I paid a passing visit to a few worlds where human life had never risen to a great height of civilization, nor can I forget the lessons I there learned of the power of sin.  All this one can clearly see who visits the three worlds lying next in order to Plasden, but I will forbear the sad and sickening recital of the depth to which a world is carried by sin when once it gains a haughty ascendency.

The next orb that attracted my attention also lay in the solar system of Dubhe, and very much resembles our own world in both size and climate.  The people, who are not half our stature, are so differently formed that I could scarcely believe my own senses.

A description of them would appear only ludicrous, so I shall content myself with saying that they are refined in their manners and highly educated in all branches of human knowledge, which does not imply that their studies are identical with ours.

I was surprised at the splendid arrangement of their cities and the sensible laws governing them.  One can scarcely believe that we are guilty of so much lost labor in the management of our cities, in our own way of living, and in providing for our families, until he sets his eyes on a city of another world that has notably distanced us in this respect.

These people, though small of stature, are endowed with powerful muscular systems and, through their intelligence, they have become masters of the seas and of the land, for the forests give away and savage tribes fall back before the onward march of the God-directed conqueror, man.

I then appeared in visible form and walked into one of the largest cities on this world.  I had not passed one-fourth of the way toward the city’s center before I was surrounded by a curious crowd which so blocked my path that I could make no further progress.  You may imagine their surprise to see a giant, as I appeared to them, with a strangely shaped head and with a soft, flabby skin, for they at first regarded my clothing as my skin.

No one could conjecture what sort of an animal I was.  I remained mute and watched the rising tide of excitement.  Before anyone could venture to touch me, I saw a band of officers in double-quick march hastening toward me with their curiously shaped weapons unfolded.

I stood motionless as the soldiers surrounded me.  As soon as the circle was formed the leader of the squad stepped toward me with a show of bravery, but I saw that he secretly trembled.  It was his oath-bound duty in such a case to lay hands on me and, if necessary, use force to take me to the central office.

I offered no resistance and went, as I was directed, till I stood in the odd looking room where all offenders of their law are taken for a hearing.

[Illustration:  Planet of Dubhe.]

The news of my appearance and arrest had by this time spread to all parts of the city and a motley crowd were gathering, but only a small portion of the people were able to gain entrance into the building where I had been taken.