They do not look armed to the halfling as he readies himself. The captain goes to the side where the rowboat will land against his larger boat.
"What do you think you be doing, blocking the river?" the captain asks sneering slightly.
"CAN WE COME ABOARD? WE BE NEEDIN" HELP, AND YOU SEEM LIKE YOU'lL BE ABLE TOO."
The captain looks at you guys for suggestions before looking over the side and yelling down "Aye, you can come aboard, but no more the three of ya, and keep your hands free!"
The men talk among themselves and finally they nod up to the captain for the rope. With skilled ease, the sailors of the other boat climb up the rope and are on the deck in no time.
The three seem strange. They have angular eyes, and black hair. They do not seem to have any facial hair, and have strong noses. THeir cloths are of any other sailor. "We be in need of talking to you." one of them says to the captain, while the other two look at all the armed people around them. "Privately."