PIONEERS OF SPACE

A Trip to the Moon, Mars and Venus

By PROFESSOR GEORGE ADAMSKI

FIRST EDITION, AUGUST 1949

COPYRIGHT, 1949, BY PROFESSOR GEORGE ADAMSKI

All rights reserved including the right to reproduce
this book or parts thereof in any form

[Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any
evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BY
LEONARD-FREEFIELD CO.
Los Angeles 12, California
PRINTERS
Chas. R. Romero, Proprietor

The author
dedicates this book
to the Goodwill of Man

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD

The purpose of this book is to clear, at least logically, some of the misconceptions which the people have been subjected to in various articles regarding our neighbors in space, using nothing but common sense analysis on the basis of constructive law. Up-to-date, everything that has been so far published has been based largely on the retarding or backward law and of a hostile nature.

Even in spite of himself in a lot of cases, man upon Earth is progressive. Being the product of nature, man could be taken as a good measuring stick for the vast universe within which he lives. Even though he makes many mistakes which are against himself, we still see nothing but steady progress by man on Earth, governed largely by a natural law. We must then assume that nature herself, and the whole infinite space, is on a march of progress.

It would be a folly to think, as many people do, that this small pebble called 'Earth' would be the only pebble on which human life exists, when there are trillions of planets and systems far greater in their size than this Earth of ours, and with vaster natural resources than we have. From the spiritual side of life it would be giving the Creator, whoever He may be by name, very little credit for His intelligence, by Him creating far vaster systems and planets than our own and not have them inhabited by His highest form of expression, called 'man'. There really would be no rhyme nor reason for such a creation.

So we are endeavoring here to reasonably speculate upon such inhabitation of other planets. To be right, as one possibly could be, we must use the laws known to man upon this Earth, which are the laws of growth or progression, to give us some basis for measuring the intelligence upon other planets and throughout other systems.

There is a common urge within every man that calls upon him from time to time to associate himself closer with his fellowman. Yet because his knowledge is not sufficient to permit a feeling of absolute assurance or security for himself and his family, man ignores this call that comes from within himself towards relationship with his fellow beings and founds himself upon the law of survival of the fittest. As a result his struggle for existence is thereby increased.

Using this analysis in line with the law of progress, it is natural to assume that in every field of human relationship progress towards such a relationship must be made somewhere whether it be spiritual or natural, for there is no standing still. So if we take our solar system and consider it as a sort of school system with our planet as the first grade classroom, we should find progression from this point on to infinity both in the material and the spiritual. And especially the spiritual, for the finer quality of intelligence could not do anything different than bring forth a finer quality of form. Since the spiritual has represented the finest from time immemorial, it would then naturally reproduce the finest in form and put its binder of mankind into the brotherhood society. We on Earth haven't yet realized this type of life but it is logical to assume that inhabitants of other planets may have done so.

We can take the Earth in general as a measuring stick for many things. Let us take for an example the well-known tree. A tree is a tree no matter where you find it. Yet trees vary in their form manifestation, differing in their size, height, and shape. These variations man classifies under different names. Still the form is a tree whether you find it at one end of the world or at another, and no matter under what climatic conditions, for the pattern is universal. A tree in one part of the world may be quite coarse and in another part of the world quite delicate, but still it is a tree.

What the writer is trying to bring out is this, the geometrical pattern of any form is universal. The effects upon such a form on other planets are brought about through the climatic conditions of each planet, as they are in this world. It is also true that the mentality of human beings would have a distinct effect upon the forms, either coarse or fine, depending upon the stage of development; yet the foundation of the geometrical pattern for its form would be universal. The mental would be a governor of whether that form is coarse or fine, pretty much the same as the climatic conditions or atmospheric pressure govern the form of a tree.

So the reader of this book may readily see how it is possible for a fine quality of human life to be on other planets beyond ours.

Now let us ask a few questions here before proceeding with the book.

It has been said many times that the craters upon the Moon have been made by meteoric bombardment. Is it really possible to have a meteor strike a spot on Earth, create a crater by doing so and leave not only one but in some cases many mountains standing within the center of that crater?

My answer is 'no'. For if a meteor made a crater it would have a flat bottom like the one in Arizona and other places.

Second: can we have extreme cold without moisture or moist air to make it so?

I question that. Yet we are told that there is no air on the Moon, while in the same breath we are told that the dark side of the Moon which we do not see is very cold and the side that we do see is very hot.

How could the dark side be very cold unless there was moisture to produce it?

If that be true, then it is absolutely true that the cold air from the dark side is not bottled up or fenced off from the heat of the light side. According to known law, the heat of the light side would penetrate the cold for a certain distance. If it does that, then there must be a temperate zone where the dark and the light meet, which would also make it possible for humans to live there.

Besides, the Moon is supposed to be of very rocky formation and it doesn't make any difference what sort of rock it is, be it hard, soft, or any kind, nothing can be held together in total absence of moisture. So anything that contains moisture or is held together by moisture will attract and give off moisture. Even metals will sweat. When total dehydration takes place there is no longer form. It is dust. This being true, it stands to reason that there must be air or moisture of some kind or other upon the Moon.

Is the ocean near the surface void of fish because it is light pressured?

No.

Is it void of fish because of a heavy pressure at the bottom of the ocean?

No.

And all between, does the pattern of the fish change due to the heavy pressure at the bottom or the light pressure at the surface of the ocean?

No. The pattern is the same. The only difference is in the structure of the form itself, complying with the various pressures.

In this vast universe space is like the ocean and the planets within it are comparable to the various stratas of pressure within the vast ocean. In each strata, human and all forms of life can be just as easily as the fish are in the ocean. Since other planets about this Earth planet are supposed to have rarefied air, then the human forms as well as all other forms would be of a finer structure, finer and more delicate as well as quicker in mentality. For we know that light pressures allow molecules to move about very fast, while heavy pressure slows them down.

So when we speak of a light pressure of air upon any planet and since it is logical that it be inhabited, then it would be farther in advancement than the people on the heavy pressure planet.

Scientists have analyzed numerous meteors and found them to be composed of rock and metal such as is found upon this Earth-plane. This has proven quite definitely that other planets are composed of the same minerals as our own planet. Of course, this has also been proven by means of the spectroscope which analyzes the light rays reflected from the planets, but the meteors alone are proof to even the most skeptical person.

Perhaps the most interesting discovery in regard to these meteors is that made by Dr. Charles B. Lipman, of the University of California. With the aid of modern scientific equipment Dr. Lipman analyzed the interior of many meteors and found them to contain life-germs which correspond perfectly with those found on our own planet. What a marvelous thought to consider is this, that the great universe with its billions of planets and millions of solar systems is sending from one planet to another a message of all-inclusive life. These meteors drop on other planets just as they do upon our own, and in their hearts they carry the story of relativity.

Upon these facts, known law and common-sense logic we base what you are about to read.

While this is at present in the field of fiction, the advance of science is so rapid that it will not be long before all of this will become a reality. Therefore we suggest to the owner of this book if he wishes to, to establish in his community a round table for discussion, using the book as a text. Should there be any questions in such a group that could not be solved during the time of discussion, the head of the group may send such a question to the author and he will endeavor to clear it if possible.

Such questions should be addressed to:

"Advanced Thinkers Club"
Box 346
Valley Center, California

FACTS ABOUT MOUNT PALOMAR OBSERVATORIES

$6-1/2 million endowment of General Education Fund of Rockefeller Institute.
2,040 acres.
5,500-foot altitude.
137-foot diameter revolving dome, weight 1,000 ton.
200-inch telescope tube, 60-foot long, weight 150 ton.
200-inch Pyrex mirror, weight 15 ton, 2-foot thick at edge.
500 ton weight of whole mounting.
20-foot diameter dome, housing 18-inch telescope.
45-foot diameter dome, housing 48-inch telescope.
Museum for display of astronomical views.
Cottages for maintenance families.
200-inch mirror brought up November 17, 1947.
First test picture taken December 23, 1947.
Light travels 186,000 miles per second.
About 6 trillion miles equals 1 light year.
200-inch telescope looks out 1 billion light years.

Chapter I

FROM EARTH TO THE MOON

Ever since man has been upon the Earth he has observed the stars in the heavens and wondered about them. As he watched their movement across the heavens night after night, his curiosity has been awakened and he has wondered just what these diamonds in the sky were made of and what they were like.

As his curiosity has grown, man has worked constantly seeking an answer to these questions of his mind. Thus he has developed the telescope from its first crude beginning to the present large two hundred inch in the Hale Observatory on Mount Palomar.

Hand in hand with the developing of the telescope for the past quarter of a century has gone the development of the airplane, and with it the ever mounting hope in man's heart that soon he will be able to make a trip to his nearest neighbor in the sky, the Moon.

This in spite of the fact that for centuries man on Earth has been taught that there is no atmosphere on the Moon. Yet as the telescopes had been developed to greater and greater size and perfection, storms had been observed around the Moon. Also from time to time a state of what scientists called atmospheric movements had been noted. Thus even when our plans for making this trip were first being worked out, we were of the firm conviction that the Moon did have atmosphere of some kind. What we did not know was; what is the consistency of the Moon's atmosphere?

We were sure that it contains a certain amount of oxygen, for as Dr. Johnston said, "even if the Moon is all rock, rock in itself contains and gives off oxygen."

Also we knew that there couldn't be any kind of atmosphere anywhere without it containing oxygen. Therefore, since the Moon had rock in it and since we had seen storms around it, there was no question in our minds as to whether oxygen was there. The question was concerning its quantity; was there a sufficient amount to supply the needs of Earth men like us?

