Chapter 15 Chapter fifteen

Finally a happy reunion!They forgot everything, poverty, calamity, and the cruel blows that fell on them one after another; they forgot whether there were any difficulties and dangers in the fate that awaited them, and they just hugged each other tightly. together.In the arms of what united them, what they had in common - Harry Clifton, these men forgot even themselves.Tears of happiness and joy streamed down their cheeks, and Mrs. Clifton seemed to have a second life.She knelt down beside the boat, expressing her devout thanks to heaven again and again. This day, according to Little Bell's calendar, is May 1st, Sunday, and it is a day when God is merciful and blessed the Clifton family.The whole family gathered around Harry Clifton.Harry Clifton seemed to have been brought back from the brink of death by the biscuit batter that Flip had fed him, by the loving care he had given him, by the happiness and strength that the family reunion had brought him.Although he still feels very weak, he is alive, and just as Flip promised Mark, he brought him back a living father.

Harry Clifton couldn't walk yet, and Flip and his two older children carried him off the boat and into the cave on a makeshift stretcher made of sticks.Bell and Jack walked on either side of the stretcher, holding their father's hand tightly.In the best corner of the cave, Mrs. Clifton had carefully prepared a bed of soft yellow sand and seaweed for Harry Clifton.Harry Clifton was put to bed and passed out from overexcitement and the long jolt. Flip, anticipating that he might faint again, was not alarmed, and said to Mrs. Clifton: "I know a little about medicine, and I might even say that I have nursed many patients. This fainting is nothing more than protective sleep, which has come so well! You know what I mean? As for his wound, it is not very serious, wait for him After waking up, we will do further treatment. I repeat, his wound is nothing more than a trivial matter. I tell you, at Liverpool docks, our heads were squeezed between two ships. Look, what is the consequence? I haven't had a migraine since that accident. So, Mrs. Clifton, I say, if a man takes a head injury and doesn't die within three days, he's sure to recover!"

When Harry Clifton fell asleep, the good-natured and lovely Flip was excited, even gossiping.Sometimes he opened his mouth to laugh, and sometimes he pursed his lips into a smile, and he chattered about everything he had experienced for more than a day.He told Mrs. Clifton and the children how he had observed on the northern coast, how he had walked through the marshes, and how Fido had appeared before him, and when Fido, to his great credit, had recognized him as Fry Pussy, and he fool Flip hadn't recognized Fido yet! If loyal Fido deserved to be congratulated and fondled, he had it.Mark killed two ducks he caught on the lake the other day to reward this loyal, warm-hearted Newfoundland.Fido gulped it down, which aroused Jack's emotion.

"What a dog! How lucky you are to like raw meat!" Flip knew nothing of Mark's tale of the Vancouver's arrival on this shore.It was a great joy for this brave gentleman to be able to tell his own story. But the thought that some hot food should be prepared for Clifton when he woke up puts everyone in a quandary.Flip decided to feed him some fresh oysters, which were acceptable to the patient's feeble stomach.Mrs. Clifton immediately went to their shellfish farm to select the best kinds of oysters. Flip went to the ship to fetch the tools that Harry Clifton had brought: a multi-bladed utility knife with a small saw; There was an unloaded pistol, without a single shot, like a stone-ball gun that couldn't catch a spark.Of the three tools, the pistol was the least useful to Flip.Robert, on the other hand, was waving his gun like a fighting rooster.

About one o'clock Harry Clifton awoke, calling for his wife and children.As soon as they heard his voice, everyone ran over immediately.Flip and Mrs. Clifton examined and tended the Engineer's wound.The wound is much better. Mrs. Clifton brought her husband some more oysters.The patient ate very happily.And the poor mother's hands trembled with anxiety at the thought that her dear one might want biscuits, bacon, and the like, and that they had nothing in stock.Fortunately there were enough oysters.After eating the oysters, Harry Clifton had more strength, and many things to say came to his lips, and he called everyone by name.There was a faint blush on his pale face, and he could even tell everyone in staccato terms about the mutiny on board the Vancouver after they parted.

