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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c89d3ad --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55505 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55505) diff --git a/old/55505-8.txt b/old/55505-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b1cc398..0000000 --- a/old/55505-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11984 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of NEQUA or The Problem of the Ages, by -Alcanoan O. Grigsby and Mary P. Lowe - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: NEQUA or The Problem of the Ages - -Author: Alcanoan O. Grigsby - Mary P. Lowe - -Release Date: September 8, 2017 [EBook #55505] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NEQUA OR THE PROBLEM OF THE AGES *** - - - - -Produced by Mary Glenn Krause, MFR, Graeme Mackreth, Duke -University and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team -at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - - NEQUA - - OR - - The Problem of the Ages - - By JACK ADAMS - - VOL. I. - - EQUITY PUBLISHING COMPANY - Topeka, Kansas - 1900 - - - - -DEDICATION. - - -TO ALL LOVERS OF HUMANITY, WHEREVER FOUND WHO BELIEVE THAT THE -APPLICATION OF THE GOLDEN RULE IN HUMAN AFFAIRS WOULD REMOVE ALL THE -BURDENS THAT IGNORANCE AND GREED HAVE IMPOSED UPON THE MASSES OF -MANKIND, THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY - - THE AUTHOR. - - - - - Copyrighted 1900, by - A.O. Grigsby and Mary P. Lowe. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. - - Beneath the Midnight Sun--A strange visitor comes down from - above--An old acquaintance recognized--Strange story by - an old physician 1 - - CHAPTER II. - - In San Francisco--"Where shall I go next?"--A startling item of - news answers the question and ends the search--In male attire--Enlists - as Scientist on the Ice King--Off to the North Pole--An - unexpected blow--The danger signal--The race for life--The - earthquake--"The channel is closing!"--"The ship is - lost!" 16 - - CHAPTER III. - - In the dark--All is still--Imprisoned in the ice--Distressing - situation--How to preserve the health and efficiency of the crew--A - new danger--The ice is moving--The common sailor to the - rescue--Lief and Eric save the ship--The tunnel to the - surface--Exploring the ice-field 40 - - CHAPTER IV. - - A singular discovery--Battell crossing a sand ridge on the - ice-field--Captain Ganoe leads a party to his assistance--Lief - and Eric--Battell's theory--A second expedition--Battell's - long absence--Is discovered returning alone, scarcely able to - walk--Relief party finds him unconscious--Captain Ganoe as - physician--Battell relates how he was abandoned by his men--Preparing - for the break 65 - - CHAPTER V. - - The break--A race for life--The island--Strange tower--A safe - harbor--Crossing the open Polar sea--Strange phenomena--Sailing - south--Horizon obscures familiar constellations--Return - to the tower--No explanation--Off for the Pole again--A - wonderful discovery 94 - - CHAPTER VI. - - Sailing south--The wind ceases--Our coal exhausted--Drifting on - an unknown ocean--In the grasp of southbound - currents--Desponding--Visited by an airship--Then a whole - fleet--Among friends--A most highly cultivated people--We - embark for Altruria--An air voyage 111 - - CHAPTER VII. - - Caring for the sick--New methods of treatment--Not physicians - but nurses--A voyage through the air--Wonderful optical - instruments which reveal a panorama of the world--Arrival in - Altruria--Marvelous improvements--Drudgery and poverty - both abolished 136 - - CHAPTER VIII. - - A colossal communal Home--District 1, Range 1--Under the Pacific - Ocean--Battell at the telephone--Startling apparition in a - mirror--Enrolled in school--Study of the language--Phonographic - enunciator--A communal agricultural district--The first revolt - against landlordism--Freedom the rule--A new world--Strikingly - similar to America 151 - - CHAPTER IX. - - A happy scene--Two civilizations compared--Arrival of Oqua--Disguise - penetrated--Human rights--"Glittering generalities" - reduced to practice--A strange custom--Numbered, labeled - and registered as citizens--Exit Jack Adams--A new name--Nequa--Bitter - memories--Oqua's sympathy 178 - - CHAPTER X. - - Oqua's visit--The revelation--A story of perfidy and wrong--Cassie - VanNess--Raphael Ganoe--Richard Sage--A designing guardian--False - charges against Ganoe--A fraudulent marriage--Home - abandoned--On the high seas--Jack Adams--Ganoe - found--Effects of a false education--Legal Wrongs vs. Natural - Justice--Oqua hopeful 191 - - CHAPTER XI. - - An air voyage--Change of scenery--Homes for mothers--Evolution - from competitive individualism--The mountains--Battell joins - us--Orbitello--A perpetual World's Fair--Department of Exchange--The - business of a continent--Norrena--Public Printing--The - council--All matters submitted to the People--Library - of Universal Knowledge 216 - - CHAPTER XII. - - The institute of school superintendents--Norrena's address on the - Transition Period--From Competition to Co-operation--The - closing decades of Money supremacy--The power of gold--Its - conquest of the world--Political governments its tools--The - people helpless--A hint at the way out 244 - - CHAPTER XIII. - - Bona Dea--Matrons' home--Pre-natal influences--Improving the - airships--Battell explains--Plans for the future--Museum of - Universal History--Relics of the Past--Building toward our - ideals--Law of human progress--Presaging the future--Profit - causes Poverty--Equitable Exchange the remedy 283 - - CHAPTER XIV. - - Through the air to Lake Byblis--On the Ice King once more--Captain - Ganoe in command--Met by the Viking, Silver King and - Sea Rover--A wedding--Huston and Dione the principals--Ganoe - objects--Norrena investigates--Objection over-ruled--Excursion - beneath the waters of the lake--Down the Cocytas--The - ruins of Kroy--Abandoned gold--The last relic of barbarism 320 - - CHAPTER XV. - - Home again--Letter from Bona Dea--Electric garments--Reporter's - phonograph--Testing the new airship--A World's Council--Wallaroo - on Evolution--The ideals planted by Missionaries--The - Eolus--Preparing for return to America--Excursion to - the far North--The Watch Tower--Symbolic representations--The - Farewell--The revelation to Ganoe--"Cassie! Cassie! - Come back! Come back!" 354 - - - - -EXPLANATORY. - - -The undersigned claims no credit for the concept of an "Inner World" -in which the great economic problems which now confront the people -had been solved in the interest of humanity and ideal conditions -established for all. This was the leading thought in a work by Dr. -T.A.H. Lowe, deceased, which was placed in the hands of the writer by -his widow, Mrs. Mary P. Lowe. It contains a glowing description of the -ideal conditions which would prevail under the practical application of -the principles of Freedom, Equality and Fraternity in human affairs but -the author died before he had an opportunity to work out a practical -system by which the masses of the people, situated as they now are, -without even a clear understanding as to just what is the matter, could -commence with existing conditions, and peacefully, effectually and -speedily establish the much to be desired system of absolute justice -in distribution which he described. Hence it was determined to prepare -a series of volumes, illustrating the operation of practical working -methods by which this result could be secured, and then, publish Dr. -Lowe's original volume, just as it was written as a fitting conclusion; -and we now take pleasure in presenting to the reader the first volume -of the series and respectfully ask a candid consideration of the -principles which it is designed to elucidate. - - JACK ADAMS. - - - - -NEQUA. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - BENEATH THE MIDNIGHT SUN--A STRANGE VISITOR COMES DOWN FROM ABOVE--AN - OLD ACQUAINTANCE RECOGNIZED--STRANGE STORY BY AN OLD PHYSICIAN. - -[Illustration] - - -MY private office was on the second floor of the sanitarium which I -had fitted up in Kansas City to meet the demands of my large practice -in the treatment of chronic diseases. The furniture consisted of a -large book case, containing my library of standard works, and other -publications useful in my practice; a writing desk, a few chairs, sofa -and other conveniences usually found in such places. One door opened -into the hall, and another connected with my bed chamber, bath room and -laboratory in the rear. In the front was a large bay window where I -often sat, in a meditative mood, concealed by the heavy lace curtains, -looking out upon the throngs of people and numerous vehicles passing to -and fro on the street below. On the opposite side of the main hall, and -separated from it by the wide stairway, was the parlor where I received -visitors. In the rear of this were the consultation and operating -rooms. I usually lunched in my private office, my meals being sent up -to me on an elevator, from a restaurant connecting directly with the -sanitarium. - -As a rule, no one but the office boy, who occupied a small room over -the stairway, was ever admitted to my private office. The boy attended -the door, conducted visitors to the parlor, and then reported who was -in waiting. If I cared to see them, I went around the head of the -stairs to the parlor; otherwise I was "Not in." - -Many of my patients came from a distance and had lodgings and board -in the sanitarium. Others called at my reception rooms during my -regular office hours, which were from 9 to 11 A.M. At other hours I -was ordinarily occupied in my private office, reading, thinking and -writing, or in my laboratory compounding medicines, etc. But it was -generally understood that I frequently drove out, and hence people -calling to see me, except during office hours, were not surprised to -learn that I could not be seen. - -This arrangement was an absolute necessity in order that I might have -time to attend to my large correspondence and make my usual study of -the diseases of patients who had placed themselves under my treatment -as their last hope of regaining health. My success in treating these -cases which had been given up as incurable, was such, that the -sanitarium was always full, and it was a rare thing indeed, that I -called upon patients at their homes. - -One bright and unusually pleasant day in June 189--, after I had -attended to my patients, I retired to my private office, feeling that a -call, even from my most intimate friends, would be very undesirable. I -wanted to be alone. I had many letters to write, and other work that I -could not well neglect, but I seemed in spite of myself to have lost my -usual active interest in my business. I felt oppressed and dissatisfied -with its restraints, and after worrying through with my most important -correspondence, I got up and paced the floor to and fro. - -What could it mean? Why was it I felt this restless longing for -something that seemed just beyond my reach? My business was -flourishing, my health was never better, my friends were numerous -and all my surroundings pleasant. Then why was it that I could not -compose myself to read or write? Whenever I tried to do anything, my -mind involuntarily reverted to the past, and especially to a voyage I -had taken some years before in the capacity of ship surgeon. At last -I despaired of being able to complete my work to my satisfaction, and -determined to indulge this irresistible tendency to retrospection. - -All the afternoon, whatever I did or attempted to do, my mind turned -to Jack Adams, a beardless young man who shipped on the same vessel -with me as super-cargo. Turn which way I would, his image loomed up -before my memory with a vividness that was startling. Why should I be -continually thinking of him? True, we had been the closest of friends, -and often spent hours together in the most enjoyable conversations. - -However, notwithstanding our intimacy, there had ever hung around Jack -an air of fathomless mystery. His character was faultless, his modesty, -refinement and culture unexcelled. His perceptions were keen, his -reasoning powers deep and comprehensive, and his innate truthfulness -inspired every one with unlimited confidence who came in contact with -him. In times of peril he was courageous as a lion and yet he was -gentle as a woman. - -He was of medium size and perfectly rounded form, too refined in his -appearance to be masculine, but none the less active and efficient; and -I must say that his face was the most handsome, and the most expressive -of the finer emotions of the soul, I had ever met with in man. We -were the most congenial of associates, and I was more attached to his -personality than I had ever before been to one of my own sex. Though -young and beardless, his intellect was mature beyond his years, and by -common consent the old and experienced soon came to honor his unusually -remarkable judgment. - -To me, he was a phenomenon that I was utterly unable to fathom. While -he was not shy, he was always reserved and retiring. He never intruded -where he had no business except in my cabin, where he often came to -while away an hour discussing themes of lofty and far reaching import. -He seemed not to live on the common plane of ordinary life, but soared -far above it. Still he attended to all his duties in a prompt and -energetic manner, often lending a helping hand to others when there was -no necessity for him to move a muscle. He seemed to take real pleasure -in lightening the burdens of others even at a sacrifice of his own -comfort. - -Such was Jack Adams, who had worked himself up from the most menial -employments on shipboard to a position of responsibility. Such was -my most valued friend, always reserved and reticent with others, -but genial, sociable and confidential with me, notwithstanding the -disparity in our ages. But why should he now be intruding upon my -memory, and holding my thoughts to himself by a mystic chord which I -had no power to break, much as I had striven to do so? - -I had left the sea at the close of this voyage, the memory of which had -haunted me all day. I had scarcely thought of Jack Adams for years, and -now I found it impossible to keep from thinking of him all the time. I -became almost superstitious, and began to speculate that perhaps he had -just passed from earth, and that his spirit was now with me trying to -force a recognition. As I was thus ruminating, my office boy announced -that a gentleman wanted to see me. - -I was just about to send back the word "Not in," when behind the boy, -through the half open door, I beheld a tall, handsome and elegantly -dressed man, of commanding personal appearance. - -My rule had been never to permit anyone to enter my private apartments -except on my personal invitation, and as the boy seemed entirely -unconscious of his presence, I knew that some mistake had been made, -and instinctively felt that the man was not an intruder; so all that -remained for me was to recognize the requirements of common politeness -and invite him in. - -As he entered the room I mentally took his photograph. He was tall, -symmetrical, powerful, with a high intellectual forehead, dark, -deep-set eyes, dark hair and whiskers, and dark complexion. His -countenance was very impressive, inspiring the beholder with a feeling -of respect and confidence. As the door closed behind him he fixed -his large, penetrating eyes upon me as if he were reading my inmost -thoughts, and after a moment's scrutiny said: "Have I the honor of -addressing Dr. Thomas H. Day, who was a surgeon some years ago on a -vessel engaged in the East India Trade?" - -"Yes," I replied, "that is my name, and I was surgeon on an East -Indiaman." - -"Then," he continued, "may I further ask if you remember a young man -on the vessel in the capacity of super-cargo, who greatly trusted and -confided in you?" - -His words penetrated my inmost being like a shock and I exclaimed -impulsively: - -"You mean Jack Adams! I feel it! I know it! Is he still living?" - -"He is alive and well," he said, "and your prompt recognition -demonstrates that you are the man I am looking for. I bring you word -from Jack Adams. He was also a trusted friend of mine, in whom I felt -deeply interested, when he occupied the humble position of cabin boy on -a steamer between New York and Liverpool." - -His words came to me like a flash of sunlight, dispelling at once the -clouds which had seemed to paralyze all my energies. I felt that any -word from Jack Adams would be an inexpressible relief to my present -agitated state of mind. I grasped my visitor's hand with a warmth I -could not restrain, and with an enthusiasm that must have appeared to -him effusive, I said: - -"Thank God! Your words thrill me with delight. I will esteem any -message from Jack Adams a blessing, and the messenger a benefactor. You -are indeed a welcome visitor, and you have placed me under bonds of -gratitude by removing a most oppressive burden from my mind." - -He returned the pressure of my hand in a manner I had hardly expected, -and handed me a card on which was traced a significant inscription in -Jack's well known handwriting which, if any confirmation was necessary, -would have removed every possible doubt. Shaking his hand again I asked: - -"Will we ever have a world of truth such as has been the dream of every -altruist?" - -"Jack has found it," said my visitor, "and we must make it. That is the -mission he sends me on. He has made it his life work to discover just -how this may be accomplished with the greatest ease, and to convey the -information to us." - -"Then you are doubly welcome," I said. "Be seated and make yourself at -home. I hail you as a brother in a common cause, even if, as yet, I -have no name by which to call you." - -"Excuse me," he said, "I should have introduced myself before, but -I was so overjoyed at finding Dr. Day that I forgot he knew nothing -about me. My name is Leo Vincennes. I have been in the public service -in some capacity, ever since I came to years of maturity; as soldier, -sailor, scout, and later, as civil engineer and explorer. I come now -from Alaska, and my special business here is to see you and deliver a -message, committed to my care by our esteemed brother and co-worker, -Jack Adams." - -I had moved my chair as near to him as decorum would permit, and said -in reply: - -"I am indeed happy to meet you, Mr. Vincennes. I have been thinking of -Jack all day, and I want you to tell me all about him." - -"I saw him last at Cape Lisburne, on the northwestern coast of Alaska, -where I was on the lookout for a vessel that was to take me and my -party to San Francisco. We were employed on the coast survey, and our -allotted portion of the work included the cape, where we went into camp -about the last of June. Our lookout was on top of the bluff, which at -this point rises to a height of about eight hundred feet above the -level of the sea. The other members of our party were out on a hunt -while I remained at the lookout. Through my glass I had a clear view of -the sea for leagues away, and I continued to sweep the horizon with my -glass, as the unusually early breaking up of the ice led me to expect -the appearance of a ship at any time. I casually turned my glass and -espied a speck on the horizon, a little to the east of north, that -at first gave me the impression of a distant sail. Not thinking of a -vessel from that direction, I observed it more closely, and soon saw -that it was not on the surface of the water, but evidently in the air -and coming directly toward me. It looked like some monstrous bird, of a -magnitude such as I had never conceived. - -"In my long experience as a soldier, sailor, scout and explorer of -the polar regions, I had been accustomed to remarkable adventures, -and had come to take pride in the fact that I could face danger of -any kind without a tremor; but I do not hesitate to confess that as -this gigantic, winged phenomenon of the heavens bore down toward me, I -quivered in every vein and fiber of my being. It came with a rapidity -that was startling, and ere I could recover my equanimity sufficiently -to determine whether I should try to get out of the way or take my -chances with the monster, it came to a halt directly over my head, -and I could see that it was some kind of a mechanical contrivance for -navigating the air, and that its movements were controlled by human -intelligence. It remained stationary for a moment, as if the occupant -were taking observations, and then dropped slowly down and alighted -on the highest point of the cape, within twenty feet of where I was -standing. As this strange vessel came to a rest, a door opened and out -stepped a young man who said in the clearest of English: - -"'Well, well, I declare! Here is the same Leo Vincennes who gave me my -first lessons in navigation. How glad I am to see you so far north. I -was heading due south for the mouth of the Yukon, when I discovered you -scanning the horizon with your glass. I then changed my course a little -to the west and came directly to you.' I recognized his features, but -was dazed and stood rooted to the ground. Seeing my embarrassment, he -advanced, extending his hand as he said: 'Surely you have not forgotten -Jack Adams, the cabin-boy, who sailed on the same ship with you from -New York to Liverpool, and asked you so many questions about ships and -a seafaring life.' - -"I grasped his hand, but for a moment my brain seemed benumbed, and my -tongue, to use an oft quoted phrase, 'clave to the roof of my mouth.' -I could only look at him in open eyed wonder--the same smooth-faced -lad that I had known and admired--nay loved, fifteen years ago. My -temporary paralysis gave way to a flood of feeling such as I had never -experienced before, and I convulsively shook his hand as I exclaimed: - -"'Yes! yes! My dear old Jack, I remember you, but never again did -I expect to meet you--and least of all on this barren rock, in the -regions of eternal ice, beneath the midnight sun, and dropping from the -heavens to this mundane sphere. Where did you come from and whither are -you going? Have you put off this mortality with all its weakness and -put on immortality in some far off clime of perpetual youth, beyond the -utmost limit of our earthly vision?' - -"'Hold on Leo,' he exclaimed, with that mischievous twinkle in his eye -that I remember so well, 'don't for Heaven's sake get superstitious. -Remember that if the Kingdom of Heaven can be established in us, -there evidently must be more in this mundane sphere than has ever -been dreamed of in our philosophy. I am no visitant from another -world, but I do come from another country, where man is master of his -environments, instead of being their servile victim, just as you and I -and all of the brothers and sisters on our plane of thought, believe -that all of this glorious old world ought to be. We must continue to -spread the light, and inspire our common humanity, in every stage of -development, wherever found, with higher aspirations and brighter ideas -of what is in store for them. We must give them hope and courage. -The good time coming, so oft foretold, is almost here, and it will -be realized just as soon as a respectable minority can be brought to -fully comprehend the way out of all their miseries, as well as they now -understand the crushing effects of their present environments. It is -for us to speak the word that will save them from all their miseries, -pains, and woes, here and now, without waiting for some far off time, -and wonderful change to be brought about in some mysterious and -incomprehensible manner. No! No! Leo, this is no time for us to stop -and simply wonder at something that is merely the birth-right of every -human being, while by a little well devised, intelligent and earnest -effort on the part of the very few reformers who are not yet entirely -submerged, we can secure to every human being every blessing he or she -is capable of appreciating. There is nothing impossible about this, -and if the world is not redeemed from its present low estate, it will -be because the few altruists in the world do not make the necessary -effort;--and they will surely make that effort when they comprehend how -easy it is to quietly and peacefully remove the burdens that ignorance -and greed have imposed, and thus rescue the toiler from the grasp of -the selfish. How much are you willing to do toward this work of saving -the world? Could you be persuaded to forget self for awhile and lend -your services to the cause of humanity, by spreading the light that -will save it, and save it too before even the older people of this -generation shall have passed off the stage?' - -"I was carried away by his earnest appeal, and promptly responded: - -"'I am indeed willing to make any conceivable sacrifice in such a -cause, my dear old Jack, but you must tell me what to do and how to do -it.' - -"'Then can you go into the interior of the United States--to the great -Missouri Valley, and deliver a message from me to a dearly loved -friend, which will secure his assistance?' - -"'I certainly will,' I said. 'Personal matters require my presence in -New York. I shall go from here to San Francisco, and thence across the -continent by rail, and can stop off at any point you desire. I have -been notified that, in the private papers of Richard Sage, who died -some years ago, a document was found, clearly proving that I am one -of the heirs to a large property, which was held in trust for minors, -whose whereabouts were unknown to the testator, my grandfather. I am -the representative of those heirs.' - -"As I spoke, Jack's countenance became ashen pale and the expression -hard and stony, and as I concluded he asked in tones that struck me -with a chill like a polar wave: - -"'And is Richard Sage dead?' - -"'He died nearly fifteen years ago,' I said. 'Committed suicide, I -believe. Did you know him?' - -"'I think so,' he said. 'He was a friend of my father--But,' he added -after a short pause, his face regaining its usual winning and kindly -expression, 'we have no time to give to the discussion of the dead -past. Come with me and take a look at our earth from the cosy cabin of -the Eolus, while I tell you something of my adventures in the way of -polar exploration, and explain what it is that I want you to do.' - -"We stepped into a small but luxuriantly furnished car, which I shall -not attempt to describe, and seated ourselves upon a soft cushioned -divan. The walls were paneled on all sides with large transparent -sections, through which we obtained a clear and seemingly magnified -view of the surrounding scenery. There we were, poised on the highest -point of this towering rock, overlooking the sea, the rolling waves of -which dashed themselves into foam on the rocks below. Jack manipulated -a delicately arranged keyboard at his side, and in a minute more we -were flitting to and fro far above the earth at an almost inconceivable -speed, and then loitering along or standing still to get a better view -of objects of especial interest. - -"Jack handed me what looked like a peculiarly constructed opera -glass, and requested me to take a peep at Cape Lisburne through the -transparent section at the bow. Though we were miles away, I felt that -I could reach out and pick up a pebble anywhere along this rock-bound -shore. This explained a mystery, and I turned to Jack and said: 'I -can now understand how it was that you discovered me at such a great -distance, for when I first saw you, your ship was but a speck, and -several points to the east of north.' - -"'Yes,' he said, 'I discovered you on the lookout when several leagues -away. I had not expected to find civilized people so far north. As soon -as I saw you, I put the Eolus to her greatest speed directly toward -you, lest you should leave the lookout. As I came nearer I felt sure -that I recognized your features, and I at once made up my mind that -I had found one whom I could trust to assist me in the work I had -undertaken to perform. This fortunate meeting enables me to return -immediately, and relieve the painful anxiety of many loving hearts -concerning my safety. They had a most exaggerated conception of the -perils I would be compelled to encounter in attempting to traverse -these frozen regions.' - -"He told me a wonderful story of his trials, perils and adventures in -getting past the great ice barriers, and his discovery of a World of -Truth beyond. - -"When we had circumnavigated the country for miles around, we slowly -descended to earth and alighted at the same spot from which we started, -and as we separated, he to return to his new home beyond the ice -barriers, I to come to you, he placed his portmanteau in my hands and -said: - -"'Go to Dr. Thomas K. Day, at Kansas City, and if he will agree to -publish the manuscript contained in this portmanteau and scatter it -broadcast over the world, place it in his hands and tell him to use the -gold contained also therein, which was contributed by the crew of the -Ice King for that purpose; for nothing but gold, the fetich of this -benighted and money enslaved external world, can command labor; and -yet it is labor and not gold, that is the sole producer of everything -essential to the sustenance and comfort of humanity. If Dr. Day cannot -be found, or is so situated that he cannot attend to this matter, use -the gold yourself to find a publisher, and have eight printed volumes -for me when I return with another manuscript of even more value, from -the same fruitful field of discovery.' - -"And now Dr. Day," continued my visitor, "will you undertake to -discharge the trust committed to you by Jack Adams?" - -"I will gladly do so" I replied, "for anything from Jack will surely be -a blessing to humanity." - -He placed the portmanteau in my hands and said: - -"I must bid you adieu. Send the eight volumes for Jack to my address at -Fort Yukon, Alaska, and as many more for myself, unless I should send -you other directions. I shall be anxious to read the book as soon as it -is published. Jack must have passed through some trying ordeals, and -from what I saw, his discoveries have been wonderful. But I must go." - -I tried to detain him, but with a cordial grasp of the hand he was gone. - -I turned and opened the portmanteau with the key that was attached. It -contained a package, securely enclosed in a wrapper of some water-proof -material, and marked "MS," and below was a glittering array of gold -eagles. - -I examined the package of manuscript more closely. On either side it -was addressed to Dr. Thomas H. Day, Kansas City, and below was written: - -"In the name of civilization I ask that whoever may find this package -shall place it in the hands of those who will publish the MS. contained -therein and have it scattered broadcast over the world, so that the -discoveries recorded shall not be lost to humanity. - - NEQUA." - -This was repeated in French, German, Norwegian, Russian and Spanish. - -And now dear reader, I shall give you the contents of this remarkable -manuscript, from the pen of my sailor comrade of years ago, Jack Adams, -but known in his new home as Nequa, the teacher. Ponder well the -lessons taught in these wonderful discoveries. - - Yours truly, - THOMAS H. DAY. - - - - -CHAPTER II - - IN SAN FRANCISCO--WHERE SHALL I GO NEXT?--A STARTLING ITEM OF NEWS - ANSWERS THE QUESTION AND ENDS THE SEARCH--IN MALE ATTIRE--ENLISTS - AS SCIENTIST ON THE ICE KING--OFF TO THE NORTH POLE--AN UNEXPECTED - BLOW--THE DANGER SIGNAL--THE RACE FOR LIFE--THE EARTHQUAKE--"THE - CHANNEL IS CLOSING!"--"THE SHIP IS LOST!" - -[Illustration] - - -I WAS in the parlor of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Since my -last visit to the city, I had circumnavigated the globe. During the -last three years, I had not only again visited the leading points of -interest for tourists in Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia, but had -extended my travels into the frozen regions of the far south, on a -whaling voyage. Yet I had not found that for which I was searching. - -My failure had brought a feeling of intense sadness and depression -which I shall not attempt to describe. For fifteen years I had been -a wanderer on the high seas. I had traversed every latitude from -Greenland to the South frigid zone and was now mentally asking "Where -shall I go next?" I had determined that I would not give up this long -continued search until it was crowned with success, or death had -intervened, as long as there was one spot on earth unexplored. - -Thus pondering in my own mind what to do next, I picked up an evening -paper and abstractedly glanced over its pages in the attempt to form an -idea of its contents by reading the headlines. In the editorial columns -my eye rested on the caption: - - "OFF TO THE NORTH POLE." - -This was travel into a region I had not penetrated. I was at once -interested and glancing down the column I read the comments of the -editor. "The discovery of America," he said, "was the attempt to -discover a more direct and consequently a nearer route to India by -sailing westward. The object sought for was not found, but the search -gave to the overcrowded and oppressed millions of Christendom a new -world, where they might work out their destiny in conformity with -the ideal of the founder of their religion, beyond the reach of the -political and religious despotisms of the old world; and why may not -this venture, even though it fails to reach the pole, ultimate in -discoveries of inestimable value to mankind? We hope so, and hence we -wish the most abundant success to the expedition now being organized -in this city, by an experienced traveler and navigator, Capt. Raphael -Ganoe." - -The paper dropped from my hand; I was overcome; my senses were -paralysed; my heart almost ceased to beat; my brain for a moment -was deprived of the power of thought. As the full import of this -unexpected revelation dawned upon me, I arose and paced the floor. - -"My God," I exclaimed, "this cannot be, it must not be, but how can I -prevent it? All the arrangements are perfected. I cannot, I dare not, -under the circumstances, speak the word that possibly might prevent -this perilous undertaking." I was powerless. But I soliloquized, "If I -cannot prevent it, I must join the expedition, for never again will I -permit him to leave me." - -My mind was made up. I was in the prime of life, about thirty-five -years of age, and had traveled extensively. I was familiar with -ocean navigation and versed in all the sciences taught in our higher -institutions of learning. I would make application for the position of -scientist, and failing in that would enlist before the mast as a common -sailor, if nothing better offered. - -I turned to the mirror and surveyed myself long and earnestly. I raised -myself to my full height and critically viewed the womanly face and -figure revealed to my vision. Though not masculine, my form was strong -and muscular for one of my sex, and with the proper disguise it would -do. For the first time in years I had donned the habiliments of woman. -In masculine attire I had traveled without being discovered. Protected -by this disguise, I had filled almost every position on shipboard and -had succeeded in earning a competency, something I never could have -accomplished as a woman. It was not an experiment. I had tried it -successfully for years and would try it again. - -I took up the paper and read the account of the expedition with more -care. The ship was one of the staunchest that had ever been built -and had been provided with all the modern appliances for the comfort -and protection of the crew, during a cruise that was intended to -be indefinitely extended. None but bold and experienced seamen had -been enlisted. As time was no object it was intended to use the sails -instead of steam whenever it was practicable. Hence the large space -usually given to coal was mainly reserved for an unusual supply of -carefully prepared provisions for a long sojourn in the Arctic regions. -Every thing that human foresight could devise for the success of this -expedition had been provided. The daring commander had determined to -take all the time that was needed for making careful surveys of the -shore lines of the frozen north, and sounding its seas. - -My mind was made up. I retired at once to my rooms. The male attire -that I had used so successfully, was in my trunks. I need not worry -the reader at this time with the details of my hasty yet thorough -preparation for concealing my identity from the keen observation of -one who knew me so much better than the many with whom I had been -associated in my wanderings. Suffice it to say that every arrangement -was completed in my private apartments, without exciting the suspicion -of any person. I dressed myself in a neat sailor suit, which was -concealed from view beneath the ample folds of a fashionable wrapper. -I packed my trunks, summoned a porter and ordered my goods removed to -furnished rooms that I had previously engaged. When there, I removed -every article that would indicate that I was a woman, and with valise -in hand took my way to the dock, where the Ice King was being fitted up -with the greatest care by the experienced navigator in whose services -it was my intention to enlist. - -It was in the early twilight of a glorious evening in May 189--. I -lingered a few moments on the wharf to enjoy the scene and to collect -my faculties for the trial that was to come. I was tall and slender -and my appearance was youthful and refined. Yet I flattered myself -that with my long experience in this disguise, I would be able to -successfully act the part I had determined upon. As I stepped on board, -I met an officer who accosted me with the familiar salutation: "Hello -Jack, what will you have?" - -"I want to see Captain Ganoe," I said. "Where can I find him?" - -"He is in his cabin," he replied, and passed on. - -I gained the deck. The calm waters of the bay reflected the full -rounded moon and her stellar attendants. The harbor was almost -deserted. Vessels here and there dotted the placid surface of the -water. Music low, sweet and plaintive reached my ears. Its melancholy -strains drew me forward. The soul of the performer seemed to float out -upon the air through the tender caresses of the magic bow. The very -waves, as they sparkled in the mellow moonbeams, seemed to dance to the -sweet melody. - -It came from the Captain's quarters. I passed in so quietly that I was -not observed. As I suspected, the musician was Captain Ganoe. He was so -absorbed in the plaintive notes of the violin, through which his soul -was speaking, that he did not notice my intrusion. He was in thought, -far away and oblivious to his surroundings. - -I stood and carefully scanned the form before me. It was that of a -man of mature years, broad shoulders and medium height, firmly knit, -compactly built and fair complexion. His eyes were blue, his nose -a combination of Grecian and Roman, his mouth firm, and his entire -bearing indicative of courage and strength of character. His brow was -broad and thoughtful; his expression kind and firm. Everything left -the impression that, though comparatively young, he had drained the cup -of bitter disappointment to its dregs. While I sympathized, his sadness -brought a feeling of sweet relief. Oh, how my heart bounded, and for -the moment I felt impelled to fall upon his bosom and sob out the story -of my wrongs. But no, this would not do. I must be patient and first -ascertain from his own lips, in just what light he would regard me when -he learned the whole truth. - -I aroused him from his reverie with the inquiry: - -"Is this Captain Ganoe?" - -He looked up quickly, surprised to see a stranger in his cabin, and -responded: - -"Yes, young man, I am Captain Ganoe, and let me ask to what I am -indebted for the honor of this visit. Did you not meet an officer who -could attend to your wants?" - -"I did," I replied, "but I wanted to see and talk with Captain Ganoe." - -The severity left his countenance, and he bade me be seated. - -"Now young man," said he, "please state fully but briefly, what you -want, for my time is entirely occupied." - -I answered promptly, and without preliminary explanations I said: - -"I have just learned from the papers that you are about to sail for -the most thorough exploration of the Arctic regions that has yet been -attempted, and I want to go with you." - -He turned up the lamp which had been burning low, and looked me full -in the face. I felt his searching gaze but withstood it, with no -exhibition of the fears I felt for the success of my plans. But with -inward tremor, I awaited his reply. After hesitating a moment, he said -deliberately: - -"You do not know what you ask. You are young and refined. This -expedition must encounter dangers, known and unknown, and none but the -strong and experienced should be permitted to make the venture. It -would be wrong in me to take a young man like you from the bosom of his -family, from society, and all the opportunities for a successful and -useful life, to go with me on this perilous expedition. The fact is, -you ought to return home and leave such hazardous adventures as this -for those who have no hopes to be blasted, and who wish for reasons of -their own, to hide themselves away from the world. Please tell me your -name and where you come from." - -"My name sir," I replied, "is Jack Adams, and I have just returned from -a three years cruise, during which time I visited the leading seaports -of the world. I have become familiar with a life on the high seas in -all the medial latitudes, and now propose to explore the frozen north. -As to family, I have none. I am an orphan, and all alone in the world. -I graduated from school at the head of my class and then shipped as -cabin boy and worked my way up to a position of super-cargo. I have -been a practical student of navigation--never sailing twice on the same -line of travel when I could avoid it. I now offer my services to you -because I want to go with you into the unexplored regions of the north. -I have had enough of the tropic and temperate zones. If I never return -I leave no one to mourn my loss." - -He looked his astonishment and was visibly softened as he responded: - -"We have no need of a super-cargo and we have all the seamen we want. -I have just formed a co-partnership with Captain Samuel Battell, who is -not only an officer of ability and long experience in the Arctics, but -an expert scientist and mathematician. Every place seems to be full." - -"I am not," I replied, "seeking a position as super-cargo, nor am I -asking any position that requires pay or even board, if you can find -room in your commissary for the supplies I stand ready to furnish. I -can and will do any work that may be assigned me. All I want is to be -permitted to go with this expedition, take my own chances and pay my -own way." - -"You seem very much in earnest Mr. Adams, and I am frank to admit that -I admire your courage even if I doubt your judgment in this matter. -But what can you do, and what evidence have you to offer that you can -render valuable service in an expedition of this character? As to pay, -I would not have you infer that I regarded it as any object to one of -your adventurous disposition. No one enlisted in this expedition is -promised a salary but the common sailors, and that is paid by Captain -Battell and myself." - -"As to what I can do," I responded, "I am by education and experience, -qualified to navigate the vessel and make every necessary scientific -observation and calculation. I am familiar with all that has been -published on Arctic exploration and discovery. As to my ability, you -can best ascertain that by inquiring into what I know. That is the -best evidence of my training and experience on the high seas. I do not -shrink from the necessary examination." - -"You are right," said he, "and I will consult my partner. If it is -agreeable to him, you may take charge of our library and scientific -instruments, assist in our observations and keep a record of the -expedition. I will summon Captain Battell." - -He touched an electric button and in a moment a bell sounded at his -side. He said to me: - -"Captain Battell will be here in a moment, and I will leave this matter -to him." - -A moment later, the same officer I had met when I first came aboard the -ship, entered and I was formally introduced. He cordially shook my hand -and Captain Ganoe told him what I wanted, and, quite unexpectedly to -me, said: - -"Mr. Adams is admirably qualified, and I think we had better place -him in charge of the scientific work of the expedition. We can assist -him as occasion requires. This will enable us to give our entire -attention to the exigencies of the situation in the dangerous waters of -the Arctic regions, while Mr. Adams will keep a record of everything -discovered that may be of value, and send out duplicates of the same by -the balloons, as we intended, so that if the expedition should be lost, -the winds may carry some account of our discoveries to the civilized -portions of the globe." Evidently in the mind of Captain Ganoe, I had -already been appointed to the position which of all others I would have -preferred, and one that would always keep me near his own quarters. And -to this, Captain Battell assented, saying: - -"I met Mr. Adams on his arrival, and was favorably impressed with his -appearance and evident determination to see the senior officer of the -Ice King." And turning to me he continued, "I will now take pleasure in -showing you through the library, which will be your quarters during the -voyage." - -Captain Battell was the opposite of Captain Ganoe in his personal -appearance. He was powerfully built, of medium height, dark -complexion, dark hair, and steel grey eyes set beneath a broad and -beetling brow. The general contour of his features indicated courage, -firmness, and strength of character. He was just that type of a man -who might be expected to appear to the best advantage in some great -emergency that demanded qualities of a high order. - -All the appointments for the scientific work were of the first quality. -The library contained the leading scientific publications, together -with encyclopedias, and historic and general literature, carefully -catalogued for easy reference. - -Every kind of scientific instruments, charts, maps, globes, cameras, -etc., had been selected with the greatest care. Among the special -supplies were the balloons to which Captain Ganoe had referred. These -were small and could be inflated at short notice. They were designed -to be sent up from time to time with accounts of the expedition, its -progress, discoveries etc., hermetically sealed. It is well known that -at the equinoxes, the heated air from the tropics ascends to the higher -altitudes and flows toward the poles, while the cold air flows toward -the equator to fill the vacuum, producing the equinoctial storms. These -little balloons were expected to be carried south by the winds, and -find a resting place on the land surface where they might be picked up -by civilized people; or if they fell into the water, the bottles would -preserve the dispatches and the ocean currents might carry them into -civilized countries. Thus every precaution was taken to secure to the -world the benefit of any discovery that might be made, even though the -expedition should be lost. - -I was well pleased with my quarters. All the surroundings would be, -to me, most satisfactory, no matter what the trials and dangers that -we might encounter. I was enlisted for the expedition, and in the -position I preferred above all others, as it brought me into frequent -consultation with the commander, and I should be able to acquaint -myself with his present views and feelings and note what changes had -taken place since I saw him last. - -I lost no time in having my trunks brought on board and made ready for -the voyage. The Ice King was soon at sea. We stopped at one of the -Aleutian Islands where we took on our dog teams, which were to be used -for explorations on the ice. The sledges were so constructed that they -might readily be converted into boats that would accommodate the whole -crew and a good supply of provisions, in case we should be compelled -to abandon the ship. We expected to be locked up in the ice during -the winter, but with our sledges and dog teams, we could continue our -explorations for long distances in every direction, with the ship for -headquarters. Captain Battell was a whaler and familiar with all the -methods of Arctic travel. His long experience on these northern waters -enabled him to forsee many of the dangers we were likely to meet, and -to make the needful preparations to overcome them. - -From this point our voyage northward through Behring Strait and into -the Arctic Ocean, was without any incident worth recording. Our course -after passing the strait, was a little east of north to avoid the ice, -until we reached longitude 165 degrees West of Greenwich, and then -north. Captain Ganoe often came into my cabin to while away an hour in -conversation. His marked friendship seemed to increase with each visit. -He always addressed me familiarly as Jack, and in these conversations -he became more and more confidential, and revealed to me more and more -of his inner life, his early hopes and subsequent disappointments. - -One evening after we had been at sea about four months, he came into -my cabin looking unusually gloomy. After the customary salutation he -lighted a cigar and fell into a brown study, not speaking to me for -several minutes, when suddenly he said: - -"Jack, did you ever think what mere trifles sometimes change the whole -course of a life-time? I often wonder at myself for being out here -on this wild goose chase, with the certainty of loss of property, -business, comfort and possibly life itself, searching for something I -have no use for, and which at best if discovered, will only gratify an -idle curiosity. And yet, this has been brought about by what was only a -trifling incident. Have you ever thought of these strange effects which -flow from trivial causes?" - -He spoke bitterly and I determined to take advantage of the opportunity -to draw him out. I wanted to penetrate the inmost recesses of his -being, and with this object in view I replied: - -"Yes, Captain, I have often thought of it and have realized it in my -own experience. It sometimes seems little short of a miracle, that -after years of wandering, I am now here with you. In my case I was not -influenced by a mere trifle, but a stern necessity. I had absolutely -nothing to lose, and I thought I might find something which, under the -circumstances, would amply repay me for all the hardships and dangers -I might have to encounter. But you were differently situated. You were -independent. You had wealth, business and influential friends, while -I had been robbed of my patrimony, and was thrown upon the world with -nothing but my hands and brain to work with. My course was a necessity, -but it is a mystery why you should abandon a profitable business and -organize this expedition at such an enormous expenditure of labor and -money, while you regard its avowed objects as matters of such little -importance. Your course seems to involve a self-contradiction that I -cannot comprehend." - -"And thereby hangs a tale," said the Captain. "As a matter of fact, -I never did attach any great importance to Arctic exploration. From -my point of view, the discovery of the Pole would be of no especial -value to mankind, as no practical use could be made of it. Even the -discovery of a productive country, which may be possible, could not -greatly benefit the world, as it would be inaccessible to the masses of -humanity whose condition would be improved by the discovery of a new -country and cheap homes. While such a successful culmination would be -of small benefit to the world, it would be of still less interest to -myself. I really care but little about what we may find at the end of -this voyage." - -"Then," I said, "if such be the estimate that you place upon the -objects of this expedition, I am more than ever curious to learn what -could have impelled you to undertake it. You must have had a reason of -some kind. I cannot understand how men can act without a motive." - -"Yes," said he, "I was impelled to organize this expedition by a power -stronger than myself, but when I ask myself what I expect to accomplish -by it, truth compels me to answer: 'Nothing.' As to the motive, I -suppose that I have been actuated by an all-absorbing desire to forget -the miseries of the past in the activities of the present." - -"But this is not the tale that unlocks the mystery." I responded. -"You have aroused my curiosity to a fever heat, and yet you fail to -gratify it. It might be that I could pour oil on the troubled waters -and possibly enable you to discover that you have been actuated by a -mistaken conception, and that really there is nothing in the past that -you should desire to forget. It would certainly do no harm to review -the case, and it might reveal the fact that it was a source of misery, -simply because all the circumstances were not fully understood." - -"I have no desire," said the Captain, "to conceal the story of my life -from you, if you care to hear it. But I fully understand it and it is -of such a nature as to admit of no remedy." - -"Do not be too sure of that," I said. "But until the story is told, of -course I will not be able to form an intelligent opinion of the case. -Yet, observation and experience have convinced me that there are always -two sides to every question and that to get at the facts in all their -bearings, we must closely examine both sides." - -"Well," said the captain, "I see that you were cut out for a lawyer -and the wonder is how you came to be a sailor. You certainly have a -judicial cast of mind and to while away the monotony of the hour, I -will submit the matter to you, reserving the right, however, to decide -for myself. I have always exercised my natural right to examine every -question from my own standpoint and decide it according to my own sense -of right and wrong. - -"It is the same old story of an all-absorbing love and a cruel -disappointment, followed by long years of suppressed anguish, from -which I am still striving to escape. I was an orphan, living with -my bachelor uncle, Richard Sage, in one of the suburbs of New York -City. He was my guardian and the executor of the estate left me by -my father. My uncle was kind and indulgent, and my widowed aunt who -presided over his home, was to me a loving mother, and so my childhood -days were passed in happy contentment. - -"One misty, dreary morning, my uncle announced at the breakfast table -that he had been called to the bedside of his old friend, James -VanNess, who was supposed to be dying. He said he would not return -until his friend was much better or dead, and not to be disappointed if -he was absent for several days, or possibly weeks. - -"A week later I saw my uncle drive up to the gate and assist a very -beautiful young girl from the carriage. He beckoned me to him, and -introduced me, saying: - -"'Raphael, I have brought you a little sister. This is Miss Cassie -VanNess, whose father I was called to see. I have been made her -guardian and this will be her future home. Both mother and father are -dead and she has no near relatives. Remember this, and do everything in -your power to make her home with us as happy as possible.' - -"We at once became great friends. Cassie was at that time about -fourteen or fifteen years of age and I was eighteen. She proved to -be the gayest, brightest, most winsome little lady I had ever seen. -I must have fallen in love with her at first sight. I have often -thought since," he added slowly, "that even his Satanic Majesty might -look entrancingly beautiful, for to my intense sorrow, Cassie proved -herself, it seems to me, a tenfold greater hypocrite than Judas of old -who betrayed with a kiss. - -"But enough of this. Our school days, lasting some five years, were -to me one ceaseless round of delightful experiences, which seemed to -fill every vein and fiber of my being with unalloyed happiness. During -our vacations Cassie and I were always together, either at home or -traveling, and many were the excursions, romps and drives we enjoyed. - -"I graduated at twenty-three and we laid our plans for the future. -I had inherited an interest in a line of steamers running between -Liverpool and New York, which enabled us to frequently cross the -Atlantic during our vacations, and visit the leading points of -interest in Great Britain and on the continent. I had acquired a taste -for travel, and it was determined that I should visit the Orient, -while Cassie returned to college to complete her study of the higher -branches. I was to be gone about three years, during which time I would -circumnavigate the globe, and on my return we were to be married. - -"With these objects in view I secured, through the influence of my -uncle, a lucrative position in the employ of a firm of importers, whose -trade extended to all parts of the eastern continent and Australia. -On the evening before my departure, I placed a brilliant diamond -engagement ring on Cassie's finger and a gold chain and locket of -peculiar workmanship around her neck. - -"These presents were made from special designs for this purpose and -the patterns destroyed. I shall never forget the last night we spent -together. The appearance of my affianced bride in her splendid evening -dress, her diamond engagement ring sparkling on her lovely hand, the -gold chain and diamond set locket and her luxuriant suit of golden hair -handsomely ornamented, formed a picture of beauty indelibly imprinted -upon my memory. - -"My ship sailed from one of the piers on the Hudson near the Battery. -We contemplated the circumnavigation of the globe by way of Cape -Horn, the Sandwich Islands, Japan, China, Australia, Africa, Europe, -and thence returning to America, stopping at all the principal seaport -cities and points of interest on our voyage. This would enable Cassie -and me to keep up our correspondence with no very long interruptions. - -"For the first year of my absence, at every port I received a package -of letters from home, and this always contained letters from Cassie. -We had agreed to write to each other at least once a week without -waiting for replies, and it often occurred that I got a whole package -of letters from her at one time, and the perusal of these affectionate -missives was the one all-absorbing pleasure to which I looked forward -when we came into port. Whatever else might be lacking, Cassie's loving -letters never failed. - -"At last, however, they ceased all at once. Letters from my uncle came -regularly, and through them I heard of Cassie, but I could get no -word from her. I wrote to her every week, but my letters brought no -response. I was miserable, and urged my uncle to find out what was the -matter and let me know if my letters came safely. - -"My uncle's replies were at first evasive, but at last with an -expression of the most cordial sympathy for me, he informed me that my -letters came regularly, but that Cassie had changed her mind and they -remained unopened. He enclosed a draft on London for the balance due -on my estate, together with a complete statement of the account from -the date of his taking charge, and the findings of the court as to all -the property and investments that came to me from my father. Everything -was complete and duly certified, so there was nothing that demanded my -presence in New York. He advised me not to return home, but continue in -my present position, as Cassie was to be married in a short time and my -presence would be painful to her as well as to myself, and embarrassing -to everyone concerned. - -"I was thunderstruck. I did not, could not, would not believe that -Cassie was false to our mutual and oft repeated pledges of love and -fidelity to each other. I could get no satisfaction from my uncle. -My aunt had been dead several years. I wrote to my lawyer to learn -if possible, the truth of the reported engagement and approaching -marriage. His reply was prompt, stating that it was not only true, -but that the marriage had already taken place. He wrote that he had -been called in by my uncle, who was in feeble health, to make out -the papers in regard to the estate of Cassie VanNess, which she was -anxious to have settled satisfactorily to herself before her marriage. -'These financial matters being arranged,' wrote my lawyer, 'what was -my surprise to be called upon to witness her marriage to Richard Sage. -Financially she did well, but it is hard for me to believe that it was -a love match. Your uncle, however, is certainly much infatuated with -her, and she is indeed beautiful.' - -"This same letter contained a flattering offer from a firm of New York -importers, for my interest in the steamship line, and I advised my -attorney to close the deal at once and forward the proceeds to London -and also to dispose of all my property in and about New York, lists of -which were in his possession. I had made up my mind never to return -home, as it would be distressing to me and certainly embarrassing to my -uncle. After that my only New York correspondence was with my attorney. - -"When I reached London, I found a letter from my attorney with drafts -on the bank of England for all my interests in America. This letter -also contained the information that my uncle was in great trouble, -his marriage with Cassie having resulted in much unhappiness. She -had suddenly deserted him without giving any reason for her strange -conduct. She merely left a note, stating that she would not live with -him. This was the last that had been heard from her. 'Of course,' added -my attorney, 'it would be next to impossible to find her in this large -city if she desires to keep herself concealed.' - -"Since that time I have been a wanderer, caring little whither I went, -so that my mind was fully occupied. I purchased a staunch ship in which -I cruised for years, avoiding as far as practicable the regular lines -of trade and often sailing without a cargo, searching for a contentment -never to be found. At last I conceived the idea of getting away from -civilization altogether, joining in the work of Arctic exploration, -and, if possible reaching the pole. With this end in view, I had the -Ice King built according to special designs, and adapted, so far as -human foresight and ingenuity could devise, for a long sojourn in the -frozen north. And now here we are, in the Arctic Ocean, liable at any -moment to be caught between the ice fields which appear on either side, -and possibly crushed. What is to come next? God only knows. - -"Such is a brief statement of the perfidy of the woman I loved, and -its consequences. And this is why I am out here on this perilous -expedition, searching for something that I care very little about. I -think you will agree with me that it admits of no remedy." - -"It does not look that way to me," I responded. "I would be unwilling -to condemn your affianced bride until I had heard her side of the -story. It may be that her marriage to your uncle was secured by unfair -means, and that when she discovered the fraud, in her desperation she -started out to find you. In that case, the remedy would be for you to -find her and renew your plighted faith." - -"Never!" said Captain Ganoe. "Even if your supposed case is correct, -it could not set aside the facts. She knew that, in marrying my uncle, -she was false to me, and when she deserted him with no legal cause for -separation, she was false to her husband to whom she was bound in the -holy bonds of matrimony. She acted from her own choice. She was not -compelled to engage herself to me, and no law could have forced her to -marry my uncle. Her conduct in both cases reveals her innate perfidy -of character, and under no circumstances could I, as an honorable man, -accept such a woman as my wife. Her tarnished reputation, if nothing -else, would place an insurmountable barrier between us even if she were -not legally the wife of another man." - -I was paralyzed. I had indeed succeeded in getting from him an emphatic -expression of sentiment covering my own case. I had penetrated the -innermost recesses of his being, but had fanned to a flame the -slumbering fires of a volcano, only to be submerged in the eruption of -molten lava. - -The blow was so unexpected and so sudden, that I was stupefied, and -my astonishment left no room for grief, which gave me a moment for -reflection. Here I was, in the ship with him, far within the Arctic -Circle, at the beginning of the Arctic winter, and with the certainty -of being locked up in the ice for months if not for years. I could -not get away from him if I would, and from his own lips I had heard -my conduct denounced as the acme of perfidy, and my love spurned as -something treacherous and vile. Bitterly and in the most emphatic -manner, had he declared that as an honorable man, he could never -associate himself in the tender relations of marital love, with one of -my tarnished reputation. In his own estimate, he had already assigned -me a place among the most debased and abandoned characters, and all -there was left for me to do was to preserve my disguise, in order to -secure even respectful treatment from the man I loved. - -As the full sense of the situation dawned upon me in all its crushing -weight of humiliation and anguish, I must have fallen at his feet in a -dead faint, but for the clangor of the great bell which had been agreed -upon as the signal of immediate peril, to summon each one to the post -that had been assigned him in case of sudden emergencies. The alarm -came to me as a sweet relief from an agony tenfold more difficult to -endure than any possible hardships or dangers from an Arctic storm, -amid towering mountains of ice. - -There was no time for grief. The emergency demanding prompt action -was upon us, and we hurried out upon deck. According to previous -arrangements, Captain Ganoe seized the wheel and Captain Battell, as -an experienced Arctic navigator, took command, while I, with glass and -note book, stood by the wheel to make observations and to render any -assistance to Captain Ganoe that might be required. - -The cause of alarm at once became apparent. The stiff breeze that -had been blowing all day from the southwest, had now increased to a -gale, and the icebergs which for days were becoming more numerous on -our starboard quarter, had formed a solid pack, which was evidently -land-locked, as it remained stationary, while on the larboard, a solid -field of ice of vast extent was approaching. It was only a question -of a few hours at the utmost, when these two great ice walls must come -together and it would be destruction for us to be caught in their -deadly embrace. - -Retreat was impossible. The only open channel was the one we were -pursuing. The walls on either side were continuous, and with my glass -I could see the channel behind us blocked with icebergs, urged on in -our wake by wind and waves as if determined not to let us escape. Our -only safety seemed to be in our being able to sail beyond these two -continuous walls of ice before they came together. Captain Battell, -with his glass kept up a rapid survey of the horizon, and gave orders -through his trumpet as calmly as if scenes like this were matters of -every day occurrence, and Captain Ganoe, at the wheel, responded as -if he was part of the machinery, which he handled with rapidity and -precision. - -It was a scene never to be forgotten. The midnight sun hung just above -the horizon. Off to our larboard, an unbroken wall of ice extending as -far as the eye, assisted by a powerful glass could reach, was bearing -down upon us. On our starboard another wall of ice against which the -waves were dashing in all their fury, stood apparently as firm as the -granite shores against which it rested. Behind us, the channel was -filled with detached masses of ice, which if caught between these ice -walls might hasten the closing of the channel before us. Could we -escape? was the all pervading question that propounded itself to us. - -Every sail was set and under the pressure of every pound of steam our -boilers could carry, the Ice King leaped forward like a frightened -deer, as if conscious of the doom that was impending. For hours we -kept up this reckless speed. The foam flew in blinding spray from the -ship's quarters, fretted along her sides and left a broad white line -in her wake. The whistling of the wind in her rigging and the regular -plunging of her engines, made pandemonium on board. - -It was indeed a race for life, and in my perturbed state of mind I -actually enjoyed the excitement, almost hoping that it might culminate -in the destruction threatened. With the courage of despair I calmly -surveyed the scene and took my notes, occasionally assisting Captain -Ganoe at the wheel. This was the first real danger that we had -encountered, and my interview with the Captain had given me a reckless -daring to meet it without a tremor, that seems almost miraculous. - -We still kept up this rapid flight, and as far as the eye could reach -the two great ice walls still confronted each other and the channel of -open water continued to grow more narrow. Soon we had to veer from side -to side to avoid collisions with the jagged shore-lines of ice, but -nowhere was there any indication that when they came together an open -space would be formed sufficient to protect the ship. We were compelled -to reduce our speed, and still the ice-fields were coming closer -together and at last we were forced to creep along a narrow, crooked -channel between two great packs of ice-mountains which often towered -far above the mainmast of the Ice King. - -The outlook was desperate, but the ice on our larboard ceased to -approach, and for a moment it seemed as if we might escape into open -water. But not so. Our way was blocked. An ice-mountain loomed up -before us, and we came to a full stop. It was this that had probably -checked the advance of the moving ice-pack, and saved us from the cruel -"nip" which has crushed so many hapless vessels in these dangerous -waters. - -The Ice King lay between two vast overhanging ice-mountains, which -towered high above us. In the front was the huge iceberg, which had -prevented the nearer approach of the wall of ice. The channel in which -we lay could only be closed by the breaking up of the fields of ice -behind us, and we could see no reason why this should occur. If the -ice-fields remained intact until the freezing of the channel there -would be no collision and we would be safe for the time being. - -The weather had become intensely cold and we began to feel that the -danger had passed by, when an ominous roar and the sharp reports of -breaking ice, gave warning of the only thing we had to dread. A violent -earthquake was lashing the ocean into fury, and the ice pack was broken -into innumerable fragments, which were crashing against each other in -the most violent commotion. Captain Battell shouted from the lookout -where he had posted himself: - -"Save yourselves if you can. The channel is closing and the ship is -lost." - -I looked up, and as I did so, the lofty ice-mountains between which we -lay, seemed to be falling directly down upon us, and at the same time -a violent shock threw me upon the deck with a force that must have -rendered me unconscious for a few seconds. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - IN THE DARK--ALL IS STILL--CAPTAIN GANOE'S NARROW ESCAPE--IMPRISONED - IN THE ICE--DISTRESSING SITUATION--HOW TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH AND - EFFICIENCY OF THE CREW--A NEW DANGER--THE ICE IS MOVING--THE COMMON - SAILOR TO THE RESCUE--LIEF AND ERIC SAVE THE SHIP--THE TUNNEL TO THE - SURFACE--EXPLORING THE ICE-FIELD. - -[Illustration] - - -THE first thing I remember after being thrown to the deck, was the -profound quiet, and the consciousness that some mighty change had taken -place in our surroundings. I opened my eyes. The deck was wrapped in -semi-darkness, and instead of the thundering reverberations of the -breaking ice and the waves dashing into foam upon their icy barriers, -there was a gentle, swish, swish, of the sea as it lashed the sides of -the ship. I felt dazed, and the memory of the awful scenes through -which we had passed impressed me like the vivid imagery and fantastic -pictures of some horrible dream. - -At the moment of the shock, fully impressed with the conviction that -all was lost, I was turning to grasp Raphael in my arms, so that we -might die together, and on recovering consciousness, my first thought -was of him. I sprang to my feet and in the dim light I saw something -gliding away from me towards the edge of the deck, and I instinctively -grasped it, as it was about to drop overboard. It was Captain Ganoe. -He was living but unconscious. With my insecure footing, I feared for -a moment that we should both go overboard together, when there was a -flash of light and Battell seized my arm, exclaiming: - -"Thank God, you are both alive! I called to you and as you did not -reply, I feared that you were both killed by the falling ice. It was -lucky that you were able to grasp the Captain just when you did, or he -would surely have been lost." - -I was holding Captain Ganoe in my arms, while Battell was briskly -chafing his hands. In a moment he aroused, as if suddenly awaking out -of a deep sleep, and straightening himself up in a dazed sort of way, -he exclaimed: - -"Good God, Jack, what is the matter? Where are we? Have I been asleep?" - -"Oh, we are only imprisoned in the ice," said Battell. "I feared that -you were crushed by that huge block of ice which came so near carrying -away the part of the deck where you were standing. If Jack had not -caught you and drawn you back at the imminent risk of his own life, you -would now be at the bottom of the sea." - -Captain Ganoe, now fully aroused, took in the situation at a glance, -and exclaimed as he grasped me by the hand: - -"Jack, my savior! The last I remember was that you were turning as if -to grasp me in your arms. It was indeed a close call. But why did you -risk your life to save mine?" - -I had scarcely spoken since the alarm had ended our conversation in -my cabin, and I felt that to do so now, in answer to such a question, -would betray my weakness and possibly my secret, which I had resolved -to guard more closely than ever. Fortunately, however, he did not wait -for a reply, but with his usual thoughtfulness for the crew and safety -of the ship, he started below, saying: - -"Come on, my bruises are not severe, and we must look out for the -sailors and make a tour of inspection around the ship and ascertain as -nearly as possible, in just what kind of a place we are." - -Just as we reached the deck below, we met Paul Huston, the engineer; -Pat O'Brien, second mate; and Mike Gallagher, the cabin boy. They -understood what had happened and feared we had been injured or killed -by the shower of ice that had fallen upon the upper deck. They reported -everything all right with the crew and that the vessel was apparently -uninjured. - -We passed entirely around the ship, narrowly scanning the walls of our -ice prison, with a powerful reflector, which revealed every crevice. -We lay in an inclosure which gave the vessel more than room enough -to turn around if carefully handled. We ascertained that the great -overhanging ice-mountains between which we lay, and that had threatened -us with instant destruction, had actually been our salvation. When -the earthquake shattered the two great ice-fields, these towering -mountains had started to tumble over on the ship at the same time, and -meeting far above had formed a massive arch which had prevented the -closing of the channel at that point. Here and there were openings in -the icy roof, but in the main, the colliding masses were closely joined -together. The only injury to the ship was from the block of ice that -had fallen so near to Captain Ganoe. From the number of fragments of -from one to several pounds in weight, which were scattered over the -upper deck, it seemed a marvel that we had escaped without serious -injury. - -When our tour of inspection was completed we repaired to the library to -talk over the situation. Addressing Battell, Captain Ganoe asked: - -"What do you think of the situation?" - -"I apprehend no immediate danger," replied Captain Battell. "In a few -hours with the present intense cold, this ice-pack will be frozen into -one solid block. But if we are not crushed by the ice, God only knows -when we will get out. As for the present, we are most fortunately -situated. We could not find better winter quarters in the frigid zone. -We are well protected from the cold, and the fishing will be good, as -this will be a good breathing place where the fish will gather for air. -We can lay in an ample supply of dog feed and I am inclined to believe -that we might capture a whale and lay in a supply of oil for fuel." - -"But how long do you think it will be," asked the Captain, "before we -will have an opportunity to get the ship clear of the ice?" - -"I would not venture a prediction," replied Battell. "One thing is -certain. We are sealed up for the winter, and it may be that the entire -summer will not be sufficient to produce a break up of the ice-field -in which we are caught. So it may be that we will be cooped up for a -year or two. There is no telling how long we will be prisoners." - -"Well, I suppose then," said the Captain, "that all there is for us to -do is to wait." - -"Yes," said Battell, "that is all we can do, and," he added, smiling, -"it will not take much effort. But," after a pause, "it will take some -effort on our part to provide sufficient exercise and amusement to -preserve the health and discipline of the crew, so that we will have a -reasonable prospect of getting clear of the ice when the break up does -take place." - -"That is well thought of," said Captain Ganoe, "and I think it would be -well to muster the crew and organize a regular system of employment and -amusement. And," turning to me, he continued, "what do you have to say, -Jack? I never knew you to be so silent. What is the matter? Have you no -opinions to offer, and nothing to suggest?" - -"I certainly have opinions and I might offer some suggestions," I -remarked, "but before doing so, I want to familiarize myself with -existing conditions. Only one thing seems certain, just at present, -and that is, that we are locked up in the ice for several months and -perhaps for years to come. This will give us ample time for careful -reflection. There is no reason that we should be in a hurry to -inaugurate a rigid system of any kind just now in order to preserve -the discipline of the crew. There is no danger of their deserting the -ship and we can well afford to wait until the novelty of our present -surroundings has worn away." - -"You are right," said the Captain. "There is certainly a novelty in -our present surroundings, that will attract the attention of all and -prevent ennui for the time being, but this will soon wear away, and -the monotony of our imprisonment will become unbearable, except to -the best disciplined minds. This will be particularly severe on our -common sailors, who are uneducated, and thus deprived of the numberless -sources of recreation and amusement to which we have ready access. When -this time comes, what would you do?" - -"So far as I am concerned," I said, "I have access to the library, and -will really enjoy the association that it affords with the brightest -intellects and noblest characters of earth, past and present. Now, -if I should suggest anything for the relief of the common sailors, -outside of such exercise and amusements as are essential to health, I -would organize them into a school, and seek to bring these more exalted -pleasures within their reach by increasing their knowledge, and giving -them broader views of life and higher aspirations. This will also -furnish us with needful and elevating employment and will certainly -afford us a splendid opportunity to do good to others, and at the same -time increase our own knowledge of human nature, and to trace the -effects produced by environments, on the masses who have not enjoyed -the advantages of a liberal education." - -"Your suggestion," said the Captain, "is all right as far as the better -educated are concerned, but it would be useless and probably hurtful to -the common sailors. Remember the old adage that 'a little learning is -a dangerous thing.' To the extent that we could succeed in giving them -broader views of life and higher aspirations, we would only succeed in -making them dissatisfied with their lot, and thus weaken the discipline -on which the safety of all depends. All that we can do for the common -sailors is to provide such healthful exercise of the muscles as will -give them good appetites and enable them to enjoy rest and sleep. They -would not appreciate the mental feast which you in your kindness of -heart would set before them. Their training has been physical, and, -hence, their enjoyments must be of the same nature. The same rules that -apply to trained intellects will not apply to them." - -"If that is your opinion," I said, "there is no use for any suggestions -from me. You are the owner and senior officer of the Ice King, and, of -course, good discipline demands that your will shall be law. You ought -to understand the material of which your crew is composed, better than -I. My duties have not brought me in contact with your sailors and, of -course, I know practically nothing about them, except that I see they -are courageous and efficient. But, nevertheless, on general principles, -I believe that nature has planted the germs of all that is good and -noble in every human soul, and if this is true, all that is good and -noble can be developed in them by the proper influences, without -detracting in any way from their usefulness as mere workers; besides, -the effort to elevate them draws them nearer to us, and it seems to me, -would tend to engender feelings of mutual love and confidence, that -strengthen instead of weaken that perfect discipline which is of such -inestimable importance to an expedition like this, when the safety and -well-being of every individual member is of vital importance to the -safety and well being of the entire crew." - -"I have always had the respect and confidence of my sailors," said the -Captain, "not because I tried to lift them up to the same plane that I -occupied, but because I provided them with good food, good quarters, -never overtaxed their strength, and gave them ample time for rest -and such amusements as they could appreciate. I have always had the -good-will and cheerful obedience of the common sailors, because I -looked out for their physical needs and treated them kindly." - -"I have no doubt of that," I said. "But your voyages in the past have -been between civilized ports and all your sailors wanted was their -pay, and in addition to this, you gave them better treatment than they -could get elsewhere. Hence, their selfish impulses held them to you. -The relation between you and them was purely physical, and all that was -needed to make them loyal to you, was to look out for their physical -wants and treat them kindly. From their standpoint, this was an -addition to their wages that they could not secure under more heartless -employers. But you are now differently situated. You are not expected -to come into a civilized port where sailors can spend their wages as -sailors usually do. They have nothing to look forward to, and as mere -workers they have no interests in common with you. But with the broader -views of life to which association with the best intellects and the -noblest characters gives access, they would take a more exalted view of -the work in which they are engaged, and be true to you from a higher -motive than their wages, which they cannot use in the supply of their -physical wants. This is why I suggested the school." - -"I recognize the force of your reasoning," said the Captain, "and if I -regarded your premises as correct, I would come to the same conclusion -that you do. But you make the mistake of overlooking the fact that a -liberal education can only be secured by years of training in school, -from the kindergarten to the college, and should be accompanied by the -elevating influences of the home and cultured society, and followed by -a life of study and experience in the higher walks of life, before -the average man can be reasonably expected to rise above the plane of -mere physical existence, and act from the high intellectual and moral -impulses which impel the most cultivated and elevated characters. And, -you must still further take into consideration the fact, that even if -we were imprisoned in the ice for a year or more, we would have time -enough to give our sailors only a smattering of what they ought to -know, in order to develop the high type of character that you propose, -even if we could overcome the influence of their home lives and the low -social status of the society in which they have always mingled. You -do not realize, my dear Jack, the utter impossibility of the task you -would have us undertake. They must still be sailors and perform the -hard labor for which they were engaged, and we should be careful not -to engender in their minds hopes and aspirations that would make them -dissatisfied with their lot." - -"I certainly would not do anything," I replied, "that would tend to -make them discontented. This is something that should be most carefully -avoided. But, nevertheless, I still think my suggestion, if carried -out, would have just the opposite tendency. From my own experience, -I regard my premises as stronger than my reasoning. I enjoyed all -the advantages of a liberal education and the elevating influence -of home and cultured society, and still, I have engaged in the most -menial employments. Yet, I did not find that my education rendered me -dissatisfied with my lot. On the contrary, it did much to enable me to -adapt myself to the situation, and to find sources of enjoyment which -were inaccessible to my uneducated associates. But, more than this, my -experience among the lowly, convinces me that a collegiate education -is not essential to the development of the noblest characteristics. I -have met sailors before the mast, who had accumulated a vast fund of -useful knowledge, and had the broadest and most comprehensive views of -life, and its duties. The premises from which I reason, are the results -of actual experience with the lowly." - -"I fear," returned the Captain, "that in your enthusiastic love for -humanity, you have made the very natural mistake of judging the -uneducated by yourself. I do not desire to flatter, but you have -certainly inherited qualities of a high order, and a temperament so -well poised, that you could acquit yourself with credit in any capacity -in which you might be placed. Your employers could not fail to discover -your worth, and according to your own statement, you were rapidly -promoted. This is the ordinary reward of those who have inherited -exalted qualities. Real ability never remains very long in a menial -position. The simple fact that our sailors, who are much above the -average of their class, have, after years of experience, still remained -in the same humble position, is a very good evidence that they are not -qualified for anything higher. There are Lief and Eric, for instance. -They have been with me for several years, and they have not even tried -to master the language. As mere sailors, you could not find better -men, but you would never select them for an emergency that required -extraordinary quickness of perception, and the ability to lead." - -I was about to reply, feeling myself master of the situation, so far -as the argument was concerned, when a crashing sound from above, and -a careening motion of the ship brought us to our feet. On gaining the -deck the cause of the commotion was immediately apparent. The ship was -moving toward the starboard, and was being forced under the shelving -ice. The crashing sound had been caused by the masts coming in contact -with the sloping, icy roof. The masts were closely wedged under the -roof and could go no farther, while the hull was still being carried -forward by what seemed to be a strong ocean current. The situation -was one of imminent peril, for if this motion continued, we were in -immediate danger of being capsized. The ship was already careening -toward the larboard. - -The top could go no farther, while the hull was too far from the solid -ice to admit of the use of pikes and spars to prop it back. - -Battell was calling for axes to cut away the masts, when a shout from -the larboard wall of our prison, attracted our attention. By the light -of the reflectors we saw Lief, on a low lying bench of ice making a -cable fast around an ice hummock, and at the same time we heard the -voice of Eric calling for aid at the capstan on the lower deck. We saw -instantly that this was the thing to do, and Captain Ganoe, Battell, -Huston and myself were the first to take hold of the lever. Eric -immediately motioned for the men who were coming forward with axes to -man another capstan, while he seized a coil of small rope attached to -a cable, sprang into the sea and swam rapidly to join Lief on the ice -bench. The axmen hesitated for a moment and Captain Ganoe shouted: - -"Man the capstan! The Norwegians know what they are doing." - -With remarkable celerity, the new cable was made fast and the men -began turning the capstan. This was not a moment too soon, as the -first cable, unable to stand the strain, showed unmistakable signs of -breaking. The motion of the vessel toward the starboard and under the -ice was stopped. But the Norwegians now called for a boat and more -cables. Their orders were promptly obeyed. Captain Ganoe, Battell and -myself were the first to respond. For the moment, our Norwegian sailors -were in command, and all obeyed their orders with alacrity. The boat -was manned and the Ice King was lashed to the larboard wall of our -prison at a number of different points. The ship was saved from the -impending disaster, but still was slightly careened and the masts were -bent almost to the point of breaking. - -Returning to the ship, Captain Ganoe and Battell began figuring on -getting the masts clear of the ice and the ship righted. The pressure -of the water on the larboard side was immense, but the cables held -her fast and there was no especial need of haste. The first thought -suggested was to remove the upper splice of the mainmast, which would -relieve the pressure, but the Norwegians had evolved a more simple -plan. They motioned the engineer to set the screws in motion, slowly. -As soon as the ship began to move forward the masts began to bend -toward the stern, and the cables which held the ship firmly on the -larboard, being relatively shortened by the forward motion, the vessel -was drawn in that direction and righted herself. We now moved the -vessel to the center of the enclosure in which she floated, and cables -were made fast to the ice on every quarter, and thus secured from -contact with it, the Ice King had the appearance of a huge spider with -its web spread out in every direction. - -The danger was past, the ship was safe, and we had time to inquire into -the particulars concerning the important part that had been enacted by -our two Norwegian sailors. We now learned that while the entire crew, -except themselves, were resting from their recent fatigue in a feeling -of security, Lief and Eric were far from believing that our winter -quarters were entirely safe until the ship was securely tied up to the -walls of our prison. Their especial charge was to keep the cables, -capstans and anchors ready for use at a moment's notice, and they were -satisfied that this was a time when they were needed. Hence, instead -of retiring to their hammocks to sleep, they determined to carefully -examine our surroundings for themselves. They observed that the -larboard wall was nearly perpendicular to a point several feet above -the top of the masts, while on the starboard, the sloping roof extended -far out to the water's edge. They further observed that along the -larboard was a low lying bench upon which the falling ice had formed a -number of hummocks. This was a safe place to tie to. - -Just as they had satisfied themselves on this point, they noticed that -the ship was drifting toward the starboard, and that the masts were -coming dangerously near the roof, and that in a few minutes we might -be capsized. There was not a moment to be lost. This motion toward the -starboard must be arrested, and Lief, with one end of a coil of small -rope, sprang into the water and swam to the bench along the larboard -wall while Eric attached the other end to a cable. But before it could -be made fast to the larboard wall the masts came in contact with -the sloping roof on the starboard which gave the alarm that aroused -the crew and brought the officers on deck with the results already -mentioned. - -Captain Ganoe was visibly affected when he learned how the ship and the -lives of the crew had been saved by the quick perception and prompt -action of the two sailors. He shook their hands and thanked them over -and over again, declaring that such all-important service should not -go unrewarded. They understood his allusion and declared in their -very limited supply of English that they could not be induced to take -pay from the Captain for saving the ship and at the same time saving -themselves. That we must all stand together or we would all perish. - -As soon as they had succeeded in making themselves understood, they -withdrew. As a rule they kept to themselves, except when their services -were needed. Yet they were not unsociable and often conversed with the -engineer, Paul Huston, who understood their language. When they had -an important communication to make, they secured his services as an -interpreter. They seemed averse to the use of English. - -When they were gone Captain Ganoe said: "I little thought that Lief -and Eric possessed ability of such a high order, and since I have -discovered their true nobility of character, I am more than ever -anxious that they should study English, as it would enable me to do so -much more for them." - -"You little understand the material of which these Norwegians are -made," said Huston, who was standing by. "They do not want you to do -anything for them. They feel more than able to take care of themselves. -They have not always been sailors, but that occupation suits their -purpose best for the present. They are looking forward to great results -that may be accomplished by this expedition, and they care more for its -success than for anything you could do for them. As to the language, -they already understand more than they care to use. They are proud of -their native Norse." - -"You astonish me!" exclaimed the Captain. "I must get better acquainted -with them." - -"Then," said Huston, "you must learn their language, and even then -they may repel any familiarity. They preferred working for you because -you did not understand their language. They do not care to be on -confidential terms with anyone. When they found that I understood them, -they became somewhat communicative but not confidential. Yet, I have -learned enough to make me believe they have a history, and some well -defined purpose in life. I would not think, however, of trying to draw -from them anything that they did not care to give of their own accord. -One thing is certain. You can place implicit confidence in their -courage, ability, nobility of character and fidelity to the purposes of -this expedition." - -"Well, thanks to their watchfulness, quick perception and prompt -action," said Captain Ganoe, "we can now have the much needed rest we -tried to enjoy before we had taken the precautions essential to our -safety. I am surprised that we did not think of the possible dangers -that might beset us from ocean currents. My only fear was that some -disturbing cause might sunder the walls of our prison before they were -frozen solid. And, even now, I have some fears on that score." - -"No danger of that kind," replied Battell. "Several hours have already -elapsed, and the weather was intensely cold before the channel closed. -Just listen how the storm still rages." - -Through the rifts in our ice roof, we had been enabled to catch -glimpses of the sky, but now it was all inky blackness. The gale that -had brought the two great ice-fields together, had now grown to a -terrific storm, and had changed its direction. The winds roared and -raged like demons in mortal combat, and ever and anon the snow was -driven in upon us like fine dust, indicating the intense cold. We, -now that the ship was safe, had the best of reasons for congratulating -ourselves on our snug winter quarters. Our icy prison was both our -safety from the violence of the storm, and our protection from the -intense cold. We partook of a hearty lunch and retired to our rest with -feelings of perfect security. - -When I awoke everything was astir on board. The carpenters were -busily engaged in repairing the broken deck, while the sailors were -removing the ice and snow. Everything was being put in order as if -we were preparing for a voyage. The storm had ceased to howl and we -were in the grasp of an Arctic winter. Even in our secluded retreat, -it was necessary for us to wrap up in furs and woolens when we went -on the upper deck. But our cabins were warm and we had an abundance -of everything to eat and wear to make us comfortable. The ice-field -was frozen into a solid block, and there was no question as to our -safety, but we had no means of making observations that would indicate -our location. This to me, was the loss of an occupation that I really -enjoyed and I felt the need of something that would take its place. - -We were imprisoned in the ice on September 23d, and from my last -observations I inferred that our location was about latitude 77° North -and longitude 160° West. The sun made his appearance for a brief -interval each day, and I calculated that the long Arctic night would -be fully set in by the last of October. The rifts in the roof of our -prison afforded us no opportunity for determining our location. Our -recent danger had revealed the fact that we were moving. We tried the -sounding line and found that we were in deep water, and that our motion -was evidently due to the motion of the ice-field. We were floating -at the mercy of the winds and ocean currents. But whither would they -carry us? None could tell. Assuming, however, that the currents were -north-bound, and reasoning from the fact that the motion of the earth -was from west to east, the tendency being, as it were, to slip from -under us, we concluded that as long as the ice was floating freely, our -general motion would be toward the west and north. - -For the present we were safe and comfortable with the ship securely -fastened to the solid walls of our prison. But we knew summer would -come, and the warm rays of the sun would beam down on us for months, -melting and breaking up the frozen surface of the ocean which was now -our security, but might then become the cause of our destruction. -Our future safety, and the success of the expedition, demanded that -we should have easy access to the surface, so that we could make the -necessary observations, and, if possible, find some means of providing -for the safety of the ship and crew when the ice went to pieces. This -was the task before us, but we had no means of calculating the time -it would take. All we knew was, that the two ice mountains by coming -together had formed a roof over our heads, and towered many feet above -the ship's masts, and if their other dimensions were in proportion, it -might take a long time for us to tunnel through to the surface. - -We felt that there was no time to lose. All needful arrangements were -soon perfected under the direction of Battell, who took charge as -engineer and manager. The ice-bench on our larboard was selected as the -point of starting. The crew was divided into three reliefs, each with a -foreman, and the work of excavation went on without intermission. This -arrangement gave eight hours for work in the tunnel, and sixteen for -rest and recreation. - -I again suggested my "pet hobby" as it was called, of organizing the -crew into a school and devoting a few hours each day to educational -purposes. But I was alone in the recommendation, and it was not acted -on, but the library was free to all who cared to read. I noticed, -however, that Paul Huston, Pat O'Brien and Mike Gallagher, were the -only ones who ever called for books, and Huston was the only one who -seemed to know just what he wanted. Lief and Eric had some Norwegian -books and writings which they often consulted, but all the others, when -not at work, spent their time in playing games, spinning yarns and -fishing. - -As predicted by Battell, the enclosure in which the ship floated, -seemed to attract the finny denizens of the deep, supplying fresh food -for the crew and our dog teams, as well as oil which we used for fuel. -The library was the favorite resort of those who cared to read and -discuss topics of general interest. Here we spent our leisure hours, -reading, conversing upon subjects of every description and devising -amusements that would enable us to pass the time pleasantly. When tired -of these things we joined the working force in the tunnel and exercised -our muscles. This was a work of necessity, as well as a healthful -recreation, and we went into it with the utmost enthusiasm. We managed -to get comfortably tired every day, and enjoyed excellent appetites and -most refreshing sleep, in consequence. Altogether the winter passed -very agreeably. - -It was well on toward spring before the tunnel was completed. We -now had access to the surface, up an easy incline, and beheld the -uninterrupted beauties of an Arctic night. The scene which greeted us -defies description. The sky was cloudless, and the Northern Lights, -with their brilliant corruscations, nature's compensation for the long -polar night, presented a pyrotechnic display, the grandeur and beauty -of which are indelibly impressed on my memory. - -We took our bearings and found we were in latitude 84° N. longitude -170° W. We were seven degrees farther north than when we were caught in -the ice, and ten degrees farther west. We were plainly in the grasp of -north-bound currents, while our motion toward the west was uncertain. -Subsequent observations revealed the fact that at times our longitude -was stationary, or drifting somewhat toward the east. On the whole, -our westerly motion exceeded any opposite tendency, but our progress -northward was considerable though not regular, as if we were retarded -by obstructions which were being overcome at intervals by the force of -northerly currents. - -It was now the 20th of Feb., and it was determined that the work of -exploration should commence. The dog-teams and sledges were brought -out and provisioned for a journey to the eastward under the direction -of Captain Battell. Captain Ganoe, Pat O'Brien, Mike Gallagher, Paul -Huston, the two Norwegian sailors and myself remained on the ship. The -sledge party was to be absent a month and possibly longer. Captain -Battell wanted to make some thorough observations on the eastern -borders of the ice-field, and take soundings if he could reach open -water. - -We still had some weeks of Arctic night before us, but the full, -round moon and the brilliant Aurora, made every object visible for a -long distance. The weather was intensely cold, but the scenery was so -attractive that I spent much of my time exploring the ice-field in the -immediate vicinity of the ship. Many were the weird and fantastic -scenes that I sketched, and many the strolls I took in a vain effort -to find some prominent point from which with my glass I could get an -unobstructed view of the horizon. But like our prison in the ice, -all nature seemed cramped. The starry vault was contracted by the -obscuration of stars which I thought should have been visible above -the horizon. I kept searching for an elevated point of view, but this -seemed always just a little ahead. These rambles often extended for -miles and occupied hours. - -Returning from one of them, I was met by Lief and Eric who pointed to -the crest of the mountain of ice that formed the roof of our prison, -and beckoned me to follow them. I did so and found that they had cut -an inclined road around the icy mountain to the apex, where they had -erected an observatory out of ice blocks. It was built over a rift -in the roof of our prison that was directly above the ice bench on -the larboard near the mouth of the tunnel. The wall at this point was -almost perpendicular, and with but little labor they were able to put -in an elevator, consisting simply of a platform secured by ropes, and -attached to a pulley inside the observatory. - -They showed me what they had done, and to convince me that it was -entirely safe, they let themselves down on the elevator and raised -themselves up again, much as a painter handles his swinging scaffold, -but more rapidly. I was pleased with the contrivance, and more with the -interest taken by Lief and Eric in making arrangements to facilitate my -observations. I did not hesitate to take my place on the platform with -them and return to the ship by this direct route. - -I now learned that as soon as the tunnel was completed, Lief and -Eric had found their way to the top of our prison, and seeing the -advantages that this elevation offered as an outlook, they conceived -the idea of an observatory on the top, to be connected with the ship -by an elevator. They took no one into their confidence but Huston, and -set to work immediately. In a little over two weeks they were ready to -put in the elevator which connected directly with the ship, and saved a -long walk by way of the tunnel. This work had just been completed and -they were enabled to give me a very unexpected but agreeable surprise -on my return from one of my usual rambles. - -But it was no more of a surprise to me than it was to Captain Ganoe, -who was just starting out to the surface through the tunnel, when Lief, -Eric and myself came swinging down from the observatory on the platform -which constituted the cage. Lief who was handling the rope stopped our -descent just in time to prevent the platform from swinging against the -Captain, who looking up exclaimed: - -"Hello, Jack! Where did you come from, and what is all this rigging -for?" - -"Just ask Lief and Eric," I replied. "They have been looking out for a -more direct route to the surface than by way of the tunnel. They have -erected an observatory on the roof, and if you are going out for a -walk, you had better take the elevator." - -"All right," said the Captain stepping on the platform, "but I would -suggest that you ought to have a light on board, to give warning in -this gloom to all whom it may concern, to get out of the way of the -engine." - -"That can be provided for in the future," I said. "This is the first -trial and we find that it works all right. Now we are ready for such -improvements as you have to suggest. While the invention belongs to -our Norwegian friends, we have no patent laws in this country and hence -there can be no infringement. There is no restrictive legislation here -to stand in the way of progress." - -"I think in view of all the facts," said the Captain, "that this matter -had better be left in the hands of the inventors. I have no doubt that -they are fully equal to the task, and they have free access to the -ship's stores for that purpose. It seems to me that the improvement -most needed is some contrivance that will counteract the swinging -motion, and no doubt Lief and Eric have a plan already that will -accomplish that." - -We were now in the observatory and the view in every direction was most -satisfactory. This was by far the most elevated location anywhere in -the region, and Captain Ganoe cordially concurred in my suggestion to -fit it up in good shape for all the purposes of an observatory as well -as a resting place when the weather became warm. We carefully explored -the immediate vicinity and found that this towering mountain of ice -could be made accessible from both the east and west. Towards the north -and south it was easy to trace the seam where the ice walls had come -together, and along this line were numerous depressions of great depth. - -When we were ready to return to the ship we found that Lief and Eric -had stretched ropes from the top to the bottom which passing through -the platform held it steady while passing up and down. They had also -devised a contrivance by which the elevator could be operated either -from above or below as occasion might require; also a telephone -connection between the observatory and the ship. - -With this easy means of access to the surface, we seldom used the -tunnel except for the sledges, or the transportation of some heavy -burden. From this elevated point I watched with continually increasing -interest, the roseate hues on the horizon which indicated the location -of the rising sun. These grew brighter and brighter until the king of -day made his appearance. This was the signal for inflating the balloons -and sending up dispatches in the hope that they might be carried south -into civilized portions of the globe by the equinoctial storms. It -was also the time fixed for the return of Battell from his exploring -expedition on the eastern portion of the ice field. His observations, -in connection with my own, constituted our only means of accumulating -that fund of information concerning these unknown regions which would -make this expedition valuable to the world. Besides, our own safety -depended to a very great extent upon the accuracy of the knowledge we -could acquire concerning the forces which controlled the movements -of this vast island of ice. My relation to the scientific work of -the expedition, made me anxious to make the best possible use of our -present favorable opportunity for investigation. - -During our long incarceration in our ice prison I had kept such -notes and made such observations as our environments would permit. -The movement of the ice field towards the west which at first had -threatened to draw us under the ice and capsize the ship, had lost -much of its force, and now that we were on the surface, and able to -trace the seam which marked the channel in which we had been moving, -we discovered that its general direction was from southeast to -northwest, while at the time we had been caught between the colliding -ice fields, we had according to my notes, been running northeast. This -demonstrated, that the entire body of ice had turned one quarter -around, while its general movement had been toward the west and north. -And now my daily observations indicated that it was continually -changing its position, and that while its motions were generally toward -the west, they were by no means uniform. It seemed to have been at -the mercy of contending forces ever since we had been held within its -grasp, and it was one of the prime objects of the expedition to make a -close study of just this kind of influences. - -As soon as the sun began to show itself above the horizon, I kept a -constant lookout for the return of Captain Battell and his sledge -party. We knew that he had gone east, and that it was his intention -to commence the exploration of the western portion of the ice-field -before the sun was remaining above the horizon for the full twenty-four -hours. But the weather during the early spring was unfavorable and I -discovered nothing worthy of note. When the days became longer and with -the sun in the west, I expected to make some important discoveries with -my glass. And when I did get a clear view I was startled to observe -what seemed to be a barren waste of sand and sand mountains. I called -Captain Ganoe's attention to this appearance, and after a careful -scrutiny with his glass he said: - -"That looks very much like land. The surface is certainly neither snow -nor ice. But where in the world did all that sand come from? I will -telephone Huston to bring a larger telescope and we will make a closer -examination." - -In a few minutes Huston made his appearance and we placed the -instrument in position. With the stronger glass, our first impressions -as to the nature of the surface were confirmed but we discovered -nothing that offered any explanation of the phenomenon. Here was -a mystery and we were now more anxious than ever for the return of -Captain Battell, who we felt assured had made some very interesting -discoveries. - -I continued to scan the horizon with the large telescope and my search -was soon rewarded by the discovery of a man who seemed to have just -reached the crest of what appeared to be a long sandy ridge running -north and south, but a few miles distant. He seemed to be assisting -others to reach the same position. Raising the instrument to its -highest powers I was enabled to recognize Captain Battell and several -sailors. They were hauling others up from the opposite side by means of -a rope, who as soon as they reached the top, took hold and helped to -raise others. - -I described the scene and asked Captain Ganoe to look for himself. He -took in the situation at a glance and said; - -"We must go to their assistance. The sledges and dog teams are -evidently on the opposite side and they must be lifted up as well as -the men," and turning to Huston he said: "Return to the ship. Summon -the entire crew. Explain the situation to the Norwegians, tell them to -get out the sledges immediately and take such appliances as they deem -necessary, and Jack and I will meet you at the foot of the mountain -on the east side. Make all haste possible as we must hurry to the -assistance of our comrades who are evidently nearly exhausted." - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - A SINGULAR DISCOVERY--BATTELL CROSSING A SAND RIDGE ON THE - ICE-FIELD--CAPTAIN GANOE LEADS A PARTY TO HIS ASSISTANCE--LIEF - AND ERIC--BATTELL'S THEORY--A SECOND EXPEDITION--BATTELL'S LONG - ABSENCE--IS DISCOVERED RETURNING ALONE, SCARCELY ABLE TO WALK--RELIEF - PARTY FINDS HIM UNCONSCIOUS--CAPTAIN GANOE AS PHYSICIAN--BATTELL - RELATES HOW HE WAS ABANDONED BY HIS MEN--PREPARING FOR THE BREAK. - -[Illustration] - - -HUSTON stepped upon the elevator and descended to the ship to carry -out the instructions he had received, while Captain Ganoe and myself -remained in the observatory to scan the surface more critically, and -map out the route we must travel. So far as we could discover there -seemed to be no serious obstacle in the way. The surface between us -and the sand ridge which Battell must cross had the appearance of a -level plain of snow or ice, with numerous hummocks scattered here and -there. Beyond this, the ridge, with some lofty elevations, filled the -outlines of the picture. - -The point which Battell had selected for crossing was a gap in this -ridge. Directly below the gap the ridge was very steep but the top -could be reached from this point by an easy incline towards the south. -I made a hasty sketch of every prominent object on a direct line from -the observatory to the gap which was the point we desired to reach as -soon as possible, as we felt that our assistance was sorely needed. -This work was completed to our satisfaction when we noticed the crew -with the sledge coming around the north side, and we hastened down to -meet them at the foot of the mountain on the east. We found everything -in good shape for a rapid march: The sledge was lightly loaded with -such appliances, ropes, pulleys, etc., as had been deemed necessary -to enable us to render the most effectual assistance. The dogs were -pulling on their harness as if anxious for a run, and the men were -fresh, and feeling the need of exercise. - -The thaw had scarcely commenced and the traveling was good. Every -condition seemed favorable. Captain Ganoe and myself led off along the -route which our observations had indicated as the most practicable. -In less than two hours we had reached the foot of the ridge just -below the gap where we had discovered Captain Battell. We found the -surface covered with volcanic ashes and scoria, and our minds instantly -reverted to the earthquake which broke up the ice-field, and our narrow -escape from destruction. However, this was no time for speculation. Our -business was to reach the top as soon as possible. - -We found that a direct ascent would be exceedingly difficult, but -that the inclining shelf along the face of the ridge would enable us -to reach the top at a point about a half mile south of the gap. This -shelf, or bench, was several yards in width and its appearance, covered -as it was with ashes, gave the impression that it had been a level -shore line that in some great convulsion of nature had been tilted up -from the south at an angle of about twenty-five degrees, and that the -general surface had been leveled up by a subsequent deposit over the -lower part. - -We at once began our ascent along this comparatively easy route. Yet -it was a tedious and toilsome effort to get the sledge with its load -of necessary appliances to the top. However, within less than an hour, -notwithstanding numerous resting spells, we reached the top and found -ourselves on a level plateau, several hundred feet wide, and about one -half mile south of where we expected to find Captain Battell and his -comrades. - -While our party halted in order to give the dog-team a rest, Captain -Ganoe and myself hurried on to the gap. On reaching the edge we -discovered that the men were taking a rest, after having lifted most of -the contents of the sledge to the top. We could see that they had been -compelled to cut a road through some hundreds of feet of frozen ashes, -in order to reach their present position, and we did not need to be -told that they had been having a very hard time. - -Most of the party were asleep and no one observed our approach until we -had descended into the gap, and Captain Ganoe had called out in regular -sailor style the familiar: "Ship Ahoy!" This unexpected greeting -brought Captain Battell to his feet, but for a moment he was too much -surprised to make any response. - -Recovering himself, he advanced and grasped Captain Ganoe by the hand -exclaiming: - -"How did you get here? I was just thinking how fortunate it would be if -you knew the predicament we are in and would come to our relief with a -capstan and some more ropes and pulleys." - -"That is just what we have done," said Captain Ganoe. "Jack was on the -lookout for you from his observatory on top of the mountain of ice that -covers the resting place of the Ice King. As soon as we discovered you, -we started to your relief with a sledge load of such appliances as it -seemed you most needed." - -"This is indeed fortunate," said Battell. "We are almost exhausted with -the efforts we have been compelled to make in order to reach this gap, -and now that we are here, we find that our difficulties are by no means -ended, and it is most important that we should get well over the ridge -and commence our exploration of the western portion of this vast island -of ashes and ice." - -As he was speaking, our sledge appeared at the top of the gap and the -men joined us at once. Huston acting as spokesman for our Norwegian -sailors, said: "Lief and Eric request that they be permitted to -complete the work of transferring the sledges and their loads to the -west side." - -"Tell them," said the Captain, "to go ahead in their own way and accept -our thanks for their most welcome services." - -In a few minutes they had their ropes, pulleys and capstan in place and -gave us to understand that the dogs would furnish all the power that -was needed. They soon had one of the sledges slowly but surely gliding -up the steep incline to the top. - -We watched them a few minutes, when Captain Ganoe said: - -"I think we can safely leave this matter to the Norwegians and we may -start on our return to the ship." - -"I am willing to trust them," said Battell, "and it is important that -we begin at once to compare notes and lay our plans for the future. I -feel that there is no time to be lost." And giving some instructions -to Brown who had been selected as foreman in the work of road making, -to give such assistance as might be needed, we started on foot for the -ship, a distance of between five and six miles. - -On our way back, Battell gave us a concise account of his observations -and the conclusions at which he had arrived. - -"When we left the ship," he said, "we took a southeasterly direction. -The cold was intense, but with our ample preparations we did not suffer -so much as might have been expected. We reached open water within three -days, but the shore line was so precipitous that we could not launch -our sledge boats and sail around as I had intended. So, we continued -our journey around the ice-field toward the north, as we had begun it. -The general direction of the shore line at this point was from the -southwest toward the northeast. The traveling was fairly good and we -made good time for about a week, and then our trouble commenced. The -entire surface was covered to an unknown depth with volcanic ashes. - -"The surface formation was evidently new, but careful examination -revealed the fact, that this covered an older formation of very -considerable thickness. Our soundings, owing to the precipitous -character of the coast line, were not satisfactory, but taken in -connection with my observations as to the motions of the ice-field, -I came to the conclusion that it was frequently grounding on the -tops of submarine mountains. If this is true, it will probably hasten -the breaking up when the ice becomes rotten under the influence of -continuous sunshine. - -"Having satisfied myself on these points we started on our return trip, -and but for the difficult nature of the surface, and the frequent -necessity for road making, we would have been with you by the time the -sun made his appearance." - -Before we reached the ship, it had been definitely settled that after a -short rest, Battell should continue his explorations toward the western -borders of the ice-field, and time the expedition, so as to return -to the ship before there was any immediate danger from the thaw. We -had come to the conclusion that we were floating in an open sea, and -it was our intention to press on for the north when the ice went to -pieces; and some phenomena, that we, in common with other explorers had -observed, led to the opinion that we would find land and not unlikely a -habitable country around the pole. - -Since the sun had made his appearance, flocks of ducks, brants and -geese, coming from the north were quite numerous. When killed we found -them fat and juicy and their crops were often filled with a species of -grain resembling rice, which seemed to indicate that they came from a -temperate climate. We now began to confidently expect that when the -ice-field went to pieces we would find the country which produced this -grain--the northern home of these flocks of birds. - -We argued that the six months and more of continued sunshine at the -pole, would necessarily produce a mild, if not a warm climate, for -the greater portion of the year. We held that refraction would secure -perhaps as much as seven months of sunshine at the pole, and add to -this the long twilights and the Aurora, preventing absolute darkness, -the immediate vicinity of the pole might be in many respects, a most -desirable climate. Of one thing we felt sure, and that was, that those -flocks of ducks and geese that came from the north had been well fed -with grain that must have grown in a productive country. - -When we came to the ice mountain that covered the ship, Captain Battell -turned to the north, saying: - -"I believe that this is the route to the mouth of the tunnel." - -"Yes, that is true," replied Captain Ganoe, "but let us go by the way -of Jack's observatory, which is directly over the ship." - -"All right," said Battell. "Lead on. I want to see the observatory any -way, and it is probably no further over the mountain than it is around -it, even if the traveling may be a little more laborious." - -We offered no explanation as to our elevator, and in a few minutes we -were in the observatory, under the canopy of sail cloth which protected -it from the rays of the sun. - -"Well, this is a cosy place," said Battell, as he seated himself upon -one of the extemporized cushioned seats with which it was furnished. - -"It is," said I, "but I am more interested in seeing how Lief and Eric -are getting along in their coveted task of transferring the sledges to -this side of the ridge." - -So saying, I went directly to the large telescope which we had left -bearing upon the gap Battell had chosen for a crossing place. A glance -was enough, and in reply to a questioning look from Battell I said: -"Both sledges are on top and they are preparing to let them down on -this side. Come and see for yourself. I believe that our Norwegian -sailors are equal to anything they are willing to undertake." - -"I believe you are right," said Battell, as he took his place at the -telescope. "There," he continued, "they are letting the sledges down -the steep incline fully loaded. From the progress they are making, -they will be here in a few hours, with everything in ship shape for -the expedition toward the west. That rests me so, that I will not mind -clambering down to the mouth of the tunnel." - -"Why go by way of the tunnel?" asked Captain Ganoe. "Just take your -seat on that divan and there need be no clambering down." - -"Yes," I said, "and just let me share the seat with you, and let -the Captain act as chief of transportation and take command of the -expedition, down to the ship." - -He did as he was directed with a puzzled look. Captain Ganoe took hold -of the rope while I turned on the light and we began to drop down -toward the ship. - -"Well you have got things fixed up in grand style," said Battell. "Who -would have expected a few weeks ago, that we would now be descending -into the interior of an iceberg on a grandly upholstered elevator, with -the stern Captain of the Ice King as our elevator boy? Is not this -putting on a little too much style for these regions of eternal ice?" - -"Not at all," I responded. "I hold, you know, that every human being is -justly entitled to the very best that his own labor can produce. But -this arrangement for facilitating our access to the outer world is the -product of the labor and skill of our Norwegian sailors. They had the -observatory almost completed before they revealed their designs to any -one but Huston." - -"Then," said Battell "if that is the sort of men they are, I think -they had better remain with the ship. I had thought of proposing to -take them out with me on our western expedition and leave some of the -other men to take their place here." - -"I could hardly consent to part with our Norwegians even for a few -days," said Captain Ganoe. "Since I have discovered their ability, I -want them on the ship in case of emergencies. I would not hesitate, if -it was necessary, to place them in command. The quickness of perception -and general reliability they have shown, almost persuade me that Jack -is right and that under some circumstances the highest qualities may be -developed among the most lowly." - -"And it may be," said Battell, "that as Huston intimated, Lief and -Eric have some great purpose in life, and under such influences as -Jack would like to place around the common sailors, many of them might -develop qualities of a high order. I have thought much of Jack's 'pet -hobby.' On this last expedition, I have realized more than ever, the -importance of having men of lofty characters in the capacity of common -sailors, if such a thing is possible." - -"And it is possible," I added. "And whether it is possible or not, it -is our duty to ourselves and to humanity to do everything in our power -to inspire all with whom we come in contact, with broader views of -life, and nobler aspirations for the future." - -"Well," said Captain Ganoe, "it is certainly not my intention to -antagonize your exalted idea of our duty toward our fellow beings. -It is an ennobling thought to dwell upon, but whether it will ever -be possible for us to do much for our sailors in this way or not, it -is clearly impossible to do anything immediately, and surely Captain -Battell wants one good sleep in his own bed before he starts on -another expedition. So I propose that we now retire to our quarters for -rest. We certainly need it, and there is no duty pressing upon us to -prevent it." - -We acted upon the Captain's suggestion as soon as we could reach our -cabins. In a few minutes I was sleeping soundly, and did not awake -until the gong gave notice that breakfast was ready. The crew had -returned with the sledges, and after a nap were now ready for the first -meal on shipboard that they had taken for over a month. Captain Battell -had completed preparations for his expedition toward the west, and once -more the officer's mess was complete, and while we enjoyed our repast -we discussed plans for the future. As we arose from the table, Battell -took me by the hand and said: - -"You may keep a sharp lookout for me after the First of July. By that -time we ought to be able to reach open water on the west and return. If -we can launch the sledges, it is my intention to sail around the ice to -the north and if possible return along the seam which marks the channel -through which we were moving when we were entombed beneath these -'bergs.' I have already made use of your observatory to make a sketch -of the most prominent objects toward the west and north. I apprehend -no trouble. Of course we will have channels of water to contend with -before we return, but as our sledges make excellent boats, they are as -likely to expedite as to obstruct our movements. I need not caution you -to keep up your observations, and note everything that has a bearing on -our situation. I will do the same and together we cannot fail to secure -a fund of valuable information." - -He bade us good-bye, and at once departed. I repaired to the -observatory, and through my glass watched the sledges until they -disappeared from view in the distance. - -It was now the 20th of April, and it would be two months and a half -before we expected the return of the exploring party, and if it met -with no mishap, there was ample time for an extended tour around the -ice-field. I anticipated great results from the observations that might -be made. - -Captain Battell had left with us three of his party who seemed the -least able to bear the fatigue of the long journey over the ice which -he contemplated. This was a valuable addition to the force left with -the ship, and at the same time relatively strengthened the exploring -party, as it relieved them of the prospective danger of being compelled -to take care of disabled comrades. - -The weather was favorable, and soon the rays of the sun began to slowly -but surely change the surface of the ice. I watched the process with -constantly increasing interest. If we were ever to escape from our -imprisonment, our release must come as a result of the thaw. Hence, -I came to regard the little rivulets that were forming in every -direction, and usually disappearing in a short distance through some -crevice, as our saviors. If the process kept on with sufficient vigor, -the ice-field was sure to break up before we were again locked in the -embrace of an Arctic winter, and we would have an opportunity to escape. - -At last the sun had reached his highest altitude, and the time had come -when we might expect the return of Battell. The thaw had progressed -rapidly and the ice was becoming rotten, and with the first storm -would probably go to pieces. But the weather was serene and there was -no immediate danger. The 1st of July had come and gone and Battell -was still absent. The thaw, under the continuous rays of the sun was -accelerated, and I began to fear the break up would come before his -return with the larger part of the crew. This might prove to be fatal -to all our hopes. I felt that we sorely needed Captain Battell with his -experience in the navigation of these frozen seas. - -I now began to dread the thaw as much as I had been inclined to welcome -it two months before. I continued my observations with more interest, -if possible, than ever. The motions of the ice-field puzzled me. -We seemed to be slightly oscillating from one side to the other of -longitude 180°, but with a frequent motion toward the north. - -I spent most of my time in the observatory, more on the lookout for -some indication of the return of Captain Battell than for any other -purpose. This interest was shared by every member of the crew, and we -established regular watches for this one purpose, so that there was -always some one at the telescope. Captain Ganoe and myself took the -first watch, Pat O'Brien and Huston, the second, and Lief and Eric the -third. So the entire twenty-four hours were occupied in the lookout for -Battell. In addition to this, we made several expeditions to the north -and west for many miles. While we learned that the traveling was very -toilsome, we discovered no reason why the exploring party should not be -able to return as long as the ice-field remained unbroken. It was true -that the expedition might have reached a section where the thaw had -destroyed the solidity of the ice, but it was well equipped for such a -contingency, as the sledges could readily be converted into boats. - -We tried in vain to figure out the cause of Captain Battell's delay. -The ice was becoming more rotten every day and our suspense became more -and more painful. We had almost despaired of his return, when through -my glass, I observed what seemed to be a human being, directly west of -us, slowly struggling along over the rotten, slushy surface of the ice. - -I called the attention of Captain Ganoe to my discovery and after a -careful scrutiny of the object he exclaimed: - -"That is certainly a man. It must be Battell or one of his men -returning alone. And," he paused, and then added hastily: "He is -scarcely able to walk and falls down from sheer exhaustion. We must go -to his relief at once." And turning to Mike Gallagher, who was present, -he said: "Hurry down to the ship and tell O'Brien to summon a relief -party with a stretcher. Bring my medicine case with restoratives for an -exhausted man. Tell Huston to explain the situation to Lief and Eric. -Make all the haste possible and meet us at the mouth of the tunnel." - -Mike started down on the elevator at once to deliver these orders, -while Captain Ganoe and myself went down the winding way on the west -side. At the mouth of the tunnel we were joined by the relief party. -Lief and Eric carried the stretcher, while Pat O'Brien, Paul Huston and -Mike Gallagher, each had a parcel containing something intended for the -relief of an exhausted man. The medicine case and some warm blankets -were on the stretcher. - -The ice-field in this direction spread out before us into a vast plain, -but the exact spot where we had observed the approaching man was hidden -from view by a number of hummocks and we took these for our guide. - -As soon as we reached the nearest and highest of these elevations, I -climbed to the top and carefully scanned the plain beyond. Several -minutes elapsed without discovering any indication of the object of our -search, when not more than a mile away, I saw through my glass the head -and shoulders of a man, arise above the surface. For a moment he seemed -to support himself on his hands and then dropped back out of sight. I -carefully noted the location and we then hurried on. - -In a few minutes we came to a channel in the ice that had been worn -out by a stream of water. A little to one side a man was lying on the -bottom as if dead. We called to him, but he did not move. Lief and Eric -sprang into the channel and lifted him out. - -It was Captain Battell and he was entirely unconscious. We could now -see that he had been trying with all his strength to lift himself out -of the channel which was not over four and a half feet in depth by six -or seven in width. When I saw him from the summit of the ice hummock he -was doubtless making the last effort to climb out, that his exhausted -energies would permit. We had arrived just in time to rescue him from -certain death. - -As he lay upon the stretcher unconscious and scarcely breathing, in -fancy, I pictured the trials through which he must have passed. His -worn out boots and tattered clothing; his sunken eyes and pinched -features, all indicated more than words could express his terrible -struggle for life against the combined forces of cold and hunger. -True, it was not freezing weather, but the water through which he -had been compelled to wade was ice cold, and the bed upon which he -rested, must have been a melting ice hummock. All these things were -evident from the environments and did not need to be stated in words in -order to be understood and appreciated. While he alone could give us -the particulars, we were already familiar in a general way with his -experiences, traveling on foot over the fast melting ice and almost -without food for weeks and possibly months. - -While no physician had been engaged for this expedition, it was because -Captain Ganoe was well qualified by education and experience to fill -the place as occasion might require, and among the stores of the Ice -King, there was an ample supply of medicines, surgical instruments -and appliances of all kinds. The Captain was very averse to being -classed as a physician, and yet his knowledge of medicine, surgery -and practice would have enabled him to aspire to the highest rank in -the profession. Hence he at once took charge of the patient with the -readiness and skill of an experienced practitioner, and soon he had him -as comfortable as dry clothing, a warm bed and appropriate restoratives -could make him. - -The patient did not regain consciousness, but he was soon breathing -naturally and apparently enjoying a sound and refreshing sleep. - -When all was ready for us to start on our return to the ship, Captain -Ganoe said: - -"As it is evident that I must turn doctor for a few days I will place -Jack Adams in command. That will leave just six of us to carry Captain -Battell to his cabin in the Ice King. For this purpose we will divide -into three reliefs. Huston and I will take the first; Pat and Mike the -second, and Lief and Eric the third. This seems to be about the proper -order, as our Norwegian comrades carried the camp bed and medicine case -all the way from the ship." - -"But what if I object to the arrangement?" I asked. "While I am -willing," I continued; "to render any service in my power, I am not -disposed to usurp your place as commander. You lead the way and I -will take my place at the handles of the stretcher. I enlisted to -obey orders and take any place assigned me, but not to usurp the -prerogatives of commander." - -"Then I have only to insist upon the terms of the contract as you -understand it," said the Captain. "You say that you enlisted to obey -orders and take any place assigned you, and hence as the captain of the -Ice King, I order you to take the place of commander until I choose -to resume the duties of that position. This is just as it should be. -It was you who discovered Captain Battell and then led us to the spot -where we found him, and now you are appointed to lead us back to the -ship by the most direct and practicable route. It is fortunate for us -that you have spent so much of your time in the study of the topography -of this country, if that is the proper word to apply to a dreary waste -of ice. It is your first duty as commander to divide the distance to -the ship into easy stages and see that each relief does its part of the -work with all possible care for the comfort of our comrade. This is -'orders,' if you prefer to look at it in that light. I shall certainly -take my place at the stretcher until in your judgment, the second -relief, Pat and Mike, ought to take hold." - -"All right," I said. "If I am to be commander-in-chief, whether I will -or not, my first order is, 'Follow me.'" - -We returned to the ship without any particular haste, frequently -stopping to rest and to administer restoratives to the lips of our -exhausted comrade. He was conveyed to his own quarters and everything -was, by the direction of Captain Ganoe, placed as nearly as possible, -in the same shape that he left it. - -He was still sleeping, and the Captain assured us that he was doing -well, and that if fever could be avoided, he would soon recover. He -cautioned us to keep quiet and not ask him any questions in case he -should awake to consciousness. - -Captain Ganoe took his place at the side of the patient and from time -to time touched his lips with water. After several hours he partially -aroused from his lethargy, and the Captain administered a few spoonfuls -of broth, which were swallowed with avidity, and he again relapsed into -a profound slumber. - -The Captain now directed us to leave him entirely alone with the -patient but to hold ourselves in readiness to come at a moment's -notice. He told us that all the patient now needed was profound -silence, and a little nourishment whenever he was sufficiently aroused -to partake of it. "I want Mike" he said, "to remain with me so as to be -ready at any moment to execute my orders. Captain Battell's restoration -to health and vigor is of more importance to us now than any other -consideration. I need Mike more than you do, and you must get along -with cold lunches, or, do your own cooking. If I need any of you, Mike -will let you know." - -Through Mike, we heard from the sick room from time to time, but the -word was always the same; that the patient was doing well, but still -sleeping. Mike said that whenever Battell showed signs of awaking, the -Captain would administer a spoonful of soup and he would drop off to -sleep again without ever being fully aroused to consciousness. - -I was keenly alive to the fact that the death, or even the great -disability of Captain Battell would be an irreparable loss to all of -us. He was the only experienced Arctic navigator and explorer among us, -and notwithstanding the cheering news from the sick room, I felt the -most intense anxiety, and remained in the library all the time, so as -to be ready to respond at once to any call from Captain Ganoe. - -After forty-eight hours of this anxious waiting had gone by, I was -surprised at a personal call from Captain Ganoe, who greeted me in his -usual cordial manner, while his face fairly glowed with happiness. -Without waiting for me to ply him with questions, he exclaimed: - -"Well, Jack, the danger has passed. Captain Battell has come to -himself. He is still very weak, but there are no signs of fever. I -admonished him not to talk until he had taken another nap, to which he -consented on the condition that I would call you. He wants a conference -at once." - -"I am delighted to hear such good news!" I exclaimed. "But what did -he say when he realized that he was in his own cabin, and you sitting -by his side in the capacity of attendant. I have all of a woman's -curiosity in regard to this matter, and insist upon your giving me all -the particulars." - -"Certainly," he replied. "Your interest is but natural, and shall be -gratified as nearly as my memory will permit. In his treatment, I -sought to keep him asleep until he had gained strength for mental and -physical effort. When he showed signs of waking up, I knew that it was -from the gnawings of hunger, and would administer a small quantity of -beef tea or some strengthening cordial, and then he would again relapse -into a profound slumber. These spells of semi-consciousness became more -and more frequent as he gained strength, and at last he opened his -eyes and looked me full in the face. He closed them again, and seemed -to reflect and then looking at me, he said in his usual calm and -deliberate manner: - -"'The last thing I remember, is, that I was trying to climb out of -a channel that had been worn in the ice by a small stream of water. -The bank only came up to my chin, but I was so weak that I could -not succeed. After that, I seem to have dream-memories of delicious -feasting, and reclining on luxurious couches. I want you to tell me at -once how I got here, into my own quarters.' - -"I told him to be careful and not permit himself to become the least -excited until he had gained more strength, but to content himself -with the simple statement that Jack had noticed his approach from his -observatory; and that we went immediately to his relief. 'Now,' said I, -'drink this cup of beef tea and turn over and take another nap.' - -"He drank the tea and said, 'I will do as you say, if you will agree -to have Jack here when I wake up. It is a matter of the greatest -importance that we have a conference immediately. We must be ready for -the break up and I have much to tell you.' - -"So saying he turned over and was soon sleeping soundly, and I am here -to request you to come to his quarters. As he is not likely to sleep -very long we had better go at once. Nature will soon be demanding -exercise for mind and body as strenuously as she has demanded rest. Let -us go." - -Some ten or fifteen minutes after we entered Captain Battell's cabin he -awoke, and immediately got up and shook hands with me most cordially. -He was naturally a man of few words, and never very demonstrative of -either joy or grief, affection or anger, and usually preserved the -most perfect equilibrium, but he was visibly affected when he said: - -"My dear Jack! How fortunate it has been for Captain Ganoe and myself -that you joined this expedition. But for your watchful care we would -both have been dead, and in all probability, the Ice King and the -entire crew would have been lost. You have certainly been our guardian -angel, and must ever hold the very highest place in our esteem and -affection." - -"I deserve no especial thanks for anything I have done," I responded. -"We are out here all alone, imprisoned in the ice and our only hope of -escape depends upon our standing together and helping each other, at -all times and under all circumstances. The safety of every individual -depends upon the safety of every other individual. Common sense and -our common interests, dictate that we should be a unit and realize -that 'an injury to one is the concern of all.' Our rule of action -toward each other should be, 'each for all and all for each.' This -is the only principle that a truly intelligent people anywhere would -ever adopt, but here on this waste of floating ice, situated as we -are, the most stupid ought to be able to comprehend the necessity for -its application. So, I repeat that I deserve no especial credit, for -in looking out for the safety of others I do the only thing that can -be done for my own safety. This thing of caring for self, regardless -of the interests of others, indicates a deficiency in intellectual -development as much as it does hardness of heart; and a careful regard -for the comfort and interest of others, is indicative of intellectual -development as much as it is of kindness of heart and love for our -fellow creatures." - -"Your philosophy," said Captain Battell, "is always right; but what -is still better you practice what you preach. Would to God that our -misguided crew had understood the self evident truths to which you -so frequently give expression. They might have saved themselves from -a terrible fate, and we would not have been short handed, now that -the ice is liable to go to pieces at any time. And as this matter is -referred to, I suppose I had better tell you at once what became of -them and why I was stranded on the ice in such a woebegone plight." - -"And that is just what we are most anxious to hear," said Captain -Ganoe, "but I have resolutely suppressed this anxiety because I feared -fever and a possible fatal culmination, as the result of your exposure -and privations. We certainly do want to hear all about your expedition, -your crew and what you discovered. But do not relate it even now, if it -is going to excite you in the least. The fact is, that you must be very -careful for several days until your strength is fully restored." - -"Do not be alarmed about me," said Battell. "It is not the first time -that I have been stranded on the ice and so I was to some extent -prepared for this by past experience; besides you know that I am much -inclined to be a stoic and never permit my feelings to very seriously -disturb my equilibrium." - -"Then go ahead," said the Captain. "We want to hear what is uppermost -in your own mind, and we will listen. If we have any questions to ask, -or other matters to discuss, we will do that when you are through." - -"Just speak when the spirit moves," said Battell. "It will not disturb -me. As you doubtless remember, when we started on this last expedition, -I was anxious to reach open water on the west and if possible launch -the boats and circumnavigate this island of ice around toward the -north as far as practicable, so as to be able to return early in -July, keeping a close watch of the movements and condition of the -ice, and noting any signs of its breaking up. We found the traveling -exceedingly difficult, and it was late in June before we reached open -water, about one hundred and fifty miles west of this. We found the ice -sloughing off in great sections and floating away from the main body, -demonstrating that the ice-field was comparatively stationary so far as -any westerly motion was concerned. By careful observation I satisfied -myself that it had grounded somewhere to the north, probably against an -island and was oscillating on that point. - -"This made me more anxious than ever to launch our boats and make -observations along the shore of the ice-field which sloped off towards -the northeast. We would therefore during the exploration of its -shore-line be getting nearer to the ship, and I thought that we would -be able to reach the obstruction against which it had grounded, which -I found reasons for believing was not so very far north of the ship, -and probably near the seam where the two original ice-fields had come -together. I reasoned that it was held against an island under the -influence of north bound currents, and that the entire field might be -expected to part along this line as soon as the ice became sufficiently -rotten, which would give us a chance to keep on our way. If such a -break came along the line of this seam, the ice-field urged forward by -the northerly currents, would spread apart and we would only have to -follow the fissure as it formed, to come either to land, or out into an -open polar sea. In either case we would be safe for the coming winter. -Our greatest danger will be from the falling of the ice when these -'bergs' part company, and that, to a great extent, can be provided for. - -"After careful investigation we selected a spot where by cutting a -short road down to the water's edge we could easily launch our boats. -When I gave the word, the men sprang to their work with the greatest -alacrity and in good time we had an inclined way admirably cut out -and arranged for launching the boats. We first unloaded everything of -importance, as our stores were too precious to run any risk of loss or -damage. Our boats were very soon riding the waves without any mishap, -and the dogs and baggage placed on board. While all this was going on, -I noticed frequent consultations among the men, but it seemed that it -was because they were taking unusual care in their work. As soon as -the last of our baggage was on board, the men took their places at the -oars with a promptitude which I regarded as highly commendable. Then -came the climax that I had least of all things expected. Tom Brown -halted me at the plank and asked a word with me. He said that the men -had determined to return to civilization and that they would prefer I -should go with them and retain the command. - -"I was astounded at such an unreasonable, as well as infamous, -proposition to abandon the ship, and I told him I did not believe that -any body of sane men would contemplate such a suicidal undertaking. He -replied very emphatically: - -"'Then, if you do not take my word for it, you may speak to the men. I -have only spoken at their request.' - -"And so saying, he stepped quickly into the boat and drew the plank in -after him. The men in the boats pushed out into the water and halted -as if to listen to what I had to say. - -"I expostulated with them, and explained how it would be utterly -impossible for them to reach civilization in such frail boats, and that -their provisions, at the farthest, would not last them more than four -or five weeks, and then, they must look starvation in the face. Brown, -who acted as spokesman, replied: - -"'We have decided upon this thing deliberately, and we have closely -calculated how long the provisions will last. Besides, we have plenty -of ammunition and can certainly kill some game, and if the game is not -abundant, we will kill the dogs and salt them down.' - -"I then tried them on another tack, and called their attention to the -comrades whom we had left behind, and the imminent danger of their -being lost, as well as ourselves, if we did not all stand together, and -make good use of the observations we had made. - -"'They have the ship and must take their own chances,' said Brown. 'We -know that there is no hope of the ship being able to get out of the -ice, and we propose to save ourselves while we have an opportunity, and -you had better go with us. Let Captain Ganoe and his shipmates take -care of themselves. We cannot afford to take any chances, in a case -like this, to save them. We are determined to look out for ourselves, -and let them do the same.' - -"I was so exasperated at this cold-blooded speech, revealing, as it -did, such a depth of perfidy, that I felt that I could scarcely refrain -from opening fire on them, and evidently they feared something of the -kind, for as I turned to take hold of my gun, which was leaning against -a block of ice, Brown gave the order, 'Ready!' and instantly twenty -rifles were aimed at me, and he said: - -"'We do not want to hurt you, but if you do not let your gun remain -where it is until we are out of range, I will give the order to fire -and you will be filled with bullets, and you will not have even the -poor satisfaction of dying with your friends at the ship, whom you seem -to think are worth more to you than the entire crew.' - -"'Have your own way,' I said. 'I certainly shall not stain my hands -with your blood, neither will I be responsible for the miserable fate -that awaits you as the result of this infamous and rash undertaking. I -have given you fair warning.' - -"I watched them until they were out of range, and then started on my -return to the ship. All the food I had, was the hardtack and bacon -which I always carry in my haversack, for emergencies. I had, however, -my cartridge-box with some ammunition, and I could kill game, but -considering the long journey before me, and the slow progress I could -make, the supply was indeed very small. - -"The traveling was terrible, through water and slushy ice, often for -miles at a stretch. I often had to make long detours around chasms and -inaccessible elevations. When I slept it was on a melting hummock of -ice. I could have killed a large number of brants for food, but I felt -that it would be suicidal for me to waste my ammunition on such small -game. Hence, I took my chances of finding something larger. I killed -a goose occasionally, but was compelled to eat it raw, as I had no -means of making a fire. But I did not fear starvation as long as my -ammunition lasted. - -"I had reason, however, to fear that the ice would break between me -and the ship, and this came near being the case when I first started -on my return. When I was only a few hundred yards from the place -where the boats were launched, a large strip of the shore-line broke -away behind me. But, I now think this rapid breaking up on the western -border was due to a strong ocean current, that did not extend very far -east. However, I was very apprehensive that I might be sent adrift into -an unknown ocean on a cake of ice, and probably, for this reason, I -exerted myself more than I should have done for the first few days. - -"I got along tolerably well until my boots gave out, and then the -ice-cold water seemed to paralyze my limbs, and my progress was -correspondingly impeded. - -"I often felt that I must drop in my tracks, and never make another -effort to move. But I was buoyed up by the thought that every step -brought me nearer the ship. At last I could catch glimpses of this -ice mountain, and the sight gave me renewed strength and courage. But -my ammunition had given out, and I was famishing for food. I would -often fall from sheer exhaustion, but would rally again, and stagger -on toward the goal of my hopes. When I came to the channel where you -found me, I made an effort to spring across, but landed on the bottom. -I repeatedly attempted to climb out on this side, but failed. You know -the rest." - -"I thank God," said Captain Ganoe, "that Jack discovered your approach -so that we could come to your assistance. The loss of so many of our -crew is much to be regretted, but your loss would have been much worse, -as your experience is indispensable to the safety of all. And now you -must take some refreshments and another nap and then I think you will -be all right." - -"I will take the refreshments," said Battell, "but we have no time to -waste on sleep until work has commenced in earnest on the necessary -preparations for our escape. How long have I been here?" - -"A little over forty-eight hours." - -"Then we cannot afford to delay another two days before we commence -work." - -"Do you think the danger so pressing as that?" asked the Captain. - -"I do," said Battell emphatically. "We are at the close of an Arctic -summer and we may look for storms and a breaking up at any time. The -ice is very rotten, and the ocean currents, which are holding this -ice-field against some point of land or submarine mountain, may part -it in twain at any time, and then we will be compelled to run for our -lives." - -"And what preparation do you advise?" asked the Captain. "Tell us just -what to do and I will see that work is commenced at once and pushed to -completion as rapidly as our small force will permit. - -"The first thing to be done," said Battell, "is to see that the boilers -are free from all sediment, and that the furnaces are filled with the -most combustible material we have, so the application of a match will -produce a fierce heat and get up steam in the shortest time possible. -If we had plenty of coal, I would get up steam at once and keep up a -moderate pressure until the ice had gone to pieces, or we were securely -frozen up for the winter. But with our small supply of coal we cannot -afford to do this, and I am quite sure that we cannot afford to wait -for the break to commence, or the coming of a storm. In either case we -will have a few minute's warning. Of course in such an emergency we -must use steam, as with our small force the sails might be a positive -detriment. - -"Secondly, when the break comes, there will be a fall of ice from over -head that might prove fatal to those who must remain on the upper deck. -This must be provided for by the erection of substantial structures to -protect those who direct the course of the ship. - -"Thirdly, cut all the cables that hold the ship but four, so that our -diminutive force can cut us loose with one blow of their axes. - -"This is all the work that our small force can possibly get through -with before the breaking up of the ice, if that is to occur at all, -this season." - -"Then," said the Captain, "I will go at once and commence work, and if -the necessity is as pressing as you think, you had better take all the -rest you can, so that you can lend a hand when the emergency comes." - -"I will rest and eat," said Battell, "but I will not be idle. To -gain strength, I must take exercise, so Jack and I will make some -observations along the seam in the ice which marks the old channel, as -the break will in all probability be along that line." - -Captain Ganoe, commenced the work of preparation immediately, and -Battell and myself engaged in the work that he had proposed. Our -observations, made with the greatest care, seemed to confirm, more -decidedly than ever, the theory that the ice-field had lodged against -some obstruction, not very far north of us. - -Since we had reached longitude 180°, we had been oscillating from -one side to the other but had made considerable progress toward the -north, indicating that the ice was sloughing away in that direction -while the main body was held against some obstruction, by the force of -the currents. My own observations all the time had shown that we were -oscillating, and these compared with observations made by Battell, -one-hundred and fifty miles west, where this movement was much more -apparent, gave us reliable data on which to make calculations. At the -present time, the sloughing off of the ice was evidently much more -rapid on the west and hence our position was tending more than ever -toward the east of the longitudinal line on which we lay. From the -observations we had made we calculated that the obstruction against -which the ice-field had lodged, was about one degree due north of our -present position. - -We closely examined the seam in which we lay and found numerous -indications of its weakness. In many places, where the walls of -the closing channel had not come into close contact, we found open -water for considerable distances, where the fish were making their -appearance. On the theory which Captain Battell had evolved, it did not -seem difficult to prognosticate just where the break would first make -its appearance, and some of the contingencies which would confront us -when that time came. - -Within a few days, notwithstanding our very small force, everything was -ready for the emergency we anticipated and now we anxiously awaited -the storm that would sunder the ice-field and release us from our long -imprisonment. But the weather remained calm while it was steadily -growing colder and we began to fear that we would be locked in the ice -for another winter. At last, however, a stiff breeze set in from the -southwest and the barometer began to fall, indicating an approaching -storm. Immediately every man was at his post, but hours passed away and -the wind did not increase. The order was given for every man to remain -at his post and be ready to act as soon as the alarm should be sounded. -As no special duty had been assigned to me, I retired to my quarters in -the library to take a much needed rest and was soon asleep. