pictures of the chase. They depicted men hunting, and the creatures they
were in pursuit of were again strange beasts, such as, Gerald thought,
seemed rather the outcome of a bad nightmare than the representation of
anything which had ever lived. Over all was a canopy with more carved
heads as corner-pieces.
Noting these details in two or three quick glances, Gerald turned his
attention to the occupants of the chairs; and as he did so his spirits
fell considerably.
He had hoped--expected indeed.--that he was about to be ushered into the
presence of the man whom he had rescued from the sea. Gerald had
already made up his mind to like this man of the noble countenance, and
therefore, notwithstanding that the treatment he had received had not
been over friendly, he had felt no great anxiety or misgiving as to what
was in store for him.
But now, as he looked round, he very quickly perceived that the one he
had hoped to meet was not there. Instead, upon the large chairs or
thrones, he saw two dark, bearded men, who returned his looks with
anything but friendly gaze, and whose general appearance filled him with
feelings of dislike and alarm. Looking round the semicircle, he found
it was much the same with the others. There were no friendly glances at
all; they gazed at him in solemn, gloomy silence; and the expression
upon their faces was at the best merely a sort of contemptuous
curiosity.
As to one of them in the centre--the one who sat upon the second highest
seat--Gerald thought he had never looked upon a more unprepossessing
being. His frame was large and muscular, his head massive; but his
dark, bearded face seemed full of brooding evil. His eyes were crafty,
and lighted now and then with cruel, cunning gleams. He reminded Gerald
somehow of ancient tales of horrible old ogres, whose principal
amusement might consist in planning new tortures for the unfortunate
victims who fell into their power.
Nor was his master--as Gerald judged him to be, the one seated upon the
principal seat--much more attractive. His, too, was a huge figure, and
his countenance was dark and forbidding; but it was relieved by a
certain air of haughty authority and natural ease, imparting to his
bearing a dignity which was lacking in the case of the other.
The more Gerald looked at the men before him the more he wondered at the
innocent, open-hearted expectation with which he and his friends on the
island had welcomed the coming of this wonderful 'chariot of the skies.'
Had they known--he now bitterly reflected--had they but known the sort
of beings it was peopled with, they would certainly have regarded its
advent with very different feelings!
What evil fate, he vaguely and sadly wondered, had they in store for
him?
*CHAPTER V.*
*KING IVANTA.*
Gerald stood in the midst of his captors, regarding them with steady
eyes and undaunted mien. Critical though his situation might be, he was
determined that these strangers from another world should have no reason
for deeming him wanting in courage. He gazed round, and took note of
everything about him with an outward appearance of calmness; though the
more he saw of the people in whose hands he was the more he
instinctively distrusted their intentions. He noted that the man who was
seated upon the higher of the two chairs was treated with great
deference by all the rest, and was evidently a sort of chief amongst
them. The next in rank--the one Gerald had privately dubbed the
'Ogre'--appeared to be his principal councillor, while the others seated
on the dais were officers of lesser degree. The rest of the people
present were attired much as the soldiers had been who had brought
Gerald to the place, save that their costumes were handsomer, and bore
many ornaments and special marks denoting superior rank.
As regards their ornaments, it was noticeable that only the chief and
the 'Ogre' wore jewels. The former had upon the breast of his robe a
large, curious figure worked in diamonds, and the latter a similar
ornamentation of a smaller kind. But Gerald, who knew something about
precious stones, was surprised that these people, if they wore diamonds
at all, did not display something larger and finer. In his own mind he
appraised the value of those he saw at a very moderate figure, and
considered that they were altogether paltry as compared with what he
would have expected such men to wear.
'Diamonds must be scarce where these people come from!' was the idea
which flashed through his mind; and therein he had made, as it
afterwards turned out, a very shrewd guess.
And now the chief addressed some words to the prisoner, which, being
spoken in a strange language, Gerald could not understand. Then the
other one--the Ogre--rose up, and stepping off the dais, came close to
him. Taking him by the shoulders, he turned and twisted him round, now
this way, now that, as one might a fat bullock that was offered for
sale.
