"Why, they'll knock your block off, the first thing if you try to get a man out of there."
"Don't be too sure about that," answered Dan, with a smile. "I guess they had better not try it."
"Take my advice and take your men in with you. I see they have their guns, and you'd better see to it that the guns are loaded, while you are about it."
"Thank you very much. I will look out for myself."
By the time the young commander rejoined his squad the two men who had taken their prisoner down to the ship's steamer had returned. Dan now had six men that he could use.
"Forward march!" he commanded.
They continued on until they reached the place that the merchant sailor had indicated.
"Men, I want you to wait here. Do not enter unless I give three short, sharp whistles, then come quickly. But do not lose yourselves. Under no consideration use your guns. It is not necessary. We have our fists if it comes to a fight."
"Hadn't you better take a couple of us with you?" questioned one of the men.
"No, it is not necessary. An armed force might stir up trouble."