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - THE BREAK--A RACE FOR LIFE--THE ISLAND--STRANGE TOWER--A SAFE - HARBOR--CROSSING THE OPEN POLAR SEA--STRANGE PHENOMENA--SAILING - SOUTH--HORIZON OBSCURES FAMILIAR CONSTELLATIONS--RETURN TO THE - TOWER--NO EXPLANATION--OFF FOR THE POLE AGAIN--A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY. - -[Illustration] - - -I WAS startled from my slumbers by the alarm and sprang to my feet. The -strong breeze that had been blowing from the southwest had increased to -a gale and the hissing of the steam revealed the fact that sufficient -warning had been given to enable the engineer to be ready to start the -machinery as soon as the parting of the ice gave us an opening through -which we could move. The time for action had come and I heard Battell -give the order to cut the cables. - -As I hastened on deck, the two great ice mountains between which we lay -were lifted by the waves, and a moment later parted, and a shower of -ice fragments from the sundered roof fell upon the upper deck with an -awful crash; but thanks to the wise precautions that had been taken, -no one was hurt, and the injuries to the vessel were but slight. The -ice-field had parted along the line that had been predicted by Captain -Battell, and the Ice King was at once subjected to the full force of -the winds and waves which urged us forward with an irresistible force. -But under the influence of the same power the ice continued to part -before us, and all we had to do was to keep in the channel that was -forming. - -While the waves behind us were driving the ship to seeming destruction, -they were at the same time rending the ice-field asunder in the -direction we were moving, creating a narrow, but constantly widening -channel between the walls of ice on either side. Captain Battell, as -usual in cases of emergency, was in command. Captain Ganoe was at the -wheel, while I took my place at his side to take notes and render -assistance as occasion might require. - -Captain Battell was right when he said we might be compelled to run -for our lives. The gale continued to increase in its fury, and as we -followed the channel that was forming before us, the wind was closing -up the channel behind, by huge masses of ice in wild commotion. A halt -would have invited destruction, and if we missed the channel that was -being opened before us, we might be dashed to pieces against the ice. - -While the general direction of the channel being formed was toward -the north, the ice did not break along a straight line, but was often -zigzag, and it took the closest kind of attention to keep the ship -from dashing against one side or the other and being disabled. The ice -pack that was always forming behind us, urged forward by the wind and -probably a strong ocean current made retreat impossible, even if we -had so desired. There was but one thing that could be done, which was -to move forward regardless of the continual danger of a collision that -might prove fatal. - -This strain was kept up for several hours, when to our great delight -we could discern what seemed to be a small island toward the northeast -and an open sea beyond. A minute later; what appeared to be a mighty -watch tower, at least two hundred feet in height, loomed up before our -astonished vision just a little off from our starboard quarter. It -stood at the edge of the water and the waves were dashing against its -base. - -This island was evidently the obstruction against which the ice-field -had been lodged. The tower was built of dressed stones accurately piled -upon each other; and at one time had apparently been surrounded by a -spiral staircase which led to an observatory on top. This conclusion -was the logical deduction from the existence of a spiral ledge from -the base to the summit, plainly indicating that it had been used as a -support for an external structure. - -We were now running under a full head of steam through a channel that -had been formed between the ice and the island, which led into an open -sea beyond. This channel brought us close to the strange tower, and -as we came even with it, Captain Battell gave the word: "Starboard -your helm! hard up!" "Aye, aye, sir," came the response, and the wheel -fairly spun in Captain Ganoe's hands. The Ice King lurched, trembled, -and in the next instant shot around the tower, and into comparatively -still water, under the cover of the island, which we now discovered, -extended from west to east, about two miles, in the form of a crescent, -constituting a safe harbor from all storms except from the north. We -determined to cast anchor until the wind had subsided and give our -small crew a much needed rest. This gave me an opportunity to make -sketches of the tower and island at my leisure. - -The rest was most welcome to officers and men after the unusual -fatigues of the last few days, culminating in the excitement and -extraordinary efforts of the last few hours. While we slept, the winds -ceased to howl, the skies became clear, and I sketched the tower and -the island while they were bathed in the glorious hues of an Arctic -sunset. - -I applied the camera to every prominent object in sight. The island had -the appearance of a segment of the top of a circular mountain which -might have been, in geologic ages, the crater of a vast volcano, since -which time the land had been depressed, or the water level elevated, -perhaps several hundred feet. The shore-line was a granite precipice, -rising to the height of about one hundred feet. Over this was a lofty -covering of ice, cut into the most fantastic shapes by streams of water -which come with summer and depart with winter. In places where the -surface had been laid bare I could discover traces of man's handiwork, -which for the present I had no opportunity to investigate, owing to the -precipitous nature of the shore-line. - -But the object of the greatest interest was the tower. As I made my -sketch, the last rays of the sun illuminated this strange guardian of -these unexplored waters with a luster which impressed the beholder -with a feeling of awe. We examined it closely with our glasses and -speculated as to its origin. It had evidently been erected to serve -some important purpose, by a people who were skilled in architecture. -From its location, it might have served the purpose of a light-house -in some far off time, before these regions were covered with their -present mantle of ice. - -As this mighty column loomed up above its icy background, its presence -was thought-provoking as well as awe-inspiring. It seemed like some -sentinel placed here to guard the gateway to this unknown northern -sea. But when was it built? and for what purpose? were questions -that were continually forced upon our minds. As to the time: it must -have been before the great ice age, when tropical plants as well as -animals, flourished in the far north, and a tropical, or semi-tropical -climate extended from the equator to the poles. But this did not -indicate the purpose for which it was erected. Was it an observatory -for astronomical purposes, or a light-house for the guidance of the -pre-historic navigators of these waters, now locked in the embrace of -almost impassable ice barriers? Who could tell? All we could do for -the present was to record our observations. The tower was there, two -hundred feet in height, and its latitude was 85° north, and longitude -180° west. This was all that we could learn for the present. - -As had been the experience of all other navigators in high northern -latitudes, the dipping of the needle rendered the compass useless, and -we had to depend on the sun, moon and stars for our guidance. But the -skies were clear and the sea open, so that we apprehended no further -trouble, notwithstanding this was the beginning of winter. Accounts of -the expedition were sealed in bottles and sent up in balloons, as was -our custom, and as there was no ice in sight, we determined to sail due -north from the tower. - -After holding our course for a few days, we found that the needle had -again assumed the horizontal position and that we were sailing due -south. We knew we had started north and had not consciously changed our -course. Here was a mystery we could not fathom. But this was not all. -The horizon seemed to be rising up and obscuring stars that ought to -have been in full view. - -The pole star, which had been near the zenith was sinking toward the -horizon behind us. The whole face of the celestial vault was changing. -As the northern lights, which were dropping to the rear grew less -brilliant, the southern horizon beamed with a halo of light, which -continued to grow brighter. Without having changed our course we were -now sailing away from the constellations by which we had so long been -guided in our progress toward the pole. What could it mean? - -These strange phenomena upset all of our calculations. Everything -seemed weird and unnatural. The engines were stopped and we lay to, in -order to make observations and study the situation. Accounts of these -strange phenomena were securely sealed in bottles and committed to the -care of the winds. - -Captains Ganoe and Battell held a council in the library and made a -careful study of the best authorities, but could find no solution to -the problem, as to why we should be going south. It was determined to -change our course to the northeast. Continuing in this direction, we -found the cold increasing, while the northern lights grew brighter, and -stars that had been obscured, again made their appearance above the -horizon. - -At the end of this run, the ice-pack, now frozen solid, made its -appearance. We changed our course toward the east, keeping the ice on -our starboard quarter until we were again at the great tower from which -we had started. We had discovered no opening in the ice-barriers and -no solution to the problem we had started out to investigate. - -We found ourselves in an open sea, but encompassed by an impassable -barrier of ice. We again determined to sail directly north, and, if -possible, cross this wide expanse of ocean around which we had been -sailing. - -In a few days we again found ourselves running south and leaving the -pole star behind us. Star after star began to disappear behind the -horizon. Again the light in the south appeared and began to grow -brighter. - -Again, Captains Ganoe and Battell held a conference. After carefully -comparing notes and going over all the facts revealed by our -observations, Captain Ganoe asked me to hand him a magazine which he -selected from the catalogue. I complied, and he looked through it for a -minute and handed it to me saying: - -"There is the solution of the problem." - -I found the article which he had marked, to be a review of the - - "THEORY OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES," - -by Captain John Cleves Symms. "According to this theory," says the -reviewer, "the earth is a hollow globe and open at the poles. The -diameter of the northern opening, is about 2,000 miles, or 4,000 miles -from outside to outside. The south opening is somewhat larger. The -planes of these openings are parallel with each other, and form an -angle of twelve degrees with the equator. The shell of the earth is -about 1,000 miles thick, and the edges of the shell at the openings are -called verges, and measure from the regular convexity without to the -regular concavity within, about 1,500 miles." - -I turned and read the passage again, which he had marked for my careful -perusal. I had never heard of this "Theory of Concentric Spheres." -Could this earth be a hollow shell with an outer and inner surface? -At first thought I felt like rejecting the idea as utterly absurd, -but in view of the strange and inexplicable phenomena which we had -encountered, and my confidence in the judgment of Captain Ganoe, I only -requested him to tell me just what he thought about this "Hollow Globe -Theory." - -"I believe," he said, "that this theory offers the only logical -solution of the phenomena which have upset all of our calculations. We -found the open polar sea, just as we expected, but when we tried to -sail across it, we found ourselves sailing away from it. We also found -that constellations which ought, according to the popular astronomy, -to have been seen above the horizon were entirely obscured. You will -remember that you remarked the cramped appearance, as you expressed it, -of the celestial vault, when we were imprisoned in the ice. - -"This 'Theory of Concentric Spheres' offers a ready and complete -explanation of all these phenomena by which we have been so much -puzzled. It now begins to look as if this theory had been rejected by -scientists with the same unreasoning haste that every other new idea -has encountered. Many things that explorers have met with in the polar -regions, seem inexplicable, unless we admit the truth of this theory." - -The last remark aroused the interest of Captain Battell, who was -ordinarily more inclined to listen, than to join in conversation. -Taking up the subject where Captain Ganoe seemed disposed to drop it, -he continued: - -"In my long experience as a whaler and explorer, I have often found -tropical vegetation, and evidences of man's handiwork, on the -northern shores of Iceland, Spitzbergen and the borders of Siberia; -trees, vines and flowers. The position where these were found, on -the northern shores, precludes the idea of their having been brought -by ocean currents, from our own temperate and tropical countries. -Besides this, we find that after we pass 80° north latitude, the cold -never increases. We further observe flocks of birds coming from, and -returning to, the north. When we kill them for food, we often find -their crops filled with grain and seeds which must be the product of a -mild climate. All these things have come under my personal observation, -and this 'Theory of Concentric Spheres' offers the most complete -explanation that I have met with." - -"Then, do you believe this theory?" I asked, somewhat surprised at the -unusual interest taken by Captain Battell. - -"Why not?" he responded. "I have always been among the few who treated -every new thought with fairness and consideration, no matter what might -be my own preconceived opinions. While not accepting every new fangled -theory that comes along, I do not condemn, but investigate, with a -view to ascertaining the exact truth. I will not knowingly twist and -misrepresent facts and logical deductions therefrom, for the purpose -of proving a pre-adopted creed. Hence I have given this theory an -impartial hearing and justice compels me to admit that the arguments in -its favor are well worthy of careful consideration. Scientists have all -agreed that the earth is not a cold, solid body, and to account for its -lack of density they assume that the center is expanded and diffused -by heat. They further assume that it was originally a nebulous body -entirely destitute of a solid surface. If this is true, then the -centrifugal force generated by its rapid revolution on its axis would -certainly throw its constituent elements outward toward the surface, -thus tending to produce a hollow shell, the very thing claimed in this -'Theory of Concentric Spheres.' The operation of this mechanical law, -which governs revolving matter, can be readily illustrated by placing -a quantity of oil in alcohol of the same density. The oil at once -assumes the globular form by virtue of the law of molecular attraction. -Then insert a disk through the center of the globule and begin to turn -it around. The oil at once begins to rotate on its axis and becomes -depressed at the poles and bulged at the equator, just the form which -the earth is conceived to be. Increase the rapidity of the revolution -up to a certain point and the oil separates from the disk and becomes a -revolving ring. Reasoning from these well-known mechanical laws, we are -forced to the conclusion, that if the earth was ever a soft revolving -body it must be hollow at the center, and it is not at all unlikely -that there may be openings at the poles into this hollow space. So, we -see that there is some logical foundation for this Hollow Globe Theory." - -"It is true," I replied, "that the motion of a soft revolving body, -such as the earth is supposed to have been, may be so accelerated, that -the mass will separate from the line of its axis, but in such a case -it would become a revolving ring, and not a hollow shell, as required -by this theory of concentric spheres. Have you any theory as to how a -revolving ring could under the operation of known mechanical laws, be -converted into a hollow shell, with convex and concave surfaces?" - -"Yes," responded Battell, "I can very easily formulate such a theory. -I can assume that the earth was at one time a revolving ring of -meteors, or minute planetary bodies, which by the mutual attraction -of its parts became solid. This ring, besides the motion on its own -axis, was revolving around the sun, or common center of the solar -nebula, through space filled with meteors, and by its attraction it -gathered other rings of meteors exterior to itself, thus forming a -series of concentric rings revolving around the first, or present -ring. The materials composing these external rings could not reach -the parent ring at its equator because of the centrifugal force -generated by its revolution around its axis, but under the operation of -well-known mechanical laws, they might be drawn toward the pole where -the attraction was the greatest and the centrifugal force the least. -Under the influence of these contending forces, these external rings, -thus acted upon, would one by one spread out and form, first a canopy -over the central ring, and then it would part at the equator, and be -drawn to the poles where it would ultimately find a resting place upon -its polar edges. Such a process kept up long enough would convert the -original revolving ring, or infant earth, into a hollow shell. Of -course all this is mere speculation, but the same thing may be said of -the nebular hypothesis, the supposed igneous condition of the earth's -center, and in fact of nearly all the teachings of science when it -attempts to go beyond the domain of undisputed facts." - -"I am much interested in your reasoning," I said. "This is a new -thought to me and I would like to follow it a little further. How does -this Hollow Globe theory account for volcanoes and other evidences of -internal heat, that have led scientists to the conclusion that the -center of the earth is an igneous mass?" - -"To my mind," said Battell, "these evidences of intense internal -heat do not conflict with the Hollow Globe Theory. Assuming that the -shell is one thousand miles thick; at the center, between the outer -and inner crust, there would be a pressure of five hundred miles of -solid matter, more than sufficient to generate a heat that would melt -every known rock, and this of itself will account for every evidence -of internal heat. Scientists have taught us that heat is a form of -motion, or rather that it is the result of motion when arrested. Now -pressure is only arrested motion, or in other words heat. Hence it has -been estimated that the weight of a column of steel blocks, sixty-five -thousand feet in height, would generate sufficient heat to melt the -lower tier of blocks. These well-known laws, to my mind, offer a more -plausible explanation of the existence of intense heat at great depths, -than the assumption that this heat is the residue, that was left over -from the heat of an original planetary nebula. Well known laws of -physics, force us to the conclusion that this earth can never become a -cold body and that the igneous condition at great depths, will continue -as long as the centripetal and centrifugal forces continue to press the -outer and inner surfaces toward each other. Or in other words, as long -as the surface continues to press down upon the materials below, as -they do now, there will be intense heat at great depths." - -"Your theory," I replied, "if true, will force scientists to abandon -the wonderful history of creation which they have evolved from long and -persistent research." - -"Nothing but their opinions will need to be revised," said Battell. -"Every fact they have discovered will continue to be a fact. We are -here on this expedition to discover facts of scientific importance, -and it now looks as if we are making a most wonderful discovery that -will force scientists to abandon some of their long cherished opinions -and revise others. If we find that this earth is actually a hollow -shell, it will be a fact, that must in the very nature of things -harmonize with every other fact that has been, or will be discovered. -Facts are facts, and while they may not be understood, they cannot -be set aside. It was to discover facts that might benefit the entire -human race by increasing their knowledge that I sacrificed a whaling -business that was paying a handsome profit, to join Captain Ganoe on -this expedition, in which I might lose the accumulations of years, and -possibly life itself. I certainly did not join this expedition in order -to either confirm, or disprove, any of the theories which scientists -have given to the world." - -"Then it seems," I responded, "that you joined the expedition with a -view to making discoveries by which mankind would be benefited, by -adding to the sum total of human knowledge, rather than from any hope -of personal advantage." - -"Possibly," he said. "But I cannot draw the line that your remark -would seem to suggest. I cannot see how I could help mankind, without -helping myself, at least so far as it would give me satisfaction, -and that after all is the one great object that makes life worth the -living. As to just what I expected to discover, I have only to say that -I am not surprised at present appearances. There now seem to be as -many indications of the existence of a habitable country on an inner -surface of the globe, as there were of a western hemisphere, before the -discovery of America. Columbus gave to mankind a new world, and should -we be the means of discovering an inner world, and of opening a line -of communication between that and the outer world, it would not be so -much a matter of astonishment as it would be of actual advantage." Then -turning to Captain Ganoe he asked: "What do you think of our prospect -of success?" - -"The present indications," replied the Captain, "are certainly most -encouraging. From the observations which we have already made, I -believe that we have passed over the verge into the gateway of an inner -world. You remember," he continued, turning to me, "that when we made -our escape from the ice, we sailed directly north and soon made the -discovery that some thing interposed between us and certain stars that -ought to have been visible just above the horizon." - -"Yes," I replied, "I remember. But what do you infer from that?" - -"I infer," he said, "that it was the opposite side of the verge that -interposed between us and the stars which we calculated ought to have -been visible. And now, I propose to sail south until we find land, or -failing in that, run out at the south opening, if we find one. We have -circumnavigated the north pole and yet when we tried to sail across the -open polar sea we found ourselves sailing away from it, assisted by a -powerful ocean current. Now, the water which comes from this impassable -polar sea, is going somewhere, and it is our business to follow it up -and find out all we can about its destination." - -As he spoke, a large flock of birds passed over our heads. - -"There," said the captain, "go our oracles that will lead us to land, -and as they are going in our direction I propose to follow them," and -going to the wheel, he placed the ship directly in their track. - -"How is it," I asked, "that you now take the birds for our guide, -something you have never done before?" - -"Because," said the Captain, "we want to find land and these birds are -evidently on their way to find feeding grounds. I wonder that it did -not occur to me sooner to follow them." - -The light we had observed in the southern horizon grew brighter, and -soon we saw the sun emerge as if from behind a cloud and disappear -again near the same point, when we saw the full moon and a few stars -shining through the northern verge. It was indeed a strange sight to -visitors from the outer world. It never became actually dark, as light -from the sun either direct or reflected reached us at all times. We had -therefore reached a country of which it might be truly said: "There is -no night there." - -Some two days after the first appearance of the sun shining through the -opening at the southern pole, we sighted a small island with a high, -rocky shore-line, and a deep inlet, which formed a natural harbor, well -protected from storms if any ever came to these placid waters. - -We steamed into the inlet, cast anchor and went ashore. This was the -first time in over eighteen months that we had the opportunity to set -our feet upon land. As there seemed to be an abundance of game birds, -Captain Ganoe gave orders that all who desired might take their guns -and enjoy a day's shooting. Notwithstanding the general desolation of -the island it was a most welcome diversion for our small and overworked -crew. - -The first thing that attracted our notice, was the stump of a tree -that had been cut down with an axe. Though the stump was much decayed, -the marks of the axe were plainly visible. On examination, we found -plenty of evidence that the island had been inhabited at no very -distant day, as everything in the shape of timber had been cut down. -This we regretted, as we would gladly have availed ourselves of an -opportunity to take on a supply of wood, our coal being well nigh -exhausted. - -On one side of the narrow inlet in which the ship was anchored, was -a wall of stone which was covered with figures of men, animals and -hieroglyphics. Captain Ganoe said that he had seen similar sculptured -stones in New Mexico, and from this, he inferred that the time had been -when the same people had visited both localities, and that time had -been before the great ice caps had enveloped the poles. On the other -side of the inlet was found a rude hut constructed of rough stones, and -from the inscriptions on the walls we learned that it had been occupied -by an English speaking people, whose vessel had been wrecked on this -lonely island. - -The powerful current which had been the chief factor in liberating us -from the ice, and sweeping us out into the open polar sea, touched at -this lonely island; and it was not unlikely that it was this current, -which had stranded some disabled whaler and its crew, the vestiges of -which were now attracting our attention. This would also account for -the destruction of the few trees which had grown upon this stony waste. -So near the icy verge, fire was a necessity. The scant growth of timber -had been needed for fuel, by these ship-wrecked mariners. - -But what had become of the crew? They had evidently burned up all -the fuel, but they had not been frozen, as their skeletons would -have revealed their fate. The supply of ducks, geese and fish seemed -inexhaustible, and hence they had not starved. We searched diligently, -but could find no indications of death in their ranks, except one lone -grave, on the most elevated point in the island, marked by a rough -stone on which was inscribed the one word: "Father." - -With my camera I took views of the most prominent objects. We spent two -days on this island to the great relief of all. The sailors enjoyed the -hunt, and a goodly supply of ducks, geese, etc., rewarded their efforts. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - SAILING SOUTH--THE WIND CEASES--OUR COAL EXHAUSTED--DRIFTING - ON AN UNKNOWN OCEAN--IN THE GRASP OF SOUTHBOUND - CURRENTS--DESPONDING--VISITED BY AN AIRSHIP--THEN A WHOLE - FLEET--AMONG FRIENDS--A MOST HIGHLY CULTIVATED PEOPLE--WE EMBARK FOR - ALTRURIA--AN AIR VOYAGE. - - -AS we again proceeded south, the weather became more and more -spring-like and the air more invigorating. The climate seemed to have -opposite effects on different temperaments. The more delicate and -refined were stimulated to greater vigor and endurance, while the most -powerful physically were stricken with a fever, attended by acute -pains. This reduced our small crew to a point where we were helpless. -Our coal was also exhausted. The light breezes which had enabled us to -utilize the sails, now ceased entirely and we lay becalmed. - -For weeks the Ice King lay idly on the bosom of this most placid -ocean. So monotonous it became that even an Arctic gale would have been -a most agreeable diversion, by enabling us to move. With a supply of -fuel our chances of finding land would have been increased manifold. We -could have made some headway, notwithstanding the fact that we had at -this time only five persons able to render any efficient service. These -were Captain Ganoe, Battell, Huston, Mike Gallagher and myself. Pat -O'Brien and the two Norwegians, Lief and Eric, were scarcely able to -move around and the three sailors that had been left with us by Battell -while exploring the ice-field because they were not able to stand the -exposure, were now utterly helpless, and not expected to live from hour -to hour. - -We had plenty of provisions for an indefinite period, and when these -were exhausted, the sea would furnish an unlimited supply of fish. Our -vessel was seaworthy and there was seemingly no possible danger of a -storm. And yet our condition was most depressing. The ocean currents -were drifting us slowly along towards the south and might eventually -bring us to land. But this hope, at best, was only a bare possibility. -These same currents might carry us into the ice-fields at the south -pole which in our present disabled condition, meant almost certain -destruction. - -We dropped bottles into the sea containing dispatches, stating our -condition, and describing our location as nearly as possible. But the -chances were that these would never reach a people who would understand -their purport, and be able and willing to offer us any assistance. All -these considerations, added to the sickness of our most sturdy seamen, -had a most depressing effect, and every hour the outlook became more -hopeless. - -With these gloomy forebodings, I had become discouraged indeed. I am -naturally hopeful, but now all hope seemed to be gone. As I look back -to this period I regard it as certainly the darkest of my life. - -Early one morning I had gone upon the upper deck, hoping that the fresh -air might brace me up and revive my drooping energies. In my mind, -with my note book before me, I mentally reviewed the leading incidents -of our voyage on this unknown ocean. According to my reckoning we had -escaped from the ice on the 23d of September, sketched the island and -tower on the 24th, and on the 25th set sail as we supposed for the -north pole. Without having consciously changed our course, five days -later we found ourselves sailing south. We then under a full head of -steam changed our course to the northeast, and circumnavigated a large -expanse of sea surrounding the pole. - -When we again attempted to cross this open sea we again found ourselves -sailing south. We landed on a barren island on the first of November. -In a few days we were becalmed, but in the grasp of a powerful current -which carried us steadily southward, and now on the 25th of December, -when Christmas festivities were the order of the day throughout the -Christian world, here we were on a broad ocean, drifting we knew not -whither. I never felt so utterly devoid of hope, but I was determined -to keep up courage. - -We were in a most agreeable climate. The air was sweet and refreshing -and I thought if we could only find land, what a glorious discovery -we had made, and if we could convey the news to our own country, how -it would stimulate the latent energies of the whole people to find -some ready means of access to this inner world, and thus our perils -and privations might ultimately prove a blessing to mankind. But -why speculate? We were lost on an unknown ocean which seemed to be -boundless, and utterly unable to direct our movements. The thought -struck me with a chill. - -Suddenly in the midst of my cogitations I was startled by a loud, -"Halloo!" It was certainly near at hand. I sprang to my feet and looked -around over the placid surface of the ocean. I could see for leagues -away in every direction, yet could not discover any living thing. I -then started to go below, thinking that perhaps Captain Ganoe had -called me. As I disappeared, the "Halloo!" was repeated in a somewhat -louder tone. - -I met the Captain coming in search of me, and I told him what I had -heard. With an incredulous look on his face, he placed his hand on my -head and said: - -"I fear my dear Jack that your brain has played a trick on you." - -"That may be so," I said, "but let us go above and investigate before -we jump to conclusions." - -He assented, and as we reached the deck, the "Halloo!" was repeated -in a much louder tone than before and this time, apparently directly -over our heads. We looked up and about one hundred feet above our -starboard quarter we beheld what, at first sight, appeared to be some -monster bird, with outspread wings slowly moving as if to maintain its -position. But a second glance revealed it to be some kind of an aerial -conveyance, with transparent sides, through which we could plainly see -two persons on board, who were watching us with intense interest. - -"Well Jack, what do you think of it?" asked the Captain. - -"I hardly know," I replied, "but this seeming monster bird is some kind -of a contrivance for navigating the air, and it has passengers on board -who evidently want to communicate with us." - -Our colloquy was brought to a summary conclusion by one of our aerial -visitors addressing us in a strangely musical but unknown tongue. We -were astonished at the salutation, but we had had so many strange -experiences lately, that we did not lose our self possession, and -Captain Ganoe responded at once by inviting them to "Come on board." -They did not seem to understand, and after a moment's pause he beckoned -to them. They understood the gesture and after a short consultation, -their strange vessel began to circle around in a spiral and came to a -rest on deck, when a side door opened, and two of the finest looking -people I had ever seen stepped out and shook hands with us. They were -large, very fair and looked almost exactly alike. - -One of them who seemed to be the leader, presented a paper which I -recognized as one of the dispatches which we had committed to the care -of the winds a few days after our escape from the ice. I was surprised -to see written below it, in strange characters, what seemed to be a -translation, and this was signed, "Mac," in a plain round hand. We -examined it closely, and handing it back, Captain Ganoe turned to me -and exclaimed: - -"Thank God! English is understood by some people in this inner world. -This removes our greatest difficulty. We can get acquainted." - -Our visitors seemed pleased when they saw that we recognized the -dispatch and the leader at once stepped to the larboard side of the -ship and waved a handkerchief. I now noticed for the first time that -two other airships hovered near, and one of them immediately responded -to the signal and came alongside. After a brief consultation with the -occupants, it began to circle around and ascend until it had attained a -great height, when it darted off at an amazing speed toward the west. I -had noticed that these aerial conveyances both ascended and descended, -by circling around in a spiral. - -While this was going on, I took especial notice of our visitors. They -wore soft felt hats, slightly turned up at the side, with broad silver -bands. Their hair was parted in the middle and hung in ringlets to -their shoulders. They wore embroidered slippers, with silk stockings, -and pants that fastened just below the knee, attached to a loose -waist with a short skirt. Around the waist was a broad silken girdle, -fastened in front by a silver buckle, and tied behind in a bow, the -ends deeply fringed and hanging even with the bottom of the skirt. -Their necks were bare but encircled by a golden chain to which was -attached what seemed to be diamond set lockets, and at their girdles -they wore watches of magnificent workmanship. - -While they were conferring with the occupants of the other airship, -Captain Ganoe said to me: - -"These persons are surely women." - -"And," added Battell, who had just come on deck, "What beauties! Where -did they come from?" - -"They came through the air in yonder little vessel," said the Captain, -"and they seem to have been looking for us, as they have one of the -dispatches we sent out after we escaped from the ice; and more than -that, it has been translated into an unknown tongue, by some one who -signs the name of 'Mac.'" - -"Then they are our saviors," said Battell. - -"I certainly feel so," said the Captain, "and they have evidently made -up their minds to stay awhile, for some purpose." - -"No doubt," replied Battell. "See! They are sending that other bird off -for help. They understand what they are about." - -As the airship disappeared from view, our strange visitors returned to -where we were standing, and seeing Captain Battell, the leader advanced -and gracefully extended her hand. Her unaffected and cordial manner at -once placed us at ease. - -They now manifested a disposition to examine the ship, and seemed by -their motions to confer with each other about it, pointing to the smoke -stacks, the sails and steering apparatus as if they were discussing the -motor power. - -Observing their evident interest in these things, Captain Ganoe -suggested that Battell and myself should conduct them over the ship, -while he would attend to having a breakfast prepared that would be a -credit to the Ice King. Thus prompted, we motioned our visitors to -accompany us below, which they seemed pleased to do. - -We took them through the engine room and pointed out such portions of -the machinery as we felt would interest them the most. We showed them -our liberal supply of scientific instruments, maps, charts, etc. I was -astonished at the keen interest they manifested in our large library. - -We then led them into the presence of our sick sailors. Sympathy was -plainly depicted on their countenances as they passed from one to -another and cordially grasped their hands, frequently conferring with -each other in low tones, as if planning for their relief. - -In the meantime, Mike Gallagher, who in our disabled condition was -nurse, cook and general factotum, had prepared an ample repast, in -which our guests participated with evident relish. While we were -enjoying our meal, I noticed that our visitors were observing me -closely, and then looking at the others, as if making a comparison and -mentally taking notes. When we had arisen from the table the one who -had presented the dispatch came up and pointed to the signature as if -to ask if it was mine. I nodded assent, and she took me by the hand and -drawing it through her arm, led off toward the deck and conducted me -directly to her airship. - -I noticed now, for the first time, that the entrance was about thirty -inches above the deck, where it rested, and was approached by steps so -constructed that they dropped to their place when the door was opened. - -We entered, and I found it to be a splendidly upholstered car, about -six feet wide by sixteen in length, coming to a sharp point at the bow, -while the stern was oval. I could see by a glance at its proportions, -that it was designed to dart through the air at a great speed. But I -had no time to take many notes of this small, but elaborately finished -vessel. The proprietor, so to speak, at once opened a little bookcase, -and handed me a small volume with a knowing smile on her face. To my -surprise, I found it to be a school history of the United States in -English, with a translation, presumably into her own language, printed -in parallel columns. She handed me several other volumes printed in -the same manner in both languages. Among these I noticed a grammar, -dictionary, small geography, a New Testament, hymn book and several -introductory works on the natural sciences. - -She showed me a card on which was printed the English alphabet, that -had evidently never been used, and opposite each letter, a varying -number of characters, corresponding with the number of sounds which we -assign to each. I understood from this, that the people of this country -used phonetic characters. - -I at once realized that she had the means of acquiring a knowledge of -our language, history, geography and science as taught in our common -schools. I surmised that this collection of school books, had been -brought to this country on the vessel that was lost near the barren -island on which we had stopped. It was just such a collection as might -be expected among sailors who were trying to obtain the rudiments of an -education, while employed on a whaler. - -She had doubtless shown me these books as a means of letting me know -that our country and its language were not entirely unknown in her -country, and that she had contemplated making a study of these things. - -We were soon joined by her comrade, Battell and Huston, and this unique -library of outer world school books was again exhibited, and while we -could not exchange a word, we soon felt that we were old acquaintances. - -Our visitors were evidently highly cultured people, and while not -speaking our language, they certainly knew considerable about our -country, while we knew nothing about theirs. - -I was a little surprised at the active interest taken in our guests by -Captain Battell, who was usually so reticent and retiring, and this -interest was plainly mutual. Although they were not able to converse, -they could understand each other, and spent their time strolling about -the ship and peering out over the calm waters of the ocean. - -After the airship had been gone about eight hours, our guests began to -consult their watches and look intently toward the west. Soon a whole -fleet of airships came into view. In a few minutes the foremost one -separated from the others, circled around, and alighted upon our deck, -and one of the occupants stepped out, and as he did so exclaimed in -good English: - -"Thank God, you are safe! How happy I am to welcome so many of my -countrymen into this world of Truth, Justice and Fraternity." - -"And how happy are we," said Captain Ganoe, "to be welcomed by a fellow -countryman after our long voyage in these unknown waters. We have not -looked in the face of a fellow being for nearly two years, and we -welcome you to the deck of the Ice King, as the saviors of all that is -left of its once numerous crew." - -The new comer threw his arms around the Captain's neck, and embraced -him as a mother would her long lost child, sobbing with sudden emotion -until we were all shedding tears in sympathy. Then leaving Captain -Ganoe he embraced each of us in turn. - -"I never was so happy in my life," he exclaimed. "I hope you will -excuse me for thus giving way to my feelings. I had thought I would -never again look into the face of a single human being from my own -native land, and this meeting with so many overcomes me." - -"No apologies are necessary," said Captain Ganoe. "We appreciate the -man who has feelings and is not ashamed to show them, while we could -not have any respect for the man who is destitute of feeling." - -"Thank you," said the newcomer, "and now permit me to introduce myself. -My name is, or rather was, James MacNair, an American born Scotchman." - -Captain Ganoe then introduced himself, Battell, Huston and myself. -MacNair in turn introduced our visitors as the twin sisters, Polaris -and Dione, of the Life Saving Service, and then continued: - -"Ever since they discovered me, almost starved, on a desolate island -far to the north, these self devoted saviors of humanity, have kept an -especial lookout for stranded mariners from the frozen north. And since -they captured your little balloon with the dispatch I translated for -them, they have known that an entire crew had passed the ice barriers, -and they have been more than ever on the alert for an opportunity to -render assistance, and conduct you into a safe harbor. They feared that -you would be disabled by the almost perpetual calms on these waters, -and be carried to the southern verge by these ocean currents which seem -to carefully avoid the land. You see with all their watchfulness you -have been carried nearly to the equator without being discovered, and -you are now fully one thousand miles from land." - -"It was indeed fortunate," said Captain Ganoe "that we continued to -commit dispatches to the care of the winds." - -"That is true," said MacNair, "but it is more fortunate that you sent -up dispatches just when you did, for at that time, the sun begins to -heat the air at the southern verge and it rises to higher altitudes -and the air in the vicinity flows in to fill the vacuum. This produces -a current of air that flows south from the northern verge. It was -this breeze which occurs but once a year that brought your balloons -south. Had they been sent up at the beginning of the northern summer -they would have been carried south on the outside by your equinoctial -storms. This is my theory. It may not be a correct one but it satisfies -me." - -"Whether correct or not," said Captain Ganoe, "we know by experience -that we had a northerly breeze for several days, which enabled us to -use our sails to some advantage. But this breeze soon ceased and as we -had no coal we were at the mercy of the ocean currents." - -"Yes," said MacNair, "there is but little use for sails in this inner -world. But with plenty of coal you would have had no difficulty in -finding a safe harbor among a highly civilized people, in a country -where extremes of heat and cold, and violent storms are unknown." - -MacNair's remarks were cut short by the appearance on the scene of -another magnificent woman who had evidently remained on the airship -which had brought him to our deck, and he added: - -"And now permit me to introduce to you my wife, Iola, who wished to be -among the first to welcome you to this inner world." - -"Glad to meet you," said Captain Ganoe, extending his hand, "and I hope -that you will have no reason to regret this addition to your circle of -so many of your husband's fellow countrymen." - -"Thank you," said Iola, in good English, but with a peculiar accent. -"On behalf of our people, I take pleasure in extending to you a cordial -welcome to our home in Altruria, where we are making a special study of -everything we can get concerning the outer world." - -"And happy are we," rejoined the Captain, "to be welcomed by a people -where our language is not entirely unknown. It will be so much easier -for us to get acquainted, and adapt ourselves to our new surroundings." - -"In our district," said Iola, "you will find quite a number of people -who can converse in English. We are teaching it in our schools." - -While this conversation was going on, Polaris had stepped to the side -of the ship and commenced signaling with a yellow silken flag to the -fleet of airships which hovered over us. Soon one of the largest, and -seemingly the most elaborately furnished, swerved around and alighted -upon the deck of the Ice King. - -Seeing that our attention was attracted to this new movement started by -Polaris, MacNair said: - -"That is our hospital or relief ship. Polaris has called them to the -assistance of your sick sailors." - -"Thank God!" ejaculated Captain Ganoe, "for indeed the poor fellows -need the most careful attention. She and her comrades have placed us -under obligations for their kindness, that can never be repaid. I am -indeed most thankful to our new found friends." - -"Why feel under such obligations to anyone?" asked Iola. "Polaris is -only doing her duty and so are her comrades. This is a duty which we -owe to each other, and you and your sailors will only receive that -which justly belongs to you." - -"But are we not under obligations to those who assist us when in -trouble?" asked Captain Ganoe, "and should we not repay them for the -burdens we impose on them?" - -"I do not quite understand you," said Iola. "You certainly are under -obligations to yourself to entertain feelings of grateful appreciation -toward those who assist you in getting out of a difficult and -distressing situation, as this feeling tends to make us all better -men and women, and hence more desirable members of the community. But -as to repaying others for their assistance, I cannot see how we could -do so unless we were to place them under similar environments, and we -certainly would not do that, simply for the purpose of securing an -opportunity to do for them what they did for us." - -"And I do not understand you at all," said the Captain. "When people -help us, we are certainly under obligations to compensate them for -their assistance, with something more substantial than mere thanks." - -"Then I will try to make my meaning clear," she said. "We all seek -happiness, but a well ordered mind cannot enjoy real happiness while -others are miserable. So in helping others into a condition where they -may be happy, we are working to establish and perpetuate conditions -that are essential to our own happiness. The act itself brings its own -reward. In order for a people to be happy, it is necessary for them -to do to others as they would have others do to them. This is one of -the most simple and obvious laws that govern our relations to each -other. It cannot be ignored without establishing conditions, under -the operations of which, misery would become the normal condition of -mankind, ourselves included." - -"I begin to get a glimpse of your meaning," replied the Captain. -"The founder of our religion, inculcated the same principles in his -teachings which we call the 'Golden Rule,' but I have never before met -with such a practical, matter-of-fact application of it to all the -relations existing between the individual members of the human family. -It may be that among our people a few small circles, to some extent, -apply this rule of action to a chosen few, but it is never applied to -the people in general, except by some cranky individual, who in popular -esteem, is regarded as a fit subject for a lunatic asylum." - -"It seems strange to us," said Iola, "that your people do not -universally apply this fundamental law, upon which human happiness -depends, in all their relations with each other. They must certainly -desire happiness and the most ordinary intelligence ought to incline -them to use the means by which they could secure happiness. But I -know from history that this law was entirely ignored by our ancestors -thousands of years ago. It was first taught as a religious tenet, -but for ages it has been accepted as a fundamental principle in our -civilization, and as a teacher of moral philosophy in our schools it -becomes my duty to inculcate these principles into the minds of the -children. The civilization which we have now, carries out in practice, -the fundamental, humanitarian principles to which the founders of our -old religious system gave expression. These teachings were in many -respects identical, even in language, with the teachings of Jesus and -the apostles as I find them recorded, in the copy of the New Testament -which was among the books that my husband, then a small boy, saved from -his father's ship which went to the bottom near the barren island where -he was discovered." - -"This is indeed remarkable," said the Captain. "I had thought from the -tenor of your remarks that the apostles must have penetrated this inner -world and taught these doctrines, and that they had taken a better -hold on the minds of the people than they have in the outer world. I -see, however, that you claim an independent origin for your religious -system, yet you have the same fundamental doctrines. How is this?" - -"Nothing strange about it," said Iola. "Truth is truth no matter where -it is found. All people, no matter where they live, have the same -faculties, and the same sources of knowledge are open to all alike. -All the religions of the world have had their origin in some form of -inspiration, and these religions have, in turn, left their impress -upon the civilizations of the world. Jesus, of the outer world, and -Krystus of the inner world, both inculcated the same fundamental -truths, which we have incorporated into our civilization, and now teach -in our schools as the fundamental natural laws which must regulate -human relations, before the race can attain to the one great object of -existence,--Happiness." - -While this most interesting conversation was going on, Polaris, -Dione and MacNair were busy fitting up the Hospital ship and giving -directions by signals, to the fleet which hovered above us. Ropes were -attached to the bow of the Ice King, which connected with a number of -the largest airships. The design was apparent, by the preparations. -They intended to tow us to shore. But this was not all. Electrical -apparatus was placed on board and they evidently intended to use -electric motor power to set the machinery in motion. As soon as the -preparations were well on the way, MacNair broke in upon the discussion -by saying: - -"Captain Ganoe, we are now ready to look after your afflicted sailors. -We want to attend to them, just as we would like to be attended to, if, -unfortunately, we were compelled to change places with them, and with -your permission we will take charge of them at once." - -"You not only have my permission, but my heart felt thanks for the -interest you take in them. So now let us go below," and suiting the -action to the word, Captain Ganoe led the way and we all followed. - -We found the ever active Mike, busy ministering to the wants of the -sick and keeping up the spirits of all by his inimitable Irish wit, in -which Pat O'Brien, notwithstanding his acute rheumatic pains joined -with a hearty good will. This buoyant Irish lad and the herculean -Irish sailor, had been the life of the expedition, when we were -imprisoned in the ice, and but for these typical sons of Erin, our -environments would have been much more gloomy. No matter how serious -the outlook might be, they brought out the comic and laughable side of -the picture by their mirth-provoking comments. - -A half dozen persons from the Relief ship at once began their -examination into the condition of the sick, and Captain Ganoe, turning -to MacNair, asked: "Are these persons all physicians?" - -"Well, yes, and no," replied he. "In the outer world you would -call them doctors but here they are nurses. These skilled hospital -attendants, understand all that has been discovered in regard to the -treatment of both mind and body." - -"But what do they use?" asked the Captain. "I see no sign of medicines -and the usual hospital appliances." - -"They need none," replied MacNair. "But this is something that must be -learned further on." - -"Yes," interposed Iola. "You will doubtless find a very different -system of treating human weakness from that which I understand is -adopted in the outer world by the medical practitioners. In their -system of healing they depend exclusively upon external appliances and -ingredients, while we depend mainly upon arousing the internal powers -of mind and spirit, which alone can exercise any absolute control over -the human organism. Your system of treating the body is from without, -while ours is from within, directly opposite to it." - -I did not at that time comprehend her meaning, neither did any of our -crew. Its depth was beyond our grasp and we found that indeed this was -something to be learned further on. But as she ceased speaking, Polaris -called her to one side, and after a brief consultation with the nurses -she said to Captain Ganoe: - -"The nurses report that it will require an hour or more to get the -patients in proper condition for removal and that they want to be left -alone with them, and will let us know when they are ready." - -With this, we all returned to the upper deck to await the pleasure -of the nurses. Captain Battell, who had been an intensely interested -listener, notwithstanding his retiring disposition, now moved to renew -the conversation by turning to MacNair and saying: - -"My dear sir, did I understand you to say that the special business of -Polaris and Dione is to look out for those who may be lost at sea and -render assistance as occasion may require, and especially for such as -may drift in from the outer world? Where are your men, that women are -permitted to engage in these hazardous enterprises?" - -"Nothing strange about that," said MacNair. "As you well know, the -women of the outer world take the lead in all humanitarian work, -because they are naturally more sensitive and sympathetic than men. The -women of this inner world are even more inclined to extend a helping -hand to the distressed, and they are not handicapped by usages which -restrict the influence of the woman of the outer world. Here, both -sexes are placed upon terms of absolute equality, and every individual -has an opportunity to find the place that is best suited to his or -her inclinations. Men are also engaged in this work, but the women -here, as in the outer world, are more sympathetic, and as there is -nothing to prevent it, they have carried their humanitarian work to -such perfection, that all the oppressive conditions which afflict -humanity have been wellnigh removed. To this, more than to all other -causes combined, do we attribute the existence of the ideal conditions -which you will find throughout this inner world. You certainly cannot -think that women are out of place when they are protecting their own -offspring?" - -"Not that," said Battell. "I certainly esteem it most fortunate that we -have fallen into the hands of these humanity loving women, but it all -seems so strange. You have women commanding fleets in the air, and if -so, why not have them navigating the ocean and commanding your armies -and navies?" - -"We have no armies and navies to destroy our offspring," interrupted -Iola. "We know nothing of these things except from our ancient -histories. When woman secured her true position in the world she -put an end to war by removing the vicious commercial, financial and -governmental systems that enabled one class of people to oppress -another. When greedy and domineering classes could no longer have -soldiers to do their bidding, poverty was abolished by securing to the -whole people equal access to the unlimited productive power of the -earth. The women demanded peace because it prevented the slaughter of -their offspring in useless wars, and in order to have peace it was -necessary to secure to all an equal opportunity to create wealth by -their labor." - -"But I do not see," said Battell, "how equal rights to women would -prevent governmental injustice, with its consequent wars and bloodshed. -In the outer world, some of the most bloodthirsty rulers in the annals -of history have been women." - -"And the same thing was true in the inner world," said Iola, "until -all women had secured their personal freedom from the domination of -man-made laws and prerogatives. When that time came, Mother-love -completed the work of human redemption. In time the women became a unit -for peace, and this thought was impressed upon their offspring and -these grew into maturity without any inclination to rule by violence, -and war was abolished. And the same love of offspring which put an end -to war and all its horrors, demanded the removal of the discriminations -which enabled the offspring of one woman to defraud and oppress the -offspring of another woman. It was the inspiration of Mother-love -which set the women to investigating the systems which enriched the -few at the expense of the many; and in defense of their children, -they united their efforts along peaceful lines to establish equitable -relations in all the affairs of life. The women of that day, were not -more intelligent than the men, but love for their offspring gave them a -deeper and more abiding sympathy for the oppressed, and this feeling, -if not crushed out by the iron heel of military power, will ultimately -save the people of any country from the consequences of inequitable -conditions." - -"I believe you are right," said Battell, "but this does not explain to -me why women should lead in such a hazardous business as this in which -Polaris and Dione are engaged." - -"It is because they desire to do so," said MacNair. "Polaris is a -sincere lover of humanity. She is a true womanly woman, and as such -takes pleasure in rendering assistance to all who are afflicted -or distressed. Besides, she is by education, inclination and long -experience, an expert in aerial navigation, and holds her position as -head of the Life Saving Service by virtue of her superior qualities." - -"But," said Battell, "as head of a department, she might send her -subordinates and not take the hardest work on herself. It seems to me, -that she personally superintends everything, doing as much work as a -half dozen others ought to do." - -"Polaris always leads," said MacNair. "Besides, in your case there were -especial reasons why she should personally lead the search. You were -exposed to peculiar dangers, and it was uncertain whether you had been -carried into the Oscan or Umbrian oceans, by the ocean currents. So, -to guard against possible failure, she did not trust entirely to the -patrols, but continued to circumnavigate the concave herself. - -"But few persons could have kept up the incessant activity and -watchfulness that she and Dione have done ever since they captured your -dispatches. They were determined that you should not be carried into -the stormy waters of the south if persistent vigilance could prevent -it." - -"Well, thank God, they were successful!" said Battell. "If we should -live a thousand years we could not pay them for their efforts in our -behalf." - -"No thanks are required," again interrupted Iola. "Polaris has only -done her duty, and as to pay, she could hardly comprehend what you -mean by it. She doubtless felt that she was amply rewarded for all her -efforts when she succeeded in finding you. Success, in a praiseworthy -undertaking, is the only reward that any man or woman can afford to -work for. She has found you and therefore has her reward, while we -can enjoy the pleasure of providing you with the comforts of a home -and freedom from anxiety, toil and danger. You will only get what our -common mother nature has prepared alike for all her children, while -we have been especially benefited by the opportunity it has given -us of helping a brother in distress. If there is any difference, we -have more reasons to be thankful than you have, as we take pleasure -in contributing to the happiness of others. It is in very truth 'more -blessed to give than to receive.'" - -"I am not an enthusiast," responded Battell, "but I am frank to admit -that I am carried away by the transcendent character of the sentiments -you express, in regard to our duties toward each other. But it seems to -me, that your grand ideal as to what human character ought to be, is -so far above our fallen human nature, that it can never be realized in -this life. Such a character was Jesus, the Savior of mankind as painted -by our religious teachers. But this character is so very much above the -human plane of development, that it would be regarded as sacrilegious -for anyone to attempt to be as pure, as noble and as holy as he is said -to have been." - -"The great mass of our people," said Iola, "would not understand -your allusion to fallen human nature, and the Savior of mankind, but -I have read a number of your religious books, and from comparisons -with our own ancient history, have concluded that the Fall of Man and -his Redemption through the Cross are allegories which were intended -to teach a wonderful truth. But, be this as it may, the character of -Jesus, I regard as the only truly human character that I have met -with in the few outer world books that we have. The wonder is, that -this magnificent character has not been incorporated into all of -his professed followers. After two thousand years of preaching and -discipline, it is strange that you have not developed many of these -characters; even surpassing his exalted standard, especially as he told -his disciples that they might do greater things than he did." - -"But," said Battell, "we are told that he was more than man. He was the -Son of God, sent upon earth from his Father's home in heaven, to save -fallen man." - -"I am willing," was Iola's reply, "to admit all this, as I understand -it. We had similar characters in the olden time, who tried to save -their fellow beings from the low estate in which they lived. But a time -came when the effect of their teachings was to produce a multitude -of such characters, and then the entire people made one great bound -upward, and now we are all saviors whenever and wherever we find a -demand for our services in that capacity." - -Battell looked his astonishment as he asked: - -"Is this heaven? Am I to be brought into the presence of not one, but a -world full of these God-like characters?" - -Iola smiled as she said in response: - -"Yes, this is heaven provided you have heaven in you, the only place -where you will ever find it. And this God-like character whom you call -a Savior, is also in you, as it is in every other human being, just as -soon as you permit it to be developed. This spark of Divinity--this Son -of God--is latent in the human soul, and its efforts to make itself -felt, is the source of every noble, pure and holy impulse to elevate -our common humanity. Give the God that is in you a chance to develop, -and you will become like unto Jesus, a 'God manifest in the flesh.'" - -"But how am I to develop this God-like character?" asked Battell. - -"By becoming a savior of the race to the best of your ability," -answered Iola. "You were taught that it was the mission of Jesus to -save the world. It is also your mission. He did his duty in his age -and generation, to elevate humanity, and it is your duty to make just -as much of an effort in your age and generation, to make the world -better for your having lived in it. - -"You cannot afford to sit down as if you had nothing to do and 'cast -all your cares on Jesus.' You have no right to impose, even if it -were possible, any more burdens upon the 'meek and lowly carpenter of -Judea.' He did his duty, well and truly, and you ought to do yours. -You, in common with every other human being owe a debt to humanity, and -you must pay it by your efforts to save humanity-- - - From all its sins, its aches and pains - From all its multitude of woes, - -You cannot be released from your share of the obligation to save the -world, by singing: - - 'Jesus paid it all, all the debt I owe.'" - -"I acknowledge," said Battell, "the justice of your criticism as -applied to the churches of the outer world, but I am, or rather, I was, -a whaler, and they do not fit me. As a sailor, and as a whaler, I never -shirked any duty or danger, and I expected every other man to do his -duty. I think if I had been called upon to do the work of every other -man on shipboard, I would have objected to it most strenuously. On the -same principle, Jesus certainly has a clear case against every one of -his followers for neglect of duty." - -"I did not expect you to take my criticism to yourself," said Iola, -"notwithstanding the fact that you referred to the religious system -of your country, as if it was your standard of faith and practice. I -only sought to impress upon your mind, the truths that, it seems to me, -the founder of your religion intended to teach. Those who took up the -work after him, seem to have entirely lost sight of the purpose and -spirit of his teachings. But here comes Polaris. She has something to -communicate." - -Polaris came forward, and after a brief conference with Iola and -MacNair, she signaled the fleet, which began to maneuver, as if -aligning itself under orders, according to some well-defined plan, -while MacNair, addressing himself to Captain Ganoe, said: - -"Polaris reports that the nurses are ready, and to guard against any -excitement that might disturb the patients, they want everyone to -embark on the airships except Mike, who will stay with the patients -on the Relief ship. Polaris will take Battell and Huston in the ship -with herself and sister, while Jack and yourself will take passage with -Iola and your humble servant. The rest of the fleet will tow the Ice -King into port, where you can remove your baggage at your leisure. She -will be taken up the Cocytas to Lake Byblis, where all will be safe -and under the charge of Pat O'Brien and Mike Gallagher. It will be a -convenient distance from the home we have prepared for you until you -have become familiar with the language, customs of the country, and so -forth." - -"How far will it be?" asked the Captain. - -"Only about 150 miles," replied MacNair, "which can easily be reached -by airship or electric car in half an hour." - -"So quickly as that!" exclaimed Ganoe. - -"Certainly. 300 miles an hour is nothing extraordinary." - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - CARING FOR THE SICK--NEW METHODS OF TREATMENT--NOT PHYSICIANS - BUT NURSES--NO MEDICINES--A RAPID RECOVERY--A VOYAGE THROUGH THE - AIR--WONDERFUL OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS WHICH REVEAL A PANORAMA OF THE - WORLD--ARRIVAL IN ALTRURIA--MARVELOUS IMPROVEMENTS--DRUDGERY AND - POVERTY BOTH ABOLISHED. - -[Illustration] - - -CAPTAIN Ganoe and myself took passage with MacNair and Iola. For the -first time, we had embarked upon an airship. I had witnessed many -balloon ascensions and had read much in regard to various contrivances -for navigating the air, all of which had been failures. But here was a -success, and I was on the alert to learn everything possible, in regard -to the mechanical principles involved. - -We found ourselves in an elegantly furnished cabin, but we saw no -signs of machinery. Everything in sight seemed to be arranged for the -especial comfort and convenience of the passengers. The view in all -directions, through transparent sections, was unobstructed, but the -sections could be readily shaded, or the light shut out entirely as the -occupants might desire. - -In the center was a table of exquisite design and workmanship, on which -were various optical instruments for the use of the occupants, and also -an electric keyboard connected with the hull which was elevated about -thirty inches above the floor upon which it rested. - -The shape of the hull in which I concluded that the motor power was -placed seemed to be adapted to the navigation of the water as well as -the air and in answer to our inquiries MacNair informed us that it -could readily be converted into either a water craft or land carriage. -The ordinary propelling power consisted of an ingenious combination -of wings shaped like those of an insect, but when extraordinary -speed was required there was a rudder-like appendage, similar to the -tail of a fish, that was shot out from the hull. These were operated -by electricity and appropriate mechanical contrivances. He further -explained that the power of levitation, or rising in the air, did not -depend entirely upon the wings, but, that by a discovery in magnetism, -the vessel was rendered positive to the earth so that they mutually -repelled each other. - -When all was ready, MacNair touched a button on the keyboard, and at -once our aerial conveyance became instinct with life. Its broad wings -that had been neatly folded, as it alighted upon the deck, now extended -out like the pinions of some mighty bird, there was a slight whirring -noise beneath our feet, and we began to ascend, moving as it were -forward, around a spiral incline. - -As we circled around and arose to a place among the fleet which had -hovered over us, we had a full view of the ample preparations which our -deliverers had made for our rescue. On some of the ships we noticed -cables and powerful dynamos. These vessels were as unlike the light and -airy passenger boat on which we were embarked, as the ponderous freight -train is unlike the lightning express. They had evidently come prepared -to take charge of the Ice King as well as the crew. - -Polaris, Dione, Battell and Huston had embarked, and ascended a short -distance, as if to be in a good position to give directions. The -hospital attendants were carrying the afflicted sailors on board the -Relief ship, on stretchers, with the exception of Pat O'Brien, who was -getting around as lively as if there never had been anything the matter -with him, and Mike seemed to be trying to keep him still. We were -surprised at what seemed to be such a wonderful recovery, and MacNair, -noticing the intense interest we were taking in what was transpiring on -the Ice King, asked: - -"What is the matter? Anything going wrong?" - -"Nothing wrong," replied Captain Ganoe, "but something strange. Do -you see that herculean sailor rushing around down there and evidently -making himself useful in caring for his comrades?" - -"Well, what of that?" asked MacNair. - -"Only this," said the Captain, "a few hours ago he was confined to -his bed with a severe attack of rheumatism and now he seems the -personification of health and vigor. Can you explain the change in his -case while the others are still helpless?" - -"Perhaps his rheumatic attack had actually run its course, but still -remained to trouble him as the result of the impression that had been -made upon his mind. If that is the case, then he only needed a mental -suggestion, to remove the rheumatic impression which had fastened -itself upon him." - -"That is a queer view to take of the matter," said the Captain, "yet -there may be something in it. But why are the others still helpless? -Why would not mental suggestion have the same effect on them?" - -"I do not understand the particulars in regard to their condition, -and hence, am not qualified to offer an opinion. It may be that the -disease in them had worked some organic change that was not so easy to -overcome, or, it may be that the suggestion that removed the pain put -them to sleep. I see they are apparently sleeping soundly." - -"I hope their sleep may be a favorable indication," said the Captain. -"I do not," he continued, "understand this strange disease which seems -to single out the most robust and powerful. Can you explain it to me?" - -"The atmosphere of this inner world," interposed Iola, "is highly -stimulating, and it requires much active exercise to provide an outlet -for the surplus energy that is generated. You were becalmed. Your -sailors had nothing to do but to rest when they were not tired. The -energy was created and it must be expended. Mental activity would have -accomplished this, and their health would have been improved. But -failing in this, it took the form of fever and acute pains. The best, -in fact, the only efficient safeguard from disease, situated as you -were, is to be found in mental activity." - -"You certainly do not mean to say that mentally active people are not -liable to get sick in this inner world?" remarked the Captain. - -"Nothing of the kind," said Iola. "But I will say this, that all other -conditions being equal, mentally active people are not in as much -danger, provided they think healthy thoughts. If they think disease -and fear the worst, they will be even more liable than others to get -just what they think. But if the active mind is trained to exercise -its power to preserve the health of the body, there is no danger from -disease." - -"This is a strange doctrine," said the Captain, "and one that I am -anxious to know more about, but that must be learned further on, I -suppose, as MacNair says." - -We had been rising slowly until we had now attained a great height and -MacNair interrupted the discussion of mental suggestion by saying: - -"We have designedly ascended to a greater height than usual, so as -to be above the more humid atmosphere. This will give you a better -opportunity to make observations." - -"But what observations can we make," I asked, "that could not be made -from the surface? When I became satisfied from seeing the sun shining -through the southern verge, that we had passed into an inner world, -I expected with the telescope, to be able to scan every part of the -surface, but I found that I was seemingly as far from being able to -do so, as when I was in the outer world. Can you explain to me why I -cannot turn my glass to the zenith and see the opposite side of the -concave?" - -"There can be but one reason," said MacNair, with a merry twinkle in -his eyes. "The gaseous contents of the concave must be opaque to your -vision." - -"Well, well," I said laughing, "I found that out without your -assistance, and I am not going to let you dodge the question by a play -on words. What I want to know is, why these gaseous contents at the -center, are opaque while the air at the surface is not?" - -"Well I see," said MacNair, "that you are determined to compel me to -reveal how little I know. The scientists of the early ages evolved the -theory that the center of the concave is a gaseous globe composed of -the very lightest materials which they knew by actual experience to be -opaque to their vision." - -"But why," I asked, "is it that this concave sphere does not shut off -the light from the sun?" - -"Because," said MacNair, "this opaque sphere is above our line of -vision,--our position on the surface, being twelve degrees below -the verges. Besides this, the central opaque sphere is conceived to -be flattened at the poles and bulged at the equator, and some have -contended that it is also hollow like the earth. But for this opaque -sphere our nights would be as light as day by the reflection from the -hemisphere above." - -"I have thought of that," I replied, "and still I have so much wished -that the opposite hemisphere could be seen with the telescope." - -"Well, that is precisely what you will be able to do from this -airship," said MacNair. - -"How so?" I asked. "We certainly cannot rise above the opaque sphere, -and if we could, and got a clear view of the opposite hemisphere, that -would not be seeing from one side of the concave to the other." - -"Not that surely," said MacNair, "but scientists knowing that magnetic -currents often pass more readily through opaque than transparent -substances, began to search for rays of this kind that would pass -through dark bodies and be reflected by substances beyond. At last -they succeeded in securing a photograph through wood and metal, and -then, all that was required in order to enable us to see through opaque -matter, was an optical instrument that would cast the reflection on the -retina of the eye. This, in the course of time, was accomplished. And -now, these wonderful discoveries are used by the medical profession, -in order to enable them to look into the bodies of their patients -and examine the internal organs. And, these electro-magnetic optical -instruments have been so improved that they are in general use, in -observations where opaque bodies obstruct the view." - -"And do you tell me this as sober truth?" I asked. - -"Certainly," responded MacNair, "I propose to give you a practical -demonstration. You discovered that the space between us and the zenith -was opaque to your vision. Now, take these glasses and adjust them to -your eyes and look through those semi-transparent sections, which are -like a lace-work of tubes. The penetrating power of these glasses, you -see, can be increased or decreased by moving this slide. They enable -you to use the magnetic rays which pass through all substances for the -purpose of vision." - -We followed his directions and the first glance gave us an ocular -demonstration that the surface was concave. "Now," continued MacNair, -"in order to get the best idea of the leading geographical outlines of -this inner world, I want you to examine with your glasses a zone from -the horizon in front of us, through the zenith to the horizon behind -us. We are now moving on an airline for your future home in Altruria. -Our course is a little south of west and the distance about one -thousand miles. We are now very near the center of the Oscan ocean. -East of us is the continent of Atlan. So, a zone, extending through -the zenith along the line on which we are moving will pass through the -equatorial belt, and give you a clear concept of the great centers of -population and material improvement. This is the most important part -of the world for you to study for the present, and until you learn the -language and mingle with the people, you must depend upon your eyes as -the chief source of information." - -We were now moving at great speed and the sensations were most -exhilarating. Looking out over the bow we beheld the horizon of water -and raising our glasses as we had been directed, at an elevation of -about twenty degrees, the coast line of a continent came into view. And -still elevating our glasses, we rapidly passed in review a wonderful -panorama of flowing rivers, cultivated fields, tangled wildwood, -and lofty mountain chains until at an elevation of about forty-five -degrees, we beheld the western coast line of the Altrurian continent. -At the zenith, we saw the Umbrian ocean, and further down, and directly -opposite to Altruria, the continent of Atlan, suspended, as it were, in -the eastern sky like a map. Looking toward the north, and some ten or -twelve degrees above the horizon, was the barren island on which we had -landed. - -We were so engrossed with our observations in a world where we could -take a bird's eye view of any part of it, that we did not care -to continue the conversation in which we had become so intensely -interested. The continent which we were approaching, looked through our -glasses like a vast concave picture of a most lovely country suspended -above the horizon, and covering almost the entire western sky. But when -we looked through our ordinary glasses, the general appearance was not -materially different from what it would have been in the outer world. -I could but wonder at this marvelous discovery, which had enabled the -inventor to construct instruments that converted opaque rays into rays -of light, and I could not help thinking, what a restraint the general -use of such wonderful optical instruments would be upon evil doers. -Nothing could be hidden from those who cared to investigate. - -While my thoughts wandered into other channels, my gaze was riveted -upon the wonderful panorama presented to our view. I noted that the -divisions between land and water were strikingly similar to the -physical geography of the outer world, except in this, that the land -surface of the inner world on the line of the equator seemed to -correspond very closely with the water surface of the outer world, -though on a much smaller scale. The clear weather prevailing in -the western hemisphere gave us a splendid view of the continent of -Altruria. In a few localities dense masses of clouds obscured, but did -not entirely shut out the view; and on the whole we got a clear concept -of the topography of the country. - -A lofty mountain chain extended from the north to the south, and many -long rivers flowed from the mountains into the ocean on either side. -Large areas of the surface seemed to be highly cultivated, and even -in the mountains, palatial buildings were brought into view by the -higher powers of our telescopes. Boats plowed along the rivers and on -the lakes, and the entire country seemed to be a network of railroads, -while airships appeared like specks in the field of our vision, -flitting here and there and speeding in every direction. - -But the most singular feature which attracted our attention, was, that -notwithstanding all the evidences of a highly cultivated country and -the most active traffic and trade between the different sections, we -nowhere discovered any indications of great cities; and while what -appeared to be extensive manufacturing establishments existed in -numerous localities, and the harbors along the shore lines were filled -with shipping, nowhere did we see vast clouds of smoke such as vitiate -the atmosphere in the large cities and manufacturing districts of the -outer world. - -We were so taken up with what we could see, that we had no inclination -to withdraw our attention from this wonderful panorama, to ask for many -explanations of minor details. We now had a view of an entire continent -and were disposed to make the most of the opportunity. It was doubtless -highly civilized, and had its libraries filled with historical, -scientific, sociological and ethical works that would, in time, reveal -to us all that was worth knowing. As MacNair had said, we must use our -eyes as our chief source of information, until we had acquired the -language and familiarized ourselves with the daily life and usages of -the people. - -We were now nearing the continent and MacNair reduced our speed so as -to give us time to make our observations more in detail. The general -direction of the coast was north and south for some hundreds of miles. -Along the mainland, capes and promontories were numerous, while running -parallel therewith was a chain of islands, forming a continuous series -of bays which in the outer world would have been of inestimable value -as harbors. - -One long island, lying parallel with the coast immediately before us, -particularly attracted our attention. It seemed to be some twenty-five -or thirty miles in length, and lay like an elevated ridge, between -two promontories which extended out from the mainland at either -extremity, from which it was separated by narrow channels. This formed -a magnificent bay which contained a number of smaller islands that -divided the bay into a series of land-locked harbors. - -The Cocytas river, to which our attention had been called, flowing -from the mountains in the northwest, entered this bay at its northern -extremity, through two outlets about five miles apart. Between these -outlets was a triangular island about fifteen miles in length. The -north bank of the northern outlet was a promontory which extended -out from the mainland, to within a few hundred feet of the northern -extremity of the island which separated the waters of the bay from the -ocean. - -As we neared the coast, what had seemed to be a huge smokestack on the -point of the promontory that constituted the southern shore-line of -the bay, was revealed to our vision as a colossal tower, that in its -general appearance, was an exact duplicate of the strange tower we had -passed at the northern verge, at the point where we had escaped from -the ice. The material used, the style of architecture, and everything -about it indicated that it was erected by the same people and for the -same purpose. - -We had now been speeding forward in a straight line for five hours. -We had covered fully 1,000 miles, and MacNair assured us that we had -been traveling slowly, in order to give us an opportunity to study the -topography of the country, as a whole, from an advantageous position, -at an average height of about four miles, though at times we had -ascended to higher altitudes, as Iola suggested, to so train our lungs -to an attenuated atmosphere, that we would experience less discomfort -from the lofty aerial flights we were destined to make. - -MacNair now called our especial attention to the region of country we -were approaching. It was an agricultural district, and, evidently, -in a high state of cultivation. It looked like a vast prairie farm, -regularly laid out, in the shape of a parallelogram, extending from -east to west about thirty miles, and from south to north about fifteen -miles. Magnificent buildings appeared at regular intervals, surrounded -by beautiful grounds, and connected by broad boulevards, reaching -from one end to the other, and crossed by elevated roads at regular -intervals. On these magnificent highways, splendid carriages were -rolling, but no horses were in sight. Electric cars were continuously -moving both ways between these houses, the north and south lines being -elevated. - -Airships of all sizes and designs, seemed to be ubiquitous, and were -moving in every direction. Children amused themselves on the shaded -lawns that bordered the boulevards, and in the flower gardens of the -highly ornamented grounds around the palatial buildings which appeared -in every direction. While this district seemed to be distinctively -agricultural, much of the surface was given up to parks, shaded -driveways, miniature rivers, artificial lakes, fountains, ornamental -gardens and orchards. - -The lands devoted to cultivation, were laid off into rectilinear fields -running the entire length of the district, thus securing a saving of -labor that could not have been accomplished in any other manner. From -one end to the other of these long fields, monster machines were -moving, operated by electricity, and completing their work as they -went. One machine to which MacNair directed our especial attention, was -a combined breaking plow, seeder and roller. It was moving at a rapid -rate, and leaving behind it a strip, fifty feet in width, thoroughly -pulverized, seeded and rolled. The operator occupied a comfortably -furnished cab, and directed the progress of the machine by what we were -told was a delicately arranged electric keyboard on a table before him. - -Everywhere within the range of our vision was presented a scene of -industrial activity, and yet comparatively few appeared to be engaged -in actual labor. The major portion of the population seemed to be -out enjoying a holiday. So impressed was Captain Ganoe with this -appearance, that he asked if it was some special festival occasion. - -"Not at all," said MacNair. "This scene of recreation and enjoyment is -of every day occurrence. The people of this inner world have learned -that it takes very little physical labor to provide an abundance of -every article of necessity, comfort and luxury for the whole people. -They have discovered how to control the great forces of nature and the -machine has taken the place of human muscle." - -"But," said the Captain, "does not that throw the great masses of the -people out of employment, and place them at the mercy of the people who -own the machines and the land?" - -"It certainly does," answered MacNair. "It deprives all persons of -toilsome drudgery, and places them absolutely at the mercy of the -people who own the machines and the land. But this is just what they -want, because these same people who are deprived of employment, own -both the land and the machinery of production and distribution. Hence, -they are enabled to enjoy a perpetual holiday. The amount of work to -be done, is a much coveted task, as it provides necessary exercise, -and from the fact that it is useful and contributes to the commonweal, -it is ennobling. The people of this country are too wise to permit the -private ownership of land and the means of production, and thus deprive -themselves of the abundance, that can be provided for all by the -intelligent application of human labor to those natural resources which -exceed in productiveness all the demand that can be made upon them. - -"But here we are," continued MacNair, "over the land, and now we will -loiter along, so you can study the immediate neighborhood in which you -will have your home until you want to make a change. These magnificent -buildings are communal homes, and this is a communal agricultural -district. I am engaged here as a teacher of English, and it has been -thought best to bring you here, because quite a number of people are -learning to speak our language. It will therefore be more agreeable to -you until you have learned to speak the language of Altruria, which has -long been universal throughout the inner world. But this will not take -you long, and then your services will be in demand as a teacher. The -people are anxious to learn all that can be discovered concerning the -outer world." - -This country is divided into numerous districts which are numbered -from north to south. This is District No. 1, Range No. 1, west. This -range line corresponds with longitude 180°. These longitudinal lines -are numbered east and west just as they are in the outer world, but as -the circle is smaller, the distance between the lines is proportionally -less. - -"The tower which you were examining so closely as we came to land, is -the point from which longitude is calculated. It stands on the equator, -and the north and south verges are said to have been marked on the same -longitude by similar towers, in ancient times, before communication -between the inner and outer worlds was closed by the great ice age, -and floods which are said to have submerged all the lower lands. Some -regard these traditions as mythical, but many of the ablest scholars -accept them as the fragments of authentic history which were saved from -some great cataclysm." - -"Then," said Captain Ganoe, "it will doubtless be interesting to -these people to learn, that our log book confirms the truth of these -traditions. At the point where we escaped from the ice was a stupendous -tower situated on a point of land, and it was in latitude 85° north, -longitude 180° west. So from this it seems that we are now situated -directly under the Pacific Ocean." - -"This indeed will be welcome news to the people of the inner world," -said MacNair. "Numerous expeditions have been sent to discover these -towers, but thus far, they have either perished, or have been driven -back by the cold and storms of the icy verges. Our ancient histories -record, that, from the top of these towers, the philosophers made note -of some wonderful appearances in the heavens which threatened the race -with destruction. Oqua, who is at the head of our district schools will -indeed be glad to converse with you on this subject. She has been an -enthusiastic patron of polar expeditions, believing that the discovery -of these towers would confirm much in the history of the world that has -been regarded as mythical. It was the first of these expeditions to use -the airship, that rescued me. The only important discovery made was -that while the airships are all the most enthusiastic expected in these -medial latitudes where storms are unknown, they are not equal to the -task of penetrating the icy verges." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - ARRIVAL IN ALTRURIA--A COLOSSAL COMMUNAL HOME--DISTRICT 1, RANGE - 1--UNDER THE PACIFIC OCEAN--BATTELL AT THE TELEPHONE--STARTLING - APPARITION IN A MIRROR--ENROLLED IN SCHOOL--STUDY OF THE - LANGUAGE--PHONOGRAPHIC ENUNCIATOR--A COMMUNAL AGRICULTURAL - DISTRICT--THE FIRST REVOLT AGAINST LANDLORDISM--FREEDOM THE RULE--A - NEW WORLD--STRIKINGLY SIMILAR TO AMERICA. - -[Illustration] - - -WHILE MacNair was speaking our airship had alighted upon the top of one -of the monster houses. We found that a portion of the roof constituted -the boat yard for the airships which were kept for the use of the -community. In the center of this roof and elevated far above it, was a -circular structure which was slowly revolving, and we could see that -it was occupied by people who seemed to be enjoying a siesta. MacNair -informed us that this was the reclining room where the members of the -community retired to rest and enjoy the scenery in every direction, as -well as a place for conferences in its many private apartments. - -From this roof, elevators connected at various points with the floors -below. This was by far the largest residence building I had ever seen. -It consisted of one main building, twelve stories in height and 600 -feet in length by 200 wide. On either side were three wings, of the -same height, 200 feet long by 100 feet in width. The building was -constructed of semi-transparent material which admitted a mellowed -light. At the points occupied by the elevator cages were awnings of -the same material as that which constituted the roof. We took our -seats in one of these elevators, MacNair touched a button and the cage -descended, leaving its covering as part of the main roof. - -We landed in an extensive dining hall where a magnificent repast had -been provided for us. The tables were loaded with the finest soups, -bread, vegetables, honey, fruits and nuts in the greatest variety. -MacNair informed us that any person had the right to eat at any -communal home or public dining hall in the world provided that he had -performed his share of productive labor in any part of the world. - -No matter where the labor is applied, the product is added to the -world's supply and it does not signify where its equivalent is -consumed. The evidences of useful service rendered to society, which -are issued by the proper authorities in every part of the world, -entitle the holder to food, shelter and raiment in any other part of -the world. These evidences of labor performed, procure the right of way -upon any public conveyance on land or water, or through the air. - -To us, this had indeed been a most eventful day. - -We had been discovered in our forlorn condition early in the morning -and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon we had embarked for a voyage of 1000 -miles through the air, during which time we had been permitted to enjoy -a bird's eye view of the mighty oceans and vast continents of the -world. By the time we were through with our suppers it was 11 p.m., and -MacNair's announcement that we would now be conducted to our rooms, -was indeed most welcome. He explained that they were in the visitor's -department which we would occupy until our own apartments were ready. - -I was introduced into a magnificent bed chamber but was so sleepy that -I scarcely noticed its contents. It was late next morning when I awoke, -and when I went out into the hall, I found it full of people passing to -and fro, and wondered how it was that I could sleep so soundly. But the -mystery was soon explained. I met MacNair in the dining hall and in his -usual cheerful manner he asked: - -"Well, Jack, how did you rest?" - -"All right," I said, "but I seem to have lost my ability to waken up. I -am usually aroused by the least noise, but all the passing to and fro -in the hall had no effect on me." - -"Of course not," said he. "We wanted you to sleep all you could, and so -cut off the sounds from your rooms. These walls are all upholstered so -that no sound can enter when the sound conductors are disconnected. - -"Now," he continued, "just make yourself at home and look around for -a day or two. Go wherever your inclinations seem to direct, and make -good use of your eyes. Remember that transportation is free. I am now -going to register your arrival. Your other comrades have gone to Lake -Byblis. Polaris will take care of them and the Ice King." - -I took him at his word, and roamed at will over the grounds and through -the public offices, Library, Museum, Lecture Room, Music Hall, etc. I -found that the heads of the departments and many others understood some -English, and all treated me with the utmost courtesy. - -The second morning Iola informed us that Battell wanted to communicate -with us and conducted us to the telephone room. On entering I was -surprised to see Battell standing before me, and he greeted me in his -usual cordial manner: - -"Well, good morning, Jack. How do you like this enchanted land?" - -"I am delighted to meet you," I replied, and extended my hand. Imagine -my surprise when it touched the smooth surface of a mirror, and Battell -broke into a hearty laugh, saying: - -"I would indeed like to shake, but we are not yet able to reach 150 -miles." - -I was astonished. Indeed I was so taken aback by the unexpected and -life-like apparition, that for once I was completely dumbfounded. Iola, -seeing my confusion came to my rescue, saying: - -"I ought to have prepared you for this by some explanation of our -system of inter-communication, but I thought that the use of our -electro-magnetic optical instruments, by which we are enabled to see -through opaque substances had prepared you for this. The reflection of -Captain Battell on the mirror, is only another method of applying the -same principle. The rays from him, converted into rays of light, are -reflected upon the mirror, on the same principle that the rays from -the eastern hemisphere are reflected on the retina of the eye." - -"I ought to have anticipated such an application of this wonderful -discovery," I replied, "but it was nevertheless so unexpected, that I -was entirely unprepared for it." - -"Well Jack," came from the phonograph, "you are not alone in your -astonishment. I would have been quite as much surprised to see you, had -I not been apprised of what I might expect. I called you up in order to -let you know that we have JUST ARRIVED at Lake Byblis. The Ice King is -coming. The hospital boat is here. Pat and Mike are well. Lief and Eric -have gone on to the hospital and the other three sailors are dead. We -are all well pleased with the possible exception of Mike, who thinks we -are bewitched. Pat got well so soon that Mike thinks he must be crazy. -But what shall be done with your baggage when it arrives?" - -After consulting with Captain Ganoe, who was present, I replied: - -"Send our trunks to Headquarters, District No. 1, Range 1, Continent of -Altruria." - -"Well, well, Jack," responded Battell, "I am glad you know where you -are. I am not so sure about myself. We are treated royally. This is a -lovely lake with the most magnificent surroundings I ever beheld. I -take it, that this is a great pleasure resort, for a people who seem -to have nothing to do but to enjoy themselves. We are taking lessons -in the language, and find it very easy. I have taken the liberty to -authorize the Department of Education to translate our library, and -they were so anxious about it, that they went out on airships to meet -the Ice King, and commence the work." - -"That is right," said Captain Ganoe, who now came forward and took up -the conversation. "Tell them the Ice King, and all we have so far as I -am concerned, is at their service." - -"They have no use for the ship," responded Battell, "but would highly -appreciate it, as a specimen of American ship building. They will place -Pat and Mike in charge as soon as the ship comes in. Polaris informs -me that the whole world will give us a reception at Lake Byblis when -some great council meets here. By that time she thinks we will have -become masters of the language and learned in all the wisdom of the -Altrurians." - -We frequently conferred with Battell, and he kept us advised in -regard to everything of interest relating to the Ice King, and other -matters in which we felt especially interested. Acting upon MacNair's -suggestion, I gave my entire time to the study of our immediate -surroundings. I found that this magnificent home contained over 2000 -people, men, women, and children, and still there was no crowding. -The main building contained all the offices and store rooms, public -halls, school rooms, library, museum, dining hall, kitchen and laundry. -Powerful storage batteries furnished electricity for heating and -lighting, and motor power for manufacturing, which formed a part of -the educational system in every home. The wings were given up entirely -to apartments, so that the members of this immense family could be -just as secluded and exclusive as they desired. Each one had a private -apartment furnished to his or her taste. - -Each room was numbered and connected by telephone with the library, -storerooms and business offices, and could be placed in communication -with the occupants of any other apartment, or with the District -Exchange which could place them in communication with any part of the -world. If a book was wanted from the library or any article from the -storeroom, it was ordered by telephone, and delivered at once, by -pneumatic tube. Every apartment could be connected by phonograph with -the lecture room or music hall, and the occupant could listen to the -lecture or music, without leaving his or her room. There was also a -universal distribution of news by the same means to any person who -desired such service. - -In each of these communal homes was a publishing department, and all -the facilities for manufacturing furniture, clothing and almost any -utensil needed, equal to the supply of the community, if it was found -to be necessary. While the district was devoted mostly to agriculture, -in its educational system, every member was trained in the mechanic -arts and general business methods. - -This training began with the children and continued for life as -occasion might require. People never imagined that they would become -too old to learn. They were taught that the most important service they -could render to themselves and to society was to educate themselves, -physically, mentally and morally, and that for this kind of service -society could well afford to give them access to all that was required -for their sustenance and comfort. - -Hence all facilities for improvement, books, papers, scientific -instruments and instruction were not only free, but the use of them -was regarded as a valuable service to society. The pupil attended -school, got his or her evidence of labor performed, which entitled the -holder to food, shelter, clothing, etc., the same as the teacher,--as -both were alike serving society. The pupils, in training themselves -for lives of usefulness, were regarded as benefiting the community -as well as themselves, and hence the community was in duty bound to -provide them with all the essentials for their highest development of -body and mind, in harmony with the demands of an advanced or advancing -civilization. - -These lessons concerning this inner world civilization, derived from -conversations with MacNair, Iola and others who could converse in -English, and confirmed by our own observations as far as they had gone -were intensely interesting, and we never tired of asking questions, -which were always answered courteously and in a satisfactory manner. -But I soon reached the point where I began to feel the need of more -comprehensive sources of information. I wanted to be able to speak the -language of the country, converse with all the people, attend lectures -and make the fullest use practicable of the extensive libraries and -numerous publications which contained the current literature of the -times, so that I could enter into the spirit and purpose of this -wonderful civilisation, which seemed to be far more attractive than the -most entrancing picture of Utopia. Feeling thus, I was prepared for -what was to follow. - -One morning after we had somewhat familiarized ourselves with our new -surroundings, and we felt inclined to rest and think, rather than to -roam around, MacNair asked: - -"How do you like your new home since you have had time to look around -and get acquainted?" - -"So far as I am concerned," I replied, "I am delighted with the country -and the treatment I receive wherever I go. But there is so much to -learn, that I feel overwhelmed. If I were able to converse with the -people, and enter into the spirit of their daily life, I would be more -at home. I want to be able to utilize all the sources of learning which -are contained in your literature and I think that the time has come -when the best thing we can do is to settle down in earnest to the study -of the language." - -"I knew that you would soon come to that conclusion," said MacNair, -"but what you have seen is a necessary step in your education. We must -soon go to our classes and you can go with us and take your first -lesson. In order to facilitate your studies, you have been assigned -apartments adjoining the Library and Lecture room." - -We assented and were at once conducted to our apartments. Iola -presented each of us with just such a bookcase and library as Polaris -had shown us, on her airship. As she opened one of these cases and -displayed the contents, she said: - -"You will find here everything needed in order to acquire an accurate -understanding of our language. It has been prepared under the direction -of MacNair and myself by the publishing department, particularly for -the use of English speaking people who might succeed in getting through -the ice barriers. These cards contain the English alphabet with our -corresponding characters printed on the right. The only difference is -that we have a character for each sound while you have a number of -sounds to one character. When you have learned our alphabet you will be -able to read our language. If there should be any difficulty with the -pronunciation all you have to do is to formulate the word by pressing -the characters on this keyboard and you will hear every sound clearly -enunciated. Every word thus formed is inscribed on a cylinder and after -the sounds have been recorded all you have to do is to increase the -speed of the clock work in order to have the word pronounced just as -it is spoken in ordinary conversation. This instrument is called a -Phonographic Enunciator and it records the sound of every character -by means of a simple but most delicately constructed mechanical -contrivance which has been carefully adjusted to the tones of the human -voice. The sounds thus recorded by the use of the sound characters on -the keyboard are then pronounced audibly on the principle of our old -fashioned phonograph. - -"You will find that the definition of the words and the grammatical -structure of our language are very easy to learn. This small dictionary -of root words, defined in English, contains the key to the definition -of every word in our language. When you have committed these -definitions to memory you will not find it difficult, even without a -teacher, or lexicon, to define every word compounded from them. The -grammar, as you will see, is not essentially different from your own, -except that we have simplified its treatment. We recognize but four -parts of speech; nouns, verbs, modifiers and connectives. The study -of our language is further facilitated from the fact, that when its -fundamental principles are fully understood, you will naturally have -a word for every meaning, instead of a variety of meanings for one -word. Our Altrurian language has been repeatedly revised by carefully -selected committees of eminent scholars, with a view to making it -so easy to learn that it would become universal, a result that was -accomplished several hundred years ago." - -"Polaris showed me a school library something like this," said I, "but -it was adapted to pupils who wanted to study English." - -"Yes," remarked Iola, "we have been urging her for a long time to study -English, but we never could induce her to make the effort. But," she -added, smiling, "no doubt she now regrets it. I predict that it will -not be long before she is speaking English as glibly as she does her -mother tongue. But I must go now. If you need any help, just touch that -button and I will come at once." - -She bade us adieu, and we went to work to master the language. As -Iola and MacNair had informed us, we found it remarkably easy. We had -been well trained from childhood in distinguishing all these sounds, -and our eyes soon became familiar with the characters by which they -were represented, and before we retired to rest after our first day's -study, we were practicing the pronunciation of words, and committing -definitions to memory. - -We soon had quite a vocabulary of words at our command, which we -introduced into our ordinary conversation. This could be the more -readily done, because of the grammatical construction of the language -being so similar to the English. Associated as we were, with a number -of highly educated people, who understood both languages, our progress -was very rapid, and in a short time we could express all of our wants -in the language of the country, and when we did not have the right -word we substituted English, knowing it would be understood, and also, -that some one would supply the right word. We determined from the -beginning, to use no language but the Altrurian, just as rapidly as we -could acquire it. We used it in reading, writing and conversation, and -soon we scarcely thought of our mother tongue, except when we heard it -spoken. - -MacNair and Iola were engaged with their classes an average of two -hours a day, and we ordinarily spent our leisure and recreation time -together. Our home was also District Headquarters, and here we were -continually meeting with representatives from every home in the -district, and our acquaintance was rapidly extended. We often visited -other homes, sometimes by electric carriage or airship, and sometimes -we would walk for miles. When tired, we could always hail a car or -carriage. Thus, we were by our associations continually improving in -the use of the language, while we were adding to our fund of knowledge -concerning the country, by observation and conversation with the people. - -I carefully studied the economy of the home in which we lived, being -assured that this was a sample of a multitude of others. The same thing -was true of the district. So in a general way, we were making a study -of the entire concave by having a sample submitted to our inspection. -At least, I could get a very clear idea of agriculture, the great -basic industry that sustains the race, and hence, I am condensing into -this chapter the results of a long and careful investigation under -exceptionally favorable conditions. - -During our attendance at school Iola and MacNair frequently took us -for a sail in their airship. This gave us an opportunity to study -its mechanism, and at the same time obtain a bird's eye view of the -country, and if anything especially attracted our attention, all we had -to do was to ask for an explanation. As we had first approached the -continent we were struck by the large residences, storage buildings, -and the long rectilinear fields, but now that we examined the scene -at leisure we began to take in the details, and were impressed by the -general sameness of the picture. - -These magnificent buildings were strikingly similar to each other -and the same thing was true of the long rectilinear fields and the -arrangement of the crops. The residence buildings were apparently -situated at alternate section corners and hence about two miles apart -each way. Midway between these were large warehouses, elevators, mills, -factories, etc. - -To the east and west these long rows of buildings were connected by -surface, electric roads, and north and south by elevated roads. These -roads, both passenger and freight, all passed through these buildings. -This general arrangement of everything into squares, gave the entire -district, from the cabin of the airships, the appearance of an immense -checkerboard. - -This district which may be taken as a sample of many others, had a -complete system of waterworks, a continuous pressure being secured by -a series of stand-pipes, from three to five hundred feet in height, -which forced the water to every point where it was needed. This system -also provided water for irrigation purposes as the season seemed to -require. This with a complete system of drainage, constituted a method -of keeping the most perfect condition for producing the greatest -abundance. In addition to this, all the waste products were converted -into fertilizer and returned to the soil. These wise, economic, -scientific methods and intense cultivation, explain how this small -district, sustained a population of 200,000 and yet gave up fully -one-half of its lands to boulevards, lawns, parks, driveways and -ornamented grounds. - -Electricity was the universal motor power, as well as a stimulant to -the growth of crops. The soil was pulverized, seeded and rolled by -vast machines. The grain was harvested, threshed and placed in sacks -by huge combined reapers and threshers, and dried by passing through -evaporators on an endless belt which conveyed it to elevators, from -which it reached the mills by force of gravity, if that is the right -word to apply to the centrifugal force which in this moral world held -everything to the surface. - -The standard day's labor was but two hours; and yet with the aid of -machinery, ten persons harvested a strip of grain one hundred feet wide -and thirty miles in length, delivering the same at the elevators in -sacks, while another ten prepared the soil and put in another crop. All -the other work was carried on in the same labor saving manner, and this -two hours of labor was deprived of every feature of drudgery and became -only agreeable exercise. - -One thing I noticed particularly; domestic animals seemed to be raised -more as pets than for use. The only animal diet ordinarily used -consisted of eggs, milk, butter and cheese. Sheep and goats were raised -for the fleece which was manufactured into the finest fabrics. Fruits -and nuts were produced in the greatest abundance and constituted a very -large part of the diet of the people. - -The district was in fact a stupendous farm and in its original design -the prime object had evidently been utility rather than ornament. -The work of the landscape gardener had been utilized to the largest -extent, but it had not been permitted to encroach upon the useful. The -economy in the uniformity in which the lands were laid out, the houses -constructed and the work of production carried on, gave to the whole -country such an artificial appearance, especially from the airships -which we need most generally in our observations, that Captain Ganoe -could no longer refrain from commenting upon it. One day as we were -soaring above this magnificent farming district, he asked MacNair if -the entire inner world had been cut out according to the same pattern. - -"Not at all," replied MacNair. "You will find plenty of variety. Every -person has an opportunity to gratify his or her tastes, provided that -by so doing they do not deprive others of the same privilege. There is -nothing compulsory about it. People who do not desire to dwell together -can find plenty of opportunities to be by themselves. The rule here -is freedom. People live together in communities because it secures so -many advantages, but they often take an outing and find variety, and -solitude if they want it, in comparatively wild and uninhabited parts -of the country." - -"But," I said, "I am curious to learn how it was that the communal -system came to be established. In the outer world I am inclined to -believe that it would be impossible to find so many people who would -live together in harmony." - -"That is doubtless true," said MacNair. "But as I now understand it, -influences are at work, which will ultimately compel the producing -masses to come together as one family, in order to enable them to -preserve any semblance of personal liberty and economic independence." - -"And was it," I asked, "necessity that compelled the founders of this -district to organize this system of community life?" - -"It certainly was," interrupted Iola. "This district was founded by a -few of the more intelligent laborers in the great city which at that -time existed at the mouth of the Cocytas. A time had come when the -laboring masses were forced to get together in colonies and co-operate -with each other in order to live. This represents the first organized -revolt of the masses against landlordism and the spirit of commercial -and financial cannibalism, which had reached its apex in the large -cities existing in the olden time along this eastern coast. The few -owned all the land, all the machinery and all the facilities for -distribution while the many were often famishing for food, and always -begging for an opportunity to serve some master who would feed them." - -"If they were indeed so poor," I asked, "how was it possible for them -to break the chains by which they were bound?" - -"That is a long story," said Iola, "and cannot be recorded in a word. -Volumes are filled with the futile efforts of the working classes -to protect themselves by organization, and their education had to -come through their repeated failures. But all these futile efforts -at organization were on the competitive plan, and actually placed -one class of workers in competition with another class. At first the -skilled artisans, seemingly secured some advantages by the trade -unions, but it was only a question of time when the improvement in -machinery and a division of labor, placed the skilled workman, to a -very large extent, in competition with the common laborer for the -privilege of running the machines, which did the work better than the -most skillful mechanic, and with a speed that had never before been -dreamed of. From that time on to the end, the employed in every branch -of production were placed in a bitter and destructive contest with the -unemployed for the privilege of working for a master. - -"It was not until they had reached this condition by bitter experience -that they began to learn just what was the matter. Among the first -things that occurred to them, was, that they were at the mercy of the -landlord until they had access to the soil, but how could they obtain -access to the soil in their penniless condition? This was the question -that racked their brains. - -"But conditions, which neither they, nor their oppressors could -control, were forcing a solution. It had been recognized in the -civilization of that time, that the poor and the physically infirm, -had a just claim on society for food, shelter and raiment which must -not be disregarded. All that they needed, was the fruits of their -labor applied to the soil, and the money kings had to a very great -extent monopolized the soil. It was worthless to them unless it was -cultivated. Its possession still gave them power to oppress the -landless, but not the opportunity to speculate, as no one was able to -buy. So to save the expense of feeding their victims they were willing -that the land should be used, by these objects of charity, to produce -their food by their labor. - -"Thus was provided the opportunity that enabled far sighted reformers -to introduce a new system of organization among the poor, which placed -all their relations to each other on an ethical, instead of a selfish -basis. They began by organizing exchanges among themselves, and what -they saved to themselves in this way was invested in land for which -there were no other purchasers. For a time this enabled the land owners -to sell the lands which were useless to themselves, as a source of -profit. The colonists continued to cultivate the land, sell the surplus -in the cities, and buy more land, but they never sold an acre. In the -course of time, the lands of this district were socialized and rent -abolished. - -"Thus, by using the profit, which under the old competitive system -left the hands of the producers, never to return, they were able to -abolish landlordism, as far as they were concerned, and their wealthy -oppressors congratulated themselves that they had gotten rid of a -dangerous class. But the same causes continued to impoverish others, -and thus create other dangerous classes, and the only way to get rid of -them, was to give them an opportunity to dig their living out of the -soil. It became a common thing for cities to organize movements which -enabled the poor to secure subsistence by cultivating vacant lots. -Indeed, this was one of the first signs that marked the decline, and -presaged the early abolition of the then existing system of commercial -and financial cannibalism that impoverished the people. - -"This community demonstrated that labor could, even under the most -adverse circumstances, by co-operating in production and distribution, -get control of land and the means of production, and abolish tribute -to non-producers in all its forms. You will find the history of these -movements most intensely interesting, and I should think from what I -have learned, of inestimable value in your native land. - -"Since MacNair gave us the benefit of his knowledge of the economic -system which exists in the outer world, our scholars have studied our -own ancient histories as they never did before. Situated as we are, it -is hard to believe that any people, no matter how ignorant they may be, -would permit a few to take possession of the earth and starve the many, -but such was the situation here in the olden times; hence, it is not -strange that these conditions exist in the outer world." - -"Well," I remarked, "since I think of it, I am not surprised that -you can hardly believe such conditions could exist in any country -claiming to be civilized. But why is it that the people of this inner -world, understood the nature of this evil and removed it so long ago, -while the masses of the people of the outer world seem to be utterly -oblivious to the fact that there is anything wrong?" - -"On this question I can only theorize," said Iola. "I have thought that -it may have been the long continued ice age, that with its rigors, -held the people of the outer world back and retarded their development -until long after the inner world had made a very considerable progress -toward civilization. But MacNair has a theory that may have something -in it. He believes that the psychic conditions in a concave world, -tend directly toward concentrated effort and co-operation, because -the heads of the people all point toward each other and converge at a -common center, while in the outer world they point outward, each in a -direction of its own, tending directly toward individualism and the -development of every selfish instinct." - -"Well," said Captain Ganoe, who had been an attentive listener, "I am -glad, for the honor of my own country, that a fellow countryman of -mine has evolved a theory that has not been previously thought out and -demonstrated by this most progressive people. I think, Jack, that we -had better go to work and evolve an improvement on these airships that -will enable us to carry the news of these wonderful discoveries to our -own people." - -"I have been thinking of the same thing," I replied, "and that is why -I have always been insisting that we should use these airships for our -short journeys that did not require speed. It is when we go slowly that -I can study them best, and in my mind I have partially solved the -problem of constructing a ship that would be proof against both cold -and storms." - -"Just like my luck," said the Captain. "I always succeed in getting an -idea in my head after someone else has worked it out. But still I think -that I am something of a mechanic and you can depend upon me to do my -best to assist you." - -"Thank you," I replied, "I shall certainly call upon you for -assistance." - -"I have reason," said MacNair, "for believing that Battell and Polaris -contemplate something of the same kind, and I am sure that they will -call upon both of you for your co-operation." - -"Why," I asked, "have you had any intimation of the kind?" - -"Not directly from them," said MacNair, "but I have heard this, that -Battell and Polaris spend much of their time in the airship factory at -Lake Byblis and that they are experimenting with their private airship -every day, and that they have succeeded in making some changes in the -gearing that enable them to reverse the wings and run backward; also in -moving the steering apparatus so they can ascend or descend without the -usual spiral motion." - -"That is good news," I said, "but I thought that Captain Battell was -giving most of his time to the study of the language and customs of the -country." - -"So he is," said MacNair. "Polaris told me so by telephone, and what is -more, she spoke in good clear English. She further said that the work -of translating the library was progressing rapidly and that several -volumes had been completed and furnished to Norrena, the Continental -Commissioner of Education at Orbitello, for distribution to the -commissioners of all the grand divisions of the Concave." - -"Orbitello! What is Orbitello? A country or a city?" asked Captain -Ganoe. - -"We have no cities," said MacNair, "but Orbitello is what you would -probably call the seat of government. It is the center of business for -this continent, the headquarters of all the departments of the public -service. The Altrurian Council meets at Orbitello every year, and the -World's Parliament every four years. Here the Continental Executive -Committee meets every day to transact business in which the whole -people are interested. It is located on the Cocytas at the foot of the -mountains." - -"I would indeed be pleased to visit this center of business and -learning," said the Captain. - -"We have thought of that," said MacNair, "and as soon as Oqua returns, -I think that we had better go. She is our District Commissioner of -education and I am deputy and must officiate in her absence. She is -attending the Quadrennial Congress of Educators in the mountains of -Atlan at Lake Minerva. The sessions seldom last more than thirty days -and that time has passed, so we may expect her return from the old -world almost any day." - -"What's that? The old world!" ejaculated Captain Ganoe. "Am I to -understand that you have an old world here, and is this the new, just -as we have it in the outer world?" - -"Yes, very much the same," said MacNair. "Altruria is often spoken of -as the new world because it was originally settled by colonists from -the other side of the Ocean. The early history of this country is in -a general way very similar to the early history of America. This -similarity holds good even to the almost total destruction of a warlike -race of red men. The original colonies achieved their independence of -kingly rule and established a republican form of government, just as -was done by our thirteen original colonies. But here the similarity -ends. Altruria now extends all over the continent, and has carried -out to their logical sequence, the principles set forth in our own -Declaration of Independence; and more than this, these principles have -extended over all parts of the inner world. This is why I often speak -of the concave as the World of Truth." - -As MacNair ceased speaking, our airship alighted on the roof of our -home, and we were informed that Battell wanted to meet us at the -telephone. We went at once to the telephone room and again met Battell, -but I was not dumbfounded at the sight. He addressed me in his usual -familiar style, saying: - -"Well, Jack, we have a boat factory here and I have conceived the -idea of becoming an inventor of airship attachments and I want you -and Captain Ganoe to join me. I want the Captain for his mechanical -skill and I want you to test our inventions, make observations and -report such changes in the mechanism as you deem advisable. Polaris -cannot stand the cold at the verges and I will not have time. Can you -undertake the work?" - -"Certainly," I replied. "Just notify me whenever you are ready. I have -been contemplating the same thing myself, and Captain Ganoe has offered -his services as a skilled mechanic." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - A HAPPY SCENE--TWO CIVILIZATIONS COMPARED--ARRIVAL OF OQUA--DISGUISE - PENETRATED--HUMAN RIGHTS--"GLITTERING GENERALITIES" REDUCED TO - PRACTICE--A STRANGE CUSTOM--NUMBERED, LABELED AND REGISTERED AS - CITIZENS--EXIT JACK ADAMS--A NEW NAME--NEQUA--BITTER MEMORIES--OQUA'S - SYMPATHY. - -[Illustration] - - -THE proposed improvement of the airship, so that it could withstand the -storms of the polar regions, and MacNair's report of the progress that -Battell had made in that direction inspired me with the determination -to prosecute my studies with more energy than ever. I saw at a glance, -that if we should be able to open up a channel of communication with -the outer world, the knowledge that could be acquired here would be -of incalculable value to the people on the outside of the sphere, and -especially to my own native America, on whose virgin soil the new -and improved thought was the most likely to germinate and grow to -perfection. Before this trip to the outer world was made, I felt that -it was my imperative duty to glean the wisdom of the ages from these -vast libraries, and from the oral lessons of these ripe scholars. My -one, all-absorbing thought, was to trace the progressive evolution of -these people and discover the fundamental principles and practical -business methods that had enabled them to reach their present ideal -civilization. Hence I determined to apply myself to study, with an -earnestness of application that I had never before attempted. - -When I needed rest or desired to be alone, my favorite resort was the -large observatory or reclining room on the top of the building. This -room is octagonal in form and is detached from the roof on which it -rests, and is placed upon small wheels which run around on a circular -track whenever the occupants turn on the electric power. In order to -enjoy a most beautiful panorama, all I had to do was to seat myself -at one of the windows, with or without my glass, and set the room to -revolving slowly. I never tired of the scenes thus presented to my view -from this elevated position. - -This room is furnished in the most superb style. Its elaborate -upholstery is of the finest and softest materials of the most exquisite -designs. It is large and airy. The walls are adorned with many -magnificent paintings and ornamented with festoons of trailing vines -and flowers, while the windows are garlanded with green and fragrant -foliage. - -Around the circumference of this luxurious retreat, are small, well -furnished alcoves at each window, which can be cut off from observation -by sliding doors which are upholstered with some soft material that -excludes every sound that might disturb the occupant. - -One day, about a week after the interview with Battell in regard to the -improvement of the airships, MacNair, Iola, Captain Ganoe and myself -had descended to the observatory for our usual after dinner rest. I was -in a meditative mood, and not caring to take part in the conversation, -I had retired to one of the little alcoves, closed the doors, set the -room in motion and brought my window around to a point overlooking the -great boulevard, with the pleasure grounds, shrubbery, flower gardens -and giant forest trees just beyond. From my lofty perch I looked down -upon the scene before me. Bright, happy faces, and kind, cheerful -voices, greeted eye and ear through the open window. - -I felt entranced by the wonderful scenes around me. I could not help -but compare this great communal home, where all was abundance, elegant -leisure, fascinating social enjoyment, health and happiness, with the -crowded, filthy and ill-ventilated tenement houses of New York, London -and other large cities of the outer world, which are pre-eminently -the abodes of destitution, misery and woe. How often has my heart -ached when I have found families of ten and twelve persons, huddled -into one or two diminutive rooms, poorly lighted, ill-ventilated and -disgustingly filthy. - -In the living hells of the outer world, I had witnessed every manner of -deformity, degradation and filth. Children in rags, just from the arms -of their mothers, creeping like cowardly wharf rats about the slums -and alley ways, picking up pieces of mouldy bread or fishing in slop -barrels and sewers for bits of meat, were scenes of human misery that -often made my heart bleed. - -Then, add to this picture of the conditions into which the children are -born, the abject misery of their decrepit grandsires and grandmothers. -How often have I seen them, dressed in tatters and exposed to the -wintry winds as they tottered off to some alley, or some rich man's ash -heap, to scratch out with naked and almost freezing fingers, the little -bite of unconsumed coal, so that they might have a little fire to warm -their half-famished bodies, while they dined upon the garbage gathered -up by the children. - -Such were the scenes that I had often witnessed in the poverty stricken -districts of the large cities of the outer world, and with them I -compared the happy scene before me. Not one deaf, dumb, blind, lame, -deformed or disfigured individual among the multitudes which often -gathered upon the grounds I was now contemplating. Not one ragged, -bare-footed and bare-headed urchin, nor one snowy-haired, tottering and -infirm old man or woman among them. - -What a contrast! A heaven was opening up before me, in comparison with -the living hells that had been so indelibly impressed upon my memory. -Why such a contrast between humanity here in this great communal home, -and humanity in the tenement houses in the large cities of the outer -world? There must be some cause for this extraordinary difference in -the physical makeup and personal appearance of the people. Why were -the people in this communal home more robust, more beautiful and more -kind and cheerful than the people of the outer world? And why had the -usual decrepit appearance of age disappeared from view? Here was the -evidence that a physical regeneration of the race had taken place. -I did not doubt that this was the logical result of improved social -and economic conditions and I was determined to find if possible the -scientific explanation. - -But here my meditations were broken in upon by the sight of an airship -crossing my line of vision, in the direction of that portion of the -roof used as a boat yard. I opened the sliding doors and looking out -toward the landing, I saw the vessel alight and a splendid looking -person step out, just as MacNair opened the door upon that side, -saying: "There is Oqua!" and motioned for her to come into the -reclining room. - -MacNair and Iola had so often spoken of this person in such eulogistic -terms as a ripe scholar and experienced educator, prominent throughout -the world, that I had pictured her as aged, sedate and probably -careworn from the discharge of her onerous duties, showing the wear of -years of careful study and attention to public affairs. But what was my -surprise, as she came up to the observatory, to see a most beautiful -woman, showing no signs of age or care. I could but stand spell-bound, -and admire her form and features which were simply perfect. Any attempt -at description would be presumptuous and I will not attempt it. - -As she came in and was introduced by MacNair, I noticed that she -understood our language and customs, for stepping forward and extending -her hand to Captain Ganoe she said in a most musical voice: - -"I am indeed most happy to make your acquaintance and offer you a -most cordial welcome to our country and a place in our esteem. Your -arrival has been heralded all over the world, and it is regarded as -an event that may be pregnant with the most important results to the -entire human race. The Congress of educators at Lake Minerva passed a -resolution requesting that the next meeting of the World's Parliament, -shall be held at the Auditorium of the Transportation Pavilion at -Lake Byblis, and that this shall be the occasion of giving a world's -reception to the crew of the Ice King. But Captain, how many do you -have with you?" - -"Only one," said the Captain. "The others are at Lake Byblis. But here -is Jack Adams, the scholarly artist and scientist of the expedition, -and as such I have no doubt that you and he will become fast friends." - -She turned to me and placing one hand on my shoulder grasped my -extended hand with the other. She scanned me from head to foot with -an expression of amazement and inquiry playing over her smiling -countenance; then with a light, musical laugh she bent forward and -kissed me on the forehead, saying: - -"Yes, I am sure that we will become fast friends." - -The action was so sudden and unexpected, that I blushed, stepped back -and stammered. I instinctively knew that her keen eye had penetrated my -disguise, and the recognition tested my nerves. Yet it was so cordial, -that I felt that my secret was safe, and my reply was a laugh, a -lifting of the eyebrows and a closer pressure of her soft, warm palm as -I merely responded, "Yes, I am quite sure," and from that moment I knew -that she was indeed a friend. A chord of sympathy and affection had -been touched, that enraptured while it bound me in bonds of friendship -to this grand woman, a relationship of the most enjoyable character, as -well as of incalculable value, in opening up for me a life work, as -agreeable to myself as I hope to make it profitable to others. - -For some time we joined in general conversation when Oqua asked MacNair -if we had yet been registered and enrolled as citizens. - -"In part," said MacNair. "They have been given numbers on the schedule -of the school, but have not yet been called upon to select the names -by which they desire to be known. In fact I have not yet explained -this matter to them. Iola has been giving them language lessons in -their room, and instructions concerning such matters as they desired to -understand more fully in regard to the country, its history, customs, -etc. But as they can now read and speak the language understandingly, -their selection of names and registration as citizens ought not to -be put off any longer, as at present their numbers only rank them as -minors." - -We were more than a little mystified at the turn the conversation had -taken and as it related to us Captain Ganoe asked: - -"What does this mean? It seems from your remarks that we have been -numbered and that we are now to be labeled. I would be pleased to have -an explanation. We highly appreciate the interest you have taken in -our welfare, and anticipate much pleasure and profit to be derived -from a knowledge of your language, as it will give us access to the -boundless stores of wisdom which are contained in your literature. But -is it really necessary for us to be numbered and labeled? I take it for -granted that it is all right, but I do not understand it." - -"Perhaps," said MacNair, "this should have been explained to you -sooner; but I was guided by my own experience when I found myself among -these people. There was so much to be learned and it could not all be -acquired at once. I deemed it best to give you as nearly as possible -just what you asked for, and let you get somewhat acquainted with the -customs of the country before asking you to take the steps necessary -to become citizens of Altruria, which also makes you citizens of the -inner world, entitled to all the rights of citizenship, no matter where -you go. In America, you require a foreigner to declare his intentions -to become a citizen, and then, after five years you permit him to be -sworn in as a full-fledged citizen. We have no regulations but such -as apply to all alike. The child has no choice of birthplace, but it -has a natural right to food, shelter, clothing, education, etc. Hence, -children are numbered, so we may know how many are to be provided for. -When they reach maturity and graduate from school, they are requested -to select the names by which they desire to be known. This entitles -them to a voice in public affairs and makes them eligible to any -public trust. When I gave you a number, the right to food, clothing -and education was conferred upon you. When you select names you will -be registered as citizens and will be entitled to a voice in public -affairs and eligible to any public trust for which you may be selected." - -"Then," said the Captain, "it seems that we have no reason to be -dissatisfied with either the number or the label, as the first gives us -free access to wealth that we did not create, and the second confers -upon us the sovereign right to be consulted as to how our benefactors -should conduct their business. We seem to be the beneficiaries in all -these regulations, 'reaping where we have not sown.' What right have we -to the fruits of the labor of others to whom, as yet, we have been of -no benefit whatever?" - -"The same right," said Oqua, "that you have to live. Your right to life -cannot be questioned, and you cannot live unless you have access to the -fruits of the earth, which are garnered by the labor of the people. The -primary object of human society is to secure to each individual member -the right to live and be happy, and to this end, each must be secure -in the possession of the means of subsistence and the liberty to enjoy -the healthy exercise of every function of mind and body. This, being -the primary object for which our social organism was created, our first -duty is to humanity, and all of our rules and regulations have this one -object in view." - -"But does not this endanger the perpetuity of the social organism," -asked the Captain, "by opening the door to those who would take -advantage of this broad definition of rights to impose grievous burdens -upon those who confer these rights?" - -"Not at all," responded Oqua. "When all the people enter into an -organization of society, the primary object of which is to provide -the best possible conditions for each of its members, the personal -interests of each, will, to say nothing of the moral obligations, -impel them to perpetuate such organization, by doing everything in -their power to promote the best interests of all. Hence, just as soon -as all have been made secure in their natural rights to life, liberty -and those equitable conditions which place happiness within the reach -of all, sound policy, as well as equal liberty and even-handed justice -demands that all should have an equal voice in the conduct of public -affairs in which all are equally interested. It would be manifestly -unjust and oppressive, to ask the people to submit to regulations to -which they never consented." - -"I admit the force of your reasoning," said the Captain. "The same -ideas, expressed in different language, were adopted in my own country -and have served to embellish platform utterances and sensational -newspaper appeals, but in practice, they have been treated as mere -'glittering generalities.' Here, you seem to regard them in a far -different light, as something to be reduced to practice in every day -life; and with a people as well educated as yours this seems to be -easy, but, with an ignorant and brutal populace the case would be very -different." - -"Not so," said Oqua. "There is more good than evil in the human soul. -The populace might be made ignorant and brutal by the violation of -these principles, and if so, the application of these principles in -all the transactions of life would inevitably produce an intellectual -and refined populace. This is no 'glittering generality,' but a sober -truth, and this is the lesson that your people must learn before they -can ever reach their ideal of what they ought to be. When the leading -minds among any people realize that there is absolutely but one way by -which the masses of mankind can ever be elevated to higher and better -conditions mentally and morally, and that way is, by placing them -under better conditions physically, it will be found that the whole -people can be lifted up to a higher plane of being as if by magic. It -is on this line that the people of this country have been moving for -centuries and it is to this that we desire to call your attention. We -give you a number, which signifies that because you have an existence, -you are entitled to the blessings of our civilization. But now we want -you to register your name, as a co-worker. When you take this step, you -will have given us your permission to ask your co-operation whenever it -is needed. Are you willing to register and assume the duties incumbent -upon citizenship?" - -"Certainly," said the Captain. "You have a right to command our -services and all we want is to know what is required of us." - -"Then you will register," said Oqua. "This will make you one of us and -equally responsible with us for the exalted trust which is committed to -our hands of preserving intact the blessings of a humane civilization. -So if you are ready we will attend to this preliminary work at once." - -We assented, and stepping on the elevator passed down to the lower -story and into the Registry office which was made a part of the -Department of Education. For school purposes it was of course necessary -to register the children and as all adults were supposed to be -graduates of the schools, the same department kept a registry of the -entire people, so that at any time, the population of any community, -district or continent could be ascertained at short notice. - -Oqua opened an immense volume and turning to the proper letter said: - -"You see here the name of your countryman, James MacNair. Just -opposite, on the left, is a number. Of course his introduction to our -schools was that of a child, as he had everything to learn concerning -the language and people of our country while we knew nothing of his -language or his country. As a pupil he was known by a number; as a -citizen he is known by a name; and according to our customs that name -must be one of his own choosing. There could be no objection to his -taking the same name by which he was known in the outer world, and you -can of course suit yourselves in the selection of names, but it must be -your own signature and when recorded it becomes permanent. All that we -care for is, that it shall be your own choice." - -"As to that," said the Captain, "I prefer to retain my original name. -However, I rather like this custom of permitting people to select names -to suit themselves. In the outer world, the name is selected for you, -and you are not permitted to change it, except by application to the -courts or the law-making power. But as I have no reason to change my -name you may record it as Raphael Ganoe." - -"But let me suggest," interposed MacNair, "that you retain the prefix -of Captain as it is familiar to your crew and also designates your -relation to what I doubt not is destined to take its place in the minds -of the people of the world as the only polar expedition that brought -blessings to humanity. Of course the title signifies nothing here, but -it does in the outer world which is to receive the greatest benefits -from it, and there is no reason here that you should not retain it as -part of your name." - -"Then so be it; Captain Raphael Ganoe will give me the regulation three -names of the outer world, for the edification of a people who seem to -be, as a rule, contented with only one." - -My turn to select a name came next, and Oqua toying with her fan -between her fingers, and with a smile she could not suppress, said to -me: - -"Well, Jack, why is it that you take no part in this discussion? You -seem to have no interest in the matter of selecting names. Is it -because you deem it of no importance, or do you disapprove of our -custom of requiring every person to select a name in order to become a -citizen?" - -"Oh, as for that," I replied, "I approve your custom, but as yet I have -not given any thought to the name I should select for myself. But as I -have always been rather indifferent in regard to names, I hardly know -how to give myself a cognomen which seems to be so much more important -than I have been accustomed to think it." - -"Oh then," interposed MacNair, "there is no hurry. You have an -unquestioned right to take all the time for reflection that you -require, provided that you are willing to remain a minor." - -"I am not trying to evade the responsibility," I replied. "This matter -may just as well be attended to now as at some future time." - -Oqua then raising her eyes with a mischievous twinkle, asked with a -comical expression of countenance: - -"Shall it be Jack Adams?" - -I pressed my finger on my lips and with a side glance at Captain Ganoe, -replied: "No, not Jack Adams, if you please." - -MacNair caught the silent message but could not interpret its purport, -and looking first at me and then at Oqua, said: - -"What kind of a sideshow is this being exhibited under our very eyes -and we left in the dark? What have you against Jack Adams, that you -should thus take the very first opportunity to put an end to his -existence, so that he will not have even the poor tribute to his memory -of an inscription on a marble slab?" - -"No mystery at all," I replied. "Jack Adams is all right for a sailor -but too commonplace for this land of romance and sublimity. I intend to -exercise my right to select a more euphonious title, more in harmony -with the part I hope to play," and turning to Oqua I asked: "Will -you please to suggest some appropriate name? Something short and -significant." - -After a moment's reflection she said: - -"I have a name for you, Jack, that I think will be most appropriate. I -have been told that you are a student, and our people greatly desire to -obtain all the knowledge that is within reach of the outer world, its -geography, history, manners and customs, and as you are inclined to be -studious, we will doubtless want you as an instructor in our schools; -and for that reason I select for you the name, Nequa, which signifies -teacher." - -I was much pleased with the name and even Captain Ganoe who was quite a -stickler for established usages intimated that he regarded it as much -more appropriate than commonplace Jack Adams. Of course I assented and -Nequa became the name by which I am known in the inner world. - -I was now a citizen of Altruria and had been assigned a position in the -public service as a teacher which gave me the opportunities I so much -coveted, to gather gems of wisdom for the benefit of my own country, -which was grappling with great problems that had here been solved. I -retired to my apartments to think. It had been just two months since we -arrived at this great communal home, and I had recovered from the long -strain to which I had been subjected for two years on the Ice King. - -I now discovered that it was this strain brought on by the dangers -which continually beset us, that had held me up. But now that all the -dangers were past and the future bright with hope, a flood of bitter -memories swept in upon me like a mighty avalanche. For the first time -in years I gave way to uncontrollable emotions, as I buried my face -in the soft silk cushioned sofa on which I reclined and wept as seldom -mortals are doomed to weep. - -How long I had remained thus I do not know, when I felt a gentle hand -tenderly stroking my head and a voice I could not mistake said, in the -most soothing tones: - -"Nequa, Nequa child, what troubles you? Listen to me dear. It did -not take me long to discover that under the smiling exterior of Jack -Adams, you carried the aching heart of a stricken woman. Do not start. -I am your friend. Confide in me. I know that there is some deep secret -gnawing at your heartstrings, and that it relates to Captain Ganoe, and -of which he is entirely unconscious. And I know that there must have -been some great wrong in days gone by from which you suffer." - -I could stand no more and throwing both arms around Oqua's neck and -drawing her down to me as the suffering child would its affectionate, -sympathetic mother, I kissed her repeatedly between my sobs as I -replied: - -"Yes, my dear Oqua, you read me aright. But the crushing wrongs of the -hideous past are irreparable and the future promises no healing balm -for the wounds that have been inflicted. I must meet my fate alone. It -would be wrong for me to burden you with my troubles. No! Let me bear -them alone, on, on, to the bitter end. I must drain the cup of misery -to its dregs absolutely alone." - -Here I again broke down and gave way to another flood of tears. I wept -until my brain seemed a livid flame and my heart bursting with despair -while Oqua sat silently by my side stroking my head until the storm of -contending emotions had time to subside when she said: - -"Nequa, I am glad to find you in tears. They will give you relief -as nothing else can. I knew you needed a friend, and I have come to -constitute myself that friend. Now listen to me. I knew from the first -that you were a woman and that Captain Ganoe did not suspect anything -of the kind. I further discerned that there was a hidden chord which -drew you to him and yet for some reason you dare not reveal yourself to -him. This secret is wearing your life away. You must tell me all about -it and I can, and I will, help you to bear it. When we look at things -philosophically and see them on all sides, just as they are, there is -no wound of body, mind or spirit that may not be healed. There is no -wrong that is not too limited in its scope to effect any permanent -injury. Our bounteous mother, nature, has provided a healing balm for -every wound if we will but search for it with the right spirit." - -I could not be mistaken as to the spirit and purposes of this noble -woman, nor resist her entreaties. She had penetrated my disguise and -read my secret and I had every reason to respect her judgment. For -years I had carried my burdens alone. Under the weight of the wrongs -imposed upon me I had sought relief from the burden of grief in the -exercise of an indomitable will, in a vain effort to force my heart -to become, if need be, as cold as ice, and as hard as adamant. But it -could not be. I was forced to realize that - - "There can be no philosophy - Which steels the heart 'gainst ev'ry bitter woe; - 'Tis not in nature, and it cannot be; - We cannot rend the heart, and not a throe - Of agony, tell how it feels a blow." - -And now this agony, which I had carried so long, concealed under the -smiling countenance of an assumed character, had forced a recognition. -This was nature's demand for human sympathy and the kind and loving -heart of Oqua was here to respond. Much as I had desired to keep my -sorrow deep buried in my own bosom. I could not repel this noble woman -whose keen intuition had already divined my secret. I felt the need of -just such sympathy as hers, and why should I spurn it from me? My soul -went out to her and I felt impelled by some irresistible impulse to -clasp her to my bosom and tell her all. - -My heart was breaking with the silent misery that it had carried for -years, unshared by a single human being, and which I resolved should -be carried unobserved to the grave. Again I resolved anew that I would -not even share it with this noble, sympathizing woman, but nature's -floodgates, once opened for the outpouring of long suppressed sorrow, -close no more to force it back upon the surcharged heart, and before -I knew what I was doing I was folded to her bosom and weeping out the -long pent up load of grief that had been gnawing at my heartstrings. As -I looked up into her face, I could see the cordial, heartfelt sympathy -reflected from her beautiful countenance as she whispered: - -"Go on, dear Nequa, and tell me all about it. Do not distrust a friend -who is able to help you as I can. Remember what I told you that our -bounteous Mother Nature, has provided a balm for every wound. This is -no fanciful exaggeration, but a well ascertained truth." - -"I do not distrust you," I replied, "and when I am more composed I will -tell you all. I have done nothing to be ashamed of, but I cannot talk -now. I am too much agitated. Call this evening and I will tell you -all." - -"So be it," said Oqua, "and I will be here early this evening. Do not -be discouraged. Compose yourself and be of good cheer and all will -be well." And imprinting a kiss on my forehead, she left me to my -meditations, which now began to assume a more roseate hue. Some of the -blackness of despair which had overwhelmed me had begun to depart, and -I felt more hopeful and became more composed. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - OQUA'S VISIT--THE REVELATION--A STORY OF PERFIDY AND WRONG--CASSIE - VANNESS--RAPHAEL GANOE--RICHARD SAGE--A DESIGNING GUARDIAN--FALSE - CHARGES AGAINST GANOE--A FRAUDULENT MARRIAGE--HOME ABANDONED--ON THE - HIGH SEAS--JACK ADAMS--GANOE FOUND--EFFECTS OF A FALSE EDUCATION--LEGAL - WRONGS VS. NATURAL JUSTICE--OQUA HOPEFUL. - -[Illustration] - - -AS the sun disappeared behind the western edge of the verge, I was -reclining upon my sofa awaiting the promised visit to Oqua. I was -now as anxious to tell the story of my sorrows to a sympathising -friend as I had formerly been to conceal it from all the world. Since -my conversation with Oqua, a longing sensation had come over me to -confide to her the story of my life. The hour had arrived for my -meeting with her, and a minute later she was by my side. Laying her -hand on my head, she said: - -"Nequa, I have come at the time designated, and in order to be able -to assist you, I must not be left to surmise what is the matter. By -the very act of telling me your troubles, you will to a certain extent -obtain control over your own feelings, and thus take the first step -toward finding a remedy." - -"Then you shall know all, from my earliest recollection," said I. "My -name is Cassie VanNess. I was born and raised near New York City. My -mother died when I was an infant, and I was cared for by my devoted -old father, James VanNess, and a kind motherly colored woman who had -been a servant in the family. My father died when I was fifteen years -old, and I went to live with my guardian, Richard Sage, who was also -the uncle and guardian of Raphael Ganoe, whom he had taken to raise -when an infant. At this time Raphael was eighteen years of age. Our -school days, of about five years, were the happiest, nay, I may say -the ONLY really happy days of my life. When I was twenty and Raphael -twenty-three years of age, he was offered a lucrative position on a -ship engaged in the Chinese trade. During our vacations we had crossed -the ocean together, and he desired to travel in the Orient. While on -this voyage he expected to circumnavigate the globe, stopping at all -the leading ports. On his return we were to be married. - -"He promised to write to me at every available opportunity, and for -the first few months his letters came regularly, always couched in the -most affectionate terms and often referring to our coming marriage as -the beacon light of all his fondest hopes. Then his letters ceased -altogether, and though I wrote repeatedly to him, I never heard from -him again. - -"As the months rolled by, often at noontime, when the music of birds -filled the air, and all was life and light, or at eventide, when the -mellow twilight was over hill and dale, and the activities and light of -day were giving place to the stillness and shadows of night; when the -perfume of the flowers filled the air, or the yellow leaves of autumn -fell about my feet, I, the forsaken, and perhaps forgotten, could have -been seen seated beneath some broad-spreading tree, where we used -to read and converse together. I would sit thus for hours in silent -meditation, recalling the tender words and caresses of my absent lover. -Then arising sad and disconsolate, I would leave the lonely spot and -try to bravely wait and hope for the word that never came. - -"My guardian professed great sympathy, and with seemingly the most -poignant grief informed me that his nephew had committed some desperate -crime in foreign lands for which he had been tried, convicted and sent -to prison for a long term of years. Yet, with this black shadow resting -upon him, the truth of which was vouched for by his uncle, I continued -to write as it had been agreed between us and many were the tear -stained missives I addressed to him, hoping that comrades on the ship -would see that they reached him. Though he might be a criminal and an -out-cast from his kind, my affection for him never wavered for a single -moment. - -"My guardian, in order to make his deception more complete, -pretended to deplore the actions of his nephew, and even his own -unthoughtfulness, in telling me of them, and thus causing me so much -suffering. He seemed to be aging very fast, and I feared that he, the -only friend to whom I had never looked in vain for kindly counsel and -advice, was falling into a decline from the crushing weight of what I -believed to be our common sorrow, and consequently, my woman's sympathy -and pity went out to him in what I regarded his disconsolate lot. - -"He fully realized the sincere and all pervading character of my -sympathy for him, and took advantage of every opportunity to impress -me with the dangerous state of his health. He intimated that the chief -cause of his suffering, aside from the grief caused by the wayward and -criminal course of his nephew, was the agony that it gave him to leave -me all alone in the world, with no one to guard and protect me from -the manifold dangers that threatened an inexperienced girl when thrown -upon her own resources in this cold and unfeeling world. He did not -ask my affection, except as a daughter, but suggested that under the -circumstances, I had better become his wife, and then my position in -the world, as his widow, would be secure. I would be protected against -the intrusion of society and would be alone, as he felt sure I so much -desired. - -"'You are already in mourning,' he said, 'and yet, your grief is -so indefinable that no one will be disposed to respect it as I do. -Besides, situated as you now are, with no female companion, you are -in some sense at the mercy of the evil-minded who never lose an -opportunity to asperse the character of the good and pure, while as my -wife, you would be safe, and your position honorable in the eyes of the -world. I could then, even more than now, console you, and sympathize -with you in your affliction.' - -"I told him that I had never thought of my position as being in the -least compromising, in the home of my lawful guardian, and if it was -so, I would go away at once, but I could not be his wife. He besought -me again and again, and I continued to give him the same answer. In the -meantime, I was greatly troubled by what he had intimated regarding -my compromising position in his house without a female companion. I -had all faith and confidence in his unselfish and paternal regard for -my welfare. For years, he had treated me with marked kindness and -consideration, such as a loved daughter might expect from a kind and -loving father. For this, I regarded him with the filial affection -of a devoted and trusting nature. To leave him now, when stricken -with sorrow and apparently with one foot in the grave, was repugnant -to my feelings, as it seemed to me that it would be an act of base -ingratitude, and yet, it was brought to my ears that people were -beginning to make flippant and disrespectful remarks concerning my -position. Yet I felt that I could not be so cruel as to forsake him -now. The situation was a most trying one to me, as I never for a moment -suspicioned that it had been made up for the occasion to influence my -feelings. - -"He continued his importunities under the guise of paternal counsel -for my own good as a loved daughter. One day he brought me a newspaper -clipping which stated that Raphael Ganoe had died in prison. He seemed -to be so grief stricken and depressed, that for many days I feared that -he would drop off at any moment, and he seemed so entirely dependent -upon me that I dared not leave him for a moment, and yet my position -was such that I must necessarily often give place to others, who had -no such regard for him as I had. If I were his wife in the eyes of the -world, I might do much more for him, and believing that my affianced -husband was dead, I at last consented to become his legal wife and the -ceremony was performed while he lay as I believed, on his dying bed. - -"Two hours later, feeling lonely and disconsolate, I had gone into -the library and taken a seat in one of the deep windows behind the -curtains, where I was hidden from view. - -"He seemed to have fallen asleep and my long watch was wearing upon me. -I was exhausted and took this opportunity for rest and communion with -my own thoughts. I soon fell into a reverie, in which the past came up -before me like a panorama, and again the fancy I was with my handsome, -happy lover--when suddenly I heard voices in the adjoining room where I -had left my guardian asleep. A strange voice asked: - -"'Where is your young wife?' - -"'Gone to her room to rest,' said my guardian. 'She thinks I am very -sick and she has watched by my side, to minister to my pains until -she is worn out. I got easy and told her that she might go and rest -herself, as I would, now that the pains had ceased for the time, be -able to take a long nap. She remained until I was seemingly fast asleep -and then she tiptoed out of the room as softly as a cat for fear she -would awaken me.' - -"'You worked it well,' said the stranger, 'but what shall I write to -Ganoe? He has written me a long letter engaging my services as his -attorney to find out all about Cassie. What shall I say to him?' - -"'Here,' said my guardian, 'are the letters I have written to him in -regard to Cassie's change of mind. You can take your cue from these and -be governed accordingly.' - -"'But,' asked the attorney, 'what if she should suspicion something, -and drop a letter to Ganoe into some street box? It might prove to be a -serious matter for us if she should learn the truth.' - -"'I have provided for that,' said my guardian. 