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第13章

tom swift in the land of wonders(汤姆·史威夫特-奇境)-第13章


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that dot the Caribbean Sea。 

     There was nothing to do but to let the storm blow itself out; which it 

did in two days。       Then came a period of delightful weather。               The cargo 

had shifted somewhat; which gave the steamer a rather undignified list。 

     This; as well as the loss of a deckhand overboard; was the effect of the 

hurricane; and though the end of the trip came amid sunshine and sweet… 

scented tropical breezes; many could not forget the dangers through which 

they had passed。 

     In due time Tom and his party found themselves safely housed in the 

small    hotel   at  Puerto   Cortes;    their  belongings     stored   in  a  convenient 

warehouse and themselves; rather weary by reason of the stress of weather; 

ready for the start into the interior wilds of Honduras。 

     〃How are we going to make the trip?〃 asked Ned; as they sat at supper; 

the first night after their arrival; eating of several dishes; the red… pepper 

condiments of which caused frequent trips to the water pitcher。 

     〃We can go in two ways; and perhaps we shall find it to our advantage 

to   use   both   means;〃    said  Professor    Bumper。      〃To    get  to  this  city  of 

Kurzon;〃 he proceeded in a   low  voice; so that none of   the others   in   the 



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                        TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS 



dining…room would hear them; 〃we will have to go either by mule back or 

boat to a point near Copan。           As near   as I can tell   by the ancient   maps; 

Kurzon is in the Copan valley。 

     〃Now the Chamelecon river seems to run to within a short distance of 

there; but there is no telling how far up it may be navigable。              If we can go 

by boat it will be much more comfortable。 Travel by mules and ox…carts is 

slow  and   sure;  but   the   roads   are   very  bad;   as   I have   heard   from  friends 

who have made explorations in Honduras。 

     〃And; as I said; we may have to use both land and water travel to get 

us where we want to go。 We can proceed as far as possible up the river; 

and then take to the mules。〃 

     〃What about arranging for boats and animals?〃 asked Tom。                   〃I should 

think〃 

     He suddenly ceased talking and reached for the water; taking several 

large swallows。 

     〃Whew!〃 he exclaimed; when he could catch his breath。 〃That was a 

hot one。〃 

     〃What did you do?〃 asked Ned。 

     〃Bit   into   a   nest   of   red   pepper。 Guess   I'll   have   to   tell   that   cook   to 

scatter his hits。     He's bunching 'em too much in my direction;〃 and Tom 

wiped the tears from his eyes。 

     〃To answer your question;〃 said Professor Bumper; 〃I will say that I 

have   made   partial   arrangements   for   men   and   animals;   and   boats   if   it   is 

found feasible to use them。          I've been in correspondence with one of the 

merchants here; and he promised to make arrangements for us。〃 

     〃When do we leave?〃 asked Mr。 Damon。 

     〃As soon as possible。        I am not going to risk anything by delay;〃 and 

it was evident the professor referred to his young rival whose arrival might 

be expected almost any time。 

     As the party was about to leave the table; they were approached by a 

tall;   dignified   Spaniard   who   bowed   low;   rather   exaggeratedly   low;   Ned 

thought; and addressed them in fairly good English。 

     〃Your pardons;   Senors;〃 he   began;  〃but   if   it   will   please   you   to   avail 

yourself of the humble services of myself; I shall have great pleasure in 



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                        TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS 



guiding   you   into   the   interior。  I   have   at   my   command   both   mules   and 

boats。〃 

     〃How do you know we are going into the interior?〃 asked Tom; a bit 

sharply; for he did not like the assurance of the man。 

     〃Pardon; Senor。       I saw that you are from the States。          And those from 

the States do not come to Honduras except for two reasons。                 To travel and 

make explorations or to start trade; and professors do not usually engage 

in trade;〃 and he bowed to Professor Bumper。 

     〃I   saw   your   name   on   the   register;〃   he   proceeded;   〃and   it   was   not 

difficult to guess your mission;〃 and he flashed a smile on the party; his 

white teeth showing brilliantly beneath his small; black moustache。 

     〃I make it my business to outfit traveling parties; either for business; 

pleasure or scientific matters。        I am; at your service; Val Jacinto;〃 and he 

introduced himself with another low bow。 

     For   a   moment   Tom   and   his   friends   hardly   knew   how   to   accept   this 

offer。    It might be; as the man had said; that he was a professional tour 

conductor;     like   those   who   have    charge    of  Egyptian    donkey…boys      and 

guides。     Or might he not be a spy? 

     This occurred to Tom no less than to Professor Bumper。                 They looked 

at one another while Val Jacinto bowed again and murmured: 

     〃At your service!〃 

     〃Can you provide means for taking us to the Copan valley?〃 asked the 

professor。     〃You are right in one respect。         I am a scientist and I purpose 

doing some exploring near Copan。             Can you get us there?〃 

     〃Most   expensivelyI   mean;   most   expeditionlessly;〃   said   Val   Jacinto 

eagerly。     〃Pardon my unhappy English。            I forget at times。      The charges 

will be most moderate。         I can send you by boat as far as the river travel is 

good; and then have mules and ox…carts in waiting。〃 

     〃How far is it?〃 asked Tom。 

     〃A hundred miles as the vulture flies; Senor; but much farther by river 

and road。     We shall be a week going。〃 

     〃A  hundred   miles   in   a   week!〃   groaned   Ned。   〃Say;   Tom;   if   you   had 

your aeroplane we'd be there in an hour。〃 

     〃Yes; but we haven't it。       However; we're in no great rush。〃 



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                         TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS 



     〃But     we   must    not   lose   time;〃    said   Professor    Bumper。       〃I   shall 

consider your offer;〃 he added to Val Jacinto。 

     〃Very  good;  Senor。        I  am  sure  you   will   be   pleased   with   the   humble 

service I may offer you; and my charges will be small。                     Adios;〃 and he 

bowed himself away。 

     〃What   do   you   think   of   him?〃   asked   Ned;   as   they   went   up   to   their 

rooms in the hotel; or rather one large room; containing several beds。 

     〃He's a pretty slick article;〃 said Mr。 Damon。 〃Bless my check…book! 

but he spotted us at once; in spite of our secrecy。〃 

     〃I   guess   these   guide   purveyors   are   trained   for   that   sort   of   thing;〃 

observed   the   scientist。  〃I   know   my  friends   have   often   spoken   of   having 

had   the   same   experience。       However;   I   shall   ask   my   friend;   who   is   in 

business here;  about this Val Jacinto;  and if I   find him  all right   we   may 

engage him 〃 

     Inquiries   next   morning   brought   the   information;   from   the   head   of   a 

rubber exporting   firm with   whom the   professor was   acquainted; that   the 

Spaniard   was   regularly   engaged   in   transporting   parties   into   the   interior; 

and     was    considered     efficient;    careful   and    as   honest    as   pos…   sible; 

considering the men he engaged as workers。 

     〃So we have decided to engage you;〃 Professor Bumper informed Val 

Jacinto the afternoon following the meeting。 

     〃I   am   more   than   pleased;   Senor。    I   shall   take   you   into   the   wilds   of 

Honduras。       At your service!〃 and he bowed low

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