Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 36 "How Did the Horse Die?" (2)
"Just now, what did he mean by that sentence?" Glenarvan asked Menger.

"I don't know very well either. However, the major seldom makes nonsense." Menger replied. "You're right. John, MacNabbs must have been suspicious of Ayrton," said Mrs. Helen.

"Doubt?" Paganel asked back, shrugging his shoulders at the same time. "What do you suspect? Does he think it was Ayrton who poisoned the cows and horses? But why does Ayrton do it again? Isn't he on the same side as us?" said Glenarvan.

"Yes, you are right, my dear Edward. Besides, Ayrton has been sincere in everything we remember from the first day of our journey," said Mrs. Helen.

"That's right. But what did the major mean by that statement? I've got to find out," Mengel said.

"Then does he think that Ayrton and the gang of exiles are accomplices?" Paganel said without paying attention.

"What convict?" Miss Grant inquired at once. "Mr. Paganel was wrong. He already knew that there are no exiles in Victoria Province." Meng Geer hurriedly smoothed things over.

At this time, Ayrton and two sailors were trying to drag the car out of the mud.

They harnessed the cow and the horse, and Wilson and Mullah pushed the wheel vigorously.Both sides exhausted all their strength, but the heavy car remained motionless.

The sun came out and the slime dried and clung to the car.Menger poured water on the slime, hoping that this would reduce the stickiness, but in vain, the car still couldn't move.Unless the car is broken into pieces, there is no other way at present.But at this time there is no tool for disassembly.

It was too late, and soon, Ayrton was about to make another attempt, but was stopped by Glenarvan.

"Well, Ayrton, that's enough. Let's take good care of the two animals we have. We'll go on, and besides, we'll have one of them to carry the luggage and the other to carry the two ladies."

"Okay, sir." "Now, my friends, everyone go back to the tent. Let's discuss and analyze what to do next based on the current situation." Before discussing, we must first make an accurate measurement exact current position.Paganel accepted the task.He said he was now at 147° 5'E, on the banks of the Snowy River.

"What is the exact longitude of the coast of Tuff Bay?" Glenarvan asked. "Exactly 150 degrees east longitude," Paganel replied.

"The difference between the two places is two degrees and seven minutes. How many miles are there?"

"75 miles." "How far from Melbourne?" "At least 200 miles."

"Okay. Now that the position is clear, what should we do next?" Glenarvan said.

There was every urgency to move towards the coast as soon as possible.Lady Helen and Mary Grant pledged to walk five miles a day.

"You are a heroine, dear Helen," said Glenarvan. "However, are you sure you can find all the clues we need when you arrive at Tuff Bay?"

"Absolutely no problem. Eden City has a long history and is very well connected to Melbourne. I estimate another 35 miles and we'll be in Delegit on the Victorian border. There we can buy food, Find transportation," Paganel replied.

"What about the Duncan? Isn't it just the right time for her to come to Tuff Bay, sir?" Ayrton asked again.

"What's your opinion, John?" asked Glenarvan. "I don't think your Excellency needs to be in a hurry right now. There will be enough time to notify Tom Austin in the future." Meng Gele said after thinking for a moment. "Indeed," Paganel added.

"Besides, in another 4 or 5 days, we will reach Eden City." Meng Geer said again.

"Four or five days?" said Ayrton, shaking his head vigorously. "If you don't regret your slip of the tongue in the future, Captain, you should say 4 or 5 days."

"Fifteen or twenty days for seventy-five miles?" exclaimed Glenarvan, thinking he was joking.

"That's less to say, sir. This is the most difficult road in Victoria. According to the locals, there is nothing in this wasteland, and there are no roads at all. If you want to walk across, you have to use ax and torch to make a way." Just do it. Please take my word for it, it’s impossible to be quick.” Ayrton said with certainty, and Paganel nodded in agreement.

"Even if there are these difficulties, even if it is 15 days, it will not be too late to give orders to the Duncan after 15 days." Meng Geer said.

"I would like to add that the difficult road is not the main obstacle. The main obstacle is the Snowy River, which probably cannot be crossed until the river's water recedes." Ayrton said.

"Wait for the water to go down? Can't there be a ford?" cried the captain.

"I don't think I will find it. I went to the river this morning to look for it, but I couldn't find it. The river is so fast at this time, so it's rare. We can only blame our bad luck." Ayrton said.

"Is the Snowy River very wide?" asked Lady Helene. "Broad and deep, ma'am. It's about a mile wide, and the current is so fast that even the best swimmers will not swim across it safely."