'There is a round -million in the deal for us, after all the expenses are paid, and no -mail can reach him on the ship, without being inspected by a man who -has as much interest as we have in preventing him from hearing from -Cassie. If a letter should not be intercepted by my agent in the -postoffice, which is not likely, it would be intercepted at the ship. -So rest easy in regard to this matter. There is no danger; besides she -is now my wife, and I have all the legal rights of a husband. But as -we want to avoid everything like friction, it is best to prevent Ganoe -from returning to America, which will not be difficult if it is managed -well.' - -"'All right,' said the lawyer, 'provided you deal squarely with me. I -am the only one who could defeat the plan and of course I will not lose -a million to do that.' - -"'Of course not,' said my guardian, 'and you know that I have even -more to lose than you have--a life long reputation for integrity and -purity of character, which to a man in my position is worth more than -money. It would cut off my income as a favorite administrator on large -estates.' - -"'Well, we are both in the same boat,' laughed the lawyer, 'and we can -well afford to trust each other. I guess that now you have recovered -from your very serious illness we may expect to hold our conferences at -the proper place.' - -"'Oh certainly,' laughed my guardian, 'and my lovely bride will not -object to my being away, as she is in widow's weeds, mourning the -untimely death of her first and only love. So, good day. I must rest -and take a long and very refreshing nap to account for my unexpected -recovery.' - -"'Just so,' laughed the lawyer, and I heard the door close behind him. - -"The conversation that I had overheard froze the very blood in my -veins. I learned that I had been deliberately deceived and not only -robbed of a large fortune, but had been robbed of my affianced husband. -Worse than this, I had been induced to take a step that made me false -to him and at the same time precluded the possibility of our ever -consummating our plighted faith without violating the marriage laws, as -under the law I was his aunt and marriage with him would have been a -crime, for which under the law I could be imprisoned for a long term of -years. - -"My whole nature arose in revolt against the iniquity that had been -perpetrated against me. I determined to find Raphael and explain the -whole matter to him. I hastily wrote a note to my guardian and left -it where he would be sure to find it, denouncing his treachery and -informing him that under no circumstances would I ever enter his door -again. - -"I made my way into the city and disguising myself in male attire I -succeeded in finding a position as cabin boy on a steamer bound for -Liverpool. I was determined to find Raphael. I kept up the search for -nearly fifteen long years, visiting almost every part of the known -world, and at last found him at San Francisco, on the eve of starting -on an expedition to the north polar regions. Before revealing myself -to him I wanted to ascertain beyond any doubt whatever, from his own -lips, in just what light he would regard my marriage to his uncle and -my subsequent long career on the high seas in male attire. So I applied -for a place on the Ice King and succeeded in getting the position of -scientist. I cultivated the acquaintance of the Captain, secured his -confidence so far that he related to me the story of his life, which -gave the opportunity I wanted to draw him out, and soon learned, what I -had come to dread, that the prejudices engendered by social usages were -stronger than his sense of natural justice, and I heard my own conduct -denounced as perfidious and vile. But for the sudden sounding of the -alarm I must have fallen at his feet and thus have in all probability -revealed my identity. - -"But I was saved that bitter humiliation and now, after a long and -perilous voyage, locked up with him on the same ship, I am at last -permitted to pour my tale of woe into sympathetic ears, far away from -the land where legal wrongs are honored while natural rights are -regarded as disreputable." - -Oqua had listened to my story without a single interruption, and with -a sympathetic interest which drew me closer to her than ever. When I -ceased speaking, she looked at me with a puzzled curiosity, which I -shall never forget as she remarked: - -"Your guardian certainly committed a great wrong against you, and -under the operation of an awakened conscience, I can well understand -that his remorse would be most excruciatingly painful, but you have -not committed any wrong, and I do not understand what it is that you -are feeling so badly about. The blame all rested with your guardian -and the fact that you discovered his perfidy so soon, and at the same -time discovered that the man to whom you were the betrothed wife, only -awaiting the time set for the consummation, was still living, ought, it -seems to me, to have been a source of rejoicing. While the deception -practiced upon you was painful to contemplate, it brought with it a -certain measure of compensation. Had you failed to make this discovery, -you might have unwittingly violated the most sacred obligation, that to -your betrothed husband. The wrong might have been much worse." - -"You have mistaken my meaning," I said. "I was not under that -obligation to Raphael that you seem to think. I had only promised to -become his wife but I was actually married to another man. Under the -circumstances I do not see how the wrong could have been worse, and I, -as its innocent victim, was certainly excusable for feeling badly about -it. The wonder is how I could bear it at all." - -"If I was mistaken," said Oqua, "in regard to your relations to Raphael -Ganoe, I fear that your explanation of the situation only makes the -matter more difficult to understand. I certainly understood you to -say that you loved Ganoe and that he loved you, and that you had both -agreed to go through life as husband and wife. This you had a perfect -right to do, and this agreement constitutes a marriage bond that cannot -be set aside without sufficient cause, as long as you both live, and -hence you could not become the wife of another man, without violating -the most sacred of all obligations. And if by misrepresentation you -were induced to enter into any such relation while Ganoe was living and -true to you, such relation would be on the face of it, null and void." - -"But I was married to my guardian," I said. "Actually married. The -clerk of the court had issued the license which was a legal permit for -us to marry, and the minister pronounced us man and wife according to -the solemn rites of the church. My guardian took an obligation to love, -cherish and protect and I, an obligation to love, honor and obey; and -then the minister invoked the blessing of heaven upon our union and -pronounced the solemn warning to all who might object: 'Whom God hath -joined together, let no man put asunder.' Yes, I was actually married -to Richard Sage, according to law and the sacred rites of the church." - -"The more you explain, my dear Nequa, the more incomprehensible your -ideas of marriage become. You say that you were actually married to -Richard Sage. That God joined you together, but before He could do so, -a permit had to be granted by the clerk of the court. Yet, in your own -soul you repudiated this fraudulent marriage, and for nearly fifteen -years you searched for your betrothed husband, to whom you felt bound -by the laws which God had implanted in your own soul. To me it seems -that this first engagement to Raphael Ganoe was the only true marriage, -in which God had joined you together and that the court and the -minister united to put you asunder. Your own inner consciousness, the -spark of divinity that is in you, forced you to take this view of the -transaction. From all the facts, just as you relate them, I must still -insist that you were not married to Richard Sage. That the ceremony was -a fraud and could not annul your obligations to Raphael Ganoe. Your -actions demonstrate, that your own true self, took the same view of -the matter, and that when you found your betrothed husband you loyally -stood by his side in the hazardous effort to reach the pole, and now -you are here with him in this inner world where we regard it as our -first duty to accept the true and discard the false in all of our -relations to each other, and to the universal system of which we form a -part." - -"I agree with you," I replied, "that my marriage to Richard Sage was -false, and that in order to be true to myself and my higher convictions -of duty to my absent lover, when I learned that he was still living, I -was forced to rend these legal bonds regardless of the consequences; -but still, in the eyes of the law, of society and the church, I was -the wife of my guardian, the uncle of Raphael Ganoe, and hence his -aunt, and as such could never become his wife. Yet I realized that I -was united to Raphael in bonds of affection that never could and never -should be broken. But all the powers of law, religion, and society were -united to hold me to a union secured by deception, which I loathed and -abhorred. It was the environments established by this world wide power -that held me incarcerated, as it were, in a prison, from which there -was no escape but the grave." - -"Thank you," said Oqua, "for the light which you have thrown on -the present state of your outer world civilization. It seems -almost incomprehensible that the laws and usages of any people -would seek to make right wrong and wrong right, but I can readily -turn to a corresponding period in our own history and trace the -evolutionary forces which must now be at work among your people. -The old institutional life is ever striving to preserve its forms -and ceremonies while the advancing spirit of freedom is continually -protesting. At first the advocates of the old order, persecute all who -protest against its dictum, and this protest in the name of liberty, -often only means license. Both extremes are essentially wrong. But -the friction between these two elements, in the end will lead to the -discovery of the truth upon which both extremes can unite, and this -truth will make them indeed free. The manifest progress of the race is -in the direction of the truth, and its logical culmination must be the -establishment of altruistic conditions in all the relations which exist -between individual members of the human family." - -"Well, I am glad that you have at last penetrated my meaning," I said. -"The misunderstanding grew out of my inability to formulate my own -thought, so as to adapt it to your Altruistic conceptions. I like -the word altruism, but the thought that it expresses is so little -understood in the outer world, that the word is, as far as I know, -generally excluded from our common school dictionaries, while in -this country I find that it forms a necessary part of your every day -vocabulary. I realize that all of my troubles grew out of environments -which were the legitimate product of the false premises from which we -drew our conclusions. In speaking of myself as actually the wife of my -guardian I only used the popular phraseology to express the conceptions -of the people among whom I was raised. They regarded the license and -the ceremony as the actual marriage without reference to the plighted -troth of devoted lovers. I only used their language to express their -conceptions, while my own were expressed by my actions." - -"Thank you," said Oqua. "I surmised that you spoke the language of your -environments rather than your honest convictions, but I wanted you to -say it yourself. You know that I insisted that you should say just what -you mean and leave nothing for me to surmise. In all that you have -to say, I want you to draw the line clearly between the true and the -false, in thought and action, just as you understand the terms, and -then we can ascertain where the trouble is and take steps to remove -it. You are now in a country where truth alone is recognized as a -standard for the regulation of human conduct, and it seems that there -ought to be much in the way of mutual explanations between you and -Captain Ganoe, and then all will be well." - -"I dare not risk it," I said. "I thought just as you do when I secured -a position on the Ice King, but I deemed it advisable to conceal my -identity until I had ascertained in just what light he would regard the -course I had taken. The opportunity came as I have already told you and -as yet I have discovered no indications that he has in any way modified -his views in regard to such matters. I have ascertained beyond a doubt -from two years' association with him, that in him all the prejudices -of the popular education of the outer world, its laws, usages and -religious notions have crystallized. If he knew that I had spent years, -associated with men, in the character of Jack Adams, the sailor, his -sense of propriety would be shocked, and I should forfeit his respect, -which would be something that I could not bear." - -"I cannot see," said Oqua, "how he could cease to respect you. I know -that as the scientist of the Ice King, he entertains the most exalted -opinion of your ability, courage and refinement of character." - -"Yes, Oqua, I doubt not that he respects me as Jack Adams, the sailor. -He has given me numerous proofs of that. But as Cassie VanNess in that -garb he would regard me as unwomanly and immodest, much below the -standard of propriety and respectability of the women of the outer -world, with whom he would be willing to associate on terms of equality. -Remember that his education, like my own was as far removed as possible -from the spirit of altruism. When I left my guardian's home I was -penniless, except for an allowance known as 'pin money.' By the -marriage ceremony, my fortune had been transferred to Richard Sage. As -a woman, I stood no show of being able to acquire a competency, besides -I was liable to pursuit and arrest. I had no legal grounds for divorce, -and if I had been discovered as the absconding wife of Richard Sage, -the multi-millionaire, the courts would have declared me insane, and -I would have been incarcerated, most likely for life, in some lunatic -asylum. Hence it was from necessity, rather than choice, that I donned -male attire and sought employment as a cabin boy. My education, tact -and close attention to business led to more lucrative positions which -required ability as well as a strict integrity and close application. -By rigid economy, I succeeded in accumulating a moderate competence. As -a woman I could not have even procured a comfortable subsistence; but I -was in male attire, associated with men in all my relations to society, -and hence in the eyes of the world my womanly character was under a -cloud. For this reason I did not care to reveal my identity to Captain -Ganoe until I knew that he would approve the course I had taken. As -for myself I was prepared for altruistic principles. My association -with the working classes gave me a knowledge of their condition, and I -familiarized myself with the best thought of their leaders. But Captain -Ganoe had been differently situated. He had continued to move in the -narrow circle in which he was born. I had hoped that experience with -the world had broadened his views. But I found that I was mistaken. I -have studied his feelings and hence have resolved never to give him the -opportunity to reproach me for my unwomanly disguise and associations." - -"How could he reproach you, Nequa, when he realized that it was all for -love of him?" - -"You cannot, my dear Oqua, educated as you were in the most advanced -thought of this altruistic civilization, realize the almost -irresistible power of prejudices when they have been incorporated into -the education of a people for thousands of years. They constitute a -race belief, the correctness of which the people seldom, if ever, heard -questioned. When I assumed male attire and associated myself with men -in the ranks of labor, I knew that I invited not only social ostracism, -but laid myself liable to arrest and imprisonment, if my disguise was -discovered. And Captain Ganoe as a high spirited gentleman of the old -school, could not unite his destinies with such a social out-cast." - -"But surely," said Oqua, "he will not entertain such mistaken -conceptions of honor when he learns that the people of this inner world -without an exception, would honor you for your heroic devotion to your -bridal troth and regard Captain Ganoe as the most fortunate of men in -having such a companion." - -"That may indeed be true, sometime," I said, "but before I reveal -myself to him, I must hear from his own lips such expressions of -opinion as will demonstrate that he would not regard the career of Jack -Adams, under the circumstances, as unworthy, immodest and unwomanly. -There is a deep seated prejudice in the outer world against 'mannish -women,' and the donning of male attire is prohibited by law, and what -is even worse, it is regarded as positively disgraceful. Hence I must -know that he of his own option has abandoned all these prejudices, -before I will consent to be known to him as Cassie VanNess." - -"I believe," said Oqua, "that his association with Altrurians will -certainly give him a higher regard for truth and correspondingly weaken -the influence of time honored errors. We can very easily ascertain -his views and if we should find them adverse, do not be discouraged, -for the atmosphere of truth which surrounds him is creative in its -influence and will surely establish itself in his mind. An error is -powerless to hold anyone in thrall very long where truth is cultivated -and free to express itself in thought and action. Truth is eternal and -cannot be destroyed, while error is transitory and disappears with the -ignorance on which it is based." - -"I will leave this matter to you," I said, "with this understanding, -that to Captain Ganoe I must remain simply Jack Adams, or Nequa, until -I know that he approves and appreciates the sacrifices made by Cassie -VanNess. I love him too well to be willing to face his disapproval, but -knowing the purity of my own purposes, I will never put myself in a -position that will imply even in the remotest degree that I was wrong. -My self respect forbids this. My heart tells me that I was right and I -will never apologize to any human being for the course I have taken, -and least of all to Captain Ganoe, for love of whom I have braved the -danger of social ostracism as well as the dangers incident to the life -of a sailor, from the blistering heat of the tropics to the intense -cold of the frigid zones. I certainly could never ask him to forgive me -for loving him so well." - -Oqua threw her arms around my neck and kissed me most affectionately, -saying: - -"My dear Nequa, I knew that I was not mistaken in the estimate that I -had placed on your mental and spiritual character. You have a great -work to do, not only in the education of our people, but a work for -your own people. Intercourse between the inner and outer worlds must -be re-opened. In this work much depends upon the crew of the Ice King, -as you are the only people among us from the educated classes who -have ever penetrated the frozen regions which surround the verges. -Our people will of course assist in every way possible. But my dear -Nequa, a still greater work depends upon you, more than upon any of the -others, in which we can be of but little assistance." - -"And what is that greater work?" I asked. "And how could I get along -without assistance? No matter what I undertake I want you as a tutor. -To me it seems, that in this inner world, I have everything to learn, -and I must have a teacher at every step." - -"And I, too," said Oqua, "have much to learn from you. All that I have -learned of the outer world came from MacNair and the few books which he -saved from the sinking ship. With the Ice King comes a well selected -library of standard works and three scholarly, well read people, and -from this, I anticipate a most valuable addition to our knowledge, -especially of a scientific, geographical and historical character, -which has been hidden from the people of the inner world. We have, it -seems, made more progress along lines of a social, economic and ethical -nature and in mechanical inventions. So while we need that knowledge -which can be more readily acquired in the outer world, your people need -the lessons taught by our progress along other lines. Our libraries are -filled with these lessons and the work evidently marked out for you is -to gather this knowledge for the benefit of your own people. In this -you will have the cordial co-operation of the scholars of the inner -world." - -"This," I said, "is certainly a work in which I am most anxious to -engage, just as soon as I can qualify myself for the task, and I -shall certainly need all the help I can get. I do indeed want the -people of America, the great republic of the outer world, to learn -that the highest ideals of their revolutionary sires, are not mere -'glittering generalities,' but realities, and have been carried out -to their logical culmination in this country with the most beneficent -results to humanity. To this end, that they should not only learn -this most significant fact, but that they should have laid before -them a clear and concise statement of the methods that have been used -so successfully to produce these results and evolve this wonderful -Altrurian civilization. I most keenly realize that it is my duty -to accomplish this work for humanity, but when I think of the vast -libraries, written in a strange tongue, that must not only be read but -studied, in order to trace the operation of the evolutionary forces -which have produced these grand results, I am overwhelmed at the -contemplation of the magnitude of the task set before me." - -"Do not be alarmed," said Oqua, "at the multitudinous array of -ponderous volumes. These records are only preserved for reference. The -scholars of every age have been over them, with the special object in -view of condensing and simplifying their lessons, for the benefit of -students who could not afford to neglect other studies of the most -pressing importance, in order to familiarize themselves with the -details of so many thousands of years of history. Hence the lessons of -permanent value, such for instance as relate to the social, economic -and ethical progress of the people, have been carefully arranged in -the form of attractive condensations, with marginal references to the -authorities. With these lessons from History, designed for the use of -the pupils in our schools, the students can rapidly trace every step in -our progress, from the original half-civilized condition down to the -present time, and if there is any matter which they wish to examine -more closely, the marginal references will direct them to volume and -page. So, my dear Nequa, you will find that the greater part of your -work which looks so overwhelming, is ready made for you, in our School -Concordances. Another thing will help you; these lessons of progress -have all been treated in the shape of allegories and historical -romances, in order to make them attractive. Perhaps you could not -transmit them to your own people in a better shape, than by translating -some of the works that bear directly upon what they need to understand. -These works trace in a most attractive form the operation of every -evolutionary force which has contributed to our Altrurian civilization -as you find it to-day." - -"This, indeed, my dear Oqua, relieves my mind of a load of doubt and -apprehension, which amounted almost to a dread, whenever I thought of -reading so many ponderous volumes in order to get a clear idea of the -forces which have contributed to your present ideal conditions. It also -explains to me how it is, that your entire people have such a clear -understanding of every economic, social and ethical problem. These -things are taught to the children in your primary schools." - -"Yes," said Oqua, "the blessings of a high state of civilization -can only be preserved by educating the children of a country into a -comprehensive understanding of the laws of progress, by which these -blessings are secured. While a very few can set the machinery in -motion by which the masses may be relieved of any burdens that can be -imposed upon them, yet unless the children are universally educated in -regard to these matters, a few will be able to re-enslave them. These -so-called 'great problems' which you inform me are puzzling the brains -of your statesmen, ought to be thoroughly understood by the children. -Hence we teach these things to children while the mind is the most -receptive and the most capable of acquiring knowledge rapidly." - -"But," I remarked, "it sounds so strange to hear you speak of children -thoroughly understanding these questions of world-wide importance, with -which the great statesmen of the outer world have grappled for ages, -without finding a solution." - -"Nothing strange about it," said Oqua. "The mind of the child is -plastic and is remarkable for the facility with which it receives and -retains impressions. When it reaches the adult stage these impressions -become crystallized and are hard to change. Hence the importance of -starting the child rightly, with correct habits of thought on these -vital matters, upon which its future weal, and that of every other -human being depends. If the impressions on the mind of the child are -erroneous, they are liable to crystallize and be retained through -life, no matter how absurd they may be. As an apt illustration of -this tendency, I have only to refer to some of the notions which were -popular in this country at the time when the old economic system had -run its course and was producing widespread poverty and suffering among -the people. At that period all of the exchanges among the people were -on a money basis, and the few had control of the money while the many -were not able to utilize their labor to produce the wealth they needed -because they could not get the money to effect the necessary exchanges. -The reformers of that time were loud in the demand for more money, -while the controlling minds among the majority insisted that the one -thing needed was less money so that the money they had would purchase -more; and others were equally sure that more tax on products of foreign -countries was just the thing to relieve the industrial depression -by holding the home market for the products of our own labor. Keep -foreign products out by a high tariff and protect home industry, was -the doctrine. But we cannot help smiling as we read that these same -people who wanted to exclude foreign products from our markets in -order to protect our own labor, expected to get revenues from a tax -on foreign goods to run the government. It is difficult to imagine at -this time that any sane people ever entertained such absurd and self -contradictory opinions, but it is nevertheless a fact, as demonstrated -by the history of that time. These absurd notions could not have found -lodgement in the human mind, if as children, the people had been -trained to correct habits of reasoning." - -"And such," I said, "are the notions which predominate at this time in -my own country and the result is, that a few are very rich while the -many are hard pressed and poor. The few who protest against this system -are denounced as cranks, agitators and dangerous characters." - -"This is just what might be expected," said Oqua. "Like causes produce -like effects. The masses of mankind are always prone to deride and -persecute isolated individuals who know more than the mass, which is -physically so much more powerful. This is the protest of brute force -against mental, moral and spiritual superiority. This was why your -Jesus was crucified and this is why your reformers of the present day -are denounced as cranks, agitators and dangerous characters. It is an -invariable trait of human nature in a certain stage of development." - -"I have long entertained these same views," I replied, "but the -object lessons which can be drawn from your history will cover all -these questions and they ought to reach our people with the first -announcement of the discovery of this inner world where all the great -problems of human development have been solved. I have found your -language remarkably easy to learn and from what you say, I expect -to find lessons from your history equally easy, but still I need -your assistance. I want to make the very best possible use of my -opportunities, and to that end, I want the benefit of your experience, -observation and knowledge of Altrurian civilization as it is to-day." - -"Then, to begin," said Oqua, "my work as counsellor, I would advise you -to complete your account of the expedition which brought you into this -inner world; a brief description of your reception; the civilization -you found as it appeared to you at first sight, and the information -that you gathered from intercourse with the people in regard to -the progressive development of the country from the semi-barbarous -conditions which existed in early times. This ought to be sent to the -people of the outer world just as soon as possible. It will make an -excellent introduction to a series of works consisting of your own -observations in regard to the existing educational system, customs of -the people and business methods, together with translations from our -literature that will be of use to your people. In the preparation of -the account of your expedition and your discoveries, you will need no -assistance and when it comes to translations from our libraries and -travel over the five grand divisions, you will have the help of ripe -scholars wherever you go." - -"Concerning the work here in this inner world," I said, "among such -a people, I have no doubt that it will be well done, but how are we -to transmit the information across the ice barriers at the verge? I -at first had great hopes from your airships, but I find that while -they are all right in this serene climate, they would be worse than -useless in the stormy atmosphere of the outer world and as at present -constructed the occupants could not live an hour in the intense cold of -the Frigid Zones." - -"I do not," said Oqua, "apprehend any insurmountable difficulty from -this source. The inventors of the airship know nothing about storms -and cold and hence made no provisions for guarding against them. The -case is different with arctic explorers. Our inventors have learned -how to navigate the atmosphere, with ease and safety. This is the main -point. Now you people of the outer world can take up the work where -our inventors left off, and construct ships which can ride the storm. -I have learned since my return from the Minerva congress, that Captain -Battell is working on this problem with good prospects of success. I do -not believe that there is anything impossible to the human mind when it -acts in harmony with nature's laws. The airship factory at lake Byblis -is at your service, with every facility of material, machinery and -mechanical skill. All that is needed is a comprehensive understanding -of outer world atmospheric conditions, and you brought that knowledge -with you. This is all that our inventors needed in order to enable them -to construct an airship that would be equal to every emergency." - -"You give me great encouragement," I said. "Captain Battell has asked -me to assist in this work by making experimental voyages to the verges, -in order to test the proposed improvements and make observations." - -"Then all seems to be going well," said Oqua, "but there is no time to -lose. You must be gathering materials for your first volume as rapidly -as possible for I feel that it will soon be needed. To this end, I want -you and Captain Ganoe to go with me to-morrow to Orbitello, to see how -business is carried on. What do you think of it?" - -"Think of it!" I said. "I have been very anxious to take this trip and -have only been awaiting your return so that we might have company, who -could assist us in our observations." - -"Then," said Oqua, "we will start early, and I will telephone Polaris -and Dione to meet us and bring Battell and Huston. I know that Norrena -will be most happy to meet you. He is a walking encyclopedia of -knowledge and I know that you will enjoy his acquaintance. But," she -added after a moment's hesitation, "you need rest and I will go. Be of -good cheer. All is well, and do not forget that there is a wonderful -power in truth when it is left free, to remove errors from the pathway -of human progress,"--and kissing me good-night, she was gone. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - AN AIR VOYAGE--CHANGE OF SCENERY--HOMES FOR MOTHERS--EVOLUTION - FROM COMPETITIVE INDIVIDUALISM--THE MOUNTAINS--BATTELL JOINS - US--ORBITELLO--A PERPETUAL WORLD'S FAIR--DEPARTMENT OF EXCHANGE--THE - BUSINESS OF A CONTINENT--NORRENA--PUBLIC PRINTING--THE COUNCIL--ALL - MATTERS SUBMITTED TO THE PEOPLE--LIBRARY OF UNIVERSAL KNOWLEDGE. - -[Illustration] - - -EVERY preparation had been made for our proposed voyage into the -interior and as the sun appeared from behind the eastern edge of the -southern verge we were embarking on the airship. Our party consisted of -MacNair, Iola, Oqua, Captain Ganoe and myself. I took my place at the -helm with MacNair and told him that I wanted to take lessons in aerial -navigation. He kindly explained the use of the electric keyboard which -controlled the machinery, and I found it so simple that I felt no need -of an instructor. In this placid atmosphere all I had to do was to set -the ship in the direction we wanted to go and turn on the power until -we reached the speed at which we desired to travel. All the motions -of the vessel were under absolute control. I found that the steering -apparatus could be readily adjusted to overcome a light wind, and -reasoned that the same principles would enable us to ride the storm. -This first practical experience in aerial navigation gave me confidence. - -Our course was a little north of west, and we were soon leaving the -great communal agricultural district which we now regarded as our home. -According to our reckoning it was now the 1st of February and I had -begun to figure whether it would be possible for us to be ready to -attempt the proposed journey to the outer world during the northern -summer. If we did, it would certainly require intense application. -These thoughts were continually running through my mind, and they -spurred me up to gather all the information possible for the book that -I was preparing. - -The country over which we were passing was still agricultural, but -the surface was more broken and the general arrangements were changed -accordingly, presenting to our vision an agreeable variety. We still -saw the magnificent communal homes with correspondingly large areas -of cultivated lands, but we also saw cottages gathered into groups, -with large public buildings which MacNair informed us were schools, -public halls, homes for the aged, hospitals, and especially homes for -prospective mothers who felt that the ideal conditions which these -homes afforded would secure the best possible development of their -offspring. - -I was forcibly struck by the number and grandeur of these homes for -mothers. I had noticed that every communal home had its department -for the care of mothers, and now I found that the grandest structures -that I had ever seen were devoted exclusively to this purpose. In -reply to my inquiries I was informed that this care for motherhood was -a universal feature throughout the inner world. But in this, as in -everything else, liberty prevails. The mother is always free to select -her own conditions. Many prefer these large public homes which are -exclusively under the control of women, while others, with different -temperaments, prefer greater exclusiveness in their own apartments, but -all alike make this period of prospective motherhood, one in which all -the environments are calculated to produce the best possible pre-natal -influences upon the unborn child. - -For this purpose, different temperaments require different -surroundings. The impressions produced by beautiful scenery and social -enjoyments on one, may be more readily produced by reading, lectures, -music and intellectual entertainments on another. The unperverted taste -of the mother is always accepted as a sure guide to what is best in -each case, and the best is always provided. - -While the country over which we were passing did not have the same -artificial appearance as if laid out by one uniform pattern, like -that where we had been located since our arrival in Altruria, I still -noticed the general tendency of the people to get together in large -communities. We passed over large districts of wild lands which -afforded ample opportunities for isolated homes but nowhere did we see -anything of the kind. This induced Captain Ganoe to ask if there was -any law against people getting out by themselves and cultivating these -wild lands. - -"Nothing but the natural law," said Oqua, "which impels people to do -that which is the most conducive to their happiness. The people of -this country do not like drudgery and they have learned by experience -that in order to avoid drudgery, they must work together on a large -scale, as one family, each for all and all for each. In the olden time, -people in their ignorance scattered into single families consisting -of a man and wife and their children. They wasted their energies in -their isolated efforts, and were at the mercy of the few who had the -intelligence to work together. When the masses became more intelligent -they gathered into communities and co-operated with each other to make -the most out of their labor and to avoid the payment of tribute to -speculators who did not work at all. They soon found that they could -not possibly consume all that they were able to produce and they began -to work less and enjoy more." - -"But," asked the Captain, "have you no arrangement by which a man -and his wife could get out on these wild lands and make a home for -themselves?" - -"We certainly have no arrangement," said Oqua, "that would prevent -their doing so. But if they should try such an experiment it would not -last long. As soon as they found themselves toiling incessantly to -procure a bare subsistence, while the great masses in the communities -were spending eleven-twelfths of their time in the enjoyment of rest -and pleasurable recreations, they would seek admission into a large -communal home, where all who are willing to perform their share of the -labor are welcome." - -"But," said the Captain, "you say that the people of this country once -lived in isolated homes. The people in the outer world do so now, and -they feel that to be the best possible condition for the development -of the highest qualities. How were the individualists of this country -persuaded to give up their individual holdings and accept in lieu -thereof a community interest in the products of their own labor?" - -"They outgrew their preconceived opinions," said Oqua. "Among the -reformers of the olden time none were more earnest than a large and -very intelligent class of individualists, who believed that the people -ought to own the land, and that the individual holder ought to pay the -community for its use, in proportion to its value as land, not counting -the value of the improvements. These reformers agreed to the abolition -of land titles, and in accordance with the doctrines which they had -promulgated long and earnestly, they took their lands in severalty and -paid the community a tax for its use. As individualists, they could -not object to other people forming communities and having all things -in common. But when they discovered how much more they had to work -than their neighbors, they were true to their own interests and joined -the communities where their labor became so much more effective. They -found that instead of sacrificing any of their individual rights by so -doing, they actually made those rights more valuable by being relieved -of drudgery. The land tax to the community was abolished in the course -of time, and then any individual might take a homestead and cultivate -it in his own way without being taxed for the privilege of doing so, -but this right is never exercised, as it would deprive the individuals -thus setting up for themselves, of free access to the common wealth -of the community, and the common advantages which belong to community -life. They could only enter the communal homes as guests and strangers, -and while free entertainment is never refused, proud spirited -individualists would never think of securing a subsistence by visiting -around. They would naturally prefer doing their share of the work to -create the common stock. And hence our individualists are all in our -communal homes and have no desire for individual holdings of any kind. -Their community interest in the common wealth is worth vastly more to -them than all the wealth that they could create by individual effort." - -"But," asked the Captain, "do you permit no private ownership of -property at all in these communities?" - -"Yes, we do," said Oqua. "All persons may accumulate property which -they create by personal labor, if they wish to burden themselves with -the care of it. But as there is an abundance in the common stores to -supply every want, there is no motive for the private ownership of -anything but personal belongings which are ordinarily of no value to -anyone else. Members of the community may have anything they need -out of the common stock and intelligent people would not encumber -themselves with the care of more than they have a use for. The greed -for the accumulation of property which I am informed is so prevalent -in the outer world, if manifested here would be taken as an evidence -of insanity and would be treated accordingly. It is very difficult for -the average Altrurian to realize that people should ever desire to -hoard up wealth which it is impossible for them to consume. But when -we scan the pages of our early history at the time when legal money -was the medium of exchange and the standard of value, the people made -a mad scramble for money, in which they disregarded every interest of -humanity." - -We were now approaching a region where art and nature seemed to have -united in one mighty and persistent effort to excel each other in -the entrancing beauty and rugged grandeur that could be added to the -picture. On either side was a broad expanse of cultivated lands, -interspersed with parks, lawns and ornamented grounds, which revealed -the work of the most artistic landscape gardeners. Beneath us the -Cocytas meandered its way toward the distant ocean, between its -wooded shores, like a shining pathway of silver, while before us the -great continental divide with its towering mountain peaks piercing -the clouds, closed our view towards the west. At one moment we were -admiring the rugged grandeur of this lovely mountain chain and at -another entranced by the beauty of the highly ornamented landscape, -where art had improved upon nature. Take it all in all, the scenery -presented to our view from the cabin of our airship, sailing at a -height of several thousand feet, was sublime, beyond the power of words -to describe. - -As we neared the mountains, MacNair took charge of the ship and made -a detour toward the south, which brought into view the mighty canon -through which the Cocytas reaches the plain. On either side were -mountain torrents dashing over the rocks on their way to join the -waters of the deep flowing river. Here, nature in all her majesty -revealed her titanic powers. But suddenly another scene opened upon our -vision, in which art revealed itself as master of all the forces of -nature. It was more like a city than anything we had seen since leaving -San Francisco. And yet it was very much unlike any city I have ever -seen. I was bewildered by its sudden appearance upon this wonderful -panorama of nature and art which seemed to hold us spell bound. - -Palatial buildings in white and silver appeared in every direction, -surrounded by highly ornamented grounds. No smoke, no dust and no -miserable shanties to remind us of the poverty and misery which -characterized the cities of the outer world. In the distance, it -presented a panorama of beauty and grandeur, more like the paintings of -a gorgeous midsummer dream, than any real achievement of human skill -and human taste. It was more like the fancied abode of the gods than -the dwelling place of men. - -This was Orbitello, and as it lay spread out before us, it presented -a scene beyond my powers of description. It was located on an -elevated plateau and almost enclosed within a bend of the river, -which flows around it on three sides, the west, south and east, like -a silver highway, over which electric yachts of almost every size and -description were gliding. It was a dream of beauty that once seen, -could never be erased from the memory. - -"This," said MacNair, "is our continental headquarters. Here, was at -one time a large city, but every remnant of the old structures was -removed long ago. The location, however, is so central that it was -selected as our chief center of business for all the departments of the -public service. It is a favorite gathering place for large numbers of -people from all parts of the world. Hence the number of buildings for -the accommodation of visitors. It is in fact a perpetual World's Fair, -a miniature picture of the world as it is to-day. There is no better -place to study the civilization of the inner world in all its phases." - -MacNair was interrupted by a familiar voice with the well remembered -"Ship Ahoy!" and as we turned around to see from whence it came, -another airship came alongside, and we exchanged greetings with our -old shipmates, Battell and Huston, and our saviors, as we called them, -Polaris and Dione, who both addressed us in English. - -"Please speak Altrurian," I said. "I have abandoned English except in -cases of emergency, as I am anxious to perfect myself in the use of -your native tongue. Remember that I have become a citizen of Altruria, -and have no desire to perpetuate the use of a foreign language." - -"And we," replied Polaris, "want to perfect ourselves in the use of -English, as we want to visit America and talk like natives, just as -soon as a ship can be constructed that will enable us to navigate the -frozen regions without being frozen ourselves." - -"And one," I responded, "that can hold to its course with a side wind -of a velocity from fifty to one hundred miles an hour." - -"Have no fears on that score," interposed Battell. "We have the -principal parts of the machinery completed, and all that remains to be -done, is for you to take a trial trip to the southern verge and see -how it will work in a storm, and in the meantime we will try our hands -at constructing one that will be proof against the cold of a polar -winter. Better go to the southern verge now, while it is comparatively -temperate and test our improvements in a gale." - -"All right," I said. "I am willing. But who will go with me? I ought to -have the assistance of someone who could not only stand the exposure, -but be able to make observations. It will keep one person busy to -manage the ship during a storm, no matter how perfect your machinery -may be." - -"I suggest," said Battell, "that you take Lief and Eric, who are -first-class mechanics as well as scientists. This is their request, -and it ought to be granted. We need both Huston and Captain Ganoe, to -assist in the construction of a cold proof vessel. This is the plan of -work that I suggest. How will it suit you?" - -"Anything suits me that looks toward success," I said. "Since you have -already completed the inventions that I had contemplated, it is but -fair that you dictate how they should be used until we can improve on -your improvements, which, by the way I hope may not be necessary." - -"Oh yes, it will," said Battell. "Just as soon as there is no room -for improvement, everything will be perfect, and with nothing to do, -nothing to live for and no improvements to make, constituted as we are -now, we would very likely be just as unhappy, as we are now anxious -to improve the airship or to accomplish any other object that is dear -to us. This is a working world and we are workers, and when there is -no work to do, there will be no use for us on our present plane of -development." - -"You talk like a philosopher," I said. "One would think you had -graduated from an Altrurian university." - -"So I have," said Battell. "Were you not talking Altrurian philosophy -all the time we were together on the Ice King? So I was to some extent -prepared for what we have found in this highly developed country." - -"But what's the matter?" I asked, as Battell's airship came to a full -halt, and seemingly began to fall. Before I recovered from my surprise, -it had settled lightly on the top of a stupendous structure, and -MacNair was evidently aiming for the same place, as he set our ship -to circling around in the way I have often described. I had seen the -practical workings of one of Battell's improvements, and could not -help seeing that it was an undoubted success. The mechanism that would -control the vessel while dropping toward the earth, seemed to me, more -difficult of construction than that which would hold it on its course -against contrary side winds. - -A minute later and we had reached the surface. Polaris, and her crew, -so to speak, had disembarked and we had a cordial handshaking, and then -took a stroll around the roof of this immense building. Everything -about it seemed to indicate that it was especially designed for the -accommodation of business on a gigantic scale. It was built of the -semi-transparent material which we had found so common in the district -where we had made our homes. The cornice, windows and doors were -trimmed with aluminum, which gave it a peculiar grandeur of appearance. - -MacNair, who was ever ready to make explanations, informed us that -this was the Continental Department of Exchange through which all the -commercial transactions between the various districts throughout the -continent were carried on. This was the chief center of distribution, -and bore the same relation to the continent, that the District -Exchange bore to the several communities of which it was composed. -The community stores made the actual distribution of products to the -people. These larger exchanges, District and Continental, did not -really handle the products at all, but collected the orders from the -consumers and sent them direct to the communities where the goods were -wanted, in this way saving very much unnecessary labor in handling and -transportation. The actual exchange of commodities was always direct -between the producers and the consumers. - -I did not quite comprehend all this, but it prepared me for the object -lesson which was to come. I was keenly alert to everything that was to -be seen and heard, as it was valuable material for the book which I now -felt sure I would be able to lay before the people of the outer world. - -It was now noon, and MacNair suggested that it was about time for -dinner. "No doubt," he said, "your fifteen hundred miles of travel has -given you an appetite." And suiting the action to the suggestion, we -all stepped upon an elevator, and descended to the largest dining hall -I had ever seen. It seemed that thousands of people were seated at the -tables, quietly conversing and enjoying their midday meal. We seated -ourselves at a vacant table and Oqua said: - -"I shall order for all, as our American visitors are not yet perfectly -familiar with our customs." And manipulating a button at her side, -I was surprised to see the center of the table disappear, but it -reappeared before I had sufficiently recovered my equilibrium to ask -questions, and it was loaded with the most tempting viands. Oqua -explained that these central tables which carried the food stood on the -top of an elevator that connected with the kitchen below. That when an -order was received, a table was already prepared to take the place of -the one which the elevator brought down. Everything moved with quiet -celerity; no bustling waiters, and no waiting for orders to be filled. - -After dinner we passed into a large sitting room, elegantly furnished -with chairs, divans, sofas, etc., splendidly upholstered. I noticed -chairs and divans on wheels and asked MacNair for an explanation, and -he replied: - -"These chairs are moved by electricity, supplied by storage batteries -just under the seats. You apply the power by pressing a button on -the arm by your side, and guide them with your feet. You will often -find them in use, particularly in large places like Orbitello, -where travelers coming in fatigued, and people on business with the -various departments, having many places to go, need some easy means -of locomotion. In the olden time, waiters used to push these chairs -around by hand, but with the advent of electricity, electric motors -were substituted, and now the people who use these chairs need no such -assistance, and all the chair-men have to do is to see that the chairs -are returned to their proper place." - -After a little instruction we found no difficulty in going where we -pleased in our chairs, and regulating their direction and speed with -perfect ease. This novel experience was so agreeable that we decided to -visit the leading points of interest in these electric chairs. - -The first place to visit was the business offices of this great -Continental Exchange. We took our places in a large elevator room and -passed down to the office of the Commissioner of Exchange. On either -side of the great hall were shelves containing large books in which -we were informed, were statistics of production that are sent in from -every district twice a year, at the close of each crop season. These -records show just how much surplus each district has for exchange, -and of what it consists. This information is for the Order and Supply -Department which is on the same floor, toward which we were directing -our chairs. - -Here we entered a long hall, on either side of which were arranged -desks and electrical instruments. The clerks in attendance, each -represented a district, and were selected by the districts to fill -these positions because of their intimate knowledge of the wants of -their several localities and of the surplus they had for exchange. - -The District Commissioners sent their orders to their own clerk which -was written out by telautograph on his own desk. The order was at once -transmitted by the same method, to the district having the surplus, -through its own clerk, and a duplicate of these orders to the Record -Department. These orders when received from the District Commissioners -were transmitted to the communities having the surplus. The Community -Department of Exchange then shipped it directly to the place where it -was needed. - -Under this system of distribution, products passed directly from -the producer to the consumer and were never handled but once. The -producers held their surplus in their own possession until they had -orders from consumers by whom it was needed. The Commissioner of -Exchange at Orbitello had a tabulated report of the surplus held by -each district, and each district had its clerks in the Order and Supply -Department of the Continental Exchange. When an agricultural district -wanted machinery, musical instruments, furniture, clothing, etc., the -order for the same was transmitted to its own clerk in the Department -of Exchange and it was at once sent to the district, or districts, -having a surplus of the products needed. And when a Manufacturing -District needed food supplies the orders were sent to the clerk in -the Continental Exchange and the order was transmitted to the nearest -agricultural district that had a surplus for exchange. - -Under this system of organized exchange, if any district found that -it had a surplus accumulating in its warehouses for which there was -no demand, this was all the notice required that a time had come to -curtail production in that particular line. From what we could see -of the workings of this system, by going through this department, we -could readily see how the law of supply and demand, if permitted to act -freely with no artificial restrictions, would be a perfect regulator -in the world of commerce. Neither would there ever be, under this -Altrurian system of exchange, a glut in the market at one place while -there was a scarcity at another. - -"You see here," said MacNair, "a business house which handles the -trade of a continent, containing over two hundred millions of people. -All the products of the soil, the shop, the factory and the mine, are -practically bought and sold in this establishment, and yet without any -of the excitement and bustle, hard work and worry, which characterize -the comparatively diminutive business houses of New York and London." - -"I see evidences," I remarked, "of a most admirable business system on -a stupendous scale. But the question that will be asked in the outer -world will be, How are these goods paid for and how are the prices -fixed and the accounts adjusted without money? This is what the people -of the outer world will want to understand. I am asking more for them -than for myself." - -"Nothing difficult about it," said MacNair. "Product pays for -product here just as it actually does in the outer world, but under -co-operation, the elements of interest, profit and rent have been -eliminated. The price of an article is fixed by the amount of labor -expended in its production and distribution. This of course only -applies to such commodities as are in demand. A great deal of labor -might be expended in the production of something that no one wanted. -Such labor would be wasted here as it would be anywhere else." - -"I had thought of this contingency," I replied, "but was not seeking a -difficulty. I referred only to such articles of necessity, comfort and -luxury as the consumers wish to secure. How are the prices fixed, what -is the standard and how are balances settled?" - -"These questions," said MacNair, "are well put, to draw out a concise, -as well as a comprehensive statement of our business methods. We -readily ascertain by statistics, the average number of minutes, hours -and days of labor invested in the production of every commodity which -enters into common use. This includes the labor invested in the -necessary transportation, superintendence and distribution. Hence in -our accounts, the value of products of all kinds are credited and -debited as given amounts of labor. This is what in the outer world -would be called the price. A given number of hours of labor in one -branch of useful service to society is worth just the same number of -hours of labor in some other branch, and the exchange is made on that -basis. The one primary object of this system of exchange is to secure -equal and exact justice to all." - -"But how are all these numerous employes on your railroads, in your -stores and the various departments of industry paid?" asked Captain -Ganoe. - -"Very easily," said MacNair. "The people produce all the supplies and -render all the service, and the people enjoy all the benefits. This is -about all there is of it. We produce what we consume, and consume what -we produce, without paying tribute to anyone else for the privilege of -exercising these natural rights, as the people in the outer world are -forced to do." - -"But," said the Captain, "would you have me infer that all these expert -clerks and accountants, and the commissioner who superintends all this -business do not receive any more than the laborers on the farms and in -the shops, factories and mines?" - -"Why should they get more than people who are engaged in laborious -occupations?" asked Iola. "They get all they can consume. If they -should use a little more or less no one cares. They can have all they -want without working any more hours than other people and I cannot -understand how they could use any more food or clothing without ruining -their health or making themselves very uncomfortable. I cannot conceive -of any person wanting to eat more food or wear more clothes, because he -or she is employed in some position of trust. Can you, Captain Ganoe?" - -"I admit," replied the Captain, "that your question is a poser. And -this is not the first time that I have been puzzled by your remarks. I -do not say that you are wrong; but I never heard questions handled in -this way until I drifted into this inner world. I can only say that I -am bewildered and while I do not comprehend your philosophy I do admire -your civilization." - -"And," responded Iola, "I cannot comprehend how anyone can admire our -civilization without accepting our philosophy. The civilization of a -people is only reducing to practice, the mental and moral concepts of -the people. Our civilization is the logical outcome of our philosophy. -People always think first and act afterward. Our philosophy is what we -think, and our civilization is the result of what it induces us to do." - -"Well," said the Captain, "it has certainly induced your people to do -many things that would look very strange in the outer world, but which -seem to work rightly here." - -Oqua, who had quietly dropped out of our party without being observed, -now joined us, accompanied by a man of commanding appearance. He was -about six feet, four inches in height, brown hair, full beard, blue -eyes, fair complexion and a high intellectual forehead. Oqua introduced -him as Norrena, Chief of the Continental Department of Education. His -address was most gentle, pleasing and kind, but firm and decided. -Turning to me he said: - -"I had hoped to have an opportunity to make the acquaintance of Jack -Adams, the scientist of the Ice King, but Oqua tells me that I must be -content with Nequa, the teacher. She informs me that you are preparing -a book to be published in your own country, and to that end you are -making a close study of our civilization." - -"That is true," I said, "and she has spoken to me of you as one who -could render me great assistance, in gathering the lessons that -would be of the most value, in our transition from competition to -co-operation." - -"I shall gladly render you any assistance in my power," he said, "but -what you can see here of our completed system of co-operation in -every department of human endeavor, will be indispensable to a clear -comprehension of the lessons to be drawn from the history of our own -Transition Period." - -"Thank you," I said. "And I would be pleased to have you show me -through the departments, and call my attention to such features as will -be of the greatest advantage for me to understand just at this time." - -"That is the same request that was made by Oqua, as it would take a -long time for you to find just what you want without the assistance -of someone who is familiar with all the departments and who also -understands the nature of the work in which you are engaged. To -begin, we will now visit the Department of Public Printing and News -Distribution." - -We now dispensed with our electric chairs, as we felt the need of -exercise. As we emerged from the Exchange building, Norrena took the -lead, and conducted us into another stupendous structure, devoted to -the Public Printing and the Distribution of News to all parts of the -world. The upper story was an immense auditorium, where public meetings -of unusual proportions could meet and have ample room, and where the -acoustic properties were so scientifically adjusted, that all could -hear the speaker in ordinary tones of voice. - -Norrena conducted us first into the press room, where printed sheets -were being turned out with a rapidity I had never before witnessed. -These passed on an endless belt into the binding department and from -thence in completed form to the mailing rooms for distribution. -Everything seemed to move with the same quiet celerity that we had -noticed in the Exchange Department. - -From the press rooms we ascended in an elevator to the composing -department, where we found a number of machines turning out stereotype -plates, but no operators were anywhere in sight. Norrena informed -me that the machines were operated on the same principle as the -telautograph, or writing telegraph, and with the multiplex system -of transmission, an expert could operate a number of these machines -in different parts of the world at the same time. The matter for -publication, was thus delivered in the composing room in the shape of -plates ready for the presses. - -But the most interesting and important feature of this great publishing -house is the manner of collecting and distributing news. The News -Department is connected by telegraph with news offices throughout the -world and is continually receiving items of general interest, which are -classified and distributed by the same means to the people in every -home throughout the continent. The printed pages are of matter of a -more permanent character, which is regarded as worthy of preservation. -Copies of new books are sent to similar establishments in the other -grand divisions and by them reproduced and placed in their local -libraries where all have access to them. This free distribution of -intelligence to the whole people is under the direct control of the -Department of Education. - -During the meetings of the Altrurian Council, this department -has another important duty to perform. The council, through this -department, is practically, at all times, in communication with the -majority of the people. When a matter of public interest has been -carefully discussed pro and con, it is formulated and transmitted to -every community where the people are interested, a vote is then taken -at once, and the result transmitted to the council. By this means, -a majority of the people can be heard from in regard to any matter -of importance in a few hours. The people are at all times familiar -with the matters which are being considered by the council, and are -prepared to respond promptly. The communities ordinarily have decided -any important question in their minds before it is submitted to them -and reply at once. I could readily see how, under an advanced state of -civilisation, direct government by the people is not only practicable, -but remarkable for its simplicity and promptness of execution. - -The council acts upon all matters in which two or more districts are -interested and the matter is formulated and submitted at once to the -people of such districts for their approval or disapproval. But in -any matter of great importance the people are not compelled to wait -for the regular meeting of the council, but may by the action of the -communities place the matter before the executive committee which meets -every day, and it becomes their duty to submit the question to a vote -of the people. In this way, under this system, the people can always -secure prompt action, as it is the duty of their officials to serve, -but not to govern, as they do in the outer world. - -If a public improvement is agreed upon, the districts and communities -interested, make an appropriation of necessary material and labor, -and the work is pushed forward. In all things this great council is -advisory in its character and the executive committee only takes such -action as the people have agreed upon, and when any matter has been -agreed upon the executive power acts at once without question. The will -of the people is the law which no one ever assumes to question. - -We passed rapidly through a large number of magnificent structures, -filled with exhibits of all kinds. In Machinery Hall were samples of -every conceivable mechanical device. Another vast building was devoted -to textile fabrics of all kinds. Every industry had its exhibit. -All the great Grand Divisions had similar buildings. Everywhere, -accommodating attendants were ready to show us anything and give us any -information we wished. And one remarkable thing was, that while every -one seemed anxious to display the goods on exhibition, no one ever -tried to sell us anything, as would have been the case in the outer -world. - -Here, as MacNair said, was indeed a miniature picture of a world. I -could write a volume on each one of these great buildings without -exhausting the subject. But for the present I had seen enough and -requested Norrena to conduct us next to the Library of Universal -Knowledge which was the most highly finished and imposing of all -these palatial structures. It was built of the usual semi-transparent -material which shut out the direct rays of the sun while it admitted a -mellow radiance rendering artificial light as a rule unnecessary. - -We took an elevator to the top where we began our survey of the -contents. Elevators at frequent intervals connected every story. A -description of one story would in a general way apply to all the -others. Each floor is divided longitudinally into three halls or suites -of rooms. The central division is ordinarily a single hall fifty feet -in width by six hundred in length, and in these central halls are -stored all the books, papers and relics of the past. Also specimens of -ores, metals, alloys and compounds of everything that goes to make a -complete museum of natural history, and scientific methods in chemistry -and the mechanic arts. Different stories are given to Archeology, -Ethnology, Geology, Chemistry, Electricity, etc., and constitute a most -instructive feature of this Library of Universal Knowledge. - -The divisions on either side are given up to reading rooms, lecture -halls and schools for culture in technical branches that can be studied -to better advantage here in this vast library than elsewhere. In the -reading rooms, which are always open to the public, full catalogues are -always kept for visitors, and courteous attendants are ever ready to -give any information and procure any book that may be needed. Books are -all numbered and catalogued, so the visitor has but to press the number -on an electric keyboard, and it is delivered at once by a pneumatic -tube. The attendants return the books to their proper places in the -same rapid and quiet manner. No noise, bluster, or confusion anywhere. -Everything is reduced to system, and moves along like clock work. - -Instruction is free in any of the technical schools, to all who apply -and submit to the rules. These schools embrace every specific branch of -study, and are usually patronised by graduates from the public schools -who desire to perfect their knowledge of some specific branch in order -to be better qualified for a special calling. Here, can be studied -under the most favorable conditions, the progressive development of a -world, illustrated at every step by the relics indicative of its status -which are carefully preserved in the museums, thus tracing in the most -instructive and satisfactory manner, the progress of the people from -their primitive condition of barbarians to their present high state of -culture. - -I saw at a glance that this was the place where my contemplated work of -investigation, into the practical methods which had enabled the people -of this country to develop such ideals, could be prosecuted under -the most favorable conditions. I determined to make good use of these -facilities for gathering the ripened sheaves of human thought in every -age and condition of life, for the benefit of the people of my own -native land. - -In the lower story, we passed into the department where new -publications are received and catalogued. The first thing that -attracted my attention was the translations from the library of the -Ice King, which seemed to have the right of way over everything else. -Among these translations, I noticed the American Cyclopedia, Ridpath's -History of the World, the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, -histories of the United States and the leading countries of the world, -together with a selection of works on polar exploration, and a number -of scientific works. I was astonished at the progress that had been -made, but Norrena informed me that, under their system, a work could be -translated almost as fast as it could be read, and that the work had -been divided between the scholars of all the grand divisions. - -I asked Norrena if there was much demand for these translations of -outer world literature, and he replied: - -"Yes, the orders from each grand division, amount to millions, and they -can be translated in all parts of the concave as rapidly as the presses -can turn them out. This is especially true of everything pertaining to -America, whose history up to date is so similar to the early stages of -our own." - -"But," I said, "with the usual large attendance at the reading rooms, -one volume will do for a number of persons, and I should think that -would greatly decrease the demand." - -"That is true," said Norrena, "but all have an equal right to be -served, and this addition to our knowledge of the outer world is in -such great demand, that all want to be supplied at the same time." - -"Of course that is impossible," I said, "and so I suppose that with all -your improved methods many will be compelled to wait." - -"Not so very many," said Norrena. "All may not be able to get books, -but all who desire to do so can hear them read." - -"How," I asked, "can that be, when millions are asking to hear them -read all at once?" - -"Not so very difficult," he replied, "when we use the multiplex -phonograph. One reader can be heard all over the concave. A vast number -would rather listen to a good reader, than to read themselves, and -as the voice of this reader can be connected with a large number of -phonograph reading rooms at the same time, in each such room, as many -can listen as can be seated." - -"You astonish me," I said. "Will you please explain how this is done?" - -"I will do more than that," he said. "I will show you how it is done. -Come with me." - -I followed him into a large room, where I found, I should think, from -two to three hundred people, composedly sitting in chairs, or reclining -on sofas and divans, with phonographic attachments in their ears. - -"These," said Norrena, "are all listening to readers at Lake Byblis who -are assisting in the translation of these works. They are using these -attachments in the ears because they are not all listening to the same -matter. This is a fair sample of what is going on in every room of -this character, throughout the concave. A large number of professional -readers are employed who are connected by telephone and phonograph -with every home and reading room in all parts of the country. By such -means you see that we can disseminate knowledge almost simultaneously, -to all who are most anxious for it. The demand for printed books is -mainly from libraries and reading rooms, public and private. The masses -of the people at this time are spending much of their ample leisure, -in listening to the reading of this new addition to our literature. It -will not be long, before the most industrious, intellectually, have -absorbed, to a considerable extent this most valuable addition to our -knowledge, and then a very large number will apply themselves to the -study of the English language, so that they may be able to judge for -themselves as to the accuracy of the translations." - -"I see from your admirable system of distributing knowledge that there -must be an extraordinary demand to be supplied." - -"Nothing extraordinary for us," said Norrena. "The demand is steady -with a tendency to increase. Our people are all workers who have enough -physical exercise to keep their bodies in good condition, and this -stimulates the mind to demand food, which it is our duty to provide." - -"Do you not often find this difficult?" I asked. - -"Not at all," he replied. "In this, as in the supply of food for the -body, the quantity is always ample where the operations of natural law -are not antagonized in the administration of public business. We have -ample facilities for gathering news, and everyone who has a thought to -express finds an opportunity to do so. There is a steady supply which -we distribute alike to all. This demand for mental food is even more -pressing than the demand for physical nourishment. The real man and -the real woman are not their physical bodies, but the living souls -which occupy these bodies, and it is the duty of this department of the -public service to provide these souls with the staff of life, which is -knowledge." - -Before leaving the library, Norrena requested us to record our names on -the visitor's book. We complied, and then continued our rambles until -I, for one, was utterly exhausted, and asked to be excused from further -exercise. - -"Then," said Norrena, "we will retire to the Department of Public -Comfort, where I have my private rooms, and while you are resting, we -can talk over plans for the future, or other matters that may demand -attention. I am much interested in this move to improve the airships -with a view to opening up a line of communication with the outer world." - -"And," I remarked, "I am, if possible, more interested in the -completion of my book in time for it to go to the United States by -the first airship, for publication. And I want it to contain every -lesson of importance to our people that can be gleaned from the present -condition and the past history of the people of this country." - -As we were speaking, Norrena hailed a passing electric carriage, and in -a few minutes we were landed at the grandest hotel I had ever entered -in my life. I could see at a glance why it was called the Department of -Public Comfort. Every facility for the comfort and enjoyment of guests -was provided. But the dimensions assigned to this volume will not -permit a description. I need only say that all its appointments were -complete, for the accommodation of thousands of guests. - -While each of the department buildings had its own arrangements for -accommodating its own force of employes and its own guests, this -Department of Public Comfort was designed more especially for guests -from other Grand Divisions. Here, the heads of departments of all the -Grand Divisions held their conferences; and here the continental heads -of departments very appropriately had their headquarters. - -After supper, Norrena informed me that on the morrow, he would -devote an hour to oral lessons at the institute of district school -superintendents and that his subject would be the History of the -Transition Period. - -"This," he explained, "covers that period in the history of Altruria -which marks the decline and fall of the old system of competition and -the introduction of co-operative methods. It may be just what you want -in the way of lessons from history. If you think that you do not yet -understand our language well enough to fully comprehend all the points, -I will provide you with a translation into English." - -I thanked him for his interest in my work and assured him that while I -wanted to hear him in his own tongue, if he could provide me with the -same matter in English, it would help me to a better understanding of -the language of the country, and that certainly I did not want to miss -any point of real value in the subject matter. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - THE INSTITUTE OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS--NORRENA'S ADDRESS ON THE - TRANSITION PERIOD--FROM COMPETITION TO CO-OPERATION--THE CLOSING - DECADES OF MONEY SUPREMACY--THE POWER OF GOLD--ITS CONQUEST OF THE - WORLD--POLITICAL GOVERNMENTS ITS TOOLS--THE PEOPLE HELPLESS--A HINT - AT THE WAY OUT. - - -AT an early hour we were up and had our breakfast. I felt that -my journey to Orbitello and the hasty glance through the leading -departments had been the most instructive day I had ever experienced. -But I was not surfeited, and looked forward with interest to the -meeting of the Institute of School Superintendents and especially -to Norrena's oral lessons from the Transition Period of the great -Industrial Commonwealth of Altruria. - -We met in the Auditorium over the Department of Public Printing. Many -had already arrived and were gathered into groups in various portions -of the vast hall conversing with each other. I took a seat on one -side by myself to contemplate the scene before me. I was by nature -a student, and here I was among, as it were, a nation of competent -instructors, and in a country where everything demonstrated the power -to control the great potent forces which govern the external world, -and the innate force of our higher moral and spiritual concepts of -what should be our relations toward each other in order to convert -this earth into a heaven of blissful, happy contentment. I was among -a people who universally regarded "an injury to one as the concern -of all," and hence health, happiness and abundance for all was their -normal condition. - -I could hardly realize that this country had once been the abode of -poverty and all of its consequences of ignorance, vice and crime; that -here where equal rights, equal opportunities and an equal share in -the unlimited abundance which nature places within the easy reach of -intelligent labor were the universal and unquestioned law of being, -there had once been a grasping and cruel financial and commercial power -that condemned the wealth-producing millions to lives of unrequited -toil. But such, I was repeatedly told, had been the fact, and Norrena, -at this meeting was to give an oral lesson from that period and -describe the power that had oppressed and degraded the people in those -early ages. - -But a short time had gone by since my first meeting with these people -and yet I had become thoroughly absorbed in their mental, moral and -spiritual life. I felt myself to be to all intents and purposes one -of them. What was it that had so entirely taken possession of my -consciousness? In all my life I had never felt so completely at home, -and at peace with myself and all the world. I was fully satisfied. - -Norrena broke in upon my reverie by asking: - -"What is it Nequa, that so absorbs your attention that you seem to be -utterly oblivious of the presence of this large assemblage of teachers -from all parts of the country to talk over the history of the olden -time when 'wealth accumulated and men decayed?' Have you forgotten -what I told you last evening? Oqua will report the lesson from the -Transition Period in English for you and you can afford to give some -attention to your old friends, Iola, MacNair, Polaris, Dione and your -comrades of the Ice King." - -I looked around and found that while I had been musing, our party -had all gathered near me without attracting my attention and I said -apologetically: "I must have been dreaming." - -"Then you were dreaming with your eyes wide open," said Oqua. "I -noticed that you seemed to be unusually absorbed. What were you -thinking about?" - -"I was pondering," I replied, "how it was possible that this country -could ever have been cursed with poverty as the normal condition of -the masses of the people while the few were rich beyond the dreams of -avarice, and held those masses bound by fetters that they could not -break." - -"It is now time for the exercises to commence," said Norrena. "I will -explain the mystery in my address, at least so far as the leading -factors are concerned, for in its entirety it is indeed a long and -ghastly picture of human ignorance on one side and human greed -directed by a morally perverted human intelligence on the other." - -The chairman called the meeting to order and stated that the first -thing on the program would be an address on the Transition Period, by -Norrena, the Continental Commissioner of Education. Without extended -preliminary remarks, the speaker opened the discussion of the question -under consideration from which I condense the following from Oqua's -report in English. Yet notwithstanding my short residence in the -country I believe that I could have given the gist of the address -myself without any assistance. - -"I need not," said the speaker, "enter into any lengthy explanation -before an institute of teachers, as to how our ancestors under the -old civilisation exchanged the products created by their labor for -products created by the labor of others, by the use of a law-created -medium of exchange called money. Neither need we trace the history of -many kinds of products and devices which were used in different ages -as a medium of exchange, such as cattle, slaves, shells, tobacco, the -skins of animals and certain stones and metals. These things are only -of interest to the antiquarian. It is enough to know for our present -purpose that money had originally been devised as a substitute for -barter, and marked the first step towards the establishment of a system -of exchanging products which required the exercise of a higher order -of mental faculties. During the early part of the Transition Period, -gold and silver were the exclusive materials from which money was -coined, except for sums of only a few cents, when the so-called baser -metals were used. As the supply of gold and silver was not equal to -the demands of business, banks were established to issue notes to -circulate as money with the consent of both parties to the exchange. -These notes were made redeemable in gold and silver on the demand -of the holders, and at frequent intervals the banks failed and the -people lost the wealth which they had exchanged for the notes. This -was a transfer without compensation, of the actual values created by -the labor of the people, to the note issuing power, and this process, -oft-repeated, laid the foundations for many colossal fortunes. - -"In this connection, it may be well to note that in times of great -public danger when the metal coins disappeared from circulation, the -government exercised the right to issue a legal tender paper money to -meet the deficiency. It served all the purposes of gold, and often -in the midst of adversity and disaster brought great industrial -prosperity to the people. But when the danger had gone by, strange -as it may appear, the government funded this legal tender paper into -government bonds, payable, interest and principal, in coin. This -process of converting the debt paying medium of the country into an -interest bearing debt that must be paid in another kind of money -which had been hidden away by the more wealthy in times of danger, -was the foundation of the great bonded debt of this country which was -established during the Transition Period. This bonded debt was made -the basis of a national bank currency for the redemption of which, at -first in legal tender paper and coin, and later in gold, the people as -debtors to the banks were in the last analysis responsible. In other -words the national bank currency derived its sole value as a reliable -medium of exchange from the fact that it was based on the public -credit, and this public credit belonged to the people, but the private -banking associations got the benefit for the private gain of their -stockholders, and the service rendered, cost the people many times its -worth. - -"During the Transition Period in this country the people had three -kinds of legal tender money, gold, silver, and paper, together with the -national bank notes which were a legal tender as between the people and -the government. At the close of this period, silver coin, and legal -tender paper were made redeemable by the government in gold, on the -demand of the holder; and all deferred payments were made payable in -gold on the demand of the creditor. The great bulk of the business of -the country among the people was transacted by the use of silver, paper -and bank notes but the holders of these forms of currency could demand -gold in exchange, and if for any cause the government failed to collect -enough gold from the people to meet the demand it became the duty of -the Secretary of the Treasury to sell interest bearing gold bonds to -meet the deficiency. - -"Such in brief, was the complicated, cumbersome and unscientific system -of exchanging, or distributing wealth, which existed under the old -civilization. The means of production being fixed by natural law were -the same then as now. Wealth always was and must always continue to -be, the product of human labor and skill applied to natural resources, -facilitated by such mechanical contrivances and business methods as -human skill may devise. But the system of distribution being entirely -under human control is continually changing as affected by human -impulses, whether they be selfish, as in the olden time, or altruistic -as they are now. - -"We now exchange a product for a product of equal value, for the -convenience and benefit of all, without any charge except for the -necessary labor expended in the production and distribution. But under -the old civilization the product was first exchanged for money and the -money was then exchanged with some one else for the product that was -wanted in return. As a method of exchanging one value for another, -this was a very awkward and unscientific process, but in and of itself -it was not necessarily unjust and oppressive; yet the system such as -it was, could be used by the greedy few who controlled the financial -and commercial affairs of the country, for the purpose of exacting -such exorbitant tribute from the many as would, and did, condemn the -millions to poverty. The few, with their superior business sagacity -took advantage of this semi-barbarous idea of a perpetual money token -which was supposed to contain within itself an actual value, equal to -the values which it was used to exchange, and they organized banking -as the chief factor in the mechanism of exchange among themselves, -which in its operations also gave them control of the perpetual money -tokens which the people must have to carry on their ordinary business -transactions with each other. - -"These shrewd financiers had no use for money except to pay balances, -and at the time of the end, ninety-seven per cent. of the great -business transactions of the country were carried on by means of -organised credit through banks and clearing houses. This system of -minimising the use of legal money through banking methods, as a matter -of course left a large surplus in the hands of the great operators, -which was loaned to the people, who in their unorganised condition were -compelled to pay cash. These loans bore various rates of interest, -but always much above the average increase of wealth, and very often -so exorbitant that the states for very shame's sake were compelled to -establish certain arbitrary rates beyond which the money lender dare -not go. - -"It will be seen at a glance that this system of transacting the -business of the country on a cash basis by the people and by organized -credit through banks by large operators who controlled finance and -commerce could not fail to give to the latter an enormous advantage -in the aggregate business of the country. The great masses of wealth -producers naturally became a debtor class. As all wealth was the -product of their labor, they must necessarily create the means of -paying all indebtedness, interest and principal. Hence they constituted -the interest paying masses while the comparatively small number -of large operators constituted a powerful creditor class who were -continually receiving interest, and hence always had money to loan or -invest in such a manner as to be able to receive more interest. And the -larger the interest-charge against the people, the more they needed -money and the more inclined they were to borrow. Cities and towns often -voted a bonded debt upon themselves for improvements, for the express -purpose of providing employment for the workers, so that business might -derive some temporary advantage by having the wages expended in their -midst. The great masses of the people did not realize that a part -of the same dollars they borrowed most go back to the lender to pay -interest, and that the consequent deficiency in the means of payment -could only be met by transferring to the creditor a portion of the -wealth created by their labor equal to the interest. And the larger the -aggregate indebtedness in proportion to the volume of money available -for debt paying purposes, the larger must be the deficiency to be met -out of their savings, or what should have been their net income from -the exercise of their producing power. - -"But the interest on loans, public and private was only a small -fraction of the burden of usury imposed upon the wealth producing -masses. All the large industrial, financial and commercial enterprises -of the country were on a debt-creating basis. Stock companies owned -the railroads of the country; the streetcars, waterworks, gasworks -and electric light and power plants of the cities; all the great -manufacturing, mining and commercial enterprises; the steamship lines, -and even vast bonanza farms and stock ranches. All these interests were -operated with a view to paying dividends on the stock in addition to -the operating expenses, and were therefore equivalent to a perpetual -interest bearing debt, the principal of which never could be paid. - -"This constructive indebtedness was intended to be perpetual, and its -volume was not limited to the actual cost of the various enterprises -that were incorporated. The railroads, for instance, sold stock to -many times the cost of the roads, or as it was called, 'watered their -stock,' and then they ordinarily bonded the roads for vast sums -besides. These bonded debts however, were very often created for the -purpose of bankrupting the companies for the enrichment of an 'inside -ring.' This process was known as 'freezing out the stockholders,' and -by thus reducing capitalization it was not necessary for the roads to -exact so much tribute from their patrons in order to pay dividends. -Other corporate enterprises also 'watered' their stock, and some -of them got such a hold upon the people that they continued to pay -exorbitant dividends on their fictitious valuation until they were -absorbed into the larger combination of the whole people. - -"At the close of the Transition Period the volume of interest bearing -indebtedness and dividend earning investments was estimated at fifty -thousand millions, and the average cost to the people six per cent. -per annum, or an aggregate of three thousand millions every year to -be taken out of the wealth produced by the people. The bulk of these -obligations, public, corporate and private was held by the great -banking institutions which had been established by the corporation and -trust magnates, who practically owned the lands and all the machinery -of production and distribution. They owned not only the indebtedness -against the people but they controlled the medium by which it must be -paid, and on their demand under the law, this medium of final payment -was gold. - -"As this great creditor class was the principal employer of labor and -controlled both the buying and selling of products which the people -must have for the purposes of consumption, thus fixing both the income -and the expenses of the producer, it was not difficult to collect their -tribute. A pro rata of the great annual charge of interest, dividends -and profits against the people was collected from the producer in the -shape of a discount on what he had to sell, whether it was his labor -or its products. The remainder was charged up to consumption and -constituted a part of the price that was paid for every article that -was purchased. The cost to the consumer of every commodity purchased, -consisted of five distinct elements: First, interest on the money -supposed to be invested in its production and distribution; Second, -rent upon all the buildings in which it had been stored, which would -include cars or vessels used in transportation; Third, profit to -all who had handled the product; Fourth, its pro rata of taxation -and Fifth, the wages paid to the labor expended in its production, -transportation, superintendence and distribution. This fifth element in -the cost was all that went to useful labor, while the other elements -went to the great financial, industrial and commercial combines which -held the masses of the people in their grasp. - -"Of course under the operation of this system, where both the income -and the expenses of the producer were determined by this great -creditor class for its own selfish purposes, it is not strange that -the condition of the average toiler was one of poverty, nor is it -strange that a widespread spirit of unrest, and often of angry and -violent discontent threatened the peace of society and the perpetuity -of established institutions and a stable government. But to us, it does -indeed look strange that the brawny millions whose strong arms and -undaunted courage had conquered the untamed forces of nature and made -the wilderness a fit dwelling place for a refined and cultured people, -could have been bound, hand and foot, by such a gossamer thread as the -puny power of a few owners of gold. But when we take into consideration -the fundamental truth that mind controls matter, and that the few -who were at the top had cultivated brains while the many who were at -the bottom had only cultivated muscles, the mystery is solved. The -toiling masses had no conception of their power, and on their plane of -intelligence were utterly unable to hold their own against the wily -schemes of the more intelligent few. - -"At the time of which we speak, four-fifths of the aggregate wealth -of the country had passed into the hands of a small fraction of -the people, and millions were landless, homeless and dependent for -subsistence upon the crumbs, so to speak, that fell from the tables -of their lordly masters who controlled every avenue to employment -and dictated the terms upon which they were permitted to live. Being -few in numbers, they could and did co-operate with each other for -their mutual advantage. All they had to do in order to keep wages at -a minimum was to leave a large number of applicants unemployed, and -hence very poor, who at all times, would be ready to take the place of -workmen who demanded more liberal wages. The self-employed farmers were -but little better off than the wage workers, as they were forced to -sell their products and purchase their supplies at prices fixed by the -great financial, industrial and commercial combines which controlled -the business of the country. Under the inequitable methods of exchange -which existed at that time, the masses of the people were powerless to -help themselves. The fortunate few who controlled money, dictated how -much they might receive for their labor or its products and how much of -the products created by the labor of others they could purchase with -the proceeds. - -"To us the natural remedy for discriminations of this kind, so unjust -and oppressive to the masses of the people seems so self-evident and -easy of application that it is not strange that many have been inclined -to doubt the correctness of much that is recorded in the history of -the economic conditions which existed under the old civilisation, when -human selfishness ruled supreme in business affairs. But when we take -into consideration the fact, that at that time, the world had never had -a single object lesson large enough to be seen by the great of mankind, -as to what would constitute an equitable system of distribution, we -are forced to the conclusion that the adverse conditions existing -during the Transition Period were just what might have been expected -under the circumstances. The few who had the ability to conduct the -business of the world did not understand that the productive power -of the earth is practically unlimited so that under an equitable -system of exchange there is absolutely no possibility of any person -being reduced to poverty. Then, too, the great masses were but a few -generations removed from a condition of absolute serfdom, and were -just what ages of drudgery had made them, and could not be expected to -take broad and comprehensive views of the great economic problems by -which they were confronted. The world had never known anything but the -private ownership of all the means of production and distribution and -the desire to lay up treasures was universally regarded as laudable -and praiseworthy. Under these circumstances neither the few who had -monopolized the earth nor the many who were disinherited could have -been reasonably expected to be other than they were. Both alike were -the product of long ages of growth. The wheat and the tares must -necessarily grow up together, nurtured by the same soil, until the -harvest is ready, and then the separation takes place strictly in -accordance with natural law. - -"The gold power which established itself in this country during the -Transition Period was an exotic that had been imported from the old -world. Its object was to control every nation on earth, for its own -gain, without being the loyal supporter of any. It had secured absolute -control over the nations of the Old World before it succeeded in -financially conquering the New. Whenever it succeeded in establishing -the gold standard in any country, it established its local branch for -controlling that country's finances. Its first object was to promote -the creation of national bonded debts, payable, principal and interest, -in gold. For this purpose, it was always ready to loan money to carry -on wars, and each country could negotiate its loans through its own -local branch, but the creditor in every case, as a matter of fact, was -the international Gold Power of the world, which had no preferences -between nations but sought to impose a bonded debt alike upon all. -There was absolutely nothing patriotic about it. All it wanted, was -a lien upon the industries of the world, that would produce a steady -income in the shape of interest. - -"In this country, we had a Republican form of government and with our -vast area of public lands the people were more independent by far than -the people of any other country ever had been, notwithstanding the -fact that they were robbed unmercifully by the private banks which -issued notes and then suspended so that the notes which the people had -accepted for their property became worthless. At frequent intervals, -these bank panics reduced thousands of people to bankruptcy. But the -country was new and land could be had for the asking, so when pressed -to the wall, as it were, in the more populous districts along the -eastern border, they came west on the public lands, made new homes -and soon accumulated another competency. It is not strange that this -international Gold Power of the world cast longing eyes upon a country -that was so productive, and could recover so rapidly from industrial -depressions and financial disasters. - -"For nearly one hundred years after the establishment of our Republic, -notwithstanding the prevalent 'wild cat' banking system as it was -called and the absurd reverence for the so-called precious metals, -the people of this country were practically independent of the great -Gold Power which had its headquarters in Atlan. While the founders of -the Republic had made gold and silver coin the standard money of the -country, they reserved the right to issue treasury notes and also to -make them a legal tender, and as there was no great debt, and land -could be had for the asking, the economic independence of the people -could not be entirely crushed out, and therefore Altruria offered an -effectual barrier to the encroachments of the gold power. Before the -people could be actually subjugated financially, a vast bonded debt -must be created, and in order to induce the people to agree to such a -debt, the life of the Republic must be placed in jeopardy. A foreign -war was not to be thought of, as it would arouse to fever heat all of -the innate democratic hatred against aristocratic rule of every name -and description, but a war between the states would serve the same -purpose. - -"The conditions that made such an interstate struggle possible, had -unintentionally been provided for by the founders of the Republic. At -the time when the Republic was established the colored people were held -as slaves in nearly all of the original colonies. This institution was -regarded by the founders of the Republic, as inconsistent with the -spirit of its institutions, and it was unsparingly denounced as the -'sum of all villainies' by a large number; and one state after another -emancipated its slaves, and new free states were admitted, until the -country was practically half slave and half free. - -"In the manufacturing states uncultured slave labor was not profitable -and hence there was but little objection to its abolition. But in -the agricultural states such labor was valuable, as the old world -furnished an unfailing market for all the surplus products. The gold -power of Atlan took advantage of the situation to sow the seeds of -discord between the two sections. - -"Missionaries were sent into the manufacturing states, papers -established and literature distributed appealing to the sympathies of -the people in behalf of the slaves and creating a public sentiment -against the slaveholding states. These anti-slavery missionaries came -in the name of religion and humanity and it cannot be denied that ample -grounds existed for all that could be said against chattel slavery, -but the PURPOSES for which the anti-slavery agitation was used by the -Gold Power were, if possible, to destroy the Republic, or failing in -this, involve the country in an interstate war and induce the patriotic -lovers of liberty to consent to the establishment of a vast bonded debt. - -"Another class of missionaries were sent into the slaveholding states -and another class of literature circulated, proclaiming that 'cotton is -king' and that if Free Trade with all the world was established, the -planters would be the wealthiest and happiest people on earth. That all -that stood in the way was the union with the anti-slavery states, which -sought to abolish the 'peculiar institution' that enabled the planters -to produce such a magnificent surplus, which the Old World stood ready -to take in unlimited quantities, at high prices in gold, just as soon -as Free Trade could be established. To secure this grand victory for -agriculture, all that was needed was to dissolve the union with the -anti-slavery states and their pet hobby of tariff duties on imported -goods. - -"Both sections of the country were flooded with literature, all -of which contained enough of truth to make it attractive to honest -people, and enough of misrepresentation to engender the most bitter -and antagonistic feelings between them. The institution of slavery -was wrong, in and of itself, but the anti-slavery agitators ignored -the fact that the masses of the slaves were not qualified for -self-government, and that the perpetuity of free institutions depended -upon the intelligence of the voters. They did not try to convert -the slaveholding states to the policy of educating their slaves and -preparing them for freedom, but they went to the non-slaveholding -states and demanded the immediate and unconditional abolition of -slavery in the other section. This was, as a matter of course, most -exasperating to the people of the slave states who in their capacity as -independent states felt themselves amply competent to attend to their -own affairs. - -"In the political discussions of that time, half truths served all the -purposes of full grown falsehoods as a means of deluding the people. -The Free Trade agitators of the slave states were unqualifiedly right -when they called attention to the fact that all import duties were -a tax upon the people in proportion to their expenses instead of -their incomes and were therefore unjust and oppressive to the great -masses of the people; but they ignored the fact that the absolute -Free Trade that did exist between all sections of the country was of -vastly more importance to the slaveholding states, than Free Trade -with any foreign country could possibly be. The manufacturing states -of their own country were over two thousand miles nearer to them than -the manufacturing countries of the Old World, and that fact, with a -fair compensation to labor would have given them an assured market for -their surplus products without paying transportation charges both ways -across the ocean. - -"But the leading object of these Free Trade agitators, was to appeal -to the selfish impulses of the few who owned slaves, and to the race -prejudices of the masses of non-slaveholders, by telling them that the -abolitionists proposed to place them on terms of political and social -equality with the slaves. They were taught to believe that under the -prevailing tariff regulations, they were taxed for the special benefit -of the 'mudsills' of the manufacturing states, who being low down in -the social scale themselves wanted to bring the proud, chivalrous -people of the slave states down to the level of their chattel slaves. - -"As a matter of fact, neither the producing masses of the Free States -or the non-slaveholders of the slave states had the remotest conception -that the international gold power of Atlan was taking advantage of the -discussion of slavery and free trade through its paid agents, to sow -the seeds of discord between the two sections of the Great Republic -of the New World. And they permitted their resentments for fancied -wrongs to be fanned into a flame of fierce indignation, which, as was -intended, culminated in a bloody strife and the creation of a vast -bonded debt. - -"This fratricidal struggle lasted nearly five years, and when it ended, -the people found themselves in debt, billions of dollars, to a class -of people who had speculated on their necessities. The unsuspecting -masses on both sides had bared their breasts to the storm of battle, -endured all the privations and suffered all the losses, and were in -debt for all the expenses of the war INCLUDING THEIR OWN SERVICES, to -an international money power which ruled the world. - -"In order to carry on the war, paper money was issued and paid out -to the soldiers, sailors and citizens for their services. This money -performed all the functions of gold and notwithstanding the fact that -the people were engaged in a most destructive war, it stimulated -all branches of business and brought on an era of great industrial -prosperity. But after the war was over this same paper money which had -been paid to the people as the original creditors of the government, -and for which they had signed receipts in full for their services, -was converted into interest bearing bonds, and these same soldiers, -sailors and citizens were taxed to pay to those who speculated on their -necessities in the hour of danger, the same debt that had originally -been due to themselves, and for which they had received legal tender -paper money. - -"But had the process of funding the legal tender debt paying medium of -the country into bonds ceased at this point, the international gold -power of the world would never have been able to financially subjugate -the people of this country, as under the law creating the bonds, the -debt was payable in legal tender paper money. So another step must be -taken. The debt had been created and a large portion of the money had -been burned, but the bonds did not call for gold, except for interest. -Hence a law was enacted resuming specie payments, and the bonds were -made payable in coin, and now the people who had taken paper dollars -for their services in saving the union, were taxed to pay gold dollars -to the money kings for the paper dollars they had received. - -"We can scarcely conceive at this distant day, how it was possible -for our ancestors to have been so stupid, as not to see through this -outrage that was perpetrated upon them, but nevertheless, history -records the fact that for thirty odd years after this bare faced -legalised robbery had been committed, a vast majority of men were -voting their approval, which was proclaimed throughout the world as the -triumph of patriotic statesmanship. - -"As the direct result of this kind of financial legerdemain, -which converted the DEBT-PAYING medium of the country into an -INTEREST-BEARING DEBT, the wages of labor and the prices of products -steadily declined, business enterprises were wound up in bankruptcy at -the rate of more than one thousand per month and millions of workmen -were forced into idleness and thronged the highways in all parts of -the country, demoralized, degraded and becoming a sure menace to -civilization. - -"As a result of the war between the states, chattel slavery had been -abolished, but another form of industrial servitude, the wage system, -had fallen heir to all of its worst features. The owners of the -chattel slaves had the power to be oppressive and cruel, but personal -interest demanded that the slave should always be provided with food, -shelter and raiment, while the wage slave could be turned out to starve -when from sickness, age of any other cause it was more profitable to -dispense with his services. The wage slave, who must work or starve was -serving a much more exacting and cruel master than the most heartless -owner of chattel slaves ever could have been. In the great sphere of -human servitude the tables had been completely turned. While the slave -owner had always been very careful not to give his chattel slaves an -opportunity to run away, the wage slave very often lived in a perpetual -dread that his master would pay him off and tell him to go. - -"Conditions such as these could not fail to arouse a widespread feeling -of dissatisfaction and as every man had a vote, political agitation -was the logical result of the situation and politicians were kept -busy in defending old policies and proposing new ones, all for the -professed purpose of securing better conditions for the great masses -of the people. A slight glance at a few of the popular economic and -political ideas of that time indicates the average status of popular -intelligence, and is therefore useful in tracing the evolutionary -forces which were operating at that time for the elimination of -selfishness and the establishment of equity in human affairs. - -"As the times grew harder, the politicians of the old school told the -people that the over production of wealth was the cause of all their -poverty and distress, and for a time the great masses seemed to be -satisfied with this explanation. They did not pause to inquire how it -was possible for them to produce so much food and clothing and build so -many houses, and for that reason be compelled to go hungry, dress in -rags and be without shelter. - -"Further on, this same class of politicians told the people that what -they needed was to make their silver and paper money redeemable in -gold and then they would have a dollar that would purchase more, and -a majority of the people decided in favor of the gold standard. They -did not reflect, that the larger the purchasing power of the dollar -might be, the more of their labor it would require in order to get -the dollar, and so without understanding what they were doing, the -laboring masses of the country actually voted to decrease the money -earning power of their own labor. But had they decided in favor of -more money, while their wages would have gone up, their cost of living -would have increased and they would not have been materially benefited -except incidentally, as a part of the great debtor class, which was -required to pay interest as part of the price of everything purchased -for consumption. And we may add, that but for the fact that the great -masses who produced wealth by their labor, constituted a debtor class, -the advantages and disadvantages between a larger or smaller volume of -money, would have formed a perfect equation, and the condition of the -masses would neither have been better nor worse, as in either case, the -banks would have determined the amount that was permitted to circulate -among the people, by making or withholding loans as might at the time, -best promote their own interests. - -"While the Gold Power was international in its character, and not -loyal to any country, it always took an active interest in moulding -the opinions of the dominant political parties of all countries. It -was necessary for it to have at least two favorites among the dominant -parties, so that by turns they might spring reforms, so-called, -based on half truths, to attract the constantly increasing number -of dissatisfied voters. The demand for an increased volume of money -in order to raise the wages of labor and the price of farm products -was a question of this character, and it was sufficient to sidetrack -and head off a more searching investigation as to the real causes of -poverty. This was met by the demand for a better quality of money that -would purchase more goods. The arguments in favor of both, contained -half truths which were dwelt upon with great force, but the success -of either, still left the gold power, directly or indirectly, in a -position to control the situation. - -"The same thing was true in regard to the tariff question which the -gold power made a dominant issue between its favorite parties. The -question itself could be used to call attention away from the question -of finance, which had a more direct bearing upon the vital matter of -EXCHANGE and was therefore more likely to educate the people to a -point where they could no longer be deluded by an ingenious discussion -of half truths. This question, in order to be made available for -the purposes of the gold power, must necessarily have two SEEMINGLY -antagonistic political parties to go before the people. One party -advocated a tariff-for-revenue, with Free Trade arguments, while the -other advocated a tariff-for-protection, and appealed to the laboring -classes to maintain liberal wages for themselves by voting for a high -tariff that would exclude foreign goods. - -"The positions taken by these parties were about equally delusive and -neither would have in the least delayed the dangerous encroachments -of the gold power. A tariff-for-revenue could in no sense be a Free -Trade party, but it did propose to raise revenue by duties on imports. -This duty would of course be paid by the people as part of the price -of the goods which they consumed, and hence the tax would be in -proportion to their expenses without any reference to their incomes. -Those who expended their entire incomes in consumption would be taxed -upon the whole, while those who expended only a small fraction, would -be taxed only on the fraction so expended. As a system of taxation -it is difficult to conceive of one that would be more unequal in its -bearings, and more oppressive to people of small incomes. - -"On the other hand the tariff-for-protection party, proposed to make -the duties on imports so high that foreign productions would be kept -out, and the home market secured to the employers of home labor. -This, it was claimed, would enable the employers of labor to pay -higher wages, which was true; but the selfishness of the heartless -employer, was always in favor of keeping wages at a minimum and the -noble, generous, employer could not afford to pay any more. If he did, -his heartless competitor would undersell him in the market and destroy -his business. Hence we are not surprised that statistics proved the -tendency of wages to be toward a minimum under both parties--that is, -a sum barely sufficient to provide food, clothing and shelter, and to -enable the workman to raise other toilers to take his place when he was -no longer able to work. - -"Under this tariff-for-protection policy, the revenues raised were just -as oppressive and unjust to people of small incomes as under the policy -of 'a tariff for revenue only,' but with this additional burden, that -the increased price of home products was assessed upon the people in -the same unequal manner. But on the other side, more home labor could -be employed, which benefited the workmen in protected industries at -the expense of the classes which were not protected. Of course, even -the tariff-for-protection party which had so much to say in favor of -holding the home market for home products, never seriously intended to -exclude foreign products, as that would have put an end to all revenue. - -"These delusive theories of a tariff for revenue and a tariff for -protection, served the purposes of the Gold Power, by calling the -attention of the people away from the real difficulty which stood -in the way of wealth producers. All that the people needed was an -opportunity to apply their labor to natural resources, and be able to -exchange their products for products of equal value, produced by the -labor of others. The foreign trade of the country was a matter of small -importance compared with the home trade. If at almost any time during -the latter part of the Transition Period, the people of this country -had been guaranteed just such rations as were provided for soldiers, -or even convicts, there would have been no surplus for exportation; -and had the whole people been provided with all the clothing that -was needed to keep them well clad, it would have taken the entire -product of wool, flax, cotton and leather. But the press of that day, -religious as well as secular, was to such a large extent under the -control of the Gold Power, that facts such as these were kept away -from the masses of the people. And it may be added in this connection, -that the educational system of the country was controlled by this same -power to suppress the truth on economic questions, and many eminent -scholars were removed from professorships in the higher institutions of -learning, because they refused to teach such sophistries as suited the -purposes of the Gold Power. - -"In our very brief mention of the political agitations of that time we -have only referred to the leading measures advocated by the dominant -political parties. It is due however to even that benighted age to -state, that at every step taken by the international Gold Power to -financially conquer the world, a few of the more enlightened and -self-sacrificing spirits, boldly exposed the financial wrongs which -were being perpetrated against the people for the still further -enrichment of the money kings of the Old World and their agents and -co-workers in the great centers of wealth in this country. But these -courageous, clear headed and humanity loving pioneers of a higher -civilization were frowned down as dangerous agitators and enemies -of law and order, and every foul epithet was applied to them. If in -business, they were boycotted, and if belonging to the ranks of labor, -they were blacklisted and in many cases imprisoned on false charges, -and some were even executed for crimes which they did not commit. And -yet the measures of reform they advocated along political lines were -usually of such a nature that had they been enacted into law they would -only have prolonged, for a few decades perhaps, the false system which -pauperized and degraded the toiling millions. - -"So much for the political agitations which had for their ostensible -object the improvement of the economic condition of the great masses -of the people. Yet they did much good as a means of educating the -more intelligent into a better understanding of the situation, and -revealed the apparently utter hopelessness of ever being able to secure -necessary reforms by political action, as no matter how pure at first -might be the objects of a political party, just as soon as it was -successful, and offices were in sight, the work of corruption set in -and its principles became subordinate in the minds of its leaders, to -the more profitable occupation of office seeking. - -"But other more potent factors than political agitation, were at -work among the masses in the shape of great industrial organizations -of farmers and wage-workers. These organizations as a rule were -strictly non-political. The farmers sought to secure higher prices -for the products of the farm without any regard for the interests of -the millions of wage-workers and others upon whom they depended for -a market. Another object of the farmers was to reduce their cost -of living by securing lower prices on their implements and other -supplies. By concentrating their trade and taking advantage of the -competition between dealers they often succeeded in securing very much -reduced prices on goods, and this furnished what was regarded as a -legitimate excuse for reducing the wages of the employes engaged in -their manufacture. This reduction of wages crippled the market for farm -products and offended both the employer and the workmen, so in the end -the farmers defeated themselves and succeeded in arraying all other -classes of people against them. - -"But it was the wage-workers who suffered the most from the great -oligarchy of wealth which had been established in the name of the -people for the express purpose of exacting profits from the industrial -classes. They organized Trade Unions which ultimately federated into -one great national organization with a view to securing higher wages -and fewer hours of labor without any regard to the interests of the -consumers of their products. The number of workmen in these Trade -Unions were at all times but a small fraction of the multitude which -depended upon wages. As a rule the purposes and methods of these -labor organizations were in practice, if not in theory, based upon -the same false principles that characterized the industrial despotism -against which they were protesting. Selfishness was a distinguishing -characteristic and a fatal defect. The skilled workman who had -employment, cared but little for the non-Union workman of his own craft -except as a possible competitor for his job, and nothing whatever for -the great masses of common laborers who were so numerous and so poor -that organization could do them no good as a means of maintaining -wages. The union workman recognized no interest in common with the -unemployed outside of his own fraternity. - -"Instead of banding together to devise ways and means by which all -could find employment, the Trade Unions sought only to secure work and -maintain wages for the comparatively small number who were members in -good standing. Hence in case of strikes and lockouts the unemployed -workmen were actuated by the same selfish motives and did not hesitate -to take their places whenever they could be protected from violence. -And whenever they did so, the union workmen made war upon them. -While they recognized the relation of master and servant as one that -was to be perpetuated, they denied the right of the 'scabs' as they -were called, to accept employment from THEIR masters, no matter how -destitute they might be. - -"Neither did they question the right of employers, who in the days -of the old civilization were principally powerful corporations, to -control the enactment and the enforcement of the laws. As a rule, -the workmen divided their voting power between the political parties -which were controlled by their masters. With such evident inability -to grasp the situation in which they were placed, it is not strange -that the employers were enabled to obtain absolute control of every -branch of government, state and national, legislative, executive and -judicial, notwithstanding the fact that every laborer had a vote which -counted just as much as that of the most wealthy corporation magnate. -Conspiracy laws were enacted which could be used for their suppression -as occasion required. The right of trial by jury was denied by the -courts, and the champions of labor were imprisoned for long terms for -disobeying the mandates of the courts. Finally the Supreme Court, in -the case of a sailor who had refused to serve for the period for which -he had hired, decided that his employer had a right to hold him in -bondage until the expiration of the contract; that the ownership over -himself had ceased for the time specified, and that the constitutional -provision which prohibited involuntary servitude did not apply to such -as him. One of the labor papers of that time characterized this opinion -of the Court as the 'FUGITIVE SAILOR DECISION,' a name by which it is -known in the history of those dark days of the Transition Period. - -"But unfriendly legislation and one-sided court decisions, were not -the only factors in crushing the hopes of labor. This was a period -of wonderful scientific discoveries of natural forces and mechanical -inventions by which they could be utilized in saving labor. The -grandmothers who boasted that they could spin three miles of thread -in one day, from sunrise to sunset, lived to see their little -granddaughters spin three thousand miles in ten hours with the aid -of machinery. Similar improvements were introduced into every branch -of industry. The machinery belonged to the employer and he added the -saving to his profit. He did not need so many workmen to produce all -that the people were able to purchase, and the workmen were dismissed -to join the mighty army of the unemployed. For a time certain skilled -workmen were enabled to maintain living wages by means of organization, -but continued improvements in machinery ultimately enabled common -laborers to take their places, and reduced the number of experts -required, to such a degree, that their condition was but little better -than that of the unskilled. Among the best paid organizations of the -olden time was the Locomotive Engineers, but ultimately, electricity -took the place of steam, and a motor-man from the ranks of common -labor took the places of both an engineer and a fireman. The machine -displaced three-fourths of the printers at first, and later a still -larger number of what remained, by introducing the principles of -multiplex telegraphy, which enabled one expert to operate machines at -the same time in a number of separate offices in different parts of the -world whenever the copy was the same. - -"Labor economists called attention to this displacement of labor -by machinery, but the press and the politicians in the service of -the corporations claimed, that this cheapening of production was of -great benefit to the people by securing a corresponding reduction in -prices. Finally, after a persistent agitation for years, the national -Commissioner of Labor was required to make a careful examination, -and in his report, among a multitude of similar items, we find that -the labor cost of a five-dollar hat was only thirty-four cents; a -ten-dollar plow, seventy-nine cents and so on to the end of a long -catalogue of commodities which the people always needed. The question -was, Who got the difference between the amount received by the -actual producer and the price paid by the consumer? The answer was -self-evident; outside of clerk hire, it must have gone to pay profits -in some form to non-producers. But after this official demonstration -that the 'lion's share' of the wealth created by productive labor went -to nonproducing speculators, the great masses of the people still -continued to use their influence to perpetuate this inequitable system -which practically confiscated the wealth created by their labor to pay -profits on speculative investments. - -"The mass of the small dealers of that time were no better off, in -many respects, than the wealth producing laborers, but being in some -sense a part of the profit-exacting system, they held to it longer, -in the vain hope that a time might come when by some fortuitous turn -in business, or lucky speculation, they could amass millions. As a -class they had never devoted themselves to an earnest and careful study -of economic questions, but as long as the people came and purchased -goods and left a profit in their hands, they were satisfied, and -paid no attention to the far reaching influences which were surely -paving the way to their ultimate failure in business. Hence it was -not until just before the end of the old civilization that they began -to realize that something was the matter. Sharp competition among the -large number of small dealers reduced the average profits below a fair -compensation for the labor expended, and large combines with unlimited -money capital, were able to meet the universal demand for cheap goods. -The dealers were finding themselves crowded out of business. They -blamed their customers for not giving them the preference, even if the -large department stores could afford to sell for less. They demanded -legislation against the large stores and took an active interest in the -Anti-Trust agitation of the time. - -"This opposition to Trusts and Department stores, like the farmer's -organizations and trade unions, took a very narrow view of the -situation. They saw their profits decreasing and their sole object was -to prevent this, without any reference to the interests of the people -who as purchasers of goods must pay all the profits. The masses of -the people understood their motives and did not hesitate to patronize -Department stores and purchase Trust products, provided they could get -them for less. They might have been able to protect themselves from the -inordinate greed of the trusts and combines, by taking their customers -into partnership and with their assistance organizing consumption and -thus controlling distribution for the equal benefit of all. This would -have been in exact accordance with the ideal that had been handed down -in their system of religion, that we should always do unto others as we -would have them do unto us. - -"The entire history of Altruria as an independent republic belongs to -the Transition Period in the progress of the world and in a larger, -but not so well defined a sense it extends to the discovery of the -continent, and even to an earlier period, distinguished by the -breaking up of the ancient religious hierarchy and the introduction -of a constantly increasing number of warring sects. These were the -evolutionary forces developed under the operations of natural law, in -strict accordance with the constitution of the human mind, which always -tends towards the utmost possible development of the race, physically, -mentally and morally. These forces in the early stages of human -development, work so slowly, that even the best trained intellects do -not discover their existence and hence have no power to intelligently -co-operate with them, with a view to accelerating their own progress -upward toward the highest possible planes of development. But, it was -during the last fifty years of this Transition Period, that all these -forces became more apparent to the careful historian, and it is these -to which I have more particularly directed your attention. - -"Human selfishness on the lower planes of development constitutes the -first step in the development of that higher selfhood, which is the -predominating characteristic on the higher planes. During the last -fifty years of the Transition Period, human selfishness, in the baser -sense, was making its last struggle for existence as the controlling -factor in human affairs. All classes of people were inspired to action -by selfish interests, and these interests could not fail to clash. Out -of this clashing between forces they ultimately learned that the best -and highest interest of every individual could always be secured by -carefully guarding the interest of every other individual. Out of this -was evolved our present universal rule, which governs our relations -towards each other, of 'each for all and all for each,' and hence all -are equally secure in the exercise of every natural right and in the -possession of absolute economic independence. - -"The Gold Power sought for and secured universal dominion over all the -nations of the earth and there being no other nations to conquer, in -its inordinate greed, it continued to impose additional burdens upon -the people. This met opposition, first from one class and then from -another, but all these movements were animated by the same element of -selfishness which characterized the Gold Power. The farmers organized -to secure better conditions for themselves without any regard to the -interests of the millions of wage workers and others upon whom they -depended for a market. The workmen organized to secure better wages -for the members of their unions with no regard for any other class -of people, or even for other workmen who did not belong to their -fraternity. At the close of the old system the small dealers and -manufacturers were unanimous against the encroachments of the vast -combines who could undersell them, but they ignored the interests of -the great mass of consumers upon whom they depended for a market. -Selfishness, in the baser sense, guaranteed the failure of all these -movements. No one class of people, seeking to promote its own selfish -interests was able to hold its own against the superior intelligence of -the great financiers who had planned to financially conquer the world -by controlling the world's supply of gold through an organized system -of creating debts both actual, for borrowed money, and constructive as -investments which exacted tribute from the wealth producing classes. -This process of debt creating continued until in this country the -entire volume of sixteen hundred millions of money of all kinds -would have paid but a fraction of the annual charge for interest, -dividends, etc., upon investments and all the gold in the world, about -$4,000,000,000 would have paid but a fraction of the principal. - -"But another, and in the end the most potent evolutionary force which -was destined to emancipate the people, was the arousing of the moral -sense of large numbers who had never turned their attention to the -study of economic science but whose souls revolted at the conditions -imposed upon vast multitudes of people. The Gold Power while still a -mighty factor in the control of the religious press and a large number -of the leading religious teachers of the country, was not able to still -the voice of the truest disciples of Krystus, and these demanded that -the spirit of the founder of their religion should be exemplified in -the practical every day affairs of life. They well understood that if -the people were doing to each other as they would have others do to -them, there could be no such thing as poverty, with all its tendencies -towards vice and crime. These pioneers of a Diviner Civilization, with -nothing but a theological training, were perhaps not clear in their own -minds, as to just how this Golden Rule could be applied in business -under the prevailing financial and commercial systems of the country, -but they did believe that the ideal in every human relation could be -realized, and they insisted that the effort should be made by every -true follower of Krystus, to establish the dominion of good upon earth -to the end that righteousness might prevail in human affairs. - -"For this grand culmination, the operation of the evolutionary forces -for the last fifty years had been a post-graduate course for the -workers who were to set the machinery in motion, on the material plane, -by which all the crushing burdens imposed by Greed could be easily and -speedily removed. And in this course, the mistakes made by the people -had been the most potent educators. The producing classes had been -induced to organize because they felt that they were not getting their -just share in the distribution of wealth; but to save that which was -lost in the distribution, they made the strange mistake of organizing -as producers. The farmer had no need of an organization, to enable him -to produce more wealth. The soil would produce just as much without -such organization as with it. The same thing was true of mechanics, -miners and other wage-workers, who organized in their capacity of -wealth producers. But as consumers they could all stand on one -platform, and being the market upon which all producers must depend, -they would be masters of the situation. With an equal distribution of -the benefits of such organization of consumption, it would be just as -easy to pay dividends to labor, and thus increase their share in the -distribution, as it was to pay dividends on capitalistic investments. - -"So it was, that at a time when every thing seemed hopeless, the few -who never yield to disappointments, and who had made an exhaustive -study of existing economic conditions reinforced the earnest followers -of Krystus who were demanding the application of the Golden Rule in -business by formulating methods by which this much desired result could -be attained. They had studied the moral problem that confronted the -religionists, from the objective side, and understood just how it must -be solved along business lines. Inasmuch as all material wealth was -created by labor, and distributed by being bought and sold, it followed -as a logical sequence, that there was but one way by which every useful -worker could secure a just share in the distribution, and that was to -take charge of the business of exchange (buying and selling) and divide -the benefits equally among all who united their efforts to establish -the largest possible round of exchange between producers and consumers. -This was simply the organization of the market for the express purpose -of establishing Equity in Distribution, by paying dividends to labor. -The people had at last discovered the vital truth upon which the -application of the Golden Rule depends, that ORGANIZED CONSUMPTION -CONTROLS DISTRIBUTION. - -"Organizations of consumers were effected with a view to concentrating -their purchasing power through channels of their own, not to reduce -prices, but to pool the net profits into a common fund for the equal -benefit of all the members. A portion of this was set aside as an -educational fund to extend the work, and the remainder was used to pay -dividends to the members who, as customers, had paid the profits into -the common treasury. This was known as the "Dividend to Labor," and it -was always distributed equally, as it had been secured by the united -purchasing power of all the members. And, in order to secure this fund, -which belonged alike to all, no member had added one cent to his or -her cost of living. It was all a saving, as between the new equitable -system of exchange and the old and wasteful profit system. This was a -PROFIT-SAVING BUSINESS MACHINE of which the PRODUCERS who constituted, -in the main, the great markets of the world, COULD NOT BE DEPRIVED, and -WITH THIS, it became a matter of indifference as to who had immediate -control of the LABOR-SAVING MACHINERY of PRODUCTION. - -"This movement had its origin in the West where the people were more -inclined to think for themselves, but the benefits were so decided -and so easily secured, that it spread rapidly. The first exchanges -demonstrated that the use of money could be very largely minimized, -and banks were established as depositories for all the money that -came into their hands, and to facilitate their financial relations -with unorganized communities where money was still a necessity. These -savings of money, were held as a sacred trust, to enable the members to -pay taxes, and debts, in cases where the creditor could not be induced -to take products at a fair price. Among themselves they used exchange -certificates which were issued on the deposit of products or money, and -for necessary labor. These certificates being issued on values which -were seeking a market and redeemed in products needed for consumption -and cancelled, constituted an ideal currency that was always just equal -to the demand,--neither more nor less. - -"The people learned by experience how easy it was to minimize the use -of money, and the tendency of this decrease in the demand for money, -was to relatively increase the amount in circulation. It was easy now, -for the most unfamiliar with business methods, to understand how -the large operators, under the old system, had enriched themselves -by making their settlements through great clearing houses where one -obligation cancelled another and only two or three per cent. of money -had been used to pay balances; and they could see how even this balance -among wealth producers, could take the shape of a check against future -production and money be entirely eliminated as a medium in the exchange -of wealth. - -"All the people who were doing their buying and selling through these -exchanges were regularly supplied with carefully prepared literature -on economic questions and business methods, and of general information -as to the trend of current events, the progress of the new order which -placed business on an ethical basis and all matters of advantage -for an independent, cultured citizenship to understand. Then for -the first time, the multitudes began to realize the weakness of the -fragile thread by which they had been bound to the triumphal car of -Capitalism. Their experience gave them confidence. They used the same -business methods for the benefit of the many that had enabled the -few to concentrate in their own hands four-fifths of the wealth of -the country. It was therefore no untried experiment. They were only -exercising the same kind of business sagacity that had been used by the -money kings to financially conquer the world. Just in proportion as -they decreased the demand for money, it flowed in upon them in exchange -for their products at a steadily increasing price. They had established -a DEBT-PAYING instead of a DEBT-CREATING system of business, and in -the course of time their debts were all paid, the necessity for legal -money had disappeared, the people were free from its exactions, and all -they had to do was to produce what they consumed and consume what they -produced, exchanging equivalent for equivalent for the equal benefit of -all. And thus the world had been saved from its thralldom to Greed by -the establishment of the 'Kingdom of God and His Righteousness' as had -been enjoined by Krystus at the beginning of the old religious system -two thousand years before. This which was enjoined at the beginning of -the Dispensation was REALIZED at its close and hence the FIRST BECAME -THE LAST, because the LAST was THE FIRST REDUCED TO PRACTICE IN HUMAN -AFFAIRS." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - BONA DEA--MATRON'S HOME--PRE-NATAL INFLUENCES--IMPROVING THE - AIRSHIPS--BATTELL EXPLAINS--PLANS FOR THE FUTURE--MUSEUM OF UNIVERSAL - HISTORY--RELICS OF THE PAST--BUILDING TOWARD OUR IDEALS--LAW OF HUMAN - PROGRESS--PRESAGING THE FUTURE--PROFIT CAUSES POVERTY--EQUITABLE - EXCHANGE THE REMEDY. - -[Illustration] - - -AS I listened to Norrena's description of the financial and commercial -system which had once existed in Altruria, I could not help but notice -its close similarity to the system which prevailed in the outer world. -As he elucidated the international and seemingly unlimited power that -had been exercised by the owners of gold, and how it would take all the -gold in the world to pay a small fraction of the annual interest on -the obligations held against the people, my heart sank within me at the -utter hopelessness of their condition. - -I was expecting to hear that the people in their desperation had -blotted this power from the earth with fire and sword, but the speaker -finished with merely a description of a more equitable system of -transacting business. Just as he had come to this most interesting -place in the discussion, the Institute closed and took a recess for -dinner, and MacNair began to introduce us to the superintendents of -many of the large educational institutions of the country who were -members. - -As we were leaving the hall Oqua joined us, accompanied by a -magnificent looking woman whom she introduced to me as Bona Dea, the -superintendent of the Matron's home at Lake Byblis, saying: - -"My dear Nequa, I want you to learn that in Altruria we commence the -education of children before they are born. This is what these Matron's -homes are established for, and Bona Dea is superintendent of one of the -oldest, largest and most thoroughly equipped institutions of this kind -in the world. I want you to make her acquaintance, and I doubt not that -you will become fast friends." - -"I am indeed glad to meet you," I said, "as I want to learn all that I -can about these, to me, strange educational institutions." - -"And I," said Bona Dea, "shall be happy to give you any information in -my power. Oqua informs me that you are preparing a book descriptive of -our civilization, and I am much interested as an Altrurian in what it -may present to the people of the outer world." - -"Yes," I said. "And by all means, I want it to contain a review of -these Matron's homes, and all that can be learned in regard to their -origin, and the good they are designed to accomplish for humanity." - -"That, indeed," said Bona Dea, "would constitute a most important -volume in a series, but it should not be the first one in a thorough -treatment of the evolutionary forces which work for the development of -the race toward higher and better conditions." - -"Then," I said, "would you have me ignore this, to me, most singular -system of commencing the education of children before they are born?" - -"There is nothing singular about the system," said Bona Dea. "Even -the savages of the olden time did the same thing, but they did not -know it. The mothers were surrounded by the conditions of savagery, -and their children were born predisposed to become savages. These -pre-natal influences are in fact the commencing point in the education -of every child that is born, as they pre-dispose the child to a -life of usefulness, or the reverse, according to the character of -the influences. The object which our Matron's homes are designed to -accomplish is to provide the best possible conditions, to start the -child with a strong, healthy body and mind, with a kindly disposition -and elevated aspirations toward the highest possible intellectual and -moral development." - -"If such results," I said, "can be secured by the establishment of -these homes, you certainly would not dissuade me from an exhaustive -review of the entire question?" - -"Certainly not," she said, "but as a teacher of your people I would -have you follow the natural law and begin your work at the beginning. -From what I can learn, your own country is now passing through its -Transition Period, similar to that described in Norrena's lecture, -and hence the first great duty of your people is to abolish poverty. -When the fear of want is removed from every household the first effect -will be to place better pre-natal conditions around the mothers, and -the next generation will be placed on a higher plane physically, -intellectually and morally. This is the first step that your people -must take and then the Home may be introduced for the scientific -adaptation of pre-natal influences to specific purposes. Then you will -begin to determine in advance whether the child shall be an inventor, -scientist, philosopher, poet, musician, teacher or explorer. The -Homes are scientifically adapted to specific purposes, while economic -independence and general education lift the entire people to a higher -plane of being along every line of human effort. What your people need -now, is the general, mental and moral uplifting of the victims of -your present system, and to this end, my advice to you would be, to -confine your first work to the solution of the problem, 'How to abolish -poverty.'" - -"But would you," I asked, "discourage these specific measures at this -time because the masses are poor?" - -"Of course not," said Bona Dea, "for those who are able to apply them, -but I would first place these advanced scientific methods within the -reach of the entire people by establishing economic independence for -all. This is simply following the natural law of human development." - -"Will you," I asked, "please explain just what you regard as the -natural law of human development?" - -"It is the law of growth," said Bona Dea, "and always begins at the -base and works its way upward. The plant germinates in the earth and -then pushes its way upward towards the light. The growth of the -animal organism from conception to maturity is along the same line -of progression, from the bottom of the scale, toward the top. In the -growth of human civilization and the mental, moral and spiritual -elevation of the race, the same general law of evolution holds -good. The elevating influence must reach the people through their -environments. The real man and the real woman, is the ego or spirit. -The physical body is the outermost environment of the individual being. -By improving the physical conditions we stimulate the mental organism -into a healthy activity, and the result is intellectual growth, and -spiritual unfoldment. Such is the natural law of human progress from -the physical through the mental to its culmination in the spiritual or -divine, which is the very highest type to which we aspire." - -"This," I said, "looks like a concise and logical statement of the -natural law, but how do you apply it to the present conditions -which exist in my own country? We have a civilization and many very -intelligent, well meaning and well to do people who might be greatly -benefited by a better understanding of the influences of pre-natal -conditions." - -"Doubtless that is true," she replied, "but your duty as a teacher is -to take the whole people into consideration and not a part, and in -your work for their enlightenment begin at the bottom of the scale. -Your present civilization was developed along the lines of unconscious -growth, jest as the child grows from birth to maturity. But your work -as a teacher and civilizer is to work along conscious lines and lay -your plans with due deliberation. Having, as it were, reached the top, -you are able to give instruction to those who are lower down and help -them to climb higher. The place of the teacher is one which demands -that you should understand the natural law of growth, so that you -may work to the best advantage. Hence your work is to begin with the -outer environment, the physical, and that which pertains to the higher -will take care of itself. It is not the whole, but the sick, who need -the physician, so it is not the wise, but the ignorant who need the -teacher. For these reasons I advise you to confine your present work -more to the economic, as that would prepare the field for the higher, -and that, just where it is most needed, among the poor." - -"I think I comprehend your meaning," I said, "and shall act accordingly -in the preparation of my first volume on Altrurian civilization. Oqua's -advice was very similar, but situated as I am here, these numerous -lines of thought press in upon me all at once, and there is so much -to learn, that I often find it difficult to make a selection. I am -sure that the people of my own native land are passing through their -Transition Period, and I am anxious to give them that which will do -them the most good." - -"Then," interposed Norrena, who had joined us, "show them how to get -rid of poverty. Without economic independence, political independence -and personal liberty, under the law, are a hollow mockery. There can be -no progress without freedom, and there can be no freedom as long as a -people are driven to their work by the stern lash of necessity." - -"But how is it," I asked, "that you have such a realizing sense of the -horrors of poverty, when you have always had an abundance?" - -"Because it is the one great object," said Norrena, "of our educational -training and of our Altrurian civilization to provide against want, -and to relieve distress wherever found. Every student in our schools -is required to make a careful study of our Transition Period, the -helpless, hopeless condition of the poverty stricken masses, and the -methods by which they got out, and which must be continued in order to -stay out." - -"But why," I asked, "do you now, after centuries of abundance, still -make these lessons so prominent in your educational system?" - -"Because," said Norrena, "we are still on the physical plane, and if we -do not guard against them by every means in our power, these physical -evils may again overtake us. We know for a fact that eternal vigilance -is the price that we must pay for the preservation of our present -blessings." - -"But constituted as your people are," I said, "with their readiness to -relieve distress under all circumstances, I should think that you have -no cause to fear a return of the old systems of oppression." - -"Certainly not," said Norrena, "so far as this generation is concerned, -but should we neglect the education of the rising generation in regard -to these matters, we would begin to go back toward those conditions. -There is no danger so long as we do our duty as educators, and keep -alive the finer sensibilities of the soul. We did not reach our present -condition at one bound, and if we were to go back it would not be all -at once; but it is the duty of our teachers, to see that we do not take -a single step backwards. Hence, we educate." - -We had now reached the Department of Public Comfort where we were -making our home during our stay in Orbitello. After dinner, Battell -informed us that he intended to start within an hour to Lake Byblis, -and that before he left, he desired to have some definite understanding -as to our plans for future work. - -"Then," said Norrena, "you had better join me in my rooms and talk -the matter over. I feel deeply interested in your plans for opening -communication with the outer world. So if it is agreeable, come with -me." - -We accepted the invitation, and were soon discussing what was now the -leading thought in our minds--the improvement of the airships with a -view to forming a connection between the inner and the outer worlds. -Battell explained his plans for constructing a ship that could be -moved in any direction, the power to be applied instantaneously, so -as to be able to meet all the contingencies of a storm and contending -currents of air. Then plans were discussed for protecting the occupants -from intense cold. For this purpose, I had plans of my own which I -did not divulge. Several ways were proposed for making the vessel -proof against cold, but I saw at a glance, that with all of them, the -freezing moisture on the inside, would so obstruct the vision as to -very materially interfere with the proper guidance of the vessel. - -"Before I left," said Battell, "I gave plans and specifications for an -entirely new ship, that I want you to test in a storm, if you can find -one, and report as soon as possible. Captain Ganoe has agreed to go -with me and assist in its completion. As soon as it is ready I will let -you know. Will you come to Lake Byblis and start from there? or shall I -send it to some other point? What will be your address?" - -"I have made no arrangements for the future," I said, "that will in the -least interfere with the proposed trial trip to the southern verge. I -think, however, I had better remain here a few days, as there are some -questions that I want to study, and to that end, I shall take a look -through the Museum of Universal History." - -"Well, get your book ready," said Battell, "and we will find the means -to send it where it will do the most good." - -"I have sufficient material ready," I said, "for a number of books, -but the question now is, How much out of the great abundance, shall I -select to go with an account of our discoveries?" - -"Well, I should think," said Battell, "that you could not send a -very large proportion of what you can find in a single one of these -exhibits, to say nothing of the libraries; but do your best. I have -work that must be completed, in order to make yours available, so -good-bye, and may success attend you." - -Captain Ganoe, MacNair and Iola accompanied Battell to Lake Byblis, and -Norrena, Oqua and myself went to the museum. - -This was a most magnificent structure, situated on the river, on a -point of land where the river leaves Orbitello and makes a sharp -turn toward the east. The building was a hexagon, about 600 feet in -diameter, and the foundation had been excavated down to the level of -the water, which gave one-half the building the appearance of extending -out into the river. In the center of the building was an inlet for -boats for which there was a spacious landing, enclosed by broad, marble -steps on three sides. At the center, and each of the six corners, -was an elevator which connected with each floor. Around what may be -regarded as the main building, was a broad extension in the form of -an inclined floor, that communicated at frequent intervals with the -several stories, either on the level of the floors or by easy flights -of steps. - -On the periphery of this inclined spiral floor, was a railing. The -whole of the external structure was supported by massive and highly -ornamented columns of aluminum which reflected the light like burnished -silver. In the center, and supported from above, was a double track -electric tramway, with cars moving each way at short intervals. This -arrangement gave the entire floor space to pedestrians and those using -electric chairs and other small vehicles. The lower stories of this -immense building, up to the level of the bluff, contained supplies -of all kinds, required by those engaged in river transportation. -The upper stories of the building were devoted to the preservation -of relics and records commemorative of past civilizations and -taken altogether, presented to the eye a complete history of man's -progressive development along every line from the earliest period of -recorded history. This wonderful exhibit, enabled the student to trace, -by means of practical illustrations, the progress of the mechanical -arts, from the original crude contrivances to the present high state of -development under which drudgery was unknown, and the people were in -the full enjoyment of all the comforts of life with a minimum of labor. -It is no part of my intention to attempt to give more than the most -cursory mention of this wonderful exhibition of industrial progress. - -One feature, however, impressed me most and that was the striking -similarity in these exhibits, to the much smaller ones, which I had -visited in the outer world. The methods which had prevailed in the -different stages of civilization, were almost identical with those -prevailing in the corresponding stage of outer world development. In -water craft for instance, the raft of logs bound together with thongs -and propelled by poles came first, followed by canoes hollowed out of -logs. Then smaller boats with oars, and growing in dimensions until -they assumed the shape of Roman galleys and the ships of the Northmen. -Then sails were introduced and later, steam became the motor power. -So, of the methods of land transportation. The sledge and ox-cart were -followed in time by the stage coach, this by the electric car, and last -came the airship. - -I asked Norrena to explain this remarkable similarity. - -"This," said he, "only indicates that human development along every -line of progress is determined by the constitution of the human -mind. Knowing this, we have the key which explains all the mysteries -connected with the progress of the race from lower to higher -conditions. At every step it has been met by similar difficulties and -hence the methods for overcoming these difficulties have been similar, -because all have alike possessed the same mental constitution. This -progress up to a certain point, has been along unconscious lines, and -the average man and woman had no clear understanding of the influences -which were impelling them forward. In every age, and in every condition -of life, man has been building in the direction of his ideals, but -never reaching them. In his primitive state, he felt the need of some -means for crossing streams, and having observed that wood floated -upon the water, he constructed a raft. From this he formed the plan -of a boat, and constructed a canoe. As he improved in the direction -of his ideals, these ideals became more exalted, and to-day we have -the magnificent electric yacht. So it has been in every department of -human effort. The higher the ideals which have been formed in the mind -of man, the higher he has climbed in the scale of development. This -is the fundamental law of human progress. Every one of these relics of -past ages was at first an ideal that had been formed in the human mind -before it was realized." - -"A thought strikes me," I exclaimed. "If all these ideals have been -realized, is it not a promise, or a prophecy, that our ideals of -to-day, will be realized in the future? And if from the constitution of -the human mind we could presage the ideals of the future, we could in a -general way predict what the civilization of distant ages will develop." - -"Certainly," said Norrena. "Your thought is strictly philosophical -and applied to our immediate future it gives an infallible rule for -presaging events where we are familiar with the forces impelling in -a certain direction. If we can ascertain where we are to-day on any -given line of progress, we can safely predict what the next step -will be on the same line, for all things are possible to the human -mind in its ultimate state of development. There is no such thing as -actually turning back in the path of progress, much as man may seem -to retrograde at times. The lessons taught by these seeming failures -are essential elements in his still greater development further on. -Nothing that is useful can be permanently lost to the race. What we are -inclined to call evil, is fleeting and fades away, while the good, the -true and the really valuable is immortal. Hence, human progress towards -higher and better conditions, as applied to the race, and long periods -of time, must ever be onward and upward toward the Infinite Good." - -"I have always," I said, "been deeply interested in everything -pertaining to the progress of the race, but I have been inclined to -regard it as somewhat a matter of chance. You seem to have reduced -it to an exact science. I can understand how certain influences are -necessarily toward improvement, but how is it that our elevation is -assured when so many are unconscious of such a tendency, and in the -outer world at least, multitudes seem to be bent upon getting lower -instead of higher in the scale? I feel quite sure that the masses of -our ancestors in the past, were no better than the masses now, and -did not consciously co-operate with nature for their own improvement. -It seems, however, that by some kind of a blind chance they may -have contributed something, but it certainly was not intentional. I -see a different influence working here and the people are evidently -co-operating with nature for the good of all, but I fear that it will -be a long time before the people of my own country will reach that -stage of development." - -"Do not be discouraged," said Norrena. "The constitution of the -human mind is a guarantee of human elevation. The history of human -development presents two distinct stages, the unconscious and the -conscious. All progress from the simple cell to the human being, is -of course unconscious and is governed by fixed and immutable laws. -These same laws control human development up to the point where -knowledge enables the race to consciously participate in the work of -its own elevation. As soon as the people are sufficiently developed -to understand the operation of the laws which control their own -unfoldment, they will enter upon an epoch of conscious progress -by careful and well concerted measures. When at the close of the -Transition Period our people reached that stage, the change for the -better in every direction came suddenly upon the world, because the -masses of mankind felt the need of something better. Unconscious -development had prepared them for the wonderful change. The blind -forces which had been slowly urging man upward toward a higher plane of -existence, now had the aid of careful and well devised methods, and the -long ages of darkness disappeared in the blaze of light which was let -in upon the world." - -"And from this," I said, "am I to infer that you think America is -about ready for such an uplifting of the masses? Your description this -forenoon of the Transition Period of this country, would pass as an -accurate delineation of the present condition in my own. The belief -is widespread among thoughtful people in the United States that our -country is on the eve of some great change. Persons of an optimistic -turn of mind believe that we are near the beginning of a higher, nobler -and purer civilization than the people have ever enjoyed before, while -the pessimistic are equally sure that we are destined to go back toward -barbarism. I want so very much to be able to disseminate the light that -will dispel this darkness from our future." - -"I think," said Norrena, "that you have no cause for alarm. From what -I can learn the optimists of your country are largely in the majority, -and a general expectation of something better for humanity, is a -powerful psychic force, to produce something better. If your people -earnestly desire better things for the masses and at the same time -believe that better things are in store for them, your future is most -hopeful, as the people cannot fail to find out how to attain the object -they are seeking." - -"Thank you," I said. "But where is the light, and what can I do to shed -it broadcast among them?" - -"The light," said Norrena, "is latent in every human soul and is -manifested in the readiness with which all classes of people render -assistance to those who are placed in peril or are suffering from -some great affliction. This is the light that is manifested in your -charitable institutions and public hospitals for the relief of the poor -and the physically infirm. When those who provide these institutions -for the relief of suffering humanity learn how the sufferings which -now appeal to their sympathies can be avoided, this latent light will -be developed into a flame that will enlighten the whole earth and the -darkness will disappear as if by magic." - -"But this," I said, "does not tell me how that latent light can be -developed into such a flame. Human sympathy has always existed, -but as yet in the outer world it has not succeeded in removing the -suffering which appeals to our sympathies. By what means can this be -accomplished?" - -"By the discovery and application of the principles of equity in all of -our relations toward each other," said Norrena. "To assist you in this, -I suggested that we take a look through this Museum. In the relics -of past ages which you find here, you can trace the operation of the -fundamental laws of human progress. On this floor you have the works of -man in his lowest condition. On the floor above, you find relics of a -higher civilization. These have been classified as nearly as possible -in their natural order, from the lowest to the highest, with a view to -teaching the progressive development of the race in the most effective -manner." - -"I realize the importance," I said, "of such a collection to every -student. But all this comes before your Transition Period and I do not -see its bearings upon the great problem of the present day in my own -country--how to secure the same conditions which I find prevailing -here." - -"As yet," said Norrena, "you have only seen the relics of barbarism. -This museum is twenty stories high above the level of the bluff on -which it stands, and each story bears its record of the onward and -upward progress of the race. The first were erected soon after the -Transition Period, but others have been added since that time, to make -room for the evidences of our progress. We will now ascend to the one -devoted to the Transition Period." - -We stepped upon the elevator and in a moment more were ushered into one -of the upper stories, and I found myself confronted by a display, such -as would characterize a first-class exposition of the present day in -the United States; with this difference, however; it represented the -poverty and misery of the hovel as faithfully as it did the grandeur -of the palace. Everything seemed familiar and I felt as if I had been -suddenly transported to New York or London. Every feature of the -competitive system of production and distribution was appropriately -illustrated, together with the inevitable consequences to the people; -wealth beyond the dreams of avarice for a favored few and hopeless -poverty and degradation for the many. - -The clothing of the workmen in contrast with the gorgeous apparel of -the fashionable bon ton; the furnishings of the hovels of the poor and -the mansions of the rich placed side by side; the coarse and homely -fare of the wealth producer compared with the dainty viands of the -non-producer; all told more plainly than words the story of undeserved -poverty, and in millions of cases, the abject want and misery of -the most useful classes of society, in striking contrast with the -unearned abundance of the idle, and for all practical purposes, the -useless rich. The manner in which the wealth created by the toiling -millions, passed through the channels of trade, into the possession -of a few wealthy speculators, was illustrated by pictures and printed -explanations, in almost endless variety, so that even the most obtuse -observers, could not fail to get a clear idea of the practical workings -of a system of commercial exchange, under the operation of which, -interest, profit and rent were always added to the market price of the -product, every time it changed hands. - -One of these illustrations was entitled, "Thirteen Usuries on One -Hog." It represented a hog passing from the farmer at one end of a -long bridge to the workman at the other. From the time the hog starts -from the producer on the farm until it reaches its destination in the -workshop of the consumer, its size (price) has become colossal. - -In exchange for the hog a plow starts from the shop to the farm, and -the size (price) increases in the same proportion. Every time any -commodity passed one of the commercial toll gates established between -the producer and the consumer, the price was increased for the benefit -of speculators who contributed nothing to its value. All this was of -course to the manifest loss of the producers. The long bridge was -labeled, THE PROFIT SYSTEM. - -In contrast with this was a short bridge labeled Equity, over which -products were passing both ways from the producer to the consumer, -without changing size. Over this Equity bridge the product passed -directly from the producer to the consumer by the shortest practicable -route, and was only handled one time. Over the Profit bridge, -goods became shelf-worn and deteriorated in value, by the frequent -changing of hands. These two bridges, Profit and Equity, were given -as symbolical representations of the Cause and Cure of poverty. There -was no mistaking the lessons taught by them; neither could there be a -doubt of their truth. Under the Profit system of exchange the managers -are self-employed and it is legitimate that they should have a profit -for the service rendered, and the larger the profit, the larger the -number who can make a living out of it. Under Equity, the managers are -employed by their customers and it is to their interest to see that the -business of exchange is carried on with the smallest possible amount -of work in handling the product. Hence the Profit system necessarily -entails poverty upon the masses who have no interest in the exchange, -while Equity secures abundance, because the exchange is effected by -their own agents at the least possible expense. Hence, under Equity, -the product passes from the producer to the consumer without changing -size, and the cost is fixed by the amount of labor expended in its -production, superintendence and transportation; and all parties to the -transaction, get the exact value of their services; but under this -system there is nothing for the money king, the profit-monger and the -landlord. - -"You see," said Oqua, who had been unusually silent and pre-occupied, -"that this symbol of the two bridges, tells the whole story of the -difference between the profit system of exchange and the equitable; -between the old system with its widespread poverty and the new with its -abundance." - -"I see the difference," I said, "but it is not so clear to my mind just -how the people can pass from one bridge to the other; from PROFIT to -EQUITY." - -"That is very easy," said Oqua. "Change the PURPOSE for which business -is transacted. Instead of exacting profit from the producer and the -consumer, conduct business for the purpose of establishing equitable -relations between the producers and the consumers. When this is -done the profit system will have been removed and equity will bring -abundance to the household of every producer, and poverty will be -abolished." - -"I can well understand," I said, "what the effect of a change of -systems would be, and it is equally clear to my mind that the money -kings, trust barons and landlords could, if they would, easily -introduce the change, but how could the poverty stricken people make -such a change in the business system of the world? If it is done at -all, it must be done by the very poor, and under the profit system the -very poor are helpless." - -"That, 'under the profit system,' is well put in," said Norrena, -laughing. "It is undoubtedly true, that 'under the profit system,' the -producers are helpless; and it is equally true that as long as they -remain under this system, they will continue to be helpless. It is also -true that the selfishness of the wealthy managers will never consent to -the change so long as they can prevent it." - -"Then, indeed," I said, "to my mind the condition of the laboring -millions is hopeless. They CANNOT establish equity and the rich WILL -NOT." - -"Why hopeless?" asked Norrena. "Do you think they would refuse to make -the change from profit to equity, if they had the opportunity to do so?" - -"Not that," I said. "But the question is, How can they make the change -while bound hand and foot under the profit system?" - -"Whatever has been done," said Norrena, "can be done, and you have -only to look around you to see that the change from profit to equity -has been made in this country and can be made in yours, notwithstanding -the fact that the people are bound hand and foot and will continue to -be so bound as long as the profit system continues." - -"Please do not mock me," I said with some spirit. "How can a people who -are bound hand and foot, save themselves?" - -"By using their heads," said Norrena. "The hands and feet may be -bound while the head is left free to think. Let this freedom to think -be exercised in the right direction and their physical bonds will -disappear." - -"I am sure they do think," I responded, "and what is more, they have -been thinking for a long time." - -"Then," said Norrena, "let them continue to think and they cannot fail -in due time to find out just what is the matter." - -"Oh, many of them have found that out," I said, "and realize that they -are impoverished by the exorbitant profits on investments which go to -the wealthy classes." - -"Then, indeed," said Norrena, "the day of their deliverance is drawing -near. They have already learned that it is the profit system that -is pauperizing them. If they continue to think, they cannot fail to -learn that the profit system could not continue without their constant -support. That when they withdraw their patronage from profit-mongers, -the profit system will disappear. If I read your literature correctly, -your people are very near the hour of their deliverance." - -"They may," I said, "be driven to the violent overthrow of the present -system, but I do not see how they can speedily break their bonds in any -other manner." - -"They can do it," said Norrena, "by the exercise of the same spirit of -manly independence, intelligently directed, that they now exercise in -their worse than useless strikes. You have the competitive system which -is self-destructive and hence weak. Your producing classes can organize -as consumers and take advantage of the sharp competition between -dealers to sell goods, and by a wise use of their combined power to -purchase, introduce an equitable system of exchange." - -"What is that?" I asked. "Would they expect any such sweeping results -from selling their trade to the firm that would give them the largest -rebate on prices? Would not the tendency of such a movement be, to -still further curtail the demand for labor, by depressing the the price -of products?" - -"Yes," said Norrena, "such a system of selling their custom for a -rebate, would have just such an effect. But you lose sight of the fact, -that wholesale dealers are competing with each other for an opportunity -to sell goods. They sell to retail dealers who can find customers for -their goods. Organize your ability to purchase, select a competent -business agent, and go into business for yourselves, and be sure not to -undersell other dealers. Your exchange will have a decided advantage -over every other dealer, because your trade will be organized and your -sales will be certain. The wholesaler will be quick to see this, and -will be anxious to get your trade, as his pay will be certain." - -"But," I said, "where would be the inducement for the people to -organize their trade, with the certainty that they would pay just as -much for the goods as they did before?" - -"The same inducement," said Norrena, "that people under the money -system have for depositing their earnings in savings banks. Every -time they purchase an article in their own exchange they are making a -deposit to their own credit, where it will do them the most good in -times of disaster. The profits will belong to the organized customers, -and by leaving them in the exchange they will accumulate a sample stock -of goods already paid for, from which any order can be filled. After -such a stock of goods is secured, they might at regular intervals -declare a dividend to the organized customers, leaving a percentage -on deposit with the exchange to be used to educate the people into a -comprehensive understanding of business methods and for the creation of -a fund to purchase land and give employment to their members, in order -to eliminate rent on land and save the profits on production." - -"But," I said, "I do not clearly see how starting stores and saving -retail profits would enable the people to escape the demands of -interest and rent." - -"The store by itself," said Norrena, "could not do this, but the -financial power that can always be secured by wise business methods -could. To the extent that the use of money can be minimized and -debts paid, of course interest will be saved. And to the extent that -consumption can be organized and concentrated, a smaller number -of business houses will also be needed and thus rent saved to the -customers who in the last analysis pay all the expenses. And just in -proportion as business houses are not needed, they will be for sale to -people who can use them, as landlords could not afford to pay taxes on -property for which tenants could not be found. This property would -all be needed by the organized consumers who, with their continually -accumulating fund from pooling the savings of profit, interest and -rent, even on a comparatively small scale, would always be able to -buy. The profits on distribution will constitute an ample fund for -socializing the land and furnishing employment for a continually -increasing number of people." - -"But," I said, "to be able to hold our own against the world-wide -profit system, would require a world-wide organization." - -"Do not be too sure of that," said Norrena. "The benefits of equitable -exchange in a single locality, would be most decided. Of course it -would be more effective if extended over a wider field. But the -distribution of literature, such as the accumulating profits would -enable you to make, added to the far-reaching effects of a successful -object lesson, could not fail to make the organization world wide. All -that is necessary for this purpose is a practical demonstration, that -by this system, the productive laborer and not the money king is master -of the situation." - -"Is this the same plan that you outlined in your address?" I asked. - -"Just the same," he said. "All that is required is such a business -organization as will cover the entire ground demanded by absolute -justice. It must look to the elimination, as rapidly as possible, of -the elements of interest, profit and rent. To avoid the payment of -interest it is necessary to minimize the use of money, and as soon -as debts are paid, refuse to use it at all. To avoid profits, you -must purchase your supplies and sell your products through your own -exchanges. To get rid of rent, use the profits to socialize the land." - -"This is certainly sweeping enough," I said, "but it seems to me, that -it would be an almost endless task to induce the masses of the people -to unite their trade to such an extent as would be necessary to secure -the full measure of relief demanded by absolute justice." - -"It certainly would be," said Norrena, "if you did not prosecute a -vigorous educational work, and at the same time offer inducements that -the profit system cannot afford." - -"I fear that this would be impossible," I said. "The dealers with -millions of money could beat us in offering inducements to catch the -trade of the unthinking." - -"Do not fear that," said Norrena. "They could not do that without -abandoning the profit system, which is all that you would ask. As soon -as you have organized trade and have a sufficient stock accumulated to -meet its demands, you will be saving interest to the extent that you -can transact business without money, and to this will be added all of -the net retail profits. This will enable you to pay a little more for -farm products than dealers can who are on the profit basis. You can -safely continue this rise in prices until you pay as much as you can -sell for. This will give you the entire trade of the farmers, and the -usual profits on all they purchase will be a net gain to your exchange, -less the slight advance on the price of products, equal to the profits -of the speculators. The price you receive for farm products, will be -exchanged for goods on which you will make a profit, and if you can -always make one profit on the exchange you will be on the high road to -success." - -"But this inducement," I said, "would only reach the farmers. It would -be necessary to offer some other kind of inducement to secure the -trade of the city workmen." - -"That is easily provided for," said Norrena. "Your farmer's trade, -notwithstanding the fact that you pay as much for the product as -you can sell it for, will net one profit on the goods for which you -exchange it. With all this farm trade secure, you can begin to furnish -employment to city workmen in various ways, converting the raw material -into finished products to supply your increasing trade. This will -enable you to make valuable customers out of all the workmen for whom -you can find employment. Another inducement will be, to return one-half -of the net profits on their trade in the shape of a check which will be -good at the exchange for products. This will still leave one-half as -a contribution to the educational and land purchase fund. I believe, -however, that with a vigorous and comprehensive educational work, but -few would ever draw anything in the shape of a dividend out of the -business, but leave it as a permanent investment to enable them to -secure homes, or as an insurance fund to support them in sickness and -for the benefit of their families in case of death." - -"You seem to have unlimited faith in this plan of organizing business," -I said. - -"And why should I not have?" asked Norrena. "These principles have -been tried in this country and we know by experience that they cannot -fail, wherever they are intelligently and honestly applied, on a scale -large enough to constitute one good object lesson as to what can be -accomplished. The system, in practice, will demonstrate that money -is not a necessity. Money however, will still come into your hands, -even more freely, and as long as you have debts that must be paid in -money, you will have use for it. But when the debts are all paid, money -might cease to circulate, as you would then have learned by actual -experience, that you would get along better without it than with it." - -"That puts me in mind," I said, "that in your lecture you stated that -the people in this country, in their movement to establish equity in -business, established banks to manage their money account. If the -movement here was started by the very poor, how did they get money for -the necessary cash capital?" - -"By the accumulation from cash purchases made in their exchanges," -said Norrena. "Their exchanges were a system of banking products, but -they issued checks on the deposit of money as well as products. As -these exchanges offered superior inducements, they received their full -share of cash trade from the beginning, and nearly all of it when their -exchange was complete. Hence they found no difficulty in establishing -their own banks under the law, and as they never loaned their deposits, -their banks could not break, and people who had money to deposit, -brought it to them for safe keeping. As the tendency of this locking -up of deposits was to curtail the circulation of money, the exchanges -provided against any oppressive stringency, by loaning on good -security, without interest, checks which were redeemable in products at -the exchanges. It was estimated by the statisticians of that time, that -every dollar locked up in the exchange banks, brought six dollars of -trade per annum to the exchange stores on which the regular customers -at these exchanges made an average of ten per cent., or sixty per cent. -upon deposits." - -"Were these exchanges incorporated as joint stock companies?" I asked. - -"They were," said Norrena, "but not always. The real object of the -order was to ultimately eliminate the stock corporation and substitute -the equal co-partnership. Hence when incorporated, every regular -customer was a stockholder to the same amount, and the stock might -be paid for by turning their dividends back into the business as a -permanent investment. In other words, they might pay for their stock -out of what they were able to save in their cost of living by their -abandonment of the profit system. And further, in order to protect -themselves from the danger of a constructive indebtedness in the shape -of dividend exacting stock, no certificates were issued, and the stock -paid for was always redeemable in exchange certificates payable in -goods at the option of the shareholders, or by order of the directors -of the corporation, for failure to patronize the exchange whenever -practicable. As governments were especially friendly to corporations, -it was deemed best by many, to incorporate and secure these advantages." - -"This," I said, "was certainly the full measure of justice to be -secured by a stock corporation, but how were others which were not -incorporated, organized in order to secure the full measure of justice -to members?" - -"There was," said Norrena, "no patent on the application of the Golden -Rule in business, and among business men there was a large number who -really wanted to see equity established in human affairs. Hence there -was nothing to hinder a merchant from entering into contracts with -organized consumers, to sell his business to them, and retain the -management at an agreed salary, under such rules and regulations for -the conduct of the business as they might adopt. By this means many -were enabled to exchange a precarious profit for a permanent income. In -cases of this kind, the merchant was benefited by securing a guarantee -against bankruptcy and the organized consumers by securing the services -of the necessary business talent to establish Equity in Distribution, -by paying equal dividends out of the net income to all regular -customers. As contracts for a lawful purpose were held sacred by the -courts a very large number held that the contract between the customers -and the manager secured greater advantages than the stock corporation -in obtaining equality of dividends." - -"But," I asked, "why this equality of dividends? Was it fair to those -who purchased large quantities of goods, to require them to share -equally with those who purchased on a small scale?" - -"It certainly was," said Norrena, "as it took the UNITED purchasing -power of ALL to establish a business that enabled them to effect any -saving at all, so that there would be something to divide. The large -purchaser through these exchanges got something back, while under the -profit system he would have made nothing at all. To him this equal -dividend was a comparatively small item, while it was a most important -increase of purchasing power to one who was barely able to procure -the necessaries of life. Persons in affluent circumstances were thus -enabled to help their poorer neighbors, and at the same time secure -a dividend themselves. This system of organized consumption with an -equal distribution of the net profits, was the first introduction of -the fraternal features of our altruistic civilization. It was, in its -application, a system of universal insurance against poverty for all, -who, as consumers, withdrew their support from the profit system. In -a peaceful, just and orderly manner, it enabled the poorest to take -a seat at the table which our bounteous Mother Nature has prepared -alike for all, and from which they had been excluded by human greed, -which the founders of the old religious system had characterized as the -'Mammon of Unrighteousness.'" - -"Then it seems," I said, "that this was something of a religious as -well as a business organization?" - -"Yes," said Norrena, "it may indeed be regarded in that light as -it was the practical application of the teachings of Krystus. This -equality of interest in the distribution of that which had hitherto -been lost to the producers of wealth under the profit system was the -first recognition, on a broad scale, of the Brotherhood of Man in the -business relations which existed among the people. This great business -organisation appealed to the enlightened self-interest of all classes -of people, and drew them into closer relations with each other as one -family, and cultivated feelings of fraternal regard for each other that -will be imperishable. With an abundance for all, the inordinate thirst -for gain had been eliminated and the application of the Golden Rule in -business had at last been established to bless mankind." - -"I am deeply interested in learning more about this organization," I -said. "From your explanations I think that I have a tolerably clear -idea of its general principles, and now I would be pleased to know more -of its origin, history and experiences. As an organization it must have -passed through many trying ordeals before it had accomplished its work -of freeing the people from their thralldom to triumphant greed." - -"It did have a history," said Norrena, "but it was a history of signal -and sweeping victories. Its difficulties and trying ordeals were all in -its efforts to get started right. Even the leaders of the great reform -movements of that time, many of whom had given years to the study -and discussion of economic questions, did not comprehend its scope. -The people had been so thoroughly blinded by the universal system -of doing business on money basis, that they had never even tried to -formulate plans for changing to the labor basis unless they could get -money enough to purchase everything necessary to start up the work of -production and distribution. This class of co-operators frequently put -their means together, purchased lands and established colonies. Many of -these proved quite successful, but they did not bring the benefits of -co-operation to the millions who could not pay the necessary initiation -fee to say nothing of the other millions who were forced into idleness." - -"This reminds me," I said, "that Iola told me the district where I had -been making my home, was a community or colony of this kind, but she -said that the colonists were from among the very poor." - -"That is true," said Norrena. "District Number One, was originally -composed of that class of people in the great city Kroy, which the -money kings regarded as dangerous, and hence they were permitted to go -upon lands for which there was no market. The leaders were people of -high culture and knew how to use their opportunities. But the colonies -of which I speak were not founded by the submerged. These colonies -demonstrated that co-operation contained elements of vital power that -was irresistible, whenever it was fairly tested. The able literature -sent out from these colonies, backed up by their experience, was a -powerful educational influence which prepared the way for universal -co-operation." - -"But this organisation of equitable exchange, as I understand it," I -said, "was a business organization adapted to the general public, -which enabled the people to get possession of the machinery of -production and distribution. We have successful colonies in the outer -world and I am familiar with their methods, but how to bring these -benefits of united action to the whole people, is the question in which -I am especially interested." - -"I have described its workings," said Norrena, "as clearly as my -knowledge of your language will permit, and if there is any matter -concerning which you are in doubt I will try to make it plain." - -"I have no doubt of the principles," I said, "and from what I have -seen, I am persuaded that the methods could be successfully applied -wherever a nucleus of earnest reformers could be found who would make -a careful study of the situation, and adopt the same business methods -which were used so successfully in this country. I want some of the -particulars concerning the history of this organization and a concise -statement of its purposes and business methods that would serve as a -model for a similar organization in the United States." - -"The first organization," said Norrena, "was effected at this place -which was then the site of one of the larger interior cities of that -day. This was the center of business for a large population of farmers -on one side and miners on the other. It started with the guaranteed -trade of one hundred families and was a success from the start, as the -result of the ample provision for educational work along the lines -indicated. Every member was supplied with a paper which was devoted -to the education of the people into a comprehensive understanding of -business methods and commercial equation, as promulgated in theory -and illustrated in practice by the Patrons of Equity. This paper -contained the official reports of the business exchanges established -under the auspices of the order. The educational work had been carried -on for a long time by a few devoted workers, before it materialized -into a self-supporting business. After that, the order spread rapidly. -A percentage of the profits was used to employ organizers and every -organization added to the trade and increased profits without any -corresponding increase of expenses. When this movement was inaugurated, -the number of commercial travelers in the country was estimated at -about 250,000. These were persons of energy and business talent. They -were quick to see the advantages which this system of commercial equity -offered to men of ability, to establish themselves in business for -which they were especially qualified, and they started out to find -locations where they could organise business on these principles." - -"But was there not some danger that designing people might get control -and defeat the purposes of the organization?" I asked. - -"Designing persons did get into positions," said Norrena, "but there -could be no danger to the cause from this source, as in order to secure -positions they had to adopt methods of business that could not fail to -overthrow the profit system, and as fast as business was organized, -the official paper of the order was sent regularly to every member. -If at first they did not understand the principles well enough to -protect themselves from knaves, they soon learned; and if anything was -going wrong it was soon understood by the customers. As the business -extended, the oppressive power of money decreased, and the power of -labor increased. The enthusiasm of the people was aroused to the -highest pitch, and the magnates of the old system were correspondingly -depressed. The old system was essentially weak, while the new was -peculiarly strong, and as the hosts of wealth producers came together, -and utilised the actual values created by their labor as the medium -by which exchanges were effected, prices went up as the result of -the increase in the currency, and there was no use for money except -to pay debts. Under this system, the purchasing power of labor and -products was steadily increasing, while the purchasing power of money -was decreasing. As long as money was needed to pay debts, products -were exchanged for money at the increased price fixed under the labor -standard, but when the debts were all paid, the purchasing power of -money was gone and poverty had disappeared with it. Every debt had -been paid according to contract, and in the payment of these debts the -debtors had transferred their poverty to their creditors." - -"We have gone over this ground," I said, "until, as I understand it, -the great potency of this organization, was in the fact that all its -methods were especially designed to ultimately eliminate the use of -money in the transaction of business, but it occurs to me, that much -could be done in this direction, without the organization of business -exchanges, which issue certificates on the deposit of money and -products to serve the purposes of a currency." - -"You are right," said Norrena. "And much was done along other lines -when the people came to understand that the prime factor in the -overthrow of the profit system was to avoid the use of money in the -transaction of business, in every manner possible. In some localities, -farther east, the use of what was known as New Occasion Notes was -introduced to facilitate exchange without money. The shoemaker, for -instance, would give his note, payable in shoes, for groceries. The -physician would give his note for groceries payable in professional -services. The grocery man had no personal use for either shoes or the -services of a physician, but he needed coal, and the coal dealer needed -both a shoemaker and a physician, and exchanged coal for the notes. -The exchange enabled the shoemaker and the physician to get groceries, -the grocery man to get coal, and the coal dealer to get shoes and -the services of a physician, and all without the use of a cent of -money. The use of these notes became so common, that to still further -facilitate exchanges, clearing houses were established where persons -who held notes payable in something they did not need, could exchange -them for notes that were payable in something they did need. This -system of exchanging New Occasion Notes grew into a general collecting -agency, and it was found that among the large number of collections -placed in its hands, a great percentage cancelled each other, and -balances could ordinarily be put in the shape of New Occasion Notes -redeemable in some kind of products or services. As a means of enabling -people to get out of debt, and at the same time facilitating exchange -and decreasing the demand for money, these agencies proved to be most -effective. The Patrons of Equity contemplated the persistent use of -every method that could be devised to minimize the demand for money -with a view to its ultimate elimination as a medium of exchange, by -the establishment of equity between producers and consumers. They had -learned that money of any kind could be inflated and contracted for -selfish purposes, and therefore it was a false measure and could not -be depended upon to mete out even handed justice to the people who used -it as a medium of exchange." - -"I can plainly see," I said, "that the field of labor for such an -organisation in the outer world is practically unlimited, and I want -you to furnish me with the details of its plan of organization, as a -model for a similar one for use in my book." - -"I have," said Norrena, "provided a translation of the Constitution -and By Laws of the order, together with the rules and regulations for -the government of its Exchange Department for your own use. I would -advise you, however, not to publish these in your book. Only present -the general principles, and let your people work out the details in -their own way. Start the idea to working and I doubt not that they will -discover how easy it is for them to escape from their thralldom to -greed, and when they do, it will not be long until they sever the bonds -that hold them." - -"And how," I asked, "would you state these purposes so as to include -all you have given me, in the fewest possible number of words?" - -"For this purpose," said he, "I cannot do better than to quote the -declaration of purposes from the preliminary constitution formulated by -the founders of the Patrons of Equity, as follows: - -"'SECTION 1. The primary object of this order shall be to organize -exchange on the largest scale that may be practicable, with a view -to the establishment of equitable relations between producers and -consumers, by eliminating as rapidly as possible, every element of -cost that does not go to the producers of the wealth exchanged, less -an equitable compensation to the labor, physical and mental, that is -necessary to an economical management of the business. - -"'SEC. 2. And further, as opportunity offers, to effect such an -organization of our financial relations as will enable us, as far as -practicable, to hold all the money that comes into our hands, as a -sacred trust, to be used only in the payment of taxes, and of debts in -all cases where the creditor cannot be induced to take some other form -of payment. - -"'SEC. 3. To accomplish these objects, the first and leading work -of the Patrons of Equity shall be to educate the people into a more -comprehensive understanding of business methods, that will enable them -to minimize the use of money in their business relations with each -other, by an organized effort to make the largest possible number of -exchanges with the smallest possible amount of money. - -"'SEC. 4. The general policy of this order, in the conduct of all -the business enterprises established under its auspices, shall be to -utilize the net profits on distribution to procure lands and establish -production, in order to provide the largest possible amount of -employment to members in good standing.' - -"This declaration," continued Norrena, "when fully understood, is seen -to contain every element of a speedy uplifting of any people who are -oppressed by the power of wealth. Any person with a fair understanding -of business methods can work out the details for the application of -these principles in actual business, and any fifty families who are -able to purchase and pay for supplies to the extent of five dollars per -week, would provide an aggregate sale of over two thousand dollars' -worth of goods per month, which would be ample to start business, pay -necessary expenses and have something left. Such a business properly -managed, could, by a comprehensive educational movement, be made to -absorb the trade of any community for the benefit of the customers, and -thus create an object lesson that would be speedily adopted by other -communities, and become general. The people would be masters of the -situation, and the power of money to dictate terms would have passed -away forever." - -"I should think," I said, "that everything pertaining to the -organization which won such a victory for humanity would be carefully -preserved in this Museum of Universal History." - -"It is," said Norrena, "but it will be found in the story above and we -will hardly have time to extend this visit any further to-day." - -"Nor to-morrow, either," interposed Oqua. "We have important work at -Byblis to-morrow, or at least there may be. Huston and Dione, want -to register as man and wife, and for some reason, Huston thinks that -Captain Ganoe will have objections, and if so, they must be taken into -account. Besides, we propose to have an excursion around the lake on -the Ice King. So we had better return to our rooms, take a rest and be -prepared to start early to-morrow morning." - -"And I propose," said Norrena, "that we extend our excursion to Kroy -and complete the object lesson that records the victory of Equity over -Greed." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - THROUGH THE AIR TO LAKE BYBLIS--ON THE ICE KING ONCE MORE--CAPTAIN - GANOE IN COMMAND--MET BY THE VIKING, SILVER KING AND SEA ROVER--A - WEDDING--HUSTON AND DIONE THE PRINCIPALS--GANOE OBJECTS--NORRENA - INVESTIGATES--OBJECTION OVER-RULED--EXCURSION BENEATH THE WATERS OF - THE LAKE--DOWN THE COCYTAS--THE RUINS OF KROY--ABANDONED GOLD--THE - LAST RELIC OF BARBARISM. - -[Illustration] - - -THE journey by airship from Orbitello to Lake Byblis was as usual -most interesting. I never tired of these aerial flights. My first was -from the deck of the Ice King in the middle of the Oscan ocean to the -continent, and now I was returning to the Ice King from the middle of -the continent. Our course was an airline, several points south of -east, over the fertile valley of the Cocytas. For a distance of twelve -hundred miles, we were first on one side of the river and then on the -other, with a bird's eye view of this highly improved valley. - -We traveled at a speed of about three hundred miles an hour which -brought us to the vicinity of Lake Byblis about 10 o'clock, A.M. From -our elevated position of several thousand feet we had a full view of -the surroundings. The lake is an expansion of the river, from five to -ten miles in width and thirty in length surrounded by a magnificent -boulevard, on which we could see numerous vehicles moving. The surface -of the lake was dotted over with water craft of various sizes and -descriptions. - -On the north side, Oqua pointed out the hospital to which our sailors -had been sent, the Matron's Home where Bona Dea presided, the home -for the aged, and the crematory. On the south side, and situated back -on the bluff, was the airship factory where Battell was employed -superintending the completion of his improvements on the airship, -and the Transportation Headquarters, in the Auditorium of which -it had been announced that the World's parliament was to meet the -following December, and give us a welcome to the inner world, as -citizens-at-large. Anchored in front of the Transportation building I -recognized the Ice King with the stars and stripes floating from the -masthead. - -The valley of the Cocytas had the appearance of having originally been -a vast inland sea extending about twelve hundred miles from the coast -range on the east to the great continental divide on the west, and from -five to six hundred in width, bounded by high lands north and south. At -the east end of the lake the Cocytas flows through a deep gorge on its -way to the ocean, carrying the surplus waters of a vast valley of rich -alluvial lands. - -Such is the geographical location of this favorite gathering place for -pleasure seekers. As we approached the famous lake we reduced our speed -and took a little time to contemplate the magnificent scene presented -to our view. But we have neither time nor space for an adequate -description. - -As we reached a point directly above the Ice King we began the usual -spiral descent and in a few minutes were once more upon the familiar -decks of the old ship, and exchanging cordial greetings with our old -shipmates and many of our new found friends and associates. It was a -happy reunion. - -Pat and Mike gave us a most warm hearted Irish welcome. They informed -us that they had been installed as custodians of the Ice King and were -faring sumptuously. I asked Mike how he liked the people and he replied -laconically: - -"Better than I did but I don't know how much." - -I pressed him for an explanation of his doubtful compliment, and he -replied that he could not understand their queer ways. At first he -thought that they had bewitched Pat, as he got right up from his sick -bed and declared that there was nothing the matter with him any more. -As Pat had stayed well, it was perhaps all right, but it was queer. -Then ever since they had been at Lake Byblis they had got everything -they wanted but when they offered to pay for it, the shopmen would look -at the money, turn it over as if they did not know what it was and hand -it back. - -"In fact," continued Mike, "I don't understand them at all. They never -work to amount to anything, and yet they have an abundance, and that -of the very best. They never pay for anything and they never charge -for anything. Ever since we have been here, it has been one continual -coming and going and merry-making. But this free spread cannot last all -the time or I miss my guess." - -"Well Mike," I replied, "you seem to be doing well enough, for the -present at least, and ought to be satisfied. And I can safely assure -you that you need have no fears for the future. These people have -learned that it only takes about two hour's labor per day to produce an -abundance of everything they need. In taking care of this ship, so that -they can come and see what kind of vessels we have in the outer world, -you are doing all that will ever be required of you, and when you want -to take a furlough, you can travel wherever you please and it will -not cost you anything but the evidence that you have been serving the -people by taking care of this ship." - -"May be so," said Mike, "but I don't see how they can afford it." - -I had no time to explain the situation to Mike, as it had been arranged -that Captain Ganoe should again take his old position on the Ice King -and give its visitors an excursion on this, to them, strange craft. The -steam age with these people had long since given place to electricity -and compressed air, as motor powers, and so a steamship in actual use -was something they had never seen. Captain Ganoe entered into the -spirit of the occasion and summoned all the surviving members of the -Ice King crew to take their accustomed places. - -When this understanding was agreed upon, Polaris and Dione came -forward and invited us below for an early dinner. We found that on -the same table where they had taken breakfast with us, on our first -acquaintance, they had spread such a repast for us as had never before -been attempted on the Ice King. A goodly number joined us in doing -ample justice to the delicious viands. - -After dinner, Captain Ganoe invited the company present to go with him -and have a look over the Ice King while she was being made ready for -the excursion. The first place to which he conducted us was the engine -room, but it was so neat and clean that he did not recognise it, and -turning to Huston, he said: - -"What does this mean? I thought that you told me every thing was ready -to get up steam on short notice. There is not an ounce of coal in sight -and the bunkers are as neat as a lady's bandbox. How do you expect to -get up steam without fuel?" - -"We shall burn water," said Huston. - -"Burn water!" exclaimed the Captain. "Have your new surroundings led -you to believe that we can set aside the laws of nature?" - -"Nothing of the kind," said Huston, "but I am learning much concerning -the laws of nature that I never before suspected. You see this little -metallic cube. I drop it into this jar of water. See it effervesce. I -apply this match. See how it burns! This little cube dissolving in the -water, converts it into its original gases. You see now how we can burn -water. This tank, connected by these pipes with the furnace under the -boiler, contains water that has been charged with these metallic cubes, -the constituent elements of which have been found in coal and lime. I -now turn on this prepared water and apply an electric spark. See the -fierce flame! We shall soon have steam without having vitiated the -atmosphere with smoke, which in this country is regarded as a nuisance -not to be tolerated. Dione superintended this part of the arrangements." - -"Wonderful! Wonderful!" was all that Captain Ganoe had to say, and he -passed out leaving Huston at his post as engineer. I remained behind as -I wanted to have a talk with Huston, concerning what Oqua had told us, -that he and Dione intended to be registered as man and wife and that he -expected Captain Ganoe would object. I asked him why he expected any -opposition from the Captain. - -"Because," said he, "Captain Ganoe, with all his good qualities, is a -living personification of every popular error which forms a part of the -outer world education, law and custom." - -"But," I asked, "on what grounds do you expect him to object?" - -"He will," said Huston, "unless I have misjudged the man, raise the -question that I have a living wife, from whom I have no legal grounds -for divorce. This is true so far as the law goes, but false in every -feature that constitutes a true marriage. Captain Ganoe is familiar -with all the particulars, and still he entirely disapproves of the -course I took, in taking the law into my own hands and severing the -bonds, just as soon as I discovered the fraud that had been perpetrated -on me." - -"Won't you give me the particulars?" I asked. "I am especially -interested in learning all about it." - -"I have no objections," said Huston. "It is no secret. But steam will -soon be up and our time is limited." - -"But please give me a brief outline," I persisted. "I am indeed vitally -interested in learning the principal facts in this case." - -Huston regarded me for a moment with a puzzled expression of -countenance and then said: - -"I will for your sake, Jack, try to make a long story short. My father -was a planter and supposed to be wealthy. Our family was proud and -aristocratic. My father had a ward in a distant state who lived with -his sister. She was heir to an immense estate. Though I had never seen -her I had been encouraged to correspond with her, and we had exchanged -photographs. Her letters indicated remarkable talent and the highest -culture, while her photograph proclaimed to my imagination, that she -was a beauty. I was but a boy and I confess that I was fascinated by -her letters, and the affectionate interest by which she led me to the -most ardent declaration of my admiration. - -"Such was the relation that had been established between us when my -father took me into his confidence and declared that he was a ruined -man and our family irretrievably disgraced, unless I could prevent it -by a marriage with his ward, Zeta Wild. The time was at hand when he -must account for her estate, which had been lost through unfortunate -speculations, and that the settlement would reveal a state of affairs -that would send him to prison for a long term of years. - -"I objected to the idea of marriage with a girl I had never met, no -matter how favorably I had been impressed by her photograph and her -letters. But my father's special pleading and the pressing nature of -the danger to the family name, overcame my objections, and the day was -set for the marriage. - -"Everything was artfully arranged. We arrived in the evening and met -the bridal party at the church. I was charmed with the appearance of my -bride. We were married at once, and took carriages for the home of my -aunt where a splendid wedding supper awaited us. - -"Within an hour, I found that I had married a beautiful idiot. I was -shocked, and stole away from the guests into an upper room. I wanted -to think. A lamp was burning on the table. My eyes fell upon a letter -written to my father by my aunt. I recognized the handwriting. It was -my aunt who had written the letters that had charmed me so much. In -this one, she deplored the deception that was being practiced upon me, -but justified it on the ground that it was necessary in order to save -the honor of the family. - -"My mind was made up. I passed out into the darkness of the night, -started for the nearest seaport and found employment as a sailor. -I have never returned home since. I learned that my father got his -ward's fortune in my name. Captain Ganoe is personally acquainted -with my father and has seen his ward at his house, who was introduced -as his son's wife. I explained the situation to the Captain, but he -disapproved my conduct in very emphatic terms, and I should have left -the ship but for the fact that I had engaged to go with Battell on the -expedition. - -"I have also explained the situation to Dione and my part in this -transaction meets her approval. We shall register as man and wife, and -if the Captain objects, so much the better, as it will place my conduct -in the correct light. The marriage was a fraud and no one ought to be -bound by a fraud." - -"I can most cordially sympathize with you," I said. "It is certainly -a terrible wrong to compel people to associate in such an intimate -relation when their entire natures are in rebellion against it. It -cannot be wrong to sever such bonds regardless of the claims of church -or state. A relation that is wrong, in and of itself, cannot be made -right by lawmaker or priest." - -"Thank you," said Huston. "I am glad that I am not alone among the crew -of the Ice King. Indeed I believe that ultimately even the Captain will -see this question just as I do. Our intention was to register while we -were in Orbitello, but Oqua requested that we should wait until this -excursion, and to please her we consented. I do not know her reasons -for advising delay but I suppose it is all right." - -"I think I understand it," I said, "and you may rest assured that her -reasons are good, and good will come out of it." - -"I hope so," said Huston. "But the steam gauge points to one hundred -and here goes to all whom it may concern," and suiting the action to -the word he pulled the rope and the steam whistle resounded far and -wide, something entirely new to these people, in a country which had -abandoned steam as a motor power so long ago. - -I hurried upon deck and joined Captain Ganoe. Captain Battell was at -the wheel, and all was ready. The decks were crowded with excursionists -who had never been on board a steamship, and knew nothing of steam as a -motor power, except as a matter of history. All were anxious to see the -vessel move and Captain Ganoe did not keep them waiting. He signalled -the engineer and immediately the ponderous engines began to move and -the Ice King was backing out into the water and swinging around with -her bow toward the head of the lake. She obeyed her helm beautifully -and started off with a speed of which we were proud. - -The route determined upon kept us near the larboard shore, while some -miles to the starboard we could see a magnificent craft that reflected -the light of the sun like burnished silver. I asked Oqua what it was. - -"That," said she, "is the Silver King, an electric yacht, built of -aluminum. She brings a load of excursionists and expects to take us -down the river. She is remarkable for her speed and her splendid -accommodations. She will meet us at the head of the lake." - -I found too much to look at to take up much time in conversation, but -cannot at this time indulge in descriptions. Suffice it to say that the -scenes presented on the boulevard surrounding the lake, on the surface -of the water and in the air were most animated, and all were moving as -if to meet us at the head of the lake. - -As we approached the mouth of the upper Cocytas, we met the Silver King -and while the excursionists were exchanging greetings, a strange little -craft with a dragon's head and propelled by oars, shot out from under -the cover of the river bank. At the bow were our Norwegian sailors, -Lief and Eric plying their oars most sturdily and singing a weird song, -in which I distinguished the mythological names of Odin and Thor. The -oarsmen were dressed in a strange, fantastic style, and were armed with -spears, crossbows, swords, and long hunting knives. - -This strange craft came out of the river and both the Ice King and the -Silver King, as if by common impulse stopped short in their career -while the Viking, for such it was, took its place between them. To say -that I was astonished at the appearance of a style of vessel that had -been obsolete for centuries, but feebly expresses my surprise, and I -asked Norrena where it came from. - -"It came from the outer world," he said, "about 2,000 years ago, -and brought a warlike crew, the general appearance of which, the -Superintendent of Festivities, has tried to imitate. The historians of -that period could gather very little information from them concerning -the country from which they came. They said that the people had to -leave because it was so cold. This gave rise to the false impression -that the outer world had become uninhabitable and that these were the -last remnants of the people." - -"These people," I said, "were known as Northmen, and their ships were -called Vikings. They were the most daring of navigators, and penetrated -every portion of the outer world, and it is not at all surprising that -some of them found their way to the inside. This will probably explain -why so many of your names are identical with those of the Scandinavian -countries. - -"That is correct," he said. "Many of our people are descended from this -stock and still perpetuate the names. Our records preserve the language -they brought with them as carefully as our chemists have preserved this -little boat." - -"Do you intend to say," I asked, "that this is the original boat that -found its way into the inner world a thousand years ago? I thought that -it was a reproduction. How was it possible to preserve it so long?" - -"Yes," he said, "this is the original boat, and it has been preserved -by forcing a chemical solution into the wood which makes it as durable -as granite." - -As we were speaking, two powerful metallic arms operated by machinery -reached down from the deck of the Silver King and lifted this little -Viking and its passengers into stocks that had been prepared for it, -with the seeming tenderness of a mother lifting her babe to her bosom. -So suggestive was the manner in which it was done that I turned to -Norrena to ask the meaning, which he anticipated by saying: - -"This represents the tender care that vigorous youth ought to bestow -upon age. This little boat is highly prized, as in the process of -evolution, it may be regarded as the progenitor of the Silver King. If -there had never been such boats as the Viking, there never would have -been an Ice King or a Silver King. All things must develop from small -beginnings." - -The Ice King and Silver King now headed toward the mouth of the lake, -were lashed together, and the excursionists on both vessels passed -freely from one to the other. The Ice King attracted much the largest -number, but I was more anxious to inspect the Silver King. - -Norrena introduced us to Captain Thorfin, as visitors and seamen from -the outer world. He conducted us first to the motor room and explained -the workings of the machinery, and showed us a system of airtight -compartments, which would, he claimed, absolutely keep the vessel from -sinking, no matter how badly the hull might be injured. He stated that -even the decks would float like cork. - -When we reached the upper deck of the Silver King we found that the -oarsmen on the Viking had exchanged their warlike equipments for -musical instruments and as we came up they opened with strains of the -most thrilling music that I had ever heard. As if in response, both -the Ice King and the Silver King seemed lifted up on the crest of some -mighty wave, and what appeared to be some monster marine animal arose -out of the water behind us and moved to the starboard side of the Ice -King. It had a resemblance to a gigantic turtle, but was fully three -times as long as it was wide. As soon as the water ceased to flow from -its sides, a hatchway opened in the center and MacNair and Iola made -their appearance, and began to wave their handkerchiefs to us. I was -too much astonished at this strange apparition to even ask what it was. -Norrena relieved my embarrassment by saying: - -"This is the Sea Rover, a submarine boat, that came up the middle of -the lake near the bottom. The three boats will be lashed together -and thus proceed down the lake while the excursionists will have the -freedom of the entire flotilla, and may amuse themselves in any way -they choose. See there! The Sea Rovers have brought up their dancing -floor. It is plain that they propose to have a ball. But I have some -business that I must attend to while the crowds enjoy themselves. As -this is to be a private party of invited guests, of which you are one, -I shall expect you to join us in the cabin of the Silver King." - -I intuitively knew what was coming. We found the cabin as exclusive -as could have been desired for a private party. Battell and Polaris, -Huston and Dione, Norrena and Oqua, MacNair and Iola, and Captain Ganoe -and myself constituted the party on this occasion. - -When we were all comfortably seated, Norrena said: - -"I have invited you in here because we want our esteemed guests from -the outer world to understand all of our usages. We are going to have -what in their world is called a wedding. Ordinarily these events -attract no especial attention in this country as there are but two -persons interested. But there may be circumstances under which marriage -is not permitted. In such cases we investigate. In this country, it is -the duty of the educational department to keep a record of everything -pertaining to birth, marriage and death, as all are supposed to be -either pupils in school or graduates from school. Hence the school -record is the record of the birth, educational attainments, name, -occupation, marriage and death of every person. - -"We have no such marriage ceremonies as I find described in the -literature of the outer world, but we keep a most perfect system of -records. All persons who are allowed to marry at all, are free to make -their choice. No interference on the part of others is permitted. As -a notice of their intentions, they send or bring the nativity cards -which they receive on leaving school, to the proper office where they -are registered as citizens. If there is nothing in the record which -prevents, each couple so united receives an acknowledgment and a copy -of the record, enclosed in two silver lockets, which are usually worn -around the neck. This is all there is of it unless some one objects. In -that case, there is an inquiry and the commissioner decides according -to the facts. - -"I have here two nativity cards. One is that of Dione of the Life -Saving Service, and the other bears the name of Paul Huston, and -the date of his registration on the books of the Sailor's Union of -Citizens-at-large of Altruria. At the request of the applicants for -registration as man and wife, I have invited you as witnesses and will -ask if any one objects to their union?" - -"I object," said Captain Ganoe. - -"State your grounds of objection," said Norrena. - -"Because of my certain knowledge and his own admission, he has a living -wife to whom he was lawfully married." - -"Is this true?" asked Norrena, addressing Huston. - -"It is," responded Huston. "I was married according to the usages of -the country where I was born and I do not believe that I have any legal -grounds for divorce, but as a matter of fact, the entire transaction -was fraudulent." - -"State the facts in full," said Norrena. - -"I will," said Huston, and he narrated the story of his marriage, -substantially in the same language that he had related it to me. - -Norrena turned to Captain Ganoe and asked: - -"Have you any reason to offer why this statement just made by Paul -Huston, before these witnesses, should not be accepted as true?" - -"I have not," said the Captain. "He admits that he was married to Zeta -Wild. That he left her without any offense on her part for which a -divorce could be obtained. Hence, he is to-day a married man. Married -according to law, and he has no right to marry another woman, and Dione -has no right to take him as a husband." - -"That is your view of the matter," said Norrena. "But under our usages, -the girl to whom he was married was an imbecile and had no right to be -married, and on this ground the marriage was null and void. Besides, -he was deceived, and hence the marriage being fraudulent, could not be -binding." - -"A legal marriage, voluntarily entered into cannot be fraudulent, and -is always binding upon the conscience of all well meaning people." - -"But," said Norrena, "if she was a person he could not love and respect -as a wife, was it not better that he should refuse to consummate the -relation?" - -"Certainly not," said the Captain. "When he was married to her, that -ended it. I have no doubt that he could have lived agreeably enough -with her if he had wanted to." - -"I see," said Norrena, "that you are not likely to withdraw your -objection, so we will not continue the discussion. It is my duty to -decide in favor of the true and against the false, and hence I must -over-rule your objection to the registration of Paul Huston and Dione -as husband and wife." - -"Do as you please," said Captain Ganoe. "It does not change the facts -in the case. It is strange to me that any woman would accept a man -as a husband under such circumstances. So far as I am concerned with -my present light on the subject, I could not as a conscientious man, -consent to marry a woman, no matter how much I loved her, who according -to law, was the wife of another man. As an honorable man I would advise -her to return to her husband." - -I had been listening intently to this inquiry. Here was a case almost -identical with my own. I had married my guardian of my own free will, -and like Huston, when I discovered the fraud by which my consent was -secured, I had taken to the sea, and now the one whom I had loved more -than life itself, and for whom I had searched for years, and with whom -I had braved all the dangers of the frozen north in order to be near -his person, had for the second time deliberately declared that he would -not marry such a woman no matter how much he loved her. My entire being -was aroused in revolt against such injustice and I arose and said: - -"For the second time, Captain Ganoe, I have heard you express this -atrocious sentiment, which ignores love, the only thing which can -sanctify the union of the sexes in the marriage relation, and place -above that the debasing doctrine that man made laws are superior to -the laws of God, which are implanted in the human soul. Without love, -marriage is a curse, unholy and impure. Love is an inspiration and -cannot be transferred by the state or the church. If you have never -realized what true love signifies, of course you are excusable, but -those who have felt it, will never agree with you. Huston was right, -to take the law into his own hands and separate from his imbecile -wife. To have consummated the union, would have been a crime against -her, against himself and against humanity. And now, so far as I -am concerned, I shall drop this question. No good can come of the -discussion, and other questions of far-reaching import to the toiling -millions of the outer world, demand my undivided attention. Let us -do what we can to abolish poverty by removing time honored wrongs, -and when women are economically free, they will be able to select -companions who will not trample love under the heel of antiquated -wrong." - -So saying I walked out of the cabin without waiting for reply. Oqua -followed me and as she came up by my side, said: - -"Do not be disturbed. Your victory is won. Captain Ganoe cannot long -withstand the force of truth. And he has now placed his position so -plainly before our people that the truth will reach him from all sides -in a way of which he never dreamed before." - -"Yes," I said, "I have won a victory, but it is over myself. He may -come to me, when he has removed the clouds from his mind and the -bitterness from his heart. I will never make any overtures. I can love -humanity and work for it, and even if my work is not understood, I know -that it will exercise an elevating influence on myself. My motto for -the future will be, 'Plenty of room at the top where true love and a -sterling devotion to the right, will be understood and appreciated.'" - -"You talk like a philosopher," said Oqua, "and I have no doubt that -your heroism of character will come out triumphant, but do not permit -your resentment of a wrong to engender a feeling of bitterness toward -Captain Ganoe." - -"I shall not stoop to that," I said. "I cannot afford it. My love in -the future shall go out to every human being and I still regard Captain -Ganoe, with all of his prejudices, as one of the best. I have forgiven -his weakness and want to forget. What I need now is something better to -think about." - -"Well," said Oqua, "the excursion beneath the waters of the lake in -the Sea Rover this afternoon and the one on the Silver King down -the Cocytas to-morrow will give you a great many things that will -doubtless, very thoroughly engage your attention." - -"That," I said, "is just what I need. Something to arouse my interest -and exclude disquieting reflections. But what of this excursion beneath -the waters of the lake? I had not heard of that." - -"Oh yes," said Oqua, "the Superintendent of Festivities would not think -of slighting the Sea Rovers who make the navigation of our shallow -lakes, bays and rivers safe for such vessels as the Silver King and -their numerous passengers. They wanted to entertain our visitors from -the outer world on their own vessel and of course the excursion beneath -the water was made a part of the program." - -"Well, the arrangement," I said, "is better than I anticipated and it -surely will be, to me, a novel experience to be able to see the world -of marine life as the fishes see it." - -"And as the Sea Rovers see and improve it," said Oqua. "But see! They -are signaling for us to come on board." - -In a few minutes we had passed out upon the dancing floor of the -Rovers and descended into an elegantly furnished cabin. I was the only -one present who had not become acquainted with the crew, and Oqua -introduced me as the Scientist of the Ice King, to Captain Doris of the -Sea Rover who gave me a cordial greeting and introduced me to a number -of his comrades. In answer to my inquiries, he gave me an entertaining -and instructive description of the duties of the submarine service. - -"Our work," he said, "is to keep a careful lookout for obstructions -that might impede navigation and endanger life. This is especially -necessary in rivers like the Cocytas, where huge stones are sometimes -loosened from the rocky shores and fall into the channel, and sand-bars -form rapidly. These are discovered and removed by the submarine -patrols." - -"But how," I asked, "can you get at them?" - -"Nothing easier," said Doris, "as I will show you." - -At once I heard the water pouring into the hold and the Sea Rover sank -to the bottom. The Captain and two of the crew passed into a little -room at the rear of the cabin and immediately I noticed that the -sides of the vessel were transparent and brilliantly lighted from the -outside. Looking out I saw the men in diving suits leisurely walking -around on the bottom, which looked like a smooth floor. - -Oqua explained that by means of powerful arc lights and reflectors, -these submarine navigators were able to see for long distances even at -great depths, and that the work of removing obstructions was carried on -by means of machinery, and that the stones which fell into the channel -were reduced to powder by powerful explosives, and the surface smoothed -down like a well cultivated field. The air was continually renewed from -stores of condensed air, while the poisonous exhalations from the lungs -were absorbed by sponges having a peculiar affinity for carbon. - -In a few minutes Captain Doris returned and the vessel began to move -rapidly through the water. I was much interested in the view of marine -life which was revealed through the transparent sides, and especially -in the level bottom of the lake, which, as Oqua had remarked, really -looked something like a broad, smooth, cultivated field. But soon we -turned toward the south and began to move slowly along the side of -a brilliantly lighted boulevard on which all kinds of vehicles were -passing and repassing. - -I was so much astonished at this unexpected scene, so realistic and -seemingly uncanny, that I was utterly at a loss for words to express my -feelings. Oqua seeing my embarrassment came to my relief by saying: - -"This is the tunnel across the lower portion of the lake and -constitutes a part of the boulevard you noticed along the shores." - -"How is this?" I asked. "It is certainly not a tunnel excavated under -the lake. If anything, we are a little below the roadway and well above -the bottom of the lake with the water all around us." - -"We do not," said Oqua, "excavate tunnels as we did in ancient times. -They are constructed in our machine shops. This is a metallic tube -with supports which rest on the bottom, and has many advantages over -the old fashioned, dark and dismal excavations. The material used is -a compound somewhat like common glass but as strong as steel. With -our submarine fleets it is not difficult to put the sections in place -and when completed the water is pumped out of the cavity and the -roadway is ready for use. Even across small streams, where the banks -are not too high, they are frequently preferred to bridges as more -safe and durable, but for long distances and in very deep water they -are indispensable, and in the case of deep water tunnels, they are -frequently made to span submarine gorges." - -"How fortunate," I exclaimed, "that this submarine excursion was on the -program! I now see a most wonderful exhibition of the power of mind to -overcome material difficulties, that it would have been hard for me to -realize if I had received the information in some other manner." - -"All things," responded Oqua, "are possible to the human mind in its -ultimate state of development--But we are now heading for the landing -at the Transportation Headquarters and we will spend the night on the -Silver King which takes us down to the ruins of Kroy in the morning." - -"And," I asked, "what is to hinder you from telling me something about -these ruins now, and what they have to do with Norrena's economic -lessons?" - -"They are," said Oqua, "only the relics of the great money center which -held the people in bondage during the Transition Period. When Kroy -was deserted by the money kings, the people determined to preserve -it, subject only to the ravages of time, as a warning and a lesson to -future generations." - -As Oqua ceased speaking, the Sea Rover arose to the surface by the -side of the Silver King, the hatches were opened, and in a few minutes -we were welcomed on board the electric yacht by Captain Thorfin, and -invited to an elegant supper. The day had certainly been most agreeably -spent but its lessons were too suggestive and far-reaching in their -character to be adequately presented in this small volume. I was -fatigued by the incessant activity since early morning and was glad of -an opportunity to retire to my state-room and rest. - -I was awake early next morning and after a hearty breakfast, we were -soon speeding down the Cocytas between two lofty walls of granite. -There was nothing to be seen but these towering cliffs for the first -few miles and Captain Thorfin gave us a specimen of the speed of -the Silver King. The cliffs seemed to dart past us as if we were on -board of a lightning express train, and yet we could scarcely feel -the motion of the vessel. I confess that I felt a little nervous at -such astonishing speed, but Captain Thorfin assured us that there was -no danger, as the submarine patrols removed every obstruction and -preserved a uniform depth of water. - -I asked the Captain what was the greatest speed of his vessel and he -replied that he had never tested it. He had made one hundred miles an -hour but the excursionists generally preferred to travel slowly. On -this trip we would average fifty, and so reach Kroy in about three -hours. - -During the last two hours of our journey we were passing through a -densely populated country. Great communal homes appeared on either -side and large manufacturing plants at frequent intervals. But our -interest was centered at the mouth of the river and our attention was -chiefly directed over the bow. Soon a point of land appeared where -the river seemed to part in twain. This I recognized as the island I -had seen from the airship which had brought us to the continent, and -here is where the city of Kroy had been situated. My interest had been -aroused and as the Silver King turned into the northern channel, the -island became the center of attraction. On the larboard side the same -scenes of sylvan beauty, palatial buildings and groups of happy, joyous -people continued, but it was now the uninhabited island that absorbed -my attention. - -I could see, in places, through the tangled brushwood and tall trees -which lined the shore, glimpses of shattered walls and tumuli, over-run -by vines and briers, such as in many parts of the outer world are so -attractive to archeologists, as the ruins of some ancient civilization. -At one point I noticed what appeared to have been costly monuments to -the dead and I said to Norrena: - -"Surely that must have been a cemetery." - -"And so it was," he responded. "In those days, millions were expended -in decorating the graves of the rich, while the masses of their fellow -beings who had toiled to create what the few had absorbed, lived in -poverty, and large numbers died in alms houses or by the wayside, and -found their last resting place in a Potter's field. More was often -expended on a single tomb than could possibly have been earned in any -useful service to society, in a life-time. They sought to secure a sort -of immortality by polished granite columns and laudatory inscriptions. -This has all been changed for centuries. We cremate the dead body in -the most speedy and economical manner possible, and seek to secure -longevity and happiness for all, by creating the best possible -conditions for the living." - -At another place I caught glimpses of monuments of another description, -mingled with what had evidently been palatial structures adorned with -the artistic work of the sculptor in great profusion. Obelisks of -polished stone towered above the surrounding trees, giving the forest -a peculiar appearance not easily forgotten, but difficult to describe. -Noticing my interest in the scene Norrena remarked: - -"This was once a magnificent park, and was ornamented by works of art -from foreign lands representing the most ancient civilizations, as well -as the most artistic products of their own sculptors and painters. One -of those Obelisks dated back to pre-historic ages. It was transported -from its original site in the Old World, at great expense as a -monument to the wealth and munificence of the money kings. They had -conquered the world then existing and held the people in subjection. To -commemorate their success they sought to compel the Past to proclaim -their greatness and gratify their vanity. But they had no future. -They passed away. And now the descendants of the millions whom they -oppressed, visit these ruins and gather lessons of wisdom from their -contemplation." - -We were now opposite a portion of the island where the ruins assumed -something of the appearance of a city. An open roadway between -buildings indicated that this had been one of the principal streets -in the olden time. The Silver King rounded to and made fast to a well -preserved dock which forcibly called to my mind the great docks of New -York, Liverpool and other seaport cities of the outer world. - -We disembarked and found the first restrictions on our movements that -we had met in Altruria except the entrances to private apartments. -Those who desired to visit the ruins on the island were required to -register their names and accept an escort to see that nothing was -displaced or carried away from the chief points of interest. - -These preliminaries arranged, the gates were opened and accompanied -by our escort, we proceeded up the well-worn roadway towards what -had doubtless been the chief center of wealth and power. On either -side were huge masses of debris, and falling walls of what had once -marked the site of lofty structures. Briers and brambles grew in the -accumulated dust of ages which now covered the well-paved streets and -marble sidewalks. Wild vines clambered over the shattered walls and -not unfrequently tall trees grew through the tops of buildings where -the walls still stood firm. We were in the midst of a deep tangled -wildwood, where on every side could be seen indisputable evidence that -this had once been a great center of population, wealth and luxury. -Ruined churches and marble halls where once had gathered the elite of -a city, the opulence of which had been the wonder of the world, now -afforded a nesting place for wild fowl. - -My heart grew faint and my head dizzy as I pondered upon the wonderful -lesson spread out before me. Here had been a city, no less magnificent -in its prime than New York, the great metropolis of America, and I -asked myself the question, Could this ever be the fate of my native -city? Captain Battell, who was walking by my side, broke in upon my -meditations by asking: - -"What do you think of it, Jack? I never saw you so absorbed." - -And Yankee like I said: - -"I reply by asking, what do you think, Captain? Surely you cannot be -indifferent to scenes like this when you reflect that we are natives of -New York City!" - -"I am not indifferent," said Battell, "but I have had the advantage of -former visits and hence am better prepared for it. The part of the city -we are now approaching has been kept in a tolerable state of repair, -to make the lessons taught by these ruins more impressive. This visit -has been arranged for your especial benefit, as you are the recognized -historian of the Ice King. Polaris and Dione showed Huston and myself -through these ruins as soon as we reached the continent, which led me -to infer that they had learned enough of our money system from MacNair -to understand that we needed the lesson." - -"Then you are not a total stranger to these scenes?" I said. - -"No, I have been here several times and every time I come I get some -new light which applies to our own country. These ruins teach a -wonderful lesson. It does seem, as Norrena claims, that human progress -always leads up through similar channels of development. Here we are in -what was once a city, every feature of which indicates very clearly the -existence of the same conditions which now prevail in the great cities -of the outer world. It had its day and passed away because it had -served its purpose, and so must all great centers of pride and fashion -in which a few absorb the wealth created by the people and expend it -for their own pleasure without regard for others." - -We now entered a locality where all the buildings, pavements, etc., -had been kept in a state of repair that had in a great measure -withstood the ravages of time. Everywhere else the island had been left -without care and was a mass of ruins which were largely concealed from -view by a deep soil, composed of accumulated dust and vegetable humus -from ages of luxuriant growth. Here, however, were the Sub-treasury, -Stock Exchange and a number of great banking houses, still preserved, -to some extent, as the money kings had left them. - -"These buildings," said Norrena, "were occupied by the taskmasters -of the people. Here was the headquarters of the gold power in this -country, and having a monopoly of money, it bore to the people the -relation of a Universal Creditor and absorbed the ENTIRE SURPLUS -created by their labor to meet its demand for interest, etc. Here was -practically determined the amount allowed to producers on one hand, -and the price charged to consumers on the other. This power was the -unquestioned dictator in every sphere of human activity. But we will -visit the vaults of the great money kings of that time, which were the -actual head-center of this oppressive oligarchy of wealth." - -We entered a massive building. Its heavy bronze doors and polished -granite walls gave the impression, that notwithstanding its artistic -finish, the chief object in its erection had been strength and -durability. The thick plate glass windows could be at once protected -by heavily barred steel shutters. At a moment's notice this massive -structure could have been converted into a fortress that would enable a -small number to hold it against a multitude. - -The front room was perfectly equipped as a bank, but with a strange, -and seemingly reckless display of gold coins, giving one the impression -that a time had come when the owners were utterly indifferent as to -what became of their accumulated hoard. Large safes were standing open -literally crammed with stacks of glittering coins. Tables and shelves -were crowded with the yellow metal, which the custodian informed us, -was kept just as it had been left, as a relic of the ages of mental -darkness, when the wealth producing millions foolishly believed that -they were dependent upon this golden hoard for the privilege of -converting their labor into the means of subsistence. - -From the public office of the bank we descended a flight of marble -steps into the basement which we found brilliantly lighted by -electricity. Huge steel vaults were standing open, piles of gold bricks -rested upon the floors and packages of gold coins met our sight in -every direction. - -"You see," said Norrena, "how the gold flowed in upon the creditors -when the people were making their exchanges without its use. Among the -people, it was only used to pay debts, and as the money kings owned, to -such a large extent, the indebtedness, the gold supply of the country -flowed in upon them until it was difficult to find storage for it. -Additional vaults were built and these were soon filled. At first they -sought to turn this glut of gold to profit by making improvements which -gave employment to labor. Great trunk lines of railroad were built -and the government borrowed vast sums which were expended on country -roads, waterways, harbors and so forth. But the people, now fully -established in business for themselves, continued, by their system of -paying dividends to consumption, to increase the price of labor and its -products. When these millions were paid out as wages and entered into -circulation they speedily found their way into the people's banks and -were returned to these vaults to pay debts. All this time the price of -labor and its products was increasing, and the purchasing power of gold -was decreasing, until in time all the debts were paid and the people -ceased to exchange their products for money altogether. The purchasing -power of gold was gone, and the money kings, who held on to the system -to the last, were poor indeed. They found starvation staring them in -the face. Then, they abandoned these useless hoards, went out among -the people and found plenty of employment for their really valuable -talents." - -From the gold vaults we passed into others where bonds, mortgages, -stocks etc., had been kept. - -"Here," continued Norrena, "at regular intervals, clerks were locked in -and kept close prisoners while they clipped coupons for their masters. -You see by the labels, the kind of securities which each compartment -contained. These vaults held a legal lien upon the great bulk of the -wealth of the country, the interest, dividends, etc., on which, if -paid in cash, would require each year a sum equal to, at least, one -and one-half times the entire circulating medium of the country, and -the principal if converted into cash would have required ten times the -entire volume of gold in the world. Here, in potency, was held a lien -sufficient to take every acre of land and personal property in the -country." - -"That," I said, "calls to my mind a phase of the question which I would -like to have you explain. How did the multitudes, especially in this -city and on this coast, escape the grasp of these money-kings who also -owned the real estate? The people had no land to go upon, and hence -could not procure a subsistence by cultivating the soil without paying -tribute in the shape of rent." - -"Your question," said Norrena, "is far-reaching and I can only hint at -the reply which it naturally calls forth. The money kings over-reached -themselves by encouraging people to secure loans and pledge their -real estate for interest and principal, and then by contracting the -circulation in order to increase the purchasing power of the money -which they received as interest. As long as only a minor fraction of -the land was mortgaged the interest was promptly paid, but a time -came when nearly all of the lands were mortgaged and the people were -compelled to force their products on the markets all at once to get -money to pay interest. More and more of the debtors gave up the -struggle and abandoned their farms. These lands were useless to the -money-kings when no longer cultivated by a sturdy yeomanry. All along -this eastern seaboard, where agriculture ought to have been most -profitable, farms were abandoned because they would not pay interest on -the investment. The money value of lands for actual use to producers, -declined to zero, and the people crowded into the city and were -regarded, in their impoverished condition, as a dangerous class. Under -these circumstances the tendency of the ruling class was to encourage -the homeless poor to go upon the lands and dig a subsistence out of the -soil, for which there was no market." - -"Iola explained this to me," I said, "but I have never quite understood -why it was that these colonists were not charged a rental that would -keep them in perpetual poverty." - -"That," said Norrena, "would certainly have been the result, if -there had been no great Central West, with a widespread tendency to -agitate the money question and its relation to the economic condition -of the wealth-producing millions. When the people began to organize -as consumers with a view to minimizing the demand for money, and to -equalize distribution by paying dividends to labor, the money kings -were forced to change their policy in regard to labor, and many -producers got a firm hold on enough land to furnish a subsistence. The -unused lands had no value and the Equitists continued to increase the -price of products in the west. The money kings who were not able to -sell their lands could avail themselves of opportunities to exchange -them for products. The leaders of the co-operative movement here in the -east knew how to take advantage of these changing conditions, and by -their communal system of co-operation, were able to keep the movement -on peaceful lines, and thus avoid violent collisions which might have, -locally, at least, set the work of industrial emancipation back for -years." - -"Then it appears," I said, "that it was not the western organization -of Equitable Exchange, singly and alone, that compelled the Gold Power -to relax its grasp; but this eastern co-operative movement was also a -factor in securing better conditions for labor." - -"That is true," said Norrena. "In the west, the people had one great -advantage over the east, plenty of land. But it was the organization -of equity in the west that flooded this eastern financial center with -money, not as interest, but because the western people were using -less money and paying debts. This made times better for the eastern -workmen. Both the western and eastern co-operators were working on the -same principles. They were all accumulating funds to purchase land, -and just in proportion as the people acquired control over business -they had more influence on legislation, and the power of money was -correspondingly decreased." - -"So it seems," I said, "that your business organization did at last get -into politics!" - -"Yes," said Norrena, "it did get into politics as a business influence -and what may seem strange to you, its object was to prevent the -repeal of laws which had been enacted in the interest of the money -monopolists. These shrewd financiers, raised a great outcry against -combinations among producers to increase the price of products by -using interchangeable certificates of deposit instead of money, in the -transaction of business. The people were using the same methods for -the improvement of their own financial condition that had been used so -successfully by monopolists for their impoverishment, and the Patrons -demanded that all the laws that had been enacted in favor of monopoly -should remain on the statute books. They further demanded that all -debts should be payable in legal tender money at the option of the -debtor." - -"I should have thought," I said, "that the people would be glad to -welcome the repeal of laws from which they had suffered so much." - -"There was a time when they would," said Norrena, "but not after they -had adjusted their business relations to the operation of monopoly -laws. Their debts were legally payable in money, and as the purchasing -power of money was continually decreasing, it was to their interest to -pay in money, and when all their debts were paid and the people refused -any longer to take money for their products, the money kings who owned -these vaults and their hoards of gold had to go in search of food. -Many found homes in the co-operative communities and became valuable -citizens, while a larger number had taken the alarm and emigrated to -the Old World, only to meet a worse fate a little later on, for in the -less enlightened parts of the world, the Reign of Gold wound up in a -Reign of Terror." - -The lesson taught by these ruins would fill volumes. Norrena's -accurate historical knowledge and ever ready explanations, with the -not less forcible comments of Oqua and others, covered every phase -of this wonderful, speedy and peaceful evolution from the Era of -Money Despotism to the Era of Man and Universal Freedom, Equality and -Fraternity. No wonder, I thought, that these people had preserved the -ruins of Kroy as a relic of their Dark Ages and a warning to humanity -for all time to come. Here, human selfishness reigned supreme and -the people of an entire continent had suffered in order to pour into -this greedy maw the wealth which it had no power to consume. And now, -this once great center of wealth, pride and fashion, was a solitude. -Its aristocratic "four hundred" had actually been starved out by the -refusal of the "clodhoppers," "greasy mechanics" and "mudsills," whom -they had held in such contempt, to feed and clothe them any longer. -Surely this was an object lesson well worthy of the care that had been -taken to preserve it from the refining and civilizing hand of labor. -Time was slowly obliterating these foot prints of a tyranny from which -the people had been emancipated for ages, but it was still important -that it should not be entirely forgotten, and there could be no better -reminder of the evil that had impoverished and degraded the millions, -as well as of the means by which it had been removed, than these ruins -and the abandoned heaps of useless gold. - -After a day among the ruins, and full of serious reflections, we -returned to the Silver King and were soon speeding down the bay. -We landed at the tower, and from this point the electric cars soon -transported us to our great communal home. I was fatigued and retired -to my own apartment at once, to think and rest. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - HOME AGAIN--LETTER FROM BONA DEA--ELECTRIC GARMENTS--REPORTER'S - PHONOGRAPH--TESTING THE NEW AIRSHIP--A WORLD'S COUNCIL--WALLAROO - ON EVOLUTION--THE IDEALS PLANTED BY MISSIONARIES--THE - EOLUS--PREPARATIONS FOR RETURN TO AMERICA--EXCURSION TO THE FAR - NORTH--THE WATCH TOWER--SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION--THE FAREWELL--THE - REVELATION TO GANOE--"CASSIE! CASSIE! COME BACK! COME BACK!" - -[Illustration] - - -NEXT morning at the breakfast table Oqua informed me that a package -and letter from Bona Dea to my address, had arrived at an early hour -but that it had not been delivered, as they did not wish to disturb my -rest. It had been retained in the office subject to my order when I was -ready to receive it. - -This recalled to my mind a private conversation I had with Bona Dea at -Orbitello, and I surmised that her communication might have reference -to that; but I was at a loss to form any opinion in regard to the -package. She had told me that one of the inmates of the Home at Lake -Byblis was paying especial attention to the formation of an ideal -mental picture of life and its conditions in the frozen regions. And to -that end her apartments had been fitted up to represent winter scenery, -and to make the impression more realistic she was provided with a -refrigerator room where she subjected herself to low temperatures and -was testing the heat conserving powers of various qualities of clothing. - -When breakfast was over I called at the office and received a large -bundle, neatly wrapped and securely sealed. The address was "Jack -Adams, No. 1, care Nequa." This was a poser. The communication was in -the official envelope of the Home and I hastened to my room, so that -if need be I could have the aid of a lexicon in the translation. But -when I opened it, somewhat to my surprise, I found it was written in -English. Being appropriate as a part of this narrative, I insert it in -full. - - MATRONS' HOME, LAKE BYBLIS, - March 1, 6894, A.M. - -MY DEAR NEQUA:--On returning to the Home, I related to Meidra, the -"Arctic pupil" of whom I told you, the substance of our conversation, -and explained to her what you suggested in regard to electric garments -as a means of conserving the natural heat of the body when exposed to -severe cold. - -She informed me that she had been experimenting on that line and had -succeeded in making a suit that proved to be an ample protection from -the greatest cold that her refrigerator is capable of producing. She -sends you this electric suit, with the request that you test it in your -proposed voyage to the southern verge. - -She further requests me to tell you that she does not intend to -permit you to deprive this inner world of the honor of having a Jack -Adams among its great navigators and explorers by your simply taking -advantage of one of our customs to change your name to such a feminine -cognomen as Nequa. Both she and Tanqua are anxious to make your -acquaintance. Meidra says that your image is indelibly impressed on -her mind by your photograph. She has an enlarged reproduction of your -picture as a prominent feature in her room, and from this she reads a -most admirable character. - -The people of the entire concave are aroused to the importance of your -efforts to open up a channel of communication with the outer world. -All the Grand Divisions want to participate in the honor and to that -end each one has appointed a member to act with a representative from -Altruria, and constitute an Inner-World Council to assist in every way -possible. - -It has been agreed that Norrena shall represent this country and I -am authorized to request you to make a date for the first meeting of -the Council, as soon as possible after your trial voyage "in search -of a storm," as Battell expressed it. Please advise me as soon as -you return, when it will suit you best to have these Inner-World -Representatives call upon you, and oblige - - Your many friends, - - BONA DEA. - -I opened the bundle and found a beautifully quilted silk suit, soft -and pliable, but of firm texture, with sandals, gloves, head-dress and -visor to match. It also contained a small inlaid jewel case with a -key in the lock. I opened this and found, as I supposed a beautiful -locket in which I expected to see a picture of the donor, but it proved -to be a delicate piece of machinery with printed instructions, which -informed me that it was a phonograph for the especial use of reporters. -When wound up it recorded on silver foil every word spoken. This was -something new and I recalled to mind that I had frequently talked to -people who wore similar lockets. Now I had found put that they probably -preserved a record of every word I said, and I wondered if I had said -anything that I would not like to have repeated. With people wearing -lockets of this description, I realized how important it was for all -to be very careful what they said; and certainly the people of this -country are the most circumspect and exact in their statements, of any -people with whom I have ever met. - -Just as I had finished the examination of the phonograph, the bell -called my attention to my private telephone, and I was requested to -meet Battell at the boatyard on the roof, prepared for a flight through -the air on his new airship and to take some lessons in its management. -This was just what I wanted, and in a minute the elevator had landed me -on the roof. I found Battell, Huston, Polaris and Dione, together with -Iola, MacNair and Oqua, ready for a ride in the new airship. - -It was beautifully finished but much more substantial than the light -airy vessels to which I had become accustomed. I complimented Battell -upon its appearance, but he was too matter-of-fact to appreciate -anything that might look like flattery and said with his usual honest -bluntness: - -"It is not the appearance that we care anything about, but the sailing -qualities. And so far as this climate is concerned we have made decided -improvements in this particular. The sailing qualities are such, that -everyone wants an improved airship, all at the same time. The demand is -so pressing that Captain Ganoe and myself are in honor bound to these -people, to give our entire attention to supplying the world with these -improvements for at least a year to come. So we have concluded to turn -the whole matter over to you, of constructing a vessel that will meet -the requirements of an Arctic storm." - -"But," I asked, "why should you give up this work, now that you have it -so far completed, into my inexperienced hands? I should think that your -improvements could be duplicated by native mechanics." - -"So they might," said Battell, "but they want all their factories -readjusted, and the same improved methods of manufacture which have -been introduced at Lake Byblis. Besides we could not have completed the -work without your assistance. It was just as important that you should -test our improvements in the conditions existing at the verges, as it -was for us to manufacture them. These EXTERNAL WORLD METHODS of testing -everything by ACTUAL EXPERIMENT are absolutely necessary when we come -to deal with EXTERNAL WORLD CONDITIONS. A department of the factory at -Byblis has been set apart for you, where your plans and specifications -will be speedily worked out." - -"But," I asked, "how can they be worked out as they should be by -mechanics who know absolutely nothing about EXTERNAL WORLD CONDITIONS, -such as Polar waves, Arctic storms, hurricanes and cyclones which are -produced by EXTERNAL influences not existing in this INTERNAL WORLD? -Will Captain Ganoe and yourself, with your external world experience -and observation be there to superintend the work?" - -"Yes, I will be there," said Battell, "but I want to thank you now -for so forcibly presenting the reasons why the people of the inner -world are anxious to avail themselves of our outer world experience -in adapting their airships to outer world conditions. You certainly -would not deprive them of this when they have given us so much that is -indispensable to the physical, mental and moral uplifting of the people -who live in the external world? It is these considerations which have -influenced our decision to yield to their wishes. Whenever these people -who live in this Internal World of Truth, as MacNair calls it, where -an Altruistic love for humanity is the controlling impulse, see an -improvement, they all want it immediately because it will enable them -to do more good to others and of course we could not honorably refuse -to assist them to the fullest extent of our ability." - -"Certainly not," I said. "That puts the matter in an entirely new -light; but it also leaves to me, with my comparative inexperience, the -whole responsibility of constructing a storm and cold proof ship. For -this, I have no experience as a mechanic, and am but poorly qualified. -My duties on shipboard have always been in some capacity that did not -stimulate my mechanical faculties, if I have any. As an assistant to -Captain Ganoe and yourself I thought there might be a place for me, but -as to my ability to take the lead, I have my doubts. I do not see how I -am to get along without your co-operation and counsel." - -"You will certainly have that," said Battell "This is a country -of rapid transit and we shall get together at regular intervals -to compare notes. Besides, we will have the assistance of an -Inner-World Association, whose representatives will constitute an -Inner-World Council of the most earnest spirits, who are anxious -to unite the INTERNAL and EXTERNAL worlds by opening a channel of -INTER-COMMUNICATION and cultivating a mutual spirit of fraternal regard -and co-operation between the two. I have thought much along these lines -and realize how necessary these two great worlds are to each other and -how important that the leading spirits of both should come together and -work with one accord for the highest possible development of both." - -"And that is just what they must do," said Oqua. "But let us test your -new ship at once and confer in regard to the work we have in hand at -the same time." - -Thus prompted, we embarked, Battell applied the power and we began -to ascend. Every required motion of the vessel had its appropriate -propelling power which was under perfect control. No turning around was -necessary. The new ship could dart in any given direction, at the will -of the operator. - -I took my place at the helm with Battell and after a little practice -found that I could handle it without difficulty. To me its management -was much more simple than the old style which could only move in one -direction. This facility with which the direction could be changed -was the essential feature in order to be able to ride the storms and -nullify the influence of the contending air currents which would be -a constant source of danger in the outer world. In fancy, I pictured -myself in a storm with sudden changes in the direction of the wind, -and suiting the action to the thought I set the vessel to dodging and -gyrating in every direction to the no little alarm of our Altrurian -friends who had no conception of the conditions of an external world -bluster. - -"Hold on Jack!" exclaimed Battell. "Don't shake the life out of us. -Wait until you get into an actual storm and then dodge as rapidly as -may be necessary, but there is no need of it here." - -"I was just thinking," I said, "what motions might be necessary in a -regular bluster, to hold the ship steady on her course. I really feel -anxious to try it, and believe that I can literally ride the storm like -the petrel in such a ship as I fully believe can be made." - -"Well, you can try as soon as you like," said Battell. "I see you -understand the management and I leave you to test it to your heart's -content. Find all the deficiencies you can and let us know what changes -may be needed, and they will be made to the best of our ability. We -will now return to your home, borrow one of your old fashioned ships -and return to our work at Byblis." - -"Well, do not send it back," said Oqua, "until it is remodeled -according to the latest improvements." - -"Your Department of Exchange," said Battell, "has already sent in a -general order for improved airships to replace those of the old style, -which in effect means, that they shall all be remodeled on application. -So we will send you an improved ship as soon as it can be made." - -It was now the second day of March and I had set my heart on getting -ready to start for the outer world by the latter part of May or the -first of June, so there was no time to be wasted. I determined to leave -at once on my experimental voyage to the southern verge and announced -my intentions to Oqua, requesting her to represent me during my absence -and any arrangements that she made in my name would be satisfactory. - -"What!" she exclaimed. "Do you propose to go alone? I thought Battell -intended that two of your sailors should go with you?" - -"So he did," I replied, "and at that time I thought I would need them, -but since I have tried the vessel, I have come to the conclusion that I -had better go alone. As Battell left without referring to the matter, I -shall act upon the presumption that he had changed his mind, just as he -did in regard to completing a storm and cold proof airship." - -"But," said Oqua, "your journey will take a week or ten day's travel -at the least, and how can you stand the constant attention to the helm -without rest?" - -"No fears on that score," I said. "Very much of the time will be spent -in this serene atmosphere. I need only set the helm in the right -direction and I can rest until I find stormy conditions. Then I will -surely be able to experiment with the ship for a few hours." - -Oqua, seeing that I was determined, helped me to get ready. I took -sufficient supplies for three weeks, although I did not expect to be -gone half of that time. The trip was most interesting but I have no -room to describe the voyage. Sufficient to say that I found storm -conditions and intense cold much sooner than I expected. My electric -garments proved to be a perfect success, but I discovered a number of -deficiencies in the ship. I returned in just eight days and presented -a written report, and specifications for necessary changes. Battell -assured me that the new vessel should be ready for another trial -journey as soon as possible. - -I had notified Norrena, that I would be pleased to meet the World -Council at my own apartments on the fifteenth, and I was back from the -southern verge on the tenth, ready to place my discoveries before them. -Promptly at the time indicated, Captains Ganoe and Battell with our -usual circle of Altrurian friends were present in the Council Chamber -of the home, ready to receive our guests, and in a few minutes Norrena -arrived with the representatives from the other Grand Divisions. He -introduced them as Hylas of Atlan, Lal Roy of Budistan, Wallaroo of -Noxuania and LeFroy of the Austral Isles. Coming as they did from all -the Grand Divisions of the world, I expected to see people of widely -different physical appearance and mental characteristics, but in this -I was mistaken. While they showed marked differences, there were no -such contrasts as we find between different races in the outer world. -In complexion they ranged from blonde to a dark brunette, all spoke the -same language, expressed similar sentiments and in features and general -deportment seemed to be building toward a common type. - -I made a report of my trial trip to the southern verge and also of our -plans and specifications for the further improvement of the airship, -that we believed would make it storm and cold proof. As these people -knew practically nothing of the conditions of the frigid zones they -accepted what we had to offer without criticism. They expressed -themselves as highly gratified that they had with them experienced -navigators who were familiar with the frozen regions and who knew what -was needed in order to open up a channel of communication. - -At this meeting it was definitely determined that we should meet again -on April 15th, which interval Battell assured us would give me an -opportunity to report on another trial trip, to test the additional -improvements which had been found desirable. That I should go ahead -with the work of preparation in my own way, and when I was satisfied -that the time had come to cross the Ice Barriers I should fix the date, -so that the Council could arrange for an excursion to the most northern -point of the continent of Altruria where the Life Saving Service had -a signal station at an ancient watch tower that had been erected in -pre-historic times. - -After our business meeting had closed, the representatives from the -Old World plied us with questions concerning the outer world which we -answered to the best of our ability. Finding that they were not a bit -backward about questioning I was emboldened to ask, how it was that -all the representatives from the different countries seemed to have -been selected from the same race of people, while I had learned from -Altrurian history that the same races of men had existed here that -existed in the outer world. - -"That was the case in ancient times," said Wallaroo of Noxuania, "but -at this time we have practically only one race of people in the inner -world." - -"Here is a mystery," I said, "that I would like very much to have -explained. How is it that they have all merged into one type, ranging -in complexion from blonde to brunette?" - -"My own explanation," said Wallaroo, "is, that identity of ideals and -similarity of conditions naturally lead to similarity of development, -as in accordance with natural law the race is always building in the -direction of its ideals." - -"That is certainly," I said, "a scientific proposition, but it does -not explain why blonde, for instance, should ever become an ideal -complexion among the dark races. How do you account for it?" - -"Your question," said Wallaroo, "is one that should be carefully -studied in the light of science and history, in order to be understood. -One thing is certain, that the early inhabitants of my own country, -Noxuania, were very dark, ranging from brown to black, while at -present, brunette is the rule and blonde is not uncommon." - -"But how," I asked, "do you account for the change?" - -"My opinion," said Wallaroo, "is that the influence of the white -missionaries created a new ideal in the minds of the people and -especially in the minds of the mothers, who almost worshiped them." - -"But how is this?" I asked. "In the outer world, the dark races very -often persecute and destroy the white missionaries." - -"And so they did here," said Wallaroo, "before Equity was established -in Altruria among white people, and another class of white missionaries -were sent to the dark races. These came not to promulgate metaphysical -creeds, but to bring material blessings, and establish freedom, -equality and fraternity. They practiced just what they preached and -wherever they went, they bestowed blessings. The people, especially -the women, soon came to worship them as Saviors because they sought -only to do them good on the material plane which they could appreciate, -and left them to free their minds from superstition in the natural -way by increasing their knowledge. It is not strange, under these -circumstances, that with these children of nature, white became the -ideal color. Improved material conditions, together with a scientific -education, higher ideals and ample time for development have produced -all the changes which have been wrought out." - -I found the members of the Council from the other Grand Divisions to -be highly cultured people and I looked forward to meeting them in the -future with pleasure. I was especially, interested in Wallaroo and -LeFroy because they represented peoples which at the introduction of -the present Altruistic civilization would correspond to the people -now occupying Central Africa and the South Sea Islands. Wallaroo -had attributed their remarkable development as physical, mental and -moral beings to the higher civilization derived from the religion of -humanity regardless of creeds, that had been brought to them by the -Altrurian missionaries. The more I thought of these things the more -I was impressed that I must visit these countries, mingle with the -people and make a close study of their history. LeFroy told me that -their written history commenced with the work of the missionaries of -the new civilization, but much additional knowledge had been gained -from archeological and ethnological researches in the light of such -pre-historic traditions as had been preserved. These missionaries did -not come to promulgate doctrines of a FUTURE life but to establish -conditions which would confer blessings in THIS life, such as could be -appreciated on the animal plane. For this reason they were welcomed as -superior beings to lead them morally and spiritually. - -By these glimpses of a new field of discovery that was opening up -before me, I was more than ever stimulated to complete the work I had -in hand which was directly applicable to the solution of the great -economic problem confronting the people of the outer world. As had been -promised by Battell, at the Council which met on April 15th, I was able -to report the deficiencies that had been discovered in the airship by -my second trial trip to the southern verge during its winter season. -At this meeting it was determined to name the new vessel the Eolus, -though I preferred to call it the Petrel because I had demonstrated -that it could ride the storm. The time for the excursion to the Watch -Tower at the northern extremity of the continent and my departure -for the outer world was fixed for the twentieth of May and the next -meeting of the Council on board the Silver King on the fifteenth, -while enroute. This gave me really less than one month to complete my -manuscript and get everything in readiness for what I regarded as the -most momentous voyage of my life. - -While I was enrolled as a teacher of English, and the geography, -history and institutions of the outer world, I had really given all -of my attention to the study of the Altrurian language, and of the -manner in which the great problems now confronting my own country had -been solved. Every day revealed something new or presented the old -in a new light. The arts and sciences had been developed to a degree -that had scarcely been dreamed of in the outer world. Psychic powers -such as clairvoyance, clairaudience and telepathy, which in the outer -world were classed as occult by believers, and as baseless assumptions -by the multitudes, were here well understood by the many, as revealed -in the fact that my disguise had been so readily penetrated by native -Altrurians. But at the same time they respected my right to conceal my -identity. This was a marked peculiarity of these people. The right of -persons to keep a secret in their own bosoms was never questioned, and -when it was discovered, as I take it for granted was usually the case, -it was never alluded to. Here, my assumed character of Jack Adams, -the sailor, was held in the highest esteem by the few to whom I had -explained the reason for it, because it had been necessary, in order -to enable me to be true to my own higher sense of right. In the outer -world this would have branded me as disreputable and I would have been -ostracized as something vile by the so called better classes of society. - -After years of wandering, exposed to the perils and hardships of a -sailor's life, I had found my lost lover, only to learn from his oft -expressed sentiments, that he regarded such a course of life as I had -pursued as so grossly disreputable that no honorable man could afford -to contract a matrimonial alliance with such a woman. For this reason I -had not revealed myself to him, and now that I was soon to leave him, -the question often presented itself to my mind as to whether I ought to -let him remain any longer in ignorance of the fact that Cassie VanNess -had stood by his side in so many dangers. - -The time was at hand when this question must be decided and I -determined to confer with my most intimate Altrurian friends of my own -sex. Bona Dea had arrived at our Home at my invitation and Oqua and -Iola were present to assist in making out a program for the excursion -and my departure for the outer world. My proposed journey was of course -the subject of conversation, but I wanted to draw them out in regard -to the personal matter that was uppermost in my mind. I wanted their -advice but did not want to be too abrupt in raising a question that was -calculated to call the attention of these public spirited people away -from an important public question in which they were deeply interested, -to the consideration of my own private affairs. - -Oqua, however, soon gave me the opportunity I wanted by asking: - -"What does Captain Ganoe think of the decision of the Council and the -general consensus of the opinions of those most interested, that you -should have your own way about the journey and go alone if you thought -best? While he did not object, I felt quite sure that he did not -approve." - -"His heart," I said, "was very much set on going himself and he -expresses grave fears as to my safety, notwithstanding my excursions -into the stormy regions in the vicinity of the southern verge. He knows -however that it was with his consent and advice that the entire matter -of opening communication with the outer world was placed in my hands -and I accepted the responsibility under protest. The Council regarded -my proposed expedition as too perilous to risk more than one life in -the attempt. But this you know is just what I wanted for reasons of my -own. As a matter of fact there is less danger than in my excursions to -the southern verge. I wonder sometimes what the Captain would think if -he knew that it was the little girl playmate of his boyhood days and -the affianced bride of his early manhood who was bidding him adieu!" - -"And do you not intend," asked Oqua, "to reveal your identity to him in -some way so that when you return, no concealments will be necessary? -You know that we penetrated your disguise at once but we respected your -natural right to conceal your identity, and we shall continue to do so -until you are willing for us to do otherwise. But I would suggest, as -an act of justice to Captain Ganoe as well as to yourself, that you -ought to let him know who you are. It will doubtless awaken in his mind -a train of thought that will be very beneficial to him, while it will -protect you from the deteriorating effects of leading a double life." - -"But," I said, "this double life was forced upon me by causes over -which I had no control and hence I do not see how it can have any -deteriorating effects." - -"That was no doubt true," interrupted Bona Dea, "in the present stage -of your outer world civilization, but there is no necessity for it -here. And the necessity being past, the continuance of the deception -might be interpreted to mean that deep down in your soul you doubted -the propriety of your conduct. Disguise is perfectly legitimate as a -means of self protection, but when it is unnecessary, its tendency is -to cultivate duplicity, a characteristic to be carefully avoided. Hence -I would advise you to adopt some method of revealing your identity to -Captain Ganoe at the moment of your departure; and the more open and -frank you are about it, the better will be the effect on him as well -as your self. Better not wait until he penetrates your disguise for -himself, something he would have done long ago, but for the fact that -from his education, he is guided by external appearances instead of -those more subtle impressions from which there can be no concealments." - -I saw the force of this kind of reasoning and determined to act -accordingly, and the more I thought of it, the more determined I became -to be frank, honest and kind, but strong, independent and inflexible in -the assertion of my natural right to think and act for myself without -having my integrity and purity of character called in question, because -I preferred truth to falsehood. At first I dreaded the denouement; but -the more I reflected upon it, the more necessary it appeared, and the -better I was prepared for the ordeal. - -The hour of my departure was near. It had been arranged that the -Silver King with the delegations from the other Grand Divisions -should meet the Altrurian delegation at the ruins of Kroy, and I had -agreed to give Pat and Mike a ride on the Eolus, from the Ice King -on Lake Byblis, and land them on the Silver King while enroute for -the northern extremity of the continent. I started to the Lake early -on the morning of May 15th and within an hour from my departure I -was on the deck of the Ice King. I found Lief and Eric, as well as -Pat and Mike, ready for the journey. As soon as I had secured some -scientific instruments I wanted from the equipment of the Ice King and -some personal belongings which I regarded as important, I invited the -sailors ON BOARD THE EOLUS, and in a moment more we were mounting into -the air. We sailed around the lake and gave the people an opportunity -of seeing the airship that was destined for the outer world. The Eolus -was not built with a view to securing greater speed but for holding its -course regardless of contrary winds. In speed, however, it was capable -of making considerable progress against a head wind of two hundred -miles an hour. I put the ship through the various movements that it -was capable of making, such as stopping suddenly, moving backward, -moving sidewise and suddenly rising and falling, for the benefit of the -sailors and of the numerous spectators. - -Mike was quick to see the advantage that the Eolus had over other -airships and he remarked with enthusiasm: - -"Well Jack, it will take a lively hurricane to drive you much from your -course, but how in the world will you keep from freezing?" - -"Nothing easier," I said, as I touched a button and lighted the -electric burners that were placed between the inner and outer walls. -In a minute the walls were hot to the touch and the air inside became -sultry. - -"Gracious!" exclaimed Mike. "You can never stand this. It will roast -you." - -"Then we will cool it," I said, as I shut off part of the burners, "or -if this is not enough, I will shut them all off." - -"But," said Mike, "you have it so hot now that it will take an hour to -cool off." - -"Not so," I replied. "I will open the doors and start the electric -fans," and suiting the action to the word, a cool breeze took the place -of the sultry air. "But if you want it cooler," I continued, "I will -bring the temperature down a point or two more," and closing the doors, -I opened the refrigerator compartment and in a moment we were shivering -with the cold. - -"Well!" exclaimed Mike, "I never knew climate to change so rapidly. I -think you have not been dodging up to the Pole and back for nothing. -You seem to have provided for every emergency but one, and that is the -freezing of the moisture which is already obscuring your lookouts by -this manufactured dose of winter." - -"That is provided for," I said, as I started the circular lookout -glasses into motion under a specially prepared brush which absorbed the -moisture. Mike noticed the disappearance of the clouds on the lookouts -but did not observe the cause and looked at me inquiringly. - -"Put your hand on the glass," I said, "and it will explain itself." - -"Well I should think it would!" he exclaimed as he jerked back his -hand. "The whole window is just a whizzing; and now I see that the -cross bar is a brush that seems to have drank up the moisture." - -"I have tried to provide for every contingency," I said, as I turned -the prow of the Eolus down the valley of the Cocytas, and put her at -full speed. "I regard it as a matter of the first importance that -a full account of our discoveries shall be transmitted to our own -country. We must join the excursion on board the Silver King as soon as -we can. I want to interview as many of the representatives from other -countries as possible. I must gather all the useful knowledge I can for -the benefit of the external world." - -"That is right," said Mike, "and I would be far from stopping you, but -I want you to be after going slow a bit." - -"Why what is the matter?" I asked, as I checked our speed. - -"Just this," said Mike, producing a box, "it will take money in the -outer world to secure the publication of your book and here is our -wages from the Ice King. It is of no use to us in this country, and we -want it to be used to send your book broadcast. You will see that it is -divided into two parcels, one belongs to Lief and Eric and the other to -Pat and myself." - -Here Lief broke into our conversation, speaking the Altrurian language -like a native, saying: - -"We want your book to be translated into all languages,--and it -will be, just as soon as our wonderful discoveries are known in any -civilised country. We particularly want our own people to hear about -this country, and that we are not the first Norsemen who came here. -Tell them about the old Viking, and also of the Norwegian names which -are found everywhere." - -"I have noted these things," I said, "as well as the part you have -taken in the expedition. How you saved the Ice King by your prompt -action when we were caught in the ice, and how your ability as seamen -enabled us to get through after the larger part of the crew had -deserted." - -"Oh! we ask no credit for that," said Eric. "We shipped for a purpose, -and have in a measure found what we were looking for. When the right -time comes our people will hear from us, and when they do, we may be -able to add something of value to the great work for humanity which -you have undertaken. All we ask for now is, that your account of our -discoveries shall be given to the outside world." - -"And I promise you," I said, "that your money shall be used for that -purpose, and I fully believe that what we have learned, will be the -greatest boon that could be conferred upon the people of the outer -world. In the name of humanity I accept the trust you place in my hands -and I shall see that your gold shall be used to emancipate your fellow -workmen from the tyranny now imposed upon them by human greed." - -As we sped down the valley a glass of small magnifying power brought -the Silver King into view gliding northward on the bay like a thing of -life. I timed the Eolus so as to join the excursion on this floating -crystal palace when it passed out upon the ocean. As we slowly settled -in the place that had been set apart for us, the crowds gathered around -and I was kept busy answering questions and explaining the use of the -various attachments which experience had demonstrated to be essential -to the successful navigation of the air in the external world. - -This was an excursion long to be remembered. The crowds of elegantly -dressed people who thronged the decks of the Silver King had gathered -from every part of the concave to accompany us to the northern -extremity of Altruria, a distance of about 7,000 miles from the mouth -of the Cocytas. It was intended that we should cover this distance in -seven days, which would make the actual time of my departure on my -aerial voyage, the morning of the twenty-third of May. - -As the excursion was to last one full week a series of entertainments -was provided to make the time pass pleasantly and profitably. Music, -dancing and theatrical performances were interspersed with lectures and -social converse touching upon leading subjects of thought and action. -The program made this journey one ceaseless round of enjoyment. The -records of the conversations preserved by my locket phonograph, I -regard as the most instructive and valuable historical, scientific and -ethical lessons I have ever listened to, and which I hope to be able to -give to the world when the occasion requires. - -On the evening of the twenty-second, Oqua called my attention to -the kaleidoscopic lights on the Watch Tower which was to be the -point where I would bid farewell to my Altrurian friends as well as -my comrades of the Ice King. In the pitch dark nights of the outer -world such an exhibition would have been beautiful and grand beyond -description but even here, with the reflected light which made the -darkest nights comparatively light, the scene through our glasses, of -the ever changing views was such, that I never tired of observing them. -These lights presented all the prismatic hues of the rainbow with the -intermediate shades, continually changing from one geometrical figure -to another, but always coming around to a five pointed star which is -the symbol and sign manual of the material civilization of this inner -world; the changing colors kept pace with the changing geometrical -figures, always returning to the five pointed star, until it had been -reproduced in each of the seven prismatic colors. - -This seemed to be the regular order, but suddenly it was broken, -by giving only the stars in the seven different colors in a rapid -succession, until they resolved themselves into a circle, revolving -swiftly on its axis. Seeing my interest in this change, Oqua said: - -"The keeper has just noticed our approach and is operating the keys -to send us a welcome in the name of the entire concave. This welcome -will be repeated by every signal station on this parallel around the -world. The principal use of these lights is to send messages by means -of the changing figures, which are well understood by the people of -this country, and especially those who navigate these northern waters. -The one great drawback to their use, is, that they must be observed -through glasses which are especially adapted to this purpose. Here in -this inner world where it is never absolutely dark we cannot take the -full advantage of these light signals, without the use of external -appliances." - -As she spoke she set the great telescope through which I was looking -to revolving so as to take in a zone all around the concave, and I -observed other signal lights responding in regular order along this -zone. - -"These signal stations," continued Oqua, "are under the control of the -Life Saving Service, and the keepers with these glasses are always -on the lookout for mariners who may be in danger, and their signal -messages notify any patrols that may observe them of the nature of the -danger as well as the locality of the endangered. Had the Ice King come -within the radius of any of these Signal Stations at almost any other -time, you would certainly have been discovered and rescued. But at -the time you came into these waters the fog had effectually checkmated -our observations. For this reason we are agitating for the extension -of this system to medial and equatorial latitudes, as a time has come -when it seems likely that other ships like the Ice King, may drift into -these placid waters where sails are useless, and hence be powerless -to save themselves from certain destruction by being carried into the -southern verge on ocean currents which never touch the land." - -On the morning of the twenty-third when I awoke, the Silver King was -lying at the wharf and I had a close view of the Watch Tower and its -ever changing signal lights. It was more like a lofty building than a -mere tower. It was a hexagon in shape, two hundred and fifty feet in -height with a large platform on top, in the center of which was a huge -column like the body of a tall tree branching out into numerous arms, -each supporting a series of electric lights. The mechanical contrivance -by which these lights were controlled was automatic, but as occasion -required could be changed by the watchman in the observatory to signal -any message required to all whom it might concern. This building from -outside to outside was one hundred feet at the base and fifty feet at -the top, while the inside diameter was the same from top to bottom. -On the outside was a spiral stairway reaching from the ground to -the platform at the top and in the center was an electric elevator, -connected with each of the twenty stories. - -The hour of my departure had come. According to the program I was to -bid farewell to the members of the Inner World Council and my old -comrades of the Ice King and some personal friends at the top of the -tower where they had already assembled. The crew of the Silver King -and her throngs of excursionists had gathered on the deck and the wharf -to see me take my flight. When all was ready, I took my place on the -Eolus and rising a few feet sailed slowly around this magnificent ship, -coming to a halt on the starboard quarter where Captain Thorfin, acting -as spokesman, said: - -"In the name of the people here assembled from all parts of the world -who have accompanied you thus far on your daring expedition, I am -requested to express to you our exalted opinion of your courage, your -ability and worth, and to thank you for the inestimable service which -you have undertaken to render to our people, by extending their sphere -of knowledge in regard to the external world. You are now engaged in -a work for which our people are powerless. We realize that we are -to profit by your perils. You will ever occupy a warm place in our -affections. Accept our thanks for your heroic efforts to open a channel -of communication with our fellow beings of the external world. Hoping -for your speedy return we bid you a loving farewell." - -"And through you," I responded, "I desire to extend my heartfelt thanks -to those who are beyond the reach of my voice, for this demonstration -of their interest, and may the channel of communication, which we hope -to establish between the internal and the external worlds never again -be closed. But as yet I have not accomplished anything to merit your -thanks. I am the one who ought to be grateful to your people. I came -among you a stranger and you received me as a brother. Everywhere I -have met the kindest consideration and all my wants have been supplied -without even the formality of asking. I have here found the living -soul of humanity developed as it has never been believed to be -possible in the external world. I carry with me to my own native land -THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE, the knowledge that HUMANITY CAN BE REDEEMED -FROM SELFISHNESS AND ALL OF ITS CONSEQUENCES. In the external world, -from whence I came, we have only cultivated the external, and hence -have developed physical hardihood while you have developed the finer -attributes of the soul which we have neglected. My ambition is to bring -these two worlds together. You need our physical hardihood while we -need your higher development of soul. When the leading characteristics -of both are united into one common brotherhood, both worlds will have -a perfected humanity. If I can help humanity to reach this grand -culmination, where both soul and body shall be developed to their -utmost capacity, I shall be happy. To me, with my training, it does -not seem like a daring undertaking now that I am enabled to utilize -your grand discovery of the means by which the air can be navigated. -Thanking you for this mark of your consideration, and promising to -return as soon as possible, I bid you adieu." - -As I ceased speaking, I set the Eolus to moving directly to the top of -the tower. This demonstrated at once to the multitudes, its superiority -over the old style of airship and they gave a cheer, which was the more -expressive and significant as these people are not given to anything -like loud demonstrations of applause. - -At the platform I received cordial words of cheer from the committee, -my old comrades of the Ice King and my most intimate Altrurian friends. -Speaking for the committee, Lal Roy, of Budistan said: - -"On behalf of the members of this committee, and especially of the -members from the eastern hemisphere, I congratulate you upon the marked -improvements you have made in our methods of aerial navigation. The -construction of the Eolus marks an era in our progress that will be -a monument to your memory. You will be honored and appreciated for -generations to come." - -"Excuse me," I responded. "I am not entitled to the honor you would -bestow upon me. Captain Battell made the first move toward the -improvements that were consummated in the Eolus, and Captain Ganoe and -Huston have both contributed their mechanical skill. Without them there -would have been no Eolus." - -"Hold on Jack," said Battell. "In the consummation, we only carried -out your suggestions. The improvements I started, were completed in -accordance with your plans." - -"Yes," said Captain Ganoe, as he clasped my hand. "You were the first -person I ever heard suggest the construction of an airship that could -ride the storm, and but for your suggestions every one of which was -tested in your experimental journeys to the verges, we never could have -succeeded. And but for your intimate knowledge of the difficulties to -be overcome, I never would have consented for you to go alone. Even -as it is, notwithstanding the unanimous decision of the committee, I -find it very hard to reconcile myself to the thought that you are to -be exposed all alone, to the cold and the storms of the polar regions. -Such dangers ought to be reserved for those who have nothing to live -for, and not for the young, the refined and the educated who have a -bright future before them." - -"Have no fears for me," I said. "You must not forget that it is now -warm weather in the north frigid zone and I will not be exposed to -intense cold, and the probability is that I will have no severe -storms to contend with. But I will promise this: To be careful, and -if I discover any defect in the Eolus that would make the journey -too hazardous, I will return at once, rather than take any chances of -defeating our purpose of communicating with the outer world when we -have mastered the problem of riding the storm. No doubt my observations -on this voyage, will open the way for other improvements. Keep up -your courage. This is but the beginning of our work. We must have -airships that will enable the most sensitive, to visit the outer world, -and teach our countrymen the importance of cultivating the higher -attributes of the soul, which can only be developed in their fullness -under the benign influence of an Altruistic civilization." - -Oqua here stepped forward and took me by the hand, saying: - -"Nequa, my more than friend, go, and the blessings of our people go -with you. May you reach your native land in safety and accomplish your -mission. By so doing you will leave footprints on the sands of time -that can never be effaced. As soon as your work is placed in the proper -hands return with all speed to the many loving hearts which await you." - -Scarcely had she ceased speaking when Polaris, as if to continue her -remarks, raising her hand and pointing to the north, said: - -"Yes, loving hearts will await you. And when your form has faded from -our vision, in yonder deep cerulean blue, the mystic symbol of purity -and truth, remember that in spirit we are with you. And I will continue -to keep watch over these waters, patiently awaiting your return, as -in the past I have kept watch for any of your people that might drift -in here, and be left to the mercy of the currents which never touch -the land. I hope to be the first to greet you on your return, but if -perchance you should be lost in your perilous undertaking, I will still -be flitting, to and fro, over these northern seas, awaiting the coming -of your people, to assist and welcome them in the true spirit of our -civilization." - -MacNair gave a new turn and spirit to this closing interview, by saying -in his usual cheery manner: - -"In the name of humanity I protest against preparing for the funeral -before the corpse is ready. Neither am I willing to contemplate the -possibility of Jack Adams ever requiring any such a service at our -hands. You do not understand the kind of material of which he is -composed. I know that Jack is going to make the round trip, no matter -what we may be doing, and so far as I am concerned, I do not intend to -give myself any uneasiness about him; and instead of bobbing around up -here in this chilly atmosphere, I will go home and be ready to give -Jack the cordial greeting of a fellow countryman, when he returns from -this last polar expedition." - -"MacNair is right," I said. "I am not starting out to fall by the -wayside, and do not forget that the Eolus will sail far above the -ice-fields, and that during the high-noon of the long arctic day of -six months duration. I apprehend no danger, but anticipate a pleasant -excursion to my native land. But I will not go any further this time, -than is absolutely necessary. I hope to meet the right persons at some -of the many stations in Alaska, and if so I will return several days -earlier than I have promised. I shall return as soon as possible. My -life work is here, for it will take a life-time to complete the work -that I have laid out for myself to do for the benefit of my countrymen -who live in the external world." - -As I was speaking, Captain Ganoe stood with his hand on the door of the -Eolus, at if it was by right his place to have the last parting word. -Captain Battell and the other comrades of the Ice King drew near. Upon -their faces, I read the affectionate regard they had for me. It was a -trying moment. I wanted a last word with Captain Ganoe. I wanted it -impressive, kind but inflexible. I shook hands with all who stood near, -and then as I held Captain Ganoe's hand I said to Oqua: - -"Step on board, I want you to assist me a moment," and to the Captain, -"Wait here a moment, I have something to say to you." - -Oqua did as directed, and we ascended and made the circuit of the -lights, while I prepared myself for the revelation I intended. Oqua -handled the ship while I hastily donned the attire which characterised -my sex in the outer world. I arrayed myself in the same rich satin -dress that I had worn on the last evening I had spent with Raphael, at -his uncle's home in New York. My golden locks made into a neat fitting -wig, and put up in the game style which he had so much admired, now -covered my short cropped hair. Around my neck I had the same gold chain -and locket of peculiar workmanship, and the same ring on my hand, which -had been his parting presents to his affianced bride. Over all I wore a -cloak that came down to my feet. - -My toilet complete, we dropped to the level of the platform, but just -outside, and Oqua with a parting pressure of the hand, and with a last -injunction: "Nequa, be strong, be true, but do not forget to be kind -and considerate," passed from the Eolus to the platform, and moving -back a few feet, I stepped to the door and throwing aside my cloak, -stood arrayed before Captain Ganoe, just as I had been when I bade him -adieu at our guardian's home just fifteen years before. - -The crowd stood spell-bound. None but Oqua, MacNair, and the crew of -the Ice King had ever seen any one dressed in the costume which is -peculiar to women in the outer world. Captain Ganoe stood rooted to the -spot, and gazed at me with a look of consternation, as if I was one who -had just arisen from the grave, as I said: - -"Captain Ganoe, you doubtless recognize me and I ask your attention -for a moment. You will probably remember, that on the Ice King you -confidently related to your scientist, Jack Adams, the story of your -engagement to Cassie VanNess, and asked him if he had ever loved. He -made an evasive reply. If you care to have an explicit answer to that -question, ask my trusted friend Oqua. I do not wish to have that story -again pass my lips. I have done with it forever. I have now taken up a -new life and henceforth I am wedded to a new lover, and the wealth of -my affections shall be bestowed upon humanity. - -"The memory of the old life, and the old love, carries with it the -martyrdom of all that is noblest, purest and most sacred in the soul -of woman, her devotion to the chosen idol of her girlhood days. These -outer world conditions so foreign to all that is good and true, make -me wonder that I should ever have been so weak as to be victimized by -them. But such are the consequences of a false education, which belongs -to a benighted past and cannot be helped. For many long years, in my -assumed character of Jack Adams, the sailor, I roamed over the high -seas to find you, and during all of our perils in the ice, I stood -by your side. I worshiped you with an idolatrous devotion. And all -this, only to hear again and again from your lips, the expression -of sentiments, that condemned all that I had done, as disreputable, -unworthy and immoral. You have repeatedly declared that as an honorable -man, you could never unite yourself with such a woman in the holy bonds -of matrimony, no matter how much you loved her. - -"It was for this reason, that my own self respect forbade that I should -reveal my identity to you. The case of Huston was almost identical with -my own, and in condemning the course which he had taken you condemned -me. I took it for granted, that as an honorable man, you expressed your -honest sentiments, and there was nothing for me to do but to submit to -your verdict--" - -The Captain raised his hand as if to speak, but I checked him, saying: - -"Hear me through. It is in no spirit of unkindness that I speak. I -have waited patiently for you to so modify your views, that I could -make myself known to you in the full assurance of your approval of my -fidelity to our plighted troth. But you gave me no such opportunity. -Oqua penetrated my disguise at first sight and many others of my inner -world friends with whom I have been associated, intuitively understood -that Jack Adams, the sailor, was an assumed character and why it had -been adopted; but you, blinded by the crystallized errors of a false -education, were ignorant of my identity. - -"I now reveal myself to you, because I do not wish to continue this -assumed character, even to escape the pain that would be inflicted by -your disapproval. I do not regret the course I have taken. Under the -same circumstances I would be compelled to do the same thing again, -rather than be false to the higher laws of my own nature. It is true -that I have repudiated, and still repudiate, any legal obligation that -may be secured by fraud, misrepresentation or coercion. I now know that -human laws, human customs and legal ceremonies may be the cover for the -violation of God's laws which are implanted in the human soul. I have -been true to these higher, God made laws of my own being, and disregard -all man made laws and customs which violate the most sacred rights of -the human soul. - -"If I cannot meet you as an equal, free to think and act for myself, -regardless of the arbitrary rulings of either church or state, then it -will be far better for both of us, that we remain apart. I will never -be bound by any ceremony that does not meet my own approval. When it -comes to matters of this kind, I, Cassie VanNess, am the lawmaker. - -"You have repeatedly expressed sentiments, which could have no other -meaning, than that you regarded legal and popular ceremonies, as of -more worth in your estimation, than the 'unpurchased, and unpurchasable -devotion of a loving woman.' If you prefer a companion who cares more -for what Mother Grundy might say, than she does for Captain Ganoe, then -I could not possibly be that companion. When I return, let all this -be forgotten. Let us meet as friends, forget if we can, the past, and -let each of us live our own life, true to our own convictions of what -is noble, good and true. I have had one lover and lost him because I -loved him too devotedly. I shall never make that mistake again. But as -the widow of such a lover, I shall henceforth continue to labor for the -upbuilding of all humanity, as I would gladly have lived for him, and -him only. - -"And now, farewell Raphael. I regret, not that I loved you so -devotedly, but that I did not learn sooner, that it was only love with -certain restrictions, and within certain specific bounds, that you -wanted. Excuse my mistake and farewell." - -While I maintained my equilibrium, I felt that my heart would break. -With my hand I waved a farewell to all, and set the Eolus in motion. As -I closed the door, Captain Ganoe sprang forward and would have dashed -himself from the tower but for those who stood by him. His last words -have been ringing in my ears ever since as they were wafted to me on -the balmy air. In a voice of agonizing entreaty, he cried out: - -"Oh Cassie! Cassie! For God's sake, Come back! Come back!" - - -THE END. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of NEQUA or The Problem of the Ages, by -Alcanoan O. Grigsby and Mary P. 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Grigsby and Mary P. Lowe - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: NEQUA or The Problem of the Ages - -Author: Alcanoan O. Grigsby - Mary P. Lowe - -Release Date: September 8, 2017 [EBook #55505] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NEQUA OR THE PROBLEM OF THE AGES *** - - - - -Produced by Mary Glenn Krause, MFR, Graeme Mackreth, Duke -University and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team -at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - - - - - - -<p class="ph1"> - -NEQUA</p> - -<p class="ph5">OR</p> - -<p class="ph3">The Problem of the Ages</p> - -<p class="ph4">By JACK ADAMS</p> - -<p class="ph5">VOL. I.</p> - -<p class="ph6" style="margin-top: 10em;">EQUITY PUBLISHING COMPANY<br /> -Topeka, Kansas<br /> -1900 -</p> - - - - -<p class="ph2" style="margin-top: 5em;">DEDICATION.</p> - - - - -<p><span class="smcap">To all lovers of humanity, wherever found who believe that the -application of the Golden Rule in human affairs would remove all the -burdens that ignorance and greed have imposed upon the masses of -mankind, this volume is respectfully dedicated by</span></p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 60%;"><span class="smcap">The Author</span>.</span><br /> -</p> - - - - -<p class="center" style="margin-top: 5em;"><small> -Copyrighted 1900, by<br /> -A.O. Grigsby and Mary P. Lowe. -</small> -</p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CONTENTS.</p> - - - - - - -<table summary="toc" width="60%"> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Beneath the Midnight Sun—A strange visitor comes down from -above—An old acquaintance recognized—Strange story by -an old physician -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>In San Francisco—"Where shall I go next?"—A startling item of -news answers the question and ends the search—In male attire—Enlists -as Scientist on the Ice King—Off to the North Pole—An -unexpected blow—The danger signal—The race for life—The -earthquake—"The channel is closing!"—"The ship is -lost!" -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_16">16</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>In the dark—All is still—Imprisoned in the ice—Distressing -situation—How to preserve the health and efficiency of the crew—A -new danger—The ice is moving—The common sailor to the -rescue—Lief and Eric save the ship—The tunnel to the -surface—Exploring the ice-field -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_40">40</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>A singular discovery—Battell crossing a sand ridge on the -ice-field—Captain Ganoe leads a party to his assistance—Lief -and Eric—Battell's theory—A second expedition—Battell's -long absence—Is discovered returning alone, scarcely able to -walk—Relief party finds him unconscious—Captain Ganoe as -physician—Battell relates how he was abandoned by his men—Preparing -for the break -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_65">65</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>The break—A race for life—The island—Strange tower—A safe -harbor—Crossing the open Polar sea—Strange phenomena—Sailing -south—Horizon obscures familiar constellations—Return -to the tower—No explanation—Off for the Pole again—A -wonderful discovery -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_94">94</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Sailing south—The wind ceases—Our coal exhausted—Drifting on -an unknown ocean—In the grasp of southbound currents—Desponding—Visited -by an airship—Then a whole fleet—Among -friends—A most highly cultivated people—We embark for -Altruria—An air voyage -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_111">111</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Caring for the sick—New methods of treatment—Not physicians -but nurses—A voyage through the air—Wonderful optical -instruments which reveal a panorama of the world—Arrival in -Altruria—Marvelous improvements—Drudgery and poverty -both abolished -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_136">136</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>A colossal communal Home—District 1, Range 1—Under the Pacific -Ocean—Battell at the telephone—Startling apparition in a -mirror—Enrolled in school—Study of the language—Phonographic -enunciator—A communal agricultural district—The first revolt -against landlordism—Freedom the rule—A new world—Strikingly -similar to America -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_151">151</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>A happy scene—Two civilizations compared—Arrival of Oqua—Disguise -penetrated—Human rights—"Glittering generalities" -reduced to practice—A strange custom—Numbered, labeled -and registered as citizens—Exit Jack Adams—A new name—Nequa—Bitter -memories—Oqua's sympathy -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_173">173</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Oqua's visit—The revelation—A story of perfidy and wrong—Cassie -VanNess—Raphael Ganoe—Richard Sage—A designing guardian—False -charges against Ganoe—A fraudulent marriage—Home -abandoned—On the high seas—Jack Adams—Ganoe -found—Effects of a false education—Legal Wrongs vs. Natural -Justice—Oqua hopeful -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_191">191</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>An air voyage—Change of scenery—Homes for mothers—Evolution -from competitive individualism—The mountains—Battell joins -us—Orbitello—A perpetual World's Fair—Department of Exchange—The -business of a continent—Norrena—Public Printing—The -council—All matters submitted to the People—Library -of Universal Knowledge -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_216">216</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>The institute of school superintendents—Norrena's address on the -Transition Period—From Competition to Co-operation—The -closing decades of Money supremacy—The power of gold—Its -conquest of the world—Political governments its tools—The -people helpless—A hint at the way out -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_244">244</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Bona Dea—Matrons' home—Pre-natal influences—Improving the -airships—Battell explains—Plans for the future—Museum of -Universal History—Relics of the Past—Building toward our -ideals—Law of human progress—Presaging the future—Profit -causes Poverty—Equitable Exchange the remedy -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_283">283</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Through the air to Lake Byblis—On the Ice King once more—Captain -Ganoe in command—Met by the Viking, Silver King and -Sea Rover—A wedding—Huston and Dione the principals—Ganoe -objects—Norrena investigates—Objection over-ruled—Excursion -beneath the waters of the lake—Down the Cocytas—The -ruins of Kroy—Abandoned gold—The last relic of barbarism -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_320">320</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td>Home again—Letter from Bona Dea—Electric garments—Reporter's -phonograph—Testing the new airship—A World's Council—Wallaroo -on Evolution—The ideals planted by Missionaries—The -Eolus—Preparing for return to America—Excursion to -the far North—The Watch Tower—Symbolic representations—The -Farewell—The revelation to Ganoe—"Cassie! Cassie! -Come back! Come back!" -</td> -<td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_354">354</a> -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - - - - - - - - -<p class="ph2">EXPLANATORY.</p> - - -<p>The undersigned claims no credit for the concept of an "Inner World" -in which the great economic problems which now confront the people -had been solved in the interest of humanity and ideal conditions -established for all. This was the leading thought in a work by Dr. -T.A.H. Lowe, deceased, which was placed in the hands of the writer by -his widow, Mrs. Mary P. Lowe. It contains a glowing description of the -ideal conditions which would prevail under the practical application of -the principles of Freedom, Equality and Fraternity in human affairs but -the author died before he had an opportunity to work out a practical -system by which the masses of the people, situated as they now are, -without even a clear understanding as to just what is the matter, could -commence with existing conditions, and peacefully, effectually and -speedily establish the much to be desired system of absolute justice -in distribution which he described. Hence it was determined to prepare -a series of volumes, illustrating the operation of practical working -methods by which this result could be secured, and then, publish Dr. -Lowe's original volume, just as it was written as a fitting conclusion; -and we now take pleasure in presenting to the reader the first volume -of the series and respectfully ask a candid consideration of the -principles which it is designed to elucidate.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 60%;"><span class="smcap">Jack Adams.</span></span><br /> -</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">NEQUA.</p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Beneath the Midnight Sun—a Strange Visitor Comes Down from -Above—An Old Acquaintance Recognized—Strange Story By an Old -Physician.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus03.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>Y private office was on the second floor of the sanitarium which I -had fitted up in Kansas City to meet the demands of my large practice -in the treatment of chronic diseases. The furniture consisted of a -large book case, containing my library of standard works, and other -publications useful in my practice; a writing desk, a few chairs, sofa -and other conveniences usually found in such places. One door opened -into the hall, and another connected with my bed chamber, bath room and -laboratory in the rear.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> In the front was a large bay window where I -often sat, in a meditative mood, concealed by the heavy lace curtains, -looking out upon the throngs of people and numerous vehicles passing to -and fro on the street below. On the opposite side of the main hall, and -separated from it by the wide stairway, was the parlor where I received -visitors. In the rear of this were the consultation and operating -rooms. I usually lunched in my private office, my meals being sent up -to me on an elevator, from a restaurant connecting directly with the -sanitarium.</p> - -<p>As a rule, no one but the office boy, who occupied a small room over -the stairway, was ever admitted to my private office. The boy attended -the door, conducted visitors to the parlor, and then reported who was -in waiting. If I cared to see them, I went around the head of the -stairs to the parlor; otherwise I was "Not in."</p> - -<p>Many of my patients came from a distance and had lodgings and board -in the sanitarium. Others called at my reception rooms during my -regular office hours, which were from 9 to 11 A.M. At other hours I -was ordinarily occupied in my private office, reading, thinking and -writing, or in my laboratory compounding medicines, etc. But it was -generally understood that I frequently drove out, and hence people -calling to see me, except during office hours, were not surprised to -learn that I could not be seen.</p> - -<p>This arrangement was an absolute necessity in order that I might have -time to attend to my large correspondence and make my usual study of -the diseases of patients who had placed themselves under my treatment -as their last hope of regaining health. My success in treating these -cases which had been given up as incurable,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> was such, that the -sanitarium was always full, and it was a rare thing indeed, that I -called upon patients at their homes.</p> - -<p>One bright and unusually pleasant day in June 189—, after I had -attended to my patients, I retired to my private office, feeling that a -call, even from my most intimate friends, would be very undesirable. I -wanted to be alone. I had many letters to write, and other work that I -could not well neglect, but I seemed in spite of myself to have lost my -usual active interest in my business. I felt oppressed and dissatisfied -with its restraints, and after worrying through with my most important -correspondence, I got up and paced the floor to and fro.</p> - -<p>What could it mean? Why was it I felt this restless longing for -something that seemed just beyond my reach? My business was -flourishing, my health was never better, my friends were numerous -and all my surroundings pleasant. Then why was it that I could not -compose myself to read or write? Whenever I tried to do anything, my -mind involuntarily reverted to the past, and especially to a voyage I -had taken some years before in the capacity of ship surgeon. At last -I despaired of being able to complete my work to my satisfaction, and -determined to indulge this irresistible tendency to retrospection.</p> - -<p>All the afternoon, whatever I did or attempted to do, my mind turned -to Jack Adams, a beardless young man who shipped on the same vessel -with me as super-cargo. Turn which way I would, his image loomed up -before my memory with a vividness that was startling. Why should I be -continually thinking of him? True, we had been the closest of friends, -and often spent hours together in the most enjoyable conversations.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> - -<p>However, notwithstanding our intimacy, there had ever hung around Jack -an air of fathomless mystery. His character was faultless, his modesty, -refinement and culture unexcelled. His perceptions were keen, his -reasoning powers deep and comprehensive, and his innate truthfulness -inspired every one with unlimited confidence who came in contact with -him. In times of peril he was courageous as a lion and yet he was -gentle as a woman.</p> - -<p>He was of medium size and perfectly rounded form, too refined in his -appearance to be masculine, but none the less active and efficient; and -I must say that his face was the most handsome, and the most expressive -of the finer emotions of the soul, I had ever met with in man. We -were the most congenial of associates, and I was more attached to his -personality than I had ever before been to one of my own sex. Though -young and beardless, his intellect was mature beyond his years, and by -common consent the old and experienced soon came to honor his unusually -remarkable judgment.</p> - -<p>To me, he was a phenomenon that I was utterly unable to fathom. While -he was not shy, he was always reserved and retiring. He never intruded -where he had no business except in my cabin, where he often came to -while away an hour discussing themes of lofty and far reaching import. -He seemed not to live on the common plane of ordinary life, but soared -far above it. Still he attended to all his duties in a prompt and -energetic manner, often lending a helping hand to others when there was -no necessity for him to move a muscle. He seemed to take real pleasure -in lightening the burdens of others even at a sacrifice of his own -comfort.</p> - -<p>Such was Jack Adams, who had worked himself up from the most menial -employments on shipboard to a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> position of responsibility. Such was -my most valued friend, always reserved and reticent with others, -but genial, sociable and confidential with me, notwithstanding the -disparity in our ages. But why should he now be intruding upon my -memory, and holding my thoughts to himself by a mystic chord which I -had no power to break, much as I had striven to do so?</p> - -<p>I had left the sea at the close of this voyage, the memory of which had -haunted me all day. I had scarcely thought of Jack Adams for years, and -now I found it impossible to keep from thinking of him all the time. I -became almost superstitious, and began to speculate that perhaps he had -just passed from earth, and that his spirit was now with me trying to -force a recognition. As I was thus ruminating, my office boy announced -that a gentleman wanted to see me.</p> - -<p>I was just about to send back the word "Not in," when behind the boy, -through the half open door, I beheld a tall, handsome and elegantly -dressed man, of commanding personal appearance.</p> - -<p>My rule had been never to permit anyone to enter my private apartments -except on my personal invitation, and as the boy seemed entirely -unconscious of his presence, I knew that some mistake had been made, -and instinctively felt that the man was not an intruder; so all that -remained for me was to recognize the requirements of common politeness -and invite him in.</p> - -<p>As he entered the room I mentally took his photograph. He was tall, -symmetrical, powerful, with a high intellectual forehead, dark, -deep-set eyes, dark hair and whiskers, and dark complexion. His -countenance was very impressive, inspiring the beholder with a feeling -of respect and confidence. As the door closed behind him he fixed -his large, penetrating eyes upon me as if he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> were reading my inmost -thoughts, and after a moment's scrutiny said: "Have I the honor of -addressing Dr. Thomas H. Day, who was a surgeon some years ago on a -vessel engaged in the East India Trade?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," I replied, "that is my name, and I was surgeon on an East -Indiaman."</p> - -<p>"Then," he continued, "may I further ask if you remember a young man -on the vessel in the capacity of super-cargo, who greatly trusted and -confided in you?"