Where we stood the ground had evidently been recently cleared, and there was no obstruction, but as we crept closer to the house—for our curiosity had now become irresistible—we found ourselves crawling through grass so tall that if we had stood erect it would have risen well above our heads.
"This affords good protection," said Colonel Smith, recalling his adventures on the western plains. "We can get close in to the Indians—I beg pardon, I mean the Martians—without being seen."
Heavens, what an adventure was this! To be crawling about in the night on the face of another world and venturing, perhaps, into the jaws of a danger which human experience could not measure!
But on we went, and in a little while we had emerged from the tall grass and were somewhat startled by the discovery that we had got close to the wall of the building.
Carefully we crept around to the open door.
As we neared it we suddenly stopped as if we had been stricken with instantaneous paralysis.
Out of the door floated, on the soft night air, the sweetest music to which I have ever listened.
It carried me back in an instant to my own world. It was the music of the earth. It was the melodious expression of a human soul. It thrilled us both to the heart's core.
"My God!" exclaimed Colonel Smith. "What can that be? Are we dreaming, or where in heaven's name are we?"
Still the enchanting harmony floated out upon the air.