Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 18 Finding Water and Hunting

Salt Lake is the terminus of a chain of lakes and rivers.Because the sodium chloride content in the water is relatively high, many people come here to get salt from Buenos Aires.

But now the water has dried up, the salt has settled to the bottom of the lake, and the board has formed a large mirror.

Of course, even if there is water now, the water in the salt lake itself is not drinkable, and Tarcaf refers to the water in the freshwater rivers that flow into the salt lake.

But now both the lake and the river have been dried up by the sun!The water in everyone's leather buckets has also deteriorated, and we can no longer drink it.In the face of thirst, fatigue and hunger have disappeared, and the biggest problem now is: to find water quickly!So, as soon as everyone lay down in a leather tent abandoned by the Indians, Paganel asked Tarcave what to do next.Outside the tent, the horses were lying down on the lake beach, chewing bitter grass roots helplessly.In the tent, Paganel and Tarcaf chatted quickly.Takaf had always spoken calmly, but Paganel seemed very excited when he pointed his fingers.Glenarvan also simply understood a few words, and asked, "What did he say? I seem to have heard him say let us separate?"

"Yes, he said that we should divide into two teams. The thirstiest horses would go forward slowly in a straight line, and the horses that could still hold on would go quickly to the front."

"Go and see if there is any water in the Guamini River that flows into Lake San Luke. If there is water, those who go first should wait there; "

"How far is the Guamini from here?"

"31 miles."

"What if there is no water?"

"75 miles to the south, where there are more rivers."

"Very well, it's not too late now, let's act now. My horse is fine, and Tarcafe and I will go to the front station." Glenarvan said. "Sir, I will go too."

Little Robert cried too, as if to go out to play. "You can't keep up with us, kid!"

"Keep up! My horse is fine! I beg you, take me!"

"Okay then, kid." Glenarvan was unwilling to part with Robert from his heart. "If there are three of us, we would be too stupid to find water!"

"what about me?"

Paganel also shouted from the side. "Why, my dear Monsieur Paganel, you must not go," said the major at this moment. "You know all the situations on the 37° line too well, and you are familiar with the Guamini River and the Pampas Grassland. You are our flag!"

"Muradi, Wilson and I couldn't keep up with Tarcaf, so we had to walk slowly behind, so you can't leave us!"

"Then I have to be wronged." Although Paganel said so in his mouth, he was happy to get the status of "banner" in his heart. "But you can't lead us somewhere we shouldn't go because of carelessness, such as the Pacific coast!" the major said jokingly. "It deserves to lead you back to the Pacific Ocean!"

Paganel returned him, and then turned to Glenarvan and asked: "Sir, how do you talk to Tarcaf?" "I don't think there is much to talk about. From what I have learned Spanish vocabulary, I believe we can communicate with each other." "Well then, my dear friend, let's go." Paganel said.

"Eat dinner first. Sleep if you can, and sleep until departure." There was no water to quench their thirst and everyone had to chew dry.Quite uncomfortable.Everyone went to bed after supper.Paganel dreamed of water in his dreams, rivers, rivers, lakes, seas, rapids, waterfalls, ponds and creeks, and even bottles full of water, piled up everywhere... The next day, morning 6 At one o'clock, Tarcave, Glenarvan, and Robert endured the nausea and vomiting, drank their share of stinky water, mounted their horses and set off immediately.

"Good-bye!" said the Major, Murady, Wilson, and Austin together. "Be sure to find water, and don't run back!" said Paganel.

The three of them rode away.After running for a distance, Glenarvan couldn't help turning his head back, seeing his companions no longer, and he felt a sense of loss in his heart.

They ran their horses on the hard clay soil of the Salt Lake District, and all the vegetation around them was very sparse.Except for the occasional dry bushes that appear in the field of vision, there are some woody mimosa.

The salt flats strongly reflect the sunlight and look as smooth as ice.However, the hot air will tell you that it is not ice.

The ice-like salt lake and the burning heat wave are really strange landscapes in this area!
If the Guamini River, the target of their trip, is also dry this time, they will have to go south.

The south is the most fertile part of the Indian land, and the soil is thick and the grass is beautiful, and the forest is everywhere.

There is a kind of cassia tree, the fruit is dried and ground into powder, which can be used to make bread!

