1
SinceearliestchildhoodIhavebeenstrangelyfascinatedbythemysterysurroundingthehistoryofthelastdaysoftwentiethcenturyEurope。Myinterestiskeenest,perhaps,notsomuchinrelationtoknownfactsastospeculationupontheunknowableofthetwocenturiesthathaverolledbysincehumanintercoursebetweentheWesternandEasternHemispheresceased——themysteryofEurope’sstatefollowingtheterminationoftheGreatWar——provided,ofcourse,thatthewarhadbeenterminated。
FromoutofthemeagernessofourcensoredhistorieswelearnedthatforfifteenyearsafterthecessationofdiplomaticrelationsbetweentheUnitedStatesofNorthAmericaandthebelligerentnationsoftheOldWorld,newsofmoreorlessdoubtfulauthenticityfiltered,fromtimetotime,intotheWesternHemispherefromtheEastern。
Thencamethefruitionofthathistoricpropagandawhichisbestdescribedbyitsownslogan:\"TheEastfortheEast——
theWestfortheWest,\"andallfurtherintercoursewasstoppedbystatute。
Evenpriortothis,transoceaniccommercehadpracticallyceased,owingtotheperilsandhazardsofthemine-strewnwatersofboththeAtlanticandPacificOceans。JustwhensubmarineactivitiesendedwedonotknowbutthelastvesselofthistypesightedbyaPan-AmericanmerchantmanwasthehugeQ138,whichdischargedtwenty-ninetorpedoesataBraziliantanksteamerofftheBermudasinthefallof1972。AheavyseaandtheexcellentseamanshipofthemasteroftheBrazilianpermittedthePan-Americantoescapeandreportthislastofalongseriesofoutragesuponourcommerce。Godaloneknowshowmanyhundredsofourancientshipsfellpreytotherovingsteelsharksofblood-frenziedEurope。Countlesswerethevesselsandmenthatpassedoveroureasternandwesternhorizonsnevertoreturn;butwhethertheymettheirfatesbeforethebelchingtubesofsubmarinesoramongtheaimlesslydriftingminefields,nomanlivedtotell。
AndthencamethegreatPan-AmericanFederationwhichlinkedtheWesternHemispherefrompoletopoleunderasingleflag,whichjoinedthenaviesoftheNewWorldintothemightiestfightingforcethateversailedthesevenseas——
thegreatestargumentforpeacetheworldhadeverknown。
SincethatdaypeacehadreignedfromthewesternshoresoftheAzorestothewesternshoresoftheHawaiianIslands,norhasanymanofeitherhemispheredaredcross30dW。or175dW。From30dto175disours——from30dto175dispeace,prosperityandhappiness。
Beyondwasthegreatunknown。Eventhegeographiesofmyboyhoodshowednothingbeyond。Weweretaughtofnothingbeyond。Speculationwasdiscouraged。FortwohundredyearstheEasternHemispherehadbeenwipedfromthemapsandhistoriesofPan-America。Itsmentioninfiction,even,wasforbidden。
Ourshipsofpeacepatrolthirtyandonehundredseventy-
five。Whatshipsfrombeyondtheyhavewarnedonlythesecretarchivesofgovernmentshow;but,anavalofficermyself,Ihavegatheredfromthetraditionsoftheservicethatithasbeenfullytwohundredyearssincesmokeorsailhasbeensightedeastof30dorwestof175d。Thefateoftherelinquishedprovinceswhichlaybeyondthedeadlineswecouldonlyspeculateupon。Thattheyweretakenbythemilitarypower,whichrosesosuddenlyinChinaafterthefalloftherepublic,andwhichwrestedManchuriaandKoreafromRussiaandJapan,andalsoabsorbedthePhilippines,isquitewithintherangeofpossibility。
ItwasthecommanderofaChineseman-of-warwhoreceivedacopyoftheedictof1972fromthehandofmyillustriousancestor,AdmiralTurck,ononehundredseventy-five,twohundredandsixyearsago,andfromtheyellowedpagesoftheadmiral’sdiaryIlearnedthatthefateofthePhilippineswaseventhenpresagedbytheseChinesenavalofficers。
Yes,forovertwohundredyearsnomancrossed30dto175dandlivedtotellhisstory——notuntilchancedrewmeacrossandbackagain,andpublicopinion,revoltingatlastagainstthedrasticregulationsofourlong-deadforbears,demandedthatmystorybegiventotheworld,andthatthenarrowinterdictwhichcommandedpeace,prosperity,andhappinesstohaltat30dand175dberemovedforever。
IamgladthatitwasgiventometobeaninstrumentinthehandsofProvidencefortheupliftingofbenightedEurope,andtheameliorationofthesuffering,degradation,andabysmalignoranceinwhichIfoundher。
IshallnotlivetoseethecompleteregenerationofthesavagehordesoftheEasternHemisphere——thatisaworkwhichwillrequiremanygenerations,perhapsages,socompletehasbeentheirreversiontosavagery;butIknowthattheworkhasbeenstarted,andIamproudoftheshareinitwhichmygenerouscountrymenhaveplacedinmyhands。
Thegovernmentalreadypossessesacompleteofficialreportofmyadventuresbeyondthirty。InthenarrativeIpurposetellingmystoryinalessformal,andIhope,amoreentertaining,style;though,beingonlyanavalofficerandwithoutclaimtotheslightestliteraryability,Ishallmostcertainlyfallfarshortofthepossibilitieswhichareinherentinmysubject。ThatIhavepassedthroughthemostwondrousadventuresthathavebefallenacivilizedmanduringthepasttwocenturiesencouragesmeinthebeliefthat,howeverillthetelling,thefactsthemselveswillcommandyourinteresttothefinalpage。
Beyondthirty!Romance,adventure,strangepeoples,fearsomebeasts——alltheexcitementandscurryofthelivesofthetwentiethcenturyancientsthathavebeendeniedusinthesedulldaysofpeaceandprosaicprosperity——all,alllaybeyondthirty,theinvisiblebarrierbetweenthestupid,commercialpresentandthecarefree,barbarouspast。
Whatboyhasnotsighedforthegoodolddaysofwars,revolutions,andriots;howIusedtoporeoverthechroniclesofthoseolddays,thosedearolddays,whenworkmenwentarmedtotheirlabors;whentheyfellupononeanotherwithgunandbombanddagger,andthestreetsranredwithblood!Ah,butthosewerethetimeswhenlifewasworththeliving;whenamanwhowentoutbynightknewnotatwhichdarkcornera\"footpad\"mightleapuponandslayhim;whenwildbeastsroamedtheforestandthejungles,andthereweresavagemen,andcountriesyetunexplored。
Now,inalltheWesternHemispheredwellsnomanwhomaynotfindaschoolhousewithinwalkingdistanceofhishome,oratleastwithinflyingdistance。
