"Wake up! Talk like a man!"
The blood of anger flushed Higgins' face; he blinked and, wide awake, understood.
"Oh! All right. Come on."
"Give me your gun," said Payne sharply.
"What? Oh, hell! I'm not that bad."
"Not yet; but we'll play safe. Hand it over."
XVI
With the revolver in his possession Payne started the day's march at Higgins' side. Soon his caution was justified. At an island Higgins stopped and stared drunkenly at the salt water gleaming among the mangrove roots.
"Steady, Hig," warned Payne.
"What?"