Chapter 15 Chapter 15 San Fernando

The Atabab and the Guaviare, at the point where they both emptied into the Orinoco, let us admit for a moment the hypothesis that both are tributaries, separated by a peninsula, until we know more.The beds of the Atabab and Guaviare rivers surround the peninsula on the east and west sides respectively, with the tip of the peninsula pointing north. Here is Elise.The true hydrographic center between the Andes and the Amazon, as Le Clus calls it.He has a point in saying that. The town of San Fernando is located on the west bank of the peninsula and on the right bank of the Atabab River.Does the river flow directly into the Orinoco, or is it just a branch of the Guaviare?The issue is unclear, and perhaps the debate and research that Miguel, Varinas, and Felipe will conduct will finally resolve it.

San Fernando was founded by Solano in 1757, at an altitude of 237 meters.It has great potential to develop into a big city.Geographically, it is the meeting point of five navigable rivers: the Atabab to Brazil, via Gavita to the Negro and Amazon basins, and the upper Orinoco deep into eastern Venezuela , the middle reaches of the Orinoco River stretches in the south of Venezuela; the Ilinida River flows to the southwest; the Guaviare River flows straight into Colombia. However, although San Fernando shines like a shining star in the land of Spanish-speaking America, it does not seem to have benefited from its brilliance, at least for itself.In 1887, Xia Fangrong stayed here before setting off for the source of the Orinoco River, when it was only a slightly larger village.Of course, compared with seven years ago, there are now more houses and the population has increased, but the speed of development is really not fast.

The population of San Fernando is only five or six hundred.They make the bare boats that sail here very widely, and trade in rubber, gum and fruit, especially the piriguaio palm. From here, in 1882, Dr. Crevo, accompanied by M. Legendre, set out to ascend the Guaviaches. It is because of this expedition that a new name has been added to the death list of modern explorers. . Among the population of San Fernando, there are several families of white origin and some blacks, while the remaining Indians are mostly Baniwa.A governor exercises power on behalf of the President of the Republic and the Congress. However, the number of soldiers in his hands is small and can only be regarded as militia. Suppress.

The Baniwa are the most prominent of the indigenous peoples of Venezuela.Their physique is better than that of most Indians. They have strong bodies, strong and flexible limbs, and their faces are shining with wisdom, and they will never see frustrated expressions.Their skin is rosy and plump, and although their eyes are slightly squinted, their gazes are warm and sincere.They were also superior to the other Indians in character, for they were industrious, and some worked as boatmen, while others made hammocks or ropes for pulling boats.Because of their kindness and honesty, travelers love to ask them for help.They fished and hunted, planted crops and cut gum.So are they superstitious?No, they were not at all superstitious compared with the Piaroa, converted to Catholicism by missionaries, but sometimes following local rites that were difficult to eradicate.

Although the houses in San Fernando can only be called huts and huts, they are still comfortable to live in. Miguel, Felipe and Varinas live in the Governor's house.It was the Governor who insisted on entertaining the three distinguished guests from Ciudad Bolivar.It is likely that a heated argument would make the Governor's mansion unbearable.Fortunately, Miguel and the three of them haven't reached that level yet.For the sake of seriousness, one should go to the relevant place in person, observe carefully and think carefully, further clarify one's point of view, and then it is not too late to argue.To solve this problem, it is necessary to go to the mouth of the three rivers to conduct a detailed survey.Spend some time at the confluence of Atabab and Guaviare, and even go up the few kilometers of the two rivers to see it.What the dissenters needed most at present was rest, to recover from the fatigue accumulated by six weeks of continuous travel from the lower reaches of the Orinoco to the middle reaches.

