First, I will admit several things.

Your rescue of the prisoners was very clever.

Also you beat us off last night, but I now have a hundred men with me and we have plenty of arms.

We are bound to take you sooner or later." "Then why talk to us about it ?" said the Panther.
"Because I wish to save bloodshed." "Wa'al, then, what do you have to say ?" "Give us the man, Roylston, and the rest of you can go free." "Why are you so anxious to have Roylston ?" Ned eagerly awaited the answer.

It was obvious that Roylston had rather minimized his own importance.