You work willingly and well and have the makings of a first-class seaman in you; still I can understand that you would much rather be with your own people, and would be rather aiding them in capturing us than in aiding us to capture them.

Consequently you will if you see an opportunity probably try to escape.

I shall take as good care as I can to prevent you from doing so, and shall shoot you without hesitation if I catch you at it.
Still you may escape, and I cannot run the risk of having this place discovered and our trade knocked on the head.

I therefore offer you an alternative.

You will either give me your solemn oath not in any case to reveal the existence of this place, or I will put you on shore in charge of the party who remain here, and you will stop with them a prisoner till we sail away from this cruising ground, which may be in three months or may be in a year.