y one
squat building of stone and no Orconites about, but we were glad enough
to turn away from it and look toward the dark and ragged range of
mountains which loomed up some five miles inland--the mountains of
Leider's headquarters. Not that the sight inspired us with greater
confidence. It didn't. But it was good to look at the mountains,
because the fact that we were going there meant that at least we should
be acting instead of idling.

No Orconite was visible anywhere.

With the coming of daylight--the greenish daylight of Orcon--the sea
behind us had calmed until its surface was disturbed only by gigantic
lazy bubbles which broke with muffled, thudding explosions. The air
smelled of chlorine, iodine, and sulphurated hydrogen, but was
breathable. I saw that the principal characteristic of life on Orcon was
an organic ability to thrive under almost any climatic conditions. Many
of the huge, crystal clear boulders which covered the beach and the
coastal plain which led to the hills, were covered with leafless flowers
which had immense, leathery petals and sharp, fang-like spines. Other
evidences of swift growing life showed on every hand. Ugly, jelly-like
creatures oozed about the ship and everywhere else. In places the very
rocks seemed ready to come to life.

* * * * *

After one good look about, I issued the order to start. As we clambered
down the ship's ladder to the beach and set out resolutely toward the
hills, I made myself try to hope, and for a time did muster up a little
cheer.

I did not keep it, though. In less than ten minutes something happened
which ended our expedition in a terrible manner.

What began it was a long shout which came echoing from LeConte back on
the ship. The instant I heard the cry I knew, somehow, that trouble had
started. Leider had kept off us as long as we had remained quiet, but at
our first move he had gone into action.

While LeConte's cry still echoed in my ears, I swung to face the ship
and saw him waving frantically from the deck. At that moment I also had
a queer impression that the sunlight was growing brighter on all the
glittering rocks, and that some new feeling was creeping into the air.

"Doctor Weeks!" LeConte cried across the distance between us. "Come at
once!"

Terror had laid hold of the man. Captain Crane, Koto and I began to run
to him.

"What is it?" I shouted.

"I don't know," came the thin answer. "I