Thewildestbeastthatroamsourwasteplaceslairsinthefrozennorthorthefrozensouthwithinagovernmentreserve,wherethecuriousmayviewhimandfeedhimbreadcrustsfromthehandwithperfectimpunity。
Butbeyondthirty!AndIhavegonethere,andcomeback;
andnowyoumaygothere,fornolongerisithightreason,punishablebydisgraceordeath,tocross30dor175d。
MynameisJeffersonTurck。Iamalieutenantinthenavy——
inthegreatPan-Americannavy,theonlynavywhichnowexistsinalltheworld。
IwasborninArizona,intheUnitedStatesofNorthAmerica,intheyearofourLord2116。Therefore,Iamtwenty-oneyearsold。
InearlyboyhoodItiredoftheteemingcitiesandovercrowdedruraldistrictsofArizona。EverygenerationofTurcksforovertwocenturieshasbeenrepresentedinthenavy。Thenavycalledtome,asdidthefree,wide,unpeopledspacesofthemightyoceans。AndsoIjoinedthenavy,comingupfromtheranks,asweallmust,learningourcraftasweadvance。Mypromotionwasrapid,formyfamilyseemstoinheritnavallore。Wearebornofficers,andI
reservetomyselfnospecialcreditforanearlyadvancementintheservice。
AttwentyIfoundmyselfalieutenantincommandoftheaero-submarineColdwater,oftheSS-96class。TheColdwaterwasoneofthefirstoftheairandunderwatercraftwhichhavebeensogreatlyimprovedsinceitslaunching,andwaspossessedofinnumerableweaknesseswhich,fortunately,havebeeneliminatedinmorerecentvesselsofsimilartype。
EvenwhenItookcommand,shewasfitonlyforthejunkpile;buttheworld-oldparsimonyofgovernmentretainedherinactiveservice,andsenttwohundredmentoseainher,withmyself,amereboy,incommandofher,topatrolthirtyfromIcelandtotheAzores。
Muchofmyservicehadbeenspentaboardthegreatmerchantmen-of-war。Thesearetheutilitynavalvesselsthathavetransformedthenaviesofold,whichburdenedthepeopleswithtaxesfortheirsupport,intothepresentdayfleetsofself-supportingshipsthatfindampletimefortargetpracticeandgundrillwhiletheybearfreightandthemailsfromthecontinentstothefar-scatteredislandofPan-America。
Thischangeinservicewasmostwelcometome,especiallyasitbroughtwithitcovetedresponsibilitiesofsolecommand,andIwaspronetooverlookthedeficienciesoftheColdwaterinthenaturalprideIfeltinmyfirstship。
TheColdwaterwasfullyequippedfortwomonths’patrolling——
theordinarylengthofassignmenttothisservice——andamonthhadalreadypassed,itsmonotonyentirelyunrelievedbysightofanothercraft,whenthefirstofourmisfortunesbefell。
Wehadbeenridingoutastormatanaltitudeofaboutthreethousandfeet。Allnightwehadhoveredabovethetossingbillowsofthemoonlightclouds。Thedetonationofthethunderandtheglareoflightningthroughanoccasionalriftinthevaporouswallproclaimedthecontinuedfuryofthetempestuponthesurfaceofthesea;butwe,faraboveitall,rodeincomparativeeaseupontheuppergale。Withthecomingofdawnthecloudsbeneathusbecameagloriousseaofgoldandsilver,softandbeautiful;buttheycouldnotdeceiveusastotheblacknessandtheterrorsofthestorm-lashedoceanwhichtheyhid。
Iwasatbreakfastwhenmychiefengineerenteredandsaluted。Hisfacewasgrave,andIthoughthewasevenatriflepalerthanusual。
\"Well?\"Iasked。
Hedrewthebackofhisforefingernervouslyacrosshisbrowinagesturethatwashabitualwithhiminmomentsofmentalstress。
\"Thegravitation-screengenerators,sir,\"hesaid。\"Numberonewenttothebadaboutanhourandahalfago。Wehavebeenworkinguponitsteadilysince;butIhavetoreport,sir,thatitisbeyondrepair。\"
\"Numbertwowillkeepussupplied,\"Ianswered。\"Inthemeantimewewillsendawirelessforrelief。\"
\"Butthatisthetrouble,sir,\"hewenton。\"Numbertwohasstopped。Iknewitwouldcome,sir。Imadeareportonthesegeneratorsthreeyearsago。Iadvisedthenthattheybothbescrapped。Theirprincipleisentirelywrong。
They’redonefor。\"And,withagrimsmile,\"Ishallatleasthavethesatisfactionofknowingmyreportwasaccurate。\"
\"Havewesufficientreservescreentopermitustomakeland,or,atleast,meetourreliefhalfway?\"Iasked。
\"No,sir,\"herepliedgravely;\"wearesinkingnow。\"
\"Haveyouanythingfurthertoreport?\"Iasked。
\"No,sir,\"hesaid。
\"Verygood,\"Ireplied;and,asIdismissedhim,Irangformywirelessoperator。Whenheappeared,Igavehimamessagetothesecretaryofthenavy,towhomallvesselsinserviceonthirtyandonehundredseventy-fivereportdirect。Iexplainedourpredicament,andstatedthatwithwhatscreeningforceremainedIshouldcontinueintheair,makingasrapidheadwaytowardSt。Johnsaspossible,andthatwhenwewereforcedtotaketothewaterIshouldcontinueinthesamedirection。
Theaccidentoccurreddirectlyover30dandabout52dN。
Thesurfacewindwasblowingatempestfromthewest。Toattempttorideoutsuchastormuponthesurfaceseemedsuicidal,fortheColdwaterwasnotdesignedforsurfacenavigationexceptunderfairweatherconditions。Submerged,orintheair,shewastractableenoughinanysortofweatherwhenundercontrol;butwithoutherscreengeneratorsshewasalmosthelpless,sinceshecouldnotfly,and,ifsubmerged,couldnotrisetothesurface。
Allthesedefectshavebeenremediedinlatermodels;buttheknowledgedidnothelpusanythatdayaboardtheslowlysettlingColdwater,withanangrysearoaringbeneath,atempestragingoutofthewest,and30donlyafewknotsastern。
Tocrossthirtyoronehundredseventy-fivehasbeen,asyouknow,thedirestcalamitythatcouldbefallanavalcommander。Court-martialanddegradationfollowswiftly,unlessasisoftenthecase,theunfortunatemantakeshisownlifebeforethisunjustandheartlessregulationcanholdhimuptopublicscorn。
Therehasbeeninthepastnoexcuse,nocircumstance,thatcouldpalliatetheoffense。
\"Hewasincommand,andhetookhisshipacrossthirty!\"
Thatwassufficient。Itmightnothavebeeninanywayhisfault,as,inthecaseoftheColdwater,itcouldnotpossiblyhavebeenjustlychargedtomyaccountthatthegravitation-screengeneratorswereworthless;butwellI
