So it proved. With much dignity but in simple words she repeated the assertion made to her the day before. Then she turned to Paul and regarding him with steady eyes she asked:
“What nation, in the world you know so well, is more ancient than that of the Tcha?”
He smiled, bowing low before her.
“I do not know how old the Tcha may be,” he said.
She motioned to an important looking fellow who rose and answered:
“The Tcha nation has existed seven thousand, four hundred and nineteen years, each year being composed of three hundred and sixty five days.”[3]
“Then,” said Allerton, readily, “I am sure you lead all nations in point of age. But have you existed in this mountain hollow all that time?”
“No. Our race came from Atlantis four thousand and eighty-five years ago, and established itself here and at the north. The cities erected elsewhere were in time all destroyed. Only this branch of the Tcha, owing to our methods of seclusion and our wise laws, exists to this day.”
Allerton bowed in acknowledgment and turned to Ama again.
“Has any other race you know been able to harness the electric currents of nature, and make them furnish power and light?” she demanded.