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passed through me when I realized that I was navigating these historic
waters。 The lifelong dreams that I never had dared hope to see fulfilled
were at last a realitybut under what forlorn circumstances！
Never could I return to my native land。 To the end of my days I must
remain in exile。 Yet even these thoughts failed to dampen my ardor。
My eyes scanned the waters。 To the north I could see the rockbound
coast of Cornwall。 Mine were the first American eyes to rest upon it for
more than two hundred years。 In vain； I searched for some sign of
ancient commerce that； if history is to be believed； must have dotted the
bosom of the Channel with white sails and blackened the heavens with the
smoke of countless funnels； but as far as eye could reach the tossing
waters of the Channel were empty and deserted。
Toward midnight the wind and sea abated； so that shortly after dawn I
determined to make inshore in an attempt to effect a landing； for we were
sadly in need of fresh water and food。
According to my observations； we were just off Ram Head； and it was
my intention to enter Plymouth Bay and visit Plymouth。 From my map it
appeared that this city lay back from the coast a short distance； and there
was another city given as Devonport； which appeared to lie at the mouth
of the river Tamar。
However； I knew that it would make little difference which city we
entered； as the English people were famed of old for their hospitality
toward visiting mariners。 As we approached the mouth of the bay I
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looked for the fishing craft which I expected to see emerging thus early in
the day for their labors。 But even after we rounded Ram Head and were
well within the waters of the bay I saw no vessel。 Neither was there buoy
nor light nor any other mark to show larger ships the channel； and I
wondered much at this。
The coast was densely overgrown； nor was any building or sign of
man apparent from the water。 Up the bay and into the River Tamar we
motored through a solitude as unbroken as that which rested upon the
waters of the Channel。 For all we could see； there was no indication that
man had ever set his foot upon this silent coast。
I was nonplused； and then； for the first time； there crept over me an
intuition of the truth。
Here was no sign of war。 As far as this portion of the Devon coast
was concerned； that seemed to have been over for many years； but neither
were there any people。 Yet I could not find it within myself to believe
that I should find no inhabitants in England。 Reasoning thus； I
discovered that it was improbable that a state of war still existed； and that
the people all had been drawn from this portion of England to some other；
where they might better defend themselves against an invader。
But what of their ancient coast defenses？ What was there here in
Plymouth Bay to prevent an enemy landing in force and marching where
they wished？ Nothing。 I could not believe that any enlightened
military nation； such as the ancient English are reputed to have been；
would have voluntarily so deserted an exposed coast and an excellent
harbor to the mercies of an enemy。
I found myself becoming more and more deeply involved in quandary。
The puzzle which confronted me I could not unravel。 We had landed；
and I now stood upon the spot where； according to my map； a large city
should rear its spires and chimneys。 There was nothing but rough；
broken ground covered densely with weeds and brambles； and tall； rank；
grass。
Had a city ever stood there； no sign of it remained。 The roughness
and unevenness of the ground suggested something of a great mass of
debris hidden by the accumulation of centuries of undergrowth。
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I drew the short cutlass with which both officers and men of the navy
are； as you know； armed out of courtesy to the traditions and memories of
the past； and with its point dug into the loam about the roots of the
vegetation growing at my feet。
The blade entered the soil for a matter of seven inches； when it struck
upon something stonelike。 Digging about the obstacle； I presently
loosened it； and when I had withdrawn it from its sepulcher I found the
thing to be an ancient brick of clay； baked in an oven。
Delcarte we had left in charge of the boat； but Snider and Taylor were
with me； and following my example； each engaged in the fascinating sport
of prospecting for antiques。 Each of us uncovered a great number of
these bricks； until we commenced to weary of the monotony of it； when
Snider suddenly gave an exclamation of excitement； and； as I turned to
look； he held up a human skull for my inspection。
I took it from him and examined it。 Directly in the center of the
forehead was a small round hole。 The gentleman had evidently come to
his end defending his country from an invader。
Snider again held aloft another trophy of the searcha metal spike and
some tarnished and corroded metal ornaments。 They had lain close beside
the skull。
With the point of his cutlass Snider scraped the dirt and verdigris from
the face of the larger ornament。
〃An inscription；〃 he said； and handed the thing to me。
They were the spike and ornaments of an ancient German helmet。
Before long we had uncovered many other indications that a great battle
had been fought upon the ground where we stood。 But I was then； and
still am； at loss to account for the presence of German soldiers upon the
English coast so far from London； which history suggests would have
been the natural goal of an invader。
I can only account for it by assuming that either England was
temporarily conquered by the Teutons； or that an invasion of so vast
proportions was undertaken that German troops were hurled upon the
England coast in huge numbers and that landings were necessarily effected
at many p