Chapter 20 "too weird!"

A few miles south of the cottage, on the narrow strip of sand, stood two old men, arguing endlessly. Before them was the vast Atlantic Ocean.Behind him lay the continent of Africa, surrounded by the impenetrable, dense darkness of the primeval forest. The beasts were roaring and howling, and all kinds of mysterious and terrifying sounds could be heard endlessly. They had wandered miles and miles in search of a "bivouac," but they were always in the wrong direction.They don't even have any hope of "returning from the wrong way", as if they have suddenly arrived in another world.

At times like these, their ingenuity must be put to work on the big, life-or-death problem at hand, in order to make the "old road" back to camp. Samuel Philander was giving a speech. "But, my dear professor," said he, "I still think that the world would have progressed a thousand years from what it is today if Ferdinand and Isabella had not defeated the Moors in Spain in the fifteenth century. "The Moors are a tolerant, open-minded, and free-spirited people. They have developed agriculture, handicrafts, and commerce. It is their type ① Ferdinand (Ferdinand): King of Aragon.Aragon is a region in northeastern Spain, formerly a country.

② Isabella (Lsabella, 1451-1504): The wife of Ferdinand V, 1474-1504 was Queen Gastile of the Kingdom of Northern Spain, and 1479-1504 was Queen Gastile and Leou. ③ Moor (Moor): Islamic people in Northwest Africa. Man made possible the modern civilizations we see in America and Europe today. And Spain..." "Tsk tsk, dear Mr. Philander," Professor Porter interrupted him, "the religion we believe in has indeed hindered the development of the various industries you just mentioned. Islam has been, is, and will only can always be a stumbling block to scientific progress. It marks the..."

"My God, Professor," Mr. Philander interrupted Mr. Porter suddenly, his eyes were fixed on the jungle, "it seems that something is coming towards us." Professor Archimedes Potter looked in the direction pointed by the myopic Mr Philander. "Tsk tsk, Mr. Philander," he said reproachfully, "do I have to constantly remind you to concentrate? You must know that only when you concentrate and concentrate, can you be inspired and burst out when you ask a certain question impromptuly." A spark of thought. And with a great thinker, this kind of thing happens often.Now I find that you have the audacity to interrupt my train of thought and talk about feline quadrupeds in spite of etiquette.I stopped just now, Mr. Philander..."

"My God, Professor! Is that a lion?" exclaimed Mr. Philander. He narrowed his eyes with poor eyesight, nervously staring at the vague figure in the dark tropical bushes. "Yes, yes, Mr. Philander. If you must use slang in your speech, do as you please. Say something about lion. But what I just said--" "Oh, my God! Professor," Philander interrupted him again, "permit me to express my opinion: there is no doubt that even if we first put your charming ①lion: The original meaning is the "lion" mentioned by Philander above, and here is the "slang" referred to by Professor Porter

one of the words. After finishing the topic of 'feline carnivores', let's discuss the worldwide disasters. Those Moors who were conquered in the fifteenth century still have to continue to live in disasters. " At this moment, the lion has walked over silently and without losing dignity. It stood there looking curiously at the two old men who were only ten paces away from it. The moonlight is like water, sprinkled on the beach.This strange combination - two old men.A lion - against the yellow sand, the outline is so sharp and the contrast is so strong. "It's so reprehensible, it's disgraceful." Professor Porter said loudly, with a hint of anger in his voice, "Mr. Field, I have never in my life heard that such an animal is allowed to roam freely outside its cage." Go. Of course I must report this intolerable violation of ethics to the zookeepers in the vicinity."

"Exactly, Professor," said Mr. Philander. "The sooner the better, go at once!" Mr. Philander took the professor's arm and started off in the direction that would put the greatest distance between them and the lion. They had not gone far before Mr. Philander glanced back, and saw with great terror the lion following them.He clung to the protesting professor and walked even faster. "Oh, as I said just now, Mr. Philander..." Professor Potter chattered again. Mr. Philander cast another quick glance behind him.The lion also quickened his pace, keeping a constant distance from them.

"It's following us!" Mr. Philander was so frightened that he couldn't even breathe, and ran away. "Tsk tsk, Philander is dead," reproached the professor, "it is quite unseemly for a respectable person to be so flustered. What will my friends think if they see us in the street in such a contemptuous manner? Oh, Let's behave a little more decently!" Mr. Philander stole another glance behind him. The lion walked easily, skipped and skipped, and was only five paces away from them. Mr. Philander let go of the professor's arm and ran like crazy for a meter, with a speed that would have graced any varsity team.

"As I said, Mr. Philander..." screamed Professor Porter—"throat and loud" himself, as it was often said.He glanced back quickly to see murderous yellow eyes and a half-open mouth. And really close at hand! In the moonlight, Professor Archimedes Potter, wearing a tuxedo and a satin hat, started to run after Mr. Samuel Philander. A short distance ahead of them, the jungle stretched across a narrow promontory.He saw Mr. Samuel Philander jumping and running quickly towards it, probably hoping to find some shelter in the woods.In the shadow of the Chuo Chuo tree, there is a pair of sharp eyes watching this "match" with great interest.

