“And kill us, father,” said Perry, with his lips paling in the firelight.
“If we let them, boy. But we are well-armed, John Manning and I, and know how to use our weapons if it should come to a struggle, which I doubt.”
“Then you have come in search of something, sir! I knew it,” cried Cyril.
“Yes, I have come in search of something, boy, and I mean to find it and take it away out of the country in spite of all their watchfulness and care. Now, then, what do you say to that? Are you afraid, and do you want to get back?”
“I don’t know, sir,” said Cyril quietly. “Yes, I do. I can’t help feeling a bit frightened like. I don’t want to, but I do.”
“And you wish to go back? For I warn you I am going on in spite of all obstacles.”
“No, I don’t,” said Cyril quietly. “I shall go with you. I’m not going to leave Perry in the lurch.”
“There’s a coward for you, Perry, my boy,” said the colonel, laughing. “You must be a very good sort of a fellow to have made a friend like that; one who risks his father’s anger to come with you, and who is now ready to run more risks for your sake.”
“I’m afraid it isn’t that, sir,” said Cyril frankly. “I wanted to come because I thought it was going to be a great treat.”
“There, say no more now. Listen to me. I shall take it for granted that we have spies in the camp, and that, consequent upon their communication to the men of the llama caravan, some of that party are following us. Of course the poor fellows consider that they are performing a religious duty, so I shall not charge them with their action. They will go on watching us till they find I have done something which calls for immediate action. Till then we are safe.”