Now after twenty odd years of work and constant improvements, the ship which we hope and believe will take us to the Moon on the first leg of an interplanetary space journey is ready. Included in her equipment are the latest improvements in radio, radar, television, photography and all types of instruments that the best minds of science, using the finest laboratories on Earth, have been able to develop for our safety in making such a trip. The ship herself has pressure equalizers built in her. These are so constructed that they automatically balance the pressure within the ship to conform with the various stratas of atmospheric pressure in space through which we will have to pass on this trip. Because of these equalizers, we have no fear of our ship exploding in air due to pressure differences within and without. Also there is an instrument with which we can measure the oxygen content of the Moon's atmosphere before even opening the doors of the ship to venture out upon the Moon.

For ourselves we have specially made suits that will support and protect our bodies through any type of pressure. By using our oxygen masks we expect to be able to keep alert during the entire trip and at the same time, by controlling our oxygen intake while carefully watching our pressure gauge, to acclimate our bodies so they can quickly become accustomed to activity in the lighter pressure we expect to find on the Moon. As a precaution, we are taking along an extra supply of oxygen, several large tanks full, to enable us to stay at least a short time upon the surface of the Moon after making this long and hazardous trip, should we find upon arrival there that our calculations have been wrong and the atmosphere is such that we are unable to breathe or move about without it.

An announcement has been made of our proposed trip and the interest of the people throughout the world is very high. The date for our takeoff has been set and all arrangements have been made for a round-the-world hookup for radio and television, thus enabling all who wish, to listen in and view our trip with us.

The big day has arrived and the atmosphere is filled with excitement as thousands have gathered at the airport to see us off. It seems as though Mother Nature herself is doing her very best to help us, for man could not desire more perfect weather conditions than we have.

Our ship stands waiting on the runway, glistening and beautiful in the morning sun as if she too is eager to be off on this new adventure. The last details have been completed and we bid our dear ones a fond farewell before going down the ramp and across the airstrip to the ship.

We check with the ground crew who are standing by. Everything is set. We climb in, take our places, close the doors, then start the motors. Their whirring is music to our ears.

The four of us making this trip are: Bob, the pilot; Johnny, the copilot and radio man; George, the navigator; and Dr. Johnston, the scientist.

This is the moment we have been working towards for more than twenty years and we are just as excited as any of those standing out there watching. They aren't sure that they will ever see us again; while we are confident of much accomplishment and a safe return.

The ground crew has given us the signal and we are on our way to the Moon! As we have climbed upward and ever upward, the speedometer has indicated our speed at three thousand miles per hour, then six thousand, then twelve thousand as we kept going up until we reached a steady speed of one hundred thousand miles per hour. Yet with all this speed we seem to be standing still, for the Earth has long since ceased to be anything more than a large disc of light behind us. We are travelling in space with nothing but space surrounding us, with the exception that every now and then a small meteoric ball of amber light whizzes past us as if shot from some invisible gun. These come out of nowhere and look as though they are just getting hot; nothing like the color they have after hitting the Earth's atmosphere. One big fellow would surely have wrecked us had it hit us and we impulsively ducked. But it too missed us.

Other than our instruments, the only thing that let us realize that we are moving at all is that the Moon, being our objective, keeps getting closer and closer. It alone stands out from all the stars in the heavens.

Our radio contact with the Earth has remained clear although it has grown weaker as we have climbed higher.

According to calculations by Dr. Johnston before leaving the Earth, we knew that the gap, or neutral zone, between the Earth and the Moon was not exactly halfway between these two bodies. He figured that it started at the approximate distance of one hundred thirty-eight thousand miles from the Earth and probably was about twenty thousand miles in width, leaving us around eighty thousand miles to travel before reaching the Moon.

As we approach this gap, Bob speeds up our ship in the hope of jumping it instead of being caught in it and thereby becoming suspended in space.

During our passage through the gap our instruments cease to operate and we have the feeling that we are in what might be called a perfect vacuum, yet it seems to be filled with a very mysterious substance or particles of various sizes, all apparently quite stationary. It might be described as going through a foamy or feathery condition of some sort of elements which we have never before experienced, but through which there is no resistance whatever.

Up until this time we had all been very excited but suddenly we become very calm with quite a feeling of exhilaration.

Dr. Johnston's calculations have been proven correct for we are on the Moon side and Bob is having to slow up the ship. Immediately after leaving the neutral zone we noticed that our instruments began working again, registering atmospheric conditions as well as a gravitational pull. Also our ship has begun to take on an increased speed as though being pulled by a tremendous force, which we realize is the Moon's gravitational pull. This pull seems to increase as we near the Moon so that Bob has to keep cutting down the speed of our ship; yet our instruments show that the Moon's gravitational force is weaker than the Earth's force, only about half of that of the Earth.

On this side we have also encountered a few meteorites of a fair size but they have a different glow of color, sort of a purplish glow instead of amber such as those shooting towards the Earth. They also seem to travel a little slower than those approaching the Earth. We are travelling towards the Moon so fast that we seem to miss, just by the speed of our ship, the meteors that we otherwise would be encountering. Our speed at this point is fifty thousand miles per hour.

We are approaching the Moon on the light side as seen from the Earth so that at ten miles distance from it we begin to get a very good perspective of the craters and mountainous area. Bob is having to continuously slow down the speed of the ship.

Within five miles of the Moon we encounter a terrific storm blowing from the north to the south. It is so strong that we don't know whether we can make it through or not. George has decided that our only chance of surviving is to go with the storm. He has instructed Bob accordingly. With this in mind, Bob is speeding up the ship to a point where he thinks he can enter this storm with a certain amount of safety. The idea is to cross through it in such a way that we will get continuously closer to the Moon and yet avoid being hit broadside.

We have made it safely and are only three miles from the Moon. We had to circle it twice in crossing through the storm before getting into the calmness again, but we were all so engrossed in getting safely through that we failed to make any observations of the Moon. Now we are breathing easier. Bob is slowing the ship down and we can get a good perspective of the Moon. We are flying at only one hundred miles per hour at an altitude of five thousand feet above the surface of the Moon in the area that people on Earth call the rim of the Moon, where the light side ceases and the dark side begins.

Of course this was all worked out months before when we were making our plans for this trip because Dr. Johnston had said that if there is anything at all favorable to human life on the Moon, it would be in this zone.

As we have been descending we find what we expected, a belt-like section extending as far as we can see around the Moon that has a natural growth of trees and vegetation. In this zone, just at the edge of the crater area, we see a small lake and not far distant up the valley is apparently a small city. Skirting the lake on the side away from the valley in which this city lies, extends a large forest of trees or heavy brush beyond which lies a broad plateau which we have chosen as our landing place.

Here on this plateau is plenty of room for many ships like ours to land. And here we set our ship down, the first Earth ship to reach the Moon.

Chapter II

SURPRISE

After landing we checked all of our instruments, noting carefully the oxygen content of the atmosphere that we might have a record of our findings for the scientific report we were to make to our government after returning to the Earth.

However had we had no instrument for testing the atmosphere we would have taken a chance and got out of the ship because of the territory we had just flown over and because even here in the sands of the plateau we can see a sparsely growing plant life clinging very closely to the ground.

When we first climbed out of the ship it was a little hard for us to breathe and move about, something like many people on Earth experience when they go from ocean level up some mountain to an altitude of ten to fifteen thousand feet. Since our instruments indicated an atmospheric pressure of slightly under eight pounds, compared to an approximate pressure of fifteen pounds on Earth, we understood this strangeness and weren't worried about it. We had partially succeeded in acclimatizing our bodies during the trip here, so it was only a matter of a few hours until we regained our physical balance, yet somewhat different than we have been accustomed to on Earth. We can walk around here without effort or tiredness. It feels as though we are walking on air; yet we know we are walking on the firm Moon earth.

From what we can see without closely studying it, the Moon seems to be made up very much like our Earth. This plateau we are on resembles our deserts in the summer.

The air is clean, fresh and dry but quite stimulating and we are getting hungry, just as was our experience whenever we went to the higher mountains on the Earth. All of us had been so interested as we neared the Moon that no thought of eating had entered our minds, but now we have decided to eat in picnic style; take our food outside the ship where we can sit on the ground while eating and see what goes on around us here on the Moon.

The sky is clear and cloudless with the sun shining brightly which makes it rather warm. The only shade we find is made by our ship since there are no trees growing here. A very gentle breeze is blowing but not enough to raise any dust. If there are insects they must be drowsing from the heat of the sun. So far we haven't seen any birds flying nor any kind of living creatures. In the distance we can see several mountains towering to different heights towards the sky but none of them have peaks as we are accustomed to on Earthly mountains. Instead, these look like rough-cut edges of huge bowls whose outer sides slope gradually towards us. We know they are the rims of the craters closest to this plateau on which we have landed, for we saw them while still in the air as we approached the Moon. We are eager to get on our way for a closer examination of these bursted Moon bubbles that have so long mystified the peoples of Earth but before starting there are a few things that must be done.

An hour or more has elapsed while we have sat here eating and observing our surroundings. We have eaten a great deal of food, as one most always does when out on a picnic, yet we don't have that heavy, stuffed feeling that we would have had after eating such a meal on Earth. Another fact we became aware of while sitting here eating, our minds seem to be getting thoughts faster and clearer than they did on Earth. Maybe this is due to the atmosphere, or maybe it is because of the peace and quiet here; for some people on Earth have similar experiences when they spend much time by themselves on the desert or on some mountain. Yet we have arrived here not too many hours ago and are getting these reactions.

