Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/26



Three seconds before the arrival of Mr. Hobson's letter, I had no more notion of going in search of the unicorn than of attempting the North-West Passage. Three seconds after I had read the Secretary's letter, I quite believed that my true vocation, my only aim in life, was to hunt up this monster, and rid the world of him.

Meanwhile, I was about to undertake a trying journey, with all its fatigue and absence of repose. I had been wishing above everything to see my native land, my friends, my little house in the Jardin des Plantes, my cherished and valuable collections, once again. But now nothing would stop me. I forgot all this—friends, collections, and perils—and I accepted, without hesitation, the offer of the American Government.

Moreover, I thought every track leads to Europe, and the unicorn may be amiable enough to lead me to the coast of France. This worthy animal would doubtless permit himself to be taken in European waters, for my especial benefit, and I did not wish to bring back less than half a metre of his ivory halberd, for the Museum of Natural History.