“There are some tribes on the way,” said I; “but the white fellows you meet with are worse than the red ones,—such rogues, and assassins too!”
“The saints presarve us! How will we ever do it?”
“Look out for some smart fellow who knows the way and thoroughly understands the people, and who can speak French fluently, for the first part of the journey, and who is up to all the Yankee roguery, for the second. Give him full power to guide and direct your expedition, and you 'll have both a safe journey and a pleasant one.”
“Ay, and where will we get him?” cried one.
“And what would he be askin' for his trouble?” said another; while Joe, with an assenting nod, reiterated both questions, and seemed to expect that answer from me.
“It ought to be easy enough in such a city as this,” said I, negligently. “Are you acquainted with Forbes and Gudgeon? They are my bankers. They could, I am sure, find out your man at once.”
“Ah, sir, we know nobody at all!” exclaimed Joe, in an accent of such humility that I actually felt shocked at my own duplicity.
“By Jove!” said I, as though a sudden thought had struck me, “very little would make me go with you myself.” A regular burst of joy from the whole party here interrupted me. “Yes, I'm quite in earnest,” said I, with a dignified air. “This place will be excessively distasteful to me henceforth. I have placed myself in what is called a false position here, and 'twere far better to escape from it at once.”
“That would be the making of us, all out, if ye could come, Mr. Cregan!” said Joe.
“Let me interrupt you one moment,” said I. “If I should accompany you on this journey, there is one condition only upon which I would consent to it.”