Chapter 19 Section 19

The news that Professor Kazan was seriously ill and there was no cure for it was more depressing than the disaster caused by the storm.It hit Johnny harder than anyone. The island had become his home; the warmth of a home he had never experienced before.The professor is like his father, and his memory of his biological father is very vague.Although he had never calmed down to think about all this, but now his experience is more profound.Here, he feels loved and cared for.Before that, how much he longed for this kind of love and care, and unconsciously tried hard to get the love and care of others.And now, he might lose that kind of love and concern, simply because no one can cross the 100 miles of sea to tell the news of the professor's illness to people on the mainland-in this era, satellites and planets can talk to each other , but they are facing the vast sea, powerless!

Only 100 miles!Hadn't he, he'd floated greater distances at sea himself!Didn't he float to the island like this? Thinking of his experience of drifting to Dolphin Island, he immediately made an affirmation without hesitation.The dolphins escorted him to this dolphin island from far away, and now they can escort him to the mainland. He fully believes that Suzie and Sputnik can take turns towing the surfboard and take him 100 miles to the mainland coast in 12 hours.Together they have done numerous excursion dives off the reef, all available today.With the protection of two dolphins, he is absolutely safe in the sea.And, without using a communicator, they understood his intentions and wishes perfectly.

Johnny recalled several dives he had with Suzie and Sputnik.Once, Suzie dragged Mick's big surfboard and Sputnik dragged Johnny's small surfboard to a nearby coral reef called Shipwreck Island, about 10 miles away from Dolphin Island.Just over an hour round trip - and the two dolphins swam effortlessly! But can he convince others?He wasn't crazy, he wasn't asking for death, and only Mick could understand him.If other people on the island learn of his plan, they will definitely come out to stop him.Then, the only way he can get away is by not letting them know. Mick's reaction was exactly as he expected.Mi Ke thought about it seriously, and although he thought the plan was feasible, he was very reluctant to put it into practice.

"The plan works," Meek said. "But you can't go alone." Johnny shook his head. "I've thought about that," Johnny said. "For the first time in his life he's pleased with how small he is." Remember how many games we played?How many times have you won?You're too big - you're only going to drag Suzie and Sputnik down. " Johnny was right, and Mick couldn't deny it.Even though Susie was stronger than Sputnik, Susie dragged Mick, Sputnik dragged Johnny, and Sputnik got ahead every time. This reason is not valid, and Mick thought of another reason.

"We have lost contact with the mainland for 24 hours. Soon, they must send someone to fly to see what happened to this small island. Because after the storm, they have not heard from us. Here's the news. It's not worth risking your life like this." "You're right," Johnny agreed. "But whose life is more important—mine, or the professor's? If we wait any longer, time may be too late. Besides, after the storm, the people on the mainland are too busy. Maybe a week later they will remember us!" "Well," Mick said. "Let's make preparations first. If no one from the mainland comes, and if the professor's condition doesn't improve, let's discuss it later!"

"You can't tell anyone!" Johnny said worriedly. "Of course not. Also, where are Suzie and Sputnik now? Are you sure you can find them?" "Of course we can - they were cruising outside the reef looking for us this morning! I just press the 'help' button and they'll swim right up." Mick began to count with his fingers what he needed. "You'll take a jug of water—the flat plastic jug—some compressed food, a compass, your usual diving gear—that's all. Oh, yes, and a flashlight—because It can't be daylight for the entire voyage."

"I'm going to set off at midnight. Half the voyage will be accompanied by the moon. By day I can reach the coast of the mainland. "You seem to have planned very well," said Mick, with admiration in his tone.He still hoped in his heart that the situation would change and it would not have to be done.But if he had to, he would go out of his way to help Johnny on his adventurous voyage to the Continent. Like everyone else on the island, both children have to help repair some urgently needed equipment on the island, so there is nothing for them to do during the day.After nightfall, people lit kerosene lamps and continued to work.It wasn't until late at night that Johnny and Miko started their preparations.

Luckily, no one saw them when they reached the bay on Johnny's tiny surfboard.The harbor is full of overturned boats, some of which have been smashed to pieces by the wind and waves.They also brought harnesses and various necessities.Now it's "everything is ready, it's all down to the dolphins" - of course, a final check to see if the adventure is really warranted! Johnny hands Mick the communicator. "You managed to bring them back," he said. "I'll go to the hospital to have a look. It will take less than 10 minutes." Mick put the communicator on his arm and walked towards the deep water.On the button of the communicator, the fluorescent light is shining.But he has become like Johnny, able to press the correct button with his eyes closed.