It turned out to be Tarzan of the Apes.He was grinning and grinning, watching this weird game - "Monkey Doing". He knew in his heart that right now, these two people would not be attacked by this lion.For Tarzan, acquainted with the tricks of the animals of the forest, saw that Numa the Lion let the two prey, which might have been eaten in one bite, hop and skip like this, because he was full. The lion may follow them like this until his stomach is hungry. However, as long as it is not annoyed, it will soon tire of this trick and let them go back to their lair. Of course, there is also the greatest danger, that is, if either of them accidentally trips over, the "yellow-skinned devil" will definitely jump over and bite him to death.Because it cannot withstand the temptation of this happiness.

So Tarzan swung hastily to a lower branch, which was exactly in line with the two fugitives who were getting closer.Mr. Samuel Philander came running out of breath.He was so exhausted that he no longer had the strength to climb the tree and find a safe place.Taishan "fished for the moon in the sea", grabbed his collar, lifted him up, and let him sit on the branch beside him. When the professor ran over, he bent down and lifted him up again.Numa the bewildered lion roared and jumped to his feet, trying to catch his disappearing prey. The two old men hugged the thick branches tightly and panted heavily.Taishan squatted there with his back against the tree trunk, staring at them, feeling curious and amusing. It was the professor who broke the silence first. "It pains me so much, Mr. Philander, that you behaved so unmanlyly in front of a lowly animal. Your cowardice caused me to chase you with all my strength so that we could continue our conversation. As I said Say, Mister Philander, you interrupted me then, Moor..." "Professor Archimedes Potter," put in Mr. Philander, in a icy voice, "sometimes patience can become a crime, and a crime can dress itself beautifully in the guise of beauty." Bright. You accuse me of cowardice. You said you ran wild just to catch up with me, not to escape the claws of that lion.Attention, Professor Archimedes Potter!I'm a desperate person.If you endure it for too long, even a bug will move! " "Tsk tsk! Mr. Philander, tsk tsk!" Professor Porter warned, "You are too carried away." "I haven't forgotten anything! Professor Archimedes Potter. Believe me, sir, I am restraining myself as best I can only out of respect for your lofty scientific stature and your white hair." The professor sat silently for a while, a smile appeared on his wrinkled face, but it was all shrouded in the thick night.After a while he said: "Listen, Skye Philander," he said defiantly, "if you want to fight, take off your coat and fight on the ground. I'll do what I did behind Fat Evans' barn sixty years ago." It’s like a small alley, and I’ll hit you with a black nose and a swollen face.” "Alkie!" said Mr. Philander, breathless with astonishment, "that sounds wonderful! I admire you, Archie, when you are reasonable. But these twenty years you seem Completely forget what it means to be worldly." Tremblingly, the professor stretched out a bony, old hand, groped in the dark, and found the old friend's shoulder. "Forgive me, Skyney," he said softly. "It's not been twenty years. God only knows how hard I've tried to keep my daughter, and you, since he took my other Jenny." You are reasonable!" Philander also quietly stretched out an old hand, and took the hand on his shoulder.There is no other word than this gesture that can connect the two old people closely and heart to heart. They did not speak for a long while.The lion walked up and down nervously under the tree.Taishan squatted silently in the dense branches and leaves near the trunk, like a statue, motionless. "Of course you pulled me up the tree in the nick of time," said the professor at last. "I want to thank you for saving my life." "But I didn't pull you, Professor." Mr. Philander said, "Oh my God! I have been patronizing bickering for a while, and I forgot that I was also pulled up the tree by an external force. There must be something in this tree. Someone or something stays with us." ①Ark: The nickname of Archimedes. "Really?" cried Professor Porter suddenly. "Are you sure, Mr. Philander?" "Absolutely, Professor," replied Mr. Philander. "I think we should thank this man. He may be sitting with you, Professor." "What? What's this? Tsk tsk! Mr. Philander, tsk tsk!" Professor Porter said while carefully pushing towards Mr. Philander. Just then Tarzan felt that Numa had lingered long enough under the tree, and he turned his back on his back and uttered that terrible cry that apes make when they warn or challenge their enemies.The voice echoed in the ears of the two old men. Trembling all over, the two friends hugged each other tightly, curled up on the not-quite-secure branch.They saw the lion stop on hearing this hideous roar, and then run quickly into the jungle, and in a blink of an eye he was out of sight. "Even the lion trembles," said Mr. Philander softly. "It's so strange! It's so strange!" Professor Potter murmured, and crazily grabbed Mr. Philander, because he lost his balance due to the sudden start just now.Unfortunately, the center of gravity of Mr. Philander's body is already unstable now. As long as Mr. Potter puts more force on him, this loyal secretary will fall from the tree upside down. The two of them dangled a few times on the branches, then fell from the tree hugging each other tightly, and let out several unscholarly screams at the same time. For a long time the two men lay motionless on the ground.Because they are all convinced that as long as they find that their skin is torn and their bones are broken, it is absolutely impossible to take any action. Later, Professor Porter tried to move a leg