“But it won’t!” snapped Saxe. “We are starting a month earlier than expected. Has it occurred to you, boys, that lacking a few months the seven years of absence are nearly up? I think we will just about catch the last vessel. And now that we are really going the Centaurians want us to remain. They have warned me of all manner of dangers and emphasized the fact that owing to volcanic origin, etc., the ice regions are constantly changing form and that possibly we would encounter a vast frozen ocean whose waves were insurmountable ice mountains, where formerly were barren valleys and cliffs. I replied we were forced to overcome all obstacles as our return to our own country was imperative. They consider us a brave quartette. One man particularly regretted our hastened departure, as he is perfecting an instrument which would establish communication between the two hemispheres, and he wished to present one to me for experiment. He has promised me the plan; from descriptions I think it is all wrong; I can improve upon it; but it would be wonderful if we could communicate with these people from our side. They want us to remain among them the worst way, however, and urged with every argument, finally declaring our people had long ago given us up and no benefit ever came from resurrection.” “Nonsense, Saxe.!” I bawled, “you’re hinting to remain. If I’m obliged to go alone, I will get out of this cursed place and quick. I detest Centauri!” “There, there,” he answered soothingly; “I am more anxious to go than you; merely wished to test, and you’re game. Guess the latest phase the Centaurians have taken regarding us—the Vespa Prince is responsible for it.” “Out with it,” I laughed. “I’m going to worry him some before I go anyway.” “This wise Prince says we’re not from any strange land; we’re Vespas,” Saxe. informed us. “He declares the earth is round—ahem!—and that the Vespa Belt and, incidentally Centauri, comprise the whole globe. “He claims that only one horn of his famous crescent is visible, the other is the foundation of the great ice regions and extends beyond the Pole; the land there is the Vespa Belt. He’s about as wise as some of the smarties on our side, who insist the whole world is explored when they’ve toured the five little continents. The Prince thinks it’s just possible we may have come from the extended horn of his little old crescent, but doubts it, and thinks it’s more likely we’re merely four clever adventurers from one of the large cities of his dominion. Now what d’ye think of that, Salucci?” “Four adventurous hornets!” roared Sheldon. “Hornets, by George!” echoed Saunders.