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As we entered deeper into what had once been the city； the evidences
of man's past occupancy became more frequent。 For a mile from the arch
there was only a riot of weeds and undergrowth and trees covering small
mounds and little hillocks that； I was sure； were formed of the ruins of
stately buildings of the dead past。
But presently we came upon a district where shattered walls still raised
their crumbling tops in sad silence above the grass…grown sepulchers of
their fallen fellows。 Softened and mellowed by ancient ivy stood these
sentinels of sorrow； their scarred faces still revealing the rents and gashes
of shrapnel and of bomb。
Contrary to our expectations； we found little indication that lions in
any great numbers laired in this part of ancient London。 Well…worn
pathways； molded by padded paws； led through the cavernous windows or
doorways of a few of the ruins we passed； and once we saw the savage
face of a great； black…maned lion scowling down upon us from a shattered
stone balcony。
We followed down the bank of the Thames after we came upon it。 I
was anxious to look with my own eyes upon the famous bridge； and I
guessed； too； that the river would lead me into the part of London where
stood Westminster Abbey and the Tower。
Realizing that the section through which we had been passing was
doubtless outlying； and therefore not so built up with large structures as
the more centrally located part of the old town； I felt sure that farther
down the river I should find the ruins larger。 The bridge would be there
in part； at least； and so would remain the walls of many of the great
edifices of the past。 There would be no such complete ruin of large
structures as I had seen among the smaller buildings。
But when I had come to that part of the city which I judged to have
contained the relics I sought I found havoc that had been wrought there
even greater than elsewhere。
At one point upon the bosom of the Thames there rises a few feet
above the water a single； disintegrating mound of masonry。 Opposite it；
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upon either bank of the river； are tumbled piles of ruins overgrown with
vegetation。
These； I am forced to believe； are all that remain of London Bridge；
for nowhere else along the river is there any other slightest sign of pier or
abutment。
Rounding the base of a large pile of grass…covered debris； we came
suddenly upon the best preserved ruin we had yet discovered。 The entire
lower story and part of the second story of what must once have been a
splendid public building rose from a great knoll of shrubbery and trees；
while ivy； thick and luxuriant； clambered upward to the summit of the
broken walls。
In many places the gray stone was still exposed； its smoothly chiseled
face pitted with the scars of battle。 The massive portal yawned； somber
and sorrowful； before us； giving a glimpse of marble halls within。
The temptation to enter was too great。 I wished to explore the
interior of this one remaining monument of civilization now dead beyond
recall。 Through this same portal； within these very marble halls； had
Gray and Chamberlin and Kitchener and Shaw； perhaps； come and gone
with the other great ones of the past。
I took Victory's hand in mine。
〃Come！〃 I said。 〃I do not know the name by which this great pile
was known； nor the purposes it fulfilled。 It may have been the palace of
your sires； Victory。 From some great throne within； your forebears may
have directed the destinies of half the world。 Come！〃
I must confess to a feeling of awe as we entered the rotunda of the
great building。 Pieces of massive furniture of another day still stood
where man had placed them centuries ago。 They were littered with dust
and broken stone and plaster； but； otherwise； so perfect was their
preservation I could hardly believe that two centuries had rolled by since
human eyes were last set upon them。
Through one great room after another we wandered； hand in hand；
while Victory asked many questions and for the first time I began to
realize something of the magnificence and power of the race from whose
loins she had sprung。
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Splendid tapestries； now mildewed and rotting； hung upon the walls。
There were mural paintings； too； depicting great historic events of the past。
For the first time Victory saw the likeness of a horse； and she was much
affected by a huge oil which depicted some ancient cavalry charge against
a battery of field guns。
In other pictures there were steamships； battleships； submarines； and
quaint looking railway trainsall small and antiquated in appearance to me；
but wonderful to Victory。 She told me that she would like to remain for the
rest of her life where she could look at those pictures daily。
From room to room we passed until presently we emerged into a
mighty chamber； dark and gloomy； for its high and narrow windows were
choked and clogged by ivy。 Along one paneled wall we groped； our eyes
slowly becoming accustomed to the darkness。 A rank and pungent odor
pervaded the atmosphere。
We had made our way about half the distance across one end of the
great apartment when a low growl from the far end brought us to a startled
halt。
Straining my eyes through the gloom； I made out a raised dais at the
extreme opposite end of the hall。 Upon the dais stood two great chairs；
highbacked and with great arms。
The throne of England！ But what were those strange forms about it？
Victory gave my hand a quick； excited little squeeze。
〃The lions！〃 she whispered。
Yes； lions indeed！ Sprawled about the dais were a dozen huge forms；
while upon the seat of one of the thrones a small cub lay curled in slumber。
As we stood there for a moment； spellbound by the sight of those
fearsome creatures occupying the very thrones of