Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Crossing the Equator
Since June 23, the sun has gradually shifted to the southern hemisphere.Severe weather is coming to overwhelm the area, making it necessary to leave the area.Since the sun is clearly moving toward the equator, it is best to follow it across the equator.The climate there is very pleasant. Although there are October, November, December, January and February, the temperature in these months is not lower than that in other months.The distance between the Hawaiian Islands and the Marquesas Islands is about 3,000 kilometers, so the model island, which was eager to reach the destination early, began to drive at the highest speed.
In its original meaning, Polynesia is such a large expanse of water stretching from the equator in the north to the Tropic of Capricorn in the south.There are 220 islands scattered within this 2 million square kilometers.These islands form 11 archipelagos, plus thousands of islets, the total land area of this area is 10,000 square kilometers.These islands are all the peaks of those great underwater mountains.The submarine mountains formed by these submarine mountains extend from northwest to southeast to the Marquesas Islands and Pitcairn Island, branching out many almost parallel branches along the way.
It is conceivable that if there is no water in this vast ocean suddenly, if Cleophas releases the roof of the house in Madrid, it sucks all the water from the entire ocean. What a strange land lay ahead!Switzerland, Norway, Tibet, which country, which region's geographical features can be as magnificent as it?Most of these undersea mountains are volcanic, but a few are of stony coral origin.The so-called stony coral is formed by the close combination of layers of calcareous matter and horny matter secreted by coral polyps.Coral polyp is a kind of gleaming microorganism, its organizational structure is very simple, but its fecundity is extremely strong.Of these islands, the most recent ones have only a layer of vegetation on their summits; the other oldest islands are covered from head to toe in green vegetation, even if some are made of coral.Therefore, the bottom of the Pacific Ocean can be described as a mountainous area.The model island roams over these peaks like a balloon flying among the peaks of the Alps or the Himalayas.The only difference is that what holds it is not air, but water.
However, just as there are large-scale air currents in space, there are also ocean currents on the ocean surface of this ocean.Huge ocean currents move from east to west, and every year from June to October, when the sun leans toward the Tropic of Cancer, two countercurrents are born under the water surface.In addition, around Tahiti, one can find four types of tides.Their high tides are at different times, and as a result the tides cancel each other out so much that they are almost imperceptible.As for the climate of each island, generally speaking, it varies greatly: mountainous islands can retain rain clouds and sprinkle rain on the islands; low-lying islands are drier, because the water vapor there is constantly blown The coming sea breeze blows away.
It would be a shame if there wasn't a map of the Pacific Ocean in the Entertainment City library.There are not only there, but also a complete set.Frascolin, the most conscientious of the little group, often consulted.Yvernay, on the other hand, prefers to indulge in discovering new things in cross-sea voyages, revel in admiration and admiration for artificial islands, and never let his brain add some geographical concepts and the like.Pansina only thinks about whether it is amused or not, and whether it can give him a rich imagination when dealing with things.As for Sebastian Zorno, for him, he didn't want to go anywhere anyway, so he didn't care where it went or what route it took.
Frascorin had to study his Polynesia alone, and study the main islands it contained, what Bass, Marquesas, Pamotu, Society, Cook, Tonga, Samoa , Austral Islands, Wallis Islands, Fanning Islands, not to mention the individual islands of Niue, Tokaolao, Phoenix, Manahiki, Easter Island, Sala-Gomez, etc. up.At last he found out that on most of the archipelago, even on those islands which were protected by other powers, the government had always been run by powerful men.The power of these men was never contested, and the poor classes were completely ruled by the rich.He also knew that the natives believed in Brahmanism, Islam, Christianity, and Catholicism, although in the islands annexed to France, only Catholicism predominated, which was attributed to the pomp and ceremony of Catholicism.He even learned that the local script was not complicated, with only 13 to 17 letters, and the local language was so confused with English that it might eventually be assimilated by Anglo-Saxon.Finally, he also knew that, ethnographically, the population of Polynesia in general was declining.This is a pity, because the Kanaks are handsome, and the Kanaks (the word means "people") on the equator are lighter-skinned than the Kanaks of those archipelagos farther from the equator line.How badly Polynesia would lose in the assimilation process!good!He knew this, and he had learned many other things in conversation with Captain Ethel Simcoyer.So when his friends asked him, he always answered clearly and unequivocally.
