THE next day, the 24th of December, they started at daybreak. The heat was already considerable, but not unbearable1, and the road was smooth and good, and allowed the cavalcade2 to make speedy progress. In the evening they camped on the banks of the White Lake, the waters of which are brackish3 and undrinkable.
Jacques Paganel was obliged to own that the name of this lake was a complete misnomer4, for the waters were no more white than the Black Sea is black, or the Red Sea red, or the Yellow River yellow, or the Blue Mountains blue. However, he argued and disputed the point with all the amour propre of a geographer5, but his reasoning made no impression.
M. Olbinett prepared the evening meal with his accustomed punctuality, and after this was dispatched, the travelers disposed themselves for the night in the wagon6 and in the tent, and were soon sleeping soundly, notwithstanding the melancholy7 howling of the “dingoes,” the jackals of Australia.
A magnificent plain, thickly covered with chrysanthemums8, stretched out beyond the lake, and Glenarvan and his friends would gladly have explored its beauties when they awoke next morning, but they had to start. As far as the eye could reach, nothing was visible but one stretch of prairie, enameled9 with flower, in all the freshness and abundance of spring. The blue flowers of the slender-leaved flax, combined with the bright hues10 of the scarlet11 acanthus, a flower peculiar12 to the country.
A few cassowaries were bounding over the plain, but it was impossible to get near them. The Major was fortunate enough, however, to hit one very rare animal with a ball in the leg. This was the jabiru, a species which is fast disappearing, the gigantic crane of the English colonies. This winged creature was five feet high, and his wide, conical, extremely pointed13 beak14, measured eighteen inches in length. The violet and purple tints15 of his head contrasted vividly16 with the glossy17 green of his neck, and the dazzling whiteness of his throat, and the bright red of his long legs. Nature seems to have exhausted18 in its favor all the primitive19 colors on her palette.
V. IV Verne
Great admiration20 was bestowed21 on this bird, and the Major’s spoil would have borne the honors of the day, had not Robert come across an animal a few miles further on, and bravely killed it. It was a shapeless creature, half porcupine22, half ant-eater, a sort of unfinished animal belonging to the first stage of creation. A long glutinous23 extensible tongue hung out of his jaws24 in search of the ants, which formed its principal food.
“It is an echidna,” said Paganel. “Have you ever seen such a creature?”
“It is horrible,” replied Glenarvan.
“Horrible enough, but curious, and, what’s more, peculiar to Australia. One might search for it in vain in any other part of the world.”
Naturally enough, the geographer wished to preserve this interesting specimen25 of monotremata, and wanted to stow it away in the luggage; but M. Olbinett resented the idea so indignantly, that the SAVANT was obliged to abandon his project.
About four o’clock in the afternoon, John Mangles26 descried27 an enormous column of smoke about three miles off, gradually overspreading the whole horizon. What could be the cause of this phenomenon? Paganel was inclined to think it was some description of meteor, and his lively imagination was already in search of an explanation, when Ayrton cut short all his conjectures28 summarily, by announcing that the cloud of dust was caused by a drove of cattle on the road.
The quartermaster proved right, for as the cloud came nearer, quite a chorus of bleatings and neighings, and bel-lowings escaped from it, mingled31 with the loud tones of a human voice, in the shape of cries, and whistles, and vo-ciferations.
Presently a man came out of the cloud. This was the leader-in-chief of the four-footed army. Glenarvan advanced toward him, and friendly relations were speedily established between them. The leader, or to give him his proper designation, the stock-keeper, was part owner of the drove. His name was Sam Machell, and he was on his way from the eastern provinces to Portland Bay.
The drove numbered 12,075 head in all, or l,000 bullocks, 11,000 sheep, and 75 horses. All these had been bought in the Blue Mountains in a poor, lean condition, and were going to be fatted up on the rich pasture lands of Southern Australia, and sold again at a great profit. Sam Machell expected to get pounds 2 on each bullock, and 10s. on every sheep, which would bring him in pounds 3,750. This was doing good business; but what patience and energy were required to conduct such a restive32, stubborn lot to their destination, and what fatigues34 must have to be endured. Truly the gain was hardly earned.
Sam Machell told his history in a few words, while the drove continued their march among the groves35 of mimosas. Lady Helena and Mary and the rest of the party seated themselves under the shade of a wide-spreading gum-tree, and listened to his recital36.
It was seven months since Sam Machell had started. He had gone at the rate of ten miles a day, and his interminable journey would last three months longer. His assistants in the laborious37 task comprised twenty dogs and thirty men, five of whom were blacks, and very serviceable in tracking up any strayed beasts. Six wagons38 made the rear-guard. All the men were armed with stockwhips, the handles of which are eighteen inches long, and the lash39 nine feet, and they move about among the ranks, bringing refractory40 animals back into order, while the dogs, the light cavalry41 of the regiment42, preserved discipline in the wings.
