planet twice, with the instruments adjusted to
detect the metal of the domes. They spread over many miles of the
surface, yet were like grains of sand on the enormous globe. When the
gauges quivered over a section, hidden beneath the mists, every one
breathed a sigh of relief.

It would be many hours before the ship was within the cities, but they
were _home_! Every earthman had the same feeling. Jupiter was almost as
much of a home to them as to the natives, even before they had seen it.
They eagerly looked forward to sight of the domes that would be under
their care.

John McCarthy entered the control room with a big tray of containers.
"Here! It's not liquor, but I'll bet you enjoy it more. There's enough
in each of these to _really_ quench your thirst. I for one, will enjoy
drinking all of the water I want, after five weeks on short rations."

It seemed impossible that the clouds outside could be deadly. They were
beautiful in the reflected light of the sun, yet those vapors contained
poison that no man could live in. The domes were the only place that
life could exist on the strange planet.

As they dropped through the heavy mists, it created a feeling of dense
fog. They could see nothing of the surroundings, trusting entirely on
the instruments. It was like groping in the dark, yet the earthmen knew
it had been done before, and the dome men showed no fear.

When a slight jar shook the ship, they breathed easier. _It had touched
the ground!_ They could feel some effect of the heavy gravity, even
within the insulated hull. The ship slanted down at a steep angle,
sliding forward with its own weight.

The earthmen didn't understand what was happening, but watched the
actions of the dome men. They were using a different control board now,
beneath the other panel. McCarthy was down in the hold, watching the
action of machines that had been idle until now.

When they stopped, the mists disappeared from around them. Lights above
outlined a huge metal passage. The ship started forward again and heavy
doors slid back at the approach with bright light appearing beyond.

They were looking across sun-lit country; the most perfect scene they
had ever witnessed. Strange trees, and growth of every description,
spread in every direction. When the ship slid into the open, they were
beneath one of the domes--enormous beyond their greatest imagination,
and exquisitely beautiful.

While they watched spellbound, people start