I found a small animal on Mars before we left. It was hiding in the vegetation on Lacus canal and proved that there were other forms of mobile life besides the Martians. The creature was rabbit-size and had the same general construction as a Martian. The hump was poorly developed, however. The animal died and since it was poisonous, as were all Martian beings, we did not try to bring it back for examination. However, I made a thorough study of the chemical content of its tissues and took several photographs of its dissected organs. Earth scientists can do a lot with very little evidence.
In spite of our harrowing experiences with the Martians we had a treasure of scientific data, material that could never have been obtained by telescope. And we hoped that someday a basis of communication with Mars could be established—after the soreness of the wounds had gone away—and perhaps the two planets could understand their differences.
Getting Axel back aboard the Jehad was not as much of a task as we had expected. After we blasted to the Jehad's orbit, we slid him across space between the rocket and the plasma ship without hurting him. After all, what is there in space to hurt anyone?
Axel computed our route home on the electronic calculator, and we blasted off exactly twenty-one months from the day we left the earth.
"How about our duty shifts on the way home?" Gail asked as we were at last in space again.
"Whatever you say, my dear," I told her.
"Me? I'm not in charge."
"Axel's injured," I said, "and you're my wife. That makes you top banana."
"You fool!" she laughed. "But it'll be nicer going home than it was going away."
"Yes," said Axel. "There is enough water for all, Miss Loring."