Chapter 5 five little robert

No one was unhappy when it became known that Paganel was determined to stay.Robert Jr. jumped up and hugged him around the neck. His impatience was enough to explain his mood.The venerable geographer was almost knocked over by him. Good boy!I'm going to teach him geography. We know that Mengele has taken charge of teaching Robert Jr. to be a sailor, Glenarvan to be a man of courage, the Major to be a calm boy, and Lady Helene to be a merciful boy. Generous man, Mary will make him a student worthy of these eager teachers, so that little Robert will be a perfect gentleman in the future. The Duncan was quickly coaled, and left this dismal sea, and sailed westward, along the coast of Brazil, where on September 7 a northerly wind blew her across the equator and into the southern hemisphere.

The transatlantic voyage thus proceeded smoothly.Everyone has great hopes.The odds of success in this expedition to find Captain Grant seemed to increase day by day.The most confident is the captain.His confidence comes from his desire, and his desire is to make Miss Mary happy and comfort with all his heart.He was very concerned about Mary, and he tried his best to hide this feeling, but in fact, only Mary and he didn't feel it, and everyone else knew it in their hearts. As for the learned geographer, he is perhaps the happiest man in the southern hemisphere.He was busy studying maps all day long, and the dining table in the square hall was covered with maps.Therefore, Mr. O'Bill quarreled with him every day because he couldn't set the table.Everyone in the cabin, however, supported Paganel, except the major, who was not too interested in geography.Also, Paganel, having found in the mate's chest a large pile of tattered books, among which were several works in Spanish, resolved to learn the Spanish language, which no one on board could speak.He believed that learning Spanish would enable him to carry out his investigation work in the Chilean coastal area smoothly.With the knack of his linguistic talent, Hope will be fluent in the language once he arrives in Concepcion.So he read desperately, and people could hear him babbling and practicing complex language all day long.

In his spare time, he taught little Robert some practical scientific knowledge, and told him the history of the coast where the Duncan passed. On September 10th the ship was at latitude five degrees seventy-three minutes south and longitude thirty one fifteen minutes west.On this day, Sir heard a historical fact, which perhaps the learned people do not know.Paganel told everyone about the history of the discovery of America. Before he talked about the great navigators pursued by the Duncan, he first talked about Columbus. He discovered a new world.The whole audience screamed, but Paganel was sure.

Nothing could be more true than that, he added, and I don't mean to discredit Columbus, but facts are always facts.At the end of the fifteenth century, people were preoccupied with one thing: how to find a quicker route to Asia, how to go from the West to the East.In a word, how to find a shortcut to India.This is the problem Columbus was trying to solve.He made four voyages, and he reached America, landing in Cumana, Honduras, Mosquito, Nicaragua, Veragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.He only thinks this coast is Japan and China.He didn't even know the existence of the New World until he died, and he didn't even leave his name to the New World as a souvenir!

I would like to believe you, my dear Paganel, but I cannot help being surprised, and I would like to ask you, which navigator later found out the truth about the discovery of Columbus?Sir asked. Those who came after Columbus: first of all Oheda, who sailed with Columbus, and Pinton, Vespucci, Mendoza, Bastidas, Gabriel, Saolis, Barr Bo.These navigators sailed along the east coast of America, and they explored the limits of the American coast from north to south. They were pushed forward by this current just like us today, 360 years ago!Do you know?My friends, we cross the line of the equator where Pinton crossed it at the end of the fifteenth century.We are now nearly eight degrees south latitude, and did not Pinton reach the Brazilian land at eight degrees south latitude?A year later, the Portuguese Gabriel came to Sejuro Port.Later, Vespucci pushed further south in his third expedition in 1502.In 1508, Pinton and Saolis jointly sailed to explore various places along the American coast. In 1514, Saolis discovered the mouth of the La Palata River, where he was eaten by the natives.The task of rounding the southern tip of America was left to Magellan alone.The great navigator set out with five ships in 1519. He went south along the coast of Patagonia and discovered Port Desedo, Port of San Julian, where he stayed for a long time .He then sailed to fifty-two degrees south latitude and discovered the Strait of Magellan, which is now named after him.On November 28, 1520, he crossed the Channel and entered the Pacific Ocean.When he saw a new sea in the sky shining in the sun, how excited and excited he felt at that time!

