Page:Amazing Stories Volume 01 Number 06.djvu/14

kept separate, and no attempt was made to prevent our conversing.

As the strange objects grew more distinct, Jack, who had recovered his equanimity, was, as usual, the first to speak.

"By Jove! Edmund," he said, "here's a new chance for your genius for explaining mysteries. What are those things?"

"I'm surprised that you haven't guessed," was the reply. "It's perfectly plain what they are."

"Not airships?"

"Certainly not. They're palaces."

"Palaces?"

"Why, of course."

"Castles in Spain, I reckon," said Jack disdainfully.

"No, simply castles in the air. Why shouldn't they float such things here? This atmosphere is exactly suited for them. You see how easily these airplanes ride. It is a region of atmospheric calm.

"Only the most gentle breezes are stirring. I doubt if there is ever a high wind here. It's exactly what we should expect of these people. They are almost as much inhabitants of the air as of the land. And could any idea be more beautiful than that?"

Nobody replied. We were lost in admiration, both of the idea and of the scene. It seemed probable that Edmund was right again.

As we continued to approach we became convinced that he was, for the details of the airy architecture began to be visible.

First, we saw an immense number of towers looming up, with stage above stage, like the huge steel buildings of New York before they received their outer coverings, but infinitely lighter and more delicate; truly fairy constructions, glittering with thousands of brilliant points.

Then, below these, apparently anchoring the floating structures to the earth, appeared long cables which, from our distance resembled gossamer threads bespangled with dew. Still nearer, and at last we believed that we could see people in the buoyant towers.

A few minutes later there was no doubt about it, for the colors broke forth, and that marvelous interchange of chromatic signals, which had so astounded and delighted us on nearing the coast, was resumed.

"It is my belief," said Edmund, "that, notwithstanding the buoyancy of the air, they are compelled to use power to keep those aerial edifices afloat. You will see, when we are nearer, that every stage is furnished with revolving screws, which help to hold them in position. Without that I am sure they would not stay up, particularly when there are people upon them."

And so it turned out. In a short time we were near enough to see the screws working, in a maze of motion, like the wings of a multitude of insects. The resemblance to insects' wings was increased by their gauzy structure and they flashed and glittered as if enameled. The vast towers swayed slightly to and fro with a sinuous motion.

Between us and the swimming palaces was another range of hills, and as we approached near enough to look over into the valley behind we uttered a cry of surprise.

A vast city made its appearance, a magnified counterpart of the aerial city about it. I have seen Constantinople in the morning sun from across the Bosphorus; I have beheld Damascus, with its spires; I have admired the domes and minarets of Cairo, shining in the gold of an Egyptian sunset—but all of these spectacles, combined with all that the imagination has pictured of such scenes, and multiplied a thousandfold in beauty and complexity, would give but a faint idea of what was spread before us.

"It is surely the capital," said Edmund, "There can be nothing greater than this."

It was indeed the capital, for in the midst of it of it rose an edifice of unparalleled splendor, which could only be the palace of a mighty king.

Above this magnificent building, which gleamed with metallic reflections, although it was as light and airy in construction as frostwork, rose the loftiest of the aerial towers, a hundred stories in height.

While the other craft fell back, we kept on until we reached the principal stage of this tower. From below ran a crowd of smaller airships, which ran up and down the sides of the tower, stopping at various stages, discharging their living cargoes.

"Elevators," said Edmund sententiously.

Glancing around, we saw that the same scenes were occurring at all the neighboring towers. They were filling up with people, and the continual rising and descending of the little craft that bore them, the holiday aspect of the gay colors everywhere displayed, and the general brilliancy of the spectacle, produced a deep impression upon us. But the most astonishing effect still awaited us.

Just as our vessel reached the landing stage the enormous tower, from foot to apex, broke out with all the hues of the prism, like an enchanted rose-tree, covered with millions of brilliant flowers at the touch of a wand. The effect was overwhelming.

The air became tremulous with rippling colors, whose vibrant waves, with quick succession of concordant tints, gave to the eye an exquisite pleasure, akin to that which the ear receives from a carillon of bells. Our companions, and the people crowded on the tower, seemed transplanted with ecstatic delight.

"The music of the spectrum!" cried Edmund. "The diapason of color! This is their national hymn, written on a prismatic instead of a sonometric staff. And, mark me, this has a significance beyond your conjectures. Such a reception can only mean that our conductress is a person of the most exalted rank."

We were not long in doubt as to that. Our craft was made fast, and Ala was the first to step upon the landing stage and pass into the tower. She was received on every hand with the most respectful salutations. A tall young man, as handsome as Apollo, met her with a profound genuflection, and conducted her beyond our sight.

Then we were led ashore.

The curiosity that we excited was immense. They pressed and thronged about us, men, women, and children, speaking rapidly in their low tones, and. exchanging thoughts by glances of the eye.