Chapter 14 Chapter Fourteen Exploring North

As the weather began to improve, the small colonists embarked on a plan they had conceived throughout the long winter. There is obviously no land on the west side of the island.Is there no land to the south and north?Does this island belong to the islands in the Pacific Ocean?According to Baoding's map, this place is definitely not an island in the Pacific Ocean.Because Baoding didn't have a telescope at the time, even standing on the Oakland Hills, he could only see the sea level for a few miles.Now that they have a telescope, they must be more expensive than that one.The survivors of the Troy ship saw further.

According to Bowding's map, it was only twelve miles to the east from Frenchman's Cave on Charman Island, along a jagged coastline to Galleon Bay.An expedition in that direction might find something. But before venturing far, you should first find out what's around Oakland Hills, Family Lake, Trap Woods, etc.Are there resources available in those places?Is it rich in useful fruit trees or shrubs?They decided to organize an expedition in early November to find out. Although in terms of solar terms, spring here has already begun, but because of the high latitude here, the climate change is not obvious yet.From September to the first half of October there is also a long period of bad weather; short frosts and unpredictable winds.Difficulties caused by inclement weather are severe at this equinox season.Like blowing their sailboats to the Pacific Ocean, the strong sea breeze seems to be able to blow even the mountains.When the wind from the Antarctic waters blows over, because it blows from the southern outskirts, there are no obstacles, and the strong wind will drive straight in, making people shiver.At least twenty times the wind had blown into the storage room and down the corridor into the hall.This is worse than winter when the temperature is below zero.Children not only have to be protected against strong winds, but also have to be prepared for storms and hail at any time.

To make matters worse, the birds also seem to be flying inland to seek refuge from the high winds of the equinox.The fish on the shore of the lake were also frightened and disappeared by the roaring waves. The boys in the French cave didn't sit idle.Because the ice and snow have melted, the original large table can no longer be used as a tool for pulling things.So Baxter decided to build a cart for carrying heavy loads. He wanted to use the two winched wheels on the sailboat, but tried several times without success.I'm afraid even a skilled blacksmith can't do this kind of thing well.The winch wheel is a gear shape.He tried his best to wear the gear off, but he couldn't.In the end, Baxter had to use wooden wedges to fill the gaps between the gears, and the outside was fixed with iron rings.Then he mounted the two wheels on a round iron bar, and placed a wooden platform on the wooden axle.In this way, a simple cart is made.Although very simple, but can come in handy.Since there are no horses, mules or donkeys on the island, it is up to the boys to pull the carts themselves.

Surely they could have saved themselves a lot of trouble if they had a few tame quadrupeds!Why are there so many bird species and so few animals on Charman Island?Take Sauvis's ostrich as an example. Is he really capable of taming birds to do work for them? The wild nature of that ostrich remained unchanged.As long as someone approaches it, it will use its sharp mouth and sharp teeth to protect itself.It tried its best to break free from the rope tied to its body. Once it managed to break free, it might soon disappear into the woods of the trap. But Sauvis is not discouraged at all.He even named the ostrich a hurricane.This is learned from the protagonist in the adventure novel "Swiss Robinson and his family".In order to tame this rebellious ostrich, Sovis has tried his best.But no matter how hard and soft he is, the ostrich just doesn't obey.

One day, Sauvis said: I don't know what happened, but Jacko tamed the ostrich in a very short time.He is reading a book "De.The Romance Book of Crisis. It is possible, Gordon replied, that the distance between you and your hero, Sauvis, is just as great as the distance between your ostrich and his ostrich. What's the meaning? This is just the difference between fantasy and reality. What does that matter?Sauvis objected.Sooner or later I will tame this ostrich, and then I will let the facts speak for themselves. Very good!Gordon laughed, I'll be happy whether you tame it or let the facts speak for themselves.

