"And I can see but one desperate hope."
"What is that?"
"To follow Bippo."
"I agree with you again; let us make such a demonstration from the front that we shall be able to draw most of them there; then one of us will make a rush."
"Why not both."
"We shall fail; one must keep up the firing while they think both are at it, and then the other can make the attempt."
"Very well; let me open here."
"No; we will both do it; you know that this station is mine and as soon as there appears to be a chance, you can make the start."
Now, both of the men believed in their hearts that if the desperate scheme could work, that the utmost it could do would be to save one: there could be no earthly chance for the other.
It was characteristic of the chivalrous friendship of each that he had fully determined that that forlorn opportunity should be given to the other.