human
Where are you bound for just now, Reuben?
gpt
To dinner, monsieur.
human
Reuben, said Mackenzie, with a peculiar look,
gpt
No, monsieur, replied the man, with a slight smile,
human
Good. Then you are both ready, doubtless, to begin your discoveries with a canoe journey of some extent on short notice?
gpt
At once, monsieur, if it please you.
human
Nay, Reuben, not quite so fast as that, said Mackenzie, with a laugh;
gpt
Perfectly,
human
Well, I intend to visit these settlements this fall, and push on towards the Rocky Mountains. It will take me to the end of the season to accomplish this, so that our real voyage of discovery will not begin until the following spring. Now, there is a certain locality beyond our most distant outpost, which I shall describe to you afterwards, where I intend to build a fort and spend next winter, so as to be on the spot ready to begin the moment the ice breaks up. Preparations must be made there for the building of the fort. Timber must be felled, cut, and squared for the houses and palisades, and two able and willing, as well as experienced men, must go there to begin this work without delay. It occurs to me that the two best men I have for such work are Reuben Guff and his son. Are they prepared for this duty, think you?
gpt
Say the word, monsieur,
human
Well, then, it is said. Come back here after dinner with Lawrence, and I will give you instructions: you shall start to-morrow at daybreak.