"Now, that is one argument in favour of your joining us.  But there are others.  We are weak, as yet, it is true; but that is because, as a community, we are still very young.  We are, however, gaining strength almost daily; every capture we make adds to our numbers, because we give our prisoners the choice between joining us, and--death; and nine of every ten choose the former.  Also, we are rapidly accumulating wealth, which is power; and with the power which unlimited wealth will give us, added to the power of constantly increasing numbers, all things are possible to us, even to the conquest of the world!  Now, a lad of your intelligence ought to be able to see, without much persuasion, how tremendous an advantage it will be to belong to such a formidable band as we shall soon become, therefore I put it to you in a nutshell--Will you join us?"