Chapter 3 three uninvited guests

We have already said that Lady Helene was a generous and generous person.Her performance just now is a proof.Sir Glenarvan was proud to have such a wise wife who both knew him and followed him.When he saw in London that his request had been refused, he intended to go out himself to the rescue of Captain Grant.But he didn't say it in front of Mrs. Helen, because he thought about it and couldn't bear to leave his wife.Now that Madam has spoken first, all worries are gone.The servants of the whole family enthusiastically supported this suggestion, because the master was to rescue all Scots, and they were all their countrymen like themselves!When they cheered and expressed their support for Mrs. Luce, Sir also joined in and applauded Mrs. Luce heartily.

Now that the voyage had been decided, not a minute was to be wasted.On the same day, the Sir ordered Meng Geer to drive the Duncan to the port of Glasgow to prepare for the sea voyage, and said that this voyage might circle the earth for one week.It should be stated that when Mrs. Helene made her suggestion, she did not overestimate the quality of the Duncan. The Duncan did have the advantages of strength and lightness, and could make a long voyage.The Duncan was a beautiful cruise ship with a steam engine.Load two hundred and ten tons.We know that the ships that first explored the New World were much smaller in tonnage than the Duncan, such as Columbus's, Wisperton's, and Magellan's.

The Duncan had two mainmasts: the foremast with mainsail, trapezoidal sail, jibsail, jibsail, and mainmast with gaff and mastsail; and many auxiliary sails.The sails on board are adequate, and it can take advantage of all levels of wind, as with ordinary clipper ships, but it relies mainly on the power of its internal machinery.Its machine is the latest, with one hundred and sixty horsepower, and it is equipped with a steam engine, which is a machine with high pressure performance, which can increase the steam pressure and drive the twin propellers.With full power, the Duncan could reach a speed higher than the highest speed recorded by all ships at that time.is not that right?During sea trials in the Firth of Clyde, according to the odometer, its top speed has reached seventeen knots per hour [Note: about thirty-two kilometers. 】.With this speed, it can travel around the world.Menger only needs to modify the cabin.

Because it was difficult to replenish fuel along the way, he first expanded the coal bunker and loaded as much coal as possible.In the same way, he also enlarged the grain compartment to accommodate two years' worth of grain. As for money, he even bought a cannon with a rotating shaft and installed it on the bow deck. Who knows if there will be any accidents in the future?Being able to send an eight-pound shell up to seven kilometers is always a good idea. We should also say that Munger was very knowledgeable about his business, and although he commanded only one pleasure boat, he was one of the best captains in the port of Glasgow.He was only thirty years old, and although his face was serious, he also showed bravery and kindness.He was brought up in the Glenarvan family.The Glenarvan family raised him and trained him to be an excellent seaman.During several long-distance voyages in the past, Menger has repeatedly demonstrated his agility, fortitude and composure.When his sergeant asked him to be captain of the Duncan, he took it with all his heart, for he loved the lord of Malcolm House as a younger brother loves his elder brother, and had always wanted to serve him, but had never found the opportunity.

Mate Tom.Austin is an old sailor, worthy of 12 points of trust.There are a total of twenty-five people on board, including the captain and first mate, forming the crew of the Duncan.They were all Dumbartonshire men, both weather-beaten sailors, and Glenarvan sons.They formed a sort of honest man's society on board, well-staffed, not even lacking for the traditional bagpipers.With such a crew, Sir Glenarvan has a good army.They are all satisfied with their occupations, all are enthusiastic, brave, good at handling weapons and steering ships, and they are all willing to follow their masters on adventurous expeditions.When the Duncan's fleet heard the purpose of the voyage, everyone was very happy, woo!The cheers echoed in the valley of Dumbarton.

