human
Will you go with me? asked Mr. Durban.
gpt
You and your electric gun and your airship? Will you come to Africa to hunt elephants, and help me get the big tusks I'm after?
human
I will!
gpt
Then we'll start at once. There's no need of delaying here any longer.
human
Oh, but I haven't an airship ready,
gpt
Then we'll have to give up the scheme,
human
Not at all, Tom told him.
gpt
I have all the material on hand for building a new airship. I have had it in mind for some time, and I have done some work on it. I stopped it to perfect my electric rifle, but, now that is done, I'll tackle the Black Hawk again, and rush that to completion.
human
The Black Hawk?
gpt
Yes, that's what I will name my new craft. The RED CLOUD was destroyed, and so I thought I'd change the color this time, and avoid bad luck.
human
Good! exclaimed the hunter.
gpt
When do you think you can have it finished?
human
Oh, possibly in a month--perhaps sooner, and then we will go to Africa and hunt elephants!
gpt
Bless my ivory paper cutter! exclaimed a voice in the hall just outside the library.
human
Bless my fingernails! But who's talking about going to Africa?
gpt
Come on in, Mr. Damon. I didn't hear you ring. There is some one here from your town.
human
Is it my wife? asked the odd gentleman who was always blessing something.
gpt
She said she was going to her mother's to spend a few weeks, and so I thought I'd come over here and see if you had anything new on the program. The first thing I hear is that you are going to Africa. And so there's some one from Waterford in there, eh? Is it my wife?
human
No, answered Tom with another laugh.
gpt
Come on in Mr. Damon.
human
Bless my toothpick! exclaimed the odd gentleman, as he saw the grizzled elephant hunter sitting between Tom and Mr. Swift.
gpt
I have seen you somewhere before, my dear sir.
human
Yes, admitted Mr. Durban,
gpt
Is it possible, Tom? asked Mr. Damon.
human
Bless my diamond mines! but what are you going to do next?
gpt
It's hard to say, was the answer.
human
But you came just in time. Mr. Damon. I'm going to rush work on the Black Hawk, my newest airship, and we'll leave for elephant land inside of a month, taking my new electric rifle along. Will you come?
gpt
Bless my penknife! I never thought of such a thing. I--I--guess--no, I don't know about it--yes, I'll go! he suddenly exclaimed.
human
I'll go! Hurrah for the elephants!
gpt
Then it's all settled but the details, declared the youth,
human
My, but you folks are almost as speedy as a herd of the big elephants themselves!