Chapter 40 Chapter Sixteen: The Trip to Ceuta

In another two and a half months, the day that the Galians have been looking forward to day and night, the day when they will meet the earth will come. On October 7, Gallia returned to the region of the asteroid it had captured Nerina.These asteroids may have formed when a planet orbiting between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter broke up. On November 1, Gallia passed halfway through the asteroid field without incident.It will travel 160 million kilometers this month and will be 312 million kilometers from the sun at the end of the month. The temperature has risen significantly and has reached -10°C to -12°C.But there is no sign of any thaw.The ice in the sea was still frozen hard as iron.The Dobrina and the Hansa are still standing tall on the ice.

At this time there was talk of the English in Gibraltar, and it was thought that they too must have survived the harsh winter of Gallia. Captain Servadak said that the British had indeed neglected the Dobrina when they visited Gibraltar last time, but that must not prevent them from contacting them and telling them what they did not know.We will soon return to the earth, but with it, there will be a new collision, and the consequences will be very dangerous.Therefore, these situations must be told to them in order to overcome difficulties together. Earl Ironmashev and Second Officer Prokop felt that Selvadak was right, and believed that this was a humanitarian issue that could not be ignored.

But how to get to Gibraltar? Obviously, it is better to go on the ice before the ice layer melts. Besides, this is the only way to get there, because once the ice disappears and the snow melts, it will be impossible to go there.The Dobrina and the Hansa are now in jeopardy and cannot be counted on at all.The little motorboat, serviceable as it was, was bound to consume all the little coal they had in store for the return trip to Gulby Island. Of course, they could have used the kind of traffic that was temporarily converted into a sled.Everyone knows that when they went to Vermentera to pick up Professor Rosset, they took this sleigh with sails, which was fast and safe.But now there is no wind at all, and the sledge cannot drive on the ice.

So you can only go there on foot or ice skating.But the distance is very long, about 400 kilometers.Can such a long distance be reached safely on two legs? Captain Servadak volunteered to take on the task.He believes that for a skilled skater like him, it is not a problem to skate 100 to 120 kilometers a day.If the journey goes well, they can rush back to the "Warm Land" within eight days.All you need to take with you is a compass, some frozen meat, and a small alcohol stove for coffee, and nothing more. Count Ironmashev and Second Officer Prokop insisted that they go, or go with the captain.Selvadak did not agree.He felt that in case of accidents, the earl and the second mate could be taken care of by staying in the "warm land".Otherwise, in case of misfortune between the two of them, what kind of chaos will those Russian sailors be in when they return to Earth?

Earl Iron Mashev had no choice but to stop insisting.Captain Selvadak offered to take his loyal orderly, Ben-Zov, with him.He asked Ben-Zov if he had any difficulties? "No, Captain," Ben-Zoff answered briskly. "I'm taking advantage of this opportunity to exercise. And, do you think I'll let you go alone?" The departure date was set for the next day, November 2.Of course, the main purpose of Captain Selvadak's trip was to do something good for the British and fulfill a little humanitarian responsibility.But there was another thought in his mind, but he didn't tell anyone, including Count Ironmashev.

Only Ben-Zov soon saw that the captain must have other plans, because the captain said to him that night: "Ben-Zoff, go to the storage room and see if you can find some materials to make a tricolor flag." "Yes, Captain," Ben-Zoff replied. "But don't let anyone find out. Once this flag is made, you put it in your backpack and take it with you." Ben Yizoff didn't ask any more questions, and immediately followed the captain's instructions. What kind of privacy did Captain Servadac harbor? Before clarifying this issue, it should be pointed out that since Gallia set out on the return journey and got closer and closer to the earth, Count Ironmashev and Captain Servadak had unconsciously diverged in their thoughts. .For a year and eight months, the unpleasant past, completely forgotten in order to survive together, came back to their minds and took possession of their hearts.Both of them firmly believed that Mrs. L must not be married.So although they haven't returned to Earth yet, the jealousy has revived in their hearts.

For this reason, the relationship between the count and the captain had insensibly cooled down.In fact, there had never been a real intimacy between the two of them, but only a ostensibly passable friendship as circumstances forced upon them. Now let's talk about why Captain Servadac is going to Gibraltar this time.If Earl Iron Mashev learns the true thoughts of the captain, there will be a new rift between the two.So the captain has been tight-lipped about it. It should be said that the captain's idea is closely related to his whimsical character. Everybody knows.Those British have been occupying Gibraltar in the name of the British government.In Servadac's view, they were right to do so, because if the place was returned to Earth intact, the British occupation here would not be disputed.

