Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 24 Perched on a Tree (Part [-])

The tree that Glenarvan and the others escaped from has shiny leaves and a round crown. It is indeed very similar to a walnut tree, but it is not a walnut tree.

This is an Ombi tree.

On the plains of Argentina the Ombi trees have always grown independently.It has a thick trunk and a well-developed root system. The main root goes deep into the ground, and the auxiliary roots firmly fix the trunk from all directions around it, which can resist wind and flood in any direction.

The Ombi tree is 100 feet tall and has a canopy of 120 square meters.The trunk and branches spiral up layer upon layer, like a giant umbrella in nature.

No rain can penetrate its hundreds of layers of branches and leaves!There was a horizontal branch of the tree, and the branches and leaves had reached the water.If the whole tree is compared to an isolated island, then this horizontal trunk is like a peninsula or a promontory.

The people who had escaped from the water were now driving a large flock of birds from the water to the upper layer of foliage and vines.These birds are all colorful and colorful, and suddenly fly up and down, like flowers flying in the wind.

After climbing up the tree, Little Robert and Wilson climbed to the highest floor together.They stood on the branches, and put their heads out of the green canopy.As far as the eye can see, there is a vast ocean on all sides.As far as the eye can see, there is no shelter anywhere, so I am so lucky to be able to climb this Ombi tree!There are still some uprooted trees floating on the surface of the water, rushing to the downstream like a rampage, as well as drowned livestock, crooked branches, roofs of thatched houses, bloody animal skins... There is even one tree A brood of black-spotted tigers lay tremblingly on the tree, roaring helplessly, drifting past.

In the far horizon, there is a black spot, that is Takafu and Taojia! "Tarcaf, my friend!"

Robert stretched out his arm in that direction and called out loudly. "Don't worry about him. I'm sure he won't be drowned, Mr. Robert," said Wilson. "Let's go down! Soon, the two of them passed through layers of branches and leaves, and finally reached the bottom layer. Glenarvan and the others rode, sat, or lay down, and everyone was there very casually." stay."

Wilson came down to report what they had seen from the top of the tree, and it was agreed that Tarcaf would not be drowned!So far the only thing that is unpredictable is Taojia saving Takaf, or Takafu saving Taojia.

Right now, their situation is far more dangerous than Takaf.This tree seems to be able to withstand the impact of the current, but if the water level rises further, they are likely to be submerged!Moreover, the ground here is low-lying, and the water appears to be deeper than elsewhere.

As soon as Glenarvan climbed into the tree, he carved a mark on the trunk with a knife, so that he could better monitor the water level.

However, the water level does not seem to be rising anymore.This kind of puts people at ease. "What shall we do now?" Glenarvan asked.

"Make a nest!" Paganel said excitedly. "Make a nest?"

Robert asked in surprise. "Of course, we've lived the lives of fishes, so let's live the lives of birds now!"

"Excellent! But who will feed us when we are ready?" said Glenarvan.

"Me," replied the major.

Everyone turned to see McNabbs leaning on a particularly soft branch, and handing over his wet saddlebag.

"Ah, McNabbs, that's great! You're so thoughtful." Glenarvan praised involuntarily. "You must not drown, and you must not starve to death!"

said the major. "I should remember this too! But unfortunately, I was really too careless."

Paganel said. "What's in there?" Austin asked.

"Two days' food for seven people," replied McNabbs.

"That's great, I hope the floodwaters will recede within 24 hours."

Glenarvan said.

"Or we can think of a way to get back to land within 24 hours."

Paganel said. "Then let's eat now!" said Glenarvan. "Let's dry the clothes first!" The major suggested again. "Where is the fire?"

Wilson asked. "We can make our own fire!" said Paganel.

"Where is it?" "On the tree trunk!" "What to burn?" "Dead branches, on the tree."

"Even if there is firewood, it won't light, the tinder is soaked!" Glenarvan said. "No need for tinder! Find some dry moss, or some sunshine, and I'll take a picture with the lens of the telescope. Now, who's going to collect wood?" "I'll go!" cried Robert cheerfully.After speaking, he jumped up the tree like a cat.Soon after, Wilson followed suit.Paganel first found some dry moss, and pointed the telescope at the sun, and it shined on the moss under which the wet leaves were lined-this would not cause a fire.

All the dead branches that Robert and Wilson found were piled on the moss, and Paganel used the wind of his sitting together to fan the flames, and the fire was soon aroused.

Everyone surrounded the flames from all directions and baked their clothes.Then I ate some meals according to the ration-it must be ration, because it is difficult for everyone to determine how long they will stay in such a tree. What if the water does not recede as quickly as Glenarvan expected?

Fortunately, there are still many bird nests on the tree. Since there are bird eggs, there must be birds. For now, there is no need to worry too much about food.

If you plan to live for a long time, eating and sleeping are the two biggest things right now.

"The kitchen and living room are downstairs, and the bedrooms are upstairs!" says Paganel. "The house is big, and the rent is not much, so everyone can live in whatever they want!"

"There are many natural nets formed by vines on the top of the tree. Fixing them all on the trunk and branches is a good hammock!"

"Everyone takes turns to stand guard, and we are not afraid of anything! Whether it is the Indian fleet or some other scourge!"

"Just no guns," Austin said. "I have a pistol," said Glenarvan.

"Me too." Robert followed suit.

