Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

On the second day, there was still an hour before the departure, and the convoy's personnel and items had been prepared and were waiting for the arrival of the passengers.The railway company made the final deployments on behalf of Derivas.Moktani, the Arabian guide, saddles his horse.Three bench carriages and a cargo carriage had already parked at the end of the yard, and the driver had also sat down, waiting for the whip to set off. Twelve horses and mules snorted and pounded the ground with their front hooves.In addition, there are two camels that have already put on beautiful saddles and are lying quietly on the ground.The five locals assigned for the tour occupied a corner, their arms folded and their white robes, waiting for the leader's departure signal.

Including the 9 people in Datangto's group, there are 16 passengers in the whole convoy.The other 7 passengers - including Ole Andal - have spent two days in Saida and will also complete this circle tour under excellent conditions.There were only three women in this convoy, Mrs. Elisani, her daughter and Mrs. Deslandai. Clovis Dardento, and his companions, led by Patrice, arrived at the station first.Other travelers also slowly approached.Most of them were from Oran, and several of them knew Mrs. Elizaba. Monsieur Eustache Oriandal, with a long telescope on his back and a traveling bag in his hand, paid homage to the former passengers of the Ajielai, who returned his salute.This time Mr. Dardent stepped forward, held out his hand, and smiled:

"You're here too?" he said. "Here I am," replied the president of the Montelimar Astronomical Society. "I see you haven't forgotten your binoculars, which is great. If the guide leads us into the mustard bottle, we can turn a blind eye to see things... that's good!" Patrice turned his usually serious face.The Perpignan and the Montélimar shook hands vigorously. At this time Marcel Ronan approached Mrs. Elisani and the daily necessities carried by her daughter; Mr. Deslander watched that the luggage was properly placed on the carriage; Akatok looked awkwardly and ridiculously Looking at the mule he had chosen, whose ears pricked up impatiently, Jean Tagona mused on the prospect of this fifteen-day journey across South Oran.

The convoy assembled quickly.The first bench carriages had soft cushions and were covered with tarpaulins.The mother and daughter Elisani and the Deslanders were sitting in the car.There were 5 passengers in the second and third carriages.They prefer to travel by horse-drawn carriage. The two Parisians mounted their mounts at once like knights, showing that there is no secret to riding a horse.Akatok clumsily climbed onto the mule. "You'd better get in our car, your father will give you his seat..." cried Mrs. Deslander. Mr. Deslander also agreed to this advantageous arrangement, since the son could be placed next to Louise.Of course, Akatok didn't listen to anything, and rode stubbornly on the mule, and the same stubborn animals would definitely play tricks on him.

The company representative, Derivas, mounted his horse, as did two of the tourists.At this moment all eyes were raised to Clovis Dardento. The striking man, with the help of his servant, has just thrown an African robe over his shoulders.Indeed, on his head he wore a Turkish cap or an Islamic turban, a tourist's white veil over his face, and a pair of Arab-like boots on his feet.He was very proud of wearing such a strange costume.And Patrice nodded approvingly.Perhaps the servant only wished his master an oriental touch on one particular occasion. Mr. Dardent mounted one of the camels lying on the ground, and Moktani, the guide, mounted on the back of the other.The two camels stood up imposingly.The Perpignan native waved to his traveling companions with a graceful movement.

"Extraordinary!" said Mrs. Deslander. "I hope nothing happens to him!" whispered the young girl. "What a man!" said Jean Tagonne to his cousin, "who will have the honor of being his son..." "It is also a privilege to have such a father!" Marcel Ronan's ingenious response caused Jean Tagona to burst into laughter. Patrice mounted the mule solemnly.Company representative De Livas gave the signal to go. The order of the convoy was as follows: at the head was Derivas on horseback, followed by Moktani and Mr. Dardento on camels.Behind them came two young men on horseback and two other travelers.Then there was Akatok, who swayed to the left on a mule, followed by three carriages, one of which was Mr. Oriandal.Finally came the wagons, with the natives in them, and their loads of food, luggage, and weapons, two of whom served as rear guard.

The distance from Sayyida to Daya is less than 100 kilometers.According to the well-planned route, there is a small village at 50 kilometers.The convoy arrived there at about 8pm to spend the night.Depart again the next day and arrive at Daya in the evening.An average of one site visited every hour.Such a long trek has become a tour of viewing different scenery in various places by horse-drawn carriage. Starting from Saida, the convoy quickly left the immigrant area and came to the Benimenjaland area.In front of the passengers, there appeared a road leading westward to Daya, and the convoy could only proceed along this road.

