Chapter 30 33.unmasking

As soon as the name Peng Jues was mentioned, it was like a bolt from the blue.Ayrton, not afraid or ashamed, stood up straight, raised his pistol, and with a bang, Jazz fell to the ground.There was also gunfire outside. Captain Menger and the two sailors froze at first, and were about to rush to catch Penn Juss, but it was too late, and the daring convict had already joined the bandits in the gum wood. Jazz was not seriously injured and got up on the spot.The tent couldn't stop the bullets, so they had to retreat. "Quick into the ox cart, fast into the ox cart?" shouted the captain, pulling Mrs. Helen and Miss Mary to run.At this time, safety can be obtained in the thick compartment.Then the captain, the major, Paganel, the two sailors grabbed their carbines and prepared to return fire.Jazz and Robert also got into the female passenger's compartment, and at the same time Obier, the purser, also ran out of the compartment, ready to defend himself with everyone.

It is unimaginable that events have developed so rapidly.After Peng Juesi hid in the woods, the gunfire stopped immediately, followed by a deathly silence.There were only a few clusters of white smoke lingering on the branches of the gum tree, and the dense patches of mesquite grass remained motionless, as if the original scene was an illusion. McNabbs and Menger ran under the big tree and searched carefully. The gangsters had abandoned their formation and fled, leaving their footprints on the ground and a smoking fuse.The major was very cautious and stomped out the fuse.In such a dry forest, "a single spark can cause a prairie fire", which may bring huge bitter consequences.

"Have those wretches escaped?" asked the captain. "Yes," McNabbs replied, "however, this departure makes people more worried. As the saying goes, it is easy to hide a spear in the open, but it is difficult to defend against an arrow in the dark. People are in the dark, and we are in the open. We may be attacked at any time. , we must be extra vigilant." McNabbs and Menger searched around, but there was no trace of the exile.This group of gangsters flew away like a group of harmful birds. It was too strange to escape so suddenly, so everyone was a little timid.The bullock cart was like a fortress embedded in the mud, so it became the defense center, and every two people, changing every hour, took turns guarding.

When Mrs. Helen was shot down by Peng Juss, she was frightened and rushed to her husband's side.After a while, the brave woman came to her senses and hurriedly helped her husband into the car.When he got to the car, he tore off his clothes, exposed the wound, and let McNabbs check it out.The major said it was just a traumatic injury, not a sinew or bone.Despite the profuse bleeding, Jazz managed to raise his injured arm and waved his hand, expressing that the injury was not too serious and reassuring his friends.Once the wound was bandaged, he called for an account of what had happened.

McNabbs spoke first, and all the traveling companions, except Wilson and Mullardy, who stood guard outside, listened in silence. Before returning to the main story, the major narrated a passage that Mrs. Helen didn't know, namely: a group of exiles from Perth absconded, fled in Victoria, committed a murder on the railway, etc., first.Afterwards, the major handed the Australian and New Zealand Daily News bought from Samuel to Mrs. Helen, and added: Peng Jues is a habitual criminal with many crimes. His notoriety is well known to the world, and the police authorities are offering a reward for his capture!

But what everyone was most concerned about was how the major knew that Ayrton belonged to Pen Juss.This, for other traveling companions, is a mystery.The Major explained as follows: "Ayrton made a bad first impression on the Major. He was instinctively on the alert. Little things that hardly mattered, such as the exchange of glances between the bosun and the blacksmith at the Vimera; Ayrton crossed every For example, he always hesitated when he was visiting a town; for another example, he repeatedly asked to transfer the Duncan to the east coast; for another example, the animals in his hands died one after another strangely; moreover, his language and attitude were always vague and ambiguous. All these signs are enough to arouse the suspicion of a careful person.

