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the propeller I do not know； unless it passed me at a time when the lions
were making an unusually earsplitting din upon the opposite side。
Taking the antelope with us； we all returned to the launch； where we
found Taylor as delighted to see me alive again as Delcarte had been。 I
cannot say truthfully that Snider evinced much enthusiasm at my rescue。
Taylor had found the ingredients for chemical fuel； and the distilling of
them had； with the motor trouble； accounted for their delay in setting out
after me。
The prisoner that Delcarte and Snider had taken was a powerful young
fellow from the elephant country。 Notwithstanding the fact that they had
all assured him to the contrary； he still could not believe that we would not
kill him。
He assured us that his name was Thirty…six； and； as he could not count
above ten； I am sure that he had no conception of the correct meaning of
the word； and that it may have been handed down to him either from the
military number of an ancestor who had served in the English ranks during
the Great War； or that originally it was the number of some famous
regiment with which a forbear fought。
Now that we were reunited； we held a council to determine what
course we should pursue in the immediate future。 Snider was still for
setting out to sea and returning to Pan…America； but the better judgment of
Delcarte and Taylor ridiculed the suggestionwe should not have lived a
fortnight。
To remain in England； constantly menaced by wild beasts and men
equally as wild； seemed about as bad。 I suggested that we cross the
Channel and ascertain if we could not discover a more enlightened and
civilized people upon the continent。 I was sure that some trace of the
ancient culture and greatness of Europe must remain。 Germany； probably；
would be much as it was during the twentieth century； for； in common
with most Pan…Americans； I was positive that Germany had been
victorious in the Great War。
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Snider demurred at the suggestion。 He said that it was bad enough to
have come this far。 He did not want to make it worse by going to the
continent。 The outcome of it was that I finally lost my patience； and told
him that from then on he would do what I thought bestthat I proposed to
assume command of the party； and that they might all consider themselves
under my orders； as much so as though we were still aboard the Coldwater
and in Pan…American waters。
Delcarte and Taylor immediately assured me that they had not for an
instant assumed anything different； and that they were as ready to follow
and obey me here as they would be upon the other side of thirty。
Snider said nothing； but he wore a sullen scowl。 And I wished then；
as I had before； and as I did to a much greater extent later； that fate had not
decreed that he should have chanced to be a member of the launch's party
upon that memorable day when last we quitted the Coldwater。
Victory； who was given a voice in our councils； was all for going to the
continent； or anywhere else； in fact； where she might see new sights and
experience new adventures。
〃Afterward we can come back to Grabritin；〃 she said； 〃and if
Buckingham is not dead and we can catch him away from his men and kill
him； then I can return to my people； and we can all live in peace and
happiness。〃
She spoke of killing Buckingham with no greater concern than one
might evince in the contemplated destruction of a sheep； yet she was
neither cruel nor vindictive。 In fact； Victory is a very sweet and womanly
woman。 But human life is of small account beyond thirtya legacy from
the bloody days when thousands of men perished in the trenches between
the rising and the setting of a sun； when they laid them lengthwise in these
same trenches and sprinkled dirt over them； when the Germans corded
their corpses like wood and set fire to them； when women and children
and old men were butchered； and great passenger ships were torpedoed
without warning。
Thirty…six； finally assured that we did not intend slaying him； was as
keen to accompany us as was Victory。
The crossing to the continent was uneventful； its monotony being
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relieved； however； by the childish delight of Victory and Thirty…six in the
novel experience of riding safely upon the bosom of the water； and of
being so far from land。
With the possible exception of Snider； the little party appeared in the
best of spirits； laughing and joking； or interestedly discussing the
possibilities which the future held for us： what we should find upon the
continent； and whether the inhabitants would be civilized or barbarian
peoples。
Victory asked me to explain the difference between the two； and when
I had tried to do so as clearly as possible； she broke into a gay little laugh。
〃Oh；〃 she cried； 〃then I am a barbarian！〃
I could not but laugh； too； as I admitted that she was； indeed； a
barbarian。 She was not offended； taking the matter as a huge joke。 But
some time thereafter she sat in silence； apparently deep in thought。
Finally she looked up at me； her strong white teeth gleaming behind her
smiling lips。
〃Should you take that thing you call 'razor；'〃 she said； 〃and cut the hair
from the face of Thirty…six； and exchange garments with him； you would
be the barbarian and Thirty…six the civilized man。 There is no other
difference between you； except your weapons。 Clothe you in a wolfskin；
give you a knife and a spear； and set you down in the woods of Grabritin
of what service would your civilization be to you？〃
Delcarte and Taylor smiled at her reply； but Thirty…six and Snider
laughed uproariously。 I was not surprised at Thirty… six； but I thought
that Snider laughed louder than the occasion warranted。 As a matter of
fact； Snider； it seemed to me； was taking advantage of every opportunity；
however slight； to show insubordinatio