A Random "The Lost Continent" Cutup

It to her, but she only shrugged her shapely shoulders and pointed to them as the most natural gesture indicative of peaceful intentions "What means this, slave?" he cried. "Out of here! Out of here! Quick, oldest female member of the "royal" house, he is king. Very naively gay assurance of those who came from the south and west--no, these seen her. With a fate worse than death staring her in the face, and to my account that the gravitation-screen generators were worthless; Dew, our way lighted by a score of torchbearers who surrounded us. But corded their corpses like wood and set fire to them, when women and the tree. There were about thirty men in the party and one woman--a "But where did they come from?" asked Delcarte. "Could they have apparently it was empty, and the rooms upon the opposite side were slowly I learned their tongue, so that I could understand what was said for his throat with my bare hands. I had not dared fire the weapon for matters pertaining to their duties, and then came the emperor, scowling rounding the base of a large pile of grass-covered debris, we came there was no slightest indication that civilized man had ever set a "Or a dozen of them," supplemented Delcarte, and, even as he spoke, thought. Finally she looked up at me, her strong white teeth gleaming I was surprised to see Victory follow the man off in apparent quiet the torches were not to light the way--that was but incidental. They found Taylor as delighted to see me alive again as Delcarte had been. That Alvarez should desert me. No, there was some other explanation. Beasts." But what a different creature was this fierce-eyed demon, themselves.

There, a short distance above the horizon, we saw the outlines of the I did not speak at first for fear of frightening the little one away. Still feeding peacefully, so I thought that I would make even surer of "There is no such place near by," she said. "Only the Camp of the best of spirits, laughing and joking, or interestedly discussing the delcarte we had left in charge of the boat; but Snider and Taylor were pan-American navy!

Perfect she-devil of a lioness, with keener eyes than her lord and as we entered deeper into what had once been the city, the evidences of yes, for over two hundred years no man crossed 30d to 175d and lived to I turned back toward the boat.

That Victory carried flint and steel I was aware, and that it was she as fond as I had grown of him, I could have thrust a knife into him, so treated me with a species of respect, though I could see by their here was just the messenger for me. Fate was becoming more kind. We could open it and pass into the chamber behind we might find a they were the spike and ornaments of an ancient German helmet. Before great distance from the palace. The yellow men were bombarding New sound we came to the conclusion that enormous numbers of these beasts army, of our great navy. He came right back at me asking for figures, instantly eight or ten of the other beasts leaped to their feet. Would kill anyone who befriended me, for fear that I might become struggle.

Upon the other guard, who was now about to attack me. He, too, stone building that was called the palace. That night came a lull in in her death throes but an arm's length from me. Scarcely had I risen palliate the offense.

"The Camp of the Lions," I repeated. "And where is that, and what?" He maintain it for long. But for a matter of forty or fifty yards thick stem of ivy.

Rifle and fired. It was a lucky shot, for I had no time to aim "Please go!" she begged. "You have saved me, and I would save you, but or--myself--die and relinquish the girl once more to her captors. Loneliness from which I suffered most.

Again within range, as I was sure that they would stop and feed in a in my first ship.

In the trench without, and a moment later the figure of a child he assured us that his name was Thirty-six, and, as he could not count great caravan of slaves. The old street sweeper at my elbow told me was the bleached human bones--the skull, collar bones, arms, and a few way dissipated by the continued familiarity between Victory and Snider. Rather difficult in the face of the fact that every rag about me was tigers.

I could only account for it on the hypothesis that the country had been much saddened by what I had seen, I took my departure from them, and I didn't propose submitting to degradation and discharge because a lot beyond the antelope, full upon the back of a small buck.

"There's a part of the United States of North America that used to be "Oh," he exclaimed, "you mean a camp! Yes, there are two great camps flesh. There were tigers here long ago, but both the lions and the men direction of the throne room. I had been hiding in a doorway after the former, but, though I tried to turn my mind to other things, it london.

Long minutes he lay as one dead, then in an almost inaudible whisper he survival, with many other illustrious names, is one of the strongest suddenly upon the best preserved ruin we had yet discovered. The responded--the launch was uninjured. Coming about, I picked up few paces from us. Then, in deep tones, one who was in advance of the our chemical fuel, and, as we had very little left aboard, we other land; but the wild beasts devoured them in such numbers that thing to be an ancient brick of clay, baked in an oven.

Struggling and biting, to the floor. Victory seized my arm, with a to my astonishment, I found myself looking upon uniformed soldiery, I picked up the metal covered memoranda book. Its pages were rotten finally quiet reigned about me, broken only by the sweet voices of the peace of oblivion upon me.

Nor has any dared return since, because of the frightful creatures on one hundred seventy-five, two hundred and six years ago, and from silent servility, now pouring his wine, now cutting up his meats for river, searched for some sign of the spot where Victory had landed. The rumor reached us that Menelek himself was coming, and the pitch of features. Her forehead was high, and her eyes both intelligent and sharp crack of my rifle, once, twice, thrice. Three lions rolled, still held her in futile pursuit of the Coldwater.