However, if it had not been for the shock of the previous night, the major would not have dared to conclude directly that Ayrton was the leader of the bandits. The major, having crept into the tall undergrowth that night, stalked the suspicious figures which had attracted his attention.Those fungus plants emit faint light to illuminate. I saw three figures looking at the footprints on the ground and the hoofprints of horses and cows. One of them was the blacksmith who nailed the horseshoes at the black spot station. "That's them," said one person. "Yes, that's right," answered the other, "the trefoil horseshoe print is here." "From the Vimera River to here." "Their horses are all dead, and the poisonous weeds are still growing." It works." "This Stomach Grass is very effective, even a cavalry team's horse can be reimbursed for him."

"Those three fell silent afterward," continued the major, "and I followed them a little way on, and they began to talk again: Pen Juce was very good, said the blacksmith, who made up the story of Captain Grant. Flawless and lively, what a sailor! If this is a success, we'll be rich! Let's call him Penn Juss, what a name! At this point, the three rascals go away Gum grove. I went back to my tent, tossing and falling asleep, thinking that the convicts in Australia are not all reformed as the geographers say! I say this, please M. Paganel not Strange!" The major fell silent.

His traveling companions were quietly thinking about what had happened. "Ah! what Ayrton!" said Sir, his face pale with anger, "so I was brought here to rob me and kill us!" "That's right!" replied the major in the absolute affirmation. "Then his henchmen have been following us from the Vimera River, looking for opportunities to lay hands on us, have they not?" "yes!" "Then this damned Ayrton must not be a sailor on the Britannia? And his certificate of service was stolen?" Everyone looked at the major with anxious eyes, and they had already considered this point.

"We can quite clear up the confusion," said MacNabbs, always calm; "I think so. The man's real name is Ayrton. The so-called Penn Juss is He was nicknamed a bandit, and it is undeniable that he knew Captain Grant and was a sailor on the Britannia, otherwise he would not have known the details we are talking about. Moreover, his accomplice The conversations of the Britannia can also be used as circumstantial evidence. We can be sure: Pen Juss is Ayrton, just as Ayrton is Pen Juss, that is to say, the sailor on the Britannia became the leader of a gang of exiles ." Everyone agreed that the major's explanation was correct. "Now," said Sir, "can you explain how and why Captain Grant's men came to Australia?"

"How I got to Australia, I don't know," replied the major, "and the police authorities don't necessarily know that, nor can I explain why. But the mystery will be solved one day." "Doesn't the police know that Ayrton and Penn Juce are alone?" asked the gentleman again. "Yes!" said the major, "if the authorities know of this great accident, they will help us find a clue." "In this way," said Mrs. Helen, "that group of people who sneaked into Mr. Ormore's estate must be planning to commit crimes?" "There is no doubt," replied the major, "that he must have wanted to do something to the Irishman, and when a good opportunity came upon him, he changed his plan, and set out on us. The fellow heard Sir's full account, and again. Hearing the news of the wreck, he just took the opportunity to make a fortune. When the trip across Australia was decided, he set out with us. It was on the Vimera River that he and his companions, the blacksmith at Blackpoint Station. Colluded, tampered with the horseshoes. Since then, his accomplice has become our tail. Ayrton, the cruel fellow, poisoned our horses and our cattle with poisonous weeds. At last, seeing the time is right , and tricked us down to the Snowy River, where his rascals would have us at our mercy." The facts patched up by McNabbs summarized all the historical facts of Peng Juesi, and his crimes were almost exposed.Now everyone saw the fellow's true face: he turned out to be a bold, vicious outlaw.Now that his intention to join the traveling team has been exposed, the Jazz have to remain vigilant.At any rate, a person who exposes his mask is less dangerous than a spy who hides inside. It's