Chapter 5 chapter Five

At 8 o'clock the next day, there was no one on the back deck.The situation at sea remained the same, and the passengers lived in their own cabins.The short interval of huge waves in the Mediterranean made the "Ajielai" a little bit more stable.A peaceful day followed by a peaceful night.The reason why the travelers did not leave their berths at sunrise was because they were beset by fatigue and indolence.Some were asleep and others were awake but still haunted by dreams.But no matter who is still addicted to the baby's cradle rocking. It's about the lucky ones who don't get seasick even in bad weather, not the unlucky ones who get seasick even in the best weather.Among these unfortunates were the Deslanders and many others.Even when ocean liners are moored in port, they cannot maintain peace of mind.

The weather was fine, the surroundings were peaceful, and the sun shone warmly on the rough sea. The "Ajielai" was heading for the Balearic Islands along the south and southwest headlands at a speed of 10 knots.Several ships passed by, some spraying thick smoke, and some with white sails, disappearing into the misty sky. Captain Bukarash walked up and down on the deck, discussing the affairs of the ship. At this moment Marcel Ronan and Jean Tagona appeared at the entrance to the rear deck.Almost at the same time the captain came up and took their hands, and asked: "Did you sleep well last night, gentlemen?"

"It could not be better, Monsieur Captain," replied Marcel Ronan. "An unimaginably wonderful evening. I don't know if the hotel rooms are as good as the cabins on the 'Ajilai'." "I agree with you, Monsieur Ronan," continued Captain Bukarash. "I don't know if people live anywhere else but on board." "Tell that to Mr. Deslander," said the young man, "and see if he agrees with you." "This land dweller and his like will not agree, they cannot appreciate the beauty of sea voyages!..." cried the captain, "They are like cargo in the hold! These passengers are a shame to ocean liners !...Fortunately, they still paid the fare.”

"True!" Marcel Ronan replied. Jean Tagona, who used to be bright and talkative in the past, just shook the captain's hand today, and did not join their conversation at all, as if he was preoccupied. Marcel Ronan went on to ask Captain Bukarash: "When will we see Long Island Major?" "Long Island Major? ... about 1:00 p.m., after crossing a few islands around the Balearic. Not very long." "Shall we stop at Palma?" "Stay until eight o'clock in the evening. Loading for Oran during this time." "Do we have time to visit the island?"

"Island? No, it's the city of Palma. I heard it will take a long time." "How did you hear that? Captain, haven't you been to Long Island Major?" "30 to 40 times to be exact." "Never visited?" "No time, Mr. Ronan. How could I have time then?" "No time or no interest?" "No interest actually. If I can't be at sea, I'll get land disease!" Having said this, Captain Bukarash left his talking partner and went up to the conning tower. Marcel Ronan turned to his cousin and said: "Well, Jean," he said, "you've been like clay all morning without saying a word."

"I'm thinking, Marcel." "What are you thinking?" "What I told you yesterday." "What did you say?" "I wish we had the chance to have this Perpignan adopt us." "Are you still thinking about it?" "Yes, I've been dreaming about it all night." "are you serious?" "Very serious! He wants to adopt... Let him adopt us! He can't find anyone better than us!" "It's better to be safe than crazy, Jean." "You know, Marcel, it's good to be in the army! It's an honor to be in the Seventh African Cavalry. But I'm afraid military life has lost its luster. There used to be a war every three or four years. Promotion , promotion, and honors are guaranteed. But now wars—the so-called European wars—have become impossible with the enlistment of millions of men. Because so many people have to be armed, trained, Supplies are provided. Those young officers have poor prospects and leave the army as captains, at least most of them. 30 years ago, there were many opportunities for promotion in the military. Today there are no more. Large-scale wars have been replaced by large-scale exercises. Of course it's an improvement from a social point of view, but..."

"Jean, we all thought carefully before going to Algeria." Marcel Ronan interrupted him. "You and I both know, Marcel, that I am as ready to enlist as you are. But if fate stretches out its arms to us on our journey..." "Are you crazy?" "Not crazy at all!" "You see it in this M. Dardento..." "He's like a father." "You forget that in order to adopt you, he has to take care of you for 6 years until you are an adult. Will he have the opportunity to do all this?" "I don't know that," replied Jean Tagonne; "in any case, I don't see it at all."

