Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 33 Going to the Inland (1)
Glenarvan ordered everyone to get ready, and decided to set off on December 12.Glenarvan especially hoped to get Ayrton's help as a guide through the Victoria Forest to the east coast.To do this, he sought the advice of the farmer.Although the farm manager didn't want to lose a good helper, he finally agreed.

He went to ask Ayrton himself: "Would you like to go with us to find the lost crew on the Britannia?"

After pondering and hesitating for a moment, Elton replied: "Okay, sir, I agree and am willing to go with you. Even if there is no trace of Captain Grant, at least I will lead you to the crash site."

"Thank you very much, Ayrton." "But I have one more question to ask, sir. Where shall we rendezvous with the Duncan? Where is the captain?" Just meet the Duncan at Melbourne; if you go all the way to the east coast, join the Duncan there. The captain awaits my instructions in Melbourne."

Meng Geer didn't expect that Sir would leave him on board, so he cited various reasons to travel with everyone.But a very important reason, he didn't say it, Jazz knew it in his heart.

"John, are you sure that your first mate is absolutely reliable?" "Of course. Tom Austin is a first-class sailor, and he does his job and obeys orders. He is as reliable as I am. Will sail the Duncan to its destination land and have the ship repaired as soon as possible."

"Well, since you say so and strongly demand it, let's go together. It's good if you're there when Mary's father is found."

"Yes... Your Excellency..." Meng Ge was a little embarrassed, and his answer seemed a little vague.

Besides, Ayrton also helped, and everyone seemed very happy.The next day, Meng Geer led the carpenter and several sailors on board to Paddy O'Moore's farm to discuss with him the means of transportation.In the end it was agreed that the ladies rode in bullock carts and the gentlemen rode horses, all provided by Paddy O'Moore.The driver was none other than Ayrton, for he had learned it on the farm.

Sitting in the car was uncomfortable, and Menger tried to decorate the car as well as possible.

So Menger decided to divide the carriage into two parts, separated by a large board in the middle.The second half holds luggage, food and Mr. Aubinet's cooking utensils, and the first half is occupied by ladies.The means of transportation for men is the horse.

At 4:[-] p.m., Meng Geer led the Irish family to visit the ship and hosted a feast for distinguished guests on board.When the tour was over he said, "It's a beautiful ship, sir. What's the tonnage?"

Paddy O'mor was particularly amazed at the ship's upholstery, and was full of admiration.Ayrton, on the other hand, did not appreciate them too much.

"210 tons."

"The Duncan can run 15 nautical miles an hour at full power, if I'm not mistaken."

"If it is 17 nautical miles, it is completely correct." Meng Geer proudly corrected.

"So, any warship, even the best warship, will not catch up with it?"

"So far, no warship has been able to catch up with it." "Then sailing is faster than other ships?" "Faster than other ships!" "Ah, sir, and you, Captain, please accept my congratulations as a sailor who knows the ship, you are too great!" "Thank you for your compliment, Ayrton. If you like, stay on board, and treat it as yours." Let's go!" "In the future, I may consider this question." Ayrton's answer was simple and crisp. "That guy Ayrton looks very clever," said Paganel to the major.

"He's a little too clever," the major muttered.He was displeased with Ayrton, but he couldn't say why for a while.

While they were talking, M. Aubinette said that the feast was ready, and that they were now in the dining-room.Ayrton was very surprised when he heard that only Wilson and Murady were brought during the dinner. He advised Glenarvan to bring the best sailors and insisted on it again and again.

"That's why, didn't you say that crossing the South Australia area is not dangerous?"

Ayrton hastened to reply. "Yes, yes, there is no danger." "I want to keep more people on board. The Duncan needs people to use sails, and there must be enough people for repairs. The most important thing is that it must arrive at the appointed place on time to meet us. Therefore, the number of people on board can no longer be reduced." After Jazz had spoken, he didn't insist anymore.

The departure time was set at 8am the next day, so everyone was getting ready for departure.

At dawn the next day, Menger gave Tom Austin another last order, asking him to wait for Sir's order in Melbourne and resolutely carry it out.Then he boarded the boat with everyone.left the big ship.

Madam Helen was very happy when she saw the bed she had arranged, "Mr. Paganel, welcome to my bedroom, okay?"

"Ah, it is a great honor to be in your bedroom, madam. Have you booked a date?"

"I look forward to your visit every day, not to mention that you are..." "Yes, your most ardent friend, madam." Paganel replied graciously.

Sir Glenarvan and the Irishman settled the accounts, paid all the purchases, and said many words of thanks.