</p> - -<p>His words penetrated my inmost being like a shock and I exclaimed -impulsively:</p> - -<p>"You mean Jack Adams! I feel it! I know it! Is he still living?"</p> - -<p>"He is alive and well," he said, "and your prompt recognition -demonstrates that you are the man I am looking for. I bring you word -from Jack Adams. He was also a trusted friend of mine, in whom I felt -deeply interested, when he occupied the humble position of cabin boy on -a steamer between New York and Liverpool."</p> - -<p>His words came to me like a flash of sunlight, dispelling at once the -clouds which had seemed to paralyze all my energies. I felt that any -word from Jack Adams would be an inexpressible relief to my present -agitated state of mind. I grasped my visitor's hand with a warmth I -could not restrain, and with an enthusiasm that must have appeared to -him effusive, I said:</p> - -<p>"Thank God! Your words thrill me with delight. I will esteem any -message from Jack Adams a blessing, and the messenger a benefactor. You -are indeed a welcome visitor, and you have placed me under bonds of -gratitude by removing a most oppressive burden from my mind."</p> - -<p>He returned the pressure of my hand in a manner I had hardly expected, -and handed me a card on which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> was traced a significant inscription in -Jack's well known handwriting which, if any confirmation was necessary, -would have removed every possible doubt. Shaking his hand again I asked:</p> - -<p>"Will we ever have a world of truth such as has been the dream of every -altruist?"</p> - -<p>"Jack has found it," said my visitor, "and we must make it. That is the -mission he sends me on. He has made it his life work to discover just -how this may be accomplished with the greatest ease, and to convey the -information to us."</p> - -<p>"Then you are doubly welcome," I said. "Be seated and make yourself at -home. I hail you as a brother in a common cause, even if, as yet, I -have no name by which to call you."</p> - -<p>"Excuse me," he said, "I should have introduced myself before, but -I was so overjoyed at finding Dr. Day that I forgot he knew nothing -about me. My name is Leo Vincennes. I have been in the public service -in some capacity, ever since I came to years of maturity; as soldier, -sailor, scout, and later, as civil engineer and explorer. I come now -from Alaska, and my special business here is to see you and deliver a -message, committed to my care by our esteemed brother and co-worker, -Jack Adams."</p> - -<p>I had moved my chair as near to him as decorum would permit, and said -in reply:</p> - -<p>"I am indeed happy to meet you, Mr. Vincennes. I have been thinking of -Jack all day, and I want you to tell me all about him."</p> - -<p>"I saw him last at Cape Lisburne, on the northwestern coast of Alaska, -where I was on the lookout for a vessel that was to take me and my -party to San Francisco. We were employed on the coast survey, and our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> -allotted portion of the work included the cape, where we went into camp -about the last of June. Our lookout was on top of the bluff, which at -this point rises to a height of about eight hundred feet above the -level of the sea. The other members of our party were out on a hunt -while I remained at the lookout. Through my glass I had a clear view of -the sea for leagues away, and I continued to sweep the horizon with my -glass, as the unusually early breaking up of the ice led me to expect -the appearance of a ship at any time. I casually turned my glass and -espied a speck on the horizon, a little to the east of north, that -at first gave me the impression of a distant sail. Not thinking of a -vessel from that direction, I observed it more closely, and soon saw -that it was not on the surface of the water, but evidently in the air -and coming directly toward me. It looked like some monstrous bird, of a -magnitude such as I had never conceived.</p> - -<p>"In my long experience as a soldier, sailor, scout and explorer of -the polar regions, I had been accustomed to remarkable adventures, -and had come to take pride in the fact that I could face danger of -any kind without a tremor; but I do not hesitate to confess that as -this gigantic, winged phenomenon of the heavens bore down toward me, I -quivered in every vein and fiber of my being. It came with a rapidity -that was startling, and ere I could recover my equanimity sufficiently -to determine whether I should try to get out of the way or take my -chances with the monster, it came to a halt directly over my head, -and I could see that it was some kind of a mechanical contrivance for -navigating the air, and that its movements were controlled by human -intelligence. It remained stationary for a moment, as if the occupant -were taking observations, and then dropped slowly down<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> and alighted -on the highest point of the cape, within twenty feet of where I was -standing. As this strange vessel came to a rest, a door opened and out -stepped a young man who said in the clearest of English:</p> - -<p>"'Well, well, I declare! Here is the same Leo Vincennes who gave me my -first lessons in navigation. How glad I am to see you so far north. I -was heading due south for the mouth of the Yukon, when I discovered you -scanning the horizon with your glass. I then changed my course a little -to the west and came directly to you.' I recognized his features, but -was dazed and stood rooted to the ground. Seeing my embarrassment, he -advanced, extending his hand as he said: 'Surely you have not forgotten -Jack Adams, the cabin-boy, who sailed on the same ship with you from -New York to Liverpool, and asked you so many questions about ships and -a seafaring life.'</p> - -<p>"I grasped his hand, but for a moment my brain seemed benumbed, and my -tongue, to use an oft quoted phrase, 'clave to the roof of my mouth.' -I could only look at him in open eyed wonder—the same smooth-faced -lad that I had known and admired—nay loved, fifteen years ago. My -temporary paralysis gave way to a flood of feeling such as I had never -experienced before, and I convulsively shook his hand as I exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"'Yes! yes! My dear old Jack, I remember you, but never again did -I expect to meet you—and least of all on this barren rock, in the -regions of eternal ice, beneath the midnight sun, and dropping from the -heavens to this mundane sphere. Where did you come from and whither are -you going? Have you put off this mortality with all its weakness and -put on immortality in some far off clime of perpetual youth, beyond the -utmost limit of our earthly vision?'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> - -<p>"'Hold on Leo,' he exclaimed, with that mischievous twinkle in his eye -that I remember so well, 'don't for Heaven's sake get superstitious. -Remember that if the Kingdom of Heaven can be established in us, -there evidently must be more in this mundane sphere than has ever -been dreamed of in our philosophy. I am no visitant from another -world, but I do come from another country, where man is master of his -environments, instead of being their servile victim, just as you and I -and all of the brothers and sisters on our plane of thought, believe -that all of this glorious old world ought to be. We must continue to -spread the light, and inspire our common humanity, in every stage of -development, wherever found, with higher aspirations and brighter ideas -of what is in store for them. We must give them hope and courage. -The good time coming, so oft foretold, is almost here, and it will -be realized just as soon as a respectable minority can be brought to -fully comprehend the way out of all their miseries, as well as they now -understand the crushing effects of their present environments. It is -for us to speak the word that will save them from all their miseries, -pains, and woes, here and now, without waiting for some far off time, -and wonderful change to be brought about in some mysterious and -incomprehensible manner. No! No! Leo, this is no time for us to stop -and simply wonder at something that is merely the birth-right of every -human being, while by a little well devised, intelligent and earnest -effort on the part of the very few reformers who are not yet entirely -submerged, we can secure to every human being every blessing he or she -is capable of appreciating. There is nothing impossible about this, -and if the world is not redeemed from its present low estate, it will -be because the few altruists in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> the world do not make the necessary -effort;—and they will surely make that effort when they comprehend how -easy it is to quietly and peacefully remove the burdens that ignorance -and greed have imposed, and thus rescue the toiler from the grasp of -the selfish. How much are you willing to do toward this work of saving -the world? Could you be persuaded to forget self for awhile and lend -your services to the cause of humanity, by spreading the light that -will save it, and save it too before even the older people of this -generation shall have passed off the stage?'</p> - -<p>"I was carried away by his earnest appeal, and promptly responded:</p> - -<p>"'I am indeed willing to make any conceivable sacrifice in such a -cause, my dear old Jack, but you must tell me what to do and how to do -it.'</p> - -<p>"'Then can you go into the interior of the United States—to the great -Missouri Valley, and deliver a message from me to a dearly loved -friend, which will secure his assistance?'</p> - -<p>"'I certainly will,' I said. 'Personal matters require my presence in -New York. I shall go from here to San Francisco, and thence across the -continent by rail, and can stop off at any point you desire. I have -been notified that, in the private papers of Richard Sage, who died -some years ago, a document was found, clearly proving that I am one -of the heirs to a large property, which was held in trust for minors, -whose whereabouts were unknown to the testator, my grandfather. I am -the representative of those heirs.'</p> - -<p>"As I spoke, Jack's countenance became ashen pale and the expression -hard and stony, and as I concluded he asked in tones that struck me -with a chill like a polar wave:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> - -<p>"'And is Richard Sage dead?'</p> - -<p>"'He died nearly fifteen years ago,' I said. 'Committed suicide, I -believe. Did you know him?'</p> - -<p>"'I think so,' he said. 'He was a friend of my father—But,' he added -after a short pause, his face regaining its usual winning and kindly -expression, 'we have no time to give to the discussion of the dead -past. Come with me and take a look at our earth from the cosy cabin of -the Eolus, while I tell you something of my adventures in the way of -polar exploration, and explain what it is that I want you to do.'</p> - -<p>"We stepped into a small but luxuriantly furnished car, which I shall -not attempt to describe, and seated ourselves upon a soft cushioned -divan. The walls were paneled on all sides with large transparent -sections, through which we obtained a clear and seemingly magnified -view of the surrounding scenery. There we were, poised on the highest -point of this towering rock, overlooking the sea, the rolling waves of -which dashed themselves into foam on the rocks below. Jack manipulated -a delicately arranged keyboard at his side, and in a minute more we -were flitting to and fro far above the earth at an almost inconceivable -speed, and then loitering along or standing still to get a better view -of objects of especial interest.</p> - -<p>"Jack handed me what looked like a peculiarly constructed opera -glass, and requested me to take a peep at Cape Lisburne through the -transparent section at the bow. Though we were miles away, I felt that -I could reach out and pick up a pebble anywhere along this rock-bound -shore. This explained a mystery, and I turned to Jack and said: 'I -can now understand how it was that you discovered me at such a great -distance, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> when I first saw you, your ship was but a speck, and -several points to the east of north.'</p> - -<p>"'Yes,' he said, 'I discovered you on the lookout when several leagues -away. I had not expected to find civilized people so far north. As soon -as I saw you, I put the Eolus to her greatest speed directly toward -you, lest you should leave the lookout. As I came nearer I felt sure -that I recognized your features, and I at once made up my mind that -I had found one whom I could trust to assist me in the work I had -undertaken to perform. This fortunate meeting enables me to return -immediately, and relieve the painful anxiety of many loving hearts -concerning my safety. They had a most exaggerated conception of the -perils I would be compelled to encounter in attempting to traverse -these frozen regions.'</p> - -<p>"He told me a wonderful story of his trials, perils and adventures in -getting past the great ice barriers, and his discovery of a World of -Truth beyond.</p> - -<p>"When we had circumnavigated the country for miles around, we slowly -descended to earth and alighted at the same spot from which we started, -and as we separated, he to return to his new home beyond the ice -barriers, I to come to you, he placed his portmanteau in my hands and -said:</p> - -<p>"'Go to Dr. Thomas K. Day, at Kansas City, and if he will agree to -publish the manuscript contained in this portmanteau and scatter it -broadcast over the world, place it in his hands and tell him to use the -gold contained also therein, which was contributed by the crew of the -Ice King for that purpose; for nothing but gold, the fetich of this -benighted and money enslaved external world, can command labor; and -yet it is labor and not gold, that is the sole producer of everything -essential to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> the sustenance and comfort of humanity. If Dr. Day cannot -be found, or is so situated that he cannot attend to this matter, use -the gold yourself to find a publisher, and have eight printed volumes -for me when I return with another manuscript of even more value, from -the same fruitful field of discovery.'</p> - -<p>"And now Dr. Day," continued my visitor, "will you undertake to -discharge the trust committed to you by Jack Adams?"</p> - -<p>"I will gladly do so" I replied, "for anything from Jack will surely be -a blessing to humanity."</p> - -<p>He placed the portmanteau in my hands and said:</p> - -<p>"I must bid you adieu. Send the eight volumes for Jack to my address at -Fort Yukon, Alaska, and as many more for myself, unless I should send -you other directions. I shall be anxious to read the book as soon as it -is published. Jack must have passed through some trying ordeals, and -from what I saw, his discoveries have been wonderful. But I must go."</p> - -<p>I tried to detain him, but with a cordial grasp of the hand he was gone.</p> - -<p>I turned and opened the portmanteau with the key that was attached. It -contained a package, securely enclosed in a wrapper of some water-proof -material, and marked "MS," and below was a glittering array of gold -eagles.</p> - -<p>I examined the package of manuscript more closely. On either side it -was addressed to Dr. Thomas H. Day, Kansas City, and below was written:</p> - -<p>"In the name of civilization I ask that whoever may find this package -shall place it in the hands of those who will publish the MS. contained -therein and have it scattered broadcast over the world, so that the -discoveries recorded shall not be lost to humanity.<br /> - - -<span style="margin-left: 60%;"><span class="smcap">Nequa.</span>"</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> -<p>This was repeated in French, German, Norwegian, Russian and Spanish.</p> - -<p>And now dear reader, I shall give you the contents of this remarkable -manuscript, from the pen of my sailor comrade of years ago, Jack Adams, -but known in his new home as Nequa, the teacher. Ponder well the -lessons taught in these wonderful discoveries.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 55%;">Yours truly,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 60%;"><span class="smcap">Thomas H. Day</span>.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus02.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">In San Francisco—Where shall I go next?—A startling item -of news answers the question and ends the search—In male -attire—Enlists as scientist on the Ice King—Off to the North -Pole—An unexpected blow—The danger signal—The race for life—The -earthquake—"The channel is closing!"—"The ship is lost!"</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus04.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span> WAS in the parlor of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Since my -last visit to the city, I had circumnavigated the globe. During the -last three years, I had not only again visited the leading points of -interest for tourists in Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia, but had -extended my travels into the frozen regions of the far south, on a -whaling voyage. Yet I had not found that for which I was searching.</p> - -<p>My failure had brought a feeling of intense sadness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> and depression -which I shall not attempt to describe. For fifteen years I had been -a wanderer on the high seas. I had traversed every latitude from -Greenland to the South frigid zone and was now mentally asking "Where -shall I go next?" I had determined that I would not give up this long -continued search until it was crowned with success, or death had -intervened, as long as there was one spot on earth unexplored.</p> - -<p>Thus pondering in my own mind what to do next, I picked up an evening -paper and abstractedly glanced over its pages in the attempt to form an -idea of its contents by reading the headlines. In the editorial columns -my eye rested on the caption:</p> - -<p class="center"> -"OFF TO THE NORTH POLE." -</p> - -<p>This was travel into a region I had not penetrated. I was at once -interested and glancing down the column I read the comments of the -editor. "The discovery of America," he said, "was the attempt to -discover a more direct and consequently a nearer route to India by -sailing westward. The object sought for was not found, but the search -gave to the overcrowded and oppressed millions of Christendom a new -world, where they might work out their destiny in conformity with -the ideal of the founder of their religion, beyond the reach of the -political and religious despotisms of the old world; and why may not -this venture, even though it fails to reach the pole, ultimate in -discoveries of inestimable value to mankind? We hope so, and hence we -wish the most abundant success to the expedition now being organized -in this city, by an experienced traveler and navigator, Capt. Raphael -Ganoe."</p> - -<p>The paper dropped from my hand; I was overcome; my senses were -paralysed; my heart almost ceased to beat; my brain for a moment -was deprived of the power<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> of thought. As the full import of this -unexpected revelation dawned upon me, I arose and paced the floor.</p> - -<p>"My God," I exclaimed, "this cannot be, it must not be, but how can I -prevent it? All the arrangements are perfected. I cannot, I dare not, -under the circumstances, speak the word that possibly might prevent -this perilous undertaking." I was powerless. But I soliloquized, "If I -cannot prevent it, I must join the expedition, for never again will I -permit him to leave me."</p> - -<p>My mind was made up. I was in the prime of life, about thirty-five -years of age, and had traveled extensively. I was familiar with -ocean navigation and versed in all the sciences taught in our higher -institutions of learning. I would make application for the position of -scientist, and failing in that would enlist before the mast as a common -sailor, if nothing better offered.</p> - -<p>I turned to the mirror and surveyed myself long and earnestly. I raised -myself to my full height and critically viewed the womanly face and -figure revealed to my vision. Though not masculine, my form was strong -and muscular for one of my sex, and with the proper disguise it would -do. For the first time in years I had donned the habiliments of woman. -In masculine attire I had traveled without being discovered. Protected -by this disguise, I had filled almost every position on shipboard and -had succeeded in earning a competency, something I never could have -accomplished as a woman. It was not an experiment. I had tried it -successfully for years and would try it again.</p> - -<p>I took up the paper and read the account of the expedition with more -care. The ship was one of the staunchest that had ever been built -and had been provided with all the modern appliances for the comfort -and protection of the crew, during a cruise that was intended to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> -be indefinitely extended. None but bold and experienced seamen had -been enlisted. As time was no object it was intended to use the sails -instead of steam whenever it was practicable. Hence the large space -usually given to coal was mainly reserved for an unusual supply of -carefully prepared provisions for a long sojourn in the Arctic regions. -Every thing that human foresight could devise for the success of this -expedition had been provided. The daring commander had determined to -take all the time that was needed for making careful surveys of the -shore lines of the frozen north, and sounding its seas.</p> - -<p>My mind was made up. I retired at once to my rooms. The male attire -that I had used so successfully, was in my trunks. I need not worry -the reader at this time with the details of my hasty yet thorough -preparation for concealing my identity from the keen observation of -one who knew me so much better than the many with whom I had been -associated in my wanderings. Suffice it to say that every arrangement -was completed in my private apartments, without exciting the suspicion -of any person. I dressed myself in a neat sailor suit, which was -concealed from view beneath the ample folds of a fashionable wrapper. -I packed my trunks, summoned a porter and ordered my goods removed to -furnished rooms that I had previously engaged. When there, I removed -every article that would indicate that I was a woman, and with valise -in hand took my way to the dock, where the Ice King was being fitted up -with the greatest care by the experienced navigator in whose services -it was my intention to enlist.</p> - -<p>It was in the early twilight of a glorious evening in May 189—. I -lingered a few moments on the wharf to enjoy the scene and to collect -my faculties for the tri<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>al that was to come. I was tall and slender -and my appearance was youthful and refined. Yet I flattered myself -that with my long experience in this disguise, I would be able to -successfully act the part I had determined upon. As I stepped on board, -I met an officer who accosted me with the familiar salutation: "Hello -Jack, what will you have?"</p> - -<p>"I want to see Captain Ganoe," I said. "Where can I find him?"</p> - -<p>"He is in his cabin," he replied, and passed on.</p> - -<p>I gained the deck. The calm waters of the bay reflected the full -rounded moon and her stellar attendants. The harbor was almost -deserted. Vessels here and there dotted the placid surface of the -water. Music low, sweet and plaintive reached my ears. Its melancholy -strains drew me forward. The soul of the performer seemed to float out -upon the air through the tender caresses of the magic bow. The very -waves, as they sparkled in the mellow moonbeams, seemed to dance to the -sweet melody.</p> - -<p>It came from the Captain's quarters. I passed in so quietly that I was -not observed. As I suspected, the musician was Captain Ganoe. He was so -absorbed in the plaintive notes of the violin, through which his soul -was speaking, that he did not notice my intrusion. He was in thought, -far away and oblivious to his surroundings.</p> - -<p>I stood and carefully scanned the form before me. It was that of a -man of mature years, broad shoulders and medium height, firmly knit, -compactly built and fair complexion. His eyes were blue, his nose -a combination of Grecian and Roman, his mouth firm, and his entire -bearing indicative of courage and strength of character. His brow was -broad and thoughtful; his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> expression kind and firm. Everything left -the impression that, though comparatively young, he had drained the cup -of bitter disappointment to its dregs. While I sympathized, his sadness -brought a feeling of sweet relief. Oh, how my heart bounded, and for -the moment I felt impelled to fall upon his bosom and sob out the story -of my wrongs. But no, this would not do. I must be patient and first -ascertain from his own lips, in just what light he would regard me when -he learned the whole truth.</p> - -<p>I aroused him from his reverie with the inquiry:</p> - -<p>"Is this Captain Ganoe?"</p> - -<p>He looked up quickly, surprised to see a stranger in his cabin, and -responded:</p> - -<p>"Yes, young man, I am Captain Ganoe, and let me ask to what I am -indebted for the honor of this visit. Did you not meet an officer who -could attend to your wants?"</p> - -<p>"I did," I replied, "but I wanted to see and talk with Captain Ganoe."</p> - -<p>The severity left his countenance, and he bade me be seated.</p> - -<p>"Now young man," said he, "please state fully but briefly, what you -want, for my time is entirely occupied."</p> - -<p>I answered promptly, and without preliminary explanations I said:</p> - -<p>"I have just learned from the papers that you are about to sail for -the most thorough exploration of the Arctic regions that has yet been -attempted, and I want to go with you."</p> - -<p>He turned up the lamp which had been burning low, and looked me full -in the face. I felt his searching gaze but withstood it, with no -exhibition of the fears I felt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> for the success of my plans. But with -inward tremor, I awaited his reply. After hesitating a moment, he said -deliberately:</p> - -<p>"You do not know what you ask. You are young and refined. This -expedition must encounter dangers, known and unknown, and none but the -strong and experienced should be permitted to make the venture. It -would be wrong in me to take a young man like you from the bosom of his -family, from society, and all the opportunities for a successful and -useful life, to go with me on this perilous expedition. The fact is, -you ought to return home and leave such hazardous adventures as this -for those who have no hopes to be blasted, and who wish for reasons of -their own, to hide themselves away from the world. Please tell me your -name and where you come from."</p> - -<p>"My name sir," I replied, "is Jack Adams, and I have just returned from -a three years cruise, during which time I visited the leading seaports -of the world. I have become familiar with a life on the high seas in -all the medial latitudes, and now propose to explore the frozen north. -As to family, I have none. I am an orphan, and all alone in the world. -I graduated from school at the head of my class and then shipped as -cabin boy and worked my way up to a position of super-cargo. I have -been a practical student of navigation—never sailing twice on the same -line of travel when I could avoid it. I now offer my services to you -because I want to go with you into the unexplored regions of the north. -I have had enough of the tropic and temperate zones. If I never return -I leave no one to mourn my loss."</p> - -<p>He looked his astonishment and was visibly softened as he responded:</p> - -<p>"We have no need of a super-cargo and we have all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> the seamen we want. -I have just formed a co-partnership with Captain Samuel Battell, who is -not only an officer of ability and long experience in the Arctics, but -an expert scientist and mathematician. Every place seems to be full."</p> - -<p>"I am not," I replied, "seeking a position as super-cargo, nor am I -asking any position that requires pay or even board, if you can find -room in your commissary for the supplies I stand ready to furnish. I -can and will do any work that may be assigned me. All I want is to be -permitted to go with this expedition, take my own chances and pay my -own way."</p> - -<p>"You seem very much in earnest Mr. Adams, and I am frank to admit that -I admire your courage even if I doubt your judgment in this matter. -But what can you do, and what evidence have you to offer that you can -render valuable service in an expedition of this character? As to pay, -I would not have you infer that I regarded it as any object to one of -your adventurous disposition. No one enlisted in this expedition is -promised a salary but the common sailors, and that is paid by Captain -Battell and myself."</p> - -<p>"As to what I can do," I responded, "I am by education and experience, -qualified to navigate the vessel and make every necessary scientific -observation and calculation. I am familiar with all that has been -published on Arctic exploration and discovery. As to my ability, you -can best ascertain that by inquiring into what I know. That is the -best evidence of my training and experience on the high seas. I do not -shrink from the necessary examination."</p> - -<p>"You are right," said he, "and I will consult my partner. If it is -agreeable to him, you may take charge of our library and scientific -instruments, assist in our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> observations and keep a record of the -expedition. I will summon Captain Battell."</p> - -<p>He touched an electric button and in a moment a bell sounded at his -side. He said to me:</p> - -<p>"Captain Battell will be here in a moment, and I will leave this matter -to him."</p> - -<p>A moment later, the same officer I had met when I first came aboard the -ship, entered and I was formally introduced. He cordially shook my hand -and Captain Ganoe told him what I wanted, and, quite unexpectedly to -me, said:</p> - -<p>"Mr. Adams is admirably qualified, and I think we had better place -him in charge of the scientific work of the expedition. We can assist -him as occasion requires. This will enable us to give our entire -attention to the exigencies of the situation in the dangerous waters of -the Arctic regions, while Mr. Adams will keep a record of everything -discovered that may be of value, and send out duplicates of the same by -the balloons, as we intended, so that if the expedition should be lost, -the winds may carry some account of our discoveries to the civilized -portions of the globe." Evidently in the mind of Captain Ganoe, I had -already been appointed to the position which of all others I would have -preferred, and one that would always keep me near his own quarters. And -to this, Captain Battell assented, saying:</p> - -<p>"I met Mr. Adams on his arrival, and was favorably impressed with his -appearance and evident determination to see the senior officer of the -Ice King." And turning to me he continued, "I will now take pleasure in -showing you through the library, which will be your quarters during the -voyage."</p> - -<p>Captain Battell was the opposite of Captain Ganoe in his personal -appearance. He was powerfully built,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> of medium height, dark -complexion, dark hair, and steel grey eyes set beneath a broad and -beetling brow. The general contour of his features indicated courage, -firmness, and strength of character. He was just that type of a man -who might be expected to appear to the best advantage in some great -emergency that demanded qualities of a high order.</p> - -<p>All the appointments for the scientific work were of the first quality. -The library contained the leading scientific publications, together -with encyclopedias, and historic and general literature, carefully -catalogued for easy reference.</p> - -<p>Every kind of scientific instruments, charts, maps, globes, cameras, -etc., had been selected with the greatest care. Among the special -supplies were the balloons to which Captain Ganoe had referred. These -were small and could be inflated at short notice. They were designed -to be sent up from time to time with accounts of the expedition, its -progress, discoveries etc., hermetically sealed. It is well known that -at the equinoxes, the heated air from the tropics ascends to the higher -altitudes and flows toward the poles, while the cold air flows toward -the equator to fill the vacuum, producing the equinoctial storms. These -little balloons were expected to be carried south by the winds, and -find a resting place on the land surface where they might be picked up -by civilized people; or if they fell into the water, the bottles would -preserve the dispatches and the ocean currents might carry them into -civilized countries. Thus every precaution was taken to secure to the -world the benefit of any discovery that might be made, even though the -expedition should be lost.</p> - -<p>I was well pleased with my quarters. All the surroundings would be, -to me, most satisfactory, no matter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> what the trials and dangers that -we might encounter. I was enlisted for the expedition, and in the -position I preferred above all others, as it brought me into frequent -consultation with the commander, and I should be able to acquaint -myself with his present views and feelings and note what changes had -taken place since I saw him last.</p> - -<p>I lost no time in having my trunks brought on board and made ready for -the voyage. The Ice King was soon at sea. We stopped at one of the -Aleutian Islands where we took on our dog teams, which were to be used -for explorations on the ice. The sledges were so constructed that they -might readily be converted into boats that would accommodate the whole -crew and a good supply of provisions, in case we should be compelled -to abandon the ship. We expected to be locked up in the ice during -the winter, but with our sledges and dog teams, we could continue our -explorations for long distances in every direction, with the ship for -headquarters. Captain Battell was a whaler and familiar with all the -methods of Arctic travel. His long experience on these northern waters -enabled him to forsee many of the dangers we were likely to meet, and -to make the needful preparations to overcome them.</p> - -<p>From this point our voyage northward through Behring Strait and into -the Arctic Ocean, was without any incident worth recording. Our course -after passing the strait, was a little east of north to avoid the ice, -until we reached longitude 165 degrees West of Greenwich, and then -north. Captain Ganoe often came into my cabin to while away an hour in -conversation. His marked friendship seemed to increase with each visit. -He always addressed me familiarly as Jack, and in these conversations -he became more and more confidential, and revealed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> me more and more -of his inner life, his early hopes and subsequent disappointments.</p> - -<p>One evening after we had been at sea about four months, he came into -my cabin looking unusually gloomy. After the customary salutation he -lighted a cigar and fell into a brown study, not speaking to me for -several minutes, when suddenly he said:</p> - -<p>"Jack, did you ever think what mere trifles sometimes change the whole -course of a life-time? I often wonder at myself for being out here -on this wild goose chase, with the certainty of loss of property, -business, comfort and possibly life itself, searching for something I -have no use for, and which at best if discovered, will only gratify an -idle curiosity. And yet, this has been brought about by what was only a -trifling incident. Have you ever thought of these strange effects which -flow from trivial causes?"</p> - -<p>He spoke bitterly and I determined to take advantage of the opportunity -to draw him out. I wanted to penetrate the inmost recesses of his -being, and with this object in view I replied:</p> - -<p>"Yes, Captain, I have often thought of it and have realized it in my -own experience. It sometimes seems little short of a miracle, that -after years of wandering, I am now here with you. In my case I was not -influenced by a mere trifle, but a stern necessity. I had absolutely -nothing to lose, and I thought I might find something which, under the -circumstances, would amply repay me for all the hardships and dangers -I might have to encounter. But you were differently situated. You were -independent. You had wealth, business and influential friends, while -I had been robbed of my patrimony, and was thrown upon the world with -nothing but my hands and brain to work with. My course was a necessity, -but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> it is a mystery why you should abandon a profitable business and -organize this expedition at such an enormous expenditure of labor and -money, while you regard its avowed objects as matters of such little -importance. Your course seems to involve a self-contradiction that I -cannot comprehend."</p> - -<p>"And thereby hangs a tale," said the Captain. "As a matter of fact, -I never did attach any great importance to Arctic exploration. From -my point of view, the discovery of the Pole would be of no especial -value to mankind, as no practical use could be made of it. Even the -discovery of a productive country, which may be possible, could not -greatly benefit the world, as it would be inaccessible to the masses of -humanity whose condition would be improved by the discovery of a new -country and cheap homes. While such a successful culmination would be -of small benefit to the world, it would be of still less interest to -myself. I really care but little about what we may find at the end of -this voyage."</p> - -<p>"Then," I said, "if such be the estimate that you place upon the -objects of this expedition, I am more than ever curious to learn what -could have impelled you to undertake it. You must have had a reason of -some kind. I cannot understand how men can act without a motive."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said he, "I was impelled to organize this expedition by a power -stronger than myself, but when I ask myself what I expect to accomplish -by it, truth compels me to answer: 'Nothing.' As to the motive, I -suppose that I have been actuated by an all-absorbing desire to forget -the miseries of the past in the activities of the present."</p> - -<p>"But this is not the tale that unlocks the mystery." I responded. -"You have aroused my curiosity to a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> fever heat, and yet you fail to -gratify it. It might be that I could pour oil on the troubled waters -and possibly enable you to discover that you have been actuated by a -mistaken conception, and that really there is nothing in the past that -you should desire to forget. It would certainly do no harm to review -the case, and it might reveal the fact that it was a source of misery, -simply because all the circumstances were not fully understood."</p> - -<p>"I have no desire," said the Captain, "to conceal the story of my life -from you, if you care to hear it. But I fully understand it and it is -of such a nature as to admit of no remedy."</p> - -<p>"Do not be too sure of that," I said. "But until the story is told, of -course I will not be able to form an intelligent opinion of the case. -Yet, observation and experience have convinced me that there are always -two sides to every question and that to get at the facts in all their -bearings, we must closely examine both sides."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the captain, "I see that you were cut out for a lawyer -and the wonder is how you came to be a sailor. You certainly have a -judicial cast of mind and to while away the monotony of the hour, I -will submit the matter to you, reserving the right, however, to decide -for myself. I have always exercised my natural right to examine every -question from my own standpoint and decide it according to my own sense -of right and wrong.</p> - -<p>"It is the same old story of an all-absorbing love and a cruel -disappointment, followed by long years of suppressed anguish, from -which I am still striving to escape. I was an orphan, living with -my bachelor uncle, Richard Sage, in one of the suburbs of New York -City. He was my guardian and the executor of the estate left<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> me by -my father. My uncle was kind and indulgent, and my widowed aunt who -presided over his home, was to me a loving mother, and so my childhood -days were passed in happy contentment.</p> - -<p>"One misty, dreary morning, my uncle announced at the breakfast table -that he had been called to the bedside of his old friend, James -VanNess, who was supposed to be dying. He said he would not return -until his friend was much better or dead, and not to be disappointed if -he was absent for several days, or possibly weeks.</p> - -<p>"A week later I saw my uncle drive up to the gate and assist a very -beautiful young girl from the carriage. He beckoned me to him, and -introduced me, saying:</p> - -<p>"'Raphael, I have brought you a little sister. This is Miss Cassie -VanNess, whose father I was called to see. I have been made her -guardian and this will be her future home. Both mother and father are -dead and she has no near relatives. Remember this, and do everything in -your power to make her home with us as happy as possible.'</p> - -<p>"We at once became great friends. Cassie was at that time about -fourteen or fifteen years of age and I was eighteen. She proved to -be the gayest, brightest, most winsome little lady I had ever seen. -I must have fallen in love with her at first sight. I have often -thought since," he added slowly, "that even his Satanic Majesty might -look entrancingly beautiful, for to my intense sorrow, Cassie proved -herself, it seems to me, a tenfold greater hypocrite than Judas of old -who betrayed with a kiss.</p> - -<p>"But enough of this. Our school days, lasting some five years, were -to me one ceaseless round of delightful experiences, which seemed to -fill every vein and fiber<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> of my being with unalloyed happiness. During -our vacations Cassie and I were always together, either at home or -traveling, and many were the excursions, romps and drives we enjoyed.</p> - -<p>"I graduated at twenty-three and we laid our plans for the future. -I had inherited an interest in a line of steamers running between -Liverpool and New York, which enabled us to frequently cross the -Atlantic during our vacations, and visit the leading points of -interest in Great Britain and on the continent. I had acquired a taste -for travel, and it was determined that I should visit the Orient, -while Cassie returned to college to complete her study of the higher -branches. I was to be gone about three years, during which time I would -circumnavigate the globe, and on my return we were to be married.</p> - -<p>"With these objects in view I secured, through the influence of my -uncle, a lucrative position in the employ of a firm of importers, whose -trade extended to all parts of the eastern continent and Australia. -On the evening before my departure, I placed a brilliant diamond -engagement ring on Cassie's finger and a gold chain and locket of -peculiar workmanship around her neck.</p> - -<p>"These presents were made from special designs for this purpose and -the patterns destroyed. I shall never forget the last night we spent -together. The appearance of my affianced bride in her splendid evening -dress, her diamond engagement ring sparkling on her lovely hand, the -gold chain and diamond set locket and her luxuriant suit of golden hair -handsomely ornamented, formed a picture of beauty indelibly imprinted -upon my memory.</p> - -<p>"My ship sailed from one of the piers on the Hudson near the Battery. -We contemplated the circum<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>navigation of the globe by way of Cape -Horn, the Sandwich Islands, Japan, China, Australia, Africa, Europe, -and thence returning to America, stopping at all the principal seaport -cities and points of interest on our voyage. This would enable Cassie -and me to keep up our correspondence with no very long interruptions.</p> - -<p>"For the first year of my absence, at every port I received a package -of letters from home, and this always contained letters from Cassie. -We had agreed to write to each other at least once a week without -waiting for replies, and it often occurred that I got a whole package -of letters from her at one time, and the perusal of these affectionate -missives was the one all-absorbing pleasure to which I looked forward -when we came into port. Whatever else might be lacking, Cassie's loving -letters never failed.</p> - -<p>"At last, however, they ceased all at once. Letters from my uncle came -regularly, and through them I heard of Cassie, but I could get no -word from her. I wrote to her every week, but my letters brought no -response. I was miserable, and urged my uncle to find out what was the -matter and let me know if my letters came safely.</p> - -<p>"My uncle's replies were at first evasive, but at last with an -expression of the most cordial sympathy for me, he informed me that my -letters came regularly, but that Cassie had changed her mind and they -remained unopened. He enclosed a draft on London for the balance due -on my estate, together with a complete statement of the account from -the date of his taking charge, and the findings of the court as to all -the property and investments that came to me from my father. Everything -was complete and duly certified, so there was nothing that demanded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> my -presence in New York. He advised me not to return home, but continue in -my present position, as Cassie was to be married in a short time and my -presence would be painful to her as well as to myself, and embarrassing -to everyone concerned.</p> - -<p>"I was thunderstruck. I did not, could not, would not believe that -Cassie was false to our mutual and oft repeated pledges of love and -fidelity to each other. I could get no satisfaction from my uncle. -My aunt had been dead several years. I wrote to my lawyer to learn -if possible, the truth of the reported engagement and approaching -marriage. His reply was prompt, stating that it was not only true, -but that the marriage had already taken place. He wrote that he had -been called in by my uncle, who was in feeble health, to make out -the papers in regard to the estate of Cassie VanNess, which she was -anxious to have settled satisfactorily to herself before her marriage. -'These financial matters being arranged,' wrote my lawyer, 'what was -my surprise to be called upon to witness her marriage to Richard Sage. -Financially she did well, but it is hard for me to believe that it was -a love match. Your uncle, however, is certainly much infatuated with -her, and she is indeed beautiful.'</p> - -<p>"This same letter contained a flattering offer from a firm of New York -importers, for my interest in the steamship line, and I advised my -attorney to close the deal at once and forward the proceeds to London -and also to dispose of all my property in and about New York, lists of -which were in his possession. I had made up my mind never to return -home, as it would be distressing to me and certainly embarrassing to my -uncle. After that my only New York correspondence was with my attorney.</p> - -<p>"When I reached London, I found a letter from my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> attorney with drafts -on the bank of England for all my interests in America. This letter -also contained the information that my uncle was in great trouble, -his marriage with Cassie having resulted in much unhappiness. She -had suddenly deserted him without giving any reason for her strange -conduct. She merely left a note, stating that she would not live with -him. This was the last that had been heard from her. 'Of course,' added -my attorney, 'it would be next to impossible to find her in this large -city if she desires to keep herself concealed.'</p> - -<p>"Since that time I have been a wanderer, caring little whither I went, -so that my mind was fully occupied. I purchased a staunch ship in which -I cruised for years, avoiding as far as practicable the regular lines -of trade and often sailing without a cargo, searching for a contentment -never to be found. At last I conceived the idea of getting away from -civilization altogether, joining in the work of Arctic exploration, -and, if possible reaching the pole. With this end in view, I had the -Ice King built according to special designs, and adapted, so far as -human foresight and ingenuity could devise, for a long sojourn in the -frozen north. And now here we are, in the Arctic Ocean, liable at any -moment to be caught between the ice fields which appear on either side, -and possibly crushed. What is to come next? God only knows.</p> - -<p>"Such is a brief statement of the perfidy of the woman I loved, and -its consequences. And this is why I am out here on this perilous -expedition, searching for something that I care very little about. I -think you will agree with me that it admits of no remedy."</p> - -<p>"It does not look that way to me," I responded. "I would be unwilling -to condemn your affianced bride until I had heard her side of the -story. It may be that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> her marriage to your uncle was secured by unfair -means, and that when she discovered the fraud, in her desperation she -started out to find you. In that case, the remedy would be for you to -find her and renew your plighted faith."</p> - -<p>"Never!" said Captain Ganoe. "Even if your supposed case is correct, -it could not set aside the facts. She knew that, in marrying my uncle, -she was false to me, and when she deserted him with no legal cause for -separation, she was false to her husband to whom she was bound in the -holy bonds of matrimony. She acted from her own choice. She was not -compelled to engage herself to me, and no law could have forced her to -marry my uncle. Her conduct in both cases reveals her innate perfidy -of character, and under no circumstances could I, as an honorable man, -accept such a woman as my wife. Her tarnished reputation, if nothing -else, would place an insurmountable barrier between us even if she were -not legally the wife of another man."</p> - -<p>I was paralyzed. I had indeed succeeded in getting from him an emphatic -expression of sentiment covering my own case. I had penetrated the -innermost recesses of his being, but had fanned to a flame the -slumbering fires of a volcano, only to be submerged in the eruption of -molten lava.</p> - -<p>The blow was so unexpected and so sudden, that I was stupefied, and -my astonishment left no room for grief, which gave me a moment for -reflection. Here I was, in the ship with him, far within the Arctic -Circle, at the beginning of the Arctic winter, and with the certainty -of being locked up in the ice for months if not for years. I could -not get away from him if I would, and from his own lips I had heard -my conduct denounced as the acme of perfidy, and my love spurned as -some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>thing treacherous and vile. Bitterly and in the most emphatic -manner, had he declared that as an honorable man, he could never -associate himself in the tender relations of marital love, with one of -my tarnished reputation. In his own estimate, he had already assigned -me a place among the most debased and abandoned characters, and all -there was left for me to do was to preserve my disguise, in order to -secure even respectful treatment from the man I loved.</p> - -<p>As the full sense of the situation dawned upon me in all its crushing -weight of humiliation and anguish, I must have fallen at his feet in a -dead faint, but for the clangor of the great bell which had been agreed -upon as the signal of immediate peril, to summon each one to the post -that had been assigned him in case of sudden emergencies. The alarm -came to me as a sweet relief from an agony tenfold more difficult to -endure than any possible hardships or dangers from an Arctic storm, -amid towering mountains of ice.</p> - -<p>There was no time for grief. The emergency demanding prompt action -was upon us, and we hurried out upon deck. According to previous -arrangements, Captain Ganoe seized the wheel and Captain Battell, as -an experienced Arctic navigator, took command, while I, with glass and -note book, stood by the wheel to make observations and to render any -assistance to Captain Ganoe that might be required.</p> - -<p>The cause of alarm at once became apparent. The stiff breeze that -had been blowing all day from the southwest, had now increased to a -gale, and the icebergs which for days were becoming more numerous on -our starboard quarter, had formed a solid pack, which was evidently -land-locked, as it remained stationary, while on the larboard, a solid -field of ice of vast extent was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> approaching. It was only a question -of a few hours at the utmost, when these two great ice walls must come -together and it would be destruction for us to be caught in their -deadly embrace.</p> - -<p>Retreat was impossible. The only open channel was the one we were -pursuing. The walls on either side were continuous, and with my glass -I could see the channel behind us blocked with icebergs, urged on in -our wake by wind and waves as if determined not to let us escape. Our -only safety seemed to be in our being able to sail beyond these two -continuous walls of ice before they came together. Captain Battell, -with his glass kept up a rapid survey of the horizon, and gave orders -through his trumpet as calmly as if scenes like this were matters of -every day occurrence, and Captain Ganoe, at the wheel, responded as -if he was part of the machinery, which he handled with rapidity and -precision.</p> - -<p>It was a scene never to be forgotten. The midnight sun hung just above -the horizon. Off to our larboard, an unbroken wall of ice extending as -far as the eye, assisted by a powerful glass could reach, was bearing -down upon us. On our starboard another wall of ice against which the -waves were dashing in all their fury, stood apparently as firm as the -granite shores against which it rested. Behind us, the channel was -filled with detached masses of ice, which if caught between these ice -walls might hasten the closing of the channel before us. Could we -escape? was the all pervading question that propounded itself to us.</p> - -<p>Every sail was set and under the pressure of every pound of steam our -boilers could carry, the Ice King leaped forward like a frightened -deer, as if conscious of the doom that was impending. For hours we -kept up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> this reckless speed. The foam flew in blinding spray from the -ship's quarters, fretted along her sides and left a broad white line -in her wake. The whistling of the wind in her rigging and the regular -plunging of her engines, made pandemonium on board.</p> - -<p>It was indeed a race for life, and in my perturbed state of mind I -actually enjoyed the excitement, almost hoping that it might culminate -in the destruction threatened. With the courage of despair I calmly -surveyed the scene and took my notes, occasionally assisting Captain -Ganoe at the wheel. This was the first real danger that we had -encountered, and my interview with the Captain had given me a reckless -daring to meet it without a tremor, that seems almost miraculous.</p> - -<p>We still kept up this rapid flight, and as far as the eye could reach -the two great ice walls still confronted each other and the channel of -open water continued to grow more narrow. Soon we had to veer from side -to side to avoid collisions with the jagged shore-lines of ice, but -nowhere was there any indication that when they came together an open -space would be formed sufficient to protect the ship. We were compelled -to reduce our speed, and still the ice-fields were coming closer -together and at last we were forced to creep along a narrow, crooked -channel between two great packs of ice-mountains which often towered -far above the mainmast of the Ice King.</p> - -<p>The outlook was desperate, but the ice on our larboard ceased to -approach, and for a moment it seemed as if we might escape into open -water. But not so. Our way was blocked. An ice-mountain loomed up -before us, and we came to a full stop. It was this that had probably -checked the advance of the moving ice-pack, and saved us from the cruel -"nip" which has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> crushed so many hapless vessels in these dangerous -waters.</p> - -<p>The Ice King lay between two vast overhanging ice-mountains, which -towered high above us. In the front was the huge iceberg, which had -prevented the nearer approach of the wall of ice. The channel in which -we lay could only be closed by the breaking up of the fields of ice -behind us, and we could see no reason why this should occur. If the -ice-fields remained intact until the freezing of the channel there -would be no collision and we would be safe for the time being.</p> - -<p>The weather had become intensely cold and we began to feel that the -danger had passed by, when an ominous roar and the sharp reports of -breaking ice, gave warning of the only thing we had to dread. A violent -earthquake was lashing the ocean into fury, and the ice pack was broken -into innumerable fragments, which were crashing against each other in -the most violent commotion. Captain Battell shouted from the lookout -where he had posted himself:</p> - -<p>"Save yourselves if you can. The channel is closing and the ship is -lost."</p> - -<p>I looked up, and as I did so, the lofty ice-mountains between which we -lay, seemed to be falling directly down upon us, and at the same time -a violent shock threw me upon the deck with a force that must have -rendered me unconscious for a few seconds.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">In the dark—All is still—Captain Ganoe's narrow -escape—Imprisoned in the ice—Distressing situation—How to preserve -the health and efficiency of the crew—A new danger—The ice is -moving—The common sailor to the rescue—Lief and Eric save the -ship—The tunnel to the surface—Exploring the ice-field.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus05.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>HE first thing I remember after being thrown to the deck, was the -profound quiet, and the consciousness that some mighty change had taken -place in our surroundings. I opened my eyes. The deck was wrapped in -semi-darkness, and instead of the thundering reverberations of the -breaking ice and the waves dashing into foam upon their icy barriers, -there was a gentle, swish, swish, of the sea as it lashed the sides of -the ship. I felt dazed, and the memory of the awful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> scenes through -which we had passed impressed me like the vivid imagery and fantastic -pictures of some horrible dream.</p> - -<p>At the moment of the shock, fully impressed with the conviction that -all was lost, I was turning to grasp Raphael in my arms, so that we -might die together, and on recovering consciousness, my first thought -was of him. I sprang to my feet and in the dim light I saw something -gliding away from me towards the edge of the deck, and I instinctively -grasped it, as it was about to drop overboard. It was Captain Ganoe. -He was living but unconscious. With my insecure footing, I feared for -a moment that we should both go overboard together, when there was a -flash of light and Battell seized my arm, exclaiming:</p> - -<p>"Thank God, you are both alive! I called to you and as you did not -reply, I feared that you were both killed by the falling ice. It was -lucky that you were able to grasp the Captain just when you did, or he -would surely have been lost."</p> - -<p>I was holding Captain Ganoe in my arms, while Battell was briskly -chafing his hands. In a moment he aroused, as if suddenly awaking out -of a deep sleep, and straightening himself up in a dazed sort of way, -he exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Good God, Jack, what is the matter? Where are we? Have I been asleep?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, we are only imprisoned in the ice," said Battell. "I feared that -you were crushed by that huge block of ice which came so near carrying -away the part of the deck where you were standing. If Jack had not -caught you and drawn you back at the imminent risk of his own life, you -would now be at the bottom of the sea."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> - -<p>Captain Ganoe, now fully aroused, took in the situation at a glance, -and exclaimed as he grasped me by the hand:</p> - -<p>"Jack, my savior! The last I remember was that you were turning as if -to grasp me in your arms. It was indeed a close call. But why did you -risk your life to save mine?"</p> - -<p>I had scarcely spoken since the alarm had ended our conversation in -my cabin, and I felt that to do so now, in answer to such a question, -would betray my weakness and possibly my secret, which I had resolved -to guard more closely than ever. Fortunately, however, he did not wait -for a reply, but with his usual thoughtfulness for the crew and safety -of the ship, he started below, saying:</p> - -<p>"Come on, my bruises are not severe, and we must look out for the -sailors and make a tour of inspection around the ship and ascertain as -nearly as possible, in just what kind of a place we are."</p> - -<p>Just as we reached the deck below, we met Paul Huston, the engineer; -Pat O'Brien, second mate; and Mike Gallagher, the cabin boy. They -understood what had happened and feared we had been injured or killed -by the shower of ice that had fallen upon the upper deck. They reported -everything all right with the crew and that the vessel was apparently -uninjured.</p> - -<p>We passed entirely around the ship, narrowly scanning the walls of our -ice prison, with a powerful reflector, which revealed every crevice. -We lay in an inclosure which gave the vessel more than room enough -to turn around if carefully handled. We ascertained that the great -overhanging ice-mountains between which we lay, and that had threatened -us with instant destruction, had actually been our salvation. When -the earth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>quake shattered the two great ice-fields, these towering -mountains had started to tumble over on the ship at the same time, and -meeting far above had formed a massive arch which had prevented the -closing of the channel at that point. Here and there were openings in -the icy roof, but in the main, the colliding masses were closely joined -together. The only injury to the ship was from the block of ice that -had fallen so near to Captain Ganoe. From the number of fragments of -from one to several pounds in weight, which were scattered over the -upper deck, it seemed a marvel that we had escaped without serious -injury.</p> - -<p>When our tour of inspection was completed we repaired to the library to -talk over the situation. Addressing Battell, Captain Ganoe asked:</p> - -<p>"What do you think of the situation?"</p> - -<p>"I apprehend no immediate danger," replied Captain Battell. "In a few -hours with the present intense cold, this ice-pack will be frozen into -one solid block. But if we are not crushed by the ice, God only knows -when we will get out. As for the present, we are most fortunately -situated. We could not find better winter quarters in the frigid zone. -We are well protected from the cold, and the fishing will be good, as -this will be a good breathing place where the fish will gather for air. -We can lay in an ample supply of dog feed and I am inclined to believe -that we might capture a whale and lay in a supply of oil for fuel."</p> - -<p>"But how long do you think it will be," asked the Captain, "before we -will have an opportunity to get the ship clear of the ice?"</p> - -<p>"I would not venture a prediction," replied Battell. "One thing is -certain. We are sealed up for the winter, and it may be that the entire -summer will not be suffi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>cient to produce a break up of the ice-field -in which we are caught. So it may be that we will be cooped up for a -year or two. There is no telling how long we will be prisoners."</p> - -<p>"Well, I suppose then," said the Captain, "that all there is for us to -do is to wait."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Battell, "that is all we can do, and," he added, smiling, -"it will not take much effort. But," after a pause, "it will take some -effort on our part to provide sufficient exercise and amusement to -preserve the health and discipline of the crew, so that we will have a -reasonable prospect of getting clear of the ice when the break up does -take place."</p> - -<p>"That is well thought of," said Captain Ganoe, "and I think it would be -well to muster the crew and organize a regular system of employment and -amusement. And," turning to me, he continued, "what do you have to say, -Jack? I never knew you to be so silent. What is the matter? Have you no -opinions to offer, and nothing to suggest?"</p> - -<p>"I certainly have opinions and I might offer some suggestions," I -remarked, "but before doing so, I want to familiarize myself with -existing conditions. Only one thing seems certain, just at present, -and that is, that we are locked up in the ice for several months and -perhaps for years to come. This will give us ample time for careful -reflection. There is no reason that we should be in a hurry to -inaugurate a rigid system of any kind just now in order to preserve -the discipline of the crew. There is no danger of their deserting the -ship and we can well afford to wait until the novelty of our present -surroundings has worn away."</p> - -<p>"You are right," said the Captain. "There is certainly a novelty in -our present surroundings, that will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> attract the attention of all and -prevent ennui for the time being, but this will soon wear away, and -the monotony of our imprisonment will become unbearable, except to -the best disciplined minds. This will be particularly severe on our -common sailors, who are uneducated, and thus deprived of the numberless -sources of recreation and amusement to which we have ready access. When -this time comes, what would you do?"</p> - -<p>"So far as I am concerned," I said, "I have access to the library, and -will really enjoy the association that it affords with the brightest -intellects and noblest characters of earth, past and present. Now, -if I should suggest anything for the relief of the common sailors, -outside of such exercise and amusements as are essential to health, I -would organize them into a school, and seek to bring these more exalted -pleasures within their reach by increasing their knowledge, and giving -them broader views of life and higher aspirations. This will also -furnish us with needful and elevating employment and will certainly -afford us a splendid opportunity to do good to others, and at the same -time increase our own knowledge of human nature, and to trace the -effects produced by environments, on the masses who have not enjoyed -the advantages of a liberal education."</p> - -<p>"Your suggestion," said the Captain, "is all right as far as the better -educated are concerned, but it would be useless and probably hurtful to -the common sailors. Remember the old adage that 'a little learning is -a dangerous thing.' To the extent that we could succeed in giving them -broader views of life and higher aspirations, we would only succeed in -making them dissatisfied with their lot, and thus weaken the discipline -on which the safety of all depends. All that we can do for the common -sailors is to provide such healthful exercise of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> the muscles as will -give them good appetites and enable them to enjoy rest and sleep. They -would not appreciate the mental feast which you in your kindness of -heart would set before them. Their training has been physical, and, -hence, their enjoyments must be of the same nature. The same rules that -apply to trained intellects will not apply to them."</p> - -<p>"If that is your opinion," I said, "there is no use for any suggestions -from me. You are the owner and senior officer of the Ice King, and, of -course, good discipline demands that your will shall be law. You ought -to understand the material of which your crew is composed, better than -I. My duties have not brought me in contact with your sailors and, of -course, I know practically nothing about them, except that I see they -are courageous and efficient. But, nevertheless, on general principles, -I believe that nature has planted the germs of all that is good and -noble in every human soul, and if this is true, all that is good and -noble can be developed in them by the proper influences, without -detracting in any way from their usefulness as mere workers; besides, -the effort to elevate them draws them nearer to us, and it seems to me, -would tend to engender feelings of mutual love and confidence, that -strengthen instead of weaken that perfect discipline which is of such -inestimable importance to an expedition like this, when the safety and -well-being of every individual member is of vital importance to the -safety and well being of the entire crew."</p> - -<p>"I have always had the respect and confidence of my sailors," said the -Captain, "not because I tried to lift them up to the same plane that I -occupied, but because I provided them with good food, good quarters, -never overtaxed their strength, and gave them ample time for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> rest -and such amusements as they could appreciate. I have always had the -good-will and cheerful obedience of the common sailors, because I -looked out for their physical needs and treated them kindly."</p> - -<p>"I have no doubt of that," I said. "But your voyages in the past have -been between civilized ports and all your sailors wanted was their -pay, and in addition to this, you gave them better treatment than they -could get elsewhere. Hence, their selfish impulses held them to you. -The relation between you and them was purely physical, and all that was -needed to make them loyal to you, was to look out for their physical -wants and treat them kindly. From their standpoint, this was an -addition to their wages that they could not secure under more heartless -employers. But you are now differently situated. You are not expected -to come into a civilized port where sailors can spend their wages as -sailors usually do. They have nothing to look forward to, and as mere -workers they have no interests in common with you. But with the broader -views of life to which association with the best intellects and the -noblest characters gives access, they would take a more exalted view of -the work in which they are engaged, and be true to you from a higher -motive than their wages, which they cannot use in the supply of their -physical wants. This is why I suggested the school."</p> - -<p>"I recognize the force of your reasoning," said the Captain, "and if I -regarded your premises as correct, I would come to the same conclusion -that you do. But you make the mistake of overlooking the fact that a -liberal education can only be secured by years of training in school, -from the kindergarten to the college, and should be accompanied by the -elevating influences of the home and cultured society, and followed by -a life of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> study and experience in the higher walks of life, before -the average man can be reasonably expected to rise above the plane of -mere physical existence, and act from the high intellectual and moral -impulses which impel the most cultivated and elevated characters. And, -you must still further take into consideration the fact, that even if -we were imprisoned in the ice for a year or more, we would have time -enough to give our sailors only a smattering of what they ought to -know, in order to develop the high type of character that you propose, -even if we could overcome the influence of their home lives and the low -social status of the society in which they have always mingled. You -do not realize, my dear Jack, the utter impossibility of the task you -would have us undertake. They must still be sailors and perform the -hard labor for which they were engaged, and we should be careful not -to engender in their minds hopes and aspirations that would make them -dissatisfied with their lot."</p> - -<p>"I certainly would not do anything," I replied, "that would tend to -make them discontented. This is something that should be most carefully -avoided. But, nevertheless, I still think my suggestion, if carried -out, would have just the opposite tendency. From my own experience, -I regard my premises as stronger than my reasoning. I enjoyed all -the advantages of a liberal education and the elevating influence -of home and cultured society, and still, I have engaged in the most -menial employments. Yet, I did not find that my education rendered me -dissatisfied with my lot. On the contrary, it did much to enable me to -adapt myself to the situation, and to find sources of enjoyment which -were inaccessible to my uneducated associates. But, more than this, my -experience among the lowly, convinces me that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> a collegiate education -is not essential to the development of the noblest characteristics. I -have met sailors before the mast, who had accumulated a vast fund of -useful knowledge, and had the broadest and most comprehensive views of -life, and its duties. The premises from which I reason, are the results -of actual experience with the lowly."</p> - -<p>"I fear," returned the Captain, "that in your enthusiastic love for -humanity, you have made the very natural mistake of judging the -uneducated by yourself. I do not desire to flatter, but you have -certainly inherited qualities of a high order, and a temperament so -well poised, that you could acquit yourself with credit in any capacity -in which you might be placed. Your employers could not fail to discover -your worth, and according to your own statement, you were rapidly -promoted. This is the ordinary reward of those who have inherited -exalted qualities. Real ability never remains very long in a menial -position. The simple fact that our sailors, who are much above the -average of their class, have, after years of experience, still remained -in the same humble position, is a very good evidence that they are not -qualified for anything higher. There are Lief and Eric, for instance. -They have been with me for several years, and they have not even tried -to master the language. As mere sailors, you could not find better -men, but you would never select them for an emergency that required -extraordinary quickness of perception, and the ability to lead."</p> - -<p>I was about to reply, feeling myself master of the situation, so far -as the argument was concerned, when a crashing sound from above, and -a careening motion of the ship brought us to our feet. On gaining the -deck the cause of the commotion was immediately apparent.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> The ship was -moving toward the starboard, and was being forced under the shelving -ice. The crashing sound had been caused by the masts coming in contact -with the sloping, icy roof. The masts were closely wedged under the -roof and could go no farther, while the hull was still being carried -forward by what seemed to be a strong ocean current. The situation -was one of imminent peril, for if this motion continued, we were in -immediate danger of being capsized. The ship was already careening -toward the larboard.</p> - -<p>The top could go no farther, while the hull was too far from the solid -ice to admit of the use of pikes and spars to prop it back.</p> - -<p>Battell was calling for axes to cut away the masts, when a shout from -the larboard wall of our prison, attracted our attention. By the light -of the reflectors we saw Lief, on a low lying bench of ice making a -cable fast around an ice hummock, and at the same time we heard the -voice of Eric calling for aid at the capstan on the lower deck. We saw -instantly that this was the thing to do, and Captain Ganoe, Battell, -Huston and myself were the first to take hold of the lever. Eric -immediately motioned for the men who were coming forward with axes to -man another capstan, while he seized a coil of small rope attached to -a cable, sprang into the sea and swam rapidly to join Lief on the ice -bench. The axmen hesitated for a moment and Captain Ganoe shouted:</p> - -<p>"Man the capstan! The Norwegians know what they are doing."</p> - -<p>With remarkable celerity, the new cable was made fast and the men -began turning the capstan. This was not a moment too soon, as the -first cable, unable to stand the strain, showed unmistakable signs of -breaking.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> The motion of the vessel toward the starboard and under the -ice was stopped. But the Norwegians now called for a boat and more -cables. Their orders were promptly obeyed. Captain Ganoe, Battell and -myself were the first to respond. For the moment, our Norwegian sailors -were in command, and all obeyed their orders with alacrity. The boat -was manned and the Ice King was lashed to the larboard wall of our -prison at a number of different points. The ship was saved from the -impending disaster, but still was slightly careened and the masts were -bent almost to the point of breaking.</p> - -<p>Returning to the ship, Captain Ganoe and Battell began figuring on -getting the masts clear of the ice and the ship righted. The pressure -of the water on the larboard side was immense, but the cables held -her fast and there was no especial need of haste. The first thought -suggested was to remove the upper splice of the mainmast, which would -relieve the pressure, but the Norwegians had evolved a more simple -plan. They motioned the engineer to set the screws in motion, slowly. -As soon as the ship began to move forward the masts began to bend -toward the stern, and the cables which held the ship firmly on the -larboard, being relatively shortened by the forward motion, the vessel -was drawn in that direction and righted herself. We now moved the -vessel to the center of the enclosure in which she floated, and cables -were made fast to the ice on every quarter, and thus secured from -contact with it, the Ice King had the appearance of a huge spider with -its web spread out in every direction.</p> - -<p>The danger was past, the ship was safe, and we had time to inquire into -the particulars concerning the important part that had been enacted by -our two Norwegian sailors. We now learned that while the entire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> crew, -except themselves, were resting from their recent fatigue in a feeling -of security, Lief and Eric were far from believing that our winter -quarters were entirely safe until the ship was securely tied up to the -walls of our prison. Their especial charge was to keep the cables, -capstans and anchors ready for use at a moment's notice, and they were -satisfied that this was a time when they were needed. Hence, instead -of retiring to their hammocks to sleep, they determined to carefully -examine our surroundings for themselves. They observed that the -larboard wall was nearly perpendicular to a point several feet above -the top of the masts, while on the starboard, the sloping roof extended -far out to the water's edge. They further observed that along the -larboard was a low lying bench upon which the falling ice had formed a -number of hummocks. This was a safe place to tie to.</p> - -<p>Just as they had satisfied themselves on this point, they noticed that -the ship was drifting toward the starboard, and that the masts were -coming dangerously near the roof, and that in a few minutes we might -be capsized. There was not a moment to be lost. This motion toward the -starboard must be arrested, and Lief, with one end of a coil of small -rope, sprang into the water and swam to the bench along the larboard -wall while Eric attached the other end to a cable. But before it could -be made fast to the larboard wall the masts came in contact with -the sloping roof on the starboard which gave the alarm that aroused -the crew and brought the officers on deck with the results already -mentioned.</p> - -<p>Captain Ganoe was visibly affected when he learned how the ship and the -lives of the crew had been saved by the quick perception and prompt -action of the two sailors. He shook their hands and thanked them over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> -and over again, declaring that such all-important service should not -go unrewarded. They understood his allusion and declared in their -very limited supply of English that they could not be induced to take -pay from the Captain for saving the ship and at the same time saving -themselves. That we must all stand together or we would all perish.</p> - -<p>As soon as they had succeeded in making themselves understood, they -withdrew. As a rule they kept to themselves, except when their services -were needed. Yet they were not unsociable and often conversed with the -engineer, Paul Huston, who understood their language. When they had -an important communication to make, they secured his services as an -interpreter. They seemed averse to the use of English.</p> - -<p>When they were gone Captain Ganoe said: "I little thought that Lief -and Eric possessed ability of such a high order, and since I have -discovered their true nobility of character, I am more than ever -anxious that they should study English, as it would enable me to do so -much more for them."</p> - -<p>"You little understand the material of which these Norwegians are -made," said Huston, who was standing by. "They do not want you to do -anything for them. They feel more than able to take care of themselves. -They have not always been sailors, but that occupation suits their -purpose best for the present. They are looking forward to great results -that may be accomplished by this expedition, and they care more for its -success than for anything you could do for them. As to the language, -they already understand more than they care to use. They are proud of -their native Norse."</p> - -<p>"You astonish me!" exclaimed the Captain. "I must get better acquainted -with them."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then," said Huston, "you must learn their language, and even then -they may repel any familiarity. They preferred working for you because -you did not understand their language. They do not care to be on -confidential terms with anyone. When they found that I understood them, -they became somewhat communicative but not confidential. Yet, I have -learned enough to make me believe they have a history, and some well -defined purpose in life. I would not think, however, of trying to draw -from them anything that they did not care to give of their own accord. -One thing is certain. You can place implicit confidence in their -courage, ability, nobility of character and fidelity to the purposes of -this expedition."</p> - -<p>"Well, thanks to their watchfulness, quick perception and prompt -action," said Captain Ganoe, "we can now have the much needed rest we -tried to enjoy before we had taken the precautions essential to our -safety. I am surprised that we did not think of the possible dangers -that might beset us from ocean currents. My only fear was that some -disturbing cause might sunder the walls of our prison before they were -frozen solid. And, even now, I have some fears on that score."</p> - -<p>"No danger of that kind," replied Battell. "Several hours have already -elapsed, and the weather was intensely cold before the channel closed. -Just listen how the storm still rages."</p> - -<p>Through the rifts in our ice roof, we had been enabled to catch -glimpses of the sky, but now it was all inky blackness. The gale that -had brought the two great ice-fields together, had now grown to a -terrific storm, and had changed its direction. The winds roared and -raged like demons in mortal combat, and ever and anon the snow was -driven in upon us like fine dust, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>dicating the intense cold. We, -now that the ship was safe, had the best of reasons for congratulating -ourselves on our snug winter quarters. Our icy prison was both our -safety from the violence of the storm, and our protection from the -intense cold. We partook of a hearty lunch and retired to our rest with -feelings of perfect security.</p> - -<p>When I awoke everything was astir on board. The carpenters were -busily engaged in repairing the broken deck, while the sailors were -removing the ice and snow. Everything was being put in order as if -we were preparing for a voyage. The storm had ceased to howl and we -were in the grasp of an Arctic winter. Even in our secluded retreat, -it was necessary for us to wrap up in furs and woolens when we went -on the upper deck. But our cabins were warm and we had an abundance -of everything to eat and wear to make us comfortable. The ice-field -was frozen into a solid block, and there was no question as to our -safety, but we had no means of making observations that would indicate -our location. This to me, was the loss of an occupation that I really -enjoyed and I felt the need of something that would take its place.</p> - -<p>We were imprisoned in the ice on September 23d, and from my last -observations I inferred that our location was about latitude 77° North -and longitude 160° West. The sun made his appearance for a brief -interval each day, and I calculated that the long Arctic night would -be fully set in by the last of October. The rifts in the roof of our -prison afforded us no opportunity for determining our location. Our -recent danger had revealed the fact that we were moving. We tried the -sounding line and found that we were in deep water, and that our motion -was evidently due to the motion of the ice-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>field. We were floating -at the mercy of the winds and ocean currents. But whither would they -carry us? None could tell. Assuming, however, that the currents were -north-bound, and reasoning from the fact that the motion of the earth -was from west to east, the tendency being, as it were, to slip from -under us, we concluded that as long as the ice was floating freely, our -general motion would be toward the west and north.</p> - -<p>For the present we were safe and comfortable with the ship securely -fastened to the solid walls of our prison. But we knew summer would -come, and the warm rays of the sun would beam down on us for months, -melting and breaking up the frozen surface of the ocean which was now -our security, but might then become the cause of our destruction. -Our future safety, and the success of the expedition, demanded that -we should have easy access to the surface, so that we could make the -necessary observations, and, if possible, find some means of providing -for the safety of the ship and crew when the ice went to pieces. This -was the task before us, but we had no means of calculating the time -it would take. All we knew was, that the two ice mountains by coming -together had formed a roof over our heads, and towered many feet above -the ship's masts, and if their other dimensions were in proportion, it -might take a long time for us to tunnel through to the surface.</p> - -<p>We felt that there was no time to lose. All needful arrangements were -soon perfected under the direction of Battell, who took charge as -engineer and manager. The ice-bench on our larboard was selected as the -point of starting. The crew was divided into three reliefs, each with a -foreman, and the work of excavation went on without intermission. This -arrangement gave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> eight hours for work in the tunnel, and sixteen for -rest and recreation.</p> - -<p>I again suggested my "pet hobby" as it was called, of organizing the -crew into a school and devoting a few hours each day to educational -purposes. But I was alone in the recommendation, and it was not acted -on, but the library was free to all who cared to read. I noticed, -however, that Paul Huston, Pat O'Brien and Mike Gallagher, were the -only ones who ever called for books, and Huston was the only one who -seemed to know just what he wanted. Lief and Eric had some Norwegian -books and writings which they often consulted, but all the others, when -not at work, spent their time in playing games, spinning yarns and -fishing.</p> - -<p>As predicted by Battell, the enclosure in which the ship floated, -seemed to attract the finny denizens of the deep, supplying fresh food -for the crew and our dog teams, as well as oil which we used for fuel. -The library was the favorite resort of those who cared to read and -discuss topics of general interest. Here we spent our leisure hours, -reading, conversing upon subjects of every description and devising -amusements that would enable us to pass the time pleasantly. When tired -of these things we joined the working force in the tunnel and exercised -our muscles. This was a work of necessity, as well as a healthful -recreation, and we went into it with the utmost enthusiasm. We managed -to get comfortably tired every day, and enjoyed excellent appetites and -most refreshing sleep, in consequence. Altogether the winter passed -very agreeably.</p> - -<p>It was well on toward spring before the tunnel was completed. We -now had access to the surface, up an easy incline, and beheld the -uninterrupted beauties of an Arctic night. The scene which greeted us -defies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> description. The sky was cloudless, and the Northern Lights, -with their brilliant corruscations, nature's compensation for the long -polar night, presented a pyrotechnic display, the grandeur and beauty -of which are indelibly impressed on my memory.</p> - -<p>We took our bearings and found we were in latitude 84° N. longitude -170° W. We were seven degrees farther north than when we were caught in -the ice, and ten degrees farther west. We were plainly in the grasp of -north-bound currents, while our motion toward the west was uncertain. -Subsequent observations revealed the fact that at times our longitude -was stationary, or drifting somewhat toward the east. On the whole, -our westerly motion exceeded any opposite tendency, but our progress -northward was considerable though not regular, as if we were retarded -by obstructions which were being overcome at intervals by the force of -northerly currents.</p> - -<p>It was now the 20th of Feb., and it was determined that the work of -exploration should commence. The dog-teams and sledges were brought -out and provisioned for a journey to the eastward under the direction -of Captain Battell. Captain Ganoe, Pat O'Brien, Mike Gallagher, Paul -Huston, the two Norwegian sailors and myself remained on the ship. The -sledge party was to be absent a month and possibly longer. Captain -Battell wanted to make some thorough observations on the eastern -borders of the ice-field, and take soundings if he could reach open -water.</p> - -<p>We still had some weeks of Arctic night before us, but the full, -round moon and the brilliant Aurora, made every object visible for a -long distance. The weather was intensely cold, but the scenery was so -attractive that I spent much of my time exploring the ice-field in the -immediate vicinity of the ship. Many were the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> weird and fantastic -scenes that I sketched, and many the strolls I took in a vain effort -to find some prominent point from which with my glass I could get an -unobstructed view of the horizon. But like our prison in the ice, -all nature seemed cramped. The starry vault was contracted by the -obscuration of stars which I thought should have been visible above -the horizon. I kept searching for an elevated point of view, but this -seemed always just a little ahead. These rambles often extended for -miles and occupied hours.</p> - -<p>Returning from one of them, I was met by Lief and Eric who pointed to -the crest of the mountain of ice that formed the roof of our prison, -and beckoned me to follow them. I did so and found that they had cut -an inclined road around the icy mountain to the apex, where they had -erected an observatory out of ice blocks. It was built over a rift -in the roof of our prison that was directly above the ice bench on -the larboard near the mouth of the tunnel. The wall at this point was -almost perpendicular, and with but little labor they were able to put -in an elevator, consisting simply of a platform secured by ropes, and -attached to a pulley inside the observatory.</p> - -<p>They showed me what they had done, and to convince me that it was -entirely safe, they let themselves down on the elevator and raised -themselves up again, much as a painter handles his swinging scaffold, -but more rapidly. I was pleased with the contrivance, and more with the -interest taken by Lief and Eric in making arrangements to facilitate my -observations. I did not hesitate to take my place on the platform with -them and return to the ship by this direct route.</p> - -<p>I now learned that as soon as the tunnel was completed, Lief and -Eric had found their way to the top<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> of our prison, and seeing the -advantages that this elevation offered as an outlook, they conceived -the idea of an observatory on the top, to be connected with the ship -by an elevator. They took no one into their confidence but Huston, and -set to work immediately. In a little over two weeks they were ready to -put in the elevator which connected directly with the ship, and saved a -long walk by way of the tunnel. This work had just been completed and -they were enabled to give me a very unexpected but agreeable surprise -on my return from one of my usual rambles.</p> - -<p>But it was no more of a surprise to me than it was to Captain Ganoe, -who was just starting out to the surface through the tunnel, when Lief, -Eric and myself came swinging down from the observatory on the platform -which constituted the cage. Lief who was handling the rope stopped our -descent just in time to prevent the platform from swinging against the -Captain, who looking up exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Hello, Jack! Where did you come from, and what is all this rigging -for?"</p> - -<p>"Just ask Lief and Eric," I replied. "They have been looking out for a -more direct route to the surface than by way of the tunnel. They have -erected an observatory on the roof, and if you are going out for a -walk, you had better take the elevator."</p> - -<p>"All right," said the Captain stepping on the platform, "but I would -suggest that you ought to have a light on board, to give warning in -this gloom to all whom it may concern, to get out of the way of the -engine."</p> - -<p>"That can be provided for in the future," I said. "This is the first -trial and we find that it works all right. Now we are ready for such -improvements as you have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> to suggest. While the invention belongs to -our Norwegian friends, we have no patent laws in this country and hence -there can be no infringement. There is no restrictive legislation here -to stand in the way of progress."</p> - -<p>"I think in view of all the facts," said the Captain, "that this matter -had better be left in the hands of the inventors. I have no doubt that -they are fully equal to the task, and they have free access to the -ship's stores for that purpose. It seems to me that the improvement -most needed is some contrivance that will counteract the swinging -motion, and no doubt Lief and Eric have a plan already that will -accomplish that."</p> - -<p>We were now in the observatory and the view in every direction was most -satisfactory. This was by far the most elevated location anywhere in -the region, and Captain Ganoe cordially concurred in my suggestion to -fit it up in good shape for all the purposes of an observatory as well -as a resting place when the weather became warm. We carefully explored -the immediate vicinity and found that this towering mountain of ice -could be made accessible from both the east and west. Towards the north -and south it was easy to trace the seam where the ice walls had come -together, and along this line were numerous depressions of great depth.</p> - -<p>When we were ready to return to the ship we found that Lief and Eric -had stretched ropes from the top to the bottom which passing through -the platform held it steady while passing up and down. They had also -devised a contrivance by which the elevator could be operated either -from above or below as occasion might require; also a telephone -connection between the observatory and the ship.</p> - -<p>With this easy means of access to the surface, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> seldom used the -tunnel except for the sledges, or the transportation of some heavy -burden. From this elevated point I watched with continually increasing -interest, the roseate hues on the horizon which indicated the location -of the rising sun. These grew brighter and brighter until the king of -day made his appearance. This was the signal for inflating the balloons -and sending up dispatches in the hope that they might be carried south -into civilized portions of the globe by the equinoctial storms. It -was also the time fixed for the return of Battell from his exploring -expedition on the eastern portion of the ice field. His observations, -in connection with my own, constituted our only means of accumulating -that fund of information concerning these unknown regions which would -make this expedition valuable to the world. Besides, our own safety -depended to a very great extent upon the accuracy of the knowledge we -could acquire concerning the forces which controlled the movements -of this vast island of ice. My relation to the scientific work of -the expedition, made me anxious to make the best possible use of our -present favorable opportunity for investigation.</p> - -<p>During our long incarceration in our ice prison I had kept such -notes and made such observations as our environments would permit. -The movement of the ice field towards the west which at first had -threatened to draw us under the ice and capsize the ship, had lost -much of its force, and now that we were on the surface, and able to -trace the seam which marked the channel in which we had been moving, -we discovered that its general direction was from southeast to -northwest, while at the time we had been caught between the colliding -ice fields, we had according to my notes, been running northeast. This -demonstrated, that the entire body of ice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> had turned one quarter -around, while its general movement had been toward the west and north. -And now my daily observations indicated that it was continually -changing its position, and that while its motions were generally toward -the west, they were by no means uniform. It seemed to have been at -the mercy of contending forces ever since we had been held within its -grasp, and it was one of the prime objects of the expedition to make a -close study of just this kind of influences.</p> - -<p>As soon as the sun began to show itself above the horizon, I kept a -constant lookout for the return of Captain Battell and his sledge -party. We knew that he had gone east, and that it was his intention -to commence the exploration of the western portion of the ice-field -before the sun was remaining above the horizon for the full twenty-four -hours. But the weather during the early spring was unfavorable and I -discovered nothing worthy of note. When the days became longer and with -the sun in the west, I expected to make some important discoveries with -my glass. And when I did get a clear view I was startled to observe -what seemed to be a barren waste of sand and sand mountains. I called -Captain Ganoe's attention to this appearance, and after a careful -scrutiny with his glass he said:</p> - -<p>"That looks very much like land. The surface is certainly neither snow -nor ice. But where in the world did all that sand come from? I will -telephone Huston to bring a larger telescope and we will make a closer -examination."</p> - -<p>In a few minutes Huston made his appearance and we placed the -instrument in position. With the stronger glass, our first impressions -as to the nature of the surface were confirmed but we discovered -nothing that of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>fered any explanation of the phenomenon. Here was -a mystery and we were now more anxious than ever for the return of -Captain Battell, who we felt assured had made some very interesting -discoveries.</p> - -<p>I continued to scan the horizon with the large telescope and my search -was soon rewarded by the discovery of a man who seemed to have just -reached the crest of what appeared to be a long sandy ridge running -north and south, but a few miles distant. He seemed to be assisting -others to reach the same position. Raising the instrument to its -highest powers I was enabled to recognize Captain Battell and several -sailors. They were hauling others up from the opposite side by means of -a rope, who as soon as they reached the top, took hold and helped to -raise others.</p> - -<p>I described the scene and asked Captain Ganoe to look for himself. He -took in the situation at a glance and said;</p> - -<p>"We must go to their assistance. The sledges and dog teams are -evidently on the opposite side and they must be lifted up as well as -the men," and turning to Huston he said: "Return to the ship. Summon -the entire crew. Explain the situation to the Norwegians, tell them to -get out the sledges immediately and take such appliances as they deem -necessary, and Jack and I will meet you at the foot of the mountain -on the east side. Make all haste possible as we must hurry to the -assistance of our comrades who are evidently nearly exhausted."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">A singular discovery—Battell crossing a sand ridge on the -ice-field—Captain Ganoe leads a party to his assistance—Lief -and Eric—Battell's theory—A second expedition—Battell's long -absence—Is discovered returning alone, scarcely able to walk—Relief -party finds him unconscious—Captain Ganoe as physician—Battell -relates how he was abandoned by his men—Preparing for the break.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus06.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>USTON stepped upon the elevator and descended to the ship to carry -out the instructions he had received, while Captain Ganoe and myself -remained in the observatory to scan the surface more critically, and -map out the route we must travel. So far as we could discover there -seemed to be no serious obstacle in the way. The surface between us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> -and the sand ridge which Battell must cross had the appearance of a -level plain of snow or ice, with numerous hummocks scattered here and -there. Beyond this, the ridge, with some lofty elevations, filled the -outlines of the picture.</p> - -<p>The point which Battell had selected for crossing was a gap in this -ridge. Directly below the gap the ridge was very steep but the top -could be reached from this point by an easy incline towards the south. -I made a hasty sketch of every prominent object on a direct line from -the observatory to the gap which was the point we desired to reach as -soon as possible, as we felt that our assistance was sorely needed. -This work was completed to our satisfaction when we noticed the crew -with the sledge coming around the north side, and we hastened down to -meet them at the foot of the mountain on the east. We found everything -in good shape for a rapid march: The sledge was lightly loaded with -such appliances, ropes, pulleys, etc., as had been deemed necessary -to enable us to render the most effectual assistance. The dogs were -pulling on their harness as if anxious for a run, and the men were -fresh, and feeling the need of exercise.</p> - -<p>The thaw had scarcely commenced and the traveling was good. Every -condition seemed favorable. Captain Ganoe and myself led off along the -route which our observations had indicated as the most practicable. -In less than two hours we had reached the foot of the ridge just -below the gap where we had discovered Captain Battell. We found the -surface covered with volcanic ashes and scoria, and our minds instantly -reverted to the earthquake which broke up the ice-field, and our narrow -escape from destruction. However, this was no time for speculation. Our -business was to reach the top as soon as possible.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> - -<p>We found that a direct ascent would be exceedingly difficult, but -that the inclining shelf along the face of the ridge would enable us -to reach the top at a point about a half mile south of the gap. This -shelf, or bench, was several yards in width and its appearance, covered -as it was with ashes, gave the impression that it had been a level -shore line that in some great convulsion of nature had been tilted up -from the south at an angle of about twenty-five degrees, and that the -general surface had been leveled up by a subsequent deposit over the -lower part.</p> - -<p>We at once began our ascent along this comparatively easy route. Yet -it was a tedious and toilsome effort to get the sledge with its load -of necessary appliances to the top. However, within less than an hour, -notwithstanding numerous resting spells, we reached the top and found -ourselves on a level plateau, several hundred feet wide, and about one -half mile south of where we expected to find Captain Battell and his -comrades.</p> - -<p>While our party halted in order to give the dog-team a rest, Captain -Ganoe and myself hurried on to the gap. On reaching the edge we -discovered that the men were taking a rest, after having lifted most of -the contents of the sledge to the top. We could see that they had been -compelled to cut a road through some hundreds of feet of frozen ashes, -in order to reach their present position, and we did not need to be -told that they had been having a very hard time.</p> - -<p>Most of the party were asleep and no one observed our approach until we -had descended into the gap, and Captain Ganoe had called out in regular -sailor style the familiar: "Ship Ahoy!" This unexpected greeting -brought Captain Battell to his feet, but for a moment he was too much -surprised to make any response.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - -<p>Recovering himself, he advanced and grasped Captain Ganoe by the hand -exclaiming:</p> - -<p>"How did you get here? I was just thinking how fortunate it would be if -you knew the predicament we are in and would come to our relief with a -capstan and some more ropes and pulleys."</p> - -<p>"That is just what we have done," said Captain Ganoe. "Jack was on the -lookout for you from his observatory on top of the mountain of ice that -covers the resting place of the Ice King. As soon as we discovered you, -we started to your relief with a sledge load of such appliances as it -seemed you most needed."</p> - -<p>"This is indeed fortunate," said Battell. "We are almost exhausted with -the efforts we have been compelled to make in order to reach this gap, -and now that we are here, we find that our difficulties are by no means -ended, and it is most important that we should get well over the ridge -and commence our exploration of the western portion of this vast island -of ashes and ice."</p> - -<p>As he was speaking, our sledge appeared at the top of the gap and the -men joined us at once. Huston acting as spokesman for our Norwegian -sailors, said: "Lief and Eric request that they be permitted to -complete the work of transferring the sledges and their loads to the -west side."</p> - -<p>"Tell them," said the Captain, "to go ahead in their own way and accept -our thanks for their most welcome services."</p> - -<p>In a few minutes they had their ropes, pulleys and capstan in place and -gave us to understand that the dogs would furnish all the power that -was needed. They soon had one of the sledges slowly but surely gliding -up the steep incline to the top.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> - -<p>We watched them a few minutes, when Captain Ganoe said:</p> - -<p>"I think we can safely leave this matter to the Norwegians and we may -start on our return to the ship."</p> - -<p>"I am willing to trust them," said Battell, "and it is important that -we begin at once to compare notes and lay our plans for the future. I -feel that there is no time to be lost." And giving some instructions -to Brown who had been selected as foreman in the work of road making, -to give such assistance as might be needed, we started on foot for the -ship, a distance of between five and six miles.</p> - -<p>On our way back, Battell gave us a concise account of his observations -and the conclusions at which he had arrived.</p> - -<p>"When we left the ship," he said, "we took a southeasterly direction. -The cold was intense, but with our ample preparations we did not suffer -so much as might have been expected. We reached open water within three -days, but the shore line was so precipitous that we could not launch -our sledge boats and sail around as I had intended. So, we continued -our journey around the ice-field toward the north, as we had begun it. -The general direction of the shore line at this point was from the -southwest toward the northeast. The traveling was fairly good and we -made good time for about a week, and then our trouble commenced. The -entire surface was covered to an unknown depth with volcanic ashes.</p> - -<p>"The surface formation was evidently new, but careful examination -revealed the fact, that this covered an older formation of very -considerable thickness. Our soundings, owing to the precipitous -character of the coast line, were not satisfactory, but taken in -connection with my observations as to the motions of the ice-field, -I came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> to the conclusion that it was frequently grounding on the -tops of submarine mountains. If this is true, it will probably hasten -the breaking up when the ice becomes rotten under the influence of -continuous sunshine.</p> - -<p>"Having satisfied myself on these points we started on our return trip, -and but for the difficult nature of the surface, and the frequent -necessity for road making, we would have been with you by the time the -sun made his appearance."</p> - -<p>Before we reached the ship, it had been definitely settled that after a -short rest, Battell should continue his explorations toward the western -borders of the ice-field, and time the expedition, so as to return -to the ship before there was any immediate danger from the thaw. We -had come to the conclusion that we were floating in an open sea, and -it was our intention to press on for the north when the ice went to -pieces; and some phenomena, that we, in common with other explorers had -observed, led to the opinion that we would find land and not unlikely a -habitable country around the pole.</p> - -<p>Since the sun had made his appearance, flocks of ducks, brants and -geese, coming from the north were quite numerous. When killed we found -them fat and juicy and their crops were often filled with a species of -grain resembling rice, which seemed to indicate that they came from a -temperate climate. We now began to confidently expect that when the -ice-field went to pieces we would find the country which produced this -grain—the northern home of these flocks of birds.</p> - -<p>We argued that the six months and more of continued sunshine at the -pole, would necessarily produce a mild, if not a warm climate, for -the greater portion of the year. We held that refraction would secure -perhaps as much as seven months of sunshine at the pole, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> add to -this the long twilights and the Aurora, preventing absolute darkness, -the immediate vicinity of the pole might be in many respects, a most -desirable climate. Of one thing we felt sure, and that was, that those -flocks of ducks and geese that came from the north had been well fed -with grain that must have grown in a productive country.</p> - -<p>When we came to the ice mountain that covered the ship, Captain Battell -turned to the north, saying:</p> - -<p>"I believe that this is the route to the mouth of the tunnel."</p> - -<p>"Yes, that is true," replied Captain Ganoe, "but let us go by the way -of Jack's observatory, which is directly over the ship."</p> - -<p>"All right," said Battell. "Lead on. I want to see the observatory any -way, and it is probably no further over the mountain than it is around -it, even if the traveling may be a little more laborious."</p> - -<p>We offered no explanation as to our elevator, and in a few minutes we -were in the observatory, under the canopy of sail cloth which protected -it from the rays of the sun.</p> - -<p>"Well, this is a cosy place," said Battell, as he seated himself upon -one of the extemporized cushioned seats with which it was furnished.</p> - -<p>"It is," said I, "but I am more interested in seeing how Lief and Eric -are getting along in their coveted task of transferring the sledges to -this side of the ridge."</p> - -<p>So saying, I went directly to the large telescope which we had left -bearing upon the gap Battell had chosen for a crossing place. A glance -was enough, and in reply to a questioning look from Battell I said: -"Both sledges are on top and they are preparing to let them down on -this side. Come and see for yourself. I believe that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> our Norwegian -sailors are equal to anything they are willing to undertake."</p> - -<p>"I believe you are right," said Battell, as he took his place at the -telescope. "There," he continued, "they are letting the sledges down -the steep incline fully loaded. From the progress they are making, -they will be here in a few hours, with everything in ship shape for -the expedition toward the west. That rests me so, that I will not mind -clambering down to the mouth of the tunnel."</p> - -<p>"Why go by way of the tunnel?" asked Captain Ganoe. "Just take your -seat on that divan and there need be no clambering down."</p> - -<p>"Yes," I said, "and just let me share the seat with you, and let -the Captain act as chief of transportation and take command of the -expedition, down to the ship."</p> - -<p>He did as he was directed with a puzzled look. Captain Ganoe took hold -of the rope while I turned on the light and we began to drop down -toward the ship.</p> - -<p>"Well you have got things fixed up in grand style," said Battell. "Who -would have expected a few weeks ago, that we would now be descending -into the interior of an iceberg on a grandly upholstered elevator, with -the stern Captain of the Ice King as our elevator boy? Is not this -putting on a little too much style for these regions of eternal ice?"</p> - -<p>"Not at all," I responded. "I hold, you know, that every human being is -justly entitled to the very best that his own labor can produce. But -this arrangement for facilitating our access to the outer world is the -product of the labor and skill of our Norwegian sailors. They had the -observatory almost completed before they revealed their designs to any -one but Huston."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Battell "if that is the sort of men they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> are, I think -they had better remain with the ship. I had thought of proposing to -take them out with me on our western expedition and leave some of the -other men to take their place here."</p> - -<p>"I could hardly consent to part with our Norwegians even for a few -days," said Captain Ganoe. "Since I have discovered their ability, I -want them on the ship in case of emergencies. I would not hesitate, if -it was necessary, to place them in command. The quickness of perception -and general reliability they have shown, almost persuade me that Jack -is right and that under some circumstances the highest qualities may be -developed among the most lowly."</p> - -<p>"And it may be," said Battell, "that as Huston intimated, Lief and -Eric have some great purpose in life, and under such influences as -Jack would like to place around the common sailors, many of them might -develop qualities of a high order. I have thought much of Jack's 'pet -hobby.' On this last expedition, I have realized more than ever, the -importance of having men of lofty characters in the capacity of common -sailors, if such a thing is possible."</p> - -<p>"And it is possible," I added. "And whether it is possible or not, it -is our duty to ourselves and to humanity to do everything in our power -to inspire all with whom we come in contact, with broader views of -life, and nobler aspirations for the future."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Captain Ganoe, "it is certainly not my intention to -antagonize your exalted idea of our duty toward our fellow beings. -It is an ennobling thought to dwell upon, but whether it will ever -be possible for us to do much for our sailors in this way or not, it -is clearly impossible to do anything immediately, and surely Captain -Battell wants one good sleep in his own bed be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>fore he starts on -another expedition. So I propose that we now retire to our quarters for -rest. We certainly need it, and there is no duty pressing upon us to -prevent it."</p> - -<p>We acted upon the Captain's suggestion as soon as we could reach our -cabins. In a few minutes I was sleeping soundly, and did not awake -until the gong gave notice that breakfast was ready. The crew had -returned with the sledges, and after a nap were now ready for the first -meal on shipboard that they had taken for over a month. Captain Battell -had completed preparations for his expedition toward the west, and once -more the officer's mess was complete, and while we enjoyed our repast -we discussed plans for the future. As we arose from the table, Battell -took me by the hand and said:</p> - -<p>"You may keep a sharp lookout for me after the First of July. By that -time we ought to be able to reach open water on the west and return. If -we can launch the sledges, it is my intention to sail around the ice to -the north and if possible return along the seam which marks the channel -through which we were moving when we were entombed beneath these -'bergs.' I have already made use of your observatory to make a sketch -of the most prominent objects toward the west and north. I apprehend -no trouble. Of course we will have channels of water to contend with -before we return, but as our sledges make excellent boats, they are as -likely to expedite as to obstruct our movements. I need not caution you -to keep up your observations, and note everything that has a bearing on -our situation. I will do the same and together we cannot fail to secure -a fund of valuable information."</p> - -<p>He bade us good-bye, and at once departed. I repaired to the -observatory, and through my glass watched<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> the sledges until they -disappeared from view in the distance.</p> - -<p>It was now the 20th of April, and it would be two months and a half -before we expected the return of the exploring party, and if it met -with no mishap, there was ample time for an extended tour around the -ice-field. I anticipated great results from the observations that might -be made.</p> - -<p>Captain Battell had left with us three of his party who seemed the -least able to bear the fatigue of the long journey over the ice which -he contemplated. This was a valuable addition to the force left with -the ship, and at the same time relatively strengthened the exploring -party, as it relieved them of the prospective danger of being compelled -to take care of disabled comrades.</p> - -<p>The weather was favorable, and soon the rays of the sun began to slowly -but surely change the surface of the ice. I watched the process with -constantly increasing interest. If we were ever to escape from our -imprisonment, our release must come as a result of the thaw. Hence, -I came to regard the little rivulets that were forming in every -direction, and usually disappearing in a short distance through some -crevice, as our saviors. If the process kept on with sufficient vigor, -the ice-field was sure to break up before we were again locked in the -embrace of an Arctic winter, and we would have an opportunity to escape.</p> - -<p>At last the sun had reached his highest altitude, and the time had come -when we might expect the return of Battell. The thaw had progressed -rapidly and the ice was becoming rotten, and with the first storm -would probably go to pieces. But the weather was serene and there was -no immediate danger. The 1st of July had come and gone and Battell -was still absent. The thaw,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> under the continuous rays of the sun was -accelerated, and I began to fear the break up would come before his -return with the larger part of the crew. This might prove to be fatal -to all our hopes. I felt that we sorely needed Captain Battell with his -experience in the navigation of these frozen seas.</p> - -<p>I now began to dread the thaw as much as I had been inclined to welcome -it two months before. I continued my observations with more interest, -if possible, than ever. The motions of the ice-field puzzled me. -We seemed to be slightly oscillating from one side to the other of -longitude 180°, but with a frequent motion toward the north.</p> - -<p>I spent most of my time in the observatory, more on the lookout for -some indication of the return of Captain Battell than for any other -purpose. This interest was shared by every member of the crew, and we -established regular watches for this one purpose, so that there was -always some one at the telescope. Captain Ganoe and myself took the -first watch, Pat O'Brien and Huston, the second, and Lief and Eric the -third. So the entire twenty-four hours were occupied in the lookout for -Battell. In addition to this, we made several expeditions to the north -and west for many miles. While we learned that the traveling was very -toilsome, we discovered no reason why the exploring party should not be -able to return as long as the ice-field remained unbroken. It was true -that the expedition might have reached a section where the thaw had -destroyed the solidity of the ice, but it was well equipped for such a -contingency, as the sledges could readily be converted into boats.</p> - -<p>We tried in vain to figure out the cause of Captain Battell's delay. -The ice was becoming more rotten every day and our suspense became more -and more pain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>ful. We had almost despaired of his return, when through -my glass, I observed what seemed to be a human being, directly west of -us, slowly struggling along over the rotten, slushy surface of the ice.</p> - -<p>I called the attention of Captain Ganoe to my discovery and after a -careful scrutiny of the object he exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"That is certainly a man. It must be Battell or one of his men -returning alone. And," he paused, and then added hastily: "He is -scarcely able to walk and falls down from sheer exhaustion. We must go -to his relief at once." And turning to Mike Gallagher, who was present, -he said: "Hurry down to the ship and tell O'Brien to summon a relief -party with a stretcher. Bring my medicine case with restoratives for an -exhausted man. Tell Huston to explain the situation to Lief and Eric. -Make all the haste possible and meet us at the mouth of the tunnel."</p> - -<p>Mike started down on the elevator at once to deliver these orders, -while Captain Ganoe and myself went down the winding way on the west -side. At the mouth of the tunnel we were joined by the relief party. -Lief and Eric carried the stretcher, while Pat O'Brien, Paul Huston and -Mike Gallagher, each had a parcel containing something intended for the -relief of an exhausted man. The medicine case and some warm blankets -were on the stretcher.</p> - -<p>The ice-field in this direction spread out before us into a vast plain, -but the exact spot where we had observed the approaching man was hidden -from view by a number of hummocks and we took these for our guide.</p> - -<p>As soon as we reached the nearest and highest of these elevations, I -climbed to the top and carefully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> scanned the plain beyond. Several -minutes elapsed without discovering any indication of the object of our -search, when not more than a mile away, I saw through my glass the head -and shoulders of a man, arise above the surface. For a moment he seemed -to support himself on his hands and then dropped back out of sight. I -carefully noted the location and we then hurried on.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes we came to a channel in the ice that had been worn -out by a stream of water. A little to one side a man was lying on the -bottom as if dead. We called to him, but he did not move. Lief and Eric -sprang into the channel and lifted him out.</p> - -<p>It was Captain Battell and he was entirely unconscious. We could now -see that he had been trying with all his strength to lift himself out -of the channel which was not over four and a half feet in depth by six -or seven in width. When I saw him from the summit of the ice hummock he -was doubtless making the last effort to climb out, that his exhausted -energies would permit. We had arrived just in time to rescue him from -certain death.</p> - -<p>As he lay upon the stretcher unconscious and scarcely breathing, in -fancy, I pictured the trials through which he must have passed. His -worn out boots and tattered clothing; his sunken eyes and pinched -features, all indicated more than words could express his terrible -struggle for life against the combined forces of cold and hunger. -True, it was not freezing weather, but the water through which he -had been compelled to wade was ice cold, and the bed upon which he -rested, must have been a melting ice hummock. All these things were -evident from the environments and did not need to be stated in words in -order to be understood and appreciated. While he alone could give us -the particulars, we were already<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> familiar in a general way with his -experiences, traveling on foot over the fast melting ice and almost -without food for weeks and possibly months.</p> - -<p>While no physician had been engaged for this expedition, it was because -Captain Ganoe was well qualified by education and experience to fill -the place as occasion might require, and among the stores of the Ice -King, there was an ample supply of medicines, surgical instruments -and appliances of all kinds. The Captain was very averse to being -classed as a physician, and yet his knowledge of medicine, surgery -and practice would have enabled him to aspire to the highest rank in -the profession. Hence he at once took charge of the patient with the -readiness and skill of an experienced practitioner, and soon he had him -as comfortable as dry clothing, a warm bed and appropriate restoratives -could make him.</p> - -<p>The patient did not regain consciousness, but he was soon breathing -naturally and apparently enjoying a sound and refreshing sleep.</p> - -<p>When all was ready for us to start on our return to the ship, Captain -Ganoe said:</p> - -<p>"As it is evident that I must turn doctor for a few days I will place -Jack Adams in command. That will leave just six of us to carry Captain -Battell to his cabin in the Ice King. For this purpose we will divide -into three reliefs. Huston and I will take the first; Pat and Mike the -second, and Lief and Eric the third. This seems to be about the proper -order, as our Norwegian comrades carried the camp bed and medicine case -all the way from the ship."</p> - -<p>"But what if I object to the arrangement?" I asked. "While I am -willing," I continued; "to render any service in my power, I am not -disposed to usurp your place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> as commander. You lead the way and I -will take my place at the handles of the stretcher. I enlisted to -obey orders and take any place assigned me, but not to usurp the -prerogatives of commander."</p> - -<p>"Then I have only to insist upon the terms of the contract as you -understand it," said the Captain. "You say that you enlisted to obey -orders and take any place assigned you, and hence as the captain of the -Ice King, I order you to take the place of commander until I choose -to resume the duties of that position. This is just as it should be. -It was you who discovered Captain Battell and then led us to the spot -where we found him, and now you are appointed to lead us back to the -ship by the most direct and practicable route. It is fortunate for us -that you have spent so much of your time in the study of the topography -of this country, if that is the proper word to apply to a dreary waste -of ice. It is your first duty as commander to divide the distance to -the ship into easy stages and see that each relief does its part of the -work with all possible care for the comfort of our comrade. This is -'orders,' if you prefer to look at it in that light. I shall certainly -take my place at the stretcher until in your judgment, the second -relief, Pat and Mike, ought to take hold."</p> - -<p>"All right," I said. "If I am to be commander-in-chief, whether I will -or not, my first order is, 'Follow me.'"</p> - -<p>We returned to the ship without any particular haste, frequently -stopping to rest and to administer restoratives to the lips of our -exhausted comrade. He was conveyed to his own quarters and everything -was, by the direction of Captain Ganoe, placed as nearly as possible, -in the same shape that he left it.</p> - -<p>He was still sleeping, and the Captain assured us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> that he was doing -well, and that if fever could be avoided, he would soon recover. He -cautioned us to keep quiet and not ask him any questions in case he -should awake to consciousness.</p> - -<p>Captain Ganoe took his place at the side of the patient and from time -to time touched his lips with water. After several hours he partially -aroused from his lethargy, and the Captain administered a few spoonfuls -of broth, which were swallowed with avidity, and he again relapsed into -a profound slumber.</p> - -<p>The Captain now directed us to leave him entirely alone with the -patient but to hold ourselves in readiness to come at a moment's -notice. He told us that all the patient now needed was profound -silence, and a little nourishment whenever he was sufficiently aroused -to partake of it. "I want Mike" he said, "to remain with me so as to be -ready at any moment to execute my orders. Captain Battell's restoration -to health and vigor is of more importance to us now than any other -consideration. I need Mike more than you do, and you must get along -with cold lunches, or, do your own cooking. If I need any of you, Mike -will let you know."</p> - -<p>Through Mike, we heard from the sick room from time to time, but the -word was always the same; that the patient was doing well, but still -sleeping. Mike said that whenever Battell showed signs of awaking, the -Captain would administer a spoonful of soup and he would drop off to -sleep again without ever being fully aroused to consciousness.</p> - -<p>I was keenly alive to the fact that the death, or even the great -disability of Captain Battell would be an irreparable loss to all of -us. He was the only experienced Arctic navigator and explorer among us, -and notwithstanding the cheering news from the sick room, I felt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> the -most intense anxiety, and remained in the library all the time, so as -to be ready to respond at once to any call from Captain Ganoe.</p> - -<p>After forty-eight hours of this anxious waiting had gone by, I was -surprised at a personal call from Captain Ganoe, who greeted me in his -usual cordial manner, while his face fairly glowed with happiness. -Without waiting for me to ply him with questions, he exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Well, Jack, the danger has passed. Captain Battell has come to -himself. He is still very weak, but there are no signs of fever. I -admonished him not to talk until he had taken another nap, to which he -consented on the condition that I would call you. He wants a conference -at once."</p> - -<p>"I am delighted to hear such good news!" I exclaimed. "But what did -he say when he realized that he was in his own cabin, and you sitting -by his side in the capacity of attendant. I have all of a woman's -curiosity in regard to this matter, and insist upon your giving me all -the particulars."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," he replied. "Your interest is but natural, and shall be -gratified as nearly as my memory will permit. In his treatment, I -sought to keep him asleep until he had gained strength for mental and -physical effort. When he showed signs of waking up, I knew that it was -from the gnawings of hunger, and would administer a small quantity of -beef tea or some strengthening cordial, and then he would again relapse -into a profound slumber. These spells of semi-consciousness became more -and more frequent as he gained strength, and at last he opened his -eyes and looked me full in the face. He closed them again, and seemed -to reflect and then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> looking at me, he said in his usual calm and -deliberate manner:</p> - -<p>"'The last thing I remember, is, that I was trying to climb out of -a channel that had been worn in the ice by a small stream of water. -The bank only came up to my chin, but I was so weak that I could -not succeed. After that, I seem to have dream-memories of delicious -feasting, and reclining on luxurious couches. I want you to tell me at -once how I got here, into my own quarters.'</p> - -<p>"I told him to be careful and not permit himself to become the least -excited until he had gained more strength, but to content himself -with the simple statement that Jack had noticed his approach from his -observatory; and that we went immediately to his relief. 'Now,' said I, -'drink this cup of beef tea and turn over and take another nap.'</p> - -<p>"He drank the tea and said, 'I will do as you say, if you will agree -to have Jack here when I wake up. It is a matter of the greatest -importance that we have a conference immediately. We must be ready for -the break up and I have much to tell you.'</p> - -<p>"So saying he turned over and was soon sleeping soundly, and I am here -to request you to come to his quarters. As he is not likely to sleep -very long we had better go at once. Nature will soon be demanding -exercise for mind and body as strenuously as she has demanded rest. Let -us go."</p> - -<p>Some ten or fifteen minutes after we entered Captain Battell's cabin he -awoke, and immediately got up and shook hands with me most cordially. -He was naturally a man of few words, and never very demonstrative of -either joy or grief, affection or anger, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> usually preserved the -most perfect equilibrium, but he was visibly affected when he said:</p> - -<p>"My dear Jack! How fortunate it has been for Captain Ganoe and myself -that you joined this expedition. But for your watchful care we would -both have been dead, and in all probability, the Ice King and the -entire crew would have been lost. You have certainly been our guardian -angel, and must ever hold the very highest place in our esteem and -affection."</p> - -<p>"I deserve no especial thanks for anything I have done," I responded. -"We are out here all alone, imprisoned in the ice and our only hope of -escape depends upon our standing together and helping each other, at -all times and under all circumstances. The safety of every individual -depends upon the safety of every other individual. Common sense and -our common interests, dictate that we should be a unit and realize -that 'an injury to one is the concern of all.' Our rule of action -toward each other should be, 'each for all and all for each.' This -is the only principle that a truly intelligent people anywhere would -ever adopt, but here on this waste of floating ice, situated as we -are, the most stupid ought to be able to comprehend the necessity for -its application. So, I repeat that I deserve no especial credit, for -in looking out for the safety of others I do the only thing that can -be done for my own safety. This thing of caring for self, regardless -of the interests of others, indicates a deficiency in intellectual -development as much as it does hardness of heart; and a careful regard -for the comfort and interest of others, is indicative of intellectual -development as much as it is of kindness of heart and love for our -fellow creatures."</p> - -<p>"Your philosophy," said Captain Battell, "is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> always right; but what -is still better you practice what you preach. Would to God that our -misguided crew had understood the self evident truths to which you -so frequently give expression. They might have saved themselves from -a terrible fate, and we would not have been short handed, now that -the ice is liable to go to pieces at any time. And as this matter is -referred to, I suppose I had better tell you at once what became of -them and why I was stranded on the ice in such a woebegone plight."</p> - -<p>"And that is just what we are most anxious to hear," said Captain -Ganoe, "but I have resolutely suppressed this anxiety because I feared -fever and a possible fatal culmination, as the result of your exposure -and privations. We certainly do want to hear all about your expedition, -your crew and what you discovered. But do not relate it even now, if it -is going to excite you in the least. The fact is, that you must be very -careful for several days until your strength is fully restored."</p> - -<p>"Do not be alarmed about me," said Battell. "It is not the first time -that I have been stranded on the ice and so I was to some extent -prepared for this by past experience; besides you know that I am much -inclined to be a stoic and never permit my feelings to very seriously -disturb my equilibrium."</p> - -<p>"Then go ahead," said the Captain. "We want to hear what is uppermost -in your own mind, and we will listen. If we have any questions to ask, -or other matters to discuss, we will do that when you are through."</p> - -<p>"Just speak when the spirit moves," said Battell. "It will not disturb -me. As you doubtless remember, when we started on this last expedition, -I was anxious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> to reach open water on the west and if possible launch -the boats and circumnavigate this island of ice around toward the -north as far as practicable, so as to be able to return early in -July, keeping a close watch of the movements and condition of the -ice, and noting any signs of its breaking up. We found the traveling -exceedingly difficult, and it was late in June before we reached open -water, about one hundred and fifty miles west of this. We found the ice -sloughing off in great sections and floating away from the main body, -demonstrating that the ice-field was comparatively stationary so far as -any westerly motion was concerned. By careful observation I satisfied -myself that it had grounded somewhere to the north, probably against an -island and was oscillating on that point.</p> - -<p>"This made me more anxious than ever to launch our boats and make -observations along the shore of the ice-field which sloped off towards -the northeast. We would therefore during the exploration of its -shore-line be getting nearer to the ship, and I thought that we would -be able to reach the obstruction against which it had grounded, which -I found reasons for believing was not so very far north of the ship, -and probably near the seam where the two original ice-fields had come -together. I reasoned that it was held against an island under the -influence of north bound currents, and that the entire field might be -expected to part along this line as soon as the ice became sufficiently -rotten, which would give us a chance to keep on our way. If such a -break came along the line of this seam, the ice-field urged forward by -the northerly currents, would spread apart and we would only have to -follow the fissure as it formed, to come either to land, or out into an -open polar sea. In either case we would be safe for the coming winter.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> -Our greatest danger will be from the falling of the ice when these -'bergs' part company, and that, to a great extent, can be provided for.</p> - -<p>"After careful investigation we selected a spot where by cutting a -short road down to the water's edge we could easily launch our boats. -When I gave the word, the men sprang to their work with the greatest -alacrity and in good time we had an inclined way admirably cut out -and arranged for launching the boats. We first unloaded everything of -importance, as our stores were too precious to run any risk of loss or -damage. Our boats were very soon riding the waves without any mishap, -and the dogs and baggage placed on board. While all this was going on, -I noticed frequent consultations among the men, but it seemed that it -was because they were taking unusual care in their work. As soon as -the last of our baggage was on board, the men took their places at the -oars with a promptitude which I regarded as highly commendable. Then -came the climax that I had least of all things expected. Tom Brown -halted me at the plank and asked a word with me. He said that the men -had determined to return to civilization and that they would prefer I -should go with them and retain the command.</p> - -<p>"I was astounded at such an unreasonable, as well as infamous, -proposition to abandon the ship, and I told him I did not believe that -any body of sane men would contemplate such a suicidal undertaking. He -replied very emphatically:</p> - -<p>"'Then, if you do not take my word for it, you may speak to the men. I -have only spoken at their request.'</p> - -<p>"And so saying, he stepped quickly into the boat and drew the plank in -after him. The men in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> boats pushed out into the water and halted -as if to listen to what I had to say.</p> - -<p>"I expostulated with them, and explained how it would be utterly -impossible for them to reach civilization in such frail boats, and that -their provisions, at the farthest, would not last them more than four -or five weeks, and then, they must look starvation in the face. Brown, -who acted as spokesman, replied:</p> - -<p>"'We have decided upon this thing deliberately, and we have closely -calculated how long the provisions will last. Besides, we have plenty -of ammunition and can certainly kill some game, and if the game is not -abundant, we will kill the dogs and salt them down.'</p> - -<p>"I then tried them on another tack, and called their attention to the -comrades whom we had left behind, and the imminent danger of their -being lost, as well as ourselves, if we did not all stand together, and -make good use of the observations we had made.</p> - -<p>"'They have the ship and must take their own chances,' said Brown. 'We -know that there is no hope of the ship being able to get out of the -ice, and we propose to save ourselves while we have an opportunity, and -you had better go with us. Let Captain Ganoe and his shipmates take -care of themselves. We cannot afford to take any chances, in a case -like this, to save them. We are determined to look out for ourselves, -and let them do the same.'</p> - -<p>"I was so exasperated at this cold-blooded speech, revealing, as it -did, such a depth of perfidy, that I felt that I could scarcely refrain -from opening fire on them, and evidently they feared something of the -kind, for as I turned to take hold of my gun, which was leaning against -a block of ice, Brown gave the order, 'Ready!' and instantly twenty -rifles were aimed at me, and he said:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> - -<p>"'We do not want to hurt you, but if you do not let your gun remain -where it is until we are out of range, I will give the order to fire -and you will be filled with bullets, and you will not have even the -poor satisfaction of dying with your friends at the ship, whom you seem -to think are worth more to you than the entire crew.'</p> - -<p>"'Have your own way,' I said. 'I certainly shall not stain my hands -with your blood, neither will I be responsible for the miserable fate -that awaits you as the result of this infamous and rash undertaking. I -have given you fair warning.'</p> - -<p>"I watched them until they were out of range, and then started on my -return to the ship. All the food I had, was the hardtack and bacon -which I always carry in my haversack, for emergencies. I had, however, -my cartridge-box with some ammunition, and I could kill game, but -considering the long journey before me, and the slow progress I could -make, the supply was indeed very small.</p> - -<p>"The traveling was terrible, through water and slushy ice, often for -miles at a stretch. I often had to make long detours around chasms and -inaccessible elevations. When I slept it was on a melting hummock of -ice. I could have killed a large number of brants for food, but I felt -that it would be suicidal for me to waste my ammunition on such small -game. Hence, I took my chances of finding something larger. I killed -a goose occasionally, but was compelled to eat it raw, as I had no -means of making a fire. But I did not fear starvation as long as my -ammunition lasted.</p> - -<p>"I had reason, however, to fear that the ice would break between me -and the ship, and this came near being the case when I first started -on my return. When<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> I was only a few hundred yards from the place -where the boats were launched, a large strip of the shore-line broke -away behind me. But, I now think this rapid breaking up on the western -border was due to a strong ocean current, that did not extend very far -east. However, I was very apprehensive that I might be sent adrift into -an unknown ocean on a cake of ice, and probably, for this reason, I -exerted myself more than I should have done for the first few days.</p> - -<p>"I got along tolerably well until my boots gave out, and then the -ice-cold water seemed to paralyze my limbs, and my progress was -correspondingly impeded.</p> - -<p>"I often felt that I must drop in my tracks, and never make another -effort to move. But I was buoyed up by the thought that every step -brought me nearer the ship. At last I could catch glimpses of this -ice mountain, and the sight gave me renewed strength and courage. But -my ammunition had given out, and I was famishing for food. I would -often fall from sheer exhaustion, but would rally again, and stagger -on toward the goal of my hopes. When I came to the channel where you -found me, I made an effort to spring across, but landed on the bottom. -I repeatedly attempted to climb out on this side, but failed. You know -the rest."</p> - -<p>"I thank God," said Captain Ganoe, "that Jack discovered your approach -so that we could come to your assistance. The loss of so many of our -crew is much to be regretted, but your loss would have been much worse, -as your experience is indispensable to the safety of all. And now you -must take some refreshments and another nap and then I think you will -be all right."</p> - -<p>"I will take the refreshments," said Battell, "but we have no time to -waste on sleep until work has com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>menced in earnest on the necessary -preparations for our escape. How long have I been here?"</p> - -<p>"A little over forty-eight hours."</p> - -<p>"Then we cannot afford to delay another two days before we commence -work."</p> - -<p>"Do you think the danger so pressing as that?" asked the Captain.</p> - -<p>"I do," said Battell emphatically. "We are at the close of an Arctic -summer and we may look for storms and a breaking up at any time. The -ice is very rotten, and the ocean currents, which are holding this -ice-field against some point of land or submarine mountain, may part -it in twain at any time, and then we will be compelled to run for our -lives."</p> - -<p>"And what preparation do you advise?" asked the Captain. "Tell us just -what to do and I will see that work is commenced at once and pushed to -completion as rapidly as our small force will permit.</p> - -<p>"The first thing to be done," said Battell, "is to see that the boilers -are free from all sediment, and that the furnaces are filled with the -most combustible material we have, so the application of a match will -produce a fierce heat and get up steam in the shortest time possible. -If we had plenty of coal, I would get up steam at once and keep up a -moderate pressure until the ice had gone to pieces, or we were securely -frozen up for the winter. But with our small supply of coal we cannot -afford to do this, and I am quite sure that we cannot afford to wait -for the break to commence, or the coming of a storm. In either case we -will have a few minute's warning. Of course in such an emergency we -must use steam, as with our small force the sails might be a positive -detriment.</p> - -<p>"Secondly, when the break comes, there will be a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> fall of ice from over -head that might prove fatal to those who must remain on the upper deck. -This must be provided for by the erection of substantial structures to -protect those who direct the course of the ship.</p> - -<p>"Thirdly, cut all the cables that hold the ship but four, so that our -diminutive force can cut us loose with one blow of their axes.</p> - -<p>"This is all the work that our small force can possibly get through -with before the breaking up of the ice, if that is to occur at all, -this season."</p> - -<p>"Then," said the Captain, "I will go at once and commence work, and if -the necessity is as pressing as you think, you had better take all the -rest you can, so that you can lend a hand when the emergency comes."</p> - -<p>"I will rest and eat," said Battell, "but I will not be idle. To -gain strength, I must take exercise, so Jack and I will make some -observations along the seam in the ice which marks the old channel, as -the break will in all probability be along that line."</p> - -<p>Captain Ganoe, commenced the work of preparation immediately, and -Battell and myself engaged in the work that he had proposed. Our -observations, made with the greatest care, seemed to confirm, more -decidedly than ever, the theory that the ice-field had lodged against -some obstruction, not very far north of us.</p> - -<p>Since we had reached longitude 180°, we had been oscillating from -one side to the other but had made considerable progress toward the -north, indicating that the ice was sloughing away in that direction -while the main body was held against some obstruction, by the force of -the currents. My own observations all the time had shown that we were -oscillating, and these compared with observations made by Battell, -one-hundred and fifty miles west, where this movement was much more -appar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>ent, gave us reliable data on which to make calculations. At the -present time, the sloughing off of the ice was evidently much more -rapid on the west and hence our position was tending more than ever -toward the east of the longitudinal line on which we lay. From the -observations we had made we calculated that the obstruction against -which the ice-field had lodged, was about one degree due north of our -present position.</p> - -<p>We closely examined the seam in which we lay and found numerous -indications of its weakness. In many places, where the walls of -the closing channel had not come into close contact, we found open -water for considerable distances, where the fish were making their -appearance. On the theory which Captain Battell had evolved, it did not -seem difficult to prognosticate just where the break would first make -its appearance, and some of the contingencies which would confront us -when that time came.</p> - -<p>Within a few days, notwithstanding our very small force, everything was -ready for the emergency we anticipated and now we anxiously awaited -the storm that would sunder the ice-field and release us from our long -imprisonment. But the weather remained calm while it was steadily -growing colder and we began to fear that we would be locked in the ice -for another winter. At last, however, a stiff breeze set in from the -southwest and the barometer began to fall, indicating an approaching -storm. Immediately every man was at his post, but hours passed away and -the wind did not increase. The order was given for every man to remain -at his post and be ready to act as soon as the alarm should be sounded. -As no special duty had been assigned to me, I retired to my quarters in -the library to take a much needed rest and was soon asleep.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">The break—A race for life—The island—Strange tower—A safe -harbor—Crossing the open Polar sea—Strange phenomena—Sailing -south—Horizon obscures familiar constellations—Return to the -tower—No explanation—Off for the Pole again—A wonderful -discovery.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus07.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span> WAS startled from my slumbers by the alarm and sprang to my feet. The -strong breeze that had been blowing from the southwest had increased to -a gale and the hissing of the steam revealed the fact that sufficient -warning had been given to enable the engineer to be ready to start the -machinery as soon as the parting of the ice gave us an opening through -which we could move. The time for action had come and I heard Battell -give the order to cut the cables.</p> - -<p>As I hastened on deck, the two great ice mountains between which we lay -were lifted by the waves, and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> moment later parted, and a shower of -ice fragments from the sundered roof fell upon the upper deck with an -awful crash; but thanks to the wise precautions that had been taken, -no one was hurt, and the injuries to the vessel were but slight. The -ice-field had parted along the line that had been predicted by Captain -Battell, and the Ice King was at once subjected to the full force of -the winds and waves which urged us forward with an irresistible force. -But under the influence of the same power the ice continued to part -before us, and all we had to do was to keep in the channel that was -forming.</p> - -<p>While the waves behind us were driving the ship to seeming destruction, -they were at the same time rending the ice-field asunder in the -direction we were moving, creating a narrow, but constantly widening -channel between the walls of ice on either side. Captain Battell, as -usual in cases of emergency, was in command. Captain Ganoe was at the -wheel, while I took my place at his side to take notes and render -assistance as occasion might require.</p> - -<p>Captain Battell was right when he said we might be compelled to run -for our lives. The gale continued to increase in its fury, and as we -followed the channel that was forming before us, the wind was closing -up the channel behind, by huge masses of ice in wild commotion. A halt -would have invited destruction, and if we missed the channel that was -being opened before us, we might be dashed to pieces against the ice.</p> - -<p>While the general direction of the channel being formed was toward -the north, the ice did not break along a straight line, but was often -zigzag, and it took the closest kind of attention to keep the ship -from dashing against one side or the other and being disabled. The ice -pack that was always forming behind us, urged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> forward by the wind and -probably a strong ocean current made retreat impossible, even if we -had so desired. There was but one thing that could be done, which was -to move forward regardless of the continual danger of a collision that -might prove fatal.</p> - -<p>This strain was kept up for several hours, when to our great delight -we could discern what seemed to be a small island toward the northeast -and an open sea beyond. A minute later; what appeared to be a mighty -watch tower, at least two hundred feet in height, loomed up before our -astonished vision just a little off from our starboard quarter. It -stood at the edge of the water and the waves were dashing against its -base.</p> - -<p>This island was evidently the obstruction against which the ice-field -had been lodged. The tower was built of dressed stones accurately piled -upon each other; and at one time had apparently been surrounded by a -spiral staircase which led to an observatory on top. This conclusion -was the logical deduction from the existence of a spiral ledge from -the base to the summit, plainly indicating that it had been used as a -support for an external structure.</p> - -<p>We were now running under a full head of steam through a channel that -had been formed between the ice and the island, which led into an open -sea beyond. This channel brought us close to the strange tower, and -as we came even with it, Captain Battell gave the word: "Starboard -your helm! hard up!" "Aye, aye, sir," came the response, and the wheel -fairly spun in Captain Ganoe's hands. The Ice King lurched, trembled, -and in the next instant shot around the tower, and into comparatively -still water, under the cover of the island, which we now discovered, -extended from west to east, about two miles, in the form of a crescent, -constituting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> a safe harbor from all storms except from the north. We -determined to cast anchor until the wind had subsided and give our -small crew a much needed rest. This gave me an opportunity to make -sketches of the tower and island at my leisure.</p> - -<p>The rest was most welcome to officers and men after the unusual -fatigues of the last few days, culminating in the excitement and -extraordinary efforts of the last few hours. While we slept, the winds -ceased to howl, the skies became clear, and I sketched the tower and -the island while they were bathed in the glorious hues of an Arctic -sunset.</p> - -<p>I applied the camera to every prominent object in sight. The island had -the appearance of a segment of the top of a circular mountain which -might have been, in geologic ages, the crater of a vast volcano, since -which time the land had been depressed, or the water level elevated, -perhaps several hundred feet. The shore-line was a granite precipice, -rising to the height of about one hundred feet. Over this was a lofty -covering of ice, cut into the most fantastic shapes by streams of water -which come with summer and depart with winter. In places where the -surface had been laid bare I could discover traces of man's handiwork, -which for the present I had no opportunity to investigate, owing to the -precipitous nature of the shore-line.</p> - -<p>But the object of the greatest interest was the tower. As I made my -sketch, the last rays of the sun illuminated this strange guardian of -these unexplored waters with a luster which impressed the beholder -with a feeling of awe. We examined it closely with our glasses and -speculated as to its origin. It had evidently been erected to serve -some important purpose, by a people who were skilled in architecture. -From its location, it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> might have served the purpose of a light-house -in some far off time, before these regions were covered with their -present mantle of ice.</p> - -<p>As this mighty column loomed up above its icy background, its presence -was thought-provoking as well as awe-inspiring. It seemed like some -sentinel placed here to guard the gateway to this unknown northern -sea. But when was it built? and for what purpose? were questions -that were continually forced upon our minds. As to the time: it must -have been before the great ice age, when tropical plants as well as -animals, flourished in the far north, and a tropical, or semi-tropical -climate extended from the equator to the poles. But this did not -indicate the purpose for which it was erected. Was it an observatory -for astronomical purposes, or a light-house for the guidance of the -pre-historic navigators of these waters, now locked in the embrace of -almost impassable ice barriers? Who could tell? All we could do for -the present was to record our observations. The tower was there, two -hundred feet in height, and its latitude was 85° north, and longitude -180° west. This was all that we could learn for the present.</p> - -<p>As had been the experience of all other navigators in high northern -latitudes, the dipping of the needle rendered the compass useless, and -we had to depend on the sun, moon and stars for our guidance. But the -skies were clear and the sea open, so that we apprehended no further -trouble, notwithstanding this was the beginning of winter. Accounts of -the expedition were sealed in bottles and sent up in balloons, as was -our custom, and as there was no ice in sight, we determined to sail due -north from the tower.</p> - -<p>After holding our course for a few days, we found that the needle had -again assumed the horizontal posi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>tion and that we were sailing due -south. We knew we had started north and had not consciously changed our -course. Here was a mystery we could not fathom. But this was not all. -The horizon seemed to be rising up and obscuring stars that ought to -have been in full view.</p> - -<p>The pole star, which had been near the zenith was sinking toward the -horizon behind us. The whole face of the celestial vault was changing. -As the northern lights, which were dropping to the rear grew less -brilliant, the southern horizon beamed with a halo of light, which -continued to grow brighter. Without having changed our course we were -now sailing away from the constellations by which we had so long been -guided in our progress toward the pole. What could it mean?</p> - -<p>These strange phenomena upset all of our calculations. Everything -seemed weird and unnatural. The engines were stopped and we lay to, in -order to make observations and study the situation. Accounts of these -strange phenomena were securely sealed in bottles and committed to the -care of the winds.</p> - -<p>Captains Ganoe and Battell held a council in the library and made a -careful study of the best authorities, but could find no solution to -the problem, as to why we should be going south. It was determined to -change our course to the northeast. Continuing in this direction, we -found the cold increasing, while the northern lights grew brighter, and -stars that had been obscured, again made their appearance above the -horizon.</p> - -<p>At the end of this run, the ice-pack, now frozen solid, made its -appearance. We changed our course toward the east, keeping the ice on -our starboard quarter until we were again at the great tower from which -we had started. We had discovered no opening in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> ice-barriers and -no solution to the problem we had started out to investigate.</p> - -<p>We found ourselves in an open sea, but encompassed by an impassable -barrier of ice. We again determined to sail directly north, and, if -possible, cross this wide expanse of ocean around which we had been -sailing.</p> - -<p>In a few days we again found ourselves running south and leaving the -pole star behind us. Star after star began to disappear behind the -horizon. Again the light in the south appeared and began to grow -brighter.</p> - -<p>Again, Captains Ganoe and Battell held a conference. After carefully -comparing notes and going over all the facts revealed by our -observations, Captain Ganoe asked me to hand him a magazine which he -selected from the catalogue. I complied, and he looked through it for a -minute and handed it to me saying:</p> - -<p>"There is the solution of the problem."</p> - -<p>I found the article which he had marked, to be a review of the</p> - -<p class="center"> -"THEORY OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES," -</p> - -<p>by Captain John Cleves Symms. "According to this theory," says the -reviewer, "the earth is a hollow globe and open at the poles. The -diameter of the northern opening, is about 2,000 miles, or 4,000 miles -from outside to outside. The south opening is somewhat larger. The -planes of these openings are parallel with each other, and form an -angle of twelve degrees with the equator. The shell of the earth is -about 1,000 miles thick, and the edges of the shell at the openings are -called verges, and measure from the regular convexity without to the -regular concavity within, about 1,500 miles."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> - -<p>I turned and read the passage again, which he had marked for my careful -perusal. I had never heard of this "Theory of Concentric Spheres." -Could this earth be a hollow shell with an outer and inner surface? -At first thought I felt like rejecting the idea as utterly absurd, -but in view of the strange and inexplicable phenomena which we had -encountered, and my confidence in the judgment of Captain Ganoe, I only -requested him to tell me just what he thought about this "Hollow Globe -Theory."</p> - -<p>"I believe," he said, "that this theory offers the only logical -solution of the phenomena which have upset all of our calculations. We -found the open polar sea, just as we expected, but when we tried to -sail across it, we found ourselves sailing away from it. We also found -that constellations which ought, according to the popular astronomy, -to have been seen above the horizon were entirely obscured. You will -remember that you remarked the cramped appearance, as you expressed it, -of the celestial vault, when we were imprisoned in the ice.