"Then we'll make a boat!" cried Robert. "Fortunately he figured it out. He is indeed the son of Captain Grant." Paganel said.

"He's right," said Captain Mengele, "but we won't do it unless it's absolutely necessary. I don't think it's worth wasting time discussing it here." "What do you think, Ayrton? "

"I think, sir, if no one will help us, we may be stranded by the river in a month's time."

"So, is there no better way?" John Mengel asked.Evidently he was losing his temper.

"Yes! That is to let the Duncan leave Melbourne and drive to the east coast as soon as possible."

"Hmph, it's the Duncan again! Even if the Duncan comes to Tuff Bay, wouldn't it be difficult for us to go to Tuff Bay?"

Ayrton didn't answer immediately, after thinking for a while.He said vaguely: "I don't want to insist on my own opinions and opinions, I just think for everyone's sake. If your Excellency gives the order to set off immediately, I am ready to go." After finishing speaking, he crossed his arms and waited there .

"That must not be the case, Ayrton," said Glenarvan. "Just say what you want, and let us all discuss it. What do you think?"

Ayrton calmed down and said casually: "Since we haven't thought of any other way so far, my suggestion is not to risk crossing the river lightly. And we should stay here and wait for help from others. The only person who can help us is It could be from the Duncan. So let's stay here for a while, and there will be no shortage of food. We should send a message to Tom Austin, telling him to hurry the ship to Tuff Bay."

Everyone was surprised by this unexpected suggestion.John Mengel looked disdainful.

"If the Snowy River recedes while we send for the messenger, we'll find a ford to cross. If a ferry is needed, then we'll have time to make a dinghy. That's what I said. Your suggestion, sir, please consider it."

"Very well, Ayrton," said Glenarvan, "your opinion is worthy of our consideration. The greatest disadvantage is the delay, but we can also take this opportunity to rest and avoid some possible dangers. My friends. , what's your opinion?"

"Please also express your own opinion, dear McNabbs. From the beginning, you only listened and didn't talk. You are too pity for your tongue." Madam Helen interrupted hastily.

"Since the roll call asked me to say it, I will say it frankly. I think Ayrton is a smart and cautious person, which can be seen from his conversation just now. Therefore, I completely agree with him. ’” His answer was quite unexpected, for until a moment ago he had been strenuously against Ayrton.Ayrton himself was rather surprised, and could not help casting a glance at the major.At this point, Glenarvan announced that he would adopt Ayrton's suggestion. "Now, John, just to be on the safe side, shouldn't we wait on this side of the river for someone to send a vehicle to help us?" said Glenarvan. "It should be so. But since we can't cross the river, the messenger can?" said John Mengel.At this moment everyone looked at Ayrton, who seemed to smile confidently. "Actually, the messenger doesn't have to cross the river at all," said Ayrton. "What?" Menger exclaimed in great surprise. "Yeah, he just needs to get back on the road from Lucknow to Melbourne."

"Two hundred and fifty miles on foot?" Menger called out. "Horse riding. We still have a good horse here. It takes less than four days to ride a horse for this journey, but it takes two days for the Duncan to drive from Melbourne to Tuff Bay, and one day from Tuff Bay to here. In this way, one After a week, the people sent out will lead the people on the boat back to the camp to pick us up."

"And now, my friends. We're sending a man to Melbourne with a message, and you'll understand that it's hard work, even life-threatening. Who's going to serve you wholeheartedly?"

Wilson, Murady, Menger, Paganel, and even Robert were vying to go.But Menger was the most determined.

At this time, Ayrton, who had been silent all the time, said: "Sir, if you will trust me, let me deliver it. I know this area very well, and I have been to any difficult place. You only need to write to the mate. A letter made him believe me, and I promise that the Duncan will sail to Tuff Bay in six days."

"Well, Ayrton, with your intelligence and courage, you will surely accomplish the task," Glenarvan replied.

"Ayrton, you go, the sooner the better. But when you come back, look for us from Ayden City towards the direction of the Snowy River." At this moment, Ayrton turned his head hastily with a smug look in his eyes.However, John Mengel saw everything he did, which deepened his suspicion.

Glenarvan immediately wrote to Tom Austin.McNabbs watched Glenarvan write.The major suddenly asked Sir Ayrton's name in a strange way. "Write it as it sounds," said Glenarvan. "It's pronounced Ayrton, but it's written by Peng Jues!"

(End of this chapter)