The Secret of the Earth

  *XVII.*

  This circumstance reminded me of Torrence's financiering and thediscovery of pearls upon the beach. It seemed trivial to concernourselves about gold when precious stones were to be had with so slightan effort, and I asked why he should care to carry any of the yellowmetal away with him.

  "Merely to convince the outer world of its existence, and to confirm atheory I have always held," he replied. "To my mind there can be noreasonable doubt that we shall find deposits here exceeding anything ourpeople have ever dreamed of!"

  "And why?"

  "Because gold is heavy," he answered.

  "Nonsense. Do you mean to say that the center of gravity is not quiteas far below our feet here, as on the outer crust?"

  "Probably not. When our globe was in process of forming, two greatforces moulded it--the centrifugal and centripetal. These producevarious vibratory conditions in different masses, resulting in gravityor affinity upon one hand, and repulsion upon the other. Bodies havingthe greatest specific gravity grouped themselves about the innersurface, forming an arch, being thrown off in a gaseous state from thecenter. But from the very reason of their gravity were unable todescend any great distance into the crust; and therefore the heaviestsubstances should be found upon the inner or under side of the earth'scanopy."

  "I fail to see it," I answered. "Why should not a heavy weight sinkdeeper than a light one?"

  "It doubtless would on our side of the world," he replied, "but here theconditions are different, and for this reason. The great mass of earthabove our heads is drawing us upward, as the mass below is drawing usdownward. Not, to be sure, to the same degree, or we should not be ableto walk on the ground. I believe that all things here are lighter thanwith us. You and I probably weigh several pounds less than we would inthe United States or England. Gold, too, is doubtless lighter, for itis lifted up, as well as pulled down; whereas upon the outer surface ofthe earth it is drawn only one way. I may be mistaken, but I expect tofind it in large quantities."

  "Why, then, did you bring so much with you?" I inquired.

  "Simply because I didn't know what might happen. If we find it, well andgood; if not, the interest on fifty thousand dollars won't be any toomuch for a couple of men to live on, in the event of our being strandedhere and unable to return."

  All this time we were passing over a country where water, timber, andpasturage abounded, and where the grass was variegated with largepatches of brilliant flowers of unknown varieties. But if the floradiffered from that of our own land the fauna was no less remarkable. Wesaw herds of diminutive deer, feeding in the open country. Birdsabounded, and some with a strange plumage, in which the pink of rosespredominated. The topknots on certain of these looked as if a rose hadblossomed there; add to this a body and tail of red and green trailingfeathers, it appeared as if a flower spray was floating through the air.We caused the greatest consternation among these creatures wherever wewent, and the four-legged beasts would at first run on catching sight ofus, and then, overcome with curiosity, huddle together and look up, withcries of amazement and terror.

  But we were approaching a remarkable sight. In the distance was a fleetof boats, similar to the one we had passed, and beyond them, looming inthe denser background we saw a magnificent city of white and gold. Webrought our glasses to bear upon this strange vision of the new earth.As we approached, the fleet presented a vision of splendor impossible todescribe. Whereas before a single vessel had so impressed us, we werenow confronted with a vista of hundreds, which stretched away down thewide avenue of this unknown river as far as the eye could reach.Flashing sails in a thousand strange designs of form and color. Decksloaded with men, women, and children, in such fantastic and magnificentapparel that we were startled and bewildered at the sight. On nearingthis extraordinary scene, we hovered above, and caused the wildestexcitement. Trumpets were blown at us. Bells were lifted on poles andjangled. Chimes were sounded that came floating down the water from shipto ship as if each vessel had its own special note, and then wereanswered back again, receding in the distance, until they faded on theair. In all the sounds there was a singular harmony, a softness of tonestrangely gratifying. We moved slowly down the line--above themastheads, above the music--for I cannot call it noise--to exclamationsof joy and wonder. Here was a revelation awful to contemplate. Had webeen living just above these people, in such close proximity for theunnumbered ages of man's creation, and never even guessed of theirexistence? But why was it any more remarkable than that they had notdiscovered, or even thought of us? A double world indeed; a shell, abubble, a hollow ball; and yet neither had given a thought to theother's existence.

  We hovered above this scene for hours, trying to communicate with thepeople, and examining their surroundings; and then, having learned butlittle, hastened on to the distant city.

