Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven What to Do

On the morning of February 18, members of the Balsac expedition woke up from their dreams to find that their escort, hired porters and donkey drivers had all escaped.This left them dumbfounded and bewildered.It happened so suddenly that they couldn't believe it. Amijay.Floras wakes up the companions.Everyone quickly gathered together, marveling at the events that had just occurred. As they groaned loudly, there was a groaning sound from the nearby bushes.Dr. Sunberling, Floras and Dr. Shadore hurried over and found Dong Galle lying there.His hands and feet were bound, his mouth was blocked by something, and his left rib was injured.

Everyone immediately untied the rope for him, took out the things in his mouth, woke him up, and then bandaged his wound.Asked him what happened, Dong Galle told them. It turned out that those people's escape took place between one and two o'clock in the middle of the night.Dong Galle was awakened by an unusual sound.He opened his eyes and saw several soldiers on horseback standing not far from the tent. Porters and donkey drivers were busy doing something under the command of Lieutenant Lacourt and two sergeants.Dong Galle felt very strange, he got up and walked towards the porters without any doubt.Before he reached the porter, he was knocked to the ground by two people who rushed towards him halfway, tied him up, and gagged him.However, before he fell down, he still saw clearly what the porter was doing.It turned out that they took some packages from the donkeys of the expedition team and put them on their horses.Then he heard Lieutenant Lacourt asking hurriedly:

Are you ready? all right!replied one of the two men who knocked Dong Galle to the ground.Dong Galle recognized the voice of a sergeant. There was a silence, and Dong Galle felt someone lean over and touch him. You are absolutely crazy!Lieutenant Lacour said, if you keep this guy who has seen everything, that's okay!Robert, give this fellow a bayonet! The order is executed immediately.But Dong Galle quickly turned over, so the bayonet didn't go into the chest, but slipped into the armpit.Racourt and his assistants made a mistake in the dark: the point of the bayonet was bloody, and the alert guide uttered a cry that seemed to die forever, and held his breath, so the three were relieved. left.Dong Galle could no longer hear other voices, and after a while, he himself fell into a coma.

According to Dong Galle's words, it is absolutely certain that the mutiny of the new guards has been planned for a long time. In any case, the first thing to do is to take inventory of the luggage.There were also a dozen short guns, and seven long guns, six of which were for hunting.There was enough ammunition for all these guns; seven horses, thirty-six donkeys, about 150 kilograms of various goods, and four days' rations.That is to say, there are still a certain amount of self-defense weapons and carrying tools.There is no need to worry about the ration issue. You can go to the village to get it as before.

They decided to sell the donkey.These animals became a heavy burden for the inexperienced donkey driver.Morna and Samblin went into the village of Kadu to talk business with the natives.They were warmly received by the natives and exchanged gifts for the sympathy of the village chief.With the assistance of the village chief, each donkey was sold for about thirty francs in shellfish[Note].This income alone can guarantee the normal expenses of the expedition team for 20 days, and can also pay the wages of five porters for 20 days.The transaction lasted for several days and did not end until February 22nd.At this time, Dong Galle's wounds had scabbed over.

[Note] Shells are used as money in the Pacific, Indian Ocean islands and some countries in Africa. On the morning of the 23rd, six neat chairs were arranged in a circle on a ground, and a map was spread out in the center of the circle, and the expedition team held a military meeting. Now that the meeting has begun, Balsac habitually announces the opening of the meeting. Which one will speak? Everyone couldn't help laughing, and Floras replied without blinking: We will listen to you first, Mr. Chairman. That's all right, agrees Barsac, let's discuss the current situation for the well-deserved title of Chairman.We have been abandoned by the guards, but the weapons of self-defense are still in hand.There are also some goods traded with the natives.Now we are in the center of French Sudan, fourteen hundred kilometers from Conakry.As you know, according to our plan, it is time to move on.But now that a new situation has occurred, I am afraid that a new decision has to be made.In my humble opinion, it would be best now to go to a French post, and then calmly consider what to do next.