After Captain Harrison was killed, the second mate became commander in chief, and they sailed south.Clifton was locked in the cabin and could not communicate with anyone.Every moment he thinks of his wife and children who were thrown into the sea.As for his personal fate, he undoubtedly believed himself to be killed by these dehumanized and violent rebels. After a few days, at last what should have happened in this boat under the circumstances happened.The second mate is a cruel and despicable guy. The coolies who had been instigated by him to rebel against Captain Harrison rose up to rebel against him because they couldn't stand the second mate's abuse.

It happened in the third week after the first mutiny.The Vancouver returned to the northern route. They tried to find a place to land, but after searching, they only found the northern coastline. April 24th, in the early morning hours....Clifton had been held in the cabin when he suddenly heard a commotion, accompanied by shouting and cursing.He knew the situation had deteriorated and it might be a chance for him to be free.When he found out that his guards had gone somewhere, he took the opportunity to break open the barn door and ran to the ship's dining room. He took a loaded pistol and an ax from the weapons rack, and rushed to the bridge.Fido has been following behind him.

By this time a bloody battle was raging between the coolies and the crew.The moment Clifton rushed onto the bridge was the moment when the second officer and the crew were about to fail.He saw that the "Kanaks" roared like crazy and surrounded the second officer and the crew. In an instant, the second officer was knocked down to the ground, his body was bloody and he died. Seeing this, Clifton understood that this was not a ship at all, but hell. If it fell into the hands of the "Kanaks", his life would be in danger.At this time, he saw a piece of land about two nautical miles to leeward, and he decided to swim across it at the risk of his life.So he walked towards the front deck, ready to jump into the sea.

The moment Clifton was about to jump into the sea, two rebels saw him and rushed towards him.He shot one down, but missed the other.The second struck him hard on the head with his oar and knocked him overboard.When he was awakened by the cold water and surfaced, he opened his eyes and saw that the Vancouver was several chains away from him.At this time, he heard a dog barking, and found that the faithful and helpful Fido was swimming beside him, which became the only support point he could cling to on the water. The waves crashed on the land.But for a wounded and weakened Clifton, the distance was too far.He fought to the death dozens of times, and each time it was Fido who pulled him to the surface.Finally, pushed by the tide, Clifton felt his feet hit solid sand.With all his strength, Fido grabbed his clothes with his teeth and dragged him out of the waves and to the side of the dunes.Just as he was starving, wounded and dying, Fido brought Flip and it was the two of them who saved his life.

When Harry Clifton had finished telling his story, he took Flip's hand firmly. "No, you're flattered, sir," Flip said to him. "When did you leave the Vancouver and those bastards?" "April 24th, my friend." "Ah," replied Flip, "it's the first of May, which means you've been lying by the dunes for eight days, waiting for death to come! And I don't have the slightest premonition. What a fool I am what!" After telling his story, Harry Clifton was once again given the condolences and affections of the whole family.Then he indicated that he would like a hot drink.