"I think you're sane again now, Jean dear, because you're joking." "I'm joking, but I'm not kidding either." "Can you save this man of honor from flood, fire, or battle?" "Not now, but I can do it in the future, or you and I, we can do it in the future." "is it possible?" "I have no doubts about that." "On land, at sea, or in the sky?" "We'll tell at that time, we can't know now." "You want to create opportunities?" "What's wrong? . . . We're on board the 'Agerie' now, and suppose Mr. Dardento falls into the sea..."

"You didn't mean to throw him overboard, did you..." "Finally, let's say he fell! . . . You or I, or both of us jumped, like a heroic Newfoundland rescue dog. Dadent was rescued by this Newfoundland dog, and he later Just treat the dog like, no, an adopted child." "Jean, tell me, who can swim? Me, I can't, so I'll never have the chance to be adopted by this noble man." "There will be, Marcel! I can do things by sea, and you can do things by land! I hope it will happen between us: if one day you become Marcel Darantot , I will not be jealous if I have this noble surname one day. Unless two people can do it together..."

"I don't want to answer that question, poor Jean!" "I don't care about it, but the condition is that you let me act, and you can't hinder me." "What worries me," said Marcel Ronan, "is that you say a lot of crazy things, but you don't see the danger." "This is dangerous in itself. Please rest assured that I will act with a happy heart. Even if I fail, I will not shoot myself." "Are you still alive?" "There are not a few taels of meat left!" "I'll say it again, you're crazy!" "Absolutely not crazy!"

