Many Things Seen Upon Mars-i Receive Some News
: To Mars Via The MoonDuring the remainder of our stay upon Mars we visited almost every
important place upon the planet, either by means of air-ships, motors,
or by travelling along the main canals in splendidly equipped electric
boats.
We passed through the whole length of the Eumenides-Orcus, from its
starting-point on the Phoeniceus Lacus, in the southern hemisphere, to
the Trivium Charontis, in the northern hemisph
miles, this being the longest canal on the planet. We visited the Solis
Lacus, or "Lake of the Sun" (an area larger than England), situated in
the southern hemisphere, which has usually been seen by our observers as
a large dark patch, oval in shape. Indications of changes in this area
were, however, noted at the time of the opposition in 1907; and it is
not improbable that further alterations will be seen shortly.
Numerous important towns exist upon this area, and several canals
connect it with surrounding areas.
We visited the north pole in our air-ship, and saw the snow falling
thickly, and rapidly adding to the size and thickness of the snow-cap,
it being winter time. We visited the south pole and watched the
fast-melting snow (the cap being almost at its minimum size) and the
distribution of the resultant water down the various broad channels
which conduct it to the canals, from whence it is carried all over the
planet.
When it is spring in the northern hemisphere the winter snow-cap at the
north pole will begin to melt in like manner, and the water be
distributed in a similar way. The melting begins about the 1st April and
lasts till July, and sometimes considerably later in the year.
Thus, during the Martian year there are two distributions of water-one
from the north pole and one from the south pole; and the growth of
vegetation follows the passage of the water as it flows downwards from
the poles to the equator.
On our earth vegetation progresses in an exactly opposite direction.
Beginning near the tropics, where it is always summer, as the sun passes
northward of the equator so vegetation gradually appears and develops
onwards towards the north pole. It is exactly the same in the southern
hemisphere; after the sun crosses the equator into the south the
vegetation grows and spreads towards the south pole.
The reason of this is that on the earth the supply of water by rainfall
and snows is abundant, and it only requires the warmth of the sun to
cause vegetation to spring up again at the proper season when the winter
has passed.
On Mars the sun has the same action, but until the water comes down from
the poles and furnishes the necessary moisture, the sun can produce no
effect and there can be no fresh vegetation. Thus, on Mars, the flow of
water is the determining factor, and vegetation follows its course from
the poles towards the equator.
Observation shows that this is the case, and it has formed one of the
strongest arguments in support of the idea of water conveyance by means
of artificial canals. The opponents of the canal theory seem carefully
to avoid any mention of this argument.
While we were watching the melting of the snow at the south pole, I
mentioned to Merna and Tellurio, who accompanied me, that one of our
scientific men, relying for support on a speculation by a lady writer,
had arrived at the conclusion that the snow-caps could not possibly
supply anything like the amount of water required. The writer in
question had stated that the maximum area of the southern snow-cap was
2,400,000 square miles; and, assuming it was composed of snow of an
average depth of twenty feet, this would only give an average depth of
about one foot of water over its whole area.
The whole of the dark areas on the planet covered at least 17,000,000
square miles, and as this was seven times the area of the snow-cap, it
followed that the dark areas could not be covered with more than two
inches of water. From this scanty and inadequate supply of two inches of
water allowance must be made for an enormous loss by evaporation; so, as
the writer said, "the polar reservoirs are despoiled in the act of being
opened."
Tellurio at once settled the matter by saying, "Mr. Poynders, it is a
very pretty theory, but, unfortunately for its supporters, it is
entirely wrong, the figures being inaccurate, and the estimate of the
extent of the area to be supplied, as well as the amount of water
available, is made under a complete misapprehension of the facts."
MARS. MAP VII
The white area at the top of this map is the south polar snow-cap, at
about its usual maximum size. In some hard winters it attains a diameter
of considerably over 100 degrees.]
"The maximum area of the south polar snow-cap is usually more than
10,000,000 square miles instead of less than 2,500,000 as stated, but it
is sometimes still greater during a hard winter. Then, where did the
writer acquire the notion that the whole of the dark areas had to be
covered with water? Only the canals and trenches have to be filled, and,
at the highest computation, these would cover only 2,250,000 square
miles! So even accepting her average of twenty feet depth of the snow
(which would give about one foot of water over the whole area of the
snow-cap), there would still be sufficient water to fill every canal and
trench upon our planet to a depth of nearly four feet six inches.
