Chapter 14 Chapter Fourteen Exploring North

As the weather began to improve, the small colonists embarked on a plan they had conceived throughout the long winter. There is obviously no land on the west side of the island.Is there no land to the south and north?Does this island belong to the islands in the Pacific Ocean?According to Baoding's map, this place is definitely not an island in the Pacific Ocean.Because Baoding didn't have a telescope at the time, even standing on the Oakland Hills, he could only see the sea level for a few miles.Now that they had binoculars, they must have seen farther than the survivor of the Dougia Troy.

According to Baoding's map, it is only 12 miles east from Frenchman's Cave on Charman Island, along a jagged coastline to Galleon Bay.An expedition in that direction might find something. But before venturing far, you should first find out what's around Oakland Hills, Family Lake, Trap Woods, etc.Are there resources available in those places?Is it rich in useful fruit trees or shrubs?They decided to organize an expedition in early November to find out. Although in terms of solar terms, spring here has already begun, but because of the high latitude here, the climate change is not obvious yet.From September to the first half of October, there is also a long period of severe weather; both short-lasting frosts and unpredictable winds.Difficulties caused by inclement weather are severe at this equinox season.Like blowing their sailboats to the Pacific Ocean, the strong sea breeze seems to be able to blow even the mountains.When the wind from the Antarctic waters blows over, because it blows from the southern outskirts, there are no obstacles, and the strong wind will drive straight in, making people shiver.There were at least 20 occasions when high winds blew into the storage room, down the aisle and into the hall.This is worse than winter when the temperature is below zero.Children not only have to be protected against strong winds, but also have to be prepared for storms and hail at any time.

To make matters worse, the birds also seem to be flying inland to seek refuge from the high winds of the equinox.The fish on the shore of the lake were also frightened and disappeared by the roaring waves. The boys in the French cave didn't sit idle.Because the ice and snow have melted, the original large table can no longer be used as a tool for pulling things.So Baxter decided to build a cart for carrying heavy loads. He wanted to use the two winched wheels on the sailboat, but tried several times without success.I'm afraid even a skilled blacksmith can't do this kind of thing well.The winch wheel is a gear shape.He tried his best to wear the gear off, but he couldn't.In the end, Baxter had to use wooden wedges to fill the gaps between the gears, and the outside was fixed with iron rings.Then he mounted the two wheels on a round iron bar, and placed a wooden platform on the wooden axle.In this way, a simple cart is made.Although very simple, but can come in handy.Since there are no horses, mules or donkeys on the island, it is up to the boys to pull the carts themselves.

Surely they could have saved themselves a lot of trouble if they had a few tame quadrupeds!Why are there so many bird species and so few animals on Charman Island?Take Sauvis's ostrich as an example. Does he really have the ability to tame birds to work for them? The wild nature of that ostrich remained unchanged.As long as someone approaches it, it will use its sharp mouth and sharp teeth to protect itself.It tried its best to break free from the rope tied to its body. Once it managed to break free, it might soon disappear into the woods of the trap. But Sauvis was not discouraged at all.He even named the ostrich "Hurricane".This is learned from the protagonist in the adventure novel "Swiss Robinsons".In order to tame this ferocious ostrich, Sovis went to great lengths.But no matter how hard and soft he is, the ostrich just doesn't obey.

One day, Sovis said: "I don't know what happened, but Jack tamed the ostrich in a very short time." He was reading a romance story book "De Weisse". "It is possible," replied Gordon, "that there is as much difference between you and your hero, Sauvis, as there is between your ostrich and his ostrich." "What's the meaning?" "It's just the difference between fantasy and reality." "What does that matter?" Sovis objected. "Sooner or later I will tame this ostrich, and then I will let the facts speak for themselves."

