Chapter 26 Chapter 10 Putiriya Lake
Putiria Lake, where the "steam house" temporarily serves as a refuge, is located about forty kilometers east of Dimo City.The city is the capital of the British province of Dimo, from which it is named, and is in the throes of development.The city, with its 120,000 inhabitants and a small garrison, controls this dangerous part of Bendelkhand.But outside the city walls, especially in the wildest parts of the Vandias Mountains in the east centered on Lake Putiria, its influence is hardly felt.
Anyway, what could have been worse than this pitched battle with an elephant that we just narrowly escaped?
Having said that, our situation is rather dire, for most of our stores have been lost—one of the wagons that made up the "Steam House" convoy was unloaded.To paraphrase a nautical term, there is no way to let it now: first overturned, then smashed to pieces on the rocks, and finally trampled by the inevitable crowd of elephants, it will only be a heap Broken iron.
However, in addition to serving as sleeping quarters for all passengers, this carriage contained kitchens and offices, and notably a storeroom for food and ammunition.Now we have only a dozen or so bullets left in our hands, but it is likely that there will be no need to use firearms until Jubil Poor.
Food is another problem, and much more difficult to solve.
Indeed, there was not a single bit of grain left.Even if we can reach the train station 70 kilometers away in the evening of the next day, it means that we will not be able to eat for a full 24 hours.
However, I can accept the fact again!
The most distressed among us under such circumstances is, of course, Mr. Palazzard.The loss of power, the damage to the workplace and the scattering of food made his heart ache.He made no secret of his despair, and he was not at all grateful for miraculously escaping the danger just now, but he was extremely annoyed by his current situation.
Therefore, when everyone gathered in the living room to discuss what measures to take at the moment, Mr. Palazzard, who was always dignified, appeared at the door and said that he had something extremely important to discuss.
"Mr. Palazzard, please," said Colonel Moreau, letting him in.
"Gentlemen," said our dark-skinned head chef seriously, "you are not unaware that all the supplies that were fully loaded in the second room of the 'Steam House' have been lost in this disaster! Even a simple meal cannot be prepared without a kitchen."
"We all know, Mr. Palazzard," Colonel Moreau replied. "The situation is indeed regrettable, but everyone will do their best to persevere, and if we need to go hungry, we can survive."
"Gentlemen, it is actually more regrettable to see the elephants that attack us fall to your guns one by one..." the chef continued.
"What a beautiful sentence! Mr. Palazzard! Although you have only taken a few lessons, you can already express your thoughts as elegantly as our friend Marcia Van Geet." Captain Ord praised road.
Palazzard bowed slightly—he took the compliment too seriously, and then, with a sigh, continued:
"Gentlemen, I see in this an excellent opportunity for me to make the most of my talents. You know that the meat of an elephant - whatever you may think - is not all fat and tender, but some parts are undoubtedly hard and tender. but the Creator seems to have intentionally left two first-class meat places on this huge body, which are even qualified to be placed on the table of the Governor of India... I am referring to the tongue of this animal, if according to a method only I can master The secret recipe of this 'pachyderm' is definitely delicious, and the four paws of this 'pachyderm' are also..."
"'Pachyderm'? . . . well worded, though 'proboscis' sounds more elegant," commented Captain Ord, with a gesture of assent.
"...the soles of the feet can be used to make a good famous soup, and I am the representative of the 'steam house' who knows this culinary art." Mr. Palazzard continued.
"You've got us salivating, Mr. Palazzard," Bonkers said. "However, unfortunately and fortunately, the elephants did not chase us across the lake, and I am afraid we will have to give up - at least for a short time - the 'paw soup' and 'tongue stew' of this deliciously meaty and vicious animal. hoped for."
"Isn't it possible to turn back to land and get some elephant meat?" asked the head chef.
"Impossible, Mr. Palazzard. As perfect as your plan is, we cannot take that risk."
"Well, gentlemen, please accept then my deepest regrets for this unfortunate adventure."
"Your wishes are appreciated, Monsieur Palazard," said Colonel Moreau, "but please rest assured. As for the three meals a day, you need not worry about them until you reach Jubilee Poor."
"Then I'll take my leave," Palazard said, bowing without losing any of his inherent reserve.
If not for other annoyances, we would have laughed out loud at the head chef's posturing.
