am urged on to what I am about to say and do by presentiments--only my
presentiments are of the most hopeful description."

"Dick," said Harkaway, looking him straight in the face, "you are
trying to deceive me."

"I swear I am not," retorted Harvey, with warmth. "And you shall soon
see whether or not I am in earnest."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I am going to fetch the boys."

"What wildness are you talking, Dick? What is this?"

"Simply that to-morrow at daybreak I shall start off on the search."

"Whither?"

"To the mountains."

Harkaway looked frightened at this.

"Not to trust yourself in the brigands' clutches?"

"I mean to beard the tigers in their lair," echoed Dick firmly; "not a
word, Jack," he added, as he saw Harkaway about to interrupt him, "not
a word; the worthy Richard Harvey will not go, but his spirit in
another skin will go."