Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

Surrounded by the crowd, Rhodes noticed many changes.Many new buildings appeared in the camp: there were two long rows of houses made of bamboo and mud; a hut built of mud bricks with windows on it; the stove; beside it, a stream of water flowed from a bamboo pipe, passed through a leather screen, and fell into a stone jar, drawn from the stream.He didn't know whether to be happy or distressed to see these new things. He just glanced at it briefly as their triumph was greeted with lots of hugs, kisses and cheers, affectionate slaps, and one question after another that overwhelmed him. "No, there's no difficulty, except that Roy's crazy, and he's crippled... yes, of course, we found what we were looking for, and you'll know in a minute... oh no... yes, yes The... hi Jack... hi Bob... nice to meet you too, man! Where's Carmen? Hi Grant!"

Cowbell couldn't close his mouth with a smile, his white teeth gleaming in his beard.Rhodes was very surprised to find that the man looked old—why?Grant was only twenty-two, not more than twenty-three at the most.Where did his wrinkles come from? "Rod, old man! I don't know if I should throw you two up, or should I garland you?" "We're already flying." "Haha, yes! It is more joyful for a lost lamb to return home than to find gold! Come, go to my town hall." "what?" Cowbell seemed a little embarrassed. "That's what they all called it, so I did too. Better than 'No 10 Downing Street'? It's really just my sleeping shack - it doesn't belong to me." He added: "If they choose another Man, I have to go to the bachelor dormitory." Grant led them to a shack isolated from the other buildings, opposite the cooking area.

Rhodes suddenly discovered that the upper end of the camp near the river looked strange. After a closer look, it turned out that the walls were completely gone, and now they were all replaced with wooden fences.He was about to open his mouth to express his doubts when he suddenly realized that it didn't really matter much.Since all the interstellar immigrants are about to move to live in the canyon, why are they picking at this time?They don't need walls any more, they climb up high at night and put away the ladders.Thinking of this, he changed the subject. "Grant, how did you guys hollow out these bamboo tubes?"

"Huh? Actually, it's nothing. You just need to find a thinner bamboo pole, tie a dagger on it, and turn and dig in the big bamboo tube. It's actually very simple, it's just a matter of patience. You haven't seen other something? We're almost on iron." "Oh?" "We have found a rich iron ore, and we are testing it now, but I think we need to find coal. By the way, have you found coal this time?" Dinner is a feast and weddings pale in comparison.Rhodes had a real plate—it hadn't been glazed, and the edges were not round, it looked rough, but it was a plate.He was about to draw out the dagger, but Margery Zhuang stuffed a wooden spoon into his hand. "Although there are not many spoons of this kind, distinguished guests should use them tonight." Rhode looked curiously, and the feeling of holding the spoon in his hand was very strange.

The dinner was a good one, with boiled greens and roots he hadn't eaten.There were also some long thin tenderloins that were grilled just right.Rhodes and Roy also got a cake that was not baked very well. However, the others did not get a share.But Rhodes didn't comment on it out of politeness, but chewed it with relish. Margaery vowed: "One day, we will have a lot of bread, maybe next year." There is also a small fruit for dessert after the meal. It tastes a bit sour, like a sesame banana with seeds.Rhodes ate a lot. During the meal, Grant silenced everyone, announcing that he would ask the explorers to tell their stories. "Please tell them all here! Then they don't have to tell seventy of us seventy times! Come on! Rod, we're all listening!"

"Oh, let Roy speak first, he's a better eloquent than me." "Talk in turn, and Roy will continue when your voice becomes hoarse." In fact, they spoke together in the end, and the two kept interrupting each other, but they also complemented each other.These interstellar immigrants are very curious about the countless bone beaches, and are more interested in the remains of man-made dwellings. "Rod and I are still arguing!" Roy said to everyone: "I said it was a ruin of civilization, and he said it might just be an instinct. He was a little confused, those inhabitants are human beings, of course not the earth people, but they are people."

