Howsomever, I can't say which is the best passage.
This city gentleman I've got with me now thinks he's lost his life siveral times already since he got into this boat." He pointed to Caius as he ended his invitation to Le Maitre.

The men on the schooner all grinned.

It was O'Shea's manner, as well as his words, that produced their derision.
Caius was wondering what would happen if Le Maitre refused to come in the boat.

Suspicion said that O'Shea would cause the boat to be towed ashore, and would then take the Captain home by the quicksands.

Would O'Shea make him drunk, and then cast him headfirst into the swallowing sand?
It seemed preposterous to be harbouring such thought against the cheerful and most respectable farmer at his side.