Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Isaac the Jew

The Dobrina left Goulbi Island on January 31 and returned smoothly on March 5, spending a total of thirty-five days at sea (because this year is a leap year).These thirty-five days are equal to the seventy days of Galia, for the sun has risen seventy times over the island of Gulbi. Hector Servadac was thrilled as the Dobrina drew closer to the only small piece of land in Algeria that had survived the catastrophe.These days, he has been on tenterhooks, wondering whether the island is safe, whether something has happened to his loyal Ben-Zov.His worry is not unreasonable. This trip around the Mediterranean Sea, the changes in the vicissitudes of the sea and fields are really shocking.

Seeing that the island was still the same, Selvadak couldn't help but heaved a sigh of relief.But the strange thing is that before the Dobrina entered the harbor near the mouth of the original Sharif River, he saw a thick cloud moving slowly over the island, rising and falling for a while.It was later discovered that this was not a cloud at all, but a large flock of densely packed birds.The sound of birdsong was deafening, echoing the salute fired by the Dobrina after its arrival. While firing a salute, the Dobrina slowly sailed into the small harbor near the mouth of the former Sharif River.

At this time, I saw a man holding a gun in his hand, running and jumping onto the hanging rock on the bank. This is Ben Zoff. He stood respectfully on the rock, paying attention to the Dobrina.As soon as the captain landed, he couldn't stand any longer, and immediately rushed forward and kissed his hand passionately. Uncharacteristically, instead of greeting the lieutenant with warm words such as "Glad to meet you. How are you on the way? I've been thinking of you so much," he kept shouting: "Ah! Those wicked bastards and robbers! Captain, you are back at last."

"Who are you scolding, Ben-Zoff?" Ben-Zoff's scolding continued, which made Servadak puzzled.He wondered if some Arabs had looted after he left. "I'm cursing these vicious birds. I've been shooting them every day for a month, but the more I shoot, the more they hit. If I let these guys do their harm, the crops on the island will be eaten up by them soon." Earl Ironmashev and Second Officer Prokop, who had just walked up, also felt that Ben Yizov's words were not too much. When Gallia is close to the sun in January, the crops in the fields are already ripe as the temperature rises.Although Ben Yizoff harvested some land, many plots have been ruined by birds.

These birds were brought from the earth by Galia.It is not surprising that they seek shelter at Goulby Island, for it alone has fields, pastures, and fresh water.This also shows that other places on the asteroid Gallia are barren and desolate worlds.However, when they come, they pose a great threat to the residents of the island, so we must find ways to eliminate them. "We need to seriously study this issue," Selvadik said. "Ah, yes! Captain, how are our colleagues living in Africa!" asked Ben-Zoff. "They're still in Africa," Selvadak replied. "What nice people they are."

"But we didn't find Africa," Selvadak said again. "If you can't find it, what about France?" "Not found either, Ben-Zoff." "Where's Montmartre?" This is what Ben-Zov is most concerned about.The captain told him what had happened in a few words. Not only Montmartre, but also the whole of France and the whole of Europe had gone with the earth away from them. Now it was 320 million kilometers away from them.It seems that there is only one way to give up the idea of ​​returning home. "Impossible! How can I never see my Montmartre again?" cried Ben-Zoff. "Excuse my rudeness, Captain, what are you talking about?"

He shook his head, unwilling to believe what the captain said anyway. "Well then, Ben-Zoff," said the captain, "believe it or not. But that's all right, don't be discouraged. An unknown scholar has done just that. Our first priority now is to settle here Come down and make long-term plans." As he spoke, Servadak led Count Ironmashev and second mate Prokop to the hut, which had been restored by Ben-Zov.The stone house had also been tidied up, and the stables had been swept clean.Servadak enthusiastically settled the two Russian guests and little Nina in the simple hut.On the way here just now, Ben Yizoff kissed little Nina twice on the cheek, and little Nina returned his kiss sincerely.

We held a meeting in the hut to discuss what to do next. The current urgent task is to take a long-term view, solve the housing problem, and survive the winter smoothly.As Gallia moves further and further from the sun, severe winter is approaching.How long it will take is unpredictable.It depends on the eccentricity of Galia's orbit. It may take several years to return to the sun.Fuel is not plentiful on the island.There is no coal at all, only a few trees.And in the long run, Gulby Island will be covered by ice and snow for a long time, and no grass will grow.what to do?How to overcome these huge difficulties?Some measures must be taken quickly to solve the problem fundamentally.

As for everyone's food and drink, there is not much difficulty at present.Drinking water is not a problem.There are several streams on the plain, and the cisterns are also filled with water.What's more, the sea is about to freeze soon, so that water can be broken through the ice, because when the sea water freezes, the salt in the water disappears. As for the food needed per person per day, it can be maintained for a long time.On the one hand, large tracts of crops are already ripe and waiting to be harvested; on the other hand, flocks of cattle and sheep are also a rich source.However, in the severe winter season, thousands of miles are frozen, and the feed needed by livestock can no longer be planted.Therefore, some feed must also be reserved.Of course, if the time it takes Galia to go around the sun can be known in advance, then the livestock can be slaughtered according to the length of the winter.

