"What on earth are you talking about?" I exclaimed.
"Mount Horror and Mount Gurthrie! If ever there was a great natural
gateway between two worlds it is there. I am sure one is an extinct
volcano, and while it may not have been active in thousands or millions
of years, it was once; and its awful eruptions of fire were doubtless
the flaming sword of the angel!"
It was impossible to help being impressed with Torrence's ideas, because
they were generally fresh, and often right.
"There is another point I wish to make," he added, as we hovered close
above a field of purple berries, "it is this. Several of our most
ancient civilizations have been sun worshipers. Look at the superb
temple of the Syrians at Baalbec! Look at the Phoenicians, the ancient
Greeks, the Peruvians! Now, why was the sun worshiped? Because it had
not been always known. Because it was a new figure in the heavens, of
marvelous powers, among which was that of locomotion, hitherto only
applied to living organisms. Because it carried directly with it the
power of light and heat, and because darkness followed when it went
away; darkness being a condition previously unknown. Had the sun always
been present in the heavens of the ancients, it would have been too
commonplace, too familiar an object to have been deified. But it was
new, strange, and apparently endowed with life and intelligence, and
that is why it was worshiped. Gurthrie, there can be no doubt about it,
we are in the Garden of Eden!"
"Possibly!" I answered; "but you must remember that we are in a new
world, nearly as large as our own, and we must expect to find every
variety of climate, and many different conditions, as with us."
"True," said Torrence; "I by no means believe that the Garden of Eden
was an entire world. There are doubtless many strange things awaiting
us."
We descended into the bosom of the purple field, and made a hearty meal
of the berries.
* * * * *
*XVIII.*
* * * * *
An hour after leaving the city a range of ragged mountains loomed up
ahead. We stood on deck watching its beautiful coloring and outline
until the foothills were reached, when we reduced our speed. Nearing a
purple cliff, streaked with crimson, we halted, and then rose slowly to
a grassy ledge, where we landed. The mountains were not lofty, but
presented a rugged aspect by reason of a series of rocky precipices,
like steps, upon the top of each of which was a narrow belt of green,
where the fertility of the ground was evidenced by a prolific growth of
grass and fruits in wonderful profusion and variety. The grapes we
found here deserve another name, by reason of their superiority; and the
fruits which greeted us on every side beguiled us into lingering for
hours to enjoy the piquancy and delicacy of their flavor. Indeed we
felt the poverty of the human system in our inability to do more than
taste the countless varieties which loaded these hills upon every hand.
There were fruits to quench the thirst of every degree of lusciousness
and acidity, and there were others which partook of the nature of solid
food. Others again had a singular effect upon the spirits, lifting us
into a state of exaltation, as though due to the presence of alcohol.
But I am talking of things that must be experienced to be realized.
Language fails to describe them.
Resting on this beautiful escarpment we looked out over a dreamy
landscape, and then settled ourselves down for a nap. It was our
intention when rested to look for gold in the peculiar tinted rocks
below. Being tired we were soon fast asleep, and were surprised on
waking to find that several hours had elapsed. We were greatly
refreshed, and started out at once to prospect for the yellow metal with
a couple of hammers.
Finding a natural pathway we began scrambling down the rocks, clinging
to the bushes and long grasses that grew in the crannies, and chipping
occasionally at the craggy protuberances around us. Torrence was ahead,
while I was close behind him. I don't think it could have been ten
minutes when I heard him call out:
"Color!"
Before I had time to let myself down to his level he held up a great
chunk of reddish stone filled with yellow nuggets, as large as my fist.
I had never beheld such a sight, and on reaching his standing, was
electrified at the vision that greeted my eyes. This was not quartz
mining; it was simply bending one's back and picking up wealth faster
than a bank teller could deal it out over a counter. We chipped away as
hard as possible for a few minutes, and then stopped to consider what we
should do with the metal. It was evident that in an hour's time the
accumulation would exceed our capacity for removal. It was clear enough
how the inhabitants could afford to use gold in such wild profusion.
Indeed the metal could not be so valuable here as the peat on an Irish
bog or coal at a Pennsylvania pit. We were discouraged at our inability
to turn the world wrong side out, or that we had not a railway at our
command. But what must we do? Our early education made it impossible
to leave the place without taking with us all we could carry, and so we
resumed our efforts, determined to do our best. We pounded and hammered
for an hour. Nuggets were in sight that were of greater value than all
our stock of sovereigns. The mines of Solomon were trifling by
contrast, and we stopped occasionally to survey the field and stare at
each other in amazement. It was evident that whatever we succeeded in
removing must be carried in the ore, as we had no machinery to separate
it; and had this been of an ordinary kind, it would have been a serious
consideration, but the gold was nearly as plentiful as the rock itself.
