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

Chapter 88: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (19)
"Dear Ned Land, on January 1th, it seems that the moon will be very kind to send us back to the sea. We must wait patiently for the arrival of the tide on the 9th."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, that's it."

"Is the captain going to pull the ship out, without throwing the anchor overboard, and tying the chain to the engine?"

"Since we can wait until the tide comes to help, there is no need for that," Conseil replied.

The Canadian shrugged his shoulders, looked at Conseil, and said expertly as a sailor:

"It seems to me, sir, that this heap of iron has been completely useless by now, and has no other use now except to sell it, and it can no longer sail on the sea or under the sea as it pleases, I think now is the perfect time to say good-bye to Captain Nemo."

I replied: "Dear Ned Land, I don't think the same as you. The Nautilus is a brave ship. I still have great hopes for her. If we wait patiently until the 9th, the sea will When the tide rises and the ship returns to sea, we will be getting closer and closer to the coast of England or the south of France. At that time, it will be more appropriate to try to escape. But now, we are in Papua, and it is not the best time to escape. If The 'Nautilus' is still unable to move when the sea tide is high, and it is not too late for us to take your measures. Anyway, I think that if you run away now, the consequences will be very serious."

Ned Land added: "Then, we can always go to explore the road, right? This is an island, there are trees on the island, and there are land animals under the trees. We can get a lot of meat from them. I really want to be beautiful." Have a full meal!"

Conseil said: "Ned Land's old friend's idea is good, and I agree. Sir, can I implore Captain Nemo to let us go to the island for a while, let our feet feel the feeling of stepping on land, Let us remember the habit of walking on land."

I said, "I can test his tone, but I don't think he might agree."

Conseil said: "Please ask, sir, first, and say that we guarantee that there will be no unexpected action, and that his kindness will be greatly appreciated."

So I found Captain Nemo and made our request. Unexpectedly, he not only politely agreed, but also didn't even ask us to promise to return to the ship. This was beyond my expectation.However, I will never let Ned Land try to escape. Escaping on the island of New Guinea is quite dangerous. If unfortunately it falls into the hands of the Papuan natives, it would be better to be Captain Nemo's captive.

Captain Nemo promised to lend us the boat tomorrow morning. I didn't ask him if he would go with us, and I thought he wouldn't send someone to row the boat for us, so I decided that Ned Land would take over the rowing task.The shore of the small island is only two nautical miles away from us, and the waterway between the reefs is dangerous for large ships, but for Canadians, it is as easy as playing a game in a small boat.The next day, January 1th, we unhooked the skiff, took it out of that storeroom, and lowered it into the sea through the platform.It only takes two people to do this.The oars are on the boat, we just have to sit on it.

At eight o'clock in the morning, the sea was calm.We got off the "Nautilus" with electric guns and knives and axes, and got into the boat. Ned Land was at the helm. It was obvious that he was very excited. Go back to the prison.Conseil and I took the sculls and rowed vigorously, and the boat quickly passed through the narrow waterway among the reefs.

Ned Land, steering the helm, said: "Big meat! We're going to eat big meat! We're going to eat big meat! We're going to eat real game! You can do it without bread! I don't deny that fish is delicious, too, but it's also delicious." You can’t eat it every day, it’s good to get me some fresh game once in a while to slow down our taste!”

Conseil replied, "What a glutton, I couldn't help but drool when he said it!"

I said, "We must first find out whether there are any beasts on this island that are big enough to eat a hunter."

"Well, Mr. Aronnax," replied the Canadian, who now wished to grind his teeth like sharp knives, "if there were no quadrupeds on the island but tigers, I would eat tigers." , eat the piece of meat on its waist."

"I think Brother Ned Land looks more like a frightening beast now," Conseil replied.

Ned Land continued: "In short, no matter if it's an animal running on the ground or flying in the sky, as long as I see it, I will shoot it!"

I replied: "Look! Master Ned Land is at it again!"

"Please don't worry, Mr. Aronnax," said the Canadian, "just row your boat well, and in less than 25 minutes, you will be able to enjoy the delicious food I cooked."

Our dinghy passed smoothly through the coral rocks surrounding Gueboroa Island, and slowly stopped on a sandy beach around 08:30.

two days on land

When I stepped on the land with both feet, I felt an indescribable feeling in my heart. Ned Land stomped on the ground vigorously with his feet, as if he wanted to take this land for himself.In fact, according to Captain Nemo, we have only been "passengers" of the "Nautilus" for two months, that is to say, we have been prisoners of the captain of the "Nautilus" for two months.

In a few minutes we were within a gunshot's range of the island's shore.Stony coral is almost the whole composition of this land; some fragments of granite can be seen faintly in several dry river beds, indicating that the island was formed in the primitive and ancient times; all over the sky.There are acacia trees, fig trees, firebird trees, hemp chestnut trees, hibiscus trees, panda trees, and palm trees. Their branches and leaves are luxuriant, and their branches are intertwined with each other.There are many tall trees with kudzu vines between them, which look like a natural hammock swaying in the wind, some of these trees are [-] feet high.In the roots of these tall and straight trees or in the green tree holes, there are many orchids, legumes, and ferns.

