"Indeed," said Cæsar. "And do you always operate with a revolver?"
For once in his life, Crouch had been caught off his guard.
"In this country," he said, "I am seldom without one."
"You are wise," said Cæsar. "I myself am always prepared."
With a man like Crouch, this kind of verbal sword-play could never last for long. He was too much a creature of impulse. He liked to speak his mind, and he hated and mistrusted this thin Portuguese as a mongoose hates a snake.
"There are no laws in this country," said he, "and there are certain times when it's not a bad principle to shoot at sight. In the civilized world, a man goes about with his reputation on the sleeve of his coat, and all men may know him for what he is. But here, in the midst of these benighted forests, one must often act on instinct. To kill at sight, that's the law of the jungle; and when men come here, they'd do well to leave behind them what they know of other laws respecting life and property and rights. If I'm wise to carry a revolver, perhaps I'm a fool because I hesitate to use it."
Here was a plain speaking, an outright honesty that quite disarmed the Portuguese. If, hitherto, Cæsar had held the upper hand, Captain Crouch had now turned the tables. Whether warfare be carried on by words or amid the clash of arms, the victory lies with him who best knows his mind. And Captain Crouch did that. It was as if he had thrown a gauntlet at the tall man's feet, and defied him to pick it up.
But Cæsar was never willing to fight. His was a quick, calculating brain, and he knew that the odds would be against him. Listening outside the hut, he had overheard the greater part of the conversation which had taken place between Crouch and the fever-stricken half-caste. His secret, which he kept under lock and key in the strong chest at the foot of his bed, he was prepared to guard at every cost. He saw now that Crouch was an adversary not to be despised. It was necessary for him to take steps to seal de Costa's lips.
Though the man no longer showed it in his face, Cæsar was by no means pleased at the appearance of the Englishmen. Though he was affable and polite, all the time he was scheming in his mind how to get rid of them as quickly as he could. For the present, he decided to bide his time, hoping that, sooner or later, Fate might play into his hands. Whatever happened, he was determined that they should not suspect him of any sinister intention, and on that account it behoved him to keep up an appearance of friendship. He answered Crouch with all the pleasantry of manner he had at his command.
"Captain Crouch," said he, "you are a man after my own heart. I also respect the laws of the jungle. I have shaken the dust of civilization from my feet. It is only the strong man who can do so. In you I recognize an equal."