  * * * * *

  Another singular feature of our new world was the fact that there wereno shadows. I do not mean that there were no shady places, but ashadow, in our sense, with clear cut edges did not exist. And indeed itwas impossible that it should, the sun itself being nowhere visible fromthe inner side of the globe, the light entering from the poles, andbeing disseminated throughout the interior, as after sunset with us.The facilities for this distribution are vastly superior to anything weknow, both from the electrified air, and a certain humidity, whichseizes the rays of the great luminary, and equalizes and softens themmost agreeably.

  As we neared the great white city it grew upon us in splendor. Minaretsand towers, arcades and domes, hanging gardens, tiers of arches risingone above another, majestic colonnades leading to palaces of regalmagnificence, delighted and bewildered us. Although white was thepredominating color, every conceivable hue and tint was used inornamentation. Green domes with golden devices. Lapis lazuli columns.Malachite archways communicating with gardens where flowers of athousand tints mingled in the spray of colored waters, whose tremblingwaves of iridescent mist would alternately hide and reveal them; wherebirds sang, and throngs of gayly attired people loitered. These weremere glimpses through the arches; but the parks, the great public spacesof the city where thousands of citizens met for pleasure and recreation,these were a vision of glory which word painting cannot approximate; fordreams of paradise were they, beyond the power of man to conceive. Herethe very atmosphere was alive with song birds, whose plumage sparkledlike jewels. We were entranced. The sights, the perfumes, and thesounds made the brain reel in its effort to absorb them. When the senseof vision would weary with the shifting pageant beneath, the nerveswould be soothed with strange perfumes, whose origin was unseen, butwhose effect was marvelous, creating an inexplicable sense of rest andquiet. When this power of enjoyment had reached an apparent climax, itwould be relieved by such music as only the voices of the dream-worldcan equal. Was the place heaven? I do not know; but can only affirmthat it was too utterly marvelous, too glorious for language.

  As we moved slowly above the glittering streets, listening to themusical voices of those below, and watching the excited gestures of thepopulace, electrified at the sight of us, we marked the varied monumentsof beauty, and saw that all were heavily decorated with gold andflashing with precious stones. Not only was this the case, but thereexisted a grace of outline and proportion nowhere to be found in ourworld of to-day. Beyond this was a majesty in height and size,eclipsing the creative genius of the most famous architects of history.The ancient Egyptian colonnades must slightly have resembled some ofthose we saw, judging from the drawings we have of them, but even thesewere crude, heavy, and cheerless by contrast. The city was indeed avision of glory and magnificence, whose streets, if not paved with gold,were ornamented with it, and gems beside. I can never give the readereven the faintest conception of what we saw, nor can I recall to my ownmind the fullness of the vision. Over all was thrown that rosy haze wehad sometimes seen before, and which added distance and dreaminess tothe
picture.

  We hovered over a park near the center of the city, and brought the airship to a stand, while holding a consultation as to whether we shoulddescend, and risk our lives among the inhabitants, who seemed so anxiousto have us among them. Golden trumpets emitted notes of singularsweetness, and seemed to invite us to come down. Words, signals, andbanners all spoke of the same hospitable thought, and we deliberatedlong and earnestly.

  "I am willing to risk it!" said Torrence.

  I acceded to the proposition, and slowly we began to lower ourselvesinto the midst of these unknown denizens of the inner world.

  On perceiving our intention pandemonium reigned below. Trumpets soundeda harsher note than before. Bells jangled, and shrieks of applause rentthe air. Crowds flocked into the space beneath, making it unsafe for alanding, as we were particularly desirous that no one should be hurt.We motioned the people away, but they surged to and fro, directly underthe air ship, regardless of their lives, and with apparently no moreintelligence than animals. This, of course, was the rabble, which thebetter portion of the populace tried to control, but without effect.Indeed it is not to be wondered that so marvelous a sight should havemade them lose their heads.

  Coming to a halt again about fifty feet above the ground we leaned overthe rail, shouting to the crowd to disperse, not daring to touch theearth for fear of injuring some unseen person beneath, and with thefurther apprehension, lest in their frenzy of excitement they shouldclimb upon our decks and overpower us. We were manifestly looked uponas visitors from another world. Some pointed above, others to the northand south as if to inquire whether we had come over the regions ofeternal ice. We could neither make ourselves heard nor understood inthe jargon of voices, and hesitated whether to descend further or not.While poised above their heads, Torrence threw a handful of goldsovereigns into the crowd. They were picked up with avidity, and passedfrom hand to hand as souvenirs.

