Chapter 10 chapter Ten

On February 21, the British steamer "Stelsman" left the St. Malo dock at early tide.This is a 900-ton collier in the port of Cardiff, which only travels between Newcastle and Port Said.Usually, the collier never berths here.Now, due to the wear and tear of the engine parts and the air leakage of the steam box, the ship should have been repaired in Se. However, the captain wanted to visit an old friend in St. Malo, so he stopped here for repairs. After 48 hours, the ship will head out to sea again.When the reader heard the description of the ship, it was about 30 nautical miles northeast of Cape Fria.

Thousands of ships passed through the English Channel, and Britain used these ships to dump coal products all over the world.But why introduce this ship alone? ... Because, Master Antifel was on this ship, along with Jewell and Gilda Tregoman.Why don't they take the comfortable train and board the British steamer?hell!Seeing that 100 million francs are about to come in hand, what is it to talk about pomp and expense when traveling? It turned out that the captain Xipo of the "Stelsman" was an old acquaintance of Antifel.In the past, when the ship was moored, Captain Xipo always visited the people of Saint-Malo.Needless to say, he was warmly received by his family in Gaofang Street.This time, when he learned that his friend was going to Port Said, he invited him to go on the Stelsman at a reasonable price.The performance of the ship is good. In calm seas, the speed can reach 11. It only takes 13 to 14 days to cross the Mediterranean Sea from the United Kingdom and reach the east, with a voyage of about 5,500 nautical miles.Moreover, the ship "Stelsmann" did not carry passengers, but the sailors were easy to talk about, and this time the ship did not return cargo.

Obviously, these are attractive to Maester Antiphere.Better to spend two weeks on a ship in the cool sea breeze than to spend six days in a noisy carriage, breathing smoke, than shut up in a train compartment.Jewell felt the same way, but the captain of the barge thought otherwise. He wanted to take the train for most of the journey, but his friend decided otherwise.Fortunately, the gain or loss does not lie in a day or two. Even if it takes another 1-2 months, the island will always be in the designated position anyway.Besides, no one knew its location except the three of them. For 31 years, the treasure has been buried in the cave, and if you wait for a few weeks, there will be no accidents! ...

In spite of his impatience, Pierre Servant Marlowe at last accepted Captain Sipo's proposal.That is why the reader is introduced to the Stelsmann. So Maester Antiphere, his nephew, and his friends settled down on board.They carried a considerable amount of gold, which the captain of the barge fastened around his waist, a clock, a fine sextant, and an old weather-watching book.In addition, he also brought a pickaxe and a foreign pickaxe.This collier is a fine ship, well manned, with two pilots, four stokers, and about ten sailors. The owner of the "Lovely Amelie" ship is a little depressed. He has only enjoyed the beauty and smiles of the inland river, but now he has to trek across the ocean to take on the churning and roaring waves.However, when his neighbor told him to pack his luggage and board the "Stelsman", he dared not say a word.The sound of farewell everywhere is heartbreaking, Anokat and Joule cling to each other tenderly, and Nanon's heart is concerned about both his brother and his nephew.Gilda Tregoman carefully embraces those who dare fall into his arms...  

Fortunately, the parting is only short, and the whole family will be reunited in Gaofang Street within 6 weeks at most... No matter whether Master Antifel is a millionaire or not, people will let him marry a pair of young lovers. A lifelong event that has been delayed.Finally, the ship sailed westward, and the young girl watched it until the mast disappeared in the sky... how? Has the Stelsmann forgotten two important figures? ——Aren’t they bound to accompany Camille’s heir to the island? Indeed, Bo Omar, the notary, and Savuk, who called himself Najm, were not on board.Are they late? In fact, it was impossible for the ship to receive the notary.When he came to Marseilles by boat from Alexandria, he fell ill due to maladjustment.He vowed to take the dry road as long as he avoided the water.Savuk has no objection to this.What's more, Antiphere really didn't want to be with them. He just told him to meet in Suez at the end of next month, and didn't reveal that it was all the way to Muscat... For this reason, the notary was later beaten by that dishonest guy rebuke.

Master Antiphere even clearly stated: "Since your patron has asked you to participate in the excavation of the heritage, you may go. But since I have no desire to befriend your apprentice and you at all, even if circumstances force us to travel together, we must go our separate ways. !" With this tactful statement, we can better understand the stubborn character of the St. Malo people. So Savuk and Bob Omar left St. Malo before the Stelsman sailed.This is the reason why there are no such two passengers among Captain Xipo's passengers.No one will complain about this.It is clear that the notary is afraid of losing his reward if he does not participate in the excavation of the treasure; he is also afraid that he will not leave Master Antipher if he is driven by Savuk.He had actually arrived in Suez ahead of time, and was waiting there anxiously.

