“That’s just what we don’t know,” said Brace sharply.
“Oh, yes, we do. Let’s see: there’s Sir Humphrey, the skipper, the two mates, and our two selves—that makes six.”
“And the men are a dozen—two to one,” said Brace.
“Unarmed, and in the wrong,” said Briscoe; “we’re armed, and in the right.”
“Then you would force the men to go on—you’d fight?”
“Of course—if necessary. I’d force the men to do their duty.”
“And their duty is to obey orders,” said Brace quickly.
“Of course.”
“Then we ought to wake and warn the others before the men come back to camp.”
“To be sure, and hear what your brother and the skipper say. I’ll take a look round first to make sure there’s no one within hearing, for it will be another point in our favour to give the scamps a surprise by being ready for them.”