Time Travel Omnibus, page 114
I looked in the direction he pointed out and saw a small detachment of soldiers, headed by an officer, deploy upon the plateau near the tails, and march towards us.
When they came near enough, however, to get a good view of us they came to a full stop. Consternation, wonder, even fear, was plainly written upon their faces. Some of them, indeed, turned as if to fly. I would not have been in the least surprised to have seen the entire company turn tail; for we, no doubt, cut an awesome figure clad, as we were, in our glittering suits of wire and seated upon chairs that rested apparently upon nothing more substantial than air.
To augment this emotion, Brown touched off a couple of roaring rockets; but before this act could bring on a complete state of panic, he spoke to them, sharply, through the megaphone. They seemed to understand him, for they advanced to a designated spot and came to a halt.
I noticed that the men were fine-looking specimens of humanity, somewhat above the medium height and of a decidedly Oriental cast of features. All were armed with short swords and long shields, and carried spears of the casting variety. I saw none who carried bow or arrow.
The leader of the band now stepped forward and spoke a strange language which Brown seemed to understand; since he translated it for my benefit.
“Oh! men of the air, whence do you come to this city of Atalia? Are you gods or men?”
Assuming his best state manners, Brown replied: “We are gods, who under the guise of flesh, have come to visit this, our dominion, for a brief while. Bear our commands to those in authority, that they be prepared to receive us as becomes our exalted station. Dispatch a swift messenger for that purpose, and arrange to convey us thither at once.”
We, thereupon, descended our ladder on the far side of the shelter. This act gave the general appearance of a magical vanishing which, combined with my attempt to get a kodak picture when we again mysteriously appeared in view, almost broke up the conference. The dumbfounded natives started to flee in a panic.
Brown shouted sharply: “Halt! The first man who runs—dies!”
Instantly the entire squad threw themselves, face downward, on the ground as a token of submission.
“Arise,” ordered Brown, “and do our bidding. We have no time for delay.”
Brought to their feet again by this crisp command they formed, once more, into line and led us by a devious trail beneath the water-fall, and thence down to the highway that ran towards the great city. There they produced a sort of palanquin, borne upon the shoulders of four stout carriers, and hurried onward through a constantly-increasing crowd of curious inhabitants.
About two hours of this mode of travel brought us into the city; and in front of the portals of the imposing edifice we had first noticed from the cliff. Just what our reception would be within we were at a loss to conjecture. Much now depended on how well we carried out our bluff. Any concerted opposition surely meant our undoing.
We did not have to remain long in suspense; for our officers immediately conducted us into the building, through a long avenue of magnificent columns, and so finally brought us into a large and beautiful council chamber. At one end of the room stood a splendid golden throne, not as yet occupied, while rows of seats held a number of distinguished natives clothed in robes of bright-colored cloth. Evidently we were in the presence of the men who conducted the government of this strange land.
A Display of Power
I EXPECTED, of course, that we would await the arrival of the rightful occupant of the throne. Imagine my astonishment, then, when Brown advanced rapidly to that august seat and assumed the station, as his rightly-appointed place. At this bold action I rather expected a commotion among the assembled rulers. Indeed, a guard did attempt to lay a restraining hand upon Brown’s person, but recoiled with a wild cry of terror. He had, evidently, come into unpleasant contact with the charged suit. None of the others offered to interfere when I followed Brown to the throne.
Placing a shrill whistle to his lips, Brown commanded attention and spoke as follows: “Men of Atalia, I now assume control of the affairs of state. All of you must obey my instructions. Let every man stand before me, according to his degree and harken to my words. I speak in the name of the gods!”
As they arose to do his bidding, a small door near the throne opened and admitted a very old man crowned by a circle of gold. He walked forward and I saw, at a glance, that he was blind. Brown, however, ordered the man to stand before him with the rest, although he was evidently the king. After some hurried conversation, the order was obeyed.
Brown was certainly carrying things with a high hand, and I was aghast as I thought of the outcome should his hand be called. The very boldness of his attitude, though, seemed to impress the assembly. I did notice, however, one sullen-looking individual who seemed on the point of protest, and I quietly called Brown’s attention to him.
“Yes,” he answered, “we are playing a desperate game. One false move and we are undone. Cover that person with your automatic and if he makes the slightest show of disturbance—shoot to kill!” Addressing the council, he continued: “We come here as messengers of the high gods to examine the affairs of state and of men. While it is our pleasure to remain with you, let our material comfort be assured, our slightest commands, obeyed. Certain destruction will follow disobedience. Listen carefully to my instructions and see that they be promptly fulfilled.
“First: Let a guard be set around that place whereon we descended that none may enter thereon. Henceforth, it is sacred soil.
“Second: Let us present be conducted to a place of rest, and guards be provided that none may come to us save those we summon.
“Third: Let that man”—and Brown arose and pointed out the native to whose sullen face I had called his attention—“be immediately seized and confined for future judgment. I read his purposes, and they are not to the liking of the Gods.”
