I must either face the possibility of discovery and capture, which as surely meant torture and death, or otherwise play the coward, and remain impotently behind.

There was no safe course to pursue.

I believed that I could play my part among the crew, once securely established among them; that I could succeed in escaping recognition even on the part of Cochose.

If this was true, then, to a stout heart and ready hand, a way might open even aboard the bark to protect her from the final closing of the devil's jaws.

I had nothing to risk but my life, and it had never been my nature to count odds.