BY GARRETT P.rSERVl5s
COPYRIGHT, I69&BY GARRETT P.SEfWlJl
It had been prearranged that the first
discharge from the flagship should be a
signal for the concentration of the fire
of all the other ships upon the same
spot.
A little hesitation, however, occurred
and half a minute had elapsed before
the disintegrators from the other mem
bers of the squadron were got into play.
Then suddenly we saw an immense
commotion in the cloud beneath ua. It
seemed to be beaten and hurled in every
direction and punctured like a sieve
with nearly 100 great, circular holes.
Through these gaps we could see clearly
a large region of the planet's surface,
with many airships floating above it
and the blaze of innumerable electrio
lights illuminating it. The Martians
had created an artificial day under the
curtain.
This time there was no question that
the blow had been effective. Four or
five of the airships, partially destroyed,
tumbled headlong toward the ground,
while even from our great distance there
was unmistakable evidence that fearful
exeontion had been done among the
crowded structures along the shore of
the lake.
As each of our ships possessed but one
of the new disintegrators, and since a
minute or so was required to adjust
them for a fresh discharge, we remained
for a little while inactive after deliver
ing the blow. Meanwhile the cloud our
tain, though rent to shreds by the con
centrated discharge of the disintegra
tors, quickly became a uniform black
sheet again, hiding everything.
We bad just had time to congratulate
ourselves on the successful opening of
our bombardment, and the disintegrator
of the flagship was poised for another
discharge, when suddenly out of the
black expanse beneath quivered im
mense electrio beams, clear cut and
straight as bars of steel, but dazzling
our eyes with unendurable brilliance,
'It Was the reply of the Martians to
our attack.
Three or four of the electrical ships
were seriously damaged, and one, close
beside the flagship, changed oolor, with
ered and collapsed with the same sick
ening phenomena that had made our
hearts shudder when the first disaster
of this kind ocourred during our brief
battle over the asteroid.
Another score of our comrades were
gone, and yet we had hardly begun the
fight.
Glancing at the other ships which had
been injured, I saw that the damage to
them was not 30 serious, although they
were evidently hors de combat' for the
present
Our fighting blood was now boiling,
and we did not stop long to count our
losses. ,
"Into the smoke I" was the signal,
and the 90 and more electrio ships
which still remained in condition for
action immediately shot downward.
It was a wild plunge. We kept off
the decks while rushing through the
blinding smoke, but the instant we
emerged below, where we found our
selves still a mile above the ground, we
were out again, ready to strike.
I have simply a confused recollection
of flashing lights beneath and a great,
dark arch of olouda above, out of whioh
our ships seemed dropping on all sides,
and then the fray burst upon and around
ua, and no man could see or notice any
thing except by half comprehended
glances.
Almost in an instant, it seemed,
swarm of airships surrounded us, while
from what for lack of a mpre descrip
,tive name I shall call the forts about
the Lake of the Sun leaped tongues of
(electrio fire, before which some of our
hips were driven like bits of flaming
taper in a high wind,' gleaming for a
jmoment, then curling up and gone for-
- fever.". '
It was an awful sight, but the battle
fever was raging in us, and we, on our
jpart, were not idle.
j Every man carried a disintegrator,
and these hand instruments, together
with those of heavier caliber on the
ships, poured their resistless vibrations
in every direction through the quiver-
ing air.'H" ., :''!'". ' v ;.".'
i The airships of the Martians were de
stroyed by the score, but yet they flock
ed upon us thicker, and frfster. ;
We dropped lower and our blows fell
icpon the forts and upon the widespread
city bordering the Lake of the Sun. We
almost entirely silenced- the fire of one
of the forts, but there were 40 more in
full action within reach of our eyes.
Some of the metallio buildings were
rrtiv unroofed bv the disintegrators
ana some naa their walls 'riddled; and
fell with thundering crashes, whose
sound rose to our ears above the hellish
din of battle. I caught glimpses of giant
forms struggling in the ruins and rush
ing wildly through the streets, but
there was no time to see anything
clearly.
Our flagship 6eemed charmed. A
crowd of airships hung upon it like a
swarm of angry bees, and at times one
oould not see for the lightning Btrokes,
yet we escaped destruction, while our
selves dealing death on every hand
It was a glorious fight, but it was not
war; no, it' was not war. We really had
no more chance of ultimate success
amid that multitude of enemies than a
prisoner running the gantlet in a crowd
of savages baa of escape.
A oonviotion of the hopelossnoss of
the contest finally forced itself upon our
minds, and the shattered squadron,
which had kept well together amid the
storm of death, was signaled to retreat.
Shaking off their pursuers as a hunted
bear shakes off the dogs, 60 of the eleo
trical ships rose up through the clouds
where more than 90 had gone down !
Madly we rushed upward through the
vast curtain and continued our flight to
a great elevation, lar oeyona trie reacn
of the awful artillery of the enemy.
