Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Germain.Paterna's observation

As soon as the sun rose the next morning, the three boats embarked on the journey again.The unloaded items had been put back on board the previous afternoon.The voyage was not delayed due to ship repairs as the ship was not damaged in any way through the rapids. Most likely, the stretch from Artures to San Fernando will not be as easy as the road ahead.The wind seemed to die down, and the boat could no longer be pushed against the waves. In this case, the fleet would have to stay in the water at most and not advance or retreat. Fortunately, the breeze was still blowing from the north, but it was northeasterly for a while, and for a while The wind was from the northwest, so the boat hoisted its sails, and waited until necessary to use ropes or pennies.

Naturally, the passengers all returned to their respective ships. Martial and Jean.De.Kellmer in Garineta, Miguel, Varinas and Felipe in Maripare, Jacques.Alloch and Germain.Paterna is in Moriche. The three boats lined up in a column as close as possible, and of course, Martial couldn't help muttering about this, Moriche had to follow Garinetta closely, so that it was convenient to talk, and it could be said that the conversation was continuous along the way. The boat advanced five kilometers upstream in the morning. Although it left the village of Artures, there was still a long section of the river full of small islands and reefs. The boat was in it, and even the waterway department could not find it. The wind blew the sails sideways. , can't stand still.In the extremely narrow section of the river, the current is rushing down, and it takes all the strength of the whole body to support the pole.

When the fleet sailed near the Los Muerto Mountains, the Orinoco River began to widen, and the boat moved to the right bank where the current was relatively slow. With a certain distance back from the left bank, there stands the Stone Painting Mountain. Miguel and the others have visited it. Standing on the top of the mountain, they can have a panoramic view of the vast plain where the Guaibu people live. As soon as the sun began to slant to the west, the wind gradually turned to the northeast and weakened until it stopped completely at five o'clock in the afternoon. The convoy was on the Garcita rapids at this time.Travelers took Valdez's advice and stopped to spend the night because the place looked fine.

The ship only traveled fifteen kilometers that day, and the next day, the fleet set off before dawn. The Garcita Rapids is a smooth walk, navigable year-round and never unloaded and towed.Besides, the Orinoco River in September is still strong and deep enough to pass a flat-bottomed boat, but because it is mid-September, the water level has begun to drop, and the dry season will soon come. But the rainfall is still abundant and frequent.Passengers have encountered rainy days since starting from Bolivar City, and the downpour from the sky from time to time will always accompany them to San Fernando.Like today, it went down again and again, and everyone had to hide in the canopy, but it was a lucky thing that the breeze was blowing again.

In the evening, the convoy reached an eastward bend between the right bank and La Popelado Island, and found a secluded place to anchor. The hunters on the boat set out again, and from six o'clock to nine o'clock, they kept wandering around the coast of the island, which was full of dense forests, and it was impossible to get in. They hunted six or seven gaviotas, a small web-footed species. The animal, about the size of a pigeon, was taken home for dinner. On the way back, Jacques.Elloch shot and killed a Camanan crocodile, which the Indians called Baba and claimed that its meat was delicious.

This half-cooked dish made of crocodile, called Sankocho in the local area, is disdainful to the passengers, but the crew eats it very deliciously. Only Germain.Paterna dared to try it. Naturalists, let’s just make up for it, and consider it a sacrifice for scientific research. what smell?Jacques.Eloch asked him. Well, the first bite was not very good, Germain.Paterna said, but by the second bite then It was hard to swallow! Sanchocho was thus tried and convicted. The next day, the convoy left La Popelado Island and headed southwest, from here to the Guaibo Rapids where the river follows a northeast|southwest direction.It's still raining.The northeast wind sometimes comes and goes, and the sail hangs weakly on the mast for a while, and swells like a balloon for a while.

In the evening, when Valdez anchored the boat downstream of Guayab Island, the boat had only traveled eleven or twelve kilometers, because the wind was still too weak compared with the current. The next day, after a laborious voyage, the three boats reached the rapids of Guaibo and stopped at the mouth of a small tributary of Calestia, a narrow island in the Orinoco that divides the river into Two halves, Calestia is located on the left side of the island. The game we ate for dinner was two waterfowl named Hu Gu caught on the shore of the island, and the night was very quiet. This section of the river bed is wide and tortuous, with many large and small islands, and a natural embankment, which creates a deafening waterfall.The wild natural landscape in this area is very ornamental, probably the most beautiful in the middle reaches of the Orinoco River.

It takes several hours to cross the Guaibu rapids, and passengers have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. Although the Guaibu rapids are more difficult to walk than the Garcita rapids, they have not yet reached the point where they need to be unloaded. The fleet traveled along the waters on the left bank, and arrived at the village of Calestia at three o'clock in the afternoon, and further ahead was the rapids of Maipres. In order to pass more confidently, the boat had to be unloaded again in the village. null. Once in Bodo.What Rea had done was repeated.With their luggage on their backs, the Indians followed the passengers to Maipress and arrived at their destination before five o'clock.

