按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
other land； but the wild beasts devoured them in such numbers that finally
they were driven here； paddling across upon logs and driftwood； nor has
any dared return since； because of the frightful creatures which dwell in
that horrid country。〃
〃Do no other peoples ever come to your country in ships？〃 I asked。
He never heard the word ship before； and did not know its meaning。
But he assured me that until we came he had thought that there were no
other peoples in the world other than the Grubittens； who consist of the
Eastenders and the Westenders of the ancient Isle of Wight。
Assured that we were inclined to friendliness； our new acquaintances
led us to their village； or； as they call it； camp。 There we found a
thousand people； perhaps； dwelling in rude shelters； and living upon the
fruits of the chase and such sea food as is obtainable close to shore； for
they had no boats； nor any knowledge of such things。
Their weapons were most primitive； consisting of rude spears tipped
with pieces of metal pounded roughly into shape。 They had no literature；
no religion； and recognized no law other than the law of might。 They
produced fire by striking a bit of flint and steel together； but for the most
part they ate their food raw。 Marriage is unknown among them； and
while they have the word； mother； they did not know what I meant by
31
… Page 32…
THE LOST CONTINENT
〃father。〃 The males fight for the favor of the females。 They practice
infanticide； and kill the aged and physically unfit。
The family consists of the mother and the children； the men dwelling
sometimes in one hut and sometimes in another。 Owing to their bloody
duels； they are always numerically inferior to the women； so there is
shelter for them all。
We spent several hours in the village； where we were objects of the
greatest curiosity。 The inhabitants examined our clothing and all our
belongings； and asked innumerable questions concerning the strange
country from which we had come and the manner of our coming。
I questioned many of them concerning past historical events； but they
knew nothing beyond the narrow limits of their island and the savage；
primitive life they led there。 London they had never heard of； and they
assured me that I would find no human beings upon the mainland。
Much saddened by what I had seen； I took my departure from them；
and the three of us made our way back to the launch； accompanied by
about five hundred men； women； girls； and boys。
As we sailed away； after procuring the necessary ingredients of our
chemical fuel； the Grubittens lined the shore in silent wonder at the
strange sight of our dainty craft dancing over the sparkling waters； and
watched us until we were lost to their sight。
32
… Page 33…
THE LOST CONTINENT
4
It was during the morning of July 6； 2137； that we entered the mouth
of the Thamesto the best of my knowledge the first Western keel to cut
those historic waters for two hundred and twenty…one years！
But where were the tugs and the lighters and the barges； the lightships
and the buoys； and all those countless attributes which went to make up
the myriad life of the ancient Thames？
Gone！ All gone！ Only silence and desolation reigned where once
the commerce of the world had centered。
I could not help but compare this once great water…way with the waters
about our New York； or Rio； or San Diego； or Valparaiso。 They had
become what they are today during the two centuries of the profound
peace which we of the navy have been prone to deplore。 And what；
during this same period； had shorn the waters of the Thames of their
pristine grandeur？
Militarist that I am； I could find but a single word of explanationwar！
I bowed my head and turned my eyes downward from the lonely and
depressing sight； and in a silence which none of us seemed willing to
break； we proceeded up the deserted river。
We had reached a point which； from my map； I imagined must have
been about the former site of Erith； when I discovered a small band of
antelope a short distance inland。 As we were now entirely out of meat
once more； and as I had given up all expectations of finding a city upon
the site of ancient London； I determined to land and bag a couple of the
animals。
Assured that they would be timid and easily frightened； I decided to
stalk them alone； telling the men to wait at the boat until I called to them
to come and carry the carcasses back to the shore。
Crawling carefully through the vegetation； making use of such trees
and bushes as afforded shelter； I came at last almost within easy range of
my quarry； when the antlered head of the buck went suddenly into the air；
and then； as though in accordance with a prearranged signal； the whole
band moved slowly off； farther inland。
33
… Page 34…
THE LOST CONTINENT
As their pace was leisurely； I determined to follow them until I came
again within range； as I was sure that they would stop and feed in a short
time。
They must have led me a mile or more at least before they again halted
and commenced to browse upon the rank； luxuriant grasses。 All the time
that I had followed them I had kept both eyes and ears alert for sign or
sound that would indicate the presence of Felis tigris； but so far not the
slightest indication of the beast had been apparent。
As I crept closer to the antelope； sure this time of a good shot at a large
buck； I suddenly saw something that caused me to forget all about my prey
in wonderment。
It was the figure of an immense grey…black creature； rearing its
colossal shoulders twelve or fourteen feet above the ground。 Never in
my life had I seen such a beast； nor did I at first recognize it； so different
in appearance is the live reality from the stuffed； unnatural specimens
preserved to us