Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1911 — A Columbus of Space [ARTICLE]

A Columbus of Space

By Garrett P. Serviss.

Copyright by Frank A. Munsey Co. CHAPTER IX. An Astonishing Reception At. The CapßaL I didn’t feel myself quite all the confidence that I tried to express to Henry, for this scrape differed essentially from any that we had been in yet, but still I relied a good deal upon Edmund’s resources. It presently became evident that the man he had killed was a personage of importance—an admiral, perhaps. Anyway, it was clear that they meant to make us pay for what we had done. \ There was one thing, however, which ga*e me a little comfort; and awoke the hope that we might yet escape. This was the behavior of Ala. She seemed to be not much more than a girl in age, but she was treated on all hands with the greatest respect. Her word was law. \ That was evident the moment they began to come aboard our ship. It was not only our crew, if I may so t call them, that obeyed her, but every-’ body. And it was delightful to see the dignity with which she bore herself. She was a very princess in manner and carriage, and yet there was something peculiarly gentle in all her ways which made her irresistibly winning. I could not think that, as far as it might depend on her, she would approve the exaction of a very severe punishment for Edmund’s unintentional offense, and I was the more convinced of this when I reflected upon what I had noticed in their bearing toward one another during the trip. Considering where we were, no doubt it may seem ridiculous to speak of such a thing as love! But there is love at first sight on the earth —why not there, a world inhabited by such beings as we had encountered, who certainly were human in their characteristics, and almost more than human in their beauty? While on the other hand, Edmund was as manly a representative of the race of Adam as I have ever looked upon, and be had the light of genius in his eyes. Anyway, take it as you will, I believed that a mutual atraction hal been felt by those two inhabitants of different worlds, and I began to think that this very thing had been in Edmund’s mind when he forbade us to. resist. As soon as our captors found that we offered no resistance they partially released their grasp, but we were all bound, so that we could not escape. Having passed over the iand, we rose a little higher, for there was a range of hills ahead of us, and then, flanked on both sides by other airships, we held our course toward the distant mountains. Whether the suggestion came from Edmund or not, I cannot say, but our car, which had been towed over the sea, was now lifted upon one of the larger airships, and it continued to accompany us. I felt very glad to see that. All our hopes of ultimate escape centered upon that car! In the course of several hours of very rapid traveling we began to draw near the mountains, and now those singular cobweb like objects which we had caught sight of in the far distance became very plain to view. Although prisoners, we were not kept separate, and no attempt was made to prevent our conversing. As the strange objects grew more distinct. Jack, who had recovered his equanimity, was, as usual, the first to speak. > “By Jove! Edmund,” he said, “here’s a new chance for your genius for explaining mysteries. What are those things?”

“I’m surprised that you haven't guessed.” was the reply. "It's perfectly plain what they are.” “Not airships?” “Certainly not. They’re palaces.” “Palaces?” “Why, of course.” “Castles in Spain, I reckon,” said Jack, disdainfully. “No, simply castles in the air. Why shouldn’t they float such things here? This atmosphere Is exactly suited for them. You see how easily these aeroplanes ride. It is a region of atmosphereic calm.” “Only the most gentle breezes are stirring. I doubt if there is ever a high wind here. It’s exactly what we should expect of these people. They are almost as much Inhabitants of the air as of the land. And could any idea be more beautiful than that?” Nobody replied. We were lost in admiration, both of the idea and of the scene. It seemed probable that Edmund was right again. As we continued to approach we became convinced that he was, for the details of the airy architecture began to be visible. First, we saw an immense number of towers, looming up, with stage above stage, like the huge Bteel buildings of New York before they receive their outer coverings, but infinitely lighter and more delicate; truly fairy constructions, glittering with thousands of brilliant points.

Then, below these, anchoring the floating structures to the earth,- appeared long cables which, from our distance, resembled gossamer threads bespangled with dew. Still nearer, and at last we believed that we could see people in the buoyant towers. A few minutes later there was no doubt about it, for the colors broke forth, and that marvelous interchange of chromatic signals which had so astonished and delighted us on nearing the coast, was resumed. “It is my belief,” said Edmund, “that notwithstanding the buoyancy of the air, they are compelled to use power to keep these aerial edifices afloat. You will see, when we are nearer, that every stage is furnished with revolving screws, which help to hold them in position. Without that I am sure they would not stay up, particularly there are people upon them.” And so it turned out. --In a short time we were near enough to see the screws working, in a maze of motions, like the wings of a multitude of insects. The resemblance to insects’ wings was increased by their gauzy structure, and they flashed and glittered as if enameled. The vast towers swayed slightly to and fro with a sinuous motion. > , (To be contiuned.)