Chapter 12 14.dry salt lake

A series of lakes and swamps stretch here from the two mountain ranges of Ventana and Kuah and Banni, ending in Salt Lake.In the past, many expeditions set off from Buenos Aires to get salt here, because the water in the lake contains a lot of sodium chloride (the main component of table salt), but now the water has been evaporated by the hot climate, containing All the salt condenses on the bottom of the lake.The lake becomes a giant reflective mirror. When Tarcaf foretells that the Salt Lake will have water to drink, he means the many freshwater rivers that flow into it.Unexpectedly, those rivers are as dry as lakes at this moment: the scorching sun drank all the water.Therefore, when the thirsty caravan reached the shore of the salt lake, there was no one who was not surprised.A decision must be made immediately.The little water left in the bucket was a bit spoiled and undrinkable.Everyone began to suffer from thirst.Hunger and fatigue vanish in the face of this urgent need.They found a "luka" abandoned by the natives--a kind of leather tent, pitched in a pit, where the exhausted travelers lived, their horses lay on the muddy banks of the lake, and led Chewing salty grass and dry reeds in a wicked mood.

After everyone settled down in "Luka", Paganel asked Tarcaf what his opinion was and what everyone should do.The two started a conversation, and the conversation was very fast, and Glenarvan understood a few words from the side.Takaf was always talking calmly, but Paganel danced and danced. After talking for a few minutes, Takaf hugged his arms. "What did he say?" asked Glenarvan, "I seem to hear him urging us to part." "Yes, in two teams," replied Paganel. "Which of our horses is tired and thirsty and can't walk, let's go slowly along the 37th parallel. The horses can still walk." Just go ahead and scout the Guamini River, which flows into Lake San Luke, 50 kilometers from here. If there is enough water, they wait on the bank for the people behind. If there is no water, they Then rush back to meet the person behind, and tell him not to go on the wrong road again."

"What if there is no water?" asked Oodin. "Without water, we have to go 120 kilometers south to the first few branches of the Ventana Mountains, where there are many rivers." "Ah, sir, take me too," said Robert, as if he were going to play. " "But how can you catch up with us, my boy?" "Catch me! Well my horse, he's always going to go. Will you take me, ser? ... Please take me there. " "Come, my child," said Glenarvan, who was also very reluctant to leave him. "Three of us," he went on, "we'd be fools if we couldn't get to a cool reservoir."

"And me, then?" asked Paganel. "Ah! you, my dear Paganel," said the major, "you'd better stay behind with the reserve army. You know the 37th parallel too well, you know the Guamini, you know the whole Panpa, you can't leave us. Mugala, Wilson, and I can't catch up with Tarcaf, and we can't reach the agreed place with him. We can only move forward slowly under your banner, full of confidence ’” “I’ll just have to be patient,” said the Geographer, glad to have been given the leadership. "But don't be careless!" the major continued. "Don't lead us where we don't want to go, for example, don't lead us back to the shores of the Pacific Ocean!"

"That's all right, you disgusting major," said Paganel, laughing; "but, my dear Corinarvan, how can you understand Tarcave?" "He and I don't have much to talk about, I think. And with the little Spanish I can speak, in an emergency I can make him understand me, and I can understand him." "Go, then, my venerable friend." "Let's have supper first. If you can sleep, sleep until it's time to set off," said Glenarvan. Everyone ate dinner and didn't drink water, and they all felt that it was not refreshing enough.However, there was no better way, so I had to sleep.Paganel dreamed of torrents, waterfalls, rivers, rivers, ponds, streams, and even pitchers filled with cold water, in short, wherever there was water to drink.It's a dark place, a dream.

The next day, at six o'clock in the morning, the horses of Tarcaf, Glenarvan, and Robert were all ready.I gave them the last drink of water, but the water stinks, and they had no choice but to drink it.Then, three people stepped on the saddle. "Goodbye! Goodbye!" said the Major, Austin, Wilson, and Murady. "The most important thing is to try to find water and not run any further!" Paganel added. After a while, the Patagonian, Glenarvan, and Robert looked back, and they couldn't see the group of people led by the geographer, and they couldn't help feeling a little puzzled.