After checking our fuel supply we are surprised at the small amount which we have used getting here. At this rate, we should have plenty of fuel to permit us to make quite a number of trips to various territories of the Moon too far distant for hiking, and still have a sufficiency for the return trip home.

Before setting out on our hike to the mountains, Johnny is contacting the Earth to tell the people there of our findings. He had maintained radio contact with the Earth during our entire trip and had broken it only after we had landed; so they knew that we had arrived safely.

Now the Earth is on the air waves and Johnny has a big grin upon his face. He is telling us that the people on Earth are all very much excited over our success and there is great rejoicing everywhere. Our landing on the Moon is the number one story in the newspapers of all the lands. It is like a serial story to them, with everyone waiting eagerly for our next report.

The scientists and the government are pleased with our safe arrival here but now they want to know if we will be able to get our ship into the air again from here.

While Johnny retains contact with the Earth, Bob starts the ship's motors and lifts her gracefully into the air.

With great glee Johnny gives this report to his inquirers. Then he goes on to tell them about our picnic on the ground in the shade of our ship, what we have seen so far, and of our proposed venture into the mountains with the hope of exploring some of the craters visible to Earth.

In response to questioning, he reports our fuel supply, adding that we have no idea how long we will remain up here since we have now become adjusted to the atmosphere and believe we can live here as easily as on the Earth; we have plenty of food with us to last for a long time; and there are many places we want to visit. He adds that we know there are some people living close by for we have seen their city and if they should be friendly with us, we might learn far more about their Moon home than we had ever hoped to learn. But he assures his listeners that in time, we shall return home to Earth.

This report finished, Johnny breaks contact with the Earth and we start on our hike towards the mountains, each of us taking a canteen of water for drinking and quite a supply of concentrated food for we have no idea how long we will be gone. In his pocket Dr. Johnston has a very small instrument with which he can analyze, to a certain extent, any formations we might find.

As we cross the plateau towards the nearest crater wall, we note that the surface of the ground consists of sand, glistening white and very hot. Even though we have on heavy hiking boots we can feel the heat right through their soles.

After a couple of hours hiking across these hot sands, with intermittent stops for rest, and without having done any noticeable climbing, we reach the first crater, a shallow one only about thirty feet in depth and approximately a half mile across, much like a huge earthen salad bowl cut in the ground. The structure and rocky formation surrounding as well as within this crater appear much like lava, as if it had been made through volcanic eruption. Dr. Johnston who is an ardent rock hound along with his scientific profession, exclaims in joyous astonishment that this section of rocky formation is composed largely of beautiful gems and lava stone. Testing the ground with his little pocket instrument, he informs us that there are also deposits of many kinds of rich mineral ore in the sides of this crater.

Climbing down into the crater, we notice a slight difference in the air but not enough to interfere with our explorers' enthusiasm.

This surely is a mountainous section with crest after crest towering towards the sky. The strange part is they all look barren of any growth. There are no trees, grasses or flowers, and no indication of water dropping over even the highest ledges. Although through our glasses we can detect a small amount of moss creeping along some of the crevices; nothing else.

Not far ahead of us lies another mountainous ridge that doesn't seem too high. We know it, too, is the wall of a crater, maybe larger than the one we have been in. These crater walls are rough and rocky with a great deal of lava but the climbing doesn't seem to be difficult. We scarcely realize that we are climbing. The heat is quite intense but with a little rest now and then we are able to keep going without much effort.

Reaching the top we find a narrow ledge beyond which lies another crater much larger and deeper than the one we left. On climbing down into this one, we note that the atmosphere here becomes noticeably stuffier, harder to breathe and very hot the lower we go; while the formation and consistency of the ground is the same as in the other crater we explored. In the center of this one is a small inverted cone formation rising many feet into the air but we are not going over to it; the air is too stifling to breathe comfortably.

As we examine the ledge surrounding this second crater and the walls within it, pondering over our findings, so different than we had expected, we all reach the same conclusion. This section of mountains and craters has been formed by violent volcanic upheavals instead of from a meteoric bombardment as we had always thought. It is hot, uncomfortably so, and dry, but not as hot as we had thought we might encounter before coming here. We could never have stood a temperature of two hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit as we had been taught prevailed on this side of the Moon. Of course we haven't gone very far in as yet and it may be continuously hotter as one goes into larger and deeper craters.

Making our way slowly around the ledge encircling this second crater, carefully examining it and the surrounding terrain as we go, we notice in the distance and off to our right, a fissure in the surface that excites our curiosity. After much more hiking, for in this clear air distances are deceiving, we reach the rim of a wide and deep chasm that could have been made centuries ago by water running here, or it could have been made by an earthquake opening wide the Moon surface, for the walls are sheer cliffs that drop several thousand feet. We make no attempt to lower ourselves over its sides but stand enraptured by the thoughts filling our minds as to the various causes for such a chasm here among these craters.

Much time, the equivalent of many Earthly days, has elapsed since we left our ship. We have covered a great deal of territory during our hiking explorations. From the stones and surface formations in the ground we have covered, we have learned much. Yet there is much more territory to be covered and closely observed before our conclusions can be stated as definite facts.

During this time many questions have arisen in our minds. At the same time our supplies of food and water have decreased continuously. For these reasons we have decided to return to our ship, rest for awhile, discuss our findings, and get more supplies before going farther in our exploring. As we return towards the ship, we notice that the sun is lowering, shadows are lengthening at the outer bases of the craters and even the sands seem cooler than when we first came over them. There is a noticeable cooling off of the air.

By the time we reach the ship the sun has sunk far down in the heavens, but due to the atmosphere surrounding the Moon, the temperature is still comfortably warm.

During the time so far that we have been on the Moon, we have hiked far and climbed a lot with comparatively little rest, yet we are not aware of much tiredness. Our meal here at the ship is prepared out of doors for we are interested in watching the sun as it finally dips below the horizon. We want to know whether this atmosphere bathes the Moon's surface with indescribable hues of loveliness even after the sun itself has sunk from view, as the Earth's atmosphere bathes the Earth. It does, which proves again that the Moon is not too different than her Earth sister.

As night comes on, darkness doesn't descend as we had somewhat expected. In fact, there isn't too much difference in the amount of light upon this section of the Moon than there was during the day. The most noticeable fact is that daylight is yellow while the night light is white. This is due to the Earth reflecting her sunlight upon the Moon as she oscillates on her journey across the Moon heavens. After so long a time, we roll up in our sleeping bags to see how much of the long Moon night we can spend sleeping. Although not aware of feeling tired, we quickly fall into sound sleep, but not for long.

After about six hours of sleep we awaken thoroughly rested and ready to be up and going again. For awhile though, we remain on the ground watching whether we can see any type of insect or reptile life hopping or crawling about in the sands. A few tiny insects are observed hopping about, but nothing of any size.

Remembering the heat of the previous day, we wonder if we would not be wise in returning to the crater district during the cool of the night, but decided against that in favor of investigating new territory. Several miles in the distance and to the left of us extends a long range of mountains, running from this light side into that section that is unseen from the Earth, known as the dark side of the Moon. In this direction our fancy leads us.

As we set out across the sands of the plateau, we take with us a flag that we have brought from the Earth. This flag is made up of all the flags of the nations of the Earth with a small American flag in the middle thereby indicating that Americans had placed it here.

After reaching the mountains and climbing about three thousand feet up the side, we decided to go no farther for this was indeed rough going. Then too, in the distance far up ahead of us we could hear strange noises as if wild animals might be up there. A feeling of apprehension filled us with caution. So here about five miles from our ship, at an elevation of three thousand feet on one of the Moon's mountains we planted the flag of the World.

As we descended towards the foot of the mountain, we remembered the forest we had seen from the air and the little lake beyond it. In this direction now we turned our steps; stopping now and then as we go that we may not miss a thing along the way. We travel another twelve miles along the foot of the mountain ridge.

Here we see a small animal jumping from rock to rock up the mountainside. It looks and jumps much like a kangaroo but it is very small, measuring only about eighteen inches in height. We watch it for some time wondering what it is and how it lives. It has seen us too, but seemed to have not the slightest fear of us as it continues its way on up the mountain.

From this point we turn again across the plateau towards the forest which we can plainly see through our glasses. As we have walked along we have become aware of the fact that the sands of the plateau have given way to a richer soil which is covered with a vegetation or plant life. Even across the tip of the plateau as we head towards the forest, this plant life continues. The atmosphere here too is different. A moisture similar to dew fills the air which seems to give this plant life all it needs to grow. And now we see the first fowl of the air that we have seen since landing on the Moon. What it is, we don't know. It is a lot larger than any bird we have on Earth and beautiful to watch as it glides leisurely through space.

Nearing the forest, we seem to be faced with a solid barrier. The undergrowth is so dense that we cannot even see any tree trunks. We search diligently for some indication of a path leading into this denseness, but find none. From the air this forest didn't seem too wide so we decide to make our own path by hacking our way through. However we quickly learn this isn't necessary for with very little pressure the branches break easily.

As we work our way through this brush, we receive somewhat of a surprise for there are no large trunks to the trees in this forest. Instead, these are immense bushes growing very high and thick. Yet as we penetrate deeper into it, the light of the Earth trickles through the branches, lighting our path as we make it. After about half a mile of this slow progress, we suddenly emerge into the bright clearness again and find ourselves almost upon the shore of the beautiful little lake we had been heading for.

