Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 25 Perched on a Tree (Part [-])

Everyone was confused by the words of the geographer: Is Paganel crazy?
But looking at him like that, he seems quite firm!Glenarvan shook his head almost instinctively, he didn't agree with Paganel's words at all. "That's true! It's true that I found the wrong one, and that letter didn't say so!"

Paganel said more firmly. "Tell me why, Paganel?" asked the major.

"It's very simple, Major. I, like you, am now in the wrong corner, and I have misunderstood the meaning of that letter."

"When I was answering your question just now, when I answered 'Australia', my heart suddenly lit up!"

"Chirp, do you think Captain Grant..."

cried the major.

"The austral in that letter is not 'Southern Hemisphere', but a part of the word Australia (Australia)!"

Paganel hurriedly explained. "That's a very strange explanation," said the major. "It's just irrelevant," Glenarvan said with no disdain.

"Sir, nothing is impossible in this world!"

"Then you think the Britannia should have sunk off the coast of Australia?"

"Exactly."

"It amazes me to hear such a conclusion from the mouth of a secretary of the Geographical Society."

"What's the surprise?"

Paganel seemed a little uncomfortable that Glenarvan had thus mentioned his status as secretary of the Geographical Society.

"Because if it's in Australia, there should be Indians there, but there aren't any!"

Paganel smiled confidently: "Dear Glenarvan, your reason is very forced, and after a scrutiny, it is completely untenable!"

"Then please tell me."

"Actually, there is no mention of Indians or Patagonia in the letter!"

"That 'indi' means 'indigienes', not 'Indi-ells' (Indians)! Do you think there are really no Indigenous people in Australia?"

"Well, that makes sense, Paganel!" said the major approvingly. "What do you think, my dear sir?"

"I admit, it makes sense. But what about Patagonia?"

"That's not Patagonia at all, certainly not!"

"what is that?"

"It could be (Cosmogonie (Genesis), thbogonie (polytheism), agonie (extremely dangerous), but definitely: not Patagonie (Patagonia)."

"That's 'Extremely Dangerous'!" said the major.

"This word can be said to be irrelevant! The most important thing is that austral means Australia! It's a pity that the wrong things are preconceived and everyone's eyes have been blinded!"

"If I had been shown the letter first, maybe it shouldn't have happened. I don't think I could have explained it wrong!"

After hearing what he said, everyone's faces were filled with joy again, and they gathered around Paganel to congratulate him!Glenarvan's tightly locked brows gradually relaxed: "Dear Paganel, I have one more problem. If you can solve it, I will admit defeat!" "Then tell me, Gerry Navan."

"According to your explanation, how should we explain this whole letter?" "Actually, it's very simple." Paganel said, and carefully took out those precious sheets of paper.Everyone fell silent.The geographer read out his new interpretation of the letter word for word: On June 1862, 6, the three-masted ship Britannia, belonging to the Port of Glasgow, sank off the coast of ... Australia.In haste to land, Captain Grant and two sailors... reach the mainland... and are captured by the natives.

Throwing this letter... "Very good. But Australia is just an island, how can it be called a mainland?"

Glenarvan asked. "The leading geographers call it 'the continent of Australia,' my dear sir."

"Then I have but one thing to say now: go to Australia!" cried Glenarvan.

"Go to Australia!" everyone shouted together.

"Paganel, you are indeed sent by heaven!" Glenarvan said emotionally. "Okay, I was sent by heaven, don't continue talking." Paganel replied quickly.Paganel's words freed everyone from the abyss of disappointment, and the rekindled fire of hope illuminated everyone's minds and eyes.And at this moment, everyone's hearts flew to Australia at once.

That way Lady Helene and Mary would not be saddened to go back aboard the Duncan!
They really forgot about their current situation and were only swayed by that joyful mood.

The only regret is that we can't leave immediately.

It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon.Everyone unanimously decided to have dinner at 6 o'clock, and to celebrate by preparing some food.

Robert immediately grabbed the ammunition Tarcaf had left for them, wiped his pistols, and happily went hunting in the "forest".

"Don't run too far," the major called to Robert and Paganel behind him.Glenarvan went to look at the water mark on the trunk; Wilson and Murady went to tend the fire.The current is still fast, but the water level has not dropped at all, but it has not risen either.It seems that the flood has entered a relatively stable stage, and the next step should be to gradually subside.At this moment there was a gunshot above the tree, and then there was a cheer as loud as the gunfire.Robert's high notes and Paganel's low notes follow one another, as if they were two children.

This is enough to show that the prey is very harvested, and there must be delicious food for dinner!

On a whim, Wilson sat leisurely on the tree fork with a needle and a line to catch fish.Soon dozens of small fish were flung into the cloak.

Another good dish!Now the hunters also came back from the "forest": Paganel was holding black swallow eggs in his hands, and he also carried a bunch of sparrows; bird.

Grilled fish, roasted eggs, simmered birds and dried meat constitute a feast that people will never forget in their lifetime.

Everyone praised Paganel while eating, not only praised him for having such a wealth of geographical knowledge, but also praised him for being a good hunter and a good cook... Paganel just smiled modestly - that is only a person with great ability There will be humility and a smile.

