.

To-day, when the nations are gathered about the statue over-looking
the arena in which the hero fought, does it not seem permissible to
add to the legend the embellishment of a reality which will not
misrepresent it? And, if it is found that this reality trenches too
closely upon the man's private life, need we object?

It was in Simon Dubosc that the western spirit first became conscious
of itself and it is the whole man that belongs to history.

CONTENTS

PART THE FIRST

CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE SUIT 13
II. THE CROSSING 32
III. GOOD-BYE SIMON 54
IV. THE GREAT UPHEAVAL 71
V. VIRGIN SOIL 85
VI. TRIUMPH 98
VII. LYNX-EYE 120
VIII. ON THE WAR-PATH 143

PART THE SECOND

I. INSIDE THE WRECK 169
II. ALONG THE CABLE 189
III. SIDE BY SIDE 209
IV. THE BATTLE 223
V. THE CHIEF'S REWARD 242
VI. HELL ON EARTH 265
VII. THE FIGHT FOR THE GOLD 282
VIII. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES 301

PART THE FIRST

The Tremendous Event

CHAPTER I

THE SUIT

"Oh, but this is terrible!" cried Simon Dubosc. "Edward, just listen!"

And the young Frenchman, drawing his friend away from the tables
arranged in little groups on the terraces of the club-house, showed
him, in the late edition of the _Argus_, which a motorcyclist had just
brought to the New Golf Club, this telegram, printed in heavy type:

"BOULOGNE, _20 May_.--The master and crew of a
fishing-vessel which has returned to harbour declare
that this morning, at a spot mid-way between the
French and English coasts, they saw a large steamer
lifted up by a gigantic waterspout. After standing on
end with her whole length out of the water, she
pitched forward and disappeared in the space of a few
seconds.

"Such violent eddies followed and the sea, until