It's a Small Solar System

The narrator, an admirer of a once-famous engineer now largely forgotten, recalls early spacefaring days leading to a manned mission to Mars. The ship surveys a thin atmosphere and discovers broad canals and numerous walled cities; a landing party of three approaches a lively city where the sky swarms with alien craft. Mounted, humanoid riders confront the Earthmen; their leader dismounts, greets them in flawless English with a Southern accent, and gives his name. The vignette mixes nostalgic reflection on changing fame with the astonishment of first contact on an inhabited world.