Captain Grant's Children

Chapter 56

The next morning, everyone slowly opened their eyes.I saw Mengganamu Mountain waking up in the twilight, and the light of the rising sun covered the forbidden mountain with a thin and fresh coat.Thick fog filled the surrounding deep valleys, and the open and flat Daobo Lake rippled in the morning breeze.As soon as Glenarvan and the others stepped out of the tomb, there was an angry roar from the foot of the mountain.It seems that these Maori are watching these fugitives all the time.Everyone looked at him with expectation in their eyes, and they all moved to Paganel's side without any prior discussion.Paganel understood everyone's feelings and said:
"Guys, my plan, my brilliance, has an advantage in the first place, but it doesn't do any harm if it fails, and it doesn't even affect where we are at all! Of course, I think it will work, it will work. !"

"What kind of trick..." McNabbs couldn't hold back and asked anxiously.

Paganel explained: "The Maori gods are relatively safe compared to us. We have to convince them that we have been punished by the gods, so that the bone chewer will take his people back to the village. "

"That makes sense!" said Glenarvan. "Then how do you plan to punish us?" asked Mrs. Helen. "Burned to death by the sky fire! Anyone who offends the gods will be burned to death by the sky fire, burn to death!" Paganel said very clearly, "Now, the sky fire is under our feet! We just need to let it out!"

"What? You want us to build an artificial volcano together?" John exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, an artificial volcano! And it's a temporary artificial volcano! We can control its fire and make it work for us! Do you understand?"

"That's a brilliant idea!" said the major. "Yes, Paganel!" The geographer continued: "How about it? We pretended to be burnt to death by the sky fire. In fact, we can hide in Calate's tomb inside……"

"Stay inside for three or four days, or five or six days. In short, let's go out after the Maori have no doubt about our death and evacuate."

"What if they're going to climb up for an autopsy?" Mary asked worriedly.

"That's impossible! This is a mountain forbidden by the gods. The sky fire burned all the people who violated the gods to death. Who would dare to climb up again?" Paganel analyzed clearly.

"Okay! I think that's very good!" Glenarvan agreed, "But if something like this happens, they won't retreat when they see us burnt to death, and we're bombarded on the mountain. Food is exhausted, mountains and rivers are exhausted. Well, then again, if we do something special, it is impossible for them not to believe it, and it is impossible for them not to leave!"

"Then when are we going to do it?" Madam Helen asked again. "Tonight!" Paganel replied very bluntly, "just as night falls tonight!"

McNabbs said excitedly: "Paganel, you are so great! I usually don't believe in any gods or ghosts, but today I think you will succeed! Let's fix these savages! Have a good time! Breathe out quickly! Who told them not to believe in God! Oh, I believe that even God understands us, out of sheer necessity!"

In this way, Paganel's clever trick was recognized by everyone and decided to adopt it.

So the reality before us is: How to create an artificial volcano?Will it be life-threatening?Can man control the erupting magma and flames?If once the fire erupted, the entire top of the mountain might turn into ashes!Volcanoes are originally the power of nature. Do humans dare to fight against them?

Paganel was not unaware of this, but he believed success could be possible with a little care!Besides, his main purpose is to make some appearance, just for the Maori to see.Absolutely unwilling to actually detonate the volcano.

Almost a whole day long wait.Waiting makes hope more and more distant, and anxiety makes time pass extremely long.

Everyone is even counting the hours on their fingers.All preparations for escape were made.Divide the food into 3 parts and put it in a small bag, in addition to weapons and ammunition and so on.Everyone hid in the tomb and arranged these things properly.

6 o'clock.Everyone had a good meal.

Yes, everyone still doesn't know when they can eat the next meal. In this tense and hectic escape, who can guarantee what to eat and what to drink.

So everyone try to eat as much as possible.There was a famous dish in New Zealand—steamed voles, which was processed by the secretary after being caught by Wilson—and everyone rushed to taste it.But Lady Helen and Mary didn't eat a morsel.

With the coming of dusk, dinner is over.The sun receded faintly, and dark clouds rolled up.It seems that the sign is like a stormy night.While talking, I saw lightning flashing in the sky over there, suddenly tearing apart the silent night.After that, there was a dull thunder, and the sound resounded through the entire mountain.