I saw then that I must fight, yet still I hated to slay them, and it would that I could warn them. I thought of the girl--doubtless she victory, animated by a bravery no less ferocious than that of the dumb that I had followed them I had kept both eyes and ears alert for sign not see.

The pretext that she wished to learn how to steer the launch. I channel or the North Sea to the continent, leaving in unhappy England that he was badly injured was all too evident.

"He was in command, and he took his ship across thirty!" That was finding nothing to detain us about the spot where Ostend once had that every man jack of them was tickled to death, for the spirits of enough merely to assist her, or protect her--I desired to touch her--to fast to a huge, corroded, copper ring which was dangling from an I knew it would come, sir. I made a report on these generators three cross thirty with impunity, and doubtless they would return to be frightened at the thought. I could not leave her, of course, but what followed the accidental brushing of my lips against the lips of Victory. Met their fates before the belching tubes of submarines or among the the longevity of commander or crew.

An inner court. From one of these windows I surveyed the courtyard. Keenly did I feel the affront that had been put upon me. But at last the useless destruction of any of these poor creatures was the farthest a horrid, half-human, half-bestial scream a little ahead and to the would have voluntarily so deserted an exposed coast and an excellent it was then that Menelek XIV became uneasy. For fifty years his armies inside the hut.

To a gallop, and then I fired at her, but the bullet, though it struck be much as it was during the twentieth century, for, in common with of a president? I wonder.

Suddenly, from close beside the latter, there came a most terrifying the wildest beast that roams our waste places lairs in the frozen north intuition of the truth.

The launch, and of the launch alone. Was I? I tried to think that I "Can you suggest a better plan?" I asked.

Just the reverse is true in Colonel Belik's land. He considered whites the wicked-looking knife, I covered his heart and pulled the trigger. The myriad life of the ancient Thames?

They looked upon the whites as their inferiors, and treated us must follow the windings of the river; we can take short cuts while "Shall we force the remaining three?"

Would make, and in the dead fingers of one hand was clutched a strand hut.

Old Admiral Sanchez was wont to maintain that he could smell thirty, the thing had come from a little to one side of me, and, without loosened it, and when I had withdrawn it from its sepulcher I found the taking the antelope with us, we all returned to the launch, where we picture from an old natural history sprang to my mind, and I recognized after the Coldwater had dropped so low over the waters that all my one morning, New Gondar was awakened by the booming of cannon. It was it was evident that she felt entirely competent to protect herself. Little foot in anger.

Presently she returned with a fine looking, white-haired woman, who respect. We marched for many days--so many that I lost count of mentally fit, and could therefore not have descended from an ancestry here, for the first time, I saw camels, great caravans of them, bearing of these bricks, until we commenced to weary of the monotony of it, trade after a night of pleasure or rest? Where was the clang of with her beauteous mantle of verdure. Splendid trees reared their land that saved us many miles, where the river wound to the west and me for himself, he will kill any other whom he thinks desires me. He the evolution of the human race of which science takes cognizance. Vital importance to the dominion of Menelek XIV in that part of Europe this line of reflection I discovered to be as distressing as the misfortune and treason.

Simultaneously, our lips brushed together. A startled expression came follow and obey me here as they would be upon the other side of thirty. Since human eyes were last set upon them.

"Very well, then, let us live while we live, and enjoy to the fullest determined to step our folding mast and proceed under sail, hoarding that man had ever set his foot upon this silent coast.

Favorites. It made my old companion clench his fists to see those poor post until we had reached New York. Then I should make a full report, strange sight of our dainty craft dancing over the sparkling waters, walked straight toward the soldier, my mind made up in an instant. I half the night must have been spent when I heard a sound in the trench primeval wilderness, and I was a captive of half-naked wild men. Ah, what thoughts passed through my mind in those brief moments as I peace which we of the navy have been prone to deplore. And what, "You always have been curious, sir, about the great unknown beyond north America and all of the Federated States of Canada once belonged mighty blow.

Becoming accustomed to the darkness. A rank and pungent odor pervaded had been sufficient for large engagements--for minor ones only the extreme opposite end of the hall. Upon the dais stood two great there leaped into sight, one after another, eight of the beasts, full toward morning I dozed, and the sun was well up when Victory aroused me frightened at the thought. I could not leave her, of course, but what had held aloof from her.

West. A woman seized a gun and brained a court dignitary, whose horse among the fleeing throng, until, toward the last, the street was packed his empire includes all of Asia, and the islands of the Pacific as far the Abyssinians themselves are a fine looking race of black men--tall, commerce of the world had centered.

Servants and with money, and in other ways showed us every attention fact, Snider, it seemed to me, was taking advantage of every

Buckingham only sneered at her explanation, and a moment later gave the bushes, waving his great ears and switching his short tail. The to visit punishment upon ourselves. Could we return to Pan-America, I excitement to which this announcement raised the troops was little hopes. He will be forced to halt for fuel and for food, and the launch "Do they not kill and eat your people?" I asked.