All we could hope to do was simply to loosen the quartz with our hammers
and knock out the kernels, which left us a really very insignificant
residuum of rock to transport. It was not necessary to dip into the
ledge or to go below the most superficial outcroppings, as more pure
gold was to be had upon the surface than we could ever hope to remove.
"We can easily get out a million of money with our hammers," said
Torrence, "and it would be folly to trouble ourselves with any but the
richest and easiest handled."
We now saw the necessity of returning to the air ship for sacks to
remove the treasure, and it became at once apparent that it would be
impossible to haul it up the precipice. This led to a consultation.
The ledge immediately below was rough and shelving, and unfit for a
landing, but the vessel must be anchored there in order to receive her
cargo. The place where we were standing was barely wide enough for a
footing.
"I have it," said Torrence; "we must bring her to a standstill
underneath without landing."
It was the only thing we could do, and although the face of the cliff
was an awkward halting ground, we must manage it. And so we returned
for ropes and gunny-bags, and a boathook, which we thought would be
useful.
In less than half an hour all was ready, and while I lowered the
precious cargo down to Torrence, who stood ready to receive it, and pull
it out from the face of the cliff with his hook to a position where it
could be lowered into the vessel, the air ship stood balanced in mid-air
about forty feet beneath where I was working. Bag after bag was swung
aboard and stowed away, until Torrence called out that it would be
unwise to load with any more. I then let myself down and scrambled
aboard, when we rose gently again to our former level, where we landed
for another rest.
"Is she as buoyant as ever?" I asked him, meaning the ship.
"Quite!" he answered; "and we must surely have several millions in gold
quartz aboard of her."
When we had rested for an hour we got up to go, but Torrence said he had
an impression of having seen a nugget of such extraordinary size that he
should not like to leave without making an effort to get it, being
anxious to carry it home for exhibition. And so we decided to crawl
down the cliff once more. We found the nugget, but it was difficult to
loosen from the mass, so that we tugged and worked away for quite a
while, and were about to give it up, when on straightening my back for a
rest I looked out over the plain and saw a sight that startled me.
Far down among the foothills a great living mass was moving toward us.
I called to my brother, and we both stood watching it in wonder. We had
left our glasses above, but it was not many minutes before we decided
that it was a crowd of natives coming our way; possibly they had
followed the line of our flight from the city, hoping to overtake us in
the mountains, believing that we would halt there. We could form no
idea of their number, though evidently it was large.
"It's the rabble of that city!" exclaimed Torrence. "They've been
overcome with curiosity, and no doubt think to capture us among these
hills. It would be interesting to see what they want, but the vessel
will be the safest place for us. There's no telling what superstition
and curiosity may lead to. Even without hostile intention, such a crowd
might easily overpower and destroy us in a good-humored effort to
investigate!"
And so we began at once to climb the cliff again, discarding our nugget
in the cause of self preservation. But the ascent was difficult. We
missed the trail and wandered off in the wrong direction. Twice we
stopped to examine the ground, but the natural pathway by which we had
descended was undiscoverable, and there appeared no other route. We
beat the bushes, lifting the dense growth right and left, but what had
been so plain before, was quite hidden now. There was no time to be
lost, for already a murmur arose on the air--a babel of voices from the
valley--and it was evident the crowd was scrambling up the first rugged
declivities beneath.
"We must get back to the air ship," said Torrence, "even if we have to
go up the face of the precipice!"
"It is impossible!" I exclaimed; "we shall risk our lives, and may be
dashed to pieces before reaching the top!"
It had all been simple enough before by the other route, and with the
aid of the bushes to lower ourselves by, but now the only growth we
could find grew on ledges that projected outward, and the roots had so
shallow a hold that we dared not risk our weight upon them. Those we
tried gave way immediately. The natural pathway was lost, and we could
not stop to rediscover it.
"It's that or nothing!" cried Torrence, pulling off his boots and
stuffing them into his belt. He then with a literal toe-and-finger
scramble commenced a climb of what must have been nearly fifty feet up a
perpendicular wall. My head swam, but there was no time to think, and
so, following his example, I found myself immediately beneath him, in
the same act.