Across the lake, which was about two and a half miles, we could see some dwellings. These we had not noticed from the air.

The shore of the lake is white sand whose grains sparkle like tiny jewels in the white night light. As we near the edge of the lake we suddenly become aware of being quite thirsty. Even though we have plenty of water in our canteens we wonder what this sparkling clear lake water tastes like.

As we stand here watching and wondering, a small bird flies down to the edge of the lake and drinks of its waters. At this sight, we too take a big drink which has a very odd effect upon us. It was wholly revitalizing for it actually made us feel completely refreshed, as if we hadn't walked at all.

After the surprise of this experience we sat down to enjoy for awhile the beautiful scenery surrounding the lake. While sitting here we carry on a discussion as to whether all of us or just one should go around the lake and over to the dwellings. Through our powerful binoculars we have been watching for some evidence of human life around them but so far we haven't seen any. All is very quiet with no movement of any kind anywhere that would indicate the presence of human beings.

However while sitting here enjoying the scenery and talking, we have seen some queer looking fish jump out of the water up into the air about two feet and flip back into the water. Judging from a glance, these fish are about twenty-four inches in length and very colorful. At this sight we figure that the dwellings on the other side of the lake might be fishermen's homes. Realizing it is night to them so they might all be asleep, we know why we haven't seen any life about the dwellings.

After much discussion Johnny has been chosen to go to investigate and see if he can rouse anyone. This decision was reached because the group as a whole felt that Dr. Johnston, Bob and George are all more important on this scientific expedition than the copilot and they should be saved should the inhabitants, if there are any over there, prove to be hostile.

So Johnny, taking with him a small weapon, starts on his trip around the lake towards the dwellings. All the time that he is walking towards his objective we keep watch through the binoculars, ready with our high powered rifles should he encounter any hostile situation, be it beast or man.

Before starting on this trip, we had told Johnny if there were any openings like doors in the dwellings facing the lake, he should try those so we could keep a close watch upon him. This he is doing. Through our binoculars we notice that the first dwelling he tried, he got no answer. We keep watching as he goes along trying each place that has an opening towards the lake. Finally, at about the twelfth try of the dwellings facing the lake, the door suddenly came open and behold our copilot falls to the ground. Seeing him fall, we did not know whether he had been hurt by the person opening the door or what had happened. As we keep watching, we notice a tall slender form of a man, apparently the person who had opened the door, bend over Johnny's still form and gently shake him as though he desired to revive him.

Immediately we decide that George should go to the scene as he has been well trained in first aid and so can help Johnny, should he have such need. As we have stated previously, walking upon the Moon is like walking on air, not much effort being necessary. So George starts out to the rescue at double time. He, too, is taking weapons with him in case of need.

When he got half way around the lake George is spotted by the Moon inhabitant. Leaving Johnny lying there, this Moon man runs part of the way to meet George. With the binoculars we can see that he has no kind of weapon with which he could harm our companion, but it looks as though he is excited more over the unexpected behavior of this strange person who had knocked upon his door. He seems to be happy that he is going to get help. We just keep watching but do nothing to disturb the situation. Finally George reaches the slender figure of the Moon man and there are some motions with hands as each man endeavors to convey a message to the other. The Moonalite, as we might name him at this time, grasped George by the hand and both run towards Johnny, still lying prone upon the ground where he had fallen.

The next thing we knew, when the two running figures reach Johnny, George runs to the lake and using his hat as a container, gets some water. With it he revives Johnny who had merely fainted at so unexpectedly having a human being open the door in response to his knocking.

Now we know that all is well again.

George turns and motions for us to come on around.

This we do. Upon reaching the others, we are surprised to have this tall slender Moonalite take us into his dwelling and give us some refreshments which are fish that were not boiled nor fried but were preserved. They had an odd taste to us, yet were very palatable. With this fish he gave us some liquid which was neither coffee nor water nor could it be called Bourbon, yet it has a stimulating effect upon us and is very refreshing. As we partake of these refreshments and talk among ourselves, our new friend keeps a steady watch over us, observing every move and act we perform.

Several hours had elapsed when finally he began to gesture with his hands, trying to tell us something or to ask us some question. We didn't know which for we didn't seem to succeed well at first in trying to convey messages to each other. Finally we thought of an idea by which we might make ourselves known to him.

We took him outside his home and pointed to the Earth riding just above the horizon as the long Moon night nears its end. By motions and pictures in the sand, we succeed in conveying to him that we have come here from the Earth in a big ship flying through the air. As this fact dawned upon him, he expressed great surprise.

Through signs which we are beginning to understand by this time, he indicates that all these other dwellings are at present empty. He alone is here as a keeper of all these places. We learn that these dwellings are all fishermen's shacks in which they live when they are fishing from the lake. They are all made from the same kind of brush which we had had to cut our way through before reaching the lake. Although we had found the brush brittle and easily broken, these shacks were all very neatly and solidly put together.

Our Moonalite friend, as we now all feel towards him, is about six feet eight inches in height, very slender yet not undernourished. The bony structure of his body seems to be delicate, yet strong. His arms are quite long, due to his slender form of body structure. His skin is clear white. A feeling of warm friendliness is expressed towards us through his deep blue eyes, as well as a quick sparkle of merriment, as he seemed to understand us much better than we are able to understand him. His eyeballs protrude a little more than ours but in no way detract from his general appearance. His mouth is firm but very sensitive and in it he has very good teeth, strong, firm, and white. Judging from our Earth experience, this man looks to us to be around seventy years of age, yet well preserved and with an intensely active mentality. Later we learn that he is one hundred and ninety years of age.

The Earth is sinking low on the horizon as we prepare to return to our ship. We have invited our friend to accompany us but he has made us understand by signs that he cannot leave at this time, but must stay here.

We tried to learn if there are many people in this part of the Moon but in this we were unsuccessful for we seem unable to make our signs clear enough for him to understand what we are asking.

On the other hand, we were able to indicate to him the location of our ship and the fact that we would like to have him come there whenever he could. We also made him understand that as we were leaving him now, we were returning to the ship.

In answer to our invitation to visit us, he pointed to himself, then in the direction of our ship and with a sign of the eyes, by opening up his lids with his fingers and pointing to the sky, that he would come when it was again daylight.

As a warning in response to the fact that we were now returning although it was still night-time, he gave us a shivering of his body sign by which we thought he meant that we had better be careful on the return for we may encounter some danger.

After shaking hands with our friend, we start on the way back to our ship, returning to the forest around the opposite end of the lake to what we had come. We easily find the path we had made through the brush but only a short way in, we do encounter danger. A very large size beast, quite wet, is standing upon the path blocking our passage and there is no way for us to get past him. Apparently he had come out of the lake just before we reached here. He challenges our right to pass as he stands there in the path growling, with his eyes blazing. He has four feet, no tail, an immense head and body and a pair of arms that seem to extend from his collar bones. He keeps swaying these arms back and forth just as if he wants to talk with his hands; yet we know that should one of us get caught in those arms, it would be the end.

There is but one thing for us to do if we are ever to get back to the ship and that is to get rid of him in some way.

We don't want to kill him, nor even to injure him, for we don't know with what regard the natives around here hold him, and we surely don't want to do anything to incite them against us. On the Earth we know there are some tribes who worship certain animals, like the Hindoo worships the cow. This could easily be the case also here on the Moon. So we decide on shooting a volley just over his head with the hope of frightening him. This idea worked; maybe because the animal heard a strange sound that he had never heard before. Instead of attacking us, he lumbered off through the brush and strange as it may seem, he made his way through without breaking the brush or leaving any path behind him.

Finally, just as the first golden streaks of sunlight appear above the horizon, we reach our ship. Shortly afterward we learn that on firing the shot back in the forest, we have alerted something we did not expect.

Chapter III

VISITED

The sun rose above the horizon in a burst of splendor and standing outside of our ship we enjoy this beauty to its fullest. We wonder if every day is like this. The air is sparkling clear as it still retains some of the coolness of the departing night, but from the appearance of that sun as it climbs higher into the sky, we know today will be just as hot as yesterday had been.

So far no plans have been made for this day but since days are long here, each day being equivalent to two weeks of time on Earth, we knew that something would be worked out. One thing we were sure of, today we would not return to the crater area. Further exploring in that district we would leave until some night, since nights are each as long as the days and very bright from the light of the Earth.

As we review the surprising events of the preceding night, we also scan the mountains through our binoculars. In so doing, we bring into focus the flag we had planted the night before. It is waving lightly in a gentle breeze that seems to be blowing up there, but to our amazement, gathered around the flag is a group of about a hundred and fifty men.

They are tall and slender with the same type body structure as the man we had met in the dwellings by the lake, only these men are dark brown in color while he was so clear white that he gave the appearance of being almost bloodless. Thereby we knew that they did not belong to the same tribe as the fisherman. Because of their color we decided these men gathered around our flag on the side of the mountain must be dwellers from the hot side. They seem to be armed, as we watch them closely through our glasses, and yet we cannot definitely tell.

They have observed our ship and see us moving around it, so leaving the flag untouched, they come towards us. When they get within five hundred yards of us, we see that their arms consist only of packs of small arrows and a small instrument which we do not recognize. Later we learn that these men were on a hunting trip, since they eat wild fowl. Hearing the volley we fired to frighten the beast in the brush-forest, they had come to investigate what it was, for the sound was as strange to them as it had been to the beast! They were surprised and very curious at seeing the ship and us there.

