“Oh, no: I’m sure he is not.”
“I don’t know,” said the captain thoughtfully. “He jumped at that gold to-day like a baby at sugar. I’ve always been a bit suspicious about him, and now I see I’ve been right.”
“What do you mean?” said Brace warmly.
“That chap’s natural history has all been a cloak to screen him while he has been gold-hunting. I would bet that he came up this river with us in the hopes of finding that El Dorado place the Spaniards used to swear by.”
“Quite right,” said Brace drily.
“That’s it, my lad; but he won’t find it here. It’s in quite another place.”
“Indeed! Do you know?” said Brace eagerly.
“Oh, yes, I know. It’s in the moon. Well, let’s hear what Sir Humphrey thinks.”
“Hist, captain,” whispered the latter, almost at the same moment.
“Yes, sir. What do you think of it all?” asked the captain.