“Indeed, Mr Roberts?” said the lieutenant. “It seems to me that there is another alternative.”
“I don’t understand you, sir,” said the lad.
“Perhaps Mr Murray does,” said the lieutenant sadly. “What do you say, my lad?”
“I’m afraid so, sir, but I hope not,” cried the lad; “but we shall soon know, for the river is opening out fast.”
“Yes, that will soon be proved,” said the first lieutenant; and he relapsed into silence.
“I say,” whispered Roberts, giving his companion a nudge, “what do you mean by your alternatives? The lugger must either have lowered her sails or been sunk.”
“What about the coast here?” replied Murray.
“Well, what about it?”
“Isn’t it all wooded and covered with jungle?”
“Of course: don’t we know it well!”