Chapter 41 45.tomb of rest

There are still about 30 meters away from the top of the mountain.The best way for these fugitives to escape the eyes and ears of the Maori was to climb to the top of the mountain and then turn to the other side of the mountain.There they hoped that there would be a ridge that would carry them to the neighboring peaks, which were intermingled in a vast range of mountains, which, had poor Paganel been with them, he would have found out. A complex spiraling mountains. So they climbed up quickly, and the shouting and cursing behind them came closer and closer.The earth crowd who came over by surprise had already reached the foot of the mountain.

"Cheer up! My friends, take courage!" cried Golinarvan incessantly, encouraging his fellow travelers with gestures. In less than 5 minutes, they reached the top of the mountain, and they looked back from there, trying to judge the situation at the time, and trying to find a direction to avoid the Maori. From this height, their eyes could see the entire Lake Dobo stretching westward. The lake is surrounded by many mountains, and the scenery is very beautiful.To the north are the peaks of Mount Bilongjia.To the south is the raging caldera of Tongjialiluo Mountain.But looking to the east, the line of sight is blocked by a large row of mountains connected to the Huaxitian Mountains. This Huaxitian Mountains is a large mountain range with a series of undulating peaks. Until the east corner, obliquely runs through the whole territory of the North Island.Therefore, the fugitives had to run down from the other side of the mountain, and drilled into many narrow valleys, and they probably couldn't find a way out after drilling all over the place.

Glenarvan looked around in panic, for the fog had dissipated under the rays of the sun, and he could see the smallest valley below.Every move of the Maori could not escape his sight. The top of the mountain was a flat top, and there was an isolated conical peak on top of the flat top. When they reached the top of the mountain, the natives were less than 150 meters away from them. At this time, of course, Golinavan couldn't stop even a single step.Whether you are tired or not, you have to keep running, or you will be surrounded. "Let's go down!" he cried, "before the road is cut off!"

But when the two poor women were scrambling to their feet in a last effort, the major stopped them, saying: "There's no need to run, Glenarvan, you see." Sure enough, everyone saw an incomprehensible change in the actions of the Maori. Their pursuit came to an abrupt halt.They were going to attack the top of the mountain, but now they stopped attacking, as if they had received a strict prohibition.The group of natives restrained their temper and stopped there at once, as if a wave touched an impassable rock. All those carnivorous natives are now lined up at the foot of the mountain, yelling, gesticulating, waving guns and axes, but they dare not take a step forward.Their dog also stopped there like them, as if rooted on the spot, barking frantically.

What exactly is this matter about?What kind of force stopped the natives?The group of fugitives stared at them, not knowing what to do, fearing that once the magic power controlling the Bonechewer tribe failed, they would catch up again. Suddenly, Menger called out, and all his companions turned their heads.He pointed to a small blockhouse built on the conical peak to show them. "That's Calate's grave!" exclaimed Robert. "You are right, Robert?" asked Sir. "No, ser, it's the grave, I know it!" Robert was certainly not mistaken.Going up another 15 meters, on the top of the mountain, there are many newly painted red wooden stakes, forming a fence.Glenarvan also recognized that it was the grave of the chief of New Zealand.It turned out that he was fleeing in a panic, but accidentally fled to the top of Mengganamu Mountain.

The lord first, and the traveling companions behind, they climbed the slope to the conical point, and stopped at the foot of the tomb.There was a big opening in front of the tomb, which was covered with straw mats, from which one could enter the tomb.Glenarvan was about to walk towards the tomb, but suddenly stepped back: "There's a native in there!" "There will be natives in this tomb?" asked the major. "Yes, McNabbs." "Leave him alone! Let's go in." Sir, major, Robert and Menger all got into the tomb.Sure enough, there was a Maori man there, wearing a formion hemp coat. The inside of the tomb was dark, and his face could not be seen clearly.The Maori seemed very quiet. He was eating his breakfast leisurely.Glenarvan was about to speak to him, but the native had already spoken, and he spoke to him in a friendly and fluent English:

"Sit down, my dear sir, breakfast is waiting for you." It was Paganel!When they heard his voice, they all rushed in, and all were embraced by the long arms of the wonderful geographer.Paganel found it again!With him, everyone is guaranteed!Everyone was about to ask him how and why he came here.But Jazz's words blocked these untimely questions back. "The mountains are surrounded by natives!" he said. "Natives? I don't give a shit about those guys!" "They wouldn't..." "They, those idiots! Just wait and see!" Everyone followed Paganel out of the tomb.Those natives were still in place, surrounding the mountain, roaring terrifyingly.

"Scream! Shout! Shout out, you fools!" said Paganel, "and see if you dare climb this mountain!" "Why not?" asked Golinarvan. "Because the chief is buried here, because this tomb protects us, because this mountain is forbidden by God!" "Forbidden by God?" "Yes, my friends! That's why I have fled here, just as the unfortunate people of Europe in the Middle Ages fled to an inviolable holy place." "Thank God!" cried Lady Helene, throwing up her hands to heaven. Yes, this mountain is a forbidden mountain, because it is the tomb of the chief, so it is exempt from the invasion of the superstitious natives.

The fugitives can't be regarded as losing their face when they arrive here, it can only be said that they are enjoying a moment of safety, but this kind of opportunity of safety for a while can be taken advantage of.Glenarvan couldn't tell what it was like, he stayed there silently, and the major just shook his head with a look of great joy on his face. "Now, my friends, if those fools want to keep us surrounded like this, they are dreaming. In two days we will be out of their grasp," said Paganel. "Of course we'll run away! But how?" said the sergeant. "I don't know yet, but we will escape anyway," Paganel replied.

By this time, everyone wanted to know what had happened to Paganel.But it's very strange, a man who was good at talking now becomes taciturn, and he almost has to be forced to say a few words. He is always happy when he tells a story. Now, friends ask questions , he just hemmed and hawed a few words and it was over. "They have exchanged our Paganel for another," thought the major. Sure enough, even the appearance of the venerable scholar was different from before.He wrapped himself tightly in his smock, as if to prevent everyone from looking too closely at him.When it comes to himself, everyone can see his embarrassment, but everyone always feels that it is inconvenient to ask questions, so they pretend not to notice him. Fortunately, as long as he is not talking about himself, he is still beaming. as usual.