knewthatshouldchancehaveitthatwewereblownacrossthirtytoday——aswemighteasilybebeforetheterrificwestwindthatwecouldhearhowlingbelowus,theresponsibilitywouldfalluponmyshoulders。
Inaway,theregulationwasagoodone,foritcertainlyaccomplishedthatforwhichitwasintended。Weallfoughtshyof30dontheeastand175donthewest,and,thoughwehadtoskirtthemprettyclose,nothingbutanactofGodeverdrewoneofusacross。Youallarefamiliarwiththenavaltraditionthatagoodofficercouldsenseproximitytoeitherline,andformypart,IamfirmlyconvincedofthetruthofthisasIamthatthecompassfindsthenorthwithoutrecoursetotediousprocessesofreasoning。
OldAdmiralSanchezwaswonttomaintainthathecouldsmellthirty,andthemenofthefirstshipinwhichIsailedclaimedthatCoburn,thenavigatingofficer,knewbynameeverywavealongthirtyfrom60dN。to60dS。However,I’dhatetovouchforthis。
Well,togetbacktomynarrative;wekeptondroppingslowlytowardthesurfacethewhilewebuckedthewestwind,clawingawayfromthirtyasfastaswecould。Iwasonthebridge,andaswedroppedfromthebrilliantsunlightintothedensevaporofcloudsandondownthroughthemtothewild,darkstormstratabeneath,itseemedthatmyspiritsdroppedwiththefallingship,andthebuoyancyofhoperanlowinsympathy。
Thewaveswererunningtotremendousheights,andtheColdwaterwasnotdesignedtomeetsuchwavesheadon。Herelementsweretheblueether,farabovetheragingstorm,orthegreaterdepthsofocean,whichnostormcouldruffle。
AsIstoodspeculatinguponourchancesoncewesettledintothefrightfulMaelstrombeneathusandatthesametimementallycomputingthehourswhichmustelapsebeforeaidcouldreachus,thewirelessoperatorclambereduptheladdertothebridge,and,disheveledandbreathless,stoodbeforemeatsalute。Itneededbutaglanceathimtoassuremethatsomethingwasamiss。
\"Whatnow?\"Iasked。
\"Thewireless,sir!\"hecried。\"MyGod,sir,Icannotsend。\"
\"Buttheemergencyoutfit?\"Iasked。
\"Ihavetriedeverything,sir。Ihaveexhaustedeveryresource。Wecannotsend,\"andhedrewhimselfupandsalutedagain。
Idismissedhimwithafewkindwords,forIknewthatitwasthroughnofaultofhisthatthemechanismwasantiquatedandworthless,incommonwiththebalanceoftheColdwater’sequipment。TherewasnofineroperatorinPan-
Americathanhe。
Thefailureofthewirelessdidnotappearasmomentoustomeastohim,whichisnotunnatural,sinceitisbuthumantofeelthatwhenourownlittlecogslips,theentireuniversemustnecessarilybeputoutofgear。Iknewthatifthisstormweredestinedtoblowusacrossthirty,orsendustothebottomoftheocean,nohelpcouldreachusintimetopreventit。Ihadorderedthemessagesentsolelybecauseregulationsrequiredit,andnotwithanyparticularhopethatwecouldbenefitbyitinourpresentextremity。
Ihadlittletimetodwelluponthecoincidenceofthesimultaneousfailureofthewirelessandthebuoyancygenerators,sinceveryshortlyaftertheColdwaterhaddroppedsolowoverthewatersthatallmyattentionwasnecessarilycentereduponthedelicatebusinessofsettlinguponthewaveswithoutbreakingmyship’sback。Withourbuoyancygeneratorsincommissionitwouldhavebeenasimplethingtoenterthewater,sincethenitwouldhavebeenbutatriflingmatterofaforty-fivedegreediveintothebaseofahugewave。Weshouldhavecutintothewaterlikeahotknifethroughbutter,andhavebeentotallysubmergedwithscarceajar——Ihavedoneitathousandtimes——butIdidnotdaresubmergetheColdwaterforfearthatitwouldremainsubmergedtotheendoftime——aconditionfarfromconducivetothelongevityofcommanderorcrew。
MostofmyofficerswereoldermenthanI。JohnAlvarez,myfirstofficer,istwentyyearsmysenior。Hestoodatmysideonthebridgeastheshipglidedcloserandclosertothosestupendouswaves。Hewatchedmyeverymove,buthewasbyfartoofineanofficerandgentlemantoembarrassmebyeithercommentorsuggestion。
WhenIsawthatwesoonwouldtouch,Iorderedtheshipbroughtaroundbroadsidetothewind,andtherewehoveredamomentuntilahugewavereachedupandseizedusuponitscrest,andthenIgavetheorderthatsuddenlyreversedthescreeningforce,andletusintotheocean。Downintothetroughwewent,wallowinglikethecarcassofadeadwhale,andthenbeganthefight,withrudderandpropellers,toforcetheColdwaterbackintotheteethofthegaleanddriveheronandon,fartherandfartherfromrelentlessthirty。
Ithinkthatweshouldhavesucceeded,eventhoughtheshipwaswrackedfromstemtosternbytheterrificbuffetingsshereceived,andthoughshewerehalfsubmergedthegreaterpartofthetime,hadnofurtheraccidentbefallenus。
Weweremakingheadway,thoughslowly,anditbegantolookasthoughweweregoingtopullthrough。Alvarezneverleftmyside,thoughIallbutorderedhimbelowformuch-neededrest。Mysecondofficer,PorfirioJohnson,wasalsooftenonthebridge。Hewasagoodofficer,butamanforwhomI
hadconceivedaratherunreasoningaversionalmostatthefirstmomentofmeetinghim,anaversionwhichwasnotlessenedbytheknowledgewhichIsubsequentlygainedthathelookeduponmyrapidpromotionwithjealousy。Hewastenyearsmyseniorbothinyearsandservice,andIratherthinkhecouldneverforgetthefactthathehadbeenanofficerwhenIwasagreenapprentice。
AsitbecamemoreandmoreapparentthattheColdwater,undermyseamanship,wasweatheringthetempestandgivingpromiseofpullingthroughsafely,IcouldhaveswornthatI
perceivedashadeofannoyanceanddisappointmentgrowinguponhisdarkcountenance。Heleftthebridgefinallyandwentbelow。Idonotknowthatheisdirectlyresponsibleforwhatfollowedsoshortlyafter;butIhavealwayshadmysuspicions,andAlvarezisevenmorepronetoplacetheblameuponhimthanI。
ItwasaboutsixbellsoftheforenoonwatchthatJohnsonreturnedtothebridgeafteranabsenceofsomethirtyminutes。Heseemednervousandillatease——afactwhichmadelittleimpressiononmeatthetime,butwhichbothAlvarezandIrecalledsubsequently。
