Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 60 Negotiations (1)
"I heard that you want to see me, do you have something to tell me, Ayrton?" Glenarvan asked calmly.

"Yes, sir," replied the sailor honestly. "Speak to me alone?"

"Yes. But I think it would be best if Major MacNabbs and M. Paganel were there."

"What do you mean best?"

"They are doing the best for me," said Ayrton, very calmly.

Glenarvan stared at the guy in front of him, feeling rather strange.He sent for MacNabbs and Paganel.

"They're coming, can you tell now?" Glenarvan asked the sailor again.

I saw Ayrton calm down and spoke: "Sir, the usual rules, when both parties sign a contract or negotiate, there must be witnesses present, and they must sign. I invite Paganel and McNabbs That’s why you’re here, sir. To be honest, I’m here to negotiate with you now, to see if you agree to this condition.”

Glenarvan felt humiliated all at once—how could this bastard be so ignorant?He even came to negotiate terms with me!However, he still held back, and at the same time nodded quickly: "Tell me, what are the conditions?"

"The condition is actually very simple! If you want to get some information from me, I will ask you for some benefits. We will pay you and deliver the goods, and I will not do secret things! Sir, will you?"

"What news can you bring us?" Paganel asked anxiously. "I don't care about your news," Glenarvan quickly expressed his opinion, "I want to hear what benefits you want first, okay?" Ayrton understood the difference between the two questions, and nodded explained:

"The benefits I want are simple. Sir, are you not going to hand me over to the English court?"

"Yes! Ayrton, that's the fairest!"

"I don't mean it's unfair," said Ayrton, seeming to have a good idea. "I mean I'd like you to let me go, but that's unlikely."

"I can't let you go! Ayrton."

"I didn't ask you to let me go!" The sailor looked quite majestic, full of the drive to be a hero and a hero. "Then tell me, what benefits do you want?"

"I have a good way. This way is between life and death. On the one hand, it is waiting to hang me, and on the other hand, it is to set me free! This is very clear."

"any solution?"

"Find me a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean, and give me some necessary necessities. Let me live on the island, and give me a chance to repent." Hearing this, Glenarvan was a little uncertain, so He looked at his two friends.And the two friends had no idea, so they didn't say anything.Glenarvan thought for a moment, then said: "Ayrton, if I agree to your terms, then you must tell me everything I want to know! I can't go back on my word!"

"No regrets! Sir! I promise to tell all I know about Captain Grant and the Britannia!"

"everything?"

"everything!"

"How to guarantee?"

"Oh, on my personality! I'd have nothing else! But the personality of a villain is not to be trusted. But sir, you ought to believe me! Then again, believe it or not!"

"Then I believe you! Ayrton." Glenarvan didn't want to make any more detours. "That's right, sir. Once I cheat you, you can still deal with me!"

"How to deal with you?"

"On a desert island, I can't fly even with wings, so you catch me again!" This is indeed reasonable.At the same time, it can be seen that the sailor who answered well is sincere.It seems that his conditions are well thought out. "Sir, and two gentlemen," he went on, "you can see that I have something to say! I won't lie to you! And I'll tell the absolute truth, even beforehand. "

"Go ahead, Ayrton." Glenarvan seemed to believe the sailor. "Sir, although you haven't promised me, I still want to tell you that I really don't know much about Captain Grant." "Not much?" Glenarvan couldn't help crying.

"Yes, sir, all I know are trifles, and all on my side, which may have little to do with what you want to know."

After hearing this, the Jazz and the major were inevitably a little disappointed.I thought this guy had many clues in his belly, even the truth, but I didn't expect that what he knew was trivial, how could it not be frustrating!
Paganel, however, was silent.Ayrton's frankness was obvious, and he went on: "I'm going to say something ugly, sir, and the terms we're negotiating are less in your favor and more in my favor."

"Never mind," replied Glenarvan immediately. "I accept your terms, Ayrton. I can find you a small island in the Pacific Ocean."

"Okay, sir." The sailor responded happily, but his expression was still serious, and he seemed to feel that this negotiation had nothing to do with his immediate interests.

"Then let's begin, you ask, I answer," said Ayrton.Glenarvan said: "I don't need to ask, just start from the beginning! Ayrton, who are you?"

Ayrton replied without thinking: "I am Tom Ayrton, the bosun on the Britannia. On March 1861, 3, I left Glasgow with Captain Harry Grant and sailed in the Pacific Ocean. For 12 months, trying to find a suitable place to set up a Scottish settlement. Grant is a great man, I admit that, but we are always bickering, and our tempers are not at all compatible. I really don't want to be angry with him!"

"Sir, you don't know that Grant is very stubborn. He will go to the dark without hitting the south wall and never look back! It is really difficult for anyone to stop him! On the contrary, he is very strict with others. There is almost no room for accommodation and no room for negotiation.”

"Yes, I had to mutiny. I wanted to collude with all the crew on the ship and take the ship. Let's not discuss this right! In the end, Grant was ruthless and kicked me off the ship immediately. It was April 1862 On the 4th, I remember it clearly! On the west coast of Australia."

"West coast of Australia?" The major couldn't help but ask back. "Then you disembarked before the Britannia arrived in Callao? Hi! There was no news about the ship until it arrived in Callao."

Ayrton went on: "Yes, you are quite right! For the Britannia never called at Callao while I was on board. At Paddy O'Mor, I spoke of Callao. Ya'o, it's because you told me beforehand."

"Go on," Glenarvan urged.

"I was thrown on a deserted island, only 20 miles from Perth Prison, the capital of Western Australia. I met a gang of fugitives, and I joined the gang. Sir, my two and a half years of wandering, Don't ask me any more. I'll just tell you a general idea, and later I became the leader, under the pseudonym Peng Juesi."

"In September, 1864, I went to the Irish farm. There I worked as a hired hand, and I began to use my real name. In fact, I was waiting for an opportunity to rob a ship, which was my greatest wish. Two months Then you and the Duncan came. When we got to the farm, sir, it was you who told me all about Captain Grant. Of course I learned of the Britannia's stop at Callao, June 9. I sent the last message in April, that is, two months after I left the ship. I also know the distress letter, the 1862th parallel, and the reason why you are going to Captain Grant. "

"I fell in love with the Duncan at a glance. This ship is amazing, faster than the British warship! I planned it at the time! Just in time for this ship to be repaired, so I proposed to sail to Melbourne. I am a sailor My identity led you to the east coast of Australia, that's where I was talking nonsense."

"It's me who's leading you across Victoria. I've got my brethren going round and round you. Well, as for the Camden Bridge thing, there's really no point in doing that, as soon as the Duncan gets to the East Coast. You can't escape from my grasp, I don't even bother to do petty crimes! After I get the boat, I can dominate the sea! So, I worked tirelessly to bring you to the Snowy River."

(End of this chapter)