This vessel, the Viking, strayed about the ocean for some weeks, following the dictates3 of research. With innumerable zigzags4 she approached the island. When she came within range of our deflector her officers were perplexed5 by the discrepancy6 between the magnetic and gyroscopic compasses, but the ship maintained her true course. On one of her laps she passed within twenty miles of the island, but at night. Would she on the next lap miss us entirely7? No! Approaching from the south-west, she sighted us far away on the port bow. The effect was unexpected. Since no island had any business to be in that spot, the officers concluded that the gyro was wrong after all, although their observation of the sun had seemed to confirm it. This island, then, must he one of the Tuamotu Group. The Viking, therefore veered8 away from us. Tsomotre, our chief telepathist, reported that the officers of the Viking were feeling very much like people lost in the dark.
A month later the Viking sighted us again. This time she changed her course and headed for the island, We saw her approaching, a minute toy vessel, white, with buff funnel9. She plunged10 and swayed, and grew larger. When she was within a few miles of the island, she cruised round it, inspecting. She came a mile or two nearer and described another circle, at half speed, using the lead. She anchored. A motor-launch was lowered. It left the Viking and nosed along the coast till it found the entrance to our harbour. In the outer harbour it came to shore and landed an officer and three men. They advanced inland among the brushwood.
We still hoped that they might make a perfunctory examination and then return. Between the inner and the outer harbours, and along the slopes of the outer harbour itself, there was a dense11 wilderness12 of scrub, which would give pause to any explorer. The actual channel to the inner harbour had been concealed13 with a curtain of vegetation hung from a rope which stretched from shore to shore.
The invaders14 wandered about in the comparatively open space for a while, then turned back to the launch. Presently one of them stooped and picked up something. John, who was in hiding beside me, watching both the bodies and the minds of the four men, exclaimed, “God He’s found one of your bloody15 cigarette-ends — a fresh one, too.” In horror I sprang to my feet, crying. “Then he must find me.” I plunged down the hillside. shouting. The men turned and waited for me. As I approached, naked, dirty and considerably16 scratched by the scrub, they gaped17 at me in astonishment18. Panting, I poured out an impromptu19 story. I was the sole survivor20 of a schooner21, wrecked22 on the island. I had smoked my last cigarette today. At first they believed me. While we made our way toward the launch, they fired questions at me. I played my part tolerably well, but by the time we reached the Viking, they were growing suspicious. Though superficially dirty after my stampede, I was quite decently groomed23. My hair was short, I was beardless, my nails were cut and clean. Under cross-examination by the Commander of the vessel I became confused; and finally, in despair, I told them the whole truth. Naturally they concluded that I was mad. All the same, the Commander determined24 to make further investigations25 on the island. He himself came with the party. I was taken, too, in case I should prove useful.
I now feigned26 complete idiocy27, hoping they might still find nothing. But they discovered the camouflage28 curtain, and forced the launch through it into the inner harbour. The settlement was now in full view. John and the others had decided29 that it was useless to hide, and were standing30 about on the quay31, waiting for us. As we came alongside. John advanced to greet us. He was an uncouth32 but imposing33 figure, with his dazzling white hair, his eyes of a nocturnal beast, and his lean body. Behind him the others waited, a group of unclad boys and girls with formidable heads. One of the Viking’s officers was heard to exclaim, “Jesus Christ! What a troupe34!”
The invaders were fluttered by the sight of naked young women, several of whom were of the white race.
We took the officers to the feeding-house terrace, and gave them light refreshments35, including our best Chablis. John explained to them rather fully36 about the colony; and though, of course, they could not appreciate the more subtle aspect of the great adventure, and were frankly37 though politely incredulous of the “new species” idea, they were sympathetic. They appreciated the sporting aspect of the matter. They were also impressed by the fact that I, the only adult and the only normal human figure among these juvenile38 freaks, was obviously a quite unimportant person on the island.
Presently John took them to see the power-station, which they just wouldn’t believe, and the Skid39, which impressed them more than anything else. To them she was a subtle blend of the crazy and the shipshape. There followed a tour of the other buildings and the estate. I was surprised that John was so anxious to show everything, more surprised that he made no attempt to persuade the Commander not to report on the island and its inhabitants. But John’s policy was more subtle. After the tour of inspection40 he persuaded the Commander to allow all his men to leave the launch and come to the terrace for refreshments. There the party spent another half-hour. John and Lo and Marianne talked to the officers. Other islanders talked to the men. When at last the party made its farewells on the quay, the Commander assured John that he would make a full report on the island, and give high praise to its inhabitants.
