A MARVELOUS SUBSTANCE
"Say, that's a good way to have a building," observed Jack in a
low voice to his chum. "Those who can't get in can see just as
well what's going on as if they were here. But I wonder what
he's saying?"
"Probably telling his people about us," replied Mark, and this
seemed to be so, for Silex Corundum, as they later learned was
the name of the ruler of Mars, frequently motioned toward the
adventurers, who stood in a group in front of the platform.
Much interest was manifested by the throng, and even those on the
platform, who seemed to be members of a sort of council or
governing body, could not restrain their interest.
When the chief ruler had ceased speaking the Martian with the
triangle on his head--the one who had first greeted the world
travelers, stepped forward, and made an address.
"He's telling 'em how we got here," was Mark's opinion, and Jack
nodded.
When this one had finished, the guide who had conducted them to
the palace had his turn, and at greater length he described the
strangers, the curious craft in which they had arrived on the
planet, and many other details, which, of course, our friends
could not comprehend.
This done, Silex Corundum made another address, and at its close
a great blackboard was brought forward, some pieces of chalk were
handed to Mr. Roumann and to Professor Henderson, and by signs
they were invited to illustrate something of themselves and their
wonderful journey.
"What shall we draw?" asked Mr. Henderson.
"First see if you can make them understand something of the earth
where we came from," suggested Mr. Roumann; and the professor,
who was a good draughtsman, soon placed on the board a sort of
map of the universe, indicating the position of Mars, the sun,
the other planets and the earth. To his surprise a delighted
shout told him that he was understood. The chief ruler, with a
rapid motion, pointed to a great telescope, located in one corner
of the big audience chamber. He motioned for the travelers to
look through it, and after it was adjusted he pointed to the
drawing of the earth on the board, and indicated that the
adventurers could see their own planet through the telescope.
Mr. Roumann looked first. Then he uttered an exclamation.
"Can you really see our earth?" asked Jack.
"I can! Look for yourself! This is a marvelous telescope! No
wonder the Martians understand something about us. They can
clearly make out the shapes of our continents."
Jack peered through the eyepiece. There, far off, shining in the
light of the distant sun, which was now on the other side of
Mars, he saw the earth they had left about two weeks ago. It was
like looking at some map in a geography, and he could clearly
make out the shapes of North and South America.
"Take a look, Mark!" he cried. "I almost thought I could make
out the place where we live, and where we built the Annihilator!"
In turn they all gazed at the earth, distant thirty five millions
of miles, but which was made very plain to them through the
powerful glass.
Silex Corundum made a motion as of some body flying through
space, and looked inquiringly at the travelers.
"He wants to know how we got here," interpreted Mark.
"I'll draw a picture of the projectile,"' said Mr. Roumann, and
he put on the board one containing many details. So interested
was the chief ruler and his cabinet, that they all came down off
the platform to examine it more closely. They appeared to
understand everything but the Etherium motor, but Mr. Roumann
illustrated the force by which it was worked, by pointing to the
metal boxes containing the red substance, which gave out light as
well as power, indicating that some force like that worked the
motor.
This appeared to satisfy the questioners, and after some talk
among themselves they motioned that the travelers would be given
a place to sleep.
"I'd a heap sight radder hab soffin' t' eat," said Washington,
when it was made known that they were to retire. "I'd jest like
to git back t' mah kitchen. I jest know mah Shanghai rooster
needs some corn, an' as for dat crazy man, maybe he's broken
loose."
"That's so," agreed Mr. Roumann. "If we don't get back, we can't
give him anything to eat."
"Let's try to make them understand," suggested the professor,
and, accordingly, with chalk, they pictured that they had left
behind them, in the projectile, an enemy of theirs, who was bound
and helpless. Silex Corundum appeared to understand, and he
indicated that the unfortunate man would receive attention.
The travelers were then led out of the palace. They found
instead of being urged along by the thought power, however, that
they were now allowed to walk. And they also noticed that they
could go very rapidly, with little exertion, due to the fact that
they only tipped the scales at about a third of their usual
weight.
"This is better," observed Jack. "I'd rather walk than be
floating along the way we were."
"Yes, I guess they were so anxious to question us that they
couldn't wait for the ordinary forms of locomotion," said the
professor. "Now that they know something about us they will let
us do as we please for a while."
One of the Martians, who seemed to be a minor official, led them
out into the street. They found that it was lighted by means of
the same metal boxes that were in the palace.
Overhead were the two tiny moons of Mars, but they gave but
little light, and had it not been for the wonderful red substance
the streets would have been quite dark.
"This stuff is what makes Mars seem so I red when we look at it
with telescopes from our earth," observed Mr. Roumann. "It is a
very marvelous chemical. I must get some to examine."
"I wonder where they'll put us?" asked Jack, but his question was
answered a few moments later, when they were ushered into a
finely built house of generous size, and by signs their guide
indicated that they were to make this their home. It was nicely
furnished, though in a different manner from houses in the world,
and there were many scientific books and instruments in it.
"The Martians must study all the while," observed Mr. Henderson.
"No wonder they have such big heads. All their intellectual
faculties are wonderfully developed."
"At the expense of their arms, legs and bodies," said Jack. "I
fancy I could fight half a dozen of their biggest men."
"But we're not going to," said Mr. Roumann. "At least, not as
long as they treat us decently."
"And now for something to eat," added Henderson.
Their guide showed them a dining-room, where they found a table
filled with food that looked very appetizing. The Martian
motioned for them to eat.
"I want t' find where mah kitchen is goin' t' be," declared
Washington. "If I'm goin' t' cook heah, I want t' see how I'm
goin' t' do it."
The Martian seemed to understand what was wanted, for he led the
way to another apartment, where it was evident that cooking was
done, as there were pots, pans and what looked like a stove in
it.
"But I don't see no coal," objected the colored man. "How I
gwine t' cook without coal t' make a fire?"
The Martian opened the square iron box that seemed to be the
stove. Inside was a small metal box, which he also opened,
disclosing a lump of the red substance.
"They cook with it, too!" exclaimed Mr. Roumann. "And I have no
doubt that they warm their houses with it in winter. A wonderful
substance--most marvelous! It exceeds my wildest dreams--light,
heat and power! Our fortunes are made! It is good that we came
to Mars!"
"And it's a good thing they've got something to eat!" remarked
Jack. "Come on, I'm half starved."
"I'll wait on table fo' yo'," said Washington, as they went back
to the dining-room, and the Martian left. They sat down, and the
colored man was about to pass the victuals, when, to the surprise
of all, the center of the table began to revolve, and the dishes
of food went with it, passing slowly in front of each one in
turn.
"Good land a' massy!" cried Washington. "It's bewitched! Look at
de table movin'!"