Hearing this request, everyone looked at each other in silence.Mrs. Clifton grew pale.Should it be admitted to this seriously ill person that the whole family has been out of fire for many days and is in dire straits?Flip, feeling that this minimal request could not be refused, made a gesture to silence Mrs. Clifton, and then hastened to answer the engineer: "Yes sir, a hot drink! Very good, a bowl of soup, let's say a bowl of water guinea pig broth. We'll make it right away. But wait a minute, the fire is out. I'm so stupid, when we talk, I I forgot to add fire, I will go to light the fire immediately." Flip came out of the cave, with Mrs. Clifton following him. "No, ma'am," he whispered to Mrs. Clifton, "you shouldn't tell him yet, at least until tomorrow." "What should I do if he asks about the hot soup you promised to make him?" "Yeah, I know it's embarrassing, but let's hold it off for as long as we can! Maybe he'll forget? Okay! Distract him and tell him about our experience." Mrs. Clifton and Flip went into the hole again. "How are you feeling, Mr. Engineer? If you have the energy left, let Mrs. Clifton tell you about our adventure. It's as thrilling as yours, so listen." Seeing her husband agree, Mrs. Clifton began to tell their story.She told in detail how the boat arrived at this land after leaving the Vancouver, how it stopped at the mouth of the river and landed, and also told the first camp where the boat was used as a roof, and the process of reconnaissance in the forest, on the coast, and on the cliffs. , and how to discover lakes, caves, hunting, fishing and other interesting things.She did not forget to mention that the knife was also broken, but she said nothing about the fire being extinguished on a stormy night.Then she praised how brave and dedicated the children were, how they did not disgrace their father.At last she lavished praise on Flip, recounted his selfless nobility, and poured out a stream of thanks to him.These words made the fine sailor feel so embarrassed that he blushed and wondered where to hide. Harry Clifton sat up a little at this, and put his hands on the shoulders of the seaman squatting beside his bed. "Flap," said the engineer, in a tone of undisguised excitement, "you saved my wife, my children, and my life! Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Flip!" "But no, Monsieur Engineer," replied the seaman, "that's nothing . . . that's all . . . You are too kind." Then he whispered to Mrs. Clifton: "Go on ma'am, he's forgotten about the soup! Besides," went on Flip, "we're waiting for you, Mr. Engineer. We can't do anything without you. I'm waiting for you." Besides, I just needed an ax and a knife to replace the one I broke, and you have been so kind as to bring us all we need! Am I right, Mr. Mark?" "Yes, Flip," replied the boy, laughing. "Mr. Clifton, what fine children you have! What a wonderful family you have! Mr. Robert is impatient, but he will overcome his impatience! Believe me sir, and these fine children, And yourself—an engineer, we can definitely do something big here." "Especially with you, friend Flip, with your help," replied Mr. Clifton. "Yes, father, our friend Flip can do anything! He's a sailor, fisherman, hunter, carpenter, blacksmith..." "Oh, Mr. Mark!" said Flip, "you're exaggerating! As a sailor I can do a little of everything, and it's a bad job. I've got no wits! I need someone to lead me. I'm so glad Mr. Clifton is here, and we're sure to be very happy here." "Happiness?" Harry Clifton asked, looking at his wife. "Yes, dear Harry," replied Mrs. Clifton, "I don't want anything since you got here! Yes, we have no relations, no friends, no one waiting for us at home, just Back in China, we became strangers instead! Just like Flip’s friend said, we can live very happily in this corner, until one day God remembers us with the most righteous heart, come Save us." Harry Clifton embraced his wife excitedly, pressing her head to his breast.What a loyal and strong woman!Life is sure to be blissful back in this loving little group. "Yes," said Clifton, "yes, we can indeed live happily! But tell me, my friend Flip, is this coast an island or a continent?" "I beg your pardon, sir," said Flip, "and we are glad to be diverted to this. But we have no answer to that question." "It's an important question." "It's very important, but we still have a lot of time to find the answer. Mr. Clifton, we will conduct a new investigation as soon as you recover, and then we can confirm whether we are mainland residents or island residents." "If this were an island," said Harry Clifton, "we'd probably never have any hope of getting home, for big ships hardly come to this part of the Pacific." "Indeed, sir," replied the seaman, "in such a case we have no one but ourselves to rely on. If this is nothing more than an island, we will have to make our own way out of it." "Build a boat!" said Robert. "Yes, yes," replied Flip, rubbing his hands together, "we've got a boat, and