Chapter 10 chapter Ten

The tour organized by the Algerian Railways is intended to please tourists who come to Oran.The public has also happily accepted the 650 km tourist route across the province of Åland.That means walking 300 km by train and 350 km by car or other means of transportation and visiting Saida, Daya, Cybertu and Sidi Bir al-Abbes.We know that people who like to travel can choose any time from May to October, because there is no bad weather during this period. It must be emphasized that in the past tours organized by Lubin, Cook and other travel agencies, tourists must accept the prescribed travel itinerary and must visit the same city or the same scenic spot on the same day and at the same time.Tourist planning makes the tourist unfree, unpleasant and unable to act separately.Patrice was wrong about the trip organized by the Algerian Railways.This tour is not prescriptive nor co-ed.Train tickets are valid for three months.People can start on any day and get off where they like.Since you can choose the date of departure, the first batch of tourists departing on May 10th is 30 people.

Tourist routes are satisfactory, and the province of Åland has three counties: Mustaganem, Tlemcen and Muaskar.The tourist route includes the latter two, and as for the military areas: Mustaganem, Saida, Oran, Muaskar, Tlemcen and Erbair Abbes, it includes three to five indivual.The entire range of tourism, north to the Mediterranean, east to Algiers, west to Morocco, south to the Sahara Desert.The scenery along the way is ever-changing.The mountain peaks seen are over 1,000 meters above sea level, and the forest area is no less than 4.01 million hectares, as well as lakes and rivers; passing through Markta, Habra, Meghna, Sig and other places.If not all of them were visited on this tour, at least the most beautiful places were visited.

On the day of departure, Clovis Dadanto did not want to delay the train at all, and he could not miss the departure of the ocean liner like last time.He arrived at the train station ahead of schedule.As an advocate of this tour, he must arrive before his companions.The latter all regard him as the commander of this trip. The impassive and reticent Patrice stood beside her owner, waiting to check in her luggage.These luggage are a bit too bulky, including a few suitcases, a few travel bags, and a few quilts, all of which are essential things. It's 8:30 now, and the train leaves at 9:05.

"Well," cried Clovis Dardento, "what are my men doing? Why don't they show up?" Because it is in an Arab area, Patrice doesn't care about this local dialect.He replied that he saw a procession of people approaching the station. That was the Deslanders and Mrs and Miss Elisani. Mr. Dardento was very kind to them.He is very happy that his old friends from France and new friends from Africa took his advice... He said that this tour will leave them with memories that will last a lifetime.He saw that Mrs. Elisani's body looked very good this morning... and Miss Elisani looked very small and lovely in her tourist dress.You don't have to worry about the seats...he will be responsible for everyone's tickets...the cost will be discussed later...as for the luggage, it's Patrice's business...you can entrust the careful Patrice to do it...for him A trifle.... As for Mr. Dardento, he was in high spirits, and in a particularly cheerful mood.

The two families entered the waiting room and left some luggage for Patrice that they did not want to leave in the compartment.Of course, it is best to check your luggage, because the train stops at Sig Station, Muasker Station, and finally arrives at the terminal Saida. Clovis Dardento asked Mrs. Deslander, Mrs. Elisani, and their daughter to wait in the waiting room, and he and Mr. Deslander--the former was light and quick, the latter heavy and slow-- came Go to the window where tickets for the Circle Tour are sold.In front of the ticket window, there were already about 20 passengers lined up, waiting impatiently.

Who among these men did Mr Deslander discover? ...he saw Mr. Eustache Oleandal, President of the Astronomical Society of Montelimar.He carried a long binoculars that never left him.Yeah, even this weirdo couldn't resist the temptation of a cheap 15-day tour. "Why? He's coming too!" muttered Mr. Dardento to himself. "We've got to watch out that he doesn't always take the best place at the table, and let him get the best food on his plate." !Damn it! Ladies come first anyway!” M. Oriandal and M. Dardento merely nodded when they met at the window.Mr. Dardento bought six first-class tickets for the Elisanis, the Deslanders, and himself, and one second-class ticket for Patrice, who would never agree to ride three. Wait for the carriage to travel.

Almost at the same time as the bell rang, the gate of the waiting room opened, and passengers rushed to the platform.The train is already waiting there.The train station rumbled under the weight of creaking steel plates, and the steam from the exhaust valves enveloped the entire locomotive. Many passengers took this direct train from Oran to Algiers.As usual the train has 12 cars.Tourist passengers disembark at Perego and change to trains heading south towards Saida. Due to the large number of passengers, it was difficult for six people to find an empty box.Thanks to Clovis Darantot's two francs in change, and the kindness of a conductor, the party was accommodated in a box, although two of the seats were already occupied.Fortunately, everything is going well.Three women sat on a row of benches facing the rear, and three gentlemen sat on a row of benches facing the rear.Clovis Darantot was sitting opposite Louise, and they were both in the box near the window.

