The Second Deluge | Page 4

Versál. "Anyhow,
I must make a few of the best of them hear me. The fate of a whole race
is at stake. If we can save a handful of the best blood and brain of
mankind, the world will have a new chance, and perhaps a better and
higher race will be the result. Since I can't save them all, I'll pick and
choose. I'll have the flower of humanity in my ark. I'll at least snatch
that much from the jaws of destruction."
The little man was growing very earnest and his eyes were aglow with
the fire of enthusiastic purpose. As he dropped his head on one side, it
looked too heavy for the stemlike neck, but it conveyed an impression
of immense intellectual power. Its imposing contour lent force to his
words.

"The flower of humanity," he continued after a slight pause. "Who
composes it? I must decide that question. Is it the billionaires? Is it the
kings and rulers? Is it the men of science? Is it the society leaders? Bah!
I'll have to think on that. I can't take them all, but I'll give them all a
chance to save themselves--though I know they won't act on the
advice."
Here he paused.
"Won't the existing ships do--especially if more are built?" Joseph
Smith suddenly asked, interrupting Cosmo's train of thought.
"Not at all," was the reply. "They're not suited to the kind of navigation
that will be demanded. They're not buoyant enough, nor manageable
enough, and they haven't enough carrying capacity for power and
provisions. They'll be swamped at the wharves, or if they should get
away they'd be sent to the bottom inside a few hours. Nothing but
specially constructed arks will serve. And there's more trouble for
me--I must devise a new form of vessel. Heavens, how short the time is!
Why couldn't I have found this out ten years ago? It's only to-day that I
have myself learned the full truth, though I have worked on it so long."
"How many will you be able to carry in your ark?" asked Smith.
"I can't tell yet. That's another question to be carefully considered. I
shall build the vessel of this new metal, levium, half as heavy as
aluminum and twice as strong as steel. I ought to find room without the
slightest difficulty for a round thousand in it."
"Surely many more than that!" exclaimed Joseph Smith. "Why, there
are ocean-liners that carry several times as many."
"You forget," replied Cosmo Versál, "that we must have provisions
enough to last for a long time, because we cannot count on the
immediate re-emergence of any land, even the most mountainous, and
the most compressed food takes space when a great quantity is needed.
It won't do to overcrowd the vessel, and invite sickness. Then, too, I
must take many animals along."

"Animals," returned Smith. "I hadn't thought of that. But is it
necessary?"
"Absolutely. Would you have less foresight than Noah? I shall not
imitate him by taking male and female of every species, but I must at
least provide for restocking such land as eventually appears above the
waters with the animals most useful to man. Then, too, animals are
essential to the life of the earth. Any agricultural chemist would tell
you that. They play an indispensable part in the vital cycle of the soil. I
must also take certain species of insects and birds. I'll telephone
Professor Hergeschmitberger at Berlin to learn precisely what are the
capitally important species of the animal kingdom."
"And when will you begin the construction of the ark?"
"Instantly. There's not a moment to lose. And it's equally important to
send out warnings broadcast immediately. There you can help me. You
know what I want to say. Write it out at once; put it as strong as you
can; send it everywhere; put it in the shape of posters; hurry it to the
newspaper offices. Telephone, in my name, to the Carnegie Institution,
to the Smithsonian Institution, to the Royal Society, to the French,
Russian, Italian, German, and all the other Academies and Associations
of Science to be found anywhere on earth.
"Don't neglect the slightest means of publicity. Thank Heaven, the
money to pay for all this is not lacking. If my good father, when he
piled up his fortune from the profits of the Transcontinental Aerian
Company, could have foreseen the use to which his son would put it for
the benefit--what do I say, for the benefit? nay, for the salvation--of
mankind, he would have rejoiced in his work."
"Ah, that reminds me," exclaimed Joseph Smith. "I was about to ask, a
few minutes ago, why airships would not do for this business. Couldn't
people save themselves from the flood by taking refuge