the land of the changing sun-第5章

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p。　Did　you　ever　see　such　flowers　as　those？　Look　at　that　ocean　of　orchids。〃

〃They　think　we　are　a　regular　monkey…show；〃　grumbled　the　American。　〃Look　how　the　crowd　is　gaping　and　shoving　and　fighting　for　places　to　see　us。〃

〃It's　your　legs　they　want　to　behold；　old　fellow。　Do　you　know　I　never　knew　you　had　such　knotty　knee…joints；　did　you　ever　have　rheumatism？　I　wish　I　had　'em；　they　wouldn't　put　me　to　deaththey　would　make　me　the　chief　attraction　in　the　royal　museum。〃　Thorndyke　concluded　his　jest　with　a　laugh；　but　the　face　of　his　friend　did　not　brighten。

〃You　bet　that　medical　examination　meant　something　serious；〃　he　said。

〃Pooh！〃　and　the　Englishman　slapped　his　friend　playfully　on　the　shoulder。

〃Since　I　have　seen　that　vast　crowd　of　well…developed　people；　and　remember　what　that　medicine　man　said；　I　have　made　up　my　mind　that　we　are　going　to　be　separated。〃　Poor　Johnston's　lip　was　quivering。

〃Rubbish！　but　there　comes　the　captain；　put　on　a　bold　front；　talk　up　New　York；　tell　'em　about　Chicago　and　the　Fair；　and　ask　to　be　allowed　to　ride　in　their　Ferris　Wheelif　they　ain't　got　no　wheel；　ask　'em　when　the　first　train　leaves　town。〃

〃This　is　no　time　for　jokes；〃　growled　Johnston；　as　Tradmos　returned。　Tradmos　motioned　to　something　that　in　the　distance　looked　like　a　carriage；　but　which　turned　out　to　be　a　flying　machine。　It　rose　gracefully　and　glided　over　the　ground　and　settled　at　their　feet。　It　was　large　enough　to　seat　a　dozen　people；　and　there　was　a　little　glass…windowed　compartment　at　the　end　in　which　they　could　see　〃the　driver；〃　as　he　was　termed　by　Tradmos。　The　mysterious　machinery　was　hidden　in　the　woodwork　overhead　and　beneath。

〃Get　in；〃　said　the　captain；　and　the　door　flew　open　as　if　of　its　own　accord。　Thorndyke　went　in　first　and　was　followed　by　the　moody　American。　〃Let　up　on　the　ague；〃　jested　Thorndyke；　nudging　his　friend　with　his　elbow；　〃if　you　keep　on　quivering　like　that　you　may　shake　the　thing　loose　from　its　moorings　and　we'd　never　know　what　became　of　us。〃

Johnston　scowled；　and　the　officer；　who　had　overheard　the　remark；　smiled　as　he　leaned　toward　the　window　and　gave　some　directions　to　the　man　in　the　other　compartment。

〃You　both　take　it　rather　coolly；〃　he　remarked　to　Thorndyke。　〃I　took　a　man　and　a　woman　over　this　route　several　years　ago　and　both　of　them　were　in　a　dead　faint；　but；　in　fact；　you　have　nothing　to　fear。　We　never　have　accidents。〃

〃It　is　as　safe　as　a　balloon；　I　suppose；　and　we　are　at　home　in　them；〃　said　the　Englishman；　with　just　the　hint　of　a　swagger　in　his　tone。

〃But　your　balloons　are　poor；　primitive　things　at　best；〃　returned　Tradmos　in　his　soft　voice。　〃They　can't　be　compared　to　this　mode　of　travel；　though；　of　course；　our　machines　would　not　operate　in　your　atmosphere。〃

〃Why　not？〃　impulsively　asked　the　Englishman。　〃I　thought〃

But　he　did　not　conclude　his　remark；　for　they　were　rising；　and　both　he　and　Johnston　leaned　apprehensively　forward　and　looked　out　of　one　of　the　windows。　Down　below　the　long　lines　of　people　were　silently　waving　their　hats；　scarfs　and　handkerchiefs　as　the　machine　swept　along　over　their　heads。　As　they　rose　higher　the　scene　below　widened　like　a　great　circular　fan；　and　in　the　delicate　roselight；　the　whole　so　appealed　to　Thorndyke's　artistic　sense　that　he　ejaculated：

〃Glorious！　Superb！　Transcendent！〃　and　he　directed　Johnston's　attention　to　the　wonderful　pinkish　haze　which　lay　over　the　view　toward　the　west　like　a　vast　diaphanous　web　of　rosy　sunbeams。