Speaking of which, the distance between Calestia and Maipres is only six kilometers, and the path opened along the river bank is relatively easy to walk. Passengers have to wait for the three ships of Garineta, Maripare and Moriche at Maipress, and it is estimated that they will not arrive at least three or four days later. In fact, although the length of the Maipres rapids is not as long as that of the Artures rapids, it is more difficult. Just looking at the drop, the difference between the high and low water levels is as much as 12 meters in the length of six kilometers.But don't worry, the crew is skilled enough and enthusiastic, they will do everything possible to save time and create miracles of human limits.

Besides, did not the convoy cover the sixty kilometers between the two main rapids of the middle Orinoco in less than five days. The village is named after the Maipress Indians who live in it. This is an ancient tribe, but now there are only a few families left, and due to continuous intermarriage with foreigners, the bloodline has been greatly changed. The village is located in the abrupt Beneath the steep granite cliffs, there are only a dozen huts in the whole village. The situation in Maipress Village is quite similar to that in Artures Village in all aspects.The passenger squad will be here for a few days.

This was the last time the man and ship separated before reaching San Fernando.The rapids that have forced ships to shed their load and be dragged along between turbulence and rocks will no longer be on the way.So it's best to be patient for now and accept the fact that, except for Sergeant Martial, who couldn't wait to reach San Fernando, he couldn't help complaining, everyone else can face this delay calmly. In Maipres, it is impossible to pass the time with excursions as it is near the Stone Painting Mountain.Everyone can only engage in hunting and gathering. The young man is accompanied by Martial, following Germain with great interest.Paterna went to investigate, and the hunters provided fresh meat for everyone every day. Hunting is necessary, because if you delay here too long, you will eat up the food purchased in Urbana and the previous hunting, and there will be no chance until you reach the destination. It was supplemented. From Maipress to San Fernando, there is still one hundred and thirty to forty kilometers along the winding Orinoco River. On the 18th, the three boats traveling along the left bank finally arrived at the village of Maipres, which is also on the left bank. In fact, judging from its location, it should belong to Colombia rather than Venezuela.However, the ownership of the left bank of this section of the river has not yet been determined, and it was not officially assigned to Colombia until 1911. It was really not easy for Valdes and the others to walk out of the rapids in just five days.The ship was reloaded that day, and set sail early on the nineteenth. It was cloudy and rainy again, and the islands and rocks in the river were not diminished.The wind blows from the west.It is not convenient for navigation, and in fact even if the north wind is blowing, it is not very useful to the ships, because they have to find their way in the water, go around, and the direction is uncertain. After crossing the mouth of the Sipapo River, we encountered a small rapid called Xiyu Yaumi, which passed in a few hours without a tugboat or anything. However, due to these reasons, when the fleet reached the mouth of the Vichada River, it was dark, and they could not go any further, so they had to anchor for the night. In addition, the scenery on both sides of the river is very different.On the east bank, under the afterglow of the setting sun, the outlines of distant mountains are faintly visible. The area between the river bank and the mountains is scattered with mounds, buncos and low hills, while the west bank stretches a vast plain, all the way from the Columbia Plain. The Vichada River runs through it, pouring its dark waters into the Orinoco. Maybe, Jacques.Elloch thought that Felipe and Varinas would argue again about the Vicada, which, like the Guaviare and the Atabab, could also be regarded as the Orino The most important branch of the Ke River.But the quarrel did not take place, and the two opponents were not far from the confluence of the rivers they supported.After they saw the actual situation with their own eyes, they had time to find out. The next day, the boat advanced for about 20 kilometers. Because there were no reefs, the sailing was much smoother.The sails are full for several hours, and it is quite labor-saving to walk.At night, anchor in a small village of the same name near the Mataverini River on the left bank. There are eleven or twelve huts in the village, which belong to the Guaibo people who live along the Orinoco, especially on the left bank.If travelers go up the Vichada River, they will see several villages of Guaibu people along the way. They are gentle, hardworking and intelligent, and they often trade cassava with merchants in San Fernando. If JacquesAlloch and Germain.Had Paterna acted alone, they would have likely stopped at the mouth of the Vichada River, as they had done at Urbana a few weeks earlier.However, the two people's wanderings in the Metape Heights almost ended in tragedy.When Moriche stopped next to Garinetta on the bank of the river in the village of Matavini, Germain.Paterna said: My dear Jacques, I think we are here for a scientific expedition on the Orinoco under the Ministry of National Education What do you want to say?Jacques.Ai Luohe was taken aback when he heard this, and asked. I would like to say, is Jacques' research object limited to the Orinoco River? Orinoco and its tributaries Well, to tell you the truth, I feel that since we left Urbana, we have been less concerned with the tributaries of the upper Orinoco. you think so? Think about it, my dear friend.Have we been to the Suapre, Paraluma, and Palguacha rivers on the right bank? I don't think so. The Meta River on the left bank, one of the largest tributaries of the Orinoco, have we seen both sides of it? No, we only went through the mouth of the river and didn't go deep into it. What about the Sipopo