No more was said, and, the order being given, the men trudged back to the boat; the wind was fair, and soon after they ran back alongside of the brig and reported the possibility of getting the boat up the portage.
“That’s good,” said the captain. “Then I tell you what: as soon as Sir Humphrey is well enough I’ll have the brig safely moored, and we’ll man two boats and go right up the river.”
“Then we’ll go at once,” said Sir Humphrey. “I shall get better much more quickly lying back in the stern-sheets of a boat than sitting about here on the deck of the brig.”
“I think so too,” said the captain. “What do you say then to starting to-morrow?”
“Do you think we can manage that?” asked Sir Humphrey.
“Yes; I have everything ready,” said the captain.
“But suppose the brig is attacked by Indians while we are away?”
“We won’t suppose anything of the kind, if you please,” said the captain, “for it seems to me that we’re quite out of their reach. If there had been Indians about here we should have seen some sign. Anyhow, the brig’s mine, and I can do as I like with her. What I would like is to come with you on this first trip, so we’ll chance leaving the brig well moored, and to-morrow off we go. I rather like a bit of shooting when there’s a chance.”