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Introducing .NET MAUI: Build and Deploy Cross-platform Applications Using C# and .NET Multi-platform App UI 1st Edition Shaun Lawrence instant download

Introducing .NET MAUI is a comprehensive guide for building and deploying cross-platform applications using C# and .NET Multi-platform App UI. The document covers the fundamentals of .NET MAUI, including its architecture, user interface essentials, and practical application development steps. It also provides resources for troubleshooting and source code access on GitHub.

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100% found this document useful (1 vote)
13 views

Introducing .NET MAUI: Build and Deploy Cross-platform Applications Using C# and .NET Multi-platform App UI 1st Edition Shaun Lawrence instant download

Introducing .NET MAUI is a comprehensive guide for building and deploying cross-platform applications using C# and .NET Multi-platform App UI. The document covers the fundamentals of .NET MAUI, including its architecture, user interface essentials, and practical application development steps. It also provides resources for troubleshooting and source code access on GitHub.

Uploaded by

oftenlaraxe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Introducing
.NET MAUI
Build and Deploy Cross-platform
Applications Using C# and .NET
Multi-platform App UI

Shaun Lawrence
Introducing
.NET MAUI
Build and Deploy
Cross-­platform Applications
Using C# and .NET
Multi-platform App UI

Shaun Lawrence
Introducing .NET MAUI: Build and Deploy Cross-platform Applications
Using C# and .NET Multi-platform App UI
Shaun Lawrence
St Ives, UK

ISBN-13 (pbk): 978-1-4842-9233-4 ISBN-13 (electronic): 978-1-4842-9234-1


https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-9234-1

Copyright © 2023 by Shaun Lawrence


This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or
part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of
illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way,
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The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if
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they are subject to proprietary rights.
While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of
publication, neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal
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Printed on acid-free paper
Table of Contents
About the Author��������������������������������������������������������������������������������xv

About the Technical Reviewer����������������������������������������������������������xvii

Acknowledgments�����������������������������������������������������������������������������xix

Introduction���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������xxi

Part I: Getting to Know .NET MAUI�����������������������������������������������1


Chapter 1: Introduction to .NET MAUI���������������������������������������������������3
What is .NET MAUI?����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������3
Digging a Bit Deeper����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5
Where Did It Come From?��������������������������������������������������������������������������������6
How It Differs From the Competition���������������������������������������������������������������7
Why Use .NET MAUI?���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8
Supported Platforms����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8
Code Sharing���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9
Developer Freedom���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10
Community����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10
Fast Development Cycle��������������������������������������������������������������������������������10
Performance��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11
Strong Commercial Offerings������������������������������������������������������������������������12

iii
Table of Contents

Limitations of .NET MAUI������������������������������������������������������������������������������������13


No Web Assembly (WASM) Support���������������������������������������������������������������13
No Camera API�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������13
Apps Won’t Look Identical on Each Platform�������������������������������������������������14
Lack of Media Playback Out of the Box���������������������������������������������������������14
The Glass Is Half Full, Though�����������������������������������������������������������������������������14
How to Build .NET MAUI Applications������������������������������������������������������������������15
Visual Studio��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15
Summary������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17

Chapter 2: Building Our First application�������������������������������������������19


Setting Up Your Environment������������������������������������������������������������������������������19
macOS�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19
Windows��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������27
Visual Studio to macOS���������������������������������������������������������������������������������28
Troubleshooting Installation Issues���������������������������������������������������������������������32
.NET MAUI Workload Is Missing���������������������������������������������������������������������32
Creating Your First Application����������������������������������������������������������������������������33
Creating in Visual Studio�������������������������������������������������������������������������������33
Creating in the Command Line����������������������������������������������������������������������37
Building and Running Your First Application�������������������������������������������������������38
Getting to Know Your Application������������������������������������������������������������������������41
WidgetBoard��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������41
Summary������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������42
Source Code��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������43

iv
Table of Contents

Chapter 3: The Fundamentals of .NET MAUI���������������������������������������45


Project Structure�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������45
/Platforms/ Folder������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������48
/Resources/ Folder����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������51
Where To Begin?�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������56
Generic Host Builder�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������56
What Is Dependency Injection?���������������������������������������������������������������������57
Registering Dependencies�����������������������������������������������������������������������������60
Application Lifecycle�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������62
Application States�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������62
Lifecycle Events���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������64
Handling Lifecycle Events������������������������������������������������������������������������������65
Cross-Platform Mappings to Platform Lifecycle Events��������������������������������66
Platform-Specific Lifecycle Events����������������������������������������������������������������67
Summary������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������72

Chapter 4: An Architecture to Suit You�����������������������������������������������75


A Measuring Stick�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������75
Prerequisites�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������76
Model View ViewModel (MVVM)��������������������������������������������������������������������������77
Model�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������78
View���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������79
ViewModel�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������80
Model View Update (MVU)�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������83
Getting Started with Comet���������������������������������������������������������������������������84
Adding Your MVU Implementation�����������������������������������������������������������������84

v
Table of Contents

XAML vs. C# Markup�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������86


Plain C#���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������87
C# Markup�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������88
Chosen Architecture for This Book����������������������������������������������������������������������89
Adding the ViewModels���������������������������������������������������������������������������������90
Adding Views�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������96
Viewing Your Widget��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������99
MVVM Enhancements����������������������������������������������������������������������������������101
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������105
Source Code������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������107

Part II: User Interface��������������������������������������������������������������109


Chapter 5: User Interface Essentials������������������������������������������������111
Prerequisites�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������111
Models���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������111
Pages�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������113
ViewModels�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������114
App Icons����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������116
Adding Your Own Icon����������������������������������������������������������������������������������116
Platform Differences������������������������������������������������������������������������������������117
Splash Screen���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������118
XAML�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������119
Dissecting a XAML File��������������������������������������������������������������������������������120
Building Your First XAML Page��������������������������������������������������������������������122
Layouts�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������124
AbsoluteLayout��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������124
FlexLayout���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������126
Grid��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������128
HorizontalStackLayout���������������������������������������������������������������������������������131
vi
Table of Contents

VerticalStackLayout�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������132
Data Binding�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������135
Binding��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������136
Applying the Remaining Bindings����������������������������������������������������������������140
MultiBinding������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������141
Command����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������144
Compiled Bindings���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������147
Shell������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������148
ShellContent������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������149
Navigation���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������150
Flyout�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������154
Tabs�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������160
Search���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������160
Taking Your Application for a Spin���������������������������������������������������������������������161
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������163
Source Code������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������164
Extra Assignment����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������164

Chapter 6: Creating Our Own Layout������������������������������������������������165


Placeholder�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������166
ILayoutManager������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������168
BoardLayout������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������169
BoardLayout.xaml����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������169
BoardLayout.xaml.cs�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������172
FixedLayoutManager�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������177
Accepting the Number of Rows and Columns for a Board��������������������������179
Providing Tap/Click Support Through a Command��������������������������������������181
Building the Board Layout���������������������������������������������������������������������������182
Setting the Correct Row/Column Position for Each Widget�������������������������185

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Using Your Layout���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������187


Adding a Factory That Will Create Instances of Your Widgets���������������������187
WidgetTemplateSelector������������������������������������������������������������������������������193
Updating FixedBoardPageViewModel����������������������������������������������������������194
Finally Using the Layout������������������������������������������������������������������������������196
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������197
Source Code������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������198
Extra Assignment����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������198

