human
It is quite evident, said Jack, as we sat over our supper on the night after receiving the above news--
gpt
But what if King Jambai takes it into his black woolly head to decline to let us go?
human
In that case we must take French leave of him.
gpt
In which case, said I, in some alarm,
human
Ah, Ralph, I fear there's no help for it. You must make up your mind to say good-bye to your mummies--big puggies and all.
gpt
But you do not know, said I energetically,
human
Certainly not, replied Jack;
gpt
True, said I;
human
He is not so ill as he seemed, observed Peterkin.
gpt
I went to see him only half an hour ago, and the little chap was quite hearty, and glad to see me. The fact is, he has been ill-used and ill-fed. The rest and good treatment he has received have, even in the short time he has been here, quite revived him.
human
Good, said Jack;
gpt
But what march do you refer to?
human
Simply this. Mak, with whom I have had a good deal of conversation on the subject, tells me that the river makes a considerable bend below this village, and that by taking a short cut of a day's journey or so over land we can save time, and will reach a small hamlet where canoes are to be had. The way, to be sure, is through rather a wild country; but that to us is an advantage, as we shall be the more likely to meet with game. I find, also, that the king has determined to follow the same route with his warriors in pursuit of the enemy, so that thus far we may travel together. At the hamlet we will diverge to the north-east, while we, if all goes well, embarking in our canoe, will proceed toward the west coast, where, if we do not overtake them on the way, we shall be certain to find them on our arrival. Okandaga has often longed to go to the mission station there, and as she knows it is in vain to urge Mbango to return to his destroyed village, she will doubtless advise him to go to the coast.
gpt
What you say seems highly probable, said I;
human
Trust Jack for that, added Peterkin, who was at that moment deeply engaged with what he called the drumstick of a roast monkey.
gpt
Jack would talk over any creature with life, so persuasive is his eloquence. I say, Ralph, he added, holding the half-picked drumstick at arm's length, and regarding it with a critical gaze,
human
I wonder, now, how the drumstick of an ostrich would taste. Good, I have no doubt, though rather large for one man's dinner.
gpt
It would be almost equal to gorilla ham, I should fancy,
human
O you cannibal, to think of such a thing! cried Peterkin, throwing the bone of his drumstick after our retreating comrade.--
gpt
But 'tis always thus, he added, with a sigh:
human
The difficulties, I suppose, that beset our path,