"By becoming one of us. I will deal fairly with you. Our obligations are as binding as blood and oaths can make them; but, once one of us, you'll make heaps of money, and be companion to as jolly a set of men as ever took chances for a good livelihood." "I must bind myself by oaths?" "Yes; oaths as solemn as mortal lips ever uttered." "I can't do it now." "Why not?" "I must have time to consider." "Why do you need time to consider?" "I've a reason." "Will you name your reason?" "Yes, I will, captain; you have been frank with me, I will be equally frank with you. I can't join your crew as long as one man is a member of it. I learn that I've an enemy on board. I never can take an obligation that would compel me to be friendly with that man!" "Who is the man?" "The villain who has accused me of being a Government spy!" "How do you know which is the man?" "I know." "I am sorry, Ballard, I know I am to blame. I should have mentioned before what I am telling you, but there is no alternative now; you must join our crew in regular form." "Never as long as one particular man is one of them." "Mine is an unpleasant duty, Ballard, you have got all the points down on us, you must become one of us." "What do you mean?" demanded the detective. "The men demand that you join us." "I will not. You will give me a chance for my life?" "What chance do you want?" "I wish to prove that my accuser is a liar." "That would not help you, unless you become one of us; the fact that you have learned our methods settles the business, whether you are an informer or not. We run from here to the place where our goods are landed; you would have all the points down on us, and were you my own brother, it would be necessary for you to join us or be silenced. Now what will you do?" "Give me half an hour to think the matter over." "I've no right to give you any time." "I can't run away, captain." "I know, but I'd like to go back and make good my declaration in your favor. I'd like to tell the men it's all right, and that you will become one of us." "On one condition I will take your oaths and obligations." "What is your condition?" "Let me settle my quarrel with the man who is my enemy." "I never could consent to that; and besides, I must say that the fact of your suspecting a certain man as having informed against you, lends color to the charge. Ballard, you must join us or die." Spencer Vance was still calm, and did not betray one particle of trepidation as he answered: "I should have been informed of your requirements before I was permitted to ship with you." "I made a mistake. I admit that I am responsible!" "Are you willing to take the responsibility?" "How can I?" "Give me a chance for my life." "How can I?" "Make it a gauge of life or death between you and me." Ike Denman laughed, and answered: "Why, man, you are crazy!" "Not crazy enough to pay the penalty of your mistakes with my life!"