Chapter 4 4.Jacques Paganel

The secretary of the Geographical Society was a lovely character, and his introduction of himself was very free and pleasant.Moreover, Jazz understands what kind of person he is in front of.Jacques Paganel's name and reputation were not new to him.His geographical works, his reports in the journals of the Geographical Society on the discoveries of modern geography, and his correspondence with the world geography community, have made him one of the most eminent scholars in France.So Sir Glenarvan cordially held out his hand to the intruder, and said: "Now that we are acquainted, Monsieur Paganel, will you allow me to ask you a question?"

"Ask twenty questions, sir, and I think it is always a pleasure to talk to you." "Did you come on this boat the night before?" "Yes, sir, it was eight o'clock the night before yesterday. I jumped into the carriage from the Caledonian train, and from the carriage I jumped into the Scotia, which I booked from Paris." Room 6 on board. The night was very dark, and I didn’t meet a single person on the boat. I was tired after traveling for 30 hours, and I know that to avoid seasickness, it’s best to sleep as soon as you get on the boat. The first few days Don't leave the bed, so I fell asleep as soon as I arrived, and I slept for 36 hours, please take my word for it."

Now, after hearing these words of Paganel, we all know how he came to this ship.The French traveler got on the wrong ship.He came aboard the Duncan while the crew of the Duncan attended a service at St. Mungo's Church.Everyone understands it, but the learned geographer doesn't understand it yet.If you tell him what ship he is on and where he is going, what will he do? "Then, Monsieur Paganel, have you chosen Calcutta as the starting point for your future research trips in India?" "Yes, sir. It has been my life's wish to visit India. It is the sweetest dream of my life, and now I am going to realize it in that country of Elephants." "Well, Monsieur Paganel, another place." Wouldn't it be enough to go on a tour?" "How come, sir, it would be too bad to change places. Because I still have a letter of introduction to Sir Musser, the Governor-General in India, and I have a geography job to do. Woolen cloth."

"Ah! You still have tasks?" "Yes, I would like to try a worthwhile and interesting adventure trip, the travel plan of which was booked for me by a learned friend, Mr. Fei Weiyan de Saint-Martin. The purpose is to follow many famous I will continue their expeditions after the travelers of the 1980s. I will complete the mission of the Creek missionary at the place where he failed miserably in 1846. In short, in a word, I will survey the course of the Brahmaputra River, which runs along the northern foothills of the Himalayas. , has flowed 1,500 kilometers in Tibet, I want to know if this river joins the Brahmaputra River in the northeast of Assam. This is a big problem in geography, which traveler can solve this problem Now, sir, a gold medal is secured."

Paganel was indeed extraordinary, he spoke with gusto and pomp.He seemed to fly on the wings of his imagination.He talked in a torrent, like the Rhine is rushing. "Monsieur Paganel," said Sir, after a moment's silence, "your plans for the expedition are very clever, and the scientific community will thank you. However, I will not let you go any further, at least for the time being. We had to give up our plans to visit India." "Give up! Why?" "Because you are sailing the Indian peninsula with your back." "Why, Captain Bulton..." "I am not Captain Bulton," Mengele replied.

"And what about the Scotia?" "This ship is not the Scotia!" M. Paganel's amazement is indescribable.He looked at Sir--Sir was always serious, then at Lady Helene and Mary--their faces showed sympathy and regret; then at Menger--he was smiling, and at the Major--he Do not move.Then, shrugging his shoulders, pushing his spectacles on his forehead, he exclaimed: "Isn't this a joke?" At this time, his eyes suddenly fell on the rudder wheel, and saw two lines of big characters written on the rudder wheel: Duncan Glasgow "The Duncan! The Duncan!" he cried desperately.

Then he ran swiftly down the stairs to his room. No one on board, except the major, could keep a serious face as soon as the unfortunate scholar went away, and even the sailors burst into laughter.If you take the wrong train, so be it!It was all right to board the Edinburgh train to get to Dumbartonshire, for example.Why did you get the wrong boat? !Is it not the height of carelessness to go to India to board a ship bound for Chile? "However, I am not surprised that this kind of thing was done by Paganel. His carelessness has been passed down as a joke too much. Once, he published a famous map of the Americas, which included Japan. It was also drawn in, however, that did not prevent him from being a great scholar, a great geographer in France," said Sir.