Chapter 7: Accessibility��������������������������������������������������������������������199
What Is Accessibility?���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������199
Why Make Your Applications Accessible?���������������������������������������������������������200
What to Consider When Making Your Applications Accessible��������������������������200
How to Make Your Application Accessible��������������������������������������������������������201
Screen Reader Support�������������������������������������������������������������������������������201
Suitable Contrast�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������208
Dynamic Text Sizing�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������210
Testing Your Application’s Accessibility�������������������������������������������������������������215
Android��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������215
iOS���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������215
macOS���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������216
Windows������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������216
Accessibility Checklist��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������216
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������218
Source Code������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������219
Extra Assignment����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������219

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Chapter 8: Advanced UI Concepts�����������������������������������������������������221


Adding the Ability to Add a Widget to a Board���������������������������������������������������221
Possible Ways of Achieving Your Goal���������������������������������������������������������222
The Chosen Approach����������������������������������������������������������������������������������224
Styling���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������230
Examining the Default Styles�����������������������������������������������������������������������232
Creating a Style�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������234
AppThemeBinding���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������236
Further Reading�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������236
Triggers�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������237
Creating a DataTrigger���������������������������������������������������������������������������������238
EnterActions and ExitActions�����������������������������������������������������������������������239
Creating a TriggerAction������������������������������������������������������������������������������240
Further Reading�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������242
Animations���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������242
Basic Animations�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������243
Combining Basic Animations�����������������������������������������������������������������������245
Cancelling Animations���������������������������������������������������������������������������������246
Easings��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������246
Complex Animations������������������������������������������������������������������������������������247
Combining Triggers and Animations�����������������������������������������������������������������252
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������254
Source Code������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������255
Extra Assignment����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������255
Animate the BoxView Overlay����������������������������������������������������������������������255
Animate the New Widget�����������������������������������������������������������������������������255

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Part III: Behind the Scenes������������������������������������������������������257


Chapter 9: Local Data�����������������������������������������������������������������������259
What Is Local Data?������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������259
File System�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������260
Cache Directory�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������260
App Data Directory��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������261
Database�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������261
Repository Pattern���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������262
SQLite����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������270
LiteDB����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������278
Database Summary�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������285
Application Settings (Preferences)��������������������������������������������������������������������285
What Can Be Stored in Preferences?����������������������������������������������������������286
Setting a Value in Preferences��������������������������������������������������������������������286
Getting a Value in Preferences��������������������������������������������������������������������288
Checking if a Key Exists in Preferences������������������������������������������������������290
Removing a Preference�������������������������������������������������������������������������������291
Secure Storage�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������291
Storing a Value Securely������������������������������������������������������������������������������291
Reading a Secure Value�������������������������������������������������������������������������������292
Removing a Secure Value����������������������������������������������������������������������������292
Platform specifics����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������293
Viewing the Result��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������295
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������296
Source Code������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������297
Extra Assignment����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������297

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Chapter 10: Remote Data������������������������������������������������������������������299


What Is Remote Data?��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������299
Considerations When Handling Remote Data����������������������������������������������300
Webservices������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������302
The Open Weather API���������������������������������������������������������������������������������302
Adding Some State��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������319
Simplifying Webservice Access������������������������������������������������������������������������326
Prebuilt Libraries�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������327
Code Generation Libraries���������������������������������������������������������������������������327
Further Reading������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������329
Polly�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������329
StateContainer from CommunityToolkit.Maui����������������������������������������������330
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������330
Source Code������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������331
Extra Assignment����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������331
TODO Widget������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������331
Quote of the Day Widget������������������������������������������������������������������������������332
NASA Space Image of the Day Widget���������������������������������������������������������332

Part IV: Utilizing the platforms������������������������������������������������333


Chapter 11: Getting Specific�������������������������������������������������������������335
.NET MAUI Essentials����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������335
Permissions�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������336
Using the Geolocation API����������������������������������������������������������������������������341
Configuring Platform-Specific Components������������������������������������������������346
Platform-Specific API Access����������������������������������������������������������������������������352
Platform-Specific Code with Compiler Directives���������������������������������������352
Platform-Specific Code in Platform Folders������������������������������������������������354

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Overriding the Platform-Specific UI������������������������������������������������������������������355


OnPlatform��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������355
Handlers������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������358
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������361
Source Code������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������362
Extra Assignment����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������362
Barometer Widget����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������362
Geocoding Lookup���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������363

Chapter 12: Testing���������������������������������������������������������������������������365


Unit Testing�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������365
Unit Testing in .NET MAUI����������������������������������������������������������������������������366
Adding Your Own Unit Tests�������������������������������������������������������������������������368
Testing Your View Models����������������������������������������������������������������������������372
Testing Asynchronous Operations���������������������������������������������������������������374
Testing Your Views���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������380
Device Testing���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������382
Creating a Device Test Project���������������������������������������������������������������������383
Adding a Device-Specific Test���������������������������������������������������������������������383
Running Device-Specific Tests��������������������������������������������������������������������384
Snapshot Testing�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������386
Snapshot Testing Your Application���������������������������������������������������������������387
Passing Thoughts����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������390
Looking to the Future����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������390
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������391
Source Code������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������391

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Chapter 13: Lets Get Graphical���������������������������������������������������������393


.NET MAUI Graphics������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������393
Drawing on the Screen��������������������������������������������������������������������������������394
Further Reading�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������397
Building a Sketch Widget����������������������������������������������������������������������������������397
Creating the SketchWidgetViewModel��������������������������������������������������������397
Representing a User Interaction������������������������������������������������������������������398
Creating the SketchWidgetView������������������������������������������������������������������399
Registering Your Widget������������������������������������������������������������������������������404
Taking Your Widget for a Test Draw�������������������������������������������������������������404
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������405
Source Code������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������405
Extra Assignment����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������406

Part V: Finishing Our Application���������������������������������������������407


Chapter 14: Releasing Our Application���������������������������������������������409
Distributing Your Application�����������������������������������������������������������������������������409
Android��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������410
iOS���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������412
macOS���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������415
Windows������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������416
Things to Consider��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������416
Following Good Practices����������������������������������������������������������������������������416
Performance������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������418
Linking���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������421
Crashes/Analytics����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������422
Obfuscation�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������424
Distributing Test Versions����������������������������������������������������������������������������������426
Summary����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������427
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Chapter 15: Conclusion���������������������������������������������������������������������429


Looking at the Final Product�����������������������������������������������������������������������������429
Taking the Project Further���������������������������������������������������������������������������431
Useful Resources����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������432
StackOverflow���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������433
GitHub����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������433
YouTube�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������433
Social Media������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������434
Yet More Goodness��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������434
Looking Forward�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������434
Upgrading from Xamarin.Forms������������������������������������������������������������������435
Comet����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������435
Testing���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������436

