Dr. Stephen Maturin:
Jack, have you forgotten your promise?
Capt. Jack Aubrey:
Subject to the requirements of the service. I cannot in all conscience delay for the sake of an iguana or giant peccary. Fascinating, no doubt, but of no immediate application.
Dr. Stephen Maturin:
There is, I think, an opportunity here to serve both our purposes. As I understand it, this is a long, thin island. You need to sail around it to continue your voyage. I could walk across it. I'd be on the other side...
Capt. Jack Aubrey:
I have known you to spend hours staring into a deserted bird's nest.
Dr. Stephen Maturin:
I could walk briskly, pausing only to take the most important measurements. Making valuable discoveries that could help advance our knowledge of natural history.
Capt. Jack Aubrey:
If wind and tide had been against us, I should have said yes. They're not. I'm obliged to say no.
Dr. Stephen Maturin:
Oh, I see. I see. So, after all this time in your service, I must simply content myself to form part of this belligerent expedition. Hurry past inestimable wonders, bent solely on destruction. I shall say nothing of the corruption of power or its abuse...
Capt. Jack Aubrey:
You forget yourself, Doctor.
Dr. Stephen Maturin:
No, Jack. No. You've forgotten yourself. You see, for my part, I look upon a promise as binding.
Capt. Jack Aubrey:
The promise was conditional.
Dr. Stephen Maturin:
It never occurred to me...
Capt. Jack Aubrey:
I command a king's ship, not a private yacht! WE DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR YOUR DAMNED HOBBIES, SIR!
