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

Chapter 16 Captain Grant's Children (16)
"My dear major, it is the Luchaga, the Luchaga, an epic poem in praise of the expeditions of the Portuguese navigators. Ah!" replied Paganel, "what a beautiful epic it is, and still..."

"Luchago!" exclaimed Sir Glenarvan.

"Yes, my friends, there is no doubt that this is the famous poet Cammons Cammons (1525-1580), a famous Portuguese poet. Lucha's song!"

"Commens," repeated Sir Glenarvan emphatically, "how unfortunate you are, my scholarly friend! This Cummens is a poet of Portugal! So, in the past six weeks, you have learned It's actually in Portuguese!"

"Ah! Cummens-Luchago-Portuguese!..." Paganel was once again stunned, too surprised to speak.The eyes under the thick glasses stared like gold stars, and there was a burst of laughter in the ears.At this moment, all the traveling companions came together and surrounded him.

The Patagonian was still standing there, feeling baffled when he saw this scene. He didn't understand what happened, but just waited patiently.

"My God! What a fool I am! What a stupid and crazy madman!" Paganel finally regained his composure, and said, "What the hell is going on! How can I make such a joke? I Will you do such a thing? It’s so stupid! This is the real version of the Tower of Babel, a story in the Bible. It is said that the descendants of Noah wanted to build a tower of Babel. But The act offended God, and punished them by making them use various languages, so that they could not communicate, so that the Tower of Babel could not be built. Stories! Ah, my friends! Friends! My whole heart I wanted to go to India, but I headed for Chile! I was trying to learn Spanish, but I learned Portuguese! What the hell, it's a disgrace! If it keeps going like this, maybe one day, I will throw a Cigarette butts, maybe I will throw myself out!"

The companions couldn't help laughing when they saw Paganel complaining about himself in this way and seeing his embarrassment.But the scholar himself laughed first:
"Laugh as much as you like, my friends!" he laughed. "Laugh as much as you can! Laugh as hard as you can! I think I'm ridiculous!"

After finishing speaking, he laughed wildly to himself "haha!"To tell the truth, academics are very serious and never smile, Paganel is really a unique exception.

"Laughing is enough, but we don't have an interpreter this time!" the major interrupted.

"Ah! Don't worry," Paganel said confidently again. "Actually, Spanish and Portuguese are very similar, so I made a mistake by accident! Now, I just need to switch slightly." One click and you'll be learning Spanish. I guarantee you won't be able to thank him in Spanish anytime soon!"

Paganel was indeed not boasting.After a while, he was really able to converse a few words with this Patagonian, and knew that his name was Tarcaf, which means "sharpshooter" in the local Aroganian language.Naturally, Tarcaf earned this reputation for his good marksmanship.

Sir Glenarvan felt most fortunate to know that Tarcaf had been working as a guide for tourists traveling on the steppe.This is really a godsend opportunity!This coincidence is really lucky.Sir thought, with God's help, this trip will be a success!Finding Captain Granger is naturally very sure!After that, everyone invited the Patagonians to be their guides, and they went back to Robert Jr. together.Robert Jr. thanked his savior very much, and stretched out his arms to Takaf to hug him. Takaf didn't say a word, but stroked his forehead with his hand, then carefully checked Robert Jr.'s physical condition, and pinched him. That arm that still hurts.After that, he ran to the river with a smile on his face and pulled out a few handfuls of wild celery.Scrub and massage all over his body with these vegetables.His massage movements were so delicate that Little Robert gradually regained his strength.Looking at the situation, after a few hours of rest, the spirit will definitely recover completely!

For the recovery of Robert Jr., everyone unanimously decided to stay in the temporary tent that night.But the embarrassing situation at this time is that the dry food they brought is gone, and the mule used as a means of transportation is gone.Fortunately, Takafu, a good tour guide in the local grassland, can provide travelers with everything they need for travel here!Tarcafe was so enthusiastic that he offered to take the jazz to the Indian Market, not four feet from here, where everything needed for the trip could be bought.He expressed this suggestion in Spanish, with gestures and signs, which Paganel finally understood and conveyed to Sir Glenarvan.The lord and his scholar friends were very much in agreement, so they bid farewell to their companions for a while, and walked up the river bank with Tarcaf.

Tarcaf walked so fast that the jazz and the scholar could barely keep up with strides, and hurried on for half an hour.On the way, travelers also saw that the Andes area is fertile and the scenery is beautiful.Luscious green pastures are next to each other, and the lush grass is enough to feed [-] cattle and sheep.Inserted in the pasture is a pond full of ditches and stars, and black-headed swans play happily on the water surface.Flickering and hopping among the vines are myriads of ostriches of all kinds, their chirping noises resounding across the sky.There is also a kind of turtledove called "Ithaca", whose feathers are light gray with some white stripes on it, and its appearance is very lovely.Like the yellow warbler, they like to perch on the branches.Looking at it suddenly, it looks like blossoming flowers full of branches.Under the blue sky, groups of wild pigeons fly by in groups, and there are countless sparrows, flapping their small wings, chasing each other.The sky is full of their chirping calls, it is really a lively and lively picture of nature!
Scholar Paganel admired it as he walked, and from time to time he gave a sound of admiration.In this regard, the local Patagonian - Tarcaf was a little surprised.Because in his opinion, birds flying in the blue sky, the shadow of swans on the water, and the green grassland are the most common things, so there is nothing to be surprised about!This beautiful scenery made Paganel feel very comfortable, and he walked very energetically, his steps were very brisk, and he didn't feel tired!It didn't take long for the travelers to see the tents set up by the Indians!

