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

Chapter 6 Captain Grant's Children (6)
"Very satisfied, my lord," replied John Munger, "a very fine ship, which any sailor would be most delighted to embark on. Look, the engine of the ship." The fit is working well. And look how even the stern stroke is, reflecting how lightly the boat can clear the waves. Right now, the boat is doing seventeen knots. If that speed stays the same , After ten days, we will be able to successfully cross the equator, and in less than five weeks, we will be able to successfully round Cape Horn, a cape at the southern tip of South America."

"Dear Miss Mary, have you heard all that?" Mrs. Helen turned to Miss Grant and said, "Look, it's less than five weeks!"

"Well, my dear lady, I have heard it all," said Miss Grant. "I am very pleased with what the captain said."

"My dear Miss Grant, can you get used to such a long sea voyage?" Sir Glenarvan asked with concern.

"Well, my lord, I can get used to it. Everything feels fine, and, I believe, will get used to it after a long stay."

"By the way, where is your brother Robert Jr.?"

"Hehe! Dear Madam, don't ask that little boy Robert. He either got into the engine room or climbed up the high masthead. I dare say that this lovely boy really doesn't understand what seasickness is. How about you take a look..."

As soon as the captain had finished speaking, he pointed his hand, and they all looked in the direction of his finger, and on the fore-mast, little Robert was hanging high on the rigging of the small topsail, at least a hundred feet in the air.Miss Grant saw it, and cried out in horror.

"Don't worry, my dear lady, he's safe," said Captain Mengel with a smile, "and I can assure you that this little boy will make a fine sailor before long, and I can then Recommended sailors to Captain Grant. It is admirable to think of Captain Grant, and I am sure we will find him soon!"

"Mr. Captain, may God hear your blessing," Miss Grant replied.

"My dear children, all this is God's instruction, so you have to believe that there will be hope." Captain Mengel interrupted, "You know, we are not acting alone, we are not walking blindly and impulsively, but divine. God guides us. Look at this fine team of sailors on board, they are all gathered together for this kind rescue operation. Therefore, I believe you will understand that our cause is blessed by God. Not only can If you succeed, no difficulty will dash your hopes. I remember that I once promised my wife to take her on a sea voyage. It seems, God forbid, that it has come true."

"My dear Edward," said Mrs. Glenarvan, "you are very kind."

"It's not that I'm nice, but a fine crew has gathered around me, and God has given me the best ship. Miss Mary, what do you think of the 'Duncan'?"

"Oh, sir, how can I not admire it!" replied Miss Grant, "I appreciate it, admire it, and admire it with a very professional and expert eye."

"Oh! Is it true?"

"Dear Sir, in fact, I have often played on my father's boat since I was a child. Thinking of that time, my father may have trained me to be an excellent sailor. I think of being on the boat when I was a child, and when the sailing required, I could adjust the sail. , and weaving sails, I can do all these."

"Hey, my dear lady, is it true what you say?" exclaimed Captain John Mungle.

"It seems that this lady is really a good friend of Menger." Sir Glenarvan said with a smile, "Captain Menger has always believed that among all the professions in the world, sailors are the best. .Even if it is a woman, only a sailor is the most beautiful and outstanding. I am right, my dear Menger!"

"Of course, my dear sir," replied the young captain, laughing, "but I think it suits Miss Grant better if she stays in the cabin and is a guest of honor than on deck as a sailor. But to be honest, what she said made me really happy."

"I think you smiled when you heard the lady praise the 'Duncan'," added Sir Glenarvan.

"The 'Duncan' should have been commended!" Captain Mengel replied.

"Frankly, I'm so excited to see you guys like this boat so much and praise it in so many languages." Mrs. Glenarvan said. I would like to go down to the bilge and see for myself what life is like, sailor friends, below the middle deck of the ship."

"Don't worry, my dear lady, they live very comfortably, just like their own home." Captain Mengel replied.

"Actually, my dear Helen, they regard this place as their home. You know, this 'Duncan' is part of our Scottish nation, Caledonia, and it is a territory divided by our Dumbartonshire .It’s just that, according to God’s instructions, let it float on the sea. Therefore, we have never left our hometown! This “Duncan” is our Malcolm House, and this ocean is our Lake Lemont.”

"I am very happy to hear that, my dear Edward. Now, please let us visit your residence." Madam Helen replied.

"Please, my dear lady," Sir Glenarvan bowed and made a "please" gesture, "but, before visiting, I will inform my Aubinet first."

Aubine was the steward of the ship, and in fact he was also a skilled cook at Malcolm House. Although he was a true Scot, he could also cook as well as a French chef.In addition, Obi is inherently intelligent and warm-hearted.When he heard the master's call, he came immediately.

"My dear Aubine, we shall walk about in the ship before breakfast," said Sir Glenarvan, as if he were going for a walk on Talbai or Pond Katrine. Before, breakfast was set on the table."

Aubinet bowed solemnly.

"My dear major, will you accompany us to look around?" asked Mrs. Glenarvan.

