“To take revenge,” said Sir James, “for the injury or death of their friends?”
“Yes,” said the doctor.
“But why should they think that we hurt them, when it was done by Mak and the pigmy?”
“Because they may associate us with them,” replied the doctor. “Still, there is the hope that they may not know we are on friendly terms; but it is a very faint hope, and I am disposed to say that we ought to give up and make our way back to the station.”
“Oh, that would be such a pity,” said Mark. “This is such a wonderful place, with so much to find out yet.”
“Yes,” put in Dean.
“Well,” said Sir James, “I feel like the boys do.”
“And I must own,” said the doctor, “that I should bitterly regret having to go from a neighbourhood where we cannot stir without coming upon something to interest us.”
“Then don’t let’s go,” cried Mark. “We are a strong party, and if we were attacked we could defend ourselves. A few shots would scare an enemy away.”
“You had better be silent, Mark,” said the doctor. “I shall be tempted to run the risk.”