There are layers of white clouds in the sky, and there are gusts of wind blowing from the northeast.The temperature is neither high nor low, and the climate is cool and pleasant.The sunlight coming from behind brings the scenery to life.The speed of travel is not very fast, because the road rises from 900 meters above sea level to 1400 meters above sea level. After walking a few kilometers, the ruins of the old city were left on the right side of the convoy.After passing through the Duytabe Forest, the convoy headed towards the source of the Hunai River.At this time the convoy was advancing along the Jevrajilaka forest.The area of ​​this forest is no less than 21,000 hectares.

In the north stretches a vast field of alfalfa thatch plantations.In the place where the thatch is stacked, the thatch is pressed dry to become "valuable soft grass", that is, Arabian thatch.The herb is dried at high temperatures and fed to horses and livestock, and its round leaves are used for matting, rope, shoes and very strong paper. The representative of the company said to Mr. Dardent: "During the tour, we can see vast alfalfa plantations, vast forests, mountains producing iron ore, and quarries producing stone and marble." "Then there is nothing to complain about..." replied Clovis Darantot.

"If the scenery is charming..." Marcel Ronan went on, "but I have other things on my mind." "Is the province rich in rivers?" asked Jean Tagonne. "More blood vessels than the human body!" the guide Moktani replied. "There are too many 'vessels' in this place!" Jean Tagona whispered. The area the convoy traveled through was the Riviera, the Mediterranean coastal area, and the richest area in the province of Åland.The intensity and heat of the sun here exceeds that of the ancient Berbers, but the temperature is still bearable.There are pastures and saltwater lakes of different sizes distributed on the plateau.Further afield is the Sahara Desert.The air there is laced with eye-catching dust, and plants and animals are dwindling under the scorching African sun.