"Let us suppose we have 700 series of canals, each averaging 1400 miles
in length, and each series having an aggregate width (including the area
of the irrigation trenches) of 2-1/4 miles. You will see that gives
about 2,250,000 square miles to be covered with water. My estimate of
the area to be covered is, however, much in excess of the real amount,
as the average aggregate width of the series of canals would be less
than I have assumed, and the trenches are shallow.
"I must also point out that only a small proportion of the whole number
of canals would be in use at any given time, and the depth of the polar
snows averages considerably more than twenty feet; so a very much
greater depth of water can be secured in those canals which are in use.
The main canals which are used for navigation purposes are, of course,
much wider and deeper than the irrigation canals. In the hotter regions
many covered compensation reservoirs are provided, and these make good
the wastage caused by excessive evaporation where pipes cannot be used."
"Thank you, sir," I said; "the information you have now given me
entirely confirms the figures as to the area of the snow-cap, &c.,
mentioned by Professor Lowell, but as regards the depth of the snow and
the size of the area to be covered, he has with scientific caution
refrained from estimating to the full extent which the facts you mention
seem to warrant. In addition to this, no allowance has been made for the
water derived from the northern snow-cap."
Thus vanished the theory which was supposed to support the view that the
canals must be hopelessly unworkable, and could never be of any use for
irrigation purposes.
It had also been argued that no intelligent beings would construct
canals if the planet were generally flat, as it would only be necessary
to let the water flow over the surface as far as it would go, and thus
irrigate the parts reached by the water; whilst if it were not flat, the
canals could not be constructed at all.
I asked Tellurio "What he thought of this suggestion?"
He replied, "Well, sir-here we have a planet believed to possess only a
very scanty supply of water, which must require the most careful
husbanding and economy in distribution; yet it seems to have been calmly
suggested that we would deliberately waste the precious fluid by
allowing it to flow at random over the small portion of our land which
it would reach, where it might or might not be required! Our engineers,
I may say, are quite capable of overcoming any difficulties arising
from inequalities of the ground.
"If, as has been contended, the loss by evaporation would be so great in
canals where the water is fairly deep as to result in depletion of the
supply, it is clear there must be a hundred times greater loss from the
same cause if the water is allowed to spread in a very shallow pool over
a large area where it would be totally unprotected from the sun! Then,
again, every part of our planet not reached by the water would become
desert.
"No, sir," Tellurio added, "the Martians are far too intelligent to
waste the water in this fashion: hence their canal system by which the
water is economically distributed where required, and also protected
from undue evaporation. It must not be forgotten that our canals are
also means of communication across the deserts, and without them distant
parts of the planet would be entirely isolated from the rest of our
world, except for our air-ships.
"Our canal system has been a matter of slow growth and development.
Beginning with the straightening of the beds of old rivers and narrow
channels connecting seas, the canals were then constructed where they
were most needed; but as time passed on, and our water supply from
rainfall became less and less, we were convinced of the necessity of
adopting a complete system of canalisation in anticipation of the time
when our polar snows would be our only source of supply. This was
gradually carried into effect, and even now additional canals are being
constructed to meet the requirements of places not reached by existing
canals.
"In order to secure the return of the water to the poles, and so ensure
a future supply, it is absolutely necessary that, wherever possible, the
water should be conveyed in open channels so as to allow evaporation to
take place, otherwise much would be lost by soakage into the soil."
"Thank you, sir," I said; "those statements meet another objection which
has been urged against the possibility of the canals existing; it
apparently being assumed that the whole system must have been carried
out simultaneously, and that the population of Mars would have been much
too small to admit of that being done."
"Our population is by no means small, sir, having regard to the size of
our planet; and the Martians, as intelligent beings, have always been in
the habit of looking well ahead to ascertain what provision would be
required to satisfy our prospective needs. Your people take far too
narrow a view of these matters."
Thus many controversial matters were satisfactorily cleared up by
statements of actual facts.
During our journeys over the planet we came across a large number of
canals in different parts which have apparently not yet been discovered
by our observers. These were not all narrow lines of canals, and many of
them were double ones, so our observers have more work yet before them
in finding out these lines and recording them on their charts.
Professor Lowell, who has made many experiments in order to determine
how distant a fine line of known thickness (such as a telegraph wire)
may be situated and yet remain visible to the sight under ordinary
atmospheric conditions for clear seeing, has come to the conclusion that
when Mars arrives at its most favourable position for observation, and
other conditions are satisfactory, it will be possible to see lines on
the planet which are not more than one mile in width.
