Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve Observation Points to Mr. John's Taste

The Russian calculator was finally found.When people asked him how he spent those four days, he couldn't tell.Had he ever realized the danger he was facing?It's not very likely.When people told him about the crocodile incident, he refused to believe it and took it as a joke.Is he ever hungry?unlikely.He ate numbers, and he ate so well that he discovered an error in the logarithmic table! In front of his colleagues, Strux did not want to make any accusations against Barendre, out of national pride.Yet there is every reason to believe that in private he must have sternly warned astronomers not to indulge in his logarithmic studies in the future.

The experiment was restarted.During a few days the work was carried out in good time, and the weather was clear, very favorable both for measuring angles and for measuring distances to the zenith.New triangles were added to the triangular network, and their angle numbers were rigorously determined by many observations. On June 28, astronomers have achieved the base of the 15th triangle.According to estimates, this triangle should include a segment of longitude between the second and third latitudes.Just establish another observation point as its vertex, and then measure two adjacent angles to complete the triangle.

At this point a natural problem arises.The area is covered with endless coppice, which is not suitable for establishing signs at all.Its relatively obvious slope from south to north is not suitable for the setting of pillars, but makes its visibility difficult. The only point that can be used to establish a logo is located far away.It is a mountain 12-13 feet high, 30 miles to the northwest.Under these conditions, the length of each side of the 15th triangle exceeds 20,000 tuvoises, a quadrupling of the general length that sometimes occurs in triangulation.This is a length that the members of the Anglo-Russian Committee have not achieved so far.

When discussions matured, the astronomers decided to place a light at this altitude and decided to pause until the marker was established.Colonel Everett, Amory, and Zorn, accompanied by three sailors and two Bushmans, led by Forobel, to the new observation point to establish a lighted sign for night operations , due to the great distances, they cannot easily make observations during the day in order to be able to operate with sufficient accuracy. The team set off on the morning of June 28 with food, instruments and equipment carried by mules.Colonel Everett hoped only to reach the foot of the mountain the next day.As long as some difficulties are encountered during mountain climbing, the light beacon can only be established on the night of the 29th-30th at the earliest.Observers who remained in camp were therefore unlikely to see the luminous apex of the 15th triangle until at least 36 hours before.

In Colonel Everett's absence, Strux and Ballandre were absorbed in their daily business.Lord John and the Bushmans hunted around the camp and caught several antelope species that are abundant in southern Africa. Sir John even has a "stormed" giraffe in his hunt.This is a beautiful animal, rarely seen in the northern regions, but very common in the southern plains.Giraffe hunting is regarded as a "beautiful sport" by insiders.Lord John and the Bushmans come across a herd of 20 giraffes.The two were only allowed to stay 500 yards away from the extremely frightened animals.At this time, a female giraffe separated from the team, and the two hunters were determined to capture it.The female giraffe trotted, allowing the hunters to pursue her, but when the hunter's horse became visibly close to her, she fled so fast that the hunters had to chase them for more than two miles.At last, Lord John hit it with his rifle, and it fell on the ribs.This is a very nice and typical giraffe.As the Romans said, it had "the neck of a horse, the legs of an ox, and the head of a camel," and its coat was light red with white spots.This unusual ruminant measured no less than 11 feet from the soles of its feet to the tops of its small fur-covered horns.

That night, two Russian astronomers measured the correct altitudes of several stars to determine the latitude of the camp. The day of June 29 passed peacefully.They eagerly waited to see the apex of the 15th triangle this night.Night came, and it was a dark, starless, dry, fogless night, very favorable for determining a distant sign. The preliminary preparations are all done.The lens of the re-measurement theodolite is aimed at the top of the mountain during the day, and it should quickly aim at the light mark when it is too far to see the top of the mountain with the naked eye. On the night of the 29th and 30th, Strux, Barlander, and His Excellency Johann took turns to wait in front of the eyepiece of the instrument, but still the top of the mountain could not be seen, and there was not a single light shining on its apex.

