Chapter 17 Chapter 2 Guadeloupe

The distance between Antigua and Guadeloupe—better archipelago—is only a hundred to one hundred and twenty nautical miles. Under normal circumstances, the Spirit left St. John's Harbor on the morning of August 16, and with the trade winds, it could reach its destination in a day and a night. Therefore, Louis Clodiron hoped that when the sun rose the next day, the French Antilles would appear on the horizon. But this is not the case. The sea is calm and the wind is weak.Although all the sails on the ship were hoisted and opened, the journey of the Spirit ship was greatly delayed.Originally the wind was weak, but there was a wave on the head.This sea area is very wide, and there is no reef island around it.The big waves stirred up by the countercurrent, the waves are rolling, and they are broken into pieces before hitting the rocks of Montserra. Shaking, and Horatio Pattenson's doubts about the efficacy of cherry pits as a medicine against seasickness.

In a last resort, Harry Markle can command the boat to pass through the middle of Monserra, but this will encounter many passing ships, which he avoids as much as possible.In addition, the voyage distance will be extended by more than 30 nautical miles, and the ship must be driven to the southernmost tip of Guadeloupe, and then sailed against the wind to Point Pitre. Guadeloupe consists of two islands. The island to the west is what we call Guadeloupe, and the Caribs call it Gurugueira.Although its topography is the most prominent of the archipelago, its official name is Basseterre.It is called so only because its location is related to the trade winds.

The island to the east is called the Greater Antilles on maps, although it is smaller than the other.The combined area of ​​the two islands is 1,603 square kilometers, with a total of 136,000 inhabitants. Between Basseterre and the Greater Antilles there is a saltwater river with a width ranging from 30 to 120 meters.All kinds of ships with a draft of about 2.3 meters can pass.But the Ingenuity was unable to follow this course, although it was the straightest course at high tide.That's not something a prudent crew can do.With Harry Markle commanding the ship east of Guadeloupe, the voyage would last forty hours instead of twenty-four.On the morning of August 18, the barque finally reached the mouth of the Salt River.Point Pitre is located here.

First of all, you have to go around the edge of the reef islands located around the basin, and then follow the narrow and curved channel to enter the port formed by the basin. Five years had passed since the departure of Louis Cloduillon's family from the Antilles, and only his mother's brother remained in Point-Pitre.His parents and their children settled in Nantes, France.Mr. Clodillon leads a large ocean-going ship equipment company there.And the young Louis still had vivid memories of the island where he was born.He left at the age of fifteen, and this time, he intends to serve his classmates as a landlord.

When coming around from the east, the first thing seen from the Spirit is Cape Vigie in the Greater Antilles.It is located at the northernmost point of the archipelago, then Great Sip Point, Wolf Bay Point, St. Margaret's Bay, and Spire Point is at the southwesternmost tip of the Greater Antilles. Louis-Claudilon pointed out the city of Mold, on the east coast, with ten thousand inhabitants, the third most important in the colony.The port full of sucrose docked there, waiting for the auspicious day, and sailed out to sea, where the ship avoided the bad weather and the raging tsunami.Violent tsunamis in this area often cause serious disasters.

Before rounding the southeast corner of the Greater Antilles, the students saw another island in the French Antilles—Island of Hope, which was the first thing a boat from Europe saw from the boat. Two hundred and seventy-eight meters, it can be seen from a long distance. The Spirit sailed along the spire, with Hope Island on the port side.From there one can dimly see another island to the south, the Lesser Antilles, belonging to Guadeloupe. However, if you want to see the whole picture of this sea area, you have to continue south to Marie Gallant Island.Marie Gallant Island has an area of ​​163 square kilometers and a population of 14,000.Then, you can visit the main towns on the island in turn: Fat Town, St. Louis, the old castle, and finally, sail westward, almost at the same latitude, is the echoing Saintes Islands, where there are about 2,000 residents and 14 square meters kilometer.The archipelago consists of seven islands and some independent cays, surrounded by the Camelback Mountain at an altitude of 316 meters. The Saintes Islands are regarded as the most healthy resorts in the Antilles.