As regards the surface characteristics of Mars, we found that it is
generally very flat, and that only here and there one comes across
slight undulations, whilst hills and mountains are very few indeed.
There are, in fact, no high mountains anywhere; the highest altitudes
rarely approach 2000 feet, and such heights as these are quite
exceptional.
This was quite in accordance with our expectations, because no mountains
have ever been seen upon Mars, though they have been carefully searched
for by our observers. If there were any elevations much exceeding 2000
feet in height they would have been visible sometimes when the planet
was passing under the careful scrutiny of our observers, and they could
not have entirely escaped observation.
In all probability Mars never at any time possessed mountains whose
height would be at all comparable with that of our mountains; for,
according to scientific calculation and reasoning, the planet's internal
heat was never sufficient to have caused the formation of such high
elevations on its crust.
As the planet advanced stage after stage in its development it became
colder and colder; all upheavals ceased, and the height of any elevated
parts upon its surface would thenceforward be gradually and continuously
reduced by weathering and erosion in the same way as has happened in
many places on our own world. We have no very high mountains in the
British Isles at the present time, but geology and physical geography
teach us that many of the low elevations now existing are merely the
basic wrecks and remains of mountains which, in ages past, must have
been of considerable altitude. As the world ages and becomes colder its
surface will tend to become more and more level, and the rivers will
become straighter in consequence.
As regards animals, we discovered that the larger varieties have become
extinct, and that there are at present no animals which can properly be
termed wild or fierce, for they cannot exist in the deserts without
water or vegetation. Numerous animals, however, frequent the irrigated
parts where there is vegetation, and, though in a complete state of
freedom, have for such an extremely long period been in constant contact
with the people that they have become quite tame. The people always
treat animals with kindness, and these free creatures are entirely
without fear of them.
Most of the animals are different from any we have upon the earth, but
some bear a general resemblance to ours of the same species, though they
are all of larger size, and differ considerably in details. Like the
people, they have developed through the long ages, and have reached a
higher point than our animals, and a few have even developed the power
of speech.
This may sound exaggerated-but just think! Many of our birds have been
taught to speak the human language, and a few have even acquired this
power by imitativeness. Who that has kept dogs, cats, monkeys, and
horses has not observed the desperate efforts of some of them to make
themselves understood. All are not alike, but we often come across an
animal which seems to understand almost everything we say, but none has
yet developed the power of making an intelligible communication to us,
although some try hard to do so. It does not seem beyond the bounds of
possibility that a few thousand years hence some animals, especially the
monkey species, may be able to speak a little.
The Martians do not use any of their animals as beasts of burden, and it
would be contrary to all their ideas to do so. On Mars nearly all heavy
labour is performed by means of electrical machines, thus both the
people and the animals are spared much heavy work.
Our animals are often greatly overloaded, but we have a salutary law to
protect them from this, as well as from other forms of cruelty; and the
persons responsible for the ill-treatment may be punished.
Human beings, however, may be overloaded and, in many cases, overworked
with impunity, for there is no law to protect the unorganised workers.
Is there not something wrong about this?
It may be argued that whilst animals cannot protect themselves human
beings can; but, alas, only too often the force of circumstances compels
workers to endure anything so long as they can earn a little to keep
body and soul together.
* * * * *
Flowers seem to be very plentiful here, and grow very tall and large.
Many varieties bear a strong resemblance to our variegated lilies, the
flowers being brilliantly tinted, and often measuring twelve to fifteen
inches across. But, as upon the earth, flowers are found in all colours
and sizes, and in infinite variety.
Trees also grow very tall, many varieties resembling our palms,
especially in and near the tropics, where there are also many varieties
of cactus. In the temperate and cooler zones trees resembling our firs
and pines are plentiful; whilst fruits, vegetables, and nuts, as well as
cereals, are grown in enormous quantities on the irrigated areas, as
these products form the chief articles of food amongst the Martians.
Insects are numerous on Mars, the conditions being very favourable to
insect life; and they are all on a very much larger scale than our
insects, especially those which fly.
Everywhere we go we are received by the people with the utmost courtesy
and kindness, and have become much attached to those with whom we have
been more closely associated. They are indeed a most amiable,
intelligent, and lovable people-always good tempered-dignified, yet
ready to display great enthusiasm when occasion requires.
