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

Chapter 34 Captain Grant's Children (34)
Then, everyone walked in that direction.About half an hour later, the group came to a newly opened manor surrounded by hedges.An ordinary house stands under the wind mill, next to the house is a poetic orchard.On the grassland not far away, there are several cows and horses grazing leisurely.Growing around the grassland are tall and straight bean ball trees.In the field, there is a piece of golden wheat ears.What a relaxing pastoral scene!

At this time, the four big dogs beside the manor suddenly barked wildly.A middle-aged man in his fifties with a kind face heard the dog barking and walked out of the house.Behind him, there are five strong young men and a solid and tall woman.The Jazz and his party knew at a glance that it should be the man's sons and his wife.If you look closely, you can see that this is a typical Irish family.In order to escape the suffering at home, they traveled across the ocean and came to Australia to make a living.

Sir Glenarvan was about to introduce himself first, but the middle-aged man was the first to greet him:

"Welcome, guests from afar, we are honored to have you here with the Paddy O'Moore family."

"You are Irish, sir!" said Sir Glenarvan, taking the man's hand affectionately.

"It used to be Irish, now it's Australian. Please come in, everyone. No matter where you come from, please make this your home."

The host was so enthusiastic, Jazz and his party were not polite, and accepted the invitation frankly.Mrs. Helen and Miss Grant stepped into the house led by Mrs. O'Moore; and the children behind them helped the travelers unload their weapons.

This is a house made of logs.Downstairs is a bright and spacious hall.Several long wooden benches are nailed to the brightly colored walls.There are two oak cabinets and a dozen round wooden stools in the hall, and there are bright tin pots and bright white pottery in the cabinets.In the central hall, there is a large long and wide table, which can seat about twenty people for dinner.These pieces of furniture appear solid and solid like their sturdy owners.

It didn't take long for lunch to be served on the table.In the center was a pot of steaming broth, flanked by grilled steaks and legs of lamb, and then surrounded by a large circle of plates; olives, citrus, grapes, and assorted snacks.Seeing the large and sturdy table, the hospitality of the host, and the rich and delicious dishes on the table, Jazz and his party felt that they were more respectful than obedient, and immediately gathered around the table to eat.After a while, some hired workers in the manor also came in to eat with the masters on an equal footing.

"Actually, I have been waiting here for everyone's arrival." Master Paddy O'Moore said.

"Ah! Have you been waiting?" Sir Glenarvan asked involuntarily, full of doubts.

"That's right. All the guests who come here are the ones I wholeheartedly look forward to." The host said politely and modestly.

After that, everyone stood up in awe.Before eating, the host prayed to God solemnly.Mrs. Helen was very moved and admired when she saw that the master of the house was so devout.

The group had a great time eating.Everyone ate and chatted, and when the Scots and Irish shook hands, they became a family.The host first began to tell his own life experience. When Mr. O'Moore left his hometown with his family and sailed to Adelaide, Australia, he got off the ship.Here, instead of being a miner, he chose to engage in agriculture.At that time, the government sold land in southern Australia in parcels and sold them to farmers.Each of these lands is about eighty acres.Omor, a hard-working farmer, worked so hard to cultivate this piece of land.At the end of the year, in addition to supporting the family, there are still assets of [-] pounds left.

Afterwards, with his rich experience in agriculture and the advantages of family management and financial management, Paddy O'Moore cultivated the first piece of land through his own struggle, and obtained huge profits. After that, he bought several pieces of land one after another.In this way, in less than two years, he owned a total of 500 miles of land, and more than [-] cattle and sheep on the land, and became a farmer with rich assets.Now, he owns a rich farm.After being a slave in Europe, he is now his own master in Australia.

After hearing these vivid life experiences, Sir Glenarvan and his party expressed their sincere admiration for the farm owner.After that, Omor also expects the guests to introduce themselves.Sir Glenarvan wanted to know the situation of Captain Grant's "Britannia" very much, so he directly told the master about the origin of his trip.

But the Irish farmer's answer did not satisfy everyone.He said he had never heard the name of the ship.And as far as he knows, in the past two years, no ship has had an accident in the waters around Cape Bainui.You must know that it has only been two years since the "Britannia" had an accident, so he dared to assert that the crew of the "Britannia" that had an accident should have never been near the west coast of Australia.

After finishing speaking, the master interrupted again: "Sir, I want to ask one more question, what does this matter have to do with you?"

Afterwards, Sir Glenarvan gave a detailed account of his trip to find Captain Grant.And he added, in passing, that what his master knew had made him feel that it was hopeless to find these wrecked seamen!

As soon as Jazz finished speaking, the audience sighed.Mary and Robert Jr. were in tears.Paganel on the side didn't know what language to use to comfort the siblings.

As the captain of the "Duncan", John Mengel was also very uncomfortable.Thinking of walking such a long distance and experiencing so many life-and-death dangers, it turned out to be nothing in the end!

When everyone was collectively pessimistic and disappointed, someone suddenly said:
"Dear Sir, thank God now! I am sure that if Captain Grant is still alive, he will definitely appear on the continent of Australia!"