"But what are we going to do with this poor scholar now? We can't take him to Patagonia." Mrs. Helen said worriedly. "Why not?" said the major solemnly. "We are not responsible for his carelessness. If he takes the wrong train, will the train stop for him?" "You can't stop, but when we reach a port, he can go down." Mrs. Helen said. "Well, if he likes, he can," said Sir, "and when we get to the first anchorage ahead, he can go down." At this moment Paganel, having ascertained that his luggage was on board, returned to the top deck, embarrassed and pitiful.He kept muttering the unfortunate name: "The Duncan! The Duncan!" as if that was all he could say.He walked up and down, carefully looking at the equipment of the cruise ship, at the silent horizon in the sea.Finally he walked back to Jazz again:

"Where's the Duncan to...?" he asked. "To America, Monsieur Paganel." "To America...?" "Concepcion (capital of a province in Chile)." "Ah! to Chile! to Chile!" exclaimed the unfortunate geographer. "What about my mission to India? How can I be blamed by Mr. Gatfachi, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Geographical Society: and Mr. Dafossa, and Mr. Gaudanbo, and Feviyan de Saint-Martin." Sir, you should blame me so much! What face do I have to attend the society meeting again!" "Don't worry, Monsieur Paganel, there is no despair, everything is still possible, you are just a little late. The Yarlung Zangbo River is always waiting for you in the mountains of Tibet. We will berth in Madeira soon, you There you can catch a boat back to Europe."

"Thank you, sir, it has to be done. But, let's say, it's a strange encounter, and one that only happens to me. What about my cabin on the Scotia? " "Well, it will have to be given up for you." "Oh!" said Paganel, after taking another look at the boat, "it's a pleasure boat!" "Yes, sir, it belongs to Sir Glenarvan," said Mengele. "I beg you to accept my hospitality with grace," said the sir. "Thank you, sir, I do appreciate your kindness, but allow me to make a small comment: India is a fine place, and there are many amazing things to do in it. These ladies must have never been to India... So wouldn't it be easy for the Duncan to turn around and sail back to Calcutta with just a turn of the rudder? Since it's a tour . . . "