Seizing the girl's hand, I turned, just as the lioness crashed into the there was only a riot of weeds and undergrowth and trees covering small paw darted from the aperture to seize me, and I saw the snarling face I found myself becoming more and more deeply involved in quandary. The preservation I could hardly believe that two centuries had rolled by and how were we to reach it now, should Snider and the girl discover us? In her death throes but an arm's length from me. Scarcely had I risen once I heard a great uproar in the village. Men were shouting--women difficulty that we interpreted it.

"They are bad men," she replied. "Some of my people do not believe from room to room we passed until presently we emerged into a mighty government since they recognized one among them as ruler, with the I had departed from the Coldwater in one of the boats on such an preferred against him, the board went out of its way specifically to we called her name aloud every few minutes as we motored up the river, myself--the presence of African and Asiatic beasts in England. At a Brazilian tank steamer off the Bermudas in the fall of 1972. A nervousness or excitement.

Girl's guards were treating her. She stumbled once, not far from my as we sailed away, after procuring the necessary ingredients of our the second day we landed upon the west bank of the river, and, leaving he immediately set aside a comfortable house for us, furnished us with and asked where that was. He had never heard of it, or of the Atlantic and Snider had stolen the launch, and deserted us.

Thirty," he said. "You are in a good way to have your curiosity it to the eager, waiting men.

I leaned against it, wiping the perspiration from my face, for the day both degradation and death. Johnson turned and eyed me narrowly. Made love to some very beautiful ones in my time.

For I had seen that with both their comrades down the others were "Why not?" I returned. "We shall be safe from Buckingham, and you have another and seeming to be enjoying each other's society to such a pan-American navy!

Astounded to see me upon the north bank of the river, and much more so barbarian peoples.

Hopes. He will be forced to halt for fuel and for food, and the launch and stuck together. Only here and there was a sentence or a part of a she thanked me, and with such a sweet smile that I should have been here, evidently, were a people slightly superior to those of the Isle london.

Way dissipated by the continued familiarity between Victory and Snider. They sprang to their feet with wild yells, seizing long spears that had when the first of our misfortunes befell.

Waiting to investigate at the instant, I leaped behind the tree, and, she told me that the lions were fewer upon this side of the river, but from the continents to the far-scattered island of Pan-America. The evolution of the human race of which science takes cognizance. Entirely unknown to them, or that they are extremely familiar with him we struggled about the room, striking one another, knocking over straight as a torpedo it rushed for Delcarte, and, as Taylor and I face pitted with the scars of battle. The massive portal yawned, menelek seize the girl and drag her toward the far end of the in the world I was to do, cumbered with the care of a young woman, and enjoyed her company at first, but since the trip across the Channel I palace of the beasts? Again he opened his giant jaws, and this time am, at loss to account for the presence of German soldiers upon the channel or the North Sea to the continent, leaving in unhappy England what had become of Victory, of Delcarte, of Taylor I could not know; Ignorance, brutality, and superstition had the vaunted civilization of naturally suggested war to me, and my next question was as to whether report of my rifle, had set the balance of the fierce inmates of the that I had with me, I hesitated to provoke a battle with Buckingham and dignity that seemed quite remarkable in a place of such primitive name before. That is why I did not know whom you meant," I explained. Already the great fellow who had spied us was advancing slowly in our captors were friendly or otherwise. My good men wanted to come on and country" who were carrying her away.

I asked him who was victorious in that war, and he shook his head sadly "The blow you struck her with the thing you call rifle stunned her," Possible, for I had seen enough of the brutality of the common soldiers years ago. I advised then that they both be scrapped. Their principle fifties, in hundreds, and one day a thousand maimed and dying men were ancient commerce that, if history is to be believed, must have dotted was I afraid? I fear that I was almost afraid. I know that I thought troops, sometimes mounted and sometimes afoot, left the post daily for splendid tapestries, now mildewed and rotting, hung upon the walls. There were a score of men in the party. Hairy, half-naked men they the eye.

With the point of his cutlass Snider scraped the dirt and verdigris splendid tapestries, now mildewed and rotting, hung upon the walls. Head of his wife's family--that is all. If she chances to be the quickly past him, dropping into my upraised arms that were awaiting her. Looked for the fishing craft which I expected to see emerging thus were sadly in need of fresh water and food.

Trenches, with the poles and hides above merely as protection from the rapid promotion with jealousy. He was ten years my senior both in and now we are going back, Victory and I, with the men and the laugh more noisily than the emperor.

Implicit obedience from every officer and man aboard until I am rifle and fired. It was a lucky shot, for I had no time to aim was forcing the imperial troops back upon the city. Dust covered should be the first to insist that we face it. But we know that's not mountain ranges and rivers and all the great continent of Europe to mother was.

Following the emperor came regiment after regiment from the various the fellow had been dead for hours--he was cold and still. But "My grandfather used to tell me stories of the world beyond thirty. He opportunity to save her, and, as I turned, the water boiled before my thirty seconds elapsed between the shells that rained about the palace. And now you are free to go back to your friends."

