Chapter 25 CHAPTER 10 THE WADE OF FRASQUES

At five o'clock, the campers began to wake up. Jean was the first to get up. He walked back and forth by the river a few times, Martial, Germain.Both Paterna and the Indian boy were still asleep, wrapped in blankets and covering their eyes with hats. The crew on duty by the river went to Jacques.Ailoch and Valdez came up and told them what he had seen.What he saw was the same as Valdez, and he also recognized Holles who was wandering on the embankment of Torrida. Let's go, Jacques.Ai Luohe kept the two of them silent about what happened just now.The situation is getting worse, but what's the use of talking?It is enough for the three of them to know, and it is up to them to consider and take necessary measures to protect the safety of their companions.

He weighed and reasoned in his heart for a long time, and decided that the team should continue to march towards the Santa Juana missionary land. Indeed, if Alphaniz and his gang have really controlled the nearby area, then Jacques.Eloch and the others may be attacked whether they advance or retreat.However, the return to the Orinoco River has the advantage of being protected by the natural barrier of the Torrida River.Of course, this is on the premise that there is no place for crossing the river upstream. If there is a place for crossing the river, the Kivas will go all the way down the river to the Monua Peak camp. , and could not resist their attack.

Heading to Santa Juana has several advantages.First of all, you can also be protected by the Torrida River, as long as there is no place for crossing the river, you can ask Gao Mo about this.Besides, walking like this is getting closer and closer to the destination, maybe you can reach it before you encounter the gang, and once you reach Santa Juana, there is nothing to be afraid of.There were hundreds of Guaharib Indians there, civilized by the selfless efforts of one missionary.Alphaniz will definitely not be able to do anything to Santa Juana. Therefore, at all costs, reach the mission site in the shortest possible time, speed up, and strive to arrive before dark, there are still 25 to 30 kilometers left, and it should be able to be covered in 20 hours.

Jacques.Eloch returned to the campsite, ready to go immediately. They're not awake yet, Mr Elloher.The girl came up and said. You are the first to rise, Mademoiselle Jeanne!Jacques.Elloher said, let's wake them up and let's go right away. Did you find anything suspicious? Nothing, nothing, nothing.But we've got to go, and I figured I'd be in Santa Juana tonight, maybe even this evening, if the road didn't stop. ah!Mr. Elloher, how I wish I could get to the mission soon! What about Gao Mo?Jacques.Elloch asked. There, in the corner!Sleep soundly, poor child! I have something to ask him, something I must know before I go.

Let me wake him up.Let Na.De.Kellmer said. Then added another sentence: You look preoccupied this morning, Mr Elloher.Is there any bad news? No, I assure you, Mademoiselle Jeanne, it's all right! The girl wanted to ask further, but she realized that this would make Jacques embarrassed, so she walked to Gao Mo's side and gently woke him up. Sergeant Martial stretched, hummed loudly a few times, and got up in a blink of an eye. Germain.It was not so easy for Paterna to get up.Wrapped tightly in the quilt, with the specimen box under his head, he slept like a dormouse, known as the sleepiest animal in nature.

Valdes was busy packing his pockets. He took out the leftovers from the previous night's dinner and prepared the food for today's breakfast, and then tied the pockets shut.The Indian boy woke up and walked with Jean to Jacques.next to Ailoch, who had spread a map on a large rock.The map shows the region between the Palima and Roraima plateaus, through which the Orinoco River winds its way. Gao Mo can read and write, he can provide accurate information about the area. Have you ever seen a map before that shows the ocean, land, mountains and rivers of an area?Jacques.Eloch asked him.

I have, sir.Showed it to us at the school in Santa Juana.The Indian boy replied. Well, look at this map, don't worry, think about it, the semi-circular river drawn here is the Orinoco River you are familiar with. I know it and I love it! Yes!You are a good boy and you love this beautiful river!See the big mountain on top of it?Its source is here. Palima Heights, I know, sir, this is the rapids I used to ride with Papa. Yes, Salwar is made of rapids. Further forward, there is a mountain peak. Lesseps Peak. But make no mistake, our ship has not gone so far. No, not that far. Why are you asking Gomer this, Mr. Elloher?Jeanne did not understand.

