Chapter 23 Chapter Eight: Ben Lado's Way

When Ben Rado started this new operation, according to the accurate information provided by Jacques Ledin, he did not doubt that he only needed to enter the crater of the Gold Volcano to pick up gold nuggets, load them into a car and return to Dawson City.Eight days are enough for this easy job, and it takes less than a month on the way back and forth.Therefore, he said to Sammy Skin very sincerely and positively: "The team can return to Dawson in early August, so there is time to get to Skagway before the severe cold, and then go to Vancouver to take the train back to Montreal." "What kind of train to transport it," Sammy replied jokingly, "our millionaires and Golden Volcano! . . . That's a lot of luggage! . . . "

If the million-dollar treasure is really in the crater, it is impossible to get it now. This unexpected complication forced them to arrange a bivouac for several weeks.The scouts took steps to keep their men fed and their cattle fed until the day they had to go south.Indeed, it was madness to plan to spend the winter under a tent.In any case, regardless of whether the operation is successful or not, the Arctic Circle must be crossed by mid-August at the latest.After that deadline, roads are impassable in this snowstorm-ravaged region. I had no choice but to live while waiting, and it takes a lot of patience to bear this kind of life.Of course, you can go to see the status of the volcano and observe the progress of the eruption.Obviously, there will be many more climbs up the mountain.Ben Radeau, Scout, and of course Jane Edgerton would not flinch from fatigue, and they would surely watch how things were going from day to day.

In any case, Sammy Skin and Neruto had nothing to worry about filling the long hours.They hunted both on the southern and western plains and in the swamps of the Mackenzie Triangle.There were plenty of wild animals, and life was not hard for these crazy hunters.From day one, though, the scouts warned them not to go too far.In the beautiful season, there are often tribal activities of Indians along the coast of the Arctic Ocean, it is best not to run into them. As for the rest of the team, they can fish for fun.There are so many fish in the labyrinth of water nets, just fishing, the general food can be guaranteed until the arrival of the freezing period.

A few days passed without any change in the situation.The eruption did not show any signs of expanding.Ben Rado really guessed so when he saw where the crater opened on the summit.The volcanic chimney opens on the northeast side of the volcano, which is why the slope on the west side is inclined, and you can only climb up the mountain from here.In the camp, built essentially at the foot of the volcano, facing the east side of the volcano, the muffled din of underground movements could be distinctly heard.The engineer concluded that the very steep side of the mountain must not be too thick, and Bill Stern agreed.

Jane Egerton, Ben Rado and Scout hiked up the hill almost every day, while the indefatigable Sammy Skinner went hunting in the company of Neruto.One day, Sami wanted to climb a mountain, so the number of climbers became four.This whimsical move almost caused the life-threatening situation of the determined hunter. When the 4 people grabbed a rope and were about to reach the top of the mountain, just like the first time, the scouts took the lead, Ben Rado was in the rear, and Sammy Skin and Jane Egerton were in the middle, marching in a straight line.As they climbed the cone of friable ash deposited by past eruptions at the base of the volcano, the scouts drove down a stake, but the rope snapped beneath it.At this time, Sammy was climbing up the rope, and when he slipped, he rolled down according to the law of the acceleration of gravity on the hillside.He tried to grab something, but was unsuccessful.The seized dirt slipped from his hands.

The companions uttered terrified cries.Sammy would have fallen to his death when he rolled down the hill, and he would have dragged down the people connected by the broken rope: Ben Rado and Jane Edgerton. Fortunately, Jane was very calm.What a coincidence, when the accident happened, there happened to be a small bush near her hand, and she clung desperately to the bush.When Sammy fell towards her under the force of gravity, she managed to grab hold of his clothes and use all her strength to stop him from falling further. Sammy stood up immediately, perhaps a little dazed, but unharmed. "No broken bones?" Ben Rado asked from below.

"No," Sammy replied, "maybe a little sore, a simple scrape, no need for Dr. Peelcox." "Then, keep going," Ben Rado said loudly, relieved. "At least, give me some time to thank Miss Jane, she saved my life." Jane Egerton looked serious. "No thanks," she said, "we're settled. But allow me to remind you that this may change your mind, that women are sometimes useful." In the past, Sammy might not have been willing to see this, but this time he readily accepted it.Continued climbing to the summit without issue. The days passed by without any change.There was no fire or anything coming out of the mouth of the Gold Volcano.