Although it was only a joke among his mates, Sauvis was determined to ride the ostrich as soon as the weather improved.Like the hero in his heart, he made a saddle and a hat with a horse eye patch out of canvas.Maybe Jacko tamed the ostrich after blindfolding its left and right eyes.But if Jacko can succeed, why can't he himself?Sovis even wove a collar around the ostrich's neck, and it wasn't just for looks.As for the blindfold, I'm afraid it would be difficult to put it on the ostrich's head. The vernal equinox is almost here, and the sun is back to its former power.The sun was shining brightly in the sky, and it was mid-October.The sun shone warmly on the growing green of the trees.

The kids can now be outside all day long.They can dry the cold and waterproof clothes they wear in winter, sew them up when they need to be mended, and then fold them, and Gordon will carefully record them and store them carefully.How much they hope that it will be spring all year round, maybe they will make new discoveries and change the current situation.Maybe there will be ships passing through this area in summer.If the men on board had seen Charman Island, and noticed the flag on Oakland Hill, would they have sent men ashore? During the last fortnight of October the boys searched again within a two mile radius of the French Cave.While they strive to conserve bullets and ammunition, once the hunters are out, there is bound to be something to be gained.Wilcox continued to use nets and traps, capturing several geese and then bustards.A few times also caught a hare.He had to go to the nets several times a day, because sometimes the jackals and wild cats would prey on them and eat the animals he caught.

Donagan shot several beasts shaped like boars and deer.The meat is very tasty.It is a pity that no one dared to approach the ostrich.Still, Solvis' progress in taming the hurricane was less than ideal.What happened on October 25 can amply illustrate this point.The stubborn Sovis made up his mind to overcome all difficulties to ride on the saddle of the ostrich. All the boys gathered in the playground to watch the fun.The younger children were both envious of their companion's bravery and worried that something would happen to him.At such a critical juncture, they dare not ask Sovis to let them ride.The older children kept shaking their heads.Gordon even tried to persuade Sauvis not to take the risk of doing such a thing.But it didn't work, so he had to let him make his own way.

Garnett and Baxter lead the ostrich.The ostrich's eyes are blindfolded.After several attempts, Sovis finally rode on the back of the ostrich.Then he said in a hesitant voice: Go! Because the ostrich couldn't see, Sovis clamped it tightly with his legs, and the ostrich stayed where it was.But as soon as the rope used as a slow rope and the blindfold were removed, the ostrich jumped suddenly, and then rushed towards the woods. Sovis couldn't guide the mount under him, it galloped like an arrow from the string.He tried to put the blindfold back on to stop the ostrich, but he couldn't put it on.When the ostrich shakes its head, the blindfold will fall off and even slide onto the ostrich's neck.Sovis had no choice but to hug the ostrich's neck tightly.After a violent jolt, the ostrich dropped its rider.When the ostrich was about to enter the trap woods, Sovis fell from the ostrich's back to the ground.

The companions rushed over quickly, but the ostrich had long since disappeared.Fortunately, Sovis fell on the grass without even scratching his skin. This savage beast!Sovis cursed loudly, hum, if I catch you again You can no longer catch it.Donagan told him. Well, Webb stood up and said, your hero Jacko can ride more than you. My ostrich is not tamed enough.Sauvis said. Impossible to tame, Gordon reassured him, and you needn't think about that brute again.Don't you forget, "De.Don't believe all the romantic stories written in the book "Guess". The turmoil finally passed, and the children no longer regretted not having the opportunity to ride an ostrich.

