human
This is better,
gpt
Do you care to sleep again?
human
No; I'm wide awake, now,
gpt
I'm afraid if I goes to sleep ag'in I'll wake up a pot roast,
human
Let us consider ways to escape, suggested Clia.
gpt
It seems useless for us to remain here, quietly, until Zog discovers a way to destroy us.
human
But we must not blunder, added Aquareine, cautiously.
gpt
To fail in our attempt would be to acknowledge Zog's superior power, so we must think well upon our plan before we begin to carry it out. What do you advise, sir?
human
My opinion, ma'am, is that the only way for us to escape is to get out o' here, was the sailor's vague answer.
gpt
How to do it is your business, seein' as I ain't no fairy myself, either in looks or in eddication.
human
What is your opinion, my dear?
gpt
I think we might swim out the same way we came in, answered the child.
human
If we could get Sacho to lead us back through the maze, we would follow that long tunnel to the open ocean, and--
gpt
And there would be the sea devils waitin' for us, added Cap'n Bill, with a shake of his bald head.
human
They'd drive us back inter the tunnel, like they did the first time, Trot. It won't do, mate; it won't do.
gpt
Have you a suggestion, Clia?
human
I have thought of an undertaking, replied the pretty princess;
gpt
Let us hear it, anyway,
human
It is to destroy Zog himself, and put him out of the world forever. Then we would be free to go home, whenever we pleased.
gpt
Can you suggest a way to destroy Zog?
human
No, your Majesty, Clia answered.
gpt
I must leave the way for you to determine.
human
In the old days, said the Queen, thoughtfully,
gpt
I have heard the sea serpent explain that it was because he could not reach the magician, returned Clia.
human
If King Anko could have seized Zog in his coils he would have made an end of the wicked monster quickly. Zog knows this, and that is why he does not dare to venture forth from his retreat. Anko is the enemy he constantly dreads. But with you, my queen, the case is different. You may easily reach Zog, and the only question is whether your power is sufficient to destroy him.
gpt
I am not sure of my power over Zog, she said at last,
human
A weapon, ma'am? said Cap'n Bill; and then he took a jackknife from his coat pocket and opened the big blade, afterward handing it to the queen.
gpt
That ain't a bad weapon,
human
But it is useless in this case, she replied, smiling at the old sailor's earnestness.
gpt
For my purpose I must have a golden sword.
human
Well, there's plenty of gold around this castle, said Trot, looking around her.
gpt
Even in this room there's enough to make a hundred golden swords.
human
But we can't melt or forge gold under water, mate,
gpt
Why not? Don't you s'pose all these gold roses and things were made under water?
human
Like enough, admitted the sailor;