The two men continued the conversation - which Marcel Ronan thought was meaningless - walking up and down the quarterdeck, smoking cigarettes. As they approached the railing of the deck, they found Mr. Dardent's servant standing motionless at the vent of the engine room, impeccably dressed in the uniform of a traveling servant. What is he doing?What is he waiting for?And there was no sign of impatience.It turned out that he was waiting for his master to wake up.This man in Mr. Clovis Dardento's service was an oddity, an oddity no less than his master's.What a difference in temperament and character these two men have. Patrice—as he was called—was worthy of the ancient Roman nobleman's surname, though he had no Scotch blood. This person is nearly 40 years old and has reached the age of "no confusion".His dignified manners contrasted sharply with the informality of his master, the Perpignan.This makes him both good and bad luck in his job of serving his master.His face was defined, with smooth cheeks and a clean-shaven chin.His forehead is slightly protruding, his eyes reveal a certain haughty look; his half-closed lips reveal his white teeth, his hair is combed meticulously, and his speech is smooth and gentle; according to physiologists, his head should belong to the "oblong" type All this made him look like a member of the English House of Lords.He had been a servant for fifteen years and never thought of leaving, on the contrary Clovis Dardento often urged him to find another job.Although it is unimaginable that the two have different personalities, neither of them can do without the other.What kept Patrice in the house of the Perpignan was not a reward—although the wages were high—but the absolute trust and esteem of his master.But what a wound to the self-respect of this Southerner's informality, his talkativeness, and his bombast!In his opinion, M. Dardento lacked grace, and lacked the dignity commensurate with his social position.He received people and things in the way of an old cooper to express his thoughts.He didn't have the elegance, but how could he develop it from his business of making, processing, and selling thousands of large wooden barrels?Patrice always had to point out mistakes of one kind or another to him. Sometimes Clovis Dardentot—we spoke of this above—had a penchant for "biting words," and was more than willing to accept criticism from his servants.But he also mocked and ridiculed this good teacher in the uniform of a servant, and provoked his anger with clever answers, so that he was complacent.Sometimes when he was in a bad mood, he got angry and dismissed his hapless counselor.But always invite him back on the 8th day. In fact, if Patrice was dismayed at serving his ungentlemanly master, Mr. Clovis Dardento was proud of having such an elegant servant. Patrice was very unhappy that day.At the previous dinner he had stood there like a maitre d'eter while Mr. Clovis Dardento lost himself in a regrettable, intemperate tirade.His mouth was full of nonsense, and it seemed to the guests that he had come from the Eastern Pyrenees to be a childish and poor-minded person. Patrice was indeed upset.He felt that he could not hide his thoughts from speaking.So early in the morning, without waiting for his master to call, he knocked on the door of cabin 13 without hesitation. No one answered when I knocked the first time, and then I knocked hard for the third time. "Who is it?" A sleepy voice asked. "Patrice." "Go away and go to hell!" Instead of going to hell, Patrice stepped aside quickly.He was very dissatisfied with such uncultivated people, but fortunately he was used to it. "There's nothing you can do about this kind of person!" he murmured and obeyed. Patrice, always so dignified and refined in manner, like an "English" nobleman, was back on deck, waiting patiently for his master to appear. He waited and waited, and there was no sign of Mr. Darden coming out of the cabin.At last the door of the cabin rang, and then the door opened, and out came the hero of our story. At this moment, Jean Tagona and Marcel Ronan were leaning against the railing when they saw M. Dardent. "Look! That's our father!" said Jean Tagonne. Hearing this sudden and nondescript address, Marcel Ronan laughed. At this moment Patrice walked solemnly, with a serious face, and looked very unhappy.Not wanting to wait for his master's order, he walked straight up to Mr. Dardent. "Ah! Is that you, Patrice? Did you wake me from my colorful dreams?" "Sir, my duty is to..." "Your responsibility is to wait for me to call you." "Monsieur must consider himself at Perpignan, at home in the Place Nogi..." "I know where I am," replied Mr. Dardento. "If I need you, I'll go to you...you poorly fitted clock!" Patrice's face twitched slightly, and he said in a serious tone: "When sir expresses your imprudent thoughts in an imprudent way, I would rather sir not speak. Also, I would like to remind sir that the hair under your hat should be tidied up. It doesn't look like a first-class guest to me. .” In fact, Clovis Darden's hat was pulled back to the back of his head, looking out of style. "Then it's my hat that displeases you, isn't it, Patrice?" "I don't like the crooked coat you put on under the pretext of going on a long voyage and looking like a sailor!" "It's true!" "If the gentleman can accept my opinion, I would take the liberty to ask the gentleman not to dress like this." "Are you trying to get in my way, Patrice?" "I am not in the habit of concealing my opinion when it goes against your wishes. As I do at M. Perpignan's house, I do the same on an ocean-going liner." "When will you keep your mouth shut, Mr. Patrice?" "While I have spoken in a very polite