We were unable to use the same method with these men to let them know who we were and where we had come from that we had used with the fisherman, for now the Earth was gone from view. So we had to draw pictures in the sand, depicting the Moon where we are now, the Sun as it is just rising in the sky and the Earth as it dropped below the horizon not too long ago. Then by drawing another picture of a ship coming through space from the Earth to the Moon and pointing to our ship to indicate it was what we were picturing, we succeeded in making them understand what we were endeavoring to convey to them. Their amazement was equal to the fisherman's when he had learned where he had come from.

After their excitement had calmed somewhat, we took them close to our ship and let them look it over all around from the outside, then we invited them inside to see what was there. They were most jubilant because of this privilege of examining the ship inside as well as outside and not the least frightened by this thing that must indeed have looked like a strange big monster to them.

We are much impressed by their behavior, for even though they are filled with enthusiastic interest, noting every little thing carefully, they do not touch a single thing with their hands. However after noting everything carefully inside and out, they don't leave either. They just stick around.

They seem to be chewing on some kind of a long weed which looks similar to a stalk of celery. This they had brought with them and during the many hours they have been staying around with us, this seems to be all they have had to eat.

While this has been going on, we have been examining some of their arrows to see what they are made of. They are about four inches in length, not much bigger than the old time match stick, and are made of a twig with a feather-like leaf that acts like a balance. On one end of each of these twigs a little volcanic rock or lava stone is stuck in; something like the arrows on Earth are made. As for the instruments which we previously were unable to recognize, they are similar to an air gun. It is with these that the arrows are thrown. The person blows through the gun and an arrow is shot forth at the target. When an arrow blown through one of these instruments hits a fowl, it has a tendency to bring on a mild state of paralysis that will wear off in fifteen minutes, but they cannot kill it, as they show us by hitting a bird flying overhead. And they certainly are experts at this kind of shooting.

It hasn't been very long since we got through examining these weapons, and the natives are all still sitting around chatting among themselves, when we look up and see the white tribe from up the valley coming towards us. Our fisherman friend is leading them. There are about three hundred in all, young and old, men, women and children. As soon as the dark tribesmen saw these white tribespeople coming towards us, they rose to their feet to greet these newly arrived brothers, leaving their weapons on the ground.

Once the white tribe got close enough, the fisherman greeted us through signs, while to the dark natives he spoke in language. The reaction is very joyous. Then a man clad in beautiful raiment stepped out of the group. As he does, a very respectful silence falls over all gathered here. He speaks to the entire gathering for a couple of minutes. We don't understand his words but he must be saying something wonderful about us for both groups are beginning to cheer us.

Now the cheering is over and we are taking the white folks to show them our ship and all about it. These people, too, are very observant of every detail and like the men of the dark tribe, are careful not to touch anything with their hands.

The chieftain of the white folks, the one who had made the speech, is now sitting down in the pilot's seat to see how it feels. His reaction is one of great joy. Seeing this, we decide it would be a good idea to take the ship up and with us as passengers, this leader of the whites, the fisherman, and a few others including the leader of the dark people.

While in the air, we decide to fly above the mountain range dividing the dark and the light sides. About three miles along this range from the spot on the plateau where we had originally landed, we see what appears to be a village, about half way up the mountainside. The chieftain of the dark race points to himself and to the village, indicating that is his village. It is located on the light side of the mountain.

We have turned and are flying over the mountain range to the dark side of the Moon. Here again we see the fishing shacks and the little lake which we had visited earlier, during our ground exploring. From here the chieftain of the white race points the way for us to go. We fly over the lake and on for about five miles beyond, where we see another village, altogether different from the one on the mountainside. The first village we saw belonging to the dark race seemed to belong more to cliff dwellers, while this one belonging to the white race is in a valley between two ranges of mountains. The range on the far side of the valley, being farther away from the heat and dryness of the light side than the mountains we have recently flown over, has a much heavier growth of trees and brush, signifying to us that more moisture and cooler weather prevail here. Some of the mountains in this range have very high peaks and on these we see snow.

The houses in this village in the valley appear to be built square, box type. Some are taller than others and there are quite a number of them. They seem to be built around a central park or community square in quite a picturesque fashion. Behind these homes and along the foot of the mountains stretch small cultivated areas where the villagers grow their vegetables and grains.

The chieftain of the white race points to himself, indicating that this is his village.

We continue flying farther up the valley for a distance of about one hundred miles deeper into the dark side, but still within the fertile belt we had observed as we first approached the Moon, that seemed to stretch around the Moon between the light side filled with craters and deserts and the dark side that is never visible to the Earth. Through this valley we see several small ponds or small lakes. The entire area looks very fertile and there is some tall timber growing on the higher mountains. All of the lakes seem to have some dwellings around them. In one place there is quite a large settlement near a lake.

The chieftain of the white race isn't a bit surprised, so he must have known there were other people living in the valley. But all the passengers alike, including the two chieftains, are almost speechless with the thrill and wonder of thus flying over their homeland. We have been observing them very closely for their reactions. So we continue flying farther yet up the valley. In the distance we see a very large settlement, almost like a city. It might be one. When this came into view, the chieftain of the white ones was very much surprised as were all the others. It seems none of them knew it was there. We figure this city is about four hundred to five hundred miles up the valley from the village of our white native companions. We have crossed a few low ranges of mountains in finding this place.

Dr. Johnston has suggested that we fly over this place and see what it is. So we do. It appears to be a city of about twenty thousand population. We are directly over it and are lowering for a better view. We have lowered to within seven hundred feet of the city but we seem to be frightening everybody down there with our noise for we see the people clearing the open spaces for cover. We have circled the vicinity several times trying to find a place in which to land, for we would like to see more of this city and the people living here. But there is no possible landing place here in this narrow valley, so we are going back up.

We are turning towards our original landing field on the plateau instead of going any farther at this time, since we don't know how long we will stay on the Moon and we have a hunch to preserve the fuel.

Rather than return over the same territory we have come, George suggests that we take the light side to see what is there. To our surprise we find ourselves flying over quite a number of large settlements which are discernible from the air. Coming this way, Bob has had to rise to an altitude of forty thousand feet for we are encountering mountain peaks which are around thirty thousand to thirty-two thousand feet elevation. In each case the villages of the people living on the light side are of cliff dweller type, half way up the mountains from the floor of the valley. Through this entire area there is very little vegetation, while the mountains themselves seem to be of volcanic origin and bare of trees or brush.

We have reached our starting place and are landing again. As our passengers leave the ship they try to thank us by much chattering and many gestures with their hands, indicating a great deal of excitement and joyousness, as it appears to us. Both groups of people who had been left behind when we went for our trip were still there awaiting our return and they all gathered around the ship when it landed, looking upon it with amazement.

Our passengers have left the ship and we are following them out. As we do, the leaders of the two tribes grab us by the hands and start talking with excitement to their own people. From what we can get, they seem to be telling them all about the trip, with much enthusiasm and exuberance.

This has continued for several hours.

Now it is over. The two chieftains, the one of the dark race and the one of the light race, shake hands with each other and all the people of both tribes gather together. With one chieftain on each side of us, followed by all the tribespeople, we start walking in the direction of the little lake again. When we reach the brush-forest that we had previously broken a path through, we find they have their own path. It is a wide open thoroughfare which we would have seen when we were here first had not the opening to it been camouflaged, made to look as though it was solid with brush. The natives are removing this camouflage in order for the procession to get down to the lake.

After reaching the lake, the white boys go into the water taking with them little gadgets which we are permitted to examine. These are made of wood or the crotch of a limb with a very sharp point. With them they catch fish at an amazing speed. In a very short time they have caught a large quantity of fish. Then some of the people start to prepare a feast.

During these preparations messengers are dispatched somewhere but we don't know to where.

Realizing that these people are all friendly towards us, we are taking more liberty in openly observing them and what they are wearing.

During all the time we have been with them, we have noticed how very intelligent these Moon people really are in all their ways.

On examining the garments of the leaders we find the cloth they are made of is a surprisingly fine quality. In fact the clothing all the people are wearing is made of some very fine cloth, a sort of fiber yet finer than the silken cloth used by people of the Earth.

The ornaments which they are wearing, bracelets and trinkets of many types, are of a fine quality. They are all of very intricate designs. The ornaments are made of gold and platinum and on close examination they seem to have some iron in them for sturdiness, yet alloyed so well that it does not tarnish, rust, nor anything that iron might do. Inlaid in these ornaments or trinkets are quite a number of very large gems, a considerable amount of diamonds and still more precious than diamonds is a stone that is fully transparent, with a very, very moonlike cast. This stone gives off regular prism colors. We are made to understand this color radiation is the same at all times, in the brightest light or in the darkest of darkness.

We would like to have a stone like this for it seems to possess magic powers of some kind, but the white chieftain is the only one wearing them while everybody is wearing the diamonds and the other types of gems.

We wonder about this, why this chieftain alone is wearing these precious stones. Finally we are able to find out, for through motions and signs we have made them understand that we would like to know more about this particular stone.

The chieftain is indicating that we can have anything we want except this stone, and he is showing us the reason. He has taken off his outer garment which has these stones studded in it, and as he did this he seemed to change into an older man. He pointed to himself as this was taking place, also he fluttered with his arms and jumped into the air and hit back onto the ground, just like anybody would do. Now he is taking a stone about two inches in diameter which hangs from a gold chain and is putting the chain around his neck. In a matter of seconds as we watch he has turned to be as youthful as he was when we first met him. Then by putting his garment back on, which seems to be a royal-like robe, he can flutter with his arms again and jump up into the air, only now he stays there. He doesn't drop back to the ground. Instead he moves about above the ground something as a humming bird does, only he does not flutter his arms like a humming bird does his wings.

