I had always supposed that all traces of the original races had
disappeared from the face of Mars, yet within the past four days
I had found both whites and blacks in great multitudes. Could it
be possible that in some far-off corner of the planet there still
existed a remnant of the ancient race of yellow men?
My reveries were broken in upon by a low exclamation from the boy.
"At last, the lighted way," he cried, and looking up I beheld at
a long distance before us a dim radiance.
As we advanced the light increased until presently we emerged into
well-lighted passageways. From then on our progress was rapid
until we came suddenly to the end of a corridor that let directly
upon the ledge surrounding the pool of the submarine.
The craft lay at her moorings with uncovered hatch. Raising his
finger to his lips and then tapping his sword in a significant
manner, the youth crept noiselessly toward the vessel. I was close
at his heels.
Silently we dropped to the deserted deck, and on hands and knees
crawled toward the hatchway. A stealthy glance below revealed no
guard in sight, and so with the quickness and the soundlessness
of cats we dropped together into the main cabin of the submarine.
Even here was no sign of life. Quickly we covered and secured the
hatch.
Then the boy stepped into the pilot house, touched a button and
the boat sank amid swirling waters toward the bottom of the shaft.
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