Air Wonder Stories, May 1930 — page 43: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

> all have the hope that one day we may_return-home. Still, on athe other hand, all that seems humdrum-now, and Zolda- does Not leave us time to feel any monotony. As for color, this world is filled with it, and wien-we grow tired of the water we can fly for many miles over strange landscapes. As: for-music, we shall soon breadcast good programs, for George Morrow now has his radio completed and is busy at the present time install- ing his first great station, and he has a corps of men and women at work building the receiving sets. After all, life on Earth flows in well-oiled unchanging streams, while here there is-still great adventure to be found, and: we have not yet reached the point where we will tire. No, life is quite enjoyable here on this strange world, and its women are pleasant.” “T see. After all; there ‘is. little in the way of home ties on Earth to hold you, and you have here-a world_almost in the making. I could almost envy you,” said Commander Ware. “And... by the way, about that radio, Was it this George Morrow whose. voice gave us warning?” Kiter nodded, “And the women almost murdered him when they fearned what he was about! To them radio is almost a magic science, and when they first discovered its possibilities they were overjoyed with it. But when they. discovered that he had dared to warn his fellow-bemgs they were furious. However, Waltia intervened. She didnot consider his-act one of treason, for she admits that in his place her women would have done the-same! She was astounded to learn that she could watch the battle taking place in the Visual screen which Morrow had. perfected so that the scene was projected to his machine by the background of the clouds ovethead. Morrow, if you recall, was the eo-inventor. of a number of improvements of the Tele-Visual,, Waltia watched the entire battle by its means and~ it was. she who-gave directions for him to declare a truce and to invite you to. Xora!” “H’m! I wonder if our. people would have been so magnani- mous in a like circumstance? History rarely tells of souls so great and understanding as she!” “Tt is true I have never met a woman or a man forthat matter, who shows such a breadth of mind: and soul.” “You call her the Matriarch. Is that the term her people “No, ‘she is merely their ruler. They have no word sound for queen or anything to designate, their leaders, but hers is truly a-queenship or Matriarchy, There are other leaders among them, women who hold their position because of heritage, but Waltia is acknowledged their ruler, for through her own superiority of leadership she outranks them all.. Those who wear the girdle are of the nobility lines among them, the others are the commanders, but really there is no other distinct line drawn. All work for the common good.. - “But, gentlemen, if you will pardon my interruption, I would suggest that you get some sleep now. The nights of Zolda are nat over-long, due: to: the thick atmosphere which radiates the sum’s heat long before. the sun: has arisen, Tomorrow Waltia wishes that you be taken on-a tour of inspection, and I don't doubt but that-you are in-need of rest.” The men agreed. that: they needed sleep, and began to’ settle themselves on the. cotiches, which were extremely soft. Ex- amination of the texture of the cloth that covered them and of the blankets, revealed that they were woven-of a species: of sea- weed that still retained a sweet though elusive odor. Kiter waited only for the Earthlings to be settled before he took him- self off. They could see him moving in the gloom several rooms away. Then all was quiet, as the weary men-dropped off to sleep. CHAPTER XII Morning! S Kiter had said, the night was short and dawn came long A before the sun rose. When: Ware and his fellows awoke, the sky was being painted in beautiful: colors, far more WOMEN WITH WINGS lovely than it was possible for any sunrise upot Earth to be: And through ‘the ceiling and roof above, the Earthlings watched the shifting shades as they crept: from cloud to cloud. Then, recognizing their surroundings again, after the first surprise of the unfamiliar -scene, they looked about them and: saw that the sleepers-in the rooms about had already arisen. Looking through the: floor they could see Jack Kiter seated in a chair, awaiting their arising no doubt. In fact, as they arose he looked up-and saw them and waved a hand. Then he went hurrying up the ramp to their chamber. He greeted them brightly. “Sorry we have no better accommo- dations here; there is no running water to be had,” he advised, but after Gaping his hands four of the Zoldan women appeared bearing round bowls filled with water. There were towels of the woven sea grasses. After their ablitions in the tepid. soft water they were ready to descend below. In the square they found-the spheres just as they had heen left the night before, all deserted except for their guards. On looking seaward they were now greeted hy a strange sight. Above the square blocks of the black houses could be seen thousands upon thousands of the winged women inthe air, diving and cavorting in/a queer manner, “Come,” said Kiter, “if you wish to see our hostesses at their morning bath! You see, during the night the air cools a great deal and becomes. rather dry, and it is necessary for the. Zoldans o keep their flesh damp. Much of their breathing is through their pores, and, as in the frog, that is impossible it the skin is dry. Hence it isa morning rite with them to go down to the water for their bath. They become quite sluggish if they are kept from the water.” Taking wing, the five flew over the house tops to the sea shore, They could now see that the ocean was dotted with amphibians. The Zoldans would soar several hundred feet in the air, then close their wings and drop like plummets into the water; throwing the spray high. For a few minutes they would play in the water, surfacing, diving and swimming several yards beneath the surface, to rise again and repeat the plunge. Along the beaches standing in the surf-were a number of women with babies in their ‘arms whom they would carefully lower into the water for the space of a mimute. To one side of the gathering they could see a number of half-grown Zoldans imitating their mothers, only their play was. more exciting a8 they chased each other in short races. ; sO you know,” observed D’Arcy, “that we haven't seen a single male Zoldan? They are evidently very scarce, or do they keep apart from the women?” In answer Kiter scanned the crowds and from time to.time pointed out a single scaly man or two ina group, They were slightly smaller_than the women. Down the beach Ware noted a band-of his soldiers standing by and watching their hostesses with much glee. On seeing their leader, several officers detached themselves from the group and approached Commander Ware.. They reported that all was well with their battalions, The three captains of the .ships which had been paralyzed by the-Zoldan gas. made their appearance, They reported that their ships were little the worse for. their experience, Only one of their number, the Skylark, had received any damage. Two of the-plates of the outside shell had sprung a leak, but only a smail amount of water had seeped in, The captain had ordered that a number of his men. repair the damage immediately and he was, certain that-all would be well with it __ henceforth. On learning of the accident, the two Japanese in- ~ ventors were-troubled and, excusing themselves from the group, hurried to examine the damage, Later, upon hearing about the. matter, the Matriarch ordered that a coating of ceiluta, the black metal of:the Zoldans, be used to seal the-break. The stuff was brought in a liquid form and applied like a-paste, In-less than half an hour it hardened and nothing was found that could