Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Orders from Superiors

Excerpt from Floras' Travel Diary on the same day As already mentioned, we found the tent empty and Molière missing.Captain Marthalay was furious, and called the sentries to question him.But those poor boys were as surprised as the captain.They swore that they never left their posts, nor heard any suspicious noises. We went back into the tent again.Only then did I discover that there was a hole on the top of the tent with a thick branch above it.All was understood; and Molière, who was not fastened, broke free from the rope, climbed up the tent's center pillar to the roof, climbed along the thick branch to the trunk, slid down from the trunk, and ran away.

to chase him?Meaningless!The fugitives have won a fair amount of time.Besides, finding someone in this bush is like looking for a needle in a haystack.An hour later, when we were assembled in Barsac's tent, Captain Marthare showed the seized documents, and he read the following words: Mansha Aman Knik Ridhubab Merlin Mobiemando plus hair Batak Malayada Sofa Agari Batu Roman Shah Iaghafar I am really baffled! The document was passed from one person to another, and Morna and Sunberling seemed to understand something. I really admire their profound knowledge.Like me, Balsac and Possein don't know anything.

The last word of this first and second line is incomplete.The captain explained that the last word in the first line is probably Dubabulniko, which means European; the last word in the second line may be Gafarma, which means still.Now translate it all: The lord (or the king) does not want Europeans because they are still moving the letter will be delivered by a soldier He will issue orders to obey. You have already started.lord (or king) We are still baffled.Captain Marthare continued to explain: The first incomplete sentence is easy to understand.That is to say, somewhere there is some lord or king who disapproves of a certain behavior of ours.What behavior?The second sentence points out: He does not approve of our entry into this black country.Maybe we got in the way of him in some way.This third line undoubtedly speaks of his plans which we do not know.What does it mean that the letter will be delivered by a soldier?There is no way to know that the fourth line is an order to Molile.But who was he who gave the order?do not know either.As for other words, they are of little value to us.

We looked at each other helplessly.Balsac concluded: According to the series of events that have occurred up to today, we can draw the following conclusions: First, the guide Molile is a spy sent by someone to our expedition; this person wants to prevent our investigation for some reason.Second, this unknown person has considerable power, since he was able to make us hire guides at his will in Conakry.Thirdly, the powers he wields are not very great, since his methods against us have hitherto been childish. I interjected: Note that the mysterious stranger has another trick. Then I mentioned the prophecy of Dongolong and Genjera to the honored audience.

M. Floras' astute guess, continued Balsac, just vindicates our conclusion.And it can be asserted that our enemy, whoever he may be, is not particularly terrible.Otherwise, he will use more vicious means to deal with us. M. Barsac's obstinacy really astonished me.Why didn't he take advantage of this opportunity to go along with the tide and stop what was undoubtedly a dangerous research trip? Anyway, we'll have to find new guides.Miss Morna recommended her two guides to us because they are very familiar with the situation in this country.In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to compare Chumugeng and Dongjiale.

I don't like Chu Mugeng's behavior.He wanted us to believe him, but he looked very unnatural.It's hard to catch his wandering eyes when he speaks.I don't think he's much better than Molly. On the contrary, Dong Galle is honest.He knows the local conditions very well and can take us wherever we want to go.This young man made a good impression on us. He talked frankly and looked sincerely. We trusted him. The new guide went to inform the porters that Molile had been eaten by the crocodile, and that the two of them would now take his place.After resting for a while, we set off.

february 9 Moliere was gone, but the situation remained the same.The two new guides, Dongjiale and Chumugeng, did not make our team go any faster than before.In two and a half days, we covered only thirty kilometers, and the situation was very bad, and we are still walking on the plain that started near Gogono.The plain stretches forward, and only the south side on the right is a highland. February 12 At about six o'clock in the evening, we suddenly heard that roaring sound again.This time, it came from the east again, faintly but clearly recognizable.Everyone looked up at the sky, but saw nothing.Maybe it was the hill to the east that blocked my view, but I hurried to the top of it.

As I climbed to the top of the hill, the booming sound gradually increased, then suddenly died away, and when I climbed to the top, I heard nothing at all.In front of him was a flat land full of bushes, and as far as the eye could see, there was a desolate scene everywhere. I stayed on this mountain top until late at night, and the earth was covered with night.It's useless to stay here, I have to go down. However, I hadn't reached halfway up the mountain when the voice suddenly sounded again.To tell you the truth, this time really drove me crazy with fright.The occurrence of this sound was just as sudden as the disappearance of the last sound.It dwindled slowly, and at last seemed to disappear in the east.After a few minutes, the earth regained its inherent tranquility.

February 13 Today is a rest day, everyone makes their own arrangements.I spent most of the day organizing notes from previous days and writing a newsletter.After writing it, I went to find Chu Mugeng who was in charge of mailing it, but I couldn't find it.I sent a soldier to look for it, but to no avail.Chu Mugeng disappeared, so I had to give up my plan to send out the newsletter. February 14 Another unexpected event happened this morning. At about eight o'clock, when we spent a lot of time searching for Chumugeng without any results and were about to set off, a group of cavalry galloping towards us appeared on the western horizon.

