Chapter 3. As Master Wishes

           ThreesecondsbeforethearrivalofJ.B.Hobson’sletterInomorethoughtofpursuingtheunicornthanofattemptingthepassageoftheNorthSea.ThreesecondsafterreadingtheletterofthehonourableSecretaryofMarine,Ifeltthatmytruevocation,thesoleendofmylife,wastochasethisdisturbingmonsterandpurgeitfromtheworld.

           ButIhadjustreturnedfromafatiguingjourney,wearyandlongingforrepose.Iaspiredtonothingmorethanagainseeingmycountry,myfriends,mylittlelodgingbytheJardindesPlantes,mydearandpreciouscollections—butnothingcouldkeepmeback!Iforgotall—fatigue,friendsandcollections—andacceptedwithouthesitationtheofferoftheAmericanGovernment.

           "Besides,"thoughtI,"allroadsleadbacktoEurope;andtheunicornmaybeamiableenoughtohurrymetowardsthecoastofFrance.ThisworthyanimalmayallowitselftobecaughtintheseasofEurope(formyparticularbenefit),andIwillnotbringbacklessthanhalfayardofhisivoryhalberdtotheMuseumofNaturalHistory."ButinthemeanwhileImustseekthisnarwhalintheNorthPacificOcean,which,toreturntoFrance,wastakingtheroadtotheantipodes.

           "Conseil,"Icalledinanimpatientvoice.

           Conseilwasmyservant,atrue,devotedFlemishboy,whohadaccompaniedmeinallmytravels.Ilikedhim,andhereturnedthelikingwell.Hewasquietbynature,regularfromprinciple,zealousfromhabit,evincinglittledisturbanceatthedifferentsurprisesoflife,veryquickwithhishands,andaptatanyservicerequiredofhim;and,despitehisname,nevergivingadvice—evenwhenaskedforit.