He helped himself from a flask of arrack, so strong that it made even his eyes flash and water.
“I’ve been on jobs of this sort afore,” he said, “and my motto has always been——”
“What?” said Elman.
“A dark night, and a bloody blanket!”
Even Petersen shuddered as he heard these fearful words.
But the leader lifted his hand.
“I agree with Petersen,” he cried, “that there must be no bloodshed—if possible.”
“And what is more,” he added, “we are strong enough to do the work without—that is, if every man is true to his oath, and obedient to command.”
“Bravo!” from several voices.
“We are not all here, by several,” he added. “Even Antonio would have been suspicious had we all come on shore.”