. I -remember no home but the Western school and the Oriental camp. I -never, as soldier or envoy, was acquainted with other men's homes. -While still beardless, I have ruled bearded soldiers by a discipline -whose sanctions were the death-shot and the bastinado; and when I left -the camp and court, it was for colleges where a beardless face is -never seen. I must look to you to teach me how discipline may be -softened to suit feminine softness, and what milder sanction may -replace the noose and the stick of the _ferash_" (Persian -executioner). - -"I cannot believe," Eveena answered, taking me, as usual, to the -letter, "that you will ever draw the zone too tight. We say that -'anarchy is the worst tyranny.' Laxity which leaves us to quarrel and -torment each other, tenderness which encourages disorder and -disobedience till they must be put down perforce, is ultimate -unkindness. I will not tell you that such indulgence will give you -endless trouble, win you neither love nor respect, and probably teach -its objects to laugh at you under the veil. You will care more for -this--that you would find yourself forced at last to change 'velvet -hand for leathern band.' Believe me, my--our comfort and happiness -must depend on your grasping the helm at once and firmly; ruling us, -and ruling with a strong hand. Otherwise your home will resemble the -most miserable of all scenes of discomfort--an ungoverned school; and -the most severe and arbitrary household rule is better by far than -that. And--forgive me once more--but do not speak as if you would deal -one measure with the left hand and another with the right. Surely you -do not so misunderstand me as to think I counselled you to treat -myself differently from others? 'Just rule only can be gentle.' If you -show favouritism at first, you will find yourself driven step by step -to do what you will feel to be cruel; what will pain yourself perhaps -more than any one else. You may make envy and dislike bite (hold) -their tongues, but you cannot prevent their stinging under the veil. -Therefore, once more, you cannot let my interference pass as if none -but you knew of it." - -"Madonna, if I _am_ to rule such a household, I will rule as -absolutely as your autocratic Prince. I will tolerate no criticism and -no questions." - -"You surely forget," she urged, "that they know my offence, and do not -know--must not know--what in your judgment excuses it. Let them once -learn that it is possible so to force the springs [bolts] without a -sting, it will take a salt-fountain [of tears] to blot the lesson from -their memory." - -"What would you have, Eveena? Am I to deal unjustly that I may seem -just? That course steers straight to disaster. And, had you been in -fault, could, I humble you in other eyes?" - -"If I feel hurt by any mark of your displeasure, or humbled that it -should be known to my equals in your own household," she replied, "it -is time I were deprived of the privileges that have rendered me so -overweening." - -My answer was intercepted by the sound of an electric bell or -miniature gong, and a slip of tafroo fell upon the desk. The first -words were in that vocal character which I had mastered, and came from -Esmo. - -"Hysterical folly," he had said. "Mountain air might be fatal; and -clear nights are dangerously cold for more than yourselves." - -"What does he mean?" I asked, as I read out a formula more studiously -occult than those of the Pharmacopoeia. - -"That I am unpardonably silly, and that you must not dream of going -back to your vessel. The last words, I suppose, warn you how carefully -in such a household you need to guard the secrets of the Starlight." - -"Well, and what is this in the stylic writing?" - -Eveena glanced over it and coloured painfully, the tears gathering in -her eyes. - -"That," she said, pointing to the first cipher, "is my mother's -signature." - -"Then," I said, "it is meant for you, not for me." - -"Nay," she answered. "Do you think I could take advantage of your not -knowing the character?"--and she read words quite as incomprehensible -to me as the writing itself. - -"Can a star mislead the blind? I should veil myself in crimson if I -have trained a bird to snatch sugar from full hands. Must even your -womanhood reverse the clasps of your childhood?" - -"It chimes midnight twice," I said--a Martial phrase meaning, 'I am as -much in the dark as ever.' "Do not translate it, carissima. I can read -in your face that it is unjust--reproachful where you deserve no -reproach." - -"Nay, when you so wrong my mother I must tell you exactly what she -means:--'Can a child of the Star take advantage of one who relies on -her to explain the customs of a world unknown to him? I blush to think -that my child can abuse the tenderness of one who is too eager to -indulge her fancies.' - -"You see she is quite right. You do trust me so absolutely, you are so -strangely over-kind to me, it is shameful I should vex you by fretting -because you are forced to do what you might well have done at your own -pleasure." - -"My own, I was more than vexed; chiefly perhaps for your sake, but not -by you. Where any other woman would have stung the sore by sending -fresh sparks along the wire, you thought only to spare me the pain of -seeing you pained. But what do the last words mean? No"--for I saw the -colour deepen on her half-averted face--"better leave unread what we -know to be written in error." - -But the less agreeable a supposed duty, the more resolute was Eveena -to fulfil it. - -"They were meant to recall a saying familiar in every school and -household," she said:-- - - "'Sandal loosed and well-clasped zone-- - Childhood spares the woman grown. - Change the clasps, and woman yet - Pays with interest childhood's debt.'" - -"This"--tightening and relaxing the clasp of her zone--"is the symbol -of stricter or more indulgent household rule." Then bending so as to -avert her face, she unclasped her embroidered sandal and gave it into -my hand;--"and this is what, I suppose, you would call its sanction." - -"There is more to be said for the sandal than I supposed, bambina, if -it have helped to make you what you are. But you may tell Zulve that -its work and hers are done." - -Kneeling before her, I kissed, with more studied reverence than the -sacred stone of the Caaba, the tiny foot on which I replaced its -covering. - -"Baby as she thinks and I call you, Eveena, you are fast unteaching me -the lesson which, before you were born and ever since, the women of -the Earth have done their utmost to impress indelibly upon my -mind--the lesson that woman is but a less lovable, more petulant, more -deeply and incurably spoilt child. Your mother's reproach is an exact -inversion of the truth. No one could have acted with more utter -unselfishness, more devoted kindness, more exquisite delicacy than you -have shown in this miserable matter. I could not have believed that -even you could have put aside your own feelings so completely, could -have recognised so promptly that I was not in fault, have thought so -exclusively of what was best and safe for me in the first place, and -next of what was kind and just and generous to your rivals. I never -thought such reasonableness and justice possible to feminine nature; -and if I cannot love you more dearly, you have taught me how deeply to -admire and honour you. I accept the situation, since you will have it -so; be as just and considerate henceforward as you have been to-night, -and trust me that it shall bring no shadow between us--shall never -make you less to me than you are now." - -"But it must," she insisted. "I cannot now be other than one wife -among many; and what place I hold among them is, remember, for you and -you alone to fix. No rule, no custom, obliges you to give any -preference in form or fact to one, merely because you chanced to marry -her first." - -"Such, nevertheless, did not seem to be the practice in your father's -house. Your mother was as distinctly wife and mistress as if his sole -companion." - -"My father," she replied, "did not marry a second time till within my -own memory; and it was natural and usual to give the first place to -one so much older and more experienced. I have no such claim, and when -you see my companions you may find good reason to think that I am the -least fit of all to take the first place. Nor," she added, drawing me -from the room, "do I wish it. If only you will keep in your mind one -little place for the memory of our visit to your vessel and your -promise respecting it, I shall be more than content." - -Eveena's humble, unconscious self-abnegation was rendering the -conversation intolerably painful, and even the embarrassing situation -now at hand was a welcome interruption. Eveena paused before a door -opening from the gallery into one of the rooms looking on the -peristyle. - -"You will find them there," she said, drawing back. - -"Come with me, then," I answered; and as she shrank away, I tightened -my clasp of her waist and drew her forward. The door opened, and we -found ourselves in presence of six veiled ladies in pink and silver, -all of them, with one exception, a little taller and less slight than -my bride. Eveena, with the kindness which never failed under the most -painful trial or the most powerful impulses of natural feeling, -extricated herself gently from my hold, took the hand of the first, -and brought her up to me. The girl was evidently startled at the first -sight of her new possessor, and alarmed by a figure so much larger and -more powerful than any she had ever seen, exceeding probably the -picture drawn by her imagination. - -"This," said Eveena gently and gravely, "is Eunané, the prettiest and -most accomplished scholar in her Nursery." - -As I was about to acknowledge the introduction with the same cold -politeness with which I should have bowed to a strange guest on Earth, -Eveena took my left hand in her own and laid it on the maiden's veil, -recalling to me at once the proprieties of the occasion and the -justice she had claimed for her unoffending and unintentional rivals; -but at the same time bringing back in full force a remembrance she -could not have forgotten, but whose effect upon myself the ideas to -which she was habituated rendered her unable to anticipate. To accept -in her presence a second bride, by the same ceremonial act which had -so lately asserted my claim to herself, was intensely repugnant to my -feelings, and only her own self-sacrificing influence could have -overcome my reluctance. My hesitation was, I fear, perceptible to -Eunané; for, as I removed her veil and head-dress, her expression and -a colour somewhat brighter than that of mere maiden shyness indicated -disappointment or mortified pride. She was certainly very beautiful, -and perhaps, had I now seen them both for the first time, I might have -acquiesced in the truth of Eveena's self-depreciation. As it was, -nothing could associate with the bright intelligent face, the clear -grey eyes and light brown hair, the lithe active form instinct with -nervous energy, that charm which from our first acquaintance their -expression of gentle kindness, and, later, the devoted affection -visible in every look, had given to Eveena's features. - -It is, I suppose, hardly natural to man to feel actual unkindness -towards a young and beautiful girl who has given no personal offence. -Having once admitted, the justice of Eveena's plea, and feeling that -she would be more pained by the omission than by the fulfilment of the -forms which courtesy and common kindness imperatively demanded, I -kissed Eunané's brow and spoke a few words to her, with as much of -tenderness as I could feel or affect for Eveena's rival, after what -had passed to endear Eveena more than ever. The latter waited a -little, to allow me spontaneously to perform the same ceremony with -the other girls; but seeing my hesitation, she came forward again and -presented severally four others--Enva ("Snow" = Blanche), Leenoo -("Rose"), Eiralé, Elfé, all more or less of the usual type of female -beauty in Mars, with long full tresses varying in tinge from flax to -deep gold or the lightest brown; each with features almost faultless, -and with all the attraction (to me unfailing) possessed for men who -have passed their youth by _la beauté du Diable_--the bloom of pure -graceful girlhood. Eivé, the sixth of the party, standing on the right -of the others, and therefore last in place according to Martial usage, -was smaller and slighter than Eveena herself, and made an individual -impression on my attention by a manifest timidity and agitation -greater than any of the rest had evinced. As I removed her veil I was -struck by the total unlikeness which her face and form presented to -those I had just saluted. Her hair was so dark as by contrast to seem -black; her complexion less fair than those of her companions, though -as fair as that of an average Greek beauty; her eyes of deepest brown; -her limbs, and especially the hands and feet, marvellously perfect in -shape and colour, but in the delicacy and minuteness of their form -suggesting, as did all the proportions of her tiny figure, the -peculiar grace of childhood; an image in miniature of faultless -physical beauty. In Eivé alone of the bevy I felt a real interest; but -the interest called forth by a singularly pretty child, in whose -expression the first glance discerns a character it will take long to -read, rather than that commanded by the charms of earliest womanhood. - -When I had completed the ceremonial round, there was a somewhat -awkward silence, which Eveena at last broke by suggesting that Eunané -should show us through the house, with which she had made the earliest -acquaintance. This young girl readily took the lead thus assigned to -her, and by some delicate manoeuvre, whose authorship I could not -doubt, I found her hand in mine as we made our tour. The number of -chambers was much greater than in Esmo's dwelling, the garden of the -peristyle larger and more elaborately arranged, if not more beautiful. -The ambau were more numerous than even the domestic service of so -large a mansion appeared to require. The birds, whose duties lay -outside, were by this time asleep on their perches, and we forbore to -disturb them. The central chamber of the seraglio, if I may so call -it, the largest and midmost of those in the rear of the garden, -devoted as of course to the ladies of the household, was especially -magnificent. - -When we stood in its midst, shy looks askance from all the six -betrayed their secret ambition; though Eivé's was but momentary, and -so slight that I felt I might have unfairly suspected her of -presumption. I left this room, however, in silence, and assigned to -each, of my maiden brides, in order as they had been presented to me, -the rooms on the left; and then, as we stood once more in the -peristyle, having postponed all further arrangements, all distribution -of household duties, to the morrow (assigning, however, to Eunané, -whose native energy and forwardness had made early acquaintance with -the dwelling and its dumb inhabitants, the charge of providing and -preparing with their assistance our morning meal), I said, "I have let -the business of the evening zyda actually encroach on midnight, and -must detain you from your rest no longer. Eveena, you know, I still -have need of you." - -She was standing at a little distance, next to Eunané; and the latter, -with a smile half malicious, half triumphant, whispered something in -her ear. There was a suppressed annoyance in Eveena's look which -provoked me to interpose. On Earth I should never have been fool -enough to meddle in a woman's quarrel. The weakest can take her own -part in the warfare of taunt and innuendo, better and more venomously -than could dervish, priest, or politician. But Eveena could no more -lower herself to the ordinary level of feminine malice than I could -have borne to hear her do so; and it was intolerable that one whose -sweet humility commanded respect from myself should submit to slight -or sneer from the lips and eyes of petulant girls. Eunané started as I -spoke, using that accent which gives its most peremptory force to the -Martial imperative. "Repeat aloud what you have chosen to say to -Eveena in my presence." - -If the first to express the ill-will excited by Eveena's evident -influence, though exerted in their own behalf, it was less that Eunané -surpassed her companions in malice than that they fell short of her in -audacity. Her school-mates had found her their most daring leader in -mischief, the least reluctant scapegoat when mischief was to be -atoned. But she was cowed, partly perhaps by her first collision with -masculine authority, partly, I fear, by sheer dread of physical force -visibly greater than she had ever known by repute. Perhaps she was too -much frightened to obey. At any rate, it was from Eveena, despite her -pleading looks, that I extorted an answer. She yielded at last only to -that formal imperative which her conscience would not permit her to -disobey, and which for the first time I now employed in addressing -her. - -"Eunané only repeated," Eveena said, with a reluctance so manifest -that one might have supposed her to be the offender, "a school-girl's -proverb:-- - - "'Ware the wrath that stands to cool: - Then the sandal shows the rule.'" - -The smile that had accompanied the whisper--though not so much -suggestive of a woman's malignity as of a child's exultation in a -companion's disgrace--gave point and sting to the taunt. It is on -chance, I suppose, that the effect of such things depends. Had the -saying been thrown at any of Eunané's equals, I should probably have -been inclined to laugh, even if I felt it necessary to reprimand. But, -angered at a hint which placed Eveena on their own level, I forgot how -far the speaker's experience and inexperience alike palliated the -impertinence. That the insinuation shocked none of those around me was -evident. Theirs were not the looks of women, however young and -thoughtless, startled by an affront to their sex; but of children -amazed at a child's folly in provoking capricious and irresponsible -power. The angry quickness with which I turned to Eunané received a -double, though doubly unintentional, rebuke, equally illustrative of -Martial ideas and usages. The culprit cowered like a child expecting a -brutal blow. A gentle pressure on my left arm evinced the same fear in -a quarter from which its expression wounded me deeply. That pressure -arrested not, as was intended, my hand, but my voice; and when I spoke -the frightened girl looked up in surprise at its measured tones. - -"Wrong, and wrong thrice over, Eunané. It is for me to teach you the -bad taste of bringing into your new home the ideas and language of -school. Meanwhile, in no case would you learn more of my rule than -concerned your own fault. Take in exchange for your proverb the -kindliest I have learned in your language:-- - - "'Whispered warnings reach the heart; - Veil the blush and spare the smart.' - -"But, happily for you, your taunt had not truth enough to sting; and I -can tell the story about which you are unduly curious as frankly as -you please.--Let me speak now, Eveena, that I may spare the need to -speak again and in another tone.--That Eveena seemed to have put us -both in a false position only convinced me that she had a motive she -knew would satisfy me as fully as herself. When I learned what that -motive was, I was greatly surprised at her unselfishness and courage. -If you threw me your veil to save me from drowning, how would you feel -if my first words to you were:--'No one must think I could not swim, -therefore even the household must believe you, in unveiling, guilty of -an unpardonable fault'?... Answer me, Eunané." - -"I should let you sink next time," she replied, with a pretty -half-dubious sauciness, showing that her worst fears at least were -relieved. - -"Quite right; but you are less generous than Eveena. To hide how I had -acted on her advice, she would have had you suppose her guilty. That -you might not laugh at my authority, and 'find a dragon in the esve's -nest,' she would have had me treat her as guilty." - -"But I deserved it. A girl has no right to break the seal in the -master's absence," interposed Eveena, much more distressed than -gratified by the vindication to which she was so well entitled. - -"Let your tongue sleep, Eveena. So [with a kiss] I blot your first -miscalculation, Eunané. Earth [the Evening Star of Mars] light your -dreams." - -It was with visible reluctance that Eveena followed me into the -chamber we had last left; and she expostulated as earnestly as her -obedience would permit against the fiat that assigned it to her. - -"Choose what room you please, then," I said; "but understand that, so -far as my will and my trust can make you, you are the mistress here." - -"Well, then," she answered, "give me the little octagon beside your -own:"--the smallest and simplest, but to my taste the prettiest, room -in the house. "I should like to be near you still, if I may; but, -believe me, I shall not be frozen (hurt) because you think another -hand better able to steer the carriage, if mine may sometimes rest in -yours." - -Leading her into the room she had chosen, and having installed her -among the cushions that were to form her couch, I silenced decisively -her renewed protest. - -"Let me answer you on this point, once and for ever, Eveena. To me -this seems matter of right, not of favour or fitness. But favour and -fitness here go with right. I could no more endure to place another -before or beside you than I could break the special bond between us, -and deny the hope of which the Serpent" (laying my hand on her -shoulder-clasp, which, by mere accident, was shaped into a faint -resemblance to the mystic coil) "is the emblem; the hope that alone -can make such love as ours endurable, or even possible, to creatures -that must die. She who knelt with me before the Emerald Throne, who -took with me the vows so awfully sanctioned, shall hold the first -place in my home as in my heart till the Serpent's promise be -fulfilled." - -Both were silent for some time, for never could we refer to that -Vision--whether an objective fact, or an impression communicated from -one spirit to the other by the occult force of intense sympathy--save -by such allusion; and the remembrance never failed to affect us both -with a feeling too deep for words. Eveena spoke again-- - -"I am sorry you have so bound yourself; perhaps only because you knew -me first. And it shames me to receive fresh proof of your kindness -to-night." - -"And why, my own?" - -"Do not make me feel," she said, "that--though the measured sentences -you have taught me to call scolding seemed the sharpest of all -penances--there is a heavier yet in the silence which withholds -forgiveness." - -"What have I yet to forgive, Madonna?" - -But Eveena could read my feelings in spite of my words, and knew that -the pain she had given was too recent to allow me to misconceive her -penitence. - -"I _ought_ to say, my interference. It was your right to rule as you -chose, and my meddling was a far worse offence than Eunané's malice. -But it was not _that_ you felt too deeply to reprove." - -"True! Eunané hurt me a little; but I expected no such misjudgment -from you. By the touch that proved your alarm I know that I gave no -cause for it." - -"How so?" she asked in surprise. - -"You laid your hand instinctively on my _left_ arm, the one your -people use. Had I made the slightest angry gesture, you would have -held back my _right_. Had I deserved that Eveena should think so ill -of me--think me capable of doing such dishonour to her presence and to -my own roof, which should have protected an equal enemy from that -which you feared for a helpless girl? For what you would have checked -was such a blow as men deal to men who can strike back; and the hand -that had given it would have been unfit to clasp man's in friendship -or woman's in love. You yourself must have shrunk from its touch." - -She caught and held it fast to her lips. - -"Can I forget that it saved my life? I don't understand you at all, -but I see that I have frozen your heart. I did fancy for one moment -you would strike, as passionate men and women often do strike -provoking girls, perhaps forgetting your own strength; and I knew you -would be miserable if you did hurt her--in that way. The next moment I -was ashamed, more than you will believe, to have wronged you so. Like -every man, from the head of a household to the Arch-Judge or the -Camptâ, you must rule by fear. But your wrath _will_ 'stand to cool;' -and you will hate to make a girl cry as you would hate to send a -criminal to the electric-rack, the lightning-stroke, or the -vivisection-table. And, whatever you had done, do you fancy that I -could shrink from you? I said, 'If you weary of your flower-bird you -must strike with the hammer;' and if you could do so, do you think I -should not feel for your hand to hold it to the last?" - -"Hush, Eveena! how can I bear such words? You might forgive me for any -outrage to you: I doubt your easily forgetting cruelty to another. I -have not a heart like yours. As I never failed a friend, so I never -yet forgave a foe. Yet even I might pardon one of those girls an -attempt to poison myself, and in some circumstances I might even learn -to like her better afterwards. But I doubt if I could ever touch again -the hand that had mixed the poison for another, though that other were -my mortal enemy." - - - -CHAPTER XIX - A COMPLETE ESTABLISHMENT. - -Before I slept Eveena had convinced me, much to my own discomfiture, -how very limited must be any authority that could be delegated to her. -In such a household there could be no second head or deputy, and an -attempt to devolve any effective charge on her would only involve her -in trouble and odium. Even at the breakfast, spread as usual in the -centre of the peristyle, she entreated that we should present -ourselves separately. Eunané appeared to have performed very -dexterously the novel duty assigned to her. The _ambau_ had obeyed her -orders with well-trained promptitude, and the _carvee_, in bringing -fruit, leaves, and roots from the outer garden, had more than verified -all that on a former occasion Eveena had told me of their cleverness -and quick comprehension of instructions. Eunané's face brightened -visibly as I acknowledged the neatness and the tempting appearance of -the meal she had set forth. She was yet more gratified by receiving -charge for the future of the same duty, and authority to send, as is -usual, by an ambâ the order for that principal part of each day's food -which is supplied by the confectioner. By reserving for Eveena the -place among the cushions immediately on my left, I made to the -assembled household the expected announcement that she was to be -regarded as mistress of the house; feminine punctiliousness on points -of domestic precedence strikingly contrasting the unceremonious -character of intercourse among men out of doors. The very ambau -recognise the mistress or the favourite, as dogs the master of their -Earthly home. - -The ladies were at first shy and silent, Eunané only giving me more -than a monosyllabic answer to my remarks, and even Eunané never -speaking save in reply to me. A trivial incident, however, broke -through this reserve, and afforded me a first taste of the petty -domestic vexations in store for me. The beverage most to my liking was -always the _carcarâ_--juice flavoured with roasted kernels, something -resembling coffee in taste. On this occasion the _carcarâ_ and another -favourite dish had a taste so peculiar that I pushed both aside almost -untouched. On observing this, the rest--Enva, Leenoo, Elfé, and -Eiralé--took occasion to criticise the articles in question with such -remarks and grimaces as ill-bred children might venture for the -annoyance of an inexperienced sister. I hesitated to repress this -outbreak as it deserved, till Eunané's bitter mortification was -evident in her brightening colour and the doubtful, half-appealing -glance of tearful eyes. Then a rebuke, such as might have been -appropriately addressed yesterday to these rude school-girls by their -governess, at once silenced them. As we rose, I asked Eveena, who, -with more courtesy than the rest of us, had finished her portion-- - -"Is there any justice in these reproaches? I certainly don't like the -carcarâ to-day, but it does not follow that Eunané is in fault." - -The rest, Eunané included, looked their annoyance at this appeal; but -Eveena's temper and kindness were proof against petulance. - -"The carcarâ is in fault," she said; "but I don't think Eunané is. In -learning cookery at school she had her materials supplied to her; this -time the _carve_ has probably given her an unripe or overripe fruit -which has spoiled the whole." - -"And do you not know ripe from unripe fruit?" I inquired, turning to -Eunané. - -"How should she?" interposed Eveena. "I doubt if she ever saw them -growing." - -"How so?" I asked of Eunané. - -"It is true," she answered. "I never went beyond the walls of our -playground till I came here; and though there were a few flower-beds -in the inner gardens, there were none but shade trees among the turf -and concrete yards to which we were confined." - -"I should have known no better," observed Eveena; "but being brought -up at home, I learned to know all the plants in my father's grounds, -which were more various, I believe, than usual." - -"Then," I said, "Eunané has a new life and a multitude of new -pleasures before her. Has this peristyle given you your first sight of -flowers beyond those in the beds of your Nursery? And have you never -seen anything of the world about you?" - -"Never," she said. "And Eveena's excuse for me is, I believe, -perfectly true. The carve must have been stupid, but I knew no -better." - -"Well," I rejoined, "you must forgive the bird, as we must excuse you -for spoiling our breakfast. I will contrive that you shall know more -of fruits and flowers before long. In the meantime, you will probably -have a different if not a wider view from this roof than from that of -your Nursery." - -After all, Eunané's girlhood, typical of the whole life of many -Martial women, had not, I suppose, been more dreary or confined than -that of children in London, Canton, or Calcutta. But this incident, -reminding me how dreary and limited that life was, served to excuse in -my eyes the pettiness and poverty of the characters it had produced. A -Martial woman's whole experience may well be confined within a few -acres, and from the cradle to the grave she may see no more of the -world than can be discerned from the roof of her school or her -husband's home. - -Eunané, with the assistance of the ambau, busied herself in removing -the remains of the meal. The other five, putting on their veils, -scampered up the inclined plane to the roof, much like children -released from table or from tasks. Turning to Eveena, who still -remained beside me, I said-- - -"Get your veil, and come out with me; I have not yet an idea where we -are, and scarcely a notion what the grounds are like." - -She followed me to my apartment, out of which, opened the one she had -chosen, and as the window closed behind us she spoke in a tone of -appeal-- - -"Do not insist on my accompanying you. As you bade me always speak my -thought, I had much rather you would take one of the others." - -"You professed," I said, "to take especial pleasure in a walk with me, -and this time I will be careful that you are not overtired." - -"Of course I should like it," she answered; "but it would not be just. -Please let me this time remain to take my part of the household -duties, and make myself acquainted with the house. Choose your -companion among the others, whom you have scarcely noticed yet." - -Preferring not only Eveena's company, but even my own, to that of any -of the six, and feeling myself not a little dependent on her guidance -and explanations, I remonstrated. But finding that her sense of -justice and kindness would yield to nothing short of direct command, I -gave way. - -"You forget _my_ pleasure," I said at last. "But if you will not go, -you must at least tell me which I am to take. I will not pretend to -have a choice in the matter." - -"Well, then," she answered, "I should be glad to see you take Eunané. -She is, I think, the eldest, apparently the most intelligent and -companionable, and she has had one mortification already she hardly -deserved." - -"And is much the prettiest," I added maliciously. But Eveena was -incapable of even understanding so direct an appeal to feminine -jealousy. - -"I think so," she said; "much the prettiest among us. But that will -make no difference under her veil." - -"And must she keep down her veil," I asked, "in our own grounds?" - -Eveena laughed. "Wherever she might be seen by any man but yourself." - -"Call her then," I answered. - -Eveena hesitated. But having successfully carried her own way on the -main question, she would not renew her remonstrances on a minor point; -and finding her about to join the rest, she drew Eunané apart. Eunané -came up to me alone, Eveena having busied herself in some other part -of the house. She approached slowly as if reluctant, and stood silent -before me, her manner by no means expressive of satisfaction. - -"Eveena thought," I said, "that you would like to accompany me; but if -not, you may tell her so; and tell her in that case that she _must_ -come." - -"But I shall be glad to go wherever you please," replied Eunané. -"Eveena did not tell me why you sent for me, and"---- - -"And you were afraid to be scolded for spoiling the breakfast? You -have heard quite enough of that." - -"You dropped a word last night," she answered, "which made me think -you would keep your displeasure till you had me alone." - -"Quite true," I said, "if I had any displeasure to keep. But you might -spoil a dozen meals, and not vex me half as much as the others did." - -"Why?" she asked in surprise. "Girls and women always spite one -another if they have a chance, especially one who is in disfavour or -disgrace with authority." - -"So much the worse," I answered. "And now--you know as much or as -little of the house as any of us; find the way into the grounds." - -A narrow door, not of crystal as usual, but of metal painted to -resemble the walls, led directly from one corner of the peristyle into -the grounds outside. I had inferred on my arrival, by the distance -from the road to the house, that their extent was considerable, but I -was surprised alike by their size and arrangement. On two sides they -were bounded by a wall about four hundred yards in length--that -parting them from the road was about twice as long. They were laid out -with few of the usual orchard plots and beds of different fruits and -vegetables, but rather in the form of a small park, with trees of -various sorts, among which the fruit trees were a minority. The -surface was broken by natural rising grounds and artificial terraces; -the soil was turfed in the manner I have previously described, with -minute plants of different colours arranged in bands and patterns. -Here and there was a garden consisting of a variety of flower-beds and -flowering shrubs; broad concrete paths winding throughout, and a -beautiful silver stream meandering hither and thither, and filling -several small ponds and fountains. That the grounds immediately -appertaining to the house were not intended as usual for the purposes -of a farm or kitchen-garden was evident. The reason became equally -apparent when, looking towards the north, where no wall bounded them, -I saw--over a gate in the middle of a dense hedge of flowering shrubs, -which, with a ditch beyond it, formed the limit of the park in that -direction--an extensive farm divided by the usual ditches into some -twenty-five or thirty distinct fields, and more than a square mile in -extent. This, as Eunané's native inquisitiveness and quickness had -already learnt, formed part of the estate attached to the mansion and -bestowed upon me by the Camptâ. It was admirably cultivated, -containing orchards, fields rich with various thriving crops, and -pastures grazed by the Unicorn and other of the domestic birds and -beasts kept to supply Martial tables with milk, eggs, and meat; -producing nearly every commodity to which the climate was suited, and, -as a very short observation assured me, capable of yielding a far -greater income than would suffice to sustain in luxury and splendour a -household larger than that enforced upon me. We walked in this -direction, my companion talking fluently enough when once I had set -her at ease, and seemingly free from the shyness and timidity which -Eveena had at first displayed. She paused when we reached a bridge -that spanned the ditch dividing the grounds from the farm, aware that, -save on special invitation, she might not, even in my company, go -beyond the former. I led her on, however, till soon after we had -crossed the ditch I saw a man approaching us. On this, I desired -Eunané to remain where she was, seating her at the foot of a fruit -tree in one of the orchard plots, and proceeded to meet the stranger. -After exchanging the usual salute, he came immediately to the point. - -"I thought," he said, "that you would not care yourself to undertake -the cultivation of so extensive an estate. Indeed, the mere -superintendence would occupy the whole of one man's attention, and its -proper cultivation would be the work of six or eight. I have had some -little experience in agriculture, and determined to ask for this -charge." - -"And who has recommended you?" I said. "Or have you any sort of -introduction or credentials to me?" - -He made a sign which I immediately recognised. Caution, however, was -imposed by the law to which that sign appealed. - -"You can read," I said, "by starlight?" - -"Better than by any other," he rejoined with a smile. - -One or two more tokens interchanged left me no doubt that the claim -was genuine, and, of course, irresistible. - -"Enough," I replied. "You may take entire charge on the usual terms, -which, doubtless, you know better than I." - -"You trust me then, absolutely?" he said, in a tone of some little -surprise. - -"In trusting you," I replied, "I trust the Zinta. I am tolerably sure -to be safe in hands recommended by them." - -"You are right," he said, "and how right this will prove to you," and -he placed in my hand a small cake upon which was stamped an impression -of the signet that I had seen on Esmo's wrist. When he saw that I -recognised it, he took it back, and, breaking it into fragments, -chewed and swallowed it. - -"This," he said, "was given me to avouch the following message:--Our -Chiefs are informed that the Order is threatened with a novel danger. -Systematic persecution by open force or by law has been attempted and -defeated ages ago, and will hardly be tried again. What seems to be -intended now is the destruction of our Chiefs, individually, by secret -means--means which it is supposed we shall not be able to trace to the -instigators, even if we should detect their instruments." - -"But," I remarked, "those who have warned you of the danger must know -from whom it proceeds, and those who are employed in such an attack -must run not only the ordinary risk of assassins, but the further risk -entailed by the peculiar powers of those they assail." - -"Those powers," he answered, "they do not understand or recognise. The -instruments, I presume, will be encouraged by an assurance that the -Courts are in their favour, and by a pledge in the last resort that -they shall be protected. The exceptional customs of our Order, -especially their refusal to send their children into the public -Nurseries, mark out and identify them; and though our places of -meeting are concealed and have never been invaded, the fact that we do -meet and the persons of those who attend can hardly be concealed." - -"But," I asked, "if a charge of assassination is once made and proved, -how can the Courts refuse to do justice? Can the instigators protect -the culprit without committing themselves?" - -"They would appeal, I do not doubt, to a law, passed many ages ago -with a special regard to ourselves, but which has not been applied for -a score of centuries, putting the members of a secret religious -society beyond the pale of legal protection. That we shall ultimately -find them out and avenge ourselves, you need not doubt. But in the -meantime every known dissentient from the customs of the majority is -in danger, and persons of note or prominence especially so. Next to -Esmo and his son, the husband of his daughter is, perhaps, in as much -peril as any one. No open attempt on your life will be adventured at -present, while you retain the favour of the Camptâ. But you have made -at least one mortal and powerful enemy, and you may possibly be the -object of well-considered and persistent schemes of assassination. On -the other hand, next to our Chief and his son, you have a paramount -claim on the protection of the Order; and those who with me will take -charge of your affairs have also charge to watch vigilantly over your -life. If you will trust me beforehand with knowledge of all your -movements, I think your chief peril will lie in the one sphere upon -which we cannot intrude--your own household; and Clavelta directs your -own special attention to this quarter. Immediate danger can scarcely -threaten you as yet, save from a woman's hand." - -"Poison?" - -"Probably," he returned coolly. "But of the details of the plot our -Council are, I believe, as absolutely ignorant as of the quarter from -which it proceeds." - -"And how," I inquired, "can it be that the witness who has informed -you of the plot has withheld the names, without which his information -is so imperfect, and serves rather to alarm than to protect us?" - -"You know," he replied, "the kind of mysterious perception to which we -can resort, and are probably aware how strangely lucid in some points, -how strangely darkened in others, is the vision that does not depend -on ordinary human senses?" - -As we spoke we had passed Eunané once or twice, walking backwards and -forwards along the path near which she sat. As my companion was about -to continue, we were so certainly within her hearing that I checked -him. - -"Take care," I said; "I know nothing of her except the Camptâ's -choice, and that she is not of us." - -He visibly started. - -"I thought," he said, "that the witness of our conversation was one at -least as reliable as yourself. I forgot how it happened that you have -diverged from the prudence which forbids our brethren to admit to -their households aliens from the Order and possible spies on its -secrets." - -"Of whom do you speak as Clavelta?" I asked. "I was not even aware -that the Order had a single head." - -"The Signet," replied my friend in evident surprise, "should have -distinguished the Arch-Enlightener to duller sight than yours." - -We had not spoken, of course, till we were again beyond hearing; but -my companion looked round carefully before he proceeded-- - -"You will understand the better, then, how strong is your own claim -upon the care of your brethren, and how confidently you may rely upon -their vigilance and fidelity." - -"I should regret," I answered, "that their lives should be risked for -mine. In dangers like those against which you could protect me, I have -been accustomed from boyhood to trust my own right hand. But the fear -of secret assassination has often unnerved the bravest men, and I will -not say that it may not disturb me." - -"For you," he answered, "personally we should care as for one of our -brethren exposed to especial danger, For him who saved the descendant -of our Founder, and who in her right, after her father and brother, -would be the guardian, if not the head, of the only remaining family -of his lineage, one and all of us are at need bound to die." - -After a few more words we parted, and I rejoined Eunané, and led her -back towards the house. I had learnt to consider taciturnity a matter -of course, except where there was actual occasion for speech; but -Eunané had chattered so fluently and frankly just before, that her -absolute silence might have suggested to me the possibility that she -had heard and was pondering things not intended for her knowledge, had -I been less preoccupied. Enured to the perils of war, of the chase, of -Eastern diplomacy, and of travel in the wildest parts of the Earth, I -do not pretend indifference to the fear of assassination, and -especially of poison. Cromwell, and other soldiers of equal nerve and -clearer conscience, have found their iron courage sorely shaken by a -peril against which no precautions were effective and from which they -could not enjoy an hour's security. The incessant continuous strain on -the nerves is, I suppose, the chief element in the peculiar dread with -which brave men have regarded this kind of peril; as the best troops -cannot endure to be under fire in their camp. Weighing, however, the -probability that girls who had been selected by the Sovereign, and had -left their Nursery only to pass directly into my house, could have -been already bribed or seduced to become the instruments of murderous -treachery, I found it but slight; and before we reached the house I -had made up my mind to discard the apprehensions or precautions -recommended to me on their account. Far better, if need be, to die by -poison than to live in hourly terror of it. Better to be murdered than -to suspect of secret treason those with whom I must maintain the most -intimate relations, and whose sex and years made it intolerable to -believe them criminal. I dismissed the thought, then; and believing -that I had probably wronged them in allowing it to dwell for a moment -in my mind, I felt perhaps more tenderly than before towards them, and -certainly indisposed to name to Eveena a suspicion of which I was -myself ashamed. Perhaps, too, youth and beauty weighed in my -conclusion more than cool reason would have allowed. A Martial proverb -says-- - - "Trust a foe, and you may rue it; - Trust a friend, and perish through it. - Trust a woman if you will;-- - Thrice betrayed, you'll trust her still." - -As to the general warning, I was wishful to consult Eveena, and -unwilling to withhold from her any secret of my thoughts; but equally -averse to disturb her with alarms that were trying even to nerves -seasoned by the varied experience of twenty years against every open -peril. - - - -CHAPTER XX - LIFE, SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. - -As we approached the house I caught sight of Eveena's figure among the -party gathered on the roof. She had witnessed the interview, but her -habitual and conscientious deference forbade her to ask a confidence -not volunteered; and she seemed fully satisfied when, on the first -occasion on which we were alone, I told her simply that the stranger -belonged to the Zinta and had been recommended by her father himself -to the charge of my estate. Though reluctant to disturb her mind with -fears she could not shake off as I could, and which would make my -every absence at least a season of terror, the sense of insecurity -doubtless rendered me more anxious to enjoy whenever possible the only -society in which it was permissible to be frank and off my guard. No -man in his senses would voluntarily have accepted the position which -had been forced upon me. The Zveltau never introduce aliens into their -households. Their leading ideas and fundamental principles so deeply -affect the conduct of existence, the motives of action, the bases of -all moral reasoning--so completely do the inferences drawn from them -and the habits of thought to which they lead pervade and tinge the -mind, conscience, and even language--that though it may be easy to -"live in the light at home and walk with the blind abroad," yet in the -familiar intercourse of household life even a cautious and reserved -man (and I was neither) must betray to the keen instinctive -perceptions of women whether he thought and felt like those around -him, or was translating different thoughts into an alien language. -This difficulty is little felt between unbelievers and Christians. The -simple creed of the Zinta, however, like that of the Prophet, affects -the thought and life as the complicated and subtle mysteries of more -elaborate theologies, more refined philosophic systems rarely do. - -One of Eveena's favourite quotations bore the unmistakable stamp of -Zveltic mysticism:-- - - "Symbols that invert the sense - Form the Seal of Providence; - Contradiction gives the key, - Time unlocks the mystery." - -The danger in which my relation to the Zinta and its chief involved -me, and the presence of half a dozen rivals to Eveena--rivals also to -that regard for the Star which at first I felt chiefly for her -sake--likely as they seemed to impair the strength and sweetness of -the tie between us, actually worked to consolidate and endear it. To -enjoy, except on set occasions, without constant liability to -interruption, Eveena's sole society was no easy matter. To conceal our -real secret, and the fact that there was a secret, was imperative. -Avowedly exclusive confidence, conferences from which the rest of the -household were directly shut out, would have suggested to their -envious tempers that Eveena played the spy on them, or influenced and -advised the exercise of my authority. To be alone with her, therefore, -as naturally and necessarily I must often wish to be, required -manoeuvres and arrangements as delicate and difficult, though as -innocent, as those employed by engaged couples under the strict -conventions of European household usage; and the comparative rarity of -such interviews, and the manner in which they had often to be -contrived beforehand, kept alive in its earliest freshness the love -which, if not really diminished, generally loses somewhat of its first -bloom and delicacy in the unrestrained intercourse of marriage. -Absolutely and solely trusted, assured that her company was eagerly -sought, and at least as deeply valued as ever--compelled by the ideas -of her race to accept the situation as natural and right, and wholly -incapable of the pettier and meaner forms of jealousy--Eveena was -fully content and happy in her relations with me. That, on the whole, -she was not comfortable, or at least much less so than during our -suddenly abbreviated honeymoon, was apparent; but her loss of -brightness and cheerfulness was visible chiefly in her weary and -downcast looks on any occasion when, after being absent for some hours -from the house, I came upon her unawares. In my presence she was -always calm and peaceful, kind, and seemingly at ease; and if she saw -or heard me on my return, though she carefully avoided any appearance -of eagerness to greet me sooner than others, or to claim especial -attention, she ever met me with a smile of welcome as frank and bright -as a young bride on Earth could give to a husband returning to her -sole society from a long day of labour for her sake. - -In so far as compliance was possible I was compelled to admit the -wisdom of Eveena's plea that no open distinction should be made in her -favour. Except in the simple fact of our affection, there was no -assignable reason for making her my companion more frequently than -Eunané or Eivé. Except that I could trust her completely, there was no -distinction of age, social rank, or domestic relation to afford a -pretext for exempting her from restraints which, if at first I thought -them senseless and severe, were soon justified by experience of the -kind of domestic control which just emancipated school-girls expected -and required. Nor would she accept the immunity tacitly allowed her. -It was not that any established custom or right bounded the arbitrary -power of domestic autocracy. The right of all but unbounded wrong, the -liberty of limitless caprice, is unquestionably vested in the head of -the household. But the very completeness of the despotism rendered its -exercise impossible. Force cannot act where there is no resistance. -The sword of the Plantagenet could cleave the helmet but not the quilt -of down. I could do as I pleased without infringing any understanding -or giving any right to complain. - -"But," said Eveena, "you have a sense of justice which has nothing to -do with law or usage. Even your language is not ours. You think of -right and wrong, where we should speak only of what is or is not -punishable. You can make a favourite if you will pay the price. Could -you endure to be hated in your own home, or I to know that you -deserved it? Or, if you could, could you bear to see me hated and my -life made miserable?" - -"They dare not!" I returned angrily fearing that they had dared, and -that she had already felt the spite she was so careful not to provoke. - -"Do you think that feminine malice cannot contrive to envenom a dozen -stings that I could not explain if I would, and you could not deal -with if I did?" - -"But," I replied, "it seems admitted that there is no such thing as -right or custom. As Enva said, I have bought and paid for them, and -may do what I please within the contract; and you agree that is just -what any other man in this world would do." - -"Yes," returned Eveena, "and I watched your face while Enva spoke. How -did you like her doctrine? Of course you may do as you please--if you -can please. You may silence discontent, you may suppress spiteful -innuendos and even sulky looks, you may put down mutiny, by sheer -terror. Can you? You may command me to go with you whenever you go -out; you may take the same means to make me complain of unkindness as -to make them conceal it; you may act like one of our own people, if -you can stoop to the level of their minds. But we both know that you -can do nothing of the kind. How could you bear to be driven into -unsparing and undeserved severity, who can hardly bring yourself to -enforce the discipline necessary to peace and comfort on those who -will only be ruled by fear and would like you better if they feared -you more? Did you hear the proverb Leenoo muttered, very unjustly, -when she left your room yesterday, 'A favourite wears out many -sandals'? No! You see the very phrase wounds and disgusts you. But you -would find it a true one. Can you take vengeance for a fault you have -yourself provoked? Can you decide without inquiry, condemn without -evidence, punish without hearing? Men do these things, of course, and -women expect them. But you--I do not say you would be ashamed so to -act--you cannot do it, any more than you can breathe the air of our -snow-mountains." - -"At all events, Eveena, I no more dare do it in your presence than I -dare forswear the Faith we hold in common." - -But whatever Eveena might exact or I concede, the distinction between -the wife who commanded as much respect as affection, and the girls who -could at best be pets or playthings, was apparent against our will in -every detail of daily life and domestic intercourse. It was alike -impossible to treat Eveena as a child and to rule Enva or Eiralé as -other than children. It was as unnatural to use the tone of command or -rebuke to one for whom my unexpressed wishes were absolute law, as to -observe the form of request or advice in directing or reproving those -whose obedience depended on the consequences of rebellion. It only -made matters worse that the distinction corresponded but too -accurately to their several deserts. No faults could have been so -irritating to Eveena's companions as her undeniable faultlessness. - -The ludicrous aspect of my relation to the rest of the household was -even more striking than I had expected. That I should find myself in -the absurd position of a man entrusted with the direct personal -government of half-a-dozen young ladies was even "more truly spoke -than meant." One at least among them might singly have made in time a -not unlovable wife, and all, perhaps, might severally and separately -have been reduced to conjugal complaisance. Collectively, they were, -as Eveena had said, a set of school-girls, and school-girls used to -stricter restraint and much sharper discipline than those of a French -or Italian convent. They would have made life a burden to a vigorous -English schoolmistress, and imperilled the soul of any Lady-Abbess -whose list of permissible penances excluded the dark cell and the -scourge. Fortunately for both parties, I had the advantage of -governess and Superior in the natural awe which girls feel for the -authority of manhood--till they have found out of what soft fibre men -are made--and in the artificial fear inspired by domestic usage and -tradition. For I was soon aware that even on its ridiculous side the -relation was not to be trifled with. The simple indifference a man -feels towards the escapades of girlhood was not applicable to women -and wives, who yet lacked womanly sense and the feeling of conjugal -duty. This serious aspect of their position soon contracted the -indulgence naturally conceded to youth's heedlessness and animal -spirits. These, displayed at first only in the energy and eagerness of -their every movement within the narrow limits of conventional usage, -broke all bounds when, after one or two half-timid, half-venturous -experiments on my patience, they felt that they had, at least for the -moment, exchanged the monotony, the mechanical routine, the stern -repression of their life in the great Nurseries, not for the harsh -household discipline to which they naturally looked forward, but for -the "loosened zone" which to them seemed to promise absolute liberty. -When not immediately in my presence or Eveena's, their keen enjoyment -of a life so new, the sudden development of the brighter side of their -nature under circumstances that gave play to the vigorous vitality of -youth, gave as much pleasure to me as to themselves. But in contact -with myself or Eveena they were women, and showed only the wrong side -of the varied texture of womanhood. To the master they were slaves, -each anxious to attract his notice, win his preference; before the -favourite, spiteful, envious of her and of each other, bitter, -malicious, and false. For Eveena's sake, it was impossible to look on -with indolent indifference on freaks of temper which, childish in the -form they assumed, were envenomed by the deliberate dislike and -unscrupulous cunning of jealous women. - -But even on the childish side of their character and conduct, they -soon displayed a determination to test by actual experiment the utmost -extent of the liberty allowed, and the nature and sufficiency of its -limits. Eunané was always the most audacious trespasser and -representative rebel. Fortunately for her, the daring which had -bewildered and exasperated feminine guardians rather amused and -interested me, giving some variety and relief to the monotonous -absurdity of the situation. Nothing in her conduct was more remarkable -or more characteristic than the simplicity and good temper with which -she generally accepted as of course the less agreeable consequences of -her outbreaks; unless it were the sort of natural dignity with which, -when she so pleased, the game played out and its forfeit paid, the -naughty child subsided into the lively but rational companion, and the -woman simply ignored the scrapes of the school-girl. - -As her character seemed to unfold, Eivé's individuality became as -distinctly parted from the rest as Eunané's, though in an opposite -direction. Comparatively timid and indolent, without their fulness of -life, she seemed to me little more than a child; and she fell with -apparent willingness into that position, accepting naturally its -privileges and exemptions. She alone was never in the way, never -vexatious or exacting. Content with the notice that naturally fell to -her share, she obtained the more. Never intruding between Eveena and -myself, she alone was not wholly unwelcome to share our accidental -privacy when, in the peristyle or the grounds, the others left us -temporarily alone. On such occasions she would often draw near and -crouch at my feet or by Eveena's side, curling herself like a kitten -upon the turf or among the cushions, often resting her little head -upon Eveena's knee or mine; generally silent, but never so silent as -to seem to be a spy upon our conversation, rather as a favourite child -privileged, in consideration of her quietude and her supposed -harmlessness and inattention, to remain when others are excluded, and -to hear much to which she is supposed not to listen. Having no special -duties of her own in the household, she would wait upon and assist -Eveena whenever the latter would accept her attendance. When the whole -party were assembled, it was her wont to choose her place not in the -circle, still less at my side--Eveena's title to the post of honour on -the left being uncontested, and Eunané generally occupying the -cushions on my right. But Eivé, lying at our feet, would support -herself on her arm between my knee and Eunané's, content to attract my -hand to play with her curls or stroke her head. Under such -encouragement she would creep on to my lap and rest there, but seldom -took any part in conversation, satisfied with the attention one pays -half-consciously to a child. A word that dropped from Enva, however, -on one occasion, obliged me to observe that it was in Eveena's absence -that Eivé always seemed most fully aware of her privileges and most -lavish of her childlike caresses. The kind of notice and affection she -obtained did not provoke the envy even of Leenoo or Eiralé. She no -more affected to imitate Eveena's absolute devotion than she ventured -on Eunané's reckless petulance. She kept my interest alive by the -faults of a spoiled child. Her freaks were always such as to demand -immediate repression without provoking serious displeasure, so that -the temporary disgrace cost her little, and the subsequent -reconciliation strengthened her hold on my heart. But with Eveena, or -in her presence, Eivé's waywardness was so suppressed or controlled -that Eveena's perceptible coolness towards her--it was never coldness -or unkindness--somewhat surprised me. - -Few Martialists, when wealthy enough to hand over the management of -their property to others, care to interfere, or even to watch its -cultivation. This, however, to me was a subject of as much interest as -any other of the many peculiarities of Martial society, commerce, and -industry, which it concerned me to investigate and understand; and -when not otherwise employed, I spent great part of my day in watching, -and now and then directing, the work that went on during the whole of -the sunlight, and not unfrequently during the night, upon my farm. -Davilo, the superintendent, had engaged no fewer than eight -subordinates, who, with the assistance of the ambau, the carvee, and -the electric machines, kept every portion of the ground in the most -perfect state of culture. The most valuable part of the produce -consisted of those farinaceous fruits, growing on trees from twenty to -eighty feet in height, which form the principal element of Martial -food. Between the tropics these trees yield ripe fruit twice a year, -during a total period of about three of our months--perhaps for a -hundred days. Various gourds, growing chiefly on canes, hanging from -long flexile stalks that spring from the top of the stem at a height -of from three to eight feet, yield juice which is employed partly in -flavouring the various loaves and cakes into which the flour is made, -partly in the numerous beverages (never allowed to ferment, and -consequently requiring to be made fresh every day), of which the -smallest Martial household has a greater variety than the most -luxurious palace of the East. The best are made from hard-skinned -fruits, whose whole pulp is liquified by piercing the rind before the -fruit is fully ripe, and closing the orifice with a wax-like -substance, almost exactly according to a practice common in different -parts of Asia. The drinks are made, of course, at home. The -farinaceous fruits are sold to the confectioners, who take also a -portion of the milk and all the meat supplied by the pastures. Many -choice fruits grow on shrubs, ranging from the size of a large black -currant tree to that of the smallest gooseberry bush. Vines growing -along the ground bear clustering nuts, whose kernels are sometimes as -hard as that of a cocoa-nut, sometimes almost as soft as butter. The -latter with the juicy fruits, are preserved if necessary for a whole -year in storehouses dug in the ground and lined with concrete, in -which, by chemical means, a temperature a little above the -freezing-point is steadily maintained at very trivial cost. The number -of dishes producible by the mixture of these various materials, with -the occasional addition of meat, fish, and eggs, is enormous; and it -is only when some particular compound is in special favour with the -master of the house that it makes its appearance more than perhaps -once in ten days upon the same table. The invention of the -confectioners is exquisite and inexhaustible; and every table is -supplied with a variety of dainties sufficient for a feast in the most -hospitable and wealthy household of Europe. Many of the smaller -fruit-trees and shrubs yield two crops in the year. The vegetables, -crisper, and of much more varied taste than the best Terrestrial -salads, sometimes possessing a flavour as _piquant_ as that of -cinnamon or nutmeg, are gathered continuously from one end of the year -to the other. - -The vines, tough and fibrous, supply the best and strongest cordage -used in Mars. For this purpose they are dried, stripped, combed, and -put through an elaborate process of manufacture, which, without -weakening the fibres, renders them smooth, and removes the knots in -which they naturally abound. The twisted cord of the nut-vine is -almost as strong as a metallic wire rope of half its measurement. -There is another purpose for which these fibres in their natural state -are employed. Simply dried and twisted, they form a scourge as -terrible as the Russian knout or African cowhide, though of a -different character--a scourge which, even in its lightest form, -reduces the wildest herd to instant order; and which, as employed on -criminals, is hardly less dreaded than that electric rack whereby -Martial science inflicts on every nerve a graduated torture such as -even ecclesiastical malignity has not invented on Earth--such as I -certainly will not place in the hands of Terrestrial rulers. - -All these crops are raised with marvellously little human labour, the -whole work of ploughing and sowing being done by machinery, that of -weeding and harvesting chiefly by the carvee. The ambau climb the -trees and pick the fruit from the ends of the branches, which they are -also taught to pinch in, so that none grow so long as to break with -the weight of these creatures, as clever and agile as the smaller -monkeys, but almost as large as an ordinary baboon. It must always be -remembered that, size for size, and _cćteris paribus,_ all bodies, -animate and inanimate, on Mars weigh less than half as much as they -would on Earth. Eunané's blunder about the _carcarâ_ was not explained -by any subsequent errors of the ambau or carvee, which always selected -the ripe fruit with faultless skill, leaving the immature untouched, -and throwing aside in small heaps to manure the ground the few that -had been allowed to grow too ripe for use. The sums paid from time to -time into my hands, received from the sales of produce, were far -greater than I could possibly spend in gratifying any taste of my own; -and, as I presently found, the idea that the surplus might indulge -those of the ladies never entered their minds. - -Before we had been settled in our home for three days Eveena had made -two requests which I was well pleased to grant. First, she entreated -that I would teach her one at least of the languages with which I was -familiar--a task of whose extreme difficulty she had little idea. -Compared with her native tongue, the complication and irregularities -of the simplest language spoken on Earth are far more arbitrary and -provoking than seems the most difficult of ancient or Oriental tongues -to a Frenchman or Italian. In order to fulfil my promise that she -should assist me in recording my observations and writing out my -notes, I chose Latin. Unhappily for her, I found myself as impatient -and unsuccessful as I was inexperienced in teaching; and nothing but -her exquisite gentleness and forbearance could have made the lessons -otherwise than painful to us both. Well for me that the "right to -govern wrong" was to her a simple truth--an inalienable marital -privilege, to be met with that unqualified submission which must have -shamed the worst temper into self-control. Eivé on one occasion made a -similar request; but besides that I realised the convenience of a -medium of communication understood by ourselves alone, I had no -inclination to expose either my own temper or Eivé's to the trial. -Eveena's second request came naturally from one whose favourite -amusement had been the raising and modification of flowers. She asked -to be entrusted with the charge of the seeds I had brought from Earth, -and to be permitted to form a bed in the peristyle for the purpose of -the experiment. Though this disfigured the perfect arrangement of the -garden, I was delighted to have so important and interesting a problem -worked out by hands so skilful and so careful. I should probably have -failed to rear a single plant, even had I been familiar with those -applications of electricity to the purpose which are so extensively -employed in Mars. Eveena managed to produce specimens strangely -altered, sometimes stunted, sometimes greatly improved, from about -one-fourth of the seeds entrusted to her; and among those with which -she was most brilliantly successful were some specimens of Turkish -roses, the roses of the attar, which I had obtained at Stamboul. My -admiration of her patience and pleasure in her success deeply -gratified her; and it was a full reward for all her trouble when I -suggested that she should send to her sister Zevle a small packet of -each of the seeds with which she had succeeded. It happened, however, -that the few rose seeds had all been planted; and the flowers, though -apparently perfect, produced no seed of their own, probably because -they were not suited to the taste of the flower-birds, and Eveena -somehow forgot or failed to employ the process of artificial -fertilisation. - -If anything could have fully reconciled my conscience to the household -relations in which I was rather by weakness than by will inextricably -entangled, it would have been the certainty that by the sacrifice -Eveena had herself enforced on me, and which she persistently refused -to recognise as such, she alone had suffered. True that I could not -give, and could hardly affect for the wives bestowed on me by -another's choice, even such love as the head of a Moslem household may -distribute among as many inmates. But to what I could call love they -had never looked forward. But for the example daily presented before -their own eyes they would no more have missed than they comprehended -it. That they were happier than they had expected, far happier than -they would have been in an ordinary home, happier certainly than in -the schools they had quitted, I could not doubt, and they did not -affect to deny. If my patience were not proof against vexations the -more exasperating from their pettiness, and the sense of ridicule -which constantly attached to them, I could read in the manner of most -and understand from the words of Eunané, who seldom hesitated to speak -her mind, whether its utterances, were flattering or wounding, that -she and her companions found me not only far more indulgent, but -incomparably more just than they had been taught to hope a man could -be. Of justice, indeed, as consisting in restraint on one's own temper -and consideration for the temper of others, Martial manhood is -incapable, or, at any rate, Martial womanhood never suspects its -masters. - -Moreover, though no longer blest with the spirits of youth, and -finding little pleasure in what youth calls pleasure, I had escaped -the kind of satiety that seems to attend lives more softly spent than -mine had been; and found a very real and unfading enjoyment in -witnessing the keen enjoyment of these youthful natures in such -liberty as could be accorded and such amusements as the life of this -dull and practical world affords. - -Among these, two at least are closely similar to the two favourite -pleasures of European society. Music appears to have been carried, -like most arts and sciences, to a point of mechanical perfection -which, I should suppose, like much of the artificial accuracy and ease -which civilisation has introduced, mars rather than enhances the -natural gratification enjoyed by simpler ages and races. Almost deaf -to music as distinguished from noise, I did not attempt to comprehend -the construction of Martial instruments or the nature of the concords -they emitted. One only struck me with especial surprise by a -peculiarity which, if I could not understand, I could not mistake. A -number of variously coloured flames are made to synchronise with or -actually emit a number of corresponding notes, dancing to, or, more -properly, weaving a series of strangely combined movements in accord -with the music, whose vibrations were directly and inseparably -connected with their motion. But all music is the work of professional -musicians, never the occupation of woman's leisure, never made more -charming to the ear by its association with the movement of beloved -hands or the tones of a cherished voice. Electric wires, connected -with the vast buildings wherein instruments produce what sounds like -fine choral singing as well as musical notes, enable the householder -to turn on at pleasure music equal, I suppose, to the finest operatic -performances or the grandest oratorio, and listen to it at leisure -from the cushions of his own peristyle. This was a great though not -wholly new delight to Eunané and most of her companions. For their -sake only would Eveena ever have resorted to it, for though herself -appreciating music not less highly, and educated to understand it much -more thoroughly, than they, she could derive little gratification from -that which was clearly incomprehensible if not disagreeable to -me--could hardly enjoy a pleasure I could not share. - -The theatre was a more prized and less common indulgence. It is little -frequented by the elder Martialists; and not enjoying it themselves, -they seldom sacrifice their hours to the enjoyment of their women. But -it forms so important an aid to education, and tends so much to keep -alive in the public memory impressions which policy will not permit to -fade, that both from the State and from the younger portion of the -community it receives an encouragement quite sufficient to reward the -few who bestow their time and talent upon it. Great buildings, square -or oblong in form, the stage placed at one end, the arched boxes or -galleries from which the spectators look down thereon rising tier -above and behind tier to the further extremity, are constantly filled. -There are no actors, and Martial feeling would hardly allow the -appearance of women as actresses. But an art, somewhat analogous to, -but infinitely surpassing, that displayed in the manipulation of the -most skilfully constructed and most complicated magic lanterns, -enables the conductors of the theatre to present upon the stage a -truly living and moving picture of any scene they desire to exhibit. -The figures appear perfectly real, move with perfect, freedom, and -seem to speak the sounds which, in fact, are given out by a gigantic -hidden phonograph, into which the several parts have long ago been -carefully spoken by male and female voices, the best suited to each -character; and which, by the reversal of its motion, can repeat the -original words almost for ever, with the original tone, accent, and -expression. The illusion is far more perfect than that obtained by all -the resources of stage management and all the skill of the actor's art -in the best theatres of France. After the first novelty, the first -surprise and wonder were exhausted, I must confess that these -representations simply bored me, the more from their length and -character. But even Eveena enjoyed them thoroughly, and my other -companions prized an evening or afternoon thus spent above all other -indulgences. A passage running along at the back of each tier admits -the spectator to boxes so completely private as to satisfy the -strictest requirements of Martial seclusion. - -The favourite scenes represent the most striking incidents of Martial -history, or realise the life, usages, and manners of ages long gone -by, before science and invention had created the perfect but -monotonous civilisation that now prevails. One of the most interesting -performances I witnessed commenced with the exhibition of a striking -scene, in which the union of all the various States that had up to -that time divided the planet's surface, and occasionally waged war on -one another, in the first Congress of the World, was realised in the -exact reproduction of every detail which historic records have -preserved. Afterwards was depicted the confusion, declining into -barbarism and rapid degradation, of the Communistic revolution, the -secession of the Zveltau and their merely political adherents, the -construction of their cities, fleets, and artillery, the terrible -battles, in which the numbers of the Communists were hurled back or -annihilated by the asphyxiator and the lightning gun; and finally, the -most remarkable scene in all Martial history, when the last -representatives of the great Anarchy, squalid, miserable, degraded, -and debased in form and features, as well as indicating by their dress -and appearance the utter ruin of art and industry under their rule, -came into the presence of the chief ruler of the rising -State--surrounded by all the splendour which the "magic of property," -stimulating invention and fostering science, had created--to entreat -admission into the realm of restored civilisation, and a share in the -blessings they had so deliberately forfeited and so long striven to -deny to others. - - - -CHAPTER XXI - PRIVATE AUDIENCES. - -I spent my days between mist and mist, according to the Martial -saying, not infrequently in excursions more or less extensive and -adventurous, in which I could but seldom ask Eveena's company, and did -not care for any other. Comparatively courageous as she had learned to -be, and free from all affectation of pretty feminine fear, Eveena -could never realise the practical immunity from ordinary danger which -a strength virtually double that I had enjoyed on Earth, and thorough -familiarity with the dangers of travel, of mountaineering, and of the -chase, afforded me. When, therefore, I ventured among the hills alone, -followed the fishermen and watched their operations, sometimes in -terribly rough weather, from the little open surface-boat which I -could manage myself, I preferred to give her no definite idea of my -intentions. Davilo, however, protested against my exposure to a peril -of which Eveena was happily as yet unaware. - -"If your intentions are never known beforehand," he said, "still your -habit of going forth alone in places to which your steps might easily -be dogged, where you might be shot from an ambush or drowned by a -sudden attack from a submarine vessel, will soon be pretty generally -understood, if, as I fear, a regular watch is set upon your life. At -least let me know what your intentions are before starting, and make -your absences as irregular and sudden as possible. The less they are -known beforehand, even in your own household, the better." - -"Is it midnight still in the Council Chamber?" I asked. - -"Very nearly so. She who has told so much can tell us no more. The -clue that placed her in mental relations with the danger did not -extend to its authorship. We have striven hard to find in every -conceivable direction some material key to the plot, some object -which, having been in contact with the persons of those we suspect, -probably at the time when their plans were arranged, might serve as a -link between her thoughts and theirs; but as yet unsuccessfully. -Either her vision is darkened, or the connection we have sought to -establish is wanting. But you know who is your unsparing personal -enemy; and, after the Sovereign himself, no man in this world is so -powerful; while the Sovereign himself is, owing to the restraints of -his position, less active, less familiar with others, less acquainted -with what goes on out of his own sight. Again I say we can avenge; but -against secret murder our powers only avail to deter. If we would -save, it must be by the use of natural precautions." - -What he said made me desirous of some conversation with Eveena before -I started on a meditated visit to the Palace. If I could not tell her -the whole truth, she knew something; and I thought it possible on this -occasion so far to enlighten her as to consult with her how the secret -of my intended journeys should in future be kept. But I found no -chance of speaking to her until, shortly before my departure, I was -called upon to decide one of the childish disputes which constantly -disturbed my temper and comfort. Mere fleabites they were; but fleas -have often kept me awake a whole night in a Turkish caravanserai, and -half-a-dozen mosquitos inside an Indian tent have broken up the sleep -earned on a long day's march or a sharply contested battlefield. I -need only say that I extorted at last from Eveena a clear statement of -the trifle at issue, which flatly contradicted those of the four -participants in the squabble. She began to suggest a means of proving -the truth, and they broke into angry clamour. Silencing them all -peremptorily, I drew Eveena into my own chamber, and, when assured -that we were unheard, reproved her for proposing to support her own -word by evidence. - -"Do you think," I said, "that any possible proof would induce me to -doubt you, or add anything to the assurance I derive from your word?" - -"But," she urged, "that cannot be just to others. They must feel it -very hard that your love for me makes you take all I say for truth." -"Not my love, but my knowledge. 'Be not righteous overmuch.' Don't -forget that they _know_ the truth as well as you." - -I would hear no more, and passed to the matter I had at heart.... - -Earnestly, and in a sense sincerely, as upon my second audience I had -thanked the Camptâ for his munificent gifts, no day passed that I -would not thankfully have renounced the wealth he had bestowed if I -could at the same time have renounced what was, in intention and -according to Martial ideas, the most gracious and most remarkable of -his favours. On the present occasion I thought for a moment that such -renunciation might have been possible. - -The Prince had, after our first interview, observed with regard to -every point of my story on which I had been carefully silent a -delicacy of reserve very unusual among Martialists, and quite -unintelligible to his Court and officers. To-day the conversation in -public turned again upon my voyage. Endo and another studiously -directed it to the method of steering, and the intentional diminution -of speed in my descent, corresponding to its gradual increase at the -commencement of the journey--points at which they hoped to find some -opening to the mystery of the motive force. The Prince relieved me -from some embarrassment by requesting me as usual to attend him to his -private cabinet. - -He said:--"I have not, as you must be aware, pressed you to disclose a -secret which, for some reason or other, you are evidently anxious to -preserve. Of course the exclusive possession of a motive power so -marvellous as that employed in your voyage is of almost incalculable -pecuniary value, and it is perfectly right that you should use your -own discretion with regard to the time and the terms of its -communication." - -"Pardon me," I interposed, "if I interrupt you, Prince, to prevent any -misconception. It is not with a view to profit that I have carefully -avoided giving any clue whatever to my secret. Tour munificence would -render it most ungrateful and unjust in me to haggle over the price of -any service I could render you; and I should be greedy indeed if I -desired greater wealth than you have bestowed. If I may say so without -offending, I earnestly wish that you would permit me, by resigning -your gifts, to retain in my own eyes the right to keep my secret -without seeming undutiful or unthankful." - -"I have said," he replied, "that on that point you misconceive our -respective positions. No one supposes that you are indebted to us for -anything more than it was the duty of the Sovereign to give, as a mark -of the universal admiration and respect, to our guest from another -world; still less could any imagine that on such a trifle could be -founded any claim to a secret so invaluable. You will offend me much -and only if you ever again speak of yourself as bound by personal -obligation to me or mine. But as we are wishful to buy, so I cannot -understand any reluctance on your part to sell your secret on your own -terms." - -"I think, Prince," I replied, "that I have already asked you what you -would think of a subject of your own, who should put such a power into -the hands of enemies as formidable to you as you would be to the races -of the Earth." - -"And _I_ think," he rejoined with a smile, "that I reminded you how -little my judgment would matter to one possessed of such a power. I -have gathered from your conversation how easily we might conquer a -world as far behind us in destructive powers as in general -civilisation. But why should you object? You can make your own terms -both for yourself and for any of your race for whom you feel an -especial interest." - -"A traitor is none the less a despicable and loathsome wretch because -his Prince cannot punish him. I am bound by no direct tie of loyalty -to any Terrestrial sovereign. I was born the subject of one of the -greatest monarchs of the Earth; I left his country at an early age, -and my youth was passed in the service of less powerful rulers, to one -at least of whom I long owed the same military allegiance that binds -your guards and officers to yourself. But that obligation also is at -an end. Nevertheless, I cannot but recognise that I owe a certain -fealty to the race to which I belong, a duty to right and justice. -Even if I thought, which I do not think, that the Earth would be -better governed and its inhabitants happier under your rule, I should -have no right to give them up to a conquest I know they would fiercely -and righteously resist. If--pardon me for saying it--you, Prince, -would commit no common crime in assailing and slaughtering those who -neither have wronged nor can wrong you, one of themselves would be -tenfold more guilty in sharing your enterprise." - -"You shall ensure," he replied, "the good government of your own world -as you will. You shall rule it with all the authority possessed by the -Regents under me, and by the laws which you think best suited to races -very different from our own. You shall be there as great and absolute -as I am here, paying only an obedience to me and my successors which, -at so immense a distance, can be little more than formal." - -"Is it to acquire a merely formal power that a Prince like yourself -would risk the lives of your own people, and sacrifice those of -millions of another race?" - -"To tell you the truth," he replied, "I count on commanding the -expedition myself; and perhaps I care more for the adventure than for -its fruits. You will not expect me to be more chary of the lives of -others than of my own?" - -"I understand, and as a soldier could share, perhaps, a feeling -natural to a great, a capable, and an ambitious Prince. But alike as -soldier and subject it is my duty to resist, not to aid, such an -ambition. My life is at your disposal, but even to save my life I -could not betray the lives of hundreds of millions and the future of a -whole world." - -"I fail to understand you fully," he said, abandoning with a sigh a -hope that had evidently been the object of long and eager day-dreams. -"But in no case would I try to force from you what you will not give -or sell; and if you speak sincerely--and I suppose you must do so, -since I can see no motive but those you assign that could induce you -to refuse my offer--I must believe in the existence of what I have -heard of now and then but deemed incredible--men who are governed by -care for other things than their own interests, who believe in right -and wrong, and would rather suffer injustice than commit it." - -"You may be sure, Prince," I replied, perhaps imprudently, "that there -are such men in your own world, though they are perhaps among those -who are least known and least likely to be seen at your Court." - -"If you know them," he said, "you will render me no little service in -bringing them to my knowledge." - -"It is possible," I ventured to observe, "that their distinguishing -excellences are connected with other distinctions which might render -it a disservice to them to indicate their peculiar character, I will -not say to yourself, but to those around you." - -"I hardly understand you," he rejoined. "Take, however, my assurance -that nothing you say here shall, without your own consent, be used -elsewhere. It is no light gratification, no trifling advantage to me, -to find one man who has neither fear nor interest that can induce him -to lie to me; to whom I can speak, not as sovereign to subject, but as -man to man, and of whose private conversation my courtiers and -officials are not yet suspicious or jealous. You shall never repent -any confidence you give to me." - -My interest in and respect for the strange character so manifestly -suited for, so intensely weary of, the grandest position that man -could fill, increased with each successive interview. I never envied -that greatness which seems to most men so enviable. The servitude of a -constitutional King, so often a puppet in the hands of the worst and -meanest of men--those who prostitute their powers as rulers of a State -to their interests as chiefs of a faction--must seem pitiable to any -rational manhood. But even the autocracy of the Sultan or the Czar -seems ill to compensate the utter isolation of the throne; the lonely -grandeur of one who can hardly have a friend, since he can never have -an equal, among those around him. I do not wonder that a tinge of -melancholo-mania is so often perceptible in the chiefs of that great -House whose Oriental absolutism is only "tempered by assassination." -But an Earthly sovereign may now and then meet his fellow-sovereigns, -whether as friends or foes, on terms of frank hatred or loyal -openness. His domestic relations, though never secure and simple as -those of other men, may relieve him at times from the oppressive sense -of his sublime solitude; and to his wife, at any rate, he may for a -few minutes or hours be the husband and not the king. But the absolute -Ruler of this lesser world had neither equal friends nor open foes, -neither wife nor child. How natural then his weariness of his own -life; how inevitable his impatient scorn of those to whom that life -was devoted! A despot not even accountable to God--a Prince who, till -he conversed with me, never knew that the universe contained his equal -or his like--it spoke much, both for the natural strength and -soundness of his intellect and for the excellence of his education, -that he was so sane a man, so earnest, active, and just a ruler. His -reign was signalised by a better police, a more even administration of -justice, a greater efficiency, judgment, and energy in the execution -of great works of public utility, than his realm had known for a -thousand years; and his duty was done as diligently and -conscientiously as if he had known that conscience was the voice of a -supreme Sovereign, and duty the law of an unerring and unescapable -Lawgiver. Alone among a race of utterly egotistical cowards, he had -the courage of a soldier, and the principles, or at least the -instincts, worthy of a Child of the Star. With him alone could I have -felt a moment's security from savage attempts to extort by terror or -by torture the secret I refused to sell; and I believe that his -generous abstinence from such an attempt was as exasperating as it was -incomprehensible to his advisers, and chiefly contributed to involve -him in the vengeance which baffled greed and humbled personal pride -had leagued to wreak upon myself, as on those with whose welfare and -safety my own were inextricably intertwined. It was a fortunate, if -not a providential, combination of circumstances that compelled the -enemies of the Star, primarily on my account, to interweave with their -scheme of murderous persecution and private revenge an equally -ruthless and atrocious treason against the throne and person of their -Monarch. - -My audience had detained me longer than I had expected, and the -evening mist had fairly closed in before I returned. Entering, not as -usual through the grounds and the peristyle, but by the vestibule and -my own chamber, and hidden by my half-open window, I overheard an -exceedingly characteristic discussion on the incident of the morning. - -"Serve her right!" Leenoo was saying. "That she should for once get -the worst of it, and be disbelieved to sharpen the sting!" - -"How do you know?" asked Enva. "I don't feel so sure we have heard the -last of it." - -"Eveena did not seem to have liked her half-hour," answered Leenoo -spitefully. "Besides, if he did not disbelieve her story, he would -have let her prove it." - -"Is that your reliance?" broke in Eunané. "Then you are swinging on a -rotten branch. I would not believe my ears if, for all that all of us -could invent against her, I heard him so much as ask Eveena, 'Are you -speaking the truth?'" - -"It is very uneven measure," muttered Enva. - -"Uneven!" cried Eunané. "Now, I think _I_ have the best right to be -jealous of her place; and it does sting me that, when he takes me for -his companion out of doors, or makes most of me at home, it is so -plain that he is taking trouble, as if he grudged a soft word or a -kiss to another as something stolen from her. But he deals evenly, -after all. If he were less tender of her we should have to draw our -zones tighter. But he won't give us the chance to say, 'Teach the -_ambâ_ with stick and the _esve_ with sugar.'" - -"I do say it. She is never snubbed or silenced; and if she has had -worse than what he calls 'advice' to-day, I believe it is the first -time. She has never 'had cause to wear the veil before the household' -[to hide blushes or tears], or found that his 'lips can give sharper -sting than their kiss can heal,' like the rest of us." - -"What for? If he wished to find her in fault he would have to watch -her dreams. Do you expect him to be harder to her than to us? He don't -'look for stains with a microscope.' None of us can say that he -'drinks tears for taste.' None of us ever 'smarted because the sun -scorched _him_.' Would you have him 'tie her hands for being white'?" -[punish her for perfection]. - -"She is never at fault because he never believes us against her," -returned Leenoo. - -"How often would he have been right? I saw nothing of to-day's -quarrel, but I know beforehand where the truth lay. I tell you this: -he hates the sandal more than the sin, but, strange as it seems, he -hates a falsehood worse still; and a falsehood against Eveena--If you -want to feel 'how the spear-grass cuts when the sheath bursts,' let -him find you out in an experiment like this! You congratulate -yourself, Leenoo, that you have got her into trouble. _Elnerve_ that -you are!--if you have, you had better have poisoned his cup before his -eyes. For every tear he sees her shed he will reckon with us at twelve -years' usury." - -"_You_ have made her shed some," retorted Enva. - -"Yes," said Eunané, "and if he knew it, I should like half a year's -penance in the black sash" [as the black sheep or scapegoat of her -Nursery] "better than my next half-hour alone with him. When I was -silly enough to tie the veil over her mouth" [take the lead in sending -her to Coventry] "the day after we came here, I expected to pay for -it, and thought the fruit worth the scratches. But when he came in -that evening, nodded and spoke kindly to us, but with his eyes seeking -for her; when he saw her at last sitting yonder with her head down, I -saw how his face darkened at the very idea that she was vexed, and I -thought the flash was in the cloud. When she sprang up as he called -her, and forced a smile before he looked into her face, I wished I had -been as ugly as Minn oo, that I might have belonged to the miseries, -worst-tempered man living, rather than have so provoked the giant." - -"But what did he do?" - -"Well that he don't hear you!" returned Eunané. "But I can -answer;--nothing. I shivered like a _leveloo_ in the wind when he came -into my room, but I heard nothing about Eveena. I told Eivé so next -day--you remember Eivé would have no part with us? 'And you were -called the cleverest girl in your Nursery!' she said; 'you have just -tied your own hands and given your sandal into Eveena's. Whenever she -tells him, you will drink the cup she chooses to mix for you, and very -salt you will find it.'" - -"Crach!" (tush or stuff), said Eiralé contemptuously. "We have 'filled -her robe with pins' for half a year since then, and she has never been -able to make him count them." - -"Able!" returned Eunané sharply, "do you know no better? Well, I chose -to fancy she was holding this over me to keep me in her power. One day -she spoke--choosing her words so carefully--to warn me how I was sure -to anger Clasfempta" (the master of the household) "by pushing my -pranks so often to the verge of safety and no farther. I answered her -with a taunt, and, of course, that evening I was more perverse than -ever, till even he could stand it no longer. When he quoted-- - - "'More lightly treat whom haste or heat to headlong trespass urge; - The heaviest sandals fit the feet that ever tread the verge'-- - -"I was well frightened. I saw that the bough had broken short of the -end, and that for once Clasfempta could mean to hurt. But Eveena kept -him awhile, and when he came to me, she had persuaded him that I was -only mischievous, not malicious, teasing rather than trespassing. But -his last words showed that he was not so sure of that. 'I have treated -you this time as a child whose petulance is half play; but if you -would not have your teasing returned with interest, keep it clipped; -and--keep it for _me_.' I have often tormented her since then, but I -could not for shame help you to spite her." - -"Crach!" said Enva. "Eveena might think it wise to make friends with -you; but would she bear to be slighted and persecuted a whole summer -if she could help herself? You know that-- - - "Man's control in woman's hand - Sorest tries the household band. - Closer favourite's kisses cling, - Favourite's fingers sharper sting.'" - -"Very likely," replied Eunané. "I cannot understand any more than you -can why Eveena screens instead of punishing us; why she endures what a -word to him would put down under her sandal; but she does. Does she -cast no shadow because it never darkens his presence to us? And after -all, her mind is not a deeper darkness to me than his. He enjoys life -as no man here does; but what he enjoys most is a good chance of -losing it; while those who find it so tedious guard it like -watch-dragons. When the number of accidents made it difficult to fill -up the Southern hunt at any price, the Camptâ's refusal to let him go -so vexed him that Eveena was half afraid to show her sense of relief. -You would think he liked pain--the scars of the _kargynda_ are not his -only or his deepest ones--if he did not catch at every excuse to spare -it. And, again, why does he speak to Eveena as to the Camptâ, and to -us as to children--'child' is his softest word for us? Then, he is -patient where you expect no mercy, and severe where others would -laugh. When Enva let the electric stove overheat the water, so that he -was scalded horribly in his bath, we all counted that he would at -least have paid her back the pain twice over. But as soon as Eveena -and Eivé had arranged the bandages, he sent for her. We could scarcely -bring you to him, Enva; but he put out the only hand he could move to -stroke your hair as he does Eivé's, and spoke for once with real -tenderness, as if you were the person to be pitied! Any one else would -have laughed heartily at the figure her _esve_ made with half her tail -pulled out. But not all Eveena's pleading could obtain pardon for me." - -"That was caprice, not even dealing," said Leenoo. "You were not half -so bad as Enva." - -"He made me own that I was," replied Eunané. "It never occurred to him -to suppose or say that she did it on purpose. But I was cruel on -purpose to the bird, if I were not spiteful to its mistress. 'Don't -you feel,' he said, 'that intentional cruelty is what no ruler, -whether of a household or of a kingdom, has a right to pass over? If -not, you can hardly be fit for a charge that gives animals into your -power.' I never liked him half so well; and I am sure I deserved a -severer lesson. Since then, I cannot help liking them both; though it -_is_ mortifying to feel that one is nothing before her." - -"It is intolerable," said Enva bitterly; "I detest her." - -"Is it her fault?" asked Eunané with some warmth. "They are so like -each other and so unlike us, that I could fancy she came from his own -world. I went to her next day in her own room." - -"Ay," interjected Leenoo with childish spite, "'kiss the foot and -'scape the sandal.'" - -"Think so," returned Eunané quietly, "if you like. I thought I owed -her some amends. Well, she had her bird in her lap, and I think she -was crying over it. But as soon as she saw me she put it out of sight. -I began to tell her how sorry I was about it, but she would not let me -go on. She kissed me as no one ever kissed me since my school friend -Ernie died three years ago; and she cried more over the trouble I had -brought on myself than over her pet. And since then," Eunané went on -with a softened voice, "she has showed me how pretty its ways are, how -clever it is, how fond of her, and she tries to make it friends with -me.... Sometimes I don't wonder she is so much to him and he to her. -She was brought up in the home where she was born. Her father is one -of those strange people; and I fancy there is something between her -and Clasfempta more than...." - -I could not let this go on; and stepping back from the window as if I -had but just returned, I called Eunané by name. She came at once, a -little surprised at the summons, but suspecting nothing. But the first -sight of my face startled her; and when, on the impulse of the moment, -I took her hands and looked straight into her eyes, her quick -intelligence perceived at once that I had heard at least part of the -conversation. - -"Ah," she said, flushing and hanging her head, "I am caught now, -but"--in a tone half of relief--"I deserve it, and I won't pretend to -think that you are angry only because Eveena is your favourite. You -would not allow any of us to be spited if you could help it, and it is -much worse to have spited her." - -I led her by the hand across the peristyle into her own chamber, and -when the window closed behind us, drew her to my side. - -"So you would rather belong to the worst master of your own race than -to me?" - -"Not now," she answered. "That was my first thought when I saw how you -felt for Eveena, and knew how angry you would be when you found how -we--I mean how I--had used her, and I remembered how terribly strong -you were. I know you better now. It is for women to strike with five -fingers" (in unmeasured passion); "only, don't tell Eveena. Besides," -she murmured, colouring, with drooping eyelids, "I had rather be -beaten by you than caressed by another." - -"Eunané, child, you might well say you don't understand me. I could -not have listened to your talk if I had meant to use it against you; -and with _you_ I have no cause to be displeased. Nay" (as she looked -up in surprise), "I know you have not used Eveena kindly, but I heard -from yourself that you had repented. That she, who could never be -coaxed or compelled to say what made her unhappy, or even to own that -I had guessed it truly, has fully forgiven you, you don't need to be -told." - -"Indeed, I don't understand," the girl sobbed. "Eveena is always so -strangely soft and gentle--she would rather suffer without reason than -let us suffer who deserve it. But just because she is so kind, you -must feel the more bitterly for her. Besides," she went on, "I was so -jealous--as if you could compare me with her--even after I had felt -her kindness. No! you cannot forgive _for her_, and you ought not." - -"Child," I answered, sadly enough, for my conscience was as ill at -ease as hers, with deeper cause, "I don't tell you that your jealousy -was not foolish and your petulance culpable; but I do say that neither -Eveena nor I have the heart--perhaps I have not even the right--to -blame you. It is true that I love Eveena as I can love no other in -this world or my own. How well she deserves that love none but I can -know. So loving her, I would not willingly have brought any other -woman into a relation which could make her dependent upon or desirous -of such love as I cannot give. You know how this relation to you and -the others was forced upon me. When I accepted it, I thought I could -give you as much affection as you would find elsewhere. How far and -why I wronged Eveena is between her and myself. I did not think that I -could be wronging you." - -Very little of this was intelligible to Eunané. She felt a tenderness -she had never before received; but she could not understand my doubt, -and she replied only to my last words. - -"Wrong us! How could you? Did we ask whether you had another wife, or -who would be your favourite? Did you promise to like us, or even to be -kind to us? You might have neglected us altogether, made one girl your -sole companion, kept all indulgences, all favours, for her; and how -would you have wronged us? If you had turned on us when she vexed you, -humbled us to gratify her caprice, ill-used us to vent your temper, -other men would have done the same. Who else would have treated us as -you have done? Who would have been careful to give each of us her -share in every pleasure, her turn in every holiday, her employment at -home, her place in your company abroad? Who would have inquired into -the truth of our complaints and the merits of our quarrels; would have -made so many excuses for our faults, given us so many patient -warnings?... Wronged us! There may be some of us who don't like you; -there is not one who could bear to be sent away, not one who would -exchange this house for the palace of the camptâ though you pronounce -him kingly in nature as in power." - -She spoke as she believed, if she spoke in error. "If so, my child, -why have you all been so bitter against Eveena? Why have you yourself -been jealous of one who, as you admit, has been a favourite only in a -love you did not expect?" - -"But we saw it, and we envied her so much love, so much respect," she -replied frankly. "And for myself,"--she coloured, faltered, and was -silent. "For yourself, my child?" - -"I was a vain fool," she broke out impetuously. "They told me that I -was beautiful, and clever, and companionable. I fancied I should be -your favourite, and hold the first place; and when I saw her, I would -not see her grace and gentleness, or observe her soft sweet voice, and -the charms that put my figure and complexion to shame, and the quiet -sense and truth that were worth twelvefold my quickness, my memory, -and my handiness. I was disappointed and mortified that she should be -preferred. Oh, how you must hate me, Clasfempta; for I hate myself -while I tell you what I have been!" - -According to European doctrine, my fealty to Eveena must then have -been in peril. And yet, warmly as I felt for Eunané, the element in -her passionate confession that touched me most was her recognition of -Eveena's superiority; and as I soothed and comforted the half-childish -penitent, I thought how much it would please Eveena that I had at last -come to an understanding with the companion she avowedly liked the -best. - -"But, Eunané," I said at last, "do you remember what you were saying -when I called you--called you on purpose to stop you? You said that -there was something between Eveena and myself more than---more than -what? What did you mean? Speak frankly, child; I know that this time -you were not going to scald me on purpose." - -"I don't know quite what I meant," she replied simply. "But the first -time you took me out, I heard the superintendent say some strange -things; and then he checked himself when he found your companion was -not Eveena. Then Eivé--I mean--you use expressions sometimes in -talking to Eveena that we never heard before. I think there is some -secret between you." - -"And if there be, Eunané, were _you_ going to betray it--to set Enva -and Leenoo on to find it out?" - -"I did not think," she said. "I never do think before I get into -trouble. I don't say, forgive me this time; but I _will_ hold my -tongue for the future." - -By this time our evening meal was ready. As I led Eunané to her place, -Eveena looked up with some little surprise. It was rarely that, -especially on returning from absence, I had sought any other company -than hers. But there was no tinge of jealousy or doubt in her look. On -the contrary, as, with her entire comprehension of every expression of -my face, and her quickness to read the looks of others, she saw in -both countenances that we were on better terms than ever before, her -own brightened at the thought. As I placed myself beside her, she -stole her hand unobserved into mine, and pressed it as she whispered-- - -"You have found her out at last. She is half a child as yet; but she -has a heart--and perhaps the only one among them." - -"The four," as I called them, looked up as we approached with eager -malice:--bitterly disappointed, when they saw that Eunané had won -something more than pardon. Whatever penance they had dreaded, their -own escape ill compensated the loss of their expected pleasure in the -pain and humiliation of a finer nature. Eunané's look, timidly -appealing to her to ratify our full reconciliation, answered by -Eveena's smile of tender, sisterly sympathy, enhanced and completed -their discomfiture. - - - -CHAPTER XXII - PECULIAR INSTITUTIONS. - -A chief luxury and expense in which, when aware what my income was, I -indulged myself freely was the purchase of Martial literature. Only -ephemeral works are as a rule printed in the phonographic character, -which alone I could read with ease. The Martialists have no -newspapers. It does not seem to them worth while to record daily the -accidents, the business incidents, the prices, the amusements, and the -follies of the day; and politics they have none. In no case would a -people so coldly wise, so thoroughly impressed by experience with a -sense of the extreme folly of political agitation, legislative change, -and democratic violence, have cursed themselves with anything like the -press of Europe or America. But as it is, all they have to record is -gathered each twelfth day at the telegraph offices, and from these -communicated on a single sheet about four inches square to all who -care to receive it. But each profession or occupation that boasts, as -do most, an organisation and a centre of discussion and council, -issues at intervals books containing collected facts, essays, reports -of experiments, and lectures. Every man who cares to communicate his -passing ideas to the public does so by means of the phonograph. When -he has a graver work, which is, in his view at least, of permanent -importance to publish, it is written in the stylographic character, -and sold at the telegraphic centres. The extreme complication and -compression employed in this character had, as I have already said, -rendered it very difficult to me; and though I had learnt to decipher -it as a child spells out the words which a few years later it will -read unconsciously by the eye, the only manner in which I could -quickly gather the sense of such books was by desiring one or other of -the ladies to read them aloud. Strangely enough, next to Eveena, Eivé -was by far the best reader. Eunané understood infinitely better what -she was perusing; but the art of reading aloud is useless, and -therefore never taught, in schools whose every pupil learns to read -with the usual facility a character which the practised eye can -interpret incomparably faster than the voice could possibly utter it. -This reading might have afforded many opportunities of private -converse with Eveena, but that Eivé, whose knowledge was by no means -proportionate to her intelligence, entreated permission to listen to -the books I selected; and Eveena, though not partial to her childish -companion and admirer, persuaded me not to refuse. - -The story of my voyage and reports of my first audience at Court were, -of course, widely circulated and extensively canvassed. Though -regarded with no favour, especially by the professed philosophers and -scientists, my adventures and myself were naturally an object of great -curiosity; and I was not surprised when a civil if cold request was -preferred, on behalf of what I may call the Martial Academy, that I -would deliver in their hall a series of lectures, or rather a -connected oral account of the world from which I professed to have -come, and of the manner in which my voyage had been accomplished. -After consulting Eveena and Davilo, I accepted the invitation, and -intended to take the former with me. She objected, however, that while -she had heard much in her father's house and during our travels of -what I had to tell, her companions, scarcely less interested, were -comparatively ignorant. Indiscreetly, because somewhat provoked by -these repeated sacrifices, as much of my inclination as her own, I -mentioned my purpose at our evening meal, and bade her name those who -should accompany me. I was a little surprised when, carefully evading -the dictation to which she was invited, she suggested that Eunané and -Eivé would probably most enjoy the opportunity. That she should be -willing to get rid of the most wilful and petulant of the party seemed -natural. The other selection confirmed the impression I had formed, -but dared not express to one whom I had never blamed without finding -myself in the wrong, that Eveena regarded Eivé with a feeling more -nearly approaching to jealousy than her nature seemed capable of -entertaining. I obeyed, however, without comment; and both the -companions selected for me were delighted at the prospect. - -The Academy is situated about half-way between Amacasfe and the -Residence; the facilities of Martial travelling, and above all of -telegraphic and telephonic communication, dispensing with all reason -for placing great institutions in or near important cities. We -travelled by balloon, as I was anxious to improve myself in the -management of these machines. After frightening my companions so far -as to provoke some outcry from Eivé, and from Eunané some saucy -remarks on my clumsiness, on which no one else would have ventured, I -descended safely, if not very creditably, in front of the building -which serves as a local centre of Martial philosophy. The residences -of some sixty of the most eminent professors of various -sciences--elected by their colleagues as seats fall vacant, with the -approval of the highest Court of Judicature and of the camptâ--cluster -around a huge building in the form of a hexagon made up of a multitude -of smaller hexagons, in the centre whereof is the great hall of the -same shape. In the smaller chambers which surround it are telephones -through which addresses delivered in a hundred different quarters are -mechanically repeated; so that the residents or temporary visitors can -here gather at once all the knowledge that is communicated by any man -of note to any audience throughout the planet. On this account numbers -of young men just emancipated from the colleges come here to complete -their education; and above each of the auditory chambers is another -divided into six small rooms, wherein these visitors are accommodated. -A small house belonging to one of the members who happened to be -absent was appropriated to me during my stay, and in its hall the -philosophers gathered in the morning to converse with or to question -me in detail respecting the world whose existence they would not -formally admit, but whose life, physical, social, and political, and -whose scientific and human history, they regarded with as much -curiosity as if its reality were ascertained. Courtesy forbids evening -visits unless on distinct and pressing invitation, it being supposed -that the head of a household may care to spend that part of his time, -and that alone, with his own family. - -The Academists are provided by the State with incomes, of an amount -very much larger than the modest allowances which the richest nations -of the Earth almost grudge to the men whose names in future history -will probably be remembered longer than those of eminent statesmen and -warriors. Some of them have made considerable fortunes by turning to -account in practical invention this or that scientific discovery. But -as a rule, in Mars as on Earth, the gifts and the career of the -discoverer, and the inventor are distinct. It is, however, from the -purely theoretical labours of the men of science that the inventions -useful in manufactures, in communication, in every department of life -and business, are generally derived; and the prejudice or judgment of -this strange people has laid it down that those who devote their lives -to work in itself unremunerative, but indirectly most valuable to the -public, should be at least as well off as the subordinate servants of -the State. In society they are perhaps more honoured than any but the -highest public authorities; and my audience was the most -distinguished, according to the ideas of that world, that it could -furnish. - -At noon each day I entered the hall, which was crowded with benches -rising on five sides from the centre to the walls, the sixth being -occupied by a platform where the lecturer and the members of the -Academy sat. After each lecture, which occupied some two hours, -questions more or less perplexing were put by the latter. Only, -however, on the first occasion, when I reserved, as before the Zinta -and the Court, all information that could enable my hearers to divine -the nature of the apergic force, was incredulity so plainly insinuated -as to amount to absolute insult. - -"If," I said, "you choose to disbelieve what I tell you, you are -welcome to do so. But you are not at liberty to express your disbelief -to me. To do so is to charge me with lying; and to that charge, -whatever may be the customs of this world, there is in mine but one -answer," and I laid my hand on the hilt of the sword I wore in -deference to Davilo's warnings, but which he and others considered a -Terrestrial ornament rather than a weapon. - -The President of the Academy quietly replied--"Of all the strange -things we have heard, this seems the strangest. I waive the -probability of your statements, or the reasonableness of the doubts -suggested. But I fail to understand how, here or in any other world, -if the imputation of falsehood be considered so gross an offence--and -here it is too common to be so regarded--it can be repelled by proving -yourself more skilled in the use of weapons, or stronger or more -daring than the person who has challenged your assertion." - -The moral courage and self-possession of the President were as marked -as his logic was irrefragable; but my outbreak, however illogical, -served its purpose. No one was disposed to give mortal offence to one -who showed himself so ready to resent it, though probably the -apprehension related less to my swordsmanship than the favour I was -supposed to enjoy with the Suzerain. - -Seriously impressed by the growing earnestness of Davilo's warnings, -and feeling that I could no longer conceal the pressure of some -anxiety on my mind, gradually, cautiously, and tenderly I broke to -Eveena what I had learned, with but two reserves. I would not render -her life miserable by the suggestion of possible treason in our own -household. That she might not infer this for herself, I led her to -believe that the existence and discovery of the conspiracy was of a -date long subsequent to my acceptance of the Sovereign's unwelcome -gift. She was deeply affected, and, as I had feared, exceedingly -disturbed. But, very characteristically, the keenest impression made -upon her mind concerned less the urgency of the peril than its origin, -the fact that it was incurred through and for her. On this she -insisted much more than seemed just or reasonable. It was for her -sake, no doubt, that I had made the Regent of Elcavoo my bitter, -irreconcilable foe. It was my marriage with her, the daughter of the -most eminent among the chiefs of the Zinta, that had marked me out as -one of the first and principal victims, and set on my head a value as -high as on that of any of the Order save the Arch-Enlightener himself, -whose personal character and social distinction would have indicated -him as especially dangerous, even had his secret rank been altogether -unsuspected. It was impossible to soothe Eveena's first outbreak of -feeling, or reason with her illogical self-reproach. Compelled at last -to admit that the peril had been unconsciously incurred when she -neither knew nor could have known it, she pleaded eagerly and -earnestly for permission to repair by the sacrifice of herself the -injury she had brought upon me. It was useless to tell her that the -acceptance of such a sacrifice would be a thousand-fold worse than -death. Even the depth and devotion of her own love could not persuade -her to realise the passionate earnestness of mine. It was still more -in vain to remind her that such a concession must entail the dishonour -that man fears above all perils; would brand me with that indelible -stain of abject personal cowardice which for ever degrades and ruins -not only the fame but the nature of manhood, as the stain of wilful -unchastity debases and ruins woman. - -"Rescind our contract," she insisted, pleading, with the overpowering -vehemence of a love absolutely unselfish, against love's deepest -instincts and that egotism which is almost inseparable from it; giving -passionate utterance to an affection such as men rarely feel for -women, women perhaps never for men. "Divorce me; force the enemy to -believe that you have broken with my father and with his Order; and, -favoured as you are by the Sovereign, you will be safe. Give what -reason you will; say that I have deserved it, that I have forced you -to it. I know that contracts _are_ revoked with the full approval of -the Courts and of the public, though I hardly know why. I will agree; -and if we are agreed, you can give or withhold reasons as you please. -Nay, there can be no wrong to me in doing what I entreat you to do. I -shall not suffer long--no, no, I _will_ live, I will be happy"--her -face white to the lips, her streaming tears were not needed to belie -the words! "By your love for me, do not let me feel that you are to -die--do not keep me in dread to hear that you have died--for me and -through me." - -If it had been in her power to leave me, if one-half of the promised -period had not been yet to run, she might have enforced her purpose in -despite of all that I could urge;--of reason, of entreaty, of the -pleadings of a love in this at least as earnest as her own. Nay, she -would probably have left me, in the hope of exhibiting to the world -the appearance of an open quarrel, but for a peculiarity of Martial -law. That law enforces, on the plea of either party, "specific -performance" of the marriage contract. I could reclaim her, and call -the force of the State to recover her. When even this warning at first -failed to enforce her submission, I swore by all I held sacred in my -own world and all she revered in hers--by the symbols never lightly -invoked, and never, in the course of ages that cover thrice the span -of Terrestrial history and tradition, invoked to sanction a lie; -symbols more sacred in her eyes than, in those of medićval -Christendom, the gathered relics that appalled the heroic soul of -Harold Godwinsson--that she should only defeat her own purpose; that I -would reclaim my wife before the Order and before the law, thus -asserting more clearly than ever the strength of the tie that bound me -to her and to her house. The oath which it was impossible to break, -perhaps yet more the cold and measured tone with which I spoke, in -striving to control the white heat of a passion as much stronger as it -was more selfish than hers--a tone which sounded to myself unnatural -and alien--at last compelled her to yield; and silenced her in the -only moment in which the depths of that nature, so sweet and soft and -gentle, were stirred by the violence of a moral tempest.... -A marvellously perfect example of Martial art and science is furnished -by the Observatory of the Astronomic Academy, on a mountain about -twenty miles from the Residence. The hill selected stands about 4000 -feet above the sea-level, and almost half that height above any -neighbouring ground. It commands, therefore, a most perfect view of -the horizon all around, even below the technical or theoretic horizon -of its latitude. A volcano, like all Martial volcanoes very feeble, -and never bursting into eruptions seriously dangerous to the dwellers -in the neighbouring plains, existed at some miles' distance, and -caused earthquakes, or perhaps I should more properly say disturbances -of the surface, which threatened occasionally to perturb the -observations. But the Martialists grudge no cost to render their -scientific instruments, from the Observatory itself to the smallest -lens or wheel it contains, as perfect as possible. Having decided that -Eanelca was very superior to any other available site, they were not -to be baffled or diverted by such a trifle as the opposition of -Nature. Still less would they allow that the observers should be put -out by a perceptible disturbance, or their observations falsified by -one too slight to be realised by their senses. If Nature were -impertinent enough to interfere with the arrangements of science, -science must put down the mutiny of Nature. As seas had been bridged -and continents cut through, so a volcano might and must be suppressed -or extinguished. A tunnel thirty miles in length was cut from a great -lake nearly a thousand feet higher than the base of the volcano; and -through this for a quarter of a year, say some six Terrestrial months, -water was steadily poured into the subterrene cavities wherein the -eruptive forces were generated--the plutonic laboratory of the -rebellious agency. Of course previous to the adoption of this measure, -the crust in the neighbourhood had been carefully explored and tested -by various wonderfully elaborate and perfect boring instruments, and a -map or rather model of the strata for a mile below the surface, and -for a distance around the volcano which I dare not state on the faith -of my recollection alone, had been constructed on a scale, as we -should say, of twelve inches to the mile. Except for minor purposes, -for convenience of pocket carriage and the like, Martialists disdain -so poor a representation as a flat map can give of a broken surface. -On the small scale, they employ globes of spherical sections to -represent extensive portions of their world; on the large scale (from -two to twenty-four inches per mile), models of wonderfully accurate -construction. Consequently, children understand and enjoy the -geographical lesson which in European schools costs so many tears to -so little purpose. A girl of six years knows more perfectly the whole -area of the Martial globe than a German Professor that of the ancient -Peloponnesus. Eivé, the dunce of our housed hold, won a Terrestrial -picture-book on which she had set her fancy by tracing on a forty-inch -globe, the first time she saw it, every detail of my journey from -Ecasfe as she had heard me relate it; and Eunané, who had never left -her Nursery, could describe beforehand any route I wished to take -between the northern and southern ice-belts. Under the guidance -afforded by the elaborate model abovementioned, all the hollows -wherein the materials of eruption were stored, and wherein the -chemical forces of Nature had been at work for ages, were thoroughly -flooded. Of course convulsion after convulsion of the most violent -nature followed. But in the course of about two hundred days, the -internal combustion was overmastered for lack of fuel; the chemical -combinations, which might have gone on for ages causing weak but -incessant outbreaks, were completed and their power exhausted. - -This source of disturbance extinguished in the reign of the -twenty-fifth predecessor of my royal patron, the construction of the -great Observatory on Eanelca was commenced. A very elaborate road, -winding round and round the mountain at such an incline as to be -easily ascended by the electric carriages, was built. But this was -intended only as a subsidiary means of ascent. Right into the bowels -of the mountain a vast tunnel fifty feet in height was driven. At its -inner extremity was excavated a chamber whose dimensions are -imperfectly recorded in my notes, but which was certainly much larger -than the central cavern from which radiate the principal galleries of -the Mammoth Cave. Around this were pierced a dozen shafts, emerging at -different heights, but all near the summit, and all so far outside the -central plateau as to leave the solid foundation on which the -Observatory was to rest, down to the very centre of the planet, wholly -undisturbed. Through each of these, ascending and descending -alternately, pass two cars, or rather movable chambers, worked by -electricity, conveying passengers, instruments, or supplies to and -from the most convenient points in the vast structure of the -Observatory itself. The highest part of Ranelca was a rocky mass of -some 1600 feet in circumference and about 200 in height. This was -carved into a perfect octagon, in the sides of which were arranged a -number of minor chambers--among them those wherein transit and other -secondary observations were to be taken, and in which minor magnifying -instruments were placed to scan their several portions of the heavens. -Within these was excavated a circular central chamber, the dome of -which was constructed of a crystal so clear that I verily believe the -most exacting of Terrestrial astronomers would have been satisfied to -make his observations through it. But an opening was made in this -dome, as for the mounting of one of our equatorial telescopes, and -machinery was provided which caused the roof to revolve with a touch, -bringing the opening to bear on any desired part of the celestial -vault. In the centre of the solid floor, levelled to the utmost -perfection, was left a circular pillar supporting the polar axis of an -instrument widely differing from our telescopes, especially in the -fact that it had no opaque tube connecting the essential lenses which -we call the eye-piece and the object-glass, names not applicable to -their Martial substitutes. On my visit to the Observatory, however, I -had not leisure to examine minutely the means by which the images of -stars and planets were produced. I reserved this examination for a -second opportunity, which, as it happened, never occurred. - -On this occasion Eveena and Eunané were with me, and the astronomic -pictures which were to be presented to us, and which they could enjoy -and understand almost as fully as myself, sufficiently occupied our -time. Warned to stand at such a distance from the central machinery -that in a whole revolution no part of it could by any possibility -touch us, we were placed near an opening looking into a dark chamber, -with our backs to the objects of observation. In this chamber, not -upon a screen but suspended in the air, presently appeared an image -several thousand times larger than that of the crescent Moon as seen -through a tube small enough to correct the exaggeration of visual -instinct. It appeared, however, not flat, as does the Moon to the -naked eye, but evidently as part of a sphere. At some distance was -shown another crescent, belonging to a sphere whose diameter was a -little more than one-fourth that of the former. The light reflected -from their surfaces was of silver radiance, rather than the golden hue -of the Moon or of Venus as seen through a small telescope. The smaller -crescent I could recognise at once as belonging to our own satellite; -the larger was, of course, the world I had quitted. So exactly is the -clockwork or its substitute adapted to counteract both the rotation -and revolution of Mars, that the two images underwent no other change -of place than that caused by their own proper motion in space; a -movement which, notwithstanding the immense magnifying power employed, -was of course scarcely perceptible. But the rotation of the larger -sphere was visible as we watched it. It so happened that the part -which was at once lighted by the rays of the Sun and exposed to our -observation was but little clouded. The atmosphere, of course, -prevented its presenting the clear, sharply-defined outlines of lunar -landscapes; but sea and land, ice and snow, were so clearly defined -and easily distinguishable that my companions exclaimed with -eagerness, as they observed features unmistakably resembling on the -grand scale those with which they were themselves familiar. The Arctic -ice was scarcely visible in the North. The vast steppes of Russia, the -boundary line of the Ural mountains, the greyish-blue of the Euxine, -Western Asia, Arabia, and the Red Sea joining the long water-line of -the Southern Ocean, were defined by the slanting rays. The Antarctic -ice-continent was almost equally clear, with its stupendous glacier -masses radiating apparently from an elevated extensive land, chiefly -consisting of a deeply scooped and scored plateau of rock, around the -Pole itself. The terminator, or boundary between light and shade, was -not, as in the Moon, pretty sharply defined, and broken only by the -mountainous masses, rings, and sea-beds, if such they are, so -characteristic of the latter. On the image of the Moon there -intervened between bright light and utter darkness but the narrow belt -to which only part of the Sun was as yet visible, and which, -therefore, received comparatively few rays. The twilight to north and -south extended on the image of the Earth deep into that part on which -as yet the Sun was below the horizon, and consequently daylight faded -into darkness all but imperceptibly, save between the tropics. We -watched long and intently as league by league new portions of Europe -and Africa, the Mediterranean, and even the Baltic, came into view; -and I was able to point out to Eveena lands in which I had traveller, -seas I had crossed, and even the isles of the Aegean, and bays in -which my vessel had lain at anchor. This personal introduction to each -part of the image, now presented to her for the first time, enabled -her to realise more forcibly than a lengthened experience of -astronomical observation might have done the likeness to her own world -of that which was passing under her eyes; and at once intensified her -wonder, heightened her pleasure, and sharpened her intellectual -apprehension of the scene. When we had satiated our eyes with this -spectacle, or rather when I remembered that we could spare no more -time to this, the most interesting exhibition of the evening, a turn -of the machinery brought Venus under view. Here, however, the cloud -envelope baffled us altogether, and her close approach to the horizon -soon obliged the director to turn his apparatus in another direction. -Two or three of the Asteroids were in view. Pallas especially -presented a very interesting spectacle. Not that the difference of -distance would have rendered the definition much more perfect than -from a Terrestrial standpoint, but that the marvellous perfection of -Martial instruments, and in some measure also the rarity of the -atmosphere at such a height, rendered possible the use of far higher -magnifying powers than our astronomers can employ. I am inclined to -agree, from what I saw on this occasion, with those who imagine the -Asteroids to be--if not fragments of a broken planet which once -existed as a whole--yet in another sense fragmentary spheres, less -perfect and with surfaces of much greater proportionate irregularity -than those of the larger planets. Next was presented to our view on a -somewhat smaller scale, because the area of the chamber employed would -not otherwise have given room for the system, the enormous disc and -the four satellites of Jupiter. The difference between 400 and 360 -millions of miles' distance is, of course, wholly unimportant; but the -definition and enlargement were such that the image was perfect, and -the details minute and distinct, beyond anything that Earthly -observation had led me to conceive as possible. The satellites were no -longer mere points or tiny discs, but distinct moons, with surfaces -marked like that of our own satellite, though far less mountainous and -broken, and, as it seemed to me, possessing a distinct atmosphere. I -am not sure that there is not a visible difference of brightness among -them, not due to their size but to some difference in the reflecting -power of their surfaces, since the distance of all from the Sun is -practically equal. That Jupiter gives out some light of his own, a -portion of which they may possibly reflect in differing amount -according to their varying distance, is believed by Martial -astronomers; and I thought it not improbable. The brilliant and -various colouring of the bands which, cross the face of the giant -planet was wonderfully brought out; the bluish-grey around the poles, -the clear yellowish-white light of the light bands, probably belts of -white cloud, contrasted signally the hues--varying from deep -orange-brown to what was almost crimson or rose-pink on the one hand -and bright yellow on the other--of different zones of the so-called -dark belts. On the latter, markings and streaks of strange variety -suggested, if they failed-to prove, the existence of frequent spiral -storms, disturbing, probably at an immense height above the surface, -clouds which must be utterly unlike the clouds of Mars or the Earth in -material as well as in form and mass. These markings enabled us to -follow with clear ocular appreciation the rapid rotation of this -planet. In the course of half-an-hour several distinct spots on -different belts had moved in a direct line across a tenth of the face -presented to us--a distance, upon the scale of the gigantic image, so -great that the motion required no painstaking observation, but forced -itself upon the notice of the least attentive spectator. The belief of -Martial astronomers is that Jupiter is not by any means so much less -dense than the minor planets as his proportionately lesser weight -would imply. They hold that his visible surface is that of an -enormously deep atmosphere, within which lies, they suppose, a central -ball, not merely hot but more than white hot, and probably, from its -temperature, not yet possessing a solid crust. One writer argues that, -since all worlds must by analogy be supposed to be inhabited, and -since the satellites of Jupiter more resemble worlds than the planet -itself, which may be regarded as a kind of secondary sun, it is not -improbable that the former are the scenes of life as varied as that of -Mars itself; and that infinite ages hence, when these have become too -cold for habitation, their giant primary may have gone through those -processes which, according to the received theory, have fitted the -interior planets to be the home of plants, animals, and, in two cases -at least, of human beings. - -It was near midnight before the manifest fatigue of the ladies -overcame my selfish desire to prolong as much as possible this most -interesting visit. Meteorological science in Mars has been carried to -high perfection; and the director warned me that but three or four -equally favourable opportunities might offer in the course of the next -half year. - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - CHARACTERISTICS. - -Time passed on, marked by no very important incident, while I made -acquaintance with manners and with men around me, neither one nor the -other worth further description. Nothing occurred to confirm the -alarms Davilo constantly repeated. - -I called the ladies one day into the outer grounds to see a new -carriage, capable, according to its arrangement, of containing from -two to eight persons, and a balloon of great size and new construction -which Davilo had urgently counselled me to procure, as capable of -sudden use in some of those daily thickening perils, of which I could -see no other sign than occasional evidence that my steps were watched -and dogged. Both vehicles enlisted the interest and curiosity of -Eunané and her companions. Eveena, after examining with as much -attention as was due to the trouble I took to explain it, the -construction of the carriage, concentrated her interest and -observation upon the balloon, the sight of which evidently impressed -her. When we had returned to the peristyle, and the rest had -dispersed, I said-- - -"I see you apprehend some part of my reasons for purchasing the -balloon. The carriage will take us to-morrow to Altasfe (a town some -ten miles distant). 'Shopping' is an amusement so gratifying to all -women on Earth, from the veiled favourites of an Eastern seraglio to -the very unveiled dames of Western ballrooms, that I suppose the -instinct must be native to the sex wherever women and trade co-exist. -If you have a single feminine folly, you will enjoy this more than you -will own. If you are, as they complain, absolutely faultless, you will -enjoy with me the pleasure of the girls in plaguing one after another -all the traders of Altasfe:" and with these words I placed in her -hands a packet of the thin metallic plates constituting their -currency. Her extreme and unaffected surprise was amusing to witness. - -"What am I to do with this?" she inquired, counting carefully the -uncounted pile, in a manner which at once dispelled my impression that -her surprise was due to childish ignorance of its value. - -"Whatever you please, Madonna; whatever can please you and the -others." - -"But," she remonstrated, "this is more than all our dowries for -another year to come; and--forgive me for repeating what you seem -purposely to forget--I cannot cast the shadow between my equals and -the master. Would you so mortify _me_ as to make me take from Eunané's -hand, for example, what should come from yours?" - -"You are right, Madonna, now as always," I owned; wincing at the name -she used, invariably employed by the others, but one I never endured -from her. Her looks entreated pardon for the form of the implied -reproof, as I resumed the larger part of the money she held out to me, -forcing back the smaller into her reluctant hands. "But what has the -amount of your dowries to do with the matter? The contracts are meant, -I suppose, to secure the least to which a wife has a right, not to fix -her natural share in her husband's wealth. You need not fear, Eveena; -the Prince has made us rich enough to spend more than we shall care -for." - -"I don't understand you," she replied with her usual gentle frankness -and simple logical consistency. "It pleases you to say 'we' and 'ours' -whenever you can so seem to make me part of yourself; and I love to -hear you, for it assures me each time that you still hold me tightly -as I cling to you. But you know those are only words of kindness. -Since you returned my father's gift, the dowry you then doubled is my -only share of what is yours, and it is more than enough." - -"Do you mean that women expect and receive no more: that they do not -naturally share in a man's surplus wealth?" - -While I spoke Enva had joined us, and, resting on the cushions at my -feet, looked curiously at the metallic notes in Eveena's hand. - -"You do not," returned the latter, "pay more foe what you have -purchased because you have grown richer. You do not share your wealth -even with those on whose care it chiefly depends." - -"Yes, I do, Eveena. But I know what you mean. Their share is settled -and is not increased. But you will not tell me that this affords any -standard for household dealings; that a wife's share in her husband's -fortune is really bounded by the terms of the marriage contract?" - -"Will you let Enva answer you?" asked Eveena. "She looks more ready -than I feel to reply." - -This little incident was characteristic in more ways than one. -Eveena's feelings, growing out of the realities of our relation, were -at issue with and perplexed her convictions founded on the theory and -practice of her world. Not yet doubting the justice of the latter, she -instinctively shrank from their application to ourselves. She was -glad, therefore, to let Enva state plainly and directly a doctrine -which, from her own lips, would have pained as well as startled me. On -her side, Enva, though encouraged to bear her part in conversation, -was too thoroughly imbued with the same ideas to interpose unbidden. -As she would have said, a wife deserved the sandal for speaking -without leave; nor--experience notwithstanding--would she think it -safe to interrupt in my presence a favourite so pointedly honoured as -Eveena. 'She waited, therefore, till my eyes gave the permission which -hers had asked. - -"Why should you buy anything twice over, Clasfempta, whether it be a -wife or an ambâ? A girl sells her society for the best price her -attractions will command. These attractions seldom increase. You -cannot give her less because you care less for them; but how can she -expect more?" - -"I know, Enva, that the marriage contract here is an open bargain and -sale, as among my race it is generally a veiled one. But, the bargain -made, does it really govern the after relation? Do men really spend -their wealth wholly on themselves, and take no pleasure in the -pleasure of women?" - -"Generally, I believe," Enva replied, "they fancy they have paid too -much for their toy before they have possessed it long, and had rather -buy a new one than make much of those they have. Wives seldom look on -the increase of a man's wealth as a gain to themselves. Of course you -like to see us prettily dressed, while you think us worth looking at -in ourselves. But as a rule our own income provides for that; and _we_ -at any rate are better off than almost any women outside the Palace. -The Prince did not care, and knew it would not matter to you, what he -gave to make his gift worthy of him and agreeable to you. Perhaps," -she added, "he wished to make it secure by offering terms too good to -be thrown away by any foolish rebellion against a heavier hand or a -worse temper than usual. You hardly understand yet half the advantages -you possess." - -The latent sarcasm of the last remark did not need the look of -pretended fear that pointed it. If Enva professed to resent my -inadequate appreciation of the splendid beauty bestowed on me by the -royal favour more than any possible ill-usage for which she supposed -herself compensated in advance, it was not for me to put her sincerity -to proof. - -"Once bought, then, wives are not worth pleasing? It is not worth -while to purchase happy faces, bright smiles, and willing kisses now -and then at a cost the giver can scarcely feel?" - -Enva's look now was half malicious, half kindly, and wholly comical; -but she answered gravely, with a slight imitation of my own tone-- - -"Can you not imagine, or make Eveena tell you, Clasfempta, why women -once purchased think it best to give smiles and kisses freely to one -who can command their tears? Or do you fancy that their smiles are -more loyal and sincere when won by kindness than...." - -"By fear? Sweeter, Enva, at any rate. Well, if I do not offend your -feelings, I need not hesitate to disregard another of your customs." - -She received her share willingly and gratefully enough, but her smile -and kiss were so evidently given to order, that they only testified to -the thorough literality of her statement. Leenoo, Eiralé, and Elfé -followed her example with characteristic exactness. Equally -characteristic was the conduct of the others. Eunané kept aloof till -called, and then approached with an air of sullen reluctance, as if -summoned to receive a reprimand rather than a favour. Not a little -amused, I affected displeasure in my turn, till the window of her -chamber closed behind us, and her ill-humour was forgotten in -wondering alarm. Offered in private, the kiss and smile given and not -demanded, the present was accepted with frank affectionate gratitude. -Eivé took her share in pettish shyness, waiting the moment when she -might mingle unobserved with her childlike caresses the childish -reproach-- - -"If you can buy kisses, Clasfempta, you don't want mine. And if you -fancy I sell them, you shall have no more." - -I saw Davilo in the morning before we started. After some conversation -on business, he said-- - -"And pardon a suggestion which I make, not as in charge of your -affairs, but as responsible to our supreme authority for your safety. -No correspondence should pass from your household unscrutinised; and -if there be such correspondence, I must ask you to place in my hand, -for the purpose of our quest, not any message, but some of the slips -on which messages have been written. This may probably furnish -precisely that tangible means of relation with some one acquainted -with the conspiracy for which we have sought in vain." - -My unwillingness to meddle with feminine correspondence was the less -intelligible to him that, as the master alone commands the household -telegraph, he knew that it must have passed through my hands. I -yielded at last to his repeated urgency that a life more precious than -mine was involved in any danger to myself, so far as to promise the -slips required, to furnish a possible means of _rapport_ between the -_clairvoyante_ and the enemy. - -I returned to the house in grave thought. Eunané. corresponded by the -telegraph with some schoolmates; Eivé, I fancied, with three or four -of those ladies with whom, accompanying me on my visits, she had made -acquaintance. But I hated the very thought of domestic suspicion, and, -adhering to my original resolve, refused to entertain a distrust that -seemed ill-founded and far-fetched. If there had been treachery, it -would be impossible to obtain any letters that might have been -preserved without resorting to a compulsion which, since both Eunané -and Eivé had written in the knowledge that their letters passed -unread, would seem like a breach of faith. I asked, however, simply, -and giving no reason, for the production of any papers received and -preserved by either. Eivé, with her usual air of simplicity, brought -me the two or three which, she said, were all she had kept. Eunané -replied with a petulance almost amounting to refusal, which to some -might have suggested suspicion; but which to me seemed the very last -course that a culprit would have pursued. To give needless offence -while conscious of guilt would have been the very wantonness of -reckless temper. - -"Bite your tongue, and keep your letters," I said sharply. - -Turning to Eivé and looking at the addresses of hers, none of which -bore the name of any one who could be suspected of the remotest -connection with a political plot-- - -"Give me which of these you please," I said, taking from her hand that -which she selected and marking it. "Now erase the writing yourself and -give me the paper." - -This incident gave Eunané leisure to recover her temper. She stood for -a few moments ashamed perhaps, but, as usual, resolute to abide by the -consequences of a fault. When she found that my last word was spoken, -her mood changed at once. - -"I did not quite like to give you Velna's letters. They are foolish, -like mine; and besides----But I never supposed you would let me -refuse. What you won't make me do, I must do of my own accord." - -Womanly reasoning, most unlike "woman's reasons!" She brought, with -unaffected alacrity, a collection of tafroo-slips whose addresses bore -out her account of their character. Taking the last from the bundle, I -bade her erase its contents. - -"No," she said, "that is the one I least liked to show. If you will -not read it, please follow my hand as I read, and see for yourself how -far I have misused your trust." - -"I never doubted your good faith, Eunané"--But she had begun to read, -pointing with her finger as she went on. At one sentence hand and -voice wavered a little without apparent reason. "I shall," wrote her -school-friend, some half year her junior, "make my appearance at the -next inspection. I wish the Camptâ, had left you here till now; we -might perhaps have contrived to pass into the same household." - -"A very innocent wish, and very natural," I said, in answer to the -look, half inquiring, half shy, with which Eunané watched the effect -of her words. I could not now use the precaution in her case, which it -had somehow seemed natural to adopt with Eivé, of marking the paper -returned for erasure. On her part, Eunané thrust into my hand the -whole bundle as they were, and I was forced myself to erase, by an -electro-chemical process which leaves no trace of writing, the words -of that selected. The absence of any mark on the second paper served -sufficiently to distinguish the two when, of course without stating -from whom I received them, I placed, them in Davilo's hands. - -When we were ready to leave the peristyle for the carriage, I observed -that Eunané alone was still unveiled, while the others wore their -cloaks of down and the thick veils, without which no lady may present -herself to the public eye. - -"'Thieving time is woman's crime,'" I said, quoting a domestic -proverb. "In another household you would; be left behind." - -"Of course," she replied, such summary discipline seeming to her as -appropriate as to an European child. "I don't like always to deserve -the vine and receive the nuts." - -"You must take which _I_ like," I retorted, laughing. Satisfied or -silenced, she hastened to dress, and enjoyed with unalloyed delight -the unusual pleasure of inspecting dresses and jewellery, and making -more purchases in a day than she had expected to be able to do in two -years. But she and her companions acted with more consideration than -ladies permitted to visit the shops of Europe show for their masculine -escort. Eivé alone, on this as on other occasions, availed herself -thoroughly of those privileges of childhood which I had always -extended to her. - -So quick are the proceedings and so excellent the arrangements of -Martial commerce, even where ladies are concerned, that a couple of -hours saw us on our way homeward, after having passed through the -apartments of half the merchants in Altasfe. Purposely for my own -pleasure, as well as for that of my companions, I took a circuitous -route homeward, and in so doing came within sight of a principal -feminine Nursery or girls' school. Recognising it, Eunané spoke with -some eagerness-- - -"Ah! I spent nine years there, and not always unhappily." - -Eveena, who sat beside me, pressed my hand, with an intention easily -understood. - -"And you would like to see it again?" I inquired in compliance with -her silent hint. - -"Not to go back," said Eunané. "But I should like to pay it a visit, -if it were possible." - -"Can we?" I asked Eveena. - -"I think so," she answered. "I observe half a dozen people have gone -in since we came in sight, and I fancy it is inspection day there." - -"Inspection?" I asked. - -"Yes," she replied in a tone of some little annoyance and discomfort. -"The girls who have completed their tenth year, and who are thought to -have as good a chance now as they would have later, are dressed for -the first time in the white robe and veil of maidenhood, and presented -in the public chamber to attract the choice of those who are looking -for brides." - -"Not a pleasant spectacle," I said, "to you or to myself; but it will -hardly annoy the others, and Eunané shall have her wish." - -We descended from our carriage at the gate, and entered the grounds of -the Nursery. Studiously as the health, the diet, and the exercise of -the inmates are cared for, nothing is done to render the appearance of -the home where they pass so large and critical a portion of their -lives cheerful or attractive in appearance. Utility alone is studied; -how much beauty conduces to utility where the happiness and health of -children are concerned, Martial science has yet to learn. The grounds -contained no flowers and but few trees; the latter ruined in point of -form and natural grace to render them convenient supports for -gymnastic apparatus. A number of the younger girls, unveiled, but -dressed in a dark plain garment reaching from the throat to the knees, -with trousers giving free play to the limbs, were exercising on the -different swings and bars, flinging the light weights and balls, or -handling the substitutes for dumb-bells, the use of which forms an -important branch of their education. Others, relieved from this -essential part of their tasks, were engaged in various sports. One of -these I noticed especially. Perhaps a hundred young ladies on either -side formed a sort of battalion, contending for the ground they -occupied with light shields of closely woven wire and masks of the -same material, and with spears consisting of a reed or grass about -five feet in length, and exceedingly light. When perfectly ripened, -these spears are exceeding formidable, their points being sharp enough -to pierce the skin of any but a pachydermatous animal. Those employed -in these games, however, are gathered while yet covered by a sheath, -which, as they ripen, bursts and leaves the keen, hard point exposed. -Considerable care is taken in their selection, since, if nearly ripe, -or if they should ripen prematurely under the heat of the sun when -severed from the stem, the sheath bursting in the middle of a game, -very grave accidents might occur. The movements of the girls were so -ordered that the game appeared almost as much a dance as a conflict; -but though there was nothing of unseemly violence, the victory was -evidently contested with real earnestness, and with a skill superior -to that displayed in the movements of the actual soldiers who have -long since exchanged the tasks of warfare for the duties of policemen, -escorts, and sentries. I held Eveena's hand, the others followed us -closely, venturing neither to break from our party without leave nor -to ask permission, till, at Eveena's suggestion, it was spontaneously -given. They then quitted us, hastening, Eunané to seek out her -favourite companions of a former season, the others to mingle with the -younger girls and share in their play. We walked on slowly, stopping -from time to time to watch the exercises and sports of the younger -portion of a community numbering some fifteen hundred girls. When we -entered the hall we were rejoined by Eunané, with one of her friends -who still wore the ordinary school costume. Conversation with or -notice of a young lady so dressed was not only not expected but -disallowed, and the pair seated themselves behind us and studiously -out of hearing of any conversation conducted in a low tone. - -The spectacle, as I had anticipated, was to me anything but pleasant. -It reminded me of a slave-market of the East, however, rather than of -the more revolting features of a slave auction in the United States. -The maidens, most of them very graceful and more than pretty, their -robes arranged and ornamented with an evident care to set off their -persons to the best advantage, and with a skill much greater than they -themselves could yet have acquired, were seated alone or by twos and -threes in different parts of the hall, grouped so as to produce the -most attractive general as well as individual effect. The picture, -therefore, was a pretty one; and since the intending purchasers -addressed the objects of their curiosity or admiration with courtesy -and fairly decorous reserve, it was the known character rather than -any visible incident of the scene that rendered it repugnant or -revolting in my eyes. I need not say that, except Eveena, there was no -one of either sex in the hall who shared my feeling. After all, the -purpose was but frankly avowed, and certainly carried out more safely -and decorously than in the ball-rooms and drawing-rooms of London or -Paris. Of the maidens, some seemed shy and backward, and most were -silent save when addressed. But the majority received their suitors -with a thoroughly business-like air, and listened to the terms offered -them, or endeavoured to exact a higher price or a briefer period of -assured slavery, with a self-possession more reasonable than agreeable -to witness. One maiden seated in our immediate vicinity was, I -perceived, the object of Eveena's especial interest, and, at first on -this account alone, attracted my observation. Dressed with somewhat -less ostentatious care and elegance than her companions, her veil and -the skirt of her robe were so arranged as to show less of her personal -attractions than they generally displayed. A first glance hardly did -justice to a countenance which, if not signally pretty, and certainly -marked by a beauty less striking than that of most of the others, was -modest and pleasing; a figure slight and graceful, with hands and feet -yet smaller than usual, even among a race the shape of whose limbs is, -with few exceptions, admirable. Very few had addressed her, or even -looked at her; and a certain resigned mortification was visible in her -countenance. - -"You are sorry for that child?" I said to Eveena. - -"Yes," she answered. "It must be distressing to feel herself the least -attractive, the least noticed among her companions, and on such an -occasion. I cannot conceive how I could bear to form part of such a -spectacle; but if I were in her place, I suppose I should be hurt and -humbled at finding that nobody cared to look at me in the presence of -others prettier and better dressed than myself." - -"Well," I said, "of all the faces I see I like that the best. I -suppose I must not speak to her?" - -"Why not?" said Eveena in surprise. "You are not bound to purchase -her, any more than we bought all we looked at to-day." - -"It did not occur to me," I replied, "that I could be regarded as a -possible suitor, nor do I think I could find courage to present myself -to that young lady in a manner which must cause her to look upon me in -that light. Ask Eunané if she knows her." - -Here Eivé and the others joined us and took their places on my right. -Eveena, leaving her seat for a moment, spoke apart with Eunané. - -"Will you speak to her?" she said, returning. "She is Eunané's friend -and correspondent, Velna; and I think they are really fond of each -other. It is a pity that if she is to undergo the mortification of -remaining unchosen and going back to her tasks, at least till the next -inspection, she will also be separated finally from the only person -for whom she seems to have had anything like home affection." - -"Well, if I am to talk to her," I replied, "you must be good enough to -accompany me. I do not feel that I could venture on such an enterprise -by myself." - -Eveena's eyes, even through her veil, expressed at once amusement and -surprise; but as she rose to accompany me this expression faded and a -look of graver interest replaced it. Many turned to observe us as we -crossed the short space that separated us from the isolated and -neglected maiden. I had seen, if I had not noticed, that in no case -were the men, as they made the tour of the room or went up to any lady -who might have attracted their special notice, accompanied by the -women of their households. A few of these, however, sat watching the -scene, their mortification, curiosity, jealousy, or whatever feeling -it might excite, being of course concealed by the veils that hid every -feature but the eyes, which now and then followed very closely the -footsteps of their lords. The object of our attention showed marked -surprise as we approached her, and yet more when, seeing that I was at -a loss for words, Eveena herself spoke a kindly and gracious sentence. -The girl's voice was soft and low, and her tone and words, as we -gradually fell into a hesitating and broken conversation, confirmed -the impression made by her appearance. When, after a few minutes, I -moved to depart, there was in Eveena's reluctant steps and expressive -upturned eyes a meaning I could not understand. As soon as we were out -of hearing, moving so as partly to hide my countenance and entirely to -conceal her own gesture from the object of her compassion, she checked -my steps by a gentle pressure on my arm and looked up earnestly into -my face. - -"What is it?" I asked. "You seem to have some wish that I cannot -conjecture; and you can trust by this time my anxiety to gratify every -desire of yours, reasonable or not--if indeed you ever were -unreasonable." - -"She is so sad, so lonely," Eveena answered, "and she is so fond of -Eunané." - -"You don't mean that you want me to make her an offer!" I exclaimed in -extreme amazement. - -"Do not be angry," pleaded Eveena. "She would be glad to accept any -offer you would be likely to make; and the money you gave me yesterday -would have paid all she would cost you for many years. Besides, it -would please Eunané, and it would make Velna so happy." - -"You must know far better than I can what is likely to make her -happy," I replied. "Strange to the ideas and customs of your world, I -cannot conceive that a woman can wish to take the last place in a -household like ours rather than the first or only one with the poorest -of her people." - -"She will hardly have the choice," Eveena answered. "Those whom you -can call poor mostly wait till they can have their choice before they -marry; and if taken by some one who could not afford a more expensive -choice, she would only be neglected, or dismissed ill provided for, as -soon as he could purchase one more to his taste." - -"If," I rejoined at last, "you think it a kindness to her, and are -sure she will so think it; if you wish it, and will avouch her -contentment with a place in the household of one who does not desire -her, I will comply with this as with any wish of yours. But it is not -to my mind to take a wife out of mere compassion, as I might readily -adopt a child." - -Once more, with all our mutual affection and appreciation of each -other's character, Eveena and I were far as the Poles apart in thought -if not in feeling. It was as impossible for her to emancipate herself -utterly from the ideas and habits of her own world, as for me to -reconcile myself to them. I led her back at last to her seat, and -beckoned Eunané to my side. - -"Eveena," I said, "has been urging me to offer your friend yonder a -place in our household." - -Though I could not see her face, the instant change in her attitude, -the eager movement of her hands, and the elastic spring that suddenly -braced her form, expressed her feeling plainly enough. - -"It must be done, I suppose," I murmured rather to myself than to -them, as Eunané timidly put out her hand and gratefully clasped -Eveena's. "Well, it is to be done for you, and you must do it." - -"How can I?" exclaimed Eunané in astonishment; and Eveena added, "It -is for you; you only can name your terms, and it would be a strange -slight to her to do so through us." - -"I cannot help that. I will not 'act the lie' by affecting any -personal desire to win her, and I could not tell her the truth. Offer -her the same terms that contented the rest; nay, if she enters my -household, she shall not feel herself in a secondary or inferior -position." - -This condition surprised even Eveena as much as my resolve to make her -the bearer of the proposal that was in truth her own. But, however -reluctant, she would as soon have refused obedience to my request as -have withheld a kindness because it cost her an unexpected trial. -Taking Eunané with her, she approached and addressed the girl. -Whatever my own doubt as to her probable reception, however absurd in -my own estimation the thing I was induced to do, there was no -corresponding consciousness, no feeling but one of surprise and -gratification, in the face on which I turned my eyes. There was a -short and earnest debate; but, as I afterwards learned, it arose -simply from the girl's astonishment at terms which, extravagant even -for the beauties of the day, were thrice as liberal as she had -ventured to dream of. Eveena and Eunané were as well aware of this as -herself; the right of beauty to a special price seemed to them as -obvious as in Western Europe seems the right of rank to exorbitant -settlements; but they felt it as impossible to argue the point as a -solicitor would find it unsafe to expound to a _gentleman_ the -different cost of honouring Mademoiselle with his hand and being -honoured with that of Milady. Velna's remonstrances were suppressed; -she rose, and, accompanied by Eveena and Eunané, approached a desk in -one corner of the room, occupied by a lady past middle life. The -latter, like all those of her sex who have adopted masculine -independence and a professional career, wore no veil over her face, -and in lieu of the feminine head-dress a band of metal around the -head, depending from which a short fall of silken texture drawn back -behind the ears covered the neck and upper edge of the dark robe. This -lady took from a heap by her side a slip containing the usual form of -marriage contract, and filled in the blanks. At a sign from Eveena, I -had by this time approached close enough to hear the language of -half-envious, half-supercilious wonder in which the schoolmistress -congratulated her pupil on her signal conquest, and the terms she had -obtained, as well as the maiden's unaffected acknowledgment of her own -surprise and conscious unworthiness. I could _feel_, despite the -concealment of her form and face, Eveena's silent expression of pained -disgust with the one, and earnest womanly sympathy with the other. The -document was executed in the usual triplicate. - -The girl retired for a few minutes, and reappeared in a cloak and veil -like those of her new companions, but of comparatively cheap -materials. As we passed the threshold, Eveena gently and tacitly but -decisively assigned to her _protégée_ her own place beside me, and put -her right hand in my left. The agitation with which it manifestly -trembled, though neither strange nor unpleasing, added to the extreme -embarrassment I felt; and I had placed her next to Eunané in the -carriage and taken my seat beside Eveena, whom I never permitted to -resign her own, before a single spoken word had passed in this -extraordinary courtship, or sanctioned the brief and practical -ceremony of marriage. - -I was alone in my own room that evening when a gentle scratching on -the window-crystal entreated admission. I answered without looking up, -assuming that Eveena alone would seek me there. But hers were not the -lips that were earnestly pressed on my hand, nor hers the voice that -spoke, trembling and hesitating with stronger feeling than it could -utter in words-- - -"I do thank you from my heart. I little thought you would wish to make -me so happy. I shrank from showing you the letter lest you should -think I dared to hope.... It is not only Velna; it is such strange joy -and comfort to be held fast by one who cares--to feel safe in hands as -kind as they are strong. You said you could love none save Eveena; -but, Clasfempta, your way of not loving is something better, gentler, -more considerate than any love I ever hoped or heard of." - -I could read only profound sincerity and passionate gratitude in the -clear bright eyes, softened by half-suppressed tears, that looked up -from where she knelt beside me. But the exaggeration was painfully -suggestive, confirming the ugly view Enva had given yesterday of the -life that seemed natural and reasonable to her race, and made ordinary -human kindness appear something strange and romantic by contrast. - -"Surely, Eunané, every man wishes those around him happy, if it do not -cost too much to make them so?" - -"No, indeed! Oftener the master finds pleasure in punishing and -humiliating, the favourite in witnessing her companions' tears and -terror. They like to see the household grateful for an hour's -amusement, crouching to caprice, incredulously thankful for barest -justice. One book much read in our schools says that 'cruelty is a -stronger, earlier, and more tenacious human instinct than sympathy;' -and another that 'half the pleasure of power lies in giving pain, and -half the remainder in being praised for sparing it.' ... But that was -not all: Eveena was as eager to be kind as you were." - -"Much more so, Eunané." - -"Perhaps. What seemed natural to her was strange to you. But it was -_your_ thought to put Velna on equal terms with us; taking her out of -mere kindness, to give her the dowry of a Prince's favourite. _That_ -surprised Eveena, and it puzzled me. But I think I half understand you -now, and if I do.... When Eveena told us how you saved her and defied -the Regent, and Eivé asked you about it, you said so quietly, 'There -are some things a man cannot do.' Is buying a girl cheap, because she -is not a beauty, one of those things?" - -"To take any advantage of her misfortune--to make her feel it in my -conduct--to give her a place in my household on other terms than her -equals--to show her less consideration or courtesy than one would give -to a girl as beautiful as yourself--yes, Eunané! To my eyes, your -friend is pleasant and pretty; but if not, would you have liked to -feel that she was of less account here than yourself, because she has -not such splendid beauty as yours?" - -Eunané was too frank to conceal her gratification in this first -acknowledgment of her charms, as she had shown her mortification while -it was withheld--not, certainly, because undeserved. Her eyes -brightened and her colour deepened in manifest pleasure. But she was -equally frank in her answer to the implied compliment to her -generosity, of whose justice she was not so well assured. - -"I am afraid I should half have liked it, a year ago. Now, after I -have lived so long with you and Eveena, I should be shamed by it! But, -Clasfempta, the things 'a man cannot do' are the things men do every -day;--and women every hour!" - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - WINTER. - -Hitherto I had experienced only the tropical climate of Mars, with the -exception of the short time spent in the northern temperate zone about -the height of its summer. I was anxious, of course, to see something -also of its winter, and an opportunity presented itself. No -institution was more obviously worth a visit than the great University -or principal place of highest education in this world, and I was -invited thither in the middle of the local winter. To this University -many of the most promising youths, especially those intended for any -of the Martial professions--architects, artists, rulers, lawyers, -physicians, and so forth--are often sent directly from the schools, or -after a short period of training in the higher colleges. It is situate -far within the north temperate zone on the shore of one of the longest -and narrowest of the great Martial gulfs, which extends from -north-eastward to south-west, and stretches from 43° N. to 10° S. -latitude. The University in question is situate nearly at the -extremity of the northern branch of this gulf, which splits into two -about 300 miles from its end, a canal of course connecting it with the -nearest sea-belt. I chose to perform this journey by land, following -the line of the great road from Amacasfe to Qualveskinta for about 800 -miles, and then turning directly northward. I did not suppose that I -should find a willing companion on this journey, and was myself -wishful to be alone, since I dared not, in her present state of -health, expose Eveena to the fatigue and hardship of prolonged winter -travelling by land. To my surprise, however, all the rest, when aware -that I had declined to take her, were eager to accompany me. Chiefly -to take her out of the way, and certainly with no idea of finding -pleasure in her society, I selected Enva; next to Leenoo the most -malicious of the party, and gifted with sufficient intelligence to -render her malice more effective than Leenoo's stupidity could be. -Enva, moreover, with the vigorous youthful vitality-so often found on -Earth in women of her light Northern complexion, seemed less likely to -suffer from the severity of the weather or the fatigue of a land -journey than most of her companions. When I spoke of my intention to -Davilo, I was surprised to find that he considered even feminine -company a protection. - -"Any attempt upon you," he said, "must either involve your companion, -for which there can be no legal excuse preferred, or else expose the -assailant to the risk of being identified through her evidence." - -I started accordingly a few days before the winter solstice of the -North, reaching the great road a few miles from the point at which it -crosses another of the great gulfs running due north and south, at its -narrowest point in latitude 3° S. At this point the inlet is no more -than twenty miles wide, and its banks about a hundred feet in height. -At this level and across this vast space was carried a bridge, -supported by arches, and resting on pillars deeply imbedded in the -submarine rock at a depth about equal to the height of the land on -either side. The Martial seas are for the most part shallow, the -landlocked gulfs being seldom 100 fathoms, and the deepest ocean -soundings giving less than 1000. The vast and solid structure looked -as light and airy as any suspension bridge across an Alpine ravine. -This gigantic viaduct, about 500 Martial years old, is still the most -magnificent achievement of engineering in this department. The main -roads, connecting important cities or forming the principal routes of -commerce in the absence of convenient river or sea carriage, are -carried over gulfs, streams, ravines, and valleys, and through hills, -as Terrestrial engineers have recently promised to carry railways over -the minor inequalities of ground. That which we were following is an -especially magnificent road, and signalised by several grand -exhibitions of engineering daring and genius. It runs from Amacasfe -for a thousand miles in one straight line direct as that of a Roman -road, and with but half-a-dozen changes of level in the whole -distance. It crossed in the space of a few miles a valley, or rather -dell, 200 feet in depth, and with semi-perpendicular sides, and a -stream wider than the Mississippi above the junction of the Ohio. Next -it traversed the precipitous side of a hill for a distance of three or -four miles, where Nature had not afforded foothold for a rabbit or a -squirrel. The stupendous bridges and the magnificent open road cut in -the side of the rock, its roof supported on the inside by the hill -itself, on the outside by pillars left at regular intervals when the -stone was cut, formed from one point a single splendid view. Pointing -it out to Enva, I was a little surprised to find her capable, under -the guidance of a few remarks from myself, of appreciating and taking -pride in the marvellous work of her race. In another place, a tunnel -pierced directly an intervening range of hills for about eight miles, -interrupted only in two points by short deep open cuttings. This -passage, unlike those on the river previously mentioned, was -constantly and brilliantly lighted. The whole road indeed was lit up -from the fall of the evening to the dispersion of the morning mist -with a brilliancy nearly equal to that of daylight. As I dared not -travel at a greater rate than twenty-five miles per hour--my -experience, though it enabled me to manage the carriage with -sufficient skill, not giving me confidence to push it to its greatest -speed--the journey must occupy several days. We had, therefore, to -rest at the stations provided by public authority for travellers -undertaking such long land journeys. These are built like ordinary -Martial houses, save that in lieu of peristyle or interior garden is -an open square planted with shrubs and merely large enough to afford -light to the inner rooms. The chambers also are very much smaller than -those of good private houses. As these stations are nearly always -placed in towns or villages, or in well-peopled country -neighbourhoods, food is supplied by the nearest confectioner to each -traveller individually, and a single person, assisted by the ambau, is -able to manage the largest of them. - -The last two or three days of our journey were bitterly cold, and not -a little trying. My own undergarment of thick soft leather kept me -warmer than the warmest greatcoat or cloak could have done, though I -wore a large cloak of the kargynda's fur in addition--the prize of the -hunt that had so nearly cost me dear, a personal and very gracious -present from the Camptâ. My companion, who had not the former -advantage, though wrapped in as many outer garments and quilts as I -had thought necessary, felt the cold severely, and felt still more the -dense chill mist which both by night and day covered the greater part -of the country. This was not infrequently so thick as to render -travelling almost perilous; and but that an electric light, required -by law, was placed at each end of the carriage, collisions would have -been inevitable. These hardships afforded another illustration of the -subjection of the sex resulting from the rule of theoretical equality. -More than a year's experience of natural kindness and consideration -had not given Enva courage to make a single complaint; and at first -she did her best to conceal the weeping which was the only, but almost -continuous, expression of her suffering. She was almost as much -surprised as gratified by my expressions of sympathy, and the trouble -I took to obtain, at the first considerable town we reached, an -apparatus by which the heat generated by motion itself was made to -supply a certain warmth through the tubular open-work of the carriage -to the persons of its occupants. The cold was as severe as that of a -Swedish winter, though we never approached within seventeen degrees of -the Arctic circle, a distance from the Pole equivalent to that of -Northern France. The Martial thermometer, in form more like a -watch-barometer, which I carried in my belt, marked a cold equivalent -to 12° below zero C. in the middle of the day; and when left in the -carriage for the night it had registered no less than 22° below zero. - -One of the Professors of the University received us as his guests, -assigning to us, as is usual when a lady is of the party, rooms -looking on the peristyle, but whose windows remained closed. Enva, of -course, spent her time chiefly with the ladies of the family. When -alone with me she talked freely, though needing some encouragement to -express her own ideas, or report what she had heard; but she had no -intention of concealment, perhaps no notion that I was interested in -her accounts of the prevalent feeling respecting the heretics of whom -she heard much, except of course that Eveena's father was among them. -Through her I learned that much pains had been taken to intensify and -excite into active hostility the dislike and distrust with which they -had always been regarded by the public at large, and especially by the -scientific guilds, whose members control all educational -establishments. That some attempt against them was meditated appeared -to be generally reported. Its nature and the movers in the matter were -not known, so far as I could gather, even to men so influential as the -chief Professors of the University. It was not merely that the women -had heard nothing on this point, but that their lords had dropped -expressions of surprise at the strictness with which the secret was -kept. - -As their parents pay, when first the children are admitted to the -public Nurseries, the price of an average education, this special -instruction is given in the first instance at the cost of the State to -those who, on account of their taste and talent, are selected by the -teachers of the Colleges. But before they leave the University a bond -is taken for the amount of this outlay, which has to be repaid within -three years. It is fair to say that the tax is trivial in comparison -with the ordinary gains of their professions; the more so that no such -preference as, in our world, is almost universally given to a -reputation which can only be acquired by age, excludes the youth of -Mars from full and profitable employment. - -The youths were delighted to receive a lecture on the forms of -Terrestrial government, and the outlines of their history; a topic I -selected because they were already acquainted with the substance of -the addresses elsewhere delivered. This afforded me an opportunity of -making the personal acquaintance of some of the more distinguished -pupils. The clearness of their intellect, the thoroughness of their -knowledge in their several studies, and the distinctness of their -acquaintance with the outlines and principles of Martial learning -generally,--an acquaintance as free from smattering and superficiality -as necessarily unembarrassed by detail,--testified emphatically to the -excellence of the training they had received, as well as to the -hereditary development of their brains. What was, however, not less -striking was the utter absence at once of what I was accustomed to -regard as moral principle, and of the generous impulses which in youth -sometimes supply the place of principle. They avowed the most absolute -selfishness, the most abject fear of death and pain, with a frankness -that would have amazed the Cynics and disgusted the felons of almost -any Earthly nation. There were partial exceptions, but these were to -be found exclusively among those in training for what we should call -public life, for administrative or judicial duties. These, though -professing no devotion to the interest of others, and little that -could be called public spirit, did nevertheless understand that in -return for the high rank, the great power, and the liberal -remuneration they would enjoy, they were bound to consider primarily -the public interest in the performance of their functions--the right -of society to just or at least to carefully legal judgment, and -diligent efficient administration. Their feeling, however, was rather -professional than personal, the pride of students in the perfection of -their art rather than the earnestness of men conscious of grave human -responsibilities. - -In conversing with the chief of this Faculty, I learned some -peculiarities of the system of government with which I was not yet -acquainted. Promotion never depends on those with whom a public -servant comes into personal contact, but on those one or two steps -above the latter. The judges, for instance, of the lower rank are -selected by the principal judge of each dominion; these and their -immediate assistants, by the Chief of the highest Court. The officers -around and under the Governor of a province are named by the Regent of -the dominion; those surrounding the Regent, as the Regent himself, by -the Sovereign. Every officer, however, can be removed by his immediate -superior; but it depends on the chief with whom his appointment rests, -whether he shall be transferred to a similar post elsewhere or simply -dismissed. Thus, while no man can be compelled to work with -instruments he dislikes, no subordinate is at the mercy of personal -caprice or antipathy. - -Promotion, judicial and administrative, ends below the highest point. -The judges of the Supreme Court are named by the Sovereign--with the -advice of a Council, including the Regents, the judges of that Court, -and the heads of the Philosophic and Educational Institutes--from -among the advocates and students of law, or from among the ablest -administrators who seem to possess judicial faculties. The code is -written and simple. Every dubious point that arises in the course of -litigation is referred, by appeal or directly by the judge who decides -it, to the Chief Court, and all points of interpretation thus -referred, are finally settled by an addition to the code at its -periodical revision. The Sovereign can erase or add at pleasure to -this code. But he can do so only in full Council, and must hear, -though he need not regard, the opinions of his advisers. He can, -however, suspend immediately till the next meeting of the Council the -enforcement of any article. - -The Regents are never named from among subordinate officials, nor is a -Regent ever promoted to the throne. It is held that the qualities -required in an absolute Sovereign are not such as are demanded from or -likely to be developed in the subordinate ruler of a dominion however -important, and that functions like those of a Regent, at least as -important as those of the Viceroy of India, ought not to be entrusted -to men trained in subaltern administrative duties. Among the youths of -greatest promise, in their eighth year, a certain small number are -selected by the chiefs of the University, who visit for this purpose -all the Nurseries of the kingdom. With what purpose these youths are -separated from their fellows is not explained to them. They are -carefully educated for the highest public duties. Year by year those -deemed fitter for less important offices are drafted off. There remain -at last the very few who are thought competent to the functions of -Regent or Camptâ, and from among these the Sovereign himself selects -at pleasure his own successor and the occupant of any vacant Regency. -The latter, however, holds his post at first on probation, and can, of -course, be removed at any time by the Sovereign. If the latter should -not before his death have named his own successor, the Council by a -process of elimination is reduced to three, and these cast lots which -shall name the new Autocrat from among the youths deemed worthy of the -throne, of whom six are seldom living at the same time. No Prince is -ever appointed under the age of fourteen (twenty-seven) or over that -of sixteen (thirty). No Camptâ, has ever abdicated; but they seldom -live to fall into that sort of inert indolence which may be called the -dotage of their race. The nature of their functions seems to preserve -their mental activity longer than that of others; and probably they -are not permitted to live when they have become manifestly unfit or -incapable to reign. - -When first invited to visit the University, I had hoped to make it -only a stage and stepping-stone to something yet more interesting--to -visit the Arctic hunters once more, and join them in the most exciting -of their pursuits; a chase by the electric light of the great Amphibia -of the frozen sea-belt immediately surrounding the permanent ice-cap -of the Northern Pole. For this, however, the royal licence was -required; and, as when I made a similar request during the fur-chase -of the Southern season, I met with a peremptory refusal. "There are -two men in this world," said the Prince, "who would entertain such a -wish. _I_ dare not avow it; and if there were a third, he would -assuredly be convicted of incurable lunacy, though on all other points -he were as cold-blooded as the President of the Academy or the -Vivisector-General." I did not tell Eveena of my request till it had -been refused; and if anything could have lessened my vexation at the -loss of this third opportunity, it would have been the expression of -her countenance at that moment. Indeed, I was then satisfied that I -could not have left her in the fever of alarm and anxiety that any -suspicion of my purpose would have caused. - -I seized, however, the opportunity of a winter voyage in a small -vessel, manned by four or five ocean-hunters, less timid and -susceptible to surface disturbances than ordinary seamen. On such an -excursion, Enva, though a far less pleasant companion, was a less -anxious charge than Eveena. We made for the Northern coast, and ran -for some hundred miles, along a sea-bord not unlike that of Norway, -but on a miniature scale. Though in some former age this hemisphere, -like Europe, has been subject to glacial action much more general and -intense than at present, its ice-seas and ice-rivers must always have -been comparatively shallow and feeble. Beaching at last a break in the -long line of cliff-guarded capes and fiords, where the sea, half -covered with low islands, eats a broad and deep ingress into the -land-belt, I disembarked, and made a day's land journey to the -northward. - -The ground was covered with a sheet of hard-frozen snow about eighteen -inches deep, with an upper surface of pure ice. For the ordinary -carriage, here useless, was substituted a sledge, driven from behind -by an instrument something between a paddle-wheel and a screw, worked, -of course, by the usual electric machinery. The cold was far more -intense than I had ever before known it; and the mist that fell at the -close of the very short zyda of daylight rendered it all but -intolerable. The Arctic circular thermometer fell to within a few -points from its minimum of--50° Centigrade [?]. No flesh could endure -exposure to such an atmosphere; and were not the inner mask and -clothing of soft leather pervaded by a constant feeble current of -electricity.... - -As we made our way back to the open sea, the temptation to disobey the -royal order was all but irresistible. No fewer than three kargyndau -were within shot at one and the same time; plunging from the shore of -an icy island to emerge with their prey--a fish somewhat resembling -the salmon in form and flavour. My companions, however, were terrified -at the thought of disobedience to the law; and as we had but one -mordyta (lightning-gun) among the party, and the uncertainty of the -air-gun had been before proven to my cost, there was some force in -their supplementary argument that, if I did not kill the kargynda, it -was probable that the kargynda might board us; in which event our case -would be summarily disposed of, without troubling the Courts or -allowing time to apply, even by telegraph, for the royal pardon. I was -suggesting, more to the alarm than amusement of the crew, that we -might close the hatches, and either carry the regal beast away -captive, or, at worst, dive and drown him--for he cannot swim very -far--when their objections were enforced in an unexpected manner. We -were drifting beyond shot of the nearest brute, when the three -suddenly plunged at once, and as if by concert, and when they rose, -were all evidently making for the vessel, and within some eighty -yards. I then learnt a new advantage of the electric machinery, as -compared with the most powerful steam-engine. A pressure upon a -button, and a few seconds sufficed to exchange a speed of four for one -of twenty miles an hour; while, instead of sinking the vessel below -the surface, the master directed the engine to pump out all the liquid -ballast she contained. The waterspout thus sent forth half-drowned the -enemy which had already come within a few yards of our starboard -quarter, and effectually-scared the others. It was just as well that -Enva, who heartily hated the bitter cold, was snugly ensconced in the -warm cushions of the cabin, and had not, therefore, the opportunity of -giving to Eveena, on our return, her version of an adventure whose -alarming aspect would have impressed them both more than its ludicrous -side, For half a minute I thought that I had, in sheer folly, exposed -half a dozen lives to a peril none the less real and none the more -satisfactory that, if five had been killed, the survivor could not -have so told the story as to avoid laughing--or being laughed at. - -Sweet and serene as was Eveena's smile of welcome, it could not -conceal the traces of more than mere depression on her countenance. -Heartily willing to administer an effective lesson to her tormentors, -I seized the occasion of the sunset meal to notice the weary and -harassed look she had failed wholly to banish. - -"You look worse each time I return, Madonna. This time it is not -merely my absence, if it ever were so. I will know who or what has -driven and hunted you so." - -Taken thus by surprise, every face but one bore witness to the truth: -Eveena's distress, Eunané's mixed relief and dismay, shared in yet -greater degree by Velna, who knew less of me, the sheer terror and -confusion of the rest, were equally significant. The Martial judge who -said that "the best evidence was lost because colour could not be -tested or blushes analysed," would have passed sentence at once. But -if Eivé's air of innocent unconsciousness and childish indifference -were not sincere, it merited the proverbial praise of consummate -affectation, "more golden than the sun and whiter than snow." Eveena's -momentary glance at once drew mine upon this "pet child," but neither -disturbed her. Nor did she overact her part. "Eivé," said Enva one -day, "never salts her tears or paints her blushes." As soon as she -caught my look of doubt-- - -"Have _I_ done wrong?" she said, in a tone half of confidence, half of -reproach. "Punish me, then, Clasfempta, as you please--with Eveena's -sandal." - -The repartee delighted those who had reason to desire any diversion. -The appeal to Eveena disarmed my unwilling and momentary distrust. -Eveena, however, answered by neither word nor look, and the party -presently broke up. Eivé crept close to claim some silent atonement -for unspoken suspicion, and a few minutes had elapsed before, to the -evident alarm of several conscious culprits, I sought Eveena in her -own chamber. - -In spite of all deprecation, I insisted on the explanation she had -evaded in public. "I guess," I said, "as much as you can tell me about -'the four.' I have borne too long with those who have made your life -that of a hunted therne, and rendered myself anxious and restless -every day and hour that I have left you alone. Unless you will deny -that they have done so---- Well, then, I will have peace for you and -for myself. I cannot leave you to their mercy, nor can I remain at -home for the next twelve dozen days, like a chained watch-dragon. Pass -them over!" (as she strove to remonstrate); "there is something new -this time. You have been harassed and frightened as well as unhappy." - -"Yes," she admitted, "but I can give nothing like a reason. I dare not -entreat you not to ask, and yet I am only like a child, that wakes -screaming by night, and cannot say of what she is afraid. Ought she -not to be whipped?" - -"I can't say, bambina; but I should not advise Eivé to startle _you_ -in that way! But, seriously, I suppose fear is most painful when it -has no cause that can be removed. I have seen brave soldiers -panic-stricken in the dark, without well knowing why." - -I watched her face as I spoke, and noted that while the pet name I had -used in the first days of our marriage, now recalled by her image, -elicited a faint smile, the mention of Eivé clouded it again. She was -so unwilling to speak, that I caught at the clue afforded by her -silence. - -"It _is_ Eivé then? The little hypocrite! She shall find your sandal -heavier than mine." - -"No, no!" she pleaded eagerly. "You have seen what Eivé is in your -presence; and to me she is always the same. If she were not, could I -complain of her?" - -"And why not, Eveena? Do you think I should hesitate between you?" - -"No!" she answered, with unusual decision of tone. "I will tell you -exactly what you would do. You would take my word implicitly; you -would have made up your mind before you heard her; you would deal -harder measure to Eivé than to any one, _because_ she is your pet; you -would think for once not of sparing the culprit, but of satisfying me; -and afterwards"---- - -She paused, and I saw that she would not conclude in words a sentence -I could perhaps have finished for myself. - -"I see," I replied, "that Eivé is the source of your trouble, but not -what the trouble is. For her sake, do not force me to extort the truth -from her." - -"I doubt whether she has guessed my misgiving," Eveena answered. "It -may be that you are right--that it is because she was so long the only -one you were fond of, that I cannot like and trust her as you do. -But ... you leave the telegraph in my charge, understanding, of course, -that it will be used as when you are at home. So, after Davilo's -warning, I have written their messages for Eunané and the others, but -I could not refuse Eivé's request to write her own, and, like you, I -have never read them." - -"Why?" I asked. "Surely it is strange to give her, of all, a special -privilege and confidence?" - -Eveena was silent. She could in no case have reproached me in words, -and even the reproach of silence was so unusual that I could not but -feel it keenly. I saw at that moment that for whatever had happened or -might happen I might thank myself; might thank the doubt I would not -avow to my own mind, but could not conceal from her, that Eveena had -condescended to something like jealousy of one whose childish -simplicity, real or affected, had strangely won my heart, as children -do win hearts hardened by experience of life's roughness and evil. - -"I know nothing," Eveena said at last: "yet somehow, and wholly -without any reason I can explain, I fear. Eivé, you may remember, has, -as your companion, made acquaintance with many households whose heads -you do not believe friends to you or the Zinta. She is a diligent -correspondent. She never affects to conceal anything, and yet no one -of us has lately seen the contents of a note sent or received by her." - -There was nothing tangible in Eveena's suspicion. It was most -repugnant to my own feelings, and yet it implanted, whether by force -of sympathy or of instinct, a misgiving that never left me again. - -"My own," I answered, "I would trust your judgment, your observation -or feminine instinct and insight into character, far sooner than my -own conclusions upon solid facts. But instincts and presentiments, -though we are not scientifically ignorant enough to disregard them, -are not evidence on which we can act or even inquire." - -"No," she said. "And yet it is hard to feel, as I cannot help feeling, -that the thunder-cloud is forming, that the bolt is almost ready to -strike, and that you are risking life, and perhaps more than life, out -of a delicacy no other man would show towards a child--since child you -will have her--who, I feel sure, deserves all she might receive from -the hands of one who would have the truth at any cost." - -"You feel," I answered, "for me as I should feel for you. But is death -so terrible to _us_? It means leaving you--I wish we knew that it does -not mean losing for ever, after so brief an enjoyment, all that is -perishable in love like ours--or it would not be worth fearing. I -don't think I ever did fear it till you made my life so sweet. But -life is not worth an unkindness or injustice. Better die trusting to -the last than live in the misery and shame of suspecting one I love, -or dreading treacherous malice from any hand under my own roof." - -When I met Davilo the next morning, the grave and anxious expression -of his face--usually calm and serene even in deepest thought, as are -those of the experienced members of an Order confident in the -consciousness of irresistible secret power--not a little disturbed me. -As Eveena had said, the thunder-cloud was forming; and a chill went to -my heart which in facing measurable and open peril it had never felt. - -"I bring you," he said; "a message that will not, I am afraid, be -welcome. He whose guest you were at Serocasfe invites you to pay him -an immediate visit; and the invitation must be accepted at once." - -I drew myself up with no little indignation at the imperative tone, -but feeling at least equal awe at the stern calmness with which the -mandate was spoken. - -"And what compels me to such haste, or to compliance without -consideration?" - -"That power," he returned, "which none can resist, and to which you -may not demur." - -Seeing that I still hesitated--in truth, the summons had turned my -vague misgiving into intense though equally vague alarm and even -terror, which as unmanly and unworthy I strove to repress, but which -asserted its domination in a manner as unwonted as unwelcome--he drew -aside a fold of his robe, and showed within the silver Star of the -Order, supported by the golden sash, that marked a rank second only to -that of the wearer of the Signet itself. I understood too well by this -time, through conversations with him and other communications of which -it has been needless to speak, the significance of this revelation. I -knew the impossibility of questioning the authority to which I had -pledged obedience. I realised with great amazement the fact that a -secondary position on my own estate, and a personal charge of my own -safety, had been accepted by a Chief of the Zinta. - -"There is, of course," I replied at last, "no answer to a mandate so -enforced. But, Chief, reluctant as I am to say it, I fear--fear as I -have never done before; and yet fear I cannot say, I cannot guess -what." - -"There is no cause for alarm," he said somewhat contemptuously. "In -this journey, sudden, speedy, and made under our guard as on our -summons, there is little or none of that peril which has beset you so -long." - -"You forget, Chief," I rejoined, "that you speak to a soldier, whose -chosen trade was to risk life at the word of a superior; to one whose -youth thought no smile so bright as that of naked steel, and had often -'kissed the lips of the lightning' ere the down darkened his own. At -any rate, you have told me daily for more than a year that I am living -under constant peril of assassination; have I seemed to quail thereat? -If, then, I am now terrified for the first time, that which I dread, -without knowing or dreaming what it is, is assuredly a peril worse -than any I have known, the shadow of a calamity against which I have -neither weapon nor courage. It cannot be for myself that I am thus -appalled," I continued, the thought flashing into my mind as I spoke -it, "and there is but one whose life is so closely bound with mine -that danger to her should bring such terror as this. I go at your -bidding, but I will not go alone." - -He paused for some time, apparently in perplexity, certainly in deep -thought, before he replied. - -"As you will. One thing more. The slips of tafroo with which you -furnished me have been under the eyes of which you have heard. This" -(handing me the one that bore no mark) "has passed, so far as the -highest powers of the sense that is not of the body can perceive, -through none but innocent hands. The hand from which you received -this" (the marked slip) "is spotted with treason, and may to-morrow be -red." - -I was less impressed by this declaration than probably would have been -any other member of the Order. I had seen on Earth the most marvellous -perceptions of a perfectly lucid vision succeeded, sometimes within -the space of the same day, by dreams or hallucinations the most -absolutely deceptive. I felt, therefore, more satisfaction in the -acquittal of Eunané, whom I had never doubted, than trouble at the -grave suspicion suggested against Eivé--a suspicion I still refused to -entertain. - -"You should enter your balloon as soon as the sunset mist will conceal -it," said Davilo. "By mid-day you may reach the deep bay on the mid -sea-belt of the North, where a swift vessel will meet you and convey -you in two or three days by a direct course through the canal and gulf -you have traversed already, to the port from which you commenced your -first submarine voyage." - -"You had better," I said, "make your instruction a little more -particular, or I shall hardly know how to direct my course." - -"Do not dream," he answered, "that you will be permitted to undertake -such a journey but under the safest guidance. At the time I have named -all will be ready for your departure, and you have simply to sleep or -read or meditate as you will, till you reach your destination." - -Eveena was not a little startled when I informed her of the sudden -journey before me, and my determination that she should be my -companion. It was unquestionably a trying effort for her, especially -the balloon voyage, which would expose her to the cold of the mists -and of the night, and I feared to the intenser cold of the upper air. -But I dared not leave her, and she was pleased by a peremptory -decision which made her the companion of my absence, without leaving -room for discussion or question. The time for our departure was -drawing near when, followed by Eunané, she came into my chamber. - -"If we are to be long away," she said, "you must say on whom my -charges are to devolve." - -"As you please," I answered, sure of her choice, and well content to -see her hand over her cares to Eunané, who, if she lacked the wisdom -and forbearance of Eveena, could certainly hold the reins with a -stronger hand. - -"Eivé," she said, "has asked the charge of my flowerbed; but I had -promised it, and"---- - -"And you would rather give it," I answered, "to Eunané? Naturally; and -I should not care to allow Eivé the chance of spoiling your work. I -think we may now trust whatever is yours in those once troublesome -hands," looking at Eunané, "with perfect assurance that they will do -their best." - -I had never before parted even from Eunané with any feeling of regret; -but on this occasion an impulse I could not account for, but have ever -since been glad to remember, made me turn at the last moment and add -to Eveena's earnest embrace a few words of affection and confidence, -which evidently cheered and encouraged her deputy. The car that -awaited us was of the light tubular construction common here, formed -of the silvery metal _zorinta_. About eighteen feet in length and half -that breadth, it was divided into two compartments; each, with the aid -of canopy and curtains, forming at will a closed tent, and securing -almost as much privacy as an Arab family enjoys, or opening to the -sky. In that with which the sails and machinery were connected were -Davilo and two of his attendants. The other had been carefully lined -and covered with furs and wrappings, indicating an attention to my -companion which indeed is rarely shown to women by their own lords, -and which none but the daughter of Esmo would have received even among -the brethren of the Order. Ere we departed I had arranged her cushions -and wrapped her closely in the warmest coverings; and flinging over -her at last the kargynda skin received from the Camptâ, I bade her -sleep if possible during our aerial voyage. There was need to provide -as carefully as possible for her comfort. The balloon shot up at once -above the evening mists to a height at which the cold was intense, but -at which our voyage could be guided by the stars, invisible from -below, and at which we escaped the more dangerously chilling damp. The -wind that blew right in our teeth, caused by no atmospheric current -but by our own rapid passage, would in a few moments have frozen my -face, perhaps fatally, had not thick skins been arranged to screen us. -Even through these it blew with intense severity, and I was glad -indeed to cover myself from head to foot and lie down beside Eveena. -Her hand as she laid it on mine was painfully cold; but the shivering -I could hardly suppress made her anxious to part in my favour with -some at least of the many coverings that could hardly screen herself -from the searching blast. Not at the greatest height I reached among -the Himalayas, nor on the Steppes of Tartary, had I experienced a cold -severer than this. The Sun had just turned westward when we reached -the port at which we were to embark. Despite the cold, Eveena had -slept during the latter part of our voyage, and was still sleeping -when I placed her on the cushions in our cabin. The sudden and most -welcome change from bitter cold to comfortable warmth awakened her, as -it at last allowed me to sleep. Our journey was continued below the -surface at a rate of more than twelve hundred miles in the day, a -speed which made observation through the thick but perfectly -transparent side windows of our cabin impossible. I was indisposed for -meditation, which could have been directed to no other subject than -the mysterious purpose of our journey, and had not provided myself -with books. But in Eveena's company it was impossible that the time -should pass slowly or wearily. - -In this balloon journey I had a specially advantageous opportunity of -observing the two moons--velnaa, as they are called. _Cavelna_, or -Caulna, the nearer, in diameter about 8' or a little more than -one-fourth that of our Moon, is a tolerably brilliant object, about -5000 miles from the surface. Moving, like all planets and satellites, -from west to east, it completes its stellar revolution and its phases -in less than seven and a half hours; the contrary revolution of the -skies prolongs its circuit around the planet to a period of ten hours. -Zeelna (_Zevelna_) returns to the same celestial meridian in thirty -hours; but as in this time the starry vault has completed about a -rotation and a quarter in the opposite direction, it takes nearly five -days to reappear on the same horizon. It is about 3' in diameter, and -about 12,000 miles from the surface. The result of the combined -motions is that the two moons, to the eye, seem to move in opposite -directions. When we rose above the mists, Caulna was visible as a very -fine crescent in the west; Zeelna was rising in the east, and almost -full; but hardly a more brilliant object than Venus when seen to most -advantage from Earth. Both moved so rapidly among the stars that their -celestial change of place was apparent from minute to minute. But, as -regarded our own position, the appearance was as opposite as their -direction. Zeelna, traversing in twelve hours only one-fifth of the -visible hemisphere, while crossing in the same time 144° on the -zodiac--twelve degrees per hour, or our Moon's diameter in two minutes -and a half--was left behind by the stars; and fixing what I may call -the ocular attention on her, she seemed to stand still while they -slowly passed her; thus making their revolution perceptible to sense -as it never is on Earth, for lack of a similar standard. Caulna, -rising in the west and moving eastwards, crossed the visible sky in -five hours, and passed through the stars at the rate of 48° per hour, -so that she seemed to sail past them like a golden cloudlet or -celestial vessel driven by a slow wind. It happened this night that -she passed over the star Fomalhaut--an occultation which I watched -with great interest through an excellent field-glass, but which lasted -only for about half a minute. About an hour before midnight the two -moons passed each other in the Eastern sky; both gibbous at the -moment, like our Moon in her last quarter. The difference in size and -motion was then most striking; Caulna seeming to rush past her -companion, and the latter looking like a stationary star in the slowly -moving sky. - - - -CHAPTER XXV - APOSTACY. - -We were received on landing by our former host and conducted to his -house. On this occasion, however, I was not detained in the hall, but -permitted at once to enter the chamber allotted to us. Eveena, who had -exacted from me all that I knew, and much that I meant to conceal, -respecting the occasion of our journey, was much agitated and not a -little alarmed. My own humble rank in the Zinta rendered so sudden and -imperative a summons the more difficult to understand, and though by -this time well versed in the learning, neither of us was familiar with -the administration of the Brotherhood. I was glad therefore on her -account, even more than on my own, when, a scratch at the door having -obtained admission for an ambâ, it placed before me a message from -Esmo requesting a private conference. Her father's presence set -Eveena's mind at rest; since she had learned, strangely enough from -myself, what she had never known before, the rank he held among the -brethren. - -"I have summoned you," he said as soon as I joined him, "for more than -one reason. There is but one, however, that I need now explain. -Important questions, are as a rule either settled by the Chiefs alone -in Council, or submitted to a general meeting of the Order. In this -case neither course can be adopted. It would not have occurred to -myself that, under present circumstances, you could render material -service in either of the two directions in which it may be required. -But those by whom the cause has been prepared have asked that you -should be one of the Convent, and such a request is never refused. -Indeed, its refusal would imply either such injustice as would render -the whole proceeding utterly incompatible with the first principles of -our cohesion, or such distrust of the person summoned as is never felt -for a member of the Brotherhood. I would rather say no more on the -subject now. Your nerve and judgment will be sufficiently tried -to-night; and it is a valuable maxim of our science that, in the hours -immediately preceding either an important decision or a severe trial, -the spirit should be left as far as possible calm and unvexed by vague -shadows of that which is to come." - -The maxim thus expressed, if rendered into the language of material -medicine, is among those which every man of experience holds and -practically acts upon. I turned the conversation, then, by inviting -Esmo into my own apartment; and I was touched indeed by the eager -delight, even stronger than I had expected, with which Eveena welcomed -her father, and inquired into the minutest details of the home life -from which she had been, as it seemed to her, so long separated. What -was, however, specially characteristic was the delicate care with -which, even in this first meeting with one of her own family, she -contrived still to give the paramount place in her attention to her -husband, and never for a moment to let him feel excluded from a -conversation with whose topics he was imperfectly acquainted, and in -which he might have been supposed uninterested. The hours thus passed -pleasantly away; and, except when Kevimâ, joined us at the evening -meal, adding a new and unexpected pleasure to Eveena's natural delight -in this sudden reunion, we remained undisturbed until a very low -electric signal, sounding apparently through several chambers at once, -recalled Esmo's mind to the duties before him. - -"You will not," he said, "return till late, and I wish you would -induce Eveena to ensure, by composing herself to sleep before your -return, that you shall not be asked to converse until the morning." - -He withdrew with Kevimâ, and, as instructed, I proceeded to change my -dress for one of pure white adapted to the occasion, with only a band -of crimson around the waist and throat, and to invest myself in the -badge of the Order. The turban which I wore, without attracting -attention, in the Asiatic rather than in the Martial form, was of -white mingled with red; a novelty which seemed to Eveena's eyes -painfully ominous. In Martial language, as in Zveltic symbolism, -crimson generally takes the place of black as the emblem of guilt and -peril. When Esmo re-entered our chamber for a moment to summon me, he -was invested, as in the Shrine itself, in the full attire of his -office, and I was recalled to a recollection of the reverence due to -the head of the Brotherhood by the sudden change in Eveena's manner. -To her father, though a most respectful, she was a fearlessly -affectionate child. For Clavelta she had only the reverence, deeply -intermingled with awe, with which a devout Catholic convert from the -East may approach for the first time some more than usually imposing -occupant of the Chair of St. Peter. Before the arm that bore the -Signet, and the sash of gold, we bent knee and head in the deference -prescribed by our rules--a homage which the youngest child in the -public Nurseries would not dream of offering to the Camptâ himself. At -a sign from his hand I followed Esmo, hoping rather than expecting -that Eveena would obey the counsel indirectly addressed to her. -Traversing the same passages as before, save that a slight turn -avoided the symbolic bridge, and formally challenged at each point as -usual by the sentries, who saluted with profoundest reverence the -Signet of the Order, we passed at last into the Hall of Initiation. - -But on this occasion its aspect was completely changed. A space -immediately in front of what I may call the veil of the Shrine was -closed in by drapery of white bordered with crimson. The Chiefs -occupied, as before, their seats on the platform. Some fifty members -of the Order sat to right and left immediately below; but Esmo, on -this occasion, seated himself on the second leftward step of the -Throne, which, with the silver light and the other mystic emblems, was -unveiled in the same strange manner as before at his approach. Near -the lower end of the small chamber thus formed, crossing the passage -between the seats on either hand, was a barrier of the bright red -metal I have more than once mentioned, and behind it a seat of some -sable material. Behind this, to right and left, stood silent and erect -two sentries robed in green, and armed with the usual spear. A deep -intense absolute silence prevailed, from the moment when the last of -the party had taken his place, for the space of some ten minutes. In -the faces of the Chiefs and of some of the elder Initiates, who were -probably aware of the nature of the scene to follow, was an expression -of calm but deep pain and regret; crossed now and then by a shade of -anxiety, such as rarely appeared in that abode of assured peace and -profound security. On no countenance was visible the slightest shadow -of restlessness or curiosity. In the changed aspect of the place, the -changed tone of its associations and of the feelings habitual to its -frequenters, there was something which impressed and overawed the -petulance of youth, and even the indifference of an experience like my -own. At last, stretching forth the ivory-like staff of mingled white -and red, which on this occasion each of the Chiefs had substituted for -their usual crystal wand, Esmo spoke, not raising his voice a single -semitone above its usual pitch, but with even unwonted gravity-- - -"Come forward, Asco Zvelta!" he said. - -The sight I now witnessed, no description could represent to one who -had not seen the same. Parting the drapery at the lower end, there -came forward a figure in which the most absolutely inexperienced eye -could not fail to recognise a culprit called to trial. "Came forward," -I have said, because I can use no other words. But such was not the -term which would have occurred to any one who witnessed the movement. -"Was dragged forward," I should say, did I attempt to convey the -impression produced;--save that no compulsion, no physical force was -used, nor were there any to use it. And yet the miserable man -approached slowly, reluctantly, shrinking back as one who strives with -superior corporeal power exerted to force him onward, as if physically -dragged on step by step by invisible bonds held by hands unseen. So -with white face and shaking form he reached the barrier, and knelt as -Esmo rose from his place, honouring instinctively, though his eyes -seemed incapable of discerning them, the symbols of supreme authority. -Then, at a silent gesture, he rose and fell back into the chair placed -for him, apparently unable to stand and scarcely able to sustain -himself on his seat. - -"Brother," said the junior of the Chiefs, or he who occupied the place -farthest to the right;--and now I noticed that eleven were present, -the last seat on the right of him who spoke being vacant--"you have -unveiled to strangers the secrets of the Shrine." - -He paused for an answer; and, in a tone strangely unnatural and -expressionless, came from the scarcely parted lips of the culprit the -reply--" - -"It is true." - -"You have," said the next of the Chiefs, "accepted reward to place the -lives of your brethren at the mercy of their enemies." - -"It is true." - -"You have," said he who occupied the lowest seat upon the left, -"forsworn in heart and deed, if not in word, the vows by which you -willingly bound yourself, and the law whose boons you had accepted." - -Again the same confession, forced evidently by some overwhelming power -from one who would, if he could, have denied or remained silent. - -"And to whom," said Esmo, interposing for the first time, "have you -thus betrayed us?" - -"I know not," was the reply. - -"Explain," said the Chief immediately to the left of the Throne, who, -if there were a difference in the expression of the calm sad faces, -seemed to entertain more of compassion and less of disgust and -repulsion towards the offender than any other. - -"Those with whom I spoke," replied the culprit, in the same strange -tone, "were not known to me, but gave token of authority next to that -of the Camptâ. They told me that the existence of the Order had long -been known, that many of its members were clearly indicated by their -household practices, that their destruction was determined; that I was -known as a member of the Order, and might choose between perishing -first of their victims and receiving reward such as I should name -myself for the information I could give." - -"What have you told?" asked another of the Chiefs. - -"I have not named one of the symbols. I have not betrayed the Shrine -or the passwords. I have told that the Zinta _is_. I have told the -meaning of the Serpent, the Circle, and the Star, though I have not -named them." - -"And," said he on the left of the Throne, "naming the hope that is -more than all hope, recalling the power that is above all power, could -you dare to renounce the one and draw on your own head the justice of -the other? What reward could induce a child of the Light to turn back -into darkness? What authority could protect the traitor from the fate -he imprecated and accepted when he first knelt before the Throne?" -"The hope was distant and the light was dim," the offender answered. -"I was threatened and I was tempted. I knew that death, speedy and -painless, was the penalty of treason to the Order, that a death of -prolonged torture might be the vengeance of the power that menaced me. -I hoped little in the far and dim future of the Serpent's promise, and -I hoped and feared much in the life on this side of death." - -"Do you know," asked the last inquirer again, "no name, and nothing -that can enable us to trace those with whom you spoke or those who -employed them?" - -"Only this," was the answer, "that one of them has an especial hatred -to one Initiate present," pointing to myself; "and seeks his life, not -only as a child of the Star, not only as husband of the daughter of -Clavelta, but for a reason that is not known to me." - -"And," asked another Chief, "do you know what instrument that enemy -seeks to use?" - -"One who has over her intended victim such influence as few of her sex -ever have over their lords; one of whom his love will learn no -distrust, against whom his heart has no guard and his manhood no -wisdom." - -A shiver of horror passed over the forms of the Chiefs and of many who -sat near them, incomprehensible to me till a sudden light was afforded -by the indignant interruption of Kevimâ, who sat not far from myself. - -"It cannot be," he cried, "or you can name her whom you accuse." - -"Be silent!" Esmo said, in the cold, grave tone of a president -rebuking disorder, mingled with the deeper displeasure of a priest -repressing irreverence in the midst of the most solemn religious rite. -"None may speak here till the Chiefs have ceased to speak." - -None of the latter, however, seemed disposed to ask another question. -The guilt of the accused was confessed. All that he could tell to -guide their further inquiries had been told. To doubt that what was -forced from him was to the best of his knowledge true, was to them, -who understood the mysterious power that had compelled the spirit and -the lips to an unwilling confession, impossible. And if it had seemed -that further information might have been extracted relative to my own -personal danger, a stronger tie, a deeper obligation, bound them to -the supposed object of the last obscure imputation, and none was -willing to elicit further charges or clearer evidence. Probably also -they anticipated that, when the word was extended to the Initiates, I -should take up my own cause. - -"Would any brother speak?" asked Esmo, when the silence of the Chiefs -had lasted for a few moments. - -But his rebuke had silenced Kevimâ, and no one else cared to -interpose. The eyes of the assembly turned upon me so generally and so -pointedly, that at last I felt myself forced, though against my own -judgment, to rise. - -"I have no question to ask the accused," I said. - -"Then," replied Esmo calmly, "you have nothing now to say. Give to the -brother accused before us the cup of rest." - -A small goblet was handed by one of the sentries to the miserable -creature, now half-insensible, who awaited our judgment. In a very few -moments he had sunk into a slumber in which his face was comparatively -calm, and his limbs had ceased to tremble. His fate was to be debated -in the presence indeed of his body, but in the absence of -consciousness and knowledge. - -"Has any elder brother," inquired Esmo, "counsel to afford?" - -No word was spoken. - -"Has any brother counsel to afford?" - -Again all were silent, till the glance which the Chief cast in order -along the ranks of the assembly fell upon myself. - -"One word," I said. "I claim permission to speak, because the matter -touches closely and cruelly my own honour." - -There was that inaudible, invisible, motionless "movement," as some -French reporters call it, of surprise throughout the assembly which -communicates itself instinctively to a speaker. - -"My own honour," I continued, "in the honour dearer and nearer to me -even than my own. What the accused has spoken may or may not be true." - -"It is true," interposed a Chief, probably pitying my ignorance. - -"May be true," I continued, "though I will not believe it, to -whomsoever his words may apply. That no such treason as they have -suggested ever for one moment entered, or could enter, the heart of -her who knelt with me, in presence of many now here, before that -Throne, I will vouch by all the symbols we revere in common, and with -the life which it seems is alone threatened by the feminine domestic -treason alleged, from whomsoever that treason may proceed. I will -accuse none, as I suspect none; but I will say that the charge might -be true to the letter, and yet not touch, as I know it does not justly -touch, the daughter of our Chief." - -A deep relief was visible in the faces which had so lately been -clouded by a suspicion terrible to all. Esmo's alone remained -impassive throughout my vindication, as throughout the apparent -accusation and silent condemnation of his daughter. - -"Has any brother," he said, "counsel to speak respecting the question -actually before us?" - -One and all were silent, till Esmo again put the formal question:-- - -"Has he who was our brother betrayed the brotherhood?" - -From every member of the assembly came a clear unmistakable assent. - -"Is he outcast?" - -Silence rather than any distinct sign answered in the affirmative. - -"Is it needful that his lips be sealed for ever?" - -One or two of the Chiefs expressed in a single sentence an affirmative -conviction, which was evidently shared by all present except myself. -Appealing by a look to Esmo, and encouraged by his eye, I spoke-- - -"The outcast has confessed treason worthy of death. That I cannot -deny. But he has sinned from fear rather than from greed or malice; -and to fear, courage should be indulgent. The coward is but what Allah -has made him, and to punish cowardice is to punish the child for the -heritage his parents have inflicted. Moreover, no example of -punishment will make cowards brave. It seems to me, then, that there -is neither justice nor wisdom in taking vengeance upon the crime of -weakness." - -In but two faces, those of Esmo and of his next colleague on the left, -could I see the slightest sign of approval. One of the other chiefs -answered briefly and decisively my plea for mercy. - -"If," he said, "treason proceed from fear, the more cause that a -greater fear should prevent the treason of cowardice for the future. -The same motives that have led the offender to betray so much would -assuredly lead him to betray more were he released; and to attempt -lifelong confinement is to make the lives of all dependent on a chance -in order to spare one unworthy life. The excuse which our brother has -pleaded may, we hope, avail with a tribunal which can regard the -conscience apart from the consequences. It ought not to avail with -us." - -But the law of the Zinta, as I now learned, will not allow sentence of -death to be passed save by an absolutely unanimous vote. It is held -that if one judge educated in the ideas of the Order, appreciating to -the full the priceless importance of its teaching and the guilt of -treason against it, is unpersuaded that there exists sufficient cause -for the supreme penalty, the doubt is such as should preclude the -infliction of that penalty. It is, however, permitted and expected -that the dissentients, if few in number, much more a single -dissentient, shall listen attentively and give the most respectful and -impartial consideration to the arguments of brethren, and especially -of seniors. If a single mind remains unmoved, its dissent is decisive. -But it would be the gravest dereliction of duty to persist from -wilfulness, obstinacy, or pride, in adhesion to a view perhaps hastily -expressed in opposition to authority and argument. The debate to which -my speech gave rise lasted for two hours. Each speaker spoke but a few -terse expressive sentences; and after each speech came a pause -allowing full time for the consideration of its reasoning. Two points -were very soon made clear to all. The offender had justly forfeited -his life; and if his death were necessary or greatly conducive to the -safety of the rest, the mercy which for his sake imperilled worthier -men and sacred truths would have been no less than a crime. The -thought, however, that weighed most with me against my natural feeling -was an experience to which none present could appeal. I had sat on -many courts-martial where cowardice was the only charge imputed; and -in every case in which that charge was proved, sentence of death had -been passed and carried out on a ground I could not refuse to consider -sufficient:--namely, that the infection of terror can best be -repressed by an example inspiring deeper terror than that to which the -prisoner has yielded. Compelled by these precedents, though with -intense reluctance, I submitted at last to the universal judgment. -Esmo having collected the will, I cannot say the voices, of the -assembly, paused for a minute in silence. - -"The Present has pronounced," he said at last. "Are the voices of the -Past assentient?" - -He looked around as if to see whether, under real or supposed -inspiration, any of those before him would give in another name a -judgment opposite to that in which all had concurred. Instinctively I -glanced towards the Throne, but it remained vacant as ever. Then, -fixing his eyes for a few moments upon the culprit, who started and -woke to full consciousness under his gaze--and receiving from the -Chief nearest to him on the left a chain of small golden circles -similar to that of the canopy, represented also on the Signet, while -he on the right held a small roll, on the golden surface of which a -long list of names was inscribed--our Superior pronounced, amid -deepest stillness, in a low clear tone, the form of excommunication; -breaking at the appropriate moment one link from the chain, and, at a -later point, drawing a broad crimson bar through one cipher on the -roll:-- - - "Conscience-convict, tried in truth, - Judged in justice, doomed in ruth; - Ours no more--once ours in vain-- - Falls the Veil and snaps the Chain, - Drops the link and lies alone:-- - Traitor to the Emerald Throne, - Alien from the troth we plight, - Kature native to the night; - Trained in Light the Light to scorn, - Soul apostate and forsworn, - False to symbol, sense, and sign, - To the Serpent's pledge divine, - To the Wings that reach afar, - To the Circle and the Star; - Recreant to the mystic rule, - Outlaw from the sacred school-- - Backward is the Threshold crossed; - Lost the Light, the Life is lost. - Go; the golden page we blot: - Go; forgetting and forgot! - Go--by final sentence shriven, - Be thy crime absolved in Heaven!" - -Once more the Throne and the Emblems behind and above it had been -veiled in impenetrable darkness. Instinctively, as it seemed, every -one present had risen to his feet, and stood with bent head and -downcast eyes as the Condemned, rising mechanically, turned without a -word and passed away. - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - TWILIGHT. - -I was, perhaps, the only member of the assembly to whom the doomed man -was not personally known, and to all of us the tie which had been -severed was one at least as close as that of natural brotherhood on -Earth. - -How long the pause lasted--how, or why, or when we resumed our seats, -even I knew not. The Shrine was unveiled, and Esmo's next colleague -spoke again-- - -"A seat among the elders has been three days vacant by the departure -of one well known and dear to all. His colleagues have considered how -best it may be filled. The member they have selected is of the -youngest in experience here; but from the first moment of his -initiation it was evident to us that more than half the learning of -the Starlight had been his before. Nothing could so deeply confirm our -joy and confidence in that lore, as to find that in another world the -truths we hold dearest are held with equal faith, that many of our -deepest secrets have there been sought and discovered by societies not -unlike our own. For that reason, and because of that House, whereof -now but two members are left us, he is by wedlock and adoption the -third, the elder brethren have unanimously resolved to recommend to -Clavelta, and to the Children of the Star, that this seat," and he -pointed to the vacant place, "shall be filled by him who has but now -expressed, with a warmth seldom shown in this place, his love and -trust for the daughter of our Chief, the descendant of our Founder." - -Certainly not on my own account, but from the earnest attachment and -devotion they felt for Esmo, both personally as a long-tried and -deservedly revered Chief, and as almost the last representative of a -lineage so profoundly loved and honoured, the approval of all present -was expressed with a sudden and eager warmth which deeply affected me; -the more that it expressed an hereditary regard and esteem, not for -myself but for Eveena, rarely or never, even among the Zveltau, paid -to a woman. Esmo bent his head in assent, and then, addressing me by -name, called me to the foot of the platform. - -He held in his hand the golden sash and rose-coloured wand which -marked the rank about to be bestowed on me. I felt very deeply my own -incompetence and ignorance; and even had I valued more the proffered -honour, I should have been bound to decline it. But at the third word -I spoke, I was silenced with a stern though perfectly calm severity. -Flinging back the fold of his robe that covered his left arm, with a -gesture that placed the Signet full before my eyes, he said-- - -"You have sworn obedience." - -A soldier's instinct or habit, the mesmeric command of Esmo's glance, -and the awe, due less to my own feeling than to the infectious -reverence of others, which the symbols and the oaths of the Order -extorted, left me no further will to resist. At the foot of the Throne -I received the investiture of my new rank; and as I rose and faced my -brethren, every hand was lifted to the lips, every head bent in -salutation of their new leader. Then, as I passed to the extreme place -on the right, they came forward to grasp my hand and utter a few words -of sympathy and kindness, in which a frank spirit of affectionate -comradeship, that reminded me forcibly of the mess-tent and the -bivouac fire, was mingled with the sense of a deeper and more sacred -tie. - -Scarcely had we resumed our places than a startling incident gave a -new turn to the scene. Approaching the barrier, a woman, veiled, but -wearing the sash and star, knelt for a moment to the presence of the -Arch-Teacher, and then, as the barrier was thrown open by the -sentries, came up to the dais. - -"She," said the new-comer, "has a message for you, Clavelta, for your -Council, and particularly for the last of its members." - -"It is well," he answered. - -The messenger took her seat among the Initiates, and Esmo dismissed -the assembly in the solemn form employed on the former occasion. Then, -followed by the twelve, and guided by the messenger (the gloved -fingers of whose left hand, as I observed, he very slightly touched -with his own right), he passed by another door out of the Hall, and -along one of the many passages of the subterrene Temple, into a -chamber resembling in every respect an apartment in an ordinary -residence. Here, with her veil, as is permitted only to maidenhood, -drawn back from her face, but covering almost entirely her neck and -bosom, and clad in the vestal white, reclined with eyes nearly closed -a young girl, in whose countenance a beauty almost spiritual was -enhanced rather than marred by signs of physical ill-health painfully -unmistakable. Warning us back with a slight movement of his hand, Esmo -approached her. Our presence had at first seemed to cast her into -almost convulsive agitation; but under his steady gaze and the -movement of his hands, she lapsed almost instantly into what appeared -to be profound slumber. - - * * * * * - -The practical information that concerned the present peril menacing -the Order delivered, and when it was plain that no further revelation -or counsel was to be expected on this all-important topic, Esmo -beckoned to me, taking my hand in his own and placing it very gently -and carefully in that of the unconscious sybil. The effect, however, -was startling. Without unclosing her eyes, she sprang into a sitting -posture and clasped my hand almost convulsively with her own long, -thin all but transparent fingers. Turning her face to mine, and -seeming, though her eyes were closed, as if she looked intently into -it, she murmured words at first unintelligible, but which seemed by -degrees to bear clearer and clearer reference to some of the stormy -scenes of my youth in another world. Then--as one looking upon -pictures but partially intelligible to her, and commenting on them as -a girl who had never seen or known the passions and the mutual enmity -of men--she startled me by breaking into the kind of chant in which -the peculiar verse of her language is commonly delivered. My own -thought of the moment was not her guide. The Moslem battle-cry had -rung too often in my ears ever to be forgotten; but up to that moment -I had never recalled to memory the words in which on my last field I -retorted upon my Arab comrades, when flinching from a third charge -against those terrible "sons of Eblis," whose stubborn courage had -already twice hurled us back in confusion and disgrace with a hundred -empty saddles. At first her tone was one of simple amaze and horror. -It softened afterwards into wonder and perplexity, and the -oft-repeated rebuke or curse was on its last recurrence spoken with -more of pitying tenderness and regret than of severity:-- - - "What! those are human bosoms whereon the brute hath trod! - What! through the storm of slaughter rings the appeal to God! - Through the smoke and flash of battle a single form is shown; - O'er clang and crash and rattle peals out one trumpet-tone-- - 'Strike, for Allah and the Prophet! let Eblis take his own!' - - "Strange! the soul that, fresh from carnage, quailed not alone to face - The unfathomed depths of Darkness, the solitudes of Space! - Strange! the smile of scorn, while nerveless dropped the sword-arm from - the sting, - On the death that scowled at distance, on the closing murder-ring. - Strange! no crimson stain on conscience from the hand in gore imbrued! - But Death haunts the death-dealer; blood taints the life of blood! - - "Strange! the arm that smote and spared not in the tempest of the strife, - Quivers with pitying terror--clings, for a maiden's life! - Strange! the heart steel-hard to death-shrieks by girlish tears subdued; - The falcon's sheathless talons among the esve's brood! - But Death haunts the death-dealer; blood taints the life of blood. - - "The breast for woman's peril that dared the despot's ire, - Shall dauntless front, and scathless, the closing curve of fire. - The heart, by household treason stung home, that can forgive, - Shall brave a woman's hatred, a woman's wiles, and live. - - "A woman's well-won fealty shall give the life he gave, - Love shall redeem the loving, and Sacrifice shall save. - But--God heal the tortured spirit, God calm the maddened mood; - For Death haunts the death-dealer; blood taints the life of blood!" - -Relaxing but not releasing her grasp of my own hand, she felt about -with her left till Esmo gently placed his own therein. Then, in a tone -at first of deep and passionate anxiety and eagerness, passing into -one of regretful admiration, and varying with the purport of each -utterance, she broke into another chant, in which were repeated over -and again phrases familiar in the traditions and prophetic or symbolic -formularies of the Zinta:-- - - "Ever on deadliest peril shines the Star with steadiest ray; - Ever quail the fiercest hunters when Kargynda turns at bay. - Close, Children of the Starlight! close, for the Emerald Throne! - Close round the life that closeth your life within the zone! - Rests the Golden Circle's glory, rests the silver gleam on her - Who shall rein Kargynda's fury with a thread of gossamer. - He metes not mortal measure, He pays not human price, - Who crowns that life's devotion with the death of sacrifice! - Woe worth the moment's panic; woe worth the victory won! - But the Night is near the breaking when the Stranger claims his own. - - "Ever on deadliest peril shines the Star with steadiest ray; - Ever quail the fiercest hunters when Kargynda turns at bay. - No life is worth the living that counts each fleeting breath; - No eyes from God averted can meet the eyes of Death. - Vague fear and spectral terrors haunt the soul that dwells in shade, - Nor e'er can crimson conscience confront the crimson blade. - From a cloud of shame and sorrow breaks the Light that shines afar, - And cold and dark the household spark that lit the Silver Star. - The triumph is a death-march; the victor's voice a moan:--But - the Powers of Night are broken when the Stranger wins his own! - - "Ever in blackest midnight shines the Star with brightest ray; - Woe to them that hunt the theme if Kargynda cross the way! - In the Home of Peace, Clavelta, can our fears thy spirit move? - Look down! whence comes the rescue to the household of thy love? - As the All-Commander's lightning falls the Vengeance from above! - A shriek from thousand voices; a thunder crash; a groan; - A thousand homes in mourning--a thousand deaths in one! - Woe to the Sons of Darkness, for the Stranger wields his own! - Oh, hide that scene of horror in the deepest shades of night! - Look upward to the welkin, where the Vessel fades from sight ... - But the Veil is rent for ever by the Hand that veiled the Shrine; - And, on a peace of ages, the Star of Peace shall shine!" - -Esmo listened with the anxious attention of one who believed that her -every word had a real and literal meaning; and his face was -overclouded with a calm but deep sadness, which testified to the -nature of the impression made on his mind by language that hardly -conveyed to my own more than a dim and general prediction of victory, -won through scenes of trial and trouble. But when she had closed, a -quiet satisfaction in what seemed to be the final promise of triumph -to the Star, at whatever cost to the noblest of its adherents, was all -that I could trace in his countenance. - -The sibyl fell back as the last word passed her lips, with a sigh of -relief, into what was evidently a profound and insensible sleep. Those -around me must have witnessed such scenes at least as often as I; but -it was plain that the impression made, even on the experienced Chiefs -of the Order, was far deeper than had affected myself. I should hardly -have been able to remember the words of the prophecy, but for -subsequent conversation thereon with Eveena, when one part had been -fulfilled and the rest was on the eve of a too terribly truthful -fulfilment; but for the events that fixed their prediction in my -mind--it may be in terms a little more precise than those actually -employed, though I have endeavoured to record these with conscientious -accuracy. - -Led by Esmo, we passed along another gallery into the small chamber -where met the secret Council of the Order, and long and anxious were -the debates wherein the revelations of the dreamer were treated as -conveying the most certain and unquestionable warning. The first rays -of morning were stealing through the mists into the peristyle of our -host's dwelling before I re-entered Eveena's chamber. She was -slumbering, but restlessly, and so lightly that she sprang up at once -on my entrance. For a few moments all other thought was lost in the -delight of my return after an absence whose very length had alarmed -her, despite her father's previous assurance. But as at last she drew -back sufficiently to look into my face, its expression seemed to -startle and sadden her. The questions that sprang to her lips died -there, as she probably saw in my eyes a look not only of weariness and -perplexity, but of profound reluctance to speak of what had passed. -Expressing her sympathy only by look and touch, she began to unclasp -my robe at the throat, aware that my only wish was for rest, and -content to postpone her own anxiety and natural curiosity. Then, as -the golden sash which I had not removed met her sight, she looked up -for a moment with a glance of natural pride and fondness, intensely -gratified by the highly-prized honour paid to her husband; then bent -low and kissed my hand with the gesture wherewith the presence of a -superior is acknowledged by the members of the Order. "Used as my -earlier life was, Eveena, to the Eastern prostrations of my own world, -I hate all that recals them; and if I must accept, as I fulfil, these -forms in the Halls of the Zinta, let me never be reminded of them by -you." - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW. - -If I could have endured to describe to Eveena the terrible trial -scene, that which occurred before she had the chance to question me -would have certainly sealed my lips. The past night had told upon me -as no fatigue, no anxiety, no disaster of my life on Earth had ever -done. I awoke faint and exhausted as a nervous valetudinarian, and I -suppose my feeling must have been plainly visible in my face, for -Eveena would not allow me to rise from the cushions till she had -summoned an _ambâ_ and procured the material of a morning meal, though -the hour was noon. Far too considerate to question me then, she was -perhaps a little disappointed that, almost before I had dressed, a -message from her father summoned me to his presence. - -"It is right," he said quietly, and with no show of feeling, though -his face was somewhat pale, "that you should be acquainted with the -fulfilment of the sentence you assisted to pass. The outcast was found -this morning dead in his own chamber. Nay, you need not start! We need -no deathsman; alike by sudden disease, by suicide, by accident, our -doom executes itself. But enough of this. I accepted the vote which -invested you with the second rank in our Order, less because I think -you will render service to it here than that I desired you to possess -that entire knowledge of its powers and secrets which might enable you -to plant a branch or offshoot where none but you could carry it ... -That you will soon leave this world seemed to me probable, before the -anticipations of practical prudence were confirmed by the voice of -prophecy. Your Astronaut shall be stored with all of which I know you -have need, and with any materials whose use I do not know that you may -point out. To remove it from Asnyea would now be too dangerous. If you -receive tidings that shall bring you again into its neighbourhood, do -not lose the opportunity of re-entering it.... And now let me take -leave of you, as of a dear friend I may not meet again." - -"Do you know," I said, more touched by the tone than by the words, -"that Eveena asked and I gave a promise that when I do re-enter it she -shall be my companion?" - -"I did not know it, but I took for granted that she would desire it, -and I should have been grieved to doubt that you would assent. I -cannot disturb her peace by saying to her what I have just said to -you, and must part from her as on any ordinary occasion." - -That parting, happily, I did not witness. Before evening we re-entered -our vessel, and returned home without any incident worthy of mention. - -To my surprise, my return plunged me at once into the kind of vexation -which Eveena had so anxiously endeavoured to spare me, and which I had -hoped Eunané's greater decision and less exaggerated tenderness would -have avoided. She seemed excited and almost fretful, and before we had -been half an hour at home had greeted me with a string of complaints -which, on her own showing, seemed frivolous, and argued as much temper -on her part as customary petulance on that of others. On one point, -however, her report confirmed the suggestions of Eveena's previous -experience. She had wrested at once from Eivé's hand the pencil that -had hitherto been used in absolute secrecy, and the consequent quarrel -had been sharp enough to suggest, if not to prove, that the privilege -was of practical as well as sentimental moment. Though aggravated by -no rebuke, my tacit depreciation of her grievances irritated Eunané to -an extreme of petulance unusual with her of late; which I bore so long -as it was directed against myself, but which, turned at last on -Eveena, wholly exhausted my patience. But no sooner had I dismissed -the offender than Eveena herself interposed, with even more than her -usual tenderness for Eunané. - -"Do not blame my presumption," she said; "do not think that I am -merely soft or weak, if I entreat you to take no further notice of -Eunané's mood. I cannot but think that, if you do, you will very soon -repent it." - -She could not or would not give a reason for her intercession; but -some little symptoms I might have seen without observing, some -perception of the exceptional character of Eunané's outbreak, or some -unacknowledged misgiving accordant with her own, made me more than -willing to accept Eveena's wish as a sufficient cause for forbearance. -When we assembled at the morning meal Eunané appeared to be conscious -of error; at all events, her manner and temper were changed. Watching -her closely, I thought that neither shame for an outbreak of unwonted -extravagance nor fear of my displeasure would account for her languor -and depression. But illness is so rare among a race educated for -countless generations on principles scientifically sound and sanitary, -inheriting no seeds of disease from their ancestry, and safe from the -infection of epidemics long extirpated, that no apprehension of -serious physical cause for her changes of temper and complexion -entered into my mind. To spare her when she deserved no indulgence was -the surest way to call forth Eunané's best impulses; and I was not -surprised to find her, soon after the party had dispersed, in Eveena's -chamber. That all the amends I could desire had been made and accepted -was sufficiently evident. But Eunané's agitation was so violent and -persistent, despite all Eveena's soothing, that I was at last -seriously apprehensive of its effect upon the latter. The moment we -were alone Eveena said-- - -"I have never seen illness, but if Eunané is not ill, and very ill, -all I have gathered in my father's household from such books as he has -allowed me, and from his own conversation, deceives me wholly; and yet -no illness of which I have ever heard in the slightest degree -resembles this." - -"I take it to be," I said, "what on Earth women call hysteria and men -temper." - -To this opinion, however, I could not adhere when, watching her -closely, I noticed the evident lack of spirit and strength with which -the most active and energetic member of the household went about her -usual pursuits. A terrible suspicion at first entered my mind, but was -wholly discountenanced by Eveena, who insisted that there was no -conceivable motive for an attempt to injure Eunané; while the idea -that mischief designed for others had unintentionally fallen on her -was excluded by the certainty that, whatever the nature of her -illness, if it were such, it had commenced before our return. Long -before evening I had communicated with Esmo, and received from him a -reply which, though exceedingly unsatisfactory, rather confirmed -Eveena's impression. The latter had taken upon herself the care of the -evening meal; but, before we could meet there, my own observation had -suggested an alarm I dared not communicate to her--one which a wider -experience than hers could neither verify nor dispel. Among symptoms -wholly alien, there were one or two which sent a thrill of terror to -my heart;--which reminded me of the most awful and destructive of the -scourges wherewith my Eastern life had rendered me but too familiar. -It was not unnatural that, if carried to a new world, that fearful -disease should assume a new form; but how could it have been conveyed? -how, if conveyed, could its incubation in some unknown vehicle have -been so long? and how had it reached one, and one only, of my -household--one, moreover, who had no access to such few relics of my -own world as I had retained, of which Eveena had the exclusive charge? -All Esmo's knowledge, even were he within reach, could hardly help me -here. I dared, of course, suggest my apprehension to no one, least of -all to the patient herself. As, towards evening, her languor was again -exchanged for the feverish excitement of the previous night, I seized -on some petulant word as an excuse to confine her to her room, and, -selfishly enough, resolved to invoke the help of the only member of -the family who should, and perhaps would, be willing to run personal -risk for the sake of aiding Eunané in need and protecting Eveena. I -had seen as yet very little of Velna, Eunané's school companion; but -now, calling her apart, I told her frankly that I feared some illness -of my own Earth had by some means been communicated to her friend. - -"You have here," I said, "for ages had no such diseases as those which -we on Earth most dread; those which, communicated through water, air, -or solid particles, spread from one person to another, endangering -especially those who come nearest to the sufferers. Whoever approaches -Eunané risks all that I fear for her, and that 'all' means very -probably speedy death. To leave her alone is impossible; and if I -cannot report that she is fully cared for in other hands, no command, -nothing short of actual compulsion, will keep Eveena away from her." - -The girl looked up with a steady frank courage and unaffected -readiness I had not expected. - -"I owe you much, Clasfempta, and still more perhaps to Eveena. My life -is not so precious that I should not be ready to give it at need for -either of you; and if I should lose Eunané, I would prefer not to live -to remember my loss." - -The last words reminded me that to her who spoke death meant -annihilation; a fact which has deprived the men of her race of nearly -every vestige of the calm courage now displayed by this young girl, -indebted as little as any human being could be to the insensible -influences of home affection, or the direct moral teaching which is -sometimes supposed to be a sufficient substitute. I led her at once -into her friend's chamber, and a single glance satisfied me that my -apprehensions were but too well-founded. Remaining long enough to -assure the sufferer that the displeasure I had affected had wholly -passed away, and to suggest the only measures of relief rather than of -remedy that occurred to me, I endeavoured for a few moments to collect -my thoughts and recover the control of my nerves in solitude. In my -own chamber Eveena would assuredly have sought me, and I chose -therefore one of those as yet unoccupied. It did not take long to -convince me that no ordinary resources at my command, no medical -experience of my own, no professional science existing among a race -who probably never knew the disease in question, and had not for ages -known anything like it, could avail me. My later studies in the occult -science of Eastern schools had not furnished me with any antidote in -which I believed on Earth, and if they had, it was not here available. -Despair rather than hope suggested an appeal to those which the -analogous secrets of the Starlight might afford. Anxiety, agitation, -personal interest so powerful as now disturbed me, are generally fatal -to the exercise of the powers recently placed at my command; so -recently that, but for Terrestrial experience, I should hardly have -known how to use them. But the arts which assist in and facilitate -that tremendous all-absorbing concentration of will on which the -exertion of those powers depends, are far more fully developed in the -Zveltic science than in its Earthly analogues. A desperate effort, -aided by those arts, at last controlled my thoughts, and turned them -from the sick-room to that distant chamber in which I had so lately -stood. - - * * * * * - -I seemed to stand beside her, and at once to be aware that my thought -was visible to the closed eyes. From lips paler than ever, words--so -generally resembling those I had previously heard that some readers -may think them the mere recollection thereof--appeared to reach my -sense or my mind as from a great distance, spoken in a tone of mingled -pity, promise, and reproof:-- - - "What is youth or sex or beauty in the All-Commander's sight? - For the arm that smote and spared not, shall His wisdom spare to smite? - Yet, love redeems the loving; yet in thy need avail - The Soul whose light surrounds thee, the faith that will not fail. - Thy lips shall soothe the terror, call to yon couch afar - The solace of the Serpent, the shadow of the Star! - Strength shall sustain the strengthless, nor the soft hand loose its - grasp - Of the hand it trusts and clings to--till another meet its clasp.... - --Steel-hard to man's last anguish, wax-soft to woman's mood!-- - Death quits not the death-dealer; blood haunts the life of blood!" - - * * * * * - -Returning to the peristyle, I encountered Eveena, who had been seeking -me anxiously. Much alarmed for her, I bade her return at once to her -room. She obeyed as of course, equally of course surprised and a -little mortified; while I, marvelling by what conceivable means the -plague of Cairo or Constantinople could have been conveyed across -forty million miles of space and some two years of Earthly time, paced -the peristyle for a few minutes. As I did so, my eye fell on the roses -which grew just where chance arrested my steps. If they do not afford -an explanation which scientific medicine will admit, I can suggest no -other. But, if it were so, how fearfully true the warning!