I was so utterly taken aback at this most unexpected greeting in my ownnative language by one who was apparently the chief inhabitant of thisother world that I found it very difficult to collect my thoughts andmake a suitable reply.
I know I stammered out something; but, really, the more I tried to speakcoherently the more confused I became. This was indeed a very badbeginning for a visitor from a distant world who wished to show to thebest advantage in such an august presence, and before such a greatassemblage of the people; but it is useless to attempt to conceal thetruth, however humiliating it may be. Observing my embarrassment,however, the high personage smiled upon me pleasantly and, after sayinga few reassuring words, he gave a signal to the two officials, so wemoved aside for John and M'Allister to approach him.
The people, who had remained perfectly silent during this interview--ifit can be dignified by that term--now burst out into a volume ofacclamation; but I must say that never upon our earth had I seen amultitude so orderly. Everything seemed to be arranged and carried outwith military precision, yet I saw no one with arms or weapons noranything indicating the presence of either military or police. A fewindividuals, indeed, seemed to be giving some directions; but whatevermovements were made by the people were accomplished without crowding,pushing, or jostling.
The Martians, too, evidently possessed fine artistic tastes and ideas,as well as excellent judgment for colour effects. Colour was apparent ingreat variety in the dresses of both sexes, yet nothing looked tawdry oroverdone; for the whole mass presented a perfect and harmonious blendingof tints; while the designs on the banners were most artistic andeffective, many of the devices being of an astronomical character.
Whilst I was thus engaged in observing the people, one of the officialsrespectfully saluted me and made a sign that I was to accompany him. Ibowed and turned in the direction he indicated, when he conducted me toone of the pavilions near the dais, motioned me to pass through thedoorway, then, gravely saluting again, turned and went away.
On entering I found the pavilion fairly large and chastely decorated,but it had only one occupant, who rose and saluted as I entered. He wasa splendidly built young man, with a radiant countenance, and when headvanced towards me with both hands outstretched, as the other highpersonage had done, I noticed the same peculiar soft and luminous glowin his eyes that I had observed in the other Martians.
As he took my hands within his, the young man looked straight into myeyes, his own beaming with pleasure: then said in English, "Welcome,sir, most welcome to Mars!"
As he stood gazing at me and I at him, something in his features struckme as being familiar. Where had I seen a face like that before? Thensuddenly my thoughts flew back to a long-buried past. Gracious heavens!I must be dreaming--it can never be! Still he gazed intently into myeyes, seeming to penetrate my very soul; then I saw his expressionchange into one of ineffable tenderness, and a beautiful smile rippledover his face.
All doubt was now at an end; this was indeed no dream, no hallucination.I had seen that face before--seen those features in a less glowing andglorified form than that in which they now shone upon me, and _I knewwhere I had seen them_!
Something, which I had vaguely imagined might just be within the boundsof possibility, was now proved to be not only possible, but anaccomplished fact.
Memories of the past rushed over me like swelling waves, and I seemedswept away by their surging billows. I gazed and gazed, in almostincredulous wonder, at that glorious being who stood there regarding mewith an expression of ineffable affection; and my heart seemed to meltwithin me as the re-awakened love for a long-lost form stirred everyfibre of my body and thrilled me through and through. Then, overwhelmedby the intensity of my emotions, I threw myself into his arms, cryingaloud, "Oh, Mark! my boy! my boy!"