Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 29 Amsterdam Island (1)
In order to fuel the ship at the Cape of Good Hope, Captain Mengel had to leave the 37th parallel south and walk two degrees north.

At 11 o'clock in the evening on November 24th, the Duncan sailed into Cape Town Bay and broke down in Cape Town Harbor. It took a day to refuel the ship, so the passengers on the Duncan were given a day to visit.It is planned to leave early on the morning of the 8th.

People are satisfied after visiting the places of interest and tasting the local wine produced by the local Costas company.The Duncan set sail early the next morning and rounded the Cape of Good Hope a few hours later.There is a 2900 nautical mile voyage from the Cape of Good Hope to Amsterdam Island. If everything goes well, it will take about 10 days to arrive.

On December 12, just after daybreak, a mountain peak appeared on the sea-this is the island of Amsterdam, which is located at 6 south latitude. ]370[,], east longitude 47[]77[]. "The peaks here are very similar to those in Tristan da Cunha," Glenarvan said. "Your conclusion is quite accurate. According to the geometric theorem, if two islands A and B are similar to C island, then it can be deduced that A and B must be similar. The island of Amsterdam, like Tristan da Cunha, has existed since ancient times. Robinsons and the like exist, and there are a lot of seals," Paganel added.

"Are there people like Robinson everywhere?" asked Mrs. Helen.

"Of course, madam," replied Paganel. "May I ask you a question, Mr. Paganel?" said Miss Mary Grant. "My dear lady, you can ask as many questions as you want, and I promise to give you the most perfect answer." "If you were left on a desert island, would you be afraid?" "I am afraid?" "Hey, my friend, You wouldn't say that being abandoned on a desert island is what you desperately want?" The major said sarcastically. "I wouldn't say that, but I don't hate it if it happens. I'll organize my new life, hunting and fishing." "Are you alone?" "Alone if necessary." It doesn't matter. But there is no absolute loneliness in this world. Can I find an animal to be my friend! Tame a goat, raise a talking parrot or a cute monkey. If I can meet a faithful Wouldn't it be better on Friday! Or two friends living on the same island, happy! If the Major and I..."

"Thank you for your kindness. I don't want to live like a Crusoe Crusoe," the major interrupted hastily.

Everyone has been talking about the topic of loneliness and happiness.

At 12 a.m. on December 7, the passengers boarded the deck, and the island of Amsterdam had disappeared into the mist on the horizon. If there were no accidents and the westerly wind continued to blow, the Duncan would arrive at its destination in 8 days.

Standing on the boat, Mary Grant and Robert looked at the waves of the Indian Ocean, filled with emotion.Perhaps, the Britannia was wrecked in a terrible storm in the Indian Ocean, and was washed to Australia by the current.

There is still a problem that everyone still can't figure out.According to the Merchant Shipping Daily, Captain Grant sent his last message from Callao on May 1862, 5, but why did the Britannia arrive in the Indian Ocean 30 days after leaving Peru?

Paganel answered this question, and it was reasonable, and his wisdom and learning were greatly admired.First, he asked some questions to everyone.

"Can a clipper ship cross the Pacific Ocean between America and Australia in a month's time?"

"If you go 24 nautical miles in 200 hours, it's possible."

"Is that the fastest speed?"

"No, the clipper is faster than this!"

"Okay, let me get down to business. There is a big problem with the 'June 6th' on the document, if instead of seeing it as June 7th, we see it as 'June 6th' or 'June 7', because there is a large gap before the 6, what if it has been soaked by sea water? Therefore, the problem is obvious."

"Yes, from May 5th to June 30th... During this period, Captain Grant has plenty of time to cross the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean." Madam Helen said.

Everyone accepted Paganel's reasoning, and felt that his explanation had some truth.

"Thanks to this friend, we have clarified one doubt after another. Now we can go directly to Australia to find the trace of the Britannia." Glenarvan said.

"Whether the search is on the west coast or the east coast?" Captain Mengel asked. "Yes, John, you are right. The document does not specify whether it is on the east coast or the west coast. So we will search at the east and west ends of the 37th parallel through Australia, and we must not give up on either end."

"But if this is the case, won't there be another problem?" Miss Grant asked after thinking about it.

"It will be all right, miss." Captain Mengel hurriedly explained to dispel Mary Grant's doubts.

"Assuming Captain Grant lands on the east coast of Australia, he will be rescued soon. All the people living on this coast are British expatriates, and they will meet their compatriots within ten miles."

"That's right. Captain, I agree with your point of view. On the east coast, in Tufu Bay, and in Eden City, Captain Grant can find a place to live, and he can also find a means of transportation back to Europe." Bagan Er replied.

"So, you mean that the place we are looking for on the Duncan is a place where the crew members in distress can't call for help, and even there is no means of transportation, a deserted place?" Madam Helen asked. "Yes, ma'am." "What happened to my father in those two years?" "Dear Miss Mary, you don't think Captain Grant will have any problems landing in Australia, do you?" "Yes, Mr. Paganel." "Then, what will happen to Captain Grant after landing? As far as I can tell, there are only three conjectures. One is that he and his companions immigrated to England, the other is that he fell into the hands of the natives, and the third is that he was lost in the A desolate area."

"Go on, Paganel," said Glenarvan.

"Then I will continue. First of all, I definitely deny the first speculation. Captain Grant did not go to the British immigration area. If he emigrated to the UK, he would have returned home to reunite with his daughter."

"My poor father, he has been away from us for two years."

"Let Monsieur Paganel go on, sister, he will tell us..."

"Well, boy, I can't tell you anything more definite than I am sure of the first case. Perhaps we can conclude that he fell into the hands of the natives, or..."

"Are the aborigines in Australia..." Mrs. Helen asked impatiently.

"The aborigines here are uncivilized, gentle and honest. If they had captured the crew of the Britannia, I believe they would have done them no harm. Many travelers have come back and said that the aborigines in Australia What people are most afraid of is bloodshed. They even united with the travelers to resist the attacks and harassment of the prisoners who were exiled here."

"But, what if he is really lost in a deserted place?" "Even if he is lost, we will find him, right, friends, please trust our team!" "Of course, we will find him." Don't believe he's lost." "I don't believe it either!" Paganel added confidently. "Is Australia a big place?" Robert asked.

"Australia has 7.75 million hectares, which is equivalent to four-fifths of Europe." The major and the scholars wanted to make a bet. The major asked Paganel to name more than 50 explorers who had been to Europe, and Paganel eloquently The Jedi told more than 50, and the major had no choice but to admit defeat. Although he was reluctant to part with his gun, he admired his amazing memory too much.Even a gun store would let him win it.

"About Australia, I don't think anyone knows more clearly and thoroughly than him, even the smallest place name--the smallest fact..."

Madam Helen said appreciatively. "Ah, the tiniest fact!" The major interrupted the lady's words, and shook his head vigorously, expressing his disbelief. "What, you are still not convinced, my dear McNabbs?" Paganel cried again in anger. "I mean you don't necessarily know and understand a lot of the tiniest, tiniest things about Australia." "If I bring up a fact and you can't answer it, you'll have to give me back the carbine." Go ahead, Major," said Paganel confidently. "What you say, Paganel, is what you say." "A word of gold."

"Very well, Paganel. My question is: Do you know why Australia is not part of France?"

"Well... I think..." "Then at least you have to say what the British think about it?"

"I... I can't tell, Major." At this moment, Paganel looked annoyed.

(End of this chapter)