Chapter 19 Nineteen Live Like a Bird

The tree Greenervan and his party had fled to shelter was like a walnut tree.The leaves are shiny, and the crown is round, like a walnut tree.In fact it is an Ombi tree, which always grows alone on the plains of Argentina.The main trunk of this tree is curled up and big. Not only do thick roots go deep into the soil, but also many tough branches cling to the ground, which is very firm.So it can resist the attack of the torrent and will not be washed down. This Ombi tree is about 30 meters high, and its shade covers an area of ​​about 120 square meters.The overlapping leaves rest on the three main branches, which are separated from the top of the main trunk with a diameter of nearly two meters.The two main branches go up almost vertically, full of branches and leaves, as if holding a huge umbrella, all the branches and leaves are intertwined and entangled, as if woven by the hands of bamboo craftsmen, forming an umbrella that is not afraid of the sun. Great roof for rain.The other main branch, however, was not so, it was almost lying on the top of the surging waves, and the lowest leaves were already immersed in the water.The whole tree is like a green island in the ocean, and the horizontal branch stretches out like a strait.In this big tree, there is plenty of space.There are many large gaps in the circumference of the umbrella-shaped branches and leaves, just like the gaps in the forest, letting in a lot of air and giving shade everywhere.We see that these three big branches support countless twigs straight into the sky, and at the same time, there are many parasitic vines connecting those large and small branches, and the sunlight penetrates scattered through many gaps. It is almost independently supported by the trunk of this Ombi tree.

As soon as the asylum seekers reached the tree, a flock of birds fled into the upper branches, chirping and protesting the violent encroachment. This is where Glenarvan and his party got shelter.Once up the tree, Robert and the nimble Wilson climbed to the highest branch.Their heads poked out of the green dome, and from the highest point they could see far away at a glance.A vast ocean formed by floods surrounded them from all sides, and wherever the eyes could reach was a vast ocean, boundless.There are no other trees on the water, only this Ombi tree stands alone in the torrent, trembling after being washed away.In the distance, there are many uprooted tree trunks, curled branches, grassy roofs of collapsed grass sheds, shed posts washed down from large pastures, drowned animal carcasses, bloody animal hides, and a rickety tree , there is a nest of black-spotted tigers gathered on it, lying on the fragile branches with their sharp claws and roaring, all of which are dragged by the rapids, flying past from south to north.A dark spot farther off, almost invisible, caught Wilson's attention.There Tarcaf and his faithful Toka faded into the horizon.

Tarcaf, Tarcafe friends!cried Robert, and held out his hand in the direction in which the heroic Tarcaf had gone. He won't drown, Robert.Let's go down and stay with Sir.Wilson said. In a little while Robert and he climbed down the triple foliage to the top of the main log.Greenarvan, Paganel, Major, Austin, Murady were all there, sitting, riding, climbing, each in his own way.Wilson reported what he had seen from the top of the tree.Everyone agrees with his words: Takaf will not drown, but it is not known whether Takafu will save Taojia or Taojia will save Takaf in the future.The situation of the people on the tree is undoubtedly more worrying than Tarcaf.Of course, the tree may not be washed down by the water, but the torrent that continues to rise will flood its highest branches, because the ground in this area is very low, like a deep reservoir.So Greenarvan scratched the bark with a knife as soon as he arrived in order to measure the water level.By this time, the water level had stabilized and the flood appeared to have reached its peak.This is already a reassuring thing.

Now, what do we do?Glenarvan asked. Make a nest, do you still need to ask?Paganel replied cheerfully. Do you want to make a nest?Robert screamed. Naturally make a nest, my child, since we cannot live the life of fish, we should live the life of birds. OK!But who will feed us after making a nest?Glenarvan asked. I will feed.replied the major. When everyone heard this, they all turned to look at the major.The major sat comfortably on a natural armchair formed by two soft branches, and with one hand outstretched, he offered his sodden and full bag. ah!What a character you are, Major!You are too thoughtful, even when most people will inevitably forget, you still think of it.cried Glenarvan.

