“But isn’t this the last, sir?” said the clerk who had proposed the retreat.
“Oh no. We are as safe or safer than ever, and though there are going to be a great many more to make the attack, it does not follow that any of them will get in.”
“Hear, hear!” shouted Lawrence.
“And besides,” continued Stan, “when it does come to their beginning to break in, we have all our big, strong coolies to join us and help with their knives and bars. I feel sure that they will fight bravely.”
“So do I, Mr Lynn,” said Lawrence warmly.
“But they are brother natives,” said the objector.
“That’s the very reason why they will fight all the fiercer for us. They hate pirates like poison, and will enjoy sending them out of the world far more than we shall. It is only fair, though, Mr Lynn, that you should give any one who likes to make the attempt to escape free leave to go.”
“Yes,” said Stan; “it is not fair to force any one to fight who wishes to escape.”
To Stan’s surprise, there was a dead silence; and after waiting a few moments listening to the storm of voices without, Stan continued:
“Then we’re all going to stand by one another?”