Several consultations took place between the captain and Sir Humphrey as to the course to be taken, and the latter politely asked Briscoe to join in the discussion and give his opinion.
“No,” he said; “I shan’t say anything. I’ve only one idea about it, and that is to sail up one of the big rivers that run out of this, one that has not been explored before, so as to get amongst what’s new.”
“Well, that’s what we want, isn’t it, Free?” said Brace.
“Exactly.”
“Then I needn’t interfere in any way, gentlemen,” said Briscoe. “I only say choose your river, and let’s get to work: only pick one that has banks to it where we can land and do something.”
“Then you don’t want us to go as far as we can up one of the explored rivers?” said the captain, smiling.
“Certainly not,” cried Brace.
“I understand, gentlemen. Give me time, and I’ll take you to just the place you want. I know the river, but I never heard its name. It runs, as far as I could make out, due nor’-west: that is, as far as I went up. After that it went no one knows where.”
“That’s the place,” cried Brace. “Is it very big?”
“Tidy, squire,” said the captain. “It’s very deep, and there’s plenty of room for the brig; and, what’s better, the current’s sluggish, so that we can make our way.”