As we watched the launch retreating, several of the islanders showed signs of mirth. John explained that throughout the interview the visitors had been subjected to an appropriate psychological treatment, and that by the time they reached the Viking their memory of recent events on the island would be so obscure that they would be quite unable to produce a plausible41 report, or even to give their shipmates an account of their adventure. “But,” said John, “this is the beginning of the end. If only we could have treated the whole ship’s company thoroughly42, all might have been well. As it is, some distorted information is sure to get through and rouse the curiosity of your species.”
For three months the life of the island proceeded undisturbed. But it was a changed life. Knowledge that the end could not be far off produced a fresh intensity43 of consciousness in all personal relations and social activities. The islanders evidently discovered a new and passionate44 love of their little society, a kind of poignant45 and exalted46 patriotism47, such as must have been felt in Greek city-states when the enemy was at the gates. But it was a patriotism curiously48 free from hate. The impending49 disaster was regarded less as an attack by human enemies than as a natural catastrophe50, like destruction by an avalanche51.
The programme of activities on the island was now altered considerably. All work that could not bear fruit within the next few months was abandoned. The islanders told me that they had certain supreme52 tasks on hand which must if possible be finished before the end. The true purpose of the awakened53 spirit, they reminded me, is twofold, namely to help in the practical task of world-building, and to employ itself to the best of its capacity in intelligent worship. Under the first head they had at least created something glorious though ephemeral, a microcosm, a world in little. But the more ambitious part of their practical purpose, the founding of the new species, they were destined54 never to fulfil. Therefore they were concentrating all their strength upon the second aim. They must apprehend55 existence as precisely56 and zestfully57 as they could, and salute58 That in the universe which was of supreme excellence59. This purpose, with the aid of Langatse, they might yet advance to a definite plane of achievement which at present still lay beyond them, though their most mature minds had already glimpsed it. With their unique practical experience and their consciousness of approaching doom60 they might, they said, within a few months offer to the universal Spirit such a bright and peculiar61 jewel of worship as even the great Langatse himself, alone and thwarted62, could not create.
This most exalting63 and most exacting64 of all tasks made it necessary for them to give up all but the necessary daily toil65 in the fields and in the canoes. Not that very much of their time could be devoted66 to their spiritual exercises, for there was danger of overstraining their powers. It was necessary therefore to secure plentiful67 relaxation68. Much of the life of the colony during this period seemed to consist of recreation. There was much bathing in the shark-free harbour, much love-making, much dancing and music and poetry, and much aesthetic69 juggling70 with colour and form. It was difficult for me to enter into the aesthetic appreciation71 of the islanders, but from their reactions to their own art in this period I judged that the pervading72 sense of finality had sharpened their sensibility. Certainly in the sphere of personal relations the knowledge that the group would soon be destroyed produced a passion of sociality. Solitariness73 lost its charm.
One night Chargut, who was on duty as telepathic look-out, reported that a British light cruiser was under orders to make a search for the mysterious island which had somehow temporarily undermined the sanity74 of so many of the Viking’s crew.
Some weeks later the vessel entered the zone of our deflector, but had little difficulty in keeping her course. She had expected some sort of craziness on the part of the magnetic needle, and trusted only to her gyroscopic compass. After some groping, she reached the island. This time the islanders made no attempt at concealment75. From a convenient shoulder of the mountain we watched the grey ship drop anchor and heave slowly in the swell76, displaying her red bottom-colour. A launch left her. When it was near enough, we signalled it round to the harbour entrance. John received the visitors on the quay. The lieutenant77 (in white duck and stiff collar) was inclined to stand on his dignity as the representative of the British Navy. The presence of naked white girls obviously increased his hauteur78 by upsetting his equilibrium79. But refreshments on the terrace, combined with secret psychological treatment, soon produced a more friendly atmosphere. Once more I was impressed by John’s wisdom in keeping a store of good wine and cigars.