It's June 20th. It's easy to imagine: Bin Lado and his companions were distraught, and their days seemed like years. Unable to do anything, passive waiting has pushed them to the limit of their patience.After settling down, the prospectors had nothing to do, and the people in the camp were really poor and boring. The busiest person was definitely Jane Edgerton.She took care of the catering.Guaranteeing three meals a day for 21 people is not an easy task, which is enough for one person to do for a lifetime. However, there are times when the dedicated logistics manager also fails in his duties.One day, when they climbed to the top of the Golden Volcano as usual, there was a thick cloud and they couldn't go down the mountain.It would take several hours to stay like this, and Jane, who was thinking about her companions' lunch, was extremely anxious.

If she had seen what was going on in the camp, she wouldn't be so anxious.A replacement was found and it was none other than Sammy.Because of the heavy fog, he couldn't go hunting either. In order to find something to do, he made an exception and assumed the position of the absent logistics manager.He put on an apron, which nearly tripped him several times; he was busy cooking, waving a knife and fork.If the skill of the chef was as high as his enthusiasm, the meal must be delicious. When the clouds cleared and the climbers finally returned to camp, Jane was surprised to see that the food was already on the table and cooked just right.It is not difficult to guess who cooked the rice.Sammy didn't hide it either, on the contrary, he was vain enough to show it.He was wearing an apron all the time, playing with the cooking utensils, his face flushed from the fire.

"Dinner's ready!" he exclaimed cheerfully, when Jane and her companions could hear him. After everyone was seated, he was to serve Jane himself.He followed the standard actions of a well-trained servant, and brought a large plate of vegetables to Jane, and Jane took a lot of vegetables. "Miss Jane, don't be afraid to take too much," said Sammy, "tell me how it tastes in a moment." However, when she was about to taste the craft of the temporary chef, the chef stopped her with a movement. "Let me say something first, Miss Jane," said he, "to remind you, that it may change your mind, that men are sometimes of use."