</p> - -<p>"This 'Theory of Concentric Spheres' offers a ready and complete -explanation of all these phenomena by which we have been so much -puzzled. It now begins to look as if this theory had been rejected by -scientists with the same unreasoning haste that every other new idea -has encountered. Many things that explorers have met with in the polar -regions, seem inexplicable, unless we admit the truth of this theory."</p> - -<p>The last remark aroused the interest of Captain Battell, who was -ordinarily more inclined to listen, than to join in conversation. -Taking up the subject where Captain Ganoe seemed disposed to drop it, -he continued:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> - -<p>"In my long experience as a whaler and explorer, I have often found -tropical vegetation, and evidences of man's handiwork, on the -northern shores of Iceland, Spitzbergen and the borders of Siberia; -trees, vines and flowers. The position where these were found, on -the northern shores, precludes the idea of their having been brought -by ocean currents, from our own temperate and tropical countries. -Besides this, we find that after we pass 80° north latitude, the cold -never increases. We further observe flocks of birds coming from, and -returning to, the north. When we kill them for food, we often find -their crops filled with grain and seeds which must be the product of a -mild climate. All these things have come under my personal observation, -and this 'Theory of Concentric Spheres' offers the most complete -explanation that I have met with."</p> - -<p>"Then, do you believe this theory?" I asked, somewhat surprised at the -unusual interest taken by Captain Battell.</p> - -<p>"Why not?" he responded. "I have always been among the few who treated -every new thought with fairness and consideration, no matter what might -be my own preconceived opinions. While not accepting every new fangled -theory that comes along, I do not condemn, but investigate, with a -view to ascertaining the exact truth. I will not knowingly twist and -misrepresent facts and logical deductions therefrom, for the purpose -of proving a pre-adopted creed. Hence I have given this theory an -impartial hearing and justice compels me to admit that the arguments in -its favor are well worthy of careful consideration. Scientists have all -agreed that the earth is not a cold, solid body, and to account for its -lack of density they assume that the center is expanded and diffused -by heat. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> further assume that it was originally a nebulous body -entirely destitute of a solid surface. If this is true, then the -centrifugal force generated by its rapid revolution on its axis would -certainly throw its constituent elements outward toward the surface, -thus tending to produce a hollow shell, the very thing claimed in this -'Theory of Concentric Spheres.' The operation of this mechanical law, -which governs revolving matter, can be readily illustrated by placing -a quantity of oil in alcohol of the same density. The oil at once -assumes the globular form by virtue of the law of molecular attraction. -Then insert a disk through the center of the globule and begin to turn -it around. The oil at once begins to rotate on its axis and becomes -depressed at the poles and bulged at the equator, just the form which -the earth is conceived to be. Increase the rapidity of the revolution -up to a certain point and the oil separates from the disk and becomes a -revolving ring. Reasoning from these well-known mechanical laws, we are -forced to the conclusion, that if the earth was ever a soft revolving -body it must be hollow at the center, and it is not at all unlikely -that there may be openings at the poles into this hollow space. So, we -see that there is some logical foundation for this Hollow Globe Theory."</p> - -<p>"It is true," I replied, "that the motion of a soft revolving body, -such as the earth is supposed to have been, may be so accelerated, that -the mass will separate from the line of its axis, but in such a case -it would become a revolving ring, and not a hollow shell, as required -by this theory of concentric spheres. Have you any theory as to how a -revolving ring could under the operation of known mechanical laws, be -converted into a hollow shell, with convex and concave surfaces?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes," responded Battell, "I can very easily formulate such a theory. -I can assume that the earth was at one time a revolving ring of -meteors, or minute planetary bodies, which by the mutual attraction -of its parts became solid. This ring, besides the motion on its own -axis, was revolving around the sun, or common center of the solar -nebula, through space filled with meteors, and by its attraction it -gathered other rings of meteors exterior to itself, thus forming a -series of concentric rings revolving around the first, or present -ring. The materials composing these external rings could not reach -the parent ring at its equator because of the centrifugal force -generated by its revolution around its axis, but under the operation of -well-known mechanical laws, they might be drawn toward the pole where -the attraction was the greatest and the centrifugal force the least. -Under the influence of these contending forces, these external rings, -thus acted upon, would one by one spread out and form, first a canopy -over the central ring, and then it would part at the equator, and be -drawn to the poles where it would ultimately find a resting place upon -its polar edges. Such a process kept up long enough would convert the -original revolving ring, or infant earth, into a hollow shell. Of -course all this is mere speculation, but the same thing may be said of -the nebular hypothesis, the supposed igneous condition of the earth's -center, and in fact of nearly all the teachings of science when it -attempts to go beyond the domain of undisputed facts."</p> - -<p>"I am much interested in your reasoning," I said. "This is a new -thought to me and I would like to follow it a little further. How does -this Hollow Globe theory account for volcanoes and other evidences of -internal heat, that have led scientists to the conclusion that the -center of the earth is an igneous mass?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> - -<p>"To my mind," said Battell, "these evidences of intense internal -heat do not conflict with the Hollow Globe Theory. Assuming that the -shell is one thousand miles thick; at the center, between the outer -and inner crust, there would be a pressure of five hundred miles of -solid matter, more than sufficient to generate a heat that would melt -every known rock, and this of itself will account for every evidence -of internal heat. Scientists have taught us that heat is a form of -motion, or rather that it is the result of motion when arrested. Now -pressure is only arrested motion, or in other words heat. Hence it has -been estimated that the weight of a column of steel blocks, sixty-five -thousand feet in height, would generate sufficient heat to melt the -lower tier of blocks. These well-known laws, to my mind, offer a more -plausible explanation of the existence of intense heat at great depths, -than the assumption that this heat is the residue, that was left over -from the heat of an original planetary nebula. Well known laws of -physics, force us to the conclusion that this earth can never become a -cold body and that the igneous condition at great depths, will continue -as long as the centripetal and centrifugal forces continue to press the -outer and inner surfaces toward each other. Or in other words, as long -as the surface continues to press down upon the materials below, as -they do now, there will be intense heat at great depths."</p> - -<p>"Your theory," I replied, "if true, will force scientists to abandon -the wonderful history of creation which they have evolved from long and -persistent research."</p> - -<p>"Nothing but their opinions will need to be revised," said Battell. -"Every fact they have discovered will continue to be a fact. We are -here on this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> expedition to discover facts of scientific importance, -and it now looks as if we are making a most wonderful discovery that -will force scientists to abandon some of their long cherished opinions -and revise others. If we find that this earth is actually a hollow -shell, it will be a fact, that must in the very nature of things -harmonize with every other fact that has been, or will be discovered. -Facts are facts, and while they may not be understood, they cannot -be set aside. It was to discover facts that might benefit the entire -human race by increasing their knowledge that I sacrificed a whaling -business that was paying a handsome profit, to join Captain Ganoe on -this expedition, in which I might lose the accumulations of years, and -possibly life itself. I certainly did not join this expedition in order -to either confirm, or disprove, any of the theories which scientists -have given to the world."</p> - -<p>"Then it seems," I responded, "that you joined the expedition with a -view to making discoveries by which mankind would be benefited, by -adding to the sum total of human knowledge, rather than from any hope -of personal advantage."</p> - -<p>"Possibly," he said. "But I cannot draw the line that your remark -would seem to suggest. I cannot see how I could help mankind, without -helping myself, at least so far as it would give me satisfaction, -and that after all is the one great object that makes life worth the -living. As to just what I expected to discover, I have only to say that -I am not surprised at present appearances. There now seem to be as -many indications of the existence of a habitable country on an inner -surface of the globe, as there were of a western hemisphere, before the -discovery of America. Columbus gave to mankind a new world, and should -we be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> the means of discovering an inner world, and of opening a line -of communication between that and the outer world, it would not be so -much a matter of astonishment as it would be of actual advantage." Then -turning to Captain Ganoe he asked: "What do you think of our prospect -of success?"</p> - -<p>"The present indications," replied the Captain, "are certainly most -encouraging. From the observations which we have already made, I -believe that we have passed over the verge into the gateway of an inner -world. You remember," he continued, turning to me, "that when we made -our escape from the ice, we sailed directly north and soon made the -discovery that some thing interposed between us and certain stars that -ought to have been visible just above the horizon."</p> - -<p>"Yes," I replied, "I remember. But what do you infer from that?"</p> - -<p>"I infer," he said, "that it was the opposite side of the verge that -interposed between us and the stars which we calculated ought to have -been visible. And now, I propose to sail south until we find land, or -failing in that, run out at the south opening, if we find one. We have -circumnavigated the north pole and yet when we tried to sail across the -open polar sea we found ourselves sailing away from it, assisted by a -powerful ocean current. Now, the water which comes from this impassable -polar sea, is going somewhere, and it is our business to follow it up -and find out all we can about its destination."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, a large flock of birds passed over our heads.</p> - -<p>"There," said the captain, "go our oracles that will lead us to land, -and as they are going in our direc<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>tion I propose to follow them," and -going to the wheel, he placed the ship directly in their track.</p> - -<p>"How is it," I asked, "that you now take the birds for our guide, -something you have never done before?"</p> - -<p>"Because," said the Captain, "we want to find land and these birds are -evidently on their way to find feeding grounds. I wonder that it did -not occur to me sooner to follow them."</p> - -<p>The light we had observed in the southern horizon grew brighter, and -soon we saw the sun emerge as if from behind a cloud and disappear -again near the same point, when we saw the full moon and a few stars -shining through the northern verge. It was indeed a strange sight to -visitors from the outer world. It never became actually dark, as light -from the sun either direct or reflected reached us at all times. We had -therefore reached a country of which it might be truly said: "There is -no night there."</p> - -<p>Some two days after the first appearance of the sun shining through the -opening at the southern pole, we sighted a small island with a high, -rocky shore-line, and a deep inlet, which formed a natural harbor, well -protected from storms if any ever came to these placid waters.</p> - -<p>We steamed into the inlet, cast anchor and went ashore. This was the -first time in over eighteen months that we had the opportunity to set -our feet upon land. As there seemed to be an abundance of game birds, -Captain Ganoe gave orders that all who desired might take their guns -and enjoy a day's shooting. Notwithstanding the general desolation of -the island it was a most welcome diversion for our small and overworked -crew.</p> - -<p>The first thing that attracted our notice, was the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> stump of a tree -that had been cut down with an axe. Though the stump was much decayed, -the marks of the axe were plainly visible. On examination, we found -plenty of evidence that the island had been inhabited at no very -distant day, as everything in the shape of timber had been cut down. -This we regretted, as we would gladly have availed ourselves of an -opportunity to take on a supply of wood, our coal being well nigh -exhausted.</p> - -<p>On one side of the narrow inlet in which the ship was anchored, was -a wall of stone which was covered with figures of men, animals and -hieroglyphics. Captain Ganoe said that he had seen similar sculptured -stones in New Mexico, and from this, he inferred that the time had been -when the same people had visited both localities, and that time had -been before the great ice caps had enveloped the poles. On the other -side of the inlet was found a rude hut constructed of rough stones, and -from the inscriptions on the walls we learned that it had been occupied -by an English speaking people, whose vessel had been wrecked on this -lonely island.</p> - -<p>The powerful current which had been the chief factor in liberating us -from the ice, and sweeping us out into the open polar sea, touched at -this lonely island; and it was not unlikely that it was this current, -which had stranded some disabled whaler and its crew, the vestiges of -which were now attracting our attention. This would also account for -the destruction of the few trees which had grown upon this stony waste. -So near the icy verge, fire was a necessity. The scant growth of timber -had been needed for fuel, by these ship-wrecked mariners.</p> - -<p>But what had become of the crew? They had evi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>dently burned up all -the fuel, but they had not been frozen, as their skeletons would -have revealed their fate. The supply of ducks, geese and fish seemed -inexhaustible, and hence they had not starved. We searched diligently, -but could find no indications of death in their ranks, except one lone -grave, on the most elevated point in the island, marked by a rough -stone on which was inscribed the one word: "Father."</p> - -<p>With my camera I took views of the most prominent objects. We spent two -days on this island to the great relief of all. The sailors enjoyed the -hunt, and a goodly supply of ducks, geese, etc., rewarded their efforts.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus02.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sailing south—The wind ceases—Our coal exhausted—Drifting -on an unknown ocean—In the grasp of southbound -currents—Desponding—Visited by an airship—Then a whole -fleet—Among friends—A most highly cultivated people—We embark for -Altruria—An air voyage.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus08.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>S we again proceeded south, the weather became more and more -spring-like and the air more invigorating. The climate seemed to have -opposite effects on different temperaments. The more delicate and -refined were stimulated to greater vigor and endurance, while the most -powerful physically were stricken with a fever, attended by acute -pains. This reduced our small crew to a point where we were helpless. -Our coal was also exhausted. The light breezes which had enabled us to -utilize the sails, now ceased entirely and we lay becalmed.</p> - -<p>For weeks the Ice King lay idly on the bosom of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> this most placid -ocean. So monotonous it became that even an Arctic gale would have been -a most agreeable diversion, by enabling us to move. With a supply of -fuel our chances of finding land would have been increased manifold. We -could have made some headway, notwithstanding the fact that we had at -this time only five persons able to render any efficient service. These -were Captain Ganoe, Battell, Huston, Mike Gallagher and myself. Pat -O'Brien and the two Norwegians, Lief and Eric, were scarcely able to -move around and the three sailors that had been left with us by Battell -while exploring the ice-field because they were not able to stand the -exposure, were now utterly helpless, and not expected to live from hour -to hour.</p> - -<p>We had plenty of provisions for an indefinite period, and when these -were exhausted, the sea would furnish an unlimited supply of fish. Our -vessel was seaworthy and there was seemingly no possible danger of a -storm. And yet our condition was most depressing. The ocean currents -were drifting us slowly along towards the south and might eventually -bring us to land. But this hope, at best, was only a bare possibility. -These same currents might carry us into the ice-fields at the south -pole which in our present disabled condition, meant almost certain -destruction.</p> - -<p>We dropped bottles into the sea containing dispatches, stating our -condition, and describing our location as nearly as possible. But the -chances were that these would never reach a people who would understand -their purport, and be able and willing to offer us any assistance. All -these considerations, added to the sickness of our most sturdy seamen, -had a most depressing effect, and every hour the outlook became more -hopeless.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> - -<p>With these gloomy forebodings, I had become discouraged indeed. I am -naturally hopeful, but now all hope seemed to be gone. As I look back -to this period I regard it as certainly the darkest of my life.</p> - -<p>Early one morning I had gone upon the upper deck, hoping that the fresh -air might brace me up and revive my drooping energies. In my mind, -with my note book before me, I mentally reviewed the leading incidents -of our voyage on this unknown ocean. According to my reckoning we had -escaped from the ice on the 23d of September, sketched the island and -tower on the 24th, and on the 25th set sail as we supposed for the -north pole. Without having consciously changed our course, five days -later we found ourselves sailing south. We then under a full head of -steam changed our course to the northeast, and circumnavigated a large -expanse of sea surrounding the pole.</p> - -<p>When we again attempted to cross this open sea we again found ourselves -sailing south. We landed on a barren island on the first of November. -In a few days we were becalmed, but in the grasp of a powerful current -which carried us steadily southward, and now on the 25th of December, -when Christmas festivities were the order of the day throughout the -Christian world, here we were on a broad ocean, drifting we knew not -whither. I never felt so utterly devoid of hope, but I was determined -to keep up courage.</p> - -<p>We were in a most agreeable climate. The air was sweet and refreshing -and I thought if we could only find land, what a glorious discovery -we had made, and if we could convey the news to our own country, how -it would stimulate the latent energies of the whole people to find -some ready means of access to this inner world, and thus our perils -and privations might ulti<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>mately prove a blessing to mankind. But -why speculate? We were lost on an unknown ocean which seemed to be -boundless, and utterly unable to direct our movements. The thought -struck me with a chill.</p> - -<p>Suddenly in the midst of my cogitations I was startled by a loud, -"Halloo!" It was certainly near at hand. I sprang to my feet and looked -around over the placid surface of the ocean. I could see for leagues -away in every direction, yet could not discover any living thing. I -then started to go below, thinking that perhaps Captain Ganoe had -called me. As I disappeared, the "Halloo!" was repeated in a somewhat -louder tone.</p> - -<p>I met the Captain coming in search of me, and I told him what I had -heard. With an incredulous look on his face, he placed his hand on my -head and said:</p> - -<p>"I fear my dear Jack that your brain has played a trick on you."</p> - -<p>"That may be so," I said, "but let us go above and investigate before -we jump to conclusions."</p> - -<p>He assented, and as we reached the deck, the "Halloo!" was repeated -in a much louder tone than before and this time, apparently directly -over our heads. We looked up and about one hundred feet above our -starboard quarter we beheld what, at first sight, appeared to be some -monster bird, with outspread wings slowly moving as if to maintain its -position. But a second glance revealed it to be some kind of an aerial -conveyance, with transparent sides, through which we could plainly see -two persons on board, who were watching us with intense interest.</p> - -<p>"Well Jack, what do you think of it?" asked the Captain.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I hardly know," I replied, "but this seeming monster bird is some kind -of a contrivance for navigating the air, and it has passengers on board -who evidently want to communicate with us."</p> - -<p>Our colloquy was brought to a summary conclusion by one of our aerial -visitors addressing us in a strangely musical but unknown tongue. We -were astonished at the salutation, but we had had so many strange -experiences lately, that we did not lose our self possession, and -Captain Ganoe responded at once by inviting them to "Come on board." -They did not seem to understand, and after a moment's pause he beckoned -to them. They understood the gesture and after a short consultation, -their strange vessel began to circle around in a spiral and came to a -rest on deck, when a side door opened, and two of the finest looking -people I had ever seen stepped out and shook hands with us. They were -large, very fair and looked almost exactly alike.</p> - -<p>One of them who seemed to be the leader, presented a paper which I -recognized as one of the dispatches which we had committed to the care -of the winds a few days after our escape from the ice. I was surprised -to see written below it, in strange characters, what seemed to be a -translation, and this was signed, "Mac," in a plain round hand. We -examined it closely, and handing it back, Captain Ganoe turned to me -and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Thank God! English is understood by some people in this inner world. -This removes our greatest difficulty. We can get acquainted."</p> - -<p>Our visitors seemed pleased when they saw that we recognized the -dispatch and the leader at once stepped to the larboard side of the -ship and waved a handkerchief. I now noticed for the first time that -two other airships hovered near, and one of them immedi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>ately responded -to the signal and came alongside. After a brief consultation with the -occupants, it began to circle around and ascend until it had attained a -great height, when it darted off at an amazing speed toward the west. I -had noticed that these aerial conveyances both ascended and descended, -by circling around in a spiral.</p> - -<p>While this was going on, I took especial notice of our visitors. They -wore soft felt hats, slightly turned up at the side, with broad silver -bands. Their hair was parted in the middle and hung in ringlets to -their shoulders. They wore embroidered slippers, with silk stockings, -and pants that fastened just below the knee, attached to a loose -waist with a short skirt. Around the waist was a broad silken girdle, -fastened in front by a silver buckle, and tied behind in a bow, the -ends deeply fringed and hanging even with the bottom of the skirt. -Their necks were bare but encircled by a golden chain to which was -attached what seemed to be diamond set lockets, and at their girdles -they wore watches of magnificent workmanship.</p> - -<p>While they were conferring with the occupants of the other airship, -Captain Ganoe said to me:</p> - -<p>"These persons are surely women."</p> - -<p>"And," added Battell, who had just come on deck, "What beauties! Where -did they come from?"</p> - -<p>"They came through the air in yonder little vessel," said the Captain, -"and they seem to have been looking for us, as they have one of the -dispatches we sent out after we escaped from the ice; and more than -that, it has been translated into an unknown tongue, by some one who -signs the name of 'Mac.'"</p> - -<p>"Then they are our saviors," said Battell.</p> - -<p>"I certainly feel so," said the Captain, "and they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> have evidently made -up their minds to stay awhile, for some purpose."</p> - -<p>"No doubt," replied Battell. "See! They are sending that other bird off -for help. They understand what they are about."</p> - -<p>As the airship disappeared from view, our strange visitors returned to -where we were standing, and seeing Captain Battell, the leader advanced -and gracefully extended her hand. Her unaffected and cordial manner at -once placed us at ease.</p> - -<p>They now manifested a disposition to examine the ship, and seemed by -their motions to confer with each other about it, pointing to the smoke -stacks, the sails and steering apparatus as if they were discussing the -motor power.</p> - -<p>Observing their evident interest in these things, Captain Ganoe -suggested that Battell and myself should conduct them over the ship, -while he would attend to having a breakfast prepared that would be a -credit to the Ice King. Thus prompted, we motioned our visitors to -accompany us below, which they seemed pleased to do.</p> - -<p>We took them through the engine room and pointed out such portions of -the machinery as we felt would interest them the most. We showed them -our liberal supply of scientific instruments, maps, charts, etc. I was -astonished at the keen interest they manifested in our large library.</p> - -<p>We then led them into the presence of our sick sailors. Sympathy was -plainly depicted on their countenances as they passed from one to -another and cordially grasped their hands, frequently conferring with -each other in low tones, as if planning for their relief.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, Mike Gallagher, who in our dis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>abled condition was -nurse, cook and general factotum, had prepared an ample repast, in -which our guests participated with evident relish. While we were -enjoying our meal, I noticed that our visitors were observing me -closely, and then looking at the others, as if making a comparison and -mentally taking notes. When we had arisen from the table the one who -had presented the dispatch came up and pointed to the signature as if -to ask if it was mine. I nodded assent, and she took me by the hand and -drawing it through her arm, led off toward the deck and conducted me -directly to her airship.</p> - -<p>I noticed now, for the first time, that the entrance was about thirty -inches above the deck, where it rested, and was approached by steps so -constructed that they dropped to their place when the door was opened.</p> - -<p>We entered, and I found it to be a splendidly upholstered car, about -six feet wide by sixteen in length, coming to a sharp point at the bow, -while the stern was oval. I could see by a glance at its proportions, -that it was designed to dart through the air at a great speed. But I -had no time to take many notes of this small, but elaborately finished -vessel. The proprietor, so to speak, at once opened a little bookcase, -and handed me a small volume with a knowing smile on her face. To my -surprise, I found it to be a school history of the United States in -English, with a translation, presumably into her own language, printed -in parallel columns. She handed me several other volumes printed in -the same manner in both languages. Among these I noticed a grammar, -dictionary, small geography, a New Testament, hymn book and several -introductory works on the natural sciences.</p> - -<p>She showed me a card on which was printed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> English alphabet, that -had evidently never been used, and opposite each letter, a varying -number of characters, corresponding with the number of sounds which we -assign to each. I understood from this, that the people of this country -used phonetic characters.</p> - -<p>I at once realized that she had the means of acquiring a knowledge of -our language, history, geography and science as taught in our common -schools. I surmised that this collection of school books, had been -brought to this country on the vessel that was lost near the barren -island on which we had stopped. It was just such a collection as might -be expected among sailors who were trying to obtain the rudiments of an -education, while employed on a whaler.</p> - -<p>She had doubtless shown me these books as a means of letting me know -that our country and its language were not entirely unknown in her -country, and that she had contemplated making a study of these things.</p> - -<p>We were soon joined by her comrade, Battell and Huston, and this unique -library of outer world school books was again exhibited, and while we -could not exchange a word, we soon felt that we were old acquaintances.</p> - -<p>Our visitors were evidently highly cultured people, and while not -speaking our language, they certainly knew considerable about our -country, while we knew nothing about theirs.</p> - -<p>I was a little surprised at the active interest taken in our guests by -Captain Battell, who was usually so reticent and retiring, and this -interest was plainly mutual. Although they were not able to converse, -they could understand each other, and spent their time strolling about -the ship and peering out over the calm waters of the ocean.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> - -<p>After the airship had been gone about eight hours, our guests began to -consult their watches and look intently toward the west. Soon a whole -fleet of airships came into view. In a few minutes the foremost one -separated from the others, circled around, and alighted upon our deck, -and one of the occupants stepped out, and as he did so exclaimed in -good English:</p> - -<p>"Thank God, you are safe! How happy I am to welcome so many of my -countrymen into this world of Truth, Justice and Fraternity."</p> - -<p>"And how happy are we," said Captain Ganoe, "to be welcomed by a fellow -countryman after our long voyage in these unknown waters. We have not -looked in the face of a fellow being for nearly two years, and we -welcome you to the deck of the Ice King, as the saviors of all that is -left of its once numerous crew."</p> - -<p>The new comer threw his arms around the Captain's neck, and embraced -him as a mother would her long lost child, sobbing with sudden emotion -until we were all shedding tears in sympathy. Then leaving Captain -Ganoe he embraced each of us in turn.</p> - -<p>"I never was so happy in my life," he exclaimed. "I hope you will -excuse me for thus giving way to my feelings. I had thought I would -never again look into the face of a single human being from my own -native land, and this meeting with so many overcomes me."</p> - -<p>"No apologies are necessary," said Captain Ganoe. "We appreciate the -man who has feelings and is not ashamed to show them, while we could -not have any respect for the man who is destitute of feeling."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said the newcomer, "and now permit me to introduce myself. -My name is, or rather was, James MacNair, an American born Scotchman."</p> - -<p>Captain Ganoe then introduced himself, Battell,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> Huston and myself. -MacNair in turn introduced our visitors as the twin sisters, Polaris -and Dione, of the Life Saving Service, and then continued:</p> - -<p>"Ever since they discovered me, almost starved, on a desolate island -far to the north, these self devoted saviors of humanity, have kept an -especial lookout for stranded mariners from the frozen north. And since -they captured your little balloon with the dispatch I translated for -them, they have known that an entire crew had passed the ice barriers, -and they have been more than ever on the alert for an opportunity to -render assistance, and conduct you into a safe harbor. They feared that -you would be disabled by the almost perpetual calms on these waters, -and be carried to the southern verge by these ocean currents which seem -to carefully avoid the land. You see with all their watchfulness you -have been carried nearly to the equator without being discovered, and -you are now fully one thousand miles from land."</p> - -<p>"It was indeed fortunate," said Captain Ganoe "that we continued to -commit dispatches to the care of the winds."</p> - -<p>"That is true," said MacNair, "but it is more fortunate that you sent -up dispatches just when you did, for at that time, the sun begins to -heat the air at the southern verge and it rises to higher altitudes -and the air in the vicinity flows in to fill the vacuum. This produces -a current of air that flows south from the northern verge. It was -this breeze which occurs but once a year that brought your balloons -south. Had they been sent up at the beginning of the northern summer -they would have been carried south on the outside by your equinoctial -storms. This is my theory. It may not be a correct one but it satisfies -me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Whether correct or not," said Captain Ganoe, "we know by experience -that we had a northerly breeze for several days, which enabled us to -use our sails to some advantage. But this breeze soon ceased and as we -had no coal we were at the mercy of the ocean currents."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said MacNair, "there is but little use for sails in this inner -world. But with plenty of coal you would have had no difficulty in -finding a safe harbor among a highly civilized people, in a country -where extremes of heat and cold, and violent storms are unknown."</p> - -<p>MacNair's remarks were cut short by the appearance on the scene of -another magnificent woman who had evidently remained on the airship -which had brought him to our deck, and he added:</p> - -<p>"And now permit me to introduce to you my wife, Iola, who wished to be -among the first to welcome you to this inner world."</p> - -<p>"Glad to meet you," said Captain Ganoe, extending his hand, "and I hope -that you will have no reason to regret this addition to your circle of -so many of your husband's fellow countrymen."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Iola, in good English, but with a peculiar accent. -"On behalf of our people, I take pleasure in extending to you a cordial -welcome to our home in Altruria, where we are making a special study of -everything we can get concerning the outer world."</p> - -<p>"And happy are we," rejoined the Captain, "to be welcomed by a people -where our language is not entirely unknown. It will be so much easier -for us to get acquainted, and adapt ourselves to our new surroundings."</p> - -<p>"In our district," said Iola, "you will find quite a number of people -who can converse in English. We are teaching it in our schools."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p> - -<p>While this conversation was going on, Polaris had stepped to the side -of the ship and commenced signaling with a yellow silken flag to the -fleet of airships which hovered over us. Soon one of the largest, and -seemingly the most elaborately furnished, swerved around and alighted -upon the deck of the Ice King.</p> - -<p>Seeing that our attention was attracted to this new movement started by -Polaris, MacNair said:</p> - -<p>"That is our hospital or relief ship. Polaris has called them to the -assistance of your sick sailors."</p> - -<p>"Thank God!" ejaculated Captain Ganoe, "for indeed the poor fellows -need the most careful attention. She and her comrades have placed us -under obligations for their kindness, that can never be repaid. I am -indeed most thankful to our new found friends."</p> - -<p>"Why feel under such obligations to anyone?" asked Iola. "Polaris is -only doing her duty and so are her comrades. This is a duty which we -owe to each other, and you and your sailors will only receive that -which justly belongs to you."</p> - -<p>"But are we not under obligations to those who assist us when in -trouble?" asked Captain Ganoe, "and should we not repay them for the -burdens we impose on them?"</p> - -<p>"I do not quite understand you," said Iola. "You certainly are under -obligations to yourself to entertain feelings of grateful appreciation -toward those who assist you in getting out of a difficult and -distressing situation, as this feeling tends to make us all better -men and women, and hence more desirable members of the community. But -as to repaying others for their assistance, I cannot see how we could -do so unless we were to place them under similar environments, and we -certainly would not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> do that, simply for the purpose of securing an -opportunity to do for them what they did for us."</p> - -<p>"And I do not understand you at all," said the Captain. "When people -help us, we are certainly under obligations to compensate them for -their assistance, with something more substantial than mere thanks."</p> - -<p>"Then I will try to make my meaning clear," she said. "We all seek -happiness, but a well ordered mind cannot enjoy real happiness while -others are miserable. So in helping others into a condition where they -may be happy, we are working to establish and perpetuate conditions -that are essential to our own happiness. The act itself brings its own -reward. In order for a people to be happy, it is necessary for them -to do to others as they would have others do to them. This is one of -the most simple and obvious laws that govern our relations to each -other. It cannot be ignored without establishing conditions, under -the operations of which, misery would become the normal condition of -mankind, ourselves included."</p> - -<p>"I begin to get a glimpse of your meaning," replied the Captain. -"The founder of our religion, inculcated the same principles in his -teachings which we call the 'Golden Rule,' but I have never before met -with such a practical, matter-of-fact application of it to all the -relations existing between the individual members of the human family. -It may be that among our people a few small circles, to some extent, -apply this rule of action to a chosen few, but it is never applied to -the people in general, except by some cranky individual, who in popular -esteem, is regarded as a fit subject for a lunatic asylum."</p> - -<p>"It seems strange to us," said Iola, "that your people do not -universally apply this fundamental law,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> upon which human happiness -depends, in all their relations with each other. They must certainly -desire happiness and the most ordinary intelligence ought to incline -them to use the means by which they could secure happiness. But I -know from history that this law was entirely ignored by our ancestors -thousands of years ago. It was first taught as a religious tenet, -but for ages it has been accepted as a fundamental principle in our -civilization, and as a teacher of moral philosophy in our schools it -becomes my duty to inculcate these principles into the minds of the -children. The civilization which we have now, carries out in practice, -the fundamental, humanitarian principles to which the founders of our -old religious system gave expression. These teachings were in many -respects identical, even in language, with the teachings of Jesus and -the apostles as I find them recorded, in the copy of the New Testament -which was among the books that my husband, then a small boy, saved from -his father's ship which went to the bottom near the barren island where -he was discovered."</p> - -<p>"This is indeed remarkable," said the Captain. "I had thought from the -tenor of your remarks that the apostles must have penetrated this inner -world and taught these doctrines, and that they had taken a better -hold on the minds of the people than they have in the outer world. I -see, however, that you claim an independent origin for your religious -system, yet you have the same fundamental doctrines. How is this?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing strange about it," said Iola. "Truth is truth no matter where -it is found. All people, no matter where they live, have the same -faculties, and the same sources of knowledge are open to all alike. -All the religions of the world have had their origin in some form<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> of -inspiration, and these religions have, in turn, left their impress -upon the civilizations of the world. Jesus, of the outer world, and -Krystus of the inner world, both inculcated the same fundamental -truths, which we have incorporated into our civilization, and now teach -in our schools as the fundamental natural laws which must regulate -human relations, before the race can attain to the one great object of -existence,—Happiness."</p> - -<p>While this most interesting conversation was going on, Polaris, -Dione and MacNair were busy fitting up the Hospital ship and giving -directions by signals, to the fleet which hovered above us. Ropes were -attached to the bow of the Ice King, which connected with a number of -the largest airships. The design was apparent, by the preparations. -They intended to tow us to shore. But this was not all. Electrical -apparatus was placed on board and they evidently intended to use -electric motor power to set the machinery in motion. As soon as the -preparations were well on the way, MacNair broke in upon the discussion -by saying:</p> - -<p>"Captain Ganoe, we are now ready to look after your afflicted sailors. -We want to attend to them, just as we would like to be attended to, if, -unfortunately, we were compelled to change places with them, and with -your permission we will take charge of them at once."</p> - -<p>"You not only have my permission, but my heart felt thanks for the -interest you take in them. So now let us go below," and suiting the -action to the word, Captain Ganoe led the way and we all followed.</p> - -<p>We found the ever active Mike, busy ministering to the wants of the -sick and keeping up the spirits of all by his inimitable Irish wit, in -which Pat O'Brien, notwithstanding his acute rheumatic pains joined -with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> a hearty good will. This buoyant Irish lad and the herculean -Irish sailor, had been the life of the expedition, when we were -imprisoned in the ice, and but for these typical sons of Erin, our -environments would have been much more gloomy. No matter how serious -the outlook might be, they brought out the comic and laughable side of -the picture by their mirth-provoking comments.</p> - -<p>A half dozen persons from the Relief ship at once began their -examination into the condition of the sick, and Captain Ganoe, turning -to MacNair, asked: "Are these persons all physicians?"</p> - -<p>"Well, yes, and no," replied he. "In the outer world you would -call them doctors but here they are nurses. These skilled hospital -attendants, understand all that has been discovered in regard to the -treatment of both mind and body."</p> - -<p>"But what do they use?" asked the Captain. "I see no sign of medicines -and the usual hospital appliances."</p> - -<p>"They need none," replied MacNair. "But this is something that must be -learned further on."</p> - -<p>"Yes," interposed Iola. "You will doubtless find a very different -system of treating human weakness from that which I understand is -adopted in the outer world by the medical practitioners. In their -system of healing they depend exclusively upon external appliances and -ingredients, while we depend mainly upon arousing the internal powers -of mind and spirit, which alone can exercise any absolute control over -the human organism. Your system of treating the body is from without, -while ours is from within, directly opposite to it."</p> - -<p>I did not at that time comprehend her meaning, neither did any of our -crew. Its depth was beyond our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> grasp and we found that indeed this was -something to be learned further on. But as she ceased speaking, Polaris -called her to one side, and after a brief consultation with the nurses -she said to Captain Ganoe:</p> - -<p>"The nurses report that it will require an hour or more to get the -patients in proper condition for removal and that they want to be left -alone with them, and will let us know when they are ready."</p> - -<p>With this, we all returned to the upper deck to await the pleasure -of the nurses. Captain Battell, who had been an intensely interested -listener, notwithstanding his retiring disposition, now moved to renew -the conversation by turning to MacNair and saying:</p> - -<p>"My dear sir, did I understand you to say that the special business of -Polaris and Dione is to look out for those who may be lost at sea and -render assistance as occasion may require, and especially for such as -may drift in from the outer world? Where are your men, that women are -permitted to engage in these hazardous enterprises?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing strange about that," said MacNair. "As you well know, the -women of the outer world take the lead in all humanitarian work, -because they are naturally more sensitive and sympathetic than men. The -women of this inner world are even more inclined to extend a helping -hand to the distressed, and they are not handicapped by usages which -restrict the influence of the woman of the outer world. Here, both -sexes are placed upon terms of absolute equality, and every individual -has an opportunity to find the place that is best suited to his or -her inclinations. Men are also engaged in this work, but the women -here, as in the outer world, are more sympathetic, and as there is -nothing to prevent it, they have carried their humanitarian work to -such per<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>fection, that all the oppressive conditions which afflict -humanity have been wellnigh removed. To this, more than to all other -causes combined, do we attribute the existence of the ideal conditions -which you will find throughout this inner world. You certainly cannot -think that women are out of place when they are protecting their own -offspring?"</p> - -<p>"Not that," said Battell. "I certainly esteem it most fortunate that we -have fallen into the hands of these humanity loving women, but it all -seems so strange. You have women commanding fleets in the air, and if -so, why not have them navigating the ocean and commanding your armies -and navies?"</p> - -<p>"We have no armies and navies to destroy our offspring," interrupted -Iola. "We know nothing of these things except from our ancient -histories. When woman secured her true position in the world she -put an end to war by removing the vicious commercial, financial and -governmental systems that enabled one class of people to oppress -another. When greedy and domineering classes could no longer have -soldiers to do their bidding, poverty was abolished by securing to the -whole people equal access to the unlimited productive power of the -earth. The women demanded peace because it prevented the slaughter of -their offspring in useless wars, and in order to have peace it was -necessary to secure to all an equal opportunity to create wealth by -their labor."</p> - -<p>"But I do not see," said Battell, "how equal rights to women would -prevent governmental injustice, with its consequent wars and bloodshed. -In the outer world, some of the most bloodthirsty rulers in the annals -of history have been women."</p> - -<p>"And the same thing was true in the inner world,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>" said Iola, "until -all women had secured their personal freedom from the domination of -man-made laws and prerogatives. When that time came, Mother-love -completed the work of human redemption. In time the women became a unit -for peace, and this thought was impressed upon their offspring and -these grew into maturity without any inclination to rule by violence, -and war was abolished. And the same love of offspring which put an end -to war and all its horrors, demanded the removal of the discriminations -which enabled the offspring of one woman to defraud and oppress the -offspring of another woman. It was the inspiration of Mother-love -which set the women to investigating the systems which enriched the -few at the expense of the many; and in defense of their children, -they united their efforts along peaceful lines to establish equitable -relations in all the affairs of life. The women of that day, were not -more intelligent than the men, but love for their offspring gave them a -deeper and more abiding sympathy for the oppressed, and this feeling, -if not crushed out by the iron heel of military power, will ultimately -save the people of any country from the consequences of inequitable -conditions."</p> - -<p>"I believe you are right," said Battell, "but this does not explain to -me why women should lead in such a hazardous business as this in which -Polaris and Dione are engaged."</p> - -<p>"It is because they desire to do so," said MacNair. "Polaris is a -sincere lover of humanity. She is a true womanly woman, and as such -takes pleasure in rendering assistance to all who are afflicted -or distressed. Besides, she is by education, inclination and long -experience, an expert in aerial navigation, and holds her position as -head of the Life Saving Service by virtue of her superior qualities."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But," said Battell, "as head of a department, she might send her -subordinates and not take the hardest work on herself. It seems to me, -that she personally superintends everything, doing as much work as a -half dozen others ought to do."</p> - -<p>"Polaris always leads," said MacNair. "Besides, in your case there were -especial reasons why she should personally lead the search. You were -exposed to peculiar dangers, and it was uncertain whether you had been -carried into the Oscan or Umbrian oceans, by the ocean currents. So, -to guard against possible failure, she did not trust entirely to the -patrols, but continued to circumnavigate the concave herself.</p> - -<p>"But few persons could have kept up the incessant activity and -watchfulness that she and Dione have done ever since they captured your -dispatches. They were determined that you should not be carried into -the stormy waters of the south if persistent vigilance could prevent -it."</p> - -<p>"Well, thank God, they were successful!" said Battell. "If we should -live a thousand years we could not pay them for their efforts in our -behalf."</p> - -<p>"No thanks are required," again interrupted Iola. "Polaris has only -done her duty, and as to pay, she could hardly comprehend what you -mean by it. She doubtless felt that she was amply rewarded for all her -efforts when she succeeded in finding you. Success, in a praiseworthy -undertaking, is the only reward that any man or woman can afford to -work for. She has found you and therefore has her reward, while we -can enjoy the pleasure of providing you with the comforts of a home -and freedom from anxiety, toil and danger. You will only get what our -common mother nature has prepared alike for all her children, while -we have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> especially benefited by the opportunity it has given -us of helping a brother in distress. If there is any difference, we -have more reasons to be thankful than you have, as we take pleasure -in contributing to the happiness of others. It is in very truth 'more -blessed to give than to receive.'"</p> - -<p>"I am not an enthusiast," responded Battell, "but I am frank to admit -that I am carried away by the transcendent character of the sentiments -you express, in regard to our duties toward each other. But it seems to -me, that your grand ideal as to what human character ought to be, is -so far above our fallen human nature, that it can never be realized in -this life. Such a character was Jesus, the Savior of mankind as painted -by our religious teachers. But this character is so very much above the -human plane of development, that it would be regarded as sacrilegious -for anyone to attempt to be as pure, as noble and as holy as he is said -to have been."</p> - -<p>"The great mass of our people," said Iola, "would not understand -your allusion to fallen human nature, and the Savior of mankind, but -I have read a number of your religious books, and from comparisons -with our own ancient history, have concluded that the Fall of Man and -his Redemption through the Cross are allegories which were intended -to teach a wonderful truth. But, be this as it may, the character of -Jesus, I regard as the only truly human character that I have met -with in the few outer world books that we have. The wonder is, that -this magnificent character has not been incorporated into all of -his professed followers. After two thousand years of preaching and -discipline, it is strange that you have not developed many of these -characters; even surpassing his exalted standard, especially as he told -his disciples that they might do greater things than he did."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But," said Battell, "we are told that he was more than man. He was the -Son of God, sent upon earth from his Father's home in heaven, to save -fallen man."</p> - -<p>"I am willing," was Iola's reply, "to admit all this, as I understand -it. We had similar characters in the olden time, who tried to save -their fellow beings from the low estate in which they lived. But a time -came when the effect of their teachings was to produce a multitude -of such characters, and then the entire people made one great bound -upward, and now we are all saviors whenever and wherever we find a -demand for our services in that capacity."</p> - -<p>Battell looked his astonishment as he asked:</p> - -<p>"Is this heaven? Am I to be brought into the presence of not one, but a -world full of these God-like characters?"</p> - -<p>Iola smiled as she said in response:</p> - -<p>"Yes, this is heaven provided you have heaven in you, the only place -where you will ever find it. And this God-like character whom you call -a Savior, is also in you, as it is in every other human being, just as -soon as you permit it to be developed. This spark of Divinity—this Son -of God—is latent in the human soul, and its efforts to make itself -felt, is the source of every noble, pure and holy impulse to elevate -our common humanity. Give the God that is in you a chance to develop, -and you will become like unto Jesus, a 'God manifest in the flesh.'"</p> - -<p>"But how am I to develop this God-like character?" asked Battell.</p> - -<p>"By becoming a savior of the race to the best of your ability," -answered Iola. "You were taught that it was the mission of Jesus to -save the world. It is also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> your mission. He did his duty in his age -and generation, to elevate humanity, and it is your duty to make just -as much of an effort in your age and generation, to make the world -better for your having lived in it.</p> - -<p>"You cannot afford to sit down as if you had nothing to do and 'cast -all your cares on Jesus.' You have no right to impose, even if it -were possible, any more burdens upon the 'meek and lowly carpenter of -Judea.' He did his duty, well and truly, and you ought to do yours. -You, in common with every other human being owe a debt to humanity, and -you must pay it by your efforts to save humanity—</p> - -<p style="margin-left:40%;"> -From all its sins, its aches and pains<br /> -From all its multitude of woes, -</p> - -<p>You cannot be released from your share of the obligation to save the -world, by singing:</p> - -<p style="margin-left:40%;"> -'Jesus paid it all, all the debt I owe.'" -</p> - -<p>"I acknowledge," said Battell, "the justice of your criticism as -applied to the churches of the outer world, but I am, or rather, I was, -a whaler, and they do not fit me. As a sailor, and as a whaler, I never -shirked any duty or danger, and I expected every other man to do his -duty. I think if I had been called upon to do the work of every other -man on shipboard, I would have objected to it most strenuously. On the -same principle, Jesus certainly has a clear case against every one of -his followers for neglect of duty."</p> - -<p>"I did not expect you to take my criticism to yourself," said Iola, -"notwithstanding the fact that you referred to the religious system -of your country, as if it was your standard of faith and practice. I -only sought to impress upon your mind, the truths that, it seems to me, -the founder of your religion intended to teach. Those who took up the -work after him, seem to have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> entirely lost sight of the purpose and -spirit of his teachings. But here comes Polaris. She has something to -communicate."</p> - -<p>Polaris came forward, and after a brief conference with Iola and -MacNair, she signaled the fleet, which began to maneuver, as if -aligning itself under orders, according to some well-defined plan, -while MacNair, addressing himself to Captain Ganoe, said:</p> - -<p>"Polaris reports that the nurses are ready, and to guard against any -excitement that might disturb the patients, they want everyone to -embark on the airships except Mike, who will stay with the patients -on the Relief ship. Polaris will take Battell and Huston in the ship -with herself and sister, while Jack and yourself will take passage with -Iola and your humble servant. The rest of the fleet will tow the Ice -King into port, where you can remove your baggage at your leisure. She -will be taken up the Cocytas to Lake Byblis, where all will be safe -and under the charge of Pat O'Brien and Mike Gallagher. It will be a -convenient distance from the home we have prepared for you until you -have become familiar with the language, customs of the country, and so -forth."</p> - -<p>"How far will it be?" asked the Captain.</p> - -<p>"Only about 150 miles," replied MacNair, "which can easily be reached -by airship or electric car in half an hour."</p> - -<p>"So quickly as that!" exclaimed Ganoe.</p> - -<p>"Certainly. 300 miles an hour is nothing extraordinary."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Caring for the sick—New methods of treatment—Not physicians -but nurses—No medicines—A rapid recovery—A voyage through the -air—Wonderful optical instruments which reveal a panorama of the -world—Arrival in Altruria—Marvelous improvements—Drudgery and -poverty both abolished.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus09.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>APTAIN Ganoe and myself took passage with MacNair and Iola. For the -first time, we had embarked upon an airship. I had witnessed many -balloon ascensions and had read much in regard to various contrivances -for navigating the air, all of which had been failures. But here was a -success, and I was on the alert to learn everything possible, in regard -to the mechanical principles involved.</p> - -<p>We found ourselves in an elegantly furnished cabin,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> but we saw no -signs of machinery. Everything in sight seemed to be arranged for the -especial comfort and convenience of the passengers. The view in all -directions, through transparent sections, was unobstructed, but the -sections could be readily shaded, or the light shut out entirely as the -occupants might desire.</p> - -<p>In the center was a table of exquisite design and workmanship, on which -were various optical instruments for the use of the occupants, and also -an electric keyboard connected with the hull which was elevated about -thirty inches above the floor upon which it rested.</p> - -<p>The shape of the hull in which I concluded that the motor power was -placed seemed to be adapted to the navigation of the water as well as -the air and in answer to our inquiries MacNair informed us that it -could readily be converted into either a water craft or land carriage. -The ordinary propelling power consisted of an ingenious combination -of wings shaped like those of an insect, but when extraordinary -speed was required there was a rudder-like appendage, similar to the -tail of a fish, that was shot out from the hull. These were operated -by electricity and appropriate mechanical contrivances. He further -explained that the power of levitation, or rising in the air, did not -depend entirely upon the wings, but, that by a discovery in magnetism, -the vessel was rendered positive to the earth so that they mutually -repelled each other.</p> - -<p>When all was ready, MacNair touched a button on the keyboard, and at -once our aerial conveyance became instinct with life. Its broad wings -that had been neatly folded, as it alighted upon the deck, now extended -out like the pinions of some mighty bird, there was a slight whirring -noise beneath our feet, and we began to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> ascend, moving as it were -forward, around a spiral incline.</p> - -<p>As we circled around and arose to a place among the fleet which had -hovered over us, we had a full view of the ample preparations which our -deliverers had made for our rescue. On some of the ships we noticed -cables and powerful dynamos. These vessels were as unlike the light and -airy passenger boat on which we were embarked, as the ponderous freight -train is unlike the lightning express. They had evidently come prepared -to take charge of the Ice King as well as the crew.</p> - -<p>Polaris, Dione, Battell and Huston had embarked, and ascended a short -distance, as if to be in a good position to give directions. The -hospital attendants were carrying the afflicted sailors on board the -Relief ship, on stretchers, with the exception of Pat O'Brien, who was -getting around as lively as if there never had been anything the matter -with him, and Mike seemed to be trying to keep him still. We were -surprised at what seemed to be such a wonderful recovery, and MacNair, -noticing the intense interest we were taking in what was transpiring on -the Ice King, asked:</p> - -<p>"What is the matter? Anything going wrong?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing wrong," replied Captain Ganoe, "but something strange. Do -you see that herculean sailor rushing around down there and evidently -making himself useful in caring for his comrades?"</p> - -<p>"Well, what of that?" asked MacNair.</p> - -<p>"Only this," said the Captain, "a few hours ago he was confined to -his bed with a severe attack of rheumatism and now he seems the -personification of health and vigor. Can you explain the change in his -case while the others are still helpless?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps his rheumatic attack had actually run<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> its course, but still -remained to trouble him as the result of the impression that had been -made upon his mind. If that is the case, then he only needed a mental -suggestion, to remove the rheumatic impression which had fastened -itself upon him."</p> - -<p>"That is a queer view to take of the matter," said the Captain, "yet -there may be something in it. But why are the others still helpless? -Why would not mental suggestion have the same effect on them?"</p> - -<p>"I do not understand the particulars in regard to their condition, -and hence, am not qualified to offer an opinion. It may be that the -disease in them had worked some organic change that was not so easy to -overcome, or, it may be that the suggestion that removed the pain put -them to sleep. I see they are apparently sleeping soundly."</p> - -<p>"I hope their sleep may be a favorable indication," said the Captain. -"I do not," he continued, "understand this strange disease which seems -to single out the most robust and powerful. Can you explain it to me?"</p> - -<p>"The atmosphere of this inner world," interposed Iola, "is highly -stimulating, and it requires much active exercise to provide an outlet -for the surplus energy that is generated. You were becalmed. Your -sailors had nothing to do but to rest when they were not tired. The -energy was created and it must be expended. Mental activity would have -accomplished this, and their health would have been improved. But -failing in this, it took the form of fever and acute pains. The best, -in fact, the only efficient safeguard from disease, situated as you -were, is to be found in mental activity."</p> - -<p>"You certainly do not mean to say that mentally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> active people are not -liable to get sick in this inner world?" remarked the Captain.</p> - -<p>"Nothing of the kind," said Iola. "But I will say this, that all other -conditions being equal, mentally active people are not in as much -danger, provided they think healthy thoughts. If they think disease -and fear the worst, they will be even more liable than others to get -just what they think. But if the active mind is trained to exercise -its power to preserve the health of the body, there is no danger from -disease."</p> - -<p>"This is a strange doctrine," said the Captain, "and one that I am -anxious to know more about, but that must be learned further on, I -suppose, as MacNair says."</p> - -<p>We had been rising slowly until we had now attained a great height and -MacNair interrupted the discussion of mental suggestion by saying:</p> - -<p>"We have designedly ascended to a greater height than usual, so as -to be above the more humid atmosphere. This will give you a better -opportunity to make observations."</p> - -<p>"But what observations can we make," I asked, "that could not be made -from the surface? When I became satisfied from seeing the sun shining -through the southern verge, that we had passed into an inner world, -I expected with the telescope, to be able to scan every part of the -surface, but I found that I was seemingly as far from being able to -do so, as when I was in the outer world. Can you explain to me why I -cannot turn my glass to the zenith and see the opposite side of the -concave?"</p> - -<p>"There can be but one reason," said MacNair, with a merry twinkle in -his eyes. "The gaseous contents of the concave must be opaque to your -vision."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, well," I said laughing, "I found that out without your -assistance, and I am not going to let you dodge the question by a play -on words. What I want to know is, why these gaseous contents at the -center, are opaque while the air at the surface is not?"</p> - -<p>"Well I see," said MacNair, "that you are determined to compel me to -reveal how little I know. The scientists of the early ages evolved the -theory that the center of the concave is a gaseous globe composed of -the very lightest materials which they knew by actual experience to be -opaque to their vision."</p> - -<p>"But why," I asked, "is it that this concave sphere does not shut off -the light from the sun?"</p> - -<p>"Because," said MacNair, "this opaque sphere is above our line of -vision,—our position on the surface, being twelve degrees below -the verges. Besides this, the central opaque sphere is conceived to -be flattened at the poles and bulged at the equator, and some have -contended that it is also hollow like the earth. But for this opaque -sphere our nights would be as light as day by the reflection from the -hemisphere above."</p> - -<p>"I have thought of that," I replied, "and still I have so much wished -that the opposite hemisphere could be seen with the telescope."</p> - -<p>"Well, that is precisely what you will be able to do from this -airship," said MacNair.</p> - -<p>"How so?" I asked. "We certainly cannot rise above the opaque sphere, -and if we could, and got a clear view of the opposite hemisphere, that -would not be seeing from one side of the concave to the other."</p> - -<p>"Not that surely," said MacNair, "but scientists knowing that magnetic -currents often pass more readily through opaque than transparent -substances, began to search for rays of this kind that would pass -through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> dark bodies and be reflected by substances beyond. At last -they succeeded in securing a photograph through wood and metal, and -then, all that was required in order to enable us to see through opaque -matter, was an optical instrument that would cast the reflection on the -retina of the eye. This, in the course of time, was accomplished. And -now, these wonderful discoveries are used by the medical profession, -in order to enable them to look into the bodies of their patients -and examine the internal organs. And, these electro-magnetic optical -instruments have been so improved that they are in general use, in -observations where opaque bodies obstruct the view."</p> - -<p>"And do you tell me this as sober truth?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Certainly," responded MacNair, "I propose to give you a practical -demonstration. You discovered that the space between us and the zenith -was opaque to your vision. Now, take these glasses and adjust them to -your eyes and look through those semi-transparent sections, which are -like a lace-work of tubes. The penetrating power of these glasses, you -see, can be increased or decreased by moving this slide. They enable -you to use the magnetic rays which pass through all substances for the -purpose of vision."</p> - -<p>We followed his directions and the first glance gave us an ocular -demonstration that the surface was concave. "Now," continued MacNair, -"in order to get the best idea of the leading geographical outlines of -this inner world, I want you to examine with your glasses a zone from -the horizon in front of us, through the zenith to the horizon behind -us. We are now moving on an airline for your future home in Altruria. -Our course is a little south of west and the distance about one -thousand miles. We are now very near the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> center of the Oscan ocean. -East of us is the continent of Atlan. So, a zone, extending through -the zenith along the line on which we are moving will pass through the -equatorial belt, and give you a clear concept of the great centers of -population and material improvement. This is the most important part -of the world for you to study for the present, and until you learn the -language and mingle with the people, you must depend upon your eyes as -the chief source of information."</p> - -<p>We were now moving at great speed and the sensations were most -exhilarating. Looking out over the bow we beheld the horizon of water -and raising our glasses as we had been directed, at an elevation of -about twenty degrees, the coast line of a continent came into view. And -still elevating our glasses, we rapidly passed in review a wonderful -panorama of flowing rivers, cultivated fields, tangled wildwood, -and lofty mountain chains until at an elevation of about forty-five -degrees, we beheld the western coast line of the Altrurian continent. -At the zenith, we saw the Umbrian ocean, and further down, and directly -opposite to Altruria, the continent of Atlan, suspended, as it were, in -the eastern sky like a map. Looking toward the north, and some ten or -twelve degrees above the horizon, was the barren island on which we had -landed.</p> - -<p>We were so engrossed with our observations in a world where we could -take a bird's eye view of any part of it, that we did not care -to continue the conversation in which we had become so intensely -interested. The continent which we were approaching, looked through our -glasses like a vast concave picture of a most lovely country suspended -above the horizon, and covering almost the entire western sky. But when -we looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> through our ordinary glasses, the general appearance was not -materially different from what it would have been in the outer world. -I could but wonder at this marvelous discovery, which had enabled the -inventor to construct instruments that converted opaque rays into rays -of light, and I could not help thinking, what a restraint the general -use of such wonderful optical instruments would be upon evil doers. -Nothing could be hidden from those who cared to investigate.</p> - -<p>While my thoughts wandered into other channels, my gaze was riveted -upon the wonderful panorama presented to our view. I noted that the -divisions between land and water were strikingly similar to the -physical geography of the outer world, except in this, that the land -surface of the inner world on the line of the equator seemed to -correspond very closely with the water surface of the outer world, -though on a much smaller scale. The clear weather prevailing in -the western hemisphere gave us a splendid view of the continent of -Altruria. In a few localities dense masses of clouds obscured, but did -not entirely shut out the view; and on the whole we got a clear concept -of the topography of the country.</p> - -<p>A lofty mountain chain extended from the north to the south, and many -long rivers flowed from the mountains into the ocean on either side. -Large areas of the surface seemed to be highly cultivated, and even -in the mountains, palatial buildings were brought into view by the -higher powers of our telescopes. Boats plowed along the rivers and on -the lakes, and the entire country seemed to be a network of railroads, -while airships appeared like specks in the field of our vision, -flitting here and there and speeding in every direction.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> - -<p>But the most singular feature which attracted our attention, was, that -notwithstanding all the evidences of a highly cultivated country and -the most active traffic and trade between the different sections, we -nowhere discovered any indications of great cities; and while what -appeared to be extensive manufacturing establishments existed in -numerous localities, and the harbors along the shore lines were filled -with shipping, nowhere did we see vast clouds of smoke such as vitiate -the atmosphere in the large cities and manufacturing districts of the -outer world.</p> - -<p>We were so taken up with what we could see, that we had no inclination -to withdraw our attention from this wonderful panorama, to ask for many -explanations of minor details. We now had a view of an entire continent -and were disposed to make the most of the opportunity. It was doubtless -highly civilized, and had its libraries filled with historical, -scientific, sociological and ethical works that would, in time, reveal -to us all that was worth knowing. As MacNair had said, we must use our -eyes as our chief source of information, until we had acquired the -language and familiarized ourselves with the daily life and usages of -the people.</p> - -<p>We were now nearing the continent and MacNair reduced our speed so as -to give us time to make our observations more in detail. The general -direction of the coast was north and south for some hundreds of miles. -Along the mainland, capes and promontories were numerous, while running -parallel therewith was a chain of islands, forming a continuous series -of bays which in the outer world would have been of inestimable value -as harbors.</p> - -<p>One long island, lying parallel with the coast<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> immediately before us, -particularly attracted our attention. It seemed to be some twenty-five -or thirty miles in length, and lay like an elevated ridge, between -two promontories which extended out from the mainland at either -extremity, from which it was separated by narrow channels. This formed -a magnificent bay which contained a number of smaller islands that -divided the bay into a series of land-locked harbors.</p> - -<p>The Cocytas river, to which our attention had been called, flowing -from the mountains in the northwest, entered this bay at its northern -extremity, through two outlets about five miles apart. Between these -outlets was a triangular island about fifteen miles in length. The -north bank of the northern outlet was a promontory which extended -out from the mainland, to within a few hundred feet of the northern -extremity of the island which separated the waters of the bay from the -ocean.</p> - -<p>As we neared the coast, what had seemed to be a huge smokestack on the -point of the promontory that constituted the southern shore-line of -the bay, was revealed to our vision as a colossal tower, that in its -general appearance, was an exact duplicate of the strange tower we had -passed at the northern verge, at the point where we had escaped from -the ice. The material used, the style of architecture, and everything -about it indicated that it was erected by the same people and for the -same purpose.</p> - -<p>We had now been speeding forward in a straight line for five hours. -We had covered fully 1,000 miles, and MacNair assured us that we had -been traveling slowly, in order to give us an opportunity to study the -topography of the country, as a whole, from an advantageous position, -at an average height of about four miles, though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> at times we had -ascended to higher altitudes, as Iola suggested, to so train our lungs -to an attenuated atmosphere, that we would experience less discomfort -from the lofty aerial flights we were destined to make.</p> - -<p>MacNair now called our especial attention to the region of country we -were approaching. It was an agricultural district, and, evidently, -in a high state of cultivation. It looked like a vast prairie farm, -regularly laid out, in the shape of a parallelogram, extending from -east to west about thirty miles, and from south to north about fifteen -miles. Magnificent buildings appeared at regular intervals, surrounded -by beautiful grounds, and connected by broad boulevards, reaching -from one end to the other, and crossed by elevated roads at regular -intervals. On these magnificent highways, splendid carriages were -rolling, but no horses were in sight. Electric cars were continuously -moving both ways between these houses, the north and south lines being -elevated.</p> - -<p>Airships of all sizes and designs, seemed to be ubiquitous, and were -moving in every direction. Children amused themselves on the shaded -lawns that bordered the boulevards, and in the flower gardens of the -highly ornamented grounds around the palatial buildings which appeared -in every direction. While this district seemed to be distinctively -agricultural, much of the surface was given up to parks, shaded -driveways, miniature rivers, artificial lakes, fountains, ornamental -gardens and orchards.</p> - -<p>The lands devoted to cultivation, were laid off into rectilinear fields -running the entire length of the district, thus securing a saving of -labor that could not have been accomplished in any other manner. From -one end to the other of these long fields, monster machines were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> -moving, operated by electricity, and completing their work as they -went. One machine to which MacNair directed our especial attention, was -a combined breaking plow, seeder and roller. It was moving at a rapid -rate, and leaving behind it a strip, fifty feet in width, thoroughly -pulverized, seeded and rolled. The operator occupied a comfortably -furnished cab, and directed the progress of the machine by what we were -told was a delicately arranged electric keyboard on a table before him.</p> - -<p>Everywhere within the range of our vision was presented a scene of -industrial activity, and yet comparatively few appeared to be engaged -in actual labor. The major portion of the population seemed to be -out enjoying a holiday. So impressed was Captain Ganoe with this -appearance, that he asked if it was some special festival occasion.</p> - -<p>"Not at all," said MacNair. "This scene of recreation and enjoyment is -of every day occurrence. The people of this inner world have learned -that it takes very little physical labor to provide an abundance of -every article of necessity, comfort and luxury for the whole people. -They have discovered how to control the great forces of nature and the -machine has taken the place of human muscle."</p> - -<p>"But," said the Captain, "does not that throw the great masses of the -people out of employment, and place them at the mercy of the people who -own the machines and the land?"</p> - -<p>"It certainly does," answered MacNair. "It deprives all persons of -toilsome drudgery, and places them absolutely at the mercy of the -people who own the machines and the land. But this is just what they -want, because these same people who are deprived of employ<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>ment, own -both the land and the machinery of production and distribution. Hence, -they are enabled to enjoy a perpetual holiday. The amount of work to -be done, is a much coveted task, as it provides necessary exercise, -and from the fact that it is useful and contributes to the commonweal, -it is ennobling. The people of this country are too wise to permit the -private ownership of land and the means of production, and thus deprive -themselves of the abundance, that can be provided for all by the -intelligent application of human labor to those natural resources which -exceed in productiveness all the demand that can be made upon them.</p> - -<p>"But here we are," continued MacNair, "over the land, and now we will -loiter along, so you can study the immediate neighborhood in which you -will have your home until you want to make a change. These magnificent -buildings are communal homes, and this is a communal agricultural -district. I am engaged here as a teacher of English, and it has been -thought best to bring you here, because quite a number of people are -learning to speak our language. It will therefore be more agreeable to -you until you have learned to speak the language of Altruria, which has -long been universal throughout the inner world. But this will not take -you long, and then your services will be in demand as a teacher. The -people are anxious to learn all that can be discovered concerning the -outer world."</p> - -<p>This country is divided into numerous districts which are numbered -from north to south. This is District No. 1, Range No. 1, west. This -range line corresponds with longitude 180°. These longitudinal lines -are numbered east and west just as they are in the outer world, but as -the circle is smaller, the distance between the lines is proportionally -less.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The tower which you were examining so closely as we came to land, is -the point from which longitude is calculated. It stands on the equator, -and the north and south verges are said to have been marked on the same -longitude by similar towers, in ancient times, before communication -between the inner and outer worlds was closed by the great ice age, -and floods which are said to have submerged all the lower lands. Some -regard these traditions as mythical, but many of the ablest scholars -accept them as the fragments of authentic history which were saved from -some great cataclysm."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Captain Ganoe, "it will doubtless be interesting to -these people to learn, that our log book confirms the truth of these -traditions. At the point where we escaped from the ice was a stupendous -tower situated on a point of land, and it was in latitude 85° north, -longitude 180° west. So from this it seems that we are now situated -directly under the Pacific Ocean."</p> - -<p>"This indeed will be welcome news to the people of the inner world," -said MacNair. "Numerous expeditions have been sent to discover these -towers, but thus far, they have either perished, or have been driven -back by the cold and storms of the icy verges. Our ancient histories -record, that, from the top of these towers, the philosophers made note -of some wonderful appearances in the heavens which threatened the race -with destruction. Oqua, who is at the head of our district schools will -indeed be glad to converse with you on this subject. She has been an -enthusiastic patron of polar expeditions, believing that the discovery -of these towers would confirm much in the history of the world that has -been regarded as mythical. It was the first of these expeditions to use -the airship, that rescued me. The only important discovery made was -that while the airships are all the most enthusiastic expected in these -medial latitudes where storms are unknown, they are not equal to the -task of penetrating the icy verges."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Arrival in Altruria—A colossal communal Home—District 1, Range -1—Under the Pacific Ocean—Battell at the telephone—Startling -apparition in a mirror—Enrolled in school—Study of the -language—Phonographic enunciator—A communal agricultural -district—The first revolt against landlordism—Freedom the rule—A -new world—Strikingly similar to America.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus10.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>HILE MacNair was speaking our airship had alighted upon the top of one -of the monster houses. We found that a portion of the roof constituted -the boat yard for the airships which were kept for the use of the -community. In the center of this roof and elevated far above it, was a -circular structure which was slowly revolving, and we could see that -it was occupied by people who seemed to be enjoying a siesta. MacNair -informed us that this was the reclining<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> room where the members of the -community retired to rest and enjoy the scenery in every direction, as -well as a place for conferences in its many private apartments.</p> - -<p>From this roof, elevators connected at various points with the floors -below. This was by far the largest residence building I had ever seen. -It consisted of one main building, twelve stories in height and 600 -feet in length by 200 wide. On either side were three wings, of the -same height, 200 feet long by 100 feet in width. The building was -constructed of semi-transparent material which admitted a mellowed -light. At the points occupied by the elevator cages were awnings of -the same material as that which constituted the roof. We took our -seats in one of these elevators, MacNair touched a button and the cage -descended, leaving its covering as part of the main roof.</p> - -<p>We landed in an extensive dining hall where a magnificent repast had -been provided for us. The tables were loaded with the finest soups, -bread, vegetables, honey, fruits and nuts in the greatest variety. -MacNair informed us that any person had the right to eat at any -communal home or public dining hall in the world provided that he had -performed his share of productive labor in any part of the world.</p> - -<p>No matter where the labor is applied, the product is added to the -world's supply and it does not signify where its equivalent is -consumed. The evidences of useful service rendered to society, which -are issued by the proper authorities in every part of the world, -entitle the holder to food, shelter and raiment in any other part of -the world. These evidences of labor performed, procure the right of way -upon any public conveyance on land or water, or through the air.</p> - -<p>To us, this had indeed been a most eventful day.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> - -<p>We had been discovered in our forlorn condition early in the morning -and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon we had embarked for a voyage of 1000 -miles through the air, during which time we had been permitted to enjoy -a bird's eye view of the mighty oceans and vast continents of the -world. By the time we were through with our suppers it was 11 p.m., and -MacNair's announcement that we would now be conducted to our rooms, -was indeed most welcome. He explained that they were in the visitor's -department which we would occupy until our own apartments were ready.</p> - -<p>I was introduced into a magnificent bed chamber but was so sleepy that -I scarcely noticed its contents. It was late next morning when I awoke, -and when I went out into the hall, I found it full of people passing to -and fro, and wondered how it was that I could sleep so soundly. But the -mystery was soon explained. I met MacNair in the dining hall and in his -usual cheerful manner he asked:</p> - -<p>"Well, Jack, how did you rest?"</p> - -<p>"All right," I said, "but I seem to have lost my ability to waken up. I -am usually aroused by the least noise, but all the passing to and fro -in the hall had no effect on me."</p> - -<p>"Of course not," said he. "We wanted you to sleep all you could, and so -cut off the sounds from your rooms. These walls are all upholstered so -that no sound can enter when the sound conductors are disconnected.</p> - -<p>"Now," he continued, "just make yourself at home and look around for -a day or two. Go wherever your inclinations seem to direct, and make -good use of your eyes. Remember that transportation is free. I am now -going to register your arrival. Your other comrades<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> have gone to Lake -Byblis. Polaris will take care of them and the Ice King."</p> - -<p>I took him at his word, and roamed at will over the grounds and through -the public offices, Library, Museum, Lecture Room, Music Hall, etc. I -found that the heads of the departments and many others understood some -English, and all treated me with the utmost courtesy.</p> - -<p>The second morning Iola informed us that Battell wanted to communicate -with us and conducted us to the telephone room. On entering I was -surprised to see Battell standing before me, and he greeted me in his -usual cordial manner:</p> - -<p>"Well, good morning, Jack. How do you like this enchanted land?"</p> - -<p>"I am delighted to meet you," I replied, and extended my hand. Imagine -my surprise when it touched the smooth surface of a mirror, and Battell -broke into a hearty laugh, saying:</p> - -<p>"I would indeed like to shake, but we are not yet able to reach 150 -miles."</p> - -<p>I was astonished. Indeed I was so taken aback by the unexpected and -life-like apparition, that for once I was completely dumbfounded. Iola, -seeing my confusion came to my rescue, saying:</p> - -<p>"I ought to have prepared you for this by some explanation of our -system of inter-communication, but I thought that the use of our -electro-magnetic optical instruments, by which we are enabled to see -through opaque substances had prepared you for this. The reflection of -Captain Battell on the mirror, is only another method of applying the -same principle. The rays from him, converted into rays of light, are -reflected upon the mirror, on the same principle that the rays<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> from -the eastern hemisphere are reflected on the retina of the eye."</p> - -<p>"I ought to have anticipated such an application of this wonderful -discovery," I replied, "but it was nevertheless so unexpected, that I -was entirely unprepared for it."</p> - -<p>"Well Jack," came from the phonograph, "you are not alone in your -astonishment. I would have been quite as much surprised to see you, had -I not been apprised of what I might expect. I called you up in order to -let you know that we have <span class="smcap">JUST ARRIVED</span> at Lake Byblis. The Ice -King is coming. The hospital boat is here. Pat and Mike are well. Lief -and Eric have gone on to the hospital and the other three sailors are -dead. We are all well pleased with the possible exception of Mike, who -thinks we are bewitched. Pat got well so soon that Mike thinks he must -be crazy. But what shall be done with your baggage when it arrives?"</p> - -<p>After consulting with Captain Ganoe, who was present, I replied:</p> - -<p>"Send our trunks to Headquarters, District No. 1, Range 1, Continent of -Altruria."</p> - -<p>"Well, well, Jack," responded Battell, "I am glad you know where you -are. I am not so sure about myself. We are treated royally. This is a -lovely lake with the most magnificent surroundings I ever beheld. I -take it, that this is a great pleasure resort, for a people who seem -to have nothing to do but to enjoy themselves. We are taking lessons -in the language, and find it very easy. I have taken the liberty to -authorize the Department of Education to translate our library, and -they were so anxious about it, that they went out on airships to meet -the Ice King, and commence the work."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That is right," said Captain Ganoe, who now came forward and took up -the conversation. "Tell them the Ice King, and all we have so far as I -am concerned, is at their service."</p> - -<p>"They have no use for the ship," responded Battell, "but would highly -appreciate it, as a specimen of American ship building. They will place -Pat and Mike in charge as soon as the ship comes in. Polaris informs -me that the whole world will give us a reception at Lake Byblis when -some great council meets here. By that time she thinks we will have -become masters of the language and learned in all the wisdom of the -Altrurians."</p> - -<p>We frequently conferred with Battell, and he kept us advised in -regard to everything of interest relating to the Ice King, and other -matters in which we felt especially interested. Acting upon MacNair's -suggestion, I gave my entire time to the study of our immediate -surroundings. I found that this magnificent home contained over 2000 -people, men, women, and children, and still there was no crowding. -The main building contained all the offices and store rooms, public -halls, school rooms, library, museum, dining hall, kitchen and laundry. -Powerful storage batteries furnished electricity for heating and -lighting, and motor power for manufacturing, which formed a part of -the educational system in every home. The wings were given up entirely -to apartments, so that the members of this immense family could be -just as secluded and exclusive as they desired. Each one had a private -apartment furnished to his or her taste.</p> - -<p>Each room was numbered and connected by telephone with the library, -storerooms and business offices, and could be placed in communication -with the occupants of any other apartment, or with the District<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> -Exchange which could place them in communication with any part of the -world. If a book was wanted from the library or any article from the -storeroom, it was ordered by telephone, and delivered at once, by -pneumatic tube. Every apartment could be connected by phonograph with -the lecture room or music hall, and the occupant could listen to the -lecture or music, without leaving his or her room. There was also a -universal distribution of news by the same means to any person who -desired such service.</p> - -<p>In each of these communal homes was a publishing department, and all -the facilities for manufacturing furniture, clothing and almost any -utensil needed, equal to the supply of the community, if it was found -to be necessary. While the district was devoted mostly to agriculture, -in its educational system, every member was trained in the mechanic -arts and general business methods.</p> - -<p>This training began with the children and continued for life as -occasion might require. People never imagined that they would become -too old to learn. They were taught that the most important service they -could render to themselves and to society was to educate themselves, -physically, mentally and morally, and that for this kind of service -society could well afford to give them access to all that was required -for their sustenance and comfort.</p> - -<p>Hence all facilities for improvement, books, papers, scientific -instruments and instruction were not only free, but the use of them -was regarded as a valuable service to society. The pupil attended -school, got his or her evidence of labor performed, which entitled the -holder to food, shelter, clothing, etc., the same as the teacher,—as -both were alike serving society. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> pupils, in training themselves -for lives of usefulness, were regarded as benefiting the community -as well as themselves, and hence the community was in duty bound to -provide them with all the essentials for their highest development of -body and mind, in harmony with the demands of an advanced or advancing -civilization.</p> - -<p>These lessons concerning this inner world civilization, derived from -conversations with MacNair, Iola and others who could converse in -English, and confirmed by our own observations as far as they had gone -were intensely interesting, and we never tired of asking questions, -which were always answered courteously and in a satisfactory manner. -But I soon reached the point where I began to feel the need of more -comprehensive sources of information. I wanted to be able to speak the -language of the country, converse with all the people, attend lectures -and make the fullest use practicable of the extensive libraries and -numerous publications which contained the current literature of the -times, so that I could enter into the spirit and purpose of this -wonderful civilisation, which seemed to be far more attractive than the -most entrancing picture of Utopia. Feeling thus, I was prepared for -what was to follow.</p> - -<p>One morning after we had somewhat familiarized ourselves with our new -surroundings, and we felt inclined to rest and think, rather than to -roam around, MacNair asked:</p> - -<p>"How do you like your new home since you have had time to look around -and get acquainted?"</p> - -<p>"So far as I am concerned," I replied, "I am delighted with the country -and the treatment I receive wherever I go. But there is so much to -learn, that I feel overwhelmed. If I were able to converse with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> -people, and enter into the spirit of their daily life, I would be more -at home. I want to be able to utilize all the sources of learning which -are contained in your literature and I think that the time has come -when the best thing we can do is to settle down in earnest to the study -of the language."</p> - -<p>"I knew that you would soon come to that conclusion," said MacNair, -"but what you have seen is a necessary step in your education. We must -soon go to our classes and you can go with us and take your first -lesson. In order to facilitate your studies, you have been assigned -apartments adjoining the Library and Lecture room."</p> - -<p>We assented and were at once conducted to our apartments. Iola -presented each of us with just such a bookcase and library as Polaris -had shown us, on her airship. As she opened one of these cases and -displayed the contents, she said:</p> - -<p>"You will find here everything needed in order to acquire an accurate -understanding of our language. It has been prepared under the direction -of MacNair and myself by the publishing department, particularly for -the use of English speaking people who might succeed in getting through -the ice barriers. These cards contain the English alphabet with our -corresponding characters printed on the right. The only difference is -that we have a character for each sound while you have a number of -sounds to one character. When you have learned our alphabet you will be -able to read our language. If there should be any difficulty with the -pronunciation all you have to do is to formulate the word by pressing -the characters on this keyboard and you will hear every sound clearly -enunciated. Every word thus formed is inscribed on a cylinder and after -the sounds have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> recorded all you have to do is to increase the -speed of the clock work in order to have the word pronounced just as -it is spoken in ordinary conversation. This instrument is called a -Phonographic Enunciator and it records the sound of every character -by means of a simple but most delicately constructed mechanical -contrivance which has been carefully adjusted to the tones of the human -voice. The sounds thus recorded by the use of the sound characters on -the keyboard are then pronounced audibly on the principle of our old -fashioned phonograph.</p> - -<p>"You will find that the definition of the words and the grammatical -structure of our language are very easy to learn. This small dictionary -of root words, defined in English, contains the key to the definition -of every word in our language. When you have committed these -definitions to memory you will not find it difficult, even without a -teacher, or lexicon, to define every word compounded from them. The -grammar, as you will see, is not essentially different from your own, -except that we have simplified its treatment. We recognize but four -parts of speech; nouns, verbs, modifiers and connectives. The study -of our language is further facilitated from the fact, that when its -fundamental principles are fully understood, you will naturally have -a word for every meaning, instead of a variety of meanings for one -word. Our Altrurian language has been repeatedly revised by carefully -selected committees of eminent scholars, with a view to making it -so easy to learn that it would become universal, a result that was -accomplished several hundred years ago."</p> - -<p>"Polaris showed me a school library something like this," said I, "but -it was adapted to pupils who wanted to study English."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes," remarked Iola, "we have been urging her for a long time to study -English, but we never could induce her to make the effort. But," she -added, smiling, "no doubt she now regrets it. I predict that it will -not be long before she is speaking English as glibly as she does her -mother tongue. But I must go now. If you need any help, just touch that -button and I will come at once."</p> - -<p>She bade us adieu, and we went to work to master the language. As -Iola and MacNair had informed us, we found it remarkably easy. We had -been well trained from childhood in distinguishing all these sounds, -and our eyes soon became familiar with the characters by which they -were represented, and before we retired to rest after our first day's -study, we were practicing the pronunciation of words, and committing -definitions to memory.</p> - -<p>We soon had quite a vocabulary of words at our command, which we -introduced into our ordinary conversation. This could be the more -readily done, because of the grammatical construction of the language -being so similar to the English. Associated as we were, with a number -of highly educated people, who understood both languages, our progress -was very rapid, and in a short time we could express all of our wants -in the language of the country, and when we did not have the right -word we substituted English, knowing it would be understood, and also, -that some one would supply the right word. We determined from the -beginning, to use no language but the Altrurian, just as rapidly as we -could acquire it. We used it in reading, writing and conversation, and -soon we scarcely thought of our mother tongue, except when we heard it -spoken.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> - -<p>MacNair and Iola were engaged with their classes an average of two -hours a day, and we ordinarily spent our leisure and recreation time -together. Our home was also District Headquarters, and here we were -continually meeting with representatives from every home in the -district, and our acquaintance was rapidly extended. We often visited -other homes, sometimes by electric carriage or airship, and sometimes -we would walk for miles. When tired, we could always hail a car or -carriage. Thus, we were by our associations continually improving in -the use of the language, while we were adding to our fund of knowledge -concerning the country, by observation and conversation with the people.</p> - -<p>I carefully studied the economy of the home in which we lived, being -assured that this was a sample of a multitude of others. The same thing -was true of the district. So in a general way, we were making a study -of the entire concave by having a sample submitted to our inspection. -At least, I could get a very clear idea of agriculture, the great -basic industry that sustains the race, and hence, I am condensing into -this chapter the results of a long and careful investigation under -exceptionally favorable conditions.</p> - -<p>During our attendance at school Iola and MacNair frequently took us -for a sail in their airship. This gave us an opportunity to study -its mechanism, and at the same time obtain a bird's eye view of the -country, and if anything especially attracted our attention, all we had -to do was to ask for an explanation. As we had first approached the -continent we were struck by the large residences, storage buildings, -and the long rectilinear fields, but now that we examined the scene<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> -at leisure we began to take in the details, and were impressed by the -general sameness of the picture.</p> - -<p>These magnificent buildings were strikingly similar to each other -and the same thing was true of the long rectilinear fields and the -arrangement of the crops. The residence buildings were apparently -situated at alternate section corners and hence about two miles apart -each way. Midway between these were large warehouses, elevators, mills, -factories, etc.</p> - -<p>To the east and west these long rows of buildings were connected by -surface, electric roads, and north and south by elevated roads. These -roads, both passenger and freight, all passed through these buildings. -This general arrangement of everything into squares, gave the entire -district, from the cabin of the airships, the appearance of an immense -checkerboard.</p> - -<p>This district which may be taken as a sample of many others, had a -complete system of waterworks, a continuous pressure being secured by -a series of stand-pipes, from three to five hundred feet in height, -which forced the water to every point where it was needed. This system -also provided water for irrigation purposes as the season seemed to -require. This with a complete system of drainage, constituted a method -of keeping the most perfect condition for producing the greatest -abundance. In addition to this, all the waste products were converted -into fertilizer and returned to the soil. These wise, economic, -scientific methods and intense cultivation, explain how this small -district, sustained a population of 200,000 and yet gave up fully -one-half of its lands to boulevards, lawns, parks, driveways and -ornamented grounds.</p> - -<p>Electricity was the universal motor power, as well as a stimulant to -the growth of crops. The soil was pulver<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>ized, seeded and rolled by -vast machines. The grain was harvested, threshed and placed in sacks -by huge combined reapers and threshers, and dried by passing through -evaporators on an endless belt which conveyed it to elevators, from -which it reached the mills by force of gravity, if that is the right -word to apply to the centrifugal force which in this moral world held -everything to the surface.</p> - -<p>The standard day's labor was but two hours; and yet with the aid of -machinery, ten persons harvested a strip of grain one hundred feet wide -and thirty miles in length, delivering the same at the elevators in -sacks, while another ten prepared the soil and put in another crop. All -the other work was carried on in the same labor saving manner, and this -two hours of labor was deprived of every feature of drudgery and became -only agreeable exercise.</p> - -<p>One thing I noticed particularly; domestic animals seemed to be raised -more as pets than for use. The only animal diet ordinarily used -consisted of eggs, milk, butter and cheese. Sheep and goats were raised -for the fleece which was manufactured into the finest fabrics. Fruits -and nuts were produced in the greatest abundance and constituted a very -large part of the diet of the people.</p> - -<p>The district was in fact a stupendous farm and in its original design -the prime object had evidently been utility rather than ornament. -The work of the landscape gardener had been utilized to the largest -extent, but it had not been permitted to encroach upon the useful. The -economy in the uniformity in which the lands were laid out, the houses -constructed and the work of production carried on, gave to the whole -country such an artificial appearance, especially from the airships -which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> we need most generally in our observations, that Captain Ganoe -could no longer refrain from commenting upon it. One day as we were -soaring above this magnificent farming district, he asked MacNair if -the entire inner world had been cut out according to the same pattern.</p> - -<p>"Not at all," replied MacNair. "You will find plenty of variety. Every -person has an opportunity to gratify his or her tastes, provided that -by so doing they do not deprive others of the same privilege. There is -nothing compulsory about it. People who do not desire to dwell together -can find plenty of opportunities to be by themselves. The rule here -is freedom. People live together in communities because it secures so -many advantages, but they often take an outing and find variety, and -solitude if they want it, in comparatively wild and uninhabited parts -of the country."</p> - -<p>"But," I said, "I am curious to learn how it was that the communal -system came to be established. In the outer world I am inclined to -believe that it would be impossible to find so many people who would -live together in harmony."</p> - -<p>"That is doubtless true," said MacNair. "But as I now understand it, -influences are at work, which will ultimately compel the producing -masses to come together as one family, in order to enable them to -preserve any semblance of personal liberty and economic independence."</p> - -<p>"And was it," I asked, "necessity that compelled the founders of this -district to organize this system of community life?"</p> - -<p>"It certainly was," interrupted Iola. "This district was founded by a -few of the more intelligent laborers in the great city which at that -time existed at the mouth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> of the Cocytas. A time had come when the -laboring masses were forced to get together in colonies and co-operate -with each other in order to live. This represents the first organized -revolt of the masses against landlordism and the spirit of commercial -and financial cannibalism, which had reached its apex in the large -cities existing in the olden time along this eastern coast. The few -owned all the land, all the machinery and all the facilities for -distribution while the many were often famishing for food, and always -begging for an opportunity to serve some master who would feed them."</p> - -<p>"If they were indeed so poor," I asked, "how was it possible for them -to break the chains by which they were bound?"</p> - -<p>"That is a long story," said Iola, "and cannot be recorded in a word. -Volumes are filled with the futile efforts of the working classes -to protect themselves by organization, and their education had to -come through their repeated failures. But all these futile efforts -at organization were on the competitive plan, and actually placed -one class of workers in competition with another class. At first the -skilled artisans, seemingly secured some advantages by the trade -unions, but it was only a question of time when the improvement in -machinery and a division of labor, placed the skilled workman, to a -very large extent, in competition with the common laborer for the -privilege of running the machines, which did the work better than the -most skillful mechanic, and with a speed that had never before been -dreamed of. From that time on to the end, the employed in every branch -of production were placed in a bitter and destructive contest with the -unemployed for the privilege of working for a master.</p> - -<p>"It was not until they had reached this condition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> by bitter experience -that they began to learn just what was the matter. Among the first -things that occurred to them, was, that they were at the mercy of the -landlord until they had access to the soil, but how could they obtain -access to the soil in their penniless condition? This was the question -that racked their brains.</p> - -<p>"But conditions, which neither they, nor their oppressors could -control, were forcing a solution. It had been recognized in the -civilization of that time, that the poor and the physically infirm, -had a just claim on society for food, shelter and raiment which must -not be disregarded. All that they needed, was the fruits of their -labor applied to the soil, and the money kings had to a very great -extent monopolized the soil. It was worthless to them unless it was -cultivated. Its possession still gave them power to oppress the -landless, but not the opportunity to speculate, as no one was able to -buy. So to save the expense of feeding their victims they were willing -that the land should be used, by these objects of charity, to produce -their food by their labor.</p> - -<p>"Thus was provided the opportunity that enabled far sighted reformers -to introduce a new system of organization among the poor, which placed -all their relations to each other on an ethical, instead of a selfish -basis. They began by organizing exchanges among themselves, and what -they saved to themselves in this way was invested in land for which -there were no other purchasers. For a time this enabled the land owners -to sell the lands which were useless to themselves, as a source of -profit. The colonists continued to cultivate the land, sell the surplus -in the cities, and buy more land, but they never sold an acre. In the -course of time, the lands of this district were socialized and rent -abolished.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Thus, by using the profit, which under the old competitive system -left the hands of the producers, never to return, they were able to -abolish landlordism, as far as they were concerned, and their wealthy -oppressors congratulated themselves that they had gotten rid of a -dangerous class. But the same causes continued to impoverish others, -and thus create other dangerous classes, and the only way to get rid of -them, was to give them an opportunity to dig their living out of the -soil. It became a common thing for cities to organize movements which -enabled the poor to secure subsistence by cultivating vacant lots. -Indeed, this was one of the first signs that marked the decline, and -presaged the early abolition of the then existing system of commercial -and financial cannibalism that impoverished the people.</p> - -<p>"This community demonstrated that labor could, even under the most -adverse circumstances, by co-operating in production and distribution, -get control of land and the means of production, and abolish tribute -to non-producers in all its forms. You will find the history of these -movements most intensely interesting, and I should think from what I -have learned, of inestimable value in your native land.</p> - -<p>"Since MacNair gave us the benefit of his knowledge of the economic -system which exists in the outer world, our scholars have studied our -own ancient histories as they never did before. Situated as we are, it -is hard to believe that any people, no matter how ignorant they may be, -would permit a few to take possession of the earth and starve the many, -but such was the situation here in the olden times; hence, it is not -strange that these conditions exist in the outer world."</p> - -<p>"Well," I remarked, "since I think of it, I am not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> surprised that -you can hardly believe such conditions could exist in any country -claiming to be civilized. But why is it that the people of this inner -world, understood the nature of this evil and removed it so long ago, -while the masses of the people of the outer world seem to be utterly -oblivious to the fact that there is anything wrong?"</p> - -<p>"On this question I can only theorize," said Iola. "I have thought that -it may have been the long continued ice age, that with its rigors, -held the people of the outer world back and retarded their development -until long after the inner world had made a very considerable progress -toward civilization. But MacNair has a theory that may have something -in it. He believes that the psychic conditions in a concave world, -tend directly toward concentrated effort and co-operation, because -the heads of the people all point toward each other and converge at a -common center, while in the outer world they point outward, each in a -direction of its own, tending directly toward individualism and the -development of every selfish instinct."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Captain Ganoe, who had been an attentive listener, "I am -glad, for the honor of my own country, that a fellow countryman of -mine has evolved a theory that has not been previously thought out and -demonstrated by this most progressive people. I think, Jack, that we -had better go to work and evolve an improvement on these airships that -will enable us to carry the news of these wonderful discoveries to our -own people."</p> - -<p>"I have been thinking of the same thing," I replied, "and that is why -I have always been insisting that we should use these airships for our -short journeys that did not require speed. It is when we go slowly that -I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> can study them best, and in my mind I have partially solved the -problem of constructing a ship that would be proof against both cold -and storms."</p> - -<p>"Just like my luck," said the Captain. "I always succeed in getting an -idea in my head after someone else has worked it out. But still I think -that I am something of a mechanic and you can depend upon me to do my -best to assist you."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," I replied, "I shall certainly call upon you for -assistance."</p> - -<p>"I have reason," said MacNair, "for believing that Battell and Polaris -contemplate something of the same kind, and I am sure that they will -call upon both of you for your co-operation."</p> - -<p>"Why," I asked, "have you had any intimation of the kind?"</p> - -<p>"Not directly from them," said MacNair, "but I have heard this, that -Battell and Polaris spend much of their time in the airship factory at -Lake Byblis and that they are experimenting with their private airship -every day, and that they have succeeded in making some changes in the -gearing that enable them to reverse the wings and run backward; also in -moving the steering apparatus so they can ascend or descend without the -usual spiral motion."</p> - -<p>"That is good news," I said, "but I thought that Captain Battell was -giving most of his time to the study of the language and customs of the -country."</p> - -<p>"So he is," said MacNair. "Polaris told me so by telephone, and what is -more, she spoke in good clear English. She further said that the work -of translating the library was progressing rapidly and that several -volumes had been completed and furnished to Norrena, the Continental -Commissioner of Education at Orbi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>tello, for distribution to the -commissioners of all the grand divisions of the Concave."</p> - -<p>"Orbitello! What is Orbitello? A country or a city?" asked Captain -Ganoe.</p> - -<p>"We have no cities," said MacNair, "but Orbitello is what you would -probably call the seat of government. It is the center of business for -this continent, the headquarters of all the departments of the public -service. The Altrurian Council meets at Orbitello every year, and the -World's Parliament every four years. Here the Continental Executive -Committee meets every day to transact business in which the whole -people are interested. It is located on the Cocytas at the foot of the -mountains."</p> - -<p>"I would indeed be pleased to visit this center of business and -learning," said the Captain.</p> - -<p>"We have thought of that," said MacNair, "and as soon as Oqua returns, -I think that we had better go. She is our District Commissioner of -education and I am deputy and must officiate in her absence. She is -attending the Quadrennial Congress of Educators in the mountains of -Atlan at Lake Minerva. The sessions seldom last more than thirty days -and that time has passed, so we may expect her return from the old -world almost any day."</p> - -<p>"What's that? The old world!" ejaculated Captain Ganoe. "Am I to -understand that you have an old world here, and is this the new, just -as we have it in the outer world?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, very much the same," said MacNair. "Altruria is often spoken of -as the new world because it was originally settled by colonists from -the other side of the Ocean. The early history of this country is in -a general way very similar to the early history of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> America. This -similarity holds good even to the almost total destruction of a warlike -race of red men. The original colonies achieved their independence of -kingly rule and established a republican form of government, just as -was done by our thirteen original colonies. But here the similarity -ends. Altruria now extends all over the continent, and has carried -out to their logical sequence, the principles set forth in our own -Declaration of Independence; and more than this, these principles have -extended over all parts of the inner world. This is why I often speak -of the concave as the World of Truth."</p> - -<p>As MacNair ceased speaking, our airship alighted on the roof of our -home, and we were informed that Battell wanted to meet us at the -telephone. We went at once to the telephone room and again met Battell, -but I was not dumbfounded at the sight. He addressed me in his usual -familiar style, saying:</p> - -<p>"Well, Jack, we have a boat factory here and I have conceived the -idea of becoming an inventor of airship attachments and I want you -and Captain Ganoe to join me. I want the Captain for his mechanical -skill and I want you to test our inventions, make observations and -report such changes in the mechanism as you deem advisable. Polaris -cannot stand the cold at the verges and I will not have time. Can you -undertake the work?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly," I replied. "Just notify me whenever you are ready. I have -been contemplating the same thing myself, and Captain Ganoe has offered -his services as a skilled mechanic."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">A happy scene—Two civilizations compared—Arrival of -Oqua—Disguise penetrated—Human rights—"Glittering generalities" -reduced to practice—A strange custom—Numbered, labeled and -registered as citizens—Exit Jack Adams—A new name—Nequa—Bitter -memories—Oqua's sympathy.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus11.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>HE proposed improvement of the airship, so that it could withstand the -storms of the polar regions, and MacNair's report of the progress that -Battell had made in that direction inspired me with the determination -to prosecute my studies with more energy than ever. I saw at a glance, -that if we should be able to open up a channel of communication with -the outer world, the knowledge that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> could be acquired here would be -of incalculable value to the people on the outside of the sphere, and -especially to my own native America, on whose virgin soil the new -and improved thought was the most likely to germinate and grow to -perfection. Before this trip to the outer world was made, I felt that -it was my imperative duty to glean the wisdom of the ages from these -vast libraries, and from the oral lessons of these ripe scholars. My -one, all-absorbing thought, was to trace the progressive evolution of -these people and discover the fundamental principles and practical -business methods that had enabled them to reach their present ideal -civilization. Hence I determined to apply myself to study, with an -earnestness of application that I had never before attempted.</p> - -<p>When I needed rest or desired to be alone, my favorite resort was the -large observatory or reclining room on the top of the building. This -room is octagonal in form and is detached from the roof on which it -rests, and is placed upon small wheels which run around on a circular -track whenever the occupants turn on the electric power. In order to -enjoy a most beautiful panorama, all I had to do was to seat myself -at one of the windows, with or without my glass, and set the room to -revolving slowly. I never tired of the scenes thus presented to my view -from this elevated position.</p> - -<p>This room is furnished in the most superb style. Its elaborate -upholstery is of the finest and softest materials of the most exquisite -designs. It is large and airy. The walls are adorned with many -magnificent paintings and ornamented with festoons of trailing vines -and flowers, while the windows are garlanded with green and fragrant -foliage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> - -<p>Around the circumference of this luxurious retreat, are small, well -furnished alcoves at each window, which can be cut off from observation -by sliding doors which are upholstered with some soft material that -excludes every sound that might disturb the occupant.</p> - -<p>One day, about a week after the interview with Battell in regard to the -improvement of the airships, MacNair, Iola, Captain Ganoe and myself -had descended to the observatory for our usual after dinner rest. I was -in a meditative mood, and not caring to take part in the conversation, -I had retired to one of the little alcoves, closed the doors, set the -room in motion and brought my window around to a point overlooking the -great boulevard, with the pleasure grounds, shrubbery, flower gardens -and giant forest trees just beyond. From my lofty perch I looked down -upon the scene before me. Bright, happy faces, and kind, cheerful -voices, greeted eye and ear through the open window.</p> - -<p>I felt entranced by the wonderful scenes around me. I could not help -but compare this great communal home, where all was abundance, elegant -leisure, fascinating social enjoyment, health and happiness, with the -crowded, filthy and ill-ventilated tenement houses of New York, London -and other large cities of the outer world, which are pre-eminently -the abodes of destitution, misery and woe. How often has my heart -ached when I have found families of ten and twelve persons, huddled -into one or two diminutive rooms, poorly lighted, ill-ventilated and -disgustingly filthy.</p> - -<p>In the living hells of the outer world, I had witnessed every manner of -deformity, degradation and filth. Children in rags, just from the arms -of their mothers, creeping like cowardly wharf rats about the slums -and alley ways, picking up pieces of mouldy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> bread or fishing in slop -barrels and sewers for bits of meat, were scenes of human misery that -often made my heart bleed.</p> - -<p>Then, add to this picture of the conditions into which the children are -born, the abject misery of their decrepit grandsires and grandmothers. -How often have I seen them, dressed in tatters and exposed to the -wintry winds as they tottered off to some alley, or some rich man's ash -heap, to scratch out with naked and almost freezing fingers, the little -bite of unconsumed coal, so that they might have a little fire to warm -their half-famished bodies, while they dined upon the garbage gathered -up by the children.</p> - -<p>Such were the scenes that I had often witnessed in the poverty stricken -districts of the large cities of the outer world, and with them I -compared the happy scene before me. Not one deaf, dumb, blind, lame, -deformed or disfigured individual among the multitudes which often -gathered upon the grounds I was now contemplating. Not one ragged, -bare-footed and bare-headed urchin, nor one snowy-haired, tottering and -infirm old man or woman among them.</p> - -<p>What a contrast! A heaven was opening up before me, in comparison with -the living hells that had been so indelibly impressed upon my memory. -Why such a contrast between humanity here in this great communal home, -and humanity in the tenement houses in the large cities of the outer -world? There must be some cause for this extraordinary difference in -the physical makeup and personal appearance of the people. Why were -the people in this communal home more robust, more beautiful and more -kind and cheerful than the people of the outer world? And why had the -usual decrepit appearance of age disappeared from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> view? Here was the -evidence that a physical regeneration of the race had taken place. -I did not doubt that this was the logical result of improved social -and economic conditions and I was determined to find if possible the -scientific explanation.</p> - -<p>But here my meditations were broken in upon by the sight of an airship -crossing my line of vision, in the direction of that portion of the -roof used as a boat yard. I opened the sliding doors and looking out -toward the landing, I saw the vessel alight and a splendid looking -person step out, just as MacNair opened the door upon that side, -saying: "There is Oqua!" and motioned for her to come into the -reclining room.</p> - -<p>MacNair and Iola had so often spoken of this person in such eulogistic -terms as a ripe scholar and experienced educator, prominent throughout -the world, that I had pictured her as aged, sedate and probably -careworn from the discharge of her onerous duties, showing the wear of -years of careful study and attention to public affairs. But what was my -surprise, as she came up to the observatory, to see a most beautiful -woman, showing no signs of age or care. I could but stand spell-bound, -and admire her form and features which were simply perfect. Any attempt -at description would be presumptuous and I will not attempt it.</p> - -<p>As she came in and was introduced by MacNair, I noticed that she -understood our language and customs, for stepping forward and extending -her hand to Captain Ganoe she said in a most musical voice:</p> - -<p>"I am indeed most happy to make your acquaintance and offer you a -most cordial welcome to our country and a place in our esteem. Your -arrival has been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> heralded all over the world, and it is regarded as -an event that may be pregnant with the most important results to the -entire human race. The Congress of educators at Lake Minerva passed a -resolution requesting that the next meeting of the World's Parliament, -shall be held at the Auditorium of the Transportation Pavilion at -Lake Byblis, and that this shall be the occasion of giving a world's -reception to the crew of the Ice King. But Captain, how many do you -have with you?"</p> - -<p>"Only one," said the Captain. "The others are at Lake Byblis. But here -is Jack Adams, the scholarly artist and scientist of the expedition, -and as such I have no doubt that you and he will become fast friends."</p> - -<p>She turned to me and placing one hand on my shoulder grasped my -extended hand with the other. She scanned me from head to foot with -an expression of amazement and inquiry playing over her smiling -countenance; then with a light, musical laugh she bent forward and -kissed me on the forehead, saying:</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am sure that we will become fast friends."</p> - -<p>The action was so sudden and unexpected, that I blushed, stepped back -and stammered. I instinctively knew that her keen eye had penetrated my -disguise, and the recognition tested my nerves. Yet it was so cordial, -that I felt that my secret was safe, and my reply was a laugh, a -lifting of the eyebrows and a closer pressure of her soft, warm palm as -I merely responded, "Yes, I am quite sure," and from that moment I knew -that she was indeed a friend. A chord of sympathy and affection had -been touched, that enraptured while it bound me in bonds of friendship -to this grand woman, a relationship of the most enjoyable character, as -well as of incalculable value, in opening<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> up for me a life work, as -agreeable to myself as I hope to make it profitable to others.</p> - -<p>For some time we joined in general conversation when Oqua asked MacNair -if we had yet been registered and enrolled as citizens.</p> - -<p>"In part," said MacNair. "They have been given numbers on the schedule -of the school, but have not yet been called upon to select the names -by which they desire to be known. In fact I have not yet explained -this matter to them. Iola has been giving them language lessons in -their room, and instructions concerning such matters as they desired to -understand more fully in regard to the country, its history, customs, -etc. But as they can now read and speak the language understandingly, -their selection of names and registration as citizens ought not to -be put off any longer, as at present their numbers only rank them as -minors."</p> - -<p>We were more than a little mystified at the turn the conversation had -taken and as it related to us Captain Ganoe asked:</p> - -<p>"What does this mean? It seems from your remarks that we have been -numbered and that we are now to be labeled. I would be pleased to have -an explanation. We highly appreciate the interest you have taken in -our welfare, and anticipate much pleasure and profit to be derived -from a knowledge of your language, as it will give us access to the -boundless stores of wisdom which are contained in your literature. But -is it really necessary for us to be numbered and labeled? I take it for -granted that it is all right, but I do not understand it."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," said MacNair, "this should have been explained to you -sooner; but I was guided by my own experience when I found myself among -these people.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> There was so much to be learned and it could not all be -acquired at once. I deemed it best to give you as nearly as possible -just what you asked for, and let you get somewhat acquainted with the -customs of the country before asking you to take the steps necessary -to become citizens of Altruria, which also makes you citizens of the -inner world, entitled to all the rights of citizenship, no matter where -you go. In America, you require a foreigner to declare his intentions -to become a citizen, and then, after five years you permit him to be -sworn in as a full-fledged citizen. We have no regulations but such -as apply to all alike. The child has no choice of birthplace, but it -has a natural right to food, shelter, clothing, education, etc. Hence, -children are numbered, so we may know how many are to be provided for. -When they reach maturity and graduate from school, they are requested -to select the names by which they desire to be known. This entitles -them to a voice in public affairs and makes them eligible to any -public trust. When I gave you a number, the right to food, clothing -and education was conferred upon you. When you select names you will -be registered as citizens and will be entitled to a voice in public -affairs and eligible to any public trust for which you may be selected."</p> - -<p>"Then," said the Captain, "it seems that we have no reason to be -dissatisfied with either the number or the label, as the first gives us -free access to wealth that we did not create, and the second confers -upon us the sovereign right to be consulted as to how our benefactors -should conduct their business. We seem to be the beneficiaries in all -these regulations, 'reaping where we have not sown.' What right have we -to the fruits of the labor of others to whom, as yet, we have been of -no benefit whatever?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The same right," said Oqua, "that you have to live. Your right to life -cannot be questioned, and you cannot live unless you have access to the -fruits of the earth, which are garnered by the labor of the people. The -primary object of human society is to secure to each individual member -the right to live and be happy, and to this end, each must be secure -in the possession of the means of subsistence and the liberty to enjoy -the healthy exercise of every function of mind and body. This, being -the primary object for which our social organism was created, our first -duty is to humanity, and all of our rules and regulations have this one -object in view."</p> - -<p>"But does not this endanger the perpetuity of the social organism," -asked the Captain, "by opening the door to those who would take -advantage of this broad definition of rights to impose grievous burdens -upon those who confer these rights?"</p> - -<p>"Not at all," responded Oqua. "When all the people enter into an -organization of society, the primary object of which is to provide -the best possible conditions for each of its members, the personal -interests of each, will, to say nothing of the moral obligations, -impel them to perpetuate such organization, by doing everything in -their power to promote the best interests of all. Hence, just as soon -as all have been made secure in their natural rights to life, liberty -and those equitable conditions which place happiness within the reach -of all, sound policy, as well as equal liberty and even-handed justice -demands that all should have an equal voice in the conduct of public -affairs in which all are equally interested. It would be manifestly -unjust and oppressive, to ask the people to submit to regulations to -which they never consented."</p> - -<p>"I admit the force of your reasoning," said the Cap<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>tain. "The same -ideas, expressed in different language, were adopted in my own country -and have served to embellish platform utterances and sensational -newspaper appeals, but in practice, they have been treated as mere -'glittering generalities.' Here, you seem to regard them in a far -different light, as something to be reduced to practice in every day -life; and with a people as well educated as yours this seems to be -easy, but, with an ignorant and brutal populace the case would be very -different."</p> - -<p>"Not so," said Oqua. "There is more good than evil in the human soul. -The populace might be made ignorant and brutal by the violation of -these principles, and if so, the application of these principles in -all the transactions of life would inevitably produce an intellectual -and refined populace. This is no 'glittering generality,' but a sober -truth, and this is the lesson that your people must learn before they -can ever reach their ideal of what they ought to be. When the leading -minds among any people realize that there is absolutely but one way by -which the masses of mankind can ever be elevated to higher and better -conditions mentally and morally, and that way is, by placing them -under better conditions physically, it will be found that the whole -people can be lifted up to a higher plane of being as if by magic. It -is on this line that the people of this country have been moving for -centuries and it is to this that we desire to call your attention. We -give you a number, which signifies that because you have an existence, -you are entitled to the blessings of our civilization. But now we want -you to register your name, as a co-worker. When you take this step, you -will have given us your permission to ask your co-operation whenever it -is needed. Are you willing to register and assume the duties incumbent -upon citizenship?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Certainly," said the Captain. "You have a right to command our -services and all we want is to know what is required of us."</p> - -<p>"Then you will register," said Oqua. "This will make you one of us and -equally responsible with us for the exalted trust which is committed to -our hands of preserving intact the blessings of a humane civilization. -So if you are ready we will attend to this preliminary work at once."</p> - -<p>We assented, and stepping on the elevator passed down to the lower -story and into the Registry office which was made a part of the -Department of Education. For school purposes it was of course necessary -to register the children and as all adults were supposed to be -graduates of the schools, the same department kept a registry of the -entire people, so that at any time, the population of any community, -district or continent could be ascertained at short notice.</p> - -<p>Oqua opened an immense volume and turning to the proper letter said:</p> - -<p>"You see here the name of your countryman, James MacNair. Just -opposite, on the left, is a number. Of course his introduction to our -schools was that of a child, as he had everything to learn concerning -the language and people of our country while we knew nothing of his -language or his country. As a pupil he was known by a number; as a -citizen he is known by a name; and according to our customs that name -must be one of his own choosing. There could be no objection to his -taking the same name by which he was known in the outer world, and you -can of course suit yourselves in the selection of names, but it must be -your own signature and when recorded it becomes permanent. All that we -care for is, that it shall be your own choice."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> - -<p>"As to that," said the Captain, "I prefer to retain my original name. -However, I rather like this custom of permitting people to select names -to suit themselves. In the outer world, the name is selected for you, -and you are not permitted to change it, except by application to the -courts or the law-making power. But as I have no reason to change my -name you may record it as Raphael Ganoe."</p> - -<p>"But let me suggest," interposed MacNair, "that you retain the prefix -of Captain as it is familiar to your crew and also designates your -relation to what I doubt not is destined to take its place in the minds -of the people of the world as the only polar expedition that brought -blessings to humanity. Of course the title signifies nothing here, but -it does in the outer world which is to receive the greatest benefits -from it, and there is no reason here that you should not retain it as -part of your name."</p> - -<p>"Then so be it; Captain Raphael Ganoe will give me the regulation three -names of the outer world, for the edification of a people who seem to -be, as a rule, contented with only one."</p> - -<p>My turn to select a name came next, and Oqua toying with her fan -between her fingers, and with a smile she could not suppress, said to -me:</p> - -<p>"Well, Jack, why is it that you take no part in this discussion? You -seem to have no interest in the matter of selecting names. Is it -because you deem it of no importance, or do you disapprove of our -custom of requiring every person to select a name in order to become a -citizen?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, as for that," I replied, "I approve your custom, but as yet I have -not given any thought to the name I should select for myself. But as I -have always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> been rather indifferent in regard to names, I hardly know -how to give myself a cognomen which seems to be so much more important -than I have been accustomed to think it."</p> - -<p>"Oh then," interposed MacNair, "there is no hurry. You have an -unquestioned right to take all the time for reflection that you -require, provided that you are willing to remain a minor."</p> - -<p>"I am not trying to evade the responsibility," I replied. "This matter -may just as well be attended to now as at some future time."</p> - -<p>Oqua then raising her eyes with a mischievous twinkle, asked with a -comical expression of countenance:</p> - -<p>"Shall it be Jack Adams?"</p> - -<p>I pressed my finger on my lips and with a side glance at Captain Ganoe, -replied: "No, not Jack Adams, if you please."</p> - -<p>MacNair caught the silent message but could not interpret its purport, -and looking first at me and then at Oqua, said:</p> - -<p>"What kind of a sideshow is this being exhibited under our very eyes -and we left in the dark? What have you against Jack Adams, that you -should thus take the very first opportunity to put an end to his -existence, so that he will not have even the poor tribute to his memory -of an inscription on a marble slab?"</p> - -<p>"No mystery at all," I replied. "Jack Adams is all right for a sailor -but too commonplace for this land of romance and sublimity. I intend to -exercise my right to select a more euphonious title, more in harmony -with the part I hope to play," and turning to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> Oqua I asked: "Will -you please to suggest some appropriate name? Something short and -significant."</p> - -<p>After a moment's reflection she said:</p> - -<p>"I have a name for you, Jack, that I think will be most appropriate. I -have been told that you are a student, and our people greatly desire to -obtain all the knowledge that is within reach of the outer world, its -geography, history, manners and customs, and as you are inclined to be -studious, we will doubtless want you as an instructor in our schools; -and for that reason I select for you the name, Nequa, which signifies -teacher."</p> - -<p>I was much pleased with the name and even Captain Ganoe who was quite a -stickler for established usages intimated that he regarded it as much -more appropriate than commonplace Jack Adams. Of course I assented and -Nequa became the name by which I am known in the inner world.</p> - -<p>I was now a citizen of Altruria and had been assigned a position in the -public service as a teacher which gave me the opportunities I so much -coveted, to gather gems of wisdom for the benefit of my own country, -which was grappling with great problems that had here been solved. I -retired to my apartments to think. It had been just two months since we -arrived at this great communal home, and I had recovered from the long -strain to which I had been subjected for two years on the Ice King.</p> - -<p>I now discovered that it was this strain brought on by the dangers -which continually beset us, that had held me up. But now that all the -dangers were past and the future bright with hope, a flood of bitter -memories swept in upon me like a mighty avalanche. For the first time -in years I gave way to uncontrollable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> emotions, as I buried my face -in the soft silk cushioned sofa on which I reclined and wept as seldom -mortals are doomed to weep.</p> - -<p>How long I had remained thus I do not know, when I felt a gentle hand -tenderly stroking my head and a voice I could not mistake said, in the -most soothing tones:</p> - -<p>"Nequa, Nequa child, what troubles you? Listen to me dear. It did -not take me long to discover that under the smiling exterior of Jack -Adams, you carried the aching heart of a stricken woman. Do not start. -I am your friend. Confide in me. I know that there is some deep secret -gnawing at your heartstrings, and that it relates to Captain Ganoe, and -of which he is entirely unconscious. And I know that there must have -been some great wrong in days gone by from which you suffer."</p> - -<p>I could stand no more and throwing both arms around Oqua's neck and -drawing her down to me as the suffering child would its affectionate, -sympathetic mother, I kissed her repeatedly between my sobs as I -replied:</p> - -<p>"Yes, my dear Oqua, you read me aright. But the crushing wrongs of the -hideous past are irreparable and the future promises no healing balm -for the wounds that have been inflicted. I must meet my fate alone. It -would be wrong for me to burden you with my troubles. No! Let me bear -them alone, on, on, to the bitter end. I must drain the cup of misery -to its dregs absolutely alone."</p> - -<p>Here I again broke down and gave way to another flood of tears. I wept -until my brain seemed a livid flame and my heart bursting with despair -while Oqua sat silently by my side stroking my head until the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> storm of -contending emotions had time to subside when she said:</p> - -<p>"Nequa, I am glad to find you in tears. They will give you relief -as nothing else can. I knew you needed a friend, and I have come to -constitute myself that friend. Now listen to me. I knew from the first -that you were a woman and that Captain Ganoe did not suspect anything -of the kind. I further discerned that there was a hidden chord which -drew you to him and yet for some reason you dare not reveal yourself to -him. This secret is wearing your life away. You must tell me all about -it and I can, and I will, help you to bear it. When we look at things -philosophically and see them on all sides, just as they are, there is -no wound of body, mind or spirit that may not be healed. There is no -wrong that is not too limited in its scope to effect any permanent -injury. Our bounteous mother, nature, has provided a healing balm for -every wound if we will but search for it with the right spirit."</p> - -<p>I could not be mistaken as to the spirit and purposes of this noble -woman, nor resist her entreaties. She had penetrated my disguise and -read my secret and I had every reason to respect her judgment. For -years I had carried my burdens alone. Under the weight of the wrongs -imposed upon me I had sought relief from the burden of grief in the -exercise of an indomitable will, in a vain effort to force my heart -to become, if need be, as cold as ice, and as hard as adamant. But it -could not be. I was forced to realize that</p> - -<p style="margin-left:40%;"> -"There can be no philosophy<br /> -Which steels the heart 'gainst ev'ry bitter woe;<br /> -'Tis not in nature, and it cannot be;<br /> -We cannot rend the heart, and not a throe<br /> -Of agony, tell how it feels a blow." -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> - -<p>And now this agony, which I had carried so long, concealed under the -smiling countenance of an assumed character, had forced a recognition. -This was nature's demand for human sympathy and the kind and loving -heart of Oqua was here to respond. Much as I had desired to keep my -sorrow deep buried in my own bosom. I could not repel this noble woman -whose keen intuition had already divined my secret. I felt the need of -just such sympathy as hers, and why should I spurn it from me? My soul -went out to her and I felt impelled by some irresistible impulse to -clasp her to my bosom and tell her all.</p> - -<p>My heart was breaking with the silent misery that it had carried for -years, unshared by a single human being, and which I resolved should -be carried unobserved to the grave. Again I resolved anew that I would -not even share it with this noble, sympathizing woman, but nature's -floodgates, once opened for the outpouring of long suppressed sorrow, -close no more to force it back upon the surcharged heart, and before -I knew what I was doing I was folded to her bosom and weeping out the -long pent up load of grief that had been gnawing at my heartstrings. As -I looked up into her face, I could see the cordial, heartfelt sympathy -reflected from her beautiful countenance as she whispered:</p> - -<p>"Go on, dear Nequa, and tell me all about it. Do not distrust a friend -who is able to help you as I can. Remember what I told you that our -bounteous Mother Nature, has provided a balm for every wound. This is -no fanciful exaggeration, but a well ascertained truth."</p> - -<p>"I do not distrust you," I replied, "and when I am more composed I will -tell you all. I have done nothing to be ashamed of, but I cannot talk -now. I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> too much agitated. Call this evening and I will tell you -all."</p> - -<p>"So be it," said Oqua, "and I will be here early this evening. Do not -be discouraged. Compose yourself and be of good cheer and all will -be well." And imprinting a kiss on my forehead, she left me to my -meditations, which now began to assume a more roseate hue. Some of the -blackness of despair which had overwhelmed me had begun to depart, and -I felt more hopeful and became more composed.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus02.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></p> - -<blockquote> -<p><span class="smcap">Oqua's visit—The revelation—A story of perfidy and wrong—Cassie -VanNess—Raphael Ganoe—Richard Sage—A designing guardian—False -charges against Ganoe—A fraudulent marriage—Home abandoned—On the -high seas—Jack Adams—Ganoe found—Effects of a false education—Legal -Wrongs vs. Natural Justice—Oqua hopeful.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus12.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>S the sun disappeared behind the western edge of the verge, I was -reclining upon my sofa awaiting the promised visit to Oqua. I was -now as anxious to tell the story of my sorrows to a sympathising -friend as I had formerly been to conceal it from all the world. Since -my conversation with Oqua, a longing sensation had come over me to -confide<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> to her the story of my life. The hour had arrived for my -meeting with her, and a minute later she was by my side. Laying her -hand on my head, she said:</p> - -<p>"Nequa, I have come at the time designated, and in order to be able -to assist you, I must not be left to surmise what is the matter. By -the very act of telling me your troubles, you will to a certain extent -obtain control over your own feelings, and thus take the first step -toward finding a remedy."</p> - -<p>"Then you shall know all, from my earliest recollection," said I. "My -name is Cassie VanNess. I was born and raised near New York City. My -mother died when I was an infant, and I was cared for by my devoted -old father, James VanNess, and a kind motherly colored woman who had -been a servant in the family. My father died when I was fifteen years -old, and I went to live with my guardian, Richard Sage, who was also -the uncle and guardian of Raphael Ganoe, whom he had taken to raise -when an infant. At this time Raphael was eighteen years of age. Our -school days, of about five years, were the happiest, nay, I may say -the <span class="smcap">only</span> really happy days of my life. When I was twenty and -Raphael twenty-three years of age, he was offered a lucrative position -on a ship engaged in the Chinese trade. During our vacations we had -crossed the ocean together, and he desired to travel in the Orient. -While on this voyage he expected to circumnavigate the globe, stopping -at all the leading ports. On his return we were to be married.</p> - -<p>"He promised to write to me at every available opportunity, and for -the first few months his letters came regularly, always couched in the -most affectionate terms and often referring to our coming marriage as -the beacon light of all his fondest hopes. Then his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> letters ceased -altogether, and though I wrote repeatedly to him, I never heard from -him again.</p> - -<p>"As the months rolled by, often at noontime, when the music of birds -filled the air, and all was life and light, or at eventide, when the -mellow twilight was over hill and dale, and the activities and light of -day were giving place to the stillness and shadows of night; when the -perfume of the flowers filled the air, or the yellow leaves of autumn -fell about my feet, I, the forsaken, and perhaps forgotten, could have -been seen seated beneath some broad-spreading tree, where we used -to read and converse together. I would sit thus for hours in silent -meditation, recalling the tender words and caresses of my absent lover. -Then arising sad and disconsolate, I would leave the lonely spot and -try to bravely wait and hope for the word that never came.</p> - -<p>"My guardian professed great sympathy, and with seemingly the most -poignant grief informed me that his nephew had committed some desperate -crime in foreign lands for which he had been tried, convicted and sent -to prison for a long term of years. Yet, with this black shadow resting -upon him, the truth of which was vouched for by his uncle, I continued -to write as it had been agreed between us and many were the tear -stained missives I addressed to him, hoping that comrades on the ship -would see that they reached him. Though he might be a criminal and an -out-cast from his kind, my affection for him never wavered for a single -moment.</p> - -<p>"My guardian, in order to make his deception more complete, -pretended to deplore the actions of his nephew, and even his own -unthoughtfulness, in telling me of them, and thus causing me so much -suffering.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> He seemed to be aging very fast, and I feared that he, the -only friend to whom I had never looked in vain for kindly counsel and -advice, was falling into a decline from the crushing weight of what I -believed to be our common sorrow, and consequently, my woman's sympathy -and pity went out to him in what I regarded his disconsolate lot.</p> - -<p>"He fully realized the sincere and all pervading character of my -sympathy for him, and took advantage of every opportunity to impress -me with the dangerous state of his health. He intimated that the chief -cause of his suffering, aside from the grief caused by the wayward and -criminal course of his nephew, was the agony that it gave him to leave -me all alone in the world, with no one to guard and protect me from -the manifold dangers that threatened an inexperienced girl when thrown -upon her own resources in this cold and unfeeling world. He did not -ask my affection, except as a daughter, but suggested that under the -circumstances, I had better become his wife, and then my position in -the world, as his widow, would be secure. I would be protected against -the intrusion of society and would be alone, as he felt sure I so much -desired.</p> - -<p>"'You are already in mourning,' he said, 'and yet, your grief is -so indefinable that no one will be disposed to respect it as I do. -Besides, situated as you now are, with no female companion, you are -in some sense at the mercy of the evil-minded who never lose an -opportunity to asperse the character of the good and pure, while as my -wife, you would be safe, and your position honorable in the eyes of the -world. I could then, even more than now, console you, and sympathize -with you in your affliction.'</p> - -<p>"I told him that I had never thought of my posi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>tion as being in the -least compromising, in the home of my lawful guardian, and if it was -so, I would go away at once, but I could not be his wife. He besought -me again and again, and I continued to give him the same answer. In the -meantime, I was greatly troubled by what he had intimated regarding -my compromising position in his house without a female companion. I -had all faith and confidence in his unselfish and paternal regard for -my welfare. For years, he had treated me with marked kindness and -consideration, such as a loved daughter might expect from a kind and -loving father. For this, I regarded him with the filial affection -of a devoted and trusting nature. To leave him now, when stricken -with sorrow and apparently with one foot in the grave, was repugnant -to my feelings, as it seemed to me that it would be an act of base -ingratitude, and yet, it was brought to my ears that people were -beginning to make flippant and disrespectful remarks concerning my -position. Yet I felt that I could not be so cruel as to forsake him -now. The situation was a most trying one to me, as I never for a moment -suspicioned that it had been made up for the occasion to influence my -feelings.</p> - -<p>"He continued his importunities under the guise of paternal counsel -for my own good as a loved daughter. One day he brought me a newspaper -clipping which stated that Raphael Ganoe had died in prison. He seemed -to be so grief stricken and depressed, that for many days I feared that -he would drop off at any moment, and he seemed so entirely dependent -upon me that I dared not leave him for a moment, and yet my position -was such that I must necessarily often give place to others, who had -no such regard for him as I had. If I were his wife in the eyes of the -world, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> might do much more for him, and believing that my affianced -husband was dead, I at last consented to become his legal wife and the -ceremony was performed while he lay as I believed, on his dying bed.</p> - -<p>"Two hours later, feeling lonely and disconsolate, I had gone into -the library and taken a seat in one of the deep windows behind the -curtains, where I was hidden from view.</p> - -<p>"He seemed to have fallen asleep and my long watch was wearing upon me. -I was exhausted and took this opportunity for rest and communion with -my own thoughts. I soon fell into a reverie, in which the past came up -before me like a panorama, and again the fancy I was with my handsome, -happy lover—when suddenly I heard voices in the adjoining room where I -had left my guardian asleep. A strange voice asked:</p> - -<p>"'Where is your young wife?'</p> - -<p>"'Gone to her room to rest,' said my guardian. 'She thinks I am very -sick and she has watched by my side, to minister to my pains until -she is worn out. I got easy and told her that she might go and rest -herself, as I would, now that the pains had ceased for the time, be -able to take a long nap. She remained until I was seemingly fast asleep -and then she tiptoed out of the room as softly as a cat for fear she -would awaken me.'</p> - -<p>"'You worked it well,' said the stranger, 'but what shall I write to -Ganoe? He has written me a long letter engaging my services as his -attorney to find out all about Cassie. What shall I say to him?'</p> - -<p>"'Here,' said my guardian, 'are the letters I have written to him in -regard to Cassie's change of mind. You can take your cue from these and -be governed accordingly.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> - -<p>"'But,' asked the attorney, 'what if she should suspicion something, -and drop a letter to Ganoe into some street box? It might prove to be a -serious matter for us if she should learn the truth.'</p> - -<p>"'I have provided for that,' said my guardian. 'There is a round -million in the deal for us, after all the expenses are paid, and no -mail can reach him on the ship, without being inspected by a man who -has as much interest as we have in preventing him from hearing from -Cassie. If a letter should not be intercepted by my agent in the -postoffice, which is not likely, it would be intercepted at the ship. -So rest easy in regard to this matter. There is no danger; besides she -is now my wife, and I have all the legal rights of a husband. But as -we want to avoid everything like friction, it is best to prevent Ganoe -from returning to America, which will not be difficult if it is managed -well.'</p> - -<p>"'All right,' said the lawyer, 'provided you deal squarely with me. I -am the only one who could defeat the plan and of course I will not lose -a million to do that.'</p> - -<p>"'Of course not,' said my guardian, 'and you know that I have even -more to lose than you have—a life long reputation for integrity and -purity of character, which to a man in my position is worth more than -money. It would cut off my income as a favorite administrator on large -estates.'</p> - -<p>"'Well, we are both in the same boat,' laughed the lawyer, 'and we can -well afford to trust each other. I guess that now you have recovered -from your very serious illness we may expect to hold our conferences at -the proper place.'</p> - -<p>"'Oh certainly,' laughed my guardian, 'and my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> lovely bride will not -object to my being away, as she is in widow's weeds, mourning the -untimely death of her first and only love. So, good day. I must rest -and take a long and very refreshing nap to account for my unexpected -recovery.'</p> - -<p>"'Just so,' laughed the lawyer, and I heard the door close behind him.</p> - -<p>"The conversation that I had overheard froze the very blood in my -veins. I learned that I had been deliberately deceived and not only -robbed of a large fortune, but had been robbed of my affianced husband. -Worse than this, I had been induced to take a step that made me false -to him and at the same time precluded the possibility of our ever -consummating our plighted faith without violating the marriage laws, as -under the law I was his aunt and marriage with him would have been a -crime, for which under the law I could be imprisoned for a long term of -years.</p> - -<p>"My whole nature arose in revolt against the iniquity that had been -perpetrated against me. I determined to find Raphael and explain the -whole matter to him. I hastily wrote a note to my guardian and left -it where he would be sure to find it, denouncing his treachery and -informing him that under no circumstances would I ever enter his door -again.