Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 38 "So it's a pirate!"

"No, no, even if I tell them, they won't believe me anymore. Besides, it's too late, it's useless." The scholar made up his mind not to say anything.

Murady's luggage is ready to deal with it, and before the departure, the scholars come to introduce the knowledge needed for the journey to Murady.As for the danger, within a few miles of the camp, there must be Peng Juesi and his accomplices waiting for an opportunity to strike. As long as they break through their ambush, there is no danger.

At 8 o'clock, it was completely dark, and it was time to start.Mu Lade brought the horses, and the horses' hooves were wrapped in cloth.In this way, there is no sound when walking, and it is not easy to be noticed by others.The major advises Mu Ladi that once he breaks out of the encirclement, he must cherish his horsepower, otherwise, haste makes waste.John Menger handed Mulla a pistol, which contained 6 bullets, which could be shot out in a few seconds at such a fast speed, that it would not be a problem to run into a few bandits blocking the way.

"Here's this letter for you, and give it to Tom Austin," said Glenarvan, "and let him see it without a moment's delay! Make haste to Tuff Bay, and if you don't see it there." We, then, prove that we have not yet crossed the Snowy River, and tell them to come and meet us at once. Go, my good sailor! God bless you." They all waved him good-bye.

"Goodbye, sir!" and soon disappeared on the path by the woods.In this dark and windy environment, it is the time when bandit activities are rampant.So everyone has raised their vigilance.Suddenly, in the lull of the wind, there was a shrill cry.The major and Mengel listened with bated breath. "Did you hear something?"

"I heard it. But is it a man or a beast?" said the major. "The voice of a person." The two continued to listen carefully, trying to make sure.Suddenly, that inexplicable cry came again, followed by a faint gunshot, but it was not very clear.At this time, the strong wind blew up again, and it was difficult for the major and Menger to hear each other's words.Had to hide in the lee of the car.

At this moment the leather curtains of the carriage were lifted, and Glenarvan stepped out of the carriage.Like them, he heard the scream and the gunshot.

"Where did the sound come from?" Sir asked. "From there." John said, pointing to the path in the dark, which was the direction Mullardi was going. "How far can it go?"

"The wind is strong and the sound transmission is strong. It should be at least three miles away." Meng Geer replied.

"Let's go and have a look." Glenarvan said as he raised his gun. "Can't go now. Maybe it's a conspiracy to trick us into leaving the cart."

said the major. "What if Murady is beaten to death by those bandits?" Glenarvan said helplessly, grabbing the major's hand.

"All will be clear to us after daybreak." "You must not leave here, ser. Go to me alone," said John. "No one can go!" said MacNabbs decisively. "Do you want to watch and let others beat us to death one by one? Do you want the conspiracy of the gangsters to succeed? It would be really unfortunate if Mu Ladi died, but we can't be in this misfortune." In addition to even greater misfortune! Besides, Mu Ladi was drawn by lottery, if it were me, I would never look back."

In any case, the Major was right to keep Glenarvan and John, and he was determined not to allow them to take risks.However, Glenarvan could not listen to these things now.Thinking of his subordinates being beaten to death, and he could only stand by and do nothing, he felt extremely sad.

Just as the major was persuading Glenarvan, a cry for help suddenly sounded, as if answering the major.

"Listen!" said Glenarvan.The cries for help came from the side of the gunfire, less than half a mile away.

Glenarvan jerked the major away and was about to rush out.At this time, I suddenly heard the voice of "Help! Help!"300 steps away from the car!

The cries for help are multi-hearted, miserable and desperate.Meng Geer and the major followed the sound and rushed over.They saw a figure, stumbling towards this direction.Moans kept coming out of his mouth.

Upon closer inspection, it was Murat who came.He was wounded and was covered in blood when his companion picked him up.

The major hurriedly took off the sailor's jacket, the rain mixed with blood dripped down unstoppably, and a knife wound was found under his right rib.Whether it matters or not is hard to tell now.Blood dripped down in bursts.Mu Ladi's pale face and difficulty in breathing proved that the injury was not serious.The major cleaned the wound for him, applied a thick layer of tinder, then wrapped it with several layers of gauze, and bandaged it up. The bleeding finally stopped.Lady Helen gave him some water.A quarter of an hour later, Mu La's body moved, his eyes were half-opened, and his lips kept moving, but his voice was extremely weak.

The major put his ear close to him, only to hear him keep repeating: "Sir... Letter... Penn Juss..."

Glenarvan touched Muradhi's pocket with his hand.The letter to Tom Austin is gone.People spend the night in anxiety.Everyone fears for Murat's life.He has been running a high fever.Mrs. Helen and Miss Grant gave him meticulous care and attention.

