But if he has quarreled with your brother," he insisted, unsatisfied "you perhaps know something? Moreover this boat approaching through the darkness was bringing back their leader, and however else they might feel toward him, the reckless daring, and audacious resourcefulness of Sanchez meant success. That ought to do, if long enough; there must be a twenty-foot drop to the water. The only way the mutineers could reach the cabin then would be from the deck, descending through the companion. I evaded his clutch by leaping aside, but the space was far too small to permit these tactics to carry long, and finally he had me. If one among them, and there were many capable of such an act, should steal below forward, and force open the door from the forecastle, we would be crushed between two waves of men, and left utterly helpless.
We cast off when yer went overboard, and cruised about in the fog hunting fer yer. Yes, lads, there must be money on board, unless those fellows took it with them in slots boats. For gallant services rendered to the Colony, and unselfish devotion to Mistress Dorothy Fairfax, I release Geoffry Carlyle from servitude, pending advices from England; I also grant parole to these seamen, on condition they remain within our jurisdiction until this judgment can be confirmed, and full pardons issued. Steady there, Bandy-legs, no hurry, remember--just a regular increasing pull!