siege, and so I started to make my way to the surface by a well-known
path. The trouble did not continue as I feared, but I kept on, fortunately
for you as well as for myself, and found the outside world too
uncomfortable a place for any of us to remain in longer than necessary."

This halting prose represents the meaning of what Mona said, but it gives
a feeble idea of the beauty of her poetic expressions, chanted in
melodious phrase and in ever-changing, ever-joyous tune.

We replied by explaining to her what had happened to her disjointed world,
expressing our gratitude also for her kindness in bringing us to her
sheltered home.




CHAPTER V.

OUR INTRODUCTION TO MARS.


Ever since the doctor had been inside of the moon he had not ceased to
regret that we had left all our goods in the car of our balloon. He
mourned the loss of the instruments and other apparatus which had cost him
so much care, and then there were our official papers. Our introduction to
Mona had been rather too informal, and we thought we might stand better
with her if we could show her our credentials, though, to be sure, she
could not read them.

Several times the doctor proposed to me that we should go out and bring in