Chapter 44

Conclusion.--The Certificate.--The French Settlements.--The Post of Medina.--The Basilic.--Saint Louis.--The English Frigate¹.--The Return to London.

The expedition upon the bank of the river had been sent by the governor of Senegal. It consisted of two officers, Messrs. Dufraisse, lieutenant² of marines, and Rodamel, naval³ ensign, and with these were a sergeant⁴ and seven soldiers. For two days they had been engaged in reconnoitring the most favorable situation for a post at Gouina, when they became witnesses of Dr. Ferguson's arrival.

The warm greetings and felicitations of which our travellers were the recipients⁵ may be imagined. The Frenchmen, and they alone, having had ocular proof of the accomplishment⁶ of the daring project, naturally became Dr. Ferguson's witnesses. Hence the doctor at once asked them to give their official testimony⁷ of his arrival at the cataracts⁸ of Gouina.

"You would have no objection to signing a certificate of the fact, would you?" he inquired of Lieutenant Dufraisse.

"At your orders!" the latter instantly replied.

The Englishmen were escorted to a provisional post established on the bank of the river, where they found the most assiduous attention, and every thing to supply their wants. And there the following certificate was drawn⁹ up in the terms in which it appears to-day, in the archives of the Royal Geographical¹⁰ Society of London:

"We, the undersigned, do hereby declare that, on the day herein mentioned, we witnessed the arrival of Dr. Ferguson and his two companions, Richard Kennedy and Joseph Wilson, clinging to the cordage and network of a balloon, and that the said balloon fell at a distance of a few paces from us into the river, and being swept away by the current was lost in the cataracts of Gouina. In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals beside those of the persons hereinabove named, for the information of all whom it may concern.

"Done at the Cataracts of Gouina, on the 24th of May, 1862. "(Signed), "SAMUEL FERGUSON "RICHARD KENNEDY, "JOSEPH WILSON, "DUFRAISSE, Lieutenant of Marines, "RODAMEL, Naval Ensign, "DUFAYS, Sergeant, "FLIPPEAU, MAYOR, } "PELISSIER, LOROIS, } Privates." RASCAGNET, GUIL- } LON, LEBEL, }

Here ended the astonishing journey of Dr. Ferguson and his brave companions, as vouched¹¹ for by undeniable testimony; and they found themselves among friends in the midst of most hospitable¹² tribes, whose relations with the French settlements are frequent and amicable¹³.

They had arrived at Senegal on Saturday, the 24th of May, and on the 27th of the same month they reached the post of Medina, situated¹⁴ a little farther to the north, but on the river.

There the French officers received them with open arms, and lavished¹⁵ upon them all the resources of their hospitality. Thus aided, the doctor and his friends were enabled to embark¹⁶ almost immediately on the small steamer called the Basilic, which ran down to the mouth of the river.

Two weeks later, on the 10th of June, they arrived at Saint Louis, where the governor gave them a magnificent reception, and they recovered completely from their excitement and fatigue¹⁷.

Besides, Joe said to every one who chose to listen:

That was a stupid trip of ours, after all, and I wouldn't advise any body who is greedy for excitement to undertake it. It gets very tiresome¹⁸ at the last, and if it hadn't been for the adventures on Lake Tchad and at the Senegal River, I do believe that we'd have died of yawning."

An English frigate was just about to sail, and the three travellers procured¹⁹ passage on board of her. On the 25th of June they arrived at Portsmouth, and on the next day at London.

We will not describe the reception they got from the Royal Geographical Society, nor the intense curiosity and consideration of which they became the objects. Kennedy set off, at once, for Edinburgh, with his famous rifle, for he was in haste to relieve the anxiety of his faithful old housekeeper²⁰.

The doctor and his devoted²¹ Joe remained the same men that we have known them, excepting that one change took place at their own suggestion.

They ceased to be master and servant, in order to become bosom²² friends.

The journals of all Europe were untiring in their praises of the bold explorers, and the Daily Telegraph struck off an edition of three hundred and seventy-seven thousand copies on the day when it published a sketch²³ of the trip.

Doctor Ferguson, at a public meeting of the Royal Geographical Society, gave a recital²⁴ of his journey through the air, and obtained for himself and his companions the golden medal set apart to reward the most remarkable²⁵ exploring expedition of the year 1862.

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The first result of Dr. Ferguson's expedition was to establish, in the most precise manner, the facts and geographical surveys reported by Messrs. Barth, Burton, Speke, and others. Thanks to the still more recent expeditions of Messrs. Speke and Grant, De Heuglin and Muntzinger, who have been ascending²⁶ to the sources of the Nile, and penetrating²⁷ to the centre of Africa, we shall be enabled ere long to verify, in turn, the discoveries of Dr. Ferguson in that vast region comprised between the fourteenth and thirty-third degrees of east longitude²⁸.

