by Jerry
But most noticeable of all was the appearance of the Mediterranean Sea, where formerly there had been only a large lake. This last-mentioned change was perhaps of the greatest consequence to the human family. Scientists are almost unanimous in their belief at this time,—seventy thousand years ago,—according to the records of the One Hundred, this was the most populous portion of the earth; and the region where the race had made the most successful attempt at rudimentary civilization.
This country was south of the periodically frozen regions, and most remote from danger of floods.
Then it must have indeed been a great disaster, when the rain fell in torrents day after day, and the swollen ocean suddenly broke through the mountain barriers at the Straits of Gibraltar.
One can imagine how the raging torrents went roaring through between the Pillars of Hercules; and how, augmented by the rains, the lake became a sea; and how the spreading sea drove people, animals, every living thing before it.
No doubt they climbed the mountains to high points where no flood had ever been known to approach. These mountains gradually became islands, and finally were entirely submerged; with the terrified animals and people all striving desperately to occupy the last remaining pinnacle. And then at the last, men, tigers, elephants and all, swept into the merciless flood. Yes, it must have been an epoch of great disaster to all-in that region.
Is it any wonder that the tradition and folk-lore of all ancient peoples contain an account of a universal flood? The story must have been told and retold, generation after generation, in every tribe; until it became known in every Asiatic and European country. We know the Babylonians had a version of it, as did the Arabians, the Hindus, and even the Chinese.
In my own Ridpath’s “History of the Chaldeans” whose annals are nearly as old as those of the Egyptians and Chinese, the historian says: “To Berosus we are indebted for what is known as the Chaldean or Babylonian account of the flood. The narrative is full of interest, as tending to show that all the nations having their geographical center in Mesopotamia preserve a common tradition of a great flood of waters by which the country was deluged, and the people destroyed. We know that the Hebraic version found its way, after sixty-eight thousand years, into our Bible; and some, if not all of these versions, are no doubt destined to survive as long as the human race shall endure and inhabit the earth.”
We found by reference to the astronomical library in the museum, that this strange planet that returned so regularly, and which the Vallennians had named Yudd, had such a long and eccentric orbit that it passed out of sight in a very few weeks, and could not be seen by the most powerful telescope for more than a few months. Yet it always returned with clock-like regularity, making its appearance on the very day it was due.
We also found explanations of various details shown in the photographs that had puzzled us.
We were interested to learn that the One Hundred Men had been convinced that there was human life on the earth, since about twenty-seven thousand years before the common era. That is to say, they had thought of us as neighbors for some two hundred and seventy centuries.
Even as far back as the building of the Pyramids, they had reflector telescopes so powerful that they were able to observe the progress of the work.
The first proof we have that they were aware of their impending danger, was found in a record of a speech delivered in the legislative assembly, in which the speaker argues in favor of building a memorial structure of such durable stuff that it might not be totally destroyed in case of collision with the earth.
This speech, which is evidently part of a debate, was delivered before they harnessed the planet’s core. A part of it follows:
“The solar system, with our sun and the eight great planets, together with the thousand or more asteroids, is constantly changing position. And we know not where it may lead. Throughout all our astronomical history, our orbit has been changing. While we make the same length of journey round the sun, in exactly the same time, yet the plane of our ecliptic is constantly tilting.
“This tilting of our orbit tends to bring us each year nearer to the orbit of the planet Bren (Earth), whose orbit is unchanging. Why we are allowed to wander, no man can say. Perhaps the poor little Vallenna is too small to be any concern to the great Ruler of the Universe. Be that as it may, our destiny seems to be bound up very closely with that of the large planet. Our respective orbits and length of years are such that we pass very close to the earth about every fifth year of our time, and each succeeding time we come a little closer.
“In the dim ages of long ago, the Bren was never seen by day with the naked eye; and by night, only as a round, luminous disk. Only by the use of the strongest telescopes were we able to make out the areas of land and sea. Now, after the passing of a few hundred centuries, we come so close that it is easily seen by day. Indeed, last year we passed so near that one could easily make out the shapes of continents and the like, without the aid of a glass.
“True, there is no immediate cause for alarm, for no noticeable change is likely to take place in your lifetime, or in mine; and in the meantime, many things may happen to save the day. A great many years ago, there was an incident in the Bren’s behavior that leads us to hope the orbit of the earth might still be unchanged.
“Our early records show that the direction of the earth’s axis suddenly shifted to such an extent that a great many degrees of latitude in the northern hemisphere were transformed from tropical jungle to frozen ice fields, in a single year.
“Whatever caused this sudden shift is not known; because it happened when Vallenna was at the other side of its orbit. Some of our best authorities believe, however, that some wandering planet came so close that their attraction, acting on the magnetic pole of the earth, caused the shift in the direction of its axis. In that case, this same planet or a kindred one might pass again, and so upset the earth as to draw it out of its orbit, and change its course altogether.
