Chapter 10 Chapter Ten A Dinner in Iceland

Supper was ready, and my uncle, who was forced to be a vegetarian on board, had a hearty meal this time.The meal, which was Danish rather than Icelandic, wasn't very good, but our Icelandic rather than Danish host reminded me of old stories of hospitality.Apparently we have become more unrestrained than the master. The conversation was in Icelandic, with my uncle inserting bits of German and Friedrichsen inserting bits of Latin so that I could understand it too.The subject of the conversation was science, but when it came to our own projects my uncle withdrew entirely. Mr. Friedrichsen immediately asked about the results of his uncle's research work in the library.

"Your library!" cried the uncle, "only a few queer books on those almost empty shelves!" "Oh," replied his master, "we have eight thousand volumes, many of which are rare and precious." "I don't know how you can prove your statement," said the professor, "I guess—" "Oh, Mr. Lidenbrock, most of them have been borrowed; people in our old Iceland love to read! Farmers and fishermen read and read. So these books are not kept behind the door, but by One person passes it on to another; they read it and read it, and it’s often a year or two before it’s back on the shelf.”

"Meanwhile," said the uncle, somewhat annoyed, "some strangers—" "First of all, outsiders have their own libraries, and above all our farmers have to be educated. I repeat: the love of learning runs in Icelanders blood. So in 1816 we founded A Literary Society is well developed and has foreign scholars as well. The Society also publishes books which will educate our countrymen and really serve our country, and if you join, Mr. Lidenbrock, we will be honored." My uncle was already a member of at least a hundred scientific associations, and this time he was willing to join, which moved Mr. Friedrichsen.

"Then," he said, "tell me what book you're looking for, and I can help you find it." I looked at my uncle.He hesitated to answer, because it directly touched his plan.But after thinking about it, he still answered: "Are there any works by Arne Saconusan among your ancient books?" "You mean the man of the sixteenth century, the great naturalist, alchemist, and traveler?" "right." "One of the glories of Icelandic literature and science? A famous person?" "As you said." "His courage compared with his genius?"

"Yes; I think you know him very well." The uncle said again: "Do you have any works by him?" His eyes were shining brightly at this time. "No, no." "Not in Iceland?" "Not in Iceland or anywhere else." "why?" "Because Arne Saconusan was executed as a heretic; his works were burned by the hangman in Copenhagen." "Good—very good!" cried the uncle, startling the Icelandic professor. "Say that again, please?" said the Icelandic professor. "Yes, that says it all; I now know why Saconusan was ostracized and forced to conceal his discovery, and had to hide his secret in a code—"

"What secret?" asked Mr. Friedrichsen with interest. "A secret...it..." the uncle stammered. "Have you any special papers?" asked our host. "No... what I said was entirely a hypothesis." "I see," said Mr. Fritrickson, too polite to insist. "I hope," he added, "that you will investigate some of our island's mines." "Of course," replied the uncle, "but I'm a bit late; some scholars have already been here." "Yes, Monsieur Lidenbrock, Messrs. Olafsson and Bauvelssen, who have come here by order of the king, and Monsieurs Troyer, and Geimard and Messrs. Mr. Robert's scientific investigation team, and recently some scholars on board the HMS Empress Audunth, have made a lot of contributions to the historical geography of Iceland, but, believe me, there is still work to be done here. "

"Do you think so?" Uncle asked pretending to be nonchalant, trying to suppress the sparkle in his eyes. "Yes. There are many mountains, icebergs, and volcanoes that people don't know much about, and they are worth exploring! Not to mention the distance, just look at the mountain that juts out there. That's Snaeferberg." "Ah, Snaffer," said the uncle. "Yes, this is one of the strangest volcanoes, and its crater is seldom visited." "Is it an extinct volcano?" "Oh yes, it's been five hundred years." "Then," said the uncle, crossing his legs and trying to keep himself from jumping up, "I suppose I should go to Cypher—oh, Snaefer—what the hell—to do geological research?"

"Sniffer," repeated the good Mr. Fritrickson. This conversation is in Latin, so I can understand it. When I see my uncle's triumphant heart, but he wants to keep it quiet and can't hide it, it's hard for me to express myself clearly. control. "Yes," he said, "your words have made me decide to climb the mountain, and even to study the notch!" "I am sorry," replied Mr. Friedrichsen, "but my position does not permit me to accompany you; it would be both my pleasure and my profit if I could." "Oh, no, no! Mr. Friedrichsen," cried the uncle, "of course your position is important, although your great knowledge will be of great help to us."

"I am very much in favor of you starting with this volcano, Mr. Lidenbrock," he said. "You will gain a lot from this expedition and discover many new things. However, please tell me how you plan to get to Sri Lanka." How about going to Navey Peninsula?" "Cross the bay, cross over. It's the shortest way." "Perhaps so; but there is no way of going this way." "why?" "Because we don't have a single steamer here." "How bad!" "Only by land along the coast. It's a little longer, but more interesting along the way."

"Okay, I'll try to find a guide." "I happen to have one that I can introduce to you." "Is it a reliable clever man?" "Yes. He is a resident of the peninsula. A very skilled hunter. You will be satisfied. He speaks Danish very well." "And when shall I see him?" "Tomorrow, if you agree." "Why not today?" "Because he won't come until tomorrow." "Then tomorrow." Uncle replied with a sigh. Dinner was over, and the German thanked the Icelandic professor sincerely.The German already knew many of the most important things—among them the history of Saconusan, the reasons for the mystery of the documents.His master cannot go with us, but we shall be able to find a guide tomorrow.

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