I have not space to give details of this second encounter with Homo sapiens. There was unfortunately much coming and going between the cruiser and the shore, and it was impossible to administer a thorough hypnotic inoculation80 to every man who saw the settlement. A good deal was achieved, however, and the visit of the Commander himself, a grizzled and a kindly81 gentleman of the sea, was particularly satisfactory. John soon discovered telepathically that he was a man of imagination and courage, and that he regarded his calling with unusual detachment. Therefore, seeing that a number of the naval82 men had escaped with only slight psychological treatment, it seemed best not to administer “oblivifaction” to the Commander, but instead to attempt the more difficult enterprise of rousing in him an overmastering interest in the colony, and loyalty83 to its purpose. The Commander was one of those exceptional seamen84 who spend a good deal of their time in reading. His mind had a background of ideas which rendered him susceptible85 to the technique. His was not, indeed, a brilliant intellect, but he had dabbled86 in popular science and popular philosophy, and his sense of values was intuitively discriminate87, though uncultivated.
The cruiser remained for some days off the island, and during this time the Commander spent much of his time ashore88. His first official act was to annex89 the island to the British Empire. I was reminded of the way in which robins91 and other birds annex gardens and orchards92, regardless of human purposes. But alas93 in this case the robin90 represented a Great Power — the power, indeed, of the jungle over this minute garden of true humanity.
Though the Commander alone was to be allowed clear memory of his experiences on the island, all the visitors were treated in such a way as to help them to appreciate the colony as well as it was in them to do. Some were of course impervious94, but many were affected95 to some extent. All were forced to use every ounce of their imagination to envisage96 the colony at least as a gay and romantic experiment. In most cases, doubtless, the notion that they conceived of it was extremely crude and false; but in one or two, besides the Commander, all sorts of rudimentary and inhibited97 spiritual capacities were roused into unfamiliar98 and disturbing activity.
When at last the time came for the visitors to leave the island, I noticed that their demeanour was different from what it had been on their arrival. There was less formality, less of a gulf99 between officers and men, less strict discipline. I noticed, too, that some who had formerly100 looked at the young women with disapproval101 or lust102 or both, now bade them farewell with friendly courtesy, and with some appreciation of their uncouth beauty. I noticed also on the faces of the more sensitive a look of anxiety, as though they did not feel altogether “at home” in their own minds. The Commander himself was pale. As he shook hands with John, he muttered, “I’ll do my best, but I’m not hopeful.”
The cruiser departed. Events on board her were followed by our telepathists with intense interest. Tsomotre and Chargut and Lankor reported that amnesia103 for all events on the island was rapidly spreading; that some of those who still had clear recollection were so tortured by their spiritual upheaval104, and the contrast between the island and the ship, that they were losing all sense of discipline and patriotism; that two had committed suicide; that a vague panic was spreading, a sense that madness was afoot amongst them; that, apart from the Commander, none who had been in close contact with the islanders could now recall more than the most confused and incredible memories of the island; that those who escaped severe psychological treatment were also very confused, but that they remembered enough to make them a source of grave danger; that the Commander had addressed the whole ship’s company, ordering them, imploring105 them, to keep strict silence ashore on the subject of their recent experiences. He himself must of course report to the Admiralty, but the crew must regard the whole matter as an official secret. To spread incredible stories would only cause trouble, and get the ship into disgrace. Privately106, of course, he intended to make a perfectly107 colourless and harmless report.
Some weeks later the telepathists announced that fantastic stories of the island were current in the Navy; that a reference had been made in a foreign paper to “an immoral108 and communistic colony of children on a British island in the Pacific”; that foreign secret services were nosing out the truth, in case it should prove diplomatically useful; that the British Admiralty was holding a secret inquiry109; that the Commander of the cruiser had been dismissed from the Service for making a false report; that the Soviet110 Government had collected a good deal of information about the island, and intended to embarrass Britain by organizing a secret expedition to make contact with the colony; that the British Government had learnt of this intention, and was determined to evacuate111 the island at once. We were told also that the world at large knew practically nothing of the matter. The British Press had been warned against making any reference to it. The Foreign Press had not given serious attention to the vague rumour112 which one paper had published.