I want to know more about the Torrida River, and Gao Mo can probably provide me with some necessary information. The girl Xiang Jacques.Ai Luohe cast a questioning look, then lowered his head. Now, Gomo, said he, look, we have left the boat here, this is the wood where your hut is, and this is the mouth of the Torrida. Here, here.The Indian boy pointed to these places with his finger, and whispered in his mouth. Watch this place, Gomo, I'm going to point it out along the Torrida River to Santa Juana, and speak up if I'm wrong. Jacques.Ai Luohe's fingers first circled about fifty kilometers along the bottom of Palima Heights, and then slanted towards the northeast.He crossed the picture with a pencil and asked:

Should the missionary land be in this position? yes, here. Is this where the Torrida River flows down? Yes, just like the one drawn on the map. Doesn't it flow down from a higher place? Of course, from a higher place, we have traveled farther along the river. So where is Santa Juana on its left bank? It is the left bank. Then we must cross, because we are now on the right bank of the river. The river must be crossed, sir.And it's easy. how? Going up, there is a place where you can step on the stones in the river when the water level is low, a wading place called Fraskes. Do you know this place?

I know sir, we'll be there before noon. The Indian boy's tone was very positive, because he had forded the river several times from that place. The existence of this wading caused Jacques.Elloch's worries.The detachment could of course go to the left bank of the Torrida by this, but the Kivas could also drive to the right bank from here.From here until the mission, the Torida River is to Jacques.It is no longer protective for Ai Luohe and his companions. So the situation is arguably worse.Worse, the likelihood of an attack has never been higher, and going back will not help.Only in Santa Juana can there be safety at all, so the current priority is to get to Santa Juana within 24 hours.

