question of continuing their
voyage or going back.

Brace broke out with the exclamation: "We must not be beaten by a little
difficulty such as this!" but his brother checked him by laying a hand
upon his arm and turning to Briscoe.

"What were you going to say?" he asked the American.

"Firstly, gentlemen, that I don't want to interfere. Go where you like
and how you like: it's all interesting to me; but you won't mind hearing
my opinion?"

"Certainly not," said Sir Humphrey. "What do you think?"

"That we have arrived in a thoroughly wild country which most likely no
one has ever reached before."

"Yes," said Sir Humphrey.

"So how would it be to make this headquarters and ask Captain Banes to
rig out the biggest boat with sail and some canvas and a light pole to
set up from end to end of a night to cover her in, and then row and sail
up wherever we could as long as our provisions lasted? Fresh water we
shouldn't have to carry; we could bring down something with our guns, or
hook up something with fishing-lines; and I daresay we might get up
hundreds of miles, for we should be sure to come upon side streams.
That's only my idea, gentlemen. If you think differently I'm quite
contented. I'm ready to keep to the bargain I have made. To me this is
a regular naturalist's paradise."

"I quite agree with you, Mr Briscoe," said Sir Humphrey warmly, "and
now that my weakness and the lack of spirit brought about by the effect
of my wound are passing away I am getting more contented with the cruise
every hour."

"Yes, sir, you alter every day," said the American, smiling.

"What do you think of the plan, captain?" said Sir Humphrey.

"Splendid, sir," was the reply. "I like it tremendously, and I was
going to propose something of the kind myself. You see, you'll never
want for help. My lads will be just like a set of schoolboys going out
for a holiday. The only ones who will grumble will be those who have to
stop aboard the brig. I'm like Mr Briscoe: ready to go where you like,
and how you like: you two gents have only to say the word; and I don't
think you'll better that plan."

"What do you say, Brace?" said his brother, turning to him.

"Well, at first I didn't like the idea at all: it sounded so much like
being beaten and having to make a fresh start; but I think now that it's
just what we as good as planned to do when we set off. When shall we
start?"

"It seems to me," said Sir Humphrey, smilin