"And yet," I said, after reflection, "it's curious, but I never
remember making a successful trip after altering plans at the last
moment, that is, unless one was driven to it."
"I vote we toss up," said Somers; "it gives Providence a chance. Now
then, heads for the Golden Cyp, and tails for the elephants."
He spun a half-crown into the air. It fell and rolled under a great,
yellow-wood chest full of curiosities that I had collected, which it
took all our united strength to move. We dragged it aside and not
without some excitement, for really a good deal hung upon the chance,
I lit a match and peered into the shadow. There in the dust lay the
coin.
"What is it?" I asked of Somers, who was stretched on his stomach on
the chest.
"Orchid--I mean head," he answered. "Well, that's settled, so we
needn't bother any more."
The next fortnight was a busy time for me. As it happened there was a
schooner in the bay of about one hundred tons burden which belonged to
a Portuguese trader named Delgado, who dealt in goods that he carried
to the various East African ports and Madagascar.
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