ail with me to the mouth of the Amazon."

"Yes, sir."

"And up the river as far as you possibly can, and then anchor, and man a
boat to go on up the river or rivers as far as we can go."

"That's what you said yesterday, sir. But what for? What's the good of
it?"

"That's my business, captain; and here is your friend coming back
wanting to make it his apparently," said Sir Humphrey, for the
keen-looking yellow-faced man came sauntering back and approached the
table so as to pass closer to them.

CHAPTER TWO.

THE CAPTAIN'S BARGAIN.

"Then he isn't going to know," said the captain, and then aloud: "Yes,
sir, as you say, it's a hot country, and those who settle down to a
sugar plantation must have rather a rough time of it. If you think of
settling down I should advise you to look round a bit first. Don't be
in too great a hurry."

By this time the yellow-faced man had passed, and the captain gave each
of his companions a solemn wink.

"Let him turn that over," he said. "I like to put chaps like that on a
false scent. He's a Poll Pry, that's what that chap is. P'raps he'll
be wanting to sell you a plantation. But now then, sir, business.
Directly I tell my mates and crew where we're going--if so be as we
agree--the first question will be: What are we going for?"

"I don't know myself, captain," said Sir Humphrey.

"You don't know yourself, sir?"

"Not thoroughly. But I will be as open with you as I can. I am an
Englishman of some means, and it is my wish to travel with my brother
here, collecting."

"Oh!" said the captain.

"At the present time comparatively nothing is known of the central parts
of South America."

"Wrong," said the captain. "I can tell you something: it's all big
rivers running into one another like a net o' waters."

"Exactly, and that should make travelling in ship and boat easy,"
replied Sir Humphrey.

"But what's to be got by it, sir?"

"Who can tell," was the reply, "until the country is examined? We want
to search. It may mean gold."

"That's good," said the captain.

"Or diamonds."

"That's better, sir."

"Or other precious stones. This is, of course, doubtful; but it is sure
to mean an infinity of discoveries about the country and its flora and
fauna."

"Its what, sir?"

"Well, its botany and zoology."

"Eh?"

"Its flowers, plants, and wild beasts."

"Oh, I see: you'd be hunting, shooting, and collecting a bit?"

"Certainly."

"But it's