Index�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������437

xiv
Another Random Scribd Document
with Unrelated Content
less money and paying debts. This made times better for the eastern
workmen. Both the western and eastern co-operators were working
on the same principles. They were all accumulating funds to
purchase land, and just in proportion as the people acquired control
over business they had more influence on legislation, and the power
of money was correspondingly decreased."
"So it seems," I said, "that your business organization did at last get
into politics!"
"Yes," said Norrena, "it did get into politics as a business influence
and what may seem strange to you, its object was to prevent the
repeal of laws which had been enacted in the interest of the money
monopolists. These shrewd financiers, raised a great outcry against
combinations among producers to increase the price of products by
using interchangeable certificates of deposit instead of money, in the
transaction of business. The people were using the same methods
for the improvement of their own financial condition that had been
used so successfully by monopolists for their impoverishment, and
the Patrons demanded that all the laws that had been enacted in
favor of monopoly should remain on the statute books. They further
demanded that all debts should be payable in legal tender money at
the option of the debtor."
"I should have thought," I said, "that the people would be glad to
welcome the repeal of laws from which they had suffered so much."
"There was a time when they would," said Norrena, "but not after
they had adjusted their business relations to the operation of
monopoly laws. Their debts were legally payable in money, and as
the purchasing power of money was continually decreasing, it was to
their interest to pay in money, and when all their debts were paid
and the people refused any longer to take money for their products,
the money kings who owned these vaults and their hoards of gold
had to go in search of food. Many found homes in the co-operative
communities and became valuable citizens, while a larger number
had taken the alarm and emigrated to the Old World, only to meet a
worse fate a little later on, for in the less enlightened parts of the
world, the Reign of Gold wound up in a Reign of Terror."
The lesson taught by these ruins would fill volumes. Norrena's
accurate historical knowledge and ever ready explanations, with the
not less forcible comments of Oqua and others, covered every phase
of this wonderful, speedy and peaceful evolution from the Era of
Money Despotism to the Era of Man and Universal Freedom, Equality
and Fraternity. No wonder, I thought, that these people had
preserved the ruins of Kroy as a relic of their Dark Ages and a
warning to humanity for all time to come. Here, human selfishness
reigned supreme and the people of an entire continent had suffered
in order to pour into this greedy maw the wealth which it had no
power to consume. And now, this once great center of wealth, pride
and fashion, was a solitude. Its aristocratic "four hundred" had
actually been starved out by the refusal of the "clodhoppers,"
"greasy mechanics" and "mudsills," whom they had held in such
contempt, to feed and clothe them any longer. Surely this was an
object lesson well worthy of the care that had been taken to
preserve it from the refining and civilizing hand of labor. Time was
slowly obliterating these foot prints of a tyranny from which the
people had been emancipated for ages, but it was still important
that it should not be entirely forgotten, and there could be no better
reminder of the evil that had impoverished and degraded the
millions, as well as of the means by which it had been removed,
than these ruins and the abandoned heaps of useless gold.
After a day among the ruins, and full of serious reflections, we
returned to the Silver King and were soon speeding down the bay.
We landed at the tower, and from this point the electric cars soon
transported us to our great communal home. I was fatigued and
retired to my own apartment at once, to think and rest.
CHAPTER XV.
Home again—Letter from Bona Dea—Electric garments—Reporter's
phonograph—Testing the new airship—A World's Council—Wallaroo
on Evolution—The ideals planted by Missionaries—The Eolus—
Preparations for return to America—Excursion to the far North—The
Watch Tower—Symbolic representation—The Farewell—The revelation
to Ganoe—"Cassie! Cassie! Come back! Come back!"

