penguin island-第21章

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describe　the　Russian　army　as　the　finest　in　the　world；　and　also　the　Japanese。　And　it　should　be　noticed　that　even　after　suffering　the　most　terrible　reverses　an　army　does　not　fall　from　its　position　of　being　the　finest　in　the　world。　For　if　nations　ascribe　their　victories　to　the　ability　of　their　generals　and　the　courage　of　their　soldiers；　they　always　attribute　their　defeats　to　an　inexplicable　fatality。　On　the　other　hand；　navies　are　classed　according　to　the　number　of　their　ships。　There　is　a　first；　a　second；　a　third；　and　so　on。　So　that　there　exists　no　doubt　as　to　the　result　of　naval　wars。

The　Penguins　had　the　finest　army　and　the　second　navy　in　the　world。　This　navy　was　commanded　by　the　famous　Chatillon；　who　bore　the　title　of　Emiralbahr；　and　by　abbreviation　Emiral。　It　is　the　same　word　which；　unfortunately　in　a　corrupt　form；　is　used　to…day　among　several　European　nations　to　designate　the　highest　grade　in　the　naval　service。　But　as　there　was　but　one　Emiral　among　the　Penguins；　a　singular　prestige；　if　I　dare　say　so；　was　attached　to　that　rank。

The　Emiral　did　not　belong　to　the　nobility。　A　child　of　the　people；　he　was　loved　by　the　people。　They　were　flattered　to　see　a　man　who　sprang　from　their　own　ranks　holding　a　position　of　honour。　Chatillon　was　good…looking　and　fortune　favoured　him。　He　was　not　over…addicted　to　thought。　No　event　ever　disturbed　his　serene　outlook。

The　Reverend　Father　Agaric；　surrendering　to　M。　Bigourd's　reasons　and　recognising　that　the　existing　government　could　only　be　destroyed　by　one　of　its　defenders；　cast　his　eyes　upon　Emiral　Chatillon。　He　asked　a　large　sum　of　money　from　his　friend；　the　Reverend　Father　Cornemuse；　which　the　latter　handed　him　with　a　sigh。　And　with　this　sum　he　hired　six　hundred　butcher　boys　of　Alca　to　run　behind　Chatillon's　horse　and　shout；　〃Hurrah　for　the　Emiral！〃　Henceforth　Chatillon　could　not　take　a　single　step　without　being　cheered。

Viscountess　Olive　asked　him　for　a　private　interview。　He　received　her　at　the　Admiralty*　in　a　room　decorated　with　anchors；　shells；　and　grenades。

*　Or　better；　Emiralty。


She　was　discreetly　dressed　in　greyish　blue。　A　hat　trimmed　with　roses　covered　her　pretty；　fair　hair；　Behind　her　veil　her　eyes　shone　like　sapphires。　Although　she　came　of　Jewish　origin　there　was　no　more　fashionable　woman　in　the　whole　nobility。　She　was　tall　and　well　shaped；　her　form　was　that　of　the　year；　her　figure　that　of　the　season。

〃Emiral；〃　said　she；　in　a　delightful　voice；　〃I　cannot　conceal　my　emotion　from　you。　。　。　。　It　is　very　natural　。　。　。　before　a　hero。〃

〃You　are　too　kind。　But　tell　me；　Viscountess；　what　brings　me　the　honour　of　your　visit。〃

〃For　a　long　time　I　have　been　anxious　to　see　you；　to　speak　to　you。　。　。　。　So　I　very　willingly　undertook　to　convey　a　message　to　you。〃

〃Please　take　a　seat。〃

〃How　still　it　is　here。〃

〃Yes；　it　is　quiet　enough。〃

〃You　can　hear　the　birds　singing。〃

〃Sit　down；　then；　dear　lady。〃

And　he　drew　up　an　arm…chair　for　her。

She　took　a　seat　with　her　back　to　the　light。

〃Emiral；　I　came　to　bring　you　a　very　important　message；　a　message。　。　。〃

〃Explain。〃

〃Emiral；　have　you　ever　seen　Prince　Crucho？〃

〃Never。〃

She　sighed。

〃It　is　a　great　pity。　He　would　be　so　delighted　to　see　you！　He　esteems　and　appreciates　you。　He　has　your　portrait　on　his　desk　beside　his　mother's。　What　a　pity　it　is　he　is　not　better　known！　He　is　a　charming　prince　and　so　grateful　for　what　is　done　for　him！　He　will　be　a　great　king。　For　he　will　be　king　without　doubt。　He　will　come　back　and　sooner　than　people　think。　。　。　。　What　I　have　to　tell　you；　the　message　with　which　I　am　entrusted；　refers　precisely　to。　。　。〃

The　Emiral　stood　up。

〃Not　a　word　more；　dear　lady。　I　have　the　esteem；　the　confidence　of　the　Republic。　I　will　not　betray　it。　And　why　should　I　betray　it？　I　am　loaded　honours　and　dignities。〃