The salt lake they crossed was still a great clay plain, full of 1.8-meter-high curled shrubs, woody mimosa, and clumping shrubs called "rumu" rich in soda.The sun's rays are reflected from the scattered large salt fields, and the light is astonishingly intense.This salt flat is called "Balero".At first glance it looked like frozen water, but the blazing sun quickly dispelled the misconception that it was solid ice.Nevertheless, the juxtaposition of the whole scorched barren soil with these glistening icy lakes of salt gives this wilderness a peculiar face. As mentioned earlier, if the Guamini River also dries up, pedestrians will have to go 130 kilometers south to the Ventana Mountains, but the appearance of this area is completely different from that of the Salt Lake Desert.This area was explored by Captain Fitz Roy in 1835 with the expedition ship Hound Dog. The soil is extremely fertile, and the best pasture in the whole Indian field grows there, until it is spread to the foot of the mountain. forest of trees.There is a kind of cassia tree called "Algaropo". When the fruit is dried and ground into powder, it can be made into a kind of bread that Indians love to eat.There is also the white broken axe tree, the wood is always strong.There is also the "Nodubo" tree, which catches fire and often causes strangely serious fires.There is also the "Villaro" tree, with layers of purple flowers forming a pyramid shape.Finally, there is the "Fanbo" tree, which props up a 24-meter-high umbrella in the air, and the whole herd of cattle and sheep can enjoy the shade under it.The Argentines tried several times to colonize the area, but they could not overcome the hatred of the Indians.

One would of course suspect that such a fertile country must have had great rivers flowing from the mountainsides to supply it with sufficient water.This guess is good, those big rivers will not dry up even in the driest time.However, to reach these great rivers, you have to go 210 kilometers to the south.Therefore, Tarcave was right in arguing that he should first go to the Guamini River to find water. In this way, he would not deviate from the original route, and it would be much closer than going to the Ventana Mountains. All three horses ran very vigorously.These clever animals must have known instinctively where their masters were taking them.Especially Taojia, it showed the courage that no fatigue, hunger and thirst could be frustrated. Like a bird, it jumped over the dry swamp and jumped into the "Gula Ma Feidong" bush, making an optimistic hiss.Corinarvan and Robert's horses, on a heavier foot, but encouraged by Togga's example, also galloped behind.Tarcaf hardly moved in the saddle, inspiring his fellow travelers by his own example, just as Toka inspired his fellow travelers.

Often Tarcaf looked back at Robert. This child is young, but he sits firmly on the horse, his waist is flexible, his shoulders are slanted, his feet hang down naturally, and his knees are in the saddle.Takaf was very satisfied and cheered.Really, Robert had become a first-rate rider, and deserved his admiration. "Well, Robert," said Glenarvan, "see Tarcaf's air of admiring you! He applauds you, my boy." "Why the applause, ser?" "Because of your riding posture." "Ah! It's just that I ride steadily." He blushed happily when he heard people's praise.

"The most important thing is to ride steadily, Robert, but you are too modest, and I can predict that you will become an excellent athlete in the future." "Well, grandpa wants to make me a sailor , but I became a sportsman, what should he say?" Robert said with a smile. "Being a sportsman does not hinder being a sailor. A good rider does not necessarily make a good sailor, but a good sailor can become a good rider. If you get used to riding on the sail rack, you can ride steadily on a horse. How easy it is for a horse to go around in circles, and nothing more natural than that."

