第1章

Iamaveryoldman；howoldIdonotknow。PossiblyIamahundred，possiblymore；butIcannottellbecauseIhaveneveragedasothermen，nordoIrememberanychildhood。

SofarasIcanrecollectIhavealwaysbeenaman，amanofaboutthirty。IappeartodayasIdidfortyyearsandmoreago，andyetIfeelthatIcannotgoonlivingforever；

thatsomedayIshalldietherealdeathfromwhichthereisnoresurrection。IdonotknowwhyIshouldfeardeath，Iwhohavediedtwiceandamstillalive；butyetIhavethesamehorrorofitasyouwhohaveneverdied，anditisbecauseofthisterrorofdeath，Ibelieve，thatIamsoconvincedofmymortality。

AndbecauseofthisconvictionIhavedeterminedtowritedownthestoryoftheinterestingperiodsofmylifeandofmydeath。Icannotexplainthephenomena；IcanonlysetdownhereinthewordsofanordinarysoldieroffortuneachronicleofthestrangeeventsthatbefellmeduringthetenyearsthatmydeadbodylayundiscoveredinanArizonacave。

Ihavenevertoldthisstory，norshallmortalmanseethismanuscriptuntilafterIhavepassedoverforeternity。Iknowthattheaveragehumanmindwillnotbelievewhatitcannotgrasp，andsoIdonotpurposebeingpilloriedbythepublic，thepulpit，andthepress，andheldupasacolossalliarwhenIambuttellingthesimpletruthswhichsomedaysciencewillsubstantiate。PossiblythesuggestionswhichI

gaineduponMars，andtheknowledgewhichIcansetdowninthischronicle，willaidinanearlierunderstandingofthemysteriesofoursisterplanet；mysteriestoyou，butnolongermysteriestome。

MynameisJohnCarter；IambetterknownasCaptainJackCarterofVirginia。AtthecloseoftheCivilWarIfoundmyselfpossessedofseveralhundredthousanddollars(Confederate)andacaptain\'scommissioninthecavalryarmofanarmywhichnolongerexisted；theservantofastatewhichhadvanishedwiththehopesoftheSouth。Masterless，penniless，andwithmyonlymeansoflivelihood，fighting，gone，Ideterminedtoworkmywaytothesouthwestandattempttoretrievemyfallenfortunesinasearchforgold。

IspentnearlyayearprospectingincompanywithanotherConfederateofficer，CaptainJamesK。PowellofRichmond。

Wewereextremelyfortunate，forlateinthewinterof1865，aftermanyhardshipsandprivations，welocatedthemostremarkablegold-bearingquartzveinthatourwildestdreamshadeverpictured。Powell，whowasaminingengineerbyeducation，statedthatwehaduncoveredoveramilliondollarsworthoforeinatrifleoverthreemonths。

Asourequipmentwascrudeintheextremewedecidedthatoneofusmustreturntocivilization，purchasethenecessarymachineryandreturnwithasufficientforceofmenproperlytoworkthemine。

AsPowellwasfamiliarwiththecountry，aswellaswiththemechanicalrequirementsofminingwedeterminedthatitwouldbebestforhimtomakethetrip。ItwasagreedthatIwastoholddownourclaimagainsttheremotepossibilityofitsbeingjumpedbysomewanderingprospector。

OnMarch3，1866，PowellandIpackedhisprovisionsontwoofourburros，andbiddingmegood-byehemountedhishorse，andstarteddownthemountainsidetowardthevalley，acrosswhichledthefirststageofhisjourney。

ThemorningofPowell\'sdeparturewas，likenearlyallArizonamornings，clearandbeautiful；Icouldseehimandhislittlepackanimalspickingtheirwaydownthemountainsidetowardthevalley，andallduringthemorningI

wouldcatchoccasionalglimpsesofthemastheytoppedahogbackorcameoutuponalevelplateau。MylastsightofPowellwasaboutthreeintheafternoonasheenteredtheshadowsoftherangeontheoppositesideofthevalley。

SomehalfhourlaterIhappenedtoglancecasuallyacrossthevalleyandwasmuchsurprisedtonotethreelittledotsinaboutthesameplaceIhadlastseenmyfriendandhistwopackanimals。Iamnotgiventoneedlessworrying，butthemoreItriedtoconvincemyselfthatallwaswellwithPowell，andthatthedotsIhadseenonhistrailwereantelopeorwildhorses，thelessIwasabletoassuremyself。

SincewehadenteredtheterritorywehadnotseenahostileIndian，andwehad，therefore，becomecarelessintheextreme，andwerewonttoridiculethestorieswehadheardofthegreatnumbersoftheseviciousmaraudersthatweresupposedtohauntthetrails，takingtheirtollinlivesandtortureofeverywhitepartywhichfellintotheirmercilessclutches。