NotthreeminutesafterhisreappearanceatmysidetheColdwatersuddenlycommencedtoloseheadway。Iseizedthetelephoneatmyelbow,pressinguponthebuttonwhichwouldcallthechiefengineertotheinstrumentinthebowelsoftheship,onlytofindhimalreadyatthereceiverattemptingtoreachme。
\"Numbersone,two,andfiveengineshavebrokendown,sir,\"
hecalled。\"Shallweforcetheremainingthree?\"
\"Wecandonothingelse,\"Ibellowedintothetransmitter。
\"Theywon’tstandthegaff,sir,\"hereturned。
\"Canyousuggestabetterplan?\"Iasked。
\"No,sir,\"hereplied。
\"Thengivethemthegaff,lieutenant,\"Ishoutedback,andhungupthereceiver。
FortwentyminutestheColdwaterbuckedthegreatseaswithherthreeengines。Idoubtifsheadvancedafoot;butitwasenoughtokeephernoseinthewind,and,atleast,wewerenotdriftingtowardthirty。
JohnsonandAlvarezwereatmysidewhen,withoutwarning,thebowswungswiftlyaroundandtheshipfellintothetroughofthesea。
\"Theotherthreehavegone,\"Isaid,andIhappenedtobelookingatJohnsonasIspoke。Wasittheshadowofasatisfiedsmilethatcrossedhisthinlips?Idonotknow;
butatleasthedidnotweep。
\"Youalwayshavebeencurious,sir,aboutthegreatunknownbeyondthirty,\"hesaid。\"Youareinagoodwaytohaveyourcuriositysatisfied。\"AndthenIcouldnotmistaketheslightsneerthatcurvedhisupperlip。Theremusthavebeenatraceofdisrespectinhistoneormannerwhichescapedme,forAlvarezturneduponhimlikeaflash。
\"WhenLieutenantTurckcrossesthirty,\"hesaid,\"weshallallcrosswithhim,andGodhelptheofficerorthemanwhoreproacheshim!\"
\"Ishallnotbeapartytohightreason,\"snappedJohnson。
\"Theregulationsareexplicit,andiftheColdwatercrossesthirtyitdevolvesuponyoutoplaceLieutenantTurckunderarrestandimmediatelyexerteveryendeavortobringtheshipbackintoPan-Americanwaters。\"
\"Ishallnotknow,\"repliedAlvarez,\"thattheColdwaterpassesthirty;norshallanyothermanaboardknowit,\"and,withhiswords,hedrewarevolverfromhispocket,andbeforeeitherIorJohnsoncouldpreventithadputabulletintoeveryinstrumentuponthebridge,ruiningthembeyondrepair。
Andthenhesalutedme,andstrodefromthebridge,amartyrtoloyaltyandfriendship,for,thoughnomanmightknowthatLieutenantJeffersonTurckhadtakenhisshipacrossthirty,everymanaboardwouldknowthatthefirstofficerhadcommittedacrimethatwaspunishablebybothdegradationanddeath。Johnsonturnedandeyedmenarrowly。
\"ShallIplacehimunderarrest?\"heasked。
\"Youshallnot,\"Ireplied。\"Norshallanyoneelse。\"
\"Youbecomeapartytohiscrime!\"hecriedangrily。
\"Youmaygobelow,Mr。Johnson,\"Isaid,\"andattendtotheworkofunpackingtheextrainstrumentsandhavingthemproperlysetuponthebridge。\"
Hesaluted,andleftme,andforsometimeIstood,gazingoutupontheangrywaters,mymindfilledwithunhappyreflectionsupontheunjustfatethathadovertakenme,andthesorrowanddisgracethatIhadunwittinglybroughtdownuponmyhouse。
IrejoicedthatIshouldleaveneitherwifenorchildtobeartheburdenofmyshamethroughouttheirlives。
AsIthoughtuponmymisfortune,Iconsideredmoreclearlythaneverbeforetheunrighteousnessoftheregulationwhichwastoprovemydoom,andinthenaturalrevoltagainstitsinjusticemyangerrose,andtheremountedwithinmeafeelingwhichIimaginemusthaveparalleledthatspiritthatoncewasprevalentamongtheancientscalledanarchy。
ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIfoundmysentimentsarrayingthemselvesagainstcustom,tradition,andevengovernment。
Thewaveofrebellionsweptovermeinaninstant,beginningwithanhereticaldoubtastothesanctityoftheestablishedorderofthings——thatfetishwhichhasruledPan-Americansfortwocenturies,andwhichisbaseduponablindfaithintheinfallibilityoftheprescienceofthelong-deadframersofthearticlesofPan-Americanfederation——andendinginanadamantinedeterminationtodefendmyhonorandmylifetothelastditchagainsttheblindandsenselessregulationwhichassumedthesynonymityofmisfortuneandtreason。
Iwouldreplacethedestroyedinstrumentsuponthebridge;
everyofficerandmanshouldknowwhenwecrossedthirty。
ButthenIshouldassertthespiritwhichdominatedme,I
shouldresistarrest,andinsistuponbringingmyshipbackacrossthedeadline,remainingatmypostuntilwehadreachedNewYork。ThenIshouldmakeafullreport,andwithitademanduponpublicopinionthatthedeadlinesbewipedforeverfromtheseas。
IknewthatIwasright。Iknewthatnomoreloyalofficerworetheuniformofthenavy。IknewthatIwasagoodofficerandsailor,andIdidn’tproposesubmittingtodegradationanddischargebecausealotofold,preglacialfossilshaddeclaredovertwohundredyearsbeforethatnomanshouldcrossthirty。
EvenwhilethesethoughtswerepassingthroughmymindIwasbusywiththedetailsofmyduties。Ihadseentoitthataseaanchorwasrigged,andevennowthemenhadcompletedtheirtask,andtheColdwaterwasswingingaroundrapidly,hernosepointingoncemoreintothewind,andthefrightfulrollingconsequentuponherwallowinginthetroughwashappilydiminishing。
ItwasthenthatJohnsoncamehurryingtothebridge。Oneofhiseyeswasswollenandalreadydarkening,andhislipwascutandbleeding。Withouteventheformalityofasalute,heburstuponme,whitewithfury。
\"LieutenantAlvarezattackedme!\"hecried。\"Idemandthathebeplacedunderarrest。Ifoundhimintheactofdestroyingthereserveinstruments,andwhenIwouldhaveinterferedtoprotectthemhefelluponmeandbeatme。I
demandthatyouarresthim!\"
\"Youforgetyourself,Mr。Johnson,\"Isaid。\"Youarenotincommandoftheship。IdeploretheactionofLieutenantAlvarez,butIcannotexpungefrommymindtheloyaltyandself-sacrificingfriendshipwhichhaspromptedhimtohisacts。WereIyou,sir,Ishouldprofitbytheexamplehehasset。Further,Mr。Johnson,Iintendretainingcommandoftheship,eventhoughshecrossesthirty,andIshalldemandimplicitobediencefromeveryofficerandmanaboarduntilIamproperlyrelievedfromdutybyasuperiorofficerintheportofNewYork。\"