"My poor father!" went on Robert. "Oh! how much he will be indebted to you for saving him, sir!" "You love your father very much, Robert?" "Yes, sir, he was too kind to my sister and me. He thought of us only! Every time he came back from his travels, he brought us a little souvenir of wherever he went, and when he got home he touched us and gave us We talked very kindly. Ah! You will love him when you know him! Mary is like him. He speaks in a very soft voice, just like Mary! A sailor speaks so softly, it is strange, yes no?" "Yes, very queer, Robert." "I can still see him before my eyes," said the child, as if talking to himself. "Lovely father! Good father! When I was little he took me on his knee and rocked me to sleep, He's always humming a Scottish song in praise of our lakes. I remember the tune sometimes, but dimly. Mary remembers it too. Oh, sir, how we love him! Eh I think the younger a person is, the more he loves his father!" "The older you are, the more you respect your father, my child." Glenarvan replied, and he was very moved by the few words that flowed from the little heart. While they were talking like this, the horse had already slowed down and moved forward at a slow pace. "We must find my father, can't we?" Robert continued after a moment's silence. "Yes, we must find him. Tarcaf provided us with the clues we are looking for, and I trust him very much." Sir replied. "What a good Indian, this Tarcafe!" said the boy. "Indeed it is." "One more thing, do you know, sir?" "You tell me first, and I'll answer you later." "Everyone is good with you! Lady Helene, I really love him; the Major, always calm; the Captain Mengele; and that Monsieur Paganel; and the Duncan." All sailors, brave and zealous!" "Yes, I know, my child." "Did you also know that you're the best of the good guys?" "Ah! I don't know where I started talking about it!" "You should know, then, ser," he said, taking his hand and kissing it to his lips. Glenarvan shook his head lightly.The conversation did not continue, for they fell behind unconsciously, and Tarcaf beckoned them ahead.We know that time at that time is precious, and we should think of the people behind who are living like years! The three urged the horse to run again.But after a while, they clearly saw that except for Taojia, the other two horses couldn't run anymore.At noon, the horses had to rest for an hour, they were too tired.The large clumps of alfalfa were dried up, and they refused to eat them. Glenarvan felt uneasy: the dry climate has not changed, if water can no longer be found, the consequences will be unimaginable.Tarcave said nothing, and if an Indian feels disappointed in his heart, he may think: If the Guamini River also dries up, then it will be a real disappointment! They set off again, for better or worse, with whips and spurs, forcing the horses to go on the road, but only at a slow pace, and it was impossible to go fast. Tarcaf could have gone ahead, for Toka could have brought him to the banks of the Guamini in a few hours.No doubt he had thought a little, but it also occurred to him that he could not leave his two traveling companions in this wilderness.So, in order not to get ahead of them, he strangled Taojia tightly, forcing it to slow down. It is not easy for Taojia to walk at a slow pace frequently, it resists, jumps and neighs fiercely.So his master is not only strangling it hard, but also comforting it with kind words.Tarcaf was talking to the horse, although Taojia couldn't answer, at least he understood what the master meant.Tarcaf must have given his horse a lot of reasons, so after "discussing" for a while, Toka finally accepted his opinion and walked slowly, but he couldn't help biting the iron and expressing his impatience. Togya knew Tarcaf, and Tarcaf knew it as well.This clever animal has a highly sensitive sense of smell, and has already sensed the moisture in the air. It sucks in the moisture vigorously, twitching and thumping its tongue, as if in a cool spring.Takaf could not be mistaken, it was not far from the water source. So he explained the reason for Taojia's impatience to Corinavan and the others, and encouraged them. At the same time, the other two horses soon understood Taojia's psychology.They made one last effort and galloped after Tarcave.Just before three o'clock, a white line appeared in a depression in the terrain.The sun shone on it and quivered. "It's water!" said Golinarvan. "It's water! Yes, it's water!" cried Robert. They had no need to urge the horses, and the three poor beasts felt so full of energy that they could not hold back even the iron walls.In a few minutes he was on the bank of the Guamini, saddled and leading, and plunged into the life-saving river, up to his chest. Their owners couldn't help being carried into the river and took a cold shower. Although their clothes were all wet, they didn't complain at all. "Ah! How wonderful!" the child just cried, drinking and drinking in the middle