"Great!" laughed Gordon. "Whether you tame it or let the facts speak for themselves, I'd be glad." Although it was just a joke among the mates, Sovis was determined to ride the ostrich as soon as the weather improved.Like the hero in his heart, he made a saddle and a hat with a horse eye patch out of canvas.Maybe Jacko tamed the ostrich after blindfolding its left and right eyes.But if Jacko can succeed, why can't he himself?Sovis even wove a collar around the ostrich's neck, not just for looks.As for the blindfold, I'm afraid it would be difficult to put it on the ostrich's head.

The vernal equinox is almost here, and the sun is back to its former power.The sun was shining brightly in the sky, and it was already mid-October.The sun shone warmly on the growing green of the trees. The kids can now be outside all day long.They can dry the cold and waterproof clothes they wear in winter, sew them up when they need to be mended, and then fold them, and Gordon will carefully record them and store them carefully.How much they hope that it will be spring all year round, maybe they will make new discoveries and change the current situation.Maybe there will be ships passing through this area in summer.If the men on board had seen Charman Island, and noticed the flag on Oakland Hill, would they have sent men ashore?

During the last two weeks of October the boys searched again within a 2 mile radius of the French Cave.While they strive to conserve bullets and ammunition, once the hunters are out, there is bound to be something to be gained.Wilcox continued to use nets and traps, capturing several geese and then bustards.A few times also caught a hare.He had to go to the nets several times a day, because sometimes the jackals and wild cats would prey on them and eat the animals he caught. Donagan shot several beasts shaped like boars and deer.The meat is very tasty.It is a pity that no one dared to approach the ostrich.Sovis's progress in taming the hurricane was still less than ideal. What happened on October 25 can fully illustrate this point.The stubborn Sovis made up her mind to overcome all difficulties to ride on the saddle of the ostrich.

All the boys gathered in the playground to watch the fun.The younger children were both envious of their companion's bravery and worried that something would happen to him.At such a critical juncture, they dared not ask Sovis to let them ride.The older children kept shaking their heads.Gordon even tried to persuade Sauvis not to take the risk of doing such a thing.But it didn't work, so he had to let him make his own way. Garnett and Baxter lead the ostrich.The ostrich's eyes are blindfolded.After several attempts, Sovis finally rode on the back of the ostrich.Then he said in a hesitant voice, "Go!"

Because the ostrich couldn't see, Suoweisi clamped it tightly with her legs, and the ostrich stayed in place without moving.But as soon as the rope used as a slow rope and the blindfold were removed, the ostrich jumped suddenly, and then rushed towards the woods. Sovis couldn't guide the mount under her, it galloped like an arrow leaving the string.He tried to put the blindfold back on to stop the ostrich, but he couldn't put it on.When the ostrich shakes its head, the blindfold will fall off and even slide onto the ostrich's neck.Sovis had no choice but to hug the ostrich's neck tightly.After a violent jolt, the ostrich dropped its rider.When the ostrich was about to enter the trap woods, Sovis fell from the ostrich's back to the ground.