The individual thus publicly denounced, laughed cynically. “These strangers, claiming to be gods, are impostors,” he cried: “They make threats—let them prove themselves!”
Casting aside his short robe, he drew forth a hidden sword and, swinging this weapon fiercely, sprang towards us. He had taken only a couple of strides forward, however, when my automatic spurted a stream of crimson fire; and down he fell in a huddled heap upon the marble floor!
This sudden and spectacular ending of the first attempt at rebellion threw the balance of the leaders into a state of confusion bordering on terror. It must have appeared, to their untutored minds, that death proceeded from us by a mere crook of the finger. At any rate, they offered no further resistance, but began the carrying out of our instructions in an alert if somewhat cheerless manner.
The officer who had been our former guide was designated to lead us to an elegant apartment facing on the palace court. Brown gave him orders to bring us food and, thereafter, someone versed in the history of the nation that we might question him upon the conduct of affairs of state.
The result of this latter command, brought us a very aged but distinguished individual who was introduced as the official Keeper of the Archives. Brown questioned him closely regarding the history and political divisions of Atlantis; it was all intensely interesting, as Brown told it to me later.
It developed, from this conversation, that the continent of Atlantis covered a vast extent of territory; part of which was inhabited by natives of a low order of intelligence. The ruling class, whose capital city this was, had arrived centuries ago, conquered the inferior natives and, until recent years, held them in a state of secure vassalage. Rebellion, lately, had become so frequent that the rulers had been forced to concede certain freedom and rights of participation in the government to the lower class as a price for retention of power. It was one of their representatives whom I had slain in the council chamber and the Keeper warned us that some act of reprisal by his followers was likely should they come to lose their belief in our divinity. The Keeper eyed us rather inquiringly as he spoke.
Much advancement had been made by the nation since the days of the first pioneers. The soil had become cultivated to a high degree, many fine buildings had been erected, and the population had grown from a few thousand to several millions. Yet, because of the immense area, most of the country was still unsettled. Also, many active volcanoes rendered the work of empire-building a difficult task. On numerous occasions, the efforts of decades had been made in vain because of the destruction wrought by these ‘fire-mountains’.
This volcanic activity was, of course, assigned to evil spirits and a system of religion based on this phenomena had sprung into existence. It, also, accounted for the huge success of our pyrotechnic exhibition on the cliffs.
Of the higher sciences, we speedily discovered, these natives were ignorant; and they presented a curious composite picture of progress and ignorance that was almost humorous. In support of his statements, the Keeper produced many rare manuscripts written upon a sort of parchment in very odd characters. Some of these documents I intended to preserve and take with us on our return, with the most earnest hope of publishing them, together with some splendid pictures I had taken.
Among other matters, the Keeper spoke of the blindness of the king. Acting upon a sudden professional hunch, I suggested to Brown that we have the king brought in for an examination. Here was an excellent chance to impress, by an object lesson beyond dispute, our possession of supernatural powers upon any sceptics among the people.
Rebellion Lifts Its Head
WE, therefore, despatched the officer on that errand and, when the king arrived, a superficial glance at his eyes assured me that he was suffering from a case of simple cataract that could be quickly and easily removed. So I said to him through Brown: “O King, if so you desire I will give you back your sight. Thus, for a surety, will you know our kinship with the gods.” Needless to state, the king welcomed this offer; it was as music to his ears.
A hasty investigation of my kit had assured me that I was in possession of the necessary instruments for this operation, a case requiring considerable deftness skill but little preparation. So there, in the presence of but a few witnesses, and assisted only by Brown, I performed a surgical operation unparalleled in all the annals of medical science, removing the blindness of a man dead ten thousand years!
I laughed aloud when the job was finished, and we had bidden the king wait till the morrow for the removal of his bandages and the assurance of renewed sight. Could it be possible that I actually did what I seemed to do? I was on the point, indeed, of questioning my own sanity; and yet I also knew that no man whose nerves was not steady and sure could have done the delicate work I had just completed.
“Brown,” said I, “for the love of God, am I dreaming? Can this ridiculous, this impossible situation be real and true?”
My friend did not, however, take his usual attitude of levity towards this outcry of mine. Instead he replied gravely: “It is good, sometimes, to be shaken to the very core of our being. One clings too strongly to accepted and accustomed things. To be wrenched therefrom, is often painful but salutary.”
He turned to our attendants with a crisp command: “Order the palanquin and see that the streets are cleared of people. We will inspect the city immediately.”
Presently we began a very interesting and instructive tour of the great city. It was of symmetrical design, with many beautiful buildings ornamented by wonderful carvings. The river divided the city into equal parts; our officer in attendance, informed us that, whereas once the conquered races had been confined to the far side, they now were scattered over the entire city. Also, that they were of a moody and vindictive nature; especially so since the death of one of their leaders at my august hands.
This sentiment became plainly evident as we progressed. We noticed, at the windows of the building, angry and sullen faces. Because of the soldiers who patrolled the streets, however, no attempt at overt acts was made.
Even Brown was somewhat shaken: “We will get us back to our shelter no later than tomorrow. A million to one is too heavy odds.”