The "Stelschmann" sailed quickly along the coast of France.Due to the occlusion of the land, the southerly wind did not shake the ship too much.Gilda congratulated himself, and he intended to take this opportunity to study the customs and customs of the countries through which fate had sent him.But, after all, it was the first sea voyage in his life, and he was afraid that he would get seasick.Therefore, he always scans the place where the water reaches the sky and the sky connects the water with curious and fearful eyes.The captain of the riverboat, when he paced the deck, could neither assume the air of a seaman nor cope with the heaving and rolling of the hull.His one foot, accustomed to standing on the barge, soon became unsteady.So he sat on the stool at the rudder of the stern, or snatched the time or grasped the railing of the ship, and his patient appearance drew a rude joke from Pierre Servan Marlowe, who didn't know how to love anyone.

"Hello! Captain Barge, how are you?" "Until now, I've been okay." "Hey! Hey! . . . We're going along the coast, which can only be called river voyages. Like, you're still on the Lovely Amelie. If there's a strong north wind, the sea will blow the boat up .At that time, even if a flea bites you, you don't bother to scratch it." "I don't have fleas on me, my friend." "This is just an analogy. As soon as we leave the coast and reach the sea, you can watch..." "I think I'm going to be sick?" "A serious illness, I bet!"

It is recognized that Antiphere had his peculiar gift for persuasion.Therefore, Jeweler wanted to change these prophecies a little bit, saying: "My uncle is exaggerating, Mr. Tregoman, you won't be ill . . . like . . . " "Like a baby dolphin? . . . I hope so," the barge captain replied, pointing to two or three clowns in the jumping sea that trailed behind the Stelsmann. It was dark, and the steamer approached the Cape de Brittany, entering the Canal Forat, between the raised shores.Despite the wind, the sea was calm.The passengers all went back to the cabin to sleep at 8-9 o'clock.During the night, the boat sailed past Cape Saint-Marie, the Isthmus of Brest, the Gulf of Duvarnenez, the rapids of the Seine, through the Iloise, and headed southwest.

The captain of the barge had a dream that he was dead.Fortunately, it was Nankeyimeng.In the morning, while the ship rocked side to side, pitched back and forth, heaved up and down between the crests of the waves, he would engrave in his memory the various anecdotes he might encounter during the sea voyage. So, he appeared on the last step of the boat ladder, showing half of his body.He leaned back on the rail of the deck, his face was pale, almost collapsed, rolling forward like wine gurgling from a barrel.What did he see? Pierre Servan Marlowe himself sifts through the chaff in the pitching ship across the Boulogne to Folkestone, like a delicate English lady in bad weather.