The companions rushed over quickly, but the ostrich had long since disappeared.Fortunately, Sovis fell on the grass without even scratching his skin. "This savage beast!" Sovis cursed loudly, "Hmph, if I catch you again..." "You can't catch it anymore," Donagan told him. "Well," Webb stood up and said, "The hero in your heart, Jacko, can ride more than you." "My ostriches are not tamed enough," Sauvis said. "Impossible to tame," Gordon reassured him. "You don't have to think about that beast any more. And don't you forget that you can't believe all the romances written in the book "De Weisse." The turmoil finally passed, and the children no longer regretted not having the opportunity to ride an ostrich. By early November, the weather was perfect for longer adventures to the west and north shores of Family Lake.The sky was cloudless and the temperature was neither too hot nor too cold.Even a few nights camped out in the wild won't matter much. The hunters naturally became members of the expedition.But this time Gordon wanted to do it himself, and Bryant and Garnett would take care of the others who stayed in the French den.In the future, we will arrange for Bryant to lead the team to investigate the low-lying areas of the lake. They can take a small sailboat to walk along the lake or cross the middle of the lake. With everything in place, Gordon, Donagan, Baxter, Webb, Cross, and Sauvis set off on November 5th. The children who stayed in the French den continued to live as usual.When there's no work to be done, Evanson, Jenkins, Toney, and Costa go fishing in the river, which is their specialty.Moko stayed inside the cave.Don't think that there is no one in the expedition team who can cook, because didn't Sovis go with him?He has no reason not to go with the expedition, because maybe he will find the ostrich too. Gordon, Donagan, and Wilcox each carried a rifle and a revolver.For the need of defense, they also brought a few hunting knives and two axes. If it is not for defense, bullets and gunpowder are not allowed to be used, or unless it is temporarily difficult for them to obtain food in other more affordable ways.It was for this reason that Baxter brought his lasso and bola.He has mastered the use of such instruments.Although he was a little taciturn, he was a bright young man.He can quickly use these weapons proficiently to deal with prey that cannot run, but whether he can catch animals has yet to be verified.Gordon also took the "Howcott" Indian rubber boat with him.The boat folds up into a backpack for easy portability and weighs only a few pounds.The map shows that the lake has two tributaries.If there is no shoal, this rubber boat can come in handy. Gordon made another copy of the original map, and the west shore of Family Lake was probably no more than twelve miles long.If there is no delay along the way, it may take three full days to come and go. Little Mi led the way, and Gordon and his companions left the trap woods and headed left, along the sandy land by the lake.They walked more than two miles, the furthest they had gone since they had come to Frenchman's Cave.There are clumps of fern bushes growing in this area.Even the tallest expedition members walked into the bushes without showing their heads.In this way, their travel time is slowed down, but this is not a bad thing.Because it was at this time that Mi found six holes in the ground.It stopped before one of the holes. Obviously, Xiao Mi smelled the smell of some animal.Donagan was about to remove the gun from his shoulder when Gordon stopped him. "Don't waste ammo, Donagan!" he told him. "Perhaps, our breakfast problem will be solved!" protested the young hunter. "Maybe there's Chinese food too!" Sovis said, kneeling down on the side of the hole. "If there's something in the hole, we can grab it without firing a shot," Wilcox pointed out. "How?" Webb asked. "Smoke it out." Some dry branches were piled up among the fern bushes.Wilcox quickly lit a fire in front of one of the burrows.In less than a minute, more than a dozen half-dead rodents came out, all of which were hares.Sovis and Weber quickly killed several with axes.Xiao Mi also killed three of them with her sharp teeth. "These hares are enough to make a good Chinese meal!" Gordon said. "I'll make them delicious," said Sovis, impatient to fulfill his duties as a culinary master. "If you want, I'll start right away." "Let's talk about it when we stop!" Gordon said. It took them half an hour to walk through the thicket of ferns.There is a long and narrow sand dune on the other side of the lake. The sand grains are so fine and light that even a slight breeze can blow the dust up. As far as the direction of the cliff is concerned, they are now more than 2 miles westward away from the flank of the Oakland Hills.This part of the island is covered with dense forests.This forest was already passed by Bryant and his companions, and they named the small river flowing through this forest "Little Dam Creek". According to the map, Xiaoba Creek flows into Family Lake.About 11 o'clock they reached the mouth of the river, thus covering a total of six miles from their departure.They stopped under a tall umbrella pine.They lit a pile of firewood between two large rocks.After a few minutes, Sovis quickly skinned the two rabbits, then took them and grilled them over the crackling fire.Xiao Mi lay quietly on the side, smelling the delicious meat aroma, while Sovis was carefully turning the roast meat, for fear