"Then where are they now?" Roy shrugged. "Where are the Selenifes, Dora? What have become of the Mithrans?" "Roy is a romantic," Rhodes retorted, "but when we get there and see for ourselves, you'll have your own opinion." "Yes, Rhodes." Roy agreed. "Everything is very hidden there." Rhode continued, "We've been waiting there since Roy's leg was injured. Let's talk about business now. How soon can we leave? Aren't we going at once? Shall we leave here tomorrow and start moving? I've thought about it—I mean how to move, I'm going to send out the vanguard at dawn, Roy or I can lead. We'll go along Go down the river for a day's walk, then set up camp, shoot some game, build a campfire, prepare food and wait for the rest of the group to come. Do it the next day, and I think we'll be safely there in five days Those caves."

"Tippos is willing to be a pioneer." "I would too." A few more people shouted, but Rhodes was very dissatisfied. This reaction was not what he expected.Jimmy didn't take the initiative to volunteer, and Caroline was also thoughtful.He couldn't see the Baxters, they were in the shadows. He turned to Cowbell and said, "What's the matter? Grant, do you have any ideas?" "Rod," Grant said hesitantly, "Your plan is very good...but you overlooked one point." "what?" "Why do you think we'd like to move?"

"Huh? That's why we were sent out. To find a better place to live. We found it. With these caves, we can hold out even if an army comes to attack. Why not move? Of course we Should move." Cowbell looked at his nails and said, "Don't be sad, Rod. I don't have a problem, I'm just worried about what people think. I'm not saying you and Roy found a bad place. It's probably better than here—than the old ones." It's better here, but we're fine here, we've put in a lot of time and a lot of hard work. Why move?" "Why, I've already told you. The cave is safer, and absolutely safe. It's too exposed... dangerous."

"Maybe, Rod. But we've stayed here and nobody's been attacked in the camp. We can vote, but you can't expect us to give up our premises and our Everything you've worked so hard for." "Imagine? Do you think 'Stable' can't go over those ridiculous wooden fences?" Rhodes said while pointing there. "If the 'Stubble' is really going to attack, those wooden fences will go into his belly." Grant said in a low voice: "'Those ridiculous wooden fences' are very effective defenses. Tomorrow morning you Take a good look."

"You won't need it when we get there, not even a watch at night. Not even houses, those caves are better than any houses here." "Maybe! But, Rhodes, you haven't seen what we've done, how much we've had to give up! You'll see it after daybreak, buddy, and we'll discuss it later." "Okay... oh no, Grant, there's only one solution. The cave is safe. It's not safe here. I call for a vote." "It's very simple, but this is not a town meeting, this is a celebration to welcome you, let's not mess with it." "Okay... sorry, but we are all here now, let's vote!" "No!" Cowbell stood up. "There will be a council meeting as usual on Friday. Good night, Rod. Good night, Roy. We are all so glad you're back safe and sound. Good night, everyone." The people at the banquet gradually dispersed, leaving only some young boys who seemed to want to discuss the possibility of moving. Bob Baxter came over, patted Rhodes on the shoulder with his hand and said, "See you tomorrow, Rhodes, good luck." A boy's question, before turning around. Jimmy Soxton was still there, and so was Caroline.Rhodes seized an opportunity to ask, and asked quickly, "Jimmy? What's your opinion?" "Me? You know me, man. You see, I just sent Jacqueline back to rest and she's a bit sick. But she asked me to tell you that we're definitely there for you, always." "Thank you, I feel better." "See you tomorrow morning? I want to see Jack." "Sure, get a good night's sleep." In the end, only Caroline was left beside Rhodes. "Rhode, do you want to go with me to see the defense situation? You will be in charge again after tonight, and I will hand over everything in one night, don't worry." "Wait, Caroline...you must be joking." "Me? Why, Rhodes." "Perhaps not. What do you think of the move? I haven't heard your opinion yet." She looked away. "Rod," she said, "if it were me, I would explain that I would set off early and I would still be a pioneer." "Great! What happened to those people? Did Grant brainwash them? But I don't understand why." He scratched his head. "I'm going to unite those who agree with me - you, me, Jimmy and Jack, the Baxters, Roy, plus those who have spoken tonight, and others with judgment, will surely win. " Caroline sighed. "It won't work, Rhodes." "Huh? Why didn't it work?" "I will go, and some younger people will go out of curiosity. If you insist, Jimmy and Jack will also agree... But it is not easy for them to make such a decision. I doubt the Baxters would not agree, and even if Bob agreed, Carmen would not really want to embark on the journey of relocation."