CHAPTER IV
_Morquil's Story_
For a long time there was silence, then Mrs. Jones fainted. McCarthytook it without flinching, and his wife was satisfied if he was. Dickhad suspected something almost as strange, and did not seem surprised.Dolores looked at him for guidance. He nodded reassuringly. The othersshut their lips tight, feeling that they had been taken prisoner withouthope of escape.
After a pause, Morquil continued. Mrs. Jones had recovered her composureand was staring at him with undisguised dislike. "I'm sorry it had tohappen this way, but I would not have been able to take sufficientpeople if you had known where we were going. Some of you might havecome, but I treated every one alike.
"I also was unconscious from the gas, but the crew revived me. I had tolook after the loading of the supplies, and have the cabins prepared foryou. It was much nicer that way than if you had resisted, and were puton board by force.
"I shall start at the beginning of my story, and let you judge foryourselves as to whether we have done wrong.
"The existence of my world depends on the perfect operation of machines.Even our atmosphere is manufactured and kept at proper temperaturewithin sealed domes, to protect us from the natural gases of the planet.We live on this planet through necessity--_not desire_!
"Our race landed there very long ago after escaping from a planet thatwas falling into the sun. Their space ship ran short of fuel within thegravity pull of our present habitation. It was difficult, but theysucceeded in constructing gas-proof shelters, and slowly improvedconditions for living.
"We never knew what happened to the other space ships from our originalplanet, but they may be distributed throughout the universe. Your _own_ancestors may be of the same origin as ours. The similarity of our formstends to prove it.
"Eventually metal domes were built, and the race prospered within. Butour lives depend on their being kept in perfect repair. Machines werebuilt which do practically all of the work in caring for our wants, andfrom the first we have adjusted our own gravity; to live normally underthe gigantic pull of the new planet, which to you is Jupiter.
"Through the ages our lives became easier, and required less manualwork. Machinery did everything we desired. Most of them wereautomatically repaired and serviced, while the permanent machines ran onthrough the ages without care. As generation after generation lived anddied, under these conditions, we lost most of our former knowledge.
"When one of the atmospheric machines ceased to operate--we _could notrepair it_! Instead, one of the other machines had to be speeded up, andthe atmosphere pumped into the extra dome.
"At the height of our mechanical development this space ship was built.Then the race lost interest and were content to live in ease, withoutattempting to reach another planet. Three generations ago our peoplediscovered the danger. Even our bodies had deteriorated until we _couldnot stand hard work_. The machines had begun to break down--we wereheaded for extinction!
"When I was a young man they succeeded in finishing the equipment onthis ship. Three generations had been required to create enough fuel foronly _two voyages_!
"I was selected as the man to explore the strange world, which we hadbeen studying with the instruments of our ancestors. We had determinedyour exact mechanical development, and knew that you were capable offurnishing the engineers which meant life or death to our race.
"It is twenty years since I was left on the small island, and the shipreturned to Jupiter. At that time we decided the date for this trip, tobring me back. In the meantime I traveled half way around the world in asmall metal boat, before being picked up by a tramp steamer, as I darednot land near any civilized country. After I reached a settlement I hadto learn your customs and language, and many other things about acompletely alien people.
"I was furnished with an ample supply of gold, as we knew it was themetal that you valued highest. This purchased many things that wouldotherwise have been impossible to obtain, and also brought me a greatdeal of trouble. I was robbed of most of the wealth before I had been incivilization a year. The fact that a great deal was left on the smallisland is all that made my venture possible.
* * * * *
"I spent three years in an institution before they decided that I was anormal human being, and could take care of myself. I dared not tell themthat I came from a different planet, or I would have failed in everyway. I learned many things about the people of your world, but mainlythat gold could buy almost anything.
"I lived for several years, by working at anything that I could obtain,trying to find someone who would finance an expedition to the island. Noone would believe me when I said that I knew of a great fortune in gold.I finally found a man who _did_ believe me, and he received one half ofthe gold as reward. It was not until then that I could begin the workthat I started out to do, and nearly ten years had passed.
"I planned for several years before I dared try to obtain the people Ineeded. I studied everything I could about your engineering, and foundthat it was not of the same type as our own. For this reason I did notwant a graduate engineer, as he would have to learn everything all overagain in my cities.
"When I advertised for men, and told you of the wonderful mechanicaldevelopment, it was the truth. I did mislead you to a small extent, inobtaining your promise to come with me, but the existence of my racedepended on your work. My people will give you anything you desire ifyou will help them.
"When we left our cities, we didn't know whether we could even escapefrom the planet in this ship. There was no opportunity of testing it,until we started on the journey. Even the men at the controls had neverhandled it. All of their knowledge was obtained by years of practice,sitting in a stationary ship.