Jane didn't answer, and ate the dishes in the bowl. "That's not my opinion," she said coldly. The stew chowder was really bad, and the humiliated Sammy had to admit it after one bite. Still, no matter how good or bad it is, hungry people still praise their lunch.Neither the teeth nor the tongue were out of work. What do you talk about if you don't talk about the topic you care about the most?Everyone is talking about the gold volcano, the treasures in the stomach of the gold volcano, and the inability to get these treasures.During the conversation, one person suggested chiseling the mountain with a steel drill, as if it would be an easy task. "None of our dynamites will work," replied Bill Steer, "and besides, suppose a hole could be drilled, what would you get out of it?" "Probably a lot of gold nuggets," said the Canadian. "No," said the scout, "only the gas. The gas comes out of the hole, not the crater. We're not going anywhere." "So, what should we do?" "wait." "Wait!" Objected a worker who was originally working at No. 129. "We won't be able to wait any longer soon. After the last two months, we have to leave, if we don't want to be trapped by winter." "Well, let's go back," Ben Rado announced. "Let's go back to Dawson City and come back next year when the weather is warmer." "Huh?" said Sammy Skin, jumping up, "one more winter in the Klondike!" "Yes," Ben Rado said clearly, "you can go back to Montreal if you want. Me, I'm staying in Dawson. The volcano is going to erupt sooner or later, and I want to go there." When the discussion tended to change, Jane Edgerton intervened.she asked: "Isn't there any way to make a volcano erupt?" "No," Ben Rado replied, "we can't..." The engineer seemed to have an idea suddenly, he stopped talking and stared at Jane.Jane asked him to finish, but it was no use.He shook his head, refusing to speak his mind. In the next few days, the weather was quite bad.Dark clouds rose from the south.The drop in air pressure appears to have increased volcanic activity.There are some flames in the smoke from the crater. The quickly subsided storm was followed by downpours.The estuary of the Mackenzie River was flooded in places, with two main tributaries overflowing the river bed. It is needless to say that during this period Sammy Skin could not go out hunting every day, but was obliged to stay in camp to pass what he considered to be long days. At this time, an important thing happened. On the afternoon of June 23, Ben Rado invited Sammy Skin, Jane Egerton, and Scout to his tent. "My friends, I have something to say to you," said the engineer when they had sat down, "and I beg you to listen carefully to what I propose to you." His expression is serious.The wrinkles on his forehead showed how anxious he was, and Sammy Skinn was deeply touched by the genuine friendship he felt for him.Has Ben Lado decided to abandon the operation?Give up fighting nature against him?If the situation doesn't get worse before winter, is he planning to return to Montreal?Needless to say whether Sammy Skin was satisfied with such a decision. "Friends," began Ben Rado, "there is no doubt about the existence of the Gold Volcano and the value of its contents. Let us see for ourselves: Jacques Ledan was right. Unfortunately: Early manifestations of an eruption have prevented us from entering the crater. If we can get in, our operation will be over soon and we will be able to return to the Klondike." "It's going to erupt for sure," Bill Steer said. "Before three weeks," said Sammy Skinn through gritted teeth. A short period of silence.Everyone is thinking in their own way. After seemingly weighing all the consequences of a long-gestating plan, Bin Rado continued: "Miss Edgerton made a suggestion a few days ago, and I let it go without answering. Perhaps it was disappointment that she saw we couldn't do, or maybe she was just talking... Me, the idea shocked me, I thought about it, I searched for ways to make it happen, and I think I found them. The question that was posed to me: Could it be possible to cause a volcano to erupt? I The answer is: why not?" Jane Edgerton kept her eyes on the engineer's.The talk made her so happy!To act, to rule over men and things, to subject everything until nature obeys its own will, is life!Her lips quivered, her enlarged nose opened and closed, and her every attitude expressed her eagerness to know the details of such an exciting plan. Sammy Skin and the Scout looked at each other, as if wondering if the Engineer's mind was all right, and if so much disappointment and worry had damaged his sanity.Had Ben Rado guessed how they looked?At any rate, he went on with the clarity of a man in complete control of himself: "Volcanoes, you know, sit by the sea: Vesuvius, Etna, Ecla, Chimborazo and many others, old and new alike. One naturally concludes that volcanoes need water. Modern The theory is that the bottom of the volcano is connected to the ocean. According to the nature of the ground, water seeps or enters suddenly or slowly into the interior of the volcano, where it turns into steam. When the steam enclosed in the earth's interior reaches a very high pressure, it causes internal vibrations , the vapors want to go out, carrying volcanic cinders, volcanic ash, stones, and in a vortex of fire and smoke, erupted from the volcanic chimneys. There is no doubt that this is the cause of volcanic eruptions, and also of earthquakes, at least some Earthquakes...then why can't man do what nature can do?" It can be said that at this moment, everyone is staring at the engineer with eager eyes.If the theory of the natural phenomenon of volcanic eruptions is not absolutely certain, the explanation he has just given is generally regarded as the most plausible.As for the Gold Volcano, no one objected to its being infiltrated by the Arctic Ocean.The connection between the volcano and the sea, which had been interrupted for a long time, was now reconnected; for under the pressure of the steam the volcano began to spew steam again.Is it possible to import large quantities of seawater into the