If a person doesn't want to drown, he also doesn't want to starve to death!replied the major. I should have thought of this too, but unfortunately I was too careless!Paganel said innocently. What's in your bag? !Austin asked. Enough to feed seven people for two days.replied the major. good!"I hope the water is pretty much gone within twenty-four hours," Greenervan said. Or we'll have a way back to land within twenty-four hours.Paganel corrected. Therefore, our first task now is to have breakfast.Greenervan said. Always dry your clothes first, right?The major made another comment.

Where is the fire?Wilson asked. If there is no fire, there should be a fire!Paganel replied. Where is the fire? Right on top of this trunk! What do you use to live? With dry wood, we go to the tree and cut it. With firewood, how can fire be born?Glenarvan said, Our tinder is as wet as a sponge! No need for tinder!Paganel replied, as long as there is dry moss and some sunlight, take a look at the lens of my telescope, and you see, my fire will come out.Who will go to the tree to collect firewood? I go!cried Robert. As he spoke, he burrowed into the depths of the branches like a kitten, followed by his friend Wilson.After they were gone, Paganel had found enough dry moss, and he found a patch of sunlight, which was easy because the sun was strong then.Then, he used a telescope to ignite these flammable objects at a single point.They placed these combustibles on the branches of the Ombi trunk, resting on a layer of wet leaves.This becomes a natural stove, not afraid of causing a fire.After a while Wilson and Robert came back with a large bundle of dry wood, which they laid on the dry moss.To fan the fire, Paganel climbed on top of the stove, spread his long legs like the Arabs, and squatting quickly, he fanned the wind with his hood.The firewood was burning, and in a short while a raging flame rose from the makeshift stove.Everyone roasted casually, and everyone's canopy was hung on the tree and fluttered in the wind.Then start to eat breakfast, each person receives a ration, because I still have to think about tomorrow!The flood may not have receded as quickly as Sir hoped, and dry food was limited, and the Ombie tree was barren, but fortunately there were many eggs, because the branches were full of nests, and besides eggs, there were also birds. It can be eaten, let alone.

These living materials are not too bad. Therefore, now, I have to make a plan to live for a long time and try to settle down more comfortably. Since the kitchen and dining room are downstairs, let's have our bedrooms upstairs.Paganel said that the house is large and the rent is not expensive, so there is no need to live too crowded.I saw some natural cushions on it, as long as we tie ourselves firmly to the tree, we can sleep on the best bed in the world.We have nothing to fear, and we shall take turns to keep watch, and our numbers shall be sufficient to repel the fleet of Indians and other wild beasts of every kind.

We lack weapons.Austin said. I still have a pistol.Sir said. Mine is still there.Robert responded. What's the use of a pistol if M. Paganel can't figure out how to make ammunition?Austin said again. There is no need to make it.The major answered, producing a cartridge pouch, which was still in good condition. Where did you get the ammunition, Major?asked Paganel. Tarcafe's.He thought the ammunition might be of use to us, so he handed it to me before jumping down to save Toka. What a generous Patagonian!Sir cried. Yes, Austin said, if all the Patagonians were printed on the same mold as him, I would really admire the Patagonians.

I ask everyone not to forget that horse!Paganel said it was part of the Patagonians too!We could still see them, if I surmise correctly, Tarcaf riding well on horseback. How far are we from the Atlantic Ocean?asked the major. There are still about sixty-five kilometers at most.Now, my friends, since we are all at our own convenience, I shall bid you farewell.I'm going up to find an observation deck, take a look through my telescope, and report to you what I see. Everyone asked the scholar to take care of himself. He climbed up deftly, from one branch to the other, and disappeared behind the curtain of dense leaves.So his traveling companions set to work preparing beds.It was not difficult, and it didn't take much time, because there were no quilts to spread, no tables and chairs to move.So after a while everyone got ready and went back to sit down by the stove.Everyone started chatting.Not talking about the current situation, because the current situation has nothing but patience.Everyone talked about the endless topic: Captain Grant.As soon as the water receded, the passengers were back on board the Duncan in less than three days.But Captain Grant and his two sailors, the unfortunate wrecks, could not join them.After this failure, after this vain crossing of the South American continent, all hope seemed irretrievably lost.Where else can I find it?How sorry Lady Helene and Mary must have been to hear that there was no hope for the future!

