This gives us our chance--we can act before he does." "But if the men are with him ?" "What are the odds, say you--thirty to a hundred?
Ay, but surprise will overcome that.

My plan is this; first, for you and I to secure Manuel, as quietly as possible, but at whatever cost.

Surely that can be done.

With him in our hands, or dead, the buccaneers have no leader.

What then?
There are men in the crew on deck and in the forecastle to be trusted--Watkins is one, and he will know others, a dozen, no doubt.