But here, to my horror, that young man's mulish obstinacy came in.
"I say, you know, Quatermain," he said, "we can't let the old boy go alone, or at least I can't.

It's another matter for you who have a son dependent on you.

But putting aside the fact that I mean to get----" he was about to add, "the orchid," when I nudged him.

Of course, it was ridiculous, but an uneasy fear took me lest this Komba should in some mysterious way understand what he was saying.

"What's up?
Oh! I see, but the beggar can't understand English.