The sound of trampling feet, falling stones, and the roar of voices now
approached with sickening rapidity. What if they should reach the air
ship first, by some safer and better route known to them only? What if
they should destroy it, and leave us lost and alone in this strange
world, with our only means of returning gone? The thought of such a
possibility was more terrible than that of death; for even if these
people were friendly, we could never become one of them. A Chinaman or
a Thibetan, or even some undiscovered race in Central Africa would be
allied to us by every tie of life beneath a kindred sky, the same sun
and moon, the same stars and clouds throughout the ages; but here was
another world, compared with which nothing in our own could ever be
looked upon as foreign.
But Torrence climbed slowly and steadily, and I kept my grip beneath
him, not daring to look below, or speak a word. I was overpowered with
the agonizing fear that each step might be his last, or, that reaching a
spot where, unable to proceed for want of a foothold, he would be
compelled to retreat. And all this time the crowd was gaining on us at
a sickening rate. I could now hear the individual voices of those
clambering up behind. How near they were I could not think. We dared
not touch the shrubs that grew in the crannies about us, for the soil
was mellow and they broke away in our hands. There was nothing to do
but cling to the rock with tooth and nail, and trust to luck. Suddenly
the jangle of bells rang out on the air; why had we not heard them
before? Surely it was an ominous sound--possibly the token of victory.
But Torrence stuck to the wall and I was close behind him. The vanguard
of the crowd had already commenced climbing the cliff below us, and I
could almost feel their breath upon my neck.
"Be quick!" I called to Torrence, speaking for the first time. But he
turned upon me a face pale with horror and said:
"I can go no further!"
It was what I was dreading. The cliff above was smooth and slaty,
offering not the slightest projection for a foothold. And there we hung
in mid-air, listening to the rabble pouring on behind. Death seemed
inevitable, for we had nearly reached the top, and could not have
survived a fall to the jagged rocks below, to say nothing of dropping
into the teeth of the enemy.
How long we hung thus it is impossible to say, but it seemed like an
eternity, and I remember looking at Torrence's boots tucked in each side
of his belt and observing that the one upon the right was not as well
secured as the other, and wondering if he would lose it. Then an
angel's hand seemed suddenly let down from heaven, as I saw for the
first time the limb of a tree, which hung over the cliff in line with my
brother's head. He had not seen it, so intently were his eyes fixed
upon the rock, but I now called out loudly for him to grasp it. Even
this was no easy task, the bough being several feet above his head, and
it required all the nerve he possessed to jump into the air from his
precarious foothold and seize it.
I trembled, and every nerve in my body quivered as he leaped upward. I
sickened, and felt the earth give way beneath me, but at the same
instant I saw that he had caught the limb with one hand and was swinging
clear of the rock. Would he be able to draw himself up? Yes, there he
was struggling along the bough with both legs and arms, and in another
instant the top was reached. It was now an easy matter to bend the limb
down for me. But the men were close upon us.
"Run for your life!" cried Torrence; and although exhausted, we ran as
we had never run before, with shouts of "Kyah! Kyah!" resounding in our
ears. I stumbled; I fell; but picked myself up again, and rushed ahead
with "Kyah! Te Kyah!" creeping closer and closer behind me. I did not
dare to look, but felt as if an army were rushing upon us with every
creature in it shouting "Kyah! Te Kyah!" The panting of the men grew
louder; still I felt that we might cope with the vanguard, if we gained
the air ship first, although conscious that the race would be a severe
one. Moreover, in those few seconds of intervening time I calculated
every chance, and weighed to a nicety how much of our advantage would be
lost in boarding the vessel, hauling in the ladder, and getting under
weigh. The ship had always responded promptly to the touch of the
button, but now I was full of the gravest misgivings, knowing that the
slightest hitch would undo us. A horrible sinking seized me when I saw
a large body of men approaching from the opposite direction, and
observed that the leaders were nearly as close to the vessel as we were.
They had climbed the cliff from the other side, and were now rushing
through the timber frantically. I redoubled my efforts. The air ship
looked as if it were a mile away, judging from the difficulty of
crossing the intervening space, but I knew it was not thirty yards.
Another instant I had a vision of Torrence bounding over the side and
disappearing within, and how it was done I scarcely know, but I was
tumbling down beside him, and then came the swing of the great hull
beneath me and I knew that we were safe.
As soon as we had the strength we pulled in the ladder and closed the
taffrail, and then looked down upon the enemy. They had gathered in
great force, and we estimated there were more than a hundred.
