the lost continent(消失的大陆)-第29节
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To have entered it would have been to have courted greater danger
than we were already in。 We decided to wait until the stress of blacks
thinned； and for more than an hour we stood there while the sounds of
battle raged upon the eastern side of the city and the population flew
toward the west。 More and more numerous became the uniformed
soldiers among the fleeing throng； until； toward the last； the street was
packed with them。 It was no orderly retreat； but a rout； complete and
terrible。
The fighting was steadily approaching us now； until the crack of rifles
sounded in the very street upon which we were looking。 And then came
a handful of brave mena little rear guard backing slowly toward the west；
working their smoking rifles in feverish haste as they fired volley after
volley at the foe we could not see。
But these were pressed back and back until the first line of the enemy
came opposite our shelter。 They were men of medium height； with olive
complexions and almond eyes。 In them I recognized the descendants of
the ancient Chinese race。
They were well uniformed and superbly armed； and they fought
bravely and under perfect discipline。 So rapt was I in the exciting events
transpiring in the street that I did not hear the approach of a body of men
from behind。 It was a party of the conquerors who had entered the palace
and were searching it。
They came upon us so unexpectedly that we were prisoners before we
realized what had happened。 That night we were held under a strong
guard just outside the eastern wall of the city； and the next morning were
started upon a long march toward the east。
Our captors were not unkind to us； and treated the women prisoners
with respect。 We marched for many daysso many that I lost count of
themand at last we came to another citya Chinese city this timewhich
stands upon the site of ancient Moscow。
It is only a small frontier city； but it is well built and well kept。 Here
a large military force is maintained； and here also； is a terminus of the
railroad that crosses modern China to the Pacific。
There was every evidence of a high civilization in all that we saw
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within the city； which； in connection with the humane treatment that had
been accorded all prisoners upon the long and tiresome march； encouraged
me to hope that I might appeal to some high officer here for the treatment
which my rank and birth merited。
We could converse with our captors only through the medium of
interpreters who spoke both Chinese and Abyssinian。 But there were
many of these； and shortly after we reached the city I persuaded one of
them to carry a verbal message to the officer who had commanded the
troops during the return from New Gondar； asking that I might be given a
hearing by some high official。
The reply to my request was a summons to appear before the officer to
whom I had addressed my appeal。 A sergeant came for me along with
the interpreter； and I managed to obtain his permission to let Victory
accompany meI had never left her alone with the prisoners since we had
been captured。
To my delight I found that the officer into whose presence we were
conducted spoke Abyssinian fluently。 He was astounded when I told him
that I was a Pan…American。 Unlike all others whom I had spoken with
since my arrival in Europe； he was well acquainted with ancient history
was familiar with twentieth century conditions in Pan…America； and after
putting a half dozen questions to me was satisfied that I spoke the truth。
When I told him that Victory was Queen of England he showed little
surprise； telling me that in their recent explorations in ancient Russia they
had found many descendants of the old nobility and royalty。
He immediately set aside a comfortable house for us； furnished us with
servants and with money； and in other ways showed us every attention and
kindness。
He told me that he would telegraph his emperor at once； and the result
was that we were presently commanded to repair to Peking and present
ourselves before the ruler。
We made the journey in a comfortable railway carriage； through a
country which； as we traveled farther toward the east； showed increasing
evidence of prosperity and wealth。
At the imperial court we were received with great kindness； the
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emperor being most inquisitive about the state of modern Pan…America。
He told me that while he personally deplored the existence of the strict
regulations which had raised a barrier between the east and the west； he
had felt； as had his predecessors； that recognition of the wishes of the great
Pan…American federation would be most conducive to the continued peace
of the world。
His empire includes all of Asia； and the islands of the Pacific as far
east as 175dW。 The empire of Japan no longer exists； having been
conquered and absorbed by China over a hundred years ago。 The
Philippines are well administered； and constitute one of the most
progressive colonies of the Chinese empire。
The emperor told me that the building of this great empire and the
spreading of enlightenment among its diversified and savage peoples had
required all the best efforts of nearly two hundred years。 Upon his
accession to the throne he had found the labor well nigh perfected and had
turned his attention to the reclamation of Europe。
His ambition is to wrest it from the hands of the blacks； and then to
attempt the work of elevating its fallen peoples to the high estate from
which the Great War precipitated them。
I asked him who was victorious in that war； and he shook his head
sadly as he replied：
〃Pan…America； perhaps； and China； with the blacks of Abyssinia；〃 he
said。 〃Those who did not fight were the only ones to reap any of the
rewards that are supposed to belong to victory。 The combatants reaped
naught but annihilation。 You have seenbetter than any man you must
realize that there was no victory for any nation embroiled in that frightful
war。〃
〃When did it end？〃 I asked him。
Again he shook his head。 〃It has not ended yet。 There has never
been a formal peace declared in Europe。 After a while there were none
left to make peace； and the rude tribes which sprang from the survivors
continued to fight among themselves because they knew no better
condition of society。 War razed the works of manwar and pestilence
razed man。 God give that there shall never be such another war！〃
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You all know how Porfirio Johnson returned to Pan…America with
John Alvarez in chains； how Alvarez's trial raised a popular demonstration
that the government could not ignore。 His eloquent appealnot for himself；
but for meis historic； as are its results。 You know how a fleet was sent
across the Atlantic to search for me； how the restrictions against crossing
thirty to one hundred seventy…five were removed forever； and how the
officers were brought to Peking； arriving upon the very day that Victory
and I were married at the imperial court。
My return to Pan…America was very different from anything I could
possibly have imagined a year before。 Instead of being received as a
traitor to my country； I was acclaimed a hero。 It was good to get back
again； go
