human
Our troubles are merely postponed, the Celt continued, gloomily.
gpt
The damage was done when that infernal destroyer sighted us. Just how the alarm was given, and what brought the sea-wasp racking her engines up the coast, we can't tell. But the cat's out of the bag, now, and we've got to look out for an attack at any moment we try to leave this region.
human
It's obvious my wireless messages about being wrecked at sea won't have much weight now, the Master replied, analytically.
gpt
They would have, though, if that slaving-dhow hadn't put in to investigate us. I have an idea that those _jallahs_ (slavers) must in some way have let the news out at Bathurst, down in Gambia. That's the nearest British territory.
human
I wish they'd come within machine-gun fire!
gpt
Still, we've got lots of room to maneuver, the chief continued.
human
We're heading due east now, with a glance at the wall-compass and large-scale chart of Northern Africa.
gpt
We're now between Mauretania and Southern Algeria, bound for Fezzan, the Libyan Desert, and Nubia on the Red Sea. That is a clear reach of more than three thousand miles of solid desert.
human
Oh, we're all right, as long as we stay in the desert, Bohannan affirmed.
gpt
But they'll be watching for us, all right, when we try to leave. It's all British territory to the east of us, from Alexandria down to Cape Town. If we could only make our crossing of the Nile and the Red Sea, at night--?
human
Impossible, Major. That's where we've got to restock petrol. If it comes to a show-down, crippled as we are, we'll fight! Of course, I realize that, fast as we fly, the wireless flies faster. We may have to rely on our neutralizers again--
gpt
They're working?
human
Imperfectly, yes. They'll still help us, in 'civilized warfare.' And as for what will happen at Mecca, if the Faithful are indiscreet enough to offer any resistance--
gpt
Got something new, have you?
human
I think it may prove something of a novelty, Major. Time will tell, if Allah wills. Yes, I think we may have a little surprise for our friends, the Meccans.