“Humph! ’Pon my word!” grumbled Mr Burne. “Look here, Lawrence, let’s go back.”
“What for?” cried the lad flushing. “Oh, no! we must go on.”
The professor glanced at him quickly, and smiled in his calm grave way before turning to the landlord.
“You have not given us your advice,” he said.
“It is very simple, gentlemen, and it is this: Take with you a man who knows the country well, who can act as guide, and from his frequent travels there can speak two or three languages—a faithful trusty fellow who will watch over you, guard you from extortion, and be ready to fight, if needs be, or force the people he comes among to give you or sell you what you need.”
“Oh! but are they such savages as this—so near to the more civilised places of the East?”
“Quite, sir,” replied the landlord.
“And where is this pearl among men to be found?” said the professor with a slight sneer. “Do you know such a one?”
“Yes, sir; he only returned from a journey yesterday. I happened to see him this morning, and thought directly of you.”
“Would he go with us?” said the old lawyer quickly.