We are made to understand that this is only possible by possessing this gem.

After carefully examining and sincerely admiring many different types of these trinkets worn by the people and thoroughly enjoying the demonstration given by the chieftain, our attention is again drawn to the lake that we may examine it more closely. Along its shores the sand itself is radiant and possesses something that we cannot analyze, for all the grains seem to sparkle. After spending quite some time in the sand on the shore of the lake we went into the water to pick up some of the sand from the lake bottom. This we find is as clean and sparkling as that on the shore. It seems to have a different feel to it than sands which we have known on Earth, just as the waters of the lake were so refreshing when we drank from them.

Now these tribes' leaders are indicating that there is something else they want to show us. They are leading us again to the brush-forest. Here they pluck down some of the brush and split it with a flint-like instrument. To our surprise there is a fine silken thread in the center of each stalk. This thread is sometimes ten to twenty feet in length, depending upon the height of the brush from which it had been plucked. It really looks like silk, yet it is very strong. They show us that when this fiber thread is taken out from within the limb, or stalk, it can be woven into cloth immediately without any treatment of any kind. They are weaving some of these threads together making a small piece of cloth for us to see and feel.

One of the tribesmen is handing us a wrap which he says is made of this brush thread. He wants us to throw it over our shoulders. It is a far finer cloth than any we have ever known. This wrap is very warm and seems to be wind proof. Besides, garments made from it have some kind of a magic power as well, for when we put the wrap around us we felt as though we are charged with some sort of energy, almost as if we had had a good night's rest. This also accounts for them being able to lose a night's sleep and not feel it, for the dark ones who are still with us had been hunting during the entire preceding night. Knowing that we needed sleep, at least they got the idea, they have given us a jacket to wear while we are partaking of the feast, as it is now ready.

While all of this has been going on, the messengers have reached their destinations and returned to join us in the feasting, but we don't notice anything different happening since their return.

The feast is lake fish and some sort of a vegetable which the natives have gathered from around here somewhere. It is similar to lettuce except that it doesn't taste like lettuce. There is no bread but we don't miss it for there is plenty of what we have.

Now the feast is over. The white chieftain has indicated that we are to go with him and his people. He spoke to the black chieftain and this leader with his tribesmen have started back through the brush-forest, while we are accompanying the white chieftain and going in the opposite direction, up the valley. We have walked a good five miles, yet we don't feel tired, even though we have lost much sleep. It seems that the food and the jackets are doing their work.

Chapter IV

HONORED

We have reached the village on the dark side that we had seen from the air, the one belonging to the white tribe. We are being taken to the chieftain's own home which is a very large building, three stories high.

But as we entered the village everybody there turned out; there must have been around three thousand people. The messengers apparently had alerted the people about us and we really are being given a royal welcome. They have rolled out on four large wheels a sort of a large platform, beautifully decorated. The chieftain is going up onto the platform and indicating that we are to follow him.

Everyone in this vast throng of people is quiet as their leader stands before them. He is addressing them in their native tongue which we do not understand, but from what we can get out of it, it seems as though he is telling them about the flight we had taken him on and what he had just witnessed. At the conclusion of his speech they all cheered.

We knew that he was talking about the flight, for he was pointing with his hands in the directions over which we have flown. He no doubt told them also about the big city farther up, for we saw the amazement which the people took on in expression when they were told what could easily have been astounding information about other inhabitants farther up the valley about whom they knew nothing.

They seem to be quiet people, thinkers, quick in action proving their minds are very active. We see some beautiful children and women among them. All these people are well built in stature and they seem to respect one another very highly.

The homes of these Moonalites are exceptionally neat and the people all seem to be of an equality, that is possessing about the same amount of wealth, whatever the wealth might be. In other words, they are as one big family and each home seems to have plenty of everything alike. They all have gems and minerals of value as decorations for their homes. The natives in this village are very artistic, for there is much of what could be called fine art in their homes, and what clothing they have seems to be the best, with no distinction among any of them except the leader.

Their education is a community system, from what we have been able to learn. Both children and elders learn alike. It seems that learning never ceases, for their temples are also their schools. Out of the equivalent of every twenty-four hours of our day, they worship for one hour, then they give one hour to study and schooling, as we could make out, and they give three hours of service as a community, for the community, which includes agriculture and all service necessary to fill every need of all the inhabitants. After this is done, they do as they desire for themselves.

At what we would call sunset on Earth, they all gather in the community square and give thanks for the day. This is done every day. The individual whom we would call the spiritual leader appears in a very, very humble way, far more humble than anything we know on Earth in the way of humbleness. Their sincerity of worship or their thanksgiving every day can be felt even by the most skeptical person.

We have tried to find out who they were worshipping, if it was a God like we on Earth worship, or what. But the best we can learn is what we assume from their sign language with which they tried to answer us, that they are worshipping some sort of a Supreme Intelligence, but the name of It we cannot get, for the sound of their language is very hard to grasp as to what it might mean. At times it sounds like it could be a partial Sanskrit, yet Dr. Johnston knows Sanskrit and he says their speech isn't Sanskrit. Yet their sign language to us is as good as any we have ever known.

They seem to be getting our desires well. As we make statements they understand them as to meaning, so we figure that they must be getting it from an inner feeling from us. For when we speak they keep very quiet as though they are getting a vibration from our bodies, which would be a feeling as to what we are saying or what we want to know. If we had been schooled better in recognizing our feelings and going by them instead of the mind, I believe we would be able to understand better everything they want to tell us, and they do want to tell us a lot, from what we can see.

We have stayed in the village two full days with them. The chieftain made us understand that we did not have to worry about the ship, he had directed the dark ones to keep watch over it. With this assurance we have been able to thoroughly enjoy every minute of our visit and to learn much of the joyous freedom in which the Moonalites live.

During our second day here an elderly man passed away and when this happened the whole community turned out. The big platform on which we had stood the first day was rolled out again and they brought this body upon the platform and placed it on a structure that looked something like we have been picturing the Ark of the Covenant. They placed the body naturally, in a lying position. Then twelve men and twelve women stepped up and took positions along each side, standing one man and one woman, six men on one side and six women, the same on the other side. The spiritual leader stood at the foot of the corpse while the chieftain stood at the head and both of these mumbled something for about fifteen minutes. Then the twenty-four people, twelve on each side, raised the body with the Covenant into the air and then lowered it. They did this three times while all the people gathered about. Each time that the body with the Covenant was raised, the people gave out a shout, sort of song-like, very melodious. With each shout there was an expression of tremendous joy on the part of the people. After this they took the body off of the Covenant and wrapped it in a beautiful cloth that had been made of the fiber we have previously spoken of.

We have been made to understand that the whole ceremony was a very joyful one for one of their brothers was now going Home, and they rejoice over that. That rejoicing can really be felt for it is so intense that even a dead man would have to feel it. Yes, the chieftain made us understand the best he could, that this individual has been glorified by being allowed to return to the Home from which he came.

The body belonged to the Moon so it will be given back to the Moon, which we consider burial, and thanks for it will be given the next day. That is, thanks is given to the Moon for loaning material for the body for the time which this individual had the use of it, which has served him and the community well.

This part we will not see since we are leaving today.

On returning to our ship, we are accompanied by six guides, natives of this village who have been chosen by the chieftain to assist us in every way possible during our stay here on the Moon.

Sure enough, the darkies were at the ship watching over our things when we reached there, and mighty glad to see us. They made us understand they also would like to have us visit their village.

We promised them we would the following day.

In the meantime we want to do something for ourselves. When night came on the light side where our ship is, we thought we would like to investigate a little more in reference to our Earth from which we had come. So we focused the six inch telescope upon the Earth and to our amazement, what we saw made us ashamed of ourselves. For we were like most of the people on Earth, thinking our planet was the finest in the vastness of the heavens and the only one capable of maintaining human beings like us. But had we not come from there, and looked at the Earth through a telescope as we are now doing, we would never have believed that there could be even as much as a fly living upon it, for it looked so very bleak. It did not even have one percent of the markings which the Moon shows from the Earth. We could not believe our own eyes. But the old saying is that seeing is believing.

Some of the markings that we did see were very, very small dark patches here and there, which we figured must have been forests or vegetation. They were so small that they were hardly noticeable. For the most part, all that we could see was that it was rough in some spots. Mountains on Earth showed up like little pebbles do in the craters on the Moon, just enough to be rough. As for the oceans, we could not tell whether it was water or not. We assumed that it was the oceans, knowing just about where they were, but they looked more like a desert area.

"You know, fellows," commented Johnny, "if I didn't see it, I wouldn't believe it. Now I can understand the surprised expressions on the faces of these natives when we showed them where we had come from. It wasn't at all what I thought at the time."

And he was right, for really it was almost unbelievable to us that we could have come from any place like that to the Moon, or that there could be any people living there.

Right then and there we figured if that is all the showing of decent markings observable of the Earth from the Moon, we get better showings than that of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn through the telescopes on Earth. At least there is something to look at and not just a ball of light.

As we sit through the long Moon night, observing the Earth pass through her phases as seen from here, an amazing fact reveals itself to us and unfolds as we think about it. Through our little telescope the appearance of the Earth is as distinct as the Moon appears when observed through telescopes on Earth.

