A Columbus of Space

  CHAPTER XV

  AT THE MERCY OF FEARFUL ENEMIES

  If we could have foreseen what was to happen during this trip, evenEdmund, I believe, would have shrunk from undertaking it. But we allembarked upon it gladly, because we had conceived the highestexpectations of the delight that it would afford us; and at the news thatwe were to visit mines of gold richer than any on the earth, Henryexhibited the first enthusiasm that he had shown since our departure fromhome.

  Embarked on Ala's splendid "yacht," as Jack called it, and attended byher usual companions, we rapidly left the city behind, and sped awaytoward the purple mountains, so often seen in the distance. The voyagewas a long one, but at length we drew near the foothills, and beheld themountains towering into peaks behind. Lofty as they looked, there was nosnow on their summits. We now descended where plumes of smoke had forsome time attracted our attention, and found ourselves at one of themines. It was a gold mine. The processes of extracting the ore,separating the metal, etc., were conducted with remarkable silence, butthey showed a knowledge of metallurgy that would have amazed us if we hadnot already seen so much of the capacity of this people. Yet similarly tothe scene in the library, its earth-likeness was startling.

  "This sort of thing is uncanny," said Jack, as we were led through theworks. "It makes me creep to see them doing things just as we do them athome, except that they are so quiet about it. If everything was differentfrom our ways it would seem more natural."

  "Anyhow," I replied, "we may take it as a great compliment to ourselves,for it shows that we have found out ways of doing things which cannot beimproved even in Venus."

  I should like to describe in detail the wonders of this mine, but I havespace for only a few words about it. It was, Edmund learned, the richeston the planet, and was the exclusive property of the government,furnishing the larger part of its revenues, which were not comparablewith those of a great terrestrial nation because of the absence of allthe expenditures required by war. No fleets and no armies existed here,and no tariffs were needed where commerce was free. This great mine wasthe Laurium of Venus. The display of gold in the vaults connected with itexceeded a hundredfold all that the most imaginative historian has everwritten of the treasures of Montezuma and Atahualpa. Henry's eyes fairlyshone as he gazed upon it, and he could not help saying to Edmund:

  "You might have had riches equal to this if you had stayed at home anddeveloped your discovery."

  Edmund contemptuously shrugged his shoulders, and turned away without aword.

  We were afterwards conducted to a silver mine, which we also inspected,and finally to a lead mine in another part of the hills. This was inreality the goal at which Edmund had been aiming, for he had told us thaturanium was sometimes found in association with lead. Our joy was verygreat when, after a long inspection, he informed us that he haddiscovered uranium, and that it now remained only to submit it to certainoperations in a laboratory in order to prepare the substance that was togive renewed life to those lilliputian monsters in the car, which fedupon men's breath and begot power illimitable.

  "I must now contrive," said Edmund, "to get admission to the laboratoryconnected with the mine, and to do my work without letting them suspectwhat I am about."

  He managed it somehow, as he managed all things that he undertook, andwithin forty-eight hours after our arrival he was hard at work, evidentlyexciting the admiration of the native chemists by the knowledge and skillwhich he displayed. At first they crowded around him so that he washampered in his efforts to conceal the real object of his labors; but atlast they left him comparatively alone, and I could see by his expressionwhenever I visited the laboratory that things were going to his liking.But the work was long and delicate. Edmund had to fabricate secretly someof the chemical apparatus he needed, destroying it as fast as it servedits purpose, so that weeks of time rolled by before he had what he calledthe "thimbleful of omnipotence" that was to make us masters of our fate.As fast as he produced it he put it in a metal box, shaped like asnuffbox, and covertly he showed it to us. It consisted of brilliantblack grains, finer than millet seeds.

  "Every one of those minute grains," he told us, "is packed with as muchpotential energy as that of a ton's weight suspended a mile above theearth."

  But while the little box was being gradually filled with crystallizedpowder, we, who could lend no aid in the fabrication of Edmund's miracle,improved the opportunity to make acquaintance with the beauties of thesurrounding country. Ala had returned to the capital, leaving an air shipat our disposal, and, of all persons in the world, _Ingra in command_! Werefused all invitations to accompany him in the air ship, preferring tomake our excursions on foot, accompanied at first by some of theattendants that Ala had left. Edmund did not share our fears that Ingrameditated mischief.

