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！
Johnson had seen him destroy had been a third set which only Alvarez had
known was aboard the Coldwater。
We waited impatiently for the sun； that we might determine our exact
location； and upon the fourth day our vigil was rewarded a few minutes
before noon。
Every officer and man aboard was tense with nervous excitement as
we awaited the result of the reading。 The crew had known almost as
soon as I that we were doomed to cross thirty； and I am inclined to believe
14
… Page 15…
THE LOST CONTINENT
that every man jack of them was tickled to death； for the spirits of
adventure and romance still live in the hearts of men of the twenty…second
century； even though there be little for them to feed upon between thirty
and one hundred seventy…five。
The men carried none of the burdens of responsibility。 They might
cross thirty with impunity； and doubtless they would return to be heroes at
home； but how different the home… coming of their commanding officer！
The wind had dropped to a steady blow； still from west by north； and
the sea had gone down correspondingly。 The crew； with the exception of
those whose duties kept them below； were ranged on deck below the
bridge。 When our position was definitely fixed I personally announced it
to the eager； waiting men。
〃Men；〃 I said； stepping forward to the handrail and looking down into
their upturned； bronzed faces； 〃you are anxiously awaiting information as
to the ship's position。 It has been determined at latitude fifty degrees
seven minutes north； longitude twenty degrees sixteen minutes west。〃
I paused and a buzz of animated comment ran through the massed men
beneath me。 〃Beyond thirty。 But there will be no change in
commanding officers； in routine or in discipline； until after we have
docked again in New York。〃
As I ceased speaking and stepped back from the rail there was a roar
of applause from the deck such as I never before had heard aboard a ship
of peace。 It recalled to my mind tales that I had read of the good old days
when naval vessels were built to fight； when ships of peace had been man…
of…war； and guns had flashed in other than futile target practice； and decks
had run red with blood。
With the subsistence of the sea； we were able to go to work upon the
damaged engines to some effect； and I also set men to examining the
gravitation…screen generators with a view to putting them in working order
should it prove not beyond our resources。
For two weeks we labored at the engines； which indisputably showed
evidence of having been tampered with。 I appointed a board to
investigate and report upon the disaster。 But it accomplished nothing
other than to convince me that there were several officers upon it who
15
… Page 16…
THE LOST CONTINENT
were in full sympathy with Johnson； for； though no charges had been
preferred against him； the board went out of its way specifically to
exonerate him in its findings。
All this time we were drifting almost due east。 The work upon the
engines had progressed to such an extent that within a few hours we might
expect to be able to proceed under our own power westward in the
direction of Pan… American waters。
To relieve the monotony I had taken to fishing； and early that morning
I had departed from the Coldwater in one of the boats on such an
excursion。 A gentle west wind was blowing。 The sea shimmered in the
sunlight。 A cloudless sky canopied the west for our sport； as I had made
it a point never voluntarily to make an inch toward the east that I could
avoid。 At least； they should not be able to charge me with a willful
violation of the dead lines regulation。
I had with me only the boat's ordinary complement of men three in
all； and more than enough to handle any small power boat。 I had not
asked any of my officers to accompany me； as I wished to be alone； and
very glad am I now that I had not。 My only regret is that； in view of what
befell us； it had been necessary to bring the three brave fellows who
manned the boat。
Our fishing； which proved excellent； carried us so far to the west that
we no longer could see the Coldwater。 The day wore on； until at last；
about mid…afternoon； I gave the order to return to the ship。
We had proceeded but a short distance toward the east when one of the
men gave an exclamation of excitement； at the same time pointing
eastward。 We all looked on in the direction he had indicated； and there； a
short distance above the horizon； we saw the outlines of the Coldwater
silhouetted against the sky。
〃They've repaired the engines and the generators both；〃 exclaimed one
of the men。
It seemed impossible； but yet it had evidently been done。 Only that
morning； Lieutenant Johnson had told me that he feared that it would be
impossible to repair the generators。 I had put him in charge of this work；
since he always had been accounted one of the best gravitation…screen men
16
… Page 17…
THE LOST CONTINENT
in the navy。 He had invented several of the improvements that are
incorporated in the later models of these generators； and I am convinced
that he knows more concerning both the theory and the practice of
screening gravitation than any living Pan…American。
At the sight of the Coldwater once more under control； the three men
burst into a glad cheer。 But； for some reason which I could not then
account； I was strangely overcome by a premonition of personal
misfortune。 It was not that I now anticipated an early return to Pan…
America and a board of inquiry； for I had rather looked forward to the
fight that must follow my return。 No； there was something else；
something indefinable and vague that cast a strange gloom upon me as I
saw my ship rising farther above the water and making straight in our
dire