The marriage tie is sacred and indissoluble on Mars, and divorce is
therefore unknown; but it is also quite unnecessary, for no cause ever
arises for a dissolution of marriage.
When Merna was telling me about this, I asked him whether any attempt
had been made to dispense with marriage in any Martian community,
stating that some of our advanced people were disposed to do so.
He answered that "Some such ideas had been in vogue amongst certain of
their nations about two thousand years ago, and attempts were also made
to abolish religious observances, but they proved complete failures, and
engendered strife. No nation adopting these views ever progressed or
prospered; the people were soon clamouring for the revival of their old
institutions, and since then no one had ever desired to dispense with
them. Both religion and marriage are essential to the stability and
well-being of all nations, and the people are soon lost without them.
You may be assured," added Merna, "that those on your earth who favour
such a change are quite mistaken in thinking it would be an advance in
civilisation, for, on the contrary, it would result in a reversion to
barbarism."
The Martian educational system is very thorough. In their earlier years
the children all receive a good education in general and scientific
knowledge, then they pass into the technical, trade, and business
schools. Every kind of business and trade is thoroughly taught by
teachers who are not mere doctrinaire professors, but persons who have
made their mark as good, capable, and practical workers in the
particular trade or business which they are required to teach.
We went over several of the ordinary and trade schools, and found them
fully equipped with everything likely to be required for a thorough
educational course of training.
In the warmer zones we found several large open-air amphitheatres
capable of accommodating from 10,000 to 100,000 persons. All around the
central arenas of these were rings of beautiful scented flowers and
shrubs. Both children and adults spend much of their leisure time in
open-air recreation and athletic games, and I was therefore not
surprised to find them all so bright and happy, as well as robustly
healthy in appearance.
As a result of our visit, the Martians now enjoy a new out-door
recreation; for M'Allister, pressing John into his service, has
initiated them into all the mysteries of golf, for which pastime their
level country is well suited. I have been much amused to note that,
whilst M'Allister has always expressed great admiration of the
mechanical skill of the Martians, they have risen in his estimation at
least 100 per cent. since they have taken so enthusiastically to his
national game, and he is never tired of telling us what a "sensible"
people they are!
He has taken up their training with all his Scottish vim and
thoroughness, and has insisted upon the full rigour of the game. All
attempts to Martianise its various technical terms he has courteously,
but firmly, suppressed; the Martian vocabulary has, therefore, been
considerably extended by the addition of the numerous fearsome
technicalities which sound so strange, even to an Englishman who is not
familiar with the game. Whatever may be the ultimate result to the
Martians, there is no doubt but that M'Allister is most thoroughly
enjoying himself.
Tellurio informed me that their medical men have very little to do in
the way of curing ailments, their studies and efforts being mainly
directed to the prevention of disease; consequently disease and illness
are very rare, and many of the diseases which afflicted the people in
past ages have been entirely eradicated.
The use of radium as a medical accessory has been known to them for a
very long period, and they are able to prepare and utilise it without
the slightest risk of any untoward results.
Another large factor in ensuring a strong and healthy population is the
methodical system they adopt in planning all their towns. We in England
have only recently realised the necessity of town-planning and the
advantages of garden cities. On Mars, however, town-planning has been
most systematically carried out for centuries; all their towns are
glorified garden cities, presenting a happy combination of beauty,
utility, and healthfulness.
The general arrangement is as follows: On a circular area, varying from
one to five or more miles in diameter, according to circumstances, is
the central portion of the town, containing the splendid administrative
and business buildings, museums, winter-gardens, educational
establishments, and places of amusement, as well as many fine
residences. Surrounding this area is a wide ring-canal, on the farther
side of which is the outer zone of the town, united to the central
portion by many wide and handsome bridges. On the outer zone are
extensive residential areas, then a zone of factories and workshops, and
beyond that an area often extending for miles, which is covered with
cereals and vegetables, fruit trees and nut trees. Outside all is a zone
of timber trees. The town and its surroundings, therefore, cover a vast
area.
The canals radiate in all directions from the outer edge of the wide
ring-canal, and all quays, wharves, and warehouses are alongside of
these canals. Thus the ring-canal is kept quite clear of all such
buildings, but all round both sides of it are beautiful terraces of
white stone, with numerous pavilions, broad boulevards, winter-gardens,
and promenades.
All the buildings have open spaces or gardens around them, thus securing
ample allowance of light and air. Smoke is quite unknown; no noxious
gases or vapours are discharged into the atmosphere from any of the
factories, but all such emanations which cannot be absolutely destroyed
are purified, condensed, or otherwise dealt with within the buildings.
