“Certainly not,” said Sir Humphrey. “What do you think?”
“That we have arrived in a thoroughly wild country which most likely no one has ever reached before.”
“Yes,” said Sir Humphrey.
“So how would it be to make this headquarters and ask Captain Banes to rig out the biggest boat with sail and some canvas and a light pole to set up from end to end of a night to cover her in, and then row and sail up wherever we could as long as our provisions lasted? Fresh water we shouldn’t have to carry; we could bring down something with our guns, or hook up something with fishing-lines; and I daresay we might get up hundreds of miles, for we should be sure to come upon side streams. That’s only my idea, gentlemen. If you think differently I’m quite contented. I’m ready to keep to the bargain I have made. To me this is a regular naturalist’s paradise.”
“I quite agree with you, Mr Briscoe,” said Sir Humphrey warmly, “and now that my weakness and the lack of spirit brought about by the effect of my wound are passing away I am getting more contented with the cruise every hour.”
“Yes, sir, you alter every day,” said the American, smiling.
“What do you think of the plan, captain?” said Sir Humphrey.
“Splendid, sir,” was the reply. “I like it tremendously, and I was going to propose something of the kind myself. You see, you’ll never want for help. My lads will be just like a set of schoolboys going out for a holiday. The only ones who will grumble will be those who have to stop aboard the brig. I’m like Mr Briscoe: ready to go where you like, and how you like: you two gents have only to say the word; and I don’t think you’ll better that plan.”
“What do you say, Brace?” said his brother, turning to him.
“Well, at first I didn’t like the idea at all: it sounded so much like being beaten and having to make a fresh start; but I think now that it’s just what we as good as planned to do when we set off. When shall we start?”