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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。