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But while he acknowledged all this, Paganel maintained, not without a show of reason, that sensuality, and especially hunger, was the first cause of cannibalism among the New Zealanders, and not only among the Polynesian races, but also among the savages of Europe. "Really," said McNabbs. "Yes, Major," replied Paganel.
"Just fancy," retorted Paganel, throwing back his head proudly. "Come now. If I name one fact you don't know, will you give me back my rifle?" said McNabbs. "On the spot, Major." "Very well, it's a bargain, then." "Yes, a bargain; that's settled." "All right. Well now, Paganel, do you know how it is that Australia does not belong to France?" "But it seems to me "
You see, Dad is the dearest thing that ever lived, but he is sort of crusty, and it isn't everybody that knows how to take him. Why, Mr. and Mrs. Orcutt are going to be at dinner this evening, and are going to the theatre, too. They know it is my birthday party, so that doesn't look as though they were such fierce enemies of the McNabbs, does it? "Let's get back to the subject of coats.
ANYONE else but McNabbs might have passed the hut a hundred times, and gone all round it, and even over it without suspecting its existence.
"Not much then," rejoined McNabbs. "But go on, Scheherazade, and tell us the story." "There was once," said Paganel, "a son of the great Haroun-al-Raschid, who was unhappy, and went to consult an old Dervish. The old sage told him that happiness was a difficult thing to find in this world.
"Well, McNabbs, if it will comfort you you may as well be told the New Zealanders do not eat flesh without cooking or smoking it. They are very clever and experienced in cookery. For my part, I very much dislike the idea of being eaten! The idea of ending one's life in the maw of a savage! bah!" "The conclusion of all," said John Mangles, "is that we must not fall into their hands.
"It is certainly impossible to be better acquainted with Australia; not the least name, not even the most trifling fact " "As to the most trifling fact, I don't know about that," said the Major, shaking his head. "What do you mean, McNabbs?" exclaimed Paganel. "Simply that perhaps all the incidents connected with the discovery of Australia may not be known to you."
"Why, of course, because the man speaks badly," replied the learned geographer, getting impatient. "He speaks badly; that is to say, because you can't understand him," returned the Major coolly. "Come, come, McNabbs," put in Glenarvan, "your supposition is quite inadmissable. However DISTRAIT our friend Paganel is, it is hardly likely he would study one language for another."
His half-closed eyes were struck with a faint light running among the great trees. It looked like a white sheet, and glittered like a lake, and McNabbs thought at first it was the commencement of a fire. He started up, and went toward the wood; but what was his surprise to perceive a purely natural phenomenon! Before him lay an immense bed of mushrooms, which emitted a phosphorescent light.
"Well, well, you have committed an error, that's all, Monsieur Paganel." "What, Monsieur McNabbs! you tell me I have committed an error?" "An inadvertence, if you like, which you can put among the ERRATA in the next edition."
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