He sank to the bottom of the ocean.The water is warm and dark.For a while he hesitated.Now he still had time to thwart Johnny's risky move.He could not press the intercom, and then tell Johnny that the two dolphins are not here.It's also possible that they didn't come when they heard the call, or maybe they didn't hear it at all. No, he could not deceive his friends, even if it was for his own good, in order to save his life from danger, he could not deceive him.He could only hope that when Johnny went to the hospital, he would hear that the professor was on the mend. Mick thought, if he does this now, press the button, will he regret it for the rest of his life in the future, he heard a slight buzz from the communicator.He waited 15 seconds, then pressed it again—and again.

As far as Johnny was concerned, there was no turning back.As he turned on his flashlight and walked across the beach onto the path leading to the administration building, he knew that this might be the last time he would walk on Dolphin Island.Maybe he'll never see the sun rise again.Rarely does a child his age take on such a big responsibility, but he took it upon himself.He doesn't consider himself a hero, he just wants to do his duty.His days on Dolphin Island were pleasant, and the life on the island gave him everything he needed: care, warmth, friendship... If he wants to keep what he got, he should fight for it—if Necessary, he would rather risk losing it all!

The hospital building is not big.A year ago, he ran away from home and almost died of the sun, but in this small house, he was revived and healed.Now, the hospital is quiet, all the curtains are drawn.Only one window was lit by a yellow kerosene lamp.Johnny couldn't help but look around the brightly lit room.It was the hospital office, and Nurse Tessie was sitting at her desk.She seemed to be writing something in a notepad and looked exhausted.She wiped her eyes with her hand again and again, and Johnny was startled when he saw the big woman crying.The fact that this big, capable nurse was crying was proof enough of the dire situation.Perhaps, he is already too late.Thinking of this, Johnny's heart sank. It wasn't as bad as he'd thought after all, but it wasn't good either, there was no doubt about it.When Johnny knocked on the door and entered, Tessie cheered up a little and pretended to be busy with business.It was so late at night that if anyone else disturbed her, she would throw him out the door, but Johnny was an exception.She was full of compassion for the orphan. "He's very ill," she whispered. "As long as there is medicine, I can control the disease in a few hours. But now..." She shrugged her large shoulders resignedly, and then added, "Not only the professor has pneumonia, but the other two have tetanus shots." "If the medicine doesn't come," Johnny asked in a low voice. "Do you think the professor can survive?" Tessie didn't answer.Her silence is actually the most powerful answer.Johnny couldn't wait any longer.He said "goodbye" and ran out.Luckily Tessie was too tired to notice that Johnny said "goodbye" instead of "good night!" By the time Johnny made it back to the beach, Suzie had harnessed and hung up her board while Sputnik waited patiently. "They're here in five minutes," Mick said. "They came out of the shadows and I was taken aback because I didn't expect them to come so soon. Johnny caressed their smooth bodies, and they rubbed Johnny gently with their bodies, full of love.Where were they, Johnny thought, when the storm hit?How did he escape this disaster? It was hard for him to imagine that the creatures around the island could survive the storm.There's a gash behind Sputnik's fin that wasn't there before.But other than that, the two dolphins were as lively and strong as ever. Kettle, pointer, flashlight, sealed canned food, flippers, face mask, breathing tube, talker——Johnny checked them out one by one.Then he said, "Thank you, Mick—I'll be back soon." "I wish I could go with you," Mick replied, his voice a little hoarse. "It's nothing to worry about," Johnny said, though his heart was already beating the drums. "Sputnik and Suzie will take care of me, won't they?" He couldn't think of anything else to say, so he climbed onto the surfboard and said, "Let's go."Susie dragged him to swim out to sea.Johnny waves goodbye to a sullen Mick. Fortunately he started at once, for then he saw lights moving on the beach.He slipped into the night, and now that Mick was going to take it for him, he felt a little sorry for his friend. Perhaps, 150 years ago, Mary Watson and her baby and dying servant boarded the small iron box from this beach and started that unfortunate voyage.Today, although human beings have spaceships and atomic energy, they still have to leave this small island like Mary, which is unbelievable! But there may be nothing strange about it.If he hadn't heard of Mary Watson, he probably wouldn't have thought of doing it.If he had succeeded, she would not have died in vain on an isolated island forty miles away.Her spirit in heaven should also be comforted!