They got quite
accustomed to this get-up during the next three days, for he never
had time to change it; and, somehow, it ceased to be humorous long
before the end of that time.
"Oh, it's nothing," Durnovo was saying, with a singular eagerness.
"I know these chaps. They have been paid in advance. They are
probably shamming, and if they are not they are only suffering from
the effects of a farewell glorification. They want to delay our
start. That is their little game. It will give them a better
chance of deserting."
"At any rate, we had better go and see them," suggested Jack.
"No, don't!" cried Durnovo eagerly, detaining him with both hands.
"Take my advice, and don't. Just have breakfast in the ordinary way
and pretend there is nothing wrong. Then afterwards you can lounge
casually into the camp."
"All right," said Jack, rather unwillingly.
"It has been of some use--this scare," said Durnovo, turning and
looking towards the river. "It has reminded me of something. We
have not nearly enough quinine. I will just take a quick canoe, and
run down to Loango to fetch some."
He turned quite away from them, and stooped to attach the lace of
his boot.
"I can travel night and day, and be back here in three days," he
added. "In the meantime you can be getting on with the loading of
the canoes, and we will start as soon as I get back.
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