According to the division of administrative regions, Guadeloupe is divided into three administrative regions: St. Martin, which borders the Dutch colony; Butlemy and Saintes Islands; the Pointe-Pitre district includes Hope Island and Marie Gallante Island, the latter being the seat of district government. This colonial provincial capital is composed of a provincial assembly composed of thirty-six senators and a parliament composed of one senator and two deputies. Its current export trade volume is 50 million francs and its import trade volume is 30 million francs. Seventeen million francs, almost all trade with France.

As for the five million francs in the local budget, it is mainly provided by the colonial food export duty and the excise tax on spirits. Monsieur Henri Baron, uncle of Louis Clodillon, was a very wealthy and influential planter in Guadeloupe.He lives in Pointe-Pitre and owns a huge estate around the city.He is rich in wealth, good at dealing with the world, cheerful, enthusiastic, innovative in thinking, humorous, and everyone who comes into contact with him becomes his good friend.At the age of forty-six, he likes hunting and sports. He often rides horses around his vast plantation and enjoys extravagant food and wine. He is a typical country gentleman.This description could apply to any immigrant from the Antilles.Besides, Mr. Henry Baron was a bachelor, and an American uncle with an inheritance, from whom, of course, his nephews could count.

We can guess how happy he was and how excited he was when the Ghost arrived and he hugged his nephew Louis Clodiron tightly in his arms. "My dear Louie, welcome back," he cried, "how happy it is to see you after five years of separation! . . . , I hope I don't become an old man, how nice it is!" "Uncle!" said Louis Clodiron firmly, taking him by the hand, "you are the same, you have not changed at all!" "Really, that's great!" Mr. Baron turned to the students standing at the stern and said, "Welcome, my nephew's classmates, oh, please believe that the colonists will be very happy to welcome the students from Anzhou. Classmates from Delis Middle School."

Afterwards, this admirable and amiable man shook hands with all the people one by one to say hello.Then he turned to Louis and asked: "Your parents, brothers and sisters, are they all right in Nantes?" "They're all well, uncle, maybe I should ask you how they're doing..." "Regrettably, by the way, I received a letter from your mother the day before yesterday. The whole family is in good health... They told me to treat you well. I will visit her and her family this winter." "Oh, that's very good, uncle, I will be at home in Nantes when my studies are just over..."