Powell，Iknew，waswellarmedand，further，anexperiencedIndianfighter；butItoohadlivedandfoughtforyearsamongtheSiouxintheNorth，andIknewthathischancesweresmallagainstapartyofcunningtrailingApaches。FinallyIcouldendurethesuspensenolonger，and，armingmyselfwithmytwoColtrevolversandacarbine，Istrappedtwobeltsofcartridgesaboutmeandcatchingmysaddlehorse，starteddownthetrailtakenbyPowellinthemorning。

AssoonasIreachedcomparativelylevelgroundIurgedmymountintoacanterandcontinuedthis，wherethegoingpermitted，until，closeupondusk，IdiscoveredthepointwhereothertracksjoinedthoseofPowell。Theywerethetracksofunshodponies，threeofthem，andtheponieshadbeengalloping。

Ifollowedrapidlyuntil，darknessshuttingdown，Iwasforcedtoawaittherisingofthemoon，andgivenanopportunitytospeculateonthequestionofthewisdomofmychase。

PossiblyIhadconjuredupimpossibledangers，likesomenervousoldhousewife，andwhenIshouldcatchupwithPowellwouldgetagoodlaughformypains。

However，Iamnotpronetosensitiveness，andthefollowingofasenseofduty，whereveritmaylead，hasalwaysbeenakindoffetichwithmethroughoutmylife；whichmayaccountforthehonorsbestoweduponmebythreerepublicsandthedecorationsandfriendshipsofanoldandpowerfulemperorandseverallesserkings，inwhoseservicemyswordhasbeenredmanyatime。

Aboutnineo\'clockthemoonwassufficientlybrightformetoproceedonmywayandIhadnodifficultyinfollowingthetrailatafastwalk，andinsomeplacesatabrisktrotuntil，aboutmidnight，IreachedthewaterholewherePowellhadexpectedtocamp。Icameuponthespotunexpectedly，findingitentirelydeserted，withnosignsofhavingbeenrecentlyoccupiedasacamp。

Iwasinterestedtonotethatthetracksofthepursuinghorsemen，forsuchIwasnowconvincedtheymustbe，continuedafterPowellwithonlyabriefstopattheholeforwater；

andalwaysatthesamerateofspeedashis。

IwaspositivenowthatthetrailerswereApachesandthattheywishedtocapturePowellaliveforthefiendishpleasureofthetorture，soIurgedmyhorseonwardatamostdangerouspace，hopingagainsthopethatIwouldcatchupwiththeredrascalsbeforetheyattackedhim。

Furtherspeculationwassuddenlycutshortbythefaintreportoftwoshotsfaraheadofme。IknewthatPowellwouldneedmenowifever，andIinstantlyurgedmyhorsetohistopmostspeedupthenarrowanddifficultmountaintrail。

Ihadforgedaheadforperhapsamileormorewithouthearingfurthersounds，whenthetrailsuddenlydebouchedontoasmall，openplateaunearthesummitofthepass。I

hadpassedthroughanarrow，overhanginggorgejustbeforeenteringsuddenlyuponthistableland，andthesightwhichmetmyeyesfilledmewithconsternationanddismay。

ThelittlestretchoflevellandwaswhitewithIndiantepees，andtherewereprobablyhalfathousandredwarriorsclusteredaroundsomeobjectnearthecenterofthecamp。

Theirattentionwassowhollyrivetedtothispointofinterestthattheydidnotnoticeme，andIeasilycouldhaveturnedbackintothedarkrecessesofthegorgeandmademyescapewithperfectsafety。Thefact，however，thatthisthoughtdidnotoccurtomeuntilthefollowingdayremovesanypossiblerighttoaclaimtoheroismtowhichthenarrationofthisepisodemightpossiblyotherwiseentitleme。

IdonotbelievethatIammadeofthestuffwhichconstitutesheroes，because，inallofthehundredsofinstancesthatmyvoluntaryactshaveplacedmefacetofacewithdeath，IcannotrecallasingleonewhereanyalternativesteptothatItookoccurredtomeuntilmanyhourslater。

MymindisevidentlysoconstitutedthatIamsubconsciouslyforcedintothepathofdutywithoutrecoursetotiresomementalprocesses。Howeverthatmaybe，Ihaveneverregrettedthatcowardiceisnotoptionalwithme。

InthisinstanceIwas，ofcourse，positivethatPowellwasthecenterofattraction，butwhetherIthoughtoractedfirstIdonotknow，butwithinaninstantfromthemomentthescenebrokeuponmyviewIhadwhippedoutmyrevolversandwaschargingdownupontheentirearmyofwarriors，shootingrapidly，andwhoopingatthetopofmylungs。

Singlehanded，Icouldnothavepursuedbettertactics，fortheredmen，convincedbysuddensurprisethatnotlessthanaregimentofregularswasuponthem，turnedandfledineverydirectionfortheirbows，arrows，andrifles。

