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

Chapter 132 The Mysterious Island (17)
Having obtained nitric acid, he added it to glycerin, which had previously been concentrated by vaporizing it in a bain-marine.In this way, he acquired several pints of old French liquid units without even needing refrigerant. 1 pint is 0.93 liters, and 1 pint is 0.568 liters in the UK.This light yellow oily liquid.

There is one last operation left.This operation was carried out by Cyrus Harding alone, and kept away from the "chimney", and kept a certain distance from everyone, because the last operation was a little careless and there was a risk of explosion.In the end, he easily brought back a small bottle of this liquid to his companions, as if he didn't care, and only said one sentence to them: "This is nitroglycerin!"

This is indeed a very terrible product, its explosive force may be ten times stronger than ordinary explosives, and it has caused many accidents!But having said that, since people managed to make it into explosives, that is, mix it with a solid substance, the safety of this terrible liquid has improved a lot, and it should be safe to use.This solid substance is clay or sugar, and it has many pores to absorb it.But at the time when we were operating on "Lincoln Island," explosives were unknown to the world.

"Is it this liquid that helps us blow up those rocks?" asked Pencroft incredulously.

The engineer replied: "Yes, my friend. The nitroglycerine is powerful, and the granite is extremely hard, so it must have greater resistance to explosion."

"When shall we see this delightful and surprising spectacle, Mr. Cyrus?"

The engineer replied: "It will be fine after we have dug a blast hole, and we can see it tomorrow."

Another day later, May 5, at dawn, the Demomen set out.They went to the sand spit, which formed the shore of Lake Grant, just five hundred feet from shore.The high ground of this place lies below the water of the lake, which is only stopped by a border of granite from its overfill.Obviously, as long as this border is blown, water will definitely flow out of this outlet, forming a stream.Once the creek reaches the sloping surface of the highlands, it pours down onto the beach.In this way, the water level of the lake will be lowered overall, and the drainage outlet we want to see will be exposed-this is the ultimate goal to be achieved.

The crux of the problem is to fry the border.Under the direction of the engineer, Pencroft began to chisel away the outer covering of granite with his pickaxe, with a deft and powerful movement that gave him the appearance of a skilled craftsman.The blasthole to be drilled starts from a horizontal ridge on the lake bank, and goes deep into the ground obliquely until it is obviously lower than the water surface of the lake.The blastholes so dug out, once the rocks are blasted, will be able to overflow quickly and in large quantities, so that the level of the lake can be lowered to a satisfactory level as desired.

This is a lot of work and time consuming.In order to achieve the huge effect envisioned by the engineer, he expected to use at least ten liters of nitroglycerin to explode.And Pencroft and Neb, alternately, worked hard and well, so that, by about four o'clock in the evening, the holes were dug out.

The rest of the work is naturally to ignite the explosive substance.Nitroglycerin is generally ignited with a thunderbolt detonator. Once the detonator explodes, it will trigger an explosion of nitroglycerin.It is true that a strong impact force is very much needed to trigger an explosion, not just ignite, but this kind of substance only burns and does not explode.

Cyrus Harding could certainly make a detonator, everyone believed it.Although he has no fulminate, since he has nitric acid at his disposal, he can easily obtain a substance similar to nitrocellulose.Press this substance into a cylindrical object, then insert it into nitroglycerin, and finally detonate it with a fuse, and it will definitely cause an explosion.

But Cyrus Harding knew that nitroglycerin had this property of exploding on impact.So he decided to use this attribute, even if he didn't succeed, it would be a big deal to use other methods.

There is another way, as long as a few drops of nitroglycerin are sprinkled on the hard rock surface, and then hit hard with a hammer, it can also cause an explosion.However, this is too dangerous.If the operator swings the hammer on the spot, the operator will definitely pay the price of his life for this action.Cyrus Harding thus conceived the idea of ​​fixing a peg over the hole, and fastening to it a few pounds of iron with vegetable fibers.Another plant fiber was pre-soaked in sulfur, one end was tied in the middle of the first, and the other end was pulled out of the ground several feet above the blasthole.Light the second fiber with fire and it will burn up to the point of contact with the first fiber.

The second fiber is thus ignited and burnt, so that the iron can be slammed onto the nitroglycerin.

After the device was installed as planned, the engineer directed his companions to leave the site, and then he carefully poured nitroglycerin into the hole until it was level with the hole, and sprinkled a few drops on the rock surface, and There was already a block of iron hanging from that rock.

Having completed this series of work, Cyrus Harding took the end of the sulphur-impregnated fiber, set it alight with his own hands, and hastened away from the scene, returning to stay with his companions in the chimney.

According to the assumption, the fibers were ignited within about 10 minutes. As expected, after 10 minutes, the sound of thunder exploded on the island.The sound was so loud that it was unimaginable, and it felt like the whole island was shaking with the thunder.A stone was blasted into the air in a flash, as if it had been ejected by a volcano.The vibration was transmitted with the air, and the whole island shook violently, even the rocks with the "chimney" shook.Although everyone was still two nautical miles away from the blast hole, they couldn't help being overturned to the ground.