The coming of dawn the clouds beneath us became a glorious sea of gold "You shall not," I replied. "Nor shall anyone else."

Until recently had been in command of the emperor's palace guard. Told him that from then on he would do what I thought best--that I myself--the presence of African and Asiatic beasts in England. Must roam the adjacent country.

Chemical fuel, the Grubittens lined the shore in silent wonder at the visited England."

Year of our Lord 2116. Therefore, I am twenty-one years old. There has been in the past no excuse, no circumstance, that could "Please go!" she begged. "You have saved me, and I would save you, but that they would support our weight, and as we could gain nothing by a creature as no Pan-American of the twenty-second century had ever her chin was in the air most of the time, and yet I rather think that inscrutable--I could not guess whether she was glad to see me, or not. We came close to shore. No lighthouse was visible, though one was corded their corpses like wood and set fire to them, when women and it was now quite evident that I must punish them severely,

This palisade was a protection against both man and beasts, and within not be necessary ever to leave the girl alone with him I felt no among the fleeing throng, until, toward the last, the street was packed clump of bushes close to the bank of the river. The beasts sniffed civilized man that I craved--and so, with a lighter heart, I continued upon the beach, we skinned the deer and cut away as much meat as we there rumbled forth a warning roar.

Board of one of London's most exclusive clubs, feted and lionized. "What is it?" I asked. "Why do you cry?"

So numerous and varied are the bypaths of speculation which lead from the young man at the wheel of the power boat had turned her nose about spoke the truth.

Refractory--defying her tender, childish fingers. She assured me, "The stables!" I whispered, and, a moment later, had pushed back a door the failure of the wireless did not appear as momentous to me as to enter the water, since then it would have been but a trifling matter of with powerful strokes we swam out in the path of the oncoming launch. Occupied a lower social plane than the whites.

Keenly did I feel the affront that had been put upon me. But at last difficulty that we interpreted it.

It is only a small frontier city, but it is well built and well kept. He drew the back of his forefinger nervously across his brow in a embarrassment I was certain, but she had made it equally plain to me the launch.

Would make, and in the dead fingers of one hand was clutched a strand her daughter. When they had come near and stopped before me the older gay assurance of those who came from the south and west--no, these england. But, by far the most potent argument in her favor, she was a me. I was free, and the lion was preparing to charge.

We made the journey in a comfortable railway carriage, through a could not abandon her, though I had no idea what I should do with her uncultured little savage, that it made the slightest difference to me here was no sign of war. As far as this portion of the Devon coast was then I turned to meet the renewed attack of the savage foe. One lion that had fallen to our lot since the Coldwater deserted us. But scarce looking upon the face of another fellow countryman than those who sit or manner which escaped me, for Alvarez turned upon him like a flash. Apartments, and down a long corridor, I found my further progress that I cannot recall the details of the kaleidoscopic action which the child's sobs increased, and she flung herself upon the dirt floor of the suffering, degradation, and abysmal ignorance in which I found had held aloof from her.

Contrary to our expectations, we found little indication that lions in was bound, and with a word of apology, I drew my knife and cut the what she discovered, but finding nothing, wheeled about to see that her as I witnessed it, I could not but speculate upon the moral effect upon to properly cure it.

After the Coldwater had dropped so low over the waters that all my they told me that they had followed me inshore when I had not returned taylor, and I set out after game.

Elephant--using the common terms that were familiar to the ancients, against his sides now, instead of simply twitching its tip, and his low again within range, as I was sure that they would stop and feed in a fearsome creatures occupying the very thrones of the sovereigns of to ordinary life in a highly civilized community, safeguarded by every engines had progressed to such an extent that within a few hours we all but ordered him below for much-needed rest. My second officer, sad decadence of a once enlightened race. To these depths of we were in need of fresh meat, yet I hesitated to shatter the quiet and a creature as no Pan-American of the twenty-second century had ever the surface the while we bucked the west wind, clawing away from thirty closer to him and make sure of the meat we both so craved.

The men and beasts from the south were gaily caparisoned in rich civilized man that I craved--and so, with a lighter heart, I continued and trees, while ivy, thick and luxuriant, clambered upward to the ask to bear word to the queen, but I seemed to have been forgotten. Entire lower story and part of the second story of what must once have direst calamity that could befall a naval commander. Court-martial and was discouraged. For two hundred years the Eastern Hemisphere had been a fiery little Abyssinian pony.

"Victory!" I cried. "Thank God that you are safe!" And I approached but I whiled away my time in performing the duties given me to the best when, without the least warning, I was violently seized by both arms we sought--and, if not, then all Europe had reverted to barbarism. Had been a great student, and he had read much from forbidden books." mouth of the river Tamar.

Was much affected by a huge oil which depicted some ancient cavalry powers whom God has preserved to regenerate chastened and forgiven so numerous and varied are the bypaths of speculation which lead from silhouetted against the lesser darkness beyond the doorway. It crept for two horses. But afterward, in the darkness, I could find but a the fellow had been dead for hours--he was cold and still. But pumped death into my enemies and hers from my automatic rifle. Culture and greatness of Europe must remain. Germany, probably, would the bridge after an absence of some thirty minutes. He seemed nervous "Number two will keep us supplied," I answered. "In the meantime we camp of the Lions, and it is farther down the Thames that my friends near me. My captors brought me neither food nor water. I was were running for the boat as fast as our legs would carry us. As we the peace of oblivion upon me.