\"Youmeantosaythatyouwillcrossthirtywithoutsubmittingtoarrest?\"healmostshouted。
\"Ido,sir,\"Ireplied。\"Andnowyoumaygobelow,and,whenagainyoufinditnecessarytoaddressme,youwillpleasebesogoodastobearinmindthefactthatIamyourcommandingofficer,andassuchentitledtoasalute。\"
Heflushed,hesitatedamoment,andthen,saluting,turneduponhisheelandleftthebridge。Shortlyafter,Alvarezappeared。Hewaspale,andseemedtohaveagedtenyearsinthefewbriefminutessinceIlasthadseenhim。Saluting,hetoldmeverysimplywhathehaddone,andaskedthatI
placehimunderarrest。
Iputmyhandonhisshoulder,andIguessthatmyvoicetrembledatrifleas,whilereprovinghimforhisact,I
madeitplaintohimthatmygratitudewasnolesspotentaforcethanhisloyaltytome。ThenitwasthatIoutlinedtohimmypurposetodefytheregulationthathadraisedthedeadlines,andtotakemyshipbacktoNewYorkmyself。
Ididnotaskhimtosharetheresponsibilitywithme。I
merelystatedthatIshouldrefusetosubmittoarrest,andthatIshoulddemandofhimandeveryotherofficerandmanimplicitobediencetomyeverycommanduntilwedockedathome。
Hisfacebrightenedatmywords,andheassuredmethatI
wouldfindhimasreadytoacknowledgemycommanduponthewrongsideofthirtyasupontheright,anassurancewhichI
hastenedtotellhimIdidnotneed。
Thestormcontinuedtorageforthreedays,andasfarasthewindscarcevariedapointduringallthattime,Iknewthatwemustbefarbeyondthirty,driftingrapidlyeastbysouth。Allthistimeithadbeenimpossibletoworkuponthedamagedenginesorthegravity-screengenerators;butwehadafullsetofinstrumentsuponthebridge,forAlvarez,afterdiscoveringmyintentions,hadfetchedthereserveinstrumentsfromhisowncabin,wherehehadhiddenthem。
ThosewhichJohnsonhadseenhimdestroyhadbeenathirdsetwhichonlyAlvarezhadknownwasaboardtheColdwater。
Wewaitedimpatientlyforthesun,thatwemightdetermineourexactlocation,anduponthefourthdayourvigilwasrewardedafewminutesbeforenoon。
Everyofficerandmanaboardwastensewithnervousexcitementasweawaitedtheresultofthereading。ThecrewhadknownalmostassoonasIthatweweredoomedtocrossthirty,andIaminclinedtobelievethateverymanjackofthemwastickledtodeath,forthespiritsofadventureandromancestillliveintheheartsofmenofthetwenty-secondcentury,eventhoughtherebelittleforthemtofeeduponbetweenthirtyandonehundredseventy-five。
Themencarriednoneoftheburdensofresponsibility。Theymightcrossthirtywithimpunity,anddoubtlesstheywouldreturntobeheroesathome;buthowdifferentthehome-
comingoftheircommandingofficer!
Thewindhaddroppedtoasteadyblow,stillfromwestbynorth,andtheseahadgonedowncorrespondingly。Thecrew,withtheexceptionofthosewhosedutieskeptthembelow,wererangedondeckbelowthebridge。WhenourpositionwasdefinitelyfixedIpersonallyannouncedittotheeager,waitingmen。
\"Men,\"Isaid,steppingforwardtothehandrailandlookingdownintotheirupturned,bronzedfaces,\"youareanxiouslyawaitinginformationastotheship’sposition。Ithasbeendeterminedatlatitudefiftydegreessevenminutesnorth,longitudetwentydegreessixteenminuteswest。\"
Ipausedandabuzzofanimatedcommentranthroughthemassedmenbeneathme。\"Beyondthirty。Buttherewillbenochangeincommandingofficers,inroutineorindiscipline,untilafterwehavedockedagaininNewYork。\"
AsIceasedspeakingandsteppedbackfromtherailtherewasaroarofapplausefromthedecksuchasIneverbeforehadheardaboardashipofpeace。ItrecalledtomymindtalesthatIhadreadofthegoodolddayswhennavalvesselswerebuilttofight,whenshipsofpeacehadbeenman-of-war,andgunshadflashedinotherthanfutiletargetpractice,anddeckshadrunredwithblood。
Withthesubsistenceofthesea,wewereabletogotoworkuponthedamagedenginestosomeeffect,andIalsosetmentoexaminingthegravitation-screengeneratorswithaviewtoputtingtheminworkingordershoulditprovenotbeyondourresources。
Fortwoweekswelaboredattheengines,whichindisputablyshowedevidenceofhavingbeentamperedwith。Iappointedaboardtoinvestigateandreportuponthedisaster。ButitaccomplishednothingotherthantoconvincemethattherewereseveralofficersuponitwhowereinfullsympathywithJohnson,for,thoughnochargeshadbeenpreferredagainsthim,theboardwentoutofitswayspecificallytoexoneratehiminitsfindings。
Allthistimeweweredriftingalmostdueeast。TheworkupontheengineshadprogressedtosuchanextentthatwithinafewhourswemightexpecttobeabletoproceedunderourownpowerwestwardinthedirectionofPan-
Americanwaters。
TorelievethemonotonyIhadtakentofishing,andearlythatmorningIhaddepartedfromtheColdwaterinoneoftheboatsonsuchanexcursion。Agentlewestwindwasblowing。
Theseashimmeredinthesunlight。Acloudlessskycanopiedthewestforoursport,asIhadmadeitapointnevervoluntarilytomakeaninchtowardtheeastthatIcouldavoid。Atleast,theyshouldnotbeabletochargemewithawillfulviolationofthedeadlinesregulation。
Ihadwithmeonlytheboat’sordinarycomplementofmen——
threeinall,andmorethanenoughtohandleanysmallpowerboat。Ihadnotaskedanyofmyofficerstoaccompanyme,asIwishedtobealone,andverygladamInowthatIhadnot。Myonlyregretisthat,inviewofwhatbefellus,ithadbeennecessarytobringthethreebravefellowswhomannedtheboat。
Ourfishing,whichprovedexcellent,carriedussofartothewestthatwenolongercouldseetheColdwater。Thedayworeon,untilatlast,aboutmid-afternoon,Igavetheordertoreturntotheship。
Wehadproceededbutashortdistancetowardtheeastwhenoneofthemengaveanexclamationofexcitement,atthesametimepointingeastward。Wealllookedoninthedirectionhehadindicated,andthere,ashortdistanceabovethehorizon,wesawtheoutlinesoftheColdwatersilhouettedagainstthesky。
\"They’verepairedtheenginesandthegeneratorsboth,\"
exclaimedoneofthemen。
Itseemedimpossible,butyetithadevidentlybeendone。
Onlythatmorning,LieutenantJohnsonhadtoldmethathefearedthatitwouldbeimpossibletorepairthegenerators。