  "Just as I thought," said Torrence; "the coins are not valued on accountof the metal, but merely as mementoes."

  It was evident that St. George and the dragon, and the head of theruling monarch of England were regarded with peculiar interest.

  "Yes," I replied, "it is clear that gold is of no such value with themas with us."

  They continued to solicit our descent by unmistakable signs, and weconcluded to drop a little lower. Immediately a shower of gold coins,much larger than ours, was hurled up at us, and fell rattling over thedeck, whence many fell to the ground again, although we secured quite anumber. The pieces were stamped with strange devices, few being similarin design. There were dragons, sea serpents, leviathans, and otherbeasts of mythological fame. The people seemed to say:

  "Have you any animals like these in your world?" at which we held up ourown pieces and nodded. It was difficult to exchange the simplest ideawith them.

  Gathering up a few of these coins we offered to throw them back, and didindeed return a few, dropping them into the crowd; but when it wasdiscovered that they were only their own no interest was shown in them,many falling to the ground unnoticed.

  Presently a plaited rope, like the finest silk, was thrown across ourstern, catching on one of the knobs of the rail. A man who looked likean athlete was quickly climbing up it, and half a dozen others followedhis lead. The rope broke and they all fell to the ground in a heap.Seeing the danger which might ensue if we went any lower, we decided toleave this strange city behind without landing, and then amid the shoutsand lamentations of the populace took our upward and onward course oncemore.

  I was not without regret that we waved farewell to this first greatimprint of the most wonderful civilization ever inspected by a man ofour earth, and one perhaps never to be seen by him again. The city wasa witness to a higher order of society than we had expected to find; atleast I must speak for myself, for Torrence had committed himself tonothing. Not alone were the indications of wealth beyond compare withanything known in our own world, but withal, it was clear that theartistic and not the barbaric instinct had been appealed to. As wepassed on through the environs, monuments of great size and beauty wereconstantly met. Gardens full of sculpture, strange flowers, andunfamiliar trees were seen. Temples, whose lofty summits were surmountedwith amazing figures of nondescript beasts, eccentric dragons, andwonderful creatures with spreading wings, and all wrought in dazzlingcombinations of gold and varicolored marbles hove in sight. As yet wehad seen no horses or domestic animals, unless the deer could be countedas such, and I remarked upon their absence to Torrence.

  "The horse is a later development," he said, "and I am also inclined tothink the dog is.

  "And what do you mean by that?" I asked; "you speak as if these peoplehad a prior existence to our own!"

  "They had," he answered, with an air of conviction that amused me,considering his short acquaintance with them.

  "One might almost imagine," I continued, "that you were familiar withtheir history."

  "Not in the least; only I believe men first existed inside, andafterward outside of our planet."

  He was sweeping the adjacent country with his glass, while my eyes werestill fixed in a regretful gaze at the last magnificent portal of thecity, now rapidly fading from our sight. I can conceive of nothinggrander of its kind than this arch. Full of bas-reliefs, deep-cutintaglios, and surmounted with a gigantic god-like figure in gold, witha flowing robe ablaze with precious stones, it was a sight to hold onespellbound. The head was bent slightly back, the arms stretchedheavenward, as if calling down a blessing upon our heads, or perhaps thewrath of the Powers above for having left so abruptly. When it had fadedinto the hazy atmosphere I turned to Torrence with a touch ofsuperstition and asked what he meant. He did not answer immediately,but called my attention to the fertility of the soil. The great beautyof the country, the marvelous climate, and health-giving qualities ofthe air.

  Indeed, these things had been impressed upon me from the beginning, andas we advanced into the interior their perfections seemed to increase.The hillsides were covered with verdure, and throughout the great parksfruit abounded in such variety and beauty that we were tempted todescend and gather it more largely than we could have used. Twice wedipped earthward and threw on board several bushels of pink, green, andyellow things, which, in addition to their extraordinary taste, had thequality of being cold as ice. There was no appearance that any of thesewere cultivated, nor was there any indication that the ground had everbeen disturbed with a plow. All was spontaneous, beautiful, andperfect. The fields--great open plains--grew at intervals a grain whichwas always ripening and falling, judging by its look. It formed itselfinto a head which could be gathered and eaten at once without furtherlabor or preparation. This we tested, after observing that both men andanimals partook of it. Everything was produced so abundantly andbrought to such a high state of perfection by nature, that no room wasleft for man's improvement of it.

