Cates—[Hoarsely.] Knife ’em—and be done with it—I say!
Bartlett—Or, if they don’t tell the schooner’s skipper it’ll only be because they’re plannin’ to come back themselves—before we kin—and dig it up. That cook—there’s somethin’ queer in his mind—somethin’ he was hidin’—pretendin’ not to believe. What d’ye think, Horne?
Horne—I think—time’s gettin’ short—and talkin’ won’t do no good. [Insinuatingly.] They’d do for us soon enough if they was able.
Bartlett—Aye, murder was plain in his eyes when he looked at me.
Horne—[Lowering his voice to a whisper.] Tell Jimmy—Captain Bartlett—is what I say!
Bartlett—It’s agin the law, Silas Horne!
Horne—The law don’t reach to this island.
Bartlett—[Monotonously.] It’s against the law a captain’s sworn to keep wherever he sails. They ain’t refused duty—nor mutinied.
Horne—Who’ll know they ain’t? They’re trying to steal what’s yours—that’s worse’n mutiny. [As a final persuasion.] And Jimmy’s a nigger—and under no laws. And he’s stronger’n you are. You couldn’t stop ’im.
Bartlett—Aye—I couldn’t prevent——