EXT morning at the breakfast table Oqua informed me that a


package and letter from Bona Dea to my address, had arrived
at an early hour but that it had not been delivered, as they did not
wish to disturb my rest. It had been retained in the office subject to
my order when I was ready to receive it.
This recalled to my mind a private conversation I had with Bona Dea
at Orbitello, and I surmised that her communication might have
reference to that; but I was at a loss to form any opinion in regard
to the package. She had told me that one of the inmates of the
Home at Lake Byblis was paying especial attention to the formation
of an ideal mental picture of life and its conditions in the frozen
regions. And to that end her apartments had been fitted up to
represent winter scenery, and to make the impression more realistic
she was provided with a refrigerator room where she subjected
herself to low temperatures and was testing the heat conserving
powers of various qualities of clothing.
When breakfast was over I called at the office and received a large
bundle, neatly wrapped and securely sealed. The address was "Jack
Adams, No. 1, care Nequa." This was a poser. The communication
was in the official envelope of the Home and I hastened to my room,
so that if need be I could have the aid of a lexicon in the translation.
But when I opened it, somewhat to my surprise, I found it was
written in English. Being appropriate as a part of this narrative, I
insert it in full.
Matrons' Home, Lake Byblis,
March 1, 6894, A.M.
My Dear Nequa:—On returning to the Home, I related to Meidra, the
"Arctic pupil" of whom I told you, the substance of our conversation,
and explained to her what you suggested in regard to electric
garments as a means of conserving the natural heat of the body
when exposed to severe cold.
She informed me that she had been experimenting on that line and
had succeeded in making a suit that proved to be an ample
protection from the greatest cold that her refrigerator is capable of
producing. She sends you this electric suit, with the request that you
test it in your proposed voyage to the southern verge.
She further requests me to tell you that she does not intend to
permit you to deprive this inner world of the honor of having a Jack
Adams among its great navigators and explorers by your simply
taking advantage of one of our customs to change your name to
such a feminine cognomen as Nequa. Both she and Tanqua are
anxious to make your acquaintance. Meidra says that your image is
indelibly impressed on her mind by your photograph. She has an
enlarged reproduction of your picture as a prominent feature in her
room, and from this she reads a most admirable character.
The people of the entire concave are aroused to the importance of
your efforts to open up a channel of communication with the outer
world. All the Grand Divisions want to participate in the honor and to
that end each one has appointed a member to act with a
representative from Altruria, and constitute an Inner-World Council
to assist in every way possible.
It has been agreed that Norrena shall represent this country and I
am authorized to request you to make a date for the first meeting of
the Council, as soon as possible after your trial voyage "in search of
a storm," as Battell expressed it. Please advise me as soon as you
return, when it will suit you best to have these Inner-World
Representatives call upon you, and oblige
Your many friends,
Bona Dea.
I opened the bundle and found a beautifully quilted silk suit, soft
and pliable, but of firm texture, with sandals, gloves, head-dress and
visor to match. It also contained a small inlaid jewel case with a key
in the lock. I opened this and found, as I supposed a beautiful locket
in which I expected to see a picture of the donor, but it proved to be
a delicate piece of machinery with printed instructions, which
informed me that it was a phonograph for the especial use of
reporters. When wound up it recorded on silver foil every word
spoken. This was something new and I recalled to mind that I had
frequently talked to people who wore similar lockets. Now I had
found put that they probably preserved a record of every word I
said, and I wondered if I had said anything that I would not like to
have repeated. With people wearing lockets of this description, I
realized how important it was for all to be very careful what they
said; and certainly the people of this country are the most
circumspect and exact in their statements, of any people with whom
I have ever met.
Just as I had finished the examination of the phonograph, the bell
called my attention to my private telephone, and I was requested to
meet Battell at the boatyard on the roof, prepared for a flight
through the air on his new airship and to take some lessons in its
management. This was just what I wanted, and in a minute the
elevator had landed me on the roof. I found Battell, Huston, Polaris
and Dione, together with Iola, MacNair and Oqua, ready for a ride in
the new airship.
It was beautifully finished but much more substantial than the light
airy vessels to which I had become accustomed. I complimented
Battell upon its appearance, but he was too matter-of-fact to
appreciate anything that might look like flattery and said with his
usual honest bluntness:
"It is not the appearance that we care anything about, but the
sailing qualities. And so far as this climate is concerned we have
made decided improvements in this particular. The sailing qualities
are such, that everyone wants an improved airship, all at the same
time. The demand is so pressing that Captain Ganoe and myself are
in honor bound to these people, to give our entire attention to
supplying the world with these improvements for at least a year to
come. So we have concluded to turn the whole matter over to you,
of constructing a vessel that will meet the requirements of an Arctic
storm."
"But," I asked, "why should you give up this work, now that you
have it so far completed, into my inexperienced hands? I should
think that your improvements could be duplicated by native
mechanics."
"So they might," said Battell, "but they want all their factories
readjusted, and the same improved methods of manufacture which
have been introduced at Lake Byblis. Besides we could not have
completed the work without your assistance. It was just as
important that you should test our improvements in the conditions
existing at the verges, as it was for us to manufacture them. These
EXTERNAL WORLD METHODS of testing everything by ACTUAL
EXPERIMENT are absolutely necessary when we come to deal with
EXTERNAL WORLD CONDITIONS. A department of the factory at
Byblis has been set apart for you, where your plans and
specifications will be speedily worked out."
"But," I asked, "how can they be worked out as they should be by
mechanics who know absolutely nothing about EXTERNAL WORLD
CONDITIONS, such as Polar waves, Arctic storms, hurricanes and
cyclones which are produced by EXTERNAL influences not existing in
this INTERNAL WORLD? Will Captain Ganoe and yourself, with your
external world experience and observation be there to superintend
the work?"
"Yes, I will be there," said Battell, "but I want to thank you now for
so forcibly presenting the reasons why the people of the inner world
are anxious to avail themselves of our outer world experience in
adapting their airships to outer world conditions. You certainly would
not deprive them of this when they have given us so much that is
indispensable to the physical, mental and moral uplifting of the
people who live in the external world? It is these considerations
which have influenced our decision to yield to their wishes.
Whenever these people who live in this Internal World of Truth, as
MacNair calls it, where an Altruistic love for humanity is the
controlling impulse, see an improvement, they all want it
immediately because it will enable them to do more good to others
and of course we could not honorably refuse to assist them to the
fullest extent of our ability."
"Certainly not," I said. "That puts the matter in an entirely new light;
but it also leaves to me, with my comparative inexperience, the
whole responsibility of constructing a storm and cold proof ship. For
this, I have no experience as a mechanic, and am but poorly
qualified. My duties on shipboard have always been in some capacity
that did not stimulate my mechanical faculties, if I have any. As an
assistant to Captain Ganoe and yourself I thought there might be a
place for me, but as to my ability to take the lead, I have my doubts.
I do not see how I am to get along without your co-operation and
counsel."
"You will certainly have that," said Battell "This is a country of rapid
transit and we shall get together at regular intervals to compare
notes. Besides, we will have the assistance of an Inner-World
Association, whose representatives will constitute an Inner-World
Council of the most earnest spirits, who are anxious to unite the
INTERNAL and EXTERNAL worlds by opening a channel of INTER-
COMMUNICATION and cultivating a mutual spirit of fraternal regard
and co-operation between the two. I have thought much along these
lines and realize how necessary these two great worlds are to each
other and how important that the leading spirits of both should
come together and work with one accord for the highest possible
development of both."
"And that is just what they must do," said Oqua. "But let us test
your new ship at once and confer in regard to the work we have in
hand at the same time."
Thus prompted, we embarked, Battell applied the power and we
began to ascend. Every required motion of the vessel had its
appropriate propelling power which was under perfect control. No
turning around was necessary. The new ship could dart in any given
direction, at the will of the operator.
I took my place at the helm with Battell and after a little practice
found that I could handle it without difficulty. To me its management
was much more simple than the old style which could only move in
one direction. This facility with which the direction could be changed
was the essential feature in order to be able to ride the storms and
nullify the influence of the contending air currents which would be a
constant source of danger in the outer world. In fancy, I pictured
myself in a storm with sudden changes in the direction of the wind,
and suiting the action to the thought I set the vessel to dodging and
gyrating in every direction to the no little alarm of our Altrurian
friends who had no conception of the conditions of an external world
bluster.
"Hold on Jack!" exclaimed Battell. "Don't shake the life out of us.
Wait until you get into an actual storm and then dodge as rapidly as
may be necessary, but there is no need of it here."
"I was just thinking," I said, "what motions might be necessary in a
regular bluster, to hold the ship steady on her course. I really feel
anxious to try it, and believe that I can literally ride the storm like
the petrel in such a ship as I fully believe can be made."
"Well, you can try as soon as you like," said Battell. "I see you
