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

Chapter 165 The Mysterious Island (50)
"Come on," said Pencroft, "the pirates don't seem to have been here yet. The tall grass is better for snakes, and we shall find them in the Far West Woods."

"That's great. If they found the 'Lucky', they would have escaped by boat long ago, so we wouldn't be able to go to Tabor Island." Hubbert added.

"Yes," said the reporter, "it seems necessary to send them a paper to let them know the location of 'Lincoln Island' and Ayrton's new location, in case the Scottish yacht comes to fetch him."

"Well, isn't the 'Lucky' still there, Mr. Splain!" said the sailor, "and she and her crew are ready to go at the first signal!"

"Well, Pencroft, come and do it as soon as we've finished our survey here. Anyway, the stranger--if we can find him--is probably well acquainted with 'Lincoln Island' and Tabor Don't forget, he wrote that document, which is beyond reproach. Moreover, he probably knew about the return of the yacht.

"Damn it!" cried Pencroft. "Who is that man? He knows us, and we don't know him! If he was a common victim, why should he hide? We are all good and good." People like us are not to be hated by anyone! Did he come here voluntarily? Can he leave the island if he wants to? Is he still on the island? Or has he gone?  … "

Chatting and chatting, Pencroft, Harbert, and Jardin Spurrier all boarded the "Lucky", and they scanned the deck.After inspecting the stake to which the anchor line was tied, suddenly the sailor cried out: "Ah! No way? This is too much!"

"What's the matter, Pencroft?" asked the reporter.

"I didn't make this knot!"

Pencroft pointed to a rope which fastened the hawser to the stub--a measure against slipping anchor.

"What, you didn't tie the knot?" asked Jardine Splane.

"No! I swear to God, it's a flat knot, and I'm used to a half-knot, an easy knot."

"You may be mistaken, Pencroft."

"I will never make a mistake!" said the sailor decisively. "My hand is used to half-knotting, and my hand will never make a mistake!"

"So it's possible that the criminals have been here?" Hubbert asked.

"How can I know," replied Pencroft, "that the 'Lucky' has weighed anchor, and then dropped anchor again! Look here for a new proof. The anchor's cable was Loose, its attachment is a kind of coarse cloth used to wrap the anchor cable to keep it from fraying in the fairlead. It has passed through the dead fairlead. I repeat to you, someone must use Pass our boat!"

"Assuming the criminals used it, then they would have snatched it, or gotten away with it..."

"Escape? . . . to where? . . . to Tabor Island? . . . " retorted Pencroft, "will they risk their lives in a ship of so little tonnage?
"However, I have to admit that they know that island." The reporter replied.

"Anyway, it's as true as I am Pencroft, the lucky sailor of the Vineyard! The 'Lucky' has been at sea in our absence."

The sailor was so sure that Jardine Splane and Harbert were not allowed to argue.It was evident that the boat must have been moved after Pencroft drove it back to Balloon Harbor.The sailors were [-] percent sure that someone had pulled the anchor and then let it down again.If the boat is not out to sea, why do you have to operate it back and forth?
"It's strange, why didn't we see the 'Lucky' passing by off the coast of the island?" The reporter asked again, insisting on raising all possible objections.

"Alas, Mr. Splane," replied the sailor, "you'll be out of sight of the island in about two hours, if you just set off at night when the wind blows hard!"

"Well," Jardine Splane asked again, "then I ask again, why do the criminals use the boats? Why send them back after they've been used?"

"Hey, Mr. Splane," replied the sailor, "don't think about it any more, and let us put this among the unexplained! The most important thing is that the 'Lucky' is now intact Here it is. If the criminals drive it away again, it probably won't be here!"

"Or, Pencroft," said Herbert, "is it not a prudent course for you to steer the 'Lucky' back to Granite Palace?"

"Yes, and no," said Pencroft, "probably no. The mouth of the 'Grateful' is not a good place to park a boat, and the wind and waves are very strong there."

"How about staying on the beach, at the foot of the 'chimney'?..."

"Then perhaps... could be..." replied Pencroft. "Anyway, we are leaving Granite House for a longer expedition, and I think the Luck will stop here while we go. Safer. Best to keep it here until we clear the island of pirates."

"I agree with that opinion," said the reporter, "in case the weather turns bad, it won't be in danger like it was at the mouth of the Thanksgiving River."

"But what if the criminals come here again?" Hubbert said.

"Well, lad," said Pencroft, "if they can't find a boat here, they'll soon look for it at Granite House. Anyway, there's nothing to prevent them from taking it away while we're away." Ship snatched! So I, like Spline, leave it at 'Balloon Harbor'. When we get back, if we haven't cleared the island of those villains, we'll have to be careful and put our The ship is sailing back to Granite Palace, and I will make another plan in case there is any more annoying disturbance."

The reporter said: "Okay, that's it, let's go!"

On their return to Granite Palace, Pencroft, Harbert, and Jardine Splane told the engineer what they had seen.Engineers also approve of their approach.He also promised to study with the sailors the part of the strait between the island and the coast, to see if it was possible to dam an artificial harbor there.In this way, the "Lucky" will always be parked beside the immigrants, and it can be locked up if necessary.