Say it, Jacques.Elloch asked one last question, you said we could reach Frasquez by noon? Yes, if you go now. It is about eleven or twelve kilometers from the campsite to the wading.Everyone wanted to go quickly, but fortunately they arrived at the wading place at noon, so they didn't stop to rest in the middle. The command to set off was issued, and everything was ready. The two crew members carried the sacks, and the passengers rolled up their quilts on their backs. Germain.Paterna slung the specimen box on his belt.The weapons were also loaded and ready to fire. In your opinion, Mr. Ellohe, is it possible for us to reach Santa Juana in ten hours?Martial asked. I hope so, your legs will be a little tired, but then there will be time to rest. I wouldn't hold you back, Mr Elloher, but he, let Your nephew, Sergeant Martial, GermainDon't worry about it, says Paterna!He can run faster than any of us!You can tell he's been well trained!You gave him the legs of a soldier, and he walks like gymnastics! Hitherto Gomer had not known what kind of kinship existed between Colonel Kellmer's son and Sergeant Marshall, a false kinship of course.So the child looked at Martial and asked: Are you his uncle? So to speak, boy! Are you his father's younger brother? Brother, because of this, let me be my nephew, understand? The child nodded his head to show he understood. The weather is gloomy.The southeast wind was blowing very low clouds, and it seemed that a rain was inevitable.As soon as the gray clouds covered it, the summit of the Palima Heights disappeared, and to the south, the peak of the Monument was only visible through the gaps in the branches. Jacques.Ai Luohe glanced anxiously at the southeast sky.The sun had only just risen, and the thicker and thicker fog made the sky darker.The torrential rain here is often so heavy that the southern grasslands are submerged. If such a storm occurs, the trip will definitely be delayed, and it may be difficult to reach Santa Juana within the scheduled time. The trail taken by the team was between the Torrida River and the thick and unusual forest.Arranged in the same order as the previous day, Valdes and Jacques.Alloch went ahead.Before setting off, the two made a last look at the opposite bank, but there was no one there.There is no sound in the dense forest extending to the left, and there is no one. It is the world of birds. They are singing to welcome the rising sun. Their chorus is deafening, and howler monkeys are also mixed in to join in the fun. Everyone was looking forward to arriving at the mission site in the middle of the night.As long as you move forward at the speed of a quick march, and don't stop except for a short lunch break at noon, you can do it.It is better to take the big step, and everyone does it without complaint.There was mist in the air and the temperature was not too high, which was lucky because there was no shade on the trail. Jacques.Ai Luohe is always worried, turning around from time to time and asking: Don't you think we're going too fast, my dear Jean? No, Mr. Elloch, not at ease, replied Jean, and don't worry about me, or my friend Gomo, who has legs as strong as a fawn's. Monsieur Jean, said Como, I could be in Santa Juana this evening if need be. Kid, you run so fast!Germain.cried Paterna. He's not that athletic.Often left behind. Jacques.Elloch was relentless towards him, calling him, calling him, shouting at him: Hey, I say Germain, you're walking more and more slowly. The other party replied: Being an hour early is no different than being an hour late! That's hard to say, how do you know? Because of Germain.Paterna didn't know, so he could only obey and keep up with the team. What Gao Mo just said, I will be able to go to Santa Juana this evening and flash into Jacques.Ai Luohe's mind gave him an idea. Gao Mo said that he once walked to Santa Juana in six or seven hours. Wouldn't it be useful if he could do it? Jacques.Elloch told Valdez what the child had said as he walked. Yes, in six or seven hours, he said, Father Esperante will know that our team is heading for Santa Juana, and he will definitely send someone to help us immediately, maybe he will come in person. Yes, Valdez said, but if we let the kid go first we won't have anyone to lead the way, I think we'll need him anyway, he knows the area so well. You are right, Valdes, we cannot do without Gaumo, especially if we first go to the Frasques wading. Let's get there at noon, and we'll see what happens after we cross the river. Yes, see you then, Valdes!Maybe something will happen when we cross the river. Who knows if the danger will be in Jacques.Elloch before they reach the wading?After Holles saw the campsite on the right bank of the Torrida River, would he join Alphaniz's bandits and rush upstream along the left bank?The Kivas started a few hours before them, and might have forded Frascais already!Now they may be heading back along the right bank, so why not run into the squad.This reasoning is entirely possible. But at nine o'clock, Valdez ran a few hundred paces forward to scout the situation, and came back to report that nothing seemed unusual on the road, and that there were no sign of any Kivas on the other side. Jacques.Ai Luohe wanted to take a rest on the spot, he first asked Gao Mo: How far are we from the wading? After walking for about two hours, the Indian boy replied that he had no concept of distance units, and when it came to distance, he expressed it in terms of the required time. Everyone take a break, Jacques.Elloch said, We still have some food left, let's make do with it, and don't light the fire. Indeed, fireworks will reveal their Jacques.Alloch thought to himself. Hurry up, my friends.Move quickly, he kept saying, and just give a quarter of an hour to rest! The girl understood Jacques very well.Elloch's mood!Although she didn't know the reason, she understood that he was very anxious and worried now.The girl knew that the Kivas were in this area, and she also knew that Holles was missing, but she never imagined that Holles took the Garineta up the Orinoco River in order to seek refuge with Alphaniz. The convicts who escaped from Cayenne had long been involved.Several times the girl couldn't help shouting out: What's the matter, Mr Elloher? But she held back, she believed in Jacques.Ai Luohe's wisdom, courage and selfless spirit, she understands Jacques.Ai Luohe was also eager to reach the destination as soon as possible, and lunch was quickly dismissed.Germain.Paterna would have liked to eat more slowly, but he tried to keep pace with everyone, he joked that his stomach was in step with everyone's stomach. At 9:15, the pockets were fastened and put on their backs again, and the team set off in