human
Can't see that nohow, he said.
gpt
In course I knows that the Gulf Stream comes out the Gulf o' Mexico, cuts across the Atlantic in a nor'-easterly direction, goes slap agin the west of England, Ireland, and Scotland, and then scurries away up the coast o' Norway--though _why_ it should do so is best known to itself; p'r'aps it's arter the fashion of an angry woman, accordin' to its own sweet will; but what has that got for to do wi' the Bay of Biscay O? That's wot I wants to know.
human
More to do with it than you think, Jack, answered the soldier.
gpt
In the first place, you're not quite, though partly, correct about the Gulf Stream--
human
Well, I ain't zactly a scienkrific stoodent, you know. Don't purfess to be.
gpt
Just so, Jack. Neither am I, but I have inquired into this matter in a general way, an' here's _my_ notions about it.
human
Draw it fine, Willum; don't be flowery, said the sailor, renewing his quid.
gpt
Moreover, if you'll take the advice of an old salt you'll keep a tighter grip o' that belayin'-pin you've got hold of, unless you wants to be washed overboard. Now then, fire away! I'm all attention, as the cat said at the mouth o' the mouse-hole.
human
Well, then, began Armstrong, with the slightly conscious air of superior knowledge,
gpt
Did I say that it did, Willum?
human
Well, you said that it _came out of_ the Gulf of Mexico--and, no doubt, so far you are right, but what I mean is that it does not originate there.
gpt
W'y don't you say what you mean, then, Willum, instead o' pitchin' into a poor chap as makes no pretence to be a purfessor? Heave ahead!
human
Well, Jack, continued the soldier, with more care as to his statements,
gpt
I believe, on the best authority, that the Gulf Stream is only part of a great ocean current which originates at the equator, and a small bit of which flows north into the Atlantic, where it drives into the Gulf of Mexico. Finding no outlet there it rushes violently round the gulf--
human
Gits angry, no doubt, an' that's what makes it hot?
gpt
Perhaps! Anyhow, it then flows, as you say, in a nor'-easterly direction to the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. But it does more than that. It spreads as it goes, and also rushes straight at the coasts of France and Spain. Here, however, it meets a strong counter current running south along these same coasts of France an' Spain. That is difficulty number one. It has to do battle wi' that current, and you know, Jack, wherever there's a battle there's apt to be convulsions of some sort. Well, then, a nor'-westerly gale comes on and rolls the whole o' the North Atlantic Ocean against these coasts. So here you have this part of the Gulf Stream caught in another direction--on the port quarter, as you sailors might call it--
human
Never mind wot us sailors might call it, Willum. Wotever you say on that pint you're sure to be wrong. Heave ahead!
gpt
Well, then, continued Armstrong, with a laugh,
human
exclaimed Molloy, with a sudden beam of intelligence,