As for what happened to him, when everyone sat around him at the foot of the fence outside the tomb, he chose something to say and told his traveling companions.Here's what he said: After Karatet's assassination, he, like Robert, escaped from the outer walls of the fortress in the confusion of the natives.However, he was not as lucky as Robert, and as soon as he ran away, he went to another group of Maori camp.There, the Maori were commanded by a tall, intelligent-looking chieftain, who was evidently superior to all the warriors of the tribe.The chief, who spoke good English, greeted Paganel with the tip of his nose. Paganel was vigilant in his heart, did he become a prisoner again from then on?But when he saw that every time he moved, the chief accompanied him attentively, never leaving him, and he soon knew who he was at that time. The chief's name is "Xi Yi", which means "the light of the sun", and he is not a villain.Paganel's large spectacles and telescope seemed to give him a high opinion of him, and he worked hard to make him his own, enticing people with small favors and using Formion. The rope bound him.Especially at night. This new situation continued for three whole days.During these three days, did Paganel receive preferential treatment or ill-treatment? "It's preferential treatment and abuse," he said, without elaborating.In short, he was taken prisoner, and his life was not much better than that of his unfortunate companions, except for the absence of the horror of immediate death. Fortunately, one night he bit the rope and escaped.He had seen Karatet's funeral from a distance, and he knew that the chief was buried on the top of Montganamu Mountain, so this mountain must be "forbidden by God".He made up his mind to flee to this forbidden mountain, because his fellow travelers were still imprisoned in this district, and he would not escape without them.His risky attempt had finally succeeded.Last night he arrived in Karatet's tomb.Here he "rests his spirits" while he waits for an opportunity to rescue his friends. This is what Paganel narrated.Did he deliberately obliterate some details of his life in the natives' house?On more than one occasion his hesitation and hesitation gave the impression that he was doing it on purpose.But no matter what, he escaped at last, and everyone congratulated him. The past has been explained, and everyone is talking about the present. The current situation is still extremely serious.Although the natives did not dare to climb the mountain, they planned to besiege them so that they could not survive hunger and thirst, and finally ran down the mountain of their own accord.It was only a matter of time, and the natives had plenty of patience. The embarrassment of the situation at that time was not miscalculated by Golinavan. He was determined to wait for opportunities and create opportunities when necessary. First of all, Golinarvan wants to carefully scout the terrain of Mt. Mengamu, that is to say, the terrain of his temporary blockhouse. His purpose is not to defend this blockhouse, because the natives will not attack it. His purpose is to How to get out of this bunker.The major, Menger, Paganel, and himself all went to inspect the mountain together to find out.They observed the direction, arrival point and slope of each mountain road.The ridge that connects Mt. Monganam to Mt. Wahitilian is a kilometer long and dips down towards the plain.The ridge on the ridge was narrow and irregularly undulating, and this was the only way to go if escape was possible.Had the escaped run up the ridge in the dark, out of sight, they might have been able to slip into the deep valley in the mountains, out of the reach of the Maori.But this path also has many dangers.Where the ridge lowered the bullets were within reach.The natives guarded the mountainside and fired guns, and they could form a fire net on that section of the ridge, and no one could pass through it safely. Golinarvan and his friends ventured forward, and even reached the dangerous ridge, they were met by a hailstorm of projectiles, but fortunately they missed them.Several paper balls wrapped with gunpowder were blown to them by the wind.Paper balls are made of printed calligraphy paper, and Paganel picked up one out of pure curiosity to have a look, and he managed to recognize the writing on it. "Well! Do you know, my friends, what those beasts use for their bullets?" "I don't know, Paganel," answered the sergeant. "Use a torn page from the Bible! If that's what the sacred language is for, I'd really feel sorry for the missionaries, they've wasted their efforts! They're trying to set up a few schools in the Maori. How difficult a library must be!" Golinarvan and his companions again climbed the steep slope on the conical summit, and they approached the chamber, intending to examine its interior again. While they were walking, they suddenly felt that the ground seemed to be moving one after another, and they were very surprised.It was not a shaking, but it was like a pot being boiled by boiling water, it was constantly shaking.Apparently, the underground fire was burning, and a lot of strong steam was accumulated at the bottom of the mountain, which was sealed by the mountain and could not be