In the evening they telegraphed to Ayrton to bring two goats, whom Neb wanted to acclimate to Prospect Heights.Curiously, Ayrton did not answer the telegram as usual.This worried the engineers very much.It is also possible that Ayrton is not at the Corral now, perhaps on his way back to Granite Palace.Isn't it true that he has been away for two days, and he was originally scheduled to return on the evening of the 10th or at the latest on the morning of the 11th.

The settlers look forward to Ayrton's presence on "Prospect Heights."Neb and Harbert even waited by the bridge all night.As soon as his companion showed up, they would lower the drawbridge to let him in.

But, nearly ten o'clock in the evening, there was still no news from Ayrton.It was then thought that another telegram should be sent, and Ayrton was asked to reply immediately.

But the telegraph bell at Granite Palace remained silent.

This makes immigrants very anxious.Is something wrong?Isn't Ayrton at the corral, or is he still there but deprived of freedom of movement?Should they go to the Corral in the dark of night?

We briefly discussed.Some thought it advisable to go and see, others wanted to stay and wait for Ayrton's return.

"But," said Herbert, "couldn't the telegraph be out of order?"

"It's also possible," the reporter said.

"Or to-morrow. It is possible that Ayrton did not receive our telegram, or that we did not receive his."

It is understandable that everyone felt a little anxious during the long wait.

Just after dawn—that is, the morning of November 11—Cyrus Harding sent another telegram, but again received no reply.

He had to resend it again: but the result was the same, no response at all.

"Come on, go to the Corral!" he said.

"Arms must be brought!" said Pencroft.

So it was decided that, since Granite Palace was to be defended, Neb would stay.After sending his companions all the way across the Glycerine, he pulled up the drawbridge, and then hid behind a tree until they or Ayrton returned.

Should pirates come and attempt to cross the drawbridge, he would shoot to stop them as much as possible, and finally he would retreat into Granite Palace.Once the lift is hoisted, it means he is safe.

Cyrus Harding, Jardin Splane, Harbert, and Pencroft would go straight to the Corral, and if there was no sign of Ayrton there, they would search the surrounding woods.

At six o'clock, the engineer and his three companions crossed the "Glycerin River", and Neb was waiting on the left bank of the creek behind the small mound surrounded by several tall dragon's blood trees.

Leaving Prospect Heights, the settlers immediately set foot on the road to the Corral.They held their guns flat so that they could fire in time if they encountered a hostile situation.The two carbines and the two rifles were already fully loaded.

On both sides of the road, there are dense bushes, where the enemy can easily hide.If they still hold weapons, the situation is really not optimistic.

The immigrants hurried on their feet, but they were silent.Top walked in the front, sometimes running on the road, sometimes making a sudden turn under the tree, but he never made a sound, as if he hadn't sensed anything unusual.It can be believed that the faithful Top will not be caught, as long as there is any sign of danger, it will immediately bark.

While walking, Cyrus Harding and his companions were checking along the wires that connected the "corral" with the "Granite House."After traveling about two nautical miles, they did not find any breaks or damage.

The previous poles were in good condition, the insulators were undamaged, and the wires were still neatly stretched.However, starting from this point, the engineer found that the wires were not so tight, and finally, in front of the No.70 four poles, Hubbert, who was walking in front, stopped and shouted: "The wires are really broken! "

Hearing the shout, the companions quickened their pace and gathered where the young man had stopped.

They saw that the power pole had fallen and lay across the road.In this way, the broken part of the wire is also found.Evidently, the Corral had not received the telegram from Granite Palace, and it was impossible for Granite Palace to have received the telegram from the Corral.

"The wind didn't blow the pole down," said Pencroft.

"That's right," replied Jardine Splane, "the soil under the pole was dug up, and it was pulled up."

"Also, the wire is broken," added Hubbert, showing them the ends of the wire, which had been snapped with force.

"Is the fracture new or old?" asked Cyrus Harding.

"It's new," replied Hubbert. "The break must have taken place some time ago."

"Go to the corral! Go to the corral!" urged the sailor.

The emigrants were now halfway between Granite Palace and the Corral.There was still two and a half nautical miles to go.So they decided to run to the "corral".

Indeed, they were very concerned about whether significant changes had occurred on the "corral" side.Ayrton may have sent a telegram, but it was not sent, and this was not a cause for anxiety for his companions. The most worrying thing was that Ayrton had promised to come back last night, but he did not come back.In short, the interruption of the connection between "The Corral" and "Granite House" was by no means accidental.Who else but criminals would do that?

The immigrants ran excitedly, their mood could not be calm at all.They genuinely loved their new companion.Would they find out that he was being tortured, and would it be his former servants who beat him?

They soon came to the point where the road led off by a branch of the Red River, from which the pastures of the corral were irrigated.So they had to slow down to avoid being out of breath when they had to fight.The safety of the gun has been opened, and it is ready to fire at any time.Each monitors an area of ​​the forest.At last Top let out a few low growls, which was not a good sign.

Through the trees, the settlers could finally see the fenced pasture.No signs of damage were found.The door was closed as usual, and there was silence in the "corral", neither the usual bleating of the blue sheep, nor the voice of Ayrton.