Thus the air is always kept pure and wholesome.
From this description it will be seen that the planning of a town is
very systematic, and that it much resembles a wheel. The hub is the
central part of the town; the spokes are represented by the bridges; and
the outer rim-a very wide one-contains the outer zones.
Besides the gardens there are large open spaces where air-ships have
their stations, from whence they can start, or on to which they can
descend. The air-ships, also, are usually constructed so that they can
descend into the canals, on which they can not only float but be
propelled.
Many of these town areas are the oases, about which so much has been
said, and which, like many other Martian details, have been described as
illusions. I only wish we had a plentiful supply of such illusions in
our own old country!
One of the oases we visited was the Lucus Ascraeus, in the northern
hemisphere. A large number of canals converge from all directions on to
this spot-seventeen of them are marked on our maps-so I expected to
find it a place of considerable importance. It is, in fact, a very
thriving business and manufacturing place-the Birmingham of Mars,
besides being also one of the many centres of government. Like most of
the manufacturing towns, it is near the tropical region-because the
Martians derive most of their heat and power from solar emanations which
they have discovered, and these they store up and transmit to very
distant places for use when required. Nearly all the places on Mars to
which several canals converge are busy centres of trade and contain
large populations.
There are numerous large towns near the canals on all the dark areas,
differing only in detail from those on the oases, the general plan being
the same.
I remarked to John that "I thought the towns on the dark areas ought to
show as rounded spots slightly darker in tint than the surrounding dark
areas. Where several towns were close together they would probably be
seen as a single spot, large in area and irregular in shape. It seems
strange that, except for a few shown on Professor Lowell's charts, they
have not been seen by our astronomers; but perhaps during the present
near approach of Mars to the earth some of our keen-sighted observers
who possess large instruments may see and take note of many more of
these dark rounded spots, as they are very numerous, and new towns are
in course of development."
During the spring and summer a large number of the people find
employment in the regions near the poles, especially those whose work is
connected with the canal system and who have to see that the water from
the melting snow-caps is turned into the proper channels and everything
connected therewith kept in good working condition. All these workers,
however, migrate to warmer latitudes as the very long and dreary winter
approaches.
* * * * *
I have just received some interesting and very unexpected news which, as
some writer says, "gives me furiously to think."
John and M'Allister came to me asking anxiously whether I had fixed the
date for our departure.
I replied that we should probably keep to our original programme and
leave about the beginning of December, but asked John why he was so
anxious to know?
"Well, Professor," he answered, "there is more than one reason for my
question. I do not think our stay should be prolonged. Haven't you
noticed any change in us?"
I replied that "I had not seen any particular change or alteration in
them, except that in build and general appearance they were becoming
more like the Martians."
"Yes, Professor," exclaimed John, "that's just it. I don't know whether
it is the Martian air or the Martian food, or the combination of both,
but we certainly are becoming more like Martians every day. Our eyes are
becoming luminous, our complexions and features are changing, and, by
Jove! if I haven't grown nearly two inches since we came here! If I go
on like this I shall soon be such a giant that I shall not care to go
back at all."
"Really, John," I said, "is it so bad as that? Now I come to look at you
critically you certainly do look taller; and I can see a little
luminosity in M'Allister's eyes, and rather more in yours. I suppose,
being the youngest, you are more susceptible than M'Allister or myself."
"Yes, I think that must be the case, Professor," remarked John.
"However," I added, looking at him and smiling, "you told me there were
more reasons than one, so I suppose you have kept the weightiest reason
to the last."
"Well, I don't know about its being the weightiest reason," he
answered, "but we shall require nearly four months to accomplish our
journey to England after we leave here, and I reckon that by that time
my stock of tobacco will be pretty nearly used up. I have given a lot
away to our Martian friends, and I've tried some of the native growth;
it's rather decent stuff, but not a patch upon my mixture."
I burst out laughing in such a hearty fashion that it set them off too,
as I remarked, "Ah, John, I had a shrewd idea that there was something
more behind your anxiety than the fact that you were becoming
Martianised."
"Heh, John," exclaimed M'Allister, touching him playfully on the
shoulder, "the Professor had you all right that time, I'm thinking!"
John blushed up to the eyes, and said no more.
Ultimately it was agreed that it would be well to leave Mars on the 1st
December, according to terrestrial reckoning.