"At least you're here to share my life, my nephew! I have a lot of thoughts about that...you'll see." At this moment, Mr. Pattenson stepped forward, stood in front of Baron, bowed very elegantly, and said: "Sir, allow me to introduce you to my lovely students..." "Oh!" the planter exclaimed, "This... this must be Mr. Pattenson. Is everything all right, Mr. Pattenson?" "It could not be better." "I know you," interrupted Monsieur Baron, "and I, like all these Antillean high school students, we all know you as the guiding priest..." "I'm sorry, Mr. Baron, it's General Affairs..." "It's the same thing to be in charge and to guide the priest!" The plantation owner laughed and said, "It doesn't matter who you work for, as long as someone pays for it." Mr. Baron walked up and down among the crowd as he spoke.Finally, he shook Mr. Horatio Pattenson's hand very strongly, and if he was really the guiding priest, he could pray to God that the students of the Antilles High School would stay here for two more days! Then the enthusiastic man went on to say: "My friends, get ready to disembark! All of you will live in my house... My house is very big, and you will have a hundred times the number of you, and you will not eat up my plantation... You With these young men, Mr. Pattenson . . . and you, Captain Paxson, if you will . . . " As usual, his invitation was naturally declined.Mr. Barron also doesn't like to force others. "However, Mr. Baron," said the leader of the children at this moment, "I don't know what to say to express our gratitude for your hospitality." "Don't say anything, it's a matter of course, Mr. Pattenson." "If we trouble you..." "Trouble me, trouble me... Do I look like a person who is afraid of trouble?... Besides, who troubles whom? I'm willing to be this trouble!" It's really hard to turn down the kindness, so I have no choice but to be respectful rather than obedient. When Pattenson wanted to introduce his students as usual, Mr. Baron preemptively said loudly: "I know all these young lads. They're all in the papers, and I don't think I'm mistaken! Oh, these three are Englishmen, Roger Hinsdale, John Howard, Huber Pekin ... in St. Lucia, Dominican Republic and Antigua, I have had contact with their families ..." The three English students were very proud of what he had said. "Well, here's the tall blond guy...he's Albertus Levin from St. Martin..." "It's me, sir," answered the young Dutchman, nodding to him. "These two gentle-faced warriors, this is Nils Alber of St. Thomas, and this is Axel Wickburn of St. Croix. You see, I haven't missed a single one. Well , you, clever-eyed little man, I'll know what's going on as soon as you stand there, and if your veins don't flow with French blood, let me go to hell!..." "France is my death," exclaimed Tony Reynolds, "but I was born in Martinique." "Oh, you're wrong." "What am I wrong about? If a Frenchman was born in the Antilles, it must be in Guadeloupe and nowhere else. Because Guadeloupe . . . is Guadeloupe! ..." "yes." "You are where you are..." Tony Leno said with a loud laugh. "Good answer, you bastard!" Mr. Baron retorted, "Don't think I'm trying to make things difficult for you..." "Someone will have a hard time with Tony," said Louis Clodieron. "It's simply impossible." "And don't you think I'm trying to belittle Martinique, Ile de la Hope and the rest of the French Antilles. But I was born in Guadeloupe and that's all I have to say! As for the thin The tall... blond boy over there... that must be Magnu Anders..." "It was he, Uncle," replied Louis Clodiron, "and when we arrived at St. Barthelemy, he could no longer find the island on which he was born. At least, the island was no longer Swedish... ..." "Actually, we all know all this from the papers," replied Mr. Baron, "Sweden gave us its colonies! . . . Well, come on, Anders, don't be so sad!  … …We will treat you like brothers, and you will see that Sweden has no better friends than France!  …” This is Monsieur Henri Baron, and this is Louis Clodillon's uncle.Meeting him for the first time, the young students knew him as if they had lived on his plantation from birth. Before returning, Mr. Baron said again: "Lunch is at eleven o'clock...I have a delicious meal for everyone! Do you hear me, Mr. Pattenson?...I won't allow ten minutes late..." "You will be assured, sir, that we will arrive at the exact moment," Mr. Pattenson replied. Mr. Baron led his nephew into the boat that had taken him aboard the Spirit. The geographical location and environment of Basseterre seem to be more advantageous than Pointe Pitre.It is located at the entrance of Bicao River, at the very top of the island.The beautiful hills surround Basseterre, and perhaps it is the houses neatly arranged on the hills that can arouse the strong interest and curiosity of tourists.However, the reason why Mr. Henri Baron may not be interested in these is precisely because he believes that Guadeloupe is the