Among the inhabitants so far discovered on the planet Galia, besides the thirteen Britons in Gibraltar, there are eight Russians, two Frenchmen and a little Italian girl.Therefore, there are eleven people who need to consume food every day on Gulbi Island. As soon as Selvadak said this number, Ben Yizoff suddenly shouted. "Captain, I'm sorry, but your numbers are inaccurate." "What do you say?" "I say twenty-two." "On our island?" "yes" "What's going on? Can you explain clearly?" "I haven't had time to report to you, Captain. Some people have come to the island since you left."

"Some people came to the island?" "Yes." Ben-Zoff said, "Gentlemen, you see, the crops on the island have already matured, how can I take care of them with my hands?" "Yes." Prokop's second officer replied casually. "Come and see with me. The distance is not far, only two kilometers. Everyone should bring a gun." "What are you carrying a gun for? Self-defense?" asked Lieutenant Servadac. "No," replied Ben-Zoff, "to shoot those nasty birds." Everyone was baffled by him, but they still left little Nina and followed him out of the hut. Not far from the door, they encountered flocks of birds covering the sky and circling above their heads.Among them are wild ducks, pintails, sand pheasants, skylarks, crows, swallows, in addition to seabirds such as muscovy, red-spotted thrush, gulls, and wild birds such as quail, partridge, and woodcock.Everyone raises their guns and shoots, and each shot can kill a dozen or so. Ben-Zov did not walk along the northern sea, but crossed diagonally from the plain.Since everyone is now as light as a swallow and walking as fast as flying, ten minutes later they finished the two kilometers that Ben Yizoff said and came to a hill.There is a large area of ​​Egyptian figs and eucalyptus trees, and the scenery is very beautiful. "Ah, these bastards and robbers!" Ben-Zov swore again. "Are you still cursing these birds?" Servadac asked. "No, Captain. I'm scolding those damned idlers. You see, they have left their work in the fields and gone away again." Ben-Zov said, pointing to the scythes, rakes, and scythes scattered on the ground. . "Ben-Zoff, don't give us any more ecstasy. What's going on? Tell us directly!" Selvadak said anxiously, who was a little impatient. "Shut up! Captain. Listen! Listen!" said Ben-Zoff. "I won't do them wrong." From the woods came sweet singing, accompanied by guitars and castanets. "Spanish!" exclaimed Captain Servadac. "Who do you think they are?" said Fuizoff. "These guys sing all the time." "How is this going?……" "Listen up. Now it's the old man's turn." At this time, another voice came from the forest, but it was not singing, but gnashing of teeth and cursing. The captain was a Gascon and knew a little Spanish.The lyrics of that song are: Apart from your favor, And a cigar, A glass of Jerez white wine, A horse and a musket, Is there anything better in the world? The cursing voice had a strong accent, and it was: "Pay me back! Pay me back! You owe me the money you owe me, shameless villains!" The singing went on: The jug is Crankey's, McDang tweeted that Ray Buchner was strong. As for young girls, San Luca Barrameda is the prettiest. "Give me back my money, you rascals!" The curses began again over the sound of the castanets, "For Abraham, Isaac and Jacob's sake, for Jesus Christ's sake, and for Muhammad's For your sake, return the money to me!" "Damn it! It's a Jew!" cried Captain Servadac. "Jews are nothing," said Ben-Zoff. "I've seen some Jews who are very generous when they help others. But this guy is a German Jew. He is the most greedy of money. He is the scum of all mankind." , he betrayed the teachings of all religions." The two Frenchmen and the two Russians were about to step into the forest when they suddenly saw a very interesting scene there, so they could not help but stop at the edge of the forest.I saw those Spaniards dancing the Spanish folk dance - see Danlong dance.Because everyone's weight has been greatly reduced, they jumped more than ten meters high in one fell swoop, even higher than those towering ancient trees, which made people laugh.There are four people dancing, each of them is strong and strong, with toned muscles.They also dragged the old ones up into the air and teased them, just as the laughing Segovia baizeman had teased Sancho Panza. Selvadak and others then got into the forest and walked to a clearing in the forest.Two guitarists and castanets were half lying there, laughing and accompaniment to them. As soon as they came, the two stopped playing, and the dancers stopped messing around with the old ones. The old man was already screaming so much that his lips were parched, and now he ran up to Servadac angrily, and said to him in French with a German accent: "Mr. Governor, the money owed to me by these scoundrels is not repaid. Please see justice for me at God's price." The captain gave Ben-Zoff a look, as if asking him why he gave him the good name of "Governor".Ben-Zoff nodded, which seemed to mean: "Captain, you deserve the Governor's position. I made them call it that." Selvadak signaled the old man not to speak any more.The old man bowed respectfully, and stayed aside angrily. The old man was about fifty years old, but he looked like a man in his sixties.He was short in stature, with an aquiline nose, and wicked eyebrows.Born with