He halted, and she saw it, and understood much of what was in him.
"Don't hesitate one moment on my account, Ken. I must go. It is possible my being with you may help. It will show them, at all events, that we mean them no ill."
"We are in God's hands," he said quietly, but was visibly disturbed at her insistence.
Stuart and Evans also strove with him, but with no better effect.
"The peace must be kept, if it is possible," he said. "And this seems to me a possible way to it. I would sooner my wife had stopped behind, but I quite understand her point of view. And—we are as safe there as here."
"You've no objection to my firing a blank round or two, Mr. Blair?" asked Captain Cathie.
"What's the idea, captain?"
"Just to impress them with the fact that we're here behind you, sir. A bang or two from the big gun will maybe have as big an effect as anything you can say to them."
"Well, I see no objection. All we want is to keep the peace. The big gun may impress them, as you say."
"You wouldn't take a dozen of the men with you, would you sir?" asked the captain insinuatingly.