〃You　ask　why　our　air…ships　would　not　operate　in　your　atmosphere；〃　said　the　captain；　showing　pleasure　at　Thorndyke's　enthusiasm。　〃It　is　simple　enough　when　you　have　studied　the　climatic　differences　between　the　two　countries。　You　have　much　to　contend　withthe　winds；　for　instance；　the　heat　and　cold；　etc。；　this　is　the　only　known　country　where　the　winds　are　subjugated。　I　have　never　been　in　your　world；　but　from　what　I　have　heard　of　it　I　am　not　anxious　to　see　it。　Your　atmosphere　and　climate　are　so　changeable　and　so　diverse　in　different　localities　that　I　have　heard　your　people　spend　much　of　their　time　in　seeking　congenial　climes。　I　think　it　was　a　man　who　came　from　London　that　claimed　he　once　had　a　cold'a　bad　cold；'　I　think　he　called　it。　It　was　a　standing　joke　in　the　royal　family　for　a　long　time；　and　he　heard　so　much　about　it　that　he　tried　to　deny　what　he　had　said！〃

Johnston　glanced　at　the　speaker　non…plussed；　but　the　captain　was　looking　at　Thorndyke。

〃Your　climate　is　delightful　here　now；〃　said　the　Englishman；　〃is　it　so　long　at　a　time？〃

〃Perpetually；　it　is　regulated　every　moment；　and　every　year　we　perfect　it　in　some　way。〃

〃Perfect　it？〃

〃Yes；　of　course；　why　not？　If　it　ever　fails　to　be　up　to　the　usual　high　standard；　it　is　owing　to　neglect　of　those　in　charge；　and　neglect　is　punished　severely。〃

Thorndyke's　eyes　sought　those　of　the　American　incredulously。　Seeing　which　Tradmos　looked　amused。

〃You　doubt　it；〃　he　smiled。　〃Well；　wait　till　you　have　been　here　longer。　The　fact　is；　any　one　born　in　our　climate　could　not　live　in　yours。　The　king　experimented　on　a　man　who　claimed　to　have　only　one　lung；　but　who　had　two　sound　ones　when　he　was　cut　open。　Well；　the　king　sent　him　to　China；　or　America；　or　some　such　place；　and　he　wheezed　himself　to　death　in　a　week　by　your　clocks。　The　weather　was　too　fickle　for　him。　Our　system　has　been　perfected　to　such　an　extent　that　we　live　four　lives　to　your　one；　and　our　fruits　and　vegetables　are　a　hundred　per　cent。　better　than　those　in　other　countries。〃

〃What　is　the　name　of　your　country？〃　asked　Thorndyke；　feeling　that　he　was　not　losing　anything　by　his　boldness。

〃Alpha。〃

〃Where　is　it　located？〃

〃I　don't　know。〃　Tradmos　looked　out　at　the　window　for　a　moment　as　if　to　ascertain　that　they　were　going　in　the　right　direction；　then　he　fixed　his　dark　eyes　on　Thorndyke　and　asked　hesitatingly：

〃I　never　thoughtIbut　do　you　know　where　your　country　is　located？〃

〃Why；　certainly。〃

〃Well；　I　don't　know　where　this　one　is。　We　are　taught　everything；　I　think；　except　geography。〃　Nothing　more　was　said　for　several　minutes；　then　an　exclamation　of　admiration　broke　from　the　Englishman。　The　color　of　the　sunlight　was　changing。　From　east　to　west　within　the　entire　arc　of　their　observation　rolled　an　endless　billow　of　lavender　light　leaving　a　placid　sea　of　the　same　color　behind　it。　On　it　swept；　slowly　driving　back　the　pink　glow　that　had　been　over　everything。

〃I　see　you　like　our　sunlight？〃　said　Tradmos；　half　interrogatively。

〃Never　saw　anything　like　it　before。〃

〃Yours　is；　I　think；　the　same　color　all　day　long。〃

〃Except　on　rainy　days。〃

〃Must　be　a　great　bore；　monotonoustoo　much　sameness。　It　is　white；　is　it　not？〃

〃Yes；　ratherbetween　white　and　yellow；　I　call　it。〃

〃Something　like　our　sixth　hour；　I　suppose；　this　is　the　fourth　hour　of　morning。　Then　come　blue；　yellow；　green；　and　at　noon　red。　The　afternoon　is　divided　up　in　the　same　way。　The　first　hour　is　green；　then　follow　yellow；　blue；　lavender；　rose；　gray　and　purple。　Yes；　I　should　think　you　would　find　yours　somewhat　tiresome。〃

〃We　can　rely　on　it；〃　said　Johnston　speaking　for　the　first　time　and　in　a　wavering　voice；　〃it　is　always　there。〃

〃Doing　business　at　the　old　stand；〃　laughed　Thorndyke；　attempting　an　Americanism。

〃Well；　that　is　a　comfort；　anyway；〃　said　the　captain　seriously。　〃In　my　time　they　have　had　no　solar　trouble；　but　some　of　the　old　people　tell　horrible　tales　of　a　period　when　our　sun　for　several　days　did　not　shine　at　all。〃