Theviewwhichtheirhurriedroutingdisclosedfilledmewithapprehensionandwithrage。UndertheclearraysoftheArizonamoonlayPowell，hisbodyfairlybristlingwiththehostilearrowsofthebraves。ThathewasalreadydeadI

couldnotbutbeconvinced，andyetIwouldhavesavedhisbodyfrommutilationatthehandsoftheApachesasquicklyasIwouldhavesavedthemanhimselffromdeath。

RidingclosetohimIreacheddownfromthesaddle，andgraspinghiscartridgebeltdrewhimupacrossthewithersofmymount。AbackwardglanceconvincedmethattoreturnbythewayIhadcomewouldbemorehazardousthantocontinueacrosstheplateau，so，puttingspurstomypoorbeast，ImadeadashfortheopeningtothepasswhichIcoulddistinguishonthefarsideofthetableland。

TheIndianshadbythistimediscoveredthatIwasaloneandIwaspursuedwithimprecations，arrows，andrifleballs。

Thefactthatitisdifficulttoaimanythingbutimprecationsaccuratelybymoonlight，thattheywereupsetbythesuddenandunexpectedmannerofmyadvent，andthatIwasaratherrapidlymovingtargetsavedmefromthevariousdeadlyprojectilesoftheenemyandpermittedmetoreachtheshadowsofthesurroundingpeaksbeforeanorderlypursuitcouldbeorganized。

MyhorsewastravelingpracticallyunguidedasIknewthatIhadprobablylessknowledgeoftheexactlocationofthetrailtothepassthanhe，andthusithappenedthatheenteredadefilewhichledtothesummitoftherangeandnottothepasswhichIhadhopedwouldcarrymetothevalleyandtosafety。Itisprobable，however，thattothisfactIowemylifeandtheremarkableexperiencesandadventureswhichbefellmeduringthefollowingtenyears。

MyfirstknowledgethatIwasonthewrongtrailcamewhenIheardtheyellsofthepursuingsavagessuddenlygrowfainterandfainterfarofftomyleft。

Iknewthenthattheyhadpassedtotheleftofthejaggedrockformationattheedgeoftheplateau，totherightofwhichmyhorsehadbornemeandthebodyofPowell。

Idrewreinonalittlelevelpromontoryoverlookingthetrailbelowandtomyleft，andsawthepartyofpursuingsavagesdisappearingaroundthepointofaneighboringpeak。

IknewtheIndianswouldsoondiscoverthattheywereonthewrongtrailandthatthesearchformewouldberenewedintherightdirectionassoonastheylocatedmytracks。

Ihadgonebutashortdistancefurtherwhenwhatseemedtobeanexcellenttrailopeneduparoundthefaceofahighcliff。ThetrailwaslevelandquitebroadandledupwardandinthegeneraldirectionIwishedtogo。Thecliffaroseforseveralhundredfeetonmyright，andonmyleftwasanequalandnearlyperpendiculardroptothebottomofarockyravine。

Ihadfollowedthistrailforperhapsahundredyardswhenasharpturntotherightbroughtmetothemouthofalargecave。Theopeningwasaboutfourfeetinheightandthreetofourfeetwide，andatthisopeningthetrailended。

Itwasnowmorning，and，withthecustomarylackofdawnwhichisastartlingcharacteristicofArizona，ithadbecomedaylightalmostwithoutwarning。

Dismounting，IlaidPowellupontheground，butthemostpainstakingexaminationfailedtorevealthefaintestsparkoflife。Iforcedwaterfrommycanteenbetweenhisdeadlips，bathedhisfaceandrubbedhishands，workingoverhimcontinuouslyforthebetterpartofanhourinthefaceofthefactthatIknewhimtobedead。

IwasveryfondofPowell；hewasthoroughlyamanineveryrespect；apolishedsoutherngentleman；astaunchandtruefriend；anditwaswithafeelingofthedeepestgriefthatIfinallygaveupmycrudeendeavorsatresuscitation。

LeavingPowell\'sbodywhereitlayontheledgeIcreptintothecavetoreconnoiter。Ifoundalargechamber，possiblyahundredfeetindiameterandthirtyorfortyfeetinheight；asmoothandwell-wornfloor，andmanyotherevidencesthatthecavehad，atsomeremoteperiod，beeninhabited。

ThebackofthecavewassolostindenseshadowthatIcouldnotdistinguishwhethertherewereopeningsintootherapartmentsornot。

AsIwascontinuingmyexaminationIcommencedtofeelapleasantdrowsinesscreepingovermewhichIattributedtothefatigueofmylongandstrenuousride，andthereactionfromtheexcitementofthefightandthepursuit。IfeltcomparativelysafeinmypresentlocationasIknewthatonemancoulddefendthetrailtothecaveagainstanarmy。

IsoonbecamesodrowsythatIcouldscarcelyresistthestrongdesiretothrowmyselfonthefloorofthecaveforafewmoments\'rest，butIknewthatthiswouldneverdo，asitwouldmeancertaindeathatthehandsofmyredfriends，whomightbeuponmeatanymoment。WithaneffortI

startedtowardtheopeningofthecaveonlytoreeldrunkenlyagainstasidewall，andfromthereslipproneuponthefloor。

