Had we before felt any doubts on the subject, these remarks would have revealed to us too clearly the character of the people among whom we had fallen.  I was thankful, indeed, that we were not immediately murdered. Why the desperadoes allowed us to live was a mystery.  The doctor, they thought, would be useful to them; and perhaps, as Jerry remarked, they did not think us worth killing.  The doctor, he, and I, stood together near the gangway, with Surley at our feet, waiting what was next to happen.  Meantime the poor wounded Sandwich islander had been handed up, and placed on the deck forward.