If Åland is the hottest region in Algeria, it is also the most healthy, mainly because of the frequent breezes that blow from the northwest.Walking in this coastal region of Oran appears to be less bumpy than in the coastal regions of Algiers and Constantine.This area is densely covered with rivers, the plains are suitable for planting, and the soil conditions are the best.Various crops are grown on the plains, and cotton is especially suitable for growing on the saline-alkali land - about 300,000 hectares of such saline-alkali land. The convoy traveled through the boundless forest without feeling the scorching sun in May at all.Plants of different shapes, strong and straight, lush!Many spice plants emit bursts of aroma, which is refreshing.Looking around, the clustered plants include jujube, acacia, frankincense, bayberry, and dwarf palm trees; the plants in clusters are thyme, myrtle, and lavender; the plants growing in patches include all Species, oak trees with high economic value, such as cork tree cango oak, evergreen oak tree, other trees include arborvitae, cedar, elm, ash tree, wild olive tree, laurel pistachio tree , junipers, lemon trees, pine trees, etc., and the thousands of alpine pine trees that abound in Algeria, not counting other kinds of oil trees. All tourists felt the unique excitement and joy at the beginning of the tour, and completed the first part of the journey in high spirits.The birds in the forest sang cheerful movements.Mr Dardento claimed the lovely Algeria Railways was the organizer of the bird concert.The camel also seems to be cautious, since the person sitting on it is a big man.But sometimes the speed is too fast, and the big man bumps between two humps.But Mr. Dardent could not fail to express his admiration that he had never seen such a mild-tempered and smooth-moving mount. "It's better than a stinky horse!" he said with certainty. It's a horse, not a stinky horse!Presumably Patrice would have corrected this, since he was walking right next to his master. "Monsieur Dardento," asked Louise Elisani, "does it not hurt you to ride a camel?" "It is not so much that I suffer, my dear lady, as that I make the camel feel bad. It is like a Pyrenees marble on its back." By this time the riders had all approached the carriage, and they began to talk among themselves.Marcel Ronan, Jean Tagona and Elisani mother and daughter are talking.This aroused great resentment from Mrs. Deslander.But she kept her eyes on Akatoq, who was talking to his mule. When his mount suddenly threw him to the other side, his mother warned him: "Be careful not to fall." "I wish he'd come in the carriage," said Mr. Deslander. "Hey, where is he going?!" cried our Perpignan man, "is he going back to Saida? Hey! . . . " No matter how hard the man on the mount tried, the mule hopped and hopped and returned along the way it came from, as if it hadn't heard anything. After about a few minutes, Patrice was ordered by his master to chase the running animals. "Who is he running for?" asked Jean Tagonne in a low voice, "for the rider or for the animal?" "Both." Marcel Ronan replied in a low voice. "Gentlemen, gentlemen, please be merciful!" Mr. Dardento suppressed a smile. Louise must have heard this, and an imperceptible smile flitted across her face. The restless Mrs. Deslanders calmed down at last, for Patrice quickly drove Akatok and brought back the disobedient animal. "It's not my fault," said the stupid fellow, "I took the reins, but it didn't work..." "You can't get away!" cried Mr. Dardento, with a booming voice that sent the winged masters in the frankincense bushes flying away. At about 10:30, the convoy crossed the junction of Benimenjarán and Gefrabenjefor, wading effortlessly across a tributary of the Huna River.The Hunai River supplements the seasonal river in the northern region.A few kilometers away there is the Fenouan River, whose source comes from the very center of the Gilaka Forest.When the animals waded, they barely reached their calves. More than 20 minutes before noon, Moktani issued a stop signal.Very comfortable and pleasant place to break for lunch.Everyone sat around the big tree, with thick leaves above their heads, which could not penetrate even the strongest sunlight.Next to it is the Fenouan River, flowing with clear water. The riders dismounted from their mounts.Horses and mules are not used to lying on the ground.The two camels bent their front legs and stretched their long heads towards the grass covering the path.Clovis Dardento and his guide "landed" because, according to the Arabs, camels are "ships of the desert." The mounts graze not far from where the natives tend to go.In the vicinity of the lotus root tree that grows in stretches - this kind of tree is widely distributed in the coastal area, and the food for the livestock is very rich. The food brought by Saida was unloaded from the car.Food was varied: cold meats, fresh bread, aperitifs in green baskets, bananas, figs, loquats, pears, dates, etc.In this refreshing suburban environment, how can you whet your appetite. "This time there will be no such thing as Captain Bukarash taking the boat out to lunch in rough seas!" said Jean Tagona. "What? Did the captain of the Ajielai do it on purpose?" "Of course, my dear sir. That's what he did," said Mr. Dardento. "It's for the benefit of the shareholders of the shipping company! Interest comes first, isn't it? But it's the passengers who suffer! Thanks to the determination of the passengers, Like a dolphin in a stormy sea, it doesn't change its face despite the bumps of the ship." Patrice looked up three times. "Now," went on Mr. Dardento, "no more wobbly floors, no more wobbly tables." Patrice looked down. The food is laid out on the grass and there is everything you need for tableware: plates, plates, forks, spoons, knives, everything is clean and pleasing to the eye. Tourists sit together to get to know each other better.Everyone sat casually—Marcel Ronan was careful not to get too close to Mademoiselle Elisani, but not too far from his savior.The latter had taken a liking to Marcel Ronan since he rescued him from the smoldering carriage.Mr. Dardento was very willing to bring up the matter again, and Patrice was very appreciative of his gesture. There is neither a good location nor a bad location for picnic dining this time.Mr. Eustache Oleandal, the informal man, was not likely to be picky, as he has shown so many times on the ocean liner.But he didn't sit too far away, and no delicacy could escape his keen eyes.Jean Tagona magically "stealed" some delicacies from his eyes, which made Oriandal unable to restrain his anger. The first picnic was full of joy.Our Perpignan man was the first to express a cheerfulness which, like a torrent from the Pyrenees, quickly infected everyone present.Everyone quickly chatted.We talked about the trip, about the region of great interest, and about the surprises you might encounter.In this regard, Mrs. Elisani asked this question: Is there no need to fear the beasts of this area? Clovis