ejected. They were all people who came from the boiling spring of Kuma Kato, and this special phenomenon certainly did not make them feel mysterious.They knew that the central part of this Ikanamawi island was basically volcanic.It was really like a sieve, with countless holes that let the steam from the subterranean escape in the form of boiling springs or sulfur pits. Paganel had already observed this, and he called the attention of his friends that the mountain they were on was volcanic.It was just one of the many conical peaks that lined the middle of the North Island, which meant that it too was going to be a volcano in the future.The inner shell of the mountain is all pale white tuff, and the slightest vibration can create a large caldera on the mountain shell. "You're right, but we're no more dangerous here than we are leaning against the boilers of the Duncan. The earth's crust here is solid steel!" said the sergeant. "I agree with you, but a boiler, no matter how strong it is, will explode after a long time," said the major. "Major, I don't want to stay on the top of this conical mountain forever. I will go as soon as God shows me a way to go," said Paganel. "Ah! Why can't this mountain carry us!" Mengele went on to say, "It has so much steam in its belly! Maybe there are millions of horsepower under our feet, but unfortunately there are no horses." Use it, it's useless! Our Duncan can send us to the end of the sky one by one with only one thousandth of this horsepower!" After Menger mentioned it, the Duncan aroused the infinite feelings of Golinavan.For this lord, however dangerous his own situation, sometimes forgot himself and lamented only for the fate of his fleet. He was still thinking, but at this time, he had already walked up to the top of the mountain and was with his fellow sufferers. Lady Helene went up to him as soon as she saw him. "My dear Edward, have you scouted our terrain? Is there hope? Still hopeless? " "There is hope, my dear Helen. The natives dare not step beyond this mountain boundary. We will not have time to plan our escape." "Now, go back to the tomb!" cried Paganel enthusiastically, "this is our fortress, our mansion, our dining room, our study, and no one will disturb us! Ladies, allow me to entertain you in this fine house." Everyone followed the lovely Paganel.When the natives saw that the fugitives were going to desecrate the "forbidden" tomb again, there was another burst of gunshots and terrifying roars, and their roars were as loud as the gunshots.But, luckily, the bullets couldn't hit as far as the yelling. They flew to the mountainside and fell, while the insults rushed into the sky before slowly dissipating. Mrs. Helen, Mary and their traveling companions were completely relieved when they saw that the Maori superstition far exceeded their anger, and one by one they all got into the tomb. The burial chamber of this New Zealand chief is a palisade of red-painted wooden stakes.Numerous symbolic figures - almost embroidered woodcuts - represent the nobility and merit of the deceased.There are also many strings of objects to ward off evil spirits, made of shells or carved from stone, hanging between the pillars, swaying.The inner soil surface is completely covered by a layer of green tree leaves like a carpet.In the center, the soil surface is slightly higher, showing that it is a newly dug tomb. The Chief's weapons were all there: his guns, all loaded and corded, his spear, his beautiful green jade axe, and enough ammunition for the dead to hunt in the Underworld for countless years. . "It's an armory. We can take it and put it to better use. The natives are helping us by sending weapons to the underworld when they die. What a brilliant idea they have!" ' said Paganel. "Eh! What's the matter! They're still made in England!" said the major. "Of course, it's stupid to give guns to these natives as gifts! They got these guns and used them to fight against the invaders. We have to admit that they are very right. In any case, these guns are very important We are useful!" said Sir. "However, the food and drinking water prepared for Kalat are more useful." Paganel said. Sure enough, the relatives and friends of the deceased were really thoughtful in preparing for the deceased.This speaks of the reverence they had for the virtues of the dead.The food piled up here is enough for ten people to eat for half a month, or more correctly, enough for the dead to eat endlessly.These foodstuffs are all plants, including fern-tail grass roots, sweet potatoes called "convolvulus taro" by the natives, and potatoes transplanted from Europe very early.There were several large tanks filled with the clear water that New Zealanders used to drink when eating, and a dozen or so baskets, cleverly woven, filled with many long squares made of a kind of green gum that I don't know what to do with. Therefore, everyone can not worry about hunger and thirst.They eat him unceremoniously first. Golinavan took out a portion that was enough for everyone to eat, and handed it to Aubine for processing.The steward had always been a man of formality, and even at a critical moment he would not prefer to make the food look bad, so he felt that these foods were not qualified.And he doesn't