--by what a -mysterious fate did death dog my footsteps, and "blood haunt the life -of blood!" - -The reader may not remember that the central chamber of the women's -apartments, next to which was Eunané's, had been left vacant. This I -determined to occupy myself, and bade the girls remove at once to -those on its right, as yet unallotted. I closed the room, threw off my -dress, and endeavoured by means of the perfumed shower-bath to drive -from my person what traces of the infection might cling to it; for -Eveena had the keys of all my cases and of the medicine-chest, and I -could not make up my mind to reclaim them by a simple unexplained -message sent by an ambâ, or, still worse, by the hands of Enva or -Eivé. I laid the clothes I had worn on one of the shelves of the wall, -closing over them the crystal doors of the sunken cupboard; and, -having obtained through the amban a dress which I had not worn since -my return, and which therefore could hardly have about it any trace of -infection, I sought Eveena in her own room. - -That something had gone wrong, and gravely wrong, she could not but -know; and I found her silent and calm, indeed, but weeping bitterly, -whether for the apprehension of danger to me, or for what seemed want -of trust in her. I asked her for the keys, and she gave them; but with -a mute appeal that made the concealment I desired, however necessary, -no longer possible. Gently, cautiously as I could, but softening, not -hiding, any part of the truth, I gave her the full confidence to which -she was entitled, and which, once forced out of the silence preserved -for her sake, it was an infinite relief to give. If I could not -observe equal gentleness of word and manner in absolutely forbidding -her to approach, either Eunané's chamber or my own, it was because, -the moment she conceived what I was about to say, her almost indignant -revolt from the command was apparent. For the first and last time she -distinctly and firmly refused compliance, not merely with the kindly -though very decided request at first spoken, but with the formal and -peremptory command by which I endeavoured to enforce it. - -"You command me to neglect a sister in peril and suffering," she said. -"It is not kind; it is hardly worthy of you; but my first duty is to -you, and you have the right, if you will, to insist that I shall -reserve my life for your sake. But you command me also to forsake you -in danger and in sorrow; and nothing but the absolute force you may of -course employ shall compel me to obey you in that." - -"I understand you, Eveena; and you, in your turn, must think and feel -that I intend to express neither displeasure nor pain; that I mean no -harshness to you, no less respect as well as love than I have always -shown you, when I say that obey you shall; that the same sense of duty -which impels you to refuse obliges me to enforce my command. At no -time would I have allowed you to risk your life where others might be -available. But if you were the only one who could help, I should, -under other circumstances, have felt that the same paramount duty that -attaches to me attached in a lighter degree to yourself. Now, as you -well know, the case is different; and even were Eunané not quite safe -in my hands and in Velna's, you must not run a risk that can be -avoided. You will promise me to remain on this side the peristyle or -in the further half of it, or I must confine you perforce; and it is -not kind or right in this hour of trouble to impose upon me so painful -a task." - -With every tone, look, and caress that could express affection and -sympathy, Eveena answered-- - -"Do what seems your duty, and do not think that I misunderstand your -motive or feel the shadow of humiliation or unkindness. Make me obey -if you can, punish me if I disobey; but obey you, when you tell me, -for my own life's sake or for any other, to desert you in the hour of -need, of danger, and of sorrow, I neither will nor can." I cut short -the scene, bidding her a passionate farewell in view of the -probability that we should not meet again. I closed the door behind -me, having called her whom at this moment and in this case I could -best trust, because her worse as well as her better qualities were -alike guarantees for her obedience. - -"Enva," I said, "you will keep this room till I release you; and you -will answer it to me, as the worst fault you can commit, if Eveena -passes this threshold, under whatever circumstances, until I give her -permission, or until, if it be beyond my power to give it, her father -takes the responsibilities of my home upon himself." - -I procured the sedatives which might relieve the suffering I could not -hope to cure. I wrote to Esmo, stating briefly but fully the position -as I conceived it; and, on a suggestion from Eivé, I despatched -another message to a female physician of some repute--one of those few -women in Mars who lead the life and do the work of men, and for whose -attendance, as I remembered, Eunané had expressed a strong theoretical -preference. - -From that time I scarcely left her chamber save for a few minutes, and -Velna remained constantly at her friend's side, save when, to give her -at least a chance of escape, I sent her to her room to bathe, change -her dress, and seek the fresh air for the half hour during which alone -I could persuade her to leave the sufferer. The _daftare_ (man-woman) -physician came, but on learning the nature of the disease, expressed -intense indignation that she had been summoned to a position of so -much danger to herself. - -I answered by a contemptuous inquiry regarding the price for which she -would run so much risk as to remain in the peristyle so long as I -might have need of her presence; and, for a fee which would ensure her -a life-income as large as that secured to Eveena herself, she -consented to remain within speaking distance for the few hours in -which the question must be decided. Eunané was seldom insensible or -even delirious, and her quick intelligence caught very speedily the -meaning of my close attendance, and of the distress which neither -Velna nor I could wholly conceal. She asked and extracted from me what -I knew of the origin of her illness, and answered, with a far stronger -feeling than I should have expected even from her-- - -"If I am to die, I am glad it should be through trying to serve and -please Eveena.... It may seem strange, Clasfempta," she went on -presently, "scarcely possible perhaps; but my love for her is not only -greater than the love I bear you, but is so bound up with it that I -always think of you together, and love you the better that I love her, -and that you love her so much better than me.... But," she resumed -later, "it is hard to die, and die so young. I had never known what -happiness meant till I came here.... I have been so happy here, and I -was happier each day in feeling that I no longer made Eveena or you -less happy. Ah! let me thank you and Eveena while I can for -everything, and above all for Velna.... But," after another long -pause, "it is terrible and horrible--never to wake, to move, to hear -your voices, to see you, to look upon the sunlight, to think, or even -to dream again! Once, to remove a tooth and straighten the rest, they -made me senseless; and that sinking into senselessness, though I knew -I should waken in a minute, was horrible; and--to sink into -senselessness from which I shall never waken!" - -She was sinking fast indeed, and this terror of death, so seldom seen -in the dying, grew apparently deeper and more intense as death drew -near. I could not bear it, and at last took my resolve and dismissed -Velna, forbidding her to return till summoned. - -"Ah!" said Eunané, "you send her away that she may not see the last. -Is it so near?" - -"No, darling!" I replied (she, like Eveena, had learnt the meaning of -one or two expressions of human affection in my own tongue), "but I -have that to say which I would not willingly say in her presence. You -dread death not as a short terrible pain, and for you it will not be -so, not as a short sleep, but as eternal senselessness and -nothingness. Has it never seemed to you strange that, loving Eveena as -I do, _I_ do not fear to die? Though you did not know it, I have lived -almost since first you knew me under the threat of death; and death -sudden, secret, without warning, menacing me every day and every hour. -And yet, though death meant leaving her and leaving her to a fate I -could not foresee, I have been able to look on it steadily. Kneeling -here, I know that I am very probably giving my life to the same end as -yours. I do not fear. That may not seem strange to you; but Eveena -knows all I know, and I could scarcely keep Eveena away. So loving -each other, _we_ do not fear to die, because we believe, we know, that -that in us which thinks, and feels, and loves will live; that in death -we lay aside the body as we lay aside our worn-out clothing. If I -thought otherwise, Eunané, I could not bear _this_ parting." - -She clasped my hands, almost as much surprised and touched, I thought, -for the moment by the expression of an affection of which till that -hour neither of us were fully aware, as by the marvellous and -incredible assurance she had heard. - -"Ah!" she said, "I have heard her people are strange, and they dream -such things. No, Clasfempta, it is a fancy, or you say it to comfort -me, not because it is true." - -The expression of terror that again came over her face was too painful -for endurance. To calm that terror I would have broken every oath, -have risked every penalty. But in truth I could never have paused to -ask what in such a case oath or law permitted, "Listen, Eunané," I -said, "and be calm. Not only Eveena, not only I, but hundreds, -thousands, of the best and kindliest men and women of your world hold -this faith as fast as we do. You feel what Eveena is. What she is and -what others are not, she owes to this trust:--to the assurance of a -Power unseen, that rules our lives and fortunes and watches our -conduct, that will exact an account thereof, that holds us as His -children, and will never part with us. Do you think it is a lie that -has made Eveena what she is?" - -"But you _think_, you do not know." - -"Yes, I know; I have seen." Here a touch, breaking suddenly upon that -intense concentration of mind and soul on a single thought, violently -startled me, gentle as it was; and to my horror I saw that Eveena was -kneeling with me by the couch. - -"Remember," she said, in the lowest, saddest whisper, "'the Veil that -guards the Shrine.'" - -"No matter, Eveena," I answered in the same tone, the pain at my heart -suppressing even the impulse of indignation, not with her, but with -the law that could put such a thought into her heart. "Neither penalty -nor oath should silence me now. Whether I break our law I know not; -but I would forfeit life here--I would forfeit life hereafter, rather -than fail a soul that rests on mine at such a moment." - -The clasp of her hand showed how thoroughly, despite the momentary -doubt, she felt with me; and I could not now recur to that secondary -selfishness which had so imperiously repelled her from the -sick-chamber. - -"I have seen," I repeated, as Eunané still looked earnestly into my -face, "and Eveena has seen at the same moment, one long ages since -departed this world--the Teacher of this belief, the Founder of that -Society which holds it, the ancestor of her own house--in bodily form -before us." - -"It is true," said Eveena, in answer to Eunané's appealing look. - -"And I," I added, "have seen more than once in my own world the forms -of those I have known in life recalled, according to promise, to human -eyes." - -The testimony, or the contagion of the strong undoubting confidence we -felt therein, if they did not convince the intellect, changed the tone -of thought and feeling of the dying girl. Too weak now to reason, or -to resist the impression enforced upon her mind by minds always far -more powerful than her own in its brightest hours, she turned -instinctively from the thought of blackness, senselessness eternal, to -that of a Father whose hand could uphold, of the wings that can leap -the grave. Her left hand clasped in mine, her right in Eveena's,-- -looking most in my face, because weakness leant on strength even more -than love appealed to love--Eunané spent the remaining hours of that -night in calm contentment and peace. Perhaps they were among the most -perfectly peaceful and happy she had known. To strong, warm, -sheltering affection she had never been used save in her new home; and -in the love she received and returned there was much too strange and -self-contradicting to be satisfactory. But no shadow of jealousy, -doubt, or contradictory emotion troubled her now: assured of Eveena's -sisterly love as of my own hardly and lately won trust and tenderness. - -The light had been long subdued, and the chamber was dim as dimmest -twilight, when suddenly, with a smile, Eunané cried-- - -"It is morning already! and there,--why, there is Erme." - -She stretched out her arms as if to greet the one creature she had -loved--perhaps more dearly than she loved those now beside her. The -hands dropped; and Eveena's closed for ever on the sights of this -world the eyes whose last vision had been of another. - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - DARKER YET. - -Leading Eveena from the room, I hastily dictated every precaution that -could diminish the danger to her and others. Velna had run risks that -could not well be increased, and on her and on myself must devolve -what remained to be done. I sent an ambâ to summon Davilo, gathered -the garments that Eveena had thrown off, and removed them to the -death-chamber. When the first arrangements were made, and I had paid -the fee of Astona, the woman-physician, I passed out into the garden, -and Davilo met me at the door of the peristyle. A few words explained -all that was necessary. It was still almost dark; and as we stood -close by the door, speaking in the low tone partly of sadness, partly -of precaution, two figures were dimly discernible just inside, and we -caught a few broken words. - -"You have heard," said a harsh voice, which seemed to be Astona's, -"there is no doubt now. You have your part to play, and can do it -quickly and safely." - -I paid little attention to words whose dangerous significance would at -another moment have been plain to me. But Davilo, greatly alarmed, -laid his hand upon my arm. As he did so, another voice thrilled me -with intensest pain and amazement. - -"Be quick to bear your message," Eivé said, in rapid guarded tones. -"They have means of vengeance certain and prompt, and they never -spare." - -Astona departed without seeing us. Eivé closed the door, and Davilo -and I, hastily and unperceived, followed the spy to the gate of the -enclosure. Some one waited for her there. What passed we could not -hear; but, as we saw Astona and another depart, Davilo spoke -imprudently aloud-- - -"She has the secret, and she must die. Nay (as I would have -expostulated), she is spy, traitress, and assassin, and merits her -doom most richly." - -"Hist!" said I, "your words may have fallen into other ears;" for I -thought that beyond the wall I discerned a crouching figure. If that -of a man, however, it was too far off, and dressed in colours too -dark, to be clearly seen; and in another instant it had certainly -vanished. - -"Remember," he urged, "you have heard that one quite as dangerous is -under your own roof; and, once more, it is not only your life that is -at stake. What you call courage, what seems to us sheer folly, may -cost you and others what you value far more than your life. An error -of softness now may make your future existence one long and useless -remorse." - -Half-an-hour later, having warned the women to their rooms--ordering a -variety of disinfecting measures in which Martial science excelled -while they were needed there--I opened the door of the death chamber -to those who carried in a coffer hollowed out of a dark, exceedingly -dense natural stone, and half-filled with a liquid of enormous -destructive power. Then I lifted tenderly the lifeless form, laid it -on cushions arranged therein, kissed the lips, and closed the coffer. -Two of Davilo's attendants had meantime adjusted the electric -machinery. We carried the coffer into the apartment where this worked -to heat the stove, to keep the lights burning, to raise, warm, and -diffuse the water through the house, and perform many other important -household services. Two strong bars of conducting metal were attached -to the apparatus, and fitted into two hollows of the coffer. A flash, -a certain hissing sound, followed. After a few moments the coffer was -opened, and Davilo, carefully gathering a few handfuls of solid white -material, something resembling pumice stone in appearance, placed them -in a golden chest about twelve inches cube, which was then soldered -down by the heat derived from the electric power. Then all infected -clothes and the contents of the death chamber were carried out for -destruction; while, with a tool adjusted to the machinery, one of the -attendants engraved a few characters upon the chest. Whatever the -risk, I could not part with every relic of her we had lost; and, after -passing them through such chemical purification as Martial science -suggested, I took the three long chestnut locks I had preserved. -Velna's quick fingers wove them into plaits, one of which I left with -her, one bound around my own neck, and one reserved for Eveena. As -soon as the sun had risen, I had despatched a message to the Prince, -explaining the danger of infection to which I had been subjected, and -asking permission notwithstanding to wait upon him. The emergency was -so pressing that neither sorrow nor peril would allow me to neglect an -embassy on which the lives of hundreds, and perhaps the safety of his -kingdom, might depend. Passing Eivé as I turned towards Eveena's room, -and fevered with intense thirst, I bade her bring me thither a cup of -the carcarâ. I need not dwell on the terribly painful moments in which -I bound round Eveena's arm a bracelet prized above all the choicest -ornaments she possessed. To calm her agitation and my own by means of -the charny, I sought the keys. They were not at my belt, and I asked, -"Have I returned them to you?" - -"Certainly not," said Eveena, startled. "Can you not find them?" - -At this moment Eivé entered the room and presented me with the cup for -which I had asked. It struck me with surprise, even at that moment, -that Eveena took it from my hand and carried it first to her own lips. -Eivé had turned to leave the room; but before she had reached the -threshold Eveena had sprung up, placed her foot upon the spring that -closed the door, and snatching the test-stone from my watch chain -dipped it into the cup. Her face turned white as death, while she held -up to my eyes the discoloured disc which proved the presence of the -deadliest Martial poison. - -"Be calm," she said, as a cry of horror burst from my lips. "The -keys!" - -"_You_ have them," Eivé said with a gasp, her face still averted. - -"I took them from Eveena myself," I answered sternly. "Stand back into -that corner, Eivé," as I opened the door and called sharply the other -members of the household. When they entered, unable to stand, I had -fallen back upon a chair, and called Eivé to my side. As I laid my -hand on her arm she threw herself on the floor, screaming and writhing -like a terrified child rather than a woman detected in a crime, the -conception and execution of which must have required an evil courage -and determination happily seldom possessed by women. - -"Stand up!" I said. "Lift her, then, Enva and Eiralé. Unfasten the -shoulder-clasps and zone." - -As her outer robe dropped, Eivé snatched at an object in its folds, -but too late; and the electric keys, which gave access to all my -cases, papers, and to the medicine-chest above all, lay glittering on -the ground. - -"That cup Eivé brought to me. Which of you saw her?" - -"I did," said Enva quietly, all feelings of malice and curiosity alike -awed into silence by the evidence of some terrible, though as yet to -them unknown, secret. "She mixed it and brought it hither herself." - -"And," I said, "it contains a poison against which, had I drunk -one-half the draught, no antidote could have availed--a poison to -which these keys only could have given access." - -Again the test-stone was applied, and again the discoloration -testified to the truth of the charge. - -"You have seen?" I said. - -"We have seen," answered Enva, in the same tone of horror, too deep to -be other than quiet. - -We all left the room, closing the door upon the prisoner. Dismissing -the girls to their own chambers, with strict injunctions not to quit -them unpermitted, I was left alone with Eveena. We were silent for -some minutes, my own heart oppressed with mingled emotions, all -intensely painful, but so confused that, while conscious of acute -suffering, I scarcely realised anything that had occurred. Eveena, who -knelt beside me, though deeply horror-struck, was less surprised and -was far less agitated than I. At last, leaning forward with her arms -on my knee and looking up in my face, she was about to speak. But the -touch and look seemed to break a spell, and, shuddering from head to -foot, I burst into tears like those of an hysterical girl. When, with -the strongest effort that shame and necessity could prompt, aided by -her silent soothing, I had somewhat regained my self-command, Eveena -spoke, in the same attitude and with the same look:-- - -"You said once that you could pardon such an attempt. That you should -ever forgive at heart cannot be. That punishment should not follow so -terrible a crime, even I cannot desire. But for _my_ sake, do not give -her up to the doom she has deserved. Do you know" (as I was silent) -"what that doom is?" - -"Death, I suppose." - -"Yes!" she said, shuddering, "but death with torture--death on the -vivisection-table. Will you, whatever the danger--_can_ you, give up -to such a fate, to such hands, one whom your hand has caressed, whose -head has rested on your heart?" - -"It needs not that, Eveena," I answered; "enough that she is woman. I -would face that death myself rather than, for whatever crime, send a -woman, above all a young girl, to such an end. I would rather by far -slay my worst enemy with my own hand than consign him to a death of -torture. But, more than that, my conscience would not permit me to -call on the law to punish a household treason, where household -authority is so strong and so arbitrary as here. Assassination is the -weapon of the oppressed and helpless; and it is not for me so to be -judge in my own cause as to pronounce that Eivé has had no -provocation." - -"Shame upon her!" said Eveena indignantly. "No one under your roof -ever had or could have reason to raise a hand, I do not say against -your life, but to give you a moment's pain. I do not ask, I do not -wish you to spare her; only I am glad to think you will deal with her -yourself--remember she has herself removed all limit to your -power--and not by the shameless and merciless hands to which the law -would give her." - -We returned to Eveena's chamber. The scene that followed I cannot bear -to recall. Enough that Eivé knew as well as Eveena the law she had -broken and the penalty she had incurred; and, petted darling as she -had been, she utterly lacked all faith in the tenderness she had known -so well, or even in the mercy to which Eveena had confidently -appealed. Understanding at last that she was safe from the law, the -expression of her gratitude was as vehement as her terror had been -intense. But the new phase of passion was not the less repugnant. Not -that there was anything strange in the violent revulsion of feeling. -Born and trained among a race who fear to forgive, Eivé was familiar -by report at least with the merciless vengeance of cowards. Whatever -they might have done later, few would have promised mercy in the very -moment of escape to an ordinary assassin; and if Eivé understood any -aspect of my character, that she could best appreciate was the -outraged tenderness which forbade me to look on hers as ordinary -guilt. Acutely sensitive to pain and fear, she had both known the -better to what terror might prompt the injured, and was the more -appalled by the prospect. Her eagerness to accept by anticipation -whatever degradation and pain domestic power could inflict, when -released by the terrible alternative of legal prosecution from its -usual limits, breathed more of doubt and terror than of shame or -penitence. But at first it keenly affected me. It was with something -akin to a bodily pang that I heard this fragile girl, so easily -subdued by such rebuke or menace as her companions would scarcely have -affected to fear, now pleading for punishment such as would have -quelled the pride and courage of the most high-spirited of her sex. I -felt the deepest pity, not so much for the fear with which she still -trembled as for the agony of terror she must have previously endured. -Eveena averted from her abject supplications a face in which I read -much pain, but more of what would have been disgust in a less -intensely sympathetic nature. And ere long I saw or felt in Eivé's -manner that which caused me suddenly to dismiss Eveena from the room, -as from a presence unfit for her spotless purity and exquisite -delicacy. Finding in me no sign of passionate anger, no readiness, but -reluctance to visit treason with physical pain, Eivé's own expression -changed. Unable to conceive the feeling that rendered the course she -had at first expected simply impossible to me, a nature I had utterly -misconceived caught at an idea few women, not experienced in the worst -of life's lessons, would have entertained. The tiny fragile form, the -slight limbs whose delicate proportions seemed to me almost those of -infancy, their irrepressible quivering plainly revealed by the absence -of robe and veil, no man worthy of the name could have beheld without -intense compassion. But such a feeling she could not realise. As her -features lost the sincerity of overwhelming fear, as the drooping lids -failed for one moment to conceal a look of almost assured exultation -in the dark eyes, my soul was suddenly and thoroughly revolted. I had -forgiven the hand aimed at a heart that never throbbed with a pulse -unkind to her. I might have forgotten the treason that requited -tenderness and trust by seeking my life; but I could never forget, -never recover, that moment's insight into thoughts that so outraged an -affection which, if my conscience belied me not, was absolutely -stainless and unselfish. - -It cost a strong persistent effort of self-control to address her -again. But a confession full and complete my duty to others compelled -me to enforce. The story of the next hour I never told or can tell. To -one only did I give a confidence that would have rendered explanation -natural; and that one was the last to whom I could have spoken on this -subject. Enough that the charming infantine simplicity had disguised -an elaborate treachery of which I reluctantly learned that human -nature is capable. The caressed and caressing child had sold my life, -if not her own soul, for the promise of wealth that could purchase -nothing I denied her, and of the first place among the women of her -world. That promise I soon found had not been warranted, directly or -indirectly, by him who alone could at present fulfil it. Needless to -relate the details either of the confession or its extortion. Enough -that Eivé learnt at last perforce that though I had, as it seemed to -her, been fool enough to spare her the vengeance of the law, and to -spare her still as far as possible, her power to fool me further was -gone for ever. Needless to speak of the lies repeated and sustained, -till truth was wrung from quivering lips and sobbing voice; of the -looks that appealed long and incredulously to a love as utterly -forfeited as misunderstood. To the last Eivé could not comprehend the -nature that, having spared her so much, would not spare wholly; the -mercy felt for the weakness, not for the charms of youth and sex. -Shamed, grieved, wounded to the quick, I quitted the presence of one -who, I fear, was as little worth the anguish I then endured for her, -as the tenderness she had so long betrayed; and left the late darling -of my house a prisoner under strict guard, necessary for the safety of -others than ourselves. - -Finding a message awaiting me, I sought at once the interview which -the Sovereign fearlessly granted. - -"I see," said the Prince with much feeling, as he received my salute, -"that you have gone through deeper pain than such domestic losses can -well cause to us. I am sorry that you are grieved. I can say no more, -and perhaps the less I say the less pain I shall give. Only permit me -this remark. Since I have known you, it has seemed to me that the -utter distinction between our character and yours, showing as it does -at so many points, springs from some single root-difference. We, so -careful of our own life and comfort, care little for those of others. -We, so afraid of pain, are indifferent to its infliction, unless we -have to witness it, and only some of us flinch from the sight. The -softness of heart you show in this trouble seems in some strange way -associated with the strength of heart which you have proved in -dangers, the least of which none of us would have encountered -willingly, and which, forced on us, would have unnerved us all. I am -glad to prove to you that to some extent I depart from my national -character and approach, however, distantly, to yours. I can feel for a -friend's sorrow, and I can face what you seem to consider a real -danger. But you had a purpose in asking this audience. My ears are -open--your lips are unsealed." - -"Prince," I replied, "what you have said opens the way to that I -wished to ask. You say truly that courage and tenderness have a common -root, as have the unmanly softness and equally unmanly hardness common -among your subjects. Those for whom death ends all utterly and for -ever will of necessity, at least as soon as the training of years and -of generations has rendered their thought consistent, dread death with -intensest fear, and love to brighten and sweeten life with every -possible enjoyment. Animal enjoyment becomes the most precious, since -it is the keenest. Higher pleasures lose half their value, when the -distinction between the two is reduced to the distinction between the -sensations of higher and lower nerve centres. Thus men care too much -for themselves to care for others; and after all, strong deep -affection, entwined with the heartstrings, can only torture and tear -the hearts for which death is a final parting. Such love as I have -felt for woman--even such love as I felt for her, your gift, whom I -have lost--would be pain intolerable if the thought were ever present -that one day we must, and any day we might, part for ever. I put the -knife against my breast, my life in your hand, when I say this, and I -ask of you no secrecy, no favour for myself; but that, as I trust you, -you will guard the life that is dearest to me if you take from me the -power to guard it.... There are those among your subjects who are not -the cowards you find around your throne, who are not brutal in their -households, not incapable of tenderness and sacrifice for others." - -As I spoke I carefully watched the Prince's face, on which no shade of -displeasure was visible; rather the sentiment of one who is somewhat -gratified to hear a perplexing problem solved in a manner agreeable to -his wishes. - -"And the reason is," I continued, "that these men and women believe or -know that they are answerable to an eternal Sovereign mightier than -yourself, and that they will reap, not perhaps here, but after death -as they shall have sown; that if they do not forfeit the promise by -their own deed, they shall rejoin hereafter those dearest to them -here." - -"There are such?" he said. "I would they were known to me. I had not -dreamed that there were in my realm men who would screen the heart of -another with their own palm." - -"Prince," I replied earnestly, "I as their ambassador as one of their -leaders, appeal to you to know and to protect them. They can defend -themselves at need, and, it may be, might prevail though matched one -against a thousand. For their weapons are those against which no -distance, no defences, no numbers afford protection. But in such a -strife many of their lives must be lost, and infinite suffering and -havoc wrought on foes they would willingly spare. They are threatened -with extermination by secret spite or open force; but open force will -be the last resort of enemies well aware that those who strike at the -Star have ever been smitten by the lightning." - -A slight change in his countenance satisfied me that the Emblem was -not unknown to him. - -"You say," he replied, "that there is an organised scheme to destroy -these people by force or fraud?" - -"The scheme, Prince, was confessed in my own hearing by one of its -instruments; and in proof thereof, my own life, as a Chief of the -Order, was attempted this morning." - -The Prince sprang to his feet in all the passion of a man who for the -first time receives a personal insult; of an Autocrat stung to the -quick by an unprecedented outrage to his authority and dignity. - -"Who has dared?" he said. "Who has taken on himself to make law, or -form plans for carrying out old law, without my leave? Who has dared -to strike at the life over which I have cast the shadow of my throne? -Give me their names, my guest, and, before the evening mist closes in -to-morrow, pronounce their doom." - -"I cannot obey your royal command. I have no proof against the only -man who, to my knowledge, can desire my death. Those who actually and -immediately aimed at my life are shielded by the inviolable weakness -of sex from the revenge and even the justice of manhood." - -"Each man," returned the Prince, but partially conceiving my meaning, -"is master at home. I wish I were satisfied that your heart will let -you deal justly and wisely with the most hateful offspring of the most -hateful of living races--a woman who betrays the life of her lord. But -those who planned a general scheme of destruction--a purpose of public -policy--without my knowledge, must aim also at my life and throne; for -even were their purpose such as I approved, attempted without my -permission, they know I would never pardon the presumption. I do not -sit in Council with dull ears, or silent lips, or empty hands; and it -is not for the highest more than for the lowest under me to snatch my -sceptre for a moment." - -"Guard then your own," I said. "Without your leave and in your -lifetime, open force will scarcely he used against us; and if against -secret murder or outrage we appeal to the law, you will see that the -law does justice?" - -"I will," he replied; "and I pardon your advice to guard my own, -because you judge me by my people. But a Prince's life is the charge -of his guards; the lives of his people are his care." - -He was silent for a few minutes, evidently in deep reflection. - -"I thank you," he said at last, "and I give you one warning in partial -return for yours. There is a law which can be used against the members -of a secret society with terrible effect. Not only are they exposed to -death if detected, but those who strike them are legally exempt from -punishment. I will care that that law shall not menace you long. -Whilst it remains guard yourselves; I am powerless to break it." - -As I quitted the Palace, Ergimo joined me and mounted my carriage. -Seizing a moment when none were within sight or hearing, he said-- - -"Astona was found two hours ago dead, as an enemy or a traitor dies. -She was seen to fall from the roof of her house, and none was near her -when she fell. But Davilo has already been arrested as her murderer, -on the ground that he was heard before sunrise this morning to say -that she must die." - -"Who heard that must have heard more. Let this news be quickly known -to whom it concerns." - -I checked the carriage instantly, and turned into a road that -conducted us in ten minutes to a public telegraph office. - -"Come with me," I said, "quickly. As an officer of the Camptâ your -presence may ensure the delivery of letters which might otherwise be -stopped." - -He seized the hint at once, and as we approached a vacant desk he said -to the nearest officer, "In the Camptâ's name;" a form which ensured -that the most audacious and curious spy, backed by the highest -authority save that invoked, dared neither stop nor search into a -message so warranted. Before I left the desk every Chief of the Zinta -at his several post had received, through that strange symbolic -language of which I have already given samples, from me advice of what -had occurred and from Esmo warning to meet at an appointed place and -time. - -The day at whose close we should meet was that of Davilo's trial. I -mingled with the crowd around the Court doors, a crowd manifesting -bitter hostility to the prisoner and to the Order, of whose secrets a -revelation was eagerly expected. Easily forcing my way through the -mass, I felt on a sudden a touch, a sign; and turning my eyes saw a -face I had surely never looked on before. Yet the sign could only have -been given by a colleague. That which followed implied the presence of -the Signet itself. - -"I told you," whispered a voice I knew well, "how completely we can -change even countenance at will." - -It was so; but though acquainted with the process, I had never -believed that the change could be so absolute. By help of my strength -and height, still more perhaps by the subtle influence of his own -powerful will acting none the less imperiously on minds unconscious of -its influence, Esmo made his way with me into the Court. - -Around five sides of the hexagon were seats, tier above tier, -appropriated to the public who wish to see as well as hear. The -phonograph reported every word uttered to hundreds of distant offices. -Against the sixth side were placed the seats of the seven judges; in -front, at an equal elevation, the chair of the prisoner, the seats of -the advocates on right and left, and the place from which each witness -must deliver his testimony in full view and within easy hearing both -of the bench, the bar, and the audience. Davilo sat in his chair -unguarded, but in an attitude strangely constrained and motionless. -Only his bright eyes moved freely, and his head turned a little from -side to side. He recognised us instantly, and his look expressed no -trace of fear. - -"The _quârry_" whispered Esmo, observing my perplexity. - -"It paralyses the nerves of motion, leaving those of sensation active; -and is administered to a prisoner on the instant of his arrest, so as -to keep him absolutely helpless till his sentence is executed, or till -on his acquittal an antidote is administered." - -The counsel for the prosecution stated in the briefest possible words -the story of Astona, from the moment when she left my house to that at -which she was found dead, and the method of her death; related -Davilo's words, and then proceeded to call his witnesses. Of course -the one vital question was whether by possibility Davilo, who had -never left my premises since the words were uttered, could have -brought about a death, evidently accidental in its immediate cause, at -a distance of many miles. His words were attested by one whom I -recognised as an officer of Endo Zamptâ, and I was called to confirm -or contradict them. The presiding judge, as I took my place, read a -brief telling terrible menace, expounding the legal penalties of -perjury. - -"You will speak the truth," he said, "or you know the consequences." - -As he spoke, he encountered Esmo's eyes, and quailed under the gaze, -sinking back into his seat motionless as the bird under the alleged -fascination of the serpent. I admitted that the words in question had -been addressed to me; and I proved that Davilo had been busily engaged -with me from that moment until an hour later than that of the fatal -accident. There being thus no dispute as to the facts, a keen contest -of argument proceeded between the advocates on either side. The -defenders of the prisoner ridiculed with an affectation of scientific -contempt--none the less effective because the chief pleader was -himself an experienced member of our Order--the idea that the actions -or fate of a person at a distance could be affected by the mere will -of another; and related, as absurd and incredible traditions of old to -this purport, some anecdotes which had been communicated to me as -among the best attested and most striking examples of the historical -exercise of the mystic powers. The able and bigoted sceptics, who -prosecuted this day in the interests of science, insisted, with equal -inconsistency and equal skill, on the innumerable recorded and -attested instances of some diabolical power possessed by certain -supposed members of a detested and malignant sect. A year ago the -judges would probably have sided unanimously with the former. But the -feeling that animated the conspiracy, if it should be so called, -against the Zinta, had penetrated all Martial society; and in order to -destroy the votaries of religion, Science, in the persons of her most -distinguished students, was this day ready to abjure her character, -and forswear her most cherished tenets. As has often happened in Mars, -and may one day happen on Earth as the new ideas come into greater -force, proven fact was deliberately set against logical impossibility; -and for once--what probably had not happened in Mars for ten thousand -years--proven fact and common sense carried the day against science -and "universal experience;" but, unhappily, against the prisoner. -After retiring separately for about an hour, the Judges returned. -Their brief and very confused decisions were read by the Secretary. -The reasons were seldom intelligible, each contradicting himself and -all his colleagues, and not one among the judgments having even the -appearance of cohesion and consistency. But, by six to one, they -doomed the prisoner to the vivisection-table. As he was carried forth -his eyes met ours, and the perfect calm and steadiness of their glance -astounded me not a little. - -My natural thought prompted, of course, an appeal to the mercy of the -Throne. In every State a power of giving effect in the law's despite -to public policy, or of commanding that, in certain strange and -unforeseen circumstances, common sense and practical justice shall -override a sentence which no court bound by the letter of the law can -withhold, must rest with the Sovereign. But in Mars the prerogative of -mercy, in the proper sense of the word--judicial rather than political -mercy--is exercised less by the Prince himself than by a small council -of judges advising him and pronouncing their decision in his name. -Even if we could have relied on the Camptâ with absolute confidence, -there were many reasons against an appeal which would, in fact, have -asked him to declare himself on our side. While such a declaration -might, in the existing state of public feeling, have caused revolt or -riot, it would have put on their guard, perhaps driven to a premature -attempt which he was not prepared to meet, the traitors whose scheme -against his life the Prince felt confident that he should speedily -detect and punish. - -All these considerations were brought before our Council, whose debate -was brief but not hurried or excited. The supreme calm of Esmo's -demeanour communicated itself to all the eleven, in not one of whom -could I recognise till they spoke my colleagues of our last Council. -The order went forth that a party should attend Esmo's orders at a -point about half a mile distant from the studio in which, for the -benefit of a great medical school, my unhappy friend was to be put to -torture indescribable. - -"Happily," said Esmo, "the first portion of the experiment will be -made by the Vivisector-General alone, and will commence at midnight. -Half an hour before that time our party will be assembled." - -I had insisted on being one of the band, and Esmo had very reluctantly -yielded to the unanimous approval of colleagues who thought that on -this occasion physical strength might render essential service at some -unforeseen crisis. Moreover, the place lying within my geographical -province, several of those engaged looked up to me as their immediate -chief, and it was thought well to place me on such an occasion at -their head. - -The night was, as had been predicted, absolutely dark, but the roads -were brilliantly lighted. Suddenly, however, as we drew towards the -point of meeting, the lights went out, an accident unprecedented in -Martial administration. - -"But they will be relighted!" said one of my companions. - -"Can human skill relight the lamps that the power of the Star has -extinguished?" was the reply of another. - -We fell in military order, with perfect discipline and steadiness, -under the influence of Esmo's silent will and scarcely discernible -gestures. The wing of the college in which the dissection was to take -place was guarded by some forty sentinels, armed with the spear and -lightning gun. But as we came close to them, I observed that each -stood motionless as a statue, with eyes open, but utterly devoid of -sight. - -"I have been here before you," murmured Esmo. "To the left." - -The door gave way at once before the touch of some electric instrument -or immaterial power wielded by his hand. We passed in, guided by him, -through one or two chambers, and along a passage, at the end of which -a light shone through a crystal door. Here proof of Esmo's superior -judgment was afforded. He would fain have had the party much smaller -than it was, and composed exclusively of the very few old and -experienced members of the Zinta within reach at the moment. We were -nearly a score in number, some even more inexperienced than myself, -half the party my own immediate followers; and I remembered far better -the feelings of a friend and a soldier than the lessons of the college -or the Shrine. As the door opened, and we caught sight of our friend -stretched on the vivisection table, the younger of the company, -hurried on by my own example, lost their heads and got, so to speak, -out of hand. We rushed tumultuously forward and fell on the Vivisector -and two assistants, who stood motionless and perhaps unconscious, but -with glittering knives just ready for their fiendish work. Before Esmo -could interpose, these executioners were cut down with the "crimson -blade" (cold steel); and we bore off our friend with more of eagerness -and triumph than at all befitted our own consciousness of power, or -suited the temper of our Chief. - -Never did Esmo speak so sharply or severely as in the brief reprimand -he gave us when we reassembled; the justice of which. I instinctively -acknowledged, as he ceased, by the salute I had given so often at the -close of less impressive and less richly deserved reprimands on the -parade ground or the march. Uninjured, and speedily relieved from the -effects of the _quârry_, Davilo was carried off to a place of -temporary concealment, and we dispersed. - -Eveena heard my story with more annoyance than interest, mortified not -a little by the reproof I had drawn upon myself and my followers; and, -despite her reluctance to seem to acknowledge a fault in me, -apparently afraid that a similar ebullition of feeling might on some -future occasion lead to serious disaster. - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - AZRAEL. - -To detain as a captive and a culprit, thus converting my own house -into a prison, my would-be murderess and former plaything, was -intolerably painful. To leave her at large was to incur danger such as -I had no right to bring on others. To dismiss her was less perilous -than the one course, less painful than the other, but combined peril -and pain in a degree which rendered both Eveena and myself most -reluctant to adopt it. From words of Esmo's, and from other sources, I -gathered that the usual course under such circumstances would have -been to keep the culprit under no other restraint than that -confinement to the house which is too common to be remarkable, -trusting to the terror which punishment inflicted and menaced by -domestic authority would inspire. But Eivé now understood the limits -which conscience or feeling imposed on the use of an otherwise -unlimited power. She knew very nearly how much she could have to fear; -and, timid as she was, would not be cowed or controlled by -apprehensions so defined and bounded. Eveena herself naturally -resented the peril, and was revolted by the treason even more -intensely than myself; and was for once hardly content that so heinous -a crime should be so lightly visited. In interposing "between the -culprit and the horrors of the law, she had taken for granted the -strenuous exertion of a domestic jurisdiction almost as absolute under -the circumstances as that of ancient Rome. - -"What suggested to you," I asked one day of Eveena, "the suspicion -that so narrowly saved my life?" - -"The carefully steadied hand--you have teased her so often for -spilling everything it carried--and the unsteady eyes. But," she added -reluctantly, "I never liked to watch her--no, not lest you should -notice it--but because she did not seem true in her ways with you; and -I should have missed those signs but for a strange warning." ... She -paused. - -"_I_ would not be warned," I answered with a bitter sigh. "Tell me, -Madonna." - -"It was when you left me in this room alone," she said, her exquisite -delicacy rendering her averse to recal, not the coercion she had -suffered, but the pain she knew I felt in so coercing her. "Dearest," -she added with a sudden effort, "let me speak frankly, and dispel the -pain you feel while you think over it in silence." - -I kissed the hand that clasped my own, and she went on, speaking with -intentional levity. - -"Had a Chief forgotten?" tracing the outline of a star upon her bosom. -"Or did you think Clavelta's daughter had no share in the hereditary -gifts of her family?" - -"But how did you unlock the springs?" - -"Ah! those might have baffled me if you had trusted to them. You made -a double mistake when you left Enva on guard.... You don't think I -tempted her to disobey? Eager as I was for release, I could not have -been so doubly false. She did it unconsciously. It is time to put her -out of pain." - -"Does she know me so little as to think I could mean to torture her by -suspense? Besides, even she must have seen that you had secured her -pardon." - -"Or my own punishment," Eveena answered. - -"Spare me such words, Eveena, unless you mean to make me yet more -ashamed of the compulsion I did employ. I never spoke, I never -thought"---- - -"Forgive me, dearest. Will it vex you to find how clearly your -flower-bird has learned to read your will through your eyes? When I -refused to obey, and you felt yourself obliged to compel, your first -momentary thought was to threaten, your next that I should not believe -you. When you laid your hand upon my shoulder, thus, it was no gesture -of anger or menace. You thought of the only promise I must believe, -and you dropped the thought as quickly as your hand. You would not -speak the word you might have to keep. Nay, dearest, what pains you -so? You gave me no pain, even when you called another to enforce your -command. Yet surely you know that _that_ must have tried my spirit far -more than anything else you could do. You did well. Do you think that -I did not appreciate your imperious anxiety for me; that I did not -respect your resolution to do what you thought right, or feel how much -it cost you? If anything in the ways of love like yours could pain me, -it would be the sort of reserved tenderness that never treats me as -frankly and simply as" ... "There was no need to name either of those -so dearly loved, so lately--and, alas! so differently--lost. Trusting -the loyalty of my love so absolutely in all else, can you not trust it -to accept willingly the enforcement of your will ... as you have -enforced it on all others you have ruled, from the soldiers of your -own world to the rest of your household? Ah! the light breaks through -the mist. Before you gave Enva her charge you said to me in her -presence, 'Forgive me what you force upon me;' as if I, above all, -were not your own to deal with as you will. Dearest, do you so wrong -her who loves you, and is honoured by your love, as to fancy that any -exertion of your authority could make her feel humbled in your eyes or -her own?" - -It was impossible to answer. Nothing would have more deeply wounded -her simple humility, so free from self-consciousness, as the plain -truth; that as her character unfolded, the infinite superiority of her -nature almost awed me as something--save for the intense and -occasionally passionate tenderness of her love--less like a woman than -an angel. - -"I was absorbed," she continued, "in the effort that had thrown Enva -into the slumber of obedience. I did not know or feel where I was or -what I had next to do. My thought, still concentrated, had forgotten -its accomplished purpose, and was bent on your danger. Somehow on the -cushioned pile I seemed to see a figure, strange to me, but which I -shall never forget. It was a young girl, very slight, pale, sickly, -with dark circles round the closed eyes, slumbering like Enva, but in -everything else Enva's very opposite. I suppose I was myself entranced -or dreaming, conscious only of my anxiety for you, so that it seemed -natural that everything should concern you. I remember nothing of my -dream but the words which, when I came to myself in the peristyle, -alone, were as clear in my memory as they are now:-- - - "'Watch the hand and read the eyes; - On his breast the danger lies-- - Strength is weak and childhood wise. - - "'Fail the bowl, and--'ware the knife! - Rests on him the Sovereign's life, - Rests the husband's on the wife. - - "'They that would his power command - Know who holds his heart in hand: - Silken tress is surest band. - - "'Well they judge Kargynda's mood, - Steel to peril, pain, and blood, - Surely through his mate subdued. - - "'Love can make the strong a slave, - Fool the wise and quell the brave ... - Love by sacrifice can save.'" - -"She again!" I exclaimed involuntarily. - -"You hear," murmured Eveena. "In kindness to me heed my warning, if -you have neglected all others. Do not break my heart in your mercy to -another. Eivé"---- - -"_Eivé_!--The prophetess knows me better than you do! The warning -means that they now desire my secret before my life, and scheme to -make your safety the price of my dishonour. It is the Devil's -thought--or the Regent's!" - -As I could not decide to send Eivé forth without home, protection, or -control, and Eveena could suggest no other course, the days wore on -under a domestic thunder-cloud which rendered the least sensitive -among us uncomfortable and unhappy, and deprived three at least of the -party of appetite, of ease, and almost of sleep, till two alarming -incidents broke the painful stagnation. - -I had just left Eivé's prison one morning when Eveena, who was -habitually entrusted with the charge of these communications, put into -my hands two slips of tafroo. The one had been given her by an ambâ, -and came from Davilo's substitute on the estate. It said simply: "You -and you alone were recognised among the rescuers of your friend. -Before two days have passed an attempt will be made to arrest you." -The other came from Esmo, and Eveena had brought it to me unread, as -was indeed her practice. I could not bear to look at her, though I -held her closely, as I read aloud the brief message which announced -the death, by the sting of two dragons (evidently launched by some -assassin's hand, but under circumstances that rendered detection by -ordinary means hopeless for the moment), of her brother and Esmo's -son, Kevimâ; and invited us to a funeral ceremony peculiar to the -Zinta. I need not speak of the painful minutes that followed, during -which Eveena strove to suppress for my sake at once her tears for her -loss and her renewed and intensified terror on my own account. It was -suddenly announced by the usual signs of the mute messenger that a -visitor awaited me in the hall. Ergimo brought a message from the -Camptâ, which ran as follows:-- - -"Aware that their treachery is suspected, the enemy now seek your -secret first, and then your life. Guard both for a very short time. -Your fate, your friends', and my own are staked on the issue. The same -Council that sends the traitors to the rack will see the law -repealed." - -I questioned Ergimo as to his knowledge of the situation. - -"The enemy," he said, "must have changed their plan. One among them, -at least, is probably aware that his treason is suspected both by his -Sovereign and by the Order. This will drive him desperate; and if he -can capture you and extort your secret, he will think he can use it to -effect his purpose, or at least to ensure his escape. He may think -open rebellion, desperate as it is, safer than waiting for the first -blow to come from the Zinta or from the Palace." - -My resolve was speedily taken. At the same moment came the necessity -for escape, and the opportunity and excuse. I sought out the writer of -the first message, who entirely concurred with me in the propriety of -the step I was about to take; only recommending me to apply personally -for a passport from the Camptâ, such as would override any attempt to -detain me even by legal warrant. He undertook to care for those I left -behind; to release and provide for Eivé, and to see, in case I should -not return, that full justice was done to the interests of the others, -as well as to their claim to release from contracts which my departure -from their world ought, like death itself, to cancel. The royal -passport came ere I was ready to depart, expressed in the fullest, -clearest language, and such as none, but an officer prepared instantly -to rebel against the authority which gave it, dared defy. During the -last preparations, Velna and Eveena were closeted together in the -chamber of the former; nor did I care to interrupt a parting the most -painful, save one, of those that had this day to be undergone. I went -myself to Eivé. - -"I leave you," I said, "a prisoner, not, I hope, for long. If I return -in safety, I will then consider in what manner the termination of your -confinement can be reconciled with what is due to myself and others. -If not, you will be yet more certainly and more speedily released. And -now, child whom I once loved, to whom I thought I had been especially -gentle and indulgent, was the miserable reward offered you the sole -motive that raised your hand against my life? Poison, I have always -said, is the protection of the household slave against the domestic -tyrant. If I had ever been harsh or unjust to you, if I had made your -life unhappy by caprice or by severity, I could understand. But you of -all have had least reason to complain. Not Enva's jealous temper, not -Leenoo's spite, ever suggested to them the idea which came so easily -and was so long and deliberately cherished in your breast." - -She rose and faced me, and there was something of contempt in the eyes -that answered mine for this once with the old fearless frankness. - -"I had no reason to hate you? Not certainly for the kind of injury -which commonly provokes women to risk the lives their masters have -made intolerable. That your discipline was the lightest ever known in -a household, I need not tell you. That it fell more lightly, if -somewhat oftener, on me than on others, you know as well as I. Put all -the correction or reproof I ever received from you into one, and -repeat it daily, and never should I have complained, much less dreamed -of revenge. You think Enva or Leenoo might less unnaturally, less -unreasonably, have turned upon you, because your measure to their -faults was somewhat harder and your heart colder to them! You did not -scruple to make a favourite of me after a fashion, as you would never -have done even of Eunané. You could pet and play with me, check and -punish me, as a child who would not 'sicken at the sweets, or be -humbled by the sandal.' You forbore longer, you dealt more sternly -with them, because, forsooth, they were women and I a baby. I, who was -not less clever than Eunané, not less capable of love, perhaps of -devotion to you, than Eveena, _I_ might rest my head on your knee when -she was by, I might listen to your talk when others were sent away; I -was too much the child, too little the woman, to excite your distrust -or her jealousy. Do you suppose I think better of you, or feel the -more kindly towards you, that you have not taken vengeance? No! still -you have dealt with me as a child; so untaught yet by that last -lesson, that even a woman's revenge cannot make you treat me as a -woman! Clasfempta! you bear, I believe, outside, the fame of a wise -and a firm man; but in these little hands you have been as weak a fool -as the veriest dotard might have been;--and may be yet." - -"As you will," I answered, stung into an anger which at any rate -quelled the worst pain I had felt when I entered the room. "Fool or -sage, Eivé, I was your fellow-creature, your protector, and your -friend. When bitter trouble befals you in life, or when, alone, you -find yourself face to face with death, you may think of what has -passed to-day. Then remember, for your comfort, my last words--I -forgive you, and I wish you happy." - -To Velna I could not speak. Sure that Eveena had told her all she -could wish to know or all it was safe to tell, a long embrace spoke my -farewell to her who had shared with me the first part of the long -watch of the death-chamber. Enva and her companions had gathered, not -from words, that this journey was more than an ordinary absence. Some -instinct or presentiment suggested to them that it might, possibly at -least, be a final parting; and I was touched as much as surprised by -the tears and broken words with which they assured me that, greatly as -they had vexed my home life, conscious as they were that they had -contributed to it no element but bitterness and trouble, they felt -that they had been treated with unfailing justice and almost unfailing -kindness. Then, turning to Eveena, Enva spoke for the rest-- - -"We should have treated you less ill if we could at all have -understood you. We understand you just as little now. Clasfempta is -man after all, bridling his own temper as a strong man rules a large -household of women or a herd of _ambau_. But you are not woman like -other women; and yet, in so far as women are or think they are softer -or gentler than men, so far, twelvefold twelve times told, are you -softer, tenderer, gentler than woman." - -Eveena struggled hard so far to suppress her sobs as to give an -answer. But, abandoning the effort, she only kissed warmly the lips, -and clasped long and tenderly the hands, that had never spoken a kind -word or done a kind act for her. At the very last moment she faltered -out a few words which were not for them. - -"Tell Eivé," she said, "I wish her well; and wishing her well, I -cannot wish her happy--_yet_." - -We embarked in the balloon, attended as on our last journey by two of -the brethren in my employment, both, I noticed, armed with the -lightning gun. I myself trusted as usual to the sword, strong, -straight, heavy, with two edges sharp as razors, that had enabled my -hand so often to guard my head; and the air-gun that reminded me of so -many days of sport, the more enjoyed for the peril that attended it. -Screened from observation, both reclining in our own compartment of -the car, Eveena and I spent the long undisturbed hours of the first -three days and nights of our journey in silent interchange of thought -and feeling that seldom needed or was interrupted by words. Her family -affections were very strong. Her brother had deserved and won her -love; but conscious so long of a peril surrounding myself, fearfully -impressed by the incident which showed how close that peril had come, -her thought and feeling were absorbed in me. So, could they have known -the present and foreseen the future, even those who loved her best and -most prized her love for them would have wished it to be. As we -crossed, at the height of a thousand feet, the river dividing that -continent between east and west which marks the frontier of Elcavoo, a -slight marked movement of agitation, a few eager whispers of -consultation, in the other compartment called my attention. -As I parted the screen, the elder of the attendant brethren addressed -me-- - -"There is danger," he said in a low tone, not low enough to escape -Eveena's quick ear when my safety was in question. "Another balloon is -steering right across our path, and one in it bears, as we see through -the _pavlo_ (the spectacle-like double field-glass of Mars), the sash -of a Regent, while his attendants wear the uniform of scarlet and -grey" (that of Endo Zamptâ). "Take, I beg you, this lightning-piece. -Will you take command, or shall we act for you?" - -Parting slightly the fold of the mantle I wore, for at that height, -save immediately under the rays of the sun, the atmosphere is cold, I -answered by showing the golden sash of my rank. We went on steadily, -taking no note whatever of the hostile vessel till it came within -hailing distance. - -"Keep your guns steadily pointed," I said, "happen what may. If you -have to fire, fire one at any who is ready to fire at us, the other at -the balloon itself." - -A little below but beside us Endo Zamptâ hailed. "I arrest you," he -said, addressing me by name, "on behalf of the Arch-Court and by their -warrant. Drop your weapons or we fire." - -"And I," I said, "by virtue of the Camptâ's sign and signet attached -to this," and Eveena held forth the paper, while my weapon covered the -Regent, "forbid you to interrupt or delay my voyage for a moment." - -I allowed the hostile vessel to close so nearly that Endo could read -through his glass the characters--purposely, I thought, made unusually -large--of his Sovereign's peremptory passport. To do so he had dropped -his weapon, and his men, naturally expecting a peaceable termination -to the interview, had laid down theirs. Mine had obeyed my order, and -we were masters of the situation, when, with a sudden turn of the -screw, throwing his vessel into an almost horizontal position, Endo -brought his car into collision with ours and endeavoured to seize -Eveena's person, as she leaned over with the paper in her hand. She -was too quick for him, and I called out at once, "Down, or we fire." -His men, about to grasp their pieces, saw that one of ours was -levelled at the balloon, and that before they could fire, a single -shot from us must send them earthwards, to be crushed into one -shapeless mass by the fall. Endo saw that he had no choice but to obey -or affect obedience, and, turning the tap that let out the gas by a -pipe passing through the car, sent his vessel rapidly downward, as -with a formal salute he affected to accept the command of his Prince. -Instantly grasping, not the lightning gun, which, if it struck their -balloon, must destroy their whole party in an instant, but my air-gun, -which, by making a small hole in the vast surface, would allow them to -descend alive though with unpleasant and perilous rapidity, I fired, -and by so doing prevented the use of an asphyxiator concealed in the -car, which the treacherous Regent was rapidly arranging for use. - -The success of these manoeuvres delighted my attendants, and gave them -a confidence they had not yet felt in my appreciation of Martial -perils and resources. We reached Ecasfe and Esmo's house without -further molestation, and a party of the Zinta watched the balloon -while Eveena and I passed into the dwelling. - -Preserved from corruption by the cold which Martial chemistry applies -at pleasure, the corpse of Kevimâ looked as the living man looked in -sleep, but calmer and with features more perfectly composed. Quietly, -gravely, with streaming tears, but with self-command which dispelled -my fear of evil consequences to her, Eveena kissed the lips that were -so soon to exist no longer. From the actual process by which the body -is destroyed, the taste and feeling of the Zinta exclude the immediate -relatives of the dead; and not till the golden chest with its -inscription was placed in Esmo's hands did we take further part in the -proceeding. Then the symbolic confession of faith, by which the -brethren attest and proclaim their confidence in the universal -all-pervading rule of the Giver of life and in the permanence of His -gift, was chanted. A Chief of the Order pronounced a brief but -touching eulogy on the deceased. Another expressed on behalf of all -their sympathy with the bereaved father and family. Consigned to their -care, the case that contained all that now remained to us of the last -male heir of the Founder's house was removed for conveyance to the -mortuary chamber of the subterrene Temple. But ere those so charged -had turned to leave the chamber in which the ceremony had passed, a -flash so bright as at noonday to light up the entire peristyle and the -chambers opening on it, startled us all; and a sentinel, entering in -haste and consternation, announced the destruction of our balloon by a -lightning flash from the weapon of some concealed enemy. Esmo, at this -alarming incident, displayed his usual calm resolve. He ordered that -carriages sufficient to convey some twenty-four of the brethren should -be instantly collected, and announced his resolve to escort us at once -to the Astronaut. Before five minutes had elapsed from the destruction -of the balloon, Zulve and the rest of the family had taken leave of -Eveena and myself. Attended by the party mustered, occupying a -carriage in the centre of the procession, we left the gate of the -enclosure. I observed, what seemed to escape even Esmo's attention, -that angry looks were bent upon us from many a roof, and that here and -there groups were gathered in the enclosures and on the road, among -whom I saw not a few weapons. I was glad to remember that a party of -the Zveltau still awaited Esmo's return at his own residence. We drove -as fast as the electric speed would carry us along the road I had -traversed once before in the company of her who was now my wife--to -be, I hoped, for the future my sole wife--and of him who had been ever -since our mortal enemy. Where the carriages could proceed no further -we dismounted, and Esmo mustered the party in order. All were armed -with the spear and lightning gun. Placing Eveena in the centre of a -solid square, Esmo directed me to take my place beside her. I -expostulated-- - -"Clavelta, it is impossible for me to take the place of safety, when -others who owe me nothing may be about to risk life on my behalf. -Eveena, as woman and as descendant of the Founder, may well claim -their protection. It is for me to share in her defence, not in her -safety." - -He raised the arm that bore the Signet, and looked at me with the calm -commanding glance that never failed to enforce his will. "Take your -place," he said; and recalled to the instincts of the camp, I raised -my hand in the military salute so long disused, and obeyed in silence. - -"Strike promptly, strike hard, and strike home," said Esmo to his -little party. "The danger that may threaten us is not from the law or -from the State, but from an attempt at murder through a perversion of -the law and in the name of the Sovereign. Those who threaten us aim -also at the Camptâ's life, and those we may meet are his foes as well -as ours. Conquered here, they can hardly assail us again. Victorious, -they will destroy us, not leave us an appeal to the law or to the -throne." - -Placing himself a little in front of the troop, our Chief gave the -signal to advance, and we moved forward. It seemed to me a fatal error -that no scout preceded us, no flanking party was thrown out. This -neglect reminded me that, my comrades and commander were devoid of -military experience, and I was about to remonstrate when, suddenly -wheeling on the rocky platform on which I had first paused in my -descent from the summit, and facing towards the latter, we encountered -a force outnumbering our own as two to one and wearing the colours of -the Regent. The front ranks quailed, as men always quailed under -Esmo's steady gaze, and lost nerve and order as they fell back to -right and left; a movement intended to give play to the asphyxiator -they had brought with them. Their strategy was no less ridiculous than -our own. Devoid for ages of all experience in conflict, both leaders -might have learned better from the conduct of the theme at bay. The -enemy were drawn up so near the turn that there was no room for the -use of their most destructive engine; and, had we been better -prepared, neither this nor their lightning guns would have been quick -enough to anticipate a charge that would have brought us hand to hand. -Even had they been steady and prompt, the suffocating shell would -probably have annihilated both parties, and the discharge would -certainly have been as dangerous to them as to us. In another instant -a flash from several of our weapons, simultaneously levelled, -shattered the instrument to fragments. We advanced at a run, and the -enemy would have given way at once but that their retreat lay up so -steep an incline, and neither to right nor left could they well -disperse, being hemmed in by a rocky wall on one side and a -precipitous descent on the other. From our right rear, however, where -the ground would have concealed a numerous ambush, I apprehended an -attack which must have been fatal; but even so simple and decisive a -measure had never occurred to the Regent's military ignorance. - -At this critical moment a flash from a thicket revealed the weapon of -some hidden enemy, who thus escaped facing the gaze that none could -encounter; and Esmo fell, struck dead at once by the lightning-shot. -The assassin sprang up, and I recognised the features of Endo Zamptâ. -Confounded and amazed, the Zveltau broke and fell backward, hurrying -Eveena away with them. Enabled by size and strength to extricate -myself at once, I stood at bay with my back against the rocks on our -left, a projection rising as high as my knee assisting to hinder the -enemy from entirely and closely surrounding me. I had thrown aside at -the moment of the attack the mantle that concealed my sash and star; -and I observed that another Chief had done the same. It was he who, -occupying at the trial the seat on Esmo's left, had shown the -strongest disposition to mercy, and now displayed the coolest courage -amid confusion and danger. - -"Rally them," I cried to him, "and trust the crimson blade [cold -steel]. These hounds will never face that." - -The enemy had rushed forward as our men fell back, and I was almost in -their midst, thus protected to a considerable extent from the -lightning projectile, against which alone I had no defence. Hand to -hand I was a match for more than one or two of my assailants, though -on this occasion I wore no defensive armour, and they were clad in -shirts of woven wire almost absolutely proof against the spear in -hands like theirs. - -To die thus, to die for her under her eyes, leaving to her widowed -life a living token of our love--what more could Allah grant, what -better could a lover and a soldier desire? There was no honour, and -little to satisfy even the passion of vengeance, in the sword-strokes -that clove one enemy from the shoulder to the waist, smote half -through the neck of a second, and laid two or three more dead or dying -at my feet. If the weight of the sword were lighter here than on -Earth, the arm that wielded it had been trained in very different -warfare, and possessed a strength which made the combat so unequal -that, had no other life hung on my blows, I should have been ashamed -to strike. As I paused for a moment under this feeling, I noted that, -outside the space half cleared by slaughter and by terror, the bearers -of the lightning gun were forming a sort of semicircle, embarrassed by -the comrades driven back upon them, but drawing momentarily nearer, -and seeking to enclose before firing the object of their aim. They -would have shattered my heart and head in another instant but -that--springing on the projecting stone of which I have spoken, which -raised her to my level--Eveena had flung her arms around me, and -sheltered my person with her own. This, and the confusion, -disconcerted the aim of most of the assailants. The roar and flash -half stunned me for a moment;--then, as I caught her in my left arm, I -became aware that it was but her lifeless form that I clasped to my -breast. Giving her life for mine, she had made mine worse than -worthless. My sword fell for a moment from my hand, retained only by -the wrist-knot, as I placed her gently and tenderly on the ground, -resting against the stone which had enabled her to effect the -sacrifice I as little desired as deserved. Then, grasping my weapon -again, and shouting instinctively the war-cry of another world, I -sprang into the midst of the enemy. At the same moment, "_Ent ân -Clazinta_" (To me the Zinta), cried the Chief behind; and having -rallied the broken ranks, even before the sight of Eveena's fall had -inspired reckless fury in the place of panic confusion, he led on the -Zveltau, the spear in hand elevated over their heads, and pointed at -the unprotected faces of the enemy. Exposed to the cold steel or its -Martial equivalent, the latter, as I had predicted, broke at once. My -sword did its part in the fray. They scarcely fought, neither did they -fling down their weapons. But in that moment neither force nor -surrender would have availed them. We gave no quarter to wounded or -unwounded foe. When, for lack of objects, I dropped the point of my -streaming sword, I saw Endo Zamptâ alive and unwounded in the hands of -the victors. - -"Coward, scoundrel, murderer!" I cried. "You shall die a more terrible -death than that which your own savage law prescribes for crimes like -yours. Bind him; he shall hang from my vessel in the air till I see -fit to let him fall! For the rest, see that none are left alive to -boast what they have done this day." - -Struggling and screaming, the Regent was dragged to the summit, and -hung by the waist, as I had threatened, from the entrance window of -the Astronaut. Esmo's body and those of the other slain among the -Zveltau had been raised, and our comrades were about to carry them to -the carriages and remove them homeward. From the wardrobe of the -Astronaut, furnished anew for our voyage, I brought a long soft -therne-cloak, intended for Eveena's comfort; and wrapped in it all -that was left to us of the loveliest form and the noblest heart that -in two worlds ever belonged to woman. I shred one long soft tress of -mingled gold and brown from those with which my hand had played; I -kissed for the last time the lips that had so often counselled, -pleaded, soothed, and never spoken a word that had better been left -unsaid. Then, veiling face and form in the soft down, I called around -me again the brethren who had fallen back out of sight of my last -farewell, and gave the corpse into their charge. Turning with restless -eagerness from the agony, which even the sudden shock that rendered me -half insensible could not deaden into endurable pain, to the passion -of revenge, I led two or three of our party to the foot of the ladder -beneath the entrance window of my vessel, and was about in their -presence to explain his fate more fully to the struggling, howling -victim, half mad with protracted terror. But at that moment my purpose -was arrested. I had often repeated to Eveena passages from those -Terrestrial works whose purport most resembled that of the mystic -lessons she so deeply prized; and words, on which in life she had -especially dwelt, seemed now to be whispered in my ear or my heart by -the voice which with bodily sense I could never hear again:-- -"Vengeance is Mine; I will repay." The absolute control of my will and -conscience, won by her perfect purity and unfailing rectitude, -outlasted Eveena's life. Turning to her murderer-- - -"You shall die," I said, "but you shall die not by revenge but by the -law; and not by your own law, but by that which, forbidding that -torture shall add to the sting of death, commands that 'Whoso sheddeth -man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.' Yet I cannot give you a -soldier's death," as my men levelled their weapons. Cutting the cord -that bound him, and grasping him from behind, I flung the wretch forth -from the summit far into the air; well assured that he would never -feel the blow that would dismiss his soul to its last account, before -that Tribunal to whose judgment his victim had appealed. Then I -entered the vessel, waved my hand in farewell to my comrades, and, -putting the machinery in action, rose from the surface and prepared to -quit a world which now held nothing that could detain or recal me. - - - -CHAPTER XXX - FAREWELL! - -My task was not quite done. It was well for me in the first moments of -this new solitude, of this maddening agony, that there was instant -work imperatively demanding the attention of the mind as well as the -exercise of the body. I had first, by means of the air pump, to fill -the vessel with an atmosphere as dense as that in which I had been -born and lived so long; then to close the entrance window and seal it -hermetically, and then to arrange the steering gear. To complete the -first task more easily, I arrested the motion of the vessel till she -rose only a few feet per minute. Whilst employed on the air pump, I -became suddenly aware, by that instinct by which most men have been at -one time or another warned of the unexpected proximity of friend or -foe, that I was not alone. Turning and looking in the direction of the -entrance, I saw, or thought I saw, once more the Presence beheld in -the Hall of the Zinta. But commanding, enthralling as were those eyes, -they could not now retain my attention; for beside that figure -appeared one whose presence in life or death left me no thought for -aught beside. I sprang forward, seemed to touch her hand, to clasp her -form, to reach the lips I bent my head to meet:--and then, in the -midst of the bright sunlight, a momentary darkness veiled all from my -eyes. Lifting my head, however, my glance fell, through the window to -which the Vision had drawn me, directly upon Ecasfe and upon the home -from which I had taken her whose remains were now being carried back -thither. Snatching up my field-glass, I scanned the scene of which I -had thus caught a momentary and confused glimpse. The roof was -occupied by a score of men armed with the lightning weapon, and among -them glanced the familiar badge--the band and silver star. Clambering -over the walls of the wide enclosure, and threatening to storm the -house, were a mob perhaps a thousand in number, many of them similarly -armed, the rest with staves, spears, or such rude weapons as chance -might afford. Two minutes brought me immediately over them. In -another, I was descending more rapidly than prudence would have -suggested. The strife seemed for a moment to cease, as one of the -crowd pointed, not to the impending destruction overhead, but to some -object apparently at an equal elevation to westward. A shout of -welcome from the remaining defenders of the house called right upward -the eyes of their assailants. For an instant they felt the bitterness -of death; a cry of agony and terror that pierced even the thick walls -and windows of the Astronaut reached my ears. Then a violent shock -threw me from my feet. Springing up, I knew what wholesale slaughter -had avenged Eveena and her father, preserved her family, and given a -last victory to the Symbol she so revered. In another instant I was on -the roof, and my hands clasped in Zulve's. - -"We know," she said. "Our darling's _esve_ brought us a line that told -all; and what is left of those who were all to me, of her who was so -much to you, will now be returned to us almost at once." - -We were interrupted. A cry drew my eyes to the right, where, springing -from a balloon to the car of which was attached a huge flag emblazoned -with the crimson and silver colours of the Suzerain, Ergimo stood -before us. - -"I am too late," he said, "to save life; in time only to put an end to -rebellion and avert murder. The Prince has fulfilled his promise to -you; has repealed the law that was to be a weapon in the hands that -aimed at his life and throne, as at the Star and its children. The -traitors, save one, the worst, have met by this time their just doom. -That one I am here to arrest. But where is our Chief? And," noticing -for the first time the group of women, who in the violence of alarm -and agony of sorrow had burst for once unconsciously the restraints of -a lifetime--"where ... Are you alone?" - -"Alone for ever," I said; and as I spoke the procession that with bare -and bent heads carried two veiled forms into the peristyle below told -all he sought to know. I need not dwell on the scene that followed. I -scarcely remember anything, till a chest of gold, bearing the cipher -which though seldom seen I knew so well, was placed in my hands. I -turned to Zulve, and to Ergimo, who stood beside her. - -"Have you need of me?" I said. "If I can serve her house I will remain -willingly, and as long as I can help or comfort." - -"No," replied Ergimo; for Zulve could not speak. "The household of -Clavelta are safe and honoured henceforth as no other in the land. -Something we must ask of him who is, at any rate for the present, the -head of this household, and the representative of the Founder's -lineage. It may be," he whispered, "that another" (and his eyes fell -on the veiled forms whose pink robes covered with dark crimson gauze -indicated the younger matrons of the family) "may yet give to the -Children of the Star that natural heir to the Signet we had hoped from -your own household. But the Order cannot remain headless." - -Here Zulve, approaching, gave into my hand the Signet unclasped from -her husband's arm ere the coffer was closed upon his form. I understood -her meaning; and, as for the time the sole male representative of the -house, I clasped it on the arm of the Chief who succeeded to Esmo's -rank, and to whom I felt the care of Esmo's house might be safely -left. The due honour paid to his new office, I turned to depart. Then -for the first time my eyes fell on the unveiled countenance and -drooping form of one unlike, yet so like Eveena--her favourite and -nearest sister, Zevle. I held out my hand; but, emotion overcoming the -habits of reserve, she threw herself into my arms, and her tears fell -on my bosom, hardly faster than my own as I stooped and kissed her -brow. I had no voice to speak my farewell. But as the Astronaut rose -for the last time from the ground, the voices of my brethren chanted -in adieu the last few lines of the familiar formula-- - - "Peace be yours no force can break, - Peace not Death hath power to shake;" - - * * * * * - - "Peace from peril, fear, and pain; - Peace--until we meet again! - Not before the sculptured stone, - But the All-Commander's Throne." - - - -[Footnote 1: Qy. [GREEK: apo], from, [GREEK: ergos], work--as -en-ergy?] - -[Footnote 2: The chemical notation of the MS. is unfortunately -different from any known to any chemist of my acquaintance, and -utterly undecipherable.] - -[Footnote 3: Last figures illegible: the year is probably 183.] - -[Footnote 4: These distances are given in Roman measures and round -numbers not easy of exact rendering.] - -[Footnote 5: In 1830 or thereabouts.--ED.] - -[Footnote 6: The Martial year is 687 of our days, and eight Martial -years are nearly equivalent to fifteen Terrestrial. Roughly, and in -round numbers, the time figures given may be multiplied by two to -reduce them to Terrestrial periods.--ED.] - -[Footnote 7: Say fifty-sixth; in effect, fiftieth.--Narrator.] - -[Footnote 8: Equivalent in time to ninety-three and forty-seven with -us; in effect corresponding to eighty and forty.] - -[Footnote 9: About ninety; in time, one hundred and six.] - -[Footnote 10: Seventy; in time, eighty-three.--_Narrator_.] - -[Footnote 11: The centuries, hundreds, thousands, etc., appear to -represent multiples of twelve, not ten.--ED.] - -[Footnote 12: Aluminium?--ED.] - -[Footnote 13: Here, and here only, the name is written in full; but -the first part is blurred. It may be Alius (Ali), Julius (Jules), -Elias, or may represent any one of a dozen English surnames. The -single cipher, employed elsewhere throws no light on it.--ED.] - - - -[Transcriber's Notes: A page was torn in our print copy, causing -a few lines in Chapter I to be illegible. The missing words have -been indicated with [***]. Also, "authypnotism" was corrected to -"autohypnotism."] - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACROSS THE ZODIAC*** - - -******* This file should be named 10165-8.txt or 10165-8.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/1/6/10165 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -https://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS," WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at https://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit https://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including including checks, online payments and credit card -donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's -eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, -compressed (zipped), HTML and others. - -Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over -the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. -VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving -new filenames and etext numbers. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - -https://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - -EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, -are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to -download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular -search system you may utilize the following addresses and just -download by the etext year. - -http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext06 - - (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, - 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) - -EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are -filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part -of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is -identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single -digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For -example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: - -https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 - -or filename 24689 would be found at: -https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 - -An alternative method of locating eBooks: -https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL - -*** END: FULL LICENSE *** diff --git a/old/10165-8.zip b/old/10165-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 21ff3bf..0000000 --- a/old/10165-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/10165.txt b/old/10165.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 42f96e4..0000000 --- a/old/10165.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16437 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Across the Zodiac, by Percy Greg - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: Across the Zodiac - -Author: Percy Greg - -Release Date: November 21, 2003 [eBook #10165] -[Last updated: March 19, 2014] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACROSS THE ZODIAC*** - - -E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Keith M. Eckrich, Tom Allen, and the -Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - -ACROSS THE ZODIAC: The Story of a Wrecked Record - -DECIPHERED, TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY PERCY GREG - -AUTHOR OF "THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE" ETC. - - - - - - - - "Thoughts he sends to each planet, - Uranus, Venus, and Mars; - Soars to the Centre to span it, - Numbers the infinite Stars." - - _Courthope's Paradise of Birds_ - - - -CONTENTS - - I. SHIPWRECK. - - II. OUTWARD BOUND. - - III. THE UNTRAVELLED DEEP. - - IV. A NEW WORLD. - - V. LANGUAGE, LAWS, AND LIFE. - - VI. AN OFFICIAL VISIT. - - VII. ESCORT DUTY. - - VIII. A FAITH AND ITS FOUNDER. - - IX. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. - - X. WOMAN AND WEDLOCK. - - XI. A COUNTRY DRIVE. - - XII. ON THE RIVER. - - XIII. THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT. - - XIV. BY SEA. - - XV. FUR-HUNTING. - - XVI. TROUBLED WATERS. - - XVII. PRESENTED AT COURT. - - XVIII. A PRINCE'S PRESENT. - - XIX. A COMPLETE ESTABLISHMENT. - - XX. LIFE, SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. - - XXI. PRIVATE AUDIENCES. - - XXII. PECULIAR INSTITUTIONS. - - XXIII. CHARACTERISTICS. - - XXIV. WINTER. - - XXV. APOSTACY. - - XXVI. TWILIGHT. - - XXVII. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW. - - XXVIII. DARKER YET. - - XXIX. AZRAEL. - - XXX. FAREWELL. - - - -CHAPTER I - SHIPWRECK. - -Once only, in the occasional travelling of thirty years, did I lose -any important article of luggage; and that loss occurred, not under -the haphazard, devil-take-the-hindmost confusion of English, or the -elaborate misrule of Continental journeys, but through the absolute -perfection and democratic despotism of the American system. I had to -give up a visit to the scenery of Cooper's best Indian novels--no -slight sacrifice--and hasten at once to New York to repair the loss. -This incident brought me, on an evening near the middle of September -1874, on board a river steamboat starting from Albany, the capital of -the State, for the Empire City. The banks of the lower Hudson are as -well worth seeing as those of the Rhine itself, but even America has -not yet devised means of lighting them up at night, and consequently I -had no amusement but such as I could find in the conversation of my -fellow-travellers. With one of these, whose abstinence from personal -questions led me to take him for an Englishman, I spoke of my visit to -Niagara--the one wonder of the world that answers its warranty--and to -Montreal. As I spoke of the strong and general Canadian feeling of -loyalty to the English Crown and connection, a Yankee bystander -observed-- - -"Wal, stranger, I reckon we could take 'em if we wanted tu!" - -"Yes," I replied, "if you think them worth the price. But if you do, -you rate them even more highly than they rate themselves; and English -colonists are not much behind the citizens of the model Republic in -honest self-esteem." - -"Wal," he said, "how much du yew calc'late we shall hev to pay?" - -"Not more, perhaps, than you can afford; only California, and every -Atlantic seaport from Portland to Galveston." - -"Reckon yew may be about right, stranger," he said, falling back with -tolerable good-humour; and, to do them justice, the bystanders seemed -to think the retort no worse than the provocation deserved. - -"I am sorry," said my friend, "you should have fallen in with so -unpleasant a specimen of the character your countrymen ascribe with -too much reason to Americans. I have been long in England, and never -met with such discourtesy from any one who recognised me as an -American." - -After this our conversation became less reserved; and I found that I -was conversing with one of the most renowned officers of irregular -cavalry in the late Confederate service--a service which, in the -efficiency, brilliancy, and daring of that especial arm, has never -been surpassed since Maharbal's African Light Horse were recognised by -friends and foes as the finest corps in the small splendid army of -Hannibal. - -Colonel A---- (the reader will learn why I give neither his name nor -real rank) spoke with some bitterness of the inquisitiveness which -rendered it impossible, he said, to trust an American with a secret, -and very difficult to keep one without lying. We were presently joined -by Major B----, who had been employed during the war in the conduct of -many critical communications, and had shown great ingenuity in -devising and unravelling ciphers. On this subject a somewhat -protracted discussion arose. I inclined to the doctrine of Poe, that -no cipher can be devised which cannot be detected by an experienced -hand; my friends indicated simple methods of defeating the processes -on which decipherers rely. - -"Poe's theory," said the Major, "depends upon the frequent recurrence -of certain letters, syllables, and brief words in any given language; -for instance, of _e_'s and _t_'s, _tion_ and _ed_, _a_, _and_, and -_the_ in English. Now it is perfectly easy to introduce abbreviations -for each of the common short words and terminations, and equally easy -to baffle the decipherer's reliance thereon by inserting meaningless -symbols to separate the words; by employing two signs for a common -letter, or so arranging your cipher that no one shall without extreme -difficulty know which marks stand for single and which for several -combined letters, where one letter ends and another begins." - -After some debate, Colonel A---- wrote down and handed me two lines in -a cipher whose character at once struck me as very remarkable. - -"I grant," said I, "that these hieroglyphics might well puzzle a more -practised decipherer than myself. Still, I can point out even here a -clue which might help detection. There occur, even in these two lines, -three or four symbols which, from their size and complication, are -evidently abbreviations. Again, the distinct forms are very few, and -have obviously been made to serve for different letters by some slight -alterations devised upon a fixed rule. In a word, the cipher has been -constructed upon a general principle; and though it may take a long -time to find out what that principle is, it affords a clue which, -carefully followed out, will probably lead to detection." - -"You have perceived," said Colonel A----, "a fact which it took me -very long to discover. I have not deciphered all the more difficult -passages of the manuscript from which I took this example; but I have -ascertained the meaning of all its simple characters, and your -inference is certainly correct." - -Here he stopped abruptly, as if he thought he had said too much, and -the subject dropped. - -We reached New York early in the morning and separated, having -arranged to visit that afternoon a celebrated "spiritual" medium who -was then giving _seances_ in the Empire City, and of whom my friend -had heard and repeated to me several more or less marvellous stories. -Our visit, however, was unsatisfactory; and as we came away Colonel -A---- said-- - -"Well, I suppose this experience confirms you in your disbelief?" - -"No," said I. "My first visits have generally been failures, and I -have more than once been told that my own temperament is most -unfavourable to the success of a seance. Nevertheless, I have in some -cases witnessed marvels perfectly inexplicable by known natural laws; -and I have heard and read of others attested by evidence I certainly -cannot consider inferior to my own." - -"Why," he said, "I thought from your conversation last night you were -a complete disbeliever." - -"I believe," answered I, "in very little of what I have seen. But that -little is quite sufficient to dispose of the theory of pure imposture. -On the other hand, there is nothing spiritual and nothing very human -in the pranks played by or in the presence of the mediums. They remind -one more of the feats of traditionary goblins; mischievous, noisy, -untrustworthy; insensible to ridicule, apparently delighting to make -fools of men, and perfectly indifferent to having the tables turned -upon themselves." - -"But do you believe in goblins?" - -"No," I replied; "no more than in table-turning ghosts, and less than -in apparitions. I am not bound to find either sceptics or -spiritualists in plausible explanations. But when they insist on an -alternative to their respective theories, I suggest Puck as at least -equally credible with Satan, Shakespeare, or the parrot-cry of -imposture. It is the very extravagance of illogical temper to call on -me to furnish an explanation _because_ I say 'we know far too little -of the thing itself to guess at its causes;' but of the current -guesses, imposture seems inconsistent with the evidence, and -'spiritual agency' with the character of the phenomena." - -"That," replied Colonel A----, "sounds common sense, and sounds even -more commonplace. And yet, no one seems really to draw a strong, clear -line between non-belief and disbelief. And you are the first and only -man I ever met who hesitates to affirm the impossibility of that which -seems to him wildly improbable, contrary at once to received opinion -and to his own experience, and contrary, moreover, to all known -natural laws, and all inferences hitherto drawn from them. Your men of -science dogmatise like divines, not only on things they have not seen, -but on things they refuse to see; and your divines are half of them -afraid of Satan, and the other half of science." - -"The men of science have," I replied, "like every other class, their -especial bias, their peculiar professional temptation. The -anti-religious bigotry of Positivists is quite as bitter and -irrational as the theological bigotry of religious fanatics. At -present the two powers countervail and balance each other. But, as -three hundred years ago I should certainly have been burnt for a -heretic, so fifty or a hundred years hence, could I live so long, I -should be in equal apprehension of being burnt by some successor of -Mr. Congreve, Mr. Harrison, or Professor Huxley, for presuming to -believe in Providential government." - -"The intolerance of incredulity," returned Colonel A----, "is a sore -subject with me. I once witnessed a phenomenon which was to me quite -as extraordinary as any of the 'spiritual' performances. I have at -this moment in my possession apparently irresistible evidence of the -reality of what then took place; and I am sure that there exists at a -point on the earth's surface, which unluckily I cannot define, strong -corroborative proof of my story. Nevertheless, the first persons who -heard it utterly ridiculed it, and were disposed to treat me either as -a madman, or at best as an audacious trespasser on that privilege of -lying which belonged to them as mariners. I told it afterwards to -three gentlemen of station, character, and intelligence, every one of -whom had known me as soldier, and I hope as gentleman, for years; and -in each case the result was a duel, which has silenced those who -imputed to me an unworthy and purposeless falsehood, but has left a -heavy burden on my conscience, and has prevented me ever since from -repeating what I know to be true and believe to be of greater -interest, and in some sense of greater importance, than any scientific -discovery of the last century. Since the last occasion on which I told -it seven years have elapsed, and I never have met any one but yourself -to whom I have thought it possible to disclose it." - -"I have," I answered, "an intense interest in all occult phenomena; -believing in regard to alleged magic, as the scientists say of -practical science, that every one branch of such knowledge throws -light on others; and if there be nothing in your story which it is -personally painful to relate, you need not be silenced by any -apprehension of discourteous criticism on my part." - -"I assure you," he said, "I have no such wish now to tell the story as -I had at first. It is now associated with the most painful incident of -my life, and I have lost altogether that natural desire for sympathy -and human interest in a matter deeply interesting to myself, which, -like every one else, I felt at first, and which is, I suppose, the -motive that prompts us all to relate often and early any occurrence -that has keenly affected us, in whatever manner. But I think that I -have no right to suppress so remarkable a fact, if by telling it I can -place it effectually on record for the benefit of men sensible enough -to believe that it may have occurred, especially since somewhere in -the world there must yet exist proof that it did occur. If you will -come to my rooms in ---- Street tomorrow, Number 999, I will not -promise, but I think that I shall have made up my mind to tell you -what I have to tell, and to place in your hands that portion of the -evidence which is still at my command--evidence that has a -significance of its own, to which my experience is merely episodical." - -I spent that evening with the family of a friend, one of several -former officers of the Confederacy, whose friendship is the one -permanent and valuable result of my American tour. I mentioned the -Colonel's name, and my friend, the head of the family, having served -with him through the Virginian campaigns, expressed the highest -confidence in his character, the highest opinion of his honour and -veracity; but spoke with bitter regret and pain of the duels in which -he had been engaged, especially of one which had been fatal; remarking -that the motive in each instance remained unknown even to the seconds. -"I am sure," he said "that they were not, could not have been, fought -for the one cause that would justify them and explain the secrecy of -the quarrel--some question involving female honour or reputation. I -can hardly conceive that any one of his adversaries could have called -in question in any way the personal loyalty of Colonel A----; and, as -you remarked of General M----, it is too absurd for a man who had -faced over and over again the fire of a whole brigade, who had led -charges against fourfold numbers, to prove his personal courage with -sword or pistol, or to think that any one would have doubted either -his spirit or his nerve had he refused to fight, whatever the -provocation. Moreover, in each case he was the challenger." - -"Then these duels have injured him in Southern opinion, and have -probably tended to isolate him from society?" - -"No," he replied. "Deeply as they were regretted and disapproved, his -services during the war were so brilliant, and his personal character -stands so high, that nothing could have induced his fellow-soldiers to -put any social stigma upon him. To me he must know that he would be -most welcome. Yet, though we have lived in the same city for five -years, I have only encountered him three or four times in the street, -and then he has passed with the fewest possible words, and has neither -given me his address nor accepted my urgent invitations to visit us -here. I think that there is something in the story of those duels that -will never be known, certainly something that has never been guessed -yet. And I think that either the circumstances in which they must have -had their origin, or the duels themselves, have so weighed upon his -spirits, perhaps upon his conscience, that he has chosen to avoid his -former friends, most of them also the friends of his antagonists. -Though the war ruined him as utterly as any of the thousands of -Southern gentlemen whom it has reduced from wealth to absolute -poverty, he has refused every employment which would bring him before -the public eye." - -"Is there," I asked, "any point of honour on which you could suppose -him to be so exceptionally sensitive that he would think it necessary -to take the life of a man who touched him on that point, though -afterwards his regret, if not repentance, might be keen enough to -crush his spirit or break his heart?" - -The General paused for a moment, and his son then interposed-- - -"I have heard it said that Colonel A---- was in general the least -quarrelsome of Confederate officers; but that on more than one -occasion, where his statement upon some point of fact had been -challenged by a comrade, who did not intend to question his veracity -but simply the accuracy of his observation, their brother officers had -much trouble in preventing a serious difficulty." - -The next day I called as agreed upon my new-found friend, and with -some reluctance he commenced his story. - -"During the last campaign, in February 1865, I was sent by General Lee -with despatches for Kirby Smith, then commanding beyond the -Mississippi. I was unable to return before the surrender, and, for -reasons into which I need not enter, I believed myself to be marked -out by the Federal Government for vengeance. If I had remained within -their reach, I might have shared the fate of Wirz and other victims of -calumnies which, once put in circulation during the war, their -official authors dared not retract at its close. Now I and others, -who, if captured in 1865, might probably have been hanged, are neither -molested nor even suspected of any other offence than that of -fighting, as our opponents fought, for the State to which our -allegiance was due. However, I thought it necessary to escape before -the final surrender of our forces beyond the Mississippi. I made my -way to Mexico, and, like one or two Southern officers of greater -distinction than myself, entered the service of the Emperor -Maximilian, not as mere soldiers of fortune, but because, knowing -better than any but her Southern neighbours knew it the miserable -anarchy of Mexico under the Republic, we regarded conquest as the one -chance of regeneration for that country, and the Emperor Maximilian as -a hero who had devoted himself to a task heroic at once in its danger -and difficulty--the restoration of a people with whom his house had a -certain historical connection to a place among the nations of the -civilised world. After his fall, I should certainly have been shot had -I been caught by the Juarists in pursuit of me. I gained the Pacific -coast, and got on board an English vessel, whose captain--loading for -San Francisco--generously weighed anchor and sailed with but half a -cargo to give me a chance of safety. He transferred me a few days -afterwards to a Dutch vessel bound for Brisbane, for at that time I -thought of settling in Queensland. The crew was weak-handed, and -consisted chiefly of Lascars, Malays, and two or three European -desperadoes of all languages and of no country. Her master was barely -competent to the ordinary duties of his command; and it was no -surprise to me when the first storm that we encountered drove us -completely out of our course, nor was I much astonished that the -captain was for some days, partly from fright and partly from drink, -incapable of using his sextant to ascertain the position of the ship. -One night we were awakened by a tremendous shock; and, to spare you -the details of a shipwreck, which have nothing to do with my story, we -found ourselves when day broke fast on a coral reef, about a mile from -an island of no great size, and out of sight of all other land. The -sextant having been broken to pieces, I had no means of ascertaining -the position of this island, nor do I now know anything of it except -that it lay, in the month of August, within the region of the -southeast trade winds. We pulled on shore, but, after exploring the -island, it was found to yield nothing attractive to seamen except -cocoa-nuts, with which our crew had soon supplied themselves as -largely as they wished, and fish, which were abundant and easily -caught, and of which they were soon tired. The captain, therefore, -when he had recovered his sobriety and his courage, had no great -difficulty in inducing them to return to the ship, and endeavour -either to get her off or construct from her timbers a raft which, -following the course of the winds, might, it was thought, bring them -into the track of vessels. This would take some time, and I meanwhile -was allowed to remain (my own wish) on _terra firma_; the noise, dirt, -and foul smells of the vessel being, especially in that climate, -intolerable. - -"About ten o'clock in the morning of the 25th August 1867, I was lying -towards the southern end of the island, on a little hillock tolerably -clear of trees, and facing a sort of glade or avenue, covered only -with brush and young trees, which allowed me to see the sky within -perhaps twenty degrees of the horizon. Suddenly, looking up, I saw -what appeared at first like a brilliant star considerably higher than -the sun. It increased in size with amazing rapidity, till, in a very -few seconds after its first appearance, it had a very perceptible -disc. For an instant it obscured the sun. In another moment a -tremendous shock temporarily deprived me of my senses, and I think -that more than an hour had elapsed before I recovered them. Sitting -up, somewhat confused, and looking around me, I became aware that some -strange accident had occurred. In every direction I saw such traces of -havoc as I had witnessed more than once when a Confederate force -holding an impenetrable woodland had been shelled at random for some -hours with the largest guns that the enemy could bring into the field. -Trees were torn and broken, branches scattered in all directions, -fragments of stone, earth, and coral rock flung all around. -Particularly I remember that a piece of metal of considerable size had -cut off the tops of two or three trees, and fixed itself at last on -what was now the summit of one about a third of whose length had been -broken off and lay on the ground. I soon perceived that this -miraculous bombardment had proceeded from a point to the -north-eastward, the direction in which at that season and hour the sun -was visible. Proceeding thitherward, the evidences of destruction -became every minute more marked, I might say more universal. Trees had -been thrown down, torn up by the roots, hurled against one another; -rocks broken and flung to great distances, some even thrown up in the -air, and so reversed in falling that, while again half buried in the -soil, they exposed what had been their undermost surface. In a word, -before I had gone two miles I saw that the island had sustained a -shock which might have been that of an earthquake, which certainly -equalled that of the most violent Central American earthquakes in -severity, but which had none of the special peculiarities of that kind -of natural convulsion. Presently I came upon fragments of a shining -pale yellow metal, generally small, but in one or two cases of -remarkable size and shape, apparently torn from some sheet of great -thickness. In one case I found embedded between two such jagged -fragments a piece of remarkably hard impenetrable cement. At last I -came to a point from which through the destruction of the trees the -sea was visible in the direction in which the ship had lain; but the -ship, as in a few moments I satisfied myself, had utterly disappeared. -Reaching the beach, I found that the shock had driven the sea far up -upon the land; fishes lying fifty yards inland, and everything -drenched in salt water. At last, guided by the signs of -ever-increasing devastation, I reached the point whence the mischief -had proceeded. I can give no idea in words of what I there found. The -earth had been torn open, rooted up as if by a gigantic explosion. In -some places sharp-pointed fragments of the coral rock, which at a -depth of several feet formed the bed of the island, were discernible -far below the actual surface. At others, the surface itself was raised -several feet by _debris_ of every kind. What I may call the -crater--though it was no actual hole, but rather a cavity torn and -then filled up by falling fragments--was two or three hundred feet in -circumference; and in this space I found considerable masses of the -same metallic substance, attached generally to pieces of the cement. -After examining and puzzling myself over this strange scene for some -time, my next care was to seek traces of the ship and of her crew; and -before long I saw just outside the coral reef what had been her -bowsprit, and presently, floating on the sea, one of her masts, with -the sail attached. There could be little doubt that the shock had -extended to her, had driven her off the reef where she had been fixed -into the deep water outside, where she must have sunk immediately, and -had broken her spars. No traces of her crew were to be seen. They had -probably been stunned at the same time that they were thrown into deep -water; and before I came in sight of the point where she had perished, -whatever animal bodies were to be found must have been devoured by the -sharks, which abounded in that neighbourhood. Dismay, perplexity, and -horror prevented my doing anything to solve my doubts or relieve my -astonishment before the sun went down; and during the night my sleep -was broken by snatches of horrible dreams and intervals of waking, -during which I marvelled over what I had seen, scarcely crediting my -memory or my senses. In the morning, I went back to the crater, and -with some tools that had been left on shore contrived to dig somewhat -deeply among the _debris_ with which it was filled. I found very -little that could enlighten me except pieces of glass, of various -metals, of wood, some of which seemed apparently to have been portions -of furniture; and one damaged but still entire relic, which I -preserved and brought away with me." - -Here the Colonel removed a newspaper which had covered a portion of -his table, and showed me a metallic case beaten out of all shape, but -apparently of what had been a silvery colour, very little rusted, -though much soiled. This he opened, and I saw at once that it was of -enormous thickness and solidity, to which and to favouring -circumstances it owed its preservation in the general ruin he -described. That it had undergone some severe and violent shock there -could be no question. Beside the box lay a less damaged though still -seriously injured object, in which I recognised the resemblance of a -book of considerable thickness, and bound in metal like that of the -case. This I afterwards ascertained beyond doubt to be a metalloid -alloy whereof the principal ingredient was aluminium, or some -substance so closely resembling it as not to be distinguishable from -it by simple chemical tests. A friend to whom I submitted a small -portion broken off from the rest expressed no doubt that it was a kind -of aluminium bronze, but inclined to believe that it contained no -inconsiderable proportion of a metal with which chemists are as yet -imperfectly acquainted; perhaps, he said, silicon; certainly something -which had given to the alloy a hardness and tenacity unknown to any -familiar metallurgical compound. - -"This," said my friend, opening the volume, "is a manuscript which was -contained in this case when I took it from among the debris of the -crater. I should have told you that I found there what I believed to -be fragments of human flesh and bone, but so crushed and mangled that -I could form no positive conclusion. My next care was to escape from -the island, which I felt sure lay far from the ordinary course of -merchant vessels. A boat which had brought me ashore--the smaller of -the two belonging to the ship--had fortunately been left on the end of -the island furthest from that on which the vessel had been driven, and -had, owing to its remoteness, though damaged, not been fatally injured -by the shock. I repaired this, made and fixed a mast, and with no -little difficulty contrived to manufacture a sort of sail from strips -of bark woven together. Knowing that, even if I could sustain life on -the island, life under such circumstances would not be worth having, I -was perfectly willing to embark upon a voyage in which I was well -aware the chances of death were at least as five to one. I caught and -contrived to smoke a quantity of fish sufficient to last me for a -fortnight, and filled a small cask with brackish but still drinkable -water. In this vessel, thus stored, I embarked about a fortnight after -the day of the mysterious shock. On the second evening of my voyage I -was caught by a gale which compelled me to lower the sail, and before -which I was driven for three days and nights, in what direction I can -hardly guess. On the fourth morning the wind had fallen, and by noon -it was a perfect calm. I need not describe what has been described by -so many shipwrecked sailors,--the sufferings of a solitary voyager in -an open boat under a tropical sun. The storm had supplied me with -water more than enough; so that I was spared that arch-torture of -thirst which seems, in the memory of such sufferers, to absorb all -others. Towards evening a slight breeze sprang up, and by morning I -came in sight of a vessel, which I contrived to board. Her crew, -however, and even her captain, utterly discredited such part of my -strange story as I told them. On that point, however, I will say no -more than this: I will place this manuscript in your hands. I will -give you the key to such of its ciphers as I have been able to make -out. The language, I believe, for I am no scholar, is Latin of a -mediaeval type; but there are words which, if I rightly decipher them, -are not Latin, and hardly seem to belong to any known language; most -of them, I fancy, quasi-scientific terms, invented to describe various -technical devices unknown to the world when the manuscript was -written. I only make it a condition that you shall not publish the -story during my life; that if you show the manuscript or mention the -tale in confidence to any one, you will strictly keep my secret; and -that if after my death, of which you shall be advised, you do publish -it, you will afford no clue by which the donor could be confidently -identified." - -"I promise," said I. "But I should like to ask you one question. What -do you conceive to have been the cause of the extraordinary shock you -felt and of the havoc you witnessed? What, in short, the nature of the -occurrence and the origin of the manuscript you entrust to my care?" - -"Why need you ask me?" he returned. "You are as capable as myself of -drawing a deduction from what I have told you, and I have told you -everything, I believe, that could assist you. The manuscript will tell -the rest." - -"But," said I, "an actual eye-witness often receives from a number of -little facts which he cannot remember, which are perhaps too minute to -have been actually and individually noted by him, an impression which -is more likely to be correct than any that could be formed by a -stranger on the fullest cross-questioning, on the closest examination -of what remains in the witness's memory. I should like to hear, before -opening the manuscript, what you believe to have been its origin. - -"I can only say," he answered, "that what must be inferred from the -manuscript is what I had inferred before I opened it. That same -explanation was the only one that ever occurred to me, even in the -first night. It then seemed to me utterly incredible, but it is still -the only conceivable explanation that my mind can suggest." - -"Did you," asked I, "connect the shock and the relics, which I presume -you know were not on the island before the shock, with the meteor and -the strange obscuration of the sun?" - -"I certainly did," he said. "Having done so, there could be but one -conclusion as to the quarter from which the shock was received." - -The examination and transcription of the manuscript, with all the help -afforded me by my friend's previous efforts, was the work of several -years. There is, as the reader will see, more than one _hiatus valde -deflendus_, as the scholiasts have it, and there are passages in -which, whether from the illegibility of the manuscript or the -employment of technical terms unknown to me, I cannot be certain of -the correctness of my translation. Such, however, as it is, I give it -to the world, having fulfilled, I believe, every one of the conditions -imposed upon me by my late and deeply regretted friend. - -The character of the manuscript is very curious, and its translation -was exceedingly difficult. The material on which it is written -resembles nothing used for such purposes on Earth. It is more like a -very fine linen or silken web, but it is far closer in texture, and -has never been woven in any kind of loom at all like those employed in -any manufacture known to history or archaeology. The letters, or more -properly symbols, are minute, but executed with extraordinary -clearness. I should fancy that something more like a pencil than a -pen, but with a finer point than that of the finest pencil, was -employed in the writing. Contractions and combinations are not merely -frequent, but almost universal. There is scarcely an instance in which -five consecutive letters are separately written, and there is no -single line in which half a dozen contractions, often including from -four to ten letters, do not occur. The pages are of the size of an -ordinary duodecimo, but contain some fifty lines per page, and perhaps -one hundred and fifty letters in each line. What were probably the -first half dozen pages have been utterly destroyed, and the next half -dozen are so mashed, tattered, and defaced, that only a few sentences -here and there are legible. I have contrived, however, to combine -these into what I believe to be a substantially correct representation -of the author's meaning. The Latin is of a monastic--sometimes almost -canine--quality, with many words which are not Latin at all. For the -rest, though here and there pages are illegible, and though some -symbols, especially those representing numbers or chemical compounds, -are absolutely undecipherable, it has been possible to effect what I -hope will be found a clear and coherent translation. I have condensed -the narrative but have not altered or suppressed a line for fear of -offending those who must be unreasonable, indeed, if they lay the -offence to my charge. - -One word more. It is possible, if not likely, that some of those -friends of the narrator, for whom the account was evidently written, -may still be living, and that these pages may meet their eyes. If so, -they may be able to solve the few problems that have entirely baffled -me, and to explain, if they so choose, the secrets to which, -intentionally or through the destruction of its introductory portion, -the manuscript affords no clue. - -I must add that these volumes contain only the first section of the -MS. record. The rest, relating the incidents of a second voyage and -describing another world, remains in my hands; and, should this part -of the work excite general attention, the conclusion will, by myself -or by my executors, be given to the public. Otherwise, on my death, it -will be placed in the library of some national or scientific -institution. - - - -CHAPTER II - OUTWARD BOUND. - -... For obvious reasons, those who possessed the secret of the -Apergy [1] had never dreamed of applying it in the manner I proposed. -It had seemed to them little more than a curious secret of nature, -perhaps hardly so much, since the existence of a repulsive force in -the atomic sphere had been long suspected and of late certainly -ascertained, and its preponderance is held to be the characteristic of -the gaseous as distinguished from the liquid or solid state of matter. -Till lately, no means of generating or collecting this force in large -quantity had been found. The progress of electrical science had solved -this difficulty; and when the secret was communicated to me, it -possessed a value which had never before belonged to it. - -Ever since, in childhood, I learnt that the planets were worlds, a -visit to one or more of the nearest of them had been my favourite -day-dream. Treasuring every hint afforded by science or fancy that -bore upon the subject, I felt confident that such a voyage would be -one day achieved. Helped by one or two really ingenious romances on -this theme, I had dreamed out my dream, realised every difficulty, -ascertained every factor in the problem. I had satisfied myself that -only one thing needful was as yet wholly beyond the reach and even the -proximate hopes of science. Human invention could furnish as yet no -motive power that could fulfil the main requirement of the -problem--uniform or constantly increasing motion _in vacuo_--motion -through a region affording no resisting medium. This must be a -_repulsive_ energy capable of acting through an utter void. Man, -animals, birds, fishes move by repulsion applied at every moment. In -air or water, paddles, oars, sails, fins, wings act by repulsion -exerted on the fluid element in which they work. But in space there is -no such resisting element on which repulsion can operate. I needed a -repulsion which would act like gravitation through an indefinite -distance and in a void--act upon a remote fulcrum, such as might be -the Earth in a voyage to the Moon, or the Sun in a more distant -journey. As soon, then, as the character of the apergic force was made -known to me, its application to this purpose seized on my mind. -Experiment had proved it possible, by the method described at the -commencement of this record, to generate and collect it in amounts -practically unlimited. The other hindrances to a voyage through space -were trivial in comparison with that thus overcome; there were -difficulties to be surmounted, not absent or deficient powers in -nature to be discovered. The chief of these, of course, concerned the -conveyance of air sufficient for the needs of the traveller during the -period of his journey. The construction of an air-tight vessel was -easy enough; but however large the body of air conveyed, even though -its oxygen should not be exhausted, the carbonic acid given out by -breathing would very soon so contaminate the whole that life would be -impossible. To eliminate this element it would only be necessary to -carry a certain quantity of lime-water, easily calculated, and by -means of a fan or similar instrument to drive the whole of the air -periodically through the vessel containing it. The lime in solution -combining with the noxious gas would show by the turbid whiteness of -the water the absorption of the carbonic acid and formation of -carbonate of lime. But if the carbonic acid gas were merely to be -removed, it is obvious that the oxygen of the air, which forms a part -of that gas, would be constantly diminished and ultimately exhausted; -and the effect of highly oxygenated air upon the circulation is -notoriously too great to allow of any considerable increase at the -outset in the proportion of this element. I might carry a fresh supply -of oxygen, available at need, in some solid combination like chlorate -of potash; but the electricity employed for the generation of the -apergy might be also applied to the decomposition of carbonic acid and -the restoration of its oxygen to the atmosphere. - -But the vessel had to be steered as well as propelled; and in order to -accomplish this it would be necessary to command the direction of the -apergy at pleasure. My means of doing this depended on two of the -best-established peculiarities of this strange force: its rectilinear -direction and its conductibility. We found that it acts through air or -in a vacuum in a single straight line, without deflection, and -seemingly without diminution. Most solids, and especially metals, -according to their electric condition, are more or less impervious to -it--antapergic. Its power of penetration diminishes under a very -obscure law, but so rapidly that no conceivable strength of current -would affect an object protected by an intervening sheet half an inch -in thickness. On the other hand, it prefers to all other lines the -axis of a conductive bar, such as may be formed of [undecipherable] in -an antapergic sheath. However such bar may be curved, bent, or -divided, the current will fill and follow it, and pursue indefinitely, -without divergence, diffusion, or loss, the direction in which it -emerges. Therefore, by collecting the current from the generator in a -vessel cased with antapergic material, and leaving no other aperture, -its entire volume might be sent into a conductor. By cutting across -this conductor, and causing the further part to rotate upon the -nearer, I could divert the current through any required angle. Thus I -could turn the repulsion upon the resistant body (sun or planet), and -so propel the vessel in any direction I pleased. - -I had determined that my first attempt should be a visit to Mars. The -Moon is a far less interesting body, since, on the hemisphere turned -towards the Earth, the absence of an atmosphere and of water ensures -the absence of any such life as is known to us--probably of any life -that could be discerned by our senses--and would prevent landing; -while nearly all the soundest astronomers agree in believing, on -apparently sufficient grounds, that even the opposite hemisphere [of -which small portions are from time to time rendered visible by the -libration, though greatly foreshortened and consequently somewhat -imperfectly seen] is equally devoid of the two primary necessaries of -animal and vegetable life. That Mars has seas, clouds, and an -atmosphere was generally admitted, and I held it to be beyond -question. Of Venus, owing to her extraordinary brilliancy, to the fact -that when nearest to the Earth a very small portion of her lighted -surface is visible to us, and above all to her dense cloud-envelope, -very little was known; and though I cherished the intention to visit -her even more earnestly than my resolve to reach the probably less -attractive planet Mars, I determined to begin with that voyage of -which the conditions and the probable result were most obvious and -certain. I preferred, moreover, in the first instance, to employ the -apergy as a propelling rather than as a resisting force. Now, after -passing beyond the immediate sphere of the Earth's attraction, it is -plain that in going towards Mars I should be departing from the Sun, -relying upon the apergy to overcome his attraction; whereas in seeking -to attain Venus I should be approaching the Sun, relying for my main -motive power upon that tremendous attraction, and employing the apergy -only to moderate the rate of movement and control its direction. The -latter appeared to me the more delicate, difficult, and perhaps -dangerous task of the two; and I resolved to defer it until after I -had acquired some practical experience and dexterity in the control of -my machinery. - -It was expedient, of course, to make my vessel as light as possible, -and, at the same time, as large as considerations of weight would -admit. But it was of paramount importance to have walls of great -thickness, in order to prevent the penetration of the outer cold of -space, or rather the outward passage into that intense cold of the -heat generated within the vessel itself, as well as to resist the -tremendous outward pressure of the air inside. Partly for these -reasons, and partly because its electric character makes it especially -capable of being rendered at will pervious or impervious to the -apergic current, I resolved to make the outer and inner walls of an -alloy of ..., while the space between should be filled up with a mass -of concrete or cement, in its nature less penetrable to heat than any -other substance which Nature has furnished or the wit of man -constructed from her materials. The materials of this cement and their -proportions were as follows. [2] - - * * * * * - -Briefly, having determined to take advantage of the approaching -opposition of Mars in MDCCCXX ... [3], I had my vessel constructed with -walls three feet thick, of which the outer six and the inner three -inches were formed of the metalloid. In shape my Astronaut somewhat -resembled the form of an antique Dutch East-Indiaman, being widest and -longest in a plane equidistant from floor and ceiling, the sides and -ends sloping outwards from the floor and again inwards towards the -roof. The deck and keel, however, were absolutely flat, and each one -hundred feet in length and fifty in breadth, the height of the vessel -being about twenty feet. In the centre of the floor and in that of the -roof respectively I placed a large lens of crystal, intended to act as -a window in the first instance, the lower to admit the rays of the -Sun, while through the upper I should discern the star towards which I -was steering. The floor, being much heavier than the rest of the -vessel, would naturally be turned downwards; that is, during the -greater part of the voyage towards the Sun. I placed a similar lens in -the centre of each of the four sides, with two plane windows of the -same material, one in the upper, the other in the lower half of the -wall, to enable me to discern any object in whatever direction. The -crystal in question consisted of ..., which, as those who manufactured -it for me are aware, admits of being cast with a perfection and -equality of structure throughout unattainable with ordinary glass, and -wrought to a certainty and accuracy of curvature which the most -patient and laborious polishing can hardly give to the lenses even of -moderate-sized telescopes, whether made of glass or metal, and is -singularly impervious to heat. I had so calculated the curvature that -several eye-pieces of different magnifying powers which I carried with -me might be adapted equally to any of the window lenses, and throw a -perfect image, magnified by 100, 1000, or 5000, upon mirrors properly -placed. - -I carpeted the floor with several alternate layers of cork and cloth. -At one end I placed my couch, table, bookshelves, and other necessary -furniture, with all the stores needed for my voyage, and with a -further weight sufficient to preserve equilibrium. At the other I made -a garden with soil three feet deep and five feet in width, divided -into two parts so as to permit access to the windows. I filled each -garden closely with shrubs and flowering plants of the greatest -possible variety, partly to absorb animal waste, partly in the hope of -naturalising them elsewhere. Covering both with wire netting extending -from the roof to the floor, I filled the cages thus formed with a -variety of birds. In the centre of the vessel was the machinery, -occupying altogether a space of about thirty feet by twenty. The -larger portion of this area was, of course, taken up by the generator, -above which was the receptacle of the apergy. From this descended -right through the floor a conducting bar in an antapergic sheath, so -divided that without separating it from the upper portion the lower -might revolve in any direction through an angle of twenty minutes -(20'). This, of course, was intended to direct the stream of the -repulsive force against the Sun. The angle might have been extended to -thirty minutes, but that I deemed it inexpedient to rely upon a force, -directed against the outer portions of the Sun's disc, believing that -these are occupied by matter of density so small that it might afford -no sufficient base, so to speak, for the repulsive action. It was -obviously necessary also to repel or counteract the attraction of any -body which might come near me during the voyage. Again, in getting -free from the Earth's influence, I must be able to steer in any -direction and at any angle to the surface. For this purpose I placed -five smaller bars, passing through the roof and four sides, connected, -like the main conductor, with the receptacle or apergion, but so that -they could revolve through a much larger angle, and could at any -moment be detached and insulated. My steering apparatus consisted of a -table in which were three large circles. The midmost and left hand of -these were occupied by accurately polished plane mirrors. The central -circle, or metacompass, was divided by three hundred and sixty fine -lines, radiating from the centre to the circumference, marking as many -different directions, each deviating by one degree of arc from the -next. This mirror was to receive through the lens in the roof the -image of the star towards which I was steering. While this remained -stationary in the centre all was well. When it moved along any one of -the lines, the vessel was obviously deviating from her course in the -opposite direction; and, to recover the right course, the repellent -force must be caused to drive her in the direction in which the image -had moved. To accomplish this, a helm was attached to the lower -division of the main conductor, by which the latter could be made to -move at will in any direction within the limit of its rotation. -Controlling this helm was, in the open or steering circle on the right -hand, a small knob to be moved exactly parallel to the deviation of -the star in the mirror of the metacompass. The left-hand circle, or -discometer, was divided by nineteen hundred and twenty concentric -circles, equidistant from each other. The outermost, about twice as -far from the centre as from the external edge of the mirror, was -exactly equal to the Sun's circumference when presenting the largest -disc he ever shows to an observer on Earth. Each inner circle -corresponded to a diameter reduced by one second. By means of a -vernier or eye-piece, the diameter of the Sun could be read off the -discometer, and from his diameter my distance could be accurately -calculated. On the further side of the machinery was a chamber for the -decomposition of the carbonic acid, through which the air was driven -by a fan. This fan itself was worked by a horizontal wheel with two -projecting squares of antapergic metal, against each of which, as it -reached a certain point, a very small stream of repulsive force was -directed from the apergion, keeping the wheel in constant and rapid -motion. I had, of course, supplied myself with an ample store of -compressed vegetables, preserved meats, milk, tea, coffee, &c., and a -supply of water sufficient to last for double the period which the -voyage was expected to occupy; also a well-furnished tool-chest (with -wires, tubes, &c.). One of the lower windows was made just large -enough to admit my person, and after entering I had to close it and -fix it in its place firmly with cement, which, when I wished to quit -the vessel, would have again to be removed. - -Of course some months were occupied in the manufacture of the -different portions of the vessel and her machinery, and sometime more -in their combination; so that when, at the end of July, I was ready to -start, the opposition was rapidly approaching. In the course of some -fifty days the Earth, moving in her orbit at a rate of about eleven -hundred miles [4] per minute, would overtake Mars; that is to say, -would pass between him and the Sun. In starting from the Earth I -should share this motion; I too should go eleven hundred miles a -minute in the same direction; but as I should travel along an orbit -constantly widening, the Earth would leave me behind. The apergy had -to make up for this, as well as to carry me some forty millions of -miles in a direction at right angles to the former--right outward -towards the orbit of Mars. Again, I should share the motion of that -particular spot of the Earth's surface from which I rose around her -axis, a motion varying with the latitude, greatest at the equator, -nothing at the pole. This would whirl me round and round the Earth at -the rate of a thousand miles an hour; of this I must, of course, get -rid as soon as possible. And when I should be rid of it, I meant to -start at first right upward; that is, straight away from the Sun and -in the plane of the ecliptic, which is not very different from that in -which Mars also moves. Therefore I should begin my effective ascent -from a point of the Earth as far as possible from the Sun; that is, on -the midnight meridian. - -For the same reason which led me to start so long before the date of -the opposition, I resolved, having regard to the action of the Earth's -rotation on her axis, to start some hours before midnight. Taking -leave, then, of the two friends who had thus far assisted me, I -entered the Astronaut on the 1st August, about 4.30 P.M. After sealing -up the entrance-window, and ascertaining carefully that everything was -in order--a task which occupied me about an hour--I set the generator -to work; and when I had ascertained that the apergion was full, and -that the force was supplied at the required rate, I directed the whole -at first into the main conductor. After doing this I turned towards -the lower window on the west--or, as it was then, the right-hand -side--and was in time to catch sight of the trees on the hills, some -half mile off and about two hundred feet above the level of my -starting-point. I should have said that I had considerably compressed -my atmosphere and increased the proportion of oxygen by about ten per -cent., and also carried with me the means of reproducing the whole -amount of the latter in case of need. Among my instruments was a -pressure-gauge, so minutely divided that, with a movable vernier of -the same power as the fixed ones employed to read the glass circles, I -could discover the slightest escape of air in a very few seconds. The -pressure-gauge, however, remained immovable. Going close to the window -and looking out, I saw the Earth falling from me so fast that, within -five minutes after my departure, objects like trees and even houses -had become almost indistinguishable to the naked eye. I had half -expected to hear the whistling of the air as the vessel rushed upward, -but nothing of the kind was perceptible through her dense walls. It -was strange to observe the rapid rise of the sun from the westward. -Still more remarkable, on turning to the upper window, was the rapidly -blackening aspect of the sky. Suddenly everything disappeared except a -brilliant rainbow at some little distance--or perhaps I should rather -have said a halo of more than ordinary rainbow brilliancy, since it -occupied, not like the rainbows seen from below, something less than -half, but nearly two-thirds of a circle. I was, of course, aware that -I was passing through a cloud, and one of very unusual thickness. In a -few seconds, however, I was looking down upon its upper surface, -reflecting from a thousand broken masses of vapour at different -levels, from cavities and hillocks of mist, the light of the sun; -white beams mixed with innumerable rays of all colours in a confusion, -of indescribable brilliancy. I presume that the total obscuration of -everything outside the cloud during my passage through it was due to -its extent and not to its density, since at that height it could not -have been otherwise than exceedingly light and diffuse. Looking upward -through the eastern window, I could now discern a number of brighter -stars, and at nearly every moment fresh ones came into view on a -constantly darkening background. Looking downward to the west, where -alone the entire landscape lay in daylight, I presently discerned the -outline of shore and sea extending over a semicircle whose radius much -exceeded five hundred miles, implying that I was about thirty-five -miles from the sea-level. Even at this height the extent of my survey -was so great in comparison to my elevation, that a line drawn from the -vessel to the horizon was, though very roughly, almost parallel to the -surface; and the horizon therefore seemed to be not very far from my -own level, while the point below me, of course, appeared at a vast -distance. The appearance of the surface, therefore, was as if the -horizon had been, say, some thirty miles higher than the centre of the -semicircle bounding my view, and the area included in my prospect had -the form of a saucer or shallow bowl. But since the diameter of the -visible surface increases only as the square root of the height, this -appearance became less and less perceptible as I rose higher. It had -taken me twenty minutes to attain the elevation of thirty-five miles; -but my speed was, of course, constantly increasing, very much as the -speed of an object falling to the Earth from a great height increases; -and before ten more minutes had elapsed, I found myself surrounded by -a blackness nearly absolute, except in the direction of the -Sun,--which was still well above the sea--and immediately round the -terrestrial horizon, on which rested a ring of sunlit azure sky, -broken here and there by clouds. In every other direction I seemed to -be looking not merely upon a black or almost black sky, but into close -surrounding darkness. Amid this darkness, however, were visible -innumerable points of light, more or less brilliant--the stars--which -no longer seemed to be spangled over the surface of a distant vault, -but rather scattered immediately about me, nearer or farther to the -instinctive apprehension of the eye as they were brighter or fainter. -Scintillation there was none, except in the immediate vicinity of the -eastern horizon, where I still saw them through a dense atmosphere. In -short, before thirty minutes had elapsed since the start, I was -satisfied that I had passed entirely out of the atmosphere, and had -entered into the vacancy of space--if such a thing as vacant space -there be. - -At this point I had to cut off the greater part of the apergy and -check my speed, for reasons that will be presently apparent. I had -started in daylight in order that during the first hundred miles of my -ascent I might have a clear view of the Earth's surface. Not only did -I wish to enjoy the spectacle, but as I had to direct my course by -terrestrial landmarks, it was necessary that I should be able to see -these so as to determine the rate and direction of the Astronaut's -motion, and discern the first symptoms of any possible danger. But -obviously, since my course lay generally in the plane of the ecliptic, -and for the present at least nearly in the line joining the centres of -the Earth and Sun, it was desirable that my real journey into space -should commence in the plane of the midnight meridian; that is, from -above the part of the Earth's surface immediately opposite the Sun. I -had to reach this line, and having reached it, to remain for some time -above it. To do both, I must attain it, if possible, at the same -moment at which I secured a westward impulse just sufficient to -counterbalance the eastward impulse derived from the rotation of the -Earth;--that is, in the latitude from which I started, a thousand -miles an hour. I had calculated that while directing through the main -bar a current of apergy sufficient to keep the Astronaut at a fixed -elevation, I could easily spare for the eastward conductor sufficient -force to create in the space of one hour the impulse required, but -that in the course of that hour the gradually increasing apergic force -would drive me 500 miles westward. Now in six hours the Earth's -rotation would carry an object close to its surface through an angle -of 90 deg.; that is, from the sunset to the midnight meridian. But the -greater the elevation of the object the wider its orbit round the -Earth's centre, and the longer each degree; so that moving eastward -only a thousand miles an hour, I should constantly lag behind a point -on the Earth's surface, and should not reach the midnight meridian -till somewhat later. I had, moreover, to lose 500 miles of the -eastward drift during the last hour in which I should be subject to -it, through the action of the apergic force above-mentioned. Now, an -elevation of 330 miles would give the Astronaut an orbit on which 90 deg. -would represent 6500 miles. In seven hours I should be carried along -that orbit 7000 miles eastward by the impulse my Astronaut had -received from the Earth, and driven back 500 miles by the apergy; so -that at 1 A.M. by my chronometer I should be exactly in the plane of -the midnight meridian, or 6500 miles east of my starting-point in -space, provided that I put the eastward apergic current in action -exactly at 12 P.M. by the chronometer. At 1 A.M. also I should have -generated a westward impulse of 1000 miles an hour. This, once -created, would continue to exist though the force that created it were -cut off, and would exactly counterbalance the opposite rotation -impulse derived from the Earth; so that thenceforward I should be -entirely free from the influence of the latter, though still sharing -that motion of the Earth through space at the rate of nearly nineteen -miles per second, which would carry me towards the line joining at the -moment of opposition her centre with that of Mars. - -All went as I had calculated. I contrived to arrest the Astronaut's -motion at the required elevation just about the moment of sunset on -the region of the Earth immediately underneath. At 12 P.M., or 24h by -the chronometer, I directed a current of the requisite strength into -the eastward conductor, which I had previously pointed to the Earth's -surface, but a little short of the extreme terrestrial horizon, as I -calculated it. At 1 A.M. I found myself, judging by the stars, exactly -where I wished to be, and nearly stationary as regarded the Earth. I -instantly arrested the eastward current, detaching that conductor from -the apergion; and, directing the whole force of the current into the -downward conductor, I had the pleasure of seeing that, after a very -little adjustment of the helm, the stars remained stationary in the -mirror of the metacompass, showing that I had escaped from the -influence of the Earth's rotation. It was of course impossible to -measure the distance traversed during the invisibility of the Earth, -but I reckoned that I had made above 500 miles between 1h. and 2h. -A.M., and that at 4h. I was not less than 4800 miles from the surface. -With this inference the indication of my barycrite substantially -agreed. The latter instrument consisted of a spring whose deflection -by a given weight upon the equator had been very carefully tested. -Gravity diminishing as the square of the distance from the centre, it -was obvious that at about 8000 miles--or 4000 above the Earth's -surface--this spring would be deflected only one quarter as much by a -given weight as on Earth: at 16,000 miles from the surface, or 20,000 -from the centre, one-twenty-fifth as much, and so on. I had graduated -the scale accordingly, and it indicated at present a distance somewhat -less than 9000 miles from the centre. Having adjusted the helm and set -the alarum to wake me in six hours, I lay down upon my bed. - -The anxiety and peril of my position had disturbed me very little -whilst I was actively engaged either in steering and manipulating my -machinery, or in looking upon the marvellous and novel spectacles -presented to my eyes; but it now oppressed me in my sleep, and caused -me frequently to wake from dreams of a hideous character. Two or three -times, on such awaking, I went to examine the metacompass, and on one -occasion found it necessary slightly to readjust the helm; the stars -by which I steered having moved some second or two to the right of -their proper position. - -On rising, I completed the circuit which filled my vessel with -brilliant light emitted from an electric lamp at the upper part of the -stern, and reflected by the polished metallic walls. I then proceeded -to get my breakfast, for which, as I had tasted nothing since some -hours before the start, I had a hearty appetite. I had anticipated -some trouble from the diminished action of gravity, doubting whether -the boiling-point at this immense height above the Earth might not be -affected; but I found that this depends upon the pressure of the -atmosphere alone, and that this pressure was in nowise affected by the -absence of gravity. My atmosphere being somewhat denser than that of -the Earth, the boiling-point was not 100 deg., but 101 deg. Cent. The -temperature of the interior of the vessel, taken at a point -equidistant from the stove and from the walls, was about 5 deg. C.; -unpleasantly cool, but still, with the help of a greatcoat, not -inconveniently so. I found it absolutely impossible to measure by -means of the thermometers I had placed outside the windows the cold of -space; but that it falls far short of the extreme supposed by some -writers, I confidently believe. It is, however, cold enough to freeze -mercury, and to reduce every other substance employed as a test of -atmospheric or laboratory temperatures to a solidity which admits of -no further contraction. I had filled one outside thermometer with -spirit, but this was broken before I looked at it; and in another, -whose bulb unfortunately was blackened, and which was filled with -carbonic acid gas, an apparent vacuum had been created. Was it that -the gas had been frozen, and had sunk into the lower part of the bulb, -where it would, of course, be invisible? When I had completed my meal -and smoked the very small cigar which alone a prudent consideration -for the state of the atmosphere would allow me, the chronometer showed -10 A.M. It was not surprising that by this time weight had become -almost non-existent. My twelve stone had dwindled to the weight of a -small fowl, and hooking my little finger into the loop of a string -hung from a peg fixed near the top of the stern wall, I found myself -able thus to support my weight without any sense of fatigue for a -quarter of an hour or more; in fact, I felt during that time -absolutely no sense of muscular weariness. This state of things -entailed only one inconvenience. Nothing had any stability; so that -the slightest push or jerk would upset everything that was not fixed. -However, I had so far anticipated this that nothing of any material -consequence was unfixed, and except that a touch with my spoon upset -the egg-cup and egg on which I was about to breakfast, and that this, -falling against a breakfast cup full of coffee, overturned that, I was -not incommoded. I managed to save the greater part of the beverage, -since, the atmospheric pressure being the same though the weight was -so changed, lead, and still more china or liquid, fell in the -Astronaut as slowly as feathers in the immediate vicinity of the -Earth. Still it was a novel experience to find myself able to lean in -any direction, and rest in almost any posture, with but the slightest -support for the body's centre of gravity; and further to find on -experiment that it was possible to remain for a couple of hours with -my heels above my head, in the favourite position of a Yankee's lower -limbs, without any perceptible congestion of blood or confusion of -brain. - -I was occupied all day with abstract calculations; and knowing that -for some time I could see nothing of the Earth--her dark side being -opposite me and wholly obscuring the Sun, while I was as yet far from -having entered within the sphere where any novel celestial phenomena -might be expected--I only gave an occasional glance at the discometer -and metacompass, suppressing of course the electric glare within my -vessel, till I awoke from a short siesta about 19h. (7 P.M.) The Earth -at this time occupied on the sphere of view a space--defined at first -only by the absence of stars--about thirty times greater than the disc -of the Moon as seen through a tube; but, being dark, scarcely seemed -larger to the eye than the full Moon when on the horizon. But a new -method of defining its disc was presently afforded me. I was, in fact, -when looking through the lower window, in the same position as regards -the Earth as would be an inhabitant of the lunar hemisphere turned -towards her, having no external atmosphere interposed between us, but -being at about two-thirds of the lunar distance. And as, during an -eclipse, the Lunarian would see round the Earth a halo created by the -refraction of the Sun's rays in the terrestrial atmosphere--a halo -bright enough on most occasions so to illuminate the Moon as to render -her visible to us--so to my eyes the Earth was surrounded by a halo -somewhat resembling the solar corona as seen in eclipses, if not -nearly so brilliant, but, unlike the solar corona, coloured, with a -preponderance of red so decided as fully to account for the peculiar -hue of the eclipsed Moon. To paint this, unless means of painting -light--the one great deficiency which is still the opprobrium of human -art--were discovered, would task to the uttermost the powers of the -ablest artist, and at best he could give but a very imperfect notion -of it. To describe it so that its beauty, brilliancy, and wondrous -nature shall be in the slightest degree appreciated by my readers -would require a command of words such as no poet since Homer--nay, not -Homer himself--possessed. What was strange, and can perhaps be -rendered intelligible, was the variation, or, to use a phrase more -suggestive and more natural, if not more accurate, the extreme -mobility of the hues of this earthly corona. There were none of the -efflorescences, if one may so term them, which are so generally -visible at four cardinal points of its solar prototype. The outer -portion of the band faded very rapidly into the darkness of space; but -the edge, though absolutely undefined, was perfectly even. But on the -generally rainbow-tinted ground suffused with red--which perhaps might -best be described by calling it a rainbow seen on a background of -brilliant crimson--there were here and there blotches of black or of -lighter or darker grey, caused apparently by vast expanses of cloud, -more or less dense. Round the edges of each of these were little -irregular rainbow-coloured halos of their own interrupting and -variegating the continuous bands of the corona; while throughout all -was discernible a perpetual variability, like the flashing or shooting -of colour in the opal, the mother-of-pearl, or similarly tinted -translucent substances when exposed to the irregular play of bright -light--only that in this case the tints were incomparably more -brilliant, the change more striking, if not more rapid. I could not -say that at any particular moment any point or part of the surface -presented this or that definite hue; and yet the general character of -the rainbow, suffused with or backed by crimson, was constant and -unmistakable. The light sent through the window was too dim and too -imperfectly diffused within my vessel to be serviceable, but for some -time I put out the electric lamp in order that its diffused light -should not impair my view of this exquisite spectacle. As thrown, -after several reflections, upon the mirror destined afterwards to -measure the image of the solar disc, the apparition of the halo was of -course much less bright, and its outer boundary ill defined for -accurate measurement. The inner edge, where the light was bounded by -the black disc of the Earth, shaded off much more quickly from dark -reddish purple into absolute blackness. - -And now a surprise, the first I had encountered, awaited me. I -registered the gravity as shown by the barycrite; and, extinguishing -the electric lamp, measured repeatedly the semi-diameter of the Earth -and of the halo around her upon the discometer, the inner edge of the -latter affording the measurement of the black disc, which of itself, -of course, cast no reflection. I saw at once that there was a signal -difference in the two indications, and proceeded carefully to revise -the earth-measurements. On the average of thirteen measures the halo -was about 87", or nearly 1-1/2' in breadth, the disc, allowing for the -twilight round its edge or limb, about 2 deg. 50'. If the refracting -atmosphere were some 65 miles in depth, these proportions were -correct. Relighting the lamp, I worked out severally on paper the -results indicated by the two instruments. The discometer gave a -distance, roughly speaking, of 40 terrestrial radii, or 160,000 miles. -The barycrite should have shown a gravity, due to the Earth's -attraction, not 40 but 1600 times less than that prevailing on the -Earth's surface; or, to put it in a less accurate form, a weight of -100 lbs. should have weighed an ounce. It did weigh two ounces, the -gravity being not one 1600th but one 800th of terrestrial gravity, or -just double what, I expected. I puzzled myself over this matter -longer, probably, than the intelligent reader will do: the explanation -being obvious, like that of many puzzles that bewilder our minds -intensely, only to humiliate us proportionately when the solution is -found--a solution as simple as that of Columbus's egg-riddle. At -length, finding that the lunar angle--the apparent position of the -Moon--confirmed the reading of the discometer, giving the same apogaic -distance or elevation, I supposed that the barycrite must be out of -order or subject to some unsuspected law of which future observations -might afford evidence and explanation, and turned to other subjects of -interest. - -Looking through the upper window on the left, I was struck by the -rapid enlargement of a star which, when I first noticed it, might be -of the third magnitude, but which in less than a minute attained the -first, and in a minute more was as large as the planet Jupiter when -seen with a magnifying power of one hundred diameters. - -Its disc, however, had no continuous outline; and as it approached I -perceived that it was an irregular mass of whose size I could form not -even a conjectural estimate, since its distance must be absolutely -uncertain. Its brilliancy grew fainter in proportion to the -enlargement as it approached, proving that its light was reflected; -and as it passed me, apparently in the direction of the earth, I had a -sufficiently distinct view of it to know that it was a mainly metallic -mass, certainly of some size, perhaps four, perhaps twenty feet in -diameter, and apparently composed chiefly of iron; showing a more or -less blistered surface, but with angles sharper and faces more -regularly defined than most of those which have been found upon the -earth's surface--as if the shape of the latter might be due in part to -the conflagration they undergo in passing at such tremendous speed -through the atmosphere, or, in an opposite sense, to the fractures -caused by the shock of their falling. Though I made no attempt to -count the innumerable stars in the midst of which I appeared to float, -I was convinced that their number was infinitely greater than that -visible to the naked eye on the brightest night. I remembered how -greatly the inexperienced eye exaggerates the number of stars visible -from the Earth, since poets, and even olden observers, liken their -number to that of the sands on the seashore; whereas the patient work -of map and catalogue makers has shown that there are but a few -thousands visible in the whole heavens to the keenest unaided sight. I -suppose that I saw a hundred times that number. In one word, the -sphere of darkness in which I floated seemed to be filled with points -of light, while the absolute blackness that surrounded them, the -absence of the slightest radiation, or illumination of space at large, -was strange beyond expression to an eye accustomed to that diffusion -of light which is produced by the atmosphere. I may mention here that -the recognition of the constellations was at first exceedingly -difficult. On Earth we see so few stars in any given portion of the -heavens, that one recognises without an effort the figure marked out -by a small number of the brightest amongst them; while in my position -the multitude was so great that only patient and repeated effort -enabled me to separate from the rest those peculiarly brilliant -luminaries by which we are accustomed to define such constellations as -Orion or the Bear, to say nothing of those minor or more arbitrarily -drawn figures which contain few stars of the second magnitude. The eye -had no instinctive sense of distance; any star might have been within -a stone's throw. I need hardly observe that, while on one hand the -motion of the vessel was absolutely imperceptible, there was, on the -other, no change of position among the stars which could enable me to -verify the fact that I was moving, much less suggest it to the senses. -The direction of every recognisable star was the same as on Earth, as -it appears the same from the two extremities of the Earth's orbit, 19 -millions of miles apart. Looking from any one window, I could see no -greater space of the heavens than in looking through a similar -aperture on Earth. What was novel and interesting in my stellar -prospect was, not merely that I could see those stars north and south -which are never visible from the same point on Earth, except in the -immediate neighbourhood of the Equator; but that, save on the small -space concealed by the Earth's disc, I could, by moving from window to -window, survey the entire heavens, looking at one minute upon the -stars surrounding the vernal, and at another, by changing my position, -upon those in the neighbourhood of the autumnal equinox. By little -more than a turn of my head I could see in one direction Polaris -(_alpha_ Ursae Minoris) with the Great Bear, and in another the -Southern Cross, the Ship, and the Centaur. - -About 23h. 30m., near the close of the first day, I again inspected -the barycrite. It showed 1/1100 of terrestrial gravity, an incredibly -small change from the 1/800 recorded at 19h., since it implied a -progress proportionate only to the square root of the difference. The -observation indicated, if the instrument could be trusted, an advance -of only 18,000 miles. It was impossible that the Astronaut had not by -this time attained a very much greater speed than 4000 miles an hour, -and a greater distance from the Earth than 33 terrestrial radii, or -132,000 miles. Moreover, the barycrite itself had given at 19h. a -distance of 28-1/2 radii, and a speed far greater than that which upon -its showing had since been maintained. Extinguishing the lamp, I found -that the Earth's diameter on the discometer measured 2 deg. 3' 52" (?). -This represented a gain of some 90,000 miles; much more approximate to -that which, judging by calculation, I ought to have accomplished -during the last four hours and a half, if my speed approached to that -I had estimated. I inspected the cratometer, which indicated a force -as great as that with which I had started,--a force which should by -this time have given me a speed of at least 22,000 miles an hour. At -last the solution of the problem flashed upon me, suggested by the -very extravagance of the contradictions. Not only did the barycrite -contradict the discometer and the reckoning but it contradicted -itself; since it was impossible that under one continuous impulsation -I should have traversed 28-1/2 radii of the Earth in the first -eighteen hours and no more than 4-1/2 in the next four and a half -hours. In truth, the barycrite was effected by two separate -attractions,--that of the Earth and that of the Sun, as yet operating -almost exactly in the same direction. At first the attraction of the -former was so great that that of the Sun was no more perceived than -upon the Earth's surface. But as I rose, and the Earth's attraction -diminished in proportion to the square of the distance from her -centre--which was doubled at 8000 miles, quadrupled at 16,000, and so -on--the Sun's attraction, which was not perceptibly affected by -differences so small in proportion to his vast distance of 95,000,000 -miles, became a more and more important element in the total gravity. -If, as I calculated, I had by 19h. attained a distance from the earth -of 160,000 miles, the attractions of Earth and Sun were by that time -pretty nearly equal; and hence the phenomenon which had so puzzled me, -that the gravitation, as indicated by the barycrite, was exactly -double that which, bearing in mind the Earth's attraction alone, I had -calculated. From this point forward the Sun's attraction was the -factor which mainly caused such weight as still existed; a change of -position which, doubling my distance from the Earth, reduced her -influence to one-fourth, not perceptibly affecting that of a body four -hundred times more remote. A short calculation showed that, this fact -borne in mind, the indication of the barycrite substantially agreed -with that of the discometer, and that I was in fact very nearly where -I supposed, that is, a little farther than the Moon's farthest -distance from the Earth. It did not follow that I had crossed the -orbit of the Moon; and if I had, she was at that time too far off to -exercise a serious influence on my course. I adjusted the helm and -betook myself to rest, the second day of my journey having already -commenced. - - - -CHAPTER III - THE UNTRAVELLED DEEP. - -Rising at 5h., I observed a drooping in the leaves of my garden, and -especially of the larger shrubs and plants, for which I was not wholly -unprepared, but which might entail some inconvenience if, failing -altogether, they should cease to absorb the gases generated from -buried waste, to consume which they had been planted. Besides this, I -should, of course, lose the opportunity of transplanting them to Mars, -though I had more hope of acclimatising seedlings raised from the seed -I carried with me than plants which had actually begun their life on -the surface of the Earth. The failure I ascribed naturally to the -known connection between the action of gravity and the circulation of -the sap; though, as I had experienced no analogous inconvenience in my -own person, I had hoped that this would not seriously affect -vegetation. I was afraid to try the effect of more liberal watering, -the more so that already the congelation of moisture upon the glasses -from the internal air, dry as the latter had been kept, was a sensible -annoyance--an annoyance which would have become an insuperable trouble -had I not taken so much pains, by directing the thermic currents upon -the walls, to keep the internal temperature, in so far as comfort -would permit--it had now fallen to 4 deg. C.--as near as possible to that -of the inner surface of the walls and windows. A careful use of the -thermometer indicated that the metallic surface of the former was now -nearly zero C., or 32 deg. F. The inner surface of the windows was somewhat -colder, showing that the crystal was more pervious to heat than the -walls, with their greater thickness, their outer and inner lining of -metal, and massive interior of concrete. I directed a current from the -thermogene upon either division of the garden, hoping thus to protect -the plants from whatever injury they might receive from the cold. -Somewhat later, perceiving that the drooping still continued, I -resolved upon another experiment, and arranging an apparatus of copper -wire beneath the soil, so as to bring the extremities in immediate -contact with their roots, I directed through these wires a prolonged -feeble current of electricity; by which, as I had hoped rather than -expected, the plants were after a time materially benefited, and to -which I believe I owed it that they had not all perished long before -the termination of my voyage. - -It would be mere waste of space and time were I to attempt anything -like a journal of the weeks I spent in the solitude of this artificial -planet. As matter of course, the monotony of a voyage through space is -in general greater than that of a voyage across an ocean like the -Atlantic, where no islands and few ships are to be encountered. It was -necessary to be very frequently, if not constantly, on the look-out -for possible incidents of interest in a journey so utterly novel -through regions which the telescope can but imperfectly explore. It -was difficult, therefore, to sit down to a book, or even to pursue any -necessary occupation unconnected with the actual conduct of the -vessel, with uninterrupted attention. My eyes, the only sense organs I -could employ, were constantly on the alert; but, of course, by far the -greater portion of my time passed without a single new object or -occasion of remark. That a journey so utterly without precedent or -parallel, in which so little could be anticipated or provided for, -through regions absolutely untraversed and very nearly unknown, should -be monotonous, may seem strange. But in truth the novelties of the -situation, such as they were, though intensely striking and -interesting, were each in turn speedily examined, realised, and, so to -speak, exhausted; and this once done, there was no greater occupation -to the mind in the continuance of strange than in that of familiar -scenery. The infinitude of surrounding blackness, filled as it were -with points of light more or less brilliant, when once its effects had -been scrutinised, and when nothing more remained to be noted, afforded -certainly a more agreeable, but scarcely a more interesting or -absorbing, outlook than the dead grey circle of sea, the dead grey -hemisphere of cloud, which form the prospect from the deck of a packet -in mid-Atlantic; while of change without or incident in the vessel -herself there was, of course, infinitely less than is afforded in an -ocean voyage by the variations of weather, not to mention the solace -of human society. Everything around me, except in the one direction in -which the Earth's disc still obscured the Sun, remained unchanged for -hours and days; and the management of my machinery required no more -than an occasional observation of my instruments and a change in the -position of the helm, which occupied but a few minutes some half-dozen -times in the twenty-four hours. There was not even the change of night -and day, of sun and stars, of cloud or clear sky. Were I to describe -the manner in which each day's leisure was spent, I should bore my -readers even more than--they will perhaps be surprised by the -confession--I was bored myself. - -My sleep was of necessity more or less broken. I wished to have eight -hours of rest, since, though seven of continuous sleep might well have -sufficed me, even if my brain had been less quiet and unexcited during -the rest of the twenty-four, it was impossible for me to enjoy that -term of unbroken slumber. I therefore decided to divide my sleep into -two portions of rather more than four hours each, to be taken as a -rule after noon and after midnight; or rather, since noon and midnight -had no meaning for me, from 12h. to 16h. and from 24h. to 4.h. But of -course sleep and everything else, except the necessary management of -the machine, must give way to the chances of observation; it would be -better to remain awake for forty-eight hours at a stretch than to miss -any important phenomenon the period of whose occurrence could be even -remotely calculated. - -At 8h., I employed for the first time the apparatus which I may call -my window telescope, to observe, from a position free from the -difficulties inflicted on terrestrial astronomers by the atmosphere, -all the celestial objects within my survey. As I had anticipated, the -absence of atmospheric disturbance and diffusion of light was of -extreme advantage. In the first place, I ascertained by the barycrite -and the discometer my distance from the Earth, which appeared to be -about 120 terrestrial radii. The light of the halo was of course very -much narrower than when I first observed it, and its scintillations or -coruscations no longer distinctly visible. The Moon presented an -exquisitely fine thread of light, but no new object of interest on the -very small portion of her daylight hemisphere turned towards me. Mars -was somewhat difficult to observe, being too near what may be called -my zenith. But the markings were far more distinct than they appear, -with greater magnifying powers than I employed, upon the Earth. In -truth, I should say that the various disadvantages due to the -atmosphere deprive the astronomer of at least one-half of the -available light-collecting power of his telescope, and consequently of -the defining power of the eye-piece; that with a 200 glass he sees -less than a power of 100 reveals to an eye situated in space; though, -from the nature of the lens through which I looked, I cannot speak -with certainty upon this point. With a magnifying power of 300 the -polar spots of Mars were distinctly visible and perfectly defined. -They were, I thought, less white than they appeared from the Earth, -but their colour was notably different from that of the planet's -general surface, differing almost as widely from the orange hue of -what I supposed to be land as from the greyish blue of the water. The -orange was, I thought, deeper than it appears through a telescope of -similar power on Earth. The seas were distinctly grey rather than -blue, especially when, by covering the greater part of the field, I -contrived for a moment to observe a sea alone, thus eliminating the -effect of contrast. The bands of Jupiter in their turn were more -notably distinct; their variety of colour as well as the contrast of -light and shade much more definite, and their irregularities more -unmistakable. A satellite was approaching the disc, and this afforded -me an opportunity of realising with especial clearness the difference -between observation through seventy or a hundred miles of terrestrial -atmosphere outside the object glass and observation in space. The two -discs were perfectly rounded and separately discernible until they -touched. Moreover, I was able to distinguish upon one of the darker -bands the disc of the satellite itself, while upon a lighter band its -round black shadow was at the same time perfectly defined. This -wonderfully clear presentation of one of the most interesting of -astronomical phenomena so absorbed my attention that I watched the -satellite and shadow during their whole course, though the former, -passing after a time on to a light band, became comparatively -indistinct. The moment, however, that the outer edge passed off the -disc of Jupiter, its outline became perfectly visible against the -black background of sky. What was still more novel was the occultation -for some little time of a star, apparently of the tenth magnitude, not -by the planet but by the satellite, almost immediately after it passed -off the disc of the former. Whether the star actually disappeared at -once, as if instantaneously extinguished, or whether, as I thought at -the moment, it remained for some tenth of a second partially visible, -as if refracted by an atmosphere belonging to the satellite, I will -not venture to say. The bands and rings of Saturn, the division -between the two latter, and the seven satellites, were also perfectly -visible, with a distinctness that a much greater magnifying power -would hardly have attained under terrestrial conditions. I was -perplexed by two peculiarities, not, so far as I know, hitherto [5] -mentioned by astronomers. The circumference did not appear to present -an even curvature. - -I mean that, apart from the polar compression, the shape seemed as if -the spheroid were irregularly squeezed; so that though not broken by -projection or indentation, the limb did not present the regular -quasi-circular curvature exhibited in the focus of our telescopes. -Also, between the inner ring and the planet, with a power of 500, I -discerned what appeared to be a dark purplish ring, semi-transparent, -so that through it the bright surface of Saturn might be discerned as -through a veil. Mercury shone brightly several degrees outside the -halo surrounding the Earth's black disc; and Venus was also visible; -but in neither case did my observations allow me to ascertain anything -that has not been already noted by astronomers. The dim form of Uranus -was better defined than I had previously seen it, but no marking of -any kind was perceptible. - -Rising from my second, or, so to speak, midday rest, and having busied -myself for some little time with what I may call my household and -garden duties, I observed the discometer at 1h. (or 5 P.M.). It -indicated about two hundred terrestrial radii of elevation. I had, of -course, from the first been falling slightly behind the Earth in her -orbital motion, and was no longer exactly in opposition; that is to -say, a line drawn from the Astronaut to the Earth's centre was no -longer a prolongation of that joining the centres of the Earth and -Sun. The effect of this divergence was now perceptible. The earthly -corona was unequal in width, and to the westward was very distinctly -brightened, while on the other side it was narrow and comparatively -faint. While watching this phenomenon through the lower lens, I -thought that I could perceive behind or through the widest portion of -the halo a white light, which at first I mistook for one of those -scintillations that had of late become scarcely discernible. But after -a time it extended visibly beyond the boundary of the halo itself, and -I perceived that the edge of the Sun's disc had come at last into -view. It was but a minute and narrow crescent, but was well worth -watching. The brightening and broadening of the halo at this point I -perceived to be due, not to the Sun's effect upon the atmosphere that -produced it, but chiefly to the twilight now brightening on that limb -of the Earth's disc; or rather to the fact that a small portion of -that part of the Earth's surface, where, if the Sun were not visible, -he was but a very little below the horizon, had been turned towards -me. I saw through the telescope first a tiny solar crescent of intense -brightness, then the halo proper, now exceedingly narrow, and then -what looked like a silver terrestrial crescent, but a mere thread, -finer and shorter than any that the Moon ever displays even to -telescopic observers on Earth; since, when such a minute portion of -her illuminated surface is turned towards the Earth, it is utterly -extinguished to our eyes by the immediate vicinity of the Sun, as was -soon the case with the terrestrial crescent in question. I watched -long and with intense interest the gradual change, but I was called -away from it by a consideration of no little practical moment. I must -now be moving at a rate of nearly, if not quite, 40,000 miles an hour, -or about a million miles per diem. It was not my intention, for -reasons I shall presently explain, ever greatly to exceed this rate; -and if I meant to limit myself to a fixed rate of speed, it was time -to diminish the force of the apergic current, as otherwise before its -reduction could take effect I should have attained an impulse greater -than I desired, and which could not be conveniently or easily -diminished when once reached. Quitting, therefore, though reluctantly, -my observation of the phenomena below me, I turned to the apergion, -and was occupied for some two or three hours in gradually reducing the -force as measured by the cratometer attached to the downward -conductor, and measuring with extreme care the very minute effect -produced upon the barycrite and the discometer. Even the difference -between 200 and 201 radii of elevation or apogaic distance was not -easily perceptible on either. It took, of course, much more minute -observation and a much longer time to test the effect produced by the -regulation of the movement, since whether I traveller forty, -forty-five, or forty-two thousand miles in the course of one hour made -scarcely any difference in the diameter of the Earth's disc, still -less, for reasons above given, in the gravity. By midnight, however, I -was satisfied that I had not attained quite 1,000,000 miles, or 275 -terrestrial radii; also that my speed was not greater than 45,000 -miles (11-1\4 radii) per hour, and was not, I thought, increasing. Of -this last point, however, I could better satisfy myself at the end of -my four hours' rest, to which I now betook myself. - -I woke about 4h. 30m., and on a scrutiny of the instruments, felt -satisfied that I was not far out in my calculations. A later hour, -however, would afford a more absolute certainty. I was about to turn -again to the interesting work of observation through the lens in the -floor, when my attention was diverted by the sight of something like a -whitish cloud visible through the upper window on my left hand. -Examined by the telescope, its widest diameter might be at most ten -degrees. It was faintly luminous, presenting an appearance very -closely resembling that of a star cluster or nebula just beyond the -power of resolution. As in many nebulae, there was a visible -concentration in one part; but this did not occupy the centre, but a -position more resembling that of the nucleus of a small tailless -comet. The cloudlet might be a distant comet, it might be a less -distant body of meteors clustering densely in some particular part of -their orbit; and, unfortunately, I was not likely to solve the -problem. Gradually the nebula changed its position, but not its form, -seeming to move downwards and towards the stern of my vessel, as if I -were passing it without approaching nearer. By the time that I was -satisfied of this, hunger and even faintness warned me that I must not -delay preparing my breakfast. When I had finished this meal and -fulfilled some necessary tasks, practical and arithmetical, the hand -of the chronometer indicated the eighth hour of my third day. I turned -again somewhat eagerly to the discometer, which showed an apparent -distance of 360 terrestrial radii, and consequently a movement which -had not materially varied from the rate of 11-1/4 radii per hour. By -this time the diameter of the Earth was not larger in appearance than -about 19', less than two-thirds that of the Sun; and she consequently -appeared as a black disc covering somewhat more than one-third of his -entire surface, but by no means concentrical. The halo had of course -completely disappeared; but with the vernier it was possible to -discern a narrow band or line of hazy grey around the black limb of -the planet. She was moving, as seen from the Astronaut, very slightly -to the north, and more decidedly, though very slowly, to the eastward; -the one motion due to my deliberately chosen direction in space, the -other to the fact that as my orbit enlarged I was falling, though as -yet slowly, behind her. The sun now shone through, the various -windows, and, reflected from the walls, maintained a continuous -daylight within the Astronaut, as well diffused as by the atmosphere -of Earth, strangely contrasting the star-spangled darkness outside. - -At the beginning as at the end of my voyage, I steered a distinct -course, governed by considerations quite different from those which -controlled the main direction of my voyage. Thus far I had simply -risen straight from the Earth in a direction somewhat to the -southward, but on the whole "in opposition," or right away from the -Sun. So, at the conclusion of my journey, I should have to devote some -days to a gradual descent upon Mars, exactly reversing the process of -my ascent from the Earth. But between these two periods I had -comparatively little to do with either planet, my course being -governed by the Sun, and its direction and rate being uniform. I -wished to reach Mars at the moment of opposition, and during the whole -of the journey to keep the Earth between myself and the Sun, for a -reason which may not at first be obvious. The moment of opposition is -not necessarily that at which Mars is nearest to the Earth, but is -sufficiently so for practical calculation. At that moment, according -to the received measurement of planetary distances, the two would be -more than 40 millions of miles apart. In the meantime the Earth, -travelling on an interior or smaller orbit, and also at a greater -absolute speed, was gaining on Mars. The Astronaut, moving at the -Earth's rate under an impulse derived from the Earth's revolution -round the Sun (that due to her rotation on her own axis having been -got rid of, as aforesaid), traveller in an orbit constantly widening, -so that, while gaining on Mars, I gained on him less than did the -Earth, and was falling behind her. Had I used the apergy only to drive -me directly outward from the Sun, I should move under the impulse -derived from the Earth about 1,600,000 miles a day, or 72 millions of -miles in forty-five days, in the direction common to the two planets. -The effect of the constantly widening orbit would be much as if the -whole motion took place on one midway between those of the Earth and -Mars, say 120 millions of miles from the Sun. The arc described on -this orbit would be equivalent to 86 millions of miles on that of -Mars. The entire arc of his orbit between the point opposite to that -occupied by the Earth when I started and the point of opposition--the -entire distance I had to gain as measured along his path--was about -116 millions of miles; so that, trusting to the terrestrial impulse -alone, I should be some 30 millions behindhand at the critical moment. -The apergic force must make up for this loss of ground, while driving -me in a direction, so to speak, at right angles with that of the -orbit, or along its radius, straight outward from the Sun, forty odd -millions of miles in the same time. If I succeeded in this, I should -reach the orbit of Mars at the point and at the moment of opposition, -and should attain Mars himself. But in this I might fail, and I should -then find myself under the sole influence of the Sun's attraction; -able indeed to resist it, able gradually to steer in any direction -away from it, but hardly able to overtake a planet that should lie far -out of my line of advance or retreat, while moving at full speed away -from me. In order to secure a chance of retreat, it was desirable as -long as possible to keep the Earth between the Astronaut and the Sun; -while steering for that point in space where Mars would lie at the -moment when, as seen from the centre of the Earth, he would be most -nearly opposite the Sun,--would cross the meridian at midnight. It was -by these considerations that the course I henceforward steered was -determined. By a very simple calculation, based on the familiar -principle of the parallelogram of forces, I gave to the apergic -current a force and direction equivalent to a daily motion of about -750,000 miles in the orbital, and rather more than a million in the -radial line. I need hardly observe that it would not be to the apergic -current alone, but to a combination of that current with the orbital -impulse received at first from the Earth, that my progress and course -would be due. The latter was the stronger influence; the former only -was under my control, but it would suffice to determine, as I might -from time to time desire, the resultant of the combination. The only -obvious risk of failure lay in the chance that, my calculations -failing or being upset, I might reach the desired point too soon or -too late. In either case, I should be dangerously far from Mars, -beyond his orbit or within it, at the time when I should come into a -line with him and the Sun; or, again, putting the same mischance in -another form, behind him or before him when I attained his orbit. But -I trusted to daily observation of his position, and verification of my -"dead reckoning" thereby, to find out any such danger in time to avert -it. - -The displacement of the Earth on the Sun's face proved it to be -necessary that the apergic current should be directed against the -latter in order to govern my course as I desired, and to recover the -ground I had lost in respect to the orbital motion. I hoped for a -moment that this change in the action of the force would settle a -problem we had never been able to determine. Our experiments proved -that apergy acts in a straight line when once collected in and -directed along a conductor, and does not radiate, like other forces, -from a centre in all directions. It is of course this radiation-- -diffusing the effect of light, heat, or gravity over the surface of a -sphere, which surface is proportionate to the square of the -radius--that causes these forces to operate with an energy inversely -proportionate, not to the distance, but to its square. We had no -reason to think that apergy, exempt as it is from this law, would be -at all diminished by distance; and this view the rate of acceleration -as I rose from the Earth had confirmed, and my entire experience has -satisfied me that it is correct. None of our experiments, however, had -indicated, or could well indicate, at what rate this force can travel -through space; nor had I yet obtained any light upon this point. From -the very first the current had been continuous, the only interruption -taking place when I was not five hundred miles from the Earth's -surface. Over so small a distance as that, the force would move so -instantaneously that no trace of the interruption would be perceptible -in the motion of the Astronaut. Even now the total interruption of the -action of apergy for a considerable time would not affect the rate at -which I was already moving. It was possible, however, that if the -current had been hitherto wholly intercepted by the Earth, it might -take so long a time in reaching the Sun that the interval between the -movement of the helm and the response of the Astronaut's course -thereto might afford some indication of the time occupied by the -current in traversing the 96-1/2 millions of miles which parted me -from the Sun. My hope, however, was wholly disappointed. I could -neither be sure that the action was instantaneous, nor that it was -otherwise. - -At the close of the third day I had gained, as was indicated by the -instruments, something more than two millions of miles in a direct -line from the Sun; and for the future I might, and did, reckon on a -steady progress of about one and a quarter million miles daily under -the apergic force alone--a gain in a line directly outward from the -Sun of about one million. Henceforward I shall not record my -observations, except where they implied an unexpected or altered -result. - -On the sixth day, I perceived another nebula, and on this occasion in -a more promising direction. It appeared, from its gradual movement, to -lie almost exactly in my course, so that if it were what I suspected, -and were not at any great distance from me, I must pass either near or -through it, and it would surely explain what had perplexed and baffled -me in the case of the former nebula. At this distance the nature of -the cloudlet was imperceptible to the naked eye. The window telescope -was not adjustable to an object which I could not bring conveniently -within the field of view of the lenses. In a few hours the nebula so -changed its form and position, that, being immediately over the -portion of the roof between the front or bow lens and that in the -centre of the roof, its central section was invisible; but the -extremities of that part which I had seen in the first instance -through the upper plane window of the bow were now clearly visible -from the upper windows of either side. What had at first been a mere -greatly elongated oval, with a species of rapidly diminishing tail at -each extremity, had now become an arc spanning no inconsiderable part -of the space above me, narrowing rapidly as it extended downwards and -sternwards. Presently it came in view through the upper lens, but did -not obscure in the least the image of the stars which were then -visible in the metacompass. I very soon ascertained that the cloudlet -consisted, as I had supposed in the former case, of a multitude of -points of light less brilliant than the stars, the distance between -which became constantly wider, but which for some time were separately -so small as to present no disc that any magnifying power at my command -could render measurable. In the meantime, the extremities visible -through the other windows were constantly widening out till lost in -the spangled darkness. By and by, it became impossible with the naked -eye to distinguish the individual points from the smaller stars; and -shortly after this the nearest began to present discs of appreciable -size but somewhat irregular shape. I had now no doubt that I was about -to pass through one of those meteoric rings which our most advanced -astronomers believe to exist in immense numbers throughout space, and -to the Earth's contact with or approach to which they ascribe the -showers of falling, stars visible in August and November. Ere long, -one after another of these bodies passed rapidly before my sight, at -distances varying probably from five yards to five thousand miles. -Where to test the distance was impossible, anything like accurate -measurement was equally out of the question; but my opinion is, that -the diameters of the nearest ranged from ten inches to two hundred -feet. One only passed so near that its absolute size could be judged -by the marks upon its face. This was a rock-like mass, presenting at -many places on the surface distinct traces of metallic veins or -blotches, rudely ovoid in form, but with a number of broken surfaces, -one or two of which reflected the light much more brilliantly than -others. The weight of this one meteoroid was too insignificant as -compared with that of the Astronaut seriously to disturb my course. -Fortunately for me, I passed so nearly through the centre of the -aggregation that its attraction as a whole was nearly inoperative. So -far as I could judge, the meteors in that part of the ring through -which I passed were pretty evenly distributed; and as from the -appearance of the first which passed my window to the disappearance of -the last four hours elapsed, I conceived that the diameter of the -congeries, measured in the direction of my path, which seemed to be -nearly in the diameter of their orbit, was about 180,000 miles, and -probably the perpendicular depth was about the same. - -I may mention here, though somewhat out of place, to avoid -interrupting the narrative of my descent upon Mars, the only -interesting incident that occurred during the latter days of my -journey--the gradual passage of the Earth off the face of the Sun. For -some little time after this the Earth was entirely invisible; but -later, looking through the telescope adjusted to the lens on that -side, I discerned two very minute and bright crescents, which, from -their direction and position, were certainly those of the Earth and -Moon, indeed could hardly be anything else. - -Towards the thirtieth day of my voyage I was disturbed by the -conflicting indications obtained from different instruments and -separate observations. The general result came to this, that the -discometer, where it should have indicated a distance of 333, actually -gave 347. But if my speed had increased, or I had overestimated the -loss by changes of direction, Mars should have been larger in equal -proportion. This, however, was not the case. Supposing my reckoning to -be right, and I had no reason to think it otherwise, except the -indication of the discometer, the Sun's disc ought to have diminished -in the proportion of 95 to 15, whereas the diminution was in the -proportion of 9 to 1. So far as the barycrite could be trusted, its -very minute indications confirmed those of the discometer; and the -only conclusion I could draw, after much thought and many intricate -calculations, was that the distance of 95 millions of miles between -the Earth and the Sun, accepted, though not very confidently, by all -terrestrial astronomers, is an over-estimate; and that, consequently, -all the other distances of the solar system have been equally -overrated. Mars consequently would be smaller, but also his distance -considerably less, than I had supposed. I finally concluded that the -solar distance of the Earth was less than 9 millions of miles, instead -of more than 95. This would involve, of course, a proportionate -diminution in the distance I had to traverse, while it did not imply -an equal error in the reckoning of my speed, which had at first been -calculated from the Earth's disc, and not from that of the Sun. Hence, -continuing my course unchanged, I should arrive at the orbit of Mars -some days earlier than intended, and at a point behind that occupied -by the planet, and yet farther behind the one I aimed at. Prolonged -observation and careful calculation had so fully satisfied me of the -necessity of the corrections in question, that I did not hesitate to -alter my course accordingly, and to prepare for a descent on the -thirty-ninth instead of the forty-first day. I had, of course, to -prepare for the descent very long before I should come within the -direct influence of the attraction of Mars. This would not prevail -over the Sun's attraction till I had come within a little more than -100,000 miles of the surface, and this distance would not allow for -material reduction of my speed, even were I at once to direct the -whole force of the apergic current against the planet. I estimated -that arriving within some two millions of miles of him, with a speed -of 45,000 miles per hour, and then directing the whole force of the -current in his direction, I should arrive at his surface at a speed -nearly equal to that at which I had ascended from the Earth. I knew -that I could spare force enough to make up for any miscalculation -possible, or at least probable. Of course any serious error might be -fatal. I was exposed to two dangers; perhaps to three: but to none -which I had not fully estimated before even preparing for my voyage. -If I should fail to come near enough to the goal of my journey, and -yet should go on into space, or if, on the other hand, I should stop -short, the Astronaut might become an independent planet, pursuing an -orbit nearly parallel to that of the Earth; in which case I should -perish of starvation. It was conceivable that I might, in attempting -to avert this fate, fall upon the Sun, though this seemed exceedingly -improbable, requiring a combination of accidents very unlikely to -occur. On the other hand, I might by possibility attain my point, and -yet, failing properly to calculate the rate of descent, be dashed to -pieces upon the surface of Mars. Of this, however, I had very little -fear, the tremendous power of the apergy having been so fully proved -that I believed that nothing but some disabling accident to -myself--such as was hardly to be feared in the absence of gravitation, -and with the extreme simplicity of the machinery I employed--could -prevent my being able, when I became aware of the danger, to employ in -time a sufficient force to avert it. The first of these perils, then, -was the graver one, perhaps the only grave one, and certainly to my -imagination it was much the most terrible. The idea of perishing of -want in the infinite solitude of space, and being whirled round for -ever the dead denizen of a planet one hundred feet in diameter, had in -it something even more awful than grotesque. - -On the thirty-ninth morning of my voyage, so far as I could calculate -by the respective direction and size of the Sun and of Mars, I was -within about 1,900,000 miles from the latter. I proceeded without -hesitation to direct the whole force of the current permitted to -emerge from the apergion directly against the centre of the planet. -His diameter increased with great rapidity, till at the end of the -first day I found myself within one million of miles of his surface. -His diameter subtended about 15', and his disc appeared about -one-fourth the size of the Moon. Examined through the telescope, it -presented a very different appearance from that either of the Earth or -of her satellite. It resembled the former in having unmistakably air -and water. But, unlike the Earth, the greater portion of its surface -seemed to be land; and, instead of continents surrounded by water, it -presented a number of separate seas, nearly all of them land-locked. -Around the snow-cap of each pole was a belt of water; around this, -again, a broader belt of continuous land; and outside this, forming -the northern and southern boundary between the arctic and temperate -zones, was another broader band of water, connected apparently in one -or two places with the central, or, if one may so call it, equatorial -sea. South of the latter is the one great Martial ocean. The most -striking feature of this new world, as seen from this point, was the -existence of three enormous gulfs, from three to five thousand miles -in length, and apparently varying in breadth from one hundred to seven -hundred miles. In the midst of the principal ocean, but somewhat to -the southward, is an island of unique appearance. It is roughly -circular, and, as I perceived in descending, stands very high, its -table-like summit being some 4000 feet, as I subsequently ascertained, -above the sea-level. Its surface, however, was perfectly -white--scarcely less brilliant, consequently, than an equal area of -the polar icefields. The globe, of course, revolved in some 4-1/ hours -of earthly time, and, as I descended, presented successively every -part of its surface to my view. I speak of descent, but, of course, I -was as yet ascending just as truly as ever, the Sun being visible -through the lens in the floor, and reflected upon the mirror of the -discometer, while Mars was now seen through the upper lens, and his -image received in the mirror of the metacompass. A noteworthy feature -in the meteorology of the planet became apparent during the second day -of the descent. As magnified by the telescope adjusted to the upper -lens, the distinctions of sea and land disappeared from the eastern -and western limbs of the planet; indeed, within 15 deg. or an hour of time -from either. It was plain, therefore, that those regions in which it -was late evening or early morning were hidden from view; and, -independently of the whitish light reflected from them, there could be -little doubt that the obscuration was due to clouds or mists. Had the -whitish light covered the land alone, it might have been attributed to -a snowfall, or, perhaps, even to a very severe hoar frost congealing a -dense moisture. But this last seemed highly improbable; and that mist -or cloud was the true explanation became more and more apparent as, -with a nearer approach, it became possible to discern dimly a broad -expanse of water contrasting the orange tinge of the land through this -annular veil. At 4h. on the second day of the descent, I was about -500,000 miles from Mars, the micrometer verifying, by the increased -angle subtended by the diameter, my calculated rate of approach. On -the next day I was able to sleep in security, and to devote my -attention to the observation of the planet's surface, for at its close -I should be still 15,000 miles from Mars, and consequently beyond the -distance at which his attraction would predominate over that of the -Sun. To my great surprise, in the course of this day I discerned two -small discs, one on each side of the planet, moving at a rate which -rendered measurement impossible, but evidently very much smaller than -any satellite with which astronomers are acquainted, and so small that -their non-discovery by terrestrial telescopes was not extraordinary. -They were evidently very minute, whether ten, twenty, or fifty miles -in diameter I could not say; neither of them being likely, so far as I -could calculate, to come at any part of my descent very near the -Astronaut, and the rapidity of their movement carrying them across the -field, even with the lowest power of my telescopes, too fast for -measurement. That they were Martial moons, however, there could be no -doubt. - -About 10h. on the last day of the descent, the effect of Mars' -attraction, which had for some time so disturbed the position of the -Astronaut as to take his disc completely out of the field of the -meta-compass, became decidedly predominant over that of the Sun. I had -to change the direction of the apergic current first to the left-hand -conductor, and afterwards, as the greater weight of the floor turned -the Astronaut completely over, bringing the planet immediately below -it, to the downward one. I was, of course, approaching Mars on the -daylight side, and nearly in the centre. This, however, did not -exactly suit me. During the whole of this day it was impossible that I -should sleep for a minute; since if at any point I should find that I -had miscalculated my rate of descent, or if any other unforeseen -accident should occur, immediate action would be necessary to prevent -a shipwreck, which must without doubt be fatal. It was very likely -that I should be equally unable to sleep during the first twenty-four -hours of my sojourn upon Mars, more especially should he be inhabited, -and should my descent be observed. It was, therefore, my policy to -land at some point where the Sun was setting, and to enjoy rest during -such part of the twelve hours of the Martial night as should not be -employed in setting my vessel in order and preparing to evacuate it. I -should have to ascertain exactly the pressure of the Martial -atmosphere, so as not to step too suddenly from a dense into what was -probably a very light one. If possible, I intended to land upon the -summit of a mountain, so high as to be untenanted and of difficult -access. At the same time it would not do to choose the highest point -of a very lofty range, since both the cold and the thinness of the air -might in such a place be fatal. I wished, of course, to leave the -Astronaut secure, and, if not out of reach, yet not within easy reach; -otherwise it would have been a simple matter to watch my opportunity -and descend in the dark from my first landing-place by the same means -by which I had made the rest of my voyage. - -At 18h. I was within 8000 miles of the surface, and could observe Mars -distinctly as a world, and no longer as a star. The colour, so -remarkable a feature in his celestial appearance, was almost equally -perceptible at this moderate elevation. The seas are not so much blue -as grey. Masses of land reflected a light between yellow and orange, -indicating, as I thought, that orange must be as much the predominant -colour of vegetation as green upon Earth. As I came still lower, and -only parts of the disc were visible at once, and these through the -side and end windows, this conviction was more and more strongly -impressed upon my mind. What, however, was beyond denial was, that if -the polar ice and snow were not so purely and distinctly white as they -appear at a distance upon Earth, they were yet to a great extent -devoid of the yellow tinge that preponderated everywhere else. The -most that could be said was, that whereas on Earth the snow is of that -white which we consider absolute, and call, as such, snow-white, but -which really has in it a very slight preponderance of blue, upon Mars -the polar caps are rather cream-white, or of that white, so common in -our flowers, which has in it an equally slight tinge of yellow. On the -shore, or about twenty miles from the shore of the principal sea to -the southward of the equator, and but a few degrees from the equator -itself, I perceived at last a point which appeared peculiarly suitable -for my descent. A very long range of mountains, apparently having an -average height of about 14,000 feet, with some peaks of probably twice -or three times that altitude, stretched for several hundred miles -along the coast, leaving, however, between it and the actual -shore-line an alluvial plain of some twenty to fifty miles across. At -the extremity of this range, and quite detached from it, stood an -isolated mountain of peculiar form, which, as I examined it through -the telescope, appeared to present a surface sufficiently broken and -sloped to permit of descent; while, at the same time, its height and -the character of its summit satisfied me that no one was likely to -inhabit it, and that though I might descend-it in a few hours, to -ascend it on foot from the plain would be a day's journey. Towards -this I directed my course, looking out from time to time carefully for -any symptoms of human habitation or animal life. I made out by degrees -the lines of rivers, mountain slopes covered by great forests, -extensive valleys and plains, seemingly carpeted by a low, dense, rich -vegetation. But my view being essentially of a bird's-eye character, -it was only in those parts that lay upon my horizon that I could -discern clearly the height of any object above the general level; and -as yet, therefore, there might well be houses and buildings, -cultivated fields and divisions, which I could not see. - -Before I had satisfied myself whether the planet was or was not -inhabited, I found myself in a position from which its general surface -was veiled by the evening mist, and directly over the mountain in -question, within some twelve miles of its summit. This distance I -descended in the course of a quarter of an hour, and landed without a -shock about half an hour, so far as I could judge, after the Sun had -disappeared below the horizon. The sunset, however, by reason of the -mists, was totally invisible. - - - -CHAPTER IV - A NEW WORLD. - -I will not attempt to express the intensity of the mingled emotions -which overcame me as I realised the complete success of the most -stupendous adventure ever proposed or even dreamed by man. I don't -think that any personal vanity, unworthy of the highest lessons I had -received, had much share in my passionate exultation. The conception -was not original; the means were furnished by others; the execution -depended less on a daring and skill, in which any courageous traveller -or man of science knowing what I knew might well have excelled me, -than on the direct and manifest favour of Providence. But this -enterprise, the greatest that man had ever attempted, had in itself a -charm, a sanctity in my eyes that made its accomplishment an -unspeakable satisfaction. I would have laid down life a dozen times -not only to achieve it myself, but even to know that it had been -achieved by others. All that Columbus can have felt when he first set -foot on a new hemisphere I felt in tenfold force as I assured myself -that not, as often before, in dreams, but in very truth and fact, I -had traversed forty million miles of space, and landed in a new world. -Of the perils that might await me I could hardly care to think. They -might be greater in degree. - -They could hardly be other in kind, than those which a traveller might -incur in Papua, or Central Africa, or in the North-West Passage. They -could have none of that wholly novel, strange, incalculable character -which sometimes had given to the chances of my etherial voyage a vague -horror and mystery that appalled imagination. For the first time -during my journey I could neither eat nor sleep; yet I must do both. I -might soon meet with difficulties and dangers that would demand all -the resources of perfect physical and mental condition, with heavy -calls on the utmost powers of nerve and muscle. I forced myself, -therefore, to sup and to slumber, resorting for the first time in many -years to the stimulus of brandy for the one purpose, and to the aid of -authypnotism for the other. When I woke it was 8h. by my chronometer, -and, as I inferred, about 5h. after midnight of the Martial meridian -on which I lay. Sleep had given me an appetite for breakfast, and -necessary practical employment calmed the excitement natural to my -situation. My first care, after making ready to quit the Astronaut as -soon as the light around should render it safe to venture into scenes -so much more utterly strange, unfamiliar, and unknown than the wildest -of the yet unexplored deserts of the Earth, was to ascertain the -character of the atmosphere which I was presently to breathe. Did it -contain the oxygen essential to Tellurian lungs? Was it, if capable of -respiration, dense enough to sustain life like mine? I extracted the -plug from the tubular aperture through which I had pumped in the extra -quantity of air that the Astronaut contained; and substituted the -sliding valve I had arranged for the purpose, with a small hole which, -by adjustment to the tube, would give the means of regulating the -air-passage at pleasure. The difficulty of this simple work, and the -tremendous outward pressure of the air, showed that the external -atmosphere was very thin indeed. This I had anticipated. Gravity on -the surface of Mars is less than half what it is on Earth; the total -mass of the planet is as two to fifteen. It was consequently to be -expected that the extent of the Martial atmosphere, and its density -even at the sea-level, would be far less than on the heavier planet. -Rigging the air-pump securely round the aperture, exhausting its -chamber, and permitting the Martial air to fill it, I was glad to find -a pressure equal to that which prevails at a height of 16,000 feet on -Earth. Chemical tests showed the presence of oxygen in somewhat -greater proportion than in the purest air of terrestrial mountains. It -would sustain life, therefore, and without serious injury, if the -change from a dense to a light atmosphere were not too suddenly made. -I determined then gradually to diminish the density of the internal -atmosphere to something not very much greater than that outside. For -this purpose I unrigged the air-pump apparatus, and almost, but not -quite, closed the valve, leaving an aperture about the twentieth part -of an inch in diameter. The silence was instantly broken by a whistle -the shrillest and loudest I had ever heard; the dense compressed -atmosphere of the Astronaut rushing out with a force which actually -created a draught through the whole vessel, to the great discomfiture -of the birds, which roughed their feathers and fluttered about in -dismay. The pressure gauge fell with astonishing rapidity, despite the -minuteness of the aperture; and in a few minutes indicated about 24 -barometrical inches. I then checked the exit of the air for a time, -while I proceeded to loosen the cement around the window by which I -had entered, and prepared for my exit. Over a very light flannel -under-vesture I put on a mail-shirt of fine close-woven wire, which -had turned the edge of Mahratta tulwars, repelled the thrust of a -Calabrian stiletto, and showed no mark of three carbine bullets fired -point-blank. Over this I wore a suit of grey broadcloth, and a pair of -strong boots over woollen socks, prepared for cold and damp as well as -for the heat of a sun shining perpendicularly through an Alpine -atmosphere. I had nearly equalised the atmospheric pressure within and -without, at about 17 inches, before the first beams of dawn shone -upward on the ceiling of the Astronaut. A few minutes later I stepped -forth on the platform, some two hundred yards in circumference, -whereon the vessel rested. The mist immediately around me was fast -dispersing; five hundred feet below it still concealed everything. On -three sides descent was barred by sheer precipices; on the fourth a -steep slope promised a practicable path, at least as far as my eye -could reach. I placed the weaker and smaller of my birds in portable -cages, and then commenced my experiment by taking out a strong-winged -cuckoo and throwing him downwards over the precipice. He fell at first -almost like a stone; but before he was quite lost to sight in the -mist, I had the pleasure of seeing that he had spread his wings, and -was able to sustain himself. As the mist was gradually dissolving, I -now ventured to begin my descent, carrying my bird-cages, and -dismissing the larger birds, several of which, however, persistently -clung about me. I had secured on my back an air-gun, arranged to fire -sixteen balls in succession without reloading, while in my belt, -scabbarded in a leathern sheath, I had placed a well and often tried -two-edged sword. I found the way practicable, though not easy, till I -reached a point about 1000 feet below the summit, where farther -progress in the same direction was barred by an abrupt and impassable -cleft some hundred feet deep. To the right, however, the mountain side -seemed to present a safe and sufficiently direct descent. The sun was -a full hour above the horizon, and the mist was almost gone. Still I -had seen no signs of animal life, save, at some distance and in rapid -motion, two or three swarms of flying insects, not much resembling any -with which I was acquainted. The vegetation, mostly small, was of a -yellowish colour, the flowers generally red, varied by occasional -examples of dull green and white; the latter, however, presenting that -sort of creamy tinge which I had remarked in the snow. Here I released -and dismissed my birds one by one. The stronger and more courageous -flew away downwards, and soon disappeared; the weakest, trembling and -shivering, evidently suffering from the thinness of the atmosphere, -hung about me or perched upon the cages. - -The scene I now contemplated was exceedingly novel and striking. The -sky, instead of the brilliant azure of a similar latitude on earth, -presented to my eye a vault of pale green, closely analogous to that -olive tint which the effect of contrast often throws over a small -portion of clear sky distinguished among the golden and rose-coloured -clouds of a sunset in our temperate zones. - -The vapours which still hung around the north-eastern and -south-eastern horizon, though dispelled from the immediate vicinity of -the Sun, were tinged with crimson and gold much deeper than the tints -peculiar to an earthly twilight. The Sun himself, when seen by the -naked eye, was as distinctly golden as our harvest moon; and the whole -landscape, terrestrial, aerial, and celestial, appeared as if bathed -in a golden light, wearing generally that warm summer aspect peculiar -to Tellurian landscapes when seen through glass of a rich yellow tint. -It was a natural inference from all I saw that there takes place in -the Martial atmosphere an absorption of the blue rays which gives to -the sunlight a predominant tinge of yellow or orange. The small rocky -plateau on which I stood, like the whole of the mountainside I had -descended, faced the extremity of the range of which this mountain was -an outpost; and the valley which separated them was not from my -present position visible. I saw that I should have to turn my back -upon this part of the landscape as I descended farther, and therefore -took note at this point of the aspect it presented. The most prominent -object was a white peak in the distant sky, rising to a height above -my actual level, which I estimated conjecturally at 25,000 feet, -guessing the distance at fifty miles. The summit was decidedly more -angular and pointed, less softened in outline by atmospheric -influences, than those of mountains on Earth. Beyond this in the -farthest distance appeared two or three peaks still higher, but of -which, of course, only the summits were visible to me. On this side of -the central peak an apparently continuous double ridge extended to -within three miles of my station, exceedingly irregular in level, the -highest elevations being perhaps 20,000, the lowest visible -depressions 3000 feet above me. There appeared to be a line of -perpetual snow, though in many places above, this line patches of -yellow appeared, the nearer of which were certainly and the more -distant must be inferred to be covered with a low, close herbaceous -vegetation. The lower slopes were entirely clothed with yellow or -reddish foliage. Between the woods and snow-line lay extensive -pastures or meadows, if they might be so called, though I saw nothing -whatever that at all resembled the grass of similar regions on Earth. -Whatever foliage I saw--as yet I had not passed near anything that -could be called a tree, and very few shrubs--consisted distinctly of -leaves analogous to those of our deciduous trees, chiefly of three -shapes: a sort of square rounded at the angles, with short projecting -fingers; an oval, slightly pointed where it joined the stalk; and -lanceolate or sword-like blades of every size, from two inches to four -feet in length. Nearly all were of a dull yellow or copper-red tinge. -None were as fine as the beech-leaf, none succulent or fleshy; nothing -resembling the blades of grass or the bristles of the pine and -cedar tribes was visible. - -My path now wound steadily downward at a slope of perhaps one in eight -along the hillside, obliging me to turn my back to the mountains, -while my view in front was cut off by a sharp cross-jutting ridge -immediately, before me. By the time I turned this, all my birds had -deserted me, and I was not, I think, more than 2000 feet from the -valley below. Just before reaching this point I first caught sight of -a Martial animal. A little creature, not much bigger than a rabbit, -itself of a sort of sandy-yellow colour, bounded from among some -yellow herbage by my feet, and hopped or sprang in the manner of a -kangaroo down the steep slope on my left. When I turned the ridge, a -wide and quite new landscape burst upon my sight. I was looking upon -an extensive plain, the continuation apparently of a valley of which -the mountain range formed the southern limit. To the southward this -plain was bounded by the sea, bathed in the peculiar light I have -tried to describe, and lying in what seemed from this distance a -glassy calm. To eastward and northward the plain extended to the -horizon, and doubtless far beyond it; while from the valley north of -the mountain range emerged a broad river, winding through the plain -till it was lost at the horizon. Plain I have called it, but I do not -mean to imply that it was by any means level. On the contrary, its -surface was broken by undulations, and here and there by hills, but -all so much lower than the point on which I stood that the general -effect was that of an almost flat surface. And now the question of -habitation, and of human habitation, seemed to be solved. Looking -through my field-glass, I saw, following the windings of the river, -what must surely be a road; serving also, perhaps, as an embankment, -since it was raised many feet above the level of the stream. It -seemed, too, that the plain was cultivated. Everywhere appeared -extensive patches, each of a single colour, in every tint between deep -red and yellowish green, and so distinctly rectangular in form as -irresistibly to suggest the idea of artificial, if not human, -arrangement. But there were other features of the scene that dispelled -all doubt upon this point. Immediately to the south-eastward, and -about twenty miles from where I stood, a deep arm of the sea ran up -into the land, and upon the shores of this lay what was unquestionably -a city. It had nothing that looked like fortifications, and even at -this distance I could discern that its streets were of remarkable -width, with few or no buildings so high as mosques, churches, -State-offices, or palaces in Tellurian cities. Their colours were most -various and brilliant, as if reflected from metallic surfaces; and on -the waters of the bay itself rode what I could not doubt to be ships -or rafts. More immediately beneath me, and scattered at intervals over -the entire plain, clustering more closely in the vicinity of the city, -were walled enclosures, and in the centre of each was what could -hardly be anything but a house, though not apparently more than twelve -or fourteen feet high, and covering a space sufficient for an European -or even American street or square. Upon the lower slopes of the hill -whereon I stood were moving figures, which, seen through the -binocular, proved to be animals; probably domestic animals, since they -never ranged very far, and presented none of those signs of -watchfulness and alarm which are peculiar to creatures not protected -by man from their less destructive enemies, and taught to lay aside -their dread of man himself. I had descended, then, not only into an -inhabited world--not only into a world of men, who, however they might -differ in outward form, must resemble in their wants, ideas, and -habits, in short, in mind if not in body, the lords of my own -planet--but into a civilised world and among a race living under a -settled order, cultivating the soil, and taming the brutes to their -service. - -And now, as I came on lower ground, I found at each step new objects -of curiosity and interest. A tree with dark-yellowish leaves, taller -than most timber trees on Earth, bore at the end of drooping twigs -large dark-red fruits--fruits with a rind something like that of a -pomegranate, save for the colour and hardness, and about the size of a -shaddock or melon. One of these, just within reach of my hand, I -gathered, but found it impossible to break the thin, dry rind or -shell, without the aid of a knife. Having pierced this, a stream of -red juice gushed out, which had a sweet taste and a strong flavour, -not unlike the juice expressed from cherries, but darker in colour. -Dissecting the fruit completely, I found it parted by a membrane, -essentially of the same nature as the rind, but much thinner and -rather tough than hard, into sixteen segments, like those of an orange -divided across the middle, each of which enclosed a seed. These seeds -were all joined at the centre, but easily separated. They were of a -yellow colour and about as large as an almond kernel. Some fruits -that, being smaller, I concluded to be less ripe, were of a -reddish-yellow. After walking for about a mile through a grove of such -trees, always tending downwards, I came to another of more varied -character. The most prevalent tree here was of lower stature and with -leaves of great length and comparatively narrow, the fruit of which, -though protected by a somewhat similar rind, was of rich golden -colour, not so easily seen among the yellowish leaves, and contained -one solid kernel of about the size of an almond, enclosed entirely in -a sort of spongy material, very palatable to the taste, and resembling -more the inside of roasted maize than any other familiar vegetable. As -I emerged entirely from the grove, I came upon a ditch about twice as -broad as deep. On Earth I certainly could not have leaped it; but -since landing on Mars, I had forgotten the weightless life of the -Astronaut, and felt as if on Earth, but enjoying great increase of -strength and energy; and with these sensations had come instinctively -an exalted confidence in my physical powers. I took, therefore, a -vigorous run, and leaping with all my strength, landed, somewhat to my -own surprise, a full yard on the other side of the ditch. - -Having done so, I found myself in what was beyond doubt a cultivated -field, producing nothing but one crimson-coloured plant, about a foot -in height. This carpeted the soil with broad leaves shaped something -like those of the laurel, and in colour exactly resembling a withered -laurel leaf, but somewhat thicker, more metallic and brighter in -appearance, and perfectly free from the bitter taste of the bay tribe. -At a little distance I saw half-a-dozen animals somewhat resembling -antelopes, but on a second glance still more resembling the fabled -unicorn. They were like the latter, at all events, in the single -particular from which it derived its name: they had one horn, about -eight inches in length, intensely sharp, smooth and firm in texture as -ivory, but marbled with vermilion and cream white. Their skins were -cream-coloured, dappled with dark red. Their ears were large and -protected by a lap which fell down so as to shelter the interior part -of the organ, but which they had not quite lost the power to erect at -the approach of a sound that startled them. They looked up at me, at -first without alarm, afterwards with some surprise, and presently -bounded away; as if my appearance, at first familiar, had, on a closer -examination, presented some unusual particulars, frightening them, as -everything unusual frightens even those domestic animals on Earth best -acquainted with man and most accustomed to his caprices. I noticed -that all were female, and their abnormally large udders suggested that -they were domestic creatures kept for their milk. Not being able to -see a path through the field, I went straight forward, endeavouring to -trample the pasture as little as I could, but being surprised to -remark how very little the plants had been injured by the feet of the -animals. The leaves had been grazed, but the stems were seldom or -never broken. In fact, the animals seemed to have gathered their food -as man would do, with an intelligent or instinctive care not to injure -the plant so as to deprive it of the power of reproducing their -sustenance. - -In another minute I discerned the object of my paramount interest, of -whose vicinity I had thus far seen nearly every imaginable evidence -except himself. It was undoubtedly a man, but a man very much smaller -than myself. His eyes were fixed upon the ground as if in reverie, and -he did not perceive me till I had come within fifty yards of him, so -that I had full time to remark the peculiarities of his form and -appearance. He was about four feet eight or nine inches in height, -with legs that seemed short in proportion to the length and girth of -the body, but only because, as was apparent on more careful scrutiny, -the chest was proportionately both longer and wider than in our race; -otherwise he greatly resembled the fairer families of the Aryan breed, -the Swede or German. The yellow hair, unshaven beard, whiskers, and -moustache were all close and short. The dress consisted of a sort of -blouse and short pantaloons, of some soft woven fabric, and of a -vermilion colour. The head was protected from the rays of an -equatorial sun by a species of light turban, from which hung down a -short shade or veil sheltering the neck and forehead. His bare feet -were guarded by sandals of some flexible material just covering the -toes and bound round the ankle by a single thong. He carried no -weapon, not even a staff; and I therefore felt that there was no -immediate danger from him. On seeing me he started as with intense -surprise and not a little alarm, and turned to run. Size and length of -limb, however, gave me immense advantage in this respect, and in less -than a minute I had come up with and laid my hand upon him. - -He looked up at me, scanning my face with earnest curiosity. I took -from my pocket first a jewel of very exquisite construction, a -butterfly of turquoise, pearl, and rubies, set on an emerald branch, -upon which he looked without admiration or interest, then a watch very -small and elaborately enamelled and jewelled. To the ornament he paid -no attention whatever; but when I opened the watch, its construction -and movement evidently interested him. Placing it in his hands and -endeavouring to signify to him by signs that he was to retain it, I -then held his arm and motioned to him to guide me towards the houses -visible in the distance. This he seemed willing to do, but before we -had gone many paces he repeated two or three times a phrase or word -which sounded like "r'mo-ah-el" ("whence-who-what" do you want?). I -shook my head; but, that he might not suppose me dumb, I answered him -in Latin. The sound seemed to astonish him exceedingly; and as I went -on to repeat several questions in the same tongue, for the purpose of -showing him that I could speak and was desirous of doing so, I -observed that his wonder grew deeper and deeper, and was evidently -mingled first with alarm and afterwards with anger, as if he thought I -was trying to impose upon him. I pointed to the sky, to the summit of -the mountain from which I had descended, and then along the course by -which I had come, explaining aloud at the same time the meaning of my -signs. I thought that he had caught the latter, but if so, it only -provoked an incredulous indignation, contempt of a somewhat angry -character being the principal expression visible in his countenance. I -saw that it was of little use to attempt further conversation for the -present, and, still holding his hand and allowing him to direct me, -looked round again at the scenes through which we were passing. The -lower hill slopes before us appeared to be divided into fields of -large extent, perhaps some 100 acres each, separated by ditches. We -followed a path about two yards broad, raised two or three inches -above the level of the ground, and paved with some kind of hard -concrete. Each ditch was crossed by a bridge of planks, in the middle -of which was a stake or short pole, round which we passed with ease, -but which would obviously baffle a four-footed animal of any size. The -crops were of great variety, and wonderfully free from weeds. Most of -them showed fruit of one kind or another, sometimes gourd-like globes -on the top of upright stalks, sometimes clusters of a sort of nut on -vines creeping along the soil, sometimes a number of pulpy fruits -about the size of an orange hanging at the end of pendulous stalks -springing from the top of a stiff reed-like stem. One field was bare, -its surface of an ochreish colour deeper than that of clay, broken and -smoothed as perfectly as the surface of the most carefully tended -flower-bed. Across this was ranged a row of birds, differing, though -where and how I had hardly leisure to observe, from the form of any -earthly fowl, about twice the size of a crow, and with beaks -apparently at least as powerful but very much longer. Extending -entirely across the field, they kept line with wonderful accuracy, and -as they marched across it, slowly and constantly dug their beaks into -the soil as if seeking grubs or worms beneath the surface. They went -on with their work perfectly undisturbed by our presence. In the next -field was a still odder sight; here grew gourd-like heads on erect -reed-like stems, and engaged in plucking the ripe purple fruit, -carefully distinguishing them from the scarlet unripened heads, were -half-a-score of creatures which, from their occupation and demeanour, -I took at first to be human; but which, as we approached nearer, I saw -were only about half the size of my companion, and thickly covered -with hair, with bushy tails, which they kept carefully erect so as not -to touch the ground; creatures much resembling monkeys in movement, -size, and length, and flexibility of limb, but in other respects more -like gigantic squirrels. They held the stalks of the fruit they -plucked in their mouths, filling with them large bags left at -intervals, and from the manner in which they worked I suspected that -they had no opposable thumbs--that the whole hand had to be used like -the paw of a squirrel to grasp an object. I pointed to these, -directing my companion's attention and asking, "What are they?" -"Ambau," he said, but apparently without the slightest interest in -their proceedings. Indeed, the regularity and entire freedom from -alarm or vigilance which characterised their movements, convinced me -that both these and the birds we passed were domesticated creatures, -whose natural instincts had been turned to such account by human -training. - -After a few moments more, we came in sight of a regular road, in a -direction nearly at right angles to that which followed the course of -the river. Like the path, it was constructed of a hard polished -concrete. It was about forty paces broad, and in the centre was a -raised way about four inches higher than the general surface, and -occupying about one-fourth of the entire width. Along the main way on -either side passed from time to time with great rapidity light -vehicles of shining metal, each having three wheels, one small one in -front and two much larger behind, with box-like seat and steering -handle; otherwise resembling nothing so much as the velocipedes I have -seen ridden for amusement by eccentric English youths. It was clear, -however, that these vehicles were not moved by any effort on the part -of their drivers, and their speed was far greater than that of the -swiftest mail-coach:--say, from fifteen to thirty miles an hour. All -risk of collision was avoided, as those proceeding in opposite -directions took opposite sides of the road, separated by the raised -centre I have described. Crossing the road with caution, we came upon -a number of small houses, perhaps twenty feet square, each standing in -the midst of a garden marked out by a narrow ditch, some of them -having at either side wings of less height and thrown a little -backward. In the centre of each, and at the end of the wings where -these existed, was what seemed to be a door of some translucent -material about twelve feet in height. But I observed that these doors -were divided by a scarcely perceptible line up to six feet from the -ground, and presently one of these parted, and a figure, closely -resembling that of my guide, came out. - -We had now reached another road which led apparently towards the -larger houses I had seen in the distance, and were proceeding along -the raised central pathway, when some half-dozen persons from the -cottages followed us. At a call from my guide, these, and presently as -many more, ran after and gathered around us. I turned, took down my -air-gun from my back, and waving it around me, signalled to them to -keep back, not choosing to incur the danger of a sudden rush, since -their bearing, if not plainly hostile, was not hospitable or friendly. -Thus escorted, but not actually assailed, I passed on for three or -four miles, by which time we were among the larger dwellings of which -I have spoken. Each of them stood in grounds enclosed by walls about -eight feet high, each of some uniform colour, contrasting agreeably -with that chosen for the exterior of the house. The enclosures varied -in size from about six to sixty acres. The houses were for the most -part some twelve feet in height, and from one to four hundred feet -square. On several flat roofs, guarded by low parapets, other persons, -all about the size of my guide, now showed themselves, all of them -interested, and, as it seemed, somewhat excited by my appearance. In a -few cases groups differently dressed, and, from their somewhat smaller -stature, slighter figures, and the long hair here and there visible, -probably consisting of women, were gathered on a remoter portion of -the roof. But these, when seen by those in front, were always waived -back with an impatient or threatening gesture, and instantly retired. -Presently two or three men more richly dressed than my escort, and in -various colours, came out upon the road. Addressing one of these, I -pointed again to the sky, and again endeavoured to describe my -journey, holding out to him at the same time, as the thing most likely -to conciliate him, a watch somewhat larger than that I had bestowed -upon my guide. He, however, did not come within arm's length; and when -I repeated my signs, he threw back his head with a sort of sneer and -uttered a few words in a sharp tone, at which my escort rushed upon -and attempted to throw me down. For this, however, I had been long -prepared, and striking right and left with my air-gun--for I was -determined not to shed blood except in the last extremity--I speedily -cleared a circle round me, still grasping my guide with the left hand, -from a providential instinct which suggested that his close contiguity -might in some way protect me. A call from the chief of my antagonists -was answered from the roof of a neighbouring house. I heard a whizzing -through the air, and presently something like a winged serpent, but -with a slender neck, and shoulders of considerable breadth, and a head -much larger than a serpent's in proportion to the body, and shaped -more like a bird's, with a sharp, short beak, sprang upon and coiled -round my left arm. That it was trying to sting with an erectile organ -placed about midway between the shoulders and the tail I became -instinctively aware, and presently felt something like a weak electric -thrill over all my body, while my left hand, which was naked, -sustained a severe shock, completely numbing it for the moment. I -caught the beast by the neck, and flung him with all my force right in -the face of my chief antagonist, who fell with a cry of terror. -Looking in the direction from which this dangerous assailant had come, -I perceived another in the air, and saw that not a moment was to be -lost. Dropping my gun with the muzzle between my feet, and holding it -so far as I could with my numbed left hand--releasing also my guide, -but throwing him to the ground as I released him--I drew my sword; and -but just in time, with the same motion with which I drew it, I cut -right through the neck of the dragon that had been launched against -me. My principal enemy had quickly recovered his feet and presence of -mind, and spoke very loudly and at some length to the person who had -launched the dragons. The latter disappeared, and at the same time the -group around me began to disperse. Whatever suited them was certain -not to suit me, and accordingly, still holding my sword, I caught one -of them with each hand. It was well I had done so, for within another -minute the owner of the dragons reappeared with a weapon not wholly -unlike a long cannon of very small bore fixed upon a sort of stand. -This he levelled at me, and I, seeing that a danger of whose magnitude -and nature I could form no exact estimate was impending, caught up -instinctively one of my prisoners, and held him as a shield between -myself and the weapon pointed at me. This checked my enemy, who for -the moment seemed almost as much at a loss as myself. Fortunately his -hostile intention evidently endangered not only my life but all near -me, and secured me from any close attack. - -At this moment a somewhat remarkable personage came to the front of -the group which had gathered some few yards before me. He wore a long -frock of emerald green and trousers of the same colour, gathered in at -the waist by a belt of a red metal. On earth I should have taken him -for a hale and vigorous gentleman of some fifty years; he was two -inches short of five feet, but well proportioned as a man of middle -size. Gentleman I say emphatically; for something of dignity, gravity, -and calm good-breeding, was conspicuous in his manner, as authority -unmixed with menace was evident in his tone. He called, somewhat -peremptorily as I thought, to the man who was still aiming his weapon -at my head, then waived back those behind him, and presently advanced -towards me, looking me straight in the eyes with a steadiness and -intensity of gaze far exceeding, both in expressiveness and in effect, -the most fixed stare of the most successful mesmerists I have known. I -doubt whether I should have had the power to resist his will had I -thought it wise to do so. But I was perfectly aware that, however -successful in repelling the first tumultuous attack, prolonged -self-defence was hopeless. - -I must, probably at the next move, certainly in a few minutes, succumb -to the enemies around me. I could not conciliate those whose malignity -I could not comprehend. I had done them no injury, and they could -hardly be maddened by fear, since my size and strength did not seem to -overawe them save at close quarters, and of my weapons they were -certainly less afraid than I of theirs. My only chance must lie in -finding favour with an individual protector. When, therefore, the -new-comer fearlessly laid his hand on an arm which could have killed -him at a blow, and rather by gesture than by force released my -captives, policy as well as instinct dictated submission. I allowed -him to disarm and make me in some sense his prisoner without a show of -resistance. He took me by the left hand, first placing my fingers upon -his own wrist and then grasping mine, and led me quietly through the -crowd, which gave way before him reluctantly and not without angry -murmurs, but with a certain awe as before one superior either in power -or rank. - -Thus he led me for about half a mile, till we reached the crystal gate -of an enclosure of exceptional size, the walls of which, like the gate -itself, were of a pale rose-colour. Through grounds laid out in -symmetrical alternation of orchard and grove, shrubbery, -close-carpeted field, and garden beds, arranged with evident regard to -effect in form and colour, as well as to fitting distribution of shade -and sun, we followed a straight path which sloped under a canopy of -flowering creepers up to the terrace on which stood the house itself. -There were some eight or nine crystal doors (or windows) in the front, -and in the centre one somewhat larger than the others, which, as we -came immediately in front of it, opened, not turning on hinges, but, -like every other door I had seen, dividing and sliding rapidly into -the walls to the right and left. We entered, and it immediately closed -behind us in the same way. Turning my head for a moment, I was -surprised to observe that, whereas I could see nothing through the -door from the outside, the scene without was as visible from within as -through the most perfectly transparent glass. The chamber in which I -found myself had walls of bright emerald green, with all the brilliant -transparency of the jewel; their surface broken by bas-reliefs of -minutely perfect execution, and divided into panels--each of which -seemed to contain a series of distinct scenes, one above the other--by -living creepers with foliage of bright gold, and flowers sometimes -pink, sometimes cream-white of great size, both double and single; the -former mostly hemispherical and the latter commonly shaped as hollow -cones or Avide shallow champagne glasses. In these walls two or three -doors appeared, reaching, from the floor to the roof, which was -coloured like the walls, and seemingly of the same material. Through -one of these my guide led me into a passage which appeared to run -parallel with the front of the house, and turning down this, a door -again parted on the right hand, through which he led me into a similar -but smaller apartment, some twenty feet in width and twenty-five in -length. The window--if I should so call that which was simply another -door--of this apartment looked into one corner of a flower-garden of -great extent, beyond and at each end of which were other portions of -the dwelling. The walls of this chamber were pink, the surface -appearing as before of jewel-like lustre; the roof and floor of a -green lighter than that of the emerald. In two corners were piles of -innumerable cushions and pillows covered with a most delicate -satin-like fabric, embroidered with gold, silver, and feathers, all -soft as eider-down and of all shapes and sizes. There were three or -four light tables, apparently of metal, silver, or azure, or golden in -colour, in various parts of the chamber, with one or two of different -form, more like small office-tables or desks. In one of the walls was -sunk a series of shelves closed by a transparent sheet of crystal of -pale yellow tinge. There were three or four movable seats resembling -writing or easy-chairs, but also of metal, luxurious all though all -different. In the corner to the left, farthest from the inner court or -peristyle, was a screen, which, as my host showed me, concealed a bath -and some other convenient appurtenances. The bath was a cylinder some -five feet in depth and about two in diameter, with thin double walls, -the space between which was filled with an apparatus of small pipes. -By pressing a spring, as my protector pointed out, countless minute -jets of warm perfumed water were thrown from every part of the -interior wall, forming the most delicious and perfect shower-bath that -could well be devised. - -My host then led me to a seat among the cushions, and placed himself -beside me, looking for some time intently and gravely into my face, -but with nothing of offensive curiosity, still less of menace in his -gaze. It appeared to me as if he wished to read the character and -perhaps the thoughts of his guest. The scrutiny seemed to satisfy him. -He stretched out his left hand, and grasping mine, placed it on his -heart, and then dropping my hand, placed his upon my breast. He then -spoke in words whose meaning I could not guess, but the tone sounded -to me as that of inquiry. The question most likely to be asked -concerned my character and the place from which I had come. I again -explained, again pointing upward. He seemed dubious or perplexed, and -it occurred to me that drawing might assist explanation; since, from -the bas-reliefs and tracery, it was evident that the art was carried -to no common excellence in Mars. I drew, therefore, in the first -place, a globe to represent the Earth, traced its orbit round the Sun, -and placed a crescent Moon at some little distance, indicating its -path round the Earth. It was evident that my host understood my -meaning, the more clearly when I marked upon the form of the Earth a -crescent, such as she would often present through a Martial telescope. -Sketches in outline roughly exhibiting different stages of my voyage, -from the first ascent to the final landing, appeared to convince my -host of my meaning, if not of my veracity. Signing to me to remain -where I was, he left the room. In a few minutes he returned, -accompanied by one of the strange squirrel-like animals I had seen in -the fields. I was right in conjecturing that the creature had no -opposable thumb; but a little ingenuity had compensated this so far as -regarded the power of carrying. A little chain hung down from each -wrist, and to these was suspended a tray, upon which were arranged a -variety of fruits and what seemed to be small loaves of various -materials. Breaking one of these and cutting open with a small knife, -apparently of silver, one of the fruits, my host tasted each and then -motioned to me to eat. The attendant had placed the tray upon a table, -disengaged the chains, and disappeared; the door opening and closing -as he trod, somewhat more heavily than had been necessary for my host, -upon particular points of the floor. - -The food offered me was very delicious and various in flavour. My host -showed me how to cut the top from some of the hard-rind fruits, so as -to have a cup full of the most delicately-flavoured juice, the whole -pulp having been reduced to a liquid syrup by a process with which -some semicivilised cultivators on Earth are familiar. When I had -finished my meal, my host whistled, and the attendant, returning, -carried away the tray. His master gave him at the same time what was -evidently an order, repeating it twice, and speaking with signal -clearness of intonation. The little creature bowed its head, -apparently as a sign of intelligence, and in a few minutes returned -with what seemed like a pencil or stylus and writing materials, and -with a large silver-like box of very curious form. To one side was -affixed a sort of mouthpiece, consisting of a truncated cone expanding -into a saucer-shaped bowl. Across the wider and outer end of the cone -was stretched a membrane or diaphragm about three inches in diameter. -Into the mouth of the bowl, two or three inches from the diaphragm, my -host spoke one by one a series of articulate but single sounds, -beginning with _a, a, aa, au, o, oo, ou, u, y or ei (long), i (short), -oi, e,_ which I afterwards found to be the twelve vowels of their -language. After he had thus uttered some forty distinct sounds, he -drew from the back of the instrument a slip of something like -goldleaf, on which as many weird curves and angular figures were -traced in crimson. Pointing to these in succession, he repeated the -sounds in order. I made out that the figures in question represented -the sounds spoken into the instrument, and taking out my pencil, -marked under each the equivalent character of the Roman alphabet, -supplemented by some letters not admitted therein but borrowed from -other Aryan tongues. My host looked on with some interest whilst I did -this, and bent his head as if in approval. Here then was the alphabet -of the Martial tongue--an alphabet not arbitrary, but actually -produced by the vocal sounds it represented! The elaborate machinery -modifies the rough signs which are traced by the mere aerial -vibrations; but each character is a true physical type, a visual -image, of the spoken sound; the voice, temper, accent, sex, of a -speaker affect the phonograph, and are recognisable in the record. The -instrument wrote, so to speak, different hands under my voice and -under Esmo's; and those who knew him could identify his phonogram, as -my friends my manuscript. - -After I had been employed for some time in fixing these forms and the -corresponding sounds in my memory, my host advanced to the window, and -opening it, led me into the interior garden; which, as I had supposed, -was a species of central court around which the house was built. - -The construction of the house was at once apparent. It consisted of a -front portion, divided by the gallery of which I have spoken, all the -rooms on one side thereof looking, like the chamber I first entered, -into the outer enclosure; those on the other into the interior garden -or peristyle. Beyond the latter was a single row of chambers opening -upon it, appropriated to the ladies and children of the household. The -court was roofed over with the translucent material of the windows. It -was about 360 feet in length by 300 in width. At either end were -chambers entirely formed of the same material as the roof, in one of -which the various birds and animals employed either in domestic -service or in agriculture, in another the various stores of the -household, were kept. In front of these, two inclined planes of the -same material as the walls of the house led up to the several parts of -the roof. The court was divided by broad concrete paths into four -gardens. In the centre of each was a basin of water and a fountain, -above which was a square opening of some twenty feet in the roof. Each -garden was, so to speak, turfed with minute plants, smaller than daisy -roots, and even more closely covering the soil than English lawn -grass. These were of different colours--emerald, gold, and -purple--arranged in bands. This turf was broken by a number of beds of -all shapes, the crescent, circle, and six-rayed star being apparently -the chief favourites. The smaller of these were severally filled with -one or two flowers; in the larger, flowers of different colours were -set in patterns, generally rising from the outside to the centre, and -never allowing the soil to be seen through a single interval. The -contrast of colours and tints was admirably ordered; the size, form, -and structure of the flowers wonderfully various and always -exquisitely beautiful. The exact tints of silver and gold were -frequent and especially favoured, At each corner of every garden was a -hollow silvery pillar, up which creepers with flowers of marvellous -size and beauty, and foliage of hues almost as striking as those of -the flowers, were conducted to form a perfect arch overhead, parting -off the gardens from the walks. In each basin were fishes whose -brilliancy of colouring and beauty of form far surpassed anything I -have seen in earthly seas or rivers. - -At the meeting of the four cross paths was a wide space covered with a -soft woven carpet, upon which were strown cushions similar to those in -my room. On these several ladies were reclining, who rose as the head -of the family approached. One who seemed by her manner to be the -mistress, and by her resemblance to some of her younger companions the -mother, of the family, wore a sort of light golden half-helmet on the -head, and over this, falling round her half-way to the waist, a -crimson veil, intended apparently to protect her head and neck from -the sun as much as to conceal them. Her face was partially uncovered. -The dress of all was, except in colour and in certain omissions and -additions, much the same. The under-garments must have been slight in -material and few in number. Nothing was to be seen of them save the -sleeves, which were of a delicate substance, resembling that of the -finest Parisian kid gloves, but far softer and finer. Over all was a -robe almost without shape, save what it took from the figure to which -it closely adapted itself, suspended by broad ribbons and jewelled -clasps from the shoulders, falling nearly to the ankles, and gathered -in by a zone at the waist. This garment left the neck, shoulders, and -the upper part of the bosom uncovered; but the veil, whether covering -the head completely, drawn round all save the face, or consisting only -of two separate muslin falls behind either ear, was always so arranged -as to render the general effect far more decorous than the "low -dresses" of European matrons and maidens. The ankles and feet were -entirely bare, save for sandals with an embroidered velvety covering -for the toes, and silver bands clasped round the ankles. The eldest -lady wore a pale green robe of a fine but very light silken-seeming -fabric. Three younger ones wore a similar material of pink, with -silver head-dresses and veils hiding everything but the eyes. All -these had sleeves reaching to the wrist, ending in gloves of the same -fabric. Two young girls were robed in white gauze, with gauze veils -attached over either ear to a very slight silver coronal; their arms -bare till the sleeve of the under-robe appeared, a couple of inches -below the shoulder; their bright soft faces and their long hair (which -fell freely down the back, kept in graceful order here and there by -almost invisible silver clasps or bands) were totally uncovered. "A -maiden," says the Martialist, "may make the most of her charms; a -wife's beauty is her lord's exclusive right." One of the girls, my -host's daughters, might almost have veiled her entire form above the -knees in the masses of rich soft brown hair inherited from her father, -but mingled with tresses of another tinge, shimmering like gold under -certain lights. Her eyes, of deepest violet, were shaded by dark thick -lashes, so long that when the lids were closed they traced a clear -black curve on either cheek. The other maiden had, like their mother, -and, I believe, like the younger matrons, the bright hair--flaxen in -early childhood, pale gold in maturer years--and the blue or grey eyes -characteristic of the race. My host spoke two or three words to the -chief of the party, indicating me by a graceful and courteous wave of -the hand, upon which the person addressed slightly bent her head, -laying her hand at the same time upon her heart. The others -acknowledged the introduction by a similar but slighter inclination, -and all resumed their places as soon as my host, seating himself -between us, signed to me to occupy some pillows which one of the young -ladies arranged on his left hand, I had observed by this time that the -left hand was used by preference, as we use the right, for all -purposes, and therefore was naturally extended in courtesy; and the -left side was, for similar reasons, the place of honour. - -Three or four children were playing in another part of the court. All, -with one exception, were remarkably beautiful and healthy-looking, -certainly not less graceful in form and movement than the happiest and -prettiest in our own world. Their tones were soft and gentle, and -their bearing towards each other notably kind and considerate. One -unfortunate little creature differed from the rest in all respects. It -was slightly lame, misshapen rather than awkward, and with a face that -indicated bad health, bad temper, or both. Its manner was peevish and -fractious, its tones sharp and harsh, and its actions rough and hasty. -I took it for a mother's sickly favourite, deformed in character to -compensate for physical deformity. Watching them for a short time, I -saw the little creature repeatedly break out in all the humours of an -ill-tempered, over-indulged youngest-born in an ill-managed family; -snatching toys from the others, and now and then slapping or pinching -them. But they never returned either word or blow, even when pain or -vexation brought the tears to their eyes. When its caprices became -intolerable most of its companions withdrew; one, however, always -remaining on the watch, even if driven from the immediate -neighbourhood by its intolerably provoking temper, tones, and acts. - -Before sunset we were joined by a young man, who, first approaching my -host with a respectful inclination of the head, stood before him till -apparently desired by a few quiet words to speak; when he addressed -the head of the family in some short sentences, and then, at a sign -from him, turned to two of the squirrel-like animals, "ambau," which -followed him. These then laid at my feet two large baskets, or open -bags of golden network, containing many of the smaller objects left in -the Astronaut. Emptying these, they brought several more, till they -had laid before me the whole of my wardrobe and my store of intended -presents, books, and drawings, with such of my instruments as were not -attached to the walls. It was evident that great care had been taken -not to injure or dismantle the vessel. Nothing that actually belonged -to it had been taken away, and of the articles brought not one had -been broken or damaged. It was equally evident that there was no -intention or idea of appropriating them. They were brought and handed -over to me as a host on Earth might send for the baggage of an -unexpected guest. Of the various toys and ornaments that I had brought -for the purpose, I offered several of the most precious to my host. He -accepted one of the smallest and least valuable, rather declining to -understand than refusing the offer of the rest. The bringer did the -same. Then placing in the chief's hands an open jewel-box containing a -variety of the choicest jewellery, I requested by signs his permission -to offer them to the ladies. The elder ones imitated his example, and -graciously accepted one or two tasteful feminine ornaments, of far -less beauty and value than any of the few splendid jewels that adorned -their belts and clasped their robes at the shoulder, or fastened their -veils. The white-robed maidens shrank back shyly until the box was -pressed upon them, when each, at a word from the mistress, selected -some small gold or silver locket or chain; each at once placing the -article accepted about her person, with an evident intention of adding -to the grace with which it was received and acknowledging the intended -courtesy. How valueless the most valuable of these trifles must have -been in their eyes I had begun to suspect from what I saw, and was -afterwards made fully aware. As the shades of evening fell, the -fountains ceased to play, the young man pressed electric springs which -closed the openings in the roof, and, finally, turning a small handle, -caused a bright light to diffuse itself over the whole garden, and -through the doors into the chambers opening upon it. At the same time -a warmer air gradually spread throughout the interior of the building. -A meal was then served in small low trays, which was eaten by all of -us reclining on our cushions; after which the ladies retired, and my -host conducted me back to my chamber, and left me to repose. - -My books and sketches, as well as the portfolios of popular prints -which I had selected to assist me in describing the life and scenery -of our world, were, with my wardrobe and other properties, arranged on -my shelves by the _ambau_, under the direction of Kevima, the young -gentleman who had superintended their removal and conveyance to his -father's house. The portfolios gave me occasional means and topics of -pleasant intercourse with the family of my host, before we could -converse at ease in their language. The children, though never -troublesome or importunate, took frequent opportunities of stealing -into the room to look over the prints I produced for their amusement. -The ladies also, particularly the violet-eyed maiden, who seemed to be -the especial guardian of the little ones, would draw near to look and -listen. The latter, though she never entered the room or directly -addressed me, often assisted in explaining my broken sentences to her -charges, some of them not many years younger than herself. I took -sincere pleasure in the children's company and growing confidence, but -they were not the less welcome because they drew their sisters to -listen to my descriptions of an existence so strange and so remote in -habits and character, as well as in space. Perhaps their gentle -governess learned more than any other member of the family respecting -Earth-life, and my own adventures by land and water, in air and space. -For, though just not child enough to share the children's freedom, she -took in all they heard; she listened in silence during our evening -gatherings to the conversation in which her father and brother -encouraged me to practise the language I was laboriously studying. She -had, therefore, double opportunities of acquiring a knowledge which -seemed to interest her deeply; naturally, since it was so absolutely -novel, and communicated by one whose very presence was the most -marvellous of the marvels it attested. How much she understood I could -not judge. Except her mother, the ladies did not take a direct part in -my talk with the children, and but very seldom interposed, through my -host, a shy brief question when the evening brought us all together. -The maidens, despite their theoretical privileges, were even more -reserved than their elders, and the dark-haired Eveena the most silent -and shy of all. - -I learned afterwards that the privilege of intercourse with the ladies -of the household, restricted as it was, was wholly exceptional, and -even in this family was conceded only out of consideration for one who -could not safely be allowed to leave the house. - - - -CHAPTER V - LANGUAGE, LAWS, AND LIFE. - -Though treated with the greatest kindness and courtesy, I soon found -reason to understand that I was, at least for the present, a prisoner. -My host or his son never failed to invite me each day to spend some -time in the outer enclosure, but never intentionally left me alone -there. On one occasion, when Kevima had been called away and I -ventured to walk down towards the gate, my host's youngest child, who -had been playing on the roof, ran after me, and reaching me just as my -foot was set on the spring that opened the gate or outer door, caught -me by the hand, and looking up into my face, expressed by glance and -gesture a negative so unmistakable that I thought it expedient at once -to comply and return to the house. There my time was occupied, for as -great a part of each day as I could give to such a task without -extreme fatigue, in mastering the language of the country. This was a -much simpler task than might have been supposed. I soon found that, -unlike any Terrestrial tongue, the language of this people had not -grown but been made--constructed deliberately on set principles, with -a view to the greatest possible simplicity and the least possible -taxation of the memory. There were no exceptions or irregularities, -and few unnecessary distinctions; while words were so connected and -related that the mastery of a few simple grammatical forms and of a -certain number of roots enabled me to guess at, and by and by to feel -tolerably sure of, the meaning of a new word. The verb has six tenses, -formed by the addition of a consonant to the root, and six persons, -plural and singular, masculine and feminine. - - Singular. | Masc. | Fem. || Plural. | Masc. | Fem. - --------------|-------|------||----------|-------|-------- - I am | ava | ava || We are | avau | avaa - Thou art | avo | avoo || You are | avou | avu - He or she is | avy | ave || They are | avoi | avee - --------------|-------|------||----------|-------|-------- - -The terminations are the three pronouns, feminine and masculine, -singular and plural, each represented by one of twelve vowel -characters, and declined like nouns. When a nominative immediately -follows the verb, the pronominal suffix is generally dropped, unless -required by euphony. Thus, "a man strikes" is _dak klaftas_, but in -the past tense, _dakny klaftas_, the verb without the suffix being -unpronounceable. The past tense is formed by the insertion of _n_ -(_avna_: "I have been"), the future by _m_: _avma_. The imperative, -_avsa_; which in the first person is used to convey determination or -resolve; _avsa_, spoken in a peremptory tone, meaning "I _will_ be," -while _avso_, according to the intonation, means "be" or "thou shalt -be;" i.e., shalt whether or no. _R_ forms the conditional, _avra_, and -_ren_ the conditional past, _avrena_, "I should have been." The need -for a passive voice is avoided by the simple method of putting the -pronoun in the accusative; thus, _daca_ signifies "I strike," _dacal_ -(me strike) "I am struck." The infinitive is _avi; avyta_, "being;" -_avnyta_, "having been;" _avmyta_, "about to be." These are declined -like nouns, of which latter there are six forms, the masculine in _a, -o, and y,_ the feminine in _a, oo, and e;_ the plurals being formed -exactly as in the pronominal suffixes of the verb. The root-word, -without inflexion, alone is used where the name is employed in no -connection with a verb, where in every terrestrial language the -nominative would be employed. Thus, my guide had named the -squirrel-monkeys _ambau_ (sing. _amba_); but the word is declined as -follows:-- - - _Singular._ _Plural._ - - _Nominative_ ambas ambaus - - _Accusative_ ambal ambaul - - _Dative, to_ or _in_ amban ambaun - - _Ablative, by_ or _from_ ambam ambaum - -The five other forms are declined in the same manner, the vowel of the -last syllable only differing. Adjectives are declined like nouns, but -have no comparative or superlative degree; the former being expressed -by prefixing the intensitive syllable _ca_, the latter, when used -(which is but seldom) by the prefix _ela_, signifying _the_ in an -emphatic sense, as his Grace of Wellington is in England called _The_ -Duke _par excellence_. Prepositions and adverbs end in _t_ or _d_. - -Each form of the noun has, as a rule, its special relation to the verb -of the same root: thus from dac, "strike," are derived _daca_, -"weapon" or "hammer;", _daco_, a "stroke" or "striking" [as given] -both masculine; _daca_, "anvil;" _dacoo_, "blow" or "beating" [as -received]; and _dake_, "a thing beaten," feminine. The sixth form, -_daky_, masculine, has in this case no proper signification, and not -being wanted, is not used. Individual letters or syllables are largely -employed in combination to give new and even contradictory meanings to -a root. Thus _n_, like the Latin _in_, signifies "penetration," -"motion towards," or simply "remaining in a place," or, again, -"permanence." _M_, like the Latin _ab_ or _ex_, indicates "motion -from." _R_ expresses "uncertainty" or "incompleteness," and is -employed to convert a statement into a question, or a relative pronoun -into one of inquiry. _G_, like the Greek _a_ or _anti_, generally -signifies "opposition" or "negation;" _ca_ is, as aforesaid, -intensitive, and is employed, for example, to convert _afi_, "to -breathe," into _cafi_, "to speak." _Cr_ is by itself an interjection -of abhorrence or disgust; in composition it indicates detestation or -destruction: thus, _craky_ signifies "hatred;" _cravi_, "the -destruction of life" or "to kill." _L_ for the most part indicates -passivity, but with different effect according to its place in the -word. Thus _mepi_ signifies "to rule;" _mepil_, "to be ruled;" -_melpi_, "to control one's self;" _lempi_, "to obey." The -signification of roots themselves is modified by a modification of the -principal vowel or consonant, _i.e._, by exchanging the original for -one closely related. Thus _avi_, "exist;" _avi_, "be," in the positive -sense of being this or that; _afi_, "live;" _afi_, "breathe." _Z_ is a -diminutive; _zin_, "with," often abbreviated to _zn_, "combination," -"union." Thus _znaftau_ means "those who were brought into life -together," or "brethren." - -I may add, before I quit this subject, that the Martial system of -arithmetic differs from ours principally in the use of a duodecimal -instead of a decimal basis. Figures are written on a surface divided -into minute squares, and the value of a figure, whether it signify so -many units, dozens, twelve dozens, and so forth, depends upon the -square in which it is placed. The central square of a line represents -the unit's place, and is marked by a line drawn above it. Thus a -figure answering to our I, if placed in the fourth square to the left, -represents 1728. In the third place to the right, counting the unit -square in both cases, it signifies 1/144, and so forth. - -In less than a fortnight I had obtained a general idea of the -language, and was able to read easily the graven representations of -spoken sound which I have described; and by the end of a month (to use -a word which had no meaning here) I could speak intelligibly if not -freely. Only in a language so simple could my own anxiety to overcome -as soon as possible a fatal obstacle to all investigation of this new -world, and the diligent and patient assistance given by my host or his -son for a great part of every day, have enabled me to make such rapid -progress. I had noted even, during the short evening gatherings when -the whole family was assembled, the extreme taciturnity of both sexes; -and by the time I could make myself understood, I was not surprised to -learn that the Martials have scarcely the idea of what we mean by -conversation, not talking for the sake of talking, or speaking unless -they have something to discuss, explain, or communicate. I found, -again, that a new and much more difficult task, though fortunately one -not so indispensable, was still in store for me. The Martials have two -forms of writing: the one I have described, which is simply a -mechanical rendering of spoken words into artificially simplified -visible signs; the other, written by hand, with a fine pencil of some -chemical material on a prepared surface, textile or metallic. The -characters of the latter are, like ours wholly arbitrary; but the -contractions and abbreviations are so numerous that the mastery of the -mere alphabet, the forty or fifty single letters employed, is but a -single step in the first stage of the hard task of learning to read. -In no country on Earth, except China, is this task half so severe as -in Mars. On the other hand, when it is once mastered, a far superior -instrument has been gained; the Martial writing being a most terse but -perfectly legible shorthand. Every Martial can write at least as -quickly as he can speak, and can read the written character more -rapidly than the quickest eye can peruse the best Terrestrial print. -Copies, whether of the phonographic or stylographic writing, are -multiplied with extreme facility and perfection. The original, once -inscribed in either manner upon the above-mentioned _tafroo_ or -gold-leaf, is placed upon a sheet of a species of linen, smoother than -paper, called _difra_. A current of electricity sent through the -former reproduces the writing exactly upon the latter, which has been -previously steeped in some chemical composition; the effect apparently -depending on the passage of the electricity through the untouched -metal, and its absolute interception by the ink, if I may so call it, -of the writing, which bites deeply into the leaf. This process can be -repeated almost _ad libitum_; and it is equally easy to take at any -time a fresh copy upon _tafroo_, which serves again for the -reproduction of any number of _difra_ copies. The book, for the -convenience of this mode of reproduction, consists of a single sheet, -generally from four to eight inches in breadth and of any length -required. The writing intended to be thus copied is always minute, and -is read for the most part through magnifying spectacles. A roller is -attached to each end of the sheet, and when not in use the latter is -wound round that attached to the conclusion. When required for -reading, both rollers are fixed in a stand, and slowly moved by -clockwork, which spreads before the eyes of the reader a length of -about four inches at once. The motion is slackened or quickened at the -reader's pleasure, and can be stopped altogether, by touching a -spring. Another means of reproducing, not merely writings or drawings, -but natural objects, consists in a simple adaptation of the _camera -obscura_. [The only essential difference from our photographs being -that the Martial art reproduces colour as well as outline, I omit this -description.] - -While I was practising myself in the Martial language my host turned -our experimental conversations chiefly, if not exclusively, upon -Terrestrial subjects; endeavouring to learn all that I could convey to -him of the physical peculiarities of the Earth, of geology, geography, -vegetation, animal life in all its forms, human existence, laws, -manners, social and domestic order. Afterwards, when, at the end of -some fifty days, he found that we could converse, if not with ease yet -without fear of serious misapprehension, he took an early opportunity -of explaining to me the causes and circumstances of my unfriendly -reception among his people. - -"Your size and form," he said, "startled and surprised them. I gather -from what you have told me that on Earth there are many nations very -imperfectly known to one another, with different dress, language, and -manners. This planet is now inhabited by a single race, all speaking -the same tongue, using much the same customs, and differing from one -another in form and size much less widely than (I understand) do men -upon your Earth. There you might have been taken for a visitor from -some strange and unexplored country. Here it was clear that you were -not one of our race, and yet it was inconceivable what else you could -be. We have no giants; the tallest skeleton preserved in our museums -is scarcely a hand's breadth taller than myself, and does not, of -course, approach to your stature. Then, as you have pointed out, your -limbs are longer and your chest smaller in proportion to the rest of -the body; probably because, as you seem to say, your atmosphere is -denser than ours, and we require ampler lungs to inhale the quantity -of air necessary at each breath for the oxidation of the blood. Then -you were not dumb, and yet affected not to understand our language and -to speak a different one. No such creature could have existed in this -planet without having been seen, described, and canvassed. You did -not, therefore, belong to us. The story you told by signs was quickly -apprehended, and as quickly rejected as an audacious impossibility. It -was an insult to the intelligence of your hearers, and a sufficient -ground for suspecting a being of such size and physical strength of -some evil or dangerous design. The mob who first attacked you were -probably only perplexed and irritated; those who subsequently -interfered may have been animated also by scientific curiosity. You -would have been well worth anatomisation and chemical analysis. Your -mail-shirt protected you from the shock of the dragon, which was meant -to paralyse and place you at the mercy of your assailants; the metal -distributing the current, and the silken lining resisting its passage. -Still, at the moment when I interposed, you would certainly have been -destroyed but for your manoeuvre of laying hold of two of your -immediate escort. Our destructive weapons are far superior to any you -possess or have described. That levelled at you by my neighbour would -have sent to ten times your distance a small ball, which, bursting, -would have asphyxiated every living thing for several yards around. -But our laws regarding the use of such weapons are very stringent, and -your enemy dared not imperil the lives of those you held. Those laws -would not, he evidently thought, apply to yourself, who, as he would -have affirmed, could not be regarded as a man and an object of legal -protection." - -He explained the motives and conduct of his countrymen with such -perfect coolness, such absence of surprise or indignation, that I felt -slightly nettled, and answered sarcastically, "If the slaughter of -strangers whose account of themselves appears improbable be so -completely a matter of course among you, I am at a loss to understand -your own interference, and the treatment I have received from yourself -and your family, so utterly opposite in spirit as well as in form to -that I met from everybody else." - -"I do not," he answered, "always act from the motives in vogue among -my fellow-creatures of this planet; but why and how I differ from them -it might not be well to explain. It is for the moment of more -consequence to tell you why you have been kept in some sense a -prisoner here. My neighbours, independently of general laws, are for -certain reasons afraid to do me serious wrong. While in my company or -in my dwelling they could hardly attempt your life without endangering -mine or those of my family. If you were seen alone outside my -premises, another attempt, whether by the asphyxiator or by a -destructive animal, would probably be made, and might this time prove -successful. Till, therefore, the question of your humanity and right -to the protection of our law is decided by those to whom it has been -submitted, I will beg you not to venture alone beyond the bounds that -afford you security; and to believe that in this request, as in -detaining you perforce heretofore, I am acting simply for your own -welfare, and not," he added, smiling, "with a view to secure the first -opportunity of putting your relation to our race to the tests of the -dissecting table and the laboratory." - -"But my story explained everything that seemed inexplicable; why was -it not believed? It was assumed that I could not belong to Mars; yet I -was a living creature in the flesh, and must therefore have come from -some other planet, as I could hardly be supposed to be an inhabitant -of space." - -"We don't reason on impossibilities," replied my friend. "We have a -maxim that it is more probable that any number of witnesses should -lie, that the senses of any number of persons should be deluded, than -that a miracle should be true; and by a miracle we mean an -interruption or violation of the known laws of nature." - -"One eminent terrestrial sceptic," I rejoined, "has said the same -thing, and masters of the science of probabilities have supported his -assertion. But a miracle should be a violation not merely of the known -but of all the laws of nature, and until you know all those laws, how -can you tell what is a miracle? The lifting of iron by a magnet--I -suppose you have iron and loadstones here as we have on Earth--was, to -the first man who witnessed it, just as complete a violation of the -law of gravity as now appears my voyage through space, accomplished by -a force bearing some relation to that which acts through the magnet." - -"Our philosophers," he answered, "are probably satisfied that they -know nearly all that is to be known of natural laws and forces; and to -delusion or illusion human sense is undeniably liable." - -"If," I said, "you cannot trust your senses, you may as well -disbelieve in your own existence and in everything around you, for you -know nothing save through those senses which are liable to illusion. -But we know practically that there are limits to illusion. At any -rate, your maxim leads directly and practically to the inference that, -since I do not belong to Mars and cannot have come from any other -world, I am not here, and in fact do not exist. Surely it was somewhat -illogical to shoot an illusion and intend to dissect a spectre! Is not -a fact the complete and unanswerable refutation of its impossibility?" - -"A good many facts to which I could testify," he replied, "are in this -world confessed impossibilities, and if my neighbours witnessed them -they would pronounce them to be either impostures or illusions." - -"Then," said I, somewhat indignantly, "they must prefer inferences -from facts to facts themselves, and the deductions of logic to the -evidence of their senses. Yet, if that evidence be wanting in -certainty, then, since no chain can be stronger than its weakest -point, inferences are doubly uncertain; first, because they are drawn -from facts reported by sense, and, secondly, because a flaw in the -logic is always possible." - -"Do not repeat that out of doors," he answered, smiling. "It is not -permitted here to doubt the infallibility of science; and any one who -ventures to affirm persistently a story which science pronounces -impossible (like your voyage through space), if he do not fall at once -a victim to popular piety, would be consigned to the worse than living -death of life-long confinement in a lunatic hospital." - -"In that case I fear very much that I have little chance of being put -under the protection of your laws, since, whatever may be the -impression of those who have seen me, every one else must inevitably -pronounce me non-existent; and a nonentity can hardly be the subject -of legal wrong or have a right to legal redress." - -"Nor," he replied, "can there be any need or any right to annihilate -that which does not exist. This alternative may occupy our Courts of -Justice, for aught I know, longer than you or I can hope to live. What -I have asked is that, till these have decided between two -contradictory absurdities, you shall be provisionally and without -prejudice considered as a human reality and an object of legal -protection." - -"And who," I asked, "has authority _ad interim_ to decide this point?" - -"It was submitted," he answered, "in the first place, to the Astynta -(captain, president) who governs this district; but, as I expected, he -declined to pronounce upon it, and referred it to the Mepta (governor) -of the province. Half-an-hour's argument so bewildered the latter that -he sent the question immediately to the Zampta (Regent) of this -dominion, and he, after hearing by telegraph the opening of the case, -at once pronounced that, as affecting the entire planet, it must be -decided by the Campta or Suzerain. Now this gentleman is impatient of -the dogmatism of the philosophers, who have tried recently to impose -upon him one or two new theoretical rules which would limit the amount -of what he calls free will that he practically enjoys; and as the -philosophers are all against you, and as, moreover, he has a strong -though secret hankering after curious phenomena--it would not do to -say, after impossibilities--I do not think he will allow you to be -destroyed, at least till he has seen you." - -"Is it possible," I said, "that even your monarch cherishes a belief -in the incredible or logically impossible, and yet escapes the lunatic -asylum with which you threaten me?" - -"I should not escape grave consequences were I to attribute to him a -heresy so detestable," said my host. "Even the Campta would not be -rash enough to let it be said that he doubts the infallibility of -science, or of public opinion as its exponent. But as it is the worst -of offences to suggest the existence of that which is pronounced -impossible or unscientific, the supreme authority can always, in -virtue of the enormity of the guilt, insist on undertaking himself the -executive investigation of all such cases; and generally contrives to -have the impossibility, if a tangible one, brought into the presence -either as evidence or as accomplice." - -"Well," I rejoined, after a few minutes' reflection, "I don't know -that I have much right to complain of ideas which, after all, are but -the logical development of those which, are finding constantly more -and more favour among our most enlightened nations. I can quite -believe, from what I have seen of our leading scientists, that in -another century it may be dangerous in my own country for my -descendants to profess that belief in a Creator and a future life -which I am superstitious enough to prefer to all the revelations of -all the material sciences." - -"As you value your life and freedom," he replied, "don't speak of such -a belief here, save to the members of my own family, and to those with -whom I may tell you you are safe. Such ideas were held here, almost as -generally as you say they now are on Earth, some twelve thousand years -ago, and twenty thousand years ago their profession was compulsory. -But for the last hundred centuries it has been settled that they are -utterly fatal to the progress of the race, to enlightenment, to -morality, and to the practical devotion of our energies to the -business of life; and they are not merely disavowed and denounced, but -hated with an earnestness proportioned to the scientific