of the river. "Drink slowly, boy!" Jazz warned him, but he didn't lead by example. At this time, only the sound of drinking water was heard. Tarcaf drank, too, but calmly and unhurriedly, taking sips and sips, and he drank so much that he would have drained the whole river. "Well, our friends will not be disappointed. As soon as they reach the Guamini they will have water to drink, clear and plentiful, but let Tarcaf not drink up the river in one go! " "Can't we go and meet them? We'll spare them hours of anxiety and distress by meeting them," asked Robert. "You don't have to borrow it, my boy, but how can you take the water? Wilson has the buckets. It's better to go and meet them. It's better to wait for them here according to the original plan. Calculate the time needed. , at the speed of their horses, they can come by night. Let us provide them with a good lodging and a good supper." Tarcaf went to the camp without waiting for Golinarvan to speak.He was lucky enough to find a "Ramata" on the bank of the river - a courtyard surrounded by walls on three sides for cattle and horses.As long as you are not afraid of sleeping in the open air, this courtyard is a good place to stay.And Tarcaf's traveling companions did not insist on spending the night in the house.So, they didn't have to find another place, and everyone dried their soaked clothes in the sun. "Now that the lodgings are in place, let's try to prepare supper. We must satisfy our friends with their advance troops. I think that when they arrive, there will be no complaints. Now, I feel that a good deal Hour hunting is never a waste of time. Are you ready, Robert?" "Ready, ser," replied the boy, scrambling to his feet, gun in hand. Golinarvan thought of fighting because the banks of the Guamini River seemed to be gathering places for all the beasts of the nearby plains.People saw all kinds of birds flying up in groups, including a red partridge, which is a special product in Panpa District, called "Tinamu".There were black partridges; there was a kind of dove called "terrudro," a lot of yellow crakes, and a lovely green grouse. Beasts are invisible.But Tarcaf pointed to the tall grass and bushes, and said that the beasts were hiding there.Our hunters are only a few steps away from the richest hunting areas in the world. They started typing wrong.They thought the birds were bad, so they shot the wild animals first, and fired a few shots at the hiding place of the big beasts in the Panpa area.Immediately before them rose hundreds of deer and guanacos—the same guanacos that had driven them down that night on the high and low bank fronts.But these cowardly beasts are too fast to catch and shoot.They had no choice but to lower their requirements and beat the slower-running beasts, which were excellent for cooking.A dozen or so red partridges and crakes were brought down, and Sir also skillfully shot down a wild boar called "Tettoul", a thick-skinned animal with excellent meat, and the shot was worthwhile. In less than half an hour, I had all the game I needed, and I didn't feel very tired in spirit.Robert caught a toothless monster called "Alma's Ro", a kind of armadillo covered with mobile scales, half a meter long and very fat, according to Patagonia. People say that this armadillo is a delicacy.Robert is proud of his achievements.As for Tarcaf, a "Nandu" was shot to show the traveling companions. "Nandu" is a special ostrich in Panpa District, and it runs surprisingly fast.Tarcaf didn't try to block this fast bird by turning around and around. He rushed to it as soon as he ran along Taojia, because "Nandu" went around in circles, and if he missed a single shot, he would follow you with countless The circle is too exhausting to hit it.As soon as Tarcaf got in front of it, he threw his "Paola" fiercely.He threw it so skillfully that he wrapped the ostrich's leg at once, making it unable to exert force.In a few seconds, it was lying on the ground.Tarcaf caught it at once, and it was not only for the sport of hunting, but Nandu was also very tasty, and he made a big feast for his guests. A great colony of partridges and crakes, Tarcave's ostriches, Golinavan's boars, Robert's armadillos were all brought back into the yard.Both the ostrich and wild boar were skinned and sliced ​​at once.As for the armadillo, which is a rare beast, it has a barbecue socket on its body, so the shell is grilled on hot coals. The three hunters only ate the partridges and crakes for dinner, and left the big ones for the friends behind.As they ate, they drank water, which they thought was better than any wine in the world, not even the famous whiskey so revered in the Highlands of Scotland. Horses have not been forgotten either.There is a lot of dry grass in the yard, which is enough to feed them.Everything was ready, and the three of them wrapped up the "canopy" and lay down on a large pile of soft alfalfa grass, which is the bed mat that hunters in Pampa often sleep on.