know how to cook these grass roots, he has no fire at all. Or Paganel had a way, he told him to stuff those anise roots and sweet potatoes into the soil and leave it alone. Yes, the temperature of the outer crust here is very high. If a thermometer is inserted into the soil, it will definitely measure 60 to 65 degrees.Aubine almost burned his hands. When he was digging and grilling grass roots, a gust of hot steam came up and sprayed to a height of two meters, scaring him so much that he fell into a big somersault. "Turn off the tap!" cried the major, and the two sailors rushed to help and blocked up the hole with rubble.Paganel, meanwhile, was gazing at this phenomenon, with a look of astonishment on his face, and said to himself: "Hi! Hee! Hee! Why not?" "You are not burned?" the major asked Aubinette. "No, sir, I really didn't expect..." "Didn't expect God to be so considerate to us, did you?!" Paganel exclaimed triumphantly. "With Calate's water and food, and the fire to burn! Ha! This mountain is a paradise! I suggest we just build a colony here, farm here, and live here forever! We will do it Robinson Crusoe on this hill! Truly, I can't think of anything that's wanting on this cozy garden hilltop!" "Nothing is missing, it would be nice if the earth's crust was a little harder," Mengele replied. "You worry about the crust! It didn't come out of nowhere! It has resisted the fire of the center for a long time, and it will hold up until we go away," Paganel said. "Breakfast is ready," reported Aubine, as gravely as he had served his master at Malcolm Hall. Immediately, everyone was at the fence, eating their usual life-saving food of late. There were only two kinds of food, and there was nothing for everyone to pick and choose, but everyone had different opinions on the taste of the fern root.Some people think it is very sweet and delicious, while others think it is creamy and tasteless, with hard corners.As for the sweet potatoes baked in the hot soil, they are really croaking.Paganel expressed his thoughts and said: Karate has such good food to eat, and it is really better to be buried here. Then, when everyone was full, Glenarvan suggested immediately discussing a plan for escape. "Just want to leave? What's the rush for a place like this?" Paganel said, with genuine reluctance. "But, Mr. Paganel, even if we are in a comfortable and safe place at the moment, we can't indulge in this place!" Mrs. Helen replied. "Madam, how dare I disobey your orders! Since you want to discuss, discuss it." "First of all, I think we should run away quickly, not wait until the food is finished. We are full of energy now, and we have to go away when we are full of energy. Tonight, we will try to run to the east valley , riding the darkness through the encirclement of the natives." said Glenarvan. "That would be fine, if the Maori let us pass," Paganel replied. "What if they don't let us go?" Mengele asked. "Then, we will come up with the magic method." Paganel replied. "So you have a magic trick?" asked the major. "It's so wonderful that people can't understand it!" He replied and stopped explaining. Now there is only waiting, waiting for the dark to sneak past the native defenses. Those natives never left their original place.The number of people seemed to have increased a bit, probably because more people came later.There are piles of bonfires burning at the foot of the mountain, forming a fire circle.When night falls over the surrounding valleys, Mt. Mengganamu seems to emerge from a great fire pit, while the top of the mountain disappears in deep darkness.One could hear commotion, clamor and clamor in the enemy camp 200 meters below. At nine o'clock, when it was very dark, Glenarvan and Mengele decided to do some more reconnaissance before leading their traveling companions off that dangerous road.They ran down quietly, and after walking for about ten minutes, they reached the narrow ridge, which was passing through the encirclement of the natives, and was 17 meters above the enemy camp. Until then, everything was going great.Lying by the fire, the Maori didn't seem to see the two of them running away, so they walked a few more steps.Suddenly, on the left and right sides of the ridge, gunshots rang out simultaneously. "Run back! Those gangsters have eyes like cats, and their guns are accurate!" said Glenarvan. Immediately, they climbed the steep slope to the top of the mountain again, and hurried back to comfort those traveling companions who were disturbed by the gunshots.Glenarvan got two bullets in his hat.With this experience, I know that this long ridge is lined with skirmishers on both sides, and it is absolutely impossible to venture up. "Let's talk about it tomorrow. Since these natives are under strict surveillance and we can't escape, you can always let me give them a hand!" The climate is quite cold.Fortunately, Karatet brought his best pajamas and thick quilts to the tomb, and everyone took a few without any politeness, wrapped them around their bodies, and after a while they were under the protection of the superstition of the natives. I fell asleep peacefully, the outside was blocked by a fence, and the ground below was warm, shaking and shivering by the hot steam from the ground.