We have not seen Mr. Eustache Oleander.But don't worry about him.He probably, probably very probably got into first class as well.Because his observation instruments were hung at the door of the two carriage passages. The journey from Oran to Sieg is 60km and the timetable indicates when the first stop is made. At 9:05, the station master gave the signal.The sound of the door hook banging.The locomotive whistled sharply, the train started, and drove up the aisle of the turntable. When driving out of the city of Oran, the first thing passengers see is a hospital and a cemetery.On the right is the railway, two identical tracks, nothing to see.On the left are the construction sites lined up, and further away are the green fields, which are more pleasing to the eye.

It was also here that Mr. Dardento and the charming young lady were watching.The train crawled up 6 kilometers, and after crossing a small lake called Moseli, it stopped at Senia Station.To tell the truth, it is almost necessary to look closely to see that this is a small rural town, situated 1200 meters away, at the fork of the provincial road from Oran to Muaskar. After the train traveled 5 kilometers, a prismatic castle called Abdulkad appeared on the right side of the train.The station at which the train stopped was Walmi Station, and the railway happened to cross the aforementioned provincial road.

On the left side of the train is a vast lagoon of Seboka, 92 meters above the surface of the Mediterranean sea. Clovis Dardento and Louise Elisani, sitting in the corner of the box, saw only part of the lagoon.Despite the size of the lake, Jean Tagona only glanced at it casually.The lake is low during this period and dries up quickly in the hot summer sun. At this time, the train is heading southeast, with the small town of Tirelat in front of it, and the train will stop immediately. Clovis Dardento carried a foldable pocket canvas map.The route of the tour is included on the map.This is only natural for a practical and thoughtful person.He said to his companions:

