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

Chapter 28 Captain Grant's Children (28)
Takaf briefly described to Paganel that he was able to escape the flood thanks to the help of "Taojia".Paganel then told Tarcafe about the new way of understanding the letter, and the new hope that this new understanding brought to everyone.And from Takaf's expression, it was obvious that he didn't understand these meanings.But seeing these friends are full of new hope for the journey, I am also happy.

After resting for a while, the group of travelers embarked on the journey again.It was eight o'clock in the morning.Here, there are forty miles from the sea, and thirty-six hours on foot.If you are tired from walking, you can ride on "Taojia".

In this way, this group of travelers followed Tarcaf on land, carrying a vast ocean flood on their backs.This land is very desolate, except for a few scattered trees growing, the rest is a desolate scene.

On the second day, when the traveler was within fifteen miles of the sea, he could smell the sea in the air.The sea breeze here is very strong, and the vegetation grows very short under the influence of the sea breeze.Glittering salt flats can occasionally be seen.These salt flats are as smooth as a mirror, making it difficult for travelers to walk, so they can only take a detour.In this way, until eight o'clock in the evening, everyone was so tired that they were about to fall apart.At this time, what appeared in front of him was a 40-meter-high sand dune, directly blocking a white line of foam splashing behind it.Not long after, everyone heard the sound of sea tide rising.

"Ah! the sea!" cried Paganel joyfully.

"Yes, we have reached the sea!" the guide Tarcaf told them loudly.

These travelers, who were too tired to walk and had been trekking for a long time, were refreshed at this moment, and continued to climb towards the high sand dunes with vigorous steps.

When rushing to the top of the sand dunes, everyone saw that in the endless night, on the vast sea, nothing could be seen clearly, and there was no trace of the "Duncan" at all.

"I think the 'Duncan' will definitely be patrolling the waters in this area!" Sir Glenarvan said anxiously.

"Maybe we'll see it tomorrow!" Major McNabbs added.

Therefore, Austin turned towards the direction where the "Duncan" might appear, and shouted desperately, hoping that the invisible ship could hear some echoes.On the sea at this time, the wind was high and the waves were rough, and the beach was very shallow. It is estimated that the "Duncan" would not choose to anchor within five miles from the coast.Moreover, the captain Meng Geer is a cautious person.He knew that mooring in shallows was more terrifying than encountering reefs.Therefore, even though Sailor Austin yelled at the sea, he still had no effect.It seems that it is not very wise to discover the "Duncan" under such circumstances.

The major then advised his friends not to be in a hurry, but to make a long-term plan after dawn.The most important thing now is to find a place to spend the night.So, everyone followed the major's practice, in order to find a place to sleep, they dug holes in the sand dunes to make bunkers, and used them as sleeping beds.Before going to bed, everyone ate the last bit of dry food and fell asleep.Though Sir Glenarvan was as weary as his companions, he could not sleep.He looked at the sea in the night, and heard the waves crashing on the shore, the roar of the sea wind, and the sound of flying sand and stones on the sand dunes. Sir Glenarvan did not dare to expect that the "Duncan" would appear in this area of ​​the sea.But Jazz thought again, if the "Duncan" will not arrive at the agreed place, this is impossible.When they parted in Talcahuano Bay, Sir Glenarvan and his party traveled from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast, across the entire American continent, at least for a full 30 days.During this period of time, the "Duncan" should have enough time to successfully round Cape Horn and reach the Atlantic coast at 37° south latitude!Moreover, the "Duncan" is still a fast cruise ship, coupled with a first-class captain and skilled sailors, so it is impossible to delay.

Sir Glenarvan was making rational analysis, and at the same time, he was suffering emotionally from missing his relatives and friends.During this long night, what appeared in his mind were naturally the figures of his former relatives, his wife Helen, Miss Grant, and the sailors on the "Duncan"...

Under strong thoughts, Jazz stood on the desolate coast, looking at the boundless sea. Suddenly, he saw some lights flickering dimly.Besides, that light should belong to the "Duncan".