This Indian market is located in the depths of a gourd valley, surrounded by high mountains on both sides.These sheds were built with tree branches, and more than 30 Indians lived under them.The environment of the grassland determines that they are mainly nomadic, relying on raising a large group of cows, horses and sheep for a living.

These Indians are actually the mixed descendants of Baihuanshi, Aroganians and Okas.From the appearance, it can be seen that their skin is brown and black, their bodies are strong, their foreheads are relatively low, their cheekbones are high, their faces are round, and their lips are relatively thin. Although their expressions are relatively indifferent, there is a kind of feminine elegance.Sir Glenarvan was not interested in these alien people, only cared about getting food and livestock in their hands.

With Tarcaf in charge, the deal was done quickly.In this transaction, Sir Glenarvan bought a total of seven Argentine ponies with complete saddles and bridles, a hundred catties of dried meat, some rice, and several leather buckets that could hold water.These Indians originally hoped that the buyer, Sir Glenarvan, would use wine and rum to do business; but the Sir did not, and could only reach a deal at the price of 20 taels of gold.The value of this gold is also very clear to the Indians.Sir Glenarvan wanted to buy another horse for Tarcalf to ride, but Tarcalf made it clear that he didn't need it.

After buying something, Sir Glenarvan and Paganel said goodbye to the suppliers in the market and rode back.After half an hour, they returned to the temporary tent.As soon as the three came back, everyone cheered.Ser Glenarvan knew that the companions were happier with the provisions and horses they had brought.The sumptuous food made all the travelers in Jazz's party have a full meal.The weak little Robert also ate some more or less, and now his physical strength has basically recovered.

Everyone spent the rest of the day resting.Everyone chattered together, chatted heartily, and talked about everything and everyone.Including the beloved Mrs. Helen of the "Duncan", Miss Grant, Captain John Mengel, and other crew members.Everyone is still chatting, maybe Captain Harry Grant is not far from here!
The only exception was Paganel, who did not participate in everyone's chats, and stayed with Tarcaf inseparably.He felt so excited now that he could meet a real Patagonian!This scholar also felt that compared with him, he was simply a dwarf!He even thinks that this Patagonian--Takaf is as good as the ancient Roman emperor Maxim and the blacks that the famous scholar Burok met in the African Congo!Because both of these guys are eight feet tall!The venerable scholar also took every opportunity to chat in Spanish with the mighty Tarcaf.Tarcaf, a big man, can actually control his temper and listen to the other party's blunt Spanish.This time Paganel was learning Spanish, let alone learning it from a book. Judging by his appearance, he practiced really vigorously and seriously!
"If you still think that the intonation of my Spanish pronunciation is not correct, then you really can't blame me!" I want a Patagonian to be my Spanish teacher!"

阿根廷

On the next morning, that is, at eight o'clock in the morning on October 10, Tarcaf led the Jazz and his team to set off.The country of Argentina is within the range of 22° and 22° south latitude, and the terrain is slowly sloping from east to west.The walking route of the jazz caravan is from west to east, walking along the slope to the seaside.

Ser Glenarvan thought he was going on foot when Tarcaf said he had no horses at yesterday's fair.I also thought that his physical strength and strong physique could be used as a car on foot.But then, the Jazz realized it was a misunderstanding.

When they were about to set off, Tarcaf blew a long whistle. At this time, a tall Argentine horse galloped from the direction of the forest, apparently hearing the call of its master.The traveling companions also saw that this horse was brown-red, and they knew at a glance that it was an outstanding thoroughbred horse.On the slender neck, the shoulder blades stand tall, the four feet are broad and slightly bent, the nose wings are wide open, and the eyes are shining. It is indeed a good, vigorous and brave horse.Tarcaf called this horse "Taojia", which means "flying bird" in Patagonian, and it seems that it can also be called this title!Major McNabbs, a horse expert, praised this horse and said that it could be compared with the British treasure colt "Hunting Horse".

