human
My friends, said he,
gpt
And this project?
human
This is it, replied Paganel.
gpt
The superstition of the natives has made this mountain a place of refuge, and this superstition must help us to escape. If I succeed in convincing Kai-Koumou that we have become the victims of our sacrilege, that the wrath of Heaven has fallen upon us, in short, that we have met a terrible death, do you think that he will abandon the mountain and return to his village?
human
Probably,
gpt
And with what horrible death do you threaten us?
human
The death of the sacrilegious, my friends, continued Paganel.
gpt
The avenging flames are under our feet. Let us open a way for them.
human
What! you would make a volcano?
gpt
Yes, a factitious, an improvised one, whose fury we will control. There is quite a supply of vapors and subterranean fires that only ask for an outlet. Let us arrange an artificial eruption for our own advantage.
human
The idea is good, said the major,
gpt
You understand, resumed the geographer,
human
Where we shall remain three, four, or five days, if necessary, till the savages are convinced of our death, and abandon the siege.
gpt
But if they think of making sure of our destruction, said Miss Grant,
human
No, my dear Mary, replied Paganel,
gpt
This plan is really well conceived, remarked Glenarvan.
human
There is only one chance against it, and that is, that the savages may persist in remaining at the foot of the mountain till the provisions fail us. But this is scarcely probable, especially if we play our part skillfully.
gpt
And when shall we make this last venture?
human
This very evening, answered Paganel,
gpt
Agreed, said MacNabb.
human
Paganel, you are a man of genius; and although from habit I am scarcely ever enthusiastic, I will answer for your success. Ha! these rascals! we shall perform a little miracle for them that will delay their conversion a good century. May the missionaries pardon us!