They continued to fill the boxes with the Cardite, and soon had a good supply. Then, taking a look to see if the Martian had summoned any guards, but finding that none was in sight, the adventurers made their way back to their boat, and set it in motion. "How are we going to escape the whirlpool?" asked Mark. "I think if we skirt down the shores of the lake for some distance, and then strike across to the city, we'll avoid it," replied Professor Henderson. "The pool is not very large, and seems to be only, directly in front of the red hill." This they found to be the case, and they were soon safely beyond the swirling waters, and on their way back to Martopolis. "We had better not land at a public dock," suggested Professor Henderson. "Why not?" asked the German. "Because the Martians may see that we have some of the Cardite, and take it from us." "What would you suggest?" "Why, there is a landing place farther down, and we might go there and make our way from it to the projectile unobserved." This was voted a good plan, and was successfully carried out. Though quite a few Martians saw the adventurers land, they evinced no curiosity in what they carried, and that evening the little party was back in the Annihilator, where they determined to stay all night. Mr. Roumann tested some of the red matter, and found, when he applied the proper electrical treatment, that it gave off light, heat or power, according to the adjustments. "This is the most wonderful material in the world!" he exclaimed. "Yes, or in the whole universe. It is better than perpetual motion, for it is not only that, but perpetual light and heat. I believe I can use it in the Etherium motor in place of the force I ordinarily employ." He made some experiments, and found that this could be done. "I wonder what's become of the crazy machinist?" asked Jack. "Oh, maybe he's made friends with the Martians," said Mark, "and has told them he's a king, or something like that, and they're treating him with royal honors." "More likely he's plotting mischief," declared old Andy. "I wish my gun was in working order. Somehow I don't like the way that fellow acted on the red hill." "Why, you're not afraid, are you?" asked Professor Henderson. "No, not exactly, but I was just thinking how we could defend ourselves in case they attacked us. My gun is no good." "You forget that we have electrical cannons," said Jack. "That's so," added Mr. Henderson. "And it might not be a bad plan to get, them in working order." "Nonsense!" exclaimed the German scientist. "The Martians will never bother us. They are thinking too much about the stars, the sun, moons and other planets--they are too intent on studying to bother us. That is all they do--study. That's what makes their ears, eyes, nose and mouth so big. They use them to listen to scientific sounds, to look at scientific objects, smell scientific odors, and talk of scientific things. They'll never bother us."