“Better accompany Sheldon when he starts for the mountains,” Saunders advised. “The polar scenery is no comparison to the fabulous Ocstas, and that freak ocean is the strangest, most unnatural sight man ever looked upon. I’ll never go up there again,” he added, “unless with approaching dissolution I should meander. Spirits always hover over the places that haunt them, theosophists whine. However, I’ll need relaxation, and it’s my intention to explore every portion of this continent before returning to my own. Probably I’ll even join the expedition to the moon. This afternoon I go to the Observatory to remain indefinitely,” he continued, “but lacking Sheldon’s penetration, I still have to discover how I stand with my fellow scientists—we’ve already argued. They’ve been gaping at the pale planet for centuries, producing some marvelous maps and photographs, but are still in doubts about it. Opinions are varied, wondrous. Some believe it an old moon vanishing; others, that it’s the young blaze of a new sun, and I’m the only one positive. This pink phosphorescence (Saunders assumed his lecture pose) is a new world forming, a twin world to Earth, speeding, crashing through space with mighty velocity, erratically circling this globe in continually narrowing rings to sure disaster. The stellar twins cannot escape collision, then—either we absorb or it absorbs. The Infinite forms a mighty barrier against which all matter swirls grinding void. Should Earth be the under world it forms the barrier impeding the mad rush of that splendid pale mystery which, as it approaches, absorbs all life, pulverizing this globe. Ahem! we don’t need to worry about it, though.”
He chuckled comfortably, ignoring Sheldon, who muttered as though much relieved.
“I see great work ahead,” he continued happily. “In the science of the stars we’re about even with these people of mighty energy and boasted advancement. They follow a most complex system of astronomy, possibly when I’ve mastered the intricacies I may perceive the wonderful progress claimed; at present I believe my researches the most extended. Now who’s going with me to the Observatory? Better all come and take a look around; you can return this evening.”
Saxe. and Sheldon at once got busy with excuses. Before I could think up anything plausible Mike ushered in several gentlemen whom Saunders greeted effusively. Introductions followed. I was presented as the “gentleman who would accompany the party to the Observatory.”
Glaring at Saunders I bowed acquiescence. His colleagues eyed me curiously and slyly whispered: “The Virgillius.”
Saxe. and Sheldon were urged to join the party, but their regrets were positive, and after a lively exchange of compliments we departed.
CHAPTER XV.
The Observatory, an odd circular building all turrets and balconies, capped the summit of a lofty mountain which rose abruptly out of the lovely bay surrounding the freak city of Centur.
The mystic enchanting quiet of this solitary mountain, with its dense forest of stunted trees and towering fort of science, fired the imagination with unwholesome ambition to accomplish grand impossibilities, and I longed to pierce the unknown and reveal the hidden light that gleams through the day and night. I told Saunders of my singular emotions. He sighed sympathetically and suggested astronomy, that impenetrable science which calms despondency in a profound realization of the sublime vastness of—Nothing.
The marvels revealed through colossal telescopes fascinated me. Viewing countless worlds swirling through space, strange unknown planets bounding from dark obscurity, great globes of vapory fire churning for centuries and centuries belching gigantic flashes, incited me to wild speculation which ended in a positive conviction of the habitation of the moon. This great wan sphere to telescopic vision appeared like a far distant landscape, lofty mountains, wide plains lined with flickering, silvery spaces, were sharply outlined against a vast area of vapory whiteness which alternated dark and light flaring, at intervals, almost transparent. There is atmosphere, life, habitation, upon the moon. The interesting planet was suddenly enveloped in a far-reaching roseate mist drifting from the east, which flared in a wide arch of splendor vibrating spiked streamers of violet brilliancy, and from the depths of this tinging glory Saunders’s weird, beautiful star slowly glided into view, absorbing the ruddy reflection, till reaching the zenith the strange fiery disc glimmered with a deepening, unflinching pink, and I discovered Saunders’s star was very trying to the eyes, yet the swift changing surface of the freakish planet fascinated. Amazed, I watched the intense rose nebulous gradually pale, then lift, revealing a luminous, mottled globe, circled with a hoop of livid green flame which darkened ominously. A great black spot slowly widened, spread, and engulfed the strange orbit, which silhouetted against the flashing circle shone distinct, round as our globe.