understand the management and I leave you to test it to your
heart's content. Find all the deficiencies you can and let us know
what changes may be needed, and they will be made to the best of
our ability. We will now return to your home, borrow one of your old
fashioned ships and return to our work at Byblis."
"Well, do not send it back," said Oqua, "until it is remodeled
according to the latest improvements."
"Your Department of Exchange," said Battell, "has already sent in a
general order for improved airships to replace those of the old style,
which in effect means, that they shall all be remodeled on
application. So we will send you an improved ship as soon as it can
be made."
It was now the second day of March and I had set my heart on
getting ready to start for the outer world by the latter part of May or
the first of June, so there was no time to be wasted. I determined to
leave at once on my experimental voyage to the southern verge and
announced my intentions to Oqua, requesting her to represent me
during my absence and any arrangements that she made in my
name would be satisfactory.
"What!" she exclaimed. "Do you propose to go alone? I thought
Battell intended that two of your sailors should go with you?"
"So he did," I replied, "and at that time I thought I would need
them, but since I have tried the vessel, I have come to the
conclusion that I had better go alone. As Battell left without referring
to the matter, I shall act upon the presumption that he had changed
his mind, just as he did in regard to completing a storm and cold
proof airship."
"But," said Oqua, "your journey will take a week or ten day's travel
at the least, and how can you stand the constant attention to the
helm without rest?"
"No fears on that score," I said. "Very much of the time will be spent
in this serene atmosphere. I need only set the helm in the right
direction and I can rest until I find stormy conditions. Then I will
surely be able to experiment with the ship for a few hours."
Oqua, seeing that I was determined, helped me to get ready. I took
sufficient supplies for three weeks, although I did not expect to be
gone half of that time. The trip was most interesting but I have no
room to describe the voyage. Sufficient to say that I found storm
conditions and intense cold much sooner than I expected. My
electric garments proved to be a perfect success, but I discovered a
number of deficiencies in the ship. I returned in just eight days and
presented a written report, and specifications for necessary changes.
Battell assured me that the new vessel should be ready for another
trial journey as soon as possible.
I had notified Norrena, that I would be pleased to meet the World
Council at my own apartments on the fifteenth, and I was back from
the southern verge on the tenth, ready to place my discoveries
before them. Promptly at the time indicated, Captains Ganoe and
Battell with our usual circle of Altrurian friends were present in the
Council Chamber of the home, ready to receive our guests, and in a
few minutes Norrena arrived with the representatives from the other
Grand Divisions. He introduced them as Hylas of Atlan, Lal Roy of
Budistan, Wallaroo of Noxuania and LeFroy of the Austral Isles.
Coming as they did from all the Grand Divisions of the world, I
expected to see people of widely different physical appearance and
mental characteristics, but in this I was mistaken. While they showed
marked differences, there were no such contrasts as we find
between different races in the outer world. In complexion they
ranged from blonde to a dark brunette, all spoke the same language,
expressed similar sentiments and in features and general
deportment seemed to be building toward a common type.
I made a report of my trial trip to the southern verge and also of our
plans and specifications for the further improvement of the airship,
that we believed would make it storm and cold proof. As these
people knew practically nothing of the conditions of the frigid zones
they accepted what we had to offer without criticism. They
expressed themselves as highly gratified that they had with them
experienced navigators who were familiar with the frozen regions
and who knew what was needed in order to open up a channel of
communication.
At this meeting it was definitely determined that we should meet
again on April 15th, which interval Battell assured us would give me
an opportunity to report on another trial trip, to test the additional
improvements which had been found desirable. That I should go
ahead with the work of preparation in my own way, and when I was
satisfied that the time had come to cross the Ice Barriers I should fix
the date, so that the Council could arrange for an excursion to the
most northern point of the continent of Altruria where the Life
Saving Service had a signal station at an ancient watch tower that
had been erected in pre-historic times.
After our business meeting had closed, the representatives from the
Old World plied us with questions concerning the outer world which
we answered to the best of our ability. Finding that they were not a
bit backward about questioning I was emboldened to ask, how it
was that all the representatives from the different countries seemed
to have been selected from the same race of people, while I had
learned from Altrurian history that the same races of men had
existed here that existed in the outer world.
"That was the case in ancient times," said Wallaroo of Noxuania,
"but at this time we have practically only one race of people in the
inner world."
"Here is a mystery," I said, "that I would like very much to have
explained. How is it that they have all merged into one type, ranging
in complexion from blonde to brunette?"
"My own explanation," said Wallaroo, "is, that identity of ideals and
similarity of conditions naturally lead to similarity of development, as
in accordance with natural law the race is always building in the
direction of its ideals."
"That is certainly," I said, "a scientific proposition, but it does not
explain why blonde, for instance, should ever become an ideal
complexion among the dark races. How do you account for it?"
"Your question," said Wallaroo, "is one that should be carefully
studied in the light of science and history, in order to be understood.
One thing is certain, that the early inhabitants of my own country,
Noxuania, were very dark, ranging from brown to black, while at
present, brunette is the rule and blonde is not uncommon."
"But how," I asked, "do you account for the change?"
"My opinion," said Wallaroo, "is that the influence of the white
missionaries created a new ideal in the minds of the people and
especially in the minds of the mothers, who almost worshiped
them."
"But how is this?" I asked. "In the outer world, the dark races very
often persecute and destroy the white missionaries."
"And so they did here," said Wallaroo, "before Equity was
established in Altruria among white people, and another class of
white missionaries were sent to the dark races. These came not to
promulgate metaphysical creeds, but to bring material blessings, and
establish freedom, equality and fraternity. They practiced just what
they preached and wherever they went, they bestowed blessings.
The people, especially the women, soon came to worship them as
Saviors because they sought only to do them good on the material
plane which they could appreciate, and left them to free their minds
from superstition in the natural way by increasing their knowledge.
It is not strange, under these circumstances, that with these children
of nature, white became the ideal color. Improved material
conditions, together with a scientific education, higher ideals and
ample time for development have produced all the changes which
have been wrought out."
I found the members of the Council from the other Grand Divisions
to be highly cultured people and I looked forward to meeting them
in the future with pleasure. I was especially, interested in Wallaroo
and LeFroy because they represented peoples which at the
introduction of the present Altruistic civilization would correspond to
the people now occupying Central Africa and the South Sea Islands.
Wallaroo had attributed their remarkable development as physical,
mental and moral beings to the higher civilization derived from the
religion of humanity regardless of creeds, that had been brought to
them by the Altrurian missionaries. The more I thought of these
things the more I was impressed that I must visit these countries,
mingle with the people and make a close study of their history.
LeFroy told me that their written history commenced with the work
of the missionaries of the new civilization, but much additional
knowledge had been gained from archeological and ethnological
researches in the light of such pre-historic traditions as had been
preserved. These missionaries did not come to promulgate doctrines
of a FUTURE life but to establish conditions which would confer
blessings in THIS life, such as could be appreciated on the animal
plane. For this reason they were welcomed as superior beings to
lead them morally and spiritually.
By these glimpses of a new field of discovery that was opening up
before me, I was more than ever stimulated to complete the work I
had in hand which was directly applicable to the solution of the great
economic problem confronting the people of the outer world. As had
been promised by Battell, at the Council which met on April 15th, I
was able to report the deficiencies that had been discovered in the
airship by my second trial trip to the southern verge during its winter
season. At this meeting it was determined to name the new vessel
the Eolus, though I preferred to call it the Petrel because I had
demonstrated that it could ride the storm. The time for the excursion
to the Watch Tower at the northern extremity of the continent and
my departure for the outer world was fixed for the twentieth of May
and the next meeting of the Council on board the Silver King on the
fifteenth, while enroute. This gave me really less than one month to
complete my manuscript and get everything in readiness for what I
regarded as the most momentous voyage of my life.
While I was enrolled as a teacher of English, and the geography,
history and institutions of the outer world, I had really given all of
my attention to the study of the Altrurian language, and of the
manner in which the great problems now confronting my own
country had been solved. Every day revealed something new or
presented the old in a new light. The arts and sciences had been
developed to a degree that had scarcely been dreamed of in the
outer world. Psychic powers such as clairvoyance, clairaudience and
telepathy, which in the outer world were classed as occult by
believers, and as baseless assumptions by the multitudes, were here
well understood by the many, as revealed in the fact that my
disguise had been so readily penetrated by native Altrurians. But at
the same time they respected my right to conceal my identity. This
was a marked peculiarity of these people. The right of persons to