Sailors on the Britannia

This sentence was like a bolt from the blue, shocking everyone present.Sir Glenarvan rose suddenly, pushed back the stool on which he was sitting, and said aloud:
"Just now, who spoke?"

"Me!" A voice came from the other side of the table, everyone looked around and saw that it was a farm worker who replied.

"Ayrton, it's you!" cried Paddy O'morr, to the great astonishment of Sir Glenarvan.

"My lord, it's me. I'm a Scotsman just like you. Besides, I'm also a shipwrecked sailor on the 'Britannia'." Ayrton said in a firm and excited tone. .

Ayrton's words can be said to be "amazing in one word".Miss Mary Grant was so ecstatic that she almost fainted from excitement and fell into Lady Helen's arms.Paganel, Captain Mengel, and Robert Jr. also left their seats and surrounded the man named Ayrton by the owner Paddy O'morr.

As you can see, this man named Ayrton is about 45 years old. He is tall and thin, with a stern complexion and muscular body. His piercing and wise eyes make people feel good at first glance.And it can be guessed from this appearance that this person has been tempered by a difficult life and can also challenge a difficult life, so he can be said to be a tough guy.

Sir Glenarvan first asked Ayrton a series of questions on behalf of his companions.At the beginning, because I was more excited, these questions were not only unorganized, but also disorganized.

"Are you really the wrecked crewman of the 'Britannia' we're looking for?"

"Yes, sir! I am one of Captain Grant's sailors."

"So, after the shipwreck, did you escape with him?"

"Sir, this is not true. The moment it sank, I was thrown into the water by the shock, and then washed to the shore by the sea."

"Are you one of the two sailors mentioned in the letter?"

"No, sir, I really don't know what happened to the letter. I was not with Captain Grant when he threw it overboard."

"Where's the captain? Where's Captain Grant?"

"I thought that on the 'Britannia', I was the only one who narrowly escaped death, and everyone else died at the bottom of the sea. Because the rest of the crew were missing."

"Just now, didn't you say that Captain Grant is still alive?"

"Sir, you misunderstood me. I meant 'if Captain Grant was alive...'"

"Didn't you just mean to be sure that he lives in the Australian mainland?"

"Yes, he can only be on the Australian mainland."

"And do you know where he is now?"

"Oh, sir, I really don't know that. I repeat, I was going to say that I thought he might have hit the rocks and died, or drowned in the sea, but you just told me he was alive of."

"You know what's going on?"

"I can only say that if Captain Grant is still alive, he must be living in the Australian mainland!"

"Where did the 'Britannia' have an accident?" At this time, Major McNabbs finally raised this crucial question.

Before this question, the inquiries were vague and illogical.But after such a reminder from the major, the conversation became orderly.To this question Ayrton replied to Major MacNabbs thus:

"At that time, I was at the bow of the ship, pulling the touch sail on the ship. Suddenly, I was shaken out of the ship. At that time, the 'Britannia' was sailing towards the coast of Australia, and it was only two miles away from the coast. The chain is far away. Therefore, the place where the boat accident must be here."

"Is the accident site on the 37° south latitude line?" Captain Mengel asked.

"Yes, at 37°."

"Is it on the West Coast?"

"No, it's on the east coast of Australia."

"When did the boat accident happen?"

"In the middle of the night of June 1862, 6."

"Ah! That's right, you're right!" exclaimed Sir Glenarvan.

"Sir, you should understand by now. If Captain Grant is still alive, you should go to the coast of the Australian mainland to find him, not anywhere else."

"My friends, we will find him, we will find him, and we will rescue him," Paganel swore excitedly, adding at the end, "Oh, God, you have sent these precious letters, It all fell into the hands of wise men."

No one continued Paganel's conversation.The Grant siblings and Sir Glenarvan and his wife shook Ayrton's hand excitedly, as if Ayrton was a messenger sent by God.With him, Captain Grant can be rescued successfully.Moreover, they also believed that since the seaman Ayrton had escaped successfully, Captain Grant must also escape the catastrophe.Therefore, everyone gathered around Ayrton, asking questions excitedly. Ayrton was also very happy, and answered everyone's questions concisely.And Miss Mary Grant excitedly held the hand of the father's former companion, tears were on the verge of streaming down her cheeks.

At this time, only the major and Captain Mengel doubted Ayrton's identity as a sailor, and they had doubts about all the words he said.Because in the eyes of these two people, this unexpected coincidence is really suspicious. Although Ayrton's account of a series of facts, including the date of the narration and the letter, are the same, and some details are completely consistent, they still Can't be reassuring.Therefore, Major McNabbs on the side watched calmly, not daring to draw conclusions easily.

Soon, Captain Menger's doubts were completely dispelled.Because he observed that when Alton talked about Captain Grant to Miss Mary, he really sounded like an old acquaintance of the captain's companion.Moreover, with that posture, he seemed to know the situation of the Grant siblings very well.He also gave an example that in Glasgow Harbour, when the "Britannia" just set sail, he met the captain's children, the Grant siblings.At that time Captain Grant was giving a farewell party, to which the siblings happened to be present, as well as the local Governor, Macclestel.At that time, the young Robert was not yet ten years old, and the boatswain Dick Towner took care of the child, but the lively and restless little Robert climbed to the beam on the foremast of the ship with his adult on his back.

