The Martian
based upon the Third Prize ($15.00) Winning Plot of the InterplanetaryPlot Contest won by Allen Glasser, 1610 University Ave., New York
By A. R. Hilliard and Allen Glasser
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Wonder StoriesQuarterly Winter 1932. Extensive research did not uncover any evidencethat the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
The water was evaporated by the ever-shining sun untilthere was none left for the thirsty plants. Every year more workers diedin misery.
ALLEN GLASSER
who furnished the plot
A. ROWLEY HILLIARD
who wrote the story
Many writers of science fiction, who have not given the matter muchthought, assume that a man of intelligence from one planet wouldmeet a cordial and sympathetic welcome on another world. It isassumed that people are everywhere educated, curious about otherworlds and other cultures, and eager to help a visitor from analien race.
Unfortunately there is no assurance that such is the case. Evenwere the members of another race, on another world possessed ofeducation, there would be bound to be among them low and brutishelements. And if a stranger from another world, dazed by newconditions and unable to make his wants known, were to fall intotheir hands his fate might not be happy.
We have read no story that pictures with such clarity and insightthe experiences of a man on another world than his own, than doesthis present story. With the basis of a splendid plot Mr. Hilliardhas worked up a simply marvelous story.
The rolling, yellow sand reflected the heat of the sun in little,shimmering waves. It reflected the sun's light blindingly throughout allits visible expanse, with the exception of one spot where lay a circularshadow. In the great steely-blue dome of the sky there were no clouds.
The shadow, although not large, was very dark and distinct. The curved,even line of its circumference was precisely drawn.
In the air was a persistent rattle of sound—a series of closely spacedexplosions, ever rising in intensity.
Suddenly a small, uneven shadow detached itself from the circular one;and floated swiftly across the sand. The rattling sound increased to atremendous booming roar, and the large shadow began to fade. At the sametime, the smaller one grew steadily darker.
High above the sand, a man was falling—much too swiftly.
The surface of the sand had been shaped into hills by the prevailingwinds. These long, ridge-like hills, or dunes, were convex and gradualin slope on their windward sides, but on their lee sides they wereconcave, and very steep.
It was near the top of one of these steep slopes that the man landed.His frail legs and body crumpled under the weight of his head; hepitched forward, and half rolled, half slid to the bottom where he cameto rest more gently, the target of a small avalanche of sand.
Immediately, he began to struggle; and, failing in his attempts torise, stretched his slim arms skyward and uttered a s