okay if the situation is not clear, but once it is explained, it must have a negative impact.While people are talking about what happened in the past, Miss Mary is thinking about the future alone.Captain Mengele saw that her face was pale and sad, without a smile at all, and she looked very desperate.He knew what Miss Mary was thinking at this moment. "Miss Mary! Miss Mary! Why are you crying?" Mengele called her hastily. "My child, what are you crying for?" said Mrs. Helen. "My father! Madame, my father, he..." Mary broke off.However, with this mention, everyone understood what she was going to say.From her crystal clear tears, it can be seen how heavy her heart is at this time, and his father's name was swallowed back on her lips. As soon as Ayrton's conspiracy was exposed, all hopes were shattered like colorful soap bubbles.In fact, the Britannia never ran aground in Tuff Bay, and Captain Grant never even set foot on the land of Australia. It was the convict nonsense who tricked Jazz and his party into the mainland. In this way, the incorrect interpretation of the document once again led the search astray. Everyone looked at the two Grant brothers and sisters who were frowning, and they were also depressed.Who can find words of hope to comfort them then?Robert wept in his sister's arms. "It's such a bad luck to encounter this unwritten document, which makes us rack our brains." The venerable geographer seemed to be really angry with himself, and patted his head with his hands, wishing he could collapse all at once. At this time, Jazz went out to Murady and Wilson who were standing guard outside. There was silence on the plain, and large dark clouds gathered in the sky.In this dull and numb atmosphere, you can hear a needle drop in the ground, and the silence is uncomfortably quiet.The gang of exiles has gone far away.A large group of flying birds landed on the low branches of the forest, a few kangaroos were grazing leisurely, and a pair of windbirds boldly stuck their heads out of the bushes.It all goes to show that no one is there to disturb that tranquility. "Have you seen anything unusual this hour?" Sir asked the two sailors. "No, sir," replied Wilson, "the convict is probably quite far from here by now." "Perhaps Pen Juce has gone down to the foot of the Alps," continued Murady, "and to strengthen their strength, they will have some wandering bandits as their accomplices." "Very likely," replied the sergeant, "these bastards are bad breeds. They are afraid of our good weapons, and they may come and attack us at night. When it gets dark, we must be more vigilant. If we leave as soon as possible, it will be very important." It would be nice to go to the east coast! It's a pity that the river floods and cuts off our way. Or if I can buy a raft to help us cross the river, I don't care how much it costs." "Why don't we make a raft out of the local wood?" Wilson said. "There are trees right here!" "No, Wilson, this river is very unusual. It is a rapid, and cannot be crossed." At this time, the captain, the major and the geographer came to Sir.They had come to observe the state of the Snowy River.Due to the heavy rain just after, the river surged and the current was turbulent.The turbulent and stormy waves impacted and swirled, forming many bottomless whirlpools, and it was impossible to turn the tide inside. "The river cannot be crossed," said the captain; "but we cannot help standing here. Now it is all the more necessary to do what Ayrton had done before he turned his face." "What do you mean by that?" Sir asked. "I mean, we've got to call for help, and if we can't get to Tuff Bay, we'll have to send to Melbourne. There's one last horse left, sir, give it to me, and send me for help." "But it's too It's dangerous," said the sergeant, "there's a lot of robbers in this area, and there are Penn Juce's men guarding all the roads and roads." "I have considered this point. But the situation is urgent. I can't put it off any longer. I will try to make a trip in a week, sir. What do you think?" "Before Sir makes a decision, I would like to remind you A small request," interrupted the geographer, "it is justifiable to send someone to Melbourne, but Mengele must never go, because he is the captain of a ship, the leader of dragons, and he cannot take risks lightly. Or I Go for him." "You're quite