Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 8 The Ins and Outs of Paganel

His geographical papers and geographers published in newspapers and magazines, as well as lectures at the Geographical Society, made him one of the best scholars in France, so Jacques Paganel's reputation was already well known to everyone.

Sir Glenarvan knew at once who the stranger before him was, and held out his hand respectfully to him.

"We are acquainted, Monsieur Paganel. May I ask you a question?"

"It's a pleasure talking to you, and you can ask as many questions as you like."

"Did you board this ship the night before yesterday?" "That's right, Sir, it was 8 o'clock the night before yesterday. I had driven for more than 30 hours, and I boarded the Scotia when it was dark. And I booked Room 6 in advance from Paris. In order to avoid seasickness, I lay down as soon as I got on the boat and slept for 36 hours at once." Hearing this, everyone understood the origin of this unexpected guest: when the Duncan boarded He was on board when the whole crew went to church.Everyone understood it now, except M. Paganel himself who seemed not to know it.But how should I tell him? "Monsieur Paganel, are you going to India from Calcutta?"

"Yes, sir. This mysterious 'Land of Elephants' fascinates me, and traveling to India is my greatest dream in this life."

"Mr. Paganel, wouldn't it be good to go around in another place? Maybe it will bring you an unexpected harvest?"

"That will not do, sir. I have a letter of introduction from Sir Sommersey, Governor-General of India! And the Geographical Society wants me to perform an important task for them!"

"Oh, you still have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders!"

"Yes, I'm going on an expedition. My friend and colleague, Mr. Fuvia de Saint-Martin, has planned the trip for me. I'm going to follow in the footsteps of the Schlakinvie brothers, and in the footsteps of Colonel Auger. Follow in the footsteps of Webb, follow in the footsteps of Hudson; follow in the footsteps of the two priests Huke and Garber, follow in the footsteps of Mr. Mocro, and follow in the footsteps of Mr. Rimmy, to complete the unfinished work of Professor Crick in 1846 , to fulfill his unfulfilled dream, to explore the Yarlung Zangbo River!"

"I want to know whether the river is in the northern foothills of the Himalayas, 1500 kilometers away from Tibet. I want to find out whether it meets the Brahmaputra River in the northeast of Assam."

"That's one of the great problems of geography. Whichever explorer solves it gets a gold medal, ser."

"We don't want you to continue your mistakes. Your plan is indeed attractive, but I think you have to give up your trip to the Indian mainland! Mr. Paganel, the direction you are going now is getting farther and farther away from the Indian Peninsula .”

"What? Give up? Captain Bulton..." "I'm not Captain Bulton!" said Mengel. "Isn't this the Scotia?" "No."

He looked at Sir Glenarvan, who had a serious and serious face; he looked at Helen and Mary beside him, and there was nothing but infinite sympathy on their faces; Smiling; Major McNabbs was still smoking, as poised as before.

He shrugged, pushed his glasses, and exclaimed, "You're just joking! How is that possible?"

Suddenly his eyes stopped on the steering wheel, and he stared at the two lines of big characters carefully: Duncan Glasgow
Paganel yelled: "Duncan, Duncan!" screaming, and ran from the deck into his cabin.

It is possible to get on the wrong train, but how can you get on the wrong ship?Obviously going to India, but boarding a ship to Chile, such carelessness is too far-fetched!

"Jokes have been heard about his carelessness. Once, he published a map of the Americas and included Japan. It is not surprising that this happened to Paganel. But these are not does not prevent him from becoming a great scholar, the best geographer in France," Glenarvan said.

"Poor man, what should I do with him? I can't take him to South America, can I?" Madam Helen asked.

"Although we can't be responsible for his carelessness, we can help him stop at the next stop!" Mrs. Helen said.

"If he wants to, he can," said the Sir.During the conversation, Paganel shyly walked back to the deck with his luggage.

He looked at the equipment on the ship, and studied the waves of the sea, and finally returned to Jazz with nothing.

"Then the Duncan is going to..."

"America, Conceicivan of Chile, Mr. Paganel." The poor geographer's eyes dimmed suddenly, and he began to lament: "Then how can I complete my mission in India? Mr. Gatfaz, the chairman of the Geographical Society, should Blame me! And Mr. Dafossa, Mr. Gaudanbo, Mr. Fevia de Saint-Martin... Do I still have the face to attend the meeting of the Academy?"

"Soon we will dock at Madeira Island, where you can disembark and take another ship back to Europe. And this is the only most feasible way at present."

"Thank you, sir, that's all we have to do for now. Strange things like this can only happen to me."

"Are you a cruise ship?"

"Yes, sir. The Duncan is owned by Sir Glenarvan."

Mengel said.

"Thank you sir for your warm hospitality, and I am very touched by your hospitality! I have a small proposal: India is a magical place, and it is the most suitable place for travel. Anyway, it is a sightseeing. Now it only takes one turn With the rudder, the Duncan will go to Calcutta as well as to Chile."

Seeing everyone shaking their heads, he couldn't continue talking.I saw everyone shaking their heads.Mrs. Helen explained, "If it's just for fun, then we will say without hesitation: Yes, go to India immediately! Sir Glenarvan will definitely agree. Mr. Paganel."

"However, the Duncan now has a heavy responsibility on its shoulders! It is going to the coast of Patagonia to search for a few sailors who landed after being killed. Such a serious task cannot be changed. I think you will know the matter after listening to us You will also understand the urgency of this, right?"

Everyone told the French traveler about Captain Grant and the whole story of their search.

At this time Paganel was very moved; but with a particularly excited mood, he said: "Madame, please allow me to praise your heroic deeds and good deeds in this matter, you are really great!"

"Then, would you like to join us in this rescue activity?" Madam Helen asked.

"No, ma'am, it's not that I don't want to go with you, but I also have a task on my shoulders. Please forgive me, I have to go down when I get to the first shore."

"The next place to dock is Madeira Island." Meng Geer said.

"Madeira is only 180 kilometers away from Lisbon, and I just take a boat back from there."

"Sir, I've taken the wrong ship, and I didn't expect it to be so pleasantly wrong. I think I'm so lucky! A man who is going to India, but he got on the ship for America by some ghost, is a real thing for any man. Big joke."

He enthusiastically encouraged the two sons and daughters of Captain Grant, and would have gone with them if they hadn't been on a mission.

Paganel was particularly excited to learn that Lady Helene's father was William Tuffnell.What an honor to be on board with Tufnell's daughter!
(End of this chapter)