f these rivers, and I don't mean to be put
off. They're as free for me as for you."

"Quite so," said Sir Humphrey, "and you will go your way while I go
mine."

"Ye-e-es, but it seems a pity. I like you two gentlemen, and I don't
think you'd find much harm in me."

"I have nothing against you, Mr--Mr--"

"Don't you mind about the `mister.' My name's P Franklyn Briscoe,
squire, and I should like to be friends with you."

"So you shall be," said Sir Humphrey, smiling, "for I promise you I will
not quarrel."

"Then you'll make a bargain of it?" cried the American eagerly.

"Decidedly not, Mr Briscoe," said Sir Humphrey firmly. "Make up an
expedition of your own, sir: and I wish, you success."

"But we should do so much better, squire, if we joined hands."

"Possibly, sir, but I must decline to enter into any kind of
partnership."

"With a stranger, eh?"

"Well, yes, with a stranger. Once more, sir, I wish you success."

"I'm a very useful sort of man, squire."

"That I do not doubt; but I prefer to take my own journey my own way."

"Wouldn't stop to pick me up, I suppose, if you found me drowning or
starving, eh?"

"I hope I have an Englishman's share of humanity towards a fellow-man in
distress, sir," said Sir Humphrey coldly; "but on your own showing you
have a goodly supply of necessaries and ample funds for prosecuting your
journey."

"Well, yes, tidy."

"Then once more good morning. Come, Brace, my lad, I daresay we can get
some breakfast now."

Sir Humphrey bowed to the American and turned away, followed by his
brother, after the latter had saluted the stranger, who stood looking
after them.

"All right," he said. "People don't take to me don't like my ways, I
suppose: I thought I was as polite as a man could be. But if you keep
on whittling you're sure to get through the stick: whether it take a
long time or a short time, PFB, my friend, depends upon the blade. Now,
is your blade a sharp one, or will it only cut cheese if you put a lot
of strength into the stroke? Well, we shall see."

Before the brothers had finished their meal Captain Banes was ashore,
and an earnest conversation ensued about ways and means.

"Let's see," said the captain; "what about your luggage and stores? You
haven't much, gentlemen?"

"Indeed, but we have," said Brace: "tons."

"Oh, that's nothing."

"I think you will say it is something when you see," said Brace. "We
have stores of all kinds to la