right, Monsieur Paganel," interposed MacNabbs, "but why did you go?" "The two of us can go to Melbourne." Wilson and Murady said in unison. "Do you think I'm afraid of running the 320 kilometers in one breath? It's more suitable for me to go!" The major continued. "Quiet, quiet, my friends!" cried the Sir. "One of us must be sent, but I don't know who is best, so let's draw lots. Paganel, write our names on paper... ..." "Your name cannot be written, sir!" said the captain hastily. "why?" "Your wounds have not yet fully healed, and you cannot do without Lady Helene's care." "Yes, sir," echoed Paganel, "you cannot leave the caravan." "Sir, it is your duty to stand here and command, and you must not go away," said the major as well. "There are many difficulties and dangers in this journey," said the Sir. "I should also share my share. How can I pass my share to others? Don't mention it, write your name! And I hope the first draw I'm the one who came out!" Seeing that Jazz was so determined, everyone had no choice but to obey him.Put his name and everyone's name together, and then draw lots; the result was Murat, and Murat jumped up happily. "Sir, I'm going to go now," said he. Jazz held Murady's hand tightly to express his congratulations.Then everyone went back to the car, leaving only the major and the captain standing guard.Mrs. Helen immediately knew the decision to send someone to Melbourne and the result of the sampling.She also encouraged Mu Ladi, which moved the sailor very much.Because everyone knows Murady, he is brave, smart, strong, able to bear hardships and stand hard work, so it is said that he is the most suitable for this task. Murady decided to leave at 8 o'clock in the evening, immediately after dusk, and Wilson would take his place. To prepare the horse, he considered the danger of the triangular horseshoe, so he casually exchanged it with the horseshoe on the horseshoe that died last night.In this way, it would be difficult for the exiles to recognize the tracks of the horses of the caravan, and since they had no horses, it would be useless to chase Murat. When Wilson got his horse ready, Sir was going to write to his first mate, Austin.However, because my arm was injured and I couldn't move, I had to ask a geographer to write it for me.At this time, the scholar was distracted, he did not notice the surrounding things, and he was still concentrating on the document.He thought over and over the words on the document, hoping to find a new clue, so he explained left and right in his mind, but he couldn't figure it out, as if he was drowning in a sea of ​​difficult problems.The Sir asked Paganel to write, but he did not hear, and Glenarvan was obliged to repeat himself, and then he came to himself: "Ah! Well, I'll write for you!" As he spoke, he mechanically prepared a blank sheet of paper, and then, with a pencil in his hand, he listened to the jazz read.Glenarvan read: "Tom Austin, set sail at once, and take the Duncan to..." After the geographer finished writing the word "to", his eyes happened to catch the Australian and New Zealand daily newspaper on the ground.The newspaper is folded, and the entry reveals only the word "aland".Paganel stopped writing, as if forgetting what he was doing. "What is the matter with you, Monsieur Paganel?" "Ah!" exclaimed Paganel. "What's on your mind?" asked McNabbs. "Nothing, nothing!" Then Paganel lowered his voice and repeated: "Alan, Alan!" He had already stood up, shaking the newspaper in his hand, as if he had a lot to say, but he swallowed hard. Living.The two ladies, little Robert and Sir couldn't figure out why he was so bewildered and frightened.The geographer suddenly seemed to go crazy, but after a while, he gradually calmed down again. The smug light in his eyes was gone now.He sat down again, and said quietly: "Go on, ser!" The sir read on, and the full text of the instruction reads as follows: "Tom Austin, set sail at once and take the Duncan to the point where the 37th parallel across the east coast of Australia..." "Australia?" Paganel said to himself. "Ah! Yes, Australia!" He finished the letter in one breath and handed it to Jazz for signature.Glenarvan has just been injured.With a terrible pain in my arm, I scribbled a sign.After the envelope was sealed, Paganel, whose hands were still shaking because of his excitement, wrote