My poor sister!We are all over!Robert said. Glenarvan couldn't find a word to answer him, for the first time.What hope could he give his child?Didn't he already search for it in strict accordance with the instructions in the document? But, he said, the thirty-seventh parallel south latitude is not an empty number!Whether it refers to Harry.Grant's crash site or capture site, this number is not fake, not speculative, not wild guessing!We saw it written clearly with our own eyes! It is all true, ser, but our search has failed at last.Austin replied. What a distressing and frustrating thing indeed!cried Glenarvan.

Distress is of course distressing, but there is no need to be discouraged.The major said in a serene tone that, precisely because we have this reliable figure, we should rely on it to find out. What do you mean by that?Sir asked, what do you think we can do? There is the simplest and most logical thing to do, my dear Edward.When we got back to the ship, we sailed eastward, following the thirty-seventh parallel, if necessary, as far as our original point of departure. Do you think, MacNabbs, that I haven't thought of that?I don't know how many times I've thought about it!But what hope of success?Leaving the American continent means leaving Harry.Did Grant himself point out the Patagonia location?Isn't it clearly written on the document? Now that you know for sure that the Britannia was wrecked on neither the Pacific nor the Atlantic coast, do you still want to go back to Pampa and try again? Greenarvan didn't answer. Moreover, this latitude was pointed out by him himself. We should follow this line to find him, even if the hope is less, shouldn't we give it a try? I'm not saying that Glenarvan shouldn't answer. Friends, the Major turned to the sailors to add, do you not agree with me? Totally agree.They all nodded in agreement. Friends, listen to me now.Sir thought for a moment and then said, listen carefully, Robert, because this is an important discussion.It is a duty I have undertaken to find Captain Grant by all means, and if necessary I will devote my life to it.This good man has always served Scotland, and all Scots are in favor of my rescue.I also believe that we should circle the earth along the thirty-seventh parallel, no matter how remote our chances of finding him, and I am determined to do so now.But that's not the problem to be solved.A more important question is, should we give up searching on the American continent now and never come back? The question was posed so decisively that it elicited no answer.No one dared to decide. What do you say?Greenarvan asked the major one question in particular. My dear Edward, it would be too much of a responsibility to answer you immediately with a no, and this question should be thought over carefully.First of all, I want to know where the thirty-seventh parallel south latitude passes. This, ask Paganel. Then ask him.said the major. The scholar was out of sight under the shade of the tree, and he had to be called out from below. Paganel!Paganel!Greenarvan shouted. exist!A voice answered from mid-air. Where are you? I'm on the observation deck. do what? Observe the endless horizon. can you come down for a moment Do you need me? Yes. What's up? To know where the thirty-seventh parallel passes. That's too easy, replied Paganel, and I can tell you that without me going down. Well, you go ahead. ok, listen.The thirty-seventh parallel south latitude leaves the Americas and crosses the Atlantic Ocean. Um. Travel to Telis to explore the Quenya Islands. good. Then a little two minutes down, passing the Cape of Good Hope. and after? Just across the Indian Ocean. What about in the future? Skim St. Peter's Island in the Amsterdam archipelago. Let's go on. across Victoria, Australia. Go on. out of australia This sentence is not finished.Is the geographer hesitating?Does he not know?No, suddenly there was a loud cry, and a strong cry came down from the thick shade of the tree.Glenarvan and his friends turned pale with fright and looked at each other.Did another disaster happen?Or did the unfortunate Paganel fall?Wilson and Murady were about to run up to save him, when suddenly a big man fell from above: Paganel rolled straight down from a branch.He couldn't hold anything with both hands.Is it alive or dead?do not know.Seeing that he was about to roll into the roaring waves, the major grabbed him with his strong arms. Thank you, McNabbs!cried Paganel. What’s wrong with you?The major asked, why did you roll down?Is it because of your eternal carelessness again? Yes!Yes!He answered, almost speechless, yes!Careless wants to start a new era, this time. How to open a new era of carelessness? We got it wrong!We got it wrong again!We get it wrong all the time! What's the matter?Say it! Sir, Major, Robert, my friends, Paganel cried, and listen to me, we are looking for Captain Grant where he is not! What did you say?Glenarvan asked in surprise. The place we were looking