enthusiasm of -classes and individuals." - -"But," said I, "if so long, so severely, and so universally -discountenanced, how can their expression by one man here or there be -considered perilous?" - -"Our philosophers say," he replied, "that the attractiveness of these -ideas to certain minds is such that no reasoning, no demonstration of -their absurdity, will prevent their exercising a mischievous influence -upon weak, and especially upon feminine natures; and perhaps the -suspicion that they are still held in secret may contribute to keep -alive the bitterness with which they are repudiated and repressed. But -if they are so held, if there be any who believe that the order of the -universe was at first established, and that its active forces are -still sustained and governed, by a conscious Intelligence--if there be -those who think that they have proof positive of the continued -existence of human beings after death--their secret has been well -kept. For very many centuries have elapsed since the last victim of -such delusions, as they were solemnly pronounced by public vote in the -reign of the four-hundredth predecessor of the present Campta, was -sent as incurable to the dangerous ward of our strictest hospital for -the insane." - -A tone of irony, and at the same time an air of guarded reserve, -seemed to pervade all my host's remarks on this subject, and I -perceived that for some reason it was so unpleasant to him that -courtesy obliged me to drop it. I put, therefore, to turn the -conversation, some questions as to the political organisation of which -his words had afforded me a glimpse; and in reply he undertook to give -me a summary of the political history of his planet during the last -few hundred generations. - -"If," he said, "in giving you this sketch of the process by which our -present social order has been established, I should mention a class or -party who have stood at certain times distinctly apart from or in -opposition to the majority, I must, in the first place, beg you to ask -no questions about them, and in the next not to repeat incautiously -the little I may tell you, or to show, by asking questions of others, -what you have heard from me." - -I gave my promise frankly, of course, and he then gave me the -following sketch of Martial history:-- - -We date events from the union of all races and nations in a single -State, a union which was formally established 13,218 years ago. At -that time the large majority of the inhabitants of this planet -possessed no other property than their houses, clothes, and tools, -their furniture, and a few other trifles. The land was owned by fewer -than 400,000 proprietors. Those who possessed movable wealth may have -numbered thrice as many. Political and social power was in the hands -of the owners of property, and of those, generally connected with them -by birth or marriage, who were at any rate not dependent on manual -labour for their bread. But among these there were divisions and -factions on various questions more or less trivial, none of them -approaching in importance or interest to the fundamental and -irreconcilable conflict sure one day to arise between those who had -accumulated wealth and those who had not. To gain their ends in one or -another of these frivolous quarrels, each party in turn admitted to -political influence section after section of what you call the -proletariat; till in the year 3278 universal suffrage was granted, -every man and woman over the age of twelve years [6] being entitled to -a single and equal vote. - -About the same time the change in opinion of which I have spoken had -taken general effect, and the vast majority of the men, at any rate, -had ceased to believe in a future life wherein the inequalities and -iniquities of this might be redressed. It followed that they were -fiercely impatient of hardships and suffering, especially such as they -thought might be redressed by political and social changes. The -leaders of the multitude, for the most part men belonging to the -propertied classes who had either wasted their wealth or never -possessed any, demanded the abolition of private ownership, first of -land, then of movable wealth; a demand which fiercely excited the -passions of those who possessed neither, and as bitterly provoked the -anger and alarm of those who did. The struggle raged for some -generations and ended by an appeal to the sword; in which, since the -force of the State was by law in the hands of the majority, the -intelligent, thrifty, careful owners of property with their adherents -were signally defeated. Universal communism was established in 3412, -none being permitted to own, or even to claim, the exclusive use of -any portion of the planet's surface, or of any other property except -the share of food and clothing allotted to him. One only privilege was -allowed to certain sectaries who still clung to the habits of the -past, to the permanence and privacy of family life. They were -permitted to have houses or portions of houses to themselves, and to -live there on the share of the public produce allotted to the several -members of each household. It had been assumed as matter of course by -the majority that when every one was forced to work there would be -more than enough for all; that public spirit, and if necessary -coercion, would prove as effectual stimulants to exertion and industry -as interest and necessity had done under the system of private -ownership. - -Those who relied on the refutation of this theory forgot that with -poor and suffering men who look to no future, and acknowledge no law -but such as is created by their own capricious will and pleasure, envy -is even a more powerful passion than greed. The Many preferred that -wealth and luxury should be destroyed, rather than that they should be -the exclusive possession of the Few. The first and most visible effect -of Communism was the utter disappearance of all perishable luxuries, -of all food, clothing, furniture, better than that enjoyed by the -poorest. Whatever could not be produced in quantities sufficient to -give each an appreciable share was not produced at all. Next, the -quarrels arising out of the apportionment of labour were bitter, -constant, and savage. Only a grinding despotism could compose them, -and those who wielded such despotism for a short time excited during -the period of their rule such fierce and universal hatred, that they -were invariably overturned and almost invariably murdered before their -very brief legal term of office had closed. It was not only that those -engaged in the same kind of labour quarrelled over the task assigned -to each, whether allotted in proportion to his strength, or to the -difficulty of his labour, or by lot equally to all. Those to whom the -less agreeable employments were assigned rebelled or murmured, and at -last it was necessary to substitute rotation for division of labour, -since no one would admit that he was best fitted for the lower or less -agreeable. Of course we thus wasted silver tools in doing the work of -iron, and reduced enormously the general production of wealth. Next, -it was found that since one man's industry or idleness could produce -no appreciable effect upon the general wealth, still less upon the -particular share assigned to him, every man was as idle as the envy -and jealousy of his neighbours would allow. Finally, as the produce -annually diminished and the number of mouths to be fed became a -serious consideration, the parents of many children were regarded as -public enemies. The entire independence of women, as equal citizens, -with no recognised relation to individual men, was the inevitable -outcome, logically and practically, of the Communistic principle; but -this only made matters worse. Attempts were of course made to restrain -multiplication by law, but this brought about inquisitions so utterly -intolerable that human nature revolted against them. The sectaries I -have mentioned--around whom, without adopting or even understanding -their principles, gradually gathered all the better elements of -society, every man of intellect and spirit who had not been murdered, -with a still larger proportion of women--seceded separately or in -considerable numbers at once; established themselves in those parts of -the planet whose less fertile soil or less genial climate had caused -them to be abandoned, and there organised societies on the old -principles of private ownership and the permanence of household ties. -By and by, as they visibly prospered, they attracted the envy and -greed of the Communists. They worked under whatever disadvantage could -be inflicted by climate and soil, but they had a much more than -countervailing advantage in mutual attachment, in freedom from the -bitter passions necessarily excited by the jealousy and incessant -mutual interference inseparable from the Communistic system, and in -their escape from the caprice and instability of popular -government--these societies, whether from wisdom or mere reaction, -submitting to the rule of one or a few chief magistrates selected by -the natural leaders of each community. Moreover, they had not merely -the adhesion of all the more able, ambitious, and intellectual who -seceded from a republic in which neither talent nor industry could -give comfort or advantage, but also the full benefit of inventive -genius, stimulated by the hope of wealth in addition to whatever -public spirit the habits of Communism had not extinguished. They -systematically encouraged the cultivation of science, which the -Communists had very early put down as a withdrawal of energy from the -labour due to the community at large. They had a monopoly of -machinery, of improvement, of invention both in agriculture, in -manufactures, and in self-defence. They devised weapons far more -destructive than those possessed by the old _regime_, and still more -superior to such as, after centuries of anarchy and decline, the -Communists were able to procure. Finally, when assailed by the latter, -vast superiority of numbers was annulled by immeasurable superiority -in weapons and in discipline. The secessionists were animated, too, by -a bitter resentment against their assailants, as the authors of the -general ruin and of much individual suffering; and when the victory -was gained, they not infrequently improved it to the utter destruction -of all who had taken part in the attack. Whichever side were most to -blame in the feud, no quarter was given by either. It was an -internecine war of numbers, ignorance, and anarchy against science and -order. On both sides there still remained much of the spirit generated -in times when life was less precious than the valour by which alone it -could be held, and preserved through milder ages by the belief that -death was not annihilation--enough to give to both parties courage to -sacrifice their lives for the victory of their cause and the -destruction of their enemies. But after a few crushing defeats, the -Communists were compelled to sue for peace, and to cede a large part -of their richest territory. Driven back into their own chaotic misery, -deterred by merciless punishment from further invasion of their -neighbours' dominions, they had leisure to contrast their wretched -condition with that of those who prospered under the restored system -of private ownership, family interest, strong, orderly, permanent -government, material and intellectual civilisation. Machinery did for -the new State, into which the seceding societies were consolidated by -the necessity of self-defence, much more than it had done before -Communism declared war on it. The same envy which, if war had been any -longer possible, would have urged the Communists again and again to -plunder the wealth that contrasted so forcibly their own increasing -poverty, now humbled them to admire and covet the means which had -produced it. At last, after bitter intestine struggles, they -voluntarily submitted to the rule of their rivals, and entreated the -latter to accept them as subjects and pupils. Thus in the 39th century -order and property were once more established throughout the planet. - -"But, as I have said, what you call religion had altogether -disappeared--had ceased, at least as an avowed principle, to affect -the ideas and conduct of society or of individuals. The -re-establishment of peace and order concentrated men's energies on the -production of material wealth and the achievement of physical comfort -and ease. Looking forward to nothing after death, they could only make -the best of the short life permitted to them and do their utmost to -lengthen it. In the assurance of speedy separation, affection became a -source of much more anxiety and sorrow than happiness. All ties being -precarious and their endurance short, their force became less and -less; till the utmost enjoyment of the longest possible life for -himself became the sole, or almost the sole, animating motive, the one -paramount interest, of each individual. The equality which logic had -established between the sexes dissolved the family tie. It was -impossible for law to dictate the conditions on which two free and -equal individuals should live together, merely because they differed -in sex. All the State could do it did; it insisted on a provision for -the children. But when parental affection was extinguished, such -provision could only be secured by handing over the infant and its -portion to the guardianship of the State. As children were troublesome -and noisy, the practice of giving them up to public officers to be -brought up in vast nurseries regulated on the strictest scientific -principles became the general rule, and was soon regarded as a duty; -what was at first almost openly avowed selfishness soon justifying and -glorifying itself on the ground that the children were better off -under the care of those whose undivided attention was given to them, -and in establishments where everything was regulated with sole regard -to their welfare, than they could be at home. No law compels us to -send our children to these establishments. In rare cases a favourite -will persuade her lord to retain her pet son and make him heir, but -both the Courts and public opinion discountenance this practice. Some -families, like my own, systematically retain their children and -educate them at home; but it is generally thought that in doing so we -do them a wrong, and our neighbours look askance upon so signal a -deviation from custom; the more so, perhaps, that they half suspect us -of dissenting from their views on other subjects, on which our -opinions do not so directly or so obviously affect our conduct, and on -which therefore we are not so easily convicted of free choice" -[heresy]. Here I inquired whether the birth and parentage of the -children sent to the public establishments were registered, so as to -permit their being reclaimed or inheriting property. - -"No," he replied. "Inheritance by mere descent is a notion no longer -favoured. I believe that young mothers sometimes, before parting with -their children, impress upon them some indelible mark by which it may -be possible hereafter to recognise them; but such recognitions seldom -occur. Maternal affection is discountenanced as a purely animal -instinct, a survival from a lower grade of organisation, and does not -generally outlast a ten years' separation; while paternal love is -utterly scouted as an absurdity to which even the higher animals are -not subject. Boys are kept in the public establishments until the age -of twelve, those from ten to twelve being separated from the younger -ones and passing through the higher education in separate colleges. -The girls are educated apart till they complete their tenth year, and -are almost invariably married in the course of the next. At first, -under the influence of the theory of sexual equality, both received -their intellectual instruction in the same classes and passed through -the same examinations. Separation was soon found necessary; but still -girls passed through the same intellectual training as their brothers. -Experience, however, showed that this would not answer. Those girls -who distinguished themselves in the examinations were, with scarcely -an exception, found unattractive as wives and unfit to be mothers. A -very much larger number, a number increasing in every generation, -suffered unmistakably from the severity of the mental discipline to -which they were subjected. The advocates of female equality made a -very hard fight for equal culture; but the physical consequences were -perfectly clear and perfectly intolerable. When a point was reached at -which one half the girls of each generation were rendered invalids for -life, and the other half protected only by a dense stupidity or -volatile idleness which no school punishments could overcome, the -Equalists were driven from one untenable point to another, and forced -at last to demand a reduction of the masculine standard of education -to the level of feminine capacities. Upon this ground they took their -last stand, and were hopelessly beaten. The reaction was so complete -that for the last two hundred and forty generations, the standard of -female education has been lowered to that which by general confession -ordinary female brains can stand without injury to the physique. The -practical consequences of sexual equality have re-established in a -more absolute form than ever the principle that the first purpose of -female life is marriage and maternity; and that, for their own sakes -as for the sake of each successive generation, women should be so -trained as to be attractive wives and mothers of healthy children, all -other considerations being subordinated to these. A certain small -number of ladies avail themselves of the legal equality they still -enjoy, and live in the world much as men. But we regard them as -third-rate men in petticoats, hardly as women at all. Marriage with -one of them is the last resource to which a man too idle or too -foolish to earn his own living will betake himself. Whatever their -education, our women have always found that such independence as they -could earn by hard work was less satisfactory than the dependence, -coupled with assured comfort and ease, which they enjoy as the -consorts, playthings, or slaves of the other sex; and they are only -too glad to barter their legal equality for the certainty of -protection, indolence, and permanent support." - -"Then your marriages," I said, "are permanent?" - -"Not by law," he replied. "Nothing like what our remote ancestors -called marriage is recognised at all. The maidens who come of age each -year sell themselves by a sort of auction, those who purchase them -arranging with the girls themselves the terms on which the latter will -enter their family. Custom has fixed the general conditions which -every girl expects, and which only the least attractive are forced to -forego. They are promised a permanent maintenance from their master's -estate, and promise in return a fixed term of marriage. After two or -three years they are free to rescind the contract; after ten or twelve -they may leave their husbands with a stipulated pension. They receive -an allowance for dress and so forth proportionate to their personal -attractions or to the fancy of the suitor; and of course the richest -men can offer the best terms, and generally secure the most agreeable -wives, in whatever number they please or think they can without -inconvenience support." - -"Then," I said, "the women can divorce themselves at pleasure, but the -men cannot dismiss them! This hardly looks like equality." - -"The practical result," he answered, "is that men don't care for a -release which would part them from complaisant slaves, and that women -dare not seek a divorce which can only hand them over to another -master on rather worse terms. When the longer term has expired, the -latter almost always prefer the servitude to which they are accustomed -to an independent life of solitude and friendlessness." - -"And what becomes," I asked, "of the younger men who must enter the -world without property, without parents or protectors?" - -"We are, after youth has passed, an indolent race. We hardly care, as -a rule, to cultivate our fields or direct our factories; but prefer -devoting the latter half at least of our lives to a somewhat -easy-going cultivation of that division of science which takes hold of -our fancy. These divisions are such as your conversation leads me to -think you would probably consider absurdly minute. A single class of -insects, a single family of plants, the habits of one race of fishes, -suffice for the exclusive study of half a lifetime. Minds of a more -active or more practical bent will spend an equal time over the -construction of a new machine more absolutely automatic than any that -has preceded it. Physical labour is thrown as much as possible on the -young; and even they are now so helped by machinery and by trained -animals, that the eight hours' work which forms their day's labour -hardly tires their muscles. Our tastes render us very anxious to -devolve upon others as soon as possible the preservation and -development of the property we have acquired. A man of moderate means, -long before he has reached his thirtieth [7] year, generally seeks one -assistant; men of larger fortune may want two, five, or ten. These are -chosen, as a rule, by preference from those who have passed the most -stringent and successful collegiate examination. Martial parents are -not prolific, and the mortality in our public nurseries is very large. -I impute it to moral influences, since the chief cause of death is low -vitality, marked nervous depression and want of animal spirits, such -as the total absence of personal tenderness and sympathy must produce -in children. It is popularly ascribed to the over-cultivation of the -race, as plants and animals highly civilised--that is, greatly -modified and bred to an artificial excellence by human agency--are -certainly delicate, unprolific, and especially difficult to rear. -There is little disease in the nurseries, but there is little health -and a deficiency of nervous energy. One fact is significant, however -interpreted, and bears directly on your last question. Since the wide -extension of polygamy, female births are to male about as seven to -six; but the deaths in public nurseries between the first and tenth -years are twenty-nine in twelve dozen admissions in the stronger sex, -and only about ten in the weaker. Read these facts as we may, they -ensure employment to the young men when their education is -completed--the two last years of severe study adding somewhat to the -mortality among them. - -"A large number find employment in superintending the property of -others. To give them a practical interest in its preservation and -improvement, they are generally, after a shorter or longer probation, -adopted by their employers as heirs to their estate; our experience of -Communism having taught us that immediate and obvious self-interest is -the only motive that certainly and seriously affects human action. The -distance at which they are kept, and the absolute seclusion of our -family life, enables us easily to secure ourselves against any -over-anxiety on their part to anticipate their inheritance. The -minority who do not thus find a regular place in society are employed -in factories, as artisans, or on the lands belonging to the State. To -ensure their zeal, the last receive a fixed proportion of the produce, -or are permitted to rent land at fixed rates, and at the end of ten -years receive a part thereof in full property. By these means we are -free from all the dangers and difficulties of that state of society -which preceded the Communistic cataclysm. We have poor men, and men -who can live only by daily labour; but these have dissipated their -wealth, or are looking forward at no very distant period to a -sufficient competence. The entire population of our planet does not -exceed two hundred millions, and is not much increased from generation -to generation. The area of cultivable land is about ten millions of -square miles, and half a square mile in these equatorial continents, -which alone are at all generally inhabited, will, if well cultivated -and cared for, furnish the largest household with every luxury that -man's heart can desire. Eight hours' labour in the day for ten years -of life will secure to the least fortunate a reasonable competence; -and an ambitious man, with quick intelligence and reasonable industry, -may always hope to become rich, if he thinks wealth worth the labour -of invention or of exceptionally troublesome work." - -"Mars ought, then," I said, "to be a material paradise. You have -attained nearly all that our most advanced political economists regard -as the perfection of economical order--a population nearly stationary, -and a soil much more than adequate to their support; a general -distribution of property, total absence of permanent poverty, and -freedom from that gnawing anxiety regarding the future of ourselves or -our children which is the great evil of life upon Earth and the -opprobrium of our social arrangements. You have carried out, moreover, -the doctrines of our most advanced philosophers; you have absolute -equality before the law, competitive examination among the young for -the best start in life, with equal chances wherever equality is -possible; and again, perfect freedom and full legal equality as -regards the relations of the sexes. Are your countrymen satisfied with -the results?" - -"Yes," answered my host, "in so far, at least, that they have no wish -to change them, no idea that any great social or political reforms -could improve our condition. Our lesson in Communism has rendered all -agitation on such matters, all tendency to democratic institutions, -all appeals to popular passions, utterly odious and alarming to us. -But that we are happy I will venture neither to affirm nor to deny. -Physically, no doubt, we have great advantages over you, if I rightly -understand your description of life on Earth. We have got rid of old -age, and, to a great extent, of disease. Many of our scientists -persist in the hope to get rid of death; but, since all that has been -accomplished in this direction was accomplished some two thousand -years back, and yet we continue to die, general opinion hardly concurs -in this hope." - -"How do you mean," I inquired, "that you have got rid of old age and -of disease?" - -"We have," he replied, "learned pretty fully the chemistry of life. We -have found remedies for that hardening of the bones and weakening of -the muscles which used to be the physical characteristics of declining -years. Our hair no longer whitens; our teeth, if they decay, are now -removed and naturally replaced by new ones; our eyes retain to the -last the clearness of their sight. A famous physician of five thousand -years back said in controversy on this subject, that 'the clock was -not made to go for ever;' by which he meant that human bodies, like -the materials of machines, wore out by lapse of time. In his day this -was true, since it was impossible fully to repair the waste and -physical wear and tear of the human frame. This is no longer so. The -clock does not wear out, but it goes more and more slowly and -irregularly, and stops at last for some reason that the most skilful -inspection cannot discover. The body of him who dies, as we say, 'by -efflux of time' at the age of fifty is as perfect as it was at -five-and twenty. [8] Yet few men live to be fifty-five, [9] and most -have ceased to take much interest in practical life, or even in -science, by forty-five." [10] - -"That seems strange," I said. "If no foreign body gets into the -machinery, and the machinery itself does not wear out, it is difficult -to understand why the clock should cease to go." - -"Would not some of your race," he asked, "explain the mystery by -suggesting that the human frame is not a clock, but contains, and owes -its life to, an essence beyond the reach of the scalpel, the -microscope, and the laboratory?" - -"They hold that it is so. But then it is not the soul but the body -that is worn out in seventy or eighty of the Earth's revolutions." - -"Ay," he said; "but if man were such a duplex being, it might be that -the wearing out of the body was necessary, and had been adapted to -release the soul when it had completed its appropriate term of service -in the flesh." - -I could not answer this question, and he did not pursue the theme. -Presently I inquired, "If you allow no appeal to popular feeling or -passion, to what was I so nearly the victim? And what is the terrorism -that makes it dangerous to avow a credulity or incredulity opposed to -received opinion?" - -"Scientific controversies," he replied, "enlist our strongest and -angriest feelings. It is held that only wickedness or lunacy can -resist the evidence that has convinced a vast majority. By -arithmetical calculation the chances that twelve men are wrong and -twelve thousand [11] right, on a matter of inductive or deductive -proof, are found to amount to what must be taken for practical -certainty; and when the twelve still hold out, they are regarded as -madmen or knaves, and treated accordingly by their fellows. If it be -thought desirable to invoke a legal settlement of the issue, a council -of all the overseers of our scientific colleges is called, and its -decision is by law irrevocable and infallible, especially if ratified -by the popular voice. And if a majority vote be worth anything at all, -I think this modern theory at least as sound as the democratic theory -of politics which prevailed here before the Communistic revolution, -and which seems by your account to be gaining ground on Earth." - -"And what," I inquired, "is your political constitution? What are the -powers of your rulers; and how, in the absence of public discussion -and popular suffrage, are they practically limited?" - -"In theory they are unlimited," he answered; "in practice they are -limited by custom, by caution, and, above all, by the lack of motives -for misrule. The authority of each prince over those under him, from -the Sovereign to the local president or captain, is absolute. But the -Executive leaves ordinary matters of civil or criminal law to the -Courts of Justice. Cases are tried by trained judges; the old -democratic usage of employing untrained juries having been long ago -discarded, as a worse superstition than simple decision by lot. The -lot is right twelve times in two dozen; the jury not oftener than -half-a-dozen times. The judges don't heat or bias their minds by -discussion. They hear all that can be elicited from parties, accuser, -accused, and witnesses, and all that skilled advocates can say. Then -the secretary of the Court draws up a summary of the case, each judge -takes it home to consider, each writes out his judgment, which is read -by the secretary, none but the author knowing whose it is. If the -majority be five to two, judgment is given; if less, the case is tried -again before a higher tribunal of twice as many judges. If no decision -can be reached, the accused is acquitted for the time, or, in a civil -dispute, a compromise is imposed. The rulers cannot, without incurring -such general anger as would be fatal to their power, disregard our -fundamental laws. Gross tyranny to individuals is too dangerous to be -carried far. It is a capital crime for any but the officers of the -Sovereign and of the twelve Regents to possess the fearfully -destructive weapons that brought our last wars to an end. But any man, -driven to desperation, can construct and use similar weapons so easily -that no ruler will drive a man to such revengeful despair. Again, the -tyranny of subordinate officials would be checked by their chief, who -would be angry at being troubled and endangered by misconduct in which -he had no direct interest. And finally, _personal_ malice is not a -strong passion among us; and our manners render it unlikely that a -ruler should come into such collision with any of his subjects as -would engender such a feeling. Of those immediately about him, he can -and does at once get rid as soon as he begins to dislike, and before -he has cause to hate them. It is our maxim that greed of wealth or -lust of power are the chief motives of tyranny. Our rulers cannot well -hope to extend a power already autocratic, and we take care to leave -them nothing to covet in the way of wealth. We can afford to give them -all that they can desire of luxury and splendour. To enrich to the -uttermost a few dozen governors costs us nothing comparable to the -cost of democracy, with its inseparable party conflicts, -maladministration, neglect, and confusion." - -"A clever writer on Earth lately remarked that it would be easy to -satiate princes with all personal enjoyments, but impossible to -satiate all their hangers-on, or even all the members of their -family." - -"You must remember," he replied, "that we have here, save in such -exceptional cases as my own, nothing like what you call a family. The -ladies of a prince's house have everything they can wish for within -their bounds and cannot go outside of these. As for dependents, no man -here, at least of such as are likely to be rulers, cares for his -nearest and dearest friends enough to incur personal peril, public -displeasure, or private resentment on their account. The officials -around a ruler's person are few in number, so that we can afford to -make their places too comfortable and too valuable to be lightly -risked. Neglect, again, is pretty sure to be punished by superior -authority. Activity in the promotion of public objects is the only -interest left to princes, while tyranny is, for the reasons I have -given, too dangerous to be carried far." - - - -CHAPTER VI - AN OFFICIAL VISIT. - -At this point of our conversation an amba entered the room and made -certain signs which my host immediately understood. - -"The Zampta," he said, "has called upon me, evidently on your account, -and probably with some message from his Suzerain. You need not be -afraid," he added. "At worst they would only refuse you protection, -and I could secure you from danger under my own roof, and in the last -extremity effect your retreat and return to your own planet; supposing -for a moment," he added, smiling, "that you are a real being and come -from a real world." - -The Regent of that dominion, the only Martialist outside my host's -family with whom I had yet been able to converse, awaited us in the -hall or entrance chamber. I bowed low to him, and then remained -standing. My host, also saluting his visitor, at once took his seat. -The Regent, returning the salute and seating himself, proceeded to -address us; very little ceremony on either side being observed between -this autocratic deputy of an absolute Sovereign and his subjects. - -"Esmo _dent Ecasfen_" said the Regent, "will you point out the person -you declare yourself to have rescued from assault and received into -your house on the 431st day of this year?" - -"That is the person, Regent," said my host, pointing to me. - -The visitor then asked my name, which I gave, and addressing me -thereby, he continued-- - -"The Campta has requested me to ascertain the truth regarding your -alleged size, so far exceeding anything hitherto known among us. You -will permit me, therefore, to measure your height and girth." - -I bowed, and he proceeded to ascertain that I was about a foot taller -and some ten inches larger round the waist than himself. Of these -facts he took note, and then proceeded-- - -"The signs you made to those who first encountered you were understood -to mean that you descended from the sky, in a vessel which is now left -on the summit of yonder mountain, Asnyca." - -"I did not descend from the sky," I replied, "for the sky is, as we -both know, no actual vault or boundary of the atmospheric depths. I -ascended from a world nearer to the Sun, and after travelling for -forty days through space, landed upon this planet in the vessel you -mention." - -"I am directed," he answered, "to see this vessel, to inspect your -machinery and instruments, and to report thereon to the Suzerain. You -will doubtless be ready to accompany me thither to-morrow two hours -after sunrise. You may be accompanied, if you please, by your host or -any members of his family; I shall be attended by one or more of my -officers. In the meantime I am to inform you that, until my report has -been received and considered, you are under the protection of the law, -and need not apprehend any molestation of the kind you incurred at -first. You will not, however, repeat to any one but myself the -explanation you have offered of your appearance--which, I understand, -has been given in fuller detail to Esmo--until the decision of the -Campta shall have been communicated to you." - -I simply bowed my assent; and after this brief but sufficient -fulfilment of the purpose for which he had called, the Regent took his -leave. - -"What," I asked, when we re-entered my chamber, "is the meaning of the -title by which the Regent addressed you?" - -"In speaking to officials," he replied, "of rank so high as his, it is -customary to address them simply by their titles, unless more than one -of the same rank be present, in which case we call them, as we do -inferior officials, by their name with the title appended. For -instance, in the Court of the Sovereign our Regent would be called -Endo Zampta. Men of a certain age and social position, but having no -office, are addressed by their name and that of their residence; and, -_asfe_ meaning a town or dwelling, usage gives me the name of Esmo, in -or of the town of Eca. - -"I am sorry," he went on, "that neither my son nor myself can -accompany you to-morrow. All the elder members of my family are -engaged to attend at some distance hence before the hour at which you -can return. But I should not like you to be alone with strangers; and, -independently of this consideration, I should perhaps have asked of -you a somewhat unusual favour. My daughter Eveena, who, like most of -_our_ women" (he laid a special emphasis on the pronoun) "has received -a better education than is now given in the public academies, has been -from the first greatly interested in your narrative and in all you -have told us of the world from which you come. She is anxious to see -your vessel, and I had hoped to take her when I meant to visit it in -your company. But after to-morrow I cannot tell when you may be -summoned to visit the Campta, or whether after that visit you are -likely to return hither. I will ask you, therefore, if you do not -object to what I confess is an unusual proceeding, to take Eveena -under your charge to-morrow." - -"Is it," I inquired, "permissible for a young lady to accompany a -stranger on such an excursion?" - -"It is very unusual," returned my host; "but you must observe that -here family ties are, as a rule, unknown. It cannot be usual for a -maiden to be attended by father or brother, since she knows neither. -It is only by a husband that a girl can, as a rule, be attended -abroad. Our usages render such attendance exceedingly close, and, on -the other hand, forbid strangers to interrupt or take notice thereof. -In Eveena's presence the Regent will find it difficult to draw you -into conversation which might be inconvenient or dangerous; and -especially cannot attempt to gratify, by questioning you, any -curiosity as to myself or my family." - -"But," I said, "from what you say, it seems that the Regent and any -one who might accompany him would draw inferences which might not be -agreeable to you or to the young lady." - -"I hardly understand you," he replied. "The only conjecture they could -make, which they will certainly make, is that you are, or are about to -be, married to her; and as they will never see her again, and, if they -did, could not recognise her--as they will not to-morrow know anything -save that she belongs to my household, and certainly will not speak to -her--I do not see how their inference can affect her. When I part with -her, it will be to some one of my own customs and opinions; and to us -this close confinement of girls appears to transcend reasonable -restraint, as it contradicts the theoretical freedom and equality -granted by law to the sex, but utterly withheld by the social usages -which have grown out of that law." - -"I can only thank you for giving me a companion more agreeable than -the official who is to report upon my reality," I said. - -"I do not desire," he continued, "to bind you to any reserve in -replying to questions, beyond what I am sure you will do without a -pledge--namely, to avoid betraying more than you can help of that -which is not known outside my own household. But on this subject I may -be able to speak more fully after to-morrow. Now, if you will come -into the peristyle, we shall be in time for the evening meal." - -Eveena's curiosity had in nowise overcome her silent shyness. She -might possibly have completed her tenth year, which epoch in the life -of Mars is about equivalent to the seventeenth birthday of a damsel -nurtured in North-Western Europe. I hardly think that I had addressed -her directly half-a-dozen times, or had received from her a dozen -words in return. I had been attracted, nevertheless, not only by her -grace and beauty, but by the peculiar sweetness of her voice and the -gentleness of her manner and bearing when engaged in pacifying dispute -or difficulty among the children, and particularly in dealing with the -half-deformed spoilt infant of which I have spoken. This evening that -little brat was more than usually exasperating, and having exhausted -the patience or repelled the company of all the rest, found itself -alone, and set up a fretful, continuous scream, disagreeable even to -me, and torturing to Martial ears, which, adapted to hear in that thin -air, are painfully alive to strident, harsh, or even loud sounds. -Instantly obeying a sign from her mother, Eveena rose in the middle of -a conversation to which she had listened with evident interest, and -devoted herself for half-an-hour to please and pacify this -uncomfortable child. The character and appearance of this infant, so -utterly unlike all its companions, had already excited my curiosity, -but I had found no opportunity of asking a question without risking an -impertinence. On this occasion, however, I ventured to make some -remark on the extreme gentleness and forbearance with which not only -Eveena but the children treated their peevish and exacting brother. - -"He is no brother of theirs," said Zulve, the mistress of the house. -"You would hardly find in any family like ours a child with so -irritable a temper or a disposition so selfish, and nowhere a creature -so hardly treated by Nature in body as well as mind." - -"Indeed," I said, hardly understanding her answer. - -"No," said my host. "It is the rule to deprive of life, promptly and -painlessly, children to whom, from physical deformity or defect, life -is thought unlikely to be pleasant, and whose descendants might be a -burden to the public and a cause of physical deterioration to the -race. It is, however, one of the exceptional tenets to which I have -been obliged to allude, that man should not seek to be wiser than -Nature; and that life should neither be cut short, except as a -punishment for great crimes, nor prolonged artificially contrary to -the manifest intention, or, as our philosophers would say, the common -course of Nature. Those who think with me, therefore, always -endeavour, when we hear in time of their approaching fate, to preserve -children so doomed. Precautions against undue haste or readiness to -destroy lives that might, after all, grow up to health and vigour are -provided by law. No single physician or physiologist can sign a -death-warrant; and I, though no longer a physician by craft, am among -the arbiters, one or more of whom must be called in to approve or -suspend the decision. On these occasions I have rescued from -extinction several children of whose unfitness to live, according to -the standard of the State Nurseries, there was no question, and placed -them in families, mostly childless, that were willing to receive them. -Of this one it was our turn to take charge; and certainly his chance -is better for being brought up among other children, and under the -influence of their gentler dispositions and less exacting -temperaments." - -"And is such ill-temper and selfishness," I asked, "generally found -among the deformed?" - -"I don't think," replied Esmo, "that this child is much worse than -most of my neighbours' children, except that physical discomfort makes -him fretful. What you call selfishness in him is only the natural -inheritance derived from an ancestry who for some hundred generations -have certainly never cared for anything or any one but themselves. I -thought I had explained to you by what train of circumstances and of -reasoning family affection, such as it is reputed to have been -thousands of years ago, has become extinct in this planet; and, family -affection extinguished, all weaker sentiments of regard for others -were very quickly withered up." - -"You told me something of the kind," I said; "but the idea of a life -so utterly swallowed up in self that no one even thinks it necessary -to affect regard for and interest in others, was to me so -unintelligible and inconceivable that I did not realise the full -meaning of your account. Nor even now do I understand how a society -formed of such members can be held together. On Earth we should expect -them either to tear one another to pieces, or to relapse into -isolation and barbarism lower than that of the lowest tribe which -preserves social instincts and social organisation. A society composed -of men resembling that child, but with the intelligence, force, and -consistent purpose of manhood, would, I should have thought, be little -better than a congregation of beasts of prey." - -"We have such beasts," said Esmo, "in the wild lands, and they are -certainly unsociable and solitary. But men, at least civilised men, -are governed not only by instinct but by interest, and the interest of -each individual in the preservation of social co-operation and social -order is very evident and very powerful. Experience and school -discipline cure children of the habit of indulging mere temper and -spite before they come to be men, and they are taught by practice as -well as by precept the absolute necessity of co-operation. Egotism, -therefore, has no tendency to dissolve society as a mere organisation, -though it has utterly destroyed society as a source of pleasure." - -"Does your law," I asked, "confine the principle of euthanasia to -infants, or do you put out of the world adults whose life is supposed, -for one reason or another, to be useless and joyless?" - -"Only," he answered, "in the case of the insane. When the doctors are -satisfied that a lunatic cannot be cured, an inquest is held; and if -the medical verdict be approved, he is quietly and painlessly -dismissed from existence. Logically, of course, the same principle -should be applied to all incurable disease; and I suspect--indeed I -know--that it is applied when the household have become weary, and the -patient is utterly unable to protect himself or appeal to the law. But -the general application of the principle has been successfully -resisted, on the ground that the terror it would cause, the constant -anxiety and alarm in which men would live if the right of judging when -life had become worthless to them were left to others, would far -outweigh any benefit which might be derived from the legalised -extinction of existences which had become a prolonged misery; and such -cases, as I have told you, are very rare among us. A case of hopeless -bodily suffering, not terminating very speedily in death, does not -occur thrice a year among the whole population of the planet, except -through accident. We have means of curing at the outset almost all of -those diseases which the observance for hundreds of generations of -sound physical conditions of life has not extirpated; and in the worst -instances our anaesthetics seldom fail to extinguish the sense of pain -without impairing intellect. Of course, any one who is tired of his -life is at liberty to put an end to it, and any one else may assist -him. But, though the clinging to existence is perhaps the most -irrational of all those purely animal instincts on emancipation from -which we pride ourselves, it is the strongest and the most lasting. -The life of most of my countrymen would be to me intolerable -weariness, if only from the utter want, after wealth is attained, of -all warmer and less isolated interest than some one pet scientific -pursuit can afford; and yet more from the total absence of affection, -family duties, and the various mental occupations which interest in -others affords. But though the question whether life is worth living -has long ago been settled among us in the negative, suicide, the -logical outcome of that conviction, is the rarest of all the methods -by which life is terminated." - -"Which seems to show that even in Mars logic does not always dominate -life and prevail over instinct. But what is the most usual cause of -death, where neither disease nor senility are other than rare -exceptions?" - -"Efflux of time," Esmo replied with an ironical smile. "That is the -chief fatal disease recognised by our physicians." - -"And what is its nature?" - -"Ah, that neither I nor any other physician can tell you. Life 'goes -out,' like a lamp when the materials supplying the electric current -are exhausted; and yet here all the waste of which physic can take -cognisance is fully repaired, and the circuit is not broken." - -"What are the symptoms, then?" - -"They are all reducible to one--exhaustion of the will, the prime -element of personality. The patient ceases to _care_. It is too much -trouble to work; then too much trouble to read; then too much trouble -to exert even those all but mechanical powers of thought which are -necessary to any kind of social intercourse--to give an order, to -answer a question, to recognise a name or a face: then even the -passions die out, till the patient cannot be provoked to rate a stupid -amba or a negligent wife; finally, there is not energy to dress or -undress, to rise up or sit down. Then the patient is allowed to die: -if kept alive perforce, he would finally lack the energy to eat or -even to breathe. And yet, all this time, the man is alive, the self is -there; and I have prolonged life, or rather renewed it, for a time, by -some chance stimulus that has reached the inner sight through the -thickening veil, and shocked the essential man into willing and -thinking once more as he thought and willed when he was younger than -his grandchildren are now.... It is well that some of us who know best -how long the flesh may be kept in life, are, in right of that very -knowledge, proof against the wish to keep the life in the flesh for -ever." - - - -CHAPTER VII - ESCORT DUTY. - -Immediately after breakfast the next morning my host invited me to the -gate of his garden, where stood one of the carriages I had seen before -in the distance, but never had an opportunity of examining. It rested -on three wheels, the two hind ones by far larger than that in front, -which merely served to sustain the equilibrium of the body and to -steer. The material was the silver-like metal of which most Martial -vessels and furniture are formed, every spar, pole, and cross-piece -being a hollow cylinder; a construction which, with the extreme -lightness of the metal itself, made the carriage far lighter than any -I had seen on Earth. The body consisted of a seat with sides, back, -and footboard, wide enough to accommodate two persons with ease. It -was attached by strong elastic fastenings to a frame consisting of -four light poles rising from the framework in which the axles turned; -completely dispensing with the trouble of springs, while affording a -more complete protection from anything like jolting. The steering gear -consisted of a helm attached to the front wheel and coming up within -easy reach of the driver's hand. The electric motive power and -machinery were concealed in a box beneath the seat, which was indeed -but the top of this most important and largest portion of the -carriage. The poles sustained a light framework supporting a canopy, -which could be drawn over the top and around three sides of the -carriage, leaving only the front open. This canopy, in the present -instance, consisted of a sort of very fine silken material, thickly -embroidered within and without with feathers of various colours and -sizes, combined in patterns of exquisite beauty. My host requested me -to mount the carriage with him, and drove for some distance, teaching -me how to steer, and how, by pressing a spring, to stop or slacken the -motion of the vehicle, also how to direct it over rough ground and up -or down the steepest slope on which it was available. When we -returned, the Regent's carriage was standing by the gate, and two -others were waiting at a little distance in the rear. The Regent, with -a companion, was already seated, and as soon as we reached the gate, -Eveena appeared. She was enveloped from head to foot in a cloak of -something like swans-down covering her whole figure, loose, like the -ordinary outer garments of both sexes, and gathered in at the waist by -a narrow zone of silver, with a sort of clasp of some bright green -jewel; and a veil of white satin-looking material covered the whole -head and face, and fell half-way to the waist. Her gloved right hand -was hidden by the sleeve of her cloak; that of the left arm was turned -back, and the hand which she gave me as I handed her to the seat on my -left was bare--a usage both of convenience and courtesy. At Esmo's -request, the Regent, who led the way, started at a moderate pace, not -exceeding some ten miles an hour. I observed that on the roofs of all -the houses along the road the inhabitants had gathered to watch us; -and as my companion was so completely veiled, I did not baulk their -curiosity by drawing the canopy. I presently noticed that the girl -held something concealed in her right sleeve, and ventured to ask her -what she had there. - -"Pardon me," she said; "if we had been less hurried, I meant to have -asked your permission to bring my pet _esve_ with me." Drawing back -her sleeve, she showed a bird about the size of a carrier-pigeon, but -with an even larger and stronger beak, white body, and wings and tail, -like some of the plumage of the head and neck, tinted with gold and -green. Around its neck was a little string of silver, and suspended -from this a small tablet with a pencil or style. Since by her look and -manner she seemed to expect an answer, I said-- - -"I am very glad you have given me the opportunity of making -acquaintance with another of those curiously tame and manageable -animals which your people seem to train to such wonderful intelligence -and obedience. We have birds on Earth which will carry a letter from a -strange place to their home, but only homewards." - -"These," she answered, "will go wherever they are directed, if they -have been there before and know the name of the place; and if this -bird had been let loose after we had left, he would have found me, if -not hidden by trees or other shelter, anywhere within a score of -miles." - -"And have your people," I asked, "many more such wonderfully -intelligent and useful creatures tamed to your service, besides the -ambau, the tyree, and these letter-carriers?" - -"Oh yes!" she answered. "Nearly all our domestic animals will do -anything they are told which lies within their power. You have seen -the tyree marching in a line across a field to pick up every single -worm or insect, or egg of such, within the whole space over which they -move, and I think you saw the ambau gathering fruit. It is not very -usual to employ the latter for this purpose, except in the trees. Have -you not seen a big creature--I should call it a bird, but a bird that -cannot fly, and is covered with coarse hair instead of feathers? It is -about as tall as myself, but with a neck half as long as its body, and -a very sharp powerful beak; and four of these _carvee_ would clear a -field the size of our garden (some 160 acres) of weeds in a couple of -days. We can send them, moreover, with orders to fetch a certain -number of any particular fruit or plant, and they scarcely ever forget -or blunder. Some of them, of course, are cleverer than others. The -cleverest will remember the name of every plant in the garden, and -will, perhaps, bring four or even six different kinds at a time; but -generally we show them a leaf of the plant we want, or point out to -them the bed where it is to be found, and do not trouble their memory -with more than two different orders at a time. The Unicorns, as you -call them, come regularly to be milked at sunset, and, if told -beforehand, will come an hour earlier or later to any place pointed -out to them. There were many beasts of burden before the electric -carriages were invented, so intelligent that I have heard the rider -never troubled himself to guide them except when he changed his -purpose, or came to a road they had not traversed before. He would -simply tell them where to go, and they would carry him safely. The -only creature now kept for this purpose is the largest of our birds -(the _caldecta_), about six feet long from head to tail, and with -wings measuring thrice as much from tip to tip. They will sail through -the air and carry their rider up to places otherwise inaccessible. But -they are little used except by the hunters, partly because the danger -is thought too great, partly because they cannot rise more than about -4000 feet from the sea-level with a rider, and within that height -there are few places worth reaching that cannot be reached more -safely. People used to harness them to balloons till we found means to -drive these by electricity--the last great invention in the way of -locomotion, which I think was completed within my grandfather's -memory." - -"And," I asked, "have you no animals employed in actually cultivating -the soil?" - -"No," she replied, "except the weeding birds of whom I have told you. -When we have a piece of ground too small for our electric ploughs, we -sometimes set them to break it up, and they certainly reduce the soil -to a powder much finer than that produced by the machine." - -"I should like to see those machines at work." - -"Well," answered Eveena, "I have no doubt we shall pass more than one -of them on our way." - -As she said this we reached the great road I had crossed on my -arrival, and turning up this for a short distance, sufficient, -however, to let me perceive that it led to the seaport town of which I -have spoken, we came to a break in the central footpath, just wide -enough to allow us to pass. Looking back on this occasion, I observed -that we were followed by the two other carriages I have mentioned, but -at some distance. We then proceeded up the mountain by a narrow road I -had not seen in descending it. On either side of this lay fields of -the kind already described, one of which was in course of cultivation, -and here I saw the ploughs of which my companion had spoken. Evidently -constructed on the same principle as the carriages, but of much -greater size, and with heavier and broader wheels, they tore up and -broke to pieces a breadth of soil of some two yards, working to a -depth of some eighteen inches, with a dozen sharp powerful triangular -shares, and proceeding at a rate of about fifty yards per minute. -Eveena explained that these fields were generally from 200 to 600 -yards square. The machine having traversed the whole field in one -direction, then recommenced its work, ploughing at right angles to the -former, and carrying behind it a sort of harrow, consisting of hooks -supported by light, hollow, metallic poles fixed at a certain angle to -the bar forming the rearward extremity of the plough, by which the -surface was levelled and the soil beaten into small fragments; broken -up, in fact, as I had seen, not less completely than ordinary garden -soil in England or Flanders. When it reached the end of its course, -the plough had to be turned; and this duty required the employment of -two men, one at each end of the field, who, however, had no other or -more difficult labour than that of turning the machine at the -completion of each set of furrows. In another field, already doubly -ploughed, a sowing machine was at work. The large seeds were placed -singly by means of an instrument resembling a magnified ovipositor, -such as that possessed by many insects, which at regulated intervals -made a hole in the ground and deposited a seed therein. Eveena -explained that where the seed and plant were small, a continuous -stream was poured into a small furrow made by a different instrument -attached to the same machine, while another arm, placed a little to -the rear, covered in the furrow and smoothed the surface. In reply to -another question of mine--"There are," she said, "some score of -different wool or hair bearing animals, which are shorn twice in the -year, immediately after the rains, and furnish the fibre which is -woven into most of the materials we use for dress and other household -purposes. These creatures adapt themselves to the shearing machines -with wonderful equanimity and willingness, so that they are seldom or -never injured." - -"Not even," I asked, "by inexperienced or clumsy hands?" - -"Hands," she said, "have nothing to do with the matter. They have only -to send the animal into the machine, and, indeed, each goes in of his -own accord as he sees his fellow come out." - -"And have you no vegetable fibres," I said, "that are used for -weaving?" - -"Oh yes," she answered, "several. The outer dress I wear indoors is -made of a fibre found inside the rind of the fruit of the algyro tree, -and the stalks of three or four different kinds of plants afford -materials almost equally soft and fine." - -"And your cloak," I asked, "is not that made of the skin of some -animal?" - -"Yes," she replied, "and the most curious creature I have heard of. It -is found only in the northern and southern Arctic land-belts, to which -indeed nearly all wild animals, except the few small ones that are -encouraged because they prey upon large and noxious insects, are now -confined. It is about as large as the Unicorns, and has, like them, -four limbs; but otherwise it more resembles a bird. It has a bird's -long slight neck, but a very small and not very bird-like head, with a -long horny snout, furnished with teeth, something between a beak and a -mouth. Its hind limbs are those of a bird, except that they have more -flesh upon the lowest joints and are covered with this soft down. Its -front limbs, my father says, seem as if nature had hesitated between -wings and arms. They have attached to them several long, sharp, -featherless quills starting from a shrivelled membrane, which make -them very powerful and formidable weapons, so that no animal likes to -attack it; while the foot has four fingers or claws with, which it -clasps fish or small dragons, especially those electric dragons of -which you have seen a tame and very much enlarged specimen, and so -holds them that they cannot find a chance of delivering their electric -shock. But for the _Thernee_ these dragons, winged as they are, would -make those lands hardly habitable either for man, or other beasts. All -our furs are obtained from those countries, and the creatures from -which they are derived are carefully preserved for that purpose, it -being forbidden to kill more than a certain number of each every year, -which makes these skins by far the costliest articles we use." - -By this time we had reached the utmost point to which the carriages -could take us, about a furlong from the platform on which I had rested -during my descent. Seeing that the Regent and his companion had -dismounted, I stopped and sprang down from my carriage, holding out my -hand to assist Eveena's descent, an attention which I thought seemed -to surprise her. Up to the platform the path was easy enough; after -that it became steep even for me, and certainly a troublesome and -difficult ascent for a lady dressed as I have described, and hardly -stronger than a child of the same height and size on earth. Still my -companion did not seem to expect, and certainly did not invite -assistance. That she found no little difficulty in the walk was -evident from her turning back both sleeves and releasing her bird, -which hovered closely round her. Very soon her embarrassments and -stumbles threatened such actual danger as overcame my fear of -committing what, for aught I knew, might be an intrusion. Catching her -as she fell, and raising her by the left hand, I held it fast in my -own right, begging to be permitted to assist her for the rest of the -journey. Her manner and the tone of her voice made it evident that -such an attention, if unusual, was not offensive; but I observed that -those who were following us looked at us with some little surprise, -and spoke together in words which I could not catch, but the tone of -which was not exactly pleasant or complimentary. The Regent, a few -steps in advance of us, turned back from time to time to ask me some -trivial question. At last we reached the summit, and here I released -my companion's hand and stepped forward a pace or two to point out to -the Regent the external structure of the Astronaut. I was near enough, -of course, to be heard by Eveena, and endeavoured to address my -explanations as much to her as to the authority to whom I was required -to render an account. But from the moment that we had actually joined -him she withdrew from all part and all apparent interest in the -conversation. When our companions moved forward to reach the entrance, -which I had indicated, I again offered my hand, saying, "I am afraid -you will find some little difficulty in getting into the vessel by the -window by which I got out." - -The Regent, however, had brought with him several light metal poles, -which I had not observed while carried by his companion, but which -being put together formed a convenient ladder of adequate length. He -desired me to ascend first and cut the riband by means of which the -window had been sealed; the law being so strict that even he would not -violate the symbol of private ownership which protected my vessel. -Having done this and opened the window, I sprang down, and he, -followed by his companion, ascended the ladder, and resting himself -upon the broad inner ledge of the window--which afforded a convenient -seat, since the crystal was but half the thickness of the wall--first -took a long look all round the interior, and then leaped down, -followed by his attendant. Eveena drew back, but was at last persuaded -to mount the ladder with my assistance, and rest on the sill till I -followed her and lifted her down inside. The Regent had by this time -reached the machinery, and was examining it very curiously, with -greater apparent appreciation of its purpose than I should have -expected. When we joined them, I found little difficulty in explaining -the purpose and working of most parts of the apparatus. The nature and -generation of the apergic power I took care not to explain. The -existence of such a repulsive force was the point on which the Regent -professed incredulity; as it was, of course, the critical fact on -which my whole narrative turned--on which its truth or falsehood -depended. I resolved ere the close of the inspection to give him clear -practical evidence on this score. In the meantime, listening without -answer to his expressions of doubt, I followed him round the interior, -explaining to him and to Eveena the use and structure of the -thermometer, barycrite, and other instruments. My fair companion -seemed to follow my explanation almost as easily as the officials. Our -followers, who had now entered the vessel, kept within hearing of my -remarks; but, evidently aware that they were there on sufferance, -asked no questions, and made their comments in a tone too low to allow -me to understand their purport. The impression made on the Regent by -the instruments, so far as I could gather from his brief remarks and -the expression of his face, was one of contemptuous surprise rather -than the interest excited by the motive machinery. Most of them were -evidently, in his opinion, clumsy contrivances for obtaining results -which the scientific knowledge and inventive genius of his countrymen -had long ago secured more completely and more easily. But he was -puzzled by the combination of such imperfect knowledge or -semi-barbaric ignorance with the possession of a secret of such -immense importance as the repulsive current, not yet known nor, as I -gathered, even conceived by the inhabitants of this planet. When he -had completed his inspection, he requested permission to remove some -of the objects I had left there; notably many of the dead plants, and -several books of drawings, mathematical, mechanical, and ornamental, -which I had left, and which had not been brought away by my host's son -when he visited the vessel. These I begged him to present to the -Campta, adding to them a few smaller curiosities, after which I drew -him back towards the machinery. He summoned his attendant, and bade -him take away to the carriages the articles I had given him, calling -upon the intruders to assist. - -I was thus left with him and with Eveena alone in the building; and -with a partly serious, partly mischievous desire to prove to him the -substantial reality of objects so closely related to my own disputed -existence, and to demonstrate the truth of my story, I loosened one of -the conductors, connected it with the machinery, and, directing it -against him, sent through it a very slight apergic current. I was not -quite prepared for the result. His Highness was instantly knocked head -over heels to a considerable distance. Turning to interrupt the -current before going to his assistance, I was startled to perceive -that an accident of graver moment, in my estimation at least, than the -discomfiture of this exalted official, had resulted from my -experiment. I had not noticed that a conductive wire was accidentally -in contact with the apergion, while its end hung down towards the -floor Of this I suppose Eveena had carelessly taken hold, and a part -of the current passing through it had lessened the shock to the Regent -at the expense of one which, though it could not possibly have injured -her, had from its suddenness so shaken her nerves as to throw her into -a momentary swoon. She was recovering almost at soon as I reached her; -and by the time her fellow-sufferer had picked himself up in great -disgust and astonishment, was partly aware what had happened. She was, -however; much more anxious to excuse herself, in the manner of a -frightened child, for meddling with the machinery than to hear my -apologies for the accident. Noting her agitation, and seeing that she -was still trembling all over, I was more anxious to get her into the -open air, and out of reach of the apparatus she seemed to regard with -considerable alarm, than to offer any due apology to the exalted -personage to whom I had afforded much stronger evidence, if not of my -own substantiality, yet of the real existence of a repulsive energy, -than I had seriously intended. With a few hurried words to him, I -raised Eveena to the window, and lifted her to the ground outside. I -felt, however, that I could not leave the Regent to find his own way -out, the more so that I hardly saw how he could reach the window from -the inside without my assistance. I excused myself, therefore, and -seating her on a rock close to the ladder, promised to return at once. -This, however, I found impossible. By the time the injured officer had -recovered the physical shock to his nerves and the moral effect of the -disrespect to his person, his anxiety to verify what he had heard -entirely occupied his mind; and he requested further experiments, not -upon himself, which occupied some half-hour. He listened and spoke, I -must admit, with temper; but his air of displeasure was evident -enough, and I was aware that I had not entitled myself to his good -word, whether or not he would permit his resentment to colour his -account of facts. He was compelled, however, to request my help in -reaching the window, which I gave with all possible deference. - -But, to my alarm, when we reached the foot of the ladder, Eveena was -nowhere to be seen. Calling her and receiving no reply, calling again -and hearing what sounded like her voice, but in a faint tone and -coming I knew not whither, I ran round the platform to seek her. I -could see nothing of her; but at one point, just where the projecting -edge of the platform overhung the precipice below, I recognised her -bird fluttering its wings and screaming as if in pain or terror. The -Regent was calling me in a somewhat imperious tone, but of course -received neither answer nor attention. Reaching the spot, I looked -over the edge and with some trouble discovered what had happened. Not -merely below but underneath the overhanging edge was a shelf about -four feet long and some ten inches in breadth, covered with a flower -equally remarkable in form and colour, the former being that of a -hollow cylindrical bell, about two inches in diameter; the latter a -bluish lilac, the nearest approach to azure I have seen in Mars--the -whole ground one sheet of flowers. On this, holding in a -half-insensible state to the outward-sloping rock above her, Eveena -clung, her veil and head-dress fallen, her face expressing utter -bewilderment as well as terror. I saw, though at the moment I hardly -understood, how she had reached this point. A very narrow path, some -hundred feet in length, sloped down from the table-rock of the summit -to the shelf on which she stood, with an outer hedge of shrubs and the -summits of small trees, which concealed, and in some sort guarded, the -precipice below, so that even a timid girl might pursue the path -without fear. But this path ended several feet from the commencement -of the shelf. Across the gap had lain a fallen tree, with boughs -affording such a screen and railing on the outward side as might at -once conceal the gulf below, and afford assistance in crossing the -chasm. But in crossing this tree Eveena's footsteps had displaced it, -and it had so given way as not only to be unavailable, but a serious -obstacle to my passage. Had I had time to go round, I might have been -able to leap the chasm; I certainly could not return that way with a -burden even so light as that of my precious charge. The only chance -was to lift her by main force directly to where I stood; and the -outward projection of the rock at this point rendered this peculiarly -difficult, as I had nothing to cling or hold by. The Regent had by -this time reached me, and discerned what had occurred. - -"Hold me fast," I said, "or sit upon me if you like, to hold me with -your weight whilst I lean over." The man stood astounded, not by the -danger of another but by the demand on himself; and evidently without -the slightest intention of complying. - -"You are mad!" he said. "Your chance is ten times greater to lose your -own life than to save hers." - -"Lose my life!" I cried. "Could I dare return alive without her? Throw -your whole weight on me, I say, as I lean over, and waste no more -time!" - -"What!" he rejoined. "You are twice as heavy as I, and if you are -pulled over I shall probably go over too. Why am I to endanger myself -to save a girl from the consequences of her folly?" - -"If you do not," I swore, "I will fling you where the carcass of which -you are so careful shall be crushed out of the very form of the -manhood you disgrace." - -Even this threat failed to move him. Meantime the bird, fluttering on -my shoulder, suggested a last chance; and snatching the tablet round -its neck, I wrote two words thereon, and calling to it, "Home!" the -intelligent creature flew off at fullest speed. - -"Now," I said, "if you do not help me I will kill you here and now. If -you pretend to help and fail me, that bird carries to Esmo my request -to hold you answerable for our lives." - -I invoked, in utter desperation, the awe with which, as his hints and -my experience implied, Esmo was regarded by his neighbours; and -slender as seemed this support, it did not fail me. The Regent's -countenance fell, and I saw that I might depend at least on his -passive compliance. Clasping his arm with my left hand, I said, "Pull -back with all your might. If I go over, you _shall_ go over too." Then -pulling him down with me, and stretching myself over the precipice so -far that but for this additional support I must have fallen, I reached -Eveena, whose closed eyes and relaxing limbs indicated that another -moment's delay might be fatal. - -"Give me your hand," I cried in despair, seeing how tightly she still -grasped the tough fibrous shoots growing in the crevices of the rock, -whereof she had taken hold. "Give me your hand, and let go!" - -To give me her hand was beyond the power of her will; to let go -without giving me hold would have been fatal. Beaching over to the -uttermost, I contrived to lay a firm grasp upon her wrist. But this -would not do. I could hardly drag her up by one arm, especially if she -would not relax her grasp. I must release the Regent and depend upon -his obedience, or forfeit the chance of saving her, as in a few more -moments she would certainly swoon and fall. - -"Throw yourself upon me, and sit firm, if you value your life," I -cried, and I relaxed my hold on his arm, stretching both hands to -grasp Eveena. I felt the man's weight on my body, and with both arms -extended to the uttermost hanging over the edge, I caught firm bold of -the girl's shoulders. Even now, with any girl of her age on earth, and -for aught I know with many Martial damsels, the case would have been -hopeless. My whole strength was required to raise her; I had none to -spare to force her loose from her hold. Fortunately my rough and tight -clasp seemed to rouse her. Her eyes half opened, and semi-consciousness -appeared to have returned. - -"Let go!" I cried in that sharp tone of imperious anger which--with -some tempers at least--is the natural expression of the outward -impulse produced by supreme and agonizing terror. Obedience is the -hereditary lesson taught to her sex by the effects of equality in -Mars. Eveena had been personally trained in a principle long discarded -by Terrestrial women; and not half aware what she did, but yielding -instinctively to the habit of compliance with imperative command -spoken in a masculine voice, she opened her hands just as I had lost -all hope. With one desperate effort I swung her fairly on to the -platform, and, seeing her safe there, fell back myself scarcely more -sensible than she was. - -The whole of this terrible scene, which it has taken so long to -relate, did not occupy more than a minute in action. I know not -whether my readers can understand the full difficulty and danger of -the situation. I know that no words of mine can convey the impression -graven into my own memory, never to be effaced or weakened while -consciousness remains. The strongest man on Earth could not have done -what I did; could not, lying half over the precipice, have swung a -girl of eighteen right out from underneath him, and to his own level. -But Eveena was of slighter, smaller frame than a healthy French girl -of twelve, while I retained the full strength of a man adapted to the -work of a world where every weight is twice as heavy as on Mars. What -I had practically to do was to lift not seven or eight stone of -European girlhood, not even the six Eveena might possibly have weighed -on Earth, but half that weight. And yet the position was such that all -the strength I had acquired through ten years of constant practice in -the field and in the chase, all the power of a frame in healthful -maturity, and of muscles whose force seemed doubled by the tension of -the nerves, hardly availed. When I recovered my own senses, and had -contrived to restore Eveena's, my unwilling assistant had disappeared. - -It was an hour before Eveena seemed in a condition to be removed, and -perhaps I was not very urgent to hurry her away. I had done no more -than any man, the lowest and meanest on Earth, must have done under -the circumstances. I can scarcely enter into the feelings of the -fellow-man who, in my position, could have recognised a choice but -between saving and perishing with the helpless creature entrusted to -his charge. But hereditary disbelief in any power above the physical -forces of Nature, in any law higher than that of man's own making, has -rendered human nature in Mars something utterly different from, -perhaps, hardly intelligible to, the human nature of a planet forty -million miles nearer the Sun. Though brought up in an affectionate -home, Eveena shared the ideas of the world in which she was born; and -so far accepted its standards of opinion and action as natural if not -right, that the risk I had run, the effort I had made to save her, -seemed to her scarcely less extraordinary than it had appeared to the -Zampta. She rated its devotion and generosity as highly as he -appreciated its extravagance and folly; and if he counted me a madman, -she was disposed to elevate me into a hero or a demi-god. The tones -and looks of a maiden in such a temper, however perfect her maidenly -reserve, would, I fancy, be very agreeable to men older than I was, -either in constitution or even in experience. I doubt whether any man -under fifty would have been more anxious than myself to cut short our -period of repose, broken as it was, when I refused to listen to her -tearful penitence and self-reproach, by occasional words and looks of -gratitude and admiration. I did, however, remember that it was -expedient to refasten the window, and re-attach the seals, before -departing. At the end of the hour's rest I allowed my charge and -myself, I had recovered more or less completely the nervous force -which had been for a while utterly exhausted, less by the effort than -by the terror that preceded it. I was neither surprised, nor perhaps -as much grieved as I should have been, to find that Eveena could -hardly walk; and felt to the full the value of those novel conditions -which enabled me to carry her the more easily in my arms, though much -oppressed even by so slight an effort in that thin air, to the place -where we had left our carriage--no inconsiderable distance by the path -we had to pursue. Before starting on our return I had, in despite of -her most earnest entreaties, managed to recover her head-dress and -veil, at a risk which, under other circumstances, I might not have -cared to encounter. But had she been seen without it on our return, -the comments of the whole neighbourhood would have been such as might -have disturbed even her father's cool indifference. We reached her -home in safety, and with little notice, having, of course, drawn the -canopy around us as completely as possible. I was pleased to find that -only her younger sister, to whose care I at once committed her, was -there at present, the elders not having yet returned. I took care to -detach from the bird's neck the tablet which had served its purpose so -well. The creature had found his way home within half-an-hour after I -dismissed him, and had frightened Zevle [Stella] not a little; though -the message, which a fatal result would have made sufficiently -intelligible to Esmo, utterly escaped her comprehension. - - - -CHAPTER VIII - A FAITH AND ITS FOUNDER. - -On the return of the family, my host was met at the door with such -accounts of what had happened as led him at once to see and question -his daughter. It was not, therefore, till he had heard her story that -I saw him. More agitated than I should have expected from one under -ordinary circumstances so calm and self-possessed, he entered my room -with a face whose paleness and compressed lips indicated intense -emotion; and, laying his hand on my shoulder, expressed his feeling -rather in look and tone than in his few broken and not very -significant words. After a few moments, however, he recovered his -coolness, and asked me to supply the deficiencies of Eveena's story. I -told him briefly but exactly what had passed from the moment when I -missed her to that of her rescue. He listened without the slightest -symptom of surprise or anger to the tale of the Regent's indifference, -and seemed hardly to understand the disgust and indignation with which -I dwelt upon it. When I had finished-- - -"You have made," he said, "an enemy, and a dangerous one; but you have -also secured friends against whose support even the anger of a greater -than the Zampta might break as harmlessly as waves upon a rock. He -behaved only as any one else would have done; and it is useless to be -angry with men for being what they habitually and universally are. -What you did for Eveena, one of ourselves, perhaps, but no other, -might have risked for a first bride on the first day of her marriage. -Indeed, though I am most thankful to you, I should, perhaps, have -withheld my consent to my daughter's request had I supposed that you -felt so strongly for her." - -"I think," I replied with some displeasure, "that I may positively -affirm that I have spoken no word to your daughter which I should not -have spoken in your presence. I am too unfamiliar with your ideas to -know whether your remark has the same force and meaning it would have -borne among my own people; but to me it conveys a grave reproach. When -I accepted the charge of your daughter during this day's excursion, I -thought of her only as every man thinks of a young, pretty, and gentle -girl of whom he has seen and knows scarcely anything. To avail myself -of what has since happened to make a deeper impression on her feelings -than you might approve would have seemed to me unpardonable -treachery." - -"You do utterly misunderstand me," he answered. "It may be that Eveena -has received an impression which will not be effaced from her mind. It -may be that this morning, could I have foreseen it, I should have -decidedly wished to avoid anything that would so impress her. But that -feeling, if it exist, has been caused by your acts and not by your -words. That you should do your utmost, at any risk to yourself, to -save her, is consistent with what I know of your habit of mind, and -ought not much to surprise me. But, from your own account of what you -said to the Zampta, you were not merely willing to risk life for life. -When you deemed it impossible to return without her, you spoke as few -among us would seriously speak of a favourite bride." - -"I spoke and felt," I replied, "as any man trained in the hereditary -thought of my race and rank would have spoken of any woman committed -to his care. All that I said and did for Eveena, I should have said -and done, I hope, for the least attractive or least amiable maiden in -this planet who had been similarly entrusted to my charge. How could -any but the vilest coward return and say to a father, 'You trusted -your daughter to me, and she has perished by my fault or neglect'?" - -"Not so," he answered, "Eveena alone was to blame--and much to blame. -She says herself that you had told her to remain where you left her -till your return; and if she had not disobeyed, neither her life nor -yours would have been imperilled." - -"One hardly expects a young lady to comply exactly with such -requests," I said. "At any rate, Terrestrial feelings of honour and -even of manhood would have made it easier to leap the precipice than -to face you and the world if, no matter by whose fault, my charge had -died in such a manner under my eyes and within my reach." - -Esmo's eyes brightened and his cheek flushed a little as I spoke, with -more of earnestness or passion than any incident, however exciting, is -wont to provoke among his impassive race. - -"Of one thing," he said, "you have assured me--that the proposal I was -about to make rather invites honour than confers it. I have been -obliged, in speaking of the manners and ideas of my countrymen, to let -you perceive not only that I differ from them, but that there are -others who think and act as I do. We have for ages formed a society -bound together by our peculiar tenets. That we individually differ in -conduct, and, therefore, probably in ideas, from our countrymen, they -necessarily know; that we form a body apart with laws and tenets of -our own, is at least suspected. But our organisation, its powers, its -methods, its rules of membership, and its doctrines are, and have -always been, a secret, and no man's connection with it is avowed or -provable. Our chief distinctive and essential doctrines you hold as -strongly as we do--the All-perfect Existence, the immortal human soul. -From these necessarily follow conceptions of life and principles of -conduct alien to those that have as necessarily grown up among a race -which repudiates, ignores, and hates our two fundamental premises. -After what has happened, I can promise you immediate and eager -acceptance among those invested with the fullest privileges of our -order. They will all admire your action and applaud your motives, -though, frankly speaking, I doubt whether any of us would carry your -views so far as you have done. The best among us would have flinched, -unless under the influence of the very strongest personal affection, -from the double peril of which you seemed to think so lightly. They -might indeed have defied the Regent but it would have been in reliance -on the protection of, a power superior to his of which you knew -nothing." - -"Then," I said, "I suppose your engagement of to-day was a meeting of -this society?" - -"Yes," he answered, "a meeting of the Chamber to which I and the elder -members of my household, including my son and his wife, belong." -"But," I said, "if you are more powerful than the rulers of your -people, what need of such careful secrecy?" - -"You will understand the reason," he answered, "when you learn the -nature of our powers. Hundreds among millions, we are no match for the -fighting force of our unbelieving countrymen. Our safety lies in the -terror inspired by a tradition, verified by repeated and invariable -experience, that no one who injures one of us but has reason to rue -it, that no mortal enemy of _the Star_ has ever escaped signal -punishment, more terrible for the mystery attending it. Were we known, -were our organisation avowed, we might be hunted down and -exterminated, and should certainly suffer frightful havoc, even if in -the end we were able to frighten or overcome our enemies. But if you -are disposed to accept my offer--and enrolment among us gives you at -once your natural place in this planet and your best security against -the enmity you have incurred and will incur here--I should prefer to -make the rest of the explanation that must precede your admission in -presence of my family. The first step, the preliminary instruction in -our creed and our simpler mysteries, which is the work of the -Novitiate, is a solemn epoch in the lives of our children. They are -not trusted with our secret till we can rely on the maturity of their -intelligence and loyalty of their nature. Eveena would in any case -have been received as a novice within some dozen days. It will now be -easy for me, considering her education and intelligence and my own -position in the Order, to obtain, for her as for you, exemption from -the usual probation on proof that you both know all that is usually -taught therein, and admission on the same occasion; and it will add -solemnity and interest to her first initiation, that this chief lesson -of her life should be shared this evening with him to whom she owes it -that she lives to enter the society, to which her ancestors have -belonged since its institution." - -We passed into the peristyle, where the ladies were as usual -assembled; but the children had been dismissed, and of the maidens -Eveena only was present. Fatigue and agitation had left her very pale, -and she was resting at full length on the cushions with her head -pillowed on her mother's knee. As we approached, however, they all -rose, the other ladies greeting me eagerly and warmly, Eveena rising -with difficulty and faltering the welcome which the rest had spoken -with enthusiastic earnestness. Forgetting for the moment the prudence -which ignorance of Martial customs had hitherto dictated, I lifted to -my lips the hand that she, following the example of the rest, but -shyly and half reluctantly, laid on my shoulder--a form very different -to the distant greeting I had heretofore received, and marking that I -was no longer to be treated as a stranger to the family. My unusual -salute brought the colour back to her cheeks, but no one else took -notice of it. I observed, however, that on this occasion, instead of -interposing himself between me and the ladies as usual, her father -left vacant the place next to her; and I seated myself at her feet. -She would have exchanged her reclining posture for that of the others, -but her mother gently drew her down to her former position. - -"Eveena," said my host, "I have told our friend, what you know, that -there is in this world a society, of which I am a member, whose -principles are not those of our countrymen, but resemble rather those -which supplied the impulses on which he acted to-day. This much you -know. What you would have learned a few days hence, I mean that you -and he shall now hear at the same time." - -"Before you enter on that subject," interposed Zulve timidly--for it -is most unusual for a lady to interfere in her husband's conversation, -much more to offer a suggestion or correction--but yet earnestly, "let -me say, on my own part, what I am sure you must have said already on -yours. If there be now, or ever shall be, anything we can do for our -guest, anything we can give that he would value, not in requital, but -in memory of what he has done for us--whatever it should cost us, -though he should ask the most precious thing we possess, it will be -our pride and pleasure--the greatest pleasure he can afford us--to -grant it." - -The time and the surroundings were not perhaps exactly suitable to the -utterance of the wish suggested by these words; but I knew so little -what might be in store for me, and understood so well the difficulty -and uncertainty of finding future opportunities of intercourse with -the ladies at least of the family, that I dared not lose the present. -I spoke at once upon the impulse of the moment, with a sense of -reckless desperation not unlike that with which an artillerist fires -the train whose explosion may win for him the obsidional wreath or -blow him into atoms. "You and my host," I said, "have one treasure -that I have learned to covet, but it is exactly the most precious -thing you possess, and one which it would be presumptuous to ask as -reward; even had I not owed to Esmo the life I perilled for Eveena, -and if I had acted from choice and freely, instead of doing only what -only the vilest of cowards could have failed to attempt. In asking it -indeed, I feel that I cancel whatever claim your extravagant estimate -of that act can possibly ascribe to me." - -"We don't waste words," answered Esmo, "in saying what we don't mean, -and I confirm fully what my wife has said. There is nothing we possess -that we shall not delight to give as token of regard and in -remembrance of this day to the saviour of our child." - -"If," I said, "I find a neighbour's purse containing half his fortune, -and return it to him, he may offer me what reward I ask, but would -hardly think it reasonable if I asked for the purse and its contents. -But you have only one thing I care to possess--that which I have, by -God's help, been enabled to save to-day. If I must ask a gift, give me -Eveena herself." - -Utilitarianism has extinguished in Mars the use of compliment and -circumlocution; and until I concluded, their looks of mild perplexity -showed that neither Zulve nor her husband caught my purpose. I -fancied--for, not daring to look them in the face, I had turned my -downcast glance on Eveena--that she had perhaps somewhat sooner -divined the object of my thoughts. However, a silence of surprise--was -it of reluctance?--followed, and then Zulve bent over her daughter and -looked into her half-averted face, while Esmo answered-- - -"What you should ask I promised to give; what you have asked I give, -in so far as it is mine to give, in willing fulfilment of my pledge. -But, of course, what I can give is but my free permission to my -daughter to answer for herself. You will be, I hope, within a few days -at furthest, one of those in whose possession alone a woman of my -house could be safe or content; and, free by the law of the land to -follow her own wish, she is freed by her father's voice from the rule -which the usage of ten thousand years imposes on the daughters of our -brotherhood." - -Zulve then looked up, for Eveena had hidden her face in her mother's -robe, and said-- - -"If my child will not speak for herself I must speak for her, and in -my own name and in hers I fulfil her father's promise. And now let my -husband tell his story, for nothing can solemnise more appropriately -the betrothal of a daughter of the Star, than her admission to the -knowledge of the Order whose privileges are her heritage." - -"At the time," Esmo began, "when material science had gained a decided -ascendant, and enforced the recognition of its methods as the only -ones whereby certain knowledge and legitimate belief could be -attained, those who clung most earnestly to convictions not acquired -or favoured by scientific logic were sorely dismayed. They were -confounded, not so much by the yet informal but irrevocable -majority-vote against them, as by an instinctive misgiving that -Science was right; and by irrepressible doubts whether that which -would not bear the application of scientific method could in any sense -be true or trustworthy knowledge. At the same time, to apply a -scientific method to the cherished beliefs threatened only to dissolve -them. Fortunately for them and their successors, there was living at -that time one of the most remarkable and original thinkers whom our -race has produced. From him came the suggestions that gave impulse to -our learning and birth to our Order. 'The reasonings, the processes of -Science,' he affirmed,'are beyond challenge. Their trustworthiness -depends not on their subject-matter, but on their own character; not -on their relation to outward Nature, but on their conformity to the -laws of thought. Their upholders are right in affirming that what will -not ultimately bear the test of their application cannot be knowledge, -and probably--for the practical purposes of human life we may say -certainly--cannot be truth. They are wrong in alleging that the ideas -for which they can find no foundation in the subjects to which -scientific method has hitherto been applied, are therefore -unscientific, or sure to disappear under scientific investigation. I -hold that the existence of a Creator and Ruler of the Universe can be -logically deduced from first principles, as well as justly inferred -from cumulative evidences of overwhelming weight. The existence of -something in Man that is not merely corporeal, of powers that can act -beyond the reach of any corporeal instruments at his command, or -without the range of their application, is not proven; it may be, only -because the facts that indicate without proving it have never yet been -subject to systematic verification or scientific analysis. But of such -facts there exists a vast accumulation; unsifted, untested, and -therefore as yet ineffective for proof, but capable, I can scarcely -doubt, of reduction to methodical order and scientific treatment. -There are records and traditions of every degree of value, from utter -worthlessness to the worth of the most authentic history, preserving -the evidences of powers which may be generally described as spiritual. -Through all ages, among all races, the living have alleged themselves -from time to time to have seen the forms and even heard the voices of -the dead. Scientific men have been forced by the actual and public -exercise of the power under the most crucial tests--for instance, to -produce insensibility in surgical operations--to admit that the will -of one man can control the brain, the senses, the physical frame of -another without material contact, perhaps at a distance. There are -narratives of marvels wrought by human will, chiefly in remote, but -occasionally in recent times, transcending and even contradicting or -overruling the known laws of Nature. All these evidences point to one -conclusion; all corroborate and confirm one another. The men of -science ridicule them because in so many cases the facts are -imperfectly authenticated, and because in others the action of the -powers is uncertain, dependent on conditions imperfectly ascertained, -and not of that material kind to which material science willingly -submits. But if they be facts, if they relate to any element of human -nature, all these things can be systematically investigated, the true -separated from the false, the proven from the unproven. The powers can -be investigated, their conditions of action laid down. Probably they -may be so developed as to be exercised with comparative certainty, -whether by every one or only by those special constitutions in which -they may inhere. Such investigations will at present only enlist the -attention and care of a few qualified persons, and, that they may be -carried on in peace and safety, should be carried on in secrecy. But -upon them may, I hope, be founded a certainty as regards the higher -side of man's nature not less complete than that which science, by -similar methods, has gradually acquired in regard to its purely -physical aspects.' - -"For this end he instituted a secret society, which has subsisted in -constantly increasing strength and cohesion to the present hour. It -has collected evidence, conducted experiments, investigated records, -studied methodically the abnormal phenomena you call occult or -spiritual, and reduced them to something like the certainty of -science. Discoveries from the first curious and interesting have -become more and more complete, practical, and effective. Our results -have surpassed the hopes of our Founder, and transcend in importance, -while they equal in certainty, the contemporary achievements of -physical science,--some of the chief of which belong to us. All that -profound knowledge of human nature could suggest to bring its weakness -to the support of its strength, and enlist both in the work, was done -by our Founder, and by those who have carried out his scheme. The -corporate character of the society, its rites and formularies, its -grades and ranks, are matter of deep interest to all its members, have -linked them together by an inviolable bond, and given them a strength -infinitely greater than numbers without such cohesion could possibly -have afforded. The Founder left us no moral code, imposed on us none -of his own most cherished ethical convictions, as he pledged us to -none of the conclusions which his own occult studies had led him to -anticipate, nearly all of which have been verified by later -investigation. Such rules as he imposed were directed only to the -cohesion and efficiency of the Order. Our creed still consists only of -the two fundamental doctrines; two settled principles only are laid -down by our aboriginal law. We are taught to cultivate the closest -personal affection, the most intimate and binding ties among -ourselves; to defend the Order and one another, whether by strenuous -resistance or severe reprisals, against all who injure us individually -or collectively, and especially against persecutors of the Order. But -the few laws our Founder has left are given in the form of striking -precepts, brief, and often even paradoxical. For example, the law of -defence or reprisal is concentrated in one antithetic phrase:--_Gavart -dax Zvelta, gavart gedex Zinta_ [Never let the member strike, never -let the Order spare]. As it is a rule with us to embody none of our -symbols, forms, or laws in writing, this manner of statement served to -impress them on the memory, as well as to leave the utmost freedom in -their application, by the gathered experience of ages, and the -prudence of those who had to deal with the circumstances of each -successive period. Another maxim says, 'Who kisses a brother's hand -may kick the Campta,' thus enforcing at once the value of ceremonial -courtesy, and the power conferred by union. We observe more ceremony -in family life than others in the most formal public relations. Their -theory of life being utterly utilitarian, no form is observed that -serves no distinct practical purpose. We wish to make life graceful -and elegant, as well as easy. Principles originally inculcated upon us -by the necessity of self-protection have been enforced and graven on -our very nature, by the reaction of our experience against the rough -and harsh relations, the jarring and often unfriendly intercourse, of -external society. Aliens to our Order--that is, ninety-nine hundredths -of our race--take delight in the infliction of petty personal -annoyance, at least never take care not to 'jar each other's -elbow-nerves,' or set on edge the teeth that never bit them. _We_ are -careful not to wound the feelings or even the weaknesses of a brother. -Punctilious courtesy, frank apology for unintentional wrong, is with -us a point of honour. Disputes, when by any chance they arise, are -referred to the arbitration of our chiefs, who never consider their -work done till the disputants are cordially reconciled. Envy, the most -dangerous source of ill-will among men, can hardly exist among us. -Rank has been well earned by its holder, or in a few cases by his -ancestors; and authority is a trust never to be used for its holder's -benefit. Wealth never provokes covetousness, since no member is ever -allowed to be poor. Not only the Order but each member is bound to -take every opportunity of assisting every other by every method within -his power. We employ them, we promote them, we give them the -preference in every kind of patronage at our command. But these -obligations are points of honour rather than of law. Only apostasy or -treason to the Order involve compulsory penalties; and the latter, if -it ever occurred in these days, would be visited with instant -death,--inflicted, as it is inflicted upon irreconcilable enemies, in -such a manner that none could know who passed the sentence, or by whom -it was executed." - -"And have you," I asked, "no apostates, as you have no traitors?" - -"No," he said. "In the first place, none who has lived among us could -endure to fall into the ordinary Martial life. Secondly, the -foundations of our simple creed are so clear, so capable of being made -apparent to every one, that none once familiar with the evidences can -well cease to believe them." - -Here he paused, and I asked, "How is it possible that the means you -employ to punish those who have wronged you should not, in some cases -at least, indicate the person who has employed them?" - -"Because," he said, "the means of vengeance are not corporeal; the -agency does not in the least resemble any with which our countrymen, -or apparently your race on Earth, are acquainted. A traitor would be -found dead with no sign of suffering or injury, and the physician -would pronounce that he had died of apoplexy or heart disease. A -persecutor, or one who had unpardonably wronged any of the Children of -the Star, might go mad, might fling himself from a precipice, might be -visited with the most terrible series of calamities, all natural in -their character, all distinctly traceable to natural causes, but -astonishing and even apparently supernatural in their accumulation, -and often in their immediate appropriateness to the character of his -offence. Our neighbours would, of course, destroy the avenger, if they -could find him out--would attempt to exterminate our society, could -they prove its agency." - -"But surely your countrymen must either disbelieve in such agency, in -which case they can hardly fear your vengeance, or they must believe -it, and then would deem it just and necessary to retaliate." - -"No," he said. "They disbelieve in the possibility while they are -forced to see the fact. It is impossible, they would say, that a man -should be injured in mind or body, reputation or estate, that the -forces of Nature or the feelings of men should be directed against -him, without the intervention of any material agent, by the mere will -of those who take no traceable means to give that will effect. At the -same time, tradition and even authentic history record, what -experience confirms, that every one who has wronged us deeply has come -to some terrible, awe-striking end. Each man would ridicule heartily a -neighbour who should allege such a ground for fearing to injure one of -us; but there is none who is so true to his own unbelief as to do that -which, in every instance, has been followed by signal and awful -disaster. Moreover, we do by visible symbols suggest a relation -between the vengeance and the crime. Over the heart of criminals who -have paid with their lives, no matter by what immediate agency, for -wrong to us, is found after death the image of a small blood-red star; -the only case in which any of our sacred symbols are exposed to -profane eyes." - -"Surely," I said, "in the course of generations, and with your -numbers, you must be often watched and traced; and some one spy, on -one out of a million occasions, must have found access to your -meetings and heard and seen all that passed." - -"Our meetings," he said, "are held where no human eye can possibly -see, no human ear hear what passes. The Chambers meet in apartments -concealed within the dwellings of individual members. When we meet the -doors are guarded, and can be passed only by those who give a token -and a password. And if these could become known to an enemy, the -appearance of a stranger would lead to questions that would at once -expose his ignorance of our simplest secrets. He would learn nothing, -and would never tell his story to the outer world." ... - -Opening the door, or rather window, of his private chamber, Esmo -directed our eyes to a portrait sunk in the wall, and usually -concealed by a screen which fitted exactly the level and the patterns -of the general surface. It displayed, in a green vesture not unlike -his own, but with a gold ribbon and emerald symbol like the cross of -an European knighthood over the right shoulder, a spare soldierly -form, with the most striking countenance I have ever seen; one which, -once seen, none could forget. The white long hair and beard, the -former reaching the shoulders, the latter falling to the belt, were -not only unlike the fashion of this generation, but gave tokens of age -never discerned in Mars for the last three or four thousand years. The -form, though erect and even stately, was that of one who had felt the -long since abolished infirmity of advancing years. The countenance -alone bore no marks of old age. It was full, unwrinkled, firm in -physical as in moral character; calm in the unresisted power of -intellect and will over the passions, serene in a dignity too absolute -and self-contained for pride, but expressing a consciousness of -command over others as evident as the unconscious, effortless command -of self to which it owed its supreme and sublime quietude. The lips -were not set as with a habit of reserve or self-restraint, but close -and even as in the repose to which restraint had never been necessary. -The features were large, clearly defined, and perfect in shape, -proportion, and outline. The brow was massive and broad, but strangely -smooth and even; the head had no single marked development or -deficiency that could have enlightened a phrenologist, as the face -told no tale that a physiognomist could read. The dark deep eyes were -unescapable; while in presence of the portrait you could not for a -moment avoid or forget their living, fixed, direct look into your own. -Even in the painted representation of that gaze, almost too calm in -its absolute mastery to be called searching or scrutinising, yet -seeming to look through the eyes into the soul, there was an almost -mesmeric influence; as if, across the abyss of ten thousand years, the -Master could still control the wills and draw forth the inner thoughts -of the living, as he had dominated the spirits of their remotest -ancestors. - - - -CHAPTER IX - MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. - -Next morning Esmo asked me to accompany him on a visit to the seaport -I have mentioned. In the course of this journey I had opportunities of -learning many things respecting the social and practical conditions of -human life and industry on Mars that had hitherto been unknown to me, -and to appreciate the enormous advance in material civilisation which -has accompanied what seems to me, as it would probably seem to any -other Earth-dweller, a terrible moral degeneration. Most of these -things I learned partly from my own observation, partly from the -explanations of my companion; some exclusively from what he told me. -We passed a house in process of building, and here I learned the -manner in which the wonders of domestic architecture, which had so -surprised me by their perfection and beauty, are accomplished. The -material employed in all buildings is originally liquid, or rather -viscous. In the first place, the foundation is excavated to a depth of -two or three feet, the ground beaten hard, and the liquid concrete -poured into the level tank thus formed. When this has hardened -sufficiently to admit of their erection, thin frames of metal are -erected, enclosing the spaces to be occupied by the several outer and -interior walls. - -These spaces are filled with the concrete at a temperature of about -80 deg. C. The tracery and the bas-reliefs impressed on the walls are -obtained by means of patterns embossed or marked upon thinner sheets -placed inside the metallic frames. The hardening is effected partly by -sudden cooling, partly by the application of electricity under great -hydraulic pressure. The flat roof is constructed in the same manner, -the whole mass, when the fluid concrete is solidified, being simply -one continuous stone, as hard and cohesive as granite. Where a flat -roof would be liable to give way or break from its own weight, the -arch or dome is employed to give the required strength, and -consequently all the largest Martial buildings are constructed in the -form of vaults or domes. As regards the form of the building, -individual or public taste is absolutely free, it being just as easy -to construct a circular or octagonal as a rectangular house or -chamber; but the latter form is almost exclusively employed for -private dwellings. The jewel-like lustre and brilliancy I have -described are given to the surfaces of the walls by the simultaneous -action of cold, electricity, and pressure, the principle of which Esmo -could not so explain as to render it intelligible to me. Almost the -whole physical labour is done by machinery, from the digging and -mixing of the materials to their conveyance and delivery into the -place prepared for them by the erection of the metallic frames, and -from the erection to the removal of the latter. The translucent -material for the windows I have described is prepared by a separate -process, and in distinct factories, and, ready hardened and cut into -sheets of the required size, is brought to the building and fixed in -its place by machinery. It can be tinted to the taste of the -purchaser; but, as a rule, a tintless crystal is preferred. The entire -work of building a large house, from the foundation to the finishing -and removal of the metallic frames, occupies from half-a-dozen to -eighteen workmen from four to eight days. This, like most other labour -in Mars, goes on continuously; the electric lamps, raised to a great -height on hollow metallic poles, affording by night a very sufficient -substitute for the light of the sun. All work is done by three relays -of artisans; the first set working from noon till evening, the next -from evening till morning, and the third from morning to noon. The -Martial day, which consists of about twenty-four hours forty minutes -of our time, is divided in a somewhat peculiar manner. The two-hour -periods, of which "mean" sunrise and sunset are severally the middle -points, are respectively called the morning and evening _zydau_. Two -periods of the same length before and after noon and midnight are -distinguished as the first and second dark, the first and second -mid-day zyda. There remain four intervals of three hours each, -popularly described as the sleeping, waking, after-sunrise, and -fore-sunset zyda respectively. This is the popular reckoning, and that -marked upon the instruments which record time for ordinary purposes, -and by these the meals and other industrial and domestic epochs are -fixed. But for purposes of exact calculation, the day, beginning an -hour before mean sunrise, is distributed into twelve periods, or -antoi, of a little more than two terrestrial hours each. These again -are subdivided by twelve into periods of a little more than 10m., -50s., 2-1/2s., and 5/24s respectively; but of these the second and -last are alone employed in common speech. The uniform employment of -twelve as the divisor and multiplier in tables of weight, distance, -time, and space, as well as in arithmetical notation, has all the -conveniences of the decimal system of France, and some others besides -due to the greater convenience of twelve as a base. But as regards the -larger divisions of time, the Martials are placed at a great -disadvantage by the absence of any such intermediate divisions as the -Moon has suggested to Terrestrials. The revolutions of the satellites -are too rapid and their periods too brief to be of service in dividing -their year of 668-2/3 solar days. Martial civilisation having taken -its rise within the tropics--indeed the equatorial continents, which -only here and there extend far into the temperate zone, and two minor -continents in the southern ocean, are the only well-peopled portions -of the planet--the demarcation of the seasons afforded by the -solstices have been comparatively disregarded. The year is divided -into winter and summer, each beginning with the Equinox, and -distinguished as the North and South summer respectively. But these -being exceedingly different in duration--the Northern half of the -planet having a summer exceeding by seventy-six days that of the -Southern hemisphere--are of no use as accurate divisions of time. Time -is reckoned, accordingly, from the first day of the year; the 669th -day being incomplete, and the new year beginning at the moment of the -Equinox with the 0th day. In remote ages the lapse of time was marked -by festivals and holidays occurring at fixed periods; but the -principle of utility has long since abolished all anniversaries, -except those fixed by Nature, and these pass without public observance -and almost without notice. - -The climate is comparatively equable in the Northern hemisphere, the -summer of the South being hotter and the winter colder, as the planet -is much nearer the Sun during the former. On an average, the solar -disc seems about half as large as to eyes on Earth; but the continents -lying in a belt around the middle of the planet, nearly the whole of -its population enjoy the advantages of tropical regularity. There are -two brief rainy seasons on the Equator and in its neighbourhood, and -one at each of the tropics. Outside these the cold of winter is -aggravated by cloud and mist. The barometer records from 20 inches to -21 inches at the sea-level. Storms are slight, brief, and infrequent; -the tides are insignificant; and sea-voyages were safe and easy even -before Martial ingenuity devised vessels which are almost independent -of weather. During the greater part of the year a clear sky from the -morning to the evening zyda may be reckoned upon with almost absolute -confidence. A heavy dew, thoroughly watering the whole surface, -rendering the rarity of rain no inconvenience to agriculture, falls -during the earlier hours of the night, which nevertheless remains -cloudy; while the periods of sunset and sunrise are, as I have already -said, marked almost invariably by dense mist, extending from one to -four thousand feet above the sea-level, according to latitude and -season. From the dissipation of the morning to the fall of the evening -mist, the tropical temperature ranges, according to the time of the day -and year, from 24 deg. to 35 deg. C. A very sudden change takes place at -sunset. Except within 28 deg. of the Equator, night frosts prevail during -no small part of the year. Fine nights are at all times chilly, and -men employed out of doors from the fall of the evening to the -dispersal of the morning mists rely on an unusually warm under-dress -of soft leather, as flexible as kid, but thicker, which is said to -keep in the warmth of the body far better than any woven material. -Women who, from whatever reason, venture out at night, wear the -warmest cloaks they can procure. Those of limited means wear a loosely -woven hair or woollen over-robe in lieu of their usual outdoor -garment, resembling tufted cotton. Those who can afford them -substitute for the envelope of down, described a while back, warm skin -or fur overgarments, obtained from the sub-arctic lands and seas, and -furnished sometimes by a creature not very unlike our Polar bear, but -passing half his time in the water and living on fish; sometimes by a -mammal more resembling something intermediate between the mammoth and -the walrus, with the habits of the hippopotamus and a fur not unlike -the sealskin so much affected in Europe. - -Outside the city, at a distance protecting it from any unpleasant -vapours, which besides were carried up metallic tubes of enormous -height, were several factories of great extent, some chemical, some -textile, others reducing from their ores, purifying, forging, and -producing in bulk and forms convenient for their various uses, the -numerous metals employed in Mars. The most important of -these--_zorinta_--is obtained from a tenacious soil much resembling -our own clay. [12] It is far lighter than tin, has the colour and -lustre of silver, and never tarnishes, the only rust produced by -oxidation of its surface being a white loose powder, which can be -brushed or shaken off without difficulty. Of this nearly all Martial -utensils and furniture are constructed; and its susceptibility to the -electric current renders it especially useful for mechanical purposes, -electricity supplying the chief if not the sole motive-power employed -in Martial industry. The largest factories, however, employ but a few -hands, the machinery being so perfect as to perform, with very little -interposition from human hands, the whole work, from the first -purification to the final arrangement. I saw a mass of ore as dug out -from the ground put into one end of a long series of machines, which -came out, without the slightest manual assistance, at the close of a -course of operations so directed as to bring it back to our feet, in -the form of a thin sheet of lustrous metal. In another factory a mass -of dry vegetable fibre was similarly transformed by machinery alone -into a bale of wonderfully light woven drapery resembling satin in -lustre, muslin or gauze in texture. - -The streets were what, even in the finest and latest-built American -cities, would be thought magnificent in size and admirable in -construction. The roadway was formed of that concrete, harder than -granite, which is the sole material employed in Martial building, and -which, as I have shown, can take every form and texture, from that of -jewels or of the finest marble to that of plain polished slate. Along -each side ran avenues of magnificent trees, whose branches met at a -height of thirty feet over the centre. Between these and the houses -was a space reserved for the passage of light carriages exclusively. -The houses, unlike those in the country, were from two to four stories -in height. - -All private dwellings, however, were built, as in the country, around -a square interior garden, and the windows, except those of the front -rooms employed for business purposes, looked out upon this. The space -occupied, however, was of course much smaller than where ground was -less precious, few dwellings having four chambers on the same floor -and front. The footway ran on the level of what we call the first -story, over a part of the roof of the ground floor; and the business -apartments were always the front chambers of the former, while the -stores of the merchants were collected in a single warehouse occupying -the whole of the ground front. No attempt was made to exhibit them as -on Earth. I entered with my host a number of what we should call -shops. In every case he named exactly the article he wanted, and it -was either produced at once or he was told that it was not to be had -there, a thing which, however, seldom happened. The traders are few in -number. One or two firms engaged in a single branch of commerce do the -whole business of an extensive province. For instance, all the textile -fabrics on sale in the province were to be seen in one or other of two -warehouses; all metals in sheets, blocks, and wires in another; in a -third all finished metal-work, except writing materials; all writing, -phonographic, and telegraphic conveniences in a fourth; all furs, -feathers, and fabrics made from these in a fifth. The tradesman sells -on commission, as we say, receiving the goods from the manufacturer, -the farmer, or the State, and paying only for what are sold at the end -of each year, reserving to himself one-twenty-fourth of the price. -Prices, however, do not vary from year to year, save when, on rare -occasions, an adverse season or a special accident affects the supply -and consequently the price of any natural product--choice fruit, -skins, silver, for instance--obtained only from some peculiarly -favoured locality. - -The monetary system, like so many other Martial institutions, is -purely artificial and severely logical. It is held that the exchange -value of any article of manufacture or agricultural produce tends -steadily downwards, while any article obtained by mining labour, or -supplied by nature alone, tends to become more and more costly. The -use of any one article of either class as a measure of value tends in -the long-run to injustice either towards creditors or debtors. Labour -may be considered as the most constant in intrinsic value of all -things capable of sale or barter; but the utmost ingenuity of Martial -philosophers has failed to devise a fixed standard by which one kind -of labour can be measured against another, and their respective -productive force, and consequently their value in exchange, -ascertained. One thing alone retains in their opinion an intrinsic -value always the same, and if it increase in value, increases only in -proportion as all produce is obtained in greater quantities or with -greater facility. Land, therefore, is in their estimation -theoretically the best available measure of value--a dogma which has -more practical truth in a planet where population is evenly diffused -and increases very slowly, if at all, than it might have in the -densely but unevenly peopled countries of Europe or Asia. A _stalta_, -or square of about fifty yards (rather more than half an acre), is the -primary standard unit of value. For purposes of currency this is -represented by a small engraved document bearing the Government stamp, -which can always at pleasure be exchanged for so much land in a -particular situation. The region whose soil is chosen as the standard -lies under the Equator, and the State possesses there some hundreds of -square miles, let out on terms thought to ensure its excellent -cultivation and the permanence of its condition. The immediate -convertibility of each such document, engraven on a small piece of -metal about two inches long by one in breadth, and the fortieth part -of an inch in thickness, is the ultimate cause and permanent guarantee -of its value. Large payments, moreover, have to be made to the State -by those who rent its lands or purchase the various articles of which -it possesses a monopoly; or, again, in return for the services it -undertakes, as lighting roads and supplying water to districts -dependent on a distant source. Great care is taken to keep the issue -of these notes within safe limits; and as a matter of fact they are -rather more valuable than the land they represent, and are in -consequence seldom presented for redemption therein. To provide -against the possibility of such an over-issue as might exhaust the -area of standard land at command of the State, it is enacted that, -failing this, the holder may select his portion of State domain -wherever he pleases, at twelve years' purchase of the rental; but in -point of fact these provisions are theoretically rather than -practically important, since not one note in a hundred is ever -redeemed or paid off. The "square measure," upon which the coinage, if -I may so call it is based, following exactly the measure of length, -each larger area in the ascending scale represents 144 times that -below it. Thus the _styly_ being a little more than a foot, the -_steely_ is about 13 feet, or one-twelfth of the _staly_; but the -_steelta_ (or square steely) is 1/144th part of the _stalta_. The -_stolta_, again, is about 600 yards square, or 360,000 square yards, -144 times the _stalta_. The highest note, so to speak, in circulation -represents this last area; but all calculations are made in _staltau_, -or twelfths thereof. The _stalta_ will purchase about six ounces of -gold. Notes are issued for the third, fourth, and twelfth parts of -this: values smaller than the latter are represented by a token -coinage of square medals composed of an alloy in which gold and silver -respectively are the principal elements. The lowest coin is worth -about threepence of English money. - -Stopping at the largest public building in the city, a central hexagon -with a number of smaller hexagons rising around it, we entered one of -the latter, each side of which might be some 30 feet in length and 15 -in height. Here were ranged a large number of instruments on the -principle of the voice-writer, but conveying the sound to a vast -distance along electric wires into one which reverses the -voice-recording process, and repeats the vocal sound itself. Through -one of these, after exchanging a few words with one of the officials -in charge of them, Esmo carried on a conversation of some length, the -instrument being so arranged that while the mouth is applied to one -tube another may be held to the ear to receive the reply. In the -meantime I fell in with one of the officers, apparently very young, -who was strongly interested at the sight of the much-canvassed -stranger, and, perhaps on this account, far more obliging than is -common among his countrymen. From him I learnt that this, with another -method I will presently describe, is the sole means of distant -communication employed in Mars. Those who have not leisure or do not -care to visit one of the offices, never more than twelve-miles distant -from one another, in which the public instruments are kept, can have a -wire conveyed to their own house. Almost every house of any pretension -possesses such a wire. Leading me into the next apartment, my friend -pointed out an immense number of instruments of a box-like shape, with -a slit in which a leaf of about four inches by two was placed. These -were constantly ejected and on the instant mechanically replaced. The -fallen leaves were collected and sorted by the officers present, and -at once placed in one or other of another set of exactly similar -instruments. Any one possessing a private wire can write at his own -desk in the manual character a letter or message on one of these -slips. Placing it in his own instrument, it at once reproduces itself -exactly in his autograph, and with every peculiarity, blot, or -erasure, at the nearest office. Here the copy is placed in the proper -box, and at once reproduced in the office nearest the residence of the -person to whom it is addressed, and forwarded in the same manner to -him. A letter, therefore, covering one of these slips, and saying as -much as we could write in an average hand upon a large sheet of -letter-paper, is delivered within five minutes at most from the time -of despatch, no matter how great the distance. - -I remarked that this method of communication made privacy impossible. - -"But," replied the official, "how could we possibly have time to -indulge in curiosity? We have to sort hundreds of these papers in an -hour. We have just time to look at the address, place them in the -proper box, and touch the spring which sets the electric current at -work. If secrecy were needed a cipher would easily secure it, for you -will observe that by this telegraph whatever is inscribed on the sheet -is mechanically reproduced; and it would be as easy to send a picture -as a message." - -I learnt that a post of marvellous perfection had, some thousand years -ago, delivered letters all over Mars, but it was now employed only for -the delivery of parcels. Perhaps half the commerce of Mars, except -that in metals and agricultural produce, depends on this post. -Purchasers of standard articles describe by the telegraph-letter to a -tradesman the exact amount and pattern of the goods required, and -these are despatched at once; a system of banking, very completely -organised, enabling the buyer to pay at once by a telegraphic order. - -When Esmo had finished his business, we walked down, at my request, to -the port. Around three sides of the dock formed by walls, said to be -fifty feet in depth and twenty in thickness, ran a road close to the -water's edge, beyond which was again a vast continuous warehouse. The -inner side was reserved for passenger vessels, and everywhere the -largest ships could come up close, landing either passengers or cargo -without even the intervention of a plank. The appearance of the ships -is very unlike that of Terrestrial vessels. They have no masts or -rigging, are constructed of the zorinta, which in Mars serves much -more effectively all the uses of iron, and differ entirely in -construction as they are intended for cargo or for travel. Mercantile -ships are in shape much like the finest American clippers, but with -broad, flat keel and deck, and with a hold from fifteen to twenty feet -in depth. Like Malayan vessels, they have attached by strong bars an -external beam about fifty feet from the side, which renders -overturning almost impossible. Passenger ships more resemble the form -of a fish, but are alike at both ends. Six men working in pairs four -hours at a time compose the entire crew of the largest ship, and half -this number are required for the smallest that undertakes a voyage of -more than twelve hours. - -I may here mention that the system of sewage is far superior to any -yet devised on Earth. No particle of waste is allowed to pollute the -waters. The whole is deodorised by an exceedingly simple process, and, -whether in town or country, carried away daily and applied to its -natural use in fertilising the soil. Our practice of throwing away, -where it is an obvious and often dangerous nuisance, material so -valuable in its proper place, seemed to my Martial friends an -inexplicable and almost incredible absurdity. - -As we returned, Esmo told me that he had been in communication with -the Campta, who had desired that I should visit him with the least -possible delay. - -"This," he said, "will hurry us in matters where I at any rate should -have preferred a little delay. The seat of Government is by a direct -route nearly six thousand miles distant, and you will have opportunity -of travelling in all the different ways practised on this planet. A -long land-journey in our electric carriages, with which you are not -familiar, is, I think, to be avoided. The Campta would wish to see -your vessel as well as yourself; but, on the whole, I think it is -safer to leave it where it is. Kevima, and I propose to accompany you -during the first part of your journey. At our first halt, we will stay -one night with a friend, that you may be admitted a brother of our -Order." - -"And," said I, "what sort of a reception may I expect at the end of my -journey?" - -"I think," he answered, "that you are more likely to be embarrassed by -the goodwill of the Campta than by the hostility of some of those -about him. His character is very peculiar, and it is difficult to -reckon upon his action in any given case. But he differs from nearly -all his subjects in having a strong taste for adventure, none the less -if it be perilous; and since his position prevents him from indulging -this taste in person, he is the more disposed to take extreme interest -in the adventures of others. He has, moreover, a great value for what -you call courage, a virtue rarely needed and still more rarely shown -among us; and I fancy that your venture through space has impressed -him with a very high estimate of your daring. Assuredly none of us, -however great his scientific curiosity, would have dreamed of -incurring such a peril, and incurring it alone. But I must give you -one warning. It is not common among us to make valuable gifts: we do -not care enough for any but ourselves to give except with the idea of -getting something valuable in return. Our princes are, however, so -wealthy that they can give without sacrifice, and it is considered a -grave affront to refuse any present from a superior. Whatever, then, -our Suzerain may offer you--and he is almost sure, unless he should -take offence, to give you whatever he thinks will induce you to settle -permanently in the neighbourhood of his Court--you must accept -graciously, and on no account, either then or afterwards, lead him to -think that you slight his present." - -"I must say," I replied, "that while I wish to remain in your world -till I have learnt, if not all that is to be learnt, yet very much -more than I at present know about it, the whole purpose of my voyage -would be sacrificed if I could not effect my return to Earth." - -"I suppose so," he answered, "and for that reason I wish to keep your -vessel safe and within your reach; for to get away at all you may have -to depart suddenly. But you will not do wisely to make the Prince -suspect that such is your intention. Tell him of what you wish to see -and to explore in this world; tell him freely of your own, for he will -not readily fancy that you prefer it to this; but say as little as -possible of your hopes of an ultimate return, and, if you are forced -to acknowledge them, let them seem as indefinite as possible." - -By this time, returning by another road, Esmo stopped the carriage at -the gate of an enclosed garden of moderate size, about two miles from -Ecasfe. Entering alone, he presently returned with another gentleman, -wearing a dress of grey and silver, with a white ribbon over the -shoulder; a badge, I found, of official rank or duties. Mounting his -own carriage, this person accompanied us home. - - - -CHAPTER X - WOMAN AND WEDLOCK. - -We arrived at home in the course of some few minutes, and here my host -requested us to wait in the hall, where in about half-an-hour he -rejoined us, accompanied by all the members of his family, the ladies -all closely veiled. Looking among them instinctively for Eveena, I -observed that she had exchanged her usual light veil for one fuller -and denser, and wore, contrary to the wont of maidens indoors, sleeves -and gloves. She held her father's hand, and evinced no little -agitation or alarm. The visitor stood by a table on which had been -placed the usual pencils or styles, and a sort of open portfolio, on -one side of which was laid a small strip of the golden tafroo, -inscribed with crimson characters of unusual size, leaving several -blanks here and there. Most of these he filled up, and then, leading -forward his daughter, Esmo signed to me also to approach the table. -The others stood just behind us, and the official then placed the -document in Eveena's hand. She looked through it and replaced it on -the table with the gesture of assent usual among her people, inclining -her head and raising her left hand to her lips. The document was then -handed to me, but I, of course, was unable to read it. I said so, and -the official read it aloud:-- - -"Between Eveena, daughter of Esmo dent Ecasfen, and ---- [13] -_reclamomorta_ (the alleged arch-traveller), covenant: Eveena will -live with ---- in wedlock for two years, foregoing during that period -the liberty to quit his house, or to receive any one therein save by -his permission. In consideration whereof he will maintain her, -clothing her to her satisfaction, at a cost not exceeding five staltau -by the year. He will provide for any child or children she may bear -while living with him, or within twice twelve dozen days thereafter. -And if at any time he shall dismiss her or permit her to leave him, or -if she shall desire to leave him after the expiration of eight years, -he will ensure to her for her life an annual payment of fifteen -staltau. Neither shall appeal to a court of law or public authority -against the other on account of anything done during the time they -shall live together, except for attempt to kill or for grave bodily -injury." - -Such is the form of marriage covenant employed in Mars. The occasion -was unfit for discussion, and I simply intimated my acceptance of the -covenants, oo which Eveena and myself forthwith were instructed to -write our names where they appear in the above translation. The -official then inquired whether I recognised the lady standing beside -me as Eveena, daughter of Esmo. It then struck me that, though I felt -pretty certain of her identity, marriage under such conditions might -occasionally lead to awkward mistakes. There was no such difference -between my bride and her companions as, but for her dress and her -agitation, would have enabled me positively to distinguish them, -veiled and silent as all were. I expressed no doubt, however, and the -official then proceeded to affix his own stamp to the document; and -then lifting up that on which our names had actually been written, -showed that, by some process I hardly understand, the signature had -been executed and the agreement filled up in triplicate, the officer -preserving one copy, the others being given to the bride and -bridegroom respectively. The ladies then retired, Esmo, his son, and -the official remaining, when two ambau brought in a tray of -refreshments. The official tasted each article offered to him, -evidently more as a matter of form than of pleasure. I took this -opportunity to ask some questions regarding the Martial cuisine, and -learnt that all but the very simplest cookery is performed by -professional confectioners, who supply twice a day the households in -their vicinity; unmarried men taking their meals at the shop. The -preparation of fruit, roasted grain, beverages consisting of juices -mixed with a prepared nectar, and the vegetables from the garden, -which enter into the composition of every meal, are the only culinary -cares of the ladies of the family. Everything can be warmed or -freshened on the stove which forms a part of that electric machinery -by which in every household the baths and lights are supplied and the -house warmed at night. The ladies have therefore very little household -work, and the greater part of this is performed under their -superintendence by the animals, which are almost as useful as any -human slaves on earth, with the one unquestionable advantage that they -cannot speak, and therefore cannot be impertinent, inquisitive, or -treacherous. No fermented liquors form part of the Martial diet; but -some narcotics resembling haschisch and opium are much relished. When -the official had retired, I said to my host-- - -"I thought it best to raise no question or objection in signing the -contract put before me with your sanction; but you must be aware, in -the first place, that I have no means here of performing the pecuniary -part of the covenant, no means of providing either maintenance or -pin-money." - -The explanation of the latter phrase, which was immediately demanded, -produced not a little amusement, after which Esmo replied gravely-- - -"It will be very easy for you, if necessary, to realise a competence -in the course of half a year. A book relating your adventures, and -describing the world you have left, would bring you in a very -comfortable fortune; and you might more than double this by giving -addresses in each of our towns, which, if only from the curiosity our -people would entertain to see you with their own eyes, would attract -crowded audiences. You could get a considerable sum for the exclusive -right to take your likeness; and, if you chose to explain it, you -might fix your own price on the novel motive power you have -introduced. But there is another point in regard to the contract which -you have overlooked, but which I was bound to bear in mind. What you -have promised is, I believe, what Eveena would have obtained from any -suitor she was likely to accept. But since you left the matter -entirely to my discretion, I am bound to make it impossible that you -should be a loser; and this document (and he handed me a small slip -very much like that which contained the marriage covenant) imposes on -my estate the payment of an income for Eveena's life equal to that you -have promised her." - -With much reluctance I found myself obliged to accept a dowry which, -however natural and proper on Earth, was, I felt, unusual in Mars. I -may say that such charges do not interfere with the free sale of land. -They are registered in the proper office, and the State trustee -collects them from the owner for the time being as quit-rents are -collected in Great Britain or land revenue in India. Turning to -another but kindred question, I said-- - -"Your marriage contract, like our own laws, appears to favour the -weaker sex more than strict theoretical equality would permit. This is -quite right and practically inevitable; but it hardly agrees with the -theory which supposes bride and bridegroom, husband and wife, to enter -on and maintain a coequal voluntary partnership." - -"How so?" he inquired. - -"The right of divorce," I said, "at the end of two years belongs to -the wife alone. The husband cannot divorce her except under a heavy -penalty." - -"Observe," he answered, "that there is a grave practical inequality -which even theory can hardly ignore. The wife parts with something by -the very fact of marriage. At the end of two years, when she has borne -two, three, or four children, her value in marriage is greatly -lessened. Her capacity of maintaining herself, in the days when women -did work, was found practically to be even smaller than before -marriage. You may say that this really amounts to a recognition by -custom of the natural inequality denied by law; but at any rate, it is -an inequality which it was scarcely possible to overlook. Examine the -practical working of the covenants, and you will find that in -affecting to treat unequals as equals they merely make the weaker the -slave of the stronger." - -"Surely," I said, "husband and wife are so far equal, where neither is -tied to the children, that each can make the other heartily glad to -assent to a divorce." - -"Perhaps, where law interferes to enforce monogamy, and thereby to -create an artificial equality of mutual dependence. But our law cannot -dictate to equals, whose sex it ignores, the terms or numbers of -partnership. So, the terms of the contract being voluntary, men of -course insist on excluding legal interference in household quarrels; -and before the prohibitive clause was generally adopted, legal -interposition did more harm than good. As you will find, equality -before the law gives absolute effect to the real inequality, and -chiefly through its coarsest element, superior physical force. The -liberty that is a necessary logical consequence of equality takes from -the woman her one natural safeguard--the man's need of her goodwill, -if not of her affection." - -"In our world," I replied, "I always held that even slaves, so they be -household slaves, are secure against gross cruelty. The owner cannot -make life a burden to them without imperilling his own. To reduce the -question to its lowest terms--malice will always be a match for -muscle, and poison an efficient antidote to the _ferula_." - -"So," rejoined Esmo, "our men have perceived, and consequently they -have excepted attempts to murder, as the women have excepted serious -bodily injury, from the general rule prohibiting appeals to a court of -law." - -"And," said I, "are there many such appeals?" - -"Not one in two years," he replied; "and for a simple reason. Our law, -as matter of course and of common sense, puts murder, attempted or -accomplished, on the same footing, and visits both with its supreme -penalty. Consequently, a wife detected in such an attempt is at her -husband's mercy; and if he consent to spare her life, she must submit -to any infliction, however it may transgress the covenanted limit. In -fact, if he find her out in such an attempt, he may do anything but -put her to death on his own authority." - -"Still," I answered, "as long as she remains in the house, she must -have frequent opportunity of repeating her attempt at revenge; and to -live in constant fear of assassination would break down the strongest -nerves." - -"Our physicians," he said, "are more skilful in antidotes than our -women in poisons, even when the latter have learned chemistry. No -poisonous plants are grown near our houses; and as wives never go out -alone, they have little chance of getting hold of any fatal drug. I -believe that very few attempts to poison are successful, and that many -women have suffered very severely on mere suspicion." - -"And what," I asked, "is the legal definition of 'grave bodily -injury'?" - -"Injury," he said, "of which serious traces remain at the end of -twenty-four days; the destruction of a limb, or the deprivation, -partial or total, of a sense. I have often thought bitterly," he -continued, "of that boasted logic and liberality of our laws under -which my daughters might have to endure almost any maltreatment from -their husbands, so long as these have but the sense not to employ -weapons that leave almost ineffaceable marks. This is one main reason -why we so anxiously avoid giving them save to those who are bound by -the ties of our faith to treat them as kindly as children--for whom, -at the worst, they remain sisters of the Order. If women generally had -parents, our marriage law could never have carried out the fiction of -equality to its logical perfection and practical monstrosity." - -"Equality, then, has given your women a harder life and a worse -position than that of those women in our world who are, not only by -law but by fact and custom, the slaves of their husbands?" - -"Yes, indeed," he said; "and our proverbs, though made by men, express -this truth with a sharpness in which there is little exaggeration. Our -school textbooks tell us that action and reaction are equal and -opposite; and this familiar phrase gives meaning to the saw, _Pelmave -dakal dake,_ 'She is equal, the thing struck to the hammer,' meaning -that woman's equality to man is no more effective than the reaction of -the leather on the mallet. 'Bitterer smiles of twelve than tears of -ten' (referring to the age of marriage). _Thleen delkint treen lalfe -zevleen_, ''Twixt fogs and clouds she dreams of stars.'" - -"What _does_ that mean?" - -"Would you not render it in the terminology of the hymn you translated -for us, 'Between Purgatory and Hell, one dream of Heaven?' Still -puzzled? 'Between the harshness of school and the misery of marriage, -the illusions of the bride.' Again, _Zefoo zevleel, zave marneel, -clafte cratheneel_, 'A child [cries] for the stars, a maiden for the -matron's dress, a woman for her shroud.'" - -"Do you mean to say that that is not exaggerated?" - -"I suppose it is, as women are even less given to suicide than men. -That is perhaps the ugliest proverb of its kind. I will only quote one -more, and that is two-edged-- - - "'Fool he who heeds a woman's tears, to woman's tongue replies; - Fool she who braves man's hand--but when was man or woman wise?'" - -Here Zulve came to the door and made a sign to her husband. Waiting -courteously to ascertain that I had finished speaking, and until his -son had somewhat ceremoniously taken leave of me, he led me to the -door of a chamber next to that I had hitherto occupied. Pausing here -himself, he motioned me to go on, and the door parting, I found myself -in a room I had not before entered, about the same size as my own and -similarly furnished, but differently coloured, now communicating with -it by a door which I knew had not previously existed. Here were -Eveena's mother and sister, dressed as usual. - -Eveena herself had exchanged her maiden white for the light pink of a -young matron, but was closely veiled in a similar material. Her mother -and sister kissed her with much emotion, though without the tears and -lamentations, real or affected, with which--alike among the nomads of -Asia and the most cultivated races of Europe--even those relatives who -have striven hardest to marry a daughter or sister think it necessary -to celebrate the fulfilment of their hopes, and the termination of -their often prolonged and wearisome labours. I was then left alone -with my bride, who remained half-seated, half-crouching on the -cushions in a corner of the room. I could not help feeling keenly how -much a marriage so unceremonious and with so little previous -acquaintance, or rather so great a reserve and distance in our former -intercourse, intensified the awkwardness many a man on Earth feels -when first left alone with the partner of his future life. But a -single glance at the small drooping figure half-hidden in the cushions -brought the reflection that a situation, embarrassing to the -bridegroom, must be in the last degree alarming and distressing to the -bride. But for her visit to the Astronaut we should have been almost -strangers; I could hardly have recognised even her voice. I must, -however, speak; and naturally my first sentence was a half-articulate -request that she would remove her veil. - -"No," she whispered, rising, "_you_ must do that." - -Taking off the glove of her left hand, she came up to me shyly and -slowly, and placed it in my right--a not unmeaning ceremony. Having -obeyed her instruction, my lips touched for the first time the brow of -my young wife. That she was more than shy and startled, was even -painfully agitated and frightened, became instantly apparent now that -her countenance was visible. What must be the state of Martial brides -in general, when the signature of the contract immediately places them -at the disposal of an utter stranger, it was beyond the power of my -imagination to conceive, if their feelings were at all to be measured -by Eveena's under conditions sufficiently trying, but certainly far -better than theirs. Nothing was so likely to quiet her as perfect -calmness on my side; and, though with a heart beating almost as fast -as her own, if with very different emotions, I led her gently back to -her place, and resting on a cushion just out of reach, began to talk -to her. Choosing as the easiest subject our adventure of yesterday, I -asked what could have induced her to place herself in a situation so -dangerous. - -"Do not be angry with me now," she pleaded. "I am exceedingly fond of -flowers; they have been my only amusement except the training of my -pets. You can see how little women have to do, how little occupation -or interest is permitted us. The rearing of rare flowers, or the -creation of new ones, is almost the only employment in which we can -find exercise for such intelligence as we possess. I had never seen -before the flower that grew on that shelf. I believe, indeed, that it -only grows on a few of our higher mountains below the snow-line, and I -was anxious to bring it home and see what could be made of it in the -garden. I thought it might be developed into something almost as -beautiful as that bright _leenoo_ you admired so greatly in my -flower-bed." - -"But," said I, "the two flowers are not of the same shape or colour; -and, though I am not learned in botany, I should say hardly belong to -the same family." - -"No," she said. "But with care, and with proper management of our -electric apparatus, I accomplished this year a change almost as great. -I can show you in my flower-bed one little white flower, of no great -beauty and conical in shape, from which I have produced in two years -another, saucer-shaped, pink, and of thrice the size, almost exactly -realising an imaginary flower, drawn by my sister-in-law to represent -one of which she had dreamed. We can often produce the very shape, -size, and colour we wish from something that at first seems to have no -likeness to it whatever; and I have been told that a skilful farmer -will often obtain a fruit, or, what is more difficult, an animal, to -answer exactly the ideal he has formed." - -"Some of our breeders," I said, "profess to develop a sort of ideal of -any given species; but it takes many generations, by picking and -choosing those that vary in the right direction, to accomplish -anything of the kind; and, after all, the difference between the -original and the improved form is mere development, not essential -change." - -She hardly seemed to understand this, but answered-- - -"The seedling or rootlet would be just like the original plant, if we -did not from the first control its growth by means of our electric -frames. But if you will allow me, I will show you to-morrow what I -have done in my own flower-bed, and you will have opportunities of -seeing afterwards how very much more is done by agriculturists with -much more time and much more potent electricities." - -"At any rate," I said, "if I had known your object, you certainly -should have had the flowers for which you risked so much: and if I -remain here three days longer, I promise you plenty of specimens for -your experiment." - -"You do not mean to go back to the Astronaut?" she asked, with an air -of absolute consternation. - -"I had not intended to do so," I replied, "for it seems to be -perfectly safe under your father's seal and your stringent laws of -property. But now, if time permit, I must get these flowers to which -you tell me I am so deeply indebted." - -"You are very kind," returned Eveena earnestly, "but I entreat you not -to venture there again. I should be utterly miserable while you were -running such a risk again, and for such a trifle." - -"It is no such terrible risk to me, and to please you is not quite a -trifle. Besides, I ought to deserve my prize better than I have yet -done. But you seem to have some especial spite against the unlucky -vessel that brought me here; and that," I added, smiling, "seems -hardly gracious in a bride of an hour." - -"No, no!" she murmured, evidently much distressed; "but the vessel -that brought you here may take you away." - -"I will not pain you yet by saying that I hope it may. At all events, -it shall not do so till you are content that it should." - -She made no answer, and seemed for some time to hesitate, as if afraid -or unwilling to say something which rose irrepressibly to her lips. A -few persuasive words, however, encouraged her, and she found her -voice, though with a faltering accent, which greatly surprised me when -I learned at last the purport of her request. - -"I do not understand," she said, "your ideas or customs, but I know -they are different from ours. I have found at least that they make you -much more indulgent and tender to women than our own; and I hope, -therefore, you will forgive me if I ask more than I have any right to -do." - -"I could scarcely refuse my bride's first request, whatever it might -be. But your hesitation and your apologies might make me fear that you -are about to ask something which one or both of us may wish hereafter -had neither been asked nor granted." - -She still hesitated and faltered, till I began to fancy that her wish -must have a much graver import than I at first supposed. Perhaps to -treat the matter lightly and sportively would be the course most -likely to encourage her to explain it. - -"What is it, child," I asked, "which you think the stranger of another -world more likely to grant than one of your own race, and which is so -extravagant, nevertheless, that you tremble to ask it even from me? Is -it too much to be bound not to appeal against me to the law, which -cannot yet determine whether I am a reality or a fiction? Or have I -proved my arm a little too substantial? Must the giant promise not to -exercise the masculine prerogative of physical force safely conceded -to the dwarf? Fie, Eveena! I am almost afraid to touch you, lest I -should hurt you unawares; lest tenderness itself should transgress the -limit of legal cruelty, and do grave bodily harm to a creature so much -more like a fairy than a woman!" - -"No, no!" she expostulated, not at all reciprocating the jesting tone -in which I spoke. "If you would consent to give such a promise, it is -just one of those we should wish unmade. How could I ask you to -promise that I may behave as ill as I please? I dare say I shall be -frightened to tears when you are angry; but I shall never wish you to -retain your anger rather than vent it and forgive. The proverb says, -'Who punishes pardons; who hates awaits.' No, pray do not play with -me; I am so much in earnest. I know that I don't understand where and -why your thoughts and ways are so unlike ours. But--but--I thought--I -fancied--you seemed to hold the tie between man and wife something -more--faster--more lasting--than--our contract has made it." - -"Certainly! With us it lasts for life at least; and even here, where -it may be broken at pleasure, I should not have thought that, on the -very bridal eve, the coldest heart could willingly look forward to its -dissolution." - -She was too innocent of such a thought--perhaps too much absorbed by -her own purpose--to catch the hint of unjust reproach. - -"Well, then," she said, with a desperate effort, in a voice that -trembled between the fear of offending by presumption or exaction, and -the desire to give utterance to her wish--"I want ... will you say -that--if by that time you do not think that I have been too faulty, -too undeserving--that I shall go with you when you quit this world?" -And, her eagerness at last overpowering her shyness, she looked up -anxiously into my face. - -We wholly misconceived each other. She drooped in bitter -disappointment, mistaking my blank surprise for displeasure; her words -brought over my mind a rush of that horror with which I ever recall -the scenes I witnessed but too often at Indian funerals. - -"That, of course, will rest with yourself. But even should I hereafter -deserve and win such love as would prompt the wish, I trust you will -never dream of cutting short your life because--in the ordinary course -of nature--mine should end long before the term of yours." - -Her face again brightened, and she looked up more shyly but not less -earnestly. - -"I did not make my meaning clear," she replied. "I spoke not, as my -father sometimes speaks, of leaving this world, when he means to -remind us that death is only a departure to another; though that was, -not so long ago, the only meaning the words could bear. I was thinking -of your journey, and I want you to take me with you when you go." - -"You have quite settled in your own mind that I shall go! And in truth -you have now removed, as you yesterday created, the only obstacle. If -you would not go with me, I might, rather than give you up, have given -up the whole purpose of my enterprise, and have left my friends, and -the world from which I came, ignorant whether it had ever been -accomplished. But if you accompany me, I shall certainly try to regain -my own planet." - -"Then," she said hopefully, but half confidently, "when you go, if I -have not given you cause of lasting displeasure, you _will_ take me -with you? Most men do not think much of promises, especially of -promises made to women; but I have heard you speak as if to break a -plighted word were a thing impossible." - -"I promise," I returned earnestly, very much moved by a proof of real -affection such as I had no right to expect, and certainly had not -anticipated. "I give you the word of one who has never lied, that if, -when the time comes, you wish to go with me, you shall. But by that -time, you will probably have a better idea what are the dangers you -are asking to share." - -"What can that matter?" she answered. "I suppose in almost any case we -should escape or die together? To leave me here is to inflict -certainly, and at once, the worst that can possibly befall me; to take -me gives me the hope of living or dying with you; and even if I were -killed, I should be with you, and feel that you were kind to me, to -the last." - -"I little thought," said I, hesitating long for some expression of -tenderness, which the language of Mars refuses to furnish,--"I little -thought to find in a world of which selfishness seems to be the -paramount principle, and the absence of real love even between man and -woman the most prevalent characteristic, a wife so true to the best -and deepest meaning of wedlock. Still less could I have hoped to find -such a wife in one who had scarcely spoken to me twenty-four hours -before our marriage. If my unexampled adventure had had no other -reward--if I had cared nothing for the triumph of discovering a new -world with all its wonders--Eveena, this discovery alone is reward in -full for all my studies, toils, and perils. For all I have done and -risked already, for all the risks of the future, I am tenfold repaid -in winning you." - -She looked up at these words with an expression in which there was -more of bewilderment and incredulity than of satisfaction, evidently -touched by the earnestness of my tone, but scarcely understanding my -words better than if I had spoken in my own tongue. It would not be -worth while to record the next hour's conversation; I would only note -the strong and painful impression it left upon my mind. There was in -Eveena's language and demeanour a timidity--a sort of tentative -fearful venturing as on dangerous ground, feeling her way, as it were, -in almost every sentence--which could not be wholly attributed to the -shyness of a very young and very suddenly wedded bride. There was -enough and to spare of this shyness; but more of the sheer physical or -nervous fear of a child suddenly left in hands whose reputed severity -has thoroughly frightened her; not daring to give offence by silence, -but afraid at each word to give yet more fatal offence in speaking. -Longer experience of a world in which even the first passion of love -is devoid of tenderness--in which asserted equality has long since -deprived women of that claim to indulgence which can only rest on -acknowledged weakness--taught me but too well the meaning of this -fearful, trembling anxiety to please, or rather not to offend. I -suppose that even a brutal master hardly likes to see a child cower in -his presence as if constantly expecting a blow; and this cowering was -so evident in my bride's demeanour, that, after trying for a couple of -hours to coax her into confidence and unreserved feminine fluency, I -began to feel almost impatient. It was fortunate that, just as my tone -involuntarily betrayed to her quick and watchful ear some shade of -annoyance, just as I caught a furtive upward glance that seemed to ask -what error she had committed and how it might be repaired, a -scratching on the door startled her. She did not, however, venture to -disengage herself from the hand which now held her own, but only moved -half-imperceptibly aside with a slight questioning look and gesture, -as if tacitly asking to be released. As I still held her fast, she was -silent, till the unnoticed scratching had been two or three times -repeated, and then half-whispered, "Shall I tell them to come in?" -When I released her, there appeared to my surprise at her call, no -human intruder, but one of the ambau, bearing on a tray a goblet, -which, as he placed it on a table beside us, I perceived to contain a -liquid rather different from any yet offered me. The presence of these -mute servants is generally no more heeded than that of our cats and -dogs; but I now learnt that Martial ideas of delicacy forbid them, -even as human servants would be forbidden, to intrude unannounced on -conjugal privacy. When the little creature had departed, I tasted the -liquid, but its flavour was so unpleasant that I set down the vessel -immediately. Eveena, however, took it up, and drinking a part of it, -with an effort to control the grimace of dislike it provoked, held it -up to me again, so evidently expecting and inviting me to share it -that courtesy permitted no further demur. A second sign or look, when -I set it down unemptied, induced me to finish the draught. Regarding -the matter as some trivial but indispensable ceremonial, I took no -further notice of it; but, thankful for the diversion it had given to -my thoughts, continued my endeavours to soothe and encourage my fair -companion. After a few minutes it seemed as if she were somewhat -suddenly gaining courage and confidence. At the same time I myself -became aware of a mental effect which I promptly ascribed to the -draught. Nor was I wrong. It contained one of those drugs which I have -mentioned; so rarely used in this house that I had never before seen -or tasted any of them, but given, as matter of course, on any occasion -that is supposed to involve unusual agitation or make an exceptional -call on nerves or spirits. But for the influence of this cup I should -still have withheld the remark which, nevertheless, I had resolved to -make as soon as I could hope to do so without annoying or alarming -Eveena. - -"Are you afraid of me?" I asked somewhat abruptly. The question may -have startled her, but I was more startled by the answer. - -"Of course," she said in a tone which would have been absolutely -matter of fact, except that the doubt evidently surprised her. "Ought -I not to be so? But what made you ask? And what had I done to -displease you, just before they sent us the 'courage cup'?" - -"I did not mean to show anything like displeasure," I replied. "But I -was thinking then, and I may tell you now, that you remind me not of -the women of my own Earth, but of petted children suddenly transferred -to a harsh school. You speak and look like such a child, as if you -expected each moment at least to be severely scolded, if not beaten, -without knowing your fault." - -"Not yet," she murmured, with a smile which seemed to me more painful -than tears would have been. "But please don't speak as if I should -fear anything so much as being scolded by you. We have a saying that -'the hand may bruise the skin, the tongue can break the heart.'" - -"True enough," I said; "only on Earth it is mostly woman's tongue that -breaks the heart, and men must not in return bruise the skin." - -"Why not?" she asked. "You said to my mother the other day that Arga -(the fretful child of Esmo's adoption) deserved to be beaten." - -"Women are supposed," I answered, "to be amenable to milder -influences; and a man must be drunk or utterly brutal before he could -deal harshly with a creature so gentle and so fragile as yourself." - -"Don't spoil me," she said, with a pretty half-mournful, half-playful -glance. "'A petted bride makes an unhappy wife.' Surely it is no true -kindness to tempt us to count on an indulgence that cannot last." - -"There is among us," I rejoined, "a saying about 'breaking a butterfly -on the wheel'--as if one spoke of driving away the tiny birds that -nestle and feed in your flowers with a hammer. To apply your proverbs -to yourself would be to realise this proverb of ours. Can you not let -me pet and spoil my little flower-bird at least till I have tamed her, -and trust me to chastise her as soon as she shall give reason--if I -can find a tendril or flower-stem light enough for the purpose?" - -"Will you promise to use a hammer when you wish to be rid of her?" -said she, glancing up for one moment through her drooping lashes with -a look exactly attuned to the mingled archness and pathos of her tone. - - - -CHAPTER XI - A COUNTRY DRIVE. - -Like all Martialists, I had been accustomed since my landing to wake -with the first light of dawn; but the draught, though its earlier -effects were anything but narcotic or stupifying, deepened and -prolonged my sleep. It was not till the rays of sunlight came clear -and full through the crystal roof of the peristyle, and the window of -our bridal chamber, that my eyes unclosed. The first object on which -they opened startled me into full waking recollection. Exactly where -the sunbeams fell, just within reach of my hand, Eveena stood; the -loveliest creature I ever beheld, a miniature type of faultless -feminine grace and beauty. By the standard of Terrestrial humanity she -was tiny rather than small: so light, so perfect in proportion, form, -and features, so absolutely beautiful, so exquisitely delicate, as to -suggest the ideal Fairy Queen realised in flesh and blood, rather than -any properly human loveliness. In the transparent delicacy of a -complexion resembling that of an infant child of the fairest and most -tenderly nurtured among the finest races of Europe, in the ideally -perfect outline of face and features--the noble but even forehead--the -smooth, straight, clearly pencilled eyebrows--the large almond-shaped -eyes and drooping lids, with their long, dark, soft fringe--the little -mouth and small, white, even regular teeth--the rosy lips, slightly -compressed, save when parted in speech, smile, or eager attention--she -exhibited in their most perfect but by no means fullest development -the characteristics of Martial physiognomy; or rather the -characteristic beauty of a family in which the finest traits of that -physiognomy are unmixed with any of its meaner or harsher -peculiarities. The hands, long, slight, and soft, the unsandalled -feet, not less perfectly shaped, could only have belonged to the child -of ancestors who for more than a hundred generations have never known -hard manual toil, rough exposure, or deforming, cramping costume; even -as every detail of her beauty bore witness to an immemorial -inheritance of health unbroken by physical infirmity, undisturbed by -violent passions, and developed by an admirable system of physical and -mental discipline and culture. The absence of veil and sleeves left -visible the soft rounded arms and shoulders, in whose complexion a -tinge of pale rose seemed to shine through a skin itself of -translucent white; the small head, and the perfection of the slender -neck, with the smooth unbroken curve from the ear to the arm. Her long -hair, fastened only by a silver band woven in and out behind the small -rounded ears, fell almost to her knee; and, as it caught the bright -rays of the morning sun, I discerned for the first time the full -beauty of that tinge of gold which varied the colour of the rich, -soft, brown tresses. As her sex are seldom exposed to the cold of the -night or the mists, their underclothing is slight and close fitting. -Eveena's thin robe, of the simplest possible form--two wide straight -pieces of a material lustrous as satin but rivalling the finest -cambric in texture (lined with the same fabric reversed), sewn -together from the hem of the skirt to the arm, and fastened again by -the shoulder clasps--fell perfectly loose save where compressed by the -zone or by the movements of the wearer; and where so compressed, -defined the outlines of the form as distinctly as the lightest wet -drapery of the studio. Her dress, in short, achieved in its pure -simplicity all at which the artistic skill of matrons, milliners, and -maidens aims in a Parisian ball costume, without a shadow of that -suggestive immodesty from which ball costumes are seldom wholly free. -Exactly reversing Terrestrial practice, a Martial wife reserves for -strictest domestic privacy that undressed full-dress, that frank -revelation of her beauty, which the matrons of London, Paris, or New -York think exclusively appropriate to the most public occasions. Till -now, while still enjoying the liberty allowed to maidens in this -respect, Eveena, by the arrangement of her veil, had always given to -her costume a reserve wholly unexceptionable, even according to the -rules enforced by the customs of Western Europe on young girls not yet -presented in the marriage market of society. A new expression, or one, -at least, which I had never before seen there, gave to her face a -strange and novel beauty; the beauty, I wish to think, of shy, but -true happiness; felt, it may be, for the first time, and softened, I -fear, by a doubt of its possible endurance which rendered it as -touching as attractive. Never was the sleep even of the poet of the -_Midsummer Night's Dream_ visited by a lovelier vision--especially -lovely as the soft rose blush suffused her cheeks under my gaze of -admiration and delight. Springing up, I caught her with both hands and -drew her on my knee. Some minutes passed before either of us cared to -speak. Probably as she rested her head on my arm and looked into my -eyes, each read the other's character more truly and clearly than -words the most frank and open could ever enable us to do. I had taught -her last night a few substitutes in the softest tongue I knew for -those words of natural tenderness in which her language is signally -deficient: taught her to understand them, certainly not to use them, -for it was long before I could even induce her to address me by name. - -"My father bade me yesterday," she said at last, "ask you in future to -wear the dress of our people. Not that you will be the less an object -of attention and wonder, but that in retaining a distinction which -depends entirely on your own choice, you will seem intentionally to -prefer your own habits to ours." - -"I comply of course," I observed. "Naturally the dress of every -country is best suited to its own conditions. Yet I should have -thought that a preference for my own world, even were it wholly -irrational, might seem at least natural and pardonable." - -"People don't," she answered simply, "like any sign of individual -fancy or opinion. They don't like any one to show that he thinks them -wrong even on a matter of taste." - -"I fear, then, _carissima_, that I must be content with unpopularity. -I may wear the costume of your people; but their thought, their -conduct, their inner and outer life, as your father reports them, and -as thus far I have seen them, are to me so unnatural, that the more I -resemble them externally the more my unlikeness in all else is likely -to attract notice. I am sorry for this, because women are by nature -prone to judge even their nearest and dearest by the standard of -fashion, and to exact from men almost as close a conformity to that -standard as they themselves display. I fear you will have to forgive -many heresies in my conduct as well as in my thoughts." - -"You cannot suppose," she answered earnestly--she seemed incapable of -apprehending irony or jest,--"that I should wish you more like others -than you are. Whatever may happen hereafter, I shall always feel -myself the happiest of women in having belonged to one who cares for -something beside himself, and holds even life cheaper than love." -"I hope so, _carissima_. But in that matter there was scarcely more of -love than of choice. What I did for you I must have done no less for -Zevle [her sister]. If I had feared death as much as the Regent does, -I could not have returned alive and alone. My venture into infinite -space involved possibilities of horror more appalling than the mere -terrors of death. You asked of me as my one bridal gift leave to share -its perils. How unworthy of you should I be, if I did not hold the -possession of Eveena, even for the two years of her promise, well -worth dying for!" - -The moral gulf between the two worlds is wider than the material. -Utterly unselfish and trustful, Eveena was almost pained to be -reminded that the service she so extravagantly overprized was rendered -to her sex rather than herself; while yet more deeply gratified, -though still half incredulous, by the commonplace that preferred love -to life. I had yet to learn, however, that Eveena's nature was as -utterly strange in her own world as the ideas in which she was -educated would seem in mine. - -I left her for a few minutes to dress for the first time in the -costume which Esmo's care had provided. The single under-vestment of -softest hide, closely fitting from neck to knees, is of all garments -the best adapted to preserve natural warmth under the rapid and -extreme changes of the external atmosphere. The outer garb consisted -of blouse and trousers, woven of a fabric in which a fine warp of -metallic lustre was crossed by a strong silken weft, giving the effect -of a diapered scarlet and silver; both fastened by the belt, a broad -green strap of some species of leather, clasped with gold. Masculine -dress is seldom brilliant, as is that of the women, but convenient and -comfortable beyond any other, and generally handsome and elegant. The -one part of the costume which I could never approve is the sandal, -which leaves the feet exposed to dust and cold. Rejoining my bride, I -said-- - -"I have had no opportunity of seeing much of this country, and I fancy -from what I have seen of feminine seclusion that an excursion would be -as much a holiday treat to you as to myself. If your father will lend -us his carriage, would you like to accompany me to one or two places -Kevima has described not far from this, and which I am anxious to -visit?" - -She bent her head, but did not answer; and fancying that the proposal -was not agreeable to her, I added-- - -"If you prefer to spend our little remaining time here with your -mother and sister, I will ask your brother to accompany me, though I -am selfishly unwilling to part with you to-day." - -She looked up for a moment with an air of pain and perplexity, and as -she turned away I saw the tears gather in her eyes. - -"What _is_ the matter?" I asked, surprised and puzzled as one on Earth -who tries to please a woman by offering her her own way, and finds -that, so offered, it is the last thing she cares to have. It did not -occur to me that, even in trifles, a Martial wife never dreams that -her taste or wish can signify, or be consulted where her lord has a -preference of his own. To invite instead of commanding her -companionship was unusual; to withdraw the expression of my own wish, -and bid her decide for herself, was in Eveena's eyes to mark formally -and deliberately that I did not care for her society. - -"What have I done," she faltered, "to be so punished? I have not, save -the day before yesterday, left the house this year; and you offer me -the greatest of pleasures only to snatch it away the next moment." - -"Nay, Eveena!" I answered. "If I had not told you, you must know that -I cannot but wish for your company; but by your silence I fancied you -disliked my proposal, yet did not like to decline it." - -The expression of surprise and perplexity in her face, though half -pathetic, seemed so comical that I with difficulty suppressed a laugh, -because for her it was evidently no laughing matter. After giving her -time, as I thought, to recover herself, I said-- - -"Well, I suppose we may now join them at the morning -meal?" - -Something was still wrong, the clue to which I gathered by observing -her shy glance at her head-dress and veil. - -"Must you wear those?" I asked--a question which gave her some such -imperfect clue to my thoughts as I had found to hers. - -"How foolish of me," she said, smiling, "to forget how little you can -know of our customs! Of course I must wear my veil and sleeves; but -to-day you must put on the veil, as you removed it last night." - -The awkwardness with which I performed this duty had its effect in -amusing and cheering her; and the look of happiness and trust had come -back to her countenance before the veil concealed it. - -I made my request to Esmo, who answered, with some amusement-- - -"Every house like ours has from six to a dozen larger or lighter -carriages. Of course they cost nothing save the original purchase. -They last for half a lifetime, and are not costly at the outset. But I -have news for you which, I venture to think, will be as little -agreeable to you as to ourselves. Your journey must begin tomorrow, -and this, therefore, is the only opportunity you will have for such an -excursion as you propose." - -"Then," I said, "will Eveena still wish to share it?" - -Even her mother's face seemed to ask what in the world that could -matter; but a movement of the daughter's veiled head reminded me that -I was blundering; and pressing her little hand as she lay beside me, I -took her compliance for granted. - -The morning mist had given place to hot bright sunshine when we -started. At first our road lay between enclosures like that which -surrounded Esmo's dwelling. - -Presently the lines were broken here and there by such fields as I had -seen in descending from Asnyca; some filled with crops of human food, -some with artificial pastures, in which Unicorns or other creatures -were feeding. I saw also more than one field wherein the _carvee_ were -weeding or gathering fruit, piling their burdens in either case as -soon as their beaks were full into bags or baskets. Pointing out to -Eveena the striking difference of colour between the cultivated fields -and gardens and the woods or natural meadows on the mountain sides, I -learned from her that this distinction is everywhere perceptible in -Mars. Natural objects, plants or animals, rocks and soil, are for the -most part of dimmer, fainter, or darker tints than on Earth; probably -owing to the much less intense light of the Sun; partly, perhaps, to -that absorption of the blue rays by the atmosphere, which diminishes, -I suppose, even that light which actually reaches the planet. But -uncultivated ground, except on the mountains above the ordinary range -of crops or pastures, scarcely exists in the belt of Equatorial -continents; the turf itself, like the herbage or fruit shrubs in the -fields, is artificial, consisting of plants developed through long -ages into forms utterly unlike the native original by the skill and -ingenuity of man. Even the great fruit trees have undergone material -change, not only in the size, flavour, and appearance of the fruits -themselves, which have been the immediate object of care, but, -probably through some natural correlation between, the different -organs, in the form and colour of the foliage, the arrangement of the -branches, and the growth of the trunk, all of which are much more -regular, and, so to speak, more perfect, than is the case either here -or on Earth with those left to the control of Nature and locality, or -the effects of the natural competition, which is in its way perhaps as -keen among plants and animals as among men. Martialists have the same -delight in bright colours as Orientals, with far greater taste in -selection and combination; and the favourite hues not only of their -flowers, tame birds, fishes, and quadrupeds, but of plants in whose -cultivation utility has been the primary object, contrast signally, as -I have said, with the dull tints of the undomesticated flora and -fauna, of which comparatively scanty remnants were visible here and -there in this rich country. - -Presently we came within sight of the river, over which was a single -bridge, formed by what might be called a tube of metal built into -strong walls on either bank. In fact, however, the sides were of open -work, and only the roof and floor were solid. The river at this, its -narrowest point, was perhaps a furlong in breadth, and it was not -without instinctive uneasiness that I trusted to the security of a -single piece of metal spanning, without even the strength afforded by -the form of the arch, so great a space. - -The first object we were to visit lay at some distance down the -stream. As we approached the point, we passed a place where the river -widened considerably. The main channel in the centre was kept clear -and deep to afford an uninterrupted course for navigation; but on -either side were rocks that broke the river into pools and shallows, -such as here, no less than on Earth, form the favourite haunts or -spawning places of the fish. In some of the lesser pools birds larger -than the stork, bearing under the throat an expansible bag like that -of the pelican, were seeking for prey. They were watched and directed -by a master on the shore, and carried to a square tank, fixed on a -wheeled frame not unlike that of the ordinary carriage, which -accompanied him, each fish they took. I observed that the latter were -carefully seized, with the least possible violence or injury, placed -by a jerk head-downmost in the throat-bag, which, though when empty it -was scarcely perceptible, would contain prey of very considerable size -and weight, and as carefully disgorged into the tank. In one of the -most extensive pools, too deep for these birds, a couple of men had -spread a sort of net, not unlike those used on Earth, but formed of -twisted metal threads with very narrow meshes, enclosing the whole -pool, a space of perhaps some 400 square yards. In the centre of this -an electric lamp was let down into the water, some feet below the -surface. The fish crowded towards it, and a sudden shock of -electricity transmitted through the meshes of the net, as well as from -the wires of the lamp circuit, stunned for a few minutes all life -within the enclosure. The fish then floated on the surface, the net -was drawn together, and they were collected and sorted; some which, as -I afterwards learned, were required for breeding, being carefully and -separately preserved in a smaller tank, those fit for food cast into -the larger one, those too small for the one purpose and not needed for -the other being thrown back into the water. I noted, however, that -many fish apparently valuable were among those thus rejected. I spoke -to one of the fishermen, who, regarding me with great surprise and -curiosity, at last answered briefly that a stringent law forbids the -catching of spawning fish except for breeding purposes. Those, -therefore, for which the season was close-time were invariably spared. - -In sea-fishing a much larger net, sometimes enclosing more than 10,000 -square yards, is employed. This fishing is conducted chiefly at night, -the electric lamp being then much more effective in attracting the -prey, and lowered only a few inches below the surface. Many large -destructive creatures, unfit for food, generally of a nature -intermediate between fish and reptiles, haunt the seas. It is held -unwise to exterminate them, since they do their part in keeping down -an immense variety of smaller creatures, noxious for one reason or -another, and also in clearing the water from carrion and masses of -seaweed which might otherwise taint the air of the sea-coasts, -especially near the mouths of large tropical rivers. But these -sea-monsters devour enormous quantities of fish, and the hunters -appointed to deal with them are instructed to limit their numbers to -the minimum required. Their average increase is to be destroyed each -year. If at any time it appear that, for whatever cause, the total -number left alive is falling off, the chief of this service suspends -it partially or wholly at his discretion. - -We now came to the entrance of a vast enclosure bordering on the -river, the greatest fish-breeding establishment on this continent, or -indeed in this world. One of its managers courteously showed me over -it. It is not necessary minutely to describe its arrangements, from -the spawning ponds and the hatching tanks--the latter contained in a -huge building, whose temperature is preserved with the utmost care at -the rate found best suited to the ova--to the multitude of streams, -ponds, and lakes in which the different kinds of fish are kept during -the several stages of their existence. The task of the breeders is -much facilitated by the fact that the seas of Mars are not, like ours, -salt; and though sea and river fish are almost as distinct as on -Earth, each kind having its own habitat, whose conditions are -carefully reproduced in the breeding or feeding reservoirs, the same -kind of water suits all alike. It is necessary, however, to keep the -fishes of tropical seas and streams in water of a very different -temperature from that suited to others brought from arctic or -sub-arctic climates; and this, like every other point affecting the -natural peculiarities and habits of the fish, is attended to with -minute and accurate care. The skill and science brought to bear on the -task of breeding accomplish this and much more difficult operations -with marvellous ease and certainty. - -On one of the buildings I observed one of the most remarkable, -largest, and most complete timepieces I had yet seen; and I had on -this occasion an opportunity of examining it closely. The dial was -oblong, enclosed in a case of clear transparent crystal, somewhat -resembling in form the open portion of a mercurial barometer. At the -top were three circles of different colours, divided by twelve -equidistant lines radiating from the centres and subdivided again and -again by the same number. Exactly at the uppermost point of each was a -golden indicator. One of these circles marked the temperature, -graduated from the lowest to the highest degree ever known in that -latitude. Another indicated the direction of the wind, while the depth -of colour in the circle itself, graduated in a manner carefully -explained to me, but my notes of which are lost, showed the exact -force of the atmospheric current. The third served the purpose of a -barometer. A coloured band immediately below indicated by the -variations of tint the character of the coming weather. This band -stretched right across the face; below it were figures indicating the -day of the year. The central portion of the face was occupied by a -larger circle, half-green and half-black; the former portion -representing the colour of the daylight sky, the latter emblematic of -night. On this circle the Sun and the planets were represented by -figures whose movement showed exactly the actual place of each in the -celestial sphere. The two Moons were also figured, their phases and -position at each moment being accurately presented to the eye. Around -this circle was a narrow band divided into strips of different length -of various colours, each representing one of the peculiar divisions of -the Martial day; that point which came under the golden indicator -showing the _zyda_ and the exact moment of the _zyda_, while the -movement of the inner circle fixed with equal accuracy the period of -day or night. Below were other circles from which the observer could -learn the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, the intensity of the -sunlight, and the electric tension at the moment. Each of the six -smaller circles registered on a moving ribbon the indications of every -successive moment, these ribbons when unrolled forming a perfect -record of temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, and so forth, in -the form of a curve--a register kept for more than 8000 Martial years. - -Four times during the revolution of the great circle each large clock -emits for a couple of minutes a species of chime, the nature of which -my ignorance of music renders me unable to describe:--viz., when the -line dividing the green and black semicircles is horizontal at noon -and midnight, and an hour before, at average sunrise and sunset, it -becomes perpendicular. The individual character of the several chimes, -tunes, or peals, whatever they should be called, is so distinct that -even I appreciated it. Further, as the first point of the coloured -strip distinguishing each several _zyda_ reaches the golden indicator, -a single slightly prolonged sound--I fancy what is known on Earth as a -single chord--is emitted. Of these again each is peculiar, so that no -one with an ear for music can doubt what is the period of the day -announced. The sound is never, even in the immediate vicinity of the -clock, unpleasantly loud; while it penetrates to an amazing distance. -It would be perfectly easy, if needful, to regulate all clocks by -mechanical control through the electric network extended all over the -face of the planet; but the perfect accuracy of each individual -timepiece renders any such check needless. In those latitudes where -day and night during the greater part of the year are not even -approximately equal, the black and green semicircles are so enlarged -or diminished by mechanical means, that the hour of the day or night -is represented as accurately as on the Equator itself. - -The examination of this establishment occupied us for two or three -hours, and when we remounted our carriage it seemed to me only -reasonable that Eveena should be weary both in mind and body. I -proposed, therefore, to return at once, but against this she earnestly -protested. - -"Well," I said, "we will finish our excursion, then. Only remember -that whenever you do feel tired you must tell me at once. I do not -know what exertion you can bear, and of course it would be most -inconsiderate to measure your endurance by my own." - -She promised, and we drove on for another hour in the direction of a -range of hills to the north-eastward. The lower and nearer portion of -this range might he 400 feet above the general level of the plain; -beyond, the highest peaks rose to perhaps 1500 feet, the average -summit being about half that height. Where our road brought us to the -foot of the first slope, large groves of the _calmyra_, whose fruit -contains a sort of floury pulp like roasted potato, were planted on -ground belonging to the State, and tenanted by young men belonging to -that minority which, as Esmo had told me not being fortunate enough to -find private employment, is thus provided for. Encountering one of -these, he pointed out to us the narrow road which, winding up the -slope, afforded means of bringing down in waggons during the two -harvest seasons, each of which lasts for about fifty days, the fruit -of these groves, which furnishes a principal article of food. The -trees do not reach to a higher level than about 400 feet; and above -this we had to ascend on foot by a path winding through meadows, which -I at first supposed to be natural. Eveena, however, quickly undeceived -me, pointing out the prevalence of certain plants peculiar to the -cultivated pastures we had seen in the plain. These were so -predominant as to leave no reasonable doubt that they had been -originally sown by the hand of man, though the irregularity of their -arrangement, and the encroachment of one species upon the ground of -another, enabled my companion to prove to me with equal clearness that -since its first planting the pasture had been entirely neglected. It -was, she thought, worth planting once for all with the most nutritious -herbage, but not worth the labour of subsequent close cultivation. Any -lady belonging to a civilised people, and accustomed to a country -life, upon Earth might easily have perceived all that Eveena -discovered; but considering how seldom the latter had left her home, -how few opportunities she had to see anything of practical -agriculture, the quickness of her perception and the correctness of -her inferences not a little surprised me. The path we pursued led -directly to the object of our visit. The waters of the higher hills -were collected in a vast tank excavated in an extensive plateau at the -mid-level. At the summit of the first ascent we met and were escorted -by one of the officials entrusted with the charge of these works, -which supply water of extraordinary purity to a population of perhaps -a quarter of a million, inhabiting a district of some 10,000 square -miles in extent. The tank was about sixty feet in depth, and perhaps a -mile in length, with half that breadth. Its sides and bottom-were -lined with the usual concrete. Our guide informed me that in many -cases tanks were covered with the crystal employed for doors and -windows; but in the-pure air of these hills such a precaution was -thought unnecessary, as it would have been exceedingly costly. The -water itself was of wonderful purity, so clear that the smallest -object at the bottom was visible where the Sun, still high in the -heavens, shone directly upon the surface. But this purity would by no -means satisfy the standard of Martial sanitary science. In the first -place, it is passed into a second division of the tank, where it is -subjected to some violent electric action till every kind of organic -germ it may contain is supposed to be completely destroyed. It is then -passed through several covered channels and mechanically or chemically -cleansed from every kind of inorganic impurity, and finally oxygenated -or aerated with air which has undergone a yet more elaborate -purification. At every stage in this process, a phial of water is -taken out and examined in a dark chamber by means of a beam of light -emanating from a powerful electric lamp and concentrated by a huge -crystal lens. If this beam detect any perceptible dust or matter -capable of scattering the light, the water is pronounced impure and -passed through further processes. Only when the contents of the bottle -remain absolutely dark, in the midst of an atmosphere whose floating -dust renders the beam visible on either side, so that the phial, while -perfectly transparent to the light, nevertheless interrupts the beam -with a block of absolute darkness, is it considered fit for human -consumption. It is then distributed through pipes of concrete, into -which no air can possibly enter, to cisterns equally, air-tight in -every house. The water in these is periodically examined by officers -from the waterworks, who ascertain that it has contracted no impurity -either in the course of its passage through hundreds of miles of -piping or in the cisterns themselves. The Martialists consider that to -this careful purification of their water they owe in great measure -their exemption from the epidemic diseases which were formerly not -infrequent. They maintain that all such diseases are caused by organic -self-multiplying germs, and laugh to scorn the doctrine of spontaneous -generation, either of disease, or of even such low organic life as can -propagate it. I suggested that the atmosphere itself must, if their -theory were true, convey the microscopic seeds of disease even more -freely and universally than the water. - -"Doubtless," replied our guide, "it would scatter them more widely; -but it does not enable them to penetrate and germinate in the body -half so easily as when conveyed by water. You must be aware that the -lining of the upper air-passages arrests most of the impurities -contained in the inhaled air before it comes into contact with the -blood in the lungs themselves. Moreover, the extirpation of one -disease after another, the careful isolation of all infectious cases, -and the destruction of every article that could preserve or convey the -poisonous germs, has in the course of ages enabled us utterly to -destroy them." - -This did not seem to me consistent with the confession that disorders -of one kind or another still not infrequently decimate their -highly-bred domestic animals, however the human race itself may have -been secured against contagion. I did not, however, feel competent to -argue the question with one who had evidently studied physiology much -more deeply than myself; and had mastered the records of an experience -infinitely longer, guided by knowledge far more accurate, than is -possessed by the most accomplished of Terrestrial physiologists. - -The examination of these works of course occupied us for a long time, -and obliged us to traverse several miles of ground. More than once I -had suggested to Eveena that we should leave our work unfinished, and -on every opportunity had insisted that she should rest. I had been too -keenly interested in the latter part of the explanation given me, to -detect the fatigue she anxiously sought to conceal; but when we left -the works, I was more annoyed than surprised to find that the walk -down-hill to our carriage was too much for her. The vexation I felt -with myself gave, after the manner of men, some sharpness to the tone -of my remonstrance with her. - -"I bade you, and you promised, to tell me as soon as you felt tired; -and you have let me almost tire you to death! Your obedience, however -strict in theory, reminds me in practice of that promised by women on -Earth in their marriage-vow--and never paid or remembered afterwards." - -She did not answer; and finding that her strength was utterly -exhausted, I carried her down the remainder of the hill and placed her -in the carriage. During our return neither of us spoke. Ascribing her -silence to habit or fatigue, perhaps to displeasure, and busied in -recalling what I had seen and heard, I did not care to "make -conversation," as I certainly should have done had I guessed what -impression my taciturnity made on my companion's mind. I was heartily -glad for her sake when we regained the gate of her father's garden. -Committing the carriage to the charge of an amba, I half led, half -carried Eveena along the avenue, overhung with the grand conical -bells--gold, crimson, scarlet, green, white, or striped or variegated -with some or all these colours--of the glorious _leveloo_, the Martial -convolvulus. Its light clinging stems and foliage hid the _astyra's_ -arched branches overhead, and formed a screen on either side. From its -bells flew at our approach a whole flock of the tiny and beautiful -caree, which take the chief part in rendering to the flora of Mars -such services as the flowers of Earth receive from bees and -butterflies. They feed on the nectar, farina, syrup, and other -secretions, sweet or bitter, in which the artificial flowers of Mars -are peculiarly abundant, and make their nests in the calyx or among -the petals. These lovely little birds--about the size of a hornet, but -perfect birds in miniature, with wings as large as those of the -largest Levantine _papilio_, and feathery down equally fine and -soft--are perhaps the most shy and timid of all creatures familiar -with the presence of Martial humanity. The varied colours of their -plumage, combined and intermingled in marvellously minute patterns, -are all of those subdued or dead tints agreeable to the taste of -Japanese artists, and perhaps to no other. They signally contrast the -vivid and splendid colouring of objects created or developed by human -genius and patience, from the exquisite decorations and jewel-like -masses of domestic and public architecture to the magnificent flowers -and fruit produced, by the labour of countless generations, from -originals so dissimilar that only the records of past ages can trace -or the searching comparisons of science recognise them. I am told that -the present race of flower-birds themselves are a sort of indirect -creation of art. They certainly vary in size, shape, and colour -according to the flower each exclusively frequents; and those which -haunt the cultivated bells of the _leveloo_ present an amazing -contrast to the far tinier and far less beautiful _caree_ which have -not yet abandoned the wildflowers for those of the garden. Above two -hundred varieties distinguished by ornithologists frequent only the -domesticated flowers. - -The flight of this swarm of various beauty recalled the conversation -of last night; and breaking off unobserved a long fine tendril of the -leveloo, I said lightly-- - -"Flower-birds are not so well-trained as _esvee_, bambina." - -Never forgetting a word of mine, and never failing to catch with quick -intelligence the sense of the most epigrammatic or delicate metaphor, -Eveena started and looked up, as if stung by a serious reproach. -Fancying that overpowering fatigue had so shaken her nerves, I would -not allow her to speak. But I did not understand how much she had been -distressed, till in her own chamber, cloak and veil thrown aside, she -stood beside my seat, her sleeveless arms folded behind her, drooping -like a lily beaten down by a thunderstorm. Then she murmured sadly-- - -"I did not think of offending. But you are quite right; disobedience -should never pass." - -"Certainly not," I replied, with a smile she did not see. Taking both -the little hands in my left, I laid the tendril on her soft white -shoulders, but so gently that in her real distress she did not feel -the touch. "You see I can keep my word; but never let me tire you -again. My flower-bird cannot take wing if she anger me in earnest." - -"Are you not angered now?" she asked, glancing up in utter surprise. - -My eyes, or the sight of the leveloo, answered her; and a sweet bright -smile broke through her look of frightened, penitent submission, as -she snatched the tendril and snapped it in my hand. - -"Cruel!" she said, with a pretty assumption of ill-usage, "to visit a -first fault with the whip." - -"You are hard to please, bambina! I knew no better. Seriously, until I -can measure your strength more truly, never again let me feel that in -inviting your company I have turned my pleasure into your pain." - -"No, indeed," she urged, once more in earnest. "Girls so seldom pass -the gate, and men never walk where a carriage will go, or I should not -have been so stupid. But if I had blistered my feet, and the leveloo -had been a nut-vine, the fruit was worth the scratches." - -"What do you know, my child, either of blisters or stripes?" - -"You will teach me----No, you know I don't mean that! But you will -take me with you sometimes till I learn better! If you are going to -leave me at home in future "---- - -"My child, can you not trust me to take you for my own pleasure?" - -The silvery tone of her low sweet laugh was truly perfectly musical. - -"Forgive me," she said, nestling in the cushions at my knee, and -seeking with upturned eyes, like a child better assured of pardon than -of full reconciliation, to read my face, "it is very naughty to laugh, -and very ungrateful, when you speak to please me; but is it real -kindness to say what I should be very silly to believe?" - -"You will believe whatever I tell you, child. If you wish to anger a -man, even with you, tell him that he is lying." - -"I do nothing but misbehave," she said, in earnest despondency. -"I----" But I sealed her lips effectually for the moment. - -"Why did you not speak as we came home?" - -"You were tired, and I was thinking over all I had seen. Besides, who -talks air?" [makes conversation]. - -"You always talk when you are pleased. The lip-sting (scolding) and -silence frightened me so, you nearly heard me crying." - -"Crying for fear? You did well to break the leveloo!... And so you -think I must be tired of my bride, before the colours have gone round -on the dial?" - -"Not tired of her. You will like a little longer to find her in the -cushions when you are vexed or idle; but you don't want her where her -ignorance wearies and her weakness hampers you." - -"Are you an _esve_, to be caged at home, and played with for lack of -better employment? We shall never understand each other, child." - -"What more can I be? But don't say we shall never understand each -other," she pleaded earnestly. "It took time and trouble to make my -pet understand and obey each word and sign. Zevle gave hers more slaps -and fewer sweets, and it learned sooner. But, like me, you want your -esve to be happy, not only to fly straight and play prettily. She will -try hard to learn if you will teach her, and not be so afraid of -hurting her, as if she expected sweets from both hands. It is easy for -you to see through her empty head: do not give her up till she has had -time to look a little way into your eyes." - -"Eveena," I answered, almost as much pained as touched by the -unaffected humility which had so accepted and carried out my ironical -comparison, "one simple magnet-key would unlock the breast whose -secrets seem so puzzling; but it has hardly a name in your tongue, and -cannot yet be in your hands." - -"Ah, yes!" she said softly, "you gave it me; do you think I have lost -it in two nights? But the esve cannot be loved as she loves her -master. I could half understand the prodigal heart that would buy a -girl's life with yours, and all that is bound up in yours. No other -_man_ would have done it--in our world," she added, answering my -gesture of dissent; "but they say that the terrible _kargynda_ will -stand by his dying mate till he is shot down. You bought my heart, my -love, all I am, when you bought my life, and never asked the cost." -She continued almost in a whisper, her rose-suffused cheeks and moist -eyes hidden from my sight as the lips murmured their loving words into -my ear,--"Though the nestling never looked from under the wing, do you -think she knows not what to expect when she is bought from the nest? -She dares not struggle in the hand that snatches her; much more did -she deserve to be rated and rapped for fluttering in that which saved -her life. Bought twice over, caged by right as by might--was her -thought midnight to your eyes, when she wondered at the look that -watched her so quietly, the hand that would not try to touch lest it -should scare her, the patience that soothed and coaxed her to perch on -the outstretched finger, like a flower-bird tamed at last? Do you -think that name, given her by lips which softened even their words of -fondness for her ear, did not go to her heart straight as the esve -flies home, or that it could ever be forgotten? There is a chant young -girls are fond of, which tells more than I can say." - -Her tones fell so low that I should have lost them, had her lips not -actually touched my ear while she chanted the strange words in the -sweetest notes of her sweet voice:-- - - "Never yet hath single sun - Seen a flower-bird tamed and won; - Sun and stars shall quit the sky - Ere a bird so tamed shall fly. - - "Never human lips have kissed - Flower-bird tamed 'twixt mist and mist; - Bird so tamed from tamer's heart - Night of death shall hardly part." - - - -CHAPTER XII - ON THE RIVER. - -The next morning saw our journey commenced. Eveena's wardrobe, with my -own and my books, portfolios, models, and specimens of Terrestrial art -and mechanism, were packed in light metallic cases adapted to the -larger form of carriage whereof I have made mention. I was fortunate -in escaping the actual parting scene between Eveena and her family, -and my own leave-taking was hurried. Esmo and his son accompanied us, -leading the way in one carriage, while Eveena and myself occupied that -which we had used on our memorable trip to the Astronaut. Half an hour -brought us to the road beside the river, and a few minutes more to the -point at which a boat awaited us. The road being some eight or ten -feet above the level of the water, a light ladder not three feet long -was ready to assist our descent to the deck. The difference of size -between the Martial race and my own was forcibly impressed upon me, in -seeing that Esmo and his son found this assistance needful, or at -least convenient, while I simply stepped rather than jumped to the -deck, and lifted Eveena straight from her carriage to her seat under -the canopy that covered the stern of the vessel. Intended only for -river navigation, propelled by a small screw like two fishtails set at -right angles, working horizontally; the vessel had but two cabins, one -on either side of the central part occupied by the machinery. The -stern apartment was appropriated to myself and my bride, the -forecastle, if I may so call it, to our companions, the boatmen having -berths in the corners of the machine-room. The vessel was -flat-bottomed, drawing about eighteen inches of water and rising about -five feet from the surface, leaving an interior height which obliged -me to be cautious in order not to strike my head against every -projection or support of the cabin roof. We spent the whole of the -day, however, on deck, and purposely slackened the speed of the boat, -which usually travels some thirty miles an hour, in order to enjoy the -effect and observe the details of the landscape. For the first few -miles our voyage lay through the open plain. Then we passed, on the -left as we ascended the stream, the mountain on whose summit I tried -with my binocular to discern the Astronaut, but unsuccessfully, the -trees on the lower slopes intercepting the view. Eveena, seeing my -eyes fixed on that point, extended her hand and gently drew the glass -out of mine. - -"Not yet," she said; which elicited from me the excuse-- - -"That mountain has for me remembrances more interesting than those of -my voyage, or even than the hopes of return." - -Presently, as we followed the course of the stream, we lost sight -altogether of the rapidly dwindling patches of colour representing the -enclosures of Ecasfe. On our left, at a distance varying from three to -five miles, but constantly increasing as the stream bent to the -northward, was the mountain range I had scanned in my descent. On our -right the plain dipped below the horizon while still but a few feet -above the level of the river; but in the distant sky we discerned some -objects like white clouds, which from their immobility and fixedness -of outline I soon discovered to be snow-crowned hills, lower, however, -than those to the northward, and perhaps some forty miles distant. The -valley is one of the richest and most fertile portions of this -continent, and was consequently thoroughly cultivated and more densely -peopled than most parts even of the Equatorial zone. An immediate -river frontage being as convenient as agreeable, the enclosures on -either bank were continuous, and narrow in proportion to their depth; -the largest occupying no more than from one hundred and fifty to two -hundred yards of the bank, the smaller from half to one quarter of -that length. Most had a tunnel pierced under the road bordering the -river, through which the water was admitted to their grounds and -carried in a minute stream around and even through the house; for -ornament rather than for use, since every house in a district so -populous has a regular artificial water supply, and irrigation, as I -have explained, is not required. The river itself was embellished with -masses of water-flowers; and water-birds, the smallest scarcely larger -than a wagtail, the largest somewhat exceeding the size of a swan, of -a different form and dark grey plumage, but hardly less graceful, -seemed to be aware of the stringent protection they enjoyed from the -law. They came up to our boat and fed out of Eveena's hand with -perfect fearlessness. I could not induce any of them to be equally -familiar with myself, my size probably surprising them as much as -their masters, and leading them to the same doubt whether I were -really and wholly human. The lower slopes of the hills were covered -with orchards of every kind, each species occupying the level best -suited to it, from the reed-supported orange-like _alva_ of the -lowlands to the tall _astyra_, above which stretched the timber -forests extending as high as trees could grow, while between these and -the permanent snow-line lay the yellowish herbage of extensive -pastures. A similar mountain range on earth would have presented a -greater variety of colouring and scenery, the total absence of -glaciers, even in the highest valleys, creating a notable difference. -The truth is that the snows of Mars are nowhere deep, and melt in the -summer to such an extent that that constant increase whose downward -tendency feeds Terrestrial glaciers cannot take place. Probably the -thin atmosphere above the snow-line can hold but little watery vapour. -Esmo was of opinion that the snow on the highest steeps, even on a -level plateau, was never more than two feet in depth; and in more than -one case a wind-swept peak or pinnacle was kept almost clear, and -presented in its grey, green, or vermilion rocks a striking contrast -to the masses of creamy white around it. This may explain the very -rapid diminution of the polar ice-caps in the summer of either, but -especially of the Southern hemisphere; and also the occasional -appearance of large dark spots in their midst, where the shallow snow -has probably been swept away by the rare storms of this planet from an -extensive land surface. It is supposed that no inconsiderable part of -the ice and snow immediately surrounding the poles covers land; but, -though balloon parties have of late occasionally reached the poles, -they have never ventured to remain there long enough to disembark and -ascertain the fact. - -Towards evening the stream turned more decidedly to the north, and at -this point Esmo brought out an instrument constructed somewhat on the -principle of a sextant or quadrant, but without the mirror, by which -we were enabled to take reliable measures of the angles. By a process -which at that time I did not accurately follow, and which I had not -subsequently the means of verifying, the distance as well as the angle -subtended by the height was obtained. Kevima, after working out his -father's figures, informed me that the highest peak in view--the -highest in Mars--was not less than 44,000 feet. No Martial balloonist, -much less any Martial mountain-climber, has ever, save once, reached a -greater height than 16,000 feet--the air at the sea-level being -scarcely more dense than ours at 10,000 feet. Kevima indicated one -spot in the southern range of remarkable interest, associated with an -incident which forms an epoch in the records of Martial geography. A -sloping plateau, some 19,000 feet above the sea-level, is defined with -remarkable clearness in the direction from which we viewed it. The -forests appeared to hide, though they do not of course actually -approach, its lower edge. On one side and to the rear it is shut in by -precipices so abrupt that the snow fails to cling to them, while on -the remaining side it is separated by a deep, wide cleft from the -western portion of the range. Here for centuries were visible the -relics of an exploring party, which reached this plateau and never -returned. Attempts have, since the steering of balloons has become an -accomplished fact, been made to reach the point, but without success, -and those who have approached nearest have failed to find any of the -long-visible remains of an expedition which perished four or five -thousand years ago. Kevima thought it probable that the metallic poles -even then employed for tents and for climbing purposes might still be -intact; but if so, they were certainly buried in the snow, and Esmo -believed it more likely that even these had perished. - -As the mists of evening fell we retreated to our cabin, which was -warmed by a current of heated air from the electric machinery. Here -our evening meal was served, at which Esmo and his son joined us, -Eveena resuming, even in their presence, the veil she had worn on deck -but had laid aside the moment we were alone. An hour or two after -sunset, the night (an unusual occurrence in Mars) was clear and fine, -and I took this opportunity of observing from a new standpoint the -familiar constellations. The scintillation so characteristic of the -fixed stars, especially in the temperate climates of the Earth, was -scarcely perceptible. Scattered once more over the surface of a -defined sky, it was much easier than in space to recognise the several -constellations; but their new and strange situations were not a little -surprising at first sight, some of those which, as seen on Earth -revolved slowly in the neighbourhood of the poles, being now not far -from the tropics, and some, which had their place within the tropics, -now lying far to north or south. Around the northern pole the Swan -swings by its tail, as in our skies the Lesser Bear; Arided being a -Pole-Star which needs no Pointers to indicate its position. Vega is -the only other brilliant star in the immediate neighbourhood; and, -save for the presence of the Milky Way directly crossing it, the -arctic circle is distinctly less bright than our own. The south pole -lies in one of the dullest regions of the heavens, near the chief star -of the Peacock. Arcturus, the Great Bear, the Twins, the Lion, the -Scorpion, and Fomalhaut are among the ornaments of the Equatorial -zone: the Cross, the Centaur, and the Ship of our antarctic -constellations, are visible far into the northern hemisphere. On the -present occasion the two Moons were both visible in the west, the -horns of both crescents pointing in the same direction, though the one -was in her last, the other in her first phase. - -As we were watching them, Eveena, wrapped in a cloak of fur not a -little resembling that of the silver fox, but far softer, stole her -hand into mine and whispered a request that I would lend her the -instrument I was using. With some instruction and help she contrived -to adjust it, her sight requiring a decided alteration of the focus -and an approach of the two eye-pieces; the eyes of her race being set -somewhat nearer than in an average Aryan countenance. She expressed no -little surprise at the clearness of definition, and the marked -enlargement of the discs of the two satellites, and would have used -the instrument to scan the stars and visible planets had I not -insisted on her retirement; the light atmosphere, as is always the -case on clear nights, when no cloud-veil prevents rapid radiation from -the surface, being bitterly cold, and her life not having accustomed -her to the night air even in the most genial season. - -As we could, of course, see nothing of the country through which we -passed during the night, and as Esmo informed me that little or -nothing of special interest would occur during this part of our -voyage, our vessel went at full speed, her pilot being thoroughly -acquainted with the river, and an electric light in the bow enabling -him to steer with perfect confidence and safety. When, therefore, we -came on deck after the dissipation of the morning mist, we found -ourselves in a scene very different from that which we had left. Our -course was north by west. On either bank lay a country cultivated -indeed, but chiefly pastoral, producing a rich herbage, grazed by -innumerable herds, among which I observed with interest several flocks -of large birds, kept, as Esmo informed me, partly for their plumage. -This presented remarkable combinations of colour, far surpassing in -brilliancy and in variety of pattern the tail of the peacock, and -often rivalling in length and delicacy, while exceeding in beauty of -colouring, the splendid feathers which must have embarrassed the Bird -of Paradise, even before they rendered him an object of pursuit by -those who have learnt the vices and are eager to purchase the wares of -civilised man. Immediately across our course, at a distance of some -thirty miles, stretched a range of mountains. I inquired of Esmo how -the river turned in order to avoid them, since no opening was visible -even through my glass. - -"The proper course of the river," he said, "lies at the foot of those -hills. But this would take us out of our road, and, moreover, the -stream is not navigable for many stoloi above the turning-point. We -shall hold on nearly in the same direction as the present till we land -at their foot." - -"And how," I said, "are we to cross them?" - -"At your choice, either by carriage or by balloon," he said. "There is -at our landing-place a town in which we shall easily procure either." - -"But," said I, "though our luggage is far less heavy than would be -that of a bride on Earth, and Eveena's forms the smallest portion of -it, I should fancy that it must be inconveniently heavy for a -balloon." - -"Certainly," he replied; "but we could send it by carriage even over -the mountain roads. The boat, however, will go on, and will meet us -some thirty miles beyond the point where we leave it." - -"And how is the boat to pass over the hills?" - -"Not over, but under," he said, smiling. "There is no natural passage -entirely through the range, but there is within it a valley the bottom -of which is not much higher than this plain. Of the thirty miles to be -traversed, about one-half lies in the course of this valley, along -which an artificial canal has been made. Through the hills at either -end a tunnel has been cut, the one of six, the other of about nine -miles in length, affording a perfectly safe and easy course for the -boat; and it is through these that nearly all the heavy traffic -passing in this direction is conveyed." - -"I should like," I said, "if it be possible, to pass through one at -least of these tunnels, unless there be on the mountains themselves -something especially worth seeing." - -"Nothing," he replied. "They are low, none much exceeding the height -of that from which you descended." - -Eveena now joined us on deck, and we amused ourselves for the next two -hours in observing the different animals, of which such numbers were -to be seen at every turn, domesticated and trained for one or other of -the many methods in which the brutes can serve the convenience, the -sustenance, or the luxury of man. Animal food is eaten on Mars; but -the flesh of birds and fish is much more largely employed than that of -quadrupeds, and eggs and milk enter into the cuisine far more -extensively than either. In fact, flesh and fish are used much as they -seem to have been in the earlier period of Greek civilisation, as -relish and supplement to fruits, vegetables, and farinaceous dishes, -rather than as the principal element of food. As their training and -their extreme tameness indicate, domestic creatures, even those -destined only to serve as food or to furnish clothing, are treated not -indeed with tenderness, but with gentleness, and without either the -neglect or the cruelty which so revolt humane men in witnessing the -treatment of Terrestrial animals by those who have personal charge of -them. To describe any considerable number of the hundred forms I saw -during this short period would be impossible. I have drawings, or -rather pictures, of most, taken by the light-painting process, which I -hope herewith to remit to Earth, and which at least serve to give a -general idea of the points in which the Martial chiefly differs from -the Terrestrial fauna. Those animals whose coats furnish a textile -fibre more resemble reindeer and goats than sheep; their wool is -softer, longer, and less curly, free also from the greasiness of the -sheep. - -It seemed to me that an extreme quaintness characterised the domestic -creatures kept for special purposes. This was not the effect of mere -novelty, for animals like the _amba_ and birds like the _esve_, -trained to the performance of services congenial to their natural -habits, however dissimilar to Terrestrial species, had not the same -air of singularity, or rather of monstrosity. But in the creatures -bred to furnish wool, feathers, or the like, some single feature was -always exaggerated into disproportionate dimensions. Thus the -_elnerve_ is loaded with long plumes, sometimes twice the length of -the body, and curled upward at the extremity, so that it can neither -fly nor run; and though its plumage is exquisitely beautiful, the -creature itself is simply ludicrous. It bears the same popular repute -for sagacity as the goose of European farmyards. The _angasto_ has -hair or wool so long that its limbs are almost hidden, just before -shearing-time, in the tresses that hang from the body half way to the -ground. The _calperze_, a bird no larger than a Norfolk turkey, has -the hinder part developed to an enormous size, so that the graceful -peacock-like neck and shoulders appear as if lost in the huge -proportions of the body, and the little wings are totally unfit to -raise it in the air; while it lays almost daily eggs as large as those -of the ostrich and of peculiar richness and flavour. Nearly all the -domestic birds kept for the sake of eggs or feathers have wings that -look as if they had been clipped, and are incapable of flight. -Creatures valued for their flesh, such as the _quorno_ (somewhat like -the eland, but with the single horn so common among its congeners in -Mars, and with a soft white hide), and the _viste_, a bird about the -size of the peacock, with the form of the partridge and the flavour of -grouse or black game, preserve more natural proportions. The -wing-quills of the latter, however, having been systematically plucked -for hundreds of generations, are now dwarfed and useless. These -animals are not encouraged to make fat on the one hand, or to develop -powerful muscles and sinews on the other. They are fed for part of the -year on the higher and thinner pastures of the mountains. When brought -down to the meadows of the plain, they are allowed to graze only for a -few hours before sunset and after sunrise. They thus preserve much of -the flavour of game or mountain sheep and cattle, which the oxen and -poultry of Europe have lost; flavour, not quantity, being the chief -object of care with Martial graziers. Sometimes, however, some -peculiarity perfectly useless, or even inconvenient, appears to be -naturally associated with that which is artificially developed. Thus -the beak of the _elnerve_ is weak and often splits, so as to render -its rearing troublesome and entail considerable losses; while the -horns of the wool-bearing animals are long and strong enough to be -formidable, but so rough and coarsely grained that they are turned to -no account for use or ornament. - -We were rapidly approaching the foot of the hills, where the river -made another and abrupt turn. At this point the produce of the whole -upper valley is generally embarked, and supplies from all other -quarters are here received and distributed. In consequence, a town -large and important for this planet, where no one who can help it -prefers the crowded street to the freedom and expanse of the country, -had grown up, with about a hundred and fifty houses, and perhaps a -thousand inhabitants. It was so much matter of course that voyagers -should disembark to cross the hills or to pursue their journey along -the upper part of the river by road, that half-a-dozen different -partnerships made it their business to assist in the transfer of -passengers and light wares. Ahead of us was a somewhat steep -hill-slope, in the lower part of which a wall absolutely perpendicular -had been cut by those who pierced the tunnel, the mouth of which was -now clearly visible immediately before us. It was about twelve feet in -height, and perhaps twenty feet in width. The stream, which, like -nearly all Martial rivers, is wide and shallow, had during the last -fifty miles of our course grown narrower, with a depth at the same -time constantly lessening, so that some care was required on the part -of the pilot to avoid running aground. A stream of twenty inches in -depth, affording room for two boats to pass abreast, is considered -navigable for vessels only carrying passengers; thirty inches are -required to afford a course which for heavy freight is preferable to -the road. Eveena had taken it for granted that we should disembark -here, and it was not till we had come within a hundred yards of the -landing-place--where the bank was perpendicular and levelled to a -height above the water, which enabled passengers to step directly from -the deck of the boat--without slackening our speed, that the -possibility of our intending to accompany the boat on its subterrene -course occurred to her. As she did not speak, but merely drew closer -to me, and held fast my hand, I had no idea of her real distress till -we were actually at the mouth of the black and very frightful-looking -passage, and the pilot had lighted the electric lamp. As the boat shot -under the arch she could not repress a cry of terror. Naturally -putting my arm round her at this sign of alarm, I felt that she was -trembling violently, and a single look, despite her veil, convinced me -that she was crying, though in silence and doing her utmost to conceal -her tears. - -"Are you so frightened, child?" I asked. "I have been through many -subterranean passages, though none so long and dark as this. But you -see our lamp lights up not only the boat but the whole vault around -and before us, and there can be no danger whatever." - -"I am frightened, though," she said, "I cannot help it. I never saw -anything of the kind before; and the darkness behind and before us, -and the black water on either side, do make me shiver." - -"Stop!" I called to the boatman. - -"Now, Eveena," I said, "I do not care to persist in this journey if it -really distresses you. I wished to see so wonderful a work of -engineering; but, after all, I have been in a much uglier and more -wonderful place, and I can see nothing here stranger than when I was -rowed for three-quarters of a mile on the river in the Mammoth Cave. -In any case I shall see little but a continuation of what I see -already; so if you cannot bear it, we will go back." - -By this time Esmo, who had been in the bows, had joined us, wishing to -know why I had stopped the boat. - -"This child," I said, "is not used to travelling, and the tunnel -frightens her; so that I think, after all, we had better take the -usual course across the mountains." - -"Nonsense!" he answered. "There is no danger here; less probably than -in an ordinary drive, certainly less than in a balloon. Don't spoil -her, my friend. If you begin by yielding to so silly a caprice as -this, you will end by breaking her heart before the two years are -out." - -"Do go on," whispered Eveena. "I was very silly; I am not so -frightened now, and if you will hold me fast, I will not misbehave -again." - -Esmo had taken the matter out of my hands, desiring the boatman to -proceed; and though I sympathised with my bride's feminine terror much -more than her father appeared to do, I was selfishly anxious, in spite -of my declaration that there could be no novelty in this tunnel, to -see one thing certainly original--the means by which so narrow and so -long a passage could be efficiently ventilated. The least I could do, -however, was to appease Eveena's fear before turning my attention to -the objects of my own curiosity. The presence of physical strength, -which seemed to her superhuman, produced upon her nerves the quieting -effect which, however irrationally, great bodily force always -exercises over women; partly, perhaps, from the awe it seems to -inspire, partly from a yet more unreasonable but instinctive reliance -on its protection even in dangers against which it is obviously -unavailing. - -Presently a current of air, distinctly warmer than that of the tunnel, -which had been gradually increasing in force for some minutes, became -so powerful that I could no longer suppose it accidental. Kevima being -near us, I asked him what it meant. - -"Ventilation," he answered. "The air in these tunnels would be foul -and stagnant, perhaps unbreathable, if we did not drive a constant -current of air through them. You did not notice, a few yards from the -entrance, a wheel which drives a large fan. One of these is placed at -every half mile, and drives on the air from one end of the tunnel to -the other. They are reversed twice in a zyda, so that they may create -no constant counter-current outside." - -"But is not the power exerted to drive so great a body of air -exceedingly costly?" - -"No," he answered. "As you are aware, electricity is almost our only -motive power, and we calculate that the labour of two men, even -without the help of machines, could in their working zydau [eight -hours] collect and reduce a sufficient amount of the elements by which -the current is created to do the work of four hundred men during a -whole day and night." - -"And how long," I inquired, "has electricity had so complete a -monopoly of mechanical work?" - -"It was first brought into general use," he replied, "about eight -thousand years ago. Before that, heated air supplied our principal -locomotive force, as well as the power of stationary machines wherever -no waterfall of sufficient energy was at hand. For several centuries -the old powers were still employed under conditions favourable to -their use. But we have found electricity so much cheaper than the -cheapest of other artificial forces, so much more powerful than any -supplied by Nature, that we have long discontinued the employment of -any other. Even when we obtain electricity by means of heat, we find -that the gain in application more than compensates the loss in the -transmutation of one force into another." - -In the course of little more than half an hour we emerged from the -tunnel, whose gloom, when once the attraction of novelty was gone, was -certainly unpleasant to myself, if not by any means so frightful as -Eveena still found it. There was nothing specially attractive or -noticeable in the valley through which our course now ran, except the -extreme height of its mountain walls, which, though not by any means -perpendicular, rose to a height of some 3000 feet so suddenly that to -climb their sides would have been absolutely impossible. Only during -about two hours in the middle of the day is the sun seen from the -level of the stream; and it is dark in the bottom of this valley long -before the mist has fallen on the plain outside. We had presently, -however, to ascend a slope of some twenty-five feet in the mile, and I -was much interested in the peculiar method by which the ascent was -made. A mere ascent, not greater than that of some rapids up which -American boatmen have managed to carry their barques by manual force, -presented no great difficulty; but some skill is required at -particular points to avoid being overturned by the rush of the water, -and our vessel so careened as to afford much more excuse for Eveena's -outbreak of terror than the tunnel had done. Had I not held her fast -she must certainly have been thrown overboard, the pilot, used to the -danger, having forgotten to warn us. For the rest, in the absence of -rocks, the vessel ascended more easily than a powerful steamer, if she -could find sufficient depth, could make her way up the rapids of the -St. Lawrence or similar streams. We entered the second tunnel without -any sign of alarm from Eveena perceptible to others; only her clinging -to my hand expressed the fear of which she was ashamed but could not -rid herself. Emerging from its mouth, we found ourselves within sight -of the sea and of the town and harbour of Serocasfe, where we were -next day to embark. Landing from the boat, we were met by the friend -whose hospitality Esmo had requested. At his house, half a mile -outside the town, for the first time since our marriage I had to part -for a short period with Eveena, who was led away by the veiled -mistress of the house, while we remained in the entrance chamber or -hall. The evening meal was anticipated by two hours, in order that we -might attend the meeting at which my bride and I were to receive our -formal admission into the Zinta. - - - -CHAPTER XIII - THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT. - -"Probably," said Esmo, when, apparently at a sign from him, our host -left us for some minutes alone, "much through which you are about to -pass will seem to you childish or unmeaning. Ceremonial rendered -impressive to us by immemorial antiquity, and cherished the more -because so contrary to the absence of form and ceremony in the life -around us--symbolism which is really the more useful, the more -valuable, because it contains much deeper meaning than is ever -apparent at first sight--have proved their use by experience; and, as -they are generally witnessed for the first time in early youth, make a -sharper impression than they are likely to effect upon a mind like -yours. But they may seem strangely inconsistent with a belief which is -in itself so limited, and founded so absolutely upon logical proof or -practical evidence. The best testimony to the soundness of our policy -in this respect is the fact that our vows, and the rites by which they -are sanctioned, are never broken, that our symbols are regarded with -an awe which no threats, no penalties, can attach to the highest of -civil authorities or the most solemn legal sanctions. The language of -symbol, moreover, has for us two great advantages--one dependent upon -the depth of thought and knowledge with which the symbols themselves -were selected by our Founder, owing to which each generation finds in -them some new truth of which we never dreamed before; the other -arising from the fact that we are a small select body in the midst of -a hostile and jealous race, from whom it is most important to keep the -key of communications which, without the appearance, have all the -effect of ciphers." - -"I find," I replied, "in my own world that every religion and every -form of occult mysticism, nay, every science, in its own way and -within its own range, attaches great importance to symbols in -themselves apparently arbitrary. Experience shows that these, symbols -often contain a clue to more than they were originally meant to -convey, and can be employed in reasonings far beyond the grasp of -those who first invented or adopted them. That a body like the _Zinta_ -could be held together without ceremonial and without formalities, -which, if they had no other value, would have the attraction of -secresy and exclusiveness, seems obviously impossible." - -Here our host rejoined us. We passed into the gallery, where several -persons were awaiting us; the men for the most part wearing a small -vizor dependent from the turban, which concealed their faces; the -women all, without exception, closely veiled. As soon as Esmo -appeared, the party formed themselves into a sort of procession two -and two. Motioning me to take the last place, Esmo passed himself to -its head. If the figure beside me were not at once recognised, I could -not mistake the touch of the hand that stole into my own. The lights -in the gallery were extinguished, and then I perceived a lamp held at -the end of a wand of crystal, which gleamed above Esmo's head, and -sufficed to guide us, giving light enough to direct our footsteps and -little more. Perhaps this half-darkness, the twilight which gave a -certain air of mystery to the scene and of uncertainty to the forms of -objects encountered on our route, had its own purpose. We reached very -soon the end of the gallery, and then the procession turned and passed -suddenly into another chamber, apparently narrow, but so faintly -lighted by the lamp in our leader's hands that its dimensions were -matter of mere conjecture. That we were descending a somewhat steep -incline I was soon aware; and when we came again on to level ground I -felt sure that we were passing through a gallery cut in natural rock. -The light was far too dim to enable me to distinguish any openings in -the walls; but the procession constantly lengthened, though it was -impossible to see where and when new members joined. Suddenly the -light disappeared. I stood still for a moment in surprise, and when I -again went forward I became speedily conscious that all our companions -had vanished, and that we stood alone in utter darkness. Fearing to -lead Eveena further where my own steps were absolutely uncertain, I -paused for some time, and with little difficulty decided to remain -where I was, until something should afford an indication of the -purpose of those who had brought us so far, and who must know, if they -had not actual means of observing, that in darkness and solitude I -should not venture to proceed. - -Presently, as gradually as in Northern climates the night passes into -morning twilight, the darkness became less absolute. Whence the light -came it was impossible to perceive. Diffused all around and slowly -broadening, it just enabled me to discern a few paces before us the -verge of a gulf. This might have been too shallow for inconvenience, -it might have been deep enough for danger. I waited till my eyes -should be able to penetrate its interior; but before the light entered -it I perceived, apparently growing across it, really coming gradually -into view under the brightening gleam, a species of bridge which--when -the twilight ceased to increase, and remained as dim as that cast by -the crescent moon--assumed the outline of a slender trunk supported by -wings, dark for the most part but defined along the edge by a narrow -band of brightest green, visible in a gleam too faint to show any -object of a deeper shade. Somewhat impatient of the obvious symbolism, -I hurried Eveena forward. Immediately on the other side of the bridge -the path turned almost at right angles; and here a gleam of light -ahead afforded a distinct guidance to our steps. Approaching it, we -were challenged, and I gave the answer with which I had been -previously furnished; an answer which may not be, as it never has -been, written down. A door parted and admitted us into a small -vestibule, at the other end of which a full and bright light streamed -through a portal of translucent crystal. A sentinel, armed only with -the antiquated spear which may have been held by his first predecessor -in office ten thousand Martial years ago, now demanded our names. Mine -he simply repeated, but as I gave that of Eveena, daughter of Esmo, he -lowered his weapon in the salute still traditional among Martial -sentries; and bending his head, touched with his lips the long sleeve -of the cloak of _therne_-down in which she was on this occasion again -enveloped. This homage appeared to surprise her almost as much as -myself, but we had no leisure for observation or inquiry. From behind -the crystal door another challenge was uttered. To this it was the -sentry's part to reply, and as he answered the door parted; that at -the other end of the vestibule having, I observed, closed as we -entered, and so closed that its position was undiscoverable. Before us -opened a hall of considerable size, consisting of three distinct -vaults, defined by two rows of pillars, slender shafts resembling tall -branchless trees, the capital of each being formed by a branching head -like that of the palm. The trunks were covered with golden scales; the -fern-like foliage at the summit was of a bright sparkling emerald. It -was evident to my observation that the entire hall had been excavated -from solid rock, and the pillars left in their places. Each of the -side aisles, if I may so call them, was occupied by four rows of seats -similarly carved in the natural stone; but lined after Martial -fashion, with cushions embroidered in feathers and metals, and covered -by woven fabrics finer than any known to the looms of Lyons or -Cashmere. About two-thirds of the seats were occupied; those to the -right as we entered (that is, on the left of the dais at the end of -the hall) by men, those opposite by women. All, I observed, rose for a -moment as Eveena's name was announced, from the further end of the -hall, by the foremost of three or four persons vested in silver, with -belts of the crimson metal which plays the part of our best-tempered -steel, and bearing in their hands wands of a rose-coloured jewel -resembling a clouded onyx in all but the hue. Each of them wore over -his dress a band or sash of gold, fastened on the left shoulder and -descending to the belt on the right, much resembling the ribbons of -European knighthood. These supported on the left breast a silver star, -or heraldic mullet, of six points. Throughout the rest of the assembly -a similar but smaller star glimmered on every breast, supported, -however, by green or silver bands, the former worn by the body of the -assembly, the latter by a few persons gathered together for the most -part at the upper end of the chamber.... The chief who had first -addressed us bade us pass on, and we left the Hall of the Novitiate as -accepted members of the Order.... That into which we next entered was -so dark that its form and dimensions were scarcely defined to my eyes. -I supposed it, however, to be circular, surmounted by a dome -resembling in colour the olive green Martial sky and spangled by -stars, among which I discerned one or two familiar constellations, but -most distinctly, brightened far beyond its natural brilliancy, the -arch of the _Via Lactea_. Presently, not on any apparent sheet or -screen but as in the air before us, appeared a narrow band of light -crossing the entire visible space. It resembled a rope twisted of -three strands, two of a deep dull hue, the one apparently orange, the -other brown or crimson, contrasting the far more brilliant emerald -strand that formed the third portion of the threefold cord. I had -learnt by this time that metallic cords so twined serve in Mars most -of the uses for which chains are employed on Earth, and I assumed that -this symbol possessed the significance which poetry or ritual might -attach to the latter. - -This cord or band retained its position throughout, crossing the dark -background of the scenes now successively presented, each of which -melted into its successor--rapidly, but so gradually that there was -never a distinct point of division, a moment at which it was possible -to say that any new feature was first introduced. - -A bright mist of various colours intermixed in inextricable confusion, -an image of chaos but for the dim light reflected from all the -particles, filled a great part of the space before us, but the cord -was still discernible in the background. Presently, a bright -rose-coloured point of light, taking gradually the form of an Eye, -appeared above the cord and beyond the mist; and, emanating from it, a -ray of similar light entered the motionless vapour. Then a movement, -whose character it was not easy to discern, but which constantly -became more and more evidently rhythmical and regular, commenced in -the mist. Within a few moments the latter had dissolved, leaving in -its place the semblance of stars, star-clusters, and golden nebulae, -as dim and confused as that in the sword-belt of Orion, or as well -defined as any of those called by astronomers planetary. -"What seest thou?" said a voice whose very direction I could not -recognise. - -"Cosmos evolved out of confusion by Law; Law emanating from Supreme -Wisdom and irresistible Will." - -"And in the triple band?" - -"The continuity of Time and Space preserved by the continuity of Law, -and controlled by the Will that gave Law." - -While I spoke a single nebula grew larger, brighter, and filled the -entire space given throughout to the pictures presented to us; stars -and star-clusters gradually fading away into remoter distance. This -nebula, of spherical shape--formed of coarser particles than the -previous mist, and reflecting or radiating a more brilliant -effulgence--was in rapid whirling motion. It flattened into the form -of a disc, apparently almost circular, of considerable depth or -thickness, visibly denser in the centre and thinner towards the -rounded edge. Presently it condensed and contracted, leaving at each -of the several intervals a severed ring. Most of these rings broke up, -their fragments conglomerated and forming a sphere; one in particular -separating into a multitude of minuter spheres, others assuming a -highly elliptical form, condensing here and thinning out there; while -the central mass grew brighter and denser as it contracted; till there -lay before me a perfect miniature of the solar system, with planets, -satellites, asteroids, and meteoric rings. - -"What seest thou?" again I heard. - -"Intelligence directing Will, and Will by Law developing the microcosm -of which this world is one of the smallest parts." - -The orb which represented Mars stood still in the centre of the space, -and this orb soon occupied the whole area. It assumed at first the -form of a vast vaporous globe; then contracted to a comparatively -small sphere, glowing as if more than red-hot, and leaving as it -contracted two tiny balls revolving round their primary. The latter -gradually faded till it gave out no light but that which from some -unseen source was cast upon it, one-half consequently contrasting in -darkness the reflected brightness of the other. Ere long it presented -the appearance of sea and land, of cloud, of snow, and ice, and became -a perfect image of the Martial sphere. Then it gave place to a globe -of water alone, within which the processes of crystallisation, as -exhibited first in its simpler then in its more complicated forms, -were beautifully represented. Then there appeared, I knew not how, but -seemingly developed by the same agency and in the same manner as the -crystals, a small transparent sphere within the watery globe, -containing itself a spherical nucleus. From this were evolved -gradually two distinct forms, one resembling very much some of the -simplest of those transparent creatures which the microscope exhibits -to us in the water drop, active, fierce, destructive in their scale of -size and life as the most powerful animals of the sea and land. The -other was a tiny fragment of tissue, gradually shaping itself into the -simplest and smallest specimens of vegetable life. The watery globe -disappeared, and these two were left alone. From each gradually -emerged, growing in size, complexity, and distinctness, one form after -another of higher organisation. - -"What seest thou?" - -"Life called out of lifelessness by Law." - -Again, so gradually that no step of the process could be separately -distinguished, formed a panorama of vegetable and animal life; a -landscape in which appeared some dozen primal shapes of either -kingdom. Each of these gradually dissolved, passing by slow degrees -into several higher or more perfect shapes, till there stood before -our eyes a picture of life as it exists at present; and Man in its -midst, more obviously even than on Earth, dominating and subduing the -fellow-creatures of whom he is lord. From which of the innumerable -animal forms that had been presented to us in the course of these -transmutations this supreme form had arisen, I did not note or cannot -remember. But that no true ape appeared among them, I do distinctly -recollect, having been on the watch for the representation of such an -epoch in the pictured history. - -What was now especially noteworthy was that, solid as they appeared, -each form was in some way transparent. From the Emblem before -mentioned a rose-coloured light pervaded the scene; scarcely -discernible in the general atmosphere, faintly but distinctly -traceable in every herb, shrub, and tree, more distinguishable and -concentrated in each animal. But in plant or animal the condensed -light was never separated and individualised, never parted from, -though obviously gathered and agglomerated out of, the generally -diffused rosy sheen that tinged the entire landscape. It was as though -the rose-coloured light formed an atmosphere which entered and passed -freely through the tissues of each animal and plant, but brightened -and deepened in those portions which at any moment pervaded any -organised shape, while it flowed freely in and out of all. The -concentration was most marked, the connection with the diffused -atmosphere least perceptible, in those most intelligent creatures, -like the _amba_ and _carve_, which in the service of man appear to -have acquired a portion of human intelligence. But turning to the type -of Man himself, the light within his body had assumed the shape of the -frame it filled and appeared to animate. In him the rose-coloured -image which exactly corresponded to the body that encased it was -perfectly individualised, and had no other connection with the -remainder of the light than that it appeared to emanate and to be fed -from the original source. As I looked, the outward body dissolved, the -image of rosy light stood alone, as human and far more beautiful than -before, rose upward, and passed away. - -"What seest thou?" was uttered in an even more earnest and solemn tone -than heretofore. - -"Life," I said, "physical and spiritual; the one sustained by the -other, the spiritual emanating from the Source of Life, pervading all -living forms, affording to each the degree of individuality and of -intelligence needful to it, but in none forming an individual entity -apart from the race, save in Man himself; and in Man forming the -individual being, whereof the flesh is but the clothing and the -instrument." - -The whole scene suddenly vanished in total darkness; only again in one -direction a gleam of light appeared, and guided us to a portal through -which we entered another long and narrow passage, terminating in a -second vestibule before a door of emerald crystal, brilliantly -illuminated by a light within. Here, again, our steps were arrested. -The door was guarded by two sentries, in whom I recognised Initiates -of the Order, wearers of the silver sash and star. The password and -sign, whispered to me as we left the Hall of the Novitiate, having -been given, the door parted and exposed to our view the inmost -chamber, a scene calculated to strike the eye and impress the mind not -more by its splendour and magnificence than by the unexpected -character it displayed. It represented a garden, but the boundaries -were concealed by the branching trees, the arches of flowering -creepers, the thickets of flowers, shrubs, and tall reeds, which in -every direction imitated so perfectly the natural forms that the -closest scrutiny would have been required to detect their -artificiality. The general form, however, seemed to be that of a -square entered by a very short, narrow passage, and divided by broad -paths, forming a cross of equal arms. At the central point of this -cross was placed on a pedestal of emerald a statue in gold, which -recalled at once the features of the Founder. The space might have -accommodated two thousand persons, but on the seats--of a material -resembling ivory, each of them separately formed and gathered in -irregular clusters--there were not, I thought, more than four hundred -or five hundred men and women intermingled; the former dressed for the -most part in green, the latter in pink or white, and all wearing the -silver band and star. At the opposite end, closing the central aisle, -was a low narrow platform raised by two steps carved out of the -natural rock, but inlaid with jewellery imitating closely the -variegated turf of a real garden. On this were placed, slanting -backward towards the centre, two rows of six golden seats or thrones, -whose occupants wore the golden band over silver robes. That next the -interval, but to the left, was filled by Esmo, who to my surprise wore -a robe of white completely covering his figure, and contrasting -signally the golden sash to which his star was attached. On his left -arm, bare below the elbow, I noticed a flat thick band of plain gold, -with an emerald seal, bearing the same proportion to the bracelet as a -large signet to its finger ring. What struck me at once as most -remarkable was, that the seats on the dais and the forms of their -occupiers were signally relieved against a background of intense -darkness, whose nature, however, I could not discern. The roof was in -form a truncated pyramid; its material a rose-coloured crystal, -through which a clear soft light illuminated the whole scene. Across -the floor of the entrance, immediately within the portal, was a broad -band of the same crystal, marking the formal threshold of the Hall. -Immediately inside this stood the same Chief who had received us in -the former Hall; and as we stood at the door, stretching forth his -left hand, he spoke, or rather chanted, what, by the rhythmical -sequence of the words, by the frequent recurrence of alliteration and -irregular rhyme, was evidently a formula committed to the verse of the -Martial tongue: a formula, like all those of the Order, never written, -but handed down by memory, and therefore, perhaps, cast in a shape -which rendered accurate remembrance easier and more certain. - - "Ye who, lost in outer night, - Reach at last the Source of Light, - Ask ye in that light to dwell? - None we urge and none repel; - Opens at your touch the door, - Bright within the lamp of lore. - Yet beware! The threshold passed, - Fixed the bond, the ball is cast. - Failing heart or faltering feet - Find nor pardon nor retreat. - Loyal faith hath guerdon given - Boundless as the star-sown Heaven; - Horror fathomless and gloom - Rayless veil the recreant's doom. - Warned betimes, in time beware--Freely - turn, or frankly swear." - -"What am I to swear?" I asked. - -A voice on my left murmured in a low tone the formula, which I -repeated, Eveena accompanying my words in an almost inaudible -whisper-- - - "Whatsoe'er within the Shrine - Eyes may see or soul divine, - Swear we secret as the deep, - Silent as the Urn to keep. - By the Light we claim to share, - By the Fount of Light, we swear." - -As these words were uttered, I became aware that some change had taken -place at the further end of the Hall. Looking up, the dark background -had disappeared, and under a species of deep archway, behind the seats -of the Chiefs, was visible a wall diapered in ruby and gold, and -displaying in various interwoven patterns the several symbols of the -Zinta. Towards the roof, exactly in the centre, was a large silver -star, emitting a light resembling that which the full moon sheds on a -tropical scene, but far more brilliant. Around this was a broad golden -circle or band; and beneath, the silver image of a serpent--perfectly -reproducing a typical terrestrial snake, but coiled, as no snake ever -coils itself, in a double circle or figure of eight, with the tail -wound around the neck. On the left was a crimson shield or what seemed -to be such, small, round, and swelling in the centre into a sharp -point; on the right three crossed spears of silver with crimson blades -pointed upward. But the most remarkable object--immediately filling -the interval between the seats of the Chiefs, and carved from a huge -cubic block of emerald--was a Throne, ascended on each side by five or -six steps, the upper step or seat extending nearly across the whole -some two feet below the surface, the next forming a footstool thereto. -Above this was a canopy, seemingly self-supported, of circular form. A -chain formed by interlaced golden circles was upheld by four great -emerald wings. Within the chain, again, was the silver Serpent, coiled -as before and resting upon a surface of foliage and flowers. In the -centre of all was repeated the silver Star within the golden band; the -emblem from which the Order derives its name, and in which it embodies -its deepest symbolism. Following again the direction of my unseen -prompter, I repeated words which may be roughly translated as -follows:-- - - "By the outer Night of gloom, - By the ray that leads us home, - By the Light we claim to share, - By the Fount of Light, we swear. - Prompt obedience, heart and hand, - To the Signet's each command: - For the Symbols, reverence mute, - In the Sense faith absolute. - Link by link to weld the Chain, - Link with link to bear the strain; - Cherish all the Star who wear, - As the Starlight's self--we swear. - By the Life the Light to prove, - In the Circle's bound to move; - Underneath the all-seeing Eye - Act, nor speak, nor think the lie; - Live, as warned that Life shall last, - And the Future reap the Past: - Clasp in faith the Serpent's rings, - Trust through death the Emerald Wings, - Hand and voice we plight the Oath: - Fade the life ere fail the troth!" - -Rising from his seat and standing immediately before and to the left -of the Throne, Esmo replied. But before he had spoken half-a-dozen -words, a pressure on my arm drew my eyes from him to Eveena. She stood -fixed as if turned to stone, in an attitude which for one fleeting -instant recalled that of the sculptured figures undergoing sudden -petrifaction at the sight of the Gorgon's head. This remembered -resemblance, or an instinctive sympathy, at once conveyed to me the -consciousness that the absolute stillness of her attitude expressed a -horror or an awe too deep for trembling. Looking into her eyes, which -alone were visible, their gaze fixed intently on the Throne, at once -caught and controlled my own; and raising my eyes again to the same -point, I stood almost equally petrified by consternation and -amazement. I need not say how many marvels of no common character I -have seen on Earth; how many visions that, if I told them, none who -have not shared them would believe; wonders that the few who have seen -them can never forget, nor--despite all experience and all theoretical -explanation--recall without renewing the thrill of awe-stricken dismay -with which the sight was first beheld. But no marvel of the Mystic -Schools, no spectral scene, objective or subjective, ever evoked by -the rarest of occult powers, so startled, so impressed me as what I -now saw, or thought I saw. The Throne, on which but a few moments -before my eyes had been steadily fixed, and which had then assuredly -been vacant, was now occupied; and occupied by a Presence which, -though not seen in the flesh for ages, none who had ever looked on the -portrait that represented it could forget or mistake. The form, the -dress, the long white hair and beard, the grave, dignified -countenance, above all the deep, scrutinising, piercing eyes of the -Founder--as I had seen them on a single occasion in Esmo's house--were -now as clearly, as forcibly, presented to my sight as any figure in -the flesh I ever beheld. The eyes were turned on me with a calm, -searching, steady gaze, whose effect was such as Southey ascribes to -Indra's:-- - - "The look he gave was solemn, not severe; - No hope to Kailyal it conveyed, - And yet it struck no fear." - -For a moment they rested on Eveena's veiled and drooping figure with a -widely different expression. That look, as I thought, spoke a grave -but passionless regret or pity, as of one who sees a child -unconsciously on the verge of peril or sorrow that admits neither of -warning nor rescue. That look happily she did not read; but we both -saw the same object and in the same instant; we both stood amazed and -appalled long enough to render our hesitation not only apparent, but -striking to all around, many of whom, following the direction of my -gaze, turned their eyes upon the Throne. What they saw or did not see -I know not, and did not then care to think. The following formula, -pronounced by Esmo, had fallen not unheard, but almost unheeded on my -ears, though one passage harmonised strangely with the sight before -me:-- - - "Passing sign and fleeting breath - Bind the Soul for life and death! - Lifted hand and plighted word - Eyes have seen and ears have heard; - Eyes have seen--nor ours alone; - Fell the sound on ears unknown. - Age-long labour, strand by strand, - Forged the immemorial band; - Never thread hath known decay, - Never link hath dropped away." - -Here he paused and beckoned us to advance. The sign, twice repeated -before I could obey it, at last broke the spell that enthralled me. -Under the most astounding or awe-striking circumstances, instinct -moves our limbs almost in our own despite, and leads us to do with -paralysed will what has been intended or is expected of us. This -instinct, and no conscious resolve to overcome the influence that held -me spell-bound, enabled me to proceed; and I led Eveena forward by -actual if gentle force, till we reached the lower step of the -platform. Here, at a sign from her father, we knelt, while, laying his -hands on our heads, and stooping to kiss each upon the brow--Eveena -raising her veil for one moment and dropping it again--he continued-- - - "So we greet you evermore, - Brethren of the deathless Lore; - So your vows our own renew, - Sworn to all as each to you. - Yours at once the secrets won - Age by age, from sire to son; - Yours the fruit through countless years - Grown by thought and toil and tears. - He who guards you guards his own, - He who fails you fails the Throne." - -The last two lines were repeated, as by a simultaneous impulse, in a -low but audible tone by the whole assembly. In the meantime Esmo had -invested each of us with the symbol of our enrolment in the Zinta, the -silver sash and Star of the Initiates. The ceremonial seemed to me to -afford that sort of religious sanction and benediction which had been -so signally wanting to the original form of our union. As we rose I -turned my eyes for a moment upon the Throne, now vacant as at first. -Another Chief, followed by the voices of the assembly, repeated, in a -low deep tone, which fell on our ears as distinctly as the loudest -trumpet-note in the midst of absolute silence, the solemn -imprecation-- - - "Who denies a brother's need, - Who in will, or word, or deed, - Breaks the Circle's bounded line, - Rends the Veil that guards the Shrine, - Lifts the hand to lips that lie, - Fronts the Star with soothless eye:--. - Dreams of horror haunt his rest, - Storms of madness vex his breast, - Snares surround him, Death beset, - Man forsake--and God forget!" - -It was probably rather the tone of profound conviction and almost -tremulous awe with which these words were slowly enunciated by the -entire assemblage, than their actual sense, though the latter is -greatly weakened by my translation, that gave them an effect on my own -mind such as no oath and no rite, however solemn, no religious -ceremonial, no forms of the most secret mysteries, had ever produced. -I was not surprised that Eveena was far more deeply affected. Even the -earlier words of the imprecation had caused her to shudder; and ere it -closed she would have sunk to the ground, but for the support of my -arm. Disengaging the bracelet, Esmo held out to our lips the signet, -which, as I now perceived, reproduced in miniature the symbols that -formed the canopy above the throne. A few moments of deep and solemn -silence had elapsed, when one of the Chiefs, who, except Esmo, had now -resumed their seats, rose, and addressing himself to the latter, -said-- - -"The Initiate has shown in the Hall of the Vision a knowledge of the -sense embodied in our symbols, of the creed and thoughts drawn from -them, which he can hardly have learned in the few hours that have -elapsed since you first spoke to him of their existence. If there be -not in his world those who have wrought out for themselves similar -truths in not dissimilar forms, he must possess a rare and almost -instinctive power to appreciate the lessons we can teach. I will ask -your permission, therefore, to put to him but one question, and that -the deepest and most difficult of all." - -Esmo merely bent his head in reply. - -"Can you," said the speaker, turning to me with marked courtesy, "draw -meaning or lesson from the self-entwined coil of the Serpent?" - -I need not repeat an answer which, to those familiar with the oldest -language of Terrestrial symbolism, would have occurred as readily as -to myself; and which, if they could understand it, it would not be -well to explain to others. The three principal elements of thought -represented by the doubly-coiled serpent are the same in Mars as on -Earth, confirming in so far the doctrine of the Zinta, that their -symbolic language is not arbitrary, but natural, formed on principles -inherent in the correspondence between things spiritual and physical. -Some similar but trivial query, whose purport I have now forgotten, -was addressed by the junior of the Chiefs to Eveena; and I was struck -by the patient courtesy with which he waited till, after two or three -efforts, she sufficiently recovered her self-possession to understand -and her voice to answer. We then retired, taking our place on seats -remote from the platform, and at some distance from any of our -neighbours. - -On a formal invitation, one after another of the brethren rose and -read a brief account of some experiment or discovery in the science of -the Order. The principles taken for granted as fundamental and -notorious truths far transcend the extremest speculations of -Terrestrial mysticism. The powers claimed as of course so infinitely -exceed anything alleged by the most ardent believers in mesmerism, -clairvoyance, or spiritualism, that it would be useless to relate the -few among these experiments which I remember and might be permitted to -repeat. I observed that a phonographic apparatus of a peculiarly -elaborate character wrote down every word of these accounts without -obliging the speakers to approach it; and I was informed that this -automatic reporting is employed in every Martial assembly, scientific, -political, or judicial. - -I listened with extreme interest, and was more than satisfied that -Esmo had even underrated the powers claimed by and for the lowest and -least intelligent of his brethren, when he said that these, and these -alone, could give efficient protection or signal vengeance against all -the tremendous physical forces at command of those State authorities, -one of the greatest of whom I had made my personal enemy. One -battalion of Martial guards or police, accompanied by a single battery -of what I may call their artillery, might, even without the aid of a -balloon-squadron, in half-an-hour annihilate or scatter to the winds -the mightiest and bravest army that Europe could send forth. Yet the -Martial State had deliberately, and, I think, with only a due -prudence, shrunk during ages from an open conflict of power with the -few thousand members of this secret but inevitably suspected -organisation. - -Esmo called on me in my turn to give such account as I might choose of -my own world, and my journey thence. I frankly avowed my indisposition -to explain the generation and action of the apergic force. The power -which a concurrent knowledge of two separate kinds of science had -given to a very few Terrestrials, and which all the science of a far -more enlightened race had failed to attain, was in my conscientious -conviction a Providential trust; withheld from those in whose hands it -might be a fearful temptation and an instrument of unbounded evil. My -reserve was perfectly intelligible to the Children of the Star, and -evidently raised me in their estimation. I was much impressed by the -simple and unaffected reliance placed on my statements, as on those of -every other member of the Order. As a rule, Martialists are both, and -not without reason, to believe any unsupported statement that might be -prompted by interest or vanity. But the _Zveltau_ can trust one -another's word more fully than the followers of Mahomet that of his -strictest disciples, or the most honest nations of the West the most -solemn oaths of their citizens; while that bigotry of scientific -unbelief, that narrowness of thought which prevails among their -countrymen, has been dispelled by their wider studies and loftier -interests. They have a saying, whose purport might be rendered in the -proverbial language of the Aryans by saying that the liar "kills the -goose that lays the golden eggs." Again, "The liar is like an -opiatised tunneller" (miner), i.e., more likely to blow himself to -pieces than to effect his purpose. Again, "The liar drives the point -into a friend's heart, and puts the hilt into a foe's hand." The maxim -that "a lie is a shield in sore need, but the spear of a scoundrel," -affirms the right in extremity to preserve a secret from impertinent -inquisitiveness. Rarely, but on some peculiarly important occasions, -the Zveltau avouch their sincerity by an appeal to their own symbols; -and it is affirmed that an oath attested by the Circle and the Star -has never, in the lapse of ages, been broken or evaded. - -Before midnight Esmo dismissed the assembly by a formula which dimly -recalled to memory one heard in my boyhood. It is not in the power of -my translation to preserve the impressive solemnity of the immemorial -ritual of the