  "He doesn't dare," was his reply to all our representations. But nothingcould induce Jack and me to trust to Ingra's tender mercies.

  Among the favorite spots which we had found to visit in the neighborhoodof the mine was a little knoll crowned with a group of the most beautifultrees that I ever saw, and washed at its base by a brook of exquisitelytransparent water which tinkled over a bed of white and clear-yellowpebbles, sparkling like jewels. More than once at the beginning I fishedsome of them out in the belief that they were nuggets of pure goldpolished by the water. In a pool under the translucent shadow of theoverhanging trees played small fish so splendid in their varied hues thatthey looked like miniature rainbows darting about beneath the water.Birds of vivid color sometimes flitted among the branches overhead. Therewas but one "rainy day" while we were at the mine; all the rest of thetime not a cloud appeared under the great dome, and a scented zephyrcontinually drew down from the mountains and fanned us. Here, then, wepassed many hours and many days, chatting of our adventures and ourchances, drowsily happy in the pure physical enjoyment which thischarming spot afforded.

  When at last Edmund informed us that his box was full, and he was readyto return to the capital, we would not let him go without firstconducting him to our little paradise. All together, then, with theexception of Juba, who, by some interference of an overlookingprovidence, was left at the mine, we set out in the highest spirits to befor once our leader's leaders in the exploration of some of the charms ofVenus. Edmund was no less delighted than we had been with the place, andyielding to its somnolent influences we were soon stretched side by sideon the spreading roots of a giant tree, and sleeping the sleep ofsensuous languor.

  Our waking was as terrible as it was sudden. I heard a cry, and at thesame instant felt an irresistible hand grasping me by the throat. As Iopened my eyes I saw that the whole party were prisoners. Nearby an airship was quivering, as, held in leash, it lightly touched the ground; anda dozen gigantic fellows, whipping our hands behind our backs, hurried usaboard, the great mechanical bird, which instantly rose, describing acircle that carried us above the treetops. I did not try to struggle, forI felt how vain would be any effort that I could make.

  Glancing about me, the very first features I recognized were those ofIngra. At last he had us in his power!

  I looked at Edmund, but his face was set in thought, and he did notreturn my glance. Henry, as usual, had plunged into silent hopelessness,and Jack was a picture of mingled rage and despair. Although we wereloosely fastened side by side to a rail on the deck, neither of us spokefor perhaps half an hour. In the meantime the air ship rose to a heightgreater than that of the nearby mountains, and then more slowlyapproached them. At last it began to circle, as if an uncertaintyconcerning the route to be chosen had arisen, and I observed, for wecould look all about in spite of our bonds, that Ingra and one whoappeared to be his lieutenant were engaged in an animated discussion.They pointed this way and that, and the debate grew every moment moreearnest. This continued for a long time, while the ship hovered, runningslowly in the wide circles. We could not then know how much thishesitation meant for us. If Ingra had been as rapid in his decision nowas he was in the act of taking us prisoners, t
his history would neverhave been written. I watched Edmund, and saw that his attention wasabsorbed by what our captors were about, and even in that emergency Ifelt a touch of comfort through my unfailing confidence in our leader.

  Finally a decision seemed to have been reached, and we set off over thecrest of the range. As its huge peaks towered behind us and we descendednearer the ground, my heart sank again, for now we were cut off from theworld beyond, and in the improbable event of any pursuit, how could thepursuers know what course we had taken, or where to look for us? And,then, who would pursue? Juba could do nothing, Ala was far away at thecapital, even supposing that she should be disposed to set out in searchof us, and hours, perhaps days, must elapse before she could be informedof what had happened. Not even when Jack and I were in the dungeon hadour case seemed so desperate.

  But how the gods repent when they have sunk men in the blackest pit ofdespair, sending them a messenger of hope to steady their hearts!

  Good fortune had willed that we should be so placed upon the deck that wefaced most easily sternward. Suddenly, as I gazed despondently at theserrated horizon receding in the distance, a thrill ran through my nervesat the sight of a dark speck in the sky, which seemed to float over oneof the highest peaks. A second look assured me that it was moving; athird gave birth to the wild thought that it was in chase. Then I turnedto Edmund and whispered:

  "There is something coming behind us."

