Chapter 14 Chapter Thirteen

The monsoon blows violently at sea.After sailing out of the harbor, there was a violent sea in front of them.The doctor knew nothing of sailing, and he was not used to such storms, and all this must have seemed terrible to him.Captain Nichols tied the bucket to the stern with a rope.The waves were blown up by the storm, and the tops were white, making them look huge.And sitting in such a small boat, people can always strongly feel that the wave is close at hand.From time to time they were caught in a storm, and every now and then the waves crashed on the deck.They passed one island after another along the way.Every time he passed a small island, the doctor asked himself whether he would be able to swim to the island alive if the boat capsized.He was very nervous and annoyed by it, but he also knew that it didn't have to be.Two Aussies were sitting in the hatch, tying ropes together to make lines.They were so absorbed in the work at hand that they paid no attention to what was going on at sea.The sea water was very turbid and surrounded by reefs, the captain ordered one of the crew members sitting in the hatch to stand on the second sprit to guard against reefs.The Australian native gesticulated with both hands in turn, guiding Captain Nichols through the reefs.Then the sun came out and the sky was a bright blue.However, above them, large white clouds are running rapidly.The doctor tried to read for a while, but whenever the waves came, he had to lower his head to avoid the splashing spray.After a while, there was a dull grinding sound, and the doctor held on tightly to the side of the boat.They hit the rocks.They got knocked away, and it was a bad situation.Nichols yelled at the navigator for being more careful.At this time they touched another reef, and the ship was knocked away again.

"Get out of here quickly," said the captain. The captain slammed the rudder and steered the ship away from the original direction, heading for the far sea.The ketch shook violently, but after each violent jerk it managed to regain its balance.By this time Dr. Saunders was drenched inside and out. "Why don't you go back to the cabin?" cried the captain. "I like being on deck." "There will be no danger." "Could it be worse?" "Maybe, the wind and waves seem to be getting stronger." The doctor looked astern, and the rough sea was roaring after them.Seeing that the next huge wave was about to engulf the small boat before it had time to breathe, it avoided it as nimbly as a human being, and then successfully rode on the top of the huge wave.The doctor was dizzy and very unhappy.Then Fred Blake came up to him.

"It's spectacular, isn't it? It's exciting to have a little wind." His curly hair fluttered messily in the wind, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.He is enjoying this moment very much.The doctor shrugged, but did not answer.The doctor looked at the turbulent waves rolling towards them from the stern, the crests of the waves protruding forward, with an aura of engulfing mountains and rivers, as if they were not driven by unconscious natural forces, but malicious in themselves.They roared and approached step by step, as if they must swallow the little sailboat before they could stop.And their flimsy boats would never have been able to withstand such a huge, mountain-like wave.

"Be careful!" the captain shouted loudly. The captain anchored the ship in front of the swell, and the doctor instinctively clung to the mast.At this time, a huge wave hit, like a thick wall of water smashed down.The entire deck was submerged in water. "What a big wave!" Fred exclaimed. "I've longed to take a bath," said the captain. The two laughed together.But the doctor was terribly frightened, and because of the violent pitching of the ship, he was very seasick.Faced with such a violent storm, he sincerely hoped that he was staying safely on Takara Island at this time, waiting for the arrival of the steamer, instead of risking his life and drifting in the dangerous sea like now.Why can't I bear the boring life of only two or three weeks!How stupid!He swore to himself that if he escaped this disaster, he would never do such absurd things due to any temptation in the future.He no longer wants to read.His glasses were splashed and he couldn't see, and his book was soaked by the waves.He looked at the sweeping waves, only a hazy shadow remained of the islands in the distance.