for, not only was Grant not there, but he had never been there! These few unexpected words caused everyone's great surprise.What does Paganel mean?Was he deranged?Yet he spoke as if he were confident, and all eyes were on Glenarvan, for Paganel's affirmative words answered directly the question he had posed.But Jazz just shook his head, disapproving of Paganel's statement. However, after a burst of excitement, Paganel spoke again: Yes indeed!He said in a firm tone, it is true that we have found the wrong one, and there is no such thing in the document. Explain why, Paganel.said the major more calmly. It's simple, Major.I made the same mistake as you. I was answering your questions. When I mentioned the name Australia, I suddenly had an idea and I understood. how?exclaimed Glenarvan, do you think Captain Grant I thought the document was austral. The word is not what we have always thought. It is not the southern hemisphere [Note: austral. ] This word, but Australia [Note: Australia. 】The first half of a word. This is strange!replied the major. Not only strange!Sir shrugged and retorted that it was impossible. You say it's impossible, but we don't recognize the word impossible in France at all.Paganel debates. how?The jazz asked him again in a tone of disbelief, how dare you say that the wreck of the Britannia was on the coast of Australia? I think there is no problem. No lie, Paganel, I am amazed at what you say, especially from a secretary of the Geographical Society. What reason do you have to be surprised?asked Paganel, uncomfortable to hear that the secretary of the Geographical Society was not trusted. The reason is: if you say Australia, you must also admit that there are Indians in Oceania, and you have never seen Indians in Oceania.Paganel was not surprised by Glenarvan's reasons.He had expected it a long time ago, and only smiled slightly. "My dear Glenarvan," said he, "don't think your reason is a solid proof.I will silence you, and inflict on you English a defeat which has never been known, and avenge our French defeats at Crecy and Dazancourt. I wish you so, Paganel. you listen.There are no Indians in the file at all [Note: indiens. ] and Patagonia [Note: Patagonie. 】 Wait for words!Those incomplete words indi are not Indians but local natives [Note: indigines. 】.So, do you admit that there are natives in Oceania? Well said!Paganel.said the major. Do you agree with my explanation, my dear sir? I admit, sir replied, if you can prove that gonie is not Patagonia [Note: Pacogonie. ] Or extremely dangerous [Note: agonie. 】. It is extremely dangerous!said the major. It doesn't matter what word it is, the words are irrelevant.I don't even want to explain it.The main point is: austral refers to Australia, such an obvious explanation, we should have found it at a glance, but unfortunately there was a mistake first, which blinded us!If I had seen this document first, and if your explanations hadn't confused me, I would have explained it correctly long ago! This time, everyone applauded Paganel's words, complimented him, and admired him. Austin, the two sailors, the major, and especially Robert felt new hope and were very happy. Congratulations to the Honorable scholar.Jazz's eyes gradually opened, and from his words, it could be seen that he was about to surrender to Paganel. And one last question, my dear Paganel.If you can solve it again, I will have no choice but to bow down to your ingenuity. Say it, Glenarvan. How do you connect those words according to your new interpretation?How to read the whole document? so easy.The file is here.Paganel said, producing the precious sheet of paper which he had been studying with great care for several days. When the geographer gathered the concepts in his mind and was concentrating on preparing to answer, the audience was silent.Pointing to scattered words on the document, he read in a firm voice, emphasizing certain words: 7th June, 1862, the three-masted ship Britannia, reg. It belongs to the port of Glasgow, and you can fill in whatever you want when you sink here. These words have nothing to do with it.Australia's seas.Desperate to land, the two sailors and Captain Grant will arrive or have reached this land, will be captured or have been captured by the savage natives, Zit dropped this document.Wait, wait, isn't the text very clear? It's clear, but Australia is just an island, how can the term "mainland" be used? You may rest assured, my dear sir, that the leading geographers unanimously call this island the continent of Australia. Well, I have but one thing to say now, my friends, to Oceania!May God help us!Sir cried. Go to Oceania!His traveling companions shouted in unison. Do you know, Paganel, add sir, that it is sheer providence that you aboard our Duncan! Well, Paganel replied, even if I was sent by heaven, don't mention it any more! Thus ended the speech, and what an effect it made!It turned everyone's mood around.They thought they were lost in the