Will you come with me ?" I am, as I think I have said, a cautious man, indeed a timid one, and this suggestion frightened me.

It seemed to me that to undertake such a journey would be to go to certain death, and putting other considerations aside, as I had a son to support, I could not afford to die just then.
"No, thank you, Sir Henry, I think I had rather not," I answered.

"I am too old for wild-goose chases of that sort, and we should only end up like my poor friend Silvestre.

I have a son dependent on me, so I cannot afford to risk my life foolishly." Both Sir Henry and Captain Good looked very disappointed.
"Mr.Quatermain," said the former, "I am well off, and I am bent upon this business.

You may put the remuneration for your services at whatever figure you like in reason, and it shall be paid over to you before we start.