Dardento replied: "Fear of beasts? Absolutely not! Are we not numerous enough? Don't we have shotguns, pistols, and enough ammunition in the luggage cart? Don't our two young friends immediately Didn't Ser Ronan and Jean Tagona use weapons very often? Didn't they have training? Didn't someone among our mates get medals for shooting? As for me, not bragging, I had no trouble shooting from 400 meters away , regardless of whether there is a rifling line in the barrel, it will hit a target the size of an ear eye." "Hmph!" Patrice didn't like the metaphor of using ears. "Ladies, you can rest assured about the beasts." The company representative Derivas said, "Because we march during the day, we don't have to worry about the attacks of the beasts at all. Only at night, those lions, leopards, lynxes, and hyenas leave. Their lairs. And when it gets dark, our caravans are lodging in European or Arab villages." "Bah! The lynx bit me like a sick cat," said Clovis Dardente. The beast, with a "Bang! Bang!" sound from its mouth, "like this sausage can." Patrice hurried to find an empty plate, which no one had asked him to do. The company representative was right: beasts of prey rarely attack people during the day.As for other animals in the forest, such as jackals, monkeys or monkeys, foxes, blue sheep, antelopes, ostriches, etc., there is no need to worry.However, scorpions and poisonous snakes rarely appear in the coastal plain. I would like to add a few words that the wine in the picnic is Algeria's high-quality wine, mainly Mouasker white wine.Coffee and desserts are not included. At 1:30 in the afternoon, the convoy moved forward in the original order.The road stretches into the depths of the Dundefield forest, and the vast fields of alfalfa thatch are no longer visible.On the right of the convoy is the hilly area known as the Iron Mountain, which is rich in minerals.Not far away is the earliest Roman mine shaft, used to raise ore.The paths through the forest were made by workers who worked in mines and alfalfa factories.Most of them belong to the Moors.But in ancient times they belonged to different races, such as Libyans, Berbers, Arabs, Turks, and Orientals.These workers live in the mountains on the plains or in the highlands near the desert.They came and went in droves, with no fear of the kind of attack Jean Tagona imagined. At about 7:00 p.m., the tourists came to a junction on the main road: a road carrying alpha thatch merged with another road from Sidi Bir al-Abes to Daiya.The latter thus extends to the south of the French-Algerian railway company's territory. A small village appeared ahead.According to the travel plan, the convoy will spend the night here.Three clean and tidy houses have already been prepared for the convoy.Here's the first of 12 overnight stays.After dinner, everyone chooses a bed and can sleep for 10 hours. The convoy set off again the next morning.They will arrive at the second bivouac in Daya during the day. Before setting off, Mr. Dardento went up to the Deslanders, and said to them: "Well, my friends, how are your sons and Miss Louise doing? . . . I don't see much progress, what the hell! Your sons need to work harder!" "You know, Dardento," said M. Deslander, "that he is a very cautious, well-behaved boy..." "Regulations?" said the Perpignan man excitedly. "No, it's not a matter of discipline at all! He shouldn't be with you all the time like a lazy man. When the team rests, he should go Care about your fiancée, say something close to her, and show cheerfulness and kindness to her. In short, you should do more trivial things with girls, right? But this damn Akatok keeps his mouth shut!" "Mr. Dardent," said Mrs. Deslander, "would you like to hear a few words from me? A few words from my heart." "Please, madam." "That's right, you shouldn't have brought those two guests!" "Jean and Marcel?" said the Perpignan. "I didn't bring them at all, but they came by themselves, and no one can stop them." "That makes things worse!" "why?" "Because one of them cared more about Louise than he should have. And Mrs. Elisani didn't realize it." "Who is it?" "It's Monsieur Marcel Ronan... I can't bear this kind of thing!" "Neither can I!" continued Mr. Deslander. "That's right!" cried Dardento, but he kept the latter words to himself. "Could it be Marcel, the friend I rescued from the smoke and fire?" "It's impossible, my friends," he said to the Deslanders. "Marcel Ronan's concern for our dear Miss Louise is no more attractive than a hippopotamus holding flowers! After the tour, Marcel Ronan and Jean Tagona returned to Oran for the first Seventh Cavalry! Your dreams will come true!... But if Marcel doesn't come this time, I won't be able to catch up..." He did not say "carriage on fire". In reality he was a respectable good man with a good heart.But if this matter had nothing to do with Akatok, there was no guarantee that it would not have something to do with Marcel. At about 9 o'clock, the convoy entered the largest forest in the region, the Segara Forest.From here, the road goes down the mountain and leads to Daya.The entire forest area is no less than 68,000 hectares. Finished the second leg at noon.Like the previous day, everyone had lunch sitting in the cool shade of a tree by the Serfeum River. Mr. Dardento's idea was that, whether or not Marcel Ronan had ever cared for Mademoiselle Elisani, he intended to ignore it. During lunch, Jean Tagona saw M. Oriandal take out of his knapsack all kinds of candied fruit, which he ate with relish alone, without giving them to anyone.And as always, keep your eyes on the best dishes for lunch. "It seems that he can observe the sky without a telescope," said Jean Tagonne to M. d'Atentot. At about 3 p.m., vehicles, horses, camels and mules stopped to rest.In front of the resting place is a deserted Berber burial mound.Two tourists, more precisely two archaeologists, were buried in it. The road stretched to the southwest, and the convoy entered the Jeff Ras Ama and Meahmid areas.The Taurira River flows through this area, and animals can wade directly without unloading their vehicles. The guide is quite a smart guy and is sure to get a good tip if the tour is over. The small town of Daya is located on the edge of the Daya Forest.The convoy arrived in this small town around 8 o'clock when it was dark.A rather nice little inn in town welcomes the weary traveler. Before going to bed, Jean Tagona said: "Marcel, if we are attacked by wild beasts, if we are lucky enough to save M. Dardente from the claws of a lion or a leopard, does that count?" "Count." Marcel Ronan, who was already asleep, said, "But I want to tell you in advance that in this kind of attack, the person I want to save is not him..." "Excellent!" said Jean Tagonne. When Jean Tagona lay down, he heard the howling of several wild animals from around him. "Be quiet, you day-sleepers!" he yelled. Before closing his eyes, he thought to himself: "Facts have proved that I can't be the adopted son of this real man, and I can't even be the adopted grandson!"