Edgar Rice Burroughs

The Moon Maid - Original Edition Edgar Rice Burroughs

"I had intended telling you my story of the days of the twenty-second century, but it seems best, if you are to understand it, to tell first the story of my great-great-grandfather . "I must have looked up at him quizzically, for he smiled and shook his head as one who is puzzled to find an explanation suited to the mental capacity of his auditor. "My great-great-grandfather was, in reality, the great-great-grandson of my previous incarnation which commenced . I married, at the age of twenty. My son Julian was born. I never saw him. I was killed in Franc-on Armistice Day. "I was again reincarnated in my son's son. I am thirty years of age. My son was born-that is the son of my incarnation-and his son, Julian 5th, in whom I again returned to Earth. I see you are confused, but please remember my injunction that you are to try to keep in mind the theory that there is no such thing as Time. It is now yet I recall distinctly every event of my life that occurred in four incarnations-the last that I recall being that which had its origin. Whether I actually skipped three generations that time or through some caprice of Fate I am merely unable to visualize an intervening incarnation, I do not know. "My theory of the matter is that I differ only from my fellows in that I can recall the events of many incarnations, while they can recall none of theirs other than a few important episodes of that particular one they are experiencing; but perhaps I am wrong. It is of no importance. I will tell you the story of Julian 5th who was born, and then, if we have time and you yet are interested, I will tell you of the torments during the harrowing days of the twenty-second century, following the birth of Julian 9th."