Yes, Monsieur Paganel, I should like to live in those surroundings.Little Robert cried out excitedly. I think so too, my child.If God had allowed me to be born three hundred years earlier, I would not have lost such an opportunity in fact! It would be a pity to us, sir.Lady Helene went on, because if you were born three hundred years earlier, how could you come to the cabins of this ship and tell us this story? That's all right, ma'am, someone else will speak to you instead of me.He will also tell you that the West Coast expedition is the work of the Pisar brothers.These two daring adventurers were great builders of many cities: Cusco, Quito, Lima, Santiago, Villarrica, Valparaicón, and Concepón, where the Duncan was going. .At that time, the discovery of their brothers and the discovery of Magellan happened to be connected, and the coastline of America was on the map, which satisfied the scholars of the old world.

Um!If it were me, I would not be satisfied yet.Robert said. why?asked Mary, staring at his little brother who liked to listen to the history of discovery. Yes, my child, why are you not satisfied?Sir asked with a very excited smile. Because if it were me, I'd have to see what else is south of the Strait of Magellan. That's right, my little friend, even I, I want to know whether the American continent stretches all the way to the South Pole, or whether there is a sea between it and the South Pole, as Delek speculates This Delek is your countryman, sir, so if RobertGrant and Jacques.If Paganel had been born in the seventeenth century, they would have set off with Shuzen and Lemaire, because these two Dutch navigators wanted to unravel this geographical riddle.

Are the two of them scholars too?the lady asked. No, two daring businessmen who hadn't thought of the scientific implications of expedition travel.At that time there was an East India Company in the Netherlands, which had absolute control over all trade through the Strait of Magellan.As you all know, at that time, the only way from Western countries to Asia was through the Strait of Magellan, so this privilege formed a real monopoly.Some businessmen want to fight against this monopoly, and they want to find another strait.One of them was named Isaac.Lemaire, is a smart and educated man.He paid for an expedition, and his nephew Jacob.Le Maire and a good sailor leader, this seaman was originally from Horn, and his name was Shu Zeng.These two daring navigators, who set out in June, 1615, about a hundred years after Magellan, discovered the Lemaire Strait between Firelands and Staten Island, in February, 1616. On the 16th they rounded the famous Cape Horn, which is called the Cape of Storms, which should be better than its brother, the Cape of Good Hope. 】Renamed to be worthy of the name!

Really!I really want to explore that place!cried Robert. When you get there, my boy, you will be in fact infinitely happier.Paganel continued, talking more and more vigorously, think about it, a navigator marks his new discoveries bit by bit on his nautical map, is there anything happier in the world than this?Watching the land gradually appear in front of his eyes, each small island and each strait seemed to emerge from the waves!Initially, the lines drawn are blurred, broken, and disconnected!Here is a piece of isolated land, that is a small isolated port, and a little farther away is a remote bay.Then, the previously discovered lands complement each other, the lines are connected, the dotted lines on the map become solid lines, the bays show a definite bow-shaped coast, the capes are connected to the definite coastal land, and finally, a new continent, There are lakes, rivers, rivers, mountains, valleys, plains, villages, towns, and cities, all of which are splendid and magnificent, spread out on the earth.ah!Friends, the discoverer of the new land is a real inventor!He is as amazing as an inventor!It's a pity that this kind of business is like a mine, and it has been exploited by others!New continents, new worlds, everything has been found, probed, discovered, we are latecomers to geography, we are useless!

How useless it is, my dear Paganel!Greenervan said. Where else? What we do now is where we come in! At this time, the Duncan was galloping at an incomparable speed on the channel traveled by celebrities such as Vespucci and Magellan.On September 15th it crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, and turned its head towards the entrance of the famous Strait of Magellan.Several times the southern coast of Patagonia was visible, but only as a line, looming on the horizon.The ship sailed south along this coast at a distance of six kilometers, and even looking at the American coast with Paganel's large telescope could only make people see a vague outline.

