by render the engines
contained in their fortifications useless, perhaps we shall be able to
deal with the airships, which will be all the means of defense that will
then remain to them."

This idea commended itself to all the leaders of the expedition. It was
determined to make a reconnaissance at once.

But it would not do for us to approach the planet too hastily, and we
certainly could not think of landing upon it in broad daylight. Still,
as long as we were yet a considerable distance from Mars, we felt that
we should be safe from observation because so much time had elapsed
while we were hidden behind Deimos that the Martians had undoubtedly
concluded that we were no longer in existance.

So we boldly quitted the little satellite with our entire squadron and
once more rapidly approached the red planet of war. This time it was to
be a death grapple and our chances of victory still seemed good.

As soon as we arrived so near the planet that there was danger of our
being actually seen, we took pains to keep continually in the shadow of
Mars, and the more surely to conceal our presence all lights upon the
ships were extinguished. The precaution of the commander even went so
far as to have the smooth metallic sides of the cars blackened over so
that they should not reflect light, and thus become visible to the
Martians as shining specks, moving suspiciously among the stars.

The precise location of the great power house on the shores of the
Syrtis Major having been carefully ascertained, the squadron dropped
down one night into the upper limits of the Martian atmosphere, directly
over the gulf.

Then a consultation was called on the flagship and a plan of campaign
was quickly devised.

It was deemed wise that the attempt should be made with a single
electric ship, but that the others should be kept hovering near, ready
to respond on the instant to any signal for aid which might come from
below. It was thought that, notwithstanding the wonderful defences,
which, according to Aina's account surrounded the building, a small
party would have a better chance of success than a large one.

Mr. Edison was certain that the electrical network which was described
as covering the power house would not prove a serious obstruction to us,
because by carefully sweeping the space where we intended to pass with
the disintegrators before quitting the ship, the netting could be
sufficiently cleared away to give us uninterrupted p