Marshall and Jean.De.Kellmer stayed in a decent hotel not far from the port.They will decide where to go next based on what they hear. Jacques.Alloch and Germain.Paterna preferred to stay on board.They have already adapted to this cradle-like feeling, and feel that they are more comfortable on board than anywhere else.It was Moriche who had brought them to San Fernando, and it was Moriche who would take them all the way back to Kecara, when their scientific mission was successfully completed. As soon as Cobasco subsided, the crew hastened the three boats into the port of San Fernando.This kind of wind usually blows for two or three hours, so it was just dark when the ship entered the port.The collision in the crossing and the grounding on the bank still took some damage to the ship.However, since it did not hit the reef, the damage is not serious, and it will be repaired soon.Besides, Maripare and Maurice had plenty of time, because their passengers were still in San Fernando for a while.And what about Garinetta?It depends on the situation. Once there is news about Colonel Kellmer, Jean will not stay for a day, and he will definitely go on the road immediately.

And Rang's traveling companions, out of deep concern for the young man's career, also concentrated their efforts to help him inquire about the situation.Miguel and his colleagues have won the support of the governor, and it is only appropriate that the governor should come forward to organize the investigation.Jacques.Alloch and Germain.Paterna spared no effort to run for his compatriots.They had a letter of recommendation in their hands, which introduced them to a very helpful resident of the town, Mr. Mirabal, who was of white descent.He is now 67 years old. Xia Fangrong expressed his deep gratitude to him when he told about his experience of exploring the source of the Orinoco River, saying that his family is kind, kind and helpful.Two young Frenchmen, or four Frenchmen, would surely receive the warmest reception if they came to visit.

But before we tell what the travelers did when they arrived in San Fernando, let's talk about how the travelers got to town after the ship ran aground. We still remember that Martial held Jean in his arms, Varinas, Felipe and Miguel walked in front, followed by Jacques.Alloch and Germain.Paterna.According to the latter, giving the boy a good night's rest will allow him to fully recover.Careful, he did not forget to bring the medicine kit, and the child will receive the most thoughtful care.Somehow, Martial had a great deal of love for Germain.Paterna always kept his distance, which was really annoying.Just now, when people approached, the old man muttered:

well!My nephew breathes just as well as you and I We'll have everything we need as soon as Garineta is in port The boat will arrive in a few hours.Jacques.Elloch said with certainty, because Valdez and Paschal had told him the ships would be there before dark. That's great, said Martial, as long as we can find a comfortable bed in San Fernando Oh yes Mr. Elloher Thank you for saving the child's life! He must have felt in his heart that expressing gratitude was the most basic courtesy, even if it was only a few words; but the tone of his words was so unnatural that he turned to Jacques.Ai Luohe's eyes are also full of doubts.

Jacques.Ai Luohe did not answer, just nodded slightly, still staying a few steps away. Victims of the water disaster thus arrived in town.Miguel recommended a hotel to Martial, and Martial booked two rooms.At last the boy could leave his cabin in the Garine Tower and rest in a decent place. All night, Germain.Paterna went alone to ask about Jean's situation several times.Martial just said that everything was fine and thanked Paterna for his concern, but he didn't need his help. The matter is true.let.De.Kellmer was resting on the bed. As soon as the ship entered the port, Valdez sent a box containing clothes, and Martial was ready to change it tomorrow.