Later, everyone's topic returned to the big Ombre tree.Paganel said:

"Robert and I really thought we were in the woods! I even lost my way in it, and I couldn't tell the direction when I went forward; I couldn't find the way when I went back!"

"The sun was setting, and the roar of beasts sounded again in the jungle... Unfortunately, there were no beasts."

"Why, still feel sorry for the lack of beasts?" Glenarvan asked.

"Yes, what a pity!"

"Isn't this flood like a beast? How fierce!"

"From a scientific point of view, there is nothing evil at all..."

Paganel replied. "Then according to you, beasts of prey are good for man, Monsieur Paganel?" said the major.

"Major! Beasts are classified into categories, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species..."

"What use is that to a man?" retorted MacNabbs. "If there was me on Noah's Ark, I would definitely not bring a pair of lions, a pair of tigers, a pair of leopards, a pair of bears and the like."

"Are you really going to do that?" Paganel demanded. "certainly."

"Then from a zoological point of view, you made a mistake."

"But from a humanitarian point of view, I'm quite right."

replied the major. "Surely I'm not like you! I'll take not only the beasts you didn't take, but the sloths, the pterodactyls, and everything that was before the flood."

"I should tell you this, those beasts that Noah kept were a big mistake!"

A growl from the major set everyone together in laughter.The major has always been peaceful, but now he quarreled with Paganel every day; today he quarreled about Noah!

Glenarvan came to mediate again as a peacemaker: "Anyway, there are no beasts now; and there are no beasts on this big tree, and there can't be any beasts around here!"

"How is it impossible?" Paganel didn't look very unconvinced. "Is there any on that tree?"

Austin asked. "Of course! Leopards will climb trees! And black spotted tigers may also climb this Ombi tree in case of floods!"

"At least we haven't seen a black-spotted tiger just now!" said the major.

"Unfortunately, I just didn't meet! It would be great if I could meet! Then we can have a round of hunting! The black spotted tiger can break the neck of the horse in one stroke! After eating a human, it is very fond of eating People! Of course, the first is Indians, followed by blacks, followed by whites and blacks, and finally whites."

"Fortunately I was fourth," said the major.

"Then this only proves that you have no taste." Paganel said in a provocative tone. "You made me tasteless," replied the major. "This once again proves that you are really shameless! Caucasians always think they are first-class people, but black spotted tigers may not have the same view!" Paganel said aggressively step by step. "Okay, Paganel," Glenarvan hastily smoothed things over. "We don't have any Indians or Negroes here now, let alone mongrels. You don't really want the spotted tigers to show up now, do you? I think we'd be more uncomfortable in our place. "

"What, uncomfortable? Do you think we are uncomfortable now?"

Paganel steered the conversation elsewhere. "Of course. Is it comfortable to sleep hanging from a branch?" Glenarvan replied. "This is the comfort I have never felt before! Perched on a tree, as free as a bird! Humans should live in trees!"

"It's a pity that it's just missing a pair of wings."

said the major. "Wings will grow someday."

"Before I grow wings, my dear Monsieur Paganel, let me love the paths in the park and the floors in my bedrooms!"

Glenarvan said. "Glenarvan, have you forgotten the precept of being happy with the situation? Have you regretted leaving the very comfortable and gentle country of Malcolm House?"

"No, no."

"I think Robert would like it here too!" Paganel changed the subject quickly.He hoped this would lead to an ally. "Yes, Monsieur Paganel!"

Robert said cheerfully. "That's because this kind of life is too suitable for his age." Glenarvan hurriedly explained. "It is more suitable for my age!" said Paganel. "The more a man is at ease, the less his needs will be; the fewer needs, the more happiness!"

"See? Paganel has turned to attack all modern life!"

said the major. "No, no, McNabbs. This really reminds me of an Arabian story. I wonder if everyone here is interested in hearing it?"

"Interested! Mr. Paganel!" Robert exclaimed excitedly. "What does your story prove?" asked the major.

"To prove what all stories can prove."

"If you say it like that, then it doesn't prove anything! Well, go ahead."

Paganel paused for a while, and began to tell his story: "Once upon a time, there was a son of a high priest who was always depressed and unhappy. So he went to ask an elder, and the elder told him about happiness in the world. It's hard to find, but I have a tried and tested method to make you happy."

"What method?"

"Find someone who is very happy, just put his clothes on your body!"

"Then the son of the High Priest left his elders, and went to look for clothes worn by happy people. He traveled all over the world to every country, and tried on the clothes of kings, emperors, and nobles, but still Still not happy!" So he tried on artist's clothes, warrior's clothes, businessman's clothes... in the end, there was no result.He was absolutely disappointed.Frowning, he returned to the palace again.

"One day, he went to the countryside to have a look. He happened to see a farmer singing while plowing the field. He was very happy. He thought to himself: This should be considered a happy person, right? If even he is not a happy person. Then there really is no happier person in this world.”

So, he stepped forward and walked over. "Hey, let me say, are you happy?"

"'I am happy,' replied the farmer."

"So, is there anything else you want on your mind?"

"I don't want anything!" replied the farmer. "How about making you a king instead of a farmer?"

"Do not."

"Then please sell me your clothes!"

"Clothes! But I have no clothes!"

(End of this chapter)