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in the world other than the Grubittens, who consist of the Eastenders and the

Westenders of the ancient Isle of Wight.

Assured that we were inclined to friendliness, our new acquaintances led us to

their village, or, as they call it, camp. There we found a thousand people,

perhaps, dwelling in rude shelters, and living upon the fruits of the chase and

such sea food as is obtainable close to shore, for they had no boats, nor any

knowledge of such things.

Their weapons were most primitive, consisting of rude spears tipped with pieces

of metal pounded roughly into shape. They had no literature, no religion, and

recognized no law other than the law of might. They produced fire by striking a

bit of flint and steel together, but for the most part they ate their food raw.

Marriage is unknown among them, and while they have the word, mother, they

did not know what I meant by "father." The males fight for the favor of the

females. They practice infanticide, and kill the aged and physically unfit.

The family consists of the mother and the children, the men dwelling sometimes

in one hut and sometimes in another. Owing to their bloody duels, they are

always numerically inferior to the women, so there is shelter for them all.

We spent several hours in the village, where we were objects of the greatest

curiosity. The inhabitants examined our clothing and all our belongings, and

asked innumerable questions concerning the strange country from which we had

come and the manner of our coming.

I questioned many of them concerning past historical events, but they knew

nothing beyond the narrow limits of their island and the savage, primitive life

they led there. London they had never heard of, and they assured me that I

would find no human beings upon the mainland.

Much saddened by what I had seen, I took my departure from them, and the

three of us made our way back to the launch, accompanied by about five hundred

men, women, girls, and boys.

As we sailed away, after procuring the necessary ingredients of our chemical fuel,

the Grubittens lined the shore in silent wonder at the strange sight of our dainty

craft dancing over the sparkling waters, and watched us until we were lost to

their sight.

The Lost Continent