Proclaimed her utter contempt for her captors. Finally Menelek would be there in part, at least, and so would remain the walls of many the whole, it is apparent that the black race has thrived far better in me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.

With me, and following my example, each engaged in the fascinating agony. His fellows broke and leaped off in all directions. The assisting Victory to the open, I followed, and together we crossed the literature, no religion, and recognized no law other than the law of watched my every move, but he was by far too fine an officer and instantly my blood boiled, and forgetting every consideration of fallen fellows and pursued us.

The blade entered the soil for a matter of seven inches, when it struck that was all. This brave and forever nameless officer died nobly at elephants.

Slowly I learned their tongue, so that I could understand what was said indicating that I was an officer's body servant, even the blacks which was unusual with Snider.

Twenty-second century, even though there be little for them to feed learned that I am gone from the camp--they watch over me very overlook the deficiencies of the Coldwater in the natural pride I felt beneath the palace windows. I think the people feared the beasts even I was angry with myself that I permitted that matter to affect me as it like a bolt he bore down upon me, but, fortunately for me, I did not the palace--a shell had struck much nearer than any of its

Proportions was undertaken that German troops were hurled upon the palpitating with life and vigor, glossy of coat, alert, growling, but presently we came upon a district where shattered walls still "You could not love a barbarian," she went on, but she had ceased to and she glanced about for the lioness.

They must have led me a mile or more at least before they again halted what I assumed to be patrol duty. I judged the little force of a preparing to launch their spears.

Some tarnished and corroded metal ornaments. They had lain close pathways, molded by padded paws, led through the cavernous windows or absorbed the Philippines, is quite within the range of possibility. "Then we shall take refuge in the Camp of the Lions," I said. The details of my duties. I had seen to it that a sea anchor was wild cry of alarm.

"In which I resemble your grandfather," I said, "for I, too, have read at this point the current ran close to the shore, so that we were carrying Christianity to all the benighted heathen of Europe, and Asia and then rage came to my relief--rage against the vile traitor who had even greater than elsewhere.

With me. It was from other slaves that I learned the gossip of the mystery to me before. His name was Abu Belik. He was a colonel in the the colonel stood watching the procedure. Presently his eyes fell upon called?"

Across the room, between two windows, stood a flat-topped desk. A officer and man should know when we crossed thirty. But then I should the waves were running to tremendous heights, and the Coldwater was not it came from the direction of the launch, and in an instant we three although I had feared as much, since our experience in England, I could plainly indicated upon my map. Upon neither shore was sign of human ground covered densely with weeds and brambles, and tall, rank, grass. The expression of apprehension deepened.

Past. For the first time Victory saw the likeness of a horse, and she almost within a stone's throw of the spot where but a brief two it was a gruesome sight--a pitiful sight--this lone inhabitant of coldwater back into the teeth of the gale and drive her on and on, couriers galloped in from the front. Fresh troops hastened from the of her, to patrol thirty from Iceland to the Azores.

Himself, but for me--is historic, as are its results. You know how a not dare. He is too great a coward. If I could help you I should taylor and Delcarte seized the spirit of my mood but Snider, I think, remain submerged to the end of time--a condition far from conducive to I have not attempted to fully describe my sensations at the moment I did not know what it was.

She explained, "if you are not from there, and I am sure you are not, five cartridges in the magazine, in addition to the one in the chamber. Became suddenly aware of the unnecessary brutality with which the "Why not come with me," I suggested, "if you do not wish to become direction of the Hants coast.

Acclimated by years of confinement in the zoological gardens, they were as it became evident that the ship intended passing over us, and now he his upper lip. There must have been a trace of disrespect in his tone thinned, and for more than an hour we stood there while the sounds of in the poorer districts of the cities, in little white colonies, and a before attempting to parley with it.

Former moorings. And then, a moment later--I discovered the body of a launch--the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, half-naked whites, clad in the skins of wild beasts. I tried to condition of society. War razed the works of man--war and pestilence reached up and seized us upon its crest, and then I gave the order that my plan to her, and she had assured me that she could descend the ivy may be our last, and we shall be dead for a considerable while." Forbidden the balance of our race--the adventure and the mystery which half-naked men, while a score of others surrounded me, a couple of whom "And who," asked Menelek, "are you, and by what name is your country head to form a bonnet, and giving to him a most fearful and ferocious took, from my map, to be the isles of Scilly. But such a gale was side of the Atlantic still was a subject of keen interest.

Awaited the result of the reading. The crew had known almost as soon sepulchers of their fallen fellows. Softened and mellowed by ancient behind me. The great cat stopped in his tracks. He lashed his tail victories by the allies upon the continent, and that the people of might have been a wolf.

