e expedition or
two into the forest."

"Uncle," said Rodd quickly, "we mustn't leave the Count and Morny."

"Well, well," said the doctor, "we'll see about that."

"I am glad to know you, Senor Medico," said the Spaniard, patting on the
stiffness of the formal Don and bowing profoundly, "and I will gladly
help you in any way I can. But I am only a poor trader, and glad to do
any business I can when I meet a strange ship that has needs. Do you
want powder? I see you have guns," he said sharply.

"Oh yes," said the doctor. "One never knows what enemies one may meet
with among savage people; so we are well-armed, and as you see have a
good crew."

"Yes, yes," said the Spaniard, looking sharply round.

"But I thank you. We have plenty of powder."

"So have I," said the Spaniard. "The black chief is always glad to buy
it, and guns too. That is my money--that and rum. Those will always
buy palm-oil. But I have plenty of ship stores; canvas, oakum, and
pitch. You are mending the other ship, I see. Can I sell you some?"

"I thank you, no," said the doctor. "We are well supplied, I think,
with everything; and in reply, if there is anything you want that we can
supply to you I shall be pleased."

"Then I should like a few canisters of your good English powder."

"Thought you said you'd plenty," said Captain Chubb gruffly.

The Spaniard closed his eyes slowly till they were like two narrow
slits, and he gave the skipper a meaning nod.

"Yes," he said significantly, "I have plenty. It is good for the black
man's guns. But if you fired it from yours--pff! It makes much smoke,
and the barrel very wet, and the shot do not go too far. But the black
men know no better. I do. Ha, ha! You will let me have a few pounds
for my own pistols?"

"And that long gun of yours too?" said the skipper.

"Yes," said the Spaniard. "As your medico says, one never knows what
savage people one may meet. It is good too behind a bullet for our
friends here in the river. You have seen them?"

He put his wrists together with his palms closed, and then slowly opened
them widely in imitation of a crocodile's jaws, and closed them with a
snap.

"Oh yes," said Rodd, "we have met them, and found out how horny their
skins are."

"Ugh! Beasts!" said the Spaniard. "Last time I was here they swept two
of my men out of a boat, and I never saw them more. We caught some fish
as we came up the river, at the mouth. _Adios, sen