Chapter XXIII Curtain Call

EXPEDITION TO ALEXANDRAPOUR

Date: April-May 1901
Location: Terra Incognita and Dongolo
Situation: Postscript and Curtain Call

See: Chapter XXII Buried Alive posted 15 October 2012 here: http://generalpettygree.blogspot.com/2012/10/chapter-xxii-buried-alive.html

MAY 1901 POSTSCRIPT

Colonel Lawford's Final Narrative

"Expedition To Alexandrapour's story essentially concluded with my previous remarks entitled, Buried Alive. Our extraordinary adventures in Terra Incognita were very possibly the most remarkable experiences in human exploration. How could one honestly argue otherwise when learning the facts?"

"Recall the appearance of long extinct animals, near constant opposition by nature allied with intemperate humans and the singular discovery of Alexander The Great's amazing underground city. But that was not all. Now buried by an earthquake under millions of tons of stricken rock strata lies abundant treasure and an infernal energy device possessing incalculable and shocking destructive power. May it remain entombed, shattered and destroyed forever."

"Unfortunately we were unable to bring artifacts back. Our escape allowed us only the garments worn on the day of the earthquake. It will therefore be easy for scientists, authorities or anyone to abuse our story. They will cry: Impossible! No evidence! Liars! Charlatans! Others will dismiss us as as pitiful seekers of undeserved notoriety and riches. A pathetic carnival act."

"Of these criticisms I can only fall back upon my honour until another much more powerful expedition penetrates Terra Incognita. Then will my story achieve validation. Should I be called to take part in some capacity, my answer will be yes."

"Meanwhile, perhaps it will be useful for the reader to obtain a little more closure."

Lt. Col. Lawford: "Two earthquakes struck Alexandrapour. The first entombed us months before. Later a second momentarily opened an aperture. Countess Alexandra, Ranjin Singh and I hurriedly climbed to the surface."

Lawford: "We found ourselves upon a high ridge. Walking to the edge we were astounded to see an apparent rescue party. Providence surely."

Lawford: "It was Colonel Coote's Guide's Cavalry Regiment. They spotted and escorted us down onto the plain. After exchanging pleasantries, we were fed, given horses and immediately departed back to civilization. Colonel Coote's orders were to find survivors of my expedition, if any, and immediately return to our base at Dongolo without delay."

Lawford: "A near forced march brought us to the outskirts of Dongolo in early May."

Lawford: "Local dignitaries and the Britannian officer on duty at the north gate greeted us. He also brought impossibly superb news."

Col. Coote: "My dear Countess. I have the honour to say your Uncle Villainovich, thought dead in the attack on your camp at Alexandrapour has returned alive. He awaits you on the other side of the river."

Lawford: "Please recall dear reader there were three expeditions."

"#1: The Romanov Expedition led by Countess Alexandra and her Uncle, Colonel Villainovich. Terra Incognita dealt it terrible blows."

"#2: Mine which pursued the Romanovs to ascertain if Alexandrapour existed and discover its significance. I later learned more than half my party lay buried in Terra Incognita"

"#3: Professor Grenvilles in league with the mysterious Keepers of Alexandrapour to prevent its discovery. We believed it utterly destroyed. A survivor of a much earlier expedition, a Professor Sutherland, had apparently succumbed to becoming a Keeper as well."  

Lawford: "My batman Nazim and I took Alexandra to the river's edge. Captain Tumarkin (left) I knew escaped Terra Incognita. To his right was Colonel Villainovich thought dead. After escorting her across the river it only remained to report to our Consulate."

CURTAIN CALL

THE ANIMALS

Magnificent Lions


Saber Tooth Tigers

Great Elk

Gomphotheriums

Giant Temple Snake of Terra Incognita

Wooly Rhinocerouses'sssss

Our juvenile Mokele-mbembe.

  "One that stops the flow of rivers."

May still reside in the Congo and

was apparently seen in the Amazon in the previous century.

Pterosaurs (Some think they still reside in New Guinea)

Barmanu (Pathan word for Yeti)  

CURTAIN CALL

ALEXANDRAPOUR


Terran Alexandrapour


Subterranean Alexandrapour


Treasure Room and Alexander's Infernal Device


CURTAIN CALL

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS



Left to right: Colonel Boyle, Chargé d’affaires, Brigadier (ret.) Graham Day,
Mr. Albert Wyatt and Mr. Jitters.


Padre Michael


Romanov Consul-General Kuragin


Captain Tumarkin (left) and Colonel Count Ivan Villainovich


Professors Grenville and Sutherland


Hastooch (left) and Mogambo


Mr. Hitch (front left) and Sir Richard Stirling (front right)

AND OUR
CELEBRATED HEROES!!

Lt. Colonel James Lawford, 9th Bengal Lancers and commander of the Britannian Expedition To Alexandrapour. "It will be for future expeditions and generations to safely rediscover the secrets of the lost ancient city of Alexandrapour."

Countess Alexandra Elaina Volkanskaya, joint leader of The Romanov Expedition To Alexandrapour. "Ve' alone saw Alexandrapour's historic significance and its utterly dangerous secret. Current machinery needed to open a way into the underground city could do it with years of labor. However, I doubt Terra Incognita will allow it."

Nazim, 9th Bengal Lancers Sowar and Lawford's loyal batman. At the end Nazim brought the Guides Cavalry Regiment to the rescue. "Terra Incognita was a terrible and intoxicating region. I would appreciate the honour and opportunity to return but we are returning immediately to Britannia to report. Afterwards I would not be surprised by rest and a wedding in St. Petersburg."


CLOSING REMARKS

This is the end of Expedition To Alexandrapour. Thank you for your support, interest, enthusiasm, assistance and kind remarks. I especially want to sincerely thank my friends who donated collections, time and ideas to produce this Adventure Blog Story.

Please Applaud!
Chuck L. (Miniatures, terrain, ideas, support and table top battles)
Todd B.  (Miniatures, terrain and table top battles)
John B. (Animals and table top battles)
Randy F. (Character miniatures)
Der Alte Fritz Jim P. (Structures)
Earl K. (Miniatures)
The Terrain Guy in Texas (Table covering and river)
Edgar Rice Burroughs (Pellucidar series)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (The Lost World)

We may return to Terra Incognita someday.
I hope you will join me, if we do.

I am respectfully your Obedient Servant,
Bill Protz
6 January 2013

Remarks as always welcome below.
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