first.To his surprise, the leg worked just as well as before.He lifted the other leg and stretched it. "It's weird, it's weird," he murmured. "Thank God, Professor," said Mr. Philander enthusiastically in a low voice. "So you're still alive?" "Tsk tsk, Mr. Philander, tsk tsk," said Professor Porter, "I don't quite know yet!" Professor Porter anxiously twisted his right arm a few times, it was wonderful!The arm is intact.Holding his breath again, he lay flat on the ground and shook his left arm a few times, and he could move freely. "It's weird, it's weird!" he said. "Who are you signaling to, Professor?" Philander asked cheerfully. Professor Porter dismissed this childish question.He raised his head slightly from the ground and moved back and forth six or seven times. "Wonderful!" he said, "I can still move my neck." Mr. Philander remained quite still.He did not dare to make such an attempt.How can a man move if his arms, legs, and spine are broken? One of his eyes was buried by the soft sand, and the other eye squinted at Professor Potter who was still lying on the ground. "How miserable!" exclaimed Mr. Philander. "Concussion, and general mental disturbance. This is really miserable! Poor me for being so young!" Professor Potter got up, hunched over cautiously, like a tomcat confronting a barking dog.He sat up and touched his whole body. "It's all here, and nothing is missing," he exclaimed cheerfully. "too weird!" Then he got up, cast a contemptuous glance at Mr. Samuel Philander, who was still lying on the ground, and said: "Tsk tsk! Mr. Philander. This is not the time to lie on the ground and sleep comfortably. We must get up and get down to business!" Mr. Philander brushed away the sand, opened the other eye, and stared at Professor Porter, too angry to say a word.Then, he tried to climb up, and to his surprise, he found that he succeeded in one fell swoop! Professor Porter's caustic unjust sarcasm pissed him off.Just as he was about to respond with the same bitter sarcasm, he suddenly saw a strange figure a few steps away, staring straight at them. Professor Porter carefully wiped the shiny satin top hat with the sleeve of his coat for a while, and just put it on his head, he saw Mr. Philander pointing something behind him.He turned his face and saw a giant standing motionless in front of him.The man was completely naked except for a loincloth and metal ornaments. "Good evening, sir!" said the professor, taking off his hat. The giant made no answer, but beckoned them to follow him, and strode across the beach in the direction from which they had come. "I think we'd better go with him," said Mr. Philander. "Tsk tsk, Mr. Philander," the professor replied, "just now you had a very logical debate with me, proving that your theory is completely correct, insisting that the campsite is due south. Although I disagreed , I was finally persuaded by you. Now I firmly believe that we must go south to find our friends. Therefore, I will continue to go south." "But, Professor Potter, this man probably knows the place better than either of us. He looks like he grew up in this place.Let's walk with him at least a short distance. " "Tsk tsk, Mr. Philander," Jingshou said again, "I am a person who is difficult to be persuaded, but once I am persuaded, I will never change my mind. Therefore, even if I have to go around the African continent to get there As for the destination, I just want to go in the direction of due south." Seeing that the two eccentrics did not follow him, Tarzan returned and interrupted their endless argument. He gestured to them, but the two old men stood there arguing. Tarzan was impatient with their ignorance and stubbornness.He seized the terrified Mr. Philander by the shoulders, and before the venerable gentleman could decide whether to kill him or keep him alive, Tarzan's rope was firmly around his neck. "Tsk tsk, Mr. Philander," Professor Porter warned, "it is really inappropriate for you to submit to such insults!" But before he finished speaking, his neck was firmly tied with the same rope.Taishan took the professor and his secretary and walked northward. Tired and disappointed, the two old men seemed to have walked for a long time in deathly silence.In fact, in a short while they climbed a small ridge, and the cabin was not a hundred yards ahead, to the great delight of the two old men. Tai Shan let them go here, pointed to the hut, and disappeared into the nearby jungle. "It's queer, queer!" said the professor breathlessly. "You see, Mr. Philander, as usual, I can't be wrong! If you hadn't been so stubborn, we wouldn't have had to suffer." So much humiliation, it would not have nearly cost you your life. When you need wise advice later, dare to allow yourself to follow the guidance of a more mature and practical heart." Mr. Samuel Philander, so relieved by the happy ending of this adventure, took his arm and hurried to the cabin, despite the harshness of the professor's words. The great reunion naturally brings great joy and comfort to these survivors.Till dawn they related with gusto their perils, and speculated on the identity of the strange protector they had found on this savage shore. Esmeralda insisted that God specially sent angels to protect them. Clayton said with a smile: "If you see how he devours and eats raw lion meat, Esmeralda, you will think that he is by no means an angel who eats nothing. " "His voice doesn't sound heavenly either," said Jenny Potter.She shuddered at the memory of the terrible cry that the "man-ape" made after killing the lioness. "His behavior is also very different from the dignifiedness of the messenger of God I imagined." Professor Porter said, "This... oh, this gentleman, how can he have two respected and highly accomplished scholars on his chains?" necks, like cows, pulling them through the jungle!"