The remainder of our tour we cut short because of this threatened attitude; but in the brief time we spent, we saw enough to convince us of the extent and high cultural development of this ancient people. It was certainly a marvelous education, and I speculated much on what might have been the present condition of modern civilization had this vanished race lived to hand down to posterity some of their early accomplishments.
Brown evidently had an eye to possible emergencies; for the first thing he did, when we again arrived at the palace, was to place several mysterious cans in the courtyard near our apartment. These cans he connected by a fine wire and the wire to a small battery in our room. “Now,” he exclaimed, “I feel safer. Any hostile visit from the natives of this city will surely meet with warm reception. I trust, however, we will not be called upon to use this form of welcome.”
His hope, however, was not realized; for we were aroused at midnight by an ominous uproar on the outside. Even our attendants were terrified and urged us to flee to more secure quarters. “The mob,” said they, “have forced the outer guard and will be upon us in a moment.”
“Not so,” coolly answered Brown: “Immortals do not fly in the face of threats. They act!”
We arose and walked out upon the balcony. The court-yard was filled with a mass of infuriated natives armed with a variety of weapons. They immediately descried us, outlined by the flaming torches they carried, and rushed towards the window, leaping and shouting fiercely.
“Begone,” Brown commanded: “In the name of the offended gods, I bid you, instantly, to disperse!”
But, as the mob paid scant attention to this order, and pressed forward to hurl missiles of various kinds at us, we deemed it to be the better part of valor to beat a hasty retreat.
“Not so good a showing for gods,” said my companion: “But, joking aside, this is getting altogether too warm for my liking. So, here goes!”
Forthwith he pressed the switch of the battery. Instantly the semi-darkness of the palace-yard was lit up by a lurid gleam, followed by deafening reports, a confused medley of human sounds, and silence. When next we stepped upon the balcony, we saw only the dead; the raging mob had fled, leaving behind only the victims of their own impotent fury. Even our personal attendants had departed in a panic; so that we spent the balance of the night in peace. Great had been the triumph of science over brute force!
Early, next morning, we despatched our officer to summon the rulers into another conference. Here, seated again upon the king’s throne, Brown spoke rather sharply of the state of affairs. Said he: “Men of Atalia, we go to our realm of the gods to make report. In some respects we are not overly pleased. Many have conspired to make our stay unpleasant; indeed, have even threatened our august persons. As for these, I bid them beware! The gods know full well how to protect their servants.
“Others, however, have rendered us faithful and obedient service. Among these are the King, his officer, and the Keeper of the Records. Upon the latter I, now, confer a ring; it shall be an order of merit that forever entitles him to sit upon the right hand of the king. To the king, himself, I have given new vision. Let him be summoned to this station.”
When this command was accomplished, I removed the bandages that covered his eyes. With a cry of delight he knelt at our feet. He now could faintly distinguish the light of day after years of total darkness. A murmur of astonishment ran through the assembled leaders; here was a testimony of our supernatural powers that none could deny.
“If this faithful officer,” Brown continued, “desire to venture further with us, I will conduct him even into the realm of the gods, themselves!”
That officer fell on his knees before us: “Oh, servants of the most high, I do accept this great boon. I leave none behind to mourn me here.”
“Good,” exclaimed Brown: “Prepare then to go thither at once.” Turning to the king, he continued, “You, we command only to furnish us with a safe escort again to our place of arrival. See to it that there is no miscarriage of these orders, or such calamities shall be visited upon this land as may never be forgotten—no, never!”
But for the very real dangers of our present situation, I could scarcely compose my merriment at the heroic words and attitude of Brown. Still there was something prophetic about them too, as I well knew—looking, as I did, down the path of time.
The king, however, was much impressed with them, as well as filled with gratitude for the boon of his restored sight, steadily growing more acute. So he gave the necessary orders to his palace soldiers to carry us forth, and placed our officer in command of them. This was all well so far; but I trembled when I remembered the temper of the mob of the lower citizens. Had the guard sufficient strength to see us safely through?
While waiting for our escort to arrange the journey, I took one last survey of the unique assembly.
It was certainly a spectacle to be cherished in the memory—this conclave of the dignity and splendor of an ancient state, a state to be presently blotted out of existence—the rulers of a vast continent that once stretched across the great Atlantic Ocean, but now is nothing but a tradition.
At last our escort gave the command to march, and we passed out into the street. One glance at the mass of people thereon, renewed all my misgivings. They had gathered about the palace gate in thousands and on the whole they had an ugly look. They even sought to rush our escort; but these, under the orders of our gallant officer, formed in a solid square and forced the mob back with so determined an air that we won our way out of the city with no great difficulty. Nor did we encounter any real resistance until we came to that narrow mountain trail that led to the high plateau. Here, however, the escort came to an abrupt halt. The enemy had seized the pass from the soldiers that had been set to guard it, and had erected a barricade of stone and timbers across the path. Unless we forced that obstacle promptly, we were lost; for the balance of the mob pressed us closely in the rear.