On September 25, the Duncan sailed to the same latitude as the Strait of Magellan.It drove in without hesitation.Generally speaking, steamers are happy to sail to the Pacific Ocean by this route.The correct length of the strait is no more than 700 kilometers, and there are deep waters everywhere, and ships of the largest tonnage can sail even by sailing.The bottom is flat, there are many freshwater stations, there are many inland rivers, rich in fish, the forests are full of game, and safe and convenient anchorages are everywhere.In short, this strait has many advantages, which are not found in Lemaire and Cape Horn. During the first hours of the voyage into the Channel, that is to say, during the first 110 to 148 kilometers of the voyage, until Cape Gregory is reached, the coast is flat and sandy.Jacques.Paganel had his eyes on every point of the strait.It takes thirty-six hours to sail in the strait, and the moving scenery on both sides of the strait is worth the scholar's patience to watch under the bright sunshine of the southern hemisphere.The north shore is uninhabited, and there are a few poor Fuegoians wandering on the bare rocks of Fuego in the south.Paganel did not see the Patagonians, much to his disappointment, while his companions were amused. Patagonia would not be Patagonia without Patagonians.He said. Take it easy, my dear geographer, we'll always meet the Patagonians.Sir said. Not sure. why?There are Patagonians.said Mrs. Helen. I doubt it, ma'am, because I can't see them. At least, the name Patagonia is derived from the Spanish Bata arch [Note: patagon. 】Come on, Bata Gong means big feet!The Patagonians are called Bigfoot; it can't be all imagination, can it? Why!Names are irrelevant.Paganel replied that he seemed to be deliberately obstinate to cause controversy, and it was not known what the names of these people should be called! How unreasonable!cried Glenarvan, Major, do you know that? I don't know, replied the major, I have no interest in that. You indifferent Major, you will find out sooner or later!Paganel also said that the people of this place are called Patagonians, after Magellan named them, but the Fuegos called them Tilmens, and the Chileans called them Gokahuis, Carmens. The settlers of the land call them the Tilmen, the Aroganians the Wheelish, the traveler Bogenville the Shouha, and the Falconer the Twhirhet!They also call themselves Inaken, which is a common name for people!Let me ask you, how can we figure out so many names!Moreover, with so many names for a nation, it is still a question of whether such a nation really exists! What a great discussion!said Mrs. Let's admit his arguments, but I think you have to admit one fact: there should be a problem with the names of the Patagonians, and at least their stature has been confirmed by everyone!Sir to the geographer. I can never admit this false perception.Paganel replied. They are very tall.Sir said. I don't know. You are too that.exclaimed my lord, the travelers who saw these Patagonians Travelers who saw these Patagonians with their own eyes disagreed, and Magellan said that his head did not reach the Patagonian belt!The geographer replied. Doesn't this prove that they are tall? ! Yes, but De Loreck thinks the average Englishman is taller than the tallest Patagonian. ah!It is possible to compare with the British.The major retorted in a contemptuous tone. If you compare it with the Scots, it's not high! Gavendisch was sure they were tall and strong.Paganel added that Hawkins said they were giants.Lemer and Shuzeng said they were seniors in high school.three meters. Isn't that all right?The words of these people can be trusted.Sir said. Yes, but the words of Wood, Napolo, and Falconer are equally reliable. They say that the Patagonians are of medium stature, and the famous geographer Byron.pull.Gerald, Bogenville, Wallis, and Carter all confirmed that the Patagonian was a freshman.More than six meters. So, among these conflicting claims, which one is true?Lady Helene asked. Is it true, madam?Paganel says that's how it really should be: Patagonians have short legs and long upper bodies.So some people joked: Those Patagonians sat for a while.Eight meters high, standing only one.Five meters high. OK!How well said, my dear scholar!Sir said. What's even better is that these people don't exist, so all kinds of contradictions are unified.And now to end this polemic, my friends, I will add a reassuring remark: The