"This is the Sidi Bir Abbes railway line from which we return to Oran." "But doesn't this line go to Tlemcen?" asked Mr. Deslander. "Should come, but part ways at Buckharnifell," replied Mr. Dardento. "The road separation project is not yet complete." "It's a pity," said Madame Elisani, "but if we could take the train..." "Dear me!" cried Clovis Dadant, "my dear lady is canceling our carriage ride! There is nothing to be seen in the carriage, or only a little. That is Live it! And it's a long time to Saida! . . . You don't think so, Miss Louise?" How could the young lady disagree with Mr. Dardento? From Tirelat, the railway line heads east, crossing many meandering creeks and some year-round rivers of the Sig region.The train made its way to Sig, crossed the Makta River and entered a wide bay between Arzeg and Mustaganem. The train arrives at Sig station a little after 11 o'clock.Most tourists get off here to start their tour. According to Mr. Dardento's arrangement, he will live a day and a night in this small village.Depart from here at about 10 o'clock the next day.Since his companions entrusted him with drawing up the details of the tour, he decided to visit one place after another. Our Perpignan was the first to jump off the train, unaware of Acatoc following behind.The latter hurriedly reached out to Louise to help her out of the car.But the unfortunate fellow stood behind the young girl, and it was up to Mr. Dardento to help Miss Louise jump gently off the train. "Ho!" Louise yelled softly, and turned away. "Are you not well, miss?" asked Clovis Darantot. "No, no," Louise replied. "Thank you sir. But I thought..." "What do you think?" "I thought Mr. Ronan and Mr. Tagona would not come to travel." "Is that they?" cried Clovis Dadantot. He turned suddenly to face the two friends, and embraced them with open arms.At the same time, the two young men also saluted Mrs. Elisani and her daughter. "Is it you... is it you?" Mr. Dardento continued. "It's us!" replied Jean Tagona. "What about the Seventh Cavalry?" "We thought it would be fine for another 15 days," said Marcel Ronan. "Use this time..." "Let's travel together," said Jean Tagonne. "Oh, that's wonderful!" exclaimed Mr. Dardento. "We're so good together!" "Together?..." This may be a bit exaggerated.If Louise was not included, how did Mrs. Elisani and the Deslanders view the accident?They certainly won't be happy.So the return of the two ladies was very cold, and the return of the two men was very unnatural.M. Dardent must have been honest when he told Madame Elisani that Marcel Ronan and Jean Tagonne were not coming together.He didn't think of it at first.He looks too happy now though. "Lucky!" he exclaimed. "When we got to the station, the train was about to leave," explained Jean Tagona. "I couldn't make up my mind, so I let Marcel Ronan decide. And he, too, let me decide... until In the end I made up my mind.” In short, Clovis Dardento and his companions reached Sig, the first stop of their journey.Two young men were accepted into the tourist team.The top priority now is to find a restaurant where I can have lunch, dinner, and a good night's sleep.Everyone is no longer separated, and the two groups, Dardento, Ronan, and Tagona are combined together.Doing so will undoubtedly please some and displease others.Good thing no one showed it. "The Pyrenees treat us like fathers!" said Jean Tagonne to himself. If these tourists had come to Siq four days earlier, on Sunday instead of Wednesday, they would have seen thousands of Arabs.It was a market day and it was difficult to find a restaurant.There are only 6,000 people in this small town on weekdays, 1/5 of which are Jews, and the other 4,000 are foreigners. The restaurant was found, and everyone had a good lunch.Overjoyed, Mr. Dardento paid the full bill.The two young people wanted to gradually establish an intimate relationship with these traveling companions, thinking that they should bear part of the expenses, and insisted on taking out all their savings quietly. "Young people," said Clovis Dadantot, "I don't agree with you. You are still children, and you are of a carefree age!" "We are not children any more, Monsieur Dardento," said Jean Tagonne, "we are not so young as you think..." "Ah! What a good believer! By the way, I didn't see Mr. Oriandal get off at the train station just now." "Is this guy who studies space still on the train?" asked Marcel Ronan. "Yes, definitely on the train. He probably goes as far as Saida." "Damn it!" said Jean Tagona. "He alone is worth a swarm of locusts, and will eat them as they go." Lunch is over.Because the departure is only at 9 o'clock the next day, the town of Sig should be visited throughout the day.These small towns in Algeria resemble small French counties, and they have everything: police station, magistrates' court, notary office, tax office, traffic police ... and gendarmerie. The town of Sieg has some rather nice streets, well-planned squares, tall and beautiful trees - mainly French plane trees - and a 12th-century Gothic church.In fact, the places around this town are more worthy of tourists to see. We went to the countryside on foot, and the ladies were not very interested in it.Two young Parisians dreamed of a vague and uncertain prospect.Mr. Dardento led the crowd to see the extraordinary fertile land, and the lush vineyards formed a natural barrier around the town.Our Perpignan man belongs to those who are away all day and know nothing but the sights.Books such as "Travel Guide" are not trustworthy for them. The weather in the afternoon was pleasant and the outings became enjoyable.We walked up the town along the Sieg River until we came to an embankment.The levee forced the river to turn back 4 kilometers above.The reservoir has a water storage capacity of 14,000 cubic meters and is used to irrigate agricultural fields.There have been several proposals to abandon the dike.But it will definitely be discarded in the future.Now engineers are watching day and night.Since those learned men are watching, there is probably nothing to fear... just