A Farewell Banquet And A Painful Parting
: To Mars Via The MoonThe time was nigh at hand when we must think about our arrangements for
returning to the earth, and, as it drew nearer and nearer, I became much
troubled. I felt that it would be endangering Merna's dear life to take
him to England, for our terrestrial microbes would probably prove fatal
to a Martian, so it was impossible to suggest it to him; at the same
time I felt that I could not again part with my newly-found son, who was
now all in all to me.
Pondering over the matter, I wondered whether the Martians would allow
me to stay with them and end my days on Mars with my beloved son.
Just then Soranho came to see me, and we sat awhile talking together.
Presently he said, quietly, "Mr. Poynders, you would I know desire to
stay here with your son, but are doubtful about mentioning the matter to
me. Doubt no longer, my dear sir! We shall be proud and happy to have
you with us; and I am quite sure that I am fulfilling the wishes of our
people when I now cordially invite you, in their name, to make your home
with us!"
Thus the Martian intuition had solved my difficulty; and, fervently
thanking Soranho, I told him I gratefully accepted his kind invitation
and would remain upon Mars, although parting with my two old friends
would be a hard task for me.
It had been decided that we should leave on the 1st of December, that
being the latest possible date, as the earth was moving so rapidly away
from Mars that each day's delay would mean a longer journey. As it was,
we should have about 215,000,000 miles to travel before we could reach
our destination; and, as that would require at least 108 days, we could
not arrive in England before the 18th of March 1910; probably it would
be a day or two later, as our course would take us so near the sun.
When John and M'Allister came in I went to the receptacle where my chart
was kept and brought it out. Placing it on the table, I carefully
explained what would be required, and gave them full instructions for
setting and keeping their proper course, so as to head off the earth on
its journey. These instructions I had also written out in readiness, so
that each might know and be able to act in an emergency.
Then came the most difficult part of my task, and, in hesitating words
and rather disjointed sentences, I announced to them my decision to
remain on the planet. John and M'Allister were very much moved; but, as
they saw the matter was really settled, they soon desisted from their
attempts to dissuade me.
During the day we received from Soranho an invitation, in the name of
the whole people of Mars, to attend a banquet on the day before our
departure to enable them to bid us adieu.
This we, of course, accepted; and when we arrived at the place indicated
we found that it was the largest hall in Sirapion, the immense building
being crowded with Martians from all parts of the planet.
After the banquet Soranho rose and announced that their friends from the
earth would be leaving next day, and he trusted that all who could do
so would attend at our point of departure to give us a hearty send-off.
He then dwelt upon the pleasure which our visit and company had afforded
them, and said the good wishes of the whole people would go with us;
adding that we might feel assured that anything which the Martian nation
could do, by means of transmitted influences, to aid in the advancement
of our world would be most cheerfully and willingly done.
Then he went on to make the announcement that, finding I had a strong
desire to stay with them and with my newly-found son, he had invited me,
in their name, to do so.
This announcement was received with tremendous enthusiasm: the whole
company spontaneously rising to their feet, with repeated acclamations
and expressions of satisfaction.
I then rose to express my heartfelt thanks for their kindness, saying
that for many years of my life upon the earth I had loved to study their
planet; and now that I had spent some time upon it and been the
recipient of so much kindness and goodwill from all whom I had met, I
loved both their world and their people; and in deciding to accept the
invitation so cordially given in their name I trusted they would always
find me a good citizen of Tetarta.
Merna translated this speech to them, and there ensued another scene of
indescribable enthusiasm.
John followed with a very feeling expression of his gratitude for the
welcome and kindness he had received as a stranger from another world.
Then came M'Allister's turn, and his speech was a characteristic one.
Turning to Soranho, he said: "Mon!-no, I should say 'Chief!'-I thank
you and all the people for the delightful time we have had upon Mars,
and can only say I'm very sorry to leave you. But I have an old wife of
my own in the world far across space over yonder, and away up in bonnie
Scotland. She will be looking for my return home; so, much as I should
like to stay longer with you, I cannot keep from going to her. Thank you
all, and God bless you!"
I do not know how Merna managed to translate this speech, but it
evidently gave the audience as much satisfaction as the others had done.
So, with many hearty handshakes and expressions of goodwill, we left the
hall at the conclusion of the proceedings and returned to our home,
where John and M'Allister were to sleep for the last time.
The next morning we sat discussing the final arrangements for their
departure, as they would start on their return journey in two hours'
time.
John and M'Allister were both much affected at my decision to stay upon
Mars (or Tetarta, as it will be to me in future), for they did not like
the idea of leaving me behind, and made some further attempt to induce
me to change my mind on the subject. I felt, however, that they were
really convinced I was doing the best thing possible in the
circumstances, and had no hope that I would accede to their request.
I told them my decision was unalterable, and that, as we all felt the
poignancy of the parting, it would be better to take leave of each other
now, rather than in public when they boarded the Areonal.
As they rose to say farewell I said, "John, my dear fellow, I have kept
a record of all our doings since we left old England, thinking that, if
published, it might prove of some interest to my countrymen.
"I have a few words to add to it, and also a letter to enclose for you
to take to my solicitors; but Merna will hand the packet to you when you
actually start. I know you will carry out my wishes and see the book
through the press, although I have mentioned the tobacco and
laughing-gas incident!"
John smiled and promised to do as I wished; then rising, I said, "So
now, dear friends, a last and long good-bye to each other. We have been
close friends for many years and have many pleasant memories of the
times we have spent together; but, remember, our thoughts may still
unite us, though sundered by many million miles of space, and dwelling
upon different worlds!
"When I was on the earth I was living upon a star of the heavens; here,
upon Tetarta, I am still upon a star of the heavens, but also along with
the only living being to whom I have been united by ties of blood and
loving kinship.
"It is, as Merna once said, only a change of dwelling-places, and our
kindly Martian friends are delighted to keep me here. It is hard to part
from you, but do not wonder if I say-'Here I will live! here I will
die!'"
Then with many, many a lingering handshake and words of mutual love and
affection, we old friends bade each other an eternal adieu.
As he reached the doorway M'Allister-as truehearted a Scot as ever his
country produced-turned towards me, and with upraised hand, glistening
eyes, and lips quivering, exclaimed, "Mon, you are doing the right
thing, but I never thought I would feel a parting with an old friend so
much as I do this! God bless you, Professor!"
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