"Yes, I remember, there is such a thing." Little Robert said.

Ayrton also slowly narrated many trivial details of the past. When he paused for a moment, Miss Grant on the side urged him to speak quickly.

"Go on, Mr. Ayrton, and tell me more about my father!"

Ayrton then continued to talk endlessly, meeting Miss Grant's request. Although Sir Glenarvan still had many urgent questions to ask, Lady Helen hinted that he would wait for a while.

Then, Ayrton described the experience of the "Britannia" ship sailing in the Pacific Ocean at that time.Miss Mary Grant knew very well about that voyage, too.Because until 1862, the newspapers at that time reported the situation of that voyage at length.In that year, Captain Grant had moored almost all the major continents in Oceania, such as New Zealand, New Guinea, New Hebrides, and New Caledonia... However, due to the discrimination of the British government, all Wherever they went, their movements were closely monitored by the British colonial authorities.However, by the grace of God, Captain Grant's team also found an important place on the west coast of Papua; they all thought that a Scottish colony could be established there; This drives business prosperity.

When the "Britannia" finished surveying the Papua area, it sailed to the Callao area to collect food.On the night of May 1862, 5, the "Britannia" left the port of Callao, intending to return to Britain from the Indian Ocean.But unfortunately, three weeks later, a huge storm hit the ship and damaged the ship. A large hole appeared in the bottom of the ship, which could not be repaired. The pump had to be pumped day and night.Everyone is tired and weary.Under such circumstances, after spending eight days at sea, everyone felt that they had to wait to die.In the middle of the night on June 30, the boat drifted to the east coast of Australia, where it was wrecked by a reef. Ayrton jumped into the sea and was washed ashore by the sea.At that time, he was already in a coma, and when he woke up, he saw himself falling into the local aborigines.Afterwards, the natives took him inland.He had heard nothing more about the Britannia since then.Therefore, he said with certainty that the "Britannia" should have sunk in the reefs around Dufoe Bay.

After that, Ayrton briefly told everyone about his experience of being captured by the natives.The natives took him to the valley of the Darling River, which is four hundred miles north of the 37° south latitude.Due to the poverty and backwardness of these indigenous tribes, he did suffer a lot, but fortunately he did not suffer much.During his two years of slavery in the tribe, he always thought about escaping.

In October 1864, the opportunity finally came.In a dark night with high wind and high moon, he seized the gap and escaped while the local aborigines were not well-prepared.First, I walked in the forest, relying on grass roots and mimosa sap to fill my stomach.In order to know the direction, he walked towards the sun during the day and leaned against the stars at night.Moreover, he has walked through countless mountains, swamps, and rivers, and stepped into uninhabited areas that many explorers dare not enter.In many cases, there are many dangers, but fortunately, they can escape from death and save themselves from danger.When he was exhausted, unable to act, and felt that he had exhausted the only energy in his life, fortunately he met Mr. Omor, who was kind and kind.So he stayed with the family, earning a living by working on the farm.

"It seems that Ayrton is very satisfied with me, and I also appreciate Ayrton. In this manor, he is brave and clever, and works hard and diligently. As long as he wants, he can regard this as his own home." In Ayrton After Walton finished narrating, the Irishman Omor said excitedly.

Ayrton immediately bowed his thanks to the Irishman, and waited for questions.Afterwards, everyone asked back and forth, and there were many repetitions in his answers, so there was no topic to ask.Next, Sir Glenarvan said that the next step is to discuss together whether to formulate a search plan for the next step based on the clues provided by Ayrton.

Major McNabbs came up and asked Ayrton:
"Just now, you said you were a sailor on board the Britannia."

"Yes!" Ayrton said with certainty.

The shrewd Ayrton knew that the major's inquiry was full of mistrust, and immediately added:

"You can take a look at my certificate of service on the ship."

As soon as he finished speaking, he stood up and walked out of the hall to get his certificate.

At this time, Omor said to Sir Glenarvan:
"Sir, from what I have observed, I can assure you that this Ayrton is indeed an honest and trustworthy man. I have been working in our house for two months, and I have not found anything to criticize. How could he I know that he was robbed and made a slave. So he is very decent, aboveboard and trustworthy."

Just when Sir Glenarvan began to say that he had not suspected Ayrton, Ayrton had already entered with the certificate.As you can see, this certificate was signed by the owner of the 'Britannia' and Captain Grant.Miss Mary Grant on the side recognized her father's handwriting at a glance.I saw that it was clearly written on the certificate: "At present, an excellent first-class sailor-Mr. Tom Ayrton is appointed as the bosun of the three-masted ship-'Britannia' in Glasgow Harbor." From this point of view, Ayrton has this certificate to prove his identity is indeed beyond doubt.

(End of this chapter)