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Updated: June 19, 2025
They had to contend with a large quantity of water, which covered most of the surface of their planet, but by ingenious means they got along nearly as well as if there was more land. In science they were far ahead of scientists of the earth, and they were fortunate in possessing the red substance, which they called Cardite, and which was their only source of light, heat and power.
With it they accomplished much that the world-dwellers have to bring about by great labor. By inquiry, after they had learned the language, the travelers found out that Cardite was regarded with much reverence, and there was a tradition that if any of it was taken away from Mars, the planet would disappear. "No wonder they didn't want us to get any," said Mr. Roumann.
We do not want you here." "Suppose we refuse?" "Then you will perish! Be warned in time. Give up the Cardite, and take your departure." "What will happen if we do not?" "You and your machine shall vanish from this planet and never more be seen. We cannot have any of our precious Cardite taken away to another world." "We have only taken a little," repeated Mr. Roumann.
In due time they passed beyond the limits of the atmosphere of Mars, and again were sailing through space, the Etherium motor doing good work. Mr. Roumann tried some Cardite in it, and their speed was increased by half, so they reached the atmosphere of the earth in much shorter time than they calculated.
Henderson, constructed a machine which, when a negative current of electricity was sent into it, would force away any object that was approaching the Annihilator. In a few moments the boys at the Cardite motor heard the hum, the throb and crackling that told them that the repelling apparatus was at work. But would it act in time? Or would the meteor prove too powerful for it?
Jack had raised the head of the injured man on his arm, and was giving him some water from a glass. This partially revived the German, and he opened his eyes. He looked around, into the faces of his friends, as if scarcely comprehending what had happened, and then, as his gaze wandered toward the disabled Cardite motor, he exclaimed: "Some enemy has done this! The motor was tampered with.
"I guess he's gone for reinforcements," said Jack. "No matter," spoke Mr. Roumann. "We'll soon have all we can carry, and then we'll hurry back to the projectile. When we get there we can defy them." They continued to fill the boxes with the Cardite, and soon had a good supply.
"I hope he likes it up there among the Martians." "I wonder if we'll ever take another trip like this?" asked Andy. "Perhaps, some day," replied Mr. Roumann. "I have some other ideas regarding distant planets that I would like to prove. But we'll take a rest, and see what use we can make of the Cardite.
"The special tools came to-day, and the motor has been repaired. We have tested it, and the Cardite power works even better than did the Etherium apparatus." "Then we can start as soon as Mark is found?" asked Andy Sudds. "Yes, for everything has been put inside the projectile, and all that remains is to haul it out of the shed, point it at the moon, and start the motor."
We have powerful forces within this projectile. We will use them against you and your men." "You cannot harm us," insisted the Martian in the red cloak. "Your machines of war will be powerless against those we have. Be warned in time. You must choose between the Cardite and death!" "We will keep the Cardite, and we will also keep our lives!" retorted the German.
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