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

Chapter 169 The Mysterious Island (54)
Night came, and it might well be the last of the brave, kind, and wise boy.For his age, he is so good, everyone loves him and treats him as their own son!But such an excellent child is destined to die, because the only medicine that can cure this terrible falciparum malaria, the only special medicine that can save this young man, cannot be found on "Lincoln Island"!

On the night of December 12, Hubbert was completely out of his mind.His liver was horribly congested, his brain was infected, and by this time he couldn't recognize anyone.

By the third attack, he was certain to die.Will he still live till tomorrow?I'm afraid it's impossible.His physical strength was exhausted, and between seizures, he lay there quietly as if dead.

At three o'clock in the morning, Harbert let out a terrible scream.He writhed violently, as if in an extreme spasm.Neb, who was guarding him at that time, was terrified by this sight, and rushed to the next room, while his companions were all watching the night there!

At this moment, Top cried out inexplicably...

They rushed into the house and held the dying child in time as he nearly rolled out of the bed, and Jardine Splane felt his pulse quicken as he seized his arm.

At five o'clock in the morning, the bright sun began to shine into the rooms of "Granite Palace".The sun was shining and the morning breeze was blowing. It would be a fine day, and for poor Harbert it would be the last of his life! ...

A ray of warm sunlight hit the table beside the bed...

Pencroft suddenly pointed to something lying on the table and uttered an exclamation.

On the table was a small rectangular box with the following words written on the label on the lid:
Quinine sulfate
Survey "Lincoln Island"

Jardine Splane picked up the box, opened it, and saw that it contained about two hundred grains of white powder.He tasted a little and found that the substance was extremely bitter, so there was no doubt that it was the precious quinine—an alkaloid—extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree, a potent antimalarial drug.

There was no longer any delay, and Hubbert had to swallow the powder quickly.As for how it came about, this issue may wish to be discussed later.

"Get some coffee," Jardin Splane demanded.

Soon, Neb brought a cup of warm coffee.Jardine Splane poured about eighteen grains of quinine into it, and made Hubbert drink the concoction, which had a good antipyretic effect.

It is still too late to take the medicine, because the third attack of falciparum malaria has not yet begun!
Or one could add: it probably won't start!

I have to say one more thing, now everyone is full of hope for the future.When everyone was about to despair, that mysterious power played a role again, and he brought hope to everyone at the most important moment!

Hours later, Hubbert fell peacefully asleep.Immigrants brought up the topic again.This time, the stranger's assistance was more evident than ever.But how did he get into Granite Palace at night?It's kind of weird.In fact, the actions of the "Defender of the Island" are as mysterious as the man himself.

On this day, the residents took good care of Hubbert, giving him quinine sulfate every three hours on average.

On the second day, Hubbert's condition improved somewhat.Of course, he hasn't recovered yet. This kind of intermittent fever is easy to relapse frequently, and once it recurs, it is very dangerous.But Harbert was well looked after by his friends.What's more, they have special medicine in their hands, and the person who delivered the medicine should be nearby!Finally, everyone saw hope in their eyes again.

This time they were not disappointed.Ten days later, on December 12, Hubbert finally entered rehab.He no longer had a fever, but was still weak, and the inhabitants put him on a strict diet.Besides, the boy was very obedient and voluntarily obeyed all the regulations designed to help him recover!How he longed to be healed, to be healthy!
Pencroft was overjoyed, as if he had been lifted up from the abyss.As soon as the third bout of malaria was over, he hugged the reporter so tightly that he could hardly breathe.From that moment on he called him Dr. Splain.

However, the real doctor has not been found yet.

"We'll find him!" repeated the sailor.

Of course, whoever that kind guardian is, he'll have to be ready for a warm embrace from the noble Pencroft!

As December drew to a close, 1867 came to an end, and it must be said that it was a difficult year, and the settlers on "Lincoln Island" had a severe test. 1868 started and the weather was pretty good.Although it was sunny and hot in the tropics, fortunately the sea breeze brought some coolness.Harbert's strength was recovering little by little, and his bed was placed by the window, from which he could breathe freely the wholesome, salty, moist air which was essential to his recovery. Very good.He also started to eat in small amounts, and Naboo specially prepared a lot of delicious side dishes for him, which were both light and delicious!

"So much goodness, it makes one want to have malaria!" joked Pencroft.

During this time the convicts were not once near Granite House.And there is no news from Ayrton.Though the engineer and Harbert had hoped to find him, their companions thought the unfortunate man dead.However, these questions will soon be answered.As soon as the young man recovers, the survey work of the immigrants will begin, and the results of this survey will be very important.But they still have to wait patiently for about a month.Because, to subdue criminals, immigrants must go all out.

The situation is getting better and better, Hubbert's physical condition has improved significantly, the congestion of the liver has disappeared, and the wound has basically healed.

