"That's all very well, but what am I to do?" said Tim.
"You will remain here, señorito," said Romaña.
"Why should I? I had enough of this cave before. If that's all I'm to do I might just as well have remained in the hills. We were both sent on this job, remember."
"But there would be great danger in your going into the town. It is a needless risk. True, you speak our language perfectly; but your appearance, your complexion, your hair, señorito, are not those of a Peruvian. You would certainly be recognised----"
"So will you."
"Not certainly. In the dark I shall be like any other townsman; and though everybody knows me----"
"Look here, Romaña: old Moll--I mean his excellency--made me a lieutenant this morning, and if I choose to say I'll go, and order you to stay here, you'll have to obey."
Romaña blinked. But he was very patient with Tim, whom he had known ever since he was a two-years' toddler. He repeated his arguments, and Tim was not so pig-headed as to deny their force, disgusted though he was at the prospect of kicking his heels for a whole day while Romaña was doing the work.
"I tell you what," he said at length. "I'll agree to what you propose if you'll try to get me some petrol."
"How can I do that, señorito?"