On the morning of January 20, 1920, I was shown another Martian
canal. On this occasion I observed a large building on the banks
of the waterway near my point of vision. This building was more
of a grandstand with a roof than anything else I can compare it
to. It consisted of a large framework painted white, and was as
high as our two-storied structures. A multitude of the people
were inside the building, some sitting, some standing. They all
seemed to be intently gazing in a Northerly direction, up-stream.
Much green foliage and varied-colored flowers lined the banks of
the canal, especially in the neighborhood of the building. The
people all seemed to be attired in holiday garb, and it was
evident to me that a celebration was going on.
Later I was informed that what I had witnessed was an annual
celebration observed by the people of Mars on the occasion of
arrival of the first water from the North Pole after commencement
of the Martian Spring. It appears that this occasion is a very
important event with the Martians. as the arrival of the life-
giving moisture from the Arctic and Antarctic regions of the
planet insures a season of plenty for the inhabitants.
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