Chapter 12 Section 12

After two weeks, the people on the island saw that the professor began to put his plan into practice.But during this period, there were many opinions, and there was no consensus.Because when word gets out that the dolphins are asking for human assistance, everyone wants to say something about it. Of course, the scientists at the research station are sympathetic to the dolphins, which is to be expected.Dr. Keith's following sentences actually summarize the views of the scientists in the station.He said: "Even if it is proved that killer whales have higher intelligence than dolphins, I am on the side of dolphins. They are kind people. We should not make friends just because he is smart." Johnny heard his I was secretly surprised by this high opinion.Johnny didn't like that Dr. Keith was always being protective of himself.He felt that the doctor was cold and impersonal.But he must also have some good qualities, that's why Professor Kazan let him be his assistant.As for the professor's words and deeds, Johnny has so far found no flaws to criticize.

Those fishermen were conflicted.They also love dolphins, but are also known to rival fishermen at sea.The arguments presented by Dr. Hirsch were even more personal to them.Sometimes the dolphins tear through fishermen's nets and steal their catch.Therefore, some of their remarks made Professor Kazan very unhappy.If killer whales can control the reproduction of dolphins, it will certainly be a great thing for fishermen. Johnny listened to the conversation with great interest.But he had made up his mind a long time ago, and no matter what the facts were, nothing could change his mind.If someone saves your life, it puts you on his side forever, and nothing anyone else can say will change your side.

At this time, Johnny's diving skills are quite good.Of course, he also knew that he would never catch up with Mick.Now he's mastered the art of diving with fins, a mask and a snorkel, and can stay underwater for lengths of time - things he couldn't have imagined even a few weeks ago.The air in the field is fresh, and he has grown tall and strong.Not only that, diving is already a common practice for him.He can also move leisurely underwater and can stay underwater for a long time with one breath.This is not the same as when he was a beginner.Now, if he pleased, he could spend a full minute underwater without much effort.

Of course, diving is just a game for him, not to mention, this skill itself is worth learning.But one afternoon, after Professor Kazan called him away, he realized that his hobby could still be of great use. The professor looked tired, but in high spirits.This shows that despite his constant work day and night, the work is going well. "Johnny," he said, "I've got a job for you that you'll like. Look at this first." The professor pushed something on the table towards Johnny.Johnny took a look and saw that the device looked like an addition machine.There are 25 buttons on it, 5 in each row, 5 rows in total.It was a square box of only three inches in size, with a bottom that seemed to be made of sponge or rubber, with straps and clasps on the top.Apparently, it's meant to be worn on the arm, and looks rather like a large wristwatch.

Some buttons are blank, but most have a word engraved in capital letters.He looked at the buttons and understood the purpose of the device. The following words are engraved on the buttons, no, yes, up, down, friend, right, left, fast, slow, stop, go, follow me, come, danger and help!On the surface of the box, these buttons are arranged in a fairly logical position.For example, "top" is one row above and "bottom" is one row below. "Left" is on the left and "right" is on the right. "No" and "Yes", "Stop" and "Go" are opposite to each other, so that you will not press the wrong button when using it.

"There are a lot of electronic components in this device," the professor explained, "and the battery lasts for 50 hours. When you press a button, you hear nothing but a soft hum. But the dolphins You will hear the words marked on the button, of course in the language of the dolphins - at least, we hope they can understand. What we want to know is what action they will take after understanding. "You may be wondering why some of the buttons are not labeled with words. These buttons are left blank for now until we find out what words need to be added. Now, I want you to use this device - we call it '1 talk Put it on and practice using it in swimming and diving. You must be very proficient in using it. You can press the desired button with your eyes closed, so that this device is like an organ in your body. Come to me after you are familiar with it , we will carry out the next step plan.”

Johnny was very excited to receive the task.He barely slept that night, sitting in his room practicing and trying to remember where the buttons were.Immediately after breakfast he went to see the professor.The scientist looked delighted, but it seemed as if he expected it. "Get your flippers and mask on and wait for me by the pool." "Can I take Mick with me?" "Certainly. But tell him not to yell so loudly that he may interfere with our work." Mick was very interested in the communicator, but he didn't expect the professor to give this task to a newcomer instead of him, and he felt a little uncomfortable.

