Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven

The moment has finally arrived: the Dadant tour group, made up of various people, will form a caravan.There is no railroad or rumbling train from Sayyid to Sidi Bibe Abes.Horse-drawn carriages replaced trains. The distance is 350 kilometers, which means about 100 - in Mr. Dardento's words - the most pleasant places to visit.People can ride horses, mules, Bactrian camels, dromedary camels, or cars through this land developed by the Alpha people, through the endless South Orlando forest.From the map, the seasonal rivers flowing down from the mountain divided the forest into green squares.

176 kilometers have been covered since Oran.The Deslanders' heir did nothing to change his proverbial incompetence, and he was nowhere near the goals his parents urged him to achieve.Besides, how could Madame Elisani not have noticed that Marcel Ronan was looking for every opportunity to be close to her daughter, every opportunity to do what Akatok, a fool, should not do?Perhaps Louise had sensed that the young man was paying attention to her.Even so it doesn't matter.Madame Elisani thought she would intervene if necessary, and Louise would not have dared to refuse the marriage she had promised.

Is Jean Tagona satisfied? "Not satisfied!" he exclaimed this morning. Marcel Ronan has woken up and is completely back to normal.He was still lying on the bed in the hotel room. "Not satisfied! . . . " said Jean Tagonne, "as if the doom of the whole world had fallen upon . . . " "Anyway, it didn't fall on my head." My cousin said to his cousin. "The same has happened to you, Marcel!" "Absolutely impossible. I never wanted to be Mr. Dardento's adoptive servant." "It's entirely possible, but it's just for love!"

"What?...for love?..." "Stop pretending! . . . You love Miss Louise like the sun in the sky." "Keep your voice down...don't let anyone hear you." "So what if other people hear it... Isn't it like the moon overhead for everyone to see? Does it take Mr. Oriandal's telescope to find you're in love? . . . Isn't Mrs. Suney feeling anxious about it? Don't the Deslanders: father, mother, son, hate you to death?" "You talk too much, Jean!" "It's not too much! . . . Now only Mr. Dardento knows nothing, and maybe Miss Louise is the same..."

"She!... Do you think so?..." Marcel Ronan asked eagerly. "Yes... Don't get excited, you guy who was unconscious yesterday! A young girl, when her weak heart can't bear too much pressure, can't she do something wrong?..." "Jean, stop talking!" "Louise doesn't look down on the precious son of the Deslanders, Akatok." "You know, my friend, I'm going crazy for Louise." "Crazy, just a word, how crazy are you? . . . Miss Elisani is a charming girl, everyone knows that. I like her very much as much as you do! But she's famous now. If There will be no accidents in this marriage, and the wedding will be held as scheduled. Because it is related to the interests and wishes of the two families. This is a marriage that has been arranged since childhood, do you want to change everything all of a sudden?"

"It never occurred to me at all that I hope it's business as usual." "Then... you are wrong, Marcel." "Why is it wrong?" "You were wrong in abandoning our original plan." "I don't want you to get involved." "That's right, Marcel. Think about it! If you could be adopted..." "Is it me?" "Yes, it's you! In this way, you can show courteousness to Miss Elisani,... Marrying a very rich lady is better than a first-class knight medal on your chest. And you can use the advantage of money to overwhelm Ah Katok... besides you can take advantage of your adoptive father's great influence over Miss Louise!... If God will help Miss Louise to rescue Mr. Dardento from the battlefield, flood or fire, the latter will never Adopt her as an adopted daughter without hesitation!"

"You're talking nonsense!" "I'm seriously saying a brilliant solution, a good suggestion." "Jean, tell me the truth, did I start off badly. For example, in the fire on the train, instead of saving Mr. Dardento, he saved me." "Marcel, that's a problem, a troublesome problem! . . . But I think you can adopt this Perpignan man voluntarily! . . . The result will be the same! . . . to adopt Mr. Dardento as his adoptive father . . . " "Impossible!" Marcel Ronan said with a smile. "why?" "Because in any case, the adopter must be older than the adopted person, even if only by a few days."

"Oh, what a disaster! What a corner! How difficult it is to get a foster father by law!" At this time, the sound of a person speaking loudly came from the corridor, and at the same time the door of the room was opened. "It is he!" said Jean Tagonne. Clovis Dardento appeared, gaiety in every word and deed.He stepped over to Marcel Ronan's bed. "How is he?...Can't get up yet?...Is he sick?...Is he breathing normally?...Is his lung capacity not enough?...Do I give him artificial respiration?...Is he embarrassed?... ...my chest is filled with the finest oxygen, and that is a secret of mine!"

"Monsieur Dardento... my savior!..." said Marcel Ronan, sitting up. "no no!" "Yes, yes!" said Jean Tagonne. "Without you, he is still unconscious! Without you, he will be fried, roasted, burnt, burned! Without you, he will be a handful of ashes, and I will have to put him in the urn Already!" "Poor boy, poor boy!" said Mr. Dardento, throwing up his hands. After a while, he went on to say: "However, I really saved him!" He looked at Marcel Ronan with kindly worried eyes, and took him in his arms as if he were a long-lost, dying patient.