〃Can　it　be　possible？〃　said　the　Englishman　dubiously。

〃Oh；　yes；　and　the　early　settlers　had　a　great　deal　of　trouble　in　different　ways；　but　I　am　not　at　liberty　to　give　you　information　on　that　head。　It　is　the　king's　special　pleasure　to　have　new…comers　form　their　own　impressions；　and　he　is　particularly　fond　of　noting　their　surprise；　and；　above　all；　their　approval。　People　usually　come　here　of　their　own　accord　through　the　influence　of　our　secret　force　of　agents　all　over　the　earth；　but　you　were　brought　because　you　happened　to　drop　on　our　island　and　would　have　found　out　too　much　for　our　good；　and　that　red　light　you　kept　burning　night　and　day　might　have　given　us　trouble。　There　is　no　telling　how　long　you　could　have　kept　alive　on　those　clams。〃

〃We　meant　no　offence；〃　apologized　Thorndyke；　〃we〃

〃Oh；　I　know　it；　I　was　only　explaining　the　situation；〃　interrupted　the　officer。

〃What　is　that　bright　spot　to　the　right？〃　asked　Thorndyke；　to　change　the　subject。

〃The　king's　palace；　that　is　the　dome。　We　shall　soon　be　there。　Now；　I　must　not　talk　to　you　any　longer。　Somebody　may　be　watching　us　with　glasses。　I　have　taken　a　liking　to　you；　and　some　time；　when　I　get　the　opportunity；　I　shall　give　you　some　useful　advice；　but　I　must　treat　you　very　formally；　at　least　till　you　have　had　audience　with　the　king。〃

〃Thank　you；〃　said　the　Englishman；　and　Tradmos　stood　up　in　the　car　to　watch　their　progress　through　the　circular　glass　of　a　little　cupola　on　top。　Thorndyke　smiled　at　Johnston；　but　the　American　was　in　no　pleasant　mood。　The　indifference　with　which　Tradmos　had　treated　him　had　nettled　him。

The　machine　was　now　slowly　descending。　A　vast　pile　of　white　marble；　with　many　golden　domes　and　spires；　rose　between　them　and　the　earth　below。

〃To　the　balcony　on　the　central　dome；〃　ordered　Tradmos　through　the　window　of　the　driver's　compartment；　and　the　adventurers　felt　the　car　sweep　round　in　a　curve　that　threw　them　against　each　other；　and　the　next　moment　they　had　landed　on　a　wide　iron　balcony　encircling　a　great　golden　cone　that　towered　hundreds　of　feet　above　them。



Chapter　V。

〃Follow　me；〃　said　the　captain　stiffly；　for　there　were　several　guards　in　white　and　gold　uniforms　pacing　to　and　fro　on　the　battlement…like　walls。　He　led　the　two　adventurers　through　a　door　in　the　base　of　the　dome。　At　first　they　were　dazed　by　a　brilliant　light　from　above；　and　looking　up　they　beheld　a　marvel　of　kaleidoscopic　colors　formed　by　a　myriad　of　electric…lighted　prisms　sloping　gradually　from　the　floor　to　the　apex　of　the　dome。　Thorndyke　could　compare　it　to　nothing　but　a　stupendous　diamond；　the　very　heart　of　which　the　eye　penetrated。

〃Don't　look　at　it　now；〃　advised　Tradmos；　in　an　undertone；　〃it　was　constructed　to　be　seen　from　below；　and　to　light　the　great　rotunda。〃

Mutely　the　captives　obeyed。　At　every　turn　they　were　greeted　with　a　new　wonder。　The　captain　now　led　them　round　a　narrow　balcony　on　the　inside　of　the　vast　dome；　and；　looking　over　the　railing　down　below；　they　saw　a　vast　tessellated　pavement　made　of　polished　stones　of　various　and　brilliant　colors　and　so　artistically　arranged　that；　from　where　they　stood；　lifelike　pictures　of　landscapes　seemed　to　rise　to　meet　the　vision　wherever　the　eye　rested。　Statues　of　white　marble；　gold　and　bronze　were　placed　here　and　there；　and；　in　squares　of　living　green；　fountains　threw　up　streams　of　crystal　water。　Tradmos　paused　for　them　to　look　down　and　smiled　at　their　evident　admiration。

〃How　far　is　it　down　there？〃　Thorndyke　ventured　to　ask。

〃Over　a　thousand　feet；〃　replied　Tradmos。　〃Look　across　opposite　and　you　will　see　that　there　are　fifty　floors　beneath　us；　and　each　floor　has　a　balcony　like　this　overlooking　the　court。〃

〃What　is　the　sound　that　comes　up　from　below？〃　asked　the　Englishman。

〃It　is　the　voices　of　the　people　and　their　footsteps　on　the　stone。〃

〃What　people？〃

〃Don't　you　see　them？　Your　eyes　are　dazzled　by　the　light；　I　ought　to　have