Jules Verne

Robur the Conqueror Jules Verne

Who were these two gentlemen? We do not know, although this would be an excellentopportunity to hand down their names to posterity. All we can say is that the elder was anEnglishman and the younger an American, and both of them were old enough to know better. So far as recording in what locality the inoffensive ruminant had just tasted her last tuft ofherbage, nothing can be easier. It was on the left bank of Niagara, not far from the suspensionbridge which joins the American to the Canadian bank three miles from the falls. The Englishman stepped up to the American."I contend, nevertheless, that it was 'Rule Britannia!'""And I say it was 'Yankee Doodle!'" replied the young American. The dispute was about to begin again when one of the seconds-doubtless in the interests ofthe milk trade-interposed."Suppose we say it was 'Rule Doodle' and 'Yankee Britannia' and adjourn to breakfast?"This compromise between the national airs of Great Britain and the United States was adoptedto the general satisfaction. The Americans and Englishmen walked up the left bank of the Niagaraon their way to Goat Island, the neutral ground between the falls. Let us leave them in the presenceof the boiled eggs and traditional ham, and floods enough of tea to make the cataract jealous, andtrouble ourselves no more about them. It is extremely unlikely that we shall again meet with them inthis story.