However, the Canadian didn't take these beautiful plants seriously, what he pursued was something more practical.He found a coconut tree, knocked down a few coconuts, and split them open, and we happily drank the juice and ate the flesh, alleviating a little our concern for the Nautilus' daily meals. no in good mood.

Ned Land said, "It's really delicious!"

"The taste is really delicious!" Conseil also said excitedly.

The Canadian continued: "Will your Captain Nemo object to my bringing these fruits back to the ship?"

I said, "I think there should be no objection, but he certainly won't eat it."

"That's why he's out of luck!" Conseil said.

Ned Land snickered and said, "It's better if he doesn't eat, we can eat more!" After finishing speaking, he was about to hit another coconut tree.

I said to the Canadian: "Master Ned Land, I have to warn you that although coconuts are delicious, don't let them fill up the boat at once. We should investigate this small island first." , to see if there are more and more delicious things, such as fresh vegetables, which will be very popular in the galley of the Nautilus, and I think this is a wise move for us."

Conseil nodded and said: "I agree with you, sir. I suggest that the boat be divided into three parts for fruit, vegetable and prey. However, until now, I haven't seen a shadow of game. !"

"Conseil, don't despair, there will be," the Canadian replied.

"Then let's move on," I said, "but everyone should be more careful, keep your eyes open, be careful, and look around. Although the island looks deserted, there may be some cannibals It's a life-threatening haunt!"

"Hey! Hey!" The Canadian moved his mouth and let out two smirks.

"What's the matter, Ned Land?" Conseil called to him.

The Canadian replied, "I'm only now beginning to really understand the beauty of cannibalism!"

Conseil asked: "Ned! Ned! What do you mean? You also like to eat people! Then I sleep in the same room with you, wouldn't I not even be able to protect my life!"

"You are my favorite Conseil brother, I won't eat you unless it's a critical moment!"

"I can't believe your words." Conseil replied, "Let's go hunting quickly! I must hunt more prey to fill the mouth of this man-eating guy, otherwise, I don't know if one morning, I will be killed by him." Eat until there are only a few bones left, and then I can't serve my husband."

We talked and laughed as we walked into the woods.It took only two hours to run the entire forest.

Fortunately for us, the unexpected grounding of the submarine made our wishes come true, and we found a lot of edible plants.Among them is one of the most useful products of the tropics, providing us with a very precious food that is not found in submarines.I am talking about the bread tree, of which there are many in Gueboro Island, but the one that caught my attention the most was a seedless variety called "Lima" in Malay.

This tree differs from other trees in that its trunk is straight, forty feet high, its leaves are multilobed, and its crown is gracefully ringed. Biologists can recognize it as a "breadfruit tree" at a glance, Maas On the Carin Islands, the tree has been successfully transplanted.Thick spherical fruit, about one decimeter in size, with uneven appearance, like a hexagon, protruding from the green bushes.This is a plant that nature bestows on areas where wheat is scarce. It does not require any maintenance and provides people with bread for eight months of the year.

The sight of these fruits immediately aroused Ned Land's appetite, and he could bear it no longer.He had eaten the stuff on countless previous travels, and was familiar with these breadfruits, and knew how to prepare the edible thing.

He said to me, "Sir, if I don't taste these breadfruits, I'd rather kill myself with my head!"

"Brother Ned Land, just go ahead and try it. We came here to try something new, let's try something."

"It won't take long," replied the Canadian.

So, he took out the fire mirror, used the focused refraction of sunlight, and lit the dry branches.Conseil and I picked the best fruit from the bread tree.Some fruits are not yet fully ripe, with white flesh wrapped in a thick skin, but with little fiber and no kernel.Most of the fruit has turned yellow and sticky, just waiting to be picked.

Ned Land took the twelve or thirteen fruits Conseil handed him, cut them into thick slices, and placed them on the red flames.He babbled as he sliced:

"Sir, you will soon see how delicious this bread is!"

"It's going to be delicious, we haven't had bread for a long time!" said Conseil.

The Canadian added: "Now, this is no ordinary bread, but a delicious pastry. You've never had it, sir?"

"It's true that I haven't eaten, Ned."

"Then hurry up and get ready to taste this delicacy. If you say it's not delicious after eating it, I'm not a whale king."

After a few minutes, the side of the fruit facing the fire had turned brown, and the white dough was exposed inside, like a soft bread core, with a smell of fennel.

I have to admit, this bread is really delicious and I love it.

"Unfortunately, this kind of thing can't be stored, and I don't recommend taking it on the boat." I said.

Ned Land called out: "No, sir! You're talking pedantic, but I'm doing a baker's business. Conseil, pick more fruit, and we'll take it with us when we go back."

I asked the Canadian, "But how do you store these fruits?"

