“Father was sharp with him, and ordered him to go on, when he seemed to want to go back.”
“Yes, and I suppose he did not quite like it; but that isn’t all.”
“What is all, then?” said Perry.
“Ah, that’s what I want to find out. He puzzles me. He’s thinking about something, and I shouldn’t wonder if he has taken it into his head that your father has come up here to look for the Incas’ treasures.”
“Pooh! Why should he think that?” returned Perry.
“Because these Indian chaps are horribly suspicious as well as superstitious. They would think it a horrible sin to touch the gold if there is any; and if it is found, they would be ready to defend it.”
“What with? Bows and arrows?” cried Perry, laughing.
“Yes, and blowpipes.”
“Why don’t you introduce pop-guns as well?”
“Because they are toys,” said Cyril seriously, “and blowpipes are not. Don’t you know the tiny darts they send out are poisoned, and that one will kill anything it hits?”