Now then, it was precisely this familiarity that we needed to prevent. Since our weapons made no sound when they went off, they would have only a moderate effect on these islanders, who reputedly respect nothing but noisy mechanisms.
Onze geweren, wier schot geen knal gaf, konden dien inboorlingen slechts weinig vrees inboezemen, daar zij slechts eerbied hebben voor geraasmakende vuurwapenen.