His opinion was endorsed by everyone. We should reach the bank of the Niger River as soon as possible, Balsac looked at the map and said, is it possible to go to Shay via Ouagadougou and Nikiango?After our army captures and occupies Timbuktu, it will definitely set up outposts along the lower reaches of the Niger River.Frankly speaking, I don't know if the outpost has been set up in the Shay area.But it is possible, even certain.If we can send another guard for us, it will fit in with our plan. That was a good idea, Dr. Sartore agreed, but there was a better way.I thought we should go back, if not to the sea, at least to Sikasso.We are now only two hundred kilometers from Sikasso.Once there, we will go to those compatriots who entertained us last time, and then decide to go to Bamako or Segusicano.

The doctor was right, Floras agreed, it was the wisest thing to do. However, I have to remind you that Balsac continued after thinking for a while, returning to Sikasso means that we have given up our established purpose, although it is only a temporary renunciation.Gentlemen, we should first consider our duty We understand your concerns, Monsieur Balsac, Floras interrupted, but often the duty is to deal with matters wisely. You also have to consider what the consequences will be in each case.Balsac retorted, "It is true that our guards have escaped, but we need not take this matter too seriously. There is no serious danger threatening us.Come to think of it, the fake guards could have killed us all without running away, but they didn't.Not only that, they also left us rations, weapons, bullets, horses and some goods, which shows that their behavior is not particularly terrible.

But they are going to kill Tongale.Dr. Sadoley countered politely. Tongale was a black man, Balsac replied, and to some, a black life was worth nothing. Monsieur Balsac is quite right, Floras interposed, and the enemy has treated us rather mildly.Indeed, so far there has been no attempt to put us to death.I only say so far, because, if we proceed against the will of our mysterious adversary, he is likely to take more severe measures.Tongale's injury can prove that our opponents are not ordinary people. That's a good point, the doctor agreed. There was a silence.Balsac was pondering carefully.

I am inclined to Dr. Sartore's opinion, he said, agreeing to go back to Sikasso first, and then go to Segusicano. Excuse me, Mr. Member, Floras interrupted him, if you agree, I would like to remind you that we are here to decide what to do, without consulting Morna and deAccording to Sunberling, this is inappropriate. Indeed, Morna and Sunberling listened to the debate in silence, without expressing any attitude. Flora was right, Balsac admitted, turning to Morna, Miss Morna, please express your opinion. Thank you, Morna replied calmly, but we still cannot express an opinion, because the issue in this dispute has nothing to do with us.