The visit of the second cruiser ended much as the previous incident, but at one stage it entailed113 desperate measures. The second Commander had perhaps been chosen for his uncompromising character. He was in fact a bit of a bully114. Moreover, his instructions were emphatic115, and he had no thought but to carry them out promptly116. He sent a launch to give the islanders five hours to pack up and come aboard. The lieutenant returned “in a state of nerves” and reported that the instructions were not being carried out. The Commander himself came ashore with a party of armed men. He was determined to stand no nonsense. Refusing offers of hospitality, he announced that all the islanders must come aboard at once.
John asked for an explanation, trying to lead the man into normal conversation. He also pointed117 out that most of the islanders were not British subjects, and that the colony was doing no harm to any one. It was no use. The Commander was something of a sadist, and the sight of unclad female flesh had put him in a mood of ruthlessness. He merely ordered the arrest of every member of the colony.
John intervened in a changed and solemn voice. “We will not leave the island alive. Any one that you seize will drop down dead.”
The Commander laughed. Two tars118 approached Chargut, who happened to be the nearest. The Tibetan looked around at John, and, at the first touch of the sailors’ hands, he dropped. The sailors examined him. There was no sign of life.
The Commander was flustered119; but, pulling himself together, he repeated his order. John said, “Be careful! Don’t you see yet that you’re up against something you can’t understand? Not one of us will be taken alive.” The sailors hesitated. The Commander snapped out, “Obey orders. Better begin on a girl, for safety.” They approached Sigrid, who turned with her bright smile to John, and extended a hand behind her to feel for Kargis, her mate. One of the sailors laid a gentle and hesitating paw on her shoulder. She collapsed120 backwards121 into the arms of Kargis, dead.
The Commander was now thoroughly upset, and the sailors were showing signs of insubordination. He tried to reason with John, assuring him that the islanders would be well treated on the ship; but John merely shook his head. Kargis was sitting on the ground with the dead Sigrid in his arms. His own face looked dead. After a moment’s contemplation of Kargis the Commander said, “I shall consult with the Admiralty about you. Meanwhile you may stay here.” He and his men returned to their boat. The cruiser departed.
On the island the two bodies were laid upon the great rock by the harbour. For some time we all stood round in silence, while the seagulls cried. One of the Indian girls, who had been attached to Chargut, fainted. But Kargis showed now no sign of grief. The desolate122 expression that had come over his face when Sigrid fell dead in his arms had soon cleared. The supernormal mind would never for long succumb123 to emotion that must perforce be barren. For a few moments he stood gazing on the face of Sigrid. Suddenly he laughed. It was a John-like laugh. Then Kargis stooped and kissed the cold lips of his mate, gently but with a smile. He stepped aside. Once more John availed himself of the psycho-physical technique. There was a fierce blaze. The bodies were consumed.
Some days later I ventured to ask John why he had sacrificed these two lives, and indeed why the islanders could not come to terms with Britain. No doubt the colony would have to be disbanded, but its members would be allowed to return to their respective countries, and each of them might expect a long life of intense experience and action. John shook his head and replied, “I cannot explain. I can only say that we are one together now, and there is no life for us apart. Even if we were to do as you suggest and go back into the world of your species, we should be watched, controlled, persecuted124. The things that we live for beckon125 us to die. But we are not ready yet. We must stave off the end for a while so that we may finish our work.”
Shortly after the departure of the second cruiser an incident occurred which gave me fresh understanding of the mentality126 of the islanders. Ng–Gunko had for some time been absorbed in private researches. With the self-importance and mysteriousness of a child he announced that he would rather not explain until he had finished his experiments. Then one day, grinning with pride and excitement, he summoned the whole company to the laboratory and gave a full account of his work. His speech was telepathic; so also were the subsequent discussions. My report is based on information given me by John, and also by Shên Kuo and others.
Ng–Gunko had invented a weapon which, he said, would make it impossible for Homo sapiens ever again to interfere127 with the island. It would project a destructive ray, derived128 from atomic disintegration129, with such effect that a battleship could be annihilated130 at forty miles’ distance, or an aeroplane at any height within the same radius131. A projector132 placed on the higher of the two mountain-tops could sweep the whole horizon. The designs were complete in every detail, but their execution would involve huge co-operative work, and certain castings and wrought-steel parts would have to be ordered secretly in America or Japan. Smaller weapons, however, could be laboriously133 made at once on the island, and fitted to the Skid and the plane to equip them for dealing134 with any attack that might be expected within the next few months.