There is also a small island of Ceuta opposite Gibraltar.Before Gallia collided with Earth, Ceuta was owned by the Spanish and was an important port on the southern shore of the strait.Now there is no one there, and whoever occupies it will own it.Therefore, in Selvadac's view, it is a matter of course to plant the French flag on Ceuta Island and occupy it in the name of France.He thought to himself: "If Ceuta can return to the earth safely and occupy an important position in the Mediterranean Sea, then this small island with the French flag is French territory." So it is not surprising that Captain Servadac has been tight-lipped about this.

Ben Yizoff completely understood the captain's thoughts.To seize a piece of land for the French government, and to tease the British, was the purpose of their trip. In this way, Captain Selvadak and Ben-Zov, wearing thick winter coats, backpacks, and skates, set off from the "Warm Land" on time. All went well on the way, and the weather was not too cold. On November 5, they successfully arrived near Ceuta Island.The sharp-eyed Ben-Zoff suddenly stopped and said: "Captain, there seems to be a figure moving on the island." "Oops, we're late." "That man seems to be starting a transmitter," Ben-Zov continued.

"God!" exclaimed the captain.He raised his eyes to the north and saw a transmitter on the top of Gibraltar's hill. "The British have occupied Ceuta!" said Servadac, "and they are reporting our arrival to Gibraltar across the way." "What now, Captain?" "It seems that we have to put away our original plan." "What if there are not many people guarding here?..." "No, no!" said Servadac. "They have discovered our coming. Unless I can persuade them to give us the place, there is nothing I can do." With that said, the two had reached the shore of the island.A sentry came forward and asked them:

"Who are you?" "French." At this time, four people appeared on the rock of the island.One of them asked them: "What are you doing here?" "I want to see your superiors," Servadak said. "Commander of Ceuta Fortress?" "Forget it, since you have stationed troops in Ceuta." "I'll report to him," replied the Englishman. After a while, a well-dressed man came, and he was the commander of the fort here——Major Oliver Fon. There is no doubt that the British had seized the island before Servadac.They built fortifications on the island and prepared enough food and fuel. There was a wisp of cooking smoke floating over the island, which showed that they lived well here in the middle of winter. Major Oliver's attitude towards the two visitors was very indifferent. "Are you Major Oliver?" Captain Servadac stepped forward to greet him. "Yes, Commander of Fort Ceuta." Major Oliver replied, "May I ask your honorable name?" "Captain Selvadak, Governor of Warm Land." "Very well, welcome." "Sir," said Servadac, "with all due respect, I am very surprised that you have become commander in this land that was originally Spanish." "yes?……" "I wonder by what right you have occupied this place?" "According to the principle of first come first served." "Excellent. But have you ever imagined that those Spaniards are now in the 'Warm Land', and they have every right to claim the island back." "I don't think they have that right yet." "why?" "They have ceded the island to us England." "Is there any evidence?" "Of course there is. And it's a formal agreement." "Really?" "Why not? They've taken our money." "Ah!" cried Ben-Zoff, "I understand now why Negret and his associates have so much money in their pockets!" That's exactly what happened.The reader will no doubt recall that, before the Spaniards left Ceuta, Commodore Morphy and Major Ollifon came here quietly.The two sides must have struck the deal at that time. Captain Servadac had tried to make a case for it, but now that ray of hope was gone.He had no choice but to pretend that nothing had happened, so that the British would not notice anything. "I don't know what your Excellency is doing here?" Major Oliver asked again. "I want to do a little work for you." "Oh!" said Major Oliver, in a tone so haughty that it seemed they didn't need anyone's help. "You probably don't know, do you? We're all roaming the solar system on a comet." "A comet?" There was a suspicious look on the major's face. With a few words, Selvadak talked to them about the situation in the past two years.The British were unmoved.Then he told them that all indications were that they would soon return to Earth.In order to avoid the danger of the collision of the two planets, all the inhabitants of Galia should unite.He concluded by saying: "Brigadier General Oliver, are you willing to go to the 'Land of Warmth'?" "Thank you very much for your kindness, Captain Servadac." Major Oliver said flatly, "We cannot leave our posts without authorization." "why?" "We have not received an order from the British Government. Our letter to Lord Fairfax has not yet been sent." "But let me tell you, we are no longer on the earth. In two months, our comet will meet the earth again." "I won't make a fuss about it, Captain Servadac. The British government will do everything they can to get this comet back into the cloud." Obviously, the British officer did not believe what Selvadak had just said. "Then do as you like!" Servadac said, "It seems that you must stick to these two isolated islands." "Of course, these two islands control the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea." Selvadak and Ben-Zov then reluctantly bid farewell to the British and set off on their way home.Everything went well on the way, and on November 9, they returned to the "warm home" smoothly. When they came back, they caught up with Palmilla Rosette, who was in a fit of rage.As you know, Professor Rosset has worked hard to calculate the various data of Galia's satellite Nerina, and now the work is finally completed.But last night, Nerina did not appear in Gallia's sky, it disappeared.Gallia is currently traveling through the asteroid field.Apparently a larger planet captured Nelina.