Lions has places of stone where the beasts lair, but there are no least, meet our relief halfway?" I asked.

Ignorance, brutality, and superstition had the vaunted civilization of "My grandfather used to tell me stories of the world beyond thirty. He the east. "I have never heard that they had another name."

Females. They practice infanticide, and kill the aged and physically adventures beyond thirty. In the narrative I purpose telling my story the coming of dawn the clouds beneath us became a glorious sea of gold would not dare go there, and in the second they themselves would not they came forward warily, peering cautiously into every bush and I must confess to a feeling of awe as we entered the rotunda of the primeval wilderness, and I was a captive of half-naked wild men. He summoned an orderly, and gave some instructions. The soldier complexions and almond eyes. In them I recognized the descendants of finally they were driven here, paddling across upon logs and driftwood, had had a short and one-sided battle with the fellows. And that fulfilled were at last a reality--but under what forlorn circumstances! Before felt any such sensations in the presence of a woman, and I had coldwater.

But if the emperor chanced to be absent? What then? Again I wonder. Fell in his tracks, another stumbled to my very feet, and then I leaped died.

Would eat you." For a moment, then, she seemed lost in thought, but I was still some distance ahead of Delcarte and Taylor, when I came in was snatched from my hands and my revolver from my belt.

There has been in the past no excuse, no circumstance, that could any of my officers to accompany me, as I wished to be alone, and very of course, they have not been trained by stern necessity to cope with beneath the surface of the water like a straw before the prow of a like a bolt he bore down upon me, but, fortunately for me, I did not difficulty that we interpreted it.

Near midnight, the master of ceremonies announced that the slave women out to sea and returning to Pan-America, but the better judgment of "I do, sir," I replied. "And now you may go below, and, when again you familiar with the naval tradition that a good officer could sense plymouth Bay to prevent an enemy landing in force and marching where they assured me that I would find no human beings upon the mainland. Over our eastern and western horizons never to return; but whether they applause from the deck such as I never before had heard aboard a ship doorway and along the trench. A party of forty or fifty warriors were "I will not return to the camp," she replied.

I had clambered in and stooped above him I knew that he was dead. And commenced to browse upon the rank, luxuriant grasses. All the time coldwater.

Raised their crumbling tops in sad silence above the grass-grown my position was altered at the post. From working about the

Formerly given to the large island comprising England, Scotland and johnson had seen him destroy had been a third set which only Alvarez a muscle trembled or that his voice showed the least indication of arms--two hundred years ago.

Were the outpost of some powerful black nation seemed likely, yet where go suddenly white, and he quickly threw his rifle to his shoulder. At what royal generosity!

Tightening them about my arms. Then I remained passive for a long gravitation-screen generators with a view to putting them in working procedure, the assembled guests vied with one another in an effort to except for the old queen. For some unaccountable reason my rage again, good to witness the kindly treatment that was accorded my dear had. I did not wish to admit to myself that I was angry with this he told me that he would telegraph his emperor at once, and the result as to the ship's position. It has been determined at latitude fifty him and every other officer and man implicit obedience to my every gondar again.

Him as ready to acknowledge my command upon the wrong side of thirty as with firearms in primitive England other than we of the Coldwater? Places, and the work of shackling us neck to neck commenced.

Reached up and seized us upon its crest, and then I gave the order that "In which I resemble your grandfather," I said, "for I, too, have read as I rose, Victory had risen, too, and started toward me. But when she I did not perfectly understand what she meant, and was about to ask her suffering considerable pain where the rawhide thongs cut into my this accounted for the girl's importance in the community and for ivy stood these sentinels of sorrow, their scarred faces still it seemed impossible to believe that in this peaceful woodland setting the girl explained that there was seldom any doubt as to whom a child's eye.

But where were the tugs and the lighters and the barges, the lightships for three days thereafter we could hear the cannonading and the roar, and without the slightest hesitancy or warning, he charged upon short time.

As I stood talking with the girl I presently recollected that she still and tied behind. In this leathern band were stuck feathers, flowers, loyal subordinate. It was absolutely beyond the pale of possibility apartment in which we had found sanctuary, and, with a sigh of relief, delectable tidbit, man. From the remorselessness with which the great instantly the expression of fear faded from her eyes to be replaced out to sea and returning to Pan-America, but the better judgment of awaited the result of the reading. The crew had known almost as soon learned that I am gone from the camp--they watch over me very it was also equally impossible to obtain the necessary ingredients for that fear was coming to me, and so I straightened up and squared my sent him reeling back; but he was at me again in an instant, though in with me--Buckingham will kill you."

What could it mean? I had left Alvarez in command. He was my most her knife.

The great Pan-American federation would be most conducive to the of the great edifices of the past. There would be no such complete and kindness.

So unexpected had been my act that it found him and his fellow snider, and why I insisted upon finding excuses for her and trying to unter den Linden, came a brilliant cortege. At the head rode a from the face of the larger ornament.

Possible. Even if this craft would carry us so far, we haven't enough all but ordered him below for much-needed rest. My second officer, over the edge of the bank into the river.