Zinta, deepened alike by the earnestness of its -delivery, and the reverence of the hearers. There was something -majestic in the mere antiquity of a liturgy whereof no word has ever -been committed to writing. Five hundred generations have, it is -alleged, gathered four times in each year in the Hall of Initiation; -and every meeting has been concluded by the utterance from the same -spot and in the same words of the solemn but simple _Zulvakalfe_ [word -of peace]:-- - - "Peace be with you, near and far, - Children of the Silver Star; - Lore undoubting, conscience clean, - Hope assured, and life serene. - By the Light that knows no flaw, - By the Circle's perfect law, - By the Serpent's life renewed, - By the Wings' similitude-- - Peace be yours no force can break; - Peace not death hath power to shake; - Peace from passion, sin, and gloom, - Peace of spirit, heart, and home; - Peace from peril, fear, and pain; - Peace, until we meet again-- - Meet--before yon sculptured stone, - Or the All-Commander's Throne." - -Before we finally parted, Esmo gave me two or three articles to which -he attached especial value. The most important of these was a small -cube of translucent stone, in which a multitude of diversely coloured -fragments were combined; so set in a tiny swivel or swing of gold that -it might be conveniently attached to the watch-chain, the only -Terrestrial article that I still wore. "This," he said, "will test -nearly every poison known to our science; each poison discolouring for -a time one or another of the various substances of which it is -composed; and poison is perhaps the weapon least unlikely to be -employed against you when known to be connected with myself, and, I -will hope, to possess the favour of the Sovereign. If you are curious -to verify its powers, the contents of the tiny medicine-chest I have -given you will enable you to do so. There is scarcely one of those -medicines which is not a single or a combined poison of great power. I -need not warn you to be careful lest you give to any one the means of -reaching them. I have shown you the combination of magnets which will -open each of your cases; that demanded by the chest is the most -complicated of all, and one which can hardly be hit upon by accident. -Nor can any one force or pick open a case locked by our electric -apparatus, save by cutting to pieces the metal of the case itself, and -this only special tools will accomplish; and, unless peculiarly -skilful, the intruder would 'probably be maimed or paralysed, if not -killed by ... - - "Thoughts he sends to each planet, - Uranus, Venus, and Mars; - Soars to the Centre to span it, - Numbers the infinite Stars." - - _Courthope's Paradise of Birds_ - - - -CHAPTER XIV - BY SEA. - -An hour after sunrise next morning. Esmo, his son, and our host -accompanied us to the vessel in which we were to make the principal -part of our journey. We were received by an officer of the royal -Court, who was to accompany us during the rest of our journey, and -from whom, Esrno assured me, I might obtain the fullest information -regarding the various objects of interest, to visit which we had -adopted an unusual and circuitous course. We embarked on a gulf -running generally from east to west, about midway between the northern -tropic and the arctic circle. As this was the summer of the northern -hemisphere, we should thus enjoy a longer day, and should not suffer -from the change of climate. After taking leave of our friends, we went -down below to take possession of the fore part of the vessel, which -was assigned as our exclusive quarters. Immediately in front of the -machine-room, which occupied the centre of the vessel, were two -cabins, about sixteen feet square, reaching from side to side. Beyond -these, opening out of a passage running along one side, were two -smaller cabins about eight feet long. All these apartments were -furnished and ornamented with the luxury and elegance of chambers in -the best houses on shore. In the foremost of the larger cabins were a -couple of desks, and three or four writing or easy chairs. In the -outer cabin nearest to the engine-room, and entered immediately by the -ladder descending from the deck, was fixed a low central table. In all -we found abundance of those soft exquisitely covered and embroidered -cushions which in Mars, as in Oriental countries, are the most -essential and most luxurious furniture. The officer had quarters in -the stern of the vessel, which was an exact copy of the fore part. But -the first of these rooms was considered as public or neutral ground. -Leaving Eveena below, I went on deck to examine, before she started, -the construction of the vessel. Her entire length was about one -hundred and eighty feet, her depth, from the flat deck to the wide -keel, about one half of her breadth; the height of the cabins not much -more than eight feet; her draught, when most completely lightened, not -more than four feet. Her electric machinery drew in and drove out with -great force currents of water which propelled her with a speed greater -than that afforded by the most powerful paddles. It also pumped in or -out, at whatever depth, the quantity of water required as ballast, not -merely to steady the vessel, but to keep her in position on the -surface or to sink her to the level at which the pilot might choose to -sail. At either end was fixed a steering screw, much resembling the -tail-fin of a fish, capable of striking sideways, upwards, or -downwards, and directing our course accordingly. - -Ergimo, our escort, had not yet reached middle age, but was a man of -exceptional intellect and unusual knowledge. He had made many voyages, -and had occupied for some time an important official post on one of -those Arctic continents which are inhabited only by the hunters -employed in collecting the furs and skins furnished exclusively by -these lands. The shores of the gulf were lofty, rocky, and -uninteresting. It was difficult to see any object on shore from the -deck of the vessel, and I assented, therefore, without demur, after -the first hour of the voyage, to his proposal that the lights, -answering to our hatches, should be closed, and that the vessel should -pursue her course below the surface. This was the more desirable that, -though winds and storms are, as I have said, rare, these long and -narrow seas with their lofty shores are exposed to rough currents, -atmospheric and marine, which render a voyage on the surface no more -agreeable than a passage in average weather across the Bay of Biscay. -After descending I was occupied for some time in studying, with -Ergimo's assistance, the arrangement of the machinery, and the simple -process by which electric force is generated in quantities adequate to -any effort at a marvellously small expenditure of material. In this -form the Martialists assert that they obtain without waste all the -potential energy stored in ... [About half a score lines, or two pages -of an ordinary octavo volume like this, are here illegible.] She -(Eveena?) was somewhat pale, but rose quickly, and greeted me with a -smile of unaffected cheerfulness, and was evidently surprised as well -as pleased that I was content to remain alone with her, our -conversation turning chiefly on the lessons of last night. Our time -passed quickly till, about the middle of the day, we were startled by -a shock which, as I thought, must be due to our having run aground or -struck against a rock. But when I passed into the engine-room, Ergimo -explained that the pilot was nowise in fault. We had encountered one -of those inconveniences, hardly to be called perils, which are -peculiar to the waters of Mars. Though animals hostile or dangerous to -man have been almost extirpated upon the land, creatures of a type -long since supposed to be extinct on Earth still haunt the depths of -the Martial seas; and one of these--a real sea-serpent of above a -hundred feet in length and perhaps eight feet in circumference--had -attacked our vessel, entangling the steering screw in his folds and -trying to crush it, checking, at the same time, by his tremendous -force the motion of the vessel. - -"We shall soon get rid of him, though," said Ergimo, as I followed him -to the stern, to watch with great interest the method of dealing with -the monster, whose strange form was visible through a thick crystal -pane in the stern-plate. The asphyxiator could not have been used -without great risk to ourselves. But several tubes, filled with a soft -material resembling cork, originally the pith of a Martial cane of -great size, were inserted in the floor, sides, and deck of the vessel, -and through the centre of each of these passed a strong metallic wire -of great conducting power. Two or three of those in the stern were -placed in contact with some of the electric machinery by which the -rudder was usually turned, and through them were sent rapid and -energetic currents, whose passage rendered the covering of the wires, -notwithstanding their great conductivity, too hot to be touched. We -heard immediately a smothered sound of extraordinary character, which -was, in truth, no other than a scream deadened partly by the water, -partly by the thick metal sheet interposed between us and the element. -The steering screw was set in rapid motion, and at first revolving -with some difficulty, afterwards moving faster and more regularly, -presently released us. Its rotation was stopped, and we resumed our -course. The serpent had relaxed his folds, stunned by the shock, but -had not disentangled himself from the screw, till its blades, no -longer checked by the tremendous force of his original grasp, striking -him a series of terrific blows, had broken the vertebrae and paralysed -if not killed the monstrous enemy. - -At each side of the larger chambers and of the engine-room were fixed -small thick circular windows, through which we could see from time to -time the more remarkable objects in the water. We passed along one -curious submarine bank, built somewhat like our coral rocks, not by -insects, however, but by shellfish, which, fixing themselves as soon -as hatched on the shells below or around them, extended slowly upward -and sideways. As each of these creatures perished, the shell, about -half the size of an oyster, was filled with the same sort of material -as that of which its hexagonic walls were originally formed, drawn in -by the surrounding and still living neighbours; and thus, in the -course of centuries, were constructed solid reefs of enormous extent. -One of these had run right across the gulf, forming a complete bridge, -ceasing, however, within some five feet of the surface; but on this a -regular roadway had been constructed by human art and mechanical -labour, while underneath, at the usual depth of thirty feet, several -tunnels had been pierced, each large enough to admit the passage of a -single vessel of the largest size. At every fourth hour our vessel -rose to the surface to renew her atmosphere, which was thus kept purer -than that of an ordinary Atlantic packet between decks, while the -temperature was maintained at an agreeable point by the warmth -diffused from the electric machinery. - -On the sixth day of our voyage, we reached a point where the Gulf of -Serocasfe divides, a sharp jutting cape or peninsula parting its -waters. We took the northern branch, about fifteen miles in width, and -here, rising to the surface and steering a zigzag course from coast to -coast, I was enabled to see something of the character of this most -extraordinary strait. Its walls at first were no less than 2000 feet -in height, so that at all times we were in sight, so to speak, of -land. A road had been cut along the sea-level, and here and there -tunnels ascending through the rock rendered this accessible from the -plateau above. The strata, as upon Earth, were of various character, -none of them very thick, seldom reproducing exactly the geology of our -own planet, but seldom very widely deviating in character from the -rocks with which we are acquainted. The lowest were evidently of the -same hard, fused, compressed character as those which our terminology -calls plutonic. Above these were masses which, bike the carboniferous -strata of Earth, recalled the previous existence of a richer but less -highly organised form of vegetation than at present exists anywhere -upon the surface. Intermixed with these were beds of the peculiar -submarine shell-rock whose formation I have just described. Above -these again come strata of diluvial gravel, and about 400 feet below -the surface rocks that bore evident traces of a glacial period. As we -approached the lower end of the gulf the shores sloped constantly -downward, and where they were no more than 600 feet in height I was -able to distinguish an upper stratum of some forty yards in depth, -preserving through its whole extent traces of human life and even of -civilisation. This implied, if fairly representative of the rest of -the planet's crust, an existence of man upon its surface ten, twenty, -or even a hundred-fold longer than he is supposed to have enjoyed upon -Earth. About noon on the seventh day we entered the canal which -connects this arm of the gulf with the sea of the northern temperate -zone. It varies in height from 400 to 600 feet, in width from 100 to -300 yards, its channel never exceeds 20 feet in depth, Ergimo -explained that the length had been thought to render a tunnel -unsuitable, as the ordinary method of ventilation could hardly have -been made to work, and to ventilate such a tunnel through shafts sunk -to so great a depth would have been almost as costly as the method -actually adopted. A much smaller breadth might have been thought to -suffice, and was at first intended; but it was found that the current -in a narrow channel, the outer sea being many inches higher than the -water of the gulf, would have been too rapid and violent for safety. -The work had occupied fifteen Martial years, and had been opened only -for some eight centuries. The water was not more than twenty feet in -depth; but the channel was so perfectly scoured by the current that no -obstacle had ever arisen and no expense had been incurred to keep it a -clear. We entered the Northern sea where a bay ran up some half dozen -miles towards the end of the gulf, shortening the canal by this -distance. The bay itself was shallow, the only channel being scarcely -wider than the canal, and created or preserved by the current setting -in to the latter; a current which offered a very perceptible -resistance to our course, and satisfied me that had the canal been no -wider than the convenience of navigation would have required in the -absence of such a stream, its force would have rendered the work -altogether useless. We crossed the sea, holding on in the same -direction, and a little before sunset moored our vessel at the wharf -of a small harbour, along the sides of which was built the largest -town of this subarctic landbelt, a village of some fifty houses named -Askinta. - - - -CHAPTER XV - FUR-HUNTING. - -Ergimo landed to make arrangements for the chase, to witness which was -the principal object of this deviation from what would otherwise have -been our most convenient course. Not only would it be possible to take -part in the pursuit of the wild fauna of the continent, but I also -hoped to share in a novel sport, not unlike a whale-hunt in Baffin's -Bay. A large inland sea, occupying no inconsiderable part of the area -of this belt, lay immediately to the northward, and one wide arm -thereof extended within a few miles of Askirita, a distance which, -notwithstanding the interposition of a mountain range, might be -crossed in a couple of hours. One or two days at most would suffice -for both adventures. I had not yet mentioned my intention to Eveena. -During the voyage I had been much alone with her, and it was then only -that our real acquaintance began. Till then, however close our -attachment, we were, in knowledge of each other's character and -thought, almost as strangers. While her painful timidity had in some -degree worn off, her anxious and watchful deference was even more -marked than before. True to the strange ideas derived chiefly from her -training, partly from her own natural character, she was the more -careful to avoid giving the slightest pain or displeasure, as she -ceased to fear that either would be immediately and intentionally -visited upon herself. She evidently thought that on this account there -was the greater danger lest a series of trivial annoyances, unnoticed -at the time, might cool the affection she valued so highly. Diffident -of her own charms, she knew how little hold the women of her race -generally have on the hearts of men after the first fever of passion -has cooled. It was difficult for her to realise that her thoughts or -wishes could truly interest me, that compliance with her inclinations -could be an object, or that I could be seriously bent on teaching her -to speak frankly and openly. But as this new idea became credible and -familiar, her unaffected desire to comply with all that was expected -from her drew out her hitherto undeveloped powers of conversation, and -enabled me day by day to appreciate more thoroughly the real -intelligence and soundness of judgment concealed at first by her -shyness, and still somewhat obscured by her childlike simplicity and -absolute inexperience. In the latter respect, however, she was, of -course, at the less disadvantage with a stranger to the manners and -life of her world. A more perfectly charming companion it would have -been difficult to desire and impossible to find. If at first I had -been secretly inclined to reproach her with exaggerated timidity, it -became more and more evident that her personal fears were due simply -to that nervous susceptibility which even men of reputed courage have -often displayed in situations of sudden and wholly unfamiliar peril. -Her tendency to overrate all dangers, not merely as they affected -herself, but as they might involve others, and above all her husband, -I ascribed to the ideas and habits of thought now for so many -centuries hereditary among a people in whom the fear of -annihilation--and the absence of all the motives that impel men on -earth to face danger and death with calmness, or even to enjoy the -excitement of deadly peril--have extinguished manhood itself. - -I could not, however, conceal from Eveena that I was about to leave -her for an adventure which could not but seem to her foolhardy and -motiveless. She was more than terrified when she understood that I -really intended to join the professional hunters in an enterprise -which, even on their part, is regarded by their countrymen with a -mixture of admiration and contempt, as one wherein only the hope of -large remuneration would induce any sensible man to share; and which, -from my utter ignorance of its conditions, must be obviously still -more dangerous to me. The confidence she was slowly learning from what -seemed to her extravagant indulgence, to me simply the consideration -due to a rational being, wife or comrade, slave or free, first found -expression in the freedom of her loving though provoking -expostulations. - -"You must be tired of me," she said at last, "if you are so ready to -run the risk of parting out of mere curiosity." - -"Sheer petulance!" I answered. "You know well that you are dearer to -me every day as I learn to understand you better; but a man cannot -afford to play the coward because marriage has given new value to -life. And you might remember that I have threefold the strength which -emboldens your hunters to incur all the dangers that seem to your -fancy so terrible." - -That no shade of mere cowardice or feminine affectation influenced her -remonstrance was evident from her next words. - -"Well, then, if you will go, however improper and outrageous the thing -may be, let me go with you. I cannot bear to wait alone, fancying at -every moment what may be happening to you, and fearing to see them -carry you back wounded or killed." - -Touched by the unselfishness of her terror, and feeling that there was -some truth in her representation of the state of mind in which she -would spend the hours of my absence, I tried to quiet her by caresses -and soft words. But these she received as symptoms of yielding on my -part; and her persistence brought upon her at last the resolute and -somewhat sharp rebuke with which men think it natural and right to -repress the excesses of feminine fear. - -"This is nonsense, Eveena. You cannot accompany me; and, if you could, -your presence would multiply tenfold the danger to me, and utterly -unnerve me if any real difficulty should call for presence of mind. -You must be content to leave me in the hands of Providence, and allow -me to judge what becomes a man, and what results are worth the risks -they may involve. I hear Ergimo's step on deck, and I must go and -learn from him what arrangements he has been able to make for -to-morrow." - -My escort had found no difficulty in providing for the fulfilment of -both my wishes. We were to beat the forests which covered the southern -seabord in the neighbourhood, driving our game out upon the open -ground, where alone we should have a chance of securing it. By noon we -might hope to have seen enough of this sport, and to find ourselves at -no great distance from that part of the inland sea where a yet more -exciting chase was to employ the rest of the day. Failing to bring -both adventures within the sixteen hours of light which at this season -and in this latitude we should enjoy, we were to bivouac for the night -on the northern sea-coast and pursue our aquatic game in the morning -of the morrow, returning before dark to our vessel. - -Ergimo, however, was more of Eveena's mind than of mine. "I have -complied," he said, "with your wishes, as the Campta ordered me to do. -But I am equally bound, by his orders and by my duty, to tell you that -in my opinion you are running risks altogether out of proportion to -any object our adventure can serve. Scarcely any of the creatures we -shall hunt are other than very formidable. Eyen the therne, with the -spikes on its fore-limbs, can inflict painful if not dangerous wounds, -and its bite is said to be not unfrequently venomous. You are not used -to our methods of hunting, to the management of the _caldecta_, or to -the use of our weapons. I can conceive no reason why you should incur -what is at any rate a considerable chance, not merely of death, but of -defeating the whole purpose of your extraordinary journey, simply to -do or to see the work on which we peril only the least valuable lives -among us." - -I was about to answer him even more decidedly than I had replied to -Eveena, when a pressure on my arm drew my eyes in the other direction; -and, to my extreme mortification, I perceived that Eveena herself, in -all-absorbing eagerness to learn the opinion of an intelligent and -experienced hunter, had stolen on deck and had heard all that had -passed. I was too much vexed to make any other reply to Ergimo's -argument than the single word, "I shall go." Really angry with her for -the first and last time, but not choosing to express my displeasure in -the presence of a third person, I hurried Eveena down the ladder into -our cabin. - -"Tell me," I said, "what, according to your own rules of feminine -reserve and obedience, you deserve? What would one of your people say -to a wife who followed him without leave into the company of a -stranger, to listen to that which she knew she was not meant to hear?" - -She answered by throwing off her veil and head-dress, and standing up -silent before me. - -"Answer me, child," I repeated, more than half appeased by the mute -appeal of her half-raised eyes and submissive attitude. "I know you -will not tell me that you have not broken all the restraints of your -own laws and customs. What would your father, for instance, say to -such an escapade?" - -She was silent, till the touch of my hand, contradicting perhaps the -harshness of my words, encouraged her to lift her eyes, full of tears, -to mine. - -"Nothing," was her very unexpected reply. - -"Nothing?" I rejoined. "If you can tell me that you have not done -wrong, I shall be sorry to have reproved you so sharply." - -"I shall tell you no such lie!" she answered almost indignantly. "You -asked what would be _said_." - -I was fairly at a loss. The figure which Martial grammarians call "the -suppressed alternative" is a great favourite, and derives peculiar -force from the varied emphasis their syntax allows. But, resolved not -to understand a meaning much more distinctly conveyed in her words -than in my translation, I replied, "_I_ shall say nothing then, -except--don't do it again;" and I extricated myself promptly if -ignominiously from the dilemma, by leaving the cabin and closing the -door, so sharply and decidedly as to convey a distinct intimation that -it was not again to be opened. - -We breakfasted earlier than usual. My gentle bride had been subdued -into a silence, not sullen, but so sad that when her wistful eyes -followed my every movement as I prepared to start, I could willingly, -to bring back their brightness, have renounced the promise of the day. -But this must not be; and turning to take leave on the threshold, I -said-- - -"Be sure I shall come to no harm; and if I did, the worst pang of -death would be the memory of the first sharp words I have spoken to -you, and which, I confess, were an ill return for the inconvenient -expression of your affectionate anxiety." - -"Do not speak so," she half whispered. "I deserved any mark of your -displeasure; I only wish I could persuade you that the sharpest sting -lies in the lips we love. Do remember, since you would not let me run -the slightest risk of harm, that if you come to hurt you will have -killed me." - -"Rest assured I shall come to no serious ill. I hope this evening to -laugh with you at your alarms; and so long as you do not see me either -in the flesh or in the spirit, you may know that I am safe. I _could -not_ leave you for ever without meeting you again." - -This speech, which I should have ventured in no other presence, would -hardly have established my lunacy more decisively in Martial eyes than -in those of Terrestrial common sense. It conveyed, however, a real if -not sufficient consolation to Eveena; the idea it implied being not -wholly unfamiliar to a daughter of the Star. I was surprised that, -almost shrinking from my last embrace, Eveena suddenly dropped her -veil around her; till, turning, I saw that Ergimo was standing at the -top of the ladder leading to the deck, and just in sight. - -"I will send word," he said, addressing himself to me, but speaking -for her ears, "of your safety at noon and at night. So far as my -utmost efforts can ensure it you will be safe; an obligation higher, -and enforced by sanctions graver, than even the Campta's command -forbids me to lead a _brother_ into peril, and fail to bring him out -of it." - -The significant word was spoken in so low a tone that it could not -possibly reach the ears of our companions of the chase, who had -mustered on shore within a few feet of the vessel. But Eveena -evidently caught both the sound and the meaning, and I was glad that -they should convey to her a confidence which seemed to myself no -better founded than her alarms. To me its only value lay in the -friendly relation it established with one I had begun greatly to like. -I relied on my own strength and nerve for all that human exertion -could do in such peril as we might encounter; and, in a case in which -these might fail me, I doubted whether even the one tie that has -binding force on Mars would avail me much. - -Immediately outside the town were waiting, saddled but not bridled, -some score of the extraordinary riding-birds Eveena had described. The -seat of the rider is on the back, between the wings; but the saddle -consists only of a sort of girth immediately in front, to which a pair -of stirrups, resembling that of a lady's side-saddle, were attached. -The creature that was to carry my unusual weight was the most powerful -of all, but I felt some doubt whether even his strength might not -break down. One of the hunters had charge of a carriage on which was -fixed a cage containing two dozen birds of a dark greenish grey, about -the size of a crow, and with the slender form, piercing eyes, and -powerful beak of the falcon. They were not intended, however, to -strike the prey, but simply to do the part of dogs in tracing out the -game, and driving it from the woods into the open ground. Our birds, -rising at once into the air, carried us some fifty feet above the tops -of the trees. Here the chief huntsman took the guidance of the party, -keeping in front of the line in which we were ranged, and watching -through a pair of what might be called spectacles, save that a very -short tube with double lenses was substituted for the single glass, -the movement of the hawks, which had been released in the wood below -us. These at first dispersed in every direction, extending at -intervals from end to end of a line some three miles in length, and -moving slowly forwards, followed by the hunters. A sharp call from one -bird on the left gathered the rest around him, and in a few moments -the rustling and rushing of an invisible flock through the glades of -the forest apprised us that we had started, though we could not see, -the prey. Ergimo, who kept close beside me, and who had often -witnessed the sport before, kept me informed of what was proceeding -underneath us, of which I could see but little. Glimpses here and -there showed that we were pursuing a numerous flock of large -white-plumed or white-haired creatures, standing at most some four -feet in height; but what they were, even whether birds or quadrupeds, -their movements left me in absolute uncertainty. Worried and -frightened by the falcons, which, however, never ventured to close -upon them, they were gradually driven in the direction intended by the -huntsman towards the open plain, which bordered the forest at a -distance of about six miles to the northward. In half-an-hour after -the "find," the leader of the flock broke out of the wood two or three -hundred yards ahead of us, and was closely followed by his companions. -I then recognised in the objects of the chase the strange _thernee_ -described by Eveena, whose long soft down furnished the cloak she wore -on our visit to the Astronaut. Their general form, and especially the -length and graceful curve of the neck, led one instinctively to regard -them as birds; but the fore-limbs, drawn up as they ran, but now and -then outstretched with a sweep to strike at a falcon that ventured -imprudently near, had, in the distance, much more resemblance to the -arm of a baboon than to the limb of any other creature, and bore no -likeness whatever to the wing even of the bat. The object of the -hunters was not to strike these creatures from a distance, but to run -them down and capture them by sheer exhaustion. This the great -wing-power of the _caldectaa_ enabled us to do, though by the time we -had driven the thernee to bay my own Pegasus was fairly tired. The -hunters, separating and spreading out in the form of a semicircle, -assisted the movements of the hawks, driving the prey gradually into a -narrow defile among the hills bordering the plain to the -north-eastward, whose steep upward slope greatly hindered and fatigued -creatures whose natural habitat consists of level plains or seabord -forests. At last, under a steep half-precipitous rock which defended -them in rear, and between clumps of trees which guarded either -flank--protected by both overhead--the flock, at the call of their -leader, took up a position which displayed an instinctive strategy, -whereof an Indian or African chief might have been proud. The -_caldectaa_, however, well knew the vast superiority of their own -strength and of their formidable beaks, and did not hesitate to carry -us close to but somewhat above the thernee, as these stood ranged in -line with extended fore-limbs and snouts; the latter armed with teeth -about an inch and a half in length tapering singly to a sharp point, -the former with spikes stronger, longer, and sharper than those of the -porcupine; but, as I satisfied myself by a subsequent inspection, -formed by rudimentary, or, more properly speaking, transformed or -degenerated quills. The bite was easily avoided. It was not so easy to -keep out of reach of the powerful fore-limb while endeavouring to -strike a fatal blow at the neck with the long rapier-like cutting -weapons carried by the hunters. My own shorter and sharp sword, to -which I had trusted, preferring a familiar weapon to one, however -suitable, to which I was not accustomed, left me no choice but to -abandon the hope of active participation in the slaughter, or to -venture dangerously near. Choosing the latter alternative, I received -from the arm of the thernee I had singled out a blow which, caught -upon my sword, very nearly smote it from my hand, and certainly would -have disarmed at once any of my weaker companions. As it was, the -stroke maimed the limb that delivered it; but with its remaining arm -the creature maintained a fight so stubborn that, had both been -available, the issue could not have been in my favour. This conflict -reminded me singularly of an encounter with the mounted swordsmen of -Scindiah and the Peishwah; all my experience of sword-play being -called into use, and my brute opponent using its natural weapon with -an instinctive skill not unworthy of comparison with that of a trained -horse-soldier; at the same time that it constantly endeavoured to -seize with its formidable snout either my own arm or the wing or body -of the caldecta, which, however, was very well able to take care of -itself. In fact, the prey was secured at last not by my sword but by a -blow from the caldecta's beak, which pierced and paralysed the slender -neck of our antagonist. Some twenty thernee formed the booty of a -chase certainly novel, and possessing perhaps as many elements of -peril and excitement as that finest of Earthly sports which the -affected cynicism of Anglo-Indian speech degrades by the name of -"pig-sticking." - -When the falcons had been collected and recaged, and the bodies of the -thernee consigned to a carriage brought up for the purpose by a -subordinate who had watched the hunters' course, our birds, from which -we had dismounted, were somewhat rested; and Ergimo informed me that -another and more formidable, as well as more valuable, prey was -thought to be in sight a few miles off. Mounted on a fresh bird, and -resolutely closing my ears to his urgent and reasonable dissuasion, I -joined the smaller party which was detached for this purpose. As we -were carried slowly at no great distance from the ground, managing our -birds with ease by a touch on either side of the neck--they are -spurred at need by a slight electric shock communicated from the hilt -of the sword, and are checked by a forcible pressure on the wings--I -asked Ergimo why the thernee were not rather shot than hunted, since -utility, not sport, governs the method of capturing the wild beasts of -Mars. - -"We have," he replied, "two weapons adapted to strike at a distance. -The asphyxiator is too heavy to be carried far or fast, and pieces of -the shell inflict such injuries upon everything in the immediate -neighbourhood of the explosion, as to render it useless where the -value of the prey depends upon the condition of its skin. Our other -and much more convenient, if less powerful, projective weapon has also -its own disadvantage. It can be used only at short distances; and at -these it is apt to burn and tear a skin so soft and delicate as that -of the thernee. Moreover, it so terrifies the caldecta as to render it -unmanageable; and we are compelled to dismount before using it, as you -may presently see. Four or five of our party are now armed with it, -and I wish you had allowed me to furnish you with one." - -"I prefer," I answered, "my own weapon, an air-gun which I can fire -sixteen times without reloading, and which will kill at a hundred -yards' distance. With a weapon unknown to me I might not only fail -altogether, but I might not improbably do serious injury, by my -clumsiness and inexperience, to my companions." - -"I wish, nevertheless," he said, "that you carried the _mordyta_. You -will have need of an efficient weapon if you dismount to share the -attack we are just about to make. But I entreat you not to do so. You -can see it all in perfect safety, if only you will keep far enough -away to avoid danger from the fright of your bird." - -As he spoke, we had come into proximity to our new game, a large and -very powerful animal, about four feet high at the shoulders, and about -six feet from the head to the root of the tail. The latter carries, as -that of the lion was fabled to do, a final claw, not to lash the -creature into rage, but for the more practical purpose of striking -down an enemy endeavouring to approach it in flank or rear. Its hide, -covered with a long beautifully soft fur, is striped alternately with -brown and yellow, the ground being a sort of silver-grey. The head -resembles that of the lion, but without the mane, and is prolonged -into a face and snout more like those of the wild boar. Its limbs are -less unlike those of the feline genus than any other Earthly type, but -have three claws and a hard pad in lieu of the soft cushion. The upper -jaw is armed with two formidable tusks about twelve inches in length, -and projecting directly forwards. A blow from the claw-furnished tail -would plough up the thigh or rip open the abdomen of a man. A stroke -from one of the paws would fracture his skull, while a wound from the -tusk in almost any part of the body must prove certainly fatal. -Fortunately, the _kargynda_ has not the swiftness of movement -belonging to nearly all our feline races, otherwise its skins, the -most valuable prize of the Martial hunter, would yearly be taken at a -terrible cost of life. Two of these creatures were said to be reposing -in a thick jungle of reeds bordering a narrow stream immediately in -our front. The hunters, with Ergimo, now dismounted and advanced some -two hundred yards in front of their birds, directing the latter to -turn their heads in the opposite direction. I found some difficulty in -making my wish to descend intelligible to the docile creature which -carried me, and was still in the air when one of the enormous -creatures we were hunting rushed out of its hiding-place. The nearest -hunter, raising a shining metal staff about three and a half feet in -length (having a crystal cylinder at the hinder end, about six inches -in circumference, and occupying about one-third the entire length of -the weapon), levelled it at the beast. A flash as of lightning darted -through the air, and the creature rolled over. Another flash from a -similar weapon in the hands of another hunter followed. By this time, -however, my bird was entirely unmanageable, and what happened I -learned afterwards from Ergimo. Neither of the two shots had wounded -the creature, though the near passage of the first had for a moment -stunned and overthrown him. His rush among the party dispersed them -all, but each being able to send forth from his piece a second flash -of lightning, the monster was mortally wounded before they fairly -started in pursuit of their scared birds, which--their attention being -called by the roar of the animal, by the crash accompanying each -flash, and probably above all by the restlessness of my own _caldecta_ -in their midst--had flown off to some distance. My bird, floundering -forwards, flung me to the ground about two hundred yards from the -jungle, fortunately at a greater distance from the dying but not yet -utterly disabled prey. Its companion now came forth and stood over the -tortured creature, licking its sores till it expired. By this time I -had recovered the consciousness I had lost with the shock of my fall, -and had ascertained that my gun was safe. I had but time to prepare -and level it when, leaving its dead companion, the brute turned and -charged me almost as rapidly as an infuriated elephant. I fired -several times and assured, if only from my skill as a marksman, that -some of the shots had hit it, was surprised to see that at each it was -only checked for a moment and then resumed its charge. It was so near -now that I could aim with some confidence at the eye; and if, as I -suspected, the previous shots had failed to pierce the hide, no other -aim was likely to avail. I levelled, therefore, as steadily as I could -at its blazing eyeballs and fired three or four shots, still without -doing more than arrest or rather slacken its charge, each shot -provoking a fearful roar of rage and pain. I fired my last within -about twenty yards, and then, before I could draw my sword, was dashed -to the ground with a violence that utterly stunned me. When I -recovered my senses Ergimo was kneeling beside me pouring down my -throat the contents of a small phial; and as I lifted my head and -looked around, I saw the enormous carcass from under which I had been -dragged lying dead almost within reach of my hand. One eye was pierced -through the very centre, the other seriously injured. But such is the -creature's tenacity of life, that, though three balls were actually in -its brain, it had driven home its charge, though far too unconscious -to make more than convulsive and feeble use of any of its formidable -weapons. When I fell it stood for perhaps a second, and then dropped -senseless upon my lower limbs, which were not a little bruised by its -weight. That no bone was broken or dislocated by the shock, deadened -though it must have been by the repeated pauses in the kargynda's -charge and by its final exhaustion, was more than I expected or could -understand. Before I rose to my feet, Ergimo had peremptorily insisted -on the abandonment of the further excursion we had intended, declaring -that he could not answer to his Sovereign, after so severe a lesson, -for my exposure to any future peril. The Campta had sent him to bring -me into his presence for purposes which would not be fulfilled by -producing a lifeless carcass, or a maimed and helpless invalid; and -the discipline of the Court and central Administration allowed no -excuse for disobedience to orders or failure in duty. My protest was -very quickly silenced. On attempting to stand, I found myself so -shaken, torn, and shattered that I could not again mount a _caldecta_ -or wield a weapon; and was carried back to Askinta on a sort of -inclined litter placed upon the carriage which had conveyed our booty. - -I was mortified, as we approached the place where our vessel lay, to -observe a veiled female figure on the deck. Eveena's quick eye had -noted our return some minutes before, and inferred from the early -abandonment of the chase some serious accident. Happily our party were -so disposed that I had time to assume the usual position before she -caught sight of me. I could not, however, deceive her by a desperate -effort to walk steadily and unaided. She stood by quietly and calmly -while the surgeon of the hunters dressed my hurts, observing exactly -how the bandages and lotions were applied. Only when we were left -alone did she in any degree give way to an agitation by which she -feared to increase my evident pain and feverishness. It was impossible -to satisfy her that black bruises and broad gashes meant no danger, -and would be healed by a few days' rest. But when she saw that I could -talk and smile as usual, she was unsparing in her attempts to coax -from me a pledge that I would never again peril life or limb to -gratify my curiosity regarding the very few pursuits in which, for the -highest remuneration, Martialists can be induced to incur the -probability of injury and the chance of that death they so abjectly -dread. Scarcely less reluctant to repeat the scolding she felt so -acutely than to employ the methods of rebuke she deemed less severe, I -had no little difficulty in evading her entreaties. Only a very -decided request to drop the subject at once and for ever, enforced on -her conscience by reminding her that it would be enforced no -otherwise, at last obtained me peace without the sacrifice of liberty. - - - -CHAPTER XVI - TROUBLED WATERS. - -We were now in Martial N. latitude 57 deg., in a comparatively open part -of the narrow sea which encloses the northern land-belt, and to the -south-eastward lay the only channel by which this sea communicates -with the main ocean of the southern hemisphere. Along this we took our -course. Rather against Ergimo's advice, I insisted on remaining on the -surface, as the sea was tolerably calm. Eveena, with her usual -self-suppression, professed to prefer the free air, the light of the -long day, and such amusement as the sight of an occasional sea-monster -or shoal of fishes afforded, to the fainter light and comparative -monotony of submarine travelling. Ergimo, who had in his time -commanded the hunters of the Arctic Sea, was almost as completely -exempt as myself from sea-sickness; but I was surprised to find that -the crew disliked, and, had they ventured, would have grumbled at, the -change, being so little accustomed to any long superficial voyage as -to suffer like landsmen from rough weather. The difference between -sailing on and below the surface is so great, both in comfort and in -the kind of skill and knowledge required, that the seamen of passenger -and of mercantile vessels are classes much more distinct than those of -the mercantile and national marine of England, or any other maritime -Power on Earth. I consented readily that, except on the rare occasions -when the heavens were visible, the short night, from the fall of the -evening to the dissipation of the morning mists, should be passed -under water. I have said that gales are comparatively rare and the -tides insignificant; but the narrow and exceedingly long channels of -the Martial seas, with the influence of a Solar movement from north to -south more extensive though slower than that which takes place between -our Winter and Summer Solstices, produce currents, atmospheric and -oceanic, and sudden squalls that often give rise to that worst of all -disturbances of the surface, known as a "chopping sea." When we -crossed the tropic and came fairly into the channel separating the -western coast of the continent on which the Astronaut had landed from -the eastern seabord of that upon whose southern coast I was presently -to disembark, this disturbance was even worse than, except on -peculiarly disagreeable occasions, in the Straits of Dover. After -enduring this for two or three hours, I observed that Eveena had -stolen from her seat beside me on the deck. Since we left Askinta her -spirits had been unusually variable. She had been sometimes lively and -almost excitable; more generally quiet, depressed, and silent even -beyond her wont. Still, her manner and bearing were always so equable, -gentle, and docile that, accustomed to the caprices of the sex on -Earth, I had hardly noticed the change. I thought, however, that she -was to-day nervous and somewhat pale; and as she did not return, after -permitting the pilot to seek a calmer stratum at some five fathoms -depth, I followed Eveena into our cabin or chamber. Standing with her -back to the entrance and with a goblet to her lips, she did not hear -me till I had approached within arm's length. She then started -violently, so agitated that the colour faded at once from her -countenance, leaving it white as in a swoon, then as suddenly -returning, flushed her neck and face, from the emerald shoulder clasps -to the silver snood, with a pink deeper than that of her robe. - -"I am very sorry I startled you," I said. "You are certainly ill, or -you would not be so easily upset." - -I laid my hand as I spoke on her soft tresses, but she withdrew from -the touch, sinking down among the cushions. Leaving her to recover her -composure, I took up the half-empty cup she had dropped on the central -table. Thirsty myself, I had almost drained without tasting it, when a -little half-stifled cry of dismay checked me. The moment I removed the -cup from my mouth I perceived its flavour--the unmistakable taste of -the _dravadone_ ("courage cup"), so disagreeable to us both, which we -had shared on our bridal evening. Wetting with one drop the test-stone -attached to my watch-chain, it presented the local discoloration -indicating the narcotic poison which is the chief ingredient of this -compound. - -"I don't think this is wise, child," I said, turning once more to -Eveena. To my amazement, far from having recovered the effect of her -surprise, she was yet more overcome than at first; crouching among the -cushions with her head bent down over her knees, and covering her face -with her hands. Reclining in the soft pile, I held her in my arms, -overcoming perforce what seemed hysterical reluctance; but when I -would have withdrawn the little hands, she threw herself on my knee, -burying her face in the cushions. - -"It is very wicked," she sobbed; "I cannot ask you to forgive me." - -"Forgive what, my child? Eveena, you are certainly ill. Calm yourself, -and don't try to talk just now." - -"I am not ill, I assure you," she faltered, resisting the arm that -sought to raise her; "but ..." - -In my hands, however, she was powerless as an infant; and I would hear -nothing till I held her gathered within my arm and her two hands fast -in my right. Now that I could look into the face she strove to avert, -it was clear that she was neither hysterical nor simply ill; her -agitation, however unreasonable and extravagant, was real. - -"What troubles you, my own? I promise you not to say one word of -reproach; I only want to understand with what you so bitterly reproach -yourself." - -"But you cannot help being angry," she urged, "if you understand what -I have done. It is the _charny_, which I never tasted till that night, -and never ought to have tasted again. I know you cannot forgive me; -only take my fault for granted, and don't question me." - -These incoherent words threw the first glimpse of light on the meaning -of her distress and penitence. I doubt if the best woman in -Christendom would so reproach and abase herself, if convicted of even -a worse sin than the secret use of those stimulants for which the -_charny_ is a Martial equivalent. No Martialist would dream of -poisoning his blood and besotting his brain with alcohol in any form. -But their opiates affect a race addicted to physical repose, to -sensuous enjoyment rather than to sensual excitement, and to lucid -intellectual contemplation, with a sense of serene delight as -supremely delicious to their temperament as the dreamy illusions of -haschisch to the Turk, the fierce frenzy of bhang to the Malay, or the -wild excitement of brandy or Geneva to the races of Northern Europe. -But as with the luxury of intoxication in Europe, so in Mars -indulgence in these drugs, freely permitted to the one sex, is -strictly forbidden by opinion and domestic rule to the other. A lady -discovered in the use of _charny_ is as deeply disgraced as an -European matron detected in the secret enjoyment of spirits and -cigars; and her lord and master takes care to render her sufficiently -conscious of her fault. - -And there was something stranger here than a violation of the -artificial restraint of sex. Slightly and seldom as the Golden Circle -touches the lines defining personal or social morality--carefully as -the Founder has abstained from imposing an ethical code of his own, or -attaching to his precepts any rule not directly derived from the -fundamental tenets or necessary to the cohesion of the Order--he had -expressed in strong terms his dread and horror of narcotism; the use -for pleasure's sake, not to relieve pain or nervous excitement, of -drugs which act, as he said, through the brain upon the soul. His -judgment, expressed with unusual directness and severity and enforced -by experience, has become with his followers a tradition not less -imperative than the most binding of their laws. It was so held, above -all, in that household in which Eveena and I had first learnt the -"lore of the Starlight." Esmo, indeed, regarded not merely as an -unscientific superstition, but as blasphemous folly, the rejection of -any means of restoring health or relieving pain which Providence has -placed within human reach. But he abhorred the use for pleasure's sake -of poisons affirmed to reduce the activity and in the long-run to -impair the energies of the mind, and weaken the moral sense and the -will, more intensely than the strictest follower of the Arabian -Prophet abhors the draughts which deprive man of the full use of the -senses, intelligence, and conscience which Allah has bestowed, and -degrade him below the brute, Esmo's children, moreover, were not more -strictly compelled to respect the letter than carefully instructed in -the principle of every command for which he claimed their obedience. - -But in such measure as Eveena's distress became intelligible, the -fault of which she accused herself became incredible. I could not -believe that she could be wilfully disloyal to me--still less that she -could have suddenly broken through the fixed ideas of her whole life, -the principles engraved on her mind by education more stringently than -the maxims of the Koran or the Levitical Law on the children of -Ishmael or of Israel; and this while the impressive rites of -Initiation, the imprecation at which I myself had shuddered, were -fresh in her memory--their impression infinitely deepened, moreover, -by the awful mystery of that Vision of which even yet we were half -afraid to speak to one another. While I hesitated to reply, gathering -up as well as I could the thread of these thoughts as they passed in a -few seconds through my mind, my left hand touched an object hidden in -my bride's zone. I drew out a tiny crystal phial three parts full, -taken, as I saw, from the medicine-chest Esmo had carefully stocked -and as carefully fastened. As, holding this, I turned again to her, -Eveena repeated: "Punish, but don't question me!" - -"My own," I said, "you are far more punished already than you deserve -or I can bear to see. How did you get this?" - -Releasing her hands, she drew from the folds of her robe the electric -keys, which, by a separate combination, would unlock each of my -cases;--without which it was impossible to open or force them. - -"Yes, I remember; and you were surprised that I trusted them to you. -And now you expect me to believe that you have abused that trust, -deceived me, broken a rule which in your father's house and by all our -Order is held sacred as the rings of the Signet, for a drug which -twelve days ago you disliked as much as I?" - -"It is true." - -The words were spoken with downcast eyes, in the low faltering tone -natural to a confession of disgrace. - -"It is not true, Eveena; or if true in form, false in matter. If it -were possible that you could wish to deceive me, you knew it could not -be for long." - -"I meant to be found out," she interrupted, "only not yet." - -She had betrayed herself, stung by words that seemed to express the -one doubt she could not nerve herself to endure--doubt of her loyalty -to me. Before I could speak, she looked up hastily, and began to -retract. I stopped her. - -"I see--when you had done with it. But, Eveena, why conceal it? Do you -think I would not have given this or all the contents of the chest -into your hands, and asked no question?" - -"Do you mean it? Could you have so trusted me?" - -"My child! is it difficult to trust where I know there is no -temptation to wrong? Do you think that to-day I have doubted or -suspected you, even while you have accused yourself? I cannot guess at -your motive, but I am as sure as ever of your loyalty. Take these -things,"--forcing back upon her the phial and the magnets,--"yes, and -the test-stone." ... She burst into passionate tears. - -"I cannot endure this. If I had dreamed your patience would have borne -with me half so far, I would never have tried it so, even for your own -sake. I meant to be found out and accept the consequences in silence. -But you trust me so, that I must tell you what I wanted to conceal. -When you kept on the surface it made me so ill"--- - -"But, Eveena, if the remedy be not worse than the sickness, why not -ask for it openly?" - -"It was not that. Don't you understand? Of course, I would bear any -suffering rather than have done this; but then you would have found me -out at once. I wanted to conceal my suffering, not to escape it." - -"My child! my child! how could you put us both to all this pain?" - -"You know you would not have given me the draught; you would have left -the surface at once; and I cannot bear to be always in the way, always -hindering your pleasures, and even your discoveries. You came across a -distance that makes a bigger world than this look less than that -light, through solitude and dangers and horrors I cannot bear to think -of, to see and examine this world of ours. And then you leave things -unseen or half-seen, you spoil your work, because a girl is seasick! -You ran great risk of death and got badly hurt to see what our hunting -was like, and you will not let my head ache that you may find out what -our sea-storms and currents are! How can I bear to be such a burden -upon you? You trust me, and, I believe," (she added, colouring), "you -love me, twelvefold more than I deserve; yet you think me unwilling or -unworthy to take ever so small an interest in your work, to bear a few -hours' discomfort for it and for you. And yet," she went on -passionately, "I may sit trembling and heart-sick for a whole day -alone that you may carry out your purpose. I may receive the only real -sting your lips have given, because I could not bear that pain without -crying. And so with everything. It is not that I must not suffer pain, -but that the pain must not come from without. Your lips would punish a -fault with words that shame and sting for a day, a summer, a year; -your hand must never inflict a sting that may smart for ten minutes. -And it is not only that you do this, but you pride yourself on it. -Why? It is not that you think the pain of the body so much worse than -that of the spirit:--you that smiled at me when you were too badly -bruised and torn to stand, yet could scarcely keep back your tears -just now, when you thought that I had suffered half an hour of sorrow -I did not quite deserve. Why then? Do you think that women feel so -differently? Have the women of your Earth hearts so much harder and -skins so much softer than ours?" - -She spoke with most unusual impetuosity, and with that absolute -simplicity and sincerity which marked her every look and word, which -gave them, for me at least, an unspeakable charm, and for all who -heard her a characteristic individuality unlike the speech or manner -of any other woman. As soon suspect an infant of elaborate sarcasm as -Eveena of affectation, irony, or conscious paradox. Nay, while her -voice was in my ears, I never could feel that her views _were_ -paradoxical. The direct straightforwardness and simple structure of -the Martial language enhanced this peculiar effect of her speech; and -much that seems infantine in translation was all but eloquent as she -spoke it. Often, as on this occasion, I felt guilty of insincerity, of -a verbal fencing unworthy of her unalloyed good faith and earnestness, -as I endeavoured to parry thrusts that went to the very heart of all -those instinctive doctrines which I could the less defend on the -moment, because I had never before dreamed that they could be doubted. - -"At any rate," I said at last, "your sex gain by my heresy, since they -are as richly gifted in stinging words as we in physical force." - -"So much the worse for them, surely," she answered simply, "if it be -right that men should rule and women obey?" - -"That is the received doctrine on Earth," I answered. "In practice, -men command and women disobey them; men bully and women lie. But in -truth, Eveena, having a wife only too loyal and too loving, I don't -care to canvass the deserts of ordinary women or the discipline of -other households. I own that it was wrong to scold you. Do not insist -on making me say that it would have been a little less wrong to beat -you!" - -She laughed--her low, sweet, silvery laugh, the like of which I have -hardly heard among Earthly women, even of the simpler, more child-like -races of the East and South; a laugh still stranger in a world where -childhood is seldom bright and womanhood mostly sad and fretful. Of -the very few satisfactory memories I bore away from that world, the -sweetest is the recollection of that laugh, which I heard for the -first time on the morrow of our bridals, and for the last time on the -day before we parted. I cherish it as evidence that, despite many and -bitter troubles, my bride's short married life was not wholly unhappy. -By this time she had found out that we had left the surface, and began -to remonstrate. - -"Nay, I have seen all I care to see, my own. I confess the justice of -your claim, as the partner of my life, to be the partner of its -paramount purpose. You are more precious to me than all the -discoveries of which I ever dreamed, and I will not for any purpose -whatsoever expose you to real peril or serious pain. But henceforth I -will ask you to bear discomfort and inconvenience when the object is -worth it, and to help me wherever your help can avail." - -"I can help you?" - -"Much, and in many ways, my Eveena. You will soon learn to understand -what I wish to examine and the use of the instruments I employ; and -then you will be the most useful of assistants, as you are the best -and most welcome of companions." - -As I spoke a soft colour suffused her face, and her eyes brightened -with a joy and contentment such as no promise of pleasure or -indulgence could have inspired. To be the partner of adventure and -hardship, the drudge in toil and sentinel in peril, was the boon she -claimed, the best guerdon I could promise. If but the promise might -have been better fulfilled! - -It was not till in latitude 9 deg. S. we emerged into the open ocean, and -presently found ourselves free from the currents of the narrow waters, -that, in order to see the remarkable island of which I had caught -sight in my descent, I requested Ergimo to remain for some hours above -the surface. The island rises directly out of the sea, and is -absolutely unascendible. Balloons, however, render access possible, -both to its summit and to its cave-pierced sides. It is the home of -enormous flocks of white birds, which resemble in form the heron -rather than the eider duck, but which, like the latter, line with down -drawn from their own breasts the nests which, counted by millions, -occupy every nook and cranny of the crystalline walls, about ten miles -in circumference. Each of the nests is nearly as large as that of the -stork. They are made of a jelly digested from the bones of the fish -upon which the birds prey, and are almost as white in colour as the -birds themselves. Freshly formed nest dissolved in hot water makes -dishes as much to the taste of Martialists as the famous bird-nest -soup to that of the Chinese. Both down and nests, therefore, are -largely plundered; but the birds are never injured, and care is taken -in robbing them to leave enough of the outer portion of the nest to -constitute a bed for the eggs, and encourage the creatures to rebuild -and reline it. - -One harvest only is permitted, the second stripping of feathers and -the rebuilt nest being left undisturbed. The caverns are lined with a -white guano, now some feet thick, since it has ceased to be sought for -manure; the Martialists having discovered means of saturating the soil -with ammonia procured from the nitrogen of the atmosphere, which with -the sewage and other similar materials enables them to dispense with -this valuable bird manure. Whether the white colour of the island, -perceptible even in a large Terrestrial telescope, is in any degree -due to the whiteness of the birds, their nests, and leavings, or -wholly to reflection from the bright spar-like surface of the rock -itself, and especially of the flat table-like summit, I will not -pretend to say. - -From this point we held our course south-westward, and entered the -northernmost of two extraordinary gulfs of exactly similar shape, -separated by an isthmus and peninsula which assume on a map the form -of a gigantic hammer. The strait by which each gulf is entered is -about a hundred miles in length and ten in breadth. The gulf itself, -if it should not rather be called an inland sea, occupies a total area -of about 100,000 square miles. The isthmus, 500 miles in length by 50 -in breadth, ends in a roughly square peninsula of about 10,000 square -miles in extent, nearly the whole of which is a plateau 2000 feet -above the sea-level. On the narrowest point of the isthmus, just where -it joins the mainland, and where a sheltered bay runs up from either -sea, is situated the great city of Amakasfe, the natural centre of -Martial life and commerce. At this point we found awaiting us the -balloon which was to convey us to the Court of the Suzerain. A very -light but strong metallic framework maintained the form of the -"fish-shaped" or spindle-shaped balloon itself, which closely -resembled that of our vessel, its dimensions being of necessity -greater. Attached to this framework was the car of similar form, about -twelve feet in length and six in depth, the upper third of the sides, -however, being of open-work, so as not to interfere with the survey of -the traveller. Eveena could not help shivering at the sight of the -slight vehicle and the enormous machine of thin, bladder-like material -by which it was to be upheld. She embarked, indeed, without a word, -her alarm betraying itself by no voluntary sign, unless it were the -tight clasp of my hand, resembling that of a child frightened, but -ashamed to confess its fear. I noticed, however, that she so arranged -her veil as to cover her eyes when the signal for the start was given. -She was, therefore, wholly unconscious of the sudden spring, -unattended by the slightest jolt or shake, which raised us at once 500 -feet above the coast, and under whose influence, to my eyes, the -ground appeared suddenly to fall from us. When I drew out the folds of -her veil, it was with no little amazement that she saw the sky around -her, the sea and the city far below. An aerial current to the -north-westward at our present level, which had been selected on that -account, carried us at a rate of some twelve miles an hour; a rate -much increased, however, by the sails at the stern of the car, sails -of thin metal fixed on strong frames, and striking with a screw-like -motion. Their lack of expanse was compensated by a rapidity of motion -such that they seemed to the eye not to move at all, presenting the -appearance of an uniform disc reflecting the rays of the Sun, which -was now almost immediately above us. Towards evening the Residence of -the Campta became visible on the north-western horizon. It was built -on a plateau about 400 feet above the sea-level, towards which the -ground from all sides sloped up almost imperceptibly. Around it was a -garden of great extent with a number of trees of every sort, some of -them masses of the darkest green, others of bright yellow, contrasting -similarly shaped masses of almost equal size clothed from base to top -in a continuous sheet of pink, emerald, white or crimson flowers. The -turf presented almost as great a variety of colours, arranged in. -every conceivable pattern, above which rose innumerable flower-beds, -uniform or varied, the smallest perhaps two, the largest more than 200 -feet in diameter; each circle of bloom higher than that outside it, -till in some cases the centre rose even ten feet above the general -level. The building itself was low, having nowhere more than two -stories. One wing, pointed out to me by Ergimo, was appropriated to -the household of the Prince; the centre standing out in front and -rear, divided by a court almost as wide as the wings; the further wing -accommodating the attendants and officials of the Court. We landed, -just before the evening mist began to gather, at the foot of an -inclined way of a concrete resembling jasper, leading up to the main -entrance of the Palace. - - - -CHAPTER XVII - PRESENTED AT COURT. - -Leading Eveena by the hand--for to hold my arm after the European -fashion was always an inconvenience and fatigue to her--and preceded -by Ergimo, I walked unnoticed to the closed gate of pink crystal, -contrasting the emerald green of the outer walls. Along the front of -this central portion of the residence was a species of verandah, -supported by pillars overlaid with a bright red metal, and wrought in -the form of smooth tree trunks closely clasped by creepers, the silver -flowers of the latter contrasting the dense golden foliage and -ruby-like stems. Under this, and in front of the gate itself, were two -sentries armed with a spear, the shaft of which was about six feet in -length, hollow, and almost as light as the cane or reed handle of an -African assegai. The blade more resembled the triangular bayonet. -Beside each, however, was the terrible asphyxiator, fixed on its -stand, with a bore about as great as that of a nine-pounder, but -incomparably lighter. These two weapons might at one discharge have -annihilated a huge mob of insurgents threatening to storm the palace, -were insurrections known in Mars, These men saluted us by dropping the -points of their weapons and inclining the handle towards us; gazing -upon me with surprise, and with something of soldierly admiration for -physical superiority. The doors, wide enough to admit a dozen -Martialists abreast, parted, and we entered a vaulted hall whose -arched roof was supported not by pillars but by gigantic statues, each -presenting the lustre of a different jewel, and all wrought with -singular perfection of proportion and of beauty. Here we were met by -two officers wearing the same dress as the sentries outside--a diaper -of crimson and silver. The rank of those who now received us, however, -was indicated by a silver ribbon passing over the left shoulder, and -supporting what I should have called a staff, save that it was of -metal and had a sharp point, rendering it almost as formidable a -weapon as the rapier. Exchanging a word or two with Ergimo, these -gentlemen ushered us into a small room on the right, where -refreshments were placed before us. Eveena whispered me that she must -not share our meal in presence of these strangers; an intimation which -somewhat blunted the keen appetite I always derived from a journey -through the Martial atmosphere. Checked as it was, however, that -appetite seemed a new astonishment to our attendants; the need of food -among their race being proportionate to their inferior size and -strength. When we rose, I asked Ergimo what was to become of Eveena, -as the officers were evidently waiting to conduct me into the presence -of their Sovereign, where it would not be appropriate for her to -appear. He repeated my question to the principal official, and the -latter, walking to a door in the farther corner of the room, sounded -an electric signal; a few seconds after which the door opened, showing -two veiled figures, the pink ground of whose robes indicated their -matronhood, if I may apply such a term to the relation of his hundred -temporary wives to the Campta. But this ground colour was almost -hidden in the embroidery of crimson, gold, and white, which, as I soon -found, were the favourite colours of the reigning Prince. To these -ladies I resigned Eveena, the officer saying, as I somewhat -reluctantly parted from her, "What you entrust to the Campta's -household you will find again in your own when your audience is over." -Whether this avoidance of all direct mention of women were matter of -delicacy or contempt I hardly knew, though I had observed it on former -occasions. - -When the door closed, I noticed that Ergimo had left us, and the -officers indicated by gesture rather than by words that they were to -lead me immediately into the presence. I had considered with some care -how I was, on so critical an occasion, to conduct myself, and had -resolved that the most politic course would probably be an assumption -of courteous but absolute independence; to treat the Autocrat of this -planet much as an English envoy would treat an Indian Prince. It was -in accordance with this intention that I had assumed a dress somewhat -more elaborate than is usually worn here, a white suit of a substance -resembling velvet in texture, and moire in lustre, with collar and -belt of silver. On my breast I wore my order of [illegible], and in my -belt my one cherished Terrestrial possession--the sword, reputed the -best in Asia, that had twice driven its point home within a finger's -breadth of my life; and that clove the turban on my brow but a minute -before it was surrendered--just in time to save its gallant owner and -his score of surviving comrades. In its hilt I had set the emerald -with which alone the Commander of the Faithful rewarded my services. -The turban is not so unlike the masculine head-dress of Mars as to -attract any special attention. Re-entering the hall, I was conducted -along a gallery and through another crystal door into the immediate -presence of the Autocrat. The audience chamber was of no extraordinary -size, perhaps one-quarter as large as the peristyle of Esmo's -dwelling. Along the emerald walls ran a series of friezes wrought in -gold, representing various scenes of peace and war, agricultural, -judicial, and political; as well as incidents which, I afterwards -learnt, preserved the memory of the long struggles wherein the -Communists were finally overthrown. The lower half of the room was -empty, the upper was occupied by a semicircle of seats forming part of -the building itself and directly facing the entrance. These took up -about one-third of the space, the central floor being divided from the -upper portion of the room by a low wall of metal surmounted by arches -supporting the roof and hung with drapery, which might be so lowered -as to conceal the whole occupied part of the chamber. The seats rose -in five tiers, one above the other. The semicircle, however, was -broken exactly in the middle, that is, at the point farthest from the -entrance, by a broad flight of steps, at the summit of which, and -raised a very little above the seats of the highest tier, was the -throne, supported by two of the royal brutes whose attack had been so -nearly fatal to myself, wrought in silver, their erect heads forming -the arms and front. About fifty persons were present, occupying only -the seats nearest to the throne. On the upper tier were nine or ten -who wore a scarlet sash, among whom I recognised a face I had not seen -since the day of my memorable visit to the Astronaut; not precisely -the face of a friend--Endo Zampta. Behind the throne were ranged a -dozen guards, armed with the spear and with the lightning gun used in -hunting. That a single Martial battalion with its appropriate -artillery could annihilate the best army of the Earth I could not but -be aware; yet the first thought that occurred to me, as I looked on -these formidably armed but diminutive soldiers, was that a score of my -Arab horsemen would have cut a regiment of them to pieces. But by the -time I had reached the foot of the steps my attention was concentrated -on a single figure and face--the form and countenance of the Prince, -who rose from his throne as I approached. Those who remember that -Louis XIV., a prince reputed to have possessed the most majestic and -awe-inspiring presence of his age, was actually beneath the ordinary -height of Frenchmen, may be able to believe me when I say that the -Autocrat of Mars, though scarcely five feet tall, was in outward -appearance and bearing the most truly royal and imposing prince I have -ever seen. His stature, rising nearly two inches over the tallest of -those around him, perhaps added to the effect of a mien remarkable for -dignity, composure, and self-confidence. The predominant and most -immediately observable expression of his face was one of serene calm -and command. A closer inspection and a longer experience explained -why, notwithstanding, my first conception of his character (and it was -a true one) ascribed to him quite as much of fire and spirit as of -impassive grandeur. His voice, though its tone was gentle and almost -strikingly quiet, had in it something of the ring peculiar to those -which have sent the word of command along a line of battle. I felt as -I heard it more impressed with the personal greatness, and even with -the rank and power, of the Prince before me, than when I knelt to kiss -the hand of the Most Christian King, or stood barefooted before the -greatest modern successor of the conqueror of Stamboul. - -"I am glad to receive you," he said. "It will be among the most -memorable incidents of my reign that I welcome to my Court the first -visitor from another world, or," he added, after a sudden pause, and -with an inflection of unmistakable irony in his tone, "the first who -has descended to our world from a height to which no balloon could -reach and at which no balloonist could live." - -"I am honoured, Prince," I replied, "in the notice of a greater -potentate than the greatest of my own world." - -These compliments exchanged, the Prince at once proceeded to more -practical matters, aptly, however, connecting his next sentence with -the formal phrases preceding it. - -"Nevertheless, you have not shown excessive respect for my power in -the person of one of my greatest officers. If you treated the princes -of Earth as unceremoniously as the Regent of Elcavoo, I can understand -that you found it convenient to place yourself beyond their reach." - -I thought that this speech afforded me an opportunity of repairing my -offence with the least possible loss of dignity. - -"The proudest of Earthly princes," I replied, "would, I think, have -pardoned the roughness which forgot the duty of a subject in the first -obligations of humanity. No Sovereign whom I have served, but would -have forgiven me more readily for rough words spoken at such a moment, -than for any delay or slackness in saving the life of a woman in -danger under his own eyes. Permit me to take this opportunity of -apologizing to the Regent in your presence, and assuring him that I -was influenced by no disrespect to him, but only by overpowering -terror for another." - -"The lives of a dozen women," said the Campta, still with that covert -irony or sarcasm in his tone, "would seem of less moment than threats -and actual violence offered to the ruler of our largest and wealthiest -dominion. The excuse which Endo Zampta must accept" (with a slight but -perceptible emphasis on the imperative) "is the utter difference -between our laws and ideas and your own." - -The Regent, at this speech from his Sovereign, rose and made the usual -gesture of assent, inclining his head and lifting his left hand to his -mouth. But the look on his face as he turned it on me, thus partly -concealing it from the campta, boded no good should I ever fall into -his power. The Prince then desired me to give an account of the -motives which had induced my voyage and the adventures I had -encountered. In reply, I gave him, as briefly and clearly as I could, -a summary of all that is recorded in the earlier part of this -narrative, carefully forbearing to afford any explanation of the -manner in which the apergic force was generated. This omission the -Prince noticed at once with remarkable quickness. - -"You do not choose," he said, "to tell us your secret, and of course -it is your property. Hereafter, however, I shall hope to purchase it -from you." - -"Prince," I answered, "if one of your subjects-found himself in the -power of a race capable of conquering this world and destroying its -inhabitants, would you forgive him if he furnished them with the means -of reaching you?" - -"I think," he replied, "my forgiveness would be of little consequence -in that case. But go on with your story." - -I finished my narration among looks of surprise and incredulity from -no inconsiderable part of the audience, which, however, I noticed the -less because the Prince himself listened with profound interest; -putting in now and then a question which indicated his perfect -comprehension of my account, of the conditions of such a journey and -of the means I had employed to meet them. - -"Before you were admitted," he said, "Endo Zampta had read to us his -report upon your vessel and her machinery, an account which in every -respect consists with and supports the truth of your relation. Indeed, -were your story untrue, you have run a greater risk in telling it here -than in the most daring adventure I have ever known or imagined. The -Court is dismissed. Reclamomorta will please me by remaining with me -for the present." - -When the assembly dispersed, I followed their Autocrat at his desire -into his private apartments, where, resting among a pile of cushions -and motioning me to take a place in immediate proximity to himself, he -continued the conversation in a tone and manner so exactly the same as -that he had employed in public as to show that the latter was not -assumed for purposes of monarchical stage-play, but was the natural -expression of his own character as developed under the influence of -unlimited and uncontradicted power. He only exchanged, for unaffected -interest and implied confidence, the tone of ironical doubt by which -he had rendered it out of the question for his courtiers to charge him -with a belief in that which public opinion might pronounce impossible, -while making it apparent to me that he regarded the bigotry of -scepticism with scarcely veiled contempt. - -"I wish," he said, "I had half-a-dozen subjects capable of imagining -such an enterprise and hardy enough to undertake it. But though we all -profess to consider knowledge, and especially scientific knowledge, -the one object for which it is worth while to live, none of us would -risk his life in such an adventure for all the rewards that science -and fame could give." - -"I think, Prince," I replied, "that I am in presence of one inhabitant -of this planet who would have dared at least as much as I have done." - -"Possibly," he said. "Because, weary as most of us profess to be of -existence, the weariest life in this world is that of him who rules -it; living for ever under the silent criticism which he cannot answer, -and bound to devote his time and thoughts to the welfare of a race -whose utter extermination would be, on their own showing, the greatest -boon he could confer upon them. Certainly I would rather be the -discoverer of a world than its Sovereign." - -He asked me numerous questions about the Earth, the races that inhabit -it, their several systems of government, and their relations to one -another; manifesting a keener interest, I thought, in the great wars -which ended while I was yet a youth, than in any other subject. At -last he permitted me to take leave. "You are," he said, "the most -welcome guest I ever have or could have received; a guest -distinguished above all others by a power independent of my own. But -what honour I can pay to courage and enterprise, what welcome I can -give such a guest, shall not be unworthy of him or of myself. Retire -now to the home you will find prepared for you. I will only ask you to -remember that I have chosen one near my own in order that I may see -you often, and learn in private all that you can tell me." - -At the entrance of the apartment I was met by the officer who had -introduced me into the presence, and conducted at once to a door -opening on the interior court or peristyle of the central portion of -the Palace. This was itself a garden, but, unlike those of private -houses, a garden open to the sky and traversed by roads in lieu of -mere paths; not serving, as in private dwellings, the purposes of a -common living room. Here a carriage awaited us, and my escort -requested me to mount. I had some misgivings on Eveena's account, but -felt it necessary to imitate the reserve and affected indifference on -such subjects of those among whom I had been thrown, at least until I -somewhat better understood their ways, and had established my own -position. Traversing a vaulted passage underneath the rearward portion -of the Palace, we emerged into the outer garden, and through this into -a road lighted with a brilliancy almost equal to that of day. Our -journey occupied nearly half an hour, when we entered an enclosure -apparently of great size, the avenue of which was so wide that, -without dismounting, our carriage passed directly up to the door of a -larger house than I had yet seen. - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - A PRINCE'S PRESENT. - -"This," said my escort, as we dismounted, "is the residence assigned -to you by the Campta. Besides the grounds here enclosed, he has -awarded you, by a deed which will presently be placed in your hands, -an estate of some ten _stoltau_, which you can inspect at your -leisure, and which will afford you a revenue as large as is enjoyed by -any save by the twelve Regents. He has endeavoured to add to this -testimony of his regard by rendering your household as complete as -wealth and forethought could make it. What may be wanting to your own -tastes and habits you will find no difficulty in adding." - -We now entered that first and principal chamber of the mansion wherein -it is customary to receive all visitors and transact all business. The -hall was one of unusual size and magnificence. Here, at a table not -far from the entrance, stood another official, not wearing the uniform -of the Court, with several documents in his hand. As he turned to -salute me, his face wore an expression of annoyance and discomfiture -which not a little surprised me, till, by following his sidelong, -uncomfortable glances, I perceived a veiled feminine figure, which -could be no other than Eveena's. Misreading my surprise, the official -said-- - -"It is no fault of mine, and I have not spoken except to remonstrate, -as far as might be allowed, against so unusual a proceeding." - -He must have been astonished and annoyed indeed to take such notice of -a stranger's wife; and, above all, to take upon himself to comment on -her conduct for good or ill. I thought it best to make no reply, and -simply saluted him in form as I received the first paper handed to me, -to which, by the absence of any blank space, I perceived that my -signature was not required. This was indeed the document which -bestowed on me the house and estate presented by the Sovereign. The -next paper handed to me appeared to resemble the marriage-contract I -had already signed, save that but one blank was left therein. Unable -to decipher it, I was about to ask the official to read it aloud, when -Eveena, who had stolen up to me unperceived, caught my arm and drew me -a little way aside, indifferent to the wondering glances of the -officials; who had probably never seen a woman venture uncalled into -the public apartments of her husband's house, still less interpose in -any matter of business, and no doubt thought that she was taking -outrageous advantage of my ignorance and inexperience. - -"I will scold you presently, child," I said quickly and low. "What is -it?" - -"Sign at once," she whispered, "and ask no questions. Deal with me as -you will afterwards. You must take what is given you now, without -comment or objection, simply expressing your thanks." - -"_Must_! Eveena?" - -"It is not safe to refuse or slight gifts from such a quarter," she -answered, in the same low tone. "Trust me so far; please do what I -entreat of you now. I must bear your displeasure if I fail to satisfy -you when we are alone." - -Her manner was so agitated and so anxious that it recalled to me at -once the advice of Esmo upon the same point, though the fears which -had prompted so strange an intervention were wholly incomprehensible -to me. I knew her, however, by this time too well to refuse the trust -she now for the first time claimed, and taking the documents one by -one as if I had perfectly understood them, I wrote my name in the -space left blank for it, and allowed the official to stamp the slips -without a word. I then expressed briefly but earnestly my thanks both -to the Autocrat and to the officials who had been the agents of his -kindness. They retired, and I looked round for Eveena; but as soon as -she saw that I was about to comply with her request, she had quitted -the room. Alone in my own house, knowing nothing of its geography, -having no notion how to summon the brute domestics--if, indeed, the -dwelling were furnished with those useful creatures, without whom a -Martial household would be signally incomplete--I could only look for -the spring that opened the principal door. This should lead into the -gallery which, as I judged, must divide the hall and the front -apartments from those looking into the peristyle. Having found and -pressed this spring, the door opened on a gallery longer, wider, and -more elaborately ornamented than that of the only Martial mansions -into which I had been hitherto admitted. Looking round in no little -perplexity, I observed a niche in which stood a statue of white -relieved by a scarlet background; and beside this statue, crouching -and half hidden, a slight pink object, looking at first like a bundle -of drapery, but which in a moment sprang up, and, catching my hand, -made me aware that Eveena had been waiting for me. - -"I beg you," she said with an earnestness I could not understand, "I -beg you to come _this_ way," leading me to the right, for I had turned -instinctively to the left in entering the gallery, perhaps because my -room in Esmo's house had lain in that direction. Reaching the end of -the gallery, she turned into one of the inner apartments; and as the -door closed behind us, I felt that she was sinking to the ground, as -if the agitation she had manifested in the hall, controlled till her -object was accomplished, had now overpowered her. I caught and carried -her to the usual pile of cushions in the corner. The room, according -to universal custom in Martial houses after sunset, was brilliantly -lighted by the electric lamp in the peristyle, and throwing back her -veil, I saw that she was pale to ghastliness and almost fainting. In -my ignorance of my own house, I could call for no help, and employ no -other restoratives than fond words and caresses. Under this treatment, -nevertheless, she recovered perhaps as quickly as under any which the -faculty might have prescribed. She was, still, however, much more -distressed than mere consciousness of the grave solecism she had -committed could explain. But I had no other clue to her trouble, and -could only hope that in repudiating this she would explain its real -cause. - -"Come, bambina!" I expostulated, "we understand one another too well -by this time for you to wrong me by all this alarm. I know that you -would not have broken through the customs of your people without good -reason; and you know that, even if your reason were not sufficient, I -should not be hard upon the error." - -"I am sure you would not," she said. "But this time you have to -consider others, and you cannot let it be supposed that you do not -know a wife's duty, or will allow your authority to be set at naught -in your own household." - -"What matter? Do you suppose I listen in the roads?" [care for -gossip], I rejoined. "Household rule is a matter of the veil, and no -one--not even your autocratic Prince--will venture to lift it." - -"You have not lifted it yourself yet," she answered. "You will -understand me, when you have looked at the slips you were about to -make them read aloud, had I not interrupted you." - -"Bead them yourself," I said, handing to her the papers I still held, -and which, after her interposition, I had not attempted to decipher. -She took them, but with a visible shudder of reluctance--not stronger -than came over me before she had read three lines aloud. Had I known -their purport, I doubt whether even Eveena's persuasion and the -Autocrat's power together could have induced me to sign them. They -were in very truth contracts of marriage--if marriage it can be -called. The Sovereign had done me the unusual, but not wholly -unprecedented, favour of selecting half a dozen of the fairest maidens -of those waiting their fate in the Nurseries of his empire; had -proffered on my behoof terms which satisfied their ambition, gratified -their vanity, and would have induced them to accept any suitor so -recommended, without the insignificant formality of a personal -courtship. It had seemed to him only a gracious attention to complete -my household; and he had furnished me with a bevy of wives, as I -presently found he had selected a complete set of the most intelligent -_amlau, carvee,_ and _tyree_ which he could procure. Without either -the one or the other, the dwelling he had given me would have seemed -equally empty or incomplete. - -This mark of royal favour astounded and dismayed me more than Eveena -herself. If she had entertained the wish, she would hardly have -acknowledged to herself the hope, that she might remain permanently -the sole partner of my home. But so sudden, speedy, and wholesale an -intrusion thereon she certainly had not expected. Even in Mars, a -first bride generally enjoys for some time a monopoly of her husband's -society, if she cannot be said to enchain his affection. It was hard, -indeed, before the thirtieth day after her marriage, to find herself -but one in a numerous family--the harder that our union had from the -first been close, intimate, unrestrainedly confidential, as it can -hardly be where neither expects that the tie can remain exclusive; and -because she had learned to realise and rest upon such love as belongs -to a life in which woman, never affecting the independence of coequal -partnership, has never yet sunk by reaction into a mere slave and toy. -It was hard, cruelly hard, on one who had given in the first hour of -marriage, and never failed to give, a love whose devotion had no -limit, no reserve or qualification; a submission that was less -self-sacrifice or self-suppression than the absolute surrender of -self--of will, feeling, and self-interest--to the judgment and -pleasure of him she loved: hard on her who had neither thought nor -care for herself as apart from me. - -When I understood to what I had actually committed myself, I snatched -the papers from her, and might have torn them to pieces but for the -gentle restraining hand she laid upon mine. - -"You cannot help it," she said, the tears falling from her eyes, but -with a self-command of which I could not have supposed her capable. -"It seems hard on me; but it is better so. It is not that you are not -content with me, not that you love me less. I can bear it better when -it comes from a stranger, and is forced upon you without, and even, I -think, against your will." - -The pressure of the arm that clasped her waist, and the hand that held -her own, was a sufficient answer to any doubt that might be implied in -her last words; and, lifting her eyes to mine, she said-- - -"I shall always remember this. I shall always think that you were -sorry not to have at least a little while longer alone with me. It is -selfish to feel glad that you are pained; but your sympathy, your -sharing my own feeling, comforts me as I never could have been -comforted when, as must have happened sooner or later, you had found -for yourself another companion." - -"Child, do you mean to say there is 'no portal to this passage;' and -that, however much against my will, I am bound to women I have never -seen, and never wish to see?" - -"You have signed," replied Eveena gently. "The contracts are stamped, -and are in the official's hands; and you could not attempt to break -them without giving mortal offence to the Prince, who has intended you -a signal favour. Besides, these girls themselves have done no wrong, -and deserve no affront or unkindness from you." - -I was silent for some minutes; at first simply astounded at the calm -magnanimity which was mingled with her perfect simplicity, then, -pondering the possibilities of the situation-- - -"Can we not escape?" I said at last, rather to myself than to her. - -"Escape!" she repeated with surprise. "And from what? The favour shown -you by our Sovereign, the wealth he has bestowed, the personal -interest he has taken in perfecting every detail of one of the most -splendid homes ever given save to a prince--every incident of your -position--make you the most envied man in this world; and you would -escape from them?" - -Gazing for a few moments in my face, she added-- - -"These maidens were chosen as the loveliest in all the Nurseries of -two continents; every one of them far more beautiful than I can be, -even in your eyes. Pray do not, for my sake, be unkind to them or try -to dislike them. What is it you would escape?" - -"Being false to you," I answered, "if nothing else." - -"False!" she echoed, in unaffected wonder. "What did you promise me?" - -Again I was silenced by the loyal simplicity with which she followed -out ideas so strange to me that their consequences, however logical, I -could never anticipate; and could hardly admit to be sound, even when -so directly and distinctly deduced as now from the intolerable -consistency of the premises. - -"But," I answered at last, "how much did _you_ promise, Eveena? and -how much more have you given?" - -"Nothing," she replied, "that I did not owe. You won your right to all -the love I could give before you asked for it, and since." - -"We 'drive along opposite lines,' Madonna; but we would both give and -risk much to avoid what is before us. Let me ask your father whether -it be not yet possible to return to my vessel, and leave a world so -uncongenial to both of us." - -"You cannot!" she answered. "Try to escape--you insult the Prince; you -put yourself and me, for whom you fear more, in the power of a -malignant enemy. You cannot guide a balloon or a vessel, if you could -get possession of one; and within a few hours after your departure was -known, every road and every port would be closed to you." - -"Can I not send to your father?" I said. - -"Probably," she replied. "I think we shall find a telegraph in your -office, if you will allow me to enter there, now there is no one to -see; and it must be morning in Ecasfe." - -Familiar with the construction and arrangement of a Martial house, -Eveena immediately crossed the gallery to what she called the -office--the front room on the right, where the head of the house -carries on his work or study. Here, above a desk attached to the wall, -was one of those instruments whose manipulation was simple enough for -a novice like myself. - -"But," I said, "I cannot write your stylic characters; and if I used -the phonic letters, a message from me would be very likely to excite -the curiosity of officials who would care about no other." - -"May I," she suggested, "write your message for you, and put your -purport in words that will be understood by my father alone?" - -"Do," I rejoined, "but do it in my name, and I will sign it." - -Under her direction, I took the stylus or pencil and the slip of -_tafroo_ she offered me, and wrote my name at the head. After -eliciting the exact purport of the message I desired to send, and -meditating for some moments, she wrote and read out to me words -literally translated as follows:-- - -"The rich aviary my flower-bird thought over full. I would breathe -home [air]. Health-speak." The sense of which, as I could already -understand, was-- - -"A splendid mansion has been given us, but my flower-bird has found it -too full. I wish for my native air. Prescribe." - -The brevity of the message was very characteristic of the language. -Equally characteristic of the stylography was the fact that the words -occupied about an inch beyond the address. Following her pencil as she -pointed to the ciphers, I said-- - -"Is not _asny care_ a false concord? And why have you used the past -tense?" - -This ill-timed pedantry, applying to Martial grammar the rules of that -with which my boyhood had been painfully familiarised, provoked, amid -all our trouble, Eveena's low silver-toned laugh. - -"I meant it," she answered. "My father will look at his pupil's -writing with both eyes." - -"Well, you are out of reach even of the leveloo." - -She laughed again. - -"Asnyca-re," she said; the changed accentuation turning the former -words into the well-remembered name of my landing-place, with the -interrogative syllable annexed. - -This message despatched, we could only await the reply. Nestling among -the cushions at my knee, her head resting on my breast, Eveena said-- - -"And now, forgive my presumption in counselling you, and my reminding -you of what is painful to both. But what to us is as the course of the -clock, is strange as the stars to you. You must see--_them_, and must -order all household arrangements; and" (glancing at a dial fixed in -the wall) "the black is driving down the green." - -"So much the better," I said. "I shall have less time to speak to -them, and less chance of speaking or looking my mind. And as to -arrangements, those, of course, you must make." - -"I! forgive me," she answered, "that is impossible. It is for you to -assign to each of us her part in the household, her chamber, her rank -and duties. You forget that I hold exactly the same position with the -youngest among them, and cannot presume even to suggest, much less to -direct." - -I was silent, and after a pause she went on-- - -"It is not for me to advise you; but"-- - -"Speak your thought, now and always, Eveena. Even if I did not stand -in so much need of your guidance in a new world, I never yet refused -to hear counsel; and it is a wife's right to offer it." - -"Is it? We are not so taught," she answered. "I am afraid you have -rougher ground to steer over than you are aware. Alone with you, I -hope I should have done nay best, remembering the lesson of the -leveloo, never to give you the pain of teaching a different one. But -we shall no longer be alone; and you cannot hope to manage seven as -you might manage one. Moreover, these girls have neither had that -first experience of your nature which made that lesson so impressive -to me, nor the kindly and gentle training, under a mother's care and a -father's mild authority, that I had enjoyed. They would not understand -the control that is not enforced. They will obey when they must; and -will feel that they must obey when they cannot deceive, and dare not -rebel. Do not think hardly of them for this. They have known no life -but that of the strict clockwork routine of a great Nursery, where no -personal affection and no rule but that of force is possible." - -"I understand, Madonna. Your Prince's gift puts a man in charge of -young ladies, hitherto brought up among women only, and, of course, -petty, petulant, frivolous, as women left to themselves ever are! I -wish you could see the ridiculous side of the matter which occurs to -me, as I see the painful aspect which alone is plain to you. I can -scarcely help laughing at the chance which has assigned to me the -daily personal management of half-a-dozen school-girls; and -school-girls who must also be wives! I don't think you need fear that -I shall deal with them as with you: as a man of sense and feeling must -deal with a woman whose own instincts, affection, and judgment are -sufficient for her guidance. I never saw much of girls or children. I -remember no home but the Western school and the Oriental camp. I -never, as soldier or envoy, was acquainted with other men's homes. -While still beardless, I have ruled bearded soldiers by a discipline -whose sanctions were the death-shot and the bastinado; and when I left -the camp and court, it was for colleges where a beardless face is -never seen. I must look to you to teach me how discipline may be -softened to suit feminine softness, and what milder sanction may -replace the noose and the stick of the _ferash_" (Persian -executioner). - -"I cannot believe," Eveena answered, taking me, as usual, to the -letter, "that you will ever draw the zone too tight. We say that -'anarchy is the worst tyranny.' Laxity which leaves us to quarrel and -torment each other, tenderness which encourages disorder and -disobedience till they must be put down perforce, is ultimate -unkindness. I will not tell you that such indulgence will give you -endless trouble, win you neither love nor respect, and probably teach -its objects to laugh at you under the veil. You will care more for -this--that you would find yourself forced at last to change 'velvet -hand for leathern band.' Believe me, my--our comfort and happiness -must depend on your grasping the helm at once and firmly; ruling us, -and ruling with a strong hand. Otherwise your home will resemble the -most miserable of all scenes of discomfort--an ungoverned school; and -the most severe and arbitrary household rule is better by far than -that. And--forgive me once more--but do not speak as if you would deal -one measure with the left hand and another with the right. Surely you -do not so misunderstand me as to think I counselled you to treat -myself differently from others? 'Just rule only can be gentle.' If you -show favouritism at first, you will find yourself driven step by step -to do what you will feel to be cruel; what will pain yourself perhaps -more than any one else. You may make envy and dislike bite (hold) -their tongues, but you cannot prevent their stinging under the veil. -Therefore, once more, you cannot let my interference pass as if none -but you knew of it." - -"Madonna, if I _am_ to rule such a household, I will rule as -absolutely as your autocratic Prince. I will tolerate no criticism and -no questions." - -"You surely forget," she urged, "that they know my offence, and do not -know--must not know--what in your judgment excuses it. Let them once -learn that it is possible so to force the springs [bolts] without a -sting, it will take a salt-fountain [of tears] to blot the lesson from -their memory." - -"What would you have, Eveena? Am I to deal unjustly that I may seem -just? That course steers straight to disaster. And, had you been in -fault, could, I humble you in other eyes?" - -"If I feel hurt by any mark of your displeasure, or humbled that it -should be known to my equals in your own household," she replied, "it -is time I were deprived of the privileges that have rendered me so -overweening." - -My answer was intercepted by the sound of an electric bell or -miniature gong, and a slip of tafroo fell upon the desk. The first -words were in that vocal character which I had mastered, and came from -Esmo. - -"Hysterical folly," he had said. "Mountain air might be fatal; and -clear nights are dangerously cold for more than yourselves." - -"What does he mean?" I asked, as I read out a formula more studiously -occult than those of the Pharmacopoeia. - -"That I am unpardonably silly, and that you must not dream of going -back to your vessel. The last words, I suppose, warn you how carefully -in such a household you need to guard the secrets of the Starlight." - -"Well, and what is this in the stylic writing?" - -Eveena glanced over it and coloured painfully, the tears gathering in -her eyes. - -"That," she said, pointing to the first cipher, "is my mother's -signature." - -"Then," I said, "it is meant for you, not for me." - -"Nay," she answered. "Do you think I could take advantage of your not -knowing the character?"--and she read words quite as incomprehensible -to me as the writing itself. - -"Can a star mislead the blind? I should veil myself in crimson if I -have trained a bird to snatch sugar from full hands. Must even your -womanhood reverse the clasps of your childhood?" - -"It chimes midnight twice," I said--a Martial phrase meaning, 'I am as -much in the dark as ever.' "Do not translate it, carissima. I can read -in your face that it is unjust--reproachful where you deserve no -reproach." - -"Nay, when you so wrong my mother I must tell you exactly what she -means:--'Can a child of the Star take advantage of one who relies on -her to explain the customs of a world unknown to him? I blush to think -that my child can abuse the tenderness of one who is too eager to -indulge her fancies.' - -"You see she is quite right. You do trust me so absolutely, you are so -strangely over-kind to me, it is shameful I should vex you by fretting -because you are forced to do what you might well have done at your own -pleasure." - -"My own, I was more than vexed; chiefly perhaps for your sake, but not -by you. Where any other woman would have stung the sore by sending -fresh sparks along the wire, you thought only to spare me the pain of -seeing you pained. But what do the last words mean? No"--for I saw the -colour deepen on her half-averted face--"better leave unread what we -know to be written in error." - -But the less agreeable a supposed duty, the more resolute was Eveena -to fulfil it. - -"They were meant to recall a saying familiar in every school and -household," she said:-- - - "'Sandal loosed and well-clasped zone-- - Childhood spares the woman grown. - Change the clasps, and woman yet - Pays with interest childhood's debt.'" - -"This"--tightening and relaxing the clasp of her zone--"is the symbol -of stricter or more indulgent household rule." Then bending so as to -avert her face, she unclasped her embroidered sandal and gave it into -my hand;--"and this is what, I suppose, you would call its sanction." - -"There is more to be said for the sandal than I supposed, bambina, if -it have helped to make you what you are. But you may tell Zulve that -its work and hers are done." - -Kneeling before her, I kissed, with more studied reverence than the -sacred stone of the Caaba, the tiny foot on which I replaced its -covering. - -"Baby as she thinks and I call you, Eveena, you are fast unteaching me -the lesson which, before you were born and ever since, the women of -the Earth have done their utmost to impress indelibly upon my -mind--the lesson that woman is but a less lovable, more petulant, more -deeply and incurably spoilt child. Your mother's reproach is an exact -inversion of the truth. No one could have acted with more utter -unselfishness, more devoted kindness, more exquisite delicacy than you -have shown in this miserable matter. I could not have believed that -even you could have put aside your own feelings so completely, could -have recognised so promptly that I was not in fault, have thought so -exclusively of what was best and safe for me in the first place, and -next of what was kind and just and generous to your rivals. I never -thought such reasonableness and justice possible to feminine nature; -and if I cannot love you more dearly, you have taught me how deeply to -admire and honour you. I accept the situation, since you will have it -so; be as just and considerate henceforward as you have been to-night, -and trust me that it shall bring no shadow between us--shall never -make you less to me than you are now." - -"But it must," she insisted. "I cannot now be other than one wife -among many; and what place I hold among them is, remember, for you and -you alone to fix. No rule, no custom, obliges you to give any -preference in form or fact to one, merely because you chanced to marry -her first." - -"Such, nevertheless, did not seem to be the practice in your father's -house. Your mother was as distinctly wife and mistress as if his sole -companion." - -"My father," she replied, "did not marry a second time till within my -own memory; and it was natural and usual to give the first place to -one so much older and more experienced. I have no such claim, and when -you see my companions you may find good reason to think that I am the -least fit of all to take the first place. Nor," she added, drawing me -from the room, "do I wish it. If only you will keep in your mind one -little place for the memory of our visit to your vessel and your -promise respecting it, I shall be more than content." - -Eveena's humble, unconscious self-abnegation was rendering the -conversation intolerably painful, and even the embarrassing situation -now at hand was a welcome interruption. Eveena paused before a door -opening from the gallery into one of the rooms looking on the -peristyle. - -"You will find them there," she said, drawing back. - -"Come with me, then," I answered; and as she shrank away, I tightened -my clasp of her waist and drew her forward. The door opened, and we -found ourselves in presence of six veiled ladies in pink and silver, -all of them, with one exception, a little taller and less slight than -my bride. Eveena, with the kindness which never failed under the most -painful trial or the most powerful impulses of natural feeling, -extricated herself gently from my hold, took the hand of the first, -and brought her up to me. The girl was evidently startled at the first -sight of her new possessor, and alarmed by a figure so much larger and -more powerful than any she had ever seen, exceeding probably the -picture drawn by her imagination. - -"This," said Eveena gently and gravely, "is Eunane, the prettiest and -most accomplished scholar in her Nursery." - -As I was about to acknowledge the introduction with the same cold -politeness with which I should have bowed to a strange guest on Earth, -Eveena took my left hand in her own and laid it on the maiden's veil, -recalling to me at once the proprieties of the occasion and the -justice she had claimed for her unoffending and unintentional rivals; -but at the same time bringing back in full force a remembrance she -could not have forgotten, but whose effect upon myself the ideas to -which she was habituated rendered her unable to anticipate. To accept -in her presence a second bride, by the same ceremonial act which had -so lately asserted my claim to herself, was intensely repugnant to my -feelings, and only her own self-sacrificing influence could have -overcome my reluctance. My hesitation was, I fear, perceptible to -Eunane; for, as I removed her veil and head-dress, her expression and -a colour somewhat brighter than that of mere maiden shyness indicated -disappointment or mortified pride. She was certainly very beautiful, -and perhaps, had I now seen them both for the first time, I might have -acquiesced in the truth of Eveena's self-depreciation. As it was, -nothing could associate with the bright intelligent face, the clear -grey eyes and light brown hair, the lithe active form instinct with -nervous energy, that charm which from our first acquaintance their -expression of gentle kindness, and, later, the devoted affection -visible in every look, had given to Eveena's features. - -It is, I suppose, hardly natural to man to feel actual unkindness -towards a young and beautiful girl who has given no personal offence. -Having once admitted, the justice of Eveena's plea, and feeling that -she would be more pained by the omission than by the fulfilment of the -forms which courtesy and common kindness imperatively demanded, I -kissed Eunane's brow and spoke a few words to her, with as much of -tenderness as I could feel or affect for Eveena's rival, after what -had passed to endear Eveena more than ever. The latter waited a -little, to allow me spontaneously to perform the same ceremony with -the other girls; but seeing my hesitation, she came forward again and -presented severally four others--Enva ("Snow" = Blanche), Leenoo -("Rose"), Eirale, Elfe, all more or less of the usual type of female -beauty in Mars, with long full tresses varying in tinge from flax to -deep gold or the lightest brown; each with features almost faultless, -and with all the attraction (to me unfailing) possessed for men who -have passed their youth by _la beaute du Diable_--the bloom of pure -graceful girlhood. Eive, the sixth of the party, standing on the right -of the others, and therefore last in place according to Martial usage, -was smaller and slighter than Eveena herself, and made an individual -impression on my attention by a manifest timidity and agitation -greater than any of the rest had evinced. As I removed her veil I was -struck by the total unlikeness which her face and form presented to -those I had just saluted. Her hair was so dark as by contrast to seem -black; her complexion less fair than those of her companions, though -as fair as that of an average Greek beauty; her eyes of deepest brown; -her limbs, and especially the hands and feet, marvellously perfect in -shape and colour, but in the delicacy and minuteness of their form -suggesting, as did all the proportions of her tiny figure, the -peculiar grace of childhood; an image in miniature of faultless -physical beauty. In Eive alone of the bevy I felt a real interest; but -the interest called forth by a singularly pretty child, in whose -expression the first glance discerns a character it will take long to -read, rather than that commanded by the charms of earliest womanhood. - -When I had completed the ceremonial round, there was a somewhat -awkward silence, which Eveena at last broke by suggesting that Eunane -should show us through the house, with which she had made the earliest -acquaintance. This young girl readily took the lead thus assigned to -her, and by some delicate manoeuvre, whose authorship I could not -doubt, I found her hand in mine as we made our tour. The number of -chambers was much greater than in Esmo's dwelling, the garden of the -peristyle larger and more elaborately arranged, if not more beautiful. -The ambau were more numerous than even the domestic service of so -large a mansion appeared to require. The birds, whose duties lay -outside, were by this time asleep on their perches, and we forbore to -disturb them. The central chamber of the seraglio, if I may so call -it, the largest and midmost of those in the rear of the garden, -devoted as of course to the ladies of the household, was especially -magnificent. - -When we stood in its midst, shy looks askance from all the six -betrayed their secret ambition; though Eive's was but momentary, and -so slight that I felt I might have unfairly suspected her of -presumption. I left this room, however, in silence, and assigned to -each, of my maiden brides, in order as they had been presented to me, -the rooms on the left; and then, as we stood once more in the -peristyle, having postponed all further arrangements, all distribution -of household duties, to the morrow (assigning, however, to Eunane, -whose native energy and forwardness had made early acquaintance with -the dwelling and its dumb inhabitants, the charge of providing and -preparing with their assistance our morning meal), I said, "I have let -the business of the evening zyda actually encroach on midnight, and -must detain you from your rest no longer. Eveena, you know, I still -have need of you." - -She was standing at a little distance, next to Eunane; and the latter, -with a smile half malicious, half triumphant, whispered something in -her ear. There was a suppressed annoyance in Eveena's look which -provoked me to interpose. On Earth I should never have been fool -enough to meddle in a woman's quarrel. The weakest can take her own -part in the warfare of taunt and innuendo, better and more venomously -than could dervish, priest, or politician. But Eveena could no more -lower herself to the ordinary level of feminine malice than I could -have borne to hear her do so; and it was intolerable that one whose -sweet humility commanded respect from myself should submit to slight -or sneer from the lips and eyes of petulant girls. Eunane started as I -spoke, using that accent which gives its most peremptory force to the -Martial imperative. "Repeat aloud what you have chosen to say to -Eveena in my presence." - -If the first to express the ill-will excited by Eveena's evident -influence, though exerted in their own behalf, it was less that Eunane -surpassed her companions in malice than that they fell short of her in -audacity. Her school-mates had found her their most daring leader in -mischief, the least reluctant scapegoat when mischief was to be -atoned. But she was cowed, partly perhaps by her first collision with -masculine authority, partly, I fear, by sheer dread of physical force -visibly greater than she had ever known by repute. Perhaps she was too -much frightened to obey. At any rate, it was from Eveena, despite her -pleading looks, that I extorted an answer. She yielded at last only to -that formal imperative which her conscience would not permit her to -disobey, and which for the first time I now employed in addressing -her. - -"Eunane only repeated," Eveena said, with a reluctance so manifest -that one might have supposed her to be the offender, "a school-girl's -proverb:-- - - "'Ware the wrath that stands to cool: - Then the sandal shows the rule.'" - -The smile that had accompanied the whisper--though not so much -suggestive of a woman's malignity as of a child's exultation in a -companion's disgrace--gave point and sting to the taunt. It is on -chance, I suppose, that the effect of such things depends. Had the -saying been thrown at any of Eunane's equals, I should probably have -been inclined to laugh, even if I felt it necessary to reprimand. But, -angered at a hint which placed Eveena on their own level, I forgot how -far the speaker's experience and inexperience alike palliated the -impertinence. That the insinuation shocked none of those around me was -evident. Theirs were not the looks of women, however young and -thoughtless, startled by an affront to their sex; but of children -amazed at a child's folly in provoking capricious and irresponsible -power. The angry quickness with which I turned to Eunane received a -double, though doubly unintentional, rebuke, equally illustrative of -Martial ideas and usages. The culprit cowered like a child expecting a -brutal blow. A gentle pressure on my left arm evinced the same fear in -a quarter from which its expression wounded me deeply. That pressure -arrested not, as was intended, my hand, but my voice; and when I spoke -the frightened girl looked up in surprise at its measured tones. - -"Wrong, and wrong thrice over, Eunane. It is for me to teach you the -bad taste of bringing into your new home the ideas and language of -school. Meanwhile, in no case would you learn more of my rule than -concerned your own fault. Take in exchange for your proverb the -kindliest I have learned in your language:-- - - "'Whispered warnings reach the heart; - Veil the blush and spare the smart.' - -"But, happily for you, your taunt had not truth enough to sting; and I -can tell the story about which you are unduly curious as frankly as -you please.--Let me speak now, Eveena, that I may spare the need to -speak again and in another tone.--That Eveena seemed to have put us -both in a false position only convinced me that she had a motive she -knew would satisfy me as fully as herself. When I learned what that -motive was, I was greatly surprised at her unselfishness and courage. -If you threw me your veil to save me from drowning, how would you feel -if my first words to you were:--'No one must think I could not swim, -therefore even the household must believe you, in unveiling, guilty of -an unpardonable fault'?... Answer me, Eunane." - -"I should let you sink next time," she replied, with a pretty -half-dubious sauciness, showing that her worst fears at least were -relieved. - -"Quite right; but you are less generous than Eveena. To hide how I had -acted on her advice, she would have had you suppose her guilty. That -you might not laugh at my authority, and 'find a dragon in the esve's -nest,' she would have had me treat her as guilty." - -"But I deserved it. A girl has no right to break the seal in the -master's absence," interposed Eveena, much more distressed than -gratified by the vindication to which she was so well entitled. - -"Let your tongue sleep, Eveena. So [with a kiss] I blot your first -miscalculation, Eunane. Earth [the Evening Star of Mars] light your -dreams." - -It was with visible reluctance that Eveena followed me into the -chamber we had last left; and she expostulated as earnestly as her -obedience would permit against the fiat that assigned it to her. - -"Choose what room you please, then," I said; "but understand that, so -far as my will and my trust can make you, you are the mistress here." - -"Well, then," she answered, "give me the little octagon beside your -own:"--the smallest and simplest, but to my taste the prettiest, room -in the house. "I should like to be near you still, if I may; but, -believe me, I shall not be frozen (hurt) because you think another -hand better able to steer the carriage, if mine may sometimes rest in -yours." - -Leading her into the room she had chosen, and having installed her -among the cushions that were to form her couch, I silenced decisively -her renewed protest. - -"Let me answer you on this point, once and for ever, Eveena. To me -this seems matter of right, not of favour or fitness. But favour and -fitness here go with right. I could no more endure to place another -before or beside you than I could break the special bond between us, -and deny the hope of which the Serpent" (laying my hand on her -shoulder-clasp, which, by mere accident, was shaped into a faint -resemblance to the mystic coil) "is the emblem; the hope that alone -can make such love as ours endurable, or even possible, to creatures -that must die. She who knelt with me before the Emerald Throne, who -took with me the vows so awfully sanctioned, shall hold the first -place in my home as in my heart till the Serpent's promise be -fulfilled." - -Both were silent for some time, for never could we refer to that -Vision--whether an objective fact, or an impression communicated from -one spirit to the other by the occult force of intense sympathy--save -by such allusion; and the remembrance never failed to affect us both -with a feeling too deep for words. Eveena spoke again-- - -"I am sorry you have so bound yourself; perhaps only because you knew -me first. And it shames me to receive fresh proof of your kindness -to-night." - -"And why, my own?" - -"Do not make me feel," she said, "that--though the measured sentences -you have taught me to call scolding seemed the sharpest of all -penances--there is a heavier yet in the silence which withholds -forgiveness." - -"What have I yet to forgive, Madonna?" - -But Eveena could read my feelings in spite of my words, and knew that -the pain she had given was too recent to allow me to misconceive her -penitence. - -"I _ought_ to say, my interference. It was your right to rule as you -chose, and my meddling was a far worse offence than Eunane's malice. -But it was not _that_ you felt too deeply to reprove." - -"True! Eunane hurt me a little; but I expected no such misjudgment -from you. By the touch that proved your alarm I know that I gave no -cause for it." - -"How so?" she asked in surprise. - -"You laid your hand instinctively on my _left_ arm, the one your -people use. Had I made the slightest angry gesture, you would have -held back my _right_. Had I deserved that Eveena should think so ill -of me--think me capable of doing such dishonour to her presence and to -my own roof, which should have protected an equal enemy from that -which you feared for a helpless girl? For what you would have checked -was such a blow as men deal to men who can strike back; and the hand -that had given it would have been unfit to clasp man's in friendship -or woman's in love. You yourself must have shrunk from its touch." - -She caught and held it fast to her lips. - -"Can I forget that it saved my life? I don't understand you at all, -but I see that I have frozen your heart. I did fancy for one moment -you would strike, as passionate men and women often do strike -provoking girls, perhaps forgetting your own strength; and I knew you -would be miserable if you did hurt her--in that way. The next moment I -was ashamed, more than you will believe, to have wronged you so. Like -every man, from the head of a household to the Arch-Judge or the -Campta, you must rule by fear. But your wrath _will_ 'stand to cool;' -and you will hate to make a girl cry as you would hate to send a -criminal to the electric-rack, the lightning-stroke, or the -vivisection-table. And, whatever you had done, do you fancy that I -could shrink from you? I said, 'If you weary of your flower-bird you -must strike with the hammer;' and if you could do so, do you think I -should not feel for your hand to hold it to the last?" - -"Hush, Eveena! how can I bear such words? You might forgive me for any -outrage to you: I doubt your easily forgetting cruelty to another. I -have not a heart like yours. As I never failed a friend, so I never -yet forgave a foe. Yet even I might pardon one of those girls an -attempt to poison myself, and in some circumstances I might even learn -to like her better afterwards. But I doubt if I could ever touch again -the hand that had mixed the poison for another, though that other were -my mortal enemy." - - - -CHAPTER XIX - A COMPLETE ESTABLISHMENT. - -Before I slept Eveena had convinced me, much to my own discomfiture, -how very limited must be any authority that could be delegated to her. -In such a household there could be no second head or deputy, and an -attempt to devolve any effective charge on her would only involve her -in trouble and odium. Even at the breakfast, spread as usual in the -centre of the peristyle, she entreated that we should present -ourselves separately. Eunane appeared to have performed very -dexterously the novel duty assigned to her. The _ambau_ had obeyed her -orders with well-trained promptitude, and the _carvee_, in bringing -fruit, leaves, and roots from the outer garden, had more than verified -all that on a former occasion Eveena had told me of their cleverness -and quick comprehension of instructions. Eunane's face brightened -visibly as I acknowledged the neatness and the tempting appearance of -the meal she had set forth. She was yet more gratified by receiving -charge for the future of the same duty, and authority to send, as is -usual, by an amba the order for that principal part of each day's food -which is supplied by the confectioner. By reserving for Eveena the -place among the cushions immediately on my left, I made to the -assembled household the expected announcement that she was to be -regarded as mistress of the house; feminine punctiliousness on points -of domestic precedence strikingly contrasting the unceremonious -character of intercourse among men out of doors. The very ambau -recognise the mistress or the favourite, as dogs the master of their -Earthly home. - -The ladies were at first shy and silent, Eunane only giving me more -than a monosyllabic answer to my remarks, and even Eunane never -speaking save in reply to me. A trivial incident, however, broke -through this reserve, and afforded me a first taste of the petty -domestic vexations in store for me. The beverage most to my liking was -always the _carcara_--juice flavoured with roasted kernels, something -resembling coffee in taste. On this occasion the _carcara_ and another -favourite dish had a taste so peculiar that I pushed both aside almost -untouched. On observing this, the rest--Enva, Leenoo, Elfe, and -Eirale--took occasion to criticise the articles in question with such -remarks and grimaces as ill-bred children might venture for the -annoyance of an inexperienced sister. I hesitated to repress this -outbreak as it deserved, till Eunane's bitter mortification was -evident in her brightening colour and the doubtful, half-appealing -glance of tearful eyes. Then a rebuke, such as might have been -appropriately addressed yesterday to these rude school-girls by their -governess, at once silenced them. As we rose, I asked Eveena, who, -with more courtesy than the rest of us, had finished her portion-- - -"Is there any justice in these reproaches? I certainly don't like the -carcara to-day, but it does not follow that Eunane is in fault." - -The rest, Eunane included, looked their annoyance at this appeal; but -Eveena's temper and kindness were proof against petulance. - -"The carcara is in fault," she said; "but I don't think Eunane is. In -learning cookery at school she had her materials supplied to her; this -time the _carve_ has probably given her an unripe or overripe fruit -which has spoiled the whole." - -"And do you not know ripe from unripe fruit?" I inquired, turning to -Eunane. - -"How should she?" interposed Eveena. "I doubt if she ever saw them -growing." - -"How so?" I asked of Eunane. - -"It is true," she answered. "I never went beyond the walls of our -playground till I came here; and though there were a few flower-beds -in the inner gardens, there were none but shade trees among the turf -and concrete yards to which we were confined." - -"I should have known no better," observed Eveena; "but being brought -up at home, I learned to know all the plants in my father's grounds, -which were more various, I believe, than usual." - -"Then," I said, "Eunane has a new life and a multitude of new -pleasures before her. Has this peristyle given you your first sight of -flowers beyond those in the beds of your Nursery? And have you never -seen anything of the world about you?" - -"Never," she said. "And Eveena's excuse for me is, I believe, -perfectly true. The carve must have been stupid, but I knew no -better." - -"Well," I rejoined, "you must forgive the bird, as we must excuse you -for spoiling our breakfast. I will contrive that you shall know more -of fruits and flowers before long. In the meantime, you will probably -have a different if not a wider view from this roof than from that of -your Nursery." - -After all, Eunane's girlhood, typical of the whole life of many -Martial women, had not, I suppose, been more dreary or confined than -that of children in London, Canton, or Calcutta. But this incident, -reminding me how dreary and limited that life was, served to excuse in -my eyes the pettiness and poverty of the characters it had produced. A -Martial woman's whole experience may well be confined within a few -acres, and from the cradle to the grave she may see no more of the -world than can be discerned from the roof of her school or her -husband's home. - -Eunane, with the assistance of the ambau, busied herself in removing -the remains of the meal. The other five, putting on their veils, -scampered up the inclined plane to the roof, much like children -released from table or from tasks. Turning to Eveena, who still -remained beside me, I said-- - -"Get your veil, and come out with me; I have not yet an idea where we -are, and scarcely a notion what the grounds are like." - -She followed me to my apartment, out of which, opened the one she had -chosen, and as the window closed behind us she spoke in a tone of -appeal-- - -"Do not insist on my accompanying you. As you bade me always speak my -thought, I had much rather you would take one of the others." - -"You professed," I said, "to take especial pleasure in a walk with me, -and this time I will be careful that you are not overtired." - -"Of course I should like it," she answered; "but it would not be just. -Please let me this time remain to take my part of the household -duties, and make myself acquainted with the house. Choose your -companion among the others, whom you have scarcely noticed yet." - -Preferring not only Eveena's company, but even my own, to that of any -of the six, and feeling myself not a little dependent on her guidance -and explanations, I remonstrated. But finding that her sense of -justice and kindness would yield to nothing short of direct command, I -gave way. - -"You forget _my_ pleasure," I said at last. "But if you will not go, -you must at least tell me which I am to take. I will not pretend to -have a choice in the matter." - -"Well, then," she answered, "I should be glad to see you take Eunane. -She is, I think, the eldest, apparently the most intelligent and -companionable, and she has had one mortification already she hardly -deserved." - -"And is much the prettiest," I added maliciously. But Eveena was -incapable of even understanding so direct an appeal to feminine -jealousy. - -"I think so," she said; "much the prettiest among us. But that will -make no difference under her veil." - -"And must she keep down her veil," I asked, "in our own grounds?" - -Eveena laughed. "Wherever she might be seen by any man but yourself." - -"Call her then," I answered. - -Eveena hesitated. But having successfully carried her own way on the -main question, she would not renew her remonstrances on a minor point; -and finding her about to join the rest, she drew Eunane apart. Eunane -came up to me alone, Eveena having busied herself in some other part -of the house. She approached slowly as if reluctant, and stood silent -before me, her manner by no means expressive of satisfaction. - -"Eveena thought," I said, "that you would like to accompany me; but if -not, you may tell her so; and tell her in that case that she _must_ -come." - -"But I shall be glad to go wherever you please," replied Eunane. -"Eveena did not tell me why you sent for me, and"---- - -"And you were afraid to be scolded for spoiling the breakfast? You -have heard quite enough of that." - -"You dropped a word last night," she answered, "which made me think -you would keep your displeasure till you had me alone." - -"Quite true," I said, "if I had any displeasure to keep. But you might -spoil a dozen meals, and not vex me half as much as the others did." - -"Why?" she asked in surprise. "Girls and women always spite one -another if they have a chance, especially one who is in disfavour or -disgrace with authority." - -"So much the worse," I answered. "And now--you know as much or as -little of the house as any of us; find the way into the grounds." - -A narrow door, not of crystal as usual, but of metal painted to -resemble the walls, led directly from one corner of the peristyle into -the grounds outside. I had inferred on my arrival, by the distance -from the road to the house, that their extent was considerable, but I -was surprised alike by their size and arrangement. On two sides they -were bounded by a wall about four hundred yards in length--that -parting them from the road was about twice as long. They were laid out -with few of the usual orchard plots and beds of different fruits and -vegetables, but rather in the form of a small park, with trees of -various sorts, among which the fruit trees were a minority. The -surface was broken by natural rising grounds and artificial terraces; -the soil was turfed in the manner I have previously described, with -minute plants of different colours arranged in bands and patterns. -Here and there was a garden consisting of a variety of flower-beds and -flowering shrubs; broad concrete paths winding throughout, and a -beautiful silver stream meandering hither and thither, and filling -several small ponds and fountains. That the grounds immediately -appertaining to the house were not intended as usual for the purposes -of a farm or kitchen-garden was evident. The reason became equally -apparent when, looking towards the north, where no wall bounded them, -I saw--over a gate in the middle of a dense hedge of flowering shrubs, -which, with a ditch beyond it, formed the limit of the park in that -direction--an extensive farm divided by the usual ditches into some -twenty-five or thirty distinct fields, and more than a square mile in -extent. This, as Eunane's native inquisitiveness and quickness had -already learnt, formed part of the estate attached to the mansion and -bestowed upon me by the Campta. It was admirably cultivated, -containing orchards, fields rich with various thriving crops, and -pastures grazed by the Unicorn and other of the domestic birds and -beasts kept to supply Martial tables with milk, eggs, and meat; -producing nearly every commodity to which the climate was suited, and, -as a very short observation assured me, capable of yielding a far -greater income than would suffice to sustain in luxury and splendour a -household larger than that enforced upon me. We walked in this -direction, my companion talking fluently enough when once I had set -her at ease, and seemingly free from the shyness and timidity which -Eveena had at first displayed. She paused when we reached a bridge -that spanned the ditch dividing the grounds from the farm, aware that, -save on special invitation, she might not, even in my company, go -beyond the former. I led her on, however, till soon after we had -crossed the ditch I saw a man approaching us. On this, I desired -Eunane to remain where she was, seating her at the foot of a fruit -tree in one of the orchard plots, and proceeded to meet the stranger. -After exchanging the usual salute, he came immediately to the point. - -"I thought," he said, "that you would not care yourself to undertake -the cultivation of so extensive an estate. Indeed, the mere -superintendence would occupy the whole of one man's attention, and its -proper cultivation would be the work of six or eight. I have had some -little experience in agriculture, and determined to ask for this -charge." - -"And who has recommended you?" I said. "Or have you any sort of -introduction or credentials to me?" - -He made a sign which I immediately recognised. Caution, however, was -imposed by the law to which that sign appealed. - -"You can read," I said, "by starlight?" - -"Better than by any other," he rejoined with a smile. - -One or two more tokens interchanged left me no doubt that the claim -was genuine, and, of course, irresistible. - -"Enough," I replied. "You may take entire charge on the usual terms, -which, doubtless, you know better than I." - -"You trust me then, absolutely?" he said, in a tone of some little -surprise. - -"In trusting you," I replied, "I trust the Zinta. I am tolerably sure -to be safe in hands recommended by them." - -"You are right," he said, "and how right this will prove to you," and -he placed in my hand a small cake upon which was stamped an impression -of the signet that I had seen on Esmo's wrist. When he saw that I -recognised it, he took it back, and, breaking it into fragments, -chewed and swallowed it. - -"This," he said, "was given me to avouch the following message:--Our -Chiefs are informed that the Order is threatened with a novel danger. -Systematic persecution by open force or by law has been attempted and -defeated ages ago, and will hardly be tried again. What seems to be -intended now is the destruction of our Chiefs, individually, by secret -means--means which it is supposed we shall not be able to trace to the -instigators, even if we should detect their instruments." - -"But," I remarked, "those who have warned you of the danger must know -from whom it proceeds, and those who are employed in such an attack -must run not only the ordinary risk of assassins, but the further risk -entailed by the peculiar powers of those they assail." - -"Those powers," he answered, "they do not understand or recognise. The -instruments, I presume, will be encouraged by an assurance that the -Courts are in their favour, and by a pledge in the last resort that -they shall be protected. The exceptional customs of our Order, -especially their refusal to send their children into the public -Nurseries, mark out and identify them; and though our places of -meeting are concealed and have never been invaded, the fact that we do -meet and the persons of those who attend can hardly be concealed." - -"But," I asked, "if a charge of assassination is once made and proved, -how can the Courts refuse to do justice? Can the instigators protect -the culprit without committing themselves?" - -"They would appeal, I do not doubt, to a law, passed many ages ago -with a special regard to ourselves, but which has not been applied for -a score of centuries, putting the members of a secret religious -society beyond the pale of legal protection. That we shall ultimately -find them out and avenge ourselves, you need not doubt. But in the -meantime every known dissentient from the customs of the majority is -in danger, and persons of note or prominence especially so. Next to -Esmo and his son, the husband of his daughter is, perhaps, in as much -peril as any one. No open attempt on your life will be adventured at -present, while you retain the favour of the Campta. But you have made -at least one mortal and powerful enemy, and you may possibly be the -object of well-considered and persistent schemes of assassination. On -the other hand, next to our Chief and his son, you have a paramount -claim on the protection of the Order; and those who with me will take -charge of your affairs have also charge to watch vigilantly over your -life. If you will trust me beforehand with knowledge of all your -movements, I think your chief peril will lie in the one sphere upon -which we cannot intrude--your own household; and Clavelta directs your -own special attention to this quarter. Immediate danger can scarcely -threaten you as yet, save from a woman's hand." - -"Poison?" - -"Probably," he returned coolly. "But of the details of the plot our -Council are, I believe, as absolutely ignorant as of the quarter from -which it proceeds." - -"And how," I inquired, "can it be that the witness who has informed -you of the plot has withheld the names, without which his information -is so imperfect, and serves rather to alarm than to protect us?" - -"You know," he replied, "the kind of mysterious perception to which we -can resort, and are probably aware how strangely lucid in some points, -how strangely darkened in others, is the vision that does not depend -on ordinary human senses?" - -As we spoke we had passed Eunane once or twice, walking backwards and -forwards along the path near which she sat. As my companion was about -to continue, we were so certainly within her hearing that I checked -him. - -"Take care," I said; "I know nothing of her except the Campta's -choice, and that she is not of us." - -He visibly started. - -"I thought," he said, "that the witness of our conversation was one at -least as reliable as yourself. I forgot how it happened that you have -diverged from the prudence which forbids our brethren to admit to -their households aliens from the Order and possible spies on its -secrets." - -"Of whom do you speak as Clavelta?" I asked. "I was not even aware -that the Order had a single head." - -"The Signet," replied my friend in evident surprise, "should have -distinguished the Arch-Enlightener to duller sight than yours." - -We had not spoken, of course, till we were again beyond hearing; but -my companion looked round carefully before he proceeded-- - -"You will understand the better, then, how strong is your own claim -upon the care of your brethren, and how confidently you may rely upon -their vigilance and fidelity." - -"I should regret," I answered, "that their lives should be risked for -mine. In dangers like those against which you could protect me, I have -been accustomed from boyhood to trust my own right hand. But the fear -of secret assassination has often unnerved the bravest men, and I will -not say that it may not disturb me." - -"For you," he answered, "personally we should care as for one of our -brethren exposed to especial danger, For him who saved the descendant -of our Founder, and who in her right, after her father and brother, -would be the guardian, if not the head, of the only remaining family -of his lineage, one and all of us are at need bound to die." - -After a few more words we parted, and I rejoined Eunane, and led her -back towards the house. I had learnt to consider taciturnity a matter -of course, except where there was actual occasion for speech; but -Eunane had chattered so fluently and frankly just before, that her -absolute silence might have suggested to me the possibility that she -had heard and was pondering things not intended for her knowledge, had -I been less preoccupied. Enured to the perils of war, of the chase, of -Eastern diplomacy, and of travel in the wildest parts of the Earth, I -do not pretend indifference to the fear of assassination, and -especially of poison. Cromwell, and other soldiers of equal nerve and -clearer conscience, have found their iron courage sorely shaken by a -peril against which no precautions were effective and from which they -could not enjoy an hour's security. The incessant continuous strain on -the nerves is, I suppose, the chief element in the peculiar dread with -which brave men have regarded this kind of peril; as the best troops -cannot endure to be under fire in their camp. Weighing, however, the -probability that girls who had been selected by the Sovereign, and had -left their Nursery only to pass directly into my house, could have -been already bribed or seduced to become the instruments of murderous -treachery, I found it but slight; and before we reached the house I -had made up my mind to discard the apprehensions or precautions -recommended to me on their account. Far better, if need be, to die by -poison than to live in hourly terror of it. Better to be murdered than -to suspect of secret treason those with whom I must maintain the most -intimate relations, and whose sex and years made it intolerable to -believe them criminal. I dismissed the thought, then; and believing -that I had probably wronged them in allowing it to dwell for a moment -in my mind, I felt perhaps more tenderly than before towards them, and -certainly indisposed to name to Eveena a suspicion of which I was -myself ashamed. Perhaps, too, youth and beauty weighed in my -conclusion more than cool reason would have allowed. A Martial proverb -says-- - - "Trust a foe, and you may rue it; - Trust a friend, and perish through it. - Trust a woman if you will;-- - Thrice betrayed, you'll trust her still." - -As to the general warning, I was wishful to consult Eveena, and -unwilling to withhold from her any secret of my thoughts; but equally -averse to disturb her with alarms that were trying even to nerves -seasoned by the varied experience of twenty years against every open -peril. - - - -CHAPTER XX - LIFE, SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. - -As we approached the house I caught sight of Eveena's figure among the -party gathered on the roof. She had witnessed the interview, but her -habitual and conscientious deference forbade her to ask a confidence -not volunteered; and she seemed fully satisfied when, on the first -occasion on which we were alone, I told her simply that the stranger -belonged to the Zinta and had been recommended by her father himself -to the charge of my estate. Though reluctant to disturb her mind with -fears she could not shake off as I could, and which would make my -every absence at least a season of terror, the sense of insecurity -doubtless rendered me more anxious to enjoy whenever possible the only -society in which it was permissible to be frank and off my guard. No -man in his senses would voluntarily have accepted the position which -had been forced upon me. The Zveltau never introduce aliens into their -households. Their leading ideas and fundamental principles so deeply -affect the conduct of existence, the motives of action, the bases of -all moral reasoning--so completely do the inferences drawn from them -and the habits of thought to which they lead pervade and tinge the -mind, conscience, and even language--that though it may be easy to -"live in the light at home and walk with the blind abroad," yet in the -familiar intercourse of household life even a cautious and reserved -man (and I was neither) must betray to the keen instinctive -perceptions of women whether he thought and felt like those around -him, or was translating different thoughts into an alien language. -This difficulty is little felt between unbelievers and Christians. The -simple creed of the Zinta, however, like that of the Prophet, affects -the thought and life as the complicated and subtle mysteries of more -elaborate theologies, more refined philosophic systems rarely do. - -One of Eveena's favourite quotations bore the unmistakable stamp of -Zveltic mysticism:-- - - "Symbols that invert the sense - Form the Seal of Providence; - Contradiction gives the key, - Time unlocks the mystery." - -The danger in which my relation to the Zinta and its chief involved -me, and the presence of half a dozen rivals to Eveena--rivals also to -that regard for the Star which at first I felt chiefly for her -sake--likely as they seemed to impair the strength and sweetness of -the tie between us, actually worked to consolidate and endear it. To -enjoy, except on set occasions, without constant liability to -interruption, Eveena's sole society was no easy matter. To conceal our -real secret, and the fact that there was a secret, was imperative. -Avowedly exclusive confidence, conferences from which the rest of the -household were directly shut out, would have suggested to their -envious tempers that Eveena played the spy on them, or influenced and -advised the exercise of my authority. To be alone with her, therefore, -as naturally and necessarily I must often wish to be, required -manoeuvres and arrangements as delicate and difficult, though as -innocent, as those employed by engaged couples under the strict -conventions of European household usage; and the comparative rarity of -such interviews, and the manner in which they had often to be -contrived beforehand, kept alive in its earliest freshness the love -which, if not really diminished, generally loses somewhat of its first -bloom and delicacy in the unrestrained intercourse of marriage. -Absolutely and solely trusted, assured that her company was eagerly -sought, and at least as deeply valued as ever--compelled by the ideas -of her race to accept the situation as natural and right, and wholly -incapable of the pettier and meaner forms of jealousy--Eveena was -fully content and happy in her relations with me. That, on the whole, -she was not comfortable, or at least much less so than during our -suddenly abbreviated honeymoon, was apparent; but her loss of -brightness and cheerfulness was visible chiefly in her weary and -downcast looks on any occasion when, after being absent for some hours -from the house, I came upon her unawares. In my presence she was -always calm and peaceful, kind, and seemingly at ease; and if she saw -or heard me on my return, though she carefully avoided any appearance -of eagerness to greet me sooner than others, or to claim especial -attention, she ever met me with a smile of welcome as frank and bright -as a young bride on Earth could give to a husband returning to her -sole society from a long day of labour for her sake. - -In so far as compliance was possible I was compelled to admit the -wisdom of Eveena's plea that no open distinction should be made in her -favour. Except in the simple fact of our affection, there was no -assignable reason for making her my companion more frequently than -Eunane or Eive. Except that I could trust her completely, there was no -distinction of age, social rank, or domestic relation to afford a -pretext for exempting her from restraints which, if at first I thought -them senseless and severe, were soon justified by experience of the -kind of domestic control which just emancipated school-girls expected -and required. Nor would she accept the immunity tacitly allowed her. -It was not that any established custom or right bounded the arbitrary -power of domestic autocracy. The right of all but unbounded wrong, the -liberty of limitless caprice, is unquestionably vested in the head of -the household. But the very completeness of the despotism rendered its -exercise impossible. Force cannot act where there is no resistance. -The sword of the Plantagenet could cleave the helmet but not the quilt -of down. I could do as I pleased without infringing any understanding -or giving any right to complain. - -"But," said Eveena, "you have a sense of justice which has nothing to -do with law or usage. Even your language is not ours. You think of -right and wrong, where we should speak only of what is or is not -punishable. You can make a favourite if you will pay the price. Could -you endure to be hated in your own home, or I to know that you -deserved it? Or, if you could, could you bear to see me hated and my -life made miserable?" - -"They dare not!" I returned angrily fearing that they had dared, and -that she had already felt the spite she was so careful not to provoke. - -"Do you think that feminine malice cannot contrive to envenom a dozen -stings that I could not explain if I would, and you could not deal -with if I did?" - -"But," I replied, "it seems admitted that there is no such thing as -right or custom. As Enva said, I have bought and paid for them, and -may do what I please within the contract; and you agree that is just -what any other man in this world would do." - -"Yes," returned Eveena, "and I watched your face while Enva spoke. How -did you like her doctrine? Of course you may do as you please--if you -can please. You may silence discontent, you may suppress spiteful -innuendos and even sulky looks, you may put down mutiny, by sheer -terror. Can you? You may command me to go with you whenever you go -out; you may take the same means to make me complain of unkindness as -to make them conceal it; you may act like one of our own people, if -you can stoop to the level of their minds. But we both know that you -can do nothing of the kind. How could you bear to be driven into -unsparing and undeserved severity, who can hardly bring yourself to -enforce the discipline necessary to peace and comfort on those who -will only be ruled by fear and would like you better if they feared -you more? Did you hear the proverb Leenoo muttered, very unjustly, -when she left your room yesterday, 'A favourite wears out many -sandals'? No! You see the very phrase wounds and disgusts you. But you -would find it a true one. Can you take vengeance for a fault you have -yourself provoked? Can you decide without inquiry, condemn without -evidence, punish without hearing? Men do these things, of course, and -women expect them. But you--I do not say you would be ashamed so to -act--you cannot do it, any more than you can breathe the air of our -snow-mountains." - -"At all events, Eveena, I no more dare do it in your presence than I -dare forswear the Faith we hold in common." - -But whatever Eveena might exact or I concede, the distinction between -the wife who commanded as much respect as affection, and the girls who -could at best be pets or playthings, was apparent against our will in -every detail of daily life and domestic intercourse. It was alike -impossible to treat Eveena as a child and to rule Enva or Eirale as -other than children. It was as unnatural to use the tone of command or -rebuke to one for whom my unexpressed wishes were absolute law, as to -observe the form of request or advice in directing or reproving those -whose obedience depended on the consequences of rebellion. It only -made matters worse that the distinction corresponded but too -accurately to their several deserts. No faults could have been so -irritating to Eveena's companions as her undeniable faultlessness. - -The ludicrous aspect of my relation to the rest of the household was -even more striking than I had expected. That I should find myself in -the absurd position of a man entrusted with the direct personal -government of half-a-dozen young ladies was even "more truly spoke -than meant." One at least among them might singly have made in time a -not unlovable wife, and all, perhaps, might severally and separately -have been reduced to conjugal complaisance. Collectively, they were, -as Eveena had said, a set of school-girls, and school-girls used to -stricter restraint and much sharper discipline than those of a French -or Italian convent. They would have made life a burden to a vigorous -English schoolmistress, and imperilled the soul of any Lady-Abbess -whose list of permissible penances excluded the dark cell and the -scourge. Fortunately for both parties, I had the advantage of -governess and Superior in the natural awe which girls feel for the -authority of manhood--till they have found out of what soft fibre men -are made--and in the artificial fear inspired by domestic usage and -tradition. For I was soon aware that even on its ridiculous side the -relation was not to be trifled with. The simple indifference a man -feels towards the escapades of girlhood was not applicable to women -and wives, who yet lacked womanly sense and the feeling of conjugal -duty. This serious aspect of their position soon contracted the -indulgence naturally conceded to youth's heedlessness and animal -spirits. These, displayed at first only in the energy and eagerness of -their every movement within the narrow limits of conventional usage, -broke all bounds when, after one or two half-timid, half-venturous -experiments on my patience, they felt that they had, at least for the -moment, exchanged the monotony, the mechanical routine, the stern -repression of their life in the great Nurseries, not for the harsh -household discipline to which they naturally looked forward, but for -the "loosened zone" which to them seemed to promise absolute liberty. -When not immediately in my presence or Eveena's, their keen enjoyment -of a life so new, the sudden development of the brighter side of their -nature under circumstances that gave play to the vigorous vitality of -youth, gave as much pleasure to me as to themselves. But in contact -with myself or Eveena they were women, and showed only the wrong side -of the varied texture of womanhood. To the master they were slaves, -each anxious to attract his notice, win his preference; before the -favourite, spiteful, envious of her and of each other, bitter, -malicious, and false. For Eveena's sake, it was impossible to look on -with indolent indifference on freaks of temper which, childish in the -form they assumed, were envenomed by the deliberate dislike and -unscrupulous cunning of jealous women. - -But even on the childish side of their character and conduct, they -soon displayed a determination to test by actual experiment the utmost -extent of the liberty allowed, and the nature and sufficiency of its -limits. Eunane was always the most audacious trespasser and -representative rebel. Fortunately for her, the daring which had -bewildered and exasperated feminine guardians rather amused and -interested me, giving some variety and relief to the monotonous -absurdity of the situation. Nothing in her conduct was more remarkable -or more characteristic than the simplicity and good temper with which -she generally accepted as of course the less agreeable consequences of -her outbreaks; unless it were the sort of natural dignity with which, -when she so pleased, the game played out and its forfeit paid, the -naughty child subsided into the lively but rational companion, and the -woman simply ignored the scrapes of the school-girl. - -As her character seemed to unfold, Eive's individuality became as -distinctly parted from the rest as Eunane's, though in an opposite -direction. Comparatively timid and indolent, without their fulness of -life, she seemed to me little more than a child; and she fell with -apparent willingness into that position, accepting naturally its -privileges and exemptions. She alone was never in the way, never -vexatious or exacting. Content with the notice that naturally fell to -her share, she obtained the more. Never intruding between Eveena and -myself, she alone was not wholly unwelcome to share our accidental -privacy when, in the peristyle or the grounds, the others left us -temporarily alone. On such occasions she would often draw near and -crouch at my feet or by Eveena's side, curling herself like a kitten -upon the turf or among the cushions, often resting her little head -upon Eveena's knee or mine; generally silent, but never so silent as -to seem to be a spy upon our conversation, rather as a favourite child -privileged, in consideration of her quietude and her supposed -harmlessness and inattention, to remain when others are excluded, and -to hear much to which she is supposed not to listen. Having no special -duties of her own in the household, she would wait upon and assist -Eveena whenever the latter would accept her attendance. When the whole -party were assembled, it was her wont to choose her place not in the -circle, still less at my side--Eveena's title to the post of honour on -the left being uncontested, and Eunane generally occupying the -cushions on my right. But Eive, lying at our feet, would support -herself on her arm between my knee and Eunane's, content to attract my -hand to play with her curls or stroke her head. Under such -encouragement she would creep on to my lap and rest there, but seldom -took any part in conversation, satisfied with the attention one pays -half-consciously to a child. A word that dropped from Enva, however, -on one occasion, obliged me to observe that it was in Eveena's absence -that Eive always seemed most fully aware of her privileges and most -lavish of her childlike caresses. The kind of notice and affection she -obtained did not provoke the envy even of Leenoo or Eirale. She no -more affected to imitate Eveena's absolute devotion than she ventured -on Eunane's reckless petulance. She kept my interest alive by the -faults of a spoiled child. Her freaks were always such as to demand -immediate repression without provoking serious displeasure, so that -the temporary disgrace cost her little, and the subsequent -reconciliation strengthened her hold on my heart. But with Eveena, or -in her presence, Eive's waywardness was so suppressed or controlled -that Eveena's perceptible coolness towards her--it was never coldness -or unkindness--somewhat surprised me. - -Few Martialists, when wealthy enough to hand over the management of -their property to others, care to interfere, or even to watch its -cultivation. This, however, to me was a subject of as much interest as -any other of the many peculiarities of Martial society, commerce, and -industry, which it concerned me to investigate and understand; and -when not otherwise employed, I spent great part of my day in watching, -and now and then directing, the work that went on during the whole of -the sunlight, and not unfrequently during the night, upon my farm. -Davilo, the superintendent, had engaged no fewer than eight -subordinates, who, with the assistance of the ambau, the carvee, and -the electric machines, kept every portion of the ground in the most -perfect state of culture. The most valuable part of the produce -consisted of those farinaceous fruits, growing on trees from twenty to -eighty feet in height, which form the principal element of Martial -food. Between the tropics these trees yield ripe fruit twice a year, -during a total period of about three of our months--perhaps for a -hundred days. Various gourds, growing chiefly on canes, hanging from -long flexile stalks that spring from the top of the stem at a height -of from three to eight feet, yield juice which is employed partly in -flavouring the various loaves and cakes into which the flour is made, -partly in the numerous beverages (never allowed to ferment, and -consequently requiring to be made fresh every day), of which the -smallest Martial household has a greater variety than the most -luxurious palace of the East. The best are made from hard-skinned -fruits, whose whole pulp is liquified by piercing the rind before the -fruit is fully ripe, and closing the orifice with a wax-like -substance, almost exactly according to a practice common in different -parts of Asia. The drinks are made, of course, at home. The -farinaceous fruits are sold to the confectioners, who take also a -portion of the milk and all the meat supplied by the pastures. Many -choice fruits grow on shrubs, ranging from the size of a large black -currant tree to that of the smallest gooseberry bush. Vines growing -along the ground bear clustering nuts, whose kernels are sometimes as -hard as that of a cocoa-nut, sometimes almost as soft as butter. The -latter with the juicy fruits, are preserved if necessary for a whole -year in storehouses dug in the ground and lined with concrete, in -which, by chemical means, a temperature a little above the -freezing-point is steadily maintained at very trivial cost. The number -of dishes producible by the mixture of these various materials, with -the occasional addition of meat, fish, and eggs, is enormous; and it -is only when some particular compound is in special favour with the -master of the house that it makes its appearance more than perhaps -once in ten days upon the same table. The invention of the -confectioners is exquisite and inexhaustible; and every table is -supplied with a variety of dainties sufficient for a feast in the most -hospitable and wealthy household of Europe. Many of the smaller -fruit-trees and shrubs yield two crops in the year. The vegetables, -crisper, and of much more varied taste than the best Terrestrial -salads, sometimes possessing a flavour as _piquant_ as that of -cinnamon or nutmeg, are gathered continuously from one end of the year -to the other. - -The vines, tough and fibrous, supply the best and strongest cordage -used in Mars. For this purpose they are dried, stripped, combed, and -put through an elaborate process of manufacture, which, without -weakening the fibres, renders them smooth, and removes the knots in -which they naturally abound. The twisted cord of the nut-vine is -almost as strong as a metallic wire rope of half its measurement. -There is another purpose for which these fibres in their natural state -are employed. Simply dried and twisted, they form a scourge as -terrible as the Russian knout or African cowhide, though of a -different character--a scourge which, even in its lightest form, -reduces the wildest herd to instant order; and which, as employed on -criminals, is hardly less dreaded than that electric rack whereby -Martial science inflicts on every nerve a graduated torture such as -even ecclesiastical malignity has not invented on Earth--such as I -certainly will not place in the hands of Terrestrial rulers. - -All these crops are raised with marvellously little human labour, the -whole work of ploughing and sowing being done by machinery, that of -weeding and harvesting chiefly by the carvee. The ambau climb the -trees and pick the fruit from the ends of the branches, which they are -also taught to pinch in, so that none grow so long as to break with -the weight of these creatures, as clever and agile as the smaller -monkeys, but almost as large as an ordinary baboon. It must always be -remembered that, size for size, and _caeteris paribus,_ all bodies, -animate and inanimate, on Mars weigh less than half as much as they -would on Earth. Eunane's blunder about the _carcara_ was not explained -by any subsequent errors of the ambau or carvee, which always selected -the ripe fruit with faultless skill, leaving the immature untouched, -and throwing aside in small heaps to manure the ground the few that -had been allowed to grow too ripe for use. The sums paid from time to -time into my hands, received from the sales of produce, were far -greater than I could possibly spend in gratifying any taste of my own; -and, as I presently found, the idea that the surplus might indulge -those of the ladies never entered their minds. - -Before we had been settled in our home for three days Eveena had made -two requests which I was well pleased to grant. First, she entreated -that I would teach her one at least of the languages with which I was -familiar--a task of whose extreme difficulty she had little idea. -Compared with her native tongue, the complication and irregularities -of the simplest language spoken on Earth are far more arbitrary and -provoking than seems the most difficult of ancient or Oriental tongues -to a Frenchman or Italian. In order to fulfil my promise that she -should assist me in recording my observations and writing out my -notes, I chose Latin. Unhappily for her, I found myself as impatient -and unsuccessful as I was inexperienced in teaching; and nothing but -her exquisite gentleness and forbearance could have made the lessons -otherwise than painful to us both. Well for me that the "right to -govern wrong" was to her a simple truth--an inalienable marital -privilege, to be met with that unqualified submission which must have -shamed the worst temper into self-control. Eive on one occasion made a -similar request; but besides that I realised the convenience of a -medium of communication understood by ourselves alone, I had no -inclination to expose either my own temper or Eive's to the trial. -Eveena's second request came naturally from one whose favourite -amusement had been the raising and modification of flowers. She asked -to be entrusted with the charge of the seeds I had brought from Earth, -and to be permitted to form a bed in the peristyle for the purpose of -the experiment. Though this disfigured the perfect arrangement of the -garden, I was delighted to have so important and interesting a problem -worked out by hands so skilful and so careful. I should probably have -failed to rear a single plant, even had I been familiar with those -applications of electricity to the purpose which are so extensively -employed in Mars. Eveena managed to produce specimens strangely -altered, sometimes stunted, sometimes greatly improved, from about -one-fourth of the seeds entrusted to her; and among those with which -she was most brilliantly successful were some specimens of Turkish -roses, the roses of the attar, which I had obtained at Stamboul. My -admiration of her patience and pleasure in her success deeply -gratified her; and it was a full reward for all her trouble when I -suggested that she should send to her sister Zevle a small packet of -each of the seeds with which she had succeeded. It happened, however, -that the few rose seeds had all been planted; and the flowers, though -apparently perfect, produced no seed of their own, probably because -they were not suited to the taste of the flower-birds, and Eveena -somehow forgot or failed to employ the process of artificial -fertilisation. - -If anything could have fully reconciled my conscience to the household -relations in which I was rather by weakness than by will inextricably -entangled, it would have been the certainty that by the sacrifice -Eveena had herself enforced on me, and which she persistently refused -to recognise as such, she alone had suffered. True that I could not -give, and could hardly affect for the wives bestowed on me by -another's choice, even such love as the head of a Moslem household may -distribute among as many inmates. But to what I could call love they -had never looked forward. But for the example daily presented before -their own eyes they would no more have missed than they comprehended -it. That they were happier than they had expected, far happier than -they would have been in an ordinary home, happier certainly than in -the schools they had quitted, I could not doubt, and they did not -affect to deny. If my patience were not proof against vexations the -more exasperating from their pettiness, and the sense of ridicule -which constantly attached to them, I could read in the manner of most -and understand from the words of Eunane, who seldom hesitated to speak -her mind, whether its utterances, were flattering or wounding, that -she and her companions found me not only far more indulgent, but -incomparably more just than they had been taught to hope a man could -be. Of justice, indeed, as consisting in restraint on one's own temper -and consideration for the temper of others, Martial manhood is -incapable, or, at any rate, Martial womanhood never suspects its -masters. - -Moreover, though no longer blest with the spirits of youth, and -finding little pleasure in what youth calls pleasure, I had escaped -the kind of satiety that seems to attend lives more softly spent than -mine had been; and found a very real and unfading enjoyment in -witnessing the keen enjoyment of these youthful natures in such -liberty as could be accorded and such amusements as the life of this -dull and practical world affords. - -Among these, two at least are closely similar to the two favourite -pleasures of European society. Music appears to have been carried, -like most arts and sciences, to a point of mechanical perfection -which, I should suppose, like much of the artificial accuracy and ease -which civilisation has introduced, mars rather than enhances the -natural gratification enjoyed by simpler ages and races. Almost deaf -to music as distinguished from noise, I did not attempt to comprehend -the construction of Martial instruments or the nature of the concords -they emitted. One only struck me with especial surprise by a -peculiarity which, if I could not understand, I could not mistake. A -number of variously coloured flames are made to synchronise with or -actually emit a number of corresponding notes, dancing to, or, more -properly, weaving a series of strangely combined movements in accord -with the music, whose vibrations were directly and inseparably -connected with their motion. But all music is the work of professional -musicians, never the occupation of woman's leisure, never made more -charming to the ear by its association with the movement of beloved -hands or the tones of a cherished voice. Electric wires, connected -with the vast buildings wherein instruments produce what sounds like -fine choral singing as well as musical notes, enable the householder -to turn on at pleasure music equal, I suppose, to the finest operatic -performances or the grandest oratorio, and listen to it at leisure -from the cushions of his own peristyle. This was a great though not -wholly new delight to Eunane and most of her companions. For their -sake only would Eveena ever have resorted to it, for though herself -appreciating music not less highly, and educated to understand it much -more thoroughly, than they, she could derive little gratification from -that which was clearly incomprehensible if not disagreeable to -me--could hardly enjoy a pleasure I could not share. - -The theatre was a more prized and less common indulgence. It is little -frequented by the elder Martialists; and not enjoying it themselves, -they seldom sacrifice their hours to the enjoyment of their women. But -it forms so important an aid to education, and tends so much to keep -alive in the public memory impressions which policy will not permit to -fade, that both from the State and from the younger portion of the -community it receives an encouragement quite sufficient to reward the -few who bestow their time and talent upon it. Great buildings, square -or oblong in form, the stage placed at one end, the arched boxes or -galleries from which the spectators look down thereon rising tier -above and behind tier to the further extremity, are constantly filled. -There are no actors, and Martial feeling would hardly allow the -appearance of women as actresses. But an art, somewhat analogous to, -but infinitely surpassing, that displayed in the manipulation of the -most skilfully constructed and most complicated magic lanterns, -enables the conductors of the theatre to present upon the stage a -truly living and moving picture of any scene they desire to exhibit. -The figures appear perfectly real, move with perfect, freedom, and -seem to speak the sounds which, in fact, are given out by a gigantic -hidden phonograph, into which the several parts have long ago been -carefully spoken by male and female voices, the best suited to each -character; and which, by the reversal of its motion, can repeat the -original words almost for ever, with the original tone, accent, and -expression. The illusion is far more perfect than that obtained by all -the resources of stage management and all the skill of the actor's art -in the best theatres of France. After the first novelty, the first -surprise and wonder were exhausted, I must confess that these -representations simply bored me, the more from their length and -character. But even Eveena enjoyed them thoroughly, and my other -companions prized an evening or afternoon thus spent above all other -indulgences. A passage running along at the back of each tier admits -the spectator to boxes so completely private as to satisfy the -strictest requirements of Martial seclusion. - -The favourite scenes represent the most striking incidents of Martial -history, or realise the life, usages, and manners of ages long gone -by, before science and invention had created the perfect but -monotonous civilisation that now prevails. One of the most interesting -performances I witnessed commenced with the exhibition of a striking -scene, in which the union of all the various States that had up to -that time divided the planet's surface, and occasionally waged war on -one another, in the first Congress of the World, was realised in the -exact reproduction of every detail which historic records have -preserved. Afterwards was depicted the confusion, declining into -barbarism and rapid degradation, of the Communistic revolution, the -secession of the Zveltau and their merely political adherents, the -construction of their cities, fleets, and artillery, the terrible -battles, in which the numbers of the Communists were hurled back or -annihilated by the asphyxiator and the lightning gun; and finally, the -most remarkable scene in all Martial history, when the last -representatives of the great Anarchy, squalid, miserable, degraded, -and debased in form and features, as well as indicating by their dress -and appearance the utter ruin of art and industry under their rule, -came into the presence of the chief ruler of the rising -State--surrounded by all the splendour which the "magic of property," -stimulating invention and fostering science, had created--to entreat -admission into the realm of restored civilisation, and a share in the -blessings they had so deliberately forfeited and so long striven to -deny to others. - - - -CHAPTER XXI - PRIVATE AUDIENCES. - -I spent my days between mist and mist, according to the Martial -saying, not infrequently in excursions more or less extensive and -adventurous, in which I could but seldom ask Eveena's company, and did -not care for any other. Comparatively courageous as she had learned to -be, and free from all affectation of pretty feminine fear, Eveena -could never realise the practical immunity from ordinary danger which -a strength virtually double that I had enjoyed on Earth, and thorough -familiarity with the dangers of travel, of mountaineering, and of the -chase, afforded me. When, therefore, I ventured among the hills alone, -followed the fishermen and watched their operations, sometimes in -terribly rough weather, from the little open surface-boat which I -could manage myself, I preferred to give her no definite idea of my -intentions. Davilo, however, protested against my exposure to a peril -of which Eveena was happily as yet unaware. - -"If your intentions are never known beforehand," he said, "still your -habit of going forth alone in places to which your steps might easily -be dogged, where you might be shot from an ambush or drowned by a -sudden attack from a submarine vessel, will soon be pretty generally -understood, if, as I fear, a regular watch is set upon your life. At -least let me know what your intentions are before starting, and make -your absences as irregular and sudden as possible. The less they are -known beforehand, even in your own household, the better." - -"Is it midnight still in the Council Chamber?" I asked. - -"Very nearly so. She who has told so much can tell us no more. The -clue that placed her in mental relations with the danger did not -extend to its authorship. We have striven hard to find in every -conceivable direction some material key to the plot, some object -which, having been in contact with the persons of those we suspect, -probably at the time when their plans were arranged, might serve as a -link between her thoughts and theirs; but as yet unsuccessfully. -Either her vision is darkened, or the connection we have sought to -establish is wanting. But you know who is your unsparing personal -enemy; and, after the Sovereign himself, no man in this world is so -powerful; while the Sovereign himself is, owing to the restraints of -his position, less active, less familiar with others, less acquainted -with what goes on out of his own sight. Again I say we can avenge; but -against secret murder our powers only avail to deter. If we would -save, it must be by the use of natural precautions." - -What he said made me desirous of some conversation with Eveena before -I started on a meditated visit to the Palace. If I could not tell her -the whole truth, she knew something; and I thought it possible on this -occasion so far to enlighten her as to consult with her how the secret -of my intended journeys should in future be kept. But I found no -chance of speaking to her until, shortly before my departure, I was -called upon to decide one of the childish disputes which constantly -disturbed my temper and comfort. Mere fleabites they were; but fleas -have often kept me awake a whole night in a Turkish caravanserai, and -half-a-dozen mosquitos inside an Indian tent have broken up the sleep -earned on a long day's march or a sharply contested battlefield. I -need only say that I extorted at last from Eveena a clear statement of -the trifle at issue, which flatly contradicted those of the four -participants in the squabble. She began to suggest a means of proving -the truth, and they broke into angry clamour. Silencing them all -peremptorily, I drew Eveena into my own chamber, and, when assured -that we were unheard, reproved her for proposing to support her own -word by evidence. - -"Do you think," I said, "that any possible proof would induce me to -doubt you, or add anything to the assurance I derive from your word?" - -"But," she urged, "that cannot be just to others. They must feel it -very hard that your love for me makes you take all I say for truth." -"Not my love, but my knowledge. 'Be not righteous overmuch.' Don't -forget that they _know_ the truth as well as you." - -I would hear no more, and passed to the matter I had at heart.... - -Earnestly, and in a sense sincerely, as upon my second audience I had -thanked the Campta for his munificent gifts, no day passed that I -would not thankfully have renounced the wealth he had bestowed if I -could at the same time have renounced what was, in intention and -according to Martial ideas, the most gracious and most remarkable of -his favours. On the present occasion I thought for a moment that such -renunciation might have been possible. - -The Prince had, after our first interview, observed with regard to -every point of my story on which I had been carefully silent a -delicacy of reserve very unusual among Martialists, and quite -unintelligible to his Court and officers. To-day the conversation in -public turned again upon my voyage. Endo and another studiously -directed it to the method of steering, and the intentional diminution -of speed in my descent, corresponding to its gradual increase at the -commencement of the journey--points at which they hoped to find some -opening to the mystery of the motive force. The Prince relieved me -from some embarrassment by requesting me as usual to attend him to his -private cabinet. - -He said:--"I have not, as you must be aware, pressed you to disclose a -secret which, for some reason or other, you are evidently anxious to -preserve. Of course the exclusive possession of a motive power so -marvellous as that employed in your voyage is of almost incalculable -pecuniary value, and it is perfectly right that you should use your -own discretion with regard to the time and the terms of its -communication." - -"Pardon me," I interposed, "if I interrupt you, Prince, to prevent any -misconception. It is not with a view to profit that I have carefully -avoided giving any clue whatever to my secret. Tour munificence would -render it most ungrateful and unjust in me to haggle over the price of -any service I could render you; and I should be greedy indeed if I -desired greater wealth than you have bestowed. If I may say so without -offending, I earnestly wish that you would permit me, by resigning -your gifts, to retain in my own eyes the right to keep my secret -without seeming undutiful or unthankful." - -"I have said," he replied, "that on that point you misconceive our -respective positions. No one supposes that you are indebted to us for -anything more than it was the duty of the Sovereign to give, as a mark -of the universal admiration and respect, to our guest from another -world; still less could any imagine that on such a trifle could be -founded any claim to a secret so invaluable. You will offend me much -and only if you ever again speak of yourself as bound by personal -obligation to me or mine. But as we are wishful to buy, so I cannot -understand any reluctance on your part to sell your secret on your own -terms." - -"I think, Prince," I replied, "that I have already asked you what you -would think of a subject of your own, who should put such a power into -the hands of enemies as formidable to you as you would be to the races -of the Earth." - -"And _I_ think," he rejoined with a smile, "that I reminded you how -little my judgment would matter to one possessed of such a power. I -have gathered from your conversation how easily we might conquer a -world as far behind us in destructive powers as in general -civilisation. But why should you object? You can make your own terms -both for yourself and for any of your race for whom you feel an -especial interest." - -"A traitor is none the less a despicable and loathsome wretch because -his Prince cannot punish him. I am bound by no direct tie of loyalty -to any Terrestrial sovereign. I was born the subject of one of the -greatest monarchs of the Earth; I left his country at an early age, -and my youth was passed in the service of less powerful rulers, to one -at least of whom I long owed the same military allegiance that binds -your guards and officers to yourself. But that obligation also is at -an end. Nevertheless, I cannot but recognise that I owe a certain -fealty to the race to which I belong, a duty to right and justice. -Even if I thought, which I do not think, that the Earth would be -better governed and its inhabitants happier under your rule, I should -have no right to give them up to a conquest I know they would fiercely -and righteously resist. If--pardon me for saying it--you, Prince, -would commit no common crime in assailing and slaughtering those who -neither have wronged nor can wrong you, one of themselves would be -tenfold more guilty in sharing your enterprise." - -"You shall ensure," he replied, "the good government of your own world -as you will. You shall rule it with all the authority possessed by the -Regents under me, and by the laws which you think best suited to races -very different from our own. You shall be there as great and absolute -as I am here, paying only an obedience to me and my successors which, -at so immense a distance, can be little more than formal." - -"Is it to acquire a merely formal power that a Prince like yourself -would risk the lives of your own people, and sacrifice those of -millions of another race?" - -"To tell you the truth," he replied, "I count on commanding the -expedition myself; and perhaps I care more for the adventure than for -its fruits. You will not expect me to be more chary of the lives of -others than of my own?" - -"I understand, and as a soldier could share, perhaps, a feeling -natural to a great, a capable, and an ambitious Prince. But alike as -soldier and subject it is my duty to resist, not to aid, such an -ambition. My life is at your disposal, but even to save my life I -could not betray the lives of hundreds of millions and the future of a -whole world." - -"I fail to understand you fully," he said, abandoning with a sigh a -hope that had evidently been the object of long and eager day-dreams. -"But in no case would I try to force from you what you will not give -or sell; and if you speak sincerely--and I suppose you must do so, -since I can see no motive but those you assign that could induce you -to refuse my offer--I must believe in the existence of what I have -heard of now and then but deemed incredible--men who are governed by -care for other things than their own interests, who believe in right -and wrong, and would rather suffer injustice than commit it." - -"You may be sure, Prince," I replied, perhaps imprudently, "that there -are such men in your own world, though they are perhaps among those -who are least known and least likely to be seen at your Court." - -"If you know them," he said, "you will render me no little service in -bringing them to my knowledge." - -"It is possible," I ventured to observe, "that their distinguishing -excellences are connected with other distinctions which might render -it a disservice to them to indicate their peculiar character, I will -not say to yourself, but to those around you." - -"I hardly understand you," he rejoined. "Take, however, my assurance -that nothing you say here shall, without your own consent, be used -elsewhere. It is no light gratification, no trifling advantage to me, -to find one man who has neither fear nor interest that can induce him -to lie to me; to whom I can speak, not as sovereign to subject, but as -man to man, and of whose private conversation my courtiers and -officials are not yet suspicious or jealous. You shall never repent -any confidence you give to me." - -My interest in and respect for the strange character so manifestly -suited for, so intensely weary of, the grandest position that man -could fill, increased with each successive interview. I never envied -that greatness which seems to most men so enviable. The servitude of a -constitutional King, so often a puppet in the hands of the worst and -meanest of men--those who prostitute their powers as rulers of a State -to their interests as chiefs of a faction--must seem pitiable to any -rational manhood. But even the autocracy of the Sultan or the Czar -seems ill to compensate the utter isolation of the throne; the lonely -grandeur of one who can hardly have a friend, since he can never have -an equal, among those around him. I do not wonder that a tinge of -melancholo-mania is so often perceptible in the chiefs of that great -House whose Oriental absolutism is only "tempered by assassination." -But an Earthly sovereign may now and then meet his fellow-sovereigns, -whether as friends or foes, on terms of frank hatred or loyal -openness. His domestic relations, though never secure and simple as -those of other men, may relieve him at times from the oppressive sense -of his sublime solitude; and to his wife, at any rate, he may for a -few minutes or hours be the husband and not the king. But the absolute -Ruler of this lesser world had neither equal friends nor open foes, -neither wife nor child. How natural then his weariness of his own -life; how inevitable his impatient scorn of those to whom that life -was devoted! A despot not even accountable to God--a Prince who, till -he conversed with me, never knew that the universe contained his equal -or his like--it spoke much, both for the natural strength and -soundness of his intellect and for the excellence of his education, -that he was so sane a man, so earnest, active, and just a ruler. His -reign was signalised by a better police, a more even administration of -justice, a greater efficiency, judgment, and energy in the execution -of great works of public utility, than his realm had known for a -thousand years; and his duty was done as diligently and -conscientiously as if he had known that conscience was the voice of a -supreme Sovereign, and duty the law of an unerring and unescapable -Lawgiver. Alone among a race of utterly egotistical cowards, he had -the courage of a soldier, and the principles, or at least the -instincts, worthy of a Child of the Star. With him alone could I have -felt a moment's security from savage attempts to extort by terror or -by torture the secret I refused to sell; and I believe that his -generous abstinence from such an attempt was as exasperating as it was -incomprehensible to his advisers, and chiefly contributed to involve -him in the vengeance which baffled greed and humbled personal pride -had leagued to wreak upon myself, as on those with whose welfare and -safety my own were inextricably intertwined. It was a fortunate, if -not a providential, combination of circumstances that compelled the -enemies of the Star, primarily on my account, to interweave with their -scheme of murderous persecution and private revenge an equally -ruthless and atrocious treason against the throne and person of their -Monarch. - -My audience had detained me longer than I had expected, and the -evening mist had fairly closed in before I returned. Entering, not as -usual through the grounds and the peristyle, but by the vestibule and -my own chamber, and hidden by my half-open window, I overheard an -exceedingly characteristic discussion on the incident of the morning. - -"Serve her right!" Leenoo was saying. "That she should for once get -the worst of it, and be disbelieved to sharpen the sting!" - -"How do you know?" asked Enva. "I don't feel so sure we have heard the -last of it." - -"Eveena did not seem to have liked her half-hour," answered Leenoo -spitefully. "Besides, if he did not disbelieve her story, he would -have let her prove it." - -"Is that your reliance?" broke in Eunane. "Then you are swinging on a -rotten branch. I would not believe my ears if, for all that all of us -could invent against her, I heard him so much as ask Eveena, 'Are you -speaking the truth?'" - -"It is very uneven measure," muttered Enva. - -"Uneven!" cried Eunane. "Now, I think _I_ have the best right to be -jealous of her place; and it does sting me that, when he takes me for -his companion out of doors, or makes most of me at home, it is so -plain that he is taking trouble, as if he grudged a soft word or a -kiss to another as something stolen from her. But he deals evenly, -after all. If he were less tender of her we should have to draw our -zones tighter. But he won't give us the chance to say, 'Teach the -_amba_ with stick and the _esve_ with sugar.'" - -"I do say it. She is never snubbed or silenced; and if she has had -worse than what he calls 'advice' to-day, I believe it is the first -time. She has never 'had cause to wear the veil before the household' -[to hide blushes or tears], or found that his 'lips can give sharper -sting than their kiss can heal,' like the rest of us." - -"What for? If he wished to find her in fault he would have to watch -her dreams. Do you expect him to be harder to her than to us? He don't -'look for stains with a microscope.' None of us can say that he -'drinks tears for taste.' None of us ever 'smarted because the sun -scorched _him_.' Would you have him 'tie her hands for being white'?" -[punish her for perfection]. - -"She is never at fault because he never believes us against her," -returned Leenoo. - -"How often would he have been right? I saw nothing of to-day's -quarrel, but I know beforehand where the truth lay. I tell you this: -he hates the sandal more than the sin, but, strange as it seems, he -hates a falsehood worse still; and a falsehood against Eveena--If you -want to feel 'how the spear-grass cuts when the sheath bursts,' let -him find you out in an experiment like this! You congratulate -yourself, Leenoo, that you have got her into trouble. _Elnerve_ that -you are!--if you have, you had better have poisoned his cup before his -eyes. For every tear he sees her shed he will reckon with us at twelve -years' usury." - -"_You_ have made her shed some," retorted Enva. - -"Yes," said Eunane, "and if he knew it, I should like half a year's -penance in the black sash" [as the black sheep or scapegoat of her -Nursery] "better than my next half-hour alone with him. When I was -silly enough to tie the veil over her mouth" [take the lead in sending -her to Coventry] "the day after we came here, I expected to pay for -it, and thought the fruit worth the scratches. But when he came in -that evening, nodded and spoke kindly to us, but with his eyes seeking -for her; when he saw her at last sitting yonder with her head down, I -saw how his face darkened at the very idea that she was vexed, and I -thought the flash was in the cloud. When she sprang up as he called -her, and forced a smile before he looked into her face, I wished I had -been as ugly as Minn oo, that I might have belonged to the miseries, -worst-tempered man living, rather than have so provoked the giant." - -"But what did he do?" - -"Well that he don't hear you!" returned Eunane. "But I can -answer;--nothing. I shivered like a _leveloo_ in the wind when he came -into my room, but I heard nothing about Eveena. I told Eive so next -day--you remember Eive would have no part with us? 'And you were -called the cleverest girl in your Nursery!' she said; 'you have just -tied your own hands and given your sandal into Eveena's. Whenever she -tells him, you will drink the cup she chooses to mix for you, and very -salt you will find it.'" - -"Crach!" (tush or stuff), said Eirale contemptuously. "We have 'filled -her robe with pins' for half a year since then, and she has never been -able to make him count them." - -"Able!" returned Eunane sharply, "do you know no better? Well, I chose -to fancy she was holding this over me to keep me in her power. One day -she spoke--choosing her words so carefully--to warn me how I was sure -to anger Clasfempta" (the master of the household) "by pushing my -pranks so often to the verge of safety and no farther. I answered her -with a taunt, and, of course, that evening I was more perverse than -ever, till even he could stand it no longer. When he quoted-- - - "'More lightly treat whom haste or heat to headlong trespass urge; - The heaviest sandals fit the feet that ever tread the verge'-- - -"I was well frightened. I saw that the bough had broken short of the -end, and that for once Clasfempta could mean to hurt. But Eveena kept -him awhile, and when he came to me, she had persuaded him that I was -only mischievous, not malicious, teasing rather than trespassing. But -his last words showed that he was not so sure of that. 'I have treated -you this time as a child whose petulance is half play; but if you -would not have your teasing returned with interest, keep it clipped; -and--keep it for _me_.' I have often tormented her since then, but I -could not for shame help you to spite her." - -"Crach!" said Enva. "Eveena might think it wise to make friends with -you; but would she bear to be slighted and persecuted a whole summer -if she could help herself? You know that-- - - "Man's control in woman's hand - Sorest tries the household band. - Closer favourite's kisses cling, - Favourite's fingers sharper sting.'" - -"Very likely," replied Eunane. "I cannot understand any more than you -can why Eveena screens instead of punishing us; why she endures what a -word to him would put down under her sandal; but she does. Does she -cast no shadow because it never darkens his presence to us? And after -all, her mind is not a deeper darkness to me than his. He enjoys life -as no man here does; but what he enjoys most is a good chance of -losing it; while those who find it so tedious guard it like -watch-dragons. When the number of accidents made it difficult to fill -up the Southern hunt at any price, the Campta's refusal to let him go -so vexed him that Eveena was half afraid to show her sense of relief. -You would think he liked pain--the scars of the _kargynda_ are not his -only or his deepest ones--if he did not catch at every excuse to spare -it. And, again, why does he speak to Eveena as to the Campta, and to -us as to children--'child' is his softest word for us? Then, he is -patient where you expect no mercy, and severe where others would -laugh. When Enva let the electric stove overheat the water, so that he -was scalded horribly in his bath, we all counted that he would at -least have paid her back the pain twice over. But as soon as Eveena -and Eive had arranged the bandages, he sent for her. We could scarcely -bring you to him, Enva; but he put out the only hand he could move to -stroke your hair as he does Eive's, and spoke for once with real -tenderness, as if you were the person to be pitied! Any one else would -have laughed heartily at the figure her _esve_ made with half her tail -pulled out. But not all Eveena's pleading could obtain pardon for me." - -"That was caprice, not even dealing," said Leenoo. "You were not half -so bad as Enva." - -"He made me own that I was," replied Eunane. "It never occurred to him -to suppose or say that she did it on purpose. But I was cruel on -purpose to the bird, if I were not spiteful to its mistress. 'Don't -you feel,' he said, 'that intentional cruelty is what no ruler, -whether of a household or of a kingdom, has a right to pass over? If -not, you can hardly be fit for a charge that gives animals into your -power.' I never liked him half so well; and I am sure I deserved a -severer lesson. Since then, I cannot help liking them both; though it -_is_ mortifying to feel that one is nothing before her." - -"It is intolerable," said Enva bitterly; "I detest her." - -"Is it her fault?" asked Eunane with some warmth. "They are so like -each other and so unlike us, that I could fancy she came from his own -world. I went to her next day in her own room." - -"Ay," interjected Leenoo with childish spite, "'kiss the foot and -'scape the sandal.'" - -"Think so," returned Eunane quietly, "if you like. I thought I owed -her some amends. Well, she had her bird in her lap, and I think she -was crying over it. But as soon as she saw me she put it out of sight. -I began to tell her how sorry I was about it, but she would not let me -go on. She kissed me as no one ever kissed me since my school friend -Ernie died three years ago; and she cried more over the trouble I had -brought on myself than over her pet. And since then," Eunane went on -with a softened voice, "she has showed me how pretty its ways are, how -clever it is, how fond of her, and she tries to make it friends with -me.... Sometimes I don't wonder she is so much to him and he to her. -She was brought up in the home where she was born. Her father is one -of those strange people; and I fancy there is something between her -and Clasfempta more than...." - -I could not let this go on; and stepping back from the window as if I -had but just returned, I called Eunane by name. She came at once, a -little surprised at the summons, but suspecting nothing. But the first -sight of my face startled her; and when, on the impulse of the moment, -I took her hands and looked straight into her eyes, her quick -intelligence perceived at once that I had heard at least part of the -conversation. - -"Ah," she said, flushing and hanging her head, "I am caught now, -but"--in a tone half of relief--"I deserve it, and I won't pretend to -think that you are angry only because Eveena is your favourite. You -would not allow any of us to be spited if you could help it, and it is -much worse to have spited her." - -I led her by the hand across the peristyle into her own chamber, and -when the window closed behind us, drew her to my side. - -"So you would rather belong to the worst master of your own race than -to me?" - -"Not now," she answered. "That was my first thought when I saw how you -felt for Eveena, and knew how angry you would be when you found how -we--I mean how I--had used her, and I remembered how terribly strong -you were. I know you better now. It is for women to strike with five -fingers" (in unmeasured passion); "only, don't tell Eveena. Besides," -she murmured, colouring, with drooping eyelids, "I had rather be -beaten by you than caressed by another." - -"Eunane, child, you might well say you don't understand me. I could -not have listened to your talk if I had meant to use it against you; -and with _you_ I have no cause to be displeased. Nay" (as she looked -up in surprise), "I know you have not used Eveena kindly, but I heard -from yourself that you had repented. That she, who could never be -coaxed or compelled to say what made her unhappy, or even to own that -I had guessed it truly, has fully forgiven you, you don't need to be -told." - -"Indeed, I don't understand," the girl sobbed. "Eveena is always so -strangely soft and gentle--she would rather suffer without reason than -let us suffer who deserve it. But just because she is so kind, you -must feel the more bitterly for her. Besides," she went on, "I was so -jealous--as if you could compare me with her--even after I had felt -her kindness. No! you cannot forgive _for her_, and you ought not." - -"Child," I answered, sadly enough, for my conscience was as ill at -ease as hers, with deeper cause, "I don't tell you that your jealousy -was not foolish and your petulance culpable; but I do say that neither -Eveena nor I have the heart--perhaps I have not even the right--to -blame you. It is true that I love Eveena as I can love no other in -this world or my own. How well she deserves that love none but I can -know. So loving her, I would not willingly have brought any other -woman into a relation which could make her dependent upon or desirous -of such love as I cannot give. You know how this relation to you and -the others was forced upon me. When I accepted it, I thought I could -give you as much affection as you would find elsewhere. How far and -why I wronged Eveena is between her and myself. I did not think that I -could be wronging you." - -Very little of this was intelligible to Eunane. She felt a tenderness -she had never before received; but she could not understand my doubt, -and she replied only to my last words. - -"Wrong us! How could you? Did we ask whether you had another wife, or -who would be your favourite? Did you promise to like us, or even to be -kind to us? You might have neglected us altogether, made one girl your -sole companion, kept all indulgences, all favours, for her; and how -would you have wronged us? If you had turned on us when she vexed you, -humbled us to gratify her caprice, ill-used us to vent your temper, -other men would have done the same. Who else would have treated us as -you have done? Who would have been careful to give each of us her -share in every pleasure, her turn in every holiday, her employment at -home, her place in your company abroad? Who would have inquired into -the truth of our complaints and the merits of our quarrels; would have -made so many excuses for our faults, given us so many patient -warnings?... Wronged us! There may be some of us who don't like you; -there is not one who could bear to be sent away, not one who would -exchange this house for the palace of the campta though you pronounce -him kingly in nature as in power." - -She spoke as she believed, if she spoke in error. "If so, my child, -why have you all been so bitter against Eveena? Why have you yourself -been jealous of one who, as you admit, has been a favourite only in a -love you did not expect?" - -"But we saw it, and we envied her so much love, so much respect," she -replied frankly. "And for myself,"--she coloured, faltered, and was -silent. "For yourself, my child?" - -"I was a vain fool," she broke out impetuously. "They told me that I -was beautiful, and clever, and companionable. I fancied I should be -your favourite, and hold the first place; and when I saw her, I would -not see her grace and gentleness, or observe her soft sweet voice, and -the charms that put my figure and complexion to shame, and the quiet -sense and truth that were worth twelvefold my quickness, my memory, -and my handiness. I was disappointed and mortified that she should be -preferred. Oh, how you must hate me, Clasfempta; for I hate myself -while I tell you what I have been!" - -According to European doctrine, my fealty to Eveena must then have -been in peril. And yet, warmly as I felt for Eunane, the element in -her passionate confession that touched me most was her recognition of -Eveena's superiority; and as I soothed and comforted the half-childish -penitent, I thought how much it would please Eveena that I had at last -come to an understanding with the companion she avowedly liked the -best. - -"But, Eunane," I said at last, "do you remember what you were saying -when I called you--called you on purpose to stop you? You said that -there was something between Eveena and myself more than---more than -what? What did you mean? Speak frankly, child; I know that this time -you were not going to scald me on purpose." - -"I don't know quite what I meant," she replied simply. "But the first -time you took me out, I heard the superintendent say some strange -things; and then he checked himself when he found your companion was -not Eveena. Then Eive--I mean--you use expressions sometimes in -talking to Eveena that we never heard before. I think there is some -secret between you." - -"And if there be, Eunane, were _you_ going to betray it--to set Enva -and Leenoo on to find it out?" - -"I did not think," she said. "I never do think before I get into -trouble. I don't say, forgive me this time; but I _will_ hold my -tongue for the future." - -By this time our evening meal was ready. As I led Eunane to her place, -Eveena looked up with some little surprise. It was rarely that, -especially on returning from absence, I had sought any other company -than hers. But there was no tinge of jealousy or doubt in her look. On -the contrary, as, with her entire comprehension of every expression of -my face, and her quickness to read the looks of others, she saw in -both countenances that we were on better terms than ever before, her -own brightened at the thought. As I placed myself beside her, she -stole her hand unobserved into mine, and pressed it as she whispered-- - -"You have found her out at last. She is half a child as yet; but she -has a heart--and perhaps the only one among them." - -"The four," as I called them, looked up as we approached with eager -malice:--bitterly disappointed, when they saw that Eunane had won -something more than pardon. Whatever penance they had dreaded, their -own escape ill compensated the loss of their expected pleasure in the -pain and humiliation of a finer nature. Eunane's look, timidly -appealing to her to ratify our full reconciliation, answered by -Eveena's smile of tender, sisterly sympathy, enhanced and completed -their discomfiture. - - - -CHAPTER XXII - PECULIAR INSTITUTIONS. - -A chief luxury and expense in which, when aware what my income was, I -indulged myself freely was the purchase of Martial literature. Only -ephemeral works are as a rule printed in the phonographic character, -which alone I could read with ease. The Martialists have no -newspapers. It does not seem to them worth while to record daily the -accidents, the business incidents, the prices, the amusements, and the -follies of the day; and politics they have none. In no case would a -people so coldly wise, so thoroughly impressed by experience with a -sense of the extreme folly of political agitation, legislative change, -and democratic violence, have cursed themselves with anything like the -press of Europe or America. But as it is, all they have to record is -gathered each twelfth day at the telegraph offices, and from these -communicated on a single sheet about four inches square to all who -care to receive it. But each profession or occupation that boasts, as -do most, an organisation and a centre of discussion and council, -issues at intervals books containing collected facts, essays, reports -of experiments, and lectures. Every man who cares to communicate his -passing ideas to the public does so by means of the phonograph. When -he has a graver work, which is, in his view at least, of permanent -importance to publish, it is written in the stylographic character, -and sold at the telegraphic centres. The extreme complication and -compression employed in this character had, as I have already said, -rendered it very difficult to me; and though I had learnt to decipher -it as a child spells out the words which a few years later it will -read unconsciously by the eye, the only manner in which I could -quickly gather the sense of such books was by desiring one or other of -the ladies to read them aloud. Strangely enough, next to Eveena, Eive -was by far the best reader. Eunane understood infinitely better what -she was perusing; but the art of reading aloud is useless, and -therefore never taught, in schools whose every pupil learns to read -with the usual facility a character which the practised eye can -interpret incomparably faster than the voice could possibly utter it. -This reading might have afforded many opportunities of private -converse with Eveena, but that Eive, whose knowledge was by no means -proportionate to her intelligence, entreated permission to listen to -the books I selected; and Eveena, though not partial to her childish -companion and admirer, persuaded me not to refuse. - -The story of my voyage and reports of my first audience at Court were, -of course, widely circulated and extensively canvassed. Though -regarded with no favour, especially by the professed philosophers and -scientists, my adventures and myself were naturally an object of great -curiosity; and I was not surprised when a civil if cold request was -preferred, on behalf of what I may call the Martial Academy, that I -would deliver in their hall a series of lectures, or rather a -connected oral account of the world from which I professed to have -come, and of the manner in which my voyage had been accomplished. -After consulting Eveena and Davilo, I accepted the invitation, and -intended to take the former with me. She objected, however, that while -she had heard much in her father's house and during our travels of -what I had to tell, her companions, scarcely less interested, were -comparatively ignorant. Indiscreetly, because somewhat provoked by -these repeated sacrifices, as much of my inclination as her own, I -mentioned my purpose at our evening meal, and bade her name those who -should accompany me. I was a little surprised when, carefully evading -the dictation to which she was invited, she suggested that Eunane and -Eive would probably most enjoy the opportunity. That she should be -willing to get rid of the most wilful and petulant of the party seemed -natural. The other selection confirmed the impression I had formed, -but dared not express to one whom I had never blamed without finding -myself in the wrong, that Eveena regarded Eive with a feeling more -nearly approaching to jealousy than her nature seemed capable of -entertaining. I obeyed, however, without comment; and both the -companions selected for me were delighted at the prospect. - -The Academy is situated about half-way between Amacasfe and the -Residence; the facilities of Martial travelling, and above all of -telegraphic and telephonic communication, dispensing with all reason -for placing great institutions in or near important cities. We -travelled by balloon, as I was anxious to improve myself in the -management of these machines. After frightening my companions so far -as to provoke some outcry from Eive, and from Eunane some saucy -remarks on my clumsiness, on which no one else would have ventured, I -descended safely, if not very creditably, in front of the building -which serves as a local centre of Martial philosophy. The residences -of some sixty of the most eminent professors of various -sciences--elected by their colleagues as seats fall vacant, with the -approval of the highest Court of Judicature and of the campta--cluster -around a huge building in the form of a hexagon made up of a multitude -of smaller hexagons, in the centre whereof is the great hall of the -same shape. In the smaller chambers which surround it are telephones -through which addresses delivered in a hundred different quarters are -mechanically repeated; so that the residents or temporary visitors can -here gather at once all the knowledge that is communicated by any man -of note to any audience throughout the planet. On this account numbers -of young men just emancipated from the colleges come here to complete -their education; and above each of the auditory chambers is another -divided into six small rooms, wherein these visitors are accommodated. -A small house belonging to one of the members who happened to be -absent was appropriated to me during my stay, and in its hall the -philosophers gathered in the morning to converse with or to question -me in detail respecting the world whose existence they would not -formally admit, but whose life, physical, social, and political, and -whose scientific and human history, they regarded with as much -curiosity as if its reality were ascertained. Courtesy forbids evening -visits unless on distinct and pressing invitation, it being supposed -that the head of a household may care to spend that part of his time, -and that alone, with his own family. - -The Academists are provided by the State with incomes, of an amount -very much larger than the modest allowances which the richest nations -of the Earth almost grudge to the men whose names in future history -will probably be remembered longer than those of eminent statesmen and -warriors. Some of them have made considerable fortunes by turning to -account in practical invention this or that scientific discovery. But -as a rule, in Mars as on Earth, the gifts and the career of the -discoverer, and the inventor are distinct. It is, however, from the -purely theoretical labours of the men of science that the inventions -useful in manufactures, in communication, in every department of life -and business, are generally derived; and the prejudice or judgment of -this strange people has laid it down that those who devote their lives -to work in itself unremunerative, but indirectly most valuable to the -public, should be at least as well off as the subordinate servants of -the State. In society they are perhaps more honoured than any but the -highest public authorities; and my audience was the most -distinguished, according to the ideas of that world, that it could -furnish. - -At noon each day I entered the hall, which was crowded with benches -rising on five sides from the centre to the walls, the sixth being -occupied by a platform where the lecturer and the members of the -Academy sat. After each lecture, which occupied some two hours, -questions more or less perplexing were put by the latter. Only, -however, on the first occasion, when I reserved, as before the Zinta -and the Court, all information that could enable my hearers to divine -the nature of the apergic force, was incredulity so plainly insinuated -as to amount to absolute insult. - -"If," I said, "you choose to disbelieve what I tell you, you are -welcome to do so. But you are not at liberty to express your disbelief -to me. To do so is to charge me with lying; and to that charge, -whatever may be the customs of this world, there is in mine but one -answer," and I laid my hand on the hilt of the sword I wore in -deference to Davilo's warnings, but which he and others considered a -Terrestrial ornament rather than a weapon. - -The President of the Academy quietly replied--"Of all the strange -things we have heard, this seems the strangest. I waive the -probability of your statements, or the reasonableness of the doubts -suggested. But I fail to understand how, here or in any other world, -if the imputation of falsehood be considered so gross an offence--and -here it is too common to be so regarded--it can be repelled by proving -yourself more skilled in the use of weapons, or stronger or more -daring than the person who has challenged your assertion." - -The moral courage and self-possession of the President were as marked -as his logic was irrefragable; but my outbreak, however illogical, -served its purpose. No one was disposed to give mortal offence to one -who showed himself so ready to resent it, though probably the -apprehension related less to my swordsmanship than the favour I was -supposed to enjoy with the Suzerain. - -Seriously impressed by the growing earnestness of Davilo's warnings, -and feeling that I could no longer conceal the pressure of some -anxiety on my mind, gradually, cautiously, and tenderly I broke to -Eveena what I had learned, with but two reserves. I would not render -her life miserable by the suggestion of possible treason in our own -household. That she might not infer this for herself, I led her to -believe that the existence and discovery of the conspiracy was of a -date long subsequent to my acceptance of the Sovereign's unwelcome -gift. She was deeply affected, and, as I had feared, exceedingly -disturbed. But, very characteristically, the keenest impression made -upon her mind concerned less the urgency of the peril than its origin, -the fact that it was incurred through and for her. On this she -insisted much more than seemed just or reasonable. It was for her -sake, no doubt, that I had made the Regent of Elcavoo my bitter, -irreconcilable foe. It was my marriage with her, the daughter of the -most eminent among the chiefs of the Zinta, that had marked me out as -one of the first and principal victims, and set on my head a value as -high as on that of any of the Order save the Arch-Enlightener himself, -whose personal character and social distinction would have indicated -him as especially dangerous, even had his secret rank been altogether -unsuspected. It was impossible to soothe Eveena's first outbreak of -feeling, or reason with her illogical self-reproach. Compelled at last -to admit that the peril had been unconsciously incurred when she -neither knew nor could have known it, she pleaded eagerly and -earnestly for permission to repair by the sacrifice of herself the -injury she had brought upon me. It was useless to tell her that the -acceptance of such a sacrifice would be a thousand-fold worse than -death. Even the depth and devotion of her own love could not persuade -her to realise the passionate earnestness of mine. It was still more -in vain to remind her that such a concession must entail the dishonour -that man fears above all perils; would brand me with that indelible -stain of abject personal cowardice which for ever degrades and ruins -not only the fame but the nature of manhood, as the stain of wilful -unchastity debases and ruins woman. - -"Rescind our contract," she insisted, pleading, with the overpowering -vehemence of a love absolutely unselfish, against love's deepest -instincts and that egotism which is almost inseparable from it; giving -passionate utterance to an affection such as men rarely feel for -women, women perhaps never for men. "Divorce me; force the enemy to -believe that you have broken with my father and with his Order; and, -favoured as you are by the Sovereign, you will be safe. Give what -reason you will; say that I have deserved it, that I have forced you -to it. I know that contracts _are_ revoked with the full approval of -the Courts and of the public, though I hardly know why. I will agree; -and if we are agreed, you can give or withhold reasons as you please. -Nay, there can be no wrong to me in doing what I entreat you to do. I -shall not suffer long--no, no, I _will_ live, I will be happy"--her -face white to the lips, her streaming tears were not needed to belie -the words! "By your love for me, do not let me feel that you are to -die--do not keep me in dread to hear that you have died--for me and -through me." - -If it had been in her power to leave me, if one-half of the promised -period had not been yet to run, she might have enforced her purpose in -despite of all that I could urge;--of reason, of entreaty, of the -pleadings of a love in this at least as earnest as her own. Nay, she -would probably have left me, in the hope of exhibiting to the world -the appearance of an open quarrel, but for a peculiarity of Martial -law. That law enforces, on the plea of either party, "specific -performance" of the marriage contract. I could reclaim her, and call -the force of the State to recover her. When even this warning at first -failed to enforce her submission, I swore by all I held sacred in my -own world and all she revered in hers--by the symbols never lightly -invoked, and never, in the course of ages that cover thrice the span -of Terrestrial history and tradition, invoked to sanction a lie; -symbols more sacred in her eyes than, in those of mediaeval -Christendom, the gathered relics that appalled the heroic soul of -Harold Godwinsson--that she should only defeat her own purpose; that I -would reclaim my wife before the Order and before the law, thus -asserting more clearly than ever the strength of the tie that bound me -to her and to her house. The oath which it was impossible to break, -perhaps yet more the cold and measured tone with which I spoke, in -striving to control the white heat of a passion as much stronger as it -was more selfish than hers--a tone which sounded to myself unnatural -and alien--at last compelled her to yield; and silenced her in the -only moment in which the depths of that nature, so sweet and soft and -gentle, were stirred by the violence of a moral tempest.... -A marvellously perfect example of Martial art and science is furnished -by the Observatory of the Astronomic Academy, on a mountain about -twenty miles from the Residence. The hill selected stands about 4000 -feet above the sea-level, and almost half that height above any -neighbouring ground. It commands, therefore, a most perfect view of -the horizon all around, even below the technical or theoretic horizon -of its latitude. A volcano, like all Martial volcanoes very feeble, -and never bursting into eruptions seriously dangerous to the dwellers -in the neighbouring plains, existed at some miles' distance, and -caused earthquakes, or perhaps I should more properly say disturbances -of the surface, which threatened occasionally to perturb the -observations. But the Martialists grudge no cost to render their -scientific instruments, from the Observatory itself to the smallest -lens or wheel it contains, as perfect as possible. Having decided that -Eanelca was very superior to any other available site, they were not -to be baffled or diverted by such a trifle as the opposition of -Nature. Still less would they allow that the observers should be put -out by a perceptible disturbance, or their observations falsified by -one too slight to be realised by their senses. If Nature were -impertinent enough to interfere with the arrangements of science, -science must put down the mutiny of Nature. As seas had been bridged -and continents cut through, so a volcano might and must be suppressed -or extinguished. A tunnel thirty miles in length was cut from a great -lake nearly a thousand feet higher than the base of the volcano; and -through this for a quarter of a year, say some six Terrestrial months, -water was steadily poured into the subterrene cavities wherein the -eruptive forces were generated--the plutonic laboratory of the -rebellious agency. Of course previous to the adoption of this measure, -the crust in the neighbourhood had been carefully explored and tested -by various wonderfully elaborate and perfect boring instruments, and a -map or rather model of the strata for a mile below the surface, and -for a distance around the volcano which I dare not state on the faith -of my recollection alone, had been constructed on a scale, as we -should say, of twelve inches to the mile. Except for minor purposes, -for convenience of pocket carriage and the like, Martialists disdain -so poor a representation as a flat map can give of a broken surface. -On the small scale, they employ globes of spherical sections to -represent extensive portions of their world; on the large scale (from -two to twenty-four inches per mile), models of wonderfully accurate -construction. Consequently, children understand and enjoy the -geographical lesson which in European schools costs so many tears to -so little purpose. A girl of six years knows more perfectly the whole -area of the Martial globe than a German Professor that of the ancient -Peloponnesus. Eive, the dunce of our housed hold, won a Terrestrial -picture-book on which she had set her fancy by tracing on a forty-inch -globe, the first time she saw it, every detail of my journey from -Ecasfe as she had heard me relate it; and Eunane, who had never left -her Nursery, could describe beforehand any route I wished to take -between the northern and southern ice-belts. Under the guidance -afforded by the elaborate model abovementioned, all the hollows -wherein the materials of eruption were stored, and wherein the -chemical forces of Nature had been at work for ages, were thoroughly -flooded. Of course convulsion after convulsion of the most violent -nature followed. But in the course of about two hundred days, the -internal combustion was overmastered for lack of fuel; the chemical -combinations, which might have gone on for ages causing weak but -incessant outbreaks, were completed and their power exhausted. - -This source of disturbance extinguished in the reign of the -twenty-fifth predecessor of my royal patron, the construction of the -great Observatory on Eanelca was commenced. A very elaborate road, -winding round and round the mountain at such an incline as to be -easily ascended by the electric carriages, was built. But this was -intended only as a subsidiary means of ascent. Right into the bowels -of the mountain a vast tunnel fifty feet in height was driven. At its -inner extremity was excavated a chamber whose dimensions are -imperfectly recorded in my notes, but which was certainly much larger -than the central cavern from which radiate the principal galleries of -the Mammoth Cave. Around this were pierced a dozen shafts, emerging at -different heights, but all near the summit, and all so far outside the -central plateau as to leave the solid foundation on which the -Observatory was to rest, down to the very centre of the planet, wholly -undisturbed. Through each of these, ascending and descending -alternately, pass two cars, or rather movable chambers, worked by -electricity, conveying passengers, instruments, or supplies to and -from the most convenient points in the vast structure of the -Observatory itself. The highest part of Ranelca was a rocky mass of -some 1600 feet in circumference and about 200 in height. This was -carved into a perfect octagon, in the sides of which were arranged a -number of minor chambers--among them those wherein transit and other -secondary observations were to be taken, and in which minor magnifying -instruments were placed to scan their several portions of the heavens. -Within these was excavated a circular central chamber, the dome of -which was constructed of a crystal so clear that I verily believe the -most exacting of Terrestrial astronomers would have been satisfied to -make his observations through it. But an opening was made in this -dome, as for the mounting of one of our equatorial telescopes, and -machinery was provided which caused the roof to revolve with a touch, -bringing the opening to bear on any desired part of the celestial -vault. In the centre of the solid floor, levelled to the utmost -perfection, was left a circular pillar supporting the polar axis of an -instrument widely differing from our telescopes, especially in the -fact that it had no opaque tube connecting the essential lenses which -we call the eye-piece and the object-glass, names not applicable to -their Martial substitutes. On my visit to the Observatory, however, I -had not leisure to examine minutely the means by which the images of -stars and planets were produced. I reserved this examination for a -second opportunity, which, as it happened, never occurred. - -On this occasion Eveena and Eunane were with me, and the astronomic -pictures which were to be presented to us, and which they could enjoy -and understand almost as fully as myself, sufficiently occupied our -time. Warned to stand at such a distance from the central machinery -that in a whole revolution no part of it could by any possibility -touch us, we were placed near an opening looking into a dark chamber, -with our backs to the objects of observation. In this chamber, not -upon a screen but suspended in the air, presently appeared an image -several thousand times larger than that of the crescent Moon as seen -through a tube small enough to correct the exaggeration of visual -instinct. It appeared, however, not flat, as does the Moon to the -naked eye, but evidently as part of a sphere. At some distance was -shown another crescent, belonging to a sphere whose diameter was a -little more than one-fourth that of the former. The light reflected -from their surfaces was of silver radiance, rather than the golden hue -of the Moon or of Venus as seen through a small telescope. The smaller -crescent I could recognise at once as belonging to our own satellite; -the larger was, of course, the world I had quitted. So exactly is the -clockwork or its substitute adapted to counteract both the rotation -and revolution of Mars, that the two images underwent no other change -of place than that caused by their own proper motion in space; a -movement which, notwithstanding the immense magnifying power employed, -was of course scarcely perceptible. But the rotation of the larger -sphere was visible as we watched it. It so happened that the part -which was at once lighted by the rays of the Sun and exposed to our -observation was but little clouded. The atmosphere, of course, -prevented its presenting the clear, sharply-defined outlines of lunar -landscapes; but sea and land, ice and snow, were so clearly defined -and easily distinguishable that my companions exclaimed with -eagerness, as they observed features unmistakably resembling on the -grand scale those with which they were themselves familiar. The Arctic -ice was scarcely visible in the North. The vast steppes of Russia, the -boundary line of the Ural mountains, the greyish-blue of the Euxine, -Western Asia, Arabia, and the Red Sea joining the long water-line of -the Southern Ocean, were defined by the slanting rays. The Antarctic -ice-continent was almost equally clear, with its stupendous glacier -masses radiating apparently from an elevated extensive land, chiefly -consisting of a deeply scooped and scored plateau of rock, around the -Pole itself. The terminator, or boundary between light and shade, was -not, as in the Moon, pretty sharply defined, and broken only by the -mountainous masses, rings, and sea-beds, if such they are, so -characteristic of the latter. On the image of the Moon there -intervened between bright light and utter darkness but the narrow belt -to which only part of the Sun was as yet visible, and which, -therefore, received comparatively few rays. The twilight to north and -south extended on the image of the Earth deep into that part on which -as yet the Sun was below the horizon, and consequently daylight faded -into darkness all but imperceptibly, save between the tropics. We -watched long and intently as league by league new portions of Europe -and Africa, the Mediterranean, and even the Baltic, came into view; -and I was able to point out to Eveena lands in which I had traveller, -seas I had crossed, and even the isles of the Aegean, and bays in -which my vessel had lain at anchor. This personal introduction to each -part of the image, now presented to her for the first time, enabled -her to realise more forcibly than a lengthened experience of -astronomical observation might have done the likeness to her own world -of that which was passing under her eyes; and at once intensified her -wonder, heightened her pleasure, and sharpened her intellectual -apprehension of the scene. When we had satiated our eyes with this -spectacle, or rather when I remembered that we could spare no more -time to this, the most interesting exhibition of the evening, a turn -of the machinery brought Venus under view. Here, however, the cloud -envelope baffled us altogether, and her close approach to the horizon -soon obliged the director to turn his apparatus in another direction. -Two or three of the Asteroids were in view. Pallas especially -presented a very interesting spectacle. Not that the difference of -distance would have rendered the definition much more perfect than -from a Terrestrial standpoint, but that the marvellous perfection of -Martial instruments, and in some measure also the rarity of the -atmosphere at such a height, rendered possible the use of far higher -magnifying powers than our astronomers can employ. I am inclined to -agree, from what I saw on this occasion, with those who imagine the -Asteroids to be--if not fragments of a broken planet which once -existed as a whole--yet in another sense fragmentary spheres, less -perfect and with surfaces of much greater proportionate irregularity -than those of the larger planets. Next was presented to our view on a -somewhat smaller scale, because the area of the chamber employed would -not otherwise have given room for the system, the enormous disc and -the four satellites of Jupiter. The difference between 400 and 360 -millions of miles' distance is, of course, wholly unimportant; but the -definition and enlargement were such that the image was perfect, and -the details minute and distinct, beyond anything that Earthly -observation had led me to conceive as possible. The satellites were no -longer mere points or tiny discs, but distinct moons, with surfaces -marked like that of our own satellite, though far less mountainous and -broken, and, as it seemed to me, possessing a distinct atmosphere. I -am not sure that there is not a visible difference of brightness among -them, not due to their size but to some difference in the reflecting -power of their surfaces, since the distance of all from the Sun is -practically equal. That Jupiter gives out some light of his own, a -portion of which they may possibly reflect in differing amount -according to their varying distance, is believed by Martial -astronomers; and I thought it not improbable. The brilliant and -various colouring of the bands which, cross the face of the giant -planet was wonderfully brought out; the bluish-grey around the poles, -the clear yellowish-white light of the light bands, probably belts of -white cloud, contrasted signally the hues--varying from deep -orange-brown to what was almost crimson or rose-pink on the one hand -and bright yellow on the other--of different zones of the so-called -dark belts. On the latter, markings and streaks of strange variety -suggested, if they failed-to prove, the existence of frequent spiral -storms, disturbing, probably at an immense height above the surface, -clouds which must be utterly unlike the clouds of Mars or the Earth in -material as well as in form and mass. These markings enabled us to -follow with clear ocular appreciation the rapid rotation of this -planet. In the course of half-an-hour several distinct spots on -different belts had moved in a direct line across a tenth of the face -presented to us--a distance, upon the scale of the gigantic image, so -great that the motion required no painstaking observation, but forced -itself upon the notice of the least attentive spectator. The belief of -Martial astronomers is that Jupiter is not by any means so much less -dense than the minor planets as his proportionately lesser weight -would imply. They hold that his visible surface is that of an -enormously deep atmosphere, within which lies, they suppose, a central -ball, not merely hot but more than white hot, and probably, from its -temperature, not yet possessing a solid crust. One writer argues that, -since all worlds must by analogy be supposed to be inhabited, and -since the satellites of Jupiter more resemble worlds than the planet -itself, which may be regarded as a kind of secondary sun, it is not -improbable that the former are the scenes of life as varied as that of -Mars itself; and that infinite ages hence, when these have become too -cold for habitation, their giant primary may have gone through those -processes which, according to the received theory, have fitted the -interior planets to be the home of plants, animals, and, in two cases -at least, of human beings. - -It was near midnight before the manifest fatigue of the ladies -overcame my selfish desire to prolong as much as possible this most -interesting visit. Meteorological science in Mars has been carried to -high perfection; and the director warned me that but three or four -equally favourable opportunities might offer in the course of the next -half year. - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - CHARACTERISTICS. - -Time passed on, marked by no very important incident, while I made -acquaintance with manners and with men around me, neither one nor the -other worth further description. Nothing occurred to confirm the -alarms Davilo constantly repeated. - -I called the ladies one day into the outer grounds to see a new -carriage, capable, according to its arrangement, of containing from -two to eight persons, and a balloon of great size and new construction -which Davilo had urgently counselled me to procure, as capable of -sudden use in some of those daily thickening perils, of which I could -see no other sign than occasional evidence that my steps were watched -and dogged. Both vehicles enlisted the interest and curiosity of -Eunane and her companions. Eveena, after examining with as much -attention as was due to the trouble I took to explain it, the -construction of the carriage, concentrated her interest and -observation upon the balloon, the sight of which evidently impressed -her. When we had returned to the peristyle, and the rest had -dispersed, I said-- - -"I see you apprehend some part of my reasons for purchasing the -balloon. The carriage will take us to-morrow to Altasfe (a town some -ten miles distant). 'Shopping' is an amusement so gratifying to all -women on Earth, from the veiled favourites of an Eastern seraglio to -the very unveiled dames of Western ballrooms, that I suppose the -instinct must be native to the sex wherever women and trade co-exist. -If you have a single feminine folly, you will enjoy this more than you -will own. If you are, as they complain, absolutely faultless, you will -enjoy with me the pleasure of the girls in plaguing one after another -all the traders of Altasfe:" and with these words I placed in her -hands a packet of the thin metallic plates constituting their -currency. Her extreme and unaffected surprise was amusing to witness. - -"What am I to do with this?" she inquired, counting carefully the -uncounted pile, in a manner which at once dispelled my impression that -her surprise was due to childish ignorance of its value. - -"Whatever you please, Madonna; whatever can please you and the -others." - -"But," she remonstrated, "this is more than all our dowries for -another year to come; and--forgive me for repeating what you seem -purposely to forget--I cannot cast the shadow between my equals and -the master. Would you so mortify _me_ as to make me take from Eunane's -hand, for example, what should come from yours?" - -"You are right, Madonna, now as always," I owned; wincing at the name -she used, invariably employed by the others, but one I never endured -from her. Her looks entreated pardon for the form of the implied -reproof, as I resumed the larger part of the money she held out to me, -forcing back the smaller into her reluctant hands. "But what has the -amount of your dowries to do with the matter? The contracts are meant, -I suppose, to secure the least to which a wife has a right, not to fix -her natural share in her husband's wealth. You need not fear, Eveena; -the Prince has made us rich enough to spend more than we shall care -for." - -"I don't understand you," she replied with her usual gentle frankness -and simple logical consistency. "It pleases you to say 'we' and 'ours' -whenever you can so seem to make me part of yourself; and I love to -hear you, for it assures me each time that you still hold me tightly -as I cling to you. But you know those are only words of kindness. -Since you returned my father's gift, the dowry you then doubled is my -only share of what is yours, and it is more than enough." - -"Do you mean that women expect and receive no more: that they do not -naturally share in a man's surplus wealth?" - -While I spoke Enva had joined us, and, resting on the cushions at my -feet, looked curiously at the metallic notes in Eveena's hand. - -"You do not," returned the latter, "pay more foe what you have -purchased because you have grown richer. You do not share your wealth -even with those on whose care it chiefly depends." - -"Yes, I do, Eveena. But I know what you mean. Their share is settled -and is not increased. But you will not tell me that this affords any -standard for household dealings; that a wife's share in her husband's -fortune is really bounded by the terms of the marriage contract?" - -"Will you let Enva answer you?" asked Eveena. "She looks more ready -than I feel to reply." - -This little incident was characteristic in more ways than one. -Eveena's feelings, growing out of the realities of our relation, were -at issue with and perplexed her convictions founded on the theory and -practice of her world. Not yet doubting the justice of the latter, she -instinctively shrank from their application to ourselves. She was -glad, therefore, to let Enva state plainly and directly a doctrine -which, from her own lips, would have pained as well as startled me. On -her side, Enva, though encouraged to bear her part in conversation, -was too thoroughly imbued with the same ideas to interpose unbidden. -As she would have said, a wife deserved the sandal for speaking -without leave; nor--experience notwithstanding--would she think it -safe to interrupt in my presence a favourite so pointedly honoured as -Eveena. 'She waited, therefore, till my eyes gave the permission which -hers had asked. - -"Why should you buy anything twice over, Clasfempta, whether it be a -wife or an amba? A girl sells her society for the best price her -attractions will command. These attractions seldom increase. You -cannot give her less because you care less for them; but how can she -expect more?" - -"I know, Enva, that the marriage contract here is an open bargain and -sale, as among my race it is generally a veiled one. But, the bargain -made, does it really govern the after relation? Do men really spend -their wealth wholly on themselves, and take no pleasure in the -pleasure of women?" - -"Generally, I believe," Enva replied, "they fancy they have paid too -much for their toy before they have possessed it long, and had rather -buy a new one than make much of those they have. Wives seldom look on -the increase of a man's wealth as a gain to themselves. Of course you -like to see us prettily dressed, while you think us worth looking at -in ourselves. But as a rule our own income provides for that; and _we_ -at any rate are better off than almost any women outside the Palace. -The Prince did not care, and knew it would not matter to you, what he -gave to make his gift worthy of him and agreeable to you. Perhaps," -she added, "he wished to make it secure by offering terms too good to -be thrown away by any foolish rebellion against a heavier hand or a -worse temper than usual. You hardly understand yet half the advantages -you possess." - -The latent sarcasm of the last remark did not need the look of -pretended fear that pointed it. If Enva professed to resent my -inadequate appreciation of the splendid beauty bestowed on me by the -royal favour more than any possible ill-usage for which she supposed -herself compensated in advance, it was not for me to put her sincerity -to proof. - -"Once bought, then, wives are not worth pleasing? It is not worth -while to purchase happy faces, bright smiles, and willing kisses now -and then at a cost the giver can scarcely feel?" - -Enva's look now was half malicious, half kindly, and wholly comical; -but she answered gravely, with a slight imitation of my own tone-- - -"Can you not imagine, or make Eveena tell you, Clasfempta, why women -once purchased think it best to give smiles and kisses freely to one -who can command their tears? Or do you fancy that their smiles are -more loyal and sincere when won by kindness than...." - -"By fear? Sweeter, Enva, at any rate. Well, if I do not offend your -feelings, I need not hesitate to disregard another of your customs." - -She received her share willingly and gratefully enough, but her smile -and kiss were so evidently given to order, that they only testified to -the thorough literality of her statement. Leenoo, Eirale, and Elfe -followed her example with characteristic exactness. Equally -characteristic was the conduct of the others. Eunane kept aloof till -called, and then approached with an air of sullen reluctance, as if -summoned to receive a reprimand rather than a favour. Not a little -amused, I affected displeasure in my turn, till the window of her -chamber closed behind us, and her ill-humour was forgotten in -wondering alarm. Offered in private, the kiss and smile given and not -demanded, the present was accepted with frank affectionate gratitude. -Eive took her share in pettish shyness, waiting the moment when she -might mingle unobserved with her childlike caresses the childish -reproach-- - -"If you can buy kisses, Clasfempta, you don't want mine. And if you -fancy I sell them, you shall have no more." - -I saw Davilo in the morning before we started. After some conversation -on business, he said-- - -"And pardon a suggestion which I make, not as in charge of your -affairs, but as responsible to our supreme authority for your safety. -No correspondence should pass from your household unscrutinised; and -if there be such correspondence, I must ask you to place in my hand, -for the purpose of our quest, not any message, but some of the slips -on which messages have been written. This may probably furnish -precisely that tangible means of relation with some one acquainted -with the conspiracy for which we have sought in vain." - -My unwillingness to meddle with feminine correspondence was the less -intelligible to him that, as the master alone commands the household -telegraph, he knew that it must have passed through my hands. I -yielded at last to his repeated urgency that a life more precious than -mine was involved in any danger to myself, so far as to promise the -slips required, to furnish a possible means of _rapport_ between the -_clairvoyante_ and the enemy. - -I returned to the house in grave thought. Eunane. corresponded by the -telegraph with some schoolmates; Eive, I fancied, with three or four -of those ladies with whom, accompanying me on my visits, she had made -acquaintance. But I hated the very thought of domestic suspicion, and, -adhering to my original resolve, refused to entertain a distrust that -seemed ill-founded and far-fetched. If there had been treachery, it -would be impossible to obtain any letters that might have been -preserved without resorting to a compulsion which, since both Eunane -and Eive had written in the knowledge that their letters passed -unread, would seem like a breach of faith. I asked, however, simply, -and giving no reason, for the production of any papers received and -preserved by either. Eive, with her usual air of simplicity, brought -me the two or three which, she said, were all she had kept. Eunane -replied with a petulance almost amounting to refusal, which to some -might have suggested suspicion; but which to me seemed the very last -course that a culprit would have pursued. To give needless offence -while conscious of guilt would have been the very wantonness of -reckless temper. - -"Bite your tongue, and keep your letters," I said sharply. - -Turning to Eive and looking at the addresses of hers, none of which -bore the name of any one who could be suspected of the remotest -connection with a political plot-- - -"Give me which of these you please," I said, taking from her hand that -which she selected and marking it. "Now erase the writing yourself and -give me the paper." - -This incident gave Eunane leisure to recover her temper. She stood for -a few moments ashamed perhaps, but, as usual, resolute to abide by the -consequences of a fault. When she found that my last word was spoken, -her mood changed at once. - -"I did not quite like to give you Velna's letters. They are foolish, -like mine; and besides----But I never supposed you would let me -refuse. What you won't make me do, I must do of my own accord." - -Womanly reasoning, most unlike "woman's reasons!" She brought, with -unaffected alacrity, a collection of tafroo-slips whose addresses bore -out her account of their character. Taking the last from the bundle, I -bade her erase its contents. - -"No," she said, "that is the one I least liked to show. If you will -not read it, please follow my hand as I read, and see for yourself how -far I have misused your trust." - -"I never doubted your good faith, Eunane"--But she had begun to read, -pointing with her finger as she went on. At one sentence hand and -voice wavered a little without apparent reason. "I shall," wrote her -school-friend, some half year her junior, "make my appearance at the -next inspection. I wish the Campta, had left you here till now; we -might perhaps have contrived to pass into the same household." - -"A very innocent wish, and very natural," I said, in answer to the -look, half inquiring, half shy, with which Eunane watched the effect -of her words. I could not now use the precaution in her case, which it -had somehow seemed natural to adopt with Eive, of marking the paper -returned for erasure. On her part, Eunane thrust into my hand the -whole bundle as they were, and I was forced myself to erase, by an -electro-chemical process which leaves no trace of writing, the words -of that selected. The absence of any mark on the second paper served -sufficiently to distinguish the two when, of course without stating -from whom I received them, I placed, them in Davilo's hands. - -When we were ready to leave the peristyle for the carriage, I observed -that Eunane alone was still unveiled, while the others wore their -cloaks of down and the thick veils, without which no lady may present -herself to the public eye. - -"'Thieving time is woman's crime,'" I said, quoting a domestic -proverb. "In another household you would; be left behind." - -"Of course," she replied, such summary discipline seeming to her as -appropriate as to an European child. "I don't like always to deserve -the vine and receive the nuts." - -"You must take which _I_ like," I retorted, laughing. Satisfied or -silenced, she hastened to dress, and enjoyed with unalloyed delight -the unusual pleasure of inspecting dresses and jewellery, and making -more purchases in a day than she had expected to be able to do in two -years. But she and her companions acted with more consideration than -ladies permitted to visit the shops of Europe show for their masculine -escort. Eive alone, on this as on other occasions, availed herself -thoroughly of those privileges of childhood which I had always -extended to her. - -So quick are the proceedings and so excellent the arrangements of -Martial commerce, even where ladies are concerned, that a couple of -hours saw us on our way homeward, after having passed through the -apartments of half the merchants in Altasfe. Purposely for my own -pleasure, as well as for that of my companions, I took a circuitous -route homeward, and in so doing came within sight of a principal -feminine Nursery or girls' school. Recognising it, Eunane spoke with -some eagerness-- - -"Ah! I spent nine years there, and not always unhappily." - -Eveena, who sat beside me, pressed my hand, with an intention easily -understood. - -"And you would like to see it again?" I inquired in compliance with -her silent hint. - -"Not to go back," said Eunane. "But I should like to pay it a visit, -if it were possible." - -"Can we?" I asked Eveena. - -"I think so," she answered. "I observe half a dozen people have gone -in since we came in sight, and I fancy it is inspection day there." - -"Inspection?" I asked. - -"Yes," she replied in a tone of some little annoyance and discomfort. -"The girls who have completed their tenth year, and who are thought to -have as good a chance now as they would have later, are dressed for -the first time in the white robe and veil of maidenhood, and presented -in the public chamber to attract the choice of those who are looking -for brides." - -"Not a pleasant spectacle," I said, "to you or to myself; but it will -hardly annoy the others, and Eunane shall have her wish." - -We descended from our carriage at the gate, and entered the grounds of -the Nursery. Studiously as the health, the diet, and the exercise of -the inmates are cared for, nothing is done to render the appearance of -the home where they pass so large and critical a portion of their -lives cheerful or attractive in appearance. Utility alone is studied; -how much beauty conduces to utility where the happiness and health of -children are concerned, Martial science has yet to learn. The grounds -contained no flowers and but few trees; the latter ruined in point of -form and natural grace to render them convenient supports for -gymnastic apparatus. A number of the younger girls, unveiled, but -dressed in a dark plain garment reaching from the throat to the knees, -with trousers giving free play to the limbs, were exercising on the -different swings and bars, flinging the light weights and balls, or -handling the substitutes for dumb-bells, the use of which forms an -important branch of their education. Others, relieved from this -essential part of their tasks, were engaged in various sports. One of -these I noticed especially. Perhaps a hundred young ladies on either -side formed a sort of battalion, contending for the ground they -occupied with light shields of closely woven wire and masks of the -same material, and with spears consisting of a reed or grass about -five feet in length, and exceedingly light. When perfectly ripened, -these spears are exceeding formidable, their points being sharp enough -to pierce the skin of any but a pachydermatous animal. Those employed -in these games, however, are gathered while yet covered by a sheath, -which, as they ripen, bursts and leaves the keen, hard point exposed. -Considerable care is taken in their selection, since, if nearly ripe, -or if they should ripen prematurely under the heat of the sun when -severed from the stem, the sheath bursting in the middle of a game, -very grave accidents might occur. The movements of the girls were so -ordered that the game appeared almost as much a dance as a conflict; -but though there was nothing of unseemly violence, the victory was -evidently contested with real earnestness, and with a skill superior -to that displayed in the movements of the actual soldiers who have -long since exchanged the tasks of warfare for the duties of policemen, -escorts, and sentries. I held Eveena's hand, the others followed us -closely, venturing neither to break from our party without leave nor -to ask permission, till, at Eveena's suggestion, it was spontaneously -given. They then quitted us, hastening, Eunane to seek out her -favourite companions of a former season, the others to mingle with the -younger girls and share in their play. We walked on slowly, stopping -from time to time to watch the exercises and sports of the younger -portion of a community numbering some fifteen hundred girls. When we -entered the hall we were rejoined by Eunane, with one of her friends -who still wore the ordinary school costume. Conversation with or -notice of a young lady so dressed was not only not expected but -disallowed, and the pair seated themselves behind us and studiously -out of hearing of any conversation conducted in a low tone. - -The spectacle, as I had anticipated, was to me anything but pleasant. -It reminded me of a slave-market of the East, however, rather than of -the more revolting features of a slave auction in the United States. -The maidens, most of them very graceful and more than pretty, their -robes arranged and ornamented with an evident care to set off their -persons to the best advantage, and with a skill much greater than they -themselves could yet have acquired, were seated alone or by twos and -threes in different parts of the hall, grouped so as to produce the -most attractive general as well as individual effect. The picture, -therefore, was a pretty one; and since the intending purchasers -addressed the objects of their curiosity or admiration with courtesy -and fairly decorous reserve, it was the known character rather than -any visible incident of the scene that rendered it repugnant or -revolting in my eyes. I need not say that, except Eveena, there was no -one of either sex in the hall who shared my feeling. After all, the -purpose was but frankly avowed, and certainly carried out more safely -and decorously than in the ball-rooms and drawing-rooms of London or -Paris. Of the maidens, some seemed shy and backward, and most were -silent save when addressed. But the majority received their suitors -with a thoroughly business-like air, and listened to the terms offered -them, or endeavoured to exact a higher price or a briefer period of -assured slavery, with a self-possession more reasonable than agreeable -to witness. One maiden seated in our immediate vicinity was, I -perceived, the object of Eveena's especial interest, and, at first on -this account alone, attracted my observation. Dressed with somewhat -less ostentatious care and elegance than her companions, her veil and -the skirt of her robe were so arranged as to show less of her personal -attractions than they generally displayed. A first glance hardly did -justice to a countenance which, if not signally pretty, and certainly -marked by a beauty less striking than that of most of the others, was -modest and pleasing; a figure slight and graceful, with hands and feet -yet smaller than usual, even among a race the shape of whose limbs is, -with few exceptions, admirable. Very few had addressed her, or even -looked at her; and a certain resigned mortification was visible in her -countenance. - -"You are sorry for that child?" I said to Eveena. - -"Yes," she answered. "It must be distressing to feel herself the least -attractive, the least noticed among her companions, and on such an -occasion. I cannot conceive how I could bear to form part of such a -spectacle; but if I were in her place, I suppose I should be hurt and -humbled at finding that nobody cared to look at me in the presence of -others prettier and better dressed than myself." - -"Well," I said, "of all the faces I see I like that the best. I -suppose I must not speak to her?" - -"Why not?" said Eveena in surprise. "You are not bound to purchase -her, any more than we bought all we looked at to-day." - -"It did not occur to me," I replied, "that I could be regarded as a -possible suitor, nor do I think I could find courage to present myself -to that young lady in a manner which must cause her to look upon me in -that light. Ask Eunane if she knows her." - -Here Eive and the others joined us and took their places on my right. -Eveena, leaving her seat for a moment, spoke apart with Eunane. - -"Will you speak to her?" she said, returning. "She is Eunane's friend -and correspondent, Velna; and I think they are really fond of each -other. It is a pity that if she is to undergo the mortification of -remaining unchosen and going back to her tasks, at least till the next -inspection, she will also be separated finally from the only person -for whom she seems to have had anything like home affection." - -"Well, if I am to talk to her," I replied, "you must be good enough to -accompany me. I do not feel that I could venture on such an enterprise -by myself." - -Eveena's eyes, even through her veil, expressed at once amusement and -surprise; but as she rose to accompany me this expression faded and a -look of graver interest replaced it. Many turned to observe us as we -crossed the short space that separated us from the isolated and -neglected maiden. I had seen, if I had not noticed, that in no case -were the men, as they made the tour of the room or went up to any lady -who might have attracted their special notice, accompanied by the -women of their households. A few of these, however, sat watching the -scene, their mortification, curiosity, jealousy, or whatever feeling -it might excite, being of course concealed by the veils that hid every -feature but the eyes, which now and then followed very closely the -footsteps of their lords. The object of our attention showed marked -surprise as we approached her, and yet more when, seeing that I was at -a loss for words, Eveena herself spoke a kindly and gracious sentence. -The girl's voice was soft and low, and her tone and words, as we -gradually fell into a hesitating and broken conversation, confirmed -the impression made by her appearance. When, after a few minutes, I -moved to depart, there was in Eveena's reluctant steps and expressive -upturned eyes a meaning I could not understand. As soon as we were out -of hearing, moving so as partly to hide my countenance and entirely to -conceal her own gesture from the object of her compassion, she checked -my steps by a gentle pressure on my arm and looked up earnestly into -my face. - -"What is it?" I asked. "You seem to have some wish that I cannot -conjecture; and you can trust by this time my anxiety to gratify every -desire of yours, reasonable or not--if indeed you ever were -unreasonable." - -"She is so sad, so lonely," Eveena answered, "and she is so fond of -Eunane." - -"You don't mean that you want me to make her an offer!" I exclaimed in -extreme amazement. - -"Do not be angry," pleaded Eveena. "She would be glad to accept any -offer you would be likely to make; and the money you gave me yesterday -would have paid all she would cost you for many years. Besides, it -would please Eunane, and it would make Velna so happy." - -"You must know far better than I can what is likely to make her -happy," I replied. "Strange to the ideas and customs of your world, I -cannot conceive that a woman can wish to take the last place in a -household like ours rather than the first or only one with the poorest -of her people." - -"She will hardly have the choice," Eveena answered. "Those whom you -can call poor mostly wait till they can have their choice before they -marry; and if taken by some one who could not afford a more expensive -choice, she would only be neglected, or dismissed ill provided for, as -soon as he could purchase one more to his taste." - -"If," I rejoined at last, "you think it a kindness to her, and are -sure she will so think it; if you wish it, and will avouch her -contentment with a place in the household of one who does not desire -her, I will comply with this as with any wish of yours. But it is not -to my mind to take a wife out of mere compassion, as I might readily -adopt a child." - -Once more, with all our mutual affection and appreciation of each -other's character, Eveena and I were far as the Poles apart in thought -if not in feeling. It was as impossible for her to emancipate herself -utterly from the ideas and habits of her own world, as for me to -reconcile myself to them. I led her back at last to her seat, and -beckoned Eunane to my side. - -"Eveena," I said, "has been urging me to offer your friend yonder a -place in our household." - -Though I could not see her face, the instant change in her attitude, -the eager movement of her hands, and the elastic spring that suddenly -braced her form, expressed her feeling plainly enough. - -"It must be done, I suppose," I murmured rather to myself than to -them, as Eunane timidly put out her hand and gratefully clasped -Eveena's. "Well, it is to be done for you, and you must do it." - -"How can I?" exclaimed Eunane in astonishment; and Eveena added, "It -is for you; you only can name your terms, and it would be a strange -slight to her to do so through us." - -"I cannot help that. I will not 'act the lie' by affecting any -personal desire to win her, and I could not tell her the truth. Offer -her the same terms that contented the rest; nay, if she enters my -household, she shall not feel herself in a secondary or inferior -position." - -This condition surprised even Eveena as much as my resolve to make her -the bearer of the proposal that was in truth her own. But, however -reluctant, she would as soon have refused obedience to my request as -have withheld a kindness because it cost her an unexpected trial. -Taking Eunane with her, she approached and addressed the girl. -Whatever my own doubt as to her probable reception, however absurd in -my own estimation the thing I was induced to do, there was no -corresponding consciousness, no feeling but one of surprise and -gratification, in the face on which I turned my eyes. There was a -short and earnest debate; but, as I afterwards learned, it arose -simply from the girl's astonishment at terms which, extravagant even -for the beauties of the day, were thrice as liberal as she had -ventured to dream of. Eveena and Eunane were as well aware of this as -herself; the right of beauty to a special price seemed to them as -obvious as in Western Europe seems the right of rank to exorbitant -settlements; but they felt it as impossible to argue the point as a -solicitor would find it unsafe to expound to a _gentleman_ the -different cost of honouring Mademoiselle with his hand and being -honoured with that of Milady. Velna's remonstrances were suppressed; -she rose, and, accompanied by Eveena and Eunane, approached a desk in -one corner of the room, occupied by a lady past middle life. The -latter, like all those of her sex who have adopted masculine -independence and a professional career, wore no veil over her face, -and in lieu of the feminine head-dress a band of metal around the -head, depending from which a short fall of silken texture drawn back -behind the ears covered the neck and upper edge of the dark robe. This -lady took from a heap by her side a slip containing the usual form of -marriage contract, and filled in the blanks. At a sign from Eveena, I -had by this time approached close enough to hear the language of -half-envious, half-supercilious wonder in which the schoolmistress -congratulated her pupil on her signal conquest, and the terms she had -obtained, as well as the maiden's unaffected acknowledgment of her own -surprise and conscious unworthiness. I could _feel_, despite the -concealment of her form and face, Eveena's silent expression of pained -disgust with the one, and earnest womanly sympathy with the other. The -document was executed in the usual triplicate. - -The girl retired for a few minutes, and reappeared in a cloak and veil -like those of her new companions, but of comparatively cheap -materials. As we passed the threshold, Eveena gently and tacitly but -decisively assigned to her _protegee_ her own place beside me, and put -her right hand in my left. The agitation with which it manifestly -trembled, though neither strange nor unpleasing, added to the extreme -embarrassment I felt; and I had placed her next to Eunane in the -carriage and taken my seat beside Eveena, whom I never permitted to -resign her own, before a single spoken word had passed in this -extraordinary courtship, or sanctioned the brief and practical -ceremony of marriage. - -I was alone in my own room that evening when a gentle scratching on -the window-crystal entreated admission. I answered without looking up, -assuming that Eveena alone would seek me there. But hers were not the -lips that were earnestly pressed on my hand, nor hers the voice that -spoke, trembling and hesitating with stronger feeling than it could -utter in words-- - -"I do thank you from my heart. I little thought you would wish to make -me so happy. I shrank from showing you the letter lest you should -think I dared to hope.... It is not only Velna; it is such strange joy -and comfort to be held fast by one who cares--to feel safe in hands as -kind as they are strong. You said you could love none save Eveena; -but, Clasfempta, your way of not loving is something better, gentler, -more considerate than any love I ever hoped or heard of." - -I could read only profound sincerity and passionate gratitude in the -clear bright eyes, softened by half-suppressed tears, that looked up -from where she knelt beside me. But the exaggeration was painfully -suggestive, confirming the ugly view Enva had given yesterday of the -life that seemed natural and reasonable to her race, and made ordinary -human kindness appear something strange and romantic by contrast. - -"Surely, Eunane, every man wishes those around him happy, if it do not -cost too much to make them so?" - -"No, indeed! Oftener the master finds pleasure in punishing and -humiliating, the favourite in witnessing her companions' tears and -terror. They like to see the household grateful for an hour's -amusement, crouching to caprice, incredulously thankful for barest -justice. One book much read in our schools says that 'cruelty is a -stronger, earlier, and more tenacious human instinct than sympathy;' -and another that 'half the pleasure of power lies in giving pain, and -half the remainder in being praised for sparing it.' ... But that was -not all: Eveena was as eager to be kind as you were." - -"Much more so, Eunane." - -"Perhaps. What seemed natural to her was strange to you. But it was -_your_ thought to put Velna on equal terms with us; taking her out of -mere kindness, to give her the dowry of a Prince's favourite. _That_ -surprised Eveena, and it puzzled me. But I think I half understand you -now, and if I do.... When Eveena told us how you saved her and defied -the Regent, and Eive asked you about it, you said so quietly, 'There -are some things a man cannot do.' Is buying a girl cheap, because she -is not a beauty, one of those things?" - -"To take any advantage of her misfortune--to make her feel it in my -conduct--to give her a place in my household on other terms than her -equals--to show her less consideration or courtesy than one would give -to a girl as beautiful as yourself--yes, Eunane! To my eyes, your -friend is pleasant and pretty; but if not, would you have liked to -feel that she was of less account here than yourself, because she has -not such splendid beauty as yours?" - -Eunane was too frank to conceal her gratification in this first -acknowledgment of her charms, as she had shown her mortification while -it was withheld--not, certainly, because undeserved. Her eyes -brightened and her colour deepened in manifest pleasure. But she was -equally frank in her answer to the implied compliment to her -generosity, of whose justice she was not so well assured. - -"I am afraid I should half have liked it, a year ago. Now, after I -have lived so long with you and Eveena, I should be shamed by it! But, -Clasfempta, the things 'a man cannot do' are the things men do every -day;--and women every hour!" - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - WINTER. - -Hitherto I had experienced only the tropical climate of Mars, with the -exception of the short time spent in the northern temperate zone about -the height of its summer. I was anxious, of course, to see something -also of its winter, and an opportunity presented itself. No -institution was more obviously worth a visit than the great University -or principal place of highest education in this world, and I was -invited thither in the middle of the local winter. To this University -many of the most promising youths, especially those intended for any -of the Martial professions--architects, artists, rulers, lawyers, -physicians, and so forth--are often sent directly from the schools, or -after a short period of training in the higher colleges. It is situate -far within the north temperate zone on the shore of one of the longest -and narrowest of the great Martial gulfs, which extends from -north-eastward to south-west, and stretches from 43 deg. N. to 10 deg. S. -latitude. The University in question is situate nearly at the -extremity of the northern branch of this gulf, which splits into two -about 300 miles from its end, a canal of course connecting it with the -nearest sea-belt. I chose to perform this journey by land, following -the line of the great road from Amacasfe to Qualveskinta for about 800 -miles, and then turning directly northward. I did not suppose that I -should find a willing companion on this journey, and was myself -wishful to be alone, since I dared not, in her present state of -health, expose Eveena to the fatigue and hardship of prolonged winter -travelling by land. To my surprise, however, all the rest, when aware -that I had declined to take her, were eager to accompany me. Chiefly -to take her out of the way, and certainly with no idea of finding -pleasure in her society, I selected Enva; next to Leenoo the most -malicious of the party, and gifted with sufficient intelligence to -render her malice more effective than Leenoo's stupidity could be. -Enva, moreover, with the vigorous youthful vitality-so often found on -Earth in women of her light Northern complexion, seemed less likely to -suffer from the severity of the weather or the fatigue of a land -journey than most of her companions. When I spoke of my intention to -Davilo, I was surprised to find that he considered even feminine -company a protection. - -"Any attempt upon you," he said, "must either involve your companion, -for which there can be no legal excuse preferred, or else expose the -assailant to the risk of being identified through her evidence." - -I started accordingly a few days before the winter solstice of the -North, reaching the great road a few miles from the point at which it -crosses another of the great gulfs running due north and south, at its -narrowest point in latitude 3 deg. S. At this point the inlet is no more -than twenty miles wide, and its banks about a hundred feet in height. -At this level and across this vast space was carried a bridge, -supported by arches, and resting on pillars deeply imbedded in the -submarine rock at a depth about equal to the height of the land on -either side. The Martial seas are for the most part shallow, the -landlocked gulfs being seldom 100 fathoms, and the deepest ocean -soundings giving less than 1000. The vast and solid structure looked -as light and airy as any suspension bridge across an Alpine ravine. -This gigantic viaduct, about 500 Martial years old, is still the most -magnificent achievement of engineering in this department. The main -roads, connecting important cities or forming the principal routes of -commerce in the absence of convenient river or sea carriage, are -carried over gulfs, streams, ravines, and valleys, and through hills, -as Terrestrial engineers have recently promised to carry railways over -the minor inequalities of ground. That which we were following is an -especially magnificent road, and signalised by several grand -exhibitions of engineering daring and genius. It runs from Amacasfe -for a thousand miles in one straight line direct as that of a Roman -road, and with but half-a-dozen changes of level in the whole -distance. It crossed in the space of a few miles a valley, or rather -dell, 200 feet in depth, and with semi-perpendicular sides, and a -stream wider than the Mississippi above the junction of the Ohio. Next -it traversed the precipitous side of a hill for a distance of three or -four miles, where Nature had not afforded foothold for a rabbit or a -squirrel. The stupendous bridges and the magnificent open road cut in -the side of the rock, its roof supported on the inside by the hill -itself, on the outside by pillars left at regular intervals when the -stone was cut, formed from one point a single splendid view. Pointing -it out to Enva, I was a little surprised to find her capable, under -the guidance of a few remarks from myself, of appreciating and taking -pride in the marvellous work of her race. In another place, a tunnel -pierced directly an intervening range of hills for about eight miles, -interrupted only in two points by short deep open cuttings. This -passage, unlike those on the river previously mentioned, was -constantly and brilliantly lighted. The whole road indeed was lit up -from the fall of the evening to the dispersion of the morning mist -with a brilliancy nearly equal to that of daylight. As I dared not -travel at a greater rate than twenty-five miles per hour--my -experience, though it enabled me to manage the carriage with -sufficient skill, not giving me confidence to push it to its greatest -speed--the journey must occupy several days. We had, therefore, to -rest at the stations provided by public authority for travellers -undertaking such long land journeys. These are built like ordinary -Martial houses, save that in lieu of peristyle or interior garden is -an open square planted with shrubs and merely large enough to afford -light to the inner rooms. The chambers also are very much smaller than -those of good private houses. As these stations are nearly always -placed in towns or villages, or in well-peopled country -neighbourhoods, food is supplied by the nearest confectioner to each -traveller individually, and a single person, assisted by the ambau, is -able to manage the largest of them. - -The last two or three days of our journey were bitterly cold, and not -a little trying. My own undergarment of thick soft leather kept me -warmer than the warmest greatcoat or cloak could have done, though I -wore a large cloak of the kargynda's fur in addition--the prize of the -hunt that had so nearly cost me dear, a personal and very gracious -present from the Campta. My companion, who had not the former -advantage, though wrapped in as many outer garments and quilts as I -had thought necessary, felt the cold severely, and felt still more the -dense chill mist which both by night and day covered the greater part -of the country. This was not infrequently so thick as to render -travelling almost perilous; and but that an electric light, required -by law, was placed at each end of the carriage, collisions would have -been inevitable. These hardships afforded another illustration of the -subjection of the sex resulting from the rule of theoretical equality. -More than a year's experience of natural kindness and consideration -had not given Enva courage to make a single complaint; and at first -she did her best to conceal the weeping which was the only, but almost -continuous, expression of her suffering. She was almost as much -surprised as gratified by my expressions of sympathy, and the trouble -I took to obtain, at the first considerable town we reached, an -apparatus by which the heat generated by motion itself was made to -supply a certain warmth through the tubular open-work of the carriage -to the persons of its occupants. The cold was as severe as that of a -Swedish winter, though we never approached within seventeen degrees of -the Arctic circle, a distance from the Pole equivalent to that of -Northern France. The Martial thermometer, in form more like a -watch-barometer, which I carried in my belt, marked a cold equivalent -to 12 deg. below zero C. in the middle of the day; and when left in the -carriage for the night it had registered no less than 22 deg. below zero. - -One of the Professors of the University received us as his guests, -assigning to us, as is usual when a lady is of the party, rooms -looking on the peristyle, but whose windows remained closed. Enva, of -course, spent her time chiefly with the ladies of the family. When -alone with me she talked freely, though needing some encouragement to -express her own ideas, or report what she had heard; but she had no -intention of concealment, perhaps no notion that I was interested in -her accounts of the prevalent feeling respecting the heretics of whom -she heard much, except of course that Eveena's father was among them. -Through her I learned that much pains had been taken to intensify and -excite into active hostility the dislike and distrust with which they -had always been regarded by the public at large, and especially by the -scientific guilds, whose members control all educational -establishments. That some attempt against them was meditated appeared -to be generally reported. Its nature and the movers in the matter were -not known, so far as I could gather, even to men so influential as the -chief Professors of the University. It was not merely that the women -had heard nothing on this point, but that their lords had dropped -expressions of surprise at the strictness with which the secret was -kept. - -As their parents pay, when first the children are admitted to the -public Nurseries, the price of an average education, this special -instruction is given in the first instance at the cost of the State to -those who, on account of their taste and talent, are selected by the -teachers of the Colleges. But before they leave the University a bond -is taken for the amount of this outlay, which has to be repaid within -three years. It is fair to say that the tax is trivial in comparison -with the ordinary gains of their professions; the more so that no such -preference as, in our world, is almost universally given to a -reputation which can only be acquired by age, excludes the youth of -Mars from full and profitable employment. - -The youths were delighted to receive a lecture on the forms of -Terrestrial government, and the outlines of their history; a topic I -selected because they were already acquainted with the substance of -the addresses elsewhere delivered. This afforded me an opportunity of -making the personal acquaintance of some of the more distinguished -pupils. The clearness of their intellect, the thoroughness of their -knowledge in their several studies, and the distinctness of their -acquaintance with the outlines and principles of Martial learning -generally,--an acquaintance as free from smattering and superficiality -as necessarily unembarrassed by detail,--testified emphatically to the -excellence of the training they had received, as well as to the -hereditary development of their brains. What was, however, not less -striking was the utter absence at once of what I was accustomed to -regard as moral principle, and of the generous impulses which in youth -sometimes supply the place of principle. They avowed the most absolute -selfishness, the most abject fear of death and pain, with a frankness -that would have amazed the Cynics and disgusted the felons of almost -any Earthly nation. There were partial exceptions, but these were to -be found exclusively among those in training for what we should call -public life, for administrative or judicial duties. These, though -professing no devotion to the interest of others, and little that -could be called public spirit, did nevertheless understand that in -return for the high rank, the great power, and the liberal -remuneration they would enjoy, they were bound to consider primarily -the public interest in the performance of their functions--the right -of society to just or at least to carefully legal judgment, and -diligent efficient administration. Their feeling, however, was rather -professional than personal, the pride of students in the perfection of -their art rather than the earnestness of men conscious of grave human -responsibilities. - -In conversing with the chief of this Faculty, I learned some -peculiarities of the system of government with which I was not yet -acquainted. Promotion never depends on those with whom a public -servant comes into personal contact, but on those one or two steps -above the latter. The judges, for instance, of the lower rank are -selected by the principal judge of each dominion; these and their -immediate assistants, by the Chief of the highest Court. The officers -around and under the Governor of a province are named by the Regent of -the dominion; those surrounding the Regent, as the Regent himself, by -the Sovereign. Every officer, however, can be removed by his immediate -superior; but it depends on the chief with whom his appointment rests, -whether he shall be transferred to a similar post elsewhere or simply -dismissed. Thus, while no man can be compelled to work with -instruments he dislikes, no subordinate is at the mercy of personal -caprice or antipathy. - -Promotion, judicial and administrative, ends below the highest point. -The judges of the Supreme Court are named by the Sovereign--with the -advice of a Council, including the Regents, the judges of that Court, -and the heads of the Philosophic and Educational Institutes--from -among the advocates and students of law, or from among the ablest -administrators who seem to possess judicial faculties. The code is -written and simple. Every dubious point that arises in the course of -litigation is referred, by appeal or directly by the judge who decides -it, to the Chief Court, and all points of interpretation thus -referred, are finally settled by an addition to the code at its -periodical revision. The Sovereign can erase or add at pleasure to -this code. But he can do so only in full Council, and must hear, -though he need not regard, the opinions of his advisers. He can, -however, suspend immediately till the next meeting of the Council the -enforcement of any article. - -The Regents are never named from among subordinate officials, nor is a -Regent ever promoted to the throne. It is held that the qualities -required in an absolute Sovereign are not such as are demanded from or -likely to be developed in the subordinate ruler of a dominion however -important, and that functions like those of a Regent, at least as -important as those of the Viceroy of India, ought not to be entrusted -to men trained in subaltern administrative duties. Among the youths of -greatest promise, in their eighth year, a certain small number are -selected by the chiefs of the University, who visit for this purpose -all the Nurseries of the kingdom. With what purpose these youths are -separated from their fellows is not explained to them. They are -carefully educated for the highest public duties. Year by year those -deemed fitter for less important offices are drafted off. There remain -at last the very few who are thought competent to the functions of -Regent or Campta, and from among these the Sovereign himself selects -at pleasure his own successor and the occupant of any vacant Regency. -The latter, however, holds his post at first on probation, and can, of -course, be removed at any time by the Sovereign. If the latter should -not before his death have named his own successor, the Council by a -process of elimination is reduced to three, and these cast lots which -shall name the new Autocrat from among the youths deemed worthy of the -throne, of whom six are seldom living at the same time. No Prince is -ever appointed under the age of fourteen (twenty-seven) or over that -of sixteen (thirty). No Campta, has ever abdicated; but they seldom -live to fall into that sort of inert indolence which may be called the -dotage of their race. The nature of their functions seems to preserve -their mental activity longer than that of others; and probably they -are not permitted to live when they have become manifestly unfit or -incapable to reign. - -When first invited to visit the University, I had hoped to make it -only a stage and stepping-stone to something yet more interesting--to -visit the Arctic hunters once more, and join them in the most exciting -of their pursuits; a chase by the electric light of the great Amphibia -of the frozen sea-belt immediately surrounding the permanent ice-cap -of the Northern Pole. For this, however, the royal licence was -required; and, as when I made a similar request during the fur-chase -of the Southern season, I met with a peremptory refusal. "There are -two men in this world," said the Prince, "who would entertain such a -wish. _I_ dare not avow it; and if there were a third, he would -assuredly be convicted of incurable lunacy, though on all other points -he were as cold-blooded as the President of the Academy or the -Vivisector-General." I did not tell Eveena of my request till it had -been refused; and if anything could have lessened my vexation at the -loss of this third opportunity, it would have been the expression of -her countenance at that moment. Indeed, I was then satisfied that I -could not have left her in the fever of alarm and anxiety that any -suspicion of my purpose would have caused. - -I seized, however, the opportunity of a winter voyage in a small -vessel, manned by four or five ocean-hunters, less timid and -susceptible to surface disturbances than ordinary seamen. On such an -excursion, Enva, though a far less pleasant companion, was a less -anxious charge than Eveena. We made for the Northern coast, and ran -for some hundred miles, along a sea-bord not unlike that of Norway, -but on a miniature scale. Though in some former age this hemisphere, -like Europe, has been subject to glacial action much more general and -intense than at present, its ice-seas and ice-rivers must always have -been comparatively shallow and feeble. Beaching at last a break in the -long line of cliff-guarded capes and fiords, where the sea, half -covered with low islands, eats a broad and deep ingress into the -land-belt, I disembarked, and made a day's land journey to the -northward. - -The ground was covered with a sheet of hard-frozen snow about eighteen -inches deep, with an upper surface of pure ice. For the ordinary -carriage, here useless, was substituted a sledge, driven from behind -by an instrument something between a paddle-wheel and a screw, worked, -of course, by the usual electric machinery. The cold was far more -intense than I had ever before known it; and the mist that fell at the -close of the very short zyda of daylight rendered it all but -intolerable. The Arctic circular thermometer fell to within a few -points from its minimum of--50 deg. Centigrade [?]