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

Chapter 59 Captain Grant's Children (59)
A quarter of a mile from here, on the sheer rock of the mountain, stands a "fortress."This is the cottage where the Maori live.At this time, the bound feet of Jazz and his party had been released, and they were escorted by the Maori along the path to the cottage.On both sides of the path, there are patches of luxuriant Lime Weng grass and lush forests.There are many kinds of trees in the forest; such as the "Jiaoka tea" tree full of red fruits, the Australian thousand-year-old banana tree with fresh and tender leaves, and a kind of pomelo tree, which specializes in producing black dye; When passing by here, the birds on the tree were frightened and flew around.There are also some beautiful big pheasants.The gray-feathered round-billed magpie and the red-crested plover are very attractive.

The Maori escorted Sir Glenarvan and his party to the inside of the "fort" after a big bend.

This is a cottage inhabited by Maori people.A strong and solid fence was raised about the height of the cottage, about fifteen feet high.Inside the fence there is also a wooden post surrounding the cottage; after that is a wicker wall with holes for guns, which are the fortifications of the inner castle.The ground of these inner castles is very flat, there are many Maori-style buildings inside, and more than 40 small sheds are neatly arranged.

When Jazz and his party were escorted into the inner city, they couldn't help feeling horrified when they saw many heads hanging on the top of the wooden stakes.Lady Helen and Miss Mary immediately turned their heads away from this horrific scene.There is no doubt that these must be the heads of the defeated; there is no doubt that the bodies of these defeated must have been eaten by the Maori.

At the end of the cottage is the residence of the "Bone Eater", surrounded by some simple thatched huts; behind the thatched huts is the "military training ground" imitating the Europeans. The house where the "Bone Eater" lived was twenty feet long, fifteen feet wide, and ten feet high. The area was not large; the walls were made of branches and stakes; There is a gap in the house, which is equivalent to the door; a thick straw curtain hanging on the gap is the door of the house.The eaves stretch forward long, like the cornices of ancient Roman houses.There are various patterns carved on the oak heads under the eaves.Some flowers, plants, figures, exotic birds and animals are also carved on the "screen wall" outside the door, these are the outstanding works of Maori craftsmen.On the floor inside the house was some compacted clay, five feet higher than the level outside; on the floor were some reed mats and some dried ferns, and on it was a large mat woven of cattail leaves. The cushion is the owner's bed.In addition, there is a stove like a stone cave in the house, and there is also a hole in the roof, which serves as a chimney for gas.From this hole in the roof came the billowing smoke of the cooking; but the smoke blackened the interior walls before it could escape the house.

There is also a warehouse next to the house, which is used to store daily necessities and some food.These foods include saffron, yam, calla, and fern grass roots harvested from the fields, and there is also a stone oven that is often used.A little farther away, there are several small yards in which pigs and sheep are raised; these are the descendants of Captain Cook who brought pigs and sheep from Europe.There are also a few dogs running around in the sun because they have no permanent kennels.

Sir Glenarvan and his party were not in the mood to look at the chief's luxurious "mansion", and sat in the empty room anxiously, worrying about the chief's disposal.After a while, a group of native old women came in from outside the house with fists and hands raised, cursing excitedly; the Jazz and his party could only swallow their breath and listen to the cursing.From the English words mixed with the old woman's cursing, it can be heard that they are clamoring to "revenge everything"!
Mrs. Helen listened to the scolding of these Maori old women, she remained calm, with a noble posture; but she felt wronged deep down in her heart and was entangled in pain; she tried her best to restrain herself in order not to make her husband angry.Miss Mary Grant couldn't bear this kind of grievance, and she almost fainted with anger. Fortunately, John Mengel was by her side to support him, determined to protect her beloved girl to the death.Other companions responded in a variety of ways.Some, like the major, acted like shrews and showed dismissive expressions; some, like Paganel, gritted their teeth in anger.

Sir Glenarvan was not worried about himself, but was afraid that this group of wicked old women would rush towards his wife, Mrs. Helen.In order to avoid this misfortune, he boldly walked up to the "Bone Crawler", pointed at those old women, and shouted righteously:
"Get these people out!"