largest island in the French Antilles, and Cape Pitre is the main island of Guadeloupe. city ​​of.He just didn't want to recall Guadeloupe's capitulation before the British in 1759, and its return to British rule in 1794 and 1810.It was not until the peace treaty signed on May 30, 1814 that Guadeloupe was truly returned to France. In short, Pointe Pitre is worth visiting for these young travelers.Mr. Baron was well aware of trying to impress these students by extolling the beauty of Point Pitre, which may be the purpose of this particular walk.His guests simply drove through the city in the car that was at their disposal.In a quarter of an hour the students arrived at the Rosicrucian house, where Louis Clodijon and his uncle were waiting. This villa is luxurious and beautiful. In the large dining room, a rich lunch is waiting for them. Rather than saying that the dishes are rich and impressive, it is better to say that they are more ostentatious.What a treat for hungry teens!Fresh meat, fresh fish, fragrant game, vegetables harvested from plantations, fruits picked from trees, and high-quality coffee.This kind of coffee grown in Guadeloupe is called the first-class even in Martinique, only it comes from the Rose Cross coffee plantation.During the banquet, the atmosphere was warm. Mr. Baron, as the host, toasted frequently, wishing everyone good health.And the guests rewarded their hosts for their hospitality by admiring Guadeloupe and Point-of-Pitre in particular. However, in any case, nature has bestowed much more on Basseterre than Greater Antilles.It is a mountainous area and the movements of the earth's crust make this area a picturesque place.Fat Mountain, with an altitude of 720 meters, and three Manila straw hat-shaped peaks are 50 meters above the mountain. The Caribbean Mountains can almost reach this altitude. In the middle of this area, there is a famous sulfur mine. Fifteen hundred meters. If it weren't for Mr. Baron's rich imagination, how could the Greater Antilles be compared with such a fertile area with such beautiful natural scenery?The terrain is flat, with rolling plateaus and endless plains in the distance.In addition, it is superior in terms of agricultural production compared to neighboring areas. Mr. Horatio Pattenson, after making quite accurate observations, said: "What I don't understand, Mr. Baron, is how the eminent Vulcan (Vulcan) blacksmith meticulously forged Basseterre into this shape on his fabulous anvil. I don't know if the analogy is apt... " "Pick up the wine glass, you can't say too much, Mr. Pattenson." The planter answered while picking up his own glass. "To my surprise," Mr. Pattenson continued, "Basseterre was not damaged by the earthquake, but the Great Antilles, the place that came from the gentle hand of the sea god, was not spared..." "Good observation, Mr. Leader!" retorted Mr. Baron, "in fact, Basseterre may have suffered from natural disasters in the past, but the Greater Antilles has not, because Basseterre is like an iron pot." Put on a blazing stove!... What do you think?... These mistakes made by nature, there is nothing man can do about it, it has to be accepted, now, I want to say it again, please do it with me This last cup: for the health of Greater Antilles, for the prosperity of Pointe-Pitre..." "And a heartfelt tribute to our generous host," Mr Pattenson added. These good wishes have long since come true, and Pointe Pitre has been thriving since its inception.Although the invaders left the island in ruins, the city also suffered from the war.The 1843 earthquake killed 5,000 people in just 70 seconds.There are ruins everywhere, houses collapsed.The hands of a large clock on the façade of a church stood at ten thirty-five in the morning.The catastrophe spread to Mould, Sainte-François, Sainte-Anne, Port Louis, Sainte-Rose, Bertrand Bay, Jouin, and even Basseterre.However, only Pointe-Pitre suffered little loss.Soon, people built low and independent houses again.Now, railroads radiate out around the capital, connecting with sugar factories and other industrial facilities.The city is surrounded by luxuriant forests, absorbing water from the land, ensuring the sanitation of the environment and the health of residents. The guests showed great joy when visiting Mr. Baron's territory, and the owner also showed considerable pride and pride in his management of the land!The ingenious and creative water conservancy irrigation system guaranteed the considerable harvest of the vast sugar cane plantations.Coffee plantations have been a great success on slopes between 200 and 600 meters high.Mr. Baron repeatedly emphasized that the coffee plantations produced more coffee than Martinique.Everyone passed through the wide fields around the house, grassy pastures, fields of various aloe plants, and limited cotton fields, all of which benefited from the irrigation network.The grades are unquestionable.Tobacco grown on the island guarantees