. No flesh could endure -exposure to such an atmosphere; and were not the inner mask and -clothing of soft leather pervaded by a constant feeble current of -electricity.... - -As we made our way back to the open sea, the temptation to disobey the -royal order was all but irresistible. No fewer than three kargyndau -were within shot at one and the same time; plunging from the shore of -an icy island to emerge with their prey--a fish somewhat resembling -the salmon in form and flavour. My companions, however, were terrified -at the thought of disobedience to the law; and as we had but one -mordyta (lightning-gun) among the party, and the uncertainty of the -air-gun had been before proven to my cost, there was some force in -their supplementary argument that, if I did not kill the kargynda, it -was probable that the kargynda might board us; in which event our case -would be summarily disposed of, without troubling the Courts or -allowing time to apply, even by telegraph, for the royal pardon. I was -suggesting, more to the alarm than amusement of the crew, that we -might close the hatches, and either carry the regal beast away -captive, or, at worst, dive and drown him--for he cannot swim very -far--when their objections were enforced in an unexpected manner. We -were drifting beyond shot of the nearest brute, when the three -suddenly plunged at once, and as if by concert, and when they rose, -were all evidently making for the vessel, and within some eighty -yards. I then learnt a new advantage of the electric machinery, as -compared with the most powerful steam-engine. A pressure upon a -button, and a few seconds sufficed to exchange a speed of four for one -of twenty miles an hour; while, instead of sinking the vessel below -the surface, the master directed the engine to pump out all the liquid -ballast she contained. The waterspout thus sent forth half-drowned the -enemy which had already come within a few yards of our starboard -quarter, and effectually-scared the others. It was just as well that -Enva, who heartily hated the bitter cold, was snugly ensconced in the -warm cushions of the cabin, and had not, therefore, the opportunity of -giving to Eveena, on our return, her version of an adventure whose -alarming aspect would have impressed them both more than its ludicrous -side, For half a minute I thought that I had, in sheer folly, exposed -half a dozen lives to a peril none the less real and none the more -satisfactory that, if five had been killed, the survivor could not -have so told the story as to avoid laughing--or being laughed at. - -Sweet and serene as was Eveena's smile of welcome, it could not -conceal the traces of more than mere depression on her countenance. -Heartily willing to administer an effective lesson to her tormentors, -I seized the occasion of the sunset meal to notice the weary and -harassed look she had failed wholly to banish. - -"You look worse each time I return, Madonna. This time it is not -merely my absence, if it ever were so. I will know who or what has -driven and hunted you so." - -Taken thus by surprise, every face but one bore witness to the truth: -Eveena's distress, Eunane's mixed relief and dismay, shared in yet -greater degree by Velna, who knew less of me, the sheer terror and -confusion of the rest, were equally significant. The Martial judge who -said that "the best evidence was lost because colour could not be -tested or blushes analysed," would have passed sentence at once. But -if Eive's air of innocent unconsciousness and childish indifference -were not sincere, it merited the proverbial praise of consummate -affectation, "more golden than the sun and whiter than snow." Eveena's -momentary glance at once drew mine upon this "pet child," but neither -disturbed her. Nor did she overact her part. "Eive," said Enva one -day, "never salts her tears or paints her blushes." As soon as she -caught my look of doubt-- - -"Have _I_ done wrong?" she said, in a tone half of confidence, half of -reproach. "Punish me, then, Clasfempta, as you please--with Eveena's -sandal." - -The repartee delighted those who had reason to desire any diversion. -The appeal to Eveena disarmed my unwilling and momentary distrust. -Eveena, however, answered by neither word nor look, and the party -presently broke up. Eive crept close to claim some silent atonement -for unspoken suspicion, and a few minutes had elapsed before, to the -evident alarm of several conscious culprits, I sought Eveena in her -own chamber. - -In spite of all deprecation, I insisted on the explanation she had -evaded in public. "I guess," I said, "as much as you can tell me about -'the four.' I have borne too long with those who have made your life -that of a hunted therne, and rendered myself anxious and restless -every day and hour that I have left you alone. Unless you will deny -that they have done so---- Well, then, I will have peace for you and -for myself. I cannot leave you to their mercy, nor can I remain at -home for the next twelve dozen days, like a chained watch-dragon. Pass -them over!" (as she strove to remonstrate); "there is something new -this time. You have been harassed and frightened as well as unhappy." - -"Yes," she admitted, "but I can give nothing like a reason. I dare not -entreat you not to ask, and yet I am only like a child, that wakes -screaming by night, and cannot say of what she is afraid. Ought she -not to be whipped?" - -"I can't say, bambina; but I should not advise Eive to startle _you_ -in that way! But, seriously, I suppose fear is most painful when it -has no cause that can be removed. I have seen brave soldiers -panic-stricken in the dark, without well knowing why." - -I watched her face as I spoke, and noted that while the pet name I had -used in the first days of our marriage, now recalled by her image, -elicited a faint smile, the mention of Eive clouded it again. She was -so unwilling to speak, that I caught at the clue afforded by her -silence. - -"It _is_ Eive then? The little hypocrite! She shall find your sandal -heavier than mine." - -"No, no!" she pleaded eagerly. "You have seen what Eive is in your -presence; and to me she is always the same. If she were not, could I -complain of her?" - -"And why not, Eveena? Do you think I should hesitate between you?" - -"No!" she answered, with unusual decision of tone. "I will tell you -exactly what you would do. You would take my word implicitly; you -would have made up your mind before you heard her; you would deal -harder measure to Eive than to any one, _because_ she is your pet; you -would think for once not of sparing the culprit, but of satisfying me; -and afterwards"---- - -She paused, and I saw that she would not conclude in words a sentence -I could perhaps have finished for myself. - -"I see," I replied, "that Eive is the source of your trouble, but not -what the trouble is. For her sake, do not force me to extort the truth -from her." - -"I doubt whether she has guessed my misgiving," Eveena answered. "It -may be that you are right--that it is because she was so long the only -one you were fond of, that I cannot like and trust her as you do. -But ... you leave the telegraph in my charge, understanding, of course, -that it will be used as when you are at home. So, after Davilo's -warning, I have written their messages for Eunane and the others, but -I could not refuse Eive's request to write her own, and, like you, I -have never read them." - -"Why?" I asked. "Surely it is strange to give her, of all, a special -privilege and confidence?" - -Eveena was silent. She could in no case have reproached me in words, -and even the reproach of silence was so unusual that I could not but -feel it keenly. I saw at that moment that for whatever had happened or -might happen I might thank myself; might thank the doubt I would not -avow to my own mind, but could not conceal from her, that Eveena had -condescended to something like jealousy of one whose childish -simplicity, real or affected, had strangely won my heart, as children -do win hearts hardened by experience of life's roughness and evil. - -"I know nothing," Eveena said at last: "yet somehow, and wholly -without any reason I can explain, I fear. Eive, you may remember, has, -as your companion, made acquaintance with many households whose heads -you do not believe friends to you or the Zinta. She is a diligent -correspondent. She never affects to conceal anything, and yet no one -of us has lately seen the contents of a note sent or received by her." - -There was nothing tangible in Eveena's suspicion. It was most -repugnant to my own feelings, and yet it implanted, whether by force -of sympathy or of instinct, a misgiving that never left me again. - -"My own," I answered, "I would trust your judgment, your observation -or feminine instinct and insight into character, far sooner than my -own conclusions upon solid facts. But instincts and presentiments, -though we are not scientifically ignorant enough to disregard them, -are not evidence on which we can act or even inquire." - -"No," she said. "And yet it is hard to feel, as I cannot help feeling, -that the thunder-cloud is forming, that the bolt is almost ready to -strike, and that you are risking life, and perhaps more than life, out -of a delicacy no other man would show towards a child--since child you -will have her--who, I feel sure, deserves all she might receive from -the hands of one who would have the truth at any cost." - -"You feel," I answered, "for me as I should feel for you. But is death -so terrible to _us_? It means leaving you--I wish we knew that it does -not mean losing for ever, after so brief an enjoyment, all that is -perishable in love like ours--or it would not be worth fearing. I -don't think I ever did fear it till you made my life so sweet. But -life is not worth an unkindness or injustice. Better die trusting to -the last than live in the misery and shame of suspecting one I love, -or dreading treacherous malice from any hand under my own roof." - -When I met Davilo the next morning, the grave and anxious expression -of his face--usually calm and serene even in deepest thought, as are -those of the experienced members of an Order confident in the -consciousness of irresistible secret power--not a little disturbed me. -As Eveena had said, the thunder-cloud was forming; and a chill went to -my heart which in facing measurable and open peril it had never felt. - -"I bring you," he said; "a message that will not, I am afraid, be -welcome. He whose guest you were at Serocasfe invites you to pay him -an immediate visit; and the invitation must be accepted at once." - -I drew myself up with no little indignation at the imperative tone, -but feeling at least equal awe at the stern calmness with which the -mandate was spoken. - -"And what compels me to such haste, or to compliance without -consideration?" - -"That power," he returned, "which none can resist, and to which you -may not demur." - -Seeing that I still hesitated--in truth, the summons had turned my -vague misgiving into intense though equally vague alarm and even -terror, which as unmanly and unworthy I strove to repress, but which -asserted its domination in a manner as unwonted as unwelcome--he drew -aside a fold of his robe, and showed within the silver Star of the -Order, supported by the golden sash, that marked a rank second only to -that of the wearer of the Signet itself. I understood too well by this -time, through conversations with him and other communications of which -it has been needless to speak, the significance of this revelation. I -knew the impossibility of questioning the authority to which I had -pledged obedience. I realised with great amazement the fact that a -secondary position on my own estate, and a personal charge of my own -safety, had been accepted by a Chief of the Zinta. - -"There is, of course," I replied at last, "no answer to a mandate so -enforced. But, Chief, reluctant as I am to say it, I fear--fear as I -have never done before; and yet fear I cannot say, I cannot guess -what." - -"There is no cause for alarm," he said somewhat contemptuously. "In -this journey, sudden, speedy, and made under our guard as on our -summons, there is little or none of that peril which has beset you so -long." - -"You forget, Chief," I rejoined, "that you speak to a soldier, whose -chosen trade was to risk life at the word of a superior; to one whose -youth thought no smile so bright as that of naked steel, and had often -'kissed the lips of the lightning' ere the down darkened his own. At -any rate, you have told me daily for more than a year that I am living -under constant peril of assassination; have I seemed to quail thereat? -If, then, I am now terrified for the first time, that which I dread, -without knowing or dreaming what it is, is assuredly a peril worse -than any I have known, the shadow of a calamity against which I have -neither weapon nor courage. It cannot be for myself that I am thus -appalled," I continued, the thought flashing into my mind as I spoke -it, "and there is but one whose life is so closely bound with mine -that danger to her should bring such terror as this. I go at your -bidding, but I will not go alone." - -He paused for some time, apparently in perplexity, certainly in deep -thought, before he replied. - -"As you will. One thing more. The slips of tafroo with which you -furnished me have been under the eyes of which you have heard. This" -(handing me the one that bore no mark) "has passed, so far as the -highest powers of the sense that is not of the body can perceive, -through none but innocent hands. The hand from which you received -this" (the marked slip) "is spotted with treason, and may to-morrow be -red." - -I was less impressed by this declaration than probably would have been -any other member of the Order. I had seen on Earth the most marvellous -perceptions of a perfectly lucid vision succeeded, sometimes within -the space of the same day, by dreams or hallucinations the most -absolutely deceptive. I felt, therefore, more satisfaction in the -acquittal of Eunane, whom I had never doubted, than trouble at the -grave suspicion suggested against Eive--a suspicion I still refused to -entertain. - -"You should enter your balloon as soon as the sunset mist will conceal -it," said Davilo. "By mid-day you may reach the deep bay on the mid -sea-belt of the North, where a swift vessel will meet you and convey -you in two or three days by a direct course through the canal and gulf -you have traversed already, to the port from which you commenced your -first submarine voyage." - -"You had better," I said, "make your instruction a little more -particular, or I shall hardly know how to direct my course." - -"Do not dream," he answered, "that you will be permitted to undertake -such a journey but under the safest guidance. At the time I have named -all will be ready for your departure, and you have simply to sleep or -read or meditate as you will, till you reach your destination." - -Eveena was not a little startled when I informed her of the sudden -journey before me, and my determination that she should be my -companion. It was unquestionably a trying effort for her, especially -the balloon voyage, which would expose her to the cold of the mists -and of the night, and I feared to the intenser cold of the upper air. -But I dared not leave her, and she was pleased by a peremptory -decision which made her the companion of my absence, without leaving -room for discussion or question. The time for our departure was -drawing near when, followed by Eunane, she came into my chamber. - -"If we are to be long away," she said, "you must say on whom my -charges are to devolve." - -"As you please," I answered, sure of her choice, and well content to -see her hand over her cares to Eunane, who, if she lacked the wisdom -and forbearance of Eveena, could certainly hold the reins with a -stronger hand. - -"Eive," she said, "has asked the charge of my flowerbed; but I had -promised it, and"---- - -"And you would rather give it," I answered, "to Eunane? Naturally; and -I should not care to allow Eive the chance of spoiling your work. I -think we may now trust whatever is yours in those once troublesome -hands," looking at Eunane, "with perfect assurance that they will do -their best." - -I had never before parted even from Eunane with any feeling of regret; -but on this occasion an impulse I could not account for, but have ever -since been glad to remember, made me turn at the last moment and add -to Eveena's earnest embrace a few words of affection and confidence, -which evidently cheered and encouraged her deputy. The car that -awaited us was of the light tubular construction common here, formed -of the silvery metal _zorinta_. About eighteen feet in length and half -that breadth, it was divided into two compartments; each, with the aid -of canopy and curtains, forming at will a closed tent, and securing -almost as much privacy as an Arab family enjoys, or opening to the -sky. In that with which the sails and machinery were connected were -Davilo and two of his attendants. The other had been carefully lined -and covered with furs and wrappings, indicating an attention to my -companion which indeed is rarely shown to women by their own lords, -and which none but the daughter of Esmo would have received even among -the brethren of the Order. Ere we departed I had arranged her cushions -and wrapped her closely in the warmest coverings; and flinging over -her at last the kargynda skin received from the Campta, I bade her -sleep if possible during our aerial voyage. There was need to provide -as carefully as possible for her comfort. The balloon shot up at once -above the evening mists to a height at which the cold was intense, but -at which our voyage could be guided by the stars, invisible from -below, and at which we escaped the more dangerously chilling damp. The -wind that blew right in our teeth, caused by no atmospheric current -but by our own rapid passage, would in a few moments have frozen my -face, perhaps fatally, had not thick skins been arranged to screen us. -Even through these it blew with intense severity, and I was glad -indeed to cover myself from head to foot and lie down beside Eveena. -Her hand as she laid it on mine was painfully cold; but the shivering -I could hardly suppress made her anxious to part in my favour with -some at least of the many coverings that could hardly screen herself -from the searching blast. Not at the greatest height I reached among -the Himalayas, nor on the Steppes of Tartary, had I experienced a cold -severer than this. The Sun had just turned westward when we reached -the port at which we were to embark. Despite the cold, Eveena had -slept during the latter part of our voyage, and was still sleeping -when I placed her on the cushions in our cabin. The sudden and most -welcome change from bitter cold to comfortable warmth awakened her, as -it at last allowed me to sleep. Our journey was continued below the -surface at a rate of more than twelve hundred miles in the day, a -speed which made observation through the thick but perfectly -transparent side windows of our cabin impossible. I was indisposed for -meditation, which could have been directed to no other subject than -the mysterious purpose of our journey, and had not provided myself -with books. But in Eveena's company it was impossible that the time -should pass slowly or wearily. - -In this balloon journey I had a specially advantageous opportunity of -observing the two moons--velnaa, as they are called. _Cavelna_, or -Caulna, the nearer, in diameter about 8' or a little more than -one-fourth that of our Moon, is a tolerably brilliant object, about -5000 miles from the surface. Moving, like all planets and satellites, -from west to east, it completes its stellar revolution and its phases -in less than seven and a half hours; the contrary revolution of the -skies prolongs its circuit around the planet to a period of ten hours. -Zeelna (_Zevelna_) returns to the same celestial meridian in thirty -hours; but as in this time the starry vault has completed about a -rotation and a quarter in the opposite direction, it takes nearly five -days to reappear on the same horizon. It is about 3' in diameter, and -about 12,000 miles from the surface. The result of the combined -motions is that the two moons, to the eye, seem to move in opposite -directions. When we rose above the mists, Caulna was visible as a very -fine crescent in the west; Zeelna was rising in the east, and almost -full; but hardly a more brilliant object than Venus when seen to most -advantage from Earth. Both moved so rapidly among the stars that their -celestial change of place was apparent from minute to minute. But, as -regarded our own position, the appearance was as opposite as their -direction. Zeelna, traversing in twelve hours only one-fifth of the -visible hemisphere, while crossing in the same time 144 deg. on the -zodiac--twelve degrees per hour, or our Moon's diameter in two minutes -and a half--was left behind by the stars; and fixing what I may call -the ocular attention on her, she seemed to stand still while they -slowly passed her; thus making their revolution perceptible to sense -as it never is on Earth, for lack of a similar standard. Caulna, -rising in the west and moving eastwards, crossed the visible sky in -five hours, and passed through the stars at the rate of 48 deg. per hour, -so that she seemed to sail past them like a golden cloudlet or -celestial vessel driven by a slow wind. It happened this night that -she passed over the star Fomalhaut--an occultation which I watched -with great interest through an excellent field-glass, but which lasted -only for about half a minute. About an hour before midnight the two -moons passed each other in the Eastern sky; both gibbous at the -moment, like our Moon in her last quarter. The difference in size and -motion was then most striking; Caulna seeming to rush past her -companion, and the latter looking like a stationary star in the slowly -moving sky. - - - -CHAPTER XXV - APOSTACY. - -We were received on landing by our former host and conducted to his -house. On this occasion, however, I was not detained in the hall, but -permitted at once to enter the chamber allotted to us. Eveena, who had -exacted from me all that I knew, and much that I meant to conceal, -respecting the occasion of our journey, was much agitated and not a -little alarmed. My own humble rank in the Zinta rendered so sudden and -imperative a summons the more difficult to understand, and though by -this time well versed in the learning, neither of us was familiar with -the administration of the Brotherhood. I was glad therefore on her -account, even more than on my own, when, a scratch at the door having -obtained admission for an amba, it placed before me a message from -Esmo requesting a private conference. Her father's presence set -Eveena's mind at rest; since she had learned, strangely enough from -myself, what she had never known before, the rank he held among the -brethren. - -"I have summoned you," he said as soon as I joined him, "for more than -one reason. There is but one, however, that I need now explain. -Important questions, are as a rule either settled by the Chiefs alone -in Council, or submitted to a general meeting of the Order. In this -case neither course can be adopted. It would not have occurred to -myself that, under present circumstances, you could render material -service in either of the two directions in which it may be required. -But those by whom the cause has been prepared have asked that you -should be one of the Convent, and such a request is never refused. -Indeed, its refusal would imply either such injustice as would render -the whole proceeding utterly incompatible with the first principles of -our cohesion, or such distrust of the person summoned as is never felt -for a member of the Brotherhood. I would rather say no more on the -subject now. Your nerve and judgment will be sufficiently tried -to-night; and it is a valuable maxim of our science that, in the hours -immediately preceding either an important decision or a severe trial, -the spirit should be left as far as possible calm and unvexed by vague -shadows of that which is to come." - -The maxim thus expressed, if rendered into the language of material -medicine, is among those which every man of experience holds and -practically acts upon. I turned the conversation, then, by inviting -Esmo into my own apartment; and I was touched indeed by the eager -delight, even stronger than I had expected, with which Eveena welcomed -her father, and inquired into the minutest details of the home life -from which she had been, as it seemed to her, so long separated. What -was, however, specially characteristic was the delicate care with -which, even in this first meeting with one of her own family, she -contrived still to give the paramount place in her attention to her -husband, and never for a moment to let him feel excluded from a -conversation with whose topics he was imperfectly acquainted, and in -which he might have been supposed uninterested. The hours thus passed -pleasantly away; and, except when Kevima, joined us at the evening -meal, adding a new and unexpected pleasure to Eveena's natural delight -in this sudden reunion, we remained undisturbed until a very low -electric signal, sounding apparently through several chambers at once, -recalled Esmo's mind to the duties before him. - -"You will not," he said, "return till late, and I wish you would -induce Eveena to ensure, by composing herself to sleep before your -return, that you shall not be asked to converse until the morning." - -He withdrew with Kevima, and, as instructed, I proceeded to change my -dress for one of pure white adapted to the occasion, with only a band -of crimson around the waist and throat, and to invest myself in the -badge of the Order. The turban which I wore, without attracting -attention, in the Asiatic rather than in the Martial form, was of -white mingled with red; a novelty which seemed to Eveena's eyes -painfully ominous. In Martial language, as in Zveltic symbolism, -crimson generally takes the place of black as the emblem of guilt and -peril. When Esmo re-entered our chamber for a moment to summon me, he -was invested, as in the Shrine itself, in the full attire of his -office, and I was recalled to a recollection of the reverence due to -the head of the Brotherhood by the sudden change in Eveena's manner. -To her father, though a most respectful, she was a fearlessly -affectionate child. For Clavelta she had only the reverence, deeply -intermingled with awe, with which a devout Catholic convert from the -East may approach for the first time some more than usually imposing -occupant of the Chair of St. Peter. Before the arm that bore the -Signet, and the sash of gold, we bent knee and head in the deference -prescribed by our rules--a homage which the youngest child in the -public Nurseries would not dream of offering to the Campta himself. At -a sign from his hand I followed Esmo, hoping rather than expecting -that Eveena would obey the counsel indirectly addressed to her. -Traversing the same passages as before, save that a slight turn -avoided the symbolic bridge, and formally challenged at each point as -usual by the sentries, who saluted with profoundest reverence the -Signet of the Order, we passed at last into the Hall of Initiation. - -But on this occasion its aspect was completely changed. A space -immediately in front of what I may call the veil of the Shrine was -closed in by drapery of white bordered with crimson. The Chiefs -occupied, as before, their seats on the platform. Some fifty members -of the Order sat to right and left immediately below; but Esmo, on -this occasion, seated himself on the second leftward step of the -Throne, which, with the silver light and the other mystic emblems, was -unveiled in the same strange manner as before at his approach. Near -the lower end of the small chamber thus formed, crossing the passage -between the seats on either hand, was a barrier of the bright red -metal I have more than once mentioned, and behind it a seat of some -sable material. Behind this, to right and left, stood silent and erect -two sentries robed in green, and armed with the usual spear. A deep -intense absolute silence prevailed, from the moment when the last of -the party had taken his place, for the space of some ten minutes. In -the faces of the Chiefs and of some of the elder Initiates, who were -probably aware of the nature of the scene to follow, was an expression -of calm but deep pain and regret; crossed now and then by a shade of -anxiety, such as rarely appeared in that abode of assured peace and -profound security. On no countenance was visible the slightest shadow -of restlessness or curiosity. In the changed aspect of the place, the -changed tone of its associations and of the feelings habitual to its -frequenters, there was something which impressed and overawed the -petulance of youth, and even the indifference of an experience like my -own. At last, stretching forth the ivory-like staff of mingled white -and red, which on this occasion each of the Chiefs had substituted for -their usual crystal wand, Esmo spoke, not raising his voice a single -semitone above its usual pitch, but with even unwonted gravity-- - -"Come forward, Asco Zvelta!" he said. - -The sight I now witnessed, no description could represent to one who -had not seen the same. Parting the drapery at the lower end, there -came forward a figure in which the most absolutely inexperienced eye -could not fail to recognise a culprit called to trial. "Came forward," -I have said, because I can use no other words. But such was not the -term which would have occurred to any one who witnessed the movement. -"Was dragged forward," I should say, did I attempt to convey the -impression produced;--save that no compulsion, no physical force was -used, nor were there any to use it. And yet the miserable man -approached slowly, reluctantly, shrinking back as one who strives with -superior corporeal power exerted to force him onward, as if physically -dragged on step by step by invisible bonds held by hands unseen. So -with white face and shaking form he reached the barrier, and knelt as -Esmo rose from his place, honouring instinctively, though his eyes -seemed incapable of discerning them, the symbols of supreme authority. -Then, at a silent gesture, he rose and fell back into the chair placed -for him, apparently unable to stand and scarcely able to sustain -himself on his seat. - -"Brother," said the junior of the Chiefs, or he who occupied the place -farthest to the right;--and now I noticed that eleven were present, -the last seat on the right of him who spoke being vacant--"you have -unveiled to strangers the secrets of the Shrine." - -He paused for an answer; and, in a tone strangely unnatural and -expressionless, came from the scarcely parted lips of the culprit the -reply--" - -"It is true." - -"You have," said the next of the Chiefs, "accepted reward to place the -lives of your brethren at the mercy of their enemies." - -"It is true." - -"You have," said he who occupied the lowest seat upon the left, -"forsworn in heart and deed, if not in word, the vows by which you -willingly bound yourself, and the law whose boons you had accepted." - -Again the same confession, forced evidently by some overwhelming power -from one who would, if he could, have denied or remained silent. - -"And to whom," said Esmo, interposing for the first time, "have you -thus betrayed us?" - -"I know not," was the reply. - -"Explain," said the Chief immediately to the left of the Throne, who, -if there were a difference in the expression of the calm sad faces, -seemed to entertain more of compassion and less of disgust and -repulsion towards the offender than any other. - -"Those with whom I spoke," replied the culprit, in the same strange -tone, "were not known to me, but gave token of authority next to that -of the Campta. They told me that the existence of the Order had long -been known, that many of its members were clearly indicated by their -household practices, that their destruction was determined; that I was -known as a member of the Order, and might choose between perishing -first of their victims and receiving reward such as I should name -myself for the information I could give." - -"What have you told?" asked another of the Chiefs. - -"I have not named one of the symbols. I have not betrayed the Shrine -or the passwords. I have told that the Zinta _is_. I have told the -meaning of the Serpent, the Circle, and the Star, though I have not -named them." - -"And," said he on the left of the Throne, "naming the hope that is -more than all hope, recalling the power that is above all power, could -you dare to renounce the one and draw on your own head the justice of -the other? What reward could induce a child of the Light to turn back -into darkness? What authority could protect the traitor from the fate -he imprecated and accepted when he first knelt before the Throne?" -"The hope was distant and the light was dim," the offender answered. -"I was threatened and I was tempted. I knew that death, speedy and -painless, was the penalty of treason to the Order, that a death of -prolonged torture might be the vengeance of the power that menaced me. -I hoped little in the far and dim future of the Serpent's promise, and -I hoped and feared much in the life on this side of death." - -"Do you know," asked the last inquirer again, "no name, and nothing -that can enable us to trace those with whom you spoke or those who -employed them?" - -"Only this," was the answer, "that one of them has an especial hatred -to one Initiate present," pointing to myself; "and seeks his life, not -only as a child of the Star, not only as husband of the daughter of -Clavelta, but for a reason that is not known to me." - -"And," asked another Chief, "do you know what instrument that enemy -seeks to use?" - -"One who has over her intended victim such influence as few of her sex -ever have over their lords; one of whom his love will learn no -distrust, against whom his heart has no guard and his manhood no -wisdom." - -A shiver of horror passed over the forms of the Chiefs and of many who -sat near them, incomprehensible to me till a sudden light was afforded -by the indignant interruption of Kevima, who sat not far from myself. - -"It cannot be," he cried, "or you can name her whom you accuse." - -"Be silent!" Esmo said, in the cold, grave tone of a president -rebuking disorder, mingled with the deeper displeasure of a priest -repressing irreverence in the midst of the most solemn religious rite. -"None may speak here till the Chiefs have ceased to speak." - -None of the latter, however, seemed disposed to ask another question. -The guilt of the accused was confessed. All that he could tell to -guide their further inquiries had been told. To doubt that what was -forced from him was to the best of his knowledge true, was to them, -who understood the mysterious power that had compelled the spirit and -the lips to an unwilling confession, impossible. And if it had seemed -that further information might have been extracted relative to my own -personal danger, a stronger tie, a deeper obligation, bound them to -the supposed object of the last obscure imputation, and none was -willing to elicit further charges or clearer evidence. Probably also -they anticipated that, when the word was extended to the Initiates, I -should take up my own cause. - -"Would any brother speak?" asked Esmo, when the silence of the Chiefs -had lasted for a few moments. - -But his rebuke had silenced Kevima, and no one else cared to -interpose. The eyes of the assembly turned upon me so generally and so -pointedly, that at last I felt myself forced, though against my own -judgment, to rise. - -"I have no question to ask the accused," I said. - -"Then," replied Esmo calmly, "you have nothing now to say. Give to the -brother accused before us the cup of rest." - -A small goblet was handed by one of the sentries to the miserable -creature, now half-insensible, who awaited our judgment. In a very few -moments he had sunk into a slumber in which his face was comparatively -calm, and his limbs had ceased to tremble. His fate was to be debated -in the presence indeed of his body, but in the absence of -consciousness and knowledge. - -"Has any elder brother," inquired Esmo, "counsel to afford?" - -No word was spoken. - -"Has any brother counsel to afford?" - -Again all were silent, till the glance which the Chief cast in order -along the ranks of the assembly fell upon myself. - -"One word," I said. "I claim permission to speak, because the matter -touches closely and cruelly my own honour." - -There was that inaudible, invisible, motionless "movement," as some -French reporters call it, of surprise throughout the assembly which -communicates itself instinctively to a speaker. - -"My own honour," I continued, "in the honour dearer and nearer to me -even than my own. What the accused has spoken may or may not be true." - -"It is true," interposed a Chief, probably pitying my ignorance. - -"May be true," I continued, "though I will not believe it, to -whomsoever his words may apply. That no such treason as they have -suggested ever for one moment entered, or could enter, the heart of -her who knelt with me, in presence of many now here, before that -Throne, I will vouch by all the symbols we revere in common, and with -the life which it seems is alone threatened by the feminine domestic -treason alleged, from whomsoever that treason may proceed. I will -accuse none, as I suspect none; but I will say that the charge might -be true to the letter, and yet not touch, as I know it does not justly -touch, the daughter of our Chief." - -A deep relief was visible in the faces which had so lately been -clouded by a suspicion terrible to all. Esmo's alone remained -impassive throughout my vindication, as throughout the apparent -accusation and silent condemnation of his daughter. - -"Has any brother," he said, "counsel to speak respecting the question -actually before us?" - -One and all were silent, till Esmo again put the formal question:-- - -"Has he who was our brother betrayed the brotherhood?" - -From every member of the assembly came a clear unmistakable assent. - -"Is he outcast?" - -Silence rather than any distinct sign answered in the affirmative. - -"Is it needful that his lips be sealed for ever?" - -One or two of the Chiefs expressed in a single sentence an affirmative -conviction, which was evidently shared by all present except myself. -Appealing by a look to Esmo, and encouraged by his eye, I spoke-- - -"The outcast has confessed treason worthy of death. That I cannot -deny. But he has sinned from fear rather than from greed or malice; -and to fear, courage should be indulgent. The coward is but what Allah -has made him, and to punish cowardice is to punish the child for the -heritage his parents have inflicted. Moreover, no example of -punishment will make cowards brave. It seems to me, then, that there -is neither justice nor wisdom in taking vengeance upon the crime of -weakness." - -In but two faces, those of Esmo and of his next colleague on the left, -could I see the slightest sign of approval. One of the other chiefs -answered briefly and decisively my plea for mercy. - -"If," he said, "treason proceed from fear, the more cause that a -greater fear should prevent the treason of cowardice for the future. -The same motives that have led the offender to betray so much would -assuredly lead him to betray more were he released; and to attempt -lifelong confinement is to make the lives of all dependent on a chance -in order to spare one unworthy life. The excuse which our brother has -pleaded may, we hope, avail with a tribunal which can regard the -conscience apart from the consequences. It ought not to avail with -us." - -But the law of the Zinta, as I now learned, will not allow sentence of -death to be passed save by an absolutely unanimous vote. It is held -that if one judge educated in the ideas of the Order, appreciating to -the full the priceless importance of its teaching and the guilt of -treason against it, is unpersuaded that there exists sufficient cause -for the supreme penalty, the doubt is such as should preclude the -infliction of that penalty. It is, however, permitted and expected -that the dissentients, if few in number, much more a single -dissentient, shall listen attentively and give the most respectful and -impartial consideration to the arguments of brethren, and especially -of seniors. If a single mind remains unmoved, its dissent is decisive. -But it would be the gravest dereliction of duty to persist from -wilfulness, obstinacy, or pride, in adhesion to a view perhaps hastily -expressed in opposition to authority and argument. The debate to which -my speech gave rise lasted for two hours. Each speaker spoke but a few -terse expressive sentences; and after each speech came a pause -allowing full time for the consideration of its reasoning. Two points -were very soon made clear to all. The offender had justly forfeited -his life; and if his death were necessary or greatly conducive to the -safety of the rest, the mercy which for his sake imperilled worthier -men and sacred truths would have been no less than a crime. The -thought, however, that weighed most with me against my natural feeling -was an experience to which none present could appeal. I had sat on -many courts-martial where cowardice was the only charge imputed; and -in every case in which that charge was proved, sentence of death had -been passed and carried out on a ground I could not refuse to consider -sufficient:--namely, that the infection of terror can best be -repressed by an example inspiring deeper terror than that to which the -prisoner has yielded. Compelled by these precedents, though with -intense reluctance, I submitted at last to the universal judgment. -Esmo having collected the will, I cannot say the voices, of the -assembly, paused for a minute in silence. - -"The Present has pronounced," he said at last. "Are the voices of the -Past assentient?" - -He looked around as if to see whether, under real or supposed -inspiration, any of those before him would give in another name a -judgment opposite to that in which all had concurred. Instinctively I -glanced towards the Throne, but it remained vacant as ever. Then, -fixing his eyes for a few moments upon the culprit, who started and -woke to full consciousness under his gaze--and receiving from the -Chief nearest to him on the left a chain of small golden circles -similar to that of the canopy, represented also on the Signet, while -he on the right held a small roll, on the golden surface of which a -long list of names was inscribed--our Superior pronounced, amid -deepest stillness, in a low clear tone, the form of excommunication; -breaking at the appropriate moment one link from the chain, and, at a -later point, drawing a broad crimson bar through one cipher on the -roll:-- - - "Conscience-convict, tried in truth, - Judged in justice, doomed in ruth; - Ours no more--once ours in vain-- - Falls the Veil and snaps the Chain, - Drops the link and lies alone:-- - Traitor to the Emerald Throne, - Alien from the troth we plight, - Kature native to the night; - Trained in Light the Light to scorn, - Soul apostate and forsworn, - False to symbol, sense, and sign, - To the Serpent's pledge divine, - To the Wings that reach afar, - To the Circle and the Star; - Recreant to the mystic rule, - Outlaw from the sacred school-- - Backward is the Threshold crossed; - Lost the Light, the Life is lost. - Go; the golden page we blot: - Go; forgetting and forgot! - Go--by final sentence shriven, - Be thy crime absolved in Heaven!" - -Once more the Throne and the Emblems behind and above it had been -veiled in impenetrable darkness. Instinctively, as it seemed, every -one present had risen to his feet, and stood with bent head and -downcast eyes as the Condemned, rising mechanically, turned without a -word and passed away. - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - TWILIGHT. - -I was, perhaps, the only member of the assembly to whom the doomed man -was not personally known, and to all of us the tie which had been -severed was one at least as close as that of natural brotherhood on -Earth. - -How long the pause lasted--how, or why, or when we resumed our seats, -even I knew not. The Shrine was unveiled, and Esmo's next colleague -spoke again-- - -"A seat among the elders has been three days vacant by the departure -of one well known and dear to all. His colleagues have considered how -best it may be filled. The member they have selected is of the -youngest in experience here; but from the first moment of his -initiation it was evident to us that more than half the learning of -the Starlight had been his before. Nothing could so deeply confirm our -joy and confidence in that lore, as to find that in another world the -truths we hold dearest are held with equal faith, that many of our -deepest secrets have there been sought and discovered by societies not -unlike our own. For that reason, and because of that House, whereof -now but two members are left us, he is by wedlock and adoption the -third, the elder brethren have unanimously resolved to recommend to -Clavelta, and to the Children of the Star, that this seat," and he -pointed to the vacant place, "shall be filled by him who has but now -expressed, with a warmth seldom shown in this place, his love and -trust for the daughter of our Chief, the descendant of our Founder." - -Certainly not on my own account, but from the earnest attachment and -devotion they felt for Esmo, both personally as a long-tried and -deservedly revered Chief, and as almost the last representative of a -lineage so profoundly loved and honoured, the approval of all present -was expressed with a sudden and eager warmth which deeply affected me; -the more that it expressed an hereditary regard and esteem, not for -myself but for Eveena, rarely or never, even among the Zveltau, paid -to a woman. Esmo bent his head in assent, and then, addressing me by -name, called me to the foot of the platform. - -He held in his hand the golden sash and rose-coloured wand which -marked the rank about to be bestowed on me. I felt very deeply my own -incompetence and ignorance; and even had I valued more the proffered -honour, I should have been bound to decline it. But at the third word -I spoke, I was silenced with a stern though perfectly calm severity. -Flinging back the fold of his robe that covered his left arm, with a -gesture that placed the Signet full before my eyes, he said-- - -"You have sworn obedience." - -A soldier's instinct or habit, the mesmeric command of Esmo's glance, -and the awe, due less to my own feeling than to the infectious -reverence of others, which the symbols and the oaths of the Order -extorted, left me no further will to resist. At the foot of the Throne -I received the investiture of my new rank; and as I rose and faced my -brethren, every hand was lifted to the lips, every head bent in -salutation of their new leader. Then, as I passed to the extreme place -on the right, they came forward to grasp my hand and utter a few words -of sympathy and kindness, in which a frank spirit of affectionate -comradeship, that reminded me forcibly of the mess-tent and the -bivouac fire, was mingled with the sense of a deeper and more sacred -tie. - -Scarcely had we resumed our places than a startling incident gave a -new turn to the scene. Approaching the barrier, a woman, veiled, but -wearing the sash and star, knelt for a moment to the presence of the -Arch-Teacher, and then, as the barrier was thrown open by the -sentries, came up to the dais. - -"She," said the new-comer, "has a message for you, Clavelta, for your -Council, and particularly for the last of its members." - -"It is well," he answered. - -The messenger took her seat among the Initiates, and Esmo dismissed -the assembly in the solemn form employed on the former occasion. Then, -followed by the twelve, and guided by the messenger (the gloved -fingers of whose left hand, as I observed, he very slightly touched -with his own right), he passed by another door out of the Hall, and -along one of the many passages of the subterrene Temple, into a -chamber resembling in every respect an apartment in an ordinary -residence. Here, with her veil, as is permitted only to maidenhood, -drawn back from her face, but covering almost entirely her neck and -bosom, and clad in the vestal white, reclined with eyes nearly closed -a young girl, in whose countenance a beauty almost spiritual was -enhanced rather than marred by signs of physical ill-health painfully -unmistakable. Warning us back with a slight movement of his hand, Esmo -approached her. Our presence had at first seemed to cast her into -almost convulsive agitation; but under his steady gaze and the -movement of his hands, she lapsed almost instantly into what appeared -to be profound slumber. - - * * * * * - -The practical information that concerned the present peril menacing -the Order delivered, and when it was plain that no further revelation -or counsel was to be expected on this all-important topic, Esmo -beckoned to me, taking my hand in his own and placing it very gently -and carefully in that of the unconscious sybil. The effect, however, -was startling. Without unclosing her eyes, she sprang into a sitting -posture and clasped my hand almost convulsively with her own long, -thin all but transparent fingers. Turning her face to mine, and -seeming, though her eyes were closed, as if she looked intently into -it, she murmured words at first unintelligible, but which seemed by -degrees to bear clearer and clearer reference to some of the stormy -scenes of my youth in another world. Then--as one looking upon -pictures but partially intelligible to her, and commenting on them as -a girl who had never seen or known the passions and the mutual enmity -of men--she startled me by breaking into the kind of chant in which -the peculiar verse of her language is commonly delivered. My own -thought of the moment was not her guide. The Moslem battle-cry had -rung too often in my ears ever to be forgotten; but up to that moment -I had never recalled to memory the words in which on my last field I -retorted upon my Arab comrades, when flinching from a third charge -against those terrible "sons of Eblis," whose stubborn courage had -already twice hurled us back in confusion and disgrace with a hundred -empty saddles. At first her tone was one of simple amaze and horror. -It softened afterwards into wonder and perplexity, and the -oft-repeated rebuke or curse was on its last recurrence spoken with -more of pitying tenderness and regret than of severity:-- - - "What! those are human bosoms whereon the brute hath trod! - What! through the storm of slaughter rings the appeal to God! - Through the smoke and flash of battle a single form is shown; - O'er clang and crash and rattle peals out one trumpet-tone-- - 'Strike, for Allah and the Prophet! let Eblis take his own!' - - "Strange! the soul that, fresh from carnage, quailed not alone to face - The unfathomed depths of Darkness, the solitudes of Space! - Strange! the smile of scorn, while nerveless dropped the sword-arm from - the sting, - On the death that scowled at distance, on the closing murder-ring. - Strange! no crimson stain on conscience from the hand in gore imbrued! - But Death haunts the death-dealer; blood taints the life of blood! - - "Strange! the arm that smote and spared not in the tempest of the strife, - Quivers with pitying terror--clings, for a maiden's life! - Strange! the heart steel-hard to death-shrieks by girlish tears subdued; - The falcon's sheathless talons among the esve's brood! - But Death haunts the death-dealer; blood taints the life of blood. - - "The breast for woman's peril that dared the despot's ire, - Shall dauntless front, and scathless, the closing curve of fire. - The heart, by household treason stung home, that can forgive, - Shall brave a woman's hatred, a woman's wiles, and live. - - "A woman's well-won fealty shall give the life he gave, - Love shall redeem the loving, and Sacrifice shall save. - But--God heal the tortured spirit, God calm the maddened mood; - For Death haunts the death-dealer; blood taints the life of blood!" - -Relaxing but not releasing her grasp of my own hand, she felt about -with her left till Esmo gently placed his own therein. Then, in a tone -at first of deep and passionate anxiety and eagerness, passing into -one of regretful admiration, and varying with the purport of each -utterance, she broke into another chant, in which were repeated over -and again phrases familiar in the traditions and prophetic or symbolic -formularies of the Zinta:-- - - "Ever on deadliest peril shines the Star with steadiest ray; - Ever quail the fiercest hunters when Kargynda turns at bay. - Close, Children of the Starlight! close, for the Emerald Throne! - Close round the life that closeth your life within the zone! - Rests the Golden Circle's glory, rests the silver gleam on her - Who shall rein Kargynda's fury with a thread of gossamer. - He metes not mortal measure, He pays not human price, - Who crowns that life's devotion with the death of sacrifice! - Woe worth the moment's panic; woe worth the victory won! - But the Night is near the breaking when the Stranger claims his own. - - "Ever on deadliest peril shines the Star with steadiest ray; - Ever quail the fiercest hunters when Kargynda turns at bay. - No life is worth the living that counts each fleeting breath; - No eyes from God averted can meet the eyes of Death. - Vague fear and spectral terrors haunt the soul that dwells in shade, - Nor e'er can crimson conscience confront the crimson blade. - From a cloud of shame and sorrow breaks the Light that shines afar, - And cold and dark the household spark that lit the Silver Star. - The triumph is a death-march; the victor's voice a moan:--But - the Powers of Night are broken when the Stranger wins his own! - - "Ever in blackest midnight shines the Star with brightest ray; - Woe to them that hunt the theme if Kargynda cross the way! - In the Home of Peace, Clavelta, can our fears thy spirit move? - Look down! whence comes the rescue to the household of thy love? - As the All-Commander's lightning falls the Vengeance from above! - A shriek from thousand voices; a thunder crash; a groan; - A thousand homes in mourning--a thousand deaths in one! - Woe to the Sons of Darkness, for the Stranger wields his own! - Oh, hide that scene of horror in the deepest shades of night! - Look upward to the welkin, where the Vessel fades from sight ... - But the Veil is rent for ever by the Hand that veiled the Shrine; - And, on a peace of ages, the Star of Peace shall shine!" - -Esmo listened with the anxious attention of one who believed that her -every word had a real and literal meaning; and his face was -overclouded with a calm but deep sadness, which testified to the -nature of the impression made on his mind by language that hardly -conveyed to my own more than a dim and general prediction of victory, -won through scenes of trial and trouble. But when she had closed, a -quiet satisfaction in what seemed to be the final promise of triumph -to the Star, at whatever cost to the noblest of its adherents, was all -that I could trace in his countenance. - -The sibyl fell back as the last word passed her lips, with a sigh of -relief, into what was evidently a profound and insensible sleep. Those -around me must have witnessed such scenes at least as often as I; but -it was plain that the impression made, even on the experienced Chiefs -of the Order, was far deeper than had affected myself. I should hardly -have been able to remember the words of the prophecy, but for -subsequent conversation thereon with Eveena, when one part had been -fulfilled and the rest was on the eve of a too terribly truthful -fulfilment; but for the events that fixed their prediction in my -mind--it may be in terms a little more precise than those actually -employed, though I have endeavoured to record these with conscientious -accuracy. - -Led by Esmo, we passed along another gallery into the small chamber -where met the secret Council of the Order, and long and anxious were -the debates wherein the revelations of the dreamer were treated as -conveying the most certain and unquestionable warning. The first rays -of morning were stealing through the mists into the peristyle of our -host's dwelling before I re-entered Eveena's chamber. She was -slumbering, but restlessly, and so lightly that she sprang up at once -on my entrance. For a few moments all other thought was lost in the -delight of my return after an absence whose very length had alarmed -her, despite her father's previous assurance. But as at last she drew -back sufficiently to look into my face, its expression seemed to -startle and sadden her. The questions that sprang to her lips died -there, as she probably saw in my eyes a look not only of weariness and -perplexity, but of profound reluctance to speak of what had passed. -Expressing her sympathy only by look and touch, she began to unclasp -my robe at the throat, aware that my only wish was for rest, and -content to postpone her own anxiety and natural curiosity. Then, as -the golden sash which I had not removed met her sight, she looked up -for a moment with a glance of natural pride and fondness, intensely -gratified by the highly-prized honour paid to her husband; then bent -low and kissed my hand with the gesture wherewith the presence of a -superior is acknowledged by the members of the Order. "Used as my -earlier life was, Eveena, to the Eastern prostrations of my own world, -I hate all that recals them; and if I must accept, as I fulfil, these -forms in the Halls of the Zinta, let me never be reminded of them by -you." - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW. - -If I could have endured to describe to Eveena the terrible trial -scene, that which occurred before she had the chance to question me -would have certainly sealed my lips. The past night had told upon me -as no fatigue, no anxiety, no disaster of my life on Earth had ever -done. I awoke faint and exhausted as a nervous valetudinarian, and I -suppose my feeling must have been plainly visible in my face, for -Eveena would not allow me to rise from the cushions till she had -summoned an _amba_ and procured the material of a morning meal, though -the hour was noon. Far too considerate to question me then, she was -perhaps a little disappointed that, almost before I had dressed, a -message from her father summoned me to his presence. - -"It is right," he said quietly, and with no show of feeling, though -his face was somewhat pale, "that you should be acquainted with the -fulfilment of the sentence you assisted to pass. The outcast was found -this morning dead in his own chamber. Nay, you need not start! We need -no deathsman; alike by sudden disease, by suicide, by accident, our -doom executes itself. But enough of this. I accepted the vote which -invested you with the second rank in our Order, less because I think -you will render service to it here than that I desired you to possess -that entire knowledge of its powers and secrets which might enable you -to plant a branch or offshoot where none but you could carry it ... -That you will soon leave this world seemed to me probable, before the -anticipations of practical prudence were confirmed by the voice of -prophecy. Your Astronaut shall be stored with all of which I know you -have need, and with any materials whose use I do not know that you may -point out. To remove it from Asnyea would now be too dangerous. If you -receive tidings that shall bring you again into its neighbourhood, do -not lose the opportunity of re-entering it.... And now let me take -leave of you, as of a dear friend I may not meet again." - -"Do you know," I said, more touched by the tone than by the words, -"that Eveena asked and I gave a promise that when I do re-enter it she -shall be my companion?" - -"I did not know it, but I took for granted that she would desire it, -and I should have been grieved to doubt that you would assent. I -cannot disturb her peace by saying to her what I have just said to -you, and must part from her as on any ordinary occasion." - -That parting, happily, I did not witness. Before evening we re-entered -our vessel, and returned home without any incident worthy of mention. - -To my surprise, my return plunged me at once into the kind of vexation -which Eveena had so anxiously endeavoured to spare me, and which I had -hoped Eunane's greater decision and less exaggerated tenderness would -have avoided. She seemed excited and almost fretful, and before we had -been half an hour at home had greeted me with a string of complaints -which, on her own showing, seemed frivolous, and argued as much temper -on her part as customary petulance on that of others. On one point, -however, her report confirmed the suggestions of Eveena's previous -experience. She had wrested at once from Eive's hand the pencil that -had hitherto been used in absolute secrecy, and the consequent quarrel -had been sharp enough to suggest, if not to prove, that the privilege -was of practical as well as sentimental moment. Though aggravated by -no rebuke, my tacit depreciation of her grievances irritated Eunane to -an extreme of petulance unusual with her of late; which I bore so long -as it was directed against myself, but which, turned at last on -Eveena, wholly exhausted my patience. But no sooner had I dismissed -the offender than Eveena herself interposed, with even more than her -usual tenderness for Eunane. - -"Do not blame my presumption," she said; "do not think that I am -merely soft or weak, if I entreat you to take no further notice of -Eunane's mood. I cannot but think that, if you do, you will very soon -repent it." - -She could not or would not give a reason for her intercession; but -some little symptoms I might have seen without observing, some -perception of the exceptional character of Eunane's outbreak, or some -unacknowledged misgiving accordant with her own, made me more than -willing to accept Eveena's wish as a sufficient cause for forbearance. -When we assembled at the morning meal Eunane appeared to be conscious -of error; at all events, her manner and temper were changed. Watching -her closely, I thought that neither shame for an outbreak of unwonted -extravagance nor fear of my displeasure would account for her languor -and depression. But illness is so rare among a race educated for -countless generations on principles scientifically sound and sanitary, -inheriting no seeds of disease from their ancestry, and safe from the -infection of epidemics long extirpated, that no apprehension of -serious physical cause for her changes of temper and complexion -entered into my mind. To spare her when she deserved no indulgence was -the surest way to call forth Eunane's best impulses; and I was not -surprised to find her, soon after the party had dispersed, in Eveena's -chamber. That all the amends I could desire had been made and accepted -was sufficiently evident. But Eunane's agitation was so violent and -persistent, despite all Eveena's soothing, that I was at last -seriously apprehensive of its effect upon the latter. The moment we -were alone Eveena said-- - -"I have never seen illness, but if Eunane is not ill, and very ill, -all I have gathered in my father's household from such books as he has -allowed me, and from his own conversation, deceives me wholly; and yet -no illness of which I have ever heard in the slightest degree -resembles this." - -"I take it to be," I said, "what on Earth women call hysteria and men -temper." - -To this opinion, however, I could not adhere when, watching her -closely, I noticed the evident lack of spirit and strength with which -the most active and energetic member of the household went about her -usual pursuits. A terrible suspicion at first entered my mind, but was -wholly discountenanced by Eveena, who insisted that there was no -conceivable motive for an attempt to injure Eunane; while the idea -that mischief designed for others had unintentionally fallen on her -was excluded by the certainty that, whatever the nature of her -illness, if it were such, it had commenced before our return. Long -before evening I had communicated with Esmo, and received from him a -reply which, though exceedingly unsatisfactory, rather confirmed -Eveena's impression. The latter had taken upon herself the care of the -evening meal; but, before we could meet there, my own observation had -suggested an alarm I dared not communicate to her--one which a wider -experience than hers could neither verify nor dispel. Among symptoms -wholly alien, there were one or two which sent a thrill of terror to -my heart;--which reminded me of the most awful and destructive of the -scourges wherewith my Eastern life had rendered me but too familiar. -It was not unnatural that, if carried to a new world, that fearful -disease should assume a new form; but how could it have been conveyed? -how, if conveyed, could its incubation in some unknown vehicle have -been so long? and how had it reached one, and one only, of my -household--one, moreover, who had no access to such few relics of my -own world as I had retained, of which Eveena had the exclusive charge? -All Esmo's knowledge, even were he within reach, could hardly help me -here. I dared, of course, suggest my apprehension to no one, least of -all to the patient herself. As, towards evening, her languor was again -exchanged for the feverish excitement of the previous night, I seized -on some petulant word as an excuse to confine her to her room, and, -selfishly enough, resolved to invoke the help of the only member of -the family who should, and perhaps would, be willing to run personal -risk for the sake of aiding Eunane in need and protecting Eveena. I -had seen as yet very little of Velna, Eunane's school companion; but -now, calling her apart, I told her frankly that I feared some illness -of my own Earth had by some means been communicated to her friend. - -"You have here," I said, "for ages had no such diseases as those which -we on Earth most dread; those which, communicated through water, air, -or solid particles, spread from one person to another, endangering -especially those who come nearest to the sufferers. Whoever approaches -Eunane risks all that I fear for her, and that 'all' means very -probably speedy death. To leave her alone is impossible; and if I -cannot report that she is fully cared for in other hands, no command, -nothing short of actual compulsion, will keep Eveena away from her." - -The girl looked up with a steady frank courage and unaffected -readiness I had not expected. - -"I owe you much, Clasfempta, and still more perhaps to Eveena. My life -is not so precious that I should not be ready to give it at need for -either of you; and if I should lose Eunane, I would prefer not to live -to remember my loss." - -The last words reminded me that to her who spoke death meant -annihilation; a fact which has deprived the men of her race of nearly -every vestige of the calm courage now displayed by this young girl, -indebted as little as any human being could be to the insensible -influences of home affection, or the direct moral teaching which is -sometimes supposed to be a sufficient substitute. I led her at once -into her friend's chamber, and a single glance satisfied me that my -apprehensions were but too well-founded. Remaining long enough to -assure the sufferer that the displeasure I had affected had wholly -passed away, and to suggest the only measures of relief rather than of -remedy that occurred to me, I endeavoured for a few moments to collect -my thoughts and recover the control of my nerves in solitude. In my -own chamber Eveena would assuredly have sought me, and I chose -therefore one of those as yet unoccupied. It did not take long to -convince me that no ordinary resources at my command, no medical -experience of my own, no professional science existing among a race -who probably never knew the disease in question, and had not for ages -known anything like it, could avail me. My later studies in the occult -science of Eastern schools had not furnished me with any antidote in -which I believed on Earth, and if they had, it was not here available. -Despair rather than hope suggested an appeal to those which the -analogous secrets of the Starlight might afford. Anxiety, agitation, -personal interest so powerful as now disturbed me, are generally fatal -to the exercise of the powers recently placed at my command; so -recently that, but for Terrestrial experience, I should hardly have -known how to use them. But the arts which assist in and facilitate -that tremendous all-absorbing concentration of will on which the -exertion of those powers depends, are far more fully developed in the -Zveltic science than in its Earthly analogues. A desperate effort, -aided by those arts, at last controlled my thoughts, and turned them -from the sick-room to that distant chamber in which I had so lately -stood. - - * * * * * - -I seemed to stand beside her, and at once to be aware that my thought -was visible to the closed eyes. From lips paler than ever, words--so -generally resembling those I had previously heard that some readers -may think them the mere recollection thereof--appeared to reach my -sense or my mind as from a great distance, spoken in a tone of mingled -pity, promise, and reproof:-- - - "What is youth or sex or beauty in the All-Commander's sight? - For the arm that smote and spared not, shall His wisdom spare to smite? - Yet, love redeems the loving; yet in thy need avail - The Soul whose light surrounds thee, the faith that will not fail. - Thy lips shall soothe the terror, call to yon couch afar - The solace of the Serpent, the shadow of the Star! - Strength shall sustain the strengthless, nor the soft hand loose its - grasp - Of the hand it trusts and clings to--till another meet its clasp.... - --Steel-hard to man's last anguish, wax-soft to woman's mood!-- - Death quits not the death-dealer; blood haunts the life of blood!" - - * * * * * - -Returning to the peristyle, I encountered Eveena, who had been seeking -me anxiously. Much alarmed for her, I bade her return at once to her -room. She obeyed as of course, equally of course surprised and a -little mortified; while I, marvelling by what conceivable means the -plague of Cairo or Constantinople could have been conveyed across -forty million miles of space and some two years of Earthly time, paced -the peristyle for a few minutes. As I did so, my eye fell on the roses -which grew just where chance arrested my steps. If they do not afford -an explanation which scientific medicine will admit, I can suggest no -other. But, if it were so, how fearfully true the warning!--by what a -mysterious fate did death dog my footsteps, and "blood haunt the life -of blood!" - -The reader may not remember that the central chamber of the women's -apartments, next to which was Eunane's, had been left vacant. This I -determined to occupy myself, and bade the girls remove at once to -those on its right, as yet unallotted. I closed the room, threw off my -dress, and endeavoured by means of the perfumed shower-bath to drive -from my person what traces of the infection might cling to it; for -Eveena had the keys of all my cases and of the medicine-chest, and I -could not make up my mind to reclaim them by a simple unexplained -message sent by an amba, or, still worse, by the hands of Enva or -Eive. I laid the clothes I had worn on one of the shelves of the wall, -closing over them the crystal doors of the sunken cupboard; and, -having obtained through the amban a dress which I had not worn since -my return, and which therefore could hardly have about it any trace of -infection, I sought Eveena in her own room. - -That something had gone wrong, and gravely wrong, she could not but -know; and I found her silent and calm, indeed, but weeping bitterly, -whether for the apprehension of danger to me, or for what seemed want -of trust in her. I asked her for the keys, and she gave them; but with -a mute appeal that made the concealment I desired, however necessary, -no longer possible. Gently, cautiously as I could, but softening, not -hiding, any part of the truth, I gave her the full confidence to which -she was entitled, and which, once forced out of the silence preserved -for her sake, it was an infinite relief to give. If I could not -observe equal gentleness of word and manner in absolutely forbidding -her to approach, either Eunane's chamber or my own, it was because, -the moment she conceived what I was about to say, her almost indignant -revolt from the command was apparent. For the first and last time she -distinctly and firmly refused compliance, not merely with the kindly -though very decided request at first spoken, but with the formal and -peremptory command by which I endeavoured to enforce it. - -"You command me to neglect a sister in peril and suffering," she said. -"It is not kind; it is hardly worthy of you; but my first duty is to -you, and you have the right, if you will, to insist that I shall -reserve my life for your sake. But you command me also to forsake you -in danger and in sorrow; and nothing but the absolute force you may of -course employ shall compel me to obey you in that." - -"I understand you, Eveena; and you, in your turn, must think and feel -that I intend to express neither displeasure nor pain; that I mean no -harshness to you, no less respect as well as love than I have always -shown you, when I say that obey you shall; that the same sense of duty -which impels you to refuse obliges me to enforce my command. At no -time would I have allowed you to risk your life where others might be -available. But if you were the only one who could help, I should, -under other circumstances, have felt that the same paramount duty that -attaches to me attached in a lighter degree to yourself. Now, as you -well know, the case is different; and even were Eunane not quite safe -in my hands and in Velna's, you must not run a risk that can be -avoided. You will promise me to remain on this side the peristyle or -in the further half of it, or I must confine you perforce; and it is -not kind or right in this hour of trouble to impose upon me so painful -a task." - -With every tone, look, and caress that could express affection and -sympathy, Eveena answered-- - -"Do what seems your duty, and do not think that I misunderstand your -motive or feel the shadow of humiliation or unkindness. Make me obey -if you can, punish me if I disobey; but obey you, when you tell me, -for my own life's sake or for any other, to desert you in the hour of -need, of danger, and of sorrow, I neither will nor can." I cut short -the scene, bidding her a passionate farewell in view of the -probability that we should not meet again. I closed the door behind -me, having called her whom at this moment and in this case I could -best trust, because her worse as well as her better qualities were -alike guarantees for her obedience. - -"Enva," I said, "you will keep this room till I release you; and you -will answer it to me, as the worst fault you can commit, if Eveena -passes this threshold, under whatever circumstances, until I give her -permission, or until, if it be beyond my power to give it, her father -takes the responsibilities of my home upon himself." - -I procured the sedatives which might relieve the suffering I could not -hope to cure. I wrote to Esmo, stating briefly but fully the position -as I conceived it; and, on a suggestion from Eive, I despatched -another message to a female physician of some repute--one of those few -women in Mars who lead the life and do the work of men, and for whose -attendance, as I remembered, Eunane had expressed a strong theoretical -preference. - -From that time I scarcely left her chamber save for a few minutes, and -Velna remained constantly at her friend's side, save when, to give her -at least a chance of escape, I sent her to her room to bathe, change -her dress, and seek the fresh air for the half hour during which alone -I could persuade her to leave the sufferer. The _daftare_ (man-woman) -physician came, but on learning the nature of the disease, expressed -intense indignation that she had been summoned to a position of so -much danger to herself. - -I answered by a contemptuous inquiry regarding the price for which she -would run so much risk as to remain in the peristyle so long as I -might have need of her presence; and, for a fee which would ensure her -a life-income as large as that secured to Eveena herself, she -consented to remain within speaking distance for the few hours in -which the question must be decided. Eunane was seldom insensible or -even delirious, and her quick intelligence caught very speedily the -meaning of my close attendance, and of the distress which neither -Velna nor I could wholly conceal. She asked and extracted from me what -I knew of the origin of her illness, and answered, with a far stronger -feeling than I should have expected even from her-- - -"If I am to die, I am glad it should be through trying to serve and -please Eveena.... It may seem strange, Clasfempta," she went on -presently, "scarcely possible perhaps; but my love for her is not only -greater than the love I bear you, but is so bound up with it that I -always think of you together, and love you the better that I love her, -and that you love her so much better than me.... But," she resumed -later, "it is hard to die, and die so young. I had never known what -happiness meant till I came here.... I have been so happy here, and I -was happier each day in feeling that I no longer made Eveena or you -less happy. Ah! let me thank you and Eveena while I can for -everything, and above all for Velna.... But," after another long -pause, "it is terrible and horrible--never to wake, to move, to hear -your voices, to see you, to look upon the sunlight, to think, or even -to dream again! Once, to remove a tooth and straighten the rest, they -made me senseless; and that sinking into senselessness, though I knew -I should waken in a minute, was horrible; and--to sink into -senselessness from which I shall never waken!" - -She was sinking fast indeed, and this terror of death, so seldom seen -in the dying, grew apparently deeper and more intense as death drew -near. I could not bear it, and at last took my resolve and dismissed -Velna, forbidding her to return till summoned. - -"Ah!" said Eunane, "you send her away that she may not see the last. -Is it so near?" - -"No, darling!" I replied (she, like Eveena, had learnt the meaning of -one or two expressions of human affection in my own tongue), "but I -have that to say which I would not willingly say in her presence. You -dread death not as a short terrible pain, and for you it will not be -so, not as a short sleep, but as eternal senselessness and -nothingness. Has it never seemed to you strange that, loving Eveena as -I do, _I_ do not fear to die? Though you did not know it, I have lived -almost since first you knew me under the threat of death; and death -sudden, secret, without warning, menacing me every day and every hour. -And yet, though death meant leaving her and leaving her to a fate I -could not foresee, I have been able to look on it steadily. Kneeling -here, I know that I am very probably giving my life to the same end as -yours. I do not fear. That may not seem strange to you; but Eveena -knows all I know, and I could scarcely keep Eveena away. So loving -each other, _we_ do not fear to die, because we believe, we know, that -that in us which thinks, and feels, and loves will live; that in death -we lay aside the body as we lay aside our worn-out clothing. If I -thought otherwise, Eunane, I could not bear _this_ parting." - -She clasped my hands, almost as much surprised and touched, I thought, -for the moment by the expression of an affection of which till that -hour neither of us were fully aware, as by the marvellous and -incredible assurance she had heard. - -"Ah!" she said, "I have heard her people are strange, and they dream -such things. No, Clasfempta, it is a fancy, or you say it to comfort -me, not because it is true." - -The expression of terror that again came over her face was too painful -for endurance. To calm that terror I would have broken every oath, -have risked every penalty. But in truth I could never have paused to -ask what in such a case oath or law permitted, "Listen, Eunane," I -said, "and be calm. Not only Eveena, not only I, but hundreds, -thousands, of the best and kindliest men and women of your world hold -this faith as fast as we do. You feel what Eveena is. What she is and -what others are not, she owes to this trust:--to the assurance of a -Power unseen, that rules our lives and fortunes and watches our -conduct, that will exact an account thereof, that holds us as His -children, and will never part with us. Do you think it is a lie that -has made Eveena what she is?" - -"But you _think_, you do not know." - -"Yes, I know; I have seen." Here a touch, breaking suddenly upon that -intense concentration of mind and soul on a single thought, violently -startled me, gentle as it was; and to my horror I saw that Eveena was -kneeling with me by the couch. - -"Remember," she said, in the lowest, saddest whisper, "'the Veil that -guards the Shrine.'" - -"No matter, Eveena," I answered in the same tone, the pain at my heart -suppressing even the impulse of indignation, not with her, but with -the law that could put such a thought into her heart. "Neither penalty -nor oath should silence me now. Whether I break our law I know not; -but I would forfeit life here--I would forfeit life hereafter, rather -than fail a soul that rests on mine at such a moment." - -The clasp of her hand showed how thoroughly, despite the momentary -doubt, she felt with me; and I could not now recur to that secondary -selfishness which had so imperiously repelled her from the -sick-chamber. - -"I have seen," I repeated, as Eunane still looked earnestly into my -face, "and Eveena has seen at the same moment, one long ages since -departed this world--the Teacher of this belief, the Founder of that -Society which holds it, the ancestor of her own house--in bodily form -before us." - -"It is true," said Eveena, in answer to Eunane's appealing look. - -"And I," I added, "have seen more than once in my own world the forms -of those I have known in life recalled, according to promise, to human -eyes." - -The testimony, or the contagion of the strong undoubting confidence we -felt therein, if they did not convince the intellect, changed the tone -of thought and feeling of the dying girl. Too weak now to reason, or -to resist the impression enforced upon her mind by minds always far -more powerful than her own in its brightest hours, she turned -instinctively from the thought of blackness, senselessness eternal, to -that of a Father whose hand could uphold, of the wings that can leap -the grave. Her left hand clasped in mine, her right in Eveena's,-- -looking most in my face, because weakness leant on strength even more -than love appealed to love--Eunane spent the remaining hours of that -night in calm contentment and peace. Perhaps they were among the most -perfectly peaceful and happy she had known. To strong, warm, -sheltering affection she had never been used save in her new home; and -in the love she received and returned there was much too strange and -self-contradicting to be satisfactory. But no shadow of jealousy, -doubt, or contradictory emotion troubled her now: assured of Eveena's -sisterly love as of my own hardly and lately won trust and tenderness. - -The light had been long subdued, and the chamber was dim as dimmest -twilight, when suddenly, with a smile, Eunane cried-- - -"It is morning already! and there,--why, there is Erme." - -She stretched out her arms as if to greet the one creature she had -loved--perhaps more dearly than she loved those now beside her. The -hands dropped; and Eveena's closed for ever on the sights of this -world the eyes whose last vision had been of another. - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - DARKER YET. - -Leading Eveena from the room, I hastily dictated every precaution that -could diminish the danger to her and others. Velna had run risks that -could not well be increased, and on her and on myself must devolve -what remained to be done. I sent an amba to summon Davilo, gathered -the garments that Eveena had thrown off, and removed them to the -death-chamber. When the first arrangements were made, and I had paid -the fee of Astona, the woman-physician, I passed out into the garden, -and Davilo met me at the door of the peristyle. A few words explained -all that was necessary. It was still almost dark; and as we stood -close by the door, speaking in the low tone partly of sadness, partly -of precaution, two figures were dimly discernible just inside, and we -caught a few broken words. - -"You have heard," said a harsh voice, which seemed to be Astona's, -"there is no doubt now. You have your part to play, and can do it -quickly and safely." - -I paid little attention to words whose dangerous significance would at -another moment have been plain to me. But Davilo, greatly alarmed, -laid his hand upon my arm. As he did so, another voice thrilled me -with intensest pain and amazement. - -"Be quick to bear your message," Eive said, in rapid guarded tones. -"They have means of vengeance certain and prompt, and they never -spare." - -Astona departed without seeing us. Eive closed the door, and Davilo -and I, hastily and unperceived, followed the spy to the gate of the -enclosure. Some one waited for her there. What passed we could not -hear; but, as we saw Astona and another depart, Davilo spoke -imprudently aloud-- - -"She has the secret, and she must die. 'Nay' (as I would have -expostulated), she is spy, traitress, and assassin, and merits her -doom most richly." - -"Hist!" said I, "your words may have fallen into other ears;" for I -thought that beyond the wall I discerned a crouching figure. If that -of a man, however, it was too far off, and dressed in colours too -dark, to be clearly seen; and in another instant it had certainly -vanished. - -"Remember," he urged, "you have heard that one quite as dangerous is -under your own roof; and, once more, it is not only your life that is -at stake. What you call courage, what seems to us sheer folly, may -cost you and others what you value far more than your life. An error -of softness now may make your future existence one long and useless -remorse." - -Half-an-hour later, having warned the women to their rooms--ordering a -variety of disinfecting measures in which Martial science excelled -while they were needed there--I opened the door of the death chamber -to those who carried in a coffer hollowed out of a dark, exceedingly -dense natural stone, and half-filled with a liquid of enormous -destructive power. Then I lifted tenderly the lifeless form, laid it -on cushions arranged therein, kissed the lips, and closed the coffer. -Two of Davilo's attendants had meantime adjusted the electric -machinery. We carried the coffer into the apartment where this worked -to heat the stove, to keep the lights burning, to raise, warm, and -diffuse the water through the house, and perform many other important -household services. Two strong bars of conducting metal were attached -to the apparatus, and fitted into two hollows of the coffer. A flash, -a certain hissing sound, followed. After a few moments the coffer was -opened, and Davilo, carefully gathering a few handfuls of solid white -material, something resembling pumice stone in appearance, placed them -in a golden chest about twelve inches cube, which was then soldered -down by the heat derived from the electric power. Then all infected -clothes and the contents of the death chamber were carried out for -destruction; while, with a tool adjusted to the machinery, one of the -attendants engraved a few characters upon the chest. Whatever the -risk, I could not part with every relic of her we had lost; and, after -passing them through such chemical purification as Martial science -suggested, I took the three long chestnut locks I had preserved. -Velna's quick fingers wove them into plaits, one of which I left with -her, one bound around my own neck, and one reserved for Eveena. As -soon as the sun had risen, I had despatched a message to the Prince, -explaining the danger of infection to which I had been subjected, and -asking permission notwithstanding to wait upon him. The emergency was -so pressing that neither sorrow nor peril would allow me to neglect an -embassy on which the lives of hundreds, and perhaps the safety of his -kingdom, might depend. Passing Eive as I turned towards Eveena's room, -and fevered with intense thirst, I bade her bring me thither a cup of -the carcara. I need not dwell on the terribly painful moments in which -I bound round Eveena's arm a bracelet prized above all the choicest -ornaments she possessed. To calm her agitation and my own by means of -the charny, I sought the keys. They were not at my belt, and I asked, -"Have I returned them to you?" - -"Certainly not," said Eveena, startled. "Can you not find them?" - -At this moment Eive entered the room and presented me with the cup for -which I had asked. It struck me with surprise, even at that moment, -that Eveena took it from my hand and carried it first to her own lips. -Eive had turned to leave the room; but before she had reached the -threshold Eveena had sprung up, placed her foot upon the spring that -closed the door, and snatching the test-stone from my watch chain -dipped it into the cup. Her face turned white as death, while she held -up to my eyes the discoloured disc which proved the presence of the -deadliest Martial poison. - -"Be calm," she said, as a cry of horror burst from my lips. "The -keys!" - -"_You_ have them," Eive said with a gasp, her face still averted. - -"I took them from Eveena myself," I answered sternly. "Stand back into -that corner, Eive," as I opened the door and called sharply the other -members of the household. When they entered, unable to stand, I had -fallen back upon a chair, and called Eive to my side. As I laid my -hand on her arm she threw herself on the floor, screaming and writhing -like a terrified child rather than a woman detected in a crime, the -conception and execution of which must have required an evil courage -and determination happily seldom possessed by women. - -"Stand up!" I said. "Lift her, then, Enva and Eirale. Unfasten the -shoulder-clasps and zone." - -As her outer robe dropped, Eive snatched at an object in its folds, -but too late; and the electric keys, which gave access to all my -cases, papers, and to the medicine-chest above all, lay glittering on -the ground. - -"That cup Eive brought to me. Which of you saw her?" - -"I did," said Enva quietly, all feelings of malice and curiosity alike -awed into silence by the evidence of some terrible, though as yet to -them unknown, secret. "She mixed it and brought it hither herself." - -"And," I said, "it contains a poison against which, had I drunk -one-half the draught, no antidote could have availed--a poison to -which these keys only could have given access." - -Again the test-stone was applied, and again the discoloration -testified to the truth of the charge. - -"You have seen?" I said. - -"We have seen," answered Enva, in the same tone of horror, too deep to -be other than quiet. - -We all left the room, closing the door upon the prisoner. Dismissing -the girls to their own chambers, with strict injunctions not to quit -them unpermitted, I was left alone with Eveena. We were silent for -some minutes, my own heart oppressed with mingled emotions, all -intensely painful, but so confused that, while conscious of acute -suffering, I scarcely realised anything that had occurred. Eveena, who -knelt beside me, though deeply horror-struck, was less surprised and -was far less agitated than I. At last, leaning forward with her arms -on my knee and looking up in my face, she was about to speak. But the -touch and look seemed to break a spell, and, shuddering from head to -foot, I burst into tears like those of an hysterical girl. When, with -the strongest effort that shame and necessity could prompt, aided by -her silent soothing, I had somewhat regained my self-command, Eveena -spoke, in the same attitude and with the same look:-- - -"You said once that you could pardon such an attempt. That you should -ever forgive at heart cannot be. That punishment should not follow so -terrible a crime, even I cannot desire. But for _my_ sake, do not give -her up to the doom she has deserved. Do you know" (as I was silent) -"what that doom is?" - -"Death, I suppose." - -"Yes!" she said, shuddering, "but death with torture--death on the -vivisection-table. Will you, whatever the danger--_can_ you, give up -to such a fate, to such hands, one whom your hand has caressed, whose -head has rested on your heart?" - -"It needs not that, Eveena," I answered; "enough that she is woman. I -would face that death myself rather than, for whatever crime, send a -woman, above all a young girl, to such an end. I would rather by far -slay my worst enemy with my own hand than consign him to a death of -torture. But, more than that, my conscience would not permit me to -call on the law to punish a household treason, where household -authority is so strong and so arbitrary as here. Assassination is the -weapon of the oppressed and helpless; and it is not for me so to be -judge in my own cause as to pronounce that Eive has had no -provocation." - -"Shame upon her!" said Eveena indignantly. "No one under your roof -ever had or could have reason to raise a hand, I do not say against -your life, but to give you a moment's pain. I do not ask, I do not -wish you to spare her; only I am glad to think you will deal with her -yourself--remember she has herself removed all limit to your -power--and not by the shameless and merciless hands to which the law -would give her." - -We returned to Eveena's chamber. The scene that followed I cannot bear -to recall. Enough that Eive knew as well as Eveena the law she had -broken and the penalty she had incurred; and, petted darling as she -had been, she utterly lacked all faith in the tenderness she had known -so well, or even in the mercy to which Eveena had confidently -appealed. Understanding at last that she was safe from the law, the -expression of her gratitude was as vehement as her terror had been -intense. But the new phase of passion was not the less repugnant. Not -that there was anything strange in the violent revulsion of feeling. -Born and trained among a race who fear to forgive, Eive was familiar -by report at least with the merciless vengeance of cowards. Whatever -they might have done later, few would have promised mercy in the very -moment of escape to an ordinary assassin; and if Eive understood any -aspect of my character, that she could best appreciate was the -outraged tenderness which forbade me to look on hers as ordinary -guilt. Acutely sensitive to pain and fear, she had both known the -better to what terror might prompt the injured, and was the more -appalled by the prospect. Her eagerness to accept by anticipation -whatever degradation and pain domestic power could inflict, when -released by the terrible alternative of legal prosecution from its -usual limits, breathed more of doubt and terror than of shame or -penitence. But at first it keenly affected me. It was with something -akin to a bodily pang that I heard this fragile girl, so easily -subdued by such rebuke or menace as her companions would scarcely have -affected to fear, now pleading for punishment such as would have -quelled the pride and courage of the most high-spirited of her sex. I -felt the deepest pity, not so much for the fear with which she still -trembled as for the agony of terror she must have previously endured. -Eveena averted from her abject supplications a face in which I read -much pain, but more of what would have been disgust in a less -intensely sympathetic nature. And ere long I saw or felt in Eive's -manner that which caused me suddenly to dismiss Eveena from the room, -as from a presence unfit for her spotless purity and exquisite -delicacy. Finding in me no sign of passionate anger, no readiness, but -reluctance to visit treason with physical pain, Eive's own expression -changed. Unable to conceive the feeling that rendered the course she -had at first expected simply impossible to me, a nature I had utterly -misconceived caught at an idea few women, not experienced in the worst -of life's lessons, would have entertained. The tiny fragile form, the -slight limbs whose delicate proportions seemed to me almost those of -infancy, their irrepressible quivering plainly revealed by the absence -of robe and veil, no man worthy of the name could have beheld without -intense compassion. But such a feeling she could not realise. As her -features lost the sincerity of overwhelming fear, as the drooping lids -failed for one moment to conceal a look of almost assured exultation -in the dark eyes, my soul was suddenly and thoroughly revolted. I had -forgiven the hand aimed at a heart that never throbbed with a pulse -unkind to her. I might have forgotten the treason that requited -tenderness and trust by seeking my life; but I could never forget, -never recover, that moment's insight into thoughts that so outraged an -affection which, if my conscience belied me not, was absolutely -stainless and unselfish. - -It cost a strong persistent effort of self-control to address her -again. But a confession full and complete my duty to others compelled -me to enforce. The story of the next hour I never told or can tell. To -one only did I give a confidence that would have rendered explanation -natural; and that one was the last to whom I could have spoken on this -subject. Enough that the charming infantine simplicity had disguised -an elaborate treachery of which I reluctantly learned that human -nature is capable. The caressed and caressing child had sold my life, -if not her own soul, for the promise of wealth that could purchase -nothing I denied her, and of the first place among the women of her -world. That promise I soon found had not been warranted, directly or -indirectly, by him who alone could at present fulfil it. Needless to -relate the details either of the confession or its extortion. Enough -that Eive learnt at last perforce that though I had, as it seemed to -her, been fool enough to spare her the vengeance of the law, and to -spare her still as far as possible, her power to fool me further was -gone for ever. Needless to speak of the lies repeated and sustained, -till truth was wrung from quivering lips and sobbing voice; of the -looks that appealed long and incredulously to a love as utterly -forfeited as misunderstood. To the last Eive could not comprehend the -nature that, having spared her so much, would not spare wholly; the -mercy felt for the weakness, not for the charms of youth and sex. -Shamed, grieved, wounded to the quick, I quitted the presence of one -who, I fear, was as little worth the anguish I then endured for her, -as the tenderness she had so long betrayed; and left the late darling -of my house a prisoner under strict guard, necessary for the safety of -others than ourselves. - -Finding a message awaiting me, I sought at once the interview which -the Sovereign fearlessly granted. - -"I see," said the Prince with much feeling, as he received my salute, -"that you have gone through deeper pain than such domestic losses can -well cause to us. I am sorry that you are grieved. I can say no more, -and perhaps the less I say the less pain I shall give. Only permit me -this remark. Since I have known you, it has seemed to me that the -utter distinction between our character and yours, showing as it does -at so many points, springs from some single root-difference. We, so -careful of our own life and comfort, care little for those of others. -We, so afraid of pain, are indifferent to its infliction, unless we -have to witness it, and only some of us flinch from the sight. The -softness of heart you show in this trouble seems in some strange way -associated with the strength of heart which you have proved in -dangers, the least of which none of us would have encountered -willingly, and which, forced on us, would have unnerved us all. I am -glad to prove to you that to some extent I depart from my national -character and approach, however, distantly, to yours. I can feel for a -friend's sorrow, and I can face what you seem to consider a real -danger. But you had a purpose in asking this audience. My ears are -open--your lips are unsealed." - -"Prince," I replied, "what you have said opens the way to that I -wished to ask. You say truly that courage and tenderness have a common -root, as have the unmanly softness and equally unmanly hardness common -among your subjects. Those for whom death ends all utterly and for -ever will of necessity, at least as soon as the training of years and -of generations has rendered their thought consistent, dread death with -intensest fear, and love to brighten and sweeten life with every -possible enjoyment. Animal enjoyment becomes the most precious, since -it is the keenest. Higher pleasures lose half their value, when the -distinction between the two is reduced to the distinction between the -sensations of higher and lower nerve centres. Thus men care too much -for themselves to care for others; and after all, strong deep -affection, entwined with the heartstrings, can only torture and tear -the hearts for which death is a final parting. Such love as I have -felt for woman--even such love as I felt for her, your gift, whom I -have lost--would be pain intolerable if the thought were ever present -that one day we must, and any day we might, part for ever. I put the -knife against my breast, my life in your hand, when I say this, and I -ask of you no secrecy, no favour for myself; but that, as I trust you, -you will guard the life that is dearest to me if you take from me the -power to guard it.... There are those among your subjects who are not -the cowards you find around your throne, who are not brutal in their -households, not incapable of tenderness and sacrifice for others." - -As I spoke I carefully watched the Prince's face, on which no shade of -displeasure was visible; rather the sentiment of one who is somewhat -gratified to hear a perplexing problem solved in a manner agreeable to -his wishes. - -"And the reason is," I continued, "that these men and women believe or -know that they are answerable to an eternal Sovereign mightier than -yourself, and that they will reap, not perhaps here, but after death -as they shall have sown; that if they do not forfeit the promise by -their own deed, they shall rejoin hereafter those dearest to them -here." - -"There are such?" he said. "I would they were known to me. I had not -dreamed that there were in my realm men who would screen the heart of -another with their own palm." - -"Prince," I replied earnestly, "I as their ambassador as one of their -leaders, appeal to you to know and to protect them. They can defend -themselves at need, and, it may be, might prevail though matched one -against a thousand. For their weapons are those against which no -distance, no defences, no numbers afford protection. But in such a -strife many of their lives must be lost, and infinite suffering and -havoc wrought on foes they would willingly spare. They are threatened -with extermination by secret spite or open force; but open force will -be the last resort of enemies well aware that those who strike at the -Star have ever been smitten by the lightning." - -A slight change in his countenance satisfied me that the Emblem was -not unknown to him. - -"You say," he replied, "that there is an organised scheme to destroy -these people by force or fraud?" - -"The scheme, Prince, was confessed in my own hearing by one of its -instruments; and in proof thereof, my own life, as a Chief of the -Order, was attempted this morning." - -The Prince sprang to his feet in all the passion of a man who for the -first time receives a personal insult; of an Autocrat stung to the -quick by an unprecedented outrage to his authority and dignity. - -"Who has dared?" he said. "Who has taken on himself to make law, or -form plans for carrying out old law, without my leave? Who has dared -to strike at the life over which I have cast the shadow of my throne? -Give me their names, my guest, and, before the evening mist closes in -to-morrow, pronounce their doom." - -"I cannot obey your royal command. I have no proof against the only -man who, to my knowledge, can desire my death. Those who actually and -immediately aimed at my life are shielded by the inviolable weakness -of sex from the revenge and even the justice of manhood." - -"Each man," returned the Prince, but partially conceiving my meaning, -"is master at home. I wish I were satisfied that your heart will let -you deal justly and wisely with the most hateful offspring of the most -hateful of living races--a woman who betrays the life of her lord. But -those who planned a general scheme of destruction--a purpose of public -policy--without my knowledge, must aim also at my life and throne; for -even were their purpose such as I approved, attempted without my -permission, they know I would never pardon the presumption. I do not -sit in Council with dull ears, or silent lips, or empty hands; and it -is not for the highest more than for the lowest under me to snatch my -sceptre for a moment." - -"Guard then your own," I said. "Without your leave and in your -lifetime, open force will scarcely he used against us; and if against -secret murder or outrage we appeal to the law, you will see that the -law does justice?" - -"I will," he replied; "and I pardon your advice to guard my own, -because you judge me by my people. But a Prince's life is the charge -of his guards; the lives of his people are his care." - -He was silent for a few minutes, evidently in deep reflection. - -"I thank you," he said at last, "and I give you one warning in partial -return for yours. There is a law which can be used against the members -of a secret society with terrible effect. Not only are they exposed to -death if detected, but those who strike them are legally exempt from -punishment. I will care that that law shall not menace you long. -Whilst it remains guard yourselves; I am powerless to break it." - -As I quitted the Palace, Ergimo joined me and mounted my carriage. -Seizing a moment when none were within sight or hearing, he said-- - -"Astona was found two hours ago dead, as an enemy or a traitor dies. -She was seen to fall from the roof of her house, and none was near her -when she fell. But Davilo has already been arrested as her murderer, -on the ground that he was heard before sunrise this morning to say -that she must die." - -"Who heard that must have heard more. Let this news be quickly known -to whom it concerns." - -I checked the carriage instantly, and turned into a road that -conducted us in ten minutes to a public telegraph office. - -"Come with me," I said, "quickly. As an officer of the Campta your -presence may ensure the delivery of letters which might otherwise be -stopped." - -He seized the hint at once, and as we approached a vacant desk he said -to the nearest officer, "In the Campta's name;" a form which ensured -that the most audacious and curious spy, backed by the highest -authority save that invoked, dared neither stop nor search into a -message so warranted. Before I left the desk every Chief of the Zinta -at his several post had received, through that strange symbolic -language of which I have already given samples, from me advice of what -had occurred and from Esmo warning to meet at an appointed place and -time. - -The day at whose close we should meet was that of Davilo's trial. I -mingled with the crowd around the Court doors, a crowd manifesting -bitter hostility to the prisoner and to the Order, of whose secrets a -revelation was eagerly expected. Easily forcing my way through the -mass, I felt on a sudden a touch, a sign; and turning my eyes saw a -face I had surely never looked on before. Yet the sign could only have -been given by a colleague. That which followed implied the presence of -the Signet itself. - -"I told you," whispered a voice I knew well, "how completely we can -change even countenance at will." - -It was so; but though acquainted with the process, I had never -believed that the change could be so absolute. By help of my strength -and height, still more perhaps by the subtle influence of his own -powerful will acting none the less imperiously on minds unconscious of -its influence, Esmo made his way with me into the Court. - -Around five sides of the hexagon were seats, tier above tier, -appropriated to the public who wish to see as well as hear. The -phonograph reported every word uttered to hundreds of distant offices. -Against the sixth side were placed the seats of the seven judges; in -front, at an equal elevation, the chair of the prisoner, the seats of -the advocates on right and left, and the place from which each witness -must deliver his testimony in full view and within easy hearing both -of the bench, the bar, and the audience. Davilo sat in his chair -unguarded, but in an attitude strangely constrained and motionless. -Only his bright eyes moved freely, and his head turned a little from -side to side. He recognised us instantly, and his look expressed no -trace of fear. - -"The _quarry_" whispered Esmo, observing my perplexity. - -"It paralyses the nerves of motion, leaving those of sensation active; -and is administered to a prisoner on the instant of his arrest, so as -to keep him absolutely helpless till his sentence is executed, or till -on his acquittal an antidote is administered." - -The counsel for the prosecution stated in the briefest possible words -the story of Astona, from the moment when she left my house to that at -which she was found dead, and the method of her death; related -Davilo's words, and then proceeded to call his witnesses. Of course -the one vital question was whether by possibility Davilo, who had -never left my premises since the words were uttered, could have -brought about a death, evidently accidental in its immediate cause, at -a distance of many miles. His words were attested by one whom I -recognised as an officer of Endo Zampta, and I was called to confirm -or contradict them. The presiding judge, as I took my place, read a -brief telling terrible menace, expounding the legal penalties of -perjury. - -"You will speak the truth," he said, "or you know the consequences." - -As he spoke, he encountered Esmo's eyes, and quailed under the gaze, -sinking back into his seat motionless as the bird under the alleged -fascination of the serpent. I admitted that the words in question had -been addressed to me; and I proved that Davilo had been busily engaged -with me from that moment until an hour later than that of the fatal -accident. There being thus no dispute as to the facts, a keen contest -of argument proceeded between the advocates on either side. The -defenders of the prisoner ridiculed with an affectation of scientific -contempt--none the less effective because the chief pleader was -himself an experienced member of our Order--the idea that the actions -or fate of a person at a distance could be affected by the mere will -of another; and related, as absurd and incredible traditions of old to -this purport, some anecdotes which had been communicated to me as -among the best attested and most striking examples of the historical -exercise of the mystic powers. The able and bigoted sceptics, who -prosecuted this day in the interests of science, insisted, with equal -inconsistency and equal skill, on the innumerable recorded and -attested instances of some diabolical power possessed by certain -supposed members of a detested and malignant sect. A year ago the -judges would probably have sided unanimously with the former. But the -feeling that animated the conspiracy, if it should be so called, -against the Zinta, had penetrated all Martial society; and in order to -destroy the votaries of religion, Science, in the persons of her most -distinguished students, was this day ready to abjure her character, -and forswear her most cherished tenets. As has often happened in Mars, -and may one day happen on Earth as the new ideas come into greater -force, proven fact was deliberately set against logical impossibility; -and for once--what probably had not happened in Mars for ten thousand -years--proven fact and common sense carried the day against science -and "universal experience;" but, unhappily, against the prisoner. -After retiring separately for about an hour, the Judges returned. -Their brief and very confused decisions were read by the Secretary. -The reasons were seldom intelligible, each contradicting himself and -all his colleagues, and not one among the judgments having even the -appearance of cohesion and consistency. But, by six to one, they -doomed the prisoner to the vivisection-table. As he was carried forth -his eyes met ours, and the perfect calm and steadiness of their glance -astounded me not a little. - -My natural thought prompted, of course, an appeal to the mercy of the -Throne. In every State a power of giving effect in the law's despite -to public policy, or of commanding that, in certain strange and -unforeseen circumstances, common sense and practical justice shall -override a sentence which no court bound by the letter of the law can -withhold, must rest with the Sovereign. But in Mars the prerogative of -mercy, in the proper sense of the word--judicial rather than political -mercy--is exercised less by the Prince himself than by a small council -of judges advising him and pronouncing their decision in his name. -Even if we could have relied on the Campta with absolute confidence, -there were many reasons against an appeal which would, in fact, have -asked him to declare himself on our side. While such a declaration -might, in the existing state of public feeling, have caused revolt or -riot, it would have put on their guard, perhaps driven to a premature -attempt which he was not prepared to meet, the traitors whose scheme -against his life the Prince felt confident that he should speedily -detect and punish. - -All these considerations were brought before our Council, whose debate -was brief but not hurried or excited. The supreme calm of Esmo's -demeanour communicated itself to all the eleven, in not one of whom -could I recognise till they spoke my colleagues of our last Council. -The order went forth that a party should attend Esmo's orders at a -point about half a mile distant from the studio in which, for the -benefit of a great medical school, my unhappy friend was to be put to -torture indescribable. - -"Happily," said Esmo, "the first portion of the experiment will be -made by the Vivisector-General alone, and will commence at midnight. -Half an hour before that time our party will be assembled." - -I had insisted on being one of the band, and Esmo had very reluctantly -yielded to the unanimous approval of colleagues who thought that on -this occasion physical strength might render essential service at some -unforeseen crisis. Moreover, the place lying within my geographical -province, several of those engaged looked up to me as their immediate -chief, and it was thought well to place me on such an occasion at -their head. - -The night was, as had been predicted, absolutely dark, but the roads -were brilliantly lighted. Suddenly, however, as we drew towards the -point of meeting, the lights went out, an accident unprecedented in -Martial administration. - -"But they will be relighted!" said one of my companions. - -"Can human skill relight the lamps that the power of the Star has -extinguished?" was the reply of another. - -We fell in military order, with perfect discipline and steadiness, -under the influence of Esmo's silent will and scarcely discernible -gestures. The wing of the college in which the dissection was to take -place was guarded by some forty sentinels, armed with the spear and -lightning gun. But as we came close to them, I observed that each -stood motionless as a statue, with eyes open, but utterly devoid of -sight. - -"I have been here before you," murmured Esmo. "To the left." - -The door gave way at once before the touch of some electric instrument -or immaterial power wielded by his hand. We passed in, guided by him, -through one or two chambers, and along a passage, at the end of which -a light shone through a crystal door. Here proof of Esmo's superior -judgment was afforded. He would fain have had the party much smaller -than it was, and composed exclusively of the very few old and -experienced members of the Zinta within reach at the moment. We were -nearly a score in number, some even more inexperienced than myself, -half the party my own immediate followers; and I remembered far better -the feelings of a friend and a soldier than the lessons of the college -or the Shrine. As the door opened, and we caught sight of our friend -stretched on the vivisection table, the younger of the company, -hurried on by my own example, lost their heads and got, so to speak, -out of hand. We rushed tumultuously forward and fell on the Vivisector -and two assistants, who stood motionless and perhaps unconscious, but -with glittering knives just ready for their fiendish work. Before Esmo -could interpose, these executioners were cut down with the "crimson -blade" (cold steel); and we bore off our friend with more of eagerness -and triumph than at all befitted our own consciousness of power, or -suited the temper of our Chief. - -Never did Esmo speak so sharply or severely as in the brief reprimand -he gave us when we reassembled; the justice of which. I instinctively -acknowledged, as he ceased, by the salute I had given so often at the -close of less impressive and less richly deserved reprimands on the -parade ground or the march. Uninjured, and speedily relieved from the -effects of the _quarry_, Davilo was carried off to a place of -temporary concealment, and we dispersed. - -Eveena heard my story with more annoyance than interest, mortified not -a little by the reproof I had drawn upon myself and my followers; and, -despite her reluctance to seem to acknowledge a fault in me, -apparently afraid that a similar ebullition of feeling might on some -future occasion lead to serious disaster. - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - AZRAEL. - -To detain as a captive and a culprit, thus converting my own house -into a prison, my would-be murderess and former plaything, was -intolerably painful. To leave her at large was to incur danger such as -I had no right to bring on others. To dismiss her was less perilous -than the one course, less painful than the other, but combined peril -and pain in a degree which rendered both Eveena and myself most -reluctant to adopt it. From words of Esmo's, and from other sources, I -gathered that the usual course under such circumstances would have -been to keep the culprit under no other restraint than that -confinement to the house which is too common to be remarkable, -trusting to the terror which punishment inflicted and menaced by -domestic authority would inspire. But Eive now understood the limits -which conscience or feeling imposed on the use of an otherwise -unlimited power. She knew very nearly how much she could have to fear; -and, timid as she was, would not be cowed or controlled by -apprehensions so defined and bounded. Eveena herself naturally -resented the peril, and was revolted by the treason even more -intensely than myself; and was for once hardly content that so heinous -a crime should be so lightly visited. In interposing "between the -culprit and the horrors of the law, she had taken for granted the -strenuous exertion of a domestic jurisdiction almost as absolute under -the circumstances as that of ancient Rome. - -"What suggested to you," I asked one day of Eveena, "the suspicion -that so narrowly saved my life?" - -"The carefully steadied hand--you have teased her so often for -spilling everything it carried--and the unsteady eyes. But," she added -reluctantly, "I never liked to watch her--no, not lest you should -notice it--but because she did not seem true in her ways with you; and -I should have missed those signs but for a strange warning." ... She -paused. - -"_I_ would not be warned," I answered with a bitter sigh. "Tell me, -Madonna." - -"It was when you left me in this room alone," she said, her exquisite -delicacy rendering her averse to recal, not the coercion she had -suffered, but the pain she knew I felt in so coercing her. "Dearest," -she added with a sudden effort, "let me speak frankly, and dispel the -pain you feel while you think over it in silence." - -I kissed the hand that clasped my own, and she went on, speaking with -intentional levity. - -"Had a Chief forgotten?" tracing the outline of a star upon her bosom. -"Or did you think Clavelta's daughter had no share in the hereditary -gifts of her family?" - -"But how did you unlock the springs?" - -"Ah! those might have baffled me if you had trusted to them. You made -a double mistake when you left Enva on guard.... You don't think I -tempted her to disobey? Eager as I was for release, I could not have -been so doubly false. She did it unconsciously. It is time to put her -out of pain." - -"Does she know me so little as to think I could mean to torture her by -suspense? Besides, even she must have seen that you had secured her -pardon." - -"Or my own punishment," Eveena answered. - -"Spare me such words, Eveena, unless you mean to make me yet more -ashamed of the compulsion I did employ. I never spoke, I never -thought"---- - -"Forgive me, dearest. Will it vex you to find how clearly your -flower-bird has learned to read your will through your eyes? When I -refused to obey, and you felt yourself obliged to compel, your first -momentary thought was to threaten, your next that I should not believe -you. When you laid your hand upon my shoulder, thus, it was no gesture -of anger or menace. You thought of the only promise I must believe, -and you dropped the thought as quickly as your hand. You would not -speak the word you might have to keep. Nay, dearest, what pains you -so? You gave me no pain, even when you called another to enforce your -command. Yet surely you know that _that_ must have tried my spirit far -more than anything else you could do. You did well. Do you think that -I did not appreciate your imperious anxiety for me; that I did not -respect your resolution to do what you thought right, or feel how much -it cost you? If anything in the ways of love like yours could pain me, -it would be the sort of reserved tenderness that never treats me as -frankly and simply as" ... "There was no need to name either of those -so dearly loved, so lately--and, alas! so differently--lost. Trusting -the loyalty of my love so absolutely in all else, can you not trust it -to accept willingly the enforcement of your will ... as you have -enforced it on all others you have ruled, from the soldiers of your -own world to the rest of your household? Ah! the light breaks through -the mist. Before you gave Enva her charge you said to me in her -presence, 'Forgive me what you force upon me;' as if I, above all, -were not your own to deal with as you will. Dearest, do you so wrong -her who loves you, and is honoured by your love, as to fancy that any -exertion of your authority could make her feel humbled in your eyes or -her own?" - -It was impossible to answer. Nothing would have more deeply wounded -her simple humility, so free from self-consciousness, as the plain -truth; that as her character unfolded, the infinite superiority of her -nature almost awed me as something--save for the intense and -occasionally passionate tenderness of her love--less like a woman than -an angel. - -"I was absorbed," she continued, "in the effort that had thrown Enva -into the slumber of obedience. I did not know or feel where I was or -what I had next to do. My thought, still concentrated, had forgotten -its accomplished purpose, and was bent on your danger. Somehow on the -cushioned pile I seemed to see a figure, strange to me, but which I -shall never forget. It was a young girl, very slight, pale, sickly, -with dark circles round the closed eyes, slumbering like Enva, but in -everything else Enva's very opposite. I suppose I was myself entranced -or dreaming, conscious only of my anxiety for you, so that it seemed -natural that everything should concern you. I remember nothing of my -dream but the words which, when I came to myself in the peristyle, -alone, were as clear in my memory as they are now:-- - - "'Watch the hand and read the eyes; - On his breast the danger lies-- - Strength is weak and childhood wise. - - "'Fail the bowl, and--'ware the knife! - Rests on him the Sovereign's life, - Rests the husband's on the wife. - - "'They that would his power command - Know who holds his heart in hand: - Silken tress is surest band. - - "'Well they judge Kargynda's mood, - Steel to peril, pain, and blood, - Surely through his mate subdued. - - "'Love can make the strong a slave, - Fool the wise and quell the brave ... - Love by sacrifice can save.'" - -"She again!" I exclaimed involuntarily. - -"You hear," murmured Eveena. "In kindness to me heed my warning, if -you have neglected all others. Do not break my heart in your mercy to -another. Eive"---- - -"_Eive_!--The prophetess knows me better than you do! The warning -means that they now desire my secret before my life, and scheme to -make your safety the price of my dishonour. It is the Devil's -thought--or the Regent's!" - -As I could not decide to send Eive forth without home, protection, or -control, and Eveena could suggest no other course, the days wore on -under a domestic thunder-cloud which rendered the least sensitive -among us uncomfortable and unhappy, and deprived three at least of the -party of appetite, of ease, and almost of sleep, till two alarming -incidents broke the painful stagnation. - -I had just left Eive's prison one morning when Eveena, who was -habitually entrusted with the charge of these communications, put into -my hands two slips of tafroo. The one had been given her by an amba, -and came from Davilo's substitute on the estate. It said simply: "You -and you alone were recognised among the rescuers of your friend. -Before two days have passed an attempt will be made to arrest you." -The other came from Esmo, and Eveena had brought it to me unread, as -was indeed her practice. I could not bear to look at her, though I -held her closely, as I read aloud the brief message which announced -the death, by the sting of two dragons (evidently launched by some -assassin's hand, but under circumstances that rendered detection by -ordinary means hopeless for the moment), of her brother and Esmo's -son, Kevima; and invited us to a funeral ceremony peculiar to the -Zinta. I need not speak of the painful minutes that followed, during -which Eveena strove to suppress for my sake at once her tears for her -loss and her renewed and intensified terror on my own account. It was -suddenly announced by the usual signs of the mute messenger that a -visitor awaited me in the hall. Ergimo brought a message from the -Campta, which ran as follows:-- - -"Aware that their treachery is suspected, the enemy now seek your -secret first, and then your life. Guard both for a very short time. -Your fate, your friends', and my own are staked on the issue. The same -Council that sends the traitors to the rack will see the law -repealed." - -I questioned Ergimo as to his knowledge of the situation. - -"The enemy," he said, "must have changed their plan. One among them, -at least, is probably aware that his treason is suspected both by his -Sovereign and by the Order. This will drive him desperate; and if he -can capture you and extort your secret, he will think he can use it to -effect his purpose, or at least to ensure his escape. He may think -open rebellion, desperate as it is, safer than waiting for the first -blow to come from the Zinta or from the Palace." - -My resolve was speedily taken. At the same moment came the necessity -for escape, and the opportunity and excuse. I sought out the writer of -the first message, who entirely concurred with me in the propriety of -the step I was about to take; only recommending me to apply personally -for a passport from the Campta, such as would override any attempt to -detain me even by legal warrant. He undertook to care for those I left -behind; to release and provide for Eive, and to see, in case I should -not return, that full justice was done to the interests of the others, -as well as to their claim to release from contracts which my departure -from their world ought, like death itself, to cancel. The royal -passport came ere I was ready to depart, expressed in the fullest, -clearest language, and such as none, but an officer prepared instantly -to rebel against the authority which gave it, dared defy. During the -last preparations, Velna and Eveena were closeted together in the -chamber of the former; nor did I care to interrupt a parting the most -painful, save one, of those that had this day to be undergone. I went -myself to Eive. - -"I leave you," I said, "a prisoner, not, I hope, for long. If I return -in safety, I will then consider in what manner the termination of your -confinement can be reconciled with what is due to myself and others. -If not, you will be yet more certainly and more speedily released. And -now, child whom I once loved, to whom I thought I had been especially -gentle and indulgent, was the miserable reward offered you the sole -motive that raised your hand against my life? Poison, I have always -said, is the protection of the household slave against the domestic -tyrant. If I had ever been harsh or unjust to you, if I had made your -life unhappy by caprice or by severity, I could understand. But you of -all have had least reason to complain. Not Enva's jealous temper, not -Leenoo's spite, ever suggested to them the idea which came so easily -and was so long and deliberately cherished in your breast." - -She rose and faced me, and there was something of contempt in the eyes -that answered mine for this once with the old fearless frankness. - -"I had no reason to hate you? Not certainly for the kind of injury -which commonly provokes women to risk the lives their masters have -made intolerable. That your discipline was the lightest ever known in -a household, I need not tell you. That it fell more lightly, if -somewhat oftener, on me than on others, you know as well as I. Put all -the correction or reproof I ever received from you into one, and -repeat it daily, and never should I have complained, much less dreamed -of revenge. You think Enva or Leenoo might less unnaturally, less -unreasonably, have turned upon you, because your measure to their -faults was somewhat harder and your heart colder to them! You did not -scruple to make a favourite of me after a fashion, as you would never -have done even of Eunane. You could pet and play with me, check and -punish me, as a child who would not 'sicken at the sweets, or be -humbled by the sandal.' You forbore longer, you dealt more sternly -with them, because, forsooth, they were women and I a baby. I, who was -not less clever than Eunane, not less capable of love, perhaps of -devotion to you, than Eveena, _I_ might rest my head on your knee when -she was by, I might listen to your talk when others were sent away; I -was too much the child, too little the woman, to excite your distrust -or her jealousy. Do you suppose I think better of you, or feel the -more kindly towards you, that you have not taken vengeance? No! still -you have dealt with me as a child; so untaught yet by that last -lesson, that even a woman's revenge cannot make you treat me as a -woman! Clasfempta! you bear, I believe, outside, the fame of a wise -and a firm man; but in these little hands you have been as weak a fool -as the veriest dotard might have been;--and may be yet." - -"As you will," I answered, stung into an anger which at any rate -quelled the worst pain I had felt when I entered the room. "Fool or -sage, Eive, I was your fellow-creature, your protector, and your -friend. When bitter trouble befals you in life, or when, alone, you -find yourself face to face with death, you may think of what has -passed to-day. Then remember, for your comfort, my last words--I -forgive you, and I wish you happy." - -To Velna I could not speak. Sure that Eveena had told her all she -could wish to know or all it was safe to tell, a long embrace spoke my -farewell to her who had shared with me the first part of the long -watch of the death-chamber. Enva and her companions had gathered, not -from words, that this journey was more than an ordinary absence. Some -instinct or presentiment suggested to them that it might, possibly at -least, be a final parting; and I was touched as much as surprised by -the tears and broken words with which they assured me that, greatly as -they had vexed my home life, conscious as they were that they had -contributed to it no element but bitterness and trouble, they felt -that they had been treated with unfailing justice and almost unfailing -kindness. Then, turning to Eveena, Enva spoke for the rest-- - -"We should have treated you less ill if we could at all have -understood you. We understand you just as little now. Clasfempta is -man after all, bridling his own temper as a strong man rules a large -household of women or a herd of _ambau_. But you are not woman like -other women; and yet, in so far as women are or think they are softer -or gentler than men, so far, twelvefold twelve times told, are you -softer, tenderer, gentler than woman." - -Eveena struggled hard so far to suppress her sobs as to give an -answer. But, abandoning the effort, she only kissed warmly the lips, -and clasped long and tenderly the hands, that had never spoken a kind -word or done a kind act for her. At the very last moment she faltered -out a few words which were not for them. - -"Tell Eive," she said, "I wish her well; and wishing her well, I -cannot wish her happy--_yet_." - -We embarked in the balloon, attended as on our last journey by two of -the brethren in my employment, both, I noticed, armed with the -lightning gun. I myself trusted as usual to the sword, strong, -straight, heavy, with two edges sharp as razors, that had enabled my -hand so often to guard my head; and the air-gun that reminded me of so -many days of sport, the more enjoyed for the peril that attended it. -Screened from observation, both reclining in our own compartment of -the car, Eveena and I spent the long undisturbed hours of the first -three days and nights of our journey in silent interchange of thought -and feeling that seldom needed or was interrupted by words. Her family -affections were very strong. Her brother had deserved and won her -love; but conscious so long of a peril surrounding myself, fearfully -impressed by the incident which showed how close that peril had come, -her thought and feeling were absorbed in me. So, could they have known -the present and foreseen the future, even those who loved her best and -most prized her love for them would have wished it to be. As we -crossed, at the height of a thousand feet, the river dividing that -continent between east and west which marks the frontier of Elcavoo, a -slight marked movement of agitation, a few eager whispers of -consultation, in the other compartment called my attention. -As I parted the screen, the elder of the attendant brethren addressed -me-- - -"There is danger," he said in a low tone, not low enough to escape -Eveena's quick ear when my safety was in question. "Another balloon is -steering right across our path, and one in it bears, as we see through -the _pavlo_ (the spectacle-like double field-glass of Mars), the sash -of a Regent, while his attendants wear the uniform of scarlet and -grey" (that of Endo Zampta). "Take, I beg you, this lightning-piece. -Will you take command, or shall we act for you?" - -Parting slightly the fold of the mantle I wore, for at that height, -save immediately under the rays of the sun, the atmosphere is cold, I -answered by showing the golden sash of my rank. We went on steadily, -taking no note whatever of the hostile vessel till it came within -hailing distance. - -"Keep your guns steadily pointed," I said, "happen what may. If you -have to fire, fire one at any who is ready to fire at us, the other at -the balloon itself." - -A little below but beside us Endo Zampta hailed. "I arrest you," he -said, addressing me by name, "on behalf of the Arch-Court and by their -warrant. Drop your weapons or we fire." - -"And I," I said, "by virtue of the Campta's sign and signet attached -to this," and Eveena held forth the paper, while my weapon covered the -Regent, "forbid you to interrupt or delay my voyage for a moment." - -I allowed the hostile vessel to close so nearly that Endo could read -through his glass the characters--purposely, I thought, made unusually -large--of his Sovereign's peremptory passport. To do so he had dropped -his weapon, and his men, naturally expecting a peaceable termination -to the interview, had laid down theirs. Mine had obeyed my order, and -we were masters of the situation, when, with a sudden turn of the -screw, throwing his vessel into an almost horizontal position, Endo -brought his car into collision with ours and endeavoured to seize -Eveena's person, as she leaned over with the paper in her hand. She -was too quick for him, and I called out at once, "Down, or we fire." -His men, about to grasp their pieces, saw that one of ours was -levelled at the balloon, and that before they could fire, a single -shot from us must send them earthwards, to be crushed into one -shapeless mass by the fall. Endo saw that he had no choice but to obey -or affect obedience, and, turning the tap that let out the gas by a -pipe passing through the car, sent his vessel rapidly downward, as -with a formal salute he affected to accept the command of his Prince. -Instantly grasping, not the lightning gun, which, if it struck their -balloon, must destroy their whole party in an instant, but my air-gun, -which, by making a small hole in the vast surface, would allow them to -descend alive though with unpleasant and perilous rapidity, I fired, -and by so doing prevented the use of an asphyxiator concealed in the -car, which the treacherous Regent was rapidly arranging for use. - -The success of these manoeuvres delighted my attendants, and gave them -a confidence they had not yet felt in my appreciation of Martial -perils and resources. We reached Ecasfe and Esmo's house without -further molestation, and a party of the Zinta watched the balloon -while Eveena and I passed into the dwelling. - -Preserved from corruption by the cold which Martial chemistry applies -at pleasure, the corpse of Kevima looked as the living man looked in -sleep, but calmer and with features more perfectly composed. Quietly, -gravely, with streaming tears, but with self-command which dispelled -my fear of evil consequences to her, Eveena kissed the lips that were -so soon to exist no longer. From the actual process by which the body -is destroyed, the taste and feeling of the Zinta exclude the immediate -relatives of the dead; and not till the golden chest with its -inscription was placed in Esmo's hands did we take further part in the -proceeding. Then the symbolic confession of faith, by which the -brethren attest and proclaim their confidence in the universal -all-pervading rule of the Giver of life and in the permanence of His -gift, was chanted. A Chief of the Order pronounced a brief but -touching eulogy on the deceased. Another expressed on behalf of all -their sympathy with the bereaved father and family. Consigned to their -care, the case that contained all that now remained to us of the last -male heir of the Founder's house was removed for conveyance to the -mortuary chamber of the subterrene Temple. But ere those so charged -had turned to leave the chamber in which the ceremony had passed, a -flash so bright as at noonday to light up the entire peristyle and the -chambers opening on it, startled us all; and a sentinel, entering in -haste and consternation, announced the destruction of our balloon by a -lightning flash from the weapon of some concealed enemy. Esmo, at this -alarming incident, displayed his usual calm resolve. He ordered that -carriages sufficient to convey some twenty-four of the brethren should -be instantly collected, and announced his resolve to escort us at once -to the Astronaut. Before five minutes had elapsed from the destruction -of the balloon, Zulve and the rest of the family had taken leave of -Eveena and myself. Attended by the party mustered, occupying a -carriage in the centre of the procession, we left the gate of the -enclosure. I observed, what seemed to escape even Esmo's attention, -that angry looks were bent upon us from many a roof, and that here and -there groups were gathered in the enclosures and on the road, among -whom I saw not a few weapons. I was glad to remember that a party of -the Zveltau still awaited Esmo's return at his own residence. We drove -as fast as the electric speed would carry us along the road I had -traversed once before in the company of her who was now my wife--to -be, I hoped, for the future my sole wife--and of him who had been ever -since our mortal enemy. Where the carriages could proceed no further -we dismounted, and Esmo mustered the party in order. All were armed -with the spear and lightning gun. Placing Eveena in the centre of a -solid square, Esmo directed me to take my place beside her. I -expostulated-- - -"Clavelta, it is impossible for me to take the place of safety, when -others who owe me nothing may be about to risk life on my behalf. -Eveena, as woman and as descendant of the Founder, may well claim -their protection. It is for me to share in her defence, not in her -safety." - -He raised the arm that bore the Signet, and looked at me with the calm -commanding glance that never failed to enforce his will. "Take your -place," he said; and recalled to the instincts of the camp, I raised -my hand in the military salute so long disused, and obeyed in silence. - -"Strike promptly, strike hard, and strike home," said Esmo to his -little party. "The danger that may threaten us is not from the law or -from the State, but from an attempt at murder through a perversion of -the law and in the name of the Sovereign. Those who threaten us aim -also at the Campta's life, and those we may meet are his foes as well -as ours. Conquered here, they can hardly assail us again. Victorious, -they will destroy us, not leave us an appeal to the law or to the -throne." - -Placing himself a little in front of the troop, our Chief gave the -signal to advance, and we moved forward. It seemed to me a fatal error -that no scout preceded us, no flanking party was thrown out. This -neglect reminded me that, my comrades and commander were devoid of -military experience, and I was about to remonstrate when, suddenly -wheeling on the rocky platform on which I had first paused in my -descent from the summit, and facing towards the latter, we encountered -a force outnumbering our own as two to one and wearing the colours of -the Regent. The front ranks quailed, as men always quailed under -Esmo's steady gaze, and lost nerve and order as they fell back to -right and left; a movement intended to give play to the asphyxiator -they had brought with them. Their strategy was no less ridiculous than -our own. Devoid for ages of all experience in conflict, both leaders -might have learned better from the conduct of the theme at bay. The -enemy were drawn up so near the turn that there was no room for the -use of their most destructive engine; and, had we been better -prepared, neither this nor their lightning guns would have been quick -enough to anticipate a charge that would have brought us hand to hand. -Even had they been steady and prompt, the suffocating shell would -probably have annihilated both parties, and the discharge would -certainly have been as dangerous to them as to us. In another instant -a flash from several of our weapons, simultaneously levelled, -shattered the instrument to fragments. We advanced at a run, and the -enemy would have given way at once but that their retreat lay up so -steep an incline, and neither to right nor left could they well -disperse, being hemmed in by a rocky wall on one side and a -precipitous descent on the other. From our right rear, however, where -the ground would have concealed a numerous ambush, I apprehended an -attack which must have been fatal; but even so simple and decisive a -measure had never occurred to the Regent's military ignorance. - -At this critical moment a flash from a thicket revealed the weapon of -some hidden enemy, who thus escaped facing the gaze that none could -encounter; and Esmo fell, struck dead at once by the lightning-shot. -The assassin sprang up, and I recognised the features of Endo Zampta. -Confounded and amazed, the Zveltau broke and fell backward, hurrying -Eveena away with them. Enabled by size and strength to extricate -myself at once, I stood at bay with my back against the rocks on our -left, a projection rising as high as my knee assisting to hinder the -enemy from entirely and closely surrounding me. I had thrown aside at -the moment of the attack the mantle that concealed my sash and star; -and I observed that another Chief had done the same. It was he who, -occupying at the trial the seat on Esmo's left, had shown the -strongest disposition to mercy, and now displayed the coolest courage -amid confusion and danger. - -"Rally them," I cried to him, "and trust the crimson blade [cold -steel]. These hounds will never face that." - -The enemy had rushed forward as our men fell back, and I was almost in -their midst, thus protected to a considerable extent from the -lightning projectile, against which alone I had no defence. Hand to -hand I was a match for more than one or two of my assailants, though -on this occasion I wore no defensive armour, and they were clad in -shirts of woven wire almost absolutely proof against the spear in -hands like theirs. - -To die thus, to die for her under her eyes, leaving to her widowed -life a living token of our love--what more could Allah grant, what -better could a lover and a soldier desire? There was no honour, and -little to satisfy even the passion of vengeance, in the sword-strokes -that clove one enemy from the shoulder to the waist, smote half -through the neck of a second, and laid two or three more dead or dying -at my feet. If the weight of the sword were lighter here than on -Earth, the arm that wielded it had been trained in very different -warfare, and possessed a strength which made the combat so unequal -that, had no other life hung on my blows, I should have been ashamed -to strike. As I paused for a moment under this feeling, I noted that, -outside the space half cleared by slaughter and by terror, the bearers -of the lightning gun were forming a sort of semicircle, embarrassed by -the comrades driven back upon them, but drawing momentarily nearer, -and seeking to enclose before firing the object of their aim. They -would have shattered my heart and head in another instant but -that--springing on the projecting stone of which I have spoken, which -raised her to my level--Eveena had flung her arms around me, and -sheltered my person with her own. This, and the confusion, -disconcerted the aim of most of the assailants. The roar and flash -half stunned me for a moment;--then, as I caught her in my left arm, I -became aware that it was but her lifeless form that I clasped to my -breast. Giving her life for mine, she had made mine worse than -worthless. My sword fell for a moment from my hand, retained only by -the wrist-knot, as I placed her gently and tenderly on the ground, -resting against the stone which had enabled her to effect the -sacrifice I as little desired as deserved. Then, grasping my weapon -again, and shouting instinctively the war-cry of another world, I -sprang into the midst of the enemy. At the same moment, "_Ent an -Clazinta_" (To me the Zinta), cried the Chief behind; and having -rallied the broken ranks, even before the sight of Eveena's fall had -inspired reckless fury in the place of panic confusion, he led on the -Zveltau, the spear in hand elevated over their heads, and pointed at -the unprotected faces of the enemy. Exposed to the cold steel or its -Martial equivalent, the latter, as I had predicted, broke at once. My -sword did its part in the fray. They scarcely fought, neither did they -fling down their weapons. But in that moment neither force nor -surrender would have availed them. We gave no quarter to wounded or -unwounded foe. When, for lack of objects, I dropped the point of my -streaming sword, I saw Endo Zampta alive and unwounded in the hands of -the victors. - -"Coward, scoundrel, murderer!" I cried. "You shall die a more terrible -death than that which your own savage law prescribes for crimes like -yours. Bind him; he shall hang from my vessel in the air till I see -fit to let him fall! For the rest, see that none are left alive to -boast what they have done this day." - -Struggling and screaming, the Regent was dragged to the summit, and -hung by the waist, as I had threatened, from the entrance window of -the Astronaut. Esmo's body and those of the other slain among the -Zveltau had been raised, and our comrades were about to carry them to -the carriages and remove them homeward. From the wardrobe of the -Astronaut, furnished anew for our voyage, I brought a long soft -therne-cloak, intended for Eveena's comfort; and wrapped in it all -that was left to us of the loveliest form and the noblest heart that -in two worlds ever belonged to woman. I shred one long soft tress of -mingled gold and brown from those with which my hand had played; I -kissed for the last time the lips that had so often counselled, -pleaded, soothed, and never spoken a word that had better been left -unsaid. Then, veiling face and form in the soft down, I called around -me again the brethren who had fallen back out of sight of my last -farewell, and gave the corpse into their charge. Turning with restless -eagerness from the agony, which even the sudden shock that rendered me -half insensible could not deaden into endurable pain, to the passion -of revenge, I led two or three of our party to the foot of the ladder -beneath the entrance window of my vessel, and was about in their -presence to explain his fate more fully to the struggling, howling -victim, half mad with protracted terror. But at that moment my purpose -was arrested. I had often repeated to Eveena passages from those -Terrestrial works whose purport most resembled that of the mystic -lessons she so deeply prized; and words, on which in life she had -especially dwelt, seemed now to be whispered in my ear or my heart by -the voice which with bodily sense I could never hear again:-- -"Vengeance is Mine; I will repay." The absolute control of my will and -conscience, won by her perfect purity and unfailing rectitude, -outlasted Eveena's life. Turning to her murderer-- - -"You shall die," I said, "but you shall die not by revenge but by the -law; and not by your own law, but by that which, forbidding that -torture shall add to the sting of death, commands that 'Whoso sheddeth -man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.' Yet I cannot give you a -soldier's death," as my men levelled their weapons. Cutting the cord -that bound him, and grasping him from behind, I flung the wretch forth -from the summit far into the air; well assured that he would never -feel the blow that would dismiss his soul to its last account, before -that Tribunal to whose judgment his victim had appealed. Then I -entered the vessel, waved my hand in farewell to my comrades, and, -putting the machinery in action, rose from the surface and prepared to -quit a world which now held nothing that could detain or recal me. - - - -CHAPTER XXX - FAREWELL! - -My task was not quite done. It was well for me in the first moments of -this new solitude, of this maddening agony, that there was instant -work imperatively demanding the attention of the mind as well as the -exercise of the body. I had first, by means of the air pump, to fill -the vessel with an atmosphere as dense as that in which I had been -born and lived so long; then to close the entrance window and seal it -hermetically, and then to arrange the steering gear. To complete the -first task more easily, I arrested the motion of the vessel till she -rose only a few feet per minute. Whilst employed on the air pump, I -became suddenly aware, by that instinct by which most men have been at -one time or another warned of the unexpected proximity of friend or -foe, that I was not alone. Turning and looking in the direction of the -entrance, I saw, or thought I saw, once more the Presence beheld in -the Hall of the Zinta. But commanding, enthralling as were those eyes, -they could not now retain my attention; for beside that figure -appeared one whose presence in life or death left me no thought for -aught beside. I sprang forward, seemed to touch her hand, to clasp her -form, to reach the lips I bent my head to meet:--and then, in the -midst of the bright sunlight, a momentary darkness veiled all from my -eyes. Lifting my head, however, my glance fell, through the window to -which the Vision had drawn me, directly upon Ecasfe and upon the home -from which I had taken her whose remains were now being carried back -thither. Snatching up my field-glass, I scanned the scene of which I -had thus caught a momentary and confused glimpse. The roof was -occupied by a score of men armed with the lightning weapon, and among -them glanced the familiar badge--the band and silver star. Clambering -over the walls of the wide enclosure, and threatening to storm the -house, were a mob perhaps a thousand in number, many of them similarly -armed, the rest with staves, spears, or such rude weapons as chance -might afford. Two minutes brought me immediately over them. In -another, I was descending more rapidly than prudence would have -suggested. The strife seemed for a moment to cease, as one of the -crowd pointed, not to the impending destruction overhead, but to some -object apparently at an equal elevation to westward. A shout of -welcome from the remaining defenders of the house called right upward -the eyes of their assailants. For an instant they felt the bitterness -of death; a cry of agony and terror that pierced even the thick walls -and windows of the Astronaut reached my ears. Then a violent shock -threw me from my feet. Springing up, I knew what wholesale slaughter -had avenged Eveena and her father, preserved her family, and given a -last victory to the Symbol she so revered. In another instant I was on -the roof, and my hands clasped in Zulve's. - -"We know," she said. "Our darling's _esve_ brought us a line that told -all; and what is left of those who were all to me, of her who was so -much to you, will now be returned to us almost at once." - -We were interrupted. A cry drew my eyes to the right, where, springing -from a balloon to the car of which was attached a huge flag emblazoned -with the crimson and silver colours of the Suzerain, Ergimo stood -before us. - -"I am too late," he said, "to save life; in time only to put an end to -rebellion and avert murder. The Prince has fulfilled his promise to -you; has repealed the law that was to be a weapon in the hands that -aimed at his life and throne, as at the Star and its children. The -traitors, save one, the worst, have met by this time their just doom. -That one I am here to arrest. But where is our Chief? And," noticing -for the first time the group of women, who in the violence of alarm -and agony of sorrow had burst for once unconsciously the restraints of -a lifetime--"where ... Are you alone?" - -"Alone for ever," I said; and as I spoke the procession that with bare -and bent heads carried two veiled forms into the peristyle below told -all he sought to know. I need not dwell on the scene that followed. I -scarcely remember anything, till a chest of gold, bearing the cipher -which though seldom seen I knew so well, was placed in my hands. I -turned to Zulve, and to Ergimo, who stood beside her. - -"Have you need of me?" I said. "If I can serve her house I will remain -willingly, and as long as I can help or comfort." - -"No," replied Ergimo; for Zulve could not speak. "The household of -Clavelta are safe and honoured henceforth as no other in the land. -Something we must ask of him who is, at any rate for the present, the -head of this household, and the representative of the Founder's -lineage. It may be," he whispered, "that another" (and his eyes fell -on the veiled forms whose pink robes covered with dark crimson gauze -indicated the younger matrons of the family) "may yet give to the -Children of the Star that natural heir to the Signet we had hoped from -your own household. But the Order cannot remain headless." - -Here Zulve, approaching, gave into my hand the Signet unclasped from -her husband's arm ere the coffer was closed upon his form. I understood -her meaning; and, as for the time the sole male representative of the -house, I clasped it on the arm of the Chief who succeeded to Esmo's -rank, and to whom I felt the care of Esmo's house might be safely -left. The due honour paid to his new office, I turned to depart. Then -for the first time my eyes fell on the unveiled countenance and -drooping form of one unlike, yet so like Eveena--her favourite and -nearest sister, Zevle. I held out my hand; but, emotion overcoming the -habits of reserve, she threw herself into my arms, and her tears fell -on my bosom, hardly faster than my own as I stooped and kissed her -brow. I had no voice to speak my farewell. But as the Astronaut rose -for the last time from the ground, the voices of my brethren chanted -in adieu the last few lines of the familiar formula-- - - "Peace be yours no force can break, - Peace not Death hath power to shake;" - - * * * * * - - "Peace from peril, fear, and pain; - Peace--until we meet again! - Not before the sculptured stone, - But the All-Commander's Throne." - - - -[Footnote 1: Qy. [GREEK: apo], from, [GREEK: ergos], work--as -en-ergy?] - -[Footnote 2: The chemical notation of the MS. is unfortunately -different from any known to any chemist of my acquaintance, and -utterly undecipherable.] - -[Footnote 3: Last figures illegible: the year is probably 183.] - -[Footnote 4: These distances are given in Roman measures and round -numbers not easy of exact rendering.] - -[Footnote 5: In 1830 or thereabouts.--ED.] - -[Footnote 6: The Martial year is 687 of our days, and eight Martial -years are nearly equivalent to fifteen Terrestrial. Roughly, and in -round numbers, the time figures given may be multiplied by two to -reduce them to Terrestrial periods.--ED.] - -[Footnote 7: Say fifty-sixth; in effect, fiftieth.--Narrator.] - -[Footnote 8: Equivalent in time to ninety-three and forty-seven with -us; in effect corresponding to eighty and forty.] - -[Footnote 9: About ninety; in time, one hundred and six.] - -[Footnote 10: Seventy; in time, eighty-three.--_Narrator_.] - -[Footnote 11: The centuries, hundreds, thousands, etc., appear to -represent multiples of twelve, not ten.--ED.] - -[Footnote 12: Aluminium?--ED.] - -[Footnote 13: Here, and here only, the name is written in full; but -the first part is blurred. It may be Alius (Ali), Julius (Jules), -Elias, or may represent any one of a dozen English surnames. The -single cipher, employed elsewhere throws no light on it.--ED.] - - - -[Transcriber's Notes: A page was torn in our print copy, causing -a few lines in Chapter I to be illegible. The missing words have -been indicated with [***]. Also, "authypnotism" was corrected to -"autohypnotism."] - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACROSS THE ZODIAC*** - - -******* This file should be named 10165.txt or 10165.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/1/6/10165 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -https://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS," WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at https://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit https://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including including checks, online payments and credit card -donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's -eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, -compressed (zipped), HTML and others. - -Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over -the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. -VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving -new filenames and etext numbers. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - -https://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - -EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, -are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to -download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular -search system you may utilize the following addresses and just -download by the etext year. - -http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext06 - - (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, - 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) - -EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are -filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part -of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is -identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single -digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For -example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: - -https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 - -or filename 24689 would be found at: -https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 - -An alternative method of locating eBooks: -https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL - -*** END: FULL LICENSE *** diff --git a/old/10165.zip b/old/10165.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8ac6e3d..0000000 --- a/old/10165.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/old-2025-04-16/10165-0.txt b/old/old-2025-04-16/10165-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5740910..0000000 --- a/old/old-2025-04-16/10165-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16074 +0,0 @@ -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10165 *** -ACROSS THE ZODIAC: -The Story of a Wrecked Record - -DECIPHERED, TRANSLATED AND EDITED -BY -PERCY GREG - -AUTHOR OF "THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE" ETC. - - - "Thoughts he sends to each planet, - Uranus, Venus, and Mars; - Soars to the Centre to span it, - Numbers the infinite Stars." - - _Courthope's Paradise of Birds_ - - - -CONTENTS - - I. SHIPWRECK. - - II. OUTWARD BOUND. - - III. THE UNTRAVELLED DEEP. - - IV. A NEW WORLD. - - V. LANGUAGE, LAWS, AND LIFE. - - VI. AN OFFICIAL VISIT. - - VII. ESCORT DUTY. - - VIII. A FAITH AND ITS FOUNDER. - - IX. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. - - X. WOMAN AND WEDLOCK. - - XI. A COUNTRY DRIVE. - - XII. ON THE RIVER. - - XIII. THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT. - - XIV. BY SEA. - - XV. FUR-HUNTING. - - XVI. TROUBLED WATERS. - - XVII. PRESENTED AT COURT. - - XVIII. A PRINCE'S PRESENT. - - XIX. A COMPLETE ESTABLISHMENT. - - XX. LIFE, SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. - - XXI. PRIVATE AUDIENCES. - - XXII. PECULIAR INSTITUTIONS. - - XXIII. CHARACTERISTICS. - - XXIV. WINTER. - - XXV. APOSTACY. - - XXVI. TWILIGHT. - - XXVII. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW. - - XXVIII. DARKER YET. - - XXIX. AZRAEL. - - XXX. FAREWELL. - - - - -VOL. I - - - - -CHAPTER I - SHIPWRECK. - - -Once only, in the occasional travelling of thirty years, did I lose -any important article of luggage; and that loss occurred, not under -the haphazard, devil-take-the-hindmost confusion of English, or the -elaborate misrule of Continental journeys, but through the absolute -perfection and democratic despotism of the American system. I had to -give up a visit to the scenery of Cooper's best Indian novelsâno -slight sacrificeâand hasten at once to New York to repair the loss. -This incident brought me, on an evening near the middle of September -1874, on board a river steamboat starting from Albany, the capital of -the State, for the Empire City. The banks of the lower Hudson are as -well worth seeing as those of the Rhine itself, but even America has -not yet devised means of lighting them up at night, and consequently I -had no amusement but such as I could find in the conversation of my -fellow-travellers. With one of these, whose abstinence from personal -questions led me to take him for an Englishman, I spoke of my visit to -Niagaraâthe one wonder of the world that answers its warrantyâand to -Montreal. As I spoke of the strong and general Canadian feeling of -loyalty to the English Crown and connection, a Yankee bystander -observedâ - -"Wal, stranger, I reckon we could take 'em if we wanted tu!" - -"Yes," I replied, "if you think them worth the price. But if you do, -you rate them even more highly than they rate themselves; and English -colonists are not much behind the citizens of the model Republic in -honest self-esteem." - -"Wal," he said, "how much du yew calc'late we shall hev to pay?" - -"Not more, perhaps, than you can afford; only California, and every -Atlantic seaport from Portland to Galveston." - -"Reckon yew may be about right, stranger," he said, falling back with -tolerable good-humour; and, to do them justice, the bystanders seemed -to think the retort no worse than the provocation deserved. - -"I am sorry," said my friend, "you should have fallen in with so -unpleasant a specimen of the character your countrymen ascribe with -too much reason to Americans. I have been long in England, and never -met with such discourtesy from any one who recognised me as an -American." - -After this our conversation became less reserved; and I found that I -was conversing with one of the most renowned officers of irregular -cavalry in the late Confederate serviceâa service which, in the -efficiency, brilliancy, and daring of that especial arm, has never -been surpassed since Maharbal's African Light Horse were recognised by -friends and foes as the finest corps in the small splendid army of -Hannibal. - -Colonel Aââ (the reader will learn why I give neither his name nor -real rank) spoke with some bitterness of the inquisitiveness which -rendered it impossible, he said, to trust an American with a secret, -and very difficult to keep one without lying. We were presently joined -by Major Bââ, who had been employed during the war in the conduct of -many critical communications, and had shown great ingenuity in -devising and unravelling ciphers. On this subject a somewhat -protracted discussion arose. I inclined to the doctrine of Poe, that -no cipher can be devised which cannot be detected by an experienced -hand; my friends indicated simple methods of defeating the processes -on which decipherers rely. - -"Poe's theory," said the Major, "depends upon the frequent recurrence -of certain letters, syllables, and brief words in any given language; -for instance, of _e_'s and _t_'s, _tion_ and _ed_, _a_, _and_, and -_the_ in English. Now it is perfectly easy to introduce abbreviations -for each of the common short words and terminations, and equally easy -to baffle the decipherer's reliance thereon by inserting meaningless -symbols to separate the words; by employing two signs for a common -letter, or so arranging your cipher that no one shall without extreme -difficulty know which marks stand for single and which for several -combined letters, where one letter ends and another begins." - -After some debate, Colonel Aââ wrote down and handed me two lines in -a cipher whose character at once struck me as very remarkable. - -"I grant," said I, "that these hieroglyphics might well puzzle a more -practised decipherer than myself. Still, I can point out even here a -clue which might help detection. There occur, even in these two lines, -three or four symbols which, from their size and complication, are -evidently abbreviations. Again, the distinct forms are very few, and -have obviously been made to serve for different letters by some slight -alterations devised upon a fixed rule. In a word, the cipher has been -constructed upon a general principle; and though it may take a long -time to find out what that principle is, it affords a clue which, -carefully followed out, will probably lead to detection." - -"You have perceived," said Colonel Aââ, "a fact which it took me -very long to discover. I have not deciphered all the more difficult -passages of the manuscript from which I took this example; but I have -ascertained the meaning of all its simple characters, and your -inference is certainly correct." - -Here he stopped abruptly, as if he thought he had said too much, and -the subject dropped. - -We reached New York early in the morning and separated, having -arranged to visit that afternoon a celebrated "spiritual" medium who -was then giving _sĂŠances_ in the Empire City, and of whom my friend -had heard and repeated to me several more or less marvellous stories. -Our visit, however, was unsatisfactory; and as we came away Colonel -Aââ saidâ - -"Well, I suppose this experience confirms you in your disbelief?" - -"No," said I. "My first visits have generally been failures, and I -have more than once been told that my own temperament is most -unfavourable to the success of a seance. Nevertheless, I have in some -cases witnessed marvels perfectly inexplicable by known natural laws; -and I have heard and read of others attested by evidence I certainly -cannot consider inferior to my own." - -"Why," he said, "I thought from your conversation last night you were -a complete disbeliever." - -"I believe," answered I, "in very little of what I have seen. But that -little is quite sufficient to dispose of the theory of pure imposture. -On the other hand, there is nothing spiritual and nothing very human -in the pranks played by or in the presence of the mediums. They remind -one more of the feats of traditionary goblins; mischievous, noisy, -untrustworthy; insensible to ridicule, apparently delighting to make -fools of men, and perfectly indifferent to having the tables turned -upon themselves." - -"But do you believe in goblins?" - -"No," I replied; "no more than in table-turning ghosts, and less than -in apparitions. I am not bound to find either sceptics or -spiritualists in plausible explanations. But when they insist on an -alternative to their respective theories, I suggest Puck as at least -equally credible with Satan, Shakespeare, or the parrot-cry of -imposture. It is the very extravagance of illogical temper to call on -me to furnish an explanation _because_ I say 'we know far too little -of the thing itself to guess at its causes;' but of the current -guesses, imposture seems inconsistent with the evidence, and -'spiritual agency' with the character of the phenomena." - -"That," replied Colonel Aââ, "sounds common sense, and sounds even -more commonplace. And yet, no one seems really to draw a strong, clear -line between non-belief and disbelief. And you are the first and only -man I ever met who hesitates to affirm the impossibility of that which -seems to him wildly improbable, contrary at once to received opinion -and to his own experience, and contrary, moreover, to all known -natural laws, and all inferences hitherto drawn from them. Your men of -science dogmatise like divines, not only on things they have not seen, -but on things they refuse to see; and your divines are half of them -afraid of Satan, and the other half of science." - -"The men of science have," I replied, "like every other class, their -especial bias, their peculiar professional temptation. The -anti-religious bigotry of Positivists is quite as bitter and -irrational as the theological bigotry of religious fanatics. At -present the two powers countervail and balance each other. But, as -three hundred years ago I should certainly have been burnt for a -heretic, so fifty or a hundred years hence, could I live so long, I -should be in equal apprehension of being burnt by some successor of -Mr. Congreve, Mr. Harrison, or Professor Huxley, for presuming to -believe in Providential government." - -"The intolerance of incredulity," returned Colonel Aââ, "is a sore -subject with me. I once witnessed a phenomenon which was to me quite -as extraordinary as any of the 'spiritual' performances. I have at -this moment in my possession apparently irresistible evidence of the -reality of what then took place; and I am sure that there exists at a -point on the earth's surface, which unluckily I cannot define, strong -corroborative proof of my story. Nevertheless, the first persons who -heard it utterly ridiculed it, and were disposed to treat me either as -a madman, or at best as an audacious trespasser on that privilege of -lying which belonged to them as mariners. I told it afterwards to -three gentlemen of station, character, and intelligence, every one of -whom had known me as soldier, and I hope as gentleman, for years; and -in each case the result was a duel, which has silenced those who -imputed to me an unworthy and purposeless falsehood, but has left a -heavy burden on my conscience, and has prevented me ever since from -repeating what I know to be true and believe to be of greater -interest, and in some sense of greater importance, than any scientific -discovery of the last century. Since the last occasion on which I told -it seven years have elapsed, and I never have met any one but yourself -to whom I have thought it possible to disclose it." - -"I have," I answered, "an intense interest in all occult phenomena; -believing in regard to alleged magic, as the scientists say of -practical science, that every one branch of such knowledge throws -light on others; and if there be nothing in your story which it is -personally painful to relate, you need not be silenced by any -apprehension of discourteous criticism on my part." - -"I assure you," he said, "I have no such wish now to tell the story as -I had at first. It is now associated with the most painful incident of -my life, and I have lost altogether that natural desire for sympathy -and human interest in a matter deeply interesting to myself, which, -like every one else, I felt at first, and which is, I suppose, the -motive that prompts us all to relate often and early any occurrence -that has keenly affected us, in whatever manner. But I think that I -have no right to suppress so remarkable a fact, if by telling it I can -place it effectually on record for the benefit of men sensible enough -to believe that it may have occurred, especially since somewhere in -the world there must yet exist proof that it did occur. If you will -come to my rooms in ââ Street tomorrow, Number 999, I will not -promise, but I think that I shall have made up my mind to tell you -what I have to tell, and to place in your hands that portion of the -evidence which is still at my commandâevidence that has a -significance of its own, to which my experience is merely episodical." - -I spent that evening with the family of a friend, one of several -former officers of the Confederacy, whose friendship is the one -permanent and valuable result of my American tour. I mentioned the -Colonel's name, and my friend, the head of the family, having served -with him through the Virginian campaigns, expressed the highest -confidence in his character, the highest opinion of his honour and -veracity; but spoke with bitter regret and pain of the duels in which -he had been engaged, especially of one which had been fatal; remarking -that the motive in each instance remained unknown even to the seconds. -"I am sure," he said "that they were not, could not have been, fought -for the one cause that would justify them and explain the secrecy of -the quarrelâsome question involving female honour or reputation. I -can hardly conceive that any one of his adversaries could have called -in question in any way the personal loyalty of Colonel Aââ; and, as -you remarked of General Mââ, it is too absurd for a man who had -faced over and over again the fire of a whole brigade, who had led -charges against fourfold numbers, to prove his personal courage with -sword or pistol, or to think that any one would have doubted either -his spirit or his nerve had he refused to fight, whatever the -provocation. Moreover, in each case he was the challenger." - -"Then these duels have injured him in Southern opinion, and have -probably tended to isolate him from society?" - -"No," he replied. "Deeply as they were regretted and disapproved, his -services during the war were so brilliant, and his personal character -stands so high, that nothing could have induced his fellow-soldiers to -put any social stigma upon him. To me he must know that he would be -most welcome. Yet, though we have lived in the same city for five -years, I have only encountered him three or four times in the street, -and then he has passed with the fewest possible words, and has neither -given me his address nor accepted my urgent invitations to visit us -here. I think that there is something in the story of those duels that -will never be known, certainly something that has never been guessed -yet. And I think that either the circumstances in which they must have -had their origin, or the duels themselves, have so weighed upon his -spirits, perhaps upon his conscience, that he has chosen to avoid his -former friends, most of them also the friends of his antagonists. -Though the war ruined him as utterly as any of the thousands of -Southern gentlemen whom it has reduced from wealth to absolute -poverty, he has refused every employment which would bring him before -the public eye." - -"Is there," I asked, "any point of honour on which you could suppose -him to be so exceptionally sensitive that he would think it necessary -to take the life of a man who touched him on that point, though -afterwards his regret, if not repentance, might be keen enough to -crush his spirit or break his heart?" - -The General paused for a moment, and his son then interposedâ - -"I have heard it said that Colonel Aââ was in general the least -quarrelsome of Confederate officers; but that on more than one -occasion, where his statement upon some point of fact had been -challenged by a comrade, who did not intend to question his veracity -but simply the accuracy of his observation, their brother officers had -much trouble in preventing a serious difficulty." - -The next day I called as agreed upon my new-found friend, and with -some reluctance he commenced his story. - -"During the last campaign, in February 1865, I was sent by General Lee -with despatches for Kirby Smith, then commanding beyond the -Mississippi. I was unable to return before the surrender, and, for -reasons into which I need not enter, I believed myself to be marked -out by the Federal Government for vengeance. If I had remained within -their reach, I might have shared the fate of Wirz and other victims of -calumnies which, once put in circulation during the war, their -official authors dared not retract at its close. Now I and others, -who, if captured in 1865, might probably have been hanged, are neither -molested nor even suspected of any other offence than that of -fighting, as our opponents fought, for the State to which our -allegiance was due. However, I thought it necessary to escape before -the final surrender of our forces beyond the Mississippi. I made my -way to Mexico, and, like one or two Southern officers of greater -distinction than myself, entered the service of the Emperor -Maximilian, not as mere soldiers of fortune, but because, knowing -better than any but her Southern neighbours knew it the miserable -anarchy of Mexico under the Republic, we regarded conquest as the one -chance of regeneration for that country, and the Emperor Maximilian as -a hero who had devoted himself to a task heroic at once in its danger -and difficultyâthe restoration of a people with whom his house had a -certain historical connection to a place among the nations of the -civilised world. After his fall, I should certainly have been shot had -I been caught by the Juarists in pursuit of me. I gained the Pacific -coast, and got on board an English vessel, whose captainâloading for -San Franciscoâgenerously weighed anchor and sailed with but half a -cargo to give me a chance of safety. He transferred me a few days -afterwards to a Dutch vessel bound for Brisbane, for at that time I -thought of settling in Queensland. The crew was weak-handed, and -consisted chiefly of Lascars, Malays, and two or three European -desperadoes of all languages and of no country. Her master was barely -competent to the ordinary duties of his command; and it was no -surprise to me when the first storm that we encountered drove us -completely out of our course, nor was I much astonished that the -captain was for some days, partly from fright and partly from drink, -incapable of using his sextant to ascertain the position of the ship. -One night we were awakened by a tremendous shock; and, to spare you -the details of a shipwreck, which have nothing to do with my story, we -found ourselves when day broke fast on a coral reef, about a mile from -an island of no great size, and out of sight of all other land. The -sextant having been broken to pieces, I had no means of ascertaining -the position of this island, nor do I now know anything of it except -that it lay, in the month of August, within the region of the -southeast trade winds. We pulled on shore, but, after exploring the -island, it was found to yield nothing attractive to seamen except -cocoa-nuts, with which our crew had soon supplied themselves as -largely as they wished, and fish, which were abundant and easily -caught, and of which they were soon tired. The captain, therefore, -when he had recovered his sobriety and his courage, had no great -difficulty in inducing them to return to the ship, and endeavour -either to get her off or construct from her timbers a raft which, -following the course of the winds, might, it was thought, bring them -into the track of vessels. This would take some time, and I meanwhile -was allowed to remain (my own wish) on _terra firma_; the noise, dirt, -and foul smells of the vessel being, especially in that climate, -intolerable. - -"About ten o'clock in the morning of the 25th August 1867, I was lying -towards the southern end of the island, on a little hillock tolerably -clear of trees, and facing a sort of glade or avenue, covered only -with brush and young trees, which allowed me to see the sky within -perhaps twenty degrees of the horizon. Suddenly, looking up, I saw -what appeared at first like a brilliant star considerably higher than -the sun. It increased in size with amazing rapidity, till, in a very -few seconds after its first appearance, it had a very perceptible -disc. For an instant it obscured the sun. In another moment a -tremendous shock temporarily deprived me of my senses, and I think -that more than an hour had elapsed before I recovered them. Sitting -up, somewhat confused, and looking around me, I became aware that some -strange accident had occurred. In every direction I saw such traces of -havoc as I had witnessed more than once when a Confederate force -holding an impenetrable woodland had been shelled at random for some -hours with the largest guns that the enemy could bring into the field. -Trees were torn and broken, branches scattered in all directions, -fragments of stone, earth, and coral rock flung all around. -Particularly I remember that a piece of metal of considerable size had -cut off the tops of two or three trees, and fixed itself at last on -what was now the summit of one about a third of whose length had been -broken off and lay on the ground. I soon perceived that this -miraculous bombardment had proceeded from a point to the -north-eastward, the direction in which at that season and hour the sun -was visible. Proceeding thitherward, the evidences of destruction -became every minute more marked, I might say more universal. Trees had -been thrown down, torn up by the roots, hurled against one another; -rocks broken and flung to great distances, some even thrown up in the -air, and so reversed in falling that, while again half buried in the -soil, they exposed what had been their undermost surface. In a word, -before I had gone two miles I saw that the island had sustained a -shock which might have been that of an earthquake, which certainly -equalled that of the most violent Central American earthquakes in -severity, but which had none of the special peculiarities of that kind -of natural convulsion. Presently I came upon fragments of a shining -pale yellow metal, generally small, but in one or two cases of -remarkable size and shape, apparently torn from some sheet of great -thickness. In one case I found embedded between two such jagged -fragments a piece of remarkably hard impenetrable cement. At last I -came to a point from which through the destruction of the trees the -sea was visible in the direction in which the ship had lain; but the -ship, as in a few moments I satisfied myself, had utterly disappeared. -Reaching the beach, I found that the shock had driven the sea far up -upon the land; fishes lying fifty yards inland, and everything -drenched in salt water. At last, guided by the signs of -ever-increasing devastation, I reached the point whence the mischief -had proceeded. I can give no idea in words of what I there found. The -earth had been torn open, rooted up as if by a gigantic explosion. In -some places sharp-pointed fragments of the coral rock, which at a -depth of several feet formed the bed of the island, were discernible -far below the actual surface. At others, the surface itself was raised -several feet by _dèbris_ of every kind. What I may call the -craterâthough it was no actual hole, but rather a cavity torn and -then filled up by falling fragmentsâwas two or three hundred feet in -circumference; and in this space I found considerable masses of the -same metallic substance, attached generally to pieces of the cement. -After examining and puzzling myself over this strange scene for some -time, my next care was to seek traces of the ship and of her crew; and -before long I saw just outside the coral reef what had been her -bowsprit, and presently, floating on the sea, one of her masts, with -the sail attached. There could be little doubt that the shock had -extended to her, had driven her off the reef where she had been fixed -into the deep water outside, where she must have sunk immediately, and -had broken her spars. No traces of her crew were to be seen. They had -probably been stunned at the same time that they were thrown into deep -water; and before I came in sight of the point where she had perished, -whatever animal bodies were to be found must have been devoured by the -sharks, which abounded in that neighbourhood. Dismay, perplexity, and -horror prevented my doing anything to solve my doubts or relieve my -astonishment before the sun went down; and during the night my sleep -was broken by snatches of horrible dreams and intervals of waking, -during which I marvelled over what I had seen, scarcely crediting my -memory or my senses. In the morning, I went back to the crater, and -with some tools that had been left on shore contrived to dig somewhat -deeply among the _debris_ with which it was filled. I found very -little that could enlighten me except pieces of glass, of various -metals, of wood, some of which seemed apparently to have been portions -of furniture; and one damaged but still entire relic, which I -preserved and brought away with me." - -Here the Colonel removed a newspaper which had covered a portion of -his table, and showed me a metallic case beaten out of all shape, but -apparently of what had been a silvery colour, very little rusted, -though much soiled. This he opened, and I saw at once that it was of -enormous thickness and solidity, to which and to favouring -circumstances it owed its preservation in the general ruin he -described. That it had undergone some severe and violent shock there -could be no question. Beside the box lay a less damaged though still -seriously injured object, in which I recognised the resemblance of a -book of considerable thickness, and bound in metal like that of the -case. This I afterwards ascertained beyond doubt to be a metalloid -alloy whereof the principal ingredient was aluminium, or some -substance so closely resembling it as not to be distinguishable from -it by simple chemical tests. A friend to whom I submitted a small -portion broken off from the rest expressed no doubt that it was a kind -of aluminium bronze, but inclined to believe that it contained no -inconsiderable proportion of a metal with which chemists are as yet -imperfectly acquainted; perhaps, he said, silicon; certainly something -which had given to the alloy a hardness and tenacity unknown to any -familiar metallurgical compound. - -"This," said my friend, opening the volume, "is a manuscript which was -contained in this case when I took it from among the debris of the -crater. I should have told you that I found there what I believed to -be fragments of human flesh and bone, but so crushed and mangled that -I could form no positive conclusion. My next care was to escape from -the island, which I felt sure lay far from the ordinary course of -merchant vessels. A boat which had brought me ashoreâthe smaller of -the two belonging to the shipâhad fortunately been left on the end of -the island furthest from that on which the vessel had been driven, and -had, owing to its remoteness, though damaged, not been fatally injured -by the shock. I repaired this, made and fixed a mast, and with no -little difficulty contrived to manufacture a sort of sail from strips -of bark woven together. Knowing that, even if I could sustain life on -the island, life under such circumstances would not be worth having, I -was perfectly willing to embark upon a voyage in which I was well -aware the chances of death were at least as five to one. I caught and -contrived to smoke a quantity of fish sufficient to last me for a -fortnight, and filled a small cask with brackish but still drinkable -water. In this vessel, thus stored, I embarked about a fortnight after -the day of the mysterious shock. On the second evening of my voyage I -was caught by a gale which compelled me to lower the sail, and before -which I was driven for three days and nights, in what direction I can -hardly guess. On the fourth morning the wind had fallen, and by noon -it was a perfect calm. I need not describe what has been described by -so many shipwrecked sailors,âthe sufferings of a solitary voyager in -an open boat under a tropical sun. The storm had supplied me with -water more than enough; so that I was spared that arch-torture of -thirst which seems, in the memory of such sufferers, to absorb all -others. Towards evening a slight breeze sprang up, and by morning I -came in sight of a vessel, which I contrived to board. Her crew, -however, and even her captain, utterly discredited such part of my -strange story as I told them. On that point, however, I will say no -more than this: I will place this manuscript in your hands. I will -give you the key to such of its ciphers as I have been able to make -out. The language, I believe, for I am no scholar, is Latin of a -mediĂŚval type; but there are words which, if I rightly decipher them, -are not Latin, and hardly seem to belong to any known language; most -of them, I fancy, quasi-scientific terms, invented to describe various -technical devices unknown to the world when the manuscript was -written. I only make it a condition that you shall not publish the -story during my life; that if you show the manuscript or mention the -tale in confidence to any one, you will strictly keep my secret; and -that if after my death, of which you shall be advised, you do publish -it, you will afford no clue by which the donor could be confidently -identified." - -"I promise," said I. "But I should like to ask you one question. What -do you conceive to have been the cause of the extraordinary shock you -felt and of the havoc you witnessed? What, in short, the nature of the -occurrence and the origin of the manuscript you entrust to my care?" - -"Why need you ask me?" he returned. "You are as capable as myself of -drawing a deduction from what I have told you, and I have told you -everything, I believe, that could assist you. The manuscript will tell -the rest." - -"But," said I, "an actual eye-witness often receives from a number of -little facts which he cannot remember, which are perhaps too minute to -have been actually and individually noted by him, an impression which -is more likely to be correct than any that could be formed by a -stranger on the fullest cross-questioning, on the closest examination -of what remains in the witness's memory. I should like to hear, before -opening the manuscript, what you believe to have been its origin. - -"I can only say," he answered, "that what must be inferred from the -manuscript is what I had inferred before I opened it. That same -explanation was the only one that ever occurred to me, even in the -first night. It then seemed to me utterly incredible, but it is still -the only conceivable explanation that my mind can suggest." - -"Did you," asked I, "connect the shock and the relics, which I presume -you know were not on the island before the shock, with the meteor and -the strange obscuration of the sun?" - -"I certainly did," he said. "Having done so, there could be but one -conclusion as to the quarter from which the shock was received." - -The examination and transcription of the manuscript, with all the help -afforded me by my friend's previous efforts, was the work of several -years. There is, as the reader will see, more than one _hiatus valde -deflendus_, as the scholiasts have it, and there are passages in -which, whether from the illegibility of the manuscript or the -employment of technical terms unknown to me, I cannot be certain of -the correctness of my translation. Such, however, as it is, I give it -to the world, having fulfilled, I believe, every one of the conditions -imposed upon me by my late and deeply regretted friend. - -The character of the manuscript is very curious, and its translation -was exceedingly difficult. The material on which it is written -resembles nothing used for such purposes on Earth. It is more like a -very fine linen or silken web, but it is far closer in texture, and -has never been woven in any kind of loom at all like those employed in -any manufacture known to history or archaeology. The letters, or more -properly symbols, are minute, but executed with extraordinary -clearness. I should fancy that something more like a pencil than a -pen, but with a finer point than that of the finest pencil, was -employed in the writing. Contractions and combinations are not merely -frequent, but almost universal. There is scarcely an instance in which -five consecutive letters are separately written, and there is no -single line in which half a dozen contractions, often including from -four to ten letters, do not occur. The pages are of the size of an -ordinary duodecimo, but contain some fifty lines per page, and perhaps -one hundred and fifty letters in each line. What were probably the -first half dozen pages have been utterly destroyed, and the next half -dozen are so mashed, tattered, and defaced, that only a few sentences -here and there are legible. I have contrived, however, to combine -these into what I believe to be a substantially correct representation -of the author's meaning. The Latin is of a monasticâsometimes almost -canineâquality, with many words which are not Latin at all. For the -rest, though here and there pages are illegible, and though some -symbols, especially those representing numbers or chemical compounds, -are absolutely undecipherable, it has been possible to effect what I -hope will be found a clear and coherent translation. I have condensed -the narrative but have not altered or suppressed a line for fear of -offending those who must be unreasonable, indeed, if they lay the -offence to my charge. - -One word more. It is possible, if not likely, that some of those -friends of the narrator, for whom the account was evidently written, -may still be living, and that these pages may meet their eyes. If so, -they may be able to solve the few problems that have entirely baffled -me, and to explain, if they so choose, the secrets to which, -intentionally or through the destruction of its introductory portion, -the manuscript affords no clue. - -I must add that these volumes contain only the first section of the -MS. record. The rest, relating the incidents of a second voyage and -describing another world, remains in my hands; and, should this part -of the work excite general attention, the conclusion will, by myself -or by my executors, be given to the public. Otherwise, on my death, it -will be placed in the library of some national or scientific -institution. - - - - -CHAPTER II - OUTWARD BOUND. - - -... For obvious reasons, those who possessed the secret of the -Apergy [1] had never dreamed of applying it in the manner I proposed. -It had seemed to them little more than a curious secret of nature, -perhaps hardly so much, since the existence of a repulsive force in -the atomic sphere had been long suspected and of late certainly -ascertained, and its preponderance is held to be the characteristic of -the gaseous as distinguished from the liquid or solid state of matter. -Till lately, no means of generating or collecting this force in large -quantity had been found. The progress of electrical science had solved -this difficulty; and when the secret was communicated to me, it -possessed a value which had never before belonged to it. - -Ever since, in childhood, I learnt that the planets were worlds, a -visit to one or more of the nearest of them had been my favourite -day-dream. Treasuring every hint afforded by science or fancy that -bore upon the subject, I felt confident that such a voyage would be -one day achieved. Helped by one or two really ingenious romances on -this theme, I had dreamed out my dream, realised every difficulty, -ascertained every factor in the problem. I had satisfied myself that -only one thing needful was as yet wholly beyond the reach and even the -proximate hopes of science. Human invention could furnish as yet no -motive power that could fulfil the main requirement of the -problemâuniform or constantly increasing motion _in vacuo_âmotion -through a region affording no resisting medium. This must be a -_repulsive_ energy capable of acting through an utter void. Man, -animals, birds, fishes move by repulsion applied at every moment. In -air or water, paddles, oars, sails, fins, wings act by repulsion -exerted on the fluid element in which they work. But in space there is -no such resisting element on which repulsion can operate. I needed a -repulsion which would act like gravitation through an indefinite -distance and in a voidâact upon a remote fulcrum, such as might be -the Earth in a voyage to the Moon, or the Sun in a more distant -journey. As soon, then, as the character of the apergic force was made -known to me, its application to this purpose seized on my mind. -Experiment had proved it possible, by the method described at the -commencement of this record, to generate and collect it in amounts -practically unlimited. The other hindrances to a voyage through space -were trivial in comparison with that thus overcome; there were -difficulties to be surmounted, not absent or deficient powers in -nature to be discovered. The chief of these, of course, concerned the -conveyance of air sufficient for the needs of the traveller during the -period of his journey. The construction of an air-tight vessel was -easy enough; but however large the body of air conveyed, even though -its oxygen should not be exhausted, the carbonic acid given out by -breathing would very soon so contaminate the whole that life would be -impossible. To eliminate this element it would only be necessary to -carry a certain quantity of lime-water, easily calculated, and by -means of a fan or similar instrument to drive the whole of the air -periodically through the vessel containing it. The lime in solution -combining with the noxious gas would show by the turbid whiteness of -the water the absorption of the carbonic acid and formation of -carbonate of lime. But if the carbonic acid gas were merely to be -removed, it is obvious that the oxygen of the air, which forms a part -of that gas, would be constantly diminished and ultimately exhausted; -and the effect of highly oxygenated air upon the circulation is -notoriously too great to allow of any considerable increase at the -outset in the proportion of this element. I might carry a fresh supply -of oxygen, available at need, in some solid combination like chlorate -of potash; but the electricity employed for the generation of the -apergy might be also applied to the decomposition of carbonic acid and -the restoration of its oxygen to the atmosphere. - -But the vessel had to be steered as well as propelled; and in order to -accomplish this it would be necessary to command the direction of the -apergy at pleasure. My means of doing this depended on two of the -best-established peculiarities of this strange force: its rectilinear -direction and its conductibility. We found that it acts through air or -in a vacuum in a single straight line, without deflection, and -seemingly without diminution. Most solids, and especially metals, -according to their electric condition, are more or less impervious to -itâantapergic. Its power of penetration diminishes under a very -obscure law, but so rapidly that no conceivable strength of current -would affect an object protected by an intervening sheet half an inch -in thickness. On the other hand, it prefers to all other lines the -axis of a conductive bar, such as may be formed of [undecipherable] in -an antapergic sheath. However such bar may be curved, bent, or -divided, the current will fill and follow it, and pursue indefinitely, -without divergence, diffusion, or loss, the direction in which it -emerges. Therefore, by collecting the current from the generator in a -vessel cased with antapergic material, and leaving no other aperture, -its entire volume might be sent into a conductor. By cutting across -this conductor, and causing the further part to rotate upon the -nearer, I could divert the current through any required angle. Thus I -could turn the repulsion upon the resistant body (sun or planet), and -so propel the vessel in any direction I pleased. - -I had determined that my first attempt should be a visit to Mars. The -Moon is a far less interesting body, since, on the hemisphere turned -towards the Earth, the absence of an atmosphere and of water ensures -the absence of any such life as is known to usâprobably of any life -that could be discerned by our sensesâand would prevent landing; -while nearly all the soundest astronomers agree in believing, on -apparently sufficient grounds, that even the opposite hemisphere [of -which small portions are from time to time rendered visible by the -libration, though greatly foreshortened and consequently somewhat -imperfectly seen] is equally devoid of the two primary necessaries of -animal and vegetable life. That Mars has seas, clouds, and an -atmosphere was generally admitted, and I held it to be beyond -question. Of Venus, owing to her extraordinary brilliancy, to the fact -that when nearest to the Earth a very small portion of her lighted -surface is visible to us, and above all to her dense cloud-envelope, -very little was known; and though I cherished the intention to visit -her even more earnestly than my resolve to reach the probably less -attractive planet Mars, I determined to begin with that voyage of -which the conditions and the probable result were most obvious and -certain. I preferred, moreover, in the first instance, to employ the -apergy as a propelling rather than as a resisting force. Now, after -passing beyond the immediate sphere of the Earth's attraction, it is -plain that in going towards Mars I should be departing from the Sun, -relying upon the apergy to overcome his attraction; whereas in seeking -to attain Venus I should be approaching the Sun, relying for my main -motive power upon that tremendous attraction, and employing the apergy -only to moderate the rate of movement and control its direction. The -latter appeared to me the more delicate, difficult, and perhaps -dangerous task of the two; and I resolved to defer it until after I -had acquired some practical experience and dexterity in the control of -my machinery. - -It was expedient, of course, to make my vessel as light as possible, -and, at the same time, as large as considerations of weight would -admit. But it was of paramount importance to have walls of great -thickness, in order to prevent the penetration of the outer cold of -space, or rather the outward passage into that intense cold of the -heat generated within the vessel itself, as well as to resist the -tremendous outward pressure of the air inside. Partly for these -reasons, and partly because its electric character makes it especially -capable of being rendered at will pervious or impervious to the -apergic current, I resolved to make the outer and inner walls of an -alloy of ..., while the space between should be filled up with a mass -of concrete or cement, in its nature less penetrable to heat than any -other substance which Nature has furnished or the wit of man -constructed from her materials. The materials of this cement and their -proportions were as follows. [2] - - * * * * * - -Briefly, having determined to take advantage of the approaching -opposition of Mars in MDCCCXX ... [3], I had my vessel constructed with -walls three feet thick, of which the outer six and the inner three -inches were formed of the metalloid. In shape my Astronaut somewhat -resembled the form of an antique Dutch East-Indiaman, being widest and -longest in a plane equidistant from floor and ceiling, the sides and -ends sloping outwards from the floor and again inwards towards the -roof. The deck and keel, however, were absolutely flat, and each one -hundred feet in length and fifty in breadth, the height of the vessel -being about twenty feet. In the centre of the floor and in that of the -roof respectively I placed a large lens of crystal, intended to act as -a window in the first instance, the lower to admit the rays of the -Sun, while through the upper I should discern the star towards which I -was steering. The floor, being much heavier than the rest of the -vessel, would naturally be turned downwards; that is, during the -greater part of the voyage towards the Sun. I placed a similar lens in -the centre of each of the four sides, with two plane windows of the -same material, one in the upper, the other in the lower half of the -wall, to enable me to discern any object in whatever direction. The -crystal in question consisted of ..., which, as those who manufactured -it for me are aware, admits of being cast with a perfection and -equality of structure throughout unattainable with ordinary glass, and -wrought to a certainty and accuracy of curvature which the most -patient and laborious polishing can hardly give to the lenses even of -moderate-sized telescopes, whether made of glass or metal, and is -singularly impervious to heat. I had so calculated the curvature that -several eye-pieces of different magnifying powers which I carried with -me might be adapted equally to any of the window lenses, and throw a -perfect image, magnified by 100, 1000, or 5000, upon mirrors properly -placed. - -I carpeted the floor with several alternate layers of cork and cloth. -At one end I placed my couch, table, bookshelves, and other necessary -furniture, with all the stores needed for my voyage, and with a -further weight sufficient to preserve equilibrium. At the other I made -a garden with soil three feet deep and five feet in width, divided -into two parts so as to permit access to the windows. I filled each -garden closely with shrubs and flowering plants of the greatest -possible variety, partly to absorb animal waste, partly in the hope of -naturalising them elsewhere. Covering both with wire netting extending -from the roof to the floor, I filled the cages thus formed with a -variety of birds. In the centre of the vessel was the machinery, -occupying altogether a space of about thirty feet by twenty. The -larger portion of this area was, of course, taken up by the generator, -above which was the receptacle of the apergy. From this descended -right through the floor a conducting bar in an antapergic sheath, so -divided that without separating it from the upper portion the lower -might revolve in any direction through an angle of twenty minutes -(20'). This, of course, was intended to direct the stream of the -repulsive force against the Sun. The angle might have been extended to -thirty minutes, but that I deemed it inexpedient to rely upon a force, -directed against the outer portions of the Sun's disc, believing that -these are occupied by matter of density so small that it might afford -no sufficient base, so to speak, for the repulsive action. It was -obviously necessary also to repel or counteract the attraction of any -body which might come near me during the voyage. Again, in getting -free from the Earth's influence, I must be able to steer in any -direction and at any angle to the surface. For this purpose I placed -five smaller bars, passing through the roof and four sides, connected, -like the main conductor, with the receptacle or apergion, but so that -they could revolve through a much larger angle, and could at any -moment be detached and insulated. My steering apparatus consisted of a -table in which were three large circles. The midmost and left hand of -these were occupied by accurately polished plane mirrors. The central -circle, or metacompass, was divided by three hundred and sixty fine -lines, radiating from the centre to the circumference, marking as many -different directions, each deviating by one degree of arc from the -next. This mirror was to receive through the lens in the roof the -image of the star towards which I was steering. While this remained -stationary in the centre all was well. When it moved along any one of -the lines, the vessel was obviously deviating from her course in the -opposite direction; and, to recover the right course, the repellent -force must be caused to drive her in the direction in which the image -had moved. To accomplish this, a helm was attached to the lower -division of the main conductor, by which the latter could be made to -move at will in any direction within the limit of its rotation. -Controlling this helm was, in the open or steering circle on the right -hand, a small knob to be moved exactly parallel to the deviation of -the star in the mirror of the metacompass. The left-hand circle, or -discometer, was divided by nineteen hundred and twenty concentric -circles, equidistant from each other. The outermost, about twice as -far from the centre as from the external edge of the mirror, was -exactly equal to the Sun's circumference when presenting the largest -disc he ever shows to an observer on Earth. Each inner circle -corresponded to a diameter reduced by one second. By means of a -vernier or eye-piece, the diameter of the Sun could be read off the -discometer, and from his diameter my distance could be accurately -calculated. On the further side of the machinery was a chamber for the -decomposition of the carbonic acid, through which the air was driven -by a fan. This fan itself was worked by a horizontal wheel with two -projecting squares of antapergic metal, against each of which, as it -reached a certain point, a very small stream of repulsive force was -directed from the apergion, keeping the wheel in constant and rapid -motion. I had, of course, supplied myself with an ample store of -compressed vegetables, preserved meats, milk, tea, coffee, &c., and a -supply of water sufficient to last for double the period which the -voyage was expected to occupy; also a well-furnished tool-chest (with -wires, tubes, &c.). One of the lower windows was made just large -enough to admit my person, and after entering I had to close it and -fix it in its place firmly with cement, which, when I wished to quit -the vessel, would have again to be removed. - -Of course some months were occupied in the manufacture of the -different portions of the vessel and her machinery, and sometime more -in their combination; so that when, at the end of July, I was ready to -start, the opposition was rapidly approaching. In the course of some -fifty days the Earth, moving in her orbit at a rate of about eleven -hundred miles [4] per minute, would overtake Mars; that is to say, -would pass between him and the Sun. In starting from the Earth I -should share this motion; I too should go eleven hundred miles a -minute in the same direction; but as I should travel along an orbit -constantly widening, the Earth would leave me behind. The apergy had -to make up for this, as well as to carry me some forty millions of -miles in a direction at right angles to the formerâright outward -towards the orbit of Mars. Again, I should share the motion of that -particular spot of the Earth's surface from which I rose around her -axis, a motion varying with the latitude, greatest at the equator, -nothing at the pole. This would whirl me round and round the Earth at -the rate of a thousand miles an hour; of this I must, of course, get -rid as soon as possible. And when I should be rid of it, I meant to -start at first right upward; that is, straight away from the Sun and -in the plane of the ecliptic, which is not very different from that in -which Mars also moves. Therefore I should begin my effective ascent -from a point of the Earth as far as possible from the Sun; that is, on -the midnight meridian. - -For the same reason which led me to start so long before the date of -the opposition, I resolved, having regard to the action of the Earth's -rotation on her axis, to start some hours before midnight. Taking -leave, then, of the two friends who had thus far assisted me, I -entered the Astronaut on the 1st August, about 4.30 P.M. After sealing -up the entrance-window, and ascertaining carefully that everything was -in orderâa task which occupied me about an hourâI set the generator -to work; and when I had ascertained that the apergion was full, and -that the force was supplied at the required rate, I directed the whole -at first into the main conductor. After doing this I turned towards -the lower window on the westâor, as it was then, the right-hand -sideâand was in time to catch sight of the trees on the hills, some -half mile off and about two hundred feet above the level of my -starting-point. I should have said that I had considerably compressed -my atmosphere and increased the proportion of oxygen by about ten per -cent., and also carried with me the means of reproducing the whole -amount of the latter in case of need. Among my instruments was a -pressure-gauge, so minutely divided that, with a movable vernier of -the same power as the fixed ones employed to read the glass circles, I -could discover the slightest escape of air in a very few seconds. The -pressure-gauge, however, remained immovable. Going close to the window -and looking out, I saw the Earth falling from me so fast that, within -five minutes after my departure, objects like trees and even houses -had become almost indistinguishable to the naked eye. I had half -expected to hear the whistling of the air as the vessel rushed upward, -but nothing of the kind was perceptible through her dense walls. It -was strange to observe the rapid rise of the sun from the westward. -Still more remarkable, on turning to the upper window, was the rapidly -blackening aspect of the sky. Suddenly everything disappeared except a -brilliant rainbow at some little distanceâor perhaps I should rather -have said a halo of more than ordinary rainbow brilliancy, since it -occupied, not like the rainbows seen from below, something less than -half, but nearly two-thirds of a circle. I was, of course, aware that -I was passing through a cloud, and one of very unusual thickness. In a -few seconds, however, I was looking down upon its upper surface, -reflecting from a thousand broken masses of vapour at different -levels, from cavities and hillocks of mist, the light of the sun; -white beams mixed with innumerable rays of all colours in a confusion, -of indescribable brilliancy. I presume that the total obscuration of -everything outside the cloud during my passage through it was due to -its extent and not to its density, since at that height it could not -have been otherwise than exceedingly light and diffuse. Looking upward -through the eastern window, I could now discern a number of brighter -stars, and at nearly every moment fresh ones came into view on a -constantly darkening background. Looking downward to the west, where -alone the entire landscape lay in daylight, I presently discerned the -outline of shore and sea extending over a semicircle whose radius much -exceeded five hundred miles, implying that I was about thirty-five -miles from the sea-level. Even at this height the extent of my survey -was so great in comparison to my elevation, that a line drawn from the -vessel to the horizon was, though very roughly, almost parallel to the -surface; and the horizon therefore seemed to be not very far from my -own level, while the point below me, of course, appeared at a vast -distance. The appearance of the surface, therefore, was as if the -horizon had been, say, some thirty miles higher than the centre of the -semicircle bounding my view, and the area included in my prospect had -the form of a saucer or shallow bowl. But since the diameter of the -visible surface increases only as the square root of the height, this -appearance became less and less perceptible as I rose higher. It had -taken me twenty minutes to attain the elevation of thirty-five miles; -but my speed was, of course, constantly increasing, very much as the -speed of an object falling to the Earth from a great height increases; -and before ten more minutes had elapsed, I found myself surrounded by -a blackness nearly absolute, except in the direction of the -Sun,âwhich was still well above the seaâand immediately round the -terrestrial horizon, on which rested a ring of sunlit azure sky, -broken here and there by clouds. In every other direction I seemed to -be looking not merely upon a black or almost black sky, but into close -surrounding darkness. Amid this darkness, however, were visible -innumerable points of light, more or less brilliantâthe starsâwhich -no longer seemed to be spangled over the surface of a distant vault, -but rather scattered immediately about me, nearer or farther to the -instinctive apprehension of the eye as they were brighter or fainter. -Scintillation there was none, except in the immediate vicinity of the -eastern horizon, where I still saw them through a dense atmosphere. In -short, before thirty minutes had elapsed since the start, I was -satisfied that I had passed entirely out of the atmosphere, and had -entered into the vacancy of spaceâif such a thing as vacant space -there be. - -At this point I had to cut off the greater part of the apergy and -check my speed, for reasons that will be presently apparent. I had -started in daylight in order that during the first hundred miles of my -ascent I might have a clear view of the Earth's surface. Not only did -I wish to enjoy the spectacle, but as I had to direct my course by -terrestrial landmarks, it was necessary that I should be able to see -these so as to determine the rate and direction of the Astronaut's -motion, and discern the first symptoms of any possible danger. But -obviously, since my course lay generally in the plane of the ecliptic, -and for the present at least nearly in the line joining the centres of -the Earth and Sun, it was desirable that my real journey into space -should commence in the plane of the midnight meridian; that is, from -above the part of the Earth's surface immediately opposite the Sun. I -had to reach this line, and having reached it, to remain for some time -above it. To do both, I must attain it, if possible, at the same -moment at which I secured a westward impulse just sufficient to -counterbalance the eastward impulse derived from the rotation of the -Earth;âthat is, in the latitude from which I started, a thousand -miles an hour. I had calculated that while directing through the main -bar a current of apergy sufficient to keep the Astronaut at a fixed -elevation, I could easily spare for the eastward conductor sufficient -force to create in the space of one hour the impulse required, but -that in the course of that hour the gradually increasing apergic force -would drive me 500 miles westward. Now in six hours the Earth's -rotation would carry an object close to its surface through an angle -of 90°; that is, from the sunset to the midnight meridian. But the -greater the elevation of the object the wider its orbit round the -Earth's centre, and the longer each degree; so that moving eastward -only a thousand miles an hour, I should constantly lag behind a point -on the Earth's surface, and should not reach the midnight meridian -till somewhat later. I had, moreover, to lose 500 miles of the -eastward drift during the last hour in which I should be subject to -it, through the action of the apergic force above-mentioned. Now, an -elevation of 330 miles would give the Astronaut an orbit on which 90° -would represent 6500 miles. In seven hours I should be carried along -that orbit 7000 miles eastward by the impulse my Astronaut had -received from the Earth, and driven back 500 miles by the apergy; so -that at 1 A.M. by my chronometer I should be exactly in the plane of -the midnight meridian, or 6500 miles east of my starting-point in -space, provided that I put the eastward apergic current in action -exactly at 12 P.M. by the chronometer. At 1 A.M. also I should have -generated a westward impulse of 1000 miles an hour. This, once -created, would continue to exist though the force that created it were -cut off, and would exactly counterbalance the opposite rotation -impulse derived from the Earth; so that thenceforward I should be -entirely free from the influence of the latter, though still sharing -that motion of the Earth through space at the rate of nearly nineteen -miles per second, which would carry me towards the line joining at the -moment of opposition her centre with that of Mars. - -All went as I had calculated. I contrived to arrest the Astronaut's -motion at the required elevation just about the moment of sunset on -the region of the Earth immediately underneath. At 12 P.M., or 24h by -the chronometer, I directed a current of the requisite strength into -the eastward conductor, which I had previously pointed to the Earth's -surface, but a little short of the extreme terrestrial horizon, as I -calculated it. At 1 A.M. I found myself, judging by the stars, exactly -where I wished to be, and nearly stationary as regarded the Earth. I -instantly arrested the eastward current, detaching that conductor from -the apergion; and, directing the whole force of the current into the -downward conductor, I had the pleasure of seeing that, after a very -little adjustment of the helm, the stars remained stationary in the -mirror of the metacompass, showing that I had escaped from the -influence of the Earth's rotation. It was of course impossible to -measure the distance traversed during the invisibility of the Earth, -but I reckoned that I had made above 500 miles between 1h. and 2h. -A.M., and that at 4h. I was not less than 4800 miles from the surface. -With this inference the indication of my barycrite substantially -agreed. The latter instrument consisted of a spring whose deflection -by a given weight upon the equator had been very carefully tested. -Gravity diminishing as the square of the distance from the centre, it -was obvious that at about 8000 milesâor 4000 above the Earth's -surfaceâthis spring would be deflected only one quarter as much by a -given weight as on Earth: at 16,000 miles from the surface, or 20,000 -from the centre, one-twenty-fifth as much, and so on. I had graduated -the scale accordingly, and it indicated at present a distance somewhat -less than 9000 miles from the centre. Having adjusted the helm and set -the alarum to wake me in six hours, I lay down upon my bed. - -The anxiety and peril of my position had disturbed me very little -whilst I was actively engaged either in steering and manipulating my -machinery, or in looking upon the marvellous and novel spectacles -presented to my eyes; but it now oppressed me in my sleep, and caused -me frequently to wake from dreams of a hideous character. Two or three -times, on such awaking, I went to examine the metacompass, and on one -occasion found it necessary slightly to readjust the helm; the stars -by which I steered having moved some second or two to the right of -their proper position. - -On rising, I completed the circuit which filled my vessel with -brilliant light emitted from an electric lamp at the upper part of the -stern, and reflected by the polished metallic walls. I then proceeded -to get my breakfast, for which, as I had tasted nothing since some -hours before the start, I had a hearty appetite. I had anticipated -some trouble from the diminished action of gravity, doubting whether -the boiling-point at this immense height above the Earth might not be -affected; but I found that this depends upon the pressure of the -atmosphere alone, and that this pressure was in nowise affected by the -absence of gravity. My atmosphere being somewhat denser than that of -the Earth, the boiling-point was not 100°, but 101° Cent. The -temperature of the interior of the vessel, taken at a point -equidistant from the stove and from the walls, was about 5° C.; -unpleasantly cool, but still, with the help of a greatcoat, not -inconveniently so. I found it absolutely impossible to measure by -means of the thermometers I had placed outside the windows the cold of -space; but that it falls far short of the extreme supposed by some -writers, I confidently believe. It is, however, cold enough to freeze -mercury, and to reduce every other substance employed as a test of -atmospheric or laboratory temperatures to a solidity which admits of -no further contraction. I had filled one outside thermometer with -spirit, but this was broken before I looked at it; and in another, -whose bulb unfortunately was blackened, and which was filled with -carbonic acid gas, an apparent vacuum had been created. Was it that -the gas had been frozen, and had sunk into the lower part of the bulb, -where it would, of course, be invisible? When I had completed my meal -and smoked the very small cigar which alone a prudent consideration -for the state of the atmosphere would allow me, the chronometer showed -10 A.M. It was not surprising that by this time weight had become -almost non-existent. My twelve stone had dwindled to the weight of a -small fowl, and hooking my little finger into the loop of a string -hung from a peg fixed near the top of the stern wall, I found myself -able thus to support my weight without any sense of fatigue for a -quarter of an hour or more; in fact, I felt during that time -absolutely no sense of muscular weariness. This state of things -entailed only one inconvenience. Nothing had any stability; so that -the slightest push or jerk would upset everything that was not fixed. -However, I had so far anticipated this that nothing of any material -consequence was unfixed, and except that a touch with my spoon upset -the egg-cup and egg on which I was about to breakfast, and that this, -falling against a breakfast cup full of coffee, overturned that, I was -not incommoded. I managed to save the greater part of the beverage, -since, the atmospheric pressure being the same though the weight was -so changed, lead, and still more china or liquid, fell in the -Astronaut as slowly as feathers in the immediate vicinity of the -Earth. Still it was a novel experience to find myself able to lean in -any direction, and rest in almost any posture, with but the slightest -support for the body's centre of gravity; and further to find on -experiment that it was possible to remain for a couple of hours with -my heels above my head, in the favourite position of a Yankee's lower -limbs, without any perceptible congestion of blood or confusion of -brain. - -I was occupied all day with abstract calculations; and knowing that -for some time I could see nothing of the Earthâher dark side being -opposite me and wholly obscuring the Sun, while I was as yet far from -having entered within the sphere where any novel celestial phenomena -might be expectedâI only gave an occasional glance at the discometer -and metacompass, suppressing of course the electric glare within my -vessel, till I awoke from a short siesta about 19h. (7 P.M.) The Earth -at this time occupied on the sphere of view a spaceâdefined at first -only by the absence of starsâabout thirty times greater than the disc -of the Moon as seen through a tube; but, being dark, scarcely seemed -larger to the eye than the full Moon when on the horizon. But a new -method of defining its disc was presently afforded me. I was, in fact, -when looking through the lower window, in the same position as regards -the Earth as would be an inhabitant of the lunar hemisphere turned -towards her, having no external atmosphere interposed between us, but -being at about two-thirds of the lunar distance. And as, during an -eclipse, the Lunarian would see round the Earth a halo created by the -refraction of the Sun's rays in the terrestrial atmosphereâa halo -bright enough on most occasions so to illuminate the Moon as to render -her visible to usâso to my eyes the Earth was surrounded by a halo -somewhat resembling the solar corona as seen in eclipses, if not -nearly so brilliant, but, unlike the solar corona, coloured, with a -preponderance of red so decided as fully to account for the peculiar -hue of the eclipsed Moon. To paint this, unless means of painting -lightâthe one great deficiency which is still the opprobrium of human -artâwere discovered, would task to the uttermost the powers of the -ablest artist, and at best he could give but a very imperfect notion -of it. To describe it so that its beauty, brilliancy, and wondrous -nature shall be in the slightest degree appreciated by my readers -would require a command of words such as no poet since Homerânay, not -Homer himselfâpossessed. What was strange, and can perhaps be -rendered intelligible, was the variation, or, to use a phrase more -suggestive and more natural, if not more accurate, the extreme -mobility of the hues of this earthly corona. There were none of the -efflorescences, if one may so term them, which are so generally -visible at four cardinal points of its solar prototype. The outer -portion of the band faded very rapidly into the darkness of space; but -the edge, though absolutely undefined, was perfectly even. But on the -generally rainbow-tinted ground suffused with redâwhich perhaps might -best be described by calling it a rainbow seen on a background of -brilliant crimsonâthere were here and there blotches of black or of -lighter or darker grey, caused apparently by vast expanses of cloud, -more or less dense. Round the edges of each of these were little -irregular rainbow-coloured halos of their own interrupting and -variegating the continuous bands of the corona; while throughout all -was discernible a perpetual variability, like the flashing or shooting -of colour in the opal, the mother-of-pearl, or similarly tinted -translucent substances when exposed to the irregular play of bright -lightâonly that in this case the tints were incomparably more -brilliant, the change more striking, if not more rapid. I could not -say that at any particular moment any point or part of the surface -presented this or that definite hue; and yet the general character of -the rainbow, suffused with or backed by crimson, was constant and -unmistakable. The light sent through the window was too dim and too -imperfectly diffused within my vessel to be serviceable, but for some -time I put out the electric lamp in order that its diffused light -should not impair my view of this exquisite spectacle. As thrown, -after several reflections, upon the mirror destined afterwards to -measure the image of the solar disc, the apparition of the halo was of -course much less bright, and its outer boundary ill defined for -accurate measurement. The inner edge, where the light was bounded by -the black disc of the Earth, shaded off much more quickly from dark -reddish purple into absolute blackness. - -And now a surprise, the first I had encountered, awaited me. I -registered the gravity as shown by the barycrite; and, extinguishing -the electric lamp, measured repeatedly the semi-diameter of the Earth -and of the halo around her upon the discometer, the inner edge of the -latter affording the measurement of the black disc, which of itself, -of course, cast no reflection. I saw at once that there was a signal -difference in the two indications, and proceeded carefully to revise -the earth-measurements. On the average of thirteen measures the halo -was about 87", or nearly 1½' in breadth, the disc, allowing for the -twilight round its edge or limb, about 2° 50'. If the refracting -atmosphere were some 65 miles in depth, these proportions were correct. -Relighting the lamp, I worked out severally on paper the results -indicated by the two instruments. The discometer gave a distance, -roughly speaking, of 40 terrestrial radii, or 160,000 miles. The -barycrite should have shown a gravity, due to the Earth's attraction, -not 40 but 1600 times less than that prevailing on the Earth's surface; -or, to put it in a less accurate form, a weight of 100 lbs. should have -weighed an ounce. It did weigh two ounces, the gravity being not one -1600th but one 800th of terrestrial gravity, or just double what, I -expected. I puzzled myself over this matter longer, probably, than the -intelligent reader will do: the explanation being obvious, like that of -many puzzles that bewilder our minds intensely, only to humiliate us -proportionately when the solution is foundâa solution as simple as that -of Columbus's egg-riddle. At length, finding that the lunar angleâthe -apparent position of the Moonâconfirmed the reading of the discometer, -giving the same apogaic distance or elevation, I supposed that the -barycrite must be out of order or subject to some unsuspected law of -which future observations might afford evidence and explanation, and -turned to other subjects of interest. - -Looking through the upper window on the left, I was struck by the -rapid enlargement of a star which, when I first noticed it, might be -of the third magnitude, but which in less than a minute attained the -first, and in a minute more was as large as the planet Jupiter when -seen with a magnifying power of one hundred diameters. - -Its disc, however, had no continuous outline; and as it approached I -perceived that it was an irregular mass of whose size I could form not -even a conjectural estimate, since its distance must be absolutely -uncertain. Its brilliancy grew fainter in proportion to the -enlargement as it approached, proving that its light was reflected; -and as it passed me, apparently in the direction of the earth, I had a -sufficiently distinct view of it to know that it was a mainly metallic -mass, certainly of some size, perhaps four, perhaps twenty feet in -diameter, and apparently composed chiefly of iron; showing a more or -less blistered surface, but with angles sharper and faces more -regularly defined than most of those which have been found upon the -earth's surfaceâas if the shape of the latter might be due in part to -the conflagration they undergo in passing at such tremendous speed -through the atmosphere, or, in an opposite sense, to the fractures -caused by the shock of their falling. Though I made no attempt to -count the innumerable stars in the midst of which I appeared to float, -I was convinced that their number was infinitely greater than that -visible to the naked eye on the brightest night. I remembered how -greatly the inexperienced eye exaggerates the number of stars visible -from the Earth, since poets, and even olden observers, liken their -number to that of the sands on the seashore; whereas the patient work -of map and catalogue makers has shown that there are but a few -thousands visible in the whole heavens to the keenest unaided sight. I -suppose that I saw a hundred times that number. In one word, the -sphere of darkness in which I floated seemed to be filled with points -of light, while the absolute blackness that surrounded them, the -absence of the slightest radiation, or illumination of space at large, -was strange beyond expression to an eye accustomed to that diffusion -of light which is produced by the atmosphere. I may mention here that -the recognition of the constellations was at first exceedingly -difficult. On Earth we see so few stars in any given portion of the -heavens, that one recognises without an effort the figure marked out -by a small number of the brightest amongst them; while in my position -the multitude was so great that only patient and repeated effort -enabled me to separate from the rest those peculiarly brilliant -luminaries by which we are accustomed to define such constellations as -Orion or the Bear, to say nothing of those minor or more arbitrarily -drawn figures which contain few stars of the second magnitude. The eye -had no instinctive sense of distance; any star might have been within -a stone's throw. I need hardly observe that, while on one hand the -motion of the vessel was absolutely imperceptible, there was, on the -other, no change of position among the stars which could enable me to -verify the fact that I was moving, much less suggest it to the senses. -The direction of every recognisable star was the same as on Earth, as -it appears the same from the two extremities of the Earth's orbit, 19 -millions of miles apart. Looking from any one window, I could see no -greater space of the heavens than in looking through a similar -aperture on Earth. What was novel and interesting in my stellar -prospect was, not merely that I could see those stars north and south -which are never visible from the same point on Earth, except in the -immediate neighbourhood of the Equator; but that, save on the small -space concealed by the Earth's disc, I could, by moving from window to -window, survey the entire heavens, looking at one minute upon the -stars surrounding the vernal, and at another, by changing my position, -upon those in the neighbourhood of the autumnal equinox. By little -more than a turn of my head I could see in one direction Polaris -(_alpha_ UrsĂŚ Minoris) with the Great Bear, and in another the -Southern Cross, the Ship, and the Centaur. - -About 23h. 30m., near the close of the first day, I again inspected -the barycrite. It showed šâââââ of terrestrial gravity, an incredibly -small change from the šââââ recorded at 19h., since it implied a -progress proportionate only to the square root of the difference. The -observation indicated, if the instrument could be trusted, an advance -of only 18,000 miles. It was impossible that the Astronaut had not by -this time attained a very much greater speed than 4000 miles an hour, -and a greater distance from the Earth than 33 terrestrial radii, or -132,000 miles. Moreover, the barycrite itself had given at 19h. a -distance of 28½ radii, and a speed far greater than that which upon -its showing had since been maintained. Extinguishing the lamp, I found -that the Earth's diameter on the discometer measured 2° 3Ⲡ52âł (?). -This represented a gain of some 90,000 miles; much more approximate -to that which, judging by calculation, I ought to have accomplished -during the last four hours and a half, if my speed approached to that -I had estimated. I inspected the cratometer, which indicated a force -as great as that with which I had started,âa force which should by -this time have given me a speed of at least 22,000 miles an hour. At -last the solution of the problem flashed upon me, suggested by the -very extravagance of the contradictions. Not only did the barycrite -contradict the discometer and the reckoning but it contradicted -itself; since it was impossible that under one continuous impulsation -I should have traversed 28½ radii of the Earth in the first eighteen -hours and no more than 4½ in the next four and a half hours. In truth, -the barycrite was effected by two separate attractions,âthat of the -Earth and that of the Sun, as yet operating almost exactly in the same -direction. At first the attraction of the former was so great that that -of the Sun was no more perceived than upon the Earth's surface. But -as I rose, and the Earth's attraction diminished in proportion to the -square of the distance from her centreâwhich was doubled at 8000 miles, -quadrupled at 16,000, and so onâthe Sun's attraction, which was not -perceptibly affected by differences so small in proportion to his vast -distance of 95,000,000 miles, became a more and more important element -in the total gravity. If, as I calculated, I had by 19h. attained a -distance from the earth of 160,000 miles, the attractions of Earth and -Sun were by that time pretty nearly equal; and hence the phenomenon -which had so puzzled me, that the gravitation, as indicated by the -barycrite, was exactly double that which, bearing in mind the Earth's -attraction alone, I had calculated. From this point forward the Sun's -attraction was the factor which mainly caused such weight as still -existed; a change of position which, doubling my distance from the -Earth, reduced her influence to one-fourth, not perceptibly affecting -that of a body four hundred times more remote. A short calculation -showed that, this fact borne in mind, the indication of the barycrite -substantially agreed with that of the discometer, and that I was in -fact very nearly where I supposed, that is, a little farther than the -Moon's farthest distance from the Earth. It did not follow that I had -crossed the orbit of the Moon; and if I had, she was at that time too -far off to exercise a serious influence on my course. I adjusted the -helm and betook myself to rest, the second day of my journey having -already commenced. - - - - -CHAPTER III - THE UNTRAVELLED DEEP. - - -Rising at 5h., I observed a drooping in the leaves of my garden, and -especially of the larger shrubs and plants, for which I was not wholly -unprepared, but which might entail some inconvenience if, failing -altogether, they should cease to absorb the gases generated from -buried waste, to consume which they had been planted. Besides this, I -should, of course, lose the opportunity of transplanting them to Mars, -though I had more hope of acclimatising seedlings raised from the seed -I carried with me than plants which had actually begun their life on -the surface of the Earth. The failure I ascribed naturally to the -known connection between the action of gravity and the circulation of -the sap; though, as I had experienced no analogous inconvenience in my -own person, I had hoped that this would not seriously affect -vegetation. I was afraid to try the effect of more liberal watering, -the more so that already the congelation of moisture upon the glasses -from the internal air, dry as the latter had been kept, was a sensible -annoyanceâan annoyance which would have become an insuperable trouble -had I not taken so much pains, by directing the thermic currents upon -the walls, to keep the internal temperature, in so far as comfort -would permitâit had now fallen to 4° C.