interior of the volcano?Engineers have a wild imagination, trying to carry out such an operation, think it is feasible? "While we were on the summit of Gold Volcano," Ben Rado went on, "you made observations like I did, and found that the crater was on the northeast side. Also, the sound of subterranean movement was on this side. Now, the internal The rumble was clearly audible." Indeed, the rumbling sound was carried outside with special intensity, as if to confirm the engineer's reasoning. "We should be sure," continued Ben Rado, "that the chimney of the volcano is dug near our camp. We only need to dig a hole in the side of the hillside and dig a canal to bring the water in large quantities. gone." "What water?" asked Bill Steel. "Is it sea water?" "No," replied the engineer, "you don't have to go that far to fetch water. Isn't there the Rube? It's a tributary of the Mackenzie, which feeds the inexhaustible waters of the delta network into the Golden Volcano." middle." Ben Rado said "injection", as if a canal had been dug on the plateau to divert the water of the Rube River.As he explained, he firmly believed in his plan.Now, this plan has become an unchangeable decision for him. As bold as the plan was, none of his companions, not even Sammy Skin, thought to object, and if Ben Rado failed, the matter would be settled and he would have to go home.If he succeeded, the volcano would spit out its treasure and the problem would be solved, though the vehicle would hit the road back to the Klondike with a much heavier load. Injecting large amounts of water into the interior of a volcano poses a real danger.Wouldn't the water suddenly turn into steam and be uncontrollable?Wouldn't it be a disaster for man to replace nature?Wouldn't it cause an earthquake at the same time as the volcano erupted, spreading across the region and burying the camp with its people? Yet no one wants to face up to these dangers.From the morning of June 24, the works started. Under the command of the engineer, first attack the flank of the golden volcano.Indeed, if the pick cannot cut against the hard stone, if it cannot open a passage to the chimney of the crater, then there is no need to dig a canal for the river. The opening of the channel is set 20 feet below the water level of the river so that the river can flow in quickly.Fortunately, the digging tools did not hit hard material, at least in the first half of the tunnel.First the friable earth, then the long-accumulated rubble and fragments of lava, and finally the formerly shaken and shattered quartz. The project is carried out day and night, against the clock.What is the thickness of the mountain?Ben Rado couldn't make any calculations, and the passage might be longer than he estimated.As the project progressed, the sound inside the volcano became louder.Getting closer to the chimney doesn't mean it's anytime soon, though. Sammy Skin and Neruto don't go hunting anymore, they also work like engineers.Every day, the dug tunnel advances five to six feet. Unfortunately, after 5 days, I touched the quartz stone and the pickaxe became dull.How long will it take to get through this extremely hard rock?The core of the volcano is presumably made of this layer of rock.Ben Rado decided to use steel brazing.And using part of the gunpowder that has been made into bullets, Sammy Skin had to use less bullets.Indeed, gunpowder can not only be used as ammunition for hunting, but also a very valuable defense material when necessary.However, the team does not appear to be in any danger.The area remained largely deserted, and no Indians were found near the camp. Good results with steel brazing.Progress slowed, but did not stop. On July 8, after working for 15 days, the length of the channel seemed to be enough.At this time, its depth is about 28 meters, and the area of ​​the opening is 30 square feet.Therefore, a large amount of water can be introduced.The roar of the volcano can be heard very clearly, and the thickness of the rock wall is no more than one or two feet.It only takes a few more chisels with a steel drill to penetrate, thus ending the excavation of the channel. Now, it is certain that bin Lado's plans will not be stopped by insurmountable obstacles.The surface-dug canal, which brought water from the Ruburt, was not difficult to build, since the ground was made of sand; although the canal was about 300 feet long, the engineers intended to build it in ten days or so. "The hardest thing has been done," Bill Steer said. "The longest," Ben Rado replied. "We'll start digging the canal six feet from the left bank of the Ruburt starting tomorrow." "Well," said Sammy Skin, "since we've got an afternoon break, I'd suggest . . . " "Use it for hunting? Mr. Sammy." Jane said with a smile. "No, Miss Jane," answered Sammy Skine, "but go up to Gold Volcano one last time, and see what happens on it." "Good idea, Sammy," Ben Rado said, "because it seems like the eruption is going to progress, and you'd better see for yourself." This advice is indeed sensible.They set off immediately.Neruto joined them.Because they climbed the mountain every day, they all became good climbers, so it only took one and a half hours to reach the crater. It was impossible for them to get as close to the crater as they did the first time.The higher and thicker vapor is mixed with long flames, and the high temperature near the crater is really unbearable.However, the volcano still did not spew out magma or cinders. "There's no question," said Sammy Skin, "that the Gold Volcano is too stingy, and if it has gold nuggets, it keeps them preciously." "Since it won't give it up of its own accord," replied Jane Edgerton, "we will compel it to do so." In any case, now the phenomenon of eruption is manifested more forcefully.The rumble of the interior reminded one of a high-pressure boiler, the iron skin of which rattled under the action of the fire.Needless to say, an eruption is brewing.However, it may be weeks or months before the volcano spews burning material into the air. Therefore, after observing the current state of the crater, Ben