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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
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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。
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Beyond thirty； and separated from my ship； my authority ceased。 I held
leadership； if I was to hold it at all； by virtue of personal qualifications
only； but I did not doubt my ability to remain the director of our destinies
in so far as they were amenable to human agencies。 I have always led。
While my brain and brawn remain unimpaired I shall continue always to
lead。 Following is an art which Turcks do not easily learn。
It was not until the third day that we raised land； dead ahead； which I
took； from my map； to be the isles of Scilly。 But such a gale was blowing
that I did not dare attempt to land； and so we passed to the north of them；
skirted Land's End； and entered the English Channel。
I think that up to that moment I had never experienced such a thrill as
passed through me when I realized that I was navigating these historic
waters。 The lifelong dreams that I never had dared hope to see fulfilled
were at last a realitybut under what forlorn circumstances！
Never could I return to my native land。 To the end of my days I must
remain in exile。 Yet even these thoughts failed to dampen my ardor。
My eyes scanned the waters。 To the north I could see the rockbound
coast of Cornwall。 Mine were the first American eyes to rest upon it for
more than two hundred years。 In vain； I searched for some sign of
ancient commerce that； if history is to be believed； must have dotted the
bosom of the Channel with white sails and blackened the heavens with the
smoke of countless funnels； but as far as eye could reach the tossing
waters of the Channel were empty and deserted。
Toward midnight the wind and sea abated； so that shortly after dawn I
determined to make inshore in an attempt to effect a landing； for we were
sadly in need of fresh water and food。
According to my observations； we were just off Ram Head； and it was
my intention to enter Plymouth Bay and visit Plymouth。 From my map it
appeared that this city lay back from the coast a short distance； and there
was another city given as Devonport； which appeared to lie at the mouth
of the river Tamar。
However； I knew that it would make little difference which city we
entered； as the English people were famed of old for their hospitality
toward visiting mariners。 As we approached the mouth of the bay I
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looked for the fishing craft which I expected to see emerging thus early in
the day for their labors。 But even after we rounded Ram Head and were
well within the waters of the bay I saw no vessel。 Neither was there buoy
nor light nor any other mark to show larger ships the channel； and I
wondered much at this。
The coast was densely overgrown； nor was any building or sign of
man apparent from the water。 Up the bay and into the River Tamar we
motored through a solitude as unbroken as that which rested upon the
waters of the Channel。 For all we could see； there was no indication that
man had ever set his foot upon this silent coast。
I was nonplused； and then； for the first time； there crept over me an
intuition of the truth。
Here was no sign of war。 As far as this portion of the Devon coast
was concerned； that seemed to have been over for many years； but neither
were there any people。 Yet I could not find it within myself to believe
that I should find no inhabitants in England。 Reasoning thus； I
discovered that it was improbable that a state of war still existed； and that
the people all had been drawn from this portion of England to some other；
where they might better defend themselves against an invader。
But what of their ancient coast defenses？ What was there here in
Plymouth Bay to prevent an enemy landing in force and marching where
they wished？ Nothing。 I could not believe that any enlightened
military nation； such as the ancient English are reputed to have been；
would have voluntarily so deserted an exposed coast and an excellent
harbor to the mercies of an enemy。
I found myself becoming more and more deeply involved in quandary。
The puzzle which confronted me I could not unravel。 We had landed；
and I now stood upon the spot where； according to my map； a large city
should rear its spires and chimneys。 There was nothing but rough；
broken ground covered densely with weeds and brambles； and tall； rank；
grass。
Had a city ever stood there； no sign of it remained。 The roughness
and unevenness of the ground suggested something of a great mass of
debris hidden by the accumulation of centuries of undergrowth。
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I drew the short cutlass with which both officers and men of the navy
are； as you know； armed out of courtesy to the traditions and memories of
the past； and with its point dug into the loam about the roots of the
vegetation growing at my feet。
The blade entered the soil for a matter of seven inches； when it struck
upon something stonelike。 Digging about the obstacle； I presently
loosened it； and when I had withdrawn it