For this reason, Pancina called him a "tropical living dictionary".
Model Island carries its wealthy residents exactly as it should wander between these main islands.It really deserves the name "Island of Happiness" because everything necessary to ensure material happiness, and even, in a certain form, spiritual happiness, is provided on the island.However, why does such an environment have to be messed up by competition, jealousy, discord, and even power and vanity?Now, Billion City has been divided into two camps due to issues of power and vanity, just like the current two districts.The two camps are headed by Tanken and Coverly respectively.In any case, in the eyes of several artists, this matter has nothing to do with them, so they have a strong interest in this evenly matched dragon-tiger fight.
James Tanken is a true Yankee, likes to give orders, loves the limelight, with a half-cut pink beard on his broad face, short hair, and piercing eyes even though he is over 60 years old. The iridescence in the eyes is almost yellow like a dog's eyes, and the eyeballs emit a fiery light all the time.He was tall, strong, with powerful limbs.There was something about him of the hunter who set traps for fur beasts, and in fact his traps were nothing more than a few slaughterhouses in Chicago.He has driven millions of pigs into that kind of trap in the past.He is very rough, and his status should make him more civilized, but he hasn't even received the basic education, so how can he be polite?He likes to show off his wealth, and he does have a "clinking purse," as others say.However, now it seems that he feels that the "pocket bag" is not full enough, because he and a few other people in his district are thinking of returning to the old business and doing business...
Mrs. Tanken is an ordinary American woman, quite kind, very obedient to her husband, very kind to her children, a typical good wife and mother.She was destined to raise a large number of children, and she did her best.Since there are 2 billion for direct heirs, why can't there be a dozen children?Besides, she brought up all the children very well.
In such a large family, the attention of the "quartet" should be fully focused on the eldest son, because he is destined to play a certain role in this story.Walter Tanken was personable, suave, and, if not brilliant, was not stupid either.He was agreeable in manner and appearance, more like his mother than his father.He is well-educated, has traveled all over Europe and America, and travels occasionally, but every time he goes out, his habits and hobbies always make him return to the charming life of the model island as soon as possible.He liked to play sports, and in tennis, polo, golf, and baseball, he was the leader of the gang of young men in Billion City.He wasn't too proud of the fortune he would one day inherit.His heart is very kind, but there are really no poor people on the island, so he has no chance to show his bodhisattva heart.In short, knowing all about him, one has reason to hope that his younger siblings are as good as he is.Even though none of the younger ones had reached the age of marriage, he was quite old and had already touched the edge of 30, so he should consider marriage.Did he think of getting married? ...Everyone will understand later.
The most important on the port side was the Tanken family, and the most respected on the starboard side were the Coverleys.There is a stark contrast between the two.Nate Coverley has a very refined air about him that his opponents are less than.He bore in him the legacy of his French ancestors.None of his wealth came from the oil formations deep in the earth's core, nor from the steaming and bleeding pig's entrails.Never!All his money was earned from running industries, building railways, and opening banks.At present, all he thinks about is enjoying wealth peacefully.He did not hide his views and opposed any attempt to turn the "Pearl of the Pacific" into a huge factory or a vast commercial market.He was tall and straight, with gray hair hanging over his handsome head, and a large brown beard streaked with silver streaks.With a calm mind and a noble appearance, he has always been the most eye-catching figure among the celebrities in the city of billions of dollars who have retained the traditions of the upper class in the southern United States.He was fond of art, knew painting and music, and usually spoke French, the language most commonly spoken among the inhabitants of Starboard.He is familiar with European and American literature.His gentle applause and applause were mixed with the applause and stomping of the rough Far West and New England whenever the show was good.
