As his outward placidity becomes only more pronounced, if possible, the more reason there is for excitement; and as Davidson's eyes, when his wits are hard at work, get very still and as if sleepy, the huge Frenchman might have been justified in concluding that the man there was a mere sheep--a sheep ready for slaughter.

With a '_merci bien_' he uplifted his huge carcase to reach the light of the candle with his cigarette, and Davidson left the house.
"Going down to the ship and returning, he had time to consider his position.

At first he was inclined to believe that these men (Niclaus--the white Nakhoda--was the only one he knew by sight before, besides Bamtz) were not of the stamp to proceed to extremities.

This was partly the reason why he never attempted to take any measures on board.
His pacific Kalashes were not to be thought of as against white men.

His wretched engineer would have had a fit from fright at the mere idea of any sort of combat.