It was impossible to guess what they wanted, but there was that which
bespoke a deeper emotion than mere curiosity. Had we violated any
statute of their municipality in sailing unsolicited above their palace
walls? We were sure we had committed no other offence. It was a strange
picture they made, assembled upon that mountain ledge, in such brilliant
clothing and magnificent jewels, and the pow-wowing and jabbering that
ensued was delirious. They constantly pointed up at us, evidently
anxious to communicate, though ignorant of how to do so. We were
suspended about fifty feet above their heads, but concluded to come a
little nearer the ground, at which they gave unmistakable signs of
pleasure, and motioned us to descend all the way. This, of course, we
would not do, but made every effort to understand what was desired.
Gradually it began to dawn upon us that they were anxious for our return
to the city; the signals were pleading and imperative for our immediate
departure, and could not be misinterpreted, though it was impossible to
guess why we were wanted there.
"It can do no harm to return," said Torrence. "It cannot be more than
twenty-five or thirty miles. We can run back in an hour or less and
find out what is the matter."
I agreed with him, and when we signalled our intention, they were wild
with delight. One thing more they begged; it was that we allow one of
their number to go with us. So far as we could judge this request was
simply that we might have one capable of explaining their demands.
After a consultation we decided that the man, if carefully watched,
could not possibly harm us or the ship, and we consented, if a way could
be found to take him on board without landing. With this end in view we
came within about twenty feet of the ground and dropped a line
overboard, signalling that if he wished to come he must climb the rope.
This seemed satisfactory, and the most gorgeous specimen in the crowd
approached for the honor. Above the waist he wore but little clothing,
but about his neck was a triple necklace of dazzling stones of such
unmistakable genuineness and splendor that, had it been in our world,
its value would have been inestimable.
His hair was long and black, and jeweled rings were knotted into it at
intervals. Upon his wrists were bracelets of a metal I had never seen,
and around his girth was a belt of aluminum. We imagined the fellow's
name was "Tuzu" from the sound by which the others addressed him,
although this may have meant something else, but knowing no better, we
spoke of him in that way. Tuzu climbed the rope with the agility of an
athlete, and swung himself aboard in splendid style. Torrence motioned
where he was to stand at the bow, and he did as he was bid. We then
headed the air ship for the city.
As we floated out over the cliff a great shout of applause rent the air,
and the crowd began scrambling down after us. Tuzu stood motionless,
holding fast to the rail. He was too much impressed to heed the
demonstrations of his less fortunate comrades, who were obliged to find
their way back afoot, a journey of at least six hours.
We decided to impress the man with our power, and so the machine was
made to rise and fall alternately in stupendous curves of flight, and
with the wildest velocity. The motion was unnerving, and yet Tuzu never
flinched, but stood quietly facing the city, holding fast to the forward
rail. His position was a trying one, and as his black hair flew upward
in some of the downward swoops he made a striking figurehead.
When the great golden monument over the city gate hove in sight, we
slacked our speed, and going forward, offered the man our hands.
Evidently he did not understand the meaning of the salutation, but after
a moment's hesitation, examined them with curiosity.
"Tuzu, I am proud to know you!" we said; "whatever your lingo and
religion, human nature is the same outside the world as in it. Shake!"
The man did not smile; he only looked with increasing wonder, and we
regarded him with growing admiration.
As we drifted into clearer range of the city's portal we were more
impressed than ever with the splendor of the figure surmounting it.
With arms outstretched to heaven, it seemed appealing for the descent of
some blessing upon its people. The statue alone must have been more
than a hundred feet high, while the arch supporting it was doubtless
four or five times as much. It was a creation far exceeding any similar
design of our own world, and one which can never be forgotten. We
stopped before this monster with feelings akin to awe.
"What is it, Tuzu? What do your people want?" we signalled, while
suspended at an elevation less than half-way up this noble arch.
He pointed to the monument, and assumed an attitude of reverence. Then
throwing back his head and lifting his arms, imitated the figure. He
then looked at us, and with unmistakable signs entreated our doing
likewise. Was it some ritualistic ceremony with which all foreigners
were expected to conform? Although puzzling, we did as we were asked,
each in turn, and a look of pleasure came over the fellow's face. We
repeated the performance, always careful to imitate the attitude of the
model, feeling sure it was the right thing. Meanwhile another crowd had
come pouring through the gate, a happy, interested crowd, which shouted
with delight each time we repeated the ceremony. Suddenly Torrence,
turning to me, said:
"I have it! I know what it means!"
He then went on to explain.
