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THE LOST CONTINENT
THE LOST
CONTINENT
Edgar Rice Burroughs
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THE LOST CONTINENT
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Since earliest childhood I have been strangely fascinated by the
mystery surrounding the history of the last days of twentieth century
Europe。 My interest is keenest； perhaps； not so much in relation to
known facts as to speculation upon the unknowable of the two centuries
that have rolled by since human intercourse between the Western and
Eastern Hemispheres ceasedthe mystery of Europe's state following the
termination of the Great Warprovided； of course； that the war had been
terminated。
From out of the meagerness of our censored histories we learned that
for fifteen years after the cessation of diplomatic relations between the
United States of North America and the belligerent nations of the Old
World； news of more or less doubtful authenticity filtered； from time to
time； into the Western Hemisphere from the Eastern。
Then came the fruition of that historic propaganda which is best
described by its own slogan： 〃The East for the East the West for the
West；〃 and all further intercourse was stopped by statute。
Even prior to this； transoceanic commerce had practically ceased；
owing to the perils and hazards of the mine…strewn waters of both the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans。 Just when submarine activities ended we do
not know but the last vessel of this type sighted by a Pan…American
merchantman was the huge Q 138； which discharged twenty…nine
torpedoes at a Brazilian tank steamer off the Bermudas in the fall of 1972。
A heavy sea and the excellent seamanship of the master of the Brazilian
permitted the Pan…American to escape and report this last of a long series
of outrages upon our commerce。 God alone knows how many hundreds
of our ancient ships fell prey to the roving steel sharks of blood…frenzied
Europe。 Countless were the vessels and men that passed over our eastern
and western horizons never to return； but whether they met their fates
before the belching tubes of submarines or among the aimlessly drifting
mine fields； no man lived to tell。
And then came the great Pan…American Federation which linked the
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THE LOST CONTINENT
Western Hemisphere from pole to pole under a single flag； which joined
the navies of the New World into the mightiest fighting force that ever
sailed the seven seas the greatest argument for peace the world had ever
known。
Since that day peace had reigned from the western shores of the
Azores to the western shores of the Hawaiian Islands； nor has any man of
either hemisphere dared cross 30dW。 or 175dW。 From 30d to 175d is
oursfrom 30d to 175d is peace； prosperity and happiness。
Beyond was the great unknown。 Even the geographies of my
boyhood showed nothing beyond。 We were taught of nothing beyond。
Speculation was discouraged。 For two hundred years the Eastern
Hemisphere had been wiped from the maps and histories of Pan…America。
Its mention in fiction； even； was forbidden。
Our ships of peace patrol thirty and one hundred seventy… five。 What
ships from beyond they have warned only the secret archives of
government show； but； a naval officer myself； I have gathered from the
traditions of the service that it has been fully two hundred years since
smoke or sail has been sighted east of 30d or west of 175d。 The fate of
the relinquished provinces which lay beyond the dead lines we could only
speculate upon。 That they were taken by the military power； which rose
so suddenly in China after the fall of the republic； and which wrested
Manchuria and Korea from Russia and Japan； and also absorbed the
Philippines； is quite within the range of possibility。
It was the commander of a Chinese man…of…war who received a copy
of the edict of 1972 from the hand of my illustrious ancestor； Admiral
Turck； on one hundred seventy…five； two hundred and six years ago； and
from the yellowed pages of the admiral's diary I learned that the fate of the
Philippines was even then presaged by these Chinese naval officers。
Yes； for over two hundred years no man crossed 30d to 175d and lived
to tell his storynot until chance drew me across and back again； and
public opinion； revolting at last against the drastic regulations of our long…
dead forbears； demanded that my story be given to the world； and that the
narrow interdict which commanded peace； prosperity； and happiness to
halt at 30d and 175d be removed forever。
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I am glad that it was given to me to be an instrument in the hands of
Providence for the uplifting of benighted Europe； and the amelioration of
the suffering； degradation； and abysmal ignorance in which I found her。
I shall not live to see the complete regeneration of the savage hordes of
the Eastern Hemispherethat is a work which will require many
generations； perhaps ages； so complete has been their reversion to
savagery； but I know that the work has been started； and I am proud of the
share in it which my generous countrymen have placed in my hands。
The government already possesses a complete official report of my
adventures beyond thirty。 In the narrative I purpose telling my story in a
less formal； and I hope； a more entertaining； style； though； being only a
naval officer and without claim to the slightest literary ability； I shall most
certainly fall far short of the possibilities which are inherent in my subject。
That I have passed through the most wondrous adventures that have
befallen a civilized man during the past two centuries encourages me in
the belief that； however ill the telling； the facts themselves will command
your interest to the final page。
Beyond thirty！ Romance； adventure； strange peoples； fearsome
beastsall the excitement and scurry of the lives of the twentieth century
ancients that have been denied us in these dull days of peace and prosaic
prosperityall； all lay beyond thirty； the invisible barrier between the
stupid； commercial present and the carefree； barbarous past。
What boy has not sighed for the good old days of wars； revolutions；
and riots； how I used to pore over the chronicles of those old days； those
dear old days； when workmen went armed to their labors； when they fell
upon one another with gun and bomb and dagger； and the streets ran red
with blood！ Ah； but those were the times when life was worth the living；
when a man who went out by night knew not at which dark corner a
〃footpad〃 might leap upon and slay him； when wild beasts roamed the
forest and the jungles； and there were savage men； and countries yet
unexplored。
Now； in all the Western Hemisphere dwells no man who may not find
a school house within walking distance of his home； or at least within
flying distance。
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The wildest beast that roams our waste places lairs in the frozen north
or the frozen south within a government reserve； where the curious may
view him and feed him bread crusts from the hand with perfect impunity。
But beyond thirty！ And I have gone there； and come back； and now
you may go there； for no longer is it high treason； punishable by disgrace
or death； to cross 30d or 175d。
My name is Jefferson Turck。 I am a lieutenant in the navy in the
great Pan…American navy； the only navy which now e