Chapter 4 4. The people who blocked the water source of the Nile
Kako stared at Zama, and it took a long time before he said: "Listen well, you are going on vacation, not to die. Can't you choose a more normal place?"
"Let me ask you, Kako, you often go to the inland to catch wild animals. How much did you sell for the most profitable time?"
"About fifty thousand dollars. I think it was an Okapi."
"Where's the gorilla?"
"That thing is hard to catch. It looks dull, but it's actually cunning and cruel. If chimpanzees are university professors, chimpanzees are politicians. In short, pessimists or skeptics like gorillas, It is the most difficult animal for hunters to catch alive. But gorillas are very valuable, even if they are dead, they can be sold for 20,000 to 30,000."
"If there were countless dead gorillas piled up in a valley... You see, there are more than 600 universities in the world, and each university sells one, then a multi-millionaire is just around the corner. But the job of making money belongs to You, I have other goals."
"What are you talking about?" Kako laughed. "However, what you said is really interesting. Seriously, if there is such a valley, I must go and see it."
"Really." Zama said confidently, "I have known you for so long, and I know your ability. Do you know a historian named Herodotus?"
"Yes, he is a scholar of ancient Greece."
"Yes. Herodotus wrote a book that mentioned something about the source of the Nile."
Regarding the source of the Nile, Herodotus wrote such a note.He heard it from Minorupa, the prefect of Seth in Egypt:
At the source of the Nile, between Sinai and Elafontis, there are two high mountains called Kulofas and Maphas.Between these two high mountains, there is a valley called "Half Moon Mountains".In this half-moon mountain range, there is a lake called "Colc".Pharaoh Ramesses once sent men to lower thousands of "ogye" long fishing nets, but they could not reach the bottom of the lake.So Lake "Colc" is the source of the Nile.
Moreover, there are several unknown mysteries in this area. "Rooted Swamp", "Ignorance Forest Cemetery"...there lived the legendary dwarf Pikmin and the man with a tail.
Isn't there a lot of people with tails?And this secret realm is actually the "devil's urinal".
"I understand what you mean. These contents are recorded in very esoteric Latin."
"That's right. 'The Swamp of Coiled Roots' literally means a swamp surrounded by many tree roots. The path of the swamp is intricate, and there are many coiled roots, which may refer to the tropical rainforest. And the 'Wuzhi Forest Graveyard' It is the cemetery of giant beasts, a resting place full of elephant and ape corpses. I said, Kako, judging from the description, isn’t the secret place recorded by Herodotus the ‘devil’s urinal’? That place may It’s Duoduo’s hometown.”
Kako also heard several similar ancient legends from the natives.There is a tribe called Nugban near the place where Duoduo was found.Going northwest from the tribe, which is where the 'Devil's Urinal Pond' is located, there is a bottomless cave in the mountainside.The locals call this cave "Leo".According to the local natives, this is the birthplace of human beings.Long ago, their ancestors and those extinct animals came out of this cave.
However, there are countless similar legends, and many people set out to explore in order to prove these legends. These people all think that as long as they have the determination to explore, there will be great discoveries.
On the other side of the cave is the "Demon Urinal Pool", where Dodo's birthplace may be found.
"How? 'Devil's Urinal Pond' is a spinster hundreds of millions of years old. The animals and plants there are the most primitive. Humans and beasts mate and kill beasts just to survive. As long as we find that place, we can go further. Consolidate the professor's theory and prove that Duo Duo is a half-beast born of a hybrid between a primitive man and a docile chimpanzee in the "devil's urinal". The parents of the man with a tail must have a tail, and his physical appearance and intelligence are similar to that of a chimpanzee .”
Kako was dumbfounded by Zama's words.This seemingly quiet man is really hiding something.Kako looked at Zama's lips in a trance, thinking secretly.
"And..." Zama continued, "Why doesn't Duoduo feel homesick? After thinking hard, I finally found the answer. When you caught Duoduo, you found that it had a serious berry pox. I It is believed that Duoduo knew that his death was coming, so he went to the cemetery in the dense forest in order to wait for death. He knew that he would not go back, and had to go to an unknown world, where he would bid farewell to his past life. But he was going to It was captured by you on the way to the dense forest cemetery, so it has no resistance, and it will not be homesick when it comes to the city. Kako, I also want to go to the cemetery in the 'Devil's Urine Pool'."
"The same goes for primitive people, apes, and elephants. They had a premonition that their death was approaching, and they instinctively went to the cemetery in the dense forest, leaving their hometown behind." Zama deduced easily, with a lonely look on his face smile.His love affair is dead, and there is no corpse left, so he longs for death and embarks on a journey into the unknown.
Kako decided to go with him.Surprisingly, when they told Nora about their travel plans, Nora actually said they would go together.Originally, she was determined to promote the good things between Nourla and Yang, but she gave up such an opportunity, which made Zama very puzzled.
Hearing about the travel plan, Yang followed Norla like a tail and asked to go with her.A few days later, they first came to the original base - Ketanrog.
