George McIver

“ I thought of the Penguin, Louva and Atazatlan. Then there was a young lady in the room; but not Louva, for she was a blonde, her beautiful golden hair waving in tresses over her shoulders. I looked into the kind and handsome face, and knew that I could not have seen it before. I was about to attempt to speak, when she came near, and said, in a sweet voice, “You are still very weak, Captain Periwinkle, and should try to remain quiet a little longer. I am glad to think you are out of danger.” ”

“ Many of the animals were even larger than these inhabitants; as for the vegetation, it appeared like hanging forests some distance away from, but yet connected with, this wonderful planet.
They were not, however, allowed to view these things at their leisure, for the earthquakes continued. Portions of the earth's surface were hurled into air, followed by enormous masses of flames. The ocean heaved and tossed, encroached and receded, sometimes reaching the tops of the lower hills, then revealing whole tracts of its mud-covered bed, with the huge monsters that luxuriated therein. ”

“ Here Vandalia gave me a sketch of her own life. She was the eldest of the family, and was born twenty-four years ago, on a farm in the mountains near Tehana. Her father at that time reared herds of olgommeras and flanillas; also cultivated the ground, and grew grain and fruits. Their house was in a picturesque neighbourhood, on the slope of a hill, just above a rapid stream that made an everlasting murmur as it tumbled over rock and precipice on its way to the sea. ”

“ Here, on the banks of a beautiful fresh-water lake, which they named 'Yannawanya,' they built their houses, and laid the foundations of the city of Yacla. The Government of the day confirmed their choice. Others soon followed, and remained with them, for the climate was salubrious, and the soil fertile. They lived to a ripe age, and now rest in the land of their adoption; but the city they had founded grew and prospered, and promises, at no distant date, to rival Tehana itself. ”

“ It was indeed a delightful ride, with Fudelora by ray side, and I felt doubly invigorated by the fresh breezes from the ice.
"Have we much farther to go before we make a halt?" I inquired of my fair companion, for I began to think of the animals carrying the provisions.
"Not very far," was the reply. "You see the forest yonder," she continued; "well, we have only to proceed a little distance into it, when we meet the Poroporia, or first great sunk valley. There we shall be staying for some time; indeed, it is very probable that we shall not be going beyond it on this occasion." ”

“ There was the great city itself, with its circular streets, gently rising amid the foliage in the form of terraces, and the glorious Polar Fountain, with its everlasting rainbows in the centre. I gazed for some time at this picture, then said that I thought it even more lovely than Atazatlan and its surroundings.
"Yes," she answered, "Tehana is not only the greatest, but is also considered to be the most beautiful city in Neuroomia." ”

“ The terrified inhabitants were now suddenly invigorated and endowed with extraordinary animation. They had tasted of the atmosphere of another world, but almost immediately there was a vibrating shock, and their continent was shattered, the greater portion of it having been pressed beneath the waters of the ocean. Then, as it were, to complete the work of destruction, volcanic disturbances followed on a scale fearful to contemplate. The sea was agitated, subsidences of the land took place, and islands were thrown up in the ocean. ”

“ There was abundance of outside work to keep me well employed. Everything appeared to prosper, and my life in the country was surrounded by circumstances in the highest degree encouraging. The grain crops were beginning to ripen, and the fruit trees were already laden with blossom. Clouds now made their appearance in the sky, and were beautifully illuminated by the sun, which was still below the horizon, yet it was evident that he would soon make his appearance, for it was becoming almost as bright as day. ”

“ I had now an opportunity of seeing the shipping of Atazatlan. The harbour was literally crowded with craft of all sizes, from the miniature boat to the huge vessel; but what I wondered at most was the variety of shape and difference of speed they exhibited. Some were of, very elegant build, but others again were almost round, and clumsy; as regards speed, there were many that shot through the waters, while others went so slowly that they scarcely appeared to move. Seeing no sign of steam, I inquired of Ilaclatella the nature of the motive power that sent them along. ”

“ Time is nothing to them; they could live for ever on Mars."
"Have you been able to discern," I asked, "if the strange planet is peopled by human beings peculiar to itself, or only by those from Mars?"
"One of the most wonderful circumstances connected with it," he replied, "is that, when last witnessed by our astronomers, no evidence of the existence of animal life was observed. Yet they themselves noted that it was quite possible for portions of it to contain vast populations, without being detected by them. ”

“ Septimus would now certainly be reduced in command; as for Skinny, he would probably lose office. I kept my eyes constantly on the ship; the sails were set, yet I could see no signs of life on board. Was it possible they had abandoned the vessel, and returned to the land? Hardly, I thought. They would probably remain till the summer.
We got alongside. She was frozen in; yet everything was in perfect order, and the vessel appeared as if she were still the abode of people. They must be asleep in their bunks. ”