Mrs. Coverly was 10 years younger than her husband, and just turned 40 this year.In this regard, she did not complain.She was an elegant, stately woman, from a half-blood family of the old Louisiana kind.She is proficient in music and plays the piano well.Don't think that Reyer in the 20th century has abandoned the piano from the city of billions.At her mansion on Fifteenth Avenue, the "Quartet" played music with her on several occasions, and they could not fail to express their admiration for her artistry.
Heaven hadn't blessed Coverley with a large family like Tankden.His vast wealth, which he never ostentatiously (unlike his opponents), was inherited by only three daughters.These three daughters are all as beautiful as flowers and jades.When they got married, how many noble young masters and rich sons from all over the world came to propose marriage.Moreover, in the United States, it is not uncommon for this kind of marriage with astronomical dowry.Didn't someone mention that little Miss Terri a few years ago?As soon as she turned 2 years old, someone came to her door for her 750 million dowry.I hope this child can find a good husband in the future.Since she is one of the richest women in America, I hope she can also be one of the happiest women.
The Coverleys' eldest daughter, Tiana, was affectionately called Dee.She was just barely 20 years old, and she was a beautiful girl.Her beautiful blue eyes, chestnut-brown hair, skin as delicate as the petals of a newly-opened rose, and a slender figure that combined the best of her parents, physically and mentally, defined Miss Coverley It is the object pursued by billions of young people in the city.Obviously, these young people will never let outsiders go to great lengths to obtain this "priceless treasure" (this expression is used here no more appropriate).It may even be reasonably supposed that Mr. Coverley did not see that a difference of religion was standing before his daughter's marriage (which he felt must ensure her happiness).In fact, Walter Tanken and Ty Coverly are a natural couple, but unfortunately, social competition has pitted the two most prominent families on Model Island.
Therefore, there is no need to think about this marriage at all... It is better to divide the model island into two parts, and the residents of the port side area and the residents of the starboard area will be separated, and they will never sign such a marriage contract!
"Unless there's love in it!" sometimes the steward would say, blinking behind his gold-rimmed pince-nez.
However, it seems that Walter Tanken doesn't have much affection for Ty Coverly, and the same is true the other way around.Otherwise, if the two of them are interesting, at least they are both reserved, which makes it impossible to satisfy the curiosity of the hundreds of millions of people in the city.Machine Island continues toward the equator almost along 160 degrees west longitude.The sea area in front of it is the most extensive sea area in the Pacific Ocean without islands of any size, and the depth reaches 8,000 meters. During the day on July 25, Machine Island sailed through the Belquena Trench, a 6,000-meter abyss.The strange shellfish or plant insects can be brought up from this trench with a depth sounder.The organisms are so organized that they have no trouble withstanding the water pressure of about 600 atmospheres. After 5 days, the model island crossed an archipelago.It belongs to Great Britain, although it is sometimes called the Isle of America.Leaving Palmyra and St. Karen to its right rear, Model Island came within five miles of Fanning Island.In this sea area, there are countless islands rich in sea guano, and Fanning Island is one of them, and it is the most important archipelago.This guano can be used as fertilizer.These outcropping peaks are more barren than green.The United Kingdom hasn't gotten much out of it so far.Even so, it puts one foot on this place and refuses to move it. In fact, everyone knows that wherever the British big foot steps, it will generally leave some indelible marks.
Every day, when the companions went for walks in the park or in the nearby fields, Frascolan, who was keenly interested in every detail of this novel voyage, went to the former battery.There he often meets up with the captain.Ethel Simcoyer was happy to tell him about some peculiar phenomena connected with the sea in this part of the world.When they talked about something interesting, the second fiddler never forgot to tell his companion.
For example, on the night of July 30th, they couldn't help but be amazed by the scene generously shown to them by nature.
