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

Chapter 177 The Mysterious Island (62)
In this important project, the end of 1868 passed, and they did little else.Two and a half months later, the ship's ribs were installed and the first shell plating was fitted.It was seen that Cyrus Harding's design was of the highest order, and that the ship must have sailed well.Pencroft threw all his energies into the project, and grumbled incessantly if anyone tried to drop the carpenter's ax for the shotgun.However, it was time to restock Granite Palace for the next winter.But that's okay.

Honest sailors are not happy when there is a shortage of hands on the site.But at this time, he would whine and get angry at the same time, and he still had to do the work of six people.

The weather has been harsh throughout the season.Some days, the weather was unbearably hot.First, the electric charge filled the entire atmosphere, and then came the violent storm that disturbed the air layer.It can be said that the sound of thunder can be heard every day.

January 1869, 1, was a particularly violent day.Several times thunder and lightning fell on the island, and some of the great trees were split by the lightning, including those great hackberry trees which shade the poultry-yard at the southern end of "Grant Lake."Could this weather be related to some fluctuation in the depths of the earth?Cyrus Harding had always been inclined to this view.Because, while the storm was violent, the signs of the volcanic eruption reappeared and became more obvious.

On January 1rd, when Hubbert climbed Prospect Heights at dawn to saddle a wild ass, he noticed a huge plume of smoke emanating from the summit of the volcano, as if wearing a mask on the volcano. Like a straw hat.

Hubbert immediately notified everyone, and they paid close attention to the top of "Franklin Peak".

"Hey!" exclaimed Pencroft, "it's not steam this time. I think the giant is not satisfied with breathing, and he's smoking!"

This metaphor of the sailors aptly describes the changes in the crater.The crater has been steaming, more or less, for three months, suggesting that the minerals are boiling inside.This time, instead of steam, there was a puff of smoke, like a light gray column more than 300 feet wide at the base, and its peak was [-] to [-] feet in diameter after unfolding, like a huge mushroom.

"There's a fire in the chimney," Jardine Splane said.

Hubbert replied: "But we can't put it out!"

Neb said solemnly: "The flue in the crater should be well ventilated."

"Well, Neb, will you do the talking?" cried Pencroft.

Pencroft laughed.

Cyrus Harding carefully observed the thick smoke erupting from "Franklin Peak", and he also listened attentively, as if he wanted to catch some sound in the distance.Because he was a little away from the big guys just now, and now he is walking towards his partners again.He said to them: "Indeed, my friends, there has been an important change. It should be understood that the volcanic material is not just boiling, but is on fire. So, without a doubt, we are facing an impending eruption. threat."

Pencroft said: "Very well, Mr. Cyrus, let us see the eruption, and applaud it if it succeeds! I don't think it poses any danger to us!"

Cyrus Harding replied: "You are right, Pencroft, for the lava has always followed its course, and because of its course, the crater has previously directed the lava to the north. But..."

"If there's nothing to gain from an eruption, don't erupt," the reporter said.

The sailor replied, "Who knows! Maybe the volcano will erupt something precious to please us, and we'll make good use of it!"

Cyrus Harding shook his head, wishing not to gain anything from the volcano's drastic changes.He was not as indifferent to the consequences of the eruption as Pencroft was.Because of the orientation of the crater, the magma may not threaten the lush trees and crops grown on the island.But even so, the complex conditions of a volcanic eruption are not guaranteed to be without danger.In fact, the possibility of earthquakes during volcanic eruptions is very high, and there are many such cases.The composition of "Lincoln Island" is very messy, here is basalt, there is granite, the north is lava rock, and the middle is soft soil.These substances simply cannot be firmly combined.Once an earthquake occurs, it will fall apart.

So even though volcanoes pose no major danger, earthquakes can have very serious consequences.

Ayrton lay down and listened with his ear to the ground.Then he got up and said: "I thought I heard a dull rumbling sound coming from the ground, like the sound of a cart with iron bars passing by."