"I'm not mistaken, it must be the light on the 'Duncan' ship. But why can't I see clearly, why can't I see something clearly through the obstruction of the darkness in the middle of the night?" He murmured talking to himself.

Thinking about it, he suddenly thought that Paganel said that he is a night vision eye and can clearly see everything in the dark.He immediately sought out Paganel.But at this time Paganel was sleeping soundly in his nest on the dunes.Jazz pulled him out with his powerful hands.

"Who?" Paganel yelled, startled awake.

"Quietly, it is I, Paganel," said Sir Glenarvan.

"Who are you?"

"Glenarvan, wake up, I need to borrow your eyes."

"Ah! What's the matter? Borrow my eyes?" Paganel rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked inexplicably.

"Yes, I need to borrow your eyes. I want you to see if the 'Duncan' appears in the darkness of the night. Come, come!"

"Hey, having a pair of special night vision eyes is really unlucky!" Although Paganel muttered unhappy, he was still very happy to be able to serve Sir Glenarvan.

So, he stood up immediately, pulled himself together, stretched his waist, and followed Jazz to the beach.

Sir Glenarvan ordered him to look carefully at the dark night in the distance.Paganel looked in that direction, watching carefully and earnestly for several minutes.

"How? How? What did you see?" asked Sir Glenarvan anxiously.

"Ah! I really can't see anything, it's all pitch black, even the cat's eyes can't see anything."

"Look carefully again, please. Is there a red or green light? Those are the port or starboard lights of the ship."

"Still can't see, it's pitch black everywhere!" Paganel said, his eyes closed again involuntarily.

The anxious Sir Glenarvan refused to give up, and still dragged Paganel from one end to the other to observe for half an hour.Paganel, who was dragged away by the jazz, could only hang his head on his chest, and looked up into the distance from time to time.When Sir asked a question, he would answer, and he would not speak without asking.Like a drunk, the pace of walking is staggering.At the end of half an hour, Sir Glenarvan saw him, and fell asleep walking.

Sir Glenarvan could not bear to wake him up again.He could only support his arm, and sent Paganel back to his sand nest, and buried him with sand.

When the day just dawned, the eager cheers of "Duncan, Duncan" woke up these travelers from their dreams.

"Ah! 'Duncan'! Long live!" The travelers were all excited, screaming happily, and rushed to the coast.

Sure enough, on the sea five miles away from the shore, the cruise ship "Duncan" put all its sails up and was driving slowly on the sea.The smoke from the ship's funnels mingled with the morning mist.At this moment, the sea was very windy and the waves were rough. If a ship with a large tonnage like the "Duncan" anchored on the nearby beach, something would happen.

Sir Glenarvan picked up Paganel's telescope and watched the Duncan's movements carefully.I saw that the boat did not turn around and was still moving forward slowly.It was evident that Captain Mengel had not discovered his companion.

Witnessing this scene, Tarcaf loaded the gun with gunpowder, and then fired three shots in a row at the sky above the "Duncan".The gunfire echoed across the sand dunes.

After the gunfire, suddenly, a puff of white smoke rose from the center of the "Duncan".

"Ah! They saw us!" Sir Glenarvan shouted excitedly, "Look, everyone, it's the 'Duncan' firing back!" At this moment, everyone shouted excitedly.

Not long after, the "Duncan" raised its sails, turned its bow, and drove towards the coast where these people were.Everyone held up the binoculars in turn, and saw a small boat on the big ship.

"The wind and waves are too strong, Madam Helen must not come up in person!" Austin said.

"Captain Meng Geer also don't leave the 'Duncan'." Major McNabbs said.

"Ah! Sister! Sister!" Little Robert stretched out his arms and shouted warmly to the turbulent boat on the sea.

"Ah! I wish I could get to the boat in one step!" said Sir Glenarvan eagerly.

"Edward, don't be too anxious, we will be on board in two hours." The major said to the jazz.

Yes, it takes at least two hours for the small boat to travel back and forth.