That afternoon, someone spotted a large swarm of jellyfish swimming out of nowhere, covering several square miles of water in dense swarms.The shoals of jellyfish, which some naturalists call pelagic creatures, were so numerous and so extensive that the inhabitants of Machine Island had never encountered them.This animal is a very primitive life form, which sucks plants into its semicircular body.No matter how greedy the fish are, none of them seem to want to treat it as a meal, but rather treat it as a flower.The jellyfish, endemic to the tropical Pacific, are all umbrella-shaped, transparent, colorfully spotted and surrounded by tentacles.Their body length does not exceed 2-3 cm.Come to think of it, it would take billions of jellyfish to form such a large colony!
When Pansina was told that there were so many jellyfish, he replied:
"This will not surprise the super rich in Model Island. For them, 1 billion is just a common currency unit!"
When it was completely dark, some residents rushed to the "front deck", that is, the flat ground above the "front" battery.All the trams are full of people.Electric tour buses are also full of curious people.In the luxurious car sat the wealthy and dignitaries of the city.The Coverleys and the Tankenes were there almost at the same time.They chased each other along the way... On the way, the two gentlemen James and Knight ignored each other, and I ignored you.Both families were dispatched as a whole.Yvernay and Pancina chatted cheerfully with Mrs. Coverly and her daughter, who always gave the "quartet" the warmest welcome.Walter Tanken, perhaps, felt a little dismayed not to be part of their conversation, and in the same way Miss Probity was more than happy to have this young man join them.Oh, God!What a sensation it would be if this happened!Besides, who knows what indiscriminate insinuations will be made in the social news columns of the Starboard News and the New Herald!
When the surrounding area became completely dark, the tropical night scene unfolded before everyone's eyes.The sky was full of stars, the Pacific Ocean seemed to be illuminated, and even the deepest seabed seemed to be shining.The vast sea was phosphorescent, with rose and blue reflections illuminating the water.This kind of light is completely different from the light reflected on the blade, but it is very similar to the brilliance emitted by countless fireflies.This phosphorescence becomes so intense that it is even possible to read the writing on a book as clearly as under the light of the Northern Lights.It seems that the Pacific absorbs much of the light that the sun pours upon it during the day, and releases it all at night.
The front of the model island quickly cut through the swarm of jellyfish, splitting them in two along the metal shore.A few hours later, the island of machines was surrounded by a ring of glowing animals.The light they emit still flickers vividly, like the Holy Spirit, the halo on the head of the Virgin and the halo around the body, and like the radiant moonlight halo on the head of Jesus.This phenomenon lasts until the first dawn of the morning, when the rising multicolored dawn extinguishes it.
Another six days passed, and the "Pearl of the Pacific" touched the great circle of our imagination on the earth, which precisely divides the earth into two equal parts.From this position, people can see the two poles of the sky at the same time: the bright Polaris is shining above the North Pole, and the dazzling Southern Cross hangs on the chest of the South Pole like a soldier with a medal on his chest.It may well be added that the stars perpendicular to various points on this equator line seem to draw circles around it every day.If you want to enjoy a period of equal night and day, it is best to move your residence to this area, to an island or land crossed by the equator.
Since leaving the Hawaiian Islands, Model Island has traveled 600 kilometers.This is the second time since its construction that it has crossed the equator from one hemisphere to the other, going first south and then north.When crossing the equator, the residents of the city of hundreds of millions are like a festival.At that time, some public entertainment activities will be held in the park, grand religious ceremonies will be held in the Christian Church and the Catholic Church, and there will be several electric car races around the island, and colorful fireworks will inevitably be set off on the platform of the observatory. The Golden Snake Fireworks and the radiant, varied and ever-changing fireballs will compete with the brilliant stars in the sky.
