ores_; I will send
you some. We shall meet again. I do not hurry for some days, for I am
before my time."

"How far is it up to the town?" asked Captain Chubb.

"Three days' journey. This is a great river, and the water is deep
right up into the country till you reach the mountains, far beyond the
town."

"Well," said the doctor, "let's go ashore, Rodd, and tell the Count. We
didn't bargain for this, eh, captain?"

"No," said the skipper gruffly, as he watched the departing boat, after
ordering the crew back into their own so as to row the doctor and his
nephew to the brig.

"Well, Rodd," continued the doctor, "it would be a grand chance for us
to have some expeditions with a good guide. What do you think of the
Spanish captain?"

"Don't like him at all, uncle. There's a nasty, catty, foxy look about
him."

"A mixture of the feline and the canine, eh, my boy? Well, he must be a
bad one! Ah! British prejudice is as strong in you as it is in me."

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

SPANISH LIQUORICE.

There was quite a discussion when the doctor joined those waiting by the
brig, the Count being bitterly annoyed and displaying more excitement
than the others had seen in him before, while Morny kept close to his
side, and whispered to him from time to time, as if trying to calm him
down.

"Yes, yes, my son," he cried passionately, and speaking to him in
French; "but you are a boy, and do not think. Look here," and he
pointed to the helpless brig, "how do we know but that he may be an
enemy? And we are in this helpless state, quite at his mercy."

The doctor was listening attentively, and understood every word.

"I know," he said soothingly, "this must be very painful for you; but
Captain Chubb believes that before many days are over the brig will be
as strong as ever. I answer for him that he is making every effort to
finish what he has undertaken."

Uncle Paul directed a glance at the skipper, who stood scowling close
by.

"Thank you, doctor," he granted, as he gave a nod. "And I feel sure
that this Spanish captain, who is evidently an ordinary trader, will
prove perfectly inoffensive; and besides, my dear sir, we are not at war
now, and what enemies can you have to fear?"

"Ah, yes," said the Count bitterly, as he made a deprecating gesture
with his hands, turning and directing his words at his son; "what
enemies can we have to fear?"

"Well, I am glad you look upon it in that light," said the