Indeed, a tricky situation arose in addition to the original difficulties.Bonkers told us at this time: The most annoying thing is neither the lack of food nor the shortage of ammunition, but the lack of fuel.This is not surprising, since for 48 hours there has been no possibility of replenishing the wood the monster must "eat".The spare fuel was exhausted by the time we reached the lake.If there is another hour's journey, it will be impossible to arrive, and the first carriage of the "steam house" will also suffer the same fate as the second carriage.
"Now we have nothing to burn, the pressure keeps dropping, it's down to two atmospheres, and there's no way to get it back up!" Bonkers added.
"Is it really as serious as you think, Bonkers?" asked Colonel Moreau.
"If it's just back to the side of the lake not far from us, it can be done," replied Bonkers. "A quarter of an hour's drive would suffice. But the herd must still be there, and it would be too rash to go back. No, on the contrary, one must cross Putiriya Lake and find an anchorage on its southern shore."
"How wide is the lake here?" Moreau asked again.
"According to Calagani's estimate, it is about seven or eight miles across. However, in our conditions, it will take several hours to cross. I must remind you again: in less than 40 minutes, the machine will stop working .”
"Well," said Edward Morrow, "we'll just spend the night in peace on the lake. It's safe here. We'll talk about the rest tomorrow."
That's all.Also, we all need a break too.In the last camping place, the "steam room" was surrounded by elephants, and no one could sleep.
.
Indeed, around seven o'clock in the evening, a thin layer of white mist gradually floated on the lake.I couldn't help but think of the night before, when I also saw thick fog in the sky.The situation of fogging varies from region to region.Around the elephant camp last night, the water vapor was suspended in the air hundreds of feet above the ground, but on Lake Putiriya due to the evaporation of the lake water, the situation is different.After a rather hot day here, the upper and lower layers of the air blend together, and the whole lake is quickly lost in a mist, not very thick at first, but gradually thickening as time goes on.
As Bonkers said, this is a complex issue that must be addressed.
Just as he expected, at nearly 7:30, the "steel behemoth" let out the last few long beeps, the movement speed of the pistons began to slow down, and the four jointed feet stopped pushing water, and the pressure was already less than one atmosphere.The fuel was all used up, but it was impossible to get it again.
As a result, the "steel behemoth" and the only carriage behind it floated quietly on the water, no longer moving.
Given the situation, and the fog all around, it will be difficult to actually improve our situation.However, during the short time that the machine remained in operation, we kept heading south-east in order to find an anchorage on the south-eastern shore of Lake Pu.Due to the long and narrow oval shape of Lake Putiriya, the "steam house" may not be too far from the shore of one side of the lake.
Of course, the roar of the elephant that had tormented everyone for about an hour had now disappeared into the distance and was finally inaudible.
We then discussed various situations that we might encounter in the future.Bonkers had Calagani called in, and he made it a point to consult the latter.
The Indian came soon, and everyone asked him to talk about his views.
We were gathered in the dining room, which has no windows on either side, but the sun comes in through the skylight overhead.Therefore, the light inside will not leak out.After all, this kind of vigilance has its benefits, because it is better not to be known by the gangsters wandering around the lake about the current situation of the "steam house".
Faced with the questions posed to him, Carragani—or so it seemed to me—was at first hesitant to answer.It was a matter of ascertaining the present position of our floating train on the surface of Lake Putiria, and the answer was indeed not easy.Perhaps, a breeze from the northwest has acted on the course of the "steam house"?Maybe an undercurrent is pushing us towards the southernmost part of the lake?
"Hey, Carragani, do you really know how big Lake Putiriya is?" Bonkers insisted.
"Of course, sir," replied the Indian, "but in this mist it's hard..."
"Can you approximate how far it appears from the shore of the lake closest to us?"
"Yes," the Indian said after thinking for a while, "it should not exceed 1.5 miles."
"Is it the east coast?" asked Bonkers.
"yes."
"In this way, after we landed, we are closer to Jubile Poor Station than to Demo City?"
"Exactly."
"Then Jubilee Pol is a better place to resupply," Bonkers said. "But God knows when and how we'll get to shore! It may take a day or two, and we've got nothing to eat."
"But," interposed Carragani, "can't we, or at least one of us, take the risk of getting to shore tonight?"
"How did you get there?"
"Swim."
