“Bah!” said Dellow. “Are you coming back now? Dan’s got a splendid dinner of fish and bird roasted and I don’t know how you are; we’re starving here.”
“We shall be with you in no time now,” said the captain. “Forward, my lads, and let’s get back.”
The men started, Sir Humphrey and the captain followed, and Brace and Briscoe came last.
“Yes, that’s gold, sure enough,” said Brace, looking furtively at the piece of ore thrust into his hand. “But, Briscoe?”
“Well?”
“Suppose the Indians know of all these golden ornaments and things being here?”
“I don’t suppose they do; but if they do, what then?”
“Suppose they came now in force and beat us off?”
“Ah, it would be awkward if they came now; but if they did there’d be a very ugly fight before we gave up our hold on what we’ve found.”
“Yes; we couldn’t give it up now.”