"If you would like me to accompany you, ma'am, I should be glad," replied Major McNabbs.

"Ah!" said Sir Glenarvan, looking at the smoking major, "my friends, the major is intoxicated by the cloud of cigar smoke, and we ought not to pull him out of that fairy-like cloud, so that the He was a great disappointment. By the way, my dear Miss Grant, I will introduce you. Our major is an excellent smoker, and smokes from morning to night, even to sleep."

The major smiled, then nodded in agreement with the statement.The major, therefore, was left where he was, and Sir Glenarvan and the guests went below the middecks of the ship.

Major McNabbs stood alone in the bow.As usual, he always likes to be alone in meditation, but he never thinks about unhappy things.He smoked his cigar vigorously, and the cloud of cigarette butts dispersed and surrounded him tightly, but he just stood there motionless, watching the waves of the boat on the sea.After watching in silence for a while, he turned his head again, only to see a stranger standing in front of him suddenly.Major McNabbs, who has always been calm and composed, also showed a surprised expression at this time.He had never seen this passenger before, and his appearance was so strange!

Major McNabbs looked the man up and down. He was a tall, slender man, about forty years of age.Look at his head again, it's wide and big, the forehead on his face is high and protruding, the long nose and the long mouth, and the long chin under it.So the whole face feels like a tack.Look at his eyes, wearing big round glasses, his eyes are twinkling all the time, you can see that he is a smart and happy person.We know that there are some people who look very serious and unsmiling, but under this serious appearance, they hide their mean and dirty hearts.But this stranger is not like these people, and he is not intimidating. He has a very chic and comfortable demeanor, like a nice gentleman who makes people feel cute.Even though he doesn't talk to people, the other party thinks he can talk well.But looking carefully at his appearance of turning a blind eye to everything and hearing nothing, one can see that he is a careless person.On his head he wore a traveling cap, and under his feet he wore thick leather boots with leather boots tied over them.He was wearing maroon, maroon woolen trousers, and a maroon woolen jacket.There are also many pockets on the jacket, which are full of items such as notepads and wallets, and a large telescope is slanted on his body.

Obviously, this stranger was very lively and active, in stark contrast to the quiet and leisurely major opposite.He looked at Major McNabbs on the opposite side, and kept turning around him, looking at him left and right, and looked him up and down with big eyes.But the major still stood quietly, not wanting to ask him how he appeared, where he came from, where he was going, and why he came to the "Duncan".

The major did not notice anything the sudden stranger did.All he had to do was take down the binoculars he was carrying, which could be stretched to a length of four feet.He held the binoculars in both hands, and spread his legs apart, standing firmly, just like a road sign standing on the road; then he pointed the binoculars at the place where the sea, water and sky connect.After looking at the telescope for a few minutes, he put it down again and leaned on the telescope, using the instrument as a walking stick.However, the movable joints of the telescope suddenly loosened, and one joint after another was inserted into it, and the mirror shrunk down.The stranger lost his balance, lost his balance, and was about to fall straight down on the deck at the foot of the mainmast.

If other people saw this funny scene, they would not be able to help but laugh out loud.But the silent Major MacNabbs did not even move an eyebrow.The stranger could only speak first.

"Hey, Bursar!" cried the stranger, with a thick foreign accent.

He paused for a while, but still no one came out.

"Secretary!" he yelled again, raising his voice.

At this time, Mr. Aubinette was passing by here and was about to go to the galley on the forecastle deck. When he heard the call, he heard it.

How amazed Aubinet was to see this big, strange man! "Where did this man come from?" he thought to himself. "Is this a friend of Sir Glenarvan? But I have never seen it. It is impossible."

Although Aubine was always wondering, he went up to the cabin deck and walked towards the stranger.

"Excuse me, are you the quartermaster of the ship?" the stranger asked immediately.

"Yes, my dear sir, please tell me, you are..."

"I'm a passenger in Room 6."

"Ah, Room 6?" asked the chief secretary.

"Yes, may I ask your surname?"

"Aubine."

"That's all right, my friend, Aubinet," said the passenger in room 6, "you should prepare sooner, the sooner the better. You know, I haven't had a drop of water for 36 hours, exactly. For example, I have slept for a full 36 hours. I ran from Paris to Glasgow alone, and I was hungry all the time. It’s not too much to want to eat something! By the way, I want to ask, what time are you guys Is it time for dinner?"

"Nine o'clock in the morning." Obinette replied mechanically.

The stranger wanted to check the time again. He fumbled in his clothes for a long time, and found a watch only in the ninth pocket.

"Well," said the stranger, looking at his watch, "it's only eight o'clock. Mr. Aubinette, will you get me some biscuits and some white wine? I'm so hungry that I have no energy!"

Obinette, who was listening from the side, felt completely confused, but the stranger was still babbling nonsense.

"By the way, I still want to ask you, where is your captain? Is he still up? And the first mate? Is he still lying on the bed? It seems that the weather at sea today is good and the wind is blowing. No one is in charge of this ship, and it can go by itself."