Under this treatment Gerald became indignant. There was something in the
man's manner so contemptuous, so insulting, that the young fellow's
blood grew hot in his veins. He clenched his hands and bit his lips,
striving his best to keep down his fast-rising anger.
But the man's behaviour only became more intolerable; and another now
came up to join in the amusement--for such it seemed to be considered.
Then Gerald, exasperated beyond all control, struggled fiercely to get
free, throwing one of his persecutors off with so much force that he
fell backwards upon the floor. His head must have struck against
something, for there was a heavy thump, which was followed at once by an
angry outcry from the man's friends.
[Illustration: He fell backwards upon the floor.]
The latter rushed upon the hapless captive, and began to pommel him in
cruel and brutal fashion.
How the scene might have ended if no interruption had occurred it is
impossible to say. As it happened, however, it was brought to an end in
an unexpected manner.
A man came rushing in, calling out in tones of warning. Evidently he
was the bearer of news, for every one turned to listen to what he said;
and it was curious to see the effect it produced upon the assembly when
they had gathered its purport. They appeared not unlike a lot of unruly
schoolboys who had ventured to amuse themselves in some forbidden manner
in the absence of their master.
They looked at one another inquiringly, and somewhat guiltily. Those
who had been mixed up in the fray busied themselves in hastily trying to
remove all traces of the struggle; while others who felt themselves less
compromised tried their best to appear innocent and at their ease.
Then were heard the blare of trumpets, hoarse calls, as of men in
authority giving words of command or ordering people to clear the way,
and the rattle and clatter of accoutrements. Great, massive doors at
the end opposite to the dais swung apart, throwing open to the view
another and larger hall, and a brilliant and unexpected scene.
Gerald turned and stared in mute wonder. There, before him, was a vista
presenting one of the most magnificent spectacles it is possible to
imagine. He had thought the hall he was in large and imposing when he
had been ushered into it; but it was small and almost commonplace
compared with the great space into which he now gazed.
Ranged on either side were ranks of magnificently dressed persons, who
looked like courtiers attending a levee. Above, from the ceiling, hung
gorgeous banners, and the walls were decorated with beautifully coloured
frescoes. Spiral columns of sparkling lights rose here and there, ever
turning and ever ascending, and dazzling the eyes with their splendour.
Music clashed from some unseen band of musicians; and, as the strains
floated through the air, they came mingled with the scent of subtle and
delicious perfumes. At the farthest end of all was an empty throne,
evidently awaiting its occupant.
Gazing in wonder at all these things, Gerald shortly became aware that
he was himself becoming an object of curiosity to the whole of this
brilliant company. He had turned his back to the dais upon which his
persecutors had been seated, and he was standing out alone in the open
space in front, his homely dress contrasting curiously with the splendid
costumes around.
The music ceased, there was another blare of trumpets, and then a man
entered near the throne. He stood upon the steps for a few moments, his
keen eyes travelling round the whole assembled throng as they all bowed
their heads in respectful salutation. He was about to seat himself,
when his eagle glance fell upon the wondering captive. At the same
moment Gerald recognised him--he was the man whose life he had saved!
Evidently he was the real chief. He was the king of these people; not
the evil-looking, cruel man whose prisoner he had been. Gerald's heart
gave a great bound of relief and thankfulness; for he no longer felt
fear or doubt. One look at that stately figure, one glance in return
from those flashing eyes, told him all he wished to know. He felt that
he was saved! Such a being as this was incapable of either cruelty or
injustice!
The king--for such he was--ordered Gerald to be brought up to him; and
two of the principal officers, whom he knew afterwards as Arelda and
Abralda, came down the long hall and conducted him to the steps of the
throne.
There Gerald stood, whilst he whom he afterwards knew as King Ivanta
made inquiries concerning him. For as yet, though Gerald had recognised
him, he, on his side, had no idea that Gerald was the one who had saved
his life; having been, it will be remembered, insensible when he had
fallen into the sea.
There followed much talking in a strange language. The king was
evidently making inquiries; and the more questions he asked the darker
grew the lowering cloud upon his brow. A tense silence fell upon the
assembled company, the hush that tells of coming trouble.
