he boat."

"What?" cried Rob, with an eager look.

"Father--_il mio padre_--says it would do me good to go with you and
travel, and learn to speak English better."

"Why, you speak it well now."

"But better," continued Joe. "He would like me to go with Rob, and help
you, and shoot and fish and collect things. He would like it very
much."

Captain Ossolo showed his teeth and laughed merrily as he clapped his
son on the shoulder.

"Do you understand what your son says?" cried Brazier.

"_Si_! All he say. Giovanni want go bad, very much bad."

"I thought so," said Brazier. Then turning to the lad, "Do you know
that we may be months away?"

"Yes, I know," said the lad eagerly. "Father says it would--Please take
me, Signore Brazier. I will be so useful, and I can fish, and cook, and
light fires."

"And lay the blame on your father, eh? He wants you to go?"

"He says I may, signore--I mean sir. He promised me that he would ask
you."

"I understand," said Brazier; "but, my good lad, do you know that we
shall have to rough it very much?"

"Bah!" exclaimed the boy. "You will have the boat, and Shaddy, and the
four Indian rowers. The country is paradise. It will be a holiday, a
delight."

"And the insects, the wild beasts, the dangers of disease?"

"What of them? We shall be on the rivers, and I have been on rivers
half my life. Pray take me, signore."

Brazier shook his head, and a look of agony convulsed the boy's Southern
features.

"Speak to him, my father," he cried excitedly, "and you, Rob. We were
making friends. Beg, pray of him to say yes."

"_Si_!" said the captain, nodding his head. "Do boy _mio_ good. Much,
very good boy, Giovanni."

"Well, I hardly like to refuse you, my lad," said Brazier. "What do you
say, Rob? Could we make room for him?"

A light seemed to flash from Giovanni's eyes, and his lips parted as he
waited panting for Rob's reply.

"Oh yes; he would not take up much room."

"No, very little. I could sleep anywhere," cried the lad excitedly,
"and I could help you so much. I know the country almost as well as
Shaddy. Don't I, Shaddy?"

"Say ever so much more, boy, if you like. But he does know a lot about
it. Me and he's been more than one trip together, eh, lad?"

"Yes. But beg him to take me, Rob," cried the boy. "I do so want to
go."

"You will take him, will you not, Mr Brazier?"

"I shrink from the responsibility," said Brazier.

"I'll