He laughed scornfully, as though thinking my peril had made me prayerful, and caressing the barrel stave with his hand, lifted his head and scanned the sea, as already expecting the return of those pirates we talked of.
"And is your fortune all you expect to get by becoming a pirate?" I asked, laying my hand on his arm.
"What more do I want, forsooth?" asks he lightly.
"Why, sir," says I, "the peace of mind to enjoy it."
"As for that," says he, "however I get it I warrant it shall bring me more enjoyment than I can expect stopping here, or going back to England a beggar."
"Are you so daunted by the outset that you despair of getting gold honestly in Guiana?"
"Hum!" says he; "I cannot see that it is much more honest to take gold from the Ingas of Manoa, who have never done us harm, than from the Spaniard, who has sought to undo us with his flotilla; but, be that as it may, you will show me how we are to get to Manoa, who are not yet beyond the mouth of the Oronoque, ere I give that enterprise the preference."
"Single-handed we can do nothing, but I will answer for it that my uncle, Sir Bartlemy, instead of being discouraged by our first failure, will be more inclined to persevere in it. You know his nature as well as I do. A reverse does but strengthen his determination, as a bite infuriates a bulldog."
"That is true," says he; "he is an Englishman to the very marrow of his bones."
"Well, then," says I, "shall he not fit you out another expedition?"