All the abuse that can be heard on land and sea, Maestro Antiphere brought out all the curses!When the boat was pitching the most, he saw his friend's expression was calm, his face seemed a little rosy, and he didn't seem to feel sick at all, so he scolded even more fiercely. "Yes...five thunders!" he shouted. "Is it believable?... I haven't been on a ship for 10 years, and I... am sicker than a barge captain!" "No! I'm not sick." Gilda Tregoman said with a slight smile. "You are not sick...why are you not sick?" "Me too, my friend!" "Don't worry, once a strong southwest wind blows, the Iloise Sea is no match for your Lance River!" "Never even compared." "You look like you haven't been bumped..." "What a pity!" replied old Gilda, "although it seems to displease you..." This is really a peerless King Kong! In fact, Master Antiphere's discomfort soon passed away.Before the "Stelsmann" sailed past Cape Hortacale at the northwestern tip of Spain, despite the rough Atlantic Ocean, the people of St. Malo stood on the ship, as stable as a rock, able to eat and drink.This situation shows that like other strong navigators, if he has not been on the sea for a while, he will also have this short-term discomfort. However, when he thought that the owner of the "lovely Amelie" was safe and sound, but he himself could hardly support himself, he felt extremely ashamed, and his self-esteem was obviously hit. The night was hard to bear as the Stelsmann passed through Coroni and El Ferrol with the waves.Captain Xipo even wanted to drop anchor, but if Master Antifel hadn't indicated that he could persist, he might have stopped.He was afraid of wasting time.Because, Suez's merchant ships only stop once a month in the Persian Gulf.At the time of the summer solstice, the most feared thing is bad weather.Therefore, as long as it does not hinder the progress, it is best not to anchor the ship. The "Stelsman" continued to sail, keeping a certain distance from the Spanish coastal reefs.It throws the cove of Vigo and its marina to the left rear, and ushers in the picturesque coast of Portugal.The next day, on the right side of the ship, I saw a row of statues. Thank God for the special arrangement. It indicated that the ship from the sea was approaching the mainland. You may imagine that, during those long days of idleness, nothing but the talk of treasure-hunting, this strange voyage, and the conviction that it would be accomplished.Antiphere's energy and physical strength were recovered. He crossed his legs, stared at the skyline contemptuously, paced up and down on the deck, walked firmly, and held his head high. He wanted to find out from the expression of the captain of the barge. Get a little sick, but get nowhere. So he said, "What do you think of Dayang?" "It's all water, my friend." "Yes, there is more water than the Rance River!" "Of course! But you shouldn't dislike the Rance, it has its beauty! . . . " "It's not that I hate it, Captain Barge, it's that I don't care about it..." "Don't underestimate it, Uncle," said Jewell, "a small river has the value of a small river..." "Like an island!" added Gilda Tregoman hastily. Hearing this, Antiphere immediately pricked up his ears, because it touched his sensitivity. "Of course," he exclaimed, "some of the islands are first-rate . . . mine, for example." The pronoun—my that—shows what's going on in the Breton's mind.The small island in the Gulf of Oman was indeed his, as far as the heritage contained was concerned. "About my little island," he went on, "Jeule, do you see how the clock goes every day?" "Of course, uncle, such a good appearance is rare." "And your sextant?" "Don't worry! It's as good as a clock." "Thank God it's just too expensive!" "They'll get you a hundred million, it doesn't matter how expensive they are," Gilda said clearly and tactfully. "Captain Barge, you are so right!" In fact, regardless of the price, the clock was made by Bregindin--to a degree of perfection that needs no description.The sextant is completely comparable to a clock, with dexterous manipulation and an angular error of no more than one second.Of course, only the young captain can use these instruments, and with these instruments, he can determine the position of the island with absolute accuracy. However, although Master Antifel and his two assistants have every reason to believe these appearances 100%, however, they are 100% worried about the executor of the governor's will - Omar. One day, the uncle said to his nephew : "I hate that Omar, I'm going to take a closer look at him." "Ghost knows if we will see him in Suez?" the barge captain said in a doubtful tone. "Fuck him!" cried Antiphere, "he deserves it for waiting weeks and months at Suez!—didn't that villain come after me to steal my latitude?" "Uncle," said Geulele, "I think you are right to be wary of notaries. But in my opinion, you have to be more wary of Najim, the trainee. He is worse than notaries!" "That's right! We think the same, Jewel." The barge captain added, "That Najim doesn't look like a trainee, even less like me..." "He looks like a clown!" Pierre said, rolling pebbles in his mouth, "No, his appearance does not match his status at all... However, in Egypt, there are indeed some small people who wear riding boots and grow moustaches. It's not surprising to follow the example of the Turkish officer!... The bad thing is, he doesn't speak French... Should have given him a few more words to see if he could speak our language...." "Tell him to talk more, Uncle? Don't think about it. I think you should think more about that Savuk..." "Which Savuk?" "Mhad's son, Kamilk's nephew. Because of you, he lost his inheritance..." "If he dares to be horizontal, I'll put it upside down! Isn't the will clearly written?...The offspring of the governor, he is not worthy!" "But, uncle..." "Oh! I'm more worried about Bo Omar's crooked talk..." "Be careful, my friend!" said the old Gildaru. "You can't get rid of the notary...he has the right and the duty to accompany you to find...to