human
Evidently there is no use trying to get back that way. They must be on the lookout for us. What shall we do?
gpt
Whatever you say,
human
We'll take a vote on it, Hal decided.
gpt
I'll make my suggestion first.
human
All right,
gpt
Then I'll suggest that we head in some other direction and keep going until we have passed out of the enemy's territory.
human
Which way?
gpt
Well, he said finally,
human
I should say east.
gpt
What! exclaimed Chester.
human
Right into the heart of Austria?
gpt
And why not? Hal wanted to know.
human
We'll be safer there than any place else. Besides, if we go far enough we'll eventually land in Greece or perhaps Servia or Montenegro. They won't be expecting a foe that far from Italian soil. What do you say, Colonel Anderson?
gpt
I'm with you, was the quiet response.
human
I believe that is good reasoning.
gpt
My only objection, said Chester,
human
True, replied Hal.
gpt
But mother would a great deal rather have us safe in Greece or Servia, than dead in Italy.
human
Which is more good reasoning,
gpt
I guess you are right, replied Chester.
human
I'm with you then.
gpt
And you, Stubbs? questioned Hal.
human
You have a vote on this.
gpt
Oh my, I don't care where you go, was the answer in a weak voice,
human
Poor fellow, said Chester, in a low voice,
gpt
What's that?
human
Frightened? Me frightened? I'll leave it to Hal there if I am frightened. Who was it found the way to get here and help you fellows, anyhow? Who was it, I ask you? I'll tell you who it was. It was me, Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent of the New York _Gazette_. Yes, sir, it was--Oh, let's go down. I'm so sick.
gpt
Stubbs, you are all right, declared Hal, and added to the others:
human
What he says is perfectly true. Had it not been for him, we would not be here now. He conceived the plan that admitted us to the Austrian lines, and if it were light enough you would see that it was a good plan. I'll venture to say you would know neither one of us but for our voices,
gpt
By George, Mr. Stubbs, I didn't think you had it in you! exclaimed Chester. He stretched forth a hand.
human
Shake!
gpt
Oh, please let me alone, moaned Stubbs.
human
I'm terribly sick. How long before we can go down?
gpt
Not for some hours, I'm afraid, replied Hal.
human
If we were to descend now we would fall into the hands of the Austrians.
gpt
I don't care whose hands we fall into, mumbled Stubbs,
human
He must be sick, declared Chester.
gpt
Funny it never affected me that way.
human
No, it's not, declared Stubbs, suddenly taking an interest in things.
gpt
Nothing would affect you like it does me. Nor any of the rest of you. You are hardened to these things. I'm a man of peace, and sympathetic, and kind. You are a lot of hard-hearted brutes.