Just now I must have him on my side, and conditions had delivered him into my hands.
But I could only hope to retain him through self interest.

The mulatto had little faith in me; I was a stranger, an Englishman, unknown and untried.

Naturally we were enemies.

He would make use of me for the present if he could, and as smilingly knife me tomorrow if it served his turn.

I felt confident of that, and in consequence the answer came quickly to my lips.
"The whole truth, Senor LeVere--that Manuel conspired to seize the bark through a mutiny of the buccaneers; that these were to be turned loose with license to kill anyone on board who opposed them; that their real purpose was to divide among themselves all the treasure below; then wreck the vessel, and escape with it.