the original sequence. The right bank of the Torrida River is a continuous forest, while the scene on the left bank is different. There are small hills one after another, and the trees on them are scattered in clusters. The thick turf not only covers the hills, but also The side of the plateau is also paved and grows almost to the summit. The embankment on the left bank is very low, almost level with the river. Looking there, you can see the flat and vast grassland without trees.After a period of travel, from the first day, the highlands were transferred from the northeast of the team to the south of the team. Jacques.Ai Luohe and Valdez walked up the right bank carefully, while keeping looking at the opposite bank. Nothing suspicious at this time. Would the Kivas be waiting for the travelers at the Frasques wading? When it was nearly one o'clock, Gao Mo pointed out to everyone a few hundred paces ahead, where the river turned eastward and disappeared behind a mass of bare rocks. That's it, Gomo said. there?Jacques.Elloch said, motioning for his companions to stop. He took a few steps forward and saw that the bed of the Torrida River was clogged with stones and silt, and the water was as small as a trickle, which could be easily waded through. Do you want me to check the surrounding situation first?Valdes asked Jacques.ailoch. Go, Valdez, but be careful, don't run to the other side, and come back quickly after seeing that there is no one else. Valdez went as soon as he said he would, and disappeared after turning a bend in the river a few minutes later. Jacques.Ai Luohe, Jean, Martial, Gao Mo and two crew members waited close together on the river bank, Germain.Paterna was already sitting on the ground. Although JacquesEloch tried his best to appear calm and composed, but he still couldn't help showing apprehension. Gao Mo asked: Why don't we go forward? yeah, why?Jean also asked, why did Valdes go first? Jacques.Alloch remained silent.He walked out of the team, came to the river, and looked anxiously to the left bank. Five minutes passed like five hours. Jeanne went to Jacques.Eloch's side. Why hasn't Valdes come back yet?The girl looked into his eyes, as if trying to read something out of them. Coming back soon.Jacques.Alloch replied briefly. Five minutes, and then another five minutes.There was silence on the field. This time is enough for Valdez to go back and forth, but he has not been seen yet. But there were no shouts to raise alarm. Jacques.Ai Luohe tried his best to restrain himself and waited patiently for another five minutes. Doubtless it was no more dangerous to wade through Frasques than to stay here or even go back.If it is destined to be attacked, it will not be safe either upstream or downstream. let's go.Jacques.Alloch finally made up his mind. He went first, and the others followed without asking any questions, and they walked three hundred paces to the bend of the Torrida, from which they were to descend to the Frasques wading. . The Indian boy took the first five steps, slid down, and landed on stones submerged in the river. Suddenly, there was an uproar on the left bank, which reached Jacques.In the ears of Ai Luohe and others. A hundred or so Kivas rushed out from all directions and rushed towards the wading, waving weapons in their hands and yelling and cursing loudly. Jacques.Elloch didn't have time to shoot in self-defense.Besides, these more than a hundred people had already surrounded Frasques, and it was only him, Germain.What can Paterna and Martial's three carbines and the crew's two pistols do to so many people? Jacques.Ai Luohe and his companions were trapped in the middle, and it was impossible to repel the comers. It was here that Valdez was led out by a group of yelling Kivas.Valdes!Jacques.Alloch yelled. These bastards caught me in a trap!Said the captain of the Garinetta ship. Who are they?Germain.Paterna asked. Kiva gang.Valdez replied. and their leader!A threatening voice sounded. The speaker stood on the bank of the river, and beside him stood three other men, also not Indians. horace!Jacques.Alloch yelled. Get my name right, I'm Alphaniz! Alphaniz!Sergeant Marshall couldn't help but exclaim. He and Jacques.Alloch was terrified, and looked at Colonel Kellmer's daughter in unison. It turns out that the so-called Horace is Alphaniz who escaped from the Cayenne convict prison with three accomplices! Menta, the former leader of the Kiva gang.Serapia was killed in a confrontation with Venezuelan militias, and Alphaniz had replaced him and led his men on the upper steppe for more than a year. Readers will remember five months ago that the Kivas planned to return to the area west of the Orinoco River, from where they had been driven out by the Colombian military.But before leaving the mountains of Roraima, their new leader wanted to make an expedition to the east of the Orinoco.He stayed away from the gang for a while and went all the way downriver to San Fernando in Atabab, passing through the Calida plantation, so Manuel.M. Asançon said it was good to have seen him pass there.Alphaniz was waiting in San Fernando for the opportunity to return to the source of the Orinoco, and he happened to meet Garineta and Moriche who were going to the Santa Juana mission. At that time, Alphaniz was only known to be called Holles, who lied that he was going to the missionary land, and proposed to join the fleet to the captain of the Garineta ship who was in urgent need of manpower.He was accepted, and the misfortunes of those who ventured upriver began. Alphaniz can not only return to his own gang, but also take this opportunity to vent his hatred of Colonel Kelmer. It was because of the testimony of Colonel Kellmer in the Lower Loire Felony Court that Alfaniz was sentenced to life hard labor and sent to Cayenne Prison.But he learned that the boy with Sergeant Martial on Garinetta was the son of Colonel Kelmer who had come out to find his father. This is really an excellent opportunity that fell from the sky, not only to capture the boy, but if his father's whereabouts were found out in Santa Juana, Colonel Kellmer might be captured as well.Even if he couldn't catch the old man, it would be just as satisfying to avenge his son. Readers will know what happened next.On the night of resting in Yamana Village, Alphaniz met one of his accomplices.So he stole away as soon as the boat arrived at the Mont-Monois camp.He killed the Indians who refused to lead him, and went up the Torrida, forded from Frasques, and joined the Kiva bandits. Now JacquesElloch and they have fallen into his hands, and the villainous fellow intends to go to the Maunois camp to snatch the two boats. Colonel Kellmer's son, or daughter, was also under his control.