They continue talking. How did the fire break out in Marcel Ronan's sleeping compartment? ...Maybe the sparks from the train fire flew in through the open window, causing the seat cushions of the carriage to catch up. As the speed of the train increased, the fire became more and more intense... "How about the ladies?" asked Marcel Ronan. "They are all well and have recovered from the panic, my dear Marcel." Jean Tagonne nodded, as if to say: "Look! It's 'dear Marcel' already." "From now on you will be like my child!" said Mr. Dardento, emphatically.

"Like his child!" Jean Tagonne repeated inwardly. "By the way, if you had seen Miss Elisani rushing into the smoky fire as soon as the train stopped..." continued the venerable man, "she moved as fast as I did. !... After I put you on the ground, she took out a handkerchief, poured a few grains of salt from a small bottle, and moistened your lips! . . . She was terrified by the sight of you. I think she Almost passed out!" Marcel Ronan was so excited.He didn't want to hide his feelings anymore.He clutched Mr. Daunt's hand, thanking him for all he had done for him, thanking him for his care... and thanking Miss Louise for the handkerchief!So touching!The Perpignan native was also moved, and his eyes became moist. "Two sunbeams in one drop of water," said Jean Tagauna, looking at this touching picture with a somewhat mocking expression. "By the way, my dear Marcel, are you going to get out of bed?" asked Monsieur Dardento. "I was getting up when you came in." "Let me help you." "Thank you, thank you! My cousin is here." "Be gentle with me!" said Mr. Dardento. "You belong to me now, and it is my duty to take care of you." "Like a father," Jean Tagonne continued. "Like a father? Don't say 'father' again, or the devil will strangle me." Thankfully Patrice wasn't there. "By the way, friends, hurry up! Everyone is waiting for you two in the dining room. Go to the station for a cup of coffee. I want to check the carriage and make sure nothing goes wrong... We'll go around town later .It will be over soon. Then go to see the countryside. Tomorrow between 8 o'clock and 9 o'clock, we will start like a caravan of Arabs!... On the road, travelers! On the road, tourists! You will see Till I'm fully armed and put on that Arab coat like a sheik, a true tribal chief." He lifted Marcel Ronan up with a strong hand, and went out humming a Pyrenees tune. When M. Dardent came out of the house, Jean Tagona said: "Where are you going to find these two things? One like his, one like hers . " "Jean," said Marcel Ronan a little annoyed. "You seem to be a little gloating!" "It was you who made me happy ... I did it!" Jean Tagonne prevaricated. Marcel Ronan starts getting dressed.Although his face was a little pale, but fortunately he returned to normal after a while. "Since we have no other chance of adventure," said Jean Tagonne affirmatively, "we may consider going to the Seventh Cavalry. Imagine what it would be like! Galloping the field, charging into battle. On the battlefield Arms and legs may be broken, the chest may be shot, the face may be completely changed, and the mind may be moved. Faced with the cruel reality of bullets and bullets, you will not be able to speak a word...at least!" Marcel Ronan looked excited and eloquent, and couldn't bear to interrupt him.Didn't tell him until he was done joking: "Nonsense, my friend! Don't forget that I have given up all attempts to adopt me by my savior, or I will save his life! Use tricks, tricks, and adventures as you please! I I wish you success!" "Thank you, Marcel." "You're welcome, Jean... Jean Tagona!" Half an hour later, the two came to the hotel restaurant.This is a very ordinary hotel, but the decoration is neat and beautiful.The Elisanis and the Deslanders stood by the windows. "Here he comes, he comes!" exclaimed Mr. Dardento. "He's all right, his breathing is back, his appetite is back... like a piece of fresh meat off the grill!" Patrice turned his head slightly, this extremely inappropriate metaphor reminded him of something unpleasant. Madame Elisani greeted him kindly, and congratulated him on his escape from a terrible peril. "Thanks to Mr. Dardento who gave his life to save him." Marcel Ronan replied. Patrice was satisfied to see his master take the young man's hand without saying a word. As for the Deslander family, they pursed their lips, looked indifferent and obscure, and bowed almost imperceptibly to greet the two Parisians who entered. Louise didn't say a word.Her eyes met those of Marcel Ronan.Perhaps the eyes say more than the mouth says. After lunch, Monsieur Dardent asked the ladies to wait in the dining room, and he and two young men, Monsieur Deslander and his son, walked towards the station. As mentioned earlier, the railway from Alzey to Saida stops at this town, which is also the terminus.On this piece of land belonging to the Franco-Algerian company, the South-Oran Railway Company laid the line from Tafrawa to Crala Farah, from which three more branch lines came out: the first one was completed, and the Kreidel, reaching Mecheria and Ain Sefra; a second line under construction, extending through the eastern region to Zlaquet; a third line in the works, probably via Ain Sfecifa To Geriville, the latter at an altitude of 1400 meters. The circumnavigation tour does not include the route into the southern hinterland, so tourists travel west from Saida to Cybertu and north to Sidi Bir al-Abbes, from where they catch the train back to Oran. Clovis Darden went to the station to see if the means of travel were ready and satisfactory. The benches in the carriage are already cushioned, and the mules, horses, donkeys or camels are harnessed, and only when the passengers are satisfied can they ride on