There is also a white broken axe tree, the wicker is not only soft and slender, but also graceful and graceful, as if it looks like a European willow tree.

There is also a kind of red broken axe tree, the wood is quite good, and it will never be eaten by moths.

The "Nodubo" tree will catch fire as long as it encounters fire; the "Villaro" tree will bloom in layers and is shaped like a pyramid; and the "Danbo" tree can support a large umbrella in the air, enough to shade a herd of cattle.

The Argentines have coveted this place for a long time, but they cannot defeat the Indians who are determined to defend their homeland to the death.

Naturally, one would also think that there must be water in such a richly vegetated area.Yes, the big river there will never dry up even if the weather is dry.

But it was quite a distance from our caravan, a full 130 miles!So first go to the Guamini River.All three horses ran vigorously at first.They also seem to know what their masters are taking them to do, especially Takaf's Toka.It seems that it is not afraid of any challenges of fatigue and hunger, and it always runs forward briskly and swiftly like a happy bird!

In comparison, Glenarvan and Robert's horse footsteps are much heavier.However, fortunately, with Taojia as an example, they can also follow.

Tarkaf sat on the horse, his posture was still so upright.Like his horse, he uses his own image while encouraging his companions behind.

Now and then he would turn back to see little Robert.I saw little Robert sitting on the horse, looking very stable.His waist is flexible, his shoulders are leaning forward, his legs hang down naturally, his knees clamp the saddle, and his riding posture is quite beautiful.

Tarcaf had nothing but admiration for the boy.This shows that Robert Jr. can enter the ranks of the first-class riders, because he has been recognized by Indian's very good riders.

"Son, Tarcalf is admiring you!" Glenarvan said to little Robert, seeing Tarcalf's expression. "why?"

"Because your riding posture is chic."

"Oh, I just ride more steadily." Robert blushed a little.

Of course, "the most important thing is to ride steadily!" Glenarvan said. "You are so humble. I can predict that you will definitely become a very good athlete in the future!"

"Okay! My father's wish was for me to be a good sailor, and I'm an athlete!"

In fact, "This is not a contradiction. A good rider may not be a good sailor, but a good sailor is definitely a good rider! If you are used to riding on a sail rack, you should be fine riding a horse."

"Oh, my poor papa! Sir, I think he would be so grateful to you if you saved him!"

"You love your father very much, Robert?"

"Yes, sir."

"He was very kind to me and my sister. Every time he came back from the sea, he would bring us souvenirs from wherever he went!"

"As soon as he got home, he touched us gently with his hand and talked to us kindly."

"Oh, you'll like him when you see him! Mary is so like him! His voice is so soft, and a sailor's is so soft, it's amazing to think..."

"Yes, Robert." Glenarvan replied, listening attentively. "I seem to see him standing before me now! My father, dear father!"

"He used to rock me to sleep when I was little. He sang a Scottish folk song while he was rocking—it was about the lakes in Scotland. I remember the tune vaguely in my head, Mary. Remember too... oh, ser, how I loved him! Doesn't a man love his father more the younger he is?"

"The older you are, the more you respect your father, son." Glenarvan was very excited when he heard the voice of little Robert at this time.

The two talked like this, and they slowed down unconsciously. "I believe we will find my father, right?" Little Robert said suddenly after a short silence. "Yes, he must be found!" said Glenarvan more firmly.

"Tarcaf also provided us with good clues, so I am very confident." "Tarcaf is such an excellent Indian!"

Robert said. "Yes!"

"Do you know something?" "Tell me what it is?"

"Everyone with you is so nice! Lady Helene, the Major, Captain Mengel, Monsieur Paganel, and the sailors!"

"Yes, boy, I know." "But do you know? You are the best of all good people!" "Oh, I didn't know that!" "You should know, sir!" Robert stopped Sir hand and kissed.Tarcaf had already begun to greet them from the front.Time is so precious, the people behind are still waiting for their news!The three of them urged the horse forward.However, the two horses of Robert and Glenarvan could not run anymore.It was noon, and the horse had to rest for an hour.Although there is sun-dried alfalfa next to them, they just don't eat it.No sign of any water ahead!Takaf also fell silent, and he was also thinking, if the Guamini River is also dry, then...

After they set off again, Puzhong couldn't run no matter what, only Taojia continued to jump forward.

