tongue and manifested a becomingly meek disposition, he accepted me as a
deformed creature afflicted with a mild form of lunacy. Then he
proceeded to examine my clothing and especially my knees, trying to
solve by what freak of nature I was cursed since I had no lower arms
such as he had. My small face, smooth forehead, and the short straight
hair on my head aroused in him no little wonder and merriment, so that,
all in all, I was the oddest freak he had ever seen. He soon showed by
his manner how thankful he was that gracious nature had formed him so
much more kindly than me.

His questions soon poured out upon me and I answered as briefly and
intelligently as I could. He pressed me so hard as to the place of my
birth that I finally informed him that I came from another world,
whereat he was assured of my insanity and proceeded to fasten me by
force until he might summon certain of his friends. Knowing that all the
people of Mars could do me no ultimate harm and wishing to see what
might be their intentions, I offered very feeble resistance to his
course.

In a very short time there was grouped around me a curious set of
people, all of whom seemed to me so horribly ugly that I felt well
satisfied that I had been born on the Earth. Among the company were some
eminent scholars who did no more than peer at one another and walk about
me, while they were waiting for some learned professors to arrive from a
distance. A long, tedious period ensued ere the company of judges or
examiners were gathered from several adjoining highlands.

They took me into a large room where followed an indescribable
examination during which I purposely remained silent.