"When they left me on the island and returned to the planet, they_hoped_ I could accomplish my purpose, but the chance of success waspitifully small.
"I have never enjoyed the comforts of other members of my race, but havespent my life in an alien universe, carrying around my big head; withoutfriends or companionship. The gravity within our enclosed cities islower than on your planet, making it easy for us to walk.
"After several years of study and planning, I knew there was only oneway of accomplishing what I went after. It is the way I have done it. Noone would have believed that I came from a strange planet; they wouldhave thought me out of my mind. If I _had_ persuaded them, I could havefound no recruits for the work, no matter what I offered. I _know_ howanyone feels about leaving their own planet, where they were born andbrought up.
"You will find that the machines need work badly. Some of them arerunning only because we use several times the normal power to turn them.Our mining machines have not worked for more than a generation, and themines remain idle. The metal supply is running short.
"The equipment which overcomes gravity, also furnishes us with power.When weights are lifted, with gravity almost eliminated, then allowed tosink with the full pull of Jupiter, it creates enormous amounts ofenergy for every use.
"It will be months before we reach our cities, and I hope that by thattime you will feel satisfied with your forced migration. To my race, itwas the only course which would avoid annihilation within a fewgenerations.
"At first it will seem terrible to be shut in beneath a metal cover. Butwhen you become accustomed to it, that feeling disappears. You dependjust as much on a ship at sea or a plane in the air, but never think ofit in the same way. We _must_ trust you, as we will not know whether youare repairing or destroying our machines until we see the results.
"You will be given complete power and can draw upon my people for all ofthe help you need. You will be even more powerful than the rulers of thedomes. My people decided that you deserved this position, long before weattempted to reach the earth and bring you back.
"I came to your country because the mechanical development is greaterthan in any other nation. You have greater love for engineering, andmore of you are employed that way.
"I h
ave told you everything about my home and my people, and leave it upto you as to the way you will act. We have only done what was necessaryfor the survival of our race, and hope that you will forgive us forstealing you from your own planet.
"You have complete freedom of the ship, to come and go as you please atany time. You are now considered part of our own population, and we bothhave the same interests. We hope you enjoy it."
* * * * *
For a moment Morquil gazed into the faces of the small gathering ofpeople, then slowly walked from the room. There was complete silence,broken occasionally by a sigh as some thought of home exerted itself. Anhour passed and they still had not moved. Each seemed to be waiting forone of the others to break the silence.
Finally Dick got to his feet. His words came slow, as if carefullyweighed before using; the others listened intently.
"I know what each of you must be thinking; because I've been thinkingthe same thoughts. We are all in the same boat, without chance ofleaving--headed for _Jupiter_! We have seen the last of the world wherewe were born. Either we take up our lives in this new existence, or dieout here in space--destroying Morquil's race as well as ourselves.
"He says they can not survive without our aid. Our own world did notneed us, or give us much for our efforts. If it had we would not be onthis strange space ship. Morquil hired only people who were willing toleave their homes and friends--and we _applied_ for the work. Therereally is not much that we can complain about.
"For one, I intend to do all that I can to make our future home thegreatest civilization in the universe. Perhaps in the future years itwill be possible for us to pay a short visit to our former planet.Perhaps our children will follow in our footsteps; enjoying greaterhonor, comfort, and luxury than they could possibly have had in our ownworld. I received little from my fellow men, and have _already_ receivedmore from Morquil than I ever had before."
As Dick sat down, John McCarthy's voice boomed out. "I'll follow Dick!He's the boss of this party, and if he's satisfied, I am. _Boy!_ We suredo go places when we get started!"
The general laugh broke the tension, and each one spoke after a littlehesitation. Each man slowly grasped the gigantic task that was facingthem, and felt honored as a result.
It was a new world, farther advanced than their former habitation--whichneeded _them_ to care for it. It was a big bite to chew--but they woulddo it!
Dick remained in his chair long after the others had gone to theircabins. His mind dwelled on the complete happiness and satisfaction thatlighted Morquil's face, when informed of their decision. In that momenthe was repaid for a lifetime in a strange world, amongst alien people.His return to Jupiter would be triumphal, with the earth people as hisfriends; come to save his race from extinction!
Barrow's mind wandered on, to the gigantic task that faced them. Hiswould be the greatest responsibility, as head of all the domes. Theother men would have a single city to care for. The thought of McCarthyas his assistant was comforting; he would be a great help.
The strange race of beings were putting every trust in theearthmen--putting themselves at the mercy of the seven strangers--andDick knew the men would _earn_ that faith!
He jumped when a hand touched his shoulder.
"Dick, won't you take your wife to her room--she feels sleepy!"