The next morning, Germain.Paterna came to visit as both a doctor and a friend.And Jean received him entirely as a friend.The teenager has completely recovered from the fatigue of last night.Regardless of his uncle's reprimand, he warmly welcomed Paterna's arrival and expressed his heartfelt thanks to him. Didn't I tell you, sir, Martial, the boy is fine, repeated. You're right, Sergeant, but it could have been serious, and if it wasn't for my friend Jacques Mr. Alloch has saved my life, Jean said, and I don't know how to express it to him when I see him. He just did what he had to do, Germain.Paterna said, even if you are not our compatriots All right, all right, Martial muttered again, let's talk when we see Mr. Elloher! But it's not obvious now, at least in the morning. Is he avoiding it on purpose?Does he dislike being thanked, though he deserves it?Anyway, he stayed on Moriche all the time, silent, not knowing what he was thinking.Germain.Paterna told him about the boy's situation, but that didn't elicit a few more words from him. Afternoon, Jacques.Elloch and Jean finally meet.The former was a little embarrassed, and Sergeant Martial stroked his mustache and watched intently as he shook the boy's hand, but this time he didn't hold it affectionately as usual. The meeting place was at Mr. Mirabal's house, Jacques.Eloch came with a letter of recommendation.Martial and Jean came to inquire about Colonel Kellmer. With or without letters of recommendation, Monsieur Mirabal was happy to receive Frenchmen who came.He told his visitors that he would do his best to serve them.He speaks French and has a deep affection for these travelers, which can be seen in his expressions, words and answering questions.When Dr. Crevor passed by here, he had met him. He remembered Mr. Xia Fangrong and was very happy to help him. He will help Jacques in the same way.Alloch and Germain.Sergeant Paterna Marshall's uncle and nephew could also have complete confidence in him. The boy told about his reasons for coming to Venezuela, which deepened Mr. Mirabal's love for him. The first question was, did the old man have any recollection that a colonel named Kellmer had visited San Fernando about fourteen years ago? His answer disappointed the teenager.Mr. Mirabar tried to search his memory, but he could not recall that a colonel by that name had ever been to San Fernando. Jean's little face showed a look of pain, and a few tears rolled down his cheeks. Mr. Mirabal, Jacques.Elloch asked, have you lived here long? It's been more than forty years, Mr Elloher, answered the old man, and I've been away very seldom, if ever for a short time.If there had been a traveler called Colonel Kellmer who had lived here for a few days, I would have seen it. I would have come and gone with him. Our town is so small, and so few people, that it is impossible for a stranger to come unnoticed, I'm sure I'll find out. But maybe he deliberately kept his name incognito? I'm not sure, replied Mr. Mirabal, perhaps he had a reason for doing so? Sir, said Jean, my father left France fourteen years ago, long after he left friends did not know my uncle Sergeant Martial even he did not know his colonel's plans No, of course not!cried the old soldier, if I knew I would stop him What about you, my dear child?asked Mr. Mirabal. I was not living with my father at the time, and Jean hesitated to say that my mother and I were in an overseas colony. On our way back to France, my mother died in a shipwreck and I was rescued. A few years later, I returned to Bougainvillea. Littany's father has left France and none of us know what has become of him. Obviously, there is something mysterious about the boy's experience, Jacques.Alloch had foreseen this.But he is not obliged to uncover this secret, so he always exercises extreme restraint.It is now certain that, when his son arrived in France, Colonel Kellmer had left, and Sergeant Martial, whether he was a relation of the Kellmers or not, knew nothing of where the Colonel had gone. So, my dear boy, said Mr. Mirabal, you have good reason to think that your father has been to San Fernando? Not only good reasons, sir, but solid ones. what reason? A personal letter signed by my father, sent from San Fernando, to a friend of his in 1879. It seems certain unless, Mr. Mirabal said, you know, there is another town in Venezuela called San Fernando, San Fernando on the Apure River east of the Orinoco River. The letter was from San Fernando de Atabapu, postmarked by the local post office, dated April 12, 1879. Why, my dear boy, did you not immediately set out on the road to look for it? Because my uncle and I only knew of such a letter three months ago. In the letter, my father said to the friend that this matter should not be told to anyone. The letter was given to us by his family after the friend passed away. !If I had been with my father at that time, he would not have left the country. Mr. Mirabal was deeply moved, and he pulled Jean towards him, and embraced him lovingly.How should he help the child?He could