"We must go in and see!" said Cyrus Harding to them all.

So the engineer walked over.Meanwhile his companions stood on the lookout twenty paces from him, ready to fire at any moment.

Cyrus Harding lifted the inner bolt of the door, and just as he was about to open the door, Top cried out wildly.Then there was a gunshot above the fence, followed by a scream.

A bullet hit Harbert and he fell to the ground!
hubbert injured

Hearing the sound of Harbert falling, Pencroft dropped his weapon, and rushed towards him.

"They killed him!" he cried. "My boy! They killed my boy!"

Cyrus Harding and Jardine Splane also rushed towards Harbert.The reporter checked carefully to see if the poor child's heart was still beating.

"He's alive," he said, "we've got to transport him to..."

"Shipping back to 'Granite Palace'? That's impossible!" replied the engineer.

"Then quickly carry it into the corral!" Pencroft said anxiously.

"Just a moment," said Cyrus Harding.

He rushed to the left of the corral and skirted the fence.There, he saw that a criminal had aimed at him and shot him in the hat.Before the second shot could be fired, the criminal fell.This was because Cyrus Harding's dagger had struck him in the heart.There is nothing to say about this saber technique, it is more accurate than his marksmanship.Immediately the criminal fell to the ground.

In the meantime Jardine Splane and the sailor had climbed to the corner of the fence.They stepped over the top of the fence, jumped into the fence, pulled the bar of the inner door, and ran into the empty house.Soon poor Harbert was lying in Ayrton's bed.

Then Cyrus Harding came by his side.

It pained the sailor to see his child so lifeless.He whimpered and cried and banged his head against the wall.Engineers and journalists could not calm him down, and indeed they themselves were too distressed to speak.

But they did their best to snatch the poor, seemingly dying child from death.Fortunately, Jardine Splane, who has been through the hardships, has a little common sense of ordinary medicine.He is a know-it-all and knows a little about everything.And, in the various situations he encountered, he may have also treated knife wounds or gunshot wounds.With the help of Cyrus Harding, he gave urgent medical attention to Harbert.

First of all, what shocked the reporter was his whole body's stiffness, and he completely lost consciousness.There are two reasons for this situation, the first is because of excessive blood loss; the second is because of concussion.For example, being hit by a bullet to the bone with considerable force caused a violent shock.

Hubbert's face was very pale, and his pulse was extremely weak.It took a long time for Jardin Splane to feel the faint beating, which seemed to stop at any moment.At this time, his sensory consciousness has almost completely disappeared.These symptoms indicate that the situation is very serious and not optimistic.

Herbert's chest was bared, and the bleeding had been stopped with a handkerchief so that the wound could be washed with cold water.A gunshot wound, or rather a gunshot wound showing.There is an oval hole between his third and fourth ribs.This is where Harbert was shot.

Cyrus Harding and Jardine Splane turned the poor boy over.He groaned in pain.The faint voice almost made people think it was his dying sigh.

Another gunshot wound had reddened Hubbert's back, which is where the bullet had exited.

"Thank God!" The reporter breathed a sigh of relief. "The bullet did not remain in the body, and we don't have to take it out anymore."

"Is there something wrong with your heart? . . . " asked Cyrus Harding.

"No, otherwise Hubbert will surely die!"

"Ah? Certainly death!" cried Pencroft, with a mournful growl.

The anxious sailor was so focused on the child's safety that he only heard the last few words spoken by the reporter, but not this sentence.

"Come on, Pencroft," replied Cyrus Harding, "he is not dead. His pulse is beating! He uttered a moan just now. Now, for your child's health, please Be quiet. We need calm. Don't be overwhelmed, my friend."

Pencroft was immediately quiet, but his heart was still filled with grief, and great tears rolled down his cheeks.

At this time, Jardine Splane tried his best to recall his past experience, and at the same time he was carrying out the treatment in an orderly manner.After careful inspection, he was sure that the bullet had entered through the chest and exited through the back.But what damage did the bullet do as it passed through the body?Were any organs hit?I'm afraid it's hard for even a professional surgeon to judge clearly at this moment, let alone he is a reporter?

Of course, there is one thing he knows clearly: the wound must be prevented from being inflamed to cause blood blockage, and then the high fever caused by the local wound and inflammation must be treated.This cannot be underestimated, it may be fatal!Which topical medication should I use?What anti-inflammatory agent?How can we not cause inflammation?
Right now, the most important thing is to bandage those two wounds as soon as possible.Jardine Splane thought there was no need to wash them with warm water, and to press the edges of the wound to drain the blood.He had bled profusely, and Hubbert was too weak from the loss of blood.

So the reporter decided to just wash the two wounds with cold water.

They turned Hubbert to his left side and kept that position.

"Don't let him move," Jardin Splane said. "This position is the best for the back and chest wounds to drain pus, and he needs to be completely rested."

"What! Can't we send him back to Granite House?" asked Pencroft.

"Not now, Pencroft," said the reporter, looking at him.

"Damn it!" cried the sailor, angrily, waving his fists at the sky.

(End of this chapter)