that the rabbit meat would be burnt. The partners now do not criticize Sovis's previous attempts.They have enough to eat.Although the wild rabbit meat has a grassy aroma, the meat is still very tender.They only ate a few biscuits, and the rest of the dry food was left untouched in their backpacks. After eating, they started to cross the river, because the water in the river was shallow, they didn't have to waste time to open the little rubber boat. The sandy beach by the lake gradually turned into a swamp, so they had to walk along the forest.There are many kinds of forests on the mountain, including zelkova, birch and oak.There are various pine trees on both sides of the road.Innumerable chirping birds jumped from branch to branch.There are black woodpeckers with red crests, and (weng) birds with white crests.There were also wrens, songbirds, skylarks, and thrushes that sang incessantly.Flying in the distant sky are South America's most ferocious vultures and several Caracalla falcons. Perhaps thinking of Robinson, Sauvis was so emotional that she couldn't find a parrot among so many birds on the island.Although he failed to tame the ostrich, perhaps he could tame a talking bird, but he never saw a parrot. All in all, they can live by hunting birds and wild animals on the island.Gordon no longer stopped Donagan from shooting a medium-sized squirrel.Although they can no longer eat Xikou meat, they can keep it until evening. Because there is no need to go to the mountain road, the journey is relatively fast.At 5 o'clock they followed the edge of the woods until another 40-foot wide channel blocked their way.The channel is an estuary to the lake, which meanders through the northern side of the Oakland Hills and empties into the Pacific Ocean at Sailboat Bay. Gordon decided to camp here.They were tired enough walking 12 miles a day.Because of the need to give the river a name, and because they stayed on the bank of the river, they called this river "Staying River". The camp was set up under some trees near the lake.They save the bird for breakfast the next day, and the hare as a staple.This time Sovis showed off her culinary skills again.After eating and drinking enough, the next step is to take a good rest.Just as they are eager to open their mouths to eat when they are hungry, they quickly close their eyes and fall asleep.They lit a big fire, then wrapped themselves in blankets and lay criss-crossed beside the fire.Wilcox and Donagan took turns keeping watch.In fact, even if there were wild beasts, they would not dare to come, because they had built a lot of fire.They are not afraid at all.As soon as it was dawn, everyone decided to continue on their way. Not only did they name the river, they had to cross it.Because the river was not very shallow, they had to use the "Howcott" rubber boat.The boat is small and can only accommodate one person to cross the river at a time.In this way, they had to paddle seven times from the left bank of the river to the right bank of the river. It took nearly an hour, but their dry food and ammunition did not get wet at all. Little Mi didn't care about getting his feet wet, and he swam over in no time. Since the ground was no longer swampy, the boys could walk along the lake again.At about 10 o'clock they finished their breakfast of sable meat and continued northward.They saw no sign of reaching the end of the lake at all.The eastern horizon is still water and sky. They went until noon when Donagan looked through the binoculars and said loudly, "There's a lake shore over there." They looked in the direction Donagan had said and saw the tops of several trees sticking out of the water. "We must not rest," Gordon said. "We must be there before dark." It was a dry flat land, with rolling dunes dotted here and there with clumps of shrubs and reeds, stretching as far as the eye could see.Looking from the north side of the plain, Charman Island seems to be a huge sandy land, only in the center of the island is there a green forest.Because of this, Gordon aptly named the place "The Sandy Desert". By 3 o'clock they found that the opposite bank of the lake was apparently 2 miles to the northeast.There are no other creatures there, only some seabirds, cormorants, petrels and other birds.They are flying towards the shore of the lake. If the sailboat had been wrecked in this area, the children would have mistakenly thought the island was a barren land, and they would certainly not find a comfortable French den in the sandy desert.Once the sailboat cannot shelter them from the wind and rain, they will have nowhere to hide. Is it necessary for them to continue exploring this seemingly uninhabited island?Is it time to explore the right bank of the lake once before leaving?Of course you should go!Because if Chaman Island is located in the American continent, maybe they can also find the American continent in the east.But, according to Donagan's advice, they should only make up their minds to go to the end of the river, and not go any further.Because the curve of the river is becoming more and more curved.As night fell, they stopped by a small stream.The creek flows into the family lake in the northerly direction. Not a single tree here, not even a shrub, not a patch of moss or lichen.The boys had no choice but to fill their stomachs with the dry food they had brought.Because they had no shelter, they had to sleep on the spot on the sand under the starlight.However, the night passed without incident.