human
Ay, ay, sir! he whispered.
gpt
Ask the skipper.
human
Ask the _captain_ what?
gpt
I have been thinking, Captain Chubb, panted Rodd.
human
Have the long gun loaded with a ball, and let the men try and hit that thing. 'Tisn't above a quarter of a mile away.
gpt
Eh? Have a shot at it, my lad? said the captain, staring, and then shading his eyes to watch the object that was gliding along, making the water ripple strangely, while all around it was in violent ebullition, betokening that a large shoal of fish was feeding there.
human
Well, I don't know. What do you say, doctor? continued the speaker.
gpt
I don't say that the lads could hit it, but they might.
human
Certainly, said the doctor eagerly.
gpt
Try.