the island..." "My little island, Captain Barge! . . . " "Yes, your little island! . . . The will expressly stipulates that he shall receive a reward of a million francs. . . . " "Kick him a million times in the ass!" shouted the Saint-Malo man, furious at the thought that Bo Omar was still due a big paycheck. The conversation was interrupted by the deafening blast of a siren. The Stelsman passed the tip of Cape St. Vincent and among the rocks that stand out from the sea, approaching the mainland. Captain Seepo never neglected to pay homage to the monastery high on the cliff, and his abbot hurried to pray for him in return.Several elderly monks also appeared on the platform to bless the ship.The boat rounded the corner and headed southeast. At night, the steamer sailed along the coast, saw the lights of Cadiz, and crossed Trafalgar Bay.At dawn, the lighthouse at Cape Spartel appears to the south. The "Stelsman" is sailing in the Strait of Gibraltar, and on the right is the majestic hills of Tangier, among the lush forests, there are rows of beautiful white villas dotted; on the left, in the Behind Tarifa, there are layers of hills. Taking advantage of the Mediterranean wind, Captain Xipo started to speed up from here and approached the coast of Morocco.Ceuta was already in sight, a city built on rock, like Gibraltar in Spain.The ship turned around to turn southeast, and 24 hours later, Alboran Island was left behind. This voyage is refreshing and intoxicating.When the ship passed the coast of Africa, the mountains and rivers were picturesque, and the passengers felt an unspeakable interest. This is a beautiful scenery full of poetic and picturesque flavor, with the mountains as the background to form a harmonious silhouette, the jagged coast, in various poses, and the coastal city suddenly appears at the bend of the cliffs on both sides.The climate of the Mediterranean is blessed by nature, which makes this area evergreen all the year round and full of verdant green. The captain of the barge was very impressed by the beauty of nature.In his mind, was the section from Dinard to Dinant inferior to his beloved Rance River?The appearance looks like a cone. Algiers is paved layer by layer on the hillside. Stola Bay is full of spectacular rocks. Boujiil, Philippeville, Bonnie, these half-old and half-modern cities are hidden the depths of the bay.In short, how did Gilda Tregoman feel in front of the incomparable beauty of the coast?An open question, and no future outcome. The "Stelsman" passed through Calle and left the coast of Tunisia, heading for Cape Bon. On the evening of March 5, the sun was hidden in the mist, and the highlands of Carthage appeared in the white sky for a moment.At night, after passing Cape Bon, the steamer sailed in the eastern part of the Mediterranean, which stretches to the Near East. The weather was exceptionally pleasant, sometimes with hurricanes, but after the blustery winds were sunny and clear.In such an atmosphere, Banterella Island revealed its top—this sleeping volcano, which will wake up one day.Moreover, this region, from Cape Bon to the distant Greek Islands, is a volcanic region.A number of islands appear in this sea, such as Santorini and many others, which may also form a new archipelago.At this moment, Jewell said to his uncle: "Fortunately, Governor Kamilk did not choose the small islands in this area to bury his treasure." "Unfortunate...fortunately!" replied Maester Antiphere. Thinking that his small island might also emerge from the bottom of the sea due to the constant action of the seabed, his face suddenly turned pale.Fortunately, there is no such possibility in the Gulf of Oman. Sailing past the islands of Gotho and Malta, the Stelsman reached the coast of Egypt. Captain Xipo recognized Alexander.The mouth of the Nile is between Rosetta and Damietta, forming a fan.Bypassing the estuary, the ship arrived at Port Said in the early morning of March 7. The Suez Canal was being dug and it was officially opened to navigation in 1869.Therefore, the ship can only stop at Port Said.Influenced by France, Port Said is also full of European-style buildings: steeple churches, bizarre villas, springing up like mushrooms after a spring rain.In the sandy strip between the sea, the canal and Lake Manzala, some swamps were filled with the excavated soil, and they were padded into platforms and used as the foundation of the city.There, churches, hospitals, and factories are all there.The picturesque buildings face the Mediterranean Sea, and the islands in the lake are dotted with emerald green.Between the small islands, fishing boats shuttle back and forth.This is a sheltered bay with an area of ​​230 hectares. There are two embankments, one is a western-style seawall with a total length of 3,500 meters, equipped with lighthouse lighting, and the other is an eastern-style seawall, which is 700 meters shorter than the former. Master Antifel and his partners bid farewell to Captain Xipo and expressed their deep gratitude to him for his warm reception.The next day they boarded a train between Port Said and Suez. It's a pity how much Jouel would have wanted to cross the famous canal if it hadn't been for the fact that the canal was not yet completed!Although the lakes of Timsa and Ismailia are not as Breton as Dinan, but more oriental than Dinard, Gilda Tregoman would still think that sailing on the Rance River Both sides! Where is poor Antiphere?Truth be told, it never occurred to him to appreciate that beauty, nor to feast upon its artificial beauty.For him, there is only a small island in the Gulf of Oman in the world. His small island, like a gleaming metal buckle, deeply attracted him, and he devoted himself to this point. Today, Suez is a famous city with such an important geographical location, yet he passed there without seeing anything.But at the exit of the station, he saw the two enemies at a glance, one was waving to salute frequently, and the other kept an oriental serious expression. They were Bo Omar and Najem.