"Pardon, Capitao," interposed Pedro. "It would be well to change that. You two senhores take the first two watches."
"Why?" frowned McKay.
"Because Lourenço and I wish to go visiting. We are much smitten with the charms of the ladies here."
The captain's frown deepened, but he studied Pedro's devil-may-care face keenly before answering.
"Humph! What's up your sleeve? Out with it!"
Pedro glanced around him and across the water. The tribesmen, both of the Mayoruna force and of the Red Bones, were watching the colloquy.
"We are watched, Capitao. Let us make camp now and talk later. These men do not understand our words, but we cannot tell what they may see in our faces. Now speak harshly, as if I had been insolent."
McKay did. He thundered at the young bushman as if about to do him bodily injury.
Pedro retreated a step, as if taken aback by the storm he had unleashed. When McKay stopped he replied: "Excellent, Capitao. Now I go to start work on the tambo."
He trudged away with a sullen gait. On both sides of the stream the Indians muttered and looked at the tall commander with increased respect. Truly, the Blackbeard was a fierce ruler and one who must not be angered; he had the voice of a great gun and the temper of a jaguar. That other man was lucky to have his head still on his shoulders!