human
But the Chief, the Grand Mogul and priest of them all, is this same man Stubbs doesn't like--the same who, for some devilish reason of his own chose this particular time to sail for South America. But he isn't a bad lot, this Valverde, though he _is_ a queer one. He speaks English like a native and has ways that at times make me think he is half American. But he isn't--he is a heathen clear to his backbone, with a heathen heart and a heathen temper. When he takes a dislike to a man he's going to make it hot for him some day or other. It seems that he is particularly sore against the government now because of a certain expedition sent up there a little over a year ago, and because of the loss of a heathen idol which----
gpt
What? broke in Wilson, half rising from his chair.
human
Is this----
gpt
The priest, they all call him. Mention the priest down there and they knew whom you mean.
human
Go on,
gpt
Do you know him? Maybe you caught a glimpse of him that day you were at the house. He was there.
human
No, I don't know him, answered Wilson,
gpt
He is a queer one. He can get from one place to another more quickly and with less noise than anyone I ever met. He's a bit uncanny that way as well as other ways. However, as I said, he's been square with me and it didn't take us long to get together on a proposition for combining our interests; I to furnish guns, ammunition, and as many men as possible, he to fix up a deal with the old party, do the scheming, and furnish a few hundred Indians. I've had the boat all ready for a long while, and Stubbs, one of Dad's old skippers, out for men. Yesterday he jumped at me from Carlina, where I thought he was, 10,000 miles away by sea, and gave the word. Now he is off again on the Columba and is to meet me in Choco Bay.
human
Now you know the whole story and where we're going. Are you with us?
gpt
Yes, answered Wilson,
human
I am with you.