human
I wish I were captain of her, he declared, at last.
gpt
I'd like to conquer England.
human
I felt just so once, responded Uncle Jack.
gpt
There is more in England that is worth capturing than there is anywhere else. You would need more than one ship, though. I tried the experiment, but the English beat me.
human
Oh! exclaimed Ned.
gpt
I know how you tried it. You went alone, though, and without any _Kentucky_.
human
No, said his uncle,
gpt
I didn't go alone. Your aunt went with me. So did thousands of other brave Americans. They try it every year, and they always come home beaten.
human
Yes, sir! said Ned.
gpt
They spend all their money, and are glad to get back. They say the English can whip anything in all the world except Americans. I'm going there, some day. I don't believe there is any British ship that can whip the _Kentucky_.
human
She certainly is magnificent, replied his uncle.
gpt
She is a tremendous war machine. What we are ever to do with her, however, I don't care to think of. I want her never to fire one of those guns. After all, Ned, if one of her great steel bottom plates should get shaken loose and drop out, that vast leviathan would sink, with all on board.
human
I guess not, said Ned.
gpt
They would get away in the boats. Besides, she isn't going to fall to pieces right away.
human
All right, said his uncle.
gpt
We've seen her. Now let's go home.