</p> - -<p>"I made my way into the city and disguising myself in male attire I -succeeded in finding a position as cabin boy on a steamer bound for -Liverpool. I was determined to find Raphael. I kept up the search for -nearly fifteen long years, visiting almost every part of the known -world, and at last found him at San Francisco, on the eve of starting -on an expedition to the north polar regions. Before revealing myself -to him I wanted to ascertain beyond any doubt whatever,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> from his own -lips, in just what light he would regard my marriage to his uncle and -my subsequent long career on the high seas in male attire. So I applied -for a place on the Ice King and succeeded in getting the position of -scientist. I cultivated the acquaintance of the Captain, secured his -confidence so far that he related to me the story of his life, which -gave the opportunity I wanted to draw him out, and soon learned, what I -had come to dread, that the prejudices engendered by social usages were -stronger than his sense of natural justice, and I heard my own conduct -denounced as perfidious and vile. But for the sudden sounding of the -alarm I must have fallen at his feet and thus have in all probability -revealed my identity.</p> - -<p>"But I was saved that bitter humiliation and now, after a long and -perilous voyage, locked up with him on the same ship, I am at last -permitted to pour my tale of woe into sympathetic ears, far away from -the land where legal wrongs are honored while natural rights are -regarded as disreputable."</p> - -<p>Oqua had listened to my story without a single interruption, and with -a sympathetic interest which drew me closer to her than ever. When I -ceased speaking, she looked at me with a puzzled curiosity, which I -shall never forget as she remarked:</p> - -<p>"Your guardian certainly committed a great wrong against you, and -under the operation of an awakened conscience, I can well understand -that his remorse would be most excruciatingly painful, but you have -not committed any wrong, and I do not understand what it is that you -are feeling so badly about. The blame all rested with your guardian -and the fact that you discovered his perfidy so soon, and at the same -time discovered that the man to whom you were the betrothed wife,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> only -awaiting the time set for the consummation, was still living, ought, it -seems to me, to have been a source of rejoicing. While the deception -practiced upon you was painful to contemplate, it brought with it a -certain measure of compensation. Had you failed to make this discovery, -you might have unwittingly violated the most sacred obligation, that to -your betrothed husband. The wrong might have been much worse."</p> - -<p>"You have mistaken my meaning," I said. "I was not under that -obligation to Raphael that you seem to think. I had only promised to -become his wife but I was actually married to another man. Under the -circumstances I do not see how the wrong could have been worse, and I, -as its innocent victim, was certainly excusable for feeling badly about -it. The wonder is how I could bear it at all."</p> - -<p>"If I was mistaken," said Oqua, "in regard to your relations to Raphael -Ganoe, I fear that your explanation of the situation only makes the -matter more difficult to understand. I certainly understood you to -say that you loved Ganoe and that he loved you, and that you had both -agreed to go through life as husband and wife. This you had a perfect -right to do, and this agreement constitutes a marriage bond that cannot -be set aside without sufficient cause, as long as you both live, and -hence you could not become the wife of another man, without violating -the most sacred of all obligations. And if by misrepresentation you -were induced to enter into any such relation while Ganoe was living and -true to you, such relation would be on the face of it, null and void."</p> - -<p>"But I was married to my guardian," I said. "Actually married. The -clerk of the court had issued the license which was a legal permit for -us to marry,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> and the minister pronounced us man and wife according to -the solemn rites of the church. My guardian took an obligation to love, -cherish and protect and I, an obligation to love, honor and obey; and -then the minister invoked the blessing of heaven upon our union and -pronounced the solemn warning to all who might object: 'Whom God hath -joined together, let no man put asunder.' Yes, I was actually married -to Richard Sage, according to law and the sacred rites of the church."</p> - -<p>"The more you explain, my dear Nequa, the more incomprehensible your -ideas of marriage become. You say that you were actually married to -Richard Sage. That God joined you together, but before He could do so, -a permit had to be granted by the clerk of the court. Yet, in your own -soul you repudiated this fraudulent marriage, and for nearly fifteen -years you searched for your betrothed husband, to whom you felt bound -by the laws which God had implanted in your own soul. To me it seems -that this first engagement to Raphael Ganoe was the only true marriage, -in which God had joined you together and that the court and the -minister united to put you asunder. Your own inner consciousness, the -spark of divinity that is in you, forced you to take this view of the -transaction. From all the facts, just as you relate them, I must still -insist that you were not married to Richard Sage. That the ceremony was -a fraud and could not annul your obligations to Raphael Ganoe. Your -actions demonstrate, that your own true self, took the same view of -the matter, and that when you found your betrothed husband you loyally -stood by his side in the hazardous effort to reach the pole, and now -you are here with him in this inner world where we regard it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> as our -first duty to accept the true and discard the false in all of our -relations to each other, and to the universal system of which we form a -part."</p> - -<p>"I agree with you," I replied, "that my marriage to Richard Sage was -false, and that in order to be true to myself and my higher convictions -of duty to my absent lover, when I learned that he was still living, I -was forced to rend these legal bonds regardless of the consequences; -but still, in the eyes of the law, of society and the church, I was -the wife of my guardian, the uncle of Raphael Ganoe, and hence his -aunt, and as such could never become his wife. Yet I realized that I -was united to Raphael in bonds of affection that never could and never -should be broken. But all the powers of law, religion, and society were -united to hold me to a union secured by deception, which I loathed and -abhorred. It was the environments established by this world wide power -that held me incarcerated, as it were, in a prison, from which there -was no escape but the grave."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Oqua, "for the light which you have thrown on -the present state of your outer world civilization. It seems -almost incomprehensible that the laws and usages of any people -would seek to make right wrong and wrong right, but I can readily -turn to a corresponding period in our own history and trace the -evolutionary forces which must now be at work among your people. -The old institutional life is ever striving to preserve its forms -and ceremonies while the advancing spirit of freedom is continually -protesting. At first the advocates of the old order, persecute all who -protest against its dictum, and this protest in the name of liberty, -often only means license. Both extremes are essentially wrong. But -the friction between these two elements, in the end will lead to the -discovery of the truth upon which both extremes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> can unite, and this -truth will make them indeed free. The manifest progress of the race is -in the direction of the truth, and its logical culmination must be the -establishment of altruistic conditions in all the relations which exist -between individual members of the human family."</p> - -<p>"Well, I am glad that you have at last penetrated my meaning," I said. -"The misunderstanding grew out of my inability to formulate my own -thought, so as to adapt it to your Altruistic conceptions. I like -the word altruism, but the thought that it expresses is so little -understood in the outer world, that the word is, as far as I know, -generally excluded from our common school dictionaries, while in -this country I find that it forms a necessary part of your every day -vocabulary. I realize that all of my troubles grew out of environments -which were the legitimate product of the false premises from which we -drew our conclusions. In speaking of myself as actually the wife of my -guardian I only used the popular phraseology to express the conceptions -of the people among whom I was raised. They regarded the license and -the ceremony as the actual marriage without reference to the plighted -troth of devoted lovers. I only used their language to express their -conceptions, while my own were expressed by my actions."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Oqua. "I surmised that you spoke the language of your -environments rather than your honest convictions, but I wanted you to -say it yourself. You know that I insisted that you should say just what -you mean and leave nothing for me to surmise. In all that you have -to say, I want you to draw the line clearly between the true and the -false, in thought and action, just as you understand the terms, and -then we can ascertain where the trouble is and take steps to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> remove -it. You are now in a country where truth alone is recognized as a -standard for the regulation of human conduct, and it seems that there -ought to be much in the way of mutual explanations between you and -Captain Ganoe, and then all will be well."</p> - -<p>"I dare not risk it," I said. "I thought just as you do when I secured -a position on the Ice King, but I deemed it advisable to conceal my -identity until I had ascertained in just what light he would regard the -course I had taken. The opportunity came as I have already told you and -as yet I have discovered no indications that he has in any way modified -his views in regard to such matters. I have ascertained beyond a doubt -from two years' association with him, that in him all the prejudices -of the popular education of the outer world, its laws, usages and -religious notions have crystallized. If he knew that I had spent years, -associated with men, in the character of Jack Adams, the sailor, his -sense of propriety would be shocked, and I should forfeit his respect, -which would be something that I could not bear."</p> - -<p>"I cannot see," said Oqua, "how he could cease to respect you. I know -that as the scientist of the Ice King, he entertains the most exalted -opinion of your ability, courage and refinement of character."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Oqua, I doubt not that he respects me as Jack Adams, the sailor. -He has given me numerous proofs of that. But as Cassie VanNess in that -garb he would regard me as unwomanly and immodest, much below the -standard of propriety and respectability of the women of the outer -world, with whom he would be willing to associate on terms of equality. -Remember that his education, like my own was as far removed as possible -from the spirit of altruism. When I left my guardian's home<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> I was -penniless, except for an allowance known as 'pin money.' By the -marriage ceremony, my fortune had been transferred to Richard Sage. As -a woman, I stood no show of being able to acquire a competency, besides -I was liable to pursuit and arrest. I had no legal grounds for divorce, -and if I had been discovered as the absconding wife of Richard Sage, -the multi-millionaire, the courts would have declared me insane, and I -would have been incarcerated, most likely for life, in some lunatic -asylum. Hence it was from necessity, rather than choice, that I donned -male attire and sought employment as a cabin boy. My education, tact -and close attention to business led to more lucrative positions which -required ability as well as a strict integrity and close application. -By rigid economy, I succeeded in accumulating a moderate competence. As -a woman I could not have even procured a comfortable subsistence; but I -was in male attire, associated with men in all my relations to society, -and hence in the eyes of the world my womanly character was under a -cloud. For this reason I did not care to reveal my identity to Captain -Ganoe until I knew that he would approve the course I had taken. As -for myself I was prepared for altruistic principles. My association -with the working classes gave me a knowledge of their condition, and I -familiarized myself with the best thought of their leaders. But Captain -Ganoe had been differently situated. He had continued to move in the -narrow circle in which he was born. I had hoped that experience with -the world had broadened his views. But I found that I was mistaken. I -have studied his feelings and hence have resolved never to give him the -opportunity to reproach me for my unwomanly disguise and associations."</p> - -<p>"How could he reproach you, Nequa, when he realized that it was all for -love of him?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You cannot, my dear Oqua, educated as you were in the most advanced -thought of this altruistic civilization, realize the almost -irresistible power of prejudices when they have been incorporated into -the education of a people for thousands of years. They constitute a -race belief, the correctness of which the people seldom, if ever, heard -questioned. When I assumed male attire and associated myself with men -in the ranks of labor, I knew that I invited not only social ostracism, -but laid myself liable to arrest and imprisonment, if my disguise was -discovered. And Captain Ganoe as a high spirited gentleman of the old -school, could not unite his destinies with such a social out-cast."</p> - -<p>"But surely," said Oqua, "he will not entertain such mistaken -conceptions of honor when he learns that the people of this inner world -without an exception, would honor you for your heroic devotion to your -bridal troth and regard Captain Ganoe as the most fortunate of men in -having such a companion."</p> - -<p>"That may indeed be true, sometime," I said, "but before I reveal -myself to him, I must hear from his own lips such expressions of -opinion as will demonstrate that he would not regard the career of Jack -Adams, under the circumstances, as unworthy, immodest and unwomanly. -There is a deep seated prejudice in the outer world against 'mannish -women,' and the donning of male attire is prohibited by law, and what -is even worse, it is regarded as positively disgraceful. Hence I must -know that he of his own option has abandoned all these prejudices, -before I will consent to be known to him as Cassie VanNess."</p> - -<p>"I believe," said Oqua, "that his association with Altrurians will -certainly give him a higher regard for truth and correspondingly weaken -the influence of time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> honored errors. We can very easily ascertain -his views and if we should find them adverse, do not be discouraged, -for the atmosphere of truth which surrounds him is creative in its -influence and will surely establish itself in his mind. An error is -powerless to hold anyone in thrall very long where truth is cultivated -and free to express itself in thought and action. Truth is eternal and -cannot be destroyed, while error is transitory and disappears with the -ignorance on which it is based."</p> - -<p>"I will leave this matter to you," I said, "with this understanding, -that to Captain Ganoe I must remain simply Jack Adams, or Nequa, until -I know that he approves and appreciates the sacrifices made by Cassie -VanNess. I love him too well to be willing to face his disapproval, but -knowing the purity of my own purposes, I will never put myself in a -position that will imply even in the remotest degree that I was wrong. -My self respect forbids this. My heart tells me that I was right and I -will never apologize to any human being for the course I have taken, -and least of all to Captain Ganoe, for love of whom I have braved the -danger of social ostracism as well as the dangers incident to the life -of a sailor, from the blistering heat of the tropics to the intense -cold of the frigid zones. I certainly could never ask him to forgive me -for loving him so well."</p> - -<p>Oqua threw her arms around my neck and kissed me most affectionately, -saying:</p> - -<p>"My dear Nequa, I knew that I was not mistaken in the estimate that I -had placed on your mental and spiritual character. You have a great -work to do, not only in the education of our people, but a work for -your own people. Intercourse between the inner and outer worlds must -be re-opened. In this work much depends upon the crew of the Ice King, -as you are the only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> people among us from the educated classes who -have ever penetrated the frozen regions which surround the verges. -Our people will of course assist in every way possible. But my dear -Nequa, a still greater work depends upon you, more than upon any of the -others, in which we can be of but little assistance."</p> - -<p>"And what is that greater work?" I asked. "And how could I get along -without assistance? No matter what I undertake I want you as a tutor. -To me it seems, that in this inner world, I have everything to learn, -and I must have a teacher at every step."</p> - -<p>"And I, too," said Oqua, "have much to learn from you. All that I have -learned of the outer world came from MacNair and the few books which he -saved from the sinking ship. With the Ice King comes a well selected -library of standard works and three scholarly, well read people, and -from this, I anticipate a most valuable addition to our knowledge, -especially of a scientific, geographical and historical character, -which has been hidden from the people of the inner world. We have, it -seems, made more progress along lines of a social, economic and ethical -nature and in mechanical inventions. So while we need that knowledge -which can be more readily acquired in the outer world, your people need -the lessons taught by our progress along other lines. Our libraries are -filled with these lessons and the work evidently marked out for you is -to gather this knowledge for the benefit of your own people. In this -you will have the cordial co-operation of the scholars of the inner -world."</p> - -<p>"This," I said, "is certainly a work in which I am most anxious to -engage, just as soon as I can qualify myself for the task, and I -shall certainly need all the help I can get. I do indeed want the -people of America, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> great republic of the outer world, to learn -that the highest ideals of their revolutionary sires, are not mere -'glittering generalities,' but realities, and have been carried out -to their logical culmination in this country with the most beneficent -results to humanity. To this end, that they should not only learn -this most significant fact, but that they should have laid before -them a clear and concise statement of the methods that have been used -so successfully to produce these results and evolve this wonderful -Altrurian civilization. I most keenly realize that it is my duty -to accomplish this work for humanity, but when I think of the vast -libraries, written in a strange tongue, that must not only be read but -studied, in order to trace the operation of the evolutionary forces -which have produced these grand results, I am overwhelmed at the -contemplation of the magnitude of the task set before me."</p> - -<p>"Do not be alarmed," said Oqua, "at the multitudinous array of -ponderous volumes. These records are only preserved for reference. The -scholars of every age have been over them, with the special object in -view of condensing and simplifying their lessons, for the benefit of -students who could not afford to neglect other studies of the most -pressing importance, in order to familiarize themselves with the -details of so many thousands of years of history. Hence the lessons of -permanent value, such for instance as relate to the social, economic -and ethical progress of the people, have been carefully arranged in -the form of attractive condensations, with marginal references to the -authorities. With these lessons from History, designed for the use of -the pupils in our schools, the students can rapidly trace every step in -our progress, from the original half-civilized condition down to the -present<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> time, and if there is any matter which they wish to examine -more closely, the marginal references will direct them to volume and -page. So, my dear Nequa, you will find that the greater part of your -work which looks so overwhelming, is ready made for you, in our School -Concordances. Another thing will help you; these lessons of progress -have all been treated in the shape of allegories and historical -romances, in order to make them attractive. Perhaps you could not -transmit them to your own people in a better shape, than by translating -some of the works that bear directly upon what they need to understand. -These works trace in a most attractive form the operation of every -evolutionary force which has contributed to our Altrurian civilization -as you find it to-day."</p> - -<p>"This, indeed, my dear Oqua, relieves my mind of a load of doubt and -apprehension, which amounted almost to a dread, whenever I thought of -reading so many ponderous volumes in order to get a clear idea of the -forces which have contributed to your present ideal conditions. It also -explains to me how it is, that your entire people have such a clear -understanding of every economic, social and ethical problem. These -things are taught to the children in your primary schools."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Oqua, "the blessings of a high state of civilization -can only be preserved by educating the children of a country into a -comprehensive understanding of the laws of progress, by which these -blessings are secured. While a very few can set the machinery in -motion by which the masses may be relieved of any burdens that can be -imposed upon them, yet unless the children are universally educated in -regard to these matters, a few will be able to re-enslave them. These -so-called 'great problems' which you inform me are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> puzzling the brains -of your statesmen, ought to be thoroughly understood by the children. -Hence we teach these things to children while the mind is the most -receptive and the most capable of acquiring knowledge rapidly."</p> - -<p>"But," I remarked, "it sounds so strange to hear you speak of children -thoroughly understanding these questions of world-wide importance, with -which the great statesmen of the outer world have grappled for ages, -without finding a solution."</p> - -<p>"Nothing strange about it," said Oqua. "The mind of the child is -plastic and is remarkable for the facility with which it receives and -retains impressions. When it reaches the adult stage these impressions -become crystallized and are hard to change. Hence the importance of -starting the child rightly, with correct habits of thought on these -vital matters, upon which its future weal, and that of every other -human being depends. If the impressions on the mind of the child are -erroneous, they are liable to crystallize and be retained through -life, no matter how absurd they may be. As an apt illustration of -this tendency, I have only to refer to some of the notions which were -popular in this country at the time when the old economic system had -run its course and was producing widespread poverty and suffering among -the people. At that period all of the exchanges among the people were -on a money basis, and the few had control of the money while the many -were not able to utilize their labor to produce the wealth they needed -because they could not get the money to effect the necessary exchanges. -The reformers of that time were loud in the demand for more money, -while the controlling minds among the majority insisted that the one -thing needed was less money so that the money they had would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> purchase -more; and others were equally sure that more tax on products of foreign -countries was just the thing to relieve the industrial depression -by holding the home market for the products of our own labor. Keep -foreign products out by a high tariff and protect home industry, was -the doctrine. But we cannot help smiling as we read that these same -people who wanted to exclude foreign products from our markets in -order to protect our own labor, expected to get revenues from a tax -on foreign goods to run the government. It is difficult to imagine at -this time that any sane people ever entertained such absurd and self -contradictory opinions, but it is nevertheless a fact, as demonstrated -by the history of that time. These absurd notions could not have found -lodgement in the human mind, if as children, the people had been -trained to correct habits of reasoning."</p> - -<p>"And such," I said, "are the notions which predominate at this time in -my own country and the result is, that a few are very rich while the -many are hard pressed and poor. The few who protest against this system -are denounced as cranks, agitators and dangerous characters."</p> - -<p>"This is just what might be expected," said Oqua. "Like causes produce -like effects. The masses of mankind are always prone to deride and -persecute isolated individuals who know more than the mass, which is -physically so much more powerful. This is the protest of brute force -against mental, moral and spiritual superiority. This was why your -Jesus was crucified and this is why your reformers of the present day -are denounced as cranks, agitators and dangerous characters. It is an -invariable trait of human nature in a certain stage of development."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have long entertained these same views," I replied, "but the -object lessons which can be drawn from your history will cover all -these questions and they ought to reach our people with the first -announcement of the discovery of this inner world where all the great -problems of human development have been solved. I have found your -language remarkably easy to learn and from what you say, I expect -to find lessons from your history equally easy, but still I need -your assistance. I want to make the very best possible use of my -opportunities, and to that end, I want the benefit of your experience, -observation and knowledge of Altrurian civilization as it is to-day."</p> - -<p>"Then, to begin," said Oqua, "my work as counsellor, I would advise you -to complete your account of the expedition which brought you into this -inner world; a brief description of your reception; the civilization -you found as it appeared to you at first sight, and the information -that you gathered from intercourse with the people in regard to -the progressive development of the country from the semi-barbarous -conditions which existed in early times. This ought to be sent to the -people of the outer world just as soon as possible. It will make an -excellent introduction to a series of works consisting of your own -observations in regard to the existing educational system, customs of -the people and business methods, together with translations from our -literature that will be of use to your people. In the preparation of -the account of your expedition and your discoveries, you will need no -assistance and when it comes to translations from our libraries and -travel over the five grand divisions, you will have the help of ripe -scholars wherever you go."</p> - -<p>"Concerning the work here in this inner world," I said, "among such -a people, I have no doubt that it will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> be well done, but how are we -to transmit the information across the ice barriers at the verge? I -at first had great hopes from your airships, but I find that while -they are all right in this serene climate, they would be worse than -useless in the stormy atmosphere of the outer world and as at present -constructed the occupants could not live an hour in the intense cold of -the Frigid Zones."</p> - -<p>"I do not," said Oqua, "apprehend any insurmountable difficulty from -this source. The inventors of the airship know nothing about storms -and cold and hence made no provisions for guarding against them. The -case is different with arctic explorers. Our inventors have learned -how to navigate the atmosphere, with ease and safety. This is the main -point. Now you people of the outer world can take up the work where -our inventors left off, and construct ships which can ride the storm. -I have learned since my return from the Minerva congress, that Captain -Battell is working on this problem with good prospects of success. I do -not believe that there is anything impossible to the human mind when it -acts in harmony with nature's laws. The airship factory at lake Byblis -is at your service, with every facility of material, machinery and -mechanical skill. All that is needed is a comprehensive understanding -of outer world atmospheric conditions, and you brought that knowledge -with you. This is all that our inventors needed in order to enable them -to construct an airship that would be equal to every emergency."</p> - -<p>"You give me great encouragement," I said. "Captain Battell has asked -me to assist in this work by making experimental voyages to the verges, -in order to test the proposed improvements and make observations."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then all seems to be going well," said Oqua, "but there is no time to -lose. You must be gathering materials for your first volume as rapidly -as possible for I feel that it will soon be needed. To this end, I want -you and Captain Ganoe to go with me to-morrow to Orbitello, to see how -business is carried on. What do you think of it?"</p> - -<p>"Think of it!" I said. "I have been very anxious to take this trip and -have only been awaiting your return so that we might have company, who -could assist us in our observations."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Oqua, "we will start early, and I will telephone Polaris -and Dione to meet us and bring Battell and Huston. I know that Norrena -will be most happy to meet you. He is a walking encyclopedia of -knowledge and I know that you will enjoy his acquaintance. But," she -added after a moment's hesitation, "you need rest and I will go. Be of -good cheer. All is well, and do not forget that there is a wonderful -power in truth when it is left free, to remove errors from the pathway -of human progress,"—and kissing me good-night, she was gone.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">An air voyage—Change of scenery—Homes for mothers—Evolution -from competitive individualism—The mountains—Battell joins -us—Orbitello—A perpetual World's Fair—Department of Exchange—The -business of a continent—Norrena—Public Printing—The council—All -matters submitted to the People—Library of Universal Knowledge.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus13.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>VERY preparation had been made for our proposed voyage into the -interior and as the sun appeared from behind the eastern edge of the -southern verge we were embarking on the airship. Our party consisted of -MacNair, Iola, Oqua, Captain Ganoe and myself. I took my place at the -helm with MacNair and told him that I wanted to take lessons in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> aerial -navigation. He kindly explained the use of the electric keyboard which -controlled the machinery, and I found it so simple that I felt no need -of an instructor. In this placid atmosphere all I had to do was to set -the ship in the direction we wanted to go and turn on the power until -we reached the speed at which we desired to travel. All the motions -of the vessel were under absolute control. I found that the steering -apparatus could be readily adjusted to overcome a light wind, and -reasoned that the same principles would enable us to ride the storm. -This first practical experience in aerial navigation gave me confidence.</p> - -<p>Our course was a little north of west, and we were soon leaving the -great communal agricultural district which we now regarded as our home. -According to our reckoning it was now the 1st of February and I had -begun to figure whether it would be possible for us to be ready to -attempt the proposed journey to the outer world during the northern -summer. If we did, it would certainly require intense application. -These thoughts were continually running through my mind, and they -spurred me up to gather all the information possible for the book that -I was preparing.</p> - -<p>The country over which we were passing was still agricultural, but -the surface was more broken and the general arrangements were changed -accordingly, presenting to our vision an agreeable variety. We still -saw the magnificent communal homes with correspondingly large areas -of cultivated lands, but we also saw cottages gathered into groups, -with large public buildings which MacNair informed us were schools, -public halls, homes for the aged, hospitals, and especially homes for -prospective mothers who felt that the ideal conditions which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> these -homes afforded would secure the best possible development of their -offspring.</p> - -<p>I was forcibly struck by the number and grandeur of these homes for -mothers. I had noticed that every communal home had its department -for the care of mothers, and now I found that the grandest structures -that I had ever seen were devoted exclusively to this purpose. In -reply to my inquiries I was informed that this care for motherhood was -a universal feature throughout the inner world. But in this, as in -everything else, liberty prevails. The mother is always free to select -her own conditions. Many prefer these large public homes which are -exclusively under the control of women, while others, with different -temperaments, prefer greater exclusiveness in their own apartments, but -all alike make this period of prospective motherhood, one in which all -the environments are calculated to produce the best possible pre-natal -influences upon the unborn child.</p> - -<p>For this purpose, different temperaments require different -surroundings. The impressions produced by beautiful scenery and social -enjoyments on one, may be more readily produced by reading, lectures, -music and intellectual entertainments on another. The unperverted taste -of the mother is always accepted as a sure guide to what is best in -each case, and the best is always provided.</p> - -<p>While the country over which we were passing did not have the same -artificial appearance as if laid out by one uniform pattern, like -that where we had been located since our arrival in Altruria, I still -noticed the general tendency of the people to get together in large -communities. We passed over large districts of wild lands which -afforded ample opportunities for isolated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> homes but nowhere did we see -anything of the kind. This induced Captain Ganoe to ask if there was -any law against people getting out by themselves and cultivating these -wild lands.</p> - -<p>"Nothing but the natural law," said Oqua, "which impels people to do -that which is the most conducive to their happiness. The people of -this country do not like drudgery and they have learned by experience -that in order to avoid drudgery, they must work together on a large -scale, as one family, each for all and all for each. In the olden time, -people in their ignorance scattered into single families consisting -of a man and wife and their children. They wasted their energies in -their isolated efforts, and were at the mercy of the few who had the -intelligence to work together. When the masses became more intelligent -they gathered into communities and co-operated with each other to make -the most out of their labor and to avoid the payment of tribute to -speculators who did not work at all. They soon found that they could -not possibly consume all that they were able to produce and they began -to work less and enjoy more."</p> - -<p>"But," asked the Captain, "have you no arrangement by which a man -and his wife could get out on these wild lands and make a home for -themselves?"</p> - -<p>"We certainly have no arrangement," said Oqua, "that would prevent -their doing so. But if they should try such an experiment it would not -last long. As soon as they found themselves toiling incessantly to -procure a bare subsistence, while the great masses in the communities -were spending eleven-twelfths of their time in the enjoyment of rest -and pleasurable recreations, they would seek admission into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> a large -communal home, where all who are willing to perform their share of the -labor are welcome."</p> - -<p>"But," said the Captain, "you say that the people of this country once -lived in isolated homes. The people in the outer world do so now, and -they feel that to be the best possible condition for the development -of the highest qualities. How were the individualists of this country -persuaded to give up their individual holdings and accept in lieu -thereof a community interest in the products of their own labor?"</p> - -<p>"They outgrew their preconceived opinions," said Oqua. "Among the -reformers of the olden time none were more earnest than a large and -very intelligent class of individualists, who believed that the people -ought to own the land, and that the individual holder ought to pay the -community for its use, in proportion to its value as land, not counting -the value of the improvements. These reformers agreed to the abolition -of land titles, and in accordance with the doctrines which they had -promulgated long and earnestly, they took their lands in severalty and -paid the community a tax for its use. As individualists, they could -not object to other people forming communities and having all things -in common. But when they discovered how much more they had to work -than their neighbors, they were true to their own interests and joined -the communities where their labor became so much more effective. They -found that instead of sacrificing any of their individual rights by so -doing, they actually made those rights more valuable by being relieved -of drudgery. The land tax to the community was abolished in the course -of time, and then any individual might take a homestead and cultivate -it in his own way without being taxed for the privilege of doing so, -but this right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> is never exercised, as it would deprive the individuals -thus setting up for themselves, of free access to the common wealth -of the community, and the common advantages which belong to community -life. They could only enter the communal homes as guests and strangers, -and while free entertainment is never refused, proud spirited -individualists would never think of securing a subsistence by visiting -around. They would naturally prefer doing their share of the work to -create the common stock. And hence our individualists are all in our -communal homes and have no desire for individual holdings of any kind. -Their community interest in the common wealth is worth vastly more to -them than all the wealth that they could create by individual effort."</p> - -<p>"But," asked the Captain, "do you permit no private ownership of -property at all in these communities?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, we do," said Oqua. "All persons may accumulate property which -they create by personal labor, if they wish to burden themselves with -the care of it. But as there is an abundance in the common stores to -supply every want, there is no motive for the private ownership of -anything but personal belongings which are ordinarily of no value to -anyone else. Members of the community may have anything they need -out of the common stock and intelligent people would not encumber -themselves with the care of more than they have a use for. The greed -for the accumulation of property which I am informed is so prevalent -in the outer world, if manifested here would be taken as an evidence -of insanity and would be treated accordingly. It is very difficult for -the average Altrurian to realize that people should ever desire to -hoard up wealth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> which it is impossible for them to consume. But when -we scan the pages of our early history at the time when legal money -was the medium of exchange and the standard of value, the people made -a mad scramble for money, in which they disregarded every interest of -humanity."</p> - -<p>We were now approaching a region where art and nature seemed to have -united in one mighty and persistent effort to excel each other in -the entrancing beauty and rugged grandeur that could be added to the -picture. On either side was a broad expanse of cultivated lands, -interspersed with parks, lawns and ornamented grounds, which revealed -the work of the most artistic landscape gardeners. Beneath us the -Cocytas meandered its way toward the distant ocean, between its -wooded shores, like a shining pathway of silver, while before us the -great continental divide with its towering mountain peaks piercing -the clouds, closed our view towards the west. At one moment we were -admiring the rugged grandeur of this lovely mountain chain and at -another entranced by the beauty of the highly ornamented landscape, -where art had improved upon nature. Take it all in all, the scenery -presented to our view from the cabin of our airship, sailing at a -height of several thousand feet, was sublime, beyond the power of words -to describe.</p> - -<p>As we neared the mountains, MacNair took charge of the ship and made -a detour toward the south, which brought into view the mighty canon -through which the Cocytas reaches the plain. On either side were -mountain torrents dashing over the rocks on their way to join the -waters of the deep flowing river. Here, nature in all her majesty -revealed her titanic powers. But suddenly another scene opened upon our -vision, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> which art revealed itself as master of all the forces of -nature. It was more like a city than anything we had seen since leaving -San Francisco. And yet it was very much unlike any city I have ever -seen. I was bewildered by its sudden appearance upon this wonderful -panorama of nature and art which seemed to hold us spell bound.</p> - -<p>Palatial buildings in white and silver appeared in every direction, -surrounded by highly ornamented grounds. No smoke, no dust and no -miserable shanties to remind us of the poverty and misery which -characterized the cities of the outer world. In the distance, it -presented a panorama of beauty and grandeur, more like the paintings of -a gorgeous midsummer dream, than any real achievement of human skill -and human taste. It was more like the fancied abode of the gods than -the dwelling place of men.</p> - -<p>This was Orbitello, and as it lay spread out before us, it presented -a scene beyond my powers of description. It was located on an -elevated plateau and almost enclosed within a bend of the river, -which flows around it on three sides, the west, south and east, like -a silver highway, over which electric yachts of almost every size and -description were gliding. It was a dream of beauty that once seen, -could never be erased from the memory.</p> - -<p>"This," said MacNair, "is our continental headquarters. Here, was at -one time a large city, but every remnant of the old structures was -removed long ago. The location, however, is so central that it was -selected as our chief center of business for all the departments of the -public service. It is a favorite gathering place for large numbers of -people from all parts of the world. Hence the number of buildings for -the accommo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>dation of visitors. It is in fact a perpetual World's Fair, -a miniature picture of the world as it is to-day. There is no better -place to study the civilization of the inner world in all its phases."</p> - -<p>MacNair was interrupted by a familiar voice with the well remembered -"Ship Ahoy!" and as we turned around to see from whence it came, -another airship came alongside, and we exchanged greetings with our -old shipmates, Battell and Huston, and our saviors, as we called them, -Polaris and Dione, who both addressed us in English.</p> - -<p>"Please speak Altrurian," I said. "I have abandoned English except in -cases of emergency, as I am anxious to perfect myself in the use of -your native tongue. Remember that I have become a citizen of Altruria, -and have no desire to perpetuate the use of a foreign language."</p> - -<p>"And we," replied Polaris, "want to perfect ourselves in the use of -English, as we want to visit America and talk like natives, just as -soon as a ship can be constructed that will enable us to navigate the -frozen regions without being frozen ourselves."</p> - -<p>"And one," I responded, "that can hold to its course with a side wind -of a velocity from fifty to one hundred miles an hour."</p> - -<p>"Have no fears on that score," interposed Battell. "We have the -principal parts of the machinery completed, and all that remains to be -done, is for you to take a trial trip to the southern verge and see -how it will work in a storm, and in the meantime we will try our hands -at constructing one that will be proof against the cold of a polar -winter. Better go to the southern verge now, while it is comparatively -temperate and test our improvements in a gale."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> - -<p>"All right," I said. "I am willing. But who will go with me? I ought to -have the assistance of someone who could not only stand the exposure, -but be able to make observations. It will keep one person busy to -manage the ship during a storm, no matter how perfect your machinery -may be."</p> - -<p>"I suggest," said Battell, "that you take Lief and Eric, who are -first-class mechanics as well as scientists. This is their request, -and it ought to be granted. We need both Huston and Captain Ganoe, to -assist in the construction of a cold proof vessel. This is the plan of -work that I suggest. How will it suit you?"</p> - -<p>"Anything suits me that looks toward success," I said. "Since you have -already completed the inventions that I had contemplated, it is but -fair that you dictate how they should be used until we can improve on -your improvements, which, by the way I hope may not be necessary."</p> - -<p>"Oh yes, it will," said Battell. "Just as soon as there is no room -for improvement, everything will be perfect, and with nothing to do, -nothing to live for and no improvements to make, constituted as we are -now, we would very likely be just as unhappy, as we are now anxious -to improve the airship or to accomplish any other object that is dear -to us. This is a working world and we are workers, and when there is -no work to do, there will be no use for us on our present plane of -development."</p> - -<p>"You talk like a philosopher," I said. "One would think you had -graduated from an Altrurian university."</p> - -<p>"So I have," said Battell. "Were you not talking Altrurian philosophy -all the time we were together on the Ice King? So I was to some extent -prepared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> for what we have found in this highly developed country."</p> - -<p>"But what's the matter?" I asked, as Battell's airship came to a full -halt, and seemingly began to fall. Before I recovered from my surprise, -it had settled lightly on the top of a stupendous structure, and -MacNair was evidently aiming for the same place, as he set our ship -to circling around in the way I have often described. I had seen the -practical workings of one of Battell's improvements, and could not -help seeing that it was an undoubted success. The mechanism that would -control the vessel while dropping toward the earth, seemed to me, more -difficult of construction than that which would hold it on its course -against contrary side winds.</p> - -<p>A minute later and we had reached the surface. Polaris, and her crew, -so to speak, had disembarked and we had a cordial handshaking, and then -took a stroll around the roof of this immense building. Everything -about it seemed to indicate that it was especially designed for the -accommodation of business on a gigantic scale. It was built of the -semi-transparent material which we had found so common in the district -where we had made our homes. The cornice, windows and doors were -trimmed with aluminum, which gave it a peculiar grandeur of appearance.</p> - -<p>MacNair, who was ever ready to make explanations, informed us that -this was the Continental Department of Exchange through which all the -commercial transactions between the various districts throughout the -continent were carried on. This was the chief center of distribution, -and bore the same relation to the continent, that the District -Exchange bore to the several communities of which it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> composed. -The community stores made the actual distribution of products to the -people. These larger exchanges, District and Continental, did not -really handle the products at all, but collected the orders from the -consumers and sent them direct to the communities where the goods were -wanted, in this way saving very much unnecessary labor in handling and -transportation. The actual exchange of commodities was always direct -between the producers and the consumers.</p> - -<p>I did not quite comprehend all this, but it prepared me for the object -lesson which was to come. I was keenly alert to everything that was to -be seen and heard, as it was valuable material for the book which I now -felt sure I would be able to lay before the people of the outer world.</p> - -<p>It was now noon, and MacNair suggested that it was about time for -dinner. "No doubt," he said, "your fifteen hundred miles of travel has -given you an appetite." And suiting the action to the suggestion, we -all stepped upon an elevator, and descended to the largest dining hall -I had ever seen. It seemed that thousands of people were seated at the -tables, quietly conversing and enjoying their midday meal. We seated -ourselves at a vacant table and Oqua said:</p> - -<p>"I shall order for all, as our American visitors are not yet perfectly -familiar with our customs." And manipulating a button at her side, -I was surprised to see the center of the table disappear, but it -reappeared before I had sufficiently recovered my equilibrium to ask -questions, and it was loaded with the most tempting viands. Oqua -explained that these central tables which carried the food stood on the -top of an elevator that connected with the kitchen below. That when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> an -order was received, a table was already prepared to take the place of -the one which the elevator brought down. Everything moved with quiet -celerity; no bustling waiters, and no waiting for orders to be filled.</p> - -<p>After dinner we passed into a large sitting room, elegantly furnished -with chairs, divans, sofas, etc., splendidly upholstered. I noticed -chairs and divans on wheels and asked MacNair for an explanation, and -he replied:</p> - -<p>"These chairs are moved by electricity, supplied by storage batteries -just under the seats. You apply the power by pressing a button on -the arm by your side, and guide them with your feet. You will often -find them in use, particularly in large places like Orbitello, -where travelers coming in fatigued, and people on business with the -various departments, having many places to go, need some easy means -of locomotion. In the olden time, waiters used to push these chairs -around by hand, but with the advent of electricity, electric motors -were substituted, and now the people who use these chairs need no such -assistance, and all the chair-men have to do is to see that the chairs -are returned to their proper place."</p> - -<p>After a little instruction we found no difficulty in going where we -pleased in our chairs, and regulating their direction and speed with -perfect ease. This novel experience was so agreeable that we decided to -visit the leading points of interest in these electric chairs.</p> - -<p>The first place to visit was the business offices of this great -Continental Exchange. We took our places in a large elevator room and -passed down to the office of the Commissioner of Exchange. On either -side of the great hall were shelves containing large books<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> in which -we were informed, were statistics of production that are sent in from -every district twice a year, at the close of each crop season. These -records show just how much surplus each district has for exchange, -and of what it consists. This information is for the Order and Supply -Department which is on the same floor, toward which we were directing -our chairs.</p> - -<p>Here we entered a long hall, on either side of which were arranged -desks and electrical instruments. The clerks in attendance, each -represented a district, and were selected by the districts to fill -these positions because of their intimate knowledge of the wants of -their several localities and of the surplus they had for exchange.</p> - -<p>The District Commissioners sent their orders to their own clerk which -was written out by telautograph on his own desk. The order was at once -transmitted by the same method, to the district having the surplus, -through its own clerk, and a duplicate of these orders to the Record -Department. These orders when received from the District Commissioners -were transmitted to the communities having the surplus. The Community -Department of Exchange then shipped it directly to the place where it -was needed.</p> - -<p>Under this system of distribution, products passed directly from -the producer to the consumer and were never handled but once. The -producers held their surplus in their own possession until they had -orders from consumers by whom it was needed. The Commissioner of -Exchange at Orbitello had a tabulated report of the surplus held by -each district, and each district had its clerks in the Order and Supply -Department of the Continental Exchange. When an agricultural district -wanted machinery, musical instruments,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> furniture, clothing, etc., the -order for the same was transmitted to its own clerk in the Department -of Exchange and it was at once sent to the district, or districts, -having a surplus of the products needed. And when a Manufacturing -District needed food supplies the orders were sent to the clerk in -the Continental Exchange and the order was transmitted to the nearest -agricultural district that had a surplus for exchange.</p> - -<p>Under this system of organized exchange, if any district found that -it had a surplus accumulating in its warehouses for which there was -no demand, this was all the notice required that a time had come to -curtail production in that particular line. From what we could see -of the workings of this system, by going through this department, we -could readily see how the law of supply and demand, if permitted to act -freely with no artificial restrictions, would be a perfect regulator -in the world of commerce. Neither would there ever be, under this -Altrurian system of exchange, a glut in the market at one place while -there was a scarcity at another.</p> - -<p>"You see here," said MacNair, "a business house which handles the -trade of a continent, containing over two hundred millions of people. -All the products of the soil, the shop, the factory and the mine, are -practically bought and sold in this establishment, and yet without any -of the excitement and bustle, hard work and worry, which characterize -the comparatively diminutive business houses of New York and London."</p> - -<p>"I see evidences," I remarked, "of a most admirable business system on -a stupendous scale. But the question that will be asked in the outer -world will be, How are these goods paid for and how are the prices -fixed and the accounts adjusted without money? This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> is what the people -of the outer world will want to understand. I am asking more for them -than for myself."</p> - -<p>"Nothing difficult about it," said MacNair. "Product pays for -product here just as it actually does in the outer world, but under -co-operation, the elements of interest, profit and rent have been -eliminated. The price of an article is fixed by the amount of labor -expended in its production and distribution. This of course only -applies to such commodities as are in demand. A great deal of labor -might be expended in the production of something that no one wanted. -Such labor would be wasted here as it would be anywhere else."</p> - -<p>"I had thought of this contingency," I replied, "but was not seeking a -difficulty. I referred only to such articles of necessity, comfort and -luxury as the consumers wish to secure. How are the prices fixed, what -is the standard and how are balances settled?"</p> - -<p>"These questions," said MacNair, "are well put, to draw out a concise, -as well as a comprehensive statement of our business methods. We -readily ascertain by statistics, the average number of minutes, hours -and days of labor invested in the production of every commodity which -enters into common use. This includes the labor invested in the -necessary transportation, superintendence and distribution. Hence in -our accounts, the value of products of all kinds are credited and -debited as given amounts of labor. This is what in the outer world -would be called the price. A given number of hours of labor in one -branch of useful service to society is worth just the same number of -hours of labor in some other branch, and the exchange is made on that -basis. The one primary object of this system of exchange is to secure -equal and exact justice to all."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But how are all these numerous employes on your railroads, in your -stores and the various departments of industry paid?" asked Captain -Ganoe.</p> - -<p>"Very easily," said MacNair. "The people produce all the supplies and -render all the service, and the people enjoy all the benefits. This is -about all there is of it. We produce what we consume, and consume what -we produce, without paying tribute to anyone else for the privilege of -exercising these natural rights, as the people in the outer world are -forced to do."</p> - -<p>"But," said the Captain, "would you have me infer that all these expert -clerks and accountants, and the commissioner who superintends all this -business do not receive any more than the laborers on the farms and in -the shops, factories and mines?"</p> - -<p>"Why should they get more than people who are engaged in laborious -occupations?" asked Iola. "They get all they can consume. If they -should use a little more or less no one cares. They can have all they -want without working any more hours than other people and I cannot -understand how they could use any more food or clothing without ruining -their health or making themselves very uncomfortable. I cannot conceive -of any person wanting to eat more food or wear more clothes, because he -or she is employed in some position of trust. Can you, Captain Ganoe?"</p> - -<p>"I admit," replied the Captain, "that your question is a poser. And -this is not the first time that I have been puzzled by your remarks. I -do not say that you are wrong; but I never heard questions handled in -this way until I drifted into this inner world. I can only say that I -am bewildered and while I do not comprehend your philosophy I do admire -your civilization."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And," responded Iola, "I cannot comprehend how anyone can admire our -civilization without accepting our philosophy. The civilization of a -people is only reducing to practice, the mental and moral concepts of -the people. Our civilization is the logical outcome of our philosophy. -People always think first and act afterward. Our philosophy is what we -think, and our civilization is the result of what it induces us to do."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the Captain, "it has certainly induced your people to do -many things that would look very strange in the outer world, but which -seem to work rightly here."</p> - -<p>Oqua, who had quietly dropped out of our party without being observed, -now joined us, accompanied by a man of commanding appearance. He was -about six feet, four inches in height, brown hair, full beard, blue -eyes, fair complexion and a high intellectual forehead. Oqua introduced -him as Norrena, Chief of the Continental Department of Education. His -address was most gentle, pleasing and kind, but firm and decided. -Turning to me he said:</p> - -<p>"I had hoped to have an opportunity to make the acquaintance of Jack -Adams, the scientist of the Ice King, but Oqua tells me that I must be -content with Nequa, the teacher. She informs me that you are preparing -a book to be published in your own country, and to that end you are -making a close study of our civilization."</p> - -<p>"That is true," I said, "and she has spoken to me of you as one who -could render me great assistance, in gathering the lessons that -would be of the most value, in our transition from competition to -co-operation."</p> - -<p>"I shall gladly render you any assistance in my power," he said, "but -what you can see here of our com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>pleted system of co-operation in -every department of human endeavor, will be indispensable to a clear -comprehension of the lessons to be drawn from the history of our own -Transition Period."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," I said. "And I would be pleased to have you show me -through the departments, and call my attention to such features as will -be of the greatest advantage for me to understand just at this time."</p> - -<p>"That is the same request that was made by Oqua, as it would take a -long time for you to find just what you want without the assistance -of someone who is familiar with all the departments and who also -understands the nature of the work in which you are engaged. To -begin, we will now visit the Department of Public Printing and News -Distribution."</p> - -<p>We now dispensed with our electric chairs, as we felt the need of -exercise. As we emerged from the Exchange building, Norrena took the -lead, and conducted us into another stupendous structure, devoted to -the Public Printing and the Distribution of News to all parts of the -world. The upper story was an immense auditorium, where public meetings -of unusual proportions could meet and have ample room, and where the -acoustic properties were so scientifically adjusted, that all could -hear the speaker in ordinary tones of voice.</p> - -<p>Norrena conducted us first into the press room, where printed sheets -were being turned out with a rapidity I had never before witnessed. -These passed on an endless belt into the binding department and from -thence in completed form to the mailing rooms for distribution. -Everything seemed to move with the same quiet celerity that we had -noticed in the Exchange Department.</p> - -<p>From the press rooms we ascended in an elevator<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> to the composing -department, where we found a number of machines turning out stereotype -plates, but no operators were anywhere in sight. Norrena informed -me that the machines were operated on the same principle as the -telautograph, or writing telegraph, and with the multiplex system -of transmission, an expert could operate a number of these machines -in different parts of the world at the same time. The matter for -publication, was thus delivered in the composing room in the shape of -plates ready for the presses.</p> - -<p>But the most interesting and important feature of this great publishing -house is the manner of collecting and distributing news. The News -Department is connected by telegraph with news offices throughout the -world and is continually receiving items of general interest, which are -classified and distributed by the same means to the people in every -home throughout the continent. The printed pages are of matter of a -more permanent character, which is regarded as worthy of preservation. -Copies of new books are sent to similar establishments in the other -grand divisions and by them reproduced and placed in their local -libraries where all have access to them. This free distribution of -intelligence to the whole people is under the direct control of the -Department of Education.</p> - -<p>During the meetings of the Altrurian Council, this department -has another important duty to perform. The council, through this -department, is practically, at all times, in communication with the -majority of the people. When a matter of public interest has been -carefully discussed pro and con, it is formulated and transmitted to -every community where the people are interested, a vote is then taken -at once, and the result transmitted to the council. By this means, -a majority of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> people can be heard from in regard to any matter -of importance in a few hours. The people are at all times familiar -with the matters which are being considered by the council, and are -prepared to respond promptly. The communities ordinarily have decided -any important question in their minds before it is submitted to them -and reply at once. I could readily see how, under an advanced state of -civilisation, direct government by the people is not only practicable, -but remarkable for its simplicity and promptness of execution.</p> - -<p>The council acts upon all matters in which two or more districts are -interested and the matter is formulated and submitted at once to the -people of such districts for their approval or disapproval. But in -any matter of great importance the people are not compelled to wait -for the regular meeting of the council, but may by the action of the -communities place the matter before the executive committee which meets -every day, and it becomes their duty to submit the question to a vote -of the people. In this way, under this system, the people can always -secure prompt action, as it is the duty of their officials to serve, -but not to govern, as they do in the outer world.</p> - -<p>If a public improvement is agreed upon, the districts and communities -interested, make an appropriation of necessary material and labor, -and the work is pushed forward. In all things this great council is -advisory in its character and the executive committee only takes such -action as the people have agreed upon, and when any matter has been -agreed upon the executive power acts at once without question. The will -of the people is the law which no one ever assumes to question.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> - -<p>We passed rapidly through a large number of magnificent structures, -filled with exhibits of all kinds. In Machinery Hall were samples of -every conceivable mechanical device. Another vast building was devoted -to textile fabrics of all kinds. Every industry had its exhibit. -All the great Grand Divisions had similar buildings. Everywhere, -accommodating attendants were ready to show us anything and give us any -information we wished. And one remarkable thing was, that while every -one seemed anxious to display the goods on exhibition, no one ever -tried to sell us anything, as would have been the case in the outer -world.</p> - -<p>Here, as MacNair said, was indeed a miniature picture of a world. I -could write a volume on each one of these great buildings without -exhausting the subject. But for the present I had seen enough and -requested Norrena to conduct us next to the Library of Universal -Knowledge which was the most highly finished and imposing of all -these palatial structures. It was built of the usual semi-transparent -material which shut out the direct rays of the sun while it admitted a -mellow radiance rendering artificial light as a rule unnecessary.</p> - -<p>We took an elevator to the top where we began our survey of the -contents. Elevators at frequent intervals connected every story. A -description of one story would in a general way apply to all the -others. Each floor is divided longitudinally into three halls or suites -of rooms. The central division is ordinarily a single hall fifty feet -in width by six hundred in length, and in these central halls are -stored all the books, papers and relics of the past. Also specimens of -ores, metals, alloys and compounds of everything that goes to make a -complete museum of natural history, and scientific methods in chemistry -and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> the mechanic arts. Different stories are given to Archeology, -Ethnology, Geology, Chemistry, Electricity, etc., and constitute a most -instructive feature of this Library of Universal Knowledge.</p> - -<p>The divisions on either side are given up to reading rooms, lecture -halls and schools for culture in technical branches that can be studied -to better advantage here in this vast library than elsewhere. In the -reading rooms, which are always open to the public, full catalogues are -always kept for visitors, and courteous attendants are ever ready to -give any information and procure any book that may be needed. Books are -all numbered and catalogued, so the visitor has but to press the number -on an electric keyboard, and it is delivered at once by a pneumatic -tube. The attendants return the books to their proper places in the -same rapid and quiet manner. No noise, bluster, or confusion anywhere. -Everything is reduced to system, and moves along like clock work.</p> - -<p>Instruction is free in any of the technical schools, to all who apply -and submit to the rules. These schools embrace every specific branch of -study, and are usually patronised by graduates from the public schools -who desire to perfect their knowledge of some specific branch in order -to be better qualified for a special calling. Here, can be studied -under the most favorable conditions, the progressive development of a -world, illustrated at every step by the relics indicative of its status -which are carefully preserved in the museums, thus tracing in the most -instructive and satisfactory manner, the progress of the people from -their primitive condition of barbarians to their present high state of -culture.</p> - -<p>I saw at a glance that this was the place where my contemplated work of -investigation, into the practical methods which had enabled the people -of this country<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> to develop such ideals, could be prosecuted under -the most favorable conditions. I determined to make good use of these -facilities for gathering the ripened sheaves of human thought in every -age and condition of life, for the benefit of the people of my own -native land.</p> - -<p>In the lower story, we passed into the department where new -publications are received and catalogued. The first thing that -attracted my attention was the translations from the library of the -Ice King, which seemed to have the right of way over everything else. -Among these translations, I noticed the American Cyclopedia, Ridpath's -History of the World, the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, -histories of the United States and the leading countries of the world, -together with a selection of works on polar exploration, and a number -of scientific works. I was astonished at the progress that had been -made, but Norrena informed me that, under their system, a work could be -translated almost as fast as it could be read, and that the work had -been divided between the scholars of all the grand divisions.</p> - -<p>I asked Norrena if there was much demand for these translations of -outer world literature, and he replied:</p> - -<p>"Yes, the orders from each grand division, amount to millions, and they -can be translated in all parts of the concave as rapidly as the presses -can turn them out. This is especially true of everything pertaining to -America, whose history up to date is so similar to the early stages of -our own."</p> - -<p>"But," I said, "with the usual large attendance at the reading rooms, -one volume will do for a number of persons, and I should think that -would greatly decrease the demand."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That is true," said Norrena, "but all have an equal right to be -served, and this addition to our knowledge of the outer world is in -such great demand, that all want to be supplied at the same time."</p> - -<p>"Of course that is impossible," I said, "and so I suppose that with all -your improved methods many will be compelled to wait."</p> - -<p>"Not so very many," said Norrena. "All may not be able to get books, -but all who desire to do so can hear them read."</p> - -<p>"How," I asked, "can that be, when millions are asking to hear them -read all at once?"</p> - -<p>"Not so very difficult," he replied, "when we use the multiplex -phonograph. One reader can be heard all over the concave. A vast number -would rather listen to a good reader, than to read themselves, and -as the voice of this reader can be connected with a large number of -phonograph reading rooms at the same time, in each such room, as many -can listen as can be seated."</p> - -<p>"You astonish me," I said. "Will you please explain how this is done?"</p> - -<p>"I will do more than that," he said. "I will show you how it is done. -Come with me."</p> - -<p>I followed him into a large room, where I found, I should think, from -two to three hundred people, composedly sitting in chairs, or reclining -on sofas and divans, with phonographic attachments in their ears.</p> - -<p>"These," said Norrena, "are all listening to readers at Lake Byblis who -are assisting in the translation of these works. They are using these -attachments in the ears because they are not all listening to the same -matter. This is a fair sample of what is going on in every room of -this character, throughout the concave. A large number of professional -readers are employed who are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> connected by telephone and phonograph -with every home and reading room in all parts of the country. By such -means you see that we can disseminate knowledge almost simultaneously, -to all who are most anxious for it. The demand for printed books is -mainly from libraries and reading rooms, public and private. The masses -of the people at this time are spending much of their ample leisure, -in listening to the reading of this new addition to our literature. It -will not be long, before the most industrious, intellectually, have -absorbed, to a considerable extent this most valuable addition to our -knowledge, and then a very large number will apply themselves to the -study of the English language, so that they may be able to judge for -themselves as to the accuracy of the translations."</p> - -<p>"I see from your admirable system of distributing knowledge that there -must be an extraordinary demand to be supplied."</p> - -<p>"Nothing extraordinary for us," said Norrena. "The demand is steady -with a tendency to increase. Our people are all workers who have enough -physical exercise to keep their bodies in good condition, and this -stimulates the mind to demand food, which it is our duty to provide."</p> - -<p>"Do you not often find this difficult?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Not at all," he replied. "In this, as in the supply of food for the -body, the quantity is always ample where the operations of natural law -are not antagonized in the administration of public business. We have -ample facilities for gathering news, and everyone who has a thought to -express finds an opportunity to do so. There is a steady supply which -we distribute alike to all. This demand for mental food is even more -pressing than the demand for physical nourish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>ment. The real man and -the real woman are not their physical bodies, but the living souls -which occupy these bodies, and it is the duty of this department of the -public service to provide these souls with the staff of life, which is -knowledge."</p> - -<p>Before leaving the library, Norrena requested us to record our names on -the visitor's book. We complied, and then continued our rambles until -I, for one, was utterly exhausted, and asked to be excused from further -exercise.</p> - -<p>"Then," said Norrena, "we will retire to the Department of Public -Comfort, where I have my private rooms, and while you are resting, we -can talk over plans for the future, or other matters that may demand -attention. I am much interested in this move to improve the airships -with a view to opening up a line of communication with the outer world."</p> - -<p>"And," I remarked, "I am, if possible, more interested in the -completion of my book in time for it to go to the United States by -the first airship, for publication. And I want it to contain every -lesson of importance to our people that can be gleaned from the present -condition and the past history of the people of this country."</p> - -<p>As we were speaking, Norrena hailed a passing electric carriage, and in -a few minutes we were landed at the grandest hotel I had ever entered -in my life. I could see at a glance why it was called the Department of -Public Comfort. Every facility for the comfort and enjoyment of guests -was provided. But the dimensions assigned to this volume will not -permit a description. I need only say that all its appointments were -complete, for the accommodation of thousands of guests.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> - -<p>While each of the department buildings had its own arrangements for -accommodating its own force of employes and its own guests, this -Department of Public Comfort was designed more especially for guests -from other Grand Divisions. Here, the heads of departments of all the -Grand Divisions held their conferences; and here the continental heads -of departments very appropriately had their headquarters.</p> - -<p>After supper, Norrena informed me that on the morrow, he would -devote an hour to oral lessons at the institute of district school -superintendents and that his subject would be the History of the -Transition Period.</p> - -<p>"This," he explained, "covers that period in the history of Altruria -which marks the decline and fall of the old system of competition and -the introduction of co-operative methods. It may be just what you want -in the way of lessons from history. If you think that you do not yet -understand our language well enough to fully comprehend all the points, -I will provide you with a translation into English."</p> - -<p>I thanked him for his interest in my work and assured him that while I -wanted to hear him in his own tongue, if he could provide me with the -same matter in English, it would help me to a better understanding of -the language of the country, and that certainly I did not want to miss -any point of real value in the subject matter.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">The institute of school superintendents—Norrena's address on -the Transition Period—From Competition to Co-operation—The closing -decades of Money supremacy—The power of gold—Its conquest of the -world—Political governments its tools—The people helpless—A hint -at the way out.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus14.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>T an early hour we were up and had our breakfast. I felt that -my journey to Orbitello and the hasty glance through the leading -departments had been the most instructive day I had ever experienced. -But I was not surfeited, and looked forward with interest to the -meeting of the Institute of School Superintendents and especially -to Norrena's oral lessons from the Transition Period of the great -Industrial Commonwealth of Altruria.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> - -<p>We met in the Auditorium over the Department of Public Printing. Many -had already arrived and were gathered into groups in various portions -of the vast hall conversing with each other. I took a seat on one -side by myself to contemplate the scene before me. I was by nature -a student, and here I was among, as it were, a nation of competent -instructors, and in a country where everything demonstrated the power -to control the great potent forces which govern the external world, -and the innate force of our higher moral and spiritual concepts of -what should be our relations toward each other in order to convert -this earth into a heaven of blissful, happy contentment. I was among -a people who universally regarded "an injury to one as the concern -of all," and hence health, happiness and abundance for all was their -normal condition.</p> - -<p>I could hardly realize that this country had once been the abode of -poverty and all of its consequences of ignorance, vice and crime; that -here where equal rights, equal opportunities and an equal share in -the unlimited abundance which nature places within the easy reach of -intelligent labor were the universal and unquestioned law of being, -there had once been a grasping and cruel financial and commercial power -that condemned the wealth-producing millions to lives of unrequited -toil. But such, I was repeatedly told, had been the fact, and Norrena, -at this meeting was to give an oral lesson from that period and -describe the power that had oppressed and degraded the people in those -early ages.</p> - -<p>But a short time had gone by since my first meeting with these people -and yet I had become thoroughly absorbed in their mental, moral and -spiritual life. I felt myself to be to all intents and purposes one -of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> them. What was it that had so entirely taken possession of my -consciousness? In all my life I had never felt so completely at home, -and at peace with myself and all the world. I was fully satisfied.</p> - -<p>Norrena broke in upon my reverie by asking:</p> - -<p>"What is it Nequa, that so absorbs your attention that you seem to be -utterly oblivious of the presence of this large assemblage of teachers -from all parts of the country to talk over the history of the olden -time when 'wealth accumulated and men decayed?' Have you forgotten -what I told you last evening? Oqua will report the lesson from the -Transition Period in English for you and you can afford to give some -attention to your old friends, Iola, MacNair, Polaris, Dione and your -comrades of the Ice King."</p> - -<p>I looked around and found that while I had been musing, our party -had all gathered near me without attracting my attention and I said -apologetically: "I must have been dreaming."</p> - -<p>"Then you were dreaming with your eyes wide open," said Oqua. "I -noticed that you seemed to be unusually absorbed. What were you -thinking about?"</p> - -<p>"I was pondering," I replied, "how it was possible that this country -could ever have been cursed with poverty as the normal condition of -the masses of the people while the few were rich beyond the dreams of -avarice, and held those masses bound by fetters that they could not -break."</p> - -<p>"It is now time for the exercises to commence," said Norrena. "I will -explain the mystery in my address, at least so far as the leading -factors are concerned, for in its entirety it is indeed a long and -ghastly picture of human ignorance on one side and human<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> greed -directed by a morally perverted human intelligence on the other."</p> - -<p>The chairman called the meeting to order and stated that the first -thing on the program would be an address on the Transition Period, by -Norrena, the Continental Commissioner of Education. Without extended -preliminary remarks, the speaker opened the discussion of the question -under consideration from which I condense the following from Oqua's -report in English. Yet notwithstanding my short residence in the -country I believe that I could have given the gist of the address -myself without any assistance.</p> - -<p>"I need not," said the speaker, "enter into any lengthy explanation -before an institute of teachers, as to how our ancestors under the -old civilisation exchanged the products created by their labor for -products created by the labor of others, by the use of a law-created -medium of exchange called money. Neither need we trace the history of -many kinds of products and devices which were used in different ages -as a medium of exchange, such as cattle, slaves, shells, tobacco, the -skins of animals and certain stones and metals. These things are only -of interest to the antiquarian. It is enough to know for our present -purpose that money had originally been devised as a substitute for -barter, and marked the first step towards the establishment of a system -of exchanging products which required the exercise of a higher order -of mental faculties. During the early part of the Transition Period, -gold and silver were the exclusive materials from which money was -coined, except for sums of only a few cents, when the so-called baser -metals were used. As the supply of gold and silver was not equal to -the demands of business, banks were established<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> to issue notes to -circulate as money with the consent of both parties to the exchange. -These notes were made redeemable in gold and silver on the demand -of the holders, and at frequent intervals the banks failed and the -people lost the wealth which they had exchanged for the notes. This -was a transfer without compensation, of the actual values created by -the labor of the people, to the note issuing power, and this process, -oft-repeated, laid the foundations for many colossal fortunes.</p> - -<p>"In this connection, it may be well to note that in times of great -public danger when the metal coins disappeared from circulation, the -government exercised the right to issue a legal tender paper money to -meet the deficiency. It served all the purposes of gold, and often -in the midst of adversity and disaster brought great industrial -prosperity to the people. But when the danger had gone by, strange -as it may appear, the government funded this legal tender paper into -government bonds, payable, interest and principal, in coin. This -process of converting the debt paying medium of the country into an -interest bearing debt that must be paid in another kind of money -which had been hidden away by the more wealthy in times of danger, -was the foundation of the great bonded debt of this country which was -established during the Transition Period. This bonded debt was made -the basis of a national bank currency for the redemption of which, at -first in legal tender paper and coin, and later in gold, the people as -debtors to the banks were in the last analysis responsible. In other -words the national bank currency derived its sole value as a reliable -medium of exchange from the fact that it was based on the public -credit, and this public credit belonged to the people, but the private -banking associations got the benefit for the private<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> gain of their -stockholders, and the service rendered, cost the people many times its -worth.</p> - -<p>"During the Transition Period in this country the people had three -kinds of legal tender money, gold, silver, and paper, together with the -national bank notes which were a legal tender as between the people and -the government. At the close of this period, silver coin, and legal -tender paper were made redeemable by the government in gold, on the -demand of the holder; and all deferred payments were made payable in -gold on the demand of the creditor. The great bulk of the business of -the country among the people was transacted by the use of silver, paper -and bank notes but the holders of these forms of currency could demand -gold in exchange, and if for any cause the government failed to collect -enough gold from the people to meet the demand it became the duty of -the Secretary of the Treasury to sell interest bearing gold bonds to -meet the deficiency.</p> - -<p>"Such in brief, was the complicated, cumbersome and unscientific system -of exchanging, or distributing wealth, which existed under the old -civilization. The means of production being fixed by natural law were -the same then as now. Wealth always was and must always continue to -be, the product of human labor and skill applied to natural resources, -facilitated by such mechanical contrivances and business methods as -human skill may devise. But the system of distribution being entirely -under human control is continually changing as affected by human -impulses, whether they be selfish, as in the olden time, or altruistic -as they are now.</p> - -<p>"We now exchange a product for a product of equal value, for the -convenience and benefit of all, without any charge except for the -necessary labor expended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> in the production and distribution. But under -the old civilization the product was first exchanged for money and the -money was then exchanged with some one else for the product that was -wanted in return. As a method of exchanging one value for another, -this was a very awkward and unscientific process, but in and of itself -it was not necessarily unjust and oppressive; yet the system such as -it was, could be used by the greedy few who controlled the financial -and commercial affairs of the country, for the purpose of exacting -such exorbitant tribute from the many as would, and did, condemn the -millions to poverty. The few, with their superior business sagacity -took advantage of this semi-barbarous idea of a perpetual money token -which was supposed to contain within itself an actual value, equal to -the values which it was used to exchange, and they organized banking -as the chief factor in the mechanism of exchange among themselves, -which in its operations also gave them control of the perpetual money -tokens which the people must have to carry on their ordinary business -transactions with each other.</p> - -<p>"These shrewd financiers had no use for money except to pay balances, -and at the time of the end, ninety-seven per cent. of the great -business transactions of the country were carried on by means of -organised credit through banks and clearing houses. This system of -minimising the use of legal money through banking methods, as a matter -of course left a large surplus in the hands of the great operators, -which was loaned to the people, who in their unorganised condition were -compelled to pay cash. These loans bore various rates of interest, -but always much above the average increase of wealth, and very often -so exorbitant that the states for very shame's sake were compelled to -establish cer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>tain arbitrary rates beyond which the money lender dare -not go.</p> - -<p>"It will be seen at a glance that this system of transacting the -business of the country on a cash basis by the people and by organized -credit through banks by large operators who controlled finance and -commerce could not fail to give to the latter an enormous advantage -in the aggregate business of the country. The great masses of wealth -producers naturally became a debtor class. As all wealth was the -product of their labor, they must necessarily create the means of -paying all indebtedness, interest and principal. Hence they constituted -the interest paying masses while the comparatively small number -of large operators constituted a powerful creditor class who were -continually receiving interest, and hence always had money to loan or -invest in such a manner as to be able to receive more interest. And the -larger the interest-charge against the people, the more they needed -money and the more inclined they were to borrow. Cities and towns often -voted a bonded debt upon themselves for improvements, for the express -purpose of providing employment for the workers, so that business might -derive some temporary advantage by having the wages expended in their -midst. The great masses of the people did not realize that a part -of the same dollars they borrowed most go back to the lender to pay -interest, and that the consequent deficiency in the means of payment -could only be met by transferring to the creditor a portion of the -wealth created by their labor equal to the interest. And the larger the -aggregate indebtedness in proportion to the volume of money available -for debt paying purposes, the larger must be the deficiency to be met -out of their savings, or what should have been their net income from -the exercise of their producing power.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But the interest on loans, public and private was only a small -fraction of the burden of usury imposed upon the wealth producing -masses. All the large industrial, financial and commercial enterprises -of the country were on a debt-creating basis. Stock companies owned -the railroads of the country; the streetcars, waterworks, gasworks -and electric light and power plants of the cities; all the great -manufacturing, mining and commercial enterprises; the steamship lines, -and even vast bonanza farms and stock ranches. All these interests were -operated with a view to paying dividends on the stock in addition to -the operating expenses, and were therefore equivalent to a perpetual -interest bearing debt, the principal of which never could be paid.</p> - -<p>"This constructive indebtedness was intended to be perpetual, and its -volume was not limited to the actual cost of the various enterprises -that were incorporated. The railroads, for instance, sold stock to -many times the cost of the roads, or as it was called, 'watered their -stock,' and then they ordinarily bonded the roads for vast sums -besides. These bonded debts however, were very often created for the -purpose of bankrupting the companies for the enrichment of an 'inside -ring.' This process was known as 'freezing out the stockholders,' and -by thus reducing capitalization it was not necessary for the roads to -exact so much tribute from their patrons in order to pay dividends. -Other corporate enterprises also 'watered' their stock, and some -of them got such a hold upon the people that they continued to pay -exorbitant dividends on their fictitious valuation until they were -absorbed into the larger combination of the whole people.</p> - -<p>"At the close of the Transition Period the volume<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> of interest bearing -indebtedness and dividend earning investments was estimated at fifty -thousand millions, and the average cost to the people six per cent. -per annum, or an aggregate of three thousand millions every year to -be taken out of the wealth produced by the people. The bulk of these -obligations, public, corporate and private was held by the great -banking institutions which had been established by the corporation and -trust magnates, who practically owned the lands and all the machinery -of production and distribution. They owned not only the indebtedness -against the people but they controlled the medium by which it must be -paid, and on their demand under the law, this medium of final payment -was gold.</p> - -<p>"As this great creditor class was the principal employer of labor and -controlled both the buying and selling of products which the people -must have for the purposes of consumption, thus fixing both the income -and the expenses of the producer, it was not difficult to collect their -tribute. A pro rata of the great annual charge of interest, dividends -and profits against the people was collected from the producer in the -shape of a discount on what he had to sell, whether it was his labor -or its products. The remainder was charged up to consumption and -constituted a part of the price that was paid for every article that -was purchased. The cost to the consumer of every commodity purchased, -consisted of five distinct elements: First, interest on the money -supposed to be invested in its production and distribution; Second, -rent upon all the buildings in which it had been stored, which would -include cars or vessels used in transportation; Third, profit to -all who had handled the product; Fourth, its pro rata of taxation -and Fifth, the wages paid to the labor expended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> in its production, -transportation, superintendence and distribution. This fifth element in -the cost was all that went to useful labor, while the other elements -went to the great financial, industrial and commercial combines which -held the masses of the people in their grasp.</p> - -<p>"Of course under the operation of this system, where both the income -and the expenses of the producer were determined by this great -creditor class for its own selfish purposes, it is not strange that -the condition of the average toiler was one of poverty, nor is it -strange that a widespread spirit of unrest, and often of angry and -violent discontent threatened the peace of society and the perpetuity -of established institutions and a stable government. But to us, it does -indeed look strange that the brawny millions whose strong arms and -undaunted courage had conquered the untamed forces of nature and made -the wilderness a fit dwelling place for a refined and cultured people, -could have been bound, hand and foot, by such a gossamer thread as the -puny power of a few owners of gold. But when we take into consideration -the fundamental truth that mind controls matter, and that the few -who were at the top had cultivated brains while the many who were at -the bottom had only cultivated muscles, the mystery is solved. The -toiling masses had no conception of their power, and on their plane of -intelligence were utterly unable to hold their own against the wily -schemes of the more intelligent few.</p> - -<p>"At the time of which we speak, four-fifths of the aggregate wealth -of the country had passed into the hands of a small fraction of -the people, and millions were landless, homeless and dependent for -subsistence upon the crumbs, so to speak, that fell from the tables<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> -of their lordly masters who controlled every avenue to employment -and dictated the terms upon which they were permitted to live. Being -few in numbers, they could and did co-operate with each other for -their mutual advantage. All they had to do in order to keep wages at -a minimum was to leave a large number of applicants unemployed, and -hence very poor, who at all times, would be ready to take the place of -workmen who demanded more liberal wages. The self-employed farmers were -but little better off than the wage workers, as they were forced to -sell their products and purchase their supplies at prices fixed by the -great financial, industrial and commercial combines which controlled -the business of the country. Under the inequitable methods of exchange -which existed at that time, the masses of the people were powerless to -help themselves. The fortunate few who controlled money, dictated how -much they might receive for their labor or its products and how much of -the products created by the labor of others they could purchase with -the proceeds.</p> - -<p>"To us the natural remedy for discriminations of this kind, so unjust -and oppressive to the masses of the people seems so self-evident and -easy of application that it is not strange that many have been inclined -to doubt the correctness of much that is recorded in the history of -the economic conditions which existed under the old civilisation, when -human selfishness ruled supreme in business affairs. But when we take -into consideration the fact, that at that time, the world had never had -a single object lesson large enough to be seen by the great of mankind, -as to what would constitute an equitable system of distribution, we -are forced to the conclusion that the adverse conditions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> existing -during the Transition Period were just what might have been expected -under the circumstances. The few who had the ability to conduct the -business of the world did not understand that the productive power -of the earth is practically unlimited so that under an equitable -system of exchange there is absolutely no possibility of any person -being reduced to poverty. Then, too, the great masses were but a few -generations removed from a condition of absolute serfdom, and were -just what ages of drudgery had made them, and could not be expected to -take broad and comprehensive views of the great economic problems by -which they were confronted. The world had never known anything but the -private ownership of all the means of production and distribution and -the desire to lay up treasures was universally regarded as laudable -and praiseworthy. Under these circumstances neither the few who had -monopolized the earth nor the many who were disinherited could have -been reasonably expected to be other than they were. Both alike were -the product of long ages of growth. The wheat and the tares must -necessarily grow up together, nurtured by the same soil, until the -harvest is ready, and then the separation takes place strictly in -accordance with natural law.</p> - -<p>"The gold power which established itself in this country during the -Transition Period was an exotic that had been imported from the old -world. Its object was to control every nation on earth, for its own -gain, without being the loyal supporter of any. It had secured absolute -control over the nations of the Old World before it succeeded in -financially conquering the New. Whenever it succeeded in establishing -the gold standard in any country, it established its local<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> branch for -controlling that country's finances. Its first object was to promote -the creation of national bonded debts, payable, principal and interest, -in gold. For this purpose, it was always ready to loan money to carry -on wars, and each country could negotiate its loans through its own -local branch, but the creditor in every case, as a matter of fact, was -the international Gold Power of the world, which had no preferences -between nations but sought to impose a bonded debt alike upon all. -There was absolutely nothing patriotic about it. All it wanted, was -a lien upon the industries of the world, that would produce a steady -income in the shape of interest.</p> - -<p>"In this country, we had a Republican form of government and with our -vast area of public lands the people were more independent by far than -the people of any other country ever had been, notwithstanding the -fact that they were robbed unmercifully by the private banks which -issued notes and then suspended so that the notes which the people had -accepted for their property became worthless. At frequent intervals, -these bank panics reduced thousands of people to bankruptcy. But the -country was new and land could be had for the asking, so when pressed -to the wall, as it were, in the more populous districts along the -eastern border, they came west on the public lands, made new homes -and soon accumulated another competency. It is not strange that this -international Gold Power of the world cast longing eyes upon a country -that was so productive, and could recover so rapidly from industrial -depressions and financial disasters.</p> - -<p>"For nearly one hundred years after the establishment of our Republic, -notwithstanding the prevalent 'wild cat' banking system as it was -called and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> absurd reverence for the so-called precious metals, -the people of this country were practically independent of the great -Gold Power which had its headquarters in Atlan. While the founders of -the Republic had made gold and silver coin the standard money of the -country, they reserved the right to issue treasury notes and also to -make them a legal tender, and as there was no great debt, and land -could be had for the asking, the economic independence of the people -could not be entirely crushed out, and therefore Altruria offered an -effectual barrier to the encroachments of the gold power. Before the -people could be actually subjugated financially, a vast bonded debt -must be created, and in order to induce the people to agree to such a -debt, the life of the Republic must be placed in jeopardy. A foreign -war was not to be thought of, as it would arouse to fever heat all of -the innate democratic hatred against aristocratic rule of every name -and description, but a war between the states would serve the same -purpose.</p> - -<p>"The conditions that made such an interstate struggle possible, had -unintentionally been provided for by the founders of the Republic. At -the time when the Republic was established the colored people were held -as slaves in nearly all of the original colonies. This institution was -regarded by the founders of the Republic, as inconsistent with the -spirit of its institutions, and it was unsparingly denounced as the -'sum of all villainies' by a large number; and one state after another -emancipated its slaves, and new free states were admitted, until the -country was practically half slave and half free.</p> - -<p>"In the manufacturing states uncultured slave labor was not profitable -and hence there was but little objection to its abolition. But in -the agricultural<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> states such labor was valuable, as the old world -furnished an unfailing market for all the surplus products. The gold -power of Atlan took advantage of the situation to sow the seeds of -discord between the two sections.</p> - -<p>"Missionaries were sent into the manufacturing states, papers -established and literature distributed appealing to the sympathies of -the people in behalf of the slaves and creating a public sentiment -against the slaveholding states. These anti-slavery missionaries came -in the name of religion and humanity and it cannot be denied that ample -grounds existed for all that could be said against chattel slavery, -but the PURPOSES for which the anti-slavery agitation was used by the -Gold Power were, if possible, to destroy the Republic, or failing in -this, involve the country in an interstate war and induce the patriotic -lovers of liberty to consent to the establishment of a vast bonded debt.</p> - -<p>"Another class of missionaries were sent into the slaveholding states -and another class of literature circulated, proclaiming that 'cotton is -king' and that if Free Trade with all the world was established, the -planters would be the wealthiest and happiest people on earth. That all -that stood in the way was the union with the anti-slavery states, which -sought to abolish the 'peculiar institution' that enabled the planters -to produce such a magnificent surplus, which the Old World stood ready -to take in unlimited quantities, at high prices in gold, just as soon -as Free Trade could be established. To secure this grand victory for -agriculture, all that was needed was to dissolve the union with the -anti-slavery states and their pet hobby of tariff duties on imported -goods.</p> - -<p>"Both sections of the country were flooded with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> literature, all -of which contained enough of truth to make it attractive to honest -people, and enough of misrepresentation to engender the most bitter -and antagonistic feelings between them. The institution of slavery -was wrong, in and of itself, but the anti-slavery agitators ignored -the fact that the masses of the slaves were not qualified for -self-government, and that the perpetuity of free institutions depended -upon the intelligence of the voters. They did not try to convert -the slaveholding states to the policy of educating their slaves and -preparing them for freedom, but they went to the non-slaveholding -states and demanded the immediate and unconditional abolition of -slavery in the other section. This was, as a matter of course, most -exasperating to the people of the slave states who in their capacity as -independent states felt themselves amply competent to attend to their -own affairs.</p> - -<p>"In the political discussions of that time, half truths served all the -purposes of full grown falsehoods as a means of deluding the people. -The Free Trade agitators of the slave states were unqualifiedly right -when they called attention to the fact that all import duties were -a tax upon the people in proportion to their expenses instead of -their incomes and were therefore unjust and oppressive to the great -masses of the people; but they ignored the fact that the absolute -Free Trade that did exist between all sections of the country was of -vastly more importance to the slaveholding states, than Free Trade -with any foreign country could possibly be. The manufacturing states -of their own country were over two thousand miles nearer to them than -the manufacturing countries of the Old World, and that fact, with a -fair compensation to labor would have given them an assured market for -their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> surplus products without paying transportation charges both ways -across the ocean.</p> - -<p>"But the leading object of these Free Trade agitators, was to appeal -to the selfish impulses of the few who owned slaves, and to the race -prejudices of the masses of non-slaveholders, by telling them that the -abolitionists proposed to place them on terms of political and social -equality with the slaves. They were taught to believe that under the -prevailing tariff regulations, they were taxed for the special benefit -of the 'mudsills' of the manufacturing states, who being low down in -the social scale themselves wanted to bring the proud, chivalrous -people of the slave states down to the level of their chattel slaves.</p> - -<p>"As a matter of fact, neither the producing masses of the Free States -or the non-slaveholders of the slave states had the remotest conception -that the international gold power of Atlan was taking advantage of the -discussion of slavery and free trade through its paid agents, to sow -the seeds of discord between the two sections of the Great Republic -of the New World. And they permitted their resentments for fancied -wrongs to be fanned into a flame of fierce indignation, which, as was -intended, culminated in a bloody strife and the creation of a vast -bonded debt.</p> - -<p>"This fratricidal struggle lasted nearly five years, and when it ended, -the people found themselves in debt, billions of dollars, to a class of -people who had speculated on their necessities. The unsuspecting masses -on both sides had bared their breasts to the storm of battle, endured -all the privations and suffered all the losses, and were in debt for -all the expenses of the war <span class="smcap">INCLUDING THEIR OWN SERVICES</span>, to -an international money power which ruled the world.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> - -<p>"In order to carry on the war, paper money was issued and paid out -to the soldiers, sailors and citizens for their services. This money -performed all the functions of gold and notwithstanding the fact that -the people were engaged in a most destructive war, it stimulated -all branches of business and brought on an era of great industrial -prosperity. But after the war was over this same paper money which had -been paid to the people as the original creditors of the government, -and for which they had signed receipts in full for their services, -was converted into interest bearing bonds, and these same soldiers, -sailors and citizens were taxed to pay to those who speculated on their -necessities in the hour of danger, the same debt that had originally -been due to themselves, and for which they had received legal tender -paper money.</p> - -<p>"But had the process of funding the legal tender debt paying medium of -the country into bonds ceased at this point, the international gold -power of the world would never have been able to financially subjugate -the people of this country, as under the law creating the bonds, the -debt was payable in legal tender paper money. So another step must be -taken. The debt had been created and a large portion of the money had -been burned, but the bonds did not call for gold, except for interest. -Hence a law was enacted resuming specie payments, and the bonds were -made payable in coin, and now the people who had taken paper dollars -for their services in saving the union, were taxed to pay gold dollars -to the money kings for the paper dollars they had received.</p> - -<p>"We can scarcely conceive at this distant day, how it was possible -for our ancestors to have been so stupid, as not to see through this -outrage that was perpetrated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> upon them, but nevertheless, history -records the fact that for thirty odd years after this bare faced -legalised robbery had been committed, a vast majority of men were -voting their approval, which was proclaimed throughout the world as the -triumph of patriotic statesmanship.</p> - -<p>"As the direct result of this kind of financial legerdemain, which -converted the <span class="smcap">debt-paying</span> medium of the country into an -<span class="smcap">interest-bearing debt</span>, the wages of labor and the prices of -products steadily declined, business enterprises were wound up in -bankruptcy at the rate of more than one thousand per month and millions -of workmen were forced into idleness and thronged the highways in all -parts of the country, demoralized, degraded and becoming a sure menace -to civilization.</p> - -<p>"As a result of the war between the states, chattel slavery had been -abolished, but another form of industrial servitude, the wage system, -had fallen heir to all of its worst features. The owners of the -chattel slaves had the power to be oppressive and cruel, but personal -interest demanded that the slave should always be provided with food, -shelter and raiment, while the wage slave could be turned out to starve -when from sickness, age of any other cause it was more profitable to -dispense with his services. The wage slave, who must work or starve was -serving a much more exacting and cruel master than the most heartless -owner of chattel slaves ever could have been. In the great sphere of -human servitude the tables had been completely turned. While the slave -owner had always been very careful not to give his chattel slaves an -opportunity to run away, the wage slave very often lived in a perpetual -dread that his master would pay him off and tell him to go.</p> - -<p>"Conditions such as these could not fail to arouse a widespread feeling -of dissatisfaction and as every man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> had a vote, political agitation -was the logical result of the situation and politicians were kept -busy in defending old policies and proposing new ones, all for the -professed purpose of securing better conditions for the great masses -of the people. A slight glance at a few of the popular economic and -political ideas of that time indicates the average status of popular -intelligence, and is therefore useful in tracing the evolutionary -forces which were operating at that time for the elimination of -selfishness and the establishment of equity in human affairs.</p> - -<p>"As the times grew harder, the politicians of the old school told the -people that the over production of wealth was the cause of all their -poverty and distress, and for a time the great masses seemed to be -satisfied with this explanation. They did not pause to inquire how it -was possible for them to produce so much food and clothing and build so -many houses, and for that reason be compelled to go hungry, dress in -rags and be without shelter.</p> - -<p>"Further on, this same class of politicians told the people that what -they needed was to make their silver and paper money redeemable in -gold and then they would have a dollar that would purchase more, and -a majority of the people decided in favor of the gold standard. They -did not reflect, that the larger the purchasing power of the dollar -might be, the more of their labor it would require in order to get -the dollar, and so without understanding what they were doing, the -laboring masses of the country actually voted to decrease the money -earning power of their own labor. But had they decided in favor of -more money, while their wages would have gone up, their cost of living -would have increased and they would not have been materially benefited -except incidentally, as a part of the great debtor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> class, which was -required to pay interest as part of the price of everything purchased -for consumption. And we may add, that but for the fact that the great -masses who produced wealth by their labor, constituted a debtor class, -the advantages and disadvantages between a larger or smaller volume of -money, would have formed a perfect equation, and the condition of the -masses would neither have been better nor worse, as in either case, the -banks would have determined the amount that was permitted to circulate -among the people, by making or withholding loans as might at the time, -best promote their own interests.</p> - -<p>"While the Gold Power was international in its character, and not -loyal to any country, it always took an active interest in moulding -the opinions of the dominant political parties of all countries. It -was necessary for it to have at least two favorites among the dominant -parties, so that by turns they might spring reforms, so-called, -based on half truths, to attract the constantly increasing number -of dissatisfied voters. The demand for an increased volume of money -in order to raise the wages of labor and the price of farm products -was a question of this character, and it was sufficient to sidetrack -and head off a more searching investigation as to the real causes of -poverty. This was met by the demand for a better quality of money that -would purchase more goods. The arguments in favor of both, contained -half truths which were dwelt upon with great force, but the success -of either, still left the gold power, directly or indirectly, in a -position to control the situation.</p> - -<p>"The same thing was true in regard to the tariff question which -the gold power made a dominant issue between its favorite parties. -The question itself could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> be used to call attention away from the -question of finance, which had a more direct bearing upon the vital -matter of <span class="smcap">EXCHANGE</span> and was therefore more likely to educate -the people to a point where they could no longer be deluded by an -ingenious discussion of half truths. This question, in order to be -made available for the purposes of the gold power, must necessarily -have two <span class="smcap">SEEMINGLY</span> antagonistic political parties to go -before the people. One party advocated a tariff-for-revenue, with Free -Trade arguments, while the other advocated a tariff-for-protection, -and appealed to the laboring classes to maintain liberal wages for -themselves by voting for a high tariff that would exclude foreign goods.</p> - -<p>"The positions taken by these parties were about equally delusive and -neither would have in the least delayed the dangerous encroachments -of the gold power. A tariff-for-revenue could in no sense be a Free -Trade party, but it did propose to raise revenue by duties on imports. -This duty would of course be paid by the people as part of the price -of the goods which they consumed, and hence the tax would be in -proportion to their expenses without any reference to their incomes. -Those who expended their entire incomes in consumption would be taxed -upon the whole, while those who expended only a small fraction, would -be taxed only on the fraction so expended. As a system of taxation -it is difficult to conceive of one that would be more unequal in its -bearings, and more oppressive to people of small incomes.</p> - -<p>"On the other hand the tariff-for-protection party, proposed to make -the duties on imports so high that foreign productions would be kept -out, and the home market secured to the employers of home labor. -This,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> it was claimed, would enable the employers of labor to pay -higher wages, which was true; but the selfishness of the heartless -employer, was always in favor of keeping wages at a minimum and the -noble, generous, employer could not afford to pay any more. If he did, -his heartless competitor would undersell him in the market and destroy -his business. Hence we are not surprised that statistics proved the -tendency of wages to be toward a minimum under both parties—that is, -a sum barely sufficient to provide food, clothing and shelter, and to -enable the workman to raise other toilers to take his place when he was -no longer able to work.</p> - -<p>"Under this tariff-for-protection policy, the revenues raised were just -as oppressive and unjust to people of small incomes as under the policy -of 'a tariff for revenue only,' but with this additional burden, that -the increased price of home products was assessed upon the people in -the same unequal manner. But on the other side, more home labor could -be employed, which benefited the workmen in protected industries at -the expense of the classes which were not protected. Of course, even -the tariff-for-protection party which had so much to say in favor of -holding the home market for home products, never seriously intended to -exclude foreign products, as that would have put an end to all revenue.</p> - -<p>"These delusive theories of a tariff for revenue and a tariff for -protection, served the purposes of the Gold Power, by calling the -attention of the people away from the real difficulty which stood -in the way of wealth producers. All that the people needed was an -opportunity to apply their labor to natural resources, and be able to -exchange their products for products of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> equal value, produced by the -labor of others. The foreign trade of the country was a matter of small -importance compared with the home trade. If at almost any time during -the latter part of the Transition Period, the people of this country -had been guaranteed just such rations as were provided for soldiers, -or even convicts, there would have been no surplus for exportation; -and had the whole people been provided with all the clothing that -was needed to keep them well clad, it would have taken the entire -product of wool, flax, cotton and leather. But the press of that day, -religious as well as secular, was to such a large extent under the -control of the Gold Power, that facts such as these were kept away -from the masses of the people. And it may be added in this connection, -that the educational system of the country was controlled by this same -power to suppress the truth on economic questions, and many eminent -scholars were removed from professorships in the higher institutions of -learning, because they refused to teach such sophistries as suited the -purposes of the Gold Power.</p> - -<p>"In our very brief mention of the political agitations of that time we -have only referred to the leading measures advocated by the dominant -political parties. It is due however to even that benighted age to -state, that at every step taken by the international Gold Power to -financially conquer the world, a few of the more enlightened and -self-sacrificing spirits, boldly exposed the financial wrongs which -were being perpetrated against the people for the still further -enrichment of the money kings of the Old World and their agents and -co-workers in the great centers of wealth in this country. But these -courageous, clear headed and humanity loving pioneers of a higher<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> -civilization were frowned down as dangerous agitators and enemies -of law and order, and every foul epithet was applied to them. If in -business, they were boycotted, and if belonging to the ranks of labor, -they were blacklisted and in many cases imprisoned on false charges, -and some were even executed for crimes which they did not commit. And -yet the measures of reform they advocated along political lines were -usually of such a nature that had they been enacted into law they would -only have prolonged, for a few decades perhaps, the false system which -pauperized and degraded the toiling millions.</p> - -<p>"So much for the political agitations which had for their ostensible -object the improvement of the economic condition of the great masses -of the people. Yet they did much good as a means of educating the -more intelligent into a better understanding of the situation, and -revealed the apparently utter hopelessness of ever being able to secure -necessary reforms by political action, as no matter how pure at first -might be the objects of a political party, just as soon as it was -successful, and offices were in sight, the work of corruption set in -and its principles became subordinate in the minds of its leaders, to -the more profitable occupation of office seeking.</p> - -<p>"But other more potent factors than political agitation, were at -work among the masses in the shape of great industrial organizations -of farmers and wage-workers. These organizations as a rule were -strictly non-political. The farmers sought to secure higher prices -for the products of the farm without any regard for the interests of -the millions of wage-workers and others upon whom they depended for -a market. Another object of the farmers was to reduce their cost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> -of living by securing lower prices on their implements and other -supplies. By concentrating their trade and taking advantage of the -competition between dealers they often succeeded in securing very much -reduced prices on goods, and this furnished what was regarded as a -legitimate excuse for reducing the wages of the employes engaged in -their manufacture. This reduction of wages crippled the market for farm -products and offended both the employer and the workmen, so in the end -the farmers defeated themselves and succeeded in arraying all other -classes of people against them.</p> - -<p>"But it was the wage-workers who suffered the most from the great -oligarchy of wealth which had been established in the name of the -people for the express purpose of exacting profits from the industrial -classes. They organized Trade Unions which ultimately federated into -one great national organization with a view to securing higher wages -and fewer hours of labor without any regard to the interests of the -consumers of their products. The number of workmen in these Trade -Unions were at all times but a small fraction of the multitude which -depended upon wages. As a rule the purposes and methods of these -labor organizations were in practice, if not in theory, based upon -the same false principles that characterized the industrial despotism -against which they were protesting. Selfishness was a distinguishing -characteristic and a fatal defect. The skilled workman who had -employment, cared but little for the non-Union workman of his own craft -except as a possible competitor for his job, and nothing whatever for -the great masses of common laborers who were so numerous and so poor -that organization could do them no good as a means of maintaining -wages. The union workman recognized no interest in common with the -unemployed outside of his own fraternity.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Instead of banding together to devise ways and means by which all -could find employment, the Trade Unions sought only to secure work and -maintain wages for the comparatively small number who were members in -good standing. Hence in case of strikes and lockouts the unemployed -workmen were actuated by the same selfish motives and did not hesitate -to take their places whenever they could be protected from violence. -And whenever they did so, the union workmen made war upon them. -While they recognized the relation of master and servant as one that -was to be perpetuated, they denied the right of the 'scabs' as they -were called, to accept employment from THEIR masters, no matter how -destitute they might be.</p> - -<p>"Neither did they question the right of employers, who in the days -of the old civilization were principally powerful corporations, to -control the enactment and the enforcement of the laws. As a rule, -the workmen divided their voting power between the political parties -which were controlled by their masters. With such evident inability -to grasp the situation in which they were placed, it is not strange -that the employers were enabled to obtain absolute control of every -branch of government, state and national, legislative, executive and -judicial, notwithstanding the fact that every laborer had a vote which -counted just as much as that of the most wealthy corporation magnate. -Conspiracy laws were enacted which could be used for their suppression -as occasion required. The right of trial by jury was denied by the -courts, and the champions of labor were imprisoned for long terms for -disobeying the mandates of the courts. Finally the Supreme Court, in -the case of a sailor who had refused to serve for the period for which -he had hired, decided that his employer had a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> right to hold him in -bondage until the expiration of the contract; that the ownership over -himself had ceased for the time specified, and that the constitutional -provision which prohibited involuntary servitude did not apply to such -as him. One of the labor papers of that time characterized this opinion -of the Court as the '<span class="smcap">Fugitive Sailor Decision</span>,' a name by -which it is known in the history of those dark days of the Transition -Period.</p> - -<p>"But unfriendly legislation and one-sided court decisions, were not -the only factors in crushing the hopes of labor. This was a period -of wonderful scientific discoveries of natural forces and mechanical -inventions by which they could be utilized in saving labor. The -grandmothers who boasted that they could spin three miles of thread -in one day, from sunrise to sunset, lived to see their little -granddaughters spin three thousand miles in ten hours with the aid -of machinery. Similar improvements were introduced into every branch -of industry. The machinery belonged to the employer and he added the -saving to his profit. He did not need so many workmen to produce all -that the people were able to purchase, and the workmen were dismissed -to join the mighty army of the unemployed. For a time certain skilled -workmen were enabled to maintain living wages by means of organization, -but continued improvements in machinery ultimately enabled common -laborers to take their places, and reduced the number of experts -required, to such a degree, that their condition was but little better -than that of the unskilled. Among the best paid organizations of the -olden time was the Locomotive Engineers, but ultimately, electricity -took the place of steam, and a motor-man from the ranks of common -labor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> took the places of both an engineer and a fireman. The machine -displaced three-fourths of the printers at first, and later a still -larger number of what remained, by introducing the principles of -multiplex telegraphy, which enabled one expert to operate machines at -the same time in a number of separate offices in different parts of the -world whenever the copy was the same.</p> - -<p>"Labor economists called attention to this displacement of labor -by machinery, but the press and the politicians in the service of -the corporations claimed, that this cheapening of production was of -great benefit to the people by securing a corresponding reduction in -prices. Finally, after a persistent agitation for years, the national -Commissioner of Labor was required to make a careful examination, -and in his report, among a multitude of similar items, we find that -the labor cost of a five-dollar hat was only thirty-four cents; a -ten-dollar plow, seventy-nine cents and so on to the end of a long -catalogue of commodities which the people always needed. The question -was, Who got the difference between the amount received by the -actual producer and the price paid by the consumer? The answer was -self-evident; outside of clerk hire, it must have gone to pay profits -in some form to non-producers. But after this official demonstration -that the 'lion's share' of the wealth created by productive labor went -to nonproducing speculators, the great masses of the people still -continued to use their influence to perpetuate this inequitable system -which practically confiscated the wealth created by their labor to pay -profits on speculative investments.</p> - -<p>"The mass of the small dealers of that time were no better off, in -many respects, than the wealth producing laborers, but being in some -sense a part of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> the profit-exacting system, they held to it longer, -in the vain hope that a time might come when by some fortuitous turn -in business, or lucky speculation, they could amass millions. As a -class they had never devoted themselves to an earnest and careful study -of economic questions, but as long as the people came and purchased -goods and left a profit in their hands, they were satisfied, and -paid no attention to the far reaching influences which were surely -paving the way to their ultimate failure in business. Hence it was -not until just before the end of the old civilization that they began -to realize that something was the matter. Sharp competition among the -large number of small dealers reduced the average profits below a fair -compensation for the labor expended, and large combines with unlimited -money capital, were able to meet the universal demand for cheap goods. -The dealers were finding themselves crowded out of business. They -blamed their customers for not giving them the preference, even if the -large department stores could afford to sell for less. They demanded -legislation against the large stores and took an active interest in the -Anti-Trust agitation of the time.</p> - -<p>"This opposition to Trusts and Department stores, like the farmer's -organizations and trade unions, took a very narrow view of the -situation. They saw their profits decreasing and their sole object was -to prevent this, without any reference to the interests of the people -who as purchasers of goods must pay all the profits. The masses of -the people understood their motives and did not hesitate to patronize -Department stores and purchase Trust products, provided they could get -them for less. They might have been able to protect themselves from the -inordinate greed of the trusts and combines, by taking their customers -into partnership and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> with their assistance organizing consumption and -thus controlling distribution for the equal benefit of all. This would -have been in exact accordance with the ideal that had been handed down -in their system of religion, that we should always do unto others as we -would have them do unto us.</p> - -<p>"The entire history of Altruria as an independent republic belongs to -the Transition Period in the progress of the world and in a larger, -but not so well defined a sense it extends to the discovery of the -continent, and even to an earlier period, distinguished by the -breaking up of the ancient religious hierarchy and the introduction -of a constantly increasing number of warring sects. These were the -evolutionary forces developed under the operations of natural law, in -strict accordance with the constitution of the human mind, which always -tends towards the utmost possible development of the race, physically, -mentally and morally. These forces in the early stages of human -development, work so slowly, that even the best trained intellects do -not discover their existence and hence have no power to intelligently -co-operate with them, with a view to accelerating their own progress -upward toward the highest possible planes of development. But, it was -during the last fifty years of this Transition Period, that all these -forces became more apparent to the careful historian, and it is these -to which I have more particularly directed your attention.</p> - -<p>"Human selfishness on the lower planes of development constitutes the -first step in the development of that higher selfhood, which is the -predominating characteristic on the higher planes. During the last -fifty years of the Transition Period, human selfishness, in the baser -sense, was making its last struggle for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> existence as the controlling -factor in human affairs. All classes of people were inspired to action -by selfish interests, and these interests could not fail to clash. Out -of this clashing between forces they ultimately learned that the best -and highest interest of every individual could always be secured by -carefully guarding the interest of every other individual. Out of this -was evolved our present universal rule, which governs our relations -towards each other, of 'each for all and all for each,' and hence all -are equally secure in the exercise of every natural right and in the -possession of absolute economic independence.</p> - -<p>"The Gold Power sought for and secured universal dominion over all the -nations of the earth and there being no other nations to conquer, in -its inordinate greed, it continued to impose additional burdens upon -the people. This met opposition, first from one class and then from -another, but all these movements were animated by the same element of -selfishness which characterized the Gold Power. The farmers organized -to secure better conditions for themselves without any regard to the -interests of the millions of wage workers and others upon whom they -depended for a market. The workmen organized to secure better wages -for the members of their unions with no regard for any other class -of people, or even for other workmen who did not belong to their -fraternity. At the close of the old system the small dealers and -manufacturers were unanimous against the encroachments of the vast -combines who could undersell them, but they ignored the interests of -the great mass of consumers upon whom they depended for a market. -Selfishness, in the baser sense, guaranteed the failure of all these -movements. No one class of people, seeking to promote its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> own selfish -interests was able to hold its own against the superior intelligence of -the great financiers who had planned to financially conquer the world -by controlling the world's supply of gold through an organized system -of creating debts both actual, for borrowed money, and constructive as -investments which exacted tribute from the wealth producing classes. -This process of debt creating continued until in this country the -entire volume of sixteen hundred millions of money of all kinds -would have paid but a fraction of the annual charge for interest, -dividends, etc., upon investments and all the gold in the world, about -$4,000,000,000 would have paid but a fraction of the principal.</p> - -<p>"But another, and in the end the most potent evolutionary force which -was destined to emancipate the people, was the arousing of the moral -sense of large numbers who had never turned their attention to the -study of economic science but whose souls revolted at the conditions -imposed upon vast multitudes of people. The Gold Power while still a -mighty factor in the control of the religious press and a large number -of the leading religious teachers of the country, was not able to still -the voice of the truest disciples of Krystus, and these demanded that -the spirit of the founder of their religion should be exemplified in -the practical every day affairs of life. They well understood that if -the people were doing to each other as they would have others do to -them, there could be no such thing as poverty, with all its tendencies -towards vice and crime. These pioneers of a Diviner Civilization, with -nothing but a theological training, were perhaps not clear in their own -minds, as to just how this Golden Rule could be applied in business -under the prevailing financial and commercial systems<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> of the country, -but they did believe that the ideal in every human relation could be -realized, and they insisted that the effort should be made by every -true follower of Krystus, to establish the dominion of good upon earth -to the end that righteousness might prevail in human affairs.</p> - -<p>"For this grand culmination, the operation of the evolutionary forces -for the last fifty years had been a post-graduate course for the -workers who were to set the machinery in motion, on the material plane, -by which all the crushing burdens imposed by Greed could be easily and -speedily removed. And in this course, the mistakes made by the people -had been the most potent educators. The producing classes had been -induced to organize because they felt that they were not getting their -just share in the distribution of wealth; but to save that which was -lost in the distribution, they made the strange mistake of organizing -as producers. The farmer had no need of an organization, to enable him -to produce more wealth. The soil would produce just as much without -such organization as with it. The same thing was true of mechanics, -miners and other wage-workers, who organized in their capacity of -wealth producers. But as consumers they could all stand on one -platform, and being the market upon which all producers must depend, -they would be masters of the situation. With an equal distribution of -the benefits of such organization of consumption, it would be just as -easy to pay dividends to labor, and thus increase their share in the -distribution, as it was to pay dividends on capitalistic investments.</p> - -<p>"So it was, that at a time when every thing seemed hopeless, the few -who never yield to disappointments, and who had made an exhaustive -study of existing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> economic conditions reinforced the earnest followers -of Krystus who were demanding the application of the Golden Rule in -business by formulating methods by which this much desired result could -be attained. They had studied the moral problem that confronted the -religionists, from the objective side, and understood just how it must -be solved along business lines. Inasmuch as all material wealth was -created by labor, and distributed by being bought and sold, it followed -as a logical sequence, that there was but one way by which every useful -worker could secure a just share in the distribution, and that was to -take charge of the business of exchange (buying and selling) and divide -the benefits equally among all who united their efforts to establish -the largest possible round of exchange between producers and consumers. -This was simply the organization of the market for the express purpose -of establishing Equity in Distribution, by paying dividends to labor. -The people had at last discovered the vital truth upon which the -application of the Golden Rule depends, that <span class="smcap">Organized Consumption -Controls Distribution</span>.</p> - -<p>"Organizations of consumers were effected with a view to concentrating -their purchasing power through channels of their own, not to reduce -prices, but to pool the net profits into a common fund for the equal -benefit of all the members. A portion of this was set aside as an -educational fund to extend the work, and the remainder was used to pay -dividends to the members who, as customers, had paid the profits into -the common treasury. This was known as the "Dividend to Labor," and it -was always distributed equally, as it had been secured by the united -purchasing power of all the members. And, in order to secure this fund, -which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> belonged alike to all, no member had added one cent to his or -her cost of living. It was all a saving, as between the new equitable -system of exchange and the old and wasteful profit system. This was a -<span class="smcap">PROFIT-SAVING BUSINESS MACHINE</span> of which the <span class="smcap">PRODUCERS</span> -who constituted, in the main, the great markets of the world, <span class="smcap">COULD -NOT BE DEPRIVED</span>, and <span class="smcap">WITH THIS</span>, it became a matter of -indifference as to who had immediate control of the <span class="smcap">LABOR-SAVING -MACHINERY</span> of <span class="smcap">PRODUCTION</span>.</p> - -<p>"This movement had its origin in the West where the people were more -inclined to think for themselves, but the benefits were so decided -and so easily secured, that it spread rapidly. The first exchanges -demonstrated that the use of money could be very largely minimized, -and banks were established as depositories for all the money that -came into their hands, and to facilitate their financial relations -with unorganized communities where money was still a necessity. These -savings of money, were held as a sacred trust, to enable the members to -pay taxes, and debts, in cases where the creditor could not be induced -to take products at a fair price. Among themselves they used exchange -certificates which were issued on the deposit of products or money, and -for necessary labor. These certificates being issued on values which -were seeking a market and redeemed in products needed for consumption -and cancelled, constituted an ideal currency that was always just equal -to the demand,—neither more nor less.</p> - -<p>"The people learned by experience how easy it was to minimize the use -of money, and the tendency of this decrease in the demand for money, -was to relatively increase the amount in circulation. It was easy now, -for the most unfamiliar with business methods,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> to understand how -the large operators, under the old system, had enriched themselves -by making their settlements through great clearing houses where one -obligation cancelled another and only two or three per cent. of money -had been used to pay balances; and they could see how even this balance -among wealth producers, could take the shape of a check against future -production and money be entirely eliminated as a medium in the exchange -of wealth.</p> - -<p>"All the people who were doing their buying and selling through these -exchanges were regularly supplied with carefully prepared literature -on economic questions and business methods, and of general information -as to the trend of current events, the progress of the new order which -placed business on an ethical basis and all matters of advantage -for an independent, cultured citizenship to understand. Then for -the first time, the multitudes began to realize the weakness of the -fragile thread by which they had been bound to the triumphal car of -Capitalism. Their experience gave them confidence. They used the same -business methods for the benefit of the many that had enabled the -few to concentrate in their own hands four-fifths of the wealth of -the country. It was therefore no untried experiment. They were only -exercising the same kind of business sagacity that had been used by -the money kings to financially conquer the world. Just in proportion -as they decreased the demand for money, it flowed in upon them in -exchange for their products at a steadily increasing price. They had -established a <span class="smcap">DEBT-PAYING</span> instead of a <span class="smcap">DEBT-CREATING</span> -system of business, and in the course of time their debts were all -paid, the necessity for legal money had disappeared, the people were -free from its exactions, and all they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> had to do was to produce what -they consumed and consume what they produced, exchanging equivalent -for equivalent for the equal benefit of all. And thus the world had -been saved from its thralldom to Greed by the establishment of the -'Kingdom of God and His Righteousness' as had been enjoined by Krystus -at the beginning of the old religious system two thousand years -before. This which was enjoined at the beginning of the Dispensation -was <span class="smcap">REALIZED</span> at its close and hence the <span class="smcap">First became the -Last</span>, because the <span class="smcap">Last</span> was <span class="smcap">the First reduced to -practice in human affairs</span>."</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus02.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Bona Dea—Matron's Home—Pre-natal Influences—Improving the -Airships—Battell Explains—Plans for the Future—Museum of Universal -History—Relics of the Past—Building toward our Ideals—Law of Human -Progress—Presaging the Future—Profit causes Poverty—Equitable -Exchange the Remedy.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus15.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>S I listened to Norrena's description of the financial and commercial -system which had once existed in Altruria, I could not help but notice -its close similarity to the system which prevailed in the outer world. -As he elucidated the international and seemingly unlimited power that -had been exercised by the owners of gold, and how it would take all the -gold in the world to pay a small fraction of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> annual interest on -the obligations held against the people, my heart sank within me at the -utter hopelessness of their condition.</p> - -<p>I was expecting to hear that the people in their desperation had -blotted this power from the earth with fire and sword, but the speaker -finished with merely a description of a more equitable system of -transacting business. Just as he had come to this most interesting -place in the discussion, the Institute closed and took a recess for -dinner, and MacNair began to introduce us to the superintendents of -many of the large educational institutions of the country who were -members.</p> - -<p>As we were leaving the hall Oqua joined us, accompanied by a -magnificent looking woman whom she introduced to me as Bona Dea, the -superintendent of the Matron's home at Lake Byblis, saying:</p> - -<p>"My dear Nequa, I want you to learn that in Altruria we commence the -education of children before they are born. This is what these Matron's -homes are established for, and Bona Dea is superintendent of one of the -oldest, largest and most thoroughly equipped institutions of this kind -in the world. I want you to make her acquaintance, and I doubt not that -you will become fast friends."</p> - -<p>"I am indeed glad to meet you," I said, "as I want to learn all that I -can about these, to me, strange educational institutions."</p> - -<p>"And I," said Bona Dea, "shall be happy to give you any information in -my power. Oqua informs me that you are preparing a book descriptive of -our civilization, and I am much interested as an Altrurian in what it -may present to the people of the outer world."</p> - -<p>"Yes," I said. "And by all means, I want it to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> contain a review of -these Matron's homes, and all that can be learned in regard to their -origin, and the good they are designed to accomplish for humanity."</p> - -<p>"That, indeed," said Bona Dea, "would constitute a most important -volume in a series, but it should not be the first one in a thorough -treatment of the evolutionary forces which work for the development of -the race toward higher and better conditions."</p> - -<p>"Then," I said, "would you have me ignore this, to me, most singular -system of commencing the education of children before they are born?"</p> - -<p>"There is nothing singular about the system," said Bona Dea. "Even -the savages of the olden time did the same thing, but they did not -know it. The mothers were surrounded by the conditions of savagery, -and their children were born predisposed to become savages. These -pre-natal influences are in fact the commencing point in the education -of every child that is born, as they pre-dispose the child to a -life of usefulness, or the reverse, according to the character of -the influences. The object which our Matron's homes are designed to -accomplish is to provide the best possible conditions, to start the -child with a strong, healthy body and mind, with a kindly disposition -and elevated aspirations toward the highest possible intellectual and -moral development."</p> - -<p>"If such results," I said, "can be secured by the establishment of -these homes, you certainly would not dissuade me from an exhaustive -review of the entire question?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," she said, "but as a teacher of your people I would -have you follow the natural law and begin your work at the beginning. -From what I can learn, your own country is now passing through its -Tran<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>sition Period, similar to that described in Norrena's lecture, -and hence the first great duty of your people is to abolish poverty. -When the fear of want is removed from every household the first effect -will be to place better pre-natal conditions around the mothers, and -the next generation will be placed on a higher plane physically, -intellectually and morally. This is the first step that your people -must take and then the Home may be introduced for the scientific -adaptation of pre-natal influences to specific purposes. Then you will -begin to determine in advance whether the child shall be an inventor, -scientist, philosopher, poet, musician, teacher or explorer. The -Homes are scientifically adapted to specific purposes, while economic -independence and general education lift the entire people to a higher -plane of being along every line of human effort. What your people need -now, is the general, mental and moral uplifting of the victims of -your present system, and to this end, my advice to you would be, to -confine your first work to the solution of the problem, 'How to abolish -poverty.'"</p> - -<p>"But would you," I asked, "discourage these specific measures at this -time because the masses are poor?"</p> - -<p>"Of course not," said Bona Dea, "for those who are able to apply them, -but I would first place these advanced scientific methods within the -reach of the entire people by establishing economic independence for -all. This is simply following the natural law of human development."</p> - -<p>"Will you," I asked, "please explain just what you regard as the -natural law of human development?"</p> - -<p>"It is the law of growth," said Bona Dea, "and always begins at the -base and works its way upward. The plant germinates in the earth and -then pushes its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> way upward towards the light. The growth of the -animal organism from conception to maturity is along the same line -of progression, from the bottom of the scale, toward the top. In the -growth of human civilization and the mental, moral and spiritual -elevation of the race, the same general law of evolution holds -good. The elevating influence must reach the people through their -environments. The real man and the real woman, is the ego or spirit. -The physical body is the outermost environment of the individual being. -By improving the physical conditions we stimulate the mental organism -into a healthy activity, and the result is intellectual growth, and -spiritual unfoldment. Such is the natural law of human progress from -the physical through the mental to its culmination in the spiritual or -divine, which is the very highest type to which we aspire."</p> - -<p>"This," I said, "looks like a concise and logical statement of the -natural law, but how do you apply it to the present conditions -which exist in my own country? We have a civilization and many very -intelligent, well meaning and well to do people who might be greatly -benefited by a better understanding of the influences of pre-natal -conditions."</p> - -<p>"Doubtless that is true," she replied, "but your duty as a teacher is -to take the whole people into consideration and not a part, and in -your work for their enlightenment begin at the bottom of the scale. -Your present civilization was developed along the lines of unconscious -growth, jest as the child grows from birth to maturity. But your work -as a teacher and civilizer is to work along conscious lines and lay -your plans with due deliberation. Having, as it were, reached the top, -you are able to give instruction to those who are lower down and help -them to climb higher. The place of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> teacher is one which demands -that you should understand the natural law of growth, so that you -may work to the best advantage. Hence your work is to begin with the -outer environment, the physical, and that which pertains to the higher -will take care of itself. It is not the whole, but the sick, who need -the physician, so it is not the wise, but the ignorant who need the -teacher. For these reasons I advise you to confine your present work -more to the economic, as that would prepare the field for the higher, -and that, just where it is most needed, among the poor."</p> - -<p>"I think I comprehend your meaning," I said, "and shall act accordingly -in the preparation of my first volume on Altrurian civilization. Oqua's -advice was very similar, but situated as I am here, these numerous -lines of thought press in upon me all at once, and there is so much -to learn, that I often find it difficult to make a selection. I am -sure that the people of my own native land are passing through their -Transition Period, and I am anxious to give them that which will do -them the most good."</p> - -<p>"Then," interposed Norrena, who had joined us, "show them how to get -rid of poverty. Without economic independence, political independence -and personal liberty, under the law, are a hollow mockery. There can be -no progress without freedom, and there can be no freedom as long as a -people are driven to their work by the stern lash of necessity."</p> - -<p>"But how is it," I asked, "that you have such a realizing sense of the -horrors of poverty, when you have always had an abundance?"</p> - -<p>"Because it is the one great object," said Norrena, "of our educational -training and of our Altrurian civilization to provide against want, -and to relieve distress<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> wherever found. Every student in our schools -is required to make a careful study of our Transition Period, the -helpless, hopeless condition of the poverty stricken masses, and the -methods by which they got out, and which must be continued in order to -stay out."</p> - -<p>"But why," I asked, "do you now, after centuries of abundance, still -make these lessons so prominent in your educational system?"</p> - -<p>"Because," said Norrena, "we are still on the physical plane, and if we -do not guard against them by every means in our power, these physical -evils may again overtake us. We know for a fact that eternal vigilance -is the price that we must pay for the preservation of our present -blessings."</p> - -<p>"But constituted as your people are," I said, "with their readiness to -relieve distress under all circumstances, I should think that you have -no cause to fear a return of the old systems of oppression."</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," said Norrena, "so far as this generation is concerned, -but should we neglect the education of the rising generation in regard -to these matters, we would begin to go back toward those conditions. -There is no danger so long as we do our duty as educators, and keep -alive the finer sensibilities of the soul. We did not reach our present -condition at one bound, and if we were to go back it would not be all -at once; but it is the duty of our teachers, to see that we do not take -a single step backwards. Hence, we educate."</p> - -<p>We had now reached the Department of Public Comfort where we were -making our home during our stay in Orbitello. After dinner, Battell -informed us that he intended to start within an hour to Lake Byblis, -and that before he left, he desired to have some definite understanding -as to our plans for future work.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then," said Norrena, "you had better join me in my rooms and talk -the matter over. I feel deeply interested in your plans for opening -communication with the outer world. So if it is agreeable, come with -me."</p> - -<p>We accepted the invitation, and were soon discussing what was now the -leading thought in our minds—the improvement of the airships with a -view to forming a connection between the inner and the outer worlds. -Battell explained his plans for constructing a ship that could be -moved in any direction, the power to be applied instantaneously, so -as to be able to meet all the contingencies of a storm and contending -currents of air. Then plans were discussed for protecting the occupants -from intense cold. For this purpose, I had plans of my own which I -did not divulge. Several ways were proposed for making the vessel -proof against cold, but I saw at a glance, that with all of them, the -freezing moisture on the inside, would so obstruct the vision as to -very materially interfere with the proper guidance of the vessel.</p> - -<p>"Before I left," said Battell, "I gave plans and specifications for an -entirely new ship, that I want you to test in a storm, if you can find -one, and report as soon as possible. Captain Ganoe has agreed to go -with me and assist in its completion. As soon as it is ready I will let -you know. Will you come to Lake Byblis and start from there? or shall I -send it to some other point? What will be your address?"</p> - -<p>"I have made no arrangements for the future," I said, "that will in the -least interfere with the proposed trial trip to the southern verge. I -think, however, I had better remain here a few days, as there are some -questions that I want to study, and to that end, I shall take a look -through the Museum of Universal History."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well, get your book ready," said Battell, "and we will find the means -to send it where it will do the most good."</p> - -<p>"I have sufficient material ready," I said, "for a number of books, -but the question now is, How much out of the great abundance, shall I -select to go with an account of our discoveries?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I should think," said Battell, "that you could not send a -very large proportion of what you can find in a single one of these -exhibits, to say nothing of the libraries; but do your best. I have -work that must be completed, in order to make yours available, so -good-bye, and may success attend you."</p> - -<p>Captain Ganoe, MacNair and Iola accompanied Battell to Lake Byblis, and -Norrena, Oqua and myself went to the museum.</p> - -<p>This was a most magnificent structure, situated on the river, on a -point of land where the river leaves Orbitello and makes a sharp -turn toward the east. The building was a hexagon, about 600 feet in -diameter, and the foundation had been excavated down to the level of -the water, which gave one-half the building the appearance of extending -out into the river. In the center of the building was an inlet for -boats for which there was a spacious landing, enclosed by broad, marble -steps on three sides. At the center, and each of the six corners, -was an elevator which connected with each floor. Around what may be -regarded as the main building, was a broad extension in the form of -an inclined floor, that communicated at frequent intervals with the -several stories, either on the level of the floors or by easy flights -of steps.</p> - -<p>On the periphery of this inclined spiral floor, was a railing. The -whole of the external structure was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> supported by massive and highly -ornamented columns of aluminum which reflected the light like burnished -silver. In the center, and supported from above, was a double track -electric tramway, with cars moving each way at short intervals. This -arrangement gave the entire floor space to pedestrians and those using -electric chairs and other small vehicles. The lower stories of this -immense building, up to the level of the bluff, contained supplies -of all kinds, required by those engaged in river transportation. -The upper stories of the building were devoted to the preservation -of relics and records commemorative of past civilizations and -taken altogether, presented to the eye a complete history of man's -progressive development along every line from the earliest period of -recorded history. This wonderful exhibit, enabled the student to trace, -by means of practical illustrations, the progress of the mechanical -arts, from the original crude contrivances to the present high state of -development under which drudgery was unknown, and the people were in -the full enjoyment of all the comforts of life with a minimum of labor. -It is no part of my intention to attempt to give more than the most -cursory mention of this wonderful exhibition of industrial progress.</p> - -<p>One feature, however, impressed me most and that was the striking -similarity in these exhibits, to the much smaller ones, which I had -visited in the outer world. The methods which had prevailed in the -different stages of civilization, were almost identical with those -prevailing in the corresponding stage of outer world development. In -water craft for instance, the raft of logs bound together with thongs -and propelled by poles came first, followed by canoes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> hollowed out of -logs. Then smaller boats with oars, and growing in dimensions until -they assumed the shape of Roman galleys and the ships of the Northmen. -Then sails were introduced and later, steam became the motor power. -So, of the methods of land transportation. The sledge and ox-cart were -followed in time by the stage coach, this by the electric car, and last -came the airship.