You must have guessed that this was an imitation of the usual grotesques on board ships, similar to the kinds of practical jokes that are played on sailors who cross the equator for the first time when their ships reach the equator.In fact, however, this day was chosen as the day for the baptism of babies born on the Isle of Machines since sailing from the Bay of Madeleine.For those outsiders who have never been to the southern hemisphere, they also have a baptism ceremony on this day.
"It's our turn now," said Frascolin to his companions. "We have to be christened!"
"Hmph! What kind of ceremony!" Sebastian Zorno retorted, waving his hands angrily in protest.
"Really, old fiddler!" retorted Pancina, "they're going to pour buckets of water over our heads. It's not holy water, though. They'll put us on a see-saw At this moment, the old man Equator appeared right at the right moment, followed by a bunch of clowns. They picked up jars of black dye and scribbled on us. "
"If they think I'm going to fall for this trick, they'll be the ones to see!" Sebastian Zorno replied.
"It's unavoidable." Yvernay said, "Every place has its own customs, and as a guest, you have to do as the locals do..."
"If the guest doesn't stay voluntarily, don't worry about it!" the leader of the "quartet" shouted stubbornly.
As a matter of fact, he had only to rest easy on the carnival that certain ships entertained when they crossed the equator!He doesn't have to worry about coming to the equator old man!Others wouldn't pour sea water on him and his mates, but they would pour designer champagne down their bellies.People will not point to a line drawn on the lens of the telescope in advance and trick them into saying it is the equator.This kind of thing can be done by sailors on deck, but it is not suitable for those who work hard on Model Island.
The party started on the afternoon of August 5th.Except for customs officers who can never leave their posts, all other staff have been given leave.All work in the town and port was temporarily suspended.The propellers propelling the machine island forward also stopped.As for the battery, there is enough electricity in it for lighting and communication.Besides, the model island is not static.An ocean current is carrying it toward the equator line that divides the earth into two hemispheres.In the Church of Christ and St. Mary's Church, singing and prayer sounded at the same time, mixed with the sound of a full pipe organ.The park is filled with a festive atmosphere, where intense sports activities are going on.People from all walks of life participated.The wealthiest gentlemen were active at tennis and golf under Walter Tanken, and they played brilliantly.The sun will soon be plummeting into the horizon, giving people just 45 minutes of twilight.At this time, fireworks and fire dragons will soar across the sky, and a night with high winds and a dark moon is suitable for displaying this colorful picture.
In the halls of the Casino, the Quartet were being "baptized," as they called it, and by Cyrus Picktaff's own hands.The island consul first served them bubbling champagne, and then bottles of champagne poured down their stomachs.Several artists have the booze of Klicker and Ludrer.Sebastian Zorno seemed to be complaining grumpily about the baptism he had received shortly after his birth, although he had no recollection of it.
To thank these well-meaning witnesses as they crossed the equator, several Parisians performed some of their best pieces: String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Beethoven, Op. 59; String Quartet No. 4 in E-flat major, Mozart, Op. 10; String Quartet in D Minor, Haydn, Op. 17; Mendelssohn, Op. 81, String Quartet No. 7: Andante, Witto, Fantasia and Fugue.good!All these wonderful ensembles are played and enjoyed for free.The hall was overcrowded, even the doorway was crowded.At the eager request of the audience, they had to repeat these passages again, and the audience was still not satisfied, so they had to play it a third time.At the end of the performance, the island consul presented the performers with a gold medal surrounded by diamonds (they weighed many carats!), with the emblem of the city of billions on one side and the following French sentence on the other:
Dedicated to the quartet:
Presented by Model Island Company, the city government with hundreds of millions of dollars and the residents of the whole city
For that matter, if all these honors and respects were not enough to touch the hard-hearted cello, it was evident that his temper, as his companions repeatedly said, was too bad indeed.
"It's not over yet, let's wait and see!" He had only one sentence, and every time he answered, his hands were always twitching his beard anxiously.
