by Mark Wicks
CHAPTER XIII
WE ARRIVE ON MARS AND MEET WITH A STARTLING SURPRISE
On hearing my excited exclamation, John and M'Allister at once steppedon to the platform and, having looked down, were as much surprised as Iwas, for lo! we were heading direct for the very spot which I hadpreviously told them it was my fancy to land upon, and we were not threemiles away from it. We also saw a large town or city close by ourproposed landing-place.
"One would almost imagine you were a magician, Professor," said John,"and that this affair was all your work, and intended to secure alanding only where you thought proper."
"No, John," I answered, "I had nothing to do with our coming to thisspot, and it is still a mystery to me how it was we were not able tocontinue on our original course. The Gordian Knot was too much for usafter all."
"Well," John said, "it does not matter so long as we succeed in landingsomewhere.
"By Jove!" he exclaimed suddenly, "look through the glass over there,"pointing forwards as he spoke. "I can see enormous crowds of peopleevidently watching our vessel."
It really was so, for, as we drew nearer and nearer, we could plainlysee an enormous multitude of people who seemed to be drawn up along thefour sides of an immense square open space, and they were all lookingupwards towards the _Areonal_.
"Go and have a wash," I said to M'Allister, who had become quite grimyfrom the perspiration occasioned by his exciting work just previously."We will see to the machines, if necessary. You must not descend amongstsuch an assembly of the natives with dirty hands and face."
"No," he replied, "Kenneth M'Allister will not disgrace old Scotland bydoing such a thing as that."
"Look sharp, then, M'Allister," John called after him; then, peepingdown again, he pointed to the farther side of the square, saying, "Look,Professor, I can see some pavilions over there, and a large dais affair,with a canopy over it! Look at the flags and banners too!" he cried;"and there seems to be a large number of officials round the dais.Perhaps that's the Emperor of Mars sitting there!"
"I doubt that, John," I replied; "but probably he is some very importantpersonage. How singular," I added, "that this spot which I selectedshould be the only one toward which we were able to steer our vessel!"
"Well, we shall soon know something about that, I expect," replied John.
"Heh, mon!" exclaimed M'Allister, who had now rejoined us, looking spickand span, and with his face shining from the fresh application of soapand water, "I believe they are all down there watching for our arrival."
"It really looks like it," I said; "but how could they have known wewere coming? So many scores of thousands could not have been gatheredtogether at a few minutes' notice. Well, you can see to the machines,and take us gently down into that square."
"Professor," remarked John, "those people are not the big, ugly giants,nor the strange animals which some of our folks have imagined theinhabitants of Mars to be. They appear a bit tall; but, so far as I cansee from here with the glass, they are a fairly good-looking lot. Theyseem quite friendly too," he added, "and we shall not require those gunsafter all."
"No, certainly not," I replied, for now we were close enough to see thatthe people were waving their hands towards us, and that children werewaving bright-coloured flags. Just then a welcoming shout came up to usfrom below, and we made friendly signs to the people in response. Thenthey cheered us again and again, so we knew we could safely descendamongst them.
With skilful manoeuvring M'Allister soon brought our vessel down nearthe centre of the square, and we were all ready to step out. Johnjudiciously, but rather reluctantly, ceased smoking and put away hispipe, not knowing what kind of reception he might have if he appearedamongst these strangers with a pipe in his mouth.
A line of officials was arranged in a curve on each side of the dais,and three of them came towards us from either side, making signs offriendliness and welcome.
Seeing that we had nothing to fear, we at once stepped on to the groundand advanced to meet them. In spite of weighted boots, which we hadtaken the precaution to wear, we had some difficulty in walkingproperly; the gravitation being so much less than on the earth we had anirresistible tendency to lift our feet much too high at every step wetook.
As we met, each official made a very graceful and courteous inclinationof his body, and we all bowed in response. The first couple of officialsthen conducted me towards the dais, and I could now see that they werevery much taller than myself, being quite seven feet nine inches inheight. They were, however, so splendidly proportioned that at firsttheir stature had not impressed me as being much above our ordinarystandard; whilst their features were most beautifully formed andregular, their complexions being very clear and fresh-looking.
One great peculiarity I noticed in all around us, and that was apeculiar soft and liquid glow in their eyes, which seemed to light upthe whole of their features, adding greatly to their beauty and nobilityof appearance.
As we approached the dais, its occupant rose and came down the steps tomeet us on the level ground. Whatever his rank, he was a mostmagnificent figure, his whole bearing being serenely dignified, majesticand impressive; whilst the expression upon his radiantly glowingcountenance was benign and intelligent beyond anything I had imagined oranticipated, though I had expected much.
What followed, however, was surprising beyond measure, and it wasstartling and electrifying in the suddenness with which it came upon me;for, as this splendid being moved towards me with stately steps, andboth hands outstretched in greeting, he said to me in _English_,"Welcome to Mars! welcome to my country, oh stranger from a far-offworld! In the name of the whole people, I bid you welcome to _our_world, which we call 'Tetarta,' and to this city of Sirapion!"
