The Martian spirit is that of salutation and friendship. We
have heard of the discoveries in the new commotions in planetary space.
Our own astronomers have announced them. This great City of Scandor, the
product of many centuries' toil and invention, is apparently doomed. It
lies in the path, certainly defined and determined by observers, of a
small cometary mass, which will plunge upon it a rain of rock and iron.
Even now this approaching body grows more and more visible in the sky.
The astronomers are working at the problem, hoping some deflection, some
interpositional mercy will carry off this disturbing incidence. But if
we are to be destroyed, if there is no escape from the singular fortune
of annihilation by an inrushing stream of meteoric bodies, then warning,
through proclamation, shall be made, and our citizens will move out of
the city to Asco, and the islands of Pinit.'
"He ceased; upon him the expectant faces of the others, assembled about
the table, were fixed, and a visible tremor of dismay and grief seemed
to convulse them. A few covered their faces with their hands, others
stood up and gazed at the benignant colossus in bronze at the end of the
room, while others, motionless, still maintained their attitude of
attention.
"The presiding officer, with a slight inclination of the body, raised
his hand, and addressing me, said: 'You shall be the guest of our City,
and if it must be that this great capital of Mars must succumb to this
mysterious invasion, if this place, so long a marvel of beauty, shall
be succeeded by a heap of burning stones, then you shall be our
companion in pilgrimage.
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