When Takafu leaped onto the horse, "Taojia" jumped up.Tarcaf, who is riding on a horse, is heroic and heroic. He is equipped with the equipment that a Patagonian rider should have. It seems that he is indeed a reputable and good rider!Look at his rider's equipment. First, there are two hunting tools for hunters on the Argentine grasslands: "running and pulling" and "pull rope". "Paola" is three balls connected by a leather strip, which can be hung in front of the saddle.In order to strike the tracking beast or enemy, the Indians throw arrows at it from a hundred steps away, and they often hit a hundred shots; "Lasso" is a weapon that is waved in the hand, and it is a rope made of two leather thongs. It's a slipknot on a hoop.The Indian held it and never let it go; in use, the right hand threw the slipknot, and the left hand held the rope, which end was fastened securely to the saddle.In addition to carrying these two powerful weapons, Tarcaf also carried a carbine on his back.

Everyone praised Tarcaf for his resolute, mighty and heroic demeanor.These praises did not make Tarcaf feel elated, he was not proud, he only cared about leading the team.When everyone set off on horseback, Tarcaf sometimes galloped and sometimes walked slowly, but never trotted, as if his Argentine horse could not trot.The youngest, Robert Jr., rode the horse calmly and freely, like a very skilled rider.Seeing this, Sir Glenarvan was also relieved.

The terrain of the Andes Mountains, behind the highland rocks, is a grassland with endless plains.This steppe is divided into three zones, extending for 250 miles from the Andes, which may be called the first zone.This one is a strip of stunted trees and shrubs; the second is about 450 miles wide, and this carpet of grass extends to a distance of 180 miles from Buenos Aires; The three zones are densely covered with Atractylodes macrocephala and alfalfa.

Jazz and his party had just walked out of the high mountain area in this area, and what appeared in front of them were clusters of sand dunes.These sand dunes are called "Ecstasy Road" by the locals.Because when they encounter a little wind, they are like the waves of the sea, moving with the wind; these sands are sometimes scattered in the wind like light smoke; .The sight is both good and bad for travelers.The advantage is that you can see these floating sand smoke columns over the plain.These pillars of smoke separate and combine, gather and disperse, rise and fall, fluctuate, and disperse chaotically in the air, which makes people feel very interesting.But for a long time, travelers also know that these sands are annoying.Because these sands are very fine, if they are blown into the eyes by the wind, they will squint their eyes; no matter how tightly the eyes are closed, the sand will get in.

On the day the jazz traveled, the sky was blowing with a northerly wind, and the sand was flying all over the sky.The sand rolled up all over the sky did not stop Jazz and his party from moving forward.They are still non-stop, speeding up.At six o'clock in the afternoon, it was forty feet away from Highland Rock.The mountains were left behind them, only a shadow lost in the evening mist.

The travelers on horseback were weary by now, and were glad to see that it was time for the night's rest.They "set up camp" by the Neiwukang River.The Neukang River, which appears in front of the passengers, flows between the naked cliffs.The water of the river was muddied.This river, people call it "Lami River" or "Como River".The source of the river is probably in a lake that the Indians don't know the location of.

There was nothing to describe the night.On the second day, the passengers set off again.The road is smooth and spacious, and the journey is smooth.When it was almost noon, the originally comfortable climate became hot.Towards evening, in the southwest direction of the sky, there was a streak of red clouds.This means that the climate is about to change.This guide Tarcaf knows astronomy from the top and geography from the bottom.Pointing to the western skyline, he said to geographer Paganel that the weather is going to change, which is absolutely true!
"Well, I know that!" After Paganel replied, he said to his traveling companion: "It seems that the 'Northern Fall' will come, and the weather will change drastically!"

This scholar also knew that everyone didn't know what "running to the north and falling" was, so he explained eloquently that it was actually the northwest wind that often blows on the Argentine plains.When the wind blows, the air is particularly dry.This statement is indeed true. On this night, the weather was not good, and "Pen Bei Luo" roared and appeared.These travelers with only one layer of "canopy" are really going to be hit by the storm.In the wind, the horses were kneeling and lying on the ground, and the people were lying close to the horses and lying beside them; Sir Glenarvan was the most anxious, worried that the storm would not stop and affect the progress of the journey, Delayed time to the beach.But the scholar Paganel was as if nothing had happened. He looked at the barometer and said in relief, don't worry, the storm won't last long.

"Don't worry, it's fine!" Paganel explained, "It stands to reason that when the temperature drops, this 'Flying to the North' will blow wildly for three days, and when the wind blows, it will also bring wind and rain for three days." Storm. But now the mercury column on the barometer shows that the wind will not be too strong, and it will be fine in a few hours at most. So everyone, rest assured, when the sun comes out at dawn, the weather will be the same as today, It's sunny and sunny."

"Mr. Paganel, what you said is so good, well-founded, like a big encyclopedia!" Sir Glenarvan admired.

"I am a living encyclopedia!" said Paganel, "you can read my profound book to your heart's content!"

This Paganel's statement is really true.At one o'clock in the morning, the wind stopped at once, and the travelers were able to sleep comfortably.On the second day, everyone is full of energy and glows with youthful vitality.The one with the most energy was Paganel, who kept stretching his arms and kicking his legs, and kept pinching his knuckles, looking happy and at ease.

(End of this chapter)