"Then maybe I ought to get somewhere forward of the main hatch?" proposed Ralph.
"I suppose you have your revolvers with you?" said the captain.
"I know mine is all right," replied Ralph.
"So is mine, I think," said Alfred, "although I haven't had an opportunity to try it so far."
"I hope there will be no necessity for anything of that kind," said the captain. "However, we are dealing with men who are desperate, and who have been taught that they must do desperate things to accomplish their purposes, hence the safe rule, in all cases, in dealing with them, is to do the very opposite of that which they wish you to do."
"Is that the reason why you refused to let him remove the fuse?" asked Alfred.
The captain laughed quietly, as he replied: "He thinks I have refused to let him do so, but he will be surprised to get the order to remove the fuses, and be permitted to go down into the vessel unaccompanied."
"Then he is to come down here without you?" said Ralph in surprise.
"Why, certainly; and that is why I want some one here to watch proceedings," said the captain.
"Oh! I understand now," replied Alfred. "That's a good idea. If anything happens we'll find out what it is if any one can."