CHAPTERII

THEESCAPEOFTHEDEAD

Asenseofdeliciousdreaminessovercameme，mymusclesrelaxed，andIwasonthepointofgivingwaytomydesiretosleepwhenthesoundofapproachinghorsesreachedmyears。Iattemptedtospringtomyfeetbutwashorrifiedtodiscoverthatmymusclesrefusedtorespondtomywill。Iwasnowthoroughlyawake，butasunabletomoveamuscleasthoughturnedtostone。Itwasthen，forthefirsttime，thatI

noticedaslightvaporfillingthecave。Itwasextremelytenuousandonlynoticeableagainsttheopeningwhichledtodaylight。Therealsocametomynostrilsafaintlypungentodor，andIcouldonlyassumethatIhadbeenovercomebysomepoisonousgas，butwhyIshouldretainmymentalfacultiesandyetbeunabletomoveIcouldnotfathom。

IlayfacingtheopeningofthecaveandwhereIcouldseetheshortstretchoftrailwhichlaybetweenthecaveandtheturnofthecliffaroundwhichthetrailled。Thenoiseoftheapproachinghorseshadceased，andIjudgedtheIndianswerecreepingstealthilyuponmealongthelittleledgewhichledtomylivingtomb。IrememberthatIhopedtheywouldmakeshortworkofmeasIdidnotparticularlyrelishthethoughtoftheinnumerablethingstheymightdotomeifthespiritpromptedthem。

Ihadnotlongtowaitbeforeastealthysoundapprisedmeoftheirnearness，andthenawar-bonneted，paint-streakedfacewasthrustcautiouslyaroundtheshoulderofthecliff，andsavageeyeslookedintomine。ThathecouldseemeinthedimlightofthecaveIwassurefortheearlymorningsunwasfallingfulluponmethroughtheopening。

Thefellow，insteadofapproaching，merelystoodandstared；

hiseyesbulgingandhisjawdropped。Andthenanothersavagefaceappeared，andathirdandfourthandfifth，craningtheirnecksovertheshouldersoftheirfellowswhomtheycouldnotpassuponthenarrowledge。Eachfacewasthepictureofaweandfear，butforwhatreasonIdidnotknow，nordidIlearnuntiltenyearslater。Thattherewerestillotherbravesbehindthosewhoregardedmewasapparentfromthefactthattheleaderspassedbackwhisperedwordtothosebehindthem。

Suddenlyalowbutdistinctmoaningsoundissuedfromtherecessesofthecavebehindme，and，asitreachedtheearsoftheIndians，theyturnedandfledinterror，panic-stricken。Sofranticweretheireffortstoescapefromtheunseenthingbehindmethatoneofthebraveswashurledheadlongfromtheclifftotherocksbelow。Theirwildcriesechoedinthecanyonforashorttime，andthenallwasstilloncemore。

Thesoundwhichhadfrightenedthemwasnotrepeated，butithadbeensufficientasitwastostartmespeculatingonthepossiblehorrorwhichlurkedintheshadowsatmyback。FearisarelativetermandsoIcanonlymeasuremyfeelingsatthattimebywhatIhadexperiencedinpreviouspositionsofdangerandbythosethatIhavepassedthroughsince；butIcansaywithoutshamethatifthesensationsIenduredduringthenextfewminuteswerefear，thenmayGodhelpthecoward，forcowardiceisofasuretyitsownpunishment。

Tobeheldparalyzed，withone\'sbacktowardsomehorribleandunknowndangerfromtheverysoundofwhichtheferociousApachewarriorsturninwildstampede，asaflockofsheepwouldmadlyfleefromapackofwolves，seemstomethelastwordinfearsomepredicamentsforamanwhohadeverbeenusedtofightingforhislifewithalltheenergyofapowerfulphysique。

SeveraltimesIthoughtIheardfaintsoundsbehindmeasofsomebodymovingcautiously，buteventuallyeventheseceased，andIwaslefttothecontemplationofmypositionwithoutinterruption。Icouldbutvaguelyconjecturethecauseofmyparalysis，andmyonlyhopelayinthatitmightpassoffassuddenlyasithadfallenuponme。

Lateintheafternoonmyhorse，whichhadbeenstandingwithdraggingreinbeforethecave，startedslowlydownthetrail，evidentlyinsearchoffoodandwater，andIwasleftalonewithmymysteriousunknowncompanionandthedeadbodyofmyfriend，whichlayjustwithinmyrangeofvisionupontheledgewhereIhadplaceditintheearlymorning。

Fromthenuntilpossiblymidnightallwassilence，thesilenceofthedead；then，suddenly，theawfulmoanofthemorningbrokeuponmystartledears，andtherecameagainfromtheblackshadowsthesoundofamovingthing，andafaintrustlingasofdeadleaves。Theshocktomyalreadyoverstrainednervoussystemwasterribleintheextreme，andwithasuperhumaneffortIstrovetobreakmyawfulbonds。

