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masters are handicapped by too much size. We know that they are so large that they have to use
instruments even to see our master microbes!
 We in turn are so much smaller that the microbes themselves used to consider us pests. The very name
 flea which they gave us was once a term of scorn. But today we are proud of that name. It is a symbol
of greatness. We are fleas!
The tumult with which this masterful bit of oratory was received excelled anything on record. It was not
confined to shouting, but included a considerable amount of leaping. Even the dignitaries on the stage
bounded up and down with joy. Lyon jumped clear over the telescope, and came down to the stage
shouting,  We are fleas! We are fleas!
IT TOOK several moments for Prince Zaywoodie to calm the crowd so that he could continue.
 At last we have perfected an instrument which will enable us to do what none of our superiors can do.
We shall be able to examine the surfaces of those electrons which make up the atoms of that  pink dust
which has been dumped into our universe. We are now making arrangements to capture one of these
electrons.
There was more cheering and much gazing into the great atmosphere overhead. As most of these highly
developed fleas realized, the atoms which had been brought into this universe were largely space space
that abounded with energy space whose only form was that of the whirling electrons which it contained.
It had been a source of never-ending amazement to these fleas to watch the spinning and whirling of these
bodies.
 The surprising thing that has come to us, said Prince Zaywoodie,  is a rumor brought back by some of
our slaves the one-cells. Before attempting to capture one of the electrons from our laboratory universe
of atoms, we took precautions to send a squad of one-cells into the midst of this pink universe to
explore. A few of these have returned. By means of manipulating their six arms, they have transferred
their knowledge to us through the established six-arm code. And what is this surprising fact they brought
us?
The speaker paused, and the thousands of civilized fleas waited with bated breath.
 We find that some of these electrons are actually inhabited. Yes, inhabited by living animals which roam
over its surface, even as we roam over the surfaces of our larger universe.
A low murmur spread through the audience. Imaginations were challenged. How could one conceive of
animals tiny enough to dwell upon the surface of these little electrons?
 We have considered the electrons of our laboratory atoms to be too dangerous for handling. As you
know, they vary in size. Some of them have diameters no greater than our height. Others would outweigh
us thousands of times. All of them spin with such regularity that we have not dared to interfere with their
courses.
 But now that our one-cells have observed living creatures upon them, what could be more logical than
our ambition to carry our research further? For this purpose we have built and we now dedicate this
great telescope.
Prince Zaywoodie bowed time and time again in acknowledgment of the enthusiastic response from his
audience.
There were other brief speeches. There were warnings that these further experiments might involve
dangers, but fears were overshadowed by hopes. And above all, the spirit of the occasion was a promise
of new features of achievement, which were sure to make an everlasting impression upon the master
microbes and their superiors.
The occasion was climaxed by the appearance of one of the one-cells, who had made an excursion to
the surface of an electron.
Compared to the fleas, this one-cell was much too small to be visible to the audience. But the inventive
fleas had provided for this emergency. By a series of reflectors they magnified the image of the one-cell
so that it showed upon a screen.
Through clumsy processes of waving its six arms, the one-cell communicated a few words to the
audience. The more educated of the fleas read the symbols as they came forth:  One& of& the&
electrons& is& inhabited& by& tiny& creatures& who& walk& on& two& legs& and&
resemble& fleas.
CHAPTER XI
Crystallized Yellow
THE Battering Ram rocketed along at full speed for several hours, and Lester Allison and Kirk Riley
didn t give the telescope a moment s rest.
 How much farther are we going? Kirk asked.  Where s our limits?
 Our limits are our fuel supply, Allison replied,  but we may as well turn around. It is a wild goose chase
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