"Bonecracker" glanced at Sir Glenarvan, waved his hand without saying anything, and these wicked women fell silent.Sir thanked the chief with a polite nod of salute; then he returned to his companion.

After a while, hundreds of Maori came from the "practice field".These Maori are old and young, men and women; some are crying, some are laughing, and some are silent, waiting for the instructions of the "Bone Crawler".

The thing is, "Bonecracker" is the only tribal chief who has withdrawn from the battlefield.After withdrawing to Binhu, he told the tribal people the news of his defeat.Of the 150 soldiers who went out with him, [-] failed to return to their hometown; some of them were captured by the British army, but most of them died on the battlefield and never reached their hometown.

When the whole tribe knew the news brought by the "Bone Crawler", everyone was devastated.

The custom of the Maori aborigines is to vent their inner pain with physical pain.Therefore, relatives of the fallen soldiers, especially Maori women, cut their faces and shoulders with sharp shells.In this way, those who died for their loved ones were covered with bloodstains, blood and tears fused together.Some Maori women scratched themselves bloody, making their faces blurred, crying and howling like madmen, which was very terrifying.

The most heartbreaking thing for the relatives of the soldiers is that their relatives died on the battlefield, and the corpses and bones could not return to their hometowns, let alone buried in ancestral graves.Maori people are very superstitious. They believe that the bones of the dead are related to reincarnation, which is of great significance; but now that there is no body of their relatives, their hope of reincarnation is very slim, which is naturally very sad!Therefore, the Maori like to collect the bones of the dead, clean and scrape them clean, paint them with a coat of paint, and put them in the mourning hall in a dignified manner - "Udouba".In the Maori "Uduba", there is a wooden portrait of the dead on it; there are also tattoo patterns on the body of the dead when they were alive, and they are also carved on the wooden portrait.But now, the remains of their relatives are thrown in the wilderness. Some wild dogs must have gnawed the bones bare. These relatives are naturally heartbroken.So, if they didn't vent their anger on the captured Jazz and his party, who would they vent their anger on?Therefore, after the cursing of these old women stopped, it was the howling of men's loud voices.The ferocious curses of these men are almost like wild animals.It seems that the hatred in the heart can only be relieved by swallowing all these European captives alive.

On the other hand, as the chief of the Maori people, "Bone Eater" is also worried that the anger of these people has reached the extreme; if they don't interfere, there will be accidents.So he quickly ordered his subordinates to detain Jazz and his party to the temple.The temple is located on a high cliff, on the other side of the walled city.It is said to be a temple, but it is actually just a large shed with a cliff a hundred feet above the back; in front of the temple is a steep slope, and the scope of the walled city ends there.In the Maori language, the temple is called "Waller", which means "a place to serve the gods".The priests in charge - known to the Māori as "Ariji" - often lecture the Māori in New Zealand on the theory of the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

When the jazz and his party came to the sacred place of the temple, they felt that they had avoided the curse of the Maori, and they naturally felt much more at ease, so they lay down on the simian straw mat to rest.Mrs. Helen was so exhausted from being tortured that she couldn't bear it anymore and fell into her husband's arms.

Sir Glenarvan put his arms around his wife gently, and kept comforting:

"Dear Helen, be strong and don't be afraid!"

Little Robbit didn't feel tired. When he was locked in, he immediately stood on Wilson's shoulders; seeing a gap between the top of the wall and the eaves, he stuck his head into the gap to look outside.There is also a string of rosary hanging on the gap, which is to exorcise evil spirits.From the gap, he saw the situation of the whole village, and he could also see the small house of the "Bone Crawler".

"Those Maori are now holding a meeting around the chief..." he reported in a low voice, "and they are still shaking their fists... shouting and cursing... I saw the 'bone gnawer' was about to speak... "

After pausing for a while, little Robert said again:

"Now, the 'Bone Crawler' has spoken, and those clamoring people stopped talking..."