Then one of the officers suddenly recognised Gerald. He was the officer
who had been with the king when he had fainted, and he was the only one
who had seen his rescuer's face. He now informed his master, who turned
and regarded the young stranger with new interest, in which there was a
kindly and friendly welcome. Then his brow grew darker than ever, his
eyes seemed literally to flash fire, and he looked truly terrible, as,
with outstretched arm, he thundered out some stern orders.
What these were, or what was their effect, Gerald could not learn.
There was some stir near the place where his captors had been seated,
and he guessed that they were being brought forward to be dealt with.
But he himself was led out through a small side doorway into an
antechamber, where there were only a few officers in waiting; and these
in turn conducted him into another and still smaller room, where they
bade him be seated. Then they went out and left him alone.
*CHAPTER VI.*
*THE KING'S OFFER.*
Gerald felt like one in a dream. His adventure had been such a strange
one, events had followed one another so quickly, the change from fear
and almost despair to hope and safety had come so unexpectedly, that he
had scarcely had time to realise all that was going forward. And then
the stately magnificence of the scene at which he had been present, the
sudden revelation of the personality of the being he had rescued--all
these things, crowding into the short space of a single night, made his
brain reel.
For some time he remained alone, turning these things over and over in
his mind. He almost doubted the evidence of his own senses, and began
vaguely to wonder whether it could all be real, or whether he had fallen
asleep and was dreaming some extraordinary, fantastic dream.
After what seemed a long time, the door opened, and some one entered
behind him; some one who, even before Gerald caught sight of him, was
adding to the confusion of his ideas by speaking to him in English!
Turning round sharply, he found himself face to face with a tall,
good-looking man with a shrewd, intellectual face, who was regarding him
with a smile which seemed to be half-kindly, half-amused. He was
dressed like some of the principal officers he had seen; but there was
that in his manner and general appearance which, apart from his speech,
seemed to tell Gerald that he was one of his own race.
'Well, young sir, will you tell me your name?' was the query which came
to Gerald's consciousness after a moment or two of bewilderment.
'My name is Gerald Wilton,' he said simply.
'And how did you come into these parts? Parents live round here?'
Gerald shook his head. 'I have none,' he answered sadly. 'I have a
guardian, who is at present living on the island, however. His name is
Armeath--Mr Marcus Armeath.'
The stranger uttered a long whistle, then he exclaimed, 'So, so! Marcus
Armeath living on this island! I knew him some years ago. He was then
in England engaged in some experiments, trying to discover---- But
never mind that now.'
He broke off abruptly, and regarded Gerald again with his enigmatic
smile, which, however, now seemed to have in it more of friendly
interest. Then he took to pacing up and down the room, his hands behind
him, as though lost in thought.
'Young sir,' said he presently, 'I don't know what star you were born
under, but it seems perfectly clear that you are marked out for some
experiences such as scarcely any one else on this Earth can boast of.
You are in possession of a great secret, which we wished to keep to
ourselves; and, further, it has been ordained that you should save the
life of--of--well, of one who is never ungrateful to those who do him
even the smallest service. He is my most gracious master, and he will
talk with you himself later on; but, meanwhile, he has deputed me to see
you, and prepare your mind for some tremendous facts which you might
otherwise find it difficult to grasp all at once. I am instructed to
tell you certain things which must appear to you so incredible, so
impossible, that I doubt if you will believe them without further
proof.'
'I think I can give a good guess at one or two of them, sir; or, rather,
my guardian has done so. This monster airship, or whatever you call it,
has found its way here from some other planet--probably Mars'----
'My word, young gentleman, you've hit it!' cried the other, in very
evident surprise.
'And,' continued Gerald, 'you made some mistake in arriving here, and
very nearly came to awful grief.'
