Captain Liddle shook hands with them; and after that they crawled to the women, and shook hands with them, and kissed little Emma Pigeon. Then they crawled away, and lay down side by side.
"The end has come, Jim," said Harry.
"All right, Hal," said James; "it is only a matter of a few years--perhaps not so long as that. If we had had plenty to eat, it might have come just the same. After all, what is time? Draw a breath, and it is gone. It isn't so hard to give up a few years when you think of that. Besides"--But here he paused.
"Besides what, Jim?"
"We are alone; we have no women-ties--no wives, no sweethearts. If we had, I think we should both try to live as long as we could."
"I think so too. 'Tis a good job we are alone in the world."
"Did you notice the women, Hal? I don't think they'll last long."
"One of them won't," said Harry. "Mrs. Pigeon will soon go. Well, you know the reason of that."
"Yes; she gives all her food to her little girl. Women are good creatures, Hal."
"Such as she are. Jim, old boy, a sudden weakness has come over me. Put your face closer to mine--I want to kiss you. Good old boy--good old boy!"