a journey in other worlds-第24章
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greatest length was east and west； or along the lines of
latitude； so that the whole of that region might have been
exposed to the same conditions of temperature； strengthens this
hypothesis。 The strongest objection is； that the spot is said to
have moved； but the motionfive secondswas so slight that it
might easily have been an error in observation； or the first area
affected by the cold may have been enlarged on one side。 It
seems to me that the stability the spot DID have would make the
cloud theory impossible on earth； and much more so here； with the
far more rapid rotation and more violent winds。 It may also have
been a cloud of smoke from a volcano in eruption； such as we saw
on our arrival； though it is doubtful whether in that case it
would have remained nearly stationary while going through its
greatest intensity and fading； which would look as though the
turned leaves had fallen off and been gradually replaced by new
ones； and； in addition to this； the spot since it was first
noticed has never entirely disappeared； which might mean a
volcanic region constantly emitting smoke； or that the surface；
doubtless from some covering whose colour can change； is normally
of a different shade from the surrounding region。 In any case；
we have as yet seen nothing that would indicate a permanently
clouded atmosphere。〃
Though they had walked a considerable distance； the water was not
much cooled； and though the stream's descent was so slight that
on earth its current would have been very slow； here it rushed
along like a mountain torrent； the reason； of course； being that
a given amount of water on Jupiter would depress a spring balance
2。55 times as much as on the earth。
〃It is strange；〃 said Ayrault； 〃that； notwithstanding its great
speed； the water remains so hot； you would think its motion would
cool it。〃
〃So it does；〃 answered the professor。 〃It of course cools
considerably more in a given periodas； for instance； one
minutethan if it were moving more slowly； but on account of its
speed it has been exposed to the air but a very short time since
leaving the spring。〃
Just before them the stream now widened into a narrow lake； which
they could see was straight for some distance。
〃The fact is；〃 said Bearwarden； 〃this water seems in such haste
to reach the ocean that it turns neither to right nor to left；
and does not even seem to wish to widen out。〃
As the huge ferns and palms grew to the water's edge； they
concluded the best way to traverse the lake would be on a raft。
Accordingly； choosing a large overhanging palm； Bearwarden and
Ayrault fired each an explosive ball into its trunk； about
eighteen inches from the ground。 One round was enough to put it
in the water； each explosion removing several cubic feet of wood。
By repeating this process on other trees they soon had enough
large timber for buoyancy； so that they had but to superimpose
lighter cross…logs and bind the whole together with pliable
branches and creepers to form a substantial raft。 The doctor
climbed on； after which Bearwarden and Ayrault cast off； having
prepared long poles for navigating。 With a little care they kept
their bark from catching on projecting roots； and as the stream
continued to widen till it was about one hundred yards across；
their work became easy。 Carried along at a speed of two or three
miles an hour； they now saw that the water and the banks they
passed were literally alive with reptiles and all sorts of
amphibious creatures； while winged lizards sailed from every
overhanging branch into the water as they approached。 They
noticed also many birds similar to storks and cranes； about the
size of ostriches； standing on logs in the water； whose bills
were provided with teeth。
〃We might almost think we were on earth；〃 said Ayrault； 〃from the
looks of those storks standing on one leg； with the other drawn
up； were it not for their size。〃
〃How do you suppose they defend themselves；〃 asked Bearwarden；
〃from the snakes with which the water is filled？〃
〃I suspect they can give a pretty good account of themselves；〃
replied Cortlandt； 〃with those teeth。 Besides； with only one leg
exposed； there is but a very small object for a snake to strike
at。 For their number and size； I should say their struggle for
existence was comparatively mild。 Doubtless non…poisonous； or；
for that matter； poisonous snakes； form a great part of their
diet。〃
On passing the bend in the lake they noticed that the banks were
slightly higher； while palms； pine…trees； and rubber plants
succeeded the ferns。 In the distance they now heard a tremendous
crashing； which grew louder as the seconds passed。 It finally
sounded like an earthquake。 Involuntarily they held their breath
and grasped their weapons。 Finally； at some distance in the
woods they saw a dark mass moving rapidly and approaching the
river obliquely。 Palms and pine…trees went down before it like
straws； while its head was continually among the upper branches。
As the monster neared the lake； the water at the edges quivered；
showing how its weight shook the banks at each stride； while
stumps and tree…trunks on which it stepped were pressed out of
sight in the ground。 A general exodus of the other inhabitants
from his line of march began； the moccasins slid into the water
with a low splash； while the boa…constrictors and the tree…snakes
moved off along the ground when they felt it tremble； and a
number of night birds retreated into the denser woods with loud
cries at being so rudely disturbed。 The huge beast did not stop
till he reached the bank； where lie switched his tail； raised his
proboscis； and sniffed the air uneasily； his height being fully
thirty feet and his length about fifty。 On seeing the raft and
its occupants； he looked at them stupidly and threw back his
head。
〃He seems to be turning up his nose at us；〃 said Bearwarden。
〃All the same； he will do well for breakfast。〃
As the creature moved； his chest struck a huge overhanging palm；
tearing it off as though it had been a reed。 Brushing it aside
with his trunk； he was about to continue his march； when two
rifle reports rang out together； rousing the echoes and a number
of birds that screeched loudly。
CHAPTER VI。
MASTODON AND WILL…O'…THE WISPS。
Bearwarden's bullet struck the mammoth in the shoulder； while
Ayrault's aim was farther back。 As the balls exploded； a
half…barrelful of flesh and hide was shot from each； leaving two
gaping holes。 Instantly he rushed among the trees； making his
course known for some time by his roars。 As he turned；
Bearwarden fired again； but the hall flew over him； blowing off
the top of a tree。
〃Now for the chase！〃 said Ayrault。 〃There would be no excuse for
losing him。〃
Quickly pushing their raft to shore and securing it to the bank；
the three jumped off。 Thanks to their rubber boots and galvanic
outfits which automatically kept them charged； they were as spry
as they would have been on earth。 The ground all about them； and
in a strip twelve feet wide where the mammoth had gone； was torn
up； and the vegetation trodden down。 Following this trail； they
struck back into the woods； where in places the gloom cast by the
thick foliage was so dense that there was a mere twilight；
startling as they went numbers of birds of grey and sombre
plumage； whose necks and heads； and the sounds they uttered； were
so reptilian that the three terrestrials believed they must also
possess poison fangs。
〃The most highly developed things we have seen here；〃 said
Bearwarden； 〃are the flowers and fireflies； most of the birds and
amphibians being simply loathsome。〃
As they proceeded they found tracks of blood； which were rapidly
attracting swarms of the reptile birds and snakes； which；
however； as a rule； fled at their approach。
〃I wonder what can have caused that mammoth to move so fast； and
to have seemed so ill at ease？〃 said the doctor。 〃His motive
certainly was not thirst； for he did not approach the water in a
direct line； neither did he drink on reaching it。 One w
