this afterwards from others, and found that a similar modesty
and reticence was a general characteristic of the Martians.

The acclamations of the people at the conclusion of the Chief's speech
were almost deafening, and I frequently distinguished the name of
"Merna" amongst their ejaculations. Whatever was the purport of the
Chief's statement, it undoubtedly afforded the most intense satisfaction
to all those who heard it.

The assembly now began to disperse in the most orderly manner, many of
the people gathering round the _Areonal_, and apparently discussing with
interest its construction and equipment, but none pressed upon our
little party. There was neither rude curiosity nor any embarrassing
attentions bestowed upon us, such as would have been so unpleasantly in
evidence in any similar circumstances upon the earth.

"Merna" asked me to be good enough to excuse him for the present as he
had something to attend to urgently; then he took leave of us for the
time, remarking that we need have no anxiety about the _Areonal_, for it
would be perfectly safe and well looked after.

The Chief, and some of the officials to whom he now introduced us, then
accompanied us to another pavilion, where we partook of a little light
refreshment. The chief then took his leave, after promising that we
should meet again to-morrow.

One of the officials informed me that a residence was in readiness for
our occupation, and that it was situated within a very short distance
from where we stood. He asked whether we would proceed there in an
electric carriage, or whether we would prefer to walk; and, as we wished
to get accustomed to walking on our new world, we decided to go on foot.

We saw around us in every direction large numbers of flying machines of
all descriptions, also electric and other motors, which had conveyed the
people to our landing-place. Most of the motors were very light and
elegant in appearance, and those intended for conveying only a single
person were but little larger than our motor tricycles. There was not
the slightest noise from the machinery, nor any fumes emitted like those
we had found so great a nuisance on the earth. The Martians had
evidently overcome all such difficulties, if they had ever experienced
them; and their methods were doubtless far in advance of the use of
evil-smelling petrol.

We noticed that very many of the people were walking in a manner which
suggested that they had a long journey