Part 2 (1/2)
Kennedy's Dreams-Articles and pronouns in the Plural-dick's Insinuations-A Promenade over the Map of Africa-What is contained between two Points of the Compass-Expeditions now on foot-Speke and Grant-Krapf, De Decken, and De Heuglin
Dr Ferguson energetically pushed the preparations for his departure, and in person superintended the construction of his balloon, with certain ard to which he observed theti hie and the various Mandingoe idiolot, he had ress
In the mean while his friend, the sportsht-afraid, no doubt, that the doctora word to anybody On this subject, he regaled hiuuson, and wasted his breath in pathetic entreaties, by which the latter seehtlythrough his fingers
The poor Scot was really to be pitied He could not look upon the azure vault without a sombre terror: when asleep, he felt oscillations thatswung aloft at i these fearful nightmares, he once or twice fell out of bed His first care then was to show Ferguson a severe contusion that he had received on the craniuht of only three feet-not an inch more-and such a bump as this! Only think, then!”
This insinuation, full of sadas it was, did not seem to touch the doctor's heart
”We'll not fall,” was his invariable reply
”But, still, suppose that we WERE to fall!”
”We will NOT fall!”
This was decisive, and Kennedy had nothing more to say
What particularly exasperated dick was, that the doctor seeht of his personality-of his-Kennedy's-and to look upon him as irrevocably destined to become his aerial coested; and Samuel made an intolerable ; 'we' shall be ready on the--; 'we' shall start on the--,” etc, etc
And then there was the singular possessive adjective: ”'Our' balloon; 'our' car; 'our' expedition”
And the same in the plural, too: ”'Our' preparations; 'our' discoveries; 'our' ascensions”
dick shuddered at theo; but he did not want to annoy his friend Let us also disclose the fact that, without knowing exactly why hih for a certain selection of heavy clothing, and his best hunting-gear and fire-ar adood-luck, there MIGHT be one chance of success in a thousand, he pretended to yield entirely to the doctor's wishes; but, in order to still put off the journey, he opened the es He threw hi the utility of the expedition-its opportuneness, etc This discovery of the sources of the Nile, was it likely to be of any use?-Would one have really labored for the welfare of humanity?-When, after all, the African tribes should have been civilized, would they be any happier?-Were folks certain that civilization had not its chosen abode there rather than in Europe?-Perhaps!-And then, couldn't one wait a little longer?-The trip across Africa would certainly be accomplished some day, and in a less hazardous manner-In another month, or in six months before the year was over, some explorer would undoubtedly come in-etc, etc
These hints produced an effect exactly opposite to as desired or intended, and the doctor tre, then, wretched dick-are you willing, false friend-that this glory should belong to another? Must I then be untrue to my past history; recoil before obstacles that are not serious; requite with cowardly hesitation what both the English Government and the Royal Society of London have done for reat use of that conjunction
”But,” said the doctor, ”are you not aware that my journey is to compete with the success of the expeditions now on foot? Don't you know that fresh explorers are advancing toward the centre of Africa?”
”Still-”
”Listen to me, dick, and cast your eyes over that nation
”Now, ascend the course of the Nile”
”I have ascended it,” replied the Scotchman, with docility
”Stop at Gondokoro”
”I aht to himself how easy such a trip was-on the map!
”Now, take one of the points of these dividers and let it rest upon that place beyond which the one”
”I have done so”
”And now look along the coast for the island of Zanzibar, in latitude six degrees south”
”I have it”
”Now, follow the same parallel and arrive at Kazeh”
”I have done so”
”Run up again along the thirty-third degree of longitude to the opening of Lake Oukereoue, at the point where Lieutenant Speke had to halt”
”I am there; a little ood! Now, do you knoe have the right to suppose, according to the infor its shores?”
”I haven't the least idea”
”Why, that this lake, the lower extrerees and thirty rees and a half above the equator”
”Really!”
”Well from this northern extremity there flows a stream which must necessarily join the Nile, if it be not the Nile itself”
”That is, indeed, curious”
”Then, let the other point of your dividers rest upon that extreuson”
”No rees can you count between the two points?”
”Scarcely two”
”And do you knohat that means, dick?”