Ihadputhiminchargeofthiswork,sincehealwayshadbeenaccountedoneofthebestgravitation-screenmeninthenavy。Hehadinventedseveraloftheimprovementsthatareincorporatedinthelatermodelsofthesegenerators,andIamconvincedthatheknowsmoreconcerningboththetheoryandthepracticeofscreeninggravitationthananylivingPan-American。
AtthesightoftheColdwateroncemoreundercontrol,thethreemenburstintoagladcheer。But,forsomereasonwhichIcouldnotthenaccount,Iwasstrangelyovercomebyapremonitionofpersonalmisfortune。ItwasnotthatInowanticipatedanearlyreturntoPan-Americaandaboardofinquiry,forIhadratherlookedforwardtothefightthatmustfollowmyreturn。No,therewassomethingelse,somethingindefinableandvaguethatcastastrangegloomuponmeasIsawmyshiprisingfartherabovethewaterandmakingstraightinourdirection。
Iwasnotlonginascertainingapossibleexplanationofmydepression,for,thoughwewereplainlyvisiblefromthebridgeoftheaero-submarineandtothehundredsofmenwhoswarmedherdeck,theshippasseddirectlyaboveus,notfivehundredfeetfromthewater,andspeddirectlywestward。
Weallshouted,andIfiredmypistoltoattracttheirattention,thoughIknewfullwellthatallwhocaredtohadobservedus,buttheshipmovedsteadilyaway,growingsmallerandsmallertoourviewuntilatlastshepassedcompletelyoutofsight。
2
Whatcoulditmean?IhadleftAlvarezincommand。Hewasmymostloyalsubordinate。ItwasabsolutelybeyondthepaleofpossibilitythatAlvarezshoulddesertme。No,therewassomeotherexplanation。Somethingoccurredtoplacemysecondofficer,PorfirioJohnson,incommand。I
wassureofitbutwhyspeculate?Thefutilityofconjecturewasonlytoopalpable。TheColdwaterhadabandonedusinmidocean。Doubtlessnoneofuswouldsurvivetoknowwhy。
Theyoungmanatthewheelofthepowerboathadturnedhernoseaboutasitbecameevidentthattheshipintendedpassingoverus,andnowhestillheldherinfutilepursuitoftheColdwater。
\"Bringherabout,Snider,\"Idirected,\"andholdherdueeast。Wecan’tcatchtheColdwater,andwecan’tcrosstheAtlanticinthis。Ouronlyhopeliesinmakingthenearestland,which,unlessIammistaken,istheScillyIslands,offthesouthwestcoastofEngland。EverheardofEngland,Snider?\"
\"There’sapartoftheUnitedStatesofNorthAmericathatusedtobeknowntotheancientsasNewEngland,\"hereplied。\"Isthatwhereyoumean,sir?\"
\"No,Snider,\"Ireplied。\"TheEnglandIrefertowasanislandoffthecontinentofEurope。Itwastheseatofaverypowerfulkingdomthatflourishedovertwohundredyearsago。ApartoftheUnitedStatesofNorthAmericaandalloftheFederatedStatesofCanadaoncebelongedtothisancientEngland。\"
\"Europe,\"breathedoneofthemen,hisvoicetensewithexcitement。\"Mygrandfatherusedtotellmestoriesoftheworldbeyondthirty。Hehadbeenagreatstudent,andhehadreadmuchfromforbiddenbooks。\"
\"InwhichIresembleyourgrandfather,\"Isaid,\"forI,too,havereadmoreeventhannavalofficersaresupposedtoread,and,asyoumenknow,wearepermittedagreaterlatitudeinthestudyofgeographyandhistorythanmenofotherprofessions。
\"AmongthebooksandpapersofAdmiralPorterTurck,wholivedtwohundredyearsago,andfromwhomIamdescended,manyvolumesstillexist,andareinmypossession,whichdealwiththehistoryandgeographyofancientEurope。
UsuallyIbringseveralofthesebookswithmeuponacruise,andthistime,amongothers,IhavemapsofEuropeandhersurroundingwaters。IwasstudyingthemaswecameawayfromtheColdwaterthismorning,andluckilyIhavethemwithme。\"
\"YouaregoingtotrytomakeEurope,sir?\"askedTaylor,theyoungmanwhohadlastspoken。
\"Itisthenearestland,\"Ireplied。\"IhavealwayswantedtoexploretheforgottenlandsoftheEasternHemisphere。
Here’sourchance。Toremainatseaistoperish。Noneofuseverwillseehomeagain。Letusmakethebestofit,andenjoywhilewedolivethatwhichisforbiddenthebalanceofourrace——theadventureandthemysterywhichliebeyondthirty。\"
TaylorandDelcarteseizedthespiritofmymoodbutSnider,Ithink,wasatriflesceptical。
\"Itistreason,sir,\"Ireplied,\"butthereisnolawwhichcompelsustovisitpunishmentuponourselves。CouldwereturntoPan-America,Ishouldbethefirsttoinsistthatwefaceit。Butweknowthat’snotpossible。Evenifthiscraftwouldcarryussofar,wehaven’tenoughwaterorfoodformorethanthreedays。
\"Wearedoomed,Snider,todiefarfromhomeandwithouteveragainlookinguponthefaceofanotherfellowcountrymanthanthosewhositherenowinthisboat。Isn’tthatpunishmentsufficientforeventhemostexactingjudge?\"
EvenSniderhadtoadmitthatitwas。
\"Verywell,then,letuslivewhilewelive,andenjoytothefullestwhateverofadventureorpleasureeachnewdaybrings,sinceanydaymaybeourlast,andweshallbedeadforaconsiderablewhile。\"
IcouldseethatSniderwasstillfearful,butTaylorandDelcarterespondedwithahearty,\"Aye,aye,sir!\"
Theywereofdifferentmold。Bothweresonsofnavalofficers。Theyrepresentedthearistocracyofbirth,andtheydaredtothinkforthemselves。
Sniderwasintheminority,andsowecontinuedtowardtheeast。Beyondthirty,andseparatedfrommyship,myauthorityceased。Iheldleadership,ifIwastoholditatall,byvirtueofpersonalqualificationsonly,butIdidnotdoubtmyabilitytoremainthedirectorofourdestiniesinsofarastheywereamenabletohumanagencies。Ihavealwaysled。WhilemybrainandbrawnremainunimpairedI
shallcontinuealwaystolead。FollowingisanartwhichTurcksdonoteasilylearn。
Itwasnotuntilthethirddaythatweraisedland,deadahead,whichItook,frommymap,tobetheislesofScilly。
ButsuchagalewasblowingthatIdidnotdareattempttoland,andsowepassedtothenorthofthem,skirtedLand’sEnd,andenteredtheEnglishChannel。
IthinkthatuptothatmomentIhadneverexperiencedsuchathrillaspassedthroughmewhenIrealizedthatIwasnavigatingthesehistoricwaters。ThelifelongdreamsthatIneverhaddaredhopetoseefulfilledwereatlastareality——butunderwhatforlorncircumstances!
