The chart was spread on the table.
"Id take anyway five day for the Orion to sail round to thee places," said Captain Marat, making measurements, "if she have most favorable wind."
"It won't take over four days to make it overland," I offered, "if we make only thirty miles a day with horses."
"Just so," agreed Captain Marat, verifying my measurements.
"What is more," Robert added, "we know pretty accurately where Duran will land to go to the gold mine."
We all of us caught afire with the prospect, Carlos not the least, for the sailing away of Duran had set a melancholy on his face.
"Hurray!" cried Norris, "we'll beat that skunk yet."
Preparations went immediately forward. Norris, Julian, and Carlos hurried over to the town, to secure horses and a guide. Robert and I set to work on our packs, for it was we two that were to make the overland journey, accompanied by Carlos.
It wanted an hour of noon when the three came back, having been eminently successful. They had found horses in plenty, and no lack of guides.
"Now looky heah," began Rufe, when Robert, Carlos, and I had taken our seats in the small boat. "Don' you-all let dat white voodoo debbil git his han's on you no moh. Keep yo' eyes peeled foh him; he's jes' dat sneaking."