The Mysterious Island Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 117 The Mysterious Island (2)
After about half an hour, the balloon was only one nautical mile away from the land.However, this "injured" balloon was exhausted, and the airbag became wrinkled, with several large creases, and only a little hydrogen remained in the upper part.The five passengers were obviously too heavy for the balloon at this moment, and they clung to the net rope tightly.However, soon the huge waves beat them, and half of their bodies were already submerged in the sea water.At this time, the airbag becomes a shriveled bag, and the wind pours into the bag, pushing forward like a boat with the wind.Perhaps, this can also be docked.

The shore was close at hand, and suddenly the passengers let out a terrible cry.The balloon was slapped violently by the waves, and with a sudden bounce, as if to lose weight again, rose again to a height of fifteen hundred feet.In the air, the balloon encounters an air vortex, which causes the balloon to travel in parallel.Finally, 2 minutes later, the balloon reached the shore and landed on the beach, temporarily escaping the impact of the waves.

Passengers helped each other to get rid of the net rope.The balloon lost a lot of weight, as if the injured seabird regained its vitality for a short time and disappeared into the air with the wind.

There were originally five passengers and a dog in the hanging basket, but there were only four on the shore.Apparently, a passenger was swept away by the waves just now.It is estimated that this is also the case. The balloon suddenly loses weight before it can rise.

These four passengers, we shall call wrecks, had hardly come ashore when they discovered that one of their companions was missing, and they all cried out:
"We've got to get him! He's probably swimming to shore! Let's go!"

flee in haste

The few passengers who managed to get ashore were neither professional hot air balloon pilots nor amateur players, and wanted to explore in the sky.They are prisoners of war, and they are also brave people who escape under special circumstances.There must have been a hundred chances that this deflated balloon would have thrown them into the bottomless abyss.However, God still left them and let them experience a more peculiar fate.General Grant's troops besieged Richmond, Virginia's capital, which was an important base for the Separatists during the Civil War.The passengers had been in the air for five days since they fled on March 3.

Under what circumstances did they escape?It will help us to understand the catastrophe by recalling their escape now.

It was February, 1865, and General Grant made several raids to capture Richmond.None were successful, but in one raid several officers were captured by the enemy.They were held in the city, and the most eminent of these prisoners was Cyrus Harding of the Federal Staff.

Cyrus Harding was an engineer and a scholar of the first rank.During the Civil War, the strategic role of the railway was particularly important. He was appointed by the federal government to lead the work of the railway.Cyrus Harding was from Massachusetts, a true North American.He looked 45 years old, with gray hair and beard, and a bony appearance, but his strong muscles showed his physical characteristics.His head shape is beautiful, just like the heads of people on the currency. With his bright eyes and tight lips, he looks like a scholar with fighting spirit.Like those generals who are willing to start as ordinary soldiers, Cyrus is the kind of engineer who is willing to do it himself, with a pickaxe and hammer.It can be seen that he is not only creative, but also extremely skillful.He is both a doer and a thinker. His strong energy and perseverance give him the determination and energy to overcome all difficulties.He has the kind of leadership that overcomes bad luck and gets out of adversity, which means that he has three characteristics: vigorous mental and physical vitality, strong desire, and strong perseverance.This can be described by a motto: he will act without hope, and he will persevere even if he deviates from success.This is enough to show that he not only has the ability to control himself, but also the leadership ability to determine others.

Not only that, but Cyrus Harding has one outstanding characteristic, that is, he is brave and fearless.In this war he defected to General Grant and participated in all the campaigns.In battle, he took the lead and fought bravely. He answered the general's question in this way: "I never count the dead!" It was just that the fate of death stayed away from him until he was wounded and taken prisoner during the raid on Richmond.

Jardine Splane fell to the Confederates on the same day that Cyrus was captured.He is not a member of Congress, but he is also an important person.Splane was an army correspondent for the New York Herald, covering the Union campaign.Newspapers like the "New York Herald" have formed their own real power, and the reporters they send are not ordinary people.Jardine Splane was one of the first-rate reporters, a man of distinction and distinction.He was 40 years old, tall and well built, with blond whiskers.It can be seen from his strong body that he is like steel and has been tempered in various ways.He has traveled the world and been on the battlefield.In this war, he participated in all the battles.On the battlefield, he held a gun in one hand and a pen in the other, and the hail of bullets did not affect the flow of his reports from the tip of the pen in the slightest.It can be said that he is both a soldier and an artist.Each of his reports is concise and clear, never full of nonsense like others.It was him who sent a two-hour telegram to the newspaper office after the "Heihe Incident", which cost a total of two thousand dollars. The details of the battle he reported were like the first two chapters of the "Bible", so the newspaper published Understand and master the battle situation at the first time.

Jardine Splane is definitely a true hero.He is good at digging new things, always has a strong curiosity about the unknown, and is willing to do things that cannot be done.He is always passionate when he has an idea, but he is not afraid of danger and resolute when he acts.He wants to know everything, his quiet eyes are piercing, and his eyes move quickly, he can quickly sort out the clues in complicated things and observe the details.In this regard, it is not so much for the newspaper, as it is for his own curious character.He writes in the heat of battle, writing his columns like a fearless bystander.For such a man, every danger is an opportunity.

So, for a decade, Jardin Splane was the New York Herald's pre-eminent reporter, writing columns and accompanying them with his own sketches, his pencil as deft as his pen.At the moment of his capture, he wrote this report in his notebook: "A Confederate man is pointing a gun at me..." Spline was not shot, and, as usual, he Not even scratched the skin.

Cyrus Harding and Jardine Sprine had each heard the other's name, but had never met.This time the two were held together in Richmond, and the injured engineer recovered quickly, and while recovering, he met the reporter himself.The two admired each other very much.Soon, they jointly set a goal to escape, return to General Grant's troops, and continue to fight for the unity of the Federation.

It was not easy to escape, and the two of them were free to move around in Richmond.But the city is so heavily defended that even if they took advantage of every opportunity, it seemed unlikely.

It was in this dilemma that Cyrus Harding was approached.This person is none other than his faithful servant, named Nabujo Donosol, but he prefers to be called "Nab" by others, only in this way, he is willing to agree.Neb was a Negro, born in Engineer's Land, to slave parents, but Cyrus Harding was an abolitionist, so he had freed them long ago.Although Neb was free, he was also an indomitable person, unwilling to leave his master.He loves his master and is even willing to sacrifice his life for his master.Neb is 30 years old, calm and gentle.But he was also smart and quick, strong and always smiling.He has a kind heart and is always eager to help others. Everyone likes him.

Neb, who was still in Massachusetts when the engineer was taken prisoner, set out for the gates of Richmond as soon as he heard that his master had been taken prisoner.He cleverly used tricks and sneaked into the city at the risk of his life.When their master and servant met, their excitement was uncontrollable.However, even if Neb could enter the city, it would be even more difficult to escape.Only if there is a special opportunity can they plan to escape, but such an opportunity has not appeared, even finding such an opportunity is not easy.

At the same time, General Grant's army was still fighting tenaciously.Victory at the Battle of Pittsburgh has come at a huge price.However, the attack on Richmond was still fruitless, and it is still unknown when the prisoners of war will be released.Life as a prisoner of war left the curious reporter with nothing interesting to write about, which made it impossible for him to stay any longer.He has only one thought now: run, get out of Richmond at all costs!He has tried several times, but because some obstacles cannot be overcome, he failed in the end, so he had no choice but to give up.

Richmond was still under siege, and the prisoners were not the only ones eager to flee.Some people in the Confederate faction were also eager to leave Richmond. Under the siege of the Northern Army, the chief of the military government in Richmond had already lost contact with General Lee.Now for these besieged people, the most important thing is to get in touch with the reinforcements, inform them of the situation in the city, and speed up the reinforcement operations.Among these anxious besieged, there was a man named Foster. In order to get out of the city, he thought of an idea, which was to take a hot air balloon, cross the siege, and reach General Lee's headquarters.His chief agreed to adopt this method, and soon, a hydrogen balloon was ready to take Foster and his five companions at any time.In the hanging basket of the hot air balloon, they prepared some food in case of emergency, and some weapons in case someone attacked when they landed.

The balloon was scheduled to set sail on the night of March 3, when the wind was moderate northwesterly and suitable for navigation.The balloon pilot and five passengers planned to be at Lee's camp within a few hours.However, the problem lies in this northwest wind, which does not look like an ordinary breeze. From the day of the 18th, it can be judged that it is transforming into a hurricane.Sure enough, not long after, the storm followed and tended to expand.Foster and his companions did not want to risk their lives in the hurricane, so they postponed the departure time until the storm calmed down temporarily.

The inflated balloons are parked on the Richmond Plaza.People were anxiously waiting, but after March 3 and 18, the storm remained the same.This makes people worry, let alone set off, the balloons tied to the ground will be swept away by the strong wind that wipes the ground, and it may be difficult to keep the balloons.Another night passed, and during the daytime of March 19, the hurricane intensified and it seemed hopeless to start.

On the same day, Sailor Pencroft was walking on a street in Richmond. He looked to be between thirty-five and forty years old, and his dark skin showed his strong physique.His eyes are firm and piercing, but his attitude is very easy-going.He came to Richmond for business at the beginning of the year, but missed the opportunity to leave the city before the siege, and is now also trapped in Richmond.Now, his biggest idea is to escape from the city.This sailor is a daring person. He is from North America. He has been to all the seas on the earth and experienced many strange things.He also had a companion, a 35-year-old boy named Harbert Brown, from New Jersey, the son of a sea captain, but unfortunately his parents had passed away, and he was now an orphan.Pencroft regarded him as his own son and loved him very much.

In the street the sailor met the engineer Cyrus Harding, of whom he had long known.It was also clear to Pencroft that the engineer was as anxious to get out of town as he was.So, on this very day, they met, and the sailor came forward to chat with the engineer.The sailor's words hit the point and were very frank.He asked the engineer:

"Mr. Smith, is Richmond unbearable to you?"

The engineer heard this, and looked intently at the man before him, when the sailor added:
"Do you want to get out of here?"

"When?" The engineer responded quickly and blurted out.Though they were strangers to each other, the engineer judged with sharp eyes that the sailor was a brave and decent man.

"Who are you?" asked the engineer, in a harsh tone.

Pencroft briefly introduced himself.

"Have you any good means of escape?" asked the engineer.

"The balloon on the square, if you stay there, it will be blown away by the storm at some point. It seems to be waiting for us!"

The engineer understood it as soon as he heard it, and the sailor didn't need to say much. The two had a very good understanding.They came together to Cyrus Harding's house.The sailor explained the detailed plan. In fact, the plan itself is very simple, which is to escape in a hot air balloon.It's just that you need to risk your life in the process. After all, the violent hurricane is terrible.With Cyrus' ingenuity and courage, he had no problem piloting the balloon.This was why Pencroft had sought him out, for if the sailor himself knew how to pilot a balloon, he would have set off already.The sailor had seen a lot, and the storm was nothing to him.However, he must take Huber with him.

Cyrus Harding's eyes twinkled as he heard the sailor tell of his plans, but he said nothing.He knew that the opportunity had come.Although this plan is a bit risky, it is completely feasible.Wait until night, avoid the guards, find a chance to get into the hanging basket, and cut the rope holding the balloon.Of course, there are still risks. If found, they may be killed.However, it is also very likely to succeed, thanks to this storm. If it were not for the storm, the balloon would have set off long ago, and the opportunity they had been waiting for would not have appeared.Engineers are not the type to pass up opportunities easily.

"I must take others!" said Cyrus Harding to the sailor.

"How many people are you going to take with you?" asked the sailor.

"My friend Spline and servant Neb."

"Then there are three on your side, and with Hubbert and I, five in total. But the balloon has to carry six."

"Enough is enough. Let us act!" said Cyrus Harding.

"Okay, see you tonight! The five of us went to the square separately, pretending to be curious about the balloon." The sailor replied.

"Well, ten o'clock to-night, I hope the storm won't die down before we go, God bless!" said the engineer.

After the discussion between the two, Pencroft said goodbye to the engineer and returned to his residence.Harbert Brown was anxiously awaiting his return.Although Harbert was still a child, he was very brave. He knew the sailor's plan, and he also knew that the sailor was going to discuss with the engineer. He waited anxiously.The reporter and Neb heard of the plan, and neither of them was one to hold back, they were in favor of it.The reporter was also surprised why such a simple plan did not occur to him.Speaking of Naboo, he has always followed his master, and he will follow his master wherever he goes.It is clear that the five people who are going to set off tonight will be exposed to the hurricane, and they are fearless in the face of the terrible storm and the danger to their lives that comes with it.

The storm continues and the hurricane shows no sign of stopping.The weather had been dreadful all day, and Foster and his companions certainly wouldn't risk their lives by setting off in a balloon.The engineer was not worried now that the storm would die suddenly, but that the balloon, fixed to the ground, would be blown over by the wind, and if it were torn apart by the hurricane, the plan would be ruined.Engineers wandered around the square for hours, which was almost empty at this time.He stared at the balloon.Pencroft, with his hands in his pockets, yawned occasionally, and looked like a man who has nothing to do to pass the time.In fact, the sailor's heart is the same as that of the engineer, worrying that the balloon will be torn apart by the hurricane, or the rope will be blown off, and the balloon will fly into the air.

The night finally came, the night was extremely gloomy, the sky was covered with sleet, and the thick fog was like clouds, passing over the ground, and the whole city seemed to be under the thick fog.Such a violent storm seemed to put the two sides in a state of truce, and the loud sound of the hurricane made the cannons willing to remain silent.In such inclement weather it became unnecessary to guard the square.All the conditions are very conducive to escape, but this gust of wind inevitably puts the voyage in unknown danger.

"Damn the wind!" said the wind, which almost blew Pencroft's hat off.He put his hand over his hat and said to himself: "But we will overcome it!"

The clock pointed to 09:30, and Cyrus Harding and his companions were on camera in the square.At this time, the square was confined to darkness, and the gas lamps were blown out by the wind.The five companions met at the hanging basket, and in the darkness, they couldn't see each other clearly.Of course there was no balloon to be seen, it had been completely blown to the ground by the hurricane.The net rope is tied with bags of heavy objects. There is a strong net rope at the hanging basket, one end goes through the iron ring built on the ground, and the other end fixes the hanging basket.

Without speaking a word, the men climbed into the basket, and Pencroft, as directed by the engineer, untied the sacks of weight.He quickly completed this task and came to the hanging basket.The balloon was now held by only a cable, which, at the word of Cyrus Harding, could be untied and set off.

At this moment, a dog jumped into the hanging basket. It was the engineer's pet dog named Top.It turned out that Top broke his chains and came after his master.Cyrus Harding, apprehensive of being overweight, reassured Top, and tried to send him home.

(End of this chapter)