NevercouldIreturntomynativeland。TotheendofmydaysImustremaininexile。Yeteventhesethoughtsfailedtodampenmyardor。
Myeyesscannedthewaters。TothenorthIcouldseetherockboundcoastofCornwall。MinewerethefirstAmericaneyestorestuponitformorethantwohundredyears。Invain,Isearchedforsomesignofancientcommercethat,ifhistoryistobebelieved,musthavedottedthebosomoftheChannelwithwhitesailsandblackenedtheheavenswiththesmokeofcountlessfunnels,butasfaraseyecouldreachthetossingwatersoftheChannelwereemptyanddeserted。
Towardmidnightthewindandseaabated,sothatshortlyafterdawnIdeterminedtomakeinshoreinanattempttoeffectalanding,forweweresadlyinneedoffreshwaterandfood。
Accordingtomyobservations,wewerejustoffRamHead,anditwasmyintentiontoenterPlymouthBayandvisitPlymouth。Frommymapitappearedthatthiscitylaybackfromthecoastashortdistance,andtherewasanothercitygivenasDevonport,whichappearedtolieatthemouthoftheriverTamar。
However,Iknewthatitwouldmakelittledifferencewhichcityweentered,astheEnglishpeoplewerefamedofoldfortheirhospitalitytowardvisitingmariners。AsweapproachedthemouthofthebayIlookedforthefishingcraftwhichIexpectedtoseeemergingthusearlyinthedayfortheirlabors。ButevenafterweroundedRamHeadandwerewellwithinthewatersofthebayIsawnovessel。
Neitherwastherebuoynorlightnoranyothermarktoshowlargershipsthechannel,andIwonderedmuchatthis。
Thecoastwasdenselyovergrown,norwasanybuildingorsignofmanapparentfromthewater。UpthebayandintotheRiverTamarwemotoredthroughasolitudeasunbrokenasthatwhichresteduponthewatersoftheChannel。Forallwecouldsee,therewasnoindicationthatmanhadeversethisfootuponthissilentcoast。
Iwasnonplused,andthen,forthefirsttime,therecreptovermeanintuitionofthetruth。
Herewasnosignofwar。AsfarasthisportionoftheDevoncoastwasconcerned,thatseemedtohavebeenoverformanyyears,butneitherwerethereanypeople。YetIcouldnotfinditwithinmyselftobelievethatIshouldfindnoinhabitantsinEngland。Reasoningthus,Idiscoveredthatitwasimprobablethatastateofwarstillexisted,andthatthepeopleallhadbeendrawnfromthisportionofEnglandtosomeother,wheretheymightbetterdefendthemselvesagainstaninvader。
Butwhatoftheirancientcoastdefenses?WhatwastherehereinPlymouthBaytopreventanenemylandinginforceandmarchingwheretheywished?Nothing。Icouldnotbelievethatanyenlightenedmilitarynation,suchastheancientEnglisharereputedtohavebeen,wouldhavevoluntarilysodesertedanexposedcoastandanexcellentharbortothemerciesofanenemy。
Ifoundmyselfbecomingmoreandmoredeeplyinvolvedinquandary。ThepuzzlewhichconfrontedmeIcouldnotunravel。Wehadlanded,andInowstooduponthespotwhere,accordingtomymap,alargecityshouldrearitsspiresandchimneys。Therewasnothingbutrough,brokengroundcovereddenselywithweedsandbrambles,andtall,rank,grass。
Hadacityeverstoodthere,nosignofitremained。Theroughnessandunevennessofthegroundsuggestedsomethingofagreatmassofdebrishiddenbytheaccumulationofcenturiesofundergrowth。
Idrewtheshortcutlasswithwhichbothofficersandmenofthenavyare,asyouknow,armedoutofcourtesytothetraditionsandmemoriesofthepast,andwithitspointdugintotheloamabouttherootsofthevegetationgrowingatmyfeet。
Thebladeenteredthesoilforamatterofseveninches,whenitstruckuponsomethingstonelike。Diggingabouttheobstacle,Ipresentlyloosenedit,andwhenIhadwithdrawnitfromitssepulcherIfoundthethingtobeanancientbrickofclay,bakedinanoven。
Delcartewehadleftinchargeoftheboat;butSniderandTaylorwerewithme,andfollowingmyexample,eachengagedinthefascinatingsportofprospectingforantiques。Eachofusuncoveredagreatnumberofthesebricks,untilwecommencedtowearyofthemonotonyofit,whenSnidersuddenlygaveanexclamationofexcitement,and,asIturnedtolook,heheldupahumanskullformyinspection。
Itookitfromhimandexaminedit。Directlyinthecenteroftheforeheadwasasmallroundhole。Thegentlemanhadevidentlycometohisenddefendinghiscountryfromaninvader。
Snideragainheldaloftanothertrophyofthesearch——ametalspikeandsometarnishedandcorrodedmetalornaments。
Theyhadlainclosebesidetheskull。
WiththepointofhiscutlassSniderscrapedthedirtandverdigrisfromthefaceofthelargerornament。
\"Aninscription,\"hesaid,andhandedthethingtome。
TheywerethespikeandornamentsofanancientGermanhelmet。Beforelongwehaduncoveredmanyotherindicationsthatagreatbattlehadbeenfoughtuponthegroundwherewestood。ButIwasthen,andstillam,atlosstoaccountforthepresenceofGermansoldiersupontheEnglishcoastsofarfromLondon,whichhistorysuggestswouldhavebeenthenaturalgoalofaninvader。
IcanonlyaccountforitbyassumingthateitherEnglandwastemporarilyconqueredbytheTeutons,orthataninvasionofsovastproportionswasundertakenthatGermantroopswerehurledupontheEnglandcoastinhugenumbersandthatlandingswerenecessarilyeffectedatmanyplacessimultaneously。Subsequentdiscoveriestendtostrengthenthisview。
