Chapter 20 Chapter 6 A Group of Beasts
After leaving Tonga-Tabu, the model island sailed northwestward to the Fiji Islands.As the sun gradually moved away from the equator, the model island also began to move away from the Tropic of Capricorn.There is no need to hurry, they are only 800 kilometers away from Fiji.Captain Sim Coyer was taking a stroll at a speed.
The wind direction remains the same.But for such a powerful machine at sea, this wind is insignificant at all!Sometimes, on the 23-degree latitude, even severe thunderstorms will not cause the slightest panic in this "Pearl of the Pacific".The current struck down from the air will be led away along the lightning protection roof on the top of buildings and houses.As for the heavy rain, even the flow of water is very welcome.Parks and fields will become more lush and green after being nourished by it.Besides, this kind of heavy rain is rare.They are living in such a happy environment: not attending rallies, concerts, or attending receptions.At present, the exchanges between the two port areas have also become frequent.This seems to say that nothing can threaten future security in the future.
At Captain Tharol's request, Cyrus Picktaff grants permission for the New Hebrides to come on board.He never regretted it.These natives struggled to make a difference.They do the work in the fields, just as they do in Tonga.During the day, Sarol and his Malays never left.In the evening, they returned to the residence designated to them by the city government; the two port areas.They caused no complaints.Perhaps this is an opportunity to persuade these hardworking and courageous people to convert.Despite the efforts of English and Catholic missionaries, a significant portion of the New Hebrides' native population remained indifferent.So far, they have not accepted the teachings of Christianity.The clergy of the Model Island had already tried to persuasion, but the island's consul would not allow any attempt in this direction.
The New Hebrides are of all ages, ranging from twenty to forty years old.He is of medium build and his complexion is darker than that of a Malay.Although they are not as handsome as Tongans or Samoans, they appear to be very hardworking.They didn't earn very much in total working for the priests of the Church of Our Lady of the Tonga-Tab Islands, so they valued it so much that it never occurred to them to buy alcohol and drink it.Besides, the wine here is strictly controlled and it is impossible to sell it to them.It is certain that, free of charge, they had never been so happy on their wild island.
However, these natives were brought together with their fellow New Hebridians.With the efforts of Captain Sarol, they will engage in sabotage in due course.At that time, their ferocious nature will be fully exposed.Aren't they the descendants of those savages who eat human flesh?In this part of the Pacific Ocean, their ancestors are notorious.
During the voyage, hundreds of millions of city dwellers lived comfortably, thinking that nothing could endanger their existence. The "Quartet" always achieves the same success when they play, and everyone never tires of listening to their performances and applauding them.Works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Haydn will all be performed.In addition to her daily gigs at Entertainment City, Mrs. Coverly also hosts frequent musical evenings.The King and Queen of Marekari have also visited several times to cheer for them.If the Tanken couple hadn't visited the 15th Avenue mansion, Walter was at least a concert enthusiast.His marriage to Miss Tee may well come to fruition one day...Everyone in the starboard and port quarters is talking about it openly...Someone has even appointed a witness for the future couple...For now only the parents of the two parties are owed Granted... couldn't there be some accident that forced James Tanken and Nate Coverley to announce their marriage? ...
Unexpected events have made people impatient to wait!Although there was an accident in time later, what a price it was, how dangerous it was, and the model island was greatly threatened!
On the afternoon of January 16, during the voyage from Tonga Island to Fiji Island, the model island was nearly halfway through.At this time, they noticed a ship appearing in the southeast direction.The ship appeared to be approaching the starboard port.This may be a ship with a tonnage of about seven or eight hundred tons.The masts don't have any flags.Even with a mile to go, it still hadn't raised the flag.
Which country does the ship belong to?Judging from the hull structure, the lookout at the observatory could not identify its nationality.Since she had no intention of paying homage to the odious model island, it was most likely a British ship.
Besides, the ship was not trying to approach the port, it seemed to be trying to pass the model island.No doubt it will soon disappear into the distance.
As night fell, the sky was dim and moonless.The sky was full of dark clouds.These clouds are like opaque suede, blocking all light.There was no wind and no movement, and both the sea and the sky fell into a tranquility.This vast and dark night is extremely quiet.
At about eleven o'clock, the sky gradually changed, and a huge storm was brewing.Lightning pierced the sky and tore the night.Although the thunder rumbled non-stop, there was still not a single drop of rain.
