Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen

Daya is an ancient city of the Arabs in the Sidi Bir al-Abbas region.It is now a town without battlement walls.There are four bastions on the top of the city wall, controlling the passage to the Åland Plateau. In order to let the tourists who feel tired in the past two days rest, according to the travel plan, rest here for 24 hours, and the convoy will leave the next day. There is nothing wrong with extending your stay here.The town is 1400 meters above sea level.Located on both sides of the mountain.The mountain is surrounded by 14,000 hectares of pine, cypress and oak forests.The town has pure air, which is exactly what Europeans want.

There are 16,000 to 17,000 residents in the town, almost all of whom are locals, and the French are limited to the army officers and soldiers stationed here. It seems that there is no need to extend the rest time of tourists here.The ladies did not go for an outing outside the city, the gentlemen went a little farther, to the hillside, into the forest.A few followed the direction of the plain below the mountain to the forest in the Daya depression.Pistachio trees, wild jujube trees, etc. grow in this forest. The attractive and respected Mr. Dardento took his two companions along for a full day.Perhaps Marcel Ronan would prefer to be with Louise, Elisani and her daughter.But the presence of the Deslanders was unbearable to him.The rescuer cannot be separated from the rescued.Jean Tagona's identity has not been determined, but he still follows closely.

The only one not outing during the day is Akatok.Due to the admonition of Clovis Dardento to the Deslanders, their son must be with Miss Louise, and the ladies should not be around.... There must be a case for two engaged man and woman Clear instructions.Now is the time for clarification.So Akatok stayed at home. Has this explanation been made? ……no one knows.But that night, Mr. Dardento called Louise aside and asked her if she was resting well, and if she could set off the next day... "No question, Mr. Dardento," answered the young girl, with a look of deep sorrow. "Akatok has been with you all day, you must be very happy. This is my suggestion."

"Ah! It is you, Monsieur Dardento!" "Yes, I was the one who came up with the good idea. I think you will be very pleased." "Oh! . . . Monsieur Dardento!" Her "ahs" and "ahs" were drawn out and contained more meaning than a two-hour conversation.Our Perpignan couldn't take it anymore, and he kept asking Louise until he finally got her to tell the truth: she couldn't stand Acatoc. "Damn it!" muttered Mr. Dardente in a low voice, walking away. "It is a good thing that things are not finally hopeless. There is still a glimmer of hope! . .”

Clovis Dardento was right to think so.But he never thought that Marcel Ronan had done something unfavorable to the son of the Deslander family.In his opinion, it was only Akatok's well-known imbecility and stupidity that aroused Louise's disgust. At 7:00 the next day, the convoy had already left the town of Daya.Cattle and travelers alike feel the coolness and refreshment of the weather.The weather on this day is most suitable for traveling.The sky was cloudy at dawn and then cleared with no sign of rain.Cloudy weather is rare in the Åland region.The annual rainfall is less than one millimeter, which is only half of that in other parts of Algeria.Fortunately, water comes down from the sky, but there is water on the ground, because there are many seasonal rivers criss-crossing in this area.

It is 74 kilometers from Daya to Cybertu.A vehicular road runs from Cape Esmaa, via Ergol, to Cybertu.The route goes through 5 locations.However, this route is better than going in a straight line.Because it takes some risk to walk the straight line from the alfalfa plantation area to the native people's agricultural area.However, this area is not dangerous for tourists, and the adjacent southern forest provides shade for travelers. From Daya, the road leads down to Cybertu.In the morning, the cattle moved faster than before.The convoy is expected to arrive in Ergau in the evening.It was a long journey before lunch, and the camels, horses, and mules might complain, but luckily they couldn't speak.

The convoy proceeds in the original order.There are many rivers in the middle of this area, such as the Ayinsba River, Ayinbayli River, Ayinxisa River, etc., all of which originate from the Mesuran River.In addition, there are many ruins left by Berbers, Romans, and Arab missionaries.The convoy traveled 20 kilometers in the first two hours and reached the southernmost point of the tourist route, a railway station under construction, Point Esmaa Station.This railway station connects Sidi Bir Abbes with the plateau area. The convoy can only take this curve from Cape Esmaa to Ergol because the railway is under construction.