Everyone listened as carefully as Ayrton did, and it was true. The rumbling and underground roaring mixed together to form a "crescendo" and then slowly disappeared, as if passing through the depths of the earth. There was a strong wind, but no explosions were heard.It can be concluded that because the crater pipe is large enough, the steam and smoke are not hindered when passing through, so there is no need to worry about an explosion, and there will be no bursting.

Pencroft said: "Oh, so it is! Shall we not go back to work? Whether the 'Franklin Peak' smokes, roars, croons, and breathes fire, as long as it is happy, this cannot be our reason for not working." Reason. Come on, Ayrton, Neb, Harbert, Mr. Cyrus, Mr. Spline, everyone has to work today! We have inner keels to fit, not many twelve. I Let's hope our new 'Lucky' - keep that name, will be floating in Balloon Harbor within two months! So every second counts!"

At Pencroft's request, everyone came to the construction site and began to install the inner keel.The ribs of the ship's frame are firmly held together by this thick cladding.It's an important but tiring job, and everyone has to do it.

On January 1, everyone no longer cares about smoking volcanoes.Moreover, from the beach of Granite Palace, the volcano is not visible either.In this way, everyone worked hard all day.Once or twice, though, the sun was eclipsed by a huge shadow, causing the sun to draw an arc of day across the blue sky.These shadows indicate that a very thick smoke is passing over "Lincoln Island", just blocking the sun.The wind from the sea carried all this smoke to the west.Cyrus Harding and Jardine Splane both noted the sudden gloom, and exchanged several notes on the apparent tendency of the volcano to develop.However, this did not affect their work, and the work in their hands did not stop.No matter from which aspect, building a good ship in the shortest period of time has many advantages.It can make everyone more secure in the event of an unexpected situation.Maybe this ship will be their only refuge someday?
After supper, Cyrus Harding, Jardine Splane, and Hubbert went up to Prospect Heights.It was already dark, but it was possible to see whether the flames or incandescent substances emitted by the volcano were mixed with the steam and smoke accumulated in the crater.

Hubbert, much more agile than the others, was the first to ascend Prospect Heights, and shouted: "The crater is burning!"

"Peak Franklin" was about six nautical miles from them when it resembled a gigantic torch with a smoking flame writhing at the top.A lot of smoke, slag and ash are mixed in it, so that the light of the flame is greatly weakened, so that it does not stand out in the night.Because of the reflection of the low light, the silhouettes of the nearby trees were vaguely outlined, and the billowing smoke seemed to blacken the sky, and a few stars shone through the smoke.

"It's going so fast!" said the engineer.

The reporter replied: "This is normal, and the volcano has been revived for some time. Do you remember, Cyrus, when we first discovered the steam when we were searching for the branch of the ridge, we were looking for Captain Nemo's hiding place. .I think it should be around October 10th, am I not mistaken?"

Hubbert replied, "Yes! It's been two and a half months!"

Jardine Splane added: "So the underground fires have been hidden for ten weeks, no wonder they're growing so violently!"

Cyrus Harding asked: "Have you ever felt a tremor in the earth?"

Jardine Splane replied, "Some, that's where the earthquake comes from..."

Cyrus Harding replied: "I am not saying that earthquakes will really happen, and, God bless us! The shaking is caused by the boiling fire in the center of the earth. The crust is only equivalent to the furnace wall, and the furnace wall is in the gas. Under pressure, it vibrates like a sounding plate. That's what happens here."

"What a beautiful bunch of sparks!" exclaimed Hubbert.

At this moment, the crater spewed out brilliant fireworks, whose light was not dimmed by the steam.Countless sparks were thrown in all directions.Some of them burst out of the dome of smoke, leaving a trail of truly white-hot dust behind, in perfect curves.At the same time, it was accompanied by continuous explosions, like the continuous firing of machine guns.