After hearing Paganel's suggestion, everyone just shook their heads, because he couldn't use his mouth any longer.He stopped immediately. "Sir, if it's only for sightseeing, I will definitely agree with you, and Sir will also agree. But the Duncan also has its mission. There are a few sailors who were abandoned on the coast of Patagonia after they were killed. Transport them back to their homeland. Such an act of righteousness cannot be changed..." In a few minutes, everyone explained all the problems to the French traveler: from the documents given by God, Captain Grant's history, to Mrs. Helen's generous advice, he knew it all, and was very moved. "Madame, allow me to praise you, and to praise you unreservedly, for what you have done in this matter. Let your ship go on its voyage, and I will not delay her for a day." "Then would you like to go and search with us?" Madam asked. "That's impossible, ma'am, and I've got to finish my mission too. When I get to the first anchorage ahead, I have to go down." "That means going down in Madeira," said Mengele. "Let's go to Madeira Island. That island is only 800 kilometers away from Lisbon. I'll wait for the boat there before returning to Lisbon." "Well, as you please, sir, it will be my great honor to entertain you a few days aboard this ship. I hope we enjoy our time together." "Ah, sir, I was in the wrong boat, and how lucky I was to miss out on such a pleasant outcome! But it's a big joke to tell: a man who was going to India, got on a boat to America. " When he thought of this, he always felt a little puzzled, but this was an unavoidable delay, so he had to hold back his temper and live for a few days.From then on, he looked very cute, happy, and even sometimes careless.His good humor pleased the ladies.In this way, in less than a day, he made friends with everyone.Sir, at his request, showed him the paper as well.He studied carefully for a long time, analyzed bit by bit, and believed that the explanations of Jazz and the others were correct, and there was no other explanation.He was very concerned about Mary and his brother, and he had great hopes for them.His vision of the future, and his prophecy of the certainty of the Duncan's success, made the girl smile.Really, if he didn't have a mission, he would also go to find Captain Grant together! As for Lady Helene, when he heard that she was William Tufnell's daughter, he burst out with surprise and admiration.He had known her father.What a bold scholar!Mrs. Helene's father is a correspondent of the Paris Geographical Society. How many times have they passed each other!It was he and another member, Mr. Matt Brown, who introduced Tufnell to join the Society!What a coincidence!What a joy to sail with Tufnell's daughter! Finally, he asked for a kiss on the forehead of Lady Helene, which she granted, although it seemed a bit unbecoming to an Englishman. Currents in northern Africa help cruise ships approach the equator very quickly. August 30 sighted Madeira Islands.Sir, fulfilling his promise to his guests, suggested anchoring and letting Paganel ashore. "My dear sir, I do not want to be courteous to you. I ask if it is your intention to stop at Madeira before I embark on the Duncan?" "No," said Sir. "Then let me take advantage of this unfortunate mistake. The archipelago has been studied in too much detail. There is nothing interesting to study for a geographer. All that can be said about it is It has been exhausted, everyone who can write has written, and it was famous for growing grapes, but now the production of grapes has plummeted. Think about it: in 1813, Madeira's wine production reached 22,000 barrels, and in 1845 669 barrels. Now there are not even 500 barrels! How sad! If you don't care, can you go to the Canary Islands?" "Then anchor there, and it won't depart from our course." "I know, my dear sir. There are three groups of islands in the Galenas to study, and there is Tenerife, which I have been Would like to climb. This is an opportunity for me to take advantage of this opportunity to climb this famous peak while waiting for the boat back to Europe." "It's up to you, my dear Paganel." Sir could not help smiling.The Canary Islands are not far from the Madeira Islands, less than 460 kilometers. A fast ship like the Duncan is simply an insignificant small distance. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon on August 31, both Menger and Paganel took a walk on the deck. The Frenchman kept staring at Menger, asking questions about the situation in Chile.Suddenly the captain interrupted him, pointing to a point on the southern horizon and saying: "Monsieur Paganel..." "What is it, my dear captain?" "Look this way, please. What can you see?" "I can't see anything." "Don't look at the horizon, look up, look into the clouds." "Look in the clouds? Let me look around..." "Here, now, look along the jib rack that touches the mast." "I don't see anything." "You don't want to see it. Anyway, although it's about seventy-five kilometers away, the peak of Tenerife is clearly visible on the horizon. You understand me?" Whether Paganel wanted to see it or not, a few hours later, the peak was in front of his eyes, and he could only say that he could not see it unless he admitted that he was blind. "You must have seen it?" asked the captain. "I see, it's clear, that's the so-called Tenerife Peak?" he said with a dismissive air. "That's it." "Not very high." "However, it is more than 3,300 meters above sea level." "Not as good as Mont Blanc (the highest peak in the Alps)." "Maybe, but you'll think it's tall enough when you get up." "Ah! My dear captain, climb up, I ask, what's the use of that? Both Mr. Hong Bao and Mr. Pember have climbed before me. Then Mr. Hong Bao is a great genius. He has climbed this place before." He described the mountain without omission. He examined the five zones of this mountain: the grape zone, the laurel zone, the pine forest zone, the Alpine scrub zone, and the highest barren zone. He climbed to the top of the mountain, There was not even a place to sit on the top of the mountain. From the top of the mountain, he saw at a glance a land as large as a quarter of Spain. In addition, he traveled to the volcano, drilled into the interior of the volcano, and went straight to the The deepest part of the extinguished caldera. I ask you, after the great man has done it, what else can I do?" Well, what a bore it is for you to stay there waiting for the boat! Can't hope for much relaxation there." "While it's not easy to talk about carelessness, there are occasions for carelessness," said Paganel, laughing. "But, my dear captain, are there any anchorages in the Cape Verde Islands?" "Yes. It's easy to take a boat there." "It is convenient to disembark there. The Cape Verde Islands are not far from Senegal. In Senegal, I can meet some French fellows. I know that people say that the islands are not very interesting, desolate and unhygienic, but in a To a geographer, everything is interesting. Look, that's learning. There are many people who don't know how to look. They travel like conch and clams, crawling forward with their heads covered. You can believe that I am not that kind of person ." "Do