In an instant two powerful hands had him by the throat, and he had hard work not to struggle. "Who is it?" said the captain hoarsely. "I--Brace Leigh," said the young man, in a hoarse whisper. "You shouldn't rouse me like that, my lad. What is it--Indians?" Brace told him, and the captain lay back, perfectly till, gazing up at the smoke. "Bless 'em!" he said softly. "That's trouble to-morrow morning then-- not to-night. Well, have you told Dellow and Lynton?" "No; but Mr Briscoe is telling my brother." "Mr Briscoe, eh? Think he's siding with the men?" "Oh, no: I'm sure he is not." "I don't know," said the captain thoughtfully. "He jumped at that gold to-day like a baby at sugar. I've always been a bit suspicious about him, and now I see I've been right." "What do you mean?" said Brace warmly. "That chap's natural history has all been a cloak to screen him while he has been gold-hunting. I would bet that he came up this river with us in the hopes of finding that El Dorado place the Spaniards used to swear by." "Quite right," said Brace drily. "That's it, my lad; but he won't find it here. It's in quite another place." "Indeed! Do you know?" said Brace eagerly. "Oh, yes, I know. It's in the moon. Well, let's hear what Sir Humphrey thinks." "Hist, captain," whispered the latter, almost at the same moment. "Yes, sir. What do you think of it all?" asked the captain. "It is horrible," whispered Sir Humphrey. "These men must be brought to reason." "Don't you flurry yourself about that, sir," said the skipper grimly. "I'm going to have a few words with my two bulldogs, just to put them up to what's going on, and then we shall just keep quiet and take no notice of anything till the lads begin. Then I shall let Dellow and Lynton loose at 'em, holding myself in reserve. That will settle 'em. But if we did seem to be getting the worst of it you three gentlemen might come and lend us a hand." "And all be ready armed," said Sir Humphrey, "as you three will be." The captain chuckled softly. "Armed--guns and pistols?" he said at last. "Oh, no. I daresay you gents have had the gloves on and know how to use your fists?" "Well, yes," said Sir Humphrey; "I must confess to that. Brace is particularly smart with his." "I'll be bound to say he is," said the captain, chuckling. "Then we are likely to have some fun to-morrow." "You don't apprehend danger, then, skipper?" said Briscoe: "no shooting?"