The deriders of his project were right--from their standpoint--for they believed the natives to be mere wild beasts; and Robinson was right, from his standpoint--for he believed the natives to be human beings.

The truth did really lie between the two.

The event proved that Robinson's judgment was soundest; but about once a month for four years the event came near to giving the verdict to the deriders, for about that frequently Robinson barely escaped falling under the native spears.
But history shows that he had a thinking head, and was not a mere wild sentimentalist.

For instance, he wanted the war parties (called) in before he started unarmed upon his mission of peace.

He wanted the best chance of success--not a half-chance.