The Argo Goes West

4, Giant boar hunting in Calydon, part 1

"There is superstition in science quite as much as there is superstition in theology,"

--Theodore Roosevelt "The Search for Truth in a Reverent Spirit"

"We got a cryptic telegram from San Francisco when the incident happened," Roosevelt told Dr. Jarrod.

"What did the telegram say?"

"It just said, 'The Heavens fall'."

"It means that the world of Greek mythology has appeared," Dr. Metford interrupted from the side.

"You mean heaven is Greek mythology?" asked Dr. Ostrow.

"Yes."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because most of the constellation names are derived from Greek mythology."

"I see, you're right. Aquarius, Gemini, Sagittarius. They're all Greek myths. But why?"

"Ptolemy. It was named by Ptolemy. After the spread of Christianity in the West, science declined, and Ptolemy, Aristotle, Archimedes, and Euclid were all forgotten. But in Egypt and the Arab world, their learning survived. And then it came back to the West in the Crusaders' expeditions."

After saying that, Dr. Metford regretted saying the wrong thing. Because it's like saying that Christianity is the enemy of science. Dr. Jarrod might have taken offense. He glanced at Dr. Jarrod, but remained expressionless. He didn't know if Dr. Jarrod was being generous, or if he didn't care about science at all.

"I hear San Francisco has a lot of earthquakes," Dr. Jarrod asked, looking straight in Roosevelt's face. "Isn't there another earthquake this time?"

"Exactly," Roosevelt nodded.

"Then we must hurry."

"Why?"

"In the Book of Revelation it is written: 'And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind."

Roosevelt's face turned pale. "Has the 6th seal been opened? What will happen if the 7th seal is opened with this?"

Dr. Jarrod replied with a grim face.

"The world will be destroyed. We must stop it at all costs."

When Roosevelt returns to his office after the meeting, his secretary, Miss Craig, is waiting for him.She is 5 feet 8 inches tall and wears heels, making her almost as tall as Roosevelt. Wearing broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted Edwardian cotton suits, she looked exactly like Gibson girl.

Her personality is tough and picky. In addition, she was obsessed with cleanliness.

"The Pullman Company has contacted me," said Miss Craig.

"What's their answer?"

"They understand that this is the greatest national crisis since the founding of the United States, and they will spare no effort in cooperating."

"Good."

Roosevelt nodded approvingly. At first, he heard, The Pullman Company was reluctant to cooperate. Miss Craig must have persuaded them tenaciously. No, maybe they raised the white flag because of Miss Craig's persistence. In any case, it is reassuring that President Lincoln's son said so.