"Well," said Schumer, "I believe you have been telling me the truth. I am here to do justice, and justice shall be done."
He rose up, and drawing Floyd aside, walked a few paces with him along the beach.
"That fellow with the squint was evidently the leader in this business," said he. "I am not thinking so much of the trouble on board the schooner, for it's pretty evident that the old man and the mates and the recruiter deserved their gruel. What I am thinking of is the time before us. I am going to make these chaps work the fishery, and I don't want a potential murder leader among them. That wouldn't do at all. Besides, they must be shown at once their position in the scheme of things, and that position is laborers working for decent pay, but under a strong hand. Besides, all these fellows have murder on their conscience—or the thing, whatever it is, that serves for their conscience. That will always make them nervous and distrustful of white men. I can't clear their consciences, but I can clear their minds of the fear of consequences, and I am going to do it now.
"You have your revolver in your pocket; get your rifle, also, and come with me. We may have to fight; there's no knowing."
"I shouldn't mind if we have," said Floyd; "rotten murderers!"
"Oh, they are all right! They are only savages, doing according to their lights. They only require firmness to do according to the lights of civilization."
He went to the tent with Floyd, and they got their rifles and some extra ammunition. Then, with the help of Joe, they pushed the boat off.
The fellows on board watched the coming of the boat, evidently suspecting nothing, though they must have seen the rifles.
Schumer was the first to come on board, followed by Floyd.
They walked aft, and Joe, when he had finished securing the boat, followed them.