"My difficulty lies here; I _must_ go forward to save the life of my friend.

I must _not_ leave you at the mouth of a mangrove river to die or be captured by pirates, and yet I have no right to ask you to risk your life on my account!" "You may dismiss your perplexities then," said Nigel, promptly, "for I decline to be left to die here or to be caught by pirates, and I am particularly anxious to assist you in rescuing your friend.

Besides, am I not your hired servant ?" "The risk we run is only at the beginning," said Van der Kemp.

"If we succeed in passing the Dyaks unseen all will be well.

If they see us, they will give chase, and our lives, under God, will depend on the strength of our arms, for I am known to them and have thwarted their plans before now.