  * * * * *

  Distant outlines were softened by the mellowness of the air, and theclear-cut effects of the outer world were wanting. In no place did ourrange of vision exceed twenty miles.

  * * * * *

  Billowy hills were grouped beneath us, where the vine and fruit treeflourished, and where streams of crystal water flowed.

  Herds of wild goats of a pinkish hue were passed, but they ran away sorapidly between the hillocks that it was difficult to get a good view ofthem.

  * * * * *

  Human habitations were far between. There were no roads; neither werethere fences. All was pastoral, primitive, and restful. From the factthat the houses were but partially under roof, we concluded that raindid not fall, moisture being supplied directly through the atmosphere inthe form of impalpable humidity, without condensation from above. Inthis way the disintegration by the washing of the soil, so common in ourrain storms was entirely obviated. The conditions of life seemedwonderfully happy, a
nd it looked as if man had only to breathe thelife-giving air and eat the incomparable fruit and grain provided soabundantly to continue an existence of the utmost blessedness.

  Turning to my brother I asked why he believed that the interior of ourplanet was peopled before the exterior. He looked at me queerly for aminute and then asked if I had ever heard an old fable about the Gardenof Eden, from whence men, for certain reasons had been expelled. I toldhim that I was familiar with the story, but could not allow him tocapture the whole inside of the earth for an Eden.

  "And yet," he answered, "there is much to support such a theory. Mind Iam not stipulating for garbled accounts of creation handed down from anignorant age; but there are often some grains of truth in a mass ofabsurdities. Let us say that in here was the Garden of Eden. Now thosewho were compelled to leave it, or who did leave it, from whatevercause, naturally looked back to it as the hailing place of their race,and taught that fact to their children. The conditions of life upon theouter world are difficult, compared with those we find here. The storyof their lost home would grow in beauty as it descended from generationto generation; and I verily believe that at one period in the earth'shistory there was a family driven forth which preserved its records, andthat this fact has given rise to the Persian and Scriptural accounts ofAdam and his family and the garden they left behind them."

  "And how do you suppose they crossed the ice?" I inquired.

  "I don't know," he answered; "how did Jan von Broekhuysen cross it? Anddo you know we have also discovered the gate of the garden, where theangel stood with a flaming sword?"

  I started.

  "What on earth are you talking about?" I exclaimed.

  "Mount Horror and Mount Gurthrie! If ever there was a great naturalgateway between two worlds it is there. I am sure one is an extinctvolcano, and while it may not have been active in thousands or millionsof years, it was once; and its awful eruptions of fire were doubtlessthe flaming sword of the angel!"

  It was impossible to help being impressed with Torrence's ideas, becausethey were generally fresh, and often right.

  "There is another point I wish to make," he added, as we hovered closeabove a field of purple berries, "it is this. Several of our mostancient civilizations have been sun worshipers. Look at the superbtemple of the Syrians at Baalbec! Look at the Phoenicians, the ancientGreeks, the Peruvians! Now, why was the sun worshiped? Because it hadnot been always known. Because it was a new figure in the heavens, ofmarvelous powers, among which was that of locomotion, hitherto onlyapplied to living organisms. Because it carried directly with it thepower of light and heat, and because darkness followed when it wentaway; darkness being a condition previously unknown. Had the sun alwaysbeen present in the heavens of the ancients, it would have been toocommonplace, too familiar an object to have been deified. But it wasnew, strange, and apparently endowed with life and intelligence, andthat is why it was worshiped. Gurthrie, there can be no doubt about it,we are in the Garden of Eden!"

  "Possibly!" I answered; "but you must remember that we are in a newworld, nearly as large as our own, and we must expect to find everyvariety of climate, and many different conditions, as with us."

  "True," said Torrence; "I by no means believe that the Garden of Edenwas an entire world. There are doubtless many strange things awaitingus."

  We descended into the bosom of the purple field, and made a hearty mealof the berries.

  * * * * *