“Although the earth slowly righted itself, as shown by the gradual disappearance of the great snow and ice field, it is evident that some external force is at work with it yet, because its axis is wabbling like a top that has nearly run down; and the star that was their polar star a few hundred years ago is quite a long distance from their present pole-star.
“It is rather reassuring to think that some change may have been fore-ordained; and that the same Hand which placed all these bodies in infinite space is still guarding their destiny, and we shall ride safely through. But while we are unafraid, we know that Nature in her devious ways is no respecter of persons; and every day destruction goes on before our eyes. Big fish eat little fish; plant life must perish to feed animal life; and through destruction of both plant and animal life, we survive.
“Now it is known, according to the law of universal gravitation, that every particle of matter is attracted toward every other particle, with a force varying directly as the product of the masses, and inversely as the square of the distance between them. Now we might easily picture that at some time in the future, our changing orbit would bring us so close to the great Earth, that this attraction would overcome the force of our momentum, and Vallenna would be snatched from its orbit.
“Let us suppose a sudden jerk; a flash of flame; as Vallenna strikes the earth’s atmosphere. A long streak of light, giving place to a line of smoke; a tremendous impact! And then poor little Vallenna, buried miles deep in the earth,—a mis-shapen, broken and charred wreck of a once fair world!
“Then I ask you. What would become of my opponent’s frail temple, on top of his green hill? Of course we would have passed on, and our labors would be over. But some of our engineering work might conceivably survive the shock, being so well protected. And the earthly inhabitants might find it, and appreciate it; to the end that we might add something to the sum total of human knowledge.”
Desperate Efforts
WE End no further reference to this matter until about the time of the formation of
the Mediterranean Sea, when a text-book of astronomy was published, containing a computation of the time when Vallenna would probably come in contact with this earth.
This computation was, however, not very accurate, and set the time nearly three thousand years too late. In later text-books and mathematical treatises, however, we found that this estimate had been revised; and a fairly accurate date had been arrived at.
In their latest writings, it was quite generally agreed that not more than two or three times could they come in conjunction with the earth’s course, until they would be drawn in by the earth’s superior force of gravity.
But as time drew near, decade after decade, and everything continued to point to their ultimate end, they became very much alive to the situation. They made every effort to find some way to change the course of their flight through space, and avert the catastrophe. Records of their schemes to influence their course involved very ingenious plans, but apparently all of them were of no avail.
Somewhere about the beginning of the last century, they conceived the idea of preserving a record of their activities, and specimens of their handiwork for the benefit of earth-dwellers, after their fall.
The accounts of the meetings held to discuss this matter make very interesting reading; and the arguments, both for and against the scheme, were replete with references to astronomy and physics; which show conclusively that they had left no stone unturned in their efforts to master these sciences. I regret that time and space do not permit me to give in detail some of their most striking arguments. But it seemed to be quite generally feared that the Vallenna would be totally annihilated. Or at least, little more than the metal core could survive the heat of the descent and the force of the final impact; and some argued that if any place for storage or exhibit were prepared, it ought to be in the body of the core.
Others were of the opinion that anything in the body of the core would be totally lost, because they doubted if the earth dwellers would be able to excavate in such a hard material.
They of course could not know how far we had progressed in the knowledge of metals; and as this metal is considerably harder than the best grade of armor plate, it is true that we never could have penetrated it to any considerable depth. Besides, it was not known on which side the core might come to rest.
Again some argued that, since two-thirds of the earth’s surface was ocean, the Vallenna would most likely fall into deep water, where it would never be found.
But in spite of the fact that there was very little chance of our finding their work, they decided that they could do no better than to make an attempt; and a committee of three was elected to determine what ought to go into the collection, and where it should be housed.
Resignation
THEY recommended that a small vault of concrete glass be built just outside the wall surrounding the core; and in it should be placed several tons of photographs, books and mechanical devices, representative of their science and art. This report having been accepted, and the recommendations concurred in, they commenced the work of excavating, and building the walls of the vault.
In the meantime, the committee, according to instructions, were considering suggestions from any of the One Hundred, as to any additional things it might be advantageous to deposit.
The suggestions came in thick and fast. Every one seemed ambitious to have everything pertaining to his line of work or his hobby placed in the collection.
So a halt was called on the construction, and new and larger plans were drawn up, and submitted for approval. But by this time the idea had so grown upon the minds of all, that they voted to double the size of the original plans, and try to accommodate every one who wanted to have something preserved. So the work started anew, and an enlarged committee set to work to devise air-tight containers, and various other means of preserving the chosen articles from rust and decay. They evidently realized that the things might remain a very long time before the fall, and a very much longer time before they were discovered.