manner," continued Patrice, "I must admit that I have not said what I wanted to say. First of all, at yesterday's dinner, sir, he should have behaved discreetly, but he did not." arrive……" "Prudent conduct? . . . at mealtime? . . . " "And drinking a little too much... Finally, according to the maitre d', I was reported to by a very disciplined person..." "What did that very well-behaved man report to you?" asked Clovis Darantot.He referred to Patrice as "you" instead of "you," showing that his annoyance had reached its limit. "He told me that my husband had said... said, I think it's best not to say it in front of people you don't know... This is not only a matter of prudence, but also a matter of dignity." "Mr. Patrice..." "What are your orders, sir?" "Did you go where I told you to go this morning, when you knocked impolitely on my cabin door?" "I can't remember." "Then I'll say it again! . . . to hell! . . . to hell with all your thoughts! I'll send you there a second time until I call you again." Patrice closed her eyes slightly, pressed her lips together, turned and walked forward.At this moment Mr. Deslander was just coming out of the cabin. "Ah! that very, very good friend!" cried Clovis Dadante to Mr. Deslander. Mr. Deslander had come to the deck by chance to breathe the fresher air than in the cabin. "Well, my dear Deslanders," said the Perpignan, "how have you been since yesterday?" "not too good." "Be brave, friend, be brave! Your face is white as paper, your eyes are dull, your lips are pale... But once the voyage is over, everything will be all right..." "It's over, Dardento!" "You're too pessimistic! . . . Don't be afraid! 'Take courage,' as they sing at great festivals." Quite a word, actually, for someone who's been wracked with vomiting. "In a few hours," went on Elauvis Dadentot, "you will be on firm ground, for the Ajielai will drop anchor at Parma." "Only half a day's stay there," sighed Mr. Deslander, "and return to this odious rickety ship at night. Well, all for the future of Acatoc." "Of course, Deslander, a little trouble is worth it. Ah! old friend, I seem to see that lovely girl with a lamp like, Akatoque like Leonde sailing to the coast of Algeria. ...but no, the analogy is not at all appropriate. In the myth the unfortunate Leonde was drowned on the way...Would you like to have lunch with us today?" "Oh, Dardento, look at me now..." "Sorry, so sorry! . . . Yesterday's dinner was extremely pleasant, with lively conversation and excellent dishes! . . . The guests raved about it! . . . That Dr. Bruno, whom I class as a Provencal One of a kind!...Those two wonderful young men...What lovely travel companions!...That amazing Akatok is really edible!...If he keeps his mouth shut, at least always opens his mouth to eat...He It's about to pop out..." "He did the right thing." "Of course. Oh, yes! Mrs. Deslander shall we see her this morning?" "I don't want to see her... not only this morning, but also in the future..." "Why? Can't you see it in Palma?" "She can't get out of bed." "Lovely lady! . . . how sympathetic! . . . how admirable! . . . all the way for Akatok! . . . She is a true mother with heart . . . her heart ... By the way, don't talk about her heart, she will be disgusted! . . . Are you going to the quarter deck?" "No, I can't, Dardento! I like the parlour! It's better here! . . . Oh! When will ships be made that don't rock? Why are they still sailing?!" "Of course, Deslander, a ship will never rock on land... We haven't reached that age yet, but this age is coming... coming soon!" Until this progress came, Mr. Deslander had to lie on the sofa in the living room until the steamer arrived in the Balearic Islands.Clovis Dardento accompanied him, and held his hand.After a while, he was back on deck again.He climbed the steps straight up like an old sailor, his hat draped bravely behind him, his face glowing, his coat blown by the sea wind like an admiral's flag. Two cousins ​​came before him.The two sides exchanged cordial greetings, and inquired about the health of both parties... Yesterday's dinner ended so late, did Mr. Clovis Dardent sleep well? ...Excellent...I didn't wake up all night, and it was very sweet in the arms of the sleepy god...that is to say, like a dead person, I won't wake up when thunder strikes! How I wish Patrice could hear those words come out of his master's mouth! "How did they sleep, gentlemen?" "Sleeping like a log!" Jean Tagona tried to please Clovis Dardento as best he could. Thank goodness Patrice wasn't here.At this moment he was passing the time with an elegant conversation with the head waiter—his new friend.In fact, he wouldn't be able to utter vulgar words like the young Parisian. The conversation was confiding, and Clovis Dardento was glad to have made the acquaintance of the two young men.The latter two are also very honored to have met such a kind travel companion! ...they all hope not to break up here! ...to be able to meet in Oran! ... But how long were these gentlemen staying in Oran? ... "Of course, we're going to join the army." "Join the army?...Are you going to fight?" "No, Monsieur Dardento, we are going to the Seventh Cavalry in Africa." "It's a good regiment, gentlemen, a fine regiment. There you can start your life! . . . That is to say, it's settled..." "At least for the time being." Jean Tagona thought it necessary to make a hint. "Gentlemen," replied Mr. Dardento, "whatever your profession may be, I have no doubt that you will be honored!" How happy Patrice would be to hear that!But now the restaurant head waiter is accompanying Patrice to the operation room, tasting steaming coffee with milk in the ship's special mug. In short, Mr. Dardento and Jean Tagona