From this, the observers judged that they encountered serious difficulties when climbing the mountain and failed to reach the top of the mountain in the afternoon.They therefore postponed their observation until the next night, having no doubt that the luminous marker would be installed during the next day. However, to their surprise, Colonel Everett and others unexpectedly reappeared in the camp at two o'clock in the afternoon on June 30. "It's you, Colonel!" cried His Excellency John. "It's us, Your Excellency John." "Is the mountain difficult to reach?"

"On the contrary, it's easy to get to. But it's being watched closely, so we're coming back for reinforcements." "Ah! Natives?" "Yes, the four-legged native with the lion's mane swallowed one of our horses!" In a few words the colonel told his colleagues that everything was going well down to the foot of the hill.Only one ridge on the southwest side of that mountain can pass through.By the time they reached the ridge, however, a pride of lions had already built their "kralle" - in the words of Forobel.Colonel Everett tried in vain to remove these hideous animals, and after one of their horses was kicked in the waist by a lion, they were forced to retreat, ill-armed.

This account can only cheer Lord John and the Bushmen.This "lion mountain" is an observation point to be conquered, an observation point absolutely necessary for the continuation of the geodetic work. This great opportunity to take on the most fearsome of felines had to be taken advantage of, and the expedition was immediately organized. All Europeans, including the peaceful Ballandre, wanted to take part in the operation.But several people must be left at the camp to measure the adjacent angles of the new triangle.Colonel Everett, realizing that his presence was necessary to oversee the operation, volunteered to stay with the two Russian scientists.In addition, it is impossible for any reason to stop Lord John.The detachment sent to storm the mountain consisted of these men: His Excellency John, Amory, and Zorn (it was at the plea of ​​these three that the two leaders gave up the idea of ​​going together).The unshirkable Bushmen and the three natives—Morcomb knew their courage and composure well.

After the three Europeans in the detachment shook hands with their colleagues, they left the camp around four o'clock in the afternoon, entered the jungle, and headed towards the mountains.They raced on, and by nine o'clock in the evening they had covered thirty miles. Two miles from the mountains, they dismounted to organize the night, but no bonfires were lit, for Morcombe did not want to attract the attention of the beasts they decided to attack by day, and they did not want to be attacked by night. The lion's roar echoed almost constantly that night, as these fearsome predators came out of their dens in the dark to hunt for food.No one wants to sleep, not even for an hour.From this Morcumb made to them a suggestion which his experience had proved invaluable:

"Gentlemen," he said in a calm tone, "if Colonel Everett is not mistaken, we are dealing tomorrow with a herd of lions with black hyacinths, the most ferocious and dangerous animals, and we must Watch out for yourselves. I advise you to avoid the first leap of these animals, they can jump 16-20 steps away. If the first attack fails, they rarely come for the second time. I use experience That said. They will return to their caves at dawn, and we will attack them then. "They are defensive, however, and are very tenacious. I can tell you that the lion in the morning, when he has had his fill, is not as fierce as usual, and perhaps less courageous than usual. It is a matter of the stomach. There is also a matter of place, For they are more timid in places where men are frequently disturbed, but here, in wild places, they have all the ferocity of wild animals. I also advise you, gentlemen, to estimate the distance before shooting. Let Lions get as close as possible, take aim and then shoot, aim with bare hands. Just to add, we will leave the horses in the rear, these animals will startle at the sight of the lion, which is not good for the safety of the rider. We will fight on the 'ground', I hope you Don't lose your cool." The Bushmen's companions listened quietly to his instructions.Morcum was again the patient man he had been on the hunt.He knew things were going to be serious.For if a lion generally does not attack a person who passes by without harassing him, at least when he realizes he is being attacked, his rage rises to the sky.It was a fearsome animal, endowed by nature with leaping dexterity, tearing strength, and terrible rage.Therefore, the Bushmans asked the Europeans to keep calm, especially John, who sometimes let his recklessness dominate him.Morcum said to him: "Shooting a lion is no more necessary than shooting a young partridge. That's all." Indeed, that's all.But who, if not trained for war, can answer that he will keep his cool before a lion? At four o'clock in the morning, the hunters tied the horses firmly in the thick bushes and left the resting place.It was still dark, and there was a little red in the eastern mist.The night was very dark. The Bushman asked his companions to examine the weapons.He and His Excellency John each carried a bolt-on carbine, and just rubbed the brass bullets in the chamber to see if the shotgun cartridges were working properly.Zorn and Amory each had rifles with double wires, and they replaced the explosives damaged by the night's damp.The three aborigines brought their aloe vera bows and arrows with which they could use freely.In fact; more than one lion has fallen under their arrows. The six hunters formed a close-knit procession towards the defile whose surroundings the two young men had recognized the night before.No one said a word, walking through the tree trunks, like red guerrillas marching in their woods. The party soon reached the mouth of the defile, and a narrow path, which seemed to be carved out of two granite cliffs, led to the frontmost slope of the ridge.About halfway along this narrow track there is a broad dip where the lions' dens are located. The Bushmen arranged as follows: he, Lord Murray, and a native climbed quietly to the top of the ridge of the defile, in the hope of reaching the vicinity of the cave, and driving the hideous beasts out of the cave, and driving them to the edge of the defile. At the bottom, two young Europeans and two Bushmans lurking there will meet them with bullets and bows. The location is very favorable for this operation.A gigantic fig tree towers over the surrounding coppice, its intricate twigs providing a safe spot that lions won't reach.Because it's known that these animals don't have the aptitude for climbing trees that their feline "brethren" do.Hunters at certain altitudes can avoid their leaps, yet be able to shoot at them under favorable conditions. The most difficult operation was to be carried out by Morcombe, Lord John, and a native.To Amory's proposal, Mercum replied that he could do nothing else, and insisted that there should be no change of plan.The two young men had no choice but to give in. It was beginning to light up.Under the sunlight, the top of the mountain lights up like a torch.When Morcum saw his four companions settled on the fig-bough, he gave the order to go.He, Lord John, and the Bushmen quickly climbed a winding path in the cliff to the right of the defile. The three daring hunters advanced more than 50 steps in this way, and they would stop to observe the narrow path from time to time. Morcum had no doubt that the lions had returned to the cave after hunting for food at night, and they might be devouring their prey inside. Maybe rest, maybe even be able to surprise them while they're sleeping and take them out quickly. After passing through the entrance of the pass, another quarter of an hour later, Mocum and others came to the cave, and they lay down on the ground to observe the cave. This is a relatively spacious cave, and its depth cannot be estimated yet.Some animal remains and piles of dead bones cover the entrance of the cave.There was no doubt that this was the stronghold of the lions that Everett was referring to. But contrary to what Morcum thought, the cave seemed empty at the moment.Morcum took the gun, slid to the ground, and crawled to the edge of the hole. Taking a quick look into the hole, he saw that it was empty. This unexpected circumstance caused him to change his plans at once, and immediately called his two companions to him. "My lord John," said Morcombe, "our quarry has not returned to the cave, but they will appear soon. I think we should stay in their position, rather than encircling with our companions The enemy surrounds you, especially if there is a rescue force at the pass of the position. What do you think of your Excellency?" "As you think, Bushman. I am under your command, and I