</p> - -<p>I asked Norrena to explain this remarkable similarity.</p> - -<p>"This," said he, "only indicates that human development along every -line of progress is determined by the constitution of the human -mind. Knowing this, we have the key which explains all the mysteries -connected with the progress of the race from lower to higher -conditions. At every step it has been met by similar difficulties and -hence the methods for overcoming these difficulties have been similar, -because all have alike possessed the same mental constitution. This -progress up to a certain point, has been along unconscious lines, and -the average man and woman had no clear understanding of the influences -which were impelling them forward. In every age, and in every condition -of life, man has been building in the direction of his ideals, but -never reaching them. In his primitive state, he felt the need of some -means for crossing streams, and having observed that wood floated -upon the water, he constructed a raft. From this he formed the plan -of a boat, and constructed a canoe. As he improved in the direction -of his ideals, these ideals became more exalted, and to-day we have -the magnificent electric yacht. So it has been in every department of -human effort. The higher the ideals which have been formed in the mind -of man, the higher he has climbed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> in the scale of development. This -is the fundamental law of human progress. Every one of these relics of -past ages was at first an ideal that had been formed in the human mind -before it was realized."</p> - -<p>"A thought strikes me," I exclaimed. "If all these ideals have been -realized, is it not a promise, or a prophecy, that our ideals of -to-day, will be realized in the future? And if from the constitution of -the human mind we could presage the ideals of the future, we could in a -general way predict what the civilization of distant ages will develop."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," said Norrena. "Your thought is strictly philosophical -and applied to our immediate future it gives an infallible rule for -presaging events where we are familiar with the forces impelling in -a certain direction. If we can ascertain where we are to-day on any -given line of progress, we can safely predict what the next step -will be on the same line, for all things are possible to the human -mind in its ultimate state of development. There is no such thing as -actually turning back in the path of progress, much as man may seem -to retrograde at times. The lessons taught by these seeming failures -are essential elements in his still greater development further on. -Nothing that is useful can be permanently lost to the race. What we are -inclined to call evil, is fleeting and fades away, while the good, the -true and the really valuable is immortal. Hence, human progress towards -higher and better conditions, as applied to the race, and long periods -of time, must ever be onward and upward toward the Infinite Good."</p> - -<p>"I have always," I said, "been deeply interested in everything -pertaining to the progress of the race, but I have been inclined to -regard it as somewhat a matter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> of chance. You seem to have reduced -it to an exact science. I can understand how certain influences are -necessarily toward improvement, but how is it that our elevation is -assured when so many are unconscious of such a tendency, and in the -outer world at least, multitudes seem to be bent upon getting lower -instead of higher in the scale? I feel quite sure that the masses of -our ancestors in the past, were no better than the masses now, and -did not consciously co-operate with nature for their own improvement. -It seems, however, that by some kind of a blind chance they may -have contributed something, but it certainly was not intentional. I -see a different influence working here and the people are evidently -co-operating with nature for the good of all, but I fear that it will -be a long time before the people of my own country will reach that -stage of development."</p> - -<p>"Do not be discouraged," said Norrena. "The constitution of the -human mind is a guarantee of human elevation. The history of human -development presents two distinct stages, the unconscious and the -conscious. All progress from the simple cell to the human being, is -of course unconscious and is governed by fixed and immutable laws. -These same laws control human development up to the point where -knowledge enables the race to consciously participate in the work of -its own elevation. As soon as the people are sufficiently developed -to understand the operation of the laws which control their own -unfoldment, they will enter upon an epoch of conscious progress -by careful and well concerted measures. When at the close of the -Transition Period our people reached that stage, the change for the -better in every direction came suddenly upon the world, because the -masses of mankind felt the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> need of something better. Unconscious -development had prepared them for the wonderful change. The blind -forces which had been slowly urging man upward toward a higher plane of -existence, now had the aid of careful and well devised methods, and the -long ages of darkness disappeared in the blaze of light which was let -in upon the world."</p> - -<p>"And from this," I said, "am I to infer that you think America is -about ready for such an uplifting of the masses? Your description this -forenoon of the Transition Period of this country, would pass as an -accurate delineation of the present condition in my own. The belief -is widespread among thoughtful people in the United States that our -country is on the eve of some great change. Persons of an optimistic -turn of mind believe that we are near the beginning of a higher, nobler -and purer civilization than the people have ever enjoyed before, while -the pessimistic are equally sure that we are destined to go back toward -barbarism. I want so very much to be able to disseminate the light that -will dispel this darkness from our future."</p> - -<p>"I think," said Norrena, "that you have no cause for alarm. From what -I can learn the optimists of your country are largely in the majority, -and a general expectation of something better for humanity, is a -powerful psychic force, to produce something better. If your people -earnestly desire better things for the masses and at the same time -believe that better things are in store for them, your future is most -hopeful, as the people cannot fail to find out how to attain the object -they are seeking."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," I said. "But where is the light, and what can I do to shed -it broadcast among them?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The light," said Norrena, "is latent in every human soul and is -manifested in the readiness with which all classes of people render -assistance to those who are placed in peril or are suffering from -some great affliction. This is the light that is manifested in your -charitable institutions and public hospitals for the relief of the poor -and the physically infirm. When those who provide these institutions -for the relief of suffering humanity learn how the sufferings which -now appeal to their sympathies can be avoided, this latent light will -be developed into a flame that will enlighten the whole earth and the -darkness will disappear as if by magic."</p> - -<p>"But this," I said, "does not tell me how that latent light can be -developed into such a flame. Human sympathy has always existed, -but as yet in the outer world it has not succeeded in removing the -suffering which appeals to our sympathies. By what means can this be -accomplished?"</p> - -<p>"By the discovery and application of the principles of equity in all of -our relations toward each other," said Norrena. "To assist you in this, -I suggested that we take a look through this Museum. In the relics -of past ages which you find here, you can trace the operation of the -fundamental laws of human progress. On this floor you have the works of -man in his lowest condition. On the floor above, you find relics of a -higher civilization. These have been classified as nearly as possible -in their natural order, from the lowest to the highest, with a view to -teaching the progressive development of the race in the most effective -manner."</p> - -<p>"I realize the importance," I said, "of such a collection to every -student. But all this comes before your Transition Period and I do not -see its bearings upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> the great problem of the present day in my own -country—how to secure the same conditions which I find prevailing -here."</p> - -<p>"As yet," said Norrena, "you have only seen the relics of barbarism. -This museum is twenty stories high above the level of the bluff on -which it stands, and each story bears its record of the onward and -upward progress of the race. The first were erected soon after the -Transition Period, but others have been added since that time, to make -room for the evidences of our progress. We will now ascend to the one -devoted to the Transition Period."</p> - -<p>We stepped upon the elevator and in a moment more were ushered into one -of the upper stories, and I found myself confronted by a display, such -as would characterize a first-class exposition of the present day in -the United States; with this difference, however; it represented the -poverty and misery of the hovel as faithfully as it did the grandeur -of the palace. Everything seemed familiar and I felt as if I had been -suddenly transported to New York or London. Every feature of the -competitive system of production and distribution was appropriately -illustrated, together with the inevitable consequences to the people; -wealth beyond the dreams of avarice for a favored few and hopeless -poverty and degradation for the many.</p> - -<p>The clothing of the workmen in contrast with the gorgeous apparel of -the fashionable bon ton; the furnishings of the hovels of the poor and -the mansions of the rich placed side by side; the coarse and homely -fare of the wealth producer compared with the dainty viands of the -non-producer; all told more plainly than words the story of undeserved -poverty, and in millions of cases, the abject want and misery of -the most useful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> classes of society, in striking contrast with the -unearned abundance of the idle, and for all practical purposes, the -useless rich. The manner in which the wealth created by the toiling -millions, passed through the channels of trade, into the possession -of a few wealthy speculators, was illustrated by pictures and printed -explanations, in almost endless variety, so that even the most obtuse -observers, could not fail to get a clear idea of the practical workings -of a system of commercial exchange, under the operation of which, -interest, profit and rent were always added to the market price of the -product, every time it changed hands.</p> - -<p>One of these illustrations was entitled, "Thirteen Usuries on One -Hog." It represented a hog passing from the farmer at one end of a -long bridge to the workman at the other. From the time the hog starts -from the producer on the farm until it reaches its destination in the -workshop of the consumer, its size (price) has become colossal.</p> - -<p>In exchange for the hog a plow starts from the shop to the farm, and -the size (price) increases in the same proportion. Every time any -commodity passed one of the commercial toll gates established between -the producer and the consumer, the price was increased for the benefit -of speculators who contributed nothing to its value. All this was of -course to the manifest loss of the producers. The long bridge was -labeled, <span class="smcap">The Profit System.</span></p> - -<p>In contrast with this was a short bridge labeled Equity, over which -products were passing both ways from the producer to the consumer, -without changing size. Over this Equity bridge the product passed -directly from the producer to the consumer by the shortest practicable -route, and was only handled one time.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> Over the Profit bridge, -goods became shelf-worn and deteriorated in value, by the frequent -changing of hands. These two bridges, Profit and Equity, were given -as symbolical representations of the Cause and Cure of poverty. There -was no mistaking the lessons taught by them; neither could there be a -doubt of their truth. Under the Profit system of exchange the managers -are self-employed and it is legitimate that they should have a profit -for the service rendered, and the larger the profit, the larger the -number who can make a living out of it. Under Equity, the managers are -employed by their customers and it is to their interest to see that the -business of exchange is carried on with the smallest possible amount -of work in handling the product. Hence the Profit system necessarily -entails poverty upon the masses who have no interest in the exchange, -while Equity secures abundance, because the exchange is effected by -their own agents at the least possible expense. Hence, under Equity, -the product passes from the producer to the consumer without changing -size, and the cost is fixed by the amount of labor expended in its -production, superintendence and transportation; and all parties to the -transaction, get the exact value of their services; but under this -system there is nothing for the money king, the profit-monger and the -landlord.</p> - -<p>"You see," said Oqua, who had been unusually silent and pre-occupied, -"that this symbol of the two bridges, tells the whole story of the -difference between the profit system of exchange and the equitable; -between the old system with its widespread poverty and the new with its -abundance."</p> - -<p>"I see the difference," I said, "but it is not so clear to my mind -just how the people can pass from one bridge to the other; from -<span class="smcap">PROFIT</span> to <span class="smcap">EQUITY</span>."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That is very easy," said Oqua. "Change the <span class="smcap">purpose</span> for which -business is transacted. Instead of exacting profit from the producer -and the consumer, conduct business for the purpose of establishing -equitable relations between the producers and the consumers. When this -is done the profit system will have been removed and equity will bring -abundance to the household of every producer, and poverty will be -abolished."</p> - -<p>"I can well understand," I said, "what the effect of a change of -systems would be, and it is equally clear to my mind that the money -kings, trust barons and landlords could, if they would, easily -introduce the change, but how could the poverty stricken people make -such a change in the business system of the world? If it is done at -all, it must be done by the very poor, and under the profit system the -very poor are helpless."</p> - -<p>"That, 'under the profit system,' is well put in," said Norrena, -laughing. "It is undoubtedly true, that 'under the profit system,' the -producers are helpless; and it is equally true that as long as they -remain under this system, they will continue to be helpless. It is also -true that the selfishness of the wealthy managers will never consent to -the change so long as they can prevent it."</p> - -<p>"Then, indeed," I said, "to my mind the condition of the laboring -millions is hopeless. They <span class="smcap">CANNOT</span> establish equity and the -rich <span class="smcap">WILL NOT</span>."</p> - -<p>"Why hopeless?" asked Norrena. "Do you think they would refuse to make -the change from profit to equity, if they had the opportunity to do so?"</p> - -<p>"Not that," I said. "But the question is, How can they make the change -while bound hand and foot under the profit system?"</p> - -<p>"Whatever has been done," said Norrena, "can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> be done, and you have -only to look around you to see that the change from profit to equity -has been made in this country and can be made in yours, notwithstanding -the fact that the people are bound hand and foot and will continue to -be so bound as long as the profit system continues."</p> - -<p>"Please do not mock me," I said with some spirit. "How can a people who -are bound hand and foot, save themselves?"</p> - -<p>"By using their heads," said Norrena. "The hands and feet may be -bound while the head is left free to think. Let this freedom to think -be exercised in the right direction and their physical bonds will -disappear."</p> - -<p>"I am sure they do think," I responded, "and what is more, they have -been thinking for a long time."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Norrena, "let them continue to think and they cannot fail -in due time to find out just what is the matter."</p> - -<p>"Oh, many of them have found that out," I said, "and realize that they -are impoverished by the exorbitant profits on investments which go to -the wealthy classes."</p> - -<p>"Then, indeed," said Norrena, "the day of their deliverance is drawing -near. They have already learned that it is the profit system that -is pauperizing them. If they continue to think, they cannot fail to -learn that the profit system could not continue without their constant -support. That when they withdraw their patronage from profit-mongers, -the profit system will disappear. If I read your literature correctly, -your people are very near the hour of their deliverance."</p> - -<p>"They may," I said, "be driven to the violent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> overthrow of the present -system, but I do not see how they can speedily break their bonds in any -other manner."</p> - -<p>"They can do it," said Norrena, "by the exercise of the same spirit of -manly independence, intelligently directed, that they now exercise in -their worse than useless strikes. You have the competitive system which -is self-destructive and hence weak. Your producing classes can organize -as consumers and take advantage of the sharp competition between -dealers to sell goods, and by a wise use of their combined power to -purchase, introduce an equitable system of exchange."</p> - -<p>"What is that?" I asked. "Would they expect any such sweeping results -from selling their trade to the firm that would give them the largest -rebate on prices? Would not the tendency of such a movement be, to -still further curtail the demand for labor, by depressing the the price -of products?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Norrena, "such a system of selling their custom for a -rebate, would have just such an effect. But you lose sight of the fact, -that wholesale dealers are competing with each other for an opportunity -to sell goods. They sell to retail dealers who can find customers for -their goods. Organize your ability to purchase, select a competent -business agent, and go into business for yourselves, and be sure not to -undersell other dealers. Your exchange will have a decided advantage -over every other dealer, because your trade will be organized and your -sales will be certain. The wholesaler will be quick to see this, and -will be anxious to get your trade, as his pay will be certain."</p> - -<p>"But," I said, "where would be the inducement for the people to -organize their trade, with the certainty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> that they would pay just as -much for the goods as they did before?"</p> - -<p>"The same inducement," said Norrena, "that people under the money -system have for depositing their earnings in savings banks. Every -time they purchase an article in their own exchange they are making a -deposit to their own credit, where it will do them the most good in -times of disaster. The profits will belong to the organized customers, -and by leaving them in the exchange they will accumulate a sample stock -of goods already paid for, from which any order can be filled. After -such a stock of goods is secured, they might at regular intervals -declare a dividend to the organized customers, leaving a percentage -on deposit with the exchange to be used to educate the people into a -comprehensive understanding of business methods and for the creation of -a fund to purchase land and give employment to their members, in order -to eliminate rent on land and save the profits on production."</p> - -<p>"But," I said, "I do not clearly see how starting stores and saving -retail profits would enable the people to escape the demands of -interest and rent."</p> - -<p>"The store by itself," said Norrena, "could not do this, but the -financial power that can always be secured by wise business methods -could. To the extent that the use of money can be minimized and -debts paid, of course interest will be saved. And to the extent that -consumption can be organized and concentrated, a smaller number -of business houses will also be needed and thus rent saved to the -customers who in the last analysis pay all the expenses. And just in -proportion as business houses are not needed, they will be for sale to -people who can use them, as landlords could not afford to pay taxes on -property for which ten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span>ants could not be found. This property would -all be needed by the organized consumers who, with their continually -accumulating fund from pooling the savings of profit, interest and -rent, even on a comparatively small scale, would always be able to -buy. The profits on distribution will constitute an ample fund for -socializing the land and furnishing employment for a continually -increasing number of people."</p> - -<p>"But," I said, "to be able to hold our own against the world-wide -profit system, would require a world-wide organization."</p> - -<p>"Do not be too sure of that," said Norrena. "The benefits of equitable -exchange in a single locality, would be most decided. Of course it -would be more effective if extended over a wider field. But the -distribution of literature, such as the accumulating profits would -enable you to make, added to the far-reaching effects of a successful -object lesson, could not fail to make the organization world wide. All -that is necessary for this purpose is a practical demonstration, that -by this system, the productive laborer and not the money king is master -of the situation."</p> - -<p>"Is this the same plan that you outlined in your address?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Just the same," he said. "All that is required is such a business -organization as will cover the entire ground demanded by absolute -justice. It must look to the elimination, as rapidly as possible, of -the elements of interest, profit and rent. To avoid the payment of -interest it is necessary to minimize the use of money, and as soon -as debts are paid, refuse to use it at all. To avoid profits, you -must purchase your supplies and sell your products through your own -exchanges. To get rid of rent, use the profits to socialize the land."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p> - -<p>"This is certainly sweeping enough," I said, "but it seems to me, that -it would be an almost endless task to induce the masses of the people -to unite their trade to such an extent as would be necessary to secure -the full measure of relief demanded by absolute justice."</p> - -<p>"It certainly would be," said Norrena, "if you did not prosecute a -vigorous educational work, and at the same time offer inducements that -the profit system cannot afford."</p> - -<p>"I fear that this would be impossible," I said. "The dealers with -millions of money could beat us in offering inducements to catch the -trade of the unthinking."</p> - -<p>"Do not fear that," said Norrena. "They could not do that without -abandoning the profit system, which is all that you would ask. As soon -as you have organized trade and have a sufficient stock accumulated to -meet its demands, you will be saving interest to the extent that you -can transact business without money, and to this will be added all of -the net retail profits. This will enable you to pay a little more for -farm products than dealers can who are on the profit basis. You can -safely continue this rise in prices until you pay as much as you can -sell for. This will give you the entire trade of the farmers, and the -usual profits on all they purchase will be a net gain to your exchange, -less the slight advance on the price of products, equal to the profits -of the speculators. The price you receive for farm products, will be -exchanged for goods on which you will make a profit, and if you can -always make one profit on the exchange you will be on the high road to -success."</p> - -<p>"But this inducement," I said, "would only reach the farmers. It would -be necessary to offer some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> other kind of inducement to secure the -trade of the city workmen."</p> - -<p>"That is easily provided for," said Norrena. "Your farmer's trade, -notwithstanding the fact that you pay as much for the product as -you can sell it for, will net one profit on the goods for which you -exchange it. With all this farm trade secure, you can begin to furnish -employment to city workmen in various ways, converting the raw material -into finished products to supply your increasing trade. This will -enable you to make valuable customers out of all the workmen for whom -you can find employment. Another inducement will be, to return one-half -of the net profits on their trade in the shape of a check which will be -good at the exchange for products. This will still leave one-half as -a contribution to the educational and land purchase fund. I believe, -however, that with a vigorous and comprehensive educational work, but -few would ever draw anything in the shape of a dividend out of the -business, but leave it as a permanent investment to enable them to -secure homes, or as an insurance fund to support them in sickness and -for the benefit of their families in case of death."</p> - -<p>"You seem to have unlimited faith in this plan of organizing business," -I said.</p> - -<p>"And why should I not have?" asked Norrena. "These principles have -been tried in this country and we know by experience that they cannot -fail, wherever they are intelligently and honestly applied, on a scale -large enough to constitute one good object lesson as to what can be -accomplished. The system, in practice, will demonstrate that money -is not a necessity. Money however, will still come into your hands, -even more freely, and as long as you have debts that must be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> paid in -money, you will have use for it. But when the debts are all paid, money -might cease to circulate, as you would then have learned by actual -experience, that you would get along better without it than with it."</p> - -<p>"That puts me in mind," I said, "that in your lecture you stated that -the people in this country, in their movement to establish equity in -business, established banks to manage their money account. If the -movement here was started by the very poor, how did they get money for -the necessary cash capital?"</p> - -<p>"By the accumulation from cash purchases made in their exchanges," -said Norrena. "Their exchanges were a system of banking products, but -they issued checks on the deposit of money as well as products. As -these exchanges offered superior inducements, they received their full -share of cash trade from the beginning, and nearly all of it when their -exchange was complete. Hence they found no difficulty in establishing -their own banks under the law, and as they never loaned their deposits, -their banks could not break, and people who had money to deposit, -brought it to them for safe keeping. As the tendency of this locking -up of deposits was to curtail the circulation of money, the exchanges -provided against any oppressive stringency, by loaning on good -security, without interest, checks which were redeemable in products at -the exchanges. It was estimated by the statisticians of that time, that -every dollar locked up in the exchange banks, brought six dollars of -trade per annum to the exchange stores on which the regular customers -at these exchanges made an average of ten per cent., or sixty per cent. -upon deposits."</p> - -<p>"Were these exchanges incorporated as joint stock companies?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"They were," said Norrena, "but not always.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> The real object of the -order was to ultimately eliminate the stock corporation and substitute -the equal co-partnership. Hence when incorporated, every regular -customer was a stockholder to the same amount, and the stock might -be paid for by turning their dividends back into the business as a -permanent investment. In other words, they might pay for their stock -out of what they were able to save in their cost of living by their -abandonment of the profit system. And further, in order to protect -themselves from the danger of a constructive indebtedness in the shape -of dividend exacting stock, no certificates were issued, and the stock -paid for was always redeemable in exchange certificates payable in -goods at the option of the shareholders, or by order of the directors -of the corporation, for failure to patronize the exchange whenever -practicable. As governments were especially friendly to corporations, -it was deemed best by many, to incorporate and secure these advantages."</p> - -<p>"This," I said, "was certainly the full measure of justice to be -secured by a stock corporation, but how were others which were not -incorporated, organized in order to secure the full measure of justice -to members?"</p> - -<p>"There was," said Norrena, "no patent on the application of the Golden -Rule in business, and among business men there was a large number who -really wanted to see equity established in human affairs. Hence there -was nothing to hinder a merchant from entering into contracts with -organized consumers, to sell his business to them, and retain the -management at an agreed salary, under such rules and regulations for -the conduct of the business as they might adopt. By this means many -were enabled to exchange a precarious profit for a permanent income. In -cases of this kind,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> the merchant was benefited by securing a guarantee -against bankruptcy and the organized consumers by securing the services -of the necessary business talent to establish Equity in Distribution, -by paying equal dividends out of the net income to all regular -customers. As contracts for a lawful purpose were held sacred by the -courts a very large number held that the contract between the customers -and the manager secured greater advantages than the stock corporation -in obtaining equality of dividends."</p> - -<p>"But," I asked, "why this equality of dividends? Was it fair to those -who purchased large quantities of goods, to require them to share -equally with those who purchased on a small scale?"</p> - -<p>"It certainly was," said Norrena, "as it took the <span class="smcap">united</span> -purchasing power of <span class="smcap">all</span> to establish a business that enabled -them to effect any saving at all, so that there would be something to -divide. The large purchaser through these exchanges got something back, -while under the profit system he would have made nothing at all. To -him this equal dividend was a comparatively small item, while it was a -most important increase of purchasing power to one who was barely able -to procure the necessaries of life. Persons in affluent circumstances -were thus enabled to help their poorer neighbors, and at the same time -secure a dividend themselves. This system of organized consumption with -an equal distribution of the net profits, was the first introduction -of the fraternal features of our altruistic civilization. It was, in -its application, a system of universal insurance against poverty for -all, who, as consumers, withdrew their support from the profit system. -In a peaceful, just and orderly manner, it enabled the poorest to take -a seat at the table which our bounteous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> Mother Nature has prepared -alike for all, and from which they had been excluded by human greed, -which the founders of the old religious system had characterized as the -'Mammon of Unrighteousness.'"</p> - -<p>"Then it seems," I said, "that this was something of a religious as -well as a business organization?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Norrena, "it may indeed be regarded in that light as -it was the practical application of the teachings of Krystus. This -equality of interest in the distribution of that which had hitherto -been lost to the producers of wealth under the profit system was the -first recognition, on a broad scale, of the Brotherhood of Man in the -business relations which existed among the people. This great business -organisation appealed to the enlightened self-interest of all classes -of people, and drew them into closer relations with each other as one -family, and cultivated feelings of fraternal regard for each other that -will be imperishable. With an abundance for all, the inordinate thirst -for gain had been eliminated and the application of the Golden Rule in -business had at last been established to bless mankind."</p> - -<p>"I am deeply interested in learning more about this organization," I -said. "From your explanations I think that I have a tolerably clear -idea of its general principles, and now I would be pleased to know more -of its origin, history and experiences. As an organization it must have -passed through many trying ordeals before it had accomplished its work -of freeing the people from their thralldom to triumphant greed."</p> - -<p>"It did have a history," said Norrena, "but it was a history of signal -and sweeping victories. Its difficulties and trying ordeals were all in -its efforts to get started right. Even the leaders of the great reform -movements of that time, many of whom had given years<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> to the study -and discussion of economic questions, did not comprehend its scope. -The people had been so thoroughly blinded by the universal system -of doing business on money basis, that they had never even tried to -formulate plans for changing to the labor basis unless they could get -money enough to purchase everything necessary to start up the work of -production and distribution. This class of co-operators frequently put -their means together, purchased lands and established colonies. Many of -these proved quite successful, but they did not bring the benefits of -co-operation to the millions who could not pay the necessary initiation -fee to say nothing of the other millions who were forced into idleness."</p> - -<p>"This reminds me," I said, "that Iola told me the district where I had -been making my home, was a community or colony of this kind, but she -said that the colonists were from among the very poor."</p> - -<p>"That is true," said Norrena. "District Number One, was originally -composed of that class of people in the great city Kroy, which the -money kings regarded as dangerous, and hence they were permitted to go -upon lands for which there was no market. The leaders were people of -high culture and knew how to use their opportunities. But the colonies -of which I speak were not founded by the submerged. These colonies -demonstrated that co-operation contained elements of vital power that -was irresistible, whenever it was fairly tested. The able literature -sent out from these colonies, backed up by their experience, was a -powerful educational influence which prepared the way for universal -co-operation."</p> - -<p>"But this organisation of equitable exchange, as I understand it," I -said, "was a business organization<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> adapted to the general public, -which enabled the people to get possession of the machinery of -production and distribution. We have successful colonies in the outer -world and I am familiar with their methods, but how to bring these -benefits of united action to the whole people, is the question in which -I am especially interested."</p> - -<p>"I have described its workings," said Norrena, "as clearly as my -knowledge of your language will permit, and if there is any matter -concerning which you are in doubt I will try to make it plain."</p> - -<p>"I have no doubt of the principles," I said, "and from what I have -seen, I am persuaded that the methods could be successfully applied -wherever a nucleus of earnest reformers could be found who would make -a careful study of the situation, and adopt the same business methods -which were used so successfully in this country. I want some of the -particulars concerning the history of this organization and a concise -statement of its purposes and business methods that would serve as a -model for a similar organization in the United States."</p> - -<p>"The first organization," said Norrena, "was effected at this place -which was then the site of one of the larger interior cities of that -day. This was the center of business for a large population of farmers -on one side and miners on the other. It started with the guaranteed -trade of one hundred families and was a success from the start, as the -result of the ample provision for educational work along the lines -indicated. Every member was supplied with a paper which was devoted -to the education of the people into a comprehensive understanding of -business methods and commercial equation, as promulgated in theory -and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> illustrated in practice by the Patrons of Equity. This paper -contained the official reports of the business exchanges established -under the auspices of the order. The educational work had been carried -on for a long time by a few devoted workers, before it materialized -into a self-supporting business. After that, the order spread rapidly. -A percentage of the profits was used to employ organizers and every -organization added to the trade and increased profits without any -corresponding increase of expenses. When this movement was inaugurated, -the number of commercial travelers in the country was estimated at -about 250,000. These were persons of energy and business talent. They -were quick to see the advantages which this system of commercial equity -offered to men of ability, to establish themselves in business for -which they were especially qualified, and they started out to find -locations where they could organise business on these principles."</p> - -<p>"But was there not some danger that designing people might get control -and defeat the purposes of the organization?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Designing persons did get into positions," said Norrena, "but there -could be no danger to the cause from this source, as in order to secure -positions they had to adopt methods of business that could not fail to -overthrow the profit system, and as fast as business was organized, -the official paper of the order was sent regularly to every member. -If at first they did not understand the principles well enough to -protect themselves from knaves, they soon learned; and if anything was -going wrong it was soon understood by the customers. As the business -extended, the oppressive power of money decreased, and the power of -labor increased. The enthusiasm of the people was aroused to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> -highest pitch, and the magnates of the old system were correspondingly -depressed. The old system was essentially weak, while the new was -peculiarly strong, and as the hosts of wealth producers came together, -and utilised the actual values created by their labor as the medium -by which exchanges were effected, prices went up as the result of -the increase in the currency, and there was no use for money except -to pay debts. Under this system, the purchasing power of labor and -products was steadily increasing, while the purchasing power of money -was decreasing. As long as money was needed to pay debts, products -were exchanged for money at the increased price fixed under the labor -standard, but when the debts were all paid, the purchasing power of -money was gone and poverty had disappeared with it. Every debt had -been paid according to contract, and in the payment of these debts the -debtors had transferred their poverty to their creditors."</p> - -<p>"We have gone over this ground," I said, "until, as I understand it, -the great potency of this organization, was in the fact that all its -methods were especially designed to ultimately eliminate the use of -money in the transaction of business, but it occurs to me, that much -could be done in this direction, without the organization of business -exchanges, which issue certificates on the deposit of money and -products to serve the purposes of a currency."</p> - -<p>"You are right," said Norrena. "And much was done along other lines -when the people came to understand that the prime factor in the -overthrow of the profit system was to avoid the use of money in the -transaction of business, in every manner possible. In some localities, -farther east, the use of what was known as New Occasion Notes was -introduced to facili<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span>tate exchange without money. The shoemaker, for -instance, would give his note, payable in shoes, for groceries. The -physician would give his note for groceries payable in professional -services. The grocery man had no personal use for either shoes or the -services of a physician, but he needed coal, and the coal dealer needed -both a shoemaker and a physician, and exchanged coal for the notes. -The exchange enabled the shoemaker and the physician to get groceries, -the grocery man to get coal, and the coal dealer to get shoes and -the services of a physician, and all without the use of a cent of -money. The use of these notes became so common, that to still further -facilitate exchanges, clearing houses were established where persons -who held notes payable in something they did not need, could exchange -them for notes that were payable in something they did need. This -system of exchanging New Occasion Notes grew into a general collecting -agency, and it was found that among the large number of collections -placed in its hands, a great percentage cancelled each other, and -balances could ordinarily be put in the shape of New Occasion Notes -redeemable in some kind of products or services. As a means of enabling -people to get out of debt, and at the same time facilitating exchange -and decreasing the demand for money, these agencies proved to be most -effective. The Patrons of Equity contemplated the persistent use of -every method that could be devised to minimize the demand for money -with a view to its ultimate elimination as a medium of exchange, by -the establishment of equity between producers and consumers. They had -learned that money of any kind could be inflated and contracted for -selfish purposes, and therefore it was a false measure and could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> -be depended upon to mete out even handed justice to the people who used -it as a medium of exchange."</p> - -<p>"I can plainly see," I said, "that the field of labor for such an -organisation in the outer world is practically unlimited, and I want -you to furnish me with the details of its plan of organization, as a -model for a similar one for use in my book."</p> - -<p>"I have," said Norrena, "provided a translation of the Constitution -and By Laws of the order, together with the rules and regulations for -the government of its Exchange Department for your own use. I would -advise you, however, not to publish these in your book. Only present -the general principles, and let your people work out the details in -their own way. Start the idea to working and I doubt not that they will -discover how easy it is for them to escape from their thralldom to -greed, and when they do, it will not be long until they sever the bonds -that hold them."</p> - -<p>"And how," I asked, "would you state these purposes so as to include -all you have given me, in the fewest possible number of words?"</p> - -<p>"For this purpose," said he, "I cannot do better than to quote the -declaration of purposes from the preliminary constitution formulated by -the founders of the Patrons of Equity, as follows:</p> - -<p>"'<span class="smcap">Section 1.</span> The primary object of this order shall be to -organize exchange on the largest scale that may be practicable, with -a view to the establishment of equitable relations between producers -and consumers, by eliminating as rapidly as possible, every element of -cost that does not go to the producers of the wealth exchanged, less -an equitable compensation to the labor, physical and mental, that is -necessary to an economical management of the business.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p> - -<p>"'<span class="smcap">Sec. 2.</span> And further, as opportunity offers, to effect such -an organization of our financial relations as will enable us, as far -as practicable, to hold all the money that comes into our hands, as a -sacred trust, to be used only in the payment of taxes, and of debts in -all cases where the creditor cannot be induced to take some other form -of payment.</p> - -<p>"'<span class="smcap">Sec. 3.</span> To accomplish these objects, the first and leading -work of the Patrons of Equity shall be to educate the people into a -more comprehensive understanding of business methods, that will enable -them to minimize the use of money in their business relations with each -other, by an organized effort to make the largest possible number of -exchanges with the smallest possible amount of money.</p> - -<p>"'<span class="smcap">Sec. 4.</span> The general policy of this order, in the conduct -of all the business enterprises established under its auspices, shall -be to utilize the net profits on distribution to procure lands and -establish production, in order to provide the largest possible amount -of employment to members in good standing.'</p> - -<p>"This declaration," continued Norrena, "when fully understood, is seen -to contain every element of a speedy uplifting of any people who are -oppressed by the power of wealth. Any person with a fair understanding -of business methods can work out the details for the application of -these principles in actual business, and any fifty families who are -able to purchase and pay for supplies to the extent of five dollars per -week, would provide an aggregate sale of over two thousand dollars' -worth of goods per month, which would be ample to start business, pay -necessary expenses and have something left. Such a business properly -managed, could, by a comprehensive educational movement, be made to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> -absorb the trade of any community for the benefit of the customers, and -thus create an object lesson that would be speedily adopted by other -communities, and become general. The people would be masters of the -situation, and the power of money to dictate terms would have passed -away forever."</p> - -<p>"I should think," I said, "that everything pertaining to the -organization which won such a victory for humanity would be carefully -preserved in this Museum of Universal History."</p> - -<p>"It is," said Norrena, "but it will be found in the story above and we -will hardly have time to extend this visit any further to-day."</p> - -<p>"Nor to-morrow, either," interposed Oqua. "We have important work at -Byblis to-morrow, or at least there may be. Huston and Dione, want -to register as man and wife, and for some reason, Huston thinks that -Captain Ganoe will have objections, and if so, they must be taken into -account. Besides, we propose to have an excursion around the lake on -the Ice King. So we had better return to our rooms, take a rest and be -prepared to start early to-morrow morning."</p> - -<p>"And I propose," said Norrena, "that we extend our excursion to Kroy -and complete the object lesson that records the victory of Equity over -Greed."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Through the air to Lake Byblis—On the Ice King once -more—Captain Ganoe in command—Met by the Viking, Silver King -and Sea Rover—A wedding—Huston and Dione the principals—Ganoe -objects—Norrena investigates—Objection over-ruled—Excursion -beneath the waters of the lake—Down the Cocytas—The ruins of -Kroy—Abandoned gold—The last relic of barbarism.</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus16.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>HE journey by airship from Orbitello to Lake Byblis was as usual -most interesting. I never tired of these aerial flights. My first was -from the deck of the Ice King in the middle of the Oscan ocean to the -continent, and now I was returning to the Ice King from the middle of -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> continent. Our course was an airline, several points south of -east, over the fertile valley of the Cocytas. For a distance of twelve -hundred miles, we were first on one side of the river and then on the -other, with a bird's eye view of this highly improved valley.</p> - -<p>We traveled at a speed of about three hundred miles an hour which -brought us to the vicinity of Lake Byblis about 10 o'clock, A.M. From -our elevated position of several thousand feet we had a full view of -the surroundings. The lake is an expansion of the river, from five to -ten miles in width and thirty in length surrounded by a magnificent -boulevard, on which we could see numerous vehicles moving. The surface -of the lake was dotted over with water craft of various sizes and -descriptions.</p> - -<p>On the north side, Oqua pointed out the hospital to which our sailors -had been sent, the Matron's Home where Bona Dea presided, the home -for the aged, and the crematory. On the south side, and situated back -on the bluff, was the airship factory where Battell was employed -superintending the completion of his improvements on the airship, -and the Transportation Headquarters, in the Auditorium of which -it had been announced that the World's parliament was to meet the -following December, and give us a welcome to the inner world, as -citizens-at-large. Anchored in front of the Transportation building I -recognized the Ice King with the stars and stripes floating from the -masthead.</p> - -<p>The valley of the Cocytas had the appearance of having originally been -a vast inland sea extending about twelve hundred miles from the coast -range on the east to the great continental divide on the west, and from -five to six hundred in width, bounded by high lands north and south. At -the east end of the lake the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> Cocytas flows through a deep gorge on its -way to the ocean, carrying the surplus waters of a vast valley of rich -alluvial lands.</p> - -<p>Such is the geographical location of this favorite gathering place for -pleasure seekers. As we approached the famous lake we reduced our speed -and took a little time to contemplate the magnificent scene presented -to our view. But we have neither time nor space for an adequate -description.</p> - -<p>As we reached a point directly above the Ice King we began the usual -spiral descent and in a few minutes were once more upon the familiar -decks of the old ship, and exchanging cordial greetings with our old -shipmates and many of our new found friends and associates. It was a -happy reunion.</p> - -<p>Pat and Mike gave us a most warm hearted Irish welcome. They informed -us that they had been installed as custodians of the Ice King and were -faring sumptuously. I asked Mike how he liked the people and he replied -laconically:</p> - -<p>"Better than I did but I don't know how much."</p> - -<p>I pressed him for an explanation of his doubtful compliment, and he -replied that he could not understand their queer ways. At first he -thought that they had bewitched Pat, as he got right up from his sick -bed and declared that there was nothing the matter with him any more. -As Pat had stayed well, it was perhaps all right, but it was queer. -Then ever since they had been at Lake Byblis they had got everything -they wanted but when they offered to pay for it, the shopmen would look -at the money, turn it over as if they did not know what it was and hand -it back.</p> - -<p>"In fact," continued Mike, "I don't understand them at all. They never -work to amount to anything,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> and yet they have an abundance, and that -of the very best. They never pay for anything and they never charge -for anything. Ever since we have been here, it has been one continual -coming and going and merry-making. But this free spread cannot last all -the time or I miss my guess."</p> - -<p>"Well Mike," I replied, "you seem to be doing well enough, for the -present at least, and ought to be satisfied. And I can safely assure -you that you need have no fears for the future. These people have -learned that it only takes about two hour's labor per day to produce an -abundance of everything they need. In taking care of this ship, so that -they can come and see what kind of vessels we have in the outer world, -you are doing all that will ever be required of you, and when you want -to take a furlough, you can travel wherever you please and it will -not cost you anything but the evidence that you have been serving the -people by taking care of this ship."</p> - -<p>"May be so," said Mike, "but I don't see how they can afford it."</p> - -<p>I had no time to explain the situation to Mike, as it had been arranged -that Captain Ganoe should again take his old position on the Ice King -and give its visitors an excursion on this, to them, strange craft. The -steam age with these people had long since given place to electricity -and compressed air, as motor powers, and so a steamship in actual use -was something they had never seen. Captain Ganoe entered into the -spirit of the occasion and summoned all the surviving members of the -Ice King crew to take their accustomed places.</p> - -<p>When this understanding was agreed upon, Polaris and Dione came -forward and invited us below for an early dinner. We found that on -the same table where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> they had taken breakfast with us, on our first -acquaintance, they had spread such a repast for us as had never before -been attempted on the Ice King. A goodly number joined us in doing -ample justice to the delicious viands.</p> - -<p>After dinner, Captain Ganoe invited the company present to go with him -and have a look over the Ice King while she was being made ready for -the excursion. The first place to which he conducted us was the engine -room, but it was so neat and clean that he did not recognise it, and -turning to Huston, he said:</p> - -<p>"What does this mean? I thought that you told me every thing was ready -to get up steam on short notice. There is not an ounce of coal in sight -and the bunkers are as neat as a lady's bandbox. How do you expect to -get up steam without fuel?"</p> - -<p>"We shall burn water," said Huston.</p> - -<p>"Burn water!" exclaimed the Captain. "Have your new surroundings led -you to believe that we can set aside the laws of nature?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing of the kind," said Huston, "but I am learning much concerning -the laws of nature that I never before suspected. You see this little -metallic cube. I drop it into this jar of water. See it effervesce. I -apply this match. See how it burns! This little cube dissolving in the -water, converts it into its original gases. You see now how we can burn -water. This tank, connected by these pipes with the furnace under the -boiler, contains water that has been charged with these metallic cubes, -the constituent elements of which have been found in coal and lime. I -now turn on this prepared water and apply an electric spark. See the -fierce flame! We shall soon have steam without having vitiated the -atmosphere with smoke, which in this country is regarded as a nuis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span>ance -not to be tolerated. Dione superintended this part of the arrangements."</p> - -<p>"Wonderful! Wonderful!" was all that Captain Ganoe had to say, and he -passed out leaving Huston at his post as engineer. I remained behind as -I wanted to have a talk with Huston, concerning what Oqua had told us, -that he and Dione intended to be registered as man and wife and that he -expected Captain Ganoe would object. I asked him why he expected any -opposition from the Captain.</p> - -<p>"Because," said he, "Captain Ganoe, with all his good qualities, is a -living personification of every popular error which forms a part of the -outer world education, law and custom."</p> - -<p>"But," I asked, "on what grounds do you expect him to object?"</p> - -<p>"He will," said Huston, "unless I have misjudged the man, raise the -question that I have a living wife, from whom I have no legal grounds -for divorce. This is true so far as the law goes, but false in every -feature that constitutes a true marriage. Captain Ganoe is familiar -with all the particulars, and still he entirely disapproves of the -course I took, in taking the law into my own hands and severing the -bonds, just as soon as I discovered the fraud that had been perpetrated -on me."</p> - -<p>"Won't you give me the particulars?" I asked. "I am especially -interested in learning all about it."</p> - -<p>"I have no objections," said Huston. "It is no secret. But steam will -soon be up and our time is limited."</p> - -<p>"But please give me a brief outline," I persisted. "I am indeed vitally -interested in learning the principal facts in this case."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span></p> - -<p>Huston regarded me for a moment with a puzzled expression of -countenance and then said:</p> - -<p>"I will for your sake, Jack, try to make a long story short. My father -was a planter and supposed to be wealthy. Our family was proud and -aristocratic. My father had a ward in a distant state who lived with -his sister. She was heir to an immense estate. Though I had never seen -her I had been encouraged to correspond with her, and we had exchanged -photographs. Her letters indicated remarkable talent and the highest -culture, while her photograph proclaimed to my imagination, that she -was a beauty. I was but a boy and I confess that I was fascinated by -her letters, and the affectionate interest by which she led me to the -most ardent declaration of my admiration.</p> - -<p>"Such was the relation that had been established between us when my -father took me into his confidence and declared that he was a ruined -man and our family irretrievably disgraced, unless I could prevent it -by a marriage with his ward, Zeta Wild. The time was at hand when he -must account for her estate, which had been lost through unfortunate -speculations, and that the settlement would reveal a state of affairs -that would send him to prison for a long term of years.</p> - -<p>"I objected to the idea of marriage with a girl I had never met, no -matter how favorably I had been impressed by her photograph and her -letters. But my father's special pleading and the pressing nature of -the danger to the family name, overcame my objections, and the day was -set for the marriage.</p> - -<p>"Everything was artfully arranged. We arrived in the evening and met -the bridal party at the church. I was charmed with the appearance of my -bride. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> were married at once, and took carriages for the home of my -aunt where a splendid wedding supper awaited us.</p> - -<p>"Within an hour, I found that I had married a beautiful idiot. I was -shocked, and stole away from the guests into an upper room. I wanted -to think. A lamp was burning on the table. My eyes fell upon a letter -written to my father by my aunt. I recognized the handwriting. It was -my aunt who had written the letters that had charmed me so much. In -this one, she deplored the deception that was being practiced upon me, -but justified it on the ground that it was necessary in order to save -the honor of the family.</p> - -<p>"My mind was made up. I passed out into the darkness of the night, -started for the nearest seaport and found employment as a sailor. -I have never returned home since. I learned that my father got his -ward's fortune in my name. Captain Ganoe is personally acquainted -with my father and has seen his ward at his house, who was introduced -as his son's wife. I explained the situation to the Captain, but he -disapproved my conduct in very emphatic terms, and I should have left -the ship but for the fact that I had engaged to go with Battell on the -expedition.</p> - -<p>"I have also explained the situation to Dione and my part in this -transaction meets her approval. We shall register as man and wife, and -if the Captain objects, so much the better, as it will place my conduct -in the correct light. The marriage was a fraud and no one ought to be -bound by a fraud."</p> - -<p>"I can most cordially sympathize with you," I said. "It is certainly -a terrible wrong to compel people to associate in such an intimate -relation when their entire natures are in rebellion against it. It -cannot be wrong to sever such bonds regardless of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> claims of church -or state. A relation that is wrong, in and of itself, cannot be made -right by lawmaker or priest."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Huston. "I am glad that I am not alone among the crew -of the Ice King. Indeed I believe that ultimately even the Captain will -see this question just as I do. Our intention was to register while we -were in Orbitello, but Oqua requested that we should wait until this -excursion, and to please her we consented. I do not know her reasons -for advising delay but I suppose it is all right."</p> - -<p>"I think I understand it," I said, "and you may rest assured that her -reasons are good, and good will come out of it."</p> - -<p>"I hope so," said Huston. "But the steam gauge points to one hundred -and here goes to all whom it may concern," and suiting the action to -the word he pulled the rope and the steam whistle resounded far and -wide, something entirely new to these people, in a country which had -abandoned steam as a motor power so long ago.</p> - -<p>I hurried upon deck and joined Captain Ganoe. Captain Battell was at -the wheel, and all was ready. The decks were crowded with excursionists -who had never been on board a steamship, and knew nothing of steam as a -motor power, except as a matter of history. All were anxious to see the -vessel move and Captain Ganoe did not keep them waiting. He signalled -the engineer and immediately the ponderous engines began to move and -the Ice King was backing out into the water and swinging around with -her bow toward the head of the lake. She obeyed her helm beautifully -and started off with a speed of which we were proud.</p> - -<p>The route determined upon kept us near the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> larboard shore, while some -miles to the starboard we could see a magnificent craft that reflected -the light of the sun like burnished silver. I asked Oqua what it was.</p> - -<p>"That," said she, "is the Silver King, an electric yacht, built of -aluminum. She brings a load of excursionists and expects to take us -down the river. She is remarkable for her speed and her splendid -accommodations. She will meet us at the head of the lake."</p> - -<p>I found too much to look at to take up much time in conversation, but -cannot at this time indulge in descriptions. Suffice it to say that the -scenes presented on the boulevard surrounding the lake, on the surface -of the water and in the air were most animated, and all were moving as -if to meet us at the head of the lake.</p> - -<p>As we approached the mouth of the upper Cocytas, we met the Silver King -and while the excursionists were exchanging greetings, a strange little -craft with a dragon's head and propelled by oars, shot out from under -the cover of the river bank. At the bow were our Norwegian sailors, -Lief and Eric plying their oars most sturdily and singing a weird song, -in which I distinguished the mythological names of Odin and Thor. The -oarsmen were dressed in a strange, fantastic style, and were armed with -spears, crossbows, swords, and long hunting knives.</p> - -<p>This strange craft came out of the river and both the Ice King and the -Silver King, as if by common impulse stopped short in their career -while the Viking, for such it was, took its place between them. To say -that I was astonished at the appearance of a style of vessel that had -been obsolete for centuries, but feebly expresses my surprise, and I -asked Norrena where it came from.</p> - -<p>"It came from the outer world," he said, "about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> 2,000 years ago, -and brought a warlike crew, the general appearance of which, the -Superintendent of Festivities, has tried to imitate. The historians of -that period could gather very little information from them concerning -the country from which they came. They said that the people had to -leave because it was so cold. This gave rise to the false impression -that the outer world had become uninhabitable and that these were the -last remnants of the people."</p> - -<p>"These people," I said, "were known as Northmen, and their ships were -called Vikings. They were the most daring of navigators, and penetrated -every portion of the outer world, and it is not at all surprising that -some of them found their way to the inside. This will probably explain -why so many of your names are identical with those of the Scandinavian -countries.</p> - -<p>"That is correct," he said. "Many of our people are descended from this -stock and still perpetuate the names. Our records preserve the language -they brought with them as carefully as our chemists have preserved this -little boat."</p> - -<p>"Do you intend to say," I asked, "that this is the original boat that -found its way into the inner world a thousand years ago? I thought that -it was a reproduction. How was it possible to preserve it so long?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," he said, "this is the original boat, and it has been preserved -by forcing a chemical solution into the wood which makes it as durable -as granite."</p> - -<p>As we were speaking, two powerful metallic arms operated by machinery -reached down from the deck of the Silver King and lifted this little -Viking and its passengers into stocks that had been prepared for it, -with the seeming tenderness of a mother lifting her babe to her bosom. -So suggestive was the manner in which it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> was done that I turned to -Norrena to ask the meaning, which he anticipated by saying:</p> - -<p>"This represents the tender care that vigorous youth ought to bestow -upon age. This little boat is highly prized, as in the process of -evolution, it may be regarded as the progenitor of the Silver King. If -there had never been such boats as the Viking, there never would have -been an Ice King or a Silver King. All things must develop from small -beginnings."</p> - -<p>The Ice King and Silver King now headed toward the mouth of the lake, -were lashed together, and the excursionists on both vessels passed -freely from one to the other. The Ice King attracted much the largest -number, but I was more anxious to inspect the Silver King.</p> - -<p>Norrena introduced us to Captain Thorfin, as visitors and seamen from -the outer world. He conducted us first to the motor room and explained -the workings of the machinery, and showed us a system of airtight -compartments, which would, he claimed, absolutely keep the vessel from -sinking, no matter how badly the hull might be injured. He stated that -even the decks would float like cork.</p> - -<p>When we reached the upper deck of the Silver King we found that the -oarsmen on the Viking had exchanged their warlike equipments for -musical instruments and as we came up they opened with strains of the -most thrilling music that I had ever heard. As if in response, both -the Ice King and the Silver King seemed lifted up on the crest of some -mighty wave, and what appeared to be some monster marine animal arose -out of the water behind us and moved to the starboard side of the Ice -King. It had a resemblance to a gigantic turtle, but was fully three -times as long as it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> was wide. As soon as the water ceased to flow from -its sides, a hatchway opened in the center and MacNair and Iola made -their appearance, and began to wave their handkerchiefs to us. I was -too much astonished at this strange apparition to even ask what it was. -Norrena relieved my embarrassment by saying:</p> - -<p>"This is the Sea Rover, a submarine boat, that came up the middle of -the lake near the bottom. The three boats will be lashed together -and thus proceed down the lake while the excursionists will have the -freedom of the entire flotilla, and may amuse themselves in any way -they choose. See there! The Sea Rovers have brought up their dancing -floor. It is plain that they propose to have a ball. But I have some -business that I must attend to while the crowds enjoy themselves. As -this is to be a private party of invited guests, of which you are one, -I shall expect you to join us in the cabin of the Silver King."</p> - -<p>I intuitively knew what was coming. We found the cabin as exclusive -as could have been desired for a private party. Battell and Polaris, -Huston and Dione, Norrena and Oqua, MacNair and Iola, and Captain Ganoe -and myself constituted the party on this occasion.</p> - -<p>When we were all comfortably seated, Norrena said:</p> - -<p>"I have invited you in here because we want our esteemed guests from -the outer world to understand all of our usages. We are going to have -what in their world is called a wedding. Ordinarily these events -attract no especial attention in this country as there are but two -persons interested. But there may be circumstances under which marriage -is not permitted. In such cases we investigate. In this country, it is -the duty of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> the educational department to keep a record of everything -pertaining to birth, marriage and death, as all are supposed to be -either pupils in school or graduates from school. Hence the school -record is the record of the birth, educational attainments, name, -occupation, marriage and death of every person.</p> - -<p>"We have no such marriage ceremonies as I find described in the -literature of the outer world, but we keep a most perfect system of -records. All persons who are allowed to marry at all, are free to make -their choice. No interference on the part of others is permitted. As -a notice of their intentions, they send or bring the nativity cards -which they receive on leaving school, to the proper office where they -are registered as citizens. If there is nothing in the record which -prevents, each couple so united receives an acknowledgment and a copy -of the record, enclosed in two silver lockets, which are usually worn -around the neck. This is all there is of it unless some one objects. In -that case, there is an inquiry and the commissioner decides according -to the facts.</p> - -<p>"I have here two nativity cards. One is that of Dione of the Life -Saving Service, and the other bears the name of Paul Huston, and -the date of his registration on the books of the Sailor's Union of -Citizens-at-large of Altruria. At the request of the applicants for -registration as man and wife, I have invited you as witnesses and will -ask if any one objects to their union?"</p> - -<p>"I object," said Captain Ganoe.</p> - -<p>"State your grounds of objection," said Norrena.</p> - -<p>"Because of my certain knowledge and his own admission, he has a living -wife to whom he was lawfully married."</p> - -<p>"Is this true?" asked Norrena, addressing Huston.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It is," responded Huston. "I was married according to the usages of -the country where I was born and I do not believe that I have any legal -grounds for divorce, but as a matter of fact, the entire transaction -was fraudulent."</p> - -<p>"State the facts in full," said Norrena.</p> - -<p>"I will," said Huston, and he narrated the story of his marriage, -substantially in the same language that he had related it to me.</p> - -<p>Norrena turned to Captain Ganoe and asked:</p> - -<p>"Have you any reason to offer why this statement just made by Paul -Huston, before these witnesses, should not be accepted as true?"</p> - -<p>"I have not," said the Captain. "He admits that he was married to Zeta -Wild. That he left her without any offense on her part for which a -divorce could be obtained. Hence, he is to-day a married man. Married -according to law, and he has no right to marry another woman, and Dione -has no right to take him as a husband."</p> - -<p>"That is your view of the matter," said Norrena. "But under our usages, -the girl to whom he was married was an imbecile and had no right to be -married, and on this ground the marriage was null and void. Besides, -he was deceived, and hence the marriage being fraudulent, could not be -binding."</p> - -<p>"A legal marriage, voluntarily entered into cannot be fraudulent, and -is always binding upon the conscience of all well meaning people."</p> - -<p>"But," said Norrena, "if she was a person he could not love and respect -as a wife, was it not better that he should refuse to consummate the -relation?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," said the Captain. "When he was married to her, that -ended it. I have no doubt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> that he could have lived agreeably enough -with her if he had wanted to."</p> - -<p>"I see," said Norrena, "that you are not likely to withdraw your -objection, so we will not continue the discussion. It is my duty to -decide in favor of the true and against the false, and hence I must -over-rule your objection to the registration of Paul Huston and Dione -as husband and wife."</p> - -<p>"Do as you please," said Captain Ganoe. "It does not change the facts -in the case. It is strange to me that any woman would accept a man -as a husband under such circumstances. So far as I am concerned with -my present light on the subject, I could not as a conscientious man, -consent to marry a woman, no matter how much I loved her, who according -to law, was the wife of another man. As an honorable man I would advise -her to return to her husband."</p> - -<p>I had been listening intently to this inquiry. Here was a case almost -identical with my own. I had married my guardian of my own free will, -and like Huston, when I discovered the fraud by which my consent was -secured, I had taken to the sea, and now the one whom I had loved more -than life itself, and for whom I had searched for years, and with whom -I had braved all the dangers of the frozen north in order to be near -his person, had for the second time deliberately declared that he would -not marry such a woman no matter how much he loved her. My entire being -was aroused in revolt against such injustice and I arose and said:</p> - -<p>"For the second time, Captain Ganoe, I have heard you express this -atrocious sentiment, which ignores love, the only thing which can -sanctify the union of the sexes in the marriage relation, and place -above that the debasing doctrine that man made laws are superior<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> to -the laws of God, which are implanted in the human soul. Without love, -marriage is a curse, unholy and impure. Love is an inspiration and -cannot be transferred by the state or the church. If you have never -realized what true love signifies, of course you are excusable, but -those who have felt it, will never agree with you. Huston was right, -to take the law into his own hands and separate from his imbecile -wife. To have consummated the union, would have been a crime against -her, against himself and against humanity. And now, so far as I -am concerned, I shall drop this question. No good can come of the -discussion, and other questions of far-reaching import to the toiling -millions of the outer world, demand my undivided attention. Let us -do what we can to abolish poverty by removing time honored wrongs, -and when women are economically free, they will be able to select -companions who will not trample love under the heel of antiquated -wrong."</p> - -<p>So saying I walked out of the cabin without waiting for reply. Oqua -followed me and as she came up by my side, said:</p> - -<p>"Do not be disturbed. Your victory is won. Captain Ganoe cannot long -withstand the force of truth. And he has now placed his position so -plainly before our people that the truth will reach him from all sides -in a way of which he never dreamed before."</p> - -<p>"Yes," I said, "I have won a victory, but it is over myself. He may -come to me, when he has removed the clouds from his mind and the -bitterness from his heart. I will never make any overtures. I can love -humanity and work for it, and even if my work is not understood, I know -that it will exercise an elevating influence on myself. My motto for -the future will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> be, 'Plenty of room at the top where true love and a -sterling devotion to the right, will be understood and appreciated.'"</p> - -<p>"You talk like a philosopher," said Oqua, "and I have no doubt that -your heroism of character will come out triumphant, but do not permit -your resentment of a wrong to engender a feeling of bitterness toward -Captain Ganoe."</p> - -<p>"I shall not stoop to that," I said. "I cannot afford it. My love in -the future shall go out to every human being and I still regard Captain -Ganoe, with all of his prejudices, as one of the best. I have forgiven -his weakness and want to forget. What I need now is something better to -think about."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Oqua, "the excursion beneath the waters of the lake in -the Sea Rover this afternoon and the one on the Silver King down -the Cocytas to-morrow will give you a great many things that will -doubtless, very thoroughly engage your attention."</p> - -<p>"That," I said, "is just what I need. Something to arouse my interest -and exclude disquieting reflections. But what of this excursion beneath -the waters of the lake? I had not heard of that."</p> - -<p>"Oh yes," said Oqua, "the Superintendent of Festivities would not think -of slighting the Sea Rovers who make the navigation of our shallow -lakes, bays and rivers safe for such vessels as the Silver King and -their numerous passengers. They wanted to entertain our visitors from -the outer world on their own vessel and of course the excursion beneath -the water was made a part of the program."</p> - -<p>"Well, the arrangement," I said, "is better than I anticipated and it -surely will be, to me, a novel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> experience to be able to see the world -of marine life as the fishes see it."</p> - -<p>"And as the Sea Rovers see and improve it," said Oqua. "But see! They -are signaling for us to come on board."</p> - -<p>In a few minutes we had passed out upon the dancing floor of the -Rovers and descended into an elegantly furnished cabin. I was the only -one present who had not become acquainted with the crew, and Oqua -introduced me as the Scientist of the Ice King, to Captain Doris of the -Sea Rover who gave me a cordial greeting and introduced me to a number -of his comrades. In answer to my inquiries, he gave me an entertaining -and instructive description of the duties of the submarine service.</p> - -<p>"Our work," he said, "is to keep a careful lookout for obstructions -that might impede navigation and endanger life. This is especially -necessary in rivers like the Cocytas, where huge stones are sometimes -loosened from the rocky shores and fall into the channel, and sand-bars -form rapidly. These are discovered and removed by the submarine -patrols."</p> - -<p>"But how," I asked, "can you get at them?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing easier," said Doris, "as I will show you."</p> - -<p>At once I heard the water pouring into the hold and the Sea Rover sank -to the bottom. The Captain and two of the crew passed into a little -room at the rear of the cabin and immediately I noticed that the -sides of the vessel were transparent and brilliantly lighted from the -outside. Looking out I saw the men in diving suits leisurely walking -around on the bottom, which looked like a smooth floor.</p> - -<p>Oqua explained that by means of powerful arc<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> lights and reflectors, -these submarine navigators were able to see for long distances even at -great depths, and that the work of removing obstructions was carried on -by means of machinery, and that the stones which fell into the channel -were reduced to powder by powerful explosives, and the surface smoothed -down like a well cultivated field. The air was continually renewed from -stores of condensed air, while the poisonous exhalations from the lungs -were absorbed by sponges having a peculiar affinity for carbon.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes Captain Doris returned and the vessel began to move -rapidly through the water. I was much interested in the view of marine -life which was revealed through the transparent sides, and especially -in the level bottom of the lake, which, as Oqua had remarked, really -looked something like a broad, smooth, cultivated field. But soon we -turned toward the south and began to move slowly along the side of -a brilliantly lighted boulevard on which all kinds of vehicles were -passing and repassing.</p> - -<p>I was so much astonished at this unexpected scene, so realistic and -seemingly uncanny, that I was utterly at a loss for words to express my -feelings. Oqua seeing my embarrassment came to my relief by saying:</p> - -<p>"This is the tunnel across the lower portion of the lake and -constitutes a part of the boulevard you noticed along the shores."</p> - -<p>"How is this?" I asked. "It is certainly not a tunnel excavated under -the lake. If anything, we are a little below the roadway and well above -the bottom of the lake with the water all around us."</p> - -<p>"We do not," said Oqua, "excavate tunnels as we did in ancient times. -They are constructed in our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> machine shops. This is a metallic tube -with supports which rest on the bottom, and has many advantages over -the old fashioned, dark and dismal excavations. The material used is -a compound somewhat like common glass but as strong as steel. With -our submarine fleets it is not difficult to put the sections in place -and when completed the water is pumped out of the cavity and the -roadway is ready for use. Even across small streams, where the banks -are not too high, they are frequently preferred to bridges as more -safe and durable, but for long distances and in very deep water they -are indispensable, and in the case of deep water tunnels, they are -frequently made to span submarine gorges."</p> - -<p>"How fortunate," I exclaimed, "that this submarine excursion was on the -program! I now see a most wonderful exhibition of the power of mind to -overcome material difficulties, that it would have been hard for me to -realize if I had received the information in some other manner."</p> - -<p>"All things," responded Oqua, "are possible to the human mind in its -ultimate state of development—But we are now heading for the landing -at the Transportation Headquarters and we will spend the night on the -Silver King which takes us down to the ruins of Kroy in the morning."</p> - -<p>"And," I asked, "what is to hinder you from telling me something about -these ruins now, and what they have to do with Norrena's economic -lessons?"</p> - -<p>"They are," said Oqua, "only the relics of the great money center which -held the people in bondage during the Transition Period. When Kroy -was deserted by the money kings, the people determined to preserve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> -it, subject only to the ravages of time, as a warning and a lesson to -future generations."</p> - -<p>As Oqua ceased speaking, the Sea Rover arose to the surface by the -side of the Silver King, the hatches were opened, and in a few minutes -we were welcomed on board the electric yacht by Captain Thorfin, and -invited to an elegant supper. The day had certainly been most agreeably -spent but its lessons were too suggestive and far-reaching in their -character to be adequately presented in this small volume. I was -fatigued by the incessant activity since early morning and was glad of -an opportunity to retire to my state-room and rest.</p> - -<p>I was awake early next morning and after a hearty breakfast, we were -soon speeding down the Cocytas between two lofty walls of granite. -There was nothing to be seen but these towering cliffs for the first -few miles and Captain Thorfin gave us a specimen of the speed of -the Silver King. The cliffs seemed to dart past us as if we were on -board of a lightning express train, and yet we could scarcely feel -the motion of the vessel. I confess that I felt a little nervous at -such astonishing speed, but Captain Thorfin assured us that there was -no danger, as the submarine patrols removed every obstruction and -preserved a uniform depth of water.</p> - -<p>I asked the Captain what was the greatest speed of his vessel and he -replied that he had never tested it. He had made one hundred miles an -hour but the excursionists generally preferred to travel slowly. On -this trip we would average fifty, and so reach Kroy in about three -hours.</p> - -<p>During the last two hours of our journey we were passing through a -densely populated country. Great communal homes appeared on either -side and large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> manufacturing plants at frequent intervals. But our -interest was centered at the mouth of the river and our attention was -chiefly directed over the bow. Soon a point of land appeared where -the river seemed to part in twain. This I recognized as the island I -had seen from the airship which had brought us to the continent, and -here is where the city of Kroy had been situated. My interest had been -aroused and as the Silver King turned into the northern channel, the -island became the center of attraction. On the larboard side the same -scenes of sylvan beauty, palatial buildings and groups of happy, joyous -people continued, but it was now the uninhabited island that absorbed -my attention.</p> - -<p>I could see, in places, through the tangled brushwood and tall trees -which lined the shore, glimpses of shattered walls and tumuli, over-run -by vines and briers, such as in many parts of the outer world are so -attractive to archeologists, as the ruins of some ancient civilization. -At one point I noticed what appeared to have been costly monuments to -the dead and I said to Norrena:</p> - -<p>"Surely that must have been a cemetery."</p> - -<p>"And so it was," he responded. "In those days, millions were expended -in decorating the graves of the rich, while the masses of their fellow -beings who had toiled to create what the few had absorbed, lived in -poverty, and large numbers died in alms houses or by the wayside, and -found their last resting place in a Potter's field. More was often -expended on a single tomb than could possibly have been earned in any -useful service to society, in a life-time. They sought to secure a sort -of immortality by polished granite columns and laudatory inscriptions. -This has all been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> changed for centuries. We cremate the dead body in -the most speedy and economical manner possible, and seek to secure -longevity and happiness for all, by creating the best possible -conditions for the living."</p> - -<p>At another place I caught glimpses of monuments of another description, -mingled with what had evidently been palatial structures adorned with -the artistic work of the sculptor in great profusion. Obelisks of -polished stone towered above the surrounding trees, giving the forest -a peculiar appearance not easily forgotten, but difficult to describe. -Noticing my interest in the scene Norrena remarked:</p> - -<p>"This was once a magnificent park, and was ornamented by works of art -from foreign lands representing the most ancient civilizations, as well -as the most artistic products of their own sculptors and painters. One -of those Obelisks dated back to pre-historic ages. It was transported -from its original site in the Old World, at great expense as a -monument to the wealth and munificence of the money kings. They had -conquered the world then existing and held the people in subjection. To -commemorate their success they sought to compel the Past to proclaim -their greatness and gratify their vanity. But they had no future. -They passed away. And now the descendants of the millions whom they -oppressed, visit these ruins and gather lessons of wisdom from their -contemplation."</p> - -<p>We were now opposite a portion of the island where the ruins assumed -something of the appearance of a city. An open roadway between -buildings indicated that this had been one of the principal streets -in the olden time. The Silver King rounded to and made fast to a well -preserved dock which forcibly called<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> to my mind the great docks of New -York, Liverpool and other seaport cities of the outer world.</p> - -<p>We disembarked and found the first restrictions on our movements that -we had met in Altruria except the entrances to private apartments. -Those who desired to visit the ruins on the island were required to -register their names and accept an escort to see that nothing was -displaced or carried away from the chief points of interest.</p> - -<p>These preliminaries arranged, the gates were opened and accompanied -by our escort, we proceeded up the well-worn roadway towards what -had doubtless been the chief center of wealth and power. On either -side were huge masses of debris, and falling walls of what had once -marked the site of lofty structures. Briers and brambles grew in the -accumulated dust of ages which now covered the well-paved streets and -marble sidewalks. Wild vines clambered over the shattered walls and -not unfrequently tall trees grew through the tops of buildings where -the walls still stood firm. We were in the midst of a deep tangled -wildwood, where on every side could be seen indisputable evidence that -this had once been a great center of population, wealth and luxury. -Ruined churches and marble halls where once had gathered the elite of -a city, the opulence of which had been the wonder of the world, now -afforded a nesting place for wild fowl.</p> - -<p>My heart grew faint and my head dizzy as I pondered upon the wonderful -lesson spread out before me. Here had been a city, no less magnificent -in its prime than New York, the great metropolis of America, and I -asked myself the question, Could this ever be the fate of my native -city? Captain Battell, who was walking by my side, broke in upon my -meditations by asking:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What do you think of it, Jack? I never saw you so absorbed."</p> - -<p>And Yankee like I said:</p> - -<p>"I reply by asking, what do you think, Captain? Surely you cannot be -indifferent to scenes like this when you reflect that we are natives of -New York City!"</p> - -<p>"I am not indifferent," said Battell, "but I have had the advantage of -former visits and hence am better prepared for it. The part of the city -we are now approaching has been kept in a tolerable state of repair, -to make the lessons taught by these ruins more impressive. This visit -has been arranged for your especial benefit, as you are the recognized -historian of the Ice King. Polaris and Dione showed Huston and myself -through these ruins as soon as we reached the continent, which led me -to infer that they had learned enough of our money system from MacNair -to understand that we needed the lesson."</p> - -<p>"Then you are not a total stranger to these scenes?" I said.</p> - -<p>"No, I have been here several times and every time I come I get some -new light which applies to our own country. These ruins teach a -wonderful lesson. It does seem, as Norrena claims, that human progress -always leads up through similar channels of development. Here we are in -what was once a city, every feature of which indicates very clearly the -existence of the same conditions which now prevail in the great cities -of the outer world. It had its day and passed away because it had -served its purpose, and so must all great centers of pride and fashion -in which a few absorb the wealth created by the people and expend it -for their own pleasure without regard for others."</p> - -<p>We now entered a locality where all the buildings,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> pavements, etc., -had been kept in a state of repair that had in a great measure -withstood the ravages of time. Everywhere else the island had been left -without care and was a mass of ruins which were largely concealed from -view by a deep soil, composed of accumulated dust and vegetable humus -from ages of luxuriant growth. Here, however, were the Sub-treasury, -Stock Exchange and a number of great banking houses, still preserved, -to some extent, as the money kings had left them.</p> - -<p>"These buildings," said Norrena, "were occupied by the taskmasters -of the people. Here was the headquarters of the gold power in this -country, and having a monopoly of money, it bore to the people -the relation of a Universal Creditor and absorbed the <span class="smcap">ENTIRE -SURPLUS</span> created by their labor to meet its demand for interest, -etc. Here was practically determined the amount allowed to producers on -one hand, and the price charged to consumers on the other. This power -was the unquestioned dictator in every sphere of human activity. But we -will visit the vaults of the great money kings of that time, which were -the actual head-center of this oppressive oligarchy of wealth."</p> - -<p>We entered a massive building. Its heavy bronze doors and polished -granite walls gave the impression, that notwithstanding its artistic -finish, the chief object in its erection had been strength and -durability. The thick plate glass windows could be at once protected -by heavily barred steel shutters. At a moment's notice this massive -structure could have been converted into a fortress that would enable a -small number to hold it against a multitude.</p> - -<p>The front room was perfectly equipped as a bank, but with a strange, -and seemingly reckless display of gold coins, giving one the impression -that a time had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> come when the owners were utterly indifferent as to -what became of their accumulated hoard. Large safes were standing open -literally crammed with stacks of glittering coins. Tables and shelves -were crowded with the yellow metal, which the custodian informed us, -was kept just as it had been left, as a relic of the ages of mental -darkness, when the wealth producing millions foolishly believed that -they were dependent upon this golden hoard for the privilege of -converting their labor into the means of subsistence.</p> - -<p>From the public office of the bank we descended a flight of marble -steps into the basement which we found brilliantly lighted by -electricity. Huge steel vaults were standing open, piles of gold bricks -rested upon the floors and packages of gold coins met our sight in -every direction.</p> - -<p>"You see," said Norrena, "how the gold flowed in upon the creditors -when the people were making their exchanges without its use. Among the -people, it was only used to pay debts, and as the money kings owned, to -such a large extent, the indebtedness, the gold supply of the country -flowed in upon them until it was difficult to find storage for it. -Additional vaults were built and these were soon filled. At first they -sought to turn this glut of gold to profit by making improvements which -gave employment to labor. Great trunk lines of railroad were built -and the government borrowed vast sums which were expended on country -roads, waterways, harbors and so forth. But the people, now fully -established in business for themselves, continued, by their system of -paying dividends to consumption, to increase the price of labor and its -products. When these millions were paid out as wages and entered into -circulation they speedily found their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> way into the people's banks and -were returned to these vaults to pay debts. All this time the price of -labor and its products was increasing, and the purchasing power of gold -was decreasing, until in time all the debts were paid and the people -ceased to exchange their products for money altogether. The purchasing -power of gold was gone, and the money kings, who held on to the system -to the last, were poor indeed. They found starvation staring them in -the face. Then, they abandoned these useless hoards, went out among -the people and found plenty of employment for their really valuable -talents."</p> - -<p>From the gold vaults we passed into others where bonds, mortgages, -stocks etc., had been kept.</p> - -<p>"Here," continued Norrena, "at regular intervals, clerks were locked in -and kept close prisoners while they clipped coupons for their masters. -You see by the labels, the kind of securities which each compartment -contained. These vaults held a legal lien upon the great bulk of the -wealth of the country, the interest, dividends, etc., on which, if -paid in cash, would require each year a sum equal to, at least, one -and one-half times the entire circulating medium of the country, and -the principal if converted into cash would have required ten times the -entire volume of gold in the world. Here, in potency, was held a lien -sufficient to take every acre of land and personal property in the -country."</p> - -<p>"That," I said, "calls to my mind a phase of the question which I would -like to have you explain. How did the multitudes, especially in this -city and on this coast, escape the grasp of these money-kings who also -owned the real estate? The people had no land to go upon, and hence -could not procure a subsistence by cul<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span>tivating the soil without paying -tribute in the shape of rent."</p> - -<p>"Your question," said Norrena, "is far-reaching and I can only hint at -the reply which it naturally calls forth. The money kings over-reached -themselves by encouraging people to secure loans and pledge their -real estate for interest and principal, and then by contracting the -circulation in order to increase the purchasing power of the money -which they received as interest. As long as only a minor fraction of -the land was mortgaged the interest was promptly paid, but a time -came when nearly all of the lands were mortgaged and the people were -compelled to force their products on the markets all at once to get -money to pay interest. More and more of the debtors gave up the -struggle and abandoned their farms. These lands were useless to the -money-kings when no longer cultivated by a sturdy yeomanry. All along -this eastern seaboard, where agriculture ought to have been most -profitable, farms were abandoned because they would not pay interest on -the investment. The money value of lands for actual use to producers, -declined to zero, and the people crowded into the city and were -regarded, in their impoverished condition, as a dangerous class. Under -these circumstances the tendency of the ruling class was to encourage -the homeless poor to go upon the lands and dig a subsistence out of the -soil, for which there was no market."</p> - -<p>"Iola explained this to me," I said, "but I have never quite understood -why it was that these colonists were not charged a rental that would -keep them in perpetual poverty."</p> - -<p>"That," said Norrena, "would certainly have been the result, if -there had been no great Central West, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> a widespread tendency to -agitate the money question and its relation to the economic condition -of the wealth-producing millions. When the people began to organize -as consumers with a view to minimizing the demand for money, and to -equalize distribution by paying dividends to labor, the money kings -were forced to change their policy in regard to labor, and many -producers got a firm hold on enough land to furnish a subsistence. The -unused lands had no value and the Equitists continued to increase the -price of products in the west. The money kings who were not able to -sell their lands could avail themselves of opportunities to exchange -them for products. The leaders of the co-operative movement here in the -east knew how to take advantage of these changing conditions, and by -their communal system of co-operation, were able to keep the movement -on peaceful lines, and thus avoid violent collisions which might have, -locally, at least, set the work of industrial emancipation back for -years."</p> - -<p>"Then it appears," I said, "that it was not the western organization -of Equitable Exchange, singly and alone, that compelled the Gold Power -to relax its grasp; but this eastern co-operative movement was also a -factor in securing better conditions for labor."</p> - -<p>"That is true," said Norrena. "In the west, the people had one great -advantage over the east, plenty of land. But it was the organization -of equity in the west that flooded this eastern financial center with -money, not as interest, but because the western people were using -less money and paying debts. This made times better for the eastern -workmen. Both the western and eastern co-operators were working on the -same principles. They were all accumulating funds to purchase land, -and just in proportion as the people acquired con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span>trol over business -they had more influence on legislation, and the power of money was -correspondingly decreased."</p> - -<p>"So it seems," I said, "that your business organization did at last get -into politics!"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Norrena, "it did get into politics as a business influence -and what may seem strange to you, its object was to prevent the -repeal of laws which had been enacted in the interest of the money -monopolists. These shrewd financiers, raised a great outcry against -combinations among producers to increase the price of products by -using interchangeable certificates of deposit instead of money, in the -transaction of business. The people were using the same methods for -the improvement of their own financial condition that had been used so -successfully by monopolists for their impoverishment, and the Patrons -demanded that all the laws that had been enacted in favor of monopoly -should remain on the statute books. They further demanded that all -debts should be payable in legal tender money at the option of the -debtor."</p> - -<p>"I should have thought," I said, "that the people would be glad to -welcome the repeal of laws from which they had suffered so much."</p> - -<p>"There was a time when they would," said Norrena, "but not after they -had adjusted their business relations to the operation of monopoly -laws. Their debts were legally payable in money, and as the purchasing -power of money was continually decreasing, it was to their interest to -pay in money, and when all their debts were paid and the people refused -any longer to take money for their products, the money kings who owned -these vaults and their hoards of gold had to go in search of food. -Many found homes in the co-opera<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span>tive communities and became valuable -citizens, while a larger number had taken the alarm and emigrated to -the Old World, only to meet a worse fate a little later on, for in the -less enlightened parts of the world, the Reign of Gold wound up in a -Reign of Terror."</p> - -<p>The lesson taught by these ruins would fill volumes. Norrena's -accurate historical knowledge and ever ready explanations, with the -not less forcible comments of Oqua and others, covered every phase -of this wonderful, speedy and peaceful evolution from the Era of -Money Despotism to the Era of Man and Universal Freedom, Equality and -Fraternity. No wonder, I thought, that these people had preserved the -ruins of Kroy as a relic of their Dark Ages and a warning to humanity -for all time to come. Here, human selfishness reigned supreme and -the people of an entire continent had suffered in order to pour into -this greedy maw the wealth which it had no power to consume. And now, -this once great center of wealth, pride and fashion, was a solitude. -Its aristocratic "four hundred" had actually been starved out by the -refusal of the "clodhoppers," "greasy mechanics" and "mudsills," whom -they had held in such contempt, to feed and clothe them any longer. -Surely this was an object lesson well worthy of the care that had been -taken to preserve it from the refining and civilizing hand of labor. -Time was slowly obliterating these foot prints of a tyranny from which -the people had been emancipated for ages, but it was still important -that it should not be entirely forgotten, and there could be no better -reminder of the evil that had impoverished and degraded the millions, -as well as of the means by which it had been removed, than these ruins -and the abandoned heaps of useless gold.</p> - -<p>After a day among the ruins, and full of serious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> reflections, we -returned to the Silver King and were soon speeding down the bay. -We landed at the tower, and from this point the electric cars soon -transported us to our great communal home. I was fatigued and retired -to my own apartment at once, to think and rest.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus02.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Home again—Letter from Bona Dea—Electric garments—Reporter's -phonograph—Testing the new airship—A World's Council—Wallaroo -on Evolution—The ideals planted by Missionaries—The -Eolus—Preparations for return to America—Excursion to the far -North—The Watch Tower—Symbolic representation—The Farewell—The -revelation to Ganoe—"Cassie! Cassie! Come back! Come back!"</span></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="chapter" /> -</p> - - - - -<p><span class="figleft"> <img src="images/illus17.jpg" alt="chapter" /> </span>EXT morning at the breakfast table Oqua informed me that a package -and letter from Bona Dea to my address, had arrived at an early hour -but that it had not been delivered, as they did not wish to disturb my -rest. It had been retained in the office subject to my order when I was -ready to receive it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span></p> - -<p>This recalled to my mind a private conversation I had with Bona Dea at -Orbitello, and I surmised that her communication might have reference -to that; but I was at a loss to form any opinion in regard to the -package. She had told me that one of the inmates of the Home at Lake -Byblis was paying especial attention to the formation of an ideal -mental picture of life and its conditions in the frozen regions. And to -that end her apartments had been fitted up to represent winter scenery, -and to make the impression more realistic she was provided with a -refrigerator room where she subjected herself to low temperatures and -was testing the heat conserving powers of various qualities of clothing.</p> - -<p>When breakfast was over I called at the office and received a large -bundle, neatly wrapped and securely sealed. The address was "Jack -Adams, No. 1, care Nequa." This was a poser. The communication was in -the official envelope of the Home and I hastened to my room, so that -if need be I could have the aid of a lexicon in the translation. But -when I opened it, somewhat to my surprise, I found it was written in -English. Being appropriate as a part of this narrative, I insert it in -full.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 40%;"><span class="smcap">Matrons' Home, Lake Byblis</span>,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 45%;">March 1, 6894, A.M.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Nequa</span>:—On returning to the Home, I related to -Meidra, the "Arctic pupil" of whom I told you, the substance of our -conversation, and explained to her what you suggested in regard to -electric garments as a means of conserving the natural heat of the body -when exposed to severe cold.</p> - -<p>She informed me that she had been experimenting on that line and had -succeeded in making a suit that proved to be an ample protection from -the greatest cold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> that her refrigerator is capable of producing. She -sends you this electric suit, with the request that you test it in your -proposed voyage to the southern verge.</p> - -<p>She further requests me to tell you that she does not intend to -permit you to deprive this inner world of the honor of having a Jack -Adams among its great navigators and explorers by your simply taking -advantage of one of our customs to change your name to such a feminine -cognomen as Nequa. Both she and Tanqua are anxious to make your -acquaintance. Meidra says that your image is indelibly impressed on -her mind by your photograph. She has an enlarged reproduction of your -picture as a prominent feature in her room, and from this she reads a -most admirable character.</p> - -<p>The people of the entire concave are aroused to the importance of your -efforts to open up a channel of communication with the outer world. -All the Grand Divisions want to participate in the honor and to that -end each one has appointed a member to act with a representative from -Altruria, and constitute an Inner-World Council to assist in every way -possible.</p> - -<p>It has been agreed that Norrena shall represent this country and I -am authorized to request you to make a date for the first meeting of -the Council, as soon as possible after your trial voyage "in search -of a storm," as Battell expressed it. Please advise me as soon as -you return, when it will suit you best to have these Inner-World -Representatives call upon you, and oblige</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 50%;">Your many friends,</span><br /> - -<span style="margin-left: 55%;"><span class="smcap">Bona Dea</span>.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>I opened the bundle and found a beautifully quilted silk suit, soft -and pliable, but of firm texture, with sandals, gloves, head-dress and -visor to match. It also contained a small inlaid jewel case with a -key in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> lock. I opened this and found, as I supposed a beautiful -locket in which I expected to see a picture of the donor, but it proved -to be a delicate piece of machinery with printed instructions, which -informed me that it was a phonograph for the especial use of reporters. -When wound up it recorded on silver foil every word spoken. This was -something new and I recalled to mind that I had frequently talked to -people who wore similar lockets. Now I had found put that they probably -preserved a record of every word I said, and I wondered if I had said -anything that I would not like to have repeated. With people wearing -lockets of this description, I realized how important it was for all -to be very careful what they said; and certainly the people of this -country are the most circumspect and exact in their statements, of any -people with whom I have ever met.</p> - -<p>Just as I had finished the examination of the phonograph, the bell -called my attention to my private telephone, and I was requested to -meet Battell at the boatyard on the roof, prepared for a flight through -the air on his new airship and to take some lessons in its management. -This was just what I wanted, and in a minute the elevator had landed me -on the roof. I found Battell, Huston, Polaris and Dione, together with -Iola, MacNair and Oqua, ready for a ride in the new airship.</p> - -<p>It was beautifully finished but much more substantial than the light -airy vessels to which I had become accustomed. I complimented Battell -upon its appearance, but he was too matter-of-fact to appreciate -anything that might look like flattery and said with his usual honest -bluntness:</p> - -<p>"It is not the appearance that we care anything<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> about, but the sailing -qualities. And so far as this climate is concerned we have made decided -improvements in this particular. The sailing qualities are such, that -everyone wants an improved airship, all at the same time. The demand is -so pressing that Captain Ganoe and myself are in honor bound to these -people, to give our entire attention to supplying the world with these -improvements for at least a year to come. So we have concluded to turn -the whole matter over to you, of constructing a vessel that will meet -the requirements of an Arctic storm."</p> - -<p>"But," I asked, "why should you give up this work, now that you have it -so far completed, into my inexperienced hands? I should think that your -improvements could be duplicated by native mechanics."</p> - -<p>"So they might," said Battell, "but they want all their factories -readjusted, and the same improved methods of manufacture which have -been introduced at Lake Byblis. Besides we could not have completed the -work without your assistance. It was just as important that you should -test our improvements in the conditions existing at the verges, as it -was for us to manufacture them. These <span class="smcap">EXTERNAL WORLD METHODS</span> -of testing everything by <span class="smcap">ACTUAL EXPERIMENT</span> are absolutely -necessary when we come to deal with <span class="smcap">EXTERNAL WORLD CONDITIONS</span>. -A department of the factory at Byblis has been set apart for you, where -your plans and specifications will be speedily worked out."</p> - -<p>"But," I asked, "how can they be worked out as they should be by -mechanics who know absolutely nothing about <span class="smcap">EXTERNAL WORLD -CONDITIONS</span>, such as Polar waves, Arctic storms, hurricanes and -cyclones which are produced by <span class="smcap">EXTERNAL</span> influences not -existing in this <span class="smcap">INTERNAL WORLD</span>? Will Captain Ganoe and -yourself,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span> with your external world experience and observation be there -to superintend the work?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I will be there," said Battell, "but I want to thank you now -for so forcibly presenting the reasons why the people of the inner -world are anxious to avail themselves of our outer world experience -in adapting their airships to outer world conditions. You certainly -would not deprive them of this when they have given us so much that is -indispensable to the physical, mental and moral uplifting of the people -who live in the external world? It is these considerations which have -influenced our decision to yield to their wishes. Whenever these people -who live in this Internal World of Truth, as MacNair calls it, where -an Altruistic love for humanity is the controlling impulse, see an -improvement, they all want it immediately because it will enable them -to do more good to others and of course we could not honorably refuse -to assist them to the fullest extent of our ability."</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," I said. "That puts the matter in an entirely new -light; but it also leaves to me, with my comparative inexperience, the -whole responsibility of constructing a storm and cold proof ship. For -this, I have no experience as a mechanic, and am but poorly qualified. -My duties on shipboard have always been in some capacity that did not -stimulate my mechanical faculties, if I have any. As an assistant to -Captain Ganoe and yourself I thought there might be a place for me, but -as to my ability to take the lead, I have my doubts. I do not see how I -am to get along without your co-operation and counsel."</p> - -<p>"You will certainly have that," said Battell "This is a country of -rapid transit and we shall get together at regular intervals to -compare notes. Besides, we will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> have the assistance of an Inner-World -Association, whose representatives will constitute an Inner-World -Council of the most earnest spirits, who are anxious to unite the -<span class="smcap">INTERNAL</span> and <span class="smcap">EXTERNAL</span> worlds by opening a channel -of <span class="smcap">INTER-COMMUNICATION</span> and cultivating a mutual spirit of -fraternal regard and co-operation between the two. I have thought much -along these lines and realize how necessary these two great worlds -are to each other and how important that the leading spirits of both -should come together and work with one accord for the highest possible -development of both."</p> - -<p>"And that is just what they must do," said Oqua. "But let us test your -new ship at once and confer in regard to the work we have in hand at -the same time."</p> - -<p>Thus prompted, we embarked, Battell applied the power and we began -to ascend. Every required motion of the vessel had its appropriate -propelling power which was under perfect control. No turning around was -necessary. The new ship could dart in any given direction, at the will -of the operator.</p> - -<p>I took my place at the helm with Battell and after a little practice -found that I could handle it without difficulty. To me its management -was much more simple than the old style which could only move in one -direction. This facility with which the direction could be changed -was the essential feature in order to be able to ride the storms and -nullify the influence of the contending air currents which would be -a constant source of danger in the outer world. In fancy, I pictured -myself in a storm with sudden changes in the direction of the wind, -and suiting the action to the thought I set the vessel to dodging and -gyrating in every direction to the no little alarm of our Altrurian -friends who had no conception of the conditions of an external world -bluster.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Hold on Jack!" exclaimed Battell. "Don't shake the life out of us. -Wait until you get into an actual storm and then dodge as rapidly as -may be necessary, but there is no need of it here."</p> - -<p>"I was just thinking," I said, "what motions might be necessary in a -regular bluster, to hold the ship steady on her course. I really feel -anxious to try it, and believe that I can literally ride the storm like -the petrel in such a ship as I fully believe can be made."</p> - -<p>"Well, you can try as soon as you like," said Battell. "I see you -understand the management and I leave you to test it to your heart's -content. Find all the deficiencies you can and let us know what changes -may be needed, and they will be made to the best of our ability. We -will now return to your home, borrow one of your old fashioned ships -and return to our work at Byblis."</p> - -<p>"Well, do not send it back," said Oqua, "until it is remodeled -according to the latest improvements."</p> - -<p>"Your Department of Exchange," said Battell, "has already sent in a -general order for improved airships to replace those of the old style, -which in effect means, that they shall all be remodeled on application. -So we will send you an improved ship as soon as it can be made."</p> - -<p>It was now the second day of March and I had set my heart on getting -ready to start for the outer world by the latter part of May or the -first of June, so there was no time to be wasted. I determined to leave -at once on my experimental voyage to the southern verge and announced -my intentions to Oqua, requesting her to represent me during my absence -and any arrangements that she made in my name would be satisfactory.</p> - -<p>"What!" she exclaimed. "Do you propose to go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> alone? I thought Battell -intended that two of your sailors should go with you?"</p> - -<p>"So he did," I replied, "and at that time I thought I would need them, -but since I have tried the vessel, I have come to the conclusion that I -had better go alone. As Battell left without referring to the matter, I -shall act upon the presumption that he had changed his mind, just as he -did in regard to completing a storm and cold proof airship."</p> - -<p>"But," said Oqua, "your journey will take a week or ten day's travel -at the least, and how can you stand the constant attention to the helm -without rest?"</p> - -<p>"No fears on that score," I said. "Very much of the time will be spent -in this serene atmosphere. I need only set the helm in the right -direction and I can rest until I find stormy conditions. Then I will -surely be able to experiment with the ship for a few hours."</p> - -<p>Oqua, seeing that I was determined, helped me to get ready. I took -sufficient supplies for three weeks, although I did not expect to be -gone half of that time. The trip was most interesting but I have no -room to describe the voyage. Sufficient to say that I found storm -conditions and intense cold much sooner than I expected. My electric -garments proved to be a perfect success, but I discovered a number of -deficiencies in the ship. I returned in just eight days and presented -a written report, and specifications for necessary changes. Battell -assured me that the new vessel should be ready for another trial -journey as soon as possible.</p> - -<p>I had notified Norrena, that I would be pleased to meet the World -Council at my own apartments on the fifteenth, and I was back from the -southern verge on the tenth, ready to place my discoveries before them. -Promptly at the time indicated, Captains Ganoe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> and Battell with our -usual circle of Altrurian friends were present in the Council Chamber -of the home, ready to receive our guests, and in a few minutes Norrena -arrived with the representatives from the other Grand Divisions. He -introduced them as Hylas of Atlan, Lal Roy of Budistan, Wallaroo of -Noxuania and LeFroy of the Austral Isles. Coming as they did from all -the Grand Divisions of the world, I expected to see people of widely -different physical appearance and mental characteristics, but in this -I was mistaken. While they showed marked differences, there were no -such contrasts as we find between different races in the outer world. -In complexion they ranged from blonde to a dark brunette, all spoke the -same language, expressed similar sentiments and in features and general -deportment seemed to be building toward a common type.</p> - -<p>I made a report of my trial trip to the southern verge and also of our -plans and specifications for the further improvement of the airship, -that we believed would make it storm and cold proof. As these people -knew practically nothing of the conditions of the frigid zones they -accepted what we had to offer without criticism. They expressed -themselves as highly gratified that they had with them experienced -navigators who were familiar with the frozen regions and who knew what -was needed in order to open up a channel of communication.</p> - -<p>At this meeting it was definitely determined that we should meet again -on April 15th, which interval Battell assured us would give me an -opportunity to report on another trial trip, to test the additional -improvements which had been found desirable. That I should go ahead -with the work of preparation in my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> own way, and when I was satisfied -that the time had come to cross the Ice Barriers I should fix the date, -so that the Council could arrange for an excursion to the most northern -point of the continent of Altruria where the Life Saving Service had -a signal station at an ancient watch tower that had been erected in -pre-historic times.</p> - -<p>After our business meeting had closed, the representatives from the -Old World plied us with questions concerning the outer world which we -answered to the best of our ability. Finding that they were not a bit -backward about questioning I was emboldened to ask, how it was that -all the representatives from the different countries seemed to have -been selected from the same race of people, while I had learned from -Altrurian history that the same races of men had existed here that -existed in the outer world.</p> - -<p>"That was the case in ancient times," said Wallaroo of Noxuania, "but -at this time we have practically only one race of people in the inner -world."</p> - -<p>"Here is a mystery," I said, "that I would like very much to have -explained. How is it that they have all merged into one type, ranging -in complexion from blonde to brunette?"</p> - -<p>"My own explanation," said Wallaroo, "is, that identity of ideals and -similarity of conditions naturally lead to similarity of development, -as in accordance with natural law the race is always building in the -direction of its ideals."</p> - -<p>"That is certainly," I said, "a scientific proposition, but it does -not explain why blonde, for instance, should ever become an ideal -complexion among the dark races. How do you account for it?"</p> - -<p>"Your question," said Wallaroo, "is one that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> should be carefully -studied in the light of science and history, in order to be understood. -One thing is certain, that the early inhabitants of my own country, -Noxuania, were very dark, ranging from brown to black, while at -present, brunette is the rule and blonde is not uncommon."</p> - -<p>"But how," I asked, "do you account for the change?"</p> - -<p>"My opinion," said Wallaroo, "is that the influence of the white -missionaries created a new ideal in the minds of the people and -especially in the minds of the mothers, who almost worshiped them."</p> - -<p>"But how is this?" I asked. "In the outer world, the dark races very -often persecute and destroy the white missionaries."</p> - -<p>"And so they did here," said Wallaroo, "before Equity was established -in Altruria among white people, and another class of white missionaries -were sent to the dark races. These came not to promulgate metaphysical -creeds, but to bring material blessings, and establish freedom, -equality and fraternity. They practiced just what they preached and -wherever they went, they bestowed blessings. The people, especially -the women, soon came to worship them as Saviors because they sought -only to do them good on the material plane which they could appreciate, -and left them to free their minds from superstition in the natural -way by increasing their knowledge. It is not strange, under these -circumstances, that with these children of nature, white became the -ideal color. Improved material conditions, together with a scientific -education, higher ideals and ample time for development have produced -all the changes which have been wrought out."</p> - -<p>I found the members of the Council from the other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> Grand Divisions to -be highly cultured people and I looked forward to meeting them in the -future with pleasure. I was especially, interested in Wallaroo and -LeFroy because they represented peoples which at the introduction of -the present Altruistic civilization would correspond to the people -now occupying Central Africa and the South Sea Islands. Wallaroo -had attributed their remarkable development as physical, mental and -moral beings to the higher civilization derived from the religion of -humanity regardless of creeds, that had been brought to them by the -Altrurian missionaries. The more I thought of these things the more -I was impressed that I must visit these countries, mingle with the -people and make a close study of their history. LeFroy told me that -their written history commenced with the work of the missionaries of -the new civilization, but much additional knowledge had been gained -from archeological and ethnological researches in the light of such -pre-historic traditions as had been preserved. These missionaries did -not come to promulgate doctrines of a <span class="smcap">FUTURE</span> life but to -establish conditions which would confer blessings in <span class="smcap">THIS</span> -life, such as could be appreciated on the animal plane. For this -reason they were welcomed as superior beings to lead them morally and -spiritually.</p> - -<p>By these glimpses of a new field of discovery that was opening up -before me, I was more than ever stimulated to complete the work I had -in hand which was directly applicable to the solution of the great -economic problem confronting the people of the outer world. As had been -promised by Battell, at the Council which met on April 15th, I was able -to report the deficiencies that had been discovered in the airship by -my second trial trip to the southern verge during its winter sea<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span>son. -At this meeting it was determined to name the new vessel the Eolus, -though I preferred to call it the Petrel because I had demonstrated -that it could ride the storm. The time for the excursion to the Watch -Tower at the northern extremity of the continent and my departure -for the outer world was fixed for the twentieth of May and the next -meeting of the Council on board the Silver King on the fifteenth, -while enroute. This gave me really less than one month to complete my -manuscript and get everything in readiness for what I regarded as the -most momentous voyage of my life.</p> - -<p>While I was enrolled as a teacher of English, and the geography, -history and institutions of the outer world, I had really given all -of my attention to the study of the Altrurian language, and of the -manner in which the great problems now confronting my own country had -been solved. Every day revealed something new or presented the old -in a new light. The arts and sciences had been developed to a degree -that had scarcely been dreamed of in the outer world. Psychic powers -such as clairvoyance, clairaudience and telepathy, which in the outer -world were classed as occult by believers, and as baseless assumptions -by the multitudes, were here well understood by the many, as revealed -in the fact that my disguise had been so readily penetrated by native -Altrurians. But at the same time they respected my right to conceal my -identity. This was a marked peculiarity of these people. The right of -persons to keep a secret in their own bosoms was never questioned, and -when it was discovered, as I take it for granted was usually the case, -it was never alluded to. Here, my assumed character of Jack Adams, -the sailor, was held in the highest esteem by the few to whom I had -explained the reason for it, because it had been nec<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span>essary, in order -to enable me to be true to my own higher sense of right. In the outer -world this would have branded me as disreputable and I would have been -ostracized as something vile by the so called better classes of society.</p> - -<p>After years of wandering, exposed to the perils and hardships of a -sailor's life, I had found my lost lover, only to learn from his oft -expressed sentiments, that he regarded such a course of life as I had -pursued as so grossly disreputable that no honorable man could afford -to contract a matrimonial alliance with such a woman. For this reason I -had not revealed myself to him, and now that I was soon to leave him, -the question often presented itself to my mind as to whether I ought to -let him remain any longer in ignorance of the fact that Cassie VanNess -had stood by his side in so many dangers.</p> - -<p>The time was at hand when this question must be decided and I -determined to confer with my most intimate Altrurian friends of my own -sex. Bona Dea had arrived at our Home at my invitation and Oqua and -Iola were present to assist in making out a program for the excursion -and my departure for the outer world. My proposed journey was of course -the subject of conversation, but I wanted to draw them out in regard -to the personal matter that was uppermost in my mind. I wanted their -advice but did not want to be too abrupt in raising a question that was -calculated to call the attention of these public spirited people away -from an important public question in which they were deeply interested, -to the consideration of my own private affairs.</p> - -<p>Oqua, however, soon gave me the opportunity I wanted by asking:</p> - -<p>"What does Captain Ganoe think of the decision<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> of the Council and the -general consensus of the opinions of those most interested, that you -should have your own way about the journey and go alone if you thought -best? While he did not object, I felt quite sure that he did not -approve."</p> - -<p>"His heart," I said, "was very much set on going himself and he -expresses grave fears as to my safety, notwithstanding my excursions -into the stormy regions in the vicinity of the southern verge. He knows -however that it was with his consent and advice that the entire matter -of opening communication with the outer world was placed in my hands -and I accepted the responsibility under protest. The Council regarded -my proposed expedition as too perilous to risk more than one life in -the attempt. But this you know is just what I wanted for reasons of my -own. As a matter of fact there is less danger than in my excursions to -the southern verge. I wonder sometimes what the Captain would think if -he knew that it was the little girl playmate of his boyhood days and -the affianced bride of his early manhood who was bidding him adieu!"</p> - -<p>"And do you not intend," asked Oqua, "to reveal your identity to him in -some way so that when you return, no concealments will be necessary? -You know that we penetrated your disguise at once but we respected your -natural right to conceal your identity, and we shall continue to do so -until you are willing for us to do otherwise. But I would suggest, as -an act of justice to Captain Ganoe as well as to yourself, that you -ought to let him know who you are. It will doubtless awaken in his mind -a train of thought that will be very beneficial to him, while it will -protect you from the deteriorating effects of leading a double life."</p> - -<p>"But," I said, "this double life was forced upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> me by causes over -which I had no control and hence I do not see how it can have any -deteriorating effects."</p> - -<p>"That was no doubt true," interrupted Bona Dea, "in the present stage -of your outer world civilization, but there is no necessity for it -here. And the necessity being past, the continuance of the deception -might be interpreted to mean that deep down in your soul you doubted -the propriety of your conduct. Disguise is perfectly legitimate as a -means of self protection, but when it is unnecessary, its tendency is -to cultivate duplicity, a characteristic to be carefully avoided. Hence -I would advise you to adopt some method of revealing your identity to -Captain Ganoe at the moment of your departure; and the more open and -frank you are about it, the better will be the effect on him as well -as your self. Better not wait until he penetrates your disguise for -himself, something he would have done long ago, but for the fact that -from his education, he is guided by external appearances instead of -those more subtle impressions from which there can be no concealments."</p> - -<p>I saw the force of this kind of reasoning and determined to act -accordingly, and the more I thought of it, the more determined I became -to be frank, honest and kind, but strong, independent and inflexible in -the assertion of my natural right to think and act for myself without -having my integrity and purity of character called in question, because -I preferred truth to falsehood. At first I dreaded the denouement; but -the more I reflected upon it, the more necessary it appeared, and the -better I was prepared for the ordeal.</p> - -<p>The hour of my departure was near. It had been arranged that the -Silver King with the delegations from the other Grand Divisions should -meet the Altrurian delegation at the ruins of Kroy, and I had agreed -to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> give Pat and Mike a ride on the Eolus, from the Ice King on Lake -Byblis, and land them on the Silver King while enroute for the northern -extremity of the continent. I started to the Lake early on the morning -of May 15th and within an hour from my departure I was on the deck of -the Ice King. I found Lief and Eric, as well as Pat and Mike, ready for -the journey. As soon as I had secured some scientific instruments I -wanted from the equipment of the Ice King and some personal belongings -which I regarded as important, I invited the sailors <span class="smcap">on board the -Eolus</span>, and in a moment more we were mounting into the air. We -sailed around the lake and gave the people an opportunity of seeing -the airship that was destined for the outer world. The Eolus was not -built with a view to securing greater speed but for holding its course -regardless of contrary winds. In speed, however, it was capable of -making considerable progress against a head wind of two hundred miles -an hour. I put the ship through the various movements that it was -capable of making, such as stopping suddenly, moving backward, moving -sidewise and suddenly rising and falling, for the benefit of the -sailors and of the numerous spectators.</p> - -<p>Mike was quick to see the advantage that the Eolus had over other -airships and he remarked with enthusiasm:</p> - -<p>"Well Jack, it will take a lively hurricane to drive you much from your -course, but how in the world will you keep from freezing?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing easier," I said, as I touched a button and lighted the -electric burners that were placed between the inner and outer walls. -In a minute the walls were hot to the touch and the air inside became -sultry.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Gracious!" exclaimed Mike. "You can never stand this. It will roast -you."</p> - -<p>"Then we will cool it," I said, as I shut off part of the burners, "or -if this is not enough, I will shut them all off."</p> - -<p>"But," said Mike, "you have it so hot now that it will take an hour to -cool off."</p> - -<p>"Not so," I replied. "I will open the doors and start the electric -fans," and suiting the action to the word, a cool breeze took the place -of the sultry air. "But if you want it cooler," I continued, "I will -bring the temperature down a point or two more," and closing the doors, -I opened the refrigerator compartment and in a moment we were shivering -with the cold.</p> - -<p>"Well!" exclaimed Mike, "I never knew climate to change so rapidly. I -think you have not been dodging up to the Pole and back for nothing. -You seem to have provided for every emergency but one, and that is the -freezing of the moisture which is already obscuring your lookouts by -this manufactured dose of winter."</p> - -<p>"That is provided for," I said, as I started the circular lookout -glasses into motion under a specially prepared brush which absorbed the -moisture. Mike noticed the disappearance of the clouds on the lookouts -but did not observe the cause and looked at me inquiringly.</p> - -<p>"Put your hand on the glass," I said, "and it will explain itself."</p> - -<p>"Well I should think it would!" he exclaimed as he jerked back his -hand. "The whole window is just a whizzing; and now I see that the -cross bar is a brush that seems to have drank up the moisture."</p> - -<p>"I have tried to provide for every contingency,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> I said, as I turned -the prow of the Eolus down the valley of the Cocytas, and put her at -full speed. "I regard it as a matter of the first importance that -a full account of our discoveries shall be transmitted to our own -country. We must join the excursion on board the Silver King as soon as -we can. I want to interview as many of the representatives from other -countries as possible. I must gather all the useful knowledge I can for -the benefit of the external world."</p> - -<p>"That is right," said Mike, "and I would be far from stopping you, but -I want you to be after going slow a bit."</p> - -<p>"Why what is the matter?" I asked, as I checked our speed.</p> - -<p>"Just this," said Mike, producing a box, "it will take money in the -outer world to secure the publication of your book and here is our -wages from the Ice King. It is of no use to us in this country, and we -want it to be used to send your book broadcast. You will see that it is -divided into two parcels, one belongs to Lief and Eric and the other to -Pat and myself."</p> - -<p>Here Lief broke into our conversation, speaking the Altrurian language -like a native, saying:</p> - -<p>"We want your book to be translated into all languages,—and it -will be, just as soon as our wonderful discoveries are known in any -civilised country. We particularly want our own people to hear about -this country, and that we are not the first Norsemen who came here. -Tell them about the old Viking, and also of the Norwegian names which -are found everywhere."</p> - -<p>"I have noted these things," I said, "as well as the part you have -taken in the expedition. How you saved the Ice King by your prompt -action when we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> were caught in the ice, and how your ability as seamen -enabled us to get through after the larger part of the crew had -deserted."</p> - -<p>"Oh! we ask no credit for that," said Eric. "We shipped for a purpose, -and have in a measure found what we were looking for. When the right -time comes our people will hear from us, and when they do, we may be -able to add something of value to the great work for humanity which -you have undertaken. All we ask for now is, that your account of our -discoveries shall be given to the outside world."</p> - -<p>"And I promise you," I said, "that your money shall be used for that -purpose, and I fully believe that what we have learned, will be the -greatest boon that could be conferred upon the people of the outer -world. In the name of humanity I accept the trust you place in my hands -and I shall see that your gold shall be used to emancipate your fellow -workmen from the tyranny now imposed upon them by human greed."</p> - -<p>As we sped down the valley a glass of small magnifying power brought -the Silver King into view gliding northward on the bay like a thing of -life. I timed the Eolus so as to join the excursion on this floating -crystal palace when it passed out upon the ocean. As we slowly settled -in the place that had been set apart for us, the crowds gathered around -and I was kept busy answering questions and explaining the use of the -various attachments which experience had demonstrated to be essential -to the successful navigation of the air in the external world.</p> - -<p>This was an excursion long to be remembered. The crowds of elegantly -dressed people who thronged the decks of the Silver King had gathered -from every part of the concave to accompany us to the northern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> -extremity of Altruria, a distance of about 7,000 miles from the mouth -of the Cocytas. It was intended that we should cover this distance in -seven days, which would make the actual time of my departure on my -aerial voyage, the morning of the twenty-third of May.</p> - -<p>As the excursion was to last one full week a series of entertainments -was provided to make the time pass pleasantly and profitably. Music, -dancing and theatrical performances were interspersed with lectures and -social converse touching upon leading subjects of thought and action. -The program made this journey one ceaseless round of enjoyment. The -records of the conversations preserved by my locket phonograph, I -regard as the most instructive and valuable historical, scientific and -ethical lessons I have ever listened to, and which I hope to be able to -give to the world when the occasion requires.</p> - -<p>On the evening of the twenty-second, Oqua called my attention to -the kaleidoscopic lights on the Watch Tower which was to be the -point where I would bid farewell to my Altrurian friends as well as -my comrades of the Ice King. In the pitch dark nights of the outer -world such an exhibition would have been beautiful and grand beyond -description but even here, with the reflected light which made the -darkest nights comparatively light, the scene through our glasses, of -the ever changing views was such, that I never tired of observing them. -These lights presented all the prismatic hues of the rainbow with the -intermediate shades, continually changing from one geometrical figure -to another, but always coming around to a five pointed star which is -the symbol and sign manual of the material civilization of this inner -world; the changing colors kept pace with the changing geometrical -figures, always returning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> to the five pointed star, until it had been -reproduced in each of the seven prismatic colors.</p> - -<p>This seemed to be the regular order, but suddenly it was broken, -by giving only the stars in the seven different colors in a rapid -succession, until they resolved themselves into a circle, revolving -swiftly on its axis. Seeing my interest in this change, Oqua said:</p> - -<p>"The keeper has just noticed our approach and is operating the keys -to send us a welcome in the name of the entire concave. This welcome -will be repeated by every signal station on this parallel around the -world. The principal use of these lights is to send messages by means -of the changing figures, which are well understood by the people of -this country, and especially those who navigate these northern waters. -The one great drawback to their use, is, that they must be observed -through glasses which are especially adapted to this purpose. Here in -this inner world where it is never absolutely dark we cannot take the -full advantage of these light signals, without the use of external -appliances."</p> - -<p>As she spoke she set the great telescope through which I was looking -to revolving so as to take in a zone all around the concave, and I -observed other signal lights responding in regular order along this -zone.</p> - -<p>"These signal stations," continued Oqua, "are under the control of the -Life Saving Service, and the keepers with these glasses are always -on the lookout for mariners who may be in danger, and their signal -messages notify any patrols that may observe them of the nature of the -danger as well as the locality of the endangered. Had the Ice King come -within the radius of any of these Signal Stations at almost any other -time, you would certainly have been discovered and rescued.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> But at -the time you came into these waters the fog had effectually checkmated -our observations. For this reason we are agitating for the extension -of this system to medial and equatorial latitudes, as a time has come -when it seems likely that other ships like the Ice King, may drift into -these placid waters where sails are useless, and hence be powerless -to save themselves from certain destruction by being carried into the -southern verge on ocean currents which never touch the land."</p> - -<p>On the morning of the twenty-third when I awoke, the Silver King was -lying at the wharf and I had a close view of the Watch Tower and its -ever changing signal lights. It was more like a lofty building than a -mere tower. It was a hexagon in shape, two hundred and fifty feet in -height with a large platform on top, in the center of which was a huge -column like the body of a tall tree branching out into numerous arms, -each supporting a series of electric lights. The mechanical contrivance -by which these lights were controlled was automatic, but as occasion -required could be changed by the watchman in the observatory to signal -any message required to all whom it might concern. This building from -outside to outside was one hundred feet at the base and fifty feet at -the top, while the inside diameter was the same from top to bottom. -On the outside was a spiral stairway reaching from the ground to -the platform at the top and in the center was an electric elevator, -connected with each of the twenty stories.</p> - -<p>The hour of my departure had come. According to the program I was to -bid farewell to the members of the Inner World Council and my old -comrades of the Ice King and some personal friends at the top of the -tower where they had already assembled. The crew of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> the Silver King -and her throngs of excursionists had gathered on the deck and the wharf -to see me take my flight. When all was ready, I took my place on the -Eolus and rising a few feet sailed slowly around this magnificent ship, -coming to a halt on the starboard quarter where Captain Thorfin, acting -as spokesman, said:</p> - -<p>"In the name of the people here assembled from all parts of the world -who have accompanied you thus far on your daring expedition, I am -requested to express to you our exalted opinion of your courage, your -ability and worth, and to thank you for the inestimable service which -you have undertaken to render to our people, by extending their sphere -of knowledge in regard to the external world. You are now engaged in -a work for which our people are powerless. We realize that we are -to profit by your perils. You will ever occupy a warm place in our -affections. Accept our thanks for your heroic efforts to open a channel -of communication with our fellow beings of the external world. Hoping -for your speedy return we bid you a loving farewell."</p> - -<p>"And through you," I responded, "I desire to extend my heartfelt thanks -to those who are beyond the reach of my voice, for this demonstration -of their interest, and may the channel of communication, which we hope -to establish between the internal and the external worlds never again -be closed. But as yet I have not accomplished anything to merit your -thanks. I am the one who ought to be grateful to your people. I came -among you a stranger and you received me as a brother. Everywhere I -have met the kindest consideration and all my wants have been supplied -without even the formality of asking. I have here found the living -soul of humanity developed as it has never been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> believed to be -possible in the external world. I carry with me to my own native land -<span class="smcap">THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE</span>, the knowledge that <span class="smcap">HUMANITY -CAN BE REDEEMED FROM SELFISHNESS AND ALL OF ITS CONSEQUENCES</span>. In -the external world, from whence I came, we have only cultivated the -external, and hence have developed physical hardihood while you have -developed the finer attributes of the soul which we have neglected. My -ambition is to bring these two worlds together. You need our physical -hardihood while we need your higher development of soul. When the -leading characteristics of both are united into one common brotherhood, -both worlds will have a perfected humanity. If I can help humanity -to reach this grand culmination, where both soul and body shall be -developed to their utmost capacity, I shall be happy. To me, with my -training, it does not seem like a daring undertaking now that I am -enabled to utilize your grand discovery of the means by which the air -can be navigated. Thanking you for this mark of your consideration, and -promising to return as soon as possible, I bid you adieu."</p> - -<p>As I ceased speaking, I set the Eolus to moving directly to the top of -the tower. This demonstrated at once to the multitudes, its superiority -over the old style of airship and they gave a cheer, which was the more -expressive and significant as these people are not given to anything -like loud demonstrations of applause.</p> - -<p>At the platform I received cordial words of cheer from the committee, -my old comrades of the Ice King and my most intimate Altrurian friends. -Speaking for the committee, Lal Roy, of Budistan said:</p> - -<p>"On behalf of the members of this committee, and especially of the -members from the eastern hemisphere, I congratulate you upon the marked -improvements you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> have made in our methods of aerial navigation. The -construction of the Eolus marks an era in our progress that will be -a monument to your memory. You will be honored and appreciated for -generations to come."</p> - -<p>"Excuse me," I responded. "I am not entitled to the honor you would -bestow upon me. Captain Battell made the first move toward the -improvements that were consummated in the Eolus, and Captain Ganoe and -Huston have both contributed their mechanical skill. Without them there -would have been no Eolus."</p> - -<p>"Hold on Jack," said Battell. "In the consummation, we only carried -out your suggestions. The improvements I started, were completed in -accordance with your plans."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Captain Ganoe, as he clasped my hand. "You were the first -person I ever heard suggest the construction of an airship that could -ride the storm, and but for your suggestions every one of which was -tested in your experimental journeys to the verges, we never could have -succeeded. And but for your intimate knowledge of the difficulties to -be overcome, I never would have consented for you to go alone. Even -as it is, notwithstanding the unanimous decision of the committee, I -find it very hard to reconcile myself to the thought that you are to -be exposed all alone, to the cold and the storms of the polar regions. -Such dangers ought to be reserved for those who have nothing to live -for, and not for the young, the refined and the educated who have a -bright future before them."</p> - -<p>"Have no fears for me," I said. "You must not forget that it is now -warm weather in the north frigid zone and I will not be exposed to -intense cold, and the probability is that I will have no severe -storms to contend with. But I will promise this: To be careful, and -if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> I discover any defect in the Eolus that would make the journey -too hazardous, I will return at once, rather than take any chances of -defeating our purpose of communicating with the outer world when we -have mastered the problem of riding the storm. No doubt my observations -on this voyage, will open the way for other improvements. Keep up -your courage. This is but the beginning of our work. We must have -airships that will enable the most sensitive, to visit the outer world, -and teach our countrymen the importance of cultivating the higher -attributes of the soul, which can only be developed in their fullness -under the benign influence of an Altruistic civilization."</p> - -<p>Oqua here stepped forward and took me by the hand, saying:</p> - -<p>"Nequa, my more than friend, go, and the blessings of our people go -with you. May you reach your native land in safety and accomplish your -mission. By so doing you will leave footprints on the sands of time -that can never be effaced. As soon as your work is placed in the proper -hands return with all speed to the many loving hearts which await you."</p> - -<p>Scarcely had she ceased speaking when Polaris, as if to continue her -remarks, raising her hand and pointing to the north, said:</p> - -<p>"Yes, loving hearts will await you. And when your form has faded from -our vision, in yonder deep cerulean blue, the mystic symbol of purity -and truth, remember that in spirit we are with you. And I will continue -to keep watch over these waters, patiently awaiting your return, as -in the past I have kept watch for any of your people that might drift -in here, and be left to the mercy of the currents which never touch -the land. I hope to be the first to greet you on your return,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> but if -perchance you should be lost in your perilous undertaking, I will still -be flitting, to and fro, over these northern seas, awaiting the coming -of your people, to assist and welcome them in the true spirit of our -civilization."</p> - -<p>MacNair gave a new turn and spirit to this closing interview, by saying -in his usual cheery manner:</p> - -<p>"In the name of humanity I protest against preparing for the funeral -before the corpse is ready. Neither am I willing to contemplate the -possibility of Jack Adams ever requiring any such a service at our -hands. You do not understand the kind of material of which he is -composed. I know that Jack is going to make the round trip, no matter -what we may be doing, and so far as I am concerned, I do not intend to -give myself any uneasiness about him; and instead of bobbing around up -here in this chilly atmosphere, I will go home and be ready to give -Jack the cordial greeting of a fellow countryman, when he returns from -this last polar expedition."</p> - -<p>"MacNair is right," I said. "I am not starting out to fall by the -wayside, and do not forget that the Eolus will sail far above the -ice-fields, and that during the high-noon of the long arctic day of -six months duration. I apprehend no danger, but anticipate a pleasant -excursion to my native land. But I will not go any further this time, -than is absolutely necessary. I hope to meet the right persons at some -of the many stations in Alaska, and if so I will return several days -earlier than I have promised. I shall return as soon as possible. My -life work is here, for it will take a life-time to complete the work -that I have laid out for myself to do for the benefit of my countrymen -who live in the external world."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span></p> - -<p>As I was speaking, Captain Ganoe stood with his hand on the door of the -Eolus, at if it was by right his place to have the last parting word. -Captain Battell and the other comrades of the Ice King drew near. Upon -their faces, I read the affectionate regard they had for me. It was a -trying moment. I wanted a last word with Captain Ganoe. I wanted it -impressive, kind but inflexible. I shook hands with all who stood near, -and then as I held Captain Ganoe's hand I said to Oqua:</p> - -<p>"Step on board, I want you to assist me a moment," and to the Captain, -"Wait here a moment, I have something to say to you."</p> - -<p>Oqua did as directed, and we ascended and made the circuit of the -lights, while I prepared myself for the revelation I intended. Oqua -handled the ship while I hastily donned the attire which characterised -my sex in the outer world. I arrayed myself in the same rich satin -dress that I had worn on the last evening I had spent with Raphael, at -his uncle's home in New York. My golden locks made into a neat fitting -wig, and put up in the game style which he had so much admired, now -covered my short cropped hair. Around my neck I had the same gold chain -and locket of peculiar workmanship, and the same ring on my hand, which -had been his parting presents to his affianced bride. Over all I wore a -cloak that came down to my feet.</p> - -<p>My toilet complete, we dropped to the level of the platform, but just -outside, and Oqua with a parting pressure of the hand, and with a last -injunction: "Nequa, be strong, be true, but do not forget to be kind -and considerate," passed from the Eolus to the platform, and moving -back a few feet, I stepped to the door and throwing aside my cloak, -stood arrayed before Captain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span> Ganoe, just as I had been when I bade him -adieu at our guardian's home just fifteen years before.</p> - -<p>The crowd stood spell-bound. None but Oqua, MacNair, and the crew of -the Ice King had ever seen any one dressed in the costume which is -peculiar to women in the outer world. Captain Ganoe stood rooted to the -spot, and gazed at me with a look of consternation, as if I was one who -had just arisen from the grave, as I said:</p> - -<p>"Captain Ganoe, you doubtless recognize me and I ask your attention -for a moment. You will probably remember, that on the Ice King you -confidently related to your scientist, Jack Adams, the story of your -engagement to Cassie VanNess, and asked him if he had ever loved. He -made an evasive reply. If you care to have an explicit answer to that -question, ask my trusted friend Oqua. I do not wish to have that story -again pass my lips. I have done with it forever. I have now taken up a -new life and henceforth I am wedded to a new lover, and the wealth of -my affections shall be bestowed upon humanity.</p> - -<p>"The memory of the old life, and the old love, carries with it the -martyrdom of all that is noblest, purest and most sacred in the soul -of woman, her devotion to the chosen idol of her girlhood days. These -outer world conditions so foreign to all that is good and true, make -me wonder that I should ever have been so weak as to be victimized by -them. But such are the consequences of a false education, which belongs -to a benighted past and cannot be helped. For many long years, in my -assumed character of Jack Adams, the sailor, I roamed over the high -seas to find you, and during all of our perils in the ice, I stood -by your side. I worshiped you with an idolatrous devotion. And all -this, only to hear again and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span> again from your lips, the expression -of sentiments, that condemned all that I had done, as disreputable, -unworthy and immoral. You have repeatedly declared that as an honorable -man, you could never unite yourself with such a woman in the holy bonds -of matrimony, no matter how much you loved her.</p> - -<p>"It was for this reason, that my own self respect forbade that I should -reveal my identity to you. The case of Huston was almost identical with -my own, and in condemning the course which he had taken you condemned -me. I took it for granted, that as an honorable man, you expressed your -honest sentiments, and there was nothing for me to do but to submit to -your verdict—"</p> - -<p>The Captain raised his hand as if to speak, but I checked him, saying:</p> - -<p>"Hear me through. It is in no spirit of unkindness that I speak. I -have waited patiently for you to so modify your views, that I could -make myself known to you in the full assurance of your approval of my -fidelity to our plighted troth. But you gave me no such opportunity. -Oqua penetrated my disguise at first sight and many others of my inner -world friends with whom I have been associated, intuitively understood -that Jack Adams, the sailor, was an assumed character and why it had -been adopted; but you, blinded by the crystallized errors of a false -education, were ignorant of my identity.</p> - -<p>"I now reveal myself to you, because I do not wish to continue this -assumed character, even to escape the pain that would be inflicted by -your disapproval. I do not regret the course I have taken. Under the -same circumstances I would be compelled to do the same thing again, -rather than be false to the higher laws of my own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span> nature. It is true -that I have repudiated, and still repudiate, any legal obligation that -may be secured by fraud, misrepresentation or coercion. I now know that -human laws, human customs and legal ceremonies may be the cover for the -violation of God's laws which are implanted in the human soul. I have -been true to these higher, God made laws of my own being, and disregard -all man made laws and customs which violate the most sacred rights of -the human soul.</p> - -<p>"If I cannot meet you as an equal, free to think and act for myself, -regardless of the arbitrary rulings of either church or state, then it -will be far better for both of us, that we remain apart. I will never -be bound by any ceremony that does not meet my own approval. When it -comes to matters of this kind, I, Cassie VanNess, am the lawmaker.</p> - -<p>"You have repeatedly expressed sentiments, which could have no other -meaning, than that you regarded legal and popular ceremonies, as of -more worth in your estimation, than the 'unpurchased, and unpurchasable -devotion of a loving woman.' If you prefer a companion who cares more -for what Mother Grundy might say, than she does for Captain Ganoe, then -I could not possibly be that companion. When I return, let all this -be forgotten. Let us meet as friends, forget if we can, the past, and -let each of us live our own life, true to our own convictions of what -is noble, good and true. I have had one lover and lost him because I -loved him too devotedly. I shall never make that mistake again. But as -the widow of such a lover, I shall henceforth continue to labor for the -upbuilding of all humanity, as I would gladly have lived for him, and -him only.</p> - -<p>"And now, farewell Raphael. I regret, not that I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> loved you so -devotedly, but that I did not learn sooner, that it was only love with -certain restrictions, and within certain specific bounds, that you -wanted. Excuse my mistake and farewell."</p> - -<p>While I maintained my equilibrium, I felt that my heart would break. -With my hand I waved a farewell to all, and set the Eolus in motion. As -I closed the door, Captain Ganoe sprang forward and would have dashed -himself from the tower but for those who stood by him. His last words -have been ringing in my ears ever since as they were wafted to me on -the balmy air. In a voice of agonizing entreaty, he cried out:</p> - -<p>"Oh Cassie! Cassie! For God's sake, Come back! Come back!"</p> - - -<p class="center">THE END.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of NEQUA or The Problem of the Ages, by -Alcanoan O. Grigsby and Mary P. 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