What a blessing!God help us too!Paganel was overjoyed, and his confidence in the plan increased a lot.Maori are very superstitious about the phenomena of nature itself.They always think that the thunder is the roar of the great god Nuyi Atou, the lightning is the look in the eyes of the great god when he is angry, and the combination of thunder and lightning means that the great god wants to punish the offender.

8 o'clock.The entire Mengganamu Mountain was plunged into darkness, and the sky was so dark that you could barely see your fingers.This is indeed a rare opportunity for the implementation of the plan.The Maori could not see the fugitives at all, and the raging volcano would show them a real and terrible sight.Then take advantage of this great opportunity and hurry up!Glenarvan, Paganel, McNabbs, Robert, and the quartermaster and two sailors were all in for battle.

The location was set at 30 steps away from the tomb.This has been carefully considered. All in all, the tomb of Karatet cannot be threatened by fire. Once the tomb is burned, the "forbidden spirit" of the entire mountain will no longer exist.

For these, Paganel already knew it in his heart.They pulled up some large wooden stakes and followed Paganel to the established position.

There is a huge stone here, and there is steam all around.There is no doubt that this is the cover of a small caldera.

If the cover is opened, magma will naturally emerge.After that, they began to pry the boulder with stakes.The weight is quite heavy, and it took a lot of effort to move a seam, and it was completed by everyone working together and using the principle of leverage.

Next, they dug a shallow ditch for the boulder, leading down the slope.The purpose is to find a way for this big rock.

Continue to pry the boulder.At this moment, the ground seemed to be trembling, and the situation became stronger.Standing here, you can hear the sound of steam, and at the same time, you can feel the galloping movement of underground lava.

They are still prying calmly.I saw that the crack under the rock was getting bigger and bigger, and several streams of hot air came out of the vent and rushed to the sky, making a terrible chirping sound.The final moment is approaching.

Everyone worked hard together with all their strength.The boulder suddenly rolled down the hillside, followed by a loud rumbling noise.In an instant, a boiling air stream rushed into the sky with a bang, followed by boiling spring water and golden-red magma.

In this way, a natural vent was artificially opened.In the blink of an eye, Kong'er was like a wave of magma rushing down the mountain, rushing towards the Maori camp like waves.Glenarvan and his accomplices hurriedly hid in the tomb, and scattered hot water droplets hit their bodies from time to time, which felt strangely hot, with a temperature of more than 90 degrees.It seems that the entire mountaintop is shaking, and there is a choking sulfur smell everywhere, as if it is the end of the world.Looking at the hillside again, it looks like a fire dragon is rushing. The magma mixed with soil, trees, and rocks is rolled down together, filling the valleys and valleys with red flames and flames.

All of a sudden, I heard ghostly cries and wolf howls from the Maori camp, and the merciless lava scalded them all.At the foot of the mountain was a messy aftermath.Some Maori who reacted quickly rushed to the surrounding hillsides, watching the scene of the volcanic eruption in shock.

When the loud eruption weakened slightly, the cries at the foot of the mountain resounded.

"'God Forbidden' - 'God Forbidden' - 'God Forbidden' -" Magma, stones and hot air continued to erupt outward, as if heat and fire from other places had been transferred here.

The blazing heat almost bakes through everything.Even the rats jumped out of their holes in groups, hiding and fleeing from this dangerous area, scrambling for a glimmer of hope.The wind is whistling crazily, the rain is pouring down, and the night of Mount Mengganamu is extremely magnificent; and the volcano is accompanied by wind and rain, and its artistic conception is brought into full play.

Looking at the crater continuously expanding to the surroundings, Gelinarfan's heart was on fire.

Everyone else was in the same mood at the moment, staring intently at the crater with indescribable emotions.The tight fence just serves as a tool for them to cover.morning.

The volcano continued to spew out, yellow smoke and red flames stretched straight into the sky, and the surging magma flowed towards the valley at an extremely fast speed.

Glenarvan stared at the Maori through the cracks in the fence, never letting go of his eyes for a moment.

At this time, the Maori had already avoided the foot of the mountain, and all retreated to the surrounding highlands.At the foot of the mountain, some charred corpses were thrown in a mess.On the edge of the cottage, more than 20 grass sheds were burned.There are still wisps of smoke.

Facing the posture of the fire-breathing Mengganamu Mountain, most Maori showed a look of sincerity and fear, and the anger of the gods made them even more afraid of the Forbidden Mountain.