There may be a storm in the distance, which is why these thunders are heard.The customs officials on duty on the rear battery probably did not hear the strange whistling and strange roars because of the rumbling thunder.This sound has disturbed the surrounding area up and down.Not thunderbolts, nor thunder.This phenomenon occurs at two or three o'clock in the morning, regardless of its cause.
The next day, new horrors arose in the outskirts of the city.The people grazing on the grass were terrified and fled in all directions, some ran to the port, and some ran to the fence gate of the city of billions.
The reality is grim: fifty sheep were killed and half eaten overnight.The bloody stump lay around the rear battery.Dozens of cows, doe and sika deer, and two dozen horses kept in pastures and parks suffered the same fate...
There is no doubt that these domestic animals were attacked by wild beasts... what kind of beasts? ...lion, tiger, leopard or hungry wolf? ...is this statement acceptable? ... This formidable carnivore never existed on Model Island, did it? ...they may have come from the sea? ...Finally, has the "Pearl of the Pacific" come near the Indian Sea, in Africa, near Malay?The beasts there are of such a ferocious variety...
wrong!The model island is neither at the mouth of the Amazon nor at the mouth of the Nile.However, at 7am, two women were picking flowers in Town Hall Square when they were followed by a huge alligator.It later dived back into the Serpentine River and disappeared underwater.At the same time, the commotion in the grass on the river bank indicated that there were other crocodiles running back into the water at this time.
One can only imagine the consequences of this unbelievable news!An hour later, the lookouts observed several pairs of tigers, lions, and leopards galloping across the field.Several sheep escaped from the former fort, only to be killed by two giant lions.The domestic animals were frightened by the roar of the beast and fled in all directions.The same happens to those who are called early in the morning to work in the fields.The port port tram barely had time to escape back to the garage.The three lions were chasing after it, and within a few hundred steps they could catch up.
There is no doubt that Model Island was invaded overnight by a group of ferocious beasts.If measures are not taken immediately, the city of hundreds of millions will not escape bad luck!
It was Athanaz Doremy who informed the artists of this situation.The etiquette teacher went out earlier than usual that day, but he dared not return to his home.He ran to the entertainment city to take refuge, and no one could pull him out.
"Oh, . . . your lions and tigers, eh," Pansina exclaimed, "and your crocodiles, eh!"
But it is a very obvious fact.So the city government ordered the fence gates to be closed and the two ports and the customs entrances blocked.At the same time, the trams were suspended, and access to the parks and fields was strictly prohibited, in order to avoid the dangers of this incomprehensible intrusion.
Police closed the entrance at the top of 1st Avenue, next to Observatory Plaza.Fifty paces away, there are two tigers with fire-breathing eyes leaping, their mouths open wide.Had it been a few seconds longer, the ferocious beast would have sprinted over the fence.
For its part, the municipality has acted accordingly.Billion City is never afraid of any invasion.
What an amazing event, what great material!The Starboard News, the New Herald, and other papers on Model Island got a lot of news and tidbits.
In fact, the fear has reached its limit.Barriers were set up around mansions and houses, shops in the commercial area were closed, and even the doors of houses were not open.Frightened faces appeared at the upstairs windows.The only troops left on the road were the troops commanded by Colonel Stewart and the police force led by the police officers.
Cyrus Picktaff, his assistant Barthelemy Luger, and Herbert Harcourt arrived at the first time, and remained in the city hall all the time.By telephone, the city government maintains contact with two ports, two forts, and coastal posts.But the news the city government receives is always more troubling.These beasts are almost everywhere...one thing is certain, there are lions, tigers, leopards and crocodiles running around in the countryside.
What the hell is going on? ... Maybe the animals on the animal ship broke through the cages and escaped to the model island to take refuge? ...but where did the animal ship come from? ...which ship carried it? ... Is it the ship that passed by last night? ... If so, what happened to that ship? ...did it approach Model Island last night? ... Could these beasts, after swimming, come to the island from the low-lying place where the Serpentine River empties into the sea? ...Finally, did the ship sink afterwards? ...However, as far as the lookout could see, within the viewing range of Simcoyer's telescope, there was no floating object on the water.The model island has barely moved since last night! ...Besides, if a ship is sinking, all the beasts will flee to the model island, why not the crew? ...