An hour later Cyrus Harding, the reporter, and the lad descended to the beach, and returned to Granite House.The engineer was brooding and worried.

Seeing the engineer like this, Jardine Splane couldn't help asking him: "Did you feel that some danger is approaching? Is this danger caused by a volcanic eruption?"

Cyrus Harding replied, "Yes, and no."

The reporter continued: "Is the greatest danger that can happen, but an earthquake that can make a mess of the island? I don't think there is anything to worry about, because the steam and lava channels are unimpeded and can be drained outside. It will not pose any threat to our small island.

Cyrus Harding replied, "I am not troubled by earthquakes, which are merely convulsions of the ground caused by the expansion of subterranean gases. But other causes can cause catastrophes."

The reporter asked: "Dear Cyrus, what disaster could come?"

The engineer said, "I haven't figured it out yet... I'll have to investigate... I'll have to scout the mountain... I'll be sure in a few days."

Jardine Splane held out no longer.

Although the explosion of the volcano was more intense and echoed, everyone fell asleep quickly.

The three days from January 1th to 4th passed quickly.Everyone has been concentrating on building the ship.The engineer went all out to meet the schedule without explaining why.At this time, "Franklin Peak" had been covered with an ominous cloud, and while erupting flames, it also erupted hot rocks, some of which fell in the crater.

said Pencroft, fond of jesting, "Look! The Giant is playing catch! and doing tricks!"

Sure enough, those substances were spewed out by the crater and then fell into it. It seems that the lava expanded due to internal pressure has not yet risen to the crater.At least you can see part of the rift on the northeast side, and there is no lava pouring down the north slope.

Although the shipbuilding project is urgent, other aspects cannot be neglected. Other industries on the island still need to be taken care of.First of all, go to the "corral" to see that there are blue sheep and goats, and it is necessary to store forage for these animals.After some discussion, it was better to let Ayrton do it. He was used to the job and could do it alone.The next day, January 1, went to the "corral".But Pencroft and the others were astonished when they heard what the engineer had said to Ayrton.

"Then I will go with you tomorrow," said the engineer to Ayrton.

The sailor was unwilling.Said: "Hey, Mr. Cyrus! We are very busy, and if you come too, we will be short of hands, and the progress will definitely slow down!"

Cyrus Harding replied: "We will be back the next day, but I need to go to the 'corral', I want to find out the real situation of the eruption."

Pencroft was still not quite satisfied, and said: "Eruption! Eruption! Eruption is a great thing, but there is nothing to worry about!"

No matter how the sailors blocked it, the engineer decided to go.Herbert would very much like to go with Cyrus Harding, but he did not want to annoy Pencroft any more.

Next day, at first light, Cyrus Harding and Ayrton, in a cart to which two wild asses were hitched, set off at full speed along the Corral Road.

Thick dark clouds roll over the forest, and soot-gray dust from Franklin Crater appears to be constantly merging into the clouds.These slowly rolling dark clouds are obviously fused with substances of different natures. The dark clouds are dark and thick, not just smoke, but also powdery slag, light gray ash like white pomegranate volcanic ash and fine starch , suspended in the middle of a thick vortex.The ash is so fine that it can hang in the air for months. After the Icelandic volcano erupted in 1783, volcanic dust remained in the air for more than a year, obscuring even the sun.

These dusts usually land, and that's exactly what's happening now.No sooner had Cyrus Harding reached the "corral," than a black powder, like gunpowder, fell, and the ground changed instantly.Trees and grass were covered in inches of black dust.Fortunately, however, the wind was from the northeast, and most of the dark clouds were blown over the sea, where they dispersed.

"You see, Mr. Cyrus, that's a rare thing," said Ayrton.

The engineer replied: "It is very serious. The eruption of the pomegranate volcanic ash and the powdery pumice, all these ore powders, shows that the inner layer of the volcano is very agitated."

"Is it helpless?"

