‘Except in herds,’ interrupted Birkin.

‘Aren’t there really?’ she said. ‘Oh, I thought savages were all so dangerous, they’d have your life before you could look round.’

‘Did you?’ he laughed. ‘They are over-rated, savages. They’re too much like other people, not exciting, after the first acquaintance.’

‘Oh, it’s not so very wonderfully brave then, to be an explorer?’

‘No. It’s more a question of hardships than of terrors.’

‘Oh! And weren’t you ever afraid?’

‘In my life? I don’t know. Yes, I’m afraid of some things —