I suppose that the coming in of the ship had drawn idlers from the camp I had heard of to see her, for they all had arms of some sort.
This was bad, for it seemed certain that the whole crowd would join with Evan in falling on me if he called on them.

If I came forth now I had full twenty yards to cover before I reached them from the ship's side after I had settled with the men on watch.

In that space all would be ready for me, and they were too many for me to cut through to the roadway.

I thought too that I heard the voices of more who came downward toward the ship, though I could not see them whence I was.
Then it came into my mind that if there was any place where I could hide myself on deck I would try to creep to it while none had their eyes on the ship.

Then Evan, as he went to the cabin to seek me, would have to deal with me from the rear.