Journeys to the Planet Mars; or, Our Mission to Ento

by Sara Weiss

Now we will journey toward Yoitan-dylû (tempest tossed), which lies directly eastward. It is a long, narrow, very salt sea, and it is the most tempestuous water of the Planet. Once it was a great body of water, but gradually during passing centuries it has so decreased in extent and depth as to have become one of Ento's smaller salt seas. A little higher, George. Now glance backward. Is not the scene wonderfully beautiful? Over the receding city and over the ruffled surface of Phoemadon a luminous, opalescent veil has fallen and the scene is vanishing, vanishing, and now—it is gone.

In a certain locality on the northern shore of Yoitan-dylû we will find our friend Sylvian, who will inform us of affairs at Da̤o. Yes, we were there this morning and perceived that the hour of Valloa̤'s departure is very nigh. Why do not we go there at once? For the reason that it would not be well to subject you to the powerful influences concentrating there. Were you physically strong we might venture to do so; as it is, your vitality must be conserved for a special occasion.

Inland about four English miles from Yoitan-dylû are the noted ruins of an ancient city whose principal features are several immense statues. Very ancient Ento Spirits say that the now arid regions surrounding the ruins of a great city were in their time sufficiently productive for the sustenance of a large agricultural population, but for many centuries they have not been inhabitable. The name of the city was Tena̤va̤h, and once the waves of Yoitan-dylû tumultuously rushed to its very feet, and to it at stated times, from all over the Planet, came multitudes of people to offer and to witness sacrifices to Andûmana̤ and the lesser Deities. When we shall have reached the ruins Zenesta̤ will tell us something concerning them. Yes, the underlying lands present the same desolate appearance as others that we have traversed. Here and there springs of pure water well up, supplemented by deep borings which furnish a limited water supply, rendering somewhat productive small areas of land, which afford a precarious subsistence for small communities of frugal and industrious people, but were it not that the general Government keeps over these isolated peoples a paternal supervision they would not be able to sustain themselves. A special air Transport service holds them in touch with other portions of the Planet, bearing to them such commodities as they require, in turn carrying away the surplusage of their several industries. As it is the fixed policy of the General Government to carry the Irrigating and Waterways System around the Planet, in time these fertile localities will become a part of the System. No, it will not be very long before this will occur, for by far the heaviest portion of the stupendous work already is accomplished. Owing to the many rocky formations existing between Camarissa̤ and Etzoina̤ Loisa̤ the undertaking thus far has been very arduous, the remaining work will be far easier of accomplishment. Indoloisa̤, Etzoina̤, Phoemadon, Yoitan-dylû and other bodies of water lying within the area of the system will obviate the necessity of excavations for the Waterways. Through hydraulic and mechanical engineering all bodies of salt water are kept within their own bounds, only fresh water being permitted to flow in the Waterways and Irrigating Canals.

Slowly, George, and we will descend a little. Gentola̤, what do you now see?

Gentola—Upon an immense oblong platform, which is quite elevated above the level of the sandy plain, I see one, two, three, four, five, six, seven enormously large statues. On the raised centre of the platform is a statue very much larger than the others. Its proportions are indeed gigantic, and its form and features are so finely modelled, so majestically beautiful that it seems incredible that mortals could have fashioned it. Above the forehead of this colossal statue is a golden Sun, its rays set close with jewels which gleam and scintillate as though endued with life. In its extended right hand is a great cluster of golden rodels, and in the less extended, partly closed left hand is what appears to be a large golden egg. The other statues are very beautiful; three are male and three are female figures, at whose feet are altars in the form of great oblong basins. Why is it that the platform, the altars and the statues are so perfectly preserved and only fragmentary ruins of the great city remain?

Zenesta—Before replying to your question allow me to say that the founding of this ruined city antedated the Establishment of the National Government and Religion, and that aside from what has been learned through the inscriptions on the base of the platform and on the altars to the Entoans of to-day, its history is little more than legendary. On our side of life we possess its authentic history. That you and Bernard may obtain a clearer view of the statues we will descend.

Now you perceive that though the foundation of the platform is of stone its upper portion upon which the statues stand is of a non-corrosive metal known as Sauva̤. The central figure represents Andûmana̤, the Supreme One. The three female figures on His right, and the three male figures on His left hand, are Deific Ones of Astranola̤. Yes, the coloring of the statues is very fine. Enamelling is an art in which the Entoans excel. Observe that the statues are composed of sections so nicely adjusted as to be nearly imperceptible. De L'Ester says that the metal is very like what you term bronze.

As briefly as possible I will relate somewhat of the history of the ruined city and of the temple of which this great altar and these wonderfully fine statues were features. Yes, this that you have thought a platform is an altar.

At a period when the equatorial regions were yet to a degree fertile Kēhoivas Edda, the sovereign of the most powerful nation of Ento, resolved to build on this spot a magnificent Temple and altar of sacrifice to the Supreme One and his chiefest Messengers, and in pursuance of this resolve he issued a proclamation, requesting all other sovereigns to join him in this pious undertaking. At this time, between the various races of Ento, wars were of frequent occurrence, and Kēhoivas Edda proposed that during the building of the Temple, and thereafter at stated periods, all wars and animosities of whatever nature for a certain number of days should cease, that thus all of Andûmana̤'s children might pass to and from the temple to their own places without fear of molestation. Calling upon Andûmana̤ and His Messengers to bear witness to his sincerity he declared that for all time the Temple, which should be known as Infadoihan-lûvētas (place of sacrifice), should belong to the several nations of Ento. Kēhoivas Edda, being the most powerful Sovereign of Ento, and his purpose a most pious one, his proposal received universal acceptance, and very soon from all parts of Ento came a multitude of artisans and laborers to assist in the building of the Temple. Each nation contributing according to its means, quickly vast treasure and material for the undertaking accumulated and within two Ento years the great temple reared its majestic beauty above the loftiest structures of the wide spreading city.

During the building of the temple, and for many succeeding years, almost universal peace prevailed, and through many centuries the fires of those great altars consumed many, many victims of the dread superstitions of perverted religious ideas. Could these mute statues relate the story of the tragedies enacted upon their altars, we would turn away in horror from their recitals of scenes upon which loving, pitiful spirits once gazed and wept. You perceive that each statue has its own altar upon which special sacrifices were offered. On the altar of the statue representing Andûmana̤ the Supreme One, the fairest and dearest of Ento's youths and maidens were sacrificed. On the altars of His six servitors animals set apart for the sacred purpose were burned. Other altars, no longer in existence, scarcely sufficed to contain the profusion of precious things and of grains, fruits and flowers offered for the purpose of securing the kind offices of the Gods and Goddesses of Astranola̤. Happily all this is of a bygone day, and even the ruins of the grandest Temple of that ancient time have nearly disappeared. The massive walls, the towering dome, the many huge columns, the great interior, enriched by all that treasure could command or art could produce, all, all, long since have been scattered abroad or buried beneath the shifting sands of this desert waste. Only these indestructible statues, the great altar supporting them, with here and there a broken column or a fragment of sculpture hints of the vanished glories of Infa̤doiha̤n lûvēta̤s and of the great city Tena̤va̤h.