"I don't understand why the professor wants you to do the experiment," Mick said. "It's simple," replied Johnny smugly, "the dolphins like me— "It seems that dolphins are not as smart as the professor said." Mick retorted.Normally, such arguments between children developed into fights later, but not Mick and Johnny. Mick was tall and strong, and the two Johnnies were no match for him. Coincidentally, at the same time, Professor Kazan and Dr. Keith were talking about the same topic on the way to the pool.They also carried all kinds of heavy equipment in their hands.

"Sputnik's behavior toward Johnny," the professor said, "is consistent with historical records. When wild dolphins make friends with humans, they often find children as companions." "Johnny, despite his age, was very small," said Dr. Keith. "I think they're more compatible with small children. Adults are tall, and they probably think adults are threatening to them. Small children are about the same size as young dolphins." "Exactly," said the professor. "At the beach, the dolphins that make friends with swimmers may be females who have lost their calves, so children are the most suitable friends."

"Oh, it's time for our dolphins," said Dr. Keith. "Look at his smug look!" "But look at the way Mick looks downcast. I'm afraid I've hurt his feelings. But Sputnik is afraid of him, that's for sure. I let him swim in the pool once, and even Suzy He also looks very unhappy. You can ask him to help you with something, and ask him to help move these camera equipment." After a while, the two children caught up.Professor Kazan gave them instructions one by one. "When you get to the pool, ask for silence," he said. "Even a word would get in the way of the experiment. Dr. Keith and Mick set up the camera on the east side of the pool, out of the sun. I went to his west side. You, Johnny, swim to the middle of the pool. I think, Suzy and Sputnik will follow. But whether they follow you or not, I won't tell you to go anywhere else, just stay in the middle of the pool. Get it?"