Itwasaneffortofthemind，ofthewill，ofthenerves；notmuscular，forIcouldnotmoveevensomuchasmylittlefinger，butnonethelessmightyforallthat。Andthensomethinggave，therewasamomentaryfeelingofnausea，asharpclickasofthesnappingofasteelwire，andIstoodwithmybackagainstthewallofthecavefacingmyunknownfoe。

Andthenthemoonlightfloodedthecave，andtherebeforemelaymyownbodyasithadbeenlyingallthesehours，withtheeyesstaringtowardtheopenledgeandthehandsrestinglimplyupontheground。Ilookedfirstatmylifelessclaythereuponthefloorofthecaveandthendownatmyselfinutterbewilderment；forthereIlayclothed，andyethereI

stoodbutnakedasattheminuteofmybirth。

Thetransitionhadbeensosuddenandsounexpectedthatitleftmeforamomentforgetfulofaughtelsethanmystrangemetamorphosis。Myfirstthoughtwas，isthisthendeath!HaveIindeedpassedoverforeverintothatotherlife!

ButIcouldnotwellbelievethis，asIcouldfeelmyheartpoundingagainstmyribsfromtheexertionofmyeffortstoreleasemyselffromtheanaesthesiswhichhadheldme。Mybreathwascominginquick，shortgasps，coldsweatstoodoutfromeveryporeofmybody，andtheancientexperimentofpinchingrevealedthefactthatIwasanythingotherthanawraith。

AgainwasIsuddenlyrecalledtomyimmediatesurroundingsbyarepetitionoftheweirdmoanfromthedepthsofthecave。NakedandunarmedasIwas，Ihadnodesiretofacetheunseenthingwhichmenacedme。

Myrevolverswerestrappedtomylifelessbodywhich，forsomeunfathomablereason，Icouldnotbringmyselftotouch。

Mycarbinewasinitsboot，strappedtomysaddle，andasmyhorsehadwanderedoffIwasleftwithoutmeansofdefense。

Myonlyalternativeseemedtolieinflightandmydecisionwascrystallizedbyarecurrenceoftherustlingsoundfromthethingwhichnowseemed，inthedarknessofthecaveandtomydistortedimagination，tobecreepingstealthilyuponme。

UnablelongertoresistthetemptationtoescapethishorribleplaceIleapedquicklythroughtheopeningintothestarlightofaclearArizonanight。Thecrisp，freshmountainairoutsidethecaveactedasanimmediatetonicandIfeltnewlifeandnewcouragecoursingthroughme。PausinguponthebrinkoftheledgeIupbraidedmyselfforwhatnowseemedtomewhollyunwarrantedapprehension。IreasonedwithmyselfthatIhadlainhelplessformanyhourswithinthecave，yetnothinghadmolestedme，andmybetterjudgment，whenpermittedthedirectionofclearandlogicalreasoning，convincedmethatthenoisesIhadheardmusthaveresultedfrompurelynaturalandharmlesscauses；probablytheconformationofthecavewassuchthataslightbreezehadcausedthesoundsIheard。

Idecidedtoinvestigate，butfirstIliftedmyheadtofillmylungswiththepure，invigoratingnightairofthemountains。

AsIdidsoIsawstretchingfarbelowmethebeautifulvistaofrockygorge，andlevel，cacti-studdedflat，wroughtbythemoonlightintoamiracleofsoftsplendorandwondrousenchantment。

FewwesternwondersaremoreinspiringthanthebeautiesofanArizonamoonlitlandscape；thesilveredmountainsinthedistance，thestrangelightsandshadowsuponhogbackandarroyo，andthegrotesquedetailsofthestiff，yetbeautifulcactiformapictureatonceenchantingandinspiring；asthoughonewerecatchingforthefirsttimeaglimpseofsomedeadandforgottenworld，sodifferentisitfromtheaspectofanyotherspotuponourearth。

AsIstoodthusmeditating，Iturnedmygazefromthelandscapetotheheavenswherethemyriadstarsformedagorgeousandfittingcanopyforthewondersoftheearthlyscene。Myattentionwasquicklyrivetedbyalargeredstarclosetothedistanthorizon。AsIgazeduponitIfeltaspellofoverpoweringfascination——itwasMars，thegodofwar，andforme，thefightingman，ithadalwaysheldthepowerofirresistibleenchantment。AsIgazedatitonthatfar-gonenightitseemedtocallacrosstheunthinkablevoid，toluremetoit，todrawmeasthelodestoneattractsaparticleofiron。

Mylongingwasbeyondthepowerofopposition；Iclosedmyeyes，stretchedoutmyarmstowardthegodofmyvocationandfeltmyselfdrawnwiththesuddennessofthoughtthroughthetracklessimmensityofspace。Therewasaninstantofextremecoldandutterdarkness。

