"We simply have to hold together, men. All to the gangway, now, and stand by for orders."
That was all he said, but it was enough. Thoroughly ashamed of ourselves, we followed him to the gangway whither the boat was coming slowly.
Roger assumed an air of neutral welcome as he reached for the bow of the pinnace; but to us behind him he whispered sharply, "Stand ready, all hands, with muskets and pikes."
"Now, then, Captain Falk," he cried, "hand over the money first. We'll stow it safe on board."
"Come, come," Falk replied. "Belay that talk." He was standing ready to climb on deck.
"The money first," said Roger coolly.
Suddenly he tried to hook the bow of the pinnace, but missed it as the pinnace dipped in the trough.
The rest of us, waiting breathlessly, for the first time comprehended
Roger's strategy.
Falk looked up at him angrily. "That'll get you nowhere," he retorted.
"Come, stand away, or so help me, I'll see you hanged anyhow."
Roger smiled at him coldly. "The word of a gentleman? The money first,
Captain Falk."