According to the calculations of astronomers on the model island, the machine island should have crossed the equator at 10:35 that night.At that time, the front fort will fire a cannon every second.A wire ran from the battery to a piece of electric lighter placed in the center of the Observatory Square.If any dignitary has the honor to connect the electric current with his own hands and cause the earth-shattering cannon sound, his vanity will be greatly satisfied.
However, on this day, both important figures wanted to play the role of the point gunner.As you can probably guess, these two are James Tanken and Nate Coverley.Now Cyrus Picktaff was in trouble.The city government and the two districts had many difficult negotiations in advance, but in the end they failed to reach an agreement.At the invitation of the Archon of the Island, Callistus Membal acted as a mediator.Though the Steward was known for his dexterity and glibness, and despite his brilliant diplomatic genius, this time he failed utterly.Just as James Tanken would not give in to Nate Coverley, Nate Coverly refused to give in to James Tanken.Everyone knew that the confrontation between the two dignitaries was inevitable.
A fierce dragon-tiger fight erupted sooner or later: the two leaders met in the square, and they faced each other with eyes wide open. The electric igniter was only 5 steps away from them... Just press the button with your fingertips...
When the two sides fell into a stalemate, the people who learned of the public duel were extremely emotional and rushed into the park one after another.
After the concert, Sebastian Zorno, Yvernay, Frascolin and Pancina also came to the square.They were eager to see this battle between dragons and tigers.The inhabitants of the port and starboard quarters were in high spirits, and this conflict could not but have extremely serious consequences for the future.
The two big men were getting closer and closer, ignoring each other, not even giving a slight nod of their heads.
"Sir," said James Tanken first, "I don't think you will contest the honor with me..."
"That's exactly what I want you to do, sir," Nat Coverly shot back.
"I can't tolerate things that make me unable to step down in front of everyone."
"I can't lose face..."
"Let's see!" said Jaime Tanken, taking a step towards the electric igniter.
Nate Coverly then took a step forward.At this time, the supporters of both sides are also ready to move.There were vulgar shouts and provocations from both camps.There was no doubt that Walter Tanken was ready to support his father, but when he found that Miss Coverley had no intention of getting involved, he was at a loss as to what to do.
As for the governor of the island, although the steward who was going to act as a peacemaker was standing beside him, he still felt distressed when he saw it.Besides, who knows if this bad conflict will have the regrettable outcome of the English nobility in the fifteenth century?
However, the time is approaching every minute and every second, and the top of the model island is about to cross the equator line.This exciting moment is accurate to a quarter of a second, and the calculation error will not exceed 8 meters at most.The signal that was supposed to be sent by the observatory could not be delayed any longer.
"I have an idea!" whispered Pancina.
"What idea?" Yvernay asked.
"I'll go up and punch that fire button so they don't have to fight..."
"Don't do this!" Frascolan said, raising an arm to stop "His Royal Highness".
All in all, if there was not a sudden cannon fire at this time, no one knows how this incident will end.
This shot was not from the front fort.Everyone could hear it clearly, it came from the sea.
People suddenly became tense.
What does this blare from the cannon from beyond Model Island signify?A telegram from starboard port cleared everyone's minds almost immediately.Two or three miles from Model Island, a ship in distress had just signaled for assistance.
This episode was so coincidental and unexpected!Everyone no longer thinks about fighting over the button, and forgets about celebrating the equator.Besides, time has passed, and the equator line has been placed behind the island, so let the prepared shell stay in the barrel.For the face of Tanken and Coverly, after all, this is better.Everyone left the square one after another.Since the tram had stopped running at this time, everyone had to rush to the starboard port's anti-wave steel embankment on foot.
After receiving the distress signal from the sea, the port officials immediately took corresponding rescue measures.An electric boat moored at the dock immediately rushed out of the dock.Therefore, when everyone rushed to the pier, the boat was carrying the rescued people back, and the ship in distress soon sank into the abyss of the Pacific Ocean.
The ship was the Malay brig which had been trailing since Model Island left the Hawaiian Islands.
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