Throughout January, the immigrants mainly worked on "Prospect Heights". They had to salvage what could be salvaged from the destroyed harvest, either wheat or vegetables.The seeds and seedlings are harvested so they can be replanted for a harvest in spring and autumn.There was less rush to rebuild the buildings, mills, and barns of the poultry farm.Cyrus Harding intended to wait some time.Because when his companions went to hunt down those criminals, those people might sneak in and wreak havoc on "Looking Heights" again, and they shouldn't be given a second chance to do sabotage.Wait until those criminals are completely removed from the island, and then consider rebuilding their homes.

In the middle and late January, the recovering young man has already started to get out of bed.At first it was one hour a day, then two hours, three hours.His physique has always been so strong, I believe his physical strength will recover quickly.He is talented and tall, and he is likely to become a man of noble character and appearance in the future.Since then, his body has basically recovered.Although he still needs some rest, Dr. Splain is very strict with him on this point.

Towards the end of the month, Hubbert was able to walk around Prospect Heights and the beach.He even took several baths in the sea, in the company of Neb and Pencroft, the salty waters being the best for him.This circumstance gave Cyrus Harding an optimism that from now on the day of departure could be considered, which was finally fixed on the 2th of February.At this time of year, the nights are clear, which is good for island-wide searches.

Now the immigrants are starting to prepare for this survey, and this work is very important, because the immigrants have sworn that they will never return to the "Granite Palace" unless they complete the two goals.First, they want to wipe out the gangsters completely and find poor partner Ayrton, if he is still alive, of course;

The immigrants are already very familiar with the entire east coast of "Lincoln Island". This part of the area includes the east coast between "Claw Point" and "Jawbone Point", the wide "Crown Duck Marsh" and "Grant Lake". Surroundings, the Central and South American forests between the "Corral" Road and the "Grateful River", the "Grateful River" and "Red River" basins, and finally the mountain branch of "Franklin Peak", where the "Corral" was built the area.

Other places, though less thoroughly, have been surveyed, namely, the "Washington Inlet" from "Claw Point" to "Snaketail Point", the forest and marsh edges of the west coast, and those stretches as far as Shark Bay. The half-open mouth of the dunes.

However, there is still a large wooded area that has not been surveyed at all. This area includes the entire right bank of the "Serpentine Peninsula", the "Grateful River", the left bank of the "Cascade River", and the east, west, and north branches of the "Franklin" foothills. And the walls of the valley, where there must be many hidden hiding places.Thus, there are thousands of acres of unexplored land on the island.

They therefore drew up a survey plan, and the settlers would go through the forests of the Far West, and conduct a thorough exploration of the whole area on the right bank of the "Grateful River".

Another idea is to go to the "corral" first, because the criminals may have gone to hide there again, either for looting items, or chose to set up camp there.However, there are only two possibilities now: first, the destruction of the "corral" by the criminals has already become a fait accompli, and it is too late to stop it at this time; second, the criminals are still standing there, if this is the case , then it would be too late for them to go to the "corral" after they surveyed the complete island.

Therefore, after discussion, the first option is still maintained.The settlers decided to go through the woods to "Snaketail Point".They will clear the way with axes in hand, and thus cut a road, which will run from Granite House to the end of the peninsula, about sixteen or seventeen miles in length.

The cart was intact.After the wild donkeys are fully rested and fed enough forage, they will be able to go on an expedition together.Food, camping utensils, portable cooking utensils, various living utensils, weapons and ammunition were all loaded into the car.The weapons and ammunition carried are all selected from the already complete arsenal of the "Granite Palace".But it must not be forgotten that criminals are likely to haunt the woods, and in that dense forest, it is very easy to bluff.Therefore, this small army of immigrants must maintain a tight formation, and no matter what the reason is, they must not disperse.

It was also decided that there would be no one left at Granite House.Even Top and Jup joined the expedition. The "Granite Palace" is completely inaccessible to outsiders, and the residence requires no additional guards.

February 2th is the last day of departure, which is a Sunday.It is used exclusively for rest and prayers to God.Harbert was fully recovered, but still in general a little weak, so a seat was reserved for him in the car, so that he could save some energy for the journey.

On the next day, just after dawn, Cyrus Harding made the necessary arrangements to save Granite House from any invasion.The ladder that had been used for climbing was taken to the "chimney" and they buried it deep in the sand so that it could be used on return, while the drums of the elevator were removed and everything else was scattered piece by piece When it was disassembled, there was nothing left of the whole set.Pencroft was the last to leave Granite House.He did this work alone, and finally he came down with a rope, both ends of which were fixed at the bottom, and the rope was torn off when someone got below, so there was no way between the upper platform and the beach.

It was a beautiful day.

"It's another hot day!" The reporter said with a smile.

"Don't worry! Doctor Spline," said Pencroft, "we'll walk in the shade, so we won't even see the sun!"

"Let's go!" said the reporter.