trust them. Fatigue is a very legitimate excuse after a long outing.When Clovis Dardento offered to walk a few hours longer to visit another place, Mrs. Elisani and Mrs. Deslander, and Mr. Deslander, who thought he should be with Mrs., begged forgiveness Can't travel together. Under the escort of Akatok, Louise had to accompany them back to the hotel.What a chance for the fiancé to help his fiancée...but even as the two of them walked together, their minds were too far apart. Even if Marcel Ronan and Jean Tagona were not necessarily willing to follow M. Dardent, they would not be willing to return to the hotel with these ladies. Mr. Dardent led the way, walked 8 kilometers, and came to a farm with 2,000 hectares of land, Sig United Farm.This farm was formerly known as The Farm, which dates back to 1844.They were lucky to be able to walk on mules on the farm, which was fast and not tiring.When walking in this rich and peaceful countryside, Jean Tagona couldn't help thinking: "What a disappointment! . . . If 60 years ago, when people were fighting for Oran in this barren land, what could I perhaps have done here?" When the three returned to the hotel, there was no chance of saving lives.Dinner time is not long.Everyone went back to their rooms around 9 o'clock.In his sleep Akatoque had not and does not dream of Louise, and Louise's dreams are always beautiful, but without Akatoque... At 8 o'clock the next day, Patrice knocked softly on everyone's door.All acted on the signals of the punctual servant.Everyone drank coffee or hot chocolate milk for breakfast according to their taste, paid for the restaurant, and walked to the station. This time Mr. Dardento and his companions occupied two rows of eight-seat boxes.The journey was very short, from Sieg to Perego station. Moktaduz is a small European-style village 17 kilometers away from the town of Sig.After a short stop here, the train drove another 8 kilometers and stopped at Perego Station. Perego is an ordinary town with 3,000 inhabitants, 1,600 of whom are locals.The Habra River, which flows through the town, crosses a plain with an area of ​​36,000 hectares.This area is rich in products.There are railway lines running through the town, one from Oran to Algiers and the other from the northern port of Alzey to Saida.The latter traverses the whole province of Oran from north to south, passing through vast areas planted with thatched alfalfa, and finally extending as far as Ain Sefra, almost to the border with Morocco. Tourists should change trains at this small station, walk another 21 kilometers, and get off at Clive Cole Station. Actually Muasker is on the left side of the railway line from Arzew to Saida.Clovis Dardento would have strongly objected to not making a detour to the county seat.Because Muaskar is included in the circumnavigation plan, and in order to cover the 20 kilometers, the railway company has collected vehicles and parked them at the railway station for tourists to use. The Datangt tour group took a carriage alone.It so happened that Marcel Ronan sat next to Mademoiselle Louise Elisani, as if by divine arrangement.Marcel Ronan has never felt that 20 kilometers is so short.In fact the carriages go very slowly as the road gradually rises to a height of 135 meters above sea level. Regardless of whether the distance is long or short, it is about 3:30 after the last kilometer. "Why don't we take the train tonight?" asked Mrs. Elisani. "Oh, my dear lady," replied Mr. Dardento, "you will not do it. If you do it, or if I agree to it against your will, you will reproach me for it all your life." "Mother," said Louise, laughing, "will you blame Mr. Dardento for the rest of your life?" "To see if it makes sense?" said Marcel Ronan, intending to please Madame Elisani. "Yes, I am justified," went on Mr. Dardento, "because Mouasker is one of the most beautiful cities in Algeria. We are not wasting our time here, or the wolves will bite me off." neck." "Oops!" Patrice yelled. "Do you have a cold?" he asked. "No... I just want to drive away the wolf that bit Mister." In short, the whole tour group is willing to obey their leader, as if they only listen to his orders. Muasker is a large city, located in the southern foothills of the Atlas Mountains, at the foot of the Chalebe Airy Peak, overlooking the vast Eglise Plain.Three rivers flow through the city: Tuduman, Embeda and Ben Arash.The city was captured by the Grand Duke of Orleans and Admiral Clausel in 1835, and was lost shortly thereafter.Until 1841 it was restored by Generals Bourged and Ramosierre. It was not until supper time that it was admitted that Mr. Dardento had not exaggerated.The location of Muaskar is very strange; it is arranged in a patchwork of two hills, and between the hills is the Tuduman River.People walked through five districts, four of which were surrounded by a boulevard, surrounded by a wall with six gates, ten towers and eight bastions.Tourists ended up at the Paradeplatz. "What a miracle!" exclaimed Mr. Dardento.He straddled his legs, stretched his hands to the sky, and stood in front of a giant tree that was two or three hundred years old. "The tree is like a forest!" said Marcel Ronan. It is a mulberry tree, a legendary old tree that has not been felled for centuries. Clovis Dardento plucked a leaf. "This is the first dress for Belle Eden," said Jean Tagona. "And without any tailoring," said Mr. Dardento. A rich and delicious dinner restored the strength of the guests.People drank quite a bit of muaskar.This wine has taken quite a place in the cellars of gourmets overseas.Like the day before, the ladies went to bed early.They are not required to get up early the next day.The Deslanders can also sleep in in the morning.We made an appointment to gather after lunch and visit the main buildings of the city collectively in the afternoon. According to the plan, three inseparable people appeared in the business district at 8 o'clock the next day.The reason why this old Perpignan cooper was attracted to visit here is because this area still maintains the original appearance