“Really, I’m very sorry for you.”
“Never mind the sorrow, squire: I want something more substantial than that. What do you say to tossing for him?”
“Nothing,” said Brace.
“Of course I knew you’d say that. What do you say to letting me have him, and I’ll take you with me, both of you?”
“Nothing again,” replied Brace, laughing.
“Why not? Lookye here: I’m going up the Orinoco exploring and collecting, shooting, fishing, and hunting, and finding every precious thing there is to be found. That’s just what you’re going to do.”
“Is it?”
“Yes, of course it is: only you two say Amazons, while I say Orinoco.”
“You seem to know all about our affairs, sir,” said Brace stiffly.
“Yes, I do, pretty tidy,” said the American. “Come, what do you say? You and your brother can pay half, and we’ll share everything we get. What do you say to that?”