In early November, the weather is perfect for longer adventures to the west and north shores of Family Lake.The sky was cloudless and the temperature was neither too hot nor too cold.Even a few nights camped out in the wild won't matter much. The hunters naturally became members of the expedition.But this time Gordon wanted to do it himself, and Bryant and Garnett would take care of the others who stayed in the French den.In the future, we will arrange for Bryant to lead the team to investigate the low-lying areas of the lake. They can take a small sailboat to walk along the lake or cross the middle of the lake. With all arrangements in place, Gordon, Donagan, Baxter, Webb, Cross, and Sauvis set off on November 5th. The children who stayed in the French den continued to live as usual.When not doing work, Evanson, Jenkins, Toney and Costa go fishing in the river, which is their specialty.Moko stayed inside the cave.Don't think that there is no one in the expedition team who can cook, because didn't Sovis go with him?He has no reason not to go with the expedition, because maybe he will find the ostrich too. Gordon, Donagan, and Wilcox each carried a rifle and a revolver.For the need of defense, they also brought a few hunting knives and two axes. If it is not for defense, bullets and gunpowder are not allowed to be used, or unless it is temporarily difficult for them to obtain food in other more affordable ways.It was for this reason that Baxter brought his lasso and bola.He has mastered the use of such instruments.Although he was a little taciturn, he was a bright young man.He can quickly use these weapons proficiently to deal with prey that cannot run, but whether he can catch animals has yet to be verified.Gordon also took the Howcott Indian rubber boat with him.The boat folds up into a backpack for easy portability and weighs only a few pounds.The map shows that the lake has two tributaries.If there is no shoal, this rubber boat can come in handy. Gordon made another copy of the original map, and the west shore of Family Lake was probably twelve miles long at most.If there is no delay along the way, it may take three full days to come and go. Little Mi led the way, and Gordon and his companions left the trap woods and headed left, along the sandy land by the lake.They walked more than two miles, the furthest they had gone since they came to Frenchman's Cave.There are clumps of fern bushes growing in this area.Even the tallest expedition members walked into the bushes without showing their heads.In this way, their travel time is slowed down, but this is not a bad thing.Because it was at this time that Mi found six holes in the ground.It stopped before one of the holes. Obviously, Xiao Mi smelled the smell of some animal.Donagan was about to remove the gun from his shoulder when Gordon stopped him. Don't waste ammo, Donagan!he told him. Maybe, our breakfast problem is solved!protested the young hunter. Maybe Chinese food is also available!As Sauvis said, he knelt down on the edge of the hole. If there is something in the hole, we can catch it without firing a shot.Wilcox pointed out. How to do it?Webb asked. Smoke it out. Some dry branches were piled up among the fern bushes.Wilcox quickly lit a fire in front of one of the burrows.In less than a minute, a dozen half-smothered rodents emerged, all hares.Sauvis and Webb quickly killed several with axes.Xiao Mi also killed three of them with her sharp teeth. These hares are enough for a hearty Chinese meal!Gordon said. I'm going to make them delicious, Sauvis can't wait to fulfill his culinary master duties, and I'll get to it right away, if you guys will. Wait until we stop!Gordon said. It took them half an hour to walk through the thicket of ferns.There is a long and narrow sand dune on the other side of the lake. The sand grains are so fine and light that even a slight breeze can blow the dust up. As far as the direction of the cliff was concerned, they were now more than two miles westward away from the flank of the Oakland Hills.This part of the island is covered with dense forests.This forest was already passed by Bryant and his companions, and they named the small river that flows through this forest as Xiaoba Creek. According to the map, Xiaoba Creek flows into Family Lake.About eleven o'clock they reached the mouth of the river, thus covering a total of six miles from their departure.They stopped under a tall umbrella pine.They lit a pile of firewood between two large rocks.After a few minutes, Sovis quickly skinned the two rabbits, then took them and grilled them over a crackling fire.Xiao Mi lay quietly on the side, smelling the delicious smell of meat, while Sovis was turning the roast meat carefully, for fear that the rabbit meat would be burnt. The partners now do not criticize Sauvis's previous attempts.They have enough to eat.Although the wild rabbit meat has a grassy aroma, the meat is still very tender.They only ate a few biscuits, and the rest of the dry food was left untouched in their backpacks. After eating, they started to cross the river, because the water in the river was shallow, they didn't