The travelers were struck with the admirable arrangement of the drove. The different stock were kept apart, for wild sheep and bullocks would not have got on together at all. The bullocks would never have grazed where the sheep had passed along, and consequently they had to go first, divided into two battalions43. Five regiments44 of sheep followed, in charge of twenty men, and last of all came the horses.
Sam Machell drew the attention of his auditors45 to the fact that the real guides of the drove were neither the men nor the dogs, but the oxen themselves, beasts of superior intelligence, recognized as leaders by their congenitors. They advanced in front with perfect gravity, choosing the best route by instinct, and fully46 alive to their claim to respect. Indeed, they were obliged to be studied and humored in everything, for the whole drove obeyed them implicitly47. If they took it into their heads to stop, it was a matter of necessity to yield to their good pleasure, for not a single animal would move a step till these leaders gave the signal to set off.
Sundry48 details, added by the stock-keeper, completed the history of this expedition, worthy49 of being written, if not commended by Xenophon himself. As long as the troop marched over the plains it was well enough, there was little difficulty or fatigue33. The animals fed as they went along, and slaked50 their thirst at the numerous creeks51 that watered the plains, sleeping at night and making good progress in the day, always obedient and tractable52 to the dogs. But when they had to go through great forests and groves of eucalyptus54 and mimosas, the difficulties increased. Platoons, battalions and regiments got all mixed together or scattered55, and it was a work of time to collect them again. Should a “leader” unfortunately go astray, he had to be found, cost what it might, on pain of a general disbandment, and the blacks were often long days in quest of him, before their search was successful. During the heavy rains the lazy beasts refused to stir, and when violent storms chanced to occur, the creatures became almost mad with terror, and were seized with a wild, disorderly panic.
However, by dint56 of energy and ambition, the stock-keeper triumphed over these difficulties, incessantly57 renewed though they were. He kept steadily58 on; mile after mile of plains and woods, and mountains, lay behind. But in addition to all his other qualities, there was one higher than all that he specially59 needed when they came to rivers. This was patience — patience that could stand any trial, and not only could hold out for hours and days, but for weeks. The stock-keeper would be himself forced to wait on the banks of a stream that might have been crossed at once. There was nothing to hinder but the obstinacy60 of the herd61. The bullocks would taste the water and turn back. The sheep fled in all directions, afraid to brave the liquid element. The stock-keeper hoped when night came he might manage them better, but they still refused to go forward. The rams62 were dragged in by force, but the sheep would not follow. They tried what thirst would do, by keeping them without drink for several days, but when they were brought to the river again, they simply quenched63 their thirst, and declined a more intimate acquaintance with the water. The next expedient64 employed was to carry all the lambs over, hoping the mothers would be drawn65 after them, moved by their cries. But the lambs might bleat29 as pitifully as they liked, the mothers never stirred. Sometimes this state of affairs would last a whole month, and the stock-keeper would be driven to his wits’ end by his bleating30, bellowing66, neighing army. Then all of a sudden, one fine day, without rhyme or reason, a detachment would take it into their heads to make a start across, and the only difficulty now was to keep the whole herd from rushing helter-skelter after them. The wildest confusion set in among the ranks, and numbers of the animals were drowned in the passage.
Such was the narrative67 of Sam Machell. During its recital, a considerable part of the troop had filed past in good order. It was time for him to return to his place at their head, that he might be able to choose the best pasturage. Taking leave of Lord Glenarvan, he sprang on a capital horse of the native breed, that one of his men held waiting for him, and after shaking hands cordially with everybody all round, took his departure. A few minutes later, nothing was visible of the stock-keeper and his troop but a cloud of dust.
The wagon resumed its course in the opposite direction, and did not stop again till they halted for the night at the foot of Mount Talbot.
Paganel made the judicious68 observation that it was the 25th of December, the Christmas Day so dear to English hearts. But the steward69 had not forgotten it, and an appetizing meal was soon ready under the tent, for which he deserved and received warm compliments from the guests. Indeed, M. Olbinett had quite excelled himself on this occasion. He produced from his stores such an array of European dishes as is seldom seen in the Australian desert. Reindeer70 hams, slices of salt beef, smoked salmon71, oat cakes, and barley72 meal scones73; tea ad libitum, and whisky in abundance, and several bottles of port, composed this astonishing meal. The little party might have thought themselves in the grand dining-hall of Malcolm Castle, in the heart of the Highlands of Scotland.
The next day, at 11 A. M., the wagon reached the banks of the Wimerra on the 143d meridian74.