palace and could never come out, but now they have grasped the clues again.They had built a new hope in this bankrupt scheme.They can simply leave the American continent and let their hearts fly to the land of Oceania.And when they returned to the Duncan, they would not bring back the disappointment of Lady Helene and Mary mourning the loss of Captain Grant forever!So, forgetting the danger of their situation, they rejoiced, and their only regret was that they could not set off immediately. It was four o'clock in the afternoon.It was decided to have dinner at six o'clock.Paganel will prepare a feast to celebrate this happy day.It was a pity that he brought too little food, so he invited Robert to go hunting in the nearby woods.Robert applauded.They took the ammunition pouch that Tarcaf had left behind, cleaned their pistols, loaded the pellets, and set off. Don't run away.The major said solemnly to the two hunters. After the hunter had gone, Sir and the major went to look at the water mark carved on the tree, while Wilson and Murady went to relight the coal fire in the stove. After Glenarvan went down to the surface of the boundless lake, he did not see any signs of receding.Yet the water seemed to have reached its peak.However, the flow is still rapid from south to north, which proves that the volume of water in all Argentine rivers has not been balanced.The water must stabilize before the tide ebbs, just as the sea surface does when the tide stops and the ebb begins.Therefore, as long as the water is rushing northward in this way, it cannot be expected to fall immediately. While Glenarvan and the major were surveying the water level, gunshots rang out in the trees, followed by cheers, as loud as the gunshots.Robert's tenor croaked like an oriole over the tone of Paganel's bass.Others really don't know which of the two of them is the most childish.This hunt must be well done, which foretells that everyone will have game for dinner.The major and Glenarvan returned to the stove to find that Wilson had devised a clever scheme: the sailor caught a fish with a needle and a line.Already dozens of small fish lay in the folds of the canopy.It's mochala fish, which is as tender as ayu, and it's still alive and kicking. It's another delicious dish! At this time, two hunters came down from the top of the Omby tree.Paganel was holding some eggs with great care, and he was carrying a bunch of sparrows which he was going to present to everyone, under the name of the larks.Robert deftly caught several higeros, a yellow and green water bird with extremely delicious meat, which has always been considered rare in Uruguay.Paganel can make seventy-two dishes with eggs, but this time only put them in hot ashes.Although the recipes of the meals are simple, the dishes for dinner are rich and delicious.Dried meat, hard eggs, grilled sparrows, grilled siglo, and grilled fish made up a feast that those who participated would never forget. Everyone talked very enthusiastically.They all praised Paganel as a good hunter and a good cook.The scholar accepted these approvals with the humility of a man of real ability.After admiring his admiration, Paganel talked about the tree that gave them a shelter, and he felt that this tree was really vast. Robert and I, he joked, thought we were in a big wood when we were hunting.There was a time when I thought I couldn't get out.I searched and couldn't find my way, and the sun was setting again!I want to go back the same way, but I can't see where I came from!I'm so hungry again!There are already beasts roaring in the dark bushes, I mean no!No beasts, what a pity! how!Said the Jazz, what a pity you don't have beasts? yes!it is a pity! This flood is already as ferocious as a beast Scientifically speaking, the heinous claim does not exist, the scholar replied. ah!Now that you say that, Paganel, you can't convince people that wild beasts are useful, can you?What is the use of beasts?said the major. Major!cried Paganel, how do you not know that beasts of prey are for classification!With beasts, they can be listed as a certain door, a certain class, a certain order, a certain family, a certain genus, a certain Is this called function?said the major, but I don't need it!If I was also on Noah’s Ark during the ancient flood, I would definitely not let Noah put a pair of lions, a pair of tigers, a pair of leopards, a pair of bears, and all other harmful and unhelpful beasts on his boat . would you do thisasked Paganel. I must do so. So from a zoological point of view, you made a mistake. But not bad from a humane point of view.replied the major. That's annoying!If I had, on the contrary, I would have preserved the giant sloths, the pterodactyls, and all the antediluvian creatures, which are a pity we don't have them now. I tell you, Noah did wrong, he preserved those beasts, and should be cursed by the scholars for generations. Everyone couldn't help laughing when they heard the two friends arguing about