human
Yes, Mr Rodd, he said,
gpt
What?
human
Ride back'ards, sir, and find the way out of this wet cat's-cradle of a place. I am very sorry, sir.
gpt
Sorry! cried the doctor cheerily.
human
My good fellow, what you have done during the last few hours has earned the lasting gratitude of us all.
gpt
Has it, sir? said the man, staring.
human
Why?
gpt
Haven't you saved all our lives, cried the doctor,
human
Oh, that's what you mean, sir! But you must play fair, sir. You mustn't blame me for that. Part on it's my being on board a man-of-war; part on it's due to Captain Chubb. So you must thank him.
gpt
I say, uncle, Morny's starving. Isn't it time we had something to eat?
human
Oh, Rodd!
gpt
Yes, of course, replied the doctor.
human
See what you can do, cook, at once. But surely, Cross, some of the men might lay in their oars?
gpt
Yes, sir, and if it goes on like this I don't see that we need let this flood keep on carrying us farther away. There's a nice wind, and not so much washed-out wood afloat. I am thinking I might have the sail hoisted and begin to sail back. But my word, look here: how we are widening out, sir! Look ahead yonder. It's getting 'most like a lake. Perhaps it is one.
human
No, cried Rodd;
gpt
Yes, sir, but I was looking at the forest on both sides here where we are. Why, we are running into another river. It aren't a lake, but it's ten times as big as this one that we've been spinning along, and-- Well! it's a rum 'un! No; it's unpossible.
human
What's impossible?
gpt
Why, this 'ere, Mr Rodd, sir. Just you look, Dr Robson, and see what you think on it.
human
Of what, my man?
gpt
Why, this 'ere, sir, what I am asking you of. Can't you see, Mr Rodd, sir?
human
I can see that we are gliding out of a muddy stream covered with green twigs and great tufts of jungle grass, into a big river flowing right across us and all thick with what seems to be a different-coloured mud.
gpt
That's right, sir; and didn't you see that splash, just as far off as you could look?
human
No, Joe.
gpt
Would you mind lending me that there glass of yourn, sir?