Part 3 (1/2)
CHAPTER THREE.
THE PUs.h.i.+NG STRANGER.
Wise people say that one ought to get up very early in the morning, and that it makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
It is a matter to be settled to a great extent by climate, and Brace Leigh wanted no urging to hurry out of--or, rather, off from his--bed just as the stars were beginning to pale, and open his window more widely, to breathe in the comparatively cool air.
His first thought was, of course, a bath or a plunge into the river for a swim.
But the latter was not to be thought of, for more than one reason. Mud was one, but that might have been borne; another reason was that certain loathsome lizardy creatures lurked about in those waters on the look-out for food.
It a pity, for the hotel was rather a primitive place, and did not boast a bath-room, nor even a good tub or a large basin, and the young fellow had to sigh and make believe with a sponge before dressing hurriedly and going out to wait for the sun's rising and the first notes of the birds.
”Morning is the time out here in the tropics,” he said to himself, as he stepped out into the cool darkness, apparently the first person up that morning, for all was very still.
”I'll go down to the waterside and have a good look at Captain Banes's vessel.”
He found out directly, though, that he was not the first person up, for the door was open, and as he was in the act of stepping out a peculiarly harsh, wiry voice said:
”Good morning!”
The young man felt taken aback, for he dimly made out the figure of the thin, inquisitive-looking personage who had hung about them the previous day during the interview with the captain.
”I thought you'd be up early, so I waited for you.”
”What for?” said Brace sharply.
”Just for a chat. Folks get friendly when they're thrown together in an out-of-the-way place like this. I took to you as soon as I saw you.
Brother up yet?”
”No, he is not,” said Brace surlily.
”Ha, ha!” laughed the man. ”You want your breakfast.”
”Do I?” said Brace. ”You seem to know.”
”A man don't want to be very knowing to find out that. One always feels a bit snappish first thing. You're going down to have a look at the skipper's brig.”
”Well, really--,” began Brace.
”Don't be huffy, squire. It's quite natural that you should.”
”And pray why, sir? I saw the vessel lying moored yonder yesterday.”
”Of course, but when one's going for a voyage in a s.h.i.+p one likes to look at her a bit.”
”Then I'm going on a voyage in that s.h.i.+p, am I?” said Brace.
”Of course--you and your brother. Up the Amazons, eh?”