"At the expense of their arms, legs and bodies," said Jack. "I fancy I could fight half a dozen of their biggest men."

"But we're not going to," said Mr. Roumann. "At least, not as long as they treat us decently."

"And now for something to eat," added Henderson.

Their guide showed them a dining-room, where they found a table filled with food that looked very appetizing. The Martian motioned for them to eat.

"I want t' find where mah kitchen is goin' t' be," declared Washington. "If I'm goin' t' cook heah, I want t' see how I'm goin' t' do it."

The Martian seemed to understand what was wanted, for he led the way to another apartment, where it was evident that cooking was done, as there were pots, pans and what looked like a stove in it.

"But I don't see no coal," objected the colored man. "How I gwine t' cook without coal t' make a fire?"

The Martian opened the square iron box that seemed to be the stove. Inside was a small metal box, which he also opened, disclosing a lump of the red substance.

"They cook with it, too!" exclaimed Mr. Roumann. "And I have no doubt that they warm their houses with it in winter. A wonderful substance--most marvelous! It exceeds my wildest dreams--light, heat and power! Our fortunes are made! It is good that we came to Mars!"

"And it's a good thing they've got something to eat!" remarked Jack. "Come on, I'm half starved."

"I'll wait on table fo' yo'," said Washington, as they went back to the dining-room, and the Martian left. They sat down, and the colored man was about to pa.s.s the victuals, when, to the surprise of all, the center of the table began to revolve, and the dishes of food went with it, pa.s.sing slowly in front of each one in turn.

"Good land a' ma.s.sy!" cried Washington. "It's bewitched! Look at de table movin'!"

CHAPTER XXV

SEEKING THE TREASURE

They all stared at the strange sight. It was rather odd to see the entire middle portion of the table going around, while the outer part, at which the adventurers sat, was stationary. But the boys and men, with the exception of Washington, recognized it as very convenient.

"What are you frightened at, Wash?" asked Jack.

"At dat table, dat's what! It's a ghostest table."

"A ghost table?"

"Yep! Spirits am workin' on it! I ain't goin' t' stay heah.

I'se goin' back t' de ship, where I kin move t'ings fo' mahself."

"Don't be alarmed," said Mr. Henderson. "It's all right, Washington. The table moves by some hidden mechanism, which doubtless was set in motion by the Martian who were just here, or the mere sitting down to our places may have started it."

They all got up to make an examination, and the table center at once ceased revolving, proving that some, connection existed between it and the chairs. But they could not discover the machinery. There was a small metal box underneath the table, but that was all.

"That must contain some of that marvelous red substance which gives light, heat and power," declared Mr. Roumann. "I must certainly get a supply of it. In fact, that is what I came to Mars for. That is the object of my trip, and if we can get a sufficient quant.i.ty of it, our fortunes are made."

"Is it so valuable?" asked Mark.

"It is the most valuable treasure in the universe," replied the German. "Long ago I suspected some such thing must exist on Mars, or else how, receiving only half the light and heat from the sun that we receive, can the inhabitants exist? And that they do live, and live well, we have seen. It must be due to the red substance, and if we could only get some back to earth it would be worth millions. Think of simply putting a bit of it in a stove and having heat, or hanging up some in a room and getting light from it. But, more than this, think of having it move machinery, I would not be surprised but what I could transform it into energy that would operate the motors of the Annihilator."

"But wouldn't you need a new supply every once in a while?" asked Jack.

"I think not. I believe it is like radium, and will last forever. In fact, you notice that the metal boxes it is contained in, except the ones in the boats, are securely sealed.

If they had to be putting in a fresh supply every so often, they would make the boxes so they would open more easily. We must get some of that treasure."

"But how?" inquired Mr. Henderson.

"I don't know, but I will find out a way. When we have been here a few weeks we will be better acquainted with the Martians and their language, and can make a search."

"Well, if you folks is done talkin' about treasure, I'm goin' to eat," observed old Andy. "I'm hungry!"

"So am I," added Jack, and as they all sat down again the table began revolving. They found it a convenient arrangement once the novelty had worn off, and they were soon eagerly talking, over the meal, of the wonders they had seen, and speculating on what might be before them. Washington, having nothing to do, went to see about beds for the night, as the travelers were tired.

"Well, Wash," asked Jack, as the colored man returned, "did you find the beds making themselves, or waltzing around the room?"

"Nope, dey seemed t' be ordinary, respectable beds. But I ain't goin' t' take no chances in 'em. I'se goin' t' sleep on de flo'."

"Why?"

"'Cause I don't want t' wake up in de middle ob de night an'

find mahself squashed inter a jellyfish. I believe de beds am bewitched same as de table is."

"Nonsense," said Jack. "They're all right. This is a fine place to live."

They found the beds good to sleep in, and nothing disturbed them.

Washington, however, stretched out on the floor, and he arose early to prepare breakfast on the stove, which never needed to have a fire built in it, because of the marvelous red substance.

By an arrangement of levers and valves the heat could be increased or diminished at pleasure.

The same Martian who had conducted the travelers to the house returned soon after breakfast, and by signs and motions indicated to them that the crazy machinist left in the projectile had been properly cared for. The Martian also indicated to the world-dwellers that they were free to go where they pleased about the city, which they learned was called Martopolis, and was the largest city on the planet.

"We'll take a walk," suggested Mr. Roumann, "and maybe we can find where they keep the red stuff, or where they get it from."

They strolled about the streets of Martopolis, noting many strange sights. The queer little people were hurrying to and fro, with a peculiar gliding motion, much faster than the ordinary walk, yet it was not a run. The peculiar lightness in weight of everything on Mars probably accounted for this, as the travelers themselves found they could move about very swiftly, and with little fatigue.

Nor did the world-dwellers attract as much attention as they expected they would. The Martians appeared to have satisfied their curiosity regarding the strangers the previous night, and now gave them but pa.s.sing glances. Even the boys did not follow them.

Every one seemed to be busy, and the travelers noted many schools, in which the children were industriously studying, though it was early morning. Observatories, with great telescopes, were numerous, and astronomers were gazing at the sun or different parts of the heavens, even in daylight.

"They are a very learned people, and they never seem to cease from acquiring information," commented Mr. Henderson.

"Well, I'd like to acquire some information about where that red stuff is," said the German. "There is one of the metal boxes that contain some, up on that pole."

He pointed to one that evidently served as a street lamp at night.

"And there's a policeman near it," said Jack. "Ask him."

A Martian stood leaning against the light-pole, much as does an officer of the law on earth. That he was some sort of an official was evidenced by the uniform he wore.