"Recently, Shichiro, you seem to be a different person. What happened?"
The day before departure, Norra found an excuse to pick grapes and called Zama to a secluded place.The rainy season is finally over, the scorching sun dries up the earth, the figure turns lavender, and the brown soil exposed to the sun is as bright as the paint on the drawing board.
Nora suppressed the uneasiness in her heart, blinked her eyes and lowered her head to ask Zama.
"Nothing. I'm still me."
"You liar, Qilang in the past was not as cold to me as he is now. Don't underestimate a woman's sixth sense, Qilang, if you encounter any unhappy things, just tell me."
Zama was very confused, as long as he recalled the scandal between Norla and Yang that night, anger would ignite in his heart, but Norla in front of him was so straightforward, he couldn't help suspecting that it was a misunderstanding.
After that night, Yang and Norra became very estranged, at least Zama only met that once.The next day, Yang went to Amalo Medessa to discuss the reconstruction of the institute, but Medessa refused.This made Zama feel lucky, but Yang was by no means the kind of man who would be satisfied once he tasted the sweetness.No matter how Zama refused and how Norla looked down on him, he still wanted to join the expedition with a stern face.
Yang must also find it strange that she was so indifferent to him that night, she was so indifferent to him that night, what a weird woman.Could it be that Nora's dual personality was caused by Dodo?If Yang finally joins the expedition with the iron face, Zama will be very troubled, and the iron wall between him and Nora will surely continue to stand.
The cost of this expedition was funded by Norra's father, so there was no need to worry about travel expenses, but Zama didn't go out for self-cultivation.
Kako felt that the wind-like roar of the rainforest was calling him.Before that, he never dreamed that he would risk his life to challenge the "devil's urinal" known as the inviolable land.Perhaps Norra also had the same idea as herself, and she wanted to temporarily put aside the work at hand for this expedition.
Kako feels that Zama has been a little weird recently.In fact, when Zama mentioned that he was going to travel, for some reason, the first thing Kako thought of was "the devil's urinal", but what he didn't expect was that Zama really wanted to go to that place.
"Originally, I only planned to go with Kako, but I unexpectedly added Norra and Yang, a follower. Yang will definitely be attracted by Norra's beauty and be negligent, so the purpose of this expedition is not only for exploration, but also for A great opportunity to get rid of Yang. There are so many living weapons in the dense forest, crocodiles, ferocious beasts, and poisonous snakes, it is not afraid that there will be no chance to strike."
Zama thought of this and agreed to Yang joining the expedition.This expedition team, which had its own ghosts from the beginning, finally set off from Kotanrog after a few days.
Let's talk about the road to the "devil's urinal".The two sides in the southwest are the ape habitats of the Congo, and the back is the quicksand area surrounded by cliffs. Only a small area in the east is a primitive jungle.There have been several expeditions entering from the east, but all of them went without returning. Those who rushed to rescue all responded to the saying "the mud Buddha crosses the river, and they cannot protect themselves", and they themselves became missing persons.Compared with the other three sides, the east side is the only choice for everyone.
Two hundred porters, cars, and livestock form a long snake formation, like ants moving house, across the wilderness and desert.The expedition marched along the military cables of the British garrison.The sun was scorching outside and the heat was overwhelming. Norra could only sleep in the mule cart.It didn't take long to find traces of termites eating grass stems.In order to prevent the attack of soldier ants, termites have turned the surrounding area into barren land.If there are termites, it means that the water is not far away. The further we go, the weeds seem to grow taller.We soon arrived at the overnight camp for the first day of the expedition, a beautiful oasis.
By the pool, tulips are blooming among hollyhocks and bindweed bushes, dark blue lilies are floating on the water, and a group of pelicans are playing not far away.Seeing such a paradise in the wilderness, Norra happily ran to the water's edge.
Kako on the side said: "Go through the bushes on the opposite side and walk about ten miles to find Duoduo. Duoduo, you are going home."
Duoduo didn't respond to Kako, but just watched Norla's every move with greedy eyes.Norla's fair calves are as beautiful as plucked flower branches.Looking at it, Duoduo's eyes suddenly revealed a look of sadness.
Since coming here, Duoduo has become particularly sensitive.It often looks with frightened eyes at the undulating and overlapping central mountains and the endless sea of trees.Sometimes, the sound of a tree branch snapping can frighten it.Its innate wildness is awakened at this time.Zama and Kako both found a lot of strangeness.
"Duoduo has been very quiet since he was captured, but his behavior is so weird now. Could it be that the lost wildness has returned? Or is it attracted by Norla? In short, there must be a reason. We must pay attention, You can't be careless."
In fact, there is another purpose for them to take Duoduo on the road together: revisiting the old place may remind Duoduo of something, and then lead the way for them.At that time, as long as everyone follows Duoduo, they may find a secret path leading to the "devil's urinal".But now this plan is in vain.In Duoduo's heart, the beautiful Norla has overcome her longing for her hometown.