keep a secret in their own bosoms was never questioned, and when
it was discovered, as I take it for granted was usually the case, it
was never alluded to. Here, my assumed character of Jack Adams,
the sailor, was held in the highest esteem by the few to whom I had
explained the reason for it, because it had been necessary, in order
to enable me to be true to my own higher sense of right. In the
outer world this would have branded me as disreputable and I would
have been ostracized as something vile by the so called better
classes of society.
After years of wandering, exposed to the perils and hardships of a
sailor's life, I had found my lost lover, only to learn from his oft
expressed sentiments, that he regarded such a course of life as I
had pursued as so grossly disreputable that no honorable man could
afford to contract a matrimonial alliance with such a woman. For this
reason I had not revealed myself to him, and now that I was soon to
leave him, the question often presented itself to my mind as to
whether I ought to let him remain any longer in ignorance of the
fact that Cassie VanNess had stood by his side in so many dangers.
The time was at hand when this question must be decided and I
determined to confer with my most intimate Altrurian friends of my
own sex. Bona Dea had arrived at our Home at my invitation and
Oqua and Iola were present to assist in making out a program for
the excursion and my departure for the outer world. My proposed
journey was of course the subject of conversation, but I wanted to
draw them out in regard to the personal matter that was uppermost
in my mind. I wanted their advice but did not want to be too abrupt
in raising a question that was calculated to call the attention of these
public spirited people away from an important public question in
which they were deeply interested, to the consideration of my own
private affairs.
Oqua, however, soon gave me the opportunity I wanted by asking:
"What does Captain Ganoe think of the decision of the Council and
the general consensus of the opinions of those most interested, that
you should have your own way about the journey and go alone if
you thought best? While he did not object, I felt quite sure that he
did not approve."
"His heart," I said, "was very much set on going himself and he
expresses grave fears as to my safety, notwithstanding my
excursions into the stormy regions in the vicinity of the southern
verge. He knows however that it was with his consent and advice
that the entire matter of opening communication with the outer
world was placed in my hands and I accepted the responsibility
under protest. The Council regarded my proposed expedition as too
perilous to risk more than one life in the attempt. But this you know
is just what I wanted for reasons of my own. As a matter of fact
there is less danger than in my excursions to the southern verge. I
wonder sometimes what the Captain would think if he knew that it
was the little girl playmate of his boyhood days and the affianced
bride of his early manhood who was bidding him adieu!"
"And do you not intend," asked Oqua, "to reveal your identity to him
in some way so that when you return, no concealments will be
necessary? You know that we penetrated your disguise at once but
we respected your natural right to conceal your identity, and we
shall continue to do so until you are willing for us to do otherwise.
But I would suggest, as an act of justice to Captain Ganoe as well as
to yourself, that you ought to let him know who you are. It will
doubtless awaken in his mind a train of thought that will be very
beneficial to him, while it will protect you from the deteriorating
effects of leading a double life."
"But," I said, "this double life was forced upon me by causes over
which I had no control and hence I do not see how it can have any
deteriorating effects."
"That was no doubt true," interrupted Bona Dea, "in the present
stage of your outer world civilization, but there is no necessity for it
here. And the necessity being past, the continuance of the deception
might be interpreted to mean that deep down in your soul you
doubted the propriety of your conduct. Disguise is perfectly
legitimate as a means of self protection, but when it is unnecessary,
its tendency is to cultivate duplicity, a characteristic to be carefully
avoided. Hence I would advise you to adopt some method of
revealing your identity to Captain Ganoe at the moment of your
departure; and the more open and frank you are about it, the better
will be the effect on him as well as your self. Better not wait until he
penetrates your disguise for himself, something he would have done
long ago, but for the fact that from his education, he is guided by
external appearances instead of those more subtle impressions from
which there can be no concealments."
I saw the force of this kind of reasoning and determined to act
accordingly, and the more I thought of it, the more determined I
became to be frank, honest and kind, but strong, independent and
inflexible in the assertion of my natural right to think and act for
myself without having my integrity and purity of character called in
question, because I preferred truth to falsehood. At first I dreaded
the denouement; but the more I reflected upon it, the more
necessary it appeared, and the better I was prepared for the ordeal.
The hour of my departure was near. It had been arranged that the
Silver King with the delegations from the other Grand Divisions
should meet the Altrurian delegation at the ruins of Kroy, and I had
agreed to give Pat and Mike a ride on the Eolus, from the Ice King
on Lake Byblis, and land them on the Silver King while enroute for
the northern extremity of the continent. I started to the Lake early
on the morning of May 15th and within an hour from my departure I
was on the deck of the Ice King. I found Lief and Eric, as well as Pat
and Mike, ready for the journey. As soon as I had secured some
scientific instruments I wanted from the equipment of the Ice King
and some personal belongings which I regarded as important, I
invited the sailors on board the Eolus, and in a moment more we were
mounting into the air. We sailed around the lake and gave the people
an opportunity of seeing the airship that was destined for the outer
world. The Eolus was not built with a view to securing greater speed
but for holding its course regardless of contrary winds. In speed,
however, it was capable of making considerable progress against a
head wind of two hundred miles an hour. I put the ship through the
various movements that it was capable of making, such as stopping
suddenly, moving backward, moving sidewise and suddenly rising
and falling, for the benefit of the sailors and of the numerous
spectators.
Mike was quick to see the advantage that the Eolus had over other
airships and he remarked with enthusiasm:
"Well Jack, it will take a lively hurricane to drive you much from your
course, but how in the world will you keep from freezing?"
"Nothing easier," I said, as I touched a button and lighted the
electric burners that were placed between the inner and outer walls.
In a minute the walls were hot to the touch and the air inside
became sultry.
"Gracious!" exclaimed Mike. "You can never stand this. It will roast
you."
"Then we will cool it," I said, as I shut off part of the burners, "or if
this is not enough, I will shut them all off."
"But," said Mike, "you have it so hot now that it will take an hour to
cool off."
"Not so," I replied. "I will open the doors and start the electric fans,"
and suiting the action to the word, a cool breeze took the place of
the sultry air. "But if you want it cooler," I continued, "I will bring the
temperature down a point or two more," and closing the doors, I
opened the refrigerator compartment and in a moment we were
shivering with the cold.
"Well!" exclaimed Mike, "I never knew climate to change so rapidly. I
think you have not been dodging up to the Pole and back for
nothing. You seem to have provided for every emergency but one,
and that is the freezing of the moisture which is already obscuring
your lookouts by this manufactured dose of winter."
"That is provided for," I said, as I started the circular lookout glasses
into motion under a specially prepared brush which absorbed the
moisture. Mike noticed the disappearance of the clouds on the
lookouts but did not observe the cause and looked at me inquiringly.
"Put your hand on the glass," I said, "and it will explain itself."
"Well I should think it would!" he exclaimed as he jerked back his
hand. "The whole window is just a whizzing; and now I see that the
cross bar is a brush that seems to have drank up the moisture."
"I have tried to provide for every contingency," I said, as I turned
the prow of the Eolus down the valley of the Cocytas, and put her at
full speed. "I regard it as a matter of the first importance that a full
account of our discoveries shall be transmitted to our own country.
We must join the excursion on board the Silver King as soon as we
can. I want to interview as many of the representatives from other
countries as possible. I must gather all the useful knowledge I can
for the benefit of the external world."
"That is right," said Mike, "and I would be far from stopping you, but
I want you to be after going slow a bit."
"Why what is the matter?" I asked, as I checked our speed.
"Just this," said Mike, producing a box, "it will take money in the
outer world to secure the publication of your book and here is our
wages from the Ice King. It is of no use to us in this country, and we
want it to be used to send your book broadcast. You will see that it
is divided into two parcels, one belongs to Lief and Eric and the
other to Pat and myself."
Here Lief broke into our conversation, speaking the Altrurian
language like a native, saying:
"We want your book to be translated into all languages,—and it will
be, just as soon as our wonderful discoveries are known in any
civilised country. We particularly want our own people to hear about
this country, and that we are not the first Norsemen who came here.
Tell them about the old Viking, and also of the Norwegian names
which are found everywhere."
"I have noted these things," I said, "as well as the part you have
taken in the expedition. How you saved the Ice King by your prompt
action when we were caught in the ice, and how your ability as
seamen enabled us to get through after the larger part of the crew
had deserted."
"Oh! we ask no credit for that," said Eric. "We shipped for a purpose,
and have in a measure found what we were looking for. When the
right time comes our people will hear from us, and when they do,
we may be able to add something of value to the great work for
humanity which you have undertaken. All we ask for now is, that
your account of our discoveries shall be given to the outside world."
"And I promise you," I said, "that your money shall be used for that
purpose, and I fully believe that what we have learned, will be the
greatest boon that could be conferred upon the people of the outer
world. In the name of humanity I accept the trust you place in my
