Page:Amazing Stories Volume 15 Number 10.djvu/50

50 "And so we have another method, one that is so revolutionary, so undreamt of, that it frightened our scientists at first. It may frighten you too, so we will first show you something of our world before we ask you to take the decision in your hands."

E stopped speaking and came forward to the two men.

"These men of science will be your friends and your guides," he said. "They are called Lito, Pyteles, Kora-san, Seydi, and Murra."

Mike had been staring around all through the long speech, now and again shaking his head, and once taking a drink from his bottle. Now he bent close to Sammy.

"Who's 'at monkey?" he said. "Listen to that stuff he gives us. Don't give your right name."

Sammy brushed his hands over his face in confusion.

"Gimme that bottle," he said, shakily. He took a long gulping drink and gasped for breath. Slowly, his beatific smile returned. "This," he said, bowing to Mike, "is my friend, Chowderhead, and I am Sambo wambo."

"So let it be," said the High Priest. "Henceforth, all Quenna will know you as—" he paused momentarily in astonishment as Mike delivered a kick to Sammy's shins—"as Chowderhead and Sambo wambo."

"Lizzen, you!" Mike snarled at the High Priest. "If you're—" He had no chance to finish. As the High Priest had spoken, red discs had formed on the floor of the chamber, discs of various sizes. Now, suddenly, entire groups of people began to vanish from sight, as others just as abruptly materialized from thin air. Mike and Sammy were in the jeweled chamber but an instant longer as people kept flashing in and put. Then the chamber disappeared, and Sammy and Mike were alone in the white hall for a moment. Then Lito appeared at their side and the hall was gone. It was like something out of an insane kaleidoscope, and when it stopped, Sammy and Mike were standing somewhere in bright sunshine, and one by one, the five scientists popped into being all around them.

They were standing in the center of an empty plaza, in the heart of a valley formed by rolling green hills.

"Our people want to see you," said Lito, and before he had finished speaking, the plaza was filled with a huge throng on all sides of the little group. Instantly there was a succession of deafening cheers. From somewhere, strange, lovely flowers showered down from the skies.

With the same abruptness, the plaza and its cheering thousands was gone, and they were standing on a sort of terrace before a low, dome-shaped building. The valley lay far below them now.

They seemed to be in a city now, but one that had been planned with infinite skill.

"Look," said Murra. "Here is one of our ancient cities. It is scarcely habitable according to our standards. How does it compare with your world?"

N endless panorama of plains and hills stretched before them, threaded by white ribbons of roads, decked on every side by acres of blossoming trees and flowers. Houses of every color were ranged in pleasant design, but though they were fairly close together, the total effect had not obscured the natural beauty of the landscape. The air was clear and touched with fragrance.

"Thazz still a good trick," said Sammy.

Murra's face clouded.

"Why do you call it a trick?" he