“And it would not displease you to return to your former avocation for a day, and to add yonder cetacean to the list of your victories?”
“It would not displease me in the least.”
“Well, then, you can try.”
“Thank you, sir,” replied Ned Land, with kindling eyes.
“Only, I advise you not to miss that creature, for your own sake.”
“Is the dugong a very dangerous animal to attack?” I asked, notwithstanding Ned’s shrug of the shoulders.
“Sometimes,” replied Captain Nemo, “the animal will turn and attack its assailant; but, with Master Land, this danger is not to be apprehended. His eye is quick, his arm sure. If I recommended him not to miss his stroke, it was because I look at it as fine game, and I know Master Land has no objection to tid-bits.”
“Ah!” cried Ned, “so he is good to eat, is he?”
“Yes, his flesh is held in high estimation, and the Malays universally reserve it for the tables of their princes. Indeed, they hunt the animal so persistently that, like its relation the manatee, it has become very scarce.”
“Then, Monsieur,” said Conseil to the captain, “if that dugong be the last of his race, would it not be better to spare him, in the interests of science?”
“Perhaps so,” replied Ned, “but in the interests of cookery it will be better to give him chase.”
“Well, go ahead, Master Land,” cried Captain Nemo.
Now seven of the crew, silent as ever, appeared upon the platform. One of them carried a harpoon and line similar to those used in whaling. The boat was lowered. Six rowers took their places, and the coxswain seized the tiller. Ned, Conseil, and myself sat in the stern-sheets.
