It would have been like his preference of loyalty to law; it would have been like his prejudice, which was all in favour of the after-guard.

But it must remain a matter of conjecture only.

Well as I came to know him in the sequel, he was never communicative on that point, nor indeed on any that concerned the voyage of the Gleaner.

Doubtless he had some reason for his reticence.
Even during our walk to the police office, he debated several times with Johnson, the third officer, whether he ought not to give up himself, as well as to denounce the captain.

He had decided in the negative, arguing that "it would probably come to nothing; and even if there was a stink, he had plenty good friends in San Francisco." And to nothing it came; though it must have very nearly come to something, for Mr.Nares disappeared immediately from view and was scarce less closely hidden than his captain.
Johnson, on the other hand, I often met.