"Excellent, doctor?" cried the captain. Dr. Saunders forced a smile as the schooner tossed and tossed in the waves like a cork. "It's really refreshing," added the captain. Doctors had never seen him so excited.His spirits were on high alert and he seemed to be enjoying his unrivaled sailing skills.No words can be used to describe him at this moment - this rough sea seems to be specially prepared for him.fear?This vulgar, treacherous and lying man never knew how to write the word fear.There is no gentleman in him, and he has none of the qualities that can make people dignified.You only need to spend a day with him to understand that if there are two ways to solve a certain matter, one is fair and the other is crooked, then he will definitely choose the latter.He is that kind of person.There was only one thing on his mind in his vile and despicable mind, and that was to defeat those around him by any means.This kind of original intention is not evil, after all, he did not do anything big and evil.His malice is more like a prank, and it is better than the infinite satisfaction that others have given him.But at this moment, facing such a vast and roaring sea, on such a small sailboat that has no possibility of rescue even if it capsizes, he is quite at ease, because he has enough understanding of the sea, which makes him feel very comfortable. He is proud and confident, and very happy.He seemed to enjoy navigating the boat so skillfully through the stormy waves.For him, the boat is like an extended part of his body. He is familiar with every plank and screw of it, just like a rider is familiar with the steed under his lap. He knows all its living habits, every little trick, and every detail. The whims of the whim, and the talents of it all.He looked at the monstrous waves, the eyes of the mung bean-sized fox showed a smile, and when the waves roared past like thunder, he would nod with self-satisfaction.The doctor even felt that, to him, they were nothing more than objects for his entertainment and satisfaction.

Looking at the huge waves chasing them behind him, the doctor flinched.He clung to the mast tightly, and when the ship heeled, he was thrown off the deck, and then, as if under the influence of his weight, the ship swayed to the other side, and he was thrown back again.The doctor didn't need to look to know that his face was pale now, and he could feel that his face was already stiff.He wondered to himself whether they would have a chance of climbing into the two life rafts if the ship was really wrecked by this dangerous wind and waves.But it was at least a hundred miles away from any inhabited island, and there was no way to find a correct course in such winds and waves, so even if you got on a life raft, your chances of survival were slim.So in case of any accident, the only thing to do is to drown yourself quickly.The doctor is not afraid of death itself, but the process of dying makes him feel pain.He imagined that he swallowed mouthfuls of seawater, and then his lungs began to convulse, but the will to survive still drove his body to struggle desperately—what an annoying picture!

Meanwhile the cook came stumbling along the deck with his supper.To-day's supper consisted of a tin of corned beef and some cold potatoes, but there was nothing to be done, for the swell had soaked the cabin inside and out, and the cook could not light a fire. "Let Ulthane take the helm!" cried the captain. The Aussie took the helm from the captain, and the captain, the doctor, and Fred sat down together around a modest supper. "I'm starving to death." Nichols said cheerfully, and began to eat, "Fred, how's your appetite?" "pretty good."

Fred was soaking wet, but his face was radiant and his eyes were bright.The doctor resentfully wondered if Fred's indifference was a faux pas.He was scared and it made him angry with himself.He gave the captain a sour look. "If you can digest this, you can even eat a cow." "God bless! Whenever there is a strong wind, my indigestion will never fail. The strong wind is like a tonic." "How long will this gale be blowing?" "Don't like it much, doctor?" The captain smiled slyly. "It may stop at sunset, or it may blow harder." "Can't you get shelter from the wind near the island?"

"It's best to stay at sea. This boat can withstand any wind and waves, and I don't want to be smashed on the rocks in shallow water." After the meal, Captain Nichols lit his pipe. "Fred, playing cribbage?" he said. "Play." "Aren't you going to play that damn card now!" The doctor exclaimed loudly. The captain glanced contemptuously out to sea. "Just a little swell, no big deal. Just leave the boat to the niggers." With that said, they walked out of the cabin.The doctor remained on deck, looking out to sea with a tense face.This afternoon seemed to be particularly long, and time flowed extremely slowly.The doctor thought of Akai and wondered where he had gone.Then, he walked towards the cabin with difficulty.There was only one crew member left on the deck, and the hatch was sealed.

"Where is my child?" he asked. The sole crew member on deck pointed to the cabin. "I'm sleeping, do you want to go down?" He lifted the hatch, and the doctor climbed down the hatch with difficulty.There was a light in the cabin, but it was still very dark and had a foul smell.An Australian native was sitting on the floor, naked except for a piece of cloth wrapped around his waist.He was mending his trousers with his head down.Another crew member and Akai slept quietly on the bunk.The doctor stumbled up to Kai when he woke up and smiled at the doctor sweetly and kindly.