City authorities called several outposts to inquire about the matter.They replied that they had seen no trace of any collision or wreck.No matter how dark the sky is, they will never have an illusion.Indeed, of all assumptions, this is the most difficult to accept.
"A riddle... what a riddle!..." repeated Yvernay incessantly.
He and his partners gathered in the entertainment city again.Atanaz Doremi came immediately to have breakfast with them.There will also be lunch and dinner at 6 o'clock if necessary.
"Jesus," Pancina replied, dunking the chocolate newspaper in a steaming bowl.He chewed the chocolate newspaper and said, "God, I don't want to guess... Whatever happened to it, eat more now, Mr. Dorémy, and be eaten later! …"
"Ghost knows..." Sebastian Zorno interjected, "Whether it's a lion's mouth, a tiger's mouth, or a savage?..."
"I prefer to feed the savage!" "Your Highness" replied, "Everyone has his own appetite, doesn't he?"
The jokester laughed, but the etiquette teacher couldn't.Hundreds of millions of cities are shrouded in terror, and no one enjoys life anymore.
From eight o'clock in the morning, the Council of Notables was summoned to the City Hall and met immediately with the Governor of the Island.If it weren't for the troops and the police who stood by their posts, there wouldn't even be a single person in the streets and alleys.
The committee, under the chairmanship of Cyrus Picktaff, began at once to discuss.
"Gentlemen," said the island governor, "the inhabitants of the model island are in fear, and you know why. Last night, a group of carnivores and lizards invaded the island. The most urgent task now is to It is to destroy them. Please do not doubt, we can do it. But our residents must be required to comply with the measures we are forced to take. The gates of the city of billions have been closed, and the traffic in the city can still pass, but the parks and fields are not. No traffic is allowed. Until a new order is issued, all traffic will be cut off between the city, the two ports, and the front and rear battery."
The measures passed, and the committee moved on to a discussion of the details.What method can be used to eliminate these beasts that broke into the model island.
"Our soldiers and sailors will form a hunting team and stand on the commanding heights of the island." The island governor said, "Those of us who have hunted also request to join in and command the hunting operations to prevent any disasters as much as possible... ..."
"In the past," said Jaime Tanken, "I have hunted in India and America, and I am certainly not a layman. I am always ready to answer the call, and my eldest son will be with me..."
"We thank the honorable Mr. James Tanken," replied Cyrus Picktaff, "and I shall take it personally as a camouflage. Colonel Stuart's army, sailors commanded by Captain Simcoyer , the door is open for everyone!"
Nat Coverly also weighed in, and his views were similar to those of James Tanken.In the end, all the dignitaries, as long as their age allowed, immediately offered to help.Billion City never lacks weapons with long range and high speed.Thanks to everyone's dedication and bravery, it won't take long for the city of billions to escape the swarm of these fearsome beasts.As Cyrus Picktaff constantly exhorted, it was important that no one was killed.
"For these beasts, we cannot yet estimate their numbers," he added. "It is important to eliminate them as soon as possible. If they have time to adapt and reproduce, the safety of the entire island will be threatened."
"This batch of beasts may not be too many!..." A dignitary pointed out.
"In fact, they could only have escaped from some sporting ship," the island's consul pointed out, "possibly from India, the Philippines, or from Sand Island, owned by a company in Hamburg whose operations Business can be animals."
"It's a major distribution center for wild animals. Elephants cost 12,000 francs, giraffes 27,000, hippos 25,000, lions 5,000, tigers 4,000 leopards. As we all know, the price there is enough. It’s holding up, and it’s still trending up, only the price of snakes is falling back.”
Upon hearing this, a member of the council drew attention to the possible presence of snakes in the animal boat.The island governor replied that no trace of reptiles had been found.In addition, lions, tigers and crocodiles can come ashore from the entrance of the Serpentine River, but snakes cannot.
Such was the opinion of Cyrus Picktaff.
"I don't think," he said, "that we need not worry about boa constrictors, rattlesnakes, jungle snakes, pit vipers, or other snakes. Nevertheless, we should make all necessary preparations to reassure the residents .Waste no more time, gentlemen. Let us destroy the beasts first, and then find out the cause of this beast invasion. Now that they have set foot on our land, they must not be allowed to live."
