human
Messieurs would like to see, said the friendly waiter.
gpt
They will come up-stairs to the long _salle_ whose windows give upon the harbour.
human
But what's the matter? cried Rodd.
gpt
Is there a wreck?
human
A wreck, sare? said the waiter, shaking his head.
gpt
No, I know not wreck.
human
Has a ship come ashore and is breaking up?
gpt
Ha, ha! No, no, no, no, no, no, no! You would say _naufrage. Non, non, non_! It is a sheep in the harbour; a foreign spy. They say it has come to set fire to the town.
human
Then they have chosen a very bad night for it,
gpt
Monsieur is right. Nosing would burn. But the enemies of la France, my great country, not stop to think of zat.
human
Oh, but that must be a rumour, Rodd, said Uncle Paul uneasily.
gpt
Why, surely they are not going to fancy that our English schooner is a spy and an enemy!
human
English! Oh non, monsieur. You are from the little two-mast. It is not you. It is some enemy of the King whose sheep is in the harbour, and great dispatches have come to the Governor that she is to be seized. Ah, there again, monsieur! Anozzer gun from the fort.