lly turning from a huge star into a great red moon,
and then expanding more and more until it began to shut out from sight
the constellations behind it. The curious markings on its surface, which
from the earth can only be dimly glimpsed with a powerful telescope,
began to reveal themselves clearly to our naked eyes.

I have related how even before we had reached the asteroid, Mars began to
present a most imposing appearance as we saw it with our telescopes. Now,
however, that it was close at hand, the naked eye view of the planet
was more wonderful than anything we had been able to see with telescopes
when at a greater distance.

Mars in Sight.

We were approaching the southern hemisphere of Mars in about latitude
45 degrees south. It was near the time of the vernal equinox in that
hemisphere of the planet, and under the stimulating influence of the
Spring sun, rising higher and higher every day, some such awakening of
life and activity upon its surface as occurs on the earth under similar
circumstances was evidently going on.

Around the South Pole were spread immense fields of snow and ice, gleaming
with great brilliance. Cutting deep into the borders of these ice fields,
we could see broad channels of open water, indicating the rapid breaking
of the grip of the frost.

Almost directly beneath us was a broad oval region, light red in color,
to which terrestrial astronomers had given the name of Hellas. Toward
the south, between Hellas and the borders of the polar ice, was a great
belt of darkness that astronomers had always been inclined to regard
as a sea. Looking toward the north, we could perceive the immense red
expanses of the continents of Mars, with the long curved line of the
Syrtis Major, or "The Hour Glass Sea," sweeping through the midst of
them toward the north until it disappeared under the horizon.

Crossing and recrossing the red continents, in every direction, were
the canals of Schiaparelli.

Mars Reached at Last--Thrilling Adventures.

Plentifully sprinkled over the surface we could see brilliant points,
some of dazzling brightness, outshining the daylight. There was also
an astonishing variety in the colors of the broad expanses beneath
us. Activity, vivacity and beauty, such as we were utterly unprepared
to behold, expressed their presence on all sides.

The excitement on the flagship and among the other members of the squadron
was immense. It was certainly a thrilling scene. Here, r