not stop thinking that the single most important message at present was the letter from Colonel Kellmer, dated April 12, 1879, from San Fernando, Atabab. But, said Mr. Mirabal, I don't remember anything, although I must have been in San Fernando at the time. Why, cried the boy, my father passed by here and he has been here a few days without leaving a trace! He wept bitterly, and his last hope was dashed before Mr. Mirabal's answer so precise and so disappointing. Don't lose heart Jean (he didn't call me Jean dear this time!), Jacques.Ai Luohe said so, but in fact he was too excited to control it. Colonel Kellmer had been to San Fernando and Mr. Mirabal didn't know about it. This possibility exists entirely. The old man raised his head at once. Maybe someone else in town has seen the colonel, Jacques.Elloch went on to say, let's go and ask. Let me say it again, Jean, don't give up. Sergeant Marshall said nothing, just watched the boy seem to repeat to him what he had said countless times before he set off: Just wait and see, my poor boy, we will definitely make a futile trip! Well, Mr. Mirabal finally said, anyway, it is possible that Colonel Kellmer is coming and I don't know about it, so I'm going to investigate and ask the townspeople I said that too, don't be discouraged Father had been to San Fernando, that was for sure, but had he used an alias during his travels?Did he not let it be known that he was a colonel? Yes!It was indeed a possibility, though no reason could be conceived of for the Colonel to conceal his name and identity. At least, Jacques.Elloher said Colonel Kellmer did not want to draw attention to himself in San Fernando. For what purpose?asked Mr. Mirabal. Because my father suffered a lot before this, the boy's heart was beating wildly, and after his mother died, he was extremely lonely But what about you, my dear child? He thought I was dead too.Let's talk.Martial stayed aside, muttering something incessantly. Obviously, Martial was dissatisfied with this inquiry.There are things about his nephew's past that he doesn't want others to know. Mirabar and Jacques.Ai Luohe didn't ask any more questions.In short, the battered Colonel Kellmer felt that he must go out in secrecy to such an extent that even his old comrades in arms were kept in the dark.So it is very likely that he changed his name so that no one would know where he went to escape his ill-fated fate! Martial and Jean said goodbye to Mr. Mirabal and were about to go back. Both uncle and nephew felt sad.But the master promised them that he would go to find out all the news about Colonel Kellmer, and he must have kept his word. After Martial and Jean returned to the hotel, they didn't go out again that day. The next day, Jean was received by the governor of the Orinoco province, introduced by Miguel. The Governor-General knew nothing about the child's father.He's only been here for five years.Although he has little knowledge, he will do his best to cooperate with Mr. Mirabal, who has offered to take charge of the investigation. Another day passed, nothing was going on, and Martial was angry and anxious!He came all the way, experienced all kinds of difficulties and dangers, but it was all in vain!Why was he so soft-hearted at the beginning and agreed to take this trip, and he really came!But he restrained himself and never complained in front of Jean. Unfortunately, Jean was already uncomfortable and desperate enough, how could he add to his pain. Jacques.Elloch also asked around.Unfortunately, he got nothing, and when he returned to Maurice, he was very sad, and his appearance made Germain.Paterna was taken aback. His good friend Jacques, usually so talkative and always cheerful, now he didn't bother to answer when talking to him. What’s wrong with you?Germain.Paterna asked. nothing. Sometimes it means something big happened!Of course, I don't deny that the poor child is in a very bad situation now, but you can't forget your mission just because of this! My mission! I said I should at least admit that the Minister of National Education didn't send you to look for Colonel Kelmer on the Orinoco? Why not? Oh, can Jacques be serious!You should be content, you've saved the life of the Colonel's son. son!Jacques.Ai Luohe shouted, ah!son!Oh, Germain, maybe yes!Maybe Jean might as well be dead if he is destined not to find his father. I don't understand your words, Jacques. because there are things about you you don't know you don't understand at all Thanks! Germain.Paterna decided not to ask any more questions, although he still wondered why his companion had such a deep and growing affection for young Kellmer. The next day, when Jean and Martial came to Mr. Mirabal's house, he was about to talk to Jacques.Ai Luohe went to find their uncle and nephew together. After some investigation among the residents, it has been confirmed that about twelve or three years ago, a foreigner did come to the town.Is this person French?No one was sure, and besides the man seemed to be doing everything possible to remain