out,
and then try him, my lad; he'll be a different sort then to deal with."

Rob was silent for a few minutes.

"That's good advice, Mr Rob, sir, and so I tell you; but I mustn't stop
here talking. It'll soon be sundown, and then, you know, it's dark
directly, and 'fore then we must be landed and the lads making a good
fire. I wish Mr Brazier would come and give more orders about our
halting-place to-night."

"He's too busy with his plants, Shaddy; and I ought to be helping him."

"Then why don't you go, my lad?"

"How can I, with Joe sitting there looking as if I had offended him for
life? I'll go and shake hands at once."

"No, you won't, lad."

"But I will."

"He won't let you."

"Won't he?" said Rob firmly. "I'm in the wrong, and I'll tell him so
frankly, and ask him to forgive me."

"And then he won't; and, what's worse, he'll think you're afraid of him,
because it is his natur' to."

"We'll see," said Rob; and going round outside the canvas awning by
holding on to the iron stretchers and ropes, he reached the spot where
Joe sat staring fixedly astern, perfectly conscious of Rob's presence,
but frowning and determined upon a feud.

Rob glanced back, and could see Brazier through the opening in the
canvas busily examining his specimens, so as to see if any had grown
damp through the rain. Then, feeling that, if he whispered, their
conversation would not be heard, Rob began.

"Joe!"

There was no reply.

"Joe, old chap, I'm so sorry." Still the young Italian gazed over the
lake. "I say, Joe, it's like being alone almost, you here and I out
there. We can't afford to quarrel. Shake hands, old fellow."

Joe frowned more deeply.

"Oh, come, you shall," whispered Rob. "I say, here, give me your hand
like a man. I was put out about losing the puma, because I was sure I
could tame it; and it would have made such a jolly pet to go travelling
with. It could have lived on the shore and only been on board when we
were going down the river. It put me out, and I said that stupid thing
about the monkey."

Joe started round with his eyes flashing.

"Do you want me to strike you a blow?" he hissed angrily.

"No; I want you to put your fist in mine and to say we're good friends
again. I apologise. I'm very sorry."

"Keep your apologies. You are a mean coward to call me a name like
that. If we were ashore instead of on a boat, I should strike you."

"No, you wouldn't," said Rob sturdily