"I"m only your servant, Mr Brazier, sir," he said, "and I"ll do what you say; but you told me you wanted to go into quite noo country. Well, it will be easier for me to take you up one of these creeks or rivers, and you"ll be able to hunt and collect; only recollect that it isn"t such very noo country--other folks have been up here and there. What I say is, give the skipper good-bye when we get to a.s.suncion, and then we"ll sail and row and pole up a couple of hundred miles farther, and then turn off west"ard. Then I can take you up rivers where everything"s noo to Englishmen, and in such a country as shall make you say that you couldn"t ha" thought there was such a land on earth."
Similar conversations to this took place again and again, and all fired Martin Brazier"s brain as much as they did Rob"s.
They had an unexpected effect, too, for, on reaching a.s.suncion, where the schooner cast anchor to discharge her cargo and take in a fresh one for the downward journey, Captain Ossolo came over into the boat one evening with his son, just as Brazier and Rob were busy with Shaddy packing in stores which had been freshly purchased, as possibly this would be the last place where they could provide themselves with some of the necessaries of life.
"Ah, captain," cried Brazier, "I"m glad you"ve come. I want to have a settlement with you for all you"ve done."
The captain nodded, and rubbed one brown ear, making the gold ring therein glisten.
"What am I in your debt?" continued Brazier, "though no money can pay you for your kindness to us and excellent advice."
The captain was silent, and took to rubbing the other ear, his face wearing a puzzled expression.
"Don"t be afraid to speak out, sir," continued Brazier; "I am sure you will find me generous."
"_Si_! yes," said the captain, holding out his hand, which was at once taken; "much please--good fellow--_amico_--_bono_--_altro_--_altro_!"
He broke down and looked confused.
"I understand you," said Brazier, speaking slowly; "and so are you a good fellow. I wish I could speak Italian. Do you understand me?"
"_Si! si_!" said the captain, nodding his head.
"We both hope to find you here again when we return, for you to help us down the river again with the collections we shall have made."
This last puzzled the captain a little; but his son, who was at his elbow, interpreted, and he nodded his head vehemently.
"_Si! si_!" he cried. "Take you back on _Tessa_. Get fever? No. Get hurt? No. Come back safe."
"My father means you are to take care of yourselves," said Joe, "both you and Rob. Shaddy has promised to help you all he can."
"Ah, to be sure I will; depend upon that," said the individual named.
"And father wants to say something else," said Joe.
"Yes, of course," said Brazier rather impatiently. "What am I in his debt?"
"Shall I tell him, father?" said the lad in Italian.
"_Si! si_!"
The lad cleared his voice, and fixed his eyes on Rob, but turned them directly after upon Brazier.
"My father says he will not take any money for what he has done."
"Oh, nonsense!" cried Brazier; "he must."
"No!" cried the skipper, frowning as he shook his head till his earrings glistened.
"He wants you to do him a favour."
"What does he so want--a gun, a watch, some powder?"
"No," said the lad, clearing his throat again; "he wants you to be a friend to me and take me with you in the boat."
"What?" cried Rob, with an eager look.
"Father--_il mio padre_--says it would do me good to go with you and travel, and learn to speak English better."
"Why, you speak it well now."
"But better," continued Joe. "He would like me to go with Rob, and help you, and shoot and fish and collect things. He would like it very much."
Captain Ossolo showed his teeth and laughed merrily as he clapped his son on the shoulder.
"Do you understand what your son says?" cried Brazier.
"_Si_! All he say. Giovanni want go bad, very much bad."
"I thought so," said Brazier. Then turning to the lad, "Do you know that we may be months away?"
"Yes, I know," said the lad eagerly. "Father says it would--Please take me, Signore Brazier. I will be so useful, and I can fish, and cook, and light fires."
"And lay the blame on your father, eh? He wants you to go?"
"He says I may, signore--I mean sir. He promised me that he would ask you."
"I understand," said Brazier; "but, my good lad, do you know that we shall have to rough it very much?"
"Bah!" exclaimed the boy. "You will have the boat, and Shaddy, and the four Indian rowers. The country is paradise. It will be a holiday, a delight."
"And the insects, the wild beasts, the dangers of disease?"
"What of them? We shall be on the rivers, and I have been on rivers half my life. Pray take me, signore."
Brazier shook his head, and a look of agony convulsed the boy"s Southern features.
"Speak to him, my father," he cried excitedly, "and you, Rob. We were making friends. Beg, pray of him to say yes."
"_Si_!" said the captain, nodding his head. "Do boy _mio_ good. Much, very good boy, Giovanni."
"Well, I hardly like to refuse you, my lad," said Brazier. "What do you say, Rob? Could we make room for him?"
A light seemed to flash from Giovanni"s eyes, and his lips parted as he waited panting for Rob"s reply.
"Oh yes; he would not take up much room."
"No, very little. I could sleep anywhere," cried the lad excitedly, "and I could help you so much. I know the country almost as well as Shaddy. Don"t I, Shaddy?"