anonymous. Jean thought he had seen the way in this mystery.Regardless of whether he should trust his so-called intuition, anyway, he felt that the stranger was undoubtedly his father. When the traveler left San Fernando, Monsieur, asked Jean, did anyone know where he was going? Yes my boy he's going up the Orinoco. Since then, there has been no news? No one knows what happened to him. Maybe I can find out, Jacques.Elloch said, if you go upriver and look for it. It will be a difficult journey, Mr. Mirabal said, and it will be too uncertain to go there With a gesture, Martial echoed Mr Mirabal's concerns. Jean didn't speak.But from the resolute expression and the light in his eyes, it can be seen that he will be desperate, no matter how difficult or dangerous he will continue his journey, never give up his plan, and persist until the moment of victory. M. Mirabal knew exactly what Jean meant when he said: I thank you very much, Mr. Mirabal.And you, Mr. Elloher, thank you for all that you have done. My father was here when the stranger was here, and he sent that letter from San Fernando at the same time. It is possible, but it cannot be concluded from this that the stranger is Colonel Kellmer!said the old man. why not?Jacques.exclaimed Elloch, is there no such possibility? Well, since the stranger has gone up the Orinoco, said Jean, I will go too. Let it go!Martial shouted and rushed towards the boy. I'm going!Jean's tone was so firm and unshakable. He then turned to Mr. Mirabal: Are there any towns and villages on the upper Orinoco that I can inquire about, Mr. Mirabal? There are a few villages, Guachapana, Esmeralda, and others. But in my opinion, if you want to find out where your father is, my dear boy, you have to go to the other side of the source to Santa Juana went missionary. We've heard of this mission, Jacques.Is it newly established, says Elloch? It has been around for several years, Mr Mirabal said, and is thriving. Was it done by the Spaniards? Yes, led by a Spanish missionary called Father Esperante. As soon as the preparations are done, let Loud say, we're off to Santa Juana! My dear boy, said the old man, I must tell you that the upper Orinoco is full of hardships, you will be tired and sleepy, you will lack food and drink, and you may fall into the hands of Indian bandits, they are famous Cruel to these Kivas, now commanded by a convict escaped from Cayenne. My father has gone through all these hardships, Jean replied, and I am not afraid to go through them again in order to find him! The conversation ended with this answer from the boy, and Mr. Mirabal knew that nothing could stop the boy.As he himself said just now, he will persevere until the moment of victory. Helpless, Martial and Jean went back to Garine Tower to stay together. Jacques is the only one left.Mr. Mirabal at once explained to him the dangers Colonel Kellmer's son would be in if he had only such an old soldier to guide him. If you have any influence over him, Mr Elloher, he went on, talk him out of the plan, it's a good chance.Don't let him go. Nothing can change his mind, Jacques.Elloch affirms that I know him.No, I don't understand! Jacques.Ailoch returned to Moriche, more worried than ever, and ignored the questions of his companions. Sit in the stern, Jacques.Elloch watched as Valdez and two other crew members prepared for the Garineta voyage.The boat needs to be completely emptied first, and the interior overhauled, because it has been used for too long from Kecara here, and it has been stranded on the sandy shore in San Fernando. Jacques.Ai Luohe's eyes also lingered on Jean who was watching the repair work from time to time.Maybe, let's think Jacques.Elloch would talk to him, point out how rash his plans were, and try to persuade him to change his mind. However, Jacques.Eloch was silent and motionless.He fell into deep thought, and seemed to be obsessed with one thought, and there were many thoughts churning in his mind, making him restless. Night fell. At eight o'clock, Jean was going back to the hotel to rest. Good night, Mr Alloch.He said. Good night, Jean.Jacques.Elloch stood up as he spoke, as if he wanted to go with Jean. But Jean didn't look back, walked straight forward, and disappeared behind the hut a hundred steps away. Martial was still sitting on the beach, and he had just had a thought, which made him extremely nervous.Finally, he made up his mind and walked to the bow of Moriche: Mr Alloch, he whispered, I have something to say to you. Jacques.Ai Luohe hurriedly got off the boat and came to the veteran: What do I need to do, Sergeant?he asks. Could you do me a favor, my nephew, he may listen to you, could you persuade him not to make this trip. Jacques.Elloch looked directly at Sergeant Martial.Then, with some hesitation, he replied: I can't convince him, it's impossible, you know it yourself, and if you don't object, I've decided. how? decided to accompany you, my nephew Not your nephew, Sergeant! his colonel's son Not the Colonel's son, but his daughter, Colonel Kellmer's daughter!