that's pretty nice." "Boys," said Harry Clifton, "before we try to get out of here, let's try to get settled, and then find the right way. But, tell me, Flip, you must have done something to the environment. What do you think about it?" "There are many good views, Mr. Engineer. To tell you the truth, it is a charming place and rich in resources. Up to the north, where you are found, there is a swamp full of waterfowl, which is very important to our young hunters. It's an excellent hunting ground for us." Flip went on: "Yes, my young gentlemen, a marsh hunting ground just for you. But be careful not to fall into the mire. To the south, it is a wilder country, only dunes, rocks, and oysters Rocks. That's where you get your oysters. Deep down the coast is a green meadow and forest, with trees of every kind, and coconut trees! Indeed, sir! We have coconut trees, too. Mr. Robert , if it doesn’t trouble you too much, please go and pick a coconut for your father, this gentleman, not too ripe, so that he can drink the best coconut juice.” Robert ran out.Harry Clifton listened to the sailors' cheerful chatter, and never again wanted hot soup.Flip was so pleased with himself that he went on even more vigorously: "Yes, Mr. Engineer, the forest is very vast, and we only know a small part. There, Robert has killed a delicious capybara. I forgot to tell you, we also have a rabbit The breeding ground, a lake, is a real lake, not a pond, and there are countless fish in it, and they don’t hide from people when they see them, just waiting for you to catch them.” Listening to these moving accounts, Harry Clifton couldn't help laughing.Mrs. Clifton looked at good Flip with moist eyes.Jack and Bell's eyes widened in surprise. They had never seen such an enthusiastic orator. "And mountains," said Jack. "Mountain, yes, our little mister reminded me well," went on Flip, "I forgot about the mountain, too. It was a real mountain, with snow on its top, and it wasn't a Bread with sugar! It's about six thousand feet high. We'll climb it one day. Anyway, whether it's an island or a continent, you won't find a better place." At this time, Robert came back with tender coconuts.Flip broke open the coconut and poured the juice into the bamboo cup.The wounded drank the nutritious drink with great satisfaction. Flapp went on for a long time with a long, witty enumeration of the charms of the place, and his series of seductive projects, which gave his listeners a great preference for it, even I intend to move here for a long time. "We're going to be the Robinson Crusoe of the Pacific!" Mark interjected. "Yes, Mr. Mark." "Well," said Jack, "I've always dreamed of living on an island with the Swiss Robinsons!" "Great Mr. Jack, congratulations on making your dream come true!" Speaking of Robinson, Flip forgot that in that book the author provided everything needed for those who died: the weather on the island was always warm as spring, and tools, gunpowder, clothes could be found in his ship that ran aground ,arms.They also have cows, sheep, donkeys, pigs, chickens, wood, iron!They have everything.Compared with the Cliftons, the Swiss Robinson is a millionaire!But they have nothing and can only create by themselves. Of course, Harry Clifton would not have misunderstood Flip's story, he took to heart the difference from the real Robinson, and he just asked again the venerable seaman, who lived on this island Does he really have no regrets? "No, not at all, Mr. Clifton," replied Flip. "I have no family, I was once an orphan!" Flip then told the Cliftons that he was born in France, Picard, but thoroughly Americanized.He had traveled the world, both by sea and by land, and nothing would surprise him any more.No matter what kind of accidents and adventures, as long as they are encountered by a person, he has experienced them all.So, don't believe people when they think they are cornered. It was moving to hear Flip's frank and clear words, to see his firm and powerful gestures, and to see the enthusiasm and strength in his whole body.It made Harry Clifton involuntarily think that, while he did not have the advantage of the Swiss Robinson, he at least had the loyal and dedicated Flip.With such a person, one can overcome all difficulties and successfully inspect the land under one's feet, develop it, and occupy it. Thinking of all this made Harry Clifton feel a little sleepy.Mrs. Clifton advises the children to go away so their father can sleep. When everyone was about to leave the cave, Little Bell suddenly stopped and said: "Mr. Flip, from now on we will never call you Father Flip, because we have found our father." "Daddy Flip," repeated Harry Clifton, smiling. "Yes, sir, pardon me," said Flip, "the dear Miss and Mr. Jack are used to calling me Papa; but now—" "And now," said Jack, "Papa Flip is Uncle Robinson!" "Yes, Uncle Robinson," Bell said, clapping his hands. Everyone unanimously approved the appellation, and shouted three Ullas for "Uncle Robinson"!