With me life was at stake; while with him it was but the goal of ambition and power.
Brutal and evil minded as Estada undoubtedly was, I had taken his measure, and felt confident of being able to outwit him; but Sanchez would prove a different problem, for he possessed brains and cool, resourceful courage.

Of the two he was far more to be feared.
For half an hour Estada hung about aft, apparently paying no attention to me, and yet watching my movements closely.

There was little to be done, but I thought it best to keep the watch reasonably busy, so they might thus learn that I knew my work.

They proved prompt and capable enough, although I was eyed with some curiosity when I went forward, and, no doubt was very thoroughly discussed behind my back.

The idlers amidships were a totally different class--a mongrel scum, profanely chatting in Spanish, or swaggering about the deck, their very looks a challenge.