Careful scrutiny135 proved that the invention was capable of doing all that was claimed for it. The discussion passed on to the detailed136 problems of constructing the weapon. But at this point, apparently137, Shên Kuo interposed, and urged that the project should be abandoned. He pointed out that it would absorb the whole energy of the colony, and that the great spiritual task would have to be shelved, at any rate for a very long time. “Any resistance on our part,” he said, “would bring the whole force of the inferior species against us, and there would be no peace till we had conquered the world. That would take a long time. We are young, and we should have to spend the most critical years of our lives in warfare138. When we had finished the great slaughter139, should we be any longer fit mentally for our real work, for the founding of a finer species, and for worship? No! We should be ruined, hopelessly distorted in spirit. Violent practical undertakings140 would have blotted141 out for ever such insight as we have now gained into the true purpose of life. Perhaps if we were all thirty years older we should be sufficiently142 mature to pass through a decade of warfare without becoming too impoverished143, spiritually, for our real work. But as things are, surely the wise course is to forego the weapon, and make up our minds to fulfil as much as possible of our accepted spiritual task of worship before we are destroyed.”
I could tell by merely watching the faces of the islanders that they were now in the throes of a conflict of wills such as they had never before experienced. The issue was not merely one of life and death; it was one of fundamental principle. When Shên Kuo had done, there was a clamour of protest and argument, much of which was actually vocal144; for the islanders were deeply moved. It was soon agreed that the decision should be postponed145 for a day. Meanwhile there must be a solemn meeting in the meeting-room, and all hearts must be deeply searched in a most earnest effort to reach mental accord and the right decision. The meeting was silent. It lasted for many hours. When it was over I learned that all, including Ng–Gunko and John himself, had accepted with conviction and with gladness the views of Shên Kuo.
The weeks passed. Telepathic observation informed us that, when the second cruiser had left us, considerable amnesia and other mental derangements had occurred among those of the crew who had landed on the island. The Commander’s report was incoherent and incredible. Like the first Commander, he was disgraced. The Foreign Offices of the world, through their secret services, ferreted out as much as possible of this latest incident. They did not form anything like an accurate idea of events, but they procured146 shreds147 of truth embroidered148 with fantastic exaggeration. There was a general feeling that something more was at stake than a diplomatic coup149, and the discomfiture150 of the British Government. Something weird151, something quite beyond reckoning was going on on that remote island. Three ships had been sent away with their crews in mental confusion. The islanders, besides being physically152 eccentric and morally perverse153, seemed to have powers which in an earlier age would have been called diabolic. In a vague subconscious154 way Homo sapiens began to realize that his supremacy155 was challenged.
The Commander of the second cruiser had informed his Government that the islanders were of many nationalities. The Government, feeling itself to be in an extremely delicate position in which a false step might expose it as guilty of murdering children, yet feeling that the situation must be dealt with firmly and speedily before the Communists could make capital out of it, decided to ask other Powers to co-operate and share responsibility.
Meanwhile the Soviet vessel had left Vladivostok and was already in the South Seas. Late one afternoon we sighted her, a small trading-vessel of unobtrusive appearance. She dropped anchor and displayed the Red Flag, with its golden device.
The Captain, a grey-haired man in a peasant blouse, who seemed to me to be still inwardly watching the agony of the Civil War, brought us a flattering message from Moscow. We were invited to migrate to Russian territory, where, we were assured, we should be left free to manage our colony as we wished. We should be immune from persecution156 by the Capitalist Powers on account of our Communism and our sexual customs. While he was delivering himself of this speech, slowly, but in excellent English, a woman who was apparently one of his officers was making friendly advances to Sambo, who had crawled toward her to examine her boots. She smiled, and whispered a few endearments157. When the Captain had finished, Sambo looked up at the woman and remarked. “Comrade, you have the wrong approach.” The Russians were taken aback, for Sambo was still in appearance an infant. “Yes,” said John, laughing, “Comrades, you have the wrong approach. Like you, we are Communists, but we are other things also. For you, Communism is the goal, but for us it is the beginning. For you the group is sacred, but for us it is only the pattern made up of individuals. Though we are Communists, we have reached beyond Communism to a new individualism. Our Communism is individualistic. In many ways we admire the achievements of the New Russia; but if we were to accept this offer we should very soon come into conflict with your Government. From our point of view it is better for our colony to be destroyed than to be enslaved by any alien Power.” At this point he began to speak in Russian, with great rapidity, sometimes turning to one or other of his companions for confirmation158 of his assertions. Once more the visitors were taken aback. They interjected remarks, they began arguing with each other. The discussion seemed to become heated.