Strait of Magellan is beautiful, beautiful enough without the Patagonians! At this time, the Duncan was sailing around the Brunswick Peninsula, and the scenery on both sides was very beautiful.After rounding Cape Gregory, it traveled another 130 kilometers and took Bende.The Arizona jail was lost to starboard.For a while, the flag of Chile and the bell tower of the church appeared among the trees.At this time, granite cliffs protruded on both sides of the strait, which looked a little scary.The foothills of many mountains are hidden in the boundless forest, and the heads are covered with snow that does not melt all the year round, reaching into the sky.To the southwest, Tayunen Peak is 2,100 meters high, standing tall in the sky.Night fell, and the hours of twilight were long.The sunlight melts imperceptibly into a variety of pastel colors.The sky is full of stars.The constellations at the South Pole show the way for voyagers.In this obscurity, starlight takes the place of lighthouses on the shores of civilization.The cruise ship continued its voyage boldly without breaking anchor in the harbor along the way.Sometimes its rig skims the beech overlooking the waves. ]; sometimes, its propeller slaps the waves of the big river, awakening geese, ducks, gulls, and all kinds of birds in the swamp.Soon, many ruins of broken walls appeared, and several collapsed buildings looked extraordinarily huge in the night scene. They were all bleak remnants of an abandoned colony.The name of the colony is always a protest to the fertile coast and forests rich in game.The Duncan was now sailing ahead of Port Starvation. In this place, the Spaniard Salmondo brought 400 immigrants to live here in 1581.Here he founded the city of St. Philip.After a few years, more than half of the immigrants died. In addition to the famine, the people who survived the cold winter starved to death.In 1587 the warship Cavendish came here and found the last of the four hundred wretches who had struggled for six years on the ruins of the six-hundred-year-old city, starving I have to die. The Duncan sailed along this desolate coast.At sunrise, it sails through this important gorge, with interlaced forests of zelkova, hazel, maple, etc. on both sides, many green round ridges emerge from the forest, and many mounds with lush gorse grow. And many pointed peaks, among which stands the Buckland Memorial Tower.The Duncan again passed the mouth of St. Nicholas' Bay, which Bogenville had originally named Frenchman's Bay.In the distance, there are large schools of seals and whales playing. The whales seem huge, because their jets of water can be seen from three kilometers away.Finally, the boat rounded Cape Frovois, which is covered with sharp ice fragments. On the other side of the strait, on the island of Tierra del Fuego, stands the 2,000-meter-high Samindo Peak, which is a dangerous rock. Bands of clouds separated them, giving them the appearance of islands in the sky.The continent of America really came to an end at Cape Frois, for Cape Horn was but a rock in the wild sea at latitude fifty-six degrees south. Once this tip is passed, the strait narrows, with the Brunswick Peninsula on one side and the Isle of Dessoracion on the other, which is a long island surrounded by thousands of islets on both sides. Like a great whale landing on a pebble beach.How different are the broken ends of South America from the neat and clear tips of Africa, Oceania, and India!It is a large corner of earth extending into the Atlantic Ocean. I don’t know what kind of natural disaster smashed it into pieces. Behind this piece of fertile land is a continuous barren coast, which looks very desolate.The coast is crescent-shaped by numerous tributaries.The Duncan proceeded round and round along that arbitrarily tortuous channel without making any mistakes or hesitating, mixing clouds of thick smoke into the broken sea fog along the way.The Duncan passed in front of the Spanish trading houses on this deserted coast without slowing her speed.After Cape Tamar, the channel turned and the cruise ship had room to turn. It turned the steep coast of the Napolo Islands, sailed close to the south shore, and finally, after thirty-six hours of sailing into port, it saw Pilar. Horned cliffs rise abruptly at the very end of De Soracion Island.A rippling sea unfolded in front of the ship.Paganel was very excited, waved his hands, cheered enthusiastically, and almost lost his footing.