hands and I shall see that your gold shall be used to emancipate
your fellow workmen from the tyranny now imposed upon them by
human greed."
As we sped down the valley a glass of small magnifying power
brought the Silver King into view gliding northward on the bay like a
thing of life. I timed the Eolus so as to join the excursion on this
floating crystal palace when it passed out upon the ocean. As we
slowly settled in the place that had been set apart for us, the crowds
gathered around and I was kept busy answering questions and
explaining the use of the various attachments which experience had
demonstrated to be essential to the successful navigation of the air
in the external world.
This was an excursion long to be remembered. The crowds of
elegantly dressed people who thronged the decks of the Silver King
had gathered from every part of the concave to accompany us to the
northern extremity of Altruria, a distance of about 7,000 miles from
the mouth of the Cocytas. It was intended that we should cover this
distance in seven days, which would make the actual time of my
departure on my aerial voyage, the morning of the twenty-third of
May.
As the excursion was to last one full week a series of entertainments
was provided to make the time pass pleasantly and profitably. Music,
dancing and theatrical performances were interspersed with lectures
and social converse touching upon leading subjects of thought and
action. The program made this journey one ceaseless round of
enjoyment. The records of the conversations preserved by my locket
phonograph, I regard as the most instructive and valuable historical,
scientific and ethical lessons I have ever listened to, and which I
hope to be able to give to the world when the occasion requires.
On the evening of the twenty-second, Oqua called my attention to
the kaleidoscopic lights on the Watch Tower which was to be the
point where I would bid farewell to my Altrurian friends as well as
my comrades of the Ice King. In the pitch dark nights of the outer
world such an exhibition would have been beautiful and grand
beyond description but even here, with the reflected light which
made the darkest nights comparatively light, the scene through our
glasses, of the ever changing views was such, that I never tired of
observing them. These lights presented all the prismatic hues of the
rainbow with the intermediate shades, continually changing from
one geometrical figure to another, but always coming around to a
five pointed star which is the symbol and sign manual of the material
civilization of this inner world; the changing colors kept pace with
the changing geometrical figures, always returning to the five
pointed star, until it had been reproduced in each of the seven
prismatic colors.
This seemed to be the regular order, but suddenly it was broken, by
giving only the stars in the seven different colors in a rapid
succession, until they resolved themselves into a circle, revolving
swiftly on its axis. Seeing my interest in this change, Oqua said:
"The keeper has just noticed our approach and is operating the keys
to send us a welcome in the name of the entire concave. This
welcome will be repeated by every signal station on this parallel
around the world. The principal use of these lights is to send
messages by means of the changing figures, which are well
understood by the people of this country, and especially those who
navigate these northern waters. The one great drawback to their
use, is, that they must be observed through glasses which are
especially adapted to this purpose. Here in this inner world where it
is never absolutely dark we cannot take the full advantage of these
light signals, without the use of external appliances."
As she spoke she set the great telescope through which I was
looking to revolving so as to take in a zone all around the concave,
and I observed other signal lights responding in regular order along
this zone.
"These signal stations," continued Oqua, "are under the control of
the Life Saving Service, and the keepers with these glasses are
always on the lookout for mariners who may be in danger, and their
signal messages notify any patrols that may observe them of the
nature of the danger as well as the locality of the endangered. Had
the Ice King come within the radius of any of these Signal Stations
at almost any other time, you would certainly have been discovered
and rescued. But at the time you came into these waters the fog had
effectually checkmated our observations. For this reason we are
agitating for the extension of this system to medial and equatorial
latitudes, as a time has come when it seems likely that other ships
like the Ice King, may drift into these placid waters where sails are
useless, and hence be powerless to save themselves from certain
destruction by being carried into the southern verge on ocean
currents which never touch the land."
On the morning of the twenty-third when I awoke, the Silver King
was lying at the wharf and I had a close view of the Watch Tower
and its ever changing signal lights. It was more like a lofty building
than a mere tower. It was a hexagon in shape, two hundred and fifty
feet in height with a large platform on top, in the center of which
was a huge column like the body of a tall tree branching out into
numerous arms, each supporting a series of electric lights. The
mechanical contrivance by which these lights were controlled was
automatic, but as occasion required could be changed by the
watchman in the observatory to signal any message required to all
whom it might concern. This building from outside to outside was
one hundred feet at the base and fifty feet at the top, while the
inside diameter was the same from top to bottom. On the outside
was a spiral stairway reaching from the ground to the platform at
the top and in the center was an electric elevator, connected with
each of the twenty stories.
The hour of my departure had come. According to the program I
was to bid farewell to the members of the Inner World Council and
my old comrades of the Ice King and some personal friends at the
top of the tower where they had already assembled. The crew of the
Silver King and her throngs of excursionists had gathered on the
deck and the wharf to see me take my flight. When all was ready, I
took my place on the Eolus and rising a few feet sailed slowly
around this magnificent ship, coming to a halt on the starboard
quarter where Captain Thorfin, acting as spokesman, said:
"In the name of the people here assembled from all parts of the
world who have accompanied you thus far on your daring
expedition, I am requested to express to you our exalted opinion of
your courage, your ability and worth, and to thank you for the
inestimable service which you have undertaken to render to our
people, by extending their sphere of knowledge in regard to the
external world. You are now engaged in a work for which our people
are powerless. We realize that we are to profit by your perils. You
will ever occupy a warm place in our affections. Accept our thanks
for your heroic efforts to open a channel of communication with our
fellow beings of the external world. Hoping for your speedy return
we bid you a loving farewell."
"And through you," I responded, "I desire to extend my heartfelt
thanks to those who are beyond the reach of my voice, for this
demonstration of their interest, and may the channel of
communication, which we hope to establish between the internal
and the external worlds never again be closed. But as yet I have not
accomplished anything to merit your thanks. I am the one who
ought to be grateful to your people. I came among you a stranger
and you received me as a brother. Everywhere I have met the
kindest consideration and all my wants have been supplied without
even the formality of asking. I have here found the living soul of
humanity developed as it has never been believed to be possible in
the external world. I carry with me to my own native land THE
PEARL OF GREAT PRICE, the knowledge that HUMANITY CAN BE
REDEEMED FROM SELFISHNESS AND ALL OF ITS CONSEQUENCES.
In the external world, from whence I came, we have only cultivated
the external, and hence have developed physical hardihood while
you have developed the finer attributes of the soul which we have
neglected. My ambition is to bring these two worlds together. You
need our physical hardihood while we need your higher development
of soul. When the leading characteristics of both are united into one
common brotherhood, both worlds will have a perfected humanity. If
I can help humanity to reach this grand culmination, where both
soul and body shall be developed to their utmost capacity, I shall be
happy. To me, with my training, it does not seem like a daring
undertaking now that I am enabled to utilize your grand discovery of
the means by which the air can be navigated. Thanking you for this
mark of your consideration, and promising to return as soon as
possible, I bid you adieu."
As I ceased speaking, I set the Eolus to moving directly to the top of
the tower. This demonstrated at once to the multitudes, its
superiority over the old style of airship and they gave a cheer, which
was the more expressive and significant as these people are not
given to anything like loud demonstrations of applause.
At the platform I received cordial words of cheer from the
committee, my old comrades of the Ice King and my most intimate
Altrurian friends. Speaking for the committee, Lal Roy, of Budistan
said:
"On behalf of the members of this committee, and especially of the
members from the eastern hemisphere, I congratulate you upon the
marked improvements you have made in our methods of aerial
navigation. The construction of the Eolus marks an era in our
progress that will be a monument to your memory. You will be
honored and appreciated for generations to come."
"Excuse me," I responded. "I am not entitled to the honor you would
bestow upon me. Captain Battell made the first move toward the
improvements that were consummated in the Eolus, and Captain
Ganoe and Huston have both contributed their mechanical skill.
Without them there would have been no Eolus."
"Hold on Jack," said Battell. "In the consummation, we only carried
out your suggestions. The improvements I started, were completed
in accordance with your plans."
"Yes," said Captain Ganoe, as he clasped my hand. "You were the
first person I ever heard suggest the construction of an airship that
could ride the storm, and but for your suggestions every one of
which was tested in your experimental journeys to the verges, we
never could have succeeded. And but for your intimate knowledge of
the difficulties to be overcome, I never would have consented for
you to go alone. Even as it is, notwithstanding the unanimous
decision of the committee, I find it very hard to reconcile myself to
the thought that you are to be exposed all alone, to the cold and the
storms of the polar regions. Such dangers ought to be reserved for
those who have nothing to live for, and not for the young, the
refined and the educated who have a bright future before them."
"Have no fears for me," I said. "You must not forget that it is now