have to waste time to open the little rubber boat. The sandy beach by the lake gradually turned into a swamp, so they had to walk along the forest.There are many kinds of forests on the mountain, including zelkova, birch and oak.There are various pine trees on both sides of the road.Innumerable chirping birds jumped from branch to branch.There are black woodpeckers with red crests and flycatchers with white crests.There were also wrens, skylarks, and thrushes that kept singing.Flying in the distant sky are South America's most ferocious vultures and several Caracalla falcons. Perhaps thinking of Robinson Robinson, Sauvis was so emotional that he couldn't find a parrot among so many birds on the island.Although he failed to tame the ostrich, perhaps he could tame a talking bird, but he never saw a parrot. All in all, they can live by hunting birds and wild animals on the island.Gordon also no longer stopped Donagan from shooting a peacock that was neither too big nor too small.Although they can no longer eat Xizhu meat, they can keep it until evening. Because there is no need to go to the mountain road, the journey is relatively fast.At five o'clock they walked along the edge of the wood, until another forty-foot wide channel blocked their way.The channel is an estuary to the lake, which meanders through the northern side of the Oakland Hills and empties into the Pacific Ocean at Sailboat Bay. Gordon decided to camp here.They were tired enough walking twelve miles a day.Because it is necessary to give the river a name, and because they have stayed on the bank of the river, this river is called the stay river. The camp was set up under some trees near the lake.They save the bird for breakfast the next day, and the hare as a staple.Sauvis once again demonstrated his culinary skills.After eating and drinking enough, the next step is to take a good rest.Just as they are eager to open their mouths to eat when they are hungry, they quickly close their eyes and fall asleep.They lit a big fire, then wrapped themselves in blankets and lay criss-crossed beside the fire.Wilcox and Donagan took turns keeping watch.In fact, even if there were wild beasts, they would not dare to come, because they had built a lot of fire.They don't have to be afraid at all.As soon as it was dawn, everyone decided to continue on their way. Not only did they name the river, they had to cross it.Because the river was not very shallow, they had to use the Howcott boat.The boat is small and can only accommodate one person to cross the river at a time.In this way, they had to paddle seven times from the left bank of the river to the right bank of the river. It took nearly an hour, but their dry food and ammunition did not get wet at all. Little Mi didn't care about getting his feet wet, and he swam over in no time. Since the ground was no longer swampy, the boys could walk along the lake again.At about ten o'clock, they finished their breakfast of pork belly and continued to march north.They saw no sign of reaching the end of the lake at all.The eastern horizon is still water and sky. They went until noon when Donagan looked through the binoculars and said loudly: There's a lake shore over there. They looked in the direction Donagan had said and saw the tops of several trees sticking out of the water.We must not rest, said Gordon, we must be there before dark. It was a dry flat land, with rolling dunes dotted here and there with clumps of shrubs and reeds, stretching as far as the eye could see.Looking from the north side of the plain, Charman Island seems to be a huge sandy land, only in the center of the island is there a green forest.Because of this, Gordon aptly named the place the Sandy Desert. By three o'clock they found that the opposite bank of the lake was evidently two miles to the northeast.There are no other creatures there, only some seabirds, cormorants, petrels and other birds.They are flying towards the shore of the lake. If the sailboat had been wrecked in this area, the children would have mistakenly thought the island was a barren land, and they would certainly not find a comfortable French den in the sandy desert.Once the sailboat cannot shelter them from the wind and rain, they will have nowhere to hide. Is it necessary for them to continue exploring this seemingly uninhabited island?Is it time to explore the right bank of the lake once before leaving?Of course you should go!Because if Chaman Island is located in the American continent, maybe they can also find the American continent in the east.But, according to Donagan's advice, they should only make up their minds to go to the end of the river, and not go any further.Because the curve of the river is becoming more and more curved.As night fell, they stopped by a small stream.The creek flows into the family lake in the northerly direction. Not a single tree here, not even a shrub, not a patch of moss or lichen.The boys had no choice but to fill their stomachs with the dry food they had brought.Because they had no shelter, they had to sleep on the spot on the sand under the starlight.However, the night passed without incident.