Coming here we verified the fact that the Moon has an atmospheric belt of three hundred miles in width surrounding her. We know now that although this atmosphere is lighter than the Earth's, we can easily live here comfortably, with the most noticeable difference being that we do not tire so easily and our minds are quicker in receptivity.

The Earth has an atmospheric belt of five hundred miles width surrounding her, with the heaviest atmosphere being closest to the Earth.

Through telescopes on either orb, an observer can easily and clearly study the other without the surrounding atmosphere acting as an interference.

Astronomers on Earth have given the heavy atmosphere surrounding Venus as the reason that planet's markings have never been seen with even the finest telescopes. In this line of reasoning, the markings on Earth should be obscured by her heavy atmospheric belt. But they are not.

Taking all known facts into consideration, planets Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn must have atmosphere very similar to the Earth or the Moon, or maybe somewhat between these two, since from the Earth definite markings around and on these other planets are so plainly visible. Even through five hundred miles of atmosphere, with some of it as dense as it is close to the surface of the Earth, people there can easily see planets and other heavenly bodies with their naked eyes although markings cannot be observed without the aid of a telescope.

It has been said that if atmosphere surrounded the Moon and other planets, clouds would be seen from time to time floating above them, such as we see over the Earth when on the Earth. We have been watching for cloud formations around the Earth as we have been sitting here noting every little detail and discussing our observations. But we haven't seen any. Yet we know from experience that somewhere over the Earth there are clouds moving. At the same time we realize that a cloud large enough to cover the entire state of California would scarcely be visible even from here and certainly not from the great distance between other planets and the Earth. Earth observers have however noted dark patches on these planets which were not always there the next time they looked. These may have been cloud shadows.

On the other hand, since the Earth is visible from the Moon and the Moon and other planets, with the exception of Venus, are visible from the Earth, then all these must have a rarefied atmosphere in comparison to that surrounding Venus, yet similar to each other.

Continuing in this line of thought, there is an atmospheric condensation that takes place over different parts of the Earth from time to time which is impenetrable even with our finest telescopes. This we call 'fog'. Should a dense fog enfold the entire Earth at one time, she probably would be hidden from the view of other planets, unless they had telescopes better than those on Earth which would penetrate such denseness.

This must be the type of atmosphere constantly around Venus. If so, people on that planet would be unable to view the heavens as we do unless they have more penetrating eyes than we have. Also their scientists and astronomers must have finer instruments than we have on Earth to be able to study the vastness of the universe as our scientists are able to delve into it with the aid of their instruments.

"Wonder if I can find anything in the sky from here that I've never heard of on Earth," mused George as he played around with the telescope.

"Hey, Doc, what's this?" he suddenly exclaimed.

"Looks like a moon to me," remarked Dr. Johnston as he looked intently into the telescope. "Could be a moon to this one yet never be seen from Earth. I've heard of a dark moon to the Earth, but of course no one there has ever seen it. This must be it."

As he continued his observations from time to time, Dr. Johnston estimated this second moon was about five hundred thousand miles away from the Earth and traveling a lot faster than the one we are on. The sun seems to shine on it about the same time that it is shining upon the Earth. This is the reason we have never been able to see it from the Earth-plane, while at night it seems to be strongly luminous towards the Moon that we know, and not towards the Earth. In other words, as Dr. Johnston explained to us, what the light side of our Moon, as we know it, is to us at the time it is shining, the second moon would be shining on the opposite side, which to us would mean the dark side of our Moon. This is where our Moon on the dark side gets the twilight during their night-time.

Seeing this from here, we become more inquisitive than ever. We would like to try for the second moon, or for one of the planets for they look very close from here. Yet we know they are far. But we are now positively sure that with the markings on other planets better than those of Earth, as we see the Earth from here, and the Moon inhabited as we have already found it to be, all these other planets must be inhabited.

At the same time we realize that we have much of this Moon yet to explore, even though the desire of going to investigate the second moon is strong, or of going on to other planets. We still have a big job to do on the Moon, since that is the purpose for which we came here. Also we know that when we get through doing our work here and after returning back to the Earth, later we can make another trip, since we have made this first one successfully and then venture on for further exploration.

The Earth has now sunk from view and another day is breaking. This is the day we have promised the darkies to visit their village. The six white boys who escorted us from their village back to our ship have remained with us. With their help we believe we will be able to explore the Moon more thoroughly. As the first bright rays of the sun pierce the morning skies, we set out towards the mountains, led by our native friends. Just as we get started we are joined by a group of the dark ones who have come to meet us. Instead of going up the mountain as we had previously done on our first day here, we were taken along a regular path that ran along the foot of the mountain and gradually ascended it in circular fashion towards the village, halfway up. Hiking early in the morning as we are is most enjoyable. Later it will be hot and quite uncomfortable.

Before leaving for this trip we had radared to the Earth and given them some knowledge of our findings.

Their message of congratulations also contained a note of incredulity since our findings were so different than had been expected.

Although all our radar messages had been in code, Johnny had faithfully kept the people on Earth informed as to what we are doing and concerning our findings.

After two hours of walking along the side of the mountain, we reach the village of the darkies. Here too all the tribespeople welcome us and have a feast prepared in our honor. This feast consisted of dried vegetation and also dried meat which seemed to be that of some kind of a fowl whose name we have not learned.

The six white scouts acting as interpreters make it easier for us, for they understand our signs well. These boys are certainly quick in learning, for just three days with us and they are beginning to use some of our words correctly.

The village of the darkies is a cliff type village, as it had appeared to us from the air. The reason for this is because of the heat through the day. They have running water in their dwellings, and quite natural at that, for each time they cut out a cave in the mountain of rock for a dwelling, they seemed to have encountered water which they used. In some cases there is much, in other cases less, but they all have water. We notice the difference of air within the dwellings and outside. Within the dwellings the air is cool and easy to breathe. Outside it is hot and stifling.

Their mode of living is very much like that of the white villagers and they too possess much precious stones and minerals. Because of the nature of the mountains in which these people live they do not produce their own food but receive their vegetables and grain from the white tribespeople in the valley. Being explorers by nature, as they are, they provide many of the gems the white ones possess. Their exchange system is not based on value of articles exchanged but rather on the needs and desires of the people.

On some of their exploring expeditions they have gone far from home. In this way they have learned more of other places and other people than the whites.

Through the interpreters we tried to find out how much farther we would have to go to find a good sized city and in what direction.

The chieftain tells us there is a city about a thousand miles to the northeast from their village.

Bob asked if he was talking about the one we had seen from the air.

He answered, "No, that isn't the one." Then he added that if we wanted to fly there in our ship, he would be glad to go with us to show us the way. He seemed to enjoy flying. It was something different than he had ever done before.

We told him we would like to have him go with us and the date was set for two days later.

Now we have returned to our ship. The dark chieftain also sent six of his men back with us to serve us for the time we are staying on the Moon. After arriving at the ship, having this trip two days later to prepare for, we had these native boys help us remove some of the supplies we had brought with us from Earth and which we wouldn't need on the trip, thereby lessening the weight of the ship.

The two days of waiting were spent exploring more of the light side. The darkies acted as our guides while the whites remained at the ship. We went to some of the larger craters acting as valleys. Here there was no lack of material for building many homes, if anyone wanted to use that type of material, for there was an abundance of beautiful volcanic rock. It seemed that the whole Moon on the light side was of volcanic nature. Yet we have found some granite, like that on Earth, brown or red sand which could easily have been soil at one time, dehydrated now. Also we came across a large territory that on Earth we would call desert, which on examination showed that it could have been the bottom of a river or sea, with quite a lot of vegetation of moss-like nature like we saw first in the crevices, and a certain amount of moisture. At nightfall the moisture increased in surprising abundance. In places some of these flat spots looked a little like our Salton Sea territory. There was a variety of small creatures. One especially could easily have been related to our horned toad, except that its body was long instead of being broad.

All this time we had no need for oxygen masks. We could not walk as far without rest, due to the light air and the heat, but it was fairly comfortable at that. Of course we did strike out exploring in the early morning when it was not yet too hot. In fact, we believe that this desert region surrounded with volcanic craters and mountains could be very fertile, once water was brought to it. It seems that if trees and vegetation were planted here, they soon would cool off the desert. And there is plenty of water on the dark side. This could be piped here for irrigation purposes without too much trouble, we believe.

Chapter V

THE BIG CITY

Finally our day for the trip has arrived. The chieftain came from his village to go with us. He and two of the white boys will be our companions on this trip. The others are remaining in camp to await our return.

Our ship rose into the air with great ease. We are flying according to the directions being given by the dark chieftain and it isn't long, flying at an altitude of forty thousand feet in the direction of the city, when we spotted it.

"Is that the one?" Bob asked.

"Yes," replies our guide.

As we reach the city and circle it for our first view, we might say it was built half on the light side and half on the dark side of the Moon. That is, about half of the territory looks like desert, while the other half is fertile land lying at the foot of and extending quite a ways up the side of a range of mountains. There are some very large buildings in both sections while most of the homes seem to be built as a community in a flat area a short distance away from the base of the mountain, yet in the dark side. Dr. Johnston estimates that probably half a million people could be living here.

We want to land but we can't locate an airfield or any place to land, and the chieftain doesn't know whether there is one here. Since we haven't seen anything of the kind, we are not too surprised for as Johnny pointed out, "an airport would mean these people have airplanes. Maybe they don't even know what such things are; our native friends didn't seem to. Neither have we seen or heard any planes flying overhead during all the time we have been here."

