wrought upon our English cousins as they had upon us. There
would be mighty cities, cultivated fields, happy people.
There we would be welcomed as long-lost brothers. There
would we find a great nation anxious to learn of the world
beyond their side of thirty, as I had been anxious to learn
of that which lay beyond our side of the dead line.

I turned back toward the boat.

"Come, men!" I said. "We will go up the river and fill our
casks with fresh water, search for food and fuel, and then
tomorrow be in readiness to push on toward the east. I am
going to London."



3


The report of a gun blasted the silence of a dead Devonport
with startling abruptness.

It came from the direction of the launch, and in an instant
we three were running for the boat as fast as our legs would
carry us. As we came in sight of it we saw Delcarte a
hundred yards inland from the launch, leaning over something
which lay upon the ground. As we called to him he waved his
cap, and stooping, lifted a small deer for our inspection.

I was about to congratulate him on his trophy when we were