  "Very well, do nothing to attract attention," he returned. "I have seenit. They are following us."

  I said nothing to Jack or Henry, who had not yet caught sight of theobject; but I could not withdraw my eyes from it. Sometimes I persuadedmyself that it was growing larger, and then, with the intensity of mygaze, it blurred and seemed to fade. At last Jack spied it, andinstantly, in his impetuous way, he exclaimed:

  "Edmund! Look there!"

  His voice drew Ingra's attention, and immediately the latter observed thedirection of our glances, and himself saw the growing speck. He turnedwith flushed face to his lieutenant and in a trice the vessel beganfairly to leap through the air.

  "Ah, Jack," said Edmund reproachfully, but yet kindly, "if only you couldalways think before you speak! It is certain from Ingra's alarm that weare pursued by somebody whom he does not wish to meet. Most likely it isthe queen, although it seems impossible that she could so quickly havelearned of our mishap. Peter and I have been watching that object, whichis unquestionably an air ship, in silence for the last twenty minutes,during which it has perceptibly gained upon us. But for your lack ofcaution it might have come within winning distance before it wasdiscovered by Ingra, but now--"

  The rebuke was deserved, perhaps, but yet I wished that Edmund had notgiven it, so painful was the impression that it made upon Jack'sgenerous heart. His countenance was convulsed, and a tear rolled down hischeek--all the more pitiful to see because his arms were pinioned, and hecould do nothing to conceal his agitation. Edmund was stricken withremorse when he saw the effect of his words.

  "Jack," he said, "forgive me; I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. Ishould not have blamed you for a little oversight, when I alone am toblame for the misfortunes of us all."

  "All right, Edmund, all right," returned Jack in his usual cheerfultones. "But, see here, I don't admit that you are to blame for anything.We're all in this boat together and hanged if we won't get out of ittogether, too, and you'll be the man to fetch us out."

  Edmund smiled sadly, and shook his head.

  Meanwhile Ingra, with the evident intention of concealing the movementsof the vessel, dropped her so low that we hardly skipped the tops of thetrees that we were passing over, for now we had entered a wide region ofunbroken forest. Still that black dot followed straight in our wake, andI easily persuaded myself that it was yet growing larger. Edmund declaredthat I was right, and expressed his surprise, for we were now flying atthe greatest speed that could be coaxed out of the motors. Suddenly ashocking thought crossed my mind. I tried to banish it, fearing thatIngra might read it in my eyes, and act upon it. Suppose that he shouldhurl us overboard! It was in his power to do so, and it seemed a quickand final solution. But he showed no intention to do anything of thekind. He may have had good reasons for refraining, but, at the time Icould only ascribe his failure to take a summary way out of hisdifficulty to a protecting hand which guarded us even in this extremity.

  On we rushed through the humming air, and still the pursuing speck chasedus. And minute by minute it became more distinct against the backgroundof the great cloud dome. Presently Edmund called our attention tosomething ahead.

  "There," he said, "is Ingra's hope and our despair."

  I turned my head and saw that in front the sky was very dark. Vast cloudsseemed to be rolling up and obscuring the dome. Already there was atwilight gloom gathering about us.

  "This," said Edmund, "is apparently the edge of what we may call thetemperate zone, which must be very narrow, surrounding in a circle thegreat central region that lies under the almost vertical sun. The cloudsahead indicate the location of a belt of contending air currents,resembling that which we crossed after floating out of the crystalmountains. Having entered them, we shall be behind a curtain where ourenemy can work his will with us."

  Was it knowledge of this fact which had restrained Ingra from throwing usoverboard? Was he meditating for us a more dreadful fate?

  It was, indeed, a land of shadow which we now began to enter, and wecould see that ahead of us the general inclination of the ground wasdownward. I eagerly glanced back to see if the pursuers were yet insight. Yes! There was the speck, grown so large now that there could beno doubt that it was an air ship, driven at its highest speed. But we hadentered so far under the curtain that the greater part of the dome wasconcealed, the inky clouds hanging like a penthouse roof far behind. Wecould plainly perceive the chasers; but could they see us? I tried tohope that they could, but reason was against it. Still they wereevidently holding the course.

