From this explanation, Dr. Johnston figured he must have meant fine glass like lenses on machines of Martonian make, including the big telescope.
Still curious, George questioned him further, trying to get a better understanding as to what kind of crystal it was.
Here the chieftain interrupted and succeeded in conveying to us that it was very large in size, varying from twenty-four inches to fifty inches in diameter, according to indication he made with his hands.
Then George wanted to know how thick it was.
Here too there was a variation for it was in different thicknesses. The larger ones would be about five feet thick. By signs, he indicated that it was so pure, so clear, that if you were going toward one, you wouldn't know it was there until you hit it.
There still remained five hundred miles from this point to our landing place over a southern route, and it was all hot and rough country, very much of a desert right on through.
Believe me, we certainly were grateful for having planted that flag of all nations as we had when we first arrived on the Moon, for we spotted it first. Then we knew we were close to our landing place. The nearer we came to our landing field, the cooler the temperature registered. We knew then that we would not be venturing out to the south exploring it, on foot especially, for that heat was more than we cared to take on a hike, even if we did have plenty of oxygen to use for breathing.
All this time we have been in constant contact with the Earth giving them a word picture of our experiences and views of the Moon as we saw it.
After landing and being greeted by our native friends who had remained behind while we were gone on our trip, we radared a two hour message to the Earth in reference to what we have seen on the Moon, the people we have met and their friendliness towards us, their beautiful cities, the big telescope, the Martonian ship and the type of people who live on Mars, according to the crew members of the big ship and the scientists we have met from there.
We received an answer from the Earth saying that the people there had heard our report with a tremendous surprise. Thousands and thousands of people were rejoicing over this great news, while other thousands were wondering how much truth there was in it. Every radio station was jammed with calls from people who wanted to know when they could make a trip to the Moon, when the next ship is going there, and all sorts of things. All were wishing us happy returning, that nothing would happen to us on the way back. Now their big question on Earth is: how soon are we coming back?