"A mile and a half away, in this dense fog again! It's life-threatening..." Bonkers said.
"That should never be a reason to give up trying," replied the Indian.
Somehow, I always felt that Carragani's voice lacked his usual straightforwardness.
"Can you try to swim across the lake?" Colonel Moreau, who had been watching the Indian carefully, asked him.
"Yes, Colonel, and I have reason to believe I shall succeed."
"Well, friend, you've been a great help to us!" Bonkers said with admiration. "Once on land, you'll find the Jubilapor station easily, and from there bring the aid we desperately need."
"I'm ready to go!" Carragani replied briefly.
I expected Colonel Moreau to thank the volunteer guide--it was, after all, a very dangerous mission; but the Colonel, having watched the Indian more carefully, called out to Gummi.
Gumi came immediately.
"Gumi, are you good at water?" Sir Edward Morrow asked.
"Yes, Colonel."
"Tonight, you won't have any trouble swimming a mile and a half on this calm lake?"
"It doesn't matter if it's a mile or two."
"Well," continued the colonel, "Karagani offered to swim to the east bank which is nearest to the Jubilapor station. However, whether on Lake Putiriya or in the Bendalkhand area, the two Those who are quick-witted and brave support each other, and have a better chance of success.—Would you like to accompany Caragani?"
"Yes, Colonel," Gumi replied.
"I don't need anyone's help," Carragani said, "but if Colonel Moreau insists, I'd love to have Gummi for company."
"Let's go, my friends, you are quite brave, but you must be equally cautious." Bonkers urged.
After the matter was agreed upon, Colonel Moreau called Gumi aside alone and gave him a few brief instructions.Five minutes later, the two Indians jumped into the lake with a bag of clothes on their heads.At this time, the fog was thick, and they disappeared after a few swims.
I then asked Colonel Moreau why he was so determined to add a traveling companion to Caragani.
"My friends, so far I have never doubted Karagani's loyalty, but the Indian's speech today makes me feel not very frank!" Morrow replied.
"I feel the same way," I echoed.
"I didn't notice anything..." objected the engineer.
"Listen, Bonkers," Colonel Moreau said again. "Karagani must have had his own private agenda in offering to go ashore first."
"What plan?"
"I don't know, but the reason why he wants to explore the road first is not to seek rescue in Jubile Poor!"
"Oh!" Captain Ord said in surprise.
Bonkers stared at the colonel, frowning.Then said:
"Moro, this Indian has always been loyal, especially to you! And today you claim that Karagani has betrayed us! What proof do you have?"
"While Karagani was talking, I noticed that his face was getting darker, and if the bronzed person got darker, he must be lying! Many times I could have messed up the darkened Indian with the Bongali I've never missed it, knowing that trait. So I have to say that despite all the speculation in his favor, Carragani just wasn't telling the truth."
This assertion of His Excellency Edward Morrow,--I have since been often confirmed by it--was well founded.
When Indians tell a lie, their faces turn slightly black, just as white people turn red.And this sign did not escape the Colonel's keen eyes, and it is indeed necessary to pay attention to his opinion.
"But what is Calagani's plan, and why is he betraying everyone?" Bonkers asked.
"We shall find out later..." replied the colonel, "but it may be too late!"
"Too late?" Captain Ord yelled. "Oh, Colonel! We're not in danger yet!"
"Anyway, Moreau," said the engineer, "you did a good job adding Gummi to him. Gummi will serve us to the death. He's smart and nimble, and if he realizes the danger, he'll... "
"What is even more gratifying is that he is already on his guard and will always be on his guard against this companion of his." The colonel added.
"Okay, now we just have to wait for dawn," Bonkers said. "Obviously, the fog will dissipate after the sun comes out, let's see what to do then!"
yeah, wait!This night will be spent in insomnia again.
The fog was getting thicker, but there was no sign of bad weather coming.Fortunately, because although our train can float on water, it is not a vehicle for sea cruising after all.And these fine bubbles are expected to condense at dawn, ensuring a sunny day the next day.
Leaving the dining room to the workers, we sat on the couch in the living room, seldom talking to each other, but keeping our ears open to everything going on outside.
At about two o'clock in the middle of the night, a roar of tigers and leopards suddenly broke the silence of the night.