"Simple enough; these people take us for gods come from the sky, and in
part they are right. Chock full of superstition, they want our blessing
before we return to the unknown. This colossal figure is a statue of
one of their deities, perhaps their only deity. Being gods, they give
us credit for knowing what it is, and want us to bless the town and the
people. Tuzu and his gang were sent to urge our return, and now that we
have come they are satisfied. I am quite sure that this is the
explanation."
It seemed as if he were right, for although the inhabitants repeated
their request that we descend, they were now willing to let us go in
peace, having bestowed our peace upon them. We declined their
invitation, but signalled our hope of returning at a later day. We
could no longer doubt the kindness of their feelings, but having an
unexplored world ahead, were anxious to hurry on, and so waved them a
second farewell.
* * * * *
*XIX.*
Before turning our backs for the last time upon this splendid monument
of an unknown civilization, an incident occurred which is worthy of
record.
As Tuzu was about to descend the gangplank--a stout, manila rope
provided for that purpose--Torrence asked leave to examine the
magnificent necklace he wore. The fellow appeared pleased, and when my
brother, who is an excellent judge of precious stones, expressed his
conviction that they were gems of rare merit, he insisted upon our
accepting them, together with other decorations. This, of course, we
would not do, but the man threw the jewels at our feet, and could not be
persuaded to touch them again. The metallic ornaments upon his wrists
and the girdle he would not part with. It was evident that the stones
were not valued as with us, and that the blessing we had bestowed upon
the city was considered sufficient remuneration for them. Tuzu then
looked over the rail and said something to the citizens below, and in a
minute a shower of jeweled ornaments began pouring in upon us, in the
wildest profusion. The deck became covered with precious stones of such
magnificence that their aggregate value could hardly be estimated. I
would not like to say what amount of wealth was thus heaped upon us, as
the most conservative estimate would sound wild and extravagant, but it
was something fabulous. The air was thick with bracelets, neckbands,
anklets, belts, earrings. They fell upon the vessel in heaps, in piles;
they caught upon every projection, until the trembling of the air ship
in rising shook some of them loose, and we began to ascend beyond their
reach. This shower of wealth had probably not lasted more than ten
minutes, but during that time we accumulated inestimable treasure, and
stones of every color and size. It was a dazzling sight, but when I
reflected that these were not a tithe of the wealth of the city, my
brain fairly swam at the thought.
"After all," said Torrence, "it is simply the inversion of values; for
what could be more beautiful than some of our Rhinestones, or even than
some of our colored glass? No emerald is really as beautiful as a true
Rhine crystal, but it is more rare, hence its value. The conditions
here favor the formations that are most discouraged with us; why this
should be is very evident, on the theory of inverted molecular action.
The grinding and cooling of the earth's crust resulted in certain
products upon the outer surface, and in others upon the inner. I have
always believed we should find exactly this state of things here, and
should really have been surprised if the results of creation had been
similar in kind and quantity upon both surfaces. No doubt with little
effort we could find diamond mines that would entirely destroy their
value with us."
"Shall we get Tuzu to show us where they are?" I replied, feeling as if
the gardens of Hesperides must be within our reach.
"I think not," he answered reflectively. "We have already more treasure
than we can conveniently carry. I would rather spend the time in a
superficial inspection of our new dominion than in digging wealth out of
a hole which cannot be transported. If we should ever return it will be
time enough to look up the mines, but where their product is so easily
obtained as from these people, it seems hardly worth while to work for.
However, if you wish it, we will go on a mining tour, and stake our
claims, though I am sure no one will ever dispute them."
I agreed with him that we would better pursue our journey, as vast
distances were to be traversed ere we could form the most indifferent
conception of what awaited us in the continents, oceans, civilizations
and cities. As yet we had only seen one little corner. We must make
our way as rapidly as possible, and be content, for the present, with a
bird's-eye view. And so, having retreated to a short distance from the
gate, we lowered Tuzu to the ground.
When fairly upon our way again we sacked up about fifteen bushels of
jewels, which in addition to the gold, made us very short of room.
Indeed, our saloon was so crowded that we went stumbling about over bags
of treasure, like the miser of Benadin.
Torrence now put on high speed and we swept over the country at the rate
of forty miles an hour. We soon passed the noisy crowd returning to the
city, with jangling bells and flowing mane, and they sent up a shout as
we flew over their heads that spoke of good humor and general
satisfaction. We had lost some valuable time, but were in a fair way to
make it up, and looked forward to the great unknown with a keener
interest than ever.
