Chapter 40 Summary

Brown's true intention is to strike a deal with Jim, and in the interim is merely playing along with Kassim in order to maintain the supply of food and as a backup plan should anything go awry. On Brown's order, a villager, assuming himself a safe distance away from the knoll, is sniped and killed. Meanwhile, Kassim's machinations continue; sending word to Dain Waris about the impending arrival of Brown's ship, hoping to keep the Bugis forces divided and occupied while he carries out the rest of his plan unnoticed.

Brown had earlier sent one of his men, the Solomon Islander who killed the ship keepers who stole the schooner, to the boat in order to see what sort of ambush lay in wait. Heartened by the fact that he had not been fired upon, one of the other men attempts to steal...