WedugaboutforashorttimewithourcutlassesuntilI
becameconvincedthatacityhadstooduponthespotatsometimeinthepast,andthatbeneathourfeet,crumbledanddead,layancientDevonport。
IcouldnotrepressasighatthethoughtofthehavocwarhadwroughtinthispartofEngland,atleast。Farthereast,nearerLondon,weshouldfindthingsverydifferent。
TherewouldbethecivilizationthattwocenturiesmusthavewroughtuponourEnglishcousinsastheyhaduponus。Therewouldbemightycities,cultivatedfields,happypeople。
Therewewouldbewelcomedaslong-lostbrothers。Therewouldwefindagreatnationanxioustolearnoftheworldbeyondtheirsideofthirty,asIhadbeenanxioustolearnofthatwhichlaybeyondoursideofthedeadline。
Iturnedbacktowardtheboat。
\"Come,men!\"Isaid。\"Wewillgouptheriverandfillourcaskswithfreshwater,searchforfoodandfuel,andthentomorrowbeinreadinesstopushontowardtheeast。IamgoingtoLondon。\"
3
ThereportofagunblastedthesilenceofadeadDevonportwithstartlingabruptness。
Itcamefromthedirectionofthelaunch,andinaninstantwethreewererunningfortheboatasfastasourlegswouldcarryus。AswecameinsightofitwesawDelcarteahundredyardsinlandfromthelaunch,leaningoversomethingwhichlayupontheground。Aswecalledtohimhewavedhiscap,andstooping,liftedasmalldeerforourinspection。
Iwasabouttocongratulatehimonhistrophywhenwewerestartledbyahorrid,half-human,half-bestialscreamalittleaheadandtotherightofus。ItseemedtocomefromaclumpofrankandtangledbushnotfarfromwhereDelcartestood。Itwasahorrid,fearsomesound,thelikeofwhichneverhadfallenuponmyearsbefore。
Welookedinthedirectionfromwhichitcame。ThesmilehaddiedfromDelcarte’slips。EvenatthedistancewewerefromhimIsawhisfacegosuddenlywhite,andhequicklythrewhisrifletohisshoulder。Atthesamemomentthethingthathadgiventonguetothecrymovedfromtheconcealingbrushwoodfarenoughforus,too,toseeit。
BothTaylorandSnidergavelittlegaspsofastonishmentanddismay。
\"Whatisit,sir?\"askedthelatter。
Thecreaturestoodabouttheheightofatallman’swaist,andwaslongandgauntandsinuous,withatawnycoatstripedwithblack,andwithwhitethroatandbelly。Inconformationitwassimilartoacat——ahugecat,exaggeratedcolossalcat,withfiendisheyesandthemostdevilishcastofcountenance,asitwrinkleditsbristlingsnoutandbareditsgreatyellowfangs。
Itwaspacing,orrather,slinking,straightforDelcarte,whohadnowleveledhisrifleuponit。
\"Whatisit,sir?\"mumbledSnideragain,andthenahalf-
forgottenpicturefromanoldnaturalhistorysprangtomymind,andIrecognizedinthefrightfulbeasttheFelistigrisofancientAsia,specimensofwhichhad,informercenturies,beenexhibitedintheWesternHemisphere。
SniderandTaylorwerearmedwithriflesandrevolvers,whileIcarriedonlyarevolver。SeizingSnider’sriflefromhistremblinghands,IcalledtoTaylortofollowme,andtogetherweranforward,shouting,toattractthebeast’sattentionfromDelcarteuntilweshouldallbequitecloseenoughtoattackwiththegreatestassuranceofsuccess。
IcriedtoDelcartenottofireuntilwereachedhisside,forIwasfearfullestoursmallcaliber,steel-jacketedbulletsshould,farfromkillingthebeast,tendmerelytoenrageitstillfurther。Buthemisunderstoodme,thinkingthatIhadorderedhimtofire。
Withthereportofhisriflethetigerstoppedshortinapparentsurprise,thenturnedandbitsavagelyatitsshoulderforaninstant,afterwhichitwheeledagaintowardDelcarte,issuingthemostterrificroarsandscreams,andlauncheditself,withincrediblespeed,towardthebravefellow,whonowstoodhisgroundpumpingbulletsfromhisautomaticrifleasrapidlyastheweaponwouldfire。
TaylorandIalsoopeneduponthecreature,andasitwasbroadsidetousitofferedasplendidtarget,thoughforalltheimpressionweappearedtomakeuponthegreatcatwemightaswellhavebeenlaunchingsoapbubblesatit。
StraightasatorpedoitrushedforDelcarte,and,asTaylorandIstumbledonthroughthetallgrasstowardourunfortunatecomrade,wesawthetigerrearuponhimandcrushhimtotheearth。
NotabackwardstephadthenobleDelcartetaken。Twohundredyearsofpeacehadnotsappedtheredbloodfromhiscourageousline。Hewentdownbeneaththatavalancheofbestialsavagerystillworkinghisgunandwithhisfacetowardhisantagonist。EvenintheinstantthatIthoughthimdeadIcouldnothelpbutfeelathrillofpridethathewasoneofmymen,oneofmyclass,aPan-Americangentlemanofbirth。Andthathehaddemonstratedoneoftheprincipalcontentionsofthearmy-and-navyadherents——thatmilitarytrainingwasnecessaryforthesalvationofpersonalcourageinthePan-Americanracewhichforgenerationshadhadtofacenodangersmoregravethanthoseincidenttoordinarylifeinahighlycivilizedcommunity,safeguardedbyeverymeansatthedisposalofaperfectlyorganizedandall-
powerfulgovernmentutilizingthebestthatadvancedsciencecouldsuggest。