CHAPTER IX

The earth and the moon had been left more than a hundred million miles behind in the depths of Space, and the _Astronef_ had crossed this immense gap in eleven days and a few hours; but this apparently inconceivable speed was not altogether due to the powers of the Space-Navigator, for her commander had taken advantage of the passage of the planet along its orbit towards that of the earth. Hence, while the _Astronef_ was approaching Mars with ever-increasing speed, Mars was travelling towards the _Astronef_ at the …