"There is nothing to be done but to learn about the development of the volcano. Ayrton, take care of the livestock. I will go up to the source of the Red River and see the northern slopes. Then..."

"Mr. Cyrus, what then?"

"Then I want to go to the 'Dhaka Basement' to have a look. Well, I'll come back to you in two hours."

So Ayrton went into the yard of the "corral" and tended the blue sheep and goats while he waited for the engineer to return.The animals seemed restless, possibly responding to the first signs of an eruption.

At this moment Cyrus Harding was adventuring on the tops of the east and west ridge branches.He bypassed the Red River and came to the place where he and his companions had found sulfur spring water during their first survey.

The situation is very different!In the past, there was only one column of smoke coming out of the ground, but now there are sixteen, and they seem to be pushed out violently by tremendous pressure.The air is filled with sulfur gas, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and mixed with water vapour.Cyrus Harding distinctly felt the shaking of the volcanic tuff, but he found no sign of fresh lava.

The absence of magma was more certain when the engineer had surveyed the entire northern slope of Mount Franklin.There was only billowing smoke and flames coming out of the crater.The smoke was accompanied by volcanic cinders, which fell to the ground like hailstones after being ejected.But magma did not flow out of the crater, suggesting that volcanic material had not yet risen to the top of the central orifice.

Cyrus Harding thought to himself: "I would rather the magma reach the crater! At least I can be sure whether the magma is going the old way or there is a new exit? But the danger is not here! Captain Nemo has predicted this! No ! The danger is not here!"

horrible explosion
The next morning, January 1th, having spent a day and a night at the Corral, having completed their business, Cyrus Harding and Ayrton returned to Granite House.

The engineer immediately summoned everyone and told them that "Lincoln Island" was facing a huge danger that could not be solved by manpower.

He said a little excitedly: "Friends, some islands on the earth are with the earth, but 'Lincoln Island' is not like this, it may not be long before it will be destroyed, mainly due to its own structure, this is unavoidable !"

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, and then at the engineer, feeling baffled.

Jardine Splane said: "Cyrus, please explain!"

Said Cyrus Harding: "I will explain, or I might say, convey the explanation Captain Nemo gave me of our few minutes of private conversation."

Everyone shouted in amazement: "Captain Nemo!"

"Yes, this is the last help he wants to give us before he dies!"

cried Pencroft: "Last help! Last help! It will be known that he is dead, and will give us other help!"

The reporter asked, "What did Captain Nemo say?"

The engineer replied: "Friends, we must understand that 'Lincoln Island' is different from other islands in the Pacific Ocean. Captain Nemo said that its structure is very special, and its underground structure will be torn apart sooner or later."

"Torn apart! 'Lincoln Island'! Impossible!" cried Pencroft, who, in spite of all his respect for Cyrus Harding, could not help shrugging his shoulders.

The engineer continued: "Pencroft, please listen to me. The situation mentioned by Captain Nemo was also noticed by me when I was inspecting the 'Dhaka Basement' yesterday. This basement extends to the volcano, and it is connected with the volcano's chimney. There is only one wall, which is the wall at the back of the basement. At the beginning, the rock wall has begun to have cracks and gaps. The sulfur gas formed inside the volcano is seeping out of those cracks."

Pen Ke frowned and asked, "So what?"

"That's right, I found that the cracks are expanding under the action of internal pressure, and the basalt wall is gradually cracking, and it won't be long before the cave will be filled with seawater.

Still Pencroft disagreed, and said in a joking tone: "That would be very nice! Then let the sea water drown the volcano, and everything would be over!"

Cyrus Smith replied: "Yes, everything is over! One day the sea rushes through the rock wall, pours into the crater, reaches the depths of the island, and melts into the boiling magma. On that day, 'Lincoln Island' It exploded. If the waters of the Mediterranean were poured into Mount Edna, it would happen to Sicily as well."

The engineer said these very affirmative words, and everyone fell silent.They have realized that their situation is very dangerous.

(End of this chapter)