"Don't march down on the Windjammers. I've said nothing against your plans until the right moment."
"Well?" asked Broadbeam.
"I've a betther plan than your own to offer. Listen, sir--the most you can muster is half a dozen able men."
"A dozen, fully."
"And leave the ship unguarded? All right, captain, call it a dozen. What then? You march on a thousand natives. No, no, sir," said Stoodles, shaking his head solemnly, "they would wipe you off the face of the earth, first move. Don't be foolish, sir. Let me thry."
"Try what?"
"To rescue me young friend, Dave Fearless. Captain, you remember how I hocused them and came it over them when you were here before?"
"Yes, Pat, I have a very vivid memory of some of your whimsical doings," answered the captain, smiling.
"Then one favor, captain: loan me Bob Vilett and a few traps I need. Give me two days to bring back Dave Fearless."
Amos Fearless looked anxious, the captain undecided.