So that matter was settled; but, just after they had left, Merna and
Eleeta came in, both looking very glowing and happy.
After the usual greetings and a few casual remarks, Merna announced that
he and Eleeta were to be united in the coming autumn.
I was a little surprised at the suddenness of the announcement, but at
the same time exceedingly pleased; so, embracing them, I congratulated
them heartily and wished them every happiness; then they left to tell
some one else the news.
But, as I have said, these things "gave me to think."
More
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The place was dark and damp, and smelled like moldy leaves. Meyerhoff followed the huge, bear-like Altairian guard down the slippery flagstones of the corridor, sniffing the dead, musty air with distaste. He drew his carefully tailored Terran-st... Life In Lo-tan The Magnificent
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AFTER brief consultation it was deemed insecure for us to return to Goliba's house, as search would undoubtedly be made for us there if any had detected his presence with us in the great chasm. Therefore, our guide, taking one of the lamps, led us... Liola's Discovery
WITH a sudden bound I left Liola's side and sprang upon the leader of our enemies, clutching him fiercely by the throat and shouting for assistance. No one was, however, near, and for a few moments we struggled desperately. He was unarmed, and I, ... Littlejohn 2065
The helicopter landed on the roof, and the attendants wheeled it over to one side. They propped the ladder up, and Littlejohn descended slowly, panting. They had a coasterchair waiting and he sank into it, grateful for the rest. Hardy fellows, ... Loch Lomond And Loch Katrine
HARRY bore Nell carefully down the steeps of Arthur's Seat, and, accompanied by James Starr and Jack Ryan, they reached Lambert's Hotel. There a good breakfast restored their strength, and they began to make further plans for an excursion to the H... Longevity
Legend had it, that many thousands of years ago, right after the Great Horror, the whole continent of the west had slowly sunk beneath the West Water, and that once every century it arose during a full moon. Still, Captain Hinrik clung to ... Lost In Space
For forty-eight hours the uncontrolled atomic motor dragged the masterless vessel with its four unconscious passengers through the illimitable reaches of empty space, with an awful and constantly increasing velocity. When only a few traces of copp... Lost In The Sky
Without effort at concealment I hastened to the vicinity of our quarters, where I felt sure I should find Kantos Kan. As I neared the building I became more careful, as I judged, and rightly, that the place would be guarded. Several men in civil... Lost Men In The Moon
His face caught something of my dismay. He stood up and stared about him at the scrub that fenced us in and rose about us, straining upward in a passion of growth. He put a dubious hand to his lips. He spoke with a sudden lack of assurance. "I think... Lost On Pellucidar
The Arabs, of whom I wrote you at the end of my last letter (Innes began), and whom I thought to be enemies intent only upon murdering me, proved to be exceedingly friendly--they were searching for the very band of marauders that had threatened my e... Lost!
No words in any human language can depict my utter despair. I was literally buried alive; with no other expectation before me but to die in all the slow horrible torture of hunger and thirst. Mechanically I crawled about, feeling the dry and ari... Love-making On Mars
Following the battle with the air ships, the community remained within the city for several days, abandoning the homeward march until they could feel reasonably assured that the ships would not return; for to be caught on the open plains with a ca... Lunar Landscapes
At half past two in the morning of December 6th, the travellers crossed the 30th northern parallel, at a distance from the lunar surface of 625 miles, reduced to about 6 by their spy-glasses. Barbican could not yet see the least probability of the... Lunar Landscapes
At half-past two in the morning, the projectile was over the thirteenth lunar parallel and at the effective distance of five hundred miles, reduced by the glasses to five. It still seemed impossible, however, that it could ever touch any part of ... Mainly About Myra
The train slowed down into Mallaig station. I thrilled with anticipation, for now I had only the journey on the boat, and Myra would be waiting for me at Glenelg. The train had hardly stopped when I seized my bag and jumped out on to the platform.... Make Mine Homogenized
Anyone looking for guaranteed sound science will have to look elsewhere. But if it's fun you want ... try the world's most potent eggnog! "Shoo," Hetty Thompson cried, waving her battered old felt hat at the clucking cluster of hens eddying... Man Made
A story that comes to grips with an age-old question--what is soul? and where?--and postulates an age-new answer. If I listed every trouble I've accumulated in a mere two hundred odd years you might be inclined to laugh. When a tale of ... Man Or Monster?