旅行尾声——笔录证明——法国殖民地——梅迪纳哨所——“巴西利克号”火轮——圣路易——返回伦敦

岸边的法国人是塞内加尔总督派来的一支探险队成员。这支探险队由两名军官：海军陆战队上尉迪弗莱斯和海军中尉罗达麦尔，1名中士和7名士兵组成。两天来，他们一直忙着勘测地形，寻找有利位置，以便在圭纳瀑布一带设立一个哨所。他们无意中成了弗格森博士抵达塞内加尔河右岸的见证人。

很容易想象到， 3位旅行家受到了多么热烈的祝贺和多么隆重的接待。亲眼看到弗格森等3人完成这项大胆计划的法国人， 理所当然成了事实的见证人。因此，博士要求他们正式出具一份确认他和同伴到达圭纳瀑布的证明。

“您不会拒绝在笔录证明上签字吧？”他问迪弗莱斯上尉。

“当然啦，弗格森博士。我愿意为您效劳。”上尉答道。

3位英国人被接到了河边新建的临时哨所里。 他们在那儿受到了无微不至的关照，并且享用了丰盛的食物。还是在那儿，军人们用下面的措辞拟写了一份书面证明。这份证明现今存放在伦敦地理学会档案中。证明上写道：

兹声明，今日，我们目睹了弗格森博士及其两位同伴理查德·肯尼迪与约瑟夫·威尔逊①悬于一气球球网之下到达本地点。该气球落入距我们仅几步之遥的塞内加尔河里，被水流卷走，沉没于圭纳瀑布中。

①肯尼迪是理查德的简称，乔是约瑟夫的简称。

我们谨与上述当事人共同签署本文件，特此郑重证明以上所说事实完全属实。

弗格森·弗格森、理查德·肯尼迪、约瑟夫·威儿逊、海军陆战队上尉迪莱斯、海军中尉罗达麦尔、中士迪费、士兵弗利波、梅约尔、佩利西埃、洛鲁瓦、拉斯卡涅、吉庸、勒贝尔

1862年5月24日于圭纳瀑布

5个星期来， 弗格森博士和他的两位好伙伴，历经千辛万苦，终于完成了横贯非洲大陆的壮举。他们这趟非凡的旅行，在确认了无可辩驳的证据后，就此结束了。3位旅行家现在与朋友们一起身处热情好客的部落里。 这些部落与法国殖民当局的各个部落门联系频繁。

他们是5月24日星期六抵达塞内加尔河的。同月27日，他们沿河岸往北走一些，到了那里的梅迪纳哨所。

在那里，他们同样受到了法国军官们的热烈欢迎和真情友好的款待。博士和他的同伴没有怎么耽搁，当天就登上了“巴西利克号”小火轮。轮船载着他们顺塞内加尔河而下，一直驶向入海口。

两个星期后， 6月10日，他们到达圣路易城，受到了总督热烈而隆重的接待。在此之前，他们的身心已完全恢复了健康。乔对那些追随者一个劲地说：

“总之，我们这趟旅行平淡得很，没什么可谈的。要是哪位一心想去寻找刺激的话，我劝他还是别费那个劲。这次旅行到最后，简直可以说既枯燥又乏味。如果没有乍得湖和塞内加尔河两次遇上点意外的事，我真觉得要给闷死了！”

他们到的正是时候，一艘英国战舰即将启航回国，3位旅行家恰好搭上。6月25日，他们到达朴次茅斯，第二天就回到了伦敦。我们这儿就不详述他们在皇家地理学会受到的迎接，也不详述他们受到的殷勤款待了。肯尼迪带着他那支出色的马枪，很快动身回爱丁堡去了。他要急着回去给老女管家报平安，省得她整天为他提心吊胆。

弗格森博士和他忠实的乔依然和我们刚认识时一样，不过他们的关系却不知不觉发生了变化。两人成了朋友。

全欧洲的报纸连篇累牍， 大肆赞扬了这3位大胆的探险家。“每日电讯报”刊登一篇旅行摘记的那一天，报纸印销量达967000份之多。

弗格森博士在皇家地理学会的大会上作了他乘气球探险的报告。他和他的两位同伴获得了1862年度杰出探险金质奖章。

弗格森博士此次探险旅行的伟大成就主要在于，最为详细地确认了巴尔特博士、伯顿、斯皮克和其他探险家探察过的各种情况和测定的地理位置。斯皮克和格兰特先生以及霍伊格林和门兴格尔先生目前领导的两支探险队正分别向尼罗河发源地和非洲中心进发。由于他们的努力，不久我们将能验证弗格森博士在东经14度到33度之间广大地区进行的考察发现。

1 frigate   

n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰

参考例句：

• An enemy frigate bore down on the sloop.一艘敌驱逐舰向这只护航舰逼过来。
• I declare we could fight frigate.我敢说我们简直可以和一艘战舰交战。

