They radared back, saying, the sooner, the better since they were worried about us and wondering whether we will be able to make the trip back safely, reminding us that the major success of this trip was the returning back. They also told us that the whole world was eagerly awaiting our arrival home. After breaking contact with the Earth and getting everything in readiness for our return trip early the next morning, we were preparing to take our delayed rest when our radio and radar sets went into operation automatically. Chapter VII MARS Mars was calling to invite us to visit their planet. We were told they knew of our condition and that we would be in need of fuel if we used much more of what we now have. If we wished to accept their invitation at this time, they would instruct the Moonalites right in this vicinity to look after our ship while we were away and they would send a ship from their planet to our landing field here on the Moon to pick us up. This was indeed a surprise beyond our greatest hopes and an invitation we certainly do want to accept. Johnny replied that we would like, more than anything else, to come to planet Mars but he must first contact the Earth and tell them of this unexpected trip, since he had just told them we were starting Earthward in the morning. This he did. The Earth people were overjoyed about our making a trip to Mars and they told us such a visit at this time would make our trip a far greater success than had been anticipated. After contact with the Earth had been broken, Mars came in again and Johnny told them he had notified the Earth of our change in plans and we would be awaiting arrival of their ship. "That's good. Our ship will be there for you early in the morning," was the friendly reply. "And by the way, don't worry about your fuel supply. If you should need more than you have to make your trip home to Earth, we will give you all you need. We have plenty of it. Our chemical laboratories use the same type fuel as you use in your airships, but our ships haven't used anything of that kind for thousands of years." "We would like to bring your ship to Mars to show the people here for no one living now has ever seen one like it. But it isn't built to make such a trip. This isn't a reflection upon your intelligence when we tell you that your ship would be an antiquated curiosity to present day Martonians, belonging to a long forgotten people who were just growing into a state of civilization. We are glad you reached the Moon safely in it and we will find some other way for our people to see your ship." After having seen so many ships from other planets, we understood what they meant and our feelings weren't hurt in the least.