Noah.The major, who had never argued with anyone in his life, was making an exception now, and argued with Paganel every day.Of course the scholar deliberately provoked him.It was Greenervan who intervened, saying: It is a pity that there are no wild beasts, whether you say it is a pity or not, whether you say it from a scientific point of view or a humane point of view, we actually do not have wild beasts today.In any case, in the woods of the sky, Paganel could never hope to meet a beast of prey. Why is it impossible?asked Paganel. Will there be beasts in the trees?Austin said. Well!Of course there is!Didn't the jaguar, chased away by the hunter, flee into the tree?It is very possible for a tiger to climb up this tree to escape suddenly when it encounters a flood. At least you didn't meet a jaguar just now, I suppose.said the major. None, though we've scoured the woods.it is a pity!Otherwise, what a hunt!What a beast the jaguar is!It can break a horse's neck with one claw!As long as it eats human flesh, it likes to eat people.Its favorite food is Indians, then blacks, then white and black mongrels, and finally whites. Fortunately, I was ranked fourth!replied the major. OK!This just proves that you are tasteless.Paganel attacked him with contempt. You make me tasteless!The major fought back. Then you are too shameful!Caucasians have always regarded themselves as the first class!Jaguar gentlemen, the opinion does not seem to be so!This Paganel is really difficult to deal with. At any rate, my good Paganel, said sir, we have neither Indians nor negroes nor mongrels here now, and your dear tigers had better not come.Our situation is not so comfortable how!comfortable?Paganel seized on the word, feeling that it might lead the conversation to a new topic, and exclaimed, Are you still calling it bad luck, Glenarvan? Naturally, you are in these trees, which are neither convenient nor soft, do you feel comfortable? I have never been so comfortable, not even in my study.We live the life of birds, we sing, we fly!I've come to believe that humans are meant to live in trees. It's a pity that a pair of wings are missing!said the major. One day in the future, wings will be born! Before the wings are born, my dear friend, let me not love this castle in the air, but go to the fine sand in the park, the floor of the house or the deck of the ship! Glenarvan, we should go with the flow!It's good to meet good ones, but don't mind bad ones.I think you regret leaving the gentle town of Malcolm Mansion! no, but I am sure Robert is very happy here.Paganel quickly went on to say that he hoped to find at least one adherent to his theory. Yes, Monsieur Paganel!cried Robert in a cheerful tone. This is because this kind of life is just right for his age.Jazz explained. Just right for my age too!Paganel retorted that the less a person cares about comfort, the less he needs, and the less he needs, the more happiness he will have. Come on!Look, the major says, he's coming to give orders to attack all the riches, all the splendor. No, Major, uh!Speaking of this, I happen to think of a little Arabian story, if you want, I will tell you. willing!willing!Mr. Paganel.Robert said. What is your story trying to prove?asked the major. My old pal, it proves what all stories prove. So, that means nothing to prove.The major went on to explain, or you can just tell, you can tell stories, so just tell us. Once upon a time, Paganel began to speak, Naharon Rath. 】The Great Hierarch has a son who is always unhappy.He ran to ask an old mage for advice.The wise old man told him that happiness is something that is not easy to find in this world.However, he said, I have a tried and tested method that can make you happy.what method?asked the young prince.It's about finding a happy guy and throwing his shirt over you.The old mage replied.The prince thanked the old mage with a kiss on the spot, and immediately went to find his happy dress.He set off.He visited the capitals of all countries in the world!He tried on the king's shirt, the emperor's shirt, the prince's shirt, and the noble's shirt.But it was all in vain.He is still not happy!So he wore the artist's shirt, the soldier's shirt, and the merchant's shirt.I don't feel better either.He ran a lot like this, but did not find happiness.At last, disappointed that all the shirts he had tried were useless, he went back morosely to his father's palace.It so happened that one day, when he was going to the countryside, he saw a farmer in the field, happily singing and plowing the field.This is a happy man at last, he thought, and if he were unhappy, there would be no such thing as happiness in the world.He went up to say hello: Uh!You man, are you happy?I am happy.the man answered.Don't you want something more?Don't want anything more!The man said again.Tell you not to be a farmer, but to be a king, do you want to do it?I never want to do this in my life!So, sell me your shirts!shirt!I don't have a shirt at all!