Extraterrestrial beings -- Fiction; Science fiction, English; Space flight to Mars -- Fiction
Having witnessed the splendours of this sister-world, and knowing the
indescribable benefits which may accrue to the men of Earth through
intercourse with its people, we are anxious that our fellows shall
partake, and that speedily, of the riches with which this world is
blessed. We have therefore written this narrative partly as a message
of hope, as tidings of humanity's great coming joy, trusting that it
may reach Earth, and be found, and published to all men.
We may soon follow our messenger across the sky. Even by the time that
it falls upon the surface of our native world, we may be on our way
thereto, bringing with us new ideas, novel inventions from the planet
we have visited. We reserve the disclosure of our discoveries, and our
secrets, until we reach Earth again; for we feel it due to ourselves
that we should proclaim them in person; and practical John Temple
considers that we should at least receive some financial return for the
information it has cost us so much to obtain.
One, however, of our little band elects to remain behind in Gathma.
Graham, as yet, evinces no desire to visit his native world. The tender
ties that bind him here are stronger than those earthly ones which may
still linger within him. Besides, we hear that already his union with
this handsome maid of Edos has been blessed! and that all in good time
the link between Earth and here will be forged yet more strongly in
Volinè's maternity!
Two days after the above lines were penned, Temple and the Doctor are
engaged in an anxious consultation. The despatch of our manuscripts
to Earth forms the subject of discussion. The delicate-looking piece
of mechanism lying on the table before us has been thoroughly tested,
and proved successful. It is a small electrical engine, carrying
enough motive force to propel it beyond the limits of this planet's
attraction, attached to a cylinder of iron, in which our precious
message is first to be encased, and then the two halves fixed together
as one.
"Temple, if we can only get our messenger far enough into space, it
will not be affected by attraction here, and the next body that should
draw it onwards will be the Earth."
"Well, I have but to add a few more lines, and then all may be sealed,
and we can despatch our message on its stupendous flight across space.
Are your notes complete?"
"A few more words of instruction, and I have done."
On the morrow following this discussion our message is about to be
despatched. It is a great day in Edos. From far and wide the people of
Gathma have journeyed hither to see our words depart. In two hours'
time we seal these manuscripts in their iron covering, and attach them
to the motors.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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