When Muda Saffir turned from the two Dyaks who had brought him news of the treasure he hastened to the long-house and arousing the chief of the tribe who domiciled there explained that necessity required that the rajah have at once two war prahus ... Man Triumphant I
21. The hearings of the Committee to Investigate Dangerous Vegetation went on for five days and Mr Le ffacase was increasingly delighted as the proceedings went down, properly edited and embellished to excite reader interest, in the columns of the... Man Triumphant Ii
36. Everything I had visualized in the broker's office turned out too pessimistically accurate. Consolidated Pemmican and Allied Concentrates was nothing but a mailing address in one of the most forlorn of Manhattan buildings, long before jettison... Many Things Seen Upon Mars-i Receive Some News
During the remainder of our stay upon Mars we visited almost every important place upon the planet, either by means of air-ships, motors, or by travelling along the main canals in splendidly equipped electric boats. We passed through the... Market Prices In Gallia
"All right!" said Servadac, convinced by the professor's ill humor that the danger was past; "no doubt we are in for a two years' excursion, but fifteen months more will take us back to the earth!" "And we shall see Montmartre again!" exclaimed ... Marriage
Cortin lay awake, listening to Odeon's soft breathing and thinking. The dream had been almost pure wish fulfillment, a wish she'd both had and known was impossible since the day she'd met him. She'd never had the slightest interest in any of he... Master Of None
The advantages of specialization are so obvious that, today, we don't even know how to recognize a competent syncretist! Freddy the Fish glanced at the folded newspaper beside him on the bench. A little one-column headline caught his e... Medal Of Honor
According to tradition, the man who held the Galactic Medal of Honor could do no wrong. In a strange way, Captain Don Mathers was to learn that this was true. Don Mathers snapped to attention, snapped a crisp salute to his superior, ... Melbourne's Story
Glimpses of last night came back to me and pieced themselves together slowly while I undressed and drew the water for my bath. Melbourne had been interested to know that I worked for Bausch, the motion picture producer. "Perhaps you could be ... Men Of The Woods
So far as this, all that I have stated has been clear, and there can be no doubt that what has been thus handed down from mouth to mouth is for the most part correct. When I pass from trees and animals to men, however, the thing is different, for ... Mercenary
Every status-quo-caste society in history has left open two roads to rise above your caste: The Priest and The Warrior. But in a society of TV and tranquilizers--the Warrior acquires a strange new meaning.... Joseph Mauser spotted the rec... Michael Cavendish 2027
Mike was just coming through the clump of trees when the boy began to wave at him. He shifted the clumsy old Jeffrey .475, cursing the weight as he quickened his pace. But there was no help for it, he had to carry the gun himself. None of the boys... Miela
The girl stood quiet beside the tree, watching Alan as he tied up his boat. She continued smiling. Alan stood up and faced her. He wondered what he should say--whether she could understand him any better than he could her. "You speak English?" ... Miela's Story
When I reached the little Florida town Alan was there to meet me. He would have none of my eager questions, but took me at once by launch to their bungalow. No one was on the porch when we landed, and we went immediately into the living room. Ther... Millennium
There are devices a high-level culture could produce that simply don't belong in the hands of incompetents of lower cultural evolution. The finest, and most civilized of tools can be made a menace ... Liewen Konar smiled wry... Ministry Of Disturbance
Sometimes getting a job is harder than the job after you get it--and sometimes getting out of a job is harder than either! The symphony was ending, the final triumphant pæan soaring up and up, beyond the limit of audibility. For... Minnie Schultz 2009
When Frank came home, Minnie met him at the door. She didn't say a word, just handed him the envelope containing the notice. "What's the matter?" Frank asked, trying to take her in his arms. "You been crying." "Never mind." Minnie freed herse... Miss Metford's Plan
We coaled at Port Said like any ordinary steamer. Although I had more than once made the Red Sea voyage, I had never before taken the slightest interest in the coaling of the vessel on which I was a passenger. This time everything was different. T... Mists Of Uncertainty
When we got back to the house we found Myra and her father--not unnaturally--wondering what had become of us. "What have you been doing, and where have you been, and what do you mean by it?" she asked, playfully. "I wish I could see you. I'm sur... Mobilis In Mobili
This forcible abduction, so roughly carried out, was accomplished with the rapidity of lightning. I shivered all over. Whom had we to deal with? No doubt some new sort of pirates, who explored the sea in their own way. Hardly had the narrow pane... Money At A Premium
