the lost continent(消失的大陆)-第24章
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！
whatever； let alone a city。 After we had landed； we found the same
howling wilderness about us that we had discovered on the British Isle。
There was no slightest indication that civilized man had ever set a foot
upon that portion of the continent of Europe。
Although I had feared as much； since our experience in England； I
could not but own to a feeling of marked disappointment； and to the
gravest fears of the future； which induced a mental depression that was in
no way dissipated by the continued familiarity between Victory and
Snider。
I was angry with myself that I permitted that matter to affect me as it
had。 I did not wish to admit to myself that I was angry with this
uncultured little savage； that it made the slightest difference to me what
she did or what she did not do； or that I could so lower myself as to feel
personal enmity towards a common sailor。 And yet； to be honest； I was
doing both。
Finding nothing to detain us about the spot where Ostend once had
stood； we set out up the coast in search of the mouth of the River Rhine；
which I purposed ascending in search of civilized man。 It was my
intention to explore the Rhine as far up as the launch would take us。 If
73
… Page 74…
THE LOST CONTINENT
we found no civilization there we would return to the North Sea； continue
up the coast to the Elbe； and follow that river and the canals of Berlin。
Here； at least； I was sure that we should find what we soughtand； if not；
then all Europe had reverted to barbarism。
The weather remained fine； and we made excellent progress； but
everywhere along the Rhine we met with the same disappointmentno
sign of civilized man； in fact； no sign of man at all。
I was not enjoying the exploration of modern Europe as I had
anticipatedI was unhappy。 Victory seemed changed； too。 I had
enjoyed her company at first； but since the trip across the Channel I had
held aloof from her。
Her chin was in the air most of the time； and yet I rather think that she
regretted her friendliness with Snider； for I noticed that she avoided him
entirely。 He； on the contrary； emboldened by her former friendliness；
sought every opportunity to be near her。 I should have liked nothing
better than a reasonably good excuse to punch his head； yet； paradoxically；
I was ashamed of myself for harboring him any ill will。 I realized that
there was something the matter with me； but I did not know what it was。
Matters remained thus for several days； and we continued our journey
up the Rhine。 At Cologne； I had hoped to find some reassuring
indications； but there was no Cologne。 And as there had been no other
cities along the river up to that point； the devastation was infinitely greater
than time alone could have wrought。 Great guns； bombs； and mines must
have leveled every building that man had raised； and then nature；
unhindered； had covered the ghastly evidence of human depravity with her
beauteous mantle of verdure。 Splendid trees reared their stately tops where
splendid cathedrals once had reared their domes； and sweet wild flowers
blossomed in simple serenity in soil that once was drenched with human
blood。
Nature had reclaimed what man had once stolen from her and defiled。
A herd of zebras grazed where once the German kaiser may have reviewed
his troops。 An antelope rested peacefully in a bed of daisies where；
perhaps； two hundred years ago a big gun belched its terror…laden
messages of death； of hate； of destruction against the works of man and
74
… Page 75…
THE LOST CONTINENT
God alike。
We were in need of fresh meat； yet I hesitated to shatter the quiet and
peaceful serenity of the view with the crack of a rifle and the death of one
of those beautiful creatures before us。 But it had to be donewe must eat。
I left the work to Delcarte； however； and in a moment we had two antelope
and the landscape to ourselves。
After eating； we boarded the launch and continued up the river。 For
two days we passed through a primeval wilderness。 In the afternoon of
the second day we landed upon the west bank of the river； and； leaving
Snider and Thirty…six to guard Victory and the launch； Delcarte； Taylor；
and I set out after game。
We tramped away from the river for upwards of an hour before
discovering anything； and then only a small red deer； which Taylor
brought down with a neat shot of two hundred yards。 It was getting too
late to proceed farther； so we rigged a sling； and the two men carried the
deer back toward the launch while I walked a hundred yards ahead； in the
hope of bagging something further for our larder。
We had covered about half the distance to the river； when I suddenly
came face to face with a man。 He was as primitive and uncouth in
appearance as the Grabritinsa shaggy； unkempt savage； clothed in a shirt
of skin cured with the head on； the latter surmounting his own head to
form a bonnet； and giving to him a most fearful and ferocious aspect。
The fellow was armed with a long spear and a club； the latter dangling
down his back from a leathern thong about his neck。 His feet were
incased in hide sandals。
At sight of me； he halted for an instant； then turned and dove into the
forest； and； though I called reassuringly to him in English he did not return
nor did I again see him。
The sight of the wild man raised my hopes once more that elsewhere
we might find men in a higher state of civilizationit was the society of
civilized man that I cravedand so； with a lighter heart； I continued on
toward the river and the launch。
I was still some distance ahead of Delcarte and Taylor； when I came in
sight of the Rhine again。 But I came to the water's edge before I noticed
75
… Page 76…
THE LOST CONTINENT
that anything was amiss with the party we had left there a few hours
before。
My first intimation of disaster was the absence of the launch from its
former moorings。 And then； a moment later I discovered the body of a
man lying upon the bank。 Running toward it； I saw that it was Thirty…six；
and as I stopped and raised the Grabritin's head in my arms； I heard a faint
moan break from his lips。 He was not dead； but that he was badly injured
was all too evident。
Delcarte and Taylor came up a moment later； and the three of us
worked over the fellow； hoping to revive him that he might tell us what
had happened； and what had become of the others。 My first thought was
prompted by the sight I had recently had of the savage native。 The little
party had evidently been surprised； and in the attack Thirty…six had been
wounded and the others taken prisoners。 The thought wa