"Are you okay?" "Ok." "Are you scared?" Akai shook his head and showed his charming smile again. "Go on to sleep," said the doctor. The doctor climbed up to the cabin door again, and he lifted the hatch with difficulty, and the crew members who remained on the deck gave him a hand.However, just as he climbed up from the hatch of the cabin and stepped onto the deck, a large wave hit him in the face.His heart suddenly sank to the bottom of the water.He waved his fist angrily at the violent sea, and cursed non-stop. "You'd better go lower down," said the Aussie. "It's wet here." The doctor shook his head.He stood where he was, grabbing the side rope.He knew he needed company now.He knew very well that he was the only one in the whole boat who was afraid, even A Kai who knew nothing about the sea like him, was very indifferent.He told himself over and over again that there was actually no danger, and that being on the boat was as safe as stepping on land, but whenever the huge waves behind them caught up with them, and the high wall-like waves slammed into the deck violently, his My heart was shaking uncontrollably with fear.The sea rushed out of the drain in a hurry, and he was terrified. If it wasn't for the willpower that supported him to stand here, he might have curled up in a corner and wept silently.Instinctively, driven by fear, he wanted to pray to a God he did not believe in for salvation, so he gritted his teeth to keep the prayer from trembling lips.The situation at this time was very ironic to him.He was a wise man, and always thought of himself as a superior philosopher, and now he was plagued by fear like a coward.He smiled coldly, laughing at himself for being so absurd.If you think about it carefully, you will feel that the current situation is really confusing: he, a superior person with quick thinking, rich knowledge, rational attitude towards life, and no worries in the face of death, unexpectedly Trembling with fear before this sea, none of the others, not the ignorant Aussie standing beside him, nor the vile Captain Nichols, nor the dour Fred Blake, The wind and waves disturbed the mind.This shows how pitiful it is to have only intelligence.The doctor was sick with fright.He asked himself what he was afraid of.Is it death?He had faced death head on.At that time, he really decided to end his life in a painless way.In the end, however, he continues to live a dreary and unattractive life, which requires not only courage, but also suspicion and an indifferent way of thinking.Now he is very thankful that he was wise back then, but he also understands that he doesn't have much nostalgia for life.Sometimes, when the illness was raging, he felt that he had so little control over his life, so he willingly and even joyfully sought relief.pain?He has a strong tolerance for pain.After all, what can't be tolerated by a person who can calmly deal with dengue fever and a fatal toothache?However, it is not a matter of patience now.His trembling was a kind of instinctive fear, and this fear was an emotion he couldn't control.He noted curiously his throat dry with fear, and his trembling knees, as if they were external to him. "It's very strange," murmured the doctor as he trudged towards the stern. He glanced at his watch.God, it's only three o'clock.The sky that was hit by the strong wind was extremely clear, but there was a trace of terror hidden in it.Its brightness seemed a bit ruthless, as if it had nothing to do with the violent sea.And the sea was dazzlingly blue and bright, without any human feeling at all.The meaningless and amazing power played with him, roaring to destroy him, but not out of malice, but just as a kind of entertainment. "Give me back the calm sea by the beach." The doctor said to himself coldly. He stepped out of the cabin. "Anyway, follow two more points." He heard the captain's voice. They're still playing that silly game of cards. "Doctor, what's the weather like?" "It sucks." "There is always darkness before dawn, just like a woman giving birth. This boat is amazing, even if there is a hurricane. If I go to sea, I would rather choose an Australian pearl fishing boat than go to the ocean. Ferry." "It's your turn," Fred said. They sat on the captain's mattress and played cards while the doctor changed his soaking clothes and collapsed on another mattress.The lights hanging on the cabin roof were flickering, and the lights were on and off. He couldn't read, so he lay quietly, and the tedious game terms came from his ears, which constantly stimulated his eardrums.The cabin creaked and groaned, and the wind came in, whistling over him.Then the boat shook violently, causing the doctor to roll on the mattress. "It shakes so badly," Fred said. "It's doing well, isn't it? Fifteen, two, fifteen, four." Fred won again, and the captain was whiny throughout.Dr. Saunders tensed his limbs, trying to bear the pain of the fear.Time passed with frightening slowness, and by sunset Captain Nichols was back on deck. "The wind is getting stronger." After a while, he returned to the cabin and said, "I'm taking a nap. It seems that I'm busy tonight." "Why not park?" Fred asked. "Between the ship in rough seas