That morning, before dawn, the crowd heard the roar of the lion.From the bushes came the struggling sound of the little wild boar being captured by the cheetah.As the expedition passed through the grove of horned snakes, the leader had a terrible accident.
Except for the mules with strong resistance, the six buffaloes, bison and some camels, sheep, and horses that were driven into the river were all buried under the mouthparts of the poisonous flies.The future was even more difficult, and the porters caused a commotion because of the increased burden.The chapped terracotta under their feet made the players feel like they were in hell.Looking around, the four corners of the wilderness are nothing but bushes.Occasionally, trees can be seen, but they have long since withered, and the only few dead branches lie on the ground like road-killed corpses.
But here is not far from the mountains.On the left is the steep and snow-capped Virunga Mountains. At the foot of the mountain is a red cliff composed of weathered granite, and white clouds are floating in the shade of the mountain.Looking into the distance, in front of you is the vast sea of trees that stretches as far as the eye can see in the "devil's urinal".
The next morning, they heard hippos calling by the reddish-brown mud river.The sound was like a tuba in an orchestra, and it made Norra feel homesick.
But this is only the entrance to the dark regions of Africa.They saw the terrifying black widow spider among the thorn bushes.Yesterday, the road was full of low shrubs, but today there are not only shrubs standing in front of everyone.Miscanthus seems to have grown into a giant tree in the blink of an eye, and every step it takes, it gets closer to the hinterland.In three days they covered only forty miles.In the afternoon of the second day, they reached the last stronghold, a tribe called Makotai.
About twenty miles further on, the eastern end of the "Devil's Urinal Pool" was in sight.From now on, the previous journey is simply a spring outing, and they will face dangers that ordinary people can't imagine.The attack on the "devil's urinal" has officially begun!
"It's a joke, going to that kind of place is like dying." The chief jokingly said to the crowd while drinking palm wine and smoking hashish.Never seen him so happy.
"Hehe, the so-called seeing is believing, if there is a real treasure, please show it to me."
Walking out of the tent, there is a sea of trees under the mountain, and at the border of the sea of trees, an unknown object like smoke is swaying in the wind.
At this time, the natives on the side exclaimed: "Look! The smoke is whistling!"
Is it an illusion?The smoke seemed to really be whining.In an instant, the sun set over the western mountains, and the sky was dyed sulfur yellow.Clouds are getting denser.
Smoke hooting?On the other side of the uninhabited sea of trees, whenever the sun is approaching, the mist will roar like a tide.None of the expeditions that set out from this tribe returned.Everyone knew that this trip was dangerous, but they still led the porters to the depths of the dense forest the next day.
The air is hot and sticky, and even tigers cannot pass through the dense vines. Everyone has to avoid the stings of giant ants, poisonous scorpions, and earth turtles, and drive away troublesome monkeys.This made the pampered Norra miserable.
After walking hard for five hours, everyone finally came to the boundary with a wide view.But the military wires broke when they were pulled here, and there was still an endless dense forest in front of us.The porters were too tired to move forward.
Kako yelled: "Get up! I'll give you a raise." But the porters complained one after another, and some shouted: "Ah, Muguli, Woke (I miss my wife)." Some even cried.
The porters wanted to go home. They had no interest in exploring, and they came here under Kako's command.As things stand now, only by resisting together can we go home.
Zama alone is thoughtful, and he strongly advocates moving on.
At this time, no one noticed that the silent man's face seemed to be covered with a mask, and behind the mask was the killing intent... He wanted to use this opportunity to kill Yang in the dense forest.The air roots with a length of several feet will become a barrier for Yang to escape, and the sticky sap under his feet will also slow down his escape speed.Yang still doesn't know that the rest of his life is like a moth to a flame.Let’s talk about these later, let’s persuade those workers to move on.
In order to drive away the poisonous snakes in the isthmus, Kako set off a wildfire.The expedition team is advancing in the flames, who will be the last phantom in the flames?
After a short time, there was a little flash of light in the forest.
Almost out of the forest.
Suddenly, a dozen figures jumped out from nowhere and surrounded the crowd.It was a few natives I had never seen before.A native who appeared to be the chief was wearing a pair of shorts.
"Yeah, hello..."
Kako came forward and greeted him friendly in native language. He thought this move would ease the atmosphere, but he was taken aback just after saying hello.
The native has a gun in his hand? !The muzzle of the black hole was facing Kako.The native leader directed the crowd to follow them with his chin.After walking out of the forest, they saw a basin.There are also several warehouse-like houses reinforced with grass roofs in the basin.
"Where is this?"
Kako asked as calmly as possible, but heard an unexpected voice from the man's mouth.In this unknown land, I heard German!
"Ah?" Kako began to look at the man carefully, and saw that his nose bridge was straight, only his skin color became dark because of the sun exposure, and the rest was a genuine white man.
"Surprised. I am a German named Polotard. I have been hiding here for twenty years in order to block the source of the Nile when necessary."
From this moment, fate began to reach out to these four people, leading them on a strange adventure.
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