"Who's there? I have nothing here for anyone. Go away!" Such was the inhospitable greeting with which Isaac Hakkabut received his visitors. "Hakkabut! do you take us for thieves?" asked Servadac, in tones of stern displeasure. "Oh, your Excel... Monkey On His Back
Under the cloud of cast-off identities lay the shape of another man-- was it himself? He was walking endlessly down a long, glass-walled corridor. Bright sunlight slanted in through one wall, on the blue knapsack across his s... Montgomery's Bank Holiday
WHEN this was accomplished, and we had washed and eaten, Montgomery and I went into my little room and seriously discussed our position for the first time. It was then near midnight. He was almost sober, but greatly disturbed in his mind. He had... Morituri Te Salutant
We had been sitting on deck chairs smoking and talking for a couple of hours after the late dinner, which was served as soon as the vessel was well out to sea, when Brande came on deck. He was hailed with enthusiasm. This did not move him, or even... Morquil's Story
For a long time there was silence, then Mrs. Jones fainted. McCarthy took it without flinching, and his wife was satisfied if he was. Dick had suspected something almost as strange, and did not seem surprised. Dolores looked at him for guidance. H... Mother America
The tall young man faded back quickly, poised for an instant and then threw a long high pass. The crowd came up roaring. Twenty yards from the goal line a smaller, sturdier player swerved quickly around the end and took the pass in his stride. W... Mother And Daughter
Dr. Ballard had gone, and his hostesses were awaiting the summons to dinner. Mrs. Evringham regarded her daughter critically as the girl sat at the piano, idly running her fingers over the keys. The listlessness expressed in the fresh face and rou... Mr Bedford Alone
In a little while it seemed to me as though I had always been alone on the moon. I hunted for a time with a certain intentness, but the heat was still very great, and the thinness of the air felt like a hoop about one's chest. I came presently into ... Mr Bedford At Littlestone
My line of flight was about parallel with the surface as I came into the upper air. The temperature of sphere began to rise forthwith. I knew it behoved me to drop at once. Far below me, in a darkling twilight, stretched a great expanse of sea. I op... Mr Bedford In Infinite Space
It was almost as though I had been killed. Indeed, I could imagine a man suddenly and violently killed would feel very much as I did. One moment, a passion of agonising existence and fear; the next darkness and stillness, neither light nor life nor ... Mr Bedford Meets Mr Cavor At Lympne
As I sit down to write here amidst the shadows of vine-leaves under the blue sky of southern Italy, it comes to me with a certain quality of astonishment that my participation in these amazing adventures of Mr. Cavor was, after all, the outcome of t... Mr Berg Is Astonished
Following his father and the stranger whom the aged inventor had addressed as Mr. Berg, Tom and Mr. Sharp entered the house, the lad having first made sure that Garret Jackson was on guard in the shop that contained the sub marine. "Now," said ... Mr Berg Is Suspicious
Not for long did the young inventor endeavor to break his way out of the water-ballast tank by striking the heavy sides of it. Tom realized that this was worse than useless. He listened intently, but could hear nothing. Even the retreating footst... Mr Cavor Makes Some Suggestions
For a time neither of us spoke. To focus together all the things we had brought upon ourselves seemed beyond my mental powers. "They've got us," I said at last. "It was that fungus." "Well--if I hadn't taken it we should have fainted and star... Mr Clutterbuck's Opinion
When I reached London it was dusk, and a light mist hung in the darkening air. The lamps were twinkling in the streets. I decided to get some tea in a restaurant adjoining the station. When I entered it was crowded, and the only seat that was empt... Mr Cuss Interviews The Stranger
I have told the circumstances of the stranger's arrival in Iping with a certain fulness of detail, in order that the curious impression he created may be understood by the reader. But excepting two odd incidents, the circumstances of his stay unti... Mr Damon Will Go
"Well, I guess they've had their lesson," remarked Tom, as he took an observation through the telescope and saw Andy and his cronies hard at work trying to repair the ruptured tires. "That certainly was a corking good trick." "Yes," admitted Mr... Mr Marvel Discusses His Resignation
When the dusk was gathering and Iping was just beginning to peep timorously forth again upon the shattered wreckage of its Bank Holiday, a short, thick-set man in a shabby silk hat was marching painfully through the twilight behind the beechwoods ... Mr Marvel's Visit To Iping
After the first gusty panic had spent itself Iping became argumentative. Scepticism suddenly reared its head--rather nervous scepticism, not at all assured of its back, but scepticism nevertheless. It is so much easier not to believe in an invisib...