"Use breadfruit flesh to make fermented dough, which can be stored for a long time without spoiling. When I want to eat it, I bake it in the ship's galley. Although the taste is a bit sour, it is still very delicious. .”

"Master Ned Land, it seems that with these breads, we don't need anything..."

The Canadian said, "Of course there's something missing, Professor, we're missing some fruit, or at least some vegetables!"

"Well, let's go find fruit and vegetables."

So, after picking the breadfruit, we started looking for something else to make our "terrestrial" lunch a little more substantial.

This fruit picking took us most of the time, but the results were very good, and there is nothing to regret.Near noon, we harvested a large pile of bananas.This tropical delicacy is available all year round. Malaysians call bananas "bisang", which means that they can be eaten raw without cooking.While picking bananas, we also picked some tangy jacques, sweet mangoes and impossibly large pineapples.

Conseil followed Ned Land all the time.Ned Land is very knowledgeable. When walking through the woods, he can always see some delicious fruits, which make our food collection more complete.

Conseil asked Ned Land: "Dude, have we collected enough food this time?"

"Well! That's right." The Canadian replied a little impatiently.

"Don't you think it's too little?"

Ned Land asked rhetorically: "Where is our soup? Where is the meat? All these plants we collect now can only be used as snacks after meals, not as meals."

I said, "Yes, Ned Land promised me the pork ribs, and it looks like it's going to fail."

The Canadian replied: "Sir, don't worry! The hunting is not over, but has not begun! We will definitely encounter birds or beasts, not here, but maybe elsewhere..."

Conseil added: "Yes, it won't happen today, but it will definitely happen tomorrow, but I don't think we should go too far. I propose to go back to the boat."

"What did you say? Going back now?" Ned Land called.

"We have to go back before dark," I said.

"What time is it?" the Canadian asked.

"It should be around two o'clock in the afternoon." Conseil replied.

"Time flies so fast on land!" Ned Land sighed.

"Let's go," Conseil replied.

So, we went back through the woods. On the way back, we collected some new food. We also encountered some betel nut trees, climbed to the top of the tree and picked some betel nuts. I also picked some green beans, which is Malaysia. What people call "Abulu".In addition, we also picked some good quality yams.

We brought back so many things that we had difficulty getting back to the boat.But the greedy Ned Land still felt that there was too little food.The fellow was lucky, however, for, while we were in the boat, he saw several trees, palms, twenty-five to thirty feet high.These trees are one of the most useful products of the land of Malaysia, as useful and valuable as the bread tree.This is a sago tree, a wild plant, unlike the mulberry tree, which relies on its own twigs and seeds to reproduce naturally.

Ned Land knew what to do with these trees.He took out his axe, swung it, and presently felled two or three sago trees, quite mature, as could be judged from the white dust that sprinkled on the leaves.

Although he was hungry, he still couldn't forget to watch Ned Land chop trees with the eyes of a naturalist.From each trunk he peeled off patches of bark, about an inch thick, and inside the bark were long fibrous webs, forming knots that could not be untied, covered with a gelatinous powder.This powder is the edible sago, which is the staple food of Melanesian residents.

Like chopping firewood, Ned Land cut the tree trunk into sections, preparing to extract the powder on the trunk in the future, and then separated the powder and fibers with a filter cloth, and put them in the sun to dry the water to evaporate, and finally put these The powder is put into a mold and pressed into pieces to make it solidify.

About five o'clock in the afternoon, we finally loaded the boat with all our wealth and left the island.Half an hour later, our dinghy returned to the Nautilus.This huge steel plate cone seems to have been abandoned, and no one cares about it. When we got to the ship, no one came out.When we had our food on board, I went to my cabin, where my supper was laid, and I lay down to sleep.

The next day, January 1, there was no movement on board.The skiff is still beside the Nautilus, where we left her yesterday.We decided to go to Gueborole Island again.Ned Land wanted to have a look at another part of the woods, hoping that today's luck would be better than yesterday's, and that he could catch some birds or wild animals. In terms of hunting, today's luck would be better than yesterday's.

By sunrise, we had already boarded the boat.The waves pushed the boat towards the shore of the island, and we arrived on the island in no time.I thought it best to rely on the instinct of the Canadian to go forward. Conseil and I followed behind him. He was tall and long-legged and often left us far behind.

Ned Land walked westward along the coast, waded through several swift rivers, and came to a high plain with lush forests at the end of the plain.Some kingfishers are flying around the river, but they are very cautious, and they will fly away immediately when they see someone approaching.Seeing how the bird knew how to deal with us bipeds, I figured that even though the island was uninhabited, people had been here.

Passing through a vast grassland, we came to a small forest, where many birds were flying and singing, full of vitality.

"It's just birds," Conseil said.

"There's something to eat in the bird, too!" replied the harpooner.

"No, brother Ned Land," Conseil replied, "I saw only some parrots there."

Ned Land said solemnly: "Brother Conseil, in the eyes of hungry people, parrots are equal to pheasants."

"I haven't finished. I will add that this bird tastes very good when cooked well."

(End of this chapter)