Looking back, it seemed the very
month of hell that we had escaped from
The Martians did not for an instant
cease their fire even when we were far
beyond their reach. With furious per
sistence they blazed away , through the
cloud curtains, and the vivid spikes of
lightning shuddered so swiftly on one
another's track that they were like a
flaming halo of electrio lances around
the frowning helmet of the war planet
But after awhile they stopped their
terrifio sparring, and once more the im
mense globe assumed the appearance of
a vast ball of black smoke, still wildly
agitatecTEy the recent disturbance, but
exhibiting no opening through whioh
we oould discern what was going on be
neath.
Evidently the Martians believed they
had finished us.
At no time since the beginning of our
adventure had it appeared to me quite
so hopeless, reckless and mad aa it seem
ed at present.
We had suffered fearful losses, and yet
what had we accomplished? We had
won two ngnts on tne asteroid, it 1a
true, but then we had overwhelming
numbers on our side.
Now we were facing millions on their
own ground, and our very first assault
had resulted in a disastrous repulse,
with the loss of at least 80 electrio ships
and 600 men I
Evidently we could not endure this
sort of thing. We must find some other
means of assailing Mars, or else give up
the attempt
But the latter was not to be thought
of. It was no mere question of self
pride, however, and no consideration of
the tremendous interests at stake,
which would compel ua to continue our
apparently vain attempt
to be continued.
Don't Go Hungry!
In connection with my Oyster
business I. have opened a
First-Class Restaurant,
and will serve meals at 25 cents.
Yours to please,
J. T. SKINNER.
Opp. Bank of Kinston.
The Northwest Indian and HI Wjr.
The Indian of the plains is afar more
picturesque individual than his brother
or cousin of the coast He does hot erect
totem poles and has no timber for the
purpose if so inclined, but he is suffi
ciently spectacular himself without re
sorting to grotesque carvings and paint'
edwood. His saddle, with its leather
hangings and wooden stirrups, is in
itself a remarkable aggregation, and
when set off with his goods and chat
tels tied in bags, rags, strings and
straps, the effect is remarkable. He
wears the cast off garments of his white
brother in uch original combinations
that he looks like the personification of
a secondhand store. Sometimes the
adoption of a pair of guernseys as an
external covering gives him quite an
athletio appearance. He wears his hair
in Gertrude braids, and prefers ear
rings about the size of half dollar coins.
A mosquito net or handkerchief is his
favorite head covering, and if he as
sumes a hat it is as an additional and
purely ornamental appendage. Detroit
Jnree Press. -, -
" Loto In Early Days. ,
"Yes," said Adam to Eve as the twi
light drew about the aged couple, sof
tening their lineaments to a semblance
of youth, "how well I remembewthe
day we met! You wore a diffident
:r" : - -:. ;;
That was all. Indianapolis Journal.
Dogs kept exclusively for guiding
blind persons or for tending sheep or
cattle on a farm or J by shepherds are
exempt from taxation in Great Britain.
It only takes a woman five minutes
to clean up a man's desk so that it will
take him two weeks to find anything he
wants. Exchange.
Kinston Academy
will open October 5, 1898.
The building will contain six rooms,
arranged and furnished with new pat
ent desks.
Thorough and progressive work will
be our aim.
Competent and efficient Instructors
will be employed.
Tuition at moderate rates.
L. C. I3ROGDEN, Prin.,
KINSTON, N. C
A. R. MILLER'S
Space.
Look Out !
Kinston, N. C, Sept. 20, 1898.
WILMINGTON AND WELDON RAILROAD
IONDICNSED SCHEDULE.
TRAINS GOUTQ SOUTH.
DATED ofSjj - . - .
Sept. 13th, 1898. S 3
ZQ gQao jgQ ftp
A M. P. M. P. M. A. M. P. M.
Leave Weldon... n 60 943
Ar. Rocky Alt.. . . 12 66 10 86 ...... .... . .....
Leave Tarboro... 1321 6 00.....
Lv. Rocky Mt.... 100 1086 6 45 S40 IS 63
Leave Wilson.... 168 1113 7 19 622 8 20
Leave Selma..... 265 1168
Lv. Payettevllle. 42S 107
Ar. Florence.... 725 815
P 2 A. U
Ar, Goldsboro. 8 00 ...,
Lv. Ooldsboro 701 8 66
Lv. Magnolia. 805 4 1?
Ar. Wilmington 930 140
P M. A M. P 1C
TRAINS GOING NORTH.
gfs s'h sSk
Q SSftgo aQ Q fcft
A. JC. ' P. M. .
Lv. Florence .... 8 45 ...... 8 35
Lv. Fayettevllle. 11 10 .. ... 1035
Leave Selma 12 35 ...... 1144 ...
Arrive Wilson... 1 17 ...... 1219 .. ... ......
A K. P X A M
Lv. Wilmington. 715 9 86
Lv. Magnolia ... 865 1101
Lv. Goldsboro. .6 00 ...... 1010 1203
P. M. A. X P. M. P M.
Leave Wilson .... - 17 6 38 12 19 1115 12 49
Ar. Rocky Mt... 212 6 16 1267 1167 180
Arrive Trboro.. ...... 6 45...... ...... ......
Leave Tarboro... 12 21
Lv. Rocky Mt... 212 ...... U67 ...... .....