Where the convoy took a break, railway workers were at work.The railway runs from Magenta station up the Hajjanid River on the left, at an altitude of 955 to 1114 meters. The convoy entered the 4,000-hectare Khachangid Forest.A seasonal river flows between the forest and Daya.Upstream of this river is the Magenta Reservoir. At 11:30 the convoy stopped at the edge of the forest. "Gentlemen, let me discuss with the guide Moktani, and then tell you where to have lunch." The company representative Derivas said to everyone. "We wish you had decided sooner," said Jean Tagonne, "we are starving!"

"We're really starving," continued Mr. Dardento. "The front chest is attached to the back chest." "As long as there is a place where there is clean water and the ladies feel a little more comfortable." Marcel Ronan suggested. "Moktani's opinion should also be accepted," Mr. Derivas said, "because before reaching the Urgla Forest, there is 12 kilometers of alfalfa plantation area without any shade." "We don't have a problem with that," said Mr. Dardento, "but the ladies can't bear to travel so long in the sun. They can sit in a covered car. We just have to close our eyes." gone."

His opinion was agreed with his companions. "We are stronger than eagles!" said Jean Tagona. Like last time, lunch was brought from the food truck.Part of this food is replenished at Daya and can last all the way to Cybertu. The convoy passengers are more intimate than ever, with the exception of Mr Oriandal.This gentleman is always alone, eats alone, travels alone.This is also thanks to the foresight of the railway company to satisfy every tourist. Marcel Ronan appears more helpful.Mr. Dardento is proud of him from the bottom of his heart, showing the affection of a father for his son.He even wanted to draw everyone's attention to this matter, so he said something from the bottom of his heart:

"Well, ladies, you all saw that I rescued dear Marcel from--" "From the smoky and burning carriage," Jean Tagona involuntarily continued. "That's right, that's right!" exclaimed Mr. Dardento. "That's what I'm going to say, and it's the right thing to say. Do you agree, Patrice?" Patrice smiled and said: "It was indeed a heroic act. I wish the sir had expressed it more gracefully." "Come, gentlemen," said the Perpignan, raising his glass, "to the health of the ladies, and to the health of our men! Don't forget, we are always in a country where we drink .” "It's hard to change your nature!" Patrice lowered her head and said in a low voice. It is useless to say, again, that the Deslanders found Marcel Ronan to be an increasingly intolerable, ostentatious philanderer, a posturing and ignorant fellow.They intended to explain all this to Mr. Dardento.But this is indeed a tricky thing.Especially when this bohemian character is in a moment of great pride. At 12:30, the blue baskets, dishes, and wine glasses were all put back in the car, and everyone was ready to go on the road. Suddenly it was discovered that Mr. Oriandal had disappeared. "I didn't see him," said company representative Derivas. Although he came to dinner every second and devoured it, no one saw where he went after the meal. What happened to him? "Where is Monsieur Oriandal?" asked Clovis Dardent in a loud voice. "What's the matter with him? Where can this fellow go with a telescope? Say, M. Oriandal!" No one answered. "We cannot leave this gentleman alone!" said Mrs. Elisani. Of course we can't ignore it.Everyone looked around.Soon the astronomer was seen in a corner of the forest looking at the northwest sky with a long telescope. "Leave him alone," said Mr. Dardento. "He's looking at something in the sky. You know, this guy will help us a lot! If the guide gets lost, he'll just measure the height of the sun and he'll know where he's going." "A big belly," said Jean Tagonne. "A complete mess!" The vast arfagrass growing area belongs to the area of ​​Uldbalag.The convoy passed through here and then turned towards Ergol.On both sides of the road are thatched grass that can't be seen.The road width is only wide enough for convoys to pass through.The whole convoy was winding its way through the grass like a big Indian convoy. A shivering heat wave pervaded the vast area.The people in the car had to hide inside the hood.Marcel Ronan did not usually curse the sunny weather, but today was an exception.For Louise's beautiful face disappeared behind the hood.Clovis Dadant endured the discomfort caused by the development of sweat glands, and swayed between the humps, a real "Prince Muhammad".It seems that he can't close his eyes even in the sun, because he has to keep wiping the sweat off his forehead.At the same time, he also regrets that he does not have an Arab robe that can block the fire-like sunlight. "My God," said he, "the sun is as hot as a white-hot furnace, burning from east to west! It makes my brain dizzy!" "Head, sir!" Patrice corrected. To the northwest are the peaks that cover the forests of Urgra, and to the south are the vast plateau regions. At about 3 o'clock, the convoy entered the forest, and everyone was already under the dense evergreen trees, breathing the fresh and pleasant air again. The Urgla Forest is one of the largest forests in the region, covering no less than 75,000 hectares.The road in the forest is eleven or two kilometers long.This road is a transportation line built by the government to cut down trees, and it is now a tourist line for tourists.The top of the car was removed, and the riders came together.Everyone talked happily together in twos and threes.Mr. Dardento congratulated the travelers around him again and again, to which no one objected, except the Deslanders, who were more depressed than usual. "Well, my friends, who has suggested this wonderful excursion to you? Are you happy? Mrs. Elisani, and your dear Miss Louise? But when you left Old Castle Street, you still Hesitating! Look, isn't this beautiful forest comparable to the streets of Oran? Are the Rue d'Oudinot or the Rue de Retang worthy of this forest?" "No, the street is not comparable to the forest," Patrice would surely say.At this time, a group of little monkeys were running up and down in the surrounding bushes, jumping from branch to branch.One shouted more vigorously than the other, grimacing.At this moment Mr. Darden wanted to show his agility--he was a very agile man, no bragging--to shoot down one of the cute little animals with his shotgun.But if other people follow suit, wouldn't it turn into a massacre of these monkeys.The ladies will certainly intercede for them, and Miss Louise will intervene, asking for mercy for these lovely creatures of the Algerian fauna. Jean Tagona rose on tiptoe from his horse, and said to M. Dardent's ear: "If you aim at a monkey, you will hit Acatoc!" "Regrettably, Monsieur Jean Tagonne," said the Perpignan, "it is unkind to overwhelm him with what you say." When he saw little Deslander sitting down on his mule and coming up from behind at a sudden gallop, with no apparent trouble, he went on: "Besides, a monkey won't fall off a mule." "True," said Jean Tagonne, "forgive me for comparing him to a quadruped." If the convoy wanted to reach Ergau before dark, it had to pick up speed in the last few hours of the afternoon. The animals began to trot.This caused the car to shake uncontrollably.Although the road is dedicated to transporting alfalfa and timber, it is passable for convoys.The carriages jolted and bumped, the animals tripped over ruts and roots, and the passengers made no complaints. Mainly the ladies wanted to get to Ergol as soon as possible, where they could feel at ease.They couldn't help laughing at the thought of having to drive through the forest after the sun went down.The group of monkeys and antelopes we met just now are all lovely animals.But there were occasional roars of wild beasts from afar.When there is darkness all around, it is also the moment when the beast leaves the