and Marcel Ronan were very happy to meet them.They all hoped that after Oran disembarked they would not part in the hasty fashion of common travelers. "Then," said Clovis Dardento, "it is no inconvenience to you that we live together in the same hotel?" "Absolutely not," replied Jean Tagonne quickly, "on the contrary, there would be an indisputable advantage." "It's a deal, gentlemen." The three of them shook hands again, from which Jean Tagona felt the feeling of a father and son. "Then if the restaurant catches fire," thought Jean Tagonne, "what a chance it will be to save this fine man from the fire!" At about 11 o'clock, the distant silhouette of the Balearic Islands was noticed to the southeast. In 3 hours the boat will see Mallorca.On this calm sea, the ocean liner will arrive at the city of Palma quickly and on time. Passengers who had dinner the day before came to the restaurant again. The first guest to arrive was found to be Mr. Eustache Oleandal, who always took the best place at the end of the table. To tell the truth, the whole body of this obsessive, unsociable man was like an accurate clock, except that the hands always indicated the time for eating.What kind of person is this? "Did he spend the night here yesterday?" asked Marcel Ronan. "Very likely," replied Jean Tagona. "Perhaps it is screwed there," continued our Perpignan. Captain Bukarash was waiting for the arrival of the guests. He greeted the guests and hoped that the lunch would be appreciated by the guests. "Afterwards Dr. Bruno paid tribute to the guests around him. He was hungry early - a seaman's good appetite, which appeared three times a day - and the doctor asked in particular about the extraordinary health of Mr. Clovis Dardent." Mr. Clovis Dardento said he had never felt better in health and regretted letting the doctor down.This will make the doctor lose his appetite to enjoy this delicious meal. "Mr. Dardento, there is nothing to say," said Dr. Bruno. "There are many strong people like you who, after long journeys at sea, arrive in port debilitated!" "You're wrong, doctor," said Mr. Dadent. "You seem to be telling the dolphins not to get seasick." "Otherwise," retorted the doctor, "dolphins do the same when they are harpooned out of the water." Akatok still sat where he had been the day before.Three or four new guests have been added to today's table.Did Captain Bukarash make another grimace?These people have not eaten a grain of rice since dawn, and they are willing to be as hungry as wolves and tigers.How can we not show fearlessness in the face of lunch dishes! During the meal, despite Patrice's repeated eye gestures, Mr. Dardento continued to manipulate the ebb and flow of the conversation with gestures.This time our Perpignan man talked less about his past than about his future: he planned to stay in Oran, to visit the whole province of Oran, or the whole of Algeria.Go on a desert adventure if possible...what's not to do? ...for this he asked whether there were any Arabs in Algeria. "And some," said Marcel Ronan, "still retain some Arabs of native color." "Then there are still lions?" "There are six or seven more," replied Jean Tagonne, "and in sheep's skin, with little wheels on their legs." "Don't take his word for it, gentlemen." Captain Bukarash felt compelled to confirm. People are drinking and eating, especially the new guests are trying to make up for the loss of the previous day, as if they are filled one by one.How nice it would be if Mr. Deslander were here!But he had better not come, for again there was the clink of cups and the clatter of plates. Soon the 12 o'clock bell rang.After drinking the coffee, the wine before and after the meal has reached the bottom of the cup.The diners all got up and left the dining room to find a place to rest under the sail on the deck. Only Eustache Oleander remained in his seat at this moment.Clovis Dadanto could not help wondering who this traveler was, why his meals were always on time, and why he liked to be a loner so much. "I don't know," replied Captain Bukarash, "only that his name is Mr. Eustash Oleandal." "Where is he going? . . . from where? . . . what occupation?" "I don't think anyone knows." Patrice came right here to see if the master needed him.When he heard the stream of questions posed by his master, he thought he might take the liberty of speaking. "With your permission, sir, I have learned about this passenger." "You know him?" "No, but I got it from the head waiter, who in turn got it from the waiter at Sette's." "Put your voice down, Patrice, and tell me in one sentence, who is this weirdo?" "President of the Montelimar Astronomical Society," Patrice replied curtly. Astronomer, Mr. Eustache Oleander is an astronomer.This explains why he always carried a telescope with him, and used it to observe every angle of the horizon when he was on deck.All in all he seemed unwilling to associate with anyone. "He must have devoted himself to astronomy!" Clovis Dardento was satisfied with his conclusion. After about an hour, people saw Mallorca's undulating seashore and picturesque hills. The "Ajielai" constantly changed its course to avoid the islands and found a calmer sea along the coastline.At this time, some passengers came out of the cabin. The ocean-going ship soon passed a dangerous reef on Dragonella Island, on which stood a lighthouse.A lighthouse illuminates the narrow Fliu Pass between steep cliffs.After a while, the Cape Calanguara was thrown behind the ship, and at this time the "Ajielai" began to enter the Bay of Palma, arrived at the pier along the breakwater, and dropped anchor.Some curious people soon gathered on the pier.

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