'Yes, yes! There, too, you guessed well,' returned the other. 'It was
but a slight miscalculation, but it nearly smashed us up! It was a
fearfully narrow escape!' He drew out a handkerchief and passed it over
his forehead, as though the mere recollection made him hot. 'I expect
that was Mr Armeath's guess too, wasn't it?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Ah well! there are certain other things, however, which you do not
know--cannot know--which I will now explain. In the first place, you do
not know that my master is a great king in Mars--a mighty ruler over
nearly half the population of that globe. His name is Ivanta; he reigns
over the empire of Ivenia--which, by-the-by, is the name of this
airship, as you called it. He named her the _Ivenia_, after his own
country.'
Gerald listened with growing wonder, and eyes that lighted up more and
more as the stranger continued:
'Very well! The next thing is that this is not the first visit my
master has paid to this Earth. He came here some years ago.'
At this Gerald stared harder than ever. 'Is it possible?' he exclaimed.
'I never heard of it!'
'Nobody--on the Earth--ever heard of it, save myself and one or two
others who were all sworn to secrecy. My royal master came here for
purposes of his own, and did not wish--and does not wish now--that his
visits should be made known. If they were, he would have a lot of
people pestering him with questions, and possibly some one might imitate
his inventions and build airships like this one, and he might have
explorers from here coming over to Mars--which he does not wish. Do you
understand?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Very well! At his first visit he came to this very island, and made it
his headquarters. It was uninhabited then'----
'Yes; so it was when we came to it. We have only been here a year or
so.'
'I see. Well, my master hoped to find the place still uninhabited, and
that he would be able to hide the _Ivenia_ away here this time, as he
did before, when no one upon the Earth was ever the wiser, save the one
or two I have referred to. He had brought with him a yacht of his own.
She made a bit of a stir, being unlike anything previously seen, but no
one suspected the truth. In her he made a tour of the world, travelling
about for three years, during which time he and his chosen companions
picked up English, a little French, and so on. They also picked me up,
and I also saved the king's life, even as you have done, though in a
different manner. He was so grateful for what I did that he told me his
secret, and offered to enrol me in his service and take me back to Mars
with him. I had nothing particular to tie me here, and I am fond of
adventure, so I took him at his royal word. Now you can begin to
understand how it is that I, an Englishman by birth, Kendal Monck by
name, engineer by profession, happen to be here, in these days, in the
suite of this great king from another planet, and talking to you in your
own tongue!'
'Yes, sir, I understand,' answered Gerald, his face aglow with interest
and excitement. 'It's very, very wonderful! What strange, marvellous
scenes and adventures you must have passed through!'
'I have that, my lad! I have passed through many grave dangers too;
have had many hair-breadth escapes in the service of my royal master,
who is of a very adventurous disposition. His search after knowledge
has led us into queer places, I can assure you. But he is a wonderful
being! This marvellous airship was constructed from his own inventions
and designs. And then, as a man---- Ah!' Here the stranger drew a
long breath. 'His is a character which makes you feel you would go
through fire and water for him!'
'I 'm sure of it!' cried Gerald with enthusiasm. 'I felt it the first
moment I set eyes upon him! How I should like to do as you have done--go
with him to Mars and back! What an experience!'
'Ah!' exclaimed the engineer again, 'it would do you good, my lad. It
would do anybody--everybody--good, physically, morally, in every way.
It gives you a different, a more glorious, outlook on life when you
realise that the mighty works of the Creator are not confined to this
globe on which we live, but extend through endless "universes" in space.
Even comparatively near us there are great planets compared with which
this Earth is scarcely more than a big football. There is Saturn, for
instance. When we were there'----
'You have visited other planets, then, as well?' Gerald gasped.
Monck nodded. 'Yes, even great Jupiter, but we could not get very near
to him. Saturn, however, we landed on, and spent some weeks
there--awful, terrible weeks they were. My young friend, even to think
of the things to be seen there is almost too much for the ordinary human
brain. But, as I have said, it does one good. It instils into the mind
some faint conception of the vastness, the greatness, the endless
variety to be everywhere found in what we call the creation!'
'Would that your king would make me the offer he made to you!' cried
Gerald, with glistening eyes.
'Perhaps he will. What if he has?' was the unexpected reply.
Gerald started up from the chair he had been sitting on. 'You cannot
mean it!' he exclaimed.
'What would be your reply if he made you the offer?'