the name and address on the envelope with trembling hands: "Melbourne, Duncan First Mate Tom Austin" Afterwards, Paganel got out of the ox cart, gesticulating and chanting those inexplicable words as he walked: "Alan! Alan! Zealand!" The day since the letter was written has been uneventful.Murady's gear was ready, and the honest and brave sailor felt glad to have an opportunity of showing his loyalty to his knight. The geographer regained his composure and normality.It was clear from his eyes that he had a very troubled mind, but he seemed determined not to speak of it, no doubt for his own reasons, for MacNabbs heard him muttering , as if he was sulking, and unconsciously said such a sentence: "No, no! They won't be afraid if I say it! Besides, what's the use now? It's too late! " After a while, the geographer began to explain to Murady some necessary knowledge on the way to Melbourne. He spread the map and drew the route with his finger.All the paths in the meadow lead to the Keno Park Road.After the main road goes south to the coast, it makes a sharp turn and turns to Melbourne.When walking along this road, never take a shortcut for convenience in an unfamiliar place. Therefore, the route couldn't be easier, and Murady will never get lost.As for the danger, it was only a few kilometers away from the camp that there must be Peng Juesi and his accomplices in ambush. After this distance, there was no danger.Mu Ladi promised that as soon as he passed through the gangster's ambush area, he could quickly throw the gang of exiles far away and complete the task as soon as possible. At 6 o'clock, it began to rain cats and dogs again.The tents couldn't keep out the rain, so everyone had to go to the ox cart to have dinner.This bullock cart is really very solid, it is deeply sunken in the soil, as solid as a fortress built on a stone foundation.As for weapons, they had 7 carbines and 7 pistols, as well as sufficient ammunition and food, so they could resist for a few days.And the Duncan can sail to Tufu Bay in less than 6 days.In another twenty-four hours the crew might be able to reach the other side of the Snowy River, and if they could not cross the river, at least the exiles would be compelled to retreat when they saw that we had strong reinforcements.However, the realization of all this depends on the success of Murady's adventure. At 8 o'clock, the night was already dark, and it was time to leave.He led the horse for Mu Ladi, and for the sake of caution, wrapped the horse's hooves with cloth, so that the horse walked without making any noise.The horse seemed weary before we set off, but all the travelers' hopes rested on his smooth and healthy legs. McNabbs persuaded Murad to save horsepower once he broke through the sphere of influence controlled by the exiles.It is better to be half a day late than to give up halfway. Be sure to reach the destination. The captain gave his sailor a pistol already loaded with six rounds.A calm and brave man, holding such a powerful weapon, can shoot out all of them in a few seconds. Sir, Mrs. Helen, Miss Mary and Murad shook hands, and Murad got on the saddle.Glenarvan told him repeatedly: "This letter must be delivered to Tom Austin, telling him to sail to Tuff Bay immediately without delay. If we can't meet us in Tuff Bay at that time, then That we have not been able to cross the Snowy River, please hurry to the rescue! Now, go, my good sailor, God bless you!" Thus, on a dark and stormy night, through the perilous way, through the boundless wilderness, any other man would have grieved, had it not been for the strength of the sailor's will.The sailor didn't say much farewell, just said: "Farewell, sir!" After a while, he disappeared on the path along the edge of the wood. Now the wind intensified, and the eucalyptus branches creaked sullenly in the dark.Sometimes, people can still hear the sound of some dead branches falling on the wetland. Those tall trees have long since dried up, but they have been standing upright, and now some of them have been blown down by the strong wind.The wind was howling, the woods were rustling, the river was roaring, and all this was mixed into a clamor.Large swaths of dark clouds were driven eastward by the wind, sticking to the ground like patches of smoke.The eerie darkness added to the terror of the stormy night. After Mu