Chapter 48 Chapter Six

It had been decided that the first great task of the settlers would be a thorough search of the whole island.The purpose of the search is twofold: on the one hand, to find the mysterious person, because it is now certain that there is such a person on the island; on the other hand, to understand the situation of the pirates, where they are hiding, and what kind of life they are currently living Life, what horrors are there about them.Cyrus.Smith intended to set off without delay, but the expedition would require several days, and it was best to have all the requisites and implements loaded in the car to organize the bivouac.It so happened that a wild donkey injured its leg and could not pull the cart for the time being, so it had to rest for a few days.Therefore, we had to set the date of departure on November 20th and postpone it by a week.November in this place is equivalent to May in the northern hemisphere, so it is a beautiful sight.The sun has entered the Tropic of Capricorn and it is currently the longest day of the year.Therefore, now is the most suitable time to go on an expedition. Even if the main purpose of the expedition cannot be achieved, at least there can be many discoveries, especially the discovery of natural products; Far West Forest at the end.

Everyone agreed to use the nine days before departure to finish the work on the Prospect Hill. In addition, Ayrton was required to return to the corral to tend the livestock.Everyone decided to let him stay there for two days, and then return to the Granite Palace after preparing enough feed in the shed. When Ayrton was about to set off, Smith asked him if he would not go with him, considering that the island was not as safe as it had been.Ayrton replied that there was no need, because the work could be taken care of by one person, and he was not afraid of any danger.If anything happened to the corral or the vicinity, he could telegraph immediately to the inhabitants of Granite Palace.

On the morning of the ninth, Ayrton set out at dawn; he drove away with a wild ass and a cart.Two hours later, a telegram came, telling everyone that everything was safe in the corral. During these two days, Smith was busy with a matter. After this matter was completed, Granite Palace would not be afraid of any sudden attack.The original gap at the southern end of Lake Grant, long since closed and partly covered by overgrown vegetation, must now be completely covered.Nothing could be easier to do than to raise the water two or three feet to completely cover the mouth of the cave.To raise the level of the lake, it is only necessary to build a sluice at each of the two gaps in the lake, because the lake water flows into the Glycerin River and the Waterfall River through these two gaps.

The settlers worked confidently. The two sluices were no more than eight feet wide and three feet high. They piled up the stones closely, and soon the sluices were completed. After this work was completed, no outsider could have dreamed that there was a channel under this part of the lake, and that this was the way the water used to flow out of the lake. Of course, the small river that supplies water to the Granite Palace cistern and drives the elevator is still carefully preserved, and it is guaranteed that the water will not be cut off.In this way, as long as the elevator is hoisted, this reliable comfort zone is safe.

The work was completed very quickly, Pencroft, Gideon.Spilett and Herbert could still find time to go to the Balloon Harbor once.The sailor was very anxious, and he was always afraid that the criminals had gone to the cove where the Rider was moored. The gentlemen had landed on the south bank, and he said that if they followed the sea they might find the little harbor.At that time, our Riding the Wind and the Waves would have been thrown away for nothing. Pencroft's misgivings were not without foundation.Looks like Balloon Harbor really needs a visit.On November 10, after lunch, the sailor and his companions set out with arms.Pencroft deliberately loaded two cartridges into the barrels of his rifle, in the presence of all, and shook his head, as if to say that anyone, as he himself said, Well, it doesn't matter whether it's a beast, as long as you walk in front of him, you will be in trouble.Ji Ding.Spilett and Herbert also had guns, and at about three o'clock the three left the Granite Palace.

Neb sent them off to where the Mercy turned the corner, and when they had crossed the bridge he tore up the bridge.They agreed that when they came back, they would fire a gun as a signal. When Neb heard the gunshot, he came to restore the communication between the two sides of the strait. They walked straight along the road leading to the south shore of the deserted island. This distance was only three and a half miles, but Gideon.Spilett and his companions walked for two hours.All along the road they carefully observed the thick forests and the marshes, but found no trace of the outlaws; no doubt the criminals did not know the number of the settlers and the means of defense they had taken, and therefore only accounted for A small part of the desert island.

Pencroft was very pleased when he arrived at Balloon Harbor and saw the Windbreaker floating quietly on the little bay.The Balloon Harbor is surrounded by towering cliffs, and the terrain is precipitous. Whether it is on land or in the sea, it is not easy to find it. Come quickly, said Pencroft, those rascals have not yet come here.As the saying goes: there are tigers and leopards in the deep mountains, they must have hidden in the far west forest. Well, says Herbert, if they find the Windbreaker, they'll get away in it, and then we won't be able to get to the Isle of Hold again. Really, says the correspondent, we should send a note there.If the Scottish cruise ship came to fetch Ayrton back, it would know the location of Lincoln Island and Ayrton's new address.