Although Menger was busy repairing cabins and storing provisions, he did not forget to prepare two rooms for the Jazz and his wife for a long-distance voyage. At the same time, he also arranged cabins for Captain Grant’s two children, because Mrs. Helen had promised Mary to accompany her on the Duncan. OK. As for little Robert, if you don't tell him to go, he will hide in the cargo hold and set off with him.If you asked him to live the life of a cadet on a ship like Franklin and Nelson when they were children, he would climb aboard without fear.Such a little hero, can you beat him?Don't think about it, everyone.They even agreed that he should not come on board as a passenger, because he didn't care whether he was a midshipman, a junior sailor, or a senior sailor. He wanted to serve, and they asked Menger to teach him to sail. Skill.

no problem!Robert said, if I don't study hard, let him whip me with a whip. You needn't be afraid of this, my child.Sir Glenarvan answered with seriousness.Needless to say, the nine-tailed cat on the ship [Note: Made of nine leather whips, used to beat apprentice sailors. 】It is already banned, and there is absolutely no need to use the nine-tailed cat on the Duncan. The ship's list of passengers, plus Major McNabbs, was complete.The major was a man of fifty, calm and irreproachable, modest and silent, kind and gentle; he always took the opinion of others, and never quarreled with them, in anything or anyone. He argues, never quarrels with others, and never loses his temper with others. He climbs the enemy's fort with the same calmness as he climbs the stairs of his bedroom.He is not afraid of anything, even if the shells fall on him, he will not move.Undoubtedly, he will never find an occasion to be angry until he dies.If he had to find one fault, it was that he was from head to toe a Scotchman, a Scotchman of pure blood, obstinately adhering to the old customs of his native land.That's why he didn't want to serve in the British Empire. He got the rank of major in the 42nd Regiment of the Highland Black Guard, a team composed of purely Scottish nobles.Major McNabbs, who lived as a cousin at Macomb Hall, now found it only natural for him to live on board the Duncan as a major.

Such is the whole crew of the cruise ship Duncan, which, by an unexpected chance, is going to make one of the most astonishing voyages of modern times.Since it arrived at the steamship docks in the Port of Glasgow, it has captured the curiosity of a whole society.A large number of people come to visit every day, and everyone cares about it and talks about it, which makes the captains of all other ships moored in the port red-eyed, especially Captain Bulton of the Scotia. The Scotia, also a handsome pleasure-boat, is alongside the Duncan, and is bound for Calcutta. In size, the Scotia had a right to regard the Duncan as a small boat.Interest, however, centered itself on Sir Glenarvan's pleasure-boat, and grew stronger every day.

Yes, the day of departure is approaching day by day.Menger is really shrewd and capable: only one month after the sea trial in the Firth of Clyde, the Duncan has been refitted, coal and grain have been stored enough, everything has been arranged, and it is ready to go at any time.It was scheduled to depart on August 25, so that it could enter the southern hemisphere before early spring. When his plans were made public, he was dissuaded, as the voyage was too tiring and dangerous; but he despised it, and prepared to leave Malcolm Hall.Many of his critics are actually people who admire him from the bottom of their hearts.And the whole public opinion was clearly in favor of the Scotch Lord, and all the papers, except the government papers, were unanimous in condemning the attitude of the Board of Auditors of the Admiralty to the matter.Besides, Jazz has always been a man who doesn't care about personal gains and losses. He only works hard and fulfills his duties without complaint.

On August 24, Mr. and Mrs. Glenarvan, the major, the Grant siblings, Mr. O'Bill, the ship's steward, and Ms. O'Bill, who accompanied Mrs. Glenarvan, left under the warm welcome of the servants of the house. Malcolm House.After a few hours, they were all settled in the boat.The residents of Glasgow sent off Lady Helen with great admiration, for she was a young and brave young woman who gave up her easy and luxurious life to rescue her compatriots in distress! The Jazz and his wife lived in the cabin aft of the Duncan.There are two bedrooms, one living room and two bathrooms.Then there is a drawing room, and on both sides of the living room are six rooms, which are shared by the Grants, the O'Bills, and the major.As for the room of Menger and Austin, it is at the other end of the living room, facing away from the living room and facing the middle deck.The crew lived in trimmed cabins, which were also very spacious and comfortable, because the ship was loaded with nothing but coal, provisions, and arms.So, there is plenty of space.Captain Mengel had cleverly used these vacant places for internal adjustments.