CHAPTERIII

MYADVENTONMARS

Iopenedmyeyesuponastrangeandweirdlandscape。I

knewthatIwasonMars；notoncedidIquestioneithermysanityormywakefulness。Iwasnotasleep，noneedforpinchinghere；myinnerconsciousnesstoldmeasplainlythatIwasuponMarsasyourconsciousmindtellsyouthatyouareuponEarth。Youdonotquestionthefact；neitherdidI。

Ifoundmyselflyingproneuponabedofyellowish，mosslikevegetationwhichstretchedaroundmeinalldirectionsforinterminablemiles。Iseemedtobelyinginadeep，circularbasin，alongtheoutervergeofwhichIcoulddistinguishtheirregularitiesoflowhills。

Itwasmidday，thesunwasshiningfulluponmeandtheheatofitwasratherintenseuponmynakedbody，yetnogreaterthanwouldhavebeentrueundersimilarconditionsonanArizonadesert。Hereandtherewereslightoutcroppingsofquartz-bearingrockwhichglistenedinthesunlight；andalittletomyleft，perhapsahundredyards，appearedalow，walledenclosureaboutfourfeetinheight。Nowater，andnoothervegetationthanthemosswasinevidence，andasI

wassomewhatthirstyIdeterminedtodoalittleexploring。

SpringingtomyfeetIreceivedmyfirstMartiansurprise，fortheeffort，whichonEarthwouldhavebroughtmestandingupright，carriedmeintotheMartianairtotheheightofaboutthreeyards。Ialightedsoftlyupontheground，however，withoutappreciableshockorjar。Nowcommencedaseriesofevolutionswhicheventhenseemedludicrousintheextreme。

IfoundthatImustlearntowalkalloveragain，asthemuscularexertionwhichcarriedmeeasilyandsafelyuponEarthplayedstrangeanticswithmeuponMars。

Insteadofprogressinginasaneanddignifiedmanner，myattemptstowalkresultedinavarietyofhopswhichtookmeclearofthegroundacoupleoffeetateachstepandlandedmesprawlinguponmyfaceorbackattheendofeachsecondorthirdhop。Mymuscles，perfectlyattunedandaccustomedtotheforceofgravityonEarth，playedthemischiefwithmeinattemptingforthefirsttimetocopewiththelessergravitationandlowerairpressureonMars。

Iwasdetermined，however，toexplorethelowstructurewhichwastheonlyevidenceofhabitationinsight，andsoI

hitupontheuniqueplanofrevertingtofirstprinciplesinlocomotion，creeping。Ididfairlywellatthisandinafewmomentshadreachedthelow，encirclingwalloftheenclosure。

Thereappearedtobenodoorsorwindowsuponthesidenearestme，butasthewallwasbutaboutfourfeethighI

cautiouslygainedmyfeetandpeeredoverthetopuponthestrangestsightithadeverbeengivenmetosee。

Theroofoftheenclosurewasofsolidglassaboutfourorfiveinchesinthickness，andbeneaththiswereseveralhundredlargeeggs，perfectlyroundandsnowywhite。Theeggswerenearlyuniforminsizebeingabouttwoandone-halffeetindiameter。

Fiveorsixhadalreadyhatchedandthegrotesquecaricatureswhichsatblinkinginthesunlightwereenoughtocausemetodoubtmysanity。Theyseemedmostlyhead，withlittlescrawnybodies，longnecksandsixlegs，or，asIafterwardlearned，twolegsandtwoarms，withanintermediarypairoflimbswhichcouldbeusedatwilleitherasarmsorlegs。Theireyesweresetattheextremesidesoftheirheadsatrifleabovethecenterandprotrudedinsuchamannerthattheycouldbedirectedeitherforwardorbackandalsoindependentlyofeachother，thuspermittingthisqueeranimaltolookinanydirection，orintwodirectionsatonce，withoutthenecessityofturningthehead。

Theears，whichwereslightlyabovetheeyesandclosertogether，weresmall，cup-shapedantennae，protrudingnotmorethananinchontheseyoungspecimens。Theirnoseswerebutlongitudinalslitsinthecenteroftheirfaces，midwaybetweentheirmouthsandears。

Therewasnohairontheirbodies，whichwereofaverylightyellowish-greencolor。Intheadults，asIwastolearnquitesoon，thiscolordeepenstoanolivegreenandisdarkerinthemalethaninthefemale。Further，theheadsoftheadultsarenotsooutofproportiontotheirbodiesasinthecaseoftheyoung。

Theirisoftheeyesisbloodred，asinAlbinos，whilethepupilisdark。Theeyeballitselfisverywhite，asaretheteeth。

Theselatteraddamostferociousappearancetoanotherwisefearsomeandterriblecountenance，asthelowertuskscurveupwardtosharppointswhichendaboutwheretheeyesofearthlyhumanbeingsarelocated。Thewhitenessoftheteethisnotthatofivory，butofthesnowiestandmostgleamingofchina。Againstthedarkbackgroundoftheiroliveskinstheirtusksstandoutinamoststrikingmanner，makingtheseweaponspresentasingularlyformidableappearance。