Well, the Rider is here at all times, Monsieur Spilett, said the sailor, and we may set off in her at once! I think, Pencroft, that we shall wait till we have explored the desert island.If only we could find that stranger, perhaps he knows Tabor Island as well as Lincoln Island.Don't forget that he must have written the note; perhaps he even knew whether the cruise ship could be expected to return or not! But, exclaimed Pencroft, who is he?He knows us so well, and we don't know him at all!If he was nothing more than a man in distress, why should he remain hidden?We are honest people, and I think honest people will never be hated.Did he come here by himself?If he wants to leave here, can he leave?is he still hereWill he continue to stay?

Pencroft, Keating.While chatting, Spilett and Herbert went aboard the Rider to inspect the ship's deck.The sailor looked at the stub to which the anchor line was attached, and suddenly exclaimed: Hey, that's weird! What is the matter, Pencroft?asked the correspondent. That's the case, I didn't fasten this buckle! Pencroft pointed to a rope by which the anchor hawser was fastened to the stub. What, not from your department?Ji Ding.asked Spilett. no!I can swear it's a dead end, and I'm always on the hook. You must be mistaken, Pencroft. I am not mistaken!The sailor declared that my hands were buttoned up by habit, and that one's hands can never be wrong!

So, had the criminals been on board?asked Herbert. I don't know, then, said Pencroft; at any rate, some one has pulled the Windbreaker's anchor, and let her drop again, that's for sure!Look, here's another proof!The hawser was drawn out and the coil was no longer in the hawser.I repeat, someone used our boat! However, if the criminals found it, they would definitely snatch it and use it, and even use it to escape. run away!Where are you going to reach Baodao?asked Pencroft, Do you think they would venture in such a small ship? Besides, they didn't necessarily know that the island existed.The correspondent went on.