local consumer demand.That, according to the pompous planter, was worthy of any Antillean's admiration.In addition, there are cassava fields, yam fields, potato fields, and orchards full of various high-quality fruit trees. Mr. Baron has many free men who work for him.This goes without saying.These faithful people would rather lose all the benefits of liberation than leave Rosary Cross. Of course, although Louis Clodillon's uncle is an extremely stubborn and self-centered person, he still does not want to deprive the students on board of the Clever of wanting to visit other parts of Guadeloupe, that is, the Bath to the west. tel.Thus, on the twentieth of August, the third day of the students' arrival, a hired boat was waiting for the students at the port of Pointe-Pitre, to take them from the south bank to Basse-Terre. Basse-Terre is the seat of government of the Guadeloupe archipelago and ranks third among colonial cities.Although, Mr. Baron is not satisfied with this at all, there is still no city to compare with it.The city of Basseterre is built at the mouth of the Bicao River. The houses are located on the hills shaded by green trees in the shape of steps, and villas are scattered around the city. A cool and gentle sea breeze blows continuously Blowing from the sea.If the master didn't want the boys to visit the city at all, then at least Louis Clodiron, who was familiar with Basseterre, could completely replace him as a tour guide.Neither the famed botanical gardens of the Antilles nor the wholesome Jacopo sanatorium in Saintes are not forgotten. In this way, the four days passed during the tour, research and observation. The time schedule was full, and there was no wasted or wasted moment.Such rich and delicious meals and beautiful scenery, at least for Mr. Horatio Pattenson, if he stays for a few more days, his stomach will be full of stomach problems! ...the time has come to re-raise the anchor.This kind of sincere, warm, magnanimous, French-style hospitality may still be enjoyed by the students on the Ingenuity in Martinique, but this will never affect everyone's respect for Guadeloupe and Mr. Henri Baron The warm reception left a good memory. Nevertheless, one should be careful not to excite M. Baron's jealousy when one speaks of Martinique.The day before his departure he said to Mr. Pattenson again: "It annoys me that the French government seems to prefer this competitor." "So, what kind of preferential treatment did the French government give it?..." Pattenson asked involuntarily. "That's why it didn't choose Fort-de-France as the starting point for French transatlantic passenger ships." Mr. Baron replied, without trying to hide his displeasure, "couldn't Point Pitre naturally become the starting point for these ships? Is it the port of destination?..." "Undoubtedly," replied Mr. Pattenson, "I think the people of Guadeloupe have a right to make their own request..." "A request?" cried the planter. "Who's in charge of their requests?" "Have you no representatives in the French Parliament? . . . " "There's a Senator and two Representatives," replied Mr. Baron, "and all they can do is defend the interests of the Colonies!" "It's their duty and responsibility," Mr Pattenson said. On the evening of August 21, Mr. Baron sent his guests back to the Spirit.He hugged his nephew for the last time and shook hands with his classmates one by one, then said: "Well, why don't you go to Martinique at all, so you can stay in Guadeloupe for another eight days? . . . " "So, where's my island?" Tony Raynor yelled. "Your island, my lad, it won't drift away, and you'll see it on your next trip." "Mr. Baron," Mr. Pattenson smoothed it over, "we are very grateful for your offer, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. . . but we must follow Mrs. Karen Seymour's plan . . . " "Well... then, you'd better go to Martini Island, young friends!" Mr. Baron said with concern, "you must especially watch out for poisonous snakes!... There are thousands of poisonous snakes there. It was brought by the British before returning the island to France..." "Is it possible?..." Mr. Pattenson retorted, "No, I would never believe that my countrymen would be so malicious..." "It's true, Mr. Pattenson, it's true!" retorted the planter. "If you were bitten there, it was at least an English snake..." "It doesn't matter if it's an English snake or not," said Louis Clodiillon. "We'll be careful, uncle!" "Yes," asked Mr. Baron, as he was about to leave the ship, "do you have a good captain? . . . " "A first-class captain," replied Mr. Pattenson, "and we all have every reason to be quite satisfied with him... Mrs. Karen Seymour made the best choice..." "Forget it!" replied Mr. Baron gravely, shaking his head. "Forget it?...Why, please..." "Because if you have a bad captain, the Spirit will run aground when she leaves port, and I'll have a chance of keeping you a few weeks longer in the Rosicrucian."