MostofthesedetailsInotedlater，forIwasgivenbutlittletimetospeculateonthewondersofmynewdiscovery。Ihadseenthattheeggswereintheprocessofhatching，andasI

stoodwatchingthehideouslittlemonstersbreakfromtheirshellsIfailedtonotetheapproachofascoreoffull-grownMartiansfrombehindme。

Coming，astheydid，overthesoftandsoundlessmoss，whichcoverspracticallytheentiresurfaceofMarswiththeexceptionofthefrozenareasatthepolesandthescatteredcultivateddistricts，theymighthavecapturedmeeasily，buttheirintentionswerefarmoresinister。Itwastherattlingoftheaccoutermentsoftheforemostwarriorwhichwarnedme。

OnsuchalittlethingmylifehungthatIoftenmarvelthatIescapedsoeasily。HadnottherifleoftheleaderofthepartyswungfromitsfasteningsbesidehissaddleinsuchawayastostrikeagainstthebuttofhisgreatmetalshodspearIshouldhavesnuffedoutwithouteverknowingthatdeathwasnearme。Butthelittlesoundcausedmetoturn，andthereuponme，nottenfeetfrommybreast，wasthepointofthathugespear，aspearfortyfeetlong，tippedwithgleamingmetal，andheldlowatthesideofamountedreplicaofthelittledevilsIhadbeenwatching。

Buthowpunyandharmlesstheynowlookedbesidethishugeandterrificincarnationofhate，ofvengeanceandofdeath。Themanhimself，forsuchImaycallhim，wasfullyfifteenfeetinheightand，onEarth，wouldhaveweighedsomefourhundredpounds。Hesathismountaswesitahorse，graspingtheanimal\'sbarrelwithhislowerlimbs，whilethehandsofhistworightarmsheldhisimmensespearlowatthesideofhismount；histwoleftarmswereoutstretchedlaterallytohelppreservehisbalance，thethingherodehavingneitherbridleorreinsofanydescriptionforguidance。

Andhismount!Howcanearthlywordsdescribeit!Ittoweredtenfeetattheshoulder；hadfourlegsoneitherside；abroadflattail，largeratthetipthanattheroot，andwhichitheldstraightoutbehindwhilerunning；agapingmouthwhichsplititsheadfromitssnouttoitslong，massiveneck。

Likeitsmaster，itwasentirelydevoidofhair，butwasofadarkslatecolorandexceedingsmoothandglossy。Itsbellywaswhite，anditslegsshadedfromtheslateofitsshouldersandhipstoavividyellowatthefeet。Thefeetthemselveswereheavilypaddedandnailless，whichfacthadalsocontributedtothenoiselessnessoftheirapproach，and，incommonwithamultiplicityoflegs，isacharacteristicfeatureofthefaunaofMars。Thehighesttypeofmanandoneotheranimal，theonlymammalexistingonMars，alonehavewell-formednails，andthereareabsolutelynohoofedanimalsinexistencethere。

Behindthisfirstchargingdemontrailednineteenothers，similarinallrespects，but，asIlearnedlater，bearingindividualcharacteristicspeculiartothemselves；preciselyasnotwoofusareidenticalalthoughweareallcastinasimilarmold。Thispicture，orrathermaterializednightmare，whichIhavedescribedatlength，madebutoneterribleandswiftimpressiononmeasIturnedtomeetit。

UnarmedandnakedasIwas，thefirstlawofnaturemanifesteditselfintheonlypossiblesolutionofmyimmediateproblem，andthatwastogetoutofthevicinityofthepointofthechargingspear。ConsequentlyIgaveaveryearthlyandatthesametimesuperhumanleaptoreachthetopoftheMartianincubator，forsuchIhaddetermineditmustbe。

MyeffortwascrownedwithasuccesswhichappalledmenolessthanitseemedtosurprisetheMartianwarriors，foritcarriedmefullythirtyfeetintotheairandlandedmeahundredfeetfrommypursuersandontheoppositesideoftheenclosure。

Ialighteduponthesoftmosseasilyandwithoutmishap，andturningsawmyenemieslinedupalongthefurtherwall。

SomeweresurveyingmewithexpressionswhichIafterwarddiscoveredmarkedextremeastonishment，andtheotherswereevidentlysatisfyingthemselvesthatIhadnotmolestedtheiryoung。

Theywereconversingtogetherinlowtones，andgesticulatingandpointingtowardme。TheirdiscoverythatIhadnotharmedthelittleMartians，andthatIwasunarmed，musthavecausedthemtolookuponmewithlessferocity；but，asIwastolearnlater，thethingwhichweighedmostinmyfavorwasmyexhibitionofhurdling。