of ancient commerce and manufacturing.Jean Tagona's casual admiration excited local merchants and artisans, while the oil mill, flour mill, and other local workshops upset Marcel Ronan.How wonderful it would be if Miss Elisani could be looked after by Mr. Dardento as foster father!But this is not the case.At this time, she may have just opened those beautiful eyes. While walking through the streets of the town, Clovis Darantot made a few purchases.Among them was a black Arabian coat called "Sedamin".He intends to dress in due course like the North African Arabs. At about noon, everyone reunited to visit again.We visited three mosques; the first was Wenyin Beda Mosque, built in 1761, where Abdullah Kader preached holy war; Holy wafers; the third mosque was converted into a wheat shop for the production of laity's bread (this is the exact words of Jean Tagona).We visited Gambetta Square, where there is a beautifully shaped fountain with a white marble base.Later, they visited the Sultan's Palace, which is an ancient palace with Arabic architectural style; the Arab office with Moorish architectural style; a park located in the valley where the Tuduman River flows, and the lush nursery in the park, the nursery There are olive and fig trees.The fruit of the latter can be used to make a kind of pie.At supper, Mr. Dardente ate a large piece of this pie, which he declared was excellent.Jean Tagona also praised this pie with beautiful words. At about 8 o'clock in the evening, the carriage picked up the passengers from the previous day and left the city of Muaskar.This time the carriage did not send the passengers back to Clive Cole Station, but the next station, Tiqi Station.The carriage crosses the plain of Eglise.Vineyards on the plain produce a famous white wine. The train leaves at 11 o'clock.In spite of the generous tips Clovis Dardentoss had given the conductor that evening, he had not been able to get his party together. The train has four cars and is almost full.Mrs. Deslander, Mrs. Elisani and their daughter could only find seats in the ladies' box, and there were two elderly women in this box.Mr. Deslander feigned a smile and begged to be accommodated in this box.But two unrelenting female passengers declared that they were old enough to do terrible things.Mr. Deslander had to look elsewhere. Clovis Dardento let Mr. Deslander sit with him in the smoking compartment. "What kind of railway company is this!" Mr. Dardent complained, "Africa is the same as Europe, and there are such stupid fellows as third-class carriages and third-class conductors!" There are already five passengers in this carriage, and there is one empty seat.Mr. Dardent and Mr. Deslander sat opposite each other. "Speak from the bottom of my heart," said Jean Tagona to his cousin: "I would rather sit with him" Marcel Ronan did not ask who this "he" refers to, but replied with a smile: "You're right...go sit next to him, no one knows." As for Marcel Ronan himself, he is willing to sit in an uncrowded carriage and be able to imagine at will.There were only three passengers in the last car of the train, and he sat here. The night was dark.There is no moon, no stars, and the sky is covered with thick fog.Around, there was nothing new in this immigrant land, just farmsteads and dry seasonal rivers flashing by. Marcel Ronan leaned against a corner, in a state of half-asleep and half-awake, he thought of Louise Elisani, her charming expression when she spoke, her elegant and charming appearance...she was going to be Ah Lady of Katok, no way!No way! ...the whole world will object...Mr. Dardento will speak for the world... "Woo... woo!..." The screech of the locomotive sounded like the crow of a crow.The young man was dreaming.No one in his compartment got off.he loves her! ...He fell in love with this charming girl... From the moment he saw her on the deck of "Ajielai", he fell in love with her at first sight... At that moment, it felt like a thunderbolt on a sunny day... "It's here... Thierville is here!" someone shouted 20 minutes later. The politician's name was given to such a desolate small town with only a few Arab families.Marcel Ronan was not woken up, and Louise gradually became a "Statue of Liberty" in front of his eyes. The train moved at low speed to the next station, Tralia Station.This place has a seasonal river also called Tralia, which is 126 meters above sea level. The three passengers in Marcel Ronan's carriage got off at this station, and now he is alone in the entire carriage. He lay alone in the carriage, lying sideways for a while, and lying upright for a while.He was alone in the whole car.Marcel Ronan's eyelids were too heavy to open, and he insisted not to fall asleep, but the scene in the dream disappeared suddenly, and he finally fell asleep.Francetti Station was the last station name he heard before falling asleep. How long did he sleep for?Why do you feel tightness in your chest?There was a rapid moan in his chest... he coughed... he couldn't breathe... the acrid smoke filled the whole car... he was surrounded by thick black smoke and flames, the flames reached his feet, and even the steps of the train burning... Marcel Ronan tries to stand up and break the glass...he falls again, unconscious... An hour later at the Saida station, the young Parisian awoke.With careful attention, he opened his eyes again.Then he saw Monsieur Dardento, Jean Tagona... and Louise Elisani. Marcel Ronan's compartment was on fire.As soon as the train got the signal from the conductor to stop, Mr. Dardento rushed into the fire without hesitation, and rescued Marcel Ronan at the risk of his life. "Ah! Mr. Dardento..." he repeated over and over. "It's all right...it's all right..." said the Perpignan man, "you almost turned into a roast chicken!...You or your friends would have come to save me..." "Of course!" exclaimed Jean Tagona, "but... this time it's you... It's not the same thing!" He leaned into his cousin's ear, and said in a still lower voice: "There is absolutely no chance!"

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