"Obviously," the major began, "these 'bone gnawers' may be trying to take us hostage in exchange for their leader; but those Maori are vehemently opposed..."

"Yes!... I see, those people have listened to them..." Little Robert continued, "Now those people have broken up... Some have come out of the stockade... Some have returned home..."

"Is that so?" asked the major hastily.

"That's right, that's right!" said little Robert. "I see that only the Bonechewer and a few people in the boat are left there now. Ah! By the way, a soldier is coming towards us!"

"Little Robert, come down quickly." Sir Glenarvan urged hastily.

Madam Helen also stood up immediately, clutching her husband's arm, and said firmly:
"My dear Edward! Miss Mary Grant and I are determined not to be taken away by the natives!"

After speaking, Madam Helen handed a loaded pistol to Sir.

"Ah! Why are you still carrying a pistol?" Sir Glenarvan said in great surprise, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Edward, why did you forget? The Maori do not search the bodies of female captives. It's just that this gun is not used to kill them...Leave it to us..."

"Don't be stupid! You don't need it now, so hide it!" the major said hastily.

Sir Glenarvan hastily put the pistol under his clothes.At this time, a Maori soldier raised the grass hole of the hut and motioned for the captives to follow them.Jazz and his party leaned close to each other, walked out of the hut, passed through the courtyard, and came to the "Bone Crawler".

At this time, standing beside the Maori chief, besides a few soldiers in the small boat, was the tribal chief who was driving a boat to meet him at the mouth of the Bohaven River.

This chief is about 40 years old, with a fierce face and a hulking waist.His full name is Karatet; in New Zealand, it means "the grumpy one."From the tattoo on the chief's face, it can be seen that his status is the same as that of the "Bone Crawler".As long as you observe carefully, the relationship between the two chiefs is actually not harmonious.The two chiefs talked at an unhurried pace, but the "Bone Crawler"'s face was always blue. Although he was smiling, there was jealousy in his eyes.The major speculated in his heart that the so-called one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, so the two were not convinced.

"Are you an Englishman in Europe?" Now, "Bonecracker" began to question Sir Glenarvan.

"Yes, the British!" Sir replied without hesitation.He secretly thought, maybe only in this way can he be the condition for the captive exchange.

"What about your companions?" the chief "Bone Eater" asked again.

"They're all English! We're only travelers here! We've come here because our ship was wrecked and sunk at sea. I tell you plainly, none of us went to war!"

"I don't care whether you participate or not! You British just don't have any good things!" Kalatt shouted arrogantly, "Anyway, you British invaded our homeland and burned down our village! You are all Our sworn enemy!"

"I don't agree, these are good things they did!" Sir Glenarvan replied confidently, "I say that, not because I want to curry favor with you because it fell into your hands! It's just because I see it that way !"

"Listen to me," said the chief "Bonecrawer", "now, our great god here is 'Tuohonga'--the meaning of the respected Nui Atou New Zealand's great god.--Original High Priest They were captured by the British army. The respected God told us to replace them; otherwise, I would have gouged out your heads and hung your heads on the fence."

The "bone gnawing devil" originally had a calm expression, but when he said this, his eyes burst into flames, as if he was really going to eat people!After that, he restrained himself to be calm again, and said calmly:
"Now, just tell me, can you get the British to release our 'Tohunja'?"

Sir Glenarvan thought for a moment, but did not answer at once; for he had not yet grasped the meaning of the Chief's words.

"I don't know." Jazz replied after pondering.

"What's the matter now? Could it be that you are worth more than the life of our great god 'Tuohonga'?"

"That's not what I mean either. I mean that the few of us are neither priests nor leaders."

Paganel, who was surprised by Sir Glenarvan's answer, couldn't help being stunned, and looked at him with astonishment. "Bone Crawler" was also quite surprised, and said:
"You mean, it can't be exchanged?"

"I can't be sure!"

"Now, you just don't know, we are holding you as a hostage, and the British army may not be willing to exchange 'De Hunja'?"

"All I know now is that if I were exchanged, they would definitely not be willing; if it were exchanged for the rest of us, they might agree." Sir Glenarvan said with certainty.