warm weather in the north frigid zone and I will not be exposed to
intense cold, and the probability is that I will have no severe storms
to contend with. But I will promise this: To be careful, and if I
discover any defect in the Eolus that would make the journey too
hazardous, I will return at once, rather than take any chances of
defeating our purpose of communicating with the outer world when
we have mastered the problem of riding the storm. No doubt my
observations on this voyage, will open the way for other
improvements. Keep up your courage. This is but the beginning of
our work. We must have airships that will enable the most sensitive,
to visit the outer world, and teach our countrymen the importance of
cultivating the higher attributes of the soul, which can only be
developed in their fullness under the benign influence of an Altruistic
civilization."
Oqua here stepped forward and took me by the hand, saying:
"Nequa, my more than friend, go, and the blessings of our people go
with you. May you reach your native land in safety and accomplish
your mission. By so doing you will leave footprints on the sands of
time that can never be effaced. As soon as your work is placed in
the proper hands return with all speed to the many loving hearts
which await you."
Scarcely had she ceased speaking when Polaris, as if to continue her
remarks, raising her hand and pointing to the north, said:
"Yes, loving hearts will await you. And when your form has faded
from our vision, in yonder deep cerulean blue, the mystic symbol of
purity and truth, remember that in spirit we are with you. And I will
continue to keep watch over these waters, patiently awaiting your
return, as in the past I have kept watch for any of your people that
might drift in here, and be left to the mercy of the currents which
never touch the land. I hope to be the first to greet you on your
return, but if perchance you should be lost in your perilous
undertaking, I will still be flitting, to and fro, over these northern
seas, awaiting the coming of your people, to assist and welcome
them in the true spirit of our civilization."
MacNair gave a new turn and spirit to this closing interview, by
saying in his usual cheery manner:
"In the name of humanity I protest against preparing for the funeral
before the corpse is ready. Neither am I willing to contemplate the
possibility of Jack Adams ever requiring any such a service at our
hands. You do not understand the kind of material of which he is
composed. I know that Jack is going to make the round trip, no
matter what we may be doing, and so far as I am concerned, I do
not intend to give myself any uneasiness about him; and instead of
bobbing around up here in this chilly atmosphere, I will go home and
be ready to give Jack the cordial greeting of a fellow countryman,
when he returns from this last polar expedition."
"MacNair is right," I said. "I am not starting out to fall by the
wayside, and do not forget that the Eolus will sail far above the ice-
fields, and that during the high-noon of the long arctic day of six
months duration. I apprehend no danger, but anticipate a pleasant
excursion to my native land. But I will not go any further this time,
than is absolutely necessary. I hope to meet the right persons at
some of the many stations in Alaska, and if so I will return several
days earlier than I have promised. I shall return as soon as possible.
My life work is here, for it will take a life-time to complete the work
that I have laid out for myself to do for the benefit of my
countrymen who live in the external world."
As I was speaking, Captain Ganoe stood with his hand on the door
of the Eolus, at if it was by right his place to have the last parting
word. Captain Battell and the other comrades of the Ice King drew
near. Upon their faces, I read the affectionate regard they had for
me. It was a trying moment. I wanted a last word with Captain
Ganoe. I wanted it impressive, kind but inflexible. I shook hands
with all who stood near, and then as I held Captain Ganoe's hand I
said to Oqua:
"Step on board, I want you to assist me a moment," and to the
Captain, "Wait here a moment, I have something to say to you."
Oqua did as directed, and we ascended and made the circuit of the
lights, while I prepared myself for the revelation I intended. Oqua
handled the ship while I hastily donned the attire which
characterised my sex in the outer world. I arrayed myself in the
same rich satin dress that I had worn on the last evening I had
spent with Raphael, at his uncle's home in New York. My golden
locks made into a neat fitting wig, and put up in the game style
which he had so much admired, now covered my short cropped hair.
Around my neck I had the same gold chain and locket of peculiar
workmanship, and the same ring on my hand, which had been his
parting presents to his affianced bride. Over all I wore a cloak that
came down to my feet.
My toilet complete, we dropped to the level of the platform, but just
outside, and Oqua with a parting pressure of the hand, and with a
last injunction: "Nequa, be strong, be true, but do not forget to be
kind and considerate," passed from the Eolus to the platform, and
moving back a few feet, I stepped to the door and throwing aside
my cloak, stood arrayed before Captain Ganoe, just as I had been
when I bade him adieu at our guardian's home just fifteen years
before.
The crowd stood spell-bound. None but Oqua, MacNair, and the crew
of the Ice King had ever seen any one dressed in the costume which
is peculiar to women in the outer world. Captain Ganoe stood rooted
to the spot, and gazed at me with a look of consternation, as if I
was one who had just arisen from the grave, as I said:
"Captain Ganoe, you doubtless recognize me and I ask your
attention for a moment. You will probably remember, that on the Ice
King you confidently related to your scientist, Jack Adams, the story
of your engagement to Cassie VanNess, and asked him if he had
ever loved. He made an evasive reply. If you care to have an explicit
answer to that question, ask my trusted friend Oqua. I do not wish
to have that story again pass my lips. I have done with it forever. I
have now taken up a new life and henceforth I am wedded to a new
lover, and the wealth of my affections shall be bestowed upon
humanity.
"The memory of the old life, and the old love, carries with it the
martyrdom of all that is noblest, purest and most sacred in the soul
of woman, her devotion to the chosen idol of her girlhood days.
These outer world conditions so foreign to all that is good and true,
make me wonder that I should ever have been so weak as to be
victimized by them. But such are the consequences of a false
education, which belongs to a benighted past and cannot be helped.
For many long years, in my assumed character of Jack Adams, the
sailor, I roamed over the high seas to find you, and during all of our
perils in the ice, I stood by your side. I worshiped you with an
idolatrous devotion. And all this, only to hear again and again from
your lips, the expression of sentiments, that condemned all that I
had done, as disreputable, unworthy and immoral. You have
repeatedly declared that as an honorable man, you could never unite
yourself with such a woman in the holy bonds of matrimony, no
matter how much you loved her.
"It was for this reason, that my own self respect forbade that I
should reveal my identity to you. The case of Huston was almost
identical with my own, and in condemning the course which he had
taken you condemned me. I took it for granted, that as an honorable
man, you expressed your honest sentiments, and there was nothing
for me to do but to submit to your verdict—"
The Captain raised his hand as if to speak, but I checked him,
saying:
"Hear me through. It is in no spirit of unkindness that I speak. I
have waited patiently for you to so modify your views, that I could
make myself known to you in the full assurance of your approval of
my fidelity to our plighted troth. But you gave me no such
opportunity. Oqua penetrated my disguise at first sight and many
others of my inner world friends with whom I have been associated,
intuitively understood that Jack Adams, the sailor, was an assumed
character and why it had been adopted; but you, blinded by the
crystallized errors of a false education, were ignorant of my identity.
"I now reveal myself to you, because I do not wish to continue this
assumed character, even to escape the pain that would be inflicted
by your disapproval. I do not regret the course I have taken. Under
the same circumstances I would be compelled to do the same thing
again, rather than be false to the higher laws of my own nature. It is
true that I have repudiated, and still repudiate, any legal obligation
that may be secured by fraud, misrepresentation or coercion. I now
know that human laws, human customs and legal ceremonies may
be the cover for the violation of God's laws which are implanted in
the human soul. I have been true to these higher, God made laws of
my own being, and disregard all man made laws and customs which
violate the most sacred rights of the human soul.
"If I cannot meet you as an equal, free to think and act for myself,
regardless of the arbitrary rulings of either church or state, then it
will be far better for both of us, that we remain apart. I will never be
bound by any ceremony that does not meet my own approval. When
it comes to matters of this kind, I, Cassie VanNess, am the
lawmaker.
"You have repeatedly expressed sentiments, which could have no
other meaning, than that you regarded legal and popular
ceremonies, as of more worth in your estimation, than the
'unpurchased, and unpurchasable devotion of a loving woman.' If
you prefer a companion who cares more for what Mother Grundy
might say, than she does for Captain Ganoe, then I could not
possibly be that companion. When I return, let all this be forgotten.
Let us meet as friends, forget if we can, the past, and let each of us
live our own life, true to our own convictions of what is noble, good
and true. I have had one lover and lost him because I loved him too
devotedly. I shall never make that mistake again. But as the widow
of such a lover, I shall henceforth continue to labor for the
upbuilding of all humanity, as I would gladly have lived for him, and
him only.
"And now, farewell Raphael. I regret, not that I loved you so
devotedly, but that I did not learn sooner, that it was only love with
certain restrictions, and within certain specific bounds, that you
wanted. Excuse my mistake and farewell."
While I maintained my equilibrium, I felt that my heart would break.
With my hand I waved a farewell to all, and set the Eolus in motion.
As I closed the door, Captain Ganoe sprang forward and would have
dashed himself from the tower but for those who stood by him. His
last words have been ringing in my ears ever since as they were
wafted to me on the balmy air. In a voice of agonizing entreaty, he
cried out:
"Oh Cassie! Cassie! For God's sake, Come back! Come back!"
THE END.

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