CHAPTER II.
AFTER CONCLUDING OUR DINNER, which was eaten in silence, the old man requested me to follow him. Rising from the table, he conducted me into another apartment, and bade me watch a large crucible in which a dark red colored fluid was boiling vigorously, over a fire placed in the centre of the room, which burned without smoke. To prevent the contents of the crucible from boiling over, I had a long copper rod, which, whenever the fluid reached a certain mark, I was to plunge into the centre of the crucible, when it would immediately subside to its proper place. The bear that had caused me so much terror on my entrance to the cavern, had become quite attached to me, lying by my side, and giving a satisfactory grunt whenever I patted his rough, hairy head. Thus I employed my time. The morning was passed chiefly in reading such portions in the written books as my instructor would point out to me as a lesson. During the afternoon, I took charge of the crucible and its contents. Meanwhile the old man was busily engaged in an adjoining closet; but what he was doing I could not discover; for, although I frequently asked him why he thus labored alone in this solitary rock, instead of enjoying the pleasures of the world, as a man of his immense wealth should, I invariably received a stern rebuke for my presumption. As soon as the sun had gone down, the old man would take his globe and telescope, and bidding me follow him, would ascend to the top of the rock, and placing his globe by his side, then adjusting his telescope, would earnestly gaze into the starry heavens, ever and anon stopping to note upon the globe whatever he discovered in the heavens.
“Do you see that star?” said he to me one fine evening, at the same time pointing to a star of uncommon brilliancy. I answered in the affirmative. Hie then adjusted the focus of his telescope, and bade me look through it. I did so; and to my surprise, the star appeared like earth itself. The power of the telescope was so great, that the star filled the whole field of vision; and I could distinctly see mountains and rivers, and could fancy that I saw moving beings. I was delighted. The old man smiled at my transports. It was the first time I ever saw him smile.
“How would you like to visit that country!”he inquired.
“Were it possible,” said I, “to reach it, I should very much like to do so.”
“Rest assured,” said he, “if you wish to go you can. For the great task I have before spoken of, is for you to visit that place. I will find means for your departure, and for your return. It is for this purpose that I have been so careful in instructing you in the mysteries of astronomy.”
The time passed slowly away, and I must have been employed in the manner which I have described for nearly six months. The old man worked as diligently, and the crucible boiled with as much vigor, as when I first entered the cavern. At last, however, the important hour arrived; the old man placed a glass mask over his face, and provided one for my use. This was immediately after we had dined. Thus equipped, we entered the laboratory. The fluid in the crucible was still boiling. The old man then went to his private work-shop, returning holding upon an iron hook a large globular mass of fire, resembling molten iron, but which hung from the hook without farther support than afforded by it.
“I have succeeded,” cried the old man, his Whole frame trembling with excitement, his eyes flashing with triumph. “It’s malleable flame that will never expire, or become less hot.”
Laying the mass of malleable flame beside the crucible, he took from my hand the copper rod, and stirred the boiling mixture with great violence. The liquid gradually descended in the crucible. Hot vapors arose, filling the room with a thin, blue mist, which condensed by our breath, rolled in large drops over our glass masks.
The old man labored with unceasing vigilance as the contents of the crucible gradually grew less. Suddenly he ceased the operation of stirring, and taking from a small pouch that hung at his side a vial, which he threw into the crucible, at the same time crying:
“On your face! on your face! for your life!”
I instantly obeyed him, and threw myself flat upon the floor. A loud explosion ensued, scattering the fragments of the crucible, and the brands of the fire, over our prostrate forms. After the explosion, arising, the old man rushed eagerly to the spot where the crucible had been, and a cry of delight escaped him as he saw a small heap of red powder lying near the spot. He quickly gathered it up, and placing it in a bottle he had provided for the purpose, then grasping the iron hook that supported the malleable flame, he seized me by the arm, and dragging me after him, hastily stumped out of the room. Entering the room in which I read, he moved from off the table the globe, and the various other instruments that encumbered it, and then placed the hollow cylinder, of which I have before spoken, upon it. The cylinder was composed of an exceedingly light substance, yet as hard as iron itself, which the old man proved by striking it with a sharp axe, the axe making no impression upon it.
