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Delcarte and Taylor smiled at her reply, but Thirty-six and Snider laughed

uproariously. I was not surprised at Thirty-six, but I thought that Snider laughed

louder than the occasion warranted. As a matter of fact, Snider, it seemed to me,

was taking advantage of every opportunity, however slight, to show

insubordination, and I determined then that at the first real breach of discipline I

should take action that would remind Snider, ever after, that I was still his

commanding officer.

I could not help but notice that his eyes were much upon Victory, and I did not

like it, for I knew the type of man he was. But as it would not be necessary ever

to leave the girl alone with him I felt no apprehension for her safety.

After the incident of the discussion of barbarians I thought that Victory's manner

toward me changed perceptibly. She held aloof from me, and when Snider took

his turn at the wheel, sat beside him, upon the pretext that she wished to learn

how to steer the launch. I wondered if she had guessed the man's antipathy for

me, and was seeking his company solely for the purpose of piquing me.

Snider was, too, taking full advantage of his opportunity. Often he leaned toward

the girl to whisper in her ear, and he laughed much, which was unusual with

Snider.

Of course, it was nothing at all to me; yet, for some unaccountable reason, the

sight of the two of them sitting there so close to one another and seeming to be

enjoying each other's society to such a degree irritated me tremendously, and put

me in such a bad humor that I took no pleasure whatsoever in the last few hours

of the crossing.

We aimed to land near the site of ancient Ostend. But when we neared the coast

we discovered no indication of any human habitations whatever, let alone a city.

After we had landed, we found the same howling wilderness about us that we had

discovered on the British Isle. There was no slightest indication that civilized man

had ever set a foot upon that portion of the continent of Europe.

Although I had feared as much, since our experience in England, I could not but

own to a feeling of marked disappointment, and to the gravest fears of the future,

which induced a mental depression that was in no way dissipated by the

continued familiarity between Victory and Snider.

I was angry with myself that I permitted that matter to affect me as it had. I did

not wish to admit to myself that I was angry with this uncultured little savage,

that it made the slightest difference to me what she did or what she did not do, or

that I could so lower myself as to feel personal enmity towards a common sailor.

And yet, to be honest, I was doing both.

The Lost Continent