Takafu also knew that Taojia could reach the river in only a few hours; but he could not leave behind his companions no matter what!He had no choice but to tighten Taojia's rein, but Taojia resisted strongly, raised his neck and neighed.While pulling the rein, Tarcaf talked to his horse kindly, letting it calm down slowly and slow down.After talking for a while, the horse really calmed down!Taojia and Takafu are two good partners who know each other well.The fine horse seemed to have smelled the mist in the air, it took a deep breath and barked wildly.Proof that water is nearby!Tarcaf hastened the news to Glenarvan and Robert Jr., and Toja likewise passed the news to Glenarvan and Robert Jr.'s horse.

The three horses galloped together!
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, a white water line appeared in the distance, trembling under the shining of the sun!

"Water!" cried Glenarvan excitedly. "Water! Water! Water!" Robert also shouted.

The three horses ran towards the water's edge like arrows that had been thrown off their strings, and plunged into the water in one fell swoop.

Although the man and the saddle were wet, no one complained! "Ah, that's great!" Robert said while gulping down the water.

"Slow down, child." Although Glenarvan warned the child, he did not lead by example.

For a moment, only the sound of people and horses drinking water remained on the water.Takaf drank water very calmly. I saw that he sucked the water one mouthful at a time, neither in a rush nor in a hurry, but the duration was quite long, as if he would never stop until he drank the river water.

"Oh, how wonderful! My friends will have water as soon as they get here! I hope Tarcaf won't drain the river!"

Glenarvan joked. "Let's pick them up quickly! Let them know this encouraging news as soon as possible!" Little Robert suggested calmly.

"You're right, boy. But the buckets and stuff are all in Wilson's place, and we can't bring water there! Let's wait where we were supposed to be! Judging by their speed, night should be here. So let's go first." Get them supper and a place to sleep."

At this time, Tarcaf had found a more ideal camping place: it was a horse fence with courtyard walls on three sides.

Of course, camping here must be camping.With the camp, the three of them seized every moment to take off their clothes and dry them in the sun.

"The next problem is supper. When they arrive, they must be very tired. They have a place to live, and of course food must be fixed. I think it's not a waste of time to go hunting for an hour now!"

"How is it, Robert?" Glenarvan asked. "There, sir."

Little Robert jumped up at Sir's words, still clutching the gun.

Glenarvan thought of hunting because he knew that this place with water was like an oasis in the desert, where all kinds of animals and birds would invariably gather here.

There are red partridges unique to the Pampas grassland, as well as black partridges, pheasants, crakes, grouse... As for the wild birds and beasts, they are all hidden behind the grass.

This place can be called the richest hunting spot in the world.Bang bang gunshots broke the lazy air under the sun.I saw guanacos and roe deer flying out of the grass - the guanacos were the very agile animals that were shot by the major when they were on the mountain.They run so fast that even the bullets can hardly catch up.

Since you can't beat the fast ones, then beat the slow ones.Soon there were more than a dozen red partridges and crakes in the account.

Glenarvan also killed a wild boar!It is said that the meat of this thick-skinned beast is particularly delicious!
After about half an hour the hunt was all over because enough had been caught.

Robert also shot an armadillo covered in scales.This is a relatively rare animal, and it is more than a foot long and very fat.

Tarcaf also shot an ostrich.And the speed at which this bird runs is quite astonishing.

Tarcaf didn't chase it with bullets, but quickly jumped in front of it.Because this kind of ostrich is the best at going around in circles with people, as long as you can't hit it with a single shot, it will turn people around.

Takaf quickly jumped in front of it, swung out "Pao La" immediately, and wrapped the ostrich's legs in one go.

But the ostrich fell down in response, unable to run away at all.Ostrich meat is also an excellent delicacy!Thus they had a dozen partridges and crakes, ostriches, wild boars, and armadillos, and what a bountiful harvest!Drag the whole thing back to the horse pen, skin the ostriches and wild boars, and cut the flesh into pieces; armadillo meat is inherently lumpy, so it should be roasted whole.

The three hunters ate only partridges and crakes, and gave the rest to their friends behind.

Eating delicious food while drinking river water feels better than any fine wine in the world.

Hay was stocked in the stalls, so the three horses also had a good and plentiful supper.

After tidying up, the three of them lay down on the alfalfa grass spread on the ground and fell asleep soundly.

(End of this chapter)