"And those people in that city we flew over on the first trip we made, were all so frightened," cut in Bob. "So maybe we are out of luck as far as airfields are concerned."

Nevertheless we were disappointed for we had hoped to visit this city, meet the people living here and learn what we could of their way of living.

As Bob slowly circles in air, he and George discuss the advisability of landing out there somewhere on the sands of the desert, as close as possible to one of those buildings when Johnny suddenly spots a ship coming from a distance towards the city. Our native friends are as surprised as we.

It is coming in at a terrific speed, so Bob continues circling to see where it is going. This is a very large ship, larger than we have ever seen anywhere and without wings. It resembles somewhat a V2 type rocket. As it came directly towards us without apparently slowing its speed we didn't know what to expect, whether it was going to attack us or what was going to happen. It, too, made a circle, giving us the once over then turned and began to lower just a little ways outside the city in the desert area.

Now we know we are not going to be attacked.

Finally it landed and many men got out of it. Three of them are going to a large building close by while the others are staying by the ship and watching us. This ship is about seven hundred feet in length.

It is no wonder we did not recognize this for an airfield. The building towards which the men from the other ship are going is about three stories high but very large, covering much ground space. The field just looks like a flat desert area without landing strips, lights, or markers of any kind and not fenced around in any way.

Bob is circling over the field hoping for some sort of signal to land but he doesn't know just what. Suddenly our ship lighted up as if we had crossed a light beam, yet we didn't see any. As we circled again, the same thing happened, whereupon one of the white boys suggested that instead of crossing through the light, Bob should turn the ship into it to see if he could follow it to the ground. This worked splendidly and we landed safely a short ways from the building which must be their administration building for several native men are coming out of it towards us.

These Moonalites too are white and tall like our friends of the valley, only they are dressed somewhat differently.

It is fortunate for us that we have the two white boys with us, for these city people seem to talk the same language as they. The boys left the ship first to meet the airport officials as they approached our ship and told them who we were and where we had come from. After a few moments of conversation, the officials come up and shake our hands in a very firm manner.

The boys must have inquired about the large ship that had landed just before we did for these airport men are taking us over there now. They are introducing us to these men, all of whom appear to be scientists, and telling them that we have come from the Earth.

Besides the men, this ship had also brought in quite a lot of cargo of different types of materials. On learning where it came from we really did get a surprise, for this ship had just come in from planet Mars.

The crew members of this Martonian ship are wearing caps similar to those worn by pilots on Earth; but the insignia on their caps is outstandingly interesting for it is a heart and a handshake across the heart. On their uniforms is an insignia of a bullet-type ship.

All of these men are very intelligent looking and well mannered. They are around six feet seven inches in height. One in the group is probably about eight feet tall. They are well built in proportion to their height, eyes just sparkling, very fair-complexioned and have jet black hair.

Judging by the appearances and behavior of the pilot and crew of this ship from Mars, we felt like little children, kindergartners. Emanating from them towards us is no feeling of personal pride nor attainment, neither is there the slightest indication of hostility but rather a feeling of warm friendship and joy that we have made the trip here.

These Martonians speak the language of the Moonalites so one of our white native boys can fill in as interpreter whenever necessary, but we have been learning from him during all the time we have been here. By now we are beginning to understand pretty well what is being said. He too has learned our language even better than we have learned his, so he often has to ask our questions for us when we are talking with other people for the first time.

"The people on Mars are built slightly different than you," we are told in answer to our queries. Their pilot came up and felt our bodies then indicated with his hands that our lung capacity is again as large as theirs. He went on to explain, "the atmosphere on our planet is lighter than that of Earth, so we do not need as large a lung capacity as you have."

To our astonishment, we were next told that the Martonians knew that we were on the Moon and when we had landed. They also knew that we would be at this city at the very time we arrived, for they had instruments that were able to pick up our radar messages and decode them. And we have been in regular contact with the Earth.

More astounding information was given us by these men as they told us a little about the dark moon of our Earth. It is used as a stopping place for space ships and is much colder than the cold side of this Moon. After observing it through our little telescope, Dr. Johnston had estimated it to be about five hundred thousand miles from Earth, but the Martonians told us, for that is where they stopped on their way in, that it is seven hundred fifty thousand miles from Earth.

"We have other outposts in space for different purposes, where our ships stop," commented one of the scientists of the group.

After quite a long visit with these Martonians and when all necessary details at the airport were completed, we were taken to the other section of the city where the citizens had been notified of our presence here. A royal welcome was given us as the entire population turned out in greeting.

At sunset we joined the citizens in their hour of praise and thanksgiving for the day; not out of respect for them so much but because with our whole beings we are intensely grateful for the friendship and the knowledge that have been so freely and joyously given us this day.

Later in the evening we were given the greatest surprise of the many we had received here on the Moon, for we were taken to one of their many observatories. Within it was housed a telescope which would be equivalent on Earth to a five thousand inch. This telescope is equipped with mechanism similar to our radar. It catches the reflections of heavenly bodies and somehow throws them into this complicated machine that acts like a primal focus on our telescopes, then angles it off there onto a large screen in a vast room. The screen is something like a moving picture screen in the theaters on Earth except it is about one hundred feet square.

After all introductions were made, the scientists operating the telescope focused it on planet Mars first and showed us that that planet is densely inhabited and looks very progressive.

Here a most surprising occurrence was called to our attention for when he focused Mars on the screen through this big telescope, using a two-way action which this big fellow has, he also focused us towards Mars. This means that should we ever succeed in getting there, the people would know us for they now have a picture of us. This instrument which appears to be similar to our radar and operates in conjunction with the telescope also transmits messages and pictures that they would want to the next planet, especially anything new. And we were a new situation. Through this same system, we understand, they transmit information and pictures of the heavenly bodies from their observatories.

Besides, when any of their ships are in flight from Mars to the Moon, or vice-versa, they have a picture of the ship's whereabouts. There are many such ships that land on the Moon from Mars. We have been told on the average of five to ten a day.

There are also ships from other planets landing here on the Moon regularly, but thus far we haven't seen any of them.

Next the big telescope was focused on the Earth, and behold, it did not look like anything on the screen. It is an accepted fact with many people that we are over-populated in the Earth. The statement has sometimes been made, this is the reason for wars. Yet comparing the picture of Mars which we saw on the screen and that of the Earth, Mars is far more densely populated than we are.

Their buildings, according to the picture, are taller and more majestic than any we have on Earth.

If there ever were any scientists, all Martonians seem to be scientists, according to what we can get. And the evidence is outstanding for this big observatory in which we are observing all this was their project. It had been transported piece by piece from Mars to the Moon.

We asked if they ever have any wars or anything like that on Mars?

These men didn't know what the word 'war' was. They didn't understand the meaning of it for they asked us what it meant.

Dr. Johnston explained it to them.

"No! No!" they answered. "We don't believe in that. We are scientific people. We are all scientists."

Of course that was kind of a slap in the face to us Earth men, at least we took it that way. In retaliation Bob asked, "don't you ever get over-populated? How do you handle that problem?"

"The powers of the Infinite look after that," came the answer right back. "We don't have to worry about it. All we have to do is to live with one another for the good of each other."

At this we realized that on their ship or on their persons, we had not seen a thing that would give any indication or comprehension of a destructive weapon. Instead, when we were first introduced to these men at the airport we had noticed in their ship many types of scientific instruments and much literature of what we considered was on science because of the sketches and pictures we could see.

In our opinion, this telescope and the whole project is the most stupendous accomplishment in the field of engineering and science that a human could ever view. This has given us evidence of their advancement. In fact, the two hundred inch on Mount Palomar is a toy in comparison, for this instrument, as stated before, is the equivalent on Earth to five thousand inches. It measures automatically the distance of any planet or star, focuses its number on the screen, analyzes the mineral contents of a planet in quantity and in quality, gives the amount of water and the amount of land, its vegetation growth and its deserts, and makes no mistake whatever in regards to inhabitants, whether there be any or not, or life in any form. The astronomers here do not spend night after night taking pictures and then trying to figure them out. It is all done for them mechanically.

They even knew of the war we on Earth have just gone through. They got the picture of the Earth madness so well that they have a photograph of it here, showing airplanes flying above the Earth and blowing it up.

As this picture was shown to us one of the scientists said, "the people on Mars believe that the people on Earth have gone actually insane, destroying their own homes in that way. That is one of the reasons they really don't care whether they ever come to Earth with their ships or not. They feel that people with such destructive natures have nothing in advancement to teach them."

So that is the kind of an instrument they have here, known to us as a telescope.

This five thousand inch telescope is very, very powerful. It is not made of one piece as a reflector, but is made up of many mirrors and they are not glass. They seem to be metal. Each mirror is set slightly different, so when all of them are acting as one they focus to this one big machine which in our system we would call the prime focus, and in there it really takes on the intensity and the amplification of light; while at dead center there is an octagon shape mirror or prism that acts automatically as a spectrum. This seems to be the part that gives the answer to the contents of a planet simultaneously with the viewing of it. Around the edge of the mirror are prism type reflectors that don't reflect to what we would call the prime focus, but instead they reflect along the edge of the barrel to another instrument which seems to be wrapped around the barrel on the tube, and that is the part that measures the distance of any heavenly body. So when the telescope is focused on a heavenly body, not only does it produce that body in clean cut markings of it, but it also gives the distance and the contents of it simultaneously, without an error.