〃Allow　me　to　tell　you；　my　dear　Emiral；　that　your　honours　and　dignities　are　far　from　equalling　what　you　deserve。　If　your　services　were　properly　rewarded；　you　would　be　Emiralissimo　and　Generalissimo；　Commander…in…chief　of　the　troops　both　on　land　and　sea。　The　Republic　is　very　ungrateful　to　you。〃

〃All　governments　are　more　or　less　ungrateful。〃

〃Yes；　but　the　Republicans　are　jealous　of　you。　That　class　of　person　is　always　afraid　of　his　superiors。　They　cannot　endure　the　Services。　Everything　that　has　to　do　with　the　navy　and　the　army　is　odious　to　them。　They　are　afraid　of　you。〃

〃That　is　possible。〃

〃They　are　wretches；　they　are　ruining　the　country。　Don't　you　wish　to　save　Penguinia？

〃In　what　way？〃

〃By　sweeping　away　all　the　rascals　of　the　Republic；　all　the　Republicans。〃

〃What　a　proposal　to　make　to　me；　dear　lady！〃

〃It　is　what　will　certainly　be　done；　if　not　by　you；　then　by　some　one　else。　The　Generalissimo；　to　mention　him　alone；　is　ready　to　throw　all　the　ministers；　deputies；　and　senators　into　the　sea；　and　to　recall　Prince　Crucho。〃

〃Oh；　the　rascal；　the　scoundrel；〃　exclaimed　the　Emiral。

〃Do　to　him　what　he　would　do　to　you。　The　prince　will　know　how　to　recognise　your　services；　He　will　give　you　the　Constable's　sword　and　a　magnificent　grant。　I　am　commissioned；　in　the　mean　time；　to　hand　you　a　pledge　of　his　royal　friendship。〃

As　she　said　these　words　she　drew　a　green　cockade　from　her　bosom。

〃What　is　that？〃　asked　the　Emiral。

〃It　is　his　colours　which　Crucho　sends　you。〃

〃Be　good　enough　to　take　them　back。〃

〃So　that　they　may　be　offered　to　the　Generalissimo　who　will　accept　them！　。　。　。　No；　Emiral；　let　me　place　them　on　your　glorious　breast。〃

Chatillon　gently　repelled　the　lady。　But　for　some　minutes　he　thought　her　extremely　pretty；　and　he　felt　this　impression　still　more　when　two　bare　arms　and　the　rosy　palms　of　two　delicate　hands　touched　him　lightly。　He　yielded　almost　immediately。　Olive　was　slow　in　fastening　the　ribbon。　Then　when　it　was　done　she　made　a　low　courtesy　and　saluted　Chatillon　with　the　title　of　Constable。

〃I　have　been　ambitious　like　my　comrades；〃　answered　the　sailor；　〃I　don't　hide　it；　and　perhaps　I　am　so　still；　but　u　on　my　word　of　honour；　when　I　look　at　you；　the　only；　desire　I　feel　is　for　a　cottage　and　a　heart。〃

She　turned　upon　him　the　charming　sapphire　glances　that　flashed　from　under　her　eyelids。

〃That　is　to　be　had　also　。　。　。　what　are　you　doing；　Emiral？〃

〃I　am　looking　for　the　heart。〃

When　she　left　the　Admiralty；　the　Viscountess　went　immediately　to　the　Reverend　Father　Agaric　to　give　an　account　of　her　visit。

〃You　must　go　to　him　again；　dear　lady；〃　said　that　austere　monk。



V。　THE　PRINCE　DES　BOSCENOS

Morning　and　evening　the　newspapers　that　had　been　bought　by　the　Dracophils　proclaimed　Chatillon's　praises　and　hurled　shame　and　opprobrium　upon　the　Ministers　of　the　Republic。　Chatillon's　portrait　was　sold　through　the　streets　of　Alca。　Those　young　descendants　of　Remus　who　carry　plaster　figures　on　their　heads；　offered　busts　of　Chatillon　for　sale　upon　the　bridges。

Every　evening　Chatillon　rode　upon　his　white　horse　round　the　Queen's　Meadow；　a　place　frequented　by　the　people　of　fashion。　The　Dracophils　posted　along　the　Emiral's　route　a　crowd　of　needy　Penguins　who　kept　shouting：　〃It　is　Chatillon　we　want。〃　The　middle　classes　of　Alca　conceived　a　profound　admiration　for　the　Emiral。　Shopwomen　murmured：　〃He　is　good…looking。〃　Women　of　fashion　slackened　the　speed　of　their　motor…cars　and　kissed　hands　to　him　as　they　passed；　amidst　the　hurrahs　of　an　enthusiastic　populace。