Sir Glenarvan looked back at Tarcalf.I saw Takaf in the distance, arms folded, standing quietly; next to him was "Taojia", who had been with him all the time, and was also quietly watching the rough sea.

Sir Glenarvan came over, grabbed his hand, and said to the boat in the distance, "Come on a long voyage with us!"

The Patagonian shook his head slowly.

"Our dear friend, come with us!" Sir Glenarvan begged.

"No," Takaf said softly, then pointed to the horse and the mainland behind and said, "Pampas! 'Taojia'!"

Immediately, Sir Glenarvan fully understood that Tarcaf was a native of this place, and it was impossible for him to leave the land where he was born and raised.Therefore, he could only hold Takaf's hand tightly, and no longer force him.

When the Jazz talked about the reward, Takaf smiled lightly and said to him, he did this for his friends, so he didn't need any reward!
This left Sir Glenarvan at a loss as to what to do.Moreover, he has nothing at the moment, and there is nothing to reward him.After much deliberation, he thought of a way to repay, so he took out a delicate figurine frame from his wallet, with a small portrait embedded in it.That is the famous British painter Lawrence Lawrence (1769-1830), a famous painter in British history.Portrait of Lady Helene.

"Look, here is my wife!" said Sir Glenarvan.

Tarcaf looked at the portrait and couldn't help admiring: "It's really a beautiful, generous and virtuous woman!"

Immediately afterwards, Robert Jr., the major, Paganel, Austin, and the two sailors all stepped up to bid the Patagonian a passionate farewell.After being together day and night for so many days, after experiencing a series of life and death, it is finally time to separate, and the sadness of parting is difficult to express for a while.Takaf stretched out his long arms and hugged his companions tightly.This scene is really touching.Paganel remembered that when he was traveling, Tarcaf often looked at his map, so he gritted his teeth and gave him his beloved map, which was also his only treasure.Little Robert couldn't find the gift, so he could only keep kissing Tarcaf.When kissing the benefactor who saved his life, he did not forget to kiss Takaf's beloved BMW - "Taojia".

The boat came slowly and anchored on the shore.

"Where is my wife, Helen?" cried Sir Glenarvan into the wind.

"Where is my sister Mary?" Little Robert continued.

"Oh, Mrs. Helen and Miss Grant are waiting for everyone on the 'Duncan'!" A sailor rowing replied, "My lord, get on board quickly! The tide is beginning to ebb!"

At this time, the travelers gathered around Tarcaf for the last time, hugging, shaking hands, and kissing.Tarcaf sent these companions to the side of the boat; and the boat was pushed out onto the water.Before finally boarding the boat, little Robert couldn't resist throwing himself into Tarcafe's arms.Takaf also hugged him tightly, and said with a kind face: "My child, let's go, now you have grown up and are an adult!"

"Good-bye, our good friend! Good-bye!" cried Sir Glenarvan.

"Friends, will we meet again?" Paganel asked in Spanish.

"Hopefully!" Takaf replied, stretching his arms towards the sky and looking up to the sky.

These last words of the Patagonian were lost in the morning wind.

The small boat slowly rowed into the sea, pushed by the waves, getting farther and farther away from the coast.

Through the splashing waves, the people on the small boat could vaguely see the tall figure of Takaf standing still on the coast. As the distance got farther and farther away, the figure became smaller and smaller. Small……

An hour later the skiff reached the "Duncan".The dexterous little Robert was the first to board the deck, and threw himself into his sister's arms in one breath.The sailors on board collectively shouted "Long live".