the road.None of the travelers from Oran had left Saida.Although the southern nomadic tribes pose no danger to tourists, it is better to travel to the south in greater numbers. Marcel Ronan and Jean Tagona are both very good riders and they have picked two horses that look good.This kind of horse has a beard under the jaw and comes from the South Aland Plateau. It has the characteristics of hard work and hard work.After some consideration, Mr. Deslander decided to take a carriage with the three ladies.Akatok couldn't get on the stirrup and thought the horse was too fast, so he chose the mule.He thought he would be applauded for his decision.Clovis Dardento looked at the horses with an expert eye, nodded his head, and said nothing. By the way, the convoy was led by a representative of the railway company, named Derivas, with a guide named Moktani, and several Arab servants.A wagon was loaded with plentiful provisions.And when it comes to Daya, Cybertu and Tlemcen, we have to add more.In addition, overnight camping is not a problem.According to the scheduled time limit, the convoy traveled no more than ten places every day.At night, the convoy usually stays in small villages and small towns on the way of the tourist route. "The Algerian Railways have done a great job this time," exclaimed M. Dadentot, "for which we can only thank you. Tomorrow at nine o'clock we will meet at the railway station and enjoy the scenery during the day. Now we will visit Saida, This beautiful town." Coming out of the station, Mr. Dardento and his companion spotted a man they knew well. Mr. Eustache Oleander came to the station for the same purpose. "Coming, coming, coming!" said the Perpignan in exaggerated rhythmic tones. The president of the Montelimar Astronomical Society said nothing, and seemed to keep his distance from the crowd as he did on the deck of the Ajielai. "It seems he is going to be with us?" said Marcel Ronan. "Yes. But he can't go with us until he has food!" continued Mr. Dardento. "I think the railway company will definitely take precautions and prepare extra food." "You are joking, Monsieur Tagona," said Monsieur Dardento, "who knows if he will be of any use to us on our journey? . road?" In short, if necessary, the team may use this scholar. On Mr. Dardent's suggestion, the morning and afternoon were spent visiting places in and around the town. Saida town has 3,000 residents, one sixth is French, one twelfth is Jewish, and the rest are local residents. The town originally belonged to the Muaskar Military Sector, established in 1854. Ten years later, it was captured and destroyed by the French, and it became the ruins of the old city now.The town is surrounded by walls and once became one of the military fortresses of Abdullah and Kader's army.Since then, a new town has been rebuilt two kilometers away from the old city, near the highest peak of 900 meters in the coastal area and the plateau area.The Menjaland River, which flows from a deep valley, flows through the town. It should also be mentioned that Saida has the characteristics of the integration of modern management and local customs. From the perspective of tourists, it is not exactly the same as Sig and Muaskar.Apart from the civil courts, the property and tax registry, the Forest Guard, and the traditional Arab offices, the town of Saida has no attractions, no attractive artistic features, no local color.All this is not surprising, because she is only a recently rebuilt new city. Mr. Dardento did not complain at all.His curiosity was satisfied and, more correctly, his entrepreneurial nature drew him to visit mills and lumberyards.In spite of the harsh monotony of the turning of the mill, in spite of the piercing noise of the lumberyard, it sounded to him like a beautiful piece of music.The only thing he regrets is not being able to reach Saida on Wednesday.This day is a big bazaar for Arab wool trade.Always have an all-seeing enthusiasm on your journey, both at the beginning and at the end. The good news is that the outskirts of Saida are beautiful and pleasing to the eye.Looking around, it looks like a colorful picture.In the distance, there are stretches of fruitful vineyards and lush woods.A variety of brightly colored Algerian vegetation growing in the woods.Like the three immigrant provinces of France, Saida is rich in products.About 500,000 hectares of land are used to grow alfalfa.The land is fertile and the Menjaland River reservoir provides the necessary water volume.In addition to the unique land and natural conditions, Saida also produces marble with light yellow stripes. Mr. Darden, who came here to visit with great interest, was deeply touched: "How can Algeria, with its natural resources, not be self-sufficient?" "But too many bureaucrats and not enough immigrants will stifle her development," Jean Tagona replied. "This has to change radically." They walked two kilometers to the northwest of Saida.On a 300-foot hillside stands the old city of Saida.Down the hill is the Menialand River.In the old city, there are only the ruins of the military fortress left by the Arab conquerors, recording the final fate of the conquerors. Dardent and his party returned to the hotel for dinner.After the meal, everyone returned to their respective rooms to prepare for departure the next day. If it was a good day for Jean Tagona, it was a happy day for Marcel Ronan.Because he found an opportunity to talk to Louise and expressed his gratitude to her for her careful care. "It is true, sir!" said the young girl to Marcel Ronan, "when I saw you motionless and breathless, I thought... I would never forget... never... " It must be admitted that there was something else in the above words besides the "beautiful girl's worry" mentioned by Mr. Dardento.