like this? That's out of the question, sir! As long as everything is under control, the 'Fenton' will be all right." He climbed onto his mattress, curled up and lay on his side, and within five minutes, he heard his even snoring.Fred went to the deck to get some air.The doctor was angry with himself that he had been so stupid as to get on board the boat.The captain and Fred also made him angry, because they were not afraid at all, while he was already trembling with fear.However, every time this small boat was able to come back to life when it was about to sink, and reset its course, as time passed, he gradually developed a little admiration for this heroic small sailboat that he didn't want to admit.At seven o'clock the cook brought supper, and he roused the captain, and told him to rise to eat.There was hot beef stew and hot tea for supper, thanks to the cook who had somehow lit a fire.Then the three of them went on deck together, and the captain took the helm.The night sky is clear and clear, with countless stars blinking brightly.The sea was still very violent, and the rising and falling waves looked like huge monsters in the dark. "My God, that's a big man!" Fred exclaimed. A wall of blue-green water was rushing towards them, and the crest of the wave folded downward, and it was about to hit the "Fenton".At that time, the "Fenton" must be unable to cope, and will be overturned by the roar of the sea.The captain scanned his surroundings, then leaned against the rudder.He steered hard so that the big waves would pass by the stern.Suddenly, the stern of the ship swung and deviated from the original course, and then a loud noise was heard, and the pouring water wall swept across the stern side.For an instant, they could see nothing.At this moment the bulwark jumped out of the sea, and the "Fenton" shook violently, just like a dog getting out of the water and walking towards dry land.Then the water from the boat gushed out of the scupper. "It's a bit difficult to handle." The captain shouted loudly. "Is there an island nearby?" "Yes, if you can keep going for a few more hours, you will be able to reach the safe haven." "What about the reef?" "It's all small reefs, and the moon will be out soon. You two better go in the cabin." "I'll stay up there," said Fred. "It's too stuffy in the cabin." "As you please. How about you, doctor?" The doctor hesitated.He hated seeing the angry sea, and he was tired of always being terrified.He has seen too much life and death, and his emotions are no longer moved by life and death. "Is there anything I can do to help?" "You're doing a great favor by resting." "Remember, you are transporting Caesar and his wealth," he shouted in the captain's ear. Captain Nichols didn't have much humanistic education, so he couldn't understand the joke.Thinking that he might be about to die, the doctor decided to enjoy the feast of life at this last moment.He stepped forward to pick up Akai.Akai followed behind him, and the two of them got off the cabin together. "Try the Zendu that Cheng Jin gave you." The doctor said, "Let's go wild tonight." Akai lit the lamp and took out opium from the small suitcase.He set about preparing the doctor's pipe with his customary indifference.The doctor took a deep breath, and the taste was delicious. I had never felt like this before taking the first breath.The master and the servant took turns pumping.Gradually, the doctor's heart was filled with tranquility.His nerves were no longer tense with the shaking of the ship, he no longer felt pain, and his fear gradually went away, and the restlessness in his soul was smoothed out bit by bit.After the doctor finished smoking his six pipes as usual, Akai relaxed and leaned back, as if the task was accomplished. "Continue." The doctor said softly, "Today I will smoke until I can't take it anymore." Gradually, the doctor no longer hated the shaking of the ship so much, he seemed to have mastered the rhythm.His body swayed from side to side according to the rhythm, but his thoughts had already soared upwards, flying above the storm.He wandered in the infinite world to his heart's content, ecstatic.But he also understood that in front of Einstein, he would be bound by his own thoughts.He realized again that with a little thought, he could easily solve those great mysteries that stumped everyone.He wouldn't do that, though, and he took even greater pleasure in the thought of those mysteries out there anxiously waiting to be solved.Although the unknown makes his heart itch, he is willing, because although his life may stop at any moment, revealing those secrets rashly will be as obscene as rape.He was like an educated gentleman who didn't want his wife to be ashamed by knowing that he never believed her nonsense.Akai curled up at the doctor's feet and fell asleep, so the doctor moved aside, not wanting to wake him up.He thought of God, thought of eternity, and secretly laughed at the absurdity of life.Afterwards, fragmentary verses appeared in his mind.He seems to be dead, and Captain Nichols is like Charon, the ferryman of the Styx in a waterproof suit, shaking him to a strange and wonderful world.Thinking about it, he fell asleep.