Our guards are ready to face the battle immediately, but this vigilance is superfluous.Because they are all wearing French military uniforms.When the cavalry got closer, we could see it clearly. It consisted of twenty black riders and three white men. One of the three white men was a lieutenant and the other two were sergeants. A sergeant of our guard was sent to meet the new cavalry.The lieutenant approached Captain Marthare, and we heard the following conversation: Are you Captain Martharei? Yes.you are Rakour, Lieutenant of the 72nd Infantry Regiment, is now the cavalry captain of the Sudanese Volunteers.Mr. Captain, I came from Bamako and wanted to catch up with you in Sikasso, but I was a few days late and couldn't catch up.

What do you do? This letter will speak for itself, Mr. Captain. Captain Marthare received the letter.As he read the letter, I noticed a look of surprise and disappointment on his face. Well, Monsieur Lieutenant, he said, allow me to inform Monsieur Barsac and his colleagues of this matter. After the lieutenant saluted Captain Martha Rai and issued an order to his subordinates, he came towards us. I have some amazing news for you, Mr. Congressman.He said to Balsac: I am leaving you. What's the meaning?Mr. Captain!asked Balsac. Mr. Congressman, I have been ordered to transfer to Timbuktu. I didn't expect that!exclaimed the astonished Balsac. But this is the truth, the captain replied, you can read it. He handed the letter of introduction to Monsieur Barsac.Our expedition leader read the letter hastily, with a look of displeasure evident on his face.After reading it, he handed us the letter and asked us to testify that it was a public disrespect to him. I purposely be the last to read the letter, in order to copy it down.The full text of the letter follows: French Republic Senegal Province Bamako Military District Command Hereby order Lieutenant Biel.Marthare and his cavalry rushed to Segusicano, and from there advanced west along the Niger River, arrived at Timbuktu, and reported to the commander of the city's fortress.All the horses of the cavalry were left for the Segusicano garrison to raise. The 20 Sudanese Volunteer Corps cavalry led by Lieutenant Lacourt of the 72nd Regiment of the Colonial Infantry (replaced as Cavalry Captain) came to Sikasso with this order, and handed over the document to the First Division of the Niger Circular Area Expedition Team organized by the Parliament Captain Mr. Balsac.Lacourt and his cavalry belong to Barsac and should escort the expedition to its destination. this order Sett Abang, Commander of the Bamako Military Region (signature) While I was copying this order nervously in my heart, Balsac continued to complain: How unreasonable!Just give us a guard of twenty men.This is so unreasonable!Let's reason again when we get back to Paris.Could the National Assembly allow her members to be treated like this? But now it is time to obey orders, said Captain Martharei.He didn't even want to hide his frustration. Balsac pulled the captain aside.But I have the ears of a journalist and can hear very well. But, Mr. Captain, what if the order is false?Balsac said softly. The captain immediately denied his hypothesis. Fake!You can't think like that, Mr MP, he repeated!Regrettably, there is now nothing to doubt that this order bears the official seal.Besides, I have served under the commander of Sete Abang, and I am very familiar with his signature handwriting. In my opinion, Balsac was thinking too much.Fortunately, Lieutenant Lacourt hadn't heard it yet. Balsac couldn't find an answer, so he kept silent. Mr. Congressman, please allow me to introduce, this is Lieutenant Lacourt.Said the captain, and please let me bid farewell. Do you know, Monsieur Lieutenant, at this moment Barsac asked, why did your superior issue such an order? Of course I do, Mr. Congressman.The lieutenant replied that the Dualegis [Note] were preparing a rebellion that threatened the security of the Timbuktu fortress.So the head of the group transferred them back to strengthen defense. 【Note】The Dualegis are an ethnic group in Algeria and other places. But what about us?The expedition leader expressed dissatisfaction and said, is it appropriate to weaken the strength of our guards? This is nothing to worry about, the area is absolutely peaceful. The Colonial Minister said at the meeting, and the Governor of Conakry also confirmed that the West Bank of the Niger River is a very dangerous area, and riots often occur. That was in the past, Lieutenant Lacourt replied, still smiling. Captain Marthare came over and said: Mr. Congressman, please allow me to bid you farewell. how?Why are you in such a hurry?exclaimed Balsac. It has to be.The captain replied that we must go at once to Segusicano and Timbuktu. Carry out orders, Captain!Balsac backed down and said, extending his hand to the captain.At this time, his complaints have been replaced by excitement, I wish you a safe journey!None of us will ever forget the days we spent together.I believe I say this on behalf of all of you, to express my heartfelt thanks for your loyal defense work. Thank you, Mr. Congressman.The captain replied that he too was very excited. He said goodbye to us one by one and, of course, to Morna at the end. I secretly watched their actions. However, everything went surprisingly normally. Farewell, Miss Morena!said the captain. Farewell, Captain!Miss Morena replied. That's the whole process.But those of us in the know understand that these two short sentences have a special meaning, which is better than a formal oath. The captain himself felt this, and his face glowed.He took Morna's hand, kissed it respectfully, mounted his steed, and stood at the head of the procession.He saluted us one last time, and raised his saber, and their cavalry galloped off.We watched them bewilderedly, and a few minutes later the cavalry disappeared over the horizon. So we stayed like this with Lieutenant Lacourt, his two sergeants, and twenty cavalrymen.To be honest, an hour ago, we hadn't thought of their existence at all. I quickly glanced at the newly sent guards, and couldn't help but shudder. Their appearance is really terrifying, and I dare not see such people in the dark.