Ladi left, the passengers returned to the ox cart, and the space was so small that they had to huddle together and curl up.Lady Helene, Miss Mary, Sir, and the Geographer were in the front compartment, the doors and windows tightly shut; Aubier, Wilson, and Robert were huddled together in the back compartment.McNabbs and the captain stood guard outside the door.This kind of vigilance is necessary, because exiles may carry out sneak attacks at any time. The night blew gusts of cold wind on the faces of the two faithful sentinels, but they endured it patiently.Because the enemy is most likely to make troubles in the dark, the two of them kept their eyes wide open as much as possible, and penetrated into the night shadow. Amidst the sound of the storm, the ears could not hear anything. However, sometimes a moment of tranquility interrupts the raging wind, which seems to be tired and wants to stop to catch its breath.Only the Snowy River moaned incessantly among the still reeds and gum trees, and this sudden lull made the night all the more eerie.McNabbs and Captain Menger listened more carefully to what was going on around them. Just then, a shrill cry reached their ears, and Mengele stepped up to the major and asked: "Did you hear that?" "I heard it, is it a man or a beast?" "Sounds like a cry," replied the captain. Then, the two suddenly heard that incomprehensible cry. At the same time, there seemed to be gunshots, but they couldn't hear them clearly.Just then, the strong wind picked up again, and they couldn't hear each other clearly.So, they ran downwind of the car and stood there. The traveling companions in the car also heard the ominous screams and gunshots. Jazz opened the door curtain and walked to the two traveling companions who were standing guard. "Where did the gunshots come from?" he asked. "From there," said the captain, pointing at the same time with his hand to the gloomy path by which Murady set off. "how far?" "The wind is strong, and the sound travels fast, but at least it is about 5 kilometers away." "Let's go and see!" said the Sir, taking up his carbine and going away. "Can't go!" said McNabbs. "It may be a trick to trick us out of the cart." "What if Murady is killed by those gangsters?" the sergeant went on, grabbing the major's hand. "We'll know the result tomorrow," replied McNabbs calmly, resolutely refraining Sir from taking futile ventures. "You can't leave, I'll go and see alone!" Mengele said. "You can't go either!" said the major firmly. "Do you want people to kill us in vain and gradually weaken our strength? That would be tantamount to our own destruction. It would be unfortunate if our good sailors died." , but misfortune cannot follow misfortune! His death is doomed, because he was taken away, and if I were like him, I would never ask for help." In any case, McNabbs was right to keep the Jazz and the captain.If they did go, there was little chance of them surviving.On such nights, to seek out the sailors, or run to the convicts lying in wait among the bushes, was tantamount to throwing oneself in a trap.Besides, there were not many people left in the caravan, and they couldn't afford another sacrifice. However, Sir seemed unwilling to hear these reasons. He gripped his carbine tightly and turned around the car, listening to the slightest sound.He tried his best to look through the dark darkness, and he seemed to see his subordinates being beaten to death by others, and even heard the cries of his loyal people for help, and the exiles hurt the sailor extremely cruelly , taking pleasure in killing, thinking of this, my heart feels like a knife is piercing my heart.The major had no idea at this moment, wondering if he could keep Glenarvan, for fear that he might be impulsive and run to the enemy's gunpoint to die. "Sir," said the major, "be calm and listen to your friend's advice. You must think of Lady Helen, Miss Mary, and other traveling companions in Tiger's Pool! Besides, where are you going? You know Where is Muradhi? He was probably ambushed two kilometers away on the road, which road is it? Do you know which road you should go?..." When the major said this, there was another cry for help, but it was very weak. "Listen!" said Sir. The cry for help came from the side of the gunfire, less than half a kilometer away.Jazz pushed the major aside desperately