the lost continent(消失的大陆)-第6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！
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
direction。
I was not long in ascertaining a possible explanation of my depression；
for； though we were plainly visible from the bridge of the aero…submarine
and to the hundreds of men who swarmed her deck； the ship passed
directly above us； not five hundred feet from the water； and sped directly
westward。
We all shouted； and I fired my pistol to attract their attention； though I
knew full well that all who cared to had observed us； but the ship moved
steadily away； growing smaller and smaller to our view until at last she
passed completely out of sight。
17
… Page 18…
THE LOST CONTINENT
2
What could it mean？ I had left Alvarez in command。 He was my
most loyal subordinate。 It was absolutely beyond the pale of possibility
that Alvarez should desert me。 No； there was some other explanation。
Something occurred to place my second officer； Porfirio Johnson； in
command。 I was sure of it but why speculate？ The futility of
conjecture was only too palpable。 The Coldwater had abandoned us in
midocean。 Doubtless none of us would survive to know why。
The young man at the wheel of the power boat had turned her nose
about as it became evident that the ship intended passing over us； and now
he still held her in futile pursuit of the Coldwater。
〃Bring her about； Snider；〃 I directed； 〃and hold her due east。 We
can't catch the Coldwater； and we can't cross the Atlantic in this。 Our
only hope lies in making the nearest land； which； unless I am mistaken； is
the Scilly Islands； off the southwest coast of England。 Ever heard of
England； Snider？〃
〃There's a part of the United States of North America that used to be
known to the ancients as New England；〃 he replied。 〃Is that where you
mean； sir？〃
〃No； Snider；〃 I replied。 〃The England I refer to was an island off the
continent of Europe。 It was the seat of a very powerful kingdom that
flourished over two hundred years ago。 A part of the United States of
North America and all of the Federated States of Canada once belonged to
this ancient England。〃
〃Europe；〃 breathed one of the men； his voice tense with excitement。
〃My grandfather used to tell me stories of the world beyond thirty。 He
had been a great student； and he had read much from forbidden books。〃
〃In which I resemble your grandfather；〃 I said； 〃for I； too； have read
more even than naval officers are supposed to read； and； as you men know；
we are permitted a greater latitude in the study of geography and history
than men of other professions。
〃Among the books and papers of Admiral Porter Turck； who lived two
hundred years ago； and from whom I am descended； many volumes still
18
… Page 19…
THE LOST CONTINENT
exist； and are in my possession； which deal with the history and geography
of ancient Europe。 Usually I bring several of these books with me upon a
cruise； and this time； among others； I have maps of Europe and her
surrounding waters。 I was studying them as we came away from the
Coldwater this morning； and luckily I have them with me。〃
〃You are going to try to make Europe； sir？〃 asked Taylor； the young
man who had last spoken。
〃It is the nearest land；〃 I replied。 〃I have always wanted to explore
the forgotten lands of the Eastern Hemisphere。 Here's our chance。 To
remain at sea is to perish。 None of us ever will see home again。 Let us
make the best of it； and enjoy while we do live that which is forbidden the
balance of our racethe adventure and the mystery which lie beyond
thirty。〃
Taylor and Delcarte seized the spirit of my mood but Snider； I think；
was a trifle sceptical。
〃It is treason； sir；〃 I replied； 〃but there is no law which compels us to
visit punishment upon ourselves。 Could we return to Pan…America； I
should be the first to insist that we face it。 But we know that's not
possible。 Even if this craft would carry us so far； we haven't enough
water or food for more than three days。
〃We are doomed； Snider； to die far from home and without ever again
looking upon the face of another fellow countryman than those who sit
here now in this boat。 Isn't that punishment sufficient for even the most
exacting judge？〃
Even Snider had to admit that it was。
〃Very well； then； let us live while we live； and enjoy to the fullest
whatever of adventure or pleasure each new day brings； since any day may
be our last； and we shall be dead for a considerable while。〃
I could see that Snider was still fearful； but Taylor and Delcarte
responded with a hearty； 〃Aye； aye； sir！〃
They were of different mold。 Both were sons of naval officers。
They represented the aristocracy of birth； and they dared to think for
themselves。
Snider was in the minority； and so we continued toward the east。
19
… Page 20…
THE LOST CONTINENT
Beyond thirty； and sepa