Extreme opposite end of the hall. Upon the dais stood two great instantly the expression of fear faded from her eyes to be replaced building of a great fleet, though his people were not a maritime race. Barrier between the stupid, commercial present and the carefree, his company solely for the purpose of piquing me.

The coast we discovered no indication of any human habitations "The yellow men from the east and north are contesting our rights here and 175d on the west, and, though we had to skirt them pretty close, place.

In a way, the regulation was a good one, for it certainly accomplished rapidly. I seized her arm and drew her after me behind a nearby tree, possibilities which the future held for us: what we should find upon I was born in Arizona, in the United States of North America, in the indicate that they might understand Pan-American, or ancient English, delcarte's search was not without results, for above Snider's heart was acclimated by years of confinement in the zoological gardens, they were I cannot say truthfully that Snider evinced much enthusiasm at my england, with none left to rebuild her shattered cities!"

And so he gave orders that resulted in my hands being secured at my

Water's edge, back into the sea, where many were drowned. Some toward me and motioned me to follow him. I did so, and was led back to the crossing to the continent was uneventful, its monotony being to remain long would be to invite certain death. We could not escape had not seen us, and as I did so she, too, turned her face toward mine, it was Mary! She had returned. The thongs no longer hurt me. The hands were lowered to us, and we were dragged to the surface. Then was there buoy nor light nor any other mark to show larger ships the came I pumped two more bullets into him, and as he struggled to rise, menelek was a rather gross-looking man, well past middle age, but he re-populate the land. These children had, doubtless, been too young to function at the palace. In the midst of death and defeat the emperor it was that I outlined to him my purpose to defy the regulation that operator. When he appeared, I gave him a message to the secretary of many of these, and shortly after we reached the city I persuaded one of fell in his tracks, another stumbled to my very feet, and then I leaped passed, its monotony entirely unrelieved by sight of another craft, to a shade which seemed to enhance rather than mar an altogether lovely target practice and gun drill while they bear freight and the mails freighter.

Waters. The lifelong dreams that I never had dared hope to see ruin of large structures as I had seen among the smaller buildings. In other pictures there were steamships, battleships, submarines, and "Why, to fight the yellow men, of course," he said. "They have crossed greatest of kings are thou!

England. But, by far the most potent argument in her favor, she was a once in my new place of concealment, I watched them as they approached victory and I crossed the room to one of the windows. I had outlined though I admit that I am prejudiced. Naturally one does not care to to cross thirty or one hundred seventy-five has been, as you know, the had just finished, and was straightening up, when something floating at last we reached the top. There was a long corridor from which ourselves before the ruler.

A small door at one side of the room opened, and the poor creatures she raised her eyes to mine, and then her smooth, brown arms encircled an inner court. From one of these windows I surveyed the courtyard. "And now," I said, "let me accompany you to your home and see you "Then give them the gaff, lieutenant," I shouted back, and hung up the the lion was halfway across the clearing when I heard a slight sound out to seize her, when a happy smile illumined her features.

Elephant raised his trunk, and, trumpeting loudly, lumbered off through without examining him further, I ran forward to the control board and himself directly to her.

Buckingham. The name was famous in ancient English history. Its brute rolled over and over upon the ground almost to my feet. As he and 175d on the west, and, though we had to skirt them pretty close, water or food for more than three days.

People. There we would be welcomed as long-lost brothers. There would fearlessness in the presence of man would suggest either that man is channel or the North Sea to the continent, leaving in unhappy England would kill anyone who befriended me, for fear that I might become were the outpost of some powerful black nation seemed likely, yet where other difference between you, except your weapons. Clothe you in a "The gravitation-screen generators, sir," he said. "Number one went to launch, leaning over something which lay upon the ground. As we called females. They practice infanticide, and kill the aged and physically unexpectedly that I gasped in astonishment.

Me, and he spoke to a young officer at his side. The latter stepped emerged from the room, the occupants of which had not seen me. I you must go at once. Do not wait until it is too late. The lions have whizzed through space straight toward me. There was a dull thud of "I will set you free!" cried the girl, creeping up to my side. "I will brought rugs and ornaments and jewels; from the west, slaves; for the the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I never could I return to my native land. To the end of my days I must us it offered a splendid target, though for all the impression we "Please go!" she begged. "You have saved me, and I would save you, but but of that I am not at all certain.

The Coldwater was fully equipped for two months' patrolling--the responded--the launch was uninjured. Coming about, I picked up and that the people all had been drawn from this portion of England to to ordinary life in a highly civilized community, safeguarded by every our first stopping place was the Isle of Wight. We entered the Solent and then the leader charged, and upon the hideous pandemonium broke the was snatched from my hands and my revolver from my belt.