now, and ran for the path.Suddenly, I heard an intermittent voice: "Save-life! Save-life!" This voice was extremely miserable and full of despair.The captain and major followed suit.After a while, they saw a figure running along the forest path, crawling and crawling, humming and moaning. It was Mu Ladi who came. He was injured and was half dead.When his traveling companions carried him back to the ox cart, he was covered in blood. The rain was getting heavier and the wind was blowing crazier.As soon as they arrived, the people in the carriage were stunned.After waking up, everyone quickly moved out of the way and settled down Mu Ladi.The major took off the sailor's jacket, blood and rain dripped from his clothes.He found the wound, which was stabbed under the right flank by someone else. The major set to work at once, and bound it up skillfully.As for whether the knife hurt the vitals, McNabbs couldn't say for sure.Murad's life and death are in the hands of God, and bright red blood gushes out of the wound one after another. Murad's face is pale, his eyes are closed tightly, and he is dying. The injury like that is indeed serious.McNabbs washed the wound first, covered it with a thick layer of tinder, then covered it with several layers of gauze, and bound it up.The bleeding finally stopped, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.Mu La was lying reclined, with his left side down, his head and chest were swollen and high, Madam Helen fed him a few sips of water.After a quarter of an hour, Mulla twitched, then slowly opened his eyes, and murmured something, but couldn't hear clearly.The major put his ear close to his mouth, and heard him keep saying: "Sir, . . . letter, . . . Penjus . . . " MacNabbs repeated the same words, and looked at his traveling companions.What does Murady's words mean?Did Penjues block our sailors and ask us to ask for help?And that letter... Sir hurriedly touched the sailor's pocket, and was shocked. The letter to the first mate Tom Austin was missing.The night passed in uneasiness and melancholy. What everyone was most worried about at the moment was the life of Mu Ladi, who was having a high fever at the moment.Lady Helene and Miss Mary became the most ardent nurses, and their kind hands were constantly busy, as never was a patient received such attention. It was dawn and the rain stopped.Thick dark clouds were still rolling in the sky, the ground was covered with dead branches, the road was very muddy, and the car sank even deeper.Getting in and out of the car has become difficult, but the car has sunk to the bottom and will not go any deeper.The captain, major, and jazz ran around the camp to scout the terrain at dawn. They walked along the blood-stained path, but they never found any trace of Penjus and his henchmen.They walked all the way to the place where the incident happened, and there were two corpses lying there, killed by Mu Ladi, one of them was the blacksmith at Black Point Station.After his death, his face was ashen, his whole face was deformed, and his appearance was frightening to death. To be prudent, never run too far.So, they stopped searching and went back the same way. The seriousness of the situation made them fall into deep thought. "Should I send another person to Melbourne now?" Jazz finally broke the atmosphere of silence. "Men must be sent!" replied the captain, "my sailor has not fulfilled the task, so let me take over!" "You can't do that, Mengele. You know, how can you run 300 kilometers without even a horse?" The horse that Mu Ladi rode away never appeared.Is it killed?Or ran away in the wilderness?Or was it taken by exiles?If only you could find it. "Anyway," said Sir again, "we can't be parted any longer. Wait eight days, or fifteen days, until the Snowy River sinks, and we'll get to Tufte Bay slowly! Then, again." Think of a good way to send a message to the Duncan telling her to come to the East Coast." "That's the only way to go," said the geographer. "Therefore, my friends," continued the sir, "let us not go away again. It is too dangerous to run about alone in this bandit's ambush. Now, may God bless our poor sailor with his life." Come down, and keep everyone safe!" Sir's words contain two points, both of which are correct: first, don't let anyone go to the "gate of hell" again; second, wait patiently on the river