d more magnificent than their own.

CHAPTER XV.

MOTHER EARTH.

"There is something sad," said Cortlandt, "about the end of everything,
but I am more sorry to leave Saturn than I have ever been in taking
leave of any other place."

When beyond the limits of the atmosphere they applied the full current,
and were soon once more cleaving the ether at cometary speed, their
motion towards the sun being aided by that great body itself.

They quickly passed beyond the outer edge of the vast silvery rings,
and then crossed one after another the orbits of the moons, from the
last of which, Iapetus, they obtained their final course in the
direction of the earth. They had an acute feeling of homesickness for
the mysterious planet on which, while yet mortal, they had found
paradise, and had communed with spirits as no modern men ever did.

Without deviating from their almost straight line, they passed within a
million miles of Jupiter, which had gained in its smaller orbit on
Saturn, and a few days later crossed the track of Mars.

As the earth had completed nearly half a revolution in its orbit since
their departure, they here turned somewhat to the right by attracting
the ruddy planet, in order to avoid passing too near the sun.

"On some future expedition," said Ayrault, "and when we have a supply
of blue glasses, we can take a trip to Venus, if we can find a possible
season in her year. Compared with this journey, it would be only like
going round the block."

Two days later they had rounded the sun, and laid their course in
pursuit of the earth.

That the astronomers in the dark hemisphere were at their posts and saw
them, was evident; for a brilliant beam of light again flashed forth,
this time from a point a little south of the arctic circle, and after
shining one minute, telegraphed this message: "Rejoiced to see you
again. Hope all are well."

Since they were not sufficiently near the moon's shadow, they directed
their light-beam into their own, which trailed off on one side, and
answered: "All well, thank you. Have wonderful things to relate."

The men at the telescopes then, as before, read the message, and
telephoned the light this next question: "When are you coming down,
that we may notify the newspapers?"

"We wish one more sight of the earth from this height, by daylight. We
are now swinging to get between it and the sun."

"We have er