2 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

3 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

4 sergeant   

n.警官，中士

参考例句：

• His elder brother is a sergeant.他哥哥是个警官。
• How many stripes are there on the sleeve of a sergeant?陆军中士的袖子上有多少条纹？

5 recipients   

adj.接受的；受领的；容纳的；愿意接受的n.收件人；接受者；受领者；接受器

参考例句：

• The recipients of the prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者的姓名登在报上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The recipients of prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者名单登在报上。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

6 accomplishment   

n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能

参考例句：

• The series of paintings is quite an accomplishment.这一系列的绘画真是了不起的成就。
• Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives.要实现我们的目标，钱是至关重要的。

7 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

8 cataracts   

n.大瀑布( cataract的名词复数 )；白内障

参考例句：

• The rotor cataracts water over the top of the machines. 回转轮将水从机器顶上注入。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Cataracts of rain flooded the streets. 倾盆大雨弄得街道淹水。 来自辞典例句

9 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

10 geographical   

adj.地理的；地区(性)的

参考例句：

• The current survey will have a wider geographical spread.当前的调查将在更广泛的地域范围內进行。
• These birds have a wide geographical distribution.这些鸟的地理分布很广。

11 vouched   

v.保证( vouch的过去式和过去分词 )；担保；确定；确定地说

参考例句：

• He vouched his words by his deeds. 他用自己的行动证明了自己的言辞。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Have all those present been vouched for? 那些到场的人都有担保吗？ 来自互联网

12 hospitable   

adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的

参考例句：

• The man is very hospitable.He keeps open house for his friends and fellow-workers.那人十分好客，无论是他的朋友还是同事，他都盛情接待。
• The locals are hospitable and welcoming.当地人热情好客。

13 amicable   

adj.和平的，友好的；友善的

参考例句：

• The two nations reached an amicable agreement.两国达成了一项友好协议。
• The two nations settled their quarrel in an amicable way.两国以和睦友好的方式解决了他们的争端。

14 situated   

adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的

参考例句：

• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
• She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。

15 lavished   

v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I lavished all the warmth of my pent-up passion. 我把憋在心里那一股热烈的情感尽量地倾吐出来。 来自辞典例句
• An enormous amount of attention has been lavished on these problems. 在这些问题上，我们已经花费了大量的注意力。 来自辞典例句

16 embark   

vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机

参考例句：

• He is about to embark on a new business venture.他就要开始新的商业冒险活动。
• Many people embark for Europe at New York harbor.许多人在纽约港乘船去欧洲。

17 fatigue   

n.疲劳，劳累

参考例句：

• The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
• I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。

18 tiresome   

adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的

参考例句：

• His doubts and hesitations were tiresome.他的疑惑和犹豫令人厌烦。
• He was tiresome in contending for the value of his own labors.他老为他自己劳动的价值而争强斗胜，令人生厌。

19 procured   

v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条

参考例句：

• These cars are to be procured through open tender. 这些汽车要用公开招标的办法购买。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• A friend procured a position in the bank for my big brother. 一位朋友为我哥哥谋得了一个银行的职位。 来自《用法词典》

20 housekeeper   

n.管理家务的主妇，女管家

参考例句：

• A spotless stove told us that his mother is a diligent housekeeper.炉子清洁无瑕就表明他母亲是个勤劳的主妇。
• She is an economical housekeeper and feeds her family cheaply.她节约持家，一家人吃得很省。

21 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

22 bosom   

n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的

参考例句：

• She drew a little book from her bosom.她从怀里取出一本小册子。
• A dark jealousy stirred in his bosom.他内心生出一阵恶毒的嫉妒。

23 sketch   

n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述

参考例句：

• My sister often goes into the country to sketch. 我姐姐常到乡间去写生。
• I will send you a slight sketch of the house.我将给你寄去房屋的草图。

24 recital   

n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会

参考例句：

• She is going to give a piano recital.她即将举行钢琴独奏会。
• I had their total attention during the thirty-five minutes that my recital took.在我叙述的35分钟内，他们完全被我吸引了。

25 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

26 ascending   

adj.上升的，向上的

参考例句：

• Now draw or trace ten dinosaurs in ascending order of size.现在按照体型由小到大的顺序画出或是临摹出10只恐龙。

27 penetrating   

adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的

参考例句：

• He had an extraordinarily penetrating gaze. 他的目光有股异乎寻常的洞察力。
• He examined the man with a penetrating gaze. 他以锐利的目光仔细观察了那个人。

28 longitude   

n.经线，经度

参考例句：

• The city is at longitude 21°east.这个城市位于东经21度。
• He noted the latitude and longitude,then made a mark on the admiralty chart.他记下纬度和经度，然后在航海图上做了个标记。