human
I was not aware that we should have ladies, or I should have advised you not to bring them, although, as they have come, I will endeavour to provide the best accommodation I can for them,
gpt
You must understand, Captain Rogers, that I never move anywhere without Mrs Bubsby and my daughters. They are accustomed to camp life, and like it; and should I be wounded or fall sick, I should have them at hand to nurse me. I require care, for I am not so young as I once was, though still strong and active; and the major twirled his mustachios and gave a loud
human
Ahem!
gpt
I am afraid that the ladies will be put to much inconvenience, both on board and on shore; for, should the regiment have to advance into the interior, I don't know what will become of them, observed Jack.
human
And if you will take my advice--though, as I have said, I am perfectly ready to accommodate them--you will leave them at Cape Town to await your return.
gpt
Never! Captain Rogers, never! exclaimed Major Bubsby.
human
If I do I shall not know what they are about.
gpt
But should you be killed, and there may be some sharp fighting, what then will become of your wife and daughters?
human
Then, Captain Rogers, I must beg that you will have the kindness so far to oblige me as to take them back to Cape Town, answered the major, looking evidently as if he did not quite like the remark.
gpt
I have now been in the service thirty years, and have no intention that the Caffres or any other savages should take my life. They are a contemptible lot. Why, a glance from my eye alone would be sufficient to put a whole host of the niggers to flight!
human
As you please, Major Bubsby, said Jack.
gpt
I shall be ready to appropriate a portion of my after cabin to your wife and daughters, and I will direct the carpenter to put up a screen, that they may live in private if they wish to do so.
human
Ah, that will do, that will do,
gpt
We do things rapidly on board, and shall not detain you long,
human
I am surprised that the major did not intimate his intention to bring us; but it is very like him, answered Mrs Bubsby.
gpt
He is a worthy man, and devotedly attached to me and my daughters. Allow me to introduce them. Eugenia, my eldest, and Angelica, my second daughter. They look forward with greater pleasure to the voyage and life in the bush than I do, I confess. They are good-hearted girls, and would be ready to follow their father into the field, if required.
human
Ah, yes; we do not care where we go, or what we do, said Eugenia.
gpt
We are never so happy as when on horseback or living under canvas.
human
I delight in the sea, and I love seamen,