Page:Dick Sands the Boy Captain.djvu/191

 ASHORE. 165 " Yes ; to take care of you, there will be Hercules, Bat, Actaeon and Austin. Negoro, too, I présume, means to remain hère," saîd Dick, glancîng towards the cook. "Perhaps," repHed Negoro, sparîng as ever of his words. may be useful." At the Sound of his name the dog had entered the grotto. A short bark seemed to testify his approval of Dick's proposai. Mrs. Weldon was silent. She looked sad and thoughtful. It was hard to reconcile herself to the division of the party. She was aware that the séparation would not be for long, but she could not suppress a certain feeling of nervousness. Was ît not possible that some natives, attracted by the wreck, would assault them in hopes of plunder ? Every argument he could think of, Dick brought forward to reassure the lady. He told her that the Indians were perfectly harmless, and entirely différent to the savage tribes of Africa and Polynesia ; there was no reason to apprehend any mischief, even if they should chance to encounter them, which was itself extremely unlikely. No doubt the séparation would hâve its inconveniences, but they would be însignificant compared with the difficulty of traversing the country en masse. Tom and he would hâve far greater freedom if they went alone, and could make their investigations much more thoroughly. Finally he pro- mised that if within two days they failed to discover human habitation, they would return to the grotto forthwith. " I confess, however," he added, " that I hâve littleexpec- tation of being able to ascertain our true position, until I hâve penetrated some distance into the country." There was nothing in Dick's représentations but what com- manded Mrs. Weldon's assent as reasonable. It was simply her own nervousness, she acknowledged, that made her hesitate ; but ît was only with extrême reluctance that she finally yîelded to the proposition. " And what, Mr. Benedict, is your opinion of my pro- posai ? " said Dick, tuming to the entomologist
 * We shall take Dîngo," added Dick ; " lîkely enough he