I tried strategy to forestall them.
"I'll go and get him," I said.

"I'll leave my gun here." This, I fancied, would convince them that I intended to return, but it didn't.
"Jim and I will go with you," said one of the thieves.

"You can leave your gun here if you want to.

You won't need it." I saw that if I was to get away at all I would have to be extremely alert.

These were old hands, and were not to be easily fooled.