At this time, the cart was waiting on the beach in front of the "chimney".The reporter asked Hubbert to sit in the car at least for the first few hours of the trip, and the boy had to obey the doctor's orders.

The time of departure finally arrived, and the expedition of the small army began.Neb led the wild ass, while Cyrus Harding, the reporter, and the sailor went before the cart.Top skipped along the way, looking cheerful.Hubbert found an empty seat for Jupp in the car, and Jupp took it without ceremony.

The cart first rounded the corner of the mouth of the "Grateful River", then walked along the left bank of the river for a nautical mile, and then passed the bridge. The end of the bridge was the road leading to "Balloon Harbor".From there, the prospectors kept to the right of the road and began to penetrate into the wooded Far West Forest.

During the first two nautical miles, the trees were relatively sparse, and carts could pass through the forest freely. The immigrants only needed to cut off some climbing vines and thorns from time to time, and basically encountered no major obstacles.

Thick foliage casts patches of cool shadow on the ground, Himalayan fir, pine, gassurina, mountain pine, rubber tree, dracaena, and other recognizable species, in succession, You can't see the end at a glance.Birds of all kinds commonly seen on the island are also gathered here, including pheasants, woodpeckers, pheasants, lorikeets, chirping lorikeets, budgerigars and parrots.There are also some small animals on the ground, agouti, kangaroo and capybara scurrying about in the grass.The sights brought back memories for the settlers of their first hunting excursions, when they first arrived on the island.

"However," remarked Cyrus Harding, "I observed a moment ago, and found that these animals, whether they were beasts or birds, were less timid than before. It can be seen that criminals have recently been in this wood, so be careful. If we do, we'll be able to find them."

As it happened, they found multiple traces of recent or earlier passages by a group of people: in some places, trees had been artificially broken off, possibly to set up road signs; in others, there were ashes left after the fire went out , and there are clearly discernible footprints on some clay.It looks like a temporary camp here.

The engineer asked his companions not to hunt.Because the gunshots will spread far away, it may alert the criminals, who may be wandering in the forest.In addition, hunting must be done at some distance from the cart, and walking alone away from a partner is very dangerous.

By the afternoon they were about six miles from Granite House, from where it became rather difficult.In order to pass through some undergrowth, they had to take pains to cut down some trees and make a passable road for themselves.Cyrus Harding always sent Top and Jupp first into these undergrowths, when advancing in dense woods, to scout out the way ahead, and they performed the task assigned them with admiration.When the dogs and chimpanzees came back without any abnormalities, it meant that there was no danger ahead, neither criminals nor wild beasts.In fact, no matter how you look at it.Both types of individuals are animals and have the same ferocious nature.

On the first night of the expedition, the emigrants camped nine miles from Granite House, where a river poured into the Gratitude, a small tributary they had never known existed, and which should have Attached to the river-sea system, the land is very fertile due to its waterway system.

The emigrants were already very hungry, and they had a good dinner, and everyone had a big appetite.In order to stay overnight safely, they also made some arrangements.If the engineer only needs to deal with jaguars or other fierce animals, he only needs to light bonfires around the camp, which is enough to scare them away; but they also need to guard against criminals, and criminals are mostly attracted by the fire. Rather than being intimidated, it's best to keep the surrounding area dark given the circumstances.

Not only that, they also strictly arranged night duty.The vigil is held in groups of two, and shifts are changed every two hours.Despite Hubbert's repeated requests, the residents refused to allow him to join the watch.Pencroft was thus in company with Jardine Splane, and the Engineer with Neb, and the two groups took turns to keep watch about the camp.

The night is short, only a few hours.The darkness was caused more by the thickening of the foliage than by the disappearance of the sun.There was silence in the dark forest, except for the occasional hoarse roar of a jaguar in the distance and the cry of a monkey, which seemed to particularly displease Master Jupp.

The first night was passed safely.The next day, the 2th of February, they continued on through the forest without much difficulty but at a slow pace.

They covered only six nautical miles that day, for they had to cut their way almost constantly with their axes.The immigrants really regarded themselves as the masters of the island. They did not touch the tall and beautiful trees, but only cut down some small trees. Of course, cutting down those big trees was too exhausting.But in this way, the road they drove became tortuous, which greatly lengthened their distance.

On this day, Hubbert accidentally discovered some new species of trees that had never been seen before. and one species like the carob, the long pods of which the wild ass devours greedily.The flesh of this pod is very sweet.There the colonists found some majestic Cali pines, with cylindrical trunks topped by cones of green foliage, reaching heights of two hundred feet.The Calipine is the undisputed King of Trees in New Zealand, as famous as the fir trees of Lebanon.

As for animals, no new species appeared except those the hunters had seen before.However, they still vaguely saw a pair of large birds unique to Australia.The name is cassowary, and people call it emu.It is five feet tall, covered with brown plumage, and is a wading bird.Top rushed after them, but the cassowaries ran so fast that Top was easily left behind, and their speed was astonishing.

(End of this chapter)