The stranger was still babbling, while Captain Mengel was walking on the ladder to the cabin...

"Sir, this is our captain," said Aubinet.

"Ah! How glad I am to see you, my lord Captain Burtone! I am very glad to know you."

This time, Captain Menger was also taken aback.He was not only surprised to see this stranger, but also surprised by the name "Captain Burtone".

But the stranger opened up the chatterbox, and babbled:

"Dear Captain, please allow me a few minutes to shake your hand and express my deep respect for you. The reason why I did not see you the night before was because I thought it would be inappropriate to disturb you when I was sailing. Yours. I am, however, very glad to have made your acquaintance today. From the bottom of my heart, Mr. Captain, it is a great pleasure to meet you."

Captain Menger opened his eyes wide, looking at Obinet for a while, and for a while at the unknown stranger.

"Okay, dear captain, in fact, we have known each other for a long time, and now we are old friends with a deep friendship. Let's open our hearts and talk freely! By the way, the ship 'Scottia', are you satisfied? ?”

"What 'Scottia', why don't I understand?" The captain couldn't bear it anymore, and asked.

"Oh, it seems you don't realize that this is the ship that carries us, the Scotia! It's a fine ship. I've had compliments on it, and it's a fine ship , Not only is it strong and light, but the captain Burtone is honest and enthusiastic, and he treats every passenger with courtesy. By the way, I remembered that there is a famous African traveler, his name is Burtone. Not from your family? If so, I'm so proud of you to have such a relative!"

"Oh, sir, you're mistaken! I don't know Bourton, and the traveler is not of my family. And I'm not Captain Bourton at all."

"Oh! So, are you the first mate of the 'Scottia'—Mr. Burnett?"

"Ah! Burnett?" Captain Mendel began to realize what was going on.He wanted to explain everything clearly and clearly.At this moment, Sir and Mrs. Glenarvan and Miss Grant walked from the lower cabin to the deck of the upper cabin.When the stranger saw them, he exclaimed with joy:

"Ah, it looks like there are male passengers! And female passengers! It's all very nice. Mr. Bernays, I'd love to introduce you so I can get to know them..."

As soon as the words were finished, the stranger walked forward politely.But before Captain John Mungle could speak, the stranger addressed Miss Grant as "Ma'am," then Lady Helene as "Miss," and, turning around, addressed Sir Glenarvan as "Sir."

"This is Sir Glenarvan," said Captain Mengel.

"My dear Sir," the stranger immediately changed his words, "Now, give me a moment to introduce myself! We shouldn't be too restrained on the ship, and I hope to get to know everyone and become good friends who can talk about everything. I think it is the most pleasant thing to see the respected ladies and ladies on the "Scottia". With these ladies, I don't think the journey will be long or tedious. of!"

On the opposite side, Mrs. Helen and Miss Grant couldn't say a word.They think this is really incredible.In the cabin of the "Duncan", why did an unexpected guest suddenly appear.

"Sir," began Sir Glenarvan, "I ask..."

"Okay, let me introduce myself! My full name is Jacques Paganel, I am the secretary of the Geographical Society of Paris, France, and I am also the secretary of the Berlin, Mumbai, Darmstadt, Leipzig, London, Petersburg, Vienna, I am a member of these Geographical Societies and Correspondence Associations in New York, and I am also an honorary member of the Royal East Indies Geographical and Ethnographic Society. I have studied geography for 20 years. Now, when I come out of the book, I want to do some actual research. Now , I would very much like to go to India and continue the cause that geographers have been fighting for."

cute geographer

It seems that this secretary of the Geographical Society is really a lovely person.His self-introduction was vivid, exciting and interesting.This also made Sir Glenarvan understand the origin of the stranger standing in front of him, Jacques Paganel.With his rich experience, he is no stranger to the name and reputation of Jacques Paganel, a geographer.Moreover, Sir also knew his treatise on geography.His publications in the Proceedings of Geographical Societies, as well as his correspondence with geographical societies around the world, have made him a renowned scholar.Then Sir Glenarvan stretched out his hand very sincerely, and began to say:
"Mr. Paganel, now that we know each other, will you allow me to ask you a question?"

"My lord, you can ask twenty questions," said Jacques Paganel. "I have always thought it an honor to talk to you."

"Then may I ask, did you board this ship the night before?"

"Yes, my lord, it was all right. It was about eight o'clock the night before yesterday. I stepped off the Caledonian train, jumped into the carriage for the port, hurried out of the carriage again, and I rushed to the 'Scottia'. When I was still in Paris, I booked room 6 of the 'Scottia'. At that time, the night was dark, and I really didn't I met a person. You know, I was exhausted after driving for more than 30 hours. And I also know that the boat will shake when it is in motion. If you want to avoid seasickness, it is best to sleep when the boat is in motion, so As soon as I lay down, I fell asleep. This sleep made me sleep for 36 hours. What I said is true, please believe me!"

(End of this chapter)