The Duncan decided to set sail on the night of August 24th and 25th, at three o'clock low tide.But before sailing, the citizens of Glasgow saw a moving ceremony.At seven o'clock in the evening, Sir and his traveling companions and the whole crew, from the stoker to the captain, who participated in this rescue voyage, left the pleasure ship and went to the old St. Mungo's Church in Glasgow.This is an ancient church that survived the great destruction of the Reformation Movement, Walter.Scott had described it with his fine pen, and now its doors were open to receive the Duncan's passengers and crew.Countless people followed behind them.In this church, in front of the ancient sanctuary, Reverend Moulton blessed them and asked God to bless the expedition.At this time, Mary.Grant's voice was especially loud in this ancient church.She was praying for her benefactors, weeping excited tears of gratitude before God.After praying, all the staff left the church with great affection.At eleven o'clock, everyone was back on board.Menger and the crew are busy making final preparations. In the middle of the night, the machine started a fire.The captain ordered more firepower.After a while, a large plume of thick smoke was mixed in the sea fog of the night.The Duncan's sails were all furled up in the cowlings to protect them from the soot, for the wind was blowing from the south-west at that time and was not conducive to sailing. At two o'clock in the night, the Duncan began to vibrate under the vibration of the machine.The steam pressure gauge pointed to the pressure of the fourth stage, and the boiling steam was buzzing in the cylinder.When the tide was leveling, dawn could make out the Clyde Channel between the buoys and cairns whose signal lights had gradually dimmed in the morning light.Now is the time to set sail. The captain called someone to inform Sir, and Sir immediately ran to the deck. After a while, the tide was falling.The Duncan's whistle whined.It let go of the cable, turned on the propeller, left the surrounding ships, and sailed into the channel of the Firth of Clyde.The captain did not look for the navigator, who knew the depths and twists and turns of the bay very well.No pilot who came to his ship could command better than he did.With a movement of his hand, the boat turned.Therefore, with his right hand steering the machine and his left steering the rudder, he is calm and experienced.After a while, the last few factories disappeared, scattered villas appeared on the hills by the river, and the noise of the city became farther and farther away, and finally disappeared. An hour later the Duncan sailed along the crags of Dumbarton.After another two hours it entered the Firth of Clyde.At six o'clock in the morning, she rounded the Cape Cantale, out of the North Channel, and began sailing on the Atlantic Ocean. The first day of the voyage was fairly rough and the wind picked up in the evening.The Duncan was jolting badly.So the ladies didn't come on deck, they were all in the room, and they were all doing well. But the next day the wind turned, and the captain hoisted the mainsail, gaff and jib.The Duncan pressed against the waves so strongly that the pitching would not be so severe.Mrs. Helen and Mary.Grant came out on deck early in the morning, and joined the Sir, the Major, and the Captain.The sight of the sunrise is magnificent.The sun rises like a golden disk from the sea.The Duncan glided in the brilliant light, her sails seeming to be inflated by the sun's rays. Passengers are quietly and ecstatically admiring the glorious sunrise, what a beautiful view!At last the lady spoke, and it was the beginning of a bright day, and I hope the wind will not divert and keep the Duncan going. Yes, the wind could not have been better, my dear Helen.Sir replied that we can't ask God for anything from such a smooth start to the trip. Will this voyage be long, my dear Edward? It's up to the captain, is everything all right, Munger?Are you satisfied with this boat? "Very satisfied, sir," replied the captain, "a very fine ship, and sure to please any sailor aboard it."The boat and the machine work together so well.You see how even the trough behind the boat is, and how briskly the boat avoids the waves.We now walk thirty kilometers an hour.At this rate we shall cross the equator in ten days, and round Cape Horn in less than five weeks. Did you hear that, Mary?Mrs. Helen went on, less than five weeks! Yes, ma'am, I heard, and the captain's words really pleased me.Mary said. Can you bear this voyage, Miss Mary?Sir asked. Take it, sir, it feels all right, and I'm getting used to it soon. Where's your little Robert? ah!Don't ask Robert, he's either in the engine room or on the masthead.I guarantee this kid doesn't know what seasickness is.Here!You see.The captain pointed, and all eyes turned to the fore-mast, where Robert was hanging by the rigging of the small topsail, at a height of thirty meters.Mary could not