SEEKING THE TREASURE
They all stared at the strange sight. It was rather odd to see
the entire middle portion of the table going around, while the
outer part, at which the adventurers sat, was stationary. But
the boys and men, with the exception of Washington, recognized it
as very convenient.
"What are you frightened at, Wash?" asked Jack.
"At dat table, dat's what! It's a ghostest table."
"A ghost table?"
"Yep! Spirits am workin' on it! I ain't goin' t' stay heah.
I'se goin' back t' de ship, where I kin move t'ings fo' mahself."
"Don't be alarmed," said Mr. Henderson. "It's all right,
Washington. The table moves by some hidden mechanism, which
doubtless was set in motion by the Martian who were just here, or
the mere sitting down to our places may have started it."
They all got up to make an examination, and the table center at
once ceased revolving, proving that some, connection existed
between it and the chairs. But they could not discover the
machinery. There was a small metal box underneath the table, but
that was all.
"That must contain some of that marvelous red substance which
gives light, heat and power," declared Mr. Roumann. "I must
certainly get a supply of it. In fact, that is what I came to
Mars for. That is the object of my trip, and if we can get a
sufficient quantity of it, our fortunes are made."
"Is it so valuable?" asked Mark.
"It is the most valuable treasure in the universe," replied the
German. "Long ago I suspected some such thing must exist on
Mars, or else how, receiving only half the light and heat from
the sun that we receive, can the inhabitants exist? And that
they do live, and live well, we have seen. It must be due to the
red substance, and if we could only get some back to earth it
would be worth millions. Think of simply putting a bit of it in
a stove and having heat, or hanging up some in a room and getting
light from it. But, more than this, think of having it move
machinery, I would not be surprised but what I could transform
it into energy that would operate the motors of the Annihilator."
"But wouldn't you need a new supply every once in a while?" asked
Jack.
"I think not. I believe it is like radium, and will last
forever. In fact, you notice that the metal boxes it is
contained in, except the ones in the boats, are securely sealed.
If they had to be putting in a fresh supply every so often, they
would make the boxes so they would open more easily. We must get
some of that treasure."
"But how?" inquired Mr. Henderson.
"I don't know, but I will find out a way. When we have been here
a few weeks we will be better acquainted with the Martians and
their language, and can make a search."
"Well, if you folks is done talkin' about treasure, I'm goin' to
eat," observed old Andy. "I'm hungry!"
"So am I," added Jack, and as they all sat down again the table
began revolving. They found it a convenient arrangement once the
novelty had worn off, and they were soon eagerly talking, over
the meal, of the wonders they had seen, and speculating on what
might be before them. Washington, having nothing to do, went to
see about beds for the night, as the travelers were tired.
"Well, Wash," asked Jack, as the colored man returned, "did you
find the beds making themselves, or waltzing around the room?"
"Nope, dey seemed t' be ordinary, respectable beds. But I ain't
goin' t' take no chances in 'em. I'se goin' t' sleep on de flo'."
"Why?"
"'Cause I don't want t' wake up in de middle ob de night an'
find mahself squashed inter a jellyfish. I believe de beds am
bewitched same as de table is."
"Nonsense," said Jack. "They're all right. This is a fine
place to live."
They found the beds good to sleep in, and nothing disturbed them.
Washington, however, stretched out on the floor, and he arose
early to prepare breakfast on the stove, which never needed to
have a fire built in it, because of the marvelous red substance.
By an arrangement of levers and valves the heat could be
increased or diminished at pleasure.
The same Martian who had conducted the travelers to the house
returned soon after breakfast, and by signs and motions indicated
to them that the crazy machinist left in the projectile had been
properly cared for. The Martian also indicated to the world-dwellers
that they were free to go where they pleased about the city, which
they learned was called Martopolis, and was the largest city on the
planet.
"We'll take a walk," suggested Mr. Roumann, "and maybe we can
find where they keep the red stuff, or where they get it from."
They strolled about the streets of Martopolis, noting many
strange sights. The queer little people were hurrying to and
fro, with a peculiar gliding motion, much faster than the
ordinary walk, yet it was not a run. The peculiar lightness in
weight of everything on Mars probably accounted for this, as the
travelers themselves found they could move about very swiftly,
and with little fatigue.
Nor did the world-dwellers attract as much attention as they
expected they would. The Martians appeared to have satisfied
their curiosity regarding the strangers the previous night, and
now gave them but passing glances. Even the boys did not follow
them.
Every one seemed to be busy, and the travelers noted many
schools, in which the children were industriously studying,
though it was early morning. Observatories, with great
telescopes, were numerous, and astronomers were gazing at the sun
or different parts of the heavens, even in daylight.
"They are a very learned people, and they never seem to cease
from acquiring information," commented Mr. Henderson.
"Well, I'd like to acquire some information about where that red
stuff is," said the German. "There is one of the metal boxes
that contain some, up on that pole."
He pointed to one that evidently served as a street lamp at
night.
"And there's a policeman near it," said Jack. "Ask him."
A Martian stood leaning against the light-pole, much as does an
officer of the law on earth. That he was some sort of an
official was evidenced by the uniform he wore.
Mr. Roumann approached the Martian, and made signs that he would
like to see the light box. The officer shook his head vigorously,
and said something rapidly.
"I guess they don't allow strangers to touch it," observed Jack.
"Evidently not," admitted Mr. Roumann. "I wonder if he knows
where it comes from?"
He made more signs, asking, as well as he could, where the
substance in the box was obtained. The officer pointed to the
distant hills, but again shook his head in protest, and spoke for
tome time very earnestly, as if warning his questioner not to
venture after it.
"Guess they must guard it pretty closely," said Mark.
"Well, I'm going to have some, anyhow," declared the German.
"We'll take a stroll over toward the hills."
They passed through the city, no one offering to stop them. On
every side they observed something new or strange, and they were
particularly struck by the absence of all noise. Everything was
done silently. There were no trolley cars, no wagons or trucks,
no puffing automobiles, and no confusion.
The Martians moved noiselessly about, and the sleds, with their
queer motive power, made no sound. They seemed to be the only
vehicles in use, save the boats, and these sleds were of many
sizes, some as large as big trucks.
"Do you think it will be safe to leave the projectile so long?"
asked Jack.
"I think so," replied Mr. Roumann. "These people will not
bother with it. In fact, they all seem too busy. I want to get
some of that valuable red stuff."
They kept on, until they found themselves out of the city and
into the country districts. Here there was more water than land,
great canals and lakes being scattered here and there, with
narrow paths or roads winding in and out among them.
"It's always flood time here," observed Jack. "We must get one
of those boats."
They approached the hills, which seemed to rise out of a great
lake.
"There is where the treasure is--in those hills," said Mr.
Roumann. "They're not more than a mile off. Let's hurry there
and get some."
They came to a narrow strip of land connecting two lakes, and as
they were crossing it, there suddenly appeared from a little hut,
about half way over, several Martians, who opposed their
progress.