human
This comes of not looking to one's caps. Humph! I do believe that every bone in my body is--ah! here's another cut, two inches at least, and into the bone of course, to judge from the flow of blood. I wonder how much blood I can afford to lose without being floored altogether. Such a country! I wonder how high I went. I felt as if I'd got above the moon. Hollo, Ralph! better?
gpt
My dear Peterkin, then you're not killed after all.
human
Not quite, but pretty near. If it had not been for that friendly bush I should have fared worse. It broke my fall completely, and I really believe that my worst hurts are a few scratches. But how are _you_, Ralph? Yours was a much more severe case than mine. You should hold your gun tighter, man, when you fire without putting it to your shoulder.
gpt
How? why? what do you mean?
human
Simply this, that in consequence of your reckless manner of holding your rifle, it came back with such a slap on your chest that it floored you.
gpt
This, then, accounts for the pain I feel in it. But come, said I, rising and shaking my limbs to make sure that no bones were broken;
human
I always had a species of cat-luck about me, replied Peterkin, with a smile.
gpt
But now let us cut off a bit o' this fellow to take back with us for Jack's supper.