“This,” said he, patting it affectionately, “this is the vehicle that is to convey you to the beautiful planet. You perceive that the inside is of sufficient capacity to contain you without inconvenience.”
So saying, the old man raised the cylinder upon his shoulder, and telling me to bring the globe and telescope, ascended to the top of the rock. Placing it upon the ground, we returned and brought forth a huge chest, so heavy that one end was a sufficient load for me. Having all his utensils at hand, he affixed the cylinder in a frame, attached to which were several very strong steel springs. These springs he drew down to their utmost; tension, and placed them at the sharpened end, the other extremity of the cylinder pointing upwards, and fastened them all upon another smaller one, that served in the capacity of a trigger. Then taking the red powder that had been formed by the explosion of the crucible, he placed it in a. strong, square, steel box, from which, at the end, there issued a small, but very strong tube, and fastened the box securely in the pointed end of the cylinder. He thus explained the principles and the manner of working the machine:
“The red powder which I have just enclosed in the steel box, and placed within the cylinder, is a pyrotechnic compound of great power. As long as a steady heat can be obtained enough to keep it in fusion, so long a steady blast of exceedingly powerful flame will issue from the tube of the steel box, which tube you perceive extends through the aperture at the pointed extremity of the cylinder. For the purpose of keeping up this heat, I have, after great labor, and much research, invented the malleable flame, which I shall place securely under the steel box that contains the powder. This small stop-cock is for the purpose of diminishing the blast whenever you wish. The vane which so much resembles a weathercock, is for the purpose of guiding machine. I have discovered that there is a large quantity of iron in the planet which I wish you to visit, and have, therefore, made this vane. The arrow-like head is formed of loadstone; and when you point it in the line of the planet, the machine will incline that way. I have placed a double telescope upon the large extremity, so that you will be enabled to see the planet distinctly, and guide the machine accordingly. I now wish you to enter the cylinder.”
So saying, he assisted me into the cylinder. It was of sufficient bulk to allow me to lay comfortable. It was lined with soft, warm fur. The telescope, vane, and stop-key, were so arranged that they were convenient to reach. After having everything prepared, the old man placed the globular mass of flame in the pointed end of the cylinder. Instantly a stream of fire issued from it, striking the rock with great violence. He then approached me, and placing his hands upon my head, silently blessed me. Then handing me a small pocket telescope, and a roll of manuscript, said:
“Farewell! God bless you, and prosper you. Your instruction will be found in the manuscript.”
I saw that he was about setting the machine free, so, applying myself to the telescope, I distinctly saw the planet, and pointing the vane directly towards it,
“Ready!” I shouted.
The old man then pulled the small trigger that confined the steel springs, and propelled by their force, and that of the flame, I shot up into the air, the long broad flame of fire streaming behind me like the blaze of a comet. I looked behind me as I swiftly rose, and could see the old man as he peered through his telescope at my rapid flight. As I rose higher, I could see the, western border of the ocean; and even thought that I could distinguish the populous cities of the Great Republic; but they all quickly faded from my sight, leaving nothing but a chaotic mass.
I now turned my attention to the guidance of the cylinder. Looking through the telescope, I discovered that it was not bearing directly towards the planet. I therefore pointed the head of the vane in a direct line with it. The machine veered around, and took the proper course.
As I advanced, the planet, instead of shining with such vivid brilliancy as it had before, gradually grew dim; and I soon became sensible that I was no longer withheld by the power of the earth’s attraction, but that I had become liable to fall with great force upon the surface of the planet. I therefore turned the opposite end of the vane towards it, which was endowed with a repelling power. My cylinder turned from it, and was soon in a fair way to return to earth again; but with the stop-cock provided for that purpose, I shut off the supply of flame that propelled me, in such a manner that I was enabled to descend towards the planet with ease. As I approached the planet, I could readily perceive that it much resembled our earth. Landing in safety upon a high mountain, I hastily disengaged myself from the machine, not thinking to turn off the flame. No sooner had the cylinder become lightened of my weight, than, impelled by the power of the flame, it arose again, soaring high in the heavens, and was soon lost to my view; thus cutting off all hope of returning to earth by its assistance.