At dawn, Menger, Paganel and Glenarvan searched around.

Follow the blood-stained path to find the place where the accident happened last night.There were two corpses lying there, and they were supposed to have been killed by Mu Ladi, because one of them belonged to the blacksmith at Blackpoint Station.For safety reasons, they no longer search forward.Just go back, Glenarvan has been thinking seriously.

"I can't send anyone to Melbourne anymore," said Sir. "There's nothing we can do right now, sir. The Mariners haven't done it, so let me try," Mengel said.

"No, John. You can't run two hundred miles without a horse."

"In any case, no matter what happens, we can't be separated anymore. Wait for 8 days, 15 days, we have to wait here. Until the water in the Snowy River falls, we will rush to Tufu Bay, and then think about it." There is a way to send a message to the Duncan and let it pick it up." Glenarvan said.

"This is the only way to go at the moment," Paganel said. "So, my friends, we are to be together at all times, and no one is allowed to go alone, because bandits are always at hand, and it is very dangerous. God bless poor Mulladhi and keep us all safe. "

In fact, what Glenarvan said was very correct.They are now less than 35 miles from Delegit.It is the first frontier city in South Wales, where it will not be difficult to find means to get to Tuff Bay.Moreover, when you arrive in Tufu Bay, you can also send a telegram to Melbourne to give orders to the Duncan.

When Glenarvan returned to the campsite, Robert came forward and said, "There! He's better!"

"Is Murat better?"

"Yes, Edward. His injury has recovered. The major said that his life is not in danger. He woke up for an hour and his high fever subsided." Mrs. Helen replied.

"Where's McNabbs?"

"It's right next to Murad, and he insisted on talking to the major. Let's not disturb them." After a while, the curtain of the car was raised, and the major came out and came to the big gum tree where the tent was pitched. Down.On the surface, Zhi looks calm, but upon closer inspection, one can still see that he is preoccupied.His companions were waiting for him, and Glenarvan asked him to tell everyone what Mulla had said: "After Mulladi left the camp, he hurried forward on a small road and walked about two miles. Suddenly, about 2 people sprang out from the shadows, and they rushed to the horse without any explanation, and the horse stood upright in shock."

"Muradi was quick to react at the time, raised his pistol and released it. Two people were shot and fell to the ground. By the light of the bullet, he saw Peng Juesi. Before he could react, he was stabbed in the right rib One knife, and then fell."

"However, he didn't pass out, he was still conscious. The murderers thought he was dead. He seemed to feel that someone was searching for something on him. Only someone said: 'I found the letter.' Then , Peng Jues said: 'Give it to me quickly! With the letter, the Duncan is ours.'”

"Pen Juce said again: 'Get me the horse quickly, I can board the Duncan in two days, and I can reach Tuff Bay in six days. We will meet there. Well, let Sir You guys are waiting dead in the mud by the Snowy River. Hurry up and cross the river by the Gambler Bridge, and wait for me on the shore, and I will find a way to get you on board. Throwing it into the sea, we can dominate the Indian Ocean with only a good ship like the Duncan." The gangsters kept shouting: "Long live! Resolutely support Peng Jusi!" Once recovered, Pen Juce rode straight for the Lukenow Highway, while his accomplice headed southeast."

"Muradi was able to walk despite his injuries. He stumbled and ran back until we picked him up. This is the whole story of what Mulla said."

"Now, we should all understand why he insisted on talking when he woke up." Once the inside story was revealed, people panicked.Glenarvan cried: "Pirates! They are pirates! My poor crew is lost! The Duncan is in the hands of those robbers."

"That's right! Pen Juce will surely rob that ship!" said the major. "Then we must now reach the coast before the bandits," said Paganel.

"Then how do we cross the Snowy River?" Wilson said. "Cross the river at the Gembir Bridge, as they do!" said Glenarvan. "What about Murat?" Mrs. Helen asked. "Carry him! We all take turns carrying him! I can't let my crew die, I can't leave him alone." "Ser, I think it's best to scout Depending on the terrain, the exiles are likely to guard the bridge. Let me go!" Meng Ge said. "I'll accompany you, John," said Paganel.They were fully armed, prepared their food, and hit the road.After a while, it disappeared among the tall reeds by the river.

The whole day was spent in anxiety.Near eleven o'clock at night, Wilson reported that they were back.

Paganel and John had walked a mile, looking very tired. "How about the bridge? Is there that bridge?" Glenarvan went up to him and asked.

"Yes! It's a cane bridge, and the convicts have crossed it. It's just..."

"Just what?" Meng Geer was interrupted eagerly by Glenarvan before he could finish his sentence. "When they passed, they burned the bridge!" replied Paganel.

(End of this chapter)