help being taken aback. ah!Don't worry, ma'am, said Mungle, I'm sure, and promise, I'll be presenting Captain Grant with a terrific brat soon.The venerable captain, we shall soon find him! May Heaven hear you, Mr. Captain.Mary answered. My dear child, all this is providence, and will give you great hope.We are not walking by ourselves, but someone is leading us.We are not looking around, but someone is pointing us.You have only to look at the capable men who have been assembled in response to this act of righteousness to see that our cause can be succeeded without difficulty.I had promised my wife a tour, and I believe I was right. Edward, you are truly the best person.said Mrs. Not my best, but I have the best crew, on the best ship.Don't you praise our Duncan, Miss Mary? Why not praise, sir!I admire it, and I admire it with an expert eye. ah!real? I used to play in my father's boat when I was a child, and my father probably intended to make me a sailor.If necessary, I can adjust the surface of the sail and weave the sails. I can't do it. Hey miss, what are you talking about?cried the captain. In this way, you are Meng Geer's friend. Captain Meng Geer believes that there is no profession in the world that can compare with being a sailor. Even for women, only being a sailor is the best!Am I right, Menger!Sir said. Of course, sir.I think, however, that Miss Grant should be the guest of honor in the cabin, which would be more her status than pulling the rigging on deck.But hearing her say that made me very happy. Especially when you hear her praise the Duncan, you are happier.Jazz added another sentence. The Duncan deserves admiration in itself!replied the captain. Really, I see you praise and like your ship so much, I'd like to go down to the hold to see how our sailors live below the middle deck.said Mrs. The stay is fantastic, they feel like living at home. They really live at home, my dear Helen.This pleasure-boat is part of our Scotland, it is a part of Dumbartonshire, but it floats on the sea by special grace, so we have not left our homeland!The Duncan is Malcolm House, and the ocean is Loch Lemont. Then, my dear Edward, please let us visit your house.Madame replied. Please, ma'am, but first let me inform O'Bill. The purser on the cruise ship was a good cook in the mansion, he was Scotch, but he looked like a Frenchman, and he was warm and intelligent.When the master calls, he comes. O'Bill, we're going to take a walk before breakfast, said Sir, as if he usually walks to Talbai and Katrine Lake, and I hope breakfast will be ready when we get back. O'Bill bowed solemnly. Will you come and see us too, Major?the lady asked. If you want me to go, I will go.replied the major. ah!Sir said he was in the cloud of his cigar smoke, and he shouldn't be pulled out of the cloud.Now, let me introduce, Miss Mary, he is a great smoker, he smokes all day and night, even in bed. The major nodded in agreement.Sir and the other guests went below the middle deck. The Major was left alone, never making himself unpleasant, as usual.He puffed more smoke around himself and he stayed there watching the spray behind the boat.After watching silently for several minutes, he turned around again and suddenly found a stranger standing in front of him.If there is anything surprising in the world, it should surprise him, because he has never seen this passenger before.The man was tall and slender, about forty years old, and he looked like a tack.Isn't it, his head is big and broad, with a high forehead, a long nose, a big mouth, and a long chin.As for the eyes, they are covered with large round glasses, and their flickering eyes seem to be night vision eyes.He appeared to be an intelligent and pleasant fellow.There is such a kind of solemn character in the world, based on the principle of not laughing, and covering their meanness with a serious mask, this stranger is not as daunting as them.Not only is he not intimidating, but his casual, unrestrained and cute appearance shows that he is a good gentleman who knows how to look at everything from a positive perspective.Even before he opened his mouth, one felt that he liked to talk.Especially looking at his demeanor of turning a blind eye, hearing nothing, you can tell that he is a very careless person.He wore a traveling cap on his head, thick yellow leather boots with leather boots on his feet, maroon velvet trousers, a maroon velvet jacket, and countless pockets, which seemed to be filled with notebooks and memos. , pocketbooks, wallets and all kinds of miscellaneous useless things, plus a large telescope hanging diagonally from his waist. The liveliness of the stranger formed a striking contrast to the major's quiet silence.He was walking around MacNabbs, looking at him, staring at him, and the major didn't care and didn't want to ask him where he came from, where he was going, why he went to Duncan. Number. Seeing that all his provocations failed to attract the major's