“And you think he stole it?”
“I shan’t say one thing nor I shan’t say another. All I know is, that my knife’s gone.”
“But hadn’t you better have him stopped and searched?”
“What, and if the knife ain’t found, have him glaring at me with that eye of his as if he would eat me? Not I. We’re in a strange country, with ’Mericans, and Indians, and Chinese all about, and we’ve got to be careful. All I say is, my knife’s gone.”
“There, put it in your pocket,” I said, handing him the knife, “and don’t be so prejudiced against a man who wanted to give us a bit of friendly advice.”
“Why! eh? How? You took the knife then.”
“Nonsense; you lent it to me last night when I was packing up our things.”
Esau doubled his fist, and gave himself a good punch on the head.
“Of course I did,” he cried. “Well of all! Why how! I say, my head must be thick after all.”