Nothing to do with you?Why is it irrelevant, Mademoiselle Morena?Don't we have a common goal? No, Mr. Balsac, Morna replied, if you have to give up the intended goal due to the situation, then we still have to move on. Do you still insist on going to Gaa? And the desire is stronger than ever. go alone?No guards? We hadn't expected an escort. Don't you want to pick your husband? Porters can be hired additionally.If you can't hire it, you can deal with it. There is hostility towards us, the reason for which is not known, but it is so.Don't you even think about that? It doesn't matter.However, I feel that this hostility is directed primarily at you. We are walking together, how do you know that the hostility is mainly directed against us?Anyway, I am always worried that if you go to the Niger River alone, the unknown enemy will definitely attack you. If that is the case, we are not afraid. This is insanity!exclaimed Balsac, we cannot allow you to take such risks to satisfy your caprice. Morna was shaken for a moment.But after a while she said sadly: Unfortunately, this is not capriciousness, but vocation. Balsac, Dr. Shadore, Ameijie.Floras looked at Morna with puzzlement and curiosity. Morena said: Excuse me, gentlemen, I have lied to you in the past.Mr. Sembling told you his real name, and he was indeed a Frenchman, like you.But when I introduced myself to you, I used a fake name and a fake nationality.I'm an Englishman, my real name is Jana.Buxton.Is Lord Buxton's daughter, Captain George.Buxton's sister.Near Cooper lies the body of my unfortunate brother, and that is where I am going, and only there can I carry out my plans. So Ranna.Buxton, whose real name is now known, tells us of the massacre near Cooper, of George's death, and of Lord Buxton's disgrace and despair.Jeanna said she would restore her brother's honor, cleanse the Buxtons of the stain, and return peace and happiness to her old father, now dying. The audience was very excited.They were amazed at the spirit of this young girl who was indomitable and fearless in the face of danger. Miss Buxton.When Jeanna finished speaking, Amy Jay.Excuse me, said Floras, but I blame you. Blame me?Jana.Buxton expressed surprise. She hadn't expected such a reaction to what she had said. Yes, and you are severely rebuked!You treat the French, especially Amijay.Too strange for Floras, too regrettable! What do you mean, Mr. Floras?Jana.Buxton felt aggrieved and murmured. What's the matter?The journalist cried out in angry tones.Do you think Amijie.Will Floras allow you to visit Cooper without him? Mr. Floras!Jana tried to explain. Well done to you!Floras continued to be angry, how selfish! I don't think so," said Jana, smiling. Please let me finish, interrupted Floras sternly, you forgot that I am a journalist.What do you think the manager of our paper would say to me if he knew that I passed up the opportunity to cover the sensational Buxton case?Did you know this?He will say: My poor Floras, you are an ass!And it will immediately drive me out of the newspaper office, and I cherish my job.So, I must go with you. Mr. Floras!Jeanna repeated the cry.She was deeply moved by Floras' words.She clasped the hand of the brave Floras, and two lines of tears welled up in her eyes. And I.Miss Buxton, will you allow me to attend?Dr. Sadore asked suddenly. Doctor you? And of course, me.Such an expedition cannot work without medical workers. If you go to a place where people tear you into pieces, I can put the pieces back together and sew them back together. O doctor!she cried. However, what excited her even more was hearing Balsac's angry questioning voice: Hey, me, it looks like you've left me alone! Balsac was a little annoyed.He wanted to go exploring with Miss Buxton too!In doing so, he could kill two birds with one stone: the young woman's route of exploration was similar to his own.Walking with her, though unwise, would serve his noble purpose as well, so why would he not do it!Especially the two doctors, Floras and Shadolei, said they would leave his team, which was very disappointing. I don't mean Floras, he continued, he is free.But you, doctor, you are a member of my expedition, do you want to be a deserter? I assure you, Monsieur Balsac, muttering Dr. Chatore, that he has not thought of this at all. Do you have the right to decide our course?Is it also your duty to teach me a lesson? Believe me, Mr. Balsac's poor doctor tried to explain. No, my doctor!No, I don't allow it!Balsac interrupted him, his voice getting louder, you know, I am the leader of this expedition, and I do not agree with your plan.Quite the contrary, considering that we have only one guide at present, and this guide is hired by Miss Buxton, and considering that we have only Miss Buxton and Sunberling here who can speak Bamba, without their help , we will not be able to deal with the natives, I intend, I decide, I order The more Balsac spoke, the more agitated he became, with a high-pitched voice.He deliberately paused, and then ended in a very calm tone: All the crew marched to the Niger River through Kupo! what did you say?Mr. Balsac?Jeanna asked in amazement, a little in disbelief of her ears. That's it, Miss Buxton.Balsac said, this is to enlist your help. O Monsieur Balsac!Jeanna gave a little cry and was moved to tears. It would have been the most ordinary walk, if there had been rations!Floras cried out. You can still eat for five days!Dr. Sartore spoke vigorously, as if he were talking not of five days but of five months. Can only eat for four days!Balsac corrects him, but we can buy some. You can also hunt.The doctor reminds everyone. You can also go fishing.Sunberling added. I also know a lot of fruits.The doctor added another sentence. I know yams and sweet potatoes.Dong Galle interjected. I would use sugar palms to make butter.Mary is not far behind.