entirely well balanced. This was the
reason why we invariably found the Martian women to be remarkably
charming creatures, with none of those physical exaggerations and
uncouth developments which disfigured their masculine companions.

All the books of the Martians, we ascertained, were books of history and
of poetry. For scientific treatises they had no need, because, as I have
explained, when the brains of those intended for scientific pursuits had
been developed in the proper way the knowledge of nature's laws came to
them without effort, as a spring bubbles from the rocks.

One word of explanation may be needed concerning the failure of the
Martians, with all their marvelous powers, to invent electrical ships
like those of Mr. Edison's and engines of destruction comparable with
our disintegrators. This failure was simply due to the fact that on Mars
there did not exist the peculiar metals by the combination of which Mr.
Edison had been able to effect his wonders. The theory involved by our
inventions was perfectly understood by them and had they possessed the
means, doubtless they would have been able to carry it into practice
even more effectively than we had done.

After two or three days all the preparations having been completed the
signal was given for our departure. The men of science were still
unwilling to leave this strange world, but Mr. Edison decided we could
linger no longer.

At the moment of starting a most tragic event occured. Our fleet was
assembled around the palace, and the signal was given to rise slowly to
a considerable height before imparting a great velocity to the
electrical ships. As we slowly rose we saw the immense crowd of giants
beneath us, with upturned faces, watching our departure. The Martian
monarch and all his suite had come out upon the terrace of the palace to
look at us. At a moment when he probably supposed himself to be
unwatched he shook his fist at the retreating fleet. My eyes and those
of several others in the flagship chanced to be fixed upon him. Just as
he made the gesture one of the women of his suite, in her eagerness to
watch us, apparently lost her balance and stumbled against him. Without
a moment's hesitation, with a tremendous blow, he felled her like an ox
at his feet.

A fearful oath broke from the lips of Colonel Smith, who was one of
those looking on. It chanced that he stood near the principal
disintegrator of the flagship. Before anybody could inter