"Got it, sir," Johnny replied.He is very proud of himself. The professor held a stack of large white cards with the same words written on the buttons of the intercom. "I take turns holding up the cards," the professor said. "You just press the word on the card and press the corresponding button. Be careful, there must be no mistakes. If I hold up two cards at the same time, you press the word on the top card first, and then immediately press the bottom one. Clear Yet?" Johnny nodded. "Finally, I'm going to do a dramatic experiment. Let's put the 'danger' signal first, and then the 'help' signal. There should be a few seconds between the two signals. When you say the 'help' signal, you're going to die Hit the water, pretend as if you're going to sink, and really sink. Now, repeat to me what I said." By the time Johnny finished repeating, they had reached the barbed wire.Everyone stopped talking immediately.But at this moment there was the sound of splashing water.It turned out that Suzie and Sputnik were warmly welcoming them. Professor Kazan gives Suzy chocolate dolphins, but Sputnik is unimpressed, as usual.At this time, Johnny quietly entered the water and swam to the middle of the pool. The two dolphins immediately followed but kept a distance of about 20 feet.Looking back under the water, Johnny saw the dolphin lightly paddling its tail, its smooth body undulating up and down, swimming slowly underwater, the graceful movements are breathtaking. Johnny swam to the middle of the pool and watched the dolphins and the professor standing on the bank.Wait for him to hold up his card.The first card the professor held up was "Friends". The dolphins obviously understood, and they became very excited.Even Johnny heard the distinct hum of the intercom.Of course, he knew that he could only hear low-frequency sounds, he couldn't hear those ultrasonic waves, and it was ultrasonic waves that conveyed most of the dolphin's information. As soon as the "friend" card was up and down, Johnny kept pressing the button.To Johnny's relief, two dolphins started swimming toward him.They stopped five feet from him and looked at Johnny with bright black eyes.It seemed to Johnny that they understood the purpose of the experiment and were waiting for the next signal. The professor raised the word "left", and the result was quite unexpected: Suzy immediately swam to her left, while Sputnik swam to her right.Professor curses at himself as 'idiot' in 14 languages ​​- 14 languages ​​he speaks fluentlyAt this time, he realized that if there is any order, there must be no ambiguity.Sputnik heard the "left" signal and thought it was swimming to Johnny's left; Suzie, who was more self-aware, thought she was swimming to her left. There is no ambiguity about the next word - "下".The two dolphins flicked their tails and dived to the bottom of the pool.They stayed there patiently until Johnny gave the signal "up" before swimming up.Johnny wonders how long they'll stay on the bottom of the pool if he doesn't give the "up" signal. The Dolphins are clearly enjoying this new game.Dolphins are the most playful animals and will come up with all sorts of tricks on their own even when no other creature is playing with them.Suzie and Sputnik may also realize that what they are doing now is not just a game, but that this is the beginning of a partnership with humans that will benefit both parties. Then the professor showed two cards at the same time - "Go quickly".Johnny pressed two buttons one after the other.As soon as the second button was pressed, Suzie and Sputnik swam out like arrows before the buzz had completely died away.When they dived at high speed, they obeyed the "left" and "right" commands (this time obviously referring to their own "left" or "right"), then "slowed down" again, and finally "stopped". The professor looked very happy, and even Dr. Keith, who was not easy to show his emotions, was smiling while taking ghost pictures; Mick was so happy that he danced wildly like the ancestors of his tribe by the pool.But when the professor held up the "dangerous" card, everyone immediately became serious. Johnny hit the "Danger" button, wondering, how would Suzie and Sputnik react? They laughed at Johnny because they knew they were playing a game and they would not be fooled.In fact, dolphins are much more sensitive than humans, and they are familiar with every place in the pool.If there was any danger at all, they would have noticed it before man's dull senses. Then, Professor Kazan showed the "no danger" card.This time he made a small technical error. As soon as Johnny pressed the button, the two dolphins swam frantically along the edge of the pool, jumping out of the water 6 feet from time to time, as if they were frightened.They rushed at Johnny and seemed to be on top of him.Johnny couldn't help being afraid that they might accidentally hit him.They went on and on like this for several minutes.Suzie then poked her head out of the water and let out a rude grunt to the professor.Only then did those present know that the dolphins were greatly amused by the professor's mistake. Another signal that needs to be tested is "Help".I don't know if they will take it as a joke or take it seriously.The professor waved the "Help" card, and Johnny pressed the "Help" button and started to splash the water. The two dolphins swam toward Johnny underwater like shooting stars.Johnny felt a slight lift.Push to the surface.Even if he wanted to sink, there was no way.Two dolphins held him up, keeping his head out of the water.When a dolphin is injured, other dolphins also carry it to swim on the surface of the water.The dolphins know that no matter whether the "help" signal is true or not, they dare not act rashly. The professor waved Johnny ashore, and Johnny began to swim towards the shore.The playfulness of the two dolphins deeply affected Johnny.On a whim, he dived to the bottom of the pool for a while and circled under the water;He even imitated the swimming movements of dolphins, bending and stretching his body up and down in the water with his legs and feet together.But its speed is only 1/10 of that of dolphins. Suzie and Sputnik swam with him all the way to the edge of the pool, sometimes kissing him lightly as they brushed past him.For Suzie and Sputnik, Johnny doesn't have to press the "friend" button the next time he hits the water. As soon as Johnny climbed ashore, Professor Kazan hugged him warmly, as if he had found his long-lost son.Even Dr. Keith wanted to wrap his bony arms around him, and to Johnny's embarrassment, he dodged deftly to avoid the doctor's kiss.As soon as they left the pool, the two scientists chatted excitedly like students returning home from school. "It's incredible, it's unbelievable!" said Dr. Keith. "Yeah, they tend to react faster than we do." "Yes, I have noticed that too." Professor Kazan replied. "Don't know if they're smarter than us. But they're obviously quicker than us!" "May I use this little thing next time, Professor?" asked Mick, obviously a little sad. "Of course." Professor Kazan immediately agreed. "Now that we know they're willing to work with Johnny, we also need to know if they're willing to work with other people. I think trained dolphins could open up new frontiers for marine research—for example, the salvage industry. —ah, a thousand different jobs." He paused suddenly, and then said with enthusiasm: "I just thought of two words that could be added to the communicator. We must add them at once." "Which two words?" asked Dr. Keith. "'Please' and 'thank you,'" the professor replied.