"Come!" And he took the bundle of money and ascended the bridge ladder, bidding me wait at the foot of it for further orders.

I stood there two hours without another sign of him, although I heard voices in the wheel-house.
Now the men grew restless.

Reflection without action made them begin to doubt the wisdom of surrendering all their money at a word.

They began to want to know the why and wherefore of the business, and I was unable to tell them.
"Wait and see!" said I, but that only exasperated them, and some began to raise their voices in anger.

So I felt urged to invent a reason, hoping to explain it away afterward should I be wrong.