âas near as possible to that -of the inner surface of the walls and windows. A careful use of the -thermometer indicated that the metallic surface of the former was now -nearly zero C., or 32° F. The inner surface of the windows was somewhat -colder, showing that the crystal was more pervious to heat than the -walls, with their greater thickness, their outer and inner lining of -metal, and massive interior of concrete. I directed a current from the -thermogene upon either division of the garden, hoping thus to protect -the plants from whatever injury they might receive from the cold. -Somewhat later, perceiving that the drooping still continued, I -resolved upon another experiment, and arranging an apparatus of copper -wire beneath the soil, so as to bring the extremities in immediate -contact with their roots, I directed through these wires a prolonged -feeble current of electricity; by which, as I had hoped rather than -expected, the plants were after a time materially benefited, and to -which I believe I owed it that they had not all perished long before -the termination of my voyage. - -It would be mere waste of space and time were I to attempt anything -like a journal of the weeks I spent in the solitude of this artificial -planet. As matter of course, the monotony of a voyage through space is -in general greater than that of a voyage across an ocean like the -Atlantic, where no islands and few ships are to be encountered. It was -necessary to be very frequently, if not constantly, on the look-out -for possible incidents of interest in a journey so utterly novel -through regions which the telescope can but imperfectly explore. It -was difficult, therefore, to sit down to a book, or even to pursue any -necessary occupation unconnected with the actual conduct of the -vessel, with uninterrupted attention. My eyes, the only sense organs I -could employ, were constantly on the alert; but, of course, by far the -greater portion of my time passed without a single new object or -occasion of remark. That a journey so utterly without precedent or -parallel, in which so little could be anticipated or provided for, -through regions absolutely untraversed and very nearly unknown, should -be monotonous, may seem strange. But in truth the novelties of the -situation, such as they were, though intensely striking and -interesting, were each in turn speedily examined, realised, and, so to -speak, exhausted; and this once done, there was no greater occupation -to the mind in the continuance of strange than in that of familiar -scenery. The infinitude of surrounding blackness, filled as it were -with points of light more or less brilliant, when once its effects had -been scrutinised, and when nothing more remained to be noted, afforded -certainly a more agreeable, but scarcely a more interesting or -absorbing, outlook than the dead grey circle of sea, the dead grey -hemisphere of cloud, which form the prospect from the deck of a packet -in mid-Atlantic; while of change without or incident in the vessel -herself there was, of course, infinitely less than is afforded in an -ocean voyage by the variations of weather, not to mention the solace -of human society. Everything around me, except in the one direction in -which the Earth's disc still obscured the Sun, remained unchanged for -hours and days; and the management of my machinery required no more -than an occasional observation of my instruments and a change in the -position of the helm, which occupied but a few minutes some half-dozen -times in the twenty-four hours. There was not even the change of night -and day, of sun and stars, of cloud or clear sky. Were I to describe -the manner in which each day's leisure was spent, I should bore my -readers even more thanâthey will perhaps be surprised by the -confessionâI was bored myself. - -My sleep was of necessity more or less broken. I wished to have eight -hours of rest, since, though seven of continuous sleep might well have -sufficed me, even if my brain had been less quiet and unexcited during -the rest of the twenty-four, it was impossible for me to enjoy that -term of unbroken slumber. I therefore decided to divide my sleep into -two portions of rather more than four hours each, to be taken as a -rule after noon and after midnight; or rather, since noon and midnight -had no meaning for me, from 12h. to 16h. and from 24h. to 4.h. But of -course sleep and everything else, except the necessary management of -the machine, must give way to the chances of observation; it would be -better to remain awake for forty-eight hours at a stretch than to miss -any important phenomenon the period of whose occurrence could be even -remotely calculated. - -At 8h., I employed for the first time the apparatus which I may call -my window telescope, to observe, from a position free from the -difficulties inflicted on terrestrial astronomers by the atmosphere, -all the celestial objects within my survey. As I had anticipated, the -absence of atmospheric disturbance and diffusion of light was of -extreme advantage. In the first place, I ascertained by the barycrite -and the discometer my distance from the Earth, which appeared to be -about 120 terrestrial radii. The light of the halo was of course very -much narrower than when I first observed it, and its scintillations or -coruscations no longer distinctly visible. The Moon presented an -exquisitely fine thread of light, but no new object of interest on the -very small portion of her daylight hemisphere turned towards me. Mars -was somewhat difficult to observe, being too near what may be called -my zenith. But the markings were far more distinct than they appear, -with greater magnifying powers than I employed, upon the Earth. In -truth, I should say that the various disadvantages due to the -atmosphere deprive the astronomer of at least one-half of the -available light-collecting power of his telescope, and consequently of -the defining power of the eye-piece; that with a 200 glass he sees -less than a power of 100 reveals to an eye situated in space; though, -from the nature of the lens through which I looked, I cannot speak -with certainty upon this point. With a magnifying power of 300 the -polar spots of Mars were distinctly visible and perfectly defined. -They were, I thought, less white than they appeared from the Earth, -but their colour was notably different from that of the planet's -general surface, differing almost as widely from the orange hue of -what I supposed to be land as from the greyish blue of the water. The -orange was, I thought, deeper than it appears through a telescope of -similar power on Earth. The seas were distinctly grey rather than -blue, especially when, by covering the greater part of the field, I -contrived for a moment to observe a sea alone, thus eliminating the -effect of contrast. The bands of Jupiter in their turn were more -notably distinct; their variety of colour as well as the contrast of -light and shade much more definite, and their irregularities more -unmistakable. A satellite was approaching the disc, and this afforded -me an opportunity of realising with especial clearness the difference -between observation through seventy or a hundred miles of terrestrial -atmosphere outside the object glass and observation in space. The two -discs were perfectly rounded and separately discernible until they -touched. Moreover, I was able to distinguish upon one of the darker -bands the disc of the satellite itself, while upon a lighter band its -round black shadow was at the same time perfectly defined. This -wonderfully clear presentation of one of the most interesting of -astronomical phenomena so absorbed my attention that I watched the -satellite and shadow during their whole course, though the former, -passing after a time on to a light band, became comparatively -indistinct. The moment, however, that the outer edge passed off the -disc of Jupiter, its outline became perfectly visible against the -black background of sky. What was still more novel was the occultation -for some little time of a star, apparently of the tenth magnitude, not -by the planet but by the satellite, almost immediately after it passed -off the disc of the former. Whether the star actually disappeared at -once, as if instantaneously extinguished, or whether, as I thought at -the moment, it remained for some tenth of a second partially visible, -as if refracted by an atmosphere belonging to the satellite, I will -not venture to say. The bands and rings of Saturn, the division -between the two latter, and the seven satellites, were also perfectly -visible, with a distinctness that a much greater magnifying power -would hardly have attained under terrestrial conditions. I was -perplexed by two peculiarities, not, so far as I know, hitherto [5] -mentioned by astronomers. The circumference did not appear to present -an even curvature. - -I mean that, apart from the polar compression, the shape seemed as if -the spheroid were irregularly squeezed; so that though not broken by -projection or indentation, the limb did not present the regular -quasi-circular curvature exhibited in the focus of our telescopes. -Also, between the inner ring and the planet, with a power of 500, I -discerned what appeared to be a dark purplish ring, semi-transparent, -so that through it the bright surface of Saturn might be discerned as -through a veil. Mercury shone brightly several degrees outside the -halo surrounding the Earth's black disc; and Venus was also visible; -but in neither case did my observations allow me to ascertain anything -that has not been already noted by astronomers. The dim form of Uranus -was better defined than I had previously seen it, but no marking of -any kind was perceptible. - -Rising from my second, or, so to speak, midday rest, and having -busied myself for some little time with what I may call my household -and garden duties, I observed the discometer at 1h. (or 5 P.M.). It -indicated about two hundred terrestrial radii of elevation. I had, -of course, from the first been falling slightly behind the Earth in -her orbital motion, and was no longer exactly in opposition; that is -to say, a line drawn from the Astronaut to the Earth's centre was no -longer a prolongation of that joining the centres of the Earth and -Sun. The effect of this divergence was now perceptible. The earthly -corona was unequal in width, and to the westward was very distinctly -brightened, while on the other side it was narrow and comparatively -faint. While watching this phenomenon through the lower lens, I -thought that I could perceive behind or through the widest portion -of the halo a white light, which at first I mistook for one of those -scintillations that had of late become scarcely discernible. But after -a time it extended visibly beyond the boundary of the halo itself, and -I perceived that the edge of the Sun's disc had come at last into view. -It was but a minute and narrow crescent, but was well worth watching. -The brightening and broadening of the halo at this point I perceived to -be due, not to the Sun's effect upon the atmosphere that produced it, -but chiefly to the twilight now brightening on that limb of the Earth's -disc; or rather to the fact that a small portion of that part of the -Earth's surface, where, if the Sun were not visible, he was but a very -little below the horizon, had been turned towards me. I saw through -the telescope first a tiny solar crescent of intense brightness, then -the halo proper, now exceedingly narrow, and then what looked like -a silver terrestrial crescent, but a mere thread, finer and shorter -than any that the Moon ever displays even to telescopic observers on -Earth; since, when such a minute portion of her illuminated surface -is turned towards the Earth, it is utterly extinguished to our eyes -by the immediate vicinity of the Sun, as was soon the case with the -terrestrial crescent in question. I watched long and with intense -interest the gradual change, but I was called away from it by a -consideration of no little practical moment. I must now be moving -at a rate of nearly, if not quite, 40,000 miles an hour, or about a -million miles per diem. It was not my intention, for reasons I shall -presently explain, ever greatly to exceed this rate; and if I meant -to limit myself to a fixed rate of speed, it was time to diminish the -force of the apergic current, as otherwise before its reduction could -take effect I should have attained an impulse greater than I desired, -and which could not be conveniently or easily diminished when once -reached. Quitting, therefore, though reluctantly, my observation of -the phenomena below me, I turned to the apergion, and was occupied for -some two or three hours in gradually reducing the force as measured by -the cratometer attached to the downward conductor, and measuring with -extreme care the very minute effect produced upon the barycrite and the -discometer. Even the difference between 200 and 201 radii of elevation -or apogaic distance was not easily perceptible on either. It took, of -course, much more minute observation and a much longer time to test -the effect produced by the regulation of the movement, since whether I -traveller forty, forty-five, or forty-two thousand miles in the course -of one hour made scarcely any difference in the diameter of the Earth's -disc, still less, for reasons above given, in the gravity. By midnight, -however, I was satisfied that I had not attained quite 1,000,000 miles, -or 275 terrestrial radii; also that my speed was not greater than -45,000 miles (11Âź radii) per hour, and was not, I thought, increasing. -Of this last point, however, I could better satisfy myself at the end -of my four hours' rest, to which I now betook myself. - -I woke about 4h. 30m., and on a scrutiny of the instruments, felt -satisfied that I was not far out in my calculations. A later hour, -however, would afford a more absolute certainty. I was about to turn -again to the interesting work of observation through the lens in the -floor, when my attention was diverted by the sight of something like -a whitish cloud visible through the upper window on my left hand. -Examined by the telescope, its widest diameter might be at most ten -degrees. It was faintly luminous, presenting an appearance very closely -resembling that of a star cluster or nebula just beyond the power of -resolution. As in many nebulae, there was a visible concentration -in one part; but this did not occupy the centre, but a position -more resembling that of the nucleus of a small tailless comet. The -cloudlet might be a distant comet, it might be a less distant body of -meteors clustering densely in some particular part of their orbit; -and, unfortunately, I was not likely to solve the problem. Gradually -the nebula changed its position, but not its form, seeming to move -downwards and towards the stern of my vessel, as if I were passing it -without approaching nearer. By the time that I was satisfied of this, -hunger and even faintness warned me that I must not delay preparing my -breakfast. When I had finished this meal and fulfilled some necessary -tasks, practical and arithmetical, the hand of the chronometer -indicated the eighth hour of my third day. I turned again somewhat -eagerly to the discometer, which showed an apparent distance of 360 -terrestrial radii, and consequently a movement which had not materially -varied from the rate of 11Âź radii per hour. By this time the diameter -of the Earth was not larger in appearance than about 19', less than -two-thirds that of the Sun; and she consequently appeared as a black -disc covering somewhat more than one-third of his entire surface, -but by no means concentrical. The halo had of course completely -disappeared; but with the vernier it was possible to discern a narrow -band or line of hazy grey around the black limb of the planet. She was -moving, as seen from the Astronaut, very slightly to the north, and -more decidedly, though very slowly, to the eastward; the one motion due -to my deliberately chosen direction in space, the other to the fact -that as my orbit enlarged I was falling, though as yet slowly, behind -her. The sun now shone through, the various windows, and, reflected -from the walls, maintained a continuous daylight within the Astronaut, -as well diffused as by the atmosphere of Earth, strangely contrasting -the star-spangled darkness outside. - -At the beginning as at the end of my voyage, I steered a distinct -course, governed by considerations quite different from those which -controlled the main direction of my voyage. Thus far I had simply -risen straight from the Earth in a direction somewhat to the -southward, but on the whole "in opposition," or right away from the -Sun. So, at the conclusion of my journey, I should have to devote some -days to a gradual descent upon Mars, exactly reversing the process of -my ascent from the Earth. But between these two periods I had -comparatively little to do with either planet, my course being -governed by the Sun, and its direction and rate being uniform. I -wished to reach Mars at the moment of opposition, and during the whole -of the journey to keep the Earth between myself and the Sun, for a -reason which may not at first be obvious. The moment of opposition is -not necessarily that at which Mars is nearest to the Earth, but is -sufficiently so for practical calculation. At that moment, according -to the received measurement of planetary distances, the two would be -more than 40 millions of miles apart. In the meantime the Earth, -travelling on an interior or smaller orbit, and also at a greater -absolute speed, was gaining on Mars. The Astronaut, moving at the -Earth's rate under an impulse derived from the Earth's revolution -round the Sun (that due to her rotation on her own axis having been -got rid of, as aforesaid), traveller in an orbit constantly widening, -so that, while gaining on Mars, I gained on him less than did the -Earth, and was falling behind her. Had I used the apergy only to drive -me directly outward from the Sun, I should move under the impulse -derived from the Earth about 1,600,000 miles a day, or 72 millions of -miles in forty-five days, in the direction common to the two planets. -The effect of the constantly widening orbit would be much as if the -whole motion took place on one midway between those of the Earth and -Mars, say 120 millions of miles from the Sun. The arc described on -this orbit would be equivalent to 86 millions of miles on that of -Mars. The entire arc of his orbit between the point opposite to that -occupied by the Earth when I started and the point of oppositionâthe -entire distance I had to gain as measured along his pathâwas about -116 millions of miles; so that, trusting to the terrestrial impulse -alone, I should be some 30 millions behindhand at the critical moment. -The apergic force must make up for this loss of ground, while driving -me in a direction, so to speak, at right angles with that of the -orbit, or along its radius, straight outward from the Sun, forty odd -millions of miles in the same time. If I succeeded in this, I should -reach the orbit of Mars at the point and at the moment of opposition, -and should attain Mars himself. But in this I might fail, and I should -then find myself under the sole influence of the Sun's attraction; -able indeed to resist it, able gradually to steer in any direction -away from it, but hardly able to overtake a planet that should lie far -out of my line of advance or retreat, while moving at full speed away -from me. In order to secure a chance of retreat, it was desirable as -long as possible to keep the Earth between the Astronaut and the Sun; -while steering for that point in space where Mars would lie at the -moment when, as seen from the centre of the Earth, he would be most -nearly opposite the Sun,âwould cross the meridian at midnight. It was -by these considerations that the course I henceforward steered was -determined. By a very simple calculation, based on the familiar -principle of the parallelogram of forces, I gave to the apergic -current a force and direction equivalent to a daily motion of about -750,000 miles in the orbital, and rather more than a million in the -radial line. I need hardly observe that it would not be to the apergic -current alone, but to a combination of that current with the orbital -impulse received at first from the Earth, that my progress and course -would be due. The latter was the stronger influence; the former only -was under my control, but it would suffice to determine, as I might -from time to time desire, the resultant of the combination. The only -obvious risk of failure lay in the chance that, my calculations -failing or being upset, I might reach the desired point too soon or -too late. In either case, I should be dangerously far from Mars, -beyond his orbit or within it, at the time when I should come into a -line with him and the Sun; or, again, putting the same mischance in -another form, behind him or before him when I attained his orbit. But -I trusted to daily observation of his position, and verification of my -"dead reckoning" thereby, to find out any such danger in time to avert -it. - -The displacement of the Earth on the Sun's face proved it to be -necessary that the apergic current should be directed against the -latter in order to govern my course as I desired, and to recover the -ground I had lost in respect to the orbital motion. I hoped for a -moment that this change in the action of the force would settle a -problem we had never been able to determine. Our experiments proved -that apergy acts in a straight line when once collected in and directed -along a conductor, and does not radiate, like other forces, from a -centre in all directions. It is of course this radiationâ diffusing -the effect of light, heat, or gravity over the surface of a sphere, -which surface is proportionate to the square of the radiusâthat causes -these forces to operate with an energy inversely proportionate, not -to the distance, but to its square. We had no reason to think that -apergy, exempt as it is from this law, would be at all diminished by -distance; and this view the rate of acceleration as I rose from the -Earth had confirmed, and my entire experience has satisfied me that -it is correct. None of our experiments, however, had indicated, or -could well indicate, at what rate this force can travel through space; -nor had I yet obtained any light upon this point. From the very first -the current had been continuous, the only interruption taking place -when I was not five hundred miles from the Earth's surface. Over so -small a distance as that, the force would move so instantaneously -that no trace of the interruption would be perceptible in the motion -of the Astronaut. Even now the total interruption of the action of -apergy for a considerable time would not affect the rate at which I -was already moving. It was possible, however, that if the current had -been hitherto wholly intercepted by the Earth, it might take so long a -time in reaching the Sun that the interval between the movement of the -helm and the response of the Astronaut's course thereto might afford -some indication of the time occupied by the current in traversing the -96½ millions of miles which parted me from the Sun. My hope, however, -was wholly disappointed. I could neither be sure that the action was -instantaneous, nor that it was otherwise. - -At the close of the third day I had gained, as was indicated by the -instruments, something more than two millions of miles in a direct -line from the Sun; and for the future I might, and did, reckon on a -steady progress of about one and a quarter million miles daily under -the apergic force aloneâa gain in a line directly outward from the -Sun of about one million. Henceforward I shall not record my -observations, except where they implied an unexpected or altered -result. - -On the sixth day, I perceived another nebula, and on this occasion in -a more promising direction. It appeared, from its gradual movement, to -lie almost exactly in my course, so that if it were what I suspected, -and were not at any great distance from me, I must pass either near or -through it, and it would surely explain what had perplexed and baffled -me in the case of the former nebula. At this distance the nature of -the cloudlet was imperceptible to the naked eye. The window telescope -was not adjustable to an object which I could not bring conveniently -within the field of view of the lenses. In a few hours the nebula so -changed its form and position, that, being immediately over the -portion of the roof between the front or bow lens and that in the -centre of the roof, its central section was invisible; but the -extremities of that part which I had seen in the first instance -through the upper plane window of the bow were now clearly visible -from the upper windows of either side. What had at first been a mere -greatly elongated oval, with a species of rapidly diminishing tail at -each extremity, had now become an arc spanning no inconsiderable part -of the space above me, narrowing rapidly as it extended downwards and -sternwards. Presently it came in view through the upper lens, but did -not obscure in the least the image of the stars which were then -visible in the metacompass. I very soon ascertained that the cloudlet -consisted, as I had supposed in the former case, of a multitude of -points of light less brilliant than the stars, the distance between -which became constantly wider, but which for some time were separately -so small as to present no disc that any magnifying power at my command -could render measurable. In the meantime, the extremities visible -through the other windows were constantly widening out till lost in -the spangled darkness. By and by, it became impossible with the naked -eye to distinguish the individual points from the smaller stars; and -shortly after this the nearest began to present discs of appreciable -size but somewhat irregular shape. I had now no doubt that I was about -to pass through one of those meteoric rings which our most advanced -astronomers believe to exist in immense numbers throughout space, and -to the Earth's contact with or approach to which they ascribe the -showers of falling, stars visible in August and November. Ere long, -one after another of these bodies passed rapidly before my sight, at -distances varying probably from five yards to five thousand miles. -Where to test the distance was impossible, anything like accurate -measurement was equally out of the question; but my opinion is, that -the diameters of the nearest ranged from ten inches to two hundred -feet. One only passed so near that its absolute size could be judged -by the marks upon its face. This was a rock-like mass, presenting at -many places on the surface distinct traces of metallic veins or -blotches, rudely ovoid in form, but with a number of broken surfaces, -one or two of which reflected the light much more brilliantly than -others. The weight of this one meteoroid was too insignificant as -compared with that of the Astronaut seriously to disturb my course. -Fortunately for me, I passed so nearly through the centre of the -aggregation that its attraction as a whole was nearly inoperative. So -far as I could judge, the meteors in that part of the ring through -which I passed were pretty evenly distributed; and as from the -appearance of the first which passed my window to the disappearance of -the last four hours elapsed, I conceived that the diameter of the -congeries, measured in the direction of my path, which seemed to be -nearly in the diameter of their orbit, was about 180,000 miles, and -probably the perpendicular depth was about the same. - -I may mention here, though somewhat out of place, to avoid -interrupting the narrative of my descent upon Mars, the only -interesting incident that occurred during the latter days of my -journeyâthe gradual passage of the Earth off the face of the Sun. For -some little time after this the Earth was entirely invisible; but -later, looking through the telescope adjusted to the lens on that -side, I discerned two very minute and bright crescents, which, from -their direction and position, were certainly those of the Earth and -Moon, indeed could hardly be anything else. - -Towards the thirtieth day of my voyage I was disturbed by the -conflicting indications obtained from different instruments and -separate observations. The general result came to this, that the -discometer, where it should have indicated a distance of 333, actually -gave 347. But if my speed had increased, or I had overestimated the -loss by changes of direction, Mars should have been larger in equal -proportion. This, however, was not the case. Supposing my reckoning to -be right, and I had no reason to think it otherwise, except the -indication of the discometer, the Sun's disc ought to have diminished -in the proportion of 95 to 15, whereas the diminution was in the -proportion of 9 to 1. So far as the barycrite could be trusted, its -very minute indications confirmed those of the discometer; and the -only conclusion I could draw, after much thought and many intricate -calculations, was that the distance of 95 millions of miles between -the Earth and the Sun, accepted, though not very confidently, by all -terrestrial astronomers, is an over-estimate; and that, consequently, -all the other distances of the solar system have been equally -overrated. Mars consequently would be smaller, but also his distance -considerably less, than I had supposed. I finally concluded that the -solar distance of the Earth was less than 9 millions of miles, instead -of more than 95. This would involve, of course, a proportionate -diminution in the distance I had to traverse, while it did not imply -an equal error in the reckoning of my speed, which had at first been -calculated from the Earth's disc, and not from that of the Sun. Hence, -continuing my course unchanged, I should arrive at the orbit of Mars -some days earlier than intended, and at a point behind that occupied -by the planet, and yet farther behind the one I aimed at. Prolonged -observation and careful calculation had so fully satisfied me of the -necessity of the corrections in question, that I did not hesitate to -alter my course accordingly, and to prepare for a descent on the -thirty-ninth instead of the forty-first day. I had, of course, to -prepare for the descent very long before I should come within the -direct influence of the attraction of Mars. This would not prevail -over the Sun's attraction till I had come within a little more than -100,000 miles of the surface, and this distance would not allow for -material reduction of my speed, even were I at once to direct the -whole force of the apergic current against the planet. I estimated -that arriving within some two millions of miles of him, with a speed -of 45,000 miles per hour, and then directing the whole force of the -current in his direction, I should arrive at his surface at a speed -nearly equal to that at which I had ascended from the Earth. I knew -that I could spare force enough to make up for any miscalculation -possible, or at least probable. Of course any serious error might be -fatal. I was exposed to two dangers; perhaps to three: but to none -which I had not fully estimated before even preparing for my voyage. -If I should fail to come near enough to the goal of my journey, and -yet should go on into space, or if, on the other hand, I should stop -short, the Astronaut might become an independent planet, pursuing an -orbit nearly parallel to that of the Earth; in which case I should -perish of starvation. It was conceivable that I might, in attempting -to avert this fate, fall upon the Sun, though this seemed exceedingly -improbable, requiring a combination of accidents very unlikely to -occur. On the other hand, I might by possibility attain my point, and -yet, failing properly to calculate the rate of descent, be dashed to -pieces upon the surface of Mars. Of this, however, I had very little -fear, the tremendous power of the apergy having been so fully proved -that I believed that nothing but some disabling accident to -myselfâsuch as was hardly to be feared in the absence of gravitation, -and with the extreme simplicity of the machinery I employedâcould -prevent my being able, when I became aware of the danger, to employ in -time a sufficient force to avert it. The first of these perils, then, -was the graver one, perhaps the only grave one, and certainly to my -imagination it was much the most terrible. The idea of perishing of -want in the infinite solitude of space, and being whirled round for -ever the dead denizen of a planet one hundred feet in diameter, had in -it something even more awful than grotesque. - -On the thirty-ninth morning of my voyage, so far as I could calculate -by the respective direction and size of the Sun and of Mars, I was -within about 1,900,000 miles from the latter. I proceeded without -hesitation to direct the whole force of the current permitted to -emerge from the apergion directly against the centre of the planet. -His diameter increased with great rapidity, till at the end of the -first day I found myself within one million of miles of his surface. -His diameter subtended about 15', and his disc appeared about -one-fourth the size of the Moon. Examined through the telescope, it -presented a very different appearance from that either of the Earth or -of her satellite. It resembled the former in having unmistakably air -and water. But, unlike the Earth, the greater portion of its surface -seemed to be land; and, instead of continents surrounded by water, it -presented a number of separate seas, nearly all of them land-locked. -Around the snow-cap of each pole was a belt of water; around this, -again, a broader belt of continuous land; and outside this, forming -the northern and southern boundary between the arctic and temperate -zones, was another broader band of water, connected apparently in one -or two places with the central, or, if one may so call it, equatorial -sea. South of the latter is the one great Martial ocean. The most -striking feature of this new world, as seen from this point, was the -existence of three enormous gulfs, from three to five thousand miles -in length, and apparently varying in breadth from one hundred to seven -hundred miles. In the midst of the principal ocean, but somewhat to -the southward, is an island of unique appearance. It is roughly -circular, and, as I perceived in descending, stands very high, its -table-like summit being some 4000 feet, as I subsequently ascertained, -above the sea-level. Its surface, however, was perfectly -whiteâscarcely less brilliant, consequently, than an equal area of -the polar icefields. The globe, of course, revolved in some 4-1/ hours -of earthly time, and, as I descended, presented successively every -part of its surface to my view. I speak of descent, but, of course, I -was as yet ascending just as truly as ever, the Sun being visible -through the lens in the floor, and reflected upon the mirror of the -discometer, while Mars was now seen through the upper lens, and his -image received in the mirror of the metacompass. A noteworthy feature -in the meteorology of the planet became apparent during the second day -of the descent. As magnified by the telescope adjusted to the upper -lens, the distinctions of sea and land disappeared from the eastern -and western limbs of the planet; indeed, within 15° or an hour of time -from either. It was plain, therefore, that those regions in which it -was late evening or early morning were hidden from view; and, -independently of the whitish light reflected from them, there could be -little doubt that the obscuration was due to clouds or mists. Had the -whitish light covered the land alone, it might have been attributed to -a snowfall, or, perhaps, even to a very severe hoar frost congealing a -dense moisture. But this last seemed highly improbable; and that mist -or cloud was the true explanation became more and more apparent as, -with a nearer approach, it became possible to discern dimly a broad -expanse of water contrasting the orange tinge of the land through this -annular veil. At 4h. on the second day of the descent, I was about -500,000 miles from Mars, the micrometer verifying, by the increased -angle subtended by the diameter, my calculated rate of approach. On -the next day I was able to sleep in security, and to devote my -attention to the observation of the planet's surface, for at its close -I should be still 15,000 miles from Mars, and consequently beyond the -distance at which his attraction would predominate over that of the -Sun. To my great surprise, in the course of this day I discerned two -small discs, one on each side of the planet, moving at a rate which -rendered measurement impossible, but evidently very much smaller than -any satellite with which astronomers are acquainted, and so small that -their non-discovery by terrestrial telescopes was not extraordinary. -They were evidently very minute, whether ten, twenty, or fifty miles -in diameter I could not say; neither of them being likely, so far as I -could calculate, to come at any part of my descent very near the -Astronaut, and the rapidity of their movement carrying them across the -field, even with the lowest power of my telescopes, too fast for -measurement. That they were Martial moons, however, there could be no -doubt. - -About 10h. on the last day of the descent, the effect of Mars' -attraction, which had for some time so disturbed the position of the -Astronaut as to take his disc completely out of the field of the -meta-compass, became decidedly predominant over that of the Sun. I had -to change the direction of the apergic current first to the left-hand -conductor, and afterwards, as the greater weight of the floor turned -the Astronaut completely over, bringing the planet immediately below -it, to the downward one. I was, of course, approaching Mars on the -daylight side, and nearly in the centre. This, however, did not -exactly suit me. During the whole of this day it was impossible that I -should sleep for a minute; since if at any point I should find that I -had miscalculated my rate of descent, or if any other unforeseen -accident should occur, immediate action would be necessary to prevent -a shipwreck, which must without doubt be fatal. It was very likely -that I should be equally unable to sleep during the first twenty-four -hours of my sojourn upon Mars, more especially should he be inhabited, -and should my descent be observed. It was, therefore, my policy to -land at some point where the Sun was setting, and to enjoy rest during -such part of the twelve hours of the Martial night as should not be -employed in setting my vessel in order and preparing to evacuate it. I -should have to ascertain exactly the pressure of the Martial -atmosphere, so as not to step too suddenly from a dense into what was -probably a very light one. If possible, I intended to land upon the -summit of a mountain, so high as to be untenanted and of difficult -access. At the same time it would not do to choose the highest point -of a very lofty range, since both the cold and the thinness of the air -might in such a place be fatal. I wished, of course, to leave the -Astronaut secure, and, if not out of reach, yet not within easy reach; -otherwise it would have been a simple matter to watch my opportunity -and descend in the dark from my first landing-place by the same means -by which I had made the rest of my voyage. - -At 18h. I was within 8000 miles of the surface, and could observe Mars -distinctly as a world, and no longer as a star. The colour, so -remarkable a feature in his celestial appearance, was almost equally -perceptible at this moderate elevation. The seas are not so much blue -as grey. Masses of land reflected a light between yellow and orange, -indicating, as I thought, that orange must be as much the predominant -colour of vegetation as green upon Earth. As I came still lower, and -only parts of the disc were visible at once, and these through the -side and end windows, this conviction was more and more strongly -impressed upon my mind. What, however, was beyond denial was, that if -the polar ice and snow were not so purely and distinctly white as they -appear at a distance upon Earth, they were yet to a great extent -devoid of the yellow tinge that preponderated everywhere else. The -most that could be said was, that whereas on Earth the snow is of that -white which we consider absolute, and call, as such, snow-white, but -which really has in it a very slight preponderance of blue, upon Mars -the polar caps are rather cream-white, or of that white, so common in -our flowers, which has in it an equally slight tinge of yellow. On the -shore, or about twenty miles from the shore of the principal sea to -the southward of the equator, and but a few degrees from the equator -itself, I perceived at last a point which appeared peculiarly suitable -for my descent. A very long range of mountains, apparently having an -average height of about 14,000 feet, with some peaks of probably twice -or three times that altitude, stretched for several hundred miles -along the coast, leaving, however, between it and the actual -shore-line an alluvial plain of some twenty to fifty miles across. At -the extremity of this range, and quite detached from it, stood an -isolated mountain of peculiar form, which, as I examined it through -the telescope, appeared to present a surface sufficiently broken and -sloped to permit of descent; while, at the same time, its height and -the character of its summit satisfied me that no one was likely to -inhabit it, and that though I might descend-it in a few hours, to -ascend it on foot from the plain would be a day's journey. Towards -this I directed my course, looking out from time to time carefully for -any symptoms of human habitation or animal life. I made out by degrees -the lines of rivers, mountain slopes covered by great forests, -extensive valleys and plains, seemingly carpeted by a low, dense, rich -vegetation. But my view being essentially of a bird's-eye character, -it was only in those parts that lay upon my horizon that I could -discern clearly the height of any object above the general level; and -as yet, therefore, there might well be houses and buildings, -cultivated fields and divisions, which I could not see. - -Before I had satisfied myself whether the planet was or was not -inhabited, I found myself in a position from which its general surface -was veiled by the evening mist, and directly over the mountain in -question, within some twelve miles of its summit. This distance I -descended in the course of a quarter of an hour, and landed without a -shock about half an hour, so far as I could judge, after the Sun had -disappeared below the horizon. The sunset, however, by reason of the -mists, was totally invisible. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - A NEW WORLD. - - -I will not attempt to express the intensity of the mingled emotions -which overcame me as I realised the complete success of the most -stupendous adventure ever proposed or even dreamed by man. I don't -think that any personal vanity, unworthy of the highest lessons I had -received, had much share in my passionate exultation. The conception -was not original; the means were furnished by others; the execution -depended less on a daring and skill, in which any courageous traveller -or man of science knowing what I knew might well have excelled me, -than on the direct and manifest favour of Providence. But this -enterprise, the greatest that man had ever attempted, had in itself a -charm, a sanctity in my eyes that made its accomplishment an -unspeakable satisfaction. I would have laid down life a dozen times -not only to achieve it myself, but even to know that it had been -achieved by others. All that Columbus can have felt when he first set -foot on a new hemisphere I felt in tenfold force as I assured myself -that not, as often before, in dreams, but in very truth and fact, I -had traversed forty million miles of space, and landed in a new world. -Of the perils that might await me I could hardly care to think. They -might be greater in degree. - -They could hardly be other in kind, than those which a traveller might -incur in Papua, or Central Africa, or in the North-West Passage. They -could have none of that wholly novel, strange, incalculable character -which sometimes had given to the chances of my etherial voyage a vague -horror and mystery that appalled imagination. For the first time -during my journey I could neither eat nor sleep; yet I must do both. I -might soon meet with difficulties and dangers that would demand all -the resources of perfect physical and mental condition, with heavy -calls on the utmost powers of nerve and muscle. I forced myself, -therefore, to sup and to slumber, resorting for the first time in many -years to the stimulus of brandy for the one purpose, and to the aid of -authypnotism for the other. When I woke it was 8h. by my chronometer, -and, as I inferred, about 5h. after midnight of the Martial meridian -on which I lay. Sleep had given me an appetite for breakfast, and -necessary practical employment calmed the excitement natural to my -situation. My first care, after making ready to quit the Astronaut as -soon as the light around should render it safe to venture into scenes -so much more utterly strange, unfamiliar, and unknown than the wildest -of the yet unexplored deserts of the Earth, was to ascertain the -character of the atmosphere which I was presently to breathe. Did it -contain the oxygen essential to Tellurian lungs? Was it, if capable of -respiration, dense enough to sustain life like mine? I extracted the -plug from the tubular aperture through which I had pumped in the extra -quantity of air that the Astronaut contained; and substituted the -sliding valve I had arranged for the purpose, with a small hole which, -by adjustment to the tube, would give the means of regulating the -air-passage at pleasure. The difficulty of this simple work, and the -tremendous outward pressure of the air, showed that the external -atmosphere was very thin indeed. This I had anticipated. Gravity on -the surface of Mars is less than half what it is on Earth; the total -mass of the planet is as two to fifteen. It was consequently to be -expected that the extent of the Martial atmosphere, and its density -even at the sea-level, would be far less than on the heavier planet. -Rigging the air-pump securely round the aperture, exhausting its -chamber, and permitting the Martial air to fill it, I was glad to find -a pressure equal to that which prevails at a height of 16,000 feet on -Earth. Chemical tests showed the presence of oxygen in somewhat -greater proportion than in the purest air of terrestrial mountains. It -would sustain life, therefore, and without serious injury, if the -change from a dense to a light atmosphere were not too suddenly made. -I determined then gradually to diminish the density of the internal -atmosphere to something not very much greater than that outside. For -this purpose I unrigged the air-pump apparatus, and almost, but not -quite, closed the valve, leaving an aperture about the twentieth part -of an inch in diameter. The silence was instantly broken by a whistle -the shrillest and loudest I had ever heard; the dense compressed -atmosphere of the Astronaut rushing out with a force which actually -created a draught through the whole vessel, to the great discomfiture -of the birds, which roughed their feathers and fluttered about in -dismay. The pressure gauge fell with astonishing rapidity, despite the -minuteness of the aperture; and in a few minutes indicated about 24 -barometrical inches. I then checked the exit of the air for a time, -while I proceeded to loosen the cement around the window by which I -had entered, and prepared for my exit. Over a very light flannel -under-vesture I put on a mail-shirt of fine close-woven wire, which -had turned the edge of Mahratta tulwars, repelled the thrust of a -Calabrian stiletto, and showed no mark of three carbine bullets fired -point-blank. Over this I wore a suit of grey broadcloth, and a pair of -strong boots over woollen socks, prepared for cold and damp as well as -for the heat of a sun shining perpendicularly through an Alpine -atmosphere. I had nearly equalised the atmospheric pressure within and -without, at about 17 inches, before the first beams of dawn shone -upward on the ceiling of the Astronaut. A few minutes later I stepped -forth on the platform, some two hundred yards in circumference, -whereon the vessel rested. The mist immediately around me was fast -dispersing; five hundred feet below it still concealed everything. On -three sides descent was barred by sheer precipices; on the fourth a -steep slope promised a practicable path, at least as far as my eye -could reach. I placed the weaker and smaller of my birds in portable -cages, and then commenced my experiment by taking out a strong-winged -cuckoo and throwing him downwards over the precipice. He fell at first -almost like a stone; but before he was quite lost to sight in the -mist, I had the pleasure of seeing that he had spread his wings, and -was able to sustain himself. As the mist was gradually dissolving, I -now ventured to begin my descent, carrying my bird-cages, and -dismissing the larger birds, several of which, however, persistently -clung about me. I had secured on my back an air-gun, arranged to fire -sixteen balls in succession without reloading, while in my belt, -scabbarded in a leathern sheath, I had placed a well and often tried -two-edged sword. I found the way practicable, though not easy, till I -reached a point about 1000 feet below the summit, where farther -progress in the same direction was barred by an abrupt and impassable -cleft some hundred feet deep. To the right, however, the mountain side -seemed to present a safe and sufficiently direct descent. The sun was -a full hour above the horizon, and the mist was almost gone. Still I -had seen no signs of animal life, save, at some distance and in rapid -motion, two or three swarms of flying insects, not much resembling any -with which I was acquainted. The vegetation, mostly small, was of a -yellowish colour, the flowers generally red, varied by occasional -examples of dull green and white; the latter, however, presenting that -sort of creamy tinge which I had remarked in the snow. Here I released -and dismissed my birds one by one. The stronger and more courageous -flew away downwards, and soon disappeared; the weakest, trembling and -shivering, evidently suffering from the thinness of the atmosphere, -hung about me or perched upon the cages. - -The scene I now contemplated was exceedingly novel and striking. The -sky, instead of the brilliant azure of a similar latitude on earth, -presented to my eye a vault of pale green, closely analogous to that -olive tint which the effect of contrast often throws over a small -portion of clear sky distinguished among the golden and rose-coloured -clouds of a sunset in our temperate zones. - -The vapours which still hung around the north-eastern and -south-eastern horizon, though dispelled from the immediate vicinity of -the Sun, were tinged with crimson and gold much deeper than the tints -peculiar to an earthly twilight. The Sun himself, when seen by the -naked eye, was as distinctly golden as our harvest moon; and the whole -landscape, terrestrial, aerial, and celestial, appeared as if bathed -in a golden light, wearing generally that warm summer aspect peculiar -to Tellurian landscapes when seen through glass of a rich yellow tint. -It was a natural inference from all I saw that there takes place in -the Martial atmosphere an absorption of the blue rays which gives to -the sunlight a predominant tinge of yellow or orange. The small rocky -plateau on which I stood, like the whole of the mountainside I had -descended, faced the extremity of the range of which this mountain was -an outpost; and the valley which separated them was not from my -present position visible. I saw that I should have to turn my back -upon this part of the landscape as I descended farther, and therefore -took note at this point of the aspect it presented. The most prominent -object was a white peak in the distant sky, rising to a height above -my actual level, which I estimated conjecturally at 25,000 feet, -guessing the distance at fifty miles. The summit was decidedly more -angular and pointed, less softened in outline by atmospheric -influences, than those of mountains on Earth. Beyond this in the -farthest distance appeared two or three peaks still higher, but of -which, of course, only the summits were visible to me. On this side of -the central peak an apparently continuous double ridge extended to -within three miles of my station, exceedingly irregular in level, the -highest elevations being perhaps 20,000, the lowest visible -depressions 3000 feet above me. There appeared to be a line of -perpetual snow, though in many places above, this line patches of -yellow appeared, the nearer of which were certainly and the more -distant must be inferred to be covered with a low, close herbaceous -vegetation. The lower slopes were entirely clothed with yellow or -reddish foliage. Between the woods and snow-line lay extensive -pastures or meadows, if they might be so called, though I saw nothing -whatever that at all resembled the grass of similar regions on Earth. -Whatever foliage I sawâas yet I had not passed near anything that -could be called a tree, and very few shrubsâconsisted distinctly of -leaves analogous to those of our deciduous trees, chiefly of three -shapes: a sort of square rounded at the angles, with short projecting -fingers; an oval, slightly pointed where it joined the stalk; and -lanceolate or sword-like blades of every size, from two inches to four -feet in length. Nearly all were of a dull yellow or copper-red tinge. -None were as fine as the beech-leaf, none succulent or fleshy; nothing -resembling the blades of grass or the bristles of the pine and -cedar tribes was visible. - -My path now wound steadily downward at a slope of perhaps one in eight -along the hillside, obliging me to turn my back to the mountains, -while my view in front was cut off by a sharp cross-jutting ridge -immediately, before me. By the time I turned this, all my birds had -deserted me, and I was not, I think, more than 2000 feet from the -valley below. Just before reaching this point I first caught sight of -a Martial animal. A little creature, not much bigger than a rabbit, -itself of a sort of sandy-yellow colour, bounded from among some -yellow herbage by my feet, and hopped or sprang in the manner of a -kangaroo down the steep slope on my left. When I turned the ridge, a -wide and quite new landscape burst upon my sight. I was looking upon -an extensive plain, the continuation apparently of a valley of which -the mountain range formed the southern limit. To the southward this -plain was bounded by the sea, bathed in the peculiar light I have -tried to describe, and lying in what seemed from this distance a -glassy calm. To eastward and northward the plain extended to the -horizon, and doubtless far beyond it; while from the valley north of -the mountain range emerged a broad river, winding through the plain -till it was lost at the horizon. Plain I have called it, but I do not -mean to imply that it was by any means level. On the contrary, its -surface was broken by undulations, and here and there by hills, but -all so much lower than the point on which I stood that the general -effect was that of an almost flat surface. And now the question of -habitation, and of human habitation, seemed to be solved. Looking -through my field-glass, I saw, following the windings of the river, -what must surely be a road; serving also, perhaps, as an embankment, -since it was raised many feet above the level of the stream. It -seemed, too, that the plain was cultivated. Everywhere appeared -extensive patches, each of a single colour, in every tint between deep -red and yellowish green, and so distinctly rectangular in form as -irresistibly to suggest the idea of artificial, if not human, -arrangement. But there were other features of the scene that dispelled -all doubt upon this point. Immediately to the south-eastward, and -about twenty miles from where I stood, a deep arm of the sea ran up -into the land, and upon the shores of this lay what was unquestionably -a city. It had nothing that looked like fortifications, and even at -this distance I could discern that its streets were of remarkable -width, with few or no buildings so high as mosques, churches, -State-offices, or palaces in Tellurian cities. Their colours were most -various and brilliant, as if reflected from metallic surfaces; and on -the waters of the bay itself rode what I could not doubt to be ships -or rafts. More immediately beneath me, and scattered at intervals over -the entire plain, clustering more closely in the vicinity of the city, -were walled enclosures, and in the centre of each was what could -hardly be anything but a house, though not apparently more than twelve -or fourteen feet high, and covering a space sufficient for an European -or even American street or square. Upon the lower slopes of the hill -whereon I stood were moving figures, which, seen through the -binocular, proved to be animals; probably domestic animals, since they -never ranged very far, and presented none of those signs of -watchfulness and alarm which are peculiar to creatures not protected -by man from their less destructive enemies, and taught to lay aside -their dread of man himself. I had descended, then, not only into an -inhabited worldânot only into a world of men, who, however they might -differ in outward form, must resemble in their wants, ideas, and -habits, in short, in mind if not in body, the lords of my own -planetâbut into a civilised world and among a race living under a -settled order, cultivating the soil, and taming the brutes to their -service. - -And now, as I came on lower ground, I found at each step new objects -of curiosity and interest. A tree with dark-yellowish leaves, taller -than most timber trees on Earth, bore at the end of drooping twigs -large dark-red fruitsâfruits with a rind something like that of a -pomegranate, save for the colour and hardness, and about the size of a -shaddock or melon. One of these, just within reach of my hand, I -gathered, but found it impossible to break the thin, dry rind or -shell, without the aid of a knife. Having pierced this, a stream of -red juice gushed out, which had a sweet taste and a strong flavour, -not unlike the juice expressed from cherries, but darker in colour. -Dissecting the fruit completely, I found it parted by a membrane, -essentially of the same nature as the rind, but much thinner and -rather tough than hard, into sixteen segments, like those of an orange -divided across the middle, each of which enclosed a seed. These seeds -were all joined at the centre, but easily separated. They were of a -yellow colour and about as large as an almond kernel. Some fruits -that, being smaller, I concluded to be less ripe, were of a -reddish-yellow. After walking for about a mile through a grove of such -trees, always tending downwards, I came to another of more varied -character. The most prevalent tree here was of lower stature and with -leaves of great length and comparatively narrow, the fruit of which, -though protected by a somewhat similar rind, was of rich golden -colour, not so easily seen among the yellowish leaves, and contained -one solid kernel of about the size of an almond, enclosed entirely in -a sort of spongy material, very palatable to the taste, and resembling -more the inside of roasted maize than any other familiar vegetable. As -I emerged entirely from the grove, I came upon a ditch about twice as -broad as deep. On Earth I certainly could not have leaped it; but -since landing on Mars, I had forgotten the weightless life of the -Astronaut, and felt as if on Earth, but enjoying great increase of -strength and energy; and with these sensations had come instinctively -an exalted confidence in my physical powers. I took, therefore, a -vigorous run, and leaping with all my strength, landed, somewhat to my -own surprise, a full yard on the other side of the ditch. - -Having done so, I found myself in what was beyond doubt a cultivated -field, producing nothing but one crimson-coloured plant, about a foot -in height. This carpeted the soil with broad leaves shaped something -like those of the laurel, and in colour exactly resembling a withered -laurel leaf, but somewhat thicker, more metallic and brighter in -appearance, and perfectly free from the bitter taste of the bay tribe. -At a little distance I saw half-a-dozen animals somewhat resembling -antelopes, but on a second glance still more resembling the fabled -unicorn. They were like the latter, at all events, in the single -particular from which it derived its name: they had one horn, about -eight inches in length, intensely sharp, smooth and firm in texture as -ivory, but marbled with vermilion and cream white. Their skins were -cream-coloured, dappled with dark red. Their ears were large and -protected by a lap which fell down so as to shelter the interior part -of the organ, but which they had not quite lost the power to erect at -the approach of a sound that startled them. They looked up at me, at -first without alarm, afterwards with some surprise, and presently -bounded away; as if my appearance, at first familiar, had, on a closer -examination, presented some unusual particulars, frightening them, as -everything unusual frightens even those domestic animals on Earth best -acquainted with man and most accustomed to his caprices. I noticed -that all were female, and their abnormally large udders suggested that -they were domestic creatures kept for their milk. Not being able to -see a path through the field, I went straight forward, endeavouring to -trample the pasture as little as I could, but being surprised to -remark how very little the plants had been injured by the feet of the -animals. The leaves had been grazed, but the stems were seldom or -never broken. In fact, the animals seemed to have gathered their food -as man would do, with an intelligent or instinctive care not to injure -the plant so as to deprive it of the power of reproducing their -sustenance. - -In another minute I discerned the object of my paramount interest, of -whose vicinity I had thus far seen nearly every imaginable evidence -except himself. It was undoubtedly a man, but a man very much smaller -than myself. His eyes were fixed upon the ground as if in reverie, and -he did not perceive me till I had come within fifty yards of him, so -that I had full time to remark the peculiarities of his form and -appearance. He was about four feet eight or nine inches in height, -with legs that seemed short in proportion to the length and girth of -the body, but only because, as was apparent on more careful scrutiny, -the chest was proportionately both longer and wider than in our race; -otherwise he greatly resembled the fairer families of the Aryan breed, -the Swede or German. The yellow hair, unshaven beard, whiskers, and -moustache were all close and short. The dress consisted of a sort of -blouse and short pantaloons, of some soft woven fabric, and of a -vermilion colour. The head was protected from the rays of an -equatorial sun by a species of light turban, from which hung down a -short shade or veil sheltering the neck and forehead. His bare feet -were guarded by sandals of some flexible material just covering the -toes and bound round the ankle by a single thong. He carried no -weapon, not even a staff; and I therefore felt that there was no -immediate danger from him. On seeing me he started as with intense -surprise and not a little alarm, and turned to run. Size and length of -limb, however, gave me immense advantage in this respect, and in less -than a minute I had come up with and laid my hand upon him. - -He looked up at me, scanning my face with earnest curiosity. I took -from my pocket first a jewel of very exquisite construction, a -butterfly of turquoise, pearl, and rubies, set on an emerald branch, -upon which he looked without admiration or interest, then a watch very -small and elaborately enamelled and jewelled. To the ornament he paid -no attention whatever; but when I opened the watch, its construction -and movement evidently interested him. Placing it in his hands and -endeavouring to signify to him by signs that he was to retain it, I -then held his arm and motioned to him to guide me towards the houses -visible in the distance. This he seemed willing to do, but before we -had gone many paces he repeated two or three times a phrase or word -which sounded like "r'mo-ah-el" ("whence-who-what" do you want?). I -shook my head; but, that he might not suppose me dumb, I answered him -in Latin. The sound seemed to astonish him exceedingly; and as I went -on to repeat several questions in the same tongue, for the purpose of -showing him that I could speak and was desirous of doing so, I -observed that his wonder grew deeper and deeper, and was evidently -mingled first with alarm and afterwards with anger, as if he thought I -was trying to impose upon him. I pointed to the sky, to the summit of -the mountain from which I had descended, and then along the course by -which I had come, explaining aloud at the same time the meaning of my -signs. I thought that he had caught the latter, but if so, it only -provoked an incredulous indignation, contempt of a somewhat angry -character being the principal expression visible in his countenance. I -saw that it was of little use to attempt further conversation for the -present, and, still holding his hand and allowing him to direct me, -looked round again at the scenes through which we were passing. The -lower hill slopes before us appeared to be divided into fields of -large extent, perhaps some 100 acres each, separated by ditches. We -followed a path about two yards broad, raised two or three inches -above the level of the ground, and paved with some kind of hard -concrete. Each ditch was crossed by a bridge of planks, in the middle -of which was a stake or short pole, round which we passed with ease, -but which would obviously baffle a four-footed animal of any size. The -crops were of great variety, and wonderfully free from weeds. Most of -them showed fruit of one kind or another, sometimes gourd-like globes -on the top of upright stalks, sometimes clusters of a sort of nut on -vines creeping along the soil, sometimes a number of pulpy fruits -about the size of an orange hanging at the end of pendulous stalks -springing from the top of a stiff reed-like stem. One field was bare, -its surface of an ochreish colour deeper than that of clay, broken and -smoothed as perfectly as the surface of the most carefully tended -flower-bed. Across this was ranged a row of birds, differing, though -where and how I had hardly leisure to observe, from the form of any -earthly fowl, about twice the size of a crow, and with beaks -apparently at least as powerful but very much longer. Extending -entirely across the field, they kept line with wonderful accuracy, and -as they marched across it, slowly and constantly dug their beaks into -the soil as if seeking grubs or worms beneath the surface. They went -on with their work perfectly undisturbed by our presence. In the next -field was a still odder sight; here grew gourd-like heads on erect -reed-like stems, and engaged in plucking the ripe purple fruit, -carefully distinguishing them from the scarlet unripened heads, were -half-a-score of creatures which, from their occupation and demeanour, -I took at first to be human; but which, as we approached nearer, I saw -were only about half the size of my companion, and thickly covered -with hair, with bushy tails, which they kept carefully erect so as not -to touch the ground; creatures much resembling monkeys in movement, -size, and length, and flexibility of limb, but in other respects more -like gigantic squirrels. They held the stalks of the fruit they -plucked in their mouths, filling with them large bags left at -intervals, and from the manner in which they worked I suspected that -they had no opposable thumbsâthat the whole hand had to be used like -the paw of a squirrel to grasp an object. I pointed to these, -directing my companion's attention and asking, "What are they?" -"Ambau," he said, but apparently without the slightest interest in -their proceedings. Indeed, the regularity and entire freedom from -alarm or vigilance which characterised their movements, convinced me -that both these and the birds we passed were domesticated creatures, -whose natural instincts had been turned to such account by human -training. - -After a few moments more, we came in sight of a regular road, in a -direction nearly at right angles to that which followed the course of -the river. Like the path, it was constructed of a hard polished -concrete. It was about forty paces broad, and in the centre was a -raised way about four inches higher than the general surface, and -occupying about one-fourth of the entire width. Along the main way on -either side passed from time to time with great rapidity light -vehicles of shining metal, each having three wheels, one small one in -front and two much larger behind, with box-like seat and steering -handle; otherwise resembling nothing so much as the velocipedes I have -seen ridden for amusement by eccentric English youths. It was clear, -however, that these vehicles were not moved by any effort on the part -of their drivers, and their speed was far greater than that of the -swiftest mail-coach:âsay, from fifteen to thirty miles an hour. All -risk of collision was avoided, as those proceeding in opposite -directions took opposite sides of the road, separated by the raised -centre I have described. Crossing the road with caution, we came upon -a number of small houses, perhaps twenty feet square, each standing in -the midst of a garden marked out by a narrow ditch, some of them -having at either side wings of less height and thrown a little -backward. In the centre of each, and at the end of the wings where -these existed, was what seemed to be a door of some translucent -material about twelve feet in height. But I observed that these doors -were divided by a scarcely perceptible line up to six feet from the -ground, and presently one of these parted, and a figure, closely -resembling that of my guide, came out. - -We had now reached another road which led apparently towards the -larger houses I had seen in the distance, and were proceeding along -the raised central pathway, when some half-dozen persons from the -cottages followed us. At a call from my guide, these, and presently as -many more, ran after and gathered around us. I turned, took down my -air-gun from my back, and waving it around me, signalled to them to -keep back, not choosing to incur the danger of a sudden rush, since -their bearing, if not plainly hostile, was not hospitable or friendly. -Thus escorted, but not actually assailed, I passed on for three or -four miles, by which time we were among the larger dwellings of which -I have spoken. Each of them stood in grounds enclosed by walls about -eight feet high, each of some uniform colour, contrasting agreeably -with that chosen for the exterior of the house. The enclosures varied -in size from about six to sixty acres. The houses were for the most -part some twelve feet in height, and from one to four hundred feet -square. On several flat roofs, guarded by low parapets, other persons, -all about the size of my guide, now showed themselves, all of them -interested, and, as it seemed, somewhat excited by my appearance. In a -few cases groups differently dressed, and, from their somewhat smaller -stature, slighter figures, and the long hair here and there visible, -probably consisting of women, were gathered on a remoter portion of -the roof. But these, when seen by those in front, were always waived -back with an impatient or threatening gesture, and instantly retired. -Presently two or three men more richly dressed than my escort, and in -various colours, came out upon the road. Addressing one of these, I -pointed again to the sky, and again endeavoured to describe my -journey, holding out to him at the same time, as the thing most likely -to conciliate him, a watch somewhat larger than that I had bestowed -upon my guide. He, however, did not come within arm's length; and when -I repeated my signs, he threw back his head with a sort of sneer and -uttered a few words in a sharp tone, at which my escort rushed upon -and attempted to throw me down. For this, however, I had been long -prepared, and striking right and left with my air-gunâfor I was -determined not to shed blood except in the last extremityâI speedily -cleared a circle round me, still grasping my guide with the left hand, -from a providential instinct which suggested that his close contiguity -might in some way protect me. A call from the chief of my antagonists -was answered from the roof of a neighbouring house. I heard a whizzing -through the air, and presently something like a winged serpent, but -with a slender neck, and shoulders of considerable breadth, and a head -much larger than a serpent's in proportion to the body, and shaped -more like a bird's, with a sharp, short beak, sprang upon and coiled -round my left arm. That it was trying to sting with an erectile organ -placed about midway between the shoulders and the tail I became -instinctively aware, and presently felt something like a weak electric -thrill over all my body, while my left hand, which was naked, -sustained a severe shock, completely numbing it for the moment. I -caught the beast by the neck, and flung him with all my force right in -the face of my chief antagonist, who fell with a cry of terror. -Looking in the direction from which this dangerous assailant had come, -I perceived another in the air, and saw that not a moment was to be -lost. Dropping my gun with the muzzle between my feet, and holding it -so far as I could with my numbed left handâreleasing also my guide, -but throwing him to the ground as I released himâI drew my sword; and -but just in time, with the same motion with which I drew it, I cut -right through the neck of the dragon that had been launched against -me. My principal enemy had quickly recovered his feet and presence of -mind, and spoke very loudly and at some length to the person who had -launched the dragons. The latter disappeared, and at the same time the -group around me began to disperse. Whatever suited them was certain -not to suit me, and accordingly, still holding my sword, I caught one -of them with each hand. It was well I had done so, for within another -minute the owner of the dragons reappeared with a weapon not wholly -unlike a long cannon of very small bore fixed upon a sort of stand. -This he levelled at me, and I, seeing that a danger of whose magnitude -and nature I could form no exact estimate was impending, caught up -instinctively one of my prisoners, and held him as a shield between -myself and the weapon pointed at me. This checked my enemy, who for -the moment seemed almost as much at a loss as myself. Fortunately his -hostile intention evidently endangered not only my life but all near -me, and secured me from any close attack. - -At this moment a somewhat remarkable personage came to the front of -the group which had gathered some few yards before me. He wore a long -frock of emerald green and trousers of the same colour, gathered in at -the waist by a belt of a red metal. On earth I should have taken him -for a hale and vigorous gentleman of some fifty years; he was two -inches short of five feet, but well proportioned as a man of middle -size. Gentleman I say emphatically; for something of dignity, gravity, -and calm good-breeding, was conspicuous in his manner, as authority -unmixed with menace was evident in his tone. He called, somewhat -peremptorily as I thought, to the man who was still aiming his weapon -at my head, then waived back those behind him, and presently advanced -towards me, looking me straight in the eyes with a steadiness and -intensity of gaze far exceeding, both in expressiveness and in effect, -the most fixed stare of the most successful mesmerists I have known. I -doubt whether I should have had the power to resist his will had I -thought it wise to do so. But I was perfectly aware that, however -successful in repelling the first tumultuous attack, prolonged -self-defence was hopeless. - -I must, probably at the next move, certainly in a few minutes, succumb -to the enemies around me. I could not conciliate those whose malignity -I could not comprehend. I had done them no injury, and they could -hardly be maddened by fear, since my size and strength did not seem to -overawe them save at close quarters, and of my weapons they were -certainly less afraid than I of theirs. My only chance must lie in -finding favour with an individual protector. When, therefore, the -new-comer fearlessly laid his hand on an arm which could have killed -him at a blow, and rather by gesture than by force released my -captives, policy as well as instinct dictated submission. I allowed -him to disarm and make me in some sense his prisoner without a show of -resistance. He took me by the left hand, first placing my fingers upon -his own wrist and then grasping mine, and led me quietly through the -crowd, which gave way before him reluctantly and not without angry -murmurs, but with a certain awe as before one superior either in power -or rank. - -Thus he led me for about half a mile, till we reached the crystal gate -of an enclosure of exceptional size, the walls of which, like the gate -itself, were of a pale rose-colour. Through grounds laid out in -symmetrical alternation of orchard and grove, shrubbery, -close-carpeted field, and garden beds, arranged with evident regard to -effect in form and colour, as well as to fitting distribution of shade -and sun, we followed a straight path which sloped under a canopy of -flowering creepers up to the terrace on which stood the house itself. -There were some eight or nine crystal doors (or windows) in the front, -and in the centre one somewhat larger than the others, which, as we -came immediately in front of it, opened, not turning on hinges, but, -like every other door I had seen, dividing and sliding rapidly into -the walls to the right and left. We entered, and it immediately closed -behind us in the same way. Turning my head for a moment, I was -surprised to observe that, whereas I could see nothing through the -door from the outside, the scene without was as visible from within as -through the most perfectly transparent glass. The chamber in which I -found myself had walls of bright emerald green, with all the brilliant -transparency of the jewel; their surface broken by bas-reliefs of -minutely perfect execution, and divided into panelsâeach of which -seemed to contain a series of distinct scenes, one above the otherâby -living creepers with foliage of bright gold, and flowers sometimes -pink, sometimes cream-white of great size, both double and single; the -former mostly hemispherical and the latter commonly shaped as hollow -cones or Avide shallow champagne glasses. In these walls two or three -doors appeared, reaching, from the floor to the roof, which was -coloured like the walls, and seemingly of the same material. Through -one of these my guide led me into a passage which appeared to run -parallel with the front of the house, and turning down this, a door -again parted on the right hand, through which he led me into a similar -but smaller apartment, some twenty feet in width and twenty-five in -length. The windowâif I should so call that which was simply another -doorâof this apartment looked into one corner of a flower-garden of -great extent, beyond and at each end of which were other portions of -the dwelling. The walls of this chamber were pink, the surface -appearing as before of jewel-like lustre; the roof and floor of a -green lighter than that of the emerald. In two corners were piles of -innumerable cushions and pillows covered with a most delicate -satin-like fabric, embroidered with gold, silver, and feathers, all -soft as eider-down and of all shapes and sizes. There were three or -four light tables, apparently of metal, silver, or azure, or golden in -colour, in various parts of the chamber, with one or two of different -form, more like small office-tables or desks. In one of the walls was -sunk a series of shelves closed by a transparent sheet of crystal of -pale yellow tinge. There were three or four movable seats resembling -writing or easy-chairs, but also of metal, luxurious all though all -different. In the corner to the left, farthest from the inner court or -peristyle, was a screen, which, as my host showed me, concealed a bath -and some other convenient appurtenances. The bath was a cylinder some -five feet in depth and about two in diameter, with thin double walls, -the space between which was filled with an apparatus of small pipes. -By pressing a spring, as my protector pointed out, countless minute -jets of warm perfumed water were thrown from every part of the -interior wall, forming the most delicious and perfect shower-bath that -could well be devised. - -My host then led me to a seat among the cushions, and placed himself -beside me, looking for some time intently and gravely into my face, -but with nothing of offensive curiosity, still less of menace in his -gaze. It appeared to me as if he wished to read the character and -perhaps the thoughts of his guest. The scrutiny seemed to satisfy him. -He stretched out his left hand, and grasping mine, placed it on his -heart, and then dropping my hand, placed his upon my breast. He then -spoke in words whose meaning I could not guess, but the tone sounded -to me as that of inquiry. The question most likely to be asked -concerned my character and the place from which I had come. I again -explained, again pointing upward. He seemed dubious or perplexed, and -it occurred to me that drawing might assist explanation; since, from -the bas-reliefs and tracery, it was evident that the art was carried -to no common excellence in Mars. I drew, therefore, in the first -place, a globe to represent the Earth, traced its orbit round the Sun, -and placed a crescent Moon at some little distance, indicating its -path round the Earth. It was evident that my host understood my -meaning, the more clearly when I marked upon the form of the Earth a -crescent, such as she would often present through a Martial telescope. -Sketches in outline roughly exhibiting different stages of my voyage, -from the first ascent to the final landing, appeared to convince my -host of my meaning, if not of my veracity. Signing to me to remain -where I was, he left the room. In a few minutes he returned, -accompanied by one of the strange squirrel-like animals I had seen in -the fields. I was right in conjecturing that the creature had no -opposable thumb; but a little ingenuity had compensated this so far as -regarded the power of carrying. A little chain hung down from each -wrist, and to these was suspended a tray, upon which were arranged a -variety of fruits and what seemed to be small loaves of various -materials. Breaking one of these and cutting open with a small knife, -apparently of silver, one of the fruits, my host tasted each and then -motioned to me to eat. The attendant had placed the tray upon a table, -disengaged the chains, and disappeared; the door opening and closing -as he trod, somewhat more heavily than had been necessary for my host, -upon particular points of the floor. - -The food offered me was very delicious and various in flavour. My host -showed me how to cut the top from some of the hard-rind fruits, so as -to have a cup full of the most delicately-flavoured juice, the whole -pulp having been reduced to a liquid syrup by a process with which -some semicivilised cultivators on Earth are familiar. When I had -finished my meal, my host whistled, and the attendant, returning, -carried away the tray. His master gave him at the same time what was -evidently an order, repeating it twice, and speaking with signal -clearness of intonation. The little creature bowed its head, -apparently as a sign of intelligence, and in a few minutes returned -with what seemed like a pencil or stylus and writing materials, and -with a large silver-like box of very curious form. To one side was -affixed a sort of mouthpiece, consisting of a truncated cone expanding -into a saucer-shaped bowl. Across the wider and outer end of the cone -was stretched a membrane or diaphragm about three inches in diameter. -Into the mouth of the bowl, two or three inches from the diaphragm, my -host spoke one by one a series of articulate but single sounds, -beginning with _â, a, aa, au, o, oo, ou, u, y or ei (long), i (short), -oi, e,_ which I afterwards found to be the twelve vowels of their -language. After he had thus uttered some forty distinct sounds, he -drew from the back of the instrument a slip of something like -goldleaf, on which as many weird curves and angular figures were -traced in crimson. Pointing to these in succession, he repeated the -sounds in order. I made out that the figures in question represented -the sounds spoken into the instrument, and taking out my pencil, -marked under each the equivalent character of the Roman alphabet, -supplemented by some letters not admitted therein but borrowed from -other Aryan tongues. My host looked on with some interest whilst I did -this, and bent his head as if in approval. Here then was the alphabet -of the Martial tongueâan alphabet not arbitrary, but actually -produced by the vocal sounds it represented! The elaborate machinery -modifies the rough signs which are traced by the mere aerial -vibrations; but each character is a true physical type, a visual -image, of the spoken sound; the voice, temper, accent, sex, of a -speaker affect the phonograph, and are recognisable in the record. The -instrument wrote, so to speak, different hands under my voice and -under Esmo's; and those who knew him could identify his phonogram, as -my friends my manuscript. - -After I had been employed for some time in fixing these forms and the -corresponding sounds in my memory, my host advanced to the window, and -opening it, led me into the interior garden; which, as I had supposed, -was a species of central court around which the house was built. - -The construction of the house was at once apparent. It consisted of a -front portion, divided by the gallery of which I have spoken, all the -rooms on one side thereof looking, like the chamber I first entered, -into the outer enclosure; those on the other into the interior garden -or peristyle. Beyond the latter was a single row of chambers opening -upon it, appropriated to the ladies and children of the household. The -court was roofed over with the translucent material of the windows. It -was about 360 feet in length by 300 in width. At either end were -chambers entirely formed of the same material as the roof, in one of -which the various birds and animals employed either in domestic -service or in agriculture, in another the various stores of the -household, were kept. In front of these, two inclined planes of the -same material as the walls of the house led up to the several parts of -the roof. The court was divided by broad concrete paths into four -gardens. In the centre of each was a basin of water and a fountain, -above which was a square opening of some twenty feet in the roof. Each -garden was, so to speak, turfed with minute plants, smaller than daisy -roots, and even more closely covering the soil than English lawn -grass. These were of different coloursâemerald, gold, and -purpleâarranged in bands. This turf was broken by a number of beds of -all shapes, the crescent, circle, and six-rayed star being apparently -the chief favourites. The smaller of these were severally filled with -one or two flowers; in the larger, flowers of different colours were -set in patterns, generally rising from the outside to the centre, and -never allowing the soil to be seen through a single interval. The -contrast of colours and tints was admirably ordered; the size, form, -and structure of the flowers wonderfully various and always -exquisitely beautiful. The exact tints of silver and gold were -frequent and especially favoured, At each corner of every garden was a -hollow silvery pillar, up which creepers with flowers of marvellous -size and beauty, and foliage of hues almost as striking as those of -the flowers, were conducted to form a perfect arch overhead, parting -off the gardens from the walks. In each basin were fishes whose -brilliancy of colouring and beauty of form far surpassed anything I -have seen in earthly seas or rivers. - -At the meeting of the four cross paths was a wide space covered with a -soft woven carpet, upon which were strown cushions similar to those in -my room. On these several ladies were reclining, who rose as the head -of the family approached. One who seemed by her manner to be the -mistress, and by her resemblance to some of her younger companions the -mother, of the family, wore a sort of light golden half-helmet on the -head, and over this, falling round her half-way to the waist, a -crimson veil, intended apparently to protect her head and neck from -the sun as much as to conceal them. Her face was partially uncovered. -The dress of all was, except in colour and in certain omissions and -additions, much the same. The under-garments must have been slight in -material and few in number. Nothing was to be seen of them save the -sleeves, which were of a delicate substance, resembling that of the -finest Parisian kid gloves, but far softer and finer. Over all was a -robe almost without shape, save what it took from the figure to which -it closely adapted itself, suspended by broad ribbons and jewelled -clasps from the shoulders, falling nearly to the ankles, and gathered -in by a zone at the waist. This garment left the neck, shoulders, and -the upper part of the bosom uncovered; but the veil, whether covering -the head completely, drawn round all save the face, or consisting only -of two separate muslin falls behind either ear, was always so arranged -as to render the general effect far more decorous than the "low -dresses" of European matrons and maidens. The ankles and feet were -entirely bare, save for sandals with an embroidered velvety covering -for the toes, and silver bands clasped round the ankles. The eldest -lady wore a pale green robe of a fine but very light silken-seeming -fabric. Three younger ones wore a similar material of pink, with -silver head-dresses and veils hiding everything but the eyes. All -these had sleeves reaching to the wrist, ending in gloves of the same -fabric. Two young girls were robed in white gauze, with gauze veils -attached over either ear to a very slight silver coronal; their arms -bare till the sleeve of the under-robe appeared, a couple of inches -below the shoulder; their bright soft faces and their long hair (which -fell freely down the back, kept in graceful order here and there by -almost invisible silver clasps or bands) were totally uncovered. "A -maiden," says the Martialist, "may make the most of her charms; a -wife's beauty is her lord's exclusive right." One of the girls, my -host's daughters, might almost have veiled her entire form above the -knees in the masses of rich soft brown hair inherited from her father, -but mingled with tresses of another tinge, shimmering like gold under -certain lights. Her eyes, of deepest violet, were shaded by dark thick -lashes, so long that when the lids were closed they traced a clear -black curve on either cheek. The other maiden had, like their mother, -and, I believe, like the younger matrons, the bright hairâflaxen in -early childhood, pale gold in maturer yearsâand the blue or grey eyes -characteristic of the race. My host spoke two or three words to the -chief of the party, indicating me by a graceful and courteous wave of -the hand, upon which the person addressed slightly bent her head, -laying her hand at the same time upon her heart. The others -acknowledged the introduction by a similar but slighter inclination, -and all resumed their places as soon as my host, seating himself -between us, signed to me to occupy some pillows which one of the young -ladies arranged on his left hand, I had observed by this time that the -left hand was used by preference, as we use the right, for all -purposes, and therefore was naturally extended in courtesy; and the -left side was, for similar reasons, the place of honour. - -Three or four children were playing in another part of the court. All, -with one exception, were remarkably beautiful and healthy-looking, -certainly not less graceful in form and movement than the happiest and -prettiest in our own world. Their tones were soft and gentle, and -their bearing towards each other notably kind and considerate. One -unfortunate little creature differed from the rest in all respects. It -was slightly lame, misshapen rather than awkward, and with a face that -indicated bad health, bad temper, or both. Its manner was peevish and -fractious, its tones sharp and harsh, and its actions rough and hasty. -I took it for a mother's sickly favourite, deformed in character to -compensate for physical deformity. Watching them for a short time, I -saw the little creature repeatedly break out in all the humours of an -ill-tempered, over-indulged youngest-born in an ill-managed family; -snatching toys from the others, and now and then slapping or pinching -them. But they never returned either word or blow, even when pain or -vexation brought the tears to their eyes. When its caprices became -intolerable most of its companions withdrew; one, however, always -remaining on the watch, even if driven from the immediate -neighbourhood by its intolerably provoking temper, tones, and acts. - -Before sunset we were joined by a young man, who, first approaching my -host with a respectful inclination of the head, stood before him till -apparently desired by a few quiet words to speak; when he addressed -the head of the family in some short sentences, and then, at a sign -from him, turned to two of the squirrel-like animals, "ambau," which -followed him. These then laid at my feet two large baskets, or open -bags of golden network, containing many of the smaller objects left in -the Astronaut. Emptying these, they brought several more, till they -had laid before me the whole of my wardrobe and my store of intended -presents, books, and drawings, with such of my instruments as were not -attached to the walls. It was evident that great care had been taken -not to injure or dismantle the vessel. Nothing that actually belonged -to it had been taken away, and of the articles brought not one had -been broken or damaged. It was equally evident that there was no -intention or idea of appropriating them. They were brought and handed -over to me as a host on Earth might send for the baggage of an -unexpected guest. Of the various toys and ornaments that I had brought -for the purpose, I offered several of the most precious to my host. He -accepted one of the smallest and least valuable, rather declining to -understand than refusing the offer of the rest. The bringer did the -same. Then placing in the chief's hands an open jewel-box containing a -variety of the choicest jewellery, I requested by signs his permission -to offer them to the ladies. The elder ones imitated his example, and -graciously accepted one or two tasteful feminine ornaments, of far -less beauty and value than any of the few splendid jewels that adorned -their belts and clasped their robes at the shoulder, or fastened their -veils. The white-robed maidens shrank back shyly until the box was -pressed upon them, when each, at a word from the mistress, selected -some small gold or silver locket or chain; each at once placing the -article accepted about her person, with an evident intention of adding -to the grace with which it was received and acknowledging the intended -courtesy. How valueless the most valuable of these trifles must have -been in their eyes I had begun to suspect from what I saw, and was -afterwards made fully aware. As the shades of evening fell, the -fountains ceased to play, the young man pressed electric springs which -closed the openings in the roof, and, finally, turning a small handle, -caused a bright light to diffuse itself over the whole garden, and -through the doors into the chambers opening upon it. At the same time -a warmer air gradually spread throughout the interior of the building. -A meal was then served in small low trays, which was eaten by all of -us reclining on our cushions; after which the ladies retired, and my -host conducted me back to my chamber, and left me to repose. - -My books and sketches, as well as the portfolios of popular prints -which I had selected to assist me in describing the life and scenery -of our world, were, with my wardrobe and other properties, arranged on -my shelves by the _ambau_, under the direction of Kevimâ, the young -gentleman who had superintended their removal and conveyance to his -father's house. The portfolios gave me occasional means and topics of -pleasant intercourse with the family of my host, before we could -converse at ease in their language. The children, though never -troublesome or importunate, took frequent opportunities of stealing -into the room to look over the prints I produced for their amusement. -The ladies also, particularly the violet-eyed maiden, who seemed to be -the especial guardian of the little ones, would draw near to look and -listen. The latter, though she never entered the room or directly -addressed me, often assisted in explaining my broken sentences to her -charges, some of them not many years younger than herself. I took -sincere pleasure in the children's company and growing confidence, but -they were not the less welcome because they drew their sisters to -listen to my descriptions of an existence so strange and so remote in -habits and character, as well as in space. Perhaps their gentle -governess learned more than any other member of the family respecting -Earth-life, and my own adventures by land and water, in air and space. -For, though just not child enough to share the children's freedom, she -took in all they heard; she listened in silence during our evening -gatherings to the conversation in which her father and brother -encouraged me to practise the language I was laboriously studying. She -had, therefore, double opportunities of acquiring a knowledge which -seemed to interest her deeply; naturally, since it was so absolutely -novel, and communicated by one whose very presence was the most -marvellous of the marvels it attested. How much she understood I could -not judge. Except her mother, the ladies did not take a direct part in -my talk with the children, and but very seldom interposed, through my -host, a shy brief question when the evening brought us all together. -The maidens, despite their theoretical privileges, were even more -reserved than their elders, and the dark-haired Eveena the most silent -and shy of all. - -I learned afterwards that the privilege of intercourse with the ladies -of the household, restricted as it was, was wholly exceptional, and -even in this family was conceded only out of consideration for one who -could not safely be allowed to leave the house. - - - - -CHAPTER V - LANGUAGE, LAWS, AND LIFE. - - -Though treated with the greatest kindness and courtesy, I soon found -reason to understand that I was, at least for the present, a prisoner. -My host or his son never failed to invite me each day to spend some -time in the outer enclosure, but never intentionally left me alone -there. On one occasion, when Kevimâ had been called away and I -ventured to walk down towards the gate, my host's youngest child, who -had been playing on the roof, ran after me, and reaching me just as my -foot was set on the spring that opened the gate or outer door, caught -me by the hand, and looking up into my face, expressed by glance and -gesture a negative so unmistakable that I thought it expedient at once -to comply and return to the house. There my time was occupied, for as -great a part of each day as I could give to such a task without -extreme fatigue, in mastering the language of the country. This was a -much simpler task than might have been supposed. I soon found that, -unlike any Terrestrial tongue, the language of this people had not -grown but been madeâconstructed deliberately on set principles, with -a view to the greatest possible simplicity and the least possible -taxation of the memory. There were no exceptions or irregularities, -and few unnecessary distinctions; while words were so connected and -related that the mastery of a few simple grammatical forms and of a -certain number of roots enabled me to guess at, and by and by to feel -tolerably sure of, the meaning of a new word. The verb has six tenses, -formed by the addition of a consonant to the root, and six persons, -plural and singular, masculine and feminine. - - _Singular._ |_Masc._| _Fem._ ||_Plural._ |_Masc._ |_Fem._ - --------------|-------|--------||----------|--------|------- - I am | _avâ_ | _ava_ -|| We are | _avau_ | _avaa_ - Thou art | _avo_ | _avoo_ || You are | _avou_ | _avu_ - He or she is | _avy_ | _ave_ || They are | _avoi_ | _avee_ - --------------|-------|--------||----------|--------|------- - -The terminations are the three pronouns, feminine and masculine, -singular and plural, each represented by one of twelve vowel -characters, and declined like nouns. When a nominative immediately -follows the verb, the pronominal suffix is generally dropped, unless -required by euphony. Thus, "a man strikes" is _dak klaftas_, but in -the past tense, _dakny klaftas_, the verb without the suffix being -unpronounceable. The past tense is formed by the insertion of _n_ -(_avnâ_: "I have been"), the future by _m_: _avmâ_. The imperative, -_avsâ_; which in the first person is used to convey determination or -resolve; _avsâ_, spoken in a peremptory tone, meaning "I _will_ be," -while _avso_, according to the intonation, means "be" or "thou shalt -be;" i.e., shalt whether or no. _R_ forms the conditional, _avrâ_, and -_ren_ the conditional past, _avrenâ_, "I should have been." The need -for a passive voice is avoided by the simple method of putting the -pronoun in the accusative; thus, _dâcâ_ signifies "I strike," _dâcal_ -(me strike) "I am struck." The infinitive is _avi; avyta_, "being;" -_avnyta_, "having been;" _avmyta_, "about to be." These are declined -like nouns, of which latter there are six forms, the masculine in _â, -o, and y,_ the feminine in _a, oo, and e;_ the plurals being formed -exactly as in the pronominal suffixes of the verb. The root-word, -without inflexion, alone is used where the name is employed in no -connection with a verb, where in every terrestrial language the -nominative would be employed. Thus, my guide had named the -squirrel-monkeys _ambau_ (sing. _ambâ_); but the word is declined as -follows:â - - _Singular._ _Plural._ - - _Nominative_ ambâs ambaus - - _Accusative_ ambâl ambaul - - _Dative, to_ or _in_ ambân ambaun - - _Ablative, by_ or _from_ ambâm ambaum - -The five other forms are declined in the same manner, the vowel of the -last syllable only differing. Adjectives are declined like nouns, but -have no comparative or superlative degree; the former being expressed -by prefixing the intensitive syllable _ca_, the latter, when used -(which is but seldom) by the prefix _ela_, signifying _the_ in an -emphatic sense, as his Grace of Wellington is in England called _The_ -Duke _par excellence_. Prepositions and adverbs end in _t_ or _d_. - -Each form of the noun has, as a rule, its special relation to the verb -of the same root: thus from dâc, "strike," are derived _dâcâ_, -"weapon" or "hammer;", _dâco_, a "stroke" or "striking" [as given] -both masculine; _dâca_, "anvil;" _dâcoo_, "blow" or "beating" [as -received]; and _dâke_, "a thing beaten," feminine. The sixth form, -_dâky_, masculine, has in this case no proper signification, and not -being wanted, is not used. Individual letters or syllables are largely -employed in combination to give new and even contradictory meanings to -a root. Thus _n_, like the Latin _in_, signifies "penetration," -"motion towards," or simply "remaining in a place," or, again, -"permanence." _M_, like the Latin _ab_ or _ex_, indicates "motion -from." _R_ expresses "uncertainty" or "incompleteness," and is -employed to convert a statement into a question, or a relative pronoun -into one of inquiry. _G_, like the Greek _a_ or _anti_, generally -signifies "opposition" or "negation;" _ca_ is, as aforesaid, -intensitive, and is employed, for example, to convert _âfi_, "to -breathe," into _câfi_, "to speak." _Cr_ is by itself an interjection -of abhorrence or disgust; in composition it indicates detestation or -destruction: thus, _crâky_ signifies "hatred;" _crâvi_, "the -destruction of life" or "to kill." _L_ for the most part indicates -passivity, but with different effect according to its place in the -word. Thus _mepi_ signifies "to rule;" _mepil_, "to be ruled;" -_melpi_, "to control one's self;" _lempi_, "to obey." The -signification of roots themselves is modified by a modification of the -principal vowel or consonant, _i.e._, by exchanging the original for -one closely related. Thus _avi_, "exist;" _âvi_, "be," in the positive -sense of being this or that; _afi_, "live;" _âfi_, "breathe." _Z_ is a -diminutive; _zin_, "with," often abbreviated to _zn_, "combination," -"union." Thus _znaftau_ means "those who were brought into life -together," or "brethren." - -I may add, before I quit this subject, that the Martial system of -arithmetic differs from ours principally in the use of a duodecimal -instead of a decimal basis. Figures are written on a surface divided -into minute squares, and the value of a figure, whether it signify so -many units, dozens, twelve dozens, and so forth, depends upon the -square in which it is placed. The central square of a line represents -the unit's place, and is marked by a line drawn above it. Thus a -figure answering to our I, if placed in the fourth square to the left, -represents 1728. In the third place to the right, counting the unit -square in both cases, it signifies šââââ, and so forth. - -In less than a fortnight I had obtained a general idea of the -language, and was able to read easily the graven representations of -spoken sound which I have described; and by the end of a month (to use -a word which had no meaning here) I could speak intelligibly if not -freely. Only in a language so simple could my own anxiety to overcome -as soon as possible a fatal obstacle to all investigation of this new -world, and the diligent and patient assistance given by my host or his -son for a great part of every day, have enabled me to make such rapid -progress. I had noted even, during the short evening gatherings when -the whole family was assembled, the extreme taciturnity of both sexes; -and by the time I could make myself understood, I was not surprised to -learn that the Martials have scarcely the idea of what we mean by -conversation, not talking for the sake of talking, or speaking unless -they have something to discuss, explain, or communicate. I found, -again, that a new and much more difficult task, though fortunately one -not so indispensable, was still in store for me. The Martials have two -forms of writing: the one I have described, which is simply a -mechanical rendering of spoken words into artificially simplified -visible signs; the other, written by hand, with a fine pencil of some -chemical material on a prepared surface, textile or metallic. The -characters of the latter are, like ours wholly arbitrary; but the -contractions and abbreviations are so numerous that the mastery of the -mere alphabet, the forty or fifty single letters employed, is but a -single step in the first stage of the hard task of learning to read. -In no country on Earth, except China, is this task half so severe as -in Mars. On the other hand, when it is once mastered, a far superior -instrument has been gained; the Martial writing being a most terse but -perfectly legible shorthand. Every Martial can write at least as -quickly as he can speak, and can read the written character more -rapidly than the quickest eye can peruse the best Terrestrial print. -Copies, whether of the phonographic or stylographic writing, are -multiplied with extreme facility and perfection. The original, once -inscribed in either manner upon the above-mentioned _tafroo_ or -gold-leaf, is placed upon a sheet of a species of linen, smoother than -paper, called _difra_. A current of electricity sent through the -former reproduces the writing exactly upon the latter, which has been -previously steeped in some chemical composition; the effect apparently -depending on the passage of the electricity through the untouched -metal, and its absolute interception by the ink, if I may so call it, -of the writing, which bites deeply into the leaf. This process can be -repeated almost _ad libitum_; and it is equally easy to take at any -time a fresh copy upon _tafroo_, which serves again for the -reproduction of any number of _difra_ copies. The book, for the -convenience of this mode of reproduction, consists of a single sheet, -generally from four to eight inches in breadth and of any length -required. The writing intended to be thus copied is always minute, and -is read for the most part through magnifying spectacles. A roller is -attached to each end of the sheet, and when not in use the latter is -wound round that attached to the conclusion. When required for -reading, both rollers are fixed in a stand, and slowly moved by -clockwork, which spreads before the eyes of the reader a length of -about four inches at once. The motion is slackened or quickened at the -reader's pleasure, and can be stopped altogether, by touching a -spring. Another means of reproducing, not merely writings or drawings, -but natural objects, consists in a simple adaptation of the _camera -obscura_. [The only essential difference from our photographs being -that the Martial art reproduces colour as well as outline, I omit this -description.] - -While I was practising myself in the Martial language my host turned -our experimental conversations chiefly, if not exclusively, upon -Terrestrial subjects; endeavouring to learn all that I could convey to -him of the physical peculiarities of the Earth, of geology, geography, -vegetation, animal life in all its forms, human existence, laws, -manners, social and domestic order. Afterwards, when, at the end of -some fifty days, he found that we could converse, if not with ease yet -without fear of serious misapprehension, he took an early opportunity -of explaining to me the causes and circumstances of my unfriendly -reception among his people. - -"Your size and form," he said, "startled and surprised them. I gather -from what you have told me that on Earth there are many nations very -imperfectly known to one another, with different dress, language, and -manners. This planet is now inhabited by a single race, all speaking -the same tongue, using much the same customs, and differing from one -another in form and size much less widely than (I understand) do men -upon your Earth. There you might have been taken for a visitor from -some strange and unexplored country. Here it was clear that you were -not one of our race, and yet it was inconceivable what else you could -be. We have no giants; the tallest skeleton preserved in our museums -is scarcely a hand's breadth taller than myself, and does not, of -course, approach to your stature. Then, as you have pointed out, your -limbs are longer and your chest smaller in proportion to the rest of -the body; probably because, as you seem to say, your atmosphere is -denser than ours, and we require ampler lungs to inhale the quantity -of air necessary at each breath for the oxidation of the blood. Then -you were not dumb, and yet affected not to understand our language and -to speak a different one. No such creature could have existed in this -planet without having been seen, described, and canvassed. You did -not, therefore, belong to us. The story you told by signs was quickly -apprehended, and as quickly rejected as an audacious impossibility. It -was an insult to the intelligence of your hearers, and a sufficient -ground for suspecting a being of such size and physical strength of -some evil or dangerous design. The mob who first attacked you were -probably only perplexed and irritated; those who subsequently -interfered may have been animated also by scientific curiosity. You -would have been well worth anatomisation and chemical analysis. Your -mail-shirt protected you from the shock of the dragon, which was meant -to paralyse and place you at the mercy of your assailants; the metal -distributing the current, and the silken lining resisting its passage. -Still, at the moment when I interposed, you would certainly have been -destroyed but for your manoeuvre of laying hold of two of your -immediate escort. Our destructive weapons are far superior to any you -possess or have described. That levelled at you by my neighbour would -have sent to ten times your distance a small ball, which, bursting, -would have asphyxiated every living thing for several yards around. -But our laws regarding the use of such weapons are very stringent, and -your enemy dared not imperil the lives of those you held. Those laws -would not, he evidently thought, apply to yourself, who, as he would -have affirmed, could not be regarded as a man and an object of legal -protection." - -He explained the motives and conduct of his countrymen with such -perfect coolness, such absence of surprise or indignation, that I felt -slightly nettled, and answered sarcastically, "If the slaughter of -strangers whose account of themselves appears improbable be so -completely a matter of course among you, I am at a loss to understand -your own interference, and the treatment I have received from yourself -and your family, so utterly opposite in spirit as well as in form to -that I met from everybody else." - -"I do not," he answered, "always act from the motives in vogue among -my fellow-creatures of this planet; but why and how I differ from them -it might not be well to explain. It is for the moment of more -consequence to tell you why you have been kept in some sense a -prisoner here. My neighbours, independently of general laws, are for -certain reasons afraid to do me serious wrong. While in my company or -in my dwelling they could hardly attempt your life without endangering -mine or those of my family. If you were seen alone outside my -premises, another attempt, whether by the asphyxiator or by a -destructive animal, would probably be made, and might this time prove -successful. Till, therefore, the question of your humanity and right -to the protection of our law is decided by those to whom it has been -submitted, I will beg you not to venture alone beyond the bounds that -afford you security; and to believe that in this request, as in -detaining you perforce heretofore, I am acting simply for your own -welfare, and not," he added, smiling, "with a view to secure the first -opportunity of putting your relation to our race to the tests of the -dissecting table and the laboratory." - -"But my story explained everything that seemed inexplicable; why was -it not believed? It was assumed that I could not belong to Mars; yet I -was a living creature in the flesh, and must therefore have come from -some other planet, as I could hardly be supposed to be an inhabitant -of space." - -"We don't reason on impossibilities," replied my friend. "We have a -maxim that it is more probable that any number of witnesses should -lie, that the senses of any number of persons should be deluded, than -that a miracle should be true; and by a miracle we mean an -interruption or violation of the known laws of nature." - -"One eminent terrestrial sceptic," I rejoined, "has said the same -thing, and masters of the science of probabilities have supported his -assertion. But a miracle should be a violation not merely of the known -but of all the laws of nature, and until you know all those laws, how -can you tell what is a miracle? The lifting of iron by a magnetâI -suppose you have iron and loadstones here as we have on Earthâwas, to -the first man who witnessed it, just as complete a violation of the -law of gravity as now appears my voyage through space, accomplished by -a force bearing some relation to that which acts through the magnet." - -"Our philosophers," he answered, "are probably satisfied that they -know nearly all that is to be known of natural laws and forces; and to -delusion or illusion human sense is undeniably liable." - -"If," I said, "you cannot trust your senses, you may as well -disbelieve in your own existence and in everything around you, for you -know nothing save through those senses which are liable to illusion. -But we know practically that there are limits to illusion. At any -rate, your maxim leads directly and practically to the inference that, -since I do not belong to Mars and cannot have come from any other -world, I am not here, and in fact do not exist. Surely it was somewhat -illogical to shoot an illusion and intend to dissect a spectre! Is not -a fact the complete and unanswerable refutation of its impossibility?" - -"A good many facts to which I could testify," he replied, "are in this -world confessed impossibilities, and if my neighbours witnessed them -they would pronounce them to be either impostures or illusions." - -"Then," said I, somewhat indignantly, "they must prefer inferences -from facts to facts themselves, and the deductions of logic to the -evidence of their senses. Yet, if that evidence be wanting in -certainty, then, since no chain can be stronger than its weakest -point, inferences are doubly uncertain; first, because they are drawn -from facts reported by sense, and, secondly, because a flaw in the -logic is always possible." - -"Do not repeat that out of doors," he answered, smiling. "It is not -permitted here to doubt the infallibility of science; and any one who -ventures to affirm persistently a story which science pronounces -impossible (like your voyage through space), if he do not fall at once -a victim to popular piety, would be consigned to the worse than living -death of life-long confinement in a lunatic hospital." - -"In that case I fear very much that I have little chance of being put -under the protection of your laws, since, whatever may be the -impression of those who have seen me, every one else must inevitably -pronounce me non-existent; and a nonentity can hardly be the subject -of legal wrong or have a right to legal redress." - -"Nor," he replied, "can there be any need or any right to annihilate -that which does not exist. This alternative may occupy our Courts of -Justice, for aught I know, longer than you or I can hope to live. What -I have asked is that, till these have decided between two -contradictory absurdities, you shall be provisionally and without -prejudice considered as a human reality and an object of legal -protection." - -"And who," I asked, "has authority _ad interim_ to decide this point?" - -"It was submitted," he answered, "in the first place, to the Astyntâ -(captain, president) who governs this district; but, as I expected, he -declined to pronounce upon it, and referred it to the Mepta (governor) -of the province. Half-an-hour's argument so bewildered the latter that -he sent the question immediately to the Zamptâ (Regent) of this -dominion, and he, after hearing by telegraph the opening of the case, -at once pronounced that, as affecting the entire planet, it must be -decided by the Camptâ or Suzerain. Now this gentleman is impatient of -the dogmatism of the philosophers, who have tried recently to impose -upon him one or two new theoretical rules which would limit the amount -of what he calls free will that he practically enjoys; and as the -philosophers are all against you, and as, moreover, he has a strong -though secret hankering after curious phenomenaâit would not do to -say, after impossibilitiesâI do not think he will allow you to be -destroyed, at least till he has seen you." - -"Is it possible," I said, "that even your monarch cherishes a belief -in the incredible or logically impossible, and yet escapes the lunatic -asylum with which you threaten me?" - -"I should not escape grave consequences were I to attribute to him a -heresy so detestable," said my host. "Even the Camptâ would not be -rash enough to let it be said that he doubts the infallibility of -science, or of public opinion as its exponent. But as it is the worst -of offences to suggest the existence of that which is pronounced -impossible or unscientific, the supreme authority can always, in -virtue of the enormity of the guilt, insist on undertaking himself the -executive investigation of all such cases; and generally contrives to -have the impossibility, if a tangible one, brought into the presence -either as evidence or as accomplice." - -"Well," I rejoined, after a few minutes' reflection, "I don't know -that I have much right to complain of ideas which, after all, are but -the logical development of those which, are finding constantly more -and more favour among our most enlightened nations. I can quite -believe, from what I have seen of our leading scientists, that in -another century it may be dangerous in my own country for my -descendants to profess that belief in a Creator and a future life -which I am superstitious enough to prefer to all the revelations of -all the material sciences." - -"As you value your life and freedom," he replied, "don't speak of such -a belief here, save to the members of my own family, and to those with -whom I may tell you you are safe. Such ideas were held here, almost as -generally as you say they now are on Earth, some twelve thousand years -ago, and twenty thousand years ago their profession was compulsory. -But for the last hundred centuries it has been settled that they are -utterly fatal to the progress of the race, to enlightenment, to -morality, and to the practical devotion of our energies to the -business of life; and they are not merely disavowed and denounced, but -hated with an earnestness proportioned to the scientific enthusiasm of -classes and individuals." - -"But," said I, "if so long, so severely, and so universally -discountenanced, how can their expression by one man here or there be -considered perilous?" - -"Our philosophers say," he replied, "that the attractiveness of these -ideas to certain minds is such that no reasoning, no demonstration of -their absurdity, will prevent their exercising a mischievous influence -upon weak, and especially upon feminine natures; and perhaps the -suspicion that they are still held in secret may contribute to keep -alive the bitterness with which they are repudiated and repressed. But -if they are so held, if there be any who believe that the order of the -universe was at first established, and that its active forces are -still sustained and governed, by a conscious Intelligenceâif there be -those who think that they have proof positive of the continued -existence of human beings after deathâtheir secret has been well -kept. For very many centuries have elapsed since the last victim of -such delusions, as they were solemnly pronounced by public vote in the -reign of the four-hundredth predecessor of the present Camptâ, was -sent as incurable to the dangerous ward of our strictest hospital for -the insane." - -A tone of irony, and at the same time an air of guarded reserve, -seemed to pervade all my host's remarks on this subject, and I -perceived that for some reason it was so unpleasant to him that -courtesy obliged me to drop it. I put, therefore, to turn the -conversation, some questions as to the political organisation of which -his words had afforded me a glimpse; and in reply he undertook to give -me a summary of the political history of his planet during the last -few hundred generations. - -"If," he said, "in giving you this sketch of the process by which our -present social order has been established, I should mention a class or -party who have stood at certain times distinctly apart from or in -opposition to the majority, I must, in the first place, beg you to ask -no questions about them, and in the next not to repeat incautiously -the little I may tell you, or to show, by asking questions of others, -what you have heard from me." - -I gave my promise frankly, of course, and he then gave me the -following sketch of Martial history:â - -We date events from the union of all races and nations in a single -State, a union which was formally established 13,218 years ago. At -that time the large majority of the inhabitants of this planet -possessed no other property than their houses, clothes, and tools, -their furniture, and a few other trifles. The land was owned by fewer -than 400,000 proprietors. Those who possessed movable wealth may have -numbered thrice as many. Political and social power was in the hands -of the owners of property, and of those, generally connected with them -by birth or marriage, who were at any rate not dependent on manual -labour for their bread. But among these there were divisions and -factions on various questions more or less trivial, none of them -approaching in importance or interest to the fundamental and -irreconcilable conflict sure one day to arise between those who had -accumulated wealth and those who had not. To gain their ends in one or -another of these frivolous quarrels, each party in turn admitted to -political influence section after section of what you call the -proletariat; till in the year 3278 universal suffrage was granted, -every man and woman over the age of twelve years [6] being entitled to -a single and equal vote. - -About the same time the change in opinion of which I have spoken had -taken general effect, and the vast majority of the men, at any rate, -had ceased to believe in a future life wherein the inequalities and -iniquities of this might be redressed. It followed that they were -fiercely impatient of hardships and suffering, especially such as they -thought might be redressed by political and social changes. The -leaders of the multitude, for the most part men belonging to the -propertied classes who had either wasted their wealth or never -possessed any, demanded the abolition of private ownership, first of -land, then of movable wealth; a demand which fiercely excited the -passions of those who possessed neither, and as bitterly provoked the -anger and alarm of those who did. The struggle raged for some -generations and ended by an appeal to the sword; in which, since the -force of the State was by law in the hands of the majority, the -intelligent, thrifty, careful owners of property with their adherents -were signally defeated. Universal communism was established in 3412, -none being permitted to own, or even to claim, the exclusive use of -any portion of the planet's surface, or of any other property except -the share of food and clothing allotted to him. One only privilege was -allowed to certain sectaries who still clung to the habits of the -past, to the permanence and privacy of family life. They were -permitted to have houses or portions of houses to themselves, and to -live there on the share of the public produce allotted to the several -members of each household. It had been assumed as matter of course by -the majority that when every one was forced to work there would be -more than enough for all; that public spirit, and if necessary -coercion, would prove as effectual stimulants to exertion and industry -as interest and necessity had done under the system of private -ownership. - -Those who relied on the refutation of this theory forgot that with -poor and suffering men who look to no future, and acknowledge no law -but such as is created by their own capricious will and pleasure, envy -is even a more powerful passion than greed. The Many preferred that -wealth and luxury should be destroyed, rather than that they should be -the exclusive possession of the Few. The first and most visible effect -of Communism was the utter disappearance of all perishable luxuries, -of all food, clothing, furniture, better than that enjoyed by the -poorest. Whatever could not be produced in quantities sufficient to -give each an appreciable share was not produced at all. Next, the -quarrels arising out of the apportionment of labour were bitter, -constant, and savage. Only a grinding despotism could compose them, -and those who wielded such despotism for a short time excited during -the period of their rule such fierce and universal hatred, that they -were invariably overturned and almost invariably murdered before their -very brief legal term of office had closed. It was not only that those -engaged in the same kind of labour quarrelled over the task assigned -to each, whether allotted in proportion to his strength, or to the -difficulty of his labour, or by lot equally to all. Those to whom the -less agreeable employments were assigned rebelled or murmured, and at -last it was necessary to substitute rotation for division of labour, -since no one would admit that he was best fitted for the lower or less -agreeable. Of course we thus wasted silver tools in doing the work of -iron, and reduced enormously the general production of wealth. Next, -it was found that since one man's industry or idleness could produce -no appreciable effect upon the general wealth, still less upon the -particular share assigned to him, every man was as idle as the envy -and jealousy of his neighbours would allow. Finally, as the produce -annually diminished and the number of mouths to be fed became a -serious consideration, the parents of many children were regarded as -public enemies. The entire independence of women, as equal citizens, -with no recognised relation to individual men, was the inevitable -outcome, logically and practically, of the Communistic principle; but -this only made matters worse. Attempts were of course made to restrain -multiplication by law, but this brought about inquisitions so utterly -intolerable that human nature revolted against them. The sectaries I -have mentionedâaround whom, without adopting or even understanding -their principles, gradually gathered all the better elements of -society, every man of intellect and spirit who had not been murdered, -with a still larger proportion of womenâseceded separately or in -considerable numbers at once; established themselves in those parts of -the planet whose less fertile soil or less genial climate had caused -them to be abandoned, and there organised societies on the old -principles of private ownership and the permanence of household ties. -By and by, as they visibly prospered, they attracted the envy and -greed of the Communists. They worked under whatever disadvantage could -be inflicted by climate and soil, but they had a much more than -countervailing advantage in mutual attachment, in freedom from the -bitter passions necessarily excited by the jealousy and incessant -mutual interference inseparable from the Communistic system, and in -their escape from the caprice and instability of popular -governmentâthese societies, whether from wisdom or mere reaction, -submitting to the rule of one or a few chief magistrates selected by -the natural leaders of each community. Moreover, they had not merely -the adhesion of all the more able, ambitious, and intellectual who -seceded from a republic in which neither talent nor industry could -give comfort or advantage, but also the full benefit of inventive -genius, stimulated by the hope of wealth in addition to whatever -public spirit the habits of Communism had not extinguished. They -systematically encouraged the cultivation of science, which the -Communists had very early put down as a withdrawal of energy from the -labour due to the community at large. They had a monopoly of -machinery, of improvement, of invention both in agriculture, in -manufactures, and in self-defence. They devised weapons far more -destructive than those possessed by the old _rĂŠgime_, and still more -superior to such as, after centuries of anarchy and decline, the -Communists were able to procure. Finally, when assailed by the latter, -vast superiority of numbers was annulled by immeasurable superiority -in weapons and in discipline. The secessionists were animated, too, by -a bitter resentment against their assailants, as the authors of the -general ruin and of much individual suffering; and when the victory -was gained, they not infrequently improved it to the utter destruction -of all who had taken part in the attack. Whichever side were most to -blame in the feud, no quarter was given by either. It was an -internecine war of numbers, ignorance, and anarchy against science and -order. On both sides there still remained much of the spirit generated -in times when life was less precious than the valour by which alone it -could be held, and preserved through milder ages by the belief that -death was not annihilationâenough to give to both parties courage to -sacrifice their lives for the victory of their cause and the -destruction of their enemies. But after a few crushing defeats, the -Communists were compelled to sue for peace, and to cede a large part -of their richest territory. Driven back into their own chaotic misery, -deterred by merciless punishment from further invasion of their -neighbours' dominions, they had leisure to contrast their wretched -condition with that of those who prospered under the restored system -of private ownership, family interest, strong, orderly, permanent -government, material and intellectual civilisation. Machinery did for -the new State, into which the seceding societies were consolidated by -the necessity of self-defence, much more than it had done before -Communism declared war on it. The same envy which, if war had been any -longer possible, would have urged the Communists again and again to -plunder the wealth that contrasted so forcibly their own increasing -poverty, now humbled them to admire and covet the means which had -produced it. At last, after bitter intestine struggles, they -voluntarily submitted to the rule of their rivals, and entreated the -latter to accept them as subjects and pupils. Thus in the 39th century -order and property were once more established throughout the planet. - -"But, as I have said, what you call religion had altogether -disappearedâhad ceased, at least as an avowed principle, to affect -the ideas and conduct of society or of individuals. The -re-establishment of peace and order concentrated men's energies on the -production of material wealth and the achievement of physical comfort -and ease. Looking forward to nothing after death, they could only make -the best of the short life permitted to them and do their utmost to -lengthen it. In the assurance of speedy separation, affection became a -source of much more anxiety and sorrow than happiness. All ties being -precarious and their endurance short, their force became less and -less; till the utmost enjoyment of the longest possible life for -himself became the sole, or almost the sole, animating motive, the one -paramount interest, of each individual. The equality which logic had -established between the sexes dissolved the family tie. It was -impossible for law to dictate the conditions on which two free and -equal individuals should live together, merely because they differed -in sex. All the State could do it did; it insisted on a provision for -the children. But when parental affection was extinguished, such -provision could only be secured by handing over the infant and its -portion to the guardianship of the State. As children were troublesome -and noisy, the practice of giving them up to public officers to be -brought up in vast nurseries regulated on the strictest scientific -principles became the general rule, and was soon regarded as a duty; -what was at first almost openly avowed selfishness soon justifying and -glorifying itself on the ground that the children were better off -under the care of those whose undivided attention was given to them, -and in establishments where everything was regulated with sole regard -to their welfare, than they could be at home. No law compels us to -send our children to these establishments. In rare cases a favourite -will persuade her lord to retain her pet son and make him heir, but -both the Courts and public opinion discountenance this practice. Some -families, like my own, systematically retain their children and -educate them at home; but it is generally thought that in doing so we -do them a wrong, and our neighbours look askance upon so signal a -deviation from custom; the more so, perhaps, that they half suspect us -of dissenting from their views on other subjects, on which our -opinions do not so directly or so obviously affect our conduct, and on -which therefore we are not so easily convicted of free choice" -[heresy]. Here I inquired whether the birth and parentage of the -children sent to the public establishments were registered, so as to -permit their being reclaimed or inheriting property. - -"No," he replied. "Inheritance by mere descent is a notion no longer -favoured. I believe that young mothers sometimes, before parting with -their children, impress upon them some indelible mark by which it may -be possible hereafter to recognise them; but such recognitions seldom -occur. Maternal affection is discountenanced as a purely animal -instinct, a survival from a lower grade of organisation, and does not -generally outlast a ten years' separation; while paternal love is -utterly scouted as an absurdity to which even the higher animals are -not subject. Boys are kept in the public establishments until the age -of twelve, those from ten to twelve being separated from the younger -ones and passing through the higher education in separate colleges. -The girls are educated apart till they complete their tenth year, and -are almost invariably married in the course of the next. At first, -under the influence of the theory of sexual equality, both received -their intellectual instruction in the same classes and passed through -the same examinations. Separation was soon found necessary; but still -girls passed through the same intellectual training as their brothers. -Experience, however, showed that this would not answer. Those girls -who distinguished themselves in the examinations were, with scarcely -an exception, found unattractive as wives and unfit to be mothers. A -very much larger number, a number increasing in every generation, -suffered unmistakably from the severity of the mental discipline to -which they were subjected. The advocates of female equality made a -very hard fight for equal culture; but the physical consequences were -perfectly clear and perfectly intolerable. When a point was reached at -which one half the girls of each generation were rendered invalids for -life, and the other half protected only by a dense stupidity or -volatile idleness which no school punishments could overcome, the -Equalists were driven from one untenable point to another, and forced -at last to demand a reduction of the masculine standard of education -to the level of feminine capacities. Upon this ground they took their -last stand, and were hopelessly beaten. The reaction was so complete -that for the last two hundred and forty generations, the standard of -female education has been lowered to that which by general confession -ordinary female brains can stand without injury to the physique. The -practical consequences of sexual equality have re-established in a -more absolute form than ever the principle that the first purpose of -female life is marriage and maternity; and that, for their own sakes -as for the sake of each successive generation, women should be so -trained as to be attractive wives and mothers of healthy children, all -other considerations being subordinated to these. A certain small -number of ladies avail themselves of the legal equality they still -enjoy, and live in the world much as men. But we regard them as -third-rate men in petticoats, hardly as women at all. Marriage with -one of them is the last resource to which a man too idle or too -foolish to earn his own living will betake himself. Whatever their -education, our women have always found that such independence as they -could earn by hard work was less satisfactory than the dependence, -coupled with assured comfort and ease, which they enjoy as the -consorts, playthings, or slaves of the other sex; and they are only -too glad to barter their legal equality for the certainty of -protection, indolence, and permanent support." - -"Then your marriages," I said, "are permanent?" - -"Not by law," he replied. "Nothing like what our remote ancestors -called marriage is recognised at all. The maidens who come of age each -year sell themselves by a sort of auction, those who purchase them -arranging with the girls themselves the terms on which the latter will -enter their family. Custom has fixed the general conditions which -every girl expects, and which only the least attractive are forced to -forego. They are promised a permanent maintenance from their master's -estate, and promise in return a fixed term of marriage. After two or -three years they are free to rescind the contract; after ten or twelve -they may leave their husbands with a stipulated pension. They receive -an allowance for dress and so forth proportionate to their personal -attractions or to the fancy of the suitor; and of course the richest -men can offer the best terms, and generally secure the most agreeable -wives, in whatever number they please or think they can without -inconvenience support." - -"Then," I said, "the women can divorce themselves at pleasure, but the -men cannot dismiss them! This hardly looks like equality." - -"The practical result," he answered, "is that men don't care for a -release which would part them from complaisant slaves, and that women -dare not seek a divorce which can only hand them over to another -master on rather worse terms. When the longer term has expired, the -latter almost always prefer the servitude to which they are accustomed -to an independent life of solitude and friendlessness." - -"And what becomes," I asked, "of the younger men who must enter the -world without property, without parents or protectors?" - -"We are, after youth has passed, an indolent race. We hardly care, as -a rule, to cultivate our fields or direct our factories; but prefer -devoting the latter half at least of our lives to a somewhat -easy-going cultivation of that division of science which takes hold of -our fancy. These divisions are such as your conversation leads me to -think you would probably consider absurdly minute. A single class of -insects, a single family of plants, the habits of one race of fishes, -suffice for the exclusive study of half a lifetime. Minds of a more -active or more practical bent will spend an equal time over the -construction of a new machine more absolutely automatic than any that -has preceded it. Physical labour is thrown as much as possible on the -young; and even they are now so helped by machinery and by trained -animals, that the eight hours' work which forms their day's labour -hardly tires their muscles. Our tastes render us very anxious to -devolve upon others as soon as possible the preservation and -development of the property we have acquired. A man of moderate means, -long before he has reached his thirtieth [7] year, generally seeks one -assistant; men of larger fortune may want two, five, or ten. These are -chosen, as a rule, by preference from those who have passed the most -stringent and successful collegiate examination. Martial parents are -not prolific, and the mortality in our public nurseries is very large. -I impute it to moral influences, since the chief cause of death is low -vitality, marked nervous depression and want of animal spirits, such -as the total absence of personal tenderness and sympathy must produce -in children. It is popularly ascribed to the over-cultivation of the -race, as plants and animals highly civilisedâthat is, greatly -modified and bred to an artificial excellence by human agencyâare -certainly delicate, unprolific, and especially difficult to rear. -There is little disease in the nurseries, but there is little health -and a deficiency of nervous energy. One fact is significant, however -interpreted, and bears directly on your last question. Since the wide -extension of polygamy, female births are to male about as seven to -six; but the deaths in public nurseries between the first and tenth -years are twenty-nine in twelve dozen admissions in the stronger sex, -and only about ten in the weaker. Read these facts as we may, they -ensure employment to the young men when their education is -completedâthe two last years of severe study adding somewhat to the -mortality among them. - -"A large number find employment in superintending the property of -others. To give them a practical interest in its preservation and -improvement, they are generally, after a shorter or longer probation, -adopted by their employers as heirs to their estate; our experience of -Communism having taught us that immediate and obvious self-interest is -the only motive that certainly and seriously affects human action. The -distance at which they are kept, and the absolute seclusion of our -family life, enables us easily to secure ourselves against any -over-anxiety on their part to anticipate their inheritance. The -minority who do not thus find a regular place in society are employed -in factories, as artisans, or on the lands belonging to the State. To -ensure their zeal, the last receive a fixed proportion of the produce, -or are permitted to rent land at fixed rates, and at the end of ten -years receive a part thereof in full property. By these means we are -free from all the dangers and difficulties of that state of society -which preceded the Communistic cataclysm. We have poor men, and men -who can live only by daily labour; but these have dissipated their -wealth, or are looking forward at no very distant period to a -sufficient competence. The entire population of our planet does not -exceed two hundred millions, and is not much increased from generation -to generation. The area of cultivable land is about ten millions of -square miles, and half a square mile in these equatorial continents, -which alone are at all generally inhabited, will, if well cultivated -and cared for, furnish the largest household with every luxury that -man's heart can desire. Eight hours' labour in the day for ten years -of life will secure to the least fortunate a reasonable competence; -and an ambitious man, with quick intelligence and reasonable industry, -may always hope to become rich, if he thinks wealth worth the labour -of invention or of exceptionally troublesome work." - -"Mars ought, then," I said, "to be a material paradise. You have -attained nearly all that our most advanced political economists regard -as the perfection of economical orderâa population nearly stationary, -and a soil much more than adequate to their support; a general -distribution of property, total absence of permanent poverty, and -freedom from that gnawing anxiety regarding the future of ourselves or -our children which is the great evil of life upon Earth and the -opprobrium of our social arrangements. You have carried out, moreover, -the doctrines of our most advanced philosophers; you have absolute -equality before the law, competitive examination among the young for -the best start in life, with equal chances wherever equality is -possible; and again, perfect freedom and full legal equality as -regards the relations of the sexes. Are your countrymen satisfied with -the results?" - -"Yes," answered my host, "in so far, at least, that they have no wish -to change them, no idea that any great social or political reforms -could improve our condition. Our lesson in Communism has rendered all -agitation on such matters, all tendency to democratic institutions, -all appeals to popular passions, utterly odious and alarming to us. -But that we are happy I will venture neither to affirm nor to deny. -Physically, no doubt, we have great advantages over you, if I rightly -understand your description of life on Earth. We have got rid of old -age, and, to a great extent, of disease. Many of our scientists -persist in the hope to get rid of death; but, since all that has been -accomplished in this direction was accomplished some two thousand -years back, and yet we continue to die, general opinion hardly concurs -in this hope." - -"How do you mean," I inquired, "that you have got rid of old age and -of disease?" - -"We have," he replied, "learned pretty fully the chemistry of life. We -have found remedies for that hardening of the bones and weakening of -the muscles which used to be the physical characteristics of declining -years. Our hair no longer whitens; our teeth, if they decay, are now -removed and naturally replaced by new ones; our eyes retain to the -last the clearness of their sight. A famous physician of five thousand -years back said in controversy on this subject, that 'the clock was -not made to go for ever;' by which he meant that human bodies, like -the materials of machines, wore out by lapse of time. In his day this -was true, since it was impossible fully to repair the waste and -physical wear and tear of the human frame. This is no longer so. The -clock does not wear out, but it goes more and more slowly and -irregularly, and stops at last for some reason that the most skilful -inspection cannot discover. The body of him who dies, as we say, 'by -efflux of time' at the age of fifty is as perfect as it was at -five-and twenty. [8] Yet few men live to be fifty-five, [9] and most -have ceased to take much interest in practical life, or even in -science, by forty-five." [10] - -"That seems strange," I said. "If no foreign body gets into the -machinery, and the machinery itself does not wear out, it is difficult -to understand why the clock should cease to go." - -"Would not some of your race," he asked, "explain the mystery by -suggesting that the human frame is not a clock, but contains, and owes -its life to, an essence beyond the reach of the scalpel, the -microscope, and the laboratory?" - -"They hold that it is so. But then it is not the soul but the body -that is worn out in seventy or eighty of the Earth's revolutions." - -"Ay," he said; "but if man were such a duplex being, it might be that -the wearing out of the body was necessary, and had been adapted to -release the soul when it had completed its appropriate term of service -in the flesh." - -I could not answer this question, and he did not pursue the theme. -Presently I inquired, "If you allow no appeal to popular feeling or -passion, to what was I so nearly the victim? And what is the terrorism -that makes it dangerous to avow a credulity or incredulity opposed to -received opinion?" - -"Scientific controversies," he replied, "enlist our strongest and -angriest feelings. It is held that only wickedness or lunacy can -resist the evidence that has convinced a vast majority. By -arithmetical calculation the chances that twelve men are wrong and -twelve thousand [11] right, on a matter of inductive or deductive -proof, are found to amount to what must be taken for practical -certainty; and when the twelve still hold out, they are regarded as -madmen or knaves, and treated accordingly by their fellows. If it be -thought desirable to invoke a legal settlement of the issue, a council -of all the overseers of our scientific colleges is called, and its -decision is by law irrevocable and infallible, especially if ratified -by the popular voice. And if a majority vote be worth anything at all, -I think this modern theory at least as sound as the democratic theory -of politics which prevailed here before the Communistic revolution, -and which seems by your account to be gaining ground on Earth." - -"And what," I inquired, "is your political constitution? What are the -powers of your rulers; and how, in the absence of public discussion -and popular suffrage, are they practically limited?" - -"In theory they are unlimited," he answered; "in practice they are -limited by custom, by caution, and, above all, by the lack of motives -for misrule. The authority of each prince over those under him, from -the Sovereign to the local president or captain, is absolute. But the -Executive leaves ordinary matters of civil or criminal law to the -Courts of Justice. Cases are tried by trained judges; the old -democratic usage of employing untrained juries having been long ago -discarded, as a worse superstition than simple decision by lot. The -lot is right twelve times in two dozen; the jury not oftener than -half-a-dozen times. The judges don't heat or bias their minds by -discussion. They hear all that can be elicited from parties, accuser, -accused, and witnesses, and all that skilled advocates can say. Then -the secretary of the Court draws up a summary of the case, each judge -takes it home to consider, each writes out his judgment, which is read -by the secretary, none but the author knowing whose it is. If the -majority be five to two, judgment is given; if less, the case is tried -again before a higher tribunal of twice as many judges. If no decision -can be reached, the accused is acquitted for the time, or, in a civil -dispute, a compromise is imposed. The rulers cannot, without incurring -such general anger as would be fatal to their power, disregard our -fundamental laws. Gross tyranny to individuals is too dangerous to be -carried far. It is a capital crime for any but the officers of the -Sovereign and of the twelve Regents to possess the fearfully -destructive weapons that brought our last wars to an end. But any man, -driven to desperation, can construct and use similar weapons so easily -that no ruler will drive a man to such revengeful despair. Again, the -tyranny of subordinate officials would be checked by their chief, who -would be angry at being troubled and endangered by misconduct in which -he had no direct interest. And finally, _personal_ malice is not a -strong passion among us; and our manners render it unlikely that a -ruler should come into such collision with any of his subjects as -would engender such a feeling. Of those immediately about him, he can -and does at once get rid as soon as he begins to dislike, and before -he has cause to hate them. It is our maxim that greed of wealth or -lust of power are the chief motives of tyranny. Our rulers cannot well -hope to extend a power already autocratic, and we take care to leave -them nothing to covet in the way of wealth. We can afford to give them -all that they can desire of luxury and splendour. To enrich to the -uttermost a few dozen governors costs us nothing comparable to the -cost of democracy, with its inseparable party conflicts, -maladministration, neglect, and confusion." - -"A clever writer on Earth lately remarked that it would be easy to -satiate princes with all personal enjoyments, but impossible to -satiate all their hangers-on, or even all the members of their -family." - -"You must remember," he replied, "that we have here, save in such -exceptional cases as my own, nothing like what you call a family. The -ladies of a prince's house have everything they can wish for within -their bounds and cannot go outside of these. As for dependents, no man -here, at least of such as are likely to be rulers, cares for his -nearest and dearest friends enough to incur personal peril, public -displeasure, or private resentment on their account. The officials -around a ruler's person are few in number, so that we can afford to -make their places too comfortable and too valuable to be lightly -risked. Neglect, again, is pretty sure to be punished by superior -authority. Activity in the promotion of public objects is the only -interest left to princes, while tyranny is, for the reasons I have -given, too dangerous to be carried far." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - AN OFFICIAL VISIT. - - -At this point of our conversation an ambâ entered the room and made -certain signs which my host immediately understood. - -"The Zamptâ," he said, "has called upon me, evidently on your account, -and probably with some message from his Suzerain. You need not be -afraid," he added. "At worst they would only refuse you protection, -and I could secure you from danger under my own roof, and in the last -extremity effect your retreat and return to your own planet; supposing -for a moment," he added, smiling, "that you are a real being and come -from a real world." - -The Regent of that dominion, the only Martialist outside my host's -family with whom I had yet been able to converse, awaited us in the -hall or entrance chamber. I bowed low to him, and then remained -standing. My host, also saluting his visitor, at once took his seat. -The Regent, returning the salute and seating himself, proceeded to -address us; very little ceremony on either side being observed between -this autocratic deputy of an absolute Sovereign and his subjects. - -"Esmo _dent Ecasfen_" said the Regent, "will you point out the person -you declare yourself to have rescued from assault and received into -your house on the 431st day of this year?" - -"That is the person, Regent," said my host, pointing to me. - -The visitor then asked my name, which I gave, and addressing me -thereby, he continuedâ - -"The Camptâ has requested me to ascertain the truth regarding your -alleged size, so far exceeding anything hitherto known among us. You -will permit me, therefore, to measure your height and girth." - -I bowed, and he proceeded to ascertain that I was about a foot taller -and some ten inches larger round the waist than himself. Of these -facts he took note, and then proceededâ - -"The signs you made to those who first encountered you were understood -to mean that you descended from the sky, in a vessel which is now left -on the summit of yonder mountain, Asnyca." - -"I did not descend from the sky," I replied, "for the sky is, as we -both know, no actual vault or boundary of the atmospheric depths. I -ascended from a world nearer to the Sun, and after travelling for -forty days through space, landed upon this planet in the vessel you -mention." - -"I am directed," he answered, "to see this vessel, to inspect your -machinery and instruments, and to report thereon to the Suzerain. You -will doubtless be ready to accompany me thither to-morrow two hours -after sunrise. You may be accompanied, if you please, by your host or -any members of his family; I shall be attended by one or more of my -officers. In the meantime I am to inform you that, until my report has -been received and considered, you are under the protection of the law, -and need not apprehend any molestation of the kind you incurred at -first. You will not, however, repeat to any one but myself the -explanation you have offered of your appearanceâwhich, I understand, -has been given in fuller detail to Esmoâuntil the decision of the -Camptâ shall have been communicated to you." - -I simply bowed my assent; and after this brief but sufficient -fulfilment of the purpose for which he had called, the Regent took his -leave. - -"What," I asked, when we re-entered my chamber, "is the meaning of the -title by which the Regent addressed you?" - -"In speaking to officials," he replied, "of rank so high as his, it is -customary to address them simply by their titles, unless more than one -of the same rank be present, in which case we call them, as we do -inferior officials, by their name with the title appended. For -instance, in the Court of the Sovereign our Regent would be called -Endo Zamptâ. Men of a certain age and social position, but having no -office, are addressed by their name and that of their residence; and, -_asfe_ meaning a town or dwelling, usage gives me the name of Esmo, in -or of the town of Eca. - -"I am sorry," he went on, "that neither my son nor myself can -accompany you to-morrow. All the elder members of my family are -engaged to attend at some distance hence before the hour at which you -can return. But I should not like you to be alone with strangers; and, -independently of this consideration, I should perhaps have asked of -you a somewhat unusual favour. My daughter Eveena, who, like most of -_our_ women" (he laid a special emphasis on the pronoun) "has received -a better education than is now given in the public academies, has been -from the first greatly interested in your narrative and in all you -have told us of the world from which you come. She is anxious to see -your vessel, and I had hoped to take her when I meant to visit it in -your company. But after to-morrow I cannot tell when you may be -summoned to visit the Camptâ, or whether after that visit you are -likely to return hither. I will ask you, therefore, if you do not -object to what I confess is an unusual proceeding, to take Eveena -under your charge to-morrow." - -"Is it," I inquired, "permissible for a young lady to accompany a -stranger on such an excursion?" - -"It is very unusual," returned my host; "but you must observe that -here family ties are, as a rule, unknown. It cannot be usual for a -maiden to be attended by father or brother, since she knows neither. -It is only by a husband that a girl can, as a rule, be attended -abroad. Our usages render such attendance exceedingly close, and, on -the other hand, forbid strangers to interrupt or take notice thereof. -In Eveena's presence the Regent will find it difficult to draw you -into conversation which might be inconvenient or dangerous; and -especially cannot attempt to gratify, by questioning you, any -curiosity as to myself or my family." - -"But," I said, "from what you say, it seems that the Regent and any -one who might accompany him would draw inferences which might not be -agreeable to you or to the young lady." - -"I hardly understand you," he replied. "The only conjecture they could -make, which they will certainly make, is that you are, or are about to -be, married to her; and as they will never see her again, and, if they -did, could not recognise herâas they will not to-morrow know anything -save that she belongs to my household, and certainly will not speak to -herâI do not see how their inference can affect her. When I part with -her, it will be to some one of my own customs and opinions; and to us -this close confinement of girls appears to transcend reasonable -restraint, as it contradicts the theoretical freedom and equality -granted by law to the sex, but utterly withheld by the social usages -which have grown out of that law." - -"I can only thank you for giving me a companion more agreeable than -the official who is to report upon my reality," I said. - -"I do not desire," he continued, "to bind you to any reserve in -replying to questions, beyond what I am sure you will do without a -pledgeânamely, to avoid betraying more than you can help of that -which is not known outside my own household. But on this subject I may -be able to speak more fully after to-morrow. Now, if you will come -into the peristyle, we shall be in time for the evening meal." - -Eveena's curiosity had in nowise overcome her silent shyness. She -might possibly have completed her tenth year, which epoch in the life -of Mars is about equivalent to the seventeenth birthday of a damsel -nurtured in North-Western Europe. I hardly think that I had addressed -her directly half-a-dozen times, or had received from her a dozen -words in return. I had been attracted, nevertheless, not only by her -grace and beauty, but by the peculiar sweetness of her voice and the -gentleness of her manner and bearing when engaged in pacifying dispute -or difficulty among the children, and particularly in dealing with the -half-deformed spoilt infant of which I have spoken. This evening that -little brat was more than usually exasperating, and having exhausted -the patience or repelled the company of all the rest, found itself -alone, and set up a fretful, continuous scream, disagreeable even to -me, and torturing to Martial ears, which, adapted to hear in that thin -air, are painfully alive to strident, harsh, or even loud sounds. -Instantly obeying a sign from her mother, Eveena rose in the middle of -a conversation to which she had listened with evident interest, and -devoted herself for half-an-hour to please and pacify this -uncomfortable child. The character and appearance of this infant, so -utterly unlike all its companions, had already excited my curiosity, -but I had found no opportunity of asking a question without risking an -impertinence. On this occasion, however, I ventured to make some -remark on the extreme gentleness and forbearance with which not only -Eveena but the children treated their peevish and exacting brother. - -"He is no brother of theirs," said Zulve, the mistress of the house. -"You would hardly find in any family like ours a child with so -irritable a temper or a disposition so selfish, and nowhere a creature -so hardly treated by Nature in body as well as mind." - -"Indeed," I said, hardly understanding her answer. - -"No," said my host. "It is the rule to deprive of life, promptly and -painlessly, children to whom, from physical deformity or defect, life -is thought unlikely to be pleasant, and whose descendants might be a -burden to the public and a cause of physical deterioration to the -race. It is, however, one of the exceptional tenets to which I have -been obliged to allude, that man should not seek to be wiser than -Nature; and that life should neither be cut short, except as a -punishment for great crimes, nor prolonged artificially contrary to -the manifest intention, or, as our philosophers would say, the common -course of Nature. Those who think with me, therefore, always -endeavour, when we hear in time of their approaching fate, to preserve -children so doomed. Precautions against undue haste or readiness to -destroy lives that might, after all, grow up to health and vigour are -provided by law. No single physician or physiologist can sign a -death-warrant; and I, though no longer a physician by craft, am among -the arbiters, one or more of whom must be called in to approve or -suspend the decision. On these occasions I have rescued from -extinction several children of whose unfitness to live, according to -the standard of the State Nurseries, there was no question, and placed -them in families, mostly childless, that were willing to receive them. -Of this one it was our turn to take charge; and certainly his chance -is better for being brought up among other children, and under the -influence of their gentler dispositions and less exacting -temperaments." - -"And is such ill-temper and selfishness," I asked, "generally found -among the deformed?" - -"I don't think," replied Esmo, "that this child is much worse than -most of my neighbours' children, except that physical discomfort makes -him fretful. What you call selfishness in him is only the natural -inheritance derived from an ancestry who for some hundred generations -have certainly never cared for anything or any one but themselves. I -thought I had explained to you by what train of circumstances and of -reasoning family affection, such as it is reputed to have been -thousands of years ago, has become extinct in this planet; and, family -affection extinguished, all weaker sentiments of regard for others -were very quickly withered up." - -"You told me something of the kind," I said; "but the idea of a life -so utterly swallowed up in self that no one even thinks it necessary -to affect regard for and interest in others, was to me so -unintelligible and inconceivable that I did not realise the full -meaning of your account. Nor even now do I understand how a society -formed of such members can be held together. On Earth we should expect -them either to tear one another to pieces, or to relapse into -isolation and barbarism lower than that of the lowest tribe which -preserves social instincts and social organisation. A society composed -of men resembling that child, but with the intelligence, force, and -consistent purpose of manhood, would, I should have thought, be little -better than a congregation of beasts of prey." - -"We have such beasts," said Esmo, "in the wild lands, and they are -certainly unsociable and solitary. But men, at least civilised men, -are governed not only by instinct but by interest, and the interest of -each individual in the preservation of social co-operation and social -order is very evident and very powerful. Experience and school -discipline cure children of the habit of indulging mere temper and -spite before they come to be men, and they are taught by practice as -well as by precept the absolute necessity of co-operation. Egotism, -therefore, has no tendency to dissolve society as a mere organisation, -though it has utterly destroyed society as a source of pleasure." - -"Does your law," I asked, "confine the principle of euthanasia to -infants, or do you put out of the world adults whose life is supposed, -for one reason or another, to be useless and joyless?" - -"Only," he answered, "in the case of the insane. When the doctors are -satisfied that a lunatic cannot be cured, an inquest is held; and if -the medical verdict be approved, he is quietly and painlessly -dismissed from existence. Logically, of course, the same principle -should be applied to all incurable disease; and I suspectâindeed I -knowâthat it is applied when the household have become weary, and the -patient is utterly unable to protect himself or appeal to the law. But -the general application of the principle has been successfully -resisted, on the ground that the terror it would cause, the constant -anxiety and alarm in which men would live if the right of judging when -life had become worthless to them were left to others, would far -outweigh any benefit which might be derived from the legalised -extinction of existences which had become a prolonged misery; and such -cases, as I have told you, are very rare among us. A case of hopeless -bodily suffering, not terminating very speedily in death, does not -occur thrice a year among the whole population of the planet, except -through accident. We have means of curing at the outset almost all of -those diseases which the observance for hundreds of generations of -sound physical conditions of life has not extirpated; and in the worst -instances our anĂŚsthetics seldom fail to extinguish the sense of pain -without impairing intellect. Of course, any one who is tired of his -life is at liberty to put an end to it, and any one else may assist -him. But, though the clinging to existence is perhaps the most -irrational of all those purely animal instincts on emancipation from -which we pride ourselves, it is the strongest and the most lasting. -The life of most of my countrymen would be to me intolerable -weariness, if only from the utter want, after wealth is attained, of -all warmer and less isolated interest than some one pet scientific -pursuit can afford; and yet more from the total absence of affection, -family duties, and the various mental occupations which interest in -others affords. But though the question whether life is worth living -has long ago been settled among us in the negative, suicide, the -logical outcome of that conviction, is the rarest of all the methods -by which life is terminated." - -"Which seems to show that even in Mars logic does not always dominate -life and prevail over instinct. But what is the most usual cause of -death, where neither disease nor senility are other than rare -exceptions?" - -"Efflux of time," Esmo replied with an ironical smile. "That is the -chief fatal disease recognised by our physicians." - -"And what is its nature?" - -"Ah, that neither I nor any other physician can tell you. Life 'goes -out,' like a lamp when the materials supplying the electric current -are exhausted; and yet here all the waste of which physic can take -cognisance is fully repaired, and the circuit is not broken." - -"What are the symptoms, then?" - -"They are all reducible to oneâexhaustion of the will, the prime -element of personality. The patient ceases to _care_. It is too much -trouble to work; then too much trouble to read; then too much trouble -to exert even those all but mechanical powers of thought which are -necessary to any kind of social intercourseâto give an order, to -answer a question, to recognise a name or a face: then even the -passions die out, till the patient cannot be provoked to rate a stupid -ambâ or a negligent wife; finally, there is not energy to dress or -undress, to rise up or sit down. Then the patient is allowed to die: -if kept alive perforce, he would finally lack the energy to eat or -even to breathe. And yet, all this time, the man is alive, the self is -there; and I have prolonged life, or rather renewed it, for a time, by -some chance stimulus that has reached the inner sight through the -thickening veil, and shocked the essential man into willing and -thinking once more as he thought and willed when he was younger than -his grandchildren are now.... It is well that some of us who know best -how long the flesh may be kept in life, are, in right of that very -knowledge, proof against the wish to keep the life in the flesh for -ever." - - - - -CHAPTER VII - ESCORT DUTY. - - -Immediately after breakfast the next morning my host invited me to the -gate of his garden, where stood one of the carriages I had seen before -in the distance, but never had an opportunity of examining. It rested -on three wheels, the two hind ones by far larger than that in front, -which merely served to sustain the equilibrium of the body and to -steer. The material was the silver-like metal of which most Martial -vessels and furniture are formed, every spar, pole, and cross-piece -being a hollow cylinder; a construction which, with the extreme -lightness of the metal itself, made the carriage far lighter than any -I had seen on Earth. The body consisted of a seat with sides, back, -and footboard, wide enough to accommodate two persons with ease. It -was attached by strong elastic fastenings to a frame consisting of -four light poles rising from the framework in which the axles turned; -completely dispensing with the trouble of springs, while affording a -more complete protection from anything like jolting. The steering gear -consisted of a helm attached to the front wheel and coming up within -easy reach of the driver's hand. The electric motive power and -machinery were concealed in a box beneath the seat, which was indeed -but the top of this most important and largest portion of the -carriage. The poles sustained a light framework supporting a canopy, -which could be drawn over the top and around three sides of the -carriage, leaving only the front open. This canopy, in the present -instance, consisted of a sort of very fine silken material, thickly -embroidered within and without with feathers of various colours and -sizes, combined in patterns of exquisite beauty. My host requested me -to mount the carriage with him, and drove for some distance, teaching -me how to steer, and how, by pressing a spring, to stop or slacken the -motion of the vehicle, also how to direct it over rough ground and up -or down the steepest slope on which it was available. When we -returned, the Regent's carriage was standing by the gate, and two -others were waiting at a little distance in the rear. The Regent, with -a companion, was already seated, and as soon as we reached the gate, -Eveena appeared. She was enveloped from head to foot in a cloak of -something like swans-down covering her whole figure, loose, like the -ordinary outer garments of both sexes, and gathered in at the waist by -a narrow zone of silver, with a sort of clasp of some bright green -jewel; and a veil of white satin-looking material covered the whole -head and face, and fell half-way to the waist. Her gloved right hand -was hidden by the sleeve of her cloak; that of the left arm was turned -back, and the hand which she gave me as I handed her to the seat on my -left was bareâa usage both of convenience and courtesy. At Esmo's -request, the Regent, who led the way, started at a moderate pace, not -exceeding some ten miles an hour. I observed that on the roofs of all -the houses along the road the inhabitants had gathered to watch us; -and as my companion was so completely veiled, I did not baulk their -curiosity by drawing the canopy. I presently noticed that the girl -held something concealed in her right sleeve, and ventured to ask her -what she had there. - -"Pardon me," she said; "if we had been less hurried, I meant to have -asked your permission to bring my pet _esvè_ with me." Drawing back -her sleeve, she showed a bird about the size of a carrier-pigeon, but -with an even larger and stronger beak, white body, and wings and tail, -like some of the plumage of the head and neck, tinted with gold and -green. Around its neck was a little string of silver, and suspended -from this a small tablet with a pencil or style. Since by her look and -manner she seemed to expect an answer, I saidâ - -"I am very glad you have given me the opportunity of making -acquaintance with another of those curiously tame and manageable -animals which your people seem to train to such wonderful intelligence -and obedience. We have birds on Earth which will carry a letter from a -strange place to their home, but only homewards." - -"These," she answered, "will go wherever they are directed, if they -have been there before and know the name of the place; and if this -bird had been let loose after we had left, he would have found me, if -not hidden by trees or other shelter, anywhere within a score of -miles." - -"And have your people," I asked, "many more such wonderfully -intelligent and useful creatures tamed to your service, besides the -ambau, the tyree, and these letter-carriers?" - -"Oh yes!" she answered. "Nearly all our domestic animals will do -anything they are told which lies within their power. You have seen -the tyree marching in a line across a field to pick up every single -worm or insect, or egg of such, within the whole space over which they -move, and I think you saw the ambau gathering fruit. It is not very -usual to employ the latter for this purpose, except in the trees. Have -you not seen a big creatureâI should call it a bird, but a bird that -cannot fly, and is covered with coarse hair instead of feathers? It is -about as tall as myself, but with a neck half as long as its body, and -a very sharp powerful beak; and four of these _carvee_ would clear a -field the size of our garden (some 160 acres) of weeds in a couple of -days. We can send them, moreover, with orders to fetch a certain -number of any particular fruit or plant, and they scarcely ever forget -or blunder. Some of them, of course, are cleverer than others. The -cleverest will remember the name of every plant in the garden, and -will, perhaps, bring four or even six different kinds at a time; but -generally we show them a leaf of the plant we want, or point out to -them the bed where it is to be found, and do not trouble their memory -with more than two different orders at a time. The Unicorns, as you -call them, come regularly to be milked at sunset, and, if told -beforehand, will come an hour earlier or later to any place pointed -out to them. There were many beasts of burden before the electric -carriages were invented, so intelligent that I have heard the rider -never troubled himself to guide them except when he changed his -purpose, or came to a road they had not traversed before. He would -simply tell them where to go, and they would carry him safely. The -only creature now kept for this purpose is the largest of our birds -(the _caldecta_), about six feet long from head to tail, and with -wings measuring thrice as much from tip to tip. They will sail through -the air and carry their rider up to places otherwise inaccessible. But -they are little used except by the hunters, partly because the danger -is thought too great, partly because they cannot rise more than about -4000 feet from the sea-level with a rider, and within that height -there are few places worth reaching that cannot be reached more -safely. People used to harness them to balloons till we found means to -drive these by electricityâthe last great invention in the way of -locomotion, which I think was completed within my grandfather's -memory." - -"And," I asked, "have you no animals employed in actually cultivating -the soil?" - -"No," she replied, "except the weeding birds of whom I have told you. -When we have a piece of ground too small for our electric ploughs, we -sometimes set them to break it up, and they certainly reduce the soil -to a powder much finer than that produced by the machine." - -"I should like to see those machines at work." - -"Well," answered Eveena, "I have no doubt we shall pass more than one -of them on our way." - -As she said this we reached the great road I had crossed on my -arrival, and turning up this for a short distance, sufficient, -however, to let me perceive that it led to the seaport town of which I -have spoken, we came to a break in the central footpath, just wide -enough to allow us to pass. Looking back on this occasion, I observed -that we were followed by the two other carriages I have mentioned, but -at some distance. We then proceeded up the mountain by a narrow road I -had not seen in descending it. On either side of this lay fields of -the kind already described, one of which was in course of cultivation, -and here I saw the ploughs of which my companion had spoken. Evidently -constructed on the same principle as the carriages, but of much -greater size, and with heavier and broader wheels, they tore up and -broke to pieces a breadth of soil of some two yards, working to a -depth of some eighteen inches, with a dozen sharp powerful triangular -shares, and proceeding at a rate of about fifty yards per minute. -Eveena explained that these fields were generally from 200 to 600 -yards square. The machine having traversed the whole field in one -direction, then recommenced its work, ploughing at right angles to the -former, and carrying behind it a sort of harrow, consisting of hooks -supported by light, hollow, metallic poles fixed at a certain angle to -the bar forming the rearward extremity of the plough, by which the -surface was levelled and the soil beaten into small fragments; broken -up, in fact, as I had seen, not less completely than ordinary garden -soil in England or Flanders. When it reached the end of its course, -the plough had to be turned; and this duty required the employment of -two men, one at each end of the field, who, however, had no other or -more difficult labour than that of turning the machine at the -completion of each set of furrows. In another field, already doubly -ploughed, a sowing machine was at work. The large seeds were placed -singly by means of an instrument resembling a magnified ovipositor, -such as that possessed by many insects, which at regulated intervals -made a hole in the ground and deposited a seed therein. Eveena -explained that where the seed and plant were small, a continuous -stream was poured into a small furrow made by a different instrument -attached to the same machine, while another arm, placed a little to -the rear, covered in the furrow and smoothed the surface. In reply to -another question of mineâ"There are," she said, "some score of -different wool or hair bearing animals, which are shorn twice in the -year, immediately after the rains, and furnish the fibre which is -woven into most of the materials we use for dress and other household -purposes. These creatures adapt themselves to the shearing machines -with wonderful equanimity and willingness, so that they are seldom or -never injured." - -"Not even," I asked, "by inexperienced or clumsy hands?" - -"Hands," she said, "have nothing to do with the matter. They have only -to send the animal into the machine, and, indeed, each goes in of his -own accord as he sees his fellow come out." - -"And have you no vegetable fibres," I said, "that are used for -weaving?" - -"Oh yes," she answered, "several. The outer dress I wear indoors is -made of a fibre found inside the rind of the fruit of the algyro tree, -and the stalks of three or four different kinds of plants afford -materials almost equally soft and fine." - -"And your cloak," I asked, "is not that made of the skin of some -animal?" - -"Yes," she replied, "and the most curious creature I have heard of. It -is found only in the northern and southern Arctic land-belts, to which -indeed nearly all wild animals, except the few small ones that are -encouraged because they prey upon large and noxious insects, are now -confined. It is about as large as the Unicorns, and has, like them, -four limbs; but otherwise it more resembles a bird. It has a bird's -long slight neck, but a very small and not very bird-like head, with a -long horny snout, furnished with teeth, something between a beak and a -mouth. Its hind limbs are those of a bird, except that they have more -flesh upon the lowest joints and are covered with this soft down. Its -front limbs, my father says, seem as if nature had hesitated between -wings and arms. They have attached to them several long, sharp, -featherless quills starting from a shrivelled membrane, which make -them very powerful and formidable weapons, so that no animal likes to -attack it; while the foot has four fingers or claws with, which it -clasps fish or small dragons, especially those electric dragons of -which you have seen a tame and very much enlarged specimen, and so -holds them that they cannot find a chance of delivering their electric -shock. But for the _Thernee_ these dragons, winged as they are, would -make those lands hardly habitable either for man, or other beasts. All -our furs are obtained from those countries, and the creatures from -which they are derived are carefully preserved for that purpose, it -being forbidden to kill more than a certain number of each every year, -which makes these skins by far the costliest articles we use." - -By this time we had reached the utmost point to which the carriages -could take us, about a furlong from the platform on which I had rested -during my descent. Seeing that the Regent and his companion had -dismounted, I stopped and sprang down from my carriage, holding out my -hand to assist Eveena's descent, an attention which I thought seemed -to surprise her. Up to the platform the path was easy enough; after -that it became steep even for me, and certainly a troublesome and -difficult ascent for a lady dressed as I have described, and hardly -stronger than a child of the same height and size on earth. Still my -companion did not seem to expect, and certainly did not invite -assistance. That she found no little difficulty in the walk was -evident from her turning back both sleeves and releasing her bird, -which hovered closely round her. Very soon her embarrassments and -stumbles threatened such actual danger as overcame my fear of -committing what, for aught I knew, might be an intrusion. Catching her -as she fell, and raising her by the left hand, I held it fast in my -own right, begging to be permitted to assist her for the rest of the -journey. Her manner and the tone of her voice made it evident that -such an attention, if unusual, was not offensive; but I observed that -those who were following us looked at us with some little surprise, -and spoke together in words which I could not catch, but the tone of -which was not exactly pleasant or complimentary. The Regent, a few -steps in advance of us, turned back from time to time to ask me some -trivial question. At last we reached the summit, and here I released -my companion's hand and stepped forward a pace or two to point out to -the Regent the external structure of the Astronaut. I was near enough, -of course, to be heard by Eveena, and endeavoured to address my -explanations as much to her as to the authority to whom I was required -to render an account. But from the moment that we had actually joined -him she withdrew from all part and all apparent interest in the -conversation. When our companions moved forward to reach the entrance, -which I had indicated, I again offered my hand, saying, "I am afraid -you will find some little difficulty in getting into the vessel by the -window by which I got out." - -The Regent, however, had brought with him several light metal poles, -which I had not observed while carried by his companion, but which -being put together formed a convenient ladder of adequate length. He -desired me to ascend first and cut the riband by means of which the -window had been sealed; the law being so strict that even he would not -violate the symbol of private ownership which protected my vessel. -Having done this and opened the window, I sprang down, and he, -followed by his companion, ascended the ladder, and resting himself -upon the broad inner ledge of the windowâwhich afforded a convenient -seat, since the crystal was but half the thickness of the wallâfirst -took a long look all round the interior, and then leaped down, -followed by his attendant. Eveena drew back, but was at last persuaded -to mount the ladder with my assistance, and rest on the sill till I -followed her and lifted her down inside. The Regent had by this time -reached the machinery, and was examining it very curiously, with -greater apparent appreciation of its purpose than I should have -expected. When we joined them, I found little difficulty in explaining -the purpose and working of most parts of the apparatus. The nature and -generation of the apergic power I took care not to explain. The -existence of such a repulsive force was the point on which the Regent -professed incredulity; as it was, of course, the critical fact on -which my whole narrative turnedâon which its truth or falsehood -depended. I resolved ere the close of the inspection to give him clear -practical evidence on this score. In the meantime, listening without -answer to his expressions of doubt, I followed him round the interior, -explaining to him and to Eveena the use and structure of the -thermometer, barycrite, and other instruments. My fair companion -seemed to follow my explanation almost as easily as the officials. Our -followers, who had now entered the vessel, kept within hearing of my -remarks; but, evidently aware that they were there on sufferance, -asked no questions, and made their comments in a tone too low to allow -me to understand their purport. The impression made on the Regent by -the instruments, so far as I could gather from his brief remarks and -the expression of his face, was one of contemptuous surprise rather -than the interest excited by the motive machinery. Most of them were -evidently, in his opinion, clumsy contrivances for obtaining results -which the scientific knowledge and inventive genius of his countrymen -had long ago secured more completely and more easily. But he was -puzzled by the combination of such imperfect knowledge or -semi-barbaric ignorance with the possession of a secret of such -immense importance as the repulsive current, not yet known nor, as I -gathered, even conceived by the inhabitants of this planet. When he -had completed his inspection, he requested permission to remove some -of the objects I had left there; notably many of the dead plants, and -several books of drawings, mathematical, mechanical, and ornamental, -which I had left, and which had not been brought away by my host's son -when he visited the vessel. These I begged him to present to the -Camptâ, adding to them a few smaller curiosities, after which I drew -him back towards the machinery. He summoned his attendant, and bade -him take away to the carriages the articles I had given him, calling -upon the intruders to assist. - -I was thus left with him and with Eveena alone in the building; and -with a partly serious, partly mischievous desire to prove to him the -substantial reality of objects so closely related to my own disputed -existence, and to demonstrate the truth of my story, I loosened one of -the conductors, connected it with the machinery, and, directing it -against him, sent through it a very slight apergic current. I was not -quite prepared for the result. His Highness was instantly knocked head -over heels to a considerable distance. Turning to interrupt the -current before going to his assistance, I was startled to perceive -that an accident of graver moment, in my estimation at least, than the -discomfiture of this exalted official, had resulted from my -experiment. I had not noticed that a conductive wire was accidentally -in contact with the apergion, while its end hung down towards the -floor Of this I suppose Eveena had carelessly taken hold, and a part -of the current passing through it had lessened the shock to the Regent -at the expense of one which, though it could not possibly have injured -her, had from its suddenness so shaken her nerves as to throw her into -a momentary swoon. She was recovering almost at soon as I reached her; -and by the time her fellow-sufferer had picked himself up in great -disgust and astonishment, was partly aware what had happened. She was, -however; much more anxious to excuse herself, in the manner of a -frightened child, for meddling with the machinery than to hear my -apologies for the accident. Noting her agitation, and seeing that she -was still trembling all over, I was more anxious to get her into the -open air, and out of reach of the apparatus she seemed to regard with -considerable alarm, than to offer any due apology to the exalted -personage to whom I had afforded much stronger evidence, if not of my -own substantiality, yet of the real existence of a repulsive energy, -than I had seriously intended. With a few hurried words to him, I -raised Eveena to the window, and lifted her to the ground outside. I -felt, however, that I could not leave the Regent to find his own way -out, the more so that I hardly saw how he could reach the window from -the inside without my assistance. I excused myself, therefore, and -seating her on a rock close to the ladder, promised to return at once. -This, however, I found impossible. By the time the injured officer had -recovered the physical shock to his nerves and the moral effect of the -disrespect to his person, his anxiety to verify what he had heard -entirely occupied his mind; and he requested further experiments, not -upon himself, which occupied some half-hour. He listened and spoke, I -must admit, with temper; but his air of displeasure was evident -enough, and I was aware that I had not entitled myself to his good -word, whether or not he would permit his resentment to colour his -account of facts. He was compelled, however, to request my help in -reaching the window, which I gave with all possible deference. - -But, to my alarm, when we reached the foot of the ladder, Eveena was -nowhere to be seen. Calling her and receiving no reply, calling again -and hearing what sounded like her voice, but in a faint tone and -coming I knew not whither, I ran round the platform to seek her. I -could see nothing of her; but at one point, just where the projecting -edge of the platform overhung the precipice below, I recognised her -bird fluttering its wings and screaming as if in pain or terror. The -Regent was calling me in a somewhat imperious tone, but of course -received neither answer nor attention. Reaching the spot, I looked -over the edge and with some trouble discovered what had happened. Not -merely below but underneath the overhanging edge was a shelf about -four feet long and some ten inches in breadth, covered with a flower -equally remarkable in form and colour, the former being that of a -hollow cylindrical bell, about two inches in diameter; the latter a -bluish lilac, the nearest approach to azure I have seen in Marsâthe -whole ground one sheet of flowers. On this, holding in a -half-insensible state to the outward-sloping rock above her, Eveena -clung, her veil and head-dress fallen, her face expressing utter -bewilderment as well as terror. I saw, though at the moment I hardly -understood, how she had reached this point. A very narrow path, some -hundred feet in length, sloped down from the table-rock of the summit -to the shelf on which she stood, with an outer hedge of shrubs and the -summits of small trees, which concealed, and in some sort guarded, the -precipice below, so that even a timid girl might pursue the path -without fear. But this path ended several feet from the commencement -of the shelf. Across the gap had lain a fallen tree, with boughs -affording such a screen and railing on the outward side as might at -once conceal the gulf below, and afford assistance in crossing the -chasm. But in crossing this tree Eveena's footsteps had displaced it, -and it had so given way as not only to be unavailable, but a serious -obstacle to my passage. Had I had time to go round, I might have been -able to leap the chasm; I certainly could not return that way with a -burden even so light as that of my precious charge. The only chance -was to lift her by main force directly to where I stood; and the -outward projection of the rock at this point rendered this peculiarly -difficult, as I had nothing to cling or hold by. The Regent had by -this time reached me, and discerned what had occurred. - -"Hold me fast," I said, "or sit upon me if you like, to hold me with -your weight whilst I lean over." The man stood astounded, not by the -danger of another but by the demand on himself; and evidently without -the slightest intention of complying. - -"You are mad!" he said. "Your chance is ten times greater to lose your -own life than to save hers." - -"Lose my life!" I cried. "Could I dare return alive without her? Throw -your whole weight on me, I say, as I lean over, and waste no more -time!" - -"What!" he rejoined. "You are twice as heavy as I, and if you are -pulled over I shall probably go over too. Why am I to endanger myself -to save a girl from the consequences of her folly?" - -"If you do not," I swore, "I will fling you where the carcass of which -you are so careful shall be crushed out of the very form of the -manhood you disgrace." - -Even this threat failed to move him. Meantime the bird, fluttering on -my shoulder, suggested a last chance; and snatching the tablet round -its neck, I wrote two words thereon, and calling to it, "Home!" the -intelligent creature flew off at fullest speed. - -"Now," I said, "if you do not help me I will kill you here and now. If -you pretend to help and fail me, that bird carries to Esmo my request -to hold you answerable for our lives." - -I invoked, in utter desperation, the awe with which, as his hints and -my experience implied, Esmo was regarded by his neighbours; and -slender as seemed this support, it did not fail me. The Regent's -countenance fell, and I saw that I might depend at least on his -passive compliance. Clasping his arm with my left hand, I said, "Pull -back with all your might. If I go over, you _shall_ go over too." Then -pulling him down with me, and stretching myself over the precipice so -far that but for this additional support I must have fallen, I reached -Eveena, whose closed eyes and relaxing limbs indicated that another -moment's delay might be fatal. - -"Give me your hand," I cried in despair, seeing how tightly she still -grasped the tough fibrous shoots growing in the crevices of the rock, -whereof she had taken hold. "Give me your hand, and let go!" - -To give me her hand was beyond the power of her will; to let go -without giving me hold would have been fatal. Beaching over to the -uttermost, I contrived to lay a firm grasp upon her wrist. But this -would not do. I could hardly drag her up by one arm, especially if she -would not relax her grasp. I must release the Regent and depend upon -his obedience, or forfeit the chance of saving her, as in a few more -moments she would certainly swoon and fall. - -"Throw yourself upon me, and sit firm, if you value your life," I -cried, and I relaxed my hold on his arm, stretching both hands to -grasp Eveena. I felt the man's weight on my body, and with both arms -extended to the uttermost hanging over the edge, I caught firm bold of -the girl's shoulders. Even now, with any girl of her age on earth, and -for aught I know with many Martial damsels, the case would have been -hopeless. My whole strength was required to raise her; I had none to -spare to force her loose from her hold. Fortunately my rough and tight -clasp seemed to rouse her. Her eyes half opened, and semi-consciousness -appeared to have returned. - -"Let go!" I cried in that sharp tone of imperious anger whichâwith -some tempers at leastâis the natural expression of the outward -impulse produced by supreme and agonizing terror. Obedience is the -hereditary lesson taught to her sex by the effects of equality in -Mars. Eveena had been personally trained in a principle long discarded -by Terrestrial women; and not half aware what she did, but yielding -instinctively to the habit of compliance with imperative command -spoken in a masculine voice, she opened her hands just as I had lost -all hope. With one desperate effort I swung her fairly on to the -platform, and, seeing her safe there, fell back myself scarcely more -sensible than she was. - -The whole of this terrible scene, which it has taken so long to -relate, did not occupy more than a minute in action. I know not -whether my readers can understand the full difficulty and danger of -the situation. I know that no words of mine can convey the impression -graven into my own memory, never to be effaced or weakened while -consciousness remains. The strongest man on Earth could not have done -what I did; could not, lying half over the precipice, have swung a -girl of eighteen right out from underneath him, and to his own level. -But Eveena was of slighter, smaller frame than a healthy French girl -of twelve, while I retained the full strength of a man adapted to the -work of a world where every weight is twice as heavy as on Mars. What -I had practically to do was to lift not seven or eight stone of -European girlhood, not even the six Eveena might possibly have weighed -on Earth, but half that weight. And yet the position was such that all -the strength I had acquired through ten years of constant practice in -the field and in the chase, all the power of a frame in healthful -maturity, and of muscles whose force seemed doubled by the tension of -the nerves, hardly availed. When I recovered my own senses, and had -contrived to restore Eveena's, my unwilling assistant had disappeared. - -It was an hour before Eveena seemed in a condition to be removed, and -perhaps I was not very urgent to hurry her away. I had done no more -than any man, the lowest and meanest on Earth, must have done under -the circumstances. I can scarcely enter into the feelings of the -fellow-man who, in my position, could have recognised a choice but -between saving and perishing with the helpless creature entrusted to -his charge. But hereditary disbelief in any power above the physical -forces of Nature, in any law higher than that of man's own making, has -rendered human nature in Mars something utterly different from, -perhaps, hardly intelligible to, the human nature of a planet forty -million miles nearer the Sun. Though brought up in an affectionate -home, Eveena shared the ideas of the world in which she was born; and -so far accepted its standards of opinion and action as natural if not -right, that the risk I had run, the effort I had made to save her, -seemed to her scarcely less extraordinary than it had appeared to the -Zamptâ. She rated its devotion and generosity as highly as he -appreciated its extravagance and folly; and if he counted me a madman, -she was disposed to elevate me into a hero or a demi-god. The tones -and looks of a maiden in such a temper, however perfect her maidenly -reserve, would, I fancy, be very agreeable to men older than I was, -either in constitution or even in experience. I doubt whether any man -under fifty would have been more anxious than myself to cut short our -period of repose, broken as it was, when I refused to listen to her -tearful penitence and self-reproach, by occasional words and looks of -gratitude and admiration. I did, however, remember that it was -expedient to refasten the window, and re-attach the seals, before -departing. At the end of the hour's rest I allowed my charge and -myself, I had recovered more or less completely the nervous force -which had been for a while utterly exhausted, less by the effort than -by the terror that preceded it. I was neither surprised, nor perhaps -as much grieved as I should have been, to find that Eveena could -hardly walk; and felt to the full the value of those novel conditions -which enabled me to carry her the more easily in my arms, though much -oppressed even by so slight an effort in that thin air, to the place -where we had left our carriageâno inconsiderable distance by the path -we had to pursue. Before starting on our return I had, in despite of -her most earnest entreaties, managed to recover her head-dress and -veil, at a risk which, under other circumstances, I might not have -cared to encounter. But had she been seen without it on our return, -the comments of the whole neighbourhood would have been such as might -have disturbed even her father's cool indifference. We reached her -home in safety, and with little notice, having, of course, drawn the -canopy around us as completely as possible. I was pleased to find that -only her younger sister, to whose care I at once committed her, was -there at present, the elders not having yet returned. I took care to -detach from the bird's neck the tablet which had served its purpose so -well. The creature had found his way home within half-an-hour after I -dismissed him, and had frightened Zevle [Stella] not a little; though -the message, which a fatal result would have made sufficiently -intelligible to Esmo, utterly escaped her comprehension. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - A FAITH AND ITS FOUNDER. - - -On the return of the family, my host was met at the door with such -accounts of what had happened as led him at once to see and question -his daughter. It was not, therefore, till he had heard her story that -I saw him. More agitated than I should have expected from one under -ordinary circumstances so calm and self-possessed, he entered my room -with a face whose paleness and compressed lips indicated intense -emotion; and, laying his hand on my shoulder, expressed his feeling -rather in look and tone than in his few broken and not very -significant words. After a few moments, however, he recovered his -coolness, and asked me to supply the deficiencies of Eveena's story. I -told him briefly but exactly what had passed from the moment when I -missed her to that of her rescue. He listened without the slightest -symptom of surprise or anger to the tale of the Regent's indifference, -and seemed hardly to understand the disgust and indignation with which -I dwelt upon it. When I had finishedâ - -"You have made," he said, "an enemy, and a dangerous one; but you have -also secured friends against whose support even the anger of a greater -than the Zamptâ might break as harmlessly as waves upon a rock. He -behaved only as any one else would have done; and it is useless to be -angry with men for being what they habitually and universally are. -What you did for Eveena, one of ourselves, perhaps, but no other, -might have risked for a first bride on the first day of her marriage. -Indeed, though I am most thankful to you, I should, perhaps, have -withheld my consent to my daughter's request had I supposed that you -felt so strongly for her." - -"I think," I replied with some displeasure, "that I may positively -affirm that I have spoken no word to your daughter which I should not -have spoken in your presence. I am too unfamiliar with your ideas to -know whether your remark has the same force and meaning it would have -borne among my own people; but to me it conveys a grave reproach. When -I accepted the charge of your daughter during this day's excursion, I -thought of her only as every man thinks of a young, pretty, and gentle -girl of whom he has seen and knows scarcely anything. To avail myself -of what has since happened to make a deeper impression on her feelings -than you might approve would have seemed to me unpardonable -treachery." - -"You do utterly misunderstand me," he answered. "It may be that Eveena -has received an impression which will not be effaced from her mind. It -may be that this morning, could I have foreseen it, I should have -decidedly wished to avoid anything that would so impress her. But that -feeling, if it exist, has been caused by your acts and not by your -words. That you should do your utmost, at any risk to yourself, to -save her, is consistent with what I know of your habit of mind, and -ought not much to surprise me. But, from your own account of what you -said to the Zamptâ, you were not merely willing to risk life for life. -When you deemed it impossible to return without her, you spoke as few -among us would seriously speak of a favourite bride." - -"I spoke and felt," I replied, "as any man trained in the hereditary -thought of my race and rank would have spoken of any woman committed -to his care. All that I said and did for Eveena, I should have said -and done, I hope, for the least attractive or least amiable maiden in -this planet who had been similarly entrusted to my charge. How could -any but the vilest coward return and say to a father, 'You trusted -your daughter to me, and she has perished by my fault or neglect'?" - -"Not so," he answered, "Eveena alone was to blameâand much to blame. -She says herself that you had told her to remain where you left her -till your return; and if she had not disobeyed, neither her life nor -yours would have been imperilled." - -"One hardly expects a young lady to comply exactly with such -requests," I said. "At any rate, Terrestrial feelings of honour and -even of manhood would have made it easier to leap the precipice than -to face you and the world if, no matter by whose fault, my charge had -died in such a manner under my eyes and within my reach." - -Esmo's eyes brightened and his cheek flushed a little as I spoke, with -more of earnestness or passion than any incident, however exciting, is -wont to provoke among his impassive race. - -"Of one thing," he said, "you have assured meâthat the proposal I was -about to make rather invites honour than confers it. I have been -obliged, in speaking of the manners and ideas of my countrymen, to let -you perceive not only that I differ from them, but that there are -others who think and act as I do. We have for ages formed a society -bound together by our peculiar tenets. That we individually differ in -conduct, and, therefore, probably in ideas, from our countrymen, they -necessarily know; that we form a body apart with laws and tenets of -our own, is at least suspected. But our organisation, its powers, its -methods, its rules of membership, and its doctrines are, and have -always been, a secret, and no man's connection with it is avowed or -provable. Our chief distinctive and essential doctrines you hold as -strongly as we doâthe All-perfect Existence, the immortal human soul. -From these necessarily follow conceptions of life and principles of -conduct alien to those that have as necessarily grown up among a race -which repudiates, ignores, and hates our two fundamental premises. -After what has happened, I can promise you immediate and eager -acceptance among those invested with the fullest privileges of our -order. They will all admire your action and applaud your motives, -though, frankly speaking, I doubt whether any of us would carry your -views so far as you have done. The best among us would have flinched, -unless under the influence of the very strongest personal affection, -from the double peril of which you seemed to think so lightly. They -might indeed have defied the Regent but it would have been in reliance -on the protection of, a power superior to his of which you knew -nothing." - -"Then," I said, "I suppose your engagement of to-day was a meeting of -this society?" - -"Yes," he answered, "a meeting of the Chamber to which I and the elder -members of my household, including my son and his wife, belong." - -"But," I said, "if you are more powerful than the rulers of your -people, what need of such careful secrecy?" - -"You will understand the reason," he answered, "when you learn the -nature of our powers. Hundreds among millions, we are no match for the -fighting force of our unbelieving countrymen. Our safety lies in the -terror inspired by a tradition, verified by repeated and invariable -experience, that no one who injures one of us but has reason to rue -it, that no mortal enemy of _the Star_ has ever escaped signal -punishment, more terrible for the mystery attending it. Were we known, -were our organisation avowed, we might be hunted down and -exterminated, and should certainly suffer frightful havoc, even if in -the end we were able to frighten or overcome our enemies. But if you -are disposed to accept my offerâand enrolment among us gives you at -once your natural place in this planet and your best security against -the enmity you have incurred and will incur hereâI should prefer to -make the rest of the explanation that must precede your admission in -presence of my family. The first step, the preliminary instruction in -our creed and our simpler mysteries, which is the work of the -Novitiate, is a solemn epoch in the lives of our children. They are -not trusted with our secret till we can rely on the maturity of their -intelligence and loyalty of their nature. Eveena would in any case -have been received as a novice within some dozen days. It will now be -easy for me, considering her education and intelligence and my own -position in the Order, to obtain, for her as for you, exemption from -the usual probation on proof that you both know all that is usually -taught therein, and admission on the same occasion; and it will add -solemnity and interest to her first initiation, that this chief lesson -of her life should be shared this evening with him to whom she owes it -that she lives to enter the society, to which her ancestors have -belonged since its institution." - -We passed into the peristyle, where the ladies were as usual -assembled; but the children had been dismissed, and of the maidens -Eveena only was present. Fatigue and agitation had left her very pale, -and she was resting at full length on the cushions with her head -pillowed on her mother's knee. As we approached, however, they all -rose, the other ladies greeting me eagerly and warmly, Eveena rising -with difficulty and faltering the welcome which the rest had spoken -with enthusiastic earnestness. Forgetting for the moment the prudence -which ignorance of Martial customs had hitherto dictated, I lifted to -my lips the hand that she, following the example of the rest, but -shyly and half reluctantly, laid on my shoulderâa form very different -to the distant greeting I had heretofore received, and marking that I -was no longer to be treated as a stranger to the family. My unusual -salute brought the colour back to her cheeks, but no one else took -notice of it. I observed, however, that on this occasion, instead of -interposing himself between me and the ladies as usual, her father -left vacant the place next to her; and I seated myself at her feet. -She would have exchanged her reclining posture for that of the others, -but her mother gently drew her down to her former position. - -"Eveena," said my host, "I have told our friend, what you know, that -there is in this world a society, of which I am a member, whose -principles are not those of our countrymen, but resemble rather those -which supplied the impulses on which he acted to-day. This much you -know. What you would have learned a few days hence, I mean that you -and he shall now hear at the same time." - -"Before you enter on that subject," interposed Zulve timidlyâfor it -is most unusual for a lady to interfere in her husband's conversation, -much more to offer a suggestion or correctionâbut yet earnestly, "let -me say, on my own part, what I am sure you must have said already on -yours. If there be now, or ever shall be, anything we can do for our -guest, anything we can give that he would value, not in requital, but -in memory of what he has done for usâwhatever it should cost us, -though he should ask the most precious thing we possess, it will be -our pride and pleasureâthe greatest pleasure he can afford usâto -grant it." - -The time and the surroundings were not perhaps exactly suitable to the -utterance of the wish suggested by these words; but I knew so little -what might be in store for me, and understood so well the difficulty -and uncertainty of finding future opportunities of intercourse with -the ladies at least of the family, that I dared not lose the present. -I spoke at once upon the impulse of the moment, with a sense of -reckless desperation not unlike that with which an artillerist fires -the train whose explosion may win for him the obsidional wreath or -blow him into atoms. "You and my host," I said, "have one treasure -that I have learned to covet, but it is exactly the most precious -thing you possess, and one which it would be presumptuous to ask as -reward; even had I not owed to Esmo the life I perilled for Eveena, -and if I had acted from choice and freely, instead of doing only what -only the vilest of cowards could have failed to attempt. In asking it -indeed, I feel that I cancel whatever claim your extravagant estimate -of that act can possibly ascribe to me." - -"We don't waste words," answered Esmo, "in saying what we don't mean, -and I confirm fully what my wife has said. There is nothing we possess -that we shall not delight to give as token of regard and in -remembrance of this day to the saviour of our child." - -"If," I said, "I find a neighbour's purse containing half his fortune, -and return it to him, he may offer me what reward I ask, but would -hardly think it reasonable if I asked for the purse and its contents. -But you have only one thing I care to possessâthat which I have, by -God's help, been enabled to save to-day. If I must ask a gift, give me -Eveena herself." - -Utilitarianism has extinguished in Mars the use of compliment and -circumlocution; and until I concluded, their looks of mild perplexity -showed that neither Zulve nor her husband caught my purpose. I -fanciedâfor, not daring to look them in the face, I had turned my -downcast glance on Eveenaâthat she had perhaps somewhat sooner -divined the object of my thoughts. However, a silence of surpriseâwas -it of reluctance?âfollowed, and then Zulve bent over her daughter and -looked into her half-averted face, while Esmo answeredâ - -"What you should ask I promised to give; what you have asked I give, -in so far as it is mine to give, in willing fulfilment of my pledge. -But, of course, what I can give is but my free permission to my -daughter to answer for herself. You will be, I hope, within a few days -at furthest, one of those in whose possession alone a woman of my -house could be safe or content; and, free by the law of the land to -follow her own wish, she is freed by her father's voice from the rule -which the usage of ten thousand years imposes on the daughters of our -brotherhood." - -Zulve then looked up, for Eveena had hidden her face in her mother's -robe, and saidâ - -"If my child will not speak for herself I must speak for her, and in -my own name and in hers I fulfil her father's promise. And now let my -husband tell his story, for nothing can solemnise more appropriately -the betrothal of a daughter of the Star, than her admission to the -knowledge of the Order whose privileges are her heritage." - -"At the time," Esmo began, "when material science had gained a decided -ascendant, and enforced the recognition of its methods as the only -ones whereby certain knowledge and legitimate belief could be -attained, those who clung most earnestly to convictions not acquired -or favoured by scientific logic were sorely dismayed. They were -confounded, not so much by the yet informal but irrevocable -majority-vote against them, as by an instinctive misgiving that -Science was right; and by irrepressible doubts whether that which -would not bear the application of scientific method could in any sense -be true or trustworthy knowledge. At the same time, to apply a -scientific method to the cherished beliefs threatened only to dissolve -them. Fortunately for them and their successors, there was living at -that time one of the most remarkable and original thinkers whom our -race has produced. From him came the suggestions that gave impulse to -our learning and birth to our Order. 'The reasonings, the processes of -Science,' he affirmed,'are beyond challenge. Their trustworthiness -depends not on their subject-matter, but on their own character; not -on their relation to outward Nature, but on their conformity to the -laws of thought. Their upholders are right in affirming that what will -not ultimately bear the test of their application cannot be knowledge, -and probablyâfor the practical purposes of human life we may say -certainlyâcannot be truth. They are wrong in alleging that the ideas -for which they can find no foundation in the subjects to which -scientific method has hitherto been applied, are therefore -unscientific, or sure to disappear under scientific investigation. I -hold that the existence of a Creator and Ruler of the Universe can be -logically deduced from first principles, as well as justly inferred -from cumulative evidences of overwhelming weight. The existence of -something in Man that is not merely corporeal, of powers that can act -beyond the reach of any corporeal instruments at his command, or -without the range of their application, is not proven; it may be, only -because the facts that indicate without proving it have never yet been -subject to systematic verification or scientific analysis. But of such -facts there exists a vast accumulation; unsifted, untested, and -therefore as yet ineffective for proof, but capable, I can scarcely -doubt, of reduction to methodical order and scientific treatment. -There are records and traditions of every degree of value, from utter -worthlessness to the worth of the most authentic history, preserving -the evidences of powers which may be generally described as spiritual. -Through all ages, among all races, the living have alleged themselves -from time to time to have seen the forms and even heard the voices of -the dead. Scientific men have been forced by the actual and public -exercise of the power under the most crucial testsâfor instance, to -produce insensibility in surgical operationsâto admit that the will -of one man can control the brain, the senses, the physical frame of -another without material contact, perhaps at a distance. There are -narratives of marvels wrought by human will, chiefly in remote, but -occasionally in recent times, transcending and even contradicting or -overruling the known laws of Nature. All these evidences point to one -conclusion; all corroborate and confirm one another. The men of -science ridicule them because in so many cases the facts are -imperfectly authenticated, and because in others the action of the -powers is uncertain, dependent on conditions imperfectly ascertained, -and not of that material kind to which material science willingly -submits. But if they be facts, if they relate to any element of human -nature, all these things can be systematically investigated, the true -separated from the false, the proven from the unproven. The powers can -be investigated, their conditions of action laid down. Probably they -may be so developed as to be exercised with comparative certainty, -whether by every one or only by those special constitutions in which -they may inhere. Such investigations will at present only enlist the -attention and care of a few qualified persons, and, that they may be -carried on in peace and safety, should be carried on in secrecy. But -upon them may, I hope, be founded a certainty as regards the higher -side of man's nature not less complete than that which science, by -similar methods, has gradually acquired in regard to its purely -physical aspects.' - -"For this end he instituted a secret society, which has subsisted in -constantly increasing strength and cohesion to the present hour. It -has collected evidence, conducted experiments, investigated records, -studied methodically the abnormal phenomena you call occult or -spiritual, and reduced them to something like the certainty of -science. Discoveries from the first curious and interesting have -become more and more complete, practical, and effective. Our results -have surpassed the hopes of our Founder, and transcend in importance, -while they equal in certainty, the contemporary achievements of -physical science,âsome of the chief of which belong to us. All that -profound knowledge of human nature could suggest to bring its weakness -to the support of its strength, and enlist both in the work, was done -by our Founder, and by those who have carried out his scheme. The -corporate character of the society, its rites and formularies, its -grades and ranks, are matter of deep interest to all its members, have -linked them together by an inviolable bond, and given them a strength -infinitely greater than numbers without such cohesion could possibly -have afforded. The Founder left us no moral code, imposed on us none -of his own most cherished ethical convictions, as he pledged us to -none of the conclusions which his own occult studies had led him to -anticipate, nearly all of which have been verified by later -investigation. Such rules as he imposed were directed only to the -cohesion and efficiency of the Order. Our creed still consists only of -the two fundamental doctrines; two settled principles only are laid -down by our aboriginal law. We are taught to cultivate the closest -personal affection, the most intimate and binding ties among -ourselves; to defend the Order and one another, whether by strenuous -resistance or severe reprisals, against all who injure us individually -or collectively, and especially against persecutors of the Order. But -the few laws our Founder has left are given in the form of striking -precepts, brief, and often even paradoxical. For example, the law of -defence or reprisal is concentrated in one antithetic phrase:â_Gavart -dax Zveltâ, gavart gedex Zinta_ [Never let the member strike, never -let the Order spare]. As it is a rule with us to embody none of our -symbols, forms, or laws in writing, this manner of statement served to -impress them on the memory, as well as to leave the utmost freedom in -their application, by the gathered experience of ages, and the -prudence of those who had to deal with the circumstances of each -successive period. Another maxim says, 'Who kisses a brother's hand -may kick the Camptâ,' thus enforcing at once the value of ceremonial -courtesy, and the power conferred by union. We observe more ceremony -in family life than others in the most formal public relations. Their -theory of life being utterly utilitarian, no form is observed that -serves no distinct practical purpose. We wish to make life graceful -and elegant, as well as easy. Principles originally inculcated upon us -by the necessity of self-protection have been enforced and graven on -our very nature, by the reaction of our experience against the rough -and harsh relations, the jarring and often unfriendly intercourse, of -external society. Aliens to our Orderâthat is, ninety-nine hundredths -of our raceâtake delight in the infliction of petty personal -annoyance, at least never take care not to 'jar each other's -elbow-nerves,' or set on edge the teeth that never bit them. _We_ are -careful not to wound the feelings or even the weaknesses of a brother. -Punctilious courtesy, frank apology for unintentional wrong, is with -us a point of honour. Disputes, when by any chance they arise, are -referred to the arbitration of our chiefs, who never consider their -work done till the disputants are cordially reconciled. Envy, the most -dangerous source of ill-will among men, can hardly exist among us. -Rank has been well earned by its holder, or in a few cases by his -ancestors; and authority is a trust never to be used for its holder's -benefit. Wealth never provokes covetousness, since no member is ever -allowed to be poor. Not only the Order but each member is bound to -take every opportunity of assisting every other by every method within -his power. We employ them, we promote them, we give them the -preference in every kind of patronage at our command. But these -obligations are points of honour rather than of law. Only apostasy or -treason to the Order involve compulsory penalties; and the latter, if -it ever occurred in these days, would be visited with instant -death,âinflicted, as it is inflicted upon irreconcilable enemies, in -such a manner that none could know who passed the sentence, or by whom -it was executed." - -"And have you," I asked, "no apostates, as you have no traitors?" - -"No," he said. "In the first place, none who has lived among us could -endure to fall into the ordinary Martial life. Secondly, the -foundations of our simple creed are so clear, so capable of being made -apparent to every one, that none once familiar with the evidences can -well cease to believe them." - -Here he paused, and I asked, "How is it possible that the means you -employ to punish those who have wronged you should not, in some cases -at least, indicate the person who has employed them?" - -"Because," he said, "the means of vengeance are not corporeal; the -agency does not in the least resemble any with which our countrymen, -or apparently your race on Earth, are acquainted. A traitor would be -found dead with no sign of suffering or injury, and the physician -would pronounce that he had died of apoplexy or heart disease. A -persecutor, or one who had unpardonably wronged any of the Children of -the Star, might go mad, might fling himself from a precipice, might be -visited with the most terrible series of calamities, all natural in -their character, all distinctly traceable to natural causes, but -astonishing and even apparently supernatural in their accumulation, -and often in their immediate appropriateness to the character of his -offence. Our neighbours would, of course, destroy the avenger, if they -could find him outâwould attempt to exterminate our society, could -they prove its agency." - -"But surely your countrymen must either disbelieve in such agency, in -which case they can hardly fear your vengeance, or they must believe -it, and then would deem it just and necessary to retaliate." - -"No," he said. "They disbelieve in the possibility while they are -forced to see the fact. It is impossible, they would say, that a man -should be injured in mind or body, reputation or estate, that the -forces of Nature or the feelings of men should be directed against -him, without the intervention of any material agent, by the mere will -of those who take no traceable means to give that will effect. At the -same time, tradition and even authentic history record, what -experience confirms, that every one who has wronged us deeply has come -to some terrible, awe-striking end. Each man would ridicule heartily a -neighbour who should allege such a ground for fearing to injure one of -us; but there is none who is so true to his own unbelief as to do that -which, in every instance, has been followed by signal and awful -disaster. Moreover, we do by visible symbols suggest a relation -between the vengeance and the crime. Over the heart of criminals who -have paid with their lives, no matter by what immediate agency, for -wrong to us, is found after death the image of a small blood-red star; -the only case in which any of our sacred symbols are exposed to -profane eyes." - -"Surely," I said, "in the course of generations, and with your -numbers, you must be often watched and traced; and some one spy, on -one out of a million occasions, must have found access to your -meetings and heard and seen all that passed." - -"Our meetings," he said, "are held where no human eye can possibly -see, no human ear hear what passes. The Chambers meet in apartments -concealed within the dwellings of individual members. When we meet the -doors are guarded, and can be passed only by those who give a token -and a password. And if these could become known to an enemy, the -appearance of a stranger would lead to questions that would at once -expose his ignorance of our simplest secrets. He would learn nothing, -and would never tell his story to the outer world." ... - -Opening the door, or rather window, of his private chamber, Esmo -directed our eyes to a portrait sunk in the wall, and usually -concealed by a screen which fitted exactly the level and the patterns -of the general surface. It displayed, in a green vesture not unlike -his own, but with a gold ribbon and emerald symbol like the cross of -an European knighthood over the right shoulder, a spare soldierly -form, with the most striking countenance I have ever seen; one which, -once seen, none could forget. The white long hair and beard, the -former reaching the shoulders, the latter falling to the belt, were -not only unlike the fashion of this generation, but gave tokens of age -never discerned in Mars for the last three or four thousand years. The -form, though erect and even stately, was that of one who had felt the -long since abolished infirmity of advancing years. The countenance -alone bore no marks of old age. It was full, unwrinkled, firm in -physical as in moral character; calm in the unresisted power of -intellect and will over the passions, serene in a dignity too absolute -and self-contained for pride, but expressing a consciousness of -command over others as evident as the unconscious, effortless command -of self to which it owed its supreme and sublime quietude. The lips -were not set as with a habit of reserve or self-restraint, but close -and even as in the repose to which restraint had never been necessary. -The features were large, clearly defined, and perfect in shape, -proportion, and outline. The brow was massive and broad, but strangely -smooth and even; the head had no single marked development or -deficiency that could have enlightened a phrenologist, as the face -told no tale that a physiognomist could read. The dark deep eyes were -unescapable; while in presence of the portrait you could not for a -moment avoid or forget their living, fixed, direct look into your own. -Even in the painted representation of that gaze, almost too calm in -its absolute mastery to be called searching or scrutinising, yet -seeming to look through the eyes into the soul, there was an almost -mesmeric influence; as if, across the abyss of ten thousand years, the -Master could still control the wills and draw forth the inner thoughts -of the living, as he had dominated the spirits of their remotest -ancestors. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. - - -Next morning Esmo asked me to accompany him on a visit to the seaport -I have mentioned. In the course of this journey I had opportunities of -learning many things respecting the social and practical conditions of -human life and industry on Mars that had hitherto been unknown to me, -and to appreciate the enormous advance in material civilisation which -has accompanied what seems to me, as it would probably seem to any -other Earth-dweller, a terrible moral degeneration. Most of these -things I learned partly from my own observation, partly from the -explanations of my companion; some exclusively from what he told me. -We passed a house in process of building, and here I learned the -manner in which the wonders of domestic architecture, which had so -surprised me by their perfection and beauty, are accomplished. The -material employed in all buildings is originally liquid, or rather -viscous. In the first place, the foundation is excavated to a depth of -two or three feet, the ground beaten hard, and the liquid concrete -poured into the level tank thus formed. When this has hardened -sufficiently to admit of their erection, thin frames of metal are -erected, enclosing the spaces to be occupied by the several outer and -interior walls. - -These spaces are filled with the concrete at a temperature of about -80° C. The tracery and the bas-reliefs impressed on the walls are -obtained by means of patterns embossed or marked upon thinner sheets -placed inside the metallic frames. The hardening is effected partly by -sudden cooling, partly by the application of electricity under great -hydraulic pressure. The flat roof is constructed in the same manner, -the whole mass, when the fluid concrete is solidified, being simply -one continuous stone, as hard and cohesive as granite. Where a flat -roof would be liable to give way or break from its own weight, the arch -or dome is employed to give the required strength, and consequently -all the largest Martial buildings are constructed in the form of -vaults or domes. As regards the form of the building, individual or -public taste is absolutely free, it being just as easy to construct -a circular or octagonal as a rectangular house or chamber; but the -latter form is almost exclusively employed for private dwellings. The -jewel-like lustre and brilliancy I have described are given to the -surfaces of the walls by the simultaneous action of cold, electricity, -and pressure, the principle of which Esmo could not so explain as to -render it intelligible to me. Almost the whole physical labour is -done by machinery, from the digging and mixing of the materials to -their conveyance and delivery into the place prepared for them by -the erection of the metallic frames, and from the erection to the -removal of the latter. The translucent material for the windows I have -described is prepared by a separate process, and in distinct factories, -and, ready hardened and cut into sheets of the required size, is -brought to the building and fixed in its place by machinery. It can -be tinted to the taste of the purchaser; but, as a rule, a tintless -crystal is preferred. The entire work of building a large house, from -the foundation to the finishing and removal of the metallic frames, -occupies from half-a-dozen to eighteen workmen from four to eight -days. This, like most other labour in Mars, goes on continuously; the -electric lamps, raised to a great height on hollow metallic poles, -affording by night a very sufficient substitute for the light of the -sun. All work is done by three relays of artisans; the first set -working from noon till evening, the next from evening till morning, -and the third from morning to noon. The Martial day, which consists -of about twenty-four hours forty minutes of our time, is divided in a -somewhat peculiar manner. The two-hour periods, of which "mean" sunrise -and sunset are severally the middle points, are respectively called -the morning and evening _zydau_. Two periods of the same length before -and after noon and midnight are distinguished as the first and second -dark, the first and second mid-day zyda. There remain four intervals -of three hours each, popularly described as the sleeping, waking, -after-sunrise, and fore-sunset zyda respectively. This is the popular -reckoning, and that marked upon the instruments which record time for -ordinary purposes, and by these the meals and other industrial and -domestic epochs are fixed. But for purposes of exact calculation, the -day, beginning an hour before mean sunrise, is distributed into twelve -periods, or antoi, of a little more than two terrestrial hours each. -These again are subdivided by twelve into periods of a little more than -10m., 50s., 2½s., and âľâââs respectively; but of these the second and -last are alone employed in common speech. The uniform employment of -twelve as the divisor and multiplier in tables of weight, distance, -time, and space, as well as in arithmetical notation, has all the -conveniences of the decimal system of France, and some others besides -due to the greater convenience of twelve as a base. But as regards -the larger divisions of time, the Martials are placed at a great -disadvantage by the absence of any such intermediate divisions as the -Moon has suggested to Terrestrials. The revolutions of the satellites -are too rapid and their periods too brief to be of service in dividing -their year of 668â
solar days. Martial civilisation having taken its -rise within the tropicsâindeed the equatorial continents, which only -here and there extend far into the temperate zone, and two minor -continents in the southern ocean, are the only well-peopled portions -of the planetâthe demarcation of the seasons afforded by the solstices -have been comparatively disregarded. The year is divided into winter -and summer, each beginning with the Equinox, and distinguished as -the North and South summer respectively. But these being exceedingly -different in durationâthe Northern half of the planet having a summer -exceeding by seventy-six days that of the Southern hemisphereâare of no -use as accurate divisions of time. Time is reckoned, accordingly, from -the first day of the year; the 669th day being incomplete, and the new -year beginning at the moment of the Equinox with the 0th day. In remote -ages the lapse of time was marked by festivals and holidays occurring -at fixed periods; but the principle of utility has long since abolished -all anniversaries, except those fixed by Nature, and these pass without -public observance and almost without notice. - -The climate is comparatively equable in the Northern hemisphere, the -summer of the South being hotter and the winter colder, as the planet -is much nearer the Sun during the former. On an average, the solar -disc seems about half as large as to eyes on Earth; but the continents -lying in a belt around the middle of the planet, nearly the whole of -its population enjoy the advantages of tropical regularity. There are -two brief rainy seasons on the Equator and in its neighbourhood, and -one at each of the tropics. Outside these the cold of winter is -aggravated by cloud and mist. The barometer records from 20 inches to -21 inches at the sea-level. Storms are slight, brief, and infrequent; -the tides are insignificant; and sea-voyages were safe and easy even -before Martial ingenuity devised vessels which are almost independent -of weather. During the greater part of the year a clear sky from the -morning to the evening zyda may be reckoned upon with almost absolute -confidence. A heavy dew, thoroughly watering the whole surface, -rendering the rarity of rain no inconvenience to agriculture, falls -during the earlier hours of the night, which nevertheless remains -cloudy; while the periods of sunset and sunrise are, as I have already -said, marked almost invariably by dense mist, extending from one to -four thousand feet above the sea-level, according to latitude and -season. From the dissipation of the morning to the fall of the evening -mist, the tropical temperature ranges, according to the time of the -day and year, from 24° to 35° C. A very sudden change takes place at -sunset. Except within 28° of the Equator, night frosts prevail during -no small part of the year. Fine nights are at all times chilly, and -men employed out of doors from the fall of the evening to the -dispersal of the morning mists rely on an unusually warm under-dress -of soft leather, as flexible as kid, but thicker, which is said to -keep in the warmth of the body far better than any woven material. -Women who, from whatever reason, venture out at night, wear the -warmest cloaks they can procure. Those of limited means wear a loosely -woven hair or woollen over-robe in lieu of their usual outdoor -garment, resembling tufted cotton. Those who can afford them -substitute for the envelope of down, described a while back, warm skin -or fur overgarments, obtained from the sub-arctic lands and seas, and -furnished sometimes by a creature not very unlike our Polar bear, but -passing half his time in the water and living on fish; sometimes by a -mammal more resembling something intermediate between the mammoth and -the walrus, with the habits of the hippopotamus and a fur not unlike -the sealskin so much affected in Europe. - -Outside the city, at a distance protecting it from any unpleasant -vapours, which besides were carried up metallic tubes of enormous -height, were several factories of great extent, some chemical, some -textile, others reducing from their ores, purifying, forging, and -producing in bulk and forms convenient for their various uses, the -numerous metals employed in Mars. The most important of -theseâ_zorinta_âis obtained from a tenacious soil much resembling -our own clay. [12] It is far lighter than tin, has the colour and -lustre of silver, and never tarnishes, the only rust produced by -oxidation of its surface being a white loose powder, which can be -brushed or shaken off without difficulty. Of this nearly all Martial -utensils and furniture are constructed; and its susceptibility to the -electric current renders it especially useful for mechanical purposes, -electricity supplying the chief if not the sole motive-power employed -in Martial industry. The largest factories, however, employ but a few -hands, the machinery being so perfect as to perform, with very little -interposition from human hands, the whole work, from the first -purification to the final arrangement. I saw a mass of ore as dug out -from the ground put into one end of a long series of machines, which -came out, without the slightest manual assistance, at the close of a -course of operations so directed as to bring it back to our feet, in -the form of a thin sheet of lustrous metal. In another factory a mass -of dry vegetable fibre was similarly transformed by machinery alone -into a bale of wonderfully light woven drapery resembling satin in -lustre, muslin or gauze in texture. - -The streets were what, even in the finest and latest-built American -cities, would be thought magnificent in size and admirable in -construction. The roadway was formed of that concrete, harder than -granite, which is the sole material employed in Martial building, and -which, as I have shown, can take every form and texture, from that of -jewels or of the finest marble to that of plain polished slate. Along -each side ran avenues of magnificent trees, whose branches met at a -height of thirty feet over the centre. Between these and the houses -was a space reserved for the passage of light carriages exclusively. -The houses, unlike those in the country, were from two to four stories -in height. - -All private dwellings, however, were built, as in the country, around -a square interior garden, and the windows, except those of the front -rooms employed for business purposes, looked out upon this. The space -occupied, however, was of course much smaller than where ground was -less precious, few dwellings having four chambers on the same floor -and front. The footway ran on the level of what we call the first -story, over a part of the roof of the ground floor; and the business -apartments were always the front chambers of the former, while the -stores of the merchants were collected in a single warehouse occupying -the whole of the ground front. No attempt was made to exhibit them as -on Earth. I entered with my host a number of what we should call -shops. In every case he named exactly the article he wanted, and it -was either produced at once or he was told that it was not to be had -there, a thing which, however, seldom happened. The traders are few in -number. One or two firms engaged in a single branch of commerce do the -whole business of an extensive province. For instance, all the textile -fabrics on sale in the province were to be seen in one or other of two -warehouses; all metals in sheets, blocks, and wires in another; in a -third all finished metal-work, except writing materials; all writing, -phonographic, and telegraphic conveniences in a fourth; all furs, -feathers, and fabrics made from these in a fifth. The tradesman sells -on commission, as we say, receiving the goods from the manufacturer, -the farmer, or the State, and paying only for what are sold at the end -of each year, reserving to himself one-twenty-fourth of the price. -Prices, however, do not vary from year to year, save when, on rare -occasions, an adverse season or a special accident affects the supply -and consequently the price of any natural productâchoice fruit, -skins, silver, for instanceâobtained only from some peculiarly -favoured locality. - -The monetary system, like so many other Martial institutions, is -purely artificial and severely logical. It is held that the exchange -value of any article of manufacture or agricultural produce tends -steadily downwards, while any article obtained by mining labour, or -supplied by nature alone, tends to become more and more costly. The -use of any one article of either class as a measure of value tends in -the long-run to injustice either towards creditors or debtors. Labour -may be considered as the most constant in intrinsic value of all -things capable of sale or barter; but the utmost ingenuity of Martial -philosophers has failed to devise a fixed standard by which one kind -of labour can be measured against another, and their respective -productive force, and consequently their value in exchange, -ascertained. One thing alone retains in their opinion an intrinsic -value always the same, and if it increase in value, increases only in -proportion as all produce is obtained in greater quantities or with -greater facility. Land, therefore, is in their estimation -theoretically the best available measure of valueâa dogma which has -more practical truth in a planet where population is evenly diffused -and increases very slowly, if at all, than it might have in the -densely but unevenly peopled countries of Europe or Asia. A _staltâ_, -or square of about fifty yards (rather more than half an acre), is the -primary standard unit of value. For purposes of currency this is -represented by a small engraved document bearing the Government stamp, -which can always at pleasure be exchanged for so much land in a -particular situation. The region whose soil is chosen as the standard -lies under the Equator, and the State possesses there some hundreds of -square miles, let out on terms thought to ensure its excellent -cultivation and the permanence of its condition. The immediate -convertibility of each such document, engraven on a small piece of -metal about two inches long by one in breadth, and the fortieth part -of an inch in thickness, is the ultimate cause and permanent guarantee -of its value. Large payments, moreover, have to be made to the State -by those who rent its lands or purchase the various articles of which -it possesses a monopoly; or, again, in return for the services it -undertakes, as lighting roads and supplying water to districts -dependent on a distant source. Great care is taken to keep the issue -of these notes within safe limits; and as a matter of fact they are -rather more valuable than the land they represent, and are in -consequence seldom presented for redemption therein. To provide -against the possibility of such an over-issue as might exhaust the -area of standard land at command of the State, it is enacted that, -failing this, the holder may select his portion of State domain -wherever he pleases, at twelve years' purchase of the rental; but in -point of fact these provisions are theoretically rather than -practically important, since not one note in a hundred is ever -redeemed or paid off. The "square measure," upon which the coinage, if -I may so call it is based, following exactly the measure of length, -each larger area in the ascending scale represents 144 times that -below it. Thus the _styly_ being a little more than a foot, the -_steely_ is about 13 feet, or one-twelfth of the _stâly_; but the -_steeltâ_ (or square steely) is šââââth part of the _stâltâ_. The -_stoltâ_, again, is about 600 yards square, or 360,000 square yards, -144 times the _stâltâ_. The highest note, so to speak, in circulation -represents this last area; but all calculations are made in _staltau_, -or twelfths thereof. The _stâltâ_ will purchase about six ounces of -gold. Notes are issued for the third, fourth, and twelfth parts of -this: values smaller than the latter are represented by a token -coinage of square medals composed of an alloy in which gold and silver -respectively are the principal elements. The lowest coin is worth -about threepence of English money. - -Stopping at the largest public building in the city, a central hexagon -with a number of smaller hexagons rising around it, we entered one of -the latter, each side of which might be some 30 feet in length and 15 -in height. Here were ranged a large number of instruments on the -principle of the voice-writer, but conveying the sound to a vast -distance along electric wires into one which reverses the -voice-recording process, and repeats the vocal sound itself. Through -one of these, after exchanging a few words with one of the officials -in charge of them, Esmo carried on a conversation of some length, the -instrument being so arranged that while the mouth is applied to one -tube another may be held to the ear to receive the reply. In the -meantime I fell in with one of the officers, apparently very young, -who was strongly interested at the sight of the much-canvassed -stranger, and, perhaps on this account, far more obliging than is -common among his countrymen. From him I learnt that this, with another -method I will presently describe, is the sole means of distant -communication employed in Mars. Those who have not leisure or do not -care to visit one of the offices, never more than twelve-miles distant -from one another, in which the public instruments are kept, can have a -wire conveyed to their own house. Almost every house of any pretension -possesses such a wire. Leading me into the next apartment, my friend -pointed out an immense number of instruments of a box-like shape, with -a slit in which a leaf of about four inches by two was placed. These -were constantly ejected and on the instant mechanically replaced. The -fallen leaves were collected and sorted by the officers present, and -at once placed in one or other of another set of exactly similar -instruments. Any one possessing a private wire can write at his own -desk in the manual character a letter or message on one of these -slips. Placing it in his own instrument, it at once reproduces itself -exactly in his autograph, and with every peculiarity, blot, or -erasure, at the nearest office. Here the copy is placed in the proper -box, and at once reproduced in the office nearest the residence of the -person to whom it is addressed, and forwarded in the same manner to -him. A letter, therefore, covering one of these slips, and saying as -much as we could write in an average hand upon a large sheet of -letter-paper, is delivered within five minutes at most from the time -of despatch, no matter how great the distance. - -I remarked that this method of communication made privacy impossible. - -"But," replied the official, "how could we possibly have time to -indulge in curiosity? We have to sort hundreds of these papers in an -hour. We have just time to look at the address, place them in the -proper box, and touch the spring which sets the electric current at -work. If secrecy were needed a cipher would easily secure it, for you -will observe that by this telegraph whatever is inscribed on the sheet -is mechanically reproduced; and it would be as easy to send a picture -as a message." - -I learnt that a post of marvellous perfection had, some thousand years -ago, delivered letters all over Mars, but it was now employed only for -the delivery of parcels. Perhaps half the commerce of Mars, except -that in metals and agricultural produce, depends on this post. -Purchasers of standard articles describe by the telegraph-letter to a -tradesman the exact amount and pattern of the goods required, and -these are despatched at once; a system of banking, very completely -organised, enabling the buyer to pay at once by a telegraphic order. - -When Esmo had finished his business, we walked down, at my request, to -the port. Around three sides of the dock formed by walls, said to be -fifty feet in depth and twenty in thickness, ran a road close to the -water's edge, beyond which was again a vast continuous warehouse. The -inner side was reserved for passenger vessels, and everywhere the -largest ships could come up close, landing either passengers or cargo -without even the intervention of a plank. The appearance of the ships -is very unlike that of Terrestrial vessels. They have no masts or -rigging, are constructed of the zorinta, which in Mars serves much -more effectively all the uses of iron, and differ entirely in -construction as they are intended for cargo or for travel. Mercantile -ships are in shape much like the finest American clippers, but with -broad, flat keel and deck, and with a hold from fifteen to twenty feet -in depth. Like Malayan vessels, they have attached by strong bars an -external beam about fifty feet from the side, which renders -overturning almost impossible. Passenger ships more resemble the form -of a fish, but are alike at both ends. Six men working in pairs four -hours at a time compose the entire crew of the largest ship, and half -this number are required for the smallest that undertakes a voyage of -more than twelve hours. - -I may here mention that the system of sewage is far superior to any -yet devised on Earth. No particle of waste is allowed to pollute the -waters. The whole is deodorised by an exceedingly simple process, and, -whether in town or country, carried away daily and applied to its -natural use in fertilising the soil. Our practice of throwing away, -where it is an obvious and often dangerous nuisance, material so -valuable in its proper place, seemed to my Martial friends an -inexplicable and almost incredible absurdity. - -As we returned, Esmo told me that he had been in communication with -the Camptâ, who had desired that I should visit him with the least -possible delay. - -"This," he said, "will hurry us in matters where I at any rate should -have preferred a little delay. The seat of Government is by a direct -route nearly six thousand miles distant, and you will have opportunity -of travelling in all the different ways practised on this planet. A -long land-journey in our electric carriages, with which you are not -familiar, is, I think, to be avoided. The Camptâ would wish to see -your vessel as well as yourself; but, on the whole, I think it is -safer to leave it where it is. Kevimâ, and I propose to accompany you -during the first part of your journey. At our first halt, we will stay -one night with a friend, that you may be admitted a brother of our -Order." - -"And," said I, "what sort of a reception may I expect at the end of my -journey?" - -"I think," he answered, "that you are more likely to be embarrassed by -the goodwill of the Camptâ than by the hostility of some of those -about him. His character is very peculiar, and it is difficult to -reckon upon his action in any given case. But he differs from nearly -all his subjects in having a strong taste for adventure, none the less -if it be perilous; and since his position prevents him from indulging -this taste in person, he is the more disposed to take extreme interest -in the adventures of others. He has, moreover, a great value for what -you call courage, a virtue rarely needed and still more rarely shown -among us; and I fancy that your venture through space has impressed -him with a very high estimate of your daring. Assuredly none of us, -however great his scientific curiosity, would have dreamed of -incurring such a peril, and incurring it alone. But I must give you -one warning. It is not common among us to make valuable gifts: we do -not care enough for any but ourselves to give except with the idea of -getting something valuable in return. Our princes are, however, so -wealthy that they can give without sacrifice, and it is considered a -grave affront to refuse any present from a superior. Whatever, then, -our Suzerain may offer youâand he is almost sure, unless he should -take offence, to give you whatever he thinks will induce you to settle -permanently in the neighbourhood of his Courtâyou must accept -graciously, and on no account, either then or afterwards, lead him to -think that you slight his present." - -"I must say," I replied, "that while I wish to remain in your world -till I have learnt, if not all that is to be learnt, yet very much -more than I at present know about it, the whole purpose of my voyage -would be sacrificed if I could not effect my return to Earth." - -"I suppose so," he answered, "and for that reason I wish to keep your -vessel safe and within your reach; for to get away at all you may have -to depart suddenly. But you will not do wisely to make the Prince -suspect that such is your intention. Tell him of what you wish to see -and to explore in this world; tell him freely of your own, for he will -not readily fancy that you prefer it to this; but say as little as -possible of your hopes of an ultimate return, and, if you are forced -to acknowledge them, let them seem as indefinite as possible." - -By this time, returning by another road, Esmo stopped the carriage at -the gate of an enclosed garden of moderate size, about two miles from -Ecasfe. Entering alone, he presently returned with another gentleman, -wearing a dress of grey and silver, with a white ribbon over the -shoulder; a badge, I found, of official rank or duties. Mounting his -own carriage, this person accompanied us home. - - - - -CHAPTER X - WOMAN AND WEDLOCK. - - -We arrived at home in the course of some few minutes, and here my host -requested us to wait in the hall, where in about half-an-hour he -rejoined us, accompanied by all the members of his family, the ladies -all closely veiled. Looking among them instinctively for Eveena, I -observed that she had exchanged her usual light veil for one fuller -and denser, and wore, contrary to the wont of maidens indoors, sleeves -and gloves. She held her father's hand, and evinced no little -agitation or alarm. The visitor stood by a table on which had been -placed the usual pencils or styles, and a sort of open portfolio, on -one side of which was laid a small strip of the golden tafroo, -inscribed with crimson characters of unusual size, leaving several -blanks here and there. Most of these he filled up, and then, leading -forward his daughter, Esmo signed to me also to approach the table. -The others stood just behind us, and the official then placed the -document in Eveena's hand. She looked through it and replaced it on -the table with the gesture of assent usual among her people, inclining -her head and raising her left hand to her lips. The document was then -handed to me, but I, of course, was unable to read it. I said so, and -the official read it aloud:â - -"Between Eveena, daughter of Esmo dent Ecasfen, and ââ [13] -_reclamomortâ_ (the alleged arch-traveller), covenant: Eveena will -live with ââ in wedlock for two years, foregoing during that period -the liberty to quit his house, or to receive any one therein save by -his permission. In consideration whereof he will maintain her, -clothing her to her satisfaction, at a cost not exceeding five stâltau -by the year. He will provide for any child or children she may bear -while living with him, or within twice twelve dozen days thereafter. -And if at any time he shall dismiss her or permit her to leave him, or -if she shall desire to leave him after the expiration of eight years, -he will ensure to her for her life an annual payment of fifteen -stâltau. Neither shall appeal to a court of law or public authority -against the other on account of anything done during the time they -shall live together, except for attempt to kill or for grave bodily -injury." - -Such is the form of marriage covenant employed in Mars. The occasion -was unfit for discussion, and I simply intimated my acceptance of the -covenants, on which Eveena and myself forthwith were instructed to -write our names where they appear in the above translation. The -official then inquired whether I recognised the lady standing beside -me as Eveena, daughter of Esmo. It then struck me that, though I felt -pretty certain of her identity, marriage under such conditions might -occasionally lead to awkward mistakes. There was no such difference -between my bride and her companions as, but for her dress and her -agitation, would have enabled me positively to distinguish them, -veiled and silent as all were. I expressed no doubt, however, and the -official then proceeded to affix his own stamp to the document; and -then lifting up that on which our names had actually been written, -showed that, by some process I hardly understand, the signature had -been executed and the agreement filled up in triplicate, the officer -preserving one copy, the others being given to the bride and -bridegroom respectively. The ladies then retired, Esmo, his son, and -the official remaining, when two ambau brought in a tray of -refreshments. The official tasted each article offered to him, -evidently more as a matter of form than of pleasure. I took this -opportunity to ask some questions regarding the Martial cuisine, and -learnt that all but the very simplest cookery is performed by -professional confectioners, who supply twice a day the households in -their vicinity; unmarried men taking their meals at the shop. The -preparation of fruit, roasted grain, beverages consisting of juices -mixed with a prepared nectar, and the vegetables from the garden, -which enter into the composition of every meal, are the only culinary -cares of the ladies of the family. Everything can be warmed or -freshened on the stove which forms a part of that electric machinery -by which in every household the baths and lights are supplied and the -house warmed at night. The ladies have therefore very little household -work, and the greater part of this is performed under their -superintendence by the animals, which are almost as useful as any -human slaves on earth, with the one unquestionable advantage that they -cannot speak, and therefore cannot be impertinent, inquisitive, or -treacherous. No fermented liquors form part of the Martial diet; but -some narcotics resembling haschisch and opium are much relished. When -the official had retired, I said to my hostâ - -"I thought it best to raise no question or objection in signing the -contract put before me with your sanction; but you must be aware, in -the first place, that I have no means here of performing the pecuniary -part of the covenant, no means of providing either maintenance or -pin-money." - -The explanation of the latter phrase, which was immediately demanded, -produced not a little amusement, after which Esmo replied gravelyâ - -"It will be very easy for you, if necessary, to realise a competence -in the course of half a year. A book relating your adventures, and -describing the world you have left, would bring you in a very -comfortable fortune; and you might more than double this by giving -addresses in each of our towns, which, if only from the curiosity our -people would entertain to see you with their own eyes, would attract -crowded audiences. You could get a considerable sum for the exclusive -right to take your likeness; and, if you chose to explain it, you -might fix your own price on the novel motive power you have -introduced. But there is another point in regard to the contract which -you have overlooked, but which I was bound to bear in mind. What you -have promised is, I believe, what Eveena would have obtained from any -suitor she was likely to accept. But since you left the matter -entirely to my discretion, I am bound to make it impossible that you -should be a loser; and this document (and he handed me a small slip -very much like that which contained the marriage covenant) imposes on -my estate the payment of an income for Eveena's life equal to that you -have promised her." - -With much reluctance I found myself obliged to accept a dowry which, -however natural and proper on Earth, was, I felt, unusual in Mars. I -may say that such charges do not interfere with the free sale of land. -They are registered in the proper office, and the State trustee -collects them from the owner for the time being as quit-rents are -collected in Great Britain or land revenue in India. Turning to -another but kindred question, I saidâ - -"Your marriage contract, like our own laws, appears to favour the -weaker sex more than strict theoretical equality would permit. This is -quite right and practically inevitable; but it hardly agrees with the -theory which supposes bride and bridegroom, husband and wife, to enter -on and maintain a coequal voluntary partnership." - -"How so?" he inquired. - -"The right of divorce," I said, "at the end of two years belongs to -the wife alone. The husband cannot divorce her except under a heavy -penalty." - -"Observe," he answered, "that there is a grave practical inequality -which even theory can hardly ignore. The wife parts with something by -the very fact of marriage. At the end of two years, when she has borne -two, three, or four children, her value in marriage is greatly -lessened. Her capacity of maintaining herself, in the days when women -did work, was found practically to be even smaller than before -marriage. You may say that this really amounts to a recognition by -custom of the natural inequality denied by law; but at any rate, it is -an inequality which it was scarcely possible to overlook. Examine the -practical working of the covenants, and you will find that in -affecting to treat unequals as equals they merely make the weaker the -slave of the stronger." - -"Surely," I said, "husband and wife are so far equal, where neither is -tied to the children, that each can make the other heartily glad to -assent to a divorce." - -"Perhaps, where law interferes to enforce monogamy, and thereby to -create an artificial equality of mutual dependence. But our law cannot -dictate to equals, whose sex it ignores, the terms or numbers of -partnership. So, the terms of the contract being voluntary, men of -course insist on excluding legal interference in household quarrels; -and before the prohibitive clause was generally adopted, legal -interposition did more harm than good. As you will find, equality -before the law gives absolute effect to the real inequality, and -chiefly through its coarsest element, superior physical force. The -liberty that is a necessary logical consequence of equality takes from -the woman her one natural safeguardâthe man's need of her goodwill, -if not of her affection." - -"In our world," I replied, "I always held that even slaves, so they be -household slaves, are secure against gross cruelty. The owner cannot -make life a burden to them without imperilling his own. To reduce the -question to its lowest termsâmalice will always be a match for -muscle, and poison an efficient antidote to the _ferula_." - -"So," rejoined Esmo, "our men have perceived, and consequently they -have excepted attempts to murder, as the women have excepted serious -bodily injury, from the general rule prohibiting appeals to a court of -law." - -"And," said I, "are there many such appeals?" - -"Not one in two years," he replied; "and for a simple reason. Our law, -as matter of course and of common sense, puts murder, attempted or -accomplished, on the same footing, and visits both with its supreme -penalty. Consequently, a wife detected in such an attempt is at her -husband's mercy; and if he consent to spare her life, she must submit -to any infliction, however it may transgress the covenanted limit. In -fact, if he find her out in such an attempt, he may do anything but -put her to death on his own authority." - -"Still," I answered, "as long as she remains in the house, she must -have frequent opportunity of repeating her attempt at revenge; and to -live in constant fear of assassination would break down the strongest -nerves." - -"Our physicians," he said, "are more skilful in antidotes than our -women in poisons, even when the latter have learned chemistry. No -poisonous plants are grown near our houses; and as wives never go out -alone, they have little chance of getting hold of any fatal drug. I -believe that very few attempts to poison are successful, and that many -women have suffered very severely on mere suspicion." - -"And what," I asked, "is the legal definition of 'grave bodily -injury'?" - -"Injury," he said, "of which serious traces remain at the end of -twenty-four days; the destruction of a limb, or the deprivation, -partial or total, of a sense. I have often thought bitterly," he -continued, "of that boasted logic and liberality of our laws under -which my daughters might have to endure almost any maltreatment from -their husbands, so long as these have but the sense not to employ -weapons that leave almost ineffaceable marks. This is one main reason -why we so anxiously avoid giving them save to those who are bound by -the ties of our faith to treat them as kindly as childrenâfor whom, -at the worst, they remain sisters of the Order. If women generally had -parents, our marriage law could never have carried out the fiction of -equality to its logical perfection and practical monstrosity." - -"Equality, then, has given your women a harder life and a worse -position than that of those women in our world who are, not only by -law but by fact and custom, the slaves of their husbands?" - -"Yes, indeed," he said; "and our proverbs, though made by men, express -this truth with a sharpness in which there is little exaggeration. Our -school textbooks tell us that action and reaction are equal and -opposite; and this familiar phrase gives meaning to the saw, _Pelmavè -dakâl dakè,_ 'She is equal, the thing struck to the hammer,' meaning -that woman's equality to man is no more effective than the reaction of -the leather on the mallet. 'Bitterer smiles of twelve than tears of -ten' (referring to the age of marriage). _Thleen delkint treen lalfe -zevleen_, ''Twixt fogs and clouds she dreams of stars.'" - -"What _does_ that mean?" - -"Would you not render it in the terminology of the hymn you translated -for us, 'Between Purgatory and Hell, one dream of Heaven?' Still -puzzled? 'Between the harshness of school and the misery of marriage, -the illusions of the bride.' Again, _Zefoo zevleel, zave marneel, -clafte cratheneel_, 'A child [cries] for the stars, a maiden for the -matron's dress, a woman for her shroud.'" - -"Do you mean to say that that is not exaggerated?" - -"I suppose it is, as women are even less given to suicide than men. -That is perhaps the ugliest proverb of its kind. I will only quote one -more, and that is two-edgedâ - - "'Fool he who heeds a woman's tears, to woman's tongue replies; - Fool she who braves man's handâbut when was man or woman wise?'" - -Here Zulve came to the door and made a sign to her husband. Waiting -courteously to ascertain that I had finished speaking, and until his -son had somewhat ceremoniously taken leave of me, he led me to the -door of a chamber next to that I had hitherto occupied. Pausing here -himself, he motioned me to go on, and the door parting, I found myself -in a room I had not before entered, about the same size as my own and -similarly furnished, but differently coloured, now communicating with -it by a door which I knew had not previously existed. Here were -Eveena's mother and sister, dressed as usual. - -Eveena herself had exchanged her maiden white for the light pink of a -young matron, but was closely veiled in a similar material. Her mother -and sister kissed her with much emotion, though without the tears and -lamentations, real or affected, with whichâalike among the nomads of -Asia and the most cultivated races of Europeâeven those relatives who -have striven hardest to marry a daughter or sister think it necessary -to celebrate the fulfilment of their hopes, and the termination of -their often prolonged and wearisome labours. I was then left alone -with my bride, who remained half-seated, half-crouching on the -cushions in a corner of the room. I could not help feeling keenly how -much a marriage so unceremonious and with so little previous -acquaintance, or rather so great a reserve and distance in our former -intercourse, intensified the awkwardness many a man on Earth feels -when first left alone with the partner of his future life. But a -single glance at the small drooping figure half-hidden in the cushions -brought the reflection that a situation, embarrassing to the -bridegroom, must be in the last degree alarming and distressing to the -bride. But for her visit to the Astronaut we should have been almost -strangers; I could hardly have recognised even her voice. I must, -however, speak; and naturally my first sentence was a half-articulate -request that she would remove her veil. - -"No," she whispered, rising, "_you_ must do that." - -Taking off the glove of her left hand, she came up to me shyly and -slowly, and placed it in my rightâa not unmeaning ceremony. Having -obeyed her instruction, my lips touched for the first time the brow of -my young wife. That she was more than shy and startled, was even -painfully agitated and frightened, became instantly apparent now that -her countenance was visible. What must be the state of Martial brides -in general, when the signature of the contract immediately places them -at the disposal of an utter stranger, it was beyond the power of my -imagination to conceive, if their feelings were at all to be measured -by Eveena's under conditions sufficiently trying, but certainly far -better than theirs. Nothing was so likely to quiet her as perfect -calmness on my side; and, though with a heart beating almost as fast -as her own, if with very different emotions, I led her gently back to -her place, and resting on a cushion just out of reach, began to talk -to her. Choosing as the easiest subject our adventure of yesterday, I -asked what could have induced her to place herself in a situation so -dangerous. - -"Do not be angry with me now," she pleaded. "I am exceedingly fond of -flowers; they have been my only amusement except the training of my -pets. You can see how little women have to do, how little occupation -or interest is permitted us. The rearing of rare flowers, or the -creation of new ones, is almost the only employment in which we can -find exercise for such intelligence as we possess. I had never seen -before the flower that grew on that shelf. I believe, indeed, that it -only grows on a few of our higher mountains below the snow-line, and I -was anxious to bring it home and see what could be made of it in the -garden. I thought it might be developed into something almost as -beautiful as that bright _leenoo_ you admired so greatly in my -flower-bed." - -"But," said I, "the two flowers are not of the same shape or colour; -and, though I am not learned in botany, I should say hardly belong to -the same family." - -"No," she said. "But with care, and with proper management of our -electric apparatus, I accomplished this year a change almost as great. -I can show you in my flower-bed one little white flower, of no great -beauty and conical in shape, from which I have produced in two years -another, saucer-shaped, pink, and of thrice the size, almost exactly -realising an imaginary flower, drawn by my sister-in-law to represent -one of which she had dreamed. We can often produce the very shape, -size, and colour we wish from something that at first seems to have no -likeness to it whatever; and I have been told that a skilful farmer -will often obtain a fruit, or, what is more difficult, an animal, to -answer exactly the ideal he has formed." - -"Some of our breeders," I said, "profess to develop a sort of ideal of -any given species; but it takes many generations, by picking and -choosing those that vary in the right direction, to accomplish -anything of the kind; and, after all, the difference between the -original and the improved form is mere development, not essential -change." - -She hardly seemed to understand this, but answeredâ - -"The seedling or rootlet would be just like the original plant, if we -did not from the first control its growth by means of our electric -frames. But if you will allow me, I will show you to-morrow what I -have done in my own flower-bed, and you will have opportunities of -seeing afterwards how very much more is done by agriculturists with -much more time and much more potent electricities." - -"At any rate," I said, "if I had known your object, you certainly -should have had the flowers for which you risked so much: and if I -remain here three days longer, I promise you plenty of specimens for -your experiment." - -"You do not mean to go back to the Astronaut?" she asked, with an air -of absolute consternation. - -"I had not intended to do so," I replied, "for it seems to be -perfectly safe under your father's seal and your stringent laws of -property. But now, if time permit, I must get these flowers to which -you tell me I am so deeply indebted." - -"You are very kind," returned Eveena earnestly, "but I entreat you not -to venture there again. I should be utterly miserable while you were -running such a risk again, and for such a trifle." - -"It is no such terrible risk to me, and to please you is not quite a -trifle. Besides, I ought to deserve my prize better than I have yet -done. But you seem to have some especial spite against the unlucky -vessel that brought me here; and that," I added, smiling, "seems -hardly gracious in a bride of an hour." - -"No, no!" she murmured, evidently much distressed; "but the vessel -that brought you here may take you away." - -"I will not pain you yet by saying that I hope it may. At all events, -it shall not do so till you are content that it should." - -She made no answer, and seemed for some time to hesitate, as if afraid -or unwilling to say something which rose irrepressibly to her lips. A -few persuasive words, however, encouraged her, and she found her -voice, though with a faltering accent, which greatly surprised me when -I learned at last the purport of her request. - -"I do not understand," she said, "your ideas or customs, but I know -they are different from ours. I have found at least that they make you -much more indulgent and tender to women than our own; and I hope, -therefore, you will forgive me if I ask more than I have any right to -do." - -"I could scarcely refuse my bride's first request, whatever it might -be. But your hesitation and your apologies might make me fear that you -are about to ask something which one or both of us may wish hereafter -had neither been asked nor granted." - -She still hesitated and faltered, till I began to fancy that her wish -must have a much graver import than I at first supposed. Perhaps to -treat the matter lightly and sportively would be the course most -likely to encourage her to explain it. - -"What is it, child," I asked, "which you think the stranger of another -world more likely to grant than one of your own race, and which is so -extravagant, nevertheless, that you tremble to ask it even from me? Is -it too much to be bound not to appeal against me to the law, which -cannot yet determine whether I am a reality or a fiction? Or have I -proved my arm a little too substantial? Must the giant promise not to -exercise the masculine prerogative of physical force safely conceded -to the dwarf? Fie, Eveena! I am almost afraid to touch you, lest I -should hurt you unawares; lest tenderness itself should transgress the -limit of legal cruelty, and do grave bodily harm to a creature so much -more like a fairy than a woman!" - -"No, no!" she expostulated, not at all reciprocating the jesting tone -in which I spoke. "If you would consent to give such a promise, it is -just one of those we should wish unmade. How could I ask you to -promise that I may behave as ill as I please? I dare say I shall be -frightened to tears when you are angry; but I shall never wish you to -retain your anger rather than vent it and forgive. The proverb says, -'Who punishes pardons; who hates awaits.' No, pray do not play with -me; I am so much in earnest. I know that I don't understand where and -why your thoughts and ways are so unlike ours. ButâbutâI thoughtâI -fanciedâyou seemed to hold the tie between man and wife something -moreâfasterâmore lastingâthanâour contract has made it." - -"Certainly! With us it lasts for life at least; and even here, where -it may be broken at pleasure, I should not have thought that, on the -very bridal eve, the coldest heart could willingly look forward to its -dissolution." - -She was too innocent of such a thoughtâperhaps too much absorbed by -her own purposeâto catch the hint of unjust reproach. - -"Well, then," she said, with a desperate effort, in a voice that -trembled between the fear of offending by presumption or exaction, and -the desire to give utterance to her wishâ"I want ... will you say -thatâif by that time you do not think that I have been too faulty, -too undeservingâthat I shall go with you when you quit this world?" -And, her eagerness at last overpowering her shyness, she looked up -anxiously into my face. - -We wholly misconceived each other. She drooped in bitter -disappointment, mistaking my blank surprise for displeasure; her words -brought over my mind a rush of that horror with which I ever recall -the scenes I witnessed but too often at Indian funerals. - -"That, of course, will rest with yourself. But even should I hereafter -deserve and win such love as would prompt the wish, I trust you will -never dream of cutting short your life becauseâin the ordinary course -of natureâmine should end long before the term of yours." - -Her face again brightened, and she looked up more shyly but not less -earnestly. - -"I did not make my meaning clear," she replied. "I spoke not, as my -father sometimes speaks, of leaving this world, when he means to -remind us that death is only a departure to another; though that was, -not so long ago, the only meaning the words could bear. I was thinking -of your journey, and I want you to take me with you when you go." - -"You have quite settled in your own mind that I shall go! And in truth -you have now removed, as you yesterday created, the only obstacle. If -you would not go with me, I might, rather than give you up, have given -up the whole purpose of my enterprise, and have left my friends, and -the world from which I came, ignorant whether it had ever been -accomplished. But if you accompany me, I shall certainly try to regain -my own planet." - -"Then," she said hopefully, but half confidently, "when you go, if I -have not given you cause of lasting displeasure, you _will_ take me -with you? Most men do not think much of promises, especially of -promises made to women; but I have heard you speak as if to break a -plighted word were a thing impossible." - -"I promise," I returned earnestly, very much moved by a proof of real -affection such as I had no right to expect, and certainly had not -anticipated. "I give you the word of one who has never lied, that if, -when the time comes, you wish to go with me, you shall. But by that -time, you will probably have a better idea what are the dangers you -are asking to share." - -"What can that matter?" she answered. "I suppose in almost any case we -should escape or die together? To leave me here is to inflict -certainly, and at once, the worst that can possibly befall me; to take -me gives me the hope of living or dying with you; and even if I were -killed, I should be with you, and feel that you were kind to me, to -the last." - -"I little thought," said I, hesitating long for some expression of -tenderness, which the language of Mars refuses to furnish,â"I little -thought to find in a world of which selfishness seems to be the -paramount principle, and the absence of real love even between man and -woman the most prevalent characteristic, a wife so true to the best -and deepest meaning of wedlock. Still less could I have hoped to find -such a wife in one who had scarcely spoken to me twenty-four hours -before our marriage. If my unexampled adventure had had no other -rewardâif I had cared nothing for the triumph of discovering a new -world with all its wondersâEveena, this discovery alone is reward in -full for all my studies, toils, and perils. For all I have done and -risked already, for all the risks of the future, I am tenfold repaid -in winning you." - -She looked up at these words with an expression in which there was -more of bewilderment and incredulity than of satisfaction, evidently -touched by the earnestness of my tone, but scarcely understanding my -words better than if I had spoken in my own tongue. It would not be -worth while to record the next hour's conversation; I would only note -the strong and painful impression it left upon my mind. There was in -Eveena's language and demeanour a timidityâa sort of tentative -fearful venturing as on dangerous ground, feeling her way, as it were, -in almost every sentenceâwhich could not be wholly attributed to the -shyness of a very young and very suddenly wedded bride. There was -enough and to spare of this shyness; but more of the sheer physical or -nervous fear of a child suddenly left in hands whose reputed severity -has thoroughly frightened her; not daring to give offence by silence, -but afraid at each word to give yet more fatal offence in speaking. -Longer experience of a world in which even the first passion of love -is devoid of tendernessâin which asserted equality has long since -deprived women of that claim to indulgence which can only rest on -acknowledged weaknessâtaught me but too well the meaning of this -fearful, trembling anxiety to please, or rather not to offend. I -suppose that even a brutal master hardly likes to see a child cower in -his presence as if constantly expecting a blow; and this cowering was -so evident in my bride's demeanour, that, after trying for a couple of -hours to coax her into confidence and unreserved feminine fluency, I -began to feel almost impatient. It was fortunate that, just as my tone -involuntarily betrayed to her quick and watchful ear some shade of -annoyance, just as I caught a furtive upward glance that seemed to ask -what error she had committed and how it might be repaired, a -scratching on the door startled her. She did not, however, venture to -disengage herself from the hand which now held her own, but only moved -half-imperceptibly aside with a slight questioning look and gesture, -as if tacitly asking to be released. As I still held her fast, she was -silent, till the unnoticed scratching had been two or three times -repeated, and then half-whispered, "Shall I tell them to come in?" -When I released her, there appeared to my surprise at her call, no -human intruder, but one of the ambau, bearing on a tray a goblet, -which, as he placed it on a table beside us, I perceived to contain a -liquid rather different from any yet offered me. The presence of these -mute servants is generally no more heeded than that of our cats and -dogs; but I now learnt that Martial ideas of delicacy forbid them, -even as human servants would be forbidden, to intrude unannounced on -conjugal privacy. When the little creature had departed, I tasted the -liquid, but its flavour was so unpleasant that I set down the vessel -immediately. Eveena, however, took it up, and drinking a part of it, -with an effort to control the grimace of dislike it provoked, held it -up to me again, so evidently expecting and inviting me to share it -that courtesy permitted no further demur. A second sign or look, when -I set it down unemptied, induced me to finish the draught. Regarding -the matter as some trivial but indispensable ceremonial, I took no -further notice of it; but, thankful for the diversion it had given to -my thoughts, continued my endeavours to soothe and encourage my fair -companion. After a few minutes it seemed as if she were somewhat -suddenly gaining courage and confidence. At the same time I myself -became aware of a mental effect which I promptly ascribed to the -draught. Nor was I wrong. It contained one of those drugs which I have -mentioned; so rarely used in this house that I had never before seen -or tasted any of them, but given, as matter of course, on any occasion -that is supposed to involve unusual agitation or make an exceptional -call on nerves or spirits. But for the influence of this cup I should -still have withheld the remark which, nevertheless, I had resolved to -make as soon as I could hope to do so without annoying or alarming -Eveena. - -"Are you afraid of me?" I asked somewhat abruptly. The question may -have startled her, but I was more startled by the answer. - -"Of course," she said in a tone which would have been absolutely -matter of fact, except that the doubt evidently surprised her. "Ought -I not to be so? But what made you ask? And what had I done to -displease you, just before they sent us the 'courage cup'?" - -"I did not mean to show anything like displeasure," I replied. "But I -was thinking then, and I may tell you now, that you remind me not of -the women of my own Earth, but of petted children suddenly transferred -to a harsh school. You speak and look like such a child, as if you -expected each moment at least to be severely scolded, if not beaten, -without knowing your fault." - -"Not yet," she murmured, with a smile which seemed to me more painful -than tears would have been. "But please don't speak as if I should -fear anything so much as being scolded by you. We have a saying that -'the hand may bruise the skin, the tongue can break the heart.'" - -"True enough," I said; "only on Earth it is mostly woman's tongue that -breaks the heart, and men must not in return bruise the skin." - -"Why not?" she asked. "You said to my mother the other day that Argâ -(the fretful child of Esmo's adoption) deserved to be beaten." - -"Women are supposed," I answered, "to be amenable to milder -influences; and a man must be drunk or utterly brutal before he could -deal harshly with a creature so gentle and so fragile as yourself." - -"Don't spoil me," she said, with a pretty half-mournful, half-playful -glance. "'A petted bride makes an unhappy wife.' Surely it is no true -kindness to tempt us to count on an indulgence that cannot last." - -"There is among us," I rejoined, "a saying about 'breaking a butterfly -on the wheel'âas if one spoke of driving away the tiny birds that -nestle and feed in your flowers with a hammer. To apply your proverbs -to yourself would be to realise this proverb of ours. Can you not let -me pet and spoil my little flower-bird at least till I have tamed her, -and trust me to chastise her as soon as she shall give reasonâif I -can find a tendril or flower-stem light enough for the purpose?" - -"Will you promise to use a hammer when you wish to be rid of her?" -said she, glancing up for one moment through her drooping lashes with -a look exactly attuned to the mingled archness and pathos of her tone. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - A COUNTRY DRIVE. - - -Like all Martialists, I had been accustomed since my landing to wake -with the first light of dawn; but the draught, though its earlier -effects were anything but narcotic or stupifying, deepened and -prolonged my sleep. It was not till the rays of sunlight came clear -and full through the crystal roof of the peristyle, and the window of -our bridal chamber, that my eyes unclosed. The first object on which -they opened startled me into full waking recollection. Exactly where -the sunbeams fell, just within reach of my hand, Eveena stood; the -loveliest creature I ever beheld, a miniature type of faultless -feminine grace and beauty. By the standard of Terrestrial humanity she -was tiny rather than small: so light, so perfect in proportion, form, -and features, so absolutely beautiful, so exquisitely delicate, as to -suggest the ideal Fairy Queen realised in flesh and blood, rather than -any properly human loveliness. In the transparent delicacy of a -complexion resembling that of an infant child of the fairest and most -tenderly nurtured among the finest races of Europe, in the ideally -perfect outline of face and featuresâthe noble but even foreheadâthe -smooth, straight, clearly pencilled eyebrowsâthe large almond-shaped -eyes and drooping lids, with their long, dark, soft fringeâthe little -mouth and small, white, even regular teethâthe rosy lips, slightly -compressed, save when parted in speech, smile, or eager attentionâshe -exhibited in their most perfect but by no means fullest development -the characteristics of Martial physiognomy; or rather the -characteristic beauty of a family in which the finest traits of that -physiognomy are unmixed with any of its meaner or harsher -peculiarities. The hands, long, slight, and soft, the unsandalled -feet, not less perfectly shaped, could only have belonged to the child -of ancestors who for more than a hundred generations have never known -hard manual toil, rough exposure, or deforming, cramping costume; even -as every detail of her beauty bore witness to an immemorial -inheritance of health unbroken by physical infirmity, undisturbed by -violent passions, and developed by an admirable system of physical and -mental discipline and culture. The absence of veil and sleeves left -visible the soft rounded arms and shoulders, in whose complexion a -tinge of pale rose seemed to shine through a skin itself of -translucent white; the small head, and the perfection of the slender -neck, with the smooth unbroken curve from the ear to the arm. Her long -hair, fastened only by a silver band woven in and out behind the small -rounded ears, fell almost to her knee; and, as it caught the bright -rays of the morning sun, I discerned for the first time the full -beauty of that tinge of gold which varied the colour of the rich, -soft, brown tresses. As her sex are seldom exposed to the cold of the -night or the mists, their underclothing is slight and close fitting. -Eveena's thin robe, of the simplest possible formâtwo wide straight -pieces of a material lustrous as satin but rivalling the finest -cambric in texture (lined with the same fabric reversed), sewn -together from the hem of the skirt to the arm, and fastened again by -the shoulder claspsâfell perfectly loose save where compressed by the -zone or by the movements of the wearer; and where so compressed, -defined the outlines of the form as distinctly as the lightest wet -drapery of the studio. Her dress, in short, achieved in its pure -simplicity all at which the artistic skill of matrons, milliners, and -maidens aims in a Parisian ball costume, without a shadow of that -suggestive immodesty from which ball costumes are seldom wholly free. -Exactly reversing Terrestrial practice, a Martial wife reserves for -strictest domestic privacy that undressed full-dress, that frank -revelation of her beauty, which the matrons of London, Paris, or New -York think exclusively appropriate to the most public occasions. Till -now, while still enjoying the liberty allowed to maidens in this -respect, Eveena, by the arrangement of her veil, had always given to -her costume a reserve wholly unexceptionable, even according to the -rules enforced by the customs of Western Europe on young girls not yet -presented in the marriage market of society. A new expression, or one, -at least, which I had never before seen there, gave to her face a -strange and novel beauty; the beauty, I wish to think, of shy, but -true happiness; felt, it may be, for the first time, and softened, I -fear, by a doubt of its possible endurance which rendered it as -touching as attractive. Never was the sleep even of the poet of the -_Midsummer Night's Dream_ visited by a lovelier visionâespecially -lovely as the soft rose blush suffused her cheeks under my gaze of -admiration and delight. Springing up, I caught her with both hands and -drew her on my knee. Some minutes passed before either of us cared to -speak. Probably as she rested her head on my arm and looked into my -eyes, each read the other's character more truly and clearly than -words the most frank and open could ever enable us to do. I had taught -her last night a few substitutes in the softest tongue I knew for -those words of natural tenderness in which her language is signally -deficient: taught her to understand them, certainly not to use them, -for it was long before I could even induce her to address me by name. - -"My father bade me yesterday," she said at last, "ask you in future to -wear the dress of our people. Not that you will be the less an object -of attention and wonder, but that in retaining a distinction which -depends entirely on your own choice, you will seem intentionally to -prefer your own habits to ours." - -"I comply of course," I observed. "Naturally the dress of every -country is best suited to its own conditions. Yet I should have -thought that a preference for my own world, even were it wholly -irrational, might seem at least natural and pardonable." - -"People don't," she answered simply, "like any sign of individual -fancy or opinion. They don't like any one to show that he thinks them -wrong even on a matter of taste." - -"I fear, then, _carissima_, that I must be content with unpopularity. -I may wear the costume of your people; but their thought, their -conduct, their inner and outer life, as your father reports them, and -as thus far I have seen them, are to me so unnatural, that the more I -resemble them externally the more my unlikeness in all else is likely -to attract notice. I am sorry for this, because women are by nature -prone to judge even their nearest and dearest by the standard of -fashion, and to exact from men almost as close a conformity to that -standard as they themselves display. I fear you will have to forgive -many heresies in my conduct as well as in my thoughts." - -"You cannot suppose," she answered earnestlyâshe seemed incapable of -apprehending irony or jest,â"that I should wish you more like others -than you are. Whatever may happen hereafter, I shall always feel -myself the happiest of women in having belonged to one who cares for -something beside himself, and holds even life cheaper than love." -"I hope so, _carissima_. But in that matter there was scarcely more of -love than of choice. What I did for you I must have done no less for -Zevle [her sister]. If I had feared death as much as the Regent does, -I could not have returned alive and alone. My venture into infinite -space involved possibilities of horror more appalling than the mere -terrors of death. You asked of me as my one bridal gift leave to share -its perils. How unworthy of you should I be, if I did not hold the -possession of Eveena, even for the two years of her promise, well -worth dying for!" - -The moral gulf between the two worlds is wider than the material. -Utterly unselfish and trustful, Eveena was almost pained to be -reminded that the service she so extravagantly overprized was rendered -to her sex rather than herself; while yet more deeply gratified, -though still half incredulous, by the commonplace that preferred love -to life. I had yet to learn, however, that Eveena's nature was as -utterly strange in her own world as the ideas in which she was -educated would seem in mine. - -I left her for a few minutes to dress for the first time in the -costume which Esmo's care had provided. The single under-vestment of -softest hide, closely fitting from neck to knees, is of all garments -the best adapted to preserve natural warmth under the rapid and -extreme changes of the external atmosphere. The outer garb consisted -of blouse and trousers, woven of a fabric in which a fine warp of -metallic lustre was crossed by a strong silken weft, giving the effect -of a diapered scarlet and silver; both fastened by the belt, a broad -green strap of some species of leather, clasped with gold. Masculine -dress is seldom brilliant, as is that of the women, but convenient and -comfortable beyond any other, and generally handsome and elegant. The -one part of the costume which I could never approve is the sandal, -which leaves the feet exposed to dust and cold. Rejoining my bride, I -saidâ - -"I have had no opportunity of seeing much of this country, and I fancy -from what I have seen of feminine seclusion that an excursion would be -as much a holiday treat to you as to myself. If your father will lend -us his carriage, would you like to accompany me to one or two places -Kevimâ has described not far from this, and which I am anxious to -visit?" - -She bent her head, but did not answer; and fancying that the proposal -was not agreeable to her, I addedâ - -"If you prefer to spend our little remaining time here with your -mother and sister, I will ask your brother to accompany me, though I -am selfishly unwilling to part with you to-day." - -She looked up for a moment with an air of pain and perplexity, and as -she turned away I saw the tears gather in her eyes. - -"What _is_ the matter?" I asked, surprised and puzzled as one on Earth -who tries to please a woman by offering her her own way, and finds -that, so offered, it is the last thing she cares to have. It did not -occur to me that, even in trifles, a Martial wife never dreams that -her taste or wish can signify, or be consulted where her lord has a -preference of his own. To invite instead of commanding her -companionship was unusual; to withdraw the expression of my own wish, -and bid her decide for herself, was in Eveena's eyes to mark formally -and deliberately that I did not care for her society. - -"What have I done," she faltered, "to be so punished? I have not, save -the day before yesterday, left the house this year; and you offer me -the greatest of pleasures only to snatch it away the next moment." - -"Nay, Eveena!" I answered. "If I had not told you, you must know that -I cannot but wish for your company; but by your silence I fancied you -disliked my proposal, yet did not like to decline it." - -The expression of surprise and perplexity in her face, though half -pathetic, seemed so comical that I with difficulty suppressed a laugh, -because for her it was evidently no laughing matter. After giving her -time, as I thought, to recover herself, I saidâ - -"Well, I suppose we may now join them at the morning -meal?" - -Something was still wrong, the clue to which I gathered by observing -her shy glance at her head-dress and veil. - -"Must you wear those?" I askedâa question which gave her some such -imperfect clue to my thoughts as I had found to hers. - -"How foolish of me," she said, smiling, "to forget how little you can -know of our customs! Of course I must wear my veil and sleeves; but -to-day you must put on the veil, as you removed it last night." - -The awkwardness with which I performed this duty had its effect in -amusing and cheering her; and the look of happiness and trust had come -back to her countenance before the veil concealed it. - -I made my request to Esmo, who answered, with some amusementâ - -"Every house like ours has from six to a dozen larger or lighter -carriages. Of course they cost nothing save the original purchase. -They last for half a lifetime, and are not costly at the outset. But I -have news for you which, I venture to think, will be as little -agreeable to you as to ourselves. Your journey must begin tomorrow, -and this, therefore, is the only opportunity you will have for such an -excursion as you propose." - -"Then," I said, "will Eveena still wish to share it?" - -Even her mother's face seemed to ask what in the world that could -matter; but a movement of the daughter's veiled head reminded me that -I was blundering; and pressing her little hand as she lay beside me, I -took her compliance for granted. - -The morning mist had given place to hot bright sunshine when we -started. At first our road lay between enclosures like that which -surrounded Esmo's dwelling. - -Presently the lines were broken here and there by such fields as I had -seen in descending from Asnyca; some filled with crops of human food, -some with artificial pastures, in which Unicorns or other creatures -were feeding. I saw also more than one field wherein the _carvee_ were -weeding or gathering fruit, piling their burdens in either case as -soon as their beaks were full into bags or baskets. Pointing out to -Eveena the striking difference of colour between the cultivated fields -and gardens and the woods or natural meadows on the mountain sides, I -learned from her that this distinction is everywhere perceptible in -Mars. Natural objects, plants or animals, rocks and soil, are for the -most part of dimmer, fainter, or darker tints than on Earth; probably -owing to the much less intense light of the Sun; partly, perhaps, to -that absorption of the blue rays by the atmosphere, which diminishes, -I suppose, even that light which actually reaches the planet. But -uncultivated ground, except on the mountains above the ordinary range -of crops or pastures, scarcely exists in the belt of Equatorial -continents; the turf itself, like the herbage or fruit shrubs in the -fields, is artificial, consisting of plants developed through long -ages into forms utterly unlike the native original by the skill and -ingenuity of man. Even the great fruit trees have undergone material -change, not only in the size, flavour, and appearance of the fruits -themselves, which have been the immediate object of care, but, -probably through some natural correlation between, the different -organs, in the form and colour of the foliage, the arrangement of the -branches, and the growth of the trunk, all of which are much more -regular, and, so to speak, more perfect, than is the case either here -or on Earth with those left to the control of Nature and locality, or -the effects of the natural competition, which is in its way perhaps as -keen among plants and animals as among men. Martialists have the same -delight in bright colours as Orientals, with far greater taste in -selection and combination; and the favourite hues not only of their -flowers, tame birds, fishes, and quadrupeds, but of plants in whose -cultivation utility has been the primary object, contrast signally, as -I have said, with the dull tints of the undomesticated flora and -fauna, of which comparatively scanty remnants were visible here and -there in this rich country. - -Presently we came within sight of the river, over which was a single -bridge, formed by what might be called a tube of metal built into -strong walls on either bank. In fact, however, the sides were of open -work, and only the roof and floor were solid. The river at this, its -narrowest point, was perhaps a furlong in breadth, and it was not -without instinctive uneasiness that I trusted to the security of a -single piece of metal spanning, without even the strength afforded by -the form of the arch, so great a space. - -The first object we were to visit lay at some distance down the -stream. As we approached the point, we passed a place where the river -widened considerably. The main channel in the centre was kept clear -and deep to afford an uninterrupted course for navigation; but on -either side were rocks that broke the river into pools and shallows, -such as here, no less than on Earth, form the favourite haunts or -spawning places of the fish. In some of the lesser pools birds larger -than the stork, bearing under the throat an expansible bag like that -of the pelican, were seeking for prey. They were watched and directed -by a master on the shore, and carried to a square tank, fixed on a -wheeled frame not unlike that of the ordinary carriage, which -accompanied him, each fish they took. I observed that the latter were -carefully seized, with the least possible violence or injury, placed -by a jerk head-downmost in the throat-bag, which, though when empty it -was scarcely perceptible, would contain prey of very considerable size -and weight, and as carefully disgorged into the tank. In one of the -most extensive pools, too deep for these birds, a couple of men had -spread a sort of net, not unlike those used on Earth, but formed of -twisted metal threads with very narrow meshes, enclosing the whole -pool, a space of perhaps some 400 square yards. In the centre of this -an electric lamp was let down into the water, some feet below the -surface. The fish crowded towards it, and a sudden shock of -electricity transmitted through the meshes of the net, as well as from -the wires of the lamp circuit, stunned for a few minutes all life -within the enclosure. The fish then floated on the surface, the net -was drawn together, and they were collected and sorted; some which, as -I afterwards learned, were required for breeding, being carefully and -separately preserved in a smaller tank, those fit for food cast into -the larger one, those too small for the one purpose and not needed for -the other being thrown back into the water. I noted, however, that -many fish apparently valuable were among those thus rejected. I spoke -to one of the fishermen, who, regarding me with great surprise and -curiosity, at last answered briefly that a stringent law forbids the -catching of spawning fish except for breeding purposes. Those, -therefore, for which the season was close-time were invariably spared. - -In sea-fishing a much larger net, sometimes enclosing more than 10,000 -square yards, is employed. This fishing is conducted chiefly at night, -the electric lamp being then much more effective in attracting the -prey, and lowered only a few inches below the surface. Many large -destructive creatures, unfit for food, generally of a nature -intermediate between fish and reptiles, haunt the seas. It is held -unwise to exterminate them, since they do their part in keeping down -an immense variety of smaller creatures, noxious for one reason or -another, and also in clearing the water from carrion and masses of -seaweed which might otherwise taint the air of the sea-coasts, -especially near the mouths of large tropical rivers. But these -sea-monsters devour enormous quantities of fish, and the hunters -appointed to deal with them are instructed to limit their numbers to -the minimum required. Their average increase is to be destroyed each -year. If at any time it appear that, for whatever cause, the total -number left alive is falling off, the chief of this service suspends -it partially or wholly at his discretion. - -We now came to the entrance of a vast enclosure bordering on the -river, the greatest fish-breeding establishment on this continent, or -indeed in this world. One of its managers courteously showed me over -it. It is not necessary minutely to describe its arrangements, from -the spawning ponds and the hatching tanksâthe latter contained in a -huge building, whose temperature is preserved with the utmost care at -the rate found best suited to the ovaâto the multitude of streams, -ponds, and lakes in which the different kinds of fish are kept during -the several stages of their existence. The task of the breeders is -much facilitated by the fact that the seas of Mars are not, like ours, -salt; and though sea and river fish are almost as distinct as on -Earth, each kind having its own habitat, whose conditions are -carefully reproduced in the breeding or feeding reservoirs, the same -kind of water suits all alike. It is necessary, however, to keep the -fishes of tropical seas and streams in water of a very different -temperature from that suited to others brought from arctic or -sub-arctic climates; and this, like every other point affecting the -natural peculiarities and habits of the fish, is attended to with -minute and accurate care. The skill and science brought to bear on the -task of breeding accomplish this and much more difficult operations -with marvellous ease and certainty. - -On one of the buildings I observed one of the most remarkable, -largest, and most complete timepieces I had yet seen; and I had on -this occasion an opportunity of examining it closely. The dial was -oblong, enclosed in a case of clear transparent crystal, somewhat -resembling in form the open portion of a mercurial barometer. At the -top were three circles of different colours, divided by twelve -equidistant lines radiating from the centres and subdivided again and -again by the same number. Exactly at the uppermost point of each was a -golden indicator. One of these circles marked the temperature, -graduated from the lowest to the highest degree ever known in that -latitude. Another indicated the direction of the wind, while the depth -of colour in the circle itself, graduated in a manner carefully -explained to me, but my notes of which are lost, showed the exact -force of the atmospheric current. The third served the purpose of a -barometer. A coloured band immediately below indicated by the -variations of tint the character of the coming weather. This band -stretched right across the face; below it were figures indicating the -day of the year. The central portion of the face was occupied by a -larger circle, half-green and half-black; the former portion -representing the colour of the daylight sky, the latter emblematic of -night. On this circle the Sun and the planets were represented by -figures whose movement showed exactly the actual place of each in the -celestial sphere. The two Moons were also figured, their phases and -position at each moment being accurately presented to the eye. Around -this circle was a narrow band divided into strips of different length -of various colours, each representing one of the peculiar divisions of -the Martial day; that point which came under the golden indicator -showing the _zyda_ and the exact moment of the _zyda_, while the -movement of the inner circle fixed with equal accuracy the period of -day or night. Below were other circles from which the observer could -learn the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, the intensity of the -sunlight, and the electric tension at the moment. Each of the six -smaller circles registered on a moving ribbon the indications of every -successive moment, these ribbons when unrolled forming a perfect -record of temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, and so forth, in -the form of a curveâa register kept for more than 8000 Martial years. - -Four times during the revolution of the great circle each large clock -emits for a couple of minutes a species of chime, the nature of which -my ignorance of music renders me unable to describe:âviz., when the -line dividing the green and black semicircles is horizontal at noon -and midnight, and an hour before, at average sunrise and sunset, it -becomes perpendicular. The individual character of the several chimes, -tunes, or peals, whatever they should be called, is so distinct that -even I appreciated it. Further, as the first point of the coloured -strip distinguishing each several _zyda_ reaches the golden indicator, -a single slightly prolonged soundâI fancy what is known on Earth as a -single chordâis emitted. Of these again each is peculiar, so that no -one with an ear for music can doubt what is the period of the day -announced. The sound is never, even in the immediate vicinity of the -clock, unpleasantly loud; while it penetrates to an amazing distance. -It would be perfectly easy, if needful, to regulate all clocks by -mechanical control through the electric network extended all over the -face of the planet; but the perfect accuracy of each individual -timepiece renders any such check needless. In those latitudes where -day and night during the greater part of the year are not even -approximately equal, the black and green semicircles are so enlarged -or diminished by mechanical means, that the hour of the day or night -is represented as accurately as on the Equator itself. - -The examination of this establishment occupied us for two or three -hours, and when we remounted our carriage it seemed to me only -reasonable that Eveena should be weary both in mind and body. I -proposed, therefore, to return at once, but against this she earnestly -protested. - -"Well," I said, "we will finish our excursion, then. Only remember -that whenever you do feel tired you must tell me at once. I do not -know what exertion you can bear, and of course it would be most -inconsiderate to measure your endurance by my own." - -She promised, and we drove on for another hour in the direction of a -range of hills to the north-eastward. The lower and nearer portion of -this range might be 400 feet above the general level of the plain; -beyond, the highest peaks rose to perhaps 1500 feet, the average -summit being about half that height. Where our road brought us to the -foot of the first slope, large groves of the _calmyra_, whose fruit -contains a sort of floury pulp like roasted potato, were planted on -ground belonging to the State, and tenanted by young men belonging to -that minority which, as Esmo had told me not being fortunate enough to -find private employment, is thus provided for. Encountering one of -these, he pointed out to us the narrow road which, winding up the -slope, afforded means of bringing down in waggons during the two -harvest seasons, each of which lasts for about fifty days, the fruit -of these groves, which furnishes a principal article of food. The -trees do not reach to a higher level than about 400 feet; and above -this we had to ascend on foot by a path winding through meadows, which -I at first supposed to be natural. Eveena, however, quickly undeceived -me, pointing out the prevalence of certain plants peculiar to the -cultivated pastures we had seen in the plain. These were so -predominant as to leave no reasonable doubt that they had been -originally sown by the hand of man, though the irregularity of their -arrangement, and the encroachment of one species upon the ground of -another, enabled my companion to prove to me with equal clearness that -since its first planting the pasture had been entirely neglected. It -was, she thought, worth planting once for all with the most nutritious -herbage, but not worth the labour of subsequent close cultivation. Any -lady belonging to a civilised people, and accustomed to a country -life, upon Earth might easily have perceived all that Eveena -discovered; but considering how seldom the latter had left her home, -how few opportunities she had to see anything of practical -agriculture, the quickness of her perception and the correctness of -her inferences not a little surprised me. The path we pursued led -directly to the object of our visit. The waters of the higher hills -were collected in a vast tank excavated in an extensive plateau at the -mid-level. At the summit of the first ascent we met and were escorted -by one of the officials entrusted with the charge of these works, -which supply water of extraordinary purity to a population of perhaps -a quarter of a million, inhabiting a district of some 10,000 square -miles in extent. The tank was about sixty feet in depth, and perhaps a -mile in length, with half that breadth. Its sides and bottom-were -lined with the usual concrete. Our guide informed me that in many -cases tanks were covered with the crystal employed for doors and -windows; but in the-pure air of these hills such a precaution was -thought unnecessary, as it would have been exceedingly costly. The -water itself was of wonderful purity, so clear that the smallest -object at the bottom was visible where the Sun, still high in the -heavens, shone directly upon the surface. But this purity would by no -means satisfy the standard of Martial sanitary science. In the first -place, it is passed into a second division of the tank, where it is -subjected to some violent electric action till every kind of organic -germ it may contain is supposed to be completely destroyed. It is then -passed through several covered channels and mechanically or chemically -cleansed from every kind of inorganic impurity, and finally oxygenated -or aerated with air which has undergone a yet more elaborate -purification. At every stage in this process, a phial of water is -taken out and examined in a dark chamber by means of a beam of light -emanating from a powerful electric lamp and concentrated by a huge -crystal lens. If this beam detect any perceptible dust or matter -capable of scattering the light, the water is pronounced impure and -passed through further processes. Only when the contents of the bottle -remain absolutely dark, in the midst of an atmosphere whose floating -dust renders the beam visible on either side, so that the phial, while -perfectly transparent to the light, nevertheless interrupts the beam -with a block of absolute darkness, is it considered fit for human -consumption. It is then distributed through pipes of concrete, into -which no air can possibly enter, to cisterns equally air-tight in -every house. The water in these is periodically examined by officers -from the waterworks, who ascertain that it has contracted no impurity -either in the course of its passage through hundreds of miles of -piping or in the cisterns themselves. The Martialists consider that to -this careful purification of their water they owe in great measure -their exemption from the epidemic diseases which were formerly not -infrequent. They maintain that all such diseases are caused by organic -self-multiplying germs, and laugh to scorn the doctrine of spontaneous -generation, either of disease, or of even such low organic life as can -propagate it. I suggested that the atmosphere itself must, if their -theory were true, convey the microscopic seeds of disease even more -freely and universally than the water. - -"Doubtless," replied our guide, "it would scatter them more widely; -but it does not enable them to penetrate and germinate in the body -half so easily as when conveyed by water. You must be aware that the -lining of the upper air-passages arrests most of the impurities -contained in the inhaled air before it comes into contact with the -blood in the lungs themselves. Moreover, the extirpation of one -disease after another, the careful isolation of all infectious cases, -and the destruction of every article that could preserve or convey the -poisonous germs, has in the course of ages enabled us utterly to -destroy them." - -This did not seem to me consistent with the confession that disorders -of one kind or another still not infrequently decimate their -highly-bred domestic animals, however the human race itself may have -been secured against contagion. I did not, however, feel competent to -argue the question with one who had evidently studied physiology much -more deeply than myself; and had mastered the records of an experience -infinitely longer, guided by knowledge far more accurate, than is -possessed by the most accomplished of Terrestrial physiologists. - -The examination of these works of course occupied us for a long time, -and obliged us to traverse several miles of ground. More than once I -had suggested to Eveena that we should leave our work unfinished, and -on every opportunity had insisted that she should rest. I had been too -keenly interested in the latter part of the explanation given me, to -detect the fatigue she anxiously sought to conceal; but when we left -the works, I was more annoyed than surprised to find that the walk -down-hill to our carriage was too much for her. The vexation I felt -with myself gave, after the manner of men, some sharpness to the tone -of my remonstrance with her. - -"I bade you, and you promised, to tell me as soon as you felt tired; -and you have let me almost tire you to death! Your obedience, however -strict in theory, reminds me in practice of that promised by women on -Earth in their marriage-vowâand never paid or remembered afterwards." - -She did not answer; and finding that her strength was utterly -exhausted, I carried her down the remainder of the hill and placed her -in the carriage. During our return neither of us spoke. Ascribing her -silence to habit or fatigue, perhaps to displeasure, and busied in -recalling what I had seen and heard, I did not care to "make -conversation," as I certainly should have done had I guessed what -impression my taciturnity made on my companion's mind. I was heartily -glad for her sake when we regained the gate of her father's garden. -Committing the carriage to the charge of an ambâ, I half led, half -carried Eveena along the avenue, overhung with the grand conical -bellsâgold, crimson, scarlet, green, white, or striped or variegated -with some or all these coloursâof the glorious _leveloo_, the Martial -convolvulus. Its light clinging stems and foliage hid the _astyra's_ -arched branches overhead, and formed a screen on either side. From its -bells flew at our approach a whole flock of the tiny and beautiful -caree, which take the chief part in rendering to the flora of Mars -such services as the flowers of Earth receive from bees and -butterflies. They feed on the nectar, farina, syrup, and other -secretions, sweet or bitter, in which the artificial flowers of Mars -are peculiarly abundant, and make their nests in the calyx or among -the petals. These lovely little birdsâabout the size of a hornet, but -perfect birds in miniature, with wings as large as those of the -largest Levantine _papilio_, and feathery down equally fine and -softâare perhaps the most shy and timid of all creatures familiar -with the presence of Martial humanity. The varied colours of their -plumage, combined and intermingled in marvellously minute patterns, -are all of those subdued or dead tints agreeable to the taste of -Japanese artists, and perhaps to no other. They signally contrast the -vivid and splendid colouring of objects created or developed by human -genius and patience, from the exquisite decorations and jewel-like -masses of domestic and public architecture to the magnificent flowers -and fruit produced, by the labour of countless generations, from -originals so dissimilar that only the records of past ages can trace -or the searching comparisons of science recognise them. I am told that -the present race of flower-birds themselves are a sort of indirect -creation of art. They certainly vary in size, shape, and colour -according to the flower each exclusively frequents; and those which -haunt the cultivated bells of the _leveloo_ present an amazing -contrast to the far tinier and far less beautiful _caree_ which have -not yet abandoned the wildflowers for those of the garden. Above two -hundred varieties distinguished by ornithologists frequent only the -domesticated flowers. - -The flight of this swarm of various beauty recalled the conversation -of last night; and breaking off unobserved a long fine tendril of the -leveloo, I said lightlyâ - -"Flower-birds are not so well-trained as _esvee_, bambina." - -Never forgetting a word of mine, and never failing to catch with quick -intelligence the sense of the most epigrammatic or delicate metaphor, -Eveena started and looked up, as if stung by a serious reproach. -Fancying that overpowering fatigue had so shaken her nerves, I would -not allow her to speak. But I did not understand how much she had been -distressed, till in her own chamber, cloak and veil thrown aside, she -stood beside my seat, her sleeveless arms folded behind her, drooping -like a lily beaten down by a thunderstorm. Then she murmured sadlyâ - -"I did not think of offending. But you are quite right; disobedience -should never pass." - -"Certainly not," I replied, with a smile she did not see. Taking both -the little hands in my left, I laid the tendril on her soft white -shoulders, but so gently that in her real distress she did not feel -the touch. "You see I can keep my word; but never let me tire you -again. My flower-bird cannot take wing if she anger me in earnest." - -"Are you not angered now?" she asked, glancing up in utter surprise. - -My eyes, or the sight of the leveloo, answered her; and a sweet bright -smile broke through her look of frightened, penitent submission, as -she snatched the tendril and snapped it in my hand. - -"Cruel!" she said, with a pretty assumption of ill-usage, "to visit a -first fault with the whip." - -"You are hard to please, bambina! I knew no better. Seriously, until I -can measure your strength more truly, never again let me feel that in -inviting your company I have turned my pleasure into your pain." - -"No, indeed," she urged, once more in earnest. "Girls so seldom pass -the gate, and men never walk where a carriage will go, or I should not -have been so stupid. But if I had blistered my feet, and the leveloo -had been a nut-vine, the fruit was worth the scratches." - -"What do you know, my child, either of blisters or stripes?" - -"You will teach meââNo, you know I don't mean that! But you will -take me with you sometimes till I learn better! If you are going to -leave me at home in future "ââ - -"My child, can you not trust me to take you for my own pleasure?" - -The silvery tone of her low sweet laugh was truly perfectly musical. - -"Forgive me," she said, nestling in the cushions at my knee, and -seeking with upturned eyes, like a child better assured of pardon than -of full reconciliation, to read my face, "it is very naughty to laugh, -and very ungrateful, when you speak to please me; but is it real -kindness to say what I should be very silly to believe?" - -"You will believe whatever I tell you, child. If you wish to anger a -man, even with you, tell him that he is lying." - -"I do nothing but misbehave," she said, in earnest despondency. -"Iââ" But I sealed her lips effectually for the moment. - -"Why did you not speak as we came home?" - -"You were tired, and I was thinking over all I had seen. Besides, who -talks air?" [makes conversation]. - -"You always talk when you are pleased. The lip-sting (scolding) and -silence frightened me so, you nearly heard me crying." - -"Crying for fear? You did well to break the leveloo!... And so you -think I must be tired of my bride, before the colours have gone round -on the dial?" - -"Not tired of her. You will like a little longer to find her in the -cushions when you are vexed or idle; but you don't want her where her -ignorance wearies and her weakness hampers you." - -"Are you an _esve_, to be caged at home, and played with for lack of -better employment? We shall never understand each other, child." - -"What more can I be? But don't say we shall never understand each -other," she pleaded earnestly. "It took time and trouble to make my -pet understand and obey each word and sign. Zevle gave hers more slaps -and fewer sweets, and it learned sooner. But, like me, you want your -esve to be happy, not only to fly straight and play prettily. She will -try hard to learn if you will teach her, and not be so afraid of -hurting her, as if she expected sweets from both hands. It is easy for -you to see through her empty head: do not give her up till she has had -time to look a little way into your eyes." - -"Eveena," I answered, almost as much pained as touched by the -unaffected humility which had so accepted and carried out my ironical -comparison, "one simple magnet-key would unlock the breast whose -secrets seem so puzzling; but it has hardly a name in your tongue, and -cannot yet be in your hands." - -"Ah, yes!" she said softly, "you gave it me; do you think I have lost -it in two nights? But the esve cannot be loved as she loves her -master. I could half understand the prodigal heart that would buy a -girl's life with yours, and all that is bound up in yours. No other -_man_ would have done itâin our world," she added, answering my -gesture of dissent; "but they say that the terrible _kargynda_ will -stand by his dying mate till he is shot down. You bought my heart, my -love, all I am, when you bought my life, and never asked the cost." -She continued almost in a whisper, her rose-suffused cheeks and moist -eyes hidden from my sight as the lips murmured their loving words into -my ear,â"Though the nestling never looked from under the wing, do you -think she knows not what to expect when she is bought from the nest? -She dares not struggle in the hand that snatches her; much more did -she deserve to be rated and rapped for fluttering in that which saved -her life. Bought twice over, caged by right as by mightâwas her -thought midnight to your eyes, when she wondered at the look that -watched her so quietly, the hand that would not try to touch lest it -should scare her, the patience that soothed and coaxed her to perch on -the outstretched finger, like a flower-bird tamed at last? Do you -think that name, given her by lips which softened even their words of -fondness for her ear, did not go to her heart straight as the esve -flies home, or that it could ever be forgotten? There is a chant young -girls are fond of, which tells more than I can say." - -Her tones fell so low that I should have lost them, had her lips not -actually touched my ear while she chanted the strange words in the -sweetest notes of her sweet voice:â - - "Never yet hath single sun - Seen a flower-bird tamed and won; - Sun and stars shall quit the sky - Ere a bird so tamed shall fly. - - "Never human lips have kissed - Flower-bird tamed 'twixt mist and mist; - Bird so tamed from tamer's heart - Night of death shall hardly part." - - - - -CHAPTER XII - ON THE RIVER. - - -The next morning saw our journey commenced. Eveena's wardrobe, with my -own and my books, portfolios, models, and specimens of Terrestrial art -and mechanism, were packed in light metallic cases adapted to the -larger form of carriage whereof I have made mention. I was fortunate -in escaping the actual parting scene between Eveena and her family, -and my own leave-taking was hurried. Esmo and his son accompanied us, -leading the way in one carriage, while Eveena and myself occupied that -which we had used on our memorable trip to the Astronaut. Half an hour -brought us to the road beside the river, and a few minutes more to the -point at which a boat awaited us. The road being some eight or ten -feet above the level of the water, a light ladder not three feet long -was ready to assist our descent to the deck. The difference of size -between the Martial race and my own was forcibly impressed upon me, in -seeing that Esmo and his son found this assistance needful, or at -least convenient, while I simply stepped rather than jumped to the -deck, and lifted Eveena straight from her carriage to her seat under -the canopy that covered the stern of the vessel. Intended only for -river navigation, propelled by a small screw like two fishtails set at -right angles, working horizontally; the vessel had but two cabins, one -on either side of the central part occupied by the machinery. The -stern apartment was appropriated to myself and my bride, the -forecastle, if I may so call it, to our companions, the boatmen having -berths in the corners of the machine-room. The vessel was -flat-bottomed, drawing about eighteen inches of water and rising about -five feet from the surface, leaving an interior height which obliged -me to be cautious in order not to strike my head against every -projection or support of the cabin roof. We spent the whole of the -day, however, on deck, and purposely slackened the speed of the boat, -which usually travels some thirty miles an hour, in order to enjoy the -effect and observe the details of the landscape. For the first few -miles our voyage lay through the open plain. Then we passed, on the -left as we ascended the stream, the mountain on whose summit I tried -with my binocular to discern the Astronaut, but unsuccessfully, the -trees on the lower slopes intercepting the view. Eveena, seeing my -eyes fixed on that point, extended her hand and gently drew the glass -out of mine. - -"Not yet," she said; which elicited from me the excuseâ - -"That mountain has for me remembrances more interesting than those of -my voyage, or even than the hopes of return." - -Presently, as we followed the course of the stream, we lost sight -altogether of the rapidly dwindling patches of colour representing the -enclosures of Ecasfe. On our left, at a distance varying from three to -five miles, but constantly increasing as the stream bent to the -northward, was the mountain range I had scanned in my descent. On our -right the plain dipped below the horizon while still but a few feet -above the level of the river; but in the distant sky we discerned some -objects like white clouds, which from their immobility and fixedness -of outline I soon discovered to be snow-crowned hills, lower, however, -than those to the northward, and perhaps some forty miles distant. The -valley is one of the richest and most fertile portions of this -continent, and was consequently thoroughly cultivated and more densely -peopled than most parts even of the Equatorial zone. An immediate -river frontage being as convenient as agreeable, the enclosures on -either bank were continuous, and narrow in proportion to their depth; -the largest occupying no more than from one hundred and fifty to two -hundred yards of the bank, the smaller from half to one quarter of -that length. Most had a tunnel pierced under the road bordering the -river, through which the water was admitted to their grounds and -carried in a minute stream around and even through the house; for -ornament rather than for use, since every house in a district so -populous has a regular artificial water supply, and irrigation, as I -have explained, is not required. The river itself was embellished with -masses of water-flowers; and water-birds, the smallest scarcely larger -than a wagtail, the largest somewhat exceeding the size of a swan, of -a different form and dark grey plumage, but hardly less graceful, -seemed to be aware of the stringent protection they enjoyed from the -law. They came up to our boat and fed out of Eveena's hand with -perfect fearlessness. I could not induce any of them to be equally -familiar with myself, my size probably surprising them as much as -their masters, and leading them to the same doubt whether I were -really and wholly human. The lower slopes of the hills were covered -with orchards of every kind, each species occupying the level best -suited to it, from the reed-supported orange-like _alva_ of the -lowlands to the tall _astyra_, above which stretched the timber -forests extending as high as trees could grow, while between these and -the permanent snow-line lay the yellowish herbage of extensive -pastures. A similar mountain range on earth would have presented a -greater variety of colouring and scenery, the total absence of -glaciers, even in the highest valleys, creating a notable difference. -The truth is that the snows of Mars are nowhere deep, and melt in the -summer to such an extent that that constant increase whose downward -tendency feeds Terrestrial glaciers cannot take place. Probably the -thin atmosphere above the snow-line can hold but little watery vapour. -Esmo was of opinion that the snow on the highest steeps, even on a -level plateau, was never more than two feet in depth; and in more than -one case a wind-swept peak or pinnacle was kept almost clear, and -presented in its grey, green, or vermilion rocks a striking contrast -to the masses of creamy white around it. This may explain the very -rapid diminution of the polar ice-caps in the summer of either, but -especially of the Southern hemisphere; and also the occasional -appearance of large dark spots in their midst, where the shallow snow -has probably been swept away by the rare storms of this planet from an -extensive land surface. It is supposed that no inconsiderable part of -the ice and snow immediately surrounding the poles covers land; but, -though balloon parties have of late occasionally reached the poles, -they have never ventured to remain there long enough to disembark and -ascertain the fact. - -Towards evening the stream turned more decidedly to the north, and at -this point Esmo brought out an instrument constructed somewhat on the -principle of a sextant or quadrant, but without the mirror, by which -we were enabled to take reliable measures of the angles. By a process -which at that time I did not accurately follow, and which I had not -subsequently the means of verifying, the distance as well as the angle -subtended by the height was obtained. Kevimâ, after working out his -father's figures, informed me that the highest peak in viewâthe -highest in Marsâwas not less than 44,000 feet. No Martial balloonist, -much less any Martial mountain-climber, has ever, save once, reached a -greater height than 16,000 feetâthe air at the sea-level being -scarcely more dense than ours at 10,000 feet. Kevimâ indicated one -spot in the southern range of remarkable interest, associated with an -incident which forms an epoch in the records of Martial geography. A -sloping plateau, some 19,000 feet above the sea-level, is defined with -remarkable clearness in the direction from which we viewed it. The -forests appeared to hide, though they do not of course actually -approach, its lower edge. On one side and to the rear it is shut in by -precipices so abrupt that the snow fails to cling to them, while on -the remaining side it is separated by a deep, wide cleft from the -western portion of the range. Here for centuries were visible the -relics of an exploring party, which reached this plateau and never -returned. Attempts have, since the steering of balloons has become an -accomplished fact, been made to reach the point, but without success, -and those who have approached nearest have failed to find any of the -long-visible remains of an expedition which perished four or five -thousand years ago. Kevimâ thought it probable that the metallic poles -even then employed for tents and for climbing purposes might still be -intact; but if so, they were certainly buried in the snow, and Esmo -believed it more likely that even these had perished. - -As the mists of evening fell we retreated to our cabin, which was -warmed by a current of heated air from the electric machinery. Here -our evening meal was served, at which Esmo and his son joined us, -Eveena resuming, even in their presence, the veil she had worn on deck -but had laid aside the moment we were alone. An hour or two after -sunset, the night (an unusual occurrence in Mars) was clear and fine, -and I took this opportunity of observing from a new standpoint the -familiar constellations. The scintillation so characteristic of the -fixed stars, especially in the temperate climates of the Earth, was -scarcely perceptible. Scattered once more over the surface of a -defined sky, it was much easier than in space to recognise the several -constellations; but their new and strange situations were not a little -surprising at first sight, some of those which, as seen on Earth -revolved slowly in the neighbourhood of the poles, being now not far -from the tropics, and some, which had their place within the tropics, -now lying far to north or south. Around the northern pole the Swan -swings by its tail, as in our skies the Lesser Bear; Arided being a -Pole-Star which needs no Pointers to indicate its position. Vega is -the only other brilliant star in the immediate neighbourhood; and, -save for the presence of the Milky Way directly crossing it, the -arctic circle is distinctly less bright than our own. The south pole -lies in one of the dullest regions of the heavens, near the chief star -of the Peacock. Arcturus, the Great Bear, the Twins, the Lion, the -Scorpion, and Fomalhaut are among the ornaments of the Equatorial -zone: the Cross, the Centaur, and the Ship of our antarctic -constellations, are visible far into the northern hemisphere. On the -present occasion the two Moons were both visible in the west, the -horns of both crescents pointing in the same direction, though the one -was in her last, the other in her first phase. - -As we were watching them, Eveena, wrapped in a cloak of fur not a -little resembling that of the silver fox, but far softer, stole her -hand into mine and whispered a request that I would lend her the -instrument I was using. With some instruction and help she contrived -to adjust it, her sight requiring a decided alteration of the focus -and an approach of the two eye-pieces; the eyes of her race being set -somewhat nearer than in an average Aryan countenance. She expressed no -little surprise at the clearness of definition, and the marked -enlargement of the discs of the two satellites, and would have used -the instrument to scan the stars and visible planets had I not -insisted on her retirement; the light atmosphere, as is always the -case on clear nights, when no cloud-veil prevents rapid radiation from -the surface, being bitterly cold, and her life not having accustomed -her to the night air even in the most genial season. - -As we could, of course, see nothing of the country through which we -passed during the night, and as Esmo informed me that little or -nothing of special interest would occur during this part of our -voyage, our vessel went at full speed, her pilot being thoroughly -acquainted with the river, and an electric light in the bow enabling -him to steer with perfect confidence and safety. When, therefore, we -came on deck after the dissipation of the morning mist, we found -ourselves in a scene very different from that which we had left. Our -course was north by west. On either bank lay a country cultivated -indeed, but chiefly pastoral, producing a rich herbage, grazed by -innumerable herds, among which I observed with interest several flocks -of large birds, kept, as Esmo informed me, partly for their plumage. -This presented remarkable combinations of colour, far surpassing in -brilliancy and in variety of pattern the tail of the peacock, and -often rivalling in length and delicacy, while exceeding in beauty of -colouring, the splendid feathers which must have embarrassed the Bird -of Paradise, even before they rendered him an object of pursuit by -those who have learnt the vices and are eager to purchase the wares of -civilised man. Immediately across our course, at a distance of some -thirty miles, stretched a range of mountains. I inquired of Esmo how -the river turned in order to avoid them, since no opening was visible -even through my glass. - -"The proper course of the river," he said, "lies at the foot of those -hills. But this would take us out of our road, and, moreover, the -stream is not navigable for many stoloi above the turning-point. We -shall hold on nearly in the same direction as the present till we land -at their foot." - -"And how," I said, "are we to cross them?" - -"At your choice, either by carriage or by balloon," he said. "There is -at our landing-place a town in which we shall easily procure either." - -"But," said I, "though our luggage is far less heavy than would be -that of a bride on Earth, and Eveena's forms the smallest portion of -it, I should fancy that it must be inconveniently heavy for a -balloon." - -"Certainly," he replied; "but we could send it by carriage even over -the mountain roads. The boat, however, will go on, and will meet us -some thirty miles beyond the point where we leave it." - -"And how is the boat to pass over the hills?" - -"Not over, but under," he said, smiling. "There is no natural passage -entirely through the range, but there is within it a valley the bottom -of which is not much higher than this plain. Of the thirty miles to be -traversed, about one-half lies in the course of this valley, along -which an artificial canal has been made. Through the hills at either -end a tunnel has been cut, the one of six, the other of about nine -miles in length, affording a perfectly safe and easy course for the -boat; and it is through these that nearly all the heavy traffic -passing in this direction is conveyed." - -"I should like," I said, "if it be possible, to pass through one at -least of these tunnels, unless there be on the mountains themselves -something especially worth seeing." - -"Nothing," he replied. "They are low, none much exceeding the height -of that from which you descended." - -Eveena now joined us on deck, and we amused ourselves for the next two -hours in observing the different animals, of which such numbers were -to be seen at every turn, domesticated and trained for one or other of -the many methods in which the brutes can serve the convenience, the -sustenance, or the luxury of man. Animal food is eaten on Mars; but -the flesh of birds and fish is much more largely employed than that of -quadrupeds, and eggs and milk enter into the cuisine far more -extensively than either. In fact, flesh and fish are used much as they -seem to have been in the earlier period of Greek civilisation, as -relish and supplement to fruits, vegetables, and farinaceous dishes, -rather than as the principal element of food. As their training and -their extreme tameness indicate, domestic creatures, even those -destined only to serve as food or to furnish clothing, are treated not -indeed with tenderness, but with gentleness, and without either the -neglect or the cruelty which so revolt humane men in witnessing the -treatment of Terrestrial animals by those who have personal charge of -them. To describe any considerable number of the hundred forms I saw -during this short period would be impossible. I have drawings, or -rather pictures, of most, taken by the light-painting process, which I -hope herewith to remit to Earth, and which at least serve to give a -general idea of the points in which the Martial chiefly differs from -the Terrestrial fauna. Those animals whose coats furnish a textile -fibre more resemble reindeer and goats than sheep; their wool is -softer, longer, and less curly, free also from the greasiness of the -sheep. - -It seemed to me that an extreme quaintness characterised the domestic -creatures kept for special purposes. This was not the effect of mere -novelty, for animals like the _ambâ_ and birds like the _esve_, -trained to the performance of services congenial to their natural -habits, however dissimilar to Terrestrial species, had not the same -air of singularity, or rather of monstrosity. But in the creatures -bred to furnish wool, feathers, or the like, some single feature was -always exaggerated into disproportionate dimensions. Thus the -_elnerve_ is loaded with long plumes, sometimes twice the length of -the body, and curled upward at the extremity, so that it can neither -fly nor run; and though its plumage is exquisitely beautiful, the -creature itself is simply ludicrous. It bears the same popular repute -for sagacity as the goose of European farmyards. The _angasto_ has -hair or wool so long that its limbs are almost hidden, just before -shearing-time, in the tresses that hang from the body half way to the -ground. The _calperze_, a bird no larger than a Norfolk turkey, has -the hinder part developed to an enormous size, so that the graceful -peacock-like neck and shoulders appear as if lost in the huge -proportions of the body, and the little wings are totally unfit to -raise it in the air; while it lays almost daily eggs as large as those -of the ostrich and of peculiar richness and flavour. Nearly all the -domestic birds kept for the sake of eggs or feathers have wings that -look as if they had been clipped, and are incapable of flight. -Creatures valued for their flesh, such as the _quorno_ (somewhat like -the eland, but with the single horn so common among its congeners in -Mars, and with a soft white hide), and the _viste_, a bird about the -size of the peacock, with the form of the partridge and the flavour of -grouse or black game, preserve more natural proportions. The -wing-quills of the latter, however, having been systematically plucked -for hundreds of generations, are now dwarfed and useless. These -animals are not encouraged to make fat on the one hand, or to develop -powerful muscles and sinews on the other. They are fed for part of the -year on the higher and thinner pastures of the mountains. When brought -down to the meadows of the plain, they are allowed to graze only for a -few hours before sunset and after sunrise. They thus preserve much of -the flavour of game or mountain sheep and cattle, which the oxen and -poultry of Europe have lost; flavour, not quantity, being the chief -object of care with Martial graziers. Sometimes, however, some -peculiarity perfectly useless, or even inconvenient, appears to be -naturally associated with that which is artificially developed. Thus -the beak of the _elnerve_ is weak and often splits, so as to render -its rearing troublesome and entail considerable losses; while the -horns of the wool-bearing animals are long and strong enough to be -formidable, but so rough and coarsely grained that they are turned to -no account for use or ornament. - -We were rapidly approaching the foot of the hills, where the river -made another and abrupt turn. At this point the produce of the whole -upper valley is generally embarked, and supplies from all other -quarters are here received and distributed. In consequence, a town -large and important for this planet, where no one who can help it -prefers the crowded street to the freedom and expanse of the country, -had grown up, with about a hundred and fifty houses, and perhaps a -thousand inhabitants. It was so much matter of course that voyagers -should disembark to cross the hills or to pursue their journey along -the upper part of the river by road, that half-a-dozen different -partnerships made it their business to assist in the transfer of -passengers and light wares. Ahead of us was a somewhat steep -hill-slope, in the lower part of which a wall absolutely perpendicular -had been cut by those who pierced the tunnel, the mouth of which was -now clearly visible immediately before us. It was about twelve feet in -height, and perhaps twenty feet in width. The stream, which, like -nearly all Martial rivers, is wide and shallow, had during the last -fifty miles of our course grown narrower, with a depth at the same -time constantly lessening, so that some care was required on the part -of the pilot to avoid running aground. A stream of twenty inches in -depth, affording room for two boats to pass abreast, is considered -navigable for vessels only carrying passengers; thirty inches are -required to afford a course which for heavy freight is preferable to -the road. Eveena had taken it for granted that we should disembark -here, and it was not till we had come within a hundred yards of the -landing-placeâwhere the bank was perpendicular and levelled to a -height above the water, which enabled passengers to step directly from -the deck of the boatâwithout slackening our speed, that the -possibility of our intending to accompany the boat on its subterrene -course occurred to her. As she did not speak, but merely drew closer -to me, and held fast my hand, I had no idea of her real distress till -we were actually at the mouth of the black and very frightful-looking -passage, and the pilot had lighted the electric lamp. As the boat shot -under the arch she could not repress a cry of terror. Naturally -putting my arm round her at this sign of alarm, I felt that she was -trembling violently, and a single look, despite her veil, convinced me -that she was crying, though in silence and doing her utmost to conceal -her tears. - -"Are you so frightened, child?" I asked. "I have been through many -subterranean passages, though none so long and dark as this. But you -see our lamp lights up not only the boat but the whole vault around -and before us, and there can be no danger whatever." - -"I am frightened, though," she said, "I cannot help it. I never saw -anything of the kind before; and the darkness behind and before us, -and the black water on either side, do make me shiver." - -"Stop!" I called to the boatman. - -"Now, Eveena," I said, "I do not care to persist in this journey if it -really distresses you. I wished to see so wonderful a work of -engineering; but, after all, I have been in a much uglier and more -wonderful place, and I can see nothing here stranger than when I was -rowed for three-quarters of a mile on the river in the Mammoth Cave. -In any case I shall see little but a continuation of what I see -already; so if you cannot bear it, we will go back." - -By this time Esmo, who had been in the bows, had joined us, wishing to -know why I had stopped the boat. - -"This child," I said, "is not used to travelling, and the tunnel -frightens her; so that I think, after all, we had better take the -usual course across the mountains." - -"Nonsense!" he answered. "There is no danger here; less probably than -in an ordinary drive, certainly less than in a balloon. Don't spoil -her, my friend. If you begin by yielding to so silly a caprice as -this, you will end by breaking her heart before the two years are -out." - -"Do go on," whispered Eveena. "I was very silly; I am not so -frightened now, and if you will hold me fast, I will not misbehave -again." - -Esmo had taken the matter out of my hands, desiring the boatman to -proceed; and though I sympathised with my bride's feminine terror much -more than her father appeared to do, I was selfishly anxious, in spite -of my declaration that there could be no novelty in this tunnel, to -see one thing certainly originalâthe means by which so narrow and so -long a passage could be efficiently ventilated. The least I could do, -however, was to appease Eveena's fear before turning my attention to -the objects of my own curiosity. The presence of physical strength, -which seemed to her superhuman, produced upon her nerves the quieting -effect which, however irrationally, great bodily force always -exercises over women; partly, perhaps, from the awe it seems to -inspire, partly from a yet more unreasonable but instinctive reliance -on its protection even in dangers against which it is obviously -unavailing. - -Presently a current of air, distinctly warmer than that of the tunnel, -which had been gradually increasing in force for some minutes, became -so powerful that I could no longer suppose it accidental. Kevimâ being -near us, I asked him what it meant. - -"Ventilation," he answered. "The air in these tunnels would be foul -and stagnant, perhaps unbreathable, if we did not drive a constant -current of air through them. You did not notice, a few yards from the -entrance, a wheel which drives a large fan. One of these is placed at -every half mile, and drives on the air from one end of the tunnel to -the other. They are reversed twice in a zyda, so that they may create -no constant counter-current outside." - -"But is not the power exerted to drive so great a body of air -exceedingly costly?" - -"No," he answered. "As you are aware, electricity is almost our only -motive power, and we calculate that the labour of two men, even -without the help of machines, could in their working zydau [eight -hours] collect and reduce a sufficient amount of the elements by which -the current is created to do the work of four hundred men during a -whole day and night." - -"And how long," I inquired, "has electricity had so complete a -monopoly of mechanical work?" - -"It was first brought into general use," he replied, "about eight -thousand years ago. Before that, heated air supplied our principal -locomotive force, as well as the power of stationary machines wherever -no waterfall of sufficient energy was at hand. For several centuries -the old powers were still employed under conditions favourable to -their use. But we have found electricity so much cheaper than the -cheapest of other artificial forces, so much more powerful than any -supplied by Nature, that we have long discontinued the employment of -any other. Even when we obtain electricity by means of heat, we find -that the gain in application more than compensates the loss in the -transmutation of one force into another." - -In the course of little more than half an hour we emerged from the -tunnel, whose gloom, when once the attraction of novelty was gone, was -certainly unpleasant to myself, if not by any means so frightful as -Eveena still found it. There was nothing specially attractive or -noticeable in the valley through which our course now ran, except the -extreme height of its mountain walls, which, though not by any means -perpendicular, rose to a height of some 3000 feet so suddenly that to -climb their sides would have been absolutely impossible. Only during -about two hours in the middle of the day is the sun seen from the -level of the stream; and it is dark in the bottom of this valley long -before the mist has fallen on the plain outside. We had presently, -however, to ascend a slope of some twenty-five feet in the mile, and I -was much interested in the peculiar method by which the ascent was -made. A mere ascent, not greater than that of some rapids up which -American boatmen have managed to carry their barques by manual force, -presented no great difficulty; but some skill is required at -particular points to avoid being overturned by the rush of the water, -and our vessel so careened as to afford much more excuse for Eveena's -outbreak of terror than the tunnel had done. Had I not held her fast -she must certainly have been thrown overboard, the pilot, used to the -danger, having forgotten to warn us. For the rest, in the absence of -rocks, the vessel ascended more easily than a powerful steamer, if she -could find sufficient depth, could make her way up the rapids of the -St. Lawrence or similar streams. We entered the second tunnel without -any sign of alarm from Eveena perceptible to others; only her clinging -to my hand expressed the fear of which she was ashamed but could not -rid herself. Emerging from its mouth, we found ourselves within sight -of the sea and of the town and harbour of Serocasfe, where we were -next day to embark. Landing from the boat, we were met by the friend -whose hospitality Esmo had requested. At his house, half a mile -outside the town, for the first time since our marriage I had to part -for a short period with Eveena, who was led away by the veiled -mistress of the house, while we remained in the entrance chamber or -hall. The evening meal was anticipated by two hours, in order that we -might attend the meeting at which my bride and I were to receive our -formal admission into the Zinta. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT. - - -"Probably," said Esmo, when, apparently at a sign from him, our host -left us for some minutes alone, "much through which you are about to -pass will seem to you childish or unmeaning. Ceremonial rendered -impressive to us by immemorial antiquity, and cherished the more -because so contrary to the absence of form and ceremony in the life -around usâsymbolism which is really the more useful, the more -valuable, because it contains much deeper meaning than is ever -apparent at first sightâhave proved their use by experience; and, as -they are generally witnessed for the first time in early youth, make a -sharper impression than they are likely to effect upon a mind like -yours. But they may seem strangely inconsistent with a belief which is -in itself so limited, and founded so absolutely upon logical proof or -practical evidence. The best testimony to the soundness of our policy -in this respect is the fact that our vows, and the rites by which they -are sanctioned, are never broken, that our symbols are regarded with -an awe which no threats, no penalties, can attach to the highest of -civil authorities or the most solemn legal sanctions. The language of -symbol, moreover, has for us two great advantagesâone dependent upon -the depth of thought and knowledge with which the symbols themselves -were selected by our Founder, owing to which each generation finds in -them some new truth of which we never dreamed before; the other -arising from the fact that we are a small select body in the midst of -a hostile and jealous race, from whom it is most important to keep the -key of communications which, without the appearance, have all the -effect of ciphers." - -"I find," I replied, "in my own world that every religion and every -form of occult mysticism, nay, every science, in its own way and -within its own range, attaches great importance to symbols in -themselves apparently arbitrary. Experience shows that these symbols -often contain a clue to more than they were originally meant to -convey, and can be employed in reasonings far beyond the grasp of -those who first invented or adopted them. That a body like the _Zinta_ -could be held together without ceremonial and without formalities, -which, if they had no other value, would have the attraction of -secresy and exclusiveness, seems obviously impossible." - -Here our host rejoined us. We passed into the gallery, where several -persons were awaiting us; the men for the most part wearing a small -vizor dependent from the turban, which concealed their faces; the -women all, without exception, closely veiled. As soon as Esmo -appeared, the party formed themselves into a sort of procession two -and two. Motioning me to take the last place, Esmo passed himself to -its head. If the figure beside me were not at once recognised, I could -not mistake the touch of the hand that stole into my own. The lights -in the gallery were extinguished, and then I perceived a lamp held at -the end of a wand of crystal, which gleamed above Esmo's head, and -sufficed to guide us, giving light enough to direct our footsteps and -little more. Perhaps this half-darkness, the twilight which gave a -certain air of mystery to the scene and of uncertainty to the forms of -objects encountered on our route, had its own purpose. We reached very -soon the end of the gallery, and then the procession turned and passed -suddenly into another chamber, apparently narrow, but so faintly -lighted by the lamp in our leader's hands that its dimensions were -matter of mere conjecture. That we were descending a somewhat steep -incline I was soon aware; and when we came again on to level ground I -felt sure that we were passing through a gallery cut in natural rock. -The light was far too dim to enable me to distinguish any openings in -the walls; but the procession constantly lengthened, though it was -impossible to see where and when new members joined. Suddenly the -light disappeared. I stood still for a moment in surprise, and when I -again went forward I became speedily conscious that all our companions -had vanished, and that we stood alone in utter darkness. Fearing to -lead Eveena further where my own steps were absolutely uncertain, I -paused for some time, and with little difficulty decided to remain -where I was, until something should afford an indication of the -purpose of those who had brought us so far, and who must know, if they -had not actual means of observing, that in darkness and solitude I -should not venture to proceed. - -Presently, as gradually as in Northern climates the night passes into -morning twilight, the darkness became less absolute. Whence the light -came it was impossible to perceive. Diffused all around and slowly -broadening, it just enabled me to discern a few paces before us the -verge of a gulf. This might have been too shallow for inconvenience, -it might have been deep enough for danger. I waited till my eyes -should be able to penetrate its interior; but before the light entered -it I perceived, apparently growing across it, really coming gradually -into view under the brightening gleam, a species of bridge whichâwhen -the twilight ceased to increase, and remained as dim as that cast by -the crescent moonâassumed the outline of a slender trunk supported by -wings, dark for the most part but defined along the edge by a narrow -band of brightest green, visible in a gleam too faint to show any -object of a deeper shade. Somewhat impatient of the obvious symbolism, -I hurried Eveena forward. Immediately on the other side of the bridge -the path turned almost at right angles; and here a gleam of light -ahead afforded a distinct guidance to our steps. Approaching it, we -were challenged, and I gave the answer with which I had been -previously furnished; an answer which may not be, as it never has -been, written down. A door parted and admitted us into a small -vestibule, at the other end of which a full and bright light streamed -through a portal of translucent crystal. A sentinel, armed only with -the antiquated spear which may have been held by his first predecessor -in office ten thousand Martial years ago, now demanded our names. Mine -he simply repeated, but as I gave that of Eveena, daughter of Esmo, he -lowered his weapon in the salute still traditional among Martial -sentries; and bending his head, touched with his lips the long sleeve -of the cloak of _therne_-down in which she was on this occasion again -enveloped. This homage appeared to surprise her almost as much as -myself, but we had no leisure for observation or inquiry. From behind -the crystal door another challenge was uttered. To this it was the -sentry's part to reply, and as he answered the door parted; that at -the other end of the vestibule having, I observed, closed as we -entered, and so closed that its position was undiscoverable. Before us -opened a hall of considerable size, consisting of three distinct -vaults, defined by two rows of pillars, slender shafts resembling tall -branchless trees, the capital of each being formed by a branching head -like that of the palm. The trunks were covered with golden scales; the -fern-like foliage at the summit was of a bright sparkling emerald. It -was evident to my observation that the entire hall had been excavated -from solid rock, and the pillars left in their places. Each of the -side aisles, if I may so call them, was occupied by four rows of seats -similarly carved in the natural stone; but lined after Martial -fashion, with cushions embroidered in feathers and metals, and covered -by woven fabrics finer than any known to the looms of Lyons or -Cashmere. About two-thirds of the seats were occupied; those to the -right as we entered (that is, on the left of the dais at the end of -the hall) by men, those opposite by women. All, I observed, rose for a -moment as Eveena's name was announced, from the further end of the -hall, by the foremost of three or four persons vested in silver, with -belts of the crimson metal which plays the part of our best-tempered -steel, and bearing in their hands wands of a rose-coloured jewel -resembling a clouded onyx in all but the hue. Each of them wore over -his dress a band or sash of gold, fastened on the left shoulder and -descending to the belt on the right, much resembling the ribbons of -European knighthood. These supported on the left breast a silver star, -or heraldic mullet, of six points. Throughout the rest of the assembly -a similar but smaller star glimmered on every breast, supported, -however, by green or silver bands, the former worn by the body of the -assembly, the latter by a few persons gathered together for the most -part at the upper end of the chamber.... The chief who had first -addressed us bade us pass on, and we left the Hall of the Novitiate as -accepted members of the Order.... That into which we next entered was -so dark that its form and dimensions were scarcely defined to my eyes. -I supposed it, however, to be circular, surmounted by a dome -resembling in colour the olive green Martial sky and spangled by -stars, among which I discerned one or two familiar constellations, but -most distinctly, brightened far beyond its natural brilliancy, the -arch of the _Via Lactea_. Presently, not on any apparent sheet or -screen but as in the air before us, appeared a narrow band of light -crossing the entire visible space. It resembled a rope twisted of -three strands, two of a deep dull hue, the one apparently orange, the -other brown or crimson, contrasting the far more brilliant emerald -strand that formed the third portion of the threefold cord. I had -learnt by this time that metallic cords so twined serve in Mars most -of the uses for which chains are employed on Earth, and I assumed that -this symbol possessed the significance which poetry or ritual might -attach to the latter. - -This cord or band retained its position throughout, crossing the dark -background of the scenes now successively presented, each of which -melted into its successorârapidly, but so gradually that there was -never a distinct point of division, a moment at which it was possible -to say that any new feature was first introduced. - -A bright mist of various colours intermixed in inextricable confusion, -an image of chaos but for the dim light reflected from all the -particles, filled a great part of the space before us, but the cord -was still discernible in the background. Presently, a bright -rose-coloured point of light, taking gradually the form of an Eye, -appeared above the cord and beyond the mist; and, emanating from it, a -ray of similar light entered the motionless vapour. Then a movement, -whose character it was not easy to discern, but which constantly -became more and more evidently rhythmical and regular, commenced in -the mist. Within a few moments the latter had dissolved, leaving in -its place the semblance of stars, star-clusters, and golden nebulae, -as dim and confused as that in the sword-belt of Orion, or as well -defined as any of those called by astronomers planetary. -"What seest thou?" said a voice whose very direction I could not -recognise. - -"Cosmos evolved out of confusion by Law; Law emanating from Supreme -Wisdom and irresistible Will." - -"And in the triple band?" - -"The continuity of Time and Space preserved by the continuity of Law, -and controlled by the Will that gave Law." - -While I spoke a single nebula grew larger, brighter, and filled the -entire space given throughout to the pictures presented to us; stars -and star-clusters gradually fading away into remoter distance. This -nebula, of spherical shapeâformed of coarser particles than the -previous mist, and reflecting or radiating a more brilliant -effulgenceâwas in rapid whirling motion. It flattened into the form -of a disc, apparently almost circular, of considerable depth or -thickness, visibly denser in the centre and thinner towards the -rounded edge. Presently it condensed and contracted, leaving at each -of the several intervals a severed ring. Most of these rings broke up, -their fragments conglomerated and forming a sphere; one in particular -separating into a multitude of minuter spheres, others assuming a -highly elliptical form, condensing here and thinning out there; while -the central mass grew brighter and denser as it contracted; till there -lay before me a perfect miniature of the solar system, with planets, -satellites, asteroids, and meteoric rings. - -"What seest thou?" again I heard. - -"Intelligence directing Will, and Will by Law developing the microcosm -of which this world is one of the smallest parts." - -The orb which represented Mars stood still in the centre of the space, -and this orb soon occupied the whole area. It assumed at first the -form of a vast vaporous globe; then contracted to a comparatively -small sphere, glowing as if more than red-hot, and leaving as it -contracted two tiny balls revolving round their primary. The latter -gradually faded till it gave out no light but that which from some -unseen source was cast upon it, one-half consequently contrasting in -darkness the reflected brightness of the other. Ere long it presented -the appearance of sea and land, of cloud, of snow, and ice, and became -a perfect image of the Martial sphere. Then it gave place to a globe -of water alone, within which the processes of crystallisation, as -exhibited first in its simpler then in its more complicated forms, -were beautifully represented. Then there appeared, I knew not how, but -seemingly developed by the same agency and in the same manner as the -crystals, a small transparent sphere within the watery globe, -containing itself a spherical nucleus. From this were evolved -gradually two distinct forms, one resembling very much some of the -simplest of those transparent creatures which the microscope exhibits -to us in the water drop, active, fierce, destructive in their scale of -size and life as the most powerful animals of the sea and land. The -other was a tiny fragment of tissue, gradually shaping itself into the -simplest and smallest specimens of vegetable life. The watery globe -disappeared, and these two were left alone. From each gradually -emerged, growing in size, complexity, and distinctness, one form after -another of higher organisation. - -"What seest thou?" - -"Life called out of lifelessness by Law." - -Again, so gradually that no step of the process could be separately -distinguished, formed a panorama of vegetable and animal life; a -landscape in which appeared some dozen primal shapes of either -kingdom. Each of these gradually dissolved, passing by slow degrees -into several higher or more perfect shapes, till there stood before -our eyes a picture of life as it exists at present; and Man in its -midst, more obviously even than on Earth, dominating and subduing the -fellow-creatures of whom he is lord. From which of the innumerable -animal forms that had been presented to us in the course of these -transmutations this supreme form had arisen, I did not note or cannot -remember. But that no true ape appeared among them, I do distinctly -recollect, having been on the watch for the representation of such an -epoch in the pictured history. - -What was now especially noteworthy was that, solid as they appeared, -each form was in some way transparent. From the Emblem before -mentioned a rose-coloured light pervaded the scene; scarcely -discernible in the general atmosphere, faintly but distinctly -traceable in every herb, shrub, and tree, more distinguishable and -concentrated in each animal. But in plant or animal the condensed -light was never separated and individualised, never parted from, -though obviously gathered and agglomerated out of, the generally -diffused rosy sheen that tinged the entire landscape. It was as though -the rose-coloured light formed an atmosphere which entered and passed -freely through the tissues of each animal and plant, but brightened -and deepened in those portions which at any moment pervaded any -organised shape, while it flowed freely in and out of all. The -concentration was most marked, the connection with the diffused -atmosphere least perceptible, in those most intelligent creatures, -like the _ambâ_ and _carve_, which in the service of man appear to -have acquired a portion of human intelligence. But turning to the type -of Man himself, the light within his body had assumed the shape of the -frame it filled and appeared to animate. In him the rose-coloured -image which exactly corresponded to the body that encased it was -perfectly individualised, and had no other connection with the -remainder of the light than that it appeared to emanate and to be fed -from the original source. As I looked, the outward body dissolved, the -image of rosy light stood alone, as human and far more beautiful than -before, rose upward, and passed away. - -"What seest thou?" was uttered in an even more earnest and solemn tone -than heretofore. - -"Life," I said, "physical and spiritual; the one sustained by the -other, the spiritual emanating from the Source of Life, pervading all -living forms, affording to each the degree of individuality and of -intelligence needful to it, but in none forming an individual entity -apart from the race, save in Man himself; and in Man forming the -individual being, whereof the flesh is but the clothing and the -instrument." - -The whole scene suddenly vanished in total darkness; only again in one -direction a gleam of light appeared, and guided us to a portal through -which we entered another long and narrow passage, terminating in a -second vestibule before a door of emerald crystal, brilliantly -illuminated by a light within. Here, again, our steps were arrested. -The door was guarded by two sentries, in whom I recognised Initiates -of the Order, wearers of the silver sash and star. The password and -sign, whispered to me as we left the Hall of the Novitiate, having -been given, the door parted and exposed to our view the inmost -chamber, a scene calculated to strike the eye and impress the mind not -more by its splendour and magnificence than by the unexpected -character it displayed. It represented a garden, but the boundaries -were concealed by the branching trees, the arches of flowering -creepers, the thickets of flowers, shrubs, and tall reeds, which in -every direction imitated so perfectly the natural forms that the -closest scrutiny would have been required to detect their -artificiality. The general form, however, seemed to be that of a -square entered by a very short, narrow passage, and divided by broad -paths, forming a cross of equal arms. At the central point of this -cross was placed on a pedestal of emerald a statue in gold, which -recalled at once the features of the Founder. The space might have -accommodated two thousand persons, but on the seatsâof a material -resembling ivory, each of them separately formed and gathered in -irregular clustersâthere were not, I thought, more than four hundred -or five hundred men and women intermingled; the former dressed for the -most part in green, the latter in pink or white, and all wearing the -silver band and star. At the opposite end, closing the central aisle, -was a low narrow platform raised by two steps carved out of the -natural rock, but inlaid with jewellery imitating closely the -variegated turf of a real garden. On this were placed, slanting -backward towards the centre, two rows of six golden seats or thrones, -whose occupants wore the golden band over silver robes. That next the -interval, but to the left, was filled by Esmo, who to my surprise wore -a robe of white completely covering his figure, and contrasting -signally the golden sash to which his star was attached. On his left -arm, bare below the elbow, I noticed a flat thick band of plain gold, -with an emerald seal, bearing the same proportion to the bracelet as a -large signet to its finger ring. What struck me at once as most -remarkable was, that the seats on the dais and the forms of their -occupiers were signally relieved against a background of intense -darkness, whose nature, however, I could not discern. The roof was in -form a truncated pyramid; its material a rose-coloured crystal, -through which a clear soft light illuminated the whole scene. Across -the floor of the entrance, immediately within the portal, was a broad -band of the same crystal, marking the formal threshold of the Hall. -Immediately inside this stood the same Chief who had received us in -the former Hall; and as we stood at the door, stretching forth his -left hand, he spoke, or rather chanted, what, by the rhythmical -sequence of the words, by the frequent recurrence of alliteration and -irregular rhyme, was evidently a formula committed to the verse of the -Martial tongue: a formula, like all those of the Order, never written, -but handed down by memory, and therefore, perhaps, cast in a shape -which rendered accurate remembrance easier and more certain. - - "Ye who, lost in outer night, - Reach at last the Source of Light, - Ask ye in that light to dwell? - None we urge and none repel; - Opens at your touch the door, - Bright within the lamp of lore. - Yet beware! The threshold passed, - Fixed the bond, the ball is cast. - Failing heart or faltering feet - Find nor pardon nor retreat. - Loyal faith hath guerdon given - Boundless as the star-sown Heaven; - Horror fathomless and gloom - Rayless veil the recreant's doom. - Warned betimes, in time bewareâFreely - turn, or frankly swear." - -"What am I to swear?" I asked. - -A voice on my left murmured in a low tone the formula, which I -repeated, Eveena accompanying my words in an almost inaudible -whisperâ - - "Whatsoe'er within the Shrine - Eyes may see or soul divine, - Swear we secret as the deep, - Silent as the Urn to keep. - By the Light we claim to share, - By the Fount of Light, we swear." - -As these words were uttered, I became aware that some change had taken -place at the further end of the Hall. Looking up, the dark background -had disappeared, and under a species of deep archway, behind the seats -of the Chiefs, was visible a wall diapered in ruby and gold, and -displaying in various interwoven patterns the several symbols of the -Zinta. Towards the roof, exactly in the centre, was a large silver -star, emitting a light resembling that which the full moon sheds on a -tropical scene, but far more brilliant. Around this was a broad golden -circle or band; and beneath, the silver image of a serpentâperfectly -reproducing a typical terrestrial snake, but coiled, as no snake ever -coils itself, in a double circle or figure of eight, with the tail -wound around the neck. On the left was a crimson shield or what seemed -to be such, small, round, and swelling in the centre into a sharp -point; on the right three crossed spears of silver with crimson blades -pointed upward. But the most remarkable objectâimmediately filling -the interval between the seats of the Chiefs, and carved from a huge -cubic block of emeraldâwas a Throne, ascended on each side by five or -six steps, the upper step or seat extending nearly across the whole -some two feet below the surface, the next forming a footstool thereto. -Above this was a canopy, seemingly self-supported, of circular form. A -chain formed by interlaced golden circles was upheld by four great -emerald wings. Within the chain, again, was the silver Serpent, coiled -as before and resting upon a surface of foliage and flowers. In the -centre of all was repeated the silver Star within the golden band; the -emblem from which the Order derives its name, and in which it embodies -its deepest symbolism. Following again the direction of my unseen -prompter, I repeated words which may be roughly translated as -follows:â - - "By the outer Night of gloom, - By the ray that leads us home, - By the Light we claim to share, - By the Fount of Light, we swear. - Prompt obedience, heart and hand, - To the Signet's each command: - For the Symbols, reverence mute, - In the Sense faith absolute. - Link by link to weld the Chain, - Link with link to bear the strain; - Cherish all the Star who wear, - As the Starlight's selfâwe swear. - By the Life the Light to prove, - In the Circle's bound to move; - Underneath the all-seeing Eye - Act, nor speak, nor think the lie; - Live, as warned that Life shall last, - And the Future reap the Past: - Clasp in faith the Serpent's rings, - Trust through death the Emerald Wings, - Hand and voice we plight the Oath: - Fade the life ere fail the troth!" - -Rising from his seat and standing immediately before and to the left -of the Throne, Esmo replied. But before he had spoken half-a-dozen -words, a pressure on my arm drew my eyes from him to Eveena. She stood -fixed as if turned to stone, in an attitude which for one fleeting -instant recalled that of the sculptured figures undergoing sudden -petrifaction at the sight of the Gorgon's head. This remembered -resemblance, or an instinctive sympathy, at once conveyed to me the -consciousness that the absolute stillness of her attitude expressed a -horror or an awe too deep for trembling. Looking into her eyes, which -alone were visible, their gaze fixed intently on the Throne, at once -caught and controlled my own; and raising my eyes again to the same -point, I stood almost equally petrified by consternation and -amazement. I need not say how many marvels of no common character I -have seen on Earth; how many visions that, if I told them, none who -have not shared them would believe; wonders that the few who have seen -them can never forget, norâdespite all experience and all theoretical -explanationârecall without renewing the thrill of awe-stricken dismay -with which the sight was first beheld. But no marvel of the Mystic -Schools, no spectral scene, objective or subjective, ever evoked by -the rarest of occult powers, so startled, so impressed me as what I -now saw, or thought I saw. The Throne, on which but a few moments -before my eyes had been steadily fixed, and which had then assuredly -been vacant, was now occupied; and occupied by a Presence which, -though not seen in the flesh for ages, none who had ever looked on the -portrait that represented it could forget or mistake. The form, the -dress, the long white hair and beard, the grave, dignified -countenance, above all the deep, scrutinising, piercing eyes of the -Founderâas I had seen them on a single occasion in Esmo's houseâwere -now as clearly, as forcibly, presented to my sight as any figure in -the flesh I ever beheld. The eyes were turned on me with a calm, -searching, steady gaze, whose effect was such as Southey ascribes to -Indra's:â - - "The look he gave was solemn, not severe; - No hope to Kailyal it conveyed, - And yet it struck no fear." - -For a moment they rested on Eveena's veiled and drooping figure with a -widely different expression. That look, as I thought, spoke a grave -but passionless regret or pity, as of one who sees a child -unconsciously on the verge of peril or sorrow that admits neither of -warning nor rescue. That look happily she did not read; but we both -saw the same object and in the same instant; we both stood amazed and -appalled long enough to render our hesitation not only apparent, but -striking to all around, many of whom, following the direction of my -gaze, turned their eyes upon the Throne. What they saw or did not see -I know not, and did not then care to think. The following formula, -pronounced by Esmo, had fallen not unheard, but almost unheeded on my -ears, though one passage harmonised strangely with the sight before -me:â - - "Passing sign and fleeting breath - Bind the Soul for life and death! - Lifted hand and plighted word - Eyes have seen and ears have heard; - Eyes have seenânor ours alone; - Fell the sound on ears unknown. - Age-long labour, strand by strand, - Forged the immemorial band; - Never thread hath known decay, - Never link hath dropped away." - -Here he paused and beckoned us to advance. The sign, twice repeated -before I could obey it, at last broke the spell that enthralled me. -Under the most astounding or awe-striking circumstances, instinct -moves our limbs almost in our own despite, and leads us to do with -paralysed will what has been intended or is expected of us. This -instinct, and no conscious resolve to overcome the influence that held -me spell-bound, enabled me to proceed; and I led Eveena forward by -actual if gentle force, till we reached the lower step of the -platform. Here, at a sign from her father, we knelt, while, laying his -hands on our heads, and stooping to kiss each upon the browâEveena -raising her veil for one moment and dropping it againâhe continuedâ - - "So we greet you evermore, - Brethren of the deathless Lore; - So your vows our own renew, - Sworn to all as each to you. - Yours at once the secrets won - Age by age, from sire to son; - Yours the fruit through countless years - Grown by thought and toil and tears. - He who guards you guards his own, - He who fails you fails the Throne." - -The last two lines were repeated, as by a simultaneous impulse, in a -low but audible tone by the whole assembly. In the meantime Esmo had -invested each of us with the symbol of our enrolment in the Zinta, the -silver sash and Star of the Initiates. The ceremonial seemed to me to -afford that sort of religious sanction and benediction which had been -so signally wanting to the original form of our union. As we rose I -turned my eyes for a moment upon the Throne, now vacant as at first. -Another Chief, followed by the voices of the assembly, repeated, in a -low deep tone, which fell on our ears as distinctly as the loudest -trumpet-note in the midst of absolute silence, the solemn -imprecationâ - - "Who denies a brother's need, - Who in will, or word, or deed, - Breaks the Circle's bounded line, - Rends the Veil that guards the Shrine, - Lifts the hand to lips that lie, - Fronts the Star with soothless eye:â. - Dreams of horror haunt his rest, - Storms of madness vex his breast, - Snares surround him, Death beset, - Man forsakeâand God forget!" - -It was probably rather the tone of profound conviction and almost -tremulous awe with which these words were slowly enunciated by the -entire assemblage, than their actual sense, though the latter is -greatly weakened by my translation, that gave them an effect on my own -mind such as no oath and no rite, however solemn, no religious -ceremonial, no forms of the most secret mysteries, had ever produced. -I was not surprised that Eveena was far more deeply affected. Even the -earlier words of the imprecation had caused her to shudder; and ere it -closed she would have sunk to the ground, but for the support of my -arm. Disengaging the bracelet, Esmo held out to our lips the signet, -which, as I now perceived, reproduced in miniature the symbols that -formed the canopy above the throne. A few moments of deep and solemn -silence had elapsed, when one of the Chiefs, who, except Esmo, had now -resumed their seats, rose, and addressing himself to the latter, -saidâ - -"The Initiate has shown in the Hall of the Vision a knowledge of the -sense embodied in our symbols, of the creed and thoughts drawn from -them, which he can hardly have learned in the few hours that have -elapsed since you first spoke to him of their existence. If there be -not in his world those who have wrought out for themselves similar -truths in not dissimilar forms, he must possess a rare and almost -instinctive power to appreciate the lessons we can teach. I will ask -your permission, therefore, to put to him but one question, and that -the deepest and most difficult of all." - -Esmo merely bent his head in reply. - -"Can you," said the speaker, turning to me with marked courtesy, "draw -meaning or lesson from the self-entwined coil of the Serpent?" - -I need not repeat an answer which, to those familiar with the oldest -language of Terrestrial symbolism, would have occurred as readily as -to myself; and which, if they could understand it, it would not be -well to explain to others. The three principal elements of thought -represented by the doubly-coiled serpent are the same in Mars as on -Earth, confirming in so far the doctrine of the Zinta, that their -symbolic language is not arbitrary, but natural, formed on principles -inherent in the correspondence between things spiritual and physical. -Some similar but trivial query, whose purport I have now forgotten, -was addressed by the junior of the Chiefs to Eveena; and I was struck -by the patient courtesy with which he waited till, after two or three -efforts, she sufficiently recovered her self-possession to understand -and her voice to answer. We then retired, taking our place on seats -remote from the platform, and at some distance from any of our -neighbours. - -On a formal invitation, one after another of the brethren rose and -read a brief account of some experiment or discovery in the science of -the Order. The principles taken for granted as fundamental and -notorious truths far transcend the extremest speculations of -Terrestrial mysticism. The powers claimed as of course so infinitely -exceed anything alleged by the most ardent believers in mesmerism, -clairvoyance, or spiritualism, that it would be useless to relate the -few among these experiments which I remember and might be permitted to -repeat. I observed that a phonographic apparatus of a peculiarly -elaborate character wrote down every word of these accounts without -obliging the speakers to approach it; and I was informed that this -automatic reporting is employed in every Martial assembly, scientific, -political, or judicial. - -I listened with extreme interest, and was more than satisfied that -Esmo had even underrated the powers claimed by and for the lowest and -least intelligent of his brethren, when he said that these, and these -alone, could give efficient protection or signal vengeance against all -the tremendous physical forces at command of those State authorities, -one of the greatest of whom I had made my personal enemy. One -battalion of Martial guards or police, accompanied by a single battery -of what I may call their artillery, might, even without the aid of a -balloon-squadron, in half-an-hour annihilate or scatter to the winds -the mightiest and bravest army that Europe could send forth. Yet the -Martial State had deliberately, and, I think, with only a due -prudence, shrunk during ages from an open conflict of power with the -few thousand members of this secret but inevitably suspected -organisation. - -Esmo called on me in my turn to give such account as I might choose of -my own world, and my journey thence. I frankly avowed my indisposition -to explain the generation and action of the apergic force. The power -which a concurrent knowledge of two separate kinds of science had -given to a very few Terrestrials, and which all the science of a far -more enlightened race had failed to attain, was in my conscientious -conviction a Providential trust; withheld from those in whose hands it -might be a fearful temptation and an instrument of unbounded evil. My -reserve was perfectly intelligible to the Children of the Star, and -evidently raised me in their estimation. I was much impressed by the -simple and unaffected reliance placed on my statements, as on those of -every other member of the Order. As a rule, Martialists are loth, and -not without reason, to believe any unsupported statement that might be -prompted by interest or vanity. But the _Zveltau_ can trust one -another's word more fully than the followers of Mahomet that of his -strictest disciples, or the most honest nations of the West the most -solemn oaths of their citizens; while that bigotry of scientific -unbelief, that narrowness of thought which prevails among their -countrymen, has been dispelled by their wider studies and loftier -interests. They have a saying, whose purport might be rendered in the -proverbial language of the Aryans by saying that the liar "kills the -goose that lays the golden eggs." Again, "The liar is like an -opiatised tunneller" (miner), i.e., more likely to blow himself to -pieces than to effect his purpose. Again, "The liar drives the point -into a friend's heart, and puts the hilt into a foe's hand." The maxim -that "a lie is a shield in sore need, but the spear of a scoundrel," -affirms the right in extremity to preserve a secret from impertinent -inquisitiveness. Rarely, but on some peculiarly important occasions, -the Zveltau avouch their sincerity by an appeal to their own symbols; -and it is affirmed that an oath attested by the Circle and the Star -has never, in the lapse of ages, been broken or evaded. - -Before midnight Esmo dismissed the assembly by a formula which dimly -recalled to memory one heard in my boyhood. It is not in the power of -my translation to preserve the impressive solemnity of the immemorial -ritual of the Zinta, deepened alike by the earnestness of its -delivery, and the reverence of the hearers. There was something -majestic in the mere antiquity of a liturgy whereof no word has ever -been committed to writing. Five hundred generations have, it is -alleged, gathered four times in each year in the Hall of Initiation; -and every meeting has been concluded by the utterance from the same -spot and in the same words of the solemn but simple _Zulvakalfe_ [word -of peace]:â - - "Peace be with you, near and far, - Children of the Silver Star; - Lore undoubting, conscience clean, - Hope assured, and life serene. - By the Light that knows no flaw, - By the Circle's perfect law, - By the Serpent's life renewed, - By the Wings' similitudeâ - Peace be yours no force can break; - Peace not death hath power to shake; - Peace from passion, sin, and gloom, - Peace of spirit, heart, and home; - Peace from peril, fear, and pain; - Peace, until we meet againâ - Meetâbefore yon sculptured stone, - Or the All-Commander's Throne." - -Before we finally parted, Esmo gave me two or three articles to which -he attached especial value. The most important of these was a small -cube of translucent stone, in which a multitude of diversely coloured -fragments were combined; so set in a tiny swivel or swing of gold that -it might be conveniently attached to the watch-chain, the only -Terrestrial article that I still wore. "This," he said, "will test -nearly every poison known to our science; each poison discolouring for -a time one or another of the various substances of which it is -composed; and poison is perhaps the weapon least unlikely to be -employed against you when known to be connected with myself, and, I -will hope, to possess the favour of the Sovereign. If you are curious -to verify its powers, the contents of the tiny medicine-chest I have -given you will enable you to do so. There is scarcely one of those -medicines which is not a single or a combined poison of great power. I -need not warn you to be careful lest you give to any one the means of -reaching them. I have shown you the combination of magnets which will -open each of your cases; that demanded by the chest is the most -complicated of all, and one which can hardly be hit upon by accident. -Nor can any one force or pick open a case locked by our electric -apparatus, save by cutting to pieces the metal of the case itself, and -this only special tools will accomplish; and, unless peculiarly -skilful, the intruder would 'probably be maimed or paralysed, if not -killed by ... - - - - -VOL. II - - - "Thoughts he sends to each planet, - Uranus, Venus, and Mars; - Soars to the Centre to span it, - Numbers the infinite Stars." - - _Courthope's Paradise of Birds_ - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - BY SEA. - - -An hour after sunrise next morning. Esmo, his son, and our host -accompanied us to the vessel in which we were to make the principal -part of our journey. We were received by an officer of the royal -Court, who was to accompany us during the rest of our journey, and -from whom, Esmo assured me, I might obtain the fullest information -regarding the various objects of interest, to visit which we had -adopted an unusual and circuitous course. We embarked on a gulf -running generally from east to west, about midway between the northern -tropic and the arctic circle. As this was the summer of the northern -hemisphere, we should thus enjoy a longer day, and should not suffer -from the change of climate. After taking leave of our friends, we went -down below to take possession of the fore part of the vessel, which -was assigned as our exclusive quarters. Immediately in front of the -machine-room, which occupied the centre of the vessel, were two -cabins, about sixteen feet square, reaching from side to side. Beyond -these, opening out of a passage running along one side, were two -smaller cabins about eight feet long. All these apartments were -furnished and ornamented with the luxury and elegance of chambers in -the best houses on shore. In the foremost of the larger cabins were a -couple of desks, and three or four writing or easy chairs. In the -outer cabin nearest to the engine-room, and entered immediately by the -ladder descending from the deck, was fixed a low central table. In all -we found abundance of those soft exquisitely covered and embroidered -cushions which in Mars, as in Oriental countries, are the most -essential and most luxurious furniture. The officer had quarters in -the stern of the vessel, which was an exact copy of the fore part. But -the first of these rooms was considered as public or neutral ground. -Leaving Eveena below, I went on deck to examine, before she started, -the construction of the vessel. Her entire length was about one -hundred and eighty feet, her depth, from the flat deck to the wide -keel, about one half of her breadth; the height of the cabins not much -more than eight feet; her draught, when most completely lightened, not -more than four feet. Her electric machinery drew in and drove out with -great force currents of water which propelled her with a speed greater -than that afforded by the most powerful paddles. It also pumped in or -out, at whatever depth, the quantity of water required as ballast, not -merely to steady the vessel, but to keep her in position on the -surface or to sink her to the level at which the pilot might choose to -sail. At either end was fixed a steering screw, much resembling the -tail-fin of a fish, capable of striking sideways, upwards, or -downwards, and directing our course accordingly. - -Ergimo, our escort, had not yet reached middle age, but was a man of -exceptional intellect and unusual knowledge. He had made many voyages, -and had occupied for some time an important official post on one of -those Arctic continents which are inhabited only by the hunters -employed in collecting the furs and skins furnished exclusively by -these lands. The shores of the gulf were lofty, rocky, and -uninteresting. It was difficult to see any object on shore from the -deck of the vessel, and I assented, therefore, without demur, after -the first hour of the voyage, to his proposal that the lights, -answering to our hatches, should be closed, and that the vessel should -pursue her course below the surface. This was the more desirable that, -though winds and storms are, as I have said, rare, these long and -narrow seas with their lofty shores are exposed to rough currents, -atmospheric and marine, which render a voyage on the surface no more -agreeable than a passage in average weather across the Bay of Biscay. -After descending I was occupied for some time in studying, with -Ergimo's assistance, the arrangement of the machinery, and the simple -process by which electric force is generated in quantities adequate to -any effort at a marvellously small expenditure of material. In this -form the Martialists assert that they obtain without waste all the -potential energy stored in ... [About half a score lines, or two pages -of an ordinary octavo volume like this, are here illegible.] She -(Eveena?) was somewhat pale, but rose quickly, and greeted me with a -smile of unaffected cheerfulness, and was evidently surprised as well -as pleased that I was content to remain alone with her, our -conversation turning chiefly on the lessons of last night. Our time -passed quickly till, about the middle of the day, we were startled by -a shock which, as I thought, must be due to our having run aground or -struck against a rock. But when I passed into the engine-room, Ergimo -explained that the pilot was nowise in fault. We had encountered one -of those inconveniences, hardly to be called perils, which are -peculiar to the waters of Mars. Though animals hostile or dangerous to -man have been almost extirpated upon the land, creatures of a type -long since supposed to be extinct on Earth still haunt the depths of -the Martial seas; and one of theseâa real sea-serpent of above a -hundred feet in length and perhaps eight feet in circumferenceâhad -attacked our vessel, entangling the steering screw in his folds and -trying to crush it, checking, at the same time, by his tremendous -force the motion of the vessel. - -"We shall soon get rid of him, though," said Ergimo, as I followed him -to the stern, to watch with great interest the method of dealing with -the monster, whose strange form was visible through a thick crystal -pane in the stern-plate. The asphyxiator could not have been used -without great risk to ourselves. But several tubes, filled with a soft -material resembling cork, originally the pith of a Martial cane of -great size, were inserted in the floor, sides, and deck of the vessel, -and through the centre of each of these passed a strong metallic wire -of great conducting power. Two or three of those in the stern were -placed in contact with some of the electric machinery by which the -rudder was usually turned, and through them were sent rapid and -energetic currents, whose passage rendered the covering of the wires, -notwithstanding their great conductivity, too hot to be touched. We -heard immediately a smothered sound of extraordinary character, which -was, in truth, no other than a scream deadened partly by the water, -partly by the thick metal sheet interposed between us and the element. -The steering screw was set in rapid motion, and at first revolving -with some difficulty, afterwards moving faster and more regularly, -presently released us. Its rotation was stopped, and we resumed our -course. The serpent had relaxed his folds, stunned by the shock, but -had not disentangled himself from the screw, till its blades, no -longer checked by the tremendous force of his original grasp, striking -him a series of terrific blows, had broken the vertebrae and paralysed -if not killed the monstrous enemy. - -At each side of the larger chambers and of the engine-room were fixed -small thick circular windows, through which we could see from time to -time the more remarkable objects in the water. We passed along one -curious submarine bank, built somewhat like our coral rocks, not by -insects, however, but by shellfish, which, fixing themselves as soon -as hatched on the shells below or around them, extended slowly upward -and sideways. As each of these creatures perished, the shell, about -half the size of an oyster, was filled with the same sort of material -as that of which its hexagonic walls were originally formed, drawn in -by the surrounding and still living neighbours; and thus, in the -course of centuries, were constructed solid reefs of enormous extent. -One of these had run right across the gulf, forming a complete bridge, -ceasing, however, within some five feet of the surface; but on this a -regular roadway had been constructed by human art and mechanical -labour, while underneath, at the usual depth of thirty feet, several -tunnels had been pierced, each large enough to admit the passage of a -single vessel of the largest size. At every fourth hour our vessel -rose to the surface to renew her atmosphere, which was thus kept purer -than that of an ordinary Atlantic packet between decks, while the -temperature was maintained at an agreeable point by the warmth -diffused from the electric machinery. - -On the sixth day of our voyage, we reached a point where the Gulf of -Serocasfe divides, a sharp jutting cape or peninsula parting its -waters. We took the northern branch, about fifteen miles in width, and -here, rising to the surface and steering a zigzag course from coast to -coast, I was enabled to see something of the character of this most -extraordinary strait. Its walls at first were no less than 2000 feet -in height, so that at all times we were in sight, so to speak, of -land. A road had been cut along the sea-level, and here and there -tunnels ascending through the rock rendered this accessible from the -plateau above. The strata, as upon Earth, were of various character, -none of them very thick, seldom reproducing exactly the geology of our -own planet, but seldom very widely deviating in character from the -rocks with which we are acquainted. The lowest were evidently of the -same hard, fused, compressed character as those which our terminology -calls plutonic. Above these were masses which, like the carboniferous -strata of Earth, recalled the previous existence of a richer but less -highly organised form of vegetation than at present exists anywhere -upon the surface. Intermixed with these were beds of the peculiar -submarine shell-rock whose formation I have just described. Above -these again come strata of diluvial gravel, and about 400 feet below -the surface rocks that bore evident traces of a glacial period. As we -approached the lower end of the gulf the shores sloped constantly -downward, and where they were no more than 600 feet in height I was -able to distinguish an upper stratum of some forty yards in depth, -preserving through its whole extent traces of human life and even of -civilisation. This implied, if fairly representative of the rest of -the planet's crust, an existence of man upon its surface ten, twenty, -or even a hundred-fold longer than he is supposed to have enjoyed upon -Earth. About noon on the seventh day we entered the canal which -connects this arm of the gulf with the sea of the northern temperate -zone. It varies in height from 400 to 600 feet, in width from 100 to -300 yards, its channel never exceeds 20 feet in depth, Ergimo -explained that the length had been thought to render a tunnel -unsuitable, as the ordinary method of ventilation could hardly have -been made to work, and to ventilate such a tunnel through shafts sunk -to so great a depth would have been almost as costly as the method -actually adopted. A much smaller breadth might have been thought to -suffice, and was at first intended; but it was found that the current -in a narrow channel, the outer sea being many inches higher than the -water of the gulf, would have been too rapid and violent for safety. -The work had occupied fifteen Martial years, and had been opened only -for some eight centuries. The water was not more than twenty feet in -depth; but the channel was so perfectly scoured by the current that no -obstacle had ever arisen and no expense had been incurred to keep it a -clear. We entered the Northern sea where a bay ran up some half dozen -miles towards the end of the gulf, shortening the canal by this -distance. The bay itself was shallow, the only channel being scarcely -wider than the canal, and created or preserved by the current setting -in to the latter; a current which offered a very perceptible -resistance to our course, and satisfied me that had the canal been no -wider than the convenience of navigation would have required in the -absence of such a stream, its force would have rendered the work -altogether useless. We crossed the sea, holding on in the same -direction, and a little before sunset moored our vessel at the wharf -of a small harbour, along the sides of which was built the largest -town of this subarctic landbelt, a village of some fifty houses named -Askinta. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - FUR-HUNTING. - - -Ergimo landed to make arrangements for the chase, to witness which was -the principal object of this deviation from what would otherwise have -been our most convenient course. Not only would it be possible to take -part in the pursuit of the wild fauna of the continent, but I also -hoped to share in a novel sport, not unlike a whale-hunt in Baffin's -Bay. A large inland sea, occupying no inconsiderable part of the area -of this belt, lay immediately to the northward, and one wide arm -thereof extended within a few miles of Askirita, a distance which, -notwithstanding the interposition of a mountain range, might be -crossed in a couple of hours. One or two days at most would suffice -for both adventures. I had not yet mentioned my intention to Eveena. -During the voyage I had been much alone with her, and it was then only -that our real acquaintance began. Till then, however close our -attachment, we were, in knowledge of each other's character and -thought, almost as strangers. While her painful timidity had in some -degree worn off, her anxious and watchful deference was even more -marked than before. True to the strange ideas derived chiefly from her -training, partly from her own natural character, she was the more -careful to avoid giving the slightest pain or displeasure, as she -ceased to fear that either would be immediately and intentionally -visited upon herself. She evidently thought that on this account there -was the greater danger lest a series of trivial annoyances, unnoticed -at the time, might cool the affection she valued so highly. Diffident -of her own charms, she knew how little hold the women of her race -generally have on the hearts of men after the first fever of passion -has cooled. It was difficult for her to realise that her thoughts or -wishes could truly interest me, that compliance with her inclinations -could be an object, or that I could be seriously bent on teaching her -to speak frankly and openly. But as this new idea became credible and -familiar, her unaffected desire to comply with all that was expected -from her drew out her hitherto undeveloped powers of conversation, and -enabled me day by day to appreciate more thoroughly the real -intelligence and soundness of judgment concealed at first by her -shyness, and still somewhat obscured by her childlike simplicity and -absolute inexperience. In the latter respect, however, she was, of -course, at the less disadvantage with a stranger to the manners and -life of her world. A more perfectly charming companion it would have -been difficult to desire and impossible to find. If at first I had -been secretly inclined to reproach her with exaggerated timidity, it -became more and more evident that her personal fears were due simply -to that nervous susceptibility which even men of reputed courage have -often displayed in situations of sudden and wholly unfamiliar peril. -Her tendency to overrate all dangers, not merely as they affected -herself, but as they might involve others, and above all her husband, -I ascribed to the ideas and habits of thought now for so many -centuries hereditary among a people in whom the fear of -annihilationâand the absence of all the motives that impel men on -earth to face danger and death with calmness, or even to enjoy the -excitement of deadly perilâhave extinguished manhood itself. - -I could not, however, conceal from Eveena that I was about to leave -her for an adventure which could not but seem to her foolhardy and -motiveless. She was more than terrified when she understood that I -really intended to join the professional hunters in an enterprise -which, even on their part, is regarded by their countrymen with a -mixture of admiration and contempt, as one wherein only the hope of -large remuneration would induce any sensible man to share; and which, -from my utter ignorance of its conditions, must be obviously still -more dangerous to me. The confidence she was slowly learning from what -seemed to her extravagant indulgence, to me simply the consideration -due to a rational being, wife or comrade, slave or free, first found -expression in the freedom of her loving though provoking -expostulations. - -"You must be tired of me," she said at last, "if you are so ready to -run the risk of parting out of mere curiosity." - -"Sheer petulance!" I answered. "You know well that you are dearer to -me every day as I learn to understand you better; but a man cannot -afford to play the coward because marriage has given new value to -life. And you might remember that I have threefold the strength which -emboldens your hunters to incur all the dangers that seem to your -fancy so terrible." - -That no shade of mere cowardice or feminine affectation influenced her -remonstrance was evident from her next words. - -"Well, then, if you will go, however improper and outrageous the thing -may be, let me go with you. I cannot bear to wait alone, fancying at -every moment what may be happening to you, and fearing to see them -carry you back wounded or killed." - -Touched by the unselfishness of her terror, and feeling that there was -some truth in her representation of the state of mind in which she -would spend the hours of my absence, I tried to quiet her by caresses -and soft words. But these she received as symptoms of yielding on my -part; and her persistence brought upon her at last the resolute and -somewhat sharp rebuke with which men think it natural and right to -repress the excesses of feminine fear. - -"This is nonsense, Eveena. You cannot accompany me; and, if you could, -your presence would multiply tenfold the danger to me, and utterly -unnerve me if any real difficulty should call for presence of mind. -You must be content to leave me in the hands of Providence, and allow -me to judge what becomes a man, and what results are worth the risks -they may involve. I hear Ergimo's step on deck, and I must go and -learn from him what arrangements he has been able to make for -to-morrow." - -My escort had found no difficulty in providing for the fulfilment of -both my wishes. We were to beat the forests which covered the southern -seabord in the neighbourhood, driving our game out upon the open -ground, where alone we should have a chance of securing it. By noon we -might hope to have seen enough of this sport, and to find ourselves at -no great distance from that part of the inland sea where a yet more -exciting chase was to employ the rest of the day. Failing to bring -both adventures within the sixteen hours of light which at this season -and in this latitude we should enjoy, we were to bivouac for the night -on the northern sea-coast and pursue our aquatic game in the morning -of the morrow, returning before dark to our vessel. - -Ergimo, however, was more of Eveena's mind than of mine. "I have -complied," he said, "with your wishes, as the Camptâ ordered me to do. -But I am equally bound, by his orders and by my duty, to tell you that -in my opinion you are running risks altogether out of proportion to -any object our adventure can serve. Scarcely any of the creatures we -shall hunt are other than very formidable. Eyen the therne, with the -spikes on its fore-limbs, can inflict painful if not dangerous wounds, -and its bite is said to be not unfrequently venomous. You are not used -to our methods of hunting, to the management of the _caldecta_, or to -the use of our weapons. I can conceive no reason why you should incur -what is at any rate a considerable chance, not merely of death, but of -defeating the whole purpose of your extraordinary journey, simply to -do or to see the work on which we peril only the least valuable lives -among us." - -I was about to answer him even more decidedly than I had replied to -Eveena, when a pressure on my arm drew my eyes in the other direction; -and, to my extreme mortification, I perceived that Eveena herself, in -all-absorbing eagerness to learn the opinion of an intelligent and -experienced hunter, had stolen on deck and had heard all that had -passed. I was too much vexed to make any other reply to Ergimo's -argument than the single word, "I shall go." Really angry with her for -the first and last time, but not choosing to express my displeasure in -the presence of a third person, I hurried Eveena down the ladder into -our cabin. - -"Tell me," I said, "what, according to your own rules of feminine -reserve and obedience, you deserve? What would one of your people say -to a wife who followed him without leave into the company of a -stranger, to listen to that which she knew she was not meant to hear?" - -She answered by throwing off her veil and head-dress, and standing up -silent before me. - -"Answer me, child," I repeated, more than half appeased by the mute -appeal of her half-raised eyes and submissive attitude. "I know you -will not tell me that you have not broken all the restraints of your -own laws and customs. What would your father, for instance, say to -such an escapade?" - -She was silent, till the touch of my hand, contradicting perhaps the -harshness of my words, encouraged her to lift her eyes, full of tears, -to mine. - -"Nothing," was her very unexpected reply. - -"Nothing?" I rejoined. "If you can tell me that you have not done -wrong, I shall be sorry to have reproved you so sharply." - -"I shall tell you no such lie!" she answered almost indignantly. "You -asked what would be _said_." - -I was fairly at a loss. The figure which Martial grammarians call "the -suppressed alternative" is a great favourite, and derives peculiar -force from the varied emphasis their syntax allows. But, resolved not -to understand a meaning much more distinctly conveyed in her words -than in my translation, I replied, "_I_ shall say nothing then, -exceptâdon't do it again;" and I extricated myself promptly if -ignominiously from the dilemma, by leaving the cabin and closing the -door, so sharply and decidedly as to convey a distinct intimation that -it was not again to be opened. - -We breakfasted earlier than usual. My gentle bride had been subdued -into a silence, not sullen, but so sad that when her wistful eyes -followed my every movement as I prepared to start, I could willingly, -to bring back their brightness, have renounced the promise of the day. -But this must not be; and turning to take leave on the threshold, I -saidâ - -"Be sure I shall come to no harm; and if I did, the worst pang of -death would be the memory of the first sharp words I have spoken to -you, and which, I confess, were an ill return for the inconvenient -expression of your affectionate anxiety." - -"Do not speak so," she half whispered. "I deserved any mark of your -displeasure; I only wish I could persuade you that the sharpest sting -lies in the lips we love. Do remember, since you would not let me run -the slightest risk of harm, that if you come to hurt you will have -killed me." - -"Rest assured I shall come to no serious ill. I hope this evening to -laugh with you at your alarms; and so long as you do not see me either -in the flesh or in the spirit, you may know that I am safe. I _could -not_ leave you for ever without meeting you again." - -This speech, which I should have ventured in no other presence, would -hardly have established my lunacy more decisively in Martial eyes than -in those of Terrestrial common sense. It conveyed, however, a real if -not sufficient consolation to Eveena; the idea it implied being not -wholly unfamiliar to a daughter of the Star. I was surprised that, -almost shrinking from my last embrace, Eveena suddenly dropped her -veil around her; till, turning, I saw that Ergimo was standing at the -top of the ladder leading to the deck, and just in sight. - -"I will send word," he said, addressing himself to me, but speaking -for her ears, "of your safety at noon and at night. So far as my -utmost efforts can ensure it you will be safe; an obligation higher, -and enforced by sanctions graver, than even the Camptâ's command -forbids me to lead a _brother_ into peril, and fail to bring him out -of it." - -The significant word was spoken in so low a tone that it could not -possibly reach the ears of our companions of the chase, who had -mustered on shore within a few feet of the vessel. But Eveena -evidently caught both the sound and the meaning, and I was glad that -they should convey to her a confidence which seemed to myself no -better founded than her alarms. To me its only value lay in the -friendly relation it established with one I had begun greatly to like. -I relied on my own strength and nerve for all that human exertion -could do in such peril as we might encounter; and, in a case in which -these might fail me, I doubted whether even the one tie that has -binding force on Mars would avail me much. - -Immediately outside the town were waiting, saddled but not bridled, -some score of the extraordinary riding-birds Eveena had described. The -seat of the rider is on the back, between the wings; but the saddle -consists only of a sort of girth immediately in front, to which a pair -of stirrups, resembling that of a lady's side-saddle, were attached. -The creature that was to carry my unusual weight was the most powerful -of all, but I felt some doubt whether even his strength might not -break down. One of the hunters had charge of a carriage on which was -fixed a cage containing two dozen birds of a dark greenish grey, about -the size of a crow, and with the slender form, piercing eyes, and -powerful beak of the falcon. They were not intended, however, to -strike the prey, but simply to do the part of dogs in tracing out the -game, and driving it from the woods into the open ground. Our birds, -rising at once into the air, carried us some fifty feet above the tops -of the trees. Here the chief huntsman took the guidance of the party, -keeping in front of the line in which we were ranged, and watching -through a pair of what might be called spectacles, save that a very -short tube with double lenses was substituted for the single glass, -the movement of the hawks, which had been released in the wood below -us. These at first dispersed in every direction, extending at -intervals from end to end of a line some three miles in length, and -moving slowly forwards, followed by the hunters. A sharp call from one -bird on the left gathered the rest around him, and in a few moments -the rustling and rushing of an invisible flock through the glades of -the forest apprised us that we had started, though we could not see, -the prey. Ergimo, who kept close beside me, and who had often -witnessed the sport before, kept me informed of what was proceeding -underneath us, of which I could see but little. Glimpses here and -there showed that we were pursuing a numerous flock of large -white-plumed or white-haired creatures, standing at most some four -feet in height; but what they were, even whether birds or quadrupeds, -their movements left me in absolute uncertainty. Worried and -frightened by the falcons, which, however, never ventured to close -upon them, they were gradually driven in the direction intended by the -huntsman towards the open plain, which bordered the forest at a -distance of about six miles to the northward. In half-an-hour after -the "find," the leader of the flock broke out of the wood two or three -hundred yards ahead of us, and was closely followed by his companions. -I then recognised in the objects of the chase the strange _thernee_ -described by Eveena, whose long soft down furnished the cloak she wore -on our visit to the Astronaut. Their general form, and especially the -length and graceful curve of the neck, led one instinctively to regard -them as birds; but the fore-limbs, drawn up as they ran, but now and -then outstretched with a sweep to strike at a falcon that ventured -imprudently near, had, in the distance, much more resemblance to the -arm of a baboon than to the limb of any other creature, and bore no -likeness whatever to the wing even of the bat. The object of the -hunters was not to strike these creatures from a distance, but to run -them down and capture them by sheer exhaustion. This the great -wing-power of the _caldectaa_ enabled us to do, though by the time we -had driven the thernee to bay my own Pegasus was fairly tired. The -hunters, separating and spreading out in the form of a semicircle, -assisted the movements of the hawks, driving the prey gradually into a -narrow defile among the hills bordering the plain to the -north-eastward, whose steep upward slope greatly hindered and fatigued -creatures whose natural habitat consists of level plains or seabord -forests. At last, under a steep half-precipitous rock which defended -them in rear, and between clumps of trees which guarded either -flankâprotected by both overheadâthe flock, at the call of their -leader, took up a position which displayed an instinctive strategy, -whereof an Indian or African chief might have been proud. The -_caldectaa_, however, well knew the vast superiority of their own -strength and of their formidable beaks, and did not hesitate to carry -us close to but somewhat above the thernee, as these stood ranged in -line with extended fore-limbs and snouts; the latter armed with teeth -about an inch and a half in length tapering singly to a sharp point, -the former with spikes stronger, longer, and sharper than those of the -porcupine; but, as I satisfied myself by a subsequent inspection, -formed by rudimentary, or, more properly speaking, transformed or -degenerated quills. The bite was easily avoided. It was not so easy to -keep out of reach of the powerful fore-limb while endeavouring to -strike a fatal blow at the neck with the long rapier-like cutting -weapons carried by the hunters. My own shorter and sharp sword, to -which I had trusted, preferring a familiar weapon to one, however -suitable, to which I was not accustomed, left me no choice but to -abandon the hope of active participation in the slaughter, or to -venture dangerously near. Choosing the latter alternative, I received -from the arm of the thernee I had singled out a blow which, caught -upon my sword, very nearly smote it from my hand, and certainly would -have disarmed at once any of my weaker companions. As it was, the -stroke maimed the limb that delivered it; but with its remaining arm -the creature maintained a fight so stubborn that, had both been -available, the issue could not have been in my favour. This conflict -reminded me singularly of an encounter with the mounted swordsmen of -Scindiah and the Peishwah; all my experience of sword-play being -called into use, and my brute opponent using its natural weapon with -an instinctive skill not unworthy of comparison with that of a trained -horse-soldier; at the same time that it constantly endeavoured to -seize with its formidable snout either my own arm or the wing or body -of the caldecta, which, however, was very well able to take care of -itself. In fact, the prey was secured at last not by my sword but by a -blow from the caldecta's beak, which pierced and paralysed the slender -neck of our antagonist. Some twenty thernee formed the booty of a -chase certainly novel, and possessing perhaps as many elements of -peril and excitement as that finest of Earthly sports which the -affected cynicism of Anglo-Indian speech degrades by the name of -"pig-sticking." - -When the falcons had been collected and recaged, and the bodies of the -thernee consigned to a carriage brought up for the purpose by a -subordinate who had watched the hunters' course, our birds, from which -we had dismounted, were somewhat rested; and Ergimo informed me that -another and more formidable, as well as more valuable, prey was -thought to be in sight a few miles off. Mounted on a fresh bird, and -resolutely closing my ears to his urgent and reasonable dissuasion, I -joined the smaller party which was detached for this purpose. As we -were carried slowly at no great distance from the ground, managing our -birds with ease by a touch on either side of the neckâthey are -spurred at need by a slight electric shock communicated from the hilt -of the sword, and are checked by a forcible pressure on the wingsâI -asked Ergimo why the thernee were not rather shot than hunted, since -utility, not sport, governs the method of capturing the wild beasts of -Mars. - -"We have," he replied, "two weapons adapted to strike at a distance. -The asphyxiator is too heavy to be carried far or fast, and pieces of -the shell inflict such injuries upon everything in the immediate -neighbourhood of the explosion, as to render it useless where the -value of the prey depends upon the condition of its skin. Our other -and much more convenient, if less powerful, projective weapon has also -its own disadvantage. It can be used only at short distances; and at -these it is apt to burn and tear a skin so soft and delicate as that -of the thernee. Moreover, it so terrifies the caldecta as to render it -unmanageable; and we are compelled to dismount before using it, as you -may presently see. Four or five of our party are now armed with it, -and I wish you had allowed me to furnish you with one." - -"I prefer," I answered, "my own weapon, an air-gun which I can fire -sixteen times without reloading, and which will kill at a hundred -yards' distance. With a weapon unknown to me I might not only fail -altogether, but I might not improbably do serious injury, by my -clumsiness and inexperience, to my companions." - -"I wish, nevertheless," he said, "that you carried the _mordyta_. You -will have need of an efficient weapon if you dismount to share the -attack we are just about to make. But I entreat you not to do so. You -can see it all in perfect safety, if only you will keep far enough -away to avoid danger from the fright of your bird." - -As he spoke, we had come into proximity to our new game, a large and -very powerful animal, about four feet high at the shoulders, and about -six feet from the head to the root of the tail. The latter carries, as -that of the lion was fabled to do, a final claw, not to lash the -creature into rage, but for the more practical purpose of striking -down an enemy endeavouring to approach it in flank or rear. Its hide, -covered with a long beautifully soft fur, is striped alternately with -brown and yellow, the ground being a sort of silver-grey. The head -resembles that of the lion, but without the mane, and is prolonged -into a face and snout more like those of the wild boar. Its limbs are -less unlike those of the feline genus than any other Earthly type, but -have three claws and a hard pad in lieu of the soft cushion. The upper -jaw is armed with two formidable tusks about twelve inches in length, -and projecting directly forwards. A blow from the claw-furnished tail -would plough up the thigh or rip open the abdomen of a man. A stroke -from one of the paws would fracture his skull, while a wound from the -tusk in almost any part of the body must prove certainly fatal. -Fortunately, the _kargynda_ has not the swiftness of movement -belonging to nearly all our feline races, otherwise its skins, the -most valuable prize of the Martial hunter, would yearly be taken at a -terrible cost of life. Two of these creatures were said to be reposing -in a thick jungle of reeds bordering a narrow stream immediately in -our front. The hunters, with Ergimo, now dismounted and advanced some -two hundred yards in front of their birds, directing the latter to -turn their heads in the opposite direction. I found some difficulty in -making my wish to descend intelligible to the docile creature which -carried me, and was still in the air when one of the enormous -creatures we were hunting rushed out of its hiding-place. The nearest -hunter, raising a shining metal staff about three and a half feet in -length (having a crystal cylinder at the hinder end, about six inches -in circumference, and occupying about one-third the entire length of -the weapon), levelled it at the beast. A flash as of lightning darted -through the air, and the creature rolled over. Another flash from a -similar weapon in the hands of another hunter followed. By this time, -however, my bird was entirely unmanageable, and what happened I -learned afterwards from Ergimo. Neither of the two shots had wounded -the creature, though the near passage of the first had for a moment -stunned and overthrown him. His rush among the party dispersed them -all, but each being able to send forth from his piece a second flash -of lightning, the monster was mortally wounded before they fairly -started in pursuit of their scared birds, whichâtheir attention being -called by the roar of the animal, by the crash accompanying each -flash, and probably above all by the restlessness of my own _caldecta_ -in their midstâhad flown off to some distance. My bird, floundering -forwards, flung me to the ground about two hundred yards from the -jungle, fortunately at a greater distance from the dying but not yet -utterly disabled prey. Its companion now came forth and stood over the -tortured creature, licking its sores till it expired. By this time I -had recovered the consciousness I had lost with the shock of my fall, -and had ascertained that my gun was safe. I had but time to prepare -and level it when, leaving its dead companion, the brute turned and -charged me almost as rapidly as an infuriated elephant. I fired -several times and assured, if only from my skill as a marksman, that -some of the shots had hit it, was surprised to see that at each it was -only checked for a moment and then resumed its charge. It was so near -now that I could aim with some confidence at the eye; and if, as I -suspected, the previous shots had failed to pierce the hide, no other -aim was likely to avail. I levelled, therefore, as steadily as I could -at its blazing eyeballs and fired three or four shots, still without -doing more than arrest or rather slacken its charge, each shot -provoking a fearful roar of rage and pain. I fired my last within -about twenty yards, and then, before I could draw my sword, was dashed -to the ground with a violence that utterly stunned me. When I -recovered my senses Ergimo was kneeling beside me pouring down my -throat the contents of a small phial; and as I lifted my head and -looked around, I saw the enormous carcass from under which I had been -dragged lying dead almost within reach of my hand. One eye was pierced -through the very centre, the other seriously injured. But such is the -creature's tenacity of life, that, though three balls were actually in -its brain, it had driven home its charge, though far too unconscious -to make more than convulsive and feeble use of any of its formidable -weapons. When I fell it stood for perhaps a second, and then dropped -senseless upon my lower limbs, which were not a little bruised by its -weight. That no bone was broken or dislocated by the shock, deadened -though it must have been by the repeated pauses in the kargynda's -charge and by its final exhaustion, was more than I expected or could -understand. Before I rose to my feet, Ergimo had peremptorily insisted -on the abandonment of the further excursion we had intended, declaring -that he could not answer to his Sovereign, after so severe a lesson, -for my exposure to any future peril. The Camptâ had sent him to bring -me into his presence for purposes which would not be fulfilled by -producing a lifeless carcass, or a maimed and helpless invalid; and -the discipline of the Court and central Administration allowed no -excuse for disobedience to orders or failure in duty. My protest was -very quickly silenced. On attempting to stand, I found myself so -shaken, torn, and shattered that I could not again mount a _caldecta_ -or wield a weapon; and was carried back to Askinta on a sort of -inclined litter placed upon the carriage which had conveyed our booty. - -I was mortified, as we approached the place where our vessel lay, to -observe a veiled female figure on the deck. Eveena's quick eye had -noted our return some minutes before, and inferred from the early -abandonment of the chase some serious accident. Happily our party were -so disposed that I had time to assume the usual position before she -caught sight of me. I could not, however, deceive her by a desperate -effort to walk steadily and unaided. She stood by quietly and calmly -while the surgeon of the hunters dressed my hurts, observing exactly -how the bandages and lotions were applied. Only when we were left -alone did she in any degree give way to an agitation by which she -feared to increase my evident pain and feverishness. It was impossible -to satisfy her that black bruises and broad gashes meant no danger, -and would be healed by a few days' rest. But when she saw that I could -talk and smile as usual, she was unsparing in her attempts to coax -from me a pledge that I would never again peril life or limb to -gratify my curiosity regarding the very few pursuits in which, for the -highest remuneration, Martialists can be induced to incur the -probability of injury and the chance of that death they so abjectly -dread. Scarcely less reluctant to repeat the scolding she felt so -acutely than to employ the methods of rebuke she deemed less severe, I -had no little difficulty in evading her entreaties. Only a very -decided request to drop the subject at once and for ever, enforced on -her conscience by reminding her that it would be enforced no -otherwise, at last obtained me peace without the sacrifice of liberty. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - TROUBLED WATERS. - - -We were now in Martial N. latitude 57°, in a comparatively open part -of the narrow sea which encloses the northern land-belt, and to the -south-eastward lay the only channel by which this sea communicates -with the main ocean of the southern hemisphere. Along this we took our -course. Rather against Ergimo's advice, I insisted on remaining on the -surface, as the sea was tolerably calm. Eveena, with her usual -self-suppression, professed to prefer the free air, the light of the -long day, and such amusement as the sight of an occasional sea-monster -or shoal of fishes afforded, to the fainter light and comparative -monotony of submarine travelling. Ergimo, who had in his time -commanded the hunters of the Arctic Sea, was almost as completely -exempt as myself from sea-sickness; but I was surprised to find that -the crew disliked, and, had they ventured, would have grumbled at, the -change, being so little accustomed to any long superficial voyage as -to suffer like landsmen from rough weather. The difference between -sailing on and below the surface is so great, both in comfort and in -the kind of skill and knowledge required, that the seamen of passenger -and of mercantile vessels are classes much more distinct than those of -the mercantile and national marine of England, or any other maritime -Power on Earth. I consented readily that, except on the rare occasions -when the heavens were visible, the short night, from the fall of the -evening to the dissipation of the morning mists, should be passed -under water. I have said that gales are comparatively rare and the -tides insignificant; but the narrow and exceedingly long channels of -the Martial seas, with the influence of a Solar movement from north to -south more extensive though slower than that which takes place between -our Winter and Summer Solstices, produce currents, atmospheric and -oceanic, and sudden squalls that often give rise to that worst of all -disturbances of the surface, known as a "chopping sea." When we -crossed the tropic and came fairly into the channel separating the -western coast of the continent on which the Astronaut had landed from -the eastern seabord of that upon whose southern coast I was presently -to disembark, this disturbance was even worse than, except on -peculiarly disagreeable occasions, in the Straits of Dover. After -enduring this for two or three hours, I observed that Eveena had -stolen from her seat beside me on the deck. Since we left Askinta her -spirits had been unusually variable. She had been sometimes lively and -almost excitable; more generally quiet, depressed, and silent even -beyond her wont. Still, her manner and bearing were always so equable, -gentle, and docile that, accustomed to the caprices of the sex on -Earth, I had hardly noticed the change. I thought, however, that she -was to-day nervous and somewhat pale; and as she did not return, after -permitting the pilot to seek a calmer stratum at some five fathoms -depth, I followed Eveena into our cabin or chamber. Standing with her -back to the entrance and with a goblet to her lips, she did not hear -me till I had approached within arm's length. She then started -violently, so agitated that the colour faded at once from her -countenance, leaving it white as in a swoon, then as suddenly -returning, flushed her neck and face, from the emerald shoulder clasps -to the silver snood, with a pink deeper than that of her robe. - -"I am very sorry I startled you," I said. "You are certainly ill, or -you would not be so easily upset." - -I laid my hand as I spoke on her soft tresses, but she withdrew from -the touch, sinking down among the cushions. Leaving her to recover her -composure, I took up the half-empty cup she had dropped on the central -table. Thirsty myself, I had almost drained without tasting it, when a -little half-stifled cry of dismay checked me. The moment I removed the -cup from my mouth I perceived its flavourâthe unmistakable taste of -the _dravadonĂŠ_ ("courage cup"), so disagreeable to us both, which we -had shared on our bridal evening. Wetting with one drop the test-stone -attached to my watch-chain, it presented the local discoloration -indicating the narcotic poison which is the chief ingredient of this -compound. - -"I don't think this is wise, child," I said, turning once more to -Eveena. To my amazement, far from having recovered the effect of her -surprise, she was yet more overcome than at first; crouching among the -cushions with her head bent down over her knees, and covering her face -with her hands. Reclining in the soft pile, I held her in my arms, -overcoming perforce what seemed hysterical reluctance; but when I -would have withdrawn the little hands, she threw herself on my knee, -burying her face in the cushions. - -"It is very wicked," she sobbed; "I cannot ask you to forgive me." - -"Forgive what, my child? Eveena, you are certainly ill. Calm yourself, -and don't try to talk just now." - -"I am not ill, I assure you," she faltered, resisting the arm that -sought to raise her; "but ..." - -In my hands, however, she was powerless as an infant; and I would hear -nothing till I held her gathered within my arm and her two hands fast -in my right. Now that I could look into the face she strove to avert, -it was clear that she was neither hysterical nor simply ill; her -agitation, however unreasonable and extravagant, was real. - -"What troubles you, my own? I promise you not to say one word of -reproach; I only want to understand with what you so bitterly reproach -yourself." - -"But you cannot help being angry," she urged, "if you understand what -I have done. It is the _charny_, which I never tasted till that night, -and never ought to have tasted again. I know you cannot forgive me; -only take my fault for granted, and don't question me." - -These incoherent words threw the first glimpse of light on the meaning -of her distress and penitence. I doubt if the best woman in -Christendom would so reproach and abase herself, if convicted of even -a worse sin than the secret use of those stimulants for which the -_charny_ is a Martial equivalent. No Martialist would dream of -poisoning his blood and besotting his brain with alcohol in any form. -But their opiates affect a race addicted to physical repose, to -sensuous enjoyment rather than to sensual excitement, and to lucid -intellectual contemplation, with a sense of serene delight as -supremely delicious to their temperament as the dreamy illusions of -haschisch to the Turk, the fierce frenzy of bhang to the Malay, or the -wild excitement of brandy or Geneva to the races of Northern Europe. -But as with the luxury of intoxication in Europe, so in Mars -indulgence in these drugs, freely permitted to the one sex, is -strictly forbidden by opinion and domestic rule to the other. A lady -discovered in the use of _charny_ is as deeply disgraced as an -European matron detected in the secret enjoyment of spirits and -cigars; and her lord and master takes care to render her sufficiently -conscious of her fault. - -And there was something stranger here than a violation of the -artificial restraint of sex. Slightly and seldom as the Golden Circle -touches the lines defining personal or social moralityâcarefully as -the Founder has abstained from imposing an ethical code of his own, or -attaching to his precepts any rule not directly derived from the -fundamental tenets or necessary to the cohesion of the Orderâhe had -expressed in strong terms his dread and horror of narcotism; the use -for pleasure's sake, not to relieve pain or nervous excitement, of -drugs which act, as he said, through the brain upon the soul. His -judgment, expressed with unusual directness and severity and enforced -by experience, has become with his followers a tradition not less -imperative than the most binding of their laws. It was so held, above -all, in that household in which Eveena and I had first learnt the -"lore of the Starlight." Esmo, indeed, regarded not merely as an -unscientific superstition, but as blasphemous folly, the rejection of -any means of restoring health or relieving pain which Providence has -placed within human reach. But he abhorred the use for pleasure's sake -of poisons affirmed to reduce the activity and in the long-run to -impair the energies of the mind, and weaken the moral sense and the -will, more intensely than the strictest follower of the Arabian -Prophet abhors the draughts which deprive man of the full use of the -senses, intelligence, and conscience which Allah has bestowed, and -degrade him below the brute. Esmo's children, moreover, were not more -strictly compelled to respect the letter than carefully instructed in -the principle of every command for which he claimed their obedience. - -But in such measure as Eveena's distress became intelligible, the -fault of which she accused herself became incredible. I could not -believe that she could be wilfully disloyal to meâstill less that she -could have suddenly broken through the fixed ideas of her whole life, -the principles engraved on her mind by education more stringently than -the maxims of the Koran or the Levitical Law on the children of -Ishmael or of Israel; and this while the impressive rites of -Initiation, the imprecation at which I myself had shuddered, were -fresh in her memoryâtheir impression infinitely deepened, moreover, -by the awful mystery of that Vision of which even yet we were half -afraid to speak to one another. While I hesitated to reply, gathering -up as well as I could the thread of these thoughts as they passed in a -few seconds through my mind, my left hand touched an object hidden in -my bride's zone. I drew out a tiny crystal phial three parts full, -taken, as I saw, from the medicine-chest Esmo had carefully stocked -and as carefully fastened. As, holding this, I turned again to her, -Eveena repeated: "Punish, but don't question me!" - -"My own," I said, "you are far more punished already than you deserve -or I can bear to see. How did you get this?" - -Releasing her hands, she drew from the folds of her robe the electric -keys, which, by a separate combination, would unlock each of my -cases;âwithout which it was impossible to open or force them. - -"Yes, I remember; and you were surprised that I trusted them to you. -And now you expect me to believe that you have abused that trust, -deceived me, broken a rule which in your father's house and by all our -Order is held sacred as the rings of the Signet, for a drug which -twelve days ago you disliked as much as I?" - -"It is true." - -The words were spoken with downcast eyes, in the low faltering tone -natural to a confession of disgrace. - -"It is not true, Eveena; or if true in form, false in matter. If it -were possible that you could wish to deceive me, you knew it could not -be for long." - -"I meant to be found out," she interrupted, "only not yet." - -She had betrayed herself, stung by words that seemed to express the -one doubt she could not nerve herself to endureâdoubt of her loyalty -to me. Before I could speak, she looked up hastily, and began to -retract. I stopped her. - -"I seeâwhen you had done with it. But, Eveena, why conceal it? Do you -think I would not have given this or all the contents of the chest -into your hands, and asked no question?" - -"Do you mean it? Could you have so trusted me?" - -"My child! is it difficult to trust where I know there is no -temptation to wrong? Do you think that to-day I have doubted or -suspected you, even while you have accused yourself? I cannot guess at -your motive, but I am as sure as ever of your loyalty. Take these -things,"âforcing back upon her the phial and the magnets,â"yes, and -the test-stone." ... She burst into passionate tears. - -"I cannot endure this. If I had dreamed your patience would have borne -with me half so far, I would never have tried it so, even for your own -sake. I meant to be found out and accept the consequences in silence. -But you trust me so, that I must tell you what I wanted to conceal. -When you kept on the surface it made me so ill"â - -"But, Eveena, if the remedy be not worse than the sickness, why not -ask for it openly?" - -"It was not that. Don't you understand? Of course, I would bear any -suffering rather than have done this; but then you would have found me -out at once. I wanted to conceal my suffering, not to escape it." - -"My child! my child! how could you put us both to all this pain?" - -"You know you would not have given me the draught; you would have left -the surface at once; and I cannot bear to be always in the way, always -hindering your pleasures, and even your discoveries. You came across a -distance that makes a bigger world than this look less than that -light, through solitude and dangers and horrors I cannot bear to think -of, to see and examine this world of ours. And then you leave things -unseen or half-seen, you spoil your work, because a girl is seasick! -You ran great risk of death and got badly hurt to see what our hunting -was like, and you will not let my head ache that you may find out what -our sea-storms and currents are! How can I bear to be such a burden -upon you? You trust me, and, I believe," (she added, colouring), "you -love me, twelvefold more than I deserve; yet you think me unwilling or -unworthy to take ever so small an interest in your work, to bear a few -hours' discomfort for it and for you. And yet," she went on -passionately, "I may sit trembling and heart-sick for a whole day -alone that you may carry out your purpose. I may receive the only real -sting your lips have given, because I could not bear that pain without -crying. And so with everything. It is not that I must not suffer pain, -but that the pain must not come from without. Your lips would punish a -fault with words that shame and sting for a day, a summer, a year; -your hand must never inflict a sting that may smart for ten minutes. -And it is not only that you do this, but you pride yourself on it. -Why? It is not that you think the pain of the body so much worse than -that of the spirit:âyou that smiled at me when you were too badly -bruised and torn to stand, yet could scarcely keep back your tears -just now, when you thought that I had suffered half an hour of sorrow -I did not quite deserve. Why then? Do you think that women feel so -differently? Have the women of your Earth hearts so much harder and -skins so much softer than ours?" - -She spoke with most unusual impetuosity, and with that absolute -simplicity and sincerity which marked her every look and word, which -gave them, for me at least, an unspeakable charm, and for all who -heard her a characteristic individuality unlike the speech or manner -of any other woman. As soon suspect an infant of elaborate sarcasm as -Eveena of affectation, irony, or conscious paradox. Nay, while her -voice was in my ears, I never could feel that her views _were_ -paradoxical. The direct straightforwardness and simple structure of -the Martial language enhanced this peculiar effect of her speech; and -much that seems infantine in translation was all but eloquent as she -spoke it. Often, as on this occasion, I felt guilty of insincerity, of -a verbal fencing unworthy of her unalloyed good faith and earnestness, -as I endeavoured to parry thrusts that went to the very heart of all -those instinctive doctrines which I could the less defend on the -moment, because I had never before dreamed that they could be doubted. - -"At any rate," I said at last, "your sex gain by my heresy, since they -are as richly gifted in stinging words as we in physical force." - -"So much the worse for them, surely," she answered simply, "if it be -right that men should rule and women obey?" - -"That is the received doctrine on Earth," I answered. "In practice, -men command and women disobey them; men bully and women lie. But in -truth, Eveena, having a wife only too loyal and too loving, I don't -care to canvass the deserts of ordinary women or the discipline of -other households. I own that it was wrong to scold you. Do not insist -on making me say that it would have been a little less wrong to beat -you!" - -She laughedâher low, sweet, silvery laugh, the like of which I have -hardly heard among Earthly women, even of the simpler, more child-like -races of the East and South; a laugh still stranger in a world where -childhood is seldom bright and womanhood mostly sad and fretful. Of -the very few satisfactory memories I bore away from that world, the -sweetest is the recollection of that laugh, which I heard for the -first time on the morrow of our bridals, and for the last time on the -day before we parted. I cherish it as evidence that, despite many and -bitter troubles, my bride's short married life was not wholly unhappy. -By this time she had found out that we had left the surface, and began -to remonstrate. - -"Nay, I have seen all I care to see, my own. I confess the justice of -your claim, as the partner of my life, to be the partner of its -paramount purpose. You are more precious to me than all the -discoveries of which I ever dreamed, and I will not for any purpose -whatsoever expose you to real peril or serious pain. But henceforth I -will ask you to bear discomfort and inconvenience when the object is -worth it, and to help me wherever your help can avail." - -"I can help you?" - -"Much, and in many ways, my Eveena. You will soon learn to understand -what I wish to examine and the use of the instruments I employ; and -then you will be the most useful of assistants, as you are the best -and most welcome of companions." - -As I spoke a soft colour suffused her face, and her eyes brightened -with a joy and contentment such as no promise of pleasure or -indulgence could have inspired. To be the partner of adventure and -hardship, the drudge in toil and sentinel in peril, was the boon she -claimed, the best guerdon I could promise. If but the promise might -have been better fulfilled! - -It was not till in latitude 9° S. we emerged into the open ocean, and -presently found ourselves free from the currents of the narrow waters, -that, in order to see the remarkable island of which I had caught -sight in my descent, I requested Ergimo to remain for some hours above -the surface. The island rises directly out of the sea, and is -absolutely unascendible. Balloons, however, render access possible, -both to its summit and to its cave-pierced sides. It is the home of -enormous flocks of white birds, which resemble in form the heron -rather than the eider duck, but which, like the latter, line with down -drawn from their own breasts the nests which, counted by millions, -occupy every nook and cranny of the crystalline walls, about ten miles -in circumference. Each of the nests is nearly as large as that of the -stork. They are made of a jelly digested from the bones of the fish -upon which the birds prey, and are almost as white in colour as the -birds themselves. Freshly formed nest dissolved in hot water makes -dishes as much to the taste of Martialists as the famous bird-nest -soup to that of the Chinese. Both down and nests, therefore, are -largely plundered; but the birds are never injured, and care is taken -in robbing them to leave enough of the outer portion of the nest to -constitute a bed for the eggs, and encourage the creatures to rebuild -and reline it. - -One harvest only is permitted, the second stripping of feathers and -the rebuilt nest being left undisturbed. The caverns are lined with a -white guano, now some feet thick, since it has ceased to be sought for -manure; the Martialists having discovered means of saturating the soil -with ammonia procured from the nitrogen of the atmosphere, which with -the sewage and other similar materials enables them to dispense with -this valuable bird manure. Whether the white colour of the island, -perceptible even in a large Terrestrial telescope, is in any degree -due to the whiteness of the birds, their nests, and leavings, or -wholly to reflection from the bright spar-like surface of the rock -itself, and especially of the flat table-like summit, I will not -pretend to say. - -From this point we held our course south-westward, and entered the -northernmost of two extraordinary gulfs of exactly similar shape, -separated by an isthmus and peninsula which assume on a map the form -of a gigantic hammer. The strait by which each gulf is entered is -about a hundred miles in length and ten in breadth. The gulf itself, -if it should not rather be called an inland sea, occupies a total area -of about 100,000 square miles. The isthmus, 500 miles in length by 50 -in breadth, ends in a roughly square peninsula of about 10,000 square -miles in extent, nearly the whole of which is a plateau 2000 feet -above the sea-level. On the narrowest point of the isthmus, just where -it joins the mainland, and where a sheltered bay runs up from either -sea, is situated the great city of Amâkasfe, the natural centre of -Martial life and commerce. At this point we found awaiting us the -balloon which was to convey us to the Court of the Suzerain. A very -light but strong metallic framework maintained the form of the -"fish-shaped" or spindle-shaped balloon itself, which closely -resembled that of our vessel, its dimensions being of necessity -greater. Attached to this framework was the car of similar form, about -twelve feet in length and six in depth, the upper third of the sides, -however, being of open-work, so as not to interfere with the survey of -the traveller. Eveena could not help shivering at the sight of the -slight vehicle and the enormous machine of thin, bladder-like material -by which it was to be upheld. She embarked, indeed, without a word, -her alarm betraying itself by no voluntary sign, unless it were the -tight clasp of my hand, resembling that of a child frightened, but -ashamed to confess its fear. I noticed, however, that she so arranged -her veil as to cover her eyes when the signal for the start was given. -She was, therefore, wholly unconscious of the sudden spring, -unattended by the slightest jolt or shake, which raised us at once 500 -feet above the coast, and under whose influence, to my eyes, the -ground appeared suddenly to fall from us. When I drew out the folds of -her veil, it was with no little amazement that she saw the sky around -her, the sea and the city far below. An aerial current to the -north-westward at our present level, which had been selected on that -account, carried us at a rate of some twelve miles an hour; a rate -much increased, however, by the sails at the stern of the car, sails -of thin metal fixed on strong frames, and striking with a screw-like -motion. Their lack of expanse was compensated by a rapidity of motion -such that they seemed to the eye not to move at all, presenting the -appearance of an uniform disc reflecting the rays of the Sun, which -was now almost immediately above us. Towards evening the Residence of -the Camptâ became visible on the north-western horizon. It was built -on a plateau about 400 feet above the sea-level, towards which the -ground from all sides sloped up almost imperceptibly. Around it was a -garden of great extent with a number of trees of every sort, some of -them masses of the darkest green, others of bright yellow, contrasting -similarly shaped masses of almost equal size clothed from base to top -in a continuous sheet of pink, emerald, white or crimson flowers. The -turf presented almost as great a variety of colours, arranged in -every conceivable pattern, above which rose innumerable flower-beds, -uniform or varied, the smallest perhaps two, the largest more than 200 -feet in diameter; each circle of bloom higher than that outside it, -till in some cases the centre rose even ten feet above the general -level. The building itself was low, having nowhere more than two -stories. One wing, pointed out to me by Ergimo, was appropriated to -the household of the Prince; the centre standing out in front and -rear, divided by a court almost as wide as the wings; the further wing -accommodating the attendants and officials of the Court. We landed, -just before the evening mist began to gather, at the foot of an -inclined way of a concrete resembling jasper, leading up to the main -entrance of the Palace. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - PRESENTED AT COURT. - - -Leading Eveena by the handâfor to hold my arm after the European -fashion was always an inconvenience and fatigue to herâand preceded -by Ergimo, I walked unnoticed to the closed gate of pink crystal, -contrasting the emerald green of the outer walls. Along the front of -this central portion of the residence was a species of verandah, -supported by pillars overlaid with a bright red metal, and wrought in -the form of smooth tree trunks closely clasped by creepers, the silver -flowers of the latter contrasting the dense golden foliage and -ruby-like stems. Under this, and in front of the gate itself, were two -sentries armed with a spear, the shaft of which was about six feet in -length, hollow, and almost as light as the cane or reed handle of an -African assegai. The blade more resembled the triangular bayonet. -Beside each, however, was the terrible asphyxiator, fixed on its -stand, with a bore about as great as that of a nine-pounder, but -incomparably lighter. These two weapons might at one discharge have -annihilated a huge mob of insurgents threatening to storm the palace, -were insurrections known in Mars. These men saluted us by dropping the -points of their weapons and inclining the handle towards us; gazing -upon me with surprise, and with something of soldierly admiration for -physical superiority. The doors, wide enough to admit a dozen -Martialists abreast, parted, and we entered a vaulted hall whose -arched roof was supported not by pillars but by gigantic statues, each -presenting the lustre of a different jewel, and all wrought with -singular perfection of proportion and of beauty. Here we were met by -two officers wearing the same dress as the sentries outsideâa diaper -of crimson and silver. The rank of those who now received us, however, -was indicated by a silver ribbon passing over the left shoulder, and -supporting what I should have called a staff, save that it was of -metal and had a sharp point, rendering it almost as formidable a -weapon as the rapier. Exchanging a word or two with Ergimo, these -gentlemen ushered us into a small room on the right, where -refreshments were placed before us. Eveena whispered me that she must -not share our meal in presence of these strangers; an intimation which -somewhat blunted the keen appetite I always derived from a journey -through the Martial atmosphere. Checked as it was, however, that -appetite seemed a new astonishment to our attendants; the need of food -among their race being proportionate to their inferior size and -strength. When we rose, I asked Ergimo what was to become of Eveena, -as the officers were evidently waiting to conduct me into the presence -of their Sovereign, where it would not be appropriate for her to -appear. He repeated my question to the principal official, and the -latter, walking to a door in the farther corner of the room, sounded -an electric signal; a few seconds after which the door opened, showing -two veiled figures, the pink ground of whose robes indicated their -matronhood, if I may apply such a term to the relation of his hundred -temporary wives to the Camptâ. But this ground colour was almost -hidden in the embroidery of crimson, gold, and white, which, as I soon -found, were the favourite colours of the reigning Prince. To these -ladies I resigned Eveena, the officer saying, as I somewhat -reluctantly parted from her, "What you entrust to the Camptâ's -household you will find again in your own when your audience is over." -Whether this avoidance of all direct mention of women were matter of -delicacy or contempt I hardly knew, though I had observed it on former -occasions. - -When the door closed, I noticed that Ergimo had left us, and the -officers indicated by gesture rather than by words that they were to -lead me immediately into the presence. I had considered with some care -how I was, on so critical an occasion, to conduct myself, and had -resolved that the most politic course would probably be an assumption -of courteous but absolute independence; to treat the Autocrat of this -planet much as an English envoy would treat an Indian Prince. It was -in accordance with this intention that I had assumed a dress somewhat -more elaborate than is usually worn here, a white suit of a substance -resembling velvet in texture, and moire in lustre, with collar and -belt of silver. On my breast I wore my order of [illegible], and in my -belt my one cherished Terrestrial possessionâthe sword, reputed the -best in Asia, that had twice driven its point home within a finger's -breadth of my life; and that clove the turban on my brow but a minute -before it was surrenderedâjust in time to save its gallant owner and -his score of surviving comrades. In its hilt I had set the emerald -with which alone the Commander of the Faithful rewarded my services. -The turban is not so unlike the masculine head-dress of Mars as to -attract any special attention. Re-entering the hall, I was conducted -along a gallery and through another crystal door into the immediate -presence of the Autocrat. The audience chamber was of no extraordinary -size, perhaps one-quarter as large as the peristyle of Esmo's -dwelling. Along the emerald walls ran a series of friezes wrought in -gold, representing various scenes of peace and war, agricultural, -judicial, and political; as well as incidents which, I afterwards -learnt, preserved the memory of the long struggles wherein the -Communists were finally overthrown. The lower half of the room was -empty, the upper was occupied by a semicircle of seats forming part of -the building itself and directly facing the entrance. These took up -about one-third of the space, the central floor being divided from the -upper portion of the room by a low wall of metal surmounted by arches -supporting the roof and hung with drapery, which might be so lowered -as to conceal the whole occupied part of the chamber. The seats rose -in five tiers, one above the other. The semicircle, however, was -broken exactly in the middle, that is, at the point farthest from the -entrance, by a broad flight of steps, at the summit of which, and -raised a very little above the seats of the highest tier, was the -throne, supported by two of the royal brutes whose attack had been so -nearly fatal to myself, wrought in silver, their erect heads forming -the arms and front. About fifty persons were present, occupying only -the seats nearest to the throne. On the upper tier were nine or ten -who wore a scarlet sash, among whom I recognised a face I had not seen -since the day of my memorable visit to the Astronaut; not precisely -the face of a friendâEndo Zamptâ. Behind the throne were ranged a -dozen guards, armed with the spear and with the lightning gun used in -hunting. That a single Martial battalion with its appropriate -artillery could annihilate the best army of the Earth I could not but -be aware; yet the first thought that occurred to me, as I looked on -these formidably armed but diminutive soldiers, was that a score of my -Arab horsemen would have cut a regiment of them to pieces. But by the -time I had reached the foot of the steps my attention was concentrated -on a single figure and faceâthe form and countenance of the Prince, -who rose from his throne as I approached. Those who remember that -Louis XIV., a prince reputed to have possessed the most majestic and -awe-inspiring presence of his age, was actually beneath the ordinary -height of Frenchmen, may be able to believe me when I say that the -Autocrat of Mars, though scarcely five feet tall, was in outward -appearance and bearing the most truly royal and imposing prince I have -ever seen. His stature, rising nearly two inches over the tallest of -those around him, perhaps added to the effect of a mien remarkable for -dignity, composure, and self-confidence. The predominant and most -immediately observable expression of his face was one of serene calm -and command. A closer inspection and a longer experience explained -why, notwithstanding, my first conception of his character (and it was -a true one) ascribed to him quite as much of fire and spirit as of -impassive grandeur. His voice, though its tone was gentle and almost -strikingly quiet, had in it something of the ring peculiar to those -which have sent the word of command along a line of battle. I felt as -I heard it more impressed with the personal greatness, and even with -the rank and power, of the Prince before me, than when I knelt to kiss -the hand of the Most Christian King, or stood barefooted before the -greatest modern successor of the conqueror of Stamboul. - -"I am glad to receive you," he said. "It will be among the most -memorable incidents of my reign that I welcome to my Court the first -visitor from another world, or," he added, after a sudden pause, and -with an inflection of unmistakable irony in his tone, "the first who -has descended to our world from a height to which no balloon could -reach and at which no balloonist could live." - -"I am honoured, Prince," I replied, "in the notice of a greater -potentate than the greatest of my own world." - -These compliments exchanged, the Prince at once proceeded to more -practical matters, aptly, however, connecting his next sentence with -the formal phrases preceding it. - -"Nevertheless, you have not shown excessive respect for my power in -the person of one of my greatest officers. If you treated the princes -of Earth as unceremoniously as the Regent of Elcavoo, I can understand -that you found it convenient to place yourself beyond their reach." - -I thought that this speech afforded me an opportunity of repairing my -offence with the least possible loss of dignity. - -"The proudest of Earthly princes," I replied, "would, I think, have -pardoned the roughness which forgot the duty of a subject in the first -obligations of humanity. No Sovereign whom I have served, but would -have forgiven me more readily for rough words spoken at such a moment, -than for any delay or slackness in saving the life of a woman in -danger under his own eyes. Permit me to take this opportunity of -apologizing to the Regent in your presence, and assuring him that I -was influenced by no disrespect to him, but only by overpowering -terror for another." - -"The lives of a dozen women," said the Camptâ, still with that covert -irony or sarcasm in his tone, "would seem of less moment than threats -and actual violence offered to the ruler of our largest and wealthiest -dominion. The excuse which Endo Zamptâ must accept" (with a slight but -perceptible emphasis on the imperative) "is the utter difference -between our laws and ideas and your own." - -The Regent, at this speech from his Sovereign, rose and made the usual -gesture of assent, inclining his head and lifting his left hand to his -mouth. But the look on his face as he turned it on me, thus partly -concealing it from the camptâ, boded no good should I ever fall into -his power. The Prince then desired me to give an account of the -motives which had induced my voyage and the adventures I had -encountered. In reply, I gave him, as briefly and clearly as I could, -a summary of all that is recorded in the earlier part of this -narrative, carefully forbearing to afford any explanation of the -manner in which the apergic force was generated. This omission the -Prince noticed at once with remarkable quickness. - -"You do not choose," he said, "to tell us your secret, and of course -it is your property. Hereafter, however, I shall hope to purchase it -from you." - -"Prince," I answered, "if one of your subjects-found himself in the -power of a race capable of conquering this world and destroying its -inhabitants, would you forgive him if he furnished them with the means -of reaching you?" - -"I think," he replied, "my forgiveness would be of little consequence -in that case. But go on with your story." - -I finished my narration among looks of surprise and incredulity from -no inconsiderable part of the audience, which, however, I noticed the -less because the Prince himself listened with profound interest; -putting in now and then a question which indicated his perfect -comprehension of my account, of the conditions of such a journey and -of the means I had employed to meet them. - -"Before you were admitted," he said, "Endo Zamptâ had read to us his -report upon your vessel and her machinery, an account which in every -respect consists with and supports the truth of your relation. Indeed, -were your story untrue, you have run a greater risk in telling it here -than in the most daring adventure I have ever known or imagined. The -Court is dismissed. Reclamomortâ will please me by remaining with me -for the present." - -When the assembly dispersed, I followed their Autocrat at his desire -into his private apartments, where, resting among a pile of cushions -and motioning me to take a place in immediate proximity to himself, he -continued the conversation in a tone and manner so exactly the same as -that he had employed in public as to show that the latter was not -assumed for purposes of monarchical stage-play, but was the natural -expression of his own character as developed under the influence of -unlimited and uncontradicted power. He only exchanged, for unaffected -interest and implied confidence, the tone of ironical doubt by which -he had rendered it out of the question for his courtiers to charge him -with a belief in that which public opinion might pronounce impossible, -while making it apparent to me that he regarded the bigotry of -scepticism with scarcely veiled contempt. - -"I wish," he said, "I had half-a-dozen subjects capable of imagining -such an enterprise and hardy enough to undertake it. But though we all -profess to consider knowledge, and especially scientific knowledge, -the one object for which it is worth while to live, none of us would -risk his life in such an adventure for all the rewards that science -and fame could give." - -"I think, Prince," I replied, "that I am in presence of one inhabitant -of this planet who would have dared at least as much as I have done." - -"Possibly," he said. "Because, weary as most of us profess to be of -existence, the weariest life in this world is that of him who rules -it; living for ever under the silent criticism which he cannot answer, -and bound to devote his time and thoughts to the welfare of a race -whose utter extermination would be, on their own showing, the greatest -boon he could confer upon them. Certainly I would rather be the -discoverer of a world than its Sovereign." - -He asked me numerous questions about the Earth, the races that inhabit -it, their several systems of government, and their relations to one -another; manifesting a keener interest, I thought, in the great wars -which ended while I was yet a youth, than in any other subject. At -last he permitted me to take leave. "You are," he said, "the most -welcome guest I ever have or could have received; a guest -distinguished above all others by a power independent of my own. But -what honour I can pay to courage and enterprise, what welcome I can -give such a guest, shall not be unworthy of him or of myself. Retire -now to the home you will find prepared for you. I will only ask you to -remember that I have chosen one near my own in order that I may see -you often, and learn in private all that you can tell me." - -At the entrance of the apartment I was met by the officer who had -introduced me into the presence, and conducted at once to a door -opening on the interior court or peristyle of the central portion of -the Palace. This was itself a garden, but, unlike those of private -houses, a garden open to the sky and traversed by roads in lieu of -mere paths; not serving, as in private dwellings, the purposes of a -common living room. Here a carriage awaited us, and my escort -requested me to mount. I had some misgivings on Eveena's account, but -felt it necessary to imitate the reserve and affected indifference on -such subjects of those among whom I had been thrown, at least until I -somewhat better understood their ways, and had established my own -position. Traversing a vaulted passage underneath the rearward portion -of the Palace, we emerged into the outer garden, and through this into -a road lighted with a brilliancy almost equal to that of day. Our -journey occupied nearly half an hour, when we entered an enclosure -apparently of great size, the avenue of which was so wide that, -without dismounting, our carriage passed directly up to the door of a -larger house than I had yet seen. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - A PRINCE'S PRESENT. - - -"This," said my escort, as we dismounted, "is the residence assigned -to you by the Camptâ. Besides the grounds here enclosed, he has -awarded you, by a deed which will presently be placed in your hands, -an estate of some ten _stoltau_, which you can inspect at your -leisure, and which will afford you a revenue as large as is enjoyed by -any save by the twelve Regents. He has endeavoured to add to this -testimony of his regard by rendering your household as complete as -wealth and forethought could make it. What may be wanting to your own -tastes and habits you will find no difficulty in adding." - -We now entered that first and principal chamber of the mansion wherein -it is customary to receive all visitors and transact all business. The -hall was one of unusual size and magnificence. Here, at a table not -far from the entrance, stood another official, not wearing the uniform -of the Court, with several documents in his hand. As he turned to -salute me, his face wore an expression of annoyance and discomfiture -which not a little surprised me, till, by following his sidelong, -uncomfortable glances, I perceived a veiled feminine figure, which -could be no other than Eveena's. Misreading my surprise, the official -saidâ - -"It is no fault of mine, and I have not spoken except to remonstrate, -as far as might be allowed, against so unusual a proceeding." - -He must have been astonished and annoyed indeed to take such notice of -a stranger's wife; and, above all, to take upon himself to comment on -her conduct for good or ill. I thought it best to make no reply, and -simply saluted him in form as I received the first paper handed to me, -to which, by the absence of any blank space, I perceived that my -signature was not required. This was indeed the document which -bestowed on me the house and estate presented by the Sovereign. The -next paper handed to me appeared to resemble the marriage-contract I -had already signed, save that but one blank was left therein. Unable -to decipher it, I was about to ask the official to read it aloud, when -Eveena, who had stolen up to me unperceived, caught my arm and drew me -a little way aside, indifferent to the wondering glances of the -officials; who had probably never seen a woman venture uncalled into -the public apartments of her husband's house, still less interpose in -any matter of business, and no doubt thought that she was taking -outrageous advantage of my ignorance and inexperience. - -"I will scold you presently, child," I said quickly and low. "What is -it?" - -"Sign at once," she whispered, "and ask no questions. Deal with me as -you will afterwards. You must take what is given you now, without -comment or objection, simply expressing your thanks." - -"_Must_! Eveena?" - -"It is not safe to refuse or slight gifts from such a quarter," she -answered, in the same low tone. "Trust me so far; please do what I -entreat of you now. I must bear your displeasure if I fail to satisfy -you when we are alone." - -Her manner was so agitated and so anxious that it recalled to me at -once the advice of Esmo upon the same point, though the fears which -had prompted so strange an intervention were wholly incomprehensible -to me. I knew her, however, by this time too well to refuse the trust -she now for the first time claimed, and taking the documents one by -one as if I had perfectly understood them, I wrote my name in the -space left blank for it, and allowed the official to stamp the slips -without a word. I then expressed briefly but earnestly my thanks both -to the Autocrat and to the officials who had been the agents of his -kindness. They retired, and I looked round for Eveena; but as soon as -she saw that I was about to comply with her request, she had quitted -the room. Alone in my own house, knowing nothing of its geography, -having no notion how to summon the brute domesticsâif, indeed, the -dwelling were furnished with those useful creatures, without whom a -Martial household would be signally incompleteâI could only look for -the spring that opened the principal door. This should lead into the -gallery which, as I judged, must divide the hall and the front -apartments from those looking into the peristyle. Having found and -pressed this spring, the door opened on a gallery longer, wider, and -more elaborately ornamented than that of the only Martial mansions -into which I had been hitherto admitted. Looking round in no little -perplexity, I observed a niche in which stood a statue of white -relieved by a scarlet background; and beside this statue, crouching -and half hidden, a slight pink object, looking at first like a bundle -of drapery, but which in a moment sprang up, and, catching my hand, -made me aware that Eveena had been waiting for me. - -"I beg you," she said with an earnestness I could not understand, "I -beg you to come _this_ way," leading me to the right, for I had turned -instinctively to the left in entering the gallery, perhaps because my -room in Esmo's house had lain in that direction. Reaching the end of -the gallery, she turned into one of the inner apartments; and as the -door closed behind us, I felt that she was sinking to the ground, as -if the agitation she had manifested in the hall, controlled till her -object was accomplished, had now overpowered her. I caught and carried -her to the usual pile of cushions in the corner. The room, according -to universal custom in Martial houses after sunset, was brilliantly -lighted by the electric lamp in the peristyle, and throwing back her -veil, I saw that she was pale to ghastliness and almost fainting. In -my ignorance of my own house, I could call for no help, and employ no -other restoratives than fond words and caresses. Under this treatment, -nevertheless, she recovered perhaps as quickly as under any which the -faculty might have prescribed. She was, still, however, much more -distressed than mere consciousness of the grave solecism she had -committed could explain. But I had no other clue to her trouble, and -could only hope that in repudiating this she would explain its real -cause. - -"Come, bambina!" I expostulated, "we understand one another too well -by this time for you to wrong me by all this alarm. I know that you -would not have broken through the customs of your people without good -reason; and you know that, even if your reason were not sufficient, I -should not be hard upon the error." - -"I am sure you would not," she said. "But this time you have to -consider others, and you cannot let it be supposed that you do not -know a wife's duty, or will allow your authority to be set at naught -in your own household." - -"What matter? Do you suppose I listen in the roads?" [care for -gossip], I rejoined. "Household rule is a matter of the veil, and no -oneânot even your autocratic Princeâwill venture to lift it." - -"You have not lifted it yourself yet," she answered. "You will -understand me, when you have looked at the slips you were about to -make them read aloud, had I not interrupted you." - -"Read them yourself," I said, handing to her the papers I still held, -and which, after her interposition, I had not attempted to decipher. -She took them, but with a visible shudder of reluctanceânot stronger -than came over me before she had read three lines aloud. Had I known -their purport, I doubt whether even Eveena's persuasion and the -Autocrat's power together could have induced me to sign them. They -were in very truth contracts of marriageâif marriage it can be -called. The Sovereign had done me the unusual, but not wholly -unprecedented, favour of selecting half a dozen of the fairest maidens -of those waiting their fate in the Nurseries of his empire; had -proffered on my behoof terms which satisfied their ambition, gratified -their vanity, and would have induced them to accept any suitor so -recommended, without the insignificant formality of a personal -courtship. It had seemed to him only a gracious attention to complete -my household; and he had furnished me with a bevy of wives, as I -presently found he had selected a complete set of the most intelligent -_amlau, carvee,_ and _tyree_ which he could procure. Without either -the one or the other, the dwelling he had given me would have seemed -equally empty or incomplete. - -This mark of royal favour astounded and dismayed me more than Eveena -herself. If she had entertained the wish, she would hardly have -acknowledged to herself the hope, that she might remain permanently -the sole partner of my home. But so sudden, speedy, and wholesale an -intrusion thereon she certainly had not expected. Even in Mars, a -first bride generally enjoys for some time a monopoly of her husband's -society, if she cannot be said to enchain his affection. It was hard, -indeed, before the thirtieth day after her marriage, to find herself -but one in a numerous familyâthe harder that our union had from the -first been close, intimate, unrestrainedly confidential, as it can -hardly be where neither expects that the tie can remain exclusive; and -because she had learned to realise and rest upon such love as belongs -to a life in which woman, never affecting the independence of coequal -partnership, has never yet sunk by reaction into a mere slave and toy. -It was hard, cruelly hard, on one who had given in the first hour of -marriage, and never failed to give, a love whose devotion had no -limit, no reserve or qualification; a submission that was less -self-sacrifice or self-suppression than the absolute surrender of -selfâof will, feeling, and self-interestâto the judgment and -pleasure of him she loved: hard on her who had neither thought nor -care for herself as apart from me. - -When I understood to what I had actually committed myself, I snatched -the papers from her, and might have torn them to pieces but for the -gentle restraining hand she laid upon mine. - -"You cannot help it," she said, the tears falling from her eyes, but -with a self-command of which I could not have supposed her capable. -"It seems hard on me; but it is better so. It is not that you are not -content with me, not that you love me less. I can bear it better when -it comes from a stranger, and is forced upon you without, and even, I -think, against your will." - -The pressure of the arm that clasped her waist, and the hand that held -her own, was a sufficient answer to any doubt that might be implied in -her last words; and, lifting her eyes to mine, she saidâ - -"I shall always remember this. I shall always think that you were -sorry not to have at least a little while longer alone with me. It is -selfish to feel glad that you are pained; but your sympathy, your -sharing my own feeling, comforts me as I never could have been -comforted when, as must have happened sooner or later, you had found -for yourself another companion." - -"Child, do you mean to say there is 'no portal to this passage;' and -that, however much against my will, I am bound to women I have never -seen, and never wish to see?" - -"You have signed," replied Eveena gently. "The contracts are stamped, -and are in the official's hands; and you could not attempt to break -them without giving mortal offence to the Prince, who has intended you -a signal favour. Besides, these girls themselves have done no wrong, -and deserve no affront or unkindness from you." - -I was silent for some minutes; at first simply astounded at the calm -magnanimity which was mingled with her perfect simplicity, then, -pondering the possibilities of the situationâ - -"Can we not escape?" I said at last, rather to myself than to her. - -"Escape!" she repeated with surprise. "And from what? The favour shown -you by our Sovereign, the wealth he has bestowed, the personal -interest he has taken in perfecting every detail of one of the most -splendid homes ever given save to a princeâevery incident of your -positionâmake you the most envied man in this world; and you would -escape from them?" - -Gazing for a few moments in my face, she addedâ - -"These maidens were chosen as the loveliest in all the Nurseries of -two continents; every one of them far more beautiful than I can be, -even in your eyes. Pray do not, for my sake, be unkind to them or try -to dislike them. What is it you would escape?" - -"Being false to you," I answered, "if nothing else." - -"False!" she echoed, in unaffected wonder. "What did you promise me?" - -Again I was silenced by the loyal simplicity with which she followed -out ideas so strange to me that their consequences, however logical, I -could never anticipate; and could hardly admit to be sound, even when -so directly and distinctly deduced as now from the intolerable -consistency of the premises. - -"But," I answered at last, "how much did _you_ promise, Eveena? and -how much more have you given?" - -"Nothing," she replied, "that I did not owe. You won your right to all -the love I could give before you asked for it, and since." - -"We 'drive along opposite lines,' Madonna; but we would both give and -risk much to avoid what is before us. Let me ask your father whether -it be not yet possible to return to my vessel, and leave a world so -uncongenial to both of us." - -"You cannot!" she answered. "Try to escapeâyou insult the Prince; you -put yourself and me, for whom you fear more, in the power of a -malignant enemy. You cannot guide a balloon or a vessel, if you could -get possession of one; and within a few hours after your departure was -known, every road and every port would be closed to you." - -"Can I not send to your father?" I said. - -"Probably," she replied. "I think we shall find a telegraph in your -office, if you will allow me to enter there, now there is no one to -see; and it must be morning in Ecasfe." - -Familiar with the construction and arrangement of a Martial house, -Eveena immediately crossed the gallery to what she called the -officeâthe front room on the right, where the head of the house -carries on his work or study. Here, above a desk attached to the wall, -was one of those instruments whose manipulation was simple enough for -a novice like myself. - -"But," I said, "I cannot write your stylic characters; and if I used -the phonic letters, a message from me would be very likely to excite -the curiosity of officials who would care about no other." - -"May I," she suggested, "write your message for you, and put your -purport in words that will be understood by my father alone?" - -"Do," I rejoined, "but do it in my name, and I will sign it." - -Under her direction, I took the stylus or pencil and the slip of -_tafroo_ she offered me, and wrote my name at the head. After -eliciting the exact purport of the message I desired to send, and -meditating for some moments, she wrote and read out to me words -literally translated as follows:â - -"The rich aviary my flower-bird thought over full. I would breathe -home [air]. Health-speak." The sense of which, as I could already -understand, wasâ - -"A splendid mansion has been given us, but my flower-bird has found it -too full. I wish for my native air. Prescribe." - -The brevity of the message was very characteristic of the language. -Equally characteristic of the stylography was the fact that the words -occupied about an inch beyond the address. Following her pencil as she -pointed to the ciphers, I saidâ - -"Is not _asny carĂŠ_ a false concord? And why have you used the past -tense?" - -This ill-timed pedantry, applying to Martial grammar the rules of that -with which my boyhood had been painfully familiarised, provoked, amid -all our trouble, Eveena's low silver-toned laugh. - -"I meant it," she answered. "My father will look at his pupil's -writing with both eyes." - -"Well, you are out of reach even of the leveloo." - -She laughed again. - -"Asnyca-re," she said; the changed accentuation turning the former -words into the well-remembered name of my landing-place, with the -interrogative syllable annexed. - -This message despatched, we could only await the reply. Nestling among -the cushions at my knee, her head resting on my breast, Eveena saidâ - -"And now, forgive my presumption in counselling you, and my reminding -you of what is painful to both. But what to us is as the course of the -clock, is strange as the stars to you. You must seeâ_them_, and must -order all household arrangements; and" (glancing at a dial fixed in -the wall) "the black is driving down the green." - -"So much the better," I said. "I shall have less time to speak to -them, and less chance of speaking or looking my mind. And as to -arrangements, those, of course, you must make." - -"I! forgive me," she answered, "that is impossible. It is for you to -assign to each of us her part in the household, her chamber, her rank -and duties. You forget that I hold exactly the same position with the -youngest among them, and cannot presume even to suggest, much less to -direct." - -I was silent, and after a pause she went onâ - -"It is not for me to advise you; but"â - -"Speak your thought, now and always, Eveena. Even if I did not stand -in so much need of your guidance in a new world, I never yet refused -to hear counsel; and it is a wife's right to offer it." - -"Is it? We are not so taught," she answered. "I am afraid you have -rougher ground to steer over than you are aware. Alone with you, I -hope I should have done nay best, remembering the lesson of the -leveloo, never to give you the pain of teaching a different one. But -we shall no longer be alone; and you cannot hope to manage seven as -you might manage one. Moreover, these girls have neither had that -first experience of your nature which made that lesson so impressive -to me, nor the kindly and gentle training, under a mother's care and a -father's mild authority, that I had enjoyed. They would not understand -the control that is not enforced. They will obey when they must; and -will feel that they must obey when they cannot deceive, and dare not -rebel. Do not think hardly of them for this. They have known no life -but that of the strict clockwork routine of a great Nursery, where no -personal affection and no rule but that of force is possible." - -"I understand, Madonna. Your Prince's gift puts a man in charge of -young ladies, hitherto brought up among women only, and, of course, -petty, petulant, frivolous, as women left to themselves ever are! I -wish you could see the ridiculous side of the matter which occurs to -me, as I see the painful aspect which alone is plain to you. I can -scarcely help laughing at the chance which has assigned to me the -daily personal management of half-a-dozen school-girls; and -school-girls who must also be wives! I don't think you need fear that -I shall deal with them as with you: as a man of sense and feeling must -deal with a woman whose own instincts, affection, and judgment are -sufficient for her guidance. I never saw much of girls or children. I -remember no home but the Western school and the Oriental camp. I -never, as soldier or envoy, was acquainted with other men's homes. -While still beardless, I have ruled bearded soldiers by a discipline -whose sanctions were the death-shot and the bastinado; and when I left -the camp and court, it was for colleges where a beardless face is -never seen. I must look to you to teach me how discipline may be -softened to suit feminine softness, and what milder sanction may -replace the noose and the stick of the _ferash_" (Persian -executioner). - -"I cannot believe," Eveena answered, taking me, as usual, to the -letter, "that you will ever draw the zone too tight. We say that -'anarchy is the worst tyranny.' Laxity which leaves us to quarrel and -torment each other, tenderness which encourages disorder and -disobedience till they must be put down perforce, is ultimate -unkindness. I will not tell you that such indulgence will give you -endless trouble, win you neither love nor respect, and probably teach -its objects to laugh at you under the veil. You will care more for -thisâthat you would find yourself forced at last to change 'velvet -hand for leathern band.' Believe me, myâour comfort and happiness -must depend on your grasping the helm at once and firmly; ruling us, -and ruling with a strong hand. Otherwise your home will resemble the -most miserable of all scenes of discomfortâan ungoverned school; and -the most severe and arbitrary household rule is better by far than -that. Andâforgive me once moreâbut do not speak as if you would deal -one measure with the left hand and another with the right. Surely you -do not so misunderstand me as to think I counselled you to treat -myself differently from others? 'Just rule only can be gentle.' If you -show favouritism at first, you will find yourself driven step by step -to do what you will feel to be cruel; what will pain yourself perhaps -more than any one else. You may make envy and dislike bite (hold) -their tongues, but you cannot prevent their stinging under the veil. -Therefore, once more, you cannot let my interference pass as if none -but you knew of it." - -"Madonna, if I _am_ to rule such a household, I will rule as -absolutely as your autocratic Prince. I will tolerate no criticism and -no questions." - -"You surely forget," she urged, "that they know my offence, and do not -knowâmust not knowâwhat in your judgment excuses it. Let them once -learn that it is possible so to force the springs [bolts] without a -sting, it will take a salt-fountain [of tears] to blot the lesson from -their memory." - -"What would you have, Eveena? Am I to deal unjustly that I may seem -just? That course steers straight to disaster. And, had you been in -fault, could I humble you in other eyes?" - -"If I feel hurt by any mark of your displeasure, or humbled that it -should be known to my equals in your own household," she replied, "it -is time I were deprived of the privileges that have rendered me so -overweening." - -My answer was intercepted by the sound of an electric bell or -miniature gong, and a slip of tafroo fell upon the desk. The first -words were in that vocal character which I had mastered, and came from -Esmo. - -"Hysterical folly," he had said. "Mountain air might be fatal; and -clear nights are dangerously cold for more than yourselves." - -"What does he mean?" I asked, as I read out a formula more studiously -occult than those of the Pharmacopoeia. - -"That I am unpardonably silly, and that you must not dream of going -back to your vessel. The last words, I suppose, warn you how carefully -in such a household you need to guard the secrets of the Starlight." - -"Well, and what is this in the stylic writing?" - -Eveena glanced over it and coloured painfully, the tears gathering in -her eyes. - -"That," she said, pointing to the first cipher, "is my mother's -signature." - -"Then," I said, "it is meant for you, not for me." - -"Nay," she answered. "Do you think I could take advantage of your not -knowing the character?"âand she read words quite as incomprehensible -to me as the writing itself. - -"Can a star mislead the blind? I should veil myself in crimson if I -have trained a bird to snatch sugar from full hands. Must even your -womanhood reverse the clasps of your childhood?" - -"It chimes midnight twice," I saidâa Martial phrase meaning, 'I am as -much in the dark as ever.' "Do not translate it, carissima. I can read -in your face that it is unjustâreproachful where you deserve no -reproach." - -"Nay, when you so wrong my mother I must tell you exactly what she -means:â'Can a child of the Star take advantage of one who relies on -her to explain the customs of a world unknown to him? I blush to think -that my child can abuse the tenderness of one who is too eager to -indulge her fancies.' - -"You see she is quite right. You do trust me so absolutely, you are so -strangely over-kind to me, it is shameful I should vex you by fretting -because you are forced to do what you might well have done at your own -pleasure." - -"My own, I was more than vexed; chiefly perhaps for your sake, but not -by you. Where any other woman would have stung the sore by sending -fresh sparks along the wire, you thought only to spare me the pain of -seeing you pained. But what do the last words mean? No"âfor I saw the -colour deepen on her half-averted faceâ"better leave unread what we -know to be written in error." - -But the less agreeable a supposed duty, the more resolute was Eveena -to fulfil it. - -"They were meant to recall a saying familiar in every school and -household," she said:â - - "'Sandal loosed and well-clasped zoneâ - Childhood spares the woman grown. - Change the clasps, and woman yet - Pays with interest childhood's debt.'" - -"This"âtightening and relaxing the clasp of her zoneâ"is the symbol -of stricter or more indulgent household rule." Then bending so as to -avert her face, she unclasped her embroidered sandal and gave it into -my hand;â"and this is what, I suppose, you would call its sanction." - -"There is more to be said for the sandal than I supposed, bambina, if -it have helped to make you what you are. But you may tell Zulve that -its work and hers are done." - -Kneeling before her, I kissed, with more studied reverence than the -sacred stone of the Caaba, the tiny foot on which I replaced its -covering. - -"Baby as she thinks and I call you, Eveena, you are fast unteaching me -the lesson which, before you were born and ever since, the women of -the Earth have done their utmost to impress indelibly upon my -mindâthe lesson that woman is but a less lovable, more petulant, more -deeply and incurably spoilt child. Your mother's reproach is an exact -inversion of the truth. No one could have acted with more utter -unselfishness, more devoted kindness, more exquisite delicacy than you -have shown in this miserable matter. I could not have believed that -even you could have put aside your own feelings so completely, could -have recognised so promptly that I was not in fault, have thought so -exclusively of what was best and safe for me in the first place, and -next of what was kind and just and generous to your rivals. I never -thought such reasonableness and justice possible to feminine nature; -and if I cannot love you more dearly, you have taught me how deeply to -admire and honour you. I accept the situation, since you will have it -so; be as just and considerate henceforward as you have been to-night, -and trust me that it shall bring no shadow between usâshall never -make you less to me than you are now." - -"But it must," she insisted. "I cannot now be other than one wife -among many; and what place I hold among them is, remember, for you and -you alone to fix. No rule, no custom, obliges you to give any -preference in form or fact to one, merely because you chanced to marry -her first." - -"Such, nevertheless, did not seem to be the practice in your father's -house. Your mother was as distinctly wife and mistress as if his sole -companion." - -"My father," she replied, "did not marry a second time till within my -own memory; and it was natural and usual to give the first place to -one so much older and more experienced. I have no such claim, and when -you see my companions you may find good reason to think that I am the -least fit of all to take the first place. Nor," she added, drawing me -from the room, "do I wish it. If only you will keep in your mind one -little place for the memory of our visit to your vessel and your -promise respecting it, I shall be more than content." - -Eveena's humble, unconscious self-abnegation was rendering the -conversation intolerably painful, and even the embarrassing situation -now at hand was a welcome interruption. Eveena paused before a door -opening from the gallery into one of the rooms looking on the -peristyle. - -"You will find them there," she said, drawing back. - -"Come with me, then," I answered; and as she shrank away, I tightened -my clasp of her waist and drew her forward. The door opened, and we -found ourselves in presence of six veiled ladies in pink and silver, -all of them, with one exception, a little taller and less slight than -my bride. Eveena, with the kindness which never failed under the most -painful trial or the most powerful impulses of natural feeling, -extricated herself gently from my hold, took the hand of the first, -and brought her up to me. The girl was evidently startled at the first -sight of her new possessor, and alarmed by a figure so much larger and -more powerful than any she had ever seen, exceeding probably the -picture drawn by her imagination. - -"This," said Eveena gently and gravely, "is EunanĂŠ, the prettiest and -most accomplished scholar in her Nursery." - -As I was about to acknowledge the introduction with the same cold -politeness with which I should have bowed to a strange guest on Earth, -Eveena took my left hand in her own and laid it on the maiden's veil, -recalling to me at once the proprieties of the occasion and the -justice she had claimed for her unoffending and unintentional rivals; -but at the same time bringing back in full force a remembrance she -could not have forgotten, but whose effect upon myself the ideas to -which she was habituated rendered her unable to anticipate. To accept -in her presence a second bride, by the same ceremonial act which had -so lately asserted my claim to herself, was intensely repugnant to my -feelings, and only her own self-sacrificing influence could have -overcome my reluctance. My hesitation was, I fear, perceptible to -EunanĂŠ; for, as I removed her veil and head-dress, her expression and -a colour somewhat brighter than that of mere maiden shyness indicated -disappointment or mortified pride. She was certainly very beautiful, -and perhaps, had I now seen them both for the first time, I might have -acquiesced in the truth of Eveena's self-depreciation. As it was, -nothing could associate with the bright intelligent face, the clear -grey eyes and light brown hair, the lithe active form instinct with -nervous energy, that charm which from our first acquaintance their -expression of gentle kindness, and, later, the devoted affection -visible in every look, had given to Eveena's features. - -It is, I suppose, hardly natural to man to feel actual unkindness -towards a young and beautiful girl who has given no personal offence. -Having once admitted, the justice of Eveena's plea, and feeling that -she would be more pained by the omission than by the fulfilment of the -forms which courtesy and common kindness imperatively demanded, I -kissed EunanĂŠ's brow and spoke a few words to her, with as much of -tenderness as I could feel or affect for Eveena's rival, after what -had passed to endear Eveena more than ever. The latter waited a -little, to allow me spontaneously to perform the same ceremony with -the other girls; but seeing my hesitation, she came forward again and -presented severally four othersâEnva ("Snow" = Blanche), Leenoo -("Rose"), EiralĂŠ, ElfĂŠ, all more or less of the usual type of female -beauty in Mars, with long full tresses varying in tinge from flax to -deep gold or the lightest brown; each with features almost faultless, -and with all the attraction (to me unfailing) possessed for men who -have passed their youth by _la beautĂŠ du Diable_âthe bloom of pure -graceful girlhood. EivĂŠ, the sixth of the party, standing on the right -of the others, and therefore last in place according to Martial usage, -was smaller and slighter than Eveena herself, and made an individual -impression on my attention by a manifest timidity and agitation -greater than any of the rest had evinced. As I removed her veil I was -struck by the total unlikeness which her face and form presented to -those I had just saluted. Her hair was so dark as by contrast to seem -black; her complexion less fair than those of her companions, though -as fair as that of an average Greek beauty; her eyes of deepest brown; -her limbs, and especially the hands and feet, marvellously perfect in -shape and colour, but in the delicacy and minuteness of their form -suggesting, as did all the proportions of her tiny figure, the -peculiar grace of childhood; an image in miniature of faultless -physical beauty. In EivĂŠ alone of the bevy I felt a real interest; but -the interest called forth by a singularly pretty child, in whose -expression the first glance discerns a character it will take long to -read, rather than that commanded by the charms of earliest womanhood. - -When I had completed the ceremonial round, there was a somewhat -awkward silence, which Eveena at last broke by suggesting that EunanĂŠ -should show us through the house, with which she had made the earliest -acquaintance. This young girl readily took the lead thus assigned to -her, and by some delicate manoeuvre, whose authorship I could not -doubt, I found her hand in mine as we made our tour. The number of -chambers was much greater than in Esmo's dwelling, the garden of the -peristyle larger and more elaborately arranged, if not more beautiful. -The ambau were more numerous than even the domestic service of so -large a mansion appeared to require. The birds, whose duties lay -outside, were by this time asleep on their perches, and we forbore to -disturb them. The central chamber of the seraglio, if I may so call -it, the largest and midmost of those in the rear of the garden, -devoted as of course to the ladies of the household, was especially -magnificent. - -When we stood in its midst, shy looks askance from all the six -betrayed their secret ambition; though EivĂŠ's was but momentary, and -so slight that I felt I might have unfairly suspected her of -presumption. I left this room, however, in silence, and assigned to -each of my maiden brides, in order as they had been presented to me, -the rooms on the left; and then, as we stood once more in the -peristyle, having postponed all further arrangements, all distribution -of household duties, to the morrow (assigning, however, to EunanĂŠ, -whose native energy and forwardness had made early acquaintance with -the dwelling and its dumb inhabitants, the charge of providing and -preparing with their assistance our morning meal), I said, "I have let -the business of the evening zyda actually encroach on midnight, and -must detain you from your rest no longer. Eveena, you know, I still -have need of you." - -She was standing at a little distance, next to EunanĂŠ; and the latter, -with a smile half malicious, half triumphant, whispered something in -her ear. There was a suppressed annoyance in Eveena's look which -provoked me to interpose. On Earth I should never have been fool -enough to meddle in a woman's quarrel. The weakest can take her own -part in the warfare of taunt and innuendo, better and more venomously -than could dervish, priest, or politician. But Eveena could no more -lower herself to the ordinary level of feminine malice than I could -have borne to hear her do so; and it was intolerable that one whose -sweet humility commanded respect from myself should submit to slight -or sneer from the lips and eyes of petulant girls. EunanĂŠ started as I -spoke, using that accent which gives its most peremptory force to the -Martial imperative. "Repeat aloud what you have chosen to say to -Eveena in my presence." - -If the first to express the ill-will excited by Eveena's evident -influence, though exerted in their own behalf, it was less that EunanĂŠ -surpassed her companions in malice than that they fell short of her in -audacity. Her school-mates had found her their most daring leader in -mischief, the least reluctant scapegoat when mischief was to be -atoned. But she was cowed, partly perhaps by her first collision with -masculine authority, partly, I fear, by sheer dread of physical force -visibly greater than she had ever known by repute. Perhaps she was too -much frightened to obey. At any rate, it was from Eveena, despite her -pleading looks, that I extorted an answer. She yielded at last only to -that formal imperative which her conscience would not permit her to -disobey, and which for the first time I now employed in addressing -her. - -"EunanĂŠ only repeated," Eveena said, with a reluctance so manifest -that one might have supposed her to be the offender, "a school-girl's -proverb:â - - "'Ware the wrath that stands to cool: - Then the sandal shows the rule.'" - -The smile that had accompanied the whisperâthough not so much -suggestive of a woman's malignity as of a child's exultation in a -companion's disgraceâgave point and sting to the taunt. It is on -chance, I suppose, that the effect of such things depends. Had the -saying been thrown at any of EunanĂŠ's equals, I should probably have -been inclined to laugh, even if I felt it necessary to reprimand. But, -angered at a hint which placed Eveena on their own level, I forgot how -far the speaker's experience and inexperience alike palliated the -impertinence. That the insinuation shocked none of those around me was -evident. Theirs were not the looks of women, however young and -thoughtless, startled by an affront to their sex; but of children -amazed at a child's folly in provoking capricious and irresponsible -power. The angry quickness with which I turned to EunanĂŠ received a -double, though doubly unintentional, rebuke, equally illustrative of -Martial ideas and usages. The culprit cowered like a child expecting a -brutal blow. A gentle pressure on my left arm evinced the same fear in -a quarter from which its expression wounded me deeply. That pressure -arrested not, as was intended, my hand, but my voice; and when I spoke -the frightened girl looked up in surprise at its measured tones. - -"Wrong, and wrong thrice over, EunanĂŠ. It is for me to teach you the -bad taste of bringing into your new home the ideas and language of -school. Meanwhile, in no case would you learn more of my rule than -concerned your own fault. Take in exchange for your proverb the -kindliest I have learned in your language:â - - "'Whispered warnings reach the heart; - Veil the blush and spare the smart.' - -"But, happily for you, your taunt had not truth enough to sting; and I -can tell the story about which you are unduly curious as frankly as -you please.âLet me speak now, Eveena, that I may spare the need to -speak again and in another tone.âThat Eveena seemed to have put us -both in a false position only convinced me that she had a motive she -knew would satisfy me as fully as herself. When I learned what that -motive was, I was greatly surprised at her unselfishness and courage. -If you threw me your veil to save me from drowning, how would you feel -if my first words to you were:â'No one must think I could not swim, -therefore even the household must believe you, in unveiling, guilty of -an unpardonable fault'?... Answer me, EunanĂŠ." - -"I should let you sink next time," she replied, with a pretty -half-dubious sauciness, showing that her worst fears at least were -relieved. - -"Quite right; but you are less generous than Eveena. To hide how I had -acted on her advice, she would have had you suppose her guilty. That -you might not laugh at my authority, and 'find a dragon in the esve's -nest,' she would have had me treat her as guilty." - -"But I deserved it. A girl has no right to break the seal in the -master's absence," interposed Eveena, much more distressed than -gratified by the vindication to which she was so well entitled. - -"Let your tongue sleep, Eveena. So [with a kiss] I blot your first -miscalculation, EunanĂŠ. Earth [the Evening Star of Mars] light your -dreams." - -It was with visible reluctance that Eveena followed me into the -chamber we had last left; and she expostulated as earnestly as her -obedience would permit against the fiat that assigned it to her. - -"Choose what room you please, then," I said; "but understand that, so -far as my will and my trust can make you, you are the mistress here." - -"Well, then," she answered, "give me the little octagon beside your -own:"âthe smallest and simplest, but to my taste the prettiest, room -in the house. "I should like to be near you still, if I may; but, -believe me, I shall not be frozen (hurt) because you think another -hand better able to steer the carriage, if mine may sometimes rest in -yours." - -Leading her into the room she had chosen, and having installed her -among the cushions that were to form her couch, I silenced decisively -her renewed protest. - -"Let me answer you on this point, once and for ever, Eveena. To me -this seems matter of right, not of favour or fitness. But favour and -fitness here go with right. I could no more endure to place another -before or beside you than I could break the special bond between us, -and deny the hope of which the Serpent" (laying my hand on her -shoulder-clasp, which, by mere accident, was shaped into a faint -resemblance to the mystic coil) "is the emblem; the hope that alone -can make such love as ours endurable, or even possible, to creatures -that must die. She who knelt with me before the Emerald Throne, who -took with me the vows so awfully sanctioned, shall hold the first -place in my home as in my heart till the Serpent's promise be -fulfilled." - -Both were silent for some time, for never could we refer to that -Visionâwhether an objective fact, or an impression communicated from -one spirit to the other by the occult force of intense sympathyâsave -by such allusion; and the remembrance never failed to affect us both -with a feeling too deep for words. Eveena spoke againâ - -"I am sorry you have so bound yourself; perhaps only because you knew -me first. And it shames me to receive fresh proof of your kindness -to-night." - -"And why, my own?" - -"Do not make me feel," she said, "thatâthough the measured sentences -you have taught me to call scolding seemed the sharpest of all -penancesâthere is a heavier yet in the silence which withholds -forgiveness." - -"What have I yet to forgive, Madonna?" - -But Eveena could read my feelings in spite of my words, and knew that -the pain she had given was too recent to allow me to misconceive her -penitence. - -"I _ought_ to say, my interference. It was your right to rule as you -chose, and my meddling was a far worse offence than EunanĂŠ's malice. -But it was not _that_ you felt too deeply to reprove." - -"True! EunanĂŠ hurt me a little; but I expected no such misjudgment -from you. By the touch that proved your alarm I know that I gave no -cause for it." - -"How so?" she asked in surprise. - -"You laid your hand instinctively on my _left_ arm, the one your -people use. Had I made the slightest angry gesture, you would have -held back my _right_. Had I deserved that Eveena should think so ill -of meâthink me capable of doing such dishonour to her presence and to -my own roof, which should have protected an equal enemy from that -which you feared for a helpless girl? For what you would have checked -was such a blow as men deal to men who can strike back; and the hand -that had given it would have been unfit to clasp man's in friendship -or woman's in love. You yourself must have shrunk from its touch." - -She caught and held it fast to her lips. - -"Can I forget that it saved my life? I don't understand you at all, -but I see that I have frozen your heart. I did fancy for one moment -you would strike, as passionate men and women often do strike -provoking girls, perhaps forgetting your own strength; and I knew you -would be miserable if you did hurt herâin that way. The next moment I -was ashamed, more than you will believe, to have wronged you so. Like -every man, from the head of a household to the Arch-Judge or the -Camptâ, you must rule by fear. But your wrath _will_ 'stand to cool;' -and you will hate to make a girl cry as you would hate to send a -criminal to the electric-rack, the lightning-stroke, or the -vivisection-table. And, whatever you had done, do you fancy that I -could shrink from you? I said, 'If you weary of your flower-bird you -must strike with the hammer;' and if you could do so, do you think I -should not feel for your hand to hold it to the last?" - -"Hush, Eveena! how can I bear such words? You might forgive me for any -outrage to you: I doubt your easily forgetting cruelty to another. I -have not a heart like yours. As I never failed a friend, so I never -yet forgave a foe. Yet even I might pardon one of those girls an -attempt to poison myself, and in some circumstances I might even learn -to like her better afterwards. But I doubt if I could ever touch again -the hand that had mixed the poison for another, though that other were -my mortal enemy." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - A COMPLETE ESTABLISHMENT. - - -Before I slept Eveena had convinced me, much to my own discomfiture, -how very limited must be any authority that could be delegated to her. -In such a household there could be no second head or deputy, and an -attempt to devolve any effective charge on her would only involve her -in trouble and odium. Even at the breakfast, spread as usual in the -centre of the peristyle, she entreated that we should present -ourselves separately. EunanĂŠ appeared to have performed very -dexterously the novel duty assigned to her. The _ambau_ had obeyed her -orders with well-trained promptitude, and the _carvee_, in bringing -fruit, leaves, and roots from the outer garden, had more than verified -all that on a former occasion Eveena had told me of their cleverness -and quick comprehension of instructions. EunanĂŠ's face brightened -visibly as I acknowledged the neatness and the tempting appearance of -the meal she had set forth. She was yet more gratified by receiving -charge for the future of the same duty, and authority to send, as is -usual, by an ambâ the order for that principal part of each day's food -which is supplied by the confectioner. By reserving for Eveena the -place among the cushions immediately on my left, I made to the -assembled household the expected announcement that she was to be -regarded as mistress of the house; feminine punctiliousness on points -of domestic precedence strikingly contrasting the unceremonious -character of intercourse among men out of doors. The very ambau -recognise the mistress or the favourite, as dogs the master of their -Earthly home. - -The ladies were at first shy and silent, EunanĂŠ only giving me more -than a monosyllabic answer to my remarks, and even EunanĂŠ never -speaking save in reply to me. A trivial incident, however, broke -through this reserve, and afforded me a first taste of the petty -domestic vexations in store for me. The beverage most to my liking was -always the _carcarâ_âjuice flavoured with roasted kernels, something -resembling coffee in taste. On this occasion the _carcarâ_ and another -favourite dish had a taste so peculiar that I pushed both aside almost -untouched. On observing this, the restâEnva, Leenoo, ElfĂŠ, and -EiralĂŠâtook occasion to criticise the articles in question with such -remarks and grimaces as ill-bred children might venture for the -annoyance of an inexperienced sister. I hesitated to repress this -outbreak as it deserved, till EunanĂŠ's bitter mortification was -evident in her brightening colour and the doubtful, half-appealing -glance of tearful eyes. Then a rebuke, such as might have been -appropriately addressed yesterday to these rude school-girls by their -governess, at once silenced them. As we rose, I asked Eveena, who, -with more courtesy than the rest of us, had finished her portionâ - -"Is there any justice in these reproaches? I certainly don't like the -carcarâ to-day, but it does not follow that EunanĂŠ is in fault." - -The rest, EunanĂŠ included, looked their annoyance at this appeal; but -Eveena's temper and kindness were proof against petulance. - -"The carcarâ is in fault," she said; "but I don't think EunanĂŠ is. In -learning cookery at school she had her materials supplied to her; this -time the _carve_ has probably given her an unripe or overripe fruit -which has spoiled the whole." - -"And do you not know ripe from unripe fruit?" I inquired, turning to -EunanĂŠ. - -"How should she?" interposed Eveena. "I doubt if she ever saw them -growing." - -"How so?" I asked of EunanĂŠ. - -"It is true," she answered. "I never went beyond the walls of our -playground till I came here; and though there were a few flower-beds -in the inner gardens, there were none but shade trees among the turf -and concrete yards to which we were confined." - -"I should have known no better," observed Eveena; "but being brought -up at home, I learned to know all the plants in my father's grounds, -which were more various, I believe, than usual." - -"Then," I said, "EunanĂŠ has a new life and a multitude of new -pleasures before her. Has this peristyle given you your first sight of -flowers beyond those in the beds of your Nursery? And have you never -seen anything of the world about you?" - -"Never," she said. "And Eveena's excuse for me is, I believe, -perfectly true. The carve must have been stupid, but I knew no -better." - -"Well," I rejoined, "you must forgive the bird, as we must excuse you -for spoiling our breakfast. I will contrive that you shall know more -of fruits and flowers before long. In the meantime, you will probably -have a different if not a wider view from this roof than from that of -your Nursery." - -After all, EunanĂŠ's girlhood, typical of the whole life of many -Martial women, had not, I suppose, been more dreary or confined than -that of children in London, Canton, or Calcutta. But this incident, -reminding me how dreary and limited that life was, served to excuse in -my eyes the pettiness and poverty of the characters it had produced. A -Martial woman's whole experience may well be confined within a few -acres, and from the cradle to the grave she may see no more of the -world than can be discerned from the roof of her school or her -husband's home. - -EunanĂŠ, with the assistance of the ambau, busied herself in removing -the remains of the meal. The other five, putting on their veils, -scampered up the inclined plane to the roof, much like children -released from table or from tasks. Turning to Eveena, who still -remained beside me, I saidâ - -"Get your veil, and come out with me; I have not yet an idea where we -are, and scarcely a notion what the grounds are like." - -She followed me to my apartment, out of which, opened the one she had -chosen, and as the window closed behind us she spoke in a tone of -appealâ - -"Do not insist on my accompanying you. As you bade me always speak my -thought, I had much rather you would take one of the others." - -"You professed," I said, "to take especial pleasure in a walk with me, -and this time I will be careful that you are not overtired." - -"Of course I should like it," she answered; "but it would not be just. -Please let me this time remain to take my part of the household -duties, and make myself acquainted with the house. Choose your -companion among the others, whom you have scarcely noticed yet." - -Preferring not only Eveena's company, but even my own, to that of any -of the six, and feeling myself not a little dependent on her guidance -and explanations, I remonstrated. But finding that her sense of -justice and kindness would yield to nothing short of direct command, I -gave way. - -"You forget _my_ pleasure," I said at last. "But if you will not go, -you must at least tell me which I am to take. I will not pretend to -have a choice in the matter." - -"Well, then," she answered, "I should be glad to see you take EunanĂŠ. -She is, I think, the eldest, apparently the most intelligent and -companionable, and she has had one mortification already she hardly -deserved." - -"And is much the prettiest," I added maliciously. But Eveena was -incapable of even understanding so direct an appeal to feminine -jealousy. - -"I think so," she said; "much the prettiest among us. But that will -make no difference under her veil." - -"And must she keep down her veil," I asked, "in our own grounds?" - -Eveena laughed. "Wherever she might be seen by any man but yourself." - -"Call her then," I answered. - -Eveena hesitated. But having successfully carried her own way on the -main question, she would not renew her remonstrances on a minor point; -and finding her about to join the rest, she drew EunanĂŠ apart. EunanĂŠ -came up to me alone, Eveena having busied herself in some other part -of the house. She approached slowly as if reluctant, and stood silent -before me, her manner by no means expressive of satisfaction. - -"Eveena thought," I said, "that you would like to accompany me; but if -not, you may tell her so; and tell her in that case that she _must_ -come." - -"But I shall be glad to go wherever you please," replied EunanĂŠ. -"Eveena did not tell me why you sent for me, and"ââ - -"And you were afraid to be scolded for spoiling the breakfast? You -have heard quite enough of that." - -"You dropped a word last night," she answered, "which made me think -you would keep your displeasure till you had me alone." - -"Quite true," I said, "if I had any displeasure to keep. But you might -spoil a dozen meals, and not vex me half as much as the others did." - -"Why?" she asked in surprise. "Girls and women always spite one -another if they have a chance, especially one who is in disfavour or -disgrace with authority." - -"So much the worse," I answered. "And nowâyou know as much or as -little of the house as any of us; find the way into the grounds." - -A narrow door, not of crystal as usual, but of metal painted to -resemble the walls, led directly from one corner of the peristyle into -the grounds outside. I had inferred on my arrival, by the distance -from the road to the house, that their extent was considerable, but I -was surprised alike by their size and arrangement. On two sides they -were bounded by a wall about four hundred yards in lengthâthat -parting them from the road was about twice as long. They were laid out -with few of the usual orchard plots and beds of different fruits and -vegetables, but rather in the form of a small park, with trees of -various sorts, among which the fruit trees were a minority. The -surface was broken by natural rising grounds and artificial terraces; -the soil was turfed in the manner I have previously described, with -minute plants of different colours arranged in bands and patterns. -Here and there was a garden consisting of a variety of flower-beds and -flowering shrubs; broad concrete paths winding throughout, and a -beautiful silver stream meandering hither and thither, and filling -several small ponds and fountains. That the grounds immediately -appertaining to the house were not intended as usual for the purposes -of a farm or kitchen-garden was evident. The reason became equally -apparent when, looking towards the north, where no wall bounded them, -I sawâover a gate in the middle of a dense hedge of flowering shrubs, -which, with a ditch beyond it, formed the limit of the park in that -directionâan extensive farm divided by the usual ditches into some -twenty-five or thirty distinct fields, and more than a square mile in -extent. This, as EunanĂŠ's native inquisitiveness and quickness had -already learnt, formed part of the estate attached to the mansion and -bestowed upon me by the Camptâ. It was admirably cultivated, -containing orchards, fields rich with various thriving crops, and -pastures grazed by the Unicorn and other of the domestic birds and -beasts kept to supply Martial tables with milk, eggs, and meat; -producing nearly every commodity to which the climate was suited, and, -as a very short observation assured me, capable of yielding a far -greater income than would suffice to sustain in luxury and splendour a -household larger than that enforced upon me. We walked in this -direction, my companion talking fluently enough when once I had set -her at ease, and seemingly free from the shyness and timidity which -Eveena had at first displayed. She paused when we reached a bridge -that spanned the ditch dividing the grounds from the farm, aware that, -save on special invitation, she might not, even in my company, go -beyond the former. I led her on, however, till soon after we had -crossed the ditch I saw a man approaching us. On this, I desired -EunanĂŠ to remain where she was, seating her at the foot of a fruit -tree in one of the orchard plots, and proceeded to meet the stranger. -After exchanging the usual salute, he came immediately to the point. - -"I thought," he said, "that you would not care yourself to undertake -the cultivation of so extensive an estate. Indeed, the mere -superintendence would occupy the whole of one man's attention, and its -proper cultivation would be the work of six or eight. I have had some -little experience in agriculture, and determined to ask for this -charge." - -"And who has recommended you?" I said. "Or have you any sort of -introduction or credentials to me?" - -He made a sign which I immediately recognised. Caution, however, was -imposed by the law to which that sign appealed. - -"You can read," I said, "by starlight?" - -"Better than by any other," he rejoined with a smile. - -One or two more tokens interchanged left me no doubt that the claim -was genuine, and, of course, irresistible. - -"Enough," I replied. "You may take entire charge on the usual terms, -which, doubtless, you know better than I." - -"You trust me then, absolutely?" he said, in a tone of some little -surprise. - -"In trusting you," I replied, "I trust the Zinta. I am tolerably sure -to be safe in hands recommended by them." - -"You are right," he said, "and how right this will prove to you," and -he placed in my hand a small cake upon which was stamped an impression -of the signet that I had seen on Esmo's wrist. When he saw that I -recognised it, he took it back, and, breaking it into fragments, -chewed and swallowed it. - -"This," he said, "was given me to avouch the following message:âOur -Chiefs are informed that the Order is threatened with a novel danger. -Systematic persecution by open force or by law has been attempted and -defeated ages ago, and will hardly be tried again. What seems to be -intended now is the destruction of our Chiefs, individually, by secret -meansâmeans which it is supposed we shall not be able to trace to the -instigators, even if we should detect their instruments." - -"But," I remarked, "those who have warned you of the danger must know -from whom it proceeds, and those who are employed in such an attack -must run not only the ordinary risk of assassins, but the further risk -entailed by the peculiar powers of those they assail." - -"Those powers," he answered, "they do not understand or recognise. The -instruments, I presume, will be encouraged by an assurance that the -Courts are in their favour, and by a pledge in the last resort that -they shall be protected. The exceptional customs of our Order, -especially their refusal to send their children into the public -Nurseries, mark out and identify them; and though our places of -meeting are concealed and have never been invaded, the fact that we do -meet and the persons of those who attend can hardly be concealed." - -"But," I asked, "if a charge of assassination is once made and proved, -how can the Courts refuse to do justice? Can the instigators protect -the culprit without committing themselves?" - -"They would appeal, I do not doubt, to a law, passed many ages ago -with a special regard to ourselves, but which has not been applied for -a score of centuries, putting the members of a secret religious -society beyond the pale of legal protection. That we shall ultimately -find them out and avenge ourselves, you need not doubt. But in the -meantime every known dissentient from the customs of the majority is -in danger, and persons of note or prominence especially so. Next to -Esmo and his son, the husband of his daughter is, perhaps, in as much -peril as any one. No open attempt on your life will be adventured at -present, while you retain the favour of the Camptâ. But you have made -at least one mortal and powerful enemy, and you may possibly be the -object of well-considered and persistent schemes of assassination. On -the other hand, next to our Chief and his son, you have a paramount -claim on the protection of the Order; and those who with me will take -charge of your affairs have also charge to watch vigilantly over your -life. If you will trust me beforehand with knowledge of all your -movements, I think your chief peril will lie in the one sphere upon -which we cannot intrudeâyour own household; and Clavelta directs your -own special attention to this quarter. Immediate danger can scarcely -threaten you as yet, save from a woman's hand." - -"Poison?" - -"Probably," he returned coolly. "But of the details of the plot our -Council are, I believe, as absolutely ignorant as of the quarter from -which it proceeds." - -"And how," I inquired, "can it be that the witness who has informed -you of the plot has withheld the names, without which his information -is so imperfect, and serves rather to alarm than to protect us?" - -"You know," he replied, "the kind of mysterious perception to which we -can resort, and are probably aware how strangely lucid in some points, -how strangely darkened in others, is the vision that does not depend -on ordinary human senses?" - -As we spoke we had passed EunanĂŠ once or twice, walking backwards and -forwards along the path near which she sat. As my companion was about -to continue, we were so certainly within her hearing that I checked -him. - -"Take care," I said; "I know nothing of her except the Camptâ's -choice, and that she is not of us." - -He visibly started. - -"I thought," he said, "that the witness of our conversation was one at -least as reliable as yourself. I forgot how it happened that you have -diverged from the prudence which forbids our brethren to admit to -their households aliens from the Order and possible spies on its -secrets." - -"Of whom do you speak as Clavelta?" I asked. "I was not even aware -that the Order had a single head." - -"The Signet," replied my friend in evident surprise, "should have -distinguished the Arch-Enlightener to duller sight than yours." - -We had not spoken, of course, till we were again beyond hearing; but -my companion looked round carefully before he proceededâ - -"You will understand the better, then, how strong is your own claim -upon the care of your brethren, and how confidently you may rely upon -their vigilance and fidelity." - -"I should regret," I answered, "that their lives should be risked for -mine. In dangers like those against which you could protect me, I have -been accustomed from boyhood to trust my own right hand. But the fear -of secret assassination has often unnerved the bravest men, and I will -not say that it may not disturb me." - -"For you," he answered, "personally we should care as for one of our -brethren exposed to especial danger. For him who saved the descendant -of our Founder, and who in her right, after her father and brother, -would be the guardian, if not the head, of the only remaining family -of his lineage, one and all of us are at need bound to die." - -After a few more words we parted, and I rejoined EunanĂŠ, and led her -back towards the house. I had learnt to consider taciturnity a matter -of course, except where there was actual occasion for speech; but -EunanĂŠ had chattered so fluently and frankly just before, that her -absolute silence might have suggested to me the possibility that she -had heard and was pondering things not intended for her knowledge, had -I been less preoccupied. Enured to the perils of war, of the chase, of -Eastern diplomacy, and of travel in the wildest parts of the Earth, I -do not pretend indifference to the fear of assassination, and -especially of poison. Cromwell, and other soldiers of equal nerve and -clearer conscience, have found their iron courage sorely shaken by a -peril against which no precautions were effective and from which they -could not enjoy an hour's security. The incessant continuous strain on -the nerves is, I suppose, the chief element in the peculiar dread with -which brave men have regarded this kind of peril; as the best troops -cannot endure to be under fire in their camp. Weighing, however, the -probability that girls who had been selected by the Sovereign, and had -left their Nursery only to pass directly into my house, could have -been already bribed or seduced to become the instruments of murderous -treachery, I found it but slight; and before we reached the house I -had made up my mind to discard the apprehensions or precautions -recommended to me on their account. Far better, if need be, to die by -poison than to live in hourly terror of it. Better to be murdered than -to suspect of secret treason those with whom I must maintain the most -intimate relations, and whose sex and years made it intolerable to -believe them criminal. I dismissed the thought, then; and believing -that I had probably wronged them in allowing it to dwell for a moment -in my mind, I felt perhaps more tenderly than before towards them, and -certainly indisposed to name to Eveena a suspicion of which I was -myself ashamed. Perhaps, too, youth and beauty weighed in my -conclusion more than cool reason would have allowed. A Martial proverb -saysâ - - "Trust a foe, and you may rue it; - Trust a friend, and perish through it. - Trust a woman if you will;â - Thrice betrayed, you'll trust her still." - -As to the general warning, I was wishful to consult Eveena, and -unwilling to withhold from her any secret of my thoughts; but equally -averse to disturb her with alarms that were trying even to nerves -seasoned by the varied experience of twenty years against every open -peril. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - LIFE, SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. - - -As we approached the house I caught sight of Eveena's figure among the -party gathered on the roof. She had witnessed the interview, but her -habitual and conscientious deference forbade her to ask a confidence -not volunteered; and she seemed fully satisfied when, on the first -occasion on which we were alone, I told her simply that the stranger -belonged to the Zinta and had been recommended by her father himself -to the charge of my estate. Though reluctant to disturb her mind with -fears she could not shake off as I could, and which would make my -every absence at least a season of terror, the sense of insecurity -doubtless rendered me more anxious to enjoy whenever possible the only -society in which it was permissible to be frank and off my guard. No -man in his senses would voluntarily have accepted the position which -had been forced upon me. The Zveltau never introduce aliens into their -households. Their leading ideas and fundamental principles so deeply -affect the conduct of existence, the motives of action, the bases of -all moral reasoningâso completely do the inferences drawn from them -and the habits of thought to which they lead pervade and tinge the -mind, conscience, and even languageâthat though it may be easy to -"live in the light at home and walk with the blind abroad," yet in the -familiar intercourse of household life even a cautious and reserved -man (and I was neither) must betray to the keen instinctive -perceptions of women whether he thought and felt like those around -him, or was translating different thoughts into an alien language. -This difficulty is little felt between unbelievers and Christians. The -simple creed of the Zinta, however, like that of the Prophet, affects -the thought and life as the complicated and subtle mysteries of more -elaborate theologies, more refined philosophic systems rarely do. - -One of Eveena's favourite quotations bore the unmistakable stamp of -Zveltic mysticism:â - - "Symbols that invert the sense - Form the Seal of Providence; - Contradiction gives the key, - Time unlocks the mystery." - -The danger in which my relation to the Zinta and its chief involved -me, and the presence of half a dozen rivals to Eveenaârivals also to -that regard for the Star which at first I felt chiefly for her -sakeâlikely as they seemed to impair the strength and sweetness of -the tie between us, actually worked to consolidate and endear it. To -enjoy, except on set occasions, without constant liability to -interruption, Eveena's sole society was no easy matter. To conceal our -real secret, and the fact that there was a secret, was imperative. -Avowedly exclusive confidence, conferences from which the rest of the -household were directly shut out, would have suggested to their -envious tempers that Eveena played the spy on them, or influenced and -advised the exercise of my authority. To be alone with her, therefore, -as naturally and necessarily I must often wish to be, required -manoeuvres and arrangements as delicate and difficult, though as -innocent, as those employed by engaged couples under the strict -conventions of European household usage; and the comparative rarity of -such interviews, and the manner in which they had often to be -contrived beforehand, kept alive in its earliest freshness the love -which, if not really diminished, generally loses somewhat of its first -bloom and delicacy in the unrestrained intercourse of marriage. -Absolutely and solely trusted, assured that her company was eagerly -sought, and at least as deeply valued as everâcompelled by the ideas -of her race to accept the situation as natural and right, and wholly -incapable of the pettier and meaner forms of jealousyâEveena was -fully content and happy in her relations with me. That, on the whole, -she was not comfortable, or at least much less so than during our -suddenly abbreviated honeymoon, was apparent; but her loss of -brightness and cheerfulness was visible chiefly in her weary and -downcast looks on any occasion when, after being absent for some hours -from the house, I came upon her unawares. In my presence she was -always calm and peaceful, kind, and seemingly at ease; and if she saw -or heard me on my return, though she carefully avoided any appearance -of eagerness to greet me sooner than others, or to claim especial -attention, she ever met me with a smile of welcome as frank and bright -as a young bride on Earth could give to a husband returning to her -sole society from a long day of labour for her sake. - -In so far as compliance was possible I was compelled to admit the -wisdom of Eveena's plea that no open distinction should be made in her -favour. Except in the simple fact of our affection, there was no -assignable reason for making her my companion more frequently than -EunanĂŠ or EivĂŠ. Except that I could trust her completely, there was no -distinction of age, social rank, or domestic relation to afford a -pretext for exempting her from restraints which, if at first I thought -them senseless and severe, were soon justified by experience of the -kind of domestic control which just emancipated school-girls expected -and required. Nor would she accept the immunity tacitly allowed her. -It was not that any established custom or right bounded the arbitrary -power of domestic autocracy. The right of all but unbounded wrong, the -liberty of limitless caprice, is unquestionably vested in the head of -the household. But the very completeness of the despotism rendered its -exercise impossible. Force cannot act where there is no resistance. -The sword of the Plantagenet could cleave the helmet but not the quilt -of down. I could do as I pleased without infringing any understanding -or giving any right to complain. - -"But," said Eveena, "you have a sense of justice which has nothing to -do with law or usage. Even your language is not ours. You think of -right and wrong, where we should speak only of what is or is not -punishable. You can make a favourite if you will pay the price. Could -you endure to be hated in your own home, or I to know that you -deserved it? Or, if you could, could you bear to see me hated and my -life made miserable?" - -"They dare not!" I returned angrily fearing that they had dared, and -that she had already felt the spite she was so careful not to provoke. - -"Do you think that feminine malice cannot contrive to envenom a dozen -stings that I could not explain if I would, and you could not deal -with if I did?" - -"But," I replied, "it seems admitted that there is no such thing as -right or custom. As Enva said, I have bought and paid for them, and -may do what I please within the contract; and you agree that is just -what any other man in this world would do." - -"Yes," returned Eveena, "and I watched your face while Enva spoke. How -did you like her doctrine? Of course you may do as you pleaseâif you -can please. You may silence discontent, you may suppress spiteful -innuendos and even sulky looks, you may put down mutiny, by sheer -terror. Can you? You may command me to go with you whenever you go -out; you may take the same means to make me complain of unkindness as -to make them conceal it; you may act like one of our own people, if -you can stoop to the level of their minds. But we both know that you -can do nothing of the kind. How could you bear to be driven into -unsparing and undeserved severity, who can hardly bring yourself to -enforce the discipline necessary to peace and comfort on those who -will only be ruled by fear and would like you better if they feared -you more? Did you hear the proverb Leenoo muttered, very unjustly, -when she left your room yesterday, 'A favourite wears out many -sandals'? No! You see the very phrase wounds and disgusts you. But you -would find it a true one. Can you take vengeance for a fault you have -yourself provoked? Can you decide without inquiry, condemn without -evidence, punish without hearing? Men do these things, of course, and -women expect them. But youâI do not say you would be ashamed so to -actâyou cannot do it, any more than you can breathe the air of our -snow-mountains." - -"At all events, Eveena, I no more dare do it in your presence than I -dare forswear the Faith we hold in common." - -But whatever Eveena might exact or I concede, the distinction between -the wife who commanded as much respect as affection, and the girls who -could at best be pets or playthings, was apparent against our will in -every detail of daily life and domestic intercourse. It was alike -impossible to treat Eveena as a child and to rule Enva or EiralĂŠ as -other than children. It was as unnatural to use the tone of command or -rebuke to one for whom my unexpressed wishes were absolute law, as to -observe the form of request or advice in directing or reproving those -whose obedience depended on the consequences of rebellion. It only -made matters worse that the distinction corresponded but too -accurately to their several deserts. No faults could have been so -irritating to Eveena's companions as her undeniable faultlessness. - -The ludicrous aspect of my relation to the rest of the household was -even more striking than I had expected. That I should find myself in -the absurd position of a man entrusted with the direct personal -government of half-a-dozen young ladies was even "more truly spoke -than meant." One at least among them might singly have made in time a -not unlovable wife, and all, perhaps, might severally and separately -have been reduced to conjugal complaisance. Collectively, they were, -as Eveena had said, a set of school-girls, and school-girls used to -stricter restraint and much sharper discipline than those of a French -or Italian convent. They would have made life a burden to a vigorous -English schoolmistress, and imperilled the soul of any Lady-Abbess -whose list of permissible penances excluded the dark cell and the -scourge. Fortunately for both parties, I had the advantage of -governess and Superior in the natural awe which girls feel for the -authority of manhoodâtill they have found out of what soft fibre men -are madeâand in the artificial fear inspired by domestic usage and -tradition. For I was soon aware that even on its ridiculous side the -relation was not to be trifled with. The simple indifference a man -feels towards the escapades of girlhood was not applicable to women -and wives, who yet lacked womanly sense and the feeling of conjugal -duty. This serious aspect of their position soon contracted the -indulgence naturally conceded to youth's heedlessness and animal -spirits. These, displayed at first only in the energy and eagerness of -their every movement within the narrow limits of conventional usage, -broke all bounds when, after one or two half-timid, half-venturous -experiments on my patience, they felt that they had, at least for the -moment, exchanged the monotony, the mechanical routine, the stern -repression of their life in the great Nurseries, not for the harsh -household discipline to which they naturally looked forward, but for -the "loosened zone" which to them seemed to promise absolute liberty. -When not immediately in my presence or Eveena's, their keen enjoyment -of a life so new, the sudden development of the brighter side of their -nature under circumstances that gave play to the vigorous vitality of -youth, gave as much pleasure to me as to themselves. But in contact -with myself or Eveena they were women, and showed only the wrong side -of the varied texture of womanhood. To the master they were slaves, -each anxious to attract his notice, win his preference; before the -favourite, spiteful, envious of her and of each other, bitter, -malicious, and false. For Eveena's sake, it was impossible to look on -with indolent indifference on freaks of temper which, childish in the -form they assumed, were envenomed by the deliberate dislike and -unscrupulous cunning of jealous women. - -But even on the childish side of their character and conduct, they -soon displayed a determination to test by actual experiment the utmost -extent of the liberty allowed, and the nature and sufficiency of its -limits. EunanĂŠ was always the most audacious trespasser and -representative rebel. Fortunately for her, the daring which had -bewildered and exasperated feminine guardians rather amused and -interested me, giving some variety and relief to the monotonous -absurdity of the situation. Nothing in her conduct was more remarkable -or more characteristic than the simplicity and good temper with which -she generally accepted as of course the less agreeable consequences of -her outbreaks; unless it were the sort of natural dignity with which, -when she so pleased, the game played out and its forfeit paid, the -naughty child subsided into the lively but rational companion, and the -woman simply ignored the scrapes of the school-girl. - -As her character seemed to unfold, EivĂŠ's individuality became as -distinctly parted from the rest as EunanĂŠ's, though in an opposite -direction. Comparatively timid and indolent, without their fulness of -life, she seemed to me little more than a child; and she fell with -apparent willingness into that position, accepting naturally its -privileges and exemptions. She alone was never in the way, never -vexatious or exacting. Content with the notice that naturally fell to -her share, she obtained the more. Never intruding between Eveena and -myself, she alone was not wholly unwelcome to share our accidental -privacy when, in the peristyle or the grounds, the others left us -temporarily alone. On such occasions she would often draw near and -crouch at my feet or by Eveena's side, curling herself like a kitten -upon the turf or among the cushions, often resting her little head -upon Eveena's knee or mine; generally silent, but never so silent as -to seem to be a spy upon our conversation, rather as a favourite child -privileged, in consideration of her quietude and her supposed -harmlessness and inattention, to remain when others are excluded, and -to hear much to which she is supposed not to listen. Having no special -duties of her own in the household, she would wait upon and assist -Eveena whenever the latter would accept her attendance. When the whole -party were assembled, it was her wont to choose her place not in the -circle, still less at my sideâEveena's title to the post of honour on -the left being uncontested, and EunanĂŠ generally occupying the -cushions on my right. But EivĂŠ, lying at our feet, would support -herself on her arm between my knee and EunanĂŠ's, content to attract my -hand to play with her curls or stroke her head. Under such -encouragement she would creep on to my lap and rest there, but seldom -took any part in conversation, satisfied with the attention one pays -half-consciously to a child. A word that dropped from Enva, however, -on one occasion, obliged me to observe that it was in Eveena's absence -that EivĂŠ always seemed most fully aware of her privileges and most -lavish of her childlike caresses. The kind of notice and affection she -obtained did not provoke the envy even of Leenoo or EiralĂŠ. She no -more affected to imitate Eveena's absolute devotion than she ventured -on EunanĂŠ's reckless petulance. She kept my interest alive by the -faults of a spoiled child. Her freaks were always such as to demand -immediate repression without provoking serious displeasure, so that -the temporary disgrace cost her little, and the subsequent -reconciliation strengthened her hold on my heart. But with Eveena, or -in her presence, EivĂŠ's waywardness was so suppressed or controlled -that Eveena's perceptible coolness towards herâit was never coldness -or unkindnessâsomewhat surprised me. - -Few Martialists, when wealthy enough to hand over the management of -their property to others, care to interfere, or even to watch its -cultivation. This, however, to me was a subject of as much interest as -any other of the many peculiarities of Martial society, commerce, and -industry, which it concerned me to investigate and understand; and -when not otherwise employed, I spent great part of my day in watching, -and now and then directing, the work that went on during the whole of -the sunlight, and not unfrequently during the night, upon my farm. -Davilo, the superintendent, had engaged no fewer than eight -subordinates, who, with the assistance of the ambau, the carvee, and -the electric machines, kept every portion of the ground in the most -perfect state of culture. The most valuable part of the produce -consisted of those farinaceous fruits, growing on trees from twenty to -eighty feet in height, which form the principal element of Martial -food. Between the tropics these trees yield ripe fruit twice a year, -during a total period of about three of our monthsâperhaps for a -hundred days. Various gourds, growing chiefly on canes, hanging from -long flexile stalks that spring from the top of the stem at a height -of from three to eight feet, yield juice which is employed partly in -flavouring the various loaves and cakes into which the flour is made, -partly in the numerous beverages (never allowed to ferment, and -consequently requiring to be made fresh every day), of which the -smallest Martial household has a greater variety than the most -luxurious palace of the East. The best are made from hard-skinned -fruits, whose whole pulp is liquified by piercing the rind before the -fruit is fully ripe, and closing the orifice with a wax-like -substance, almost exactly according to a practice common in different -parts of Asia. The drinks are made, of course, at home. The -farinaceous fruits are sold to the confectioners, who take also a -portion of the milk and all the meat supplied by the pastures. Many -choice fruits grow on shrubs, ranging from the size of a large black -currant tree to that of the smallest gooseberry bush. Vines growing -along the ground bear clustering nuts, whose kernels are sometimes as -hard as that of a cocoa-nut, sometimes almost as soft as butter. The -latter with the juicy fruits, are preserved if necessary for a whole -year in storehouses dug in the ground and lined with concrete, in -which, by chemical means, a temperature a little above the -freezing-point is steadily maintained at very trivial cost. The number -of dishes producible by the mixture of these various materials, with -the occasional addition of meat, fish, and eggs, is enormous; and it -is only when some particular compound is in special favour with the -master of the house that it makes its appearance more than perhaps -once in ten days upon the same table. The invention of the -confectioners is exquisite and inexhaustible; and every table is -supplied with a variety of dainties sufficient for a feast in the most -hospitable and wealthy household of Europe. Many of the smaller -fruit-trees and shrubs yield two crops in the year. The vegetables, -crisper, and of much more varied taste than the best Terrestrial -salads, sometimes possessing a flavour as _piquant_ as that of -cinnamon or nutmeg, are gathered continuously from one end of the year -to the other. - -The vines, tough and fibrous, supply the best and strongest cordage -used in Mars. For this purpose they are dried, stripped, combed, and -put through an elaborate process of manufacture, which, without -weakening the fibres, renders them smooth, and removes the knots in -which they naturally abound. The twisted cord of the nut-vine is -almost as strong as a metallic wire rope of half its measurement. -There is another purpose for which these fibres in their natural state -are employed. Simply dried and twisted, they form a scourge as -terrible as the Russian knout or African cowhide, though of a -different characterâa scourge which, even in its lightest form, -reduces the wildest herd to instant order; and which, as employed on -criminals, is hardly less dreaded than that electric rack whereby -Martial science inflicts on every nerve a graduated torture such as -even ecclesiastical malignity has not invented on Earthâsuch as I -certainly will not place in the hands of Terrestrial rulers. - -All these crops are raised with marvellously little human labour, the -whole work of ploughing and sowing being done by machinery, that of -weeding and harvesting chiefly by the carvee. The ambau climb the -trees and pick the fruit from the ends of the branches, which they are -also taught to pinch in, so that none grow so long as to break with -the weight of these creatures, as clever and agile as the smaller -monkeys, but almost as large as an ordinary baboon. It must always be -remembered that, size for size, and _cĂŚteris paribus,_ all bodies, -animate and inanimate, on Mars weigh less than half as much as they -would on Earth. EunanĂŠ's blunder about the _carcarâ_ was not explained -by any subsequent errors of the ambau or carvee, which always selected -the ripe fruit with faultless skill, leaving the immature untouched, -and throwing aside in small heaps to manure the ground the few that -had been allowed to grow too ripe for use. The sums paid from time to -time into my hands, received from the sales of produce, were far -greater than I could possibly spend in gratifying any taste of my own; -and, as I presently found, the idea that the surplus might indulge -those of the ladies never entered their minds. - -Before we had been settled in our home for three days Eveena had made -two requests which I was well pleased to grant. First, she entreated -that I would teach her one at least of the languages with which I was -familiarâa task of whose extreme difficulty she had little idea. -Compared with her native tongue, the complication and irregularities -of the simplest language spoken on Earth are far more arbitrary and -provoking than seems the most difficult of ancient or Oriental tongues -to a Frenchman or Italian. In order to fulfil my promise that she -should assist me in recording my observations and writing out my -notes, I chose Latin. Unhappily for her, I found myself as impatient -and unsuccessful as I was inexperienced in teaching; and nothing but -her exquisite gentleness and forbearance could have made the lessons -otherwise than painful to us both. Well for me that the "right to -govern wrong" was to her a simple truthâan inalienable marital -privilege, to be met with that unqualified submission which must have -shamed the worst temper into self-control. EivĂŠ on one occasion made a -similar request; but besides that I realised the convenience of a -medium of communication understood by ourselves alone, I had no -inclination to expose either my own temper or EivĂŠ's to the trial. -Eveena's second request came naturally from one whose favourite -amusement had been the raising and modification of flowers. She asked -to be entrusted with the charge of the seeds I had brought from Earth, -and to be permitted to form a bed in the peristyle for the purpose of -the experiment. Though this disfigured the perfect arrangement of the -garden, I was delighted to have so important and interesting a problem -worked out by hands so skilful and so careful. I should probably have -failed to rear a single plant, even had I been familiar with those -applications of electricity to the purpose which are so extensively -employed in Mars. Eveena managed to produce specimens strangely -altered, sometimes stunted, sometimes greatly improved, from about -one-fourth of the seeds entrusted to her; and among those with which -she was most brilliantly successful were some specimens of Turkish -roses, the roses of the attar, which I had obtained at Stamboul. My -admiration of her patience and pleasure in her success deeply -gratified her; and it was a full reward for all her trouble when I -suggested that she should send to her sister Zevle a small packet of -each of the seeds with which she had succeeded. It happened, however, -that the few rose seeds had all been planted; and the flowers, though -apparently perfect, produced no seed of their own, probably because -they were not suited to the taste of the flower-birds, and Eveena -somehow forgot or failed to employ the process of artificial -fertilisation. - -If anything could have fully reconciled my conscience to the household -relations in which I was rather by weakness than by will inextricably -entangled, it would have been the certainty that by the sacrifice -Eveena had herself enforced on me, and which she persistently refused -to recognise as such, she alone had suffered. True that I could not -give, and could hardly affect for the wives bestowed on me by -another's choice, even such love as the head of a Moslem household may -distribute among as many inmates. But to what I could call love they -had never looked forward. But for the example daily presented before -their own eyes they would no more have missed than they comprehended -it. That they were happier than they had expected, far happier than -they would have been in an ordinary home, happier certainly than in -the schools they had quitted, I could not doubt, and they did not -affect to deny. If my patience were not proof against vexations the -more exasperating from their pettiness, and the sense of ridicule -which constantly attached to them, I could read in the manner of most -and understand from the words of EunanĂŠ, who seldom hesitated to speak -her mind, whether its utterances, were flattering or wounding, that -she and her companions found me not only far more indulgent, but -incomparably more just than they had been taught to hope a man could -be. Of justice, indeed, as consisting in restraint on one's own temper -and consideration for the temper of others, Martial manhood is -incapable, or, at any rate, Martial womanhood never suspects its -masters. - -Moreover, though no longer blest with the spirits of youth, and -finding little pleasure in what youth calls pleasure, I had escaped -the kind of satiety that seems to attend lives more softly spent than -mine had been; and found a very real and unfading enjoyment in -witnessing the keen enjoyment of these youthful natures in such -liberty as could be accorded and such amusements as the life of this -dull and practical world affords. - -Among these, two at least are closely similar to the two favourite -pleasures of European society. Music appears to have been carried, -like most arts and sciences, to a point of mechanical perfection -which, I should suppose, like much of the artificial accuracy and ease -which civilisation has introduced, mars rather than enhances the -natural gratification enjoyed by simpler ages and races. Almost deaf -to music as distinguished from noise, I did not attempt to comprehend -the construction of Martial instruments or the nature of the concords -they emitted. One only struck me with especial surprise by a -peculiarity which, if I could not understand, I could not mistake. A -number of variously coloured flames are made to synchronise with or -actually emit a number of corresponding notes, dancing to, or, more -properly, weaving a series of strangely combined movements in accord -with the music, whose vibrations were directly and inseparably -connected with their motion. But all music is the work of professional -musicians, never the occupation of woman's leisure, never made more -charming to the ear by its association with the movement of beloved -hands or the tones of a cherished voice. Electric wires, connected -with the vast buildings wherein instruments produce what sounds like -fine choral singing as well as musical notes, enable the householder -to turn on at pleasure music equal, I suppose, to the finest operatic -performances or the grandest oratorio, and listen to it at leisure -from the cushions of his own peristyle. This was a great though not -wholly new delight to EunanĂŠ and most of her companions. For their -sake only would Eveena ever have resorted to it, for though herself -appreciating music not less highly, and educated to understand it much -more thoroughly, than they, she could derive little gratification from -that which was clearly incomprehensible if not disagreeable to -meâcould hardly enjoy a pleasure I could not share. - -The theatre was a more prized and less common indulgence. It is little -frequented by the elder Martialists; and not enjoying it themselves, -they seldom sacrifice their hours to the enjoyment of their women. But -it forms so important an aid to education, and tends so much to keep -alive in the public memory impressions which policy will not permit to -fade, that both from the State and from the younger portion of the -community it receives an encouragement quite sufficient to reward the -few who bestow their time and talent upon it. Great buildings, square -or oblong in form, the stage placed at one end, the arched boxes or -galleries from which the spectators look down thereon rising tier -above and behind tier to the further extremity, are constantly filled. -There are no actors, and Martial feeling would hardly allow the -appearance of women as actresses. But an art, somewhat analogous to, -but infinitely surpassing, that displayed in the manipulation of the -most skilfully constructed and most complicated magic lanterns, -enables the conductors of the theatre to present upon the stage a -truly living and moving picture of any scene they desire to exhibit. -The figures appear perfectly real, move with perfect freedom, and -seem to speak the sounds which, in fact, are given out by a gigantic -hidden phonograph, into which the several parts have long ago been -carefully spoken by male and female voices, the best suited to each -character; and which, by the reversal of its motion, can repeat the -original words almost for ever, with the original tone, accent, and -expression. The illusion is far more perfect than that obtained by all -the resources of stage management and all the skill of the actor's art -in the best theatres of France. After the first novelty, the first -surprise and wonder were exhausted, I must confess that these -representations simply bored me, the more from their length and -character. But even Eveena enjoyed them thoroughly, and my other -companions prized an evening or afternoon thus spent above all other -indulgences. A passage running along at the back of each tier admits -the spectator to boxes so completely private as to satisfy the -strictest requirements of Martial seclusion. - -The favourite scenes represent the most striking incidents of Martial -history, or realise the life, usages, and manners of ages long gone -by, before science and invention had created the perfect but -monotonous civilisation that now prevails. One of the most interesting -performances I witnessed commenced with the exhibition of a striking -scene, in which the union of all the various States that had up to -that time divided the planet's surface, and occasionally waged war on -one another, in the first Congress of the World, was realised in the -exact reproduction of every detail which historic records have -preserved. Afterwards was depicted the confusion, declining into -barbarism and rapid degradation, of the Communistic revolution, the -secession of the Zveltau and their merely political adherents, the -construction of their cities, fleets, and artillery, the terrible -battles, in which the numbers of the Communists were hurled back or -annihilated by the asphyxiator and the lightning gun; and finally, the -most remarkable scene in all Martial history, when the last -representatives of the great Anarchy, squalid, miserable, degraded, -and debased in form and features, as well as indicating by their dress -and appearance the utter ruin of art and industry under their rule, -came into the presence of the chief ruler of the rising -Stateâsurrounded by all the splendour which the "magic of property," -stimulating invention and fostering science, had createdâto entreat -admission into the realm of restored civilisation, and a share in the -blessings they had so deliberately forfeited and so long striven to -deny to others. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - PRIVATE AUDIENCES. - - -I spent my days between mist and mist, according to the Martial -saying, not infrequently in excursions more or less extensive and -adventurous, in which I could but seldom ask Eveena's company, and did -not care for any other. Comparatively courageous as she had learned to -be, and free from all affectation of pretty feminine fear, Eveena -could never realise the practical immunity from ordinary danger which -a strength virtually double that I had enjoyed on Earth, and thorough -familiarity with the dangers of travel, of mountaineering, and of the -chase, afforded me. When, therefore, I ventured among the hills alone, -followed the fishermen and watched their operations, sometimes in -terribly rough weather, from the little open surface-boat which I -could manage myself, I preferred to give her no definite idea of my -intentions. Davilo, however, protested against my exposure to a peril -of which Eveena was happily as yet unaware. - -"If your intentions are never known beforehand," he said, "still your -habit of going forth alone in places to which your steps might easily -be dogged, where you might be shot from an ambush or drowned by a -sudden attack from a submarine vessel, will soon be pretty generally -understood, if, as I fear, a regular watch is set upon your life. At -least let me know what your intentions are before starting, and make -your absences as irregular and sudden as possible. The less they are -known beforehand, even in your own household, the better." - -"Is it midnight still in the Council Chamber?" I asked. - -"Very nearly so. She who has told so much can tell us no more. The -clue that placed her in mental relations with the danger did not -extend to its authorship. We have striven hard to find in every -conceivable direction some material key to the plot, some object -which, having been in contact with the persons of those we suspect, -probably at the time when their plans were arranged, might serve as a -link between her thoughts and theirs; but as yet unsuccessfully. -Either her vision is darkened, or the connection we have sought to -establish is wanting. But you know who is your unsparing personal -enemy; and, after the Sovereign himself, no man in this world is so -powerful; while the Sovereign himself is, owing to the restraints of -his position, less active, less familiar with others, less acquainted -with what goes on out of his own sight. Again I say we can avenge; but -against secret murder our powers only avail to deter. If we would -save, it must be by the use of natural precautions." - -What he said made me desirous of some conversation with Eveena before -I started on a meditated visit to the Palace. If I could not tell her -the whole truth, she knew something; and I thought it possible on this -occasion so far to enlighten her as to consult with her how the secret -of my intended journeys should in future be kept. But I found no -chance of speaking to her until, shortly before my departure, I was -called upon to decide one of the childish disputes which constantly -disturbed my temper and comfort. Mere fleabites they were; but fleas -have often kept me awake a whole night in a Turkish caravanserai, and -half-a-dozen mosquitos inside an Indian tent have broken up the sleep -earned on a long day's march or a sharply contested battlefield. I -need only say that I extorted at last from Eveena a clear statement of -the trifle at issue, which flatly contradicted those of the four -participants in the squabble. She began to suggest a means of proving -the truth, and they broke into angry clamour. Silencing them all -peremptorily, I drew Eveena into my own chamber, and, when assured -that we were unheard, reproved her for proposing to support her own -word by evidence. - -"Do you think," I said, "that any possible proof would induce me to -doubt you, or add anything to the assurance I derive from your word?" - -"But," she urged, "that cannot be just to others. They must feel it -very hard that your love for me makes you take all I say for truth." - -"Not my love, but my knowledge. 'Be not righteous overmuch.' Don't -forget that they _know_ the truth as well as you." - -I would hear no more, and passed to the matter I had at heart.... - -Earnestly, and in a sense sincerely, as upon my second audience I had -thanked the Camptâ for his munificent gifts, no day passed that I -would not thankfully have renounced the wealth he had bestowed if I -could at the same time have renounced what was, in intention and -according to Martial ideas, the most gracious and most remarkable of -his favours. On the present occasion I thought for a moment that such -renunciation might have been possible. - -The Prince had, after our first interview, observed with regard to -every point of my story on which I had been carefully silent a -delicacy of reserve very unusual among Martialists, and quite -unintelligible to his Court and officers. To-day the conversation in -public turned again upon my voyage. Endo and another studiously -directed it to the method of steering, and the intentional diminution -of speed in my descent, corresponding to its gradual increase at the -commencement of the journeyâpoints at which they hoped to find some -opening to the mystery of the motive force. The Prince relieved me -from some embarrassment by requesting me as usual to attend him to his -private cabinet. - -He said:â"I have not, as you must be aware, pressed you to disclose a -secret which, for some reason or other, you are evidently anxious to -preserve. Of course the exclusive possession of a motive power so -marvellous as that employed in your voyage is of almost incalculable -pecuniary value, and it is perfectly right that you should use your -own discretion with regard to the time and the terms of its -communication." - -"Pardon me," I interposed, "if I interrupt you, Prince, to prevent any -misconception. It is not with a view to profit that I have carefully -avoided giving any clue whatever to my secret. Tour munificence would -render it most ungrateful and unjust in me to haggle over the price of -any service I could render you; and I should be greedy indeed if I -desired greater wealth than you have bestowed. If I may say so without -offending, I earnestly wish that you would permit me, by resigning -your gifts, to retain in my own eyes the right to keep my secret -without seeming undutiful or unthankful." - -"I have said," he replied, "that on that point you misconceive our -respective positions. No one supposes that you are indebted to us for -anything more than it was the duty of the Sovereign to give, as a mark -of the universal admiration and respect, to our guest from another -world; still less could any imagine that on such a trifle could be -founded any claim to a secret so invaluable. You will offend me much -and only if you ever again speak of yourself as bound by personal -obligation to me or mine. But as we are wishful to buy, so I cannot -understand any reluctance on your part to sell your secret on your own -terms." - -"I think, Prince," I replied, "that I have already asked you what you -would think of a subject of your own, who should put such a power into -the hands of enemies as formidable to you as you would be to the races -of the Earth." - -"And _I_ think," he rejoined with a smile, "that I reminded you how -little my judgment would matter to one possessed of such a power. I -have gathered from your conversation how easily we might conquer a -world as far behind us in destructive powers as in general -civilisation. But why should you object? You can make your own terms -both for yourself and for any of your race for whom you feel an -especial interest." - -"A traitor is none the less a despicable and loathsome wretch because -his Prince cannot punish him. I am bound by no direct tie of loyalty -to any Terrestrial sovereign. I was born the subject of one of the -greatest monarchs of the Earth; I left his country at an early age, -and my youth was passed in the service of less powerful rulers, to one -at least of whom I long owed the same military allegiance that binds -your guards and officers to yourself. But that obligation also is at -an end. Nevertheless, I cannot but recognise that I owe a certain -fealty to the race to which I belong, a duty to right and justice. -Even if I thought, which I do not think, that the Earth would be -better governed and its inhabitants happier under your rule, I should -have no right to give them up to a conquest I know they would fiercely -and righteously resist. Ifâpardon me for saying itâyou, Prince, -would commit no common crime in assailing and slaughtering those who -neither have wronged nor can wrong you, one of themselves would be -tenfold more guilty in sharing your enterprise." - -"You shall ensure," he replied, "the good government of your own world -as you will. You shall rule it with all the authority possessed by the -Regents under me, and by the laws which you think best suited to races -very different from our own. You shall be there as great and absolute -as I am here, paying only an obedience to me and my successors which, -at so immense a distance, can be little more than formal." - -"Is it to acquire a merely formal power that a Prince like yourself -would risk the lives of your own people, and sacrifice those of -millions of another race?" - -"To tell you the truth," he replied, "I count on commanding the -expedition myself; and perhaps I care more for the adventure than for -its fruits. You will not expect me to be more chary of the lives of -others than of my own?" - -"I understand, and as a soldier could share, perhaps, a feeling -natural to a great, a capable, and an ambitious Prince. But alike as -soldier and subject it is my duty to resist, not to aid, such an -ambition. My life is at your disposal, but even to save my life I -could not betray the lives of hundreds of millions and the future of a -whole world." - -"I fail to understand you fully," he said, abandoning with a sigh a -hope that had evidently been the object of long and eager day-dreams. -"But in no case would I try to force from you what you will not give -or sell; and if you speak sincerelyâand I suppose you must do so, -since I can see no motive but those you assign that could induce you -to refuse my offerâI must believe in the existence of what I have -heard of now and then but deemed incredibleâmen who are governed by -care for other things than their own interests, who believe in right -and wrong, and would rather suffer injustice than commit it." - -"You may be sure, Prince," I replied, perhaps imprudently, "that there -are such men in your own world, though they are perhaps among those -who are least known and least likely to be seen at your Court." - -"If you know them," he said, "you will render me no little service in -bringing them to my knowledge." - -"It is possible," I ventured to observe, "that their distinguishing -excellences are connected with other distinctions which might render -it a disservice to them to indicate their peculiar character, I will -not say to yourself, but to those around you." - -"I hardly understand you," he rejoined. "Take, however, my assurance -that nothing you say here shall, without your own consent, be used -elsewhere. It is no light gratification, no trifling advantage to me, -to find one man who has neither fear nor interest that can induce him -to lie to me; to whom I can speak, not as sovereign to subject, but as -man to man, and of whose private conversation my courtiers and -officials are not yet suspicious or jealous. You shall never repent -any confidence you give to me." - -My interest in and respect for the strange character so manifestly -suited for, so intensely weary of, the grandest position that man -could fill, increased with each successive interview. I never envied -that greatness which seems to most men so enviable. The servitude of a -constitutional King, so often a puppet in the hands of the worst and -meanest of menâthose who prostitute their powers as rulers of a State -to their interests as chiefs of a factionâmust seem pitiable to any -rational manhood. But even the autocracy of the Sultan or the Czar -seems ill to compensate the utter isolation of the throne; the lonely -grandeur of one who can hardly have a friend, since he can never have -an equal, among those around him. I do not wonder that a tinge of -melancholo-mania is so often perceptible in the chiefs of that great -House whose Oriental absolutism is only "tempered by assassination." -But an Earthly sovereign may now and then meet his fellow-sovereigns, -whether as friends or foes, on terms of frank hatred or loyal -openness. His domestic relations, though never secure and simple as -those of other men, may relieve him at times from the oppressive sense -of his sublime solitude; and to his wife, at any rate, he may for a -few minutes or hours be the husband and not the king. But the absolute -Ruler of this lesser world had neither equal friends nor open foes, -neither wife nor child. How natural then his weariness of his own -life; how inevitable his impatient scorn of those to whom that life -was devoted! A despot not even accountable to Godâa Prince who, till -he conversed with me, never knew that the universe contained his equal -or his likeâit spoke much, both for the natural strength and -soundness of his intellect and for the excellence of his education, -that he was so sane a man, so earnest, active, and just a ruler. His -reign was signalised by a better police, a more even administration of -justice, a greater efficiency, judgment, and energy in the execution -of great works of public utility, than his realm had known for a -thousand years; and his duty was done as diligently and -conscientiously as if he had known that conscience was the voice of a -supreme Sovereign, and duty the law of an unerring and unescapable -Lawgiver. Alone among a race of utterly egotistical cowards, he had -the courage of a soldier, and the principles, or at least the -instincts, worthy of a Child of the Star. With him alone could I have -felt a moment's security from savage attempts to extort by terror or -by torture the secret I refused to sell; and I believe that his -generous abstinence from such an attempt was as exasperating as it was -incomprehensible to his advisers, and chiefly contributed to involve -him in the vengeance which baffled greed and humbled personal pride -had leagued to wreak upon myself, as on those with whose welfare and -safety my own were inextricably intertwined. It was a fortunate, if -not a providential, combination of circumstances that compelled the -enemies of the Star, primarily on my account, to interweave with their -scheme of murderous persecution and private revenge an equally -ruthless and atrocious treason against the throne and person of their -Monarch. - -My audience had detained me longer than I had expected, and the -evening mist had fairly closed in before I returned. Entering, not as -usual through the grounds and the peristyle, but by the vestibule and -my own chamber, and hidden by my half-open window, I overheard an -exceedingly characteristic discussion on the incident of the morning. - -"Serve her right!" Leenoo was saying. "That she should for once get -the worst of it, and be disbelieved to sharpen the sting!" - -"How do you know?" asked Enva. "I don't feel so sure we have heard the -last of it." - -"Eveena did not seem to have liked her half-hour," answered Leenoo -spitefully. "Besides, if he did not disbelieve her story, he would -have let her prove it." - -"Is that your reliance?" broke in EunanĂŠ. "Then you are swinging on a -rotten branch. I would not believe my ears if, for all that all of us -could invent against her, I heard him so much as ask Eveena, 'Are you -speaking the truth?'" - -"It is very uneven measure," muttered Enva. - -"Uneven!" cried EunanĂŠ. "Now, I think _I_ have the best right to be -jealous of her place; and it does sting me that, when he takes me for -his companion out of doors, or makes most of me at home, it is so -plain that he is taking trouble, as if he grudged a soft word or a -kiss to another as something stolen from her. But he deals evenly, -after all. If he were less tender of her we should have to draw our -zones tighter. But he won't give us the chance to say, 'Teach the -_ambâ_ with stick and the _esve_ with sugar.'" - -"I do say it. She is never snubbed or silenced; and if she has had -worse than what he calls 'advice' to-day, I believe it is the first -time. She has never 'had cause to wear the veil before the household' -[to hide blushes or tears], or found that his 'lips can give sharper -sting than their kiss can heal,' like the rest of us." - -"What for? If he wished to find her in fault he would have to watch -her dreams. Do you expect him to be harder to her than to us? He don't -'look for stains with a microscope.' None of us can say that he -'drinks tears for taste.' None of us ever 'smarted because the sun -scorched _him_.' Would you have him 'tie her hands for being white'?" -[punish her for perfection]. - -"She is never at fault because he never believes us against her," -returned Leenoo. - -"How often would he have been right? I saw nothing of to-day's -quarrel, but I know beforehand where the truth lay. I tell you this: -he hates the sandal more than the sin, but, strange as it seems, he -hates a falsehood worse still; and a falsehood against EveenaâIf you -want to feel 'how the spear-grass cuts when the sheath bursts,' let -him find you out in an experiment like this! You congratulate -yourself, Leenoo, that you have got her into trouble. _Elnerve_ that -you are!âif you have, you had better have poisoned his cup before his -eyes. For every tear he sees her shed he will reckon with us at twelve -years' usury." - -"_You_ have made her shed some," retorted Enva. - -"Yes," said EunanĂŠ, "and if he knew it, I should like half a year's -penance in the black sash" [as the black sheep or scapegoat of her -Nursery] "better than my next half-hour alone with him. When I was -silly enough to tie the veil over her mouth" [take the lead in sending -her to Coventry] "the day after we came here, I expected to pay for -it, and thought the fruit worth the scratches. But when he came in -that evening, nodded and spoke kindly to us, but with his eyes seeking -for her; when he saw her at last sitting yonder with her head down, I -saw how his face darkened at the very idea that she was vexed, and I -thought the flash was in the cloud. When she sprang up as he called -her, and forced a smile before he looked into her face, I wished I had -been as ugly as Minn oo, that I might have belonged to the miserliest, -worst-tempered man living, rather than have so provoked the giant." - -"But what did he do?" - -"Well that he don't hear you!" returned EunanĂŠ. "But I can -answer;ânothing. I shivered like a _leveloo_ in the wind when he came -into my room, but I heard nothing about Eveena. I told EivĂŠ so next -dayâyou remember EivĂŠ would have no part with us? 'And you were -called the cleverest girl in your Nursery!' she said; 'you have just -tied your own hands and given your sandal into Eveena's. Whenever she -tells him, you will drink the cup she chooses to mix for you, and very -salt you will find it.'" - -"Crach!" (tush or stuff), said EiralĂŠ contemptuously. "We have 'filled -her robe with pins' for half a year since then, and she has never been -able to make him count them." - -"Able!" returned EunanĂŠ sharply, "do you know no better? Well, I chose -to fancy she was holding this over me to keep me in her power. One day -she spokeâchoosing her words so carefullyâto warn me how I was sure -to anger Clasfempta" (the master of the household) "by pushing my -pranks so often to the verge of safety and no farther. I answered her -with a taunt, and, of course, that evening I was more perverse than -ever, till even he could stand it no longer. When he quotedâ - - "'More lightly treat whom haste or heat to headlong trespass urge; - The heaviest sandals fit the feet that ever tread the verge'â - -"I was well frightened. I saw that the bough had broken short of the -end, and that for once Clasfempta could mean to hurt. But Eveena kept -him awhile, and when he came to me, she had persuaded him that I was -only mischievous, not malicious, teasing rather than trespassing. But -his last words showed that he was not so sure of that. 'I have treated -you this time as a child whose petulance is half play; but if you -would not have your teasing returned with interest, keep it clipped; -andâkeep it for _me_.' I have often tormented her since then, but I -could not for shame help you to spite her." - -"Crach!" said Enva. "Eveena might think it wise to make friends with -you; but would she bear to be slighted and persecuted a whole summer -if she could help herself? You know thatâ - - "Man's control in woman's hand - Sorest tries the household band. - Closer favourite's kisses cling, - Favourite's fingers sharper sting." - -"Very likely," replied EunanĂŠ. "I cannot understand any more than you -can why Eveena screens instead of punishing us; why she endures what a -word to him would put down under her sandal; but she does. Does she -cast no shadow because it never darkens his presence to us? And after -all, her mind is not a deeper darkness to me than his. He enjoys life -as no man here does; but what he enjoys most is a good chance of -losing it; while those who find it so tedious guard it like -watch-dragons. When the number of accidents made it difficult to fill -up the Southern hunt at any price, the Camptâ's refusal to let him go -so vexed him that Eveena was half afraid to show her sense of relief. -You would think he liked painâthe scars of the _kargynda_ are not his -only or his deepest onesâif he did not catch at every excuse to spare -it. And, again, why does he speak to Eveena as to the Camptâ, and to -us as to childrenâ'child' is his softest word for us? Then, he is -patient where you expect no mercy, and severe where others would -laugh. When Enva let the electric stove overheat the water, so that he -was scalded horribly in his bath, we all counted that he would at -least have paid her back the pain twice over. But as soon as Eveena -and EivĂŠ had arranged the bandages, he sent for her. We could scarcely -bring you to him, Enva; but he put out the only hand he could move to -stroke your hair as he does EivĂŠ's, and spoke for once with real -tenderness, as if you were the person to be pitied! Any one else would -have laughed heartily at the figure her _esve_ made with half her tail -pulled out. But not all Eveena's pleading could obtain pardon for me." - -"That was caprice, not even dealing," said Leenoo. "You were not half -so bad as Enva." - -"He made me own that I was," replied EunanĂŠ. "It never occurred to him -to suppose or say that she did it on purpose. But I was cruel on -purpose to the bird, if I were not spiteful to its mistress. 'Don't -you feel,' he said, 'that intentional cruelty is what no ruler, -whether of a household or of a kingdom, has a right to pass over? If -not, you can hardly be fit for a charge that gives animals into your -power.' I never liked him half so well; and I am sure I deserved a -severer lesson. Since then, I cannot help liking them both; though it -_is_ mortifying to feel that one is nothing before her." - -"It is intolerable," said Enva bitterly; "I detest her." - -"Is it her fault?" asked EunanĂŠ with some warmth. "They are so like -each other and so unlike us, that I could fancy she came from his own -world. I went to her next day in her own room." - -"Ay," interjected Leenoo with childish spite, "'kiss the foot and -'scape the sandal.'" - -"Think so," returned EunanĂŠ quietly, "if you like. I thought I owed -her some amends. Well, she had her bird in her lap, and I think she -was crying over it. But as soon as she saw me she put it out of sight. -I began to tell her how sorry I was about it, but she would not let me -go on. She kissed me as no one ever kissed me since my school friend -Ernie died three years ago; and she cried more over the trouble I had -brought on myself than over her pet. And since then," EunanĂŠ went on -with a softened voice, "she has showed me how pretty its ways are, how -clever it is, how fond of her, and she tries to make it friends with -me.... Sometimes I don't wonder she is so much to him and he to her. -She was brought up in the home where she was born. Her father is one -of those strange people; and I fancy there is something between her -and Clasfempta more than...." - -I could not let this go on; and stepping back from the window as if I -had but just returned, I called EunanĂŠ by name. She came at once, a -little surprised at the summons, but suspecting nothing. But the first -sight of my face startled her; and when, on the impulse of the moment, -I took her hands and looked straight into her eyes, her quick -intelligence perceived at once that I had heard at least part of the -conversation. - -"Ah," she said, flushing and hanging her head, "I am caught now, -but"âin a tone half of reliefâ"I deserve it, and I won't pretend to -think that you are angry only because Eveena is your favourite. You -would not allow any of us to be spited if you could help it, and it is -much worse to have spited her." - -I led her by the hand across the peristyle into her own chamber, and -when the window closed behind us, drew her to my side. - -"So you would rather belong to the worst master of your own race than -to me?" - -"Not now," she answered. "That was my first thought when I saw how you -felt for Eveena, and knew how angry you would be when you found how -weâI mean how Iâhad used her, and I remembered how terribly strong -you were. I know you better now. It is for women to strike with five -fingers" (in unmeasured passion); "only, don't tell Eveena. Besides," -she murmured, colouring, with drooping eyelids, "I had rather be -beaten by you than caressed by another." - -"EunanĂŠ, child, you might well say you don't understand me. I could -not have listened to your talk if I had meant to use it against you; -and with _you_ I have no cause to be displeased. Nay" (as she looked -up in surprise), "I know you have not used Eveena kindly, but I heard -from yourself that you had repented. That she, who could never be -coaxed or compelled to say what made her unhappy, or even to own that -I had guessed it truly, has fully forgiven you, you don't need to be -told." - -"Indeed, I don't understand," the girl sobbed. "Eveena is always so -strangely soft and gentleâshe would rather suffer without reason than -let us suffer who deserve it. But just because she is so kind, you -must feel the more bitterly for her. Besides," she went on, "I was so -jealousâas if you could compare me with herâeven after I had felt -her kindness. No! you cannot forgive _for her_, and you ought not." - -"Child," I answered, sadly enough, for my conscience was as ill at -ease as hers, with deeper cause, "I don't tell you that your jealousy -was not foolish and your petulance culpable; but I do say that neither -Eveena nor I have the heartâperhaps I have not even the rightâto -blame you. It is true that I love Eveena as I can love no other in -this world or my own. How well she deserves that love none but I can -know. So loving her, I would not willingly have brought any other -woman into a relation which could make her dependent upon or desirous -of such love as I cannot give. You know how this relation to you and -the others was forced upon me. When I accepted it, I thought I could -give you as much affection as you would find elsewhere. How far and -why I wronged Eveena is between her and myself. I did not think that I -could be wronging you." - -Very little of this was intelligible to EunanĂŠ. She felt a tenderness -she had never before received; but she could not understand my doubt, -and she replied only to my last words. - -"Wrong us! How could you? Did we ask whether you had another wife, or -who would be your favourite? Did you promise to like us, or even to be -kind to us? You might have neglected us altogether, made one girl your -sole companion, kept all indulgences, all favours, for her; and how -would you have wronged us? If you had turned on us when she vexed you, -humbled us to gratify her caprice, ill-used us to vent your temper, -other men would have done the same. Who else would have treated us as -you have done? Who would have been careful to give each of us her -share in every pleasure, her turn in every holiday, her employment at -home, her place in your company abroad? Who would have inquired into -the truth of our complaints and the merits of our quarrels; would have -made so many excuses for our faults, given us so many patient -warnings?... Wronged us! There may be some of us who don't like you; -there is not one who could bear to be sent away, not one who would -exchange this house for the palace of the camptâ though you pronounce -him kingly in nature as in power." - -She spoke as she believed, if she spoke in error. "If so, my child, -why have you all been so bitter against Eveena? Why have you yourself -been jealous of one who, as you admit, has been a favourite only in a -love you did not expect?" - -"But we saw it, and we envied her so much love, so much respect," she -replied frankly. "And for myself,"âshe coloured, faltered, and was -silent. "For yourself, my child?" - -"I was a vain fool," she broke out impetuously. "They told me that I -was beautiful, and clever, and companionable. I fancied I should be -your favourite, and hold the first place; and when I saw her, I would -not see her grace and gentleness, or observe her soft sweet voice, and -the charms that put my figure and complexion to shame, and the quiet -sense and truth that were worth twelvefold my quickness, my memory, -and my handiness. I was disappointed and mortified that she should be -preferred. Oh, how you must hate me, Clasfempta; for I hate myself -while I tell you what I have been!" - -According to European doctrine, my fealty to Eveena must then have -been in peril. And yet, warmly as I felt for EunanĂŠ, the element in -her passionate confession that touched me most was her recognition of -Eveena's superiority; and as I soothed and comforted the half-childish -penitent, I thought how much it would please Eveena that I had at last -come to an understanding with the companion she avowedly liked the -best. - -"But, EunanĂŠ," I said at last, "do you remember what you were saying -when I called youâcalled you on purpose to stop you? You said that -there was something between Eveena and myself more thanâmore than -what? What did you mean? Speak frankly, child; I know that this time -you were not going to scald me on purpose." - -"I don't know quite what I meant," she replied simply. "But the first -time you took me out, I heard the superintendent say some strange -things; and then he checked himself when he found your companion was -not Eveena. Then EivĂŠâI meanâyou use expressions sometimes in -talking to Eveena that we never heard before. I think there is some -secret between you." - -"And if there be, EunanĂŠ, were _you_ going to betray itâto set Enva -and Leenoo on to find it out?" - -"I did not think," she said. "I never do think before I get into -trouble. I don't say, forgive me this time; but I _will_ hold my -tongue for the future." - -By this time our evening meal was ready. As I led EunanĂŠ to her place, -Eveena looked up with some little surprise. It was rarely that, -especially on returning from absence, I had sought any other company -than hers. But there was no tinge of jealousy or doubt in her look. On -the contrary, as, with her entire comprehension of every expression of -my face, and her quickness to read the looks of others, she saw in -both countenances that we were on better terms than ever before, her -own brightened at the thought. As I placed myself beside her, she -stole her hand unobserved into mine, and pressed it as she whisperedâ - -"You have found her out at last. She is half a child as yet; but she -has a heartâand perhaps the only one among them." - -"The four," as I called them, looked up as we approached with eager -malice:âbitterly disappointed, when they saw that EunanĂŠ had won -something more than pardon. Whatever penance they had dreaded, their -own escape ill compensated the loss of their expected pleasure in the -pain and humiliation of a finer nature. EunanĂŠ's look, timidly -appealing to her to ratify our full reconciliation, answered by -Eveena's smile of tender, sisterly sympathy, enhanced and completed -their discomfiture. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - PECULIAR INSTITUTIONS. - - -A chief luxury and expense in which, when aware what my income was, I -indulged myself freely was the purchase of Martial literature. Only -ephemeral works are as a rule printed in the phonographic character, -which alone I could read with ease. The Martialists have no -newspapers. It does not seem to them worth while to record daily the -accidents, the business incidents, the prices, the amusements, and the -follies of the day; and politics they have none. In no case would a -people so coldly wise, so thoroughly impressed by experience with a -sense of the extreme folly of political agitation, legislative change, -and democratic violence, have cursed themselves with anything like the -press of Europe or America. But as it is, all they have to record is -gathered each twelfth day at the telegraph offices, and from these -communicated on a single sheet about four inches square to all who -care to receive it. But each profession or occupation that boasts, as -do most, an organisation and a centre of discussion and council, -issues at intervals books containing collected facts, essays, reports -of experiments, and lectures. Every man who cares to communicate his -passing ideas to the public does so by means of the phonograph. When -he has a graver work, which is, in his view at least, of permanent -importance to publish, it is written in the stylographic character, -and sold at the telegraphic centres. The extreme complication and -compression employed in this character had, as I have already said, -rendered it very difficult to me; and though I had learnt to decipher -it as a child spells out the words which a few years later it will -read unconsciously by the eye, the only manner in which I could -quickly gather the sense of such books was by desiring one or other of -the ladies to read them aloud. Strangely enough, next to Eveena, EivĂŠ -was by far the best reader. EunanĂŠ understood infinitely better what -she was perusing; but the art of reading aloud is useless, and -therefore never taught, in schools whose every pupil learns to read -with the usual facility a character which the practised eye can -interpret incomparably faster than the voice could possibly utter it. -This reading might have afforded many opportunities of private -converse with Eveena, but that EivĂŠ, whose knowledge was by no means -proportionate to her intelligence, entreated permission to listen to -the books I selected; and Eveena, though not partial to her childish -companion and admirer, persuaded me not to refuse. - -The story of my voyage and reports of my first audience at Court were, -of course, widely circulated and extensively canvassed. Though -regarded with no favour, especially by the professed philosophers and -scientists, my adventures and myself were naturally an object of great -curiosity; and I was not surprised when a civil if cold request was -preferred, on behalf of what I may call the Martial Academy, that I -would deliver in their hall a series of lectures, or rather a -connected oral account of the world from which I professed to have -come, and of the manner in which my voyage had been accomplished. -After consulting Eveena and Davilo, I accepted the invitation, and -intended to take the former with me. She objected, however, that while -she had heard much in her father's house and during our travels of -what I had to tell, her companions, scarcely less interested, were -comparatively ignorant. Indiscreetly, because somewhat provoked by -these repeated sacrifices, as much of my inclination as her own, I -mentioned my purpose at our evening meal, and bade her name those who -should accompany me. I was a little surprised when, carefully evading -the dictation to which she was invited, she suggested that EunanĂŠ and -EivĂŠ would probably most enjoy the opportunity. That she should be -willing to get rid of the most wilful and petulant of the party seemed -natural. The other selection confirmed the impression I had formed, -but dared not express to one whom I had never blamed without finding -myself in the wrong, that Eveena regarded EivĂŠ with a feeling more -nearly approaching to jealousy than her nature seemed capable of -entertaining. I obeyed, however, without comment; and both the -companions selected for me were delighted at the prospect. - -The Academy is situated about half-way between Amacasfe and the -Residence; the facilities of Martial travelling, and above all of -telegraphic and telephonic communication, dispensing with all reason -for placing great institutions in or near important cities. We -travelled by balloon, as I was anxious to improve myself in the -management of these machines. After frightening my companions so far -as to provoke some outcry from EivĂŠ, and from EunanĂŠ some saucy -remarks on my clumsiness, on which no one else would have ventured, I -descended safely, if not very creditably, in front of the building -which serves as a local centre of Martial philosophy. The residences -of some sixty of the most eminent professors of various -sciencesâelected by their colleagues as seats fall vacant, with the -approval of the highest Court of Judicature and of the camptââcluster -around a huge building in the form of a hexagon made up of a multitude -of smaller hexagons, in the centre whereof is the great hall of the -same shape. In the smaller chambers which surround it are telephones -through which addresses delivered in a hundred different quarters are -mechanically repeated; so that the residents or temporary visitors can -here gather at once all the knowledge that is communicated by any man -of note to any audience throughout the planet. On this account numbers -of young men just emancipated from the colleges come here to complete -their education; and above each of the auditory chambers is another -divided into six small rooms, wherein these visitors are accommodated. -A small house belonging to one of the members who happened to be -absent was appropriated to me during my stay, and in its hall the -philosophers gathered in the morning to converse with or to question -me in detail respecting the world whose existence they would not -formally admit, but whose life, physical, social, and political, and -whose scientific and human history, they regarded with as much -curiosity as if its reality were ascertained. Courtesy forbids evening -visits unless on distinct and pressing invitation, it being supposed -that the head of a household may care to spend that part of his time, -and that alone, with his own family. - -The Academists are provided by the State with incomes, of an amount -very much larger than the modest allowances which the richest nations -of the Earth almost grudge to the men whose names in future history -will probably be remembered longer than those of eminent statesmen and -warriors. Some of them have made considerable fortunes by turning to -account in practical invention this or that scientific discovery. But -as a rule, in Mars as on Earth, the gifts and the career of the -discoverer, and the inventor are distinct. It is, however, from the -purely theoretical labours of the men of science that the inventions -useful in manufactures, in communication, in every department of life -and business, are generally derived; and the prejudice or judgment of -this strange people has laid it down that those who devote their lives -to work in itself unremunerative, but indirectly most valuable to the -public, should be at least as well off as the subordinate servants of -the State. In society they are perhaps more honoured than any but the -highest public authorities; and my audience was the most -distinguished, according to the ideas of that world, that it could -furnish. - -At noon each day I entered the hall, which was crowded with benches -rising on five sides from the centre to the walls, the sixth being -occupied by a platform where the lecturer and the members of the -Academy sat. After each lecture, which occupied some two hours, -questions more or less perplexing were put by the latter. Only, -however, on the first occasion, when I reserved, as before the Zinta -and the Court, all information that could enable my hearers to divine -the nature of the apergic force, was incredulity so plainly insinuated -as to amount to absolute insult. - -"If," I said, "you choose to disbelieve what I tell you, you are -welcome to do so. But you are not at liberty to express your disbelief -to me. To do so is to charge me with lying; and to that charge, -whatever may be the customs of this world, there is in mine but one -answer," and I laid my hand on the hilt of the sword I wore in -deference to Davilo's warnings, but which he and others considered a -Terrestrial ornament rather than a weapon. - -The President of the Academy quietly repliedâ"Of all the strange -things we have heard, this seems the strangest. I waive the -probability of your statements, or the reasonableness of the doubts -suggested. But I fail to understand how, here or in any other world, -if the imputation of falsehood be considered so gross an offenceâand -here it is too common to be so regardedâit can be repelled by proving -yourself more skilled in the use of weapons, or stronger or more -daring than the person who has challenged your assertion." - -The moral courage and self-possession of the President were as marked -as his logic was irrefragable; but my outbreak, however illogical, -served its purpose. No one was disposed to give mortal offence to one -who showed himself so ready to resent it, though probably the -apprehension related less to my swordsmanship than the favour I was -supposed to enjoy with the Suzerain. - -Seriously impressed by the growing earnestness of Davilo's warnings, -and feeling that I could no longer conceal the pressure of some -anxiety on my mind, gradually, cautiously, and tenderly I broke to -Eveena what I had learned, with but two reserves. I would not render -her life miserable by the suggestion of possible treason in our own -household. That she might not infer this for herself, I led her to -believe that the existence and discovery of the conspiracy was of a -date long subsequent to my acceptance of the Sovereign's unwelcome -gift. She was deeply affected, and, as I had feared, exceedingly -disturbed. But, very characteristically, the keenest impression made -upon her mind concerned less the urgency of the peril than its origin, -the fact that it was incurred through and for her. On this she -insisted much more than seemed just or reasonable. It was for her -sake, no doubt, that I had made the Regent of Elcavoo my bitter, -irreconcilable foe. It was my marriage with her, the daughter of the -most eminent among the chiefs of the Zinta, that had marked me out as -one of the first and principal victims, and set on my head a value as -high as on that of any of the Order save the Arch-Enlightener himself, -whose personal character and social distinction would have indicated -him as especially dangerous, even had his secret rank been altogether -unsuspected. It was impossible to soothe Eveena's first outbreak of -feeling, or reason with her illogical self-reproach. Compelled at last -to admit that the peril had been unconsciously incurred when she -neither knew nor could have known it, she pleaded eagerly and -earnestly for permission to repair by the sacrifice of herself the -injury she had brought upon me. It was useless to tell her that the -acceptance of such a sacrifice would be a thousand-fold worse than -death. Even the depth and devotion of her own love could not persuade -her to realise the passionate earnestness of mine. It was still more -in vain to remind her that such a concession must entail the dishonour -that man fears above all perils; would brand me with that indelible -stain of abject personal cowardice which for ever degrades and ruins -not only the fame but the nature of manhood, as the stain of wilful -unchastity debases and ruins woman. - -"Rescind our contract," she insisted, pleading, with the overpowering -vehemence of a love absolutely unselfish, against love's deepest -instincts and that egotism which is almost inseparable from it; giving -passionate utterance to an affection such as men rarely feel for -women, women perhaps never for men. "Divorce me; force the enemy to -believe that you have broken with my father and with his Order; and, -favoured as you are by the Sovereign, you will be safe. Give what -reason you will; say that I have deserved it, that I have forced you -to it. I know that contracts _are_ revoked with the full approval of -the Courts and of the public, though I hardly know why. I will agree; -and if we are agreed, you can give or withhold reasons as you please. -Nay, there can be no wrong to me in doing what I entreat you to do. I -shall not suffer longâno, no, I _will_ live, I will be happy"âher -face white to the lips, her streaming tears were not needed to belie -the words! "By your love for me, do not let me feel that you are to -dieâdo not keep me in dread to hear that you have diedâfor me and -through me." - -If it had been in her power to leave me, if one-half of the promised -period had not been yet to run, she might have enforced her purpose in -despite of all that I could urge;âof reason, of entreaty, of the -pleadings of a love in this at least as earnest as her own. Nay, she -would probably have left me, in the hope of exhibiting to the world -the appearance of an open quarrel, but for a peculiarity of Martial -law. That law enforces, on the plea of either party, "specific -performance" of the marriage contract. I could reclaim her, and call -the force of the State to recover her. When even this warning at first -failed to enforce her submission, I swore by all I held sacred in my -own world and all she revered in hersâby the symbols never lightly -invoked, and never, in the course of ages that cover thrice the span -of Terrestrial history and tradition, invoked to sanction a lie; -symbols more sacred in her eyes than, in those of mediĂŚval -Christendom, the gathered relics that appalled the heroic soul of -Harold Godwinssonâthat she should only defeat her own purpose; that I -would reclaim my wife before the Order and before the law, thus -asserting more clearly than ever the strength of the tie that bound me -to her and to her house. The oath which it was impossible to break, -perhaps yet more the cold and measured tone with which I spoke, in -striving to control the white heat of a passion as much stronger as it -was more selfish than hersâa tone which sounded to myself unnatural -and alienâat last compelled her to yield; and silenced her in the -only moment in which the depths of that nature, so sweet and soft and -gentle, were stirred by the violence of a moral tempest.... -A marvellously perfect example of Martial art and science is furnished -by the Observatory of the Astronomic Academy, on a mountain about -twenty miles from the Residence. The hill selected stands about 4000 -feet above the sea-level, and almost half that height above any -neighbouring ground. It commands, therefore, a most perfect view of -the horizon all around, even below the technical or theoretic horizon -of its latitude. A volcano, like all Martial volcanoes very feeble, -and never bursting into eruptions seriously dangerous to the dwellers -in the neighbouring plains, existed at some miles' distance, and -caused earthquakes, or perhaps I should more properly say disturbances -of the surface, which threatened occasionally to perturb the -observations. But the Martialists grudge no cost to render their -scientific instruments, from the Observatory itself to the smallest -lens or wheel it contains, as perfect as possible. Having decided that -Eanelca was very superior to any other available site, they were not -to be baffled or diverted by such a trifle as the opposition of -Nature. Still less would they allow that the observers should be put -out by a perceptible disturbance, or their observations falsified by -one too slight to be realised by their senses. If Nature were -impertinent enough to interfere with the arrangements of science, -science must put down the mutiny of Nature. As seas had been bridged -and continents cut through, so a volcano might and must be suppressed -or extinguished. A tunnel thirty miles in length was cut from a great -lake nearly a thousand feet higher than the base of the volcano; and -through this for a quarter of a year, say some six Terrestrial months, -water was steadily poured into the subterrene cavities wherein the -eruptive forces were generatedâthe plutonic laboratory of the -rebellious agency. Of course previous to the adoption of this measure, -the crust in the neighbourhood had been carefully explored and tested -by various wonderfully elaborate and perfect boring instruments, and a -map or rather model of the strata for a mile below the surface, and -for a distance around the volcano which I dare not state on the faith -of my recollection alone, had been constructed on a scale, as we -should say, of twelve inches to the mile. Except for minor purposes, -for convenience of pocket carriage and the like, Martialists disdain -so poor a representation as a flat map can give of a broken surface. -On the small scale, they employ globes of spherical sections to -represent extensive portions of their world; on the large scale (from -two to twenty-four inches per mile), models of wonderfully accurate -construction. Consequently, children understand and enjoy the -geographical lesson which in European schools costs so many tears to -so little purpose. A girl of six years knows more perfectly the whole -area of the Martial globe than a German Professor that of the ancient -Peloponnesus. EivĂŠ, the dunce of our household, won a Terrestrial -picture-book on which she had set her fancy by tracing on a forty-inch -globe, the first time she saw it, every detail of my journey from -Ecasfe as she had heard me relate it; and EunanĂŠ, who had never left -her Nursery, could describe beforehand any route I wished to take -between the northern and southern ice-belts. Under the guidance -afforded by the elaborate model abovementioned, all the hollows -wherein the materials of eruption were stored, and wherein the -chemical forces of Nature had been at work for ages, were thoroughly -flooded. Of course convulsion after convulsion of the most violent -nature followed. But in the course of about two hundred days, the -internal combustion was overmastered for lack of fuel; the chemical -combinations, which might have gone on for ages causing weak but -incessant outbreaks, were completed and their power exhausted. - -This source of disturbance extinguished in the reign of the -twenty-fifth predecessor of my royal patron, the construction of the -great Observatory on Eanelca was commenced. A very elaborate road, -winding round and round the mountain at such an incline as to be -easily ascended by the electric carriages, was built. But this was -intended only as a subsidiary means of ascent. Right into the bowels -of the mountain a vast tunnel fifty feet in height was driven. At its -inner extremity was excavated a chamber whose dimensions are -imperfectly recorded in my notes, but which was certainly much larger -than the central cavern from which radiate the principal galleries of -the Mammoth Cave. Around this were pierced a dozen shafts, emerging at -different heights, but all near the summit, and all so far outside the -central plateau as to leave the solid foundation on which the -Observatory was to rest, down to the very centre of the planet, wholly -undisturbed. Through each of these, ascending and descending -alternately, pass two cars, or rather movable chambers, worked by -electricity, conveying passengers, instruments, or supplies to and -from the most convenient points in the vast structure of the -Observatory itself. The highest part of Ranelca was a rocky mass of -some 1600 feet in circumference and about 200 in height. This was -carved into a perfect octagon, in the sides of which were arranged a -number of minor chambersâamong them those wherein transit and other -secondary observations were to be taken, and in which minor magnifying -instruments were placed to scan their several portions of the heavens. -Within these was excavated a circular central chamber, the dome of -which was constructed of a crystal so clear that I verily believe the -most exacting of Terrestrial astronomers would have been satisfied to -make his observations through it. But an opening was made in this -dome, as for the mounting of one of our equatorial telescopes, and -machinery was provided which caused the roof to revolve with a touch, -bringing the opening to bear on any desired part of the celestial -vault. In the centre of the solid floor, levelled to the utmost -perfection, was left a circular pillar supporting the polar axis of an -instrument widely differing from our telescopes, especially in the -fact that it had no opaque tube connecting the essential lenses which -we call the eye-piece and the object-glass, names not applicable to -their Martial substitutes. On my visit to the Observatory, however, I -had not leisure to examine minutely the means by which the images of -stars and planets were produced. I reserved this examination for a -second opportunity, which, as it happened, never occurred. - -On this occasion Eveena and EunanĂŠ were with me, and the astronomic -pictures which were to be presented to us, and which they could enjoy -and understand almost as fully as myself, sufficiently occupied our -time. Warned to stand at such a distance from the central machinery -that in a whole revolution no part of it could by any possibility -touch us, we were placed near an opening looking into a dark chamber, -with our backs to the objects of observation. In this chamber, not -upon a screen but suspended in the air, presently appeared an image -several thousand times larger than that of the crescent Moon as seen -through a tube small enough to correct the exaggeration of visual -instinct. It appeared, however, not flat, as does the Moon to the -naked eye, but evidently as part of a sphere. At some distance was -shown another crescent, belonging to a sphere whose diameter was a -little more than one-fourth that of the former. The light reflected -from their surfaces was of silver radiance, rather than the golden hue -of the Moon or of Venus as seen through a small telescope. The smaller -crescent I could recognise at once as belonging to our own satellite; -the larger was, of course, the world I had quitted. So exactly is the -clockwork or its substitute adapted to counteract both the rotation -and revolution of Mars, that the two images underwent no other change -of place than that caused by their own proper motion in space; a -movement which, notwithstanding the immense magnifying power employed, -was of course scarcely perceptible. But the rotation of the larger -sphere was visible as we watched it. It so happened that the part -which was at once lighted by the rays of the Sun and exposed to our -observation was but little clouded. The atmosphere, of course, -prevented its presenting the clear, sharply-defined outlines of lunar -landscapes; but sea and land, ice and snow, were so clearly defined -and easily distinguishable that my companions exclaimed with -eagerness, as they observed features unmistakably resembling on the -grand scale those with which they were themselves familiar. The Arctic -ice was scarcely visible in the North. The vast steppes of Russia, the -boundary line of the Ural mountains, the greyish-blue of the Euxine, -Western Asia, Arabia, and the Red Sea joining the long water-line of -the Southern Ocean, were defined by the slanting rays. The Antarctic -ice-continent was almost equally clear, with its stupendous glacier -masses radiating apparently from an elevated extensive land, chiefly -consisting of a deeply scooped and scored plateau of rock, around the -Pole itself. The terminator, or boundary between light and shade, was -not, as in the Moon, pretty sharply defined, and broken only by the -mountainous masses, rings, and sea-beds, if such they are, so -characteristic of the latter. On the image of the Moon there -intervened between bright light and utter darkness but the narrow belt -to which only part of the Sun was as yet visible, and which, -therefore, received comparatively few rays. The twilight to north and -south extended on the image of the Earth deep into that part on which -as yet the Sun was below the horizon, and consequently daylight faded -into darkness all but imperceptibly, save between the tropics. We -watched long and intently as league by league new portions of Europe -and Africa, the Mediterranean, and even the Baltic, came into view; -and I was able to point out to Eveena lands in which I had travelled, -seas I had crossed, and even the isles of the Aegean, and bays in -which my vessel had lain at anchor. This personal introduction to each -part of the image, now presented to her for the first time, enabled -her to realise more forcibly than a lengthened experience of -astronomical observation might have done the likeness to her own world -of that which was passing under her eyes; and at once intensified her -wonder, heightened her pleasure, and sharpened her intellectual -apprehension of the scene. When we had satiated our eyes with this -spectacle, or rather when I remembered that we could spare no more -time to this, the most interesting exhibition of the evening, a turn -of the machinery brought Venus under view. Here, however, the cloud -envelope baffled us altogether, and her close approach to the horizon -soon obliged the director to turn his apparatus in another direction. -Two or three of the Asteroids were in view. Pallas especially -presented a very interesting spectacle. Not that the difference of -distance would have rendered the definition much more perfect than -from a Terrestrial standpoint, but that the marvellous perfection of -Martial instruments, and in some measure also the rarity of the -atmosphere at such a height, rendered possible the use of far higher -magnifying powers than our astronomers can employ. I am inclined to -agree, from what I saw on this occasion, with those who imagine the -Asteroids to beâif not fragments of a broken planet which once -existed as a wholeâyet in another sense fragmentary spheres, less -perfect and with surfaces of much greater proportionate irregularity -than those of the larger planets. Next was presented to our view on a -somewhat smaller scale, because the area of the chamber employed would -not otherwise have given room for the system, the enormous disc and -the four satellites of Jupiter. The difference between 400 and 360 -millions of miles' distance is, of course, wholly unimportant; but the -definition and enlargement were such that the image was perfect, and -the details minute and distinct, beyond anything that Earthly -observation had led me to conceive as possible. The satellites were no -longer mere points or tiny discs, but distinct moons, with surfaces -marked like that of our own satellite, though far less mountainous and -broken, and, as it seemed to me, possessing a distinct atmosphere. I -am not sure that there is not a visible difference of brightness among -them, not due to their size but to some difference in the reflecting -power of their surfaces, since the distance of all from the Sun is -practically equal. That Jupiter gives out some light of his own, a -portion of which they may possibly reflect in differing amount -according to their varying distance, is believed by Martial -astronomers; and I thought it not improbable. The brilliant and -various colouring of the bands which, cross the face of the giant -planet was wonderfully brought out; the bluish-grey around the poles, -the clear yellowish-white light of the light bands, probably belts of -white cloud, contrasted signally the huesâvarying from deep -orange-brown to what was almost crimson or rose-pink on the one hand -and bright yellow on the otherâof different zones of the so-called -dark belts. On the latter, markings and streaks of strange variety -suggested, if they failed-to prove, the existence of frequent spiral -storms, disturbing, probably at an immense height above the surface, -clouds which must be utterly unlike the clouds of Mars or the Earth in -material as well as in form and mass. These markings enabled us to -follow with clear ocular appreciation the rapid rotation of this -planet. In the course of half-an-hour several distinct spots on -different belts had moved in a direct line across a tenth of the face -presented to usâa distance, upon the scale of the gigantic image, so -great that the motion required no painstaking observation, but forced -itself upon the notice of the least attentive spectator. The belief of -Martial astronomers is that Jupiter is not by any means so much less -dense than the minor planets as his proportionately lesser weight -would imply. They hold that his visible surface is that of an -enormously deep atmosphere, within which lies, they suppose, a central -ball, not merely hot but more than white hot, and probably, from its -temperature, not yet possessing a solid crust. One writer argues that, -since all worlds must by analogy be supposed to be inhabited, and -since the satellites of Jupiter more resemble worlds than the planet -itself, which may be regarded as a kind of secondary sun, it is not -improbable that the former are the scenes of life as varied as that of -Mars itself; and that infinite ages hence, when these have become too -cold for habitation, their giant primary may have gone through those -processes which, according to the received theory, have fitted the -interior planets to be the home of plants, animals, and, in two cases -at least, of human beings. - -It was near midnight before the manifest fatigue of the ladies -overcame my selfish desire to prolong as much as possible this most -interesting visit. Meteorological science in Mars has been carried to -high perfection; and the director warned me that but three or four -equally favourable opportunities might offer in the course of the next -half year. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - CHARACTERISTICS. - - -Time passed on, marked by no very important incident, while I made -acquaintance with manners and with men around me, neither one nor the -other worth further description. Nothing occurred to confirm the -alarms Davilo constantly repeated. - -I called the ladies one day into the outer grounds to see a new -carriage, capable, according to its arrangement, of containing from -two to eight persons, and a balloon of great size and new construction -which Davilo had urgently counselled me to procure, as capable of -sudden use in some of those daily thickening perils, of which I could -see no other sign than occasional evidence that my steps were watched -and dogged. Both vehicles enlisted the interest and curiosity of -EunanĂŠ and her companions. Eveena, after examining with as much -attention as was due to the trouble I took to explain it, the -construction of the carriage, concentrated her interest and -observation upon the balloon, the sight of which evidently impressed -her. When we had returned to the peristyle, and the rest had -dispersed, I saidâ - -"I see you apprehend some part of my reasons for purchasing the -balloon. The carriage will take us to-morrow to Altasfe (a town some -ten miles distant). 'Shopping' is an amusement so gratifying to all -women on Earth, from the veiled favourites of an Eastern seraglio to -the very unveiled dames of Western ballrooms, that I suppose the -instinct must be native to the sex wherever women and trade co-exist. -If you have a single feminine folly, you will enjoy this more than you -will own. If you are, as they complain, absolutely faultless, you will -enjoy with me the pleasure of the girls in plaguing one after another -all the traders of Altasfe:" and with these words I placed in her -hands a packet of the thin metallic plates constituting their -currency. Her extreme and unaffected surprise was amusing to witness. - -"What am I to do with this?" she inquired, counting carefully the -uncounted pile, in a manner which at once dispelled my impression that -her surprise was due to childish ignorance of its value. - -"Whatever you please, Madonna; whatever can please you and the -others." - -"But," she remonstrated, "this is more than all our dowries for -another year to come; andâforgive me for repeating what you seem -purposely to forgetâI cannot cast the shadow between my equals and -the master. Would you so mortify _me_ as to make me take from EunanĂŠ's -hand, for example, what should come from yours?" - -"You are right, Madonna, now as always," I owned; wincing at the name -she used, invariably employed by the others, but one I never endured -from her. Her looks entreated pardon for the form of the implied -reproof, as I resumed the larger part of the money she held out to me, -forcing back the smaller into her reluctant hands. "But what has the -amount of your dowries to do with the matter? The contracts are meant, -I suppose, to secure the least to which a wife has a right, not to fix -her natural share in her husband's wealth. You need not fear, Eveena; -the Prince has made us rich enough to spend more than we shall care -for." - -"I don't understand you," she replied with her usual gentle frankness -and simple logical consistency. "It pleases you to say 'we' and 'ours' -whenever you can so seem to make me part of yourself; and I love to -hear you, for it assures me each time that you still hold me tightly -as I cling to you. But you know those are only words of kindness. -Since you returned my father's gift, the dowry you then doubled is my -only share of what is yours, and it is more than enough." - -"Do you mean that women expect and receive no more: that they do not -naturally share in a man's surplus wealth?" - -While I spoke Enva had joined us, and, resting on the cushions at my -feet, looked curiously at the metallic notes in Eveena's hand. - -"You do not," returned the latter, "pay more for what you have -purchased because you have grown richer. You do not share your wealth -even with those on whose care it chiefly depends." - -"Yes, I do, Eveena. But I know what you mean. Their share is settled -and is not increased. But you will not tell me that this affords any -standard for household dealings; that a wife's share in her husband's -fortune is really bounded by the terms of the marriage contract?" - -"Will you let Enva answer you?" asked Eveena. "She looks more ready -than I feel to reply." - -This little incident was characteristic in more ways than one. -Eveena's feelings, growing out of the realities of our relation, were -at issue with and perplexed her convictions founded on the theory and -practice of her world. Not yet doubting the justice of the latter, she -instinctively shrank from their application to ourselves. She was -glad, therefore, to let Enva state plainly and directly a doctrine -which, from her own lips, would have pained as well as startled me. On -her side, Enva, though encouraged to bear her part in conversation, -was too thoroughly imbued with the same ideas to interpose unbidden. -As she would have said, a wife deserved the sandal for speaking -without leave; norâexperience notwithstandingâwould she think it -safe to interrupt in my presence a favourite so pointedly honoured as -Eveena. 'She waited, therefore, till my eyes gave the permission which -hers had asked. - -"Why should you buy anything twice over, Clasfempta, whether it be a -wife or an ambâ? A girl sells her society for the best price her -attractions will command. These attractions seldom increase. You -cannot give her less because you care less for them; but how can she -expect more?" - -"I know, Enva, that the marriage contract here is an open bargain and -sale, as among my race it is generally a veiled one. But, the bargain -made, does it really govern the after relation? Do men really spend -their wealth wholly on themselves, and take no pleasure in the -pleasure of women?" - -"Generally, I believe," Enva replied, "they fancy they have paid too -much for their toy before they have possessed it long, and had rather -buy a new one than make much of those they have. Wives seldom look on -the increase of a man's wealth as a gain to themselves. Of course you -like to see us prettily dressed, while you think us worth looking at -in ourselves. But as a rule our own income provides for that; and _we_ -at any rate are better off than almost any women outside the Palace. -The Prince did not care, and knew it would not matter to you, what he -gave to make his gift worthy of him and agreeable to you. Perhaps," -she added, "he wished to make it secure by offering terms too good to -be thrown away by any foolish rebellion against a heavier hand or a -worse temper than usual. You hardly understand yet half the advantages -you possess." - -The latent sarcasm of the last remark did not need the look of -pretended fear that pointed it. If Enva professed to resent my -inadequate appreciation of the splendid beauty bestowed on me by the -royal favour more than any possible ill-usage for which she supposed -herself compensated in advance, it was not for me to put her sincerity -to proof. - -"Once bought, then, wives are not worth pleasing? It is not worth -while to purchase happy faces, bright smiles, and willing kisses now -and then at a cost the giver can scarcely feel?" - -Enva's look now was half malicious, half kindly, and wholly comical; -but she answered gravely, with a slight imitation of my own toneâ - -"Can you not imagine, or make Eveena tell you, Clasfempta, why women -once purchased think it best to give smiles and kisses freely to one -who can command their tears? Or do you fancy that their smiles are -more loyal and sincere when won by kindness than...." - -"By fear? Sweeter, Enva, at any rate. Well, if I do not offend your -feelings, I need not hesitate to disregard another of your customs." - -She received her share willingly and gratefully enough, but her smile -and kiss were so evidently given to order, that they only testified to -the thorough literality of her statement. Leenoo, EiralĂŠ, and ElfĂŠ -followed her example with characteristic exactness. Equally -characteristic was the conduct of the others. EunanĂŠ kept aloof till -called, and then approached with an air of sullen reluctance, as if -summoned to receive a reprimand rather than a favour. Not a little -amused, I affected displeasure in my turn, till the window of her -chamber closed behind us, and her ill-humour was forgotten in -wondering alarm. Offered in private, the kiss and smile given and not -demanded, the present was accepted with frank affectionate gratitude. -EivĂŠ took her share in pettish shyness, waiting the moment when she -might mingle unobserved with her childlike caresses the childish -reproachâ - -"If you can buy kisses, Clasfempta, you don't want mine. And if you -fancy I sell them, you shall have no more." - -I saw Davilo in the morning before we started. After some conversation -on business, he saidâ - -"And pardon a suggestion which I make, not as in charge of your -affairs, but as responsible to our supreme authority for your safety. -No correspondence should pass from your household unscrutinised; and -if there be such correspondence, I must ask you to place in my hand, -for the purpose of our quest, not any message, but some of the slips -on which messages have been written. This may probably furnish -precisely that tangible means of relation with some one acquainted -with the conspiracy for which we have sought in vain." - -My unwillingness to meddle with feminine correspondence was the less -intelligible to him that, as the master alone commands the household -telegraph, he knew that it must have passed through my hands. I -yielded at last to his repeated urgency that a life more precious than -mine was involved in any danger to myself, so far as to promise the -slips required, to furnish a possible means of _rapport_ between the -_clairvoyante_ and the enemy. - -I returned to the house in grave thought. EunanĂŠ corresponded by the -telegraph with some schoolmates; EivĂŠ, I fancied, with three or four -of those ladies with whom, accompanying me on my visits, she had made -acquaintance. But I hated the very thought of domestic suspicion, and, -adhering to my original resolve, refused to entertain a distrust that -seemed ill-founded and far-fetched. If there had been treachery, it -would be impossible to obtain any letters that might have been -preserved without resorting to a compulsion which, since both EunanĂŠ -and EivĂŠ had written in the knowledge that their letters passed -unread, would seem like a breach of faith. I asked, however, simply, -and giving no reason, for the production of any papers received and -preserved by either. EivĂŠ, with her usual air of simplicity, brought -me the two or three which, she said, were all she had kept. EunanĂŠ -replied with a petulance almost amounting to refusal, which to some -might have suggested suspicion; but which to me seemed the very last -course that a culprit would have pursued. To give needless offence -while conscious of guilt would have been the very wantonness of -reckless temper. - -"Bite your tongue, and keep your letters," I said sharply. - -Turning to EivĂŠ and looking at the addresses of hers, none of which -bore the name of any one who could be suspected of the remotest -connection with a political plotâ - -"Give me which of these you please," I said, taking from her hand that -which she selected and marking it. "Now erase the writing yourself and -give me the paper." - -This incident gave EunanĂŠ leisure to recover her temper. She stood for -a few moments ashamed perhaps, but, as usual, resolute to abide by the -consequences of a fault. When she found that my last word was spoken, -her mood changed at once. - -"I did not quite like to give you Velna's letters. They are foolish, -like mine; and besidesââBut I never supposed you would let me -refuse. What you won't make me do, I must do of my own accord." - -Womanly reasoning, most unlike "woman's reasons!" She brought, with -unaffected alacrity, a collection of tafroo-slips whose addresses bore -out her account of their character. Taking the last from the bundle, I -bade her erase its contents. - -"No," she said, "that is the one I least liked to show. If you will -not read it, please follow my hand as I read, and see for yourself how -far I have misused your trust." - -"I never doubted your good faith, EunanĂŠ"âBut she had begun to read, -pointing with her finger as she went on. At one sentence hand and -voice wavered a little without apparent reason. "I shall," wrote her -school-friend, some half year her junior, "make my appearance at the -next inspection. I wish the Camptâ had left you here till now; we -might perhaps have contrived to pass into the same household." - -"A very innocent wish, and very natural," I said, in answer to the -look, half inquiring, half shy, with which EunanĂŠ watched the effect -of her words. I could not now use the precaution in her case, which it -had somehow seemed natural to adopt with EivĂŠ, of marking the paper -returned for erasure. On her part, EunanĂŠ thrust into my hand the -whole bundle as they were, and I was forced myself to erase, by an -electro-chemical process which leaves no trace of writing, the words -of that selected. The absence of any mark on the second paper served -sufficiently to distinguish the two when, of course without stating -from whom I received them, I placed, them in Davilo's hands. - -When we were ready to leave the peristyle for the carriage, I observed -that EunanĂŠ alone was still unveiled, while the others wore their -cloaks of down and the thick veils, without which no lady may present -herself to the public eye. - -"'Thieving time is woman's crime,'" I said, quoting a domestic -proverb. "In another household you would be left behind." - -"Of course," she replied, such summary discipline seeming to her as -appropriate as to an European child. "I don't like always to deserve -the vine and receive the nuts." - -"You must take which _I_ like," I retorted, laughing. Satisfied or -silenced, she hastened to dress, and enjoyed with unalloyed delight -the unusual pleasure of inspecting dresses and jewellery, and making -more purchases in a day than she had expected to be able to do in two -years. But she and her companions acted with more consideration than -ladies permitted to visit the shops of Europe show for their masculine -escort. EivĂŠ alone, on this as on other occasions, availed herself -thoroughly of those privileges of childhood which I had always -extended to her. - -So quick are the proceedings and so excellent the arrangements of -Martial commerce, even where ladies are concerned, that a couple of -hours saw us on our way homeward, after having passed through the -apartments of half the merchants in Altasfe. Purposely for my own -pleasure, as well as for that of my companions, I took a circuitous -route homeward, and in so doing came within sight of a principal -feminine Nursery or girls' school. Recognising it, EunanĂŠ spoke with -some eagernessâ - -"Ah! I spent nine years there, and not always unhappily." - -Eveena, who sat beside me, pressed my hand, with an intention easily -understood. - -"And you would like to see it again?" I inquired in compliance with -her silent hint. - -"Not to go back," said EunanĂŠ. "But I should like to pay it a visit, -if it were possible." - -"Can we?" I asked Eveena. - -"I think so," she answered. "I observe half a dozen people have gone -in since we came in sight, and I fancy it is inspection day there." - -"Inspection?" I asked. - -"Yes," she replied in a tone of some little annoyance and discomfort. -"The girls who have completed their tenth year, and who are thought to -have as good a chance now as they would have later, are dressed for -the first time in the white robe and veil of maidenhood, and presented -in the public chamber to attract the choice of those who are looking -for brides." - -"Not a pleasant spectacle," I said, "to you or to myself; but it will -hardly annoy the others, and EunanĂŠ shall have her wish." - -We descended from our carriage at the gate, and entered the grounds of -the Nursery. Studiously as the health, the diet, and the exercise of -the inmates are cared for, nothing is done to render the appearance of -the home where they pass so large and critical a portion of their -lives cheerful or attractive in appearance. Utility alone is studied; -how much beauty conduces to utility where the happiness and health of -children are concerned, Martial science has yet to learn. The grounds -contained no flowers and but few trees; the latter ruined in point of -form and natural grace to render them convenient supports for -gymnastic apparatus. A number of the younger girls, unveiled, but -dressed in a dark plain garment reaching from the throat to the knees, -with trousers giving free play to the limbs, were exercising on the -different swings and bars, flinging the light weights and balls, or -handling the substitutes for dumb-bells, the use of which forms an -important branch of their education. Others, relieved from this -essential part of their tasks, were engaged in various sports. One of -these I noticed especially. Perhaps a hundred young ladies on either -side formed a sort of battalion, contending for the ground they -occupied with light shields of closely woven wire and masks of the -same material, and with spears consisting of a reed or grass about -five feet in length, and exceedingly light. When perfectly ripened, -these spears are exceeding formidable, their points being sharp enough -to pierce the skin of any but a pachydermatous animal. Those employed -in these games, however, are gathered while yet covered by a sheath, -which, as they ripen, bursts and leaves the keen, hard point exposed. -Considerable care is taken in their selection, since, if nearly ripe, -or if they should ripen prematurely under the heat of the sun when -severed from the stem, the sheath bursting in the middle of a game, -very grave accidents might occur. The movements of the girls were so -ordered that the game appeared almost as much a dance as a conflict; -but though there was nothing of unseemly violence, the victory was -evidently contested with real earnestness, and with a skill superior -to that displayed in the movements of the actual soldiers who have -long since exchanged the tasks of warfare for the duties of policemen, -escorts, and sentries. I held Eveena's hand, the others followed us -closely, venturing neither to break from our party without leave nor -to ask permission, till, at Eveena's suggestion, it was spontaneously -given. They then quitted us, hastening, EunanĂŠ to seek out her -favourite companions of a former season, the others to mingle with the -younger girls and share in their play. We walked on slowly, stopping -from time to time to watch the exercises and sports of the younger -portion of a community numbering some fifteen hundred girls. When we -entered the hall we were rejoined by EunanĂŠ, with one of her friends -who still wore the ordinary school costume. Conversation with or -notice of a young lady so dressed was not only not expected but -disallowed, and the pair seated themselves behind us and studiously -out of hearing of any conversation conducted in a low tone. - -The spectacle, as I had anticipated, was to me anything but pleasant. -It reminded me of a slave-market of the East, however, rather than of -the more revolting features of a slave auction in the United States. -The maidens, most of them very graceful and more than pretty, their -robes arranged and ornamented with an evident care to set off their -persons to the best advantage, and with a skill much greater than they -themselves could yet have acquired, were seated alone or by twos and -threes in different parts of the hall, grouped so as to produce the -most attractive general as well as individual effect. The picture, -therefore, was a pretty one; and since the intending purchasers -addressed the objects of their curiosity or admiration with courtesy -and fairly decorous reserve, it was the known character rather than -any visible incident of the scene that rendered it repugnant or -revolting in my eyes. I need not say that, except Eveena, there was no -one of either sex in the hall who shared my feeling. After all, the -purpose was but frankly avowed, and certainly carried out more safely -and decorously than in the ball-rooms and drawing-rooms of London or -Paris. Of the maidens, some seemed shy and backward, and most were -silent save when addressed. But the majority received their suitors -with a thoroughly business-like air, and listened to the terms offered -them, or endeavoured to exact a higher price or a briefer period of -assured slavery, with a self-possession more reasonable than agreeable -to witness. One maiden seated in our immediate vicinity was, I -perceived, the object of Eveena's especial interest, and, at first on -this account alone, attracted my observation. Dressed with somewhat -less ostentatious care and elegance than her companions, her veil and -the skirt of her robe were so arranged as to show less of her personal -attractions than they generally displayed. A first glance hardly did -justice to a countenance which, if not signally pretty, and certainly -marked by a beauty less striking than that of most of the others, was -modest and pleasing; a figure slight and graceful, with hands and feet -yet smaller than usual, even among a race the shape of whose limbs is, -with few exceptions, admirable. Very few had addressed her, or even -looked at her; and a certain resigned mortification was visible in her -countenance. - -"You are sorry for that child?" I said to Eveena. - -"Yes," she answered. "It must be distressing to feel herself the least -attractive, the least noticed among her companions, and on such an -occasion. I cannot conceive how I could bear to form part of such a -spectacle; but if I were in her place, I suppose I should be hurt and -humbled at finding that nobody cared to look at me in the presence of -others prettier and better dressed than myself." - -"Well," I said, "of all the faces I see I like that the best. I -suppose I must not speak to her?" - -"Why not?" said Eveena in surprise. "You are not bound to purchase -her, any more than we bought all we looked at to-day." - -"It did not occur to me," I replied, "that I could be regarded as a -possible suitor, nor do I think I could find courage to present myself -to that young lady in a manner which must cause her to look upon me in -that light. Ask EunanĂŠ if she knows her." - -Here EivĂŠ and the others joined us and took their places on my right. -Eveena, leaving her seat for a moment, spoke apart with EunanĂŠ. - -"Will you speak to her?" she said, returning. "She is EunanĂŠ's friend -and correspondent, Velna; and I think they are really fond of each -other. It is a pity that if she is to undergo the mortification of -remaining unchosen and going back to her tasks, at least till the next -inspection, she will also be separated finally from the only person -for whom she seems to have had anything like home affection." - -"Well, if I am to talk to her," I replied, "you must be good enough to -accompany me. I do not feel that I could venture on such an enterprise -by myself." - -Eveena's eyes, even through her veil, expressed at once amusement and -surprise; but as she rose to accompany me this expression faded and a -look of graver interest replaced it. Many turned to observe us as we -crossed the short space that separated us from the isolated and -neglected maiden. I had seen, if I had not noticed, that in no case -were the men, as they made the tour of the room or went up to any lady -who might have attracted their special notice, accompanied by the -women of their households. A few of these, however, sat watching the -scene, their mortification, curiosity, jealousy, or whatever feeling -it might excite, being of course concealed by the veils that hid every -feature but the eyes, which now and then followed very closely the -footsteps of their lords. The object of our attention showed marked -surprise as we approached her, and yet more when, seeing that I was at -a loss for words, Eveena herself spoke a kindly and gracious sentence. -The girl's voice was soft and low, and her tone and words, as we -gradually fell into a hesitating and broken conversation, confirmed -the impression made by her appearance. When, after a few minutes, I -moved to depart, there was in Eveena's reluctant steps and expressive -upturned eyes a meaning I could not understand. As soon as we were out -of hearing, moving so as partly to hide my countenance and entirely to -conceal her own gesture from the object of her compassion, she checked -my steps by a gentle pressure on my arm and looked up earnestly into -my face. - -"What is it?" I asked. "You seem to have some wish that I cannot -conjecture; and you can trust by this time my anxiety to gratify every -desire of yours, reasonable or notâif indeed you ever were -unreasonable." - -"She is so sad, so lonely," Eveena answered, "and she is so fond of -EunanĂŠ." - -"You don't mean that you want me to make her an offer!" I exclaimed in -extreme amazement. - -"Do not be angry," pleaded Eveena. "She would be glad to accept any -offer you would be likely to make; and the money you gave me yesterday -would have paid all she would cost you for many years. Besides, it -would please EunanĂŠ, and it would make Velna so happy." - -"You must know far better than I can what is likely to make her -happy," I replied. "Strange to the ideas and customs of your world, I -cannot conceive that a woman can wish to take the last place in a -household like ours rather than the first or only one with the poorest -of her people." - -"She will hardly have the choice," Eveena answered. "Those whom you -can call poor mostly wait till they can have their choice before they -marry; and if taken by some one who could not afford a more expensive -choice, she would only be neglected, or dismissed ill provided for, as -soon as he could purchase one more to his taste." - -"If," I rejoined at last, "you think it a kindness to her, and are -sure she will so think it; if you wish it, and will avouch her -contentment with a place in the household of one who does not desire -her, I will comply with this as with any wish of yours. But it is not -to my mind to take a wife out of mere compassion, as I might readily -adopt a child." - -Once more, with all our mutual affection and appreciation of each -other's character, Eveena and I were far as the Poles apart in thought -if not in feeling. It was as impossible for her to emancipate herself -utterly from the ideas and habits of her own world, as for me to -reconcile myself to them. I led her back at last to her seat, and -beckoned EunanĂŠ to my side. - -"Eveena," I said, "has been urging me to offer your friend yonder a -place in our household." - -Though I could not see her face, the instant change in her attitude, -the eager movement of her hands, and the elastic spring that suddenly -braced her form, expressed her feeling plainly enough. - -"It must be done, I suppose," I murmured rather to myself than to -them, as EunanĂŠ timidly put out her hand and gratefully clasped -Eveena's. "Well, it is to be done for you, and you must do it." - -"How can I?" exclaimed EunanĂŠ in astonishment; and Eveena added, "It -is for you; you only can name your terms, and it would be a strange -slight to her to do so through us." - -"I cannot help that. I will not 'act the lie' by affecting any -personal desire to win her, and I could not tell her the truth. Offer -her the same terms that contented the rest; nay, if she enters my -household, she shall not feel herself in a secondary or inferior -position." - -This condition surprised even Eveena as much as my resolve to make her -the bearer of the proposal that was in truth her own. But, however -reluctant, she would as soon have refused obedience to my request as -have withheld a kindness because it cost her an unexpected trial. -Taking EunanĂŠ with her, she approached and addressed the girl. -Whatever my own doubt as to her probable reception, however absurd in -my own estimation the thing I was induced to do, there was no -corresponding consciousness, no feeling but one of surprise and -gratification, in the face on which I turned my eyes. There was a -short and earnest debate; but, as I afterwards learned, it arose -simply from the girl's astonishment at terms which, extravagant even -for the beauties of the day, were thrice as liberal as she had -ventured to dream of. Eveena and EunanĂŠ were as well aware of this as -herself; the right of beauty to a special price seemed to them as -obvious as in Western Europe seems the right of rank to exorbitant -settlements; but they felt it as impossible to argue the point as a -solicitor would find it unsafe to expound to a _gentleman_ the -different cost of honouring Mademoiselle with his hand and being -honoured with that of Milady. Velna's remonstrances were suppressed; -she rose, and, accompanied by Eveena and EunanĂŠ, approached a desk in -one corner of the room, occupied by a lady past middle life. The -latter, like all those of her sex who have adopted masculine -independence and a professional career, wore no veil over her face, -and in lieu of the feminine head-dress a band of metal around the -head, depending from which a short fall of silken texture drawn back -behind the ears covered the neck and upper edge of the dark robe. This -lady took from a heap by her side a slip containing the usual form of -marriage contract, and filled in the blanks. At a sign from Eveena, I -had by this time approached close enough to hear the language of -half-envious, half-supercilious wonder in which the schoolmistress -congratulated her pupil on her signal conquest, and the terms she had -obtained, as well as the maiden's unaffected acknowledgment of her own -surprise and conscious unworthiness. I could _feel_, despite the -concealment of her form and face, Eveena's silent expression of pained -disgust with the one, and earnest womanly sympathy with the other. The -document was executed in the usual triplicate. - -The girl retired for a few minutes, and reappeared in a cloak and veil -like those of her new companions, but of comparatively cheap -materials. As we passed the threshold, Eveena gently and tacitly but -decisively assigned to her _protĂŠgĂŠe_ her own place beside me, and put -her right hand in my left. The agitation with which it manifestly -trembled, though neither strange nor unpleasing, added to the extreme -embarrassment I felt; and I had placed her next to EunanĂŠ in the -carriage and taken my seat beside Eveena, whom I never permitted to -resign her own, before a single spoken word had passed in this -extraordinary courtship, or sanctioned the brief and practical -ceremony of marriage. - -I was alone in my own room that evening when a gentle scratching on -the window-crystal entreated admission. I answered without looking up, -assuming that Eveena alone would seek me there. But hers were not the -lips that were earnestly pressed on my hand, nor hers the voice that -spoke, trembling and hesitating with stronger feeling than it could -utter in wordsâ - -"I do thank you from my heart. I little thought you would wish to make -me so happy. I shrank from showing you the letter lest you should -think I dared to hope.... It is not only Velna; it is such strange joy -and comfort to be held fast by one who caresâto feel safe in hands as -kind as they are strong. You said you could love none save Eveena; -but, Clasfempta, your way of not loving is something better, gentler, -more considerate than any love I ever hoped or heard of." - -I could read only profound sincerity and passionate gratitude in the -clear bright eyes, softened by half-suppressed tears, that looked up -from where she knelt beside me. But the exaggeration was painfully -suggestive, confirming the ugly view Enva had given yesterday of the -life that seemed natural and reasonable to her race, and made ordinary -human kindness appear something strange and romantic by contrast. - -"Surely, EunanĂŠ, every man wishes those around him happy, if it do not -cost too much to make them so?" - -"No, indeed! Oftener the master finds pleasure in punishing and -humiliating, the favourite in witnessing her companions' tears and -terror. They like to see the household grateful for an hour's -amusement, crouching to caprice, incredulously thankful for barest -justice. One book much read in our schools says that 'cruelty is a -stronger, earlier, and more tenacious human instinct than sympathy;' -and another that 'half the pleasure of power lies in giving pain, and -half the remainder in being praised for sparing it.' ... But that was -not all: Eveena was as eager to be kind as you were." - -"Much more so, EunanĂŠ." - -"Perhaps. What seemed natural to her was strange to you. But it was -_your_ thought to put Velna on equal terms with us; taking her out of -mere kindness, to give her the dowry of a Prince's favourite. _That_ -surprised Eveena, and it puzzled me. But I think I half understand you -now, and if I do.... When Eveena told us how you saved her and defied -the Regent, and EivĂŠ asked you about it, you said so quietly, 'There -are some things a man cannot do.' Is buying a girl cheap, because she -is not a beauty, one of those things?" - -"To take any advantage of her misfortuneâto make her feel it in my -conductâto give her a place in my household on other terms than her -equalsâto show her less consideration or courtesy than one would give -to a girl as beautiful as yourselfâyes, EunanĂŠ! To my eyes, your -friend is pleasant and pretty; but if not, would you have liked to -feel that she was of less account here than yourself, because she has -not such splendid beauty as yours?" - -EunanĂŠ was too frank to conceal her gratification in this first -acknowledgment of her charms, as she had shown her mortification while -it was withheldânot, certainly, because undeserved. Her eyes -brightened and her colour deepened in manifest pleasure. But she was -equally frank in her answer to the implied compliment to her -generosity, of whose justice she was not so well assured. - -"I am afraid I should half have liked it, a year ago. Now, after I -have lived so long with you and Eveena, I should be shamed by it! But, -Clasfempta, the things 'a man cannot do' are the things men do every -day;âand women every hour!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - WINTER. - - -Hitherto I had experienced only the tropical climate of Mars, with the -exception of the short time spent in the northern temperate zone about -the height of its summer. I was anxious, of course, to see something -also of its winter, and an opportunity presented itself. No -institution was more obviously worth a visit than the great University -or principal place of highest education in this world, and I was -invited thither in the middle of the local winter. To this University -many of the most promising youths, especially those intended for any -of the Martial professionsâarchitects, artists, rulers, lawyers, -physicians, and so forthâare often sent directly from the schools, or -after a short period of training in the higher colleges. It is situate -far within the north temperate zone on the shore of one of the longest -and narrowest of the great Martial gulfs, which extends from -north-eastward to south-west, and stretches from 43° N. to 10° S. -latitude. The University in question is situate nearly at the -extremity of the northern branch of this gulf, which splits into two -about 300 miles from its end, a canal of course connecting it with the -nearest sea-belt. I chose to perform this journey by land, following -the line of the great road from Amacasfe to Qualveskinta for about 800 -miles, and then turning directly northward. I did not suppose that I -should find a willing companion on this journey, and was myself -wishful to be alone, since I dared not, in her present state of -health, expose Eveena to the fatigue and hardship of prolonged winter -travelling by land. To my surprise, however, all the rest, when aware -that I had declined to take her, were eager to accompany me. Chiefly -to take her out of the way, and certainly with no idea of finding -pleasure in her society, I selected Enva; next to Leenoo the most -malicious of the party, and gifted with sufficient intelligence to -render her malice more effective than Leenoo's stupidity could be. -Enva, moreover, with the vigorous youthful vitality-so often found on -Earth in women of her light Northern complexion, seemed less likely to -suffer from the severity of the weather or the fatigue of a land -journey than most of her companions. When I spoke of my intention to -Davilo, I was surprised to find that he considered even feminine -company a protection. - -"Any attempt upon you," he said, "must either involve your companion, -for which there can be no legal excuse preferred, or else expose the -assailant to the risk of being identified through her evidence." - -I started accordingly a few days before the winter solstice of the -North, reaching the great road a few miles from the point at which it -crosses another of the great gulfs running due north and south, at its -narrowest point in latitude 3° S. At this point the inlet is no more -than twenty miles wide, and its banks about a hundred feet in height. -At this level and across this vast space was carried a bridge, -supported by arches, and resting on pillars deeply imbedded in the -submarine rock at a depth about equal to the height of the land on -either side. The Martial seas are for the most part shallow, the -landlocked gulfs being seldom 100 fathoms, and the deepest ocean -soundings giving less than 1000. The vast and solid structure looked -as light and airy as any suspension bridge across an Alpine ravine. -This gigantic viaduct, about 500 Martial years old, is still the most -magnificent achievement of engineering in this department. The main -roads, connecting important cities or forming the principal routes of -commerce in the absence of convenient river or sea carriage, are -carried over gulfs, streams, ravines, and valleys, and through hills, -as Terrestrial engineers have recently promised to carry railways over -the minor inequalities of ground. That which we were following is an -especially magnificent road, and signalised by several grand -exhibitions of engineering daring and genius. It runs from Amacasfe -for a thousand miles in one straight line direct as that of a Roman -road, and with but half-a-dozen changes of level in the whole -distance. It crossed in the space of a few miles a valley, or rather -dell, 200 feet in depth, and with semi-perpendicular sides, and a -stream wider than the Mississippi above the junction of the Ohio. Next -it traversed the precipitous side of a hill for a distance of three or -four miles, where Nature had not afforded foothold for a rabbit or a -squirrel. The stupendous bridges and the magnificent open road cut in -the side of the rock, its roof supported on the inside by the hill -itself, on the outside by pillars left at regular intervals when the -stone was cut, formed from one point a single splendid view. Pointing -it out to Enva, I was a little surprised to find her capable, under -the guidance of a few remarks from myself, of appreciating and taking -pride in the marvellous work of her race. In another place, a tunnel -pierced directly an intervening range of hills for about eight miles, -interrupted only in two points by short deep open cuttings. This -passage, unlike those on the river previously mentioned, was -constantly and brilliantly lighted. The whole road indeed was lit up -from the fall of the evening to the dispersion of the morning mist -with a brilliancy nearly equal to that of daylight. As I dared not -travel at a greater rate than twenty-five miles per hourâmy -experience, though it enabled me to manage the carriage with -sufficient skill, not giving me confidence to push it to its greatest -speedâthe journey must occupy several days. We had, therefore, to -rest at the stations provided by public authority for travellers -undertaking such long land journeys. These are built like ordinary -Martial houses, save that in lieu of peristyle or interior garden is -an open square planted with shrubs and merely large enough to afford -light to the inner rooms. The chambers also are very much smaller than -those of good private houses. As these stations are nearly always -placed in towns or villages, or in well-peopled country -neighbourhoods, food is supplied by the nearest confectioner to each -traveller individually, and a single person, assisted by the ambau, is -able to manage the largest of them. - -The last two or three days of our journey were bitterly cold, and not -a little trying. My own undergarment of thick soft leather kept me -warmer than the warmest greatcoat or cloak could have done, though I -wore a large cloak of the kargynda's fur in additionâthe prize of the -hunt that had so nearly cost me dear, a personal and very gracious -present from the Camptâ. My companion, who had not the former -advantage, though wrapped in as many outer garments and quilts as I -had thought necessary, felt the cold severely, and felt still more the -dense chill mist which both by night and day covered the greater part -of the country. This was not infrequently so thick as to render -travelling almost perilous; and but that an electric light, required -by law, was placed at each end of the carriage, collisions would have -been inevitable. These hardships afforded another illustration of the -subjection of the sex resulting from the rule of theoretical equality. -More than a year's experience of natural kindness and consideration -had not given Enva courage to make a single complaint; and at first -she did her best to conceal the weeping which was the only, but almost -continuous, expression of her suffering. She was almost as much -surprised as gratified by my expressions of sympathy, and the trouble -I took to obtain, at the first considerable town we reached, an -apparatus by which the heat generated by motion itself was made to -supply a certain warmth through the tubular open-work of the carriage -to the persons of its occupants. The cold was as severe as that of a -Swedish winter, though we never approached within seventeen degrees of -the Arctic circle, a distance from the Pole equivalent to that of -Northern France. The Martial thermometer, in form more like a -watch-barometer, which I carried in my belt, marked a cold equivalent -to 12° below zero C. in the middle of the day; and when left in the -carriage for the night it had registered no less than 22° below zero. - -One of the Professors of the University received us as his guests, -assigning to us, as is usual when a lady is of the party, rooms -looking on the peristyle, but whose windows remained closed. Enva, of -course, spent her time chiefly with the ladies of the family. When -alone with me she talked freely, though needing some encouragement to -express her own ideas, or report what she had heard; but she had no -intention of concealment, perhaps no notion that I was interested in -her accounts of the prevalent feeling respecting the heretics of whom -she heard much, except of course that Eveena's father was among them. -Through her I learned that much pains had been taken to intensify and -excite into active hostility the dislike and distrust with which they -had always been regarded by the public at large, and especially by the -scientific guilds, whose members control all educational -establishments. That some attempt against them was meditated appeared -to be generally reported. Its nature and the movers in the matter were -not known, so far as I could gather, even to men so influential as the -chief Professors of the University. It was not merely that the women -had heard nothing on this point, but that their lords had dropped -expressions of surprise at the strictness with which the secret was -kept. - -As their parents pay, when first the children are admitted to the -public Nurseries, the price of an average education, this special -instruction is given in the first instance at the cost of the State to -those who, on account of their taste and talent, are selected by the -teachers of the Colleges. But before they leave the University a bond -is taken for the amount of this outlay, which has to be repaid within -three years. It is fair to say that the tax is trivial in comparison -with the ordinary gains of their professions; the more so that no such -preference as, in our world, is almost universally given to a -reputation which can only be acquired by age, excludes the youth of -Mars from full and profitable employment. - -The youths were delighted to receive a lecture on the forms of -Terrestrial government, and the outlines of their history; a topic I -selected because they were already acquainted with the substance of -the addresses elsewhere delivered. This afforded me an opportunity of -making the personal acquaintance of some of the more distinguished -pupils. The clearness of their intellect, the thoroughness of their -knowledge in their several studies, and the distinctness of their -acquaintance with the outlines and principles of Martial learning -generally,âan acquaintance as free from smattering and superficiality -as necessarily unembarrassed by detail,âtestified emphatically to the -excellence of the training they had received, as well as to the -hereditary development of their brains. What was, however, not less -striking was the utter absence at once of what I was accustomed to -regard as moral principle, and of the generous impulses which in youth -sometimes supply the place of principle. They avowed the most absolute -selfishness, the most abject fear of death and pain, with a frankness -that would have amazed the Cynics and disgusted the felons of almost -any Earthly nation. There were partial exceptions, but these were to -be found exclusively among those in training for what we should call -public life, for administrative or judicial duties. These, though -professing no devotion to the interest of others, and little that -could be called public spirit, did nevertheless understand that in -return for the high rank, the great power, and the liberal -remuneration they would enjoy, they were bound to consider primarily -the public interest in the performance of their functionsâthe right -of society to just or at least to carefully legal judgment, and -diligent efficient administration. Their feeling, however, was rather -professional than personal, the pride of students in the perfection of -their art rather than the earnestness of men conscious of grave human -responsibilities. - -In conversing with the chief of this Faculty, I learned some -peculiarities of the system of government with which I was not yet -acquainted. Promotion never depends on those with whom a public -servant comes into personal contact, but on those one or two steps -above the latter. The judges, for instance, of the lower rank are -selected by the principal judge of each dominion; these and their -immediate assistants, by the Chief of the highest Court. The officers -around and under the Governor of a province are named by the Regent of -the dominion; those surrounding the Regent, as the Regent himself, by -the Sovereign. Every officer, however, can be removed by his immediate -superior; but it depends on the chief with whom his appointment rests, -whether he shall be transferred to a similar post elsewhere or simply -dismissed. Thus, while no man can be compelled to work with -instruments he dislikes, no subordinate is at the mercy of personal -caprice or antipathy. - -Promotion, judicial and administrative, ends below the highest point. -The judges of the Supreme Court are named by the Sovereignâwith the -advice of a Council, including the Regents, the judges of that Court, -and the heads of the Philosophic and Educational Institutesâfrom -among the advocates and students of law, or from among the ablest -administrators who seem to possess judicial faculties. The code is -written and simple. Every dubious point that arises in the course of -litigation is referred, by appeal or directly by the judge who decides -it, to the Chief Court, and all points of interpretation thus -referred, are finally settled by an addition to the code at its -periodical revision. The Sovereign can erase or add at pleasure to -this code. But he can do so only in full Council, and must hear, -though he need not regard, the opinions of his advisers. He can, -however, suspend immediately till the next meeting of the Council the -enforcement of any article. - -The Regents are never named from among subordinate officials, nor is a -Regent ever promoted to the throne. It is held that the qualities -required in an absolute Sovereign are not such as are demanded from or -likely to be developed in the subordinate ruler of a dominion however -important, and that functions like those of a Regent, at least as -important as those of the Viceroy of India, ought not to be entrusted -to men trained in subaltern administrative duties. Among the youths of -greatest promise, in their eighth year, a certain small number are -selected by the chiefs of the University, who visit for this purpose -all the Nurseries of the kingdom. With what purpose these youths are -separated from their fellows is not explained to them. They are -carefully educated for the highest public duties. Year by year those -deemed fitter for less important offices are drafted off. There remain -at last the very few who are thought competent to the functions of -Regent or Camptâ, and from among these the Sovereign himself selects -at pleasure his own successor and the occupant of any vacant Regency. -The latter, however, holds his post at first on probation, and can, of -course, be removed at any time by the Sovereign. If the latter should -not before his death have named his own successor, the Council by a -process of elimination is reduced to three, and these cast lots which -shall name the new Autocrat from among the youths deemed worthy of the -throne, of whom six are seldom living at the same time. No Prince is -ever appointed under the age of fourteen (twenty-seven) or over that -of sixteen (thirty). No Camptâ has ever abdicated; but they seldom -live to fall into that sort of inert indolence which may be called the -dotage of their race. The nature of their functions seems to preserve -their mental activity longer than that of others; and probably they -are not permitted to live when they have become manifestly unfit or -incapable to reign. - -When first invited to visit the University, I had hoped to make it -only a stage and stepping-stone to something yet more interestingâto -visit the Arctic hunters once more, and join them in the most exciting -of their pursuits; a chase by the electric light of the great Amphibia -of the frozen sea-belt immediately surrounding the permanent ice-cap -of the Northern Pole. For this, however, the royal licence was -required; and, as when I made a similar request during the fur-chase -of the Southern season, I met with a peremptory refusal. "There are -two men in this world," said the Prince, "who would entertain such a -wish. _I_ dare not avow it; and if there were a third, he would -assuredly be convicted of incurable lunacy, though on all other points -he were as cold-blooded as the President of the Academy or the -Vivisector-General." I did not tell Eveena of my request till it had -been refused; and if anything could have lessened my vexation at the -loss of this third opportunity, it would have been the expression of -her countenance at that moment. Indeed, I was then satisfied that I -could not have left her in the fever of alarm and anxiety that any -suspicion of my purpose would have caused. - -I seized, however, the opportunity of a winter voyage in a small -vessel, manned by four or five ocean-hunters, less timid and -susceptible to surface disturbances than ordinary seamen. On such an -excursion, Enva, though a far less pleasant companion, was a less -anxious charge than Eveena. We made for the Northern coast, and ran -for some hundred miles, along a sea-bord not unlike that of Norway, -but on a miniature scale. Though in some former age this hemisphere, -like Europe, has been subject to glacial action much more general and -intense than at present, its ice-seas and ice-rivers must always have -been comparatively shallow and feeble. Beaching at last a break in the -long line of cliff-guarded capes and fiords, where the sea, half -covered with low islands, eats a broad and deep ingress into the -land-belt, I disembarked, and made a day's land journey to the -northward. - -The ground was covered with a sheet of hard-frozen snow about eighteen -inches deep, with an upper surface of pure ice. For the ordinary -carriage, here useless, was substituted a sledge, driven from behind -by an instrument something between a paddle-wheel and a screw, worked, -of course, by the usual electric machinery. The cold was far more -intense than I had ever before known it; and the mist that fell at the -close of the very short zyda of daylight rendered it all but -intolerable. The Arctic circular thermometer fell to within a few -points from its minimum ofâ50° Centigrade [?]. No flesh could endure -exposure to such an atmosphere; and were not the inner mask and -clothing of soft leather pervaded by a constant feeble current of -electricity.... - -As we made our way back to the open sea, the temptation to disobey the -royal order was all but irresistible. No fewer than three kargyndau -were within shot at one and the same time; plunging from the shore of -an icy island to emerge with their preyâa fish somewhat resembling -the salmon in form and flavour. My companions, however, were terrified -at the thought of disobedience to the law; and as we had but one -mordyta (lightning-gun) among the party, and the uncertainty of the -air-gun had been before proven to my cost, there was some force in -their supplementary argument that, if I did not kill the kargynda, it -was probable that the kargynda might board us; in which event our case -would be summarily disposed of, without troubling the Courts or -allowing time to apply, even by telegraph, for the royal pardon. I was -suggesting, more to the alarm than amusement of the crew, that we -might close the hatches, and either carry the regal beast away -captive, or, at worst, dive and drown himâfor he cannot swim very -farâwhen their objections were enforced in an unexpected manner. We -were drifting beyond shot of the nearest brute, when the three -suddenly plunged at once, and as if by concert, and when they rose, -were all evidently making for the vessel, and within some eighty -yards. I then learnt a new advantage of the electric machinery, as -compared with the most powerful steam-engine. A pressure upon a -button, and a few seconds sufficed to exchange a speed of four for one -of twenty miles an hour; while, instead of sinking the vessel below -the surface, the master directed the engine to pump out all the liquid -ballast she contained. The waterspout thus sent forth half-drowned the -enemy which had already come within a few yards of our starboard -quarter, and effectually-scared the others. It was just as well that -Enva, who heartily hated the bitter cold, was snugly ensconced in the -warm cushions of the cabin, and had not, therefore, the opportunity of -giving to Eveena, on our return, her version of an adventure whose -alarming aspect would have impressed them both more than its ludicrous -side. For half a minute I thought that I had, in sheer folly, exposed -half a dozen lives to a peril none the less real and none the more -satisfactory that, if five had been killed, the survivor could not -have so told the story as to avoid laughingâor being laughed at. - -Sweet and serene as was Eveena's smile of welcome, it could not -conceal the traces of more than mere depression on her countenance. -Heartily willing to administer an effective lesson to her tormentors, -I seized the occasion of the sunset meal to notice the weary and -harassed look she had failed wholly to banish. - -"You look worse each time I return, Madonna. This time it is not -merely my absence, if it ever were so. I will know who or what has -driven and hunted you so." - -Taken thus by surprise, every face but one bore witness to the truth: -Eveena's distress, EunanĂŠ's mixed relief and dismay, shared in yet -greater degree by Velna, who knew less of me, the sheer terror and -confusion of the rest, were equally significant. The Martial judge who -said that "the best evidence was lost because colour could not be -tested or blushes analysed," would have passed sentence at once. But -if EivĂŠ's air of innocent unconsciousness and childish indifference -were not sincere, it merited the proverbial praise of consummate -affectation, "more golden than the sun and whiter than snow." Eveena's -momentary glance at once drew mine upon this "pet child," but neither -disturbed her. Nor did she overact her part. "EivĂŠ," said Enva one -day, "never salts her tears or paints her blushes." As soon as she -caught my look of doubtâ - -"Have _I_ done wrong?" she said, in a tone half of confidence, half of -reproach. "Punish me, then, Clasfempta, as you pleaseâwith Eveena's -sandal." - -The repartee delighted those who had reason to desire any diversion. -The appeal to Eveena disarmed my unwilling and momentary distrust. -Eveena, however, answered by neither word nor look, and the party -presently broke up. EivĂŠ crept close to claim some silent atonement -for unspoken suspicion, and a few minutes had elapsed before, to the -evident alarm of several conscious culprits, I sought Eveena in her -own chamber. - -In spite of all deprecation, I insisted on the explanation she had -evaded in public. "I guess," I said, "as much as you can tell me about -'the four.' I have borne too long with those who have made your life -that of a hunted therne, and rendered myself anxious and restless -every day and hour that I have left you alone. Unless you will deny -that they have done soââ Well, then, I will have peace for you and -for myself. I cannot leave you to their mercy, nor can I remain at -home for the next twelve dozen days, like a chained watch-dragon. Pass -them over!" (as she strove to remonstrate); "there is something new -this time. You have been harassed and frightened as well as unhappy." - -"Yes," she admitted, "but I can give nothing like a reason. I dare not -entreat you not to ask, and yet I am only like a child, that wakes -screaming by night, and cannot say of what she is afraid. Ought she -not to be whipped?" - -"I can't say, bambina; but I should not advise EivĂŠ to startle _you_ -in that way! But, seriously, I suppose fear is most painful when it -has no cause that can be removed. I have seen brave soldiers -panic-stricken in the dark, without well knowing why." - -I watched her face as I spoke, and noted that while the pet name I had -used in the first days of our marriage, now recalled by her image, -elicited a faint smile, the mention of EivĂŠ clouded it again. She was -so unwilling to speak, that I caught at the clue afforded by her -silence. - -"It _is_ EivĂŠ then? The little hypocrite! She shall find your sandal -heavier than mine." - -"No, no!" she pleaded eagerly. "You have seen what EivĂŠ is in your -presence; and to me she is always the same. If she were not, could I -complain of her?" - -"And why not, Eveena? Do you think I should hesitate between you?" - -"No!" she answered, with unusual decision of tone. "I will tell you -exactly what you would do. You would take my word implicitly; you -would have made up your mind before you heard her; you would deal -harder measure to EivĂŠ than to any one, _because_ she is your pet; you -would think for once not of sparing the culprit, but of satisfying me; -and afterwards"ââ - -She paused, and I saw that she would not conclude in words a sentence -I could perhaps have finished for myself. - -"I see," I replied, "that EivĂŠ is the source of your trouble, but not -what the trouble is. For her sake, do not force me to extort the truth -from her." - -"I doubt whether she has guessed my misgiving," Eveena answered. "It -may be that you are rightâthat it is because she was so long the only -one you were fond of, that I cannot like and trust her as you do. -But ... you leave the telegraph in my charge, understanding, of course, -that it will be used as when you are at home. So, after Davilo's -warning, I have written their messages for EunanĂŠ and the others, but -I could not refuse EivĂŠ's request to write her own, and, like you, I -have never read them." - -"Why?" I asked. "Surely it is strange to give her, of all, a special -privilege and confidence?" - -Eveena was silent. She could in no case have reproached me in words, -and even the reproach of silence was so unusual that I could not but -feel it keenly. I saw at that moment that for whatever had happened or -might happen I might thank myself; might thank the doubt I would not -avow to my own mind, but could not conceal from her, that Eveena had -condescended to something like jealousy of one whose childish -simplicity, real or affected, had strangely won my heart, as children -do win hearts hardened by experience of life's roughness and evil. - -"I know nothing," Eveena said at last: "yet somehow, and wholly -without any reason I can explain, I fear. EivĂŠ, you may remember, has, -as your companion, made acquaintance with many households whose heads -you do not believe friends to you or the Zinta. She is a diligent -correspondent. She never affects to conceal anything, and yet no one -of us has lately seen the contents of a note sent or received by her." - -There was nothing tangible in Eveena's suspicion. It was most -repugnant to my own feelings, and yet it implanted, whether by force -of sympathy or of instinct, a misgiving that never left me again. - -"My own," I answered, "I would trust your judgment, your observation -or feminine instinct and insight into character, far sooner than my -own conclusions upon solid facts. But instincts and presentiments, -though we are not scientifically ignorant enough to disregard them, -are not evidence on which we can act or even inquire." - -"No," she said. "And yet it is hard to feel, as I cannot help feeling, -that the thunder-cloud is forming, that the bolt is almost ready to -strike, and that you are risking life, and perhaps more than life, out -of a delicacy no other man would show towards a childâsince child you -will have herâwho, I feel sure, deserves all she might receive from -the hands of one who would have the truth at any cost." - -"You feel," I answered, "for me as I should feel for you. But is death -so terrible to _us_? It means leaving youâI wish we knew that it does -not mean losing for ever, after so brief an enjoyment, all that is -perishable in love like oursâor it would not be worth fearing. I -don't think I ever did fear it till you made my life so sweet. But -life is not worth an unkindness or injustice. Better die trusting to -the last than live in the misery and shame of suspecting one I love, -or dreading treacherous malice from any hand under my own roof." - -When I met Davilo the next morning, the grave and anxious expression -of his faceâusually calm and serene even in deepest thought, as are -those of the experienced members of an Order confident in the -consciousness of irresistible secret powerânot a little disturbed me. -As Eveena had said, the thunder-cloud was forming; and a chill went to -my heart which in facing measurable and open peril it had never felt. - -"I bring you," he said; "a message that will not, I am afraid, be -welcome. He whose guest you were at Serocasfe invites you to pay him -an immediate visit; and the invitation must be accepted at once." - -I drew myself up with no little indignation at the imperative tone, -but feeling at least equal awe at the stern calmness with which the -mandate was spoken. - -"And what compels me to such haste, or to compliance without -consideration?" - -"That power," he returned, "which none can resist, and to which you -may not demur." - -Seeing that I still hesitatedâin truth, the summons had turned my -vague misgiving into intense though equally vague alarm and even -terror, which as unmanly and unworthy I strove to repress, but which -asserted its domination in a manner as unwonted as unwelcomeâhe drew -aside a fold of his robe, and showed within the silver Star of the -Order, supported by the golden sash, that marked a rank second only to -that of the wearer of the Signet itself. I understood too well by this -time, through conversations with him and other communications of which -it has been needless to speak, the significance of this revelation. I -knew the impossibility of questioning the authority to which I had -pledged obedience. I realised with great amazement the fact that a -secondary position on my own estate, and a personal charge of my own -safety, had been accepted by a Chief of the Zinta. - -"There is, of course," I replied at last, "no answer to a mandate so -enforced. But, Chief, reluctant as I am to say it, I fearâfear as I -have never done before; and yet fear I cannot say, I cannot guess -what." - -"There is no cause for alarm," he said somewhat contemptuously. "In -this journey, sudden, speedy, and made under our guard as on our -summons, there is little or none of that peril which has beset you so -long." - -"You forget, Chief," I rejoined, "that you speak to a soldier, whose -chosen trade was to risk life at the word of a superior; to one whose -youth thought no smile so bright as that of naked steel, and had often -'kissed the lips of the lightning' ere the down darkened his own. At -any rate, you have told me daily for more than a year that I am living -under constant peril of assassination; have I seemed to quail thereat? -If, then, I am now terrified for the first time, that which I dread, -without knowing or dreaming what it is, is assuredly a peril worse -than any I have known, the shadow of a calamity against which I have -neither weapon nor courage. It cannot be for myself that I am thus -appalled," I continued, the thought flashing into my mind as I spoke -it, "and there is but one whose life is so closely bound with mine -that danger to her should bring such terror as this. I go at your -bidding, but I will not go alone." - -He paused for some time, apparently in perplexity, certainly in deep -thought, before he replied. - -"As you will. One thing more. The slips of tafroo with which you -furnished me have been under the eyes of which you have heard. This" -(handing me the one that bore no mark) "has passed, so far as the -highest powers of the sense that is not of the body can perceive, -through none but innocent hands. The hand from which you received -this" (the marked slip) "is spotted with treason, and may to-morrow be -red." - -I was less impressed by this declaration than probably would have been -any other member of the Order. I had seen on Earth the most marvellous -perceptions of a perfectly lucid vision succeeded, sometimes within -the space of the same day, by dreams or hallucinations the most -absolutely deceptive. I felt, therefore, more satisfaction in the -acquittal of EunanĂŠ, whom I had never doubted, than trouble at the -grave suspicion suggested against EivĂŠâa suspicion I still refused to -entertain. - -"You should enter your balloon as soon as the sunset mist will conceal -it," said Davilo. "By mid-day you may reach the deep bay on the mid -sea-belt of the North, where a swift vessel will meet you and convey -you in two or three days by a direct course through the canal and gulf -you have traversed already, to the port from which you commenced your -first submarine voyage." - -"You had better," I said, "make your instruction a little more -particular, or I shall hardly know how to direct my course." - -"Do not dream," he answered, "that you will be permitted to undertake -such a journey but under the safest guidance. At the time I have named -all will be ready for your departure, and you have simply to sleep or -read or meditate as you will, till you reach your destination." - -Eveena was not a little startled when I informed her of the sudden -journey before me, and my determination that she should be my -companion. It was unquestionably a trying effort for her, especially -the balloon voyage, which would expose her to the cold of the mists -and of the night, and I feared to the intenser cold of the upper air. -But I dared not leave her, and she was pleased by a peremptory -decision which made her the companion of my absence, without leaving -room for discussion or question. The time for our departure was -drawing near when, followed by EunanĂŠ, she came into my chamber. - -"If we are to be long away," she said, "you must say on whom my -charges are to devolve." - -"As you please," I answered, sure of her choice, and well content to -see her hand over her cares to EunanĂŠ, who, if she lacked the wisdom -and forbearance of Eveena, could certainly hold the reins with a -stronger hand. - -"EivĂŠ," she said, "has asked the charge of my flowerbed; but I had -promised it, and"ââ - -"And you would rather give it," I answered, "to EunanĂŠ? Naturally; and -I should not care to allow EivĂŠ the chance of spoiling your work. I -think we may now trust whatever is yours in those once troublesome -hands," looking at EunanĂŠ, "with perfect assurance that they will do -their best." - -I had never before parted even from EunanĂŠ with any feeling of regret; -but on this occasion an impulse I could not account for, but have ever -since been glad to remember, made me turn at the last moment and add -to Eveena's earnest embrace a few words of affection and confidence, -which evidently cheered and encouraged her deputy. The car that -awaited us was of the light tubular construction common here, formed -of the silvery metal _zorinta_. About eighteen feet in length and half -that breadth, it was divided into two compartments; each, with the aid -of canopy and curtains, forming at will a closed tent, and securing -almost as much privacy as an Arab family enjoys, or opening to the -sky. In that with which the sails and machinery were connected were -Davilo and two of his attendants. The other had been carefully lined -and covered with furs and wrappings, indicating an attention to my -companion which indeed is rarely shown to women by their own lords, -and which none but the daughter of Esmo would have received even among -the brethren of the Order. Ere we departed I had arranged her cushions -and wrapped her closely in the warmest coverings; and flinging over -her at last the kargynda skin received from the Camptâ, I bade her -sleep if possible during our aerial voyage. There was need to provide -as carefully as possible for her comfort. The balloon shot up at once -above the evening mists to a height at which the cold was intense, but -at which our voyage could be guided by the stars, invisible from -below, and at which we escaped the more dangerously chilling damp. The -wind that blew right in our teeth, caused by no atmospheric current -but by our own rapid passage, would in a few moments have frozen my -face, perhaps fatally, had not thick skins been arranged to screen us. -Even through these it blew with intense severity, and I was glad -indeed to cover myself from head to foot and lie down beside Eveena. -Her hand as she laid it on mine was painfully cold; but the shivering -I could hardly suppress made her anxious to part in my favour with -some at least of the many coverings that could hardly screen herself -from the searching blast. Not at the greatest height I reached among -the Himalayas, nor on the Steppes of Tartary, had I experienced a cold -severer than this. The Sun had just turned westward when we reached -the port at which we were to embark. Despite the cold, Eveena had -slept during the latter part of our voyage, and was still sleeping -when I placed her on the cushions in our cabin. The sudden and most -welcome change from bitter cold to comfortable warmth awakened her, as -it at last allowed me to sleep. Our journey was continued below the -surface at a rate of more than twelve hundred miles in the day, a -speed which made observation through the thick but perfectly -transparent side windows of our cabin impossible. I was indisposed for -meditation, which could have been directed to no other subject than -the mysterious purpose of our journey, and had not provided myself -with books. But in Eveena's company it was impossible that the time -should pass slowly or wearily. - -In this balloon journey I had a specially advantageous opportunity of -observing the two moonsâvelnaa, as they are called. _Cavelna_, or -Caulna, the nearer, in diameter about 8' or a little more than -one-fourth that of our Moon, is a tolerably brilliant object, about -5000 miles from the surface. Moving, like all planets and satellites, -from west to east, it completes its stellar revolution and its phases -in less than seven and a half hours; the contrary revolution of the -skies prolongs its circuit around the planet to a period of ten hours. -Zeelna (_Zevelna_) returns to the same celestial meridian in thirty -hours; but as in this time the starry vault has completed about a -rotation and a quarter in the opposite direction, it takes nearly five -days to reappear on the same horizon. It is about 3' in diameter, and -about 12,000 miles from the surface. The result of the combined -motions is that the two moons, to the eye, seem to move in opposite -directions. When we rose above the mists, Caulna was visible as a very -fine crescent in the west; Zeelna was rising in the east, and almost -full; but hardly a more brilliant object than Venus when seen to most -advantage from Earth. Both moved so rapidly among the stars that their -celestial change of place was apparent from minute to minute. But, as -regarded our own position, the appearance was as opposite as their -direction. Zeelna, traversing in twelve hours only one-fifth of the -visible hemisphere, while crossing in the same time 144° on the -zodiacâtwelve degrees per hour, or our Moon's diameter in two minutes -and a halfâwas left behind by the stars; and fixing what I may call -the ocular attention on her, she seemed to stand still while they -slowly passed her; thus making their revolution perceptible to sense -as it never is on Earth, for lack of a similar standard. Caulna, -rising in the west and moving eastwards, crossed the visible sky in -five hours, and passed through the stars at the rate of 48° per hour, -so that she seemed to sail past them like a golden cloudlet or -celestial vessel driven by a slow wind. It happened this night that -she passed over the star Fomalhautâan occultation which I watched -with great interest through an excellent field-glass, but which lasted -only for about half a minute. About an hour before midnight the two -moons passed each other in the Eastern sky; both gibbous at the -moment, like our Moon in her last quarter. The difference in size and -motion was then most striking; Caulna seeming to rush past her -companion, and the latter looking like a stationary star in the slowly -moving sky. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - APOSTACY. - - -We were received on landing by our former host and conducted to his -house. On this occasion, however, I was not detained in the hall, but -permitted at once to enter the chamber allotted to us. Eveena, who had -exacted from me all that I knew, and much that I meant to conceal, -respecting the occasion of our journey, was much agitated and not a -little alarmed. My own humble rank in the Zinta rendered so sudden and -imperative a summons the more difficult to understand, and though by -this time well versed in the learning, neither of us was familiar with -the administration of the Brotherhood. I was glad therefore on her -account, even more than on my own, when, a scratch at the door having -obtained admission for an ambâ, it placed before me a message from -Esmo requesting a private conference. Her father's presence set -Eveena's mind at rest; since she had learned, strangely enough from -myself, what she had never known before, the rank he held among the -brethren. - -"I have summoned you," he said as soon as I joined him, "for more than -one reason. There is but one, however, that I need now explain. -Important questions, are as a rule either settled by the Chiefs alone -in Council, or submitted to a general meeting of the Order. In this -case neither course can be adopted. It would not have occurred to -myself that, under present circumstances, you could render material -service in either of the two directions in which it may be required. -But those by whom the cause has been prepared have asked that you -should be one of the Convent, and such a request is never refused. -Indeed, its refusal would imply either such injustice as would render -the whole proceeding utterly incompatible with the first principles of -our cohesion, or such distrust of the person summoned as is never felt -for a member of the Brotherhood. I would rather say no more on the -subject now. Your nerve and judgment will be sufficiently tried -to-night; and it is a valuable maxim of our science that, in the hours -immediately preceding either an important decision or a severe trial, -the spirit should be left as far as possible calm and unvexed by vague -shadows of that which is to come." - -The maxim thus expressed, if rendered into the language of material -medicine, is among those which every man of experience holds and -practically acts upon. I turned the conversation, then, by inviting -Esmo into my own apartment; and I was touched indeed by the eager -delight, even stronger than I had expected, with which Eveena welcomed -her father, and inquired into the minutest details of the home life -from which she had been, as it seemed to her, so long separated. What -was, however, specially characteristic was the delicate care with -which, even in this first meeting with one of her own family, she -contrived still to give the paramount place in her attention to her -husband, and never for a moment to let him feel excluded from a -conversation with whose topics he was imperfectly acquainted, and in -which he might have been supposed uninterested. The hours thus passed -pleasantly away; and, except when Kevimâ joined us at the evening -meal, adding a new and unexpected pleasure to Eveena's natural delight -in this sudden reunion, we remained undisturbed until a very low -electric signal, sounding apparently through several chambers at once, -recalled Esmo's mind to the duties before him. - -"You will not," he said, "return till late, and I wish you would -induce Eveena to ensure, by composing herself to sleep before your -return, that you shall not be asked to converse until the morning." - -He withdrew with Kevimâ, and, as instructed, I proceeded to change my -dress for one of pure white adapted to the occasion, with only a band -of crimson around the waist and throat, and to invest myself in the -badge of the Order. The turban which I wore, without attracting -attention, in the Asiatic rather than in the Martial form, was of -white mingled with red; a novelty which seemed to Eveena's eyes -painfully ominous. In Martial language, as in Zveltic symbolism, -crimson generally takes the place of black as the emblem of guilt and -peril. When Esmo re-entered our chamber for a moment to summon me, he -was invested, as in the Shrine itself, in the full attire of his -office, and I was recalled to a recollection of the reverence due to -the head of the Brotherhood by the sudden change in Eveena's manner. -To her father, though a most respectful, she was a fearlessly -affectionate child. For Clavelta she had only the reverence, deeply -intermingled with awe, with which a devout Catholic convert from the -East may approach for the first time some more than usually imposing -occupant of the Chair of St. Peter. Before the arm that bore the -Signet, and the sash of gold, we bent knee and head in the deference -prescribed by our rulesâa homage which the youngest child in the -public Nurseries would not dream of offering to the Camptâ himself. At -a sign from his hand I followed Esmo, hoping rather than expecting -that Eveena would obey the counsel indirectly addressed to her. -Traversing the same passages as before, save that a slight turn -avoided the symbolic bridge, and formally challenged at each point as -usual by the sentries, who saluted with profoundest reverence the -Signet of the Order, we passed at last into the Hall of Initiation. - -But on this occasion its aspect was completely changed. A space -immediately in front of what I may call the veil of the Shrine was -closed in by drapery of white bordered with crimson. The Chiefs -occupied, as before, their seats on the platform. Some fifty members -of the Order sat to right and left immediately below; but Esmo, on -this occasion, seated himself on the second leftward step of the -Throne, which, with the silver light and the other mystic emblems, was -unveiled in the same strange manner as before at his approach. Near -the lower end of the small chamber thus formed, crossing the passage -between the seats on either hand, was a barrier of the bright red -metal I have more than once mentioned, and behind it a seat of some -sable material. Behind this, to right and left, stood silent and erect -two sentries robed in green, and armed with the usual spear. A deep -intense absolute silence prevailed, from the moment when the last of -the party had taken his place, for the space of some ten minutes. In -the faces of the Chiefs and of some of the elder Initiates, who were -probably aware of the nature of the scene to follow, was an expression -of calm but deep pain and regret; crossed now and then by a shade of -anxiety, such as rarely appeared in that abode of assured peace and -profound security. On no countenance was visible the slightest shadow -of restlessness or curiosity. In the changed aspect of the place, the -changed tone of its associations and of the feelings habitual to its -frequenters, there was something which impressed and overawed the -petulance of youth, and even the indifference of an experience like my -own. At last, stretching forth the ivory-like staff of mingled white -and red, which on this occasion each of the Chiefs had substituted for -their usual crystal wand, Esmo spoke, not raising his voice a single -semitone above its usual pitch, but with even unwonted gravityâ - -"Come forward, Asco Zvelta!" he said. - -The sight I now witnessed, no description could represent to one who -had not seen the same. Parting the drapery at the lower end, there -came forward a figure in which the most absolutely inexperienced eye -could not fail to recognise a culprit called to trial. "Came forward," -I have said, because I can use no other words. But such was not the -term which would have occurred to any one who witnessed the movement. -"Was dragged forward," I should say, did I attempt to convey the -impression produced;âsave that no compulsion, no physical force was -used, nor were there any to use it. And yet the miserable man -approached slowly, reluctantly, shrinking back as one who strives with -superior corporeal power exerted to force him onward, as if physically -dragged on step by step by invisible bonds held by hands unseen. So -with white face and shaking form he reached the barrier, and knelt as -Esmo rose from his place, honouring instinctively, though his eyes -seemed incapable of discerning them, the symbols of supreme authority. -Then, at a silent gesture, he rose and fell back into the chair placed -for him, apparently unable to stand and scarcely able to sustain -himself on his seat. - -"Brother," said the junior of the Chiefs, or he who occupied the place -farthest to the right;âand now I noticed that eleven were present, -the last seat on the right of him who spoke being vacantâ"you have -unveiled to strangers the secrets of the Shrine." - -He paused for an answer; and, in a tone strangely unnatural and -expressionless, came from the scarcely parted lips of the culprit the -replyâ" - -"It is true." - -"You have," said the next of the Chiefs, "accepted reward to place the -lives of your brethren at the mercy of their enemies." - -"It is true." - -"You have," said he who occupied the lowest seat upon the left, -"forsworn in heart and deed, if not in word, the vows by which you -willingly bound yourself, and the law whose boons you had accepted." - -Again the same confession, forced evidently by some overwhelming power -from one who would, if he could, have denied or remained silent. - -"And to whom," said Esmo, interposing for the first time, "have you -thus betrayed us?" - -"I know not," was the reply. - -"Explain," said the Chief immediately to the left of the Throne, who, -if there were a difference in the expression of the calm sad faces, -seemed to entertain more of compassion and less of disgust and -repulsion towards the offender than any other. - -"Those with whom I spoke," replied the culprit, in the same strange -tone, "were not known to me, but gave token of authority next to that -of the Camptâ. They told me that the existence of the Order had long -been known, that many of its members were clearly indicated by their -household practices, that their destruction was determined; that I was -known as a member of the Order, and might choose between perishing -first of their victims and receiving reward such as I should name -myself for the information I could give." - -"What have you told?" asked another of the Chiefs. - -"I have not named one of the symbols. I have not betrayed the Shrine -or the passwords. I have told that the Zinta _is_. I have told the -meaning of the Serpent, the Circle, and the Star, though I have not -named them." - -"And," said he on the left of the Throne, "naming the hope that is -more than all hope, recalling the power that is above all power, could -you dare to renounce the one and draw on your own head the justice of -the other? What reward could induce a child of the Light to turn back -into darkness? What authority could protect the traitor from the fate -he imprecated and accepted when he first knelt before the Throne?" -"The hope was distant and the light was dim," the offender answered. -"I was threatened and I was tempted. I knew that death, speedy and -painless, was the penalty of treason to the Order, that a death of -prolonged torture might be the vengeance of the power that menaced me. -I hoped little in the far and dim future of the Serpent's promise, and -I hoped and feared much in the life on this side of death." - -"Do you know," asked the last inquirer again, "no name, and nothing -that can enable us to trace those with whom you spoke or those who -employed them?" - -"Only this," was the answer, "that one of them has an especial hatred -to one Initiate present," pointing to myself; "and seeks his life, not -only as a child of the Star, not only as husband of the daughter of -Clavelta, but for a reason that is not known to me." - -"And," asked another Chief, "do you know what instrument that enemy -seeks to use?" - -"One who has over her intended victim such influence as few of her sex -ever have over their lords; one of whom his love will learn no -distrust, against whom his heart has no guard and his manhood no -wisdom." - -A shiver of horror passed over the forms of the Chiefs and of many who -sat near them, incomprehensible to me till a sudden light was afforded -by the indignant interruption of Kevimâ, who sat not far from myself. - -"It cannot be," he cried, "or you can name her whom you accuse." - -"Be silent!" Esmo said, in the cold, grave tone of a president -rebuking disorder, mingled with the deeper displeasure of a priest -repressing irreverence in the midst of the most solemn religious rite. -"None may speak here till the Chiefs have ceased to speak." - -None of the latter, however, seemed disposed to ask another question. -The guilt of the accused was confessed. All that he could tell to -guide their further inquiries had been told. To doubt that what was -forced from him was to the best of his knowledge true, was to them, -who understood the mysterious power that had compelled the spirit and -the lips to an unwilling confession, impossible. And if it had seemed -that further information might have been extracted relative to my own -personal danger, a stronger tie, a deeper obligation, bound them to -the supposed object of the last obscure imputation, and none was -willing to elicit further charges or clearer evidence. Probably also -they anticipated that, when the word was extended to the Initiates, I -should take up my own cause. - -"Would any brother speak?" asked Esmo, when the silence of the Chiefs -had lasted for a few moments. - -But his rebuke had silenced Kevimâ, and no one else cared to -interpose. The eyes of the assembly turned upon me so generally and so -pointedly, that at last I felt myself forced, though against my own -judgment, to rise. - -"I have no question to ask the accused," I said. - -"Then," replied Esmo calmly, "you have nothing now to say. Give to the -brother accused before us the cup of rest." - -A small goblet was handed by one of the sentries to the miserable -creature, now half-insensible, who awaited our judgment. In a very few -moments he had sunk into a slumber in which his face was comparatively -calm, and his limbs had ceased to tremble. His fate was to be debated -in the presence indeed of his body, but in the absence of -consciousness and knowledge. - -"Has any elder brother," inquired Esmo, "counsel to afford?" - -No word was spoken. - -"Has any brother counsel to afford?" - -Again all were silent, till the glance which the Chief cast in order -along the ranks of the assembly fell upon myself. - -"One word," I said. "I claim permission to speak, because the matter -touches closely and cruelly my own honour." - -There was that inaudible, invisible, motionless "movement," as some -French reporters call it, of surprise throughout the assembly which -communicates itself instinctively to a speaker. - -"My own honour," I continued, "in the honour dearer and nearer to me -even than my own. What the accused has spoken may or may not be true." - -"It is true," interposed a Chief, probably pitying my ignorance. - -"May be true," I continued, "though I will not believe it, to -whomsoever his words may apply. That no such treason as they have -suggested ever for one moment entered, or could enter, the heart of -her who knelt with me, in presence of many now here, before that -Throne, I will vouch by all the symbols we revere in common, and with -the life which it seems is alone threatened by the feminine domestic -treason alleged, from whomsoever that treason may proceed. I will -accuse none, as I suspect none; but I will say that the charge might -be true to the letter, and yet not touch, as I know it does not justly -touch, the daughter of our Chief." - -A deep relief was visible in the faces which had so lately been -clouded by a suspicion terrible to all. Esmo's alone remained -impassive throughout my vindication, as throughout the apparent -accusation and silent condemnation of his daughter. - -"Has any brother," he said, "counsel to speak respecting the question -actually before us?" - -One and all were silent, till Esmo again put the formal question:â - -"Has he who was our brother betrayed the brotherhood?" - -From every member of the assembly came a clear unmistakable assent. - -"Is he outcast?" - -Silence rather than any distinct sign answered in the affirmative. - -"Is it needful that his lips be sealed for ever?" - -One or two of the Chiefs expressed in a single sentence an affirmative -conviction, which was evidently shared by all present except myself. -Appealing by a look to Esmo, and encouraged by his eye, I spokeâ - -"The outcast has confessed treason worthy of death. That I cannot -deny. But he has sinned from fear rather than from greed or malice; -and to fear, courage should be indulgent. The coward is but what Allah -has made him, and to punish cowardice is to punish the child for the -heritage his parents have inflicted. Moreover, no example of -punishment will make cowards brave. It seems to me, then, that there -is neither justice nor wisdom in taking vengeance upon the crime of -weakness." - -In but two faces, those of Esmo and of his next colleague on the left, -could I see the slightest sign of approval. One of the other chiefs -answered briefly and decisively my plea for mercy. - -"If," he said, "treason proceed from fear, the more cause that a -greater fear should prevent the treason of cowardice for the future. -The same motives that have led the offender to betray so much would -assuredly lead him to betray more were he released; and to attempt -lifelong confinement is to make the lives of all dependent on a chance -in order to spare one unworthy life. The excuse which our brother has -pleaded may, we hope, avail with a tribunal which can regard the -conscience apart from the consequences. It ought not to avail with -us." - -But the law of the Zinta, as I now learned, will not allow sentence of -death to be passed save by an absolutely unanimous vote. It is held -that if one judge educated in the ideas of the Order, appreciating to -the full the priceless importance of its teaching and the guilt of -treason against it, is unpersuaded that there exists sufficient cause -for the supreme penalty, the doubt is such as should preclude the -infliction of that penalty. It is, however, permitted and expected -that the dissentients, if few in number, much more a single -dissentient, shall listen attentively and give the most respectful and -impartial consideration to the arguments of brethren, and especially -of seniors. If a single mind remains unmoved, its dissent is decisive. -But it would be the gravest dereliction of duty to persist from -wilfulness, obstinacy, or pride, in adhesion to a view perhaps hastily -expressed in opposition to authority and argument. The debate to which -my speech gave rise lasted for two hours. Each speaker spoke but a few -terse expressive sentences; and after each speech came a pause -allowing full time for the consideration of its reasoning. Two points -were very soon made clear to all. The offender had justly forfeited -his life; and if his death were necessary or greatly conducive to the -safety of the rest, the mercy which for his sake imperilled worthier -men and sacred truths would have been no less than a crime. The -thought, however, that weighed most with me against my natural feeling -was an experience to which none present could appeal. I had sat on -many courts-martial where cowardice was the only charge imputed; and -in every case in which that charge was proved, sentence of death had -been passed and carried out on a ground I could not refuse to consider -sufficient:ânamely, that the infection of terror can best be -repressed by an example inspiring deeper terror than that to which the -prisoner has yielded. Compelled by these precedents, though with -intense reluctance, I submitted at last to the universal judgment. -Esmo having collected the will, I cannot say the voices, of the -assembly, paused for a minute in silence. - -"The Present has pronounced," he said at last. "Are the voices of the -Past assentient?" - -He looked around as if to see whether, under real or supposed -inspiration, any of those before him would give in another name a -judgment opposite to that in which all had concurred. Instinctively I -glanced towards the Throne, but it remained vacant as ever. Then, -fixing his eyes for a few moments upon the culprit, who started and -woke to full consciousness under his gazeâand receiving from the -Chief nearest to him on the left a chain of small golden circles -similar to that of the canopy, represented also on the Signet, while -he on the right held a small roll, on the golden surface of which a -long list of names was inscribedâour Superior pronounced, amid -deepest stillness, in a low clear tone, the form of excommunication; -breaking at the appropriate moment one link from the chain, and, at a -later point, drawing a broad crimson bar through one cipher on the -roll:â - - "Conscience-convict, tried in truth, - Judged in justice, doomed in ruth; - Ours no moreâonce ours in vainâ - Falls the Veil and snaps the Chain, - Drops the link and lies alone:â - Traitor to the Emerald Throne, - Alien from the troth we plight, - Kature native to the night; - Trained in Light the Light to scorn, - Soul apostate and forsworn, - False to symbol, sense, and sign, - To the Serpent's pledge divine, - To the Wings that reach afar, - To the Circle and the Star; - Recreant to the mystic rule, - Outlaw from the sacred schoolâ - Backward is the Threshold crossed; - Lost the Light, the Life is lost. - Go; the golden page we blot: - Go; forgetting and forgot! - Goâby final sentence shriven, - Be thy crime absolved in Heaven!" - -Once more the Throne and the Emblems behind and above it had been -veiled in impenetrable darkness. Instinctively, as it seemed, every -one present had risen to his feet, and stood with bent head and -downcast eyes as the Condemned, rising mechanically, turned without a -word and passed away. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - TWILIGHT. - - -I was, perhaps, the only member of the assembly to whom the doomed man -was not personally known, and to all of us the tie which had been -severed was one at least as close as that of natural brotherhood on -Earth. - -How long the pause lastedâhow, or why, or when we resumed our seats, -even I knew not. The Shrine was unveiled, and Esmo's next colleague -spoke againâ - -"A seat among the elders has been three days vacant by the departure -of one well known and dear to all. His colleagues have considered how -best it may be filled. The member they have selected is of the -youngest in experience here; but from the first moment of his -initiation it was evident to us that more than half the learning of -the Starlight had been his before. Nothing could so deeply confirm our -joy and confidence in that lore, as to find that in another world the -truths we hold dearest are held with equal faith, that many of our -deepest secrets have there been sought and discovered by societies not -unlike our own. For that reason, and because of that House, whereof -now but two members are left us, he is by wedlock and adoption the -third, the elder brethren have unanimously resolved to recommend to -Clavelta, and to the Children of the Star, that this seat," and he -pointed to the vacant place, "shall be filled by him who has but now -expressed, with a warmth seldom shown in this place, his love and -trust for the daughter of our Chief, the descendant of our Founder." - -Certainly not on my own account, but from the earnest attachment and -devotion they felt for Esmo, both personally as a long-tried and -deservedly revered Chief, and as almost the last representative of a -lineage so profoundly loved and honoured, the approval of all present -was expressed with a sudden and eager warmth which deeply affected me; -the more that it expressed an hereditary regard and esteem, not for -myself but for Eveena, rarely or never, even among the Zveltau, paid -to a woman. Esmo bent his head in assent, and then, addressing me by -name, called me to the foot of the platform. - -He held in his hand the golden sash and rose-coloured wand which -marked the rank about to be bestowed on me. I felt very deeply my own -incompetence and ignorance; and even had I valued more the proffered -honour, I should have been bound to decline it. But at the third word -I spoke, I was silenced with a stern though perfectly calm severity. -Flinging back the fold of his robe that covered his left arm, with a -gesture that placed the Signet full before my eyes, he saidâ - -"You have sworn obedience." - -A soldier's instinct or habit, the mesmeric command of Esmo's glance, -and the awe, due less to my own feeling than to the infectious -reverence of others, which the symbols and the oaths of the Order -extorted, left me no further will to resist. At the foot of the Throne -I received the investiture of my new rank; and as I rose and faced my -brethren, every hand was lifted to the lips, every head bent in -salutation of their new leader. Then, as I passed to the extreme place -on the right, they came forward to grasp my hand and utter a few words -of sympathy and kindness, in which a frank spirit of affectionate -comradeship, that reminded me forcibly of the mess-tent and the -bivouac fire, was mingled with the sense of a deeper and more sacred -tie. - -Scarcely had we resumed our places than a startling incident gave a -new turn to the scene. Approaching the barrier, a woman, veiled, but -wearing the sash and star, knelt for a moment to the presence of the -Arch-Teacher, and then, as the barrier was thrown open by the -sentries, came up to the dais. - -"She," said the new-comer, "has a message for you, Clavelta, for your -Council, and particularly for the last of its members." - -"It is well," he answered. - -The messenger took her seat among the Initiates, and Esmo dismissed -the assembly in the solemn form employed on the former occasion. Then, -followed by the twelve, and guided by the messenger (the gloved -fingers of whose left hand, as I observed, he very slightly touched -with his own right), he passed by another door out of the Hall, and -along one of the many passages of the subterrene Temple, into a -chamber resembling in every respect an apartment in an ordinary -residence. Here, with her veil, as is permitted only to maidenhood, -drawn back from her face, but covering almost entirely her neck and -bosom, and clad in the vestal white, reclined with eyes nearly closed -a young girl, in whose countenance a beauty almost spiritual was -enhanced rather than marred by signs of physical ill-health painfully -unmistakable. Warning us back with a slight movement of his hand, Esmo -approached her. Our presence had at first seemed to cast her into -almost convulsive agitation; but under his steady gaze and the -movement of his hands, she lapsed almost instantly into what appeared -to be profound slumber. - - * * * * * - -The practical information that concerned the present peril menacing -the Order delivered, and when it was plain that no further revelation -or counsel was to be expected on this all-important topic, Esmo -beckoned to me, taking my hand in his own and placing it very gently -and carefully in that of the unconscious sybil. The effect, however, -was startling. Without unclosing her eyes, she sprang into a sitting -posture and clasped my hand almost convulsively with her own long, -thin all but transparent fingers. Turning her face to mine, and -seeming, though her eyes were closed, as if she looked intently into -it, she murmured words at first unintelligible, but which seemed by -degrees to bear clearer and clearer reference to some of the stormy -scenes of my youth in another world. Thenâas one looking upon -pictures but partially intelligible to her, and commenting on them as -a girl who had never seen or known the passions and the mutual enmity -of menâshe startled me by breaking into the kind of chant in which -the peculiar verse of her language is commonly delivered. My own -thought of the moment was not her guide. The Moslem battle-cry had -rung too often in my ears ever to be forgotten; but up to that moment -I had never recalled to memory the words in which on my last field I -retorted upon my Arab comrades, when flinching from a third charge -against those terrible "sons of Eblis," whose stubborn courage had -already twice hurled us back in confusion and disgrace with a hundred -empty saddles. At first her tone was one of simple amaze and horror. -It softened afterwards into wonder and perplexity, and the -oft-repeated rebuke or curse was on its last recurrence spoken with -more of pitying tenderness and regret than of severity:â - - "What! those are human bosoms whereon the brute hath trod! - What! through the storm of slaughter rings the appeal to God! - Through the smoke and flash of battle a single form is shown; - O'er clang and crash and rattle peals out one trumpet-toneâ - 'Strike, for Allah and the Prophet! let Eblis take his own!' - - "Strange! the soul that, fresh from carnage, quailed not alone to face - The unfathomed depths of Darkness, the solitudes of Space! - Strange! the smile of scorn, while nerveless dropped the sword-arm from - the sting, - On the death that scowled at distance, on the closing murder-ring. - Strange! no crimson stain on conscience from the hand in gore imbrued! - But Death haunts the death-dealer; blood taints the life of blood! - - "Strange! the arm that smote and spared not in the tempest of the strife, - Quivers with pitying terrorâclings, for a maiden's life! - Strange! the heart steel-hard to death-shrieks by girlish tears subdued; - The falcon's sheathless talons among the esve's brood! - But Death haunts the death-dealer; blood taints the life of blood. - - "The breast for woman's peril that dared the despot's ire, - Shall dauntless front, and scathless, the closing curve of fire. - The heart, by household treason stung home, that can forgive, - Shall brave a woman's hatred, a woman's wiles, and live. - - "A woman's well-won fealty shall give the life he gave, - Love shall redeem the loving, and Sacrifice shall save. - ButâGod heal the tortured spirit, God calm the maddened mood; - For Death haunts the death-dealer; blood taints the life of blood!" - -Relaxing but not releasing her grasp of my own hand, she felt about -with her left till Esmo gently placed his own therein. Then, in a tone -at first of deep and passionate anxiety and eagerness, passing into -one of regretful admiration, and varying with the purport of each -utterance, she broke into another chant, in which were repeated over -and again phrases familiar in the traditions and prophetic or symbolic -formularies of the Zinta:â - - "Ever on deadliest peril shines the Star with steadiest ray; - Ever quail the fiercest hunters when Kargynda turns at bay. - Close, Children of the Starlight! close, for the Emerald Throne! - Close round the life that closeth your life within the zone! - Rests the Golden Circle's glory, rests the silver gleam on her - Who shall rein Kargynda's fury with a thread of gossamer. - He metes not mortal measure, He pays not human price, - Who crowns that life's devotion with the death of sacrifice! - Woe worth the moment's panic; woe worth the victory won! - But the Night is near the breaking when the Stranger claims his own. - - "Ever on deadliest peril shines the Star with steadiest ray; - Ever quail the fiercest hunters when Kargynda turns at bay. - No life is worth the living that counts each fleeting breath; - No eyes from God averted can meet the eyes of Death. - Vague fear and spectral terrors haunt the soul that dwells in shade, - Nor e'er can crimson conscience confront the crimson blade. - From a cloud of shame and sorrow breaks the Light that shines afar, - And cold and dark the household spark that lit the Silver Star. - The triumph is a death-march; the victor's voice a moan:âBut - the Powers of Night are broken when the Stranger wins his own! - - "Ever in blackest midnight shines the Star with brightest ray; - Woe to them that hunt the theme if Kargynda cross the way! - In the Home of Peace, Clavelta, can our fears thy spirit move? - Look down! whence comes the rescue to the household of thy love? - As the All-Commander's lightning falls the Vengeance from above! - A shriek from thousand voices; a thunder crash; a groan; - A thousand homes in mourningâa thousand deaths in one! - Woe to the Sons of Darkness, for the Stranger wields his own! - Oh, hide that scene of horror in the deepest shades of night! - Look upward to the welkin, where the Vessel fades from sight ... - But the Veil is rent for ever by the Hand that veiled the Shrine; - And, on a peace of ages, the Star of Peace shall shine!" - -Esmo listened with the anxious attention of one who believed that her -every word had a real and literal meaning; and his face was -overclouded with a calm but deep sadness, which testified to the -nature of the impression made on his mind by language that hardly -conveyed to my own more than a dim and general prediction of victory, -won through scenes of trial and trouble. But when she had closed, a -quiet satisfaction in what seemed to be the final promise of triumph -to the Star, at whatever cost to the noblest of its adherents, was all -that I could trace in his countenance. - -The sibyl fell back as the last word passed her lips, with a sigh of -relief, into what was evidently a profound and insensible sleep. Those -around me must have witnessed such scenes at least as often as I; but -it was plain that the impression made, even on the experienced Chiefs -of the Order, was far deeper than had affected myself. I should hardly -have been able to remember the words of the prophecy, but for -subsequent conversation thereon with Eveena, when one part had been -fulfilled and the rest was on the eve of a too terribly truthful -fulfilment; but for the events that fixed their prediction in my -mindâit may be in terms a little more precise than those actually -employed, though I have endeavoured to record these with conscientious -accuracy. - -Led by Esmo, we passed along another gallery into the small chamber -where met the secret Council of the Order, and long and anxious were -the debates wherein the revelations of the dreamer were treated as -conveying the most certain and unquestionable warning. The first rays -of morning were stealing through the mists into the peristyle of our -host's dwelling before I re-entered Eveena's chamber. She was -slumbering, but restlessly, and so lightly that she sprang up at once -on my entrance. For a few moments all other thought was lost in the -delight of my return after an absence whose very length had alarmed -her, despite her father's previous assurance. But as at last she drew -back sufficiently to look into my face, its expression seemed to -startle and sadden her. The questions that sprang to her lips died -there, as she probably saw in my eyes a look not only of weariness and -perplexity, but of profound reluctance to speak of what had passed. -Expressing her sympathy only by look and touch, she began to unclasp -my robe at the throat, aware that my only wish was for rest, and -content to postpone her own anxiety and natural curiosity. Then, as -the golden sash which I had not removed met her sight, she looked up -for a moment with a glance of natural pride and fondness, intensely -gratified by the highly-prized honour paid to her husband; then bent -low and kissed my hand with the gesture wherewith the presence of a -superior is acknowledged by the members of the Order. "Used as my -earlier life was, Eveena, to the Eastern prostrations of my own world, -I hate all that recals them; and if I must accept, as I fulfil, these -forms in the Halls of the Zinta, let me never be reminded of them by -you." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW. - - -If I could have endured to describe to Eveena the terrible trial -scene, that which occurred before she had the chance to question me -would have certainly sealed my lips. The past night had told upon me -as no fatigue, no anxiety, no disaster of my life on Earth had ever -done. I awoke faint and exhausted as a nervous valetudinarian, and I -suppose my feeling must have been plainly visible in my face, for -Eveena would not allow me to rise from the cushions till she had -summoned an _ambâ_ and procured the material of a morning meal, though -the hour was noon. Far too considerate to question me then, she was -perhaps a little disappointed that, almost before I had dressed, a -message from her father summoned me to his presence. - -"It is right," he said quietly, and with no show of feeling, though -his face was somewhat pale, "that you should be acquainted with the -fulfilment of the sentence you assisted to pass. The outcast was found -this morning dead in his own chamber. Nay, you need not start! We need -no deathsman; alike by sudden disease, by suicide, by accident, our -doom executes itself. But enough of this. I accepted the vote which -invested you with the second rank in our Order, less because I think -you will render service to it here than that I desired you to possess -that entire knowledge of its powers and secrets which might enable you -to plant a branch or offshoot where none but you could carry it ... -That you will soon leave this world seemed to me probable, before the -anticipations of practical prudence were confirmed by the voice of -prophecy. Your Astronaut shall be stored with all of which I know you -have need, and with any materials whose use I do not know that you may -point out. To remove it from Asnyea would now be too dangerous. If you -receive tidings that shall bring you again into its neighbourhood, do -not lose the opportunity of re-entering it.... And now let me take -leave of you, as of a dear friend I may not meet again." - -"Do you know," I said, more touched by the tone than by the words, -"that Eveena asked and I gave a promise that when I do re-enter it she -shall be my companion?" - -"I did not know it, but I took for granted that she would desire it, -and I should have been grieved to doubt that you would assent. I -cannot disturb her peace by saying to her what I have just said to -you, and must part from her as on any ordinary occasion." - -That parting, happily, I did not witness. Before evening we re-entered -our vessel, and returned home without any incident worthy of mention. - -To my surprise, my return plunged me at once into the kind of vexation -which Eveena had so anxiously endeavoured to spare me, and which I had -hoped EunanĂŠ's greater decision and less exaggerated tenderness would -have avoided. She seemed excited and almost fretful, and before we had -been half an hour at home had greeted me with a string of complaints -which, on her own showing, seemed frivolous, and argued as much temper -on her part as customary petulance on that of others. On one point, -however, her report confirmed the suggestions of Eveena's previous -experience. She had wrested at once from EivĂŠ's hand the pencil that -had hitherto been used in absolute secrecy, and the consequent quarrel -had been sharp enough to suggest, if not to prove, that the privilege -was of practical as well as sentimental moment. Though aggravated by -no rebuke, my tacit depreciation of her grievances irritated EunanĂŠ to -an extreme of petulance unusual with her of late; which I bore so long -as it was directed against myself, but which, turned at last on -Eveena, wholly exhausted my patience. But no sooner had I dismissed -the offender than Eveena herself interposed, with even more than her -usual tenderness for EunanĂŠ. - -"Do not blame my presumption," she said; "do not think that I am -merely soft or weak, if I entreat you to take no further notice of -EunanĂŠ's mood. I cannot but think that, if you do, you will very soon -repent it." - -She could not or would not give a reason for her intercession; but -some little symptoms I might have seen without observing, some -perception of the exceptional character of EunanĂŠ's outbreak, or some -unacknowledged misgiving accordant with her own, made me more than -willing to accept Eveena's wish as a sufficient cause for forbearance. -When we assembled at the morning meal EunanĂŠ appeared to be conscious -of error; at all events, her manner and temper were changed. Watching -her closely, I thought that neither shame for an outbreak of unwonted -extravagance nor fear of my displeasure would account for her languor -and depression. But illness is so rare among a race educated for -countless generations on principles scientifically sound and sanitary, -inheriting no seeds of disease from their ancestry, and safe from the -infection of epidemics long extirpated, that no apprehension of -serious physical cause for her changes of temper and complexion -entered into my mind. To spare her when she deserved no indulgence was -the surest way to call forth EunanĂŠ's best impulses; and I was not -surprised to find her, soon after the party had dispersed, in Eveena's -chamber. That all the amends I could desire had been made and accepted -was sufficiently evident. But EunanĂŠ's agitation was so violent and -persistent, despite all Eveena's soothing, that I was at last -seriously apprehensive of its effect upon the latter. The moment we -were alone Eveena saidâ - -"I have never seen illness, but if EunanĂŠ is not ill, and very ill, -all I have gathered in my father's household from such books as he has -allowed me, and from his own conversation, deceives me wholly; and yet -no illness of which I have ever heard in the slightest degree -resembles this." - -"I take it to be," I said, "what on Earth women call hysteria and men -temper." - -To this opinion, however, I could not adhere when, watching her -closely, I noticed the evident lack of spirit and strength with which -the most active and energetic member of the household went about her -usual pursuits. A terrible suspicion at first entered my mind, but was -wholly discountenanced by Eveena, who insisted that there was no -conceivable motive for an attempt to injure EunanĂŠ; while the idea -that mischief designed for others had unintentionally fallen on her -was excluded by the certainty that, whatever the nature of her -illness, if it were such, it had commenced before our return. Long -before evening I had communicated with Esmo, and received from him a -reply which, though exceedingly unsatisfactory, rather confirmed -Eveena's impression. The latter had taken upon herself the care of the -evening meal; but, before we could meet there, my own observation had -suggested an alarm I dared not communicate to herâone which a wider -experience than hers could neither verify nor dispel. Among symptoms -wholly alien, there were one or two which sent a thrill of terror to -my heart;âwhich reminded me of the most awful and destructive of the -scourges wherewith my Eastern life had rendered me but too familiar. -It was not unnatural that, if carried to a new world, that fearful -disease should assume a new form; but how could it have been conveyed? -how, if conveyed, could its incubation in some unknown vehicle have -been so long? and how had it reached one, and one only, of my -householdâone, moreover, who had no access to such few relics of my -own world as I had retained, of which Eveena had the exclusive charge? -All Esmo's knowledge, even were he within reach, could hardly help me -here. I dared, of course, suggest my apprehension to no one, least of -all to the patient herself. As, towards evening, her languor was again -exchanged for the feverish excitement of the previous night, I seized -on some petulant word as an excuse to confine her to her room, and, -selfishly enough, resolved to invoke the help of the only member of -the family who should, and perhaps would, be willing to run personal -risk for the sake of aiding EunanĂŠ in need and protecting Eveena. I -had seen as yet very little of Velna, EunanĂŠ's school companion; but -now, calling her apart, I told her frankly that I feared some illness -of my own Earth had by some means been communicated to her friend. - -"You have here," I said, "for ages had no such diseases as those which -we on Earth most dread; those which, communicated through water, air, -or solid particles, spread from one person to another, endangering -especially those who come nearest to the sufferers. Whoever approaches -EunanĂŠ risks all that I fear for her, and that 'all' means very -probably speedy death. To leave her alone is impossible; and if I -cannot report that she is fully cared for in other hands, no command, -nothing short of actual compulsion, will keep Eveena away from her." - -The girl looked up with a steady frank courage and unaffected -readiness I had not expected. - -"I owe you much, Clasfempta, and still more perhaps to Eveena. My life -is not so precious that I should not be ready to give it at need for -either of you; and if I should lose EunanĂŠ, I would prefer not to live -to remember my loss." - -The last words reminded me that to her who spoke death meant -annihilation; a fact which has deprived the men of her race of nearly -every vestige of the calm courage now displayed by this young girl, -indebted as little as any human being could be to the insensible -influences of home affection, or the direct moral teaching which is -sometimes supposed to be a sufficient substitute. I led her at once -into her friend's chamber, and a single glance satisfied me that my -apprehensions were but too well-founded. Remaining long enough to -assure the sufferer that the displeasure I had affected had wholly -passed away, and to suggest the only measures of relief rather than of -remedy that occurred to me, I endeavoured for a few moments to collect -my thoughts and recover the control of my nerves in solitude. In my -own chamber Eveena would assuredly have sought me, and I chose -therefore one of those as yet unoccupied. It did not take long to -convince me that no ordinary resources at my command, no medical -experience of my own, no professional science existing among a race -who probably never knew the disease in question, and had not for ages -known anything like it, could avail me. My later studies in the occult -science of Eastern schools had not furnished me with any antidote in -which I believed on Earth, and if they had, it was not here available. -Despair rather than hope suggested an appeal to those which the -analogous secrets of the Starlight might afford. Anxiety, agitation, -personal interest so powerful as now disturbed me, are generally fatal -to the exercise of the powers recently placed at my command; so -recently that, but for Terrestrial experience, I should hardly have -known how to use them. But the arts which assist in and facilitate -that tremendous all-absorbing concentration of will on which the -exertion of those powers depends, are far more fully developed in the -Zveltic science than in its Earthly analogues. A desperate effort, -aided by those arts, at last controlled my thoughts, and turned them -from the sick-room to that distant chamber in which I had so lately -stood. - - * * * * * - -I seemed to stand beside her, and at once to be aware that my thought -was visible to the closed eyes. From lips paler than ever, wordsâso -generally resembling those I had previously heard that some readers -may think them the mere recollection thereofâappeared to reach my -sense or my mind as from a great distance, spoken in a tone of mingled -pity, promise, and reproof:â - - "What is youth or sex or beauty in the All-Commander's sight? - For the arm that smote and spared not, shall His wisdom spare to smite? - Yet, love redeems the loving; yet in thy need avail - The Soul whose light surrounds thee, the faith that will not fail. - Thy lips shall soothe the terror, call to yon couch afar - The solace of the Serpent, the shadow of the Star! - Strength shall sustain the strengthless, nor the soft hand loose its - grasp - Of the hand it trusts and clings toâtill another meet its clasp.... - âSteel-hard to man's last anguish, wax-soft to woman's mood!â - Death quits not the death-dealer; blood haunts the life of blood!" - - * * * * * - -Returning to the peristyle, I encountered Eveena, who had been seeking -me anxiously. Much alarmed for her, I bade her return at once to her -room. She obeyed as of course, equally of course surprised and a -little mortified; while I, marvelling by what conceivable means the -plague of Cairo or Constantinople could have been conveyed across -forty million miles of space and some two years of Earthly time, paced -the peristyle for a few minutes. As I did so, my eye fell on the roses -which grew just where chance arrested my steps. If they do not afford -an explanation which scientific medicine will admit, I can suggest no -other. But, if it were so, how fearfully true the warning!âby what a -mysterious fate did death dog my footsteps, and "blood haunt the life -of blood!" - -The reader may not remember that the central chamber of the women's -apartments, next to which was EunanĂŠ's, had been left vacant. This I -determined to occupy myself, and bade the girls remove at once to -those on its right, as yet unallotted. I closed the room, threw off my -dress, and endeavoured by means of the perfumed shower-bath to drive -from my person what traces of the infection might cling to it; for -Eveena had the keys of all my cases and of the medicine-chest, and I -could not make up my mind to reclaim them by a simple unexplained -message sent by an ambâ, or, still worse, by the hands of Enva or -EivĂŠ. I laid the clothes I had worn on one of the shelves of the wall, -closing over them the crystal doors of the sunken cupboard; and, -having obtained through the amban a dress which I had not worn since -my return, and which therefore could hardly have about it any trace of -infection, I sought Eveena in her own room. - -That something had gone wrong, and gravely wrong, she could not but -know; and I found her silent and calm, indeed, but weeping bitterly, -whether for the apprehension of danger to me, or for what seemed want -of trust in her. I asked her for the keys, and she gave them; but with -a mute appeal that made the concealment I desired, however necessary, -no longer possible. Gently, cautiously as I could, but softening, not -hiding, any part of the truth, I gave her the full confidence to which -she was entitled, and which, once forced out of the silence preserved -for her sake, it was an infinite relief to give. If I could not -observe equal gentleness of word and manner in absolutely forbidding -her to approach, either EunanĂŠ's chamber or my own, it was because, -the moment she conceived what I was about to say, her almost indignant -revolt from the command was apparent. For the first and last time she -distinctly and firmly refused compliance, not merely with the kindly -though very decided request at first spoken, but with the formal and -peremptory command by which I endeavoured to enforce it. - -"You command me to neglect a sister in peril and suffering," she said. -"It is not kind; it is hardly worthy of you; but my first duty is to -you, and you have the right, if you will, to insist that I shall -reserve my life for your sake. But you command me also to forsake you -in danger and in sorrow; and nothing but the absolute force you may of -course employ shall compel me to obey you in that." - -"I understand you, Eveena; and you, in your turn, must think and feel -that I intend to express neither displeasure nor pain; that I mean no -harshness to you, no less respect as well as love than I have always -shown you, when I say that obey you shall; that the same sense of duty -which impels you to refuse obliges me to enforce my command. At no -time would I have allowed you to risk your life where others might be -available. But if you were the only one who could help, I should, -under other circumstances, have felt that the same paramount duty that -attaches to me attached in a lighter degree to yourself. Now, as you -well know, the case is different; and even were EunanĂŠ not quite safe -in my hands and in Velna's, you must not run a risk that can be -avoided. You will promise me to remain on this side the peristyle or -in the further half of it, or I must confine you perforce; and it is -not kind or right in this hour of trouble to impose upon me so painful -a task." - -With every tone, look, and caress that could express affection and -sympathy, Eveena answeredâ - -"Do what seems your duty, and do not think that I misunderstand your -motive or feel the shadow of humiliation or unkindness. Make me obey -if you can, punish me if I disobey; but obey you, when you tell me, -for my own life's sake or for any other, to desert you in the hour of -need, of danger, and of sorrow, I neither will nor can." I cut short -the scene, bidding her a passionate farewell in view of the -probability that we should not meet again. I closed the door behind -me, having called her whom at this moment and in this case I could -best trust, because her worse as well as her better qualities were -alike guarantees for her obedience. - -"Enva," I said, "you will keep this room till I release you; and you -will answer it to me, as the worst fault you can commit, if Eveena -passes this threshold, under whatever circumstances, until I give her -permission, or until, if it be beyond my power to give it, her father -takes the responsibilities of my home upon himself." - -I procured the sedatives which might relieve the suffering I could not -hope to cure. I wrote to Esmo, stating briefly but fully the position -as I conceived it; and, on a suggestion from EivĂŠ, I despatched -another message to a female physician of some reputeâone of those few -women in Mars who lead the life and do the work of men, and for whose -attendance, as I remembered, EunanĂŠ had expressed a strong theoretical -preference. - -From that time I scarcely left her chamber save for a few minutes, and -Velna remained constantly at her friend's side, save when, to give her -at least a chance of escape, I sent her to her room to bathe, change -her dress, and seek the fresh air for the half hour during which alone -I could persuade her to leave the sufferer. The _daftare_ (man-woman) -physician came, but on learning the nature of the disease, expressed -intense indignation that she had been summoned to a position of so -much danger to herself. - -I answered by a contemptuous inquiry regarding the price for which she -would run so much risk as to remain in the peristyle so long as I -might have need of her presence; and, for a fee which would ensure her -a life-income as large as that secured to Eveena herself, she -consented to remain within speaking distance for the few hours in -which the question must be decided. EunanĂŠ was seldom insensible or -even delirious, and her quick intelligence caught very speedily the -meaning of my close attendance, and of the distress which neither -Velna nor I could wholly conceal. She asked and extracted from me what -I knew of the origin of her illness, and answered, with a far stronger -feeling than I should have expected even from herâ - -"If I am to die, I am glad it should be through trying to serve and -please Eveena.... It may seem strange, Clasfempta," she went on -presently, "scarcely possible perhaps; but my love for her is not only -greater than the love I bear you, but is so bound up with it that I -always think of you together, and love you the better that I love her, -and that you love her so much better than me.... But," she resumed -later, "it is hard to die, and die so young. I had never known what -happiness meant till I came here.... I have been so happy here, and I -was happier each day in feeling that I no longer made Eveena or you -less happy. Ah! let me thank you and Eveena while I can for -everything, and above all for Velna.... But," after another long -pause, "it is terrible and horribleânever to wake, to move, to hear -your voices, to see you, to look upon the sunlight, to think, or even -to dream again! Once, to remove a tooth and straighten the rest, they -made me senseless; and that sinking into senselessness, though I knew -I should waken in a minute, was horrible; andâto sink into -senselessness from which I shall never waken!" - -She was sinking fast indeed, and this terror of death, so seldom seen -in the dying, grew apparently deeper and more intense as death drew -near. I could not bear it, and at last took my resolve and dismissed -Velna, forbidding her to return till summoned. - -"Ah!" said EunanĂŠ, "you send her away that she may not see the last. -Is it so near?" - -"No, darling!" I replied (she, like Eveena, had learnt the meaning of -one or two expressions of human affection in my own tongue), "but I -have that to say which I would not willingly say in her presence. You -dread death not as a short terrible pain, and for you it will not be -so, not as a short sleep, but as eternal senselessness and -nothingness. Has it never seemed to you strange that, loving Eveena as -I do, _I_ do not fear to die? Though you did not know it, I have lived -almost since first you knew me under the threat of death; and death -sudden, secret, without warning, menacing me every day and every hour. -And yet, though death meant leaving her and leaving her to a fate I -could not foresee, I have been able to look on it steadily. Kneeling -here, I know that I am very probably giving my life to the same end as -yours. I do not fear. That may not seem strange to you; but Eveena -knows all I know, and I could scarcely keep Eveena away. So loving -each other, _we_ do not fear to die, because we believe, we know, that -that in us which thinks, and feels, and loves will live; that in death -we lay aside the body as we lay aside our worn-out clothing. If I -thought otherwise, EunanĂŠ, I could not bear _this_ parting." - -She clasped my hands, almost as much surprised and touched, I thought, -for the moment by the expression of an affection of which till that -hour neither of us were fully aware, as by the marvellous and -incredible assurance she had heard. - -"Ah!" she said, "I have heard her people are strange, and they dream -such things. No, Clasfempta, it is a fancy, or you say it to comfort -me, not because it is true." - -The expression of terror that again came over her face was too painful -for endurance. To calm that terror I would have broken every oath, -have risked every penalty. But in truth I could never have paused to -ask what in such a case oath or law permitted, "Listen, EunanĂŠ," I -said, "and be calm. Not only Eveena, not only I, but hundreds, -thousands, of the best and kindliest men and women of your world hold -this faith as fast as we do. You feel what Eveena is. What she is and -what others are not, she owes to this trust:âto the assurance of a -Power unseen, that rules our lives and fortunes and watches our -conduct, that will exact an account thereof, that holds us as His -children, and will never part with us. Do you think it is a lie that -has made Eveena what she is?" - -"But you _think_, you do not know." - -"Yes, I know; I have seen." Here a touch, breaking suddenly upon that -intense concentration of mind and soul on a single thought, violently -startled me, gentle as it was; and to my horror I saw that Eveena was -kneeling with me by the couch. - -"Remember," she said, in the lowest, saddest whisper, "'the Veil that -guards the Shrine.'" - -"No matter, Eveena," I answered in the same tone, the pain at my heart -suppressing even the impulse of indignation, not with her, but with -the law that could put such a thought into her heart. "Neither penalty -nor oath should silence me now. Whether I break our law I know not; -but I would forfeit life hereâI would forfeit life hereafter, rather -than fail a soul that rests on mine at such a moment." - -The clasp of her hand showed how thoroughly, despite the momentary -doubt, she felt with me; and I could not now recur to that secondary -selfishness which had so imperiously repelled her from the -sick-chamber. - -"I have seen," I repeated, as EunanĂŠ still looked earnestly into my -face, "and Eveena has seen at the same moment, one long ages since -departed this worldâthe Teacher of this belief, the Founder of that -Society which holds it, the ancestor of her own houseâin bodily form -before us." - -"It is true," said Eveena, in answer to EunanĂŠ's appealing look. - -"And I," I added, "have seen more than once in my own world the forms -of those I have known in life recalled, according to promise, to human -eyes." - -The testimony, or the contagion of the strong undoubting confidence we -felt therein, if they did not convince the intellect, changed the tone -of thought and feeling of the dying girl. Too weak now to reason, or -to resist the impression enforced upon her mind by minds always far -more powerful than her own in its brightest hours, she turned -instinctively from the thought of blackness, senselessness eternal, to -that of a Father whose hand could uphold, of the wings that can leap -the grave. Her left hand clasped in mine, her right in Eveena's,â -looking most in my face, because weakness leant on strength even more -than love appealed to loveâEunanĂŠ spent the remaining hours of that -night in calm contentment and peace. Perhaps they were among the most -perfectly peaceful and happy she had known. To strong, warm, -sheltering affection she had never been used save in her new home; and -in the love she received and returned there was much too strange and -self-contradicting to be satisfactory. But no shadow of jealousy, -doubt, or contradictory emotion troubled her now: assured of Eveena's -sisterly love as of my own hardly and lately won trust and tenderness. - -The light had been long subdued, and the chamber was dim as dimmest -twilight, when suddenly, with a smile, EunanĂŠ criedâ - -"It is morning already! and there,âwhy, there is Erme." - -She stretched out her arms as if to greet the one creature she had -lovedâperhaps more dearly than she loved those now beside her. The -hands dropped; and Eveena's closed for ever on the sights of this -world the eyes whose last vision had been of another. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - DARKER YET. - - -Leading Eveena from the room, I hastily dictated every precaution that -could diminish the danger to her and others. Velna had run risks that -could not well be increased, and on her and on myself must devolve -what remained to be done. I sent an ambâ to summon Davilo, gathered -the garments that Eveena had thrown off, and removed them to the -death-chamber. When the first arrangements were made, and I had paid -the fee of Astona, the woman-physician, I passed out into the garden, -and Davilo met me at the door of the peristyle. A few words explained -all that was necessary. It was still almost dark; and as we stood -close by the door, speaking in the low tone partly of sadness, partly -of precaution, two figures were dimly discernible just inside, and we -caught a few broken words. - -"You have heard," said a harsh voice, which seemed to be Astona's, -"there is no doubt now. You have your part to play, and can do it -quickly and safely." - -I paid little attention to words whose dangerous significance would at -another moment have been plain to me. But Davilo, greatly alarmed, -laid his hand upon my arm. As he did so, another voice thrilled me -with intensest pain and amazement. - -"Be quick to bear your message," EivĂŠ said, in rapid guarded tones. -"They have means of vengeance certain and prompt, and they never -spare." - -Astona departed without seeing us. EivĂŠ closed the door, and Davilo -and I, hastily and unperceived, followed the spy to the gate of the -enclosure. Some one waited for her there. What passed we could not -hear; but, as we saw Astona and another depart, Davilo spoke -imprudently aloudâ - -"She has the secret, and she must die. ÂNay (as I would have -expostulated), she is spy, traitress, and assassin, and merits her -doom most richly." - -"Hist!" said I, "your words may have fallen into other ears;" for I -thought that beyond the wall I discerned a crouching figure. If that -of a man, however, it was too far off, and dressed in colours too -dark, to be clearly seen; and in another instant it had certainly -vanished. - -"Remember," he urged, "you have heard that one quite as dangerous is -under your own roof; and, once more, it is not only your life that is -at stake. What you call courage, what seems to us sheer folly, may -cost you and others what you value far more than your life. An error -of softness now may make your future existence one long and useless -remorse." - -Half-an-hour later, having warned the women to their roomsâordering a -variety of disinfecting measures in which Martial science excelled -while they were needed thereâI opened the door of the death chamber -to those who carried in a coffer hollowed out of a dark, exceedingly -dense natural stone, and half-filled with a liquid of enormous -destructive power. Then I lifted tenderly the lifeless form, laid it -on cushions arranged therein, kissed the lips, and closed the coffer. -Two of Davilo's attendants had meantime adjusted the electric -machinery. We carried the coffer into the apartment where this worked -to heat the stove, to keep the lights burning, to raise, warm, and -diffuse the water through the house, and perform many other important -household services. Two strong bars of conducting metal were attached -to the apparatus, and fitted into two hollows of the coffer. A flash, -a certain hissing sound, followed. After a few moments the coffer was -opened, and Davilo, carefully gathering a few handfuls of solid white -material, something resembling pumice stone in appearance, placed them -in a golden chest about twelve inches cube, which was then soldered -down by the heat derived from the electric power. Then all infected -clothes and the contents of the death chamber were carried out for -destruction; while, with a tool adjusted to the machinery, one of the -attendants engraved a few characters upon the chest. Whatever the -risk, I could not part with every relic of her we had lost; and, after -passing them through such chemical purification as Martial science -suggested, I took the three long chestnut locks I had preserved. -Velna's quick fingers wove them into plaits, one of which I left with -her, one bound around my own neck, and one reserved for Eveena. As -soon as the sun had risen, I had despatched a message to the Prince, -explaining the danger of infection to which I had been subjected, and -asking permission notwithstanding to wait upon him. The emergency was -so pressing that neither sorrow nor peril would allow me to neglect an -embassy on which the lives of hundreds, and perhaps the safety of his -kingdom, might depend. Passing EivĂŠ as I turned towards Eveena's room, -and fevered with intense thirst, I bade her bring me thither a cup of -the carcarâ. I need not dwell on the terribly painful moments in which -I bound round Eveena's arm a bracelet prized above all the choicest -ornaments she possessed. To calm her agitation and my own by means of -the charny, I sought the keys. They were not at my belt, and I asked, -"Have I returned them to you?" - -"Certainly not," said Eveena, startled. "Can you not find them?" - -At this moment EivĂŠ entered the room and presented me with the cup for -which I had asked. It struck me with surprise, even at that moment, -that Eveena took it from my hand and carried it first to her own lips. -EivĂŠ had turned to leave the room; but before she had reached the -threshold Eveena had sprung up, placed her foot upon the spring that -closed the door, and snatching the test-stone from my watch chain -dipped it into the cup. Her face turned white as death, while she held -up to my eyes the discoloured disc which proved the presence of the -deadliest Martial poison. - -"Be calm," she said, as a cry of horror burst from my lips. "The -keys!" - -"_You_ have them," EivĂŠ said with a gasp, her face still averted. - -"I took them from Eveena myself," I answered sternly. "Stand back into -that corner, EivĂŠ," as I opened the door and called sharply the other -members of the household. When they entered, unable to stand, I had -fallen back upon a chair, and called EivĂŠ to my side. As I laid my -hand on her arm she threw herself on the floor, screaming and writhing -like a terrified child rather than a woman detected in a crime, the -conception and execution of which must have required an evil courage -and determination happily seldom possessed by women. - -"Stand up!" I said. "Lift her, then, Enva and EiralĂŠ. Unfasten the -shoulder-clasps and zone." - -As her outer robe dropped, EivĂŠ snatched at an object in its folds, -but too late; and the electric keys, which gave access to all my -cases, papers, and to the medicine-chest above all, lay glittering on -the ground. - -"That cup EivĂŠ brought to me. Which of you saw her?" - -"I did," said Enva quietly, all feelings of malice and curiosity alike -awed into silence by the evidence of some terrible, though as yet to -them unknown, secret. "She mixed it and brought it hither herself." - -"And," I said, "it contains a poison against which, had I drunk -one-half the draught, no antidote could have availedâa poison to -which these keys only could have given access." - -Again the test-stone was applied, and again the discoloration -testified to the truth of the charge. - -"You have seen?" I said. - -"We have seen," answered Enva, in the same tone of horror, too deep to -be other than quiet. - -We all left the room, closing the door upon the prisoner. Dismissing -the girls to their own chambers, with strict injunctions not to quit -them unpermitted, I was left alone with Eveena. We were silent for -some minutes, my own heart oppressed with mingled emotions, all -intensely painful, but so confused that, while conscious of acute -suffering, I scarcely realised anything that had occurred. Eveena, who -knelt beside me, though deeply horror-struck, was less surprised and -was far less agitated than I. At last, leaning forward with her arms -on my knee and looking up in my face, she was about to speak. But the -touch and look seemed to break a spell, and, shuddering from head to -foot, I burst into tears like those of an hysterical girl. When, with -the strongest effort that shame and necessity could prompt, aided by -her silent soothing, I had somewhat regained my self-command, Eveena -spoke, in the same attitude and with the same look:â - -"You said once that you could pardon such an attempt. That you should -ever forgive at heart cannot be. That punishment should not follow so -terrible a crime, even I cannot desire. But for _my_ sake, do not give -her up to the doom she has deserved. Do you know" (as I was silent) -"what that doom is?" - -"Death, I suppose." - -"Yes!" she said, shuddering, "but death with tortureâdeath on the -vivisection-table. Will you, whatever the dangerâ_can_ you, give up -to such a fate, to such hands, one whom your hand has caressed, whose -head has rested on your heart?" - -"It needs not that, Eveena," I answered; "enough that she is woman. I -would face that death myself rather than, for whatever crime, send a -woman, above all a young girl, to such an end. I would rather by far -slay my worst enemy with my own hand than consign him to a death of -torture. But, more than that, my conscience would not permit me to -call on the law to punish a household treason, where household -authority is so strong and so arbitrary as here. Assassination is the -weapon of the oppressed and helpless; and it is not for me so to be -judge in my own cause as to pronounce that EivĂŠ has had no -provocation." - -"Shame upon her!" said Eveena indignantly. "No one under your roof -ever had or could have reason to raise a hand, I do not say against -your life, but to give you a moment's pain. I do not ask, I do not -wish you to spare her; only I am glad to think you will deal with her -yourselfâremember she has herself removed all limit to your -powerâand not by the shameless and merciless hands to which the law -would give her." - -We returned to Eveena's chamber. The scene that followed I cannot bear -to recall. Enough that EivĂŠ knew as well as Eveena the law she had -broken and the penalty she had incurred; and, petted darling as she -had been, she utterly lacked all faith in the tenderness she had known -so well, or even in the mercy to which Eveena had confidently -appealed. Understanding at last that she was safe from the law, the -expression of her gratitude was as vehement as her terror had been -intense. But the new phase of passion was not the less repugnant. Not -that there was anything strange in the violent revulsion of feeling. -Born and trained among a race who fear to forgive, EivĂŠ was familiar -by report at least with the merciless vengeance of cowards. Whatever -they might have done later, few would have promised mercy in the very -moment of escape to an ordinary assassin; and if EivĂŠ understood any -aspect of my character, that she could best appreciate was the -outraged tenderness which forbade me to look on hers as ordinary -guilt. Acutely sensitive to pain and fear, she had both known the -better to what terror might prompt the injured, and was the more -appalled by the prospect. Her eagerness to accept by anticipation -whatever degradation and pain domestic power could inflict, when -released by the terrible alternative of legal prosecution from its -usual limits, breathed more of doubt and terror than of shame or -penitence. But at first it keenly affected me. It was with something -akin to a bodily pang that I heard this fragile girl, so easily -subdued by such rebuke or menace as her companions would scarcely have -affected to fear, now pleading for punishment such as would have -quelled the pride and courage of the most high-spirited of her sex. I -felt the deepest pity, not so much for the fear with which she still -trembled as for the agony of terror she must have previously endured. -Eveena averted from her abject supplications a face in which I read -much pain, but more of what would have been disgust in a less -intensely sympathetic nature. And ere long I saw or felt in EivĂŠ's -manner that which caused me suddenly to dismiss Eveena from the room, -as from a presence unfit for her spotless purity and exquisite -delicacy. Finding in me no sign of passionate anger, no readiness, but -reluctance to visit treason with physical pain, EivĂŠ's own expression -changed. Unable to conceive the feeling that rendered the course she -had at first expected simply impossible to me, a nature I had utterly -misconceived caught at an idea few women, not experienced in the worst -of life's lessons, would have entertained. The tiny fragile form, the -slight limbs whose delicate proportions seemed to me almost those of -infancy, their irrepressible quivering plainly revealed by the absence -of robe and veil, no man worthy of the name could have beheld without -intense compassion. But such a feeling she could not realise. As her -features lost the sincerity of overwhelming fear, as the drooping lids -failed for one moment to conceal a look of almost assured exultation -in the dark eyes, my soul was suddenly and thoroughly revolted. I had -forgiven the hand aimed at a heart that never throbbed with a pulse -unkind to her. I might have forgotten the treason that requited -tenderness and trust by seeking my life; but I could never forget, -never recover, that moment's insight into thoughts that so outraged an -affection which, if my conscience belied me not, was absolutely -stainless and unselfish. - -It cost a strong persistent effort of self-control to address her -again. But a confession full and complete my duty to others compelled -me to enforce. The story of the next hour I never told or can tell. To -one only did I give a confidence that would have rendered explanation -natural; and that one was the last to whom I could have spoken on this -subject. Enough that the charming infantine simplicity had disguised -an elaborate treachery of which I reluctantly learned that human -nature is capable. The caressed and caressing child had sold my life, -if not her own soul, for the promise of wealth that could purchase -nothing I denied her, and of the first place among the women of her -world. That promise I soon found had not been warranted, directly or -indirectly, by him who alone could at present fulfil it. Needless to -relate the details either of the confession or its extortion. Enough -that EivĂŠ learnt at last perforce that though I had, as it seemed to -her, been fool enough to spare her the vengeance of the law, and to -spare her still as far as possible, her power to fool me further was -gone for ever. Needless to speak of the lies repeated and sustained, -till truth was wrung from quivering lips and sobbing voice; of the -looks that appealed long and incredulously to a love as utterly -forfeited as misunderstood. To the last EivĂŠ could not comprehend the -nature that, having spared her so much, would not spare wholly; the -mercy felt for the weakness, not for the charms of youth and sex. -Shamed, grieved, wounded to the quick, I quitted the presence of one -who, I fear, was as little worth the anguish I then endured for her, -as the tenderness she had so long betrayed; and left the late darling -of my house a prisoner under strict guard, necessary for the safety of -others than ourselves. - -Finding a message awaiting me, I sought at once the interview which -the Sovereign fearlessly granted. - -"I see," said the Prince with much feeling, as he received my salute, -"that you have gone through deeper pain than such domestic losses can -well cause to us. I am sorry that you are grieved. I can say no more, -and perhaps the less I say the less pain I shall give. Only permit me -this remark. Since I have known you, it has seemed to me that the -utter distinction between our character and yours, showing as it does -at so many points, springs from some single root-difference. We, so -careful of our own life and comfort, care little for those of others. -We, so afraid of pain, are indifferent to its infliction, unless we -have to witness it, and only some of us flinch from the sight. The -softness of heart you show in this trouble seems in some strange way -associated with the strength of heart which you have proved in -dangers, the least of which none of us would have encountered -willingly, and which, forced on us, would have unnerved us all. I am -glad to prove to you that to some extent I depart from my national -character and approach, however, distantly, to yours. I can feel for a -friend's sorrow, and I can face what you seem to consider a real -danger. But you had a purpose in asking this audience. My ears are -openâyour lips are unsealed." - -"Prince," I replied, "what you have said opens the way to that I -wished to ask. You say truly that courage and tenderness have a common -root, as have the unmanly softness and equally unmanly hardness common -among your subjects. Those for whom death ends all utterly and for -ever will of necessity, at least as soon as the training of years and -of generations has rendered their thought consistent, dread death with -intensest fear, and love to brighten and sweeten life with every -possible enjoyment. Animal enjoyment becomes the most precious, since -it is the keenest. Higher pleasures lose half their value, when the -distinction between the two is reduced to the distinction between the -sensations of higher and lower nerve centres. Thus men care too much -for themselves to care for others; and after all, strong deep -affection, entwined with the heartstrings, can only torture and tear -the hearts for which death is a final parting. Such love as I have -felt for womanâeven such love as I felt for her, your gift, whom I -have lostâwould be pain intolerable if the thought were ever present -that one day we must, and any day we might, part for ever. I put the -knife against my breast, my life in your hand, when I say this, and I -ask of you no secrecy, no favour for myself; but that, as I trust you, -you will guard the life that is dearest to me if you take from me the -power to guard it.... There are those among your subjects who are not -the cowards you find around your throne, who are not brutal in their -households, not incapable of tenderness and sacrifice for others." - -As I spoke I carefully watched the Prince's face, on which no shade of -displeasure was visible; rather the sentiment of one who is somewhat -gratified to hear a perplexing problem solved in a manner agreeable to -his wishes. - -"And the reason is," I continued, "that these men and women believe or -know that they are answerable to an eternal Sovereign mightier than -yourself, and that they will reap, not perhaps here, but after death -as they shall have sown; that if they do not forfeit the promise by -their own deed, they shall rejoin hereafter those dearest to them -here." - -"There are such?" he said. "I would they were known to me. I had not -dreamed that there were in my realm men who would screen the heart of -another with their own palm." - -"Prince," I replied earnestly, "I as their ambassador as one of their -leaders, appeal to you to know and to protect them. They can defend -themselves at need, and, it may be, might prevail though matched one -against a thousand. For their weapons are those against which no -distance, no defences, no numbers afford protection. But in such a -strife many of their lives must be lost, and infinite suffering and -havoc wrought on foes they would willingly spare. They are threatened -with extermination by secret spite or open force; but open force will -be the last resort of enemies well aware that those who strike at the -Star have ever been smitten by the lightning." - -A slight change in his countenance satisfied me that the Emblem was -not unknown to him. - -"You say," he replied, "that there is an organised scheme to destroy -these people by force or fraud?" - -"The scheme, Prince, was confessed in my own hearing by one of its -instruments; and in proof thereof, my own life, as a Chief of the -Order, was attempted this morning." - -The Prince sprang to his feet in all the passion of a man who for the -first time receives a personal insult; of an Autocrat stung to the -quick by an unprecedented outrage to his authority and dignity. - -"Who has dared?" he said. "Who has taken on himself to make law, or -form plans for carrying out old law, without my leave? Who has dared -to strike at the life over which I have cast the shadow of my throne? -Give me their names, my guest, and, before the evening mist closes in -to-morrow, pronounce their doom." - -"I cannot obey your royal command. I have no proof against the only -man who, to my knowledge, can desire my death. Those who actually and -immediately aimed at my life are shielded by the inviolable weakness -of sex from the revenge and even the justice of manhood." - -"Each man," returned the Prince, but partially conceiving my meaning, -"is master at home. I wish I were satisfied that your heart will let -you deal justly and wisely with the most hateful offspring of the most -hateful of living racesâa woman who betrays the life of her lord. But -those who planned a general scheme of destructionâa purpose of public -policyâwithout my knowledge, must aim also at my life and throne; for -even were their purpose such as I approved, attempted without my -permission, they know I would never pardon the presumption. I do not -sit in Council with dull ears, or silent lips, or empty hands; and it -is not for the highest more than for the lowest under me to snatch my -sceptre for a moment." - -"Guard then your own," I said. "Without your leave and in your -lifetime, open force will scarcely he used against us; and if against -secret murder or outrage we appeal to the law, you will see that the -law does justice?" - -"I will," he replied; "and I pardon your advice to guard my own, -because you judge me by my people. But a Prince's life is the charge -of his guards; the lives of his people are his care." - -He was silent for a few minutes, evidently in deep reflection. - -"I thank you," he said at last, "and I give you one warning in partial -return for yours. There is a law which can be used against the members -of a secret society with terrible effect. Not only are they exposed to -death if detected, but those who strike them are legally exempt from -punishment. I will care that that law shall not menace you long. -Whilst it remains guard yourselves; I am powerless to break it." - -As I quitted the Palace, Ergimo joined me and mounted my carriage. -Seizing a moment when none were within sight or hearing, he saidâ - -"Astona was found two hours ago dead, as an enemy or a traitor dies. -She was seen to fall from the roof of her house, and none was near her -when she fell. But Davilo has already been arrested as her murderer, -on the ground that he was heard before sunrise this morning to say -that she must die." - -"Who heard that must have heard more. Let this news be quickly known -to whom it concerns." - -I checked the carriage instantly, and turned into a road that -conducted us in ten minutes to a public telegraph office. - -"Come with me," I said, "quickly. As an officer of the Camptâ your -presence may ensure the delivery of letters which might otherwise be -stopped." - -He seized the hint at once, and as we approached a vacant desk he said -to the nearest officer, "In the Camptâ's name;" a form which ensured -that the most audacious and curious spy, backed by the highest -authority save that invoked, dared neither stop nor search into a -message so warranted. Before I left the desk every Chief of the Zinta -at his several post had received, through that strange symbolic -language of which I have already given samples, from me advice of what -had occurred and from Esmo warning to meet at an appointed place and -time. - -The day at whose close we should meet was that of Davilo's trial. I -mingled with the crowd around the Court doors, a crowd manifesting -bitter hostility to the prisoner and to the Order, of whose secrets a -revelation was eagerly expected. Easily forcing my way through the -mass, I felt on a sudden a touch, a sign; and turning my eyes saw a -face I had surely never looked on before. Yet the sign could only have -been given by a colleague. That which followed implied the presence of -the Signet itself. - -"I told you," whispered a voice I knew well, "how completely we can -change even countenance at will." - -It was so; but though acquainted with the process, I had never -believed that the change could be so absolute. By help of my strength -and height, still more perhaps by the subtle influence of his own -powerful will acting none the less imperiously on minds unconscious of -its influence, Esmo made his way with me into the Court. - -Around five sides of the hexagon were seats, tier above tier, -appropriated to the public who wish to see as well as hear. The -phonograph reported every word uttered to hundreds of distant offices. -Against the sixth side were placed the seats of the seven judges; in -front, at an equal elevation, the chair of the prisoner, the seats of -the advocates on right and left, and the place from which each witness -must deliver his testimony in full view and within easy hearing both -of the bench, the bar, and the audience. Davilo sat in his chair -unguarded, but in an attitude strangely constrained and motionless. -Only his bright eyes moved freely, and his head turned a little from -side to side. He recognised us instantly, and his look expressed no -trace of fear. - -"The _quârry_" whispered Esmo, observing my perplexity. - -"It paralyses the nerves of motion, leaving those of sensation active; -and is administered to a prisoner on the instant of his arrest, so as -to keep him absolutely helpless till his sentence is executed, or till -on his acquittal an antidote is administered." - -The counsel for the prosecution stated in the briefest possible words -the story of Astona, from the moment when she left my house to that at -which she was found dead, and the method of her death; related -Davilo's words, and then proceeded to call his witnesses. Of course -the one vital question was whether by possibility Davilo, who had -never left my premises since the words were uttered, could have -brought about a death, evidently accidental in its immediate cause, at -a distance of many miles. His words were attested by one whom I -recognised as an officer of Endo Zamptâ, and I was called to confirm -or contradict them. The presiding judge, as I took my place, read a -brief telling terrible menace, expounding the legal penalties of -perjury. - -"You will speak the truth," he said, "or you know the consequences." - -As he spoke, he encountered Esmo's eyes, and quailed under the gaze, -sinking back into his seat motionless as the bird under the alleged -fascination of the serpent. I admitted that the words in question had -been addressed to me; and I proved that Davilo had been busily engaged -with me from that moment until an hour later than that of the fatal -accident. There being thus no dispute as to the facts, a keen contest -of argument proceeded between the advocates on either side. The -defenders of the prisoner ridiculed with an affectation of scientific -contemptânone the less effective because the chief pleader was -himself an experienced member of our Orderâthe idea that the actions -or fate of a person at a distance could be affected by the mere will -of another; and related, as absurd and incredible traditions of old to -this purport, some anecdotes which had been communicated to me as -among the best attested and most striking examples of the historical -exercise of the mystic powers. The able and bigoted sceptics, who -prosecuted this day in the interests of science, insisted, with equal -inconsistency and equal skill, on the innumerable recorded and -attested instances of some diabolical power possessed by certain -supposed members of a detested and malignant sect. A year ago the -judges would probably have sided unanimously with the former. But the -feeling that animated the conspiracy, if it should be so called, -against the Zinta, had penetrated all Martial society; and in order to -destroy the votaries of religion, Science, in the persons of her most -distinguished students, was this day ready to abjure her character, -and forswear her most cherished tenets. As has often happened in Mars, -and may one day happen on Earth as the new ideas come into greater -force, proven fact was deliberately set against logical impossibility; -and for onceâwhat probably had not happened in Mars for ten thousand -yearsâproven fact and common sense carried the day against science -and "universal experience;" but, unhappily, against the prisoner. -After retiring separately for about an hour, the Judges returned. -Their brief and very confused decisions were read by the Secretary. -The reasons were seldom intelligible, each contradicting himself and -all his colleagues, and not one among the judgments having even the -appearance of cohesion and consistency. But, by six to one, they -doomed the prisoner to the vivisection-table. As he was carried forth -his eyes met ours, and the perfect calm and steadiness of their glance -astounded me not a little. - -My natural thought prompted, of course, an appeal to the mercy of the -Throne. In every State a power of giving effect in the law's despite -to public policy, or of commanding that, in certain strange and -unforeseen circumstances, common sense and practical justice shall -override a sentence which no court bound by the letter of the law can -withhold, must rest with the Sovereign. But in Mars the prerogative of -mercy, in the proper sense of the wordâjudicial rather than political -mercyâis exercised less by the Prince himself than by a small council -of judges advising him and pronouncing their decision in his name. -Even if we could have relied on the Camptâ with absolute confidence, -there were many reasons against an appeal which would, in fact, have -asked him to declare himself on our side. While such a declaration -might, in the existing state of public feeling, have caused revolt or -riot, it would have put on their guard, perhaps driven to a premature -attempt which he was not prepared to meet, the traitors whose scheme -against his life the Prince felt confident that he should speedily -detect and punish. - -All these considerations were brought before our Council, whose debate -was brief but not hurried or excited. The supreme calm of Esmo's -demeanour communicated itself to all the eleven, in not one of whom -could I recognise till they spoke my colleagues of our last Council. -The order went forth that a party should attend Esmo's orders at a -point about half a mile distant from the studio in which, for the -benefit of a great medical school, my unhappy friend was to be put to -torture indescribable. - -"Happily," said Esmo, "the first portion of the experiment will be -made by the Vivisector-General alone, and will commence at midnight. -Half an hour before that time our party will be assembled." - -I had insisted on being one of the band, and Esmo had very reluctantly -yielded to the unanimous approval of colleagues who thought that on -this occasion physical strength might render essential service at some -unforeseen crisis. Moreover, the place lying within my geographical -province, several of those engaged looked up to me as their immediate -chief, and it was thought well to place me on such an occasion at -their head. - -The night was, as had been predicted, absolutely dark, but the roads -were brilliantly lighted. Suddenly, however, as we drew towards the -point of meeting, the lights went out, an accident unprecedented in -Martial administration. - -"But they will be relighted!" said one of my companions. - -"Can human skill relight the lamps that the power of the Star has -extinguished?" was the reply of another. - -We fell in military order, with perfect discipline and steadiness, -under the influence of Esmo's silent will and scarcely discernible -gestures. The wing of the college in which the dissection was to take -place was guarded by some forty sentinels, armed with the spear and -lightning gun. But as we came close to them, I observed that each -stood motionless as a statue, with eyes open, but utterly devoid of -sight. - -"I have been here before you," murmured Esmo. "To the left." - -The door gave way at once before the touch of some electric instrument -or immaterial power wielded by his hand. We passed in, guided by him, -through one or two chambers, and along a passage, at the end of which -a light shone through a crystal door. Here proof of Esmo's superior -judgment was afforded. He would fain have had the party much smaller -than it was, and composed exclusively of the very few old and -experienced members of the Zinta within reach at the moment. We were -nearly a score in number, some even more inexperienced than myself, -half the party my own immediate followers; and I remembered far better -the feelings of a friend and a soldier than the lessons of the college -or the Shrine. As the door opened, and we caught sight of our friend -stretched on the vivisection table, the younger of the company, -hurried on by my own example, lost their heads and got, so to speak, -out of hand. We rushed tumultuously forward and fell on the Vivisector -and two assistants, who stood motionless and perhaps unconscious, but -with glittering knives just ready for their fiendish work. Before Esmo -could interpose, these executioners were cut down with the "crimson -blade" (cold steel); and we bore off our friend with more of eagerness -and triumph than at all befitted our own consciousness of power, or -suited the temper of our Chief. - -Never did Esmo speak so sharply or severely as in the brief reprimand -he gave us when we reassembled; the justice of which I instinctively -acknowledged, as he ceased, by the salute I had given so often at the -close of less impressive and less richly deserved reprimands on the -parade ground or the march. Uninjured, and speedily relieved from the -effects of the _quârry_, Davilo was carried off to a place of -temporary concealment, and we dispersed. - -Eveena heard my story with more annoyance than interest, mortified not -a little by the reproof I had drawn upon myself and my followers; and, -despite her reluctance to seem to acknowledge a fault in me, -apparently afraid that a similar ebullition of feeling might on some -future occasion lead to serious disaster. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - AZRAEL. - - -To detain as a captive and a culprit, thus converting my own house -into a prison, my would-be murderess and former plaything, was -intolerably painful. To leave her at large was to incur danger such as -I had no right to bring on others. To dismiss her was less perilous -than the one course, less painful than the other, but combined peril -and pain in a degree which rendered both Eveena and myself most -reluctant to adopt it. From words of Esmo's, and from other sources, I -gathered that the usual course under such circumstances would have -been to keep the culprit under no other restraint than that -confinement to the house which is too common to be remarkable, -trusting to the terror which punishment inflicted and menaced by -domestic authority would inspire. But EivĂŠ now understood the limits -which conscience or feeling imposed on the use of an otherwise -unlimited power. She knew very nearly how much she could have to fear; -and, timid as she was, would not be cowed or controlled by -apprehensions so defined and bounded. Eveena herself naturally -resented the peril, and was revolted by the treason even more -intensely than myself; and was for once hardly content that so heinous -a crime should be so lightly visited. In interposing "between the -culprit and the horrors of the law, she had taken for granted the -strenuous exertion of a domestic jurisdiction almost as absolute under -the circumstances as that of ancient Rome. - -"What suggested to you," I asked one day of Eveena, "the suspicion -that so narrowly saved my life?" - -"The carefully steadied handâyou have teased her so often for -spilling everything it carriedâand the unsteady eyes. But," she added -reluctantly, "I never liked to watch herâno, not lest you should -notice itâbut because she did not seem true in her ways with you; and -I should have missed those signs but for a strange warning." ... She -paused. - -"_I_ would not be warned," I answered with a bitter sigh. "Tell me, -Madonna." - -"It was when you left me in this room alone," she said, her exquisite -delicacy rendering her averse to recal, not the coercion she had -suffered, but the pain she knew I felt in so coercing her. "Dearest," -she added with a sudden effort, "let me speak frankly, and dispel the -pain you feel while you think over it in silence." - -I kissed the hand that clasped my own, and she went on, speaking with -intentional levity. - -"Had a Chief forgotten?" tracing the outline of a star upon her bosom. -"Or did you think Clavelta's daughter had no share in the hereditary -gifts of her family?" - -"But how did you unlock the springs?" - -"Ah! those might have baffled me if you had trusted to them. You made -a double mistake when you left Enva on guard.... You don't think I -tempted her to disobey? Eager as I was for release, I could not have -been so doubly false. She did it unconsciously. It is time to put her -out of pain." - -"Does she know me so little as to think I could mean to torture her by -suspense? Besides, even she must have seen that you had secured her -pardon." - -"Or my own punishment," Eveena answered. - -"Spare me such words, Eveena, unless you mean to make me yet more -ashamed of the compulsion I did employ. I never spoke, I never -thought"ââ - -"Forgive me, dearest. Will it vex you to find how clearly your -flower-bird has learned to read your will through your eyes? When I -refused to obey, and you felt yourself obliged to compel, your first -momentary thought was to threaten, your next that I should not believe -you. When you laid your hand upon my shoulder, thus, it was no gesture -of anger or menace. You thought of the only promise I must believe, -and you dropped the thought as quickly as your hand. You would not -speak the word you might have to keep. Nay, dearest, what pains you -so? You gave me no pain, even when you called another to enforce your -command. Yet surely you know that _that_ must have tried my spirit far -more than anything else you could do. You did well. Do you think that -I did not appreciate your imperious anxiety for me; that I did not -respect your resolution to do what you thought right, or feel how much -it cost you? If anything in the ways of love like yours could pain me, -it would be the sort of reserved tenderness that never treats me as -frankly and simply as" ... "There was no need to name either of those -so dearly loved, so latelyâand, alas! so differentlyâlost. Trusting -the loyalty of my love so absolutely in all else, can you not trust it -to accept willingly the enforcement of your will ... as you have -enforced it on all others you have ruled, from the soldiers of your -own world to the rest of your household? Ah! the light breaks through -the mist. Before you gave Enva her charge you said to me in her -presence, 'Forgive me what you force upon me;' as if I, above all, -were not your own to deal with as you will. Dearest, do you so wrong -her who loves you, and is honoured by your love, as to fancy that any -exertion of your authority could make her feel humbled in your eyes or -her own?" - -It was impossible to answer. Nothing would have more deeply wounded -her simple humility, so free from self-consciousness, as the plain -truth; that as her character unfolded, the infinite superiority of her -nature almost awed me as somethingâsave for the intense and -occasionally passionate tenderness of her loveâless like a woman than -an angel. - -"I was absorbed," she continued, "in the effort that had thrown Enva -into the slumber of obedience. I did not know or feel where I was or -what I had next to do. My thought, still concentrated, had forgotten -its accomplished purpose, and was bent on your danger. Somehow on the -cushioned pile I seemed to see a figure, strange to me, but which I -shall never forget. It was a young girl, very slight, pale, sickly, -with dark circles round the closed eyes, slumbering like Enva, but in -everything else Enva's very opposite. I suppose I was myself entranced -or dreaming, conscious only of my anxiety for you, so that it seemed -natural that everything should concern you. I remember nothing of my -dream but the words which, when I came to myself in the peristyle, -alone, were as clear in my memory as they are now:â - - "'Watch the hand and read the eyes; - On his breast the danger liesâ - Strength is weak and childhood wise. - - "'Fail the bowl, andâ'ware the knife! - Rests on him the Sovereign's life, - Rests the husband's on the wife. - - "'They that would his power command - Know who holds his heart in hand: - Silken tress is surest band. - - "'Well they judge Kargynda's mood, - Steel to peril, pain, and blood, - Surely through his mate subdued. - - "'Love can make the strong a slave, - Fool the wise and quell the brave ... - Love by sacrifice can save.'" - -"She again!" I exclaimed involuntarily. - -"You hear," murmured Eveena. "In kindness to me heed my warning, if -you have neglected all others. Do not break my heart in your mercy to -another. EivĂŠ"ââ - -"_EivĂŠ_!âThe prophetess knows me better than you do! The warning -means that they now desire my secret before my life, and scheme to -make your safety the price of my dishonour. It is the Devil's -thoughtâor the Regent's!" - -As I could not decide to send EivĂŠ forth without home, protection, or -control, and Eveena could suggest no other course, the days wore on -under a domestic thunder-cloud which rendered the least sensitive -among us uncomfortable and unhappy, and deprived three at least of the -party of appetite, of ease, and almost of sleep, till two alarming -incidents broke the painful stagnation. - -I had just left EivĂŠ's prison one morning when Eveena, who was -habitually entrusted with the charge of these communications, put into -my hands two slips of tafroo. The one had been given her by an ambâ, -and came from Davilo's substitute on the estate. It said simply: "You -and you alone were recognised among the rescuers of your friend. -Before two days have passed an attempt will be made to arrest you." -The other came from Esmo, and Eveena had brought it to me unread, as -was indeed her practice. I could not bear to look at her, though I -held her closely, as I read aloud the brief message which announced -the death, by the sting of two dragons (evidently launched by some -assassin's hand, but under circumstances that rendered detection by -ordinary means hopeless for the moment), of her brother and Esmo's -son, Kevimâ; and invited us to a funeral ceremony peculiar to the -Zinta. I need not speak of the painful minutes that followed, during -which Eveena strove to suppress for my sake at once her tears for her -loss and her renewed and intensified terror on my own account. It was -suddenly announced by the usual signs of the mute messenger that a -visitor awaited me in the hall. Ergimo brought a message from the -Camptâ, which ran as follows:â - -"Aware that their treachery is suspected, the enemy now seek your -secret first, and then your life. Guard both for a very short time. -Your fate, your friends', and my own are staked on the issue. The same -Council that sends the traitors to the rack will see the law -repealed." - -I questioned Ergimo as to his knowledge of the situation. - -"The enemy," he said, "must have changed their plan. One among them, -at least, is probably aware that his treason is suspected both by his -Sovereign and by the Order. This will drive him desperate; and if he -can capture you and extort your secret, he will think he can use it to -effect his purpose, or at least to ensure his escape. He may think -open rebellion, desperate as it is, safer than waiting for the first -blow to come from the Zinta or from the Palace." - -My resolve was speedily taken. At the same moment came the necessity -for escape, and the opportunity and excuse. I sought out the writer of -the first message, who entirely concurred with me in the propriety of -the step I was about to take; only recommending me to apply personally -for a passport from the Camptâ, such as would override any attempt to -detain me even by legal warrant. He undertook to care for those I left -behind; to release and provide for EivĂŠ, and to see, in case I should -not return, that full justice was done to the interests of the others, -as well as to their claim to release from contracts which my departure -from their world ought, like death itself, to cancel. The royal -passport came ere I was ready to depart, expressed in the fullest, -clearest language, and such as none, but an officer prepared instantly -to rebel against the authority which gave it, dared defy. During the -last preparations, Velna and Eveena were closeted together in the -chamber of the former; nor did I care to interrupt a parting the most -painful, save one, of those that had this day to be undergone. I went -myself to EivĂŠ. - -"I leave you," I said, "a prisoner, not, I hope, for long. If I return -in safety, I will then consider in what manner the termination of your -confinement can be reconciled with what is due to myself and others. -If not, you will be yet more certainly and more speedily released. And -now, child whom I once loved, to whom I thought I had been especially -gentle and indulgent, was the miserable reward offered you the sole -motive that raised your hand against my life? Poison, I have always -said, is the protection of the household slave against the domestic -tyrant. If I had ever been harsh or unjust to you, if I had made your -life unhappy by caprice or by severity, I could understand. But you of -all have had least reason to complain. Not Enva's jealous temper, not -Leenoo's spite, ever suggested to them the idea which came so easily -and was so long and deliberately cherished in your breast." - -She rose and faced me, and there was something of contempt in the eyes -that answered mine for this once with the old fearless frankness. - -"I had no reason to hate you? Not certainly for the kind of injury -which commonly provokes women to risk the lives their masters have -made intolerable. That your discipline was the lightest ever known in -a household, I need not tell you. That it fell more lightly, if -somewhat oftener, on me than on others, you know as well as I. Put all -the correction or reproof I ever received from you into one, and -repeat it daily, and never should I have complained, much less dreamed -of revenge. You think Enva or Leenoo might less unnaturally, less -unreasonably, have turned upon you, because your measure to their -faults was somewhat harder and your heart colder to them! You did not -scruple to make a favourite of me after a fashion, as you would never -have done even of EunanĂŠ. You could pet and play with me, check and -punish me, as a child who would not 'sicken at the sweets, or be -humbled by the sandal.' You forbore longer, you dealt more sternly -with them, because, forsooth, they were women and I a baby. I, who was -not less clever than EunanĂŠ, not less capable of love, perhaps of -devotion to you, than Eveena, _I_ might rest my head on your knee when -she was by, I might listen to your talk when others were sent away; I -was too much the child, too little the woman, to excite your distrust -or her jealousy. Do you suppose I think better of you, or feel the -more kindly towards you, that you have not taken vengeance? No! still -you have dealt with me as a child; so untaught yet by that last -lesson, that even a woman's revenge cannot make you treat me as a -woman! Clasfempta! you bear, I believe, outside, the fame of a wise -and a firm man; but in these little hands you have been as weak a fool -as the veriest dotard might have been;âand may be yet." - -"As you will," I answered, stung into an anger which at any rate -quelled the worst pain I had felt when I entered the room. "Fool or -sage, EivĂŠ, I was your fellow-creature, your protector, and your -friend. When bitter trouble befals you in life, or when, alone, you -find yourself face to face with death, you may think of what has -passed to-day. Then remember, for your comfort, my last wordsâI -forgive you, and I wish you happy." - -To Velna I could not speak. Sure that Eveena had told her all she -could wish to know or all it was safe to tell, a long embrace spoke my -farewell to her who had shared with me the first part of the long -watch of the death-chamber. Enva and her companions had gathered, not -from words, that this journey was more than an ordinary absence. Some -instinct or presentiment suggested to them that it might, possibly at -least, be a final parting; and I was touched as much as surprised by -the tears and broken words with which they assured me that, greatly as -they had vexed my home life, conscious as they were that they had -contributed to it no element but bitterness and trouble, they felt -that they had been treated with unfailing justice and almost unfailing -kindness. Then, turning to Eveena, Enva spoke for the restâ - -"We should have treated you less ill if we could at all have -understood you. We understand you just as little now. Clasfempta is -man after all, bridling his own temper as a strong man rules a large -household of women or a herd of _ambau_. But you are not woman like -other women; and yet, in so far as women are or think they are softer -or gentler than men, so far, twelvefold twelve times told, are you -softer, tenderer, gentler than woman." - -Eveena struggled hard so far to suppress her sobs as to give an -answer. But, abandoning the effort, she only kissed warmly the lips, -and clasped long and tenderly the hands, that had never spoken a kind -word or done a kind act for her. At the very last moment she faltered -out a few words which were not for them. - -"Tell EivĂŠ," she said, "I wish her well; and wishing her well, I -cannot wish her happyâ_yet_." - -We embarked in the balloon, attended as on our last journey by two of -the brethren in my employment, both, I noticed, armed with the -lightning gun. I myself trusted as usual to the sword, strong, -straight, heavy, with two edges sharp as razors, that had enabled my -hand so often to guard my head; and the air-gun that reminded me of so -many days of sport, the more enjoyed for the peril that attended it. -Screened from observation, both reclining in our own compartment of -the car, Eveena and I spent the long undisturbed hours of the first -three days and nights of our journey in silent interchange of thought -and feeling that seldom needed or was interrupted by words. Her family -affections were very strong. Her brother had deserved and won her -love; but conscious so long of a peril surrounding myself, fearfully -impressed by the incident which showed how close that peril had come, -her thought and feeling were absorbed in me. So, could they have known -the present and foreseen the future, even those who loved her best and -most prized her love for them would have wished it to be. As we -crossed, at the height of a thousand feet, the river dividing that -continent between east and west which marks the frontier of Elcavoo, a -slight marked movement of agitation, a few eager whispers of -consultation, in the other compartment called my attention. -As I parted the screen, the elder of the attendant brethren addressed -meâ - -"There is danger," he said in a low tone, not low enough to escape -Eveena's quick ear when my safety was in question. "Another balloon is -steering right across our path, and one in it bears, as we see through -the _pavlo_ (the spectacle-like double field-glass of Mars), the sash -of a Regent, while his attendants wear the uniform of scarlet and -grey" (that of Endo Zamptâ). "Take, I beg you, this lightning-piece. -Will you take command, or shall we act for you?" - -Parting slightly the fold of the mantle I wore, for at that height, -save immediately under the rays of the sun, the atmosphere is cold, I -answered by showing the golden sash of my rank. We went on steadily, -taking no note whatever of the hostile vessel till it came within -hailing distance. - -"Keep your guns steadily pointed," I said, "happen what may. If you -have to fire, fire one at any who is ready to fire at us, the other at -the balloon itself." - -A little below but beside us Endo Zamptâ hailed. "I arrest you," he -said, addressing me by name, "on behalf of the Arch-Court and by their -warrant. Drop your weapons or we fire." - -"And I," I said, "by virtue of the Camptâ's sign and signet attached -to this," and Eveena held forth the paper, while my weapon covered the -Regent, "forbid you to interrupt or delay my voyage for a moment." - -I allowed the hostile vessel to close so nearly that Endo could read -through his glass the charactersâpurposely, I thought, made unusually -largeâof his Sovereign's peremptory passport. To do so he had dropped -his weapon, and his men, naturally expecting a peaceable termination -to the interview, had laid down theirs. Mine had obeyed my order, and -we were masters of the situation, when, with a sudden turn of the -screw, throwing his vessel into an almost horizontal position, Endo -brought his car into collision with ours and endeavoured to seize -Eveena's person, as she leaned over with the paper in her hand. She -was too quick for him, and I called out at once, "Down, or we fire." -His men, about to grasp their pieces, saw that one of ours was -levelled at the balloon, and that before they could fire, a single -shot from us must send them earthwards, to be crushed into one -shapeless mass by the fall. Endo saw that he had no choice but to obey -or affect obedience, and, turning the tap that let out the gas by a -pipe passing through the car, sent his vessel rapidly downward, as -with a formal salute he affected to accept the command of his Prince. -Instantly grasping, not the lightning gun, which, if it struck their -balloon, must destroy their whole party in an instant, but my air-gun, -which, by making a small hole in the vast surface, would allow them to -descend alive though with unpleasant and perilous rapidity, I fired, -and by so doing prevented the use of an asphyxiator concealed in the -car, which the treacherous Regent was rapidly arranging for use. - -The success of these manoeuvres delighted my attendants, and gave them -a confidence they had not yet felt in my appreciation of Martial -perils and resources. We reached Ecasfe and Esmo's house without -further molestation, and a party of the Zinta watched the balloon -while Eveena and I passed into the dwelling. - -Preserved from corruption by the cold which Martial chemistry applies -at pleasure, the corpse of Kevimâ looked as the living man looked in -sleep, but calmer and with features more perfectly composed. Quietly, -gravely, with streaming tears, but with self-command which dispelled -my fear of evil consequences to her, Eveena kissed the lips that were -so soon to exist no longer. From the actual process by which the body -is destroyed, the taste and feeling of the Zinta exclude the immediate -relatives of the dead; and not till the golden chest with its -inscription was placed in Esmo's hands did we take further part in the -proceeding. Then the symbolic confession of faith, by which the -brethren attest and proclaim their confidence in the universal -all-pervading rule of the Giver of life and in the permanence of His -gift, was chanted. A Chief of the Order pronounced a brief but -touching eulogy on the deceased. Another expressed on behalf of all -their sympathy with the bereaved father and family. Consigned to their -care, the case that contained all that now remained to us of the last -male heir of the Founder's house was removed for conveyance to the -mortuary chamber of the subterrene Temple. But ere those so charged -had turned to leave the chamber in which the ceremony had passed, a -flash so bright as at noonday to light up the entire peristyle and the -chambers opening on it, startled us all; and a sentinel, entering in -haste and consternation, announced the destruction of our balloon by a -lightning flash from the weapon of some concealed enemy. Esmo, at this -alarming incident, displayed his usual calm resolve. He ordered that -carriages sufficient to convey some twenty-four of the brethren should -be instantly collected, and announced his resolve to escort us at once -to the Astronaut. Before five minutes had elapsed from the destruction -of the balloon, Zulve and the rest of the family had taken leave of -Eveena and myself. Attended by the party mustered, occupying a -carriage in the centre of the procession, we left the gate of the -enclosure. I observed, what seemed to escape even Esmo's attention, -that angry looks were bent upon us from many a roof, and that here and -there groups were gathered in the enclosures and on the road, among -whom I saw not a few weapons. I was glad to remember that a party of -the Zveltau still awaited Esmo's return at his own residence. We drove -as fast as the electric speed would carry us along the road I had -traversed once before in the company of her who was now my wifeâto -be, I hoped, for the future my sole wifeâand of him who had been ever -since our mortal enemy. Where the carriages could proceed no further -we dismounted, and Esmo mustered the party in order. All were armed -with the spear and lightning gun. Placing Eveena in the centre of a -solid square, Esmo directed me to take my place beside her. I -expostulatedâ - -"Clavelta, it is impossible for me to take the place of safety, when -others who owe me nothing may be about to risk life on my behalf. -Eveena, as woman and as descendant of the Founder, may well claim -their protection. It is for me to share in her defence, not in her -safety." - -He raised the arm that bore the Signet, and looked at me with the calm -commanding glance that never failed to enforce his will. "Take your -place," he said; and recalled to the instincts of the camp, I raised -my hand in the military salute so long disused, and obeyed in silence. - -"Strike promptly, strike hard, and strike home," said Esmo to his -little party. "The danger that may threaten us is not from the law or -from the State, but from an attempt at murder through a perversion of -the law and in the name of the Sovereign. Those who threaten us aim -also at the Camptâ's life, and those we may meet are his foes as well -as ours. Conquered here, they can hardly assail us again. Victorious, -they will destroy us, not leave us an appeal to the law or to the -throne." - -Placing himself a little in front of the troop, our Chief gave the -signal to advance, and we moved forward. It seemed to me a fatal error -that no scout preceded us, no flanking party was thrown out. This -neglect reminded me that, my comrades and commander were devoid of -military experience, and I was about to remonstrate when, suddenly -wheeling on the rocky platform on which I had first paused in my -descent from the summit, and facing towards the latter, we encountered -a force outnumbering our own as two to one and wearing the colours of -the Regent. The front ranks quailed, as men always quailed under -Esmo's steady gaze, and lost nerve and order as they fell back to -right and left; a movement intended to give play to the asphyxiator -they had brought with them. Their strategy was no less ridiculous than -our own. Devoid for ages of all experience in conflict, both leaders -might have learned better from the conduct of the theme at bay. The -enemy were drawn up so near the turn that there was no room for the -use of their most destructive engine; and, had we been better -prepared, neither this nor their lightning guns would have been quick -enough to anticipate a charge that would have brought us hand to hand. -Even had they been steady and prompt, the suffocating shell would -probably have annihilated both parties, and the discharge would -certainly have been as dangerous to them as to us. In another instant -a flash from several of our weapons, simultaneously levelled, -shattered the instrument to fragments. We advanced at a run, and the -enemy would have given way at once but that their retreat lay up so -steep an incline, and neither to right nor left could they well -disperse, being hemmed in by a rocky wall on one side and a -precipitous descent on the other. From our right rear, however, where -the ground would have concealed a numerous ambush, I apprehended an -attack which must have been fatal; but even so simple and decisive a -measure had never occurred to the Regent's military ignorance. - -At this critical moment a flash from a thicket revealed the weapon of -some hidden enemy, who thus escaped facing the gaze that none could -encounter; and Esmo fell, struck dead at once by the lightning-shot. -The assassin sprang up, and I recognised the features of Endo Zamptâ. -Confounded and amazed, the Zveltau broke and fell backward, hurrying -Eveena away with them. Enabled by size and strength to extricate -myself at once, I stood at bay with my back against the rocks on our -left, a projection rising as high as my knee assisting to hinder the -enemy from entirely and closely surrounding me. I had thrown aside at -the moment of the attack the mantle that concealed my sash and star; -and I observed that another Chief had done the same. It was he who, -occupying at the trial the seat on Esmo's left, had shown the -strongest disposition to mercy, and now displayed the coolest courage -amid confusion and danger. - -"Rally them," I cried to him, "and trust the crimson blade [cold -steel]. These hounds will never face that." - -The enemy had rushed forward as our men fell back, and I was almost in -their midst, thus protected to a considerable extent from the -lightning projectile, against which alone I had no defence. Hand to -hand I was a match for more than one or two of my assailants, though -on this occasion I wore no defensive armour, and they were clad in -shirts of woven wire almost absolutely proof against the spear in -hands like theirs. - -To die thus, to die for her under her eyes, leaving to her widowed -life a living token of our loveâwhat more could Allah grant, what -better could a lover and a soldier desire? There was no honour, and -little to satisfy even the passion of vengeance, in the sword-strokes -that clove one enemy from the shoulder to the waist, smote half -through the neck of a second, and laid two or three more dead or dying -at my feet. If the weight of the sword were lighter here than on -Earth, the arm that wielded it had been trained in very different -warfare, and possessed a strength which made the combat so unequal -that, had no other life hung on my blows, I should have been ashamed -to strike. As I paused for a moment under this feeling, I noted that, -outside the space half cleared by slaughter and by terror, the bearers -of the lightning gun were forming a sort of semicircle, embarrassed by -the comrades driven back upon them, but drawing momentarily nearer, -and seeking to enclose before firing the object of their aim. They -would have shattered my heart and head in another instant but -thatâspringing on the projecting stone of which I have spoken, which -raised her to my levelâEveena had flung her arms around me, and -sheltered my person with her own. This, and the confusion, -disconcerted the aim of most of the assailants. The roar and flash -half stunned me for a moment;âthen, as I caught her in my left arm, I -became aware that it was but her lifeless form that I clasped to my -breast. Giving her life for mine, she had made mine worse than -worthless. My sword fell for a moment from my hand, retained only by -the wrist-knot, as I placed her gently and tenderly on the ground, -resting against the stone which had enabled her to effect the -sacrifice I as little desired as deserved. Then, grasping my weapon -again, and shouting instinctively the war-cry of another world, I -sprang into the midst of the enemy. At the same moment, "_Ent ân -Clazinta_" (To me the Zinta), cried the Chief behind; and having -rallied the broken ranks, even before the sight of Eveena's fall had -inspired reckless fury in the place of panic confusion, he led on the -Zveltau, the spear in hand elevated over their heads, and pointed at -the unprotected faces of the enemy. Exposed to the cold steel or its -Martial equivalent, the latter, as I had predicted, broke at once. My -sword did its part in the fray. They scarcely fought, neither did they -fling down their weapons. But in that moment neither force nor -surrender would have availed them. We gave no quarter to wounded or -unwounded foe. When, for lack of objects, I dropped the point of my -streaming sword, I saw Endo Zamptâ alive and unwounded in the hands of -the victors. - -"Coward, scoundrel, murderer!" I cried. "You shall die a more terrible -death than that which your own savage law prescribes for crimes like -yours. Bind him; he shall hang from my vessel in the air till I see -fit to let him fall! For the rest, see that none are left alive to -boast what they have done this day." - -Struggling and screaming, the Regent was dragged to the summit, and -hung by the waist, as I had threatened, from the entrance window of -the Astronaut. Esmo's body and those of the other slain among the -Zveltau had been raised, and our comrades were about to carry them to -the carriages and remove them homeward. From the wardrobe of the -Astronaut, furnished anew for our voyage, I brought a long soft -therne-cloak, intended for Eveena's comfort; and wrapped in it all -that was left to us of the loveliest form and the noblest heart that -in two worlds ever belonged to woman. I shred one long soft tress of -mingled gold and brown from those with which my hand had played; I -kissed for the last time the lips that had so often counselled, -pleaded, soothed, and never spoken a word that had better been left -unsaid. Then, veiling face and form in the soft down, I called around -me again the brethren who had fallen back out of sight of my last -farewell, and gave the corpse into their charge. Turning with restless -eagerness from the agony, which even the sudden shock that rendered me -half insensible could not deaden into endurable pain, to the passion -of revenge, I led two or three of our party to the foot of the ladder -beneath the entrance window of my vessel, and was about in their -presence to explain his fate more fully to the struggling, howling -victim, half mad with protracted terror. But at that moment my purpose -was arrested. I had often repeated to Eveena passages from those -Terrestrial works whose purport most resembled that of the mystic -lessons she so deeply prized; and words, on which in life she had -especially dwelt, seemed now to be whispered in my ear or my heart by -the voice which with bodily sense I could never hear again:â -"Vengeance is Mine; I will repay." The absolute control of my will and -conscience, won by her perfect purity and unfailing rectitude, -outlasted Eveena's life. Turning to her murdererâ - -"You shall die," I said, "but you shall die not by revenge but by the -law; and not by your own law, but by that which, forbidding that -torture shall add to the sting of death, commands that 'Whoso sheddeth -man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.' Yet I cannot give you a -soldier's death," as my men levelled their weapons. Cutting the cord -that bound him, and grasping him from behind, I flung the wretch forth -from the summit far into the air; well assured that he would never -feel the blow that would dismiss his soul to its last account, before -that Tribunal to whose judgment his victim had appealed. Then I -entered the vessel, waved my hand in farewell to my comrades, and, -putting the machinery in action, rose from the surface and prepared to -quit a world which now held nothing that could detain or recal me. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - FAREWELL! - - -My task was not quite done. It was well for me in the first moments of -this new solitude, of this maddening agony, that there was instant -work imperatively demanding the attention of the mind as well as the -exercise of the body. I had first, by means of the air pump, to fill -the vessel with an atmosphere as dense as that in which I had been -born and lived so long; then to close the entrance window and seal it -hermetically, and then to arrange the steering gear. To complete the -first task more easily, I arrested the motion of the vessel till she -rose only a few feet per minute. Whilst employed on the air pump, I -became suddenly aware, by that instinct by which most men have been at -one time or another warned of the unexpected proximity of friend or -foe, that I was not alone. Turning and looking in the direction of the -entrance, I saw, or thought I saw, once more the Presence beheld in -the Hall of the Zinta. But commanding, enthralling as were those eyes, -they could not now retain my attention; for beside that figure -appeared one whose presence in life or death left me no thought for -aught beside. I sprang forward, seemed to touch her hand, to clasp her -form, to reach the lips I bent my head to meet:âand then, in the -midst of the bright sunlight, a momentary darkness veiled all from my -eyes. Lifting my head, however, my glance fell, through the window to -which the Vision had drawn me, directly upon Ecasfe and upon the home -from which I had taken her whose remains were now being carried back -thither. Snatching up my field-glass, I scanned the scene of which I -had thus caught a momentary and confused glimpse. The roof was -occupied by a score of men armed with the lightning weapon, and among -them glanced the familiar badgeâthe band and silver star. Clambering -over the walls of the wide enclosure, and threatening to storm the -house, were a mob perhaps a thousand in number, many of them similarly -armed, the rest with staves, spears, or such rude weapons as chance -might afford. Two minutes brought me immediately over them. In -another, I was descending more rapidly than prudence would have -suggested. The strife seemed for a moment to cease, as one of the -crowd pointed, not to the impending destruction overhead, but to some -object apparently at an equal elevation to westward. A shout of -welcome from the remaining defenders of the house called right upward -the eyes of their assailants. For an instant they felt the bitterness -of death; a cry of agony and terror that pierced even the thick walls -and windows of the Astronaut reached my ears. Then a violent shock -threw me from my feet. Springing up, I knew what wholesale slaughter -had avenged Eveena and her father, preserved her family, and given a -last victory to the Symbol she so revered. In another instant I was on -the roof, and my hands clasped in Zulve's. - -"We know," she said. "Our darling's _esve_ brought us a line that told -all; and what is left of those who were all to me, of her who was so -much to you, will now be returned to us almost at once." - -We were interrupted. A cry drew my eyes to the right, where, springing -from a balloon to the car of which was attached a huge flag emblazoned -with the crimson and silver colours of the Suzerain, Ergimo stood -before us. - -"I am too late," he said, "to save life; in time only to put an end to -rebellion and avert murder. The Prince has fulfilled his promise to -you; has repealed the law that was to be a weapon in the hands that -aimed at his life and throne, as at the Star and its children. The -traitors, save one, the worst, have met by this time their just doom. -That one I am here to arrest. But where is our Chief? And," noticing -for the first time the group of women, who in the violence of alarm -and agony of sorrow had burst for once unconsciously the restraints of -a lifetimeâ"where ... Are you alone?" - -"Alone for ever," I said; and as I spoke the procession that with bare -and bent heads carried two veiled forms into the peristyle below told -all he sought to know. I need not dwell on the scene that followed. I -scarcely remember anything, till a chest of gold, bearing the cipher -which though seldom seen I knew so well, was placed in my hands. I -turned to Zulve, and to Ergimo, who stood beside her. - -"Have you need of me?" I said. "If I can serve her house I will remain -willingly, and as long as I can help or comfort." - -"No," replied Ergimo; for Zulve could not speak. "The household of -Clavelta are safe and honoured henceforth as no other in the land. -Something we must ask of him who is, at any rate for the present, the -head of this household, and the representative of the Founder's -lineage. It may be," he whispered, "that another" (and his eyes fell -on the veiled forms whose pink robes covered with dark crimson gauze -indicated the younger matrons of the family) "may yet give to the -Children of the Star that natural heir to the Signet we had hoped from -your own household. But the Order cannot remain headless." - -Here Zulve, approaching, gave into my hand the Signet unclasped from -her husband's arm ere the coffer was closed upon his form. I understood -her meaning; and, as for the time the sole male representative of the -house, I clasped it on the arm of the Chief who succeeded to Esmo's -rank, and to whom I felt the care of Esmo's house might be safely -left. The due honour paid to his new office, I turned to depart. Then -for the first time my eyes fell on the unveiled countenance and -drooping form of one unlike, yet so like Eveenaâher favourite and -nearest sister, Zevle. I held out my hand; but, emotion overcoming the -habits of reserve, she threw herself into my arms, and her tears fell -on my bosom, hardly faster than my own as I stooped and kissed her -brow. I had no voice to speak my farewell. But as the Astronaut rose -for the last time from the ground, the voices of my brethren chanted -in adieu the last few lines of the familiar formulaâ - - "Peace be yours no force can break, - Peace not Death hath power to shake;" - - * * * * * - - "Peace from peril, fear, and pain; - Peaceâuntil we meet again! - Not before the sculptured stone, - But the All-Commander's Throne." - - - - -[1] Qy. ÎąĎÎż, from, ÎľĎγοĎ, workâas en-ergy?] - -[2] The chemical notation of the MS. is unfortunately different - from any known to any chemist of my acquaintance, and utterly - undecipherable.] - -[3] Last figures illegible: the year is probably 183.] - -[4] These distances are given in Roman measures and round numbers not - easy of exact rendering.] - -[5] In 1830 or thereabouts.âED.] - -[6] The Martial year is 687 of our days, and eight Martial years are - nearly equivalent to fifteen Terrestrial. Roughly, and in round - numbers, the time figures given may be multiplied by two to reduce - them to Terrestrial periods.âED.] - -[7] Say fifty-sixth; in effect, fiftieth.âNarrator.] - -[8] Equivalent in time to ninety-three and forty-seven with us; in - effect corresponding to eighty and forty.] - -[9] About ninety; in time, one hundred and six.] - -[10] Seventy; in time, eighty-three.â_Narrator_.] - -[11] The centuries, hundreds, thousands, etc., appear to represent - multiples of twelve, not ten.âED.] - -[12] Aluminium?âED.] - -[13] Here, and here only, the name is written in full; but the first - part is blurred. It may be Alius (Ali), Julius (Jules), Elias, - or may represent any one of a dozen English surnames. The single - cipher, employed elsewhere throws no light on it.âED.] - - - -[Transcriber's Notes: A page was torn in our print copy, causing -a few lines in Chapter I to be illegible. The missing words have -been indicated with [***]. Also, "authypnotism" was corrected to -"autohypnotism."] -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10165 *** |