It is so reasonable and well said, of course everyone has no objection.The council of notables was adjourning shortly, so that it might take part in the hunt, assisted by the most skilled hunters on the Model Isle.At this point Harbert Harcourt asked for the floor to express his views.
With permission, the esteemed deputy felt compelled to tell everyone:
"Gentlemen of lordship, I have no intention of postponing this decided action. Allow me, however, to tell you what I have just thought. It may reasonably explain the presence of these beasts on the Ban Island!"
Herbert Harcourt was born in the Antilles, of an old French family.When living in Louisiana, has been fully Americanized.He has a very high prestige in the billion city.He is serious and reserved, never acting lightly.Because of his reticence, he speaks with great weight.The island consul asked him to explain his opinion, and he made it clear in a few words, and it was very logical:
"Gentlemen, we saw a ship yesterday afternoon. And this ship has no nationality, and I don't want people to know their nationality. In other words, I think it must be the ship carrying these beasts..."
"Isn't that obvious!" Nat Coverly replied.
"Well, noble gentlemen, if anyone thinks that the shipwreck is to blame for this invasion...I...I disagree!"
"Oh," interjected James Tanken, who seemed to understand the meaning of Harbert Harcourt's words, "this was intentional...deliberate...premeditated?..."
"Ah!" The members of the council were startled. "I firmly believe so," said the assistant in an affirmative voice. "This kind of conspiracy can only be done by our old enemy John Bull. For him, as long as they can deal with Model Island, they will not hesitate to do anything."
"Ah!" Everyone was shocked again.
"He doesn't have the right to destroy our model island, he just wants to make it deserted. So he collected these lions, jaguars, tigers, leopards and alligators, and put them here by ship at night!"
"Ah!" The crowd cried out in astonishment three times.
But the "Ah!" has turned from doubt to conviction.Yes, it must be their revenge, those Englishmen who can do anything.When it comes to supremacy at sea, they never budge.Yes, that ship was specially sent to do this criminal work.Later, when the bad things were done, it slipped away!Yes, the purpose of the United Kingdom is to make the model island barren and uninhabitable.They will not hesitate to spend thousands of pounds if they can achieve their goals!
Harbert Harcourt added:
"The reason why I have this opinion, and the reason why I have been able to convert these doubts into affirmations, is that I recall a similar incident, gentlemen. The circumstances were almost the same, and the plot was similar. And the English never I didn't wash myself off for this..."
"That's because they lack water!" pointed out one nobleman.
"Dirty water can't clean it!" Another person echoed.
"Isn't it different that even the sea water can't wash it away!" the third person said loudly.
These honorable members of the council criticized one after another.Then Harbert Harcourt confessed the incident he alluded to:
"Gentlemen," he went on, "the British gave the Antilles back to France unwillingly, and they were not willing to withdraw. They wanted to leave traces, but what traces were they! Before, there was never a snake in Guadeloupe or Martini. After the Anglo-Saxon colonial rule was driven out, there were snakes in Martini. John Bull is revenge! Before they left, they released hundreds of reptiles on the soon-to-be-lost land. Since then, the reptiles have multiplied endlessly, causing great losses to the French settlers !"
It is obvious that the British did not come forward to deny the accusation, thus justifying Harbert Harcourt's words.John Bull wanted to make Machine Island uninhabited, and they even wanted to turn it into another Antilles. Can you believe these two statements? ... Neither claim can be verified.However, since the model island is involved, the residents of Hundred Million City would rather believe it.
"Very well!" exclaimed James Tanken, "the French have not removed the poisonous snake from Martinique, and left it there as a British representative, if..."
There was thunderous applause at the simile made by the hyperactive man.
"...As billions of people in the city, we have the ability to wipe out all the beasts that the British put into the model island!"
There was another storm of applause, prolonged and intensified when James Tanken added.
"Get back to our posts, gentlemen, and while we're hunting lions, jaguars, tigers, crocodiles, don't forget we're driving Brits away!"
Everyone dispersed.
An hour later, several major newspapers published shorthand transcripts of the meeting.When everyone knew what kind of opponent had opened the cage of the animal transport ship, when everyone knew who was the mastermind of this unbridled beast invasion, everyone's chest roared with anger.British people, including their sons and grandchildren, were reviled.And there will be no end to this curse until their infamy is wiped from memory!
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