“I’ve had enough of this!” Haredia said furiously. “Maybe the Senor would like to take charge?”
Jack glanced questioningly at Mr. Livingston.
“Thanks, we will,” the Scout leader replied. Quietly, he instructed Jack: “Try to make the native understand that we want him to guide us to the nearest village or plantation. Tell him we’ll pay well for the service.”
Chapter 8
DELAY
When Haredia understood that Mr. Livingston and the Scouts were determined to question the native, his attitude abruptly changed. He spoke again to the man in the dugout, who nodded and gestured in the direction Jack had suggested that they take.
“This Indian will guide us,” Haredia informed the passengers. “He says we are to follow him. With your permission, senor, I will do so.”
In an insolent manner, the boat operator bowed to Mr. Livingston.
“It seems we were right about the passageway,” the Scout leader replied. “How far is the nearest village?”
“There is a plantation on about a quarter of a mile,” Haredia returned.
“Then we will go there.”