a sly, hypocritical face.With his flaxen beard, thatched hair, large feet, and long hands, he was so typical of a German Jew that it was immediately recognizable.He is a loan shark who loves money like his life.For the sake of money, he would do all kinds of unconscionable things.Money is infinitely attractive to him.Like Sherlock, if he could let the debtor use his own body to repay the debt, he would definitely cut off the debtor's body and sell it for retail sale.He is Jewish, but as long as he makes money, he can pretend to be a Mohammedan and a Christian, and if he can make more money, he can call himself a non-believer. His name is Isaac Hackhabert, a native of Cologne, Germany.However, as he told Captain Servadac, he was away most of the year on business.He set up his shop on a sloop of two hundred tons deadweight, and peddled business along the Mediterranean coast.There are no less than a thousand kinds of small general merchandise on board, ranging from matches to small pictures produced in Frankfurt and Epinal. It is really a veritable floating grocery store. This water grocery store is called "Hansha".Isaac Hackhabt is alone, without a family, and lives on a boat all day long.He hired a helmsman and three men, and he traveled between Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and the coastal areas of the Middle East throughout his adult years, selling coffee, sugar, rice, tobacco, cloth, and spices, earning countless money. On the night of the catastrophe, the Hansa was anchored in Ceuta, the northernmost city of Morocco.The helmsman and the other three fellows happened to be out on business, and there was no news from them since.Readers may recall that opposite Gibraltar, there is a small isolated island, which is the only remaining place of Ceuta.There were about a dozen Spaniards staying here at that time.They were completely unaware of what was going on around them. These people came from Andalusia, Spain. They were carefree and lazy all day long. They only knew how to play daggers and guitars. They were led by a man named Negret to plant a few acres of thin land.For Negret had been to many places and was the most experienced of them all.When they found that the nearby area had become a vast ocean and they were besieged on an isolated island, they were very anxious.Fortunately, the Hansa was still nearby, and the owner, Isaac Hackhabt, was also on board.They would not hesitate to sail across and home if need be, but none of them knew how to sail.However, they could not stay in this rocky barren land endlessly.So after they ran out of food around them, they had no choice but to force Huck Habt to let them board the boat. During this period, two British officers from Gibraltar visited—the visit of these two British officers to the island has been mentioned above—and Negret received them.What the two Englishmen had said to the Spaniards, Isaac had no idea.In any case, after the English had spoken to them, Negret unceremoniously forced Hackhabt to set sail and send them to the nearby coast of Morocco.Isaac had to obey, but he couldn't forget to find ways to make money, so he asked the Spaniard to explain that he must pay the travel expenses.The Spaniards agreed, but in fact they did not intend to pay a single riyal. On February 3, the Hansa set sail.The people who drove the boat were all laymen, but fortunately the sky was always blowing with a westerly wind, so the boat went smoothly, but they just let it drift.But in the end, he unknowingly landed on the only remaining place on the earth-Gulby Island. One morning, Ben-Zov suddenly noticed a ship appearing in the sky, but it didn't look like the Dobrina, and saw it sailing downwind, heading straight for the harbor on the right bank of the former Sharif River. Ben Yizoff gave a detailed introduction to the origin of Isaac and these Spaniards.He said that the goods loaded on the ship were very complete, which was very useful for everyone to settle in Gulby Island.Of course, negotiating with Isaac in the future will take a lot of time, but under the current circumstances, for the benefit of everyone, there is nothing wrong with requisitioning his goods, and he can no longer sell them anyway. "As for the entanglement between Isaac and these Spaniards," Ben-Zoff said at last, "we have already agreed that once the Governor-General who's 'on tour' returns, he will be asked to mediate and properly resolve it." Hearing Ben-Zov's words, Servadac couldn't help but smile slightly, and promised Isaac to deal with him fairly.In this way, Isaac will stop cursing. "However," Count Ironmashev asked the captain after Isaac left, "where do you want these people to get money to pay him back?" "They have money!" said Ben-Zoff. "These Spaniards have money?" said the count. "I find it hard to believe." "They have money," said Ben-Zov. "I've seen it with my own eyes. And it's British money." "Oh, that's right!" said Servadak.He suddenly remembered that the British had visited the small island of Ceuta. people of the nation." "Yes, Captain," replied Count Ironmashev, "on this broken fragment from the earth there are now French, Russians, Italians, Spaniards, Englishmen, and Germans. As for the last A kind of person, it should be said, is represented by Isaac, which is very inappropriate." "We don't have to ask too much!" Selvadak replied humorously.