The lake shore was obviously there, to the southeast, but it must have been quite a distance.The howl of the beast was attenuated by the distance, which Bonkers estimated would be no less than a mile.These beasts must have come to the lake to quench their thirst.
It was soon confirmed that our floating train was slowly approaching the shore under the action of a light wind.Sure enough, not only did the roar of the beast gradually become clearer, but it was also possible to distinguish the deep howl of the tiger from the hoarse voice of the leopard.
"Ha! This is really an excellent opportunity to kill the 50th tiger!" Captain Ord couldn't help saying.
"Wait till next time, Captain!" said Bonkers. "I hope the beasts will have made room for us by the time we land!"
"Is there anything wrong with turning on the telecommunication light on the front of the car?" I asked.
"I don't think so," Bonkers replied. "This section of the embankment is likely to contain only drinking animals. It won't do any harm to see with a light probe."
So following Bonkers' orders, two strong lights were shot to the southeast.But the electric light couldn't penetrate the blurry white mist, and could only illuminate a short distance in front of the "steam house", and the river bank was still not visible at all.
The howling of the beast with increasing volume indicated the train.Continue to move forward on the lake.Obviously, there are quite a lot of animals gathered here.This is not surprising, for Lake Putiriya acts as a natural drinking trough to the beasts of this part of Bendelkhand.
"I hope Gumi and Calagani don't fall into the clutches of these beasts," said Captain Ord.
"It's not tigers, leopards, and wolves that worry me about Gumi!" Colonel Moreau continued.
Undoubtedly, doubts in the colonel's mind continued to grow.And I began to share the anxiety.However, Karagani's dealings with us since our arrival in the Himalayas, his unquestionable devotion to duty, and the loyalty shown by twice risking his life to save Mr. Edward Morrow and Captain Ord, all constitute evidence in his favour.But having said that, if people's hearts are being haunted by doubts, the value of great achievements in the past will change, and their appearance will also change. People begin to forget the past and worry about the future.
But what motive would have prompted this Indian to betray us?Is it out of personal anger with the tourists on the "steam room"?No, definitely not!But why lead them into a trap?It is impossible to explain.The companions were in deep confusion, and we waited impatiently for the outcome of the incident.
Near four o'clock in the morning, the cries of the beasts suddenly stopped.To everyone's surprise, they didn't seem to drink the last sip of water, let out the last howl, and then drifted away one by one.No, the sound stopped abruptly.It seems that some accident during the drinking process forced them to escape.They returned to their respective burrows, not as masters returning home calmly, but as prey fleeing in a hurry.
Then there is silence, without a transition.Although we don't know what happened there, it undoubtedly added to everyone's anxiety.
Out of an abundance of caution, Bonkers ordered the lights to be turned off.Be careful to hide the location of the "steam house" if the beasts have been frightened away by one of the gangs of bandits that regularly harass the Bendelkend and Vandias areas.
Now there was not even the soft sound of rippling water to break the deathly silence.The wind just stopped.It is not known whether the train is still moving forward under the propulsion of running water.But the sky will be bright soon, and the sun will sweep away the fog that permeates the low sky.
I looked at my watch.five o'clock in the morning.If there is no fog, the dawn light should allow for a field of vision of several miles.The shore of the lake is also visible.But the gauze in front of him has not been torn yet.Still need to be patient.
Colonel Moreau, Mark Real and I stood in front of the drawing room, Mr. Fox, Karut and Mr. Palazzard were in the back of the dining room, Bonkers and Stoll sat in the conning turret, and Captain Ord Then climbed onto the back of the "steel behemoth" and rode close to the trunk, like a sailor on a sentry bow. We waited together, waiting for someone among us to shout: "Land!"
Near six o'clock there was another slight breeze, barely perceptible at first, but rapidly increasing in strength.A few rays of morning light pierced through the fog, and the horizon unfolded before our eyes.
The shore of the lake emerges in the southeast.A narrow and long bay is formed by the lake, and behind the bay is an unusually dense forest.The water vapor dissipated little by little, and the background of the mountains appeared, and the peaks of the mountains were soon revealed.
"Land!" Captain Ord had already shouted.
At this time, our water float was no more than two hundred meters deep in the harbor, and driven by the breeze from the northwest, it was still drifting towards the shore.
