“Just what I was going to say,” Hal returned, blushing consciously under his beard. “A white girl—my goodness!”
They both laughed, then she cupped her tanned face in her right hand and searched Hal’s face eagerly. He noted at once that her eyes were gray.
“You’ve been hurt—sick—lost?” she asked solicitously.
“All three,” Hal admitted with a chuckle. “I don’t know where I’ve been, where I am, or where I’m headed for, but I do know that it’s darn sweet music to see a white girl in this wilderness and hear her talking the English language. Gosh!”
She laughed, huskily sweet.
“You’re not by any chance that person whom all the Amazon is being searched for—Hallett Keen?”
“Now I know the reason they haven’t found me,” Hal laughed. “If they’re searching for me with that name to go by, I wouldn’t care if I was ever rescued.”
“Then you are he?”
“Not Hallett—Hal! Hal Keen is the only name my dog knows, and what’s good enough for my dog is good enough for me. So I’m Hal Keen, by your leave, young lady.”
“Oh, I’m so happy to meet you, Hal Keen,” she said laughing, but none the less sincere. “I really am. Particularly am I glad to know you’re alive. Word came through here four days ago that we were to watch out for a young man of your description, and here you are! Think of it!” Then, solicitously: “You’re pale and shaken looking, Mr. Hal—why, you’re not well!”