Presently the whole company moved to the feeding terrace, where the visitors were given refreshments, and their psychological treatment was continued. As I cannot understand Russian I do not know what was said to them; but from their expressions I judged that they were greatly excited, and that, while some were roused to bewildered enthusiasm, others kept their heads so far as to recognize in these strange beings a real danger to their species and more particularly to the Revolution.
When the Russians departed, they were all thoroughly confused in mind. Subsequently, we learned from our telepathists that the Captain’s report to his Government had been so brief, self-contradictory and incredible, that he was relieved of his command on the score of insanity159.
News that the Russian expedition had occurred, and that it had left the islanders in possession, confirmed the worst fears of the Powers. Obviously, the island was an outpost of Communism. Probably it was now a highly fortified160 base for naval and aerial attack upon Australia and New Zealand. The British Foreign Office redoubled its efforts to persuade the Pacific Powers to take prompt action together.
Meanwhile the incoherent stories of the crew of the Russian vessel had caused a flutter in the Kremlin. It had been intended that when the islanders had been transported to Russian territory the story of their persecution by Britain should be published in the Soviet Press. But such was the mystery of the whole matter that the authorities were at a loss, and decided to prevent all reference to the island.
At this point they received a diplomatic note protesting against their interference in an affair which concerned Britain alone. The party in the Soviet Government which was anxious to prove to the world that Russia was a respectable Power now gained the upper hand. The Russian reply to Britain was a request for permission to take part in the proposed international expedition. With grim satisfaction Britain granted the request.
Telepathically the islanders watched the little fleet converging161 on it from Asia and America. Near Pitcairn Island the vessels162 assembled. A few days later we saw a tuft of smoke on the horizon, then another, and others. Six vessels came into view, all heading toward us. They displayed the ensigns of Britain, France, the United States, Holland, Japan, and Russia; in fact, “the Pacific Powers.” When the vessels had come to anchor, each dispatched a motor-launch, bearing its national flag in the stern.
The fleet of launches crowded into the harbour. John received the visitors on the quay. Homo superior faced the little mob of Homo sapiens, and it was immediately evident that Homo superior was indeed the better man. It had been intended to effect a prompt arrest of all the islanders, but an odd little hitch163 occurred. The Englishman, who was to be spokesman, appeared to have forgotten his part. He stammered164 a few incoherent words, then turned for help to his neighbour the Frenchman. There followed an anxious whispered discussion, the rest of the party crowding round the central couple. The islanders watched in silence. Presently the Englishman came to the fore2 again, and began to speak, rather breathlessly. “In the name of the Governments of the Pacif —” He stopped, frowning distractedly and staring at John. The Frenchman stepped forward, but John now intervened. “Gentlemen,” he said, pointing, “let us move over to the shady end of that terrace. Some of you have evidently been affected by the sun.” He turned and strode away, the little flock following him obediently.
On the terrace, wine and cigars appeared. The Frenchman was about to accept, when the Japanese cried, “Do not take. It is perhaps drugged.” The Frenchman paused, withdrew his hand and smiled deprecatingly at Marianne, who was offering the refreshments. She set the tray on the table.
The Englishman now found his tongue, and blurted165 out in a most unofficial manner, “We’ve come to arrest you all. You’ll be treated decently, of course, Better start packing at once.”
John regarded him in silence for a moment, then said affably, “But please tell us, what is our offence, and your authority?”
Once more the unfortunate man found that the power of coherent speech had left him. He stammered something about “The Pacific Powers” and “boys and girls on the loose,” then turned plaintively166 to his colleagues for help. Babel ensued, for every one attempted to explain, and no one could express himself. John waited. Presently he began speaking. “While you find your speech,” he said, “I will tell you about our colony.” He went on to give an account of the whole venture. I noticed that he said almost nothing about the biological uniqueness of the islanders. He affirmed only that they were sensitive and freakish creatures who wanted to live their own life. Then he drew a contrast between the tragic167 state of the world and the idyllic168 life of the islanders. It was a consummate169 piece of pleading, but I knew that it was really of much less importance than the telepathic influence to which the visitors were all the while being subjected. Some of them were obviously deeply moved. They had been raised to an unaccustomed clarity and poignancy170 of experience. All sorts of latent and long-inhibited impulses came to life in them. They looked at John and his companions with new eyes, and at one another also.