One　day；　as　he　went　into　a　tobacco　shop；　two　Penguins　who　were　putting　letters　in　the　box　recognized　Chatillon　and　cried　at　the　top　of　their　voices：　〃Hurrah　for　the　Emiral！　Down　with　the　Republicans。〃　All　those　who　were　passing　stopped　in　front　of　the　shop。　Chatillon　lighted　his　cigar　before　the　eyes　of　a　dense　crowd　of　frenzied　citizens　who　waved　their　hats　and　cheered。　The　crowd　kept　increasing；　and　the　whole　town；　singing　and　marching　behind　its　hero；　went　back　with　him　to　the　Admiralty。

The　Emiral　had　an　old　comrade　in　arms；　Under…Emiral　Vulcanmould；　who　had　served　with　great　distinction；　a　man　as　true　as　gold　and　as　loyal　as　his　sword。　Vulcanmould　plumed　himself　on　his　thoroughgoing　independence　and　he　went　among　the　partisans　of　Crucho　and　the　Minister　of　the　Republic　telling　both　parties　what　he　thought　of　them。　M。　Bigourd　maliciously　declared　that　he　told　each　party　what　the　other　party　thought　of　it。　In　truth　he　had　on　several　occasions　been　guilty　of　regrettable　indiscretions；　which　were　overlooked　as　being　the　freedoms　of　a　soldier　who　knew　nothing　of　intrigue。　Every　morning　he　went　to　see　Chatillon；　whom　he　treated　with　the　cordial　roughness　of　a　brother　in　arms。

〃Well；　old　buffer；　so　you　are　popular；〃　said　he　to　him。　〃Your　phiz　is　sold　on　the　heads　of　pipes　and　on　liqueur　bottles　and　every　drunkard　in　Alca　spits　out　your　name　as　he　rolls　in　the　gutter。　。　。　。　Chatillon；　the　hero　of　the　Penguins！　Chatillon；　defender　of　the　Penguin　glory！　。　。　。　Who　would　have　said　it？　Who　would　have　thought　it？〃

And　he　laughed　with　his　harsh　laugh。　Then　changing　his　tone：　〃But；　joking　aside；　are　you　not　a　bit　surprised　at　what　is　happening　to　you？〃

〃No；　indeed；〃　answered　Chatillon。

And　out　went　the　honest　Vulcanmould；　banging　the　door　behind　him。

In　the　mean　time　Chatillon　had　taken　a　little　flat　at　number　18　Johannes…Talpa　Street；　so　that　he　might　receive　Viscountess　Olive。　They　met　there　every　day。　He　was　desperately　in　love　with　her。　During　his　martial　and　neptunian　life　he　had　loved　crowds　of　women；　red；　black；　yellow；　and　white；　and　some　of　them　had　been　very　beautiful。　But　before　he　met　the　Viscountess　he　did　not　know　what　a　woman　really　was。　When　the　Viscountess　Olive　called　him　her　darling；　her　dear　darling；　he　felt　in　heaven　and　it　seemed　to　him　that　the　stars　shone　in　her　hair。

She　would　come　a　little　late；　and；　as　she　put　her　ba；q　on　the　table；　she　would　ask　pensively：

〃Let　me　sit　on　your　knee。〃

And　then　she　would　talk　of　subjects　suggested　by　the　pious　Agaric；　interrupting　the　conversation　with　sighs　and　kisses。　She　would　ask　him　to　dismiss　such　and　such　an　officer；　to　give　a　command　to　another；　to　send　the　squadron　here　or　there。　And　at　the　right　moment　she　would　exclaim：

〃How　young　you　are；　my　dear！〃

And　he　did　whatever　she　wished；　for　he　was　simple；　he　was　anxious　to　wear　the　Constable's　sword；　and　to　receive　a　large　grant；　he　did　not　dislike　playing　a　double　part；　he　had　a　vague　idea　of　saving　Penguinia；　and　he　was　in　love。

This　delightful　woman　induced　him　to　remove　the　troops　that　were　at　La　Cirque；　the　port　where　Crucho　was　to　land。　By　this　means　it　was　made　certain　that　there　would　be　no　obstacle　to　prevent　the　prince　from　entering　Penguinia。

The　pious　Agaric　organised　public　meetings　so　as　to　keep　up　the　agitation。　The　Dracophils　held　one　or　two　every　day　in　some　of　the　thirty…six　districts　of　Alca；　and　preferably　in　the　poorer　quarters。　They　desired　to　win　over　the　poor；　for　they　are　the　most　numerous。　On　the　fourth　of　May　a　particularly　fine　meeting　was　held　in　an　old　cattle…market；　situated　in　the　centre　of　a　populous　suburb　filled　with　housewives　sitting　on　the　doorsteps　and　children　playing　in　the　gutters。　There　were　present　about　two　thousand　people；　in　the　opinion　of　the　Republicans；　and　six　thousand　according　to　the　reckoning　of　the　Dracophils。　In　the　audience　was　to　be　seen　the　flower　of　Penguin　society；　including　Prince　and　Princess　des　Boscenos；　Count　Clena