“That will mean,” he said, “one smart American the less in the world.”
“Well, I don’t think,” retorted Trim. “If you fellows could go out there and come back alive I don’t see why I shouldn’t.”
The chief shrugged his shoulders.
“Our expedition,” he said, “was made up of older men than you are, and when a fellow gets old enough to have a beard on his face he understands that caution is quite as important to success as courage.”
“I suppose you’re thinking,” responded Trim, “that I shall go out there and hit the first head I see?”
“Well, it doesn’t strike me as if you would be able to get along without a row. You don’t seem to be a fellow who will stand very much nonsense, and I just give you warning that these savages in Central Africa often make trouble for travelers and unless they are handled carefully the result is likely to be bloodshed.”
“You don’t know me,” remarked Trim. “I shall come back alive unless I’m carried off by a fever or an accident.”
“Of course I hope you’ll succeed in coming back alive.
“There isn’t the remotest chance that[Pg 6] you’ll be able to get hold of Mulvey or any of his white men, although it is possible that you may run across Miller if you start at once.
“It’ll take him some time to go to Gordonia, and he may lose his way. If you should come across him I advise you to come back with him and let the others go.”