When John had finished, the Frenchman poured himself out some wine. Begging the others to fill their glasses and drink to the colony, he made a short but eloquent171 speech, declaring that he recognized in the spirit of these young people something truly noble, something, indeed, almost French. If his Government had known the facts, it would not have participated in this attempt to suppress the little society. He submitted to his colleagues that the right course was for them all to leave the island and communicate with their Governments.
The wine was circulated and accepted by all, save one. Throughout John’s speech the Japanese representative had remained unmoved. Probably he had not understood well enough to feel the full force of John’s eloquence172. Possibly, also, his Asiatic mind was not to be mastered telepathically by the same technique as that which applied173 to his colleagues. But the main source of his successful resistance, so John told me later, was almost certainly the influence of the terrible Hebridean infant, who, ever desiring to destroy John, had contrived174 to be telepathically present at this scene. I had seen John watching the Jap with an expression in which were blended amusement, anxiety and admiration175. This dapper but rather formidable little man now rose to his feet, and said, “Gentlemen, you have been tricked. This lad and his companions have strange powers which Europe does not understand. But we understand. I have felt them. I have fought against them. I have not been tricked. I can see that these are not boys and girls; they are devils. If they are left, some day they will destroy us. The world will be for them, not for us. Gentlemen, we must obey our orders. In the name of the Pacific Powers I— I——” Confusion seized him.
John intervened and said, almost threateningly, “Remember, any one of us that you try to arrest, dies.”
The Japanese, whose face was now a ghastly colour, completed his sentence, “I arrest you all.” He shouted a command in Japanese. A party of armed Japanese sailors stepped on to the terrace, The lieutenant in command of them approached John, who faced him with a stare of contempt and amusement, The man came to a stand a few yards from him. Nothing happened.
The Japanese Commander himself stepped forward to effect the arrest. Shah?n barred his way, saying, “You shall take me first.” The Jap seized him. Shah?n collapsed. The Jap looked down at him with horror, then stepped over him and moved toward John. But the other officers intervened. All began talking at once. After a while it was agreed that the islanders should be left in peace until the representatives of Homo sapiens had communicated with their Governments.
Our visitors left us. Next morning the Russian ship weighed anchor and sailed. One by one the others followed suit.
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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zigzags
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| n.锯齿形的线条、小径等( zigzag的名词复数 )v.弯弯曲曲地走路，曲折地前进( zigzag的第三人称单数 ) | |
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perplexed
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6
discrepancy
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| n.不同；不符；差异；矛盾 | |
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7
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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8
veered
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| v.（尤指交通工具）改变方向或路线( veer的过去式和过去分词 )；（指谈话内容、人的行为或观点）突然改变；（指风） （在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向）逐渐转向；风向顺时针转 | |
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9
funnel
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| n.漏斗；烟囱；v.汇集 | |
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10
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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11
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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12
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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13
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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14
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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15
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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16
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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17
gaped
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的过去式和过去分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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18
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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19
impromptu
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| adj.即席的，即兴的；adv.即兴的(地)，无准备的(地) | |
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20
survivor
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| n.生存者，残存者，幸存者 | |
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21
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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22
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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23
groomed
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| v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的过去式和过去分词 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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24
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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25
investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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26
feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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27
idiocy
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| n.愚蠢 | |
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28
camouflage
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| n./v.掩饰，伪装 | |
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29
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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30
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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31
quay
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| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
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32
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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33
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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34
troupe
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| n.剧团，戏班；杂技团；马戏团 | |
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35
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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36
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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37
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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38
juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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39
skid
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| v.打滑 n.滑向一侧；滑道 ，滑轨 | |
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40
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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41
plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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42
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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43
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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44
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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45
poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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46
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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47
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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48
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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49
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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50
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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51
avalanche
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| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
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52
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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53
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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54
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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55
apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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56
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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57
zestfully
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| adv.有辛辣味的； 有风趣的； 有风味的； 有滋味的 | |
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58
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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59
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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60
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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61
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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62
thwarted
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| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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63
exalting
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| a.令人激动的，令人喜悦的 | |
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64
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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65
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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66
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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67
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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68
relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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69
aesthetic
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| adj.美学的，审美的，有美感 | |
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70
juggling
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| n. 欺骗, 杂耍(=jugglery) adj. 欺骗的, 欺诈的 动词juggle的现在分词 | |
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71
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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72
pervading
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的现在分词 ) | |
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73
solitariness
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| n.隐居；单独 | |
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74
sanity
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| n.心智健全，神智正常，判断正确 | |
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75
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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76
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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77
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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78
hauteur
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| n.傲慢 | |
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79
equilibrium
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| n.平衡，均衡，相称，均势，平静 | |
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80
inoculation
