Uncle Jack explained his plans to Captain Bingley.
“I should like to make every effort in my power to recover my friend Musgrave, but I dare not risk the loss of any of my people in making the attempt,” he answered.
“Then with your leave, Captain Bingley, I will go alone!” exclaimed Uncle Jack. “Who will volunteer? Ned, I am sure that you will be ready to go and look after your old captain.”
“Aye, aye, sir,” was the answer, “with all my heart.”
“And I’ll go too,” said Bell, who had an eye to trade, and an idea that he might establish an intercourse with the natives, as he had done in Borneo.
Kalong, on being asked, expressed his readiness, provided that we all went well-armed.
“I’ll join you,” said Blyth; “I am sure Captain Haiselden will not object.”
The next point to be arranged was, in the event of our finding my father, where should we rejoin the brig.
Captain Bingley, after some discussion, promised, concluding that Captain Haiselden would agree with him, to run down the coast, and to stand off and on, so as to be ready to take us on board. The appearance of the two vessels would, he hoped, produce a favourable effect on the natives. Uncle Jack thanked him heartily, and agreed that the plan was the best that could be devised. I had hoped that Captain Bingley, on hearing of the possibility of my father being in the neighbourhood, would have marched with our whole force to rescue him, but he observed that so large a party might make the natives suspect that we had come as enemies, whereas a small force would show that we had no hostile intentions, and induce them to behave in a friendly manner towards us.
Blyth now told Ned to inform the natives, through Kalong, that we should be ready to purchase all the sago they could obtain, as well as a small quantity of cocoa-nuts, yams, and other roots or fruits, promising to call for them before we left the coast. The natives, who seemed fully to enter into the spirit of trade, were highly satisfied, and undertook to do as they were advised.