WhiletheMartiansareimmense，theirbonesareverylargeandtheyaremuscledonlyinproportiontothegravitationwhichtheymustovercome。Theresultisthattheyareinfinitelylessagileandlesspowerful，inproportiontotheirweight，thananEarthman，andIdoubtthatwereoneofthemsuddenlytobetransportedtoEarthhecouldlifthisownweightfromtheground；infact，Iamconvincedthathecouldnotdoso。

MyfeatthenwasasmarvelousuponMarsasitwouldhavebeenuponEarth，andfromdesiringtoannihilatemetheysuddenlylookeduponmeasawonderfuldiscoverytobecapturedandexhibitedamongtheirfellows。

Therespitemyunexpectedagilityhadgivenmepermittedmetoformulateplansfortheimmediatefutureandtonotemorecloselytheappearanceofthewarriors，forIcouldnotdisassociatethesepeopleinmymindfromthoseotherwarriorswho，onlythedaybefore，hadbeenpursuingme。

InotedthateachwasarmedwithseveralotherweaponsinadditiontothehugespearwhichIhavedescribed。Theweaponwhichcausedmetodecideagainstanattemptatescapebyflightwaswhatwasevidentlyarifleofsomedescription，andwhichIfelt，forsomereason，theywerepeculiarlyefficientinhandling。

Theserifleswereofawhitemetalstockedwithwood，whichIlearnedlaterwasaverylightandintenselyhardgrowthmuchprizedonMars，andentirelyunknowntousdenizensofEarth。Themetalofthebarrelisanalloycomposedprincipallyofaluminumandsteelwhichtheyhavelearnedtotempertoahardnessfarexceedingthatofthesteelwithwhichwearefamiliar。Theweightoftheseriflesiscomparativelylittle，andwiththesmallcaliber，explosive，radiumprojectileswhichtheyuse，andthegreatlengthofthebarrel，theyaredeadlyintheextremeandatrangeswhichwouldbeunthinkableonEarth。Thetheoreticeffectiveradiusofthisrifleisthreehundredmiles，butthebesttheycandoinactualservicewhenequippedwiththeirwirelessfindersandsightersisbutatrifleovertwohundredmiles。

ThisisquitefarenoughtoimbuemewithgreatrespectfortheMartianfirearm，andsometelepathicforcemusthavewarnedmeagainstanattempttoescapeinbroaddaylightfromunderthemuzzlesoftwentyofthesedeath-dealingmachines。

TheMartians，afterconversingforashorttime，turnedandrodeawayinthedirectionfromwhichtheyhadcome，leavingoneoftheirnumberalonebytheenclosure。Whentheyhadcoveredperhapstwohundredyardstheyhalted，andturningtheirmountstowardussatwatchingthewarriorbytheenclosure。

Hewastheonewhosespearhadsonearlytransfixedme，andwasevidentlytheleaderoftheband，asIhadnotedthattheyseemedtohavemovedtotheirpresentpositionathisdirection。Whenhisforcehadcometoahalthedismounted，threwdownhisspearandsmallarms，andcamearoundtheendoftheincubatortowardme，entirelyunarmedandasnakedasI，exceptfortheornamentsstrappeduponhishead，limbs，andbreast。

Whenhewaswithinaboutfiftyfeetofmeheunclaspedanenormousmetalarmlet，andholdingittowardmeintheopenpalmofhishand，addressedmeinaclear，resonantvoice，butinalanguage，itisneedlesstosay，Icouldnotunderstand。Hethenstoppedasthoughwaitingformyreply，prickinguphisantennae-likeearsandcockinghisstrange-lookingeyesstillfurthertowardme。

AsthesilencebecamepainfulIconcludedtohazardalittleconversationonmyownpart，asIhadguessedthathewasmakingoverturesofpeace。ThethrowingdownofhisweaponsandthewithdrawingofhistroopbeforehisadvancetowardmewouldhavesignifiedapeacefulmissionanywhereonEarth，sowhynot，then，onMars!

PlacingmyhandovermyheartIbowedlowtotheMartianandexplainedtohimthatwhileIdidnotunderstandhislanguage，hisactionsspokeforthepeaceandfriendshipthatatthepresentmomentweremostdeartomyheart。OfcourseImighthavebeenababblingbrookforalltheintelligencemyspeechcarriedtohim，butheunderstoodtheactionwithwhichIimmediatelyfollowedmywords。

Stretchingmyhandtowardhim，Iadvancedandtookthearmletfromhisopenpalm，claspingitaboutmyarmabovetheelbow；smiledathimandstoodwaiting。Hiswidemouthspreadintoanansweringsmile，andlockingoneofhisintermediaryarmsinmineweturnedandwalkedbacktowardhismount。Atthesametimehemotionedhisfollowerstoadvance。Theystartedtowardusonawildrun，butwerecheckedbyasignalfromhim。EvidentlyhefearedthatwereItobereallyfrightenedagainImightjumpentirelyoutofthelandscape。