The river, half a mile in width, wound its limpid75 course between tall rows of gum-trees and acacias. Magnificent specimens76 of the MYRTACEA, among others, the metroside-ros speciosa, fifteen feet high, with long drooping77 branches, adorned78 with red flowers. Thousands of birds, the lories, and greenfinches, and gold-winged pigeons, not to speak of the noisy paroquets, flew about in the green branches. Below, on the bosom79 of the water, were a couple of shy and unapproachable black swans. This rara avis of the Australian rivers soon disappeared among the windings80 of the Wimerra, which water the charming landscape in the most capricious manner.
The wagon stopped on a grassy81 bank, the long fringes of which dipped in the rapid current. There was neither raft nor bridge, but cross over they must. Ayrton looked about for a practicable ford82. About a quarter of a mile up the water seemed shallower, and it was here they determined83 to try to pass over. The soundings in different parts showed a depth of three feet only, so that the wagon might safely enough venture.
“I suppose there is no other way of fording the river?” said Glenarvan to the quartermaster.
“No, my Lord; but the passage does not seem dangerous. We shall manage it.”
“Shall Lady Glenarvan and Miss Grant get out of the wagon?”
“Not at all. My bullocks are surefooted, and you may rely on me for keeping them straight.”
“Very well, Ayrton; I can trust you.”
The horsemen surrounded the ponderous84 vehicle, and all stepped boldly into the current. Generally, when wagons have to ford rivers, they have empty casks slung85 all round them, to keep them floating on the water; but they had no such swimming belt with them on this occasion, and they could only depend on the sagacity of the animals and the prudence86 of Ayrton, who directed the team. The Major and the two sailors were some feet in advance. Glenarvan and John Mangles went at the sides of the wagon, ready to lend any assistance the fair travelers might require, and Paganel and Robert brought up the rear.
All went well till they reached the middle of the Wimerra, but then the hollow deepened, and the water rose to the middle of the wheels. The bullocks were in danger of losing their footing, and dragging with them the oscillating vehicle. Ayrton devoted87 himself to his task courageously88. He jumped into the water, and hanging on by the bullocks’ horns, dragged them back into the right course.
Suddenly the wagon made a jolt89 that it was impossible to prevent; a crack was heard, and the vehicle began to lean over in a most precarious90 manner. The water now rose to the ladies’ feet; the whole concern began to float, though John Mangles and Lord Glenarvan hung on to the side. It was an anxious moment.
Fortunately a vigorous effort drove the wagon toward the opposite shore, and the bank began to slope upward, so that the horses and bullocks were able to regain91 their footing, and soon the whole party found themselves on the other side, glad enough, though wet enough too.
The fore53 part of the wagon, however, was broken by the jolt, and Glenarvan’s horse had lost a shoe.
This was an accident that needed to be promptly92 repaired. They looked at each other hardly knowing what to do, till Ayrton proposed he should go to Black Point Station, twenty miles further north, and bring back a blacksmith with him.
“Yes, go, my good fellow,” said Glenarvan. “How long will it take you to get there and back?”
“About fifteen hours,” replied Ayrton, “but not longer.”
“Start at once, then, and we will camp here, on the banks of the Wimerra, till you return.”
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unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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brackish
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| adj.混有盐的；咸的 | |
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misnomer
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| n.误称 | |
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geographer
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| n.地理学者 | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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chrysanthemums
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| n.菊花( chrysanthemum的名词复数 ) | |
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enameled
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| 涂瓷釉于，给…上瓷漆，给…上彩饰( enamel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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porcupine
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| n.豪猪， 箭猪 | |
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glutinous
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| adj.粘的，胶状的 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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mangles
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| n.轧布机，轧板机，碾压机（mangle的复数形式）vt.乱砍（mangle的第三人称单数形式） | |
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descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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bleat
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| v.咩咩叫，(讲)废话，哭诉；n.咩咩叫，废话，哭诉 | |
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bleating
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的现在分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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restive
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| adj.不安宁的，不安静的 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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refractory
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| adj.倔强的，难驾驭的 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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auditors
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| n.审计员，稽核员( auditor的名词复数 )；（大学课程的）旁听生 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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slaked
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| v.满足( slake的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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creeks
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| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
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tractable
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| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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eucalyptus
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| n.桉树，桉属植物 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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rams
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| n.公羊( ram的名词复数 )；(R-)白羊（星）座；夯；攻城槌v.夯实（土等）( ram的第三人称单数 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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bellowing
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的现在分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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70
reindeer
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| n.驯鹿 | |
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salmon
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| n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的 | |
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barley
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| n.大麦，大麦粒 | |
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scones
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| n.烤饼，烤小圆面包( scone的名词复数 ) | |
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meridian
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| adj.子午线的；全盛期的 | |
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limpid
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| adj.清澈的，透明的 | |
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specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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windings
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| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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courageously
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| ad.勇敢地，无畏地 | |
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jolt
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| v.（使）摇动，（使）震动，（使）颠簸 | |
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precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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