nest. "Ladies," Mr. Dardento reassured the ladies, "you don't have to be afraid, there's nothing to be afraid of! If we really spend the night in the jungle, it's actually a bad thing for a good thing! I'll arrange for you to spend the night in the car , you can sleep with the beautiful stars! I promise you won't be frightened! Will you, Miss Louise?" "As long as you are here, I am not afraid. Monsieur Dardento!" "Look, Mr. Dardento is with you! Ladies, this sweet child trusts me, and she is right!" "You have some confidence," said Mrs. Deslander, "but we don't want to be forced to consent." These words, uttered dryly by Akatok's mother, had the tacit approval of her husband. "Have no fear, ladies," said Marcel Ronan. "It is a pleasure that M. Dardento trusts us, and we are willing to give our lives first..." "What a great 'first,'" said Mr. Deslander, "but then our lives are over." "You are too practical, my old friend!" exclaimed M. Dardento. "Anyway, I don't think there is any danger here!" "What if you are attacked by gangsters?" asked Mrs. Deslander. "I believe that even the leader of the gangster is nothing to be afraid of." The company representative Derivas said affirmatively. "How could you know?" The lady was unwilling to give in, "And there are wild beasts that move at night!..." "There's nothing to be afraid of!" exclaimed M. Dardento. "At night sentries will be posted around the campsite, and fires will be lighted until dawn. Akatok may also be given a shotgun, and he may come..." "Please let Akatok stay!" Mrs. Deslander begged feebly. "Well, let him stay! But Marcel Ronan and Jean Tagona must stand guard." "We had better get to Ergol as soon as possible, though we are not at all frightened," said Madame Elisani at last. "Well, let's go! Get your horses, mules, and camels ready!" cried Clovis Darantot. "Let them open their eyes and march!" "This man can never speak properly!" Patrice thought to himself. Patrice smacked the mule, which was not offended at its master's reward either. The convoy travels at breakneck speed.At about 6:30, we arrived at the edge of Urgla Forest, 6 kilometers away from Ergol, and the convoy could arrive before dark. At this point a river appeared, slightly more difficult than the previous one. This rather wide river which cuts off the way is called the Saar, and is a tributary of the Sleeson.Flowing down from the reservoir a few kilometers upstream, the current is quite turbulent.The convoy has already waded through the Saida River and the Daya River, the water of the river reaches the legs of the animals, or these rivers are still in a dry period.But this time, the river was 80 to 90 centimeters deep.But this did not trouble the guide, he knew where to wade across the river. Moktani chose a sloping sandy place where benches and wagons waded across the river bottom.Because the river water only reaches the wheels, the boxes on the car will not get wet.Passengers will definitely be safely sent to the opposite bank 100 meters away. The guide led the way, followed by company representatives Derivas and Clovis Dardento.The latter rides on a tall camel, overlooking the river, like a monster from ancient times.The ladies' carriage, with Marcel Ronan on the left, Jean Tagona on the right, and other passengers' vehicles behind.Locals ride in the last van. It must be said that Akatok had no choice but to give up his mount and squeeze into the carriage under Mrs. Deslander's repeated pleas.Mrs. Deslander did not like to see her son bathing in the river in public.And if his mule had fun, her son would surely be a victim. Under the guidance of the guide Moktani, everything went smoothly.The river gradually deepened, and the animals gradually entered the water.But even when they reached the middle of the river, the water did not reach the belly of the animals.The riders had their legs up, and Mr. Dardent and the guide were sitting high on the camels, so they had nothing to worry about. When the crowd was halfway there, there was a sudden shout. This was the cry of Mademoiselle Elisani, who saw Jean Tagona disappear all of a sudden, with his horse completely submerged in the water. There is a depression on the right side of the wading, and the water depth is 5 to 6 meters.The guide did not find it because it was upstream. Jean Tagona is a good swimmer.There would be no danger if it fell from the horse.But because the fall was too sudden, there was no time to swim, and he hit the horse's waist again, which frightened his mount again. Marcel Ronan hurried to the right, where his cousin fell into the water. "Jean! . . . Jean! . . . Where are you?" he cried. Although he can't swim, he still tries to save people, even though he will drown himself.Then he saw another man rushing ahead of him, none other than Clovis Dardento. The Perpignan man took off his coat, jumped from his camel into the Saar, and swam towards the still whirlpool. Everyone was motionless, anxious, and terrified, looking at this heroic rescuer.Does he believe too much in his own power?Perhaps not one but two were sacrificed? ... Seconds later Clovis Dardento reappeared.He dragged the dying Jean Tagona and drew his foot out of the stirrup.He took Jean Tagona by the collar, kept his head out of the water, and with his other hand stroked him into the shallow water. After a while the convoy reached the other side.Everyone got off the car and mounts and surrounded the young man.The latter quickly woke up.Clovis Dadant was drenched like a Newfoundland rescue dog. Jean Tagona understands what happened and who saved his life.He stretched out his hand to his savior, but what he said was not the words of gratitude that should be said: "No chance." This sentence can only be understood by his friend Marcel Ronan. A few steps from the river, behind the bushes, Clovis Dardento and Jean Tagona dressed from head to toe in the clothes Patrice had taken out of the trunk. After a short rest, the team was on the road again.At 8:30 in the evening, the convoy arrived at the small town of Ergol after a long day's journey.