Cesar Cascabel, Deel 2 / Over het IJs en door de Steppe

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26395

Title

Cesar Cascabel, Deel 2 / Over het IJs en door de Steppe

Language

nl

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In Jules Verne's adventurous sequel, the Cascabel family crosses the frozen Bering Strait in a heavy wagon pulled by reindeer. Facing treacherous ice, extreme cold, and vast Siberian steppes, they navigate from Alaska to the Ural Mountains. Along the way, they encounter indigenous tribes, survive harsh winters, and uncover a hidden fortune, ultimately returning home to find happiness and prosperity.

Summary up to 500 words

This second volume of 'Cesar Cascabel' continues the family's perilous journey from the American coast across the frozen Bering Strait to Siberia. Departing from Port-Clarence, the party—comprising Cesar, Cornelia, Kayette, Sergius, and others—travels in a wagon named 'De Schoone Zwerfster,' pulled by reindeer. The initial crossing is fraught with danger; the ice is cracked, visibility is poor due to snowstorms, and the travelers must adhere to strict safety rules, stopping when visibility drops below a hundred steps. They face the daunting prospect of crossing a vast frozen sea, a journey deemed far more dangerous than traveling on solid ground. Upon reaching the Asian shore near the mouth of the Lena River, the group faces the challenges of the Siberian interior. The landscape is a flat, snow-covered expanse where the sun barely rises above the horizon. The travelers discuss their route, deciding to head southwest towards the Ural Mountains, the border between Asia and Europe. They traverse the territories of the Lena, Anabara, Khatanga, Jenisei, and Obi rivers, covering approximately 750 miles before reaching the Urals. The journey is physically demanding, requiring the reindeer to pull the heavy wagon through deep snow, though the animals are well-fed and willing. The narrative highlights the resourcefulness of the characters. Cascabel uses his talent for ventriloquism to impress the superstitious inhabitants of the Liakhoff Islands, securing their trust and assistance. He also manages the group's supplies, including dried hay for the reindeer and preserved food for the humans. Hunting provides additional sustenance, with dogs catching ptarmigans and wild ducks. The group also interacts with local Russians, including Ortik and Kirschef, who offer guidance and protection against potential bandits. A significant plot point involves the discovery of a large lump of gold found by the young Sander in the Caribou forest. Initially hidden, its value is revealed to be twenty thousand roubles. Count Narkine, a friend of the family, verifies the gold's authenticity and converts it into a bank draft, ensuring the family's financial security. This windfall allows them to abandon their need for manual labor upon returning to France. The journey concludes with the family reaching Perm and Nizhny Novgorod by July, just in time for the local fairs. After a brief stay in Russia, they return to their homeland in Normandy. The story ends on a heartwarming note: Jan and Kayette marry, the family settles as landowners, and Count Narkine visits them annually with his adopted son and daughter-in-law. The tale celebrates themes of endurance, friendship, and the triumph of human spirit against nature's harshest elements, concluding with a happy resolution for all involved.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction
• Travel