"What's the use of having a gun? Mr. Paganel, you have to find a way to make some ammunition first!"

Austin said again. "No need."

The major said as he took out an ammunition pouch. "Where did you come from, Major?" asked Paganel, in the utmost astonishment. "It was given to me by Tarcaf before he jumped into the water," replied the major.

"What a good Indian!" Paganel praised sincerely.

"Yes, if the whole Patagonians are like him, what a marvelous people they are!"

"And Toka, which is also part of Patagonia; I'm sure we'll see them again!"

Paganel said. "How far is it from the Atlantic Ocean?" asked the major.

"Forty miles at most," replied Paganel. "Everyone, I will go to the observatory above and use my telescope to do some reconnaissance, and then I will report to you what I have reconnaissance."

As he said that, Paganel climbed up and disappeared into the green leaves in an instant.

Everyone made their own "beds", found a tree branch that they thought was the most ideal, and tied a few canes, and it was considered a good place to sleep for themselves.

After finishing these things, everyone returned to the bottom floor in unison, sat around the "stove" and chatted.

Naturally, what they were talking about was not the current environment, because right now there was no other way but to be patient.

Everyone was still talking about the theme of the trip: Captain Grant.As long as the water level receded, they would be back on board the Duncan in no time.However, the goal of crossing the American continent has not been achieved!Where else was the lost Captain Grant to be found now?How disappointed and sad Lady Helene and Mary would be if they knew this!
"Oh, my poor sister! It's all over!" said Robert, in his mournful voice.Glenarvan opened his mouth a little, but nothing came out.Pale comfort is far less than any hint of hope! "In any case, the 37°south latitude line really exists! And even the strokes are written clearly! Whether it is the location of the shipwreck or the location of the accident, it is a determinable data what!"

Glenarvan said very puzzled.

"That's right, sir. It's true! But it's true that we didn't find them!"

Austin replied. "This is so distressing!" sighed Glenarvan again.

"Distress is certainly distress, but we don't need to be discouraged, because we still have these numbers after all!"

said the major. "What do you mean we should do next?" Glenarvan asked.

"It's very simple, my dear sir. All we have to do now is to return to the ship and continue to move forward along the 37° line even as far as the place where we originally started!"

"Well, my dearer MacNabbs, do you think I haven't thought of this layer? But what's the use of that? If we go any further, it's not Patagonia that Grant himself wrote. Are you getting farther and farther?"

"What's more, we have already found out that the shipwreck is neither on the Pacific coast nor the Atlantic coast, so why is there any need to go back to the Pampas grassland to find it?"

The major retorted.Glenarvan fell silent.

"The line is clear, as long as you follow this line, there will be hope!"

"Of course..." "My friends," the major said, turning to the others, "will you agree with me?"

"I agree." Wilson, Murady and Austin replied in unison. "Now everyone, please listen to me," Glenarvan also took up the conversation at this moment, "Robert, you listen too. I have made up my mind: I will not rest until I find Captain Grant! If it is possible, I will I will spend my whole life looking for him!"

"Captain Grant died for the benefit of the Scottish people, so I am also looking for him on behalf of the Scottish people!"

"For this reason, I hope that no matter how small I am, I will continue to search for it! I can go around the earth for a week. However, what we are going to discuss now is not this issue, but is it necessary for us to continue searching in America?"

Everyone fell into silence for a moment. "Tell me?" Glenarvan asked the major.

"Dear Edward, I think it is difficult to answer 'yes' or 'no' lightly to this question. I would like to know where the 37° line passes through?"

"It's Paganel's business," Glenarvan replied. "Then we'll ask him," said the major.

So people shouted at the dense branches and leaves above:
"Paganel! Paganel!"

"Here!" A voice came from mid-air. "where is it?"

"On the observatory."

"What are you doing?"

"Look far away."

"Can I come down for a while?"

"need me?"

"Yes."

"what's up?"

"Where does the 37° line go through?"

"I can tell you clearly without going down."

"Then say it!"

"First the Atlantic."

"what."

"what."

"Two minutes down is the Cape of Good Hope."

"and then?"

"Indian Ocean."

"and after?"

"Passing St. Peter's Island in the Amsterdam Archipelago."

"And later?"

"Across Victoria, Australia."

"Next."

"Out of Australia..." And Paganel's words stopped abruptly at this point.Everyone feels very strange:
Could it be that he forgot?Suddenly, there was a loud cry from among the thick branches and leaves!Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, their faces pale with fright.What disaster?Had the hapless geographer fallen?Wilson and Mullah stood up suddenly, and suddenly, Paganel fell from the sky—he rolled down from the branches and fell straight into the waves below.

It was too late to say it, but it was too soon, the major stretched out his arm and embraced him. "Thank you, McNabbs!"

he is alive!He spoke! "What's the matter?" asked the major, "Isn't it another carelessness? How did you fall?"

"Yeah, yeah, carelessness... I'm afraid a new era will be ushered in!"

"How can you be careless and start a new era?"

"We were wrong! We were wrong! We were wrong again!"

"What's wrong again? What's going on?"

"Glenarvan, Major, Robert, my friends, listen to me, we are all looking for him where he is not!"

"What are you talking about?" Glenarvan asked suddenly.

"Grant isn't where we're looking, and he's never been in any of those places!"

(End of this chapter)