At this time, the bone gnawing demon appeared.His every move, even a small detail, was clearly seen by Glenarvan.I saw that bone gnawing demon walked to the foot of the mountain.

I saw him stretching his two arms, still chanting words, mumbling something, and making a grimacing gesture facing the tomb on the top of the mountain.

Perhaps this is the "God Forbidden" to this mountain again.After this, the Maori lined up to return to their cottages along the path down the mountain.

Glenarvan suppressed his disbelief and excitedly told his companions: "They have retreated! They have returned to the cottage! Oh, thank God! We have really succeeded! My dear Helen! My dear fellow countrymen! We have won!  … Just treat us as dead once, and come back to life again tonight! Get out of the grave, get out of this damn place!"

Everyone was full of joy when they heard this, the joy of surviving a catastrophe was rippling in everyone's chest, and the joy of victory made these escapees who had escaped death immersed in the smile of hope.

However, it is not easy to escape from this forbidden mountain and escape from this barbaric and cruel siege!

The major and the geographer happily recounted the ridiculousness of the Maori, cursed the hateful barbarism of the Maori, and enjoyed the joy brought by wisdom.

Yes, everyone has to wait here for another day.

Use this ample time just to plan the detailed steps of your escape.Paganel took out the map that he had not given up after many twists and turns, and tried to find a reliable route on it.After some discussion, everyone finally agreed: flee to the Barent Bay to the east.

Barent Bay is not too far away, but some areas along the way are relatively sparse, but they seem to be deserted.Yes, the most important thing now is: as long as there are no Maori people, the wildness and hardships are not terrible, and these are nothing compared to the Maori people!
Also, as far as they knew: there were mission stations on the east coast, and there was no war there, not even Maori guerrillas would go there easily.

The road to Barent is about 100 miles and takes about 10 days to walk.Fortunately, none of us care about walking.Besides, you can stop at the mission station to rest at that time.

Of course, they will eventually have to travel from Barent Bay to Auckland - which is the destination of their trip.

night.Just in case, let's look at the movement down the mountain.Not a single Maori.

After a while, the night gradually became thicker, and the places where the bonfires were dancing and flickering were now completely dark, without even a single fire, and there was no human voice.

It seems that judging from this, the Maori will never go up the mountain again. 9:[-].

Glenarvan led the group down the mountain.Everyone carried pre-packed packs and guns.John and Wilson walked in the forefront, conducting surveys while walking, and quickly stopped everyone if there was any movement.So, everyone walks with extra care.

After walking 200 feet, John and the others reached the relatively most dangerous hillside-the Maori set up skirmish lines here the day before yesterday-making everyone more vigilant.

Glenarvan's hands were also sweating - not all Maori can be deceived in this way, what if they keep a hand?Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just in case!

It takes about 10 minutes to walk through this hillside.

10 minutes is usually a very short period of time, but now it has become so long!Glenarvan's heart was beating incessantly.Mrs. Helen clutched her husband's arm tightly, and her body trembled as if she couldn't control it.

However, no one thought about going back!Now that things have happened, everyone has no choice but to bite the bullet and go forward, as long as they go through, there is a way out.I don't know who accidentally stepped on a small stone, only to see it rolling downhill.This sound is nothing at all in normal times, but it is especially nervous when it resounds in the valley at this moment.Everyone held their breath deeply.Yes, after the sound, no gunshots were heard, there was no movement, and the whole mountain was completely asleep.25 feet to go!
After passing here, there are stretches of woods, at least there are shelters, so that everyone will be safer and more at ease when walking.

It was in this atmosphere that this group of fugitives traveled this extremely short distance.After passing this slope, you have to turn over another ridge-then it is not within the scope of the Forbidden Mountain, so you have to be more careful.At this moment, the Maori might suddenly jump out and kill with a knife.Another 10 minutes passed.

John led the group to explore the woods.But because the night is so heavy, it is impossible to see clearly beyond 2 feet.

But at this moment, John vaguely heard some movement ahead, so he hurriedly stepped back a few steps and motioned for everyone to be quiet.

He turned his ears sideways to distinguish the sound coming from ahead, and his companions could even hear his panting.

A tense atmosphere enveloped everyone again.after awhile.The sound ahead did not reappear.Then, John led the team forward again.

After a while, they entered the woods.The woods were so low that everyone had to walk on their backs.

(End of this chapter)