There was nothing on the shore.Not a single animal or living person was to be seen.It's like being barren.And there wasn't a house, not a pasture under the thick foliage of the bushes ahead.So it gives the feeling that it is safe to go ashore.
With the help of the wind, we easily approached the shore of a lake that was as flat as a sandy beach.But since there is no steam power, it is impossible for the train to climb ashore, and it is also impossible to drive on the road that should lead to Jubilel Pol according to the compass.
Not daring to delay for a moment, everyone followed Captain Ord and jumped onto the shore of the lake.
"Find fuel!" Bonkers yelled. "After an hour we'll be motivated to keep going!"
Gathering fuel is easy.There is wood all over the ground, and it is extremely dry and ready to use right away.Just fill up the boiler and tender.
We all put in the work.Karut stood guard in front of the boiler, while the rest gathered wood for 24-hour burning.It actually costs less fuel to get to Jubilapor Station, and coal is to be found there.The necessity of food can already be felt, but fortunately there are no regulations prohibiting hunters from eating their prey during the hunt.Mr. Palazzard will borrow Karut's fire to keep us barely hungry.
Forty-five minutes later, the steam had reached enough pressure that the Iron Behemoth began to move, and finally climbed the slope of the lake bank and came to the intersection.
"Forward to Jubilee Poor!" Bonkers yelled.
But before Stoll turned the steering wheel, there were angry killing sounds from the edge of the forest.A group of Indians, at least one hundred and fifty of them, rushed towards the "steam room". The conning tower and body of the Iron Behemoth are surrounded front and back, and we don't even realize what's going on.
Immediately the Indians dragged us fifty paces from the train, and it was impossible to get out!
Just think how angry and furious we must be!Seeing the ensuing scene of destruction and plunder, the Indians rushed at our "steam house" with sharp axes, smashing and chopping.The utensils inside were quickly looted!After that, a big fire completed the task of "cutting the weeds and eradicating the roots". It took only a few minutes, and the last carriage was swallowed by the flames.
"Bastard! Robber!" Captain Ord yelled, and a few Indians could barely restrain him.
But he can only shout a few curses that these Indian natives seem to be unable to understand, just like us.As for escaping from these soldiers watching us, it is impossible to even think about it.
The flames were finally extinguished, and only an ugly skeleton remained of the mobile pagoda that had just crossed half of India.
The Indians immediately launched an attack on our "steel behemoth".Want to destroy it too!But this time there was nothing they could do.Because there is nothing we can do about our artificial elephant whether it is chopped with an ax or burned.Its thick iron armor and the machinery inside remained unscathed.The robbers tried their best, but our mounts did not move, and Captain Ord clapped his hands and laughed with joy and relief, and shouted "Ulla! Ulla!"
Then a person came.It should be the leader of this group of Indians.
The mob immediately lined up in front of him.
Another man stood beside him.Everything is self-evident.For he is our guide—Karagani.
No sign of gummi.The loyal ministers are gone, but the spies are right in front of them.Evidently, the steadfastness of this righteous servant had cost him his life, and he would never be seen again!Carragani walked up to Colonel Moreau, without lowering his eyes, just pointed coldly, and said:
"this!"
With a wave of his hand, His Excellency Edward Morrow was caught and dragged away. Before he could shake hands with us for the last time or say goodbye, he disappeared among the team heading south again.
Captain Ord, Bonkers, Sergeant, Fox... Everyone wants to rush to rescue the Colonel from these gangsters! ...
However, dozens of arms had already pinned us to the ground.One more move and you'll be killed.
"Don't resist!" Bonkers shouted.
The engineer had a point.There's nothing we can do to save Colonel Moreau just now.It is better to preserve strength and act with the camera.
After about a quarter of an hour, the Indians who stayed behind finally let us go and chased the vanguard.It would definitely not work to follow them, and it would be detrimental to Colonel Moreau, but no matter what, we must find him...
"Don't go any further," Bonkers ordered.
Everyone did not move.
Obviously, the group of Indians led by Carragani was targeting Colonel Moreau, and they only hated him for a while.What is this traitor's plan?He obviously didn't do it out of personal anger.But at whose order? ... Nana Saib's name popped into my head! ...
This is where Mockley's manuscript ends.The young Frenchman had no way of seeing the series of events that hastened the end of this good show.But these moments soon became known, and they should be included in this novel to complete the account of this journey southwards through the Indian peninsula.
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