Rado never thought of stopping the work that had already started, but on the contrary, decided to work hard and speed up the progress of the project. Before going down the hill, they looked around.The whole area appeared to be deserted.Nothing unusual happened on the plain or at sea.In this way, they have reason to be satisfied.The secret of the Golden Volcano is known to no one but them. With their backs to the crater, they bask in the admiration of the vastness of the infinity.Sami, especially, seemed lost in a dream.His eyes were fixed on the southeast, his body was motionless, and he seemed to forget the people around him. "What is there so interesting to you over there?" Jane Egerton asked him. Sammy replied in a suppressed voice: "Montreal, Miss Jane. Montreal and Green Valley." "Green Valley!" Jane repeated, "is a place you miss, Mr Skinner." "How can I not miss it?" Sammy explained, his eyes did not leave the direction that attracted him like two poles attracting a magnetic needle, "Isn't that where I lived? In Green Valley, I saw some people were born, others I was also seen born. There I was known and welcomed from the elders to the youngest, and I was a friend to all the family; and if my dear Ben were excluded, it is a pity that he was born more for receiving Love instead of giving love, I just found my home there. I like Green Valley because Green Valley likes me, Miss Jane." Sammy stopped talking, and Jane also followed his example and remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.Had a few words spoken by her companion awakened the dormant feelings in her heart?Will she say it to herself?Notwithstanding the victories of strength, effort, is not enough to fill a life; and if wise, intellectual desires, used as they please, can be carried away with pride, there are other instincts in us which cannot be satisfied with these intense pleasures. .Under the influence of the words she heard, did she gain a clearer sense of the specificity of her position?Did she see herself?Weak, lonely, on top of this great mountain at the edge of the habitable world, surrounded by mostly rough people, to them, in any case, she was but a traveler soon to be forgotten.She said to herself: Does she have no family too?She is more unfortunate than Sami, she has no green valley, and there are not so many people who love her to extend their hands to her. "Hey!" Neruto yelled, he had the best eyes among these people, "You can say..." "What is it?" Ben Rado asked. "Nothing," Neruto replied, "but I thought I saw..." "What did you see?" Ben Rado asked. "I don't know," said the Indian hesitantly, "...it seems...maybe it's smoke." "Smoke!" exclaimed the engineer, "in what direction?" "Over there," Neruto said, pointing to the forest three miles to the west from the volcano. "In the forest? On the edge of the forest?" "no." "So, under a tree in the woods?" "right." "how far?" "Well! . . . two or three miles in the woods . . . maybe nearer . . . " "Or farther away," an impatient Ben Rado finished his sentence, "I know your old tune, Neruto. Either way, I can't see anything." "I can't see anything," Neruto said, "...I'm not even sure I can see...very little...I might be mistaken." Since they came to the seaside of the Arctic Ocean, this is the first time that people have been found to be active in these extreme northern regions.Smoke rising from the tops of the trees meant that someone was camping under them; and whoever they were, I'm afraid nothing good could be expected. Who are these people?hunter?Aren't they the explorers who knew the existence of the Gold Volcano and came to look for it? It was quite possible that the newcomers hadn't seen the Gold Volcano yet, the tall, bushy foliage blocking their view.But what they did not see they will see when they come out of the woods; it is difficult to predict what will happen to them when they discover the gold volcano. Either way, it's a prospect that worries Bin Lado and his associates. With the exception of Jane, who was lost in thought, all cast their eyes persistently to the West.Didn't see anything out of the ordinary.No smoke rose above the woods, and the forest stretched darkly to the horizon. Ben Rado was convinced that Neruto was wrong, so he called everyone down the mountain. At this time, Jane approached Sammy. "I'm tired, Mr Skinner," she said in a sad voice. Sammy was stunned.There is a reason for this.Jane admits to being fatigued, which is something she never had before.Something must have happened to her. Yes, Mr Skinner, things have changed, and Jane Edgerton is very tired.The springs that supported her were not broken, or at least weak, when she worked tirelessly to do what she couldn't do.She stopped living life as a series of struggles and constant endeavors for a while.She knew the tenderness of being loved and protected, and she guessed the warmth of the family nest surrounded by tenderness; the fear of her lonely heart had worn her body out.what!How tired Jane Egerton was!Mr. Skin! Sammy Skin did not talk so much to himself, and his head was clear in this complex analysis.He just looked at Jane, amazed at his own thinking and the tragic color of his thinking, and surprised to see things he had hitherto never seen.How delicate and frail she was!And how beautiful it is!How insignificant was the little girl's reflection in the sky, compared with the vastness of space around her!What a misfortune that she was here, in this deserted place, facing so much weariness, pain, and danger! "Miss Jane, please don't worry," he said, laughing to get rid of his excitement, "here I am. Please support me. I have strong arms and legs." They began to descend, and Sammy chose the route. He carefully supported his light-weight companion like a big brother, like an antique collector sending a precious and fragile art to safety. In a daze, Jian Ren Sami helped her go.She walked like a dream, staring into the distance with absent-minded eyes.What?She couldn't tell.Over there, on the other side of the horizon, are there strangers or harder secrets in her troubled mind?