"How far do you propose to penetrate into the new world?" I inquired, as
we sat on deck smoking our cigars through the rushing air.
"All the way," he answered.
"You must remember it will take us as long to return as it does to go,"
I replied.
"Return!" he exclaimed with surprise; "surely you don't expect to
return."
"Rather! Do you intend to live here always?"
"Not at all," said Torrence; "I expect to go out through the opening at
the South Pole!"
This was a new idea to me; but suddenly a thought struck me with horror.
"Do you not know it will be the depth of winter, and dark as Erebus when
we get there?" I exclaimed.
"I admit that it will be both dark and cold," he replied, "although not
quite the depth of winter, if we maintain anything approaching our
present rate of speed. You must remember we shall have left the shortest
day--June 21st--behind us."
"At best it will be but a matter of a few weeks, and I still claim that
it will be the depth of winter."
"Practically," said Torrence, "it will."
He spoke with as much indifference as if he were merely going to walk
down the street.
"We shall be frozen corpses if you attempt such a thing, and I must beg
you to give up an idea so thoroughly impracticable."
"It is not impracticable, Gurt," he answered seriously; "do you not know
that we are prepared for all kinds of weather? We can shut up the cabin
and heat it to any temperature desired. Do not be alarmed; everything
shall go well. While here we ought to see as much as possible. We
shall sail through the darkness in a warm and brightly lighted cabin,
and if I mistake not, there are sights in the antarctic regions which
will amply repay our visit. Remember that no human being has ever
penetrated their awful solitudes, and that none is ever likely to do so
unless equipped as we are!"
There was something horrible in the thought of plunging into those
regions of ice and darkness, but I could see the force of his argument.
However, the great bulk of the interior was yet to be traversed, and
there would be plenty of time to think of those terrors before we
reached them.
The purple hills proved to be a country of minerals, grass, and timber,
was broken and picturesque, and abounding in lakes, parks, and
diminutive rivers. The habitations wore few and scattered, the houses
but half under roof. Occasionally we sighted a village, brilliant in
coloring, and strangely rich in architecture, and the inhabitants would
invariably stare up at us and shout. There were greens and crimsons and
flashes of gold among the rocks, and lumps of iridescence that looked
like clusters of gems of marvelous size and beauty; but we had not time
to examine them. We were sure, however, from all we saw that gold was
among their least valued metals, and that those natural products most
highly prized with us were here regarded as drugs.
We hastened through this mountain country, not because we did not
appreciate its beauty, but from a desire to get a rapid bird's-eye view
of the new earth, and reach again our old home.
A rolling country was now beneath, which we speeded over at the rate of
a mile a minute, not wishing to waste time upon extended areas that
could be comprehended at a glance. Here we saw herds of cattle carrying
four horns and tailless. Probably there were no flies to annoy them,
and tails would have been useless. There were also more of those
diminutive sheep of a pinkish hue, and wool like silk that trailed upon
the ground. One and all they scampered away upon catching sight of us,
but we quickly passed beyond their range of vision.
* * * * *
Here were great parks of magnificent timber and brilliant flowers, and
limpid sheets of water. Occasional palaces of reddish stone under
partial roofs of a dark yellow metal were also encountered. Dropping
earthward to examine these we were saluted by the occupants, who coming
out of the buildings would wave banners, and blow upon a powerful,
sweet-toned trumpet, whose music would linger in the air for quite
awhile after the performer had removed it from his lips.
* * * * *
Howbeit, our speed was so great, that these heavenly strains of music
were lost by reason of their distance, while other sounds would greet
our ears ahead.
* * * * *
Our anxiety to learn something of these people and their history was
ungratified, from the impossibility of communication.
* * * * *
It was easy to see that our air ship was an object of intense curiosity
both to man and beast. We were as great a wonder to them as they to us,
which, to be sure, was true of our vessel upon the outer world, and it
showed that aerial navigation was as little understood here as above.
We received various unmistakable invitations to halt, but these we
declined on the ground of haste. We determined, however, to accept one
before our final exit.
* * * * *
A striking feature in the lives of those we saw was the fact that there
was no evidence of work. So far we had seen no plowing, or tilling of
the soil, neither was there any sowing of seed or reaping of grain, nor
building of houses; and yet we had the evidence of our eyes that superb
structures and cities had been erected. On speaking of this fact to
Torrence, he said:
"The climate and soil seem to render agriculture unnecessary; and
possibly the buildings belong to a previous age. I doubt if material
rots and disintegrates, as it does with us."