"You can't expect any sensible man to dive into the water when such a nasty sort of neighbour is close at hand.

I wouldn't like to venture, for one, I confess; and I don't think I'm a very great coward." "No, Marline, no; I'll answer for that," replied the captain warmly.
"Your worst enemy wouldn't accuse you of any want of pluck, and really I should not' care about undertaking the job either, for that matter." Jake, though, wanted to make another effort to recover the axe, his courage rising with the emergency, especially as he could notice how disappointed we all were.
"Me nebber mind shark," he cried, drawing out a long clasp-knife which he carried in his belt, and opening the blade, which he now brandished about in a most ferocious way, showing how he would make mincemeat of the sea-pirate if it attacked him.

"I'se not 'fraid ob him one lilly bit.

I tell you wat, I'se gib him goss if um kick up any bobbery wid me!" So saying, he was preparing to plunge again into the water, when Captain Miles ordered him to refrain, having to repeat his command twice before the brave fellow would stop from making the venture.
"No, Jake," said the captain, "I can't allow you to risk your life in such a foolhardy way for what may be only a wild-goose chase.

Wait awhile and see if the brute is going to remain here.