Here there was matter for reflection even to the most impassive man in the world. What would Conseil say? “Conseil,” I called a third time. Conseil appeared. “Did you call, sir?” said he, entering. “Yes, my boy; make preparations for me and yourself too. We leave in two hours.” “As you please, sir,” replied Conseil, quietly. “Not an instant to lose;—lock in my trunk all travelling utensils, coats, shirts, and stockings—without counting, as many as you can, and make haste.” “And your collections, sir?” observed Conseil. “We will think of them by and by.” “What! the archiotherium, the hyracotherium, the oreodons, the cheropotamus, and the other skins?” “They will keep them at the hotel.” “And your live Babiroussa, sir?” “They will feed it during our absence; besides, I will give orders to forward our menagerie to France.” “We are not returning to Paris, then?” said Conseil. “Oh! certainly,” I answered, evasively, “by making a curve.” “Will the curve please you, sir?” “Oh! it will be nothing; not quite so direct a road, that is all. We take our passage in the Abraham Lincoln.” “As you think proper, sir,” coolly replied Conseil. “You see, my friend, it has to do with the monster—the famous narwhal. We are going to purge it from the seas. The author of a work in quarto in two volumes, on the ‘Mysteries of the Great Submarine Grounds’ cannot forbear embarking with Commander Farragut. A glorious mission, but a dangerous one!