At any rate, said the sailor, as if I were born in the vineyard and named Pencroft, our Windbreaker has smuggled out and sailed! The sailor was sure, Keating.Both Spilett and Herbert felt irrefutable.Someone had evidently moved the ship in some way since Pencroft had brought it to Balloon Harbor.The sailors were 100 percent sure that someone had pulled the anchor and then let it down again.There are two procedures to and fro like this, except for sailing with it, what other purpose can there be? But why didn't we see Riding the Wind and the Waves passing by in the sea on the island?The correspondent said he was eager to address all objections at once. Why, Monsieur Spilett, replied the sailor, with a favorable wind at night, he could be out of sight of the island within two hours. All right, Keating.Spilett then asked, and I would like to ask another question, what are the criminals doing with the Rider, and why are they sending it back to port after they have used it? Well, Monsieur Spilett, replied the sailor, we need not trouble ourselves about that, but we must include it among the miraculous things.The main problem is that the Rider is still here, and is here now.If unfortunately the criminals rob it a second time, I'm afraid we don't have to try to find it here again! Well, Pencroft, said Herbert, shall we not take the Rider home, and let her stand near Granite Palace? Whether good or bad, replied Pencroft, it was mostly bad.The mouth of the Mercy River is not suitable for docking at all, the tide there is too strong. But can it be parked on the sand under the grotto? "Perhaps," answered Pencroft, "at any rate, since we must leave Granite House for an expedition, I think it will be safer to leave the Rider here while we are away, till the island is cleared of bandits." , we'd better put it here. I quite agree, said the correspondent, that in the event of a change of weather this at least would not be as exposed as it was at the mouth of the Mercy. But what if criminals come here again?Herbert said. My child, answered Pencroft, if they do not find it here, they will soon find it on the sands of Granite Palace!Anyway, there's nothing to stop them from taking the boat while we're away!I therefore agree with M. Spilett that it should be left at the Port of Balloons.However, if we can't get rid of these rascals when we come back, then we'll be more cautious, put the ship near Granite Palace, and wait until we don't fear any more annoying disturbances before making other plans. Yes, that's it.let's go!said the correspondent. Pencroft, Herbert and Gideon.When Spilett returned to the Granite Palace, he told the engineer all that had happened, and the engineer agreed with their present methods and future plans.He also promised the sailors that they would explore the channel between the island and the coast, to see if an artificial harbor could be opened there by means of the locks.If it could be done, the Rider would always be before the emigrants, ready to tend her; even lock her up if need be. That evening they sent a telegram to Ayrton, asking him to bring two goats from the corral, as Neb wanted to acclimatize them to the highlands.Strangely, unlike usual this time, Ayrton did not call back after the telegram was sent.The engineer couldn't help being surprised.But it is also possible that Ayrton was not in the corral at the time, or even that he had already started back to Granite Palace.In fact, he had been in the corral for two days, and he had agreed before leaving on the evening of the 10th, and would return by the morning of the 11th at the latest.So the settlers waited for Ayrton on Prospect Heights.Neb and Herbert even went right up to the bridge, intending to lower the drawbridge as soon as they saw their companion. But there was still no signal from Ayrton until ten o'clock in the evening.Therefore, everyone suggested that it would be better to send another telegram and ask the other party to answer immediately. Still, the telegraph bell at Granite Palace did not ring. Residents are very disturbed.What happened?Was Ayrton no longer in the corral, or was he still there, but unable to move freely?Could they go to the corral in the dark of night? We discussed it.Some advocate going, some advocate not going. But, said Herbert, perhaps the telegraph had broken down, and the notification was not working? That's also possible.said the correspondent. Wait till tomorrow, Cyrus.Indeed, said Smith, Ayrton might not get our telegrams, and we might not get his. They waited, naturally, their mood is very anxious. The next day, November 11, at dawn, Smith telegraphed again, but there was still no answer. He then tried again, with the same result. to the corral!He said. fully armed!added Pencroft. It immediately occurred to everyone that there must be people in the Granite Palace, and they decided to let Neb look after the house.Neb sent his companions to the banks of the Glycerin, pulled up the drawbridge, and hid behind a tree until they or Ayrton returned. If the pirates appeared suddenly and tried to take their way, Neb could stop them with a shot, and if they couldn't stop them, he could finally hide in the Granite Palace. As long as he lifted the elevator, he would be safe as a rock. Cyrus.Smith, Keating.Four of them, Spilett, Herbert, and Pencroft, went to the corral, and if Ayrton could not be found, they searched the neighboring forest. At six o'clock in the morning the engineer and his three companions crossed the Glycerine, and Neb hid behind a hill topped with dracaena on the left bank. The inhabitants left the heights of Prospect Heights and walked straight up the Corral Road.They carried their guns, ready to fire at the slightest hostile movement.Both rifles and two muskets were loaded. There are dense forests on both sides of the road, criminals can hide everywhere, and they still have weapons, the enemy is indeed terrifying. The immigrants walked quickly, without saying a word all the way.Top led the way, sometimes at a run, sometimes into the woods, but always as quiet as if nothing had happened to him.They believed that this faithful dog would not frighten them suddenly, but would bark at the slightest danger. Cyrus.Smith and his companions continued on, just beside the road leading to the telegraph wire from Granite Palace to the Corral.After walking nearly two miles, they had found nothing to explain their doubts.The telegraph pole was well erected on the ground, and the wires were pulled as usual.However, at this moment, the engineer found that the wire seemed to be loose. When Herbert, who was leading the way, reached the No. 74 pole, he suddenly stopped and shouted: The wire is broken! The partners hurried forward and came to the place where the boy was standing.I saw the electric pole lying on the road and uprooted.The question was suddenly answered, for apparently the telegrams from Granite Palace and Corral had not been received. The pole doesn't look like it was blown down by the wind.said Pencroft. Yes, Keating.Spilett said that all the soil in Zigen had been dug up, which was pulled up by hand. Also, the wires were broken.Herbert pointed to the broken wire and added. Was it broken recently?Smith asked. Yes, replied Herbert, it must have been broken some time ago. to the corral!to the corral!cried the sailor. It was between Granite Palace and the Corral where the inhabitants now stood, two and a half miles to go.They speeded up and hurried forward. Indeed, something might have happened in the corral.It is true that Ayrton's telegram may not have been received, but that was not what his companions were thinking of.Even more incomprehensible was the fact that Ayrton had promised to come back the night before and had not returned.In a word, it would not be useless to sever the connection between Granite Palace and the corral, and who but the criminals would have broken it? The residents rushed forward in a hurry, and everyone felt very anxious in their hearts.They loved their newcomer with all their hearts.Would they find out that he had been murdered by his former henchmen? They soon came to a place where there was a little river beside the road, which flowed from the Red River, and it became the source of water for the stables and pastures.Now they slowed down, so as not to be out of breath when they had to fight.Their fingers were on the triggers of their guns.Everyone looked at the forest on all sides.Top growled sullenly, as if to herald something untoward. Finally, the fence of the corral emerged from among the trees.No trace of damage could be seen.The door remained closed as usual.It was very quiet in the corral, neither the usual bleating of the sheep nor the shouting of Ayrton could be heard. Let's go in.Cyrus.Smith said. The engineer moved forward, followed by his comrades twenty paces away, on the alert, ready to shoot. Smith had unlatched the door, and was about to push in, when Top cried out.Only bang!A cry, followed by a scream. A bullet struck Herbert, and he fell straight to the ground.