"Most like," said Job, calmly.
"I saw you the other night," said the captain, "and in this disguise."
"You did," said Job, "and I saw you."
It was an anxious moment for the captain.
How much had the man seen?
There was a queer twinkle in his light gray eyes. Had they seen the whole of that secret drawer business?
The captain endeavored to discover by a question.
"If I had been a moment sooner I should have caught you," he said. "As it was, you took me by surprise. However, I have you to-night, all of you. Ay, you need not look so fierce, my boys; I have you all, and you know it. I can name you one by one, from Job there to Tommy Lawn. Keep back. There are six barrels here, and all loaded. If you think to frighten me, you are much mistaken. You are also self-deceived if you imagine that I shall consent to be catechised as to my intentions."
"Come, come," said Job, "don't be unreasonable, captain. We're twenty and more to one. What's to prevent us from giving you an inch of lead and sending you across the main in the ship that's at anchor yonder? Many a man has been put away quietly and none the wiser."
"I'll tell you," he said; "because you all know the difference between murder and smuggling, and because there's no necessity to kill a man who means you no harm."