human
Yes, very gentlemanly, Pickle, my boy; quite the nobleman, I might say, and I am not at all surprised that you helped that poor lad to escape. A little effeminate, but certainly a very nice lad. But I have been thinking about them ever since I came on board this afternoon, and I can't quite make out that Count. What's he doing here, my boy? On some mission, and connected with some jealousy and a stop being put to his cruise. I am not quite sure, Pickle.
gpt
Rodney, uncle,
human
Pickle, you dog! Be quiet. I am talking sense. But I think I have worked it out. He betrayed himself. He's a naturalist, boy. He betrayed it in his looks and words as soon as he learned what I was about. Didn't you notice how eager he was to know about our pursuits?
gpt
Yes, uncle; I noticed that directly.
human
Ah, I thought so. A naturalist--a born naturalist, Pickle, and in spite of his being a Frenchman I shall begin to feel a brotherly respect for a follower of the only pursuit worthy of a gentleman. Well, we had a very short sleep last night, so we have got a long one due to our credit to-night, and on the strength of that Captain Chubb has arranged to have supper quite early. This has been a queer day, Pickle, a very queer day, and I am not at all displeased, for I am beginning to think that we have got a very good time before us.
gpt
What time, uncle?
human
Ashore, my boy. What do you say to having a couple of the sailors with guns to keep us company while the rest are new-bottoming that brig? Walks in the primeval forest, Rodd, wonderful botanical rambles, shooting birds of glorious plumage, most likely coming across the great man-ape, the chimpanzee. What do you say to that, my boy? Won't that be a grand change from fishing and dredging and bottling specimens?
gpt
Uncle Paul, don't!
human
Don't? What do you mean, sir?
gpt
You were talking just now of our having a good long sleep to-night to make up for all we lost since we went to bed last.
human
Well, sir, what of that?
gpt
How's a fellow to sleep, uncle, with such things as that to think of? Why, I shan't get a wink for thinking of the big chimpanzees; and as for eating any supper now, why, my appetite has completely gone.
human
Stuff! cried Uncle Paul, pressing the lad's arm to his side.
gpt
Rodd, my boy, we must cork a bottle or two and throw them overboard to-morrow, and then have a little practice with bullets in our guns. We may come across dangerous beasts there, leopards and the like, while that there are great man-apes in those forests of the West Coast there is not a doubt.
human
Well, I think I could shoot at one of those great spotted cats, uncle, all tooth and claw; but wouldn't it be rather queer to shoot one of those big monkeys which look so much like human beings? I mean those big ones with ears like ours, and no tails.
gpt
Humph! Ha! Well, I--Yes, all right, captain! We are coming down.