It was time to start, Lady Helene and Miss Grant got into their newly decorated carriages; Mr. Aubinet got into the baggage car, Ayrton climbed into the driver's seat, Glenarvan, the Major, Paganel, Rod Burr, Menger and two sailors, each wearing a carbine and a pistol, stepped on a steed, and drove forward amidst the blessings of "God bless" from the Omor family.

In the northern hemisphere, the weather in December has entered winter and is very cold.In Australia in the southern hemisphere, it has just entered the hot summer.Glenarvan and the others took the route in southern Australia.Including part of the province of South Australia, the entire province of Victoria and the triangle of South Wales.

From Cape Benoy to the Victorian border, the total distance does not exceed 62 miles, and two days is enough time.So I planned to spend the night in Chensabre City, the westernmost border town of Victoria Province, on the second night.

Due to the long journey, everyone saved their energy and walked an average of 25 to 30 miles a day.Oxen are inherently slow, and they pull carts with heavy loads, so they walk even slower.Along the way, people walked loosely, or went hunting, or talked, or discussed issues.Everyone is very busy.

In this way, they traveled 60 miles in two days and arrived at Assabrey on the evening of the 23rd.Ayrton drove the car to the garage of a small inn called the "Crown Hotel", because there was no better hotel, so everyone had to live here.The dinner is all mutton, which is steaming hot on the table.Everyone ate to their heart's content while chatting happily.They all eagerly hope that Paganel will open up the conversation box and let everyone talk freely.

On December 12, Glenarvan and the others set off at dawn, walked for a day, and slept on the shore of White Lake at night.The White Lake is not actually white, just as the Black Sea is not black and the Red Sea is not red. The lake water is salty and undrinkable.

The next day, Glenarvan and his party woke up and saw a beautiful scenery on the other side of the White Lake: on the beautiful plain, there were all kinds of colorful chrysanthemums blooming.Although everyone wanted to stay and have fun, they knew the purpose of the trip and set off on time.

At 4:3 p.m., Menger saw a cloud of dust rolling forward on the horizon [-] miles away.What is this phenomenon?Everyone suddenly felt very puzzled, and at the same time increased their vigilance.

At this time, Sailor Ayrton said, "It is the dust raised by the cattle when they pass by."

In the evening, they stopped at the foot of Tarpo Mountain.Paganel solemnly reminded everyone that today is December 12, Christmas, which should be celebrated grandly according to the British custom.For this festive season, Chef Aubinette hasn't forgotten.A good dinner was made for everyone: venison ham, corned beef, heavy salmon, barley flour and pastry made of buckwheat flour.There is also tea, whiskey and wine.Everyone ate to their heart's content while praising Aubine's craftsmanship.There are all kinds of delicacies on the table.But Paganel seems to feel the lack of fruit.So he went to the foot of the mountain to pick some wild oranges, which were tasteless, but the pits were as hot as chili peppers when crushed.

On the second day, December 2, they crossed the fertile area of ​​the Noton River and crossed the half-dry Megenzie River.The weather is still sunny, but there are occasional southerly winds, but the overall feeling is not hot, which is the same as the northerly wind in summer in the northern hemisphere.

In the evening, we camped 5 miles away from Longstar Lake.The next day they reached the banks of the Vimera, at 143 degrees east longitude.The Vimera was half a mile wide, by visual inspection, and had neither bridges nor rafts.Ayrton hastened to find a ford where he could cross the river.After investigation, in the upper reaches, the river water is 3 feet shallower, and the bullock carts can pass through without any danger, so Ayrton decided to cross the river here.

"Is there no other way to cross the river?" Glenarvan asked anxiously, hoping for a better way.

"There is nothing to do at the moment, sir. But I don't think there is any danger in crossing the river from here. It can be passed."

"Do you need to let Lady Helen and Miss Grant get out of the carriage?" "No need. I will keep the cart steady." "Very well, Ayrton, I trust you." Now everyone went into the river.

In this way, the riders surrounded the ox cart, and everyone went down the river.It was a good walk at first, but in the middle of the river, the water got deep and it was above the wheel.

Just then, something unexpected happened.With a bang, the car tilted, and it tilted so badly that the water covered the female passenger's feet.Despite the efforts of Jazz and Menger to hold the car, it still floated up.At this time, I saw Elton pull the car hard, and then turned the car over.After a while, everyone crossed the river safely.Although everyone was drenched, they were very relieved.

After this danger, the front box of the car was smashed, and the front shoe of Glenarvan's horse fell off.This is all in dire need of repair.

(End of this chapter)