"We Maori, we only allow one for another!" said the chief "Bone Crawler".

"Now, take our two women and exchange them for your priest!" Sir Glenarvan pointed to Mrs. Helen and Miss Grant.

When Mrs. Helen heard this, she immediately wanted to go to her husband's side, but the major saw it and grabbed her.

"These two women," Sir Glenarvan bowed gracefully to Lady Helen and Miss Grant, and said respectfully, "they have a very high status in our England."

The "Bone Eater" looked at Jazz silently, showing an evil smile, then immediately stopped laughing, and yelled viciously:

"You're a bloody Englishman! Don't lie to me! Do you think I'm stupid?"

When he said this, he pointed at Mrs. Helen fiercely and shouted sharply:
"She should be your wife!"

"No! It's not her wife, it should be my wife!" Karate shouted viciously.

After finishing speaking, Karate pushed Sir Glenarvan away and put his hands on Mrs. Helen's shoulders. Mrs. Helen's face turned pale with fright.

"My Edward!" cried Lady Helen in alarm.

Sir Glenarvan calmly raised his arms, and with a "bang", Calatt fell to the ground.

The gunshots caused the Maori to rush to the gate from their respective huts, and the field in front of the gate was crowded.These Maori raised their weapons against Sir Glenarvan's party. After a while, the gun was taken from Sir Glenarvan's hand.

At this moment, the "Bone Eater" was also stunned; after that, he came back to his senses, protected Sir Glenarvan's body with one hand, and then stopped Maori who was rushing forward with the other hand. people.

Finally, the "Bone Eater" raised his voice and shouted:
"Forbidden!"

With this sudden roar, the noisy Maori stood still.Jazz and his party finally escaped the disaster.

After a while, Jazz and his party were escorted to the temple; but Robert Jr. and Paganel were not seen in the team.

funeral of the deceased
This "bone gnawing demon" is not only the chief of the Maori tribe, but also "Ariji", who has the supreme authority of the high priest."Divine Forbidden" can be used to protect someone or something.

"Forbidden God" is actually the general term for all the islands of Polynesia located in the central Pacific Ocean. The people who live there are all brown people, and the Maori belong to one of them.A custom spread by the indigenous people; as long as a person or thing is "forbidden by God", no one can touch it.Those who violated the "God's Prohibition" would provoke the wrath of the gods and be executed by the gods; those who blasphemed the gods would be executed by the priests.In the Maori tribe, "God Forbidden" is issued by the chief at any time according to needs; but "God Forbidden" also has a fixed occasion and a fixed time.A Maori aborigine has to be "forbidden" for many days in a year; for example, "forbidden" is required when engaging in activities such as hair cutting, boat building, tattooing, building a house, death, and illness.Sometimes, the Maori protect the sweet taro in the field and the fish fry in the river in the form of "forbidden spirit"; the chief can avoid the disturbance of idlers in the form of "forbidden spirit"; Monopolized the trade of ships on the water; even used "God's Forbidden" to deal with European businessmen who annoyed him.

No one can touch the objects that have been declared "forbidden by God"; once touched, they will be severely punished.A person who is "forbidden by God" cannot eat anything.The person is also not allowed to touch any food for a while after the fasting period.If you are a wealthy person, you can let slaves feed yourself; if you are a poor person with nothing, you are not allowed to grab food with your hands, and eat food with your mouth like pigs and dogs.

In short, the customs of "God Forbidden" bind all aspects of life in New Zealand, no matter how big or small, they are all bound by "God Forbidden".Like the law, it has a huge binding effect, and everyone must obey it unconditionally and absolutely.

Now, "God Forbidden" has helped Jazz and his party a lot, helping them escape the violent beatings of the crazy Maori and avoid being beaten to death.

However, Sir Glenarvan knew very well that although he escaped for a while, he would die here.Because he had killed a chief, these horrible Maori must have tortured them to death.He now hopes that all the anger of the Maori will be vented on him alone, and not to disturb other companions.

(End of this chapter)