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