obey you." Morcombe, Lord John, and the natives go into the cave.It was a deep cave, and the floor was strewn with dead bones and flesh.After confirming that it was indeed empty, they hurriedly and laboriously procured some large stones, and piled them one by one in the opening of the cave, blocking the opening.They brought up some of the branches and dry thorns that covered the defile, and plugged the gaps between the stones. The job only takes a few minutes, as the entrance to the cave is relatively narrow.Then the hunters waited behind the fort with the holes in it. They didn't have long to wait.At about 5:15, a male lion and two female lions appeared 100 steps away from the entrance of the cave.These are tall animals.The male lion shook his black mane, swept the ground with his terrifying tail, and wagged a whole antelope between his teeth like a cat with a mouse.This heavy behemoth can hardly bear its powerful tail, and despite the heavy prey in its mouth, it can still swing its head easily.Two lionesses, covered in yellow fur, jumped beside it. His Excellency John admitted that his heart was beating violently.His eyes widened, his brow furrowed, and he felt a mixture of surprise and worry, but it passed quickly, and he recovered his composure quickly.As for the two companions beside him, they were as calm as usual. " At this time, both the male lion and the female lion felt the danger.Seeing the blocked hole, they stopped less than 60 paces away.With a hoarse roar, the male, followed by the two females, sprang into a bush of brambles on the right, almost above where the hunters had first arrived.Through the branches they could see the animals distinctly, with their yellow ribs, pricked ears and gleaming eyes. "Here comes the partridges," Sir John whispered in the Bushmen's ear, "one for each of us." "No," replied Morcum in a low voice, "not all here yet, the gunfire will scare the others away." "Bushmen, are you sure you can shoot at such a distance?" "Yes, Morcum." "Okay, aim at the lion's left rib and pierce its heart." The Bushmen drew their bows and aimed intently through the thorns, and the arrows whizzed out.With a roar the male lion sprang to his feet and fell down thirty paces from the mouth of the cave.It stayed motionless on the ground, and one could see its sharp teeth clearly showing on its blood-stained lower lip. "Well done, Bushmen!" said Morcum. At this time, two lionesses left the bushes and jumped on the male lion. In their terrible roar, there were two more male lions. Among them, an old male lion with yellow paws appeared followed by another lioness. At the corner of the defile.In a terrible rage, their black hyenas stood up, making them look huge, and their size seemed to be twice as large as usual.With an unbelievably loud roar, they leapt forward. "Carbines!" cried Morcum. "Shoot them, since they don't want to wait." Two shots were fired.A male lion was hit in the middle of the waist by an explosive bullet from the Bushmans and fell dead.Another lion, whose paw was broken by His Excellency John, rushed towards the fort.Angry lionesses followed it.These fearsome creatures wanted to take down the cave entrance, and if not a single bullet stopped them at this point, they would surely win. The Bushmen, Lord John, and the natives retreated into the depths of the cave.The guns were reloaded.With luck a shot or two might have knocked the beasts down, when an unforeseen circumstance made the situation of the three hunters dire. Suddenly, a dense fog filled the cave.A filler plug fell on the dry brambles, setting them ablaze.Soon, a flame spread between man and animal by the wind.The lions backed off.Hunters also can't stay in the hole - if they don't want to be suffocated within seconds. This is an extremely dangerous situation, and there is no hesitation. "Get out! Get out!" cried Morcum, already struggling to breathe. Soon the dry brambles were parted by the butts of the guns, the boulders of the fort were pushed back, and the three half-suffocated hunters rushed outside into the billowing smoke. The native and His Excellency John were both knocked down before they could gather their composure.The former was overturned by the head of the still strong lioness, while the latter was overturned by a tail.The aborigine was hit in the chest and lay down on the ground unable to move.His Excellency John thought his legs had been broken, and fell to his knees on the ground.Just as the lioness turned and sprang at him, a bullet from the Bushman hit her in the bone and exploded inside her. At this moment Zorn, Amory, and two Bushmen appeared at the bend in the defile, joining the battle in good time.Two male lions and a female lion have died under the deadly bullets and arrows, and the two surviving female lions and the male lion whose paw was crushed by Lord John are still formidable.At this time, the rifle, which was firmly controlled in the hand, began to play a role.Another female fell after being shot in the head and in the ribs.The male lion and the last lioness sprang up miraculously, leaped over the young man's head, and disappeared around the bend in the defile, to be saluted for the last time by two shots and two arrows. Lord John let out a cheer.The lions were vanquished, and four dead bodies were lying on the ground. People hurried to Sir John.With the help of his friends, he was able to stand up.Fortunately, his leg was not broken.The aborigine who was knocked to the ground by the lion's head was only stunned by the powerful thrust, and woke up in a few minutes.An hour later, they came to the coppice where the horses were tied again, and did not see the escaped couple of lions. Morcombe said to Lord John, "Hello! Are you satisfied with our young partridge?" "Satisfied," His Excellency John said while rubbing his bruised leg, "satisfied! But their tails are amazing. My respected Bushmen, what kind of tails are those!"