  But even this hope faded when Ingra cunningly changed our course, turningabruptly to the left in the gloom. He knew, then, that we were invisibleto the pursuers. But not content with one change, he doubled like ahunted fox. We watched for the effect of these maneuvers upon thosebehind us, and to our intense disappointment, though not to our surprise,we saw that they were continuing straight ahead. They surely could nothave seen us, and even if they anticipated Ingra's ruse, how could theybaffle it, and find our track again? At last the spreading darknessswallowed up the arc of illuminated sky behind, and then we were alone inthe gloom.

  This, you will understand, was not the deep night of the other side ofthe planet; it was rather a dusky twilight, and as our eyes becameaccustomed to it, we could begin to discern something of the character ofour surroundings. We flew within a hundred yards of the ground, whichappeared to be perfectly flat, and soon we were convinced by thepitchy-black patches which frequently interrupted the continuity of theumbrageous surface beneath, that it was sprinkled with small bodies ofwater--in short, a gigantic Dismal Swamp, or Everglade. I need hardly saythat it was Edmund who first drew this inference, and when its fullmeaning burst upon my mind I shuddered at the hellish design which Ingraevidently entertained. Plainly, he meant to throw us into the morass,either to drown in the foul water, whose miasma now assailed ournostrils, or to starve amidst the fens! But his real intention, as youwill perceive in a little while, was yet more diabolical.

  The bird ship stooped lower, just skimming the tops of strange trees, themost horrible vegetable forms that I have ever beheld. And then, withoutwarning, we were seized and pushed overboard, while the vessel, making abroad swoop, quickly disappeared. Henry alone uttered a loud cry as wefell.

  We crashed through the clammy branches and landed close together in aswamp. Fortunately the water was not deep, and we were able to struggleupon our feet and make our way to a comparatively dry open place, perhapshalf an acre in extent. No sooner were we all safe on the land than Inoticed Edmund struggling violently
and then he exclaimed:

  "Here, quick! Hold a hand here!"

  As he spoke he backed up to me.

  "Take a match from this box which I have twisted out of my pocket, andwhile I hold the box, scratch it, and hold the flame against the bondsaround my wrists."

  I managed to get out a match, and scratched it. But the match broke.Edmund, with the skill of a prestidigitator, got out another match, andpushed it into my fingers. It failed again.

  "It's got to be done!" he said. "Here, Jack, you try."

  Again he extracted a match, as Jack backed up in my place. Whether hishands happened to be less tightly bound, or whether luck favored him,Jack, on a second attempt, succeeded in illuminating a match.

  "Don't lose it," urged Edmund, as the light flashed out; "burn the cord."

  Jack tried. The smell of burning flesh arose, but Edmund did not wince.In a few seconds the match went out.

  "Another!" said Edmund, and the operation was repeated. A dozen separateattempts of this kind had been made, and I believe that I felt the paininflicted by them more than Edmund did, when, making a tremendous effort,he burst the charred cord. His hands and wrists must have been fearfullyburned, but he paid no attention to that. In a flash he had out his knifeand cut us all loose. It was a mercy that they had not noticed the flameof the matches from the air ship, for if they had, unquestionably Ingrawould have returned and made an end of us.

  After our release we stood a few moments in silence, awaiting ourleader's next move. Presently a sonorous sign startled us, followed by asticky, tramping sound.

  "In God's name, what's that?" exclaimed Jack.

  "It curled itself over the edge of the hovering air shipand drew it down."]

  "We'll see," said Edmund quietly, and threw open his pocket lantern.

  As the light streamed out there was a rustle in the branches above us,and the form of an air ship pushed into view.

  Ingra!

  No, it was not Ingra! Thank God, there was the bushy head of Juba visibleon the deck as the ship drifted over us! And near him stood Ala and ahalf dozen attendants.

  As one man we shouted, but the sound had not ceased to echo when, out ofthe horrible tangle about us, rose, with a swift, sinuous motion, amonstrous anacondalike arm, flesh pink in the electric beam, but coveredwith spike-edged spiracles! It curled itself over the edge of thehovering air ship and drew it down.