In this way, this time along the 37 ° line, the journey across South America is over.With the heroic and tenacious will, people repelled the difficulties and dangers of nature.

leave america
When Sir Glenarvan and his party returned to the "Duncan", the reunited people were immersed in a joyful atmosphere.In order not to spoil the fun, and to prevent Lady Helen and Miss Grant from being depressed, Sir Glenarvan did not mention the matter of endless search.He said to the companions on the ship who were looking forward to the news: "My friends! Don't be discouraged! Don't be discouraged! We must strengthen our confidence! Although Captain Grant was not able to come with us this time, we are very sure that we will find him! "

Mrs. Helen and Miss Grant were anxiously waiting on the boat; therefore, when they saw the boat appear, they immediately changed their despair and excitedly looked forward to the arrival of good news.Miss Mary Grant was so excited that her heart beat so fast that she almost fell on the deck.Fortunately, Mrs. Helen hugged her tightly so that the girl did not fall to the ground.

"Ah! My father! He's here, on the boat!" Miss Grant was already teary-eyed, looking carefully at the people in the boat, and murmured to herself.

But Captain Mengel stood beside the girl, observed with the usual sharp eyes of a sailor, silently and carefully looked at the people in the boat, and did not see Captain Grant.

When the boat got closer and closer to the "Duncan", at a distance of about ten feet, everyone, including Mrs. Helen, noticed carefully that there was really no sign of Captain Grant on the boat.Miss Grant herself saw that her father was not among these companions.So she felt utterly hopeless.

It was in these circumstances that Sir Glenarvan made his remarks.Its purpose is simple, to make everyone calm and happy, and at the same time to ignite hope for a new journey and encourage everyone to move on.

After a passionate hug, Sir Glenarvan told Captain Mengle, Mrs. Helen, and Miss Grant about the difficult journey of the expedition to the American interior and some unexpected things.When he told the story, the first thing he did was to praise Paganel's erudition and wisdom, and he narrated the geographer's new interpretation of the letter; then, he praised Robert Jr. and praised him for his bravery. Determined, fearless in danger, heroic, calm, resourceful and brave in times of danger, and said that Miss Grant should be proud of having such a younger brother.

At this time, little Robert was so shy when he heard these praises, he didn't know what to do, so he threw himself into his sister's arms.

"Little Robert, why are you ashamed! Your performance is really worthy of Captain Grant's son!" Captain Mengel said while pulling little Robert to his side and kissing his little face.On that little face, her sister's tears were still stained.

After praising Robert Jr., it needs to be said that everyone also unanimously praised Paganel and the Major for their performance in this operation.Everyone praised Tarcafe, a Patagonian; Mrs. Helen, who was listening to the story, always felt deeply regretful that she could not meet this enthusiastic Indian.

After the reunion, Major McNabbs got into his cabin first, and it was time to shave his beard.Paganel on the side was always wandering around on the deck, seeing this or that.That passion seemed to kiss all the people on board, including Miss Mary Grant and Mrs. Helen of course.After kissing the two ladies, Paganel kissed each of them, one by one, until M. Aubinette.

M. Aubinette felt that he could not reciprocate his enthusiasm for Paganel, so he could only tell him that dinner was ready.

"Ah! Lunch is finally here!" Paganel exclaimed like a child.

"Yes, Monsieur Paganel, it's time for lunch!" replied Aubinet.

"Ah! A proper lunch? Everyone sitting around a table, with napkins and cutlery!"

"Yes, Monsieur Paganel!"

"Wow! There won't be beef eggs or ostrich ribs on the table!"

"Ah! Monsieur Paganel! Why do you say that!" Chef Aubinet thought he was laughing at his poor cooking skills, so he felt very displeased.

"Dear friend, don't get me wrong, I'm really not mocking you!" Paganel said with a smile on his face, "You know, we've been eating these things for a month. And they're all sitting on branches. There are no tables or chairs to eat, or sit on the ground! So when I said I was going to have dinner, I thought it was a dream!"

"Okay! Mr. Paganel, let's go and see if this is a real lunch." Mrs. Helen thought it was very interesting and replied jokingly.

"Okay, Ma'am, this time, please allow me to hold your jade wrist!" Paganel said thankfully.

"Your Excellency, do you have any instructions for the 'Duncan'?" Mengel asked Sir Glenarvan.

"Dear Captain John, after lunch, we sat together to discuss and carefully study our next expedition plan." Sir Glenarvan said.

(End of this chapter)