human
That's a wonderful yarn of that fellow who has just come on board.
gpt
Very.
human
I don't know what to make of it, exactly. A fish is a fish, and unless it has a big horn, it can't sink a ship.
gpt
Perhaps he's cracked.
human
Not he. I have heard of him. There is something in it. The man is sane enough. He has been wrecked, and he has told his story plainly enough, only I don't believe in the strange animal.
gpt
What is it, then?
human
That's the mystery. There can't be any rocks in the middle of the sea. It isn't a rock.
gpt
Then it must be a wonderful fish.
human
Nice weather, my lad,
gpt
Who are you calling 'my lad'?
human
You're one of the crew, I suppose, and you needn't be so snappish.
gpt
I'm a passenger, replied Mont,
human
Indeed! I presume you were picked up as I was? Did you meet with the singular animal that destroyed my ship?
gpt
Can't say I did. What was he like?
human
A huge, long thing, covered with scales, half in, half out of the water.
gpt
Are we likely to meet with him again?
human
I should think so, answered the scientist.
gpt
Look there!
human
Where?
gpt
To the right. I don't understand those confounded sea terms, and I don't know larboard from starboard, but on my right is the creature.
human
The dreaded animal?
gpt
Yes. Look!