was being opened in the roof of Bommelsmeth's undersea cavern.
For minutes this went on, until the smoke and dust filled the air like dense fog. No longer could Don see what he was doing, but only continued to operate his ray blindly. Other subs were hunting them. They could detect the vibrations of their engines. But so dense were the clouds of stone dust now that they were perfectly safe from being found.
At long last a thunderous roar of falling water was heard. A way had been cut through the cavern roof right to the ocean above. The main Martian ocean was thundering through, falling into the inner sea like a mighty cascade. Not too soon was it, for the sub's supply of water was getting low.
Don turned off his ray. The tumultuous waters themselves would soon tear the hole larger. They heard mighty splashes as great masses of rock fell, and each time the thunder of entering water sounded louder.
They submerged to get away from the surface, which raged like a great storm. It was nearly two hours before the sea was calm enough to let them come up. Water now filled the great cavern nearly to the roof, but still there was a strong current downwards from the hole.
THEY set the sub against the current, seeing their way by television. Only by the most hazardous skill was it possible to nose a way out and up, to where they could fill their lungs with fresh air on the surface of the main underground Martian ocean.
Wimpolo called the people together to hear an important pronouncement.
"People of Mars, and loyal subjects of my father, I thank you all for your support during the dangerous times we have just passed through. Now let me show you your future overlord, the man who was really responsible for saving us from the evil designs of Bommelsmeth. My future husband, your future Emperor and overlord, the little man, Donald Hargreaves of Earth!"
She raised him to the level of their eyes, sitting on the palm of her hand. They thundered applause.
"Power to Prince Donald!" they shouted.
Vans Holors was sitting with Olla on his knee when he heard the news. At once the surprised Olla was bundled off. Vans raced out.
"Hey, king!" he called. "King Donald!"
"Not yet, Vans," Don said, smiling up at the huge figure. "What is it?"
"I want a fight!"
"Eh!" said Don, when he had got over the shock. "You can't win the throne of all Mars by fighting, same as you won the rule over those apemen."
"It's not that,” explained the wrestling champion, embarrassed. "I don't want to fight you. There's a big bum who calls himself wrestling champion of Mars. If I could meet him I know I could tear him in pieces. But he's yellow. He takes on second raters only, dodging me. Now if you could fix that for me, king, I'd be eternally grateful to you."
And the most powerful man in two worlds fixed his eye on the little Earthling, pleadingly.
COMING NEXT MONTH
"ARMAGEDDON—1948"
By Ed Earl Repp
ONE OF THE MOST UNUSUAL FUTURE-WAR STORIES WE'VE EVER READ!