River? Sipopo didn't look either. What about the Vichada River? We are also sorry for Vichada River. Are you joking when you say that, Jacques? What is it, my good Germain, what you did not do when you came, you can do it on the way back, your tributaries will not disappear, I think they will not dry up even in the dry season, It won't be too late to investigate them when we go down the river Jacques Jacques, when we go back, the Minister of National Education will meet us in person Well then, my naturalist, let us say to the Minister: Mr. Minister, if we were acting alone, we would definitely investigate the upper tributaries, but we have traveling companions who are rare, so we think it is better Better go to San Fernando first with them I think we're going to be there for a while, aren't we, Germain?Paterna asked. Until the problems of Guaviare and Atabab are resolved, Jacques.Well, I think Mr. Miguel's formulation is correct, said Elroch, but it's also good to take the opportunity to study the tributary that Felipe and Mr. Varinas love.I assure you, we will benefit from it, and the Ministry of National Education will give us the highest praise! At this time, let.De.Kellmer was sitting alone in the boat, and he heard all these words. He didn't intend to eavesdrop, and what the other party was talking about wasn't something that needed to be kept secret. Since the two groups met, although Martial always tried his best to prevent it, Jacques.Ai Luohe can seize every opportunity against Jean.De.Kellmer expressed great concern, which Jean undoubtedly noticed, and how would he respond to this concern?For a boy of his age, he met a compatriot in a foreign country, who cared for him so much, took care of him everywhere, wished him so earnestly that he could achieve his goal, and tried his best to help him so that whether he would be like ordinary people How about relying on this person unreservedly as you imagined? No, although it seemed almost unreasonable, although Jean was moved and expressed gratitude from time to time, he still felt very grateful to Jacques.Ailoch always kept a certain distance not because Martial would scold him otherwise, but because of his shy and cautious character. When he arrived in San Fernando, maybe Jean needed to continue his journey to find his father, and Jacques.Elloch will turn around and go back, oh yes, it will be very sad when the parting comes. Maybe then he will think: If JacquesIt would be great if Ai Luohe could be his guide, and the hope of his success would be even greater. At the end of the conversation, JacquesAi Luohe's words moved everyone who had been listening: Besides, Germain, and this boy we met on the road, I am very interested in him, don't you have a deep affection for him? Yes Jacques! I think, Germain, the more he desires to explore out of love for his father, the more difficulties and dangers he will encounter, because he will know that he can't do it!If he could get any news in San Fernando, he would definitely continue to go further up the Orinoco River, and even run all the way to the Rio Negro!When he thinks: my father is there, he must go there!He is an exceptionally strong-willed kid!From his words and deeds, it is not difficult to find that his high sense of responsibility has developed into a kind of heroism!What do you say, Germain? Jacques, I agree with you on these views, I think you have reasons for the young Jean.De.kelmer worried And who is it that advises him and protects him?Jacques.Elloch went on to say, an old soldier, who would risk his life for him, but is this the traveling companion that a teenager needs?No, Germain, do you want to know how I wish?I'll tell you, I'd rather hope that the boy is in San Fernando without any news of his father. If Jean is with them at this time, Jacques.Ai Luohe will see, listening to his words, the young man first straightened up, raised his head, his eyes flashed and then lowered, his expression was depressed, thinking that he might get nothing but go back in vain and go back the same way. However, after a sad moment, Jacques.Ailoch's next words made Jean muster up his courage again. no no!That would be cruel to poor Jean, and I still hope he gets something!Thirteen years ago, there was no doubt that Colonel Kellmer had indeed arrived at San Fernando; there he would have known what had become of his father!I really want to go find it with him I understand your thoughts, what Jacques Jean needs is a guide like you, not the veteran in front of him. If he is really Jean's uncle, then I will be Jean's aunt!But what can you do?Our route is different from his, not to mention we have to visit those tributaries on the way back Are there no tributaries past San Fernando?Jacques.Elloch asked. Some tributaries are really not small, such as the Kunukuma River, Kasikiare River, and Mahuaka River. If we go on like this, our investigation will continue to the source of the Orinoco River. Why not, Germain?In that case, the inspection work will be more comprehensive and complete. The Minister of National Education is happy, but it's too late! Minister Minister, Jacques!He is a university professor, but you don't take people seriously!Besides, if let.De.Kellmer's next step is not to go in the direction just said. If he wants to go to the grasslands of Colombia or if he will go to Negro and the Amazon Basin Jacques.Eloch stopped talking because he was speechless.In fact, he didn't understand in his heart that extending the investigation to the source of the Orinoco River was not in conflict with his mission. However, if he went out of the Orinoco Basin, or even left Venezuela, and ran to Colombia or Brazil to go. In the boat next to them, the man kneeling in the cabin let everything be heard. Now, he already knew how much his companions cared for him, and he already knew that no matter Jacques.Elloch or Germain.Paterna didn't even believe in his kinship with Sergeant Martial. Why didn't they?What would the old man think if he knew? The boy didn't think about what would happen if Jacques was missing.Elloch's bravery and loyalty What will happen to his future, just thank God in his heart for allowing him to meet such kind and generous countrymen on his journey.