“But how?”
“By crossing Australia, as we crossed South America.”
“But the Duncan?” added Ayrton, with singular persistency.
“The Duncan will join us, or we will join her, according to circumstances. If Captain Grant is found during our journey, we will return together to Melbourne. If, on the contrary, we continue our search to the coast, the Duncan shall join us there. Who has any objections to make to this plan? Have you, major?”
“No,” replied MacNabb, “if it is practicable.”
“So practicable,” said Paganel, “that I propose that Lady Helena and Miss Grant accompany us.”
“Do you speak seriously, Paganel?” asked Glenarvan.
“Quite seriously, my lord. It is a journey of three hundred and fifty miles. At the rate of twelve miles a day it would last scarcely a month—long enough to give time for repairing the Duncan.”
“But the ferocious animals?” said Glenarvan, wishing to state all possible objections.
“There are none in Australia.”
“But the savages?”
“There are none in the course we shall take.”
“Well, then, the convicts?”
“There are no convicts in the southern provinces of Australia, but only in the eastern colonies.”
“Mr. Paganel is perfectly right,” said O’Moore; “they have all left the southern provinces. Since I have lived on this farm, I have not heard of one.”
“And, for my part, I never met one,” added Ayrton.
“You see, my friends,” continued Paganel, “that there are few savages, no wild beasts, and no convicts. There are not many countries of Europe of which we could say as much. Well, is it agreed?”
“What do you think, Helena?” asked Glenarvan.
“What we all think,” replied she, turning towards her companions. “Forward!”
XXXII
Preparations for the Journey
It was not Glenarvan’s habit to lose time in adopting and executing a plan. As soon as Paganel’s proposal was accepted, he at once resolved that the preparations for the journey should be completed as soon as possible.
And what was to be the result of this search? The existence of Harry Grant seemed to have become undeniable, which increased the probabilities of success. No one expected to find the captain exactly on the line of the thirty-seventh parallel; but perhaps they would come upon traces of him, and, at all events, their course would bring them straight to the scene of the shipwreck, which was the principal point.
Moreover, if Ayrton would consent to join the travelers, to guide them through the forests, and to the eastern coast, there was another chance of success. Glenarvan felt the importance of this arrangement, and was therefore particularly desirous of obtaining the services of Captain Grant’s companion. He inquired of his host whether he was willing for him to propose to Ayrton to accompany them. Mr. O’Moore consented, though not without regret at losing so good an assistant.
“Well, Ayrton, will you aid us in our search for the sailors of the Britannia?”
The quartermaster did not answer immediately; he seemed to hesitate for a few moments, but finally, after reflecting, said:
“Yes, my lord, I will follow you; and, if I do not set you upon the track of Captain Grant, I will at least guide you to the place where his vessel was wrecked.”
“Thanks,” replied Glenarvan.
“One question, my lord.”
“Ask it.”
“Where will you join the Duncan?”
“At Melbourne, if we do not cross Australia; on the eastern coast, if our search is continued so far.”
“But the captain of the Duncan?”
“He will await my orders at Melbourne.”
“Very well, my lord,” said Ayrton; “rely on me.”
“I will,” replied Glenarvan.
The quartermaster was heartily thanked by the travelers. Captain Grant’s children lavished upon him their most grateful caresses. All were delighted at his decision, except the colonist, who would lose in him an intelligent and faithful assistant. But he understood the importance that Glenarvan attached to this new addition to his force, and was resigned. He had, moreover, engaged to furnish them with the means of conveyance for the journey, and, this business being settled, the party returned on board.
Everything was now changed; all hesitation had vanished. These courageous searchers were no longer to wander on blindly. Harry Grant, they believed, had found a refuge on the continent, and each heart was full of the satisfaction that certainty brings when it takes the place of doubt. In two months, perhaps, the Duncan would land the lost captain on the shores of Scotland.
When Captain Mangles seconded the proposal that they should attempt to cross Australia with the ladies, he supposed that this time he would accompany the expedition. He therefore consulted Glenarvan on the subject, and brought forward various arguments in his own favor, such as his desire to take part in the search for his countryman, and his usefulness in the undertaking.
“One question, John,” said Glenarvan. “You have absolute confidence in your mate?”
“Absolute,” replied he. “Tom Austin is a good sailor. He will take the Duncan to Melbourne, repair her thoroughly, and bring her back at the appointed time. He is a man devoted to duty and discipline, and will never take the responsibility of changing or delaying the execution of an order. You can rely upon him as fully as on myself.”
“Very well, captain,” replied Glenarvan; “you shall accompany us; for,” added he, smiling, “you certainly ought to be present when we find Mary Grant’s father.”
“Ah, my lord!” murmured Captain Mangles, with something like a blush upon his swarthy cheeks.
The next day the captain, accompanied by the carpenter and by the sailors loaded with provisions, returned to the farm of Mr. O’Moore, who was to assist him in the preparations. All the family were waiting for him, ready to work under his orders. Ayrton was there, and freely gave them the benefit of his experience. He and his employer were agreed on this point, that the ladies ought to make the journey in an oxcart, and the gentlemen on horseback. The colonist could procure them the animals and vehicle.
The vehicle was a cart twenty feet long and covered with an awning, the whole resting upon four wheels, without spokes, felloes, or tires.
