“Including the Pongo,” I said. “By the way, if I can get the money together for a trip up there, I suppose you mean to come too, don’t you? If not, the thing’s off so far as I am concerned. You see, I am reckoning on you to get us through the Mazitu and into Pongo-land by the help of your friends.”
“Certainly I mean to come. In fact, if you don’t go, I shall start alone. I intend to explore Pongo-land even if I never come out of it again.”
Once more I looked at him as I answered:
“You are ready to risk a great deal for a flower, John. Or are you looking for more than a flower? If so, I hope you will tell me the truth.”
This I said as I was aware that Brother John had a foolish objection to uttering, or even acting lies.
“Well, Allan, as you put it like that, the truth is that I heard something more about the Pongo than I told you up country. It was after I had operated on that Kalubi, or I would have tried to get in alone. But this I could not do then as I have said.”
“And what did you hear?”
“I heard that they had a white goddess as well as a white god.”
“Well, what of it? A female gorilla, I suppose.”
“Nothing, except that goddesses have always interested me. Good night.”