By the way, in all these later discussions they did not speak of the expected fall, but referred to it rather euphoniously as the Event of Merger.
Finally, the vault having been completed, the various articles for deposit were assembled, and duly installed. But as time went on, each year brought forth more things that it seemed should be deposited, until the available space was all taken up.
After much consideration, it was decided to close and seal the vault, and start the construction of a much larger one on the opposite side of the core.
This would afford an additional chance of their work being found, as both could not fall directly under the core.
They were determined to put a very complete assortment of everything that pertained to their daily lives into this collection. This they proceeded to do. And it was this newer and larger one that we found. But we hope to institute a search for the old one, as soon as we can make the necessary arrangements.
We are told that it was thought wise to have the new place provided with a hall, opening into the artificial cavity surrounding the core, as well as one leading to the surface. Because they reasoned that if Vallenna was completely buried in the earth, excavators might come upon the large core and be halted; and in exploring the cavity would naturally find the museum.
It seemed almost uncanny that we should have come upon it, exactly as they had anticipated. And let us hope that we of the earth may make such good use of the wonderful things we have thus inherited, that this noble and unselfish race shall be long and gratefully remembered.
Well, at length I am back at the old home, far from Canyon Diablo and Meteor Mountain. I became so exhausted and generally run down from my long labors, and the excitement of almost continuous discovery, that my health was considered in serious danger. So Mr. Kingston and the rest have prevailed upon me to leave it all and come home for a good rest, and an opportunity to settle my nerves.
Mr. Kingston, who seems to be made of sterner stuff, is still carrying on. He seems to be entirely unaffected by what he has gone through; and is studying and inspecting just as calmly as though he were in his own laboratory, or in the drafting room of his employers.
But then, he is a scientist, with a scientist’s cool and calculating methods; while I am just a normal impulsive human being. And when all is said and done, I am glad to get away for a while, and have leisure to go over all our experiences in perspective, and try to calculate the importance of our find.
The chief evidence I have of failing health, aside from my very emaciated appearance, is that I find it almost impossible to sleep. Often, when I have determinedly shut my eyes, I see a vision of that little meeting of a hundred men; and I hear the voice of the speaker, saying with prophetic emotion:—“A sudden jerk! a flash of flame! as the Vallenna strikes the earth’s atmosphere; a long streak of fire, giving place to a line of smoke. A tremendous impact! And the poor little Vallenna, buried miles deep in the Earth.”
THE END.
THE RELICS FROM THE EARTH
John R. Pierce
I WAS to head the expedition! I had been chosen! It was a great honor for a mere youthful graduate terralogist with no great experience and nothing much to his credit. That is, of course, if you do not count my monograph, “The Last Life Before the Exodus.”
Yes, equipped with two great Goznac discs more than 400 meters in diameter, I was to make a trip to the old earth, to head the largest archeological expedition in history.
I would bring to our museums a few priceless relics of the almost prehistoric era when man lived upon the insect-ridden earth. We were to attempt to save for civilization those two marvels of ancient architecture, the Eiifel Tower, the tallest structure on earth, and the Woolworth Building, the highest skyscraper left standing. That is, we hoped that the decay which made deserts of the formerly great cities had preserved them intact.
Many centuries have passed since we migrated to this peaceful little body, Triton, where we are without that ter
rible scourge, insect life. As I looked about me before departing, I could hardly realize that man once lived upon another and less fertile planet than this, our present home upon Neptune’s greatest satellite.
Before many days we were under way. We shouted to the crowd, shot out the immense handling tentacles and waved to the city as we clanged the hatches shut. With our powerful helio-lights we flashed a last farewell, then braced ourselves at our padded station for the force of the acceleration as we rose with unlimited speed.
A few hours later we were far in space. As the acceleration was gradually decreased, almost to zero, all sensation of weight vanished. I made my rounds swinging through the air. I went to the central dome of the pilot house. There I could see only the objects to the side (we were traveling edgewise to avoid meteorites). Around the dome rose the usual wall of consulium, that marvelously resistant metal discovered by Esfon in 10001, to protect the relatively fragile inner structure; to shield, also, the mechanical tentacles. There was little real need of piloting, with the automatic course plotter and steersman working. I looked at the artificial globe of the heavens, seeing on its surface a reflection of all that passed around us. Even as I watched, the surface changed and a small body flashed by, soon to be lost in the distance. Suddenly I saw a familiar bright flash. A muffled clang followed, as a portion of the globe went dark for a moment. A tiny meteorite, not fully deflected by the repulsion tubes, had skidded off the wedge-shaped edge of the disc. The ship performed marvelously; and, as I compared it with the uncertain skyrockets in which my ancestors left the earth for Venus, I wondered at their courage. To me that feat seemed greater than their later journey, in the first Goznac discs, to our present home.