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| n.接芽；预防接种 | |
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81
kindly
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|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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82
naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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83
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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84
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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85
susceptible
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|
| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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86
dabbled
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| v.涉猎( dabble的过去式和过去分词 )；涉足；浅尝；少量投资 | |
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87
discriminate
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| v.区别，辨别，区分；有区别地对待 | |
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88
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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89
annex
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| vt.兼并，吞并；n.附属建筑物 | |
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90
robin
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| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
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91
robins
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| n.知更鸟，鸫( robin的名词复数 )；（签名者不分先后，以避免受责的）圆形签名抗议书（或请愿书） | |
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92
orchards
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| （通常指围起来的）果园( orchard的名词复数 ) | |
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93
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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94
impervious
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| adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的 | |
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95
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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96
envisage
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| v.想象，设想，展望，正视 | |
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97
inhibited
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| a.拘谨的，拘束的 | |
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98
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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99
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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100
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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101
disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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102
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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103
amnesia
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| n.健忘症，健忘 | |
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104
upheaval
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| n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱 | |
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105
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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106
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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107
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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108
immoral
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| adj.不道德的，淫荡的，荒淫的，有伤风化的 | |
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109
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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110
Soviet
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| adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃 | |
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111
evacuate
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| v.遣送；搬空；抽出；排泄；大(小)便 | |
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112
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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113
entailed
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| 使…成为必要( entail的过去式和过去分词 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
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114
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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115
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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116
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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117
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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118
tars
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| 焦油，沥青，柏油( tar的名词复数 ) | |
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119
flustered
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| adj.慌张的；激动不安的v.使慌乱，使不安( fluster的过去式和过去分词) | |
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120
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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121
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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122
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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123
succumb
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| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
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124
persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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125
beckon
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| v.(以点头或打手势)向...示意，召唤 | |
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126
mentality
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| n.心理，思想，脑力 | |
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127
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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128
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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129
disintegration
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| n.分散，解体 | |
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130
annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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131
radius
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| n.半径，半径范围；有效航程，范围，界限 | |
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132
projector
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| n.投影机，放映机，幻灯机 | |
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133
laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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134
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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135
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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136
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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137
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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138
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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139
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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140
undertakings
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| 企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务 | |
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141
blotted
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| 涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 )； （用吸墨纸）吸干 | |
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142
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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143
impoverished
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| adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化 | |
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144
vocal
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| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
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145
postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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146
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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147
shreds
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| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
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148
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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149
coup
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| n.政变；突然而成功的行动 | |
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150
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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151
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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152
physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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153
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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154
subconscious
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| n./adj.潜意识(的)，下意识(的) | |
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155
supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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156
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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157
endearments
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| n.表示爱慕的话语，亲热的表示( endearment的名词复数 ) | |
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158
confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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159
insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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160
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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161
converging
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| adj.收敛[缩]的，会聚的，趋同的v.（线条、运动的物体等）会于一点( converge的现在分词 )；（趋于）相似或相同；人或车辆汇集；聚集 | |
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162
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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163
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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164
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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165
blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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166
plaintively
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| adv.悲哀地，哀怨地 | |
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167
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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168
idyllic
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| adj.质朴宜人的，田园风光的 | |
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169
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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170
poignancy
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| n.辛酸事，尖锐 | |
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171
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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172
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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173
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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174
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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175
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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