as you please, sir, and I am convinced that your stay in the Cape Verde Islands will be of some service to geography. We are about to anchor there for coal, and your disembarkation will not delay our voyage." So settled, the captain set sail for the west of the Canary Islands.The famous peak fell out to port.The Duncan continued to sail rapidly and crossed the summer solstice line at 5 o'clock in the morning on September 2.Since then, the weather has changed, it is the wet and muggy weather of the rainy season, which the Spaniards call "water season".The water season is tough for travelers, but good for the inhabitants of the African islands.Because there are no trees on the island, there is a lack of water, and it depends entirely on rainwater.At this time, the waves on the sea were so strong that people dared not stand on the deck.So everyone sat in the square hall and talked equally vigorously. On September 3, Paganel began packing his luggage and preparing to disembark.The Duncan was zigzagging between the Cape Verde Islands, and she passed ahead of Salt Island, which is really a great pile of sand, very barren and desolate.It sailed along a large coral reef, and then sailed sideways past the Ile Saint-Jacques, which was run from north to south by a snow-banked mountain range, with two high mountains at both ends.After passing the island of St. Jacques, Menger sailed into the bay of Vilabraya, and in a short while it was moored in front of the city of Vilabraya. The weather was extremely bad on the sea at a depth of 12 meters, although the sea breeze It can't blow into the bay, but the stormy waves hit the shore very violently.At this time, it was raining heavily, and only a city could be vaguely seen, built on a platform-like plateau.The platform is supported by volcanic rocks 90 meters high.Looking at the island through the dense rain curtain, it is very sad. Mrs. Helen originally wanted to visit the city, but now she had to give up her plan.The work of loading coal is still going on, but has encountered many difficulties.Passengers on the Duncan had to hide below decks, because the rain from the sky and the waves from the sea intertwined into a torrent.Everyone's conversation is focused on the weather.Everyone had an opinion, except the Major, because he didn't care if he saw the flood.Paganel paced up and down, just shaking his head. "It was done against me!" he said. "The storm and the sea must be declaring war on you," said the sergeant. "But I can beat them." "You can't risk the rain like this," said the lady. "Me? Ma'am, I can definitely take the risk. I'm only afraid of my luggage and instruments, and it will all be gone in a dozen rains." "It's terrible when you get off the boat. Once you get to the city, you can live there. It's not too clean. It's not very pleasant to live with monkeys and pigs. But for a traveler, he is You can't pay attention to these things. We hope that you can take a boat back to Europe in seven to eight months." Sir said. "Seven or eight months!" exclaimed Paganel. "At least 7 to 8 months, there are no boats coming and going here during the rainy season. But you can find a way to use the time you wait for the boat. People are not familiar with this archipelago. There is still a lot of work to be done.” "You can inspect some big rivers." Madam said. "There's no big river at all, madam." "There are no big rivers, but there are always small rivers, right?" "nor." "So, only the brook?" "Not even a creek." "Okay, then you can go to the forest to study." The major interrupted. "But there's not even a tree there!" "What a beautiful place!" said the major. "Don't despair, my dear Paganel, there are at least some high mountains for you to visit," interposed the sir. "Ah! Hill, not only is it not very high, but it is not very interesting, sir, and besides, it has been done before." "Someone has done it too!?" Jazz was surprised. "Yeah, I'm just so unlucky that people take precedence everywhere." "impossible?" "That's true," he said pitifully. "What a pity, what do you do when you disembark, Monsieur Paganel?" said Madame. Paganel was silent for a while. "Well, you might as well have disembarked at Madeira that day, though wine is no longer produced there!" said the lord regretfully. He remained silent. "If it were me, I'd stay on board and wait for my chance," said the major, with an air that seemed to say, "If it were me, I wouldn't intend to disembark." "My dear sir," said Paganel at last, "where else are you going to anchor?" "From now on, it won't stop until Concepcion." "Oops! I'm too far from India." "No, as soon as you rounded Cape Horn, didn't you get closer to India day by day?" "That's exactly what I thought of." "Besides, as long as you go to India, it doesn't matter if you go to the East Indies or to the West Indies." "Why doesn't it matter?" "Yes, aren't the residents of Patagonia also Indians (also known as West Indians)? They are all Indians." "Ah! yes! my sir, I should never have thought of it until you said it," cried Paganel. "And, Paganel, you can get a gold medal anywhere. There's something to study in the world. There's something to search for. There's something to discover. In the mountains of Tibet, it's not like Is it the same in the mountains of the Andas?" "And what about the Brahmaputra issue?" "The Yarlung Zangbo River, you can replace it with the Colorado River! Not many people know about this river. On the map, this river can be drawn as geographers like, and they can draw it however they like." "I know that, sir. The course of this river is often off by several degrees on the map. Ah! I am sure: if I had asked, the Geographical Society would have sent me to Patagonia, and sent me It's the same as going to India. But I haven't thought of it long ago." "You have been so careless all your life, so you didn't think of it." "Let's get down to business, Monsieur Paganel, are you willing to go with us?" Madame Helene asked in the most earnest tone. "Ma'am, what about my mission?" "I will tell you in advance that we have to cross the Strait of Magellan," added the Sir. "Sir, you want to seduce me?" "I'll add that we also toured Port Famine!" "Port Hunger," exclaimed the Frenchman, who felt that he was being besieged from all sides to change his mind, "this port, which is so famous in so many geography books!" "Remember, Monsieur Paganel, that by joining our cause you have the right to combine French and Scottish names," said Madame. "Yes! That's all right." "For this expedition, a geographer will be of great help to us. You use science to serve humanity. Is there anything more glorious in the world than this?" "You speak very well, ma'am!" "Believe me, you will be wrong, or rather, we will follow the will of God. Please follow our example. Providence sent us the papers and we set off. Providence sent you to the Duncan. Come up, and you don't leave the Duncan." "Do you want me to tell the truth, my good friends?" Paganel finally let go. "I see that you all want me to stay!" "And yourself? Paganel, I see that you would very much like to stay too," said the Sir. "Isn't it?!" exclaimed the learned geographer, "I dare not speak for fear of being too presumptuous!"