Are packed ... waiting to be taken across. What will become of as for me, the strangest sensation that I have ever experienced claimed city, and about noon Menelek rode out surrounded by his staff. Majestically and noiselessly upon his padded feet the king of beasts struck out with a strong, overhand stroke and set all my fears on her menelek, at her words, leaned back in his throne and laughed

Out of gear. I knew that if this storm were destined to blow us across finally they were driven here, paddling across upon logs and driftwood, down-river. "They--went--back," and then he shuddered convulsively and hoping that she might rise once at least, and I would be given the spreading of enlightenment among its diversified and savage peoples had we had reached a point which, from my map, I imagined must have been just a few days ago my mind had been filled with the anticipation of killed, and they fell upon us and slew our people by the thousands and early in the day for their labors. But even after we rounded Ram Head what could it mean? I had left Alvarez in command. He was my most the few white freemen of Abyssinia were never accorded anything as we entered deeper into what had once been the city, the evidences of and motionless upon its prey, and when we were quite close, and the I did not speak at first for fear of frightening the little one away. The colonel evidently expected to use the fellow as interpreter, but "Antelope!" she whispered in my ear, and, as I raised my head, she the next morning they started away, and as they were forced upon the and, still howling wrathfully, withdrew toward the west.

The colonel stood watching the procedure. Presently his eyes fell upon be away again upon a fresh horse toward the south, carrying the closed over the bones of an index finger.

Indescribable. I should never have imagined that the sight of any deserted three of his fellow countrymen in so frightful a position. I he never heard the word ship before, and did not know its meaning. But be burned upon my memory forever.

Porfirio Johnson, was also often on the bridge. He was a good officer, struck out with a strong, overhand stroke and set all my fears on her chin just touching the water, but blood was streaming from between her in her death throes but an arm's length from me. Scarcely had I risen almost within a stone's throw of the spot where but a brief two savages which surrounded me. The moment they discovered that the old professor Cortoran, since my return to Pan-America, has suggested I took it from him and examined it. Directly in the center of the matter of an hour or so, coming at last to a collection of rude huts, lay half facing the entrance to the dugout.

They should have crossed the English Channel at all. Yet here they have directed the destinies of half the world. Come!"

Ivy stood these sentinels of sorrow, their scarred faces still "There is no such place near by," she said. "Only the Camp of the london. Today I should be sitting in the place of honor at the banquet spoken to me, even then. I began to have my doubts.

Forth down the river. As we tramped along, we discussed a question common with the balance of the Coldwater's equipment. There was no world-old parsimony of government retained her in active service, and she said that she would, and with a parting smile she left me. Stood, we set out up the coast in search of the mouth of the River others. All were roaring now, and the din of their great voices had passed since, to our knowledge, it had been running in the height however, that she would release me, if "they" did not come too soon. Lion country.

I took it from him and examined it. Directly in the center of the of tigers, which is even worse than this, the land of the lions, for at the sound of my voice, Delcarte half raised his rifle in readiness I rejoiced that I should leave neither wife nor child to bear the prisoner, and awaiting some favorable circumstance which would give me perfect she-devil of a lioness, with keener eyes than her lord and of thirty, as I had been anxious to learn of that which lay beyond our "Afterward we can come back to Grabritin," she said, "and if Buckingham I saw then that I must fight, yet still I hated to slay them, and it "Swim for the other shore!" I called to her.

Attention was necessarily centered upon the delicate business of country" who were carrying her away.

Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Just when submarine activities ended we from which the Great War precipitated them.

Which I experienced that night as I stood behind my black master in perhaps, two hundred years ago a big gun belched its terror-laden york."

Doubted that I could pierce his skull. There was hope, though, in prisons, but had a little room to myself off the kitchen of the benefit by it in our present extremity.

Place in the midst of a tangled wildwood. Here rose in crumbling them--and at last we came to another city--a Chinese city this slightest attention to it, and I was so wrapped up in watching the feet. All night we had hovered above the tossing billows of the had not seen us, and as I did so she, too, turned her face toward mine, wearily I turned to swim about the spot where she had disappeared, message to the queen? Will she come? Where is she?"

Him and every other officer and man implicit obedience to my every was a trifle sceptical.

The girl but tilted her chin a bit higher in the air--even her back as we motored away, we presently heard the calls of similar animals far concerned, that seemed to have been over for many years, but neither the wind had dropped to a steady blow, still from west by north, and the storm continued to rage for three days, and as far as the wind so.

I was escorted within the building into the presence of an old negro, a when they had overpowered me, and I stood, my hands bound behind me, at gravitation-screen generators with a view to putting them in working battle raged upon the eastern side of the city and the population flew regulations required it, and not with any particular hope that we could my ancestors, that I had replaced the hard-jacketed bullets in my our ships of peace patrol thirty and one hundred seventy-five. What him; but his thick skull might have been armor plate, for all the breathless, stood before me at salute. It needed but a glance at him my gratitude was no less potent a force than his loyalty to me. Then girl whose hands seemed to be bound behind her and who was being pulled sent him reeling back; but he was at me again in an instant, though in had been wounded and the others taken prisoners. The thought was survival, with many other illustrious names, is one of the strongest here was no sign of war. As far as this portion of the Devon coast was "It is the nearest land," I replied. "I have always wanted to explore in this part of England, at least. Farther east, nearer London, we pan-America and a board of inquiry, for I had rather looked forward to and that was the end.