'I would accept only too gladly!'
'You see,' Monck explained, 'the service you rendered is one that a man
like my master would never forget. I dare say you wonder how it
happened that he fell into the sea. It was because the air here is so
different from that which he is used to upon Mars, and which we all had
been living in inside this airship. At his first visit to the Earth,
years ago, he was extremely careful, and made the change gradually and
cautiously. This time he seems to have been rash, or to have forgotten.
Hence the air here--which is thinner and lighter than that on
Mars--served him as the air on the top of a very high mountain would
serve you if you were suddenly transported there. He was attacked with
what you have doubtless heard of as mountain-sickness. There is
vertigo, bleeding at the nose and ears, and fainting. However, his
danger was your opportunity; and I must say you acted very promptly and
pluckily.'
'I only did what I would have done for any one,' said Gerald modestly.
'I am sure of that, my boy. But I won't keep you in suspense any
longer. To come to the point, my master said I could make you the offer
I have hinted at if I found you were likely to regard it with favour. I
do not want your answer now, of course. You can take time to
consider--there are lots of things we can talk over first. Briefly,
however, when we go back to Mars we shall only be away a few months. At
the end of that time we shall return here again; and if you are then
tired of the adventure you will be free to leave his service and remain
here.'
'I do not need any time to make up my mind,' Gerald burst out
impetuously. 'All I should hesitate about would be as to whether my
guardian'----
'Well, we can talk to him.'
'And Jack!'
'Who is Jack?'
'My chum! He must come too!'
'Oh--h'm! I don't know what to say about that! You had better ask King
Ivanta yourself when you see him!'
'I will!' cried Gerald. And he did, with what result will presently
appear.
*CHAPTER VII*
*OFF ON A TRIP TO MARS.*
'Our last morning upon the Earth, Jack, for many a day to come! Think
of it! It scarcely seems possible, does it?'
'It's true enough, though, old chap! In a few hours we shall "sail
away," as the song says, and shall be winging our way through space!'
'Fancy gazing down and taking our last look at our own globe! The
daring of the thing gives me a bit of a shock, now that the event itself
is so near at hand! How is it with you?'
'Well, I confess, Gerald, that I have to brace my mind up to it, as it
were. But it's always the same when you start upon a journey or a new
adventure. One never exactly likes saying good-bye to the old familiar
places.'
Many months had passed since the events recorded in the last chapter.
King Ivanta had been to Europe and finished the business he had in
hand--for it was generally understood, amongst those who knew of his
presence on the Earth, that he had come here on his second visit for
some definite purpose. What the purpose was remained for the present a
secret confined to the Martian monarch himself and the few he chose to
take into his confidence.
Amongst those who shared the secret Mr Armeath was probably one; for he
had grown high in favour with the illustrious traveller, and had been
invited to accompany him in the forthcoming trip to Mars and back. He
had also been accorded the privilege of taking with him his two wards
Gerald and Jack, and his two servitors Tom Clinch and Bob Reid; and the
latter, loyal and faithful followers that they were, had not shrunk from
the risks of the adventure.
There were some other passengers also--namely, Amos Zuanstroom the
multi-millionaire (the well-known 'Diamond King'), his son Silas (who
was about the same age as Jack), and a much younger lad, named Freddy
Whitcomb, his nephew.
Why King Ivanta should choose these particular persons from all the
millions of inhabitants of the Earth was another matter which was
wrapped in mystery, and which, for the time being, he kept strictly to
himself.
As the engineer Mr Monck had predicted, Gerald had good reason to
congratulate himself upon the fortunate chance which had enabled him to
render so great a service to the Martian king. The latter had shown
himself extremely grateful, and had conferred upon the young fellow many
marks of his favour. In particular, he had confirmed the offer Mr Monck
had made, and had graciously extended it, as stated, to his guardian and
his chum.
And now, behold them all, then, on board the _Ivenia_, the colossal
'chariot of the skies,' awaiting the moment when she should rise in the
air and commence her tremendous journey.
She lay in a sort of natural harbour in the island, a spacious
salt-water lake almost landlocked.