bank until the river falls and can be crossed.They crossed the river, and it was only 22 kilometers away from the border city of Deloitte in South Wales, where it was not difficult to find transportation to Tufu Bay.Moreover, in Tufu Bay, you can send a telegram to Melbourne and give orders directly to the Duncan. This approach is smart, but it is a pity that the decision is only now.If the Sir hadn't sent Murat to ask for help, he would not have been murdered, and this unfortunate incident would not have happened. When they returned to the camp, they saw that the sorrow on the face of their traveling companions dissipated a little, and they felt that Murat There may be hope for salvation. "He's better, he's better!" said little Robert, going up to them. "Is Murat better?..." "Yes!" replied Lady Helene, "the major is relieved that his illness has subsided, and his life is no longer in danger." "Where's the major?" asked the sergeant. "Beside the sailors. Mullah desperately wants to talk to him, not to be disturbed." At this time, Mu Ladi had regained consciousness and his fever subsided.But as soon as he was conscious and able to speak, the first thing he did was to go to the Sir or the Colonel.Seeing his weak appearance, McNabbs wanted to avoid talking to him as much as possible, but Mullady insisted that the major had to listen. The conversation went on for several minutes before Sir returned, and the major had to convey it. The major called Glenarvan out of the car, and joined his friends under the gum tree where the tent was pitched.The Major's heart was now particularly heavy, and he was not so relaxed as usual.As soon as his eyes fell on Lady Helene and Miss Mary, he expressed extreme uneasiness. Sir asked the major what happened, and the major gave a brief account of the conversation just now: "Our sailor, having left the camp, followed the path which Paganel had shown him. He proceeded swiftly, at least as fast as the night would permit. It covered about three kilometers. At that moment, a group of people approached. The horse was frightened and stood up. Mu Ladi grabbed the gun and shot, and the two fell down. In the flash of the gun, he recognized Peng Jues. After all, he was Few people suffer, so far, before the bullets in his gun have been fired, he has been stabbed under his right flank and fell off the horse." "Yet he was not fainted, and the murderers thought he was dead. He felt that he was being searched, and heard some words, I have found the letter, said one of the exiles. Here! Penjus replied that with the letter, the Duncan will be in our hands." When the major said this, Jazz couldn't help being taken aback, and cold sweat broke out all over his body. The major went on: "Now, bring me back the horses quickly," said Penjus, and in two days I shall be aboard the Duncan, and in six days I shall be at Tuff Cove. We shall all meet at Tuff Cove. Golinarvan and his party People were still waiting in the mud at that time! Hurry up to the Danbuerbe Bridge to cross the river and go to the East China Sea. Where are you waiting for me? Of course I have a way to let you board the boat. After you board the boat, let the people on board Go feed the bastard, we get the Duncan, and we can be kings in the ocean. Wow! Great Penjues! Support Peng Juus! The exiles are all shouting. The horse of Murady will soon come back, Pengjue Si got on his horse and galloped towards the main road of Keno. After a while, he disappeared. At the same time, his party also walked to the southeast, apparently to cross the Snowy River. Although Murat was seriously injured ，但仍坚持连滚带爬地跑回去，报告这一重大情况，直到离营３００米的地方，几乎昏死过去了，我们便把他抬了回来。以上就是穆拉地对我说的一切经过，"少校总结一句，"你们现在应该明白那勇敢的水手为什么坚决要求说话了吧！" 内幕终于揭开了，大家没有一个不惊慌失措的。"海盗！原来是海盗啊！"爵士破口大骂，"我的船员都会送命的，我的邓肯号将会落到他们手里呀！" "可不是么！彭觉斯的目的就是要抢劫那只船！"少校回答，"然后……" "那么！我们必须在匪徒们之前赶到海边！"没等少校说完，地理学家插嘴说。 "我们又怎么能过斯诺威河呢？"威尔逊问。 "我们抬他走，轮流着抬他；只要有办法，我们就得尽力而为，总不能让我们的同伴在敌人手中白白送命吧？" 由根卜尔别桥过斯诺威河，这办法是可行的，但是也得冒险，因为流犯可能守在桥头，不让通行。果真如此，他们至少会用３０个人来对付７个人的，但现在也管不了这么多了，能闯过去就得闯，闯不过去也要闯！ "爵士，在冒险走最后一步棋之前，"门格尔说，"还是先去侦察一下更稳当些。我负责去吧。" "我陪你去，门格尔，"地理学家应声说。 爵士同意了这个建议，船长和巴加内尔立刻动身。他们朝斯诺威河走去，沿着河岸，一直走到彭觉斯的那个地方。为了不让流犯们发现，他们在河边高大的芦苇丛中曲曲折折地站着。 这两位全副武装的勇敢的伙伴，天色很晚了，还没有看见他们的影子。大家都焦急万分地等待着。 最后，将近深夜１１点钟了，威尔逊报告说他们回来了。巴加内尔和船长来回跑了１６里路，累得疲惫不堪。 "找到桥了没有？"爵士迎上去就问。 "找到了，一座藤条扎的桥，"船长说，"流犯们已从桥上过去了，只是……" "只是什么？"爵士着急地问，预料到肯定又有新的不幸发生。 "他们把桥给烧断了！"地理学家失望地回答。