Ar. Weldon...... 3 25 148..
P. M. A. M. P. M.r
Train on the Kinston Branch Road leaves
Weldon 4:15 D. m.. Halifax 430 o. m.. arrives
Scotland Neck at 620 p. m., Greenville 0:57 p.
m., Kinston 7:55 p. m. Returning leaves Kins
ton 7:50 a. m., Greenville 853 a. m., arriving
Halifax at 11:18 a. m.. Weldon Ilia a. m.. daily
except Sunday. -
H. M. EMERSON. Genl Pass. AsrenO
3. R. KENLY, Gem Manager.
ESIEBSON, TraGlo Manager
E. F. Cox, Pres. W. C. FIELDS, V.-rres
K. Strong, Cashier.
I IK OF KIM.
Commenced Business JVlareh 1, 1897.
Established upon a rock foundation--the
confidence of the people.
Depositors absolutely protected the
officers are bonded and full insurance
against safe robbers.
Accounts with fanners, merchants,
dealers in leaf tobacco and others solic
ited. A nicely furnished private room, witn
stationery free, for the use and conveni
ence of our friends. Come and see us.
Board of Directors:- B. W. Can
ady, W. C. Fields, T. W. Mewborn, E.
F. Cox, J. VV. Grainger, J. E. Mood, W.
B. Isler, lv. Harvey, V. L. Kennedy, D.
V. Dixon. S. II. Abbott.
No Longer Any Excuse.
$33 pays all cost five months (in clubs)
and $50 (boarding rates English
course at
ttRBMON HIGH SCHOOL.
Thorough preparation for college or
for life's work. Special advantages in
music, tall term begins hep . 5, 1090
For particulars apply to
W. II. RHODES, Prin.,
TRENTON, N. C
THH
Keeley Institute,
For the Cure of the
Lipr, Opium, Cocaine and Other Drug Addic
tions, tone Eibanstioa aid ToDarco Habit.
This is the only Keeley Institute in
North Carolina, and owing to its beauti
ful and healthy location, its elegant
buildings and attractive environments,
its well supplied table and skillful man
agement, it presents to the unfortunate
a perfect home for rest and complete
restoration.
If you have a friend afflicted with any
of the above addictions, write for their
illustrated hand-book, entitled "Thk
New Man." Address
Greensboro, N. C.
Atlantic & N. C. Railroad.
TIME TABLE No. 0.
Eastbound.
X) 05
3 a
En bo
a a
AM
1 10
7 43
806
8 26
614
28
10 45
10 40
11 15
11 81
12 05
P.M.
A.M.
710
743
8 OK
8 26
914
0 28
1015
1C40
11 15
1131
130
12
2 20
243
312
325
8 31
351
4(1
P.M.
P.M.
8 40
400
4 09;
4 20
4 32
4 41
4 50
5 02
514
520
6 45
610
613
6 25
638
6 44
6 49
702
110
P.M.
STATIONS.
..Goldsboro..
Best's. . . .
. . LaGrange..
Falling Creek
...Kinston. . .
...Caswell...,
.... Dover.
.Core Creek..
..TuBcaroia...
....Newborn...
...Riverdale...
...Croatan ....
..Havelock....
. . . Newport . . .
.. Wildwood...
... At.lant.1n
Mnrehnail mtir
Morenead City!
Westbound
fee
eg
33
A.M.
1105
1048
1032
10 22
10 1
10 00
940
9 30
9 22
8 57
8 33
8 29
8 20
06
7 59
7 55
7 42
725
& M.
813
7 at
7
6 83
6 13
518
420
4 00
3 88
8 20
10 47
1010
10 00
9 40
9 06
8 47
8 8H
8 15
7 80
L.M.
Si
s
as
2
P.M.
253
213
1 43
113
12 53
1158
1140
10 40
10 18
10 00
930
A.M.
tDally except Sunday.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
JTuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
8. L. DILL, Superintendent.
Southern
TfeilA&?.
Tbe Standard Railway of toe SOUTH.
Th DiP4t Liin to All Point.
TEXA4
CALIFORNIA,
FLORIDA,
CUBA and
PORTO RICO.
Strictly FIRST-CLASS Equipment on
all Through and Local Trains; Pullman
Palace Sleeping Cars on all Night Trains;
Fast and Safe Schedules.
Travel by the SOUTHERN and you ar assure
Safe, Comfortable and Expeditious Journey.
Apply to ticket agents for time tables, rates an
general lnionnauon, ur auurvas
It. L. Vernoa, T. P. A. F. . Darby, C. P.4T. A.
Charlotte, N. C. Ashevllle, N. C. :
So Trouble to Answer Questions.
FRANK 8. GANNON, J. M. IULP,
3d V. P. A Gen. Man. Iran. Man.
W. A. TTRK, G. P. A.
WASHINGTON, 13. C.
PRINTING?
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BILL HEADS,
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POSTER&t-or what?
We print everything from a Card to a
Newspaper. Print it well and
quick. Cheap too,
THE FREE PRESS,
1
Kinston, N. C I