attention, the guest of unknown origin had no choice but to pick up his pulley.The two-meter large telescope, with his legs spread apart, remained motionless, just like the road signs on the road. He pointed the telescope at the place where the water and the sky meet on the horizon, and watched it for five minutes. Then he put the telescope down again and leaned on it. On the deck, press the upper end with your hand, as if pressing a stick.But, suddenly, the hinges of the mirror shifted, and they slipped one after the other, and the mirror suddenly retracted, and the stranger lost his balance, and fell almost full length at the foot of the main-mast. Anyone who saw it would have at least smiled, but the Major did not even wrinkle his brow, and the stranger spoke. quartermaster!he yelled, with a foreign accent. He waited a while, but no one came out. quartermaster!He called again, raising his voice. Mr. O'Bill was passing there at the moment, on his way to the galley on the forward deck. How surprised he was when he suddenly heard a big strange man calling him!Where does such a person come from?Sir Glenarvan's friend, he thought.Impossible. Instead, he climbed onto the cabin deck and approached the stranger. Are you the purser of the ship?the stranger asked. yes sir but i haven't asked you for advice I'm a passenger in room six. Room six?asked the steward. That's right.What is your last name? O'Bill. Well, O'Bill, my friend, the passenger in room number six, said it's time for breakfast, and as soon as possible, I haven't eaten for thirty-six hours, or rather I've had enough sleep It has been thirty-six hours, and it is only natural for a person who has traveled from Paris to Glasgow to wait for food.Excuse me, what time does dinner open? nine o'clock.O'Bill replied mechanically. The stranger wanted to check his watch, but he fumbled for a long time until he reached the ninth pocket.Well, it's only eight o'clock, so first you have a biscuit and a glass of white wine, I'm so hungry. O'Bill was baffled.And this stranger is still rambling, talking non-stop. I also want to ask you, where is the captain?The captain is not up yet!Where's the first mate?Are you still sleeping?Fortunately, the weather was fine and the wind was favorable, so the boat could go without anyone in charge. At this time, Menger was walking to the ladder of the cabin. This is the captain.O'Bill said. ah!Delighted, Captain Bulton, I am delighted to meet you. The one who was surprised was obviously Munger. He was not only surprised to see this stranger, but also surprised to hear him being called Captain Bulton. But the stranger opened the chatterbox and continued: Permit me to shake hands with you. The reason I didn't shake hands with you the night before was because I couldn't disturb you while sailing.But today, Captain, it is my great pleasure to begin your acquaintance. Menger opened his eyes wide, looking at O'Bill, then at the new visitor. Now, my dear Captain, we know each other, we are old friends.Just talk about it.Please tell me, are you satisfied with the Scotia? What is the Scotia?At last the captain spoke too. Oh, this is the Scotia on which we are carried, a fine ship, which I have been praised for being in good material condition and well cared for by the earnest Captain Bulton.There is a great traveler in Africa whose surname is Bulton. Is it related to you?What a man of courage!I envy you for being his family! Sir, I am not only not the traveler Bulton's family, but I am not Captain Bulton at all. oh!So, am I speaking to Mr. Burnes, the mate on the Scotia? Mr. Burns?Menger began to wonder what was going on.He was about to give him a blunt explanation, when the Sir, his Lady, and Mary came out on the lower deck, and the stranger, seeing them, called out: Ah, there are male passengers!Female Passenger!wonderful.Mr. Burnes, I would like you to introduce me As he spoke, he walked forward gracefully, and without waiting for Menger to speak, he said to Miss Grant: Ma'am, call to Mrs. Helen, miss, and turn to Sir Glenarvan to say sir. This is Sir Glenarvan.Mengel said. Sir, forgive me for introducing myself, if the stranger changes his words afterward.We can't be so formal on board, and I hope we'll get to know each other quickly, and with these ladies we'll have a great time sailing on the Scotia, and the time will pass quickly. Lady Helene and Miss Grant could not answer.They did not know how such an uninvited guest had been found in the Duncan's cabin. sir sir ask, i ask I am Jacques.Paganel, Secretary of the Geographical Society of Paris, Correspondent of the Geographical Societies of Berlin, Bombay, Darmstadt, Leipzig, London, Petersburg, Vienna, New York, Honorary Member of the Royal Geographical Ethnographic Society of the East India, I am studying I have studied geography in my office for twenty years, and now I want to do some practical investigations. I want to go to India and continue the careers of many great travelers.