They got up in a hurry, quickly boarded the high ground, and ran towards the direction of the explosion.There, the steep shores of the lake have been blasted away...

"Good! Good! Good!" Three consecutive applause came from their chests excitedly!The granite border was finally blasted open a big hole!A torrent constantly spilled out of it, the water was swift and frothy, flowed over the plateau, reached the ridge, and fell straight down from a height of 300 meters onto the sand!
magic hole
Although Cyrus Harding's plan was successful, he was as humble as ever, and showed no sign of elation, but remained thoughtful, his lips pressed together, his eyes fixed on the front, motionless. standing.Harbert danced with joy, Neb jumped up with joy, and Pencroft shook his head and said to himself: "It's amazing, our engineer, it's not easy!"

Nitroglycerin is really powerful.The gap that was blasted was very large, and the amount of water discharged from this large gap was at least three times that of the previous drain.So, not long after the explosion, the level of the lake dropped about two feet very quickly.

The companions hurried back to the "chimney" to take a pickaxe, a spear with an iron tip, a fiber rope, a piece of flint, and some tinder by the way, and returned to the rocky plateau.Loyal Top followed them all the time.

On the way, the sailor remembered what happened just now, and couldn't help saying to the engineer:

"Dear Mr. Cyrus, you must know, is it possible to blow up our island with this miraculous liquid?"

"That's for sure. As long as there is enough quantity, no matter it's an island, a continent, or even such a big earth, it can be blown up."

"In that case, can't you also use it to make ammunition for firearms?"

"That will not work, Pencroft, the explosive power of this substance is too great. But nitrocellulose or ordinary explosives can be easily made, and we have nitric acid, saltpeter, sulfur and coal. If we have guns All right."

The sailor replied: "Well! Well, it is so, Mr. Cyrus, if only we try! . . . "

Pencroft had insisted on striking the word "impossible" from the dictionary of "Lincoln Island."

After everyone came to "Looking Heights", they immediately walked to the sand spit of the lake. The former outfall was there. After a lot of discharge, the outfall must have been exposed and passable, and it may be It is already easy to see the layout inside the drain.

It didn't take long for everyone to come to the corner below the lake, and it was obvious at a glance that the goal everyone wanted had been achieved.

Above the surface of the lake, the drain they had worked so hard to find was exposed.The water had receded, and a narrow, steep slope was clearly visible leading to the drain.By visual inspection, the spout was about twenty feet wide and only two feet high.It's about the size of a gutter opening by the sidewalk, so it's not easy to get in.There was a way, however, for Neb and Pencroft picked up their pickaxes, and in less than an hour the opening had widened considerably, and was high enough for people to pass in and out of.

At this time, the engineer went over to check and found that the slope of the rock wall above the drain was between 35 and [-] degrees.Therefore, it is convenient for people to pass inside, and as long as the inclination does not increase, it is very easy to reach a place flush with the sea.It is quite possible that some wide cavern still exists in this granite plateau--it is very likely, and if so, it must be used.

The engineer stopped at the mouth of the cave to inspect it.

The sailor was in a hurry: "Mr. Cyrus, why don't we go forward quickly? You see, Top has already run ahead of us." He was very curious and anxious to venture into the narrow passage.

"All right," replied the Engineer. "But see. Neb, go and chop some sticks, the kind that have resin in them."

Neb and Harbert ran towards the shady shore of the lake, which was covered with many pines and other trees.Soon they came back with some sticks, twisted them up into torches, and set them ablaze with flint.At last Cyrus Harding took the lead, and they entered the gloomy tunnel, which had just been filled with water from the lake.

Contrary to expectations, the further you go, the wider the tunnel becomes.At first everyone had to bend over and walk, but now they can straighten up and walk forward.Due to long-term erosion, the granite wall is very smooth, and everyone needs to be careful to prevent falls.Therefore, everyone is like a mountain climber, and is connected by a long rope pulling each other.Fortunately, there are several raised granite rocks in front, like steps, so it is much safer to walk downhill.Illuminated by the torches, the small water droplets hanging from the rocks take on a beautiful iridescent color, much like the rock walls are covered with countless stalactites.The engineer examined the black granite carefully.It was found that the stone wall structure is tight, the texture is very fine, and there are no faults and cracks.It can be seen from this that the tunnel should have originated at the same time as the island, and was not formed by the impact of the lake water.Pluto is the king of Hades in Roman mythology.Rather than Neptune, the god of the sea in Roman mythology.I dug it with my own hands, and traces of volcanic eruptions can still be discerned on the rock wall. It seems that the erosion of the lake for such a long time has not been completely removed.

Exploring the depths of this highland, everyone walked very slowly, but also a little bit excited and excited.Because after all, they are the first people to come here to explore.No one spoke, but what was certain was that everyone's minds were spinning, and more than one of them was thinking that the cave might be occupied by some octopus or another giant cephalopod, and This cave is connected with the sea.Therefore, the expedition must be carried out carefully and not sloppily.

Walking first was Top, a clever dog who could be relied upon.Once there is a situation, it will definitely issue an alarm at the first time.

Cyrus still led the way.After leading the party a hundred feet along a rather winding road, he stopped and his companions caught up.An empty cave with a small diameter appeared in front of them, and water droplets fell from the vault.It can be seen that this is not formed through the seepage of the highland, but may be formed by the long-term turbulent water in the cave.Except for the slightly humid air, there is no other peculiar smell here.

Jardine Splane asked: "My dear Cyrus, how is it? This is a hidden and well-known hiding-place. But one cannot live here anyway."

The sailor asked, "Why can't people live there?"

"Because it's too small and dank and dark."

Pencroft replied: "Can't we make it bigger? We can go on digging it, and make more openings for ventilation and light!" He had absolute confidence in Cyrus, and he had long since ceased to doubt anything.

Said Cyrus Harding: "Let us go on, and go on with our surveys. Perhaps, down below, the wonders of nature will spare us the work."

Hubbert reminded: "Don't forget, we are only in a third of this highland."

Cyrus Harding replied: "It should be about one-third, because we have only gone down a hundred feet from the drain, and it is easy to go down another hundred feet from here. of……"

Just as he was talking, Neb interrupted his master and asked, "Where is Top?"

The big guys searched in the cave.The dog wasn't there.

"It may have gone on," said Pencroft.

Cyrus Harding replied: "Then we shall catch up."

They started walking again.Every few steps, engineers carefully watch those turns.Although there were many turns, he could easily see that the general direction of the tunnel was leading to the sea.

Everyone walked down another 50 meters, and suddenly, a sound from the depths of the plateau, as if from far away, attracted everyone's attention.So they held their breath and stopped to listen.At this time, the tunnel acted as a sounding tube, and the voice came through clearly.

Harbert cried: "It's Top!"

Pencroft replied: "Yes, it is our brave dog who barks."

Cyrus Harding said firmly: "We have iron-headed spears, as long as everyone is vigilant and moves forward bravely, there will be no problem!"

"It's getting interesting," Jardine Splane whispered to the sailor, who nodded yes.

Cyrus Harding rushed forward with his companions.They want to save the dog.Top's cry came closer and clearer.But its intermittent voice made people feel an unusual fury.Could it be that Top disturbed and fought a long-occupied animal?It may be said that all were now seized with irrepressible curiosity, and forgot the danger to which they were now exposed.Now, instead of walking step by step, they were involuntarily gliding along the stone wall--so to speak--on the stone wall.In a few minutes they had skied sixty feet and finally joined Top.

There the tunnel led to a wide, wide hole, and Top walked up and down in it, screaming wildly.Pencroft and Neb waved their torches, which illuminated the uneven surface of the granite, while Cyrus Harding, Jardin Splane, and Harbert held their spears at the ready. All unexpected events that will happen.The great cavern was empty, and all its parts were searched, but nothing was found, not a single animal, not even a living thing!But at this time, Top kept barking, stroking and yelling at it was of no avail.

Seeing this, the engineer said: "There may be an outlet somewhere, and the lake water should flow from there to the sea."

Pencroft replied: "It should be so, and we must watch our steps carefully, and don't fall into the hole."

Cyrus Harding said aloud: "Go, Top, go!"

Encouraged by his master, Top ran to the end of the cave.There it growled even more fiercely.

Everyone followed behind it.In the light of the torches, a wellhead actually appeared, in the granite.It is from here that the water enters the plateau, but this well is not an inclined, passable tunnel, but a vertical one, and it is impossible to explore it.

The torches were tilted over the mouth of the well, trying to illuminate the well.But in vain, nothing can be seen.Cyrus Harding drew a burning twig from the torch, and cast it into the abyss.Bright pine resin—its brightness seemed to increase as it fell rapidly—lit the interior of the well for a moment, but still nothing appeared.

Then, with a slight tremor, the flame went out.This means that it has reached the surface of the water, that is, the surface of the sea.

The engineer calculated from the time of the fall, and estimated the depth of the well to be about ninety feet.

Therefore, the floor of the cave is also located ninety feet above sea level.

Said Cyrus Harding: "This will be our dwelling."

Jardin Splane: "But it's being taken over by something we don't know about." He felt his intense curiosity was not being satisfied.

"Well, some creature, amphibian or otherwise, escaped by this exit anyway," replied the engineer, "and it has given us the place."

"Never mind," added the sailor. "A quarter of an hour ago I wished I had been Top, and knew what I had encountered. There must be a reason for its name."

Cyrus Harding looked at his fellow dog, and felt that it was always murmuring something, trying to tell people.

"Yes, I believe that Top knows more than we do, and knows the ins and outs of many things better!"

(End of this chapter)