“He wouldn’t want stopping,” said Brace, laughing gently.
“You think he would not do it, Brace?”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t,” replied the young man. “He barks and makes a noise, but he wouldn’t bite like that.”
“Well, then, we must make the best of it, Brace, for I certainly will not turn back.”
“Then you’ll take him?”
“I shall give way to the extent of asking Captain Banes to let him go with us.”
“Don’t,” said Brace, in a low voice, as he glanced at the American and saw that he was watching him closely.
“What! not ask him?” said Sir Humphrey. “Why, just now you were in favour of doing so.”
“So I am now, Free,” said Brace, drawing his brother to the side, so that they could be alone; “but I want you to take it entirely upon yourself. You’ve chartered the brig; and it is yours. Captain Banes is, so to speak, under your orders, you being head of this expedition.”
“Quite right, Brace,” replied Sir Humphrey, nodding his head, and looking satisfied with his brother’s decision.