“Well, sir, if I did what I liked I should choose a good breakfast; but as I can’t, what do you say to going a bit farther in here to see what it’s like?”
“Not now. I want to make out whereabouts we are, and whether the blacks are on the look-out for us still; and then I want to communicate with my father; he must be horribly anxious about us, Ned.”
“Yes; I expect he thinks we’ve gone down some hole, sir, and it strikes me he’ll be saying something to the doctor for going and leaving us behind.”
“I’m afraid that it was our fault, Ned, for not keeping up.”
“Well, sir, we can’t help it now. Next best thing is to get back to the yacht, so as soon as you’re ready we’ll make a start; but I’m afraid it will be a long walk before breakfast.”
“Terribly long, I’m afraid.”
“But there’s always a good side to everything, sir, even if it’s a looking-glass,” continued Ned philosophically. “We’re better off than you might think.”
“I can’t see it, Ned.”
“Why, we’ve got no guns, nor wallets, nor cartridges to carry, sir. Now then, will you lead?”
“Yes; be cautious. We don’t know but what some of the blacks may be near.”