n
air and harder than a diamond. It is cast in moulds after being melted
or, rather, fused.

"We use cold light which we produce by forcing oxygen through air tubes
into a vat filled with the fat of a deep sea fish resembling your whale.
You are aware, of course, that that is exactly how cold light is
produced by the firefly, except for the fact that the firefly uses his
own fat."

Larner was positively fascinated. He smoothed the metal of the targo in
appreciation of its marvelous construction, but he longed most to see
the curious light giving mechanism, for this was closer to his own line
of entomology. He had always believed that the light giving organs of
fireflys and deep-sea fishes could be reproduced mechanically.

The interior of the ship resembled in a vague way that of an ocean
liner. It was controlled by an instrument board at which a man and a
girl sat. They did not raise their heads as the three people entered.

When called by Bela and his sister, who seemed to give commands in
unison, the crew assembled and were presented to the visitor.

"Earth-dwellers are not the curiosity to us that we seem to be to you,"
said Tula Bela, speaking for the first time and smiling sweetly.

Larner was too engrossed to note the remark further than to nod his
head. He was lost in contemplation of these strange people, all garbed
exactly alike and all surpassingly lovely to look upon.

* * * * *

An odor of food wafted from the galley, and Larner remembered he was
hungry, with the hunger of health. He had swung his basket of fish over
his shoulder when he left his campfire, and Tula took it from him.

"Would you like to have our chef prepare them for you?" she said, as she
caught his hungry glance at his day's catch. This time Larner answered
her.

"If you will pardon me," he said awkwardly. "Really I am famished."

"You will not miss your fish dinner," said the girl.

"I believe there is enough for all of us," said Larner. "I caught twenty
beauties. I